South Africa: EU travel ban lifted

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Matric exam results will no longer be published on public platforms, Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, announced on Tuesday. The department cited the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), 2013 (Act No. 04 of 2013), which came into effect on 1 July 2021, as the reason. The Minister said the department recognises that... See more
Coffee industry targets $6 billion export value in 2030

The Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association has targeted a coffee export turnover of US$5-6 billion in 2030, doubling the export value at present.













The coffee export value in December, 2021 increased by 26.2 per cent compared to November, 2021. Photo kinhtedothi.vn

To reach this figure, experts believe that the domestic coffee industry needs to increase the proportion of processed coffee products from less than 10 per cent at present to about 25 per cent or even more.

However, increasing the proportion of processed coffee products is a big challenge for the industry due to the level of technology, complex factory operation and awareness of farmers.



At present, Vietnam has 160 coffee roasting facilities, 11 coffee blending facilities and eight instant-coffee processing facilities. The number of instant-coffee processing facilities is small and most of them are operating below their designed capacity.



On the other hand, Vietnam's processed coffee brands still have no place in the world market, and branding takes a lot of money and effort.



Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade o Thang Hai said that to gain the target of $6 billion, Vietnams coffee industry needed to strengthen connection between production and trade, expand export markets and develop products associated with brand building, towards building a sustainable coffee value chain.



According to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, if the coffee industry wants to have sustainable development, there must be linkages among provinces or economic regions to form a larger-scale production area and build a brand for Tay Nguyen coffee.



The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will continue to implement projects on sustainable development for the domestic coffee industry.



For the Central Highlands provinces, the ministry will set up logistics infrastructure for the coffee industry to create higher coffee value and more processed products. This will form a coffee production chain to increase value of coffee beans and income for coffee producers.



"The Europe-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has opened up great opportunities for the domestic coffee industry. In the future, the ministry will develop its projects on exporting agricultural products to the EU, including coffee. At the same time, it will also have a strategy for Vietnamese agricultural products to enter large distribution systems in Europe," Hoan said.



"If Central Highlands coffee wants to reach out to the world market, it needs to change production, harvesting and processing in accordance with climate change and green consumption of the world market.



The coffee industry needs to restructure effectively, including building a specialised cultivation area associated with the development of coffee processing; and application of advanced technology.



It need to promote linkage of raw material areas with processing facilities to create a stable supply of quality goods, meeting the requirements of the market.



The industry must have solutions to remove difficulties and support for farmers and businesses in attracting investment; apply science and technology for production; and improve quality of human resources.



In addition, branding must be paid more attention to. Now, the building and developing of brands have not been realised and effectively implemented by businesses. This is one reason why Vietnam's agricultural produce, including coffee, are unknown on the world market.



The local enterprises need to survey terms of market share, taste, quality, and price. They must determine the proportion of processed products to build a clear development direction, advertising, marketing and brand positioning strategies.



The State will support enterprises to build and develop their brands through campaigns on communication and image promotion, and training programmes on improving design ability.



Export in 2022



The global coffee price in 2022 is forecast to remain high. The COVID-19 pandemic has limited supply from major coffee producing countries such as Colombia and some other South American countries, according to the association. Congestion at international ports is also predicted to be prolonged.



Currently, some roasters plan to mix Arabica and Robusta coffee to lower the selling price due to the lack of Arabica coffee supply.



In the long term, this can change consumer tastes and make customers more accustomed to drinking Robusta coffee, and help Vietnam increase Robusta coffee exports.



Meanwhile, European, American and Asian consumers will also gradually know and like Vietnamese coffee beans.



Experts said that if local enterprises have strategies to enter strict export markets such as the EU, the US and Japan, they will be promising markets for Vietnamese coffee exports.



The coffee industry's strategy in the future is to develop processed coffee products, such as roasted coffee and instant coffee, rather than focusing on the export quantity of green coffee as at present.



According to the experts, despite many challenges, developing the coffee processing industry will be a key solution not only to increase export value but also to help the coffee industry have sustainable development.



Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hai said that in recent years, trade promotion activities had been enhanced to develop the export market for coffee products.



Under the National Trade Promotion Programme, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has coordinated with localities producing coffee, organisations and enterprises to implement trade promotion activities, such as participation in specialised exhibition of agricultural produce and food at home and abroad.



In 2021, Vietnam's coffee exports reached 1.52 million tonnes, worth of about $3 billion, down 2.7 per cent in volume, but up 9.4 per cent in value year on year. Last year, Vietnam mainly exported Robusta coffee.



According to the MoIT's Import and Export Department, loosening social distancing measures due to COVID-19 has created more favourable conditions for customs clearance, and higher coffee demand on the world market, which were the factors to make Vietnam's coffee exports recover at the end of 2021.



The coffee exports in December 2021 reached 130,000 tonnes, earning $305 million, up 21 per cent in volume and 26.2 per cent in value compared to November 2021.



The average export price of Vietnam's coffee in December 2021 reached $2,344 per tonne, the highest level since June 2017. The price increased by 4.3 per cent month-month and 28.7 per cent year-on-year.



The average export price for the whole of 2021 was estimated at $1,969 per tonne, up 12.4 per cent compared to 2020.



However, to increase the export turnover, the core factor is still the development of processed coffee products. In 2021, Vietnam's deep-processed coffee exports were only 121,000 tonnes, earning $433 million. Thus, the volume only accounted for 8 per cent, while the export turnover of processed coffee products accounted for 15 per cent of the total turnover.


On January 8, ANHAD organised a virtual discussion titled Women Against Hate in response to hate speech against Indias Muslims during an event in Haridwar and the recent online auction of more than 100 Muslim women whose photos were shared on an app called Bulli Bai on GitHub.

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NEW DELHI  Several leading women activists, and journalists condemned the recent hate speeches made against Indias Muslims and the online auction of more than a hundred Muslim women whose photos were shared on an app called Bulli Bai during a virtual event held on January 8.

The virtual event titled Women Against Hate was organized by ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy)which is an Indian socio-cultural organization founded in March 2003 in response to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Social activist Shabnam Hashmi, sister of the slain activist Safdar Hashmi, one of the founders of Anhad, began the program by giving a brief introduction of Anhad.

Culture of hate in country

Speaking on the occasion, Brinelle Dsouza, National Programme Director at Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), said, I will speak as a feminist and as a Christian with a very heavy heart about whats happening in the country todayespecially, the culture of hate that is being perpetuated with such impunity and which is getting so normalized.

While talking about the Haridwar Dharm Sansad (religious parliament), Dsouza said, Just a month earlier, I was celebrating the withdrawal of the controversial farm laws and the power of peoples movementsbut then the Dharm Sansad, organised between December 17 to 19 in Haridwar, Uttrakhand witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of hate speech, mobilisation of violence and anti-Muslim sentiments with calls for ethnic cleansing and genocide of Muslims by religious leaders. Some of whom have close connections with the ruling party.

A Thread with **TRIGGER WARNING***

A three day hate speech conclave was organized by hate monger Yati Narsinghanand. At the event, multiple calls to k!ll minorities and attack their religious spaces were made.#HaridwarHateAssembly Thread   Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 22, 2021

As per reports, the Haridwar event was attended by at least two members of the BJP. After outrage over calls of genocide made against Indias Muslims at the Sansad, police registered an FIR. However, no one has been arrested so far.

Pertinently, the Supreme Court today issued a notice to the Uttarakhand government seeking its response to a petition against hate speeches at a conclave held in Haridwar last month, Bar and Bench reported. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana asked the state government to file a reply within 10 days.

Dharam sansad and politics of BJP

While talking about the relationship between the Haridwar Dharm Sansad and the politics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Dsouza said, Modi government has not yet commented on the Haridwar event, but then after the Prime Ministers recent speech at Lakpat, Gurudwara in Kach on December 25, one must no longer be silent. Rather, one is a better place to understand the coherence in Modis and Yatis ideology. Henceforth, there should be no problem in understanding the relationship between the Dharm Sansad and the politics of the BJP.

She said the exhortations of Hindus who take up arms, the calls for Rohingya mass murder and the exodus of Indian Muslims, the toxic fantasy of a Hindu Rashtraso-calledere is no Masjid or Madrasa are a challenge to the constitution of India.

Bulli bai app case points to moral decay in society

Over the recent public auctioning of Muslim women on social media, Saira Shah Haleem, a right activist, said Bulli Bai app case is an attack on religious identity and a normalization of othering and the dehumanization of Muslims.

It points to a deep moral decay as communal elements now openly target, bully and perpetuate sexual violence against women with alarming impunity. The poison of hate that is all around us is having an impact on the rights and well being of people, Haleem said.

Haleem further said that Hindutva is an ideology that has progressed from a loose cluster of fringe organisations to a sustained grassroots political movement which has electorally managed to capture state institutions (in India).

Hate mongers know that they have the support of the ruling party and its institutions. Hate is now part of state policy, Haleem said.

Haleem noted that minorities in India are being relegated to second class citizenship.

The genuine foundation of a secular state is fastly diminishing. This poison of hate is going to destroy the entire nation, she said.

Silence of BJP govt over hate speech against Muslims

While talking about the silence of the Modi government over hate speech and vilification of Indias Muslims by Hindutva ideologues, Ratna Pathak Shah, an actor and a director, said, I feel that it is being done deliberately. What is happening in the country is not happening by chance but is a deliberate strategy and effort and that is what makes it extremely reprehensible.

Shah said she has never seen such expressions of Hindu culture. I was not brought up in this kind of culture, she said.

While talking about the mastermindanti-minority App, she said, As a Hindu mother, when I see young people spreading hate, I wonder whats going on. I wonder what their parents must be feeling. The people who are training them to do this are using them for their nefarious ends just to win the next election. I cannot believe that this is my country, she said.

Silence of electronic media

On the occasion, Meena Gopal of Mumbai-based Forum against Oppression of Women (FAOW) blamed media for deflecting the issue of hate speech.  We have a sold-out electronic media. Its a media that deflects and stages lies. It governs through calculated divisive politics. It perpetuates misogyny along with casteism, anti- minority sentiments, she said.

Gopal said that the state and the majoritarian Hindu forces have fused into one entity in India today.

From the catcall of Didi-o-Didi to the Sulli and Bulli appsthis perpetuates violence against women. This pitch of violence, hatred, fear, humiliation, stripping people of dignity is strengthening since 2019 through a complete orchestration and shifting of social context, Gopal said.

While talking about the Haridwar event, Anjali Bhardwaj, a social activist and a founding member of Satark Nagrik Sanghatan said, When we want to protest, we are supposed to take permission before one week, which is given on conditionsbut in this case, the event went on for three days in Hardiwar where speakers spread venom with impunity and the police cannot acthow is this possible?

Sanghatan said that institutions (in the country) have to be challenged. They have to be shown the truth and they have to be asked to do their duty, she added.

While talking about the online targetting of Muslim women, Arfa Khanum Sherwani, senior editor of The Wire, said, I think this was the most concerted, the most serious and vicious attack not just on women in general but on Muslim women in particular.

This was the attack on Muslim women who are triple marginalized. Muslim women are marginalised for being Muslim, for being women and for being poor, unemployed and uneducated, Sherwani said.

Sherwani talked about the Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA protest and said, I am very inspired by this protest. I had never imagined that Muslim women could come out in this way but they did. And the way they did, it was fantastic and all of us saw that and I think till today we recognise the protest as a big mass level challenge to the current regime and current kind of politics.

In her concluding remarks, Dsouza said her support and solidarity is for Muslim women. As an Indian citizen, and as a fellow minority, I want to tell the Muslim community that we are here with you in complete solidarity. We will not allow this hate to continue in every way in any. We will question our institutions and demand accountability, she said.

Dsouza said that time has come to no longer remain silent. The time has come to act and to push and we will push the boundaries of all our institutions. We will push them as minorities and as citizens. They are our institutions, she added.
Wyoming has officially asked for grizzly bears to be removed from the endangered species list.

Gov. Mark Gordon, backed by the fellow grizzly states of Idaho and Montana, on Tuesday submitted a petition for delisting to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The petition argues that the species is fully recovered in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and should be returned to state management  in Wyomings case, the state Game and Fish Department.

The Fish and Wildlife Service now has 90 days to determine whether to conduct a comprehensive status review of the species. It will then have 12 months from receipt of the petition to complete the status review and issue a recommendation.

Wyoming has invested more than $52 million and dedicated countless hours of Game and Fish expertise to reach this point, Gordon said in a statement. Were optimistic the Service will view the petition favorably, and we look forward to working with them on delisting.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte also filed a petition with the Fish and Wildlife Service last month, calling for the delisting of the Northern Continental Divide grizzlies  a population separate from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) bears.

Greater Yellowstone grizzly bears have been delisted before, in 2007 and 2017, but soon had their protections restored by federal courts.

State leaders are confident that the revised grizzly management plan will resolve earlier concerns about the accuracy of their population estimates and the resulting population targets, as well as the bears long-term genetic health.

The new management actions are so substantial that a reasonable person would conclude that the petitioned actions  the establishment of the GYE grizzly (distinct population segment) as a species that is neither a threatened nor endangered species and the revision of the List by removing the GYE grizzly bear (distinct population segment)  are warranted, the petition reads.

Some conservationists disagree with the states conclusions.

The methods contained in the (management plan) are so egregiously flawed as to call into question the competence and motives of the wildlife managers who concocted them, grizzly biologist David Mattson wrote in a blog post before Wyoming approved the tri-state plan.

If grizzlies are delisted, state wildlife managers would have authority over discretionary mortality  the intentional killing of grizzlies  once theyve accounted for non-discretionary mortality. The three states have made it clear that they intend to allow hunting of bears above their established population limit.

Mattson warned in the blog post that male grizzly populations could be decimated under the new plan, especially outside parks, and that the states planned means of estimating population could fail to account for that loss.

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WAPELLO  The settling of Fiscal Year 2022-23 wage increases that will be given to Louisa Countys elected officials generated quite a bit of discussion, but no formal action when the Louisa County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday.

Louisa County Compensation Board Chair Jay Schweitzer had initially presented the recommended salary increases for the eight elected county officials to the supervisors on Dec. 28.

That recommendation, which had been approved on a 5-1 vote during the compensation boards Dec. 20 meeting, called for an 18% hike for county sheriff Brad Turner; 12% increases for auditor Sandi Sturgell, treasurer Vicki Frank, recorder Tammy Hayes and attorney Adam Parsons; and 6% raises for supervisors Brad Quigley, Chris Ball and Randy Griffin.

At Tuesdays meeting, Quigley said he did not think the supervisors were prepared to make any decision because much of the FY 23 preliminary budget information was still unknown.

He said that included a key issue, the amount of valuation change between last year and this year.

Thats what we need to know. If we knew that number, then our decisions would be a lot easier, but we dont know that number, he said, explaining if enough revenue is not raised through higher valuations, the (tax rate) would need to be increased to cover higher wages.

Supervisor Randy Griffin agreed and said the supervisors had also not been able to talk to Paul Greufe, county human resource consultant.

He is one of the first people we need to talk to, Griffin said.

The supervisors did meet with Greufe in an exempt session through Zoom following their regular meeting.

Sturgell, who serves as the clerk for the supervisors during their regular meetings, said county officials were contacting her about the raises because she had requested departmental budgets be filed with her by Jan. 17.

She said two budget publication dates now required by the state were driving that schedule. While the supervisors acknowledged the time crunch, they said there was little they could do until they received valuation information and talked with Greufe.

Its like pulling a rabbit out of the hat, Quigley said.

Sturgell indicated the Iowa Department of Revenue had issued its rollback order on property values, so the final valuation figures should now be available.

In the meantime, she said another key budget figure, the increase in health insurance costs, had only risen 1.5%, although she was unsure about property insurance cost increases.

Quigley asked several of the elected department heads who attended the meeting to bear with the supervisors while the needed contacts and information is gathered.

In other action during Tuesdays meeting, the supervisors:

Received monthly department updates from veterans affairs service officer Adam Caudle and public health administrator Roxanne Smith;

Approved second quarter reports for the auditor and recorders offices and the semi-annual treasurers report;

Approved county holidays for FY 23 that will be the same as the FY 22 holidays;

Amended an action it took last week by accepting a revised bid from Frank Millard, Burlington, for a new boiler at the County Complex. An earlier Millard bid of $38,965 had apparently not included installation and other work. The revised $64,345 bid was still below a $72,345 bid that had been submitted by Northwest Mechanical, Davenport.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's top infectious disease expert, angrily accused a senator Tuesday of making false accusations that are leading to threats against him -- all to raise political cash.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has repeatedly said Fauci lies about the pandemic and in a hearing Tuesday also claimed that he tried to "take down" some scientists who disagreed with him.

Paul and other conservative critics have focused their ire at how the pandemic is being handled on Fauci, the National Institutes of Health infectious disease chief who also is President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser. Fauci has needed increased security since 2020 because of threats and harassment against him and his family.

Keep scrolling for photos of Dr. Fauci through the years

Tuesday, Fauci expressed frustration that this far into the pandemic the senator still "accuses me of things that are completely untrue" and "kindles the crazies out there."

He pointed to the arrest last month of a California man who was stopped for speeding in Iowa and told a sheriff's deputy he was on the way to the nation's capital to kill a list of people in power -- including Fauci. Court documents show the man, Kuachua Brillion Xiong of Sacramento, had an AR-15 style rifle, ammunition and body armor in the car.

Fauci said Paul's website has a "fire Dr. Fauci" page and includes a call for political contributions ranging from $5 to $100.

He accused Paul of using the pandemic "for your political gain," he said.

The feud overshadowed a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee designed to examine if policy changes are needed while the U.S. is battling the hugely contagious omicron variant.

Among the chief complaints of Republicans and Democrats alike is a continuing lack of tests to make it easier for people to tell if they have COVID-19 so they can stay home and not spread it.

"I just say to all of you right now, testing's broken," said an exasperated Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, the committee's ranking member.

Still, Burr and several other lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also thanked Fauci for his work to fight the pandemic.

But later in Tuesday's hearing, Fauci lost his temper when Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, accused him of hiding financial disclosure forms required of public officials.

"You're so misinformed that it's extraordinary," Fauci responded, saying those documents are publicly available upon request. As the exchange ended, Fauci could be heard muttering off-camera, "What a moron."

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President Joe Biden waves as he returns via Marine One to the White House in Washington, D.C., Jan. 10, 2022.
South African police are investigating a number of criminal cases brought by out-of-pocket investors who want two brothers arrested over an allegedly fraudulent cryptocurrency platform.

A group of investors are seeking the arrest of Raees and Ameer Cajee, who ran the Africrypt platform, after a number of them were offered some of the lost investment by a Dubai-based mystery investor known as Pennython Project Management LLC. They havent been found guilty of any wrongdoing and the probes may come to nothing.

Work is underway in four South African provinces and cities including Johannesburg and Durban, Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase, from the Hawks police unit, said in a response to questions from Bloomberg.

There are multiple victims in these cases, said Nkwalase. Investigations are ongoing.

The brothers disappeared in April last year just after $3.6 billion of Bitcoin vanished from the Africrypt platform, although the lawyer who represented them at the time later disputed the amount.

The Cajees had earlier told clients that the company was the victim of a hack, while urging them not to report the incident to authorities.

Financial statements of the victims relating to the different cases are being analyzed, Nkwalase said. The alleged fraud doesnt yet have an official value, he said.

Lack of Scrutiny

The fallout has shone a light on the lack of scrutiny over the countrys burgeoning crypto industry, which has boomed in popularity since the surge in Bitcoin just over a year ago. Another South African firm, Mirror Trading International, collapsed in 2020, with losses totaling about $1.2 billion.

The Hawks said they are aware of the arrest of Mirror Trading Chief Executive Officer Johann Steynberg by Brazilian authorities over documentation issues, and they are separately looking into cases against the firm in South Africa. A lawyer representing Mirror Trading didnt respond to a request for comment.

The countrys financial regulator is planning to unveil a framework covering cryptocurrencies early this year to help protect vulnerable members of the society, it said last month.

Bitcoin has started the month in a nosedive, registering the largest decline for a start of the year since at least 2012.
With citrus ripening around town, volunteers are once again offering to harvest extra fruit from St. Helena fruit trees and deliver it to the St. Helena Food Pantry.

Pam Smithers and Susan Davis of the Food Pantry are leading the project, which is aimed at reducing food waste and feeding the hungry.

Mark and Pam Smithers will pick fruit for people unable to do it themselves.

Call 696-0530 to set up an appointment and learn more.


Activists in the panel stated the need for the global community to not only remember Shaheen Bagh but also to take action before a full-on genocide of Muslims takes place in India.

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Washington, DC  A panel comprising of renowned activists, authors, and journalists discussed the continuing impact of Indias Shaheen Bagh protest, a peaceful sit-in protest which lasted from December 2019 to March 2020, during an event held by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) on January 9.

Over nearly 4 months, Muslims took to the streets almost daily in large crowds in protest of Prime Minister Narendra Modis discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the revocation of Muslim-majority Kashmirs semi-autonomy, and other government policies discriminatory towards Muslims.

The Shaheen Bagh protest is also notable for being led largely by Indian Muslim women, ranging from students to stay-at-home mothers, who came out in droves to protest the Modi governments discriminatory treatment against Muslims.

People who have gotten their first political pushback [from this movement] have never forgotten what Shaheen Bagh did to them, said Arfa Khanum Sherwani, senior editor of The Wire, a major Indian news publication. Referring to the Hindu nationalist goal of turning India into a Hindu Rashtra (nation), she added, Shaheen Bagh women came and built a wall between a democratic secular country and a theocratic Rashtra.

Other activists joining the panel repeatedly stated the need for the global community to not only remember Shaheen Bagh but also to take action before Prime Minister Narendra Modis government allows for a full-on genocide of Muslims.

One thing that requires focus is the flagging of India as a high alert situation, where an impending genocide is there, said Safoora Zargar, a student at Jamia Millia Islamia University who was arrested during the Anti-CAA protests. People like me who are here, and who see all of this every day  the hate on social media, the hate on the ground, the hate that we face in everyday life we [see that] we are very, very close to a genocide.

We are sitting on a genocidal time bomb, and its ticking very fast. And in less than a year, youve seen these genocidal calls, said Aasif Mujtaba, an author and activist at the forefront of Shaheen Bagh, referring to the instances across India during which Hindu extremist leaders have called for Hindus to take up weapons and cleanse India of its Muslims.

It is high time that people start concerted efforts to highlight this, added Zargar.

Ziya Us Salam, author and journalist with The Hindu, stated that it was in part due to international outrage, protests, and advocacy on part of the diaspora that stopped Prime Minister Modi from implementing the CAA, even after it was passed by Parliament.

This is precise because of all the international pressure, which was generated because of the Shaheen Bagh movement back home, he said. Nothing is small. Every little drop counts.
The City of St. Helena will host a virtual community workshop to discuss the Housing Element Update and available housing sites in St. Helena at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20.

To join the meeting via Zoom, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81996697293 or use the Zoom meeting ID 819 9669 7293.

To participate by phone, call (669) 900-6833 and enter the meeting ID. Comments may also be submitted at https://sthelenahousing.com.

The Housing Element is a component of the General Plan intended to identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs in order to preserve, improve, and develop housing for all economic segments of the community.
Tuesday, Jan. 4

1117  People were panhandling near the entrance to a Hunt Avenue store. An officer determined they were not blocking access or breaking any laws.

1255  Police a report on a case of identity theft.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: Subscribe for $5.99 per mo

1445  Someone left garbage near the back door of an Oak Avenue business. The back door was unlocked. A suspicious man with a white dog had been seen loitering in the area Monday night.

1555  Someone asked to talk to an officer about fraud.

1846  Report of a bad pothole on eastbound Pratt Avenue near the bridge to Silverado Trail. It gave the callers daughters vehicle a flat tire. Police marked the pothole and notified Public Works.

Wednesday, Jan. 5

0012  Police arrested someone during a traffic stop at Main/Adams.

0735  Police cited someone during a traffic stop at Charter Oak/Main.

1031  Medical aid for a woman feeling dizzy and weak on Pratt Avenue.

1057  Police cited someone during a traffic stop at Charter Oak/Main.

1210  Police stood by while someone collected their belongings from a Park Street home.

1335  A caller reported incurring multiple charges and receiving threats via text after buying a toy puppy online. Police took a report.

1436  A transient was seen snooping around a Main Street property.

1652  Police took a report on a hit-and-run that occurred Tuesday in a Pratt Avenue parking lot. A security camera captured video footage.

1807  A power pole near Railroad/Adams was making a buzzing noise. PG&E was notified.

1811  Report of a possibly intoxicated juvenile.

2205  Following a traffic stop near Main/Fulton, police arrested a 21-year-old Clearlake man on suspicion of driving without a license. He was cited and released.

2211  Report of a dog sleeping outside, despite freezing temperatures, near College Avenue. Napa Humane had been notified. Police checked the area and determined that the dog was not at risk.

Thursday, Jan. 6

0016  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Highway 29 near Lodi Lane.

0816  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop at College/Pope.

1057  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop at Main/Vintage.

1153  Report of an adult daughter yelling and screaming at her mother and aggressively slamming a door in her face on Hillview Place.

1632  A person ordered someone online and never received it, even though its listed as delivered. Police took a report.

2004  Medical aid for a person feeling lightheaded on Charter Oak Avenue.

2040  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Main Street.

2112  An officer cited someone on Main Street for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and driving with expired registration.

2306  Report of domestic violence on Valley View Street. Police arrested a 49-year-old St. Helena resident on suspicion of domestic battery and resisting arrest.

Friday, Jan. 7

0154  Medical aid for a fall victim on Chaix Lane.

1838  Five or six intoxicated people reportedly made a ruckus on a Main Street property before driving away in a Ford SUV. Police checked the area.

1852  Discolored water was coming from a faucet on Hunt Avenue. Public Works confirmed the water was safe to drink.

2226  Police responded to a loud music complaint on Allyn Avenue.

2328  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Main Street.

Saturday, Jan. 8

0306  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Main Street.

1156  Medical aid for a 2-year-old with a head injury at the Crane Park skatepark.

1330  Non-injury accident at Highway 29 and Zinfandel Lane.

1343  There was a dead fox near a fence at Crane Park.

1532  Non-injury lift assist on Laguna Seca Court.

1647  Following a traffic stop at Main/Adams, police arrested a 53-year-old Angwin man for an outstanding warrant from outside Napa County.

1802  A San Lucas Court man received an email regarding an item he hadnt purchased. He said to respond if he hadnt bought it. He gave the scammer all of his information, including credit card number. Hed already canceled the card, but he was concerned that the scammers had been able to hack his computer.

1947  A disabled person needed help getting into her house on Hillview Place.

2146  Following a traffic stop on Main Street, police arrested a 21-year-old Calistoga man on suspicion of driving without a license.

Sunday, Jan. 9

0015  Police found a white lab on Main Street and brought it to the police station. It was released to its owner in the morning.

0837  Report of water pouring out from under a building near Railroad/Fulton.

0950  Four male juveniles were pestering customers and making rude comments to an employee at a Main Street business. They were last seen on foot on Main Street.

1411  Report of a construction crew on Hillview Place refusing to stop working, even though it was a Sunday.

1454  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Main Street.

2120  An officer cited an unlicensed driver during a traffic stop at Main/Adams.

2129  Police checked on an occupied vehicle at Meily Park after hours.

Monday, Jan. 10

0439  An officer cited someone during a traffic top at Main/Fulton.

1251  Someone turned in a Nevada drivers license theyd found.

1306  Someone turned in a bike theyd found.

1426  A car had been parked on Meadowcreek Circle for four days. Police marked it to be towed in 72 hours.

1554  Report of a fire in the hills east of St. Helena. Calfire said it was a permissive burn day.

1650  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Pope Street.

1917  Medical aid on Pope Street.

2041  The crosswalk LEDs on the southbound sign at Main/Charter Oak were failing to illuminate. The same caller previously reported the problem on Dec. 1, and Public Works was notified.

2122  Following a traffic stop on Oak Avenue, police arrested a 23-year-old Napa man for a felony warrant from Sonoma County.
My name is Jacky Fuller. I am 11 years old and in 6th grade at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School. I would like to tell you my story. I come from the Netherlands; my mother is Dutch and my father is American.

I am living in St. Helena for just one year because my father wanted us (his children) to experience what it is like to live in America. On the way here on the plane I was crying with excitement to come here. I have two siblings: my brother Flynn, who is 16 and a junior at St. Helena High School, and my sister Siena, who is 15 and a freshman.

I arrived in St. Helena in August of 2021 and I'm leaving to return to my home in the Netherlands in June of 2022. I love St. Helena so far  its a really fun town to live in. Some of the things I love most about St. Helena are the restaurants, everybody is really nice to each other, and my school is really fun to go to.

My uncle and aunt live here as well on Spring Street. My grandma lives in Santa Rosa. I go to RLS Middle School. I have good grades, but English is kind of hard to keep up with. They do work that is harder for me than it is for them, but I am starting to get the hang of it. I have already learned a lot of new things such as new vocabulary in English and Ive got a lot of friends by now as well.

I love St Helena. I actually don't want to leave at the end of the year  I really want to stay. St. Helena High School looks like so much fun to go to but I cant. I love that my father brought me here and will always remember my time in St. Helena.

Jacky Fuller

6th Grade Journalism Class, RLS Middle School

St. Helena
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

These are words from the prophet Isaiah chapter 43. Its a word of comfort in the face of danger. Throughout their history, the people of Israel had heard stories about water. Noah built an ark to survive a flood. Slaves crossing through the Red Sea to escape Pharaohs army. And then, after 40 years of wandering in the desert, they cross the Jordan river to enter the land of Canaan to begin a new life.

In each case, the water represented danger, an obstacle, a boundary. In each case, God led the people across, above, or through to the other side. According to Isaiah, this is how God works. No matter the struggle, God will be with you. Not that you wont have to enter those waters, because you will. But when that time comes, Isaiah promises, God will be with you.

This past week, we were reminded that Jesus went to the Jordan to be baptized. Its not a stretch to think Jesus was aware of this history of river-crossing as he approached John the Baptist out there in the desert. There are so many ways to interpret this act as the beginning of Jesus public ministry, but it seems the water, the Jordan river in particular, represents a remembering and becomes a catalyst propelling Jesus forward. As the Israelites crossed the Jordan, they were affirming their identity as Gods people. Jesus does so as well as he hears a voice from heaven affirm, You are my Beloved, with you I am well pleased. As this voice speaks, we also hear Isaiahs words echoing down the years, When you pass through the waters I will be with you.

We too, should hear those words to us: we are beloved of God. This is our true identity, affirming the grace that has always been there whether we recognize it or not. But there is more. We enter the waters, places of struggle and danger, but we also must travel through them, with this deep sense of our identity; knowing we are beloved of God now changes how we see ourselves and the people around us. Knowing God is with us, we are moved to act in new ways.

There are so many examples of people who, as they recognized their worth, realized there was a call on their lives to stand up for others. Mahatma Gandhi, at the age of 45, returned to India to work for civil rights of the Indian people. Mother Teresa who saw the suffering of the poorest of the poor and dedicated her life to honoring each ones dignity. Martin Luther King, Jr. who couldnt turn away from Gods call to stand up for social and racial justice in our own country. Their names loom large in our minds, but each of us is called in a similar manner to wade into the waters of transformation, to affirm our beloved identity and move through those waters to remind others of their belovedness as well. Knowing all the while, God is with us because thats how God works.

Jonathan Eastman is pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Saint Helena, 1428 Spring St. The church has returned to in-person worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays with live stream and recordings on its YouTube channel, First Presbyterian Church of Saint Helena, California.
Marissa Carlisles current exhibit at the Napa Valley Library is a departure from her usual work. Instead of the photographic images, one might expect from a woman who has been a professional photographer for 38 years, the mixed media sketches in this show reveal a previously unexplored dimension to this versatile artist.

The whimsical collection of colorful sketches hanging from the library walls were created over the last two years as Carlisle practiced visual journaling in her sketchbook  something new for her. The pieces hanging in the exhibit are photographs from her sketchbook with watercolors and photo apps used for the finishing touches.

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Carlisle was inspired to begin sketching after immersing herself with art that resonated with her.

To keep her spirits up when the pandemic began Carlisle pulled out art that she and her husband, retired pediatric physician and sculptor Lorenzo Mills, had collected over the years.

The paintings that brought the most joy were those of Graciela Rodo Boulanger, a Bolivian artist now living in France, noted for her stylized artwork featuring round-faced children.

Boulanger is my inspiration, Carlisle said. In 1979, UNICEF designated her official artist for the International Year of the Child poster. I started just looking at her pictures. I found comfort in the upbeat style and sweetness of her depiction of innocence.

Spending a great deal of time with Boulangers paintings, Carlisle decided to try drawing in a similar way.

I drew looking at her paintings, she said. I started in pencil so I could erase. After a few months I used pens.

I settled into a special quiet study corner with pencil, eraser, ruler, compass, watercolors, and open notebook, Carlisle said. With the smooth glide of the gel pen and an assortment of colors, I explored time in my imaginings as if it no longer had limits.

Influenced by Boulangers playful art, Carlisle soon developed her own style  infused with humor - and began chronicling the couples daily life, meaningful people, places and events happening in the world.

Sketching family and friends she was missing during the pandemic-induced isolation made her feel closer to them.

It (sketching) has been a form of expressionism, a manner of meditation, if you will, to steady myself amidst unprecedented world angst, pandemic suffering, obvious inequities and political hardships for our democracy, Carlisle said.

At this point, Carlisle has done 400 sketches, which she whittled down to 60 for the library show.

These depict the initial innocence of what we didnt know about Covid in the early days, Carlisle said during an interview last week as she pointed to a group of sketches near the entrance of the library.

Conveying lightheartedness in spite of the seriousness of the pandemic, these sketches show the couples first holiday alone, away from their grandchildren and other loved ones.

One sketch shows the couple dressed up sitting in front of a fire. Another shows them dancing. The art that reveals the message, Better Luck Next Year! Ho! Ho! Ho! perhaps best suggests the idea they had at the time that the pandemic wouldnt last long.

One of her most charming sketches depicts her friends, the Chadettes, my besties, jumping rope.

A group of sketches with desert images, done while she and her husband were in the Utah desert, has a mosaic appearance.

We took a trip to the desert knowing that it would be an empty space and wed be Covid safe but I didnt take any art supplies with me so, without any supplies, I just ad-libbed and adjusted to a different style with colored pencils and oil pastels that I borrowed, Carlisle said.

A sketch with acrobats called Chaos depicts Carlisles attempt to epitomize finding balance during these turbulent times.

Carlisles political sketches include some thought-provoking and educational elements delivered with a talented hand, charm and humor.

Growing up in a creative atmosphere, where the walls of her home were covered in art and her mother was a musician, Carlisle was encouraged to be creative. She remembers going under the piano at a young age when her mother played and sang.

I grew up with a grand piano in my home and my mom sang with perfect pitch. My parents started me on violin. I was not meant for it, to put it mildly, Carlisle said with a self-deprecating chuckle.

She was also given piano lessons and plays privately but never reached her mothers level.

What Carlisle did excel at was photography, which she fell in love with as a teenager, spending hours learning studio lighting, darkroom processing, and printing.

Carlisles background in photography contributed to the work in her current exhibit by honing the way she sees, her skills of editing and merging and juxtaposing images to mixed media sketches.

Though Carlisle is finding fulfillment in sketching, she will always be passionate about photography and grateful for the role it has played in her life.

Photography is a visual language, not just the mimicry of what one sees, but a platform for creating intimate insight into what can be seen, she said. I have been fortunate to make a living immersed in a career that combined visual interpretations of an event with the pleasure of the inherent social interaction.

Like her husband, Lorenzo Mills, whose sculpture 2050, created to raise awareness of global warming, currently in the prestigious Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition, Carlisle is devoted to improving the quality of life in the world.

Over the years her efforts have been directed to empowering young people. Carlisle produced the weekly radio show Kidstalk on KVON for six years. Her daughter, Liv Mills-Carlisle (now Liv Glasgow) was the anchorperson.

A 1990 Napa Register article about the show stated that Kidstalk gives a voice to an often silent segment of society  those too young to vote.

Billed as by, for, and about kids, topics for the weekly programs were chosen by young people and featured young guests, young reporters, and a 12-year old anchorperson. Hours of weekly research for each program were also handled by young people. The one-hour Kidstalk, shows hosted from one to 10 guests per segment, depending on the subject matter.

Years later, Carlisle still has confidence that the next generation has the will, the force, and more knowledge to be leaders in our changing political realms.

Maybe I now have more time to be more attentive to political maneuvers, yet as I age, I realize my forte is more about trying to bring a lightness to people, she said.

Art has always been a friend, refreshing, timeless, and always filled with surprises and problem solving, coincident with a rewarding tangible end game, Carlisle said. My hope is to share an insight - with viewer and artist both growing wise in the take home.

The library has canceled a planned reception for Carlisle's show, due to the pandemic surge. To see Carlisles photography, go to photosbymarissa.com.
A $1.17 million grant, if it can be obtained, would unlock a major, new hiking park near the cities of Napa and American Canyon to convenient public use.

Suscol Headwaters Park is 709 acres in hills with views of the Napa River, a distant Carneros and the Napa-Sonoma marshes stretching on to the greater Bay Area. It opened in 2020.

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However, Soscol Headwaters has no entrance of its own. Instead, hikers and bikers wanting to reach the park must go to adjacent Skyline Wilderness Park and traverse about four miles  eight miles round trip  just to set foot within it.

That's might be a daunting journey for a family with young children or someone who isn't in prime hiking shape. For them, Suscol Headwaters might as well not exist.

That hoped-for Proposition 68 grant would give the park an entrance of its own. The district could build a parking lot with about 25 stalls and a trail head near North Kelly Road, as well trails.

The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District owns Suscol Headwaters. If the district obtains the grant, it could open the more direct entrance by 2025.

If not, those hikers and bikers who want to experience Suscol Headwaters without that trek from Skyline will have to keep waiting.

Were going to get that park open no matter what, Open Space District General Manager Chris Cahill said. But with the current funding climate, we need grant money to do it.

The Open Space District Board of Directors on Monday approved related documents needed to apply for the grant.

For the entire state, $23 million is available for this round of Proposition 68 grants and various communities will compete for the money. The California Department of Parks and Recreation is to award grants in late spring or early summer.

To build the parking lot and trailhead, the Open Space District plans to lease an easement on Napa Sanitation District property. NapaSan has recycled water spray fields near North Kelly Road and Highway 12 at the entrance to Jameson Canyon.

Cahill said an appraisal for the easement price has yet to be done. In addition, the Open Space District must obtain a use permit from Napa County before opening a Suscol Headwaters direct entrance.

Suscol Headwaters in the mid-1990s was proposed for a very different fate than a park. A Texas company proposed to build more about 1,700 homes in these hills. Voters under the Measure P land control measure rejected the idea.

The Open Space District bought Suscol Headwaters in two phases: part in 2015 and the remainder in 2017.

In 2017, the Napa Valley Register toured the property with Cahill and then-Open Space District General Manager John Woodbury. The climb up the hills revealed a panoramic view of the Bay Area stretching from Mount Diablo to Mount Tamalpais to Mount St. Helena.

On the ridge is knob-like feature. That site has views not only of the Bay Area, but also the Central Valley, with the Sierra Nevadas visible on a clear day.

You get to the top and the world opens up to you, Cahill said.

He borrowed a phrase from the hiking world and called this view the scenic climax. In other words, its the big payoff for the uphill climb.

It seems to me this is the type of place people will want to come to from throughout the Bay Area, Cahill said.

You can reach Barry Eberling at 256-2253 or beberling@napanews.com.

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Its been a tumultuous few years in California, with record wildfire seasons, a worsening drought and a wave of smash-and-grab retail theft amid a coronavirus pandemic that just wont seem to end.

But when it comes to the states finances, things are looking up. Way up. Tens of billions of dollars up.

On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a $286.4 billion budget proposal, 9% bigger than last years record state spending plan. Buoyed by a strong economic recovery and tax revenues that continue to roll in even higher than anticipated, his administration projects a $21 billion discretionary surplus for 2022-23, plus tens of billions more in extra cash for schools, pension payments and reserve accounts.

As he enters a reelection campaign, Newsom is taking advantage of Californias unprecedented fiscal health to shift into crisis management mode. At a nearly three-hour press conference, he emphasized an agenda tackling what he characterized as the greatest existential threats facing the state  COVID-19, climate change and homelessness among them  while also sprinkling in some priorities, including an expansion of health care for undocumented immigrants, long sought by liberal supporters.

This proposal will be considered in light of the challenges today, and we will back in light of the challenges that present themselves tomorrow, Newsom said.

The governors framework is just the opening bid in negotiations with the Legislature, which must pass a budget by June 15 in order to get paid  though the details are not worked out until well into the summer some years. A final deal could look significantly different from Newsoms proposal once lawmakers have their say, but the early response Monday from the Democratic majority was largely positive. Senate leader Toni Atkins said the governors plan aligned with her goal of helping the neediest Californians.

Revenue projections, which administration officials said were calculated in December before the omicron variant sent COVID-19 cases surging again, could also change dramatically by May, when Newsom must submit a revised budget proposal.

Some pieces of his plan, including money to combat retail theft, were unveiled early as Newsom tried to stay on top of mounting political pressure. Following a series of brazen group robberies at malls and stores in numerous California cities last fall, Newsom announced in December that he would propose more than $300 million in funding to put police outside businesses and to investigate and prosecute organized crime rings.

Here are other key areas from the governors budget proposal:

COVID-19 returns to the forefront

That latest pandemic surge was top of mind in Newsoms spending plan. Administration officials rolled out a $2.7 billion proposal for pandemic response over the weekend, ahead of the official announcement on Monday.

Newsom wants the Legislature to act quickly to approve about half of the money as emergency assistance in the current fiscal year, to help overloaded hospitals hire additional staff and to expand testing and vaccination capacity. He also said he is in discussion with legislative leaders to bring back a supplemental paid sick leave program for workers who test positive for COVID-19, after allowing a previous version to expire last fall.

Potentially fulfilling a nearly decade-long push by activists, Newsom said he is ready to expand access to Medi-Cal, the states health insurance program for the poor, to all California residents regardless of immigration status. The state has already opened Medi-Cal to undocumented residents until they turn 26 and once they turn 50, but making the program universally available would be a first nationwide. The expansion would take effect in 2024 and cover about 700,000 more people, at a cost of about $2.2 billion per year.

Though he campaigned on the issue in 2018, Newsom was less willing to discuss a measure introduced in the Legislature last week that would transition California to a single-payer health care system, entirely publicly-funded and managed by the government.

I have not had the opportunity to read that plan and no one has presented it to me, he said.

Will taxpayers get some money back?

State tax collection has been so robust that California may, for the first time in decades, exceed a constitutionally-mandated spending cap, above which any remaining money is split between schools and taxpayer rebates.

Newsom said his administration currently estimates the budget will be about $2.6 billion higher than that limit in the coming fiscal year, though the number is expected to change when revised revenue projections are released in May. As a result, the governor held off on any proposals similar to the stimulus checks that the state sent to low- and middle-income households last year, though he said: There likely will be substantial contributions back to the taxpayers.

More immediate relief may come this summer at the pump. With gas prices climbing, Newsom proposed to forgo the annual increase to a fuel excise tax that would take effect in July, potentially lowering costs for drivers. That money  an estimated $523 million to fund state and local road repairs and other transportation projects  could be replaced from another source.

Natural disasters fuel more spending on climate change

After another devastating year left millions of acres scorched across California, Newsom is again proposing to scale up the response to what has become one of the most vexing products of climate change for the state: a nearly year-round wildfire season.

The governors spending plan includes an additional $1.2 billion over two years for programs to increase forest thinning, build fuel breaks, and help homeowners and fire-prone communities retrofit structures and improve defensible space. CalFire  whose budget has grown by more than $1.5 billion over the past three years  would receive another $248 million for new planes, crews and equipment.

The state has already committed to spending $5.2 billion over three years to deal with the ongoing drought. But after some major reservoirs dropped to their lowest levels ever last fall, Newsom is seeking to add $750 million more for water conservation programs, financial assistance for water agencies and grants for farmers to modify their operations.

Looking for climate solutions in a state where the transportation sector is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, the governor has gone all-in on zero-emission vehicles. Newsom signed an executive order in 2020 to phase out the sale of new gas-powered cars and passenger trucks by 2035. His budget proposal on Monday included nearly $6.1 billion to accelerate the transition to cleaner vehicles, with a focus on school buses and commercial trucks.

We believe this is the future, he said. If we dont invest in the future, were not going to do very well there.

Clearing unacceptable homeless encampments

Though Newsom has made homelessness a central focus of his first three years in office, the entrenched and growing crisis  more visible than ever after the pandemic pushed many Californians into housing instability  is a frequent source of criticism for his opponents. Those who tried unsuccessfully last year to recall the governor pointed to it as one of his greatest failures, while Republican lawmakers have urged him to call a special session to directly confront the issue.

Newsoms budget proposal on Monday included another $2 billion to build on what has been one of his most notable recent policy successes: distributing grants to local governments to quickly convert vacant hotels, motels and other buildings into thousands of units of supportive housing for homeless people. His plan would spend $1.5 billion over the next two years to provide tiny homes and other interim housing as a bridge while more of the permanent units are completed, plus $500 million to help local officials clear encampments.

Whats happening on the streets and sidewalks in our state is unacceptable, said Newsom, who hinted that he would also pursue legislation this year to strengthen a law that allows officials to force people into treatment if they cannot care for themselves. While these conservatorships are a controversial approach among advocates, Newsom said they can be necessary in cases of severe mental health or substance abuse problems.

Were not satisfied with the status quo, in terms of the tools in our tool kit to help people that are struggling and are putting themselves in harms way, he said. I dont want to see any more people die on the streets and call that compassion.

Averting a funding crisis for local schools

Newsoms proposed spending includes a record $119 billion for K-12 schools  nearly the size of the entire state budget a decade ago  but some local districts are still sounding the alarm about a looming fiscal cliff stemming from plummeting enrollment and attendance.

The governor aims to avert this potential calamity by giving districts more flexibility in how they report their average daily attendance, which the state uses to determine their funding. Under Newsoms proposal, schools could use whatever is highest among the previous years attendance, the current years or an average of the three most recent years.

Its a better option than the sudden drop, said Harold Sullins, an associate superintendent at San Bernardino City Unified. The only challenge I see with averaging it is youre still going to see a very significant decline in funding.

The budget would also provide $54 million to help districts recruit teachers, including by waiving examination and credentialing fees. Amid the spread of the omicron variant, staffing shortages across the state threaten school closures in some districts.

More in-state students and equity at colleges

With a new goal of ensuring 70% of working-age adults receive some type of college credential by 2030  up from 52% in 2019, according to one measure  Newsoms budget proposal envisions a five-year plan to dramatically expand in-state enrollment at the University of California and California State University.

The state would provide money this year to add room for 9,400 more California students at CSU and 7,100 at UC, where some would take slots normally reserved for out-of-state applicants.

Then over the next four years, each system would get a 5% annual funding increase if they meet key targets, including expanding in-state enrollment by another 1%, increasing graduation rates and closing student equity gaps across racial and economic groups. By the 2026-27 academic year, that would mean another 7,000 California students at UC and 14,000 at CSU.

Assemblymember Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat who leads the Assembly budget committee, said he welcomes tying increased funding to even greater California enrollment, which has been a major priority for Democrats in the Legislature.

CalMatters reporters Julie Cart, Joe Hong, Ana B. Ibarra, Sameea Kamal, and Mikhail Zinshetyn contributed to this story. CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias Capitol works and why it matters.
Pikeville, KY (41501)

Today

Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. High 86F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Armenia Central Bank leaves refinancing rate unchanged at 9.25%

Kansas National Guard leadership visiting Armenia

Armenian member of Turkey legislature says he was thrown at table of wolves

Italian PM slams Lavrov for his 'Hitler' statements in interview with local television

South Korea and US plan to start air force exercises on May 9

Police special forces apprehend Armenia ex-president Robert Kocharyans son

Police: 70 people apprehended from Yerevan streets

World Press Freedom Index 2022: Journalism as a profession is humiliated in Armenia

Newspaper: Armenia ruling party MPs are worried

Borrell speaks on possible disconnection from SWIFT of new Russian banks

Cyprus becomes first EU country with full 5G coverage

Police apprehending participants of civil disobedience actions in Yerevan

State Department: Deepening US-Armenia cooperation in nuclear energy will strengthen bilateral relations

Peaceful disobedience actions resume in Yerevan early morning

Mirzoyan: Armenia appreciates US support for developing energy sector

Blinken underscores US commitment to help Armenia, Azerbaijan find sustainable peace, prosperity

Eurozone economic sentiment falls much more than expected in April

Apple faces big fine

Armenia ex-president joins discussion in France Square

Poland wants the EU to set a clear date for stopping Russian oil imports

Armenia FM meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Armenia FM meets with Director of USAID Samantha Power

Ann Linde says Finland will almost certainly apply for NATO membership

Police beat reporters, obstruct their work in Yerevan

European Commission may relieve Hungary, Slovakia of embargo on Russian oil purchase

Resistance Movement to continue large-scale civil disobedience actions on 3 May in Yerevan and regions

EU countries to continue to pay in euros or dollars for Russian gas

Resistance Movement participants return to France Square

Russian and Turkish defense ministers discuss current situation in Ukraine

Ukrainian intelligence accuses Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan of helping Russia evade Western sanctions

NEWS.am digest: Turkey says they have agreements with Armenia on border clarification

Toivo Klaar informs about meeting of Armen Grigoryan and Hikmet Hajiyev in Brussels

PACE initiates resolution on threats to journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan

Diplomat kidnapped in Haiti

Hungarian president asks Orban to form new government

Georgia PM hands over first part of questionnaire answers for accession to EU

Resistance Movement participants march in central Yerevan

Half of Japanese oppose change of peaceful constitution

Resistance movement rally on France Square in Yerevan

Blinken and Armenia FM sign memorandum on strategic cooperation in nuclear energy

Another earthquake registered on Armenian-Georgian border

FLYONE ARMENIA launches regular direct flights between Yerevan and Tbilisi

Georgia abolishes requirement to wear masks in closed spaces

One dollar drops below AMD 450, euro also falls in Armenia

Georgia PM receives Justice Minister of Armenia

Armenia MFA says there is no discussion, agreement on re-demarcating border with Turkey

Cavusoglu claims there is agreement to clarify Armenia-Turkey border

Azerbaijan president receives Brice Roquefeuil

Armenia ex-defense minister: These authorities are able to use force inside the country

Police: 244 people apprehended in Yerevan as of 2pm

Incident involving disobedience march participants occurs at Armenian State Pedagogical University

Yerevan Police apprehend opposition MP

Police: 199 people apprehended in Yerevan as of noon

Armenia defense ministry refutes Azerbaijan MOD statement

Resistance Movement coordinator says they will assemble at France Square in downtown Yerevan at 6pm

Armenia parliament opposition faction leader: More than 200 people apprehended

The Azeri Times: Azerbaijan closes airspace for Russia military aircraft to disrupt transportation to Armenia

Bill Gates warns of more fertile' COVID-19 variant

Police: 3 dozen intersections in Yerevan were closed off by citizens since morning

Armenia PM congratulates several Arab countries leaders on Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr

3 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Journalist falls ill during scuffle at civil disobedience action in Yerevan

Armenia ex-ruling party official: I assess these actions of disobedience very positively

Armenia FM to head for US, will meet with Blinken

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UN announces blocking of millions of tons of grain in Ukraine ports

Small plane crashes in Canada, 4 dead

125 people taken to Yerevan police stations

Erdogan says will hold talks with Putin this week

Quake hits Armenia-Georgia border zone

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Peaceful civil disobedience actions kick off in Yerevan early morning

Hungary says 10 European countries opened bank accounts in Russia to pay for natural gas in rubles

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Consultations in Vienna to re-establish the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program are proceeding very slowly, said on Tuesday by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, speaking at the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of France.

Discussions are going on, but, from our point of view, too slow, the minister said.

This, he said, reduces the chances of reaching an agreement on the Iranian atom, which would meet the interests of the parties, within a realistic time frame.

The JCPOA was signed with Iran in 2015 in order to overcome the crisis over its nuclear program by the permanent "five" of the UN Security Council and Germany.

The previous US President Donald Trump made the decision to withdraw from the JCPOA in 2018. The current head of the American administration, Joe Biden, has repeatedly signaled its readiness to return the United States to a nuclear deal with Tehran.
YEREVAN.  The Office of the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia has received calls from the residents of Kut, Norabak, Verin and Nerkin Shorzha villages of Gegharkunik Province, in connection with Azerbaijans provocation yesterday on the border with Armenia, ombudsman Arman Tatoyan told a press conference Wednesday.

"We are in touch with everyone. Residents heard the sound of artillery," the ombudsman added.

Tatoyan stressed that Azerbaijan is launching aggressive actions in the Armenian territories which it invaded in May last year.

But the same time, the ombudsman noted that this invasion had taken place earlier, in October 2020, during the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war, in the direction of Tsav village near Kapan city of Syunik Province.

"Therefore, we need to talk about the Azerbaijanis invading the sovereign territory of Armenia, and globally, the need for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces, and not only about the 'May invasion,'" Tatoyan said.

The ombudsman reiterated that the presence of Azerbaijani military near Armenian villages has no legal basis, especially since they appeared there under the threat of a new war. He added that when the ombudsman speaks about this, the respective statements should not be distorted.

"Yesterday's actions are proof of that. They [i.e., the Azerbaijani military] are so close that the [Armenian] civilian population hears the sound of artillery. There is no time. Events are developing rapidly. The longer we delay, the more the rights of the [Armenian] residents will be violated," Arman Tatoyan concluded.
When the Armenian government decided that the restrictions on the import of Turkish goods should be lifted, it was guided there by political considerations. The minister of economy, Vahan Kerobyan, on Wednesday told about this to reporters in the National Assembly of Armenia.

He noted that his ministry shall closely monitor and protect the companies that have opened in the past year due to restrictions on the import of Turkish goods.

"We have to see to it that their 'establishment' is not endangered and they do not have to fly out of the [Armenian] market again. We will follow the situation. And if we see that there are problems, the businesses of those investors are endangered and they are not well established enough to compete with the importers of Turkish goods, then we will definitely introduce some programs to protect them," added the economy minister.

Kerobyan stressed that he personally supported the extension of this ban, and said that it was possible to extend the ban on the import of Turkish goods, but since the Armenian government is a collegial body, they made such a decision together.

Commenting on the recent provocations of Azerbaijan, the minister of economy said that it should be taken into account that such clashes have always taken place in the last 30 years, but Armenia was open for Turkish goods during those years.

Vahan Kerobyan added that the Armenian government is doing its best to ensure that there are no casualties and that peace is established on acceptable terms for Armenia so that they can think about long-term work and investment.
Saving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program requires more progress than the parties have made so far, U.S. State Department press chief Ned Price said this on Tuesday at a regular briefing for reporters.

Price said that the current round of talks on restoring the JCPOA in Vienna is ongoing and talked about the modest progress in recent days.

Price called the decision by the administration of 45th U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw from the JCPOA ill-considered. He stressed that the current head of state, Joe Biden, took office without these rigorous protocols for verifying and monitoring Iran's nuclear program, which provided the JCPOA. The diplomat added that the nuclear deal aims to permanently and verifiably prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

He once again criticized Trump, who promised a better deal instead of the JCPOA. The U.S. foreign policy official said that since the previous administration withdrew from the JCPOA, Iran has been given the opportunity to fulfill its nuclear promises in short order.

We were told that wed be in a better position to take on the full set of challenges that Iran poses, whether its ballistic missiles, whether it is support to terrorism, whether its human rights violations. How exactly were we supposed to do that when it was the United States and not Iran that was isolated as a result of the decision to abandon a deal and a protocol that was working. Thats just the starting point that we had to accept on January 20th of this year. It was an unfortunate starting point, but thats the starting point from which weve been working. - Price concluded.

On January 3, the eighth round of talks resumed in the Austrian capital after a New Year's break, with the goal of restoring the JCPOA to its original form and bringing the United States back into the multilateral agreement. Following a meeting of the Joint Commission of Iran and the five international mediators (Russia, Britain, Germany, China and France), the sides agreed to accelerate the process of working on the draft agreement and complete it by early February.
Thailand is introducing a $9 tourist fee for foreign visitors starting in April, AFP reported.

Strict entry rules imposed to hold back a pandemic hit Thailand's crucial tourism industry last year, leading to the worst economic performance in more than 20 years.

The new fee of 300 baht ($9) will be included in the price of airline tickets, Thanakorn Wangbunkongchan, a government spokesman, said in a statement.

Before the pandemic, nearly 40 million people visited Thailand a year, but the kingdom hopes to rethink its tourism strategy with a greater focus on sustainability.

Yuthasak Supasorn, head of Thailand's Tourism Authority said that the revenue will be used to ensure foreign tourists and improve infrastructure for sustainable tourism.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, tourism revenues are projected to be between $39 billion and $54 billion this year, of which about $24 billion is expected from foreign travelers.

The ministry predicts that about five million foreign tourists will come to the kingdom in 2022 if current travel patterns remain the same up from nearly 40 million a year before the pandemic. But that number could rise to 15 million visitors if arrivals from China, India and neighboring countries improve.

Thailand relaxed entry rules by the end of 2021 in an effort to reset tourism, but changed the rules again as the number of Omicron variant cases rose sharply around the world.
The special session of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Council of Ministers of Defense will be held Thursday via videoconference, CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov told TASS.

"During the meeting, the heads of the defense ministries of the CSTO member states will discuss the conduct of the [CSTO] peacekeeping operation in the Republic of Kazakhstan," he added.

According to Zainetdinov, the aforesaid session will be attended also by CSTO Chief of the Joint Staff Anatoly Sidorov, and CSTO Deputy Secretary General Takhir Khayrulloyev.

To note, Armenia is also a member in the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Turkey's aspirations to lead the greater Turkic world and become a Eurasian heavyweight has met a "reality check," analysts said, as violence erupted in the ex-Soviet, Turkic nation of Kazakhstan last week.

Heres the full text of the article:

When the oil, gas and uranium-rich country needed security assistance to maintain order, it was the Russia-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that it turned to.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed victory Monday, after swiftly deploying CSTO forces to guard critical Kazakh infrastructure, allowing Kazakh forces to concentrate on tackling protesters.

"I am confident that our joint efforts will make it possible to fully reestablish control over the situation nationwide and to stabilize it," Putin told fellow CSTO members in an emergency session.

"We must make sure that events similar to the tragedy happening in the brotherly country of Kazakhstan will not catch us by surprise again and that we are fully mobilized and ready to push back against any new provocation," he said, hinting to leaders of other ex-Soviet states that the alliance would protect them too.

Geopolitical analyst Michael Tanchum noted that the intervention by Russia and the CSTO in Kazakhstan was "an important cautionary signal" for Turkey and the freshly revamped Organization of Turkic States, "that their ambitions should not outrun their capacity."

In the wake of the Turkish-assisted victory by Azerbaijan in its war with Armenia in 2020, "a certain 'Turan' (greater Turkic world) euphoria took hold on social media," Tanchum, a senior fellow at the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy and a non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said.

This gained further momentum last November, when Turkey became the rotating president of the Organization of Turkic States and changed the group's name from the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council). The leaders opened a new headquarters in Istanbul and adopted a strategy document titled "Turkic World Vision 2040."

Ambitious maps of a "Turkic World" emerged on social media after the gathering, with some engulfing western China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region and parts of eastern Russia.

"Russia confronts a new geopolitical reality of Turkey as a rising Eurasian agenda-setter with its own capacity to reorient connectivity across the Caspian basin and Central Asia," Tanchum said. "This potential was greatly enhanced by the November 2020 ceasefire agreement that created a corridor through Armenia connecting Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan, providing Ankara direct connectivity with Azerbaijan and all of Turkic Central Asia."

"Russia looks on all of these developments with concern. China does as well," Tanchum said.

Rich Outzen, a former U.S. military officer and State Department policy-planning official, said, "This has been a great reality check" for Turkey's ambitions via the Organization of Turkic States. "Just because a great power like the United States is less interested in the region, with the Afghanistan pullout, it doesn't mean that other great powers like Russia or China are also less interested and there is a free hand to shape anything the way other countries of the region want to."

"Russians have near-imperial interests in the area and absolutely want to shape it according to their wishes. Chinese as well," Outzen said.

He said the Organization of Turkic States was about "three years late" in terms of Kazakhstan, and Turkey's success in assisting fellow Turkic state Azerbaijan in its 2020 war could not be used as a comparison to measure Ankara's growing influence in the region. Relations with other Turkic countries like Kazakhstan are developing at a comparatively slower pace, Outzen noted.

Although not an international security body like the CSTO, the Organization of Turkic States promotes the integration of Turkic-speaking countries in a wide range of areas from culture to connectivity.

Members span from Turkey to Central Asia and include Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Turkmenistan, which embraces a "permanent neutrality" policy, is the newest observer member and joins Hungary on the sidelines of the body. Ukraine has expressed interest in joining as an observer.

On Jan. 6, as violence spread in Kazakhstan, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate calls with leaders of the Central Asian Turkic states, including Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Erdogan told Tokayev that Turkey was closely following the developments taking place in the "friendly and brotherly" Kazakhstan.

To the other Turkic leaders, Erdogan underscored the importance of stability and security in Kazakhstan in terms of its neighbors and the entire region.

On Tuesday, Turkey conveyed a video conference of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Turkic States. A joint statement issued after the meeting drew attention to the Turkic World Vision 2040 document as a "guideline for coordination, cooperation and mutual assistance in addressing domestic and international challenges."

Speaking to Nikkei Asia, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Ankara Abzal Saparbekuly explained that Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi did not put forward any request to the Turkic organization during the video conference, "but gave a detailed explanation of the accounts to member states."

"That was what the members wanted to hear, firsthand," Saparbekuly said.

"From here going forward, what kind of cooperation can be done will be decided at the next face-to-face meeting of member states," he added.

The Turkic World Vision 2040 document refers to building "a network for cooperation and information sharing among member states to combat threats of radicalization, violent extremism, Islamophobia, xenophobia and terrorism, and to ensure border security."

It also talks of jointly fighting organized crime, illegal drug trade, irregular migration as well as economic, financial and cybercrimes, but no reference is made to joint peace-keeping missions among member states.

While Turkish officials have taken a careful and neutral stance on Russia and CSTO involvement in Kazakhstan, Turkish hawks have begun to call for a similar "Greater Turkic army" that can respond to such incidents.

Retired Rear Admiral Cihat Yayci, who served as chief of staff of Turkish Naval Forces until 2020, told local media: "A Turan army should be established."

Yayci said it is unacceptable that Armenian forces entered Kazakhstan in the name of peace-keeping forces. Such comments will surely be monitored closely in Moscow and Beijing.

Asked about the possibility of a future peace-keeping mission mandate for the organization on Saturday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters: "These are all possibilities and all possibilities are on the table. As developments unfold, any such measures can be taken."

Akar added that Erdogan's statement that Turkey is ready to share all kinds of information and experience with Kazakhstan "is an instruction for us."

"When any request, demand arrives and if we are instructed and ordered as such, we are ready to provide all kinds of help and support to our Kazakhstani brothers," he said.

Saparbekuly, the Kazakh envoy, said that while the Vision 2040 document does not discuss peace-keeping missions, "After the recent developments in Kazakhstan, every country will evaluate its sovereign decision" on whether to take part in such missions if they were introduced by the Turkic organization, "in line with their respective national interests and international agreements."

Saparbekuly previously served as deputy secretary general of the organization.

Although Turkey has recently stepped up security cooperation with Kazakhstan through defense industry exports, education and training of Kazakh military personnel in Turkey and joint military drills, its security cooperation is no match for Russia. In Kazakhstan, Russia rents an anti-ballistic missile testing range as well as a spaceport known as Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Saparbekuly confirmed media reports that Kazakhstan has acquired Turkish ANKA armed drones from Turkish Aerospace, saying: "We reached an agreement in principle probably two months ago but still deliveries, financial matters etc. have not been completed."

On Tuesday, Tokayev appointed Alikhan Smailov as new prime minister and announced that around 2,000 CSTO peace-keeping forces will start to withdraw from Kazakhstan in two days time as the "main mission of the CSTO peacekeeping forces has been successfully completed," adding the withdrawal process will take "no more than 10 days."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, announced Tuesday that Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will travel to China on Wednesday.

"It would be appropriate to see in Cavusoglu's visit an attempt to tamp down concerns, or narratives, that the events in Kazakhstan were a product of pan-Turkist agitation, as some in China have intimated," Outzen said. Turkey can also explain to Beijing that the Organization of Turkic States does not threaten Chinese interests, he said.

Ogul Tuna, a researcher of post-Soviet studies at University of California, Irvine said that Cavusoglus upcoming visit to China can be an effort to balance Russias move as well as to reassure the Chinese that Ankara does not have a Pan-Turkist agenda.
After examining the statements made by the former Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan at the session of Yerevan Council of Elders no evidence or factual data were found which could provide evidence of a particular crime, said Gor Abrahamyan, Adviser to Prosecutor General of Armenia, in reply to the inquiry of Armenpress.

Gor Abrahamyan noted that on December 22 during the session of the Council of Elders of Yerevan, some members of the Council made statements that the leaders of My step faction used their real or supposed influence and put pressure on some members of the faction in order to remove the Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan from his post. Marutyan himself has also made statements regarding certain phone calls from officials in connection with the dismissal of employees, or the creation of favorable conditions for his close associates. The coordinator of the NGO Union of Informed Citizens Daniel Ioannisyan was also reported in this connection. The media publications and the report of the NGO were handed over to the police for checking the circumstances mentioned in them.

As a result of the check-up the police found no violations of Article 311.2 - exerting real or supposed influence, and Article 308 - abuse of power, as well as Article 309 - exceeding official powers. A decision was made not to institute criminal proceedings.

As for the results of the examinations on Hayk Marutyan's allegations, Abrahamyan said they remained without consequences.

"The problem is that Hayk Marutyan was invited to the police as part of the investigation of the mentioned circumstances, but when he appeared, he refused to testify and give any explanations. He said that he could not specify the specific persons and circumstances, he spoke about it simply pointing to his ideological and principled approaches, therefore, he could not provide any information and explanations about these events and did not want to give a report about the crime. That is, as a result of the research carried out on this part, no information pointing to the signs of a specific crime, no substantiating circumstances or factual data were found," Abrahamyan concluded.
Further expansion of NATO involves risks that will outweigh this expansion, said Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, RIA Novosti reported.

He said that they also proceed from the fact that the rational interests of strengthening European security require a clear understanding that further expansion of the alliance entails risks that would outweigh any decision to expand further.

Grushko said that if NATO shifts to a policy of deterrence, then there will be a policy of counter-deterrence on their part. A further slide in the situation could lead to the most unpredictable and most severe consequences for European security. He added that Russia does not agree with such a scenario, and the measures that they propose and how they are fixed in the draft agreement allow for a radical turnaround of the situation, to return to the construction of European security.

At the end of 2021, Russia published a draft treaty with the U.S. and an agreement with NATO on security guarantees. In particular, Moscow demands legal guarantees from Western partners against further expansion of NATO to the east, Ukraine's accession to the bloc, and the establishment of military bases in post-Soviet countries.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved the nomination of Eric Garcetti to be the US Ambassador to India, a position that has been vacant for almost a year. The nomination will now go to the full Senate where a vote is likely soon as Republican Senator Ted Cruz has lifted his procedural hold on nominations that he placed because of his differences with President Joe Biden on a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The committee also approved the nomination of Donald Armin Blome to be the envoy to Pakistan. Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, and Blome had appeared before the Committee in December for a hearing at which they outlined their agendas as ambassadors and answered questions from Senators. But they were not included in the group of about 30 nominations of Ambassadors approved by the full Senate with a voice vote last month. The Senate Committee had to approve the nominations of Garcetti, Blome and others, including Amy Guttman as Ambassador to Germany, once again on Wednesday as the earlier vote lapsed when the Senate session ended at the end of the year. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez said: "I believe they are all well qualified and deserving of their nominations. I will be voting for them and look forward to their swift confirmation." Even as India's relations with the US has advanced during Biden's first year in office, the Ambassador's position has been vacant since January last year when Ken Juster resigned following the defeat of Donald Trump who had appointed him. Faced with growing aggressive behaviour by China, Biden has focused on the Indo-Pacific region, where New Delhi has a key role, advancing the Quad, the four-member group of India, the US, Japan and Australia, and convening its first summit. Menendez said: "Prolonged vacancies are not in our interest. They undermine our national security, hinder our leadership role abroad and benefit only are at the service training to the nominees we are considering today." Cruz had been blocking most Ambassador nominations using procedural manoeuvres because of a dispute with Biden over sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that Russia is building to Germany, but relaxed the hold last month. Cruz wants Biden to place sanctions on those involved with the pipeline. Unlike Garcetti, Guttman, who is the President of the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, did not get unanimous approval from the panel. The Republican leader on the committee, Ben Cardin, was among those opposing her nomination citing the university's connections to China. He said that under her leadership, the university is "really is a poster child for the ongoing in growing malign influence of China and at our institutions of higher learning. The University of Pennsylvania has accepted millions, millions and millions of dollars in donation (and) in contracts from China". China has used "lucrative contracts, grants, exchanges, and other incentives to coopt networks and institutions promote PRC interest and manipulate public discourse", he added. When he appeared before the committee last month, Garcetti declared that he would "double-down on our efforts to strengthen India's capacity to secure its borders, defend its sovereignty, and deter aggression" and pointed out that "India is situated in a tough neighbourhood", "Few nations are more vital to the future of American security and prosperity than India," he added. On issues given greater weight by Biden, he asserted that he would "engage closely and regularly with the Indian government" on human rights and matters relating to democratic institutions. Garcetti is close to Biden, having been the co-chair of his election campaign committee, and had been expected to join his cabinet, but the Mayor said that he withdrew from consideration for such positions citing the city's need for his leadership. He is a former Navy intelligence officer and has taught international affairs at the University of Southern California, and diplomacy and world affairs at Occidental College. Blome, who is the Ambassador to Tunisia, is a career foreign service officer. He has experience in the region, having been a political counsellor in the Kabul embassy and an Iran desk officer at the State Department. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) --IANS al/vd ( 721 Words) 2022-01-12-21:52:02 (IANS)
In its recommendations for the forthcoming Union Budget, the ACMA requested the government to consider the upward vision of 'RoDTEP' (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) rates along with adopting measures for enhancing investments, including that for R&D.

"The auto component industry, being an intermediary, has recommended for a uniform GST rate of 18 per cent on all auto components," ACMA President Sunjay Kapur said.

"The industry has significant aftermarket operations that are plagued by grey operations and counterfeits due to the high 28 per cent GST rate. A moderate rate of 18 per cent will not only address this challenge but will also enhance the tax base through better compliance."

Furthermore, the industry body pointed out that current RoDTEP rates for auto components sector is at 1 per cent or lower, and said that these rates are inadequate to cover the incidence of unrefunded taxes and duties borne on export products.

"This is deterring the competitiveness of the Indian auto component industry," the ACMA said.

Additionally, it asked for provision to reintroduce investment allowance at 15 per cent for manufacturing companies that invest more than Rs 25 crore in plant and machinery.

"This will motivate manufacturers to invest in new technologies, specifically e-mobility and its components or ancillaries related plant and machinery," the industry body said.

In addition, it recommended to retain the weighted tax deduction on R&D expenditure.

"The 2016-17 Budget reduced weighted deduction benefit from 200 per cent to 150 per cent and has further restricted the deduction to 100 per cent from 1st April 2020."

"The association has also put forth several suggestions to 'ease' acost of doing business' in India."

--IANS rv/vd

( 318 Words)

2022-01-11-22:34:04 (IANS)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI/NewsVoir): E-commerce is pushing boundaries and has fast pervaded even the core sectors like agriculture. Growing at a CAGR of 18% in the coming five years, the global agritech market would be worth $41,172.5 million by 2027. The agriculture sector has long been driven by the ages-old business model where farmers had hardly any say in the way their yield would turn out or the way the market demands will change. To offer inclusive and sustainable growth, the agriculture sector needs to be driven and powered by cutting edge solutions. Agritech is a booming sector and India alone is home to 1000+ Agro-based startups. However, the sector has its own challenges. StoreHippo, the next-generation e-Commerce platform offering end-to-end e-Commerce solutions is designed to help Agritech brands build next-gen solutions for their unique business requirements and move ahead of their competition. With a long experience in providing tailor-made solutions for digital-native as well as non-conventional businesses, StoreHippo can easily cater to the unique requirements of agro-based brands. StoreHippo's agritech solutions are powered by MACH (Micro services, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless) architecture which gives the agro-based brands complete freedom to experiment and implement hybrid business models. Agritech startups can easily combine 3-4 popular e-Commerce business models like multi vendor marketplace, location-based stores, multilingual, B2B e-Commerce etc and implement a disruptive solution. Brands looking for rapid scalability and tested solutions can go to market in record time and scale to any number of sellers, products, online storefronts, geographies etc using StoreHippo fully hosted and managed e-Commerce platform. Some of StoreHippo's exclusive offerings that facilitate Agritech brands are: Hyperlocal marketplace model to enable businesses to run hyperlocal marketplace powered by dealers who can streamline local deliveries more efficiently A complete solution to build and manage multiple storefronts from a centralized admin Multilingual website and admin panel to facilitate farmers and other stakeholders in doing business in their local languages Mobile apps and mobile-first solutions to reach sellers, dealers and customers on their mobile apps(as mobile is the only way to access the internet) Complete B2B and D2C e-Commerce solutions to enable wholesale and retail business channels from a single agritech portal Seamless integrations with chosen payment channels, delivery partners, marketing tools, ERP, CRM, accounting software etc. Inbuilt delivery boy solution so farmers and dealers can manage their own fleet of delivery boys StoreHippo's 300+ native features and headless architecture make it easy for agritech brands to quickly add new customer touchpoints and pivot to new business models. Online agro-products stores built on StoreHippo can be easily and quickly personalized with unique themes, languages (including RTL like Urdu), customer segment or location-based payment and shipping options and more. Agritech brands planning global expansion can leverage the inbuilt go-global features and accept multi-currency payments from international clients. StoreHippo also has 60+ integrated payment gateways and 30+ integrated delivery partners to ensure frictionless checkouts and a seamless supply chain. According to Rajiv Kumar Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, StoreHippo, "The next agricultural revolution is happening in the digital space. Agriculture which contributes 20% to Indian GDP needs a major facelift to align with the changing market and customer demands. Innovative agritech solutions are bringing data-driven insights to farmers for better yield, crop protection, sustainability and growth. The agriculture sector also needs easy and quick access to the market to help agri-producers and sellers get better ROI for their hard work. To connect the various tools and technologies for better agro-production, distribution and sale the agriculture sector needs uniquely designed cutting edge agritech solutions. StoreHippo offers broad-spectrum agritech solutions that can modernize and streamline agriculture as a profitable business for all stakeholders. The agile and flexible StoreHippo platform can be easily modified at the frontend and the backend to accommodate the unique requirements of agriculture." Started in 2014, SoreHippo is the most flexible e-Commerce platform designed for diverse B2B and B2C business models. Driving success with innovative solutions, StoreHippo envisions giving powerful solutions to brands that need a mobile-ready and customizable solution to rule the market. With PWA (Progressive Web Apps) at its core, it was built to offer mobile-ready and fully customizable e-Commerce solutions with a quick turnaround time. Designed for diverse B2B, B2C and enterprise solutions, StoreHippo is a part of the inspiring journey of customers in 20 countries across 40+ industry verticals. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
RailTel, a Central Government PSU, said on Wednesday it will create 'edge data centres' at Railway premises across 102 locations, especially Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns in the country. The 'edge data centres' will be set up by RailTel jointly with partners. The prospective Business Associates/partners should be a company registered in India. This activity will entail an investment opportunity of around Rs 500 crore, RailTel said in a statement. The process to establish the edge data centres has been set in motion with the floating of Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting the industry to partner in this exercise, it said. Edge data centres are small data centres located at the edge of the network, where they are closer to end-users and devices. Having such kind of facility at the edge would enable faster performance and lower latency as organisations will not have to move the data to far-flung data centres to process it. RailTel is one of the largest neutral telecom infrastructure providers in the country owning a Pan-India Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) network of over 60,000 RKM along Railway track. The OFC network covers important towns and cities of the country and several rural areas. This new initiative of RailTel will give a boost to the Indian Government's mission of Digital India. Under the proposed plan, the initial capacity of the envisioned edge data centre at each location can be of around 20 Racks (5 KW to 10 KW each). However, edge data centres with variable rack and power density can be explored as per the requirement and availability of space, power and other factors at individual locations, RailTel said. Edge data centres will enable RailTel to deploy IT infrastructure for 'caching' of popular contents to improve the experience of RailWire broadband customers as cached contents will then be served locally instead of travelling a long stretch of Network. Similarly, IT infrastructure for 'peering' with content players can also be deployed in these edge data centres which would improve cost economics for delivery of contents, RailTel said. "With the help of such localised Data Centres, rural areas can be served with low latency applications related to digital skills, financial inclusions, digital literacy etc," Puneet Chawla, Chairman and Managing Director of RailTel said in a statement. "The edge date centres will provide better experience and aid in the adoption of digital services by the population of these areas and thus contributing to the digital economy. The move will be another important step towards the path of digital transformation. It will also provide an opportunity to local professionally skilled manpower to participate in this transformation," Chawla added. (ANI)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 12 (ANI/PRNewswire): Auxilo Finserve Pvt Ltd, India's fastest growing education ecosystem NBFC, recently launched 'Edevate- an Auxilo CSR Initiative' with an aim to carry on with its commitment to social and economic development of the underprivileged. The company will champion all its philanthropic activities under Edevate that promises to make a positive impact on people's lives and contribute to Nation's development. To commemorate the launch, the company embarked on two of its social projects in education Auxilo's Edevate Scholarship and Auxilo's Education Infrastructure Upliftment Program under Edevate. The company's CSR aims to build and execute unique projects that are driven through societal science and economic empathy to alleviate lives and fuel more aspirations. Its objective this year is to engage with NGOs that are small in size but are engaged in deeper and meaningful projects, where the company's CSR corpus shall have a higher impact. The Auxilo's Edevate Scholarship Program will touch the lives of 22 students and this program will be implemented in collaboration with Buddy4Study, India's biggest scholarship program. Auxilo's Education Infrastructure Upliftment Program aims to provide teacher training facilities that would be beneficial for teachers as well as differently abled students. This project will be a joint effort of Auxilo and Bijapur Integrated Rural Development Society NGO (BIRDS). Speaking about the CSR initiative, Neeraj Saxena, Managing Director and CEO of Auxilo Finserve Pvt Ltd, said, "In its first year, we wanted to create something meaningful, purposeful, and most importantly impactful to the lives it would touch. We started off our CSR activity in Education as we believe 'Education is truly the biggest Elevation.' Sharing more inputs on the projects, he further, said, "The Scholarship program will provide financial assistance to 22 Covid-19 affected students who have lost one of the parents or both, earning members or whose family members have lost their employment in Covid-19 pandemic. Education Infrastructure Upliftment Program will fund the school's basic development needs like teacher's training and teaching material cost. Our future endeavours include plans to set up a dedicated CSR team, Auxilo programmed Scholarship fund, Donor programs for underprivileged and Mentorships from existing student alumni." Started in October 2017, Auxilo Finserve is a registered NBFC with RBI providing education loans to Indian students and education Institution loans. It has successfully fulfilled the aspiration of over 2900 students coming from all over the country by providing them with tailor-made education loans and who are now studying in 700+ universities spread across in 20 countries. The company has funded around 130+ private unaided schools, thereby, positively impacting over 1.25 lakh students. The company has been featured in The CEO Story as 'The Top 10 Financial Service Providers in India 2020', SiliconIndia Startup City as 'Best Startups to Work for Mumbai 2020', Business Connect for being recognized as 'The 25 most recommended Banking and Financial Solution Providers in 2020' and Higher Education Digest for 'Most preferred Education Loan Provider 2019'. Auxilo Finserve is a registered NBFC with Reserve Bank of India providing education loans to Indian students and education Institution loans. Today, they are a team of over 200 individuals that are enthusiastically and energetically driving these goals across Student Education Loans as well as Education Sector loans. Vision To be a fair, valued and profitable institution with a healthy portfolio of happy customers. The company has branches at Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Edevate is Auxilo's CSR Initiative. Edevate has derived its name from Auxilo's slogan "Education is Elevation". Auxilo's Edevate Scholarship and Auxilo's Education Infrastructure Upliftment Program are the two philanthropic activities that would be carried out under Edevate. Vision: To build a sustainable and Purposeful Social Impact as a corporate citizen in the society. Contact: For media queries you can reach out to us on communications@auxilo.com https://www.auxilo.com/ https://www.auxilo.com/edevate/ This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 12 (ANI/NewsVoir): On the all-new show Kabaddi Adda, Rohit Rana discusses the genius behind Rohit Chaudhari and Pardeep Narwal in the ongoing Pro Kabaddi League. Rohit Rana is an Indian Kabaddi player who plays as the left corner defender. He has played for Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba in the Pro Kabaddi League. He is best known for his dashes and blocks. His newest campaign sees him as the guest expert of a new weekly preview show that offers exclusive insights, statistics, and analysis on the ongoing season of the PKL. Speaking about Pardeep Narwal and Rahul Chaudhari on Kabaddi Adda, Rohit Rana said, "Pardeep Narwal and Rahul Chaudhari are the biggest players we have right now, all the hopes of the team are pinned on these 2. But that also means that all the teams have come prepared to do their best to stop them. Scoring 16-18 points each game for the both of them while looks great on paper, is nothing new for these 2 players. The level of Pardeep Narwal is so high that even his best performance is average compared to his own stature at the moment. This can only be attributed to the fact that these players have not had match practice for the last 2 years owing to COVID-19. He also needs to reimagine his signature dupki because all the teams have found a solution to Pardeep Narwal's signature. " Rahul Chaudhari and Pardeep Narwal are two of the greatest raiders of all time in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League. They have been responsible for getting a high rate of raiding points for the team. Rahul Chaudhari and Pardeep Narwal have done wonders in every match with their raiding skills. They are currently playing for Puneri Paltan and UP Yodha's respectively and have scored 9 and 53 points for their teams. Signing off, Rohit Rana offers advice to these 2 stalwarts, "Pardeep and Rahul will have to change their tactics a little, the pressure seems to be off the opponents defense. There was a time in the past 2-3 seasons where everyone knew that if Pardeep gets a 'dupki', it's a clear 3-4 points, but now they're prepared, same goes for Rahul Chaudhari. Having said that, we all as fans also know the calibre and with just a few strategic changes Narwal and Chaudhari will be as dangerous as always and be on top of the opponent's defense." Tune in to the episode on www.sportsadda.com as Rohit Rana discusses the remainder of the Pro Kabaddi League. In addition to this, Kabaddi Adda is LIVE on SportsAdda's Instagram page every Wednesday at 6:30 pm with Shabeer Bapu, one of the league's most weathered and feared raiders. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI/SRV): Mahaa News, one of the most popular regional news channels based in Telangana, has captured the spotlight by organising the grand Mahaa Organic Awards. The award ceremony is a new initiative by Mahaa News, which felicitated a number of dedicated and hardworking farmers who practice organic farming. One of the biggest highlights of the award ceremony was the participation of honourable Agriculture Minister Niranjan Reddy, who himself offered to deliver all kinds of necessary assistance and support to the growth of organic farming in the state. He also congratulated all the farmers present in the award ceremony, admiring their efforts and perseverance in practising organic farming. Serilingampally MLA Arekapudi Gandhi and Dr Venkateswara Rao Yadlapalli, an agriculturalist from Andhra Pradesh, who was conferred the Padma Shri award by the President of India for his contributions towards organic farming, were also present at the ceremony pledging their support. Practising purely organic farming successfully in a highly competitive world that is pursuing inorganic farming is challenging. However, compared to conventional agriculture, organic farming uses fewer pesticides and the produce is low in nitrates and high on antioxidants; which makes organic food healthier and tastier. That is why the demand for organic farming and organic produce is rising; thereby, encouraging farmers to engage in it. The brain behind the award ceremony, Marella Vamshi Krishna, the Managing Director of Mahaa News and a social activist, is himself an admirer of organic farming methods. Hailing from the district of Prakasam, Vamshi Krishna is a journalism graduate who has worked with Andhra Jyoti, under different job heads, right from a reporter to an input editor. He later joined Mahaa News as the captain of the ship. His talk show, Super Prime Time with Vamshi on Mahaa News, to date ranks as the second most viewed show in Telugu Media. Sharing his thoughts on the award ceremony he said, "Farmers are growing food and providing it to the people of the country. We are organising the Mahaa News Organic Awards to help and honour them". The award ceremony was held at Hotel Daspalla, Hyderabad. Agriculture Minister Niranjan Reddy honoured the winners by presenting them with the awards. He also quoted that he is leading a war against the international fertiliser mafia, which is gradually destroying the organic farming practices. He also asked the farmers to cultivate the crops with harmless fertilisers and use adequate amounts. To watch visit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R8rYYJL8Sk&t=8s This story is provided by SRV. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV)
Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], January 12 (ANI/NewsVoir): Enamor, a leading premium lingerie brand, has been recognized as one of the Best Brands of India for 2021 by The Economic Times, acknowledging the strength of the brand's reputation and the powerful endorsement it receives from consumers. The Economic Times Best Brands Series, now in its fourth edition, recognises brands that have succeeded in being at par with global brands and that command top of mind awareness, recall, popularity and instant association, among consumers. The recognition was conferred upon Enamor in December 2021 based on the results of a survey conducted by The Economic Times. Brands were evaluated based on publicly available data about the brand, the brand awareness index as suggested by knowledge partner and positive economic profits associated with the brand. Other parameters considered include overall market share, workplace culture, business ethics, CSR, degree of innovation, extent of expansion into national and international markets. As a brand, Enamor celebrates the essence of all women. Enamor has invested heavily in conducting research, not only to understand the habits, usage and attitudes of women across different ages, groups and ethnicities, but also to understand body shapes and sizes. This is to ensure that every style meets the requirements of every Indian woman, no matter their size, shape or quirks. Without putting women in stringent brackets of ideal body types, Enamor is focused on creating an experience that lets every woman feel fabulous inside and out, every day. Over the years, Enamor has become synonymous with fabulousness, fun, and fashion and has been instrumental in elevating lingerie from a basic requirement to an exquisite essential. Enamor's marketing campaigns capture the spirit of the Indian woman of today, the various roles she plays and the specialness she seeks. With their campaigns, Enamor has been paving the way for women to feel empowered, supported and understood - a proposition that has worked well and has proven to be successful for the brand. Sandra Daniels, Vice President of Marketing, Enamor, said, "We are honored to have received this prestigious recognition, which is an acknowledgement of the trust that consumers have bestowed on us as a business and as a brand. Over the years we have won accolades and recognition for our commitment to celebrating the fabulousness of women, their beliefs and zest for life, their inner and outer beauty. What has helped us cement our brand presence in the market, is our commitment to understanding women in all their facets, and designing products that keep in mind their needs and reflect their different personalities." Created in 2001 as a joint venture with Barbara of Paris - a 70-year-old French heritage lingerie brand, Enamor was the first to bring premium fashion lingerie to the Indian consumer. It enjoys a leadership status across leading National Chain stores and top Multi brand outlets. It has a national footprint of 5000+ Retail stores and 27 Exclusive Brand outlets. It offers a premium portfolio that ranges from bras, panties, shapewear, loungewear and Athleisure to a discerning emerging modern Indian woman. Enamor, a brand owned by Modenik Lifestyle, is loved by customers for its design and quality. The only innerwear brand to have won the Superbrands award for brand excellence three times in a row, a powerful endorsement by its customers. For more information please visit www.enamor.co.in. Modenik Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd. is the post-merger entity of Advent International's (a global private equity firm) portfolio companies Dixcy Textiles Pvt. Ltd. and Gokaldas Intimatewear Pvt. Ltd; the parent company of brand Enamor. The company is headquartered out of Bengaluru. Modenik has a strong portfolio of 5 sub-brands, including Dixcy Scott Originals, Dixcy Scott Maximus, Josh by Dixcy Scott, Slimz and Enamor. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 12 (ANI/PRNewswire): CtrlS has announced deployment of Asia's largest Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) in Mumbai, which is uniquely poised to be a game changer in the Indian data center industry. The state-of-the-art gas insulated substation (GIS) is currently equipped with a whopping 300MW and can scale up to 700MW and backed by three different sources and diversified paths ensuring 100% availability of power at all times, thus powering the two million square feet CtrlS Datacenter Campus spread across 10 Data Centers. The campus is currently under construction of which four rated-4 data centers are operational. CtrlS GIS facility has very limited sensitivity to environment, humidity. It is highly corrosion resistant, seismic resistant, enjoys an operating life of greater than 50 years, with no maintenance requirement for 25 years and protected against aggressive environmental conditions. This GIS facility will now help businesses collocate their high density IT infrastructure combined with seamless scalability to address their growth requirements. The GIS deployed by CtrlS is one of the first large scale deployment in Asia powered by 3 line configuration (N+N+1). It has 3 source substation backed by 2 or more substations. Thus, providing highest reliability. The power is sourced from express feeds which have seamless 24/7 supply and which will never go down. CtrlS is equipped to deliver large capacities such as 100 MW of power to any customer in 15 to 18 months. Gopalakrishnan, Managing Director, GBCI, Southeast Asia and Middle East, said, "CtrlS deploying a 300 MW gas insulated substation (GIS) is a path breaking phenomenon in the industry. This is the first-of-its-kind deployment of power infrastructure by any data center company in the Asia Pacific region. What is more interesting is the fact that CtrlS has planned ahead by ensuring that the GIS can be scaled up to 700MW. Combined with its planned addition of 2 million green data center footprint in Mumbai, the company is now poised to address the needs of high-density racks. Through this investment, CtrlS has again placed sustainability and efficiency at the core of its operations to provide its customers with world-class green data centers in India. Demonstrating its unparalleled commitment to sustainability, CtrlS Mumbai received its LEED Platinum certification under LEED v4 O+M in 2017 and has registered their second project within the same campus for LEED under LEED v4 BD+C in 2019." The Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) technology originally began in Japan in the 60's, where there was a critical need to develop substations with a greatly reduced footprint. In comparison, a conventional AIS or Air-Insulated Substation, occupies more space than GIS. In the US, only about 2 to 5% of new substations are constructed as GIS. The Air insulated substation (AIS) leads to wastage of space, suffers from seismic instability and poor dielectric strength of air. "The deployment of 300MW gas insulated substation scalable to 700 MW is our commitment to the industry as we continue to address the growing needs of hyperscalers, telcos, BFSI, healthcare, gaming, and new age companies. We stay committed to adopting innovative approaches to serve the unmet needs of our customers," said, Sridhar Pinnnapureddy, Founder and CEO, CtrlS Datacenters. With GIS technology, the clearance needed for phase to phase or phase to ground for all equipment is much less than that of an AIS or air insulated substation. The total space required for a GIS is roughly 10% of that needed for a conventional AIS facility. The salient features of CtrlS deployed GIS include: Protection system such as over voltage, Under Voltage, short circuit, instantaneous, master trip, intra trip, axillary etc and more 40 protection systems of the entire GIS infrastructure is built in N+N architecture The GIS facility has lighting arresters, dedicated BCU (Bay control units), BPUs (Bay protection units) for each bay. It has alarm systems and is fungi resistant. It has aluminium casing and an ethernet interface. The GIS has a Windows based monitoring system. The GIS has a gas leak detector. All the cables laid are of 1100V grade FRLS armoured PVC copper cables conforming to IS 1554. Continuing its tradition of rolling-out innovative solutions to its customers, CtrlS has successfully deployed a new generation 300 MW gas insulated substation (GIS) with unmatched levels of reliability, performance and security through real-time monitoring, interoperability and automation. The company stays committed to delivering best-in-class solutions as it expand its hyperscale data center footprint to 6 million in the next 18 to 24 months across Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, besides enhancing its edge data center network in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in the country. CtrlS is Asia's Largest Rated 4 Hyperscale Data Center provider, serving 60 of the Fortune 500 Companies including 4,000 customers worldwide operating one million square feet of data center space spread across seven data centers located in Mumbai, Noida, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The company is in the process of building addition 5 million square feet of Rated-4 Hyperscale data center facilities in the country. The company operates LEED Platinum v4 O+M data center facilities (Green Data Centers) and powers mission critical applications across sectors including BFSI, Telecom, E-Commerce, IT/ITeS, Hypercalers, Healthcare, Retail, Utilities among others. Media Contact: B.S.Rao CtrlS Datacenters Ltd Vice President and Global Head (PR and Communications) srinivasrao.b@ctrls.in Contact Number: 8886900447 This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], January 12 (ANI/NewsVoir): Novo, the powerfully simple small business banking platform, today announced that the company has raised USD90 million in Series B funding at a USD 700 million valuation. Stripes led the round, with continued participation from existing investors Valar Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Rainfall Ventures, and BoxGroup. This latest round brings Novo's total funding to more than USD135 million. "After speaking with thousands of our more than 150,000 customers over the last few years, one theme keeps coming up: the more you can help a small business remove all red tape and friction around cash flow, the better off that business is," said Michael Rangel, CEO and Co-founder of Novo. "With this additional funding, Novo will take a huge leap forward in improving cash flow for small businesses. In the coming months and years, our small business customers will be able to access their funds faster than they ever thought possible." With the additional USD 90 million in funding, Novo will build out modern lending capabilities, integrations, and proprietary products that allow small businesses to send and receive money more quickly with new advanced features which entail a series of enhancements followed by Novo's announcement in 2022. This will help to reduce the cash flow friction and implement technologies in banking and engineering back-end operations to foster advancement in the system. "For small business owners, the technology that powers their digital banking platform should fade into the background," said Tyler McIntyre, CTO and Co-founder of Novo. Ajar Upadhyay, Director of Operations - India, Novo, said, "At Novo, we have support operations in India across Gurgaon, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru. After successfully securing Series A and B funding from our investment partners, we are focussing on the next expansion step, that is, to hire 200+ talented workforce from middle and top-level management in banking and engineering roles in India for the next six months and build an organization that's motivated and growing and accomplish new milestones in India," Novo's latest funding round comes at a time of significant growth for the company. Novo has surpassed USD 5 billion in lifetime transactions - processing more than USD 4 billion in transactions in 2021 alone, and entering 2022 with a run-rate transaction volume of more than USD 7 billion. Novo also opened its new headquarters in Miami, and received multiple awards, including CNBC's "Best Business Checking Accounts", Money Magazine's "Best Business Checking Accounts of 2021", and The Banker's "Most Innovative Bank in North America". "Despite being the heart of the U.S. economy, the more than 30 million small businesses in the U.S. have always struggled to access even basic financial services as they are constantly overlooked by the big banks," said Saagar Kulkarni, Partner at Stripes who will be joining Novo's Board of Directors. "What sets Novo apart is a fundamentally different approach to helping small businesses succeed. Instead of opting for incremental change, Novo built its banking platform from the ground up so that it could not just deliver a great digital banking experience, but actually deliver Novo financial products to a customer base that is yearning for them. At Stripes, we only invest in companies building amazing products, and Novo's rave reviews, strong retention, and incredible growth make it clear it has built something that small businesses love." Novo is a powerfully simple business banking platform with no hidden fees built for small business owners. Simplify your business finances with Novo. For more details, please visit www.banknovo.com. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Director Prasad Kadam says: "Both Vivek and Rohit are seasoned and terrific actors. I had a great time directing them, and both enjoyed their characters too. I am sure audiences will enjoy their chemistry."

He is known for short films like 'Chuha Billi' and has several projects in the pipeline including Anupam Kher and Aahana Kumra's short 'Happy Birthday'.

In 'Verses Of War', Vivek plays the role of an Indian soldier and Rohit will be seen as a Pakistani Army official. The entire story revolves around them and deals with the issues related to the two nations.

Shivaanii Rai will make her debut with this short film which is produced by Vikaas Gutgutia and Girish Johar.

Vivek was recently seen in the third season of the web series 'Inside Edge', while Rohit Roy was last seen in Sanjay Gupta's 'Mumbai Saga'.

'Verses of War' will be released on FNP Media's YouTube channel on January 26.

--IANS ila/kr

( 214 Words)

2022-01-12-13:08:05 (IANS)
Actor Peter Dinklage, best known for his role as Tyrion Lannister on HBO's 'Game Of Thrones', recently reflected on the attention he has received his entire life due to his height. Dinklage, who is 4 feet, 5 inches tall, was born with achondroplasia. The condition is a form of skeletal dysplasia that "leads to shorter bones ... and shorter stature," according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. In a recent interview with a leading media publication, Dinklage opened up about how he was often met with "stares" because of his height, reported People magazine. "Being my size, I get second looks quite often. My whole life I've had stares," Dinklage said during a recent interview. "Now there's an ownership to someone looking at me or approaching me. It's because of something positive. It's not just my size. It's the work I've done that has afforded them a second look," he added. Dinklage is widely known for his role as Tyrion Lannister in 'Game of Thrones'. Since the show wrapped in 2019, he has appeared in 'The Croods: A New Age', 'Between Two Ferns: The Movie' and Netflix's 'I Care a Lot'. In his latest role, he plays the titular character in Joe Wright's Cyrano, an adaptation of 'Cyrano de Bergerac'. The film follows Cyrano, a man who is "convinced that his appearance renders him unworthy of the love of a devoted friend, the luminous Roxanne (Haley Bennett)," per the official Cyrano description. The description continues, "Cyrano has yet to declare his feelings for her -- and Roxanne has fallen in love, at first sight, with Christian (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.)." Dinklage said that his casting as Cyrano marks a change in the history of the classic play. "Nine times out of 10, Cyrano is played by a handsome actor with a fake nose and you know that he takes it off when they wrap," he said. The actor added, "The idea of a leading actor is changing now. Whether racially or whatever. It's about time. We've been stuck with this stereotype of a leading man and it's healthy to open that up. Love life is not the domain of pretty people -- everybody has a love life." 'Cyrano' will be released in select theatres on January 28. (ANI)
The actor, who plays the lead in choreographer-turned-director Brindha Gopal's film 'Hey Sinamika', made the observation while announcing that the song 'Achamillai' from the film will release on January 14.

Dulquer took to Instagram to make the announcement. He wrote, "A life lived in FEAR isn't a life lived at all it's time to be Fearless! 'Achamillai' song out on January 14. Stay tuned!"

The film, which has been produced by Jio Studios, features Dulquer Salmaan, Aditi Rao Hydari and Kajal Aggarwal in the lead and will hit screens on February 25.

Dulquer Salmaan plays a character called Yaazhan, a Radio Jockey, in 'Hey Sinamika', which has a number of women techinicians working on it.

Preetha Jayaraman is the cinematographer of the film, which has editing by Radha Sridhar.

--IANS mani/kr

( 166 Words)

2022-01-12-14:10:03 (IANS)
Bollywood actor Richa Chadha said she is "mad proud" for her partner and actor Ali Fazal, who will soon be seen in Kenneth Branagh's crime thriller 'Death on the Nile'. Sharing Ali's latest character poster on her Instagram handle on Wednesday, Richa penned a note, expressing her love and pride for her "BFF and soul mate". In the caption, she began, "Tere jaisa star kahaaan !!! Meri jaan meri Shaan. With a heart full of pride, I share with you this poster of cousin Andrew. Who you may also know as Abdul or Guddu Pandit or Lobo or Zafar Bhai or chameleon." Richa recalled the origin of the journey of the duo. She wrote, "I love you and I am so happy the world gets to see this. Jab hum mile the, aap cycle pe the aur main i10 mein, tab se ab tak ka safar has been so hard and will continue to be but you know what? I wouldn't want it any other way. You know what's beautiful about this? It's all self-made." She concluded by sharing her excitement for his upcoming film. "I love you and I am mad proud of you my partner, lover, BFF and soul mate @alifazal9. 2022 is the year of magic on ALL fronts. Amen. @deathonthenile ... coming next month woohoooooo," she signed off. Ali is a part of the leading prominent cast in 'Death on the Nile' and will be seen essaying the character of Cousin Andrew Katchadourian, one of the suspects in this whodunnit murder mystery. In the first poster of his character, Ali looks suave in old Hollywood style from the '30s in a dapper moustached look. The stellar cast of 'Death On The Nile' includes Gal Gadot, along with Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Rose Leslie, Letitia Wright, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French and Kenneth Branagh reprising the role of famous spy Hercule Poirot. The film is produced by 20th Century Fox and is slated to release on February 11, 2022. (ANI)
The film, which features an ensemble cast of Gal Gadot, Emma Mackey, Ali Fazal, Sophie Okonedo, Rose Leslie, Letita Wright, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French and Kenneth Branagh, is based on Agatha Christie's novel of the same name.

While Ali who is part of the prominent cast in the film will be seen essaying the character of cousin Andrew Katchadourian, one of the suspects, Gal Gadot will essay the role of Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle in this classic whodunnit murder mystery.

Actor Kenneth Branagh has also directed the murder mystery.

'Death On The Nile', produced by 20th Century Fox, is slated to release on February 11.

--IANS aa/kr

( 147 Words)

2022-01-12-16:34:04 (IANS)
Kerala on Tuesday reported 9,066 fresh Covid cases after 63,898 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, increasing the daily test positivity rate to 14.18 per cent. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was handling the Covid situation personally during the second wave, is not seen briefing the media on the pandemic situation this time around with his place being taken by state Health Minister Veena George. On Tuesday, George said in a statement that the number of cases has gone up by 100 per cent when compared to the previous week. "More and more health professionals are getting infected by Covid. Unnecessary travel has to be avoided and utmost caution has to be followed by all," George said. Gatherings in marriages and funerals have now been cut down to just 50 people, she informed. And when asked about the ongoing CPI-M party meetings where protocols are reportedly not being followed, George said, "The health department is doing its job, the police are doing theirs and the local self-government is doing its duty." Kerala also reported 19 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking its overall Covid death toll to 50,053 so far. At present, there are 44,441 active cases in the state. Vijayan is set to leave for the US for medical treatment. He is expected to return on January 29. --IANS sg/arm ( 242 Words) 2022-01-11-22:58:05 (IANS)
Meanwhile, 1,356 persons have been discharged from the hospitals across the state. The active cases in the state stood at 73,260 and in Bengaluru, they were 59,000.

Five fresh deaths were reported on this day and 1,40,452 tests have been conducted throughout the state, Sudhakar said.

As many as 32 children between 0 and 15 years tested positive for Covid in Vijayapura district. District Commissioner P. Sunil Kumar stated that they included two kids of 2 to 5 years of age, five kids of 5 to 11 years, and 25 children of 11 to 15 years of age.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy, who returned from Om Shakthi yatra in Tamil Nadu, tested positive after death. As many as 22 persons who went to Tamil Nadu for pilgrimage with the boy have tested positive. Chamarajanagar district authorities have taken measures and are monitoring the situation.

Delta cases in the state jumped to 2,937 and Omicron cases stood at 479. Dakshina Kannada district reported 583 cases, the most after Bengaluru, followed by Mysuru (562), Mandya (263), Tumakuru (332), Udupi (250), Ramanagar (59) and Dharwad (178).

Bagalkot, Haveri, and Koppala districts reported new Covid cases in single digit numbers.

--IANS mka/vd

( 251 Words)

2022-01-11-23:16:05 (IANS)
Equipped with six chambers, the lab in the city's Binhai New Area can handle 1.2 million nucleic acid samples a day, the authorities added on Tuesday.

The test results will come out within four to six hours after the samples arrive at the lab, said Chen Mei, Executive General Manager of one of the companies in charge of the lab construction, Xinhua news agency reported.

The municipality of 13.86 million people that neighbours Beijing launched citywide mass testing at 7 a.m. Sunday. A total of 97 people had tested positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday noon in the city.

--IANS int/khz/

( 141 Words)

2022-01-12-00:20:02 (IANS)
World Health Organisation (WHO) European Regional Director, Hans Kluge has warned that the Omicron variant could become more prevalent in Europe as the "tidal wave" of infections spreads eastward. "I am also deeply concerned that as the variant moves east, we have yet to see its full impact in countries where levels of vaccination uptake are lower. We will see more severe disease in the unvaccinated," said Kluge on Tuesday. According to him, the Omicron variant, now spreading into the Balkans, is already present in 50 of the 53 countries in the region spanning Europe and Central Asia, Xinhua news agency reported. "At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasts that more than 50 per cent of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6 to 8 weeks," he added. Kluge said the hospitalisations were rising due to the unprecedented scale of transmissions in the region. To better manage the coronavirus's destructive impact on health services, economies and societies, the WHO official called for practical actions, including acting immediately and planning for contingencies, and prioritising response systems during the "closing window of opportunity". He also emphasised the importance of protecting the vulnerable and "minimising disruption to health systems and essential services". The WHO official also urged schools to remain open. "Keeping schools open benefits children's mental, social and educational well-being significantly. School buildings should be the last to close and the first to reopen," Kluge added. Additionally, he outlined his five pandemic stabilising mantras: vaccination, third doses or boosters, increased mask use, ventilation of crowded or enclosed spaces and the continued use of new clinical protocols to guide the response to Delta or Omicron. And the WHO Europe also said it's "way off" from treating the Covid-19 as endemic. "We're still a way off. Endemicity assumes, first of all, a stable circulation of the virus at predictable levels and potentially known and predictable waves of epidemic transmission," said Catherine Smallwood, Senior Emergency Services Officer at WHO Europe, when asked about opinion on Spain's recent request to the European Union to discuss the possibility of Covid-19 being classified as an endemic illness, similar to the flu or malaria, which is always present in a particular population or region. "What we're seeing at the moment coming into 2022 is nowhere near that... We still have a virus that's evolving quite quickly and posing quite new challenges... and there's still a lot of unpredictability, " she added. --IANS int/khz/ ( 431 Words) 2022-01-12-02:14:01 (IANS)
On Tuesday alone, the country reported 3,382 new daily Covid-19 cases, raising the national total to 1,300,994.

Over the past 24 hours, 69 people have died from the disease, taking the cumulative death toll to 40,016 in the country, while 1,147,818 people have recovered. At present, 2,932 patients are being treated in hospitals, including 274 on ventilators, the government's website said on Tuesday.

Hungary's Covid-19 death toll stood at 30,000 at the beginning of July 2021, Xinhua news agency reported.

Miklos Kasler, Minister of Human Resources responsible for healthcare, said that during the ongoing fifth wave of the pandemic the number of daily infections could reach 13,000, the number of hospitalisations could be between 8,000 and 9,000, and around 200 people could die per day.

Kasler told Info radio that he was "absolutely certain" of the need for a fourth vaccine dose and that the government was ready for that eventuality.

The recommended wait between the third and the fourth vaccine doses may be longer, but more tests are needed to determine when a fourth vaccine dose could be administered, the Minister added.

As of Tuesday, 6,294,707 people have received at least the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, 6,033,675 people had both jabs and 3,292,175 people also had their booster shot, the government's website said.

Hungary has also started the vaccination of children aged between five and 11 years.

--IANS int/khz/

( 273 Words)

2022-01-12-03:30:03 (IANS)
The Congress in Goa has denied reports of talks with the Trinamool Congress over a possible alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled to be held on February 14. Speculation of an alliance between the two parties was triggered after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar told reporters in Mumbai that his party is in talks with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress for a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming elections in the coastal state. "We discussed coming together in Goa and the discussions are still on. No decision has been made yet. Goa needs a change and the BJP government needs to go," Pawar was quoted as saying on Tuesday. When asked for his reaction, the AICC in-charge of Goa, Dinesh Gundu Rao, said that Sharad Pawar would be in a best position to comment on the development. "That you ask Mr. Sharad Pawar. I cannot comment on what he has said. I do not know what he said. I cannot react to what he said. He is a tall leader," Rao told reporters. Reacting to another report in the national media on Monday about senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leading a discussion about an alliance with the Trinamool for Goa polls, Rao said: "There has been no discussion in the Congress regarding alliance with the Trinamool, nor was there any meeting yesterday regarding that. And they said that leaders (from Goa) have been called to Delhi. Nobody was called to Delhi. Nobody has gone. That was a report which was incorrect." On Monday, senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal had tweeted after a virtual meeting with Rahul Gandhi and P. Chidambaram, the party's senior election observer for Goa, "The rumour in circulation that a possible alliance with TMC was discussed by Shri @RahulGandhi in today's meeting is completely baseless & untrue. Let me assure that the Congress party is confident - we will put Goa back on the path to progress soon." --IANS Maya/arm ( 339 Words) 2022-01-11-19:42:02 (IANS)
Earlier, several leaders from Punjab including former MLA Arvind Khanna, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Gurdeep Singh Gosha, and former Amritsar councillor Dharamveer Sarin joined the BJP on Tuesday in the presence of Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the party office in the national capital.

The term of the Punjab Assembly will end in March. The Assembly polls in Punjab are scheduled to take place in a single phase on February 14, with the counting of votes scheduled for March 10.

In the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, Congress won an absolute majority in the state by winning 77 seats and ousted the SAD-BJP government after 10 years. Aam Aadmi Party emerged as the second-largest party winning 20 seats in 117-member Punjab Legislative Assembly. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) could only manage to win 15 seats while the BJP secured 3 seats. (ANI)
Lobo said that the Congress would win a majority in the Assembly polls which are scheduled to be held on February 14.

"The Congress will win 22 seats in 2022. The people of Goa want a change and the Congress will usher in this change," he told reporters after joining the party in the presence of senior Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao.

After resigning from the BJP on January 10, Lobo had said that the BJP in Goa was ignoring its core party workers.

"It has been quite a good, long journey with BJP. BJP workers are unhappy with the party. Maybe I am wrong also. I have seen with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears," Lobo said, adding that the party functioned differently after the demise of late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

--IANS maya/vd

( 166 Words)

2022-01-11-21:40:01 (IANS)
Police sources said Havaldar Gurjeet Singh of 6 Rashtriya Rifles shot himself dead with his service rifle in Kachhal village of Keran tehsil in Kupwara.

"Police has taken cognisance of the incident. What prompted the soldier to take the extreme step is being ascertained," a source said.

--IANS sq/vd

( 74 Words)

2022-01-11-22:40:03 (IANS)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday will announce the name of the retired top court judge who will head the committee to investigate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab last week. On Monday, after a detailed hearing in the matter, a bench, headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, said the court will set up a committee headed by a retired top court judge to probe the PM's security breach and asked both the Centre and Punjab government to not move ahead with their respective inquiries into the matter. The bench said it will pass a detailed order in the matter. During the hearing, it orally proposed that other members of the committee would be Director General of Police, Chandigarh, Inspector General, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Additional DGP, Security, Punjab. The bench said: "We are taking the PM's security breach very seriously." It added that it will ask the committee to submit its report to it within a short span. Advocate General D.S. Patwalia, representing the Punjab government, complained against show-cause notices to its Chief Secretary and the DGP. He urged the top court to form an independent committee to probe the matter. "Hang me if I am guilty... but don't condemn me unheard," submitted Patwalia. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, defended the show-cause notices issued by the Central government. However, the top court expressed its displeasure at Centre's stand, questioning what is the point of asking the court to examine the matter if the Centre wanted to go ahead on its own. Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the Delhi-based petitioner Lawyer's Voice, emphasised on the importance of protection to the PM of the country and cited previous top court ruling that looked at the SPG Act. --IANS ss/vd ( 328 Words) 2022-01-11-22:46:02 (IANS)
"Shri Arun Kumar Chatterjee, presently Additional Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kyrgyz Republic. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," the MEA said in a statement.

Chatterjee is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) official of 1992 batch. Presently, he is serving in the MEA headquarters here as an Additional Secretary. He also assumed additional charge as Dean at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) in September last year.

Chatterjee had previously served as the Counsellor in the India Embassy in Seoul from February 2006 to July 2007, as First Secretary/Counsellor in Permanent Mission of India (PMI), Geneva ,from December 2002 to December 2005, and as Third/Second Secretary in the Embassy of India, Almaty, Kazakhstan, from May 1994 to September 1998.

In the MEA, Chatterjee has worked as Under Secretary/ Deputy Secretary (East Europe), Director (Finance), Director/Joint Secretary (CNV & I), Chief Vigilance Officer, Joint/Additional Secretary (Passport Seva Project) and Chief Passport Officer from April 2016 to November 2020.

His compulsory foreign language is Kazakh, while he also has working knowledge of Russian and French.

--IANS nk/arm

( 221 Words)

2022-01-11-23:04:06 (IANS)
The Delhi Police on Tuesday told the High Court that real estate barons Sushil Ansal and Gopal Ansal cannot take advantage of their old age in their plea seeking suspension of the seven-year jail terms in the evidence tampering case related to the 1997 Uphaar cinema hall fire tragedy. Delhi Police's counsel, advocate Dayan Krishnan also submitted that the duo had made every attempt to delay the trial in the matter during the course of hearing in the matter before a bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on January 14 and said the copy of the trial court record be placed before it before the next date of hearing. On December 15, the high court had issued notice on the pleas filed by Sushil Ansal (83) and Gopal Ansal (73) challenging a trial court that had dismissed their interim pleas seeking suspension of the seven-year jail terms in the Uphaar case. On December 3, Additional Sessions Judge Anil Antil observed that the trial court itself cannot be the sole criteria to grant relief to the Ansals when they were involved in the procrastinated trial of the case. On November 8, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House Court, Dr Pankaj Sharma, had sentenced Ansals to seven years imprisonment besides imposing a fine of Rs 2.25 crore on both in the evidence tampering case. The court also pronounced a seven-year jail term to former court staffers P.P. Batra, Anoop Singh, and Dinesh Chandra Sharma while slapping them with a fine of Rs 3 lakh each. On June 13, 1997, halfway through the screening of Hindi film "Border", a fire broke out in the Uphaar cinema, located in Green Park in south Delhi, killing 59 people in one of the worst tragedies. --IANS jw/vd ( 317 Words) 2022-01-11-23:14:03 (IANS)
The Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday said that the viral video Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Bidhuna Vinay Shakya's daughter Riya Shakya claiming that her father was taken forcibly to Lucknow by her uncle for 'personal politics' is baseless. "I talked with MLA Vinay Shakya on a video call and found that he is currently staying at his Etawah's residence. Police security personnel are also present at the location. The viral video of Riya Shakya, daughter of MLA Vinay Shakya is baseless," said Auraiya Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Verma. Refuting the reports of MLA from Uttar Pradesh's Bidhuna Vinay Shakya joining the Samajwadi Party (SP), his daughter Riya Shakya on Tuesday claimed that her father was taken forcibly to Lucknow by her uncle for 'personal politics'. In a self-made video, Riya Shakya said, "You all know that my father was paralyzed a few years back, after which he is unable to walk. My uncle Devesh Shakya took advantage of his illness and started doing personal politics in his name." "Today, he crossed all the limits and took my father forcibly from our house and went to Lucknow to join SP," she said. Dismissing the reports of her father joining SP, she said, "I would like to tell you that we are working for BJP and will always stand firm with the party. When my father was ill, no one helped us, only Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath helped us." Referring to the Samajwadi Party, she alleged that these people are trying to kidnap her too. "Their government (SP) has not been formed yet, imagine what will happen when they will farm the government here," she added. Riya Shakya further requested the state government to help her in finding the whereabouts of her father. Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Sanjay participated in the meeting held in Mahbubnagar protesting against the GO 317 in support of Teachers and employees. The meeting was attended by BJP leaders Muralidhar Rao, Jitender Reddy, Etela Rajender, DK Aruna and others.

"There is strong opposition to JO 317 brought by the Telangana government. It should be revoked. The protest will continue until the GO 317 is revoked," said Sanjay.

The BJP state chief said, "There will be an investigation on corruption charges on Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. As he is scared of investigation he is going for national alliances. It doesn't matter how many coalition CM KCR make, he has to go to jail at any cost."

Sanjay criticized the KCR for opening up to a new drama called "Third Front" as soon his corruption was exposed.

He said that the Communist Party of India (Marxist), All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) which opposed the formation of a Telangana state, is meeting Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

He further said that CM KCR is more dangerous than COVID Virus.

"The movement against JO 317 would be intensified and a huge public meeting would be held in Hyderabad soon once COVID restrictions are lifted," he added. (ANI)
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana will pass the order.

Earlier on Monday, the apex court had said that it will constitute an independent committee headed by a retired top court judge to investigate the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab on January 5.

However, it has been indicated that Committee will include DGP Chandigarh, IG National Investigation Agency, Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and ADGP (security) of Punjab in the Committee.

In the meantime, the Bench asked both the Central government and the Punjab government to not go ahead with the inquiries by the Committees constituted by them.

The Prime Minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozpur, Punjab earlier this month due to the road being blocked by some protesters.

The Ministry of Home Affairs termed it as a "major lapse" in his security. (ANI)
Speaking to ANI, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors President Dr Avinash Dahiphale said, "At least 481 resident doctors have tested COVID positive in Maharashtra so far."

Maharashtra on Tuesday reported a total of 34,424 new COVID-19 cases, 18,967 discharges and 22 fatalities, as per the state health bulletin. Of this, Mumbai recorded 11,647 fresh cases and two fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to a health bulletin released by the BMC yesterday. (ANI)
"The PM's security breach is a serious issue. The Congress government has failed to provide security to the Prime Minister and common people. If AAP forms the government in Punjab, we will ensure that we provide necessary security to the PM and the common people," Delhi CM, who is in Chandigarh for a two-day visit, said.

Last week, PM Modi's convoy was stuck on a flyover when he was on his way to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district to visit National Martyr's Memorial.

The Punjab election is scheduled for February 14 and the result will be announced on March 10.

This time, Shiromani Akali Dal has joined hands with BSP and BJP is contesting elections with former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).

In the 2017 Assembly election, the Congress party won the polls, securing 77 seats of the 117 total constituencies. AAP had emerged runner-up, winning 20 seats. Akali Dal had won 15 seats and its alliance partner BJP in 3 seats. (ANI)
Outrightly denying the rumours that UP cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from the Bharatiya Janta Party as he failed to get ticket for his children from the BJP to contest in the ensuing Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, said Utkrisht Maurya Ashok, son of former BJP leader. Speaking to ANI over his father's resignation from the party and the ministerial post, Ashok said, "There is no such issue that my father wants a ticket for me or my sister." "My father and the party will decide if I have to contest the election or they want me as a party worker for the upcoming Assembly polls," Ashok said. He also rejected the allegations levelled by his father that Dalits and backward class people were neglected by the BJP. He further added that the party has always worked for the Dalits and backward class people but if they will be ignored, then the BJP will face changes. Labour Minister and the BJP's OBC face Swami Prasad Maurya tendered his resignation from the Yogi Adityanath government giving a jolt to the BJP ahead of the assembly polls in the state. "I have resigned from the Yogi Cabinet keeping in mind the government's attitude towards Dalits, backward classes, farmers, youth, and traders. I have sent the letter to the Governor. I will consult with my supporters for a day or two, I will tell the number of people joining along with me after two days," Maurya had said. Maurya, a prominent leader from the OBC (Other Backward Class) community, had joined the BJP from Bahujan Samaj Party in 2016. Elections for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases. The polling will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. The polling in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa will be held on February 14 and in Manipur in two phases on February 27 and March 6. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday set up a Committee headed by a retired top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra to probe into the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit on January 5. A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli while setting up the independent Committee said such an issue of relating to breach of security of Prime Minister cannot be decided by "one sided inquiry" of Centre or the State government and it has to be by a "judicially trained mind". The other members of the Committee are Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) or his nominee not below the rank of IG, DGP Union Territory of Chandigarh, ADGP of Punjab (Security) and Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Bench said the Committee will inquire into causes of the security breach, persons responsible for the breach and the future measures to be taken for preventing such security breaches of VVIPs. The top court asked the Committee to submit a report at the earliest. It also asked Registrar General of High Court to submit all records and documents collected by him on orders of the apex court to inquiry panel. The five member Committee will inqure into the issue of breach of PM Mondi's security and Court stayex all existing inquiries into the matter. "We are of considered opinion that this can't be left to one sided inquiries. A judicially trained independent mind assisted by officers, well acquainted with security considerations, and High Court Register Gener, who seized records on our orders, would inquire into the incident," the Bench said. The top court's order came on a PIL seeking judicial probe into breach of Prime Minister's security while on a visit to Punjab. The apex court, earlier on Monday, while hearing a plea over the Prime Minister's security lapse issue had decided to constitute an independent committee headed by a retired top court judge to investigate the matter. The plea in the top court was filed by 'Lawyers' Voice' alleging that PM's security breach was a deliberate lapse on part of the State and sought the preservation of evidence on security arrangements and action against "erring" officials of the Punjab government. It also sought direction to the district judge, Bhatinda to collect "all official documents and materials from all possible sources" pertaining to the movements and deployment of Punjab Police in connection with the visit at the earliest and produce the same before this court. "Issue a writ of mandamus or any other writ, order or direction fixing responsibility of Respondent No. 2 (chief secretary) and Respondent No.3 (DGP) and place them under suspension and further direct the Respondent No. 4 (Centre) to initiate departmental action against the same," it added. The Prime Minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozpur, Punjab earlier this month due to the road being blocked by some protesters. The Ministry of Home Affairs termed it as a "major lapse" in his security. (ANI)
There is a short story 'Conchology' in her book 'The High Priestess Never Marries', which was the first time she had attempted to bring the mystery of Kallady's musical lagoon into her work. For author Sharanya Manivannan the tale took years to write as she would keep glimpsing what it was supposed to be, but wasnt able to gather the complete look until near the end of finishing that manuscript. "I went to Sri Lanka immediately after the book was published; in fact, 'The High Priestess Never Marries' was launched in Colombo first. It was during this trip that something was seeded in my heart about the 'meen magal' as a personal and creative motif. A few months later I began returning to Batticaloa, too, where I had only been once before. These trips had as their overt intention researching the meen magal or singing fish phenomenon, but the deeper draw was to be in the place that my family is from, the place I did not get to grow up in or even visit because of the civil war in Sri Lanka," says the author whose graphic novel 'Incantations Over Water' (Westland Publications) that hit the stands recently. The book is part of a duology on 'Ila of the Kallady' lagoon, and is accompanied by a picture book for children, 'Mermaids in the Moonlight'. This author of seven books who writes and illustrates fiction, poetry, children's literature and non-fiction says that she has been drawing and painting since her teens, and writing since she was a child. "It did not seem unusual to me to bring these two together. It seemed so natural in fact that while I know when I began thinking about mermaids as a creative motif, I don't know exactly why I chose the visual medium. The mermaids themselves are very visual in Batticaloa, of course: the symbol is across public facades everywhere." Recipient of the South Asian Laadli Award for 'The High Priestess Never Marries', Manivannan's books --- 'Mermaids in the Moonlight' and 'Incantations Over Water' were created during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Together, the books form my Ila duology. 'Moonlight...' is about a woman from the diaspora taking her child (Nilavoli) to the island and to the lagoon for the first time. During their boat ride, Nilavoli receives an inheritance of stories, which also gently help her to understand her culture and the civil war. The child and mother create a mermaid named Ila, and play with the possibility that she lives in the lagoon. In 'Incantations..', it is Ila who is the narrator. As a book for adults, it is a darker and deliberately complex work, going deeper into the region's realities." Adding that when it comes to revealing herself through her characters, it is something that just happens sometimes, and is not really important for her. "I write and draw primarily for my own solace or pleasure, so anything I feel or think about enters the work." Hailing from a country that witnessed one of the longest and bloodiest civil wars in the world, the author feels that it's vital just not to forget, but also to have nuanced narratives -- as well as to understand that the civil war is only over officially, but that scars and tribulations persist in different forms. "Perhaps I'm aware of the literature and cinema out there because of my personal investment in the topic. Authors like Anuk Arudpragasam, Nayomi Munaweera, Sharmila Seyyid, Rajith Savanadasa, Michael Ondaatje and Shyam Selvadurai have written remarkable texts. One of my favourite novels is Shankari Chandran's 'Song Of The Sun God', which is not about the conflict per se, but Tamil lives over decades. Tamil creatives and activists from India have a long history of appropriating the pain of communities from and of the island, and I would caution against most work by them. Exceptions would be Rohini Mohan, Meera Srinivasan, Swarna Rajagopalan and Samanth Subramanian, who work in different non-fiction disciplines." Recalling the emotions she felt while visiting Batticaloa for the first time a decade back, she remembers being ill and sprawled out asleep in one row of the van for 10 hours on the highway from Colombo. "I can never forget sitting up just in time to see the mermaid arch at the entrance of the town. It was drizzling, and electric lights had been turned on in the late dusk. I saw the mermaid arch -- it appears in both the books; it has three mermaids sitting atop it, greeting those who enter or leave the town -- and my ancestral temple which is right beside it, for the first time." She also recalls that during that trip she sat on the front porch of the house that her grandmother had yearned for deeply and in the final year of her life kept saying that she wanted to see that porch one more time. "She died without fulfilling that yearning. Still, that trip was difficult for me for various reasons, and I know that the only thing that gave me the courage to attempt to go back there was the pursuit of the mermaids. Being able to tell myself that I was going there out of curiosity about why the mermaid symbol is everywhere in Batticaloa except in the folklore gave me emotional scaffolding for a journey that all and exiles can undertake only at great risk to their hearts. I am profoundly fortunate and grateful -- each time I went back, filled my heart, and the overflow of those feelings are what fill my pages." Stressing that she thoroughly enjoyed illustrating these books, and this aspect of creating them gave her much peace, the author adds that almost half of the art in 'Incantations Over Water' was created during the weeks of her father's hospitalisation due to Covid-19 during the second wave. "And in the one month after his demise -- my family formally mourned for 31 days, as per Batticaloa customs -- the book was finished just before this period ended. Immersing myself in the art buoyed me." --IANS sukant/khz/ ( 1023 Words) 2022-01-12-07:04:03 (IANS)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to Uttarakhand and Delhi police on a petition seeking independent inquiry into the Haridwar Dharm Sansad speeches allegedly inciting violence against minority community. A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli sought responses of Uttarakhand and Delhi Police in ten days. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioner in the case, told the Bench that Dharam Sansad is going to organise another congregation at Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, and should be restrained from making hate speech there while the apex court is seized of the matter. On Sibal's apprehension, the Bench allowed the petitioners to bring the case before the notice of the local authorities and against holding of Dharam Sansad and apprise them how it is against certain penal provisions. During the hearing, Sibal argued that when the election process is on, unless preventive detention steps are taken against Dharam Sansad participants the country would slip on its ethos. He said if no quick steps are taken, these Dharam Sansads will be held in Una, Dasna, Kurukshetra, these events vitiate the entire country's atmosphere. Senior advocate Indira Jaising sought an intervention on behalf of Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, saying that the top court had passed directions against mob-violence in his application in 2019 and "had those directions been implemented, this Dharam Sansad would not have happened". The petition was filed by former High Court judge and senior advocate Anjana Prakash and journalist Qurban Ali. The plea sought the arrest and trial of people who made hate speeches, inciting violence towards Muslims, at the Haridwar Dharm Sansad conclave. On Monday, mentioning the matter before CJI Bench for early hearing, Sibal said that slogan of the country seems to be changed from 'Satyameva Jayate' to 'Shasatrameva Jayate'. "We are living in very dangerous times where slogans in the country have changed from Satyamev Jayate to Shashtramev Jayate," Sibal had told the apex court during the mentioning of the case. The hate speeches were allegedly delivered between December 17 and 19, 2021, in Haridwar by Yati Narsinghanand and in Delhi by 'Hindu Yuva Vahini'. The plea said that the alleged hate speeches consisted of open calls for genocide of Muslims in order to achieve ethnic cleansing. "It is pertinent to note that the said speeches are not mere hate speeches but amount to an open call for murder of an entire community. The said speeches thus, pose a grave threat not just to the unity and integrity of our country but also endanger the lives of millions of Muslim citizens," plea added. It further said that it is relevant to note that no action has been taken by the Uttarakhand and Delhi Police in relation with the event held there despite the fact that open calls for genocide, that are available on the internet, were made therein. The plea also highlighted about a video which had gone viral where a police officer was seen acknowledging his allegiance to the offenders. "Not only the inaction of the Police allows delivery of hate speeches with impunity but also shows that the Police authorities are in fact hand in glove with the perpetrators of communal hate," it added. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed faith in the youth of the nation said that the 'compete and conquer' is the mantra of new India and the youth of the country has a 'can do' spirit which is a source of inspiration for every generation. "India is entering the golden age of the startup ecosystem boasting over 50,000 startups, out of which more than 10,000 startups were set up in the past 6-7 months amid the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic...'compete and conquer' is the mantra of new India," the Prime Minister said after inaugurating Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry and Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam in Puducherry through video conference. "Today's youth have a can do spirit which is a source of inspiration for every generation. It is the strength of the youth that India has marched much ahead in digital payments. Today, the youth of India is writing code of global prosperity," he said. PM Modi said that it is the government's effort to give youth, the platform and infrastructure to develop the nation. "We want our youth to pursue their dreams without any barriers and apprehensions. We have reduced our government compliances. Schemes like Mudra Yojana, Startup India, Stand Up India, Skill India, Atal Innovation Mission and NEP are aiding their dreams," he said. "I have full faith in the youth of the nation and I am sure that they will take us to heights we haven't even dreamed of," he added. PM Modi inaugurated a Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry and Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam - an auditorium with open-air theatre in Puducherry, through video conference. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry is established at Puducherry with an investment of about Rs 122 crore. With the focus on the Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) Sector, this Technology Centre will be equipped with the latest technology. The Prime Minster will also inaugurate the 25th National Youth Festival via video conferencing on the National Youth Day which is observed to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The festival aims to shape the minds of India's youth and transform them into a united force for nation-building. It is one of the biggest exercises in social cohesion and intellectual and cultural integration. It aims to bring diverse cultures of India and integrate them into a united thread of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. This year, in view of the emerging COVID situation, the festival has been scheduled to be held virtually from January 12-13. (ANI)
Indian army and Chinese military commanders are going to hold the 14th round of military commanders-level talks on Wednesday. On being asked about what could be expected from the meeting, Defence expert Maj Gen (R) SP Sinha told ANI, " It's my personal precision and belief that nothing substantial is going to come out. The primary reason for this is that China's intention is not correct". "China believed in expansion policy and one palm and five finger policy. One palm is Tibet and fingers are Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. China has not abdicated this thought process or strategy and therefore there can be no permanent peace in Ladakh," said Sinha. He further said, "We want a solution and peace, but China does not want peace. China is not prepared to give up its territorial design. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet. All this is a playground with history. There is no historical proof that this place of land has ever belonged to China and therefore what should we do." "We should reply to China in the language china understands. China only respects the power of the gun, the strength, military muscle power, and this was proved when in Pangong Tso. We occupied the mountain tops like blacktop, helmet top, Gurung Hill. China was forced to withdraw because that was a very strategic vantage point for us that gave us a view of Moldo Garrison," said the Defence expert "We were able to dominate Moldo Garrison. That was the worry point for China and therefore we should continue to deploy a matching capability in terms of developing infrastructure, troops deployment, quality of the military equipment that we deploy and with my appreciation of the 17 corps which was raised there is a need to make it fully operational so that the complete focus of 17 corps should be china centric and especially Ladakh centric," added Sinha. (ANI)
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said that COVID-19 cases in the Union Territory continue to be above 20,000 but the positivity rate is stable around 25 per cent, which is a good sign. He further informed that the hospital admission rate has not risen in the past four-five days and if it holds then there will be some relief in restrictions. "COVID-19 cases in the Union territory continue to be above 20,000 but the positivity rate is stable at around 25 per cent which is a good sign. The union territory has reported 21,259 COVID-19 positive cases and 23 deaths on Tuesday. Hospital admission rate has not risen in the past 4-5 days, if it continues, there will be some relief in restrictions," Jain told ANI. Talking about deaths due to COVID-19, he said, "Most of the deaths that are taking place are also due to serious injuries and otehr disease. For example, a few days ago a case had come where a boy had attempted suicide, who later died in the hospital. He was COVID-19 positve also. It should be considered a suicide but it is said that he died due to COVID-19". "In Delhi, 2209 beds were filled till yesterday, while 12,000 were vacant. There is an occupancy of 15 per cent. Only 15,000 beds have been released so far. While there is a provision of 37 thousand beds. We have more arrangement than the number of beds given in LNJP and Rajiv Gandhi. We will put more when needed, but looks like it they won't be needed." On the restrictions imposed in Delhi, he said, "Fewer people are getting admitted to hospitals. It seems that the cases are going down, so if they go down then the restrictions will be reduced". Speaking about the ICMR guidelines, he said, "They are correct instructions. Only those who have symptoms should get tested". Delhi reported 21,259 new COVID-19 during the past 24 hours with a positivity rate of 25.65 per cent, the state health bulletin on Tuesday said. (ANI)
As Congress launched its 11-day padayatra seeking early implementation of the Mekedatu drinking water project on Sunday, Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar stirred troubled waters for himself as three FIRs have been filed against him on allegations of flouting COVID-19 norms. On Wednesday morning, Shivakumar and 63 other Congressmen were booked in Ramanagara for violating COVID-19 norms during the party's Mekedatu padayatra. On January 11, the second case has been filed against Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar for violating COVID-19 norms during his 'Mekedatu Padayatra', informed local police. "Around 41 persons including Shivakumar and MP D K Suresh have been named in an FIR that has been filed Sathanur police station of Ramanagara district on Monday for violating COVID-19 norms," said a police officer. Earlier on Sunday, the first FIR was registered against 30 people for violating COVID-19 norms in the 'Padayatra'. The Congress in Karnataka on Sunday began its 11 days padayatra, despite the government's COVID-19 restrictions, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai slammed Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who reportedly refused to take a COVID test after the padayatra. In response, Shivakumar accused the government of trying to "infect" him with COVID-19 by exposing him to an official who tested positive for Coronavirus. "Additional District Commissioner who came to test me last night has tested COVID-19 positive. He was sent to make sure that I get infected and test positive. The Government wants to make me a primary contact of the COVID positive person and that is why the official had been sent," alleged Shivakumar on Monday. "This may not be the idea of Chief Minister. But the Health Minister (K. Sudhakar) is capable of doing it," he further said. Further alleging mishandling of COVID-19 testing data, the Congress leader demanded a judicial enquiry on COVID-19 numbers."I have around dozen of doctors in my family, many kids in my family are studying medicine. I know how they are testing people who are coming from abroad in airports. It's all BJP positive, BJP Covid, BJP omicron. I demand a judicial enquiry on these COVID-19 numbers," he said. The Karnataka government has imposed a curfew on weekends and restricted public gatherings to fight the third wave of COVID-19, till January 19. It has also imposed a night curfew and has prohibited all rallies, dharnas, protests, among others. The Mekedatu balancing reservoir-cum drinking water project, to be constructed across the Cauvery river basin, has been at the centre of controversy between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Earlier too on July 12, 2021, Bommai had said that the Centre will have to give clearance to the project as per law and there is no reason the state government will stop the project. (ANI)
In a first, workers engaged in the work of road construction on the India-China border will be brought to the polling stations by helicopter to cast their votes for the assembly elections slated to be held in Uttarakhand this year, a Borders Road Organization (BRO) official said on Wednesday. The BRO has taken this decision in the wake of heavy snowfall. BRO Deputy Commanding Officer K Silva told ANI today, "We have decided to provide helicopter facility for people working at high altitude areas for voting. Till now there are 100 such people, as per our record, who will be given this facility. If there are more people, then they will also be given this facility." A large number of workers are engaged in the construction of a road connecting the China border to Milam-Laspa at an altitude of 3400 meters in Munsyari of Pithoragarh district. Munsyari village in Pithoragarh and its surrounding areas have received snowfall up to six feet, the regional meteorological department said today morning. Polling for Uttarakhand Assembly Election will take place in a single phase on February 14. The results will be declared on March 10. In the 2017 assembly elections, BJP won 57 out of 70 seats in the state. After the elections, Trivendra Singh Rawat was sworn in as the Chief Minister. The BJP has changed its chief minister twice over the last year in the state. Trivendra Singh Rawat made way for Tirath Singh Rawat, MP, in March last year. Amid the possibility of bypoll not being held in six months for him to be elected to the state assembly, Tirath Singh Rawat resigned and Pushkar Singh Dhami took oath as Chief Minister. In view of the rising COVID-19 cases, the Uttarakhand government has prohibited all political rallies and protests in the state until January 16. (ANI)
Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10, the Election Commission said.

The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

In the 2017 Assembly elections, the BJP won a landslide victory winning 312 Assembly seats. The party secured a 39.67 per cent vote share in the elections for 403-member Assembly. Samajwadi Party bagged 47 seats, BSP won 19 while Congress could manage to win only seven seats. (ANI)
Calling Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra a private citizen, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday slammed Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi for briefing Priyanka on PM Narendra Modi's security and breach. Addressing a press conference here today, she said, "Why did the Punjab CM brief a private citizen (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) on the PM's security protocol and the breach? Why is the private citizen, who is a part of the Gandhi family, an interested party into the matter?". She further questioned the Congress-led Punjab government for "deliberately breaching" the Prime Minister's security measures. Irani said, "I reiterate our questions to Congress high command. Why were security measures deliberately breached with the active connivance of the Congress-led government in Punjab? Who in Congress sought to benefit from the breach?" The Union Minister and BJP leader said, "What is extremely disconcerting is that the Punjab Police officials have highlighted how they continuously engaged with the Congress government and the administration in Punjab to bring to light the threat to the security of PM and his route". "The question that begets this expose that who in the Punjab Congress-led government continued to deliberately ignore threats to the PM's security," she added. Meanwhile, in the most recent development in PM Modi's security breach issue, the Supreme Court on Wednesday set up a committee headed by a retired top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra to probe into the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit on January 5. A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant, and Hima Kohli while setting up the independent Committee said such an issue of relating to breach of security of Prime Minister cannot be decided by "one-sided inquiry" of Centre or the State government and it has to be by a "judicially trained mind". The Prime Minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozpur, Punjab earlier this month due to the road being blocked by some protesters. The Ministry of Home Affairs termed it as a "major lapse" in his security. (ANI)
Meanwhile, Congress leader Harish Rawat had said that the party will release its first list of candidates for Uttarakhand Assembly polls within the next seven days.

Several rounds of meetings have been held by the AICC screening committee to decide the names of candidates who will contest the polls.

Meanwhile, speaking on the BJP's list of candidates for the polls, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that "the process of finalizing tickets is going on."

"There will be a meeting of the State Election Committee and after that central parliamentary board will select the candidate based on merit, work, circumstances," Dhami told ANI.

Polls to elect the 70-member state legislative assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Several CPI-M leaders were present at the event.

CPIM Parassala area secretary said that they had directed the cadres to conduct Thiruvathira in compliance with COVID-19 protocols. However, this event has drawn criticism from quarters of society.

Over 550 people participated in the event despite stringent COVID-19 curbs.

The event happened at a time when the state government had imposed strict curbs and restricted only 50 people to attend the marriage and funeral ceremonies in Kerala.

On Tuesday, Kerala reported 9,066 new COVID-19 cases. (ANI)
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "I pay tributes to the great Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. His was a life devoted to national regeneration. He has motivated many youngsters to work towards nation building. Let us keep working together to fulfil the dreams he had for our nation."

Remembering Swami Vivekananda, Naidu tweeted, "My humble tributes to the great son of this soil, #SwamiVivekananda on his birth anniversary.Swami Ji was a visionary spiritual leader & an iconic ambassador of India.Through his noble thoughts & exemplary eloquence,he drew the world's attention to India's rich cultural heritage."

"Swami Ji played a stellar role in infusing the spirit of nationalism among Indians. He was an ardent advocate of universal brotherhood and believed in the uplift of humanity. Swami Ji's teachings are of inestimable value and remain an eternal source of guidance for humanity," Naidu said.

On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the 25th National Youth Festival.

The Prime Minister had tweeted on Tuesday evening: "Tomorrow, on the special occasion of Swami Vivekananda's Jayanti, I would be addressing the 25th National Youth Festival being held in Puducherry. The programme begins at 11 AM."

The Festival aims to shape the minds of India's youth and transform them into a united force for nation building. It is one of the biggest exercises in social cohesion and intellectual and cultural integration. It aims to bring diverse cultures of India and integrate them into a united thread of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.

--IANS ssb/dpb

( 285 Words)

2022-01-12-10:04:01 (IANS)
Most cases of violation of COVID protocols came from South Delhi and East Delhi among the 11 districts. As many as 782 cases of COVID rules violations were seen in South Delhi while 704 cases came from East Delhi.

In total 5,590 cases including 5,440 for not wearing masks, 108 for not following social distancing norms and 42 for spitting in public places were lodged by the administration.

Meanwhile, Delhi reported 21,259 new COVID-19 during the past 24 hours with a positivity rate of 25.65 per cent, informed the state health bulletin on Tuesday.

With the addition of 21,259 new cases, the active caseload in the city mounted to 74,881 which is the highest in the past eight months, according to the bulletin. So far, a total of 15,90,155 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the national capital.

In the past 24 hours, Delhi also reported 23 deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 25,200 here.

Delhi has reported 546 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus infection so far, out of which 57 patients have been recovered. (ANI)
Can Tho, Netherlands join hands to handle plastic waste in Hau river

Officials of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho have worked with representatives of the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam and Clear Rivers on implementing a pilot project to collect plastic waste in Hau river.













Hau river in Can Tho city (Photo: VNA)

During the January 11 meeting, Ramon Knoester, founding director of Clear Rivers, said the waste collection model in the Hau river includes a machine called "Litter Trap", which can operate automatically without using fuel to collect plastic waste floating on the river into a bag.



The trap is expected to collect about 8 tonnes of plastic waste a week, he said, adding that the waste will be reused sustainably in accordance with a circular economy model.



Clear Rivers successfully produced many reusable products from plastic waste collected in rivers, including floating park, furniture, and construction materials, he noted.



In the framework of the project, communication activities will be organised to raise public awareness of measures to reduce and recycle plastic waste, and call for joint actions towards a pollution-free planet.



Deputy Head of Mission at the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam Christoph Prommersberger said many businesses of the Netherlands have strength and experience in collecting and treating waste floating at sea and rivers.



This waste collection model of Clear Rivers has been successfully implemented in Belgium, Hungary, Indonesia and Malaysia, he said.



The Netherlands hopes that this project will open up more investment cooperation opportunities between Vietnamese and Dutch businesses in general, and the European country and Can Tho in particular, he said.



Vice Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Nguyen Thuc Hien highlighted the significance of the project for Can Tho as well as the Mekong Delta region, expressing his wish that the project could be started as soon as possible.



Recently, through the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam, Can Tho has accessed funding sources to implement waste collection and treatment projects, helping to protect the environment.



Hien said the municipal authorities always pay special attention to and support cooperation activities to protect the environment, towards developing Can Tho into an ecological and civilized city imbued with river cultural identity in the Mekong Delta.



He hoped that the pilot project will be a bright spot in the friendly cooperation between Can Tho and the Netherlands, thus improving the water quality on the Hau River in particular, and addressing waste pollution in rivers worldwide in general.
With reports suggesting that fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari has sought asylum in the United Kingdom, Indian agencies in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs are engaged in preparation for his extradition hearing scheduled next month. A joint team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is engaged in preparing documents with foolproof evidence that could help both the agencies to put forth their case during Bhandari's extradition hearing pending in the UK next month, an official source told ANI requesting anonymity. Both the agencies have engaged Joint Director level officers who in coordination with the investigating officers have expedited the process to gather documents linked to the case, said the source. Bhandari, who is wanted in India for violating the Official Secrets Act, is currently seeking asylum in the UK. India has moved to the UK for his extradition for money laundering and tax evasion cases against him. A hearing in the case is due in London next month. Bhandari is currently on conditional bail in the UK awaiting the outcome of his extradition case. "Extradition of Sanjay Bhandari is necessary to investigate his links to 'kickbacks' amounting to several hundreds of crores during the UPA tenure as his bank transaction details have suggested that he had received money for his involvement in multiple defence deals in 2011," another official linked to the probe told ANI. "A watertight case is being prepared and documents regarding that are being gathered to present it before a designated court in the UK when it will be hearing Bhandari's matter linked to his extradition to India." The former defence consultant recently sued French firm Thales, contending that he is owed "commissions" worth Rs 90 crore in connection with a defence deal. Thales incidentally supplies the avionics equipment for Dassault's Rafale aircraft. The contract under contention is a EUR2.4 billion contract signed in 2011 by the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government under Manmohan Singh to upgrade Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 planes. According to the report in the UK-based newspaper The Telegraph, the French company is "facing allegations that it used a secret and illicit system of paying middlemen to secure lucrative international contracts." The Telegraph stated that Bhandari claimed he "helped" Thales to "sell the upgrade of the Mirage jets by facilitating a meeting" with a top defence ministry official, citing court documents. He also claimed that he was entitled to a EUR20 million (167 crores) consulting fee but only received EUR9 million (75 crores). The fugitive arms lobbyist alleged that this was due to political factors in 2016 because he was close to the Congress Party. Bhandari has described himself in the lawsuit as a "well-known commercial intermediary involved in arms and defence in India", who has "worked with major international defence companies to assist them in negotiating arms contracts with the Indian Ministry of Defence". The lawsuit is ongoing and a judgment is expected later this year. Bhandari, considered close to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra, had fled India in 2016 following raids at his residence for allegedly possessing classified information on the country's defence purchases. He was later charged under the Official Secrets Act. Bhandari had purportedly received a kickback of Rs 328 crore in connection with the Pilatus Aircraft deal. He has also been linked to several other business agreements, including the ONGC deal. Between 2010 and 2012, more than Rs 3.47 crore had been transferred by Thales International, the Middle East into a bank account that is believed to belong to the fugitive defence middleman in conjunction with another defence deal relating to aviation products. The company named in the accessed documents is Offset India Solutions - of which Bhandari is a director. The Enforcement Directorate had conducted raids on HL Pahwa in May 2017 which linked a land deal connection with the Gandhi family and HL Pahwa who was funded by one CC Thampi, who has close financial links to Sanjay Bhandari. From files seized by the ED during raids at HL Pahwa office the link was established and it needed further probe. In August 2020, ED had raided 14 locations related to Bhandari in connection to the Pilatus aircraft scam. Bhandari is also under the scanner of the CBI as well for allegedly purchasing Benami properties for Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. CBI's inquiry had found that Bhandari's company had received the kickback amount through his Singapore-based bank account in 2009. From there the money was laundered to Bhandari's company in Dubai and then, it was allegedly used to purchase properties in London. It is notable here that the ED has already stated in open court that Bhandari was acting on behalf of Robert Vadra for the purchase of properties in London. (ANI)
With just weeks ahead of the commencement of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Cabinet Minister in the Yogi Adityanath government Dara Singh Chauhan on Wednesday resigned from his position citing neglect of Dalits, farmers, and the state of unemployment by the government. However, Singh has not declared his future course of action and said that he would consult the people of his community before deciding to join any party. This comes a day after cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from his position in the government after which three MLAs followed suit and resigned from the party. Speaking to ANI after his resignation, Singh said, "The Dalits and backward people because of whom the BJP came to power in 2017 were neglected during the tenure of the government. They were not respected and they did not get any justice. I, therefore, resigned from the government." Talking about the future course of action, he said that he would consult the people of his community and then decide which party to go with. In his letter to the governor, Singh said in Hindi, "Due to the neglect of the state government towards the backward section of the society, Dalits, farmers and unemployed youth of the state and the neglect of reservation of the Dalits and backward class in the society, I have been hurt and I resign from the cabinet." Elections for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases. The polling will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The polling in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa will be held on February 14 and in Manipur in two phases on February 27 and March 6. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Heavy snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir has led to many far-flung areas getting cut off from the mainland. But the security forces, including Army and Border Security Force, are lending a helping hand to the people in distress. The soldiers carrying pregnant women and other terminally ill people to hospitals on foot has been a common practice in J&K during winter months for the past many years. In distress residents of far-flung areas have only one hope, i.e., the Army soldiers or the jawans of other security forces, who are deployed in their areas all throughout the year. Recently a video clip showing the Indian Army soldiers carrying a pregnant woman to a hospital on their shoulders amid heavy snowfall in north Kashmir's Uri sector went viral on social media. The locals from Ghagar Hill village along Line of Control in Boniyar had sought the help of an Army unit in their area to carry a pregnant woman to the hospital. The jawans amidst heavy snowfall carried the woman on their shoulders over a distance of 6.5 Kms to the primary health centre. In south Kashmir's Shopian district, an Army evacuation team carried another pregnant woman on a stretcher from snowbound Ramnagri village to the district hospital. The BSF jawans airlifted three patients for medical attention from the snow-bound Tangdhar sector to Kupwara. Tangdhar remains cut off for days altogether during winter due to snowfall and mud slides that block the road. Always at forefront Security forces deployed in Jammu and Kashmir besides fighting Pakistan sponsored insurgency have always remained at forefront to help the local people. During winter months civil administration usually seeks help from the Army to reach out to the people living in mountainous areas. Army and other security forces have never said no. Even if the locals approach the security forces directly for any assistance, it's provided to them without any recommendation from the local authorities as the local commanders don't want people to get caught in wrangles during crisis time. Their only aim is to solve the problem. The people friendly approach of the security forces has helped them win the hearts of masses. Denizens of Jammu and Kashmir rely heavily upon the security forces in difficult situations. The local Army units deployed in far-flung areas keep on organizing medical and other camps for the local population. These units also provide ration, clothes, blankets and quilts to the people in winter so that they are equipped to fight the inclement weather conditions. People's Army During the past thirty years, Pakistan and its advocates in Jammu and Kashmir have tried their best to project the Indian Army and other Central armed forces as "occupational forces" but their propaganda based on lies and deceit has fallen flat. The security forces have built a strong relation with the local populace in J&K. Officers and jawans despite facing all the odds have always remained available for the common man. They have protected him from the militants and have ensured that whenever a civilian is in need the armed forces reach out to him without any delay. There have been instances where the Army has rescued the people from accident sites, and has prevented the fire from gutting the entire village. The soldiers have built a strong bond with a common man. The residents of J&K reposing faith in the security forces have hurt the militants and their bosses sitting across the Line of Control. Many civilians during the past 30-years have been labeled as informers of security forces and killed by the ultras. There was a time when militant groups used to issue diktats to people, asking them not to visit the camps of security forces and attend their programmes. But the common people didn't succumb under pressure and maintained a cordial relationship with the security forces. By doing so they sent a clear message that the Indian Army is People's Army and it's not an "occupational force". By helping security forces to fight the militancy, a common man in J&K has made it clear that ultras are not their friends as their only aim is to disrupt their lives and kill people to fight the proxy war of Pakistan. Human face, big heart Till August 5, 2019 -- when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate J&K's special status and divided it into two Union Territories -- a common man in J&K was unable to give vent to his feelings in an explicit way but during the past two years nationalist voices have become vocal. They are calling spade a spade and are openly acknowledging who is their friend and who is their enemy. The human face and big heart of the security forces has always been visible. In 2005 when an earthquake devastated villages, hamlets and towns in Kashmir, the security forces provided shelter to people in their camps and helped them in rebuilding their homes. When Kashmir witnessed the worst floods of the century in 2014, central armed forces, including the Indian Air Force, were the first ones to reach out to the marooned people. The security forces pressed their boats and manpower into service to pull the people out of the inundated areas in Kashmir. The IAF helicopters airlifted thousands of people and took them to safer places. Security forces in J&K by their actions have on every occasion proven the adversary wrong. Their presence in Jammu and Kashmir has helped a common man to carry out his daily chores without any fear. The soldiers put their lives at stake to ensure that a civilian remains safe and the enemies of peace, prosperity and development don't succeed in their nefarious designs. Security forces have always been there to serve the people of J&K and ensure their well being. Besides protecting a common man from the enemy and the elements inimical to peace, jawans of Army, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and others have always extended a helping hand. Whenever a common Kashmiri has been in distress he has always looked towards the armed forces and they have never let him down. --IANS dpb/ ( 1037 Words) 2022-01-12-11:58:03 (IANS)
Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim on Wednesday said that the ruling party at the Centre is celebrating National Youth Festival but does not follow the ideology of Swami Vivekananda and indulged in divisive policies. Speaking to ANI, the minister said, "West Bengal government is celebrating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as Yuva Diwas. BJP is celebrating the day in the name of Swami Vivekananda but they do not follow his ideology. They indulged in the divisive policy." On COVID management, Hakim said, "As far as COVID is concerned, we are ready for all situations. Our condition is not like Uttar Pradesh where they are only concerned about Double Engine Sarkar. In West Bengal, we are prepared and do review meetings timely. We have enough arrangements to fight the COVID pandemic." Prime Minister inaugurated the 25th National Youth Festival via video conferencing on the National Youth Day which is observed to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the festival aims to shape the minds of India's youth and transform them into a united force for nation-building. It is one of the biggest exercises in social cohesion and intellectual and cultural integration. It aims to bring diverse cultures of India and integrate them into a united thread of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. This year, in view of the emerging COVID situation, the festival has been scheduled to be held virtually from January 12-13. The birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is celebrated across India as National Youth Day, to honour one of the greatest philosophers and spiritual leaders. It also marked his ideas on how the young should participate in the modern world while upholding their values. National Youth Day is celebrated to mark the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. A towering spiritual philosopher, Vivekananda, was born in 1863 in Kolkata and is credited for popularising the Vedantic ideas.The decision to celebrate Vivekananda's birthday as National Youth Day was taken in 1984, and it was first marked on January 12, 1985. (ANI)
Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Wednesday said India has further strengthened its capabilities along the northern borders in Ladakh and asserted that the country would "come out victorious" in case of a war with China. Addressing the annual Army Day press conference, the chief made it clear that war was the last resort and talks were underway to resolve the issues along the border with China. India will "come out victorious" in case of war with China, said Naravane on Wednesday. The Army Chief said that in the last 18 months Indian Army capabilities have increased many folds as far as the Northern front is concerned. "War or conflict is always an instrument of last resort. But if resorted to, we will come out victorious," he said. Naravane was addressing the annual press conference where he updated media persons on developments in Northern and Western borders. He said that the Indian Army's response to China attempts to unilaterally change the status quo was very robust. He emphasised that war stays only as an "instrument of last resort". "We have inducted 25,000 additional troops in that area. We are building roads, tunnels bridges. We have built a facility for the storage of ammunition and FOL(Fuels, oil, lubricants). And other additional facilities that might take place in times to come. Lots of efforts have been made in last year," he added. "Because of what we have done, we are in a much better position to meet any challenges in future," he said. Army Chief said that it allows them to review operational plans and based on that lot of activities have taken place and were undertaken to augment their capabilities not only in Eastern Ladakh but all along the northern front. "We are not just focusing on one side. We took a holistic view of the entire northern front. It is not an only augmentation of forces, but it is also an augmentation of weapons, infrastructure and other developments," he said. On being asked about the dialogue between India and China over disengagement, he said that it is a good thing that talks are going on. "We can resolve differences through dialogue and this mechanism is very important. We have to keep talking to each other to understand the viewpoint, perceptions and differences," the chief said. "Whenever we talk, the differences keep getting narrowed down and then we reach an agreement. But to expect every round of meetings will have an outcome is unreasonable. Several rounds are required to deal with the situation," he said. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the number of medical colleges in the country have increased by 54 per cent in the last seven years and the future will belong to societies that invest in healthcare. "In 2014, our country had 387 medical colleges. In the last seven years only, this number has gone up to 596 medical colleges. This is an increase of 54 per cent. There were only seven AIIMS in the country before 2014 but now, the number of AIIMS approved has increased to 22," PM Modi said after virtually inaugurating 11 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai. These medical colleges have been inaugurated in districts including Virudhunagar, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri. The BJP-led government under leadership of PM Modi came to power in 2014. "The future will belong to societies that invest in healthcare. The Government of India has brought many reforms in the sector. Various reforms have been undertaken to make the medical education sector more transparent," the Prime Minister said. He said medical under graduate and post graduate seats have gone up to around 1.48 lakh seats, an increase of about 80 per cent from 82,000 seats in 2014. He said that regulations for setting up medical colleges and hospitals have been liberalised without compromise in quality. "This would be the first time that 11 medical colleges are being inaugurated at one stroke located in any one state," he added. In October last year, the Prime Minister had inaugurated nine medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh in the districts of Siddharthnagar, Etah, Hardoi, Pratapgarh, Fatehpur, Deoria, Ghazipur, Mirzapur and Jaunpur."I am getting to break my own record," the Prime Minister said. (ANI)
Rakesh Tajpuriya, a close-aide of dreaded gangster Sunil Mann alias Tillu Tajpuriya and the main conspirator in the Rohini Court shootout case, was arrested after a brief exchange of fire here in the national capital, an official said on Wednesday. The Rohini Court shootout, which seemed ripped from a Bollywood potboiler, took place on September 24, 2021 in which Delhi's most wanted gangster Jitender Singh Mann alias 'Gogi' was shot dead inside a courtroom by two gangsters from the rival 'Tilu' gang, dressed in lawyers' garb. Rakesh Tajpuriya was the key conspirator and main architect in conspiring and orchestrating the killing of their fierce rival Jitender Singh as per directions of Sunil Tillu from jail. The 31-year-old accused was nabbed on the intervening night of January 11-12 near crossing at Chemical factory road, Narela Industrial area, Delhi after a brief exchange of fire. Furnishing details about the operation, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Jasmeet Singh said that Special Cell was having an information that Rakesh Tajpuriya was frequenting in Alipur, Narela and other areas of Delhi and other adjoining NCR region and he was planning to kill a rival gangster of Jitender Gogi gang. On January 11, the police received a tip-off about Tajpuriya being seen near Xing Chemical Factory Road, Narela Industrial area, Delhi to meet his associate and subsequently a trap was laid to nab the accused gangster. After spotting Rakesh, the police surrounded and asked him to surrender, but he dropped his bike and fired two rounds at the members of the team. "One round was fired by a member of the police team in self defence and they immediately overpowered Rakesh Tajpuriya and disarmed him," the DCP said, adding none was injured in the encounter. The cops recovered one semi-automatic pistol of .32 with 3 live cartridges and 3 empty shells from the accused and registered a case under relevant sections of law at the Special Cell Police Station in this regard. According to the police, the accused Rakesh Tajpuriya is involved in more than 12 heinous criminal cases including of murder, attempt to murder, robbery, extortion, hurt, assault on police, criminal intimidation, arms act in Delhi and Haryana during the last 10 years. He was presently wanted and absconding in five heinous criminal cases i.e. 4 of murders and 1 of attempt to murder of members of rival gang including killing of Jitender Gogi in Rohini Court complex. During interrogation, the arrested accused disclosed that he with the help of his associates had escorted both the shooters of Tillu gang to Rohini court and provided them the logistics support to execute the killing of Jitender Gogi as per the plan orchestrated by Sunil Tillu from jail. Both the shooters and arms and ammunition used in this shoot out were arranged by accused Rakesh as per directions of Sunil Tillu and he himself remained outside the court during the shoot out. --IANS uj/shb/ ( 502 Words) 2022-01-12-13:22:02 (IANS)
The Andhra Pradesh CID on Wednesday served notice on rebel MP of ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, directing him to appear before it on January 17 in a case of sedition booked against him last year. A team of CID officers served the notice on the Narasapuram MP at his residence in Hyderabad. He has been directed to appear in person before the investigation officer at CID regional office, Guntur. The notice issued in the name of investigation officer says that MP's presence is necessary for investigation and interrogation in a case registered against him at CID police station under Indian Penal Code sections 153 A, 505, 124-A read with 120-B. The case was booked against Raju after he made some remarks against Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and YSRCP government. The police had arrested him from his residence in Hyderabad on May 14 and taken him to Guntur. The MP, who had undergone heart bypass surgery, alleged that he was tortured in state police custody. The Supreme Court had later granted him bail, observing that the report of his medical examination indicated that he may possibly have been ill-treated in custody. The court had also asked him to cooperate with the investigation. Meanwhile, Raju slammed the state government for asking him to appear for questioning on Sankranti. He alleged that the case was booked against him out of personal vendetta. Talking to reporters, the Lok Sabha member asked how a case of sedition can be booked against him for speaking out against the misrule and corruption of the government. He pointed out that the Supreme Court has already observed that the section relating to sedition is useless and it should be scrapped. The YSRCP MP alleged that the government was scared as the notice was issued to him after he announced that he will visit Narsapuram on Thursday and stay there for two days to celebrate Sankranti. Raju reiterated that he will soon resign as MP as YSRCP has failed to get him disqualified. He has already announced that he will contest the by-election. Alleging that there is 'devil's rule' in Andhra Pradesh, the MP said all political parties and people irrespective of religion, caste and community should work unitedly to throw YSRCP out of power. --IANS ms/shb/ ( 398 Words) 2022-01-12-13:28:03 (IANS)
After a 12-hour drama where allegations flung from one corner to another, BJP MLA Vinay Shakya has said that he would go with Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned from the council of ministers. Shortly after Maurya quit the cabinet, a list of legislators who would go with him started doing the rounds on Tuesday and Vinay Shakya's name started doing the rounds. Later in the night, Shakya's daughter, Riya Shakya put out a video message in which she claimed that her uncle Devesh Shakya had kidnapped her father and had taken him to Lucknow. She said that her father had suffered a brain stroke some time back and could not speak or think clearly. She also thanked Yogi Adityanath for helping in her father's treatment and urged him to ensure the security of her father. Hours later, Superintendent of Police Aurraiya, Abhishek Varma released a statement saying that the legislator was in his mother's house in Etawah and other reports were a result of family dispute. Meanwhile, Vinay Shakya, on Wednesday issued yet another statement saying that he would go with Swami Prasad Maurya. --IANS amita/dpb ( 202 Words) 2022-01-12-13:28:04 (IANS)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India has everything needed to be a hub of medical tourism and he envisions the country being the go-to destination for quality and affordable care. In his virtual address after inaugurating 11 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister said the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission aims to address the critical gaps in health infrastructure and health research especially at district level. He said a support of over Rs 3,000 crore would be provided to Tamil Nadu in the next five years and this will help in establishing urban health and wellness centres, district public health labs and critical care blocks across the state. "In the coming years, I envision India as being the go-to destination for quality and affordable care. India has everything needed to be a hub for medical tourism. I say this based on the skills of our doctors."He urged the medical fraternity to look at telemedicine as well. The 11 medical colleges have been inaugurated in districts of Virudhunagar, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri. "Today, the world has taken note of Indian practices that further wellness. this includes Yoga, Ayurveda and Siddha. We are working to make this popular in a language the world understands," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi also inaugurated the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai, through video conference. (ANI)
The Delhi Police on Wednesday registered an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on the basis of lawyers' complaints stating that they had received calls threatening judges over the case related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach. According to Supreme Court laywer Vishu Shankar Jain, one of the complainants, Special Cell of Delhi Police has registered the FIR on the basis of his complaint. According to him, the FIR has been lodged under sections 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) read with 13,16,18 and 20 of UAPA. Supreme Court's several lawyers recently claimed that they have received calls threatening judges over the case involving the security breach that left Prime Minister Narendra Modi stuck for 20 minutes on a flyover in Punjab on January 5, 2022. According to the Supreme Court Advocate-On-Record Association (SCAORA) letter, the calls were made allegedly by a pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The Supreme Court on Wednesday set up a committee headed by a retired top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra to probe into the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit. A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli while setting up the independent Committee said such an issue relating to breach of security of Prime Minister cannot be decided by "one-sided inquiry" of Centre or the State government and it has to be done by a "judicially trained mind". (ANI)
"The PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission aims to address the critical gap in health infrastructure and health research especially at the district level. A support of over Rs 3,000 crore will be provided to Tamil Nadu in the next five years. This will help in establishing urban health and wellness centres, district public health labs and critical care blocks across the state. The benefits of this for the people of Tamil Nadu will be immense," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated 11 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai.

These medical colleges have been inaugurated in districts including Virudhunagar, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri.

In his virtual address, the Prime Minister said, "This would be the first time that 11 medical colleges are being inaugurated at one stroke located in any one state."

In October last year, the Prime Minister had inaugurated nine medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh in the districts of Siddharthnagar, Etah, Hardoi, Pratapgarh, Fatehpur, Deoria, Ghazipur, Mirzapur and Jaunpur.

"I am getting to break my own record," the Prime Minister said. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that one of the happiest moments of his life was when he spoke a few words in Tamil at the United Nations. "One of the happiest moments of my life was when I got a chance to speak a few words in the world's oldest language, Tamil, at the United Nations", PM Modi said after virtually inaugurating 11 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai. Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Dr L Murugan and Dr Bharati Pawar, Chief Minister Tamil Nadu Thiru MK Stalin were present on the occasion. Notably, the Prime Minister in an address to the United Nations in 2019 in the United States had spoken in Tamil. On several occasions in the past, the Prime Minister has expressed regret for not learning the "world's oldest language" Tamil. The Prime Minister remarked that he was always fascinated by the richness of the Tamil language and culture. He said that his Government also had the honour of setting up 'Subramania Bharati Chair' on Tamil Studies at Banaras Hindu University. He said that this chair located in his Parliamentary constituency, will drive greater curiosity about Tamil. Commenting on the emphasis on promotion of Indian languages and Indian Knowledge Systems in the National Education Policy 2020, the Prime Minister said that Tamil can now be studied as a classical language in school education at the secondary level or middle level. Tamil is one of the languages in the Bhasha-Sangam where school students get familiar with 100 sentences in various Indian languages in audio videos. Largest e-content of Tamil has been digitized under the Bharatavani project. "We are encouraging education in mother tongue and local languages at schools. Our Government has also started making technical courses like Engineering available to students in Indian languages", he added. The Prime Minister said 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' seeks to enhance the spirit of unity in diversity and bring our people closer. "When a young child in Haridwar sees a Thiruvalluvar statue and finds out about his greatness, a seed of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' is laid in a young mind", he emphasised. He concluded by asking everyone to take all the precaution and maintain covid appropriate behaviour. (ANI)
Addressing the event today, the Chief Minister said, "I thank PM Modi for participating in this event. This was a dream of former CM M Karunanidhi to bring medical colleges in all the districts of Tamil Nadu."

"Today, Karunanidhi's dream has come true. I thank the central government for these new colleges," Stalin said.

Further, Stalin appealed to the central government to give NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu. "I appeal Union government to consider the plea to give the NEET exemption to Tamil Nadu," he added.

These medical colleges have been inaugurated in districts including Virudhunagar, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri.

According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), MBBS seats have been increased by 79.60 per cent (from 51,348 seats to 92,222 seats) and the number of PG seats increased by 80.70 per cent (from 31,185 seats to 56,374 seats) during the last seven years.

So, the total medical seats before 2014 were around 82,500. And in the last seven years, a jump of around 80 per cent or 66,000 seats has taken place.

The total number of medical colleges (both government and private) has increased from 387 to 596, a jump of around 54 per cent, the PMO informed. (ANI)
The contest started in Pune district on January 10 and will continue till March 15. The three best-performing villages from the Pune division will be awarded cash prizes in terms of development funds by the state government.

The district administration has issued detailed guidelines to explain the contest.

As per guidelines, at the end of the contest, three best-performing villages will be selected and will be judged for their performance in COVID management on 22 parameters.

The best performers will be awarded Rs 50 lakh for 1st place, Rs 25 Lakh for second and Rs 15 lakh for the village at third place.

Pune Zilla Parishad, Chief Executive Officer Ayush Prasad said, "For keeping rural area of Pune district Covid free, we have announced a competition among all gram panchayats of Pune district to encourage them for better Covid management in the rural areas,"

"This is basically done to provide the best service for preventing outbreaks of COVID-19 in villages. The winner of the contest will be granted funds for the development of the respective gram panchayat," Prasad said.

He further added, "Through this initiative, our focus is on all the gram panchayat for proper Covid management and to create awareness."

This would be supported by police and health officials at that level. This is a part of preventive measures to protect a large number of people from Omicron spread, he added. (ANI)
In a telephonic conversation, KVM Prasad, Additional DCP, Cyber Crime Wing, Detective Department, Hyderabad said, " A woman named Prerna approached Cyber Crime Wing and lodged a complaint against actor Sidharth for his sexist remarks against shuttler Saina Nehwal on Twitter."

The police official said that the basis of the complaint a case has been registered under Sections 509 of the Indian Penal Code and 67 of Information Technology Act and an investigation has been taken up. Notice will be served to Sidharth, the additional DCP added.

Siddharth had been engulfed in a controversy that erupted after the actor in a Twitter post on January 6, retweeted a post by Nehwal in which she had expressed her concern over the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Punjab visit on January 5. Various activists slammed Siddharth over his comments, calling it "sexist, misogynistic" and demanded that he should apologise to Nehwal.

The NCW also said that the comment by the actor was "misogynist and outrageous to the modesty of a woman amounting to disrespect and insult to the dignity of women on social media platforms."

Subesequently, the actor apologized to Nehwal on Tuesday night, after receiving criticism for his "rude joke" directed towards the badminton player.

In an open letter, Siddharth asserted that his 'word play' and 'humour' had no malicious intent. (ANI)
With Dara Singh Chauhan resigning as minister from Yogi Adityanath government on Wednesday, Samajwadi Paty leader Akhilesh Yadav "welcomed" him in the party through a tweet and said SP and its allies will take forward the movement for equality in the society. Yadav also shared a picture in which he and Dara Singh Chauhan are standing together. Chauhan's resignation came a day after Swami Prasad had resinged as minister giving a jolt to the BJP in the election-bound state. Maurya resigned as minsiter from the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. 'Mela Hobe', Akhilesh Yadav said in his tweet drawing from 'khela hobe' slogan of Trinamool Congress during the West Bengal assembly polls which the BJP lost. "Hearty welcome and greetings to Dara Singh Chouhanji, the relentless fighter in the struggle for 'social justice'.The SP and its allies will unitedly and take forward the movement for equality ... Eliminating discrimination is our collective resolve. Respect for all, place for all. Mela Hobe," Yadav said in a tweet. Speaking to ANI later, Yadav said that the resignations of the two ministers will help in the party's efforts to oust the BJP government in the forthcoming assembly polls. "They have eased the fight of the party in the coming days. Today, Dara Singh Chauhan too is standing with the SP, the whole of Uttar Pradesh wants to do a politics of positivity," he said. Dara Singh Chauhan told ANI that Dalits and backward sections "because of whom the BJP came to power in 2017 were neglected during the tenure of the government". "They were not respected and they did not get any justice. I, therefore, resigned from the government," he said. Maurya is expected to join Samajwadi Party. Three BJP MLAs have said they will follow Maurya. Elections for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases. The polling will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7. (ANI)
The number of ceasefire violations on the border with Pakistan has come down drastically to almost zero after ceasefire understanding was renewed last year but the neighbouring country continues the proxy war unabated on Indian soil, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on Wednesday. He said that post-February last year, ceasefire violations have come down drastically. None has happened except two isolated incidents. "Drop-in ceasefire violations can be taken as a little bit of normalcy on the western front but the proxy war continues. Terrorists are still there across the border." "Combined intelligence inputs suggest as many as 350-400 terrorists on the other side at the launching pads or terrorist camps. The threat has no way receded. We have to remain alert and the threat cannot be ignored," added Gen Naravane. On being asked drones used in infiltration, he said that it has been found that drones have been used for logistic support like smuggling of narcotics, explosives and weapons. "In winters there is a drop in infiltration because of snow. Drones are cost-effective with less chance of interception. MHA is also looking after the issue and measures have been taken to counter it," he said. The Army Chief has ruled out demilitarising at the Siachen Glacier. "Both the sides are face to face at Siachin. Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) be authenticated by Pakistan before initiating any disengagement talk similar to Eastern Ladakh." Director Generals of the Military Operations (DGsMOs) of India and Pakistan issued a joint statement that said both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight February 24-25 Feb 2021. (ANI)
"Chaired a meeting with the Regional Director of Directorate General of Health Services, National Centre for Disease Control officers, Deputy Director of DCGI, Regional Head of ICMR and Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Discussed various aspects relating to COVID-19 situation," the minister tweeted.

Mandaviya, who is on a brief visit to the state, earlier in the day, inspected the COVID-19 war room, 108 emergency control centre in Tamil Nadu and praised the local administration for doing "great work" in controlling the spread of the pandemic.

"During my visit to Tamil Nadu, carried out an inspection of control rooms, COVID War Room, 108 control centre, and PSA Oxygen plants established under PM CARES, at DMS Compound Teynampet, Chennai. The local administration is doing great work towards defeating the COVID-19," he tweeted.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated 11 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai.

These medical colleges have been inaugurated in districts including Virudhunagar, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted former AIADMK Minister KT Rajenthra Bhalaji bail for four weeks in connection with a job scam case. A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli allowed the bail to the former Minister on the condition that he shall not leave the jurisdiction of the police station in which the crime was registered. The apex court ordered Bhalaji, who held the Milk and Dairy Development portfolio in the previous AIADMK government, to surrender his passport and cooperate with the investigation. It also slammed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu over the manner in which Bhalaji was arrested when his appeal against the rejection of anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court was pending before the top court. The Bench wondered whether a judicial inquiry should be ordered into the circumstances that led to his arrest and asked the State government to file an affidavit explaining its stand. It also sought to know why after the arrest, Bhalaji was taken to the Trichy prison which is 300 km away from the Madurai prison which was the jurisdictional prison. The bench expressed unhappiness that even the lawyers of Bhalaji, had been raided by police. "The manner in which he was arrested, the manner in which the lawyer's office was raided... It is objectionable," the Bench remarked. The top court was hearing an appeal challenging Madras High Court's order rejecting anticipatory bail applications filed by Bhalaji and a writ petition filed challenging his arrest and seeking quashing of FIRs filed against him. The apex court listed the case after three weeks. The Tamil Nadu Police arrested Bhalaji, after a three-week search, from Haasan in Karnataka on January 5. He is accused of taking money to offer jobs in Aavin, the state-run milk producer, as minister for dairy development. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, for Bhalaji, told the Bench that the case was a product of political vendetta. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, denied the accusations of personal vendetta against Bhalaji. Rohatgi told the Bench that the police complaint against Bhalaji was registered in August 2021. "For the next five months, the State did not do anything. If this was a case of personal vendetta, we would have arrested him the next day of the complaint in August," he added. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday alleged that the security breach during Prime Minister's Punjab visit was a "pre-planned and sponsored conspiracy" and asked the ruling Congress government in the state to apologize. Yogi also claimed that the Punjab government did not follow the appropriate protocols during the Prime Minister's visit. "PM Modi's security breach during his visit to Punjab was a pre-planned sponsored conspiracy. Punjab government didn't follow the protocol. Drone or any attack might have happened there but Punjab government ignored all this. Congress should apologize to the country," Adityanath said while addressing media persons in Delhi. He further said that before any VVIP movement, intelligence inputs are received. "The local intelligence in detail brings inputs to the knowledge of the state government. In the intelligence input, it was already stated that more than 1 lakh people will be coming to the Prime Minster's rally," Yogi said. He further said that the state government was aware that the weather was not clear and about the alternative route to be taken as well. "The Punjab government ignored it all. The absence of the Punjab Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police is a violation of the protocol. Punjab Chief Minister cannot get away by with the excuse that he came in contact with a COVID-infected person," Yogi said. Condemning the statement of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi over briefing about the incident to Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Yogi said it reflects the CM's irresponsible attitude. "In an irresponsible way, he briefed about a severe security lapse to someone who is not related to Punjab or government of India in a direct or indirect manner," he said. The Prime Minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozepur in Punjab last week due to the road being blocked by some protesters. The Ministry of Home Affairs termed it as a "major lapse" in his security. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered the quashing of a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued by the Union Home Ministry against Delhi-based businessman Vikas Chaudhary at the instance of the Income Tax department. A bench of Justice Rekha Palli on Wednesday while passing the judgement stated, "in the present case, no proceedings under any penal law have, in fact, been initiated against the petitioner. These decisions are, therefore, clearly distinguishable and do not, in any manner forward the case of the respondents". Court further added, "the LOC is wholly unsustainable and deserves to be quashed. However, keeping in view the Income Tax Department's plea, that it is still awaiting inputs from the authorities at Dubai, upon receipt of which information, cases under various penal laws are likely to be initiated against the petitioner, I am of the view, that it would be in the interest of justice for the petitioner to inform Income Tax Department, as and when he decides to leave the country, for the next one year." During the arguments, the court noted that on the basis of a Warrant of Authorization (WoA) issued on February 5, 2019, under section 132(1) of the Income Tax Act against a third party, namely 'The Kochar Group' comprising inter alia of Avtar Singh Kochar, Gagandeep Singh Kochar, Hari Singh Kochar and M/s HL Impex (P) Ltd, a search action was conducted at the petitioner's residence from February 6 to 9 in 2019. During this search, besides some loose papers, a hard disk, a digital video recorder, a key to the locker of a bank was also seized and as per procedure, the statements of both the petitioner and his wife were recorded. A WoA was thereafter, issued on February 12, 2019, against the petitioner and his wife for a search of the aforesaid locker, which led to the seizure of jewellery worth about Rs 1,00,67,181 found in the locker and on a request made by the income tax department to the Ministry of Home Affairs on February 25, 2019, the impugned LOC came to be issued against the petitioner. Vikas Pahwa, Senior counsel appeared for the petitioner submitted that the impugned LOC having been issued on the basis of a mere suspicion that the petitioner owns undisclosed foreign assets and has interests in foreign entities is liable to be set aside on this ground alone He also submitted that despite repeated search actions having been conducted at the petitioner's residence, first in February 2019 and then in April 2019, no case, either under the Black Money (Undisclosed foreign income and assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 or under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, or even under the Income Tax Act 1961, had been registered against him till date. Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa submitted the issuance of the LOC on February 25 in 2019 and its continued operation for almost three years, especially in the absence of the registration of any cognizable offence or criminal complaint against the petitioner is ex facie illegal, even more so when it is evident that he has been complying with all the notices and summons issued to him by appearing before the Income Tax Department on 19 separate occasions (16 times pre-issuance of LOC, and 3 times post-issuance). According to the petition, the petitioner businessman is a director in two companies, namely M/s Nautilus Metal Crafts Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Aastha Apparels Pvt. Ltd. has their registered offices in Delhi. It is claimed that the two companies are in the business of exporting garments to the USA Europe, South America, the UK and the UAE, and based on their performance are the recipients of various certificates and awards from the Government including a "Two Star Export House Status" and an"Authorized Economic Operator T-1 Certificate". (ANI)
A three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India stayed the operation of Gauhati High Court order dated July 7, 2021 and also issued notice on the petition.

Challenging the High Court order and appearing for the Assam Government, Senior Additional Advocate General (AAG) Nalin Kohli argued that it is settled law that the High Courts as a matter of practice do not grant the relief of anticipatory bail to an absconding accused while exercising their inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 of the CrPC.

There was also an apprehension that other absconding accused may seek to rely on the impugned High Court judgement and seek similar relief. The AoR and Standing Counsel of the State Shuvodeep Roy and Advocate Ankit Roy assisted Kohli in the matter. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh CPI General Secretary Ramakrishna condemned the state BJP unit on Wednesday regarding the Atmakur communal incident and said that the BJP leaders were provoking communal clashes. There were clashes between two communities over the construction of a place of worship at Atmakur in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district on Saturday night. "BJP leader Srikanth Reddy went to Atmakur in Kurnool district, which triggered the clash between a section of Muslims and Hindus. The police later arrested the BJP leaders in that incident", said Andhra Pradesh CPI General Secretary, Ramakrishna. Reacting to it, Ramakrishna said, "The BJP was trying to instigate communal violence in the state but the people in Andhra Pradesh will not respond to such religious politics." He further criticised the BJP leaders stating that they were not focusing on the state's development despite being in power in the Centre. He urged that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regularize the village and ward secretariat employees, who were recruited by his government two and half years ago. He also requested the Chief Minister to implement at least 27 per cent fitment in pay revision commission (PRC), instead of the announced 23 per cent. According to him, CM YSR's decision on the PRC and Fitment was not right. Reacting to naming the government schemes after Jagan Reddy, he criticised that it would be better if the names of the state are changed to "Jagananna Adda" instead of continuing as Andhra Pradesh. (ANI)
An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists at the Pariwan area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, informed Kashmir Zone Police late on Wednesday. "#Encounter has started at Pariwan area of #Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted. More details are awaited. (ANI)
Rubbishing reports of resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Uttar Pradesh MLA Ravindra Nath Tripathi said on Wednesday that he is dedicated to the party, has not written the resignation letter, and would file an FIR against the ones behind it. "I am in BJP and dedicated to it. I have not written any letter. The letter was made viral as a part of a conspiracy by a big leader. I am going to register an FIR against the person who has written the letter," said Tripathi to media. Tripathi also said that he had no conversations with the former BJP leader, UP Cabinet Minister Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned from the party to join Samajwadi Party. In a major jolt to the Bharatiya Janata Party weeks ahead of the assembly polls, Cabinet Minister Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from his position on Tuesday after which three more MLAs followed suit, and another cabinet minister Dara Singh Chauhan resigned from his position on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, speaking to ANI after his resignation, Dara Singh said, "The Dalits and backward people because of whom the BJP came to power in 2017 were neglected during the tenure of the government. They were not respected and they did not get any justice. I, therefore, resigned from the government." On the other side, Maurya had said after his resignation, "I have resigned from the Yogi Cabinet keeping in mind the government's attitude towards Dalits, backward classes, farmers, youth, and traders. I have sent the letter to the Governor. I will consult with my supporters for a day or two, I will tell the number of people joining along with me after two days." Speaking to ANI later, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the resignations of the two ministers will help in the party's efforts to oust the BJP government in the forthcoming assembly polls. "They have eased the fight of the party in the coming days. Today, Dara Singh Chauhan too is standing with the SP, the whole of Uttar Pradesh wants to do a politics of positivity," he said. Elections for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases. The polling will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. (ANI)
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has written to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification Prasoon Joshi for censoring sexually explicit content in the trailer of the upcoming Marathi film "Nay Varan Bhat Loncha Kon Naye Koncha". In the letter, the NCW wrote, "The National Commission for Women has received a complaint from Bharatiya Stree Shakti, Maharashtra. The complaint alleges that the trailer of the film which was released on January 10, 2022 shows obscene content depicting women and minors in an objectionable way." The letter further stated that the trailer which is available on all social media platforms without any age restrictions for viewers is accessible for minors to watch. "The Commission condemns the open circulation of such sexually explicit content involving minors on social media platforms", wrote the NCW. 'Nay Varan Bhat Loncha Kon Nay Koncha' is made by renowned filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar. The film is slated to release on January 14. (ANI)
Dehradun District Magistrate R Rajesh Kumar on Wednesday instructed the concerned officials to monitor the expenditure of political parties and candidates during an inspection of the media certification and monitoring room set up in Vikas Bhavan premises ahead of 2022 state assembly polls. The District Election Officer / District Magistrate said that he has kept the MCMC room effective 24x7 and keeping a close watch on the election activities, monitoring the political activities going on in print, electronic media and social media and for timely effective exchange of reports. Instructions have been given to the Assistant Nodal officer Badri Chandra and the concerned personnel present. The District Magistrate said that he gave necessary directions while inspecting the Expenditure Monitoring Control Room set up in the Treasury and the Election Control Room in the Call Centre and Disaster Control Room. (ANI)
In a state-wide crackdown on listed criminals, Haryana Police arrested 385 most wanted offenders with a monetary reward totalling Rs 64.30 lakh during the year 2021. Director-General of Police (DGP), Haryana, P.K. Agrawal on Wednesday said the arrest of these offenders resulted in the resolution of hundreds of cases of heinous crimes including loot, robbery, dacoity, extortion, murder, attempt to murder, and snatching. "The large-scale crackdown on criminals also helped us in solving many cases as well as preventing several crimes," Agarwal said. The Special Task Force (STF) was formed to deal with organized crime. Our field units had prepared a database on such criminals and gangsters, which helped them trace their locations, he said. The Crime Investigation Agency sleuths had also kept a close watch on their hideouts resulting in an effective crackdown on them throughout the year. The DGP said that a maximum of 73 most wanted criminals were arrested from Gurugram followed by 44 in Narnaul, 43 in Faridabad, 28 in Sonipat, 25 in Palwal, 22 each in Kurukshetra and Jhajjar, 21 in Rohtak, 18 in Panipat, 16 in Kaithal, 14 in Nuh, 13 each in Panchkula and Karnal, 10 in Rewari, 5 in Yamunanagar, 4 each in Ambala, Bhiwani and Dadri, 2 in Hansi and 1 each from Hisar, Fatehabad, Jind and Sirsa districts. "As many as 64.30 lakh reward money had been given to the informers who provided credible information about them which led to the arrest of these big fishes," Agarwal said. "In addition to field units, the STF had also done a commendable job of making these arrests," he added. Issuing a stern warning to criminals, the DGP said that there is no place for crime and criminal elements in the state. Instructing the Commissioners of Police and district Superintendents of Police, the DGP told them to continue making intensive efforts against the hard-core criminals and organized gangs with an iron hand. The state police will continue to vigorously enforce law and order and prevent crimes to ensure the safety and security of the people, he added. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Wednesday said that the incident of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab during his visit to the state on January 5 was pre-planned and part of a well-orchestrated conspiracy to put the Prime Minister's life in danger. Deb also asserted that the involvement of anti-Indian forces was visible in the security breach. Referring to a sting operation that claimed to expose telephonic conversation of Punjab police officials, Deb said, "An established media organization has exposed the telephonic conversation between the Punjab police SHO and DSP CID where it became crystal clear that the SPG had made Punjab police aware of the PM's route to the public rally scheduled to be addressed by him. It was the Punjab police's responsibility to clear the road." "Khalistani organizations who foster anti-Indian sentiments were involved in the security breach and the way the Congress leaders have reacted to the issue makes it even clear that the Congress High Command sponsored the whole incident," he alleged. Lashing out at his Punjab Counterpart, Deb said, "As per the protocol, whenever the Prime Minister visits any state, the Chief Minister, Governor, Chief Secretary and Chief of Police Force should turn up to welcome him and accordingly bid adieu. But, in Punjab, these protocols were not followed at all. Punjab CM Channi's speech after the incident was full of inconsistencies. First, he said, he had developed COVID symptoms, and later he had openly addressed a news conference without even having his mask on." Deb also alleged that the Punjab Police had accepted the fact that they were under tremendous political pressure to let this thing happen. "People in Punjab Police, the SHO, SSP had accepted the fact that none of the agitators could be shifted from the space where PM's convoy was stranded. It's a clear political conspiracy", Deb pointed out. Hitting out at the Opposition, Deb said that they have extended their support to the "anti-Indian forces" in their bid to oppose PM Modi. "Congress and other opposition parties have time and again extended their support towards anti-Indian forces. In their bid to oppose Modi, they have supported China and Pakistan. The forces that want to weaken India are getting support from opposition parties. But their evil mentality never succeeded. With the blessings of 130 crore people of India, PM Modi returned safely," the Chief Minister said. On being asked about the conspiracy, Deb said, "PM Modi has been the target of conspirators since the time he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. However, during the UPA regime he got a clean chit from all the allegations made against him". Supreme Court on Wednesday constituted a five-member committee headed by retired top court judge Justice Indu Malhotra. The committee has been asked to submit its report at the earliest. The other members of the Committee are Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) or his nominee not below the rank of IG, DGP Union Territory of Chandigarh, ADGP of Punjab (Security) and Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court. (ANI)
Karnataka High Court on Wednesday reprimanded the State government for not taking action in the matter of violation of COVID norms during Congress' Mekedatu padayatra. Hearing a PIL, the Court asked why the State government allowed the padayatra amid the rising cases of COVID. "Why are you incapable to take action against the protestors? Were COVID-19 guidelines followed during the padayatra?" the court asked. The court also sent a show-cause notice to Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee in the matter. The next hearing has been scheduled to take place on January 14. Congress leader and former Karnataka Minister MB Patil said that Mekedatu padayatra was planned much before the surge in COVID cases. He said it is the fundamental right of a party to hold such programmes. "The padayatra was planned before the cases started to rise. This variant is not as dangerous as the last one. This is a milder one, just like flu. There is no requirement of ICU or oxygen. Padyatra is a fundamental right," MB Patil told ANI. Karnataka leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday that the Congress would take out the Mekedatu padyatra on Thursday. Siddaramaiah told ANI that the observations made by the court today were for the state government, not for the Congress party undertaking the padayatra. The Congress in Karnataka on Sunday began its 11-day padayatra, despite the government's COVID-19 restrictions, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river. Shivakumar and 63 other Congressmen were booked in Ramanagara for violating COVID-19 norms during the party's Mekedatu padayatra. With an aim to curb the spread of COVID-19 cases in the state, the Karnataka government has imposed a curfew on weekends and restricted public gatherings to fight the third wave of COVID-19, till January 19. It has also imposed a night curfew and has prohibited all rallies, dharnas, protests, among others. The Mekedatu balancing reservoir-cum drinking water project, to be constructed across the Cauvery river basin, has been at the centre of controversy between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Earlier too on July 12, 2021, Bommai had said that the Centre will have to give clearance to the project as per law and there is no reason the state government will stop the project. (ANI)
Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will definitely go to jail for corruption. He alleged that Rao was resorting to gimmicks like 'third front' to gain sympathy. Stating that action against the chief minister is inevitable, Sanjay said his efforts to form a 'third front' at the national level was aimed at gaining sympathy. Sanjay, who is also a member of Parliament, claimed that the central government was readying to take action against KCR. Sanjay said that even if KCR escapes to some other country with his family, he will be brought back and put behind bars. The BJP leader was speaking at a free medical camp organised by BJP Yuva Morcha at the party office here on Wednesday to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Sanjay said the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader was holding meetings with leaders of Communist and other parties to project himself as a national figure and gain sympathy after the central government sent him to jail. Referring to KCR's meeting with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday and earlier meetings with leaders of CPI and CPI-M, the BJP leader said KCR was resorting to gimmicks to save himself. Sanjay remarked that KCR will not be able to save himself even if he takes the support of sons of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Communists or even 'Taliban, Bangladesh or Al-Qaeda'. The BJP leader also alleged that the corrupt are coming together on one platform. "They made thousands of crores but KCR made lakhs of crores. I think he is running a training camp for them here," he said. Sanjay, who was arrested and sent to jail early this month for staging a protest in Karimnagar without police permission, has stepped up his attacks on KCR after his release from jail. The BJP has been bringing its national leaders here to target the TRS. BJP national president J.P. Nadda, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were among the leaders who attended BJP meetings during the last few days to condemn Sanjay's arrest. The BJP leaders have been describing TRS government as the most corrupt and claiming that the central government has all the record of corruption indulged in by KCR. --IANS ms/skp/ ( 400 Words) 2022-01-12-17:32:02 (IANS)
Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker MB Rajesh on Wednesday termed the incident of the alleged murder of a Students Federation of India (SFI) worker at an engineering college in Idukki as "painful and heartbreaking" and said that leadership must liberate student politics from weapons. "The incident is painful and heartbreaking. There is no question of politics involved in it. Weapons are taken in the hands when politics is not ideological. Knives and swords are the weapons of the ideologically disarmed. Such forces must be isolated. Therefore, prudent leadership must liberate student politics from weapons and lead it to ideas," Rajesh said while speaking to media persons. Condemning the incident, he said, "Violence is violence. Violence in the name of politics, love, religion and everything must be opposed and rejected." He further said that at one time in the past there have been many such incidents in Kerala but "it has not happened in the last few years." "Negative prejudices have been created about student conflict and student politics. The unfortunate incident that happened is an event that confirms those prejudices. This is an incident where those who try to use those prejudices are given weapons in their hands. Naturally, there will be propaganda that student politics is the reason for this. So the old adage that student politics should be banned is likely to be revived. The equation that student politics is equal to violence is incorrect," the Legislative Assembly Speaker said. Dheeraj Rajendran, a Students' Federation of India (SFI) activist and seventh-semester engineering student of the Government Engineering College, Idukki was allegedly murdered by political opponents in a clash related to his college union election. The police have arrested two youth congress workers in connection with his death. (ANI)
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said that the state government has approved nursing policy and it has come into force from January 1 this year. Presiding over a review meeting with the officials of the Medical Education Department, the minister said under this policy the nursing college must have its own hospital of 100 beds or there should be a hospital recognized by the NABH within a radius of 10 kilometres of the nursing college. Apart from this, there should also be a provision for biometric attendance of students studying in recognized nursing colleges. "We have to prepare our medical colleges in such a way that they are capable of admitting serious patients and their treatment can be done in these colleges and for this, availability of modern facilities as well as skilled and efficient workers have to be ensured," he said. Similarly, the policy regarding giving old pension to the employees who were recruited before 2006 in Agroha Medical College was discussed and the officers were directed to take necessary action. During the meeting, discussions were also held regarding corona infection and the setting up of genome sequencing machine in PGIMS, Rohtak to get information about cancer and other diseases. The Health Minister said that one more genome sequencing machine should also be installed at PGIMM, Rohtak so that genome sequence can be detected for diseases other than coronavirus. The physiotherapy unit of Saket Hospital, Panchkula will be shifted to Karnal and the hospital "will be taken over by the Health Department as Saket Hospital is not able to operate on its own". It was informed in the meeting that on the occasion of Good Governance Day, Haryana Medical Education Department was also rewarded for setting up 100 bedded critical COVID care centres in medical colleges. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday termed the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a conspiracy to assassinate the Prime Minister, adding that a sting operation involving police officials had captured the CID DSP Sukhdev Singh saying that the protestors who had gathered were not farmers, but Khalistan supporters. "The security breach of Prime Minister was not a mere co-incidence, spontaneous or something that happened suddenly. It was a pre-planned, sponsored and a bloody conspiracy against the Prime Minister. In a sting operation, Punjab CID DSP Sukhdev Singh was heard saying that protestors were not farmers, but Khalistan supporters. Conspiracy details were given to the Senior SSP on January 2 itself. Even when the incident happened on January 5, CID sent information to the higher officials regularly," said Sarma addressing a press conference. Sarma said that PM chose to travel to Ferozpur via road after a helicopter could not be used due to bad weather and questioned how the protestors came to know about the Prime Minister's travel via road so quickly. Taking potshot at Punjab government, he added, "The incident happened 10 kilometers away from Punjab-Pakistan border. The area was within the range of drones, snipers and missiles. But still Punjab government failed to make any arrangements for PM's security and on top of that, they planned such a conspiracy against him as it becomes clear from these sting operations." Sarma questioned Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi that if he could not come due to getting in contact with a COVID-19 patient, how could he conduct a press conference without a mask the very next day. Sarma further said that instead of briefing the Prime Minister or President on the breach, Channi chose to brief Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders on the incident. "Congress leaders like Harish Rawat, Srinivas, Navjot Singh Sidhu made insensitive statements. All of this makes it clear that Congress High Command was also involved in the conspiracy against the Prime Minister along with Punjab Chief Minister, who was also trying to get in good books of Congress high command by conspiring against the Prime Minister," he added. Sarma alleged that considering that calls were coming from foreign countries asking not to take up the subject of Prime Minister's breach to the court, Channi was involved in an international conspiracy against the Prime Minister with radicalised groups. "On behalf of BJP and people of India, we demand a neutral investigation in the matter. What Congress did is condemnable. It did not benefit them politically. Indians will reply back to you," added Sarma. Rubbishing Congress's claims that the Prime Minister orchestrated the entire incident in order to avoid the embarrassment due to lack of crowd at his rally, Sarma said that the Punjab police's intelligence reports point out that the meeting had attracted one lakh people. Sarma stressed that the Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi should be arrested for his involvement in the security breach. Supreme Court on Wednesday constituted a five-member committee headed by retired top court judge Justice Indu Malhotra. The committee has been asked to submit its report at the earliest. The other members of the Committee are Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) or his nominee not below the rank of IG, DGP Union Territory of Chandigarh, ADGP of Punjab (Security) and Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Prime Minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozepur in Punjab last week due to the road being blocked by some protesters. The Ministry of Home Affairs termed it as a "major lapse" in his security. (ANI)
The Kerala High Court stayed the process of laying boundary stones on land identified for the Silver Line semi-high-speed rail project and said it should not be implemented by "intimidating and threatening the people". The Court also asked the Central Government to make its stand on this project clear. A Single Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran stayed this while considering two petitions against the implementation of this project without conducting a social impact study and environmental impact study. The Court said that nobody knows what is the stand of the Central Government on the project. "It was improper for one Counsel to appear for both the Union of India and the Ministry of Railways since there was a clear conflict of interest involved. This is perhaps the biggest project the Kerala Government has taken upon itself so far. Such a big project should not be implemented by intimidating and threatening the people. The law cannot be violated in its attempts to execute the scheme," the Court added. The Court posted this matter to January 21 for further hearing. (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday dashed off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the Central government has burdened the farmers by raising fertiliser prices, hiking fuel prices and through faulty fixation of Minimum Support Price (MSP). He said that the government of India is not only contributing to the increase in the cost of cultivation for the farmers, but also defaulting on the promise of doubling farmers' income. These policies coupled with the threat of proposed reforms in the agriculture electricity distribution sector by fixing power consumption meters are causing great deal of anxiety to the hardworking farmers of our country, wrote KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known. He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the prices of fertilisers are maintained at the present level and additional cost, if any, be absorbed by the government of India so that the farmers are not burdened. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief wrote to the PM hours after issuing a statement, in which he urged the people of the country to uproot the BJP government at the Centre, saying it is weakening the rural economy and playing havoc with the farm sector. KCR reminded Modi that in February 2016, the Centre had announced that it will double farmers' income in six years by 2022. He said that despite the passage of over five years, no specific or structured programme has been initiated towards this direction. "Contrary to your policy of doubling farmers' income, to the dismay of one and all, input costs have doubled in the last five years and the income of the farming community is declined, causing distress to the farmers. The government of India has turned a blind eye to the increasing prices of fertilisers in the last six years, while encouraging states to take up campaigns to reduce urea and DAP consumption. "It is sad to note that the prices of two most consumed fertilisers -- 28.28.0 and MoP (Muriate of Potash) -- have increased by more than 50 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively, in the last 90 days itself," read the letter. KCR noted that the government of India, instead of bearing the increasing import costs of raw materials and maintaining the prices of fertilisers at an affordable level, has chosen to pass on the burden to the farmers. "You are also aware that fuel consumption in the agriculture sector has increased manifold due to promotion of farm mechanisation by the states. Even in the case of petrol/diesel pricing, indiscriminate imposition of cess across the board despite no increase in import price of crude oil has added great distress to the farmers," KCR said. "Due to the faulty policies of the government of India in both the cases of petrol/diesel pricing and fertiliser pricing, the farmers are bearing the brunt. It is pertinent to highlight that these steps are causing great deal of anxiety to the farmers as the seven-decade-old fertiliser subsidy regime under the purview of the government of India is being modified against the interest of the farming community," he added. He recalled that the Telangana state legislature had passed a unanimous resolution to integrate MNREGA with agricultural activity so that cost of labour is partially borne by the government along with farmers, but the government of India choose not to respond. The Chief Minister said that while accepting the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission to peg MSP for farm produce at 50 percent more than the weighted average cost of production, essential costs of farm rentals and cost of fixed capital assets were deliberately excluded while calculating cost of crop to farmers. "Hence, the claim that MSP is pegged at 150 per cent of the cost of crop is misleading. Further, apart from announcing MSP and procuring small quantities of crops, the government of India has no reliable mechanism of ensuring price guarantee to the farmers for their crops. It is also noticed that under the guise of pegging FAQ standards at global levels, the farmers are denied MSP and are compelled to sell their produce at lower prices, thereby making agriculture non-remunerative," the Chief Minister wrote. --IANS ms/arm ( 706 Words) 2022-01-12-20:44:04 (IANS)
Leaders and members of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) attacked party leader Sarwar Jamal Nizam, who was allegedly involved in the killing of BNP leader and businessman Jamaluddin Chowdhury in 2003, during a rally in Chattogram. No one has been arrested in the incident so far. After the attack on Sarwar Jamal Nizam at a rally in Chattogram, some other leaders of the party staged a protest on Wednesday, the police and BNP members confirmed to IANS. Although no one was injured, the stage at the rally collapsed with the leaders on it during the commotion. The BNP's Chattogram South unit had organised the rally at the CDA residential ground in Karnafuli demanding the release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and her improved medical treatment abroad. Officer-in-charge of Karnafuli police station, Dulal Mahmud, told IANS that some BNP leaders and workers started gathering at the venue since morning. Shortly after the event started, some of them attacked on Sarwar Jamal Nizam. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the incident. Later, during the speech of BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the leaders and workers once again got engaged in a scuffle. At one point, the stage suddenly collapsed. The warring factions hurled chairs at each other, with some clashing with sticks, the police told IANS. BNP members from Karnafuli upazilas, including Anwara, Patiya, Boalkhali, Banshkhali, Satkania, Lohagara and Chandnaish, had joined the rally. Sarwar Jamal Nizam was arrested in June 2007 by members of Rapid Action Battalion over the death of Jamaluddin Chowdhury. In July 2003, Jamaluddin was abducted from Chittagong. The kidnappers demanded 10 million taka in ransom. His remains were discovered on July 24, 2003. --IANS sumi/arm ( 299 Words) 2022-01-12-21:34:03 (IANS)
The colourful kites have hit the markets ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival in Hyderabad and the sellers are hopeful of doing good business this year despite the surge in COVID-19 cases. Ahead of the Makar Sankranti, shops in Dhoolpet have been decorated with kites of different colours, Manjha and sky lantern to fly in the night. A shopkeeper said that they are positive about doing a good business, though the prices of kites have increased due to the increase in raw material. But the people in large numbers are coming to buy the kites. Parents are purchasing extra kites to restrict their children from going out of the house amid the threat of COVID, said another shopkeeper. Speaking to ANI, Anil Singh, a kite manufacturer in Dhoolpet said, "The kites here are very famous, not only kite but Ganesh idols, Rakhis are very famous. Gujarat kites made of plastic paper are exported from Gujrat and Pune. Here in Hyderabad only paper kites are made, this time the cost of paper and sticks used in making kites is very high, that's why the kite prices are also high. The kites made here are of best in quality and best designs are printed on it." He said that people from other states also come here to buy the kites in Hyderabad's Dhoolpet. "The manjha is also very famous here and since the government had advised banning the Chinese manjha and we are also cooperating to that as birds get killed due manjha. The manjha is made of thread and we are selling it," said Singh. Singh further the stick used in the making of kite comes from Indore and as the transport has increased the cost of kites are also increased. Kanhaiya Singh, a shopkeeper in the Dhoolpet area in Hyderabad, said, "Sankranthi is a seasonal festival and the kite that we are selling is made in Dhoolpet. The difference between Jaipur and Dhoolpet kites is that the kites made here has a thread and do not get torn easily and Jaipur kites are ruff and tuff. A Jaipur pound kite is 150 for dozen and a Dhoolpet kite is 180 for dozen and every year there is a shortage of Dhoolpet kites. Every year nearly 20 new kite shops are opened." He further said that because of Omicron the sales are high as everyone is at home and to restrict their children to the home, parents are buying extra kites. Omprakash Namdev, a native of Madhya Pradesh said that he had come here to buy kites and they will celebrate the festival in Hyderabad with pomp and splendour. "The best kites in Hyderabad are made here in Dhoolpet, so we buy kites from here. The Prices are medium not so high," he added. (ANI)
A research team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Hopitaux Universitaires de Geneve (HUG) has succeeded in identifying certain signals produced by our brain when we speak to ourselves. Findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. When human beings speak, different areas of their brain must be activated. However, the function of these regions can be seriously impaired after damage to the nervous system. For example, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or Charcot's disease) can completely paralyze the muscles used to speak. In other cases, following a stroke, for example, areas of the brain responsible for language can be affected: this is called aphasia. However, in many of those cases, the ability of patients to imagine words and sentences remains partly functional. Decoding our internal speech is therefore of great interest to neuroscience researchers. But the task is far from easy, as Timothee Proix, the scientist in the Department of Basic Neuroscience at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, explains "Several studies have been conducted on the decoding of spoken language, but much less on the decoding of imagined speech. This is because, in the latter case, the associated neural signals are weak and variable compared to explicit speech. They are therefore difficult to decode by learning algorithms." That is, through computer programmes. When a person speaks aloud, he or she produces sounds that are emitted at certain precise moments. Researchers can thus relate these tangible elements to the brain regions involved. In the case of imagined speech, the process is much less easy. Scientists have no obvious information on the sequencing and tempo of the words or sentences formulated internally by the individual. The areas recruited in the brain are also less numerous and less active. In order to perceive the neural signals of this very particular type of speech, the UNIGE team used a panel of thirteen hospitalized patients, in collaboration with two American hospitals. They collected data through electrodes implanted directly into patients' brains in order to assess their epileptic disorders. "We asked these people to say words and then to imagine them. Each time, we reviewed several frequency bands of brain activity known to be involved in language", explains Anne-Lise Giraud, a professor in the Department of Basic Neuroscience at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, and newly appointed director of the Institut de l'Audition in Paris. The researchers observed several types of frequencies produced by different brain areas when these patients spoke, either orally or internally. "First of all, the oscillations called theta (4-8Hz), which correspond to the average rhythm of syllable elocution. Then the gamma frequencies (25-35Hz), observed in the areas of the brain where speech sounds are formed. Thirdly, beta waves (12-18Hz) related to the cognitively more efficient regions solicited, for example, to anticipate and predict the evolution of a conversation. Finally, the high frequencies (80-150Hz) that are observed when a person speaks out" explains Pierre Megevand, assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Faculty of Medicine of the UNIGE and associate physician at the HUG. Thanks to these observations, the scientists were able to show that the low frequencies and the coupling between certain frequencies (beta and gamma in particular) contain essential information for the decoding of imagined speech. Their research also reveals that the temporal cortex is an important area for the eventual decoding of internal speech. Located in the left lateral part of the brain, this specific cerebral region is involved in the processing of information related to hearing and memory, but it also houses a part of Wernicke's area, responsible for the perception of words and language symbols. These results are a major advance in the reconstruction of speech from neural activity. "But we are still a long way from being able to decode imagined language", concludes the research team. (ANI)
Washington [US], January 11 (ANI/Sputnik): US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said on Tuesday that there is not much room for compromise with Russia on the issue of the military alliance's expansion. "Frankly, I don't see a lot of compromise," Smith said in an interview with CNN regarding Russia's concerns about NATO's further expansion into Eastern Europe. On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Russia needs firm legally-binding guarantees that Ukraine and Georgia will never become members of NATO. He added that this issue is a matter of Russia's national security. Smith said there is currently no option on the table to halt the expansion of NATO and the door remains open for other countries to join. Any decision about membership is for the alliance and the country in question to decide, she added. Talks among NATO representatives, member states and Russian officials will take place in Brussels on Wednesday to address Moscow's concerns about the alliance's expansion eastward and the alleged threat that Russia may invade Ukraine. Smith said all the parties are currently "committed to dialogue" to resolve their issues. She said Wednesday's meeting is expected to address the ongoing talks about placing some reciprocal limits on military exercises and missile placements in Eastern Europe. On Monday, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman led a US delegation in Geneva at the meeting with their Russian counterparts to discuss the pressing issues at hand, including US missile placements in Europe. (ANI/Sputnik)
According to the USAID release, President Joe Biden has been clear that humanitarian assistance will continue to flow directly to the Afghan people and the United States remains the single largest provider of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

"This contribution reflects a continued scale-up of US humanitarian assistance in alignment with an unwavering commitment to aiding vulnerable Afghans, and this new funding brings total U.S. humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and to Afghan refugees in the region to nearly USD 782 million since October 2020," it said.

Today, the UN launched its Afghanistan humanitarian response plan with the world's largest humanitarian funding appeal ever. The new contribution from the US envisages providing life-saving aid for the most vulnerable, including women, girls, minority populations, and people with disabilities.

Earlier, the assistance includes food and nutrition assistance; support for health care facilities and mobile health teams; winterization programs--including the provision of emergency cash grants, shelter kits, heaters, blankets, and warm clothing.

Further, USAID in its statement appealed to the Afghanistan government to allow workers, especially women to permit independently and securely.

Also, USAID reemphasized it will work to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people and call on other donors to continue to contribute to this international response. (ANI)
Moscow [Russia], January 12 (ANI/Sputnik): The third military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered 86 Russian citizens from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. "The third aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces military transport aviation delivered 86 Russian citizens from Almaty... to Moscow," the ministry said. The Russian citizens brought to Moscow had arrived in Almaty as tourists on New Year's holidays. As a result of an unstable situation and the termination of Almaty international airport operation, the Russians remained in city hotels. While in hotels and with relatives, they asked the leadership of the Russian peacekeeping contingent for assistance in transporting them to Russia. The military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have already brought 2,009 Russian and foreign citizens from Kazakhstan to Russia. Mass protests in Kazakhstan began in the early days of 2022 - residents of the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau in the west of the country opposed a twofold increase in prices for liquefied gas. Later, protests spread to other cities, including Almaty, the republic's largest city: looting began there, militants attacked state institutions and took weapons. In response, the authorities declared a state of emergency across the country until January 19 and launched a counter-terrorism operation. According to the UN, about 1,000 people were injured during protests in Kazakhstan. According to the republic's Interior Ministry, 17 Kazakh security officials were killed, more than 1,300 were injured. In the morning of January 5, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed the government and led the country's Security Council. At the first meeting of the Security Council under his leadership, Tokayev described the situation in Kazakhstan as one undermining the integrity of the state and said he had asked the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for assistance "in overcoming the terrorist threat." The CSTO Collective Security Council decided to deploy the Collective Peacekeeping Forces to Kazakhstan to normalize the situation there. On January 7, Tokayev said terrorists, including those who arrived from abroad, continued to resist, and vowed to destroy those who did not lay down their arms. In addition, the president noted that all the demands of citizens, expressed in peaceful forms, were heard. (ANI/Sputnik)
Around 46 people were injured in roof and wall collapse incidents as well as land-sliding in various parts of the province during the rain and snowfall from January 3 to 10. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), more than 109 houses were damaged in different districts of the province, according to News International.

Relief items were distributed among affectees in Charsadda, Karak, Khyber, Mohmand, Nowshera and Upper Dir regions in Pakistan's KP. The relief and rehabilitation activities were carried out in the affected areas.

Pakistan's Disaster management measures are now being tested with rescue operation needed in Murree town in Punjab province and with the recent floods in KP province. (ANI)
A war monitor has revealed that 600 people were killed between June and October 2017 during the US-led airstrikes targeting positions of the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria's northern province of Raqqa. According to a report published on the website of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Tuesday, the US-led bombings in Raqqa, the former de facto capital of the IS, killed 600 people from 140 families over the course of the four months, Xinhua news agency reported. Their bodies were found when mass graves were uncovered after the IS was defeated in Raqqa, according to the report. The overall number of people killed by US-led airstrikes is much higher, as evidenced by the 28 mass graves housing more than 6,000 bodies, said the Britain-based observatory, adding the majority of the victims were killed during US-led airstrikes targeting IS positions in Raqqa between 2014 and 2018, while the rest were killed by the IS following its capture of Raqqa in 2014. --IANS int/khz/ ( 180 Words) 2022-01-12-00:34:01 (IANS)
Taliban's acting Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid on Tuesday warned Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to return the Afghan aircraft or they will face consequences. Speaking at a ceremony in Kabul, during which the air force held an exercise, Mujahid said the military aircraft that were taken abroad should be returned, reported Tolo News. He warned that if the countries where the military aircraft were taken do not return them, they will face consequences. "Our aircraft that are in Tajikistan or Uzbekistan should be returned. We will not allow these aircraft to remain abroad or to be used by those countries," he said. The acting defense minister said they will not allow any country to use Afghan military aircraft that were taken out of Afghanistan, reported Tolo News. The Taliban Defense Ministry said that after the collapse of the former government, over 40 helicopters were transported to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. A number of Russian-made helicopters that were inactive due to technical problems have been repaired by the Islamic Emirate and were showcased on Tuesday. "Our future air force will be dependent on no country," the acting defense minister said, reported Tolo News. According to reports, before the fall of the former government, Afghanistan had over 164 active military aircraft and now only 81 are in the country. The rest were taken out of Afghanistan and brought to different countries. (ANI)
T.S. Tirumurti, India's permanent representative to the United Nations was named the new Chair of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) on January 4, 2022.

Taking to Twitter, he said, "As Chair of Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) of UN #SecurityCouncil, it was a pleasure to interact with Acting Executive Director of #UN_CTED and his team today to discuss CTC's priorities for 2022 and share India's focus and perspective on #counterterrorism."

The CTC Committee was formed in September 2001 soon after the tragic terrorist attack of 9/11 in New York, while India had chaired this Committee in the Security Council in 2011-12.

In 2021, India has been asked to Chair three important Committees of the Security Council, which include the Taliban Sanctions Committee, Counterterrorism Committee, and the Libyan Sanctions Committee.

On 10 January 2022, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) issued a study on "The interrelationship between counter-terrorism frameworks and international humanitarian law". (ANI)
In the previous election held in 2018, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party and its coalition partner Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP) won 49.27 per cent of the vote, which translated into 133 seats in the country's 199-seat unicameral Parliament.

The country's six major opposition parties -- the Democratic Coalition (DK), Jobbik, LMP -- Hungary's Green Party, Momentum Movement, Hungarian Socialist Party and Dialogue for Hungary -- have decided to unite before the election to maximise their chances to win.

The opposition alliance held primary elections in October 2021 to pick Orban's challenger, Xinhua news agency reported.

Peter Marki-Zay, the 49-year-old conservative mayor of Hodmezovasarhely in southeast Hungary, came out as the primary's winner.

A political party must receive five per cent of the vote to enter Parliament.

--IANS int/khz/

( 155 Words)

2022-01-12-03:10:02 (IANS)
Daily life for the local people here becomes more difficult, especially when they lack basic facilities during the harsh winter season. Black-marketing of daily food products and corruption by government authorities add to their woes.

The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are outraged with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in the occupied region as they blame the government for corruption and black-marketing.

Protesters recently blocked the roads in Gilgit city as they are facing a severe shortage of wheat flour. The locals said they will continue their agitation all over Gilgit-Baltistan until the wheat quota is restored and standard wheat and flour is not provided.

Due to black-marketing and poor supply of flour, many residents say they are forced to buy it at a higher price. For over seven decades under Pakistan's illegal occupation, Gilgit-Baltistan has been suffering a lot.

The people here have anger against Islamabad for keeping Gilgit-Baltistan backward and underdeveloped. The unavailability of sufficient food and rampant corruption makes the people angry with Islamabad.

The Gilgit-Baltistan based Awami Action Committee (AAC) on Monday organised a protest in Skardu against repeated and prolonged power shedding aalongwith the crisis of food items, amidst heavy snowfall in the area.

Speakers, during the protest, said that the Pakistani state has failed to deliver; even to provide the basic necessities of life to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. (ANI)
Foreign terrorists stoked the fire in Kazakhstan and were behind the upsurge in the rioting and arson that put the Central Asian republic on tenterhooks for weeks. According to the international think tank based in Canada - International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) over 160 persons were killed in the capital city of Nur-Sultan and other cities where violence spread like wildfire from January 2 this year. The civilian unrest commandeered by foreign terrorist elements in Kazakhstan could turn out to be a precursor to a more violent and cataclysmic turn of events in the region as global jihadi infrastructure begins to reclaim space and influence after the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan. These groups, which fanned out across cities, indulged in extreme violence including at least two beheadings. The possibility of these well-trained groups coming from the Af-Pak region remains quite high. There are several groups in the region that have proven their urban warfare capabilities, reported IFFRAS. Evidence is now trickling that the sudden spurt in protests and rapid escalation in violence was propelled by terrorist groups who took over what began as a peaceful citizen protest against the government for rising fuel prices. Eyewitnesses have categorically stated that these men were young, well-armed and trained to carry out urban warfare tactics. They knew how to tackle armed policemen, batter them, seize their weapons and uniform while paralyzing cities like Almaty, reported IFFRAS. According to Talgat Kalieve, a political scientist in Kazakhstan, the entire episode should be seen in two parts. The first part was a peaceful protest which began in the Mangystau region on January 2 this year. Then this peaceful protest was taken over by forces having special training to seize buildings, including sensitive and protected facilities like the international airport at Almaty. A senior journalist in Almaty, Aizhan Nurgazinova, wrote how the peaceful protests "were quickly commandeered by mysterious armed and highly organized groups of young men" who began attacking law enforcement. It was not clear where these men came from but eyewitnesses said they spoke neither Russian nor Kazak, the two common languages, but an incomprehensible language which meant they were foreigners, reported IFFRAS. The group quickly disabled street video surveillance cameras, barricaded the roadways and posted observers along the perimeter. They used radios to communicate and coordinate their actions during the rioting and arson. (ANI)
A ransomware attack at the Maryland Department of Health crippled its systems last month and forced many of its services offline, the state agency confirmed Wednesday.

For weeks, the department described the event as a network security breach and offered few other details about the nature of the incident. Services ranging from the reporting of daily COVID-19 surveillance data to basic local health department functions were rendered unavailable, and officials declined to say definitively when such operations would be restored.

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Due to an ongoing investigation, health department officials said they still cant say much. They said employees noticed a downed server Dec. 4 and immediately took action, preventing unauthorized access or the acquisition of sensitive information.

At this time we cannot speak to the motive or motives of the threat actor, said Chip Stewart, Marylands chief information security officer, during a news media briefing Wednesday. That said, both law enforcement and cybersecurity authorities have observed that health and hospital systems are increasingly being targeted by malicious actors during the pandemic.

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Stewart said the threat actors demanded payment, but he and other department officials declined to specify the amount. They did not give in to the payment demands, he said.

The attack came right as the new and highly infectious COVID-19 omicron variant began circulating in Maryland. Without the daily COVID metrics, public health experts, hospital leaders and state residents only had a fuzzy picture of the new strains grasp. Several functions, including some licensing services at the state Board of Nursing, remain unavailable due to the attack.

A small line formed outside the Maryland Board of Nursing. Some licensing services remain offline due to a ransomware attack on the Maryland Department of Health. (Ulysses Munoz/The Baltimore Sun)

This ransomware attack followed others on local entities in recent years, including at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore City government and Baltimore County Public Schools. Cybersecurity experts said it points to a growing sophistication of threat actors as more services turn digital, with every state and city vulnerable.

These problems are not out of the ordinary on a nationwide basis  not only from the states but at the county level as well, said Michael Greenberger, an attorney and founder and director of the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security. Across the country, more needs to be done. On a nationwide basis there needs to be hard work done on defending these systems.

Health officials declined to count how many services were impacted by the attack or name them, saying the list was too long to go over. They said they are working to restore all services quickly and are instituting workarounds to some functions as needed.

They also asked for patience as they restore what was lost.

In cybersecurity incidents, there can be pressure to reconstitute services quickly, and sometimes too quickly, Stewart said. All too common are stories of organizations that had to restart recovery efforts because of this, sometimes more than twice.

We are recovering with deliberate action to minimize the likelihood of reinfection. I cannot stress how important this point is  in order to protect the states network and the citizens of the state of Maryland, we are proceeding carefully, methodically and as expeditiously as possible, to restore data and services.

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The health department this week declined to fulfill a records request about the attack filed by The Baltimore Sun under the states Public Information Act. Officials said that the responsive documents either contain information about the security system or are part of an investigatory file compiled for law enforcement purposes and their release would interfere with the investigation.

After the attack, health department officials activated an incident response plan that looped in members of the states cyber response team at the Maryland Department of Information Technology, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Maryland State Police, the governors Office of Homeland Security and the Maryland National Guard.

Stewart said he notified the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. He said he also activated the states cybersecurity insurance plan that brought in forensic resources and advisers considered as the best in the industry for these matters.

Employees at the health department were instructed to use their personal devices and stay off the departments Wi-Fi system following the attack, according to an internal memo shared with The Baltimore Sun. Employees now have a new wireless system, officials said, and the agency is phasing in new devices and platforms.

The decision to contain the health departments service, or take them offline, was a deliberate one, Stewart said, and the responsible thing to do. He said the state is hardening its information technology infrastructure and defenses to prevent similar attacks from occurring in the future.

Maryland health officials are scheduled to give a briefing Thursday on the ransomware attack to state lawmakers, who have been pressing for more information. Its likely, however, that some or all of the briefing may be closed from public view due to the sensitive nature of the incident and the ongoing investigation.

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A soon-to-be released report from the Maryland Cybersecurity Council recommends that the state consolidate the management and funding of all of its IT operations  currently scattered across state agencies  under the supervision of the state IT office, as well as increase vigilance by prioritizing risk assessments and monitoring sensitive information. The report also suggests creating a state fund that would give money to local governments to help them improve cybersecurity.

With continued cybersecurity threats, the need has never been greater to protect government IT systems, wrote Sen. Katie Fry Hester and Ben Yelin of the University of Marylands Center for Health and Homeland Security, who co-chaired a committee that worked on the report.

Hester, a Democrat who represents Carroll and Howard counties, said an attack on the states health department was inevitable given its vulnerabilities and blind spots. Health departments, especially small, local ones, tend to be underfunded and understaffed and may not use modern systems or devices, she said.

She has several goals for this years legislative session, which kicked off Wednesday. Among them are to centralize and consolidate the states information technology systems, update the legacy systems and make sure the best practices for safeguarding against future attacks are widespread within state government.

Its unfortunate, but not surprising, Hester said about the attack. Were on board, were much more engaged for passing something and knowing what the solutions are.

Officials declined Wednesday to provide a timeline of how long the ongoing issues related to the attack could take to resolve.

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Baltimore Sun reporters Alex Mann and Pamela Wood contributed to this article.
In a new damning revelation, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) revealed that Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) had given false information on funding received from abroad and in fact, hid its real assets to the tune of Pak Rupees (PKR) 310 million. The report of the ECP's scrutiny committee has come like a bombshell to the party and its leader at a time when the Prime Minister stands isolated both domestically and internationally, reported The Singapore Post. The opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called the PTI, a "party of thieves". The ECP report, which was made public on 5 January 2022, informed that the PTI received PKR 1.64 billion in funding. The ECP had formed a Scrutiny Committee in 2019 to audit foreign funding received by the PTI. Ironically, this was done at the behest of one of the PTI's founding members Akbar S Babar in 2014. He had then alleged that the PTI had got funds from illegal sources abroad. On the ECP's report being made public recently, Babar tweeted his thanks to Allah, saying he stood "vindicated", reported The Singapore Post. According to the data given by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to the ECP, the PTI has 26 bank accounts. Between 2008 and 2013, the PTI disclosed receipt of funds amounting to PKR 1.33 billion to the ECP, whereas SBP figures show the actual amount received at PKR 1.64 billion. The ECP report states that PTI failed to disclose three bank accounts, thus the discrepancy in receipt of funds, reported The Singapore Post. More damning was the revelation that the PTI had received USD 2.34 million from the US, but the committee had been unable to access these bank accounts. Further, the PTI also received funds from the UK, Denmark, Dubai, Japan, Canada and Australia, apart from a few other countries. A private bank provided details to SBP regarding USD 2.2 million funds being received by the PTI from Dubai, however, the scrutiny committee couldn't get further details. It was also unable to obtain information related to the funds received from the UK and Europe. The ECP scrutiny team report also revealed that the PTI had concealed 53 bank accounts, reporting only 12 in the foreign funding case. The report said the SBP revealed that the PTI had 65 bank accounts, reported The Singapore Post. This is not the first time that Imran Khan or his party the PTI have been accused of corruption. In 2018, in the run-up to the publication of the Pandora Papers, Pakistani television station, ARY-News had reported, "the owner of two offshore companies registered at a similar address as of Prime Minister Imran Khan has revealed that they were registered by him on a different address and denied any role of the premier in this regard." The Pandora Papers also revealed that key members of Khan's inner circle, including cabinet ministers, their families and major financial backers had secretly owned an array of companies and trusts holding millions of dollars of hidden wealth, reported The Singapore Post. (ANI)
A prominent university lecturer, Faizaullah Jalal, who was detained by the Taliban for criticizing its rule, was released on Tuesday. The daughter of the professor and political analyst Jalal said that her father was released on Tuesday after four days in detention, reported The Khaama Press. Hasina Jalal in a voice clip confirmed the release and thanked all those who did their part in the release of her father from detention. "My father-Faizullah Jalal got released from Taliban's detention. I thank all Afghan people, the International Community and the media that did their part in getting his release," said the voice clip, reported The Khaama Press. The lecturer was arrested by the Taliban on Saturday and he was in detention for four days. Jalal, a longtime professor of law and political science at Kabul University, has made several appearances on television talk shows since the US-backed government was pushed out in August last year, blaming the Taliban for the worsening financial crisis and criticizing them for ruling by force, according to Al Jazeera. Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Zabiullah Mujahid had said that he was provoking people against the system and had disrespected officials of the Taliban, reported The Khaama Press. Jalal's wife Massouda, who had run against former President Hamid Karzai in 2004 as Afghanistan's first woman candidate for the presidency, posted on Facebook that her husband had been arrested by Taliban forces and detained in an unknown location, according to Al Jazeera. Common people had mixed reactions to the detention of Jalal. On social media, some had asked for his immediate release while others praised the detention as he had called Durand Line as the official border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, reported The Khaama Press. (ANI)
Uyghurs in Turkey filed a criminal case with a Turkish prosecutor against Chinese officials for committing genocide in Xinjiang province. Uyghur families, including volunteer Turkish lawyers, gathered at the Istanbul Court of Justice in Istanbul's district of Caglayan and held banners that read, "Where are our families?" and "China, free my brother", reported the international think tank based in Canada, International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS). The protestors carried photographs of Chinese officials, against whom criminal complaints were filed, were laid on the ground during the demonstration. Volunteer lawyers Gulden Sonmez, Rumeysa Kabaoglu and Muhammet Furkan Yun, insisted the camps be closed after submitting the petition to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Demonstrators argued that China has committed crimes, including "genocide, deliberate killing, torture, cruel treatment, and enforced disappearance against Uyghurs," and asked to bring out crimes against Turkish citizens (Uyghur who took Turkish nationality) to the judiciary within the framework of universal jurisdiction based on the Turkish Penal Code, reported IFFRAS. A total of 112 figures, consisting of Chinese political officials, "concentration camp" directors, police officers, domestic security personnel and administrators, were reported to the prosecutor's office. The names of 19 people from Xinjiang, including nine Turkish citizens, appear as complainants. Some of them are as follows - Medina Nazimi, who is Uyghur, said her sister Mevlide Hilal has been imprisoned in a Chinese camp for four years despite being a Turkish citizen; Nur Muhammet Uygur, said that he has been living in Turkey since 2016 and has not heard from his family; Mafiret Emin, a university student, said she has not heard from her family for five years and Cevlan Shirmehmet, said that he came to Turkey for education and studied in Law School. His mother was held in the concentration camp because he studied here, reported IFFRAS. Meanwhile, some of the Uyghurs living in Turkey have criticized Turkey's approach to China after the two nations agreed to an extradition treaty. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in March 2021, that the deal was similar to those Turkey has with other states and denied it would lead to Uyghurs being sent back to China. Some Turkish opposition leaders have accused the government of overlooking Uyghur rights in favour of other interests with China, which the government denies. In Xinjiang, ethnic Uyghur Muslims have been subjected to years of abuse because of their identity and culture. According to UN data, at least 1 million Uyghurs are kept against their will in places Beijing calls "vocational training centers" but which critics call places for indoctrination, abuse and torture. As many as 1.6 million Uyghurs have left China to live abroad, according to the World Uyghur Congress. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, accuse Beijing of oppressing 12 million Uyghurs, most of whom are Muslims, reported IFFRAS. (ANI)
North Korea state media on Wednesday said that its leader Kim Jong Un attended what it described as another "hypersonic missile" successful test. According to the pictures shown in the Korean Central News Agency, Kim wearing a leather jacket and peering with binoculars inside what appears to be an observation stand meant for him to observe the Tuesday launch, reported Voice of America (VOA). It is the first test he has personally observed since early 2020, according to state media reports. By attending the test, Kim may be signalling that hypersonic missile development is a priority, said analysts. The missile demonstrated "excellent manoeuvrability" and accurately hit a target about 1,000 kilometres away, said the state media. That is longer than the range estimated Tuesday by South Korea's military, which closely tracks such launches. Seoul's Defense Ministry said the missile travelled only about 700 kilometres but demonstrated improved capabilities, reported VOA. The latest North Korean missile flew at a maximum speed of Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound, compared with Mach 6 for the missile launched last week, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted Seoul officials as saying. This is North Korea's second test this year of what is referred to as a hypersonic missile. Following its launch last week, South Korea claimed North Korea was exaggerating its capabilities. Judging from North Korean state media photos, the missile launched Tuesday appeared to feature the same conical shape as the weapon tested last week, reported VOA. Meanwhile, US officials have condemned the launches. "Obviously (it) takes us in the wrong direction," said Victoria Nuland, undersecretary for political affairs at the State Department. "As you know, the United States has been saying since this administration came in that we are open to dialogue with North Korea, that we are open to talking about COVID and humanitarian support. And instead, they're firing off missiles," added Nuland. White House press secretary Jen Psaki also condemned the launch as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. She also called for North Korea to return to nuclear talks that the North abandoned in 2019, reported VOA. (ANI)
The incident took place outside the Israeli settlement of Halamish on Tuesday.

The driver "accelerated his car toward a number of soldiers who were securing the route," a military spokesperson added in a statement, adding the car "hit a soldier who has been evacuated to a hospital by an Israel Air Force helicopter that was dispatched to the scene."

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency health service said in a statement that the 19-year-old soldier sustained moderate injuries in his legs, Xinhua news agency reported.

The suspect was apprehended and "transferred to security forces for further questioning," the statement said.

The incident came amid a rise in both Palestinian violence against Israeli soldiers and settlers and settlers' attacks against Palestinian farmers and villagers in the West Bank.

Israel seized the West Bank in a 1967 war and has controlled it ever since, despite international condemnation.

--IANS int/khz/

( 182 Words)

2022-01-12-08:04:03 (IANS)
Sisi made the remarks on Tuesday during his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the ongoing World Youth Forum which is being held in Egypt's Red Sea report city of Sharm El-Sheikh, according to a statement of the presidency.

The Egyptian President emphasised the importance of achieving a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause in accordance with international legitimacy, and expressed his country's keenness to support Palestine's diplomatic efforts to resume the peace negotiations, Xinhua news agency reported.

For his part, Abbas lauded Egypt's support in the Palestine issue and its effort to help the Palestinian people overcome various challenges.

A consensus was reached on the need to continue intensive consultation and coordination, at both bilateral and trilateral levels (with the participation of Jordan), in order to revive the peace process, the statement said.

--IANS int/khz/

( 183 Words)

2022-01-12-08:12:03 (IANS)
The meeting between the two was disclosed by the Dikiy, who shared photos with Cavusoglu, reported Al Arabiya Post.

The photos of the Turkish political leader with the Kazakh crime syndicate indicate Turkey's political leaders' contacts with them.

Dikiy, who is described as the 'crime ringleader', and claimed to be the "rising star" of Kazakhstan's organized crime world was taken into custody on January 07, 2022.

Dikiy has connections with the local political establishment in Turkey as well as also connected with the Azerbaijani mafia leader Nadir Salifov, nicknamed 'Lotu Guli', who was killed in Antalya in August 2020, reported Al Arabiya Post.

He was acquainted with Sedat Peker, who was convicted of leading an organized crime organization in Turkey. Dikiy was also involved with another Turkish crime leader, Alaattin Cakici.

Turkey's political-mafia nexus came to the fore after Turkish mafia boss Sedat Peker started disclosing Turkish political leaders' involvement in drugs, money laundering, prostitution and arms trafficking.

Meanwhile, an ongoing crisis is being witnessed in Kazakhstan, believed to be stoked by foreign terrorists.

Over 160 persons were killed in the capital city of Nur-Sultan and other cities where violence spread like wildfire from January 2 this year after a peaceful citizen protest against the government for rising fuel prices turned violent. (ANI)
Manila [Philippines] January 12 (ANI/Xinhua): The Philippines reported 32,246 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, the second-highest single-day tally since the pandemic began in January 2020, pushing the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 3,058,634. The Department of Health (DOH) said the number of active cases or patients still battling the disease soared to 208,164 as the positivity rate rose to 45.7 percent. The DOH also reported 144 coronavirus-related deaths, raising the country's death toll to 52,654, with 11 laboratories failing to submit data. The deaths include those who died in previous months. Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the COVID-19 surge was still ongoing, adding it was still "premature" to say that the COVID-19 infections had slowed down after recording slightly lower new cases on Tuesday. "Tuesday's caseload is not an indication that the peak is over. We might still be in the acceleration phase of our surge. I cannot say for now whether it is the beginning of a downtrend," he told an online forum on Wednesday. Infections are beginning to spread outside Metro Manila, he added. Duque said the lower case count reported on Tuesday was due to the failure of testing laboratories to submit data on weekends. Many health care workers, including nurses and medical technologists, contracted the virus affecting the operation. The Philippines' COVID-19 infections surged to record levels beginning Saturday before peaking on Monday, with 33,169 cases. Officials blamed the spike on high mobility, poor compliance with safety health protocols during the holiday season, and the fast-spreading Omicron and Delta variants. Meanwhile, the Philippines' Department of Transportation has banned unvaccinated people in Metro Manila from using public transport while the capital region is under alert level 3 (on a scale of 5) or higher. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new policy was in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's order to restrict the movement of unvaccinated people in Metro Manila, the region with the most active and new cases. Tugade said only those with medical conditions that prevent their complete COVID-19 vaccination and those traveling to buy food and other essentials were exempted from the "no vaccination, no ride" policy. The Philippines, which has around a population of 110 million, has tested more than 24 million people since the outbreak. (ANI/Xinhua)
Moscow [Russia], January 12 (ANI/Sputnik): Sputnik demonstrates very high efficacy against Omicron variant and appears to be more effective than other vaccines against the new strain, said Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. "It appears that Sputnik V is very effective. Perhaps it is more effective than other vaccines used in the world," Putin said at a session of the Russian Cabinet of Ministers, TASS News Agency reported. The Russian president added that in any way the vaccine's ability to neutralize the virus is obvious. On November 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated B.1.1.529 as a "Variant of Concern" and assigned it the Greek letter Omicron. It also said that the new variant has "a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning." Cases of infections with the new strain of the novel coronavirus have been already registered in more than 100 countries. As of today, Russia reported 698 Omicron cases across the country. (ANI)
Four People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Shenyang J-16 fighter jets and one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane flew into the southwest corner of the ADIZ, Taiwan news reported citing the country's Ministry of National Defense (MND).

In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, issued radio warnings, and deployed air defence missile systems to track the planes.

A total of 35 Chinese planes have been spotted in Taiwan's identification zone so far this month, including 23 fighter jets and 12 spotter planes, Taiwan News reported.

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. China has threatened that "Taiwan's independence" means war. (ANI)
Zenobia Shepherd and her daughters Zy'on Shepherd, 8, and Jeletalora Shepherd, 14, at Leilani Jordan's gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery on Dec. 25. Zenobia Shepherd, Jordan's mother, is suing over Jordan's covid-19 death. (Family photo)

Zenobia Shepherd cant wrap her mind around her daughters death. Her heart wont let her.

Leilani Jordan, who had developmental challenges and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, died in April 2020 of complications from COVID-19. She was 27 and working in a Maryland grocery store when she fell ill and days later became one of the first faces of the pandemics devastating death toll.

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While she continues to grieve her second-oldest child, Shepherd is also on a quest for justice. On Tuesday, she was scheduled to appear virtually before a Prince Georges Circuit Court judge who is expected to decide whether a lawsuit she and her husband filed last year against Dominion Residence, an assisted-living facility for the developmentally disabled where Jordan lived; the owners of the Giant store where she worked; and a supervisor at the store will move forward.

There are thousands of stories like Leilanis, but there are a lot of families that need to be aware that they have rights, Shepherd said. They have rights. Sometimes we take it as if we dont, and theres nothing we can do. But we have rights.

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Legal experts say Shepherds lawsuit is one of a small but likely growing number of cases filed by family members who claim their loved ones contracted the coronavirus and died as a result of an employers negligence. Hundreds of workers have filed similar claims blaming their employer after they contracted the virus.

Leilani Jordan, right, with her mother, Zenobia Shepherd, and her siblings, from left, Jeletalora Shepherd, Zy'on Shepherd and William Cedric Jordan Jr. (Family photo)

Leilani was of a vulnerable class, and they were forcing her to actually work without taking care of her and protecting her, said William C. Johnson III, who is representing Shepherd. You cant put profits over people.

Jordan participated in a program that placed developmentally challenged residents in jobs. At Giant, her mother said, she did whatever she was asked to do, including assembling grocery carts, cleaning the bathroom and locating items for shoppers.

She just loved being able to help and give back and to, you know, have a purpose, she said.

Giant and Dominion Residence have asked the judge to dismiss the case, according to court documents. Stephen J. Marshall, an attorney for Giant of Maryland LLC, said his client does not comment on pending litigation. An attorney for Dominion Residence of Maryland did not return a call seeking comment.

Carmel Shachar, the executive director of the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School, said the question of whether an employer is liable if a worker is exposed to the coronavirus in the workplace is is still fairly novel because the pandemic is still a fairly new phenomenon.

Leilani Jordan died of coronavirus-related health complications in April 2020. She was 27. (Courtesy Zenobia Shepherd)

Litigation around covid-19 workplace exposure has been increasing over the last year, and will likely continue to increase with the omicron explosion of cases, Shachar said in an email.

Diane Hoffmann, the director of the Law and Health Care Program and a professor of health-care law at University of Maryland School of Law, said ordinarily these claims would fall under workers compensation, which could mean limited recovery.

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Johnson is arguing that Jordan was not covered under workers compensation.

Unlike some of the other workplace lawsuits stemming from the pandemic, Shepherds case is nuanced because of Jordans disability and her participation in the work program.

The lawsuit claims negligence and wrongful death and requests that the court issue a judgment for unspecified damages.

[ How are Maryland COVID cases, vaccinations and other metrics trending? [GRAPHICS] ]

The lawsuit charges that Dominion Residence failed to provide a guardian for Jordan, despite a court order requiring one, and that a supervisor at Giant continued to let Jordan work without a guardian. The suit also claims that Dominion did not provide a safe environment for Jordan and failed to provide training on workplace hazards. It also alleges that the Giant supervisor and the store did not require Jordan to wear personal protective equipment.

She was cleaning the bathroom without gloves and was there without a mask, Shepherd said, adding that she wants to make employers, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities aware of their responsibilities to those who are vulnerable.

Breaking News Alerts As it happens Be informed of breaking news as it happens and notified about other don't-miss content with our free news alerts. >

Shachar, speaking generally and not specifically about what happened in Jordans case, said employers have a duty to provide a safe, healthy work environment for their employees.

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A really good way to satisfy this requirement would be to provide face coverings or other PPE. If an employer had no or inadequate mitigation efforts in place and an employee got covid-19 from their workplace, you could sue, she said in an email. Some of these lawsuits are working their ways through various state courts, although I think it will take some time to fully develop our covid-19 standards for employers [and it will vary based on state, industry and type of role].

Jordan, whom Shepherd called Butterfly for her love of butterflies, told her mom that she was working because no one else is going to help the senior citizens get their groceries. Shepherd tried to warn her of the risks of the pandemic, but Jordan continued to work until she could barely breathe.

Jordan began experiencing coronavirus symptoms in March 2020 and was given a home remedy by the assisted-living facility, the lawsuit alleges. She was hospitalized after her symptoms worsened. Within hours of being placed on a ventilator, Jordan died in her mothers arms.

Since Jordans death, Shepherd said her younger children, Jeletalora Shepherd, 14, and Zyon Shepherd, 8, have been in therapy.

They each have had trouble sleeping and problems with eating.

Zyon was like [Jordans] baby, Shepherd said. It has been a nightmare.  Im just trying to be a mom, thats all. But I dont have any good answers for her.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that the US should unfreeze the assets of Afghanistan's Central Bank as the country is the only blameworthy of Afghanistan's ongoing situation, Khaama Press reported.

Wenbin also asked for unilateral sanctions of the US on Afghanistan to be lifted.

"US is a country that started Afghanistan's crisis and the country should not get rid of the situation indifferently. The unilateral sanctions are further deteriorating Afghanistan's economic situation and the lives of people. We ask the US to understand its mistakes, understand international responsibilities, release the assets and lift unilateral sanctions." Khaama Press quoting Wenbin as saying.

It is not the first time China makes such a demand, the country has repeatedly asked the US to unfreeze Afghanistan's assets.

Last year in December, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun told UN Security Council, "We once again call for the unfreezing of Afghanistan's overseas assets as soon as possible," Sputnik had reported.

Earlier, Khaama Press reported that currently, half of the Afghan population is starving and needs urgent assistance to survive especially because the freezing winter has been hitting Afghanistan. (ANI)
Kathmandu [Nepal], January 12 (ANI/Khabarhub): As China continues to increase political, economic and cultural presence, including controversial approaches and pressure in Nepal, Nepalis have started hitting the streets holding anti-China demonstrations across the country. China has intensified its activities - overt and covert -- in Nepal of late. Lambasting China's "conspiracy" to try to leave its footprint in Nepal through its role in all sectors and the strategic realm, several social organizations have organized protest rallies in the country. To note, the Swantantra Nagarik Samaj (Independent Citizens Group) hit the streets of Kathmandu criticizing China for "interfering" in Nepal's political as well as economic sectors and encroaching Nepal's land in different northern districts, including Humla. That is not all. The demonstrators also criticized China for imposing an undeclared blockade in Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani border points by not allowing Nepali goods to enter Nepal. In a blatant violation of its own commitment, the northern neighbor has tightened its grip at the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point that was brought into operation declaring it as a major international border under its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It should be noted that the government led by the then Prime Minister KP Oli formed after the promulgation of the new Constitution in Nepal in 2015 has taken special initiatives to open the northern border, which, however, has not functioned smoothly. A transit agreement, too, was signed between Nepal and China in 2016 to allow the import and export of goods from third countries through Chinese ports. To recall, it was also announced during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019 that Nepal would be transformed from a landlocked to a "land-linked" country. With this, Nepal was expected to be able to exercise its right of transit through Chinese territory and help increase Nepal's exports. However, this has been limited to papers since Nepali businessmen have not been able to import goods from the bordering Chinese markets. Meanwhile, a transit protocol was also signed on April 29, 2019, during President Bidya Devi Bhandari's state visit to China to implement the agreement. According to Article 15 of the Protocol, the agreement had to be implemented exactly one month after each country informed the other of its enforcement. Despite months of efforts to increase the daily import quota, China has not opened the border points under various pretexts because of which Nepali traders are compelled to pay a hefty amount of money for goods and transportation. Consider what Arjun Poudel, a truck driver in Rasuwa has to say: "China has not allowed smooth operation of trucks carrying Nepali goods." It also should be recalled that China had allowed Nepal to use four open seaports -- Shenzhen, Tianjin, Zhanjiang and Lianyungang -- and three open dry ports -- Shenzhen, Tianjin, Zhanjiang and Lianyungang. Nepal has six border ports in China for transit. Although Nepal has access to Rasuwa-Jilong, Kodari-Jangmu, Kimathangka-Chhentang, Nechung-Liji, Yari-Pulan and Olangchungola-Riu ports, it has not been formally used. However, though import and export are done only through Rasuwa and Tatopani checkpoints, both the points have been obstructed on the part of the Chinese government. In the meantime, the checkpoints continue to be obstructed without enough concrete reason and consultation with the Nepali side. Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Uma Regmi at the sixth anniversary celebration of the China Foundation for Poverty Elevation Nepal said China should make arrangements for easy import and export of goods from the border. Nepalis from different quarters of life have been taking China's increased pressure as lessons to be learned on how China behaves with its neighbors. Meanwhile, observers and analysts have to say that China is continuously exerting pressure on Nepalis, seeking benefits of good faith will have a negative impact on Nepal. Speaking to Khabarhub recently, businessman Phurbu Tsering Tamang, who owns a shop in Kerung, said that they are compelled to pay a hefty amount of money (around 2 to 3 lakhs per month) as house rent there without operating his business. Besides obstructing the border checkpoints, China has been playing foul to spoil Nepal's relations with the United States of America by creating a fuss on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Of late, China has politicized the MCC by disseminating wrong facts. Nepal Democrat Union (NDU), a Nepali social organization, in a statement issued recently said that China through its intelligence wing 'Ministry of State Security' has been disseminating propaganda and misinformation to attack Nepal's sovereignty, obstruct the passage of United States grant MCC in Nepal at any cost and sever Nepal's ties with democracies in the world, including the US. The NDU in a demonstration organized in New Baneswor, Kathmandu recently also drew the attention of Nepali lawmakers against China's negative influences and interventions in the internal affairs of the country. It also condemned what it called "authoritarian Communist China's all-out interference in Nepal aimed at undermining Nepal's identity, communal harmony and the country's ties with foreign nations." The demonstrators also raised the issue of land encroachment by China in various bordering districts, including Humla, Mustang, Gorkha, Rasuwa and Dolakha, among others alleging that "hoisting of Chinese flag in Bhairahawa-based airport last month was meant to signify that Nepal was its subordinate nation." It also said that discord was being promoted among Nepal's political forces and cadres leading to social conflicts and a split of parties under the guise of MCC. Meanwhile, Rastriya Ekata Abhiyan, a civil society organization, also staged a demonstration against China in Janakpur this week against what it said Chinese "expansionism", land encroachment in various parts of the country and unofficial blockade at Rasuwa and Tatopani border points, among others. The demonstrators carrying placards that read 'Go Back China', 'Put brakes on Chinese Intervention', 'Stop border encroachment', 'Stop undeclared blockade against Nepal' and 'Arrange for a continuation of the study of Nepali students', among others, also burnt the effigy of Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi. That's not all. Leaders at a program in Saptari also alleged China for interfering in Nepal's internal affairs. They lambasted China for using Nepali soil to fulfill its vested interest, and trying to entice the people of Tarai Madhes in a bid to fulfill its "debt trap" strategy. Nepali Congress (NC) leader and intellectual Sabur Lal Sahu alleged Chinese companies exploiting Nepali workers by bringing workers from China to Madhes. Likewise, Umesh Mishra, the regional chairperson of Nepali Congress (NC) Province-2, accused China of trying to increase contacts with some leaders of the Madhesi parties to increase its influence. Birendra Sah, a central member of the Loktantirk Socialist Party said, "BRI project has been a ploy to impose a debt burden on poor nations, including Nepal." "BRI project should not be allowed to be implemented in Nepal," he added. Khabarhub had recently published a story saying that an MSS official Ling alias Oscar Ning (who holds two passports PE 0350392, PE 17327 79) has been running covert operations by stationing in Kathmandu to further the Chinese agenda in Nepal. "Any interference from China cannot be tolerable to freedom-loving Nepalis," Ganesh Mandal, a political analyst told Khabarhub saying that the democratic world is with Nepal and the Nepali people. It may be noted that the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi has lately intensified political meetings with Nepali political leaders, mainly Communists. Last week, she held talks with Jhala Nath Khanal, coordinator of the task force formed by the ruling coalition and leader of the CPN (Unified-Socialist) to recommend the government about the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). During the meeting, the Chinese Ambassador sought updates regarding the task force's study on MCC, among other issues, according to sources. Observers have to note that the meeting between Khanal and Ambassador Yanqi was meaningful when the task force has been entrusted to "suggest" the government about the widely-discussed US grant agreement MCC. What is to be recalled is that Chinese Ambassador Yanqi intensifies political meetings with Nepal's leaders when the debates surrounding MCC escalates. Analyst Saroj Mishra views that the time has come to decide and act - for or against MCC as general people, who have absolutely no idea about MCC, have been provoked and have been brought down to the streets. Meanwhile, in what can be termed as another instance of political interference, Chinese Deputy Minister Chen Zhao in Shenzhen emphasized Left unity among Nepal's communist forces during a meeting with Maoist leader Barsaman Pun in China recently. During the meeting, he expressed the confidence that the Maoists would be further strengthened under Prachanda's leadership, and that the Chinese Communist Party and the CPN-Maoist Center were the closest allies and would strengthen the ties in the days to come. (ANI/Khabarhub)
Around 200 Pashtuns have carried out a peaceful march with holding flags and placards with the slogans -- "Pakistan is the mother of terrorists", "Stop Pashtun Genocide", "Stop Enforced Disappearances" written on it.

They also chanted slogans against Pakistan's army.

Speeches were also delivered in front of the Consulate highlighting Pakistan's support and funding to terrorist organizations, and illegal disappearances and killing of Pashtuns in the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

The protest was organisted on January 10.

The Pashtuns are facing genocide at the hands of the Pakistan army as a large number of civilians are killed and many are victims of enforced disappearances. (ANI)
Pakistan has decided to ban the use of all cryptocurrencies, local media reported citing a report which was submitted to the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday. Samaa TV reported that the State Bank of Pakistan and the federal government have decided to ban the use of all cryptocurrencies, as per the report submitted to SHC during a case hearing about digital currencies. The status of cryptocurrencies in Pakistan has been in limbo in the absence of laws and rules to regulate the use of these digital currencies for trade. On October 20, the Sindh High Court told the federal government to regulate cryptocurrencies within three months. The court directed the government to form a committee headed by the federal secretary of finance to determine the legal status of cryptocurrencies, Samaa tv reported. The court had instructed the authorities to come up with a report on the use of cryptocurrencies. Earliar, Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued a notice to Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange, during the investigation of a cryptocurrency scam involving around 100 million US dollars. Through a notice, FIA's cybercrime wing has called the general manager or growth analyst of Binance Pakistan to appear and explain the organization's position on the fraud, as per media rpeorts. "A relevant questionnaire has also been sent to Binance Headquarters Cayman Islands and Binance US to explain the same," the FIA statement read. Last month, people from all over Pakistan launched complaints to the FIA against at least 11 mobile applications which had stopped working over a period of time and allegedly defrauded their billions of Pakistani rupees, Xinhua reported citing FIA. Reports say that the people of Pakistan have purchased cryptocurrency worth USD five crores in just six months. At least 1,064 people belonging to various private banks and foreign exchange firms carried 2,923 transactions worth billions of Pakistani rupees, according to Pakistan's vernacular media. FIA has started searching for investors and funders and as many as 1,054 accounts have been frozen. In October 2021, a study revealed that Pakistan had witnessed a massive increase in cryptocurrency adoption during the past 12 months. The 2021 Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index ranked Pakistan the third highest in terms of index score, Daily Pakistan has reported. (ANI)
Citing a statement, Xinhua News Agency reported that convening a total of 246 public meetings, the 15-member council has adopted 57 resolutions and 24 presidential statements in 2021.

The statement added that members have shown solidarity and unity on several fraught issues such as reauthorizing Syria's cross-border aid delivery mechanism in July, and exempting humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan from an asset freeze against Taliban.

As per the statement, the exemption was aimed at pulling the war-torn country back from the brink of economic collapse, Xinhua further reported.

"Perhaps no single nation's trajectory was as dramatic in 2021 as that of Afghanistan," it added.

In 2021, Syria saw a largely calm year on the military front, despite large spikes in hunger, chronic malnutrition, and other grave humanitarian challenges, the statement said.

According to figures from humanitarian institutes, around 13.4 million people across the country required humanitarian assistance, 20 per cent more than in 2020, according to Xinhua News Agency. (ANI)
Nur-Sultan [Kazakhstan], January 12 (ANI/Sputnik): The organized pullout of peacekeepers sent by the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states from Kazakhstan will start on Thursday, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Wednesday. "Tomorrow the organized withdrawal of the CSTO peacekeeping contingent begins. I had negotiations with the leaders of the respective states. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the command of the contingent for the work done during these few days," Tokayev told a response center meeting, adding that the CSTO mission is assessed as "very successful". The president was briefed that Kazakh authorities have managed to "free Almaty from terrorists" thanks to additional forces, including those sent by the CSTO, Tokayev's press office said. (ANI/Sputnik)
Washington [US], January 12 (ANI/Sputnik): US Democratic senators will present a new Russia sanctions bill later on Wednesday that would bring "severe costs" to the Russian economy in the event of an invasion of Ukraine, in an effort backed by the White House, The Washington Post reported. The effort is led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez. The measure comes as the Biden administration tries to prevent Democrat defection in support of a Republican-led bill targeting Russia's Nord Stream 2, an effort the White House says may undermine its reengagement with Europe. Menendez's legislation would entail sweeping sanctions on top Russian military brass and government officials, including President Vladimir Putin, as well as key banking institutions, the report said. It would also hit companies in Russia that offer secure messaging systems such as SWIFT. Pledging more security assistance to Ukraine, the bill calls on the United States to "consider all available and appropriate measures" to ensure Nord Stream 2 is not put into operation. The White House supports the bill, a spokesperson for the National Security Council told The Washington Post, noting that other measures, such as the one being pushed by Sen. Ted Cruz, will "not counter further Russian aggression or protect Ukraine." "Instead, it will undermine our efforts to deter Russia and remove leverage the United States and our allies and partners possess in this moment all to score political points at home," the spokesperson said on the condition of anonymity. "And it would come at a moment where we need to be closely united with our European partners, including Germany. It makes no sense." Cruz has long been trying to push through a bill that would force the US government to re-impose economic sanctions on the company building the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. In fall 2021, Cruz blocked the confirmation of nearly 60 ambassadors in a bid to secure a vote on his bill to sanction the pipeline. He lifted his block after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged that a vote on Cruz's bill would take place by January 14. The White House is concerned that new sanctions on the Russian pipeline would undermine US relations with European partners, at a critical time when Washington is trying to de-escalate tensions in the region. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, completed in September, will deliver gas from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. The process of certifying Nord Stream 2 AG as the pipeline's independent operator is currently underway to ensure the project complies with the conditions of the February 12, 2019 EU Gas Directive. German regulators are expected to decide on the certification in the second half of 2022. (ANI/Sputnik)
Pakistan's Universal Service Fund (USF), a subsidiary of the federal information technology ministry, has declined to launch telecom projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), believing that the two regions are constitutionally not part of the country, local media reported on Wednesday. According to Dawn newspaper, the cellular mobile companies could object to the utilisation of the amount generated in Pakistan in both regions. The USF was asked by Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid in a recent meeting that the domain of the USF should be extended to Gilgit-Baltistan as soon as possible to improve internet connectivity in the region and make the facility available in remote areas. President Arif Alvi chaired the meeting, which discussed ways and means to improve internet service in Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, according to Dawn. Khalid Khurshid said the recent 3G and 4G spectrum auctions would help improve telecom and internet services in Gilgit-Baltistan but as the region had no internet service provider, there were problems regarding the internet facility. However, the senior management of the USF declined to extend the sought-after services to GB saying the region is "constitutionally out of the country." According to Dawn, the meeting was informed that at present, the USF Pakistan was working on more than 40 projects valuing over Rs 35 billion in 70 districts of the country, but development projects were facing hurdles in several areas due to law and order situation in the erstwhile Fata and some districts of Balochistan province, including Kalat, Pangur and Turbat. (ANI)
As Omicron spreads like wildfire across the world, White House Chief Medical advisor Antony Fauci has said although the COVID-19 variant will likely infect most people but vaccinated people will still fare better. "Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody," the nation's leading infectious disease expert told J Stephen Morrison, senior vice president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Dr Anthony Fauci added: "Those who have been vaccinated ... and boosted would get exposed. Some, maybe a lot of them, will get infected but will very likely, with some exceptions, do reasonably well in the sense of not having hospitalization and death." Across the United States, at least one in five eligible Americans -- roughly 65 million people-- are not vaccinated against COVID-19. More than 62 per cent of the country has been fully vaccinated, but only 23 per cent are fully vaccinated and boosted, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to CNN. Fauci's comments came in response to a question about whether the pandemic has entered a new phase. CNN reported that it will come when there's enough protection in the community and drugs to easily treat severe Covid-19, he said, adding, "We may be on the threshold of that right now." On Tuesday (local time), US Food and Drug Administration acting commissioner Dr Janet Woodcock said that while most people could catch the virus, the focus now should be on making sure hospitals and essential services function. On December 1, 2021, US reported its first case of the 'Omicron' variant of the COVID-19. The case has been detected in the US state of California, Top Medical Adviser Anthony Fauci was quoted as saying by CNN. The new variant is causing havoc in many nations and countries are resorting to stricter COVID protocols. (ANI)
"The incident occurred in a house in Warsak village, Lal Pur district, on Tuesday when explosive remnants of war (ERW) exploded," Xinhua news agency reported citing Basir Zabuli from the provincial police directorate.

According to the source, one of the victims found and brought the ERW after they returned from collecting firewood from nearby mountains, in an effort to sell the item as scrap metal in the village.

Afghan officials use the term ERW referring to unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO).

Landmines, anti-personnel mines as well as ERWs left behind from wars kill or maim about 120 people every month in the post-conflict country, according to Afghanistan's State Ministry for Disaster Management.

On Monday, at least six children and a vendor were killed and several others injured when an ERW exploded outside a school in remote Lal Pur district, near the border with Pakistan.

--IANS int/sks/bg

( 192 Words)

2022-01-12-14:36:02 (IANS)
Nearly two months after he was charged with 50 counts of disseminating revenge porn online, Andrew Bradshaw is no longer the mayor of Cambridge on Marylands Eastern Shore, the city announced Jan. 11.

Bradshaw submitted his resignation last Monday, according to a post on the citys Facebook page. It came after the citys commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 13 to have the city attorney issue a formal Complaint to remove the Mayor from office per the city charter. But Bradshaw resigned before the commission took further steps to remove him.

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A lawyer for Bradshaw declined to comment for this article.

During the commissioners Jan. 24 or Feb. 14 meeting, they will decide on the procedures for a special election to select a mayor to fulfill the remainder of Bradshaws term, according to the Facebook post.

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The Cambridge charter requires a 15-day candidacy period, followed by an election roughly four weeks later, said city manager David Deutsch. So an election could take place in March.

At 32, Bradshaw had been the citys youngest mayor on record. Just a few days after Bradshaws arrest in November, the commissioners voted to ask him to resign, but he did not immediately do so.

According to charging documents, police believe Bradshaw repeatedly posed as his ex-girlfriend on Reddit and posted nude images of her without her permission. The woman reported the incidents to police, who determined that the Reddit posts were coming from an IP address that provided internet service to Bradshaws home.

Prosecutors say that Bradshaws conduct violated Marylands Revenge Porn Statute, which prohibits the nonconsensual distribution of a private visual representation of another which exposes their intimate body parts or displays them engaged in sexual activity, with the intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce the person depicted.

For each of the 50 counts, Bradshaw faces a $5,000 fine and two years in prison. He was released pending trial, which is scheduled for late April, according to online court records.

This story has been updated
Developed jointly by Pakistan and China, the JF-17 fighter jets have failed to keep narratives peddled by Beijing media that the country's modern aircraft are the best in the world as Islamabad's experience with the jets tell a different story, according to media reports. Taiwan News reported that Pakistani leaders expected a low-cost, lightweight, all-weather multi-role fighter, something akin to the Russian Su-30MKI or the French Mirage 2000 but the reality fell well short of their high hopes. In 1999, when Beijing and Islamabad signed the deal on joint production of the JF-17, it was touted as a combat jet comparable to Su-30 MKI, Mig-29 and Mirage-2000. The reality, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is finding out much to its chagrin, is nowhere near the boastful claims made by the Chinese, Daily Sun reported. The first images of Pakistan's new mass-produced JF-17 Thunder (Block III) have surfaced in recent days. The new version is hoped to be a radical departure from the clunky earlier JF-17 models, yet questions hang over the extent of its supposed upgrades. Since JF-17 operational induction in 2009, downings have been all too common. In 2012, Pakistani media recorded a string of 12 crashes over 18 months, among which were several JF-17s, Taiwan News reported. In August last year, another newly built dual seat model crashed only a year after being made and 96 hours of flight time, according to Pakistani newspaper Dawn. Though the PAF has brought over 100 JF-17 Block Is and Block IIs into active service, due to a shortage of spare parts, approximately 40 aircraft are not airworthy, per reports. A large number of engines in JF-17 have reportedly experienced cracks in guide vanes, exhaust nozzles, and flame stabilizers. The engine of the JF-17 is the Russian-made RD-93. The publication also reported that the shoddy engines are also hard to replace, in part due to US sanctions on the Russian supplier agency, which has caused complications with dollar-denominated transactions. However, the latest images of JF-17 show no visible changes to the exterior of the engine, suggesting it is probably fitted with the Klimov RD-93MA or even the same legacy RD-93, though this has yet to be confirmed. Regardless of how it performs, if it is a Russian engine again, serviceability will continue to dog the platform in the future. (ANI)
The European Commission will "swiftly" react to Poland's reply to the letter of a formal notice it sent to Warsaw in December 2020, Commission spokesman Christian Wigand said. In its letter dated December 22, the European Union's executive arm had called on the Polish government to comply with the European Court of Justice's July 2021 and October 2021 rulings and liquidate the controversial Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court and reinstate dismissed judges. Poland had, until Monday midnight, to reply to the letter. The Disciplinary Chamber has the power to discipline judges. Some Polish judges consider it a tool to pressure judges to rule in favor of the governing authorities, Xinhua news agency reported. In July last year, the ECJ ordered the suspension of the chamber as an interim measure pending a final decision on the matter. However, this was ignored by Warsaw, so the Commission sent another letter, notifying it of the ECJ's decision that imposed a one-million-euro ($1.14 million) daily fine until it complies with the July ruling. Should the Polish authorities' reply prove unsatisfactory, the Commission will proceed to send the first request for payment, Wigand said. The fines imposed by the ECJ are collected by the Commission and integrated into the EU budget, according to Wigand. He warned that, if necessary, the Commission will simply deduct the money from the EU funds that flow to Poland. --IANS int/sks ( 244 Words) 2022-01-12-16:08:05 (IANS)
"It is alleged that the driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle due to a tyre burst and collided head-on with a 22-seater Mercedes-Benz bus," the department spokesperson Mike Maringa said.

Maringa told Xinhua that 12 people were killed on the accident scene on Tuesday night and five dead this morning after they were rushed to hospital.

The driver of the SUV who was the only person in the vehicle also among the people who succumbed to injuries.

"We have not yet identified those who died as they were burnt beyond recognition," he said.

The Transport and Community Safety MEC (Member of the Executive Council) in Limpopo Lerule-Ramakhanya urged motorists to examine their vehicles before entering the road. She is concerned that most fatal accidents reported on the N1 share a common cause. (ANI/Xinhua)
The envoy said that France will work closely with India to reach ambitious agreements at this year's key multilateral negotiations.

"Thank you, Minister Yadav, for the excellent discussions. From tackling #plastic pollution to protecting marine #biodiversity, France will work closely with India to reach ambitious agreements at this year's key multilateral negotiations," French Ambassador to India said in a tweet.

Earlier today, Bhupender Yadav informed that he held a virtual meeting with the French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain and discussed issues related to One Ocean Summit, Cooperation on Plastic Pollution and the Global Treaty on Plastics.

"Held a virtual meeting with the French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain. Fruitful discussions on issues related to One Ocean Summit, Cooperation on Plastic Pollution and the Global Treaty on Plastics, High Ambition Coalition and upcoming @UNBiodiversity COP15," the Union Minister tweeted.

On Tuesday, Bhupender Yadav held a telephonic call with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and discussed a wide range of issues including India's ambitious climate action targets announced during COP26. (ANI)
A video capturing the visibly emotional reunion of the siblings on Tuesday has been widely circulated on social media.

The News International reported that Siddique, a resident of Pakistan's Faisalabad, met with elder brother Habib who arrived at Kartarpur from the Phullanwal area of Punjab in India via the Kartarpur Corridor that connects Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan to the border with India.

Siqqique was an infant during the time of the Partition when his family got split and his elder brother Habib grew up on the Indian side of the Partition line.

The brothers could not control their emotions and burst into tears of joy after meeting embracing each other and recalling memories.

During the meeting, Habib lauded the initiative of Kartarpur, saying that the corridor helped him to reconnect with his brother.

According to The News International, he told his younger brother that they will continue meeting through the corridor.

Meanwhile, social media was abuzz with comments of users who viewed the touching video of the reunion.

Reports quoted the brothers thanking the governments of the two countries for opening the Kartarpur Corridor facilitating a visa-free travel from India to Pakistan up to Kartapur.

In a major decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government decided to re-open in November 2019, the 4.7-kilometre-long Kartarpur Corridor that was closed in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANI)
Moon is set to depart on Saturday for an eight-day trip to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Yonhap news agency reported.

"The three nations are our traditional friendly states in the Middle East and Arab world and strategically important countries that play a key role for stable global energy supply chains and maritime logistics," the senior official told reporters.

On the first leg of the trip, Moon will visit the UAE from Sunday and attend a bilateral business roundtable on cooperation in the hydrogen industry before meeting with the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, according to the official.

During the talks, Moon plans to discuss cooperation in hydrogen, climate change and space.

The same day, the president is scheduled to attend a "Day of Korea" ceremony at the Expo 2020 Dubai and campaign to bring the international event to South Korea's southeastern city of Busan in 2030.

On Monday, Moon plans to deliver a keynote address on carbon neutrality at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and hold a summit meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on ways to deepen bilateral cooperation on climate change, national security, defence and public health.

South Korea has previously said it is pushing to sell its mid-range surface-to-air missiles known as M-SAM to the UAE.

After the UAE, Moon will visit Saudi Arabia on January 18-19 to hold talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and to attend a business forum.

In Riyadh, Moon plans to announce the start of free trade agreement negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The six countries that comprise the GCC supply 68 per cent of South Korea's crude oil imports.

On January 20-21, Moon will visit Egypt for summit talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and attend a roundtable on eco-friendly businesses.

The two sides plan to agree to launch joint research into a bilateral free trade agreement, South Korea's first with an African state.

--IANS int/sks/bg

( 381 Words)

2022-01-12-17:12:02 (IANS)
Khaama Press reported that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in a meeting on Tuesday assessed the budget of the last quarter of the current year and discussed changes in the period of a fiscal year.

Previously, a fiscal year would include one quarter-last quarter-of one year and three-quarters of next.

In the meeting, it was decided that the fiscal year would start to form the month of Hamal-first month of a solar year- and will end on the month of Hoot-last month of a solar year.

Citing a statement, Khaama Press said that this is the first time that Afghanistan's budget is prepared from domestic income and without foreign aid.

In the past twenty years, Afghanistan's 80 per cent budget was funded by International Community.

International donors suspended financial aid when the Taliban seized power in August and Western powers also froze access to billions of dollars in assets held abroad.

Since the Taliban's takeover on August 15 this year, government employees have only been paid their one-month salaries and Taliban promised to pay before the end of the fiscal year. (ANI)
OFAC added the Russian company Parsek LLC, Russian national Roman Alar and six North Koreans to the Specially Designated Nationals sanctions list under the North Korea Sanctions Regulations for allegedly aiding the North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program.

"Today's actions, part of the United States' ongoing efforts to counter the DPRK's [North Korea's] weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, target its continued use of overseas representatives to illegally procure goods for weapons," Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.

North Korea's latest missile launches are further evidence that Pyongyang continues to advance prohibited programs despite clear calls by the international community for diplomacy and denuclearization, Nelson added.

The designations come following news that North Korea conducted a hypersonic missile test over the Sea of Japan on Tuesday that prompted the US aviation authorities to temporarily ground flights on the United States west coast.

The missile test was the second of its kind within a week. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the launch and said Japan will take all possible measures to prepare for contingencies. (ANI/Sputnik)
As Nepal government has made COVID vaccination mandatory to access public services from January 17, people queued up at hospitals and other centres for hours to get vaccinated. Though vaccination starts from 9 am (local time), people queued outside Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Hospital in the capital Kathmandu early to get jabbed. The hospital has seen a surge in number of people rolling their sleeves as the government is making vaccination cards mandatory starting from 17 January. "Government has announced it mandatory to have vaccination card to use or access public services starting from January 17 which has made people rush to get jabbed. Number also has increased as those who have got the dosages earlier and might have lost the certificate also might have turned in too," Lilanath Bhandari, Emergency In charge of Sukraraj Tropical hospital who also is overseeing the vaccination campaign told ANI. As per the official, there has been a steep rise in the number of people trying to get vaccinated in recent days. On Monday the centre had inoculated about 1,700 people followed by 2,500 on Tuesday and it crossed the mark of 3,000 on Wednesday. The hospital has been offering Janssen, Covishield and Vero Cell vaccines to people on the basis of their preference. Those traveling abroad are being administered with single dose Janssen vaccine while others are being administered with the remaining two. Those who left before due to various reasons and couldn't get jab now are flocking to vaccination centres around Kathmandu to get the dosages just like Ranjan Pandey. "I earlier was infected with COVID-19 and recovered from it. At that time I technically wasn't fit to get the jabs because of which I got vaccinated a bit late and now the nature of my profession also compels me to get inoculated for which I showed up here," Pandey, an online supplier of goods told ANI after being vaccinated. Though Nepal rolled out an inoculation campaign from early February 2021, about 37.3 per cent of the population only has been fully vaccinated. Latest restrictions and reforms are expected to improve the number further encouraging people to turn out at vaccination centres to get the anti-COVID shots. Buffered between India and China, the Himalayan Nation in recent days has continued to record a steep rise in the number of cases of COVID-19. Hospitals again have started feeling the pressure of influx of infected ones from the second week of January in comparison to the first week. There were a total of 3,075 new cases of coronavirus infection in the past 24 hours on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 1,535 people have been infected in the Kathmandu Valley in the past 24 hours. Similarly, two more persons have succumbed to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours taking the coronavirus death toll in the country 11,609 till date. Meanwhile, 278 persons have returned home after a complete health recovery from COVID-19. "Flow of patients has surged in recent days. Earlier in weeks we use to have patients needed to be admitted standing at around one or two and even no patients to look after some days. But in last 24 hours, 10 new patients were admitted here which shows that the cases are increasing constantly," Bhandari said. Unlike Sukraraj Hospital, the Armed Police Force Hospital till Tuesday was treating 35 COVID infected patients as the number stood to 8 in the earlier week. Out of the 35 admitted, 5 are in Intensive Care Unit of the health facility. The Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj said that 22 patients infected with Covid-19 were receiving treatment at the hospital on Tuesday. The number was less than a dozen until a week ago. Though Nepal lacks enough testing or gene sequencing facilities, it has been suspected that Omicron variant predominantly found in India and China, two neighbouring nations might have fuelled the infection in the Himalayan Nation. But as per Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population, only 24 new Omicron cases has been reported in the country after it tested 250 of the 1,146 samples of the infected collected randomly from across the country. Those samples were collected until January 7 and the Ministry made a statement about Omicron last Friday. Dubbed as less fatal than Delta variant which swept the world in 2021 claiming thousands of lives, new variant named as Omicron is claimed to be less lethal and doctors have experienced less complications this time in comparison to the second wave. "Patients admitted now don't seem to have complications in comparison with what was seen in second wave. Number of patients requiring ICU, Oxygen support is comparatively less and those admitted now only have fever, body ache and very minimal drop in oxygen levels. Hospitalization of admitted patients also has reduced now. It has dropped to 2-3 days by this time," Bhandari added. With more than half of the nation's population yet to be inoculated with first or complete dose, voices for booster shots have risen. The government has delayed plan to inoculate people with booster dosages until 40 percent of the total population is jabbed. As of Tuesday, 11,336,538 people, or 37.3 percent of the population, have been fully vaccinated. The vaccination rate is so woefully slow that there was just a 0.3 percentage point increase from Monday. Despite the Health Ministry's plan to inoculate 500,000 people a day, on Tuesday, only 180,457 people were vaccinated. (ANI)
Afghanistan is facing multiple crises due to the freeze of its central bank assets and the suspension of international aid, according to Tolo News.

Hanafi said that humanitarian aid must be distributed in coordination with the Islamic Emirate to the vulnerable people in Afghanistan.

"The employees of the Islamic Emirate should also be involved in providing aid to the people in need across the country," he said.

"The international aid is not a permanent solution for poverty and countering starvation and for the economic crisis. We believe that the government and international community should boost up economic activities," he added.

The deputy special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and the humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan said that the organization has provided humanitarian aid to around 18 million Afghans in 2022, as noted by Tolo News.

Earlier, the Taliban have passed the first annual budget for "next fiscal year 140" without foreign aids amidst concerns over the brewing humanitarian crisis in the strife-torn country after the US withdrawal. (ANI)
In this photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, members of the surgical team show the pig heart for transplant into patient David Bennett in Baltimore on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. (Handout/Associated Press). (AP)

The successful transplant of a pig heart into a human by the University of Maryland Medical Center is an amazing achievement (University of Maryland doctors in Baltimore perform first successful transplant of pig heart into human, Jan. 10). Way to go surgical staff and best wishes to David Bennett. Good luck with the late show comedians, too.

And congratulations to Baltimore. The city has been having a rough patch now for a while. So it is great that this remarkable medical breakthrough happened in Baltimore and reminded the world that this town is still here and still capable of high deeds and brilliant accomplishment. All Marylanders should be proud.

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The many problems and challenges facing the city are real and exhaustively documented. The community suffers from the same suppurating societal lesions as much of America. Sometimes, any optimism we might have that Baltimore can heal those rifts and stand among the great cities of the world seems badly misplaced.

But then a fellow gets a new lease on life from some Baltimore brilliance (and, to be fair, a farm animal) and maybe our faith in this town working through its challenges doesnt seem so misplaced after all.

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Jon Ketzner, Cumberland

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Sri Lanka is currently grappling with a severe foreign exchange crisis and facing a daunting 2022 to meet maturity obligations of International Sovereign Bonds (ISBx) debt of over USD 8 billion in projects including Hambantota Port have forced Colombo to incur losses instead of generating revenue, according to Singapore Post.

The Belt Road Initiative extended commercial loans for infrastructure projects without strict conditionality, normally imposed by multilateral development banks which lured Sri Lanka into the financial crisis.

Earlier, analyzing Sri Lanka's debt pattern, a recent report (Oct 2021) by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), stated that the country has suffered from a lack of long-term finance for manufacturing and infrastructure.

Combined with a liberal trade regime, this led to a balance of payment crisis, currency devaluation and dependence on foreign loans. Sovereign bonds repayments cannot be easily negotiated or restructured, which is causing uneasiness among the policymakers, Singapore Post reported.

The Sri Lankan government is primarily relying on China for all kinds of support. Following the fertilizer ban, it relied on the import of Chinese organic fertilizers. This was also entangled into controversy due to quality and contamination issues. To make matters worse, China pressurized the Sri Lankan government to pay USD 7 million as out-of-court settlement as compensation, amidst forex crisis, as observed by Singapore Post.

Earlier, the crisis forced the Sri Lankan government to announce a USD 1.2 billion worth new economic relief package to the agitating farmers and general public including government employees and pensioners.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is currently resorting to Foreign Currency Term Financing facilities and Line of Credit (LoC) for import of essentials from friendly and neighboring countries, as pointed by Singapore Post. (ANI)
Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday launched a money-laundering probe against TikTok star Hareem Shah after she claimed that she had travelled from Pakistan to the United Kingdom with a significant amount of cash. In a video, originally shared on social media platform Snack Video, Shah can be seen sitting down with two stacks of British pounds. Showing the money, the social media star said that this was the first time she had carried a "heavy amount" from Pakistan to London, Dawn reported. According to the Federal Board of Revenue's website, a passenger can bring any amount of any foreign currency to Pakistan but "taking out foreign currencies is permitted up to USD 10,000 unconditionally." The FIA statement said the inquiry against Shah was launched under laws pertaining to foreign exchange laws and her "visa, immigration and travel documents have been obtained." "The FIA has initiated an inquiry and sought details from Pakistan Customs and Airport Security Force as well," the FIA spokesperson said. This is not the first time that Shah has found herself in hot water. In October 2019, authorities had launched an inquiry when she had shared videos of herself in the conference room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as detailed by Dawn. According to the statement, Shah had travelled from Karachi international airport to Doha, Qatar on January 10. "The FIA has decided to write a letter to the UK's National Crime Agency to take action against Hareem Shah whose real name is Fiza Husain," the statement said It added that "the transfer of currency through illegal means falls in the ambit of money laundering." (ANI)
His nomination now heads to the Senate, where it requires a simple majority vote.

Earlier, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his hearing to become the Ambassador to India.

After more than six months of Garcetti's nomination as Ambassador to India was announced by the White House, the Committee scheduled the hearing on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on December 14, was questioned by lawmakers weighing his nomination to become the US Ambassador to India, Gracetti during his testimony gave a statement followed by questions from lawmakers of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"Few nations are more vital to the future of American security and prosperity than India,"

According to sources, the White House strongly considers Gracetti to have a steady hand to guide the Indo-US relations because Washington sees India as a key strategic partner in its effort to push back against China's power in the wider Indo-Pacific region. (ANI)
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday (local time) confirmed the nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to be U.S. ambassador to India. However, the nomination needs to be confirmed by a majority of the US Senate and the vote is yet to be scheduled. Garcetti was among a series of ambassadors and other foreign affairs nominees approved. Although individual senators raised public objections to some of the nominees, none did to Garcetti's selection. Joe Biden's nominee to be Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Armin Blome; Amy Gutmann, the President's pick for ambassador to Germany; Christopher Hill nominee to be Ambassador to Serbia and others also scheduled to appear before the panel at the hearing. Wednesday's hearing was chaired by Sen. Menendez of New Jersey, the committee is made up of 22 senators -- an even split of Democrats and Republicans. The mayor was nominated to be an ambassador by President Biden, who announced the nomination on July 9. During his appearance before the committee on December 14, Mayor Garcetti was questioned by lawmakers weighing his nomination to become the U.S. ambassador to India. Garcetti during his testimony gave a statement followed by questions from lawmakers of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee."Few nations are more vital to the future of American security and prosperity than India," Garcetti told the committee. Earlier last month, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Sen. Menendez, a Democrat lawmaker from New Jersey, along with only a handful of Democrats and two Republicans, stressed how Washington sees India as a key partner in its effort to push back against China's expanding power and influence. "If confirmed, I will endeavor to advance our ambitious bilateral partnership united by a free and open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, Garcetti had said in his remarks. "If confirmed, I intend to double-down on our efforts to strengthen India's capacity to secure its borders, defend its sovereignty, and deter aggression - through information sharing, counterterrorism coordination." Known to be President Bidens close aide, Garcetti is a political appointee who in the past has served as a co-chair of Biden's presidential campaign. In announcing his nomination, the White House emphasized Garcetti's role in co-founding the bipartisan "Climate Mayors" network and in leading more than 400 U.S. mayors to adopt the Paris Climate Agreement. According to sources, the White House strongly considers Garcetti to have a steady hand to guide the India US relationship because Washington sees India as a key partner in its effort to push back against China's expanding power and influence. Garcetti, a Biden loyalist has served as mayor of Los Angeles since 2013. The mayor has a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University and he studied international relations as a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University. The White House statement released earlier this year said Garcetti had spent 12 years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve Component, serving under the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and with the Defense Intelligence Agency, before retiring in 2017 as a lieutenant. (ANI)
India on Wednesday expressed concern about the continued intensification of military operations in Yemen and called upon all parties to the conflict to immediately cease fighting. "India calls upon all parties to the conflict to immediately cease fighting, de-escalate the situation and engage unconditionally with @OSE_Yemen," tweeted Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York. Earlier, India's the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, T.S. Tirumurti spoke at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Yemen. Further in his speech, Tirumurti mentioned that the seizure and detention of vessel "Rawabi" off the coast of Hudaydah earlier this month have further exacerbated the ongoing tensions. The Ambassador expressed grave concern at this act, which has the potential to deeply compromise the maritime security in the region. "Seven Indian nationals are among the crew members onboard the ship and we are deeply concerned about their safety and well-being. We urge the Houthis to immediately release the crew members and the vessel. The Houthis also bear the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the crew members till their release," he said in his speech. Tirumurti highlighted that the conflict continues to have a devastating impact on the people of Yemen, especially on women and children, and extends well beyond the tragic loss of human life. "It has pushed millions into poverty, led to hunger and disease, disrupted education, deprived basic health and sanitation, and led to malnutrition among Yemeni children. Given the economic decline and the COVID-19 pandemic, the dire situation has been further aggravated. Sustained international donor assistance and concrete short and long-term economic measures, as identified in the UN's economic framework for Yemen, are necessary to overcome the economic and humanitarian crisis in the country," he noted in his speech at the UNSC. In conclusion, the Ambassador mentioned India's call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire across Yemen followed by a robust and inclusive political process with the involvement of Yemeni women and emphasized that such a process should also fully respect Yemen's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. (ANI)
Hundreds of trucks commute between Afghanistan and Iran each day exporting and importing products on a daily basis, according to Tolo News.

Armed individuals have robbed transit trucks bringing goods to Afghanistan from Iran, the drivers complained.

They said that the armed people pose a high-security threat to drivers and other people importing products from Iran.

Officials in Herat said they have shared the problem with Iranian officials.

'We have submitted all the problems--like the robbery of drivers--to the Iranian officials. The (Iran) side pledged to tackle the problems," said Mahajar Farahi, head of the Herat custom.

The Iranian officials pledged to pursue the issue.

"We consider ourselves committed to legally investigating the complaints over the mistreatment of your (Afghan) nationals and drivers--that have a tremendous role in economic development between the two countries," said Mohmmad Sadiq, Iran's consular official in Herat.

Hundreds of trucks commute between Afghanistan and Iran each day exporting and importing products on a daily basis. The driver hoped the existing problems will be solved soon, according to Tolo News. (ANI)
Pakistan opposition parties have started to intensify their efforts against the ruling Imran Khan government including the contemplation of a no-confidence motion. Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday announced that a meeting of the senior leadership of the anti-government Opposition alliance will decide to be held on January 25, to look at the option of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to News International. Addressing a press conference, flanked by the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif, Fazl said: "The anti-government alliance parties are considering options for the immediate dismissal of the incumbent government." "We appeal to the coalition parties of the government to think in the national interest of Pakistan and about the common man," Fazl said. The Jamiat Ulema-e Islam chief said that the long march announced against the government has "become inevitable" and the PDM will march towards the capital on March 23 in a bid to oust the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) led government. He, however, added that the long march plan will be finalized during the all-party session scheduled on January 25. "The government does not realize the grievances of the common man," he said. "We do not give Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government the right to re-colonize an independent state," he added. The PDM chief also spoke of the upcoming second phase of local government polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking to the media prior to Fazl, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Shahbaz Sharif said that in the 74-year history of Pakistan, the PTI government is the most incompetent one to ever come to power adding that the country is undergoing the "most difficult period. The PML-N president said that during his meeting with Fazl, discussed a no-confidence motion against the prime minister and that this option will be further highlighted in the meeting later this month. "The government is prioritizing the interests and agendas of international institutions over the interests of Pakistani citizens," he said. (ANI)
ASHEVILLE - Following the arrival of more than 40 Afghan refugees this fall, the area is set to receive nearly 100 more people from that country who fled fearing reprisals from the Taliban government.

The new group of refugees started arriving in the Asheville area the night of Jan. 11 with a single adult male, according to officials with Lutheran Services Carolinas, which is administering the newest relocation. In following days, more single men and four women are slated to come.

Of the combined 140 already here and those set to arrive, many are single men, but there are also women and families. Nearly 50 are children.

They are among tens of thousands who found their way to this country after the quick U.S. troop pullout in August that was criticized for the chaos and death accompanying it. Most evacuees had worked to aid the American mission or had family who did and are now afraid they will be imprisoned or worse by the theocratic regime that has promised to act with a light hand but has a history of brutal repression.

Related reporting: This fall more than 40 Afghan refugees come to Asheville area after Taliban takeover

"We know that most of the people that were evacuated are connected to the U.S. military or non-governmental organizations," said Bedrija Jazic, Lutheran Services New Americans Program director.

"They had to flee because they became targeted by the Taliban. They are definitely our allies and friends."

Taliban fighters stand guard at a police station gate in Ghasabha area in Qala-e-Now, Badghis province on October 14, 2021.

Community: Asheville commission calls for a moratorium on homeless camp clearing amid COVID-19, cold

Officials aiding those already settled have declined to make refugees available for interviews, saying it could endanger them or family and friends still in Afghanistan.

The Afghans are coming from the military bases where they were first housed after arriving in the U.S.

Local residents have been overwhelming in their desire to help, say officials with Lutheran Services and Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte  which resettled the first group of 41, soon to be 42  though needs still remain. Those include housing, job mentoring and vehicles that can be shared among refugees to get to employment and other appointments.

Story continues

One giant step for affordable housing: Haywood Street apartment passes P&Z Commission

"As we know, there is a housing crisis nationwide. And with the number of people coming our way we are looking for temporary and permanent housing. That is the most urgent need we have," Jazic said.

The second biggest need, is individuals and groups to volunteer to short-term to sort clothes donated in recent clothing drive  or longer term to "adopt" a refugee or family and help connect them to food banks and other social services.

In terms of material donations, there is already a large supply of donated winter clothes, but gift cards for groceries, toiletries and household goods would be helpful, said local Lutheran Services coordinator Laura Collins. Single-size bed frames, box springs, bunk beds and new mattresses are also needed, Collins said.

Of the 41 already in the area, they have found short- and medium-term housing in the area, with about half in Black Mountain, according to Catholic Services caseworker Noele Aabye, who said they are now looking for longer-term solutions. Having that stability allowed them to focus on next steps: getting social security cards, employment authorization and English training, she said.

Refugees: Asheville area refugee program expanding; Eastern Europeans fleeing religious persecution

Their greatest needs now are individuals willing to work with refugees one-on-one in areas where they have employment experience and hope to work again, Aabye said.

Also, because it is difficult to get around the area without a car, refugees are working to get licenses and need vehicles that they can share to get to jobs or appointments, she said.

"We have folks employed and starting to earn their first paychecks in the U.S. which is just transformative for them and their families still in Afghanistan."

Family members left in Afghanistan are facing an increasingly desperate situation marked by a hard winter, food shortages and continued fear of beatings, imprisonment or death, Aabye said.

Humanitarian crisis: Desperate Afghan families consider selling their children amid starvation, economic crisis

"The thing everyone is continuing to struggle with is the fact that they are separated from their loved ones and not able to support them the way they had been before the evacuation," she said.

Want to help?

Those wanting to help newly arriving refugees with housing can contact Laura Collins at LCollins@lscarolinas.net.

To volunteer with newly arriving refugees or to donate goods, contact Amy Dix at adix@lscarolinas.net.

To do job mentoring or help with vehicles or other needs of already settled refugees, email wrorefugeedonations@ccdoc.org.

Reporter Ezra Maille contributed to this story.

Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 100 more Afghan refugees starting to arrive in Asheville, 42 children
WISCONSIN  The Biden administration said Wednesday it will provide 10 million free COVID-19 tests a month to U.S. schools to keep classes in person in Wisconsin and elsewhere amid the omicron surge.

The tests  5 million rapid tests and 5 million lab-based PCR tests  will be available to schools starting this month. The increased federal support for testing is in addition to the more than $10 billion devoted to school-based testing and $130 billion in other efforts to keep kids in the classroom, both authorized in the COVID-19 relief law.

President Joe Biden has pushed schools to remain open, citing the academic and social-emotional costs of remote learning. But he has faced mounting criticism over testing shortages as Americas 50 million school children and educators returned to the classroom.

The White House said 96 percent of schools opened for in-person learning after the holiday break, compared with 46 percent in January 2021. Without adequate testing, critics have said, schools become superspreader settings.

Wisconsin schools can opt in for free testing supplies, diagnostics and swabbing services through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Testing is free, accurate and has flexible models and services that schools can choose, state health services said.

"Testing individuals who are symptomatic and close contacts helps enable rapid detection of cases to reduce or prevent school outbreaks," health services said in a statement. "A routine screening testing program, which regularly tests people without symptoms or known exposures, is a crucial tool to reduce silent spread of the virus."

Heres what the new test initiative means in Wisconsin:

One goal of the initiative is to close gaps in areas where testing is uneven or nonexistent. States must submit requests to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the additional 5 million free rapid tests per month for high-need districts that can put the tests to immediate use. The first shipments will arrive later this month, according to the White House.

Story continues

The administration said it is immediately expanding lab capacity to support an additional 5 million lab-based PCR tests each month  which will be delivered through Department of Health and Human Services programs funded by coronavirus relief programs.

The initiative also targets federally backed testing sites to support school testing programs, including basing Federal Emergency Management Agency sites in schools. Also, the CDC is expected to release new test-to-stay guidance this week that allows the use of testing so close contacts of anyone who tested positive for the coronavirus can stay in classrooms.

This article originally appeared on the Milwaukee Patch
MICHIGAN  The Biden administration said Wednesday it will provide 10 million free COVID-19 tests a month to U.S. schools to keep classes in person in Michigan and elsewhere amid the omicron surge.

The tests  5 million rapid tests and 5 million lab-based PCR tests  will be available to schools starting this month. The increased federal support for testing is in addition to the more than $10 billion devoted to school-based testing and $130 billion in other efforts to keep kids in the classroom, both authorized in the COVID-19 relief law.

President Joe Biden has pushed schools to remain open, citing the academic and social-emotional costs of remote learning. But he has faced mounting criticism over testing shortages as Americas 50 million school children and educators returned to the classroom.

The White House said 96 percent of schools opened for in-person learning after the holiday break, compared with 46 percent in January 2021. Without adequate testing, critics have said, schools become superspreader settings.

Most Michigan schools resumed in-person learning after the holidays, including metro Detroit. However, Detroit Public School suspended in-person learning early this month due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. However, the school district said it aims to resume in-person person by Jan. 24 or Jan. 31 at the latest.

Ann Arbor Public Schools also shifted to online learning for two days earlier this month, which prompted parents and an advocacy group to ask a federal judge to stop Michigan schools from going virtual.

Furthermore, a proposed resolution to require face masks in schools and testing of COVID-19 positive children before they return to school failed.

However, heres what the new test initiative means in Michigan:



One goal of the initiative is to close gaps in areas where testing is uneven or nonexistent. States must submit requests to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the additional 5 million free rapid tests per month for high-need districts that can put the tests to immediate use. The first shipments will arrive later this month, according to the White House.

Story continues

The administration said it is immediately expanding lab capacity to support an additional 5 million lab-based PCR tests each month  which will be delivered through Department of Health and Human Services programs funded by coronavirus relief programs.

The initiative also targets federally backed testing sites to support school testing programs, including basing Federal Emergency Management Agency sites in schools. Also, the CDC is expected to release new test-to-stay guidance this week that allows the use of testing so close contacts of anyone who tested positive for the coronavirus can stay in classrooms.

This article originally appeared on the Detroit Patch
Marylands state lawmakers returned Wednesday to Annapolis for their annual legislative session, with the coronavirus pandemic continuing to weigh on their minds and alter their procedures.

Over the course of 90 days, theyll wrestle with issues ranging from legalizing marijuana and addressing violent crime to spending a rare multibillion dollar budget surplus and setting the state on a path to combat climate change.

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Theyll also adopt new district maps for their own elections this year and consider whether to adopt any of Republican Gov. Larry Hogans proposals, including tax cuts for retirees and others proposed Tuesday, in his final year in office.

The pandemic will play a role, too, both in policy decisions  such as whether to give financial aid to families and businesses still struggling  and in how legislators conduct the peoples business in the state capital. Lawmakers will meet via video for most of their work for at least the first few weeks with committee hearings scheduled to remain almost completely online.

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I didnt expect us to be back in this surge-level moment, said Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, ahead of the session. I think it caught me and a lot of people by surprise. But were hoping its quick.

Buildings in the State House complex will be open to the public, a change from last year, but seating is limited in the House of Delegates and Senate chambers. Those who show up in person will have little to see, at least at first: While the state Senate will attempt to hold regular floor sessions of all 47 members, the larger and more crowded House of Delegates doesnt expect to have full sessions for at least several weeks.

Dereck Davis, treasurer (left), Del. CT Wilson and Dyana Forester, president of AFC-CIO Metro Washington Labor Council share a laugh as Wilson begs off to start the 2022 session as the 188 delegates and senators in the Maryland General Assembly return to Annapolis for their annual 90-day session at Maryland State House Wednesday., Jan. 12, 2022. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) (Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun)

Masks remain mandatory inside the State House, although another fixture of pandemic politics  dozens of anti-mask and anti-vaccine activists  protested just outside the building Wednesday afternoon to greet politicians as they left.

A few small, halting steps toward a more normal State House could be spotted Wednesday: Gone was the warren of phone booth-like plexiglass dividers on the Senate floor. Gone, too, was the conference room down the street used last year as an overflow House chamber. And a veteran shoeshine, David Taylor, was back at his station buffing the shoes of lawmakers and lobbyists for the first time since the pandemic struck.

But the normally packed schedule of receptions, dinners and open bars around Annapolis that usually accompanies the legislature remains virtually empty and the final flurry of pre-session restaurant fundraisers  usually stacked just before a ban on politicians soliciting donations during the session kicks in  were largely canceled.

The speaker of the house (lower left) begins the business of this seasons legislative session. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Lawmakers have had their work disrupted by the coronavirus since March 2020, when their session was called to an abrupt early end as the pandemic swept into Maryland. Some had hoped that by now, a more typical routine of in-person legislating and debating would have resumed.

Del. C.T. Wilson of Charles County is in a new position chairing a committee that reviews bills regulating businesses, including a high-profile measure that would create a program for businesses and workers to pay into a program for paid family leave for employees.

But the Democrat faces the challenge of fostering an esprit de corps among delegates who will be Zooming into committee meetings from around the state. He called the COVID-19 restrictions disappointing but necessary.

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Im up to the challenge, Wilson said. I was a soldier for years and I know how to build a team. Well continue to do that and soldier on.

Del. Jason Buckel of Allegany County, the Republican minority leader in the House, said he hopes the current pandemic wave passes soon. He said its difficult to debate issues and reach consensus over video meetings.

I think COVID is again going to be difficult to keep everyones focus and attention on the matters at hand, because we all live lives affected by COVID now, by omicron  Hopefully it fades in the next few weeks, he said.

House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones said that her priority is to keep everyone in Annapolis as safe as possible.

Im not going to jeopardize our members or the public just to have what we had before when things were normal, Jones said. Things are not normal.

Sen. Bryan Simonaire, the Republican leader in the state Senate, said lawmakers are going to have to adapt as needed to do their work as Maryland endures another surging wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

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We were in for 90 days last session and we were able to handle it. We just have to be flexible, he said, adding: Were going to do the best we can.

Two lawmakers, Del. Jheanelle Wilkins, a Montgomery County Democrat, and Frederick County Republican Sen. Mike Hough, announced theyd have to miss out on the opening day ceremonies, forced to stay home to isolate after testing positive for COVID-19.

But some of the opening-day rituals did return. With the State House reopened to the public, lobbyists camped out in the marble halls, pinning down lawmakers as they arrived for their noontime sessions.

Maryland Policy & Politics Weekdays Keep up to date with Maryland politics, elections and important decisions made by federal, state and local government officials. >

Hogan held court with reporters in the State House just before the House and Senate gaveled to order, reiterating his priorities of bills to send more funding to police and require stricter sentences for certain criminals who use guns, as well as a slate of generous tax breaks for retirees and the working poor.

Activists, meanwhile, rallied on Lawyers Mall outside the State House, including members of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, who set up 100 chairs to symbolize that 100 people die around the world every six hours due to the effects of climate change, such as severe storms and droughts.

Also camped outside the State House were members of a coalition hoping to convince lawmakers to create a program to offer paid family leave for workers holding up a purple banner reading: Marylanders need paid family & medical leave. Members of the immigrant-rights group CASA passed out fliers detailing their priorities.

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Mustafa Abdullah, field director with ChesapeakeClimate Action Network double checks the number of chairs being displayed in the shadow of the Maryland State House - each one representing one hundred lives lost every six hours due to climate change across the world, according to WHO (World Health Organization) - as the 188 delegates and senators in the Maryland General Assembly return to Annapolis for their annual 90-day session at Maryland State House Wednesday., Jan. 12, 2022. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) (Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun)

The House and Senate conducted largely ceremonial duties, electing their leaders and introducing the first batch of bills to be considered.

Jones, who was given a standing ovation after being reelected as speaker on a voice vote, tried to pump up members, saying theyd work to help Marylanders over the next 90 days.

Im ready and committed to working with each of you as we look to the future and drive this state forward, she asked. Are you there with me?

Delegates responded with applause and a few calling out yes!
TEXAS  The Biden administration said Wednesday it will provide 10 million free COVID-19 tests a month to U.S. schools to keep classes in person in Texas and elsewhere amid the omicron surge.

The tests  5 million rapid tests and 5 million lab-based PCR tests  will be available to schools starting this month. The increased federal support for testing is in addition to the more than $10 billion devoted to school-based testing and $130 billion in other efforts to keep kids in the classroom, both authorized in the COVID-19 relief law.

President Joe Biden has pushed schools to remain open, citing the academic and social-emotional costs of remote learning. But he has faced mounting criticism over testing shortages as Americas 50 million school children and educators returned to the classroom.

The White House said 96 percent of schools opened for in-person learning after the holiday break, compared with 46 percent in January 2021. Without adequate testing, critics have said, schools become superspreader settings.

Schools are widely open in Texas, and executive orders from Gov. Greg Abbott have made it difficult for school districts enact measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms and school buildings.

Schools may conduct COVID-19 tests with staff as well as students if permission from a parent is given in order to mitigate asymptomatic spreading of the virus, according to the latest COVID-19 guidelines from the Texas Education Agency released last week.

Heres what the new test initiative means in Texas:



One goal of the initiative is to close gaps in areas where testing is uneven or nonexistent. States must submit requests to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the additional 5 million free rapid tests per month for high-need districts that can put the tests to immediate use. The first shipments will arrive later this month, according to the White House.

The administration said it is immediately expanding lab capacity to support an additional 5 million lab-based PCR tests each month  which will be delivered through Department of Health and Human Services programs funded by coronavirus relief programs.

Story continues

The initiative also targets federally backed testing sites to support school testing programs, including basing Federal Emergency Management Agency sites in schools. Also, the CDC is expected to release new test-to-stay guidance this week that allows the use of testing so close contacts of anyone who tested positive for the coronavirus can stay in classrooms.

Related coverage:

This article originally appeared on the Houston Patch
Richmond County School System reported, between Jan. 3 and 7, there were 122 student cases, 84 employee cases, 632 student quarantines and 170 employee quarantines related to COVID-19.

Six days into Richmond County's second semester, the district has had to close its doors at 22 schools due to COVID-19.

Four more schools  Langford Middle, Lamar-Milledge Elementary, T.W. Josey High and Westside High School  were shifted temporarily to distance learning on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

They will not return to full in-person instruction until Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Need a COVID-19 test? Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them

As of Friday, the school district reported COVID-19 cases and quarantines in the four schools as follows:

Lamar-Milledge Elementary: one positive student, 10 quarantined students, one positive employee and two quarantined employees.

Langford Middle had one quarantined student, no other quarantines or positive cases.

T.W. Josey High: two positive students, three quarantined students, one positive employee and five quarantined employees.

Westside High: three positive students, five quarantined students, two positive employees and four quarantined employees.

Across Richmond County, the school district has confirmed 122 students cases, 84 employee cases, 632 students quarantined and 170 employees quarantined. These numbers are updated only on Fridays on rcboe.org/coronavirus.

What other schools are virtual now?

Sue Reynolds Elementary School and Jenkins-White Elementary School closed on Wednesday, Jan. 5, and reopened Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Tobacco Road Elementary, Wheeless Road Elementary, W.S. Hornsby Elementary and Laney High School closed Thursday, Jan. 6, and reopens Wednesday, Jan. 12.

A. Brian Merry, Barton Chapel, Diamond Lakes, Monte Sano and Terrace Manor Elementary Schools closed Friday, Jan. 7, and will reopen Thursday, Jan. 13.

Blythe Elementary, C.T. Walker Magnet, Glenn Hills High, Gracewood Elementary, Murphey Middle, Spirit Creek Middle and Willis Foreman Elementary closed Monday, Jan. 10, and will also reopen Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Why were the schools closed?

School district spokesperson Lynthia Ross said the decision is in response to more staff missing work due to COVID-19.

Story continues

The increase in absences follows a trend of COVID-19 activity increasing after vacations. Surges have followed each summer/winter vacation since 2020. Last week, Richmond County broke records for new cases on several days, according to Georgia Department of Public Health. Richmond County reported its highest ever on Thursday with 592 new cases in one day.

More: Augusta's strained hospitals talk omicron, COVID case spike

More: COVID-19 boosters approved for ages 12 and up. Here are Augusta-area's vaccine providers

Parents with students attending one of the seven schools closed Tuesday learned of the shift from a letter sent home the same day. Meals will be available for pickup from the side entrance of school cafeterias on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: COVID causes four more Augusta schools to close, 22 total in six days
There are plenty of Chinese restaurant concepts to choose from in Singapore, ranging from fiery Sichuan and unique Fujian dishes to classic Cantonese and fine Chinese meals with a twist.

Text: Alexandra Lin

Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon (Photo: Putien)

Putien, which specialises in cuisine from the Fujian province of China, has come a long way since it was founded in 2000. The original outlet at Kitchener Road has maintained its one Michelin star for a few years now, while operating 80 outlets in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Philippines.

The unpretentious cuisine is light yet flavourful with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. The restaurant group regularly imports the finest seasonal ingredients from Putian in Fujian, and other parts of China. Some of these include the unique seasonal Duo Tou clams from Putians Hanjiang district, as well as oysters which are showcased during Putiens oyster festival from November till March. For their Chinese New Year yusheng, one of the ingredients added is the first batch seaweed from Fujian. Harvested annually, the texture of the seaweed is very soft and tender.

You cant go wrong with satisfying Fujian specialties like the 100-second stewed yellow croaker fish and steamed prawn with minced garlic. Or crowd-pleasers like the signature fried Heng Hwa bee hoon and shredded pork with sesame bun.

http://www.putien.com

 Chong Qing Diced Chicken with Dried Chilli (Photo: Si Chuan Dou Hua)

Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant, a pioneer of Sichuan cuisine, was established in 1996.

The outlet perched on top of UOB Plaza serves fine quality Sichuan dishes and Cantonese creations. Your meal is of course topped with panoramic views of the citys skyline.

The restaurant is probably most famous for its Chong Qing diced chicken with dried chilli, but there are other less fiery dishes such as chicken soup with fish maw, sea whelk and morel mushrooms as well as deep-fried prawns laced with passionfruit sauce. And if youre feeling decadent, theres fried rice with sliced wagyu beef and truffle sauce complete with poached egg. The dining experience is complemented with a skilled tea master who combines acrobatics and dance in the traditional art of tea pouring.

Story continues

There are two other outlets at Kitchener Road (refurbished in 2020) and at Parkroyal on Beach Road which offers a selection of more than 30 types of premium Chinese teas from the adjoining Tian Fu Tea Room.

https://www.sichuandouhua.com

Jade Dim Sum Treasure (Photo: Jade)

Jade Restaurant is known for its refined Cantonese delicacies and elegant setting.

Dine amid lofty ceilings, warm lanterns, and gorgeous pastel wallpaper embellished with flowers and birds. There are two private rooms for those who want more privacy when dining, or to host intimate special occasions.

Executive Chinese Chef Leong Chee Yeng who has helmed the kitchen since 2008 dishes out stellar dishes. He is also a keen artist who crafts ceramic pieces which are displayed in the restaurant. Look out for his spectacular sculpted sugar and gelatine table centerpieces which he brings out from time to time. Some of his specialties include simmered egg noodles with Boston lobster and Jades X.O. Sauce, as well as double boiled coconut water with kampong chicken, snow lotus and dried scallop served in coconut shell.

A dim sum menu is available for lunch. Tuck into specialities like bak kut teh xiao long bao, deep-fried thousand layer radish pastry and pan-fried chill crab meat bun. On weekends, diners can enjoy Jades Weekend Yum Cha, which includes a selection of up to 15 items from the extensive dim sum menu alongside signature dishes.

https://www.fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-singapore/dining/restaurants-and-bars/jade

Min Jiang Dempsey Iberico Pork Fried Rice served in Mini Pumpkin accompanied with XO Sauce (Photo: Min Jiang)

Established in 1982, Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel is a stalwart in Singapores dining scene. The restaurant continues to offer a host of sublime Cantonese and Sichuan creations. The elegant establishment also features a dim sum pushcart service during lunchtime  a rare sight in Chinese eateries these days. Tuck into hand-made dim sum like steamed pumpkin ball, and deep-fried bacon roll with enoki mushrooms and prawns. Mainstays to try include honey-glazed barbecued Iberico pork and Min Jiang hot and sour soup.

The newer, more modern Min Jiang at Dempsey was launched in 2019. Surrounded by lush greenery, the restaurant boasts contemporary chinoiserie interiors, plus a bar and alfresco space. Cantonese and Sichuan creations are plated in a contemporary manner here. Among the intricate dim sum creations to tuck into include Steamed Goldfish Prawn Dumpling swimming in a delicate egg white sauce. Other standouts are the wood-fired Beijing duck as well as Typhoon Shelter Squid and Soft Shell Crab.

http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/dining

Peach Blossoms

Photo: Peach Blossom

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bays Peach Blossoms which has been serving fine Cantonese cuisine for years recently underwent a revamp. Since early 2021, its unique progressive Cantonese cuisine has received rave reviews from many diners. Executive Chinese Chef Edward Chong confidently carves out flavourful dishes, elevated with eye-catching presentation and artistic plating.

Some of his memorable signature items include Deep Fried Cigar Roll made of deep-fried spring roll skin, filled with black truffle, foie gras and prawn, complete with some ash made from coloured crispy rice. There are also the juicy applewood-smoked Iberico pork char siew and stewed mung bean noodles perfumed with 10-year Gu Yue Long Shan rice wine. Look out too for the Chefs Hands unique menus, that change daily based on the days freshest seasonal ingredients. Choose from a five-, six- or eight-course menu, with each dish following special themes (like Sustainable, Artisan, Grain).

https://bit.ly/PRSMB-PeachBlossoms

Cold Free-Range Chicken, Coriander, Black Truffle (Photo: Mott 32)

Mott 32 is well known for its progressive Chinese cuisine, executed with premium ingredients. Highlights include roasts like the applewood roasted Peking Duck, and Barbecue Pluma Iberico Pork glazed with honey. Standout dim sum items include a luxed up version of siu mai with Iberico pork, soft quail egg, and black truffle as well as the addictive hot and sour Shanghainese soup xiao long bao. New a la carte dishes in the menu include an aromatic wok fried glutinous rice with dried scallop and black bean, and delicate double-boiled Imperial birds nest with fresh milk in coconut.

Mott 32s brand-new Afternoon High Tea set menu ($52 per person) is available from 3pm to 5pm on weekends. The four-course set menu comprises an appetiser platter, a trio of dim sum, stewed egg noodles with spicy XO sauce, and dessert of sweetened guava soup with sago pearls and pomelo.

https://www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/mott32.html

Dim Sum (Photo: Hai Tien Lo)

The three-decade-old Hai Tien Lo at Pan Pacific Singapore offers contemporary twists to traditional Cantonese fine dining. The chef weaves a modern touch to his authentic creations such as the Signature Trio of Treasures, featuring crispy sliced barbecued Beijing duck with jelly fish, deep-fried fresh oyster with garlic and peppered salt, and deep-fried crispy prawn with passion fruit and honey sauce. Theres also unique twist to the Hai Tien Lo Style Classic Sliced Beijing Duck, which is luxed up with the addition of caviar, creamy avocado and vegetarian beancurd skin, and wrapped with homemade Chinese pancakes. Other refined specialities include baked silver sea perch fillet with kumquat chilli sauce, and stir-fried lobster with truffle sauce served in whole pumpkin.

Dim Sum lovers can score a table at Hai Tien Los Weekday Dim Sum Lunch Buffet or Weekend Dim Sum Brunch Buffet Experience. Theres an extensive selection of dishes to feast on. Tip: you might want to skip breakfast before you go.

https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-marina/dining/hai-tien-lo.html

Double-boiled Seafood Soup served in Golden Pumpkin (Photo: Regent Singapore - Summer Palace)

One-Michelin-starred Summer Palace at Regent Singapore is a classic Cantonese restaurant that offers consistently well executed creations that are light yet flavourful. Here you can impress your family or business associates with delicate dim sum such as shrimp dumplings with birds nest and deep-fried yam with garoupa, followed by nourishing chilled double boiled pear with Chinese herbs. Unique new specialties prepped with premium quality ingredients include wok-fried crocodile meat spiked with a spicy sauce and hearty steamed glutinous rice with crab served in bamboo basket.

Highly experienced Executive Chinese Chef Liu Ching Hai also offers Chefs Tasting Menus, which are weekly menu rotations featuring his signature wok-fried dishes, dim sum and nutritious double-boiled soups. These are available for both lunch and dinner.

http://www.regentsingapore.com.sg
TRENTON - An Afghan refugee is accused of attacking another resident during prayers at a camp for evacuees at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Khan Wali Rahmani allegedly assaulted the victim on Dec. 14 after a series of incidents at the complex known as Liberty Village, according to an affidavit filed with a criminal complaint.

The assault allegedly occurred around 7 p.m. at the camp, which is intended to hold at least 11,,000 people airlifted from Afghanistan after that country's fall to the Taliban in August.

Law enforcement officers who responded to the incident observed Rahmani to be "segregated" with a two-foot metal pole nearby, the affidavit says.

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Base security alleged Rahmani, 31, used the pole to hit a man in the back of the head as the victim was kneeling during prayers.

A U.S. Air Force photo shows beds at Liberty Village, a facility for Afghan evacuees at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Authorities allege a refugee used a pipe from a bed to assault another resident on Dec. 14.

The man reportedly lost consciousness briefly, and later received seven stitches from base medical personnel.

The victim said through an interpreter that Rahmani had twice accused the man of staring at him during an earlier prayer service.

He alleged Rahmani made the same complaint that evening at a dining hall and that the two men had a physical confrontation in a residence tent. In that incident, Rahmani allegedly kicked the victim and the man punched him twice in the chest in self defense, the affidavit says.

It says the victim had joined a group of men for prayers in a nearby tent when the assault allegedly occurred.

In a separate interview with law enforcement officers, Rahmani acknowledged verbally confronting the victim over his belief that he was being stared at.

Rahmani denied kicking the man in the residence tent, but said he had been assaulted by the victim before bystanders separated them, according to the affidavit.

Rahmani said he took a metal pole from an empty bed that had loose parts, and claimed he struck the victim in self defense during prayers.

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"I feel regret," Rahmani said, according to the affidavit.

"I wish this wouldn't have happen. (sic) I truly apologize," he said through an interpreter.

Rahmani was arrested on an assault charge Monday. The charge against him is only an allegation and he has not been convicted in the case.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Arpert in Trenton ordered Rahmani held without bail, finding he "poses a danger to the community and a risk of flight."

Arpert's detention order did not identify the facility where Rahmani is being held.

Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

Support local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Khan Wali Rahmani accused of assault at Liberty Village refugee complex
An American Airlines Embraer 175 operated by Republic Airways is seen taxing at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, November 4, 2021.





An American Airlines flight in Honduras was delayed on Tuesday after a passenger entered the plane and caused extensive damage, reportedly wrecking the flight controls.

According to American Airlines, the incident occurred on a plane scheduled to fly from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, to Miami.

"A customer entered the open flight deck and caused damage to the aircraft. Crew members intervened and the individual was ultimately apprehended by local law enforcement," American Airlines said in a statement to The Hill.

"A replacement aircraft is on its way to Honduras and the flight is scheduled to re-depart at 9:30 pm local time. We applaud our outstanding crew members for their professionalism in handling a difficult situation," it added.

Details about the passenger and what caused them to damage the aircraft were not shared.

ABC News transportation journalist Sam Sweeney reported that the male passenger entered the cockpit of the plane and damaged the flight controls. According to Sweeney, the man tried to jump out of the cockpit's window as the pilot tried to intervene.

Video of the incident that was posted on social media appeared to show the passenger leaning out of the plane, seemingly shouting at airport employees on the ground.
By Kylie Madry, Valentine Hilaire and Carolina Pulice

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - After Citigroup Inc on Tuesday announced plans to sell its Mexican consumer banking business, analysts said homegrown billionaires such as Carlos Slim and Ricardo Salinas Pliego were among front-runners to buy the Citibanamex assets.

With the finance ministry saying it is watching the sale at Citibanamex, Mexico's No. 3 consumer bank, for signs of undue market concentration, the most established players in the country appear to be less favored in the carve-up.

Alejandra Marcos, an equity analyst at Intercam Banco, said Slim's Inbursa, now Mexico's seventh-largest bank, has the means to present a strong offer and would not face the same obstacles as peer Grupo Financiero Banorte from antitrust regulators due to the latter's market share.

"The only Mexican bank with the financial capacity for this is Inbursa, but of course other groups of entrepreneurs could join to make an attractive offer," Marcos said.

A spokesman for Slim did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Banorte did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile tycoon Salinas, who controls the supermarket and banking chain Elektra that includes Banco Azteca, said on Tuesday evening he had asked his team to study the purchase of the Citigroup unit, which analysts said would likely carry a price tag between $4 billion and $8 billion.

Foreign banks from Canada's Scotiabank - now Mexico's No. 6 bank by assets - to Brazil's Itau Unibanco Holding SA may also be in the mix, analysts said.

"We would expect (Scotiabank) to at least kick the tires on (Citibanamex)," said Barclays Canadian financials analyst John Aiken. "We do not know if Mexico is necessarily where it would like to deploy all of its excess capital."

Financial sector sources said Mexico's left-leaning government was likely to want a buyer that did not increase the market power of the top banks in the country, such as Spain's BBVA, which currently has over a fifth of the market.

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It also appeared probable that a Mexican successor to Citi would be preferred, opening up the possibility that a consortium of buyers could club together for the assets, they said.

The finance ministry pointed to its earlier comment.

Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez observed on Wednesday the bank's brand was "one of the most important in the country" and said he expected "various business groups" to signal an interest in launching an offer for Citibanamex.

Lopez said the government was not interested in the assets.

Citigroup's acquisition of Banamex for $12.5 billion in 2001 was the largest ever in Mexico at the time and was part of a wave of foreign purchases after an economic crisis devastated the bank sector in the mid-1990s.

Some analysts said the door could still be open to some of BBVA's nearest rivals, including Santander Mexico and Banorte, respectively Mexico's No. 2 and No. 4 players.

A banking source with knowledge of the matter said Santander was among potential bidders for Citibanamex. Santander declined to comment.

Banorte shares were up 3.4% while Santander Mexico shares fell 0.8% on Wednesday.

Brazil's Itau, which bought Citi's consumer operations in that country in 2016, could also be a bidder, said Eduardo Rosman of BTG Pactual Equities.

Itau declined to comment.

Brazil-based online lender Nubank could also be interested, Rosman added. Nubank has been stepping up efforts in Mexico recently and has a massive valuation, though the purchase would go against Nubank's strategy of building verticals from scratch, he said.

"For an international bank just looking to enter the (Mexican) market, they'd gain 10% of the market share just through the purchase. That's a great start. For a bank that's already established in Mexico, that may be hard to justify to regulators," said Carlos Alberto Gonzalez, director of analysis and stock market strategy at Monex.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry, Valentine Hilaire and Carolina Pulice in Mexico City; Additional reporting by Noe Torres, Dave Graham, Jesus Aguado, Carolina Mandl, Noel Randewich and Nichola Saminather; Editing by Christian Plumb and Matthew Lewis)
The Daily Beast

(Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)Russian authorities are transporting the dead bodies of Russias fallen soldiers from Ukraine back to Russia in small batches in the dead of night in an attempt to conceal just how many Russian troops are dying in Ukraine, according to intelligence shared by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).The intelligenceintercepted calls between Russian troops the SBU said it picked up in the Zaporozhye regionsuggests that Russia is also transporting t
More than a month into a search for the person who beheaded a Kansas police officers puppy, another dog has been found dead.

It is the fourth dog to be attacked and the third to die in the past year in Parsons, a southeastern Kansas town of fewer than 10,000 people, according to the last census.

On Tuesday, the Parsons Police Department announced that another dog had been found dead. The local animal hospital determined the dog had been tortured.

The town drew national attention in early December when a police officer reported that her 3-month-old German Shepherd named Ranger had been found decapitated in her backyard.

The latest update from the police department told the story of the latest canine victim. On Dec. 29, a child told police they had found a dead animal wrapped in a blanket and disposed of next to a small bridge near 17th and Felix streets, Sgt. Jason Ludwig, a spokesman for the police department in Labette County, said in a news release Tuesday.

Officers went to the area and found a dog wrapped up and tied with the blanket.

The animal was taken to the Parsons Pet Hospital where an autopsy report eventually showed the dog suffered severe trauma to the underside of its abdomen as well as trauma to its neck from a choke chain that was still on the animal when found, Ludwig wrote.

The pet hospital determined that the dog had likely been strangled and beaten to death, police said.

All trauma was consistent with a human killing the animal and was not consistent with an animal attack nor vehicle strike, the media release said.

The dog, who police learned was named Drako, had been missing from the 1300 block of South 13th Street, near where the officers dog was found.

On Dec. 3, the officers dog, Ranger was let out to his owners fenced-in backyard in the 1400 block of South 14th Street at about 7 a.m. that day, Ludwig said at the time. The officer, who has remained unnamed, found his body at about 2 p.m.

Officers determined that the puppy had its head sliced off with a sharpened blade at another location and then the suspects returned the body to the backyard, Ludwig said at the time.

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Kansas police search for person who beheaded officers puppy in senseless attack

Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks, who has two rescue dogs of his own, said in December that he hoped the perpetrator would be prosecuted.

I cannot even describe my feelings of disdain for the person(s) responsible, he wrote. The level of cowardice that would lead someone to kill a little puppy named Ranger is astonishing.

In the past year, in addition to Drako and Ranger, a dog named Zeus was shot and killed and a dog named Bleu was found shot, but lived, police said.

As of Tuesday evening, the reward money for finding the suspect who killed Ranger was upped to $34,000.

This is very frustrating for everyone involved. Officers want closure to these cases as bad as the general public, Spinks said in the news release Tuesday. It is really a shocking development that the $30,000.00 offered has not loosened any tongues. That is what leads us to believe that it is one person acting alone.

While some persons of interest have been contacted and interviewed, no one has been arrested, police said. They were eliminated as suspects.

Police are encouraging people who live in the southeast area of Parsons to keep their dogs from roaming free. They also encourage owners to keep an eye on animals in fenced-off areas too.

Any suspicious individuals lurking in vehicles or on foot should be reported to the police department, Acting Commander Kyle Wiford said in the release.

Anyone with information on the string of dog killings is asked to contact the Parsons Police Department at 620-421-7060, call the Tip Line at 620-421-7057 or email information to tips@parsonspd.com.
Twelve people who had contracted the Omicron variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 after entering Vietnam from South Korea and the US have been allowed to return home for recovery.



The patients are among 14 Vietnamese nationals who had two or three vaccine shots against Covid-19. The 14 were on repatriation flights from the US and South Korea which landed in Danang International Airport on December 21, 22 and 24. Then, they were quarantined for treatment at hotels and hospitals in Quang Nam.

Mai Van Muoi, director of the Quang Nam Department of Health said that 12 among those have been permitted to go to their homes after being tested negative for Omicron three times.

Meanwhile, the two others are still undergoing treatment.

Since July last year, Quang Nam has recorded 7,962 Covid-19 infections, including 197 cases from abroad.

Around 77.7% of people in Quang Nam had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by January 10.

Meanwhile, three Omicron-infected patients who arrived in Danang from Malaysia in late December were also discharged from hospital on January 10.
National Weather Service forecasters are warning that a high impact winter storm could hit the Baltimore region this weekend.

Despite the uncertainties, it has become increasingly likely that there will be a moderate to high impact from snow/wintry precipitation, especially around I-95 westward later Sunday into Sunday night, forecasters wrote in an online discussion.

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Forecasters said that current models are showing that the storm could hit sometime in the late morning to early afternoon on Sunday. Its likely that it will initially be snow but there is a chance warm air may creep into the region, causing a wintry mix. Forecasters have not yet predicted how much snow could be dropped on the region.

There is a possibility for high winds and potential flooding in some areas, the weather service said.

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Based on trends over the past few days it seems the areas along and east of the I-95 corridor have the best chance to experience snow early on and then transition to all rain early in the event, forecasters wrote. The area with the most unknowns seems to be areas between I-95 and I-81 where there remains uncertainty where the wintry mix transition zone will occur.

The winter storm might creep into Monday but the weather service said by the afternoon it should clear the area.

Overnight on Thursday, temperatures are expected to reach a low of 34 degrees.

Low pressure will begin to sweep through the area on Friday, forecasters said, and bring a cold front with it. The high will be 46 and a low near 16 degrees. Strong wind gusts as high as 30 mph could be present.

High pressure from above Canada will bring even colder temperatures on Saturday, forecasters said, with a high near 26 and low of 14 degrees.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 59 Workers remove snow from the ice rink at Color Burst Park in the Merriweather District in Columbia. (Kevin Richardson)

This story may be updated.
(Bloomberg) -- Yahoo Japan is telling its 8,000 employees they can work anywhere in the country -- and even be flown into work when the job requires it -- bucking the trend of companies looking to return workers to offices in the third year of the coronavirus pandemic.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The program takes effect April 1 and allows employees to commute by plane, which wasnt previously an option, the company said in a statement Wednesday. While Yahoo is best known for its internet portal in Japan, its a unit of SoftBank Group Corp.s Z Holdings Corp., which also owns the Line messaging app and PayPay mobile payments service.

90% of the companys employees are now working remotely, according to President Kentaro Kawabe, who tweeted that an overwhelming majority of them said their performance has held steady or improved at home. So were allowing Yahoo employees to live anywhere in Japan. This doesnt mean were denying the benefits of the office -- youll be able to fly in when needed, he added.

Yahoo is setting a commuting budget of 150,000 yen ($1,300) per month per worker and lifting its previous daily cap. In-person communication will still be encouraged as the initiative is also aimed at bolstering morale and wellbeing, with social gatherings to be subsidized by 5,000 yen per employee a month.

The company has had an office anywhere remote work system in place since 2014, however it had capped the number of work-from-home days before the virus took hold to five days a month.

Japanese companies have responded to the pandemic by embracing flexible work arrangements, which were rare before 2020 in a culture that once prided itself on direct interaction in the office and long working hours. Panasonic Corp. last week unveiled plans for a four-day workweek, an initiative Mizuho Financial Group Inc. already has underway.

Story continues

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
A home invasion ensued after two armed intruders wearing Amazon delivery uniforms forced their way inside, police in Connecticut said.

They were also carrying a package, according to the Milford police department.

The two suspects broke into a home after a person opened the door to accept the package on Jan. 10, police said in a Facebook post that same day.

Its unclear whether the intruders took anything from the home. Detectives are currently investigating the invasion.

They are seen wearing light blue Amazon vests in surveillance footage captured and shared by WFSB.

When the resident opened the door for one of the suspects holding the package, a struggle can partly be seen in the video as the package falls to the floor. Then, screams can be heard.

Another person appeared to be present during the invasion, according to the video that shows two Amazon uniform-wearing suspects hop in a vehicle as another person wearing all black gets in the drivers seat.

In a separate post, police described it as an isolated incident.

The two intruders dont work for Amazon, company spokesperson Loni Monroe told McClatchy News in a statement.

We are glad the family is safe after this horrible incident, the statement said. We take these matters seriously and are working with law enforcement as they continue to investigate.

McClatchy News has reached out to police for further information.

Milford is located about 50 miles southwest of Hartford

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.

EAST AUSTIN

Animal Center to close on Sundays

Due to staffing concerns related to COVID-19 and the difficulty in filling open vacancies, the Austin Animal Center will temporarily be closed to the public on Sundays starting Jan. 23.

Direct animal care staff and volunteers will be onsite to provide care.

The center, at 7201 Levander Loop, Building A, will remain open for adoption and reclaim from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and for intake from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Owners looking to reclaim their pet(s) on Sundays can contact 311 and request an animal protection officer.

The center is hiring for several vacant positions. Interested candidates can apply through the city of Austin website, austintexas.gov/austin-animal-center.

From news reports

CENTRAL TEXAS

Meet-and-greets with pediatricians

Baylor Scott & White will offer virtual meet-and-greets with pediatricians in 2022.

Events will take place from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 19, Feb. 23, March 30, April 27, June 1, July 6, Aug. 3, Sept. 7 and Oct. 12.

The following locations are also offering individual, in-person meet-and-greets: Baylor Scott & White Clinic  Austin Northwest, 9800 N. Lake Creek Pkwy., Suite 200; Baylor Scott & White Clinic  Buda, 5330 Overpass Road, Suite 100; Baylor Scott & White Clinic  Cedar Park, 910 E. Whitestone Blvd.; and Baylor Scott & White Clinic  Hutto, 120 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Suites B, E and F.

To RSVP: bswhealth.com/pedsmeetgreet.

Courtesy of Baylor Scott & White

GEORGETOWN

Hazardous waste to be collected

The city of Georgetown will host a hazardous waste collection event from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at San Gabriel Park, 425 E. Morrow St.

The event will be available for up to 300 Georgetown solid waste customers who have solid waste service through Texas Disposal Systems. Residents must remain in their vehicles during the no-contact collection. Staff will unload items from the back seat or trunk of the vehicle.

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Customers must have their name placed on a list by calling 512-930-3640 or emailing customercare@georgetown.org.

All items to be dropped off must be in their marked original containers. Commercial disposal and trailers are not allowed. For a list of acceptable and unacceptable items: bit.ly/3IX9ff8.

From news reports

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin Animal Center to temporarily close on Sundays beginning Jan. 23
(Reuters) - Australian lithium miner Liontown Resources Ltd said on Wednesday it signed a deal to sell lithium spodumene from its flagship project to the battery unit of South Korea's LG Chem, sending its shares soaring 13%.

LG Energy Solution, which counts Tesla Inc and General Motors Co as its customers, will buy 100,000 dry metric tonnes (DMT) of lithium spodumene  a key raw material for making electric vehicle batteries  from Liontown's Kathleen Valley project.

Liontown joins other lithium players in the country, like Vulcan Energy, to strike major supply deals with EV makers as the sector assumes centre stage amid a global push by companies and governments towards a greener future.

The company also said the deal  a first for its Western Australia-based project  will account for nearly 30% of its annual output after year one of production and is expected to be operating from 2024.

Liontown added that it had received "strong interest from a range of parties in long-term offtake from the Kathleen Valley Lithium Project," without offering details.

Its shares witnessed their biggest jump since October 2021 on Wednesday, building on a nearly 5-fold rise in the past year.

(Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V)
Narrative writer Michael Luo revealed that Zeri from League of Legends and Agent Neon from Valorant were inspired by an anti-Asian attack experienced by an elderly Filipino woman in New York.



Luo shared the reason why both characters from the multiplayer games say the phrase, I belong here. We all belong here, in a tweet on Jan. 10.



He shared photos of the two characters and a screenshot of the New York Times article titled, Brutal Attack on Filipino Woman Sparks Outrage: Everybody Is on Edge. The article covers a story in which a 65-year-old Filipino woman, Vilma Kari, was assaulted near Times Square in New York while her attacker, Brandon Elliot, yelled, You dont belong here.



Back in March 2021, I read this article, Luo tweeted. Its the reason Neon and Zeri say I belong here. We all belong here. A reminder. #StopAsianHate.





Back in March 2021, I read this article. Its the reason Neon and Zeri say I belong here. We all belong here. A reminder. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/dEGXFmzaO6

 Michael Luo  (@SkiptoMyLuo) January 11, 2022







Riot Games multiplayer game Valorant recently revealed their first Filipino character, Agent Neon, who has electricity-based powers and incredible speed. The companys other multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends also unveiled their newest champion, Zeri, with a trailer uploaded on Jan. 6, 2022.



The trailer features Zeri defeating a group of men in the fictional undercity district Zaun with her electric magic. She also appears to have the ability to dash over walls and move with exceptional speed.





A headstrong, spirited young woman from Zauns working-class, Zeri channels her electric magic to charge herself and her custom-crafted gun, reads Zeris short biography on the Riot Games website. Her volatile power mirrors her emotions, its sparks reflecting her lightning-fast approach to life. Deeply compassionate toward others, Zeri carries the love of her family and her home into every fight. Though her eagerness to help can sometimes backfire, Zeri believes one truth to be certain: stand up for your community, and it will stand up with you.



Filipino voice actress Vanille Velasquez, who voices both Neon and Zeri, took to Twitter on Jan. 6 to say, I am ecstatic to announce that I am also the voice of the newest League of Legends champion, Zeri!



Thank you so so much, Riot, she added. To voice in just one of your games is already a huge honor. To be in two is absolutely amazing. I cannot be more grateful.



Story continues



I am ecstatic to announce that I am also the voice of the newest League of Legends champion, Zeri!!! 

Thank you so so much, Riot. To voice in just one of your games is already a huge honor. To be in two is absolutely amazing. I cannot be more grateful. https://t.co/mAY59So4Hx



 Vanille Velasquez  (@vanillevela) January 6, 2022







While Agent Neon will be joining Valorants update on Episode 4: Disruption tomorrow, Zeri will make her appearance on Summoners Rift with the League of Legends patch 12.2 launch on Jan. 20, according to Dexerto.



Featured Images via League of Legends (left), VALORANT (right)

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A mystery rocked social media over the weekend and into this week: What caused a massive boom heard from North Gadsden through Glencoe, Southside, and Rainbow City?

It rattled people across a good portion of Etowah County, judging by Facebook posts and inquiries, and rattled windows in parts of Southside and Rainbow City.

Southside police received calls  posting on Facebook that they were aware of the "explosion" heard in the area, but they did not believe it originated in Southside. Police Capt. Jay Freeman later said there had been no evidence of any explosion occurring in the city.

If there's been evidence of anything else, no local authorities have disclosed it.

Elections: Election officials already preparing for 2022; Gadsden municipal vote could be contentious

Etowah County 9-1-1 posted Saturday night, noting noise:

"BOOM HEARD AROUND ETOWAH COUNTY....

"Where did you hear it?

"(No we are not sure what it was either at this time.. Please DO NOT call 911 to ask)"

The boom lowered on Etowah County near the end of the Eagles/Cowboys game. Residents from Gadsden through the southeastern part of the country were distressed by the boom and commented on their dogs going "crazy" from the unexplained noise.

Rainbow City Police Chief John Bryant heard the boom, saying it rattled windows at his home. He said there was no evidence of any explosion in that city, either, to account for the noise.

Some suggested a Tannerite explosion caused the boom. Tannerite is brand-name binary explosive that detonates when something with a velocity of 2,000 feet per second or greater strikes it. It is said to detonate "in a cloud of dust and fury."

A quick Google search revealed Tannerite is apparently sold for targets, and disturbingly enough, for gender reveals.

Some of the Facebook rumors were more specific: that someone shot off 30 pounds of Tannerite at the old Green Valley Speedway  a location roughly between Southside and Glencoe.

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Freeman, for one, is dubious. "It would take a tractor-trailer load of Tannerite," he theorized, to produce what people heard Saturday night.

Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency Public Information Officer Breonna Cole said the Tannerite suggestion was the only one the agency heard.

On Facebook, a broadly shared screenshot offered this explanation: that three F/A-18 Marine Hornets going from Huntsville to Jacksonville, Fla., dropped a sonic boom on Etowah County along the way. The poster said he had called U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command and received confirmation.

Other posters expressed doubts  some said the military wouldn't provide such information to the public. Indeed, efforts to call "AMCOM" garnered no results.

In social media posts, reknowned local meteorologist James Spann has described such unexplained sounds as "Bama booms," loud, shaking, explosive type noises sometimes heard across counties or cities.

Bama Booms, according to his posts, most likely originate from one of these sources:

Military jets exceeding the sound barrier

Construction blasting

Operations at Redstone Arsenal ( in Hunstville) or Pelham Range (north of Anniston)

Kids or adults playing around with Tannerite

Bamaboomtracker.com allows people to chart unexplained booms across the country. Visitors to the website can log their booms and describe them with one of three options: Distant Boom; Shook House; Damage.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Saturday blast had not been reported on the group's Facebook page. However, the page does include reports of unexplained booms on Dec. 12, 2018, in the Shoals area of northwest Alabama and on Dec. 30, 2018, in Chelsea and Blountsville, Alabama.

The tracker may provide information about the intensity, time, date and location of booms. What it doesn't seem to provide is answers.

So if the still-unexplained origins of those 2018 booms are any indicator, Saturday's big boom may remain a mystery, too.

Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: explosion in Etowah County, Gadsden: Tannerite explosion?
Pro-Democratic supporters are seen during a vigil to mark the first anniversary of the attack on the Capitol and to support voting rights on Thursday, January 6, 2022.





A group of three dozen business executives on Wednesday urged Senate leaders to change the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation.

The Freedom to Vote Alliance, which includes Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, Etsy CEO Josh Silverman and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, warned that U.S. democracy is under threat amid state-level GOP efforts to restrict voting rules and take control of election administration.

"We cannot allow voter suppression efforts or a refusal to certify legitimate federal election results to spark potential economic instability, violence, or other calamities that scholars of business and democracy alike are warning of with increasing alarm," the group wrote in a letter to President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The group of business leaders called on lawmakers to bypass the legislative filibuster to pass the Freedom to Vote Act - a bill to expand early and mail voting, increase election security and crack down on partisan gerrymandering, among other measures. The group is also pushing for passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would require areas with a history of discrimination to obtain federal approval to change voting laws.

The letter comes as Biden pushes Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to drop their opposition to changing the legislative filibuster, which allows Republicans to block many bills in the 50-50 Senate. Biden said Tuesday that Democrats have "no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster" to overhaul voting laws.

Only a small number of business leaders have called for Democrats to ax the filibuster. And while many of the nation's largest corporations have previously expressed support for legislation to expand voting rights, most have gone quiet amid Biden's most recent effort.

"A strong economy depends on a strong democracy," Stacy Schusterman, chairman of Oklahoma-based firm Samson Energy and a member of the Freedom to Vote Alliance, said in a statement. "With the cornerstone of our democracy - the freedom to vote - under attack nationwide, corporate America has an obligation to speak up."

Democrats are exploring options to change filibuster rules, including a carve-out that would exempt voting rights legislation from needing to get 60 votes, but they'll need to win over the party's two holdouts. Republicans have threatened to bring the Senate agenda to a crawl if Democrats weaken or eliminate the filibuster.
California Gov. Newsom unveils his proposed 2022-2023 state budget during a news conference in Sacramento on Monday. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

There seems to be nothing standing in the way of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Despite early concerns that the pandemic would weaken the state's economy, another year of gushing tax revenue ensures that the politics of plenty will continue to define his first four years in office. A Legislature teeming with Democrats and his easy defeat of the recall election have made him even more powerful.

"He's sitting on a massive budget surplus that is every politician's dream," said Susan Kennedy, a top aide to former Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis. "He's got no credible opposition to reelection and the wind at his back. He should be able to tackle any major issue he sets his mind to."

Newsoms allies say his good fortune provides him a rare opportunity to focus on creating a better California for future generations, allowing him to spend time working on a long-term agenda that could become his legacy. But amid a recent statewide spate of smash-and-grab retail thefts, a worsening homelessness crisis and other pressing issues, Newsom's record as governor will hinge on whether he can make progress on the problems of today and meet the needs of tomorrow.

"If we are simply focused exclusively on what California looks like 10 or 20 years from now, we will have missed our responsibility to improve life today," said Jason Elliott, senior counselor to the governor. "But if we just focus on sort of quick political hits right now, we will not be building that foundation, and we will not be patching those holes in the safety net. I think part of what we try to do on a daily basis is balance those two things."

In his race for reelection in November, Newsom is expected to face a similar cadre of GOP challengers who failed to excite voters during the recall. If that holds true, California's overwhelmingly Democratic electorate will provide some level of insulation from the usual political threats of an election year, when a governor fighting to remain in office might otherwise pad his budget with flashy proposals.

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The Democratic supermajority in the statehouse also allows California's government to avoid the type of partisan fights that create logjams at the federal level, though the state's ambitious plans could be held back if reliant on action in Washington.

"Whether you agree or disagree with his politics and perspective, all Californians should be grateful that we have a situation where we can try some solutions to housing and homelessness and health costs, as opposed to just being polarized and unable to move," said Daniel Zingale, a former advisor to Newsom. [President] Biden would like to do a lot of the things for the nation that we're doing here in California and mostly can't."

Newsom's more than $286-billion budget proposal for 2022-23, unveiled Monday, follows the unconventional model that has become a hallmark of his governing style and drawn some criticism  bucking the approach of his predecessors, who narrowed their focus to a few signature policies. Instead, the 54-year-old Democrat has become a governor who "swings at every pitch," as he often describes the critique of his wide-ranging agenda.

His plan includes a mix of high-profile proposals sure to grab attention, such as the expansion of Medi-Cal eligibility to all immigrants and a call for the state to manufacture insulin, and others to more quietly bolster the safety net and chip away at California's problems.

The governor is proposing $1.2 billion over two years for forest health and fire prevention and suggests offering incentives for developers to build housing in downtown areas, in hopes of discouraging the kind of suburban sprawl into forests that has put new homes in the path of wildfires.

At a news conference Monday, Newsom touted the $12-billion, three-year investment he dedicated to address homelessness in the current state budget and proposed spending another $2 billion next fiscal year, including money to clean up encampments that have become a fixture in California cities. He also said he would "lean into" conservatorships, the controversial legal process in which an adult appointed by a court manages the affairs of another person.

Elliott said the state's efforts include addressing affordability and expanding social services to keep people from becoming homeless in the first place, as well as short-term work on the ground to get people shelter and care.

Assemblyman Chad Mayes  a Republican-turned-independent from Yucca Valley who worked with the governor two years ago to deliver $10 million for homelessness in Palm Springs  lauded the state's work to seek lasting solutions.

"It's easy to be brilliant when you've got a bunch of money, and I applaud the work being done on long-term solutions to homelessness," Mayes said. "My hope is that the administration recognizes that Californians do not have an unlimited amount of patience, and the desire for immediate action is justified."

For a governor who focuses little on the politics inside the office, aides say, Newsom appeared defensive Monday when asked how he can assure Californians that they will see tangible reductions in homelessness.

"It's not an excuse, but the state of California had no plan on homelessness when I got here," Newsom said.

He said his administration's efforts have provided temporary shelter for 50,000 Californians and helped another 8,000 secure more permanent housing through the state's purchase of motels, hotels and other buildings.

"That's unprecedented in California history and, at the same time, not even close to where we need to go," Newsom said.

Despite a potential lack of competitive challengers in his 2022 bid for reelection, Newsom's top political strategist, Sean Clegg, said the governor has plenty of policies to campaign on: universal preschool, free community college, pandemic relief, climate change investments, expanding healthcare, free child care and providing shelter for the homeless, among others.

"There's a real reviving of the social contract," Clegg said. "He's looking at the manifold challenges facing the state, and he's going harder on all of them and at all of them at once."

But the governor's bombastic promises can sometimes lead Californians to expect more and often overshadow his achievements.

"We can solve this. Homelessness can be solved," Newsom said Monday. "It's hard. It's a tough issue. And California, we have a responsibility not just to acknowledge that but to do something about it."

Newsom pledged on the campaign trail in 2018 that California would see 3.5 million new homes built by 2025. Figures from the Construction Industry Research Board indicate that the state is far behind in its quest to meet what Newsom now calls a "stretch goal." But aides to the governor note that he has worked to hold cities accountable for not greenlighting enough housing development and his proposal to streamline and incentivize housing in downtown areas.

The governor's new budget also provides $285 million for local law enforcement response to organized retail crime and $18 million to prosecute retail theft over three years, and another $5 million for anticrime task forces.

Zingale said the governor's plan to expand Medi-Cal eligibility to immigrants, regardless of immigration status, delivers healthcare for all to California.

"The big gap in health coverage has been undocumented Americans," Zingale said.

Newsom on Monday described the plan as "universal" healthcare, but the proposal falls short of that definition, said Anthony Wright, executive director of the advocacy group Health Access, who noted that affordability and administrative hurdles remain barriers in California, with many residents still uninsured. Immigrant rights groups said gaps in coverage will remain for people living in the country illegally who make too much to qualify for Medi-Cal but are ineligible to purchase a plan through Covered California due to their immigration status.

I dont begrudge the governor for making the statement that this is universal access, but the issues of affordability and administrative ease are important, Wright said, adding that Newsoms announcement is an important step toward universal healthcare.

Newsom said Monday that he hadn't yet reviewed a plan in the Legislature to create a single-payer healthcare system, a model on which he campaigned in 2018. At a news conference in the Central Valley the next day, he cast single-payer as more of an aspirational goal and said the state is working with the Biden administration to secure federal waivers and is waiting on a report from a state commission on financing strategies.

In the meantime, Newsom said, he's providing a more immediate solution by expanding healthcare access to all immigrants  a proposal that, if approved by the Legislature, would take effect in 2024.

"I'll close by saying for me, single-payer is not a platitude. When you're governor, you've got to be in the 'how' business," Newsom said, adding that he believes in the healthcare financing model. "The 'how' at the state level is the question that needs to be answered thoughtfully."

Times staff writers Melody Gutierrez and Liam Dillon contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Prak Chan Thul

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia said on Wednesday it had postponed a meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) scheduled for next week, because some ministers had expressed "difficulties" in attending.

The meeting was the first under Cambodia's chairmanship of the 10-member bloc, which comes amid divisions on how to deal with https://reut.rs/30NQFot the military that seized power in Myanmar last year and has led a bloody crackdown on thousands of its opponents.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met Myanmar's military ruler https://reut.rs/3ngcp4w Min Aung Hlaing last week, the first such visit by a head of government, sparking concern that it could undermine international efforts to isolate the junta.

"The postponement is because of many ASEAN ministers are having difficulties to travel to join," Cambodia foreign ministry spokesperson Koy Kuong told reporters, without elaborating.

Asked separately by Reuters which ministers could not attend the Jan 18-19 meeting in Siem Reap and why, Koy Kuong said he "can't speak for them".

Under Brunei's chairmanship, ASEAN late last year took the unprecedented step of sidelining https://reut.rs/3n0roOZ Min Aung Hlaing from its annual leaders' summit over his failure to honour commitments he made towards ending violence and starting a dialogue process.

The exclusion https://reut.rs/3jwe8k4 angered the junta, which said outside powers had pressured ASEAN to break its own code of consensus and non-interference.

Brunei, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia had backed excluding the junta.

Cambodia, however, is taking "different approaches", https://reut.rs/3K36kC4 its foreign minister, Prak Sokhonn, and said on Saturday, while denying that Hun Sen's visit was an endorsement of the Myanmar military.

Prak Sokhonn was expecting to be appointed special ASEAN envoy to the Myanmar situation at the Siem Reap meeting.

On Saturday, he criticised the previous envoy, Erywan Yusof, as being unproductive in insisting on access to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been convicted in recent weeks of several offences, including incitement.

(Editing by Martin Petty)
Canadas Quebec province plans to tax people who do not get vaccinated against Covid amid a surge in Omicron cases.

At a briefing on Tuesday, Quebecs premier Francois Legault said: Those who refuse to get their first doses in the coming weeks will have to pay a new health contribution.

The majority are asking that there be consequences. ... Its a question of fairness for the 90% of the population that have made some sacrifices. We owe them.

While the details of the financial penalty is still being worked out, Mr Legault said it would be significant and no less than than C$100 ($79.50).

The premier said it will not apply to those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

The move, which will make Quebec the first province in Canada to impose a financial tax on the unvaccinated, comes as the provinces Covid death tally touched the countrys highest at 12,028 on Tuesday with 62 new deaths reported.

As of Tuesday, Quebec has recorded 8,710 new cases, bringing the total number of people infected to 758,576, the provinces website shows.

A total of 2,742 hospitalizations have been recorded including 255 patients in intensive care.

Mr Legault said that the move to impose a financial penalty on unvaccinated individuals has been taken as only 10 per cent adults in the province are not vaccinated but they account for 50 per cent of patients requiring intensive care.

The vaccine is the key to fight the virus. This is why were looking for a health contribution for adults who refuse to be vaccinated for non-medical reasons, he said.

While hospitals and healthcare resources are being stretched due to the surge in cases. Experts however expressed concerns about such a dramatic move by the government.

McGill University medicine and health sciences professor Carolyn Ells said that while the financial penalty may be essential in a health emergency, whether it survives a court challenge would depend on the details.

Ms Ells added that the move is surprising given that the government still has options to widen vaccine mandates.

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The premiers chief of staff Martin Koskinen defended the governments move to impose a financial penalty and said in a statement on Twitter: In order to avoid paying a health fee or a COVID fine, there is a simple solution: a free and accessible vaccine.

We have rights, but also responsibilities. The democratic debate on this question will be fascinating.

The provinces newly appointed interim public health chief Dr. Luc Boileau said that the policy was decided before he took the job, reported The Globe and Mail.

Canadas federal health minister in a statement said late on Tuesday that the government is reviewing Quebecs financial penalty announcement.

Provinces and territories will continue to make decisions on their own public-health measures that are within their jurisdiction.

Last week Quebec imposed further restrictions to limit the spread of the disease by closing retail shops. The province has also imposed a night curfew and restricted gatherings.

Additional reporting by agencies
Photograph: Shawn Thew/EPA

The House select committee investigating the Capitol attack closed in on Donald Trumps inner circle on Tuesday, issuing subpoenas to three new White House officials involved in planning the former presidents appearance at the rally that preceded the 6 January insurrection.

Related: Voters move to block Trump ally Madison Cawthorn from re-election

The new subpoenas show the select committee is moving ever nearer to Trump in its investigation and suggests the panel is now examining whether the former presidents speech suggested that the White House had advance knowledge of plans to attack the Capitol.

Congressman Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the select committee, issued subpoenas to the former White House strategists Andy Surabian and Arthur Schwartz, suggesting they helped coordinate Trumps appearance by communicating with the organizers and speakers at the rally.

The chairman also authorized a subpoena for Ross Worthington, the former White House official who drafted the speech Trump delivered at the rally, during which the former president lied that he won the 2020 election and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol.

The select committee is seeking information from individuals who were involved with the rally, Thompson said. Protests that day escalated into an attack on our democracy. Protesters became rioters who carried out a violent attempt to derail the peaceful transfer of power.

The rally at the Ellipse has grown in significance for the select committee in recent weeks, as it examines whether Trump obstructed a congressional proceeding by inciting his supporters to storm the Capitol and stop the certification of Joe Bidens election win.

The Guardian first reported last week that the panel is also examining whether Trump oversaw a criminal conspiracy that connected his plan to have then-Vice President Mike Pence refuse to certify Bidens victory with the extremist groups that attacked the Capitol.

Thompson said in the subpoena letters to Surabian and Schwartz that they were targeted since they appeared to have repeated communication with some of the top organizers and speakers at the rally, including Trumps eldest son Don Jr, and his fiance Kimberly Guilfoyle.

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The chairman added that they also had contacts that touched on securing the participation of far-right activists such as Ali Alexander and Alex Jones at the rally, discussed media coverage of the rally, and appearance fees for others who did speak at the rally.

Thompson said in the subpoena letter to Worthington that he was being targeted since he helped draft Trumps speech for the rally, where the former president urged his supporters to fight much harder and stop the steal  before promising to march with them to the Capitol.

The select committee gave the three former Trump aides until 24 January to produce documents detailed in the subpoenas, with deposition dates set from the end of the month through the first week of February.
By Judy Hua and Kevin Yao

BEIJING (Reuters) -New bank lending in China fell more than expected in December from the previous month, but lending for the full year of 2021 set a record as the central bank slowly ramps up policy support to cushion the slowing economy.

Chinese banks extended 1.13 trillion yuan ($177.56 billion) in new yuan loans in December, down from 1.27 trillion yuan in November and falling short of analysts' expectations, according to data released by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) on Wednesday.

Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted new yuan loans would fall to 1.25 trillion yuan in December. The tally was also lower than 1.27 trillion yuan a year earlier.

But new bank lending hit a record 19.95 trillion yuan for the year, up 1.6% from 19.63 trillion yuan in 2020 -- the previous record -- and equivalent to more than the gross domestic product of the United Kingdom.

"December credit data was slightly weaker than expected, but financing for the real economy has been improving," said Luo Yunfeng, an analyst at Merchants Securities.

China's economy got off to a strong start in 2021 as activity continued to rebound from a pandemic-induced slump the previous year, but it has lost steam in recent months due to a property market downturn, curbs on industrial pollution and strict COVID-19 curbs which have hit consumer confidence and spending.

Policymakers' efforts to control debt risks have also impacted local governments' spending.

MORE SUPPORT MEASURES SEEN

To shore up flagging growth, the central bank cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for banks on Dec. 15, its second such move in 2021, releasing 1.2 trillion yuan in long-term liquidity to bolster business activity.

The central bank also cut the rates on its relending facility by 25 basis points (bps) to support the rural sector and small firms.

Most analysts expect further cuts in the RRR this year, with some also pencilling in modest cuts in policy rates if activity continues to cool. More aggressive rate cuts are not expected, however, especially as the U.S. Federal Reserve looks ready to start raising its rates soon, which could lead to capital outflows from emerging markets.

Story continues

Still, the property downturn is expected to continue into the first half of this year, with the recent local spread of the highly-contagious Omicron variant posing a fresh challenge.

China will continue to implement proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy in 2022. It will keep economic operations within a reasonable range in 2022, said the Politburo, the country's top-decision making body.

"Debt to GDP was aggressively reduced by 10% points in 2021, but with growth decelerating to below policymakers' comfort

zone, policy makers have clearly pivoted to an outright easing mode," analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a note earlier this week.

Other China watchers said there were signs in the latest data that the softening credit cycle may be turning.

Broad M2 money supply grew 9.0% from a year earlier, central bank data showed, a nine-month high and above estimates of 8.7% forecast in the Reuters poll. M2 grew 8.5% in November from a year ago.

Outstanding yuan loans grew 11.6% in December from a year earlier - the slowest expansion since May 2002 - compared with 11.7% growth in November. Analysts had expected 11.7%.

But growth of outstanding total social financing (TSF), a broad measure of credit and liquidity in the economy, quickened to 10.3% in December from a year earlier and from 10.1% in November.

TSF includes off-balance sheet forms of financing that exist outside the conventional bank lending system, such as initial public offerings, loans from trust companies and bond sales.

"Broad credit growth picked up again in December amid increased policy support. We think lending will continue to rebound in the coming months although officials are likely to prevent a sharp jump," Capital Economics said in a note.

"Credit growth will probably continue to edge up in the coming months given intensifying efforts to push down borrowing costs and boost lending. That said, policymakers still appear keen to balance their desire to soften the economic downturn with their concerns over high debt levels."

In December, TSF fell to 2.37 trillion yuan from 2.61 trillion yuan in November. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected 2.45 trillion yuan.

($1 = 6.3641 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Judy Hua and Kevin Yao; Editing by Kim Coghill)
BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China ordered on Wednesday the suspension of six more U.S. flights in coming weeks after a surge in passengers testing positive for COVID-19, rising to 70 cancellations mandated this year in a schedule that had already been cut back drastically.

The aviation regulator said it would suspend two additional United Airlines flights from San Francisco to Shanghai, after seven passengers tested positive on a recent flight.

It will also suspend four China Southern Airlines flights from Los Angeles to Guangzhou from the week of Jan. 31, a move that would also affect return flights in February.

Before the latest cancellations, three U.S. airlines and four Chinese carriers were operating about 20 flights a week between the countries, well below the figure of more than 100 per week before the pandemic.

Airlines for America, a trade group representing United, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and others, said U.S. carriers "are concerned about the implications of a disruption and are continuing to assess the impact to operations. We are in communication with the U.S. and Chinese governments to identify a path forward that minimizes impact to travellers."

The U.S. Transportation Department did not immediately comment.

China has been suspending routes with other countries as well. On Wednesday it suspended a total of six flights from France and Canada.

But the number of U.S. flights being scrapped has surged since December, as infections caused by the highly contagious Omicron variant soar to record highs in the United States.

Beijing and Washington have sparred over air services since the start of the pandemic. In August, the U.S. Department of Transportation limited four flights from Chinese carriers to 40% passenger capacity for four weeks after Beijing imposed identical limits on four United Airlines flights.

China has all but shut its borders to travellers, cutting total international flights to just 200 a week, or 2% of pre-pandemic levels, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said in September.

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What is effectively a zero-COVID-19 policy has curbed any wide spread in China, where it first emerged two years ago, but has also made the country vulnerable to further economic disruptions as it scrambles to limit local flare-ups, analysts say.

Last week, Hong Kong, a major transport hub, announced a two-week ban on incoming flights from eight countries, including Britain and the United States.

Travellers, including overseas Chinese trying to get home, have had to scramble for expensive tickets, if they can find them at all.

On Wednesday, a search of China's popular Trip.com, showed almost no direct flights from the United States to China were available for the rest of January.

For February, Delta's weekly Seattle-Shanghai flight on Tuesdays was selling for about 40,000 yuan ($6,285).

"Now going back to China is like a Mission Impossible. More and more flights are being suspended," an annoyed Chinese user of social media platform Weibo posted on Tuesday.

"Piss off, Omicron. I haven't been back home for two years now."

($1=6.3647 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Stella Qiu and Tony Munroe in Beijing and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Christopher Cushingd, Clarence Fernandez and Jonathan Oatis)




China has now suspended 70 flights from the United States since the start of the new year as it seeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Beijing canceled six additional flights from the U.S. on Wednesday in response to the positive COVID-19 tests of passengers who had previously landed in China from the U.S., according to Reuters.

The flights being canceled include two United Airlines flights from San Francisco to Shanghai, which will be suspended as of the week of Jan. 2.

Four flights on China Southern Airlines will also be suspended from Los Angeles to Guangzhou beginning the week of Jan. 31. This move will also impact return flight travelers, Reuters noted.

Before the pandemic, about 100 flights a week went between the United States and China, and prior to the recent suspensions, about 20 flights between China and the United States were operating every week, according to Reuters.

China also suspended six flights from France and Canada on Wednesday.

China and the United States have been at odds about how to handle aviation limitations during the pandemic, Reuters noted.

After China imposed a 40 percent capacity limitation on flights from the U.S. on United Airlines, the Department of Transportation retaliated with an almost identical restriction on flights coming into the U.S. from China, reports Reuters.

China has effectively shut its borders to travelers. Only 200 flights a week enter the country from international locations, which is about 2 percent of pre-pandemic levels, according to Reuters.

This is part of China's strict anti-pandemic policy, which has curbed wider spread of the coronavirus throughout the country but has also disrupted the nation's economy.
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  Colombias foreign minister said Tuesday the country's consul in Haiti has received threats after trying to provide humanitarian assistance to 18 former Colombia soldiers who were arrested last year for allegedly participating in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise.

Foreign Minister Marta Lucia Ramirez did not provide details on the nature of the threats aimed at Julio Cesar Santa Martinez. She also did not comment on who made them.

Colombia doesn't have an embassy in Haiti, and Santa Martinez has been the country's sole representative as honorary consul since 2016. He provides limited links for Colombian citizens in Haiti with the Colombian Embassy in the neighboring Dominican Republic.

The foreign ministry said that last year the consul visited the detained former soldiers several times to check on their health and has also provided them with toiletries and other items sent by their relatives in Colombia.

Colombia has offered to help Haitian authorities investigate the murder of Moise, who was shot to death last year when gunmen invaded his home. Haitian officials allege the attack was carried out by a group of former Colombian soldiers working for a private security firm.

Colombia's government has complained that the former soldiers have been mistreated in Haitian prisons.

In August, Ramirez sent a letter urging the International Red Cross visit the prisoners and document their condition. She said that two of the the ex-soldiers had been tortured and that none had been provided with lawyers.

Haiti has arrested dozens of people for Moises killing, but none have been formally charged.
Three weeks after a wolf pack killed a calf in Colorado for the first time in 70 years, the same pack is believed to have killed a ranch dog in the same area of Jackson County.

A ranch manger reported the killing of his working ranch dog, a border collie, and the injury of another dog to Colorado Parks and Wildlife around 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

"The results of this investigation indicated wolf tracks in the immediate vicinity of the carcass and wounds on the dog carcass consistent with wolf depredation,'' said Kris Middledorf, area wildlife manager with the state wildlife agency.

The incident happened on a large ranch east of Walden and near where a 500-pound calf was killed by wolves Dec. 18. The wildlife agency confirmed the calf kill and will compensate the landowner for the loss. The Colorado Cattlemen's Association said it was the first wolf kill of a cow or calf in the state in seven decades.

A known wolf pair that naturally migrated from Wyoming and established Colorado's first known breeding pair and pups in 80 years has made its home in the area. The pups were born last spring, confirmed by the state wildlife agency and captured on video by an elk archery hunter this fall.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Travis Duncan said it is believed that the dog was killed by the same pack that killed the calf in Jackson County.

Duncan said compensation will not come from revenues generated by the sale of hunting or fishing license fees but via the general fund, Species Conservation Trust Fund, Colorado Nongame Conservation and Wildlife Restoration Cash Funds or other sources of funding for nongame species.

Previous reporting: Colorado wolf reintroduction stokes fears, passions of ranchers, ecologists, sportsmen

Compensation for wolf depredation is mandated as part of last year's ballot initiative that voters narrowly passed to reintroduce wolves west of the Continental Divide by the end of 2023.

The wolf pack that naturally located into Colorado is located east of the Continental Divide.

Story continues

Duncan said gray wolves remain a state endangered species and wolves may not be taken for any reason other than human self-defense. Illegal take of a wolf may result in a combination of penalties, including fines of up to $100,000, a year of jail time and a lifetime loss of hunting license privileges.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is considering a Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff-initiated regulation change that would allow for specific types of hazing to occur for prevention and control of gray wolf livestock interactions and damage. A final commission decision is expected later this month.

Not Colorado's first reintroduction rodeo: A look back at how the state brought back lynx

Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports  you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado wolves kill rancher's dog in same area where pack killed calf
Gahanna Residents In Need has been helping the community put food on the tables of their neighbors for 50 years, and the challenge is on to commemorate whats being called GRINiversary.

Brenda Johnston, GRIN executive director, said the communitywide faith-based organization was started in 1972, thanks to the Rev. Robert Wagner, former minister of the Mifflin Presbyterian Church; the Gahanna Rotary; and the Gahanna Ministerial Association  all who started giving out food to the community.

Cid Canter, a nine-year Gahanna Residents In Need volunteer, checks the expiration dates on items she's stocking at the food pantry Jan. 10.

The mission of GRIN,165 Granville St., is to alleviate hunger for residents in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools and 43230 ZIP code.

Were celebrating by turning it outward to the community, Johnston said. So every single week were highlighting a different community organization or church or school someone that has been involved with us in the last 50 years.

Each group will issue a challenge to the community on social media, including its Facebook page, that could range from donating food items to the pantry to matching a donation, she said.

Fifty is the magic number  like lets bring in 50 jars of peanut butter or 50 this, 50 that, Johnston said. The first week wasnt a challenge but the history of GRIN. Yesterday (Jan. 9), Mifflin Presbyterian was highlighted, and next week is Heartland Bank. Weve been with them since the beginning.

She said a logo contest was held for GRINs anniversary, and the winning design, by Gahanna Lincoln High School senior Sophia Gartland, will be used on all anniversary materials.

Sophia Gartland, a Gahanna Lincoln High School senior, designed this logo that will be on all GRIN promotional materials during its 50th anniversary this year.

On a GRIN Facebook post by Mifflin Presbyterian, a challenge was issued to all of Gahanna to step up the commitment to GRIN through food, financial donations, volunteer hours and prayers.

Cid Canter, a nine-year GRIN volunteer and six-year member of the board, said she wants the community to know the groups mission wouldnt be possible without them.

The donators come in to thank us, but we cant do what were doing without them, she said. I want the people in Gahanna to realize that.

Story continues

A regular contributor unloaded a car full of donations to the food pantry Jan. 10.

The donor, who didnt want to be named, said he has been dropping off food for seven years. He calls himself the crazy coupon guy, purchasing staples for deep discounts to donate.

Canter, a 32-year Gahanna resident, said she needed to do something useful in her retirement.

Once you get into it, youre sad in a way that theres that much poverty in the community, she said. People need us every month. Theyre glad they can come here and theres no questions asked.

Donna Trotter, a GRIN volunteer for more than six years, organizes canned-food donations Jan. 10 at the food pantry.

Jim and Sally Williams, who took over the pantry in their home in 1979, details some history in a recent video.

The first year we did it, we used our house a lot for the groceries and presents, Sally Williams said.

Sally would put all the names up and give to the organizations who would take names, Jim Williams said. We had our entire dining room table covered with paper and Thanksgiving baskets.

He said it was a lot of fun and a lot of hard work.

We got something out of it, he said. Hopefully, the people who gave and supported us in the effort got something out of it, too.

Johnston estimates 20 to 40 individuals were served per month 50 years ago. That number has increased to about 500 per month.

She said the challenge during the past year was in keeping up with space.

We will concentrate in the next few years, leasing or buying our own building, Johnston said. It needs to be on the bus line and on the west side of town where the most need is.

She said another challenge is the diversity of the community.

We had 36 different languages filtering into one elementary school, Goshen Lane, Johnston said. That was very eye-opening to us and made us realize how much we need to change our pantry to be able to provide food for those different pockets. Thats something we want to concentrate on this year is trying to get a more diverse food selection for the population thats in Gahanna.

She said 2021 was also the most difficult year for volunteers that GRIN has ever had.

Because if one (volunteer) quarantined, whoever they worked with that day  the entire group  we lost for a quarantine period.

Gahanna Residents In Need's food pantry is at 165 Granville St. and is stocked with fresh and canned food items, such as this special Star Wars-themed can of Campbells' soup.

Donna Trotter, a GRIN volunteer for more than six years, said she learned about the pantry when her grandson was in middle school and needed community-service hours, and she had to accompany him.

That was back at Mifflin Presbyterian, she said. It feels good to give back. We lost a lot of volunteers when the pandemic started because were an older population. Some (clients) are so thrilled and theyre so thankful. It makes it worthwhile.

Johnston said she's trying to figure out where the next 50 years might take GRIN.

"Its kind of bittersweet," she said. "Were very thankful weve been able to help the community for 50 years, but its also sad the community has needed this much help for 50 years.

"I had someone ask me, 'Whats your goal for the next 50 years?' Its to go out of business. Thats the ultimate goal. But if that cant be, then its keeping the community linked with us."

mkuhlman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekMarla

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Community challenges issued to mark Gahanna Residents In Need's 50th anniversary
Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Bettyann Pernice, your host of the Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch Daily.

First, today's weather:

Intervals of clouds and sun. High: 72, Low: 53.

Here are the top stories in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch today:

Have an N95 or KN95 mask? Is it the N95 or KN95 mask now recommended by the CDC? Or is it a counterfeit mask made in China or elsewhere? How can you know? Check to see if it has a NIOSH mark (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). The CDC's website updates a database weekly of NIOSH-approved face masks, and you can search by the name of the manufacturer to make sure yours is real. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (10tv.com) Rancho Bernardo High School has announced its COVID-19 test kit pick up days. Students who have not already picked up a COVID-19 test kit, can stop by the office on Tuesday and Wednesday between 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. The school asks that students enter through the counseling office door, make an immediate right, and see Ms. Focht in the office on the left. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (Press Release Desk) When a sexually violent predator (SVP) was scheduled to be placed here in Rancho Bernardo several community groups objected. The case was reviewed before a judge. There is now a bipartisan bill before the Senate SB841 that would limit the entry of SVPs into communities. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (KPBS)

From our sponsor:



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Today in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch:

Finals Bell Schedule 1 & 3  Rancho Bernardo High. (All Day)

Keeping Congress Safe: A Conversation with Capitol Hill Police Chief Tom Manger (Online) San Diego Oasis. (10 a.m.)

Meditation: The Key to Health & Peace (Online)  San Diego Oasis. (1 p.m.)

Chair Yoga (Online)  San Diego Oasis. (2:30 p.m.)

Poway BOE Meeting  Poway Unified School District. (6 p.m.)

Young Families: Strengthen your marriage (6-week community group)  Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church (RBCPC). (7 p.m.)

Story continues

From my notebook:

Student Speakers Contest : Rancho Bernardo Lions Club. Entry deadline: Jan. 15. (Pomerado News)

Rancho Bernardo Youth Lacrosse : "Less than two weeks to lock in the early bird discount for the spring season! Get registered today." Early bird special ends: Jan. 15 . (Facebook)

North San Diego Business Chamber: "Know a transitioning service member? Invite them to attend Operation Connect ~ FREE. Operation Connect makes the transition from military to civilian workforce easier. We connect transitioning service members to business leaders, and influential people in the community." Event Online: Jan. 21. (Facebook)

Rancho Bernardo Branch Library : "It's our first Paws to Read time of 2022! Ms. Robin and the poodles read 'The Big Umbrella' by Amy June Bates with permission from Simon & Schuster. Enjoy!" (Facebook)

Rancho Bernardo Girls Softball League: "Don't miss your chance to register for the 2022 spring softball season." Deadline: Feb. 4. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors  thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

M.Ed. in Ed Leadership Info Session (HTH GSE). (Jan. 13)

Divorce Resolutions  Vesta San Diego, California Hub. (Jan. 19)

Top 10 Divorce Mistakes & How to Avoid Them  Vesta Carlsbad, California Hub. (Jan. 20)

Add your event

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That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

 Bettyann Pernice

This article originally appeared on the Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch Patch
City of Ames Mayor John Haila, at-large Amber Corrieri, councilwomen Rachel Junck of 4th Ward, and at-large Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen listen to the first City Council meeting of 2022 at the camber Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.

The Ames City Council met for the first time in 2022 on Monday and voted to bring back policies many thought might be left in 2021.

As the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spike across Iowa, the council considered the return of precautions for all city meetings. After a vote at Tuesday's meeting, the first with new 3rd Ward council member Anita Rollins in attendance, masks will be required at all city council, commission and board meetings when social distancing is not possible.

For the first time in months, all council members wore masks in the council chambers.

City of Ames councilwomen Anita Rolling, 3rd ward representative, listens to the first City Council meeting of 2022 at the camber Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.

The city sent out an email to staff in December, informing them of new requirements aligning with a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration policy the agency planned to begin enforcing Monday. Employees must report their vaccination status and must submit to weekly COVID-19 testing and mask-wearing if they're unvaccinated.

Municipalities still await a Supreme Court decision on the validity of the policy and Iowa OSHA announced Friday it does not plan to enforce the policy.

More: Central Iowa cities, school districts mixed on compliance with federal COVID-19 vaccine rules

According to a staff report, city staff are now required to wear masks when social distancing can't be maintained, but Monday's council decision was required to expand that requirement to council meetings, as well as board and commission meetings.

The options presented by city staff included a return to virtual meetings, but the council opted for the mask requirement instead. Ames held its first in-person meeting in June 2021, more than a year after going virtual amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa.

The city anticipates the measures would only be necessary until the current surge subsides, as soon as two months from now, according to the staff report.

Council member Rachel Junck expressed support for the requirement but added a virtual option should be made available for those who prefer to watch from home.

Story continues

More, for subscribers, from May 2021: Local governments started streaming public meetings as COVID came to Iowa. Will they keep up the practice after the pandemic?

Councilwomen Gloria Betcher of the firstnward, councilman Tim Gartin of the second ward, councilwomen Anita Rolling of the third ward, Mayor John Haila, at-large Amber Corrieri, councilwoman Rachel Junck of the fourth ward, and at-large Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen listen to the first City Council meeting of 2022 at the camber Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.

Council member Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen asked what would happen if a council attendee refused to wear a mask. Mayor John Haila said he was encouraged at Tuesday's meeting when all but one person wore a mask, but added council members would need to discuss enforcement options.

In a partnership with the county and the Story County Conservation Board, the council also approved a motion to convert the city's Water Pollution Control Center to nutrient removal technology over the next 20 years. Advocates say the technology could lead to improved or maintained water quality.

The project includes "edge-of-field" practices that naturally remove nitrogen before run-off enters a surface water source. The practices use saturated buffers, an area of perennial vegetation between agricultural fields and waterways, and bioreactors, a buried trench at the edge of a farm field, both of which effectively prevent 40% of nitrogen from entering waterways.

Seventy-five percent of the cost of the conversion will be covered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship; the remaining 25% will be split between the county and Ames. The city's share of the project's cost will be $41,000.

Keeping up with council:

For more information on future meetings, city documents and council agendas, visit cityofames.org/CCmeetings. Find recordings of past meetings or watch future meetings live at youtube.com/AmesChannel12.

Danielle Gehr is a politics and government reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached by email at dgehr@gannett.com, phone at (515) 663-6925 or on Twitter at @Dani_Gehr.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames, Iowa city council requires masks at meetings as COVID-19 spikes
Guilford County Schools was dealing with a bus driver shortage long before COVID-19 hit in 2020. But since the pandemic began, district leaders have been particularly cognizant of the need to monitor their transportation resources.

Superintendent Sharon Contreras says her district monitors data on both teacher and bus driver absences multiple times throughout the day and evening now. But even so, its hard to know the situation for the next day of school until late at night.

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So, last Thursday night, as the driver absence numbers rolled in, Contreras realized there was a problem. The district already had a large number of bus driver vacancies. Those combined with the absences anticipated for the next day put the district in a dire position.

We realized we wouldnt be able to provide transportation  for all students, she said. But we knew it was too late to do that to parents or to students.

Contreras decided that school would have to start late the next day to accommodate the absences and vacancies. The district delayed middle schools by one hour and high schools by 90 minutes. The stopgap worked, and the district was able to get everyone to school. But over the next two weeks, Contreras said the situation is going to get worse.

The Omicron surge

The new year brought a surge in a new COVID-19 variant: Omicron. North Carolina is breaking records in daily totals for infections, and illness is hitting those who are unvaccinated particularly hard. Unfortunately, Contreras said that district data indicates bus drivers are the employee group with the lowest vaccination rate.

We know that makes them more susceptible to contracting COVID, as well as experiencing more symptoms for a longer amount of time, she said.

Late last week and this weekend, the district was trying to figure out what it could do to ensure transportation is available for all its students.

Story continues

Here is what thats going to look like: For the next two weeks, some Guilford students who go to high schools in the cities of High Point or Greensboro will not be able to ride the traditional yellow school bus. Instead, the district has worked out a partnership with the public transportation systems for the two cities that will let those students ride for free on city buses.

This will allow the district bus drivers to provide transportation for elementary and middle school students, as well as for high school students outside the cities where there isnt any public transportation. Traditional busing will also be available to students in the cities who are given transportation as part of their Individualized Education Plans (IEP).

Contreras said the district is asking parents to drive their kids to school if at all possible to lessen the demand on district resources.

A larger problem?

Guilford  the third largest school district in the state  is not the only one in North Carolina having this problem.

WRAL reported that on Friday, the Wake County Public School System had more than 150 bus drivers out because of COVID-19 and more than 100 routes had to be canceled. Wake is the largest school district in North Carolina.

In the second largest district in the state, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), bus routes were operating on 15 to 30 minute delays on average last week, according to Leanne Winner, executive director for the state School Boards Association. Some routes were having to be combined or doubled-up on to deal with driver vacancies, and other district employees with commercial drivers licenses (CDL) were pitching in to help students get to school, Winner said.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said her sons middle school bus didnt have a driver one day last week. He is a Wake County Public School student. Her husband was home and could take him to school, she said, but one of her sons friends wasnt so lucky. He rides a different bus, which also was without a driver one day last week. He had to walk to school.

Truitt said that when the state Department of Public Instruction surveyed districts in the fall, they found a great deal of variation in bus driver shortages around the state. Districts that required other kinds of non-certified staff  teacher assistant, front office staff  to cover bus routes fared better. But not all districts do that.

Truitt said she remembers when she was a teacher in Johnston County years ago getting called in to drive a bus wasnt a popular assignment.

I think districts probably need to be real careful in their policies because they dont want non-certified staff to quit because theyre having to drive a bus, she said.

Nevertheless, the driver situation has been bad enough at times that even DPI staff are pitching in. Jeremy Gibbs is DPIs regional director of support services for the Western part of the state. Truitt said that in the fall when Transylvania County was having bus driver issues, Gibbs signed up to drive a bus and still does so every morning.

These kinds of shortages I hope make people appreciate their childrens bus drivers, Truitt said.

Exacerbating factors

The bus driver shortages is made worse, in part, by wage issues.

The WRAL article reports that bus drivers protested low wages in Wake County back in November by calling out of work sick. The Board of Education there approved a one-time bonus to try to deal with that situation. Meanwhile, the Durham County Board of Education raised the minimum wage for drivers to $17 an hour in September, according to WRAL. Back in October, CMS raised its starting pay for bus drivers to $17.75 an hour to help deal with roughly 140 vacancies a day, according to this Spectrum News article.

The North Carolina General Assembly raised the minimum wage for bus drivers and other non-certified public school employees in the state in its long session budget. They will be paid $13 an hour this year and $15 an hour next year from the state. Districts can supplement with local dollars, but not every district can afford to. For those who cant, theyre stuck with what the state can provide.

Katherine Joyce, executive director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, said that $13 an hour isnt cutting it and is exacerbating the current bus driver shortage.

Its still not competitive with pay that our bus drivers could see in fast food jobs, Joyce said.

Whats to be done

While there are long-term issues impacting the bus driver shortage, the immediate crisis is the result of COVID-19 and the Omicron surge. And thats not an issue limited to North Carolina.

Back in September, the Massachusetts governor called in the National Guard to help get students to school. Contreras said that might be a good idea, but so would deploying smaller passenger vehicles that dont require a CDL license to drive. That way, more district staff could help with transportation. She said she also asked her legislative delegation to file an emergency bill that would offer extra pay to administrators in her district willing to get a CDL license and pick up a route before and after school.

She pointed out that the states rainy-day fund has billions of dollars in it. And she said the current situation is well beyond ordinary precipitation. She called it a tsunami.

If increasing the pay for bus drivers will allow us to work, we need to do that immediately, she said.

Of course, some of these solutions take time, and for Guilford County and other beleaguered districts, the problem is right now.

I wish there was a way to expedite the relief thats needed for our school districts in getting bus drivers and other personnel, Joyce said. I think where we are is really just needing to get the COVID surge under control.

Fortunately, the situation isnt as dire in all of the states other 115 school districts. Winner said she is hearing from most district leaders that the bus driver shortage hasnt reached the level of severity being seen in Guilford, Wake, or CMS yet. But that doesnt mean it wont.

It is definitely something to watch, she said. There are other districts who could get there, but theyre just not there yet.

This article first appeared on EducationNC and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related: Sign up for The 74s newsletter
JERSEY SHORE - Looking for a local COVID-19 test at the last minute? Look no further, Jersey Shore residents.

Ocean Township and the Visiting Nurses Association of New Jersey will be offering free, walk-in COVID-19 testing starting Jan. 13 at the Oakhurst Fire House (72 Larkin Place).

The clinic is slated to run Jan. 13, 18 and 20, according to a Nixle alert from Ocean Township police.

Monmouth County is also offering its own testing and vaccine clinic pop-ups this month. See the schedule below:

January 13: Highlands

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Highland Community Center, 22 Snug Harbor Avenue

*vaccines only

January 19: Neptune

4 to 7 p.m.

Neptune Senior Center, 1607 NJ-33

*Offering testing and vaccines

January 20: Allentown

1 to 4 p.m.

Allentown First Aid Squad, 70 County Road 526

*vaccines only

January 26: Howell

4 to 7 p.m.

Howell Senior Center, 251 Preventorium Road

*Offering testing and vaccines

Vaccines are also available every Tuesday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft at the Children's Learning Center (CLC) parking lots 4 and 5.

Walk-ins are welcome for those ages five and older. Photo IDs, immigration documentation and health insurance is not required.

Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines are available for first, second and third doses.

Questions can be directed to www.visitmonmouth.com/health or 732-431-7456.

This article originally appeared on the Manasquan-Belmar Patch
The Saturday digital replica, or e-Edition, will have the same look and news as the printed newspaper.

Responding to continued rapid shifts toward digital news consumption, The Daily News is announcing a change in print delivery frequency beginning March 12.

The Daily News will cease home delivery on Saturdays but instead will provide subscribers with a full digital replica of the newspaper that day, filled with local news, advertising and features such as comics and puzzles. The new model means subscribers will get newspapers delivered to their home six days a week, with a digital newspaper available every day.

Our commitment to local news remains steadfast, but the platforms on which people are consuming news continue to evolve. What was once solely a daily newspaper has transformed to include a digital site, mobile app, social media platforms, multimedia and more, said Sherry Jones, NC East Group executive editor. Our print newspapers remain a vital and important part of our strategy, but we are making a change this year in response to subscriber and advertising trends.

The Saturday digital replica, or e-Edition, will have the same look and news as the printed newspaper. The digital format also has some additional features, such as the ability to clip and share articles with friends and family and adjust the text size.

In addition, subscribers of The Daily News will now have access to the USA TODAY Networks full suite of e-Editions across the country, as well as ad-free access to the USA TODAY Crossword puzzle. The Daily News is part of the USA TODAY Network, and the change being announced today also is taking place at numerous other publications in the network.

All print subscribers of The Daily News have full digital access, meaning they have the ability to read news updates throughout the day, subscriber-only stories and video and audio features, among other benefits. Subscribers also have 24/7 access to obituaries, legal notices, and classifieds on our website.

News and sales staffing at The Daily News will not change as a result of this. However, those staffs will be even better aligned toward digital news delivery.

Story continues

Delivery times for the other days of the week will remain unchanged.

We will continue to strategically evolve our business model, while making decisions that keep our loyal subscribers at the forefront, Jones said. Our newspapers are a vital part of the fabric of our community. Now, more than ever, its critical to support local news with subscriptions and advertising.

Anyone with questions about the change can access their account at https://help.jdnews.com/subscription-services or call customer service at 910-577-7323.

This article originally appeared on The Daily News: Daily News to stop Saturday print publication and offer digital edition
Senators on Tuesday demanded clear answers from the Biden administration health officials on the state of the resurging pandemic and the government's short- and long-term plans for combating it. They mostly got jargon.

In contrast to previous oversight hearings on the Biden administration's Covid-19 response, Democrats on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee raised sharp questions and complaints about widespread confusion and frustration around who should isolate and for how long after a Covid exposure or diagnosis, or where and when to get tested.

We want the Biden team to take advantage of the opportunity to speak directly to those frustrations and anxieties, a senior Democratic aide told POLITICO heading into the hearing.

The answers may not assuage their fears. Here's what was said, and the takeaways:

The question: What is current CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation?

What they said: Centers for Disease Control Director Rochelle Walensky spent several minutes walking lawmakers through her agency's recently-amended guidelines for Covid infections, which critics have called confusing and contradictory,

If they are exposed and completely boosted, they do not need to stay home, but they should get a test at day five," Walensky said. "So by five days after your symptoms  if youre feeling better, if your fever is better, if your cough and sore throat are better, then on day six you can go out, but you have to wear a mask and you have to wear a mask reliably.

When HELP Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) interrupted to ask for more clarity on what to do between days five and 10, Walensky replied: You shouldnt go visit grandma. You shouldnt get on an airplane.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) later told the officials that many Americans  himself included  dont even understand what it means to be exposed. Biden Chief Medical Adviser Anthony Fauci explained it means 15 or more minutes in close contact with someone known to be infected.

Story continues

The takeaway: Confusion still reigns. People five days into a Covid infection shouldnt go visit grandma, but if theyre a health care worker, they are cleared to treat grandmas in a hospital. The lack of a testing component to reenter society also reflects the administrations current scramble to address a severe shortage of reliable tests, leaving the CDC asking individuals to make decisions based on a subjective evaluation of their own symptoms.

The question: How did CDC arrive at those guidelines? Was it a public health or an economic decision?

What they said: Walensky acknowledged that the CDC changed its quarantine and isolation guidance based both on new research about when Covid-positive people are most infectious as well as the real-world circumstances we currently face with a decimated workforce.

In particular, she said she has heard from hospitals around the country that they had plenty of beds, but they didnt have staff to staff them and that preventing closures of schools and pharmacies were other top priorities.

The takeaway: Walensky is arguing that even the economic imperative to get more people back to work faster has a health component. If hospitals dont have enough workers, for example, they could be forced to turn patients away or delay elective procedures.

Yet the acknowledgment that the guidance change wasnt based purely on science leaves a perception that the government is willing to put workers health behind economic interests.

The question: Why are there still test shortages? When will they be resolved?

What they said: Assistant Health Secretary Dawn OConnell testified that when the Omicron varient began sweeping across South Africa and Europe in the fall and early winter, the Biden administration immediately reached out to our manufacturers to understand any supply constraints they had and to evaluate their surge capacity.

Beyond daily follow-up meetings, she said the administration has used the Defense Production Act a dozen times to help free up testing supplies, expand manufacturing capacity and make sure the U.S. gets first priority. And she said it's working to fulfill Bidens recent promise to provide free rapid at-home tests to those that want them, but added the $3 billion invested in the work so far is not enough. Just 10 percent of the 500 million promised tests have been purchased so far.

The takeaway: They're on the case.

The administration is dealing with supply chain hiccups and a testing workforce that is itself sidelined by Covid and other challenges. But lawmakers faulted the administration Tuesday for failing to prepare for the current surge months ago, when demand for testing was lower.

And while the health officials stressed Tuesday that keeping schools open is a priority this winter, the testing shortage has left schools scrambling to obtain enough to track infections and decide who goes to the classroom and who stays home.

The question: Why is CDC data on vaccination rates still spotty and inaccurate? When will the agency get it right?

What they said: Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) pressed Walensky on why the CDC cant distinguish between booster shots and first vaccine doses, which has led to incorrect data on vaccination rates in her state and elsewhere.

Walensky responded that CDC is the compiler of the data and we rely on state immunization services to provide CDC the data at the state level. She added that when people dont bring their vaccine card to their booster shot appointment, the shot is marked down as their first dose instead of their third.

Walensky couldn't say when the issue will be resolved, but she noted the agency is working with every state to reconcile data gaps.

The takeaway: CDC says the blame really rests with states and Americans who don't accurately keep records.

Yet vaccination rates are far from the only area where the federal government has struggled to pull together and make available accurate data on the state of the pandemic. As Walensky noted, data trickles up from underfunded state and local health departments  many of which still operate on manual data entry, fax machines and other outdated technologies.

The problem extends beyond vaccination rates to challenges tracking new variants, collecting information on racial disparities in Covid-19 infections and more  forcing the government to turn to international data to make domestic policy decisions as the pandemic drags on.

The question: Why does the CDC find it really encouraging that people with underlying health conditions are dying of Covid?

What they said: Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) expressed concern about remarks Walensky made on Good Morning America on Friday that the CDC found it really encouraging that the majority of deaths from people infected with Omicron are happening to people with other medical conditions.

Walensky said the comment was taken out of context and that she was referencing a recent study that demonstrated the currently available vaccines are doing a great job protecting most people from Omicron.

The study was a cohort of 1.2 million people who were vaccinated, and 36 people passed  demonstrating the remarkable effectiveness of our vaccines. But no less tragic are those 36 people who passed because of Covid-19, and many of them had comorbidities.

She added that the agency is taking additional steps to help people with disabilities.

The takeaway: Walensky still has a messaging problem. While vaccines are holding strong against the new variants and preventing millions of hospitalizations and deaths, people with disabilities, parents of children too young to be vaccinated and other vulnerable groups still feel that the government is not doing enough, or taking their needs into account when crafting policy and guidance.


TALLAHASSEE  A defiant Gov. Ron DeSantis opened the 2022 Legislature Tuesday by blistering President Biden's administration over its COVID-19 policies while endorsing his own approach that he said emphasized freedom for Floridians.

DeSantis used the word "free" and its variations 12 times in his 35-minute State of the State speech to a joint session of the House and Senate. He also condemned federal pandemic policies for being as ineffective as they have been destructive.

By contrast, the governor touted his opposition to vaccine and mask mandates, and to virtually any kind of restrictions to a pandemic now surging into its third year.

GOP legislators follow DeSantis: Powered by money and politics, Floridas election-year legislative session set to start

Ready to spend big: Helped by federal aid, Gov. Ron DeSantis spends big in $99.7 billion budget proposal

Race to the right: Budding rivalry pits Greg Abbott against Ron DeSantis in race to the right

Policy, then pitch  It's DeSantis' way: DeSantis policy moves often followed by fundraising pitch

Florida is a free state, DeSantis told lawmakers. We reject the biomedical security state that curtails liberty, ruins livelihoods and divides society. And we will protect the rights of individuals to live their lives free from the yoke of restrictions and mandates.

A State of the State speech is usually a combination of highlight film  a look back at the accomplishments of the governor  and a wish list of what the leader wants from the Legislature.

For DeSantis, that meant touting a Florida economy that in some measures is outperforming the national model, particularly in unemployment and job growth. But like the nation, Florida still has not returned to the job numbers that existed pre-pandemic.

DeSantis tells lawmakers, public that 'freedom works' in speech

Freedom works, the governor said. Our economy is the envy of the nation. And the state is well-prepared to withstand future economic turmoil.

Story continues

DeSantis also credited the states success to his guidance through COVID-19  even though Florida is now averaging almost 60,000 cases a day, hospitals are crowded, worker shortages are emerging in some sectors and universities have few places for students with the virus to isolate.

Gov. Ron DeSantis presents his State of the State Address during opening day of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

The governors only mention of state attempts to blunt the course of the virus was when he credited his administrations efforts to expand monoclonal antibody treatment. Democrats anticipated the DeSantis narrative.

His prevailing narrative in this election year is that there is no pandemic. What pandemic? And legislative leadership seems to be following that call, Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said Monday, before the session opened.

GOP leaders in the Legislature, though, have formed a powerful bond with the governor. And it is likely that many of his legislative priorities will come true by the scheduled finish of the legislative session on March 11.

Outnumbered Democrats, though, say the governors approach is out-of-step with the concerns of many Floridians.

Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, also singled out the governors intent this session to push a number of conservative hot buttons instead of what he called addressing the needs of Floridians struggling to meet rising housing costs, child care and workplace changes caused by the virus.

A priority of the governor is seeking further restrictions on critical race theory in schools and private employers that appear aimed at stamping out woke discussion of racial inequities.

It is a distraction from reality, said Alexander, slated to be the chamber's Democratic leader for the 2023 and 2024 sessions. We see this common theme of utilizing culture wars to distract from real issues that are impacting people every single day.

The First Lady of Florida Casey DeSantis smiles as she is recognized by her husband Gov. Ron DeSantis during his State of the State Address during opening day of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

DeSantis, in his State of the State address, also took plenty of jabs at President Biden, now a standard part of his repertoire as he not only looks to run for re-election this year, but also courts supporters who see him as a possible White House contender in 2024.

White House COVID-19 adviser Anthony Fauci was singled out for attack when the governor scoffed at federal pandemic efforts.

These unprecedented policies have been as ineffective as they have been destructive, DeSantis said. They are grounded more in blind adherence to Faucian declarations than they are in the constitutional traditions that are the foundation of free nations.

State treasury awash in cash for 2022-23 budget

Although more than 3,400 bills and appropriations projects have been filed this session, only one measure must be approved  and thats a state budget for 2022-23.

This year, the state treasury is awash in cash  fueled by that rebounding economy and supplemented by $3.4 billion of federal relief money  which Biden steered through Congress over opposition from every Republican member of the U.S. House and Senate.

The bounty of money is allowing DeSantis to recommend pay raises and bonuses across politically active public employee sectors.

In his $99.7 billion budget proposal, DeSantis has called for $1,000 bonuses for teachers, first responders and law enforcement.

DeSantis also is seeking $600 million for the third year of an effort to increase starting pay for all Florida teachers to $47.500  a level among the highest in the nation, but which still hasnt helped blunt a 5,000-person teacher shortage this year in schools.

DeSantis is recommending state worker pay raises  an amount expected to represent an average 4% hike for most employees and a 1% boost for senior management workers.

Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez waves as she is recognized in the Florida Senate on opening day of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

Another $1 billion of federal cash would go toward another DeSantis item he wants lawmakers to approve this session: A 25-cents-a-gallon cut in the states gas tax, effective in July and spanning the next five months, including November and Election Day.

This is money that is coming down from a Democratic Congress and a Biden administration  this money would not be there, so its important to recognize where this money is coming from, said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, Floridas lone statewide elected Democrat and among three prominent challengers to DeSantis.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried chats with Senator Janet Cruz before the start of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, a St. Petersburg Democrat and former Republican governor, and Sen. Annette Taddeo, D-Miami, also are running for their partys nomination to face DeSantis in the fall.

The governor is recommending millions of dollars for Everglades restoration, environmental programs and more than a half-a-billion dollars for cities and counties wrestling with infrastructure problems caused by rising sea levels and powerful storms stemming from climate change.

DeSantis is proposing boosting per-pupil spending next year by more than $200, bringing the average spent on each of Floridas 2.7 million school kids to $8,000. He also holds the line by recommending no college or university tuition increases.

DeSantis touched on many points that have become part of many speeches by the governor. He was critical of hysterical media, Big Tech companies that have used their platforms to elevate preferred narratives, and defended law enforcement against defunding efforts.

The governor is looking for lawmakers to approve a $5,000 bonus pay idea for new law enforcement officers and for those looking to move to Florida from other states.

DeSantis is asking the Legislature to OK $73 million to raise minimum salary for entry-level state law enforcement by 20% and to give existing state law enforcement officers a 25% raise.

Serving in law enforcement is a noble calling and we will not allow our officers to be smeared by reckless politicians and corporate media, he said.

John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: State of the State: DeSantis declares Florida 'free,' attacks Biden policies
A 47-year-old Delray Beach man has agreed not to contest allegations that he defrauded nearly $2.8 million from 11 investors.

To settle a lawsuit filed against him by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Anthony Cottone agreed to repay any ill-gotten gains and promised not to violate securities laws in the future, according to papers filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach.

In signing the agreement, Cottone said he was not admitting to allegations that he used investors money for himself and various business ventures, including a failed auto dealership. But the agreement also prohibits him from publicly denying the accusations.

Botanica Group Holdings, which Cottone operated through his Boca Raton-based Retirement Planning Institute, was also sued by the SEC and inked a similar settlement.

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As part of the scheme that operated for four months in 2017, Cottone touted his credentials as a certified financial planner to lure people to invest in the sale of preferred interest in a fund he operated, attorneys for the SEC wrote. Investors were promised 12% annual interest.

Investors were also told that any commissions would go to a registered broker-dealer. Cottone was neither, SEC attorneys wrote.

Further, they said, Cottone failed to tell investors that in 2015, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in federal court in Pennsylvania for helping others sell drugs on the internet to people without prescriptions.

The Florida Office of Financial Regulation in 2018 refused his request for a license, saying Cottone made false statements about the conviction on his application, the attorneys said.

Story continues

His license as a certified financial planner was yanked in March 2020 after the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority barred him from having any association with a FINRA member after Cottone failed to respond to an investor complaint.

No date has been set for Cottone to appear in court.

jmusgrave@pbpost.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: SEC, Delray Beach man settle lawsuit over $2.8 million fraud claim
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was elected Tuesday as South Floridas  and the nations  newest member of Congress.

Cherfilus-McCormick held an insurmountable lead Tuesday evening over the other four candidates in the special election in the Broward-Palm Beach County 20th Congressional District. Shell fill the vacancy created by the April 6 death of U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings.

As soon as results from mail ballots and in person early voting were posted just after polls closed at 7 p.m., Cherfilus-McCormick had a commanding lead. The Associated Press declared her the winner at 7:09 p.m.

She declared soon after. I am so excited and humbled, she said, later smiling and telling reporters that the margin  78% at 8 p.m.  was gratifying. The people have spoken and the people have spoken very loudly.

Cherfilus-McCormick is flying to Washington, D.C, on Wednesday. She hopes to be sworn in at 9 a.m. Thursday, something she said depends on the Florida secretary of state quickly validating the results

Cherfilus-McCormicks election wasnt in doubt  at least since November, when she won a fiercely competitive special Democratic primary election, besting a field that included six current or former elected officials who collectively had had been elected to office 26 times.

With her victory in Tuesdays special general election, Cherfilus-McCormick makes history. She becomes the first Haitian-American Democrat elected to Congress. The 20th District, which stretches from Miramar in southwest Broward to Riviera Beach in northeastern Palm Beach County, includes most of the African-American and Caribbean-American communities in the two counties.

The other candidates  Republican Jason Mariner, Libertarian Mike ter Maat and two no party affiliation/independent candidates, Jim Flynn and Leonard Serratore  are all white men.

During the campaign Mariner and ter Maat rejected the suggestion that they couldnt adequately represent residents of the district, in which 53% of the residents are Black and 27% Hispanic.

Story continues

All four were running significantly behind Cherfilus-McCormick on Tuesday night.

Barry Roeder, 78, a retired federal law enforcement officer who lives in Tamarac, voted for Cherfilus-McCormick. She represented the same things Alcee Hastings represented and I thought that she would continue with his policies, he said.

The special election attracted relatively little public interest. Many polling places were devoid of voters for much of the day. Most people who participated did so via mail ballots.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, county supervisor of elections offices reported turnout of 11.4% in Broward and 11.9% in Palm Beach County. More than seven out of 10 votes cast by that time were mail ballots. About three-quarters of the rest were votes cast on Tuesday and about a quarter were cast during nine days of in-person early voting.

Progressive

Cherfilus-McCormick heads to a largely politically polarized Washington, D.C., ready to vote for President Joe Bidens Build Back Better plan, which is stalled.

She is a champion of progressive priorities, including Medicare for All and a Green New Deal and supports increasing the minimum wage, federal action to protect voting rights, comprehensive immigration reform, and an end to what many see as discriminatory treatment by the U.S. government toward Haitian immigrants.

Her signature issue, the Peoples Prosperity Plan calls for $1,000 a month federal grants for all adults earning less than $75,000 a year.

The other candidates skewered the proposal as unaffordable and said it would never become law. Mariner said it was an attempt to bribe voters, and if it somehow were enacted would decimate and kill the job market.

Nicholas Marchand, a self-employed landscaper who lives in Fort Lauderdale, agreed, and voted for Mariner.

I was actually voting against Sheila because I dont agree with that $1,000 business, he said. I just thought that was completely irresponsible for her to put that out in the public. It just makes people not want to work. I mean, why bother?

Roeder, the Tamarac resident who voted for Cherfilus-McCormick, said he didnt support Cherfilus-McCormicks plan. People become dependent upon that; it makes people probably reluctant to work as necessary, he said, adding it would prove very inflationary and it is just not a really good idea.

During the campaign, Cherfilus-McCormick countered critics, arguing it was very much possible. She pointed to similar universal basic income initiatives some cities have implemented and the federal child tax credit as steps in that direction.

Mariner described himself as an America First conservative. He is also a supporter of former President Donald Trump who espoused some of Trumps false claims that fraud was the reason he lost the 2020 presidential race.

That didnt prove a winning formula in a district in which only about one in eight registered voters is a Republican. Trump received just 22% of the vote in the 2020 election.

New congresswoman

Cherfilus-McCormick, 41, has never before held elected office. She is a lawyer and chief executive of her familys Trinity Healthcare Services, a home health care company.

She set her sights on the congressional seat years ago, challenging Hastings in the 2018 and 2020 Democratic primaries. Though she didnt win, the experience running and connections she established helped her win the Democratic nomination.

Cherfilus-McCormick also spent heavily, allowing her to introduce herself and her policies in TV ads during the primary and enabled to her to create a large field operation with offices and staffers knocking on doors throughout the district.

As of Dec. 22, she had spent $2.7 million, 95% of which came through loans the candidate made to her campaign. She reported raising about $135,000 in contributions. Most of her spending was during the primary campaign.

By contrast, Mariner reported raising about $105,000 and spending about $81,000 for the primary and the general election through Dec. 22.

Cherfilus-McCormick describes herself as a daughter of the district. Born in New York City, she spent her pre-teen years in Brooklyn, then Queens, before moving to Miramar. To me it was like a different world, she said in a November interview. When I came to Florida, it was peace.

In a written questionnaire, Cherfilus-McCormick said that before her marriage she was a single parent for 12 years, raising a daughter with a learning disability.

The medical debt coupled with my student loan debt made me feel like I was being cemented into poverty. I suffered in silence for years, while I watched my daughters self-esteem plummet, she wrote. When a friend had difficulty affording the care her daughter needed, Cherfilus-McCormick said she turned from a voter into an advocate.

Long vacancy

By the time Cherfilus-McCormick starts work, the district will have gone without representation for more than nine months.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has the authority to set the dates of special elections, delayed the special election far longer than any other governor in the last two decades.

As a result, one less Democratic vote in the House has made it harder for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass her partys agenda.

Another campaign looms

Now that shes won, Cherfilus-McCormick must begin her next campaign right away.

Former Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, who lost the Nov. 2 special Democratic primary to McCormick by five votes, has already filed paperwork to run in the August 2022 primary for the Democratic nomination for a full term.

The third-place finisher in the special primary, former Broward Commissioner Barbara Sharief, may also run again.

Theres one other significant factor: No one knows the configuration of the district for the next election.

During the annual state legislative session that started Tuesday, lawmakers are redrawing boundaries of all congressional districts to reflect population shifts uncovered in the 2020 Census. The new district could look far different from the one Cherfilus-McCormick will represent for until January 2023.

Voting glitch

A voting glitch affected a relatively small number of ballots at two Broward precincts.

Two types of elections were taking place Tuesday. The congressional election and a state House of Representatives contest were open to all voters. A state Senate primary was held only for Democrats.

At Martin Luther King Elementary and Delevoe Park, a total of 31 voters didnt get ballots with all the contests they should have, Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott said. He said workers at both precincts didnt open both boxes and didnt realize they didnt have both correct styles of ballots.

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(Sun Sentinel staff reporter Angie DiMichele contributed to this report.)

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A defendant in the alleged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot is asking the court again to dismiss the case, claiming he has more proof that the government's case is no good.

Specifically, defendant Kaleb Franks is questioning the federal government's use of a rogue undercover informant who allegedly worked as a "double agent," secretly plotting to help the suspects snatch the governor, while also allegedly trying to thwart their arrests.

This photo shows from top left, Kaleb Franks, Brandon Caserta, Adam Dean Fox, and bottom left, Daniel Harris, Barry Croft, and Ty Garbin. A federal judge on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, said he would postpone the Oct. 12 trial of five men accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The government disclosed this detail in a court filing last week and said it fired this paid informant, though Franks is now looking to use this information to his advantage, saying it supports what the defense has been arguing all along: that the defendants were entrapped.

In a Tuesday court filing, the defense offered new details about the so-called "double-agent" informant and the FBI's discovery that he had gone rogue, which was captured in an FBI memo that the defense has now made public.

More: Feds: Enough with the delays. Let's take this Whitmer kidnap case to trial

More: Wife beater, liar, schemer: 3 FBI agents crucial in Whitmer kidnap case, defense lawyers say

With trial just two months away, the defense disclosed several new details in the case this week, including that FBI informants used key fobs to spy on the defendants and that those gadgets captured conversations that the jury needs to hear. It also offered new information about the so-called double agent, including that he paid for, organized and attended multiple meetings and exercises with the defendants, including a national group meeting in Peebles, Ohio, where he "provided pizza, moonshine and paid for (the) attendees hotel rooms."

On Tuesday came disclosure of the FBI memo that the defense believes proves that the FBI knew the informant was "leading the conversations," "shaping" the plans and "making concerted efforts to ingratiate himself with the defendants."

Story continues

That memo, which captures an FBI agent's summation of how the informant was performing, includes the following:

"(The informant) appeared to be fully cooperative with the FBI pertaining to militia matters and disrupting the plot (to) kidnap the governor of Michigan. (He) didn't always appear to fully understand the scope and limitations of how the FBI conducted its investigations or what was expected of him."

The memo continued:

"He was directed to be a sponge during conversations with subjects of interests. However, frequently (the informant) could be heard taking control of conversations and providing a lot of input. (He) appeared to enjoy being a person in charge and relishes the respect and admiration of their peers."

Then came talk of the informant "embellishing" deeds and abilities.

"It was hard to determine at times if this was to increase his bona fides, or for his own ego, or if it was to steer the investigation," the memo states.

"This passage demonstrates the firm ground supporting the defenses position that

(the informant) manipulated this investigation," defense attorney Scott Graham argued in the filing.

Graham's client and four other men are scheduled to go to trial on March 8 on federal kidnapping conspiracy charges. A sixth defendant, Ty Garbin, has pleaded guilty in the case and is serving a six-year prison sentence. Garbin is expected to testify against the others.

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More: How the defense plans to clear suspects in Gov. Whitmer kidnap trial

On Christmas Day, the defense asked the court to dismiss the case on multiple grounds  entrapment being the leading defense argument  and Graham is now asking the judge to consider the FBI memo as more proof.

An attorney for Adam Fox, accused of being the ringleader in the case, has argued that the government's double-agent story is self-serving.

"The Governments claim that (the informant) is a 'double agent' is an attempt by the

government to distance itself from the statements made by (the informant) during the investigation," attorney Christopher Gibbons argued in a court filing this week.

New details about how that informant misbehaved, and the FBI's discovery of his misbehavior, were disclosed in a new court filing this week. The defense published a memo in which an FBI agent discusses the discovery that the informant was trying to coverup his missteps, including asking another informant  not knowing they were an informant  to "delete the in-car recording of the surveillance of the governor's home."

The FBI made this discovery on Oct. 8, 2020, the same day the six federal suspects were arrested in a sting.

"On Oct. 8, 2020, the FBI received information that (the informant) was attempting to influence other individuals to dispose of items which ... may be of evidentiary value to a federal investigation," the FBI memo states. "(This informant) was also suspected of planning to travel to Michigan to harm an individual. (The informant), who is a convicted felon, may also have been in possession of firearms, outside the scope of the otherwise illegal activity that was provided by the FBI."

Graham questions how and why the FBI continued to use this informant for another three weeks while asking him to "lay low." The informant, who allegedly tipped off one defendant about the impending arrest, wasn't kicked off the case until Oct. 27, 2020, almost three weeks after the suspects' arrests.

The day before the arrests, court records state, an FBI agent thanked the informant for his service.

"So one cant help but wonder (1) how closely was the FBI truly monitoring the (informant) if they didnt suspect the October 8 revelations; and (2) did they suspect those revelations and look the other way as long as it was convenient to do so," Graham argues in his filing.

Graham also questions if the government got rid of the informant "only once they had to because of concerns about this cases progress."

More: Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot defense asks judge to dismiss indictment

The government, which has kicked four rogue actors off the Whitmer investigation, including three FBI agents and a paid informant, maintains it has a strong case that will prevail at trial. It has repeatedly scoffed at the entrapment allegations, arguing it has evidence showing that the defendants not only talked about kidnapping the governor, but took steps to make it happen, including casing Whitmer's vacation house twice, drawing up maps, buying night vision goggles and taking extra precautions to cover up their tracks, including texting on encrypted online chats.

Meanwhile, the defense continues to pursue its entrapment argument, and has asked the judge to let jurors hear 258 statements that were captured in secret recordings and text messages, including many on key fobs. The statements involve FBI agents and an informant who were kicked off the case and will not be testifying at trial. The government has argued their comments are hearsay and should not be allowed at trial, though the defense disagrees.

The defense also has alleged that there will be no "bomb" evidence introduced at trial. Among the allegations is that the defendants were plotting to blow up a bridge near Whitmer's vacation house to slow down law enforcement response efforts following the planned kidnapping.

"In this case, the 'bomb' was entirely a fiction," the defense argues. "There will be no physical evidence of a bomb introduced at trial because no bomb ever existed, as a prop, or otherwise."

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New details in Whitmer kidnap case show how informant may help defense
Beginning next week, those who visit Dutchess Countys free COVID-19 testing site will wait minutes for results, rather than days. And, lab-tested results will also be available sooner.

The county announced rapid antigen testing will be offered at the Poughkeepsie Galleria site beginning Tuesday, and said a new testing provider would cut down on the time residents will have to wait for PCR test results.

The announcement comes a week after some residents on social media and in messages sent to the Journal said they had waited more than a week for their PCR results from the county site  with some saying they never received them  and amid an outbreak of a contagious COVID-19 strain that has been shown to have symptoms that can last less than a week.

Hospitalizations in the county due to COVID-19 infections reached a record-high on Monday, despite the omicron variant producing less severe cases than previous strains, in many instances.

Dutchess said its new partnership with New Jersey-based Senergene Solutions will cut down the wait time for lab results to 48 hours of a lab receiving a test in most cases based on demand. Tests are sent to the labs on the day of the test.

The Dutchess County COVID Test Site at the former J.C. Penney's in the Town of Poughkeepsie on January 6, 2022.

County Executives Office spokesperson Colleen Pillus said the county will continue utilizing ProPhase Labs to process results. Senergene will oversee the testing at the site, including its staffing, courier service to the labs and notifying residents of their results. Pillus noted Senergene has access to multiple labs, which will help reduce congestion with processing tests. Senergene and the state Department of Health are also adding testers which should greatly reduce time waiting in line.

The site, based on the second floor of the mall's former JC Penney location, previously did not offer rapid antigen testing. Though PCR tests have been shown to be more accurate than antigen, the rapid tests can provide an early indication of a likely result.

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Story continues

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In a release, the county said the use of the New Jersey-based Senergene Solutions should resolve the lengthy delays some residents experienced late in December. The county has maintained the week-long delays in getting residents results had been confined to an isolated instance with testing on Dec. 28, with both the county and the lab pointing toward a "logistical mistake" possibly tied to a courier as the likely culprit for a mix-up in delivering samples.

ProPhase last week asserted it had quadrupled staff in recent weeks and turnaround time was not an issue in providing results. The county, though, has stated the increase in tests being conducted in recent weeks was a reason for delays beyond the previously expected 72-hour turnaround time.

Testing at the site is available Tuesdays through Fridays from 1 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome but preregistration through the portal available at dutchessny.gov/coronavirustesting.

Dr. Livia Santiago-Rosado, Dutchess health commissioner, said in a statement expanding the availability of these tests is the best way to provide residents with the information needed to protect themselves, their loved ones and the greater community. Regardless of your test results, if you have any symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please stay home and monitor your own health to safeguard the well-being of those around you.

Hospitalizations spike

The Dutchess County COVID Test Site at the former J.C. Penney's in the Town of Poughkeepsie on January 6, 2022.

Testing resources have been in high demand in recent weeks both due to the holiday season and the omicron variant, which has sent case totals to their highest levels of the pandemic.

As of Monday, the most recent day for which the county shared data on its online dashboard, there were 7,186 active, known, COVID cases among county residents, a number that decreased in the two days since reaching an all-time high or 8,510 Saturday. It also may be an undercount. The total reflects the number of confirmed cases known to the county health department, which leaves out cases known to individuals who tested at home and did not report their case, or possible cases among people who have been unable to find a test.

And, despite omicron creating more mild symptoms in most cases, including most of those who are fully vaccinated and boostered, there are still some suffering severe symptoms. There were 184 hospitalized with the virus in county hospitals Monday, the most at any point in the pandemic and nearly twice as many as at the start of the year. Twenty-one patients were in the intensive care unit with COVID-19 Monday, according to the hospitals self-reporting, and 16 were intubated.

Seventeen county residents have died of reasons relating to the illness in the first 10 days of the month, and 553 have died throughout the pandemic.

The county has made booster shots available in the lower level of the former JC Penney location on Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m., Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. While walk-ins are accepted, appointments can be made through the portal at dutchessny.gov.

As of Monday roughly 74.5% of county residents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 66.5% had completed their vaccine series; statistics are not available on how many who are eligible to receive a booster have done so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone receive a booster five weeks after completed their Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series or two weeks after their Johnson and Johnson shot.

The county has lagged behind the statewide numbers, though, as 78.8% of New York residents have receive at least one vaccination dose and 70.4% have completed their series.

Since COVID-19 vaccines were first available a year ago, weve seen the impact theyve made  lessening the severity of cases and reducing hospitalizations and deaths, Santiago-Rosado said in a statement.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Dutchess NY COVID testing site adds rapid tests, faster results
Looking for an easy day trip from Phoenix? Visit Tortilla Flat. This historic former stagecoach stop offers a scenic escape from the city and an authentic taste of the Old West.

The town's new owners have poured $500,000 into improvements to the old buildings that line Tortilla Flat's two blocks on State Route 88, also known as the Apache Trail, east of Apache Junction.

But don't expect anything to be shiny or modern looking. The goal of the renovations was to bring the facilities up to modern standards while maintaining the historical ambiance.

With food, live music, vintage buildings including a post office and museum, souvenirs, lots of Southwest history and of course the famous prickly pear gelato, it's easy to see why Tortilla Flat is a fun place to spend an afternoon.

Heres how to take a day trip from Phoenix to Tortilla Flat.

MORE THINGS TO DO: For restaurant reviews, travel tips, concert picks and more, subscribe to azcentral.com.

What is Tortilla Flat, AZ?

Just to be clear, author John Steinbecks book by the same name has nothing to do with the Arizona landmark.

Paul Robinson, the head of maintenance for the town of Tortilla Flat, walks past the town's country store on Feb. 26, 2021.

About 53 miles east of central Phoenix on the southern edge of Tonto National Forest, the area that became known as Tortilla Flat has for over 1,000 years served as a way station in the rugged Superstition Mountains. With its setting nestled between mountain passes and alongside the Salt River, the shady oasis has long welcomed weary travelers looking to refresh, refuel and relax.

Tortilla Flat came to prominence when Roosevelt Dam and the road leading to it  State Route 88  were being built in 1903. Tortilla Flat was a place of rest for dam workers and visitors on their way to the construction site, 26 miles to the north. It eventually became a stagecoach stop bringing travelers, businessmen and adventurers out West.

Arizona wildflowers: Hikes and scenic drivers where you can see the blooms

What's new at Tortilla Flat?

Owners Katie Ellering and RTDK Management, who bought the town as a 20-year lease from Tonto National Forest in September 2019, recently spent half a million dollars on improvements.

Story continues

Motorcyclists ride past the Superstition Restaurant & Saloon in Tortilla Flat on Feb. 26, 2021.

Renovations include a remodeled museum and bathrooms, new electrical wiring in the kitchen, a new boardwalk and signs, a remodeled retail store and colorful murals scattered throughout the town. The new owners have been careful to preserve the towns Western heritage.

So when you look around this place, it looks like nothing was done. And that's exactly the point, said Chris Field, director of operations at Tortilla Flat.

More local artists are now featured at the The Mercantile and Gift Store. Visitors can browse crafts from over 24 local vendors.

There is also a new town jail, and Field says it's more like an escape room. Guests who enter the jail have to solve three puzzles to get out.

'We are curators of history': Meet the new owners preserving Tortilla Flat's heritage

When is Tortilla Flat open?

Tortilla Flat is open year round. The summer season is June 1-Sept. 30. The winter season is Oct. 1-May 31.

In the summer, Tortilla Flat is open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. In winter, it's open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Weekend hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays all year.

Tubac: Explore one of Arizona's oldest communities in a day trip

What is there to do in Tortilla Flat?

The town is just two blocks long but dont let that fool you. There's plenty to occupy a visitor for an entire afternoon.

Tortilla Flat General Store and Ice Cream Shop: The general store is the last surviving original building from the 1940s. The homey little store is where you can pick up a sweet treat such as a scoop of prickly pear gelato or homemade fudge.

Mercantile and Gift Shop: Everyone needs a souvenir from Tortilla Flat, right? The Mercantile has you covered with Native American jewelry and pottery, postcards, T-shirts, coffee mugs, books on history and cooking, Tortilla Flat memorabilia and Southwestern artwork.

Post office: Because Tortilla Flat is a real town, it has a post office. Nestled in a corner of the Mercantile is a tiny post office where you can drop postcards, letters and packages. Buy a Tortilla Flat postcard and mail it from there so it has the town's name as the postmark.

Museum: A replica of the original tiny schoolhouse that was destroyed in a 1943 flood is now the Tortilla Flat Museum. Although it's just a single room, the museum has everything you could want to know about the towns colorful history. Learn about the improbable building of the Apache Trail, the 17 owners who have run the town over the past century, the floods and fires that have destroyed Tortilla Flat and the restoration efforts that followed each one.

The Apache Trail: The scenery and recreation opportunities are a big part of the attraction. You can hike and camp in the Superstition Mountains and nearby Lost Dutchman State Park. Fishing and boating are available at Canyon Lake, about 3 miles west of Tortilla Flat.

Whats on the menu at Tortilla Flat?

Nancy Clark (left) discusses what to order for lunch with her husband Stew Clark (right) at the Superstition Restaurant & Saloon in Tortilla Flat on Feb. 26, 2021.

Superstition Restaurant & Saloon: With saddle barstools and a rustic ambiance, this saloon will take you back in time. The walls are covered with old dollar bills and other currencies left by travelers over the years. The menu offers spicy chili, big grilled cheese and other sandwiches, pulled pork fries, burgers, wings and cold beverages. Brunch is offered from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

BBQ Patio: Enjoy the fresh air, live music from the Tortilla Flat Band and BBQ at the outdoor dining area. Order the chili burger, a rack of ribs and the same sandwiches offered at the saloon. It's open 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily from Dec. 26 through Easter, weather permitting.

How far is Tortilla Flat from Phoenix?

Tortilla Flat is about 53 miles east of central Phoenix. Take Interstate 10 east and U.S. 60 east to Idaho Road/State Route 88 (Exit 196.) Go north on Idaho Road to Apache Trail, turn east and drive 17 miles to Tortilla Flat.

From Tortilla Flat, you can drive the Apache Trail several more miles to the Fish Creek Hill overlook. Beyond the overlook, the road remains closed due to damage from the 2019 Woodbury Fire and the potential for flooding. For more details about the condition of the Apache Trail, visit https://azdot.gov.

Hit the trail: Best easy day hikes in Phoenix

Why is it called Tortilla Flat?

There isnt one definitive explanation for how Tortilla Flat got its name.

According to the town museum, one popular story traces the name to 1867, when pioneer John Cline and his group got stuck in the flat during a torrential rainfall after coming back from fetching supplies in Phoenix.

After being stranded for a few days, the only food the group had left was flour, so they made tortillas. To commemorate their week of survival they decided to call the area Tortilla Flat.

Another theory says that the area took its name from a tortilla-shaped butte near the stagecoach location.

What is the population of Tortilla Flat?

The population of Tortilla Flat is six people. It is an unincorporated part of Maricopa County. The residents are employees who work in the tourist attraction. It is considered Arizonas smallest official community and has its own voter precinct.

You can connect with Arizona Republic culture and outdoors reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com or you can also follow her on Twitter.

Support local journalism like this story by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tortilla Flat, AZ: Easy day trip on the Apache Trail from Phoenix
Jan. 12Imagine the reaction if North Dakota spent only a fraction of the hundreds of millions of COVID relief dollars it received from the federal government for infrastructure and economic recovery  and then returned nearly half of the sum.

Yet the state appears to be on the verge of sending back almost half of the federal funds it received to help people pay their rents during the coronavirus pandemic. North Dakota received $352 million to distribute to state residents but, according to a

report last week in the Herald

, plans to return unused dollars.

Hopefully, new thinking will come up with some sort of alternative that will aid North Dakotans in need rather than sending back that incredible sum of money  $149 million.

The dollars come from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Possibly, the feds have overestimated the state's ability to spend the full amount within the program's deadlines and parameters.

"We are a state with a population that if you're going to spend those dollars effectively, according to program guidelines in the timeframe that's given, that's not realistic," Jessica Thomasson, executive director for family stability and community inclusion at the North Dakota Department of Human Services, said in the Herald report.

According to Thomasson, there are about 120,000 rental units in the state and thousands of renters are eligible, but raising awareness of the program and spending the dollars is a huge task.

It's OK that state leaders are cautious and prudent with all dollars. Similarly, we understand that the pandemic has brought myriad, and unique, organizational nightmares to governing.

But can't something more be done to keep these dollars in the state to help people in need?

In the Herald report last week, housing advocates said more work must be done to try to disburse the federal dollars before they are sent back. One issue is that assistance payouts have been slow after the state switched to a private vendor for its online application portal.

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"That's a lot of assistance that can be given to families that need it," said Jade Eagle, of High Plains Fair Housing. "I feel like it'd be an absolute shame."

So do we.

Rather than return $149 million, the state should instead first consider ways to modify the program to better help North Dakota residents. One fix would be to remove what some housing advocates say are cumbersome steps, and allow potential recipients to simply self-attest their personal need. The state allows people to self-attest, but only after other methods to document their need have failed.

A better method would be to  as an early step rather than the last step  allow renters to sign a document declaring the impact the pandemic has had on them and their ability to pay rent. Let them declare in writing, "I need help." And if this federal money gives them a better chance to pay their rent, perhaps it will allow them a bit more financial freedom to buy food or other necessities. The point is that before this money is sent back, it's best to find ways to circulate it through North Dakota's economy. There is still time to figure this out  the deadline doesn't come until September.

This money is, for all intents and purposes, pork. Even in the eyes of the federal government, it's meant to be spent, and it can be put to good use in North Dakota.
An assistant principal at an Etowah County school has been placed on administrative leave after he was indicted on charges of first-degree sexual abuse.

William David Lockridge, 47, was arrested on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse Monday and released the same day on $100,000 bond. The website for West End High School listed David Lockridge as assistant principal at the school

"The Etowah County Board of Education is aware of an indictment involving Mr. David Lockridge and he has been placed on administrative leave," Etowah County Schools Superintendent Alan Cosby said in a statement.

A call to Lockridge about the case Tuesday was not immediately returned.

The indictment in the case accuses Lockridge of subjecting another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion. The case was investigated by Gadsden police, according to court documents.

Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Etowah County school administrator arrested in sexual abuse case
EVANSVILLE, Ind.  In a week that saw Indiana schools set a new record for COVID-19 cases reported among students, the numbers for area kids up to age 17 don't look that high at first glance.

And in the area's two largest public school systems  the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. and Warrick County School Corp.  no switch from in-person to remote learning is being contemplated. The switch has happened in some other parts of Indiana after the winter break.

"The safest place for kids to be is in school," Warrick County Superintendent Todd Lambert said on Tuesday morning. "The thing that will get us in remote won't so much be a specific number; the thing that will hold us up is going to be the availability of staff. If we have an overwhelming number of staff members who are out, that makes it difficult.

"I don't believe we're anywhere near that right now."

More: Indiana schools set new record for COVID-19 cases in first week back from winter break

But as the super-contagious but less-severe omicron variant picks up steam, identified cases among school-age children are skyrocketing as they are in other age groups.

Adolescents and younger children were 15% of the total of new identified cases in Vanderburgh County in the week of Jan. 3-9  and 21% in Warrick, 10% in Posey and 13% in Gibson. Warrick saw a notable increase, but in Vanderburgh, Gibson and Posey, the proportions of cases linked with kids were actually down or similar to the numbers posted in recent weeks.

Because new identified cases are exploding, those percentages translate into a lot more cases among school-age children.

Vanderburgh County last week more than doubled the all-time high of new COVID-19 cases it had set just the week before  from slightly more than 1,500 to nearly 3,200. The 15% attributed to school-age kids represents a modest increase over the 12% posted the week before  but it also represents about 477 cases.

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And that is a 162% increase over the previous week's total for school-age kids.

Mask mandates at the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. and other area school districts have so far remained unchanged, but EVSC steadfastly believes remote learning is not the way to go.

"Throughout the pandemic, individual schools and our central office have worked out coverage plans to allow in-person instruction to continue whenever staff members are not available to work," EVSC said in a written statement Tuesday morning. "We will do everything possible to continue this effort since remote learning is less beneficial for students and problematic for working parents."

Warrick County is hit the hardest

It is in Warrick County that the increase in school-age cases is most striking.

They went from 13% of all cases in Warrick two weeks ago to 21% last week, the highest figure among all age groups. But as in Vanderburgh County, Warrick County's total of reported cases also more than doubled last week. That 21% translated into about 212 total cases  a 248% increase over the previous week's total.

More: Mask mandates return, temporarily, for some Warrick County schools as COVID cases increase

Masks became mandatory at eight of Warrick's 18 schools  one high school, three middle schools and four elementary schools  on Monday.

On Tuesday, Lambert named them  Tecumseh High School, Tecumseh Middle School, Boonville Middle School, Castle North Middle School, Chandler Elementary School, Loge Elementary School, Lynnville Elementary School and Tennyson Elementary School.

The change will last for two school weeks, after which the mask requirement will be reevaluated.

COVID-19 data for individual schools are available on the Indiana State Department of Health's statewide dashboard (coronavirus.in.gov) by going to the School tab.

It shows, for example, that Tecumseh High School in Warrick County added eight more student positive cases last week to go to a total of 49 this school year. Tecumseh Middle School added no new student cases. Before winter break, the mask mandate had only been reinstated in those two schools.

The Warrick County School Corporation switched to optional masking in early November, with the caveat that would change if case numbers reached 2 percent of students and staff or if 5 percent of students and staff were quarantined.

Events are moving swiftly, Lambert said Tuesday.

"I do anticipate that we will have at least two to four schools this week hit those (numerical) thresholds," he said. "They'll go to masks."

Lambert declined to name them "because I don't know how the day will transpire  you know, if the cases go up and down."

"I'd like to say I'm confident that they're going to escape it  but just the way cases are going across the region, across the state and across the country, I think it's going to get a little worse here in the short run before it gets better," he said.

The Warrick superintendent is prepared for it to get worse.

"It's possible that all of our schools at some point during this omicron phase may be in a temporary mask-required setting," he said.

New cases occurring in younger ages

The new record for COVID-19 cases that was reported among students in a single week in Indiana last week involved more than 6,500 students testing positive in the week after the winter break.

The state reported more than 15,000 cases in a single day for the first time last week. Cases in Indiana schools had been on the rise before the winter break, and there were concerns that socializing over the holidays would fuel even more positive cases among students.

While some of the new student cases reported in Monday's weekly update dated back to previous weeks, the vast majority were attributed to last week when students started returning to classrooms statewide. The case count could climb even higher next Monday since, for many schools, this is their first full week back.

More: Hospitals hanging in there as Vanderburgh County sets new COVID-19 records

Another 686 new cases were reported among teachers and 884 among other staff members. Both are by far the highest totals for those populations reported this school year.

Because teachers are vaccinated at higher rates than students and the general population, infection rates among them had remained relatively low and stable this school year. Omicron is proving to be far more contagious than previous strains, although public health experts say vaccinated individuals are likely to have milder cases.

Age is less of a factor now, said Micah Pollak, an Indiana University Northwest professor and a leading statewide COVID-19 analyst.

"Before omicron, being young meant you were less likely to get infected. Now with omicron, the chance of getting infected doesn't seem to depend on age much," Pollak said. "So where cases are occurring are mostly among the less vaccinated groups, which are younger people."

There is support for that theory in the latest set of data in Vanderburgh County.

The 15% of cases attributed to kids 17 and under is surpassed only by the 25% linked to people in their 20s and the 19% attributed to people between the ages of 30 and 39.

Thomas B. Langhorne can be reached by email at tom.langhorne@courierpress.com.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville, Warrick schools address COVID-19 rise with mask mandates
The Panhandle Butterfly House and Nature Center Inc. is planning to open its own butterfly house in April following a fallout last summer between the organizations leadership and the nonprofit Keep Santa Rosa Beautiful.

Were calling it Project Metamorphosis because we're having to change all over again. But we will be open April 1, we already have our location, said Jenny Weber, head of the Panhandle Butterfly House. And we started the build. And we're just waiting on some materials for the new vivarium. So, we will have a butterfly house in April.

The Panhandle Butterfly House left its previous location at the foot of the Navarre Beach Bridge in 2018, when the county announced it was planning a renovation of the park.

Weber said the organization will both announce the location of the new house and open it for business April 1, adding that many of the elements from the first location will return for the new one.

Entire board ousted: Panhandle Butterfly House director, entire board ousted by Keep Santa Rosa Beautiful board

Moves to Milton: Panhandle Butterfly House moves to Milton, hopes to open by next summer

There will be examples of the entire lifecycle of the butterflies. So, all the educational components that were originally at the other place in Navarre, they'll all be there, and I think that people are going to be happy with this new location, Weber said. A lot of our followers are going to be happy with the new location.

Bill Walter, a member of the Panhandle Butterfly House team, said the new facility will allow them to continue their mission of educating the public.

Probably the most important thing we do is teach people about butterflies and other pollinators and how to grow the plants that actually support their habitat, Walter said.

The Panhandle Butterfly House announced its plans to move into the T.W. Jones house at 4966 Henry St. in Milton in 2020, and by fall of that year, the butterfly house, through its parent nonprofit Keep Santa Rosa Beautiful, received a $106,000 Impact 100 grant to build a vivarium at the Jones house.

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Butterfly feeders for sale during the Pensacola Beach Art Walk on the Boardwalk Sunday, June 13, 2021. The event included local art vendors, music and food.

In July 2021, Keep Santa Rosa Beautiful ended its relationship with Weber and the board of the Panhandle Butterfly House, drawing into question the future of the butterfly house.

Weber claims she and her organizers own the Panhandle Butterfly House likeness, saying they filed for 501(c)3 status in April 2021 after they asked to separate from KSRB. According to an IRS determination letter, the Panhandle Butterfly House and Nature Center did receive its own exemption status April 5. But on the Panhandle Butterfly House and Nature Center website, it claims it is a joint program with KSRB.

The News Journal reached out to KSRB for comment on its relationship with the Panhandle Butterfly House but received no response.

Audit finds 'virtually no internal controls' in Keep Santa Rosa Beautiful finances

Weber has raised concerns over the financial situation at KSRB, citing it as one of the reasons she wanted the Panhandle Butterfly House to separate from the group. Samuel Scallan, the director of internal audit for the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Circuit Court, said these concerns made their way to the Board of County Commissioners, which prompted an audit of KSRB's use of county-issued funds.

The audit was triggered based on public comments during public forums at county commissioner meetings that occurred in August and September (2021) when there were allegations of misuse of funds and what have you. And the board was concerned, Scallan told the News Journal.

In the audit, which finished late last year, Scallan found that Santa Rosa County has given KSRB over $967,000 since 2003. For fiscal year 2020-2021, Santa Rosa County contributed $3,000 on Aug. 24, 2021.

Scallan noted issues in the organization's overall financial procedures, or lack thereof.

Within KSRB there are virtually no internal controls over the financial operations of the association, the audit reads. There are no polices or procedures. There are no dual controls over cash.

Scallan told the News Journal the audit was intended to be seen by the county commissioners.

"The report was for (the commissioners) in their deliberations in considering whether or not to fund KSRP for another year," Scallan said.

At a Santa Rosa County Commission committee meeting on Monday, Chairman Bob Cole said county staff will review the audit and make a decision along with the county attorney as to when it would go on an agenda for the boards review.

Want to stay up to date on the latest news? Click here to subscribe to pnj.com.

In a response to the audit, John Adams, a law representing KSRB, recognized the countys power to audit the organization.

"As an initial matter, KSRB does not dispute and agrees that the County has the authority to examine the use of funds received by KSRB from the County, the response reads. KSRB desires to be a good partner with Santa Rosa County for the good work KSRB does in Santa Rosa County.

However, he questioned why some items outside of the scope of funds received by KSRB from the county were audited.

These attempts to audit activities well beyond the scope of funds contributed to KSRB by Santa Rosa County constitutes government overreach, Adams wrote.

The audit notes that KSRB is a private organization not subject to Florida Sunshine Law, meaning the scope of the commissioners' decision will focus of KSRB's use of public funds.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Panhandle Butterfly House and Nature Center set to open location in April
A new year is upon us.

We collectively can hit the reset button and look toward the 11 and a half months ahead with hope and optimism. Resolutions have been set. Vision boards are filled with goals and dreams for 2022.

John Barker is president and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association.

Yet Ohio restaurants are facing a sort of Groundhog Day.

Just like 2020 and 2021, a combination of intense challenges are at the doorstep.

COVID-19 cases are increasing because of the omicron variant.

Some customers are reticent about dining out and are canceling reservations.

Food and labor costs are soaring.

Labor shortages are exacerbated by people testing positive for COVID.

And operators and their roughly 585,000 Ohio food-service employees are wading through evolving Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to ensure their guests are safe as employees return to work.

According to a December survey of members of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, 86% of independent restaurants and bars that have not received COVID-19 financial relief are in danger of closing.

This is particularly alarming as restaurants and bars navigate a surge in COVID-19 cases that accelerated in December and continue in January. The holiday season is usually profitable for the restaurant industry, but at the end of last year, many central Ohio restaurants temporarily closed their doors and limited hours in the face of rising cases and staff exposures.

Over the past 22 months, the community has rallied around our local restaurants. Consumers have dined in, ordered takeout, used pickup windows, bought gift cards for loved ones and tipped well in a beautiful display of support for Ohio restaurants. Generosity from Ohioans has sustained the industry and allowed countless restaurants to survive.

We are now asking you, the consumer, to support Ohios restaurant industry in an additional way. Add your name to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment petition and call on Congress to help save Ohios restaurants  your favorite restaurants.

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The passing of the RRF in March 2021 gave much-needed hope to our restaurants, which make up the second-largest industry in Ohio. Across the state, 8,928 eligible restaurants quickly applied for the RRF program. Sadly, only 2,844 received assistance, as the program quickly ran out of funds, leaving more than 6,000 eligible Ohio restaurants with no financial lifeline.

Encourage Congress to support the restaurant industry in the same way you have over the past many months, by providing financial support for a vital part of our communities. This will help operators manage their debt and bills accumulated when they were forced to close and limit operations.

Go to restaurantsact.com/rrf and add your name to the chorus of restaurant owners fighting to keep their doors open. Replenishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund will help operators continue to provide our communities with delicious meals and continue to employ the second most Ohioans of any private-sector employer in the state.

As we begin to move through the new year, we are optimistic the 20,000 restaurants across this great state will remain open and ready to provide memorable dining experiences to Ohioans.

Owners in central Ohio share countless stories with our Ohio Restaurant Association team about how thankful they continue to be for the support of the community. In 2022, we have immense hope our collective voices will be heard as we continue the fight to save our favorite restaurants and keep Ohios vibrant hospitality community moving forward.

John Barker is president and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association.

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Fare Share: Customers have opportunity to support replenishment of Restaurant Revitalization Fund
FARMINGTON  Newly-released footage from the body camera worn by a Farmington police officer who was shot and wounded Friday night illustrates how quickly a peace officers job can potentially become deadly.

The camera captured video of a man police identified as an inmate who had escaped from a Colorado jail pulling a gun on the officer and firing at him at point blank range.

The Farmington Police Department on the night of Jan. 11 released video footage captured by Officer Joseph Barretos body camera from the night of Jan 7.

Elias Buck, 22, of Durango, Colorado, is wanted by law enforcement for a felony count of aggravated battery on a police officer.

Farmington Police Department Officer Joseph Barreto is seen in an undated photo. Barreto was shot once in his right arm while conducting a DWI investigation on Jan. 7.

Buck is accused of shooting Barreto once in his right arm amid the multiple gunshots fired at the officer, according to Farmington police spokesperson Nicole Brown and court documents.

Barreto has been discharged from San Juan Regional Medical Center and is recovering at his residence. He underwent surgery for his gunshot wound on Jan. 9.

The officer in a statement said he sincerely thanks everyone for their prayers and help during this time.

My family greatly appreciates it and it has helped alleviate some of the stress put on them. Im going to try to recover as fast as I can so I can get back out there with my shift and the department that has treated me like family, Joseph Barreto said in a statement. Again I just want to wholeheartedly thank everyone for their support.

A screenshot of body camera footage released by Farmington police shows a man police identified as 22-year-old Elias Buck pointing a handgun at Officer Joseph Barreto on Jan. 7 and firing the gun at the officer.

Body camera footage details shooting of Farmington police officer

Farmington police released two videos: the raw, unedited footage from Barretos body camera and a version edited to remove explicit language and enhance the footage at times to better see the shooter and the woman police identified as Victoria "Rossi" Hernandez in the dark video footage.

The video footage echoes the details released by police and contained in court documents.

Barreto exits his patrol vehicle and starts walking toward a fenced area. He is shining a flashlight toward the man and woman. The officer starts to walk toward the two and they start to approach him.

Story continues

Barreto asks them where they are coming from, and the man identified as Buck tells him from 20th Street. The man then mentions something about a man with blonde hair.

A screenshot of body camera footage released by Farmington police shows a man police identified as Elias Buck pulling a handgun on Officer Joseph Barreto on Jan. 7. Buck is accused of shooting Barreto once in the right arm as the officer tried to detain Buck.

When Barreto asks them to take a seat near the fence, the man responds by asking if hes been detained.

Barreto then responds that they are being detained and, without hesitation, the man pulls the handgun from his sweatshirt and immediately starts firing on Barreto.

The woman is heard shrieking as the body camera is shaking when Barreto returns fire. The couple flee the area as Barreto radios in his location to dispatch, stating Officer Down as he lays on the ground.

The camera captures patrol vehicles arriving at Barretos location.

A screenshot of body camera footage released by Farmington police shows officer Joseph Barreto on Jan. 7 approaching people police identified as Victoria "Rossi" Hernadez, left, and Elias Buck, right. Buck is accused of shooting Barreto as the officer tried to detain him.

While lying on the ground, Barreto gives dispatch the man's clothing description despite the pain he appears to be suffering from his wound.

Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe in a statement notes how quickly the shooter reacts to being detained by firing on the officer.

The body camera footage displays how fast the situation turns dangerous for Officer Barreto with no warning and very little chance to react. He very easily couldve been killed, Hebbe said.

Reward offered in search for suspect in shooting of Farmington officer

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $10,000 reward for reliable information which leads to Buck's arrest, along with $5,000 from the La Plata County Sheriff's Office in Colorado.

Buck is described as six feet and one inch tall with green eyes and blonde hair, weighing about 185 pounds.

Hernandez, wanted as a person of interest, is listed at 135 pounds, standing five feet and five inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on the incident can leave a tip at the Farmington police detective tip line at 505-599-1068.

Fundraiser started for Officer Barreto's family

A friend of Barreto's family has started a GoFundMe fundraiser campaign to help them pay their bills.

The campaign states the family heavily relied on the officer working overtime to pay their bills and that he is only receiving his base pay now.

Barreto is married and has a three-year-old son, according to the GoFundMe.

It also states his medical expenses are being covered by workman's comp so the funds will help the family with daily and unforeseen expenses.

Donations can be made at https://gofund.me/ab2ee0f6.

Joshua Kellogg covers breaking news for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627 or via email at jkellogg@daily-times.com.

Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e

This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Police release body camera footage from officer shot last week
Alejandra Morales Buscio, of Salem, reaches up to pull the leaf canopy over pinot noir grapes on July 8 to shade the fruit from the sun, at Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner.

Oregon legislators' latest proposal to require agricultural employers pay workers overtime would include a phased rollout and provide farmers a tax credit to offset the costs.

The changes stem from stakeholder meetings after Democrats failed to pass overtime legislation last year.

The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act provides an exemption that allows agricultural employers to not pay workers time-and-a-half for hours worked past 40 per week. A handful of states, including California and Washington, require employers to pay some form of overtime to farmworkers.

Scholars have described the exclusion of farmworkers and domestic workers from the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act as a race-neutral way to preserve racist policies and practices.

Early adopter: Willamette Valley Vineyards to start paying OT as farmworkers fight

Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Lake Oswego, plans to introduce a bill in the February short session that would phase in overtime requirements for agricultural employers over five years. Starting in 2023, growers would have to pay overtime for hours worked over 55 per week; in 2025, over 48 hours per week; and in 2027, the standard 40 hours per week.

Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Lake Oswego, speaks at a PCUN rally to kick off a campaign for farmworker overtime, a bill they're introducing again in the short legislative session, on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Ore.

The proposal would also provide a tax credit to offset a percentage of the additional costs of overtime for growers. It would cover half of those costs during the first two years of its implementation. In 2025 and 2026, the credit would cover 35% of those costs, and in 2027, 20%.

The credit will have an overall annual cap, and if eligibility exceeds the amount available, all tax credits would be reduced proportionately. One legislative staff estimate anticipates the cap will be $20 million a year, though that figure has not been reviewed by the legislative fiscal or revenue offices.

The proposal mirrors Washingtons recently passed law, which phases in overtime for farmworkers over three years. California has phased in farmworker overtime over four years, with this year being the first agricultural workers will be entitled to standard overtime pay.

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Check out: Class on 'invisible' farmworkers is a family history lesson for some

In Oregon, a legislative workgroup with representatives from PCUN, Oregons farmworker union, the Oregon Farm Bureau, and other industry organizations convened in November and December to work on a proposal but ended at an impasse, Salinas said during a House committee meeting Tuesday.

Hers may not be the only proposal on the issue this session.

Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, a Republican and farmer who represents part of Linn County, claimed Salinass proposal would force growers to reduce workers hours, mechanize, downsize or farm outside of Oregon.

She said she does not believe the tax credit would be enough to help growers weather the changes.

She said she plans to introduce something similar to Colorados recent farmworker overtime law.

Colorado growers will pay workers overtime starting at 60 hours per week later this year, and then will gradually move to paying overtime starting at 48 hours per week by 2025. However, for weeks during a designated peak labor period, growers wont have to pay overtime until workers reach 56 hours a week.

Winter 2021: $10M given to OR farmworkers who missed work due to extreme weather

Rep. Daniel Bonham, R - The Dalles, said he is also considering introducing legislation that would allow exceptions for seasonality.

Separately, the push for overtime for agricultural workers is also being fought in Oregon courts.

Two farmworkers filed a lawsuit with the Oregon Court of Appeals last year arguing the states wage and hour regulatory agency was illegally excluding them from overtime pay.

Dora Totoian covers agricultural workers through Report for America, a program that aims to support local journalism and democracy by reporting on under-covered issues and communities. You can reach her at dtotoian@statesmanjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon farmworker overtime legislation may include employer tax credit




A convicted bank robber-turned-FBI informant who reported abuse in Los Angeles County jails will receive a payout of $1 million from the county, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Informant Anthony Brown's reports to the FBI resulted in a federal investigation into the L.A. County sheriff's office, culminating in the convictions of 22 sheriff's deputies and a number of other high-ranking officials.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the settlement with Brown on Tuesday.

"Men's Central Jail was run very, very poorly, and deliberately," said Stuart Miller, one of Brown's attorneys. "The prisoners there were subjected to random brutal beatings - it was completely out of control."

An FBI handler met with Brown weekly to receive reports of corrupt and brutal deputies in the jail.

One undercover FBI agent bribed a jailer with $1,500 to smuggle a cellphone and other items to Brown from outside the jail.

Sheriff's officials were convicted of abuse after a cover-up operation in 2011 where they prevented Brown from reporting conditions to the FBI, referred to by the sheriff's office as "Operation Pandora's Box." The operation was reported by the Times in 2013.

Brown was labeled with various false names in order to be moved between jails. He was placed in solitary confinement and was denied medical treatment.

Brown was constantly monitored by 13 or more sheriff's deputies to prevent him from interacting with the FBI.

"He was kidnapped for 18 days," Miller said of Brown. "He thought he was going to die."

Brown filed a lawsuit after the incident citing cruel and unusual punishment and retaliation.

Prominent officials convicted in the case included former sheriff Lee Baca and former undersheriff Paul Tanaka.

Baca was sentenced to three years in prison after a jury found that he oversaw the cover-up operation and subsequently lied about his role to federal prosecutors.

Brown will use the payout to support his family and fight the length of his 400-year sentence, according to Miller.
Fire Chief Aaron Lipski speaks to media Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, about his personnel's fire to notice a body in the back seat of a car that crashed into a north side building Sunday and burst into flames.

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski on Tuesday apologized for his departments failure to locate a body in the back seat of a fiery car wreck on Sunday, making it clear it was his personnels responsibility and not that of police who also responded to the scene.

I want it to ring very clear: a search of a recently extinguished vehicle is our responsibility and we failed to uphold that standard in this situation, Lipski said during a press conference at the departments administrative headquarters.

First responders were called to the 6800 block of North 76th Street at 5:40 a.m. Sunday after a vehicle crashed into a vacant building and burst into flames, which eventually spread to the exterior of the building. After gaining control of the fire, the vehicle was towed away and the body in the back seat was not noticed until hours later when an attendant at the tow lot spotted it.

The victim was identified late Tuesday by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office as Jenna R. Reichartz, 21, of Milwaukee.

We know the family is grieving and we acknowledge that the recognition of, and the affording to, human dignity extends beyond life, Lipski said. We have a great deal of experience in and take pride in handling deceased individuals with great dignity. Our failure to locate this person and thus properly manage their remains deprived them of this most basic dignity and I am sorry for that.

He also apologized for the additional sorrow and pain the victims family is now experiencing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased individual, Lipski said.

A report from the medical examiner's office said Reichartz was driving a vehicle she borrowed from a friend around 3 a.m. Sunday.

Surveillance video from a gas station several blocks away from the crash site showed the car traveling slowly through an intersection with a green light, then up a curb and over some grass into a parking lot where it came to a stop, according to the report.

Story continues

The car sat there for a long period of time, until 5:20 a.m. when it slowly rolled into an electrical box outside the building, the report said. Smoke was seen coming from the front of the vehicle, and after 10 minutes, flames appeared. Fire personnel were dispatched at 5:38 a.m.

Hours later, Reichartz was found in the vehicle's backseat. It's possible Reichartz was pushed back there by the water from fire hoses, the report said.

Police were unable to determine from video if anyone exited the vehicle and fled the scene, the report said.

Karen Domagalski, a spokesperson for the medical examiner's office, said the incident is being investigated as an accident and the cause of death is pending toxicology results and further review.

Both the fire and police departments have announced internal reviews into how the body went unnoticed. Lipski estimated 25 people are subject to his departments review, and all of them remain working as normally scheduled.

We want to find out what everybody saw, he said.

He said it is very seldom that personnel fail to notice a body immediately after a fire, but that it usually happens after structure fires with large amounts of debris.

Lipski said when first responders arrived the engine and passenger compartments of the vehicle were fully involved in flames, and it was highly unlikely the victim would have survived past the fire being put out. He said hes never heard of someone surviving such a situation in his 25-year career.

He said its standard procedure for fire personnel to inspect spaces as soon as possible once flames are put out.

Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee fire chief apologizes after body went unnoticed after car fire
The chief of the Idanha-Detroit Rural Fire District remained on the job for over a month after pleading guilty to domestic violence assault.

Will Ewing, 65, resigned from the part-time position Jan. 5, according to Idanha-Detroit Rural Fire District board president Lyn Schultz.

Ewing pleaded guilty Nov. 17 to assaulting a woman in September by choking her for 15 seconds.

Ewing did not return a call from the Statesman Journal seeking comment about his resignation. Schultz confirmed Ewing had resigned, but declined to talk more about the situation.

I have no comment on that, she said.

In Ewing's resignation letter, he brought up concerns including the compensation he agreed to when he took the job  $3,600 for 20 hours a month  the contract with a company designing a new fire station and a rumor he was trying to end the district's paramedic response.

"I have hollowed myself in my attempt to help and frankly I am exhausted from the stress that has been associated with my employment with Idanha Detroit Fire," Ewing wrote.

Schultz said Chad LaVellee, a captain in the department, is running the department until an interim chief is named.

The Idanha-Detroit Rural Fire District covers seven square miles in Marion and Linn counties, including the cities of Detroit and Idanha, with two paid part-time employees and a staff of volunteers. The area was hit hard by the 2020 Labor Day wildfires.

Idanha-Detroit Fire District crews contain a grass fire near Idanha.

Still chief for 2 districts after conviction

Ewing was arrested the night of Sept. 16 in Toledo, according to an affidavit written by the arresting officer, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy Tyler Watkins.

That evening, Ewing and a woman got into an argument and she shoved him in the chest, according to court records. He admitted he then grabbed her by the neck and choked her for an estimated 15 seconds.

She told the arresting officer she could not breathe, according to court documents.

Recovery: Marion County to begin removal of hazard trees from Labor Day Wildfires in 2020

Story continues

Ewing was arrested that night and booked into the Lincoln County Jail.

Weeks later, on Oct. 6, the Seal Rock Rural Fire Protection District  located on the Oregon Coast between Newport and Waldport  hired him as interim chief after it fired its former chief. Seal Rock's board members said they wanted him to reorganize the district.

One of the concerns of his employment from residents of Seal Rock was that he planned to keep his position with Idanha-Detroit.

In some small departments, fire chiefs are a part-time position because their budgets are limited.

Despite objections from residents and a contentious vote, the board agreed to hire him under the provision that if he was convicted of assault, he would leave the district.

Firefighters from the Idanha-Detroit Rural Fire Protection District appeared trapped at Mongold Day Use Area at Detroit Lake before making a dramatic escape.

Ewing pleaded guilty Nov. 17 to fourth-degree assault, and charges of strangulation and menacing were dismissed, according to court filings.

On Nov. 22, Ewings sentence was deferred provided he takes domestic violence classes and not enter a bar or use alcohol or controlled substances.

Neither Seal Rock nor Idanha-Detroit fired him.

A staff member of the Seal Rock Fire District confirmed Tuesday that Ewing is still the interim chief. It's not clear why he has remained employed with that district despite his conviction.

One of the Seal Rock districts board members, Tina Fritz, has filed a formal complaint against Ewing and asked for him to be dismissed from the district.

Fritz said she was in contact with representatives from Idanha-Detroit regarding Ewing and that they knew about the assault case.

And he remained employed by Idanha-Detroit until Jan. 5, when he resigned.

Recovery: Oregon will receive over $5 billion in 5 years from Biden's infrastructure bill

Ewing had been the fire chief in Toledo for 19 years when city manager Craig Martin fired him in 2017.

In a disciplinary letter, Ewing was accused of being insubordinate, threatening and breaking policy.

He filed a lawsuit against Toledo, Martin, then-Mayor Billie Jo Smith and others, alleging whistleblower violations, defamation, slander and civil rights claims. That lawsuit is still ongoing.

District hit hard in 2020 wildfires

Ewings time with Idanha-Detroit included the Labor Day wildfires of 2020, which devastated much of Detroit and the Santiam Canyon.

The next year, he was hired as the fire chief for the Idanha-Detroit Fire district.

Ewing continued to live in Toledo and commuted to the Santiam Canyon during his time as chief.

Bill Poehler covers Marion County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@statesmanjournal.com or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Support local journalism by subscribing to the Statesman Journal.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Fire chief Will Ewing resigns after pleading guilty in assault
Akron firefighters work to put out a fire that happened early Monday morning at the former Lawndale Elementary School in Kenmore.

What's left of the heavily fire-damaged and vacant former Lawndale Elementary School in Akron's Kenmore neighborhood may be demolished by the end of the week.

Either the property owner, L. Stowers Community Development LLC, will tear down the building or the city will do it and then bill the owner, a city housing official said Tuesday. Demolition could take place as soon as this week, the official said.

Leroy Stowers of L. Stowers Community Development said he hopes to soon tear down the old three-story brick building, which predates World War I.

"It's got to come down, that's for sure," he said in a brief telephone interview. He declined to say more.

The former school building was already condemned by the city before the fire hit  the city in October ordered the school to be razed. The city also condemned two other former schools, Smith Elementary and Rankin Elementary, that Stowers purchased in 2019 along with Lawndale. Stowers has appealed the city's decision and is awaiting a court hearing.

The former Lawndale school was destroyed in a multiple alarm fire called in about 6:30 a.m. Monday. No one was reported injured, but firefighters had to deal with ice buildup from the frigid cold weather.

Investigators with the Akron Fire Department are still looking into what caused the fire.

The 12-classroom school building, at 2330 25th St. SW, first opened in 1912. The Akron school board in 2015 closed the school, with students transferring to Sam Salem Community Learning Center.

Eufrancia Lash, Akron's deputy director of public service and neighborhood assistance, said that before the fire, Lawndale was considered a blighted property and a cause for concern in the neighborhood. That's why city officials last fall decided to condemn the old school and order it to be razed, he said.

Now, Lash said, "that building is damaged beyond repair."

Beacon Journal reporter Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him @JimMackinnonABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/JimMackinnonABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former Lawndale Elementary to be torn down following major fire
NEW YORK  Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer wants a judge to throw out a Russian womans lawsuit accusing him of assaulting her at Manhattans Plaza Hotel in 2016, according to newly unsealed documents.

The court file in the 2020 lawsuit filed by the ex-governors alleged former lover Svetlana Travis, 31, was only recently unsealed after the New York Daily News and another outlet petitioned a judge to reverse an unusual order that kept the entire case under wraps.

While sealed parts of the case were dismissed in October, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Paul Goetz allowed a portion of the suit regarding a Feb. 13, 2016, incident at the Plaza to proceed. Travis says Spitzer choked her in a hotel suite.

The newly unsealed filings reveal Spitzer is fighting to have that aspect of the case also tossed.

The Court has spent enough time on this matter, Spitzers longtime lawyer Adam Kaufmann wrote in a letter to the judge, arguing that Travis goal in the case was to extract revenge on Spitzer and his family.

Many of the allegations leveled by Plaintiff were previously disclaimed by her, and all have been investigated and rejected by law enforcement. Yet this case persists.

Travis lawyer responded by blasting the former governor in a new filing Tuesday.

To be clear, Eliot Spitzer is not now, nor has he ever been the victim of anything but the consequences of his own criminal acts, wrote lawyer Joe Murray in court papers. Those acts include his disgusting efforts to deceive, coerce, and forcibly compel a beautiful young lady, against her will, into doing whatever he wanted.

Spitzer has denied ever assaulting Travis. He was never arrested in the case, and Travis was arrested eight months later for extorting the former governor over a two-year period.

She pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

The former governors political career imploded in 2008 after he was linked to a prostitution scandal just a year into his first term.

Story continues

But Murray claims Spitzers actions went beyond the alleged assault and that he coerced Travis into deleting audio recordings thatcontained evidence of Spitzers criminal conduct.

Murray also says the former governor made death threats.

For us lesser privileged people, conspiring to destroy evidence of a crime is itself a very serious crime. That he did so, in part, by telephonic death threats from New York to Russia are both State and federal crimes, he wrote.

Neither Murray nor Kaufmann responded to requests for comment Wednesday.


Cape Coral resident Adyn Pickett celebrated his 8th birthday Thursday, June 11, 2020, in style. Over 50 vehicles, including members of an off-road Jeep club visited him at home for an impromptu celebratory parade. He received numerous gifts and supportive messages from the visitors. Adyn, who is a pediatric cancer survivor, recently found out that he will need a second bone marrow transplant scheduled at the end of July. His mom Erica had the idea to celebrate his birthday in a special way and made an announcement through social media for the event.

Fort Myers Brewing Co. will host a fundraiser Saturday to benefit the family of the late Adyn Pickett, a 9-year-old Cape Coral boy who died Jan. 4 five years after he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Proceeds from the #AdynStrong Fundraiser will go to the Pickett family to help cover medical bills and funeral expenses. The fundraiser will feature the Doggone Organic, Kings Tacos & Burritos, and Mobstah Lobstah food trucks, drinks, live music and a silent auction.

The brewery will also raffle off five Adyn Strong six-packs, a German Pilsner Fort Myers Brewing created in Adyns honor in 2020.

Related: Cape Coral siblings collect toys for hospitals

From 2020: Fort Myers Brewing Company creates beer label to help Adyn, 8, battle leukemia

Jen Whyte, co-owner of Fort Myers Brewing, said in a news release that Adyn touched the lives of many community members.

We ask the community to join us in helping to alleviate some of the financial burden for the Pickett family as they navigate the grief of Adyns passing, she said in the release.

Adyn and his family knew what it was like to spend the holidays in the hospital, which led to three toy drives, the most recent of which pivoted to collecting and distributing gift cards to families at Golisano Childrens Hospital in Fort Myers and Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Andrew Atkins writes about food and features for the Naples Daily News. Contact him via email at andrew.atkins@naplesnews.com. To support work like Andrew's, please consider subscribing: https://cm.naplesnews.com/specialoffer/

What: #AdynStrong Fundraiser

Where: Fort Myers Brewing Co., 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Fort Myers

When: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15

Details: Call 239-313-6576 or visit Facebook.com/FMBrew

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers Brewing to host #AdynStrong Fundraiser for Cape Coral family
Cyber Group Studios, one of Frances leading animation studios, is reinforcing the quantity and range of its animation programming, with new partnerships with international broadcasters and platforms and a new real-time animation studio near Lille, in Northern France.

Employing around 150 people, CGS has its headquarters in Paris and a subsidiary in Los Angeles.

More from Variety

The studio is currently diversifying its programming range. In early December 2021, it acquired the audiovisual rights to the dystopian sci-fi book series, Phobos, by French screenwriter Victor Dixen, about 12 teenagers who crew the first mission to Mars. It is now developing the sci-fi epic series Phobos, aimed at teen audiences.

Our development teams, in Paris and Los Angeles, are developing around 15 programs, says the companys chairman and CEO, Pierre Sissmann. Today they go from preschool to adults. We are also preparing a major docudrama project on a huge historical subject that marked the 20th century, and which is aimed at late teens and adults.

Other projects aimed at teens and older audiences include a music-themed show and an eco-survival series, The Tern, set in a post-apocalyptic world.

Animation enables you to create scenes that are impossible in live action and see inside peoples minds, says Sissmann.

CGS has recently signed deals that will bring 16 distributed series to viewers in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Partners include Canal Plus international channels, ABC Australia, AMC Networks International (Central and Northern Europe), TV3 (Spain), SIC K (Portugal) and RTBF (Belgium).

It has also signed a SVOD service deal with Canadas Bell Media for English- and French-speaking VOD rights for The Pirates Next Door, Mini Ninjas, Sadie Sparks and Zorro: The Chronicles.

Story continues

In early 2020, the studio launched a new animation outfit aimed at pre-school audiences  Cyber Soyuz Junior  with one of Russias oldest animation studios, Soyuzmultfilm.

Following the launch of three series at MIPCOM in October 2021  Squared Zebra, Nefertine on the Nile and The Last Kids on Earth  Cyber Group Studios is now screening its kids series Droners at the Unifrance Rendezvous in Paris.

Droners is an eco-themed hi-tech adventure series, commissioned by TF1 and co-produced with La Chouette Compagnie and Supamonks. Two seasons with a total of 52 episodes are available. It mixes 3D images, including all the drone sequences, with 2D animation.

The first season, which is targeted at a 6-10 age group, enjoyed strong ratings on TF1. It was presold to WDR for Germany, Disney for France and Benelux and has been sold to ABC Australia, Tele-Quebec, SIC and RTBF.

Raphaelle Mathieu, senior VP of sales, acquisitions and new media, says that Droners is an eco-friendly and adventure series about three friends who try to save their island from rising water levels, with a strong element of female empowerment. The kids have to win drone races to become an assistant to the lead scientist and help save the island. They study the local wildlife and plants and adapt the drones to mimic their movements.

Cyber Group Studios has signed a deal with publishers in France to produce comic book albums and novels linked to Droners, and have developed a branded drone and are preparing a video game.

The companys videogame division currently has around 15 videogames in production.

To augment its production capacity, CGS recently built a real time animation studio in Plaine Images, a Hauts-de-France innovation park, one of the leading animation and VR hubs in France. With 15,000 sq. feet and around 35 staff it complements the companys Paris studio.

CGS has been selected as an Epic MegaGrant recipient by Epic Games. They will use motion capture driven by XSENS technology, powered by Unreal Engine.

The studio used real-time animation on its pre-school show Giganto Club, a spin-off show from its Gigantosaurus franchise that has been translated into 35 languages.

Real time animation gives you an opportunity to create stuff you never dreamt of being able to do. You can go faster at a lower cost. It also gives us the chance to attract older demographics, says Sissmann. The generation who grew up with new generation animation films in the 1990s, by companies such as Warners and Disney, are open to new types of animation programming. Its a huge potential audience.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
PARIS (Reuters) -Franco-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah, whom Tehran has sentenced to five years in prison but was recently living under house arrest, has once again been incarcerated, France's foreign ministry said on Wednesday, demanding her immediate release.

The new move against the Adelkhah, a researcher affiliated to Paris's prestigious Sciences Po university whose detention had triggered a rift between the two countries in the past, comes as France and other western powers are negotiating with Iran to revive a nuclear accord.

"The decision to re-incarcerate her, which we condemn, can only have negative consequences on the relationship between France and Iran and reduce the trust between our two countries", the ministry said in a statement.

"France demands the immediate release of Ms. Adelkhah", it added.

Adelkhah was arrested in 2019 and handed a five-year prison sentence in 2020 before being put under house arrest.

French President Emmanuel Macron critised https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-france-rights-justice-idUSKBN23C0IV Tehran at the time of Adelkhah's first incarceration, saying that she had been arrested arbitrarily, a claim dismissed as "propaganda" by Iranian officials.

The foreign ministry on Wednesday reiterated France's position that Iran's treatment of the academic was politically motivated.

A group of her supporters said on Wednesday in a tweet that Adelkhan is being held in Tehran's Evin prison.

(Reporting by Tassilo HummelEditing by Chris Reese and Marguerita Choy)
Between Dec. 28 and Jan. 10, 1,657 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Etowah County, Josh Tanner of the Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency told members of the Gadsden City Council Tuesday.

The county is adding an average of 139.9 cases a day, Tanner said, and has a current positivity rate of 36.5%. Through the course of the pandemic, he said, Etowah County has recorded 530 deaths.

Gadsden Fire Chief Wil Reed said in recent weeks, 21 fire department employees  about a quarter of the department's personnel  have been affected by COVID-19. Reed said it has not interfered with capabilities because personnel worked overtime. With the additional costs for supplies, however, and the cost of overtime, it will affect the department's bottom line.

Fortunately, those ill have not been seriously sick, the chief said. They have had heavy flu-like symptoms.

The department responded to six people under investigation for COVID-19. Four of them were confirmed positive and two more are awaiting test results.

Gadsden's two hospitals are at capacity, Reed said, and under diversion. He said that doesn't mean patients can't go to the hospitals, but it means that unless it is an emergency, they need to go a doctor or urgent care center.

If it's an emergency, he said, call an ambulance or go to the hospital.

"If you have a boo-boo, go to urgent care," the chief said.

Tanner also said people should only call 911 with emergencies.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health website, Etowah County's positivity rate over the last seven days is 46,1%  above the state rate of 41.2%.

Tanner said weekly calls updating local officials, responders and school officials will resume Wednesday. The calls had been a weekly effort when cases numbers were higher. Gadsden Council President Cynthia Toles said an update from GECEMA would be added to the council agenda each week again while the spread remains virulent.

Story continues

As to precautions, they remain the same: Wear masks, social distance, wash hands and use sanitizer frequently, and get vaccinated. Tanner said the agency has received calls from people questioning what to do regarding large gatherings. He said it falls to the host of a gathering to take safety precautions.

The Etowah County Health Department continues to do testing and provide vaccinations; people should call the health department to ensure they have the needed tests or vaccine available.

Tanner encouraged people to use CDC guidelines as a resource. Recently, the GECEMA has had to open storm shelters and warming centers, and has encouraged masks for anyone who needed to use the centers.

He said it comes down to weighing the risk  people will have to consider whether they feel they are greater risk from COVID-19 or from an impending storm  in deciding whether to go to a shelter.

Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Etowah County: Averaging 139.9 new cases of COVID-19 a day
As the Frankfurt Certificate Exchange marks its 15th anniversary year, cryptocurrencies have once again emerged as the most popular structured product certificates in Germany.

With unmatched trading volume, a Bitcoin (BTC) tracking certificate had the highest volume for a second-year in a row.

The research, published annually by Deutsche Borse, found that volume for crypto certificates was valued at more than 1bn in 2021. This accounts for 5.4% of the combined 18.4bn trading volume on the Frankfurt-based exchange last year.

In Germany, certificates are structured derivatives products that securitise participation in the price development of particular security or securities products (similar to warrants in the UK and USA).

Impressive trading volume, stems from 3.4m transactions with an average value of 5,438.

Surprise year-on-year decrease

The analysis notes that this represents a surprising year-on-year decrease from the 3.9m transactions of 2020  something perhaps linked to the German Bundesrats approval of a the Fund Location Act  which green-lights funds to allocate up to 20% of holdings to digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This has opened up significant new avenues for retail customers to gain managed portfolio exposure to cryptocurrencies outside of the Frankfurt derivatives market.

Speaking on the success of the Frankfurt Warrants crypto offerings, Florian Claus  a board member of Borse Frankfurt Zertifikate AG explained the explosion in digital asset certificates last year.

With over 900 products on a total of 29 crypto underlyings, we now offer the largest range of crypto products in the certificate sector in Germany, explained Claus.

This enables investors to trade cryptocurrencies quickly and easily via their own securities account.

The high volume has been tied to a VAT reduction model offered by the Frankfurt exchange.

Since July 1 2021, we have waived the calculation of value-added tax on the transaction fees paid by our trading participants at the Frankfurt warrants-exchange, added Simone Kahnt-Eckner, fellow board member of Borse Frankfurt Zertifikate AG.

This means that private clients and issuers can save up to 19 percent on the trading of around 1.4 million investment and leverage products in Frankfurt compared to other trading venues.

READ MORE: German banks gear up to target crypto market share in 2022
Study: Users say delta-8-THC is delta-9s nicer younger sibling

Delta-8-tetrahyrdocannabinol is a hemp-derived cousin of cannabis that is often consumed in edibles such as gummies.

While delta-8-THC appears to have some really big, positive attributes, we need to know more, and we should be cautious with any product thats hitting the market unregulated and untested.  Jessica Kruger, PhD, clinical assistant professor of community health and health behavior University at Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y.  Its everywhere from gas stations to grocery stores and trendy boutique shops, all advertising the availability of delta-8-THC. Its a hemp-derived cousin of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)  more commonly known as cannabis  the active ingredient in the cannabis plant that provides the high people feel after using it. And its the subject of a lot of debate and conversation in state legislatures, among public health practitioners and especially consumers, many of whom have turned to delta-8-THC to treat a broad range of health and medical conditions. Although it didnt specifically address delta-8-THC, the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill effectively legalized it through a loophole that allowed the sale of hemp-derived delta-8-THC products in areas where recreational use of cannabis was prohibited, as well as where medicinal marijuana required medical authorization. By late 2020, delta-8-THC exploded in popularity. Despite its rapidly increasing availability, there is still a lot to learn about delta-8-THCs properties and effects. Now, through a unique collaboration, researchers from the University at Buffalo and the University of Michigan are shedding important new light on this compound. Theyve partnered with a Buffalo-based manufacturer of cannabinoid (CBD) products in an effort to learn more about the benefits and potential drawbacks of delta-8-THC, and better inform lawmakers, public health officials, consumers and others. The research team just published two papers based on their survey of more than 500 participants experiences with delta-8-THC and how it compared to cannabis. The words of one user best describe the overarching views shared by survey participants: that delta-8-THC is like delta-9s nicer younger sibling because it provides all the benefits with fewer adverse reactions.

Largest delta-8-THC study to date

Its the largest study to date on users experiences with delta-8. The findings have been published over two papers, one that appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, the top peer-reviewed journal in the field, and another, just-published paper in the open access Journal of Cannabis Research. Because this is one of the first studies of its kind on delta-8-THC and so many states have changed their legislation, we wanted to really explore what people felt as they were using it compared to delta-9-THC. We found that people who are utilizing delta-8-THC feel fewer negative side effects, and they are using it in modalities that are safer, like vaping or edibles or using topically, said Jessica Kruger, PhD, a clinical assistant professor of community health and health behavior in UBs School of Public Health and Health Professions. Kruger co-authored both papers with Daniel J. Kruger, PhD, a research investigator in the Population Studies Center at the University of Michigan who also has a faculty affiliation in UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions.

Research on delta-8-THC is scarce, and the Krugers work comes as more states are legalizing cannabis for recreational and medicinal use, while prohibiting delta-8-THC. Of the 14 states that have banned delta-8-THC, six allow recreational use of cannabis, 10 allow medical use and three have decriminalized recreational use. Its paradoxical that different states and municipalities are opening up to delta-9, its becoming more available and increasingly legalized, and yet theyre putting the brakes on delta-8, even though it seems to have a better profile in terms of its effects, said Daniel Kruger. Its almost like the opposite of what you would do if you were informed of the evidence. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol is more potent than delta-8 and accounts for most of the THC that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant, which makes it easy to extract, explaining why its more commonly smoked. Delta-8-THC, however, is about half as potent. Its also produced in far less quantity and thus has to be processed from a concentrate. Thats why most people consume it in edibles such as gummies or brownies, or by vaping.

Surveying delta-8 users

The Krugers partnered with Buffalo-based Bison Botanics, which used its social media channels to put out a call to delta-8-THC consumers to participate in a research survey the Krugers developed. Respondents were asked to compare their experiences with delta-8-THC vs. delta-9. The Krugers, and partnerships like this, are ahead of the curve. This type of research just isnt happening at the federal level because its classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, said Cory Muscato, regulatory liaison for Bison Botanics. In all, 521 people from 38 states  29% from New York  participated in the survey. Heres what they found: About two-thirds said they consume delta-8-THC through edibles such as gummies.

Experiences with delta-8 were characterized predominantly by relaxation, pain relief and euphoria, with most participants saying they could perform their normal daily activities without experiencing the adverse side effects associated with cannabis use, such as paranoia, anxiety or the munchies.

51% reported using delta-8-THC to treat a range of health and medical conditions, primarily anxiety or panic attacks, stress, depression or bipolar disorder and chronic pain.

78% said they have not told their primary care provider that they use delta-8 because they lacked confidence in their physicians ability to integrate medical cannabis into their treatment.

On average, participants experiences of paranoia and anxiety while using delta-8-THC were between not at all and a little.

Participants also showed little knowledge on effective doses of delta-8 and said most of what they did know about it came from the internet or their own experiences. Delta-8 product users were more than enthusiastic to share their experiences, said Justin Schultz, Bison Botanics founder and president. A lot of customers that use delta-8 are so happy with its therapeutic effects, and theyre worried it might be taken away. They want to do anything they can to help prevent that, Schultz said. Were confident the state is taking this information seriously and is willing to adapt or build its legislation based on public feedback. Theyre not ignoring our industry. The researchers say its critical to study delta-8-THC and other cannabinoids coming to market to inform policies, regulations and practices that minimize the costs, risks and harms while maximizing delta-8-THCs potential benefits. While delta-8-THC appears to have some really big, positive attributes, we need to know more, and we should be cautious with any product thats hitting the market unregulated and untested, Jessica Kruger said. More research needs to be done because this could be a possible way to reduce harm for those who are using cannabis, and for people to have fewer negative reactions. Theres this huge boom in cannabis related research now, just as there is in the cannabis industry, but there are still so many unknowns, said Daniel Kruger. Delta-8-THC came to market largely after the Farm Bill and everyone was saying, We don't know anything about this. As researchers, if the challenge is we don't know enough about this, the answer is well, let's study it because all policies should be informed by empirical evidence.

Media Contact Information
One of the issues Grove City Council's new president expects he and his colleagues will address in 2022 is preparing for the addition of two new council seats.

"In the next two years, we will be going through a process to add the new council members due to the city's increased population and the charter change (voters approved) two years ago," Ted Berry said.

Ted Berry

Voters will be electing candidates to the two new seats in November 2023.

Berry, 51, who has served 17 years on council, was elected to his second stint as council president at the Jan. 3 meeting. He previously served as president from 2008 to 2016.

Berry will take over as council president from Christine Houk, who served the previous two years in the role.

"We have several large projects on the horizon that I want to help move forward and focus on," Berry said.

Council and the administration will be working together over the next few months to set priorities for the city, he said.

"Institutional memory and understanding where we have been and what has and hasn't worked helps us to move forward rather than repeat potential mistakes," Berry said. "I also want to keep the focus on projects that enhance the quality of life of our current residents. I believe governing takes a team approach with a shared vision."

As council president, Berry has no more power than any other council member, he said.

"Everyone has one vote," Berry said. "Helping bring consensus on issues and moving forward as a team is my priority."

Berry said the items he wants to help build consensus on include a recreation center/aquatics center, finalizing a plan for the Beulah Park amphitheater, stormwater capital projects to help improve flood prevention, connecting bike paths to Big Darby Creek and Columbus, planning a medical research park for land recently annexed north of the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio landfill and creating development plans for expanding natural areas and parks in the city.

Story continues

"People joke that if it was up to Ted, we would have 2,000 acres of parkland," Berry said. "My reply with a smile is ... 'I am trying.'"

His goal when he casts a vote on council "is to put our current residents first," he said.

"I have no desire to make Grove City the largest suburb," Berry said. "I do care deeply about our current and future quality of life, jobs and our environment."

City Council also has one new member this year: Mark Sigrist, who was elected as council's at-large representative in November.

Mark Sigrist

"I look forward to serving the city and trying to do what's best for the community," Sigrist said. "I've always been interested in volunteering in the community, and I see serving on council as a public servant as being an extension of that effort."

Related story: Sigrist climbs another rung up community-service ladder to Grove City Council; Berry reelected in Ward 1

Along with organizing the annual Thanksgiving Wattle 5K race, Sigrist is involved with the Grove City Buddy Ball program and the Grove City Food Pantry.

Sigrist, 61, retired in 2018 as a manager the American Honda Motor Co. He worked 33 years for the company.

"My priorities as a council member include making sure we focus on the infrastructure needs of the city, both those we need now and to carry us into the future, and helping with our senior population being able to age safely at home," he said.

afroman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekAfroman

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: As new Grove City Council president, Ted Berry wants to help 'bring consensus' and move 'forward as a team'
A patient suffering from the Guillain-Barre neurological syndrome recovers in the neurology ward of the Rosales National Hospital in San Salvador, on 27 January, 2016 (Getty Images)

This week, adult film actress Jenna Jameson revealed that shes being treated in a Hawaii hospital for Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

The doctors suspect Guillain-Barre syndrome and have started my IVIG (intravenous immune globulin) treatment, Ms Jameson wrote in an Instagram post. I am in the hospital and will likely remain here until treatment is complete.

This, of course, begged the question, what is Guillain-Barre Syndrome? The Mayo Clinic defines the illness as a rare disorder in which your bodys immune system attacks your nerves. There is no known cure for it, but there are treatments to mitigate its symptoms. Heres a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about the condition.

Jenna Jameson (Getty Images)

What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

The symptoms of GBS can develop rapidly. As the immune system attacks peripheral nerves, victims typically experience a loss of feeling that gradually spreads throughout the body.

aaWeakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms, the Mayo Clinic says. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. In its most severe form Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment.

In severe cases, muscles affecting speech, swallowing, and breathing may be paralysed. In about 20 to 30 per cent of cases, GBS can lead to respiratory failure, and between 4 and 7 per cent of patients die.

On the other hand, most people with GBS do recover, the Mayo Clinic says, and 60- to 80 per cent are able to walk again after six months.

What causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

The causes of GBS are mysterious. Scientists dont know why people develop the syndrome, but it often begins not long after an infection of some kind.

The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome isnt known, the Mayo Clinic says. The disorder usually appears days or weeks after a respiratory or digestive tract infection.

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One theory is that GBS is triggered by the immune systems overreaction to a bacterial or viral infection.

How common is it?

Thankfully, Guillain-Barre syndrome is rare. In Europe and North America, it affects only one to two members of the general public out of 100,000 each year.

Is GBS caused by the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

In very rare cases, recipients of the Johnson & Johnson (also called Janssen) vaccine for Covid-19 have developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome, but experts say there is not enough data to indicate that one causes the other.

Out of 12.8 million people who have received the shot, only about 100 are suspected to have developed GBS afterward. Nevertheless, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to Johnson & Johnson recipients regarding the syndrome  but emphasised that the risk was extremely small, especially compared to the dangers of getting Covid.

Although the available evidence suggests an association between the Janssen vaccine and increased risk of GBS, it is insufficient to establish a causal relationship, the FDA said in a statement. Importantly, the FDA has evaluated the available information for the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and continues to find the known and potential benefits clearly outweigh the known and potential risks.

In the case of Ms Jameson, the actress says her GBS was definitely not caused by a vaccine.

PS I did NOT get the jab or any jab, Ms Jameson wrote in her Instagram post. This is NOT a reaction to the jab. Thank you for your concern.
HOBOKEN, NJ  The city of Hoboken said Monday that Hoboken University Medical Center currently has 40 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Of those patients, 11 are Hoboken residents, seven vaccinated and four unvaccinated (see more on that below). The city does not have the vaccination information on the others.

The number of fatalities remains 57. The city reported last week that a resident in his 60s had died of COVID, the first Hoboken resident to die of the virus since the summer.

The city said that the Hoboken Health Department confirmed 571 COVID-19 new cases from Jan. 1 through Jan. 7 down slightly from the past two weeks. However, factors such as testing availability can come into play.

When asked about the vaccinated patients in the hospital, a spokesperson for Mayor Ravi Bhalla said Tuesday:

"Hoboken has a high vaccination rate, and due to this prevalence, it's more likely we see that some of our hospitalized residents are vaccinated. Medical experts have said that it is becoming more common for vaccinated people to get hospitalized, especially those who have not received a booster dose when they become eligible, as we know the effectiveness of the vaccine wanes over time."

The spokesperson added, "It is also clear that locally and nationwide, although the number of vaccinated hospitalizations are rising, the rate at which unvaccinated people are getting hospitalized, and eventually having more severe illness, is substantially higher than those who are vaccinated."

Also, the omicron variant is spreading rapidly enough that more people in New Jersey hospitals testing positive for COVID were admitted for other issues. There are more than 2,000 people in New Jersey hospitals now who were admitted for COVID, a number not seen in over a year, but another 4,000 tested positive for the virus who were admitted for other reasons. Of those admitted for COVID, more than 400 need breathing help with a ventilator.



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In Hoboken, the schools went remote last week for three days to allow time for students to test for COVID, but positive results were still received even after schools reopened in person Thursday. As a result, some students with exposures remained remote this week, and other students were given the option of remote or on-site education.

See below for links to testing and vaccination centers in Hoboken.



Hoboken Vaccination Rate Update

Below is the vaccination rate for Hoboken as of Monday:

All ages: 82 percent (first dose)

12 and over: 95 percent (first dose)

18 and over: 91 percent (first dose)

30 and over: 99 percent (first dose)

65 and over: nearly 100 percent (first dose)

All ages: 71 percent (second dose)

12 and over: 82 percent (second dose)

18 and over: 78 percent (second dose)

30 and over: 88 percent (second dose)

65 and over: 99 percent (second dose)

Omicron And Other Statistics

Cases of COVID, particularly the easily transmissible omicron variant, have proliferated around the state.

However, 85.5 percent of the cases confirmed and sequenced in New Jersey in the last four weeks are the Delta variant that has been afflicting people since early summer. Omicron account for 13.9 percent (not all positive tests statewide are sequenced to determine variant).

As of Friday, the state's 71 hospitals reported 5,621 people hospitalized who tested positive for COVID, 419 getting breathing help from ventilators, a number not seen in a year. By Monday, more than 6,000 people were hospitalized with COVID, with more than 2,000 of those admitted for COVID as the main reason.



Hoboken has added several testing sites. Appointments to be vaccinated or get a test via the city can be booked online at www.hobokennj.gov/vaccine or at www.hobokennj.gov/testing

Hudson County also has a vaccination center here.

New Jersey health officials have launched a website where people can search for COVID-19 testing facilities near them or across the state. Users are advised to double check the accuracy of the hours, and eligibility, by calling the site before heading over. Go to the site here.

In America, more than, 835,000 people have died of COVID since the start of the pandemic. The daily death rate is highest right now in these states: Michigan, Tennessee, Arizona, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania.

Sign up for a free 6 a.m. Patch email newsletter for either Hoboken or Jersey City here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Sign up for a daily 6 a.m. newsletter with news in your town, or for breaking news alerts: https://patch.com/subscribe

This article originally appeared on the Hoboken Patch
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

House lawmakers want to know what President Donald Trump told Kevin McCarthy.

The committee investigating the Capitol riot has now asked for McCarthy's cooperation.

This is a sign that the probe is increasingly touching some of the GOP's most powerful figures.

The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 riot on Wednesday asked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for his voluntary cooperation, a sign that the probe is increasingly touching some of the most powerful figures in the Republican Party.

"You have acknowledged speaking directly with the former President while the violence was underway on January 6th. And you summarized your conclusions regarding President Trump's conduct on January 6th in a speech you made January 13th on the House floor," the committee wrote in a letter to McCarthy.

McCarthy said on the House floor just days after the riot that Trump bore "responsibility" for the attack on the Capitol. He also briefly suggested that Trump should be censured for his actions before Democrats moved to impeach the president for a second time.

It's not entirely clear what Trump told McCarthy as rioters were ransacking the Capitol. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, cited what McCarthy told her about the call in her decision to vote to impeach the president. CNN reported that Trump told McCarthy: "Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are."

McCarthy previously told reporters that he would cooperate with a then-proposed bipartisan, independent panel. His opposition to a 9/11-style commission investigating the insurrection failed to stop its passage in the House, but Senate Republicans later blocked it from becoming law.

In the year since January 6, McCarthy has criticized Democrats for focusing too much on the attack. He has also defended his efforts to overturn election results in Pennsylvania and Arizona, arguing to The New York Times that not certifying results from either state wouldn't have changed President Joe Biden's victory. In the same story, The Times reported that McCarthy's allies say his support of Trump is rooted in the belief that the GOP needs the former president to help retake the House and thus to fulfill McCarthy's long-held ambition to become speaker.

Story continues

McCarthy has also undermined efforts to investigate the insurrection.

The California Republican reportedly asked Rep. John Katko of New York to negotiate on his behalf for a bipartisan commission modeled after the widely-praised panel that investigated the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. But McCarthy later came out against such a commission, citing its "limited scope" as some Republicans pushed for unrest during summer 2020 to be included alongside any investigation of the insurrection.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi then moved to create a House select committee after the Senate failed to pass the bill. McCarthy later named a slate of Republican lawmakers to the panel, but Pelosi took the unprecedented step of rejecting two of his selections due to the lawmakers' support of efforts to reject the certification of state election results.

McCarthy then withdrew his entire slate from the panel. He has since threatened telecommunications companies if they complied with the House select committee's subpoenas. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, another Republican the panel wants to hear from, has said he will not cooperate with their request. It is unclear whether House lawmakers have the legal authority to subpoena their colleagues in order to compel their cooperation.

McCarthy's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider




More than 100 House Republicans are calling on the Biden administration to withdraw from ongoing negotiations in Vienna to return to the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal.

In a letter dated Tuesday, roughly 110 lawmakers are asking Secretary of State Antony Blinken to instead enforce existing sanctions against Tehran that were imposed after the U.S. withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then-President Trump.

"Administration officials' recent statements about the Vienna talks have made it clear that there is no productive diplomatic path forward at this time," lawmakers wrote. "Meanwhile, Iran is charging forward with its nuclear program, using advanced centrifuges and producing equipment for such centrifuges while stockpiling increasing quantities of uranium enriched at 20 percent and 60 percent purity."

Asked about the letter, a State Department spokesperson told The Hill that the administration "believes that diplomacy, in coordination with our allies and regional partners, is the best path" to preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon.

"The status quo without mutual compliance with the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] is untenable. That is why the State Department is pursuing a path of meaningful diplomacy to achieve a mutual return to compliance with the JCPOA," the spokesperson continued.

An eighth round of talks is currently underway in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The U.S. is not directly participating in talks, which began last week, because it is no longer formally a party to the deal.

President Biden is looking to reenter the deal, which provided Tehran with sanctions relief in exchange for drawing down most of its nuclear program.

Trump had argued that the accord wouldn't have prevented Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. After the U.S. pulled out, Iran largely stopped complying with the agreement.

Story continues

The Trump administration imposed on Iran an estimated 1,500 sanctions, which Tehran wants lifted before it reenters the deal. Tehran also wants the U.S. to guarantee that future presidents won't withdraw from the deal.

But last month, some administration officials warned that talks weren't going as well as anticipated, as the lawmakers' letter pointed out.

The letter pointed to comments from Rob Malley, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, who said last month, "It seems very clear [Iran] is trying to build leverage by expanding their nuclear program and hoping to use that leverage to get a better deal."

"The United States and our partners must increase pressure on Iran to stop its dangerous nuclear advancements. The most effective way to do so is to strongly enforce our existing sanctions and urge our partners to take similar steps," the lawmakers wrote.

"If Iran is not prepared to negotiate as things stand, we need to build our leverage to compel them to negotiate a better, stricter deal with no sunsets," they continued.

Updated at 6:50 p.m.
A screen grab of Jillian Jackson introducing President Joe Biden in Atlanta. President Biden was in Atlanta to speak on voting rights issues.

Memphis native Jillian Jackson, a Houston High grad and Spelman College student, introduced President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris before their Tuesday appearance in Atlanta

"I am so excited to hear the current administration's plans to combat the ongoing voting rights issues in our state," Jackson said in her introduction.

In the speech, Jackson introduced herself as being from Memphis.

Jackson graduated from Houston High in 2018. She is currently a senior political science major and Spanish minor at Spelman, a prestigious college in Atlanta.

"Truthfully, the superlatives for this remarkable scholar, Jillian Jackson, are too numerous to narrow down," English teacher Karen Garrison said via the Houston High spokesperson. "Miss Jackson embodies the attributes of a developing leader supported by solid family values and a personal work ethic. Her social and political advocacy for meaningful change makes her an authentic Influencer. Selecting Jillian Jackson to introduce the Vice president is an honor, and I am incredibly proud of her. Get ready, the world; this is only a rehearsal."

Jackson is the Spelman Student Government Association president and has served in student government each year she has attended Spelman. Her SGA biography notes she is also actively involved in one of the college's honors programs, Alpha Lambda Delta, URGE and Fair Fight U, a program started by voting-rights activist and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

Spelman College SGA posted a photo of Jackson and Harris along with a caption that said, in part, "during the event the board had the chance to meet prominent political and social figures such as" civil rights activist and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist Al Sharpton, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

Jackson is also a member of the Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a sorority membership she shares with Harris.

Story continues

"It was an honor to be in the presence of so many influential individuals while taking part in such an important conversation, voting rights," the Spelman SGA said in the instagram post.

Biden and Harris were in Atlanta to speak about voting rights. In his speech, Biden said he supports eliminating the filibuster in order to pass voting rights legislation. The trip came as various state legislatures, including Georgia's, pass bills restricting voting

"It is our duty as campus leaders and change agents to combat voter discrimination on behalf of our peers and surrounding community," Jackson said in her speech. "We all are aware of Georgia's current legislation and how it poses a threat to the voting rights of citizens."

The speech took place at the Atlanta University Center, in a district that was formerly represented by the late civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis.

"People wait hours in line to cast out their civic duty to sometimes find that they are unable to place their vote because of technicalities," Jackson said. "Small mishaps, like misspelled names, incorrect addresses as well as laws preventing food and water distribution to long polling place lines inhibit many citizens and their right to vote, especially within the Black community."

Jackson spoke for just under three minutes. She talked, in part, about how excited she was to register to vote in Georgia after turning 18 during her first semester of college and of the challenges that face citizens attempting to vote.

"I was so eager to vote in my very first election, especially a gubernatorial one," Jackson said. "Unfortunately, when attempting to vote, citizens face many challenges including strict absentee requirements, limited polling place access and overall lack of voter education."

Gina Butkovich covers DeSoto County, storytelling and general news. She can be reached at 901-232-6714.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Native Memphian Jillian Jackson introduces President Biden in Atlanta
The City of Indianapolis has responded with silence to a request for millions of dollars of compensation by victims of last year's FedEx mass shooting in Indianapolis, narrowing their chances of a payout.

Two victims and a victim's family member each requested $700,000 through a tort claim notice sent to the city in October.

The attorney for Harpreet Singh, Lakhwinder Kaur and Gurinder Bains wrote that all three suffered "significant losses" because the Marion County Prosecutor's Office and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department failed to pursue a red flag petition in court against the FedEx shooter after a March 2020 incident in which his mother told police he was armed, violent and suicidal.

Authorities seized a shotgun from him under Indiana's red flag law in response to the incident, but they declined to open a court petition against him.

If they had, it may have prevented the shooter from purchasing the two AR-15 style rifles that he used to fatally shoot eight people and wound five others at a FedEx facility in southwest Indianapolis in April 2021. It was the worst mass shooting in the city's history.

A photo of FedEx shooting victim Amarjeet Johal at a vigil of The Sikh Coalition on April 22, 2021.

Under Indiana law, government agencies that receive tort claim notices could agree to pay the victims or deny the request. If the agency denies their request, victims could respond with a lawsuit.

Indiana law also says agencies cannot be sued if they fail to enforce laws.

FedEx WORKERS AT INDIANAPOLIS SHOOTING WEREN'T ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR PHONES: Is that OK?

The city had until Jan. 10 to respond. Its silence is the equivalent of a denial.

Even though the deadline has passed, the Sikh Coalition told IndyStar its lawyers will not be pursuing a lawsuit.

Four of the eight people killed at FedEx belonged to the Sikh community: Amarjeet Kaur Johal, Jasvinder Kaur, Jaswinder Singh and Amarjit Sekhon. The other four who were fatally wounded were Karli Smith, Matthew R. Alexander, Samaria Blackwell and John Weisert.

Story continues

'Underlying failures'

Indiana's red flag law allows law enforcement to remove firearms from people they believe are a danger to themselves or others. After a firearms seizure, law enforcement must file an affidavit with the court, and prosecutors explain to a judge why authorities believe the person is dangerous.

If a judge decides they are dangerous, their name is sent to a background check system managed by the FBI, restricting their ability to purchase firearms through federally licensed dealers.

Authorities never gave a judge a chance to review the March 2020 incident. That summer, the FedEx shooter legally purchased two AR-15 style rifles.

"They don't have a flag on me," he told his mom with a smile after one of the purchases.

On April 15, he fired those rifles on workers during a shift change at a FedEx facility.

WHAT HAPPENED: Indianapolis FedEx shooter who fatally shot 8 people had 'no indication of racial bias'

Singh survived a bullet wound to the head. Kaur's left arm was grazed. Kaur was also standing behind Jaswinder Singh  Bains' father  when he was fatally shot. She now has psychological distress, according to the tort claim notice.

"All three of our clients suffered losses as a result of the underlying failures of the Marion County Prosecutor's Office that could have prevented the mass shooting," the notice said.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears told reporters his office did not pursue a red flag petition in court in March 2020 partly because state law says courts need to have a hearing as close as possible to 14 days after the seizure to determine if the person is dangerous.

That doesn't give prosecutors enough time to subpoena medical records and other evidence to build a case, Mears said.

The IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, found that the FedEx shooter had numerous encounters with law enforcement and mental health professionals before the shooting  including a 2013 incident in which he was arrested after his mom accused him of punching her in the face and stabbing her with a table knife. He was 11 years old at the time.

The IndyStar also found that Mears' statements about not having enough time to subpoena medical records were overstated. Reporters sat in on dozens of red flag petition hearings after the FedEx shooting. Many people were found dangerous with little more than testimony from a police officer.

In their tort claim notice, the victims' attorneys claimed authorities failed "to follow the statutorily mandated protocols" outlined in Indiana's red flag law.

Follow Johnny Magdaleno on Twitter @IndyStarJohnny

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis ignores FedEx shooting victims' request for $2.1M payout
PLYMOUTH-CANTON, MI  Millions of people in the Plymouth-Canton area will soon have access to free at-home COVID-19 testing under a new Biden administration rule that will require insurance companies to cover the cost of tests.

Those in Michigan are covered by private insurance will have free access to over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests starting Jan. 15. Tests can be purchased online or at a pharmacy or store, and they will be covered upfront by a health plan or through reimbursement.



"We are requiring insurers and group health plans to make tests free for millions of Americans. This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp-up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a news release Monday.

Under the rule, insurance companies and health plans will be required to cover eight free at-home tests per covered individual per month. A doctors note isnt required to obtain the tests, which must be authorized, cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This means a family of four on the same insurance plan would be eligible for up to 32 free tests per month; however, there is no limit on the number of tests covered if ordered or administered by a health care provider.

The Biden Administration also said its "incentivizing" insurers and group health plans to set up programs allowing people in Michigan to get over-the-counter tests directly through preferred pharmacies, retailers or other entities with no out-of-pocket costs.

Looking for an at-home test in the Plymouth-Canton area? Here are some stores and pharmacies you can check:

CVS, 1400 S Sheldon Rd.

CVS, 45300 Cherry Hill Rd

Rite Aid, 800 W. Ann Arbor Rd.

Rite Aid 4151 S. Canton Center Rd.

Walgreens, 2014 N Michigan St.

Walgreens, 44300 Ford Rd.

This article originally appeared on the Plymouth-Canton Patch
UBs Dubocovich to receive ASPETs Julius Axelrod Award in Pharmacology

Margarita Dubocovich, PhD, is SUNY Distinguished Professor of pharmacology and toxicology in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion. Photo: Sandra Kicman

An internationally renowned expert on the role of melatonin, she has also made training future pharmacologists a focus of her career

It is truly an honor to have met him and to do what I can to carry his legacy forward. 

BUFFALO, N.Y.  The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) announced today that Margarita L. Dubocovich, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, is the recipient of the 2022 Julius Axelrod Award in Pharmacology.

Dubocovich is receiving the award in recognition of her seminal work in understanding the physiological role of melatonin and its receptors on neuroendocrine function and circadian rhythms, and for her extraordinary contributions to the training of future pharmacologists, according to ASPET.

The Axelrod Award was established in 1991 to honor the eminent American pharmacologist who shaped the fields of neuroscience, drug metabolism and biochemistry, and who served as a mentor for numerous world-renowned pharmacologists.

A fitting honor for a groundbreaking researcher

It is quite fitting that Dr. Dubocovich receives this honor, as her groundbreaking research on melatonin neuropharmacology builds upon the earlier work of Julius Axelrod, says Allison Brashear, MD, UBs vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School. I am pleased this award also recognizes her exceptional dedication to mentoring the next generation of pharmacologists.

Dubocovich is an international scholar on the brain hormone melatonin and its receptors. Her pioneering work revealed melatonins impact on circadian rhythms, sleep disorders, depression, reproduction, body weight and torpor, an energy-conserving state similar to short-term hibernation.

It is a distinct privilege to receive an award honoring the memory of such an eminent Nobel laureate, pharmacologist, neuroscientist and mentor, whose scientific contributions still impact the discovery of medicines to treat psychiatric disorders today, she says.

Dubocovich first met Axelrod while she was completing her doctoral degree at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina.

He visited a few years after he won a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1970, along with eminent pharmacologists Sir Bernard Katz, PhD, and Ulf von Euler, PhD, for his discoveries on the release and reuptake of catecholamine neurotransmitters.

Our team, working on the modulation of catecholamine release by presynaptic receptors at the time, gathered for a conversation with Dr. Axelrod where we all had the opportunity to discuss our experiments and ask questions, Dubocovich says. This meeting shaped the course of my career and influences me to this day.

Dubocovich takes great pride in how her own work has contributed to the field of melatonin receptor pharmacology and physiology initiated by Axelrod.

Dr. Axelrods forthrightness and ability to define concise hypotheses were the foundation upon which he developed novel experimental methodologies and discoveries, she says. His philosophy of science was something which has remained with me throughout my career, and one that I hope to continue to impart onto future scientists in the legacy of Dr. Axelrod.

He emphasized the paramount importance of observation of biological effects over any complex analysis, Dubocovich adds. He used to say: If the effect is strong, then you do not need sophisticated analysis to recognize the experiment was successful to move forward with the project.

Pioneering the pharmacology of melatonin

Building upon the early work of Axelrod, Dubocovich is credited with discovering and revolutionizing the field of functional melatonin receptors and pioneering the pharmacology of melatonin receptors agonists and antagonists.

Her seminal paper in the journal Nature in 1983 described the presynaptic regulation of dopamine release in the retina, and began her career-defining quest to understand melatonins role in physiological function and receptor pharmacology.

Dubocovich discovered the first melatonin receptor antagonist, luzindole, successfully demonstrating its antidepressant-like activity by blocking melatonin receptor types in mouse models.

She has continued to push the frontiers of neuropharmacology ahead with studies of melatonin receptor-mediated effects on brain neurogenesis and drug design. Most recently, she broke new ground discovering that environmental agents impact the activity of melatonin receptors.

Building diverse communities of trainees

Dubocovich serves as senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion in the Jacobs School and is a passionate educator who has built culturally and intellectually diverse and academically inclusive communities of trainees, and instituted inaugural programs for trainee development at all levels.

After instituting the Collaborative Learning and Integrated Mentoring in the Biosciences (CLIMB) program at Northwestern University, she launched the CLIMB programs at UB that now include professional development and mentoring programs for undergraduates, masters and doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty.

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) R25 grant has continuously funded her initiative for maximizing student development and has increased the number of underrepresented students in biomedical and behavioral research since 2012.

A dedicated mentor for research trainees, she has trained and provided research mentoring to 48 graduate and postdoctoral scholars. Her reputation as an outstanding research adviser is reflected in the fellowships that her trainees have received from NIH, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and others.

Her trainees currently hold academic positions and jobs in industry as pharmacologists, neuroscientists and toxicologists. Local and national mentoring awards have honored both her teaching and mentoring.

Dubocovich has been an ASPET member since 1983 and was named a fellow of the society in 2020. She was named a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology in 2013.

Dubocovich says that over the years she had many opportunities to meet Axelrod at scientific conferences to listen to his talks and discuss their common interest in the pharmacology of melatonin receptors.

It is truly an honor to have met him and to do what I can to carry his legacy forward, she says.

The award will be formally presented at the ASPET Business Meeting and Awards Presentation during the ASPET Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology 2022 on April 2 in Philadelphia.

The award includes invitations to deliver the Julius Axelrod Lecture and organize the Axelrod Symposium in 2023, and to deliver a less formal presentation at the 2022 annual dinner meeting of The Catecholamine Society, an international organization consisting of scientists interested in all aspects of catecholamine research, which was co-founded by Axelrod in 1969.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds drew some of the loudest applause of her Condition of the State speech Tuesday when she said parents deserve a greater say in their children's education, particularly when it comes to the books that are part of their school's curriculum.

"Enough is enough," she said. "Parents matter, and were going to make sure you stay in charge of your childs education."

Reynolds previously told reporters she expects a parent-led push to introduce a bill that will address the issue. But she said all schools should be required to publish what they're teaching, and her staff said she would introduce legislation to ensure schools post their curriculum, textbooks and a list of available library books on their websites.

"Theres no reason to hide it  at least no good reason," she said.

More: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds proposes 4% flat tax, cuts to unemployment in Condition of the State

Her comments come as Iowa has been roiled by debates over students' access to books that some parents have described as sexually explicit, vulgar and inappropriate for school-aged children. Reynolds accused some school administrators of using the books to push their own worldview onto students.

These books are so explicit theyd be X-rated if they were movies, Reynolds said during the speech Tuesday. ... We live in a free country with free expression. But theres a difference between shouting vulgarities from a street corner and assigning them as required classroom reading. Theres a difference between late-night cable TV and the school library.

More: Read the full text of Gov. Kim Reynolds' 2022 Condition of the State address

But librarians, administrators and others have pushed back, saying the books broach difficult subjects  including abuse, LGBTQ issues and stories about people of color  and have broad literary and social value.

Legislative Democrats expressed particular concern at comments Senate President Jake Chapman made during his opening speech to the chamber on Monday. The Adel Republican claimed teachers and the media have adopted a "sinister agenda" to normalize deviant behavior against children.

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Chapman has attended school board meetings in the Des Moines metro to advocate against certain books in school libraries and has called for legislation that would make it a felony for teachers to distribute what he refers to as obscene books.

Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, said Tuesday morning that Reynolds should disavow Chapmans comments and promise Iowans that she will veto any legislation aimed at harming Iowas public education system." Following her speech, Wahls instead called it a "ringing endorsement" of Chapman's remarks.

"I thought it was a slap in the face to Iowa teachers," he said.

More: Not enough support in Iowa House for 'school choice' bill, but the idea could come back

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said during an interview on Iowa PBS that Reynolds' plan to pay teachers a $1,000 retention bonus for continuing to teach through the pandemic was undermined by her failure to condemn Chapman's comments.

"I'm not sure that a $1,000 bonus is going to really make them feel better or more welcome in the state when they're already exhausted and weary from two years of pandemic teaching and being demonized at the Capitol," she said.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds attacks 'X-rated' books in school libraries
A branded mobile ordering solution that sets distributors apart  with in-app promotions, frictionless mobile ordering, barcode scanning and more.

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iTradeNetwork, the food and beverage industrys largest network with over 8,000 food and beverage trading partners, is proud to announce the launch of OrderMaestro for distributors  a mobile e-commerce solution that automates and streamlines the ordering process for their customers. OrderMaestro enables distributors to create powerful loyalty programs, easily promote specific products, increase sales opportunities and deliver a best-in-class mobile ordering experience that customers love.

Over the last 18 months, distributors have had to evaluate business operations to survive in an ever-changing foodservice climate. Small and independent restaurants have closed their doors for good, forcing distributors to pivot to find new customers and explore different channels for revenue. Meanwhile, COVID-19 has accelerated digital transformation and technology adoption by three to four years1, pressuring distributors to quickly adapt to new technologies to meet customer needs. Customers are expecting more  and faster  than ever before. In order to compete with the thousands of distributors on the market, they need to deliver a seamless mobile ordering experience that will attract customers  and keep them coming back.

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OrderMaestro is a branded e-commerce platform that catapults distributors into the digital age and allows them to do more with less. iTradeNetwork designed OrderMaestro to offer a personalized experience for customers. Distributors will not only grow sales revenue, but they will also provide an intuitive and scalable ordering experience for their customers. This best-in-class solution provides clear order guides across units, auto-generates orders from past purchases and offers configurable workflows to streamline purchase order (PO) approvals  but that scratches the surface of what OrderMaestro is capable of doing:

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Create Powerful Loyalty Programs That Attract and Engage Customers: Build a loyal customer base and increase revenue with in-app promotions. With OrderMaestro, distributors can create loyalty programs, drive volume to specific products, get rid of excess inventory quickly, run holiday and seasonal promotions and more. Gift Your Customers with Effortless Onboarding in an Easy-to-Use Mobile App: With widespread labor shortages, onboarding and ease-of-use is top of mind for distributors and their customers. OrderMaestro is simple to manage and requires no formal training  customers can submit POs from their mobile devices in minutes. 3-Touch Scan-To-Search'' Smart Barcode Scanning: Now, customers can place an order or take inventory in as little as three taps. OrderMaestros barcode scanning and voice recognition functionality allow users to auto-populate product information right from their mobile devices. Collaborate In Real-Time and Increase Customer Satisfaction: With alerts, distributors can notify their customers about when to expect delays based on weather conditions, changes in account cut-off times and more. Gain Visibility into Customer Purchases, So You Can Grow Your Business: With barcode scanning and voice recognition technology, collect rich, comprehensive data on the products customers are purchasing from other suppliers.

In a very competitive foodservice distribution market, OrderMaestro is the key to differentiating yourself, said Wills McMahon, senior product manager at iTradeNetwork. Distributors will be able to increase sales through our in-app promotions while delivering a best-in-class mobile ordering solution to their customers. Its a win-win.

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View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/itradenetwork-introduces-ordermaestro-the-food-industrys-best-in-class-e-commerce-platform-that-gives-foodservice-distributors-a-competitive-advantage-236841499
President Donald Trump and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) disembark from Air Force One in Los Angeles, April 5, 2019. (Photo: SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The House select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol attack has asked Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy  who has acknowledged he was in contact with former President Donald Trump that day  to provide details of those conversations and others with Trumps top aides.

We also must learn about how the Presidents plans for January 6th came together, and all the other ways he attempted to alter the results of the election, committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said Wednesday in a statement addressing McCarthy. For example, in advance of January 6th, you reportedly explained to Mark Meadows and the former President that objections to the certification of the electoral votes on January 6th was doomed to fail.

In his five-page letter to the California Republican, Thompson said he would like him to appear before the committee in the first week of February, and noted that McCarthy has said he wouldnt hide from anything.

The committee previously asked Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a Trump ally, to appear before the committee, but Jordan rejected that request.

In May, when asked by a CNN reporter whether he would be willing to testify about Jan. 6, McCarthy replied: Sure.

But late Wednesday evening, McCarthy released a statement calling the committee illegitimate and designed to advance the political objectives of Democrats  even though two Republicans, including the vice chair, are members of it.

As a representative and the leader of the minority party, it is with neither regret nor satisfaction that I have concluded to not participate with this select committees abuse of power that stains this institution today and will harm it going forward, McCarthy said in his statement.

Thompsons letter describes McCarthys statements on the day of the attack, when he told CBS News: I was very clear with the president when I called him. This has to stop and he has to go to the American public and tell them to stop this.

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It further lays out what McCarthy told Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), who later released her own statement detailing that conversation. The statement reads: When McCarthy finally reached the president on January 6 and asked him to publicly and forcefully call off the riot, the president initially repeated the falsehood that it was antifa that had breached the Capitol. McCarthy refuted that and told the president that these were Trump supporters. Thats when, according to McCarthy, the president said: Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are.

Thompsons letter says the committee wants to know why McCarthy, in spite of all that, continued to push Trumps false claims of election fraud and his attempt to block President-elect Joe Bidens election certification that day. The select committee wishes to question you regarding communications you may have had with President Trump, President Trumps legal team, Representative Jordan, and others at the time on that topic.

Per Thompsons letter, the committee also wants to know about Trumps frame of mind in the days following Jan. 6. It cites a previously unreported text message that Fox News host Laura Ingraham sent to Mark Meadows, Trumps White House chief of staff, on Jan. 12, 2021, as an example: Remarks on camera discouraging protest at state capit[o]ls esp with weapons will be well advised given how hot the situation is. [E]veryone needs to calm down and pray for our country and for those who lost their lives last week.

Thompson noted that McCarthy visited Trump at his social club in Palm Beach, Florida, just weeks after Jan. 6. Your public statements regarding January 6th have changed markedly since you met with Trump, Thompson wrote. At that meeting, or at any other time, did President Trump or his representatives discuss or suggest what you should say publicly, during the impeachment trial (if called as a witness), or in any later investigation about your conversations with him on January 6th?

Thompson closed by pointing out that McCarthy has previously said he was willing to help the investigation. A full and accurate accounting of what happened on January 6th is critical to the Select Committees legislative recommendations, Thompson wrote. And the American people deserve to understand all the relevant details.

Trump, who lost the 2020 presidential election by 7 million votes nationally and 306-232 in the Electoral College, became the first president in more than two centuries of U.S. elections to refuse to hand over power peacefully. The Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol  which Trump incited in a last-ditch attempt to remain in office  resulted in five deaths, including that of a police officer, as well as injuries to another 140 officers and four police suicides.

Despite this, Trump remains the dominant figure in the Republican Party and is openly speaking about running for the presidency again in 2024.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack issued three new subpoenas on Tuesday to former Trump White House aides and associates, including a speechwriter who helped craft former President Donald Trump's speech to supporters ahead of the Capitol riot.

The panel has subpoenaed GOP operatives Arthur Schwartz and Andrew Surabian, along with Trump White House speechwriter Ross Worthington.

"The Select Committee is seeking information from individuals who were involved with the rally at the Ellipse. Protests on that day escalated into an attack on our democracy," Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said in a statement. "We have reason to believe the individuals weve subpoenaed today have relevant information and we expect them to join the more than 340 individuals who have spoken with the Select Committee as we push ahead to investigate this attack on our democracy and ensure nothing like this ever happens again."

Both Surabian and Schwartz, who have ties to Donald Trump Jr. and have been in the former president's orbit since he first ran for president, communicated with organizers and speakers at the rally on the National Mall, the committee said, pointing to records obtained by the panel.

MORE: How the Jan. 6 committee is piecing together the 'puzzle' of the Capitol attack

"While we plan on cooperating with the Committee within reason, we are bewildered as to why Mr. Surabian is being subpoenaed in the first place," Surabian's lawyer, Daniel Bean, told ABC News in a statement. "He had nothing at all to do with the events that took place at the Capital that day, zero involvement in organizing the rally that preceded it and was off the payroll of the Trump campaign as of November 15, 2020."

Schwartz and Worthington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to the committee, Worthington helped draft Trump's speech that day to supporters -- many of whom later marched across the National Mall to the Capitol after he encouraged them to do so.

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Trump's speech and intentions were a focus of debate during Trump's second impeachment trial, when House Democrats charged him with inciting the riot.

PHOTO: In this file photo taken on Jan. 6, 2021, President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

His lawyers argued before the Senate that the president did not call for violence against lawmakers or Capitol Police.

The committee has asked all three witnesses to turn over records by Jan. 24 and appear for interviews at the end of the month, or early February.

To date, the panel has publicly disclosed 53 subpoenas, and investigators have obtained tens of thousands of pages of records, including some from the Trump White House, and text messages and emails provided by Mark Meadows, who served as Trump's last White House chief of staff.

MORE: Jan. 6 committee asks Fox News host Sean Hannity to cooperate with probe

The committee, which is prepared to hold public hearings in the coming weeks, has also sought to voluntarily question GOP lawmakers involved in efforts to challenge the election results.

Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Scott Perry, R-Pa., have refused to cooperate with the inquiry, and the panel has not ruled out trying to compel their testimony.

The committee is also engaging with aides and associates of former Vice President Mike Pence, who Trump and others tried to pressure to overturn the election results while he presided over the counting of the electoral votes on Jan. 6.

Longtime Pence aide Marc Short has been subpoenaed by the committee, and his attorney continues to engage with the panel regarding testimony and cooperation.

Thompson also suggested in a recent NPR interview that the committee could request to interview Pence in the coming weeks.

Jan. 6 committee subpoenas Trump speechwriter, GOP operatives originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) leaves a press conference on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 to discuss last nights election results.





The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol took the remarkable step Wednesday of asking for voluntary cooperation from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), the highest-ranking Republican to face such a request in the probe.

In a six-page letter to McCarthy, the committee laid out a host of questions for the Republican leader, who initially condemned the attack and former President Trump's role in it but who has since become a chief critic of the panel and its work.

"You have acknowledged speaking directly with the former President while the violence was underway on Jan. 6. ... Further, you shared an account of your communications with President Trump with a local news outlet in your district, which reported that you had a 'very heated conversation' with the President as the riot was taking place, and urged the President to 'get help' to the Capitol," Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the chairman of the select committee, wrote in the letter to McCarthy.

"As is readily apparent, all of this information bears directly on President Trump's state of mind during the January 6th attack as the violence was underway."

The committee asks to meet with McCarthy as soon as Feb. 3, requesting he divulge information about his communications with Trump "before, during and after the violent Jan. 6 attack."

McCarthy responded to the committee's request in a statement Wednesday evening, saying that he would not cooperate and calling the panel "illegitimate."

"As a representative and the leader of the minority party, it is with neither regret nor satisfaction that I have concluded to not participate with this select committee's abuse of power that stains this institution today and will harm it going forward," he said in a statement.

He added the committee was seeking to interview him about "private conversations not remotely related to the violence that unfolded at the Capitol."

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The committee's letter dissects McCarthy's reactions to the riot, starting with his speech on the House floor in which he said Trump "bears responsibility" for the attack.

It then uses multiple sources to relay McCarthy's intense exchange with the White House during the attack and how he encouraged Trump to call off his supporters.

But the committee argues McCarthy's tone changed following a meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago organized after the former president made harsh statements about the minority leader.

"Your public statements regarding January 6th have changed markedly since you met with Trump. At that meeting, or at any other time, did President Trump or his representatives discuss or suggest what you should say publicly, during the impeachment trial (if called as a witness), or in any later investigation about your conversations with him on January 6th?" the committee asks.

The committee lays out a number of other questions for McCarthy, including why he continued to object to election results into the early morning hours of Jan. 7, and any communications he had with Trump, his legal team, and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on that topic.

It also asks about an excerpt in a book from ABC News's Jonathan Karl where McCarthy reportedly told Trump and chief of staff Mark Meadows such an effort "was doomed to fail."

"How did they respond? Why were they nevertheless so confident that the election result would be overturned?" the committee asks.

The letter also asks about any conversations McCarthy had with Trump ahead of President Biden's inauguration, including a conversation with Trump around Jan. 11 of last year where The Bakersfield Californian reported McCarthy encouraged the then-president to "move forward with a peaceful transition of power."

"It appears that you may also have discussed with President Trump the potential he would face a censure resolution, impeachment, or removal under the 25th Amendment. It also appears that you may have identified other possible options, including President Trump's immediate resignation from office," the committee wrote.

McCarthy is the latest in a string of requests from the committee seeking voluntary cooperation with investigators, stopping short of subpoenaing sitting members of Congress.

The committee has also sought voluntary interviews with Jordan as well as Rep. Scott Perry (R-Penn.) while Thompson has said the committee plans to issue a similar invitation to former Vice President Mike Pence by the end of the month.

Jordan over the weekend sent the committee a letter saying he would not be willing to appear before the committee.

And McCarthy has been similarly dismissive, using a January letter to colleagues to accuse Democrats of using the panel "as a partisan political weapon to further divide our country."

In an effort to combat a rejection from McCarthy, the committee pointed to an interview he gave in late December.

"I don't really have anything to add. I have been very public, but I wouldn't hide from anything," McCarthy told KBAK.

Updated at 10:17 p.m.
Britain's Prince Andrew attends the Sunday service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, following the death announcement of his father, Prince Philip, in England, Sunday, April 11, 2021. Associated Press/Steve Parsons

A federal judge denied Prince Andrew's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit from Virginia Giuffre.

Giuffre alleged the Duke of York sexually abused her as part of a sex-trafficking scheme run by Jeffrey Epstein.

The royal has denied the allegations. The case may now proceed to trial.

A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that Virginia Giuffre's sexual abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew can proceed, dealing a major blow to the royal family member's legal defense.

US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan ruled that the Duke of York's motion to dismiss the lawsuit was "denied in all respects," allowing the case to move forward.

"Virginia Giuffre is, of course, pleased that Prince Andrew's motion to dismiss has been denied, and that evidence will now be taken concerning her claims against him," Giuffre's attorney, David Boies, said in a statement to Insider. "She looks forward to a judicial determination of the merits of those claims."

Giuffre filed the lawsuit against Prince Andrew, a former friend of the now-dead pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, in August. She alleged that he sexually abused her on three occasions in the 2000s as part of Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme. Prince Andrew has strenuously denied the allegations.

Giuffre's attorneys have said they want the case to go to trial, but Kaplan's ruling does not mean that she and Prince Andrew cannot reach a settlement before then.

The ruling comes a few days after Carolyn Andriano, another Epstein accuser, told The Daily Mail that Giuffre had sent her contemporaneous text messages after sleeping with Prince Andrew. However, Kaplan explained that his ruling is based on his interpretation of the law and does not evaluate the facts of Giuffre's case.

In the terse, 46-page ruling, the judge struck down each and every argument the Duke of York had made in his motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Prince Andrew's defense made four main arguments: firstly, that a 2009 settlement between Epstein and Giuffre from an earlier lawsuit protected him against further lawsuits from Giuffre, and secondly, that Giuffre hadn't sufficiently alleged any violations of the New York Penal Code.

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Defense attorneys also argued that Giuffre's allegations would have been time-barred by the statute of limitations if not for the 2019 New York Child Victims Act, which they labeled "unconstitutional." Their final argument was that Giuffre's allegations in her complaint were not sufficiently detailed.

Kaplan rebuffed all four arguments, taking particular care to explain why he believed the 2009 settlement agreement didn't shield Prince Andrew from liability. The 2009 agreement stated that Giuffre wouldn't bring action against "other potential defendants," but Kaplan said it was not clear that the term referred to Andrew.

The judge wrote that the issue would have to be resolved in further proceedings, ruling that when contract language is unclear, "the ambiguity must be resolved by the trier of fact, ordinarily a trial jury."

Prince Andrew had also argued that he should be considered an "other potential defendant," because Giuffre had previously brought similar claims against the lawyer Alan Dershowitz and later backed off due to the language of the 2009 settlement agreement.

Kaplan wrote that Dershowitz would be covered by the release since he was one of Epstein's attorneys, not an "other potential defendant." But Kaplan also added that his assumption about Dershowitz's status may not be "necessarily correct," and wrote that his confusion demonstrated how the 2009 agreement was "riddled with drafting problems and ambiguities."

FILE PHOTO: Virginia Giuffre and lawyer David Boies arrive for a hearing in the criminal case against Jeffrey Epstein at Federal Court in New York, U.S., August 27, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

The judge also ruled that Giuffre's two central allegations against Andrew  battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress  were indeed sufficient violations to proceed with a lawsuit, and Kaplan scoffed at Andrew's suggestion that the New York Child Victims Act was unconstitutional.

"Defendant is not the first litigant to advance this argument, which has been rejected by every New York state and federal court to have encountered it," Kaplan said. "And it has been rejected repeatedly for good reason."

Finally, Kaplan rejected the argument that Giuffre's allegations were too vague, saying that Prince Andrew would be entitled to further details during the discovery process.

"Ms. Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous,'" Kaplan wrote. "It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse."

Andrew's and Giuffre's attorneys clashed about the same topics in a court hearing last week, where Kaplan similarly shot down many of the points raised by Andrew's attorney, Andrew Brettler. At one point, Kaplan expressed shock when Brettler suggested that Giuffre hadn't adequately described her allegations.

"It was sexual intercourse. Involuntary sexual intercourse. There isn't any debate over what that means  at least since someone else was in the White House," Kaplan said.

Giuffre is the highest-profile Epstein accuser, having fought through litigation for years against Epstein, his former girlfriend and now-convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and Alan Dershowitz, who she has also accused of sexual misconduct. Unsealed documents and depositions obtained for her lawsuits have shed light on the scope of Epstein's sexual abuse, which spanned from his residences in New York, Florida, London, the US Virgin Islands, and a massive ranch he owned in New Mexico.

Read the original article on Insider
West will reportedly be spending a lot of time out there as he plans to make Russia his second home.

Kanye West is going to Russia. The rapper is reportedly planning a trip to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin and host his popular Sunday Service show.

The All Falls Down rapper will head to Russia later this year, with travel plans currently scheduled for spring or summer. Per Billboard, Ameer Sudan, Wests strategic advisor and confidant, revealed that the rapper plans on making Russia his second home. Sudan added, he will be spending a lot of time out there.

Kanye West attends the Versace fall 2019 fashion show at the American Stock Exchange Building in lower Manhattan on December 02, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Taking his Sunday Service abroad isnt the only reason West has his sights set on Russia. West also has some new business deals with Aras Agalarov, a close associate of Putins. Per Billboard, Agalarov is president of the Crocus Group, one of Russias leading developers and is sometimes referred to as the Trump of Russia because of how he often self-brands his buildings.

The Agalarovs also helped coordinate the 2016 Trump Tower meeting, when the former presidents campaign officials met with a Russian lawyer in attempts to dig up dirt on Hillary Clinton. Wests deals with the Agalarovs are set to increase the rappers wealth to more than $10 billion. As theGrio reported in March 2021, the rapper was estimated to be worth about $1.8 billion by Forbes at the time.

Billboard also reports the rappers plans to collaborate on music with Emin Agalarov in effort to raise Emins profile in the U.S. His Sunday Service performance, to be held at the Crocus City Hall theater, will mark the first time West ever performs in the country.

EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Kanye West performs Sunday Service during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on April 21, 2019 in Indio, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Coachella)

As of right now, U.S. citizens can travel to the country, but only under specific conditions. As Billboard reports, The U.S. Department of State currently lists Russia with a level 4 do not travel advisory, due to terrorism, harassment by Russian government security officials, the embassys limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia and the arbitrary enforcement of local law.

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In a statement obtained by Billboard, Sudan said, This is Ye, Ye is going to get there regardless. What are they going to say? Hes going to be a special guest of the Agalarovs. Kanye knows whats going on more than the average human being, hes well aware of things. And its nothing against the United States or to cause conflicts, but Ye is Ye  he cant be controlled.

Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Acting Up? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today!

The post Kanye West to travel to Russia to meet Putin, perform Sunday Service appeared first on TheGrio.
Fortunes turned quickly for Karim Massimov. Kazakhstan's former intelligence chief was once seen as a contender to succeed the country's powerful founding president, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

But during a week of deadly unrest that Kazakh authorities said was directed by foreign-trained terrorists, Massimov was sacked as head of the National Security Committee and a day later arrested on suspicion of treason on Thursday.

Little is known about the circumstances under which he was detained - the Kazakh government only went public with his arrest three days later.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Massimov is widely seen as a close ally of former president Nazarbayev - who is believed to have retained influence since he stepped down in 2019 - and also a China hand within Kazakhstan's government.

After Kazakhstan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, its economy was stagnating. An unstable currency, declining production and heavy debt fuelled financial instability.

As Kazakhstan struggled through a transition to a more market-oriented economy, Massimov was active in the realm of international trade.

He started as a legal adviser at a USSR trade mission in China in 1991. After the Soviet Union collapsed, he returned to Kazakhstan and led the foreign economic relations department at the labour ministry. He was sent to Urumqi, over the border in China's far-west Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, where he was a senior specialist at a Kazakh trade office from 1992 to 1993.

Massimov had earlier studied Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University, and read international law at Wuhan University.

He went on to lead banking and infrastructure projects during the 1990s, overseeing the Kazakh Trading House in Hong Kong and later Halyk Bank's new Beijing office. At the time, he called the opening of the office "evidence of closer economic and trade ties between Kazakhstan and China", according to a 1999 Xinhua report.

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The bank was then the biggest in Kazakhstan and owned by the daughter and son-in-law of Nazarbayev - the only president the country had known since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

A portrait of former Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev is seen at the city hall building after clashes in Almaty's main square. Photo: AP alt=A portrait of former Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev is seen at the city hall building after clashes in Almaty's main square. Photo: AP>

Massimov was promoted to the cabinet in 2000 as Kazakhstan's transport and communications minister. He proposed to Russia and China that a freight railway be built linking the port of Lianyungang in China's east with Minsk in Belarus and western European ports, via Kazakhstan.

He was transport minister for a year and quickly rose up the ranks, becoming deputy prime minister from 2001 to 2003, an office he briefly returned to in 2006.

Early on, Massimov pushed for Kazakhstan to become a member of the World Trade Organization by "closely coordinating" its relations with China. Major infrastructure projects such as transnational pipelines and a free-trade zone were discussed with Beijing during his time as deputy prime minister.

On a visit to Beijing for talks on furthering economic ties between the two neighbours, then Chinese premier Zhu Rongji told Massimov: "I am always at your service in this effort. If something goes wrong, please address me personally - after all, we are old friends."

Massimov's China connection only got stronger when he became Kazakhstan's prime minister, twice - from 2007 to 2012, and again from 2014 to 2016.

On his many visits to China, Massimov signed agreements covering areas for cooperation ranging from finance to agriculture and power. As part of the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Kazakhstan has repeated Beijing's call to strengthen security in the region and fight against the "three evil forces" - terrorism, separatism and religious extremism - that the group says are destabilising the region.

Karim Massimov, then Kazakhstan's prime minister, with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a ceremony in Beijing in 2015. Photo: EPA alt=Karim Massimov, then Kazakhstan's prime minister, with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a ceremony in Beijing in 2015. Photo: EPA>

Massimov has also defended Beijing over concerns that its growing influence in the region could threaten Kazakhstan's independence, saying the oil-rich country could balance its interests between China and Russia.

Kazakhstan relied on Chinese loans to get through the 2008 recession after foreign lending dried up and oil prices fell.

More recently, Kazakhstan became a key part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, a vast trade and infrastructure scheme. The Kazakh government in 2014 launched its own programme to upgrade the country's railways and roads, called Nurly Zhol, or Bright Path. Massimov has touted that programme as a complement to the belt and road plan, and his 2015 trip to China ended with more than US$23.6 billion worth of deals made.

China has offered support for the Kazakh government as it faces its worst crisis since independence 30 years ago, after protests against rising fuel prices last week turned violent, with 164 people reportedly killed, thousands detained and government buildings torched.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2022 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2022. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keanu Reeves on the red carpet for The Matrix Resurrections on 18 December 2021 in San Francisco, California (Steve Jennings/Getty Images)

One fateful day in March 2019, Keanu Reeves boarded a flight from San Francisco to Burbank, a city in Los Angeles County and the home to three major movie studios. The flight had to be rerouted to Bakersfield due to a mechanical issue. Once on the ground, Reeves and a small group of his fellow passengers resolved to be driven by van to their final destination rather than wait for another flight.

The ensuing road trip was captured in a series of now-viral videos. Reeves is seen with his travel companions, his tall frame crammed into the back of a nondescript van, his attitude at once cheerful and calming. He reads them facts about Bakersfield  did you know its population is around 380,000, making it the ninth most populous city in California? He plays some Bakersfield sound, a subgenre of country music, on his phone. He makes small talk. By the end of the trip, the vans passengers seem to have genuinely bonded with one another. There are effusive goodbyes, friendly handshakes.

This happy outcome is interesting in and of itself  its not every day that a group of strangers will display congenial behaviour in the face of tedious air travel complications  but Reeves presence makes the video downright mystifying. Here is the internationally famous star of the Matrix, John Wick, and Bill & Ted franchises, stuck at Meadows Field Airport against his own will. Not only does he put on a brave face, but his ability to connect with his companions in misery is entirely at odds with the concept of a sheltered Hollywood star.

The airport video is one small example of a growing reservoir of internet content documenting Reevess friendliness. Look up Keanu Reeves nice guy and you will find no shortage of listicles highlighting his good deeds over the years. There are tales of Reeves going out of his way to sign autographs for fans. Theres the famous clip  watched 38 million times on YouTube  of Reeves giving up his subway seat for a passenger carrying a large bag. There was the time the internet deemed Reeves a respectful king after noticing a series of photos in which the actor, posing with women on various red carpets, let his hands hover above their waists and arms instead of touching them.

Story continues

Carrie-Anne Moss, Lana Wachowski, and Keanu Reeves at a screening of The Matrix Resurrections on 18 December 2021 in San Francisco, California (Steve Jennings/Getty Images)

Keanu Reeves with his sisters Kim Reeves (left) and Karina Miller (right) at the premiere of The Matrix on 24 March 1999 in Westwood, California (Getty Images/Brenda Chase/Online USA, Inc)

Reevess generosity goes beyond small gestures: in 2009, the actor told the Ladies Home Journal he has a private foundation that helps aid a couple of childrens hospitals and cancer research  but, unlike many wealthy philanthropists, he doesnt want to publicly attach his name to it. In the nineties, he closely supported his sister Kim after she was diagnosed with cancer. Keanu helped me so much through my illness, she told the Australian magazine Womans Day in 1999. When the pain got really bad, he would sit with me and hold my hand, and keep the bad man from making me dance. He was supporting me and comforting me all the time, even when he was away.

Such stories are why, when a now-deleted news report recently claimed that Reeves had donated 70 per cent of his earnings from the original Matrix movie to cancer research, the internet didnt question it. But the actors publicist debunked the rumor, telling Newsweek: The story is not true, Keanu Reeves did not donate 70 per cent of his salary to charity. Reevess publicist also confirmed to The Independent that the claim was untrue, even as it continued to spread online.

It says something about Reevess special standing in the publics heart that people were so ready to believe the claim was true. Donating a large part of ones paycheck seemed such a Keanu thing to do.

The rumour took flight shortly after the release of The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth instalment in the Matrix film series, on 22 December  and a new instalment in the Keanu Reeves renaissance weve experienced over the past few years. Reevess good behaviour has been known for a while, but it became especially noteworthy after the #MeToo movement found mainstream momentum in October 2017. At a time when it seemed like each day brought new reports of dreadful male behaviour in Hollywood, Reevess thoughtfulness stood out.

Perhaps it was all the more fascinating considering that little was  and remains  known about Reevess personal life. The bits we do know suggest unimaginable loss, the kind that would durably shape someones experience of life. In September 1999, Reeves and his then-partner Jennifer Symes child was stillborn; in April 2001, Syme died in a car crash. Reeves childhood doesnt appear to have been entirely smooth-sailing: his father was imprisoned for drug offences, and the family moved frequently.

Keanu Reeves and his partner Alexandra Grant on 2 November 2019 at an event in Los Angeles (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for LACMA)

Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Hugo Weaving at the premiere of The Matrix Reloaded on 7 May 2003 in Los Angeles (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Keanu Reeves and his sister, producer Karina Miller at a special screening of Semper Fi, on which Miller was a producer, in Hollywood on 24 September 2019 (FREDERIC J BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

In 2010, 11 years after Reevess Matrix debut, a photo of the actor sitting on a public bench, pensively eating a sandwich, went viral. Sad Keanu, as it became known, remains one of the most recognisable memes on social media. The image was a convenient receptacle for anyone looking to project their own sorrow. Reeves himself recently demystified the photo somewhat, telling Stephen Colbert he was simply eating a sandwich when it was taken. I was thinking, he said. I had some stuff going on. I was hungry.

Still, if Sad Keanu proved anything, its that Reeves is the kind of celebrity whose apparent sorrow people immediately empathised with. Behind the popularity of Sad Keanu as a meme appeared to be a widely shared desire to wrap the actor in a comforting hug.

May 2019 cemented Reevess status as the internets soul mate (as a Time magazine piece put it around that time). That month, the third John Wick movie came out, with Reeves reprising the title role. May 2019 also marked the release of Always Be My Maybe, a Netflix film starring comedian Ali Wong and Reeves as an over-the-top version of himself. Reevess performance was an unexpected treat, self-aware in a hilarious way. The renewed wave of affection for Reeves prompted The New Yorker to declare in June of that year that Reeves is too good for this world, an assessment that still holds true to this day.

There can be something icky about our tendency to rave about celebrities performing the smallest acts of kindness, or exhibiting the barest hints of decency. But there is undeniable sincerity behind every anecdote documenting Reevess kindness. Yes, we pay extra attention because hes famous, but the type of kindness and generosity he apparently exhibits would be admirable in anyone, regardless of their level of fame. It seems likely that wed all want to be more like Keanu Reeves, even if Keanu Reeves wasnt, well, Keanu Reeves. He seems like a great guy, not just by Hollywood standards, but also by general human standards.

Keanu Reeves at the premiere of The Matrix Reloaded on 7 May 2003 in Los Angeles, California (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Keanu Reeves at the 75th Academy Awards on 23 March 2003 in Hollywood, California (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss at a photocall for The Matrix Reloaded at the Cannes Film Festival on 15 May 2003 (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty Images)

Google Keanu Reevess good deeds and youll find a long list of wholesome anecdotes, as well as the occasional story thats so stunningly irresistible it sounds like it came out of a fan fiction, as opposed to real life. Take this, from a November 2021 Esquire profile: a year or so after the 1994 release of Speed, we are told, Reeves was hanging out with his co-star Sandra Bullock. The subject of Champagne and truffles came up, with Bullock telling Reeves shed never had them.

A few days later, according to Esquire, which cited Bullock herself, Reeves showed up at her apartment with flowers, Champagne, and truffles. He said, I just thought you might want to try Champagne and truffles, to see what its like, Esquire reported. He sat on the couch. Bullock poured some Champagne, and they opened the truffles. Keanu put his hands out, without a word, and Bullock painted his nails black, same as hers. Reeves and Bullock never dated but have remained longtime friends.The longer time goes on, the more in awe I am of the human being, Bullock told the magazine. Would I have been able to say that if he had dumped me and made me angry? Probably not.

It helps, of course, that Reeves himself has a history of reacting with nothing but embarrassment any time an interviewer brings up his reputation as Tinseltowns best human. When asked to share bits of wisdom, hes generally reluctant, as though hes unsure he has anything of worth to contribute, though he generally tries to oblige  and when he does, he sticks the landing, bringing depth even to late-night TV interviews.

How does Keanu Reeves deal with anxiety? Stephen Colbert asked him in December 2021. Reeves took a few seconds to think, as if measuring the enormity of the question, then let out a long breath. Breathe, he said. Try to figure out why youre afraid, what that means. Try to just be, and let not what youre afraid of define the present that you hope to be in when you go do what youre afraid of. The audience clapped, but Reeves, seemingly self-conscious, hid his face behind his hands, adding: Or not. Just be afraid and hang on!

It was gospel only the internets soul mate could have spread, and it is perhaps the words we most needed to hear heading into 2022. Perhaps this is how well save the year ahead and the ones after that. Perhaps the world would fare a lot better if we all tried to be more like Keanu Reeves.

Not that Reeves himself would welcome this assertion with anything other than a humble shrug and an embarrassed stare. In 2017, during the promotion of John Wick 2, a journalist asked him whether he had a set of rules to live his life by. No, he replied. I dont have the, like, Here it is. I have the basic stuff, you know? Try not to lie, try to be kind and all of those good things. Im OK at it. Im not great.

Thats Reevess versions. On that latter point, the internet still begs to differ.
Buffalo, WY (82834)

Today

Windy with a mix of clouds and sun in the morning becoming cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High 56F. SSE winds shifting to N at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Rain. Low 41F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Higher wind gusts possible.
Responding to continued rapid shifts toward digital news consumption, the El Paso Times is announcing a change in print delivery frequency beginning March 26.

The Times will cease home delivery on Saturdays and instead will provide subscribers with a full digital replica of the newspaper that day, with local news, advertising and features such as comics and puzzles. The new model means subscribers will get newspapers delivered to their homes six days a week, with a digital newspaper available every day.

The print newspapers remain a vital and important part of our strategy, but the change this year is in response to subscribers, advertising and new industry trends.

The change is occurring at most of Gannett's 136 daily newspapers.

What's the El Paso Times e-edition?

The Saturday digital replica, or e-Edition, will have the same look and news as a printed newspaper. The digital format also has some additional features, such as the ability to clip and share articles with friends and family and adjust the text size.

Learn more about the e-edition at ElPasoTimes.com/eeditiontips.

In addition, Times subscribers now will have access to the USA TODAY Networks full suite of e-Editions across the country, as well as ad-free access to the USA TODAY Crossword puzzle. The El Paso Times is part of the USA TODAY Network, and the change being announced today also is taking place at numerous other publications in the network.

All Times print subscribers have full digital access, meaning they have the ability to read news updates throughout the day, subscriber-only stories and video and audio features, among other benefits. Subscribers also have 24/7 access to obituaries, legal notices and classifieds on our website.

If you haven't yet activated your digital access, do so today at ElPasoTimes.com/activate.

El Paso Times e-Edition tips: Learn how to use the El Paso Times e-Edition

News and sales staffing at the El Paso Times will not change as a result of this. However, those staffs will be even better aligned toward digital news delivery.

Story continues

Delivery times for the other days of the week will remain unchanged.

We will continue to strategically evolve our business model, while making decisions that keep our loyal subscribers at the forefront, said Nate Rodriguez, regional vice president, Texas. Our newspapers are a vital part of the fabric of our community. Now, more than ever, its critical to support local news with subscriptions and advertising.

7 reasons: you should subscribe to the El Paso Times

Anyone with questions about the change can access their account at help.elpasotimes.com/contact-us or can call customer service at 1-800-351-1677.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Times to end Saturday home delivery, offer enhanced e-Editions
(Reuters) - Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:

China's Omicron-hit Tianjin launches new round of tests

The Chinese city of Tianjin started a new round of testing of its 14 million residents on Wednesday to block the Omicron variant, as financial analysts warned of the growing economic costs of curbs to stamp out clusters of infections.

Tianjin, about 100 km (62 miles) southeast of the capital, Beijing, reported 33 domestically transmitted coronavirus infections with confirmed symptoms on Tuesday, up from 10 the day before, national data showed.

S.Korean officials test positive after attending CES

More than 30 officials of major South Korean companies who attended the giant CES tech trade show in Las Vegas last week tested positive for COVID-19 while in the United States, industry sources said.

Most of the Samsung officials who tested positive were flown back to Korea from Nevada in two chartered flights, arriving late on Tuesday, with the rest set to be flown back the following day, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper said, citing unidentified industry sources.

Biden, top officials defend COVID-19 response

President Joe Biden and top health officials defended on Tuesday the U.S. government's response to the unrelenting pandemic as daily COVID-19 infections reached a new high, largely fuelled by the highly contagious Omicron.

Biden, who has been accused of focusing on vaccinations at the expense of testing and support for struggling healthcare systems, told reporters he was "confident we're on the right track" to fight the pandemic.

No vax, pay tax, says Canada's Quebec

Canada's second-most populous province of Quebec plans to force adults refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to pay a "health contribution", in a move likely to spur debate about individual rights and social responsibility.

Premier Francois Legault told reporters that the proposal, details of which were still being finalised, would exclude those who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons.

Story continues

Colombia cuts booster wait time to four months

Colombia will let people get booster doses of vaccine four months after completing the initial course, President Ivan Duque said.

At the same time, those infected can have their vaccines 30 days after ending isolation, down from six months earlier, he added.

Surging infections force Finland to prioritise

Surging infections are forcing local authorities in Finland to deviate from a government strategy based on mass testing, tracking and isolation.

Helsinki and neighbouring cities recommend that those with a mild infection do not get an official test as the waiting time can now be days, authorities said in a joint statement.

"Tracing infections has lost its effectiveness due to delays in testing and in contacting the patients," they said. Instead, authorities said anyone with symptoms, including children, should stay home on a voluntary basis.

(Compiled by Karishma Singh; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
The U.S. Forest Service said Wednesday that it would essentially start over the process to reopen around 170,000 acres burned in the 2020 Labor Day Fires east of Salem and Eugene after lawsuits halted the plan last fall.

The move throws into question when access will be restored to places such as Opal Creek, the Breitenbush area and the northern Mount Jefferson Wilderness.

A federal judge in November blocked a plan by Willamette National Forest to log hazard trees along 400 miles of road within the scars of the Beachie Creek, Lionshead and Holiday Farm fires.

The Forest Service said at the time that the plan was critical to making roadways safe and reopening public access to vast swaths of public land burned in the 2020 Labor Day Fires.

A crew removes hazardous trees near Highway 22 outside Idanha in March of last year. A plan by the Forest Service has been scrapped to remove hazard trees in other areas burned by the Beachie Creek Fire.

Environmental groups, who brought the lawsuit, said the federal agency was being too aggressive in removing trees along roadsides.

In depth: Judge halts logging hazard trees in fire-burned Willamette National Forest, possibly delaying access

Instead of going through the lawsuit process, Willamette National Forest supervisor Dave Warnack said he would scrap the old plan and restart the process.

I have decided it is in the best interest of the public to limit the continued time and expense associated with ongoing litigation surrounding this project, Warnack said in a statement. Our work to safely restore public access to areas burned in the 2020 Labor Day fires continues to be top priority.

"Upon withdrawal of this decision, my staff will conduct another review of the purpose and need of this project and will consider a new approach to addressing this important issue. We will re-engage with community partners and other interested parties toward solutions and opportunities to facilitate safely reopening fire affected areas.

Warnack did not address how much longer this new review might take, or offer any possibility of opening the forest in some capacity, saying only that "these areas will remain closed to the public until safety concerns are addressed," in an email.

Story continues

The lawsuits were filed by Cascadia Wildlands, Oregon Wild, Willamette Riverkeeper, and Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics.

Nick Cady, legal director for Cascadia Wildlands, said he was shocked by the Forest Service decision since since judge's ruling specifically allowed logging any "imminent danger trees along roads," he said.

Had the Forest Service not tried to squeeze a huge public lands timber grab into a narrow exemption from environmental review, the agency could have long since removed any danger trees and reopened the forests to the public," he said in an email. "The Courts injunction - at our request - specifically allowed for danger tree removal, any spin from the agency to the contrary is just plain false.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Forest Service to start over on plan to reopen Opal Creek, Jefferson
Letters to the editor

Editor, Register-Mail: The Jan 6, 2021, vicious attack on our nation's Capitol was real, horrific, deadly and was coordinated by Trump administration officials, in an attempted-coup, to prevent the national vote certification of their champion's defeat. Several Capitol policemen were killed, 140 injured. The Congressional Hearing Committee thoroughly investigating this insurrection at the Capitol, will broadcast their results to us. Bennie Thompson, chair of that special commission, said, "We came critically close to losing our democracy." Not since the Civil War has such a coup been attempted; some scholars warn of risk of another civil war.

America seems more divided a year after that attack. Recent polling suggests that one in three Americans think violence against the government is sometimes necessary. Even though some Trump officials were begging Trump to make an announcement and call off the attackers, shortly after the incident they had all fallen in line, as the big lie took hold in many minds. Today, supposedly 70% of Republican voters still believe the last presidential election was stolen. Extreme polarization and GOP's refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election are a dangerous combination, and we should be able to see that many American deaths have been needlessly caused by the global pandemic having been politicized and propagandized.

What if Donald Trump does run again and wins in 2024? What then? Pete Ryan, from The Economist, wrote in a Jan. 1 article, "polling shows the former president is one point behind President Joe Biden, well within the margin of error, and thanks to the electoral college, possibly ahead in a theoretical matchup." The GOP seems willing to accept only the election results they favor. We can expect the big lie to continue to proliferate.

Republican lawmakers in several states have passed laws to repress and overturn elections. Right wing GOP candidates run on Trumpian messages. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has suggested that Texas secede from our Union. "The midterm election of 2022, and the general election of 2024, will take place under this shadow of big lies," said Pete Ryan, who asserts, "Republicans could exploit the election machinery, already infected by extreme partisanship, and will continue to dispute races won by Democrats." We MUST cooperate to shore-up our voting systems, passing a federal voting rights act NOW! The lack of bipartisanship exposes the democratic decay. The GOP cannot afford to walk away from American democracy, the rule of law, and the peaceful transfer of power. Their continued infatuation with Trumpism could prove fatal for America!  Trish Forsyth Voss, Galesburg

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: LETTER: GOP's Trumpism infatuation could prove fatal for U.S.
An independent assessment of the Loveland Police Department's policies and procedures is complete, and the final report lists areas of both praise and improvement for the department.

The department has room to improve on its internal culture, policies and procedures, and its relationship with the community, according to the report issued earlier this month by by Jensen Hughes  previously described in a Loveland police news release as one of the nation's leading law enforcement and public safety consulting firms.

While the report points to areas the department could improve, it largely praises the department for following best practices in most of its policies.

The final report was released by Loveland police last week, about six months after the start of an independent review. You can read the full nearly 60-page report here: https://www.lovgov.org/Home/Components/News/News/6603/30

The department called for the independent review after it was heavily criticized by the public for the forcible arrest of resident Karen Garner  a woman in her 70s with dementia  in June 2020, which was brought to the public's attention after Garner's family filed a lawsuit against officers involved and the department in April 2021.

Related: Loveland to pay $3 million to settle civil lawsuit tied to Karen Garner forcible arrest case

Attorney Sarah Schielke released body camera footage of now former Loveland police officer Austin Hopp forcing Garner to the ground seconds after making contact with her while she was walking on the side of the road. At least four officers involved in the incident, including Hopp, are no longer employed with the department. Hopp was charged with felony assault, and another officer involved faces misdemeanor charges over her role in the arrest.

"We determined that the Loveland Police Department (LPD) should review its policing philosophy and put a renewed emphasis on community policing and internal and external communications," the report states. "The LPD and its officers have historically earned much respect from the Loveland, Colorado community; however, recent events have raised concerns regarding the Departments oversight and accountability. By following our recommendations, the LPD can reestablish its relationship with the community, improve its internal operations and increase its accountability to the Citys residents."

Story continues

Loveland City Council will hear a presentation on the report from Jensen Hughes during a study session Tuesday night.

More: Ex-Loveland police officer pleads not guilty to charges in Karen Garner arrest

The report commends the department in several areas:

94% of surveyed community members report as recently as 2020 they are generally satisfied with the citys police services.

The department has demonstrated a commitment to following best practices and national standards by maintaining accreditation through Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies since 1992.

The department is committed to training, from sending current and potential leaders to nationally recognized training programs to offering Crisis Intervention Training to all department members.

The department took the initiative to expedite the review process for uses of force, incidents involving injury, pursuits and other serious incidents through their Blue Team system, and has added the city attorneys office and human resources department to the review process.

The assessment also highlights several areas of improvement where the department needs to make changes to repair its relationship with the community.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the recommendations and areas of needed improvement:

Amend the use of force policy to show commitment to 'sanctity of human life'

In many respects, the department's use of force policy aligns with best practices, "however the LPD's policy does not espouse a commitment to the sanctity of human life," according to the report.

The department has made a commitment to providing de-escalation training to new officers and as an ongoing training but does not make the same commitment to de-escalation in its written policies, according to the report.

The Police Executive Research Forums Guiding Principles on Use of Force states the sanctity of human life should be at the heart of everything an agency does, and more police departments nationwide are adopting similar phrasing into their written policies, according to the report. It's recommended that Loveland police add something similar to their written policy.

"Strengthening the LPDs use-of-force policy to emphasize the sanctity of human life may similarly help reduce incidents of force, increase officer safety and enhance public trust," the report states.

More: Loveland police buy new body cameras, Tasers to enhance de-escalation, transparency efforts

Reevaluate emphasis on data-driven policing strategy

The department uses the Data-Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Safety strategy to deploy resources to high-crime areas, with a focus on citation and arrest rates to measure success, according to the report.

This causes officers to not be incentivized or motivated "to respond to calls for service that do not result in a citation," according to the report.

"By focusing on numbers, the Department may create a situation wherein the LPD does not encourage officers to engage in problem solving, develop relationships in the community, or resolve situations without resorting to an arrest or citation," the report states.

Although the department does not have an official quota system, the report states that officers said they are expected to engage in 10 activities per day with an emphasis on traffic stops, though they are not expected to issue a citation or make an arrest with each contact.

The report states that making this the department's primary strategy for patrol officers also emphasizes accumulating arrests and citations rather than engaging in quality policing activities. Officers interviewed said they resented this because they didn't have time to engage in proactive activities or build relationships in the community, according to the report.

The report recommended the department increase the community's ability to give input in this data-driven model and provide results on how this model is working on their website more frequently.

It also recommended the department change how officers' performances are evaluated and incorporate nonenforcement problem-solving efforts and community policing activities into those evaluations.

To increase community policing efforts, the report recommended the department expand its Community Resource Unit  which currently has two officers assigned  and give all officers guidance on their role in community policing and engagement.

Improve external and internal communications

The most common area of needed improvement identified by department staff was communication, and staff said there was a lack of effective communication between upper levels of the department and patrol officers.

The report commended the department for more recently being more proactive and transparent in public communications about critical incidents, including in the fatal police shooting of 19-year-old Alex Domina in August.

However, many people in the community told the assessment team they feel most communication from the department is reactionary and they don't feel it is transparent.

The report recommends the department create a strategic plan to ensure public communication is informative, timely and discloses as much information as possible.

Sady Swanson covers public safety, criminal justice, Larimer County government and more throughout Northern Colorado. You can send your story ideas to her at sswanson@coloradoan.com or on Twitter at @sadyswan. Support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Loveland Police Department independent review finds shortcomings, success
Lubbock County has administered more than 338,437 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as of Jan. 11, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

That's up 1.6% from the previous week's tally of 333,105 COVID-19 doses administered.

In Lubbock County, 47% of people living in Lubbock County are fully vaccinated as of Jan. 11. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers someone fully vaccinated two weeks after they've been given a single-dose shot (Johnson & Johnson) or a second shot (either Pfizer or Moderna).

More: Lubbock sees record spike in COVID-19 cases, demand for testing as Omicron variant spreads

Texas reported 5,143,345 total cases of coronavirus, an increase of 7% from the week before.

The five counties with the highest percentage of their population fully vaccinated in Texas as of Jan. 11 are Presidio County (84%), Webb County (83%), Maverick County (81%), Starr County (79%) and Hudspeth County (78%).

Here are the latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Lubbock County as of Jan. 11:

How many people in Lubbock County have received a COVID-19 vaccine?

54% of people in Lubbock County have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 163,036 people

47% of people in Lubbock County are fully vaccinated, for a total of 141,933 people

For a county-by-county look at the vaccination rollout, see our COVID-19 vaccine tracker, which is updated daily.

How many people in Texas have been vaccinated so far?

71% of people in Texas have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 19,658,488 people

60% of people in Texas are fully vaccinated, for a total of 16,685,870 people

COVID vaccinations for kids and boosters

The percentages in this story reflect the total share of the population that has received vaccines. That now includes people as young as 5 years old, for whom vaccines have been authorized.

These weekly stories will be updated as more data on vaccination rates in children, as well as booster vaccination rates, are released.

We pull data on local vaccine distribution on a weekly basis. Check back for our next weekly update mid-week for the latest numbers.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock County Texas vaccine rate: How many people are vaccinated?
The Madison County States Attorney on Tuesday filed assault charges against a man who was shot during a scuffle with police officers.

John Shimchick, 45, of East Alton, was charged with aggravated assault to a police officer, aggravated battery, and aggravated resisting arrest in connection with an incident.

Bond for Shimchick was set at $75,000, according to a release from the South Roxana Police Department. As of Wednesday morning, however, he remained at large and a warrant for his arrest has been issued.

Officers were dispatched to investigate a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of Rose Avenue in South Roxana at about 8 p.m. on Jan. 4. They say Shimchick struck a 60-year-old man in the head, leaving him with a 6-inch gash on his scalp and swollen left eye, according to charging documents.

According to the police department release, Shimchick threw three steak knives at the first officer to respond to the scene. A scuffle ensued that caused injuries to other officers, including Chief Bob Coles, the release stated.

The officer allegedly assaulted with the steak knives drew his service weapon and shot Shimchick during the scuffle, Coles said.

Shimchick was transported to St. Louis area hospital with wounds that were not life-threatening, Coles said. The officers returned to their departments after they were treated for their injuries, said the release.

The suspect was taken to a hospital for a gunshot and since he was in Missouri we have no way of keeping him in custody in Missouri and bringing him to Illinois until charges are filed, Coles said. Four officers were treated on the scene for lower back pain and hand injuries that occurred during the alleged altercation with Shimchick.

The shooting is being investigated by Illinois State Police.
Jan. 11Staff lawyers at the Maine Public Utilities Commission are recommending that a record financial penalty imposed on Central Maine Power for poor service quality be lifted, an assessment that has yet to be considered by the commissioners.

The recommendation came in a filing Tuesday at the agency. The commissioners haven't set a date to consider it and are still receiving input in the case.

CMP asked the commission in September to remove the penalty, saying it has met or exceeded state-ordered customer service quality benchmarks for dealing with issues such as billing errors in a new software system and answering phone inquiries on time. The penalty, imposed in January 2020, has resulted in the utility losing almost $10 million in revenue over 18 months ending in September.

CMP said it made "significant organizational improvements and cultural changes to ensure consistent, enduring and high-quality customer service."

In Tuesday's filing by the PUC's hearing examiner, the staff indicated that it "remained concerned" about CMP's commitment to improving service. But the staff noted that metrics set up to measure service quality had been met "and it remains to be seen if that performance can be sustained."

The Maine Office of Public Advocate and Competitive Energy Services, a Portland consulting firm, have objected to lifting the penalty.
MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP)  A man accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl was apprehended in Mexico on Wednesday, 21 years after he fled following his arrest in Minnesota, according to law enforcement.

Curtis Lee Brovold, 67, was accused of having sex with the girl from Moorhead, Minnesota, whom he met online in 2000. Brovold was arrested later that year and charged with criminal sexual conduct, but he failed to show up for a court hearing and was placed on the most wanted page of the FBI's Crimes Against Children unit.

Detectives from the Moorhead Police Department along with investigators from the FBI's resident agency in neighboring Fargo, North Dakota, determined that Brovold was living in Cancun. Brovold was arrested without incident outside his home on Wednesday afternoon.

The FBI has two things on its side when working fugitive cases: persistence and a very long memory. Both helped lead us to Curtis Brovold, FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul said.

Brovold will be flown back to the United States and is expected to be transferred to the custody of Moorhead law enforcement, authorities said.

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A man was slain and two people were shot and critically injured on Tuesday in Keene, a city in Johnson County, police said.

The dead victim was found lying next to a sedan in the middle of the cul-de-sac at the end of Alaska Street after he was shot about 1:45 p.m., according to the Keene Police Department.

The other victims were lying on a porch on Alaska Street and sitting in grass a block to the west, on Lee Street, police said. They were flown with life-threatening injuries to hospitals.

There were two assailants in the shootings and neither was in custody on Tuesday night.

A heavy-set Hispanic man wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants ran from the scene, and a second suspect drove from the scene in a sedan, police said. The vehicle is gray or black and may be a Chevrolet Sonic.

The assailants and the victims knew each other, and there was no information about what motivated the shootings, police said.

Police did not release the dead mans name or age.

Anyone with information could call the main Keene Police Department number at 817-641-7831. Anonymous tips could be shared by calling the Johnson County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-794-8477.
MORGAN COUNTY  As schools across the country trek into another semester impacted by the global pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new quarantine guidelines for schools to follow.

The new guidance from the CDC, which has also been adopted by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), advises a mandatory quarantine of five days, a change from 14 days, and a return to school after the fifth day with a mask until the tenth day after exposure.

Fully vaccinated students will not have to quarantine, but will be required to wear a mask for ten days after exposure. Unvaccinated students will be asked to complete the five-day quarantine and mask upon returning to school.

Local news: Monrovia parent asks school board to make changes for students in quarantine.

Mooresville schools updated its COVID protocols to reflect this new policy in a statement released to parents on Jan. 4.

"Those who have been vaccinated may now only be considered partially vaccinated depending on the date of their vaccination," the statement said. "Anyone following a five-day return plan will need to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Anyone fully vaccinated who is a close contact may stay in school (if asymptomatic) only by masking for 10 days."

An informational graphic on Covid screening released by the IDOH and distributed by schools throughout Morgan County

Martinsville schools also announced the district will be following the same protocols as mandated by the IDOH and Morgan County Health Department on Jan. 3.

"If symptoms are not improving, if a fever is continuing, or unable/unwilling to wear a mask, then the full 10 day isolation period should be completed," Martinsville schools said in a statement.

The MSD of Martinsville also said extra curricular activities could resume after day six, as long as a student wore a mask while participating in said activity.

This is the first time during the course of this school year that the MSD of Martinsville has implemented some form of mask requirement.

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Others are reading: City seeks designs for new police station, office building.

Monroe-Gregg schools plan to implement the new protocol in its district as well, although since Monrovia schools already require masks, the only change for the district would be a reduced quarantine period from 14 days to five days.

"We have more children right now who are testing positive than we have the entire time during the pandemic," Monrovia Superintendent Dr. Kirk Freeman said during Monday's M-G school board meeting. "We can't imagine what it would be if we did not have masks."

Eminence schools have also updated its COVID protocols to reflect the latest guidelines.

County news: Harrison Township residents raise concerns about septic treatment in Oak Hills subdivision.

For more information on your child's specific school guidelines, check your district's website.

Contact Reporter-Times reporter Grace Phillips at gphillips@reporter-times.com or at 765-346-4815

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: New COVID guidelines impact schools in Morgan County




Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced on Wednesday he is commuting the sentences of two convicted murderers, following a recommendation from the state's Parole Board.

Baker commuted the sentences of Thomas Koonce and William Allen, both of whom were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. With Baker's action, both men are now immediately eligible for parole. This is the first time Baker has commuted a life sentence since assuming office in 2015.

WBUR noted that these commutations are the first that have been issued by the Massachusetts governor's office since 2014.

"To make these difficult decisions, I spent months carefully weighing the circumstances of the two terrible crimes, the actions of the two men since and the Parole Board's recommendation for commutation," Baker said in a release.

"I believe both men, having taken responsibility for their actions and paid their debt to the Commonwealth by serving sentences longer than most individuals found guilty of similar actions, deserve the right to seek parole from prison."

In 1987, Koonce, 54, fatally shot a man in New Bedford and was found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury in 1992. According to Baker's office, Koonce has become a leader in helping other inmates benefit from prison programs and has established new programs, as well.

During his time in prison, Koonce graduated magna cum laude from Boston University's prison education program.

Allen broke into a man's home in Brockton, Mass., in 1994, intending to rob him. An accomplice ended up fatally stabbing the man and Allen was found guilty of first-degree murder in 1997. Since being imprisoned, Allen has earned numerous vocational licenses and has worked as a companion for mentally ill patients at a local hospital, according to Baker's office.

Baker's decision must now be approved by the Governor's Council. If approval is granted, Koonce and Allen would be placed on parole for life.
House Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Trey Lamar, RSenatobia, introduces a bill on the House floor to phase out income tax, reduce grocery tax and increase the state sales tax Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. The bill was passed by a vote of 96-12.

After a year of lobbying and jockeying, House Speaker Philip Gunn is getting another chance to eliminate the state's income tax.

The Republican-controlled House approved a bill 96-12 Wednesday afternoon to phase out the personal income tax, reduce the grocery tax and increase the state sales tax on most items. Passing with broad, bipartisan support, the bill is headed for the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to introduce their own tax-cut bill.

"I believe it's the time for historic, transformative, game-changing legislation in this state," House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Trey Lamar, R-Senatobia, said on the House floor before the vote.

House Speaker Phillip Gunn, left, and House Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Trey Lamar, R-Senatobia, confer before Rep. Lamer introduces a bill on the House floor to phase out income tax, reduce grocery tax and increase the state sales tax Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. The bill was passed by a vote of 96-12.

Gunn, R-Clinton, has repeatedly said his main priority this session is to eliminate the state income tax. The House passed a bill eliminating the income tax in 2021, but it died in the Senate. Unlike last year's bill, Gunn's 2022 plan does not increase taxes on farm equipment or automobiles, among other items.

"The bill this year is much simpler, easier to understand, and I would submit to you, an improved product over what we had last year" Lamar said Wednesday.

Tax-cut advocates lauded the House Wednesday afternoon, claiming the proposed cut would drive the state's economic engine forward.

We know there will be more work and more compromise required, but Mississippi needs bold action and this is one heck of a start," said Russ Latino, president of Empower Mississippi, a conservative-leaning think tank.

TAX CHANGES: Mississippi leaders try big, quick tax changes without effort to build public support

Gov. Tate Reeves and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann have said they do not favor any tax plan that cuts taxes in one area but raises them in another.

Under Gunn's plan, the state sales tax would increase from 7% to 8.5%.

Reeves is in favor of eliminating the income tax, saying it will make Mississippi more competitive for economic development. Tennessee is the only neighboring state without a personal income tax.

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Hosemann told reporters Monday he was not tied to any one kind of tax cut.

I think you find our plan to be multidimensional, Hosemann said. We are not hung up one specific thing that says we eliminated something.

Lamar said he recently met with the members of the governor's office and there appears to be support for the House plan as written.

House Democrats did not have a chance to review the bill until it passed committee Tuesday afternoon, said House Minority Leader Robert Johnson, D-Natchez. Despite the short notice, it passed with most Democrats either voting for it or voting present.

Under Gunn's proposal, the first $40,000 of income reported for a single filer and $80,000 reported for a married couple would be tax-exempt in the first year after passage.

Should the state continue its current trajectory, Lamar estimated the income tax would be completely done away with in 10-12 years, provided the state hit certain economic benchmarks. The income tax would not further decrease unless the state records an annual state revenue of at least $6.175 billion plus 1.5% in growth.

As it stands, personal income tax makes up about $1.8 to $2 billion, or one-third of the state's annual revenue. Cutting the tax completely, with the offset of a raise in sales tax, would mean about a $1.5 billion decrease in revenue, Lamar said.

However, Lamar said it doesn't mean lawmakers are going to shy away from spending. Right after approving the tax bill, the House approved approved a $219 million teacher pay raise bill.

"This is about controlling government's growth," Lamar said.

Lamar said he and other lawmakers are confident cutting the income tax will stimulate economic activity and lead to a boost in sales tax revenue.

State Economist Corey Miller told lawmakers in September cutting the income tax would not do much to spur the economy.

"The overall impact on the state's economy ... will likely be very modest," Miller said then.

Lee O. Sanderlin is an investigative and political reporter covering the state of Mississippi. Got a story tip? You can call him at 601-559-3857, send it to LSanderlin@gannett.com or message him on Twitter @LeeOSanderlin.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Philip Gunn's plan to cut Mississippi income taxes ready for vote
Sen. Dean Kirby, R-Pearl, presents congressional redistricting legislation before the body for consideration at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

The Mississippi Senate approved on Wednesday a plan to redraw the state's four congressional districts.

The Republican-controlled Senate passed it 33-18. The bill now heads to Gov. Tate Reeves, where he can either sign it into law or veto it. Reeves has said in the past he likes the plan Republicans approved.

Mississippi lawmakers voted Wednesday on a finalized Congressional map proposal.

The bill preserves the current balance of congressional power in Mississippi, keeping three seats for Republicans and one for lone Democrat Bennie Thompson, D-Bolton.

The second and third congressional districts see significant changes. The 3rd District, represented by Michael Guest, R-Rankin, is ceding the entire southwest corner of Mississippi to Thompson's 2nd District.

Democrats in both chambers opposed the bill, saying Thompson's new district is too geographically large, and will have to be expanded again in 2030 to offset the population loss in newly added Amite, Franklin, Wilkinson and Adams counties. Running the entire western half of the state, Thompson's district would encompass roughly 40% of the state's landmass, but only a fourth of the population.

Of the four districts, only the 2nd District is majority Black. For comparison, about 37.8% of Mississippians are Black, according to Census Bureau data. Under the approved plan, Jackson is split between the second and third districts. It is the only municipality split between districts in the state.

Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, offered an amendment to the bill which would have kept the four southwestern counties in the 3rd District and added all of Hinds County and part of Madison County to the 2nd District. House Minority Leader Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, offered the same amendment in the House, and Thompson wrote a letter in December in support of the Democrats' amendments to the Republican's plan.

The amendment failed in both chambers.

Sen. Angela Turner-Ford, D-West Point, also unsuccessfully offered an amendment to the Republican map. Her amendment was similar to Simmons', but would have added all of Hinds and Madison to the 2nd District, split DeSoto County between the first and second district and add all of Oktibbeha County to the 3rd District. As it stands, Oktibbeha is split between the first and third and DeSoto is entirely in the 1st District.

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Several Democratic senators questioned Sen. Dean Kirby, R-Rankin, during his presentation of the bill, asking why efforts weren't made to draw the 2nd District in a more compact way.

"Something is wrong here, just from observation," Sen. David Jordan, D-Greenwood, said to Kirby.

Kirby, who chairs the Senate Congressional Redistricting Committee, said the plan was drawn as well as it could have been, and meets all the federal requirements for congressional districts. Thompson needed to add about 70,000 people to his district to offset significant migration from the Mississippi Delta over the past decade. Each district is supposed to have about 740,020 residents to ensure equal representation of the state's residents, lawmakers have said.

"We were pushed for time to get this done," Kirby said.

Republican Rep. Trent Kelly has held the 1st District seat in northern Mississippi since 2015 and Republican Rep. Steven Palazzo has held the 4th District's seat in the south since 2019. Their districts remain relatively unchanged.

This is the first time since the 1965 passage of the Voting Rights Act passed Mississippi's redistricting will go on without federal oversight after a 2013 Supreme Court decision ended the requirement certain states get federal approval for redistricting changes. A federal judge drew the congressional districts in 2002 because legislators could not agree on a map, and again in 2011 because legislators felt they didn't have enough time to do it during session.

Lawmakers are expected to take up legislative redistricting later in the 2022 session.

Lee O. Sanderlin is an investigative and political reporter covering the state of Mississippi. Got a story tip? You can call him at 601-559-3857, send it to LSanderlin@gannett.com or message him on Twitter @LeeOSanderlin.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi Legislature finalizes new congressional districts
This is Lakewood news you can use! Good morning friends. Brad K. Evans here with the latest edition of the Lakewood Daily. Here's what's happening in Lakewood today.

Wednesday's weather: Mild with partial sunshine. High: 53 Low: 35.

Rent this space: Are you a local business owner or marketer in Lakewood? We want to start showcasing trusted businesses who can solve problems for our amazing local readers. Learn more about how it works.

Here are the top stories today in Lakewood:

Co-workers help mother give birth in Lakewood used car dealership. An expectant mother gave birth three weeks early, but luckily her coworkers jumped in as she went into labor in the bathroom of the CarHop Auto Sales Office in Lakewood. (FOX31) How one Boulder County family found their dog after the Marshall fire. The story of how a family was reunited with their furry friend. Jedi was standing just outside the car, his whole body shivering and his eyes clogged with soot. They opened the door and he lept inside. (CPR) King Soopers employee union rejects "last, best offer." On Tuesday, King Soopers' union workers rejected what the grocery chain calls their "last, best and final offer." That rejection sets the stage for thousands of unionized grocery workers to go on strike Wednesday morning at 77 metro-area stores. (CO Sun) Good samaritan jumps into frozen pond to save children that fell through the ice. One child was rushed to the hospital after three fell through the ice at an apartment complex over the weekend. Dusti Talavera jumped into the frozen pond to rescue them.(CBS4) What should the protocol be as the omicron-fueled numbers continue to grow in Colorado? The state reported a new record-high number of positive cases on Jan. 5 and this week's positivity rate has continued to soar. (FOX31)

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Today in Lakewood:

From my notebook:

Lakewood Cultural Center Casting Call: There's only have a few spots left for the cast of our upcoming Missoula Children's Theatre production. Grades K-12 welcome; the weeklong program happens Jan. 24-29. (LCC)

City of Lakewood January Ward 2 meeting: Visit with Ward 2 City Council members Sharon Vincent and Sophia Mayott-Guerrero in an informational setting, share ideas and learn more about your community. January's hybrid meeting will include Council updates. (Lakewood)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another edition of the Lakewood Daily. Give us a little love with a  below. We'd love your feedback on our newsletter, and every response is appreciated.  Brad K. Evans

This article originally appeared on the Lakewood Patch
NEW YORK  The Bronx apartment where a fire erupted that killed 17 people had several space heaters running at the time of the fire  and all of them, including the one that sparked the fatal blaze, had been left on for days, FDNY sources said Tuesday.

Firefighters made the discovery as they sifted through the scorched rubble of the second-floor in the duplex apartment where the Sunday morning fire started.

The blaze sent thick plumes of choking smoke throughout the Twin Parks North West building on E. 181st St. near Tiebout Ave. in Fordham Heights.

The fire was the citys deadliest since the 1990 blaze at the Bronxs Happy Land Social Club.

In Sundays blaze, more than 30 people were rushed to area hospitals with life-threatening injuries. By that afternoon, 17 had died, including eight children. All of them died from smoke inhalation, a spokeswoman for the citys medical examiner said.

The FDNY determined space heaters were the cause of 11 fires in 2020 the departments Bureau of Fire Investigation probed the cause of. Space heaters have already sparked two fires investigated by the bureau this year, including Sundays deadly blaze, an FDNY official said Tuesday. The Bureau of Fire Investigation probes the citys fires that are complex, suspicious or fatal.

Now fire marshals are trying to determine what caused the space heater to erupt into flames Sunday and why the apartments self-closing door that should have kept the smoke from spreading throughout the building malfunctioned and remained open.

Investigators said the heat in the building appeared to be working. New boilers were installed in 2015, and they all passed an inspection last year, according to city Buildings Department records.

On Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving, the citys Housing Preservation and Development Department received an anonymous tip that the entire building was without heat or hot water, but the situation was quickly corrected and the complaint was closed, according to the agency.

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At least four building tenants told the Daily News on Tuesday that they did not have any problems with the heat and wondered why the resident in the fire apartment had so many space heaters. Two residents say they get so much heat they sometimes have to open their windows.

My apartment was warm, said Joyce Anderson, 75, whos lived on the buildings 13th floor since 1972. I had the windows open a little bit like [an inch] in the home because it was very warm.

Portable space heaters are involved in about 1,700 fires nationwide a year, resulting in about 80 deaths and 160 injuries annually, and $62 million in damage, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In 2019, a portable space heater plugged into a power strip sparked a fire in Flatbush, Brooklyn. A man in his 60s died after he jumped from the building to escape the flames. Seven other people, including a cop who raced to the scene, were also injured.

John Jay College of Criminal Justice Associate Prof. Glenn Corbett said if the heaters were continually running they had to be older or cheaper models. Newer space heaters come with automatic shutoff switches if the unit gets too hot.

If it didnt have an automatic shutoff it was probably an old unit that the tenant got second- or third-hand or got it from somebody else, Corbett said. People want to stay warm, and if the building is not providing adequate heat theyre going to find ways to get heat in that apartment.

The FDNY is continually putting out public service announcements on the proper use of portable space heaters, which should be kept at least 3 feet from any bedding or furniture and must be plugged directly into a wall socket and not an extension cord.

Besides the FDNY, Corbett said building management should have put up posters instructing tenants on the proper way to use space heaters, especially if they knew residents were using them.

Building management should be saying, Hey, folks, if youre buying space heaters you should get the modern ones and learn how to use them properly, Corbett said. Thats what they should have been doing.


China reopens one more border gate with Vietnam for fresh fruit imports

Chinese authority on January 12 re-opened its Hekou International Border Gate  which pairs with Vietnam's Kim Thanh II border gate in the northern province of Lao Cai  for imported fresh fruits, including dragon fruit, and frozen foods from Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.













A container truck passes through the Hekou-Kim Thanh II International Border Gate. (Photo: VNA)



The move is expected to reduce congestion at the shared border gates between the two countries in Lang Son and Quang Ninh after China has suspended imports of Vietnamese dragon fruits via Youyi Guan border gate (Huu Nghi border gate in Vietnam) and Pu Zhai (Tan Thanh of Vietnam) since December 29, 2021.



Data of the General Department of Vietnam Customs shows that nearly 35 percent of Vietnamese dragon fruit exports to China went through border gates in Lao Cai.



However, the Chinese side has warned of a decrease in loading capacity at Hekou Border Gate as many workers there had left for Lunar New Year holiday. It has also advised the Vietnamese side to strictly observe COVID-19 control rules and proactively regulate shipments of goods through border gates to prevent congestion.



China has halted imports of Vietnamese fresh fruits via Hekou Border Gate since July 18, 2021 after coronavirus was found on packaging of dragon fruits shipped from Vietnam.



The lift of the ban resulted from multiple efforts made by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Vietnamese localities to work with the China side on the issue since then./.
Marie-Elena studied creative writing, art, and photography at University of Nebraska at Omaha, graduating with a BA in Studio Art -Visual Media. She moved to California from Nebraska in 2019 and is happy to call Calaveras County her home.

Comment Policy Calaveras Enterprise does not actively monitor comments. However, staff does read through to assess reader interest. When abusive or foul language is used or directed toward other commenters, those comments will be deleted. If a commenter continues to use such language, that person will be blocked from commenting. We wish to foster a community of communication and a sharing of ideas, and we truly value readers' input.
Navy officials said Tuesday they believe "operator error" was responsible for a November fuel spill that contaminated a well supplying drinking water to military housing at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the second such leak in the past six months attributed to personnel at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

U.S. Pacific Fleet Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Blake Converse told a House Armed Services subcommittee Tuesday that independent experts are investigating the spill, which leaked a to-be-determined amount of jet fuel into the hills above Honolulu.

The panel is seeking to determine the cause and whether the incident bears any relation to a May 6 spill, which also has been attributed to "operator error."

Read Next: Service Chiefs Warn PCSs, Bonuses and Training Are Under Threat Without Spending Bill from Congress

"This is a strategic fuel facility for the entire military, not just the Navy, so we need to understand and not treat these as individual, isolated incidents and take minor corrective actions, but treat these as potential systemic issues, get to the root causes and fix those problems," Converse told members of the Readiness Subcommittee.

He told the panel that the Navy was preparing to comply with an emergency order from the state last month to empty the tanks at the facility, one of the largest in the world, capable of holding up to 250 million gallons of fuel. He declined to provide a time frame, noting the investigation into the cause of the spills, facility assessments by third-party experts, plans for removing the fuel and the contracting process will take time.

"We are taking action because that is a lawful order," Converse said.

Converse also told lawmakers that any decision to continue fighting the order would come from the secretary of the Navy or the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and would take into account "the strategic importance of Red Hill and alternatives."

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More than 3,500 military families have been affected by the spill, which contaminated the tap water in their homes at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and elsewhere, sending many to area hotels during the Christmas season and forcing others to use only bottled water in their homes.

The well that supplies drinking water to the homes was found to be contaminated with JP-5 jet fuel, the result of a spill earlier in the month from the Red Hill storage facility, which sits above an aquifer that supplies water to more than 93,000 residents of Honolulu.

The facility has been under fire for years, having been the source of a fuel dump of more than 20,000 gallons in January 2014.

The Hawaii Department of Health issued an order in December for the Navy to remove all fuel from the facility. The states deputy attorney general upheld the emergency order, and state officials have confirmed that it must be followed.

During the hearing Tuesday, lawmakers expressed concerns over the safety of the facility and the Navy's response to the spill.

Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., said the water contamination could compare to other recent events -- the grounding of the fast attack submarine Connecticut in October, the fire that destroyed the Bonhomme Richard last year, the collisions of the guided missile destroyers Fitzgerald and McCain -- that were indications of broader problems within the Navy.

"If we're talking about this as an operator error, it may reflect back to the same systemic issues we continue to see over and over again within the Navy," Luria said.

Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, the subcommittee's ranking Republican, said the facility plays a strategic security role, and the House panel plans to hold a classified hearing within the next month to discuss its importance to the Pacific region.

"I am somewhat concerned that any long-term effort to entirely defuel Red Hill will have some significant national security consequences, but I am supportive of initially defueling Red Hill to a level that supports our surge requirements and, additionally, defueling this depot at a future point should be aggressively pursued," he said.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: There's Petroleum in the Navy's Water System, Hawaii Health Department Finds
Responding to continued rapid shifts toward digital news consumption, The News Journal is announcing a change in print delivery frequency beginning March 19.

The News Journal will cease production of a printed newspaper on Saturdays and instead will provide subscribers with a full digital replica of the newspaper that day, filled with local news, advertising and features such as comics and puzzles. The new model means subscribers will get newspapers delivered to their home six days a week, with a digital newspaper available every day.

The News Journals commitment to local journalism remains strong, but the platforms on which people are consuming news continue to evolve. We need to evolve with our readers, said Mike Feeley, executive editor. Our print newspapers remain a vital and important part of our strategy, but we are not just a newspaper. The vast majority of our readers come through Delaware Online, our mobile app and various social media platforms. We are making this change in response to subscriber and advertising trends.

The Saturday digital replica, or e-Edition, will have the same look and news as the printed newspaper. The digital format also has some additional features, such as the ability to clip and share articles with friends and family and adjust the text size.

In addition, subscribers of The News Journal will now have access to the USA Today Networks full suite of e-Editions across the country, as well as ad-free access to the USA Today crossword puzzle. The News Journal is part of the USA Today Network, and the change being announced Wednesday also is taking place at numerous other publications in the network.

All print subscribers of The News Journal have full digital access to Delaware Online, meaning they have the ability to read news updates throughout the day, subscriber-only stories and video and audio features, among other benefits. Subscribers also have 24/7 access to obituaries, legal notices and classifieds on our website.

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News and sales staffing at The News Journal will not change as a result of this. However, those staffs will be even better aligned toward digital news delivery.

Delivery times for the other days of the week will remain unchanged.

Anyone with questions about the change can access their account at help.delawareonline.com/contact-us or call customer service at 800-801-3322.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: News Journal to stop printing Saturday edition, will offer digital replica
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  The Nigerian government has lifted its ban on Twitter, seven months after the West African countrys more than 200 million people were shut out of the social media network.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari directed that Twitters operations can resume on Thursday, according to the director-general of the countrys National Information Technology Development Agency. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said that was only after Twitter agreed to meet some conditions, including opening an office in Nigeria.

Nigeria suspended Twitters operation on June 4, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigerias corporate existence. The action triggered criticisms as it came shortly after the social media network deleted a post by Buhari in which he threatened to treat separatists in the language they will understand.

This week's action "is a deliberate attempt to recalibrate our relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits for our nation without jeopardizing the justified interests of the company. Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful, Abdullahi said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In addition to registering in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022, Abdullahi said Twitter has also agreed to other conditions including appointing a designated country representative, complying with tax obligations and acting with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built.

The lifting of the ban, though a good thing, offers little hope because whether the government likes it or not, one thing they have actually done is that they have gagged Nigerians, said Idayat Hassan, who leads the West Africa-focused Centre for Democracy and Development.

They have violated the right to receive and impact information, Hassan said, adding that the Nigerian government should instead prioritize openness and effective information flow.

Story continues

There are no official estimates of the economic cost of Twitters shutdown in Africas most populous country since June 4 when it was announced, but NetBlocks, which estimates the cost of internet shutdowns worldwide, said Nigeria could be losing N103.1 million ($251,000) in every hour of the blockade.

In the course of the shutdown, many young people have been finding a way around the ban by turning to virtual private network (VPN) apps, but corporate services  some of which the Nigerian economy relies on  have remained shut out.

Authorities have also set the ball rolling on regulating other social networks in the West African country. In August 2021, information minister Lai Mohammed told the government news agency that we will not rest until we regulate the social media, otherwise, nobody will survive it.

But the governments claim it must regulate social networks to fight fake news has been repeatedly contested by many activists. While it is true that the weaponization of information to spread fake news in Nigeria is quite high, an emphasis on countering fake news just online is actually defeating the purpose because it is both online and offline in Nigeria, said CDD director Hassan.
Oral arguments in a court case that pitted the New Jersey Department of Education against six Jersey Shore school districts were held on Tuesday over whether the state must share more information that could shine a light on how millions state tax dollars are distributed among roughly 600 school districts.

An attorney for schools in Brick, Toms River, Jackson, Lacey, Freehold Regional and Manalapan-Englishtown Regional sued the state department and its records clerk Jeannette Larkin in state Superior Court in Mercer County last July.

On Tuesday, speaking in a virtual meeting before Superior Court Judge Robert T. Lougy, the attorney for the districts alleged the state department violated New Jersey's Open Public Records Act and the common law right of access to public records when it failed to turn over coding documents used to calculate state aid to individual districts.

Stephen J. Edelstein, who argued for the schools, said the data requested from the state is needed to understand and check math of the state's funding formula, known as S2.

"There has to be some kind of check or balance here (on the state's formula)," he said during the hearing.

A snow covered school crossing sign along Van Zile Road in Brick Township Friday morning, January 7, 2022.

Education: Toms River Regional swears in board members Jennifer Howe and Joseph Nardini

The move is the latest in a years-long fight between these schools and state department over how education money is distributed among New Jersey's roughly 600 school districts. In January 2021, Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson ordered the Department of Education turn over its calculation algorithm code for aid to the Jersey Shore districts.

But Edelstein went back to court, suing the department in July, after additional data he said was needed to make sense of the state's aid algorithm was not released by the state department.

Deputy Attorney General Christopher Weber, who represented the Department of Education, argued that the data requested was deliberative, included staff notes and was subject to change. Therefore, he argued, the data was exempt from the Open Public Records Act.

Story continues

"They (the districts) have everything that they need need to check the DOE's work," he said during the hearing.

Education: Toms River school board new president's top goal: Finding a superintendent

Lougy did not render a decision on Tuesday and did not say when one would be issued.

New Jersey's school funding formula has been championed by former state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who said the calculation redirected state money from schools with declining student enrollments to the state's fast-growing, underfunded districts, such as Freehold Borough.

But the districts facing millions of dollars in state aid cuts said the formula failed to account for increasing populations of students with special needs and growing numbers of English-language learners. The formulas also did not account for declines in property values, particularly in towns like Brick and Toms River that were devastated by superstorm Sandy.

By accessing the formula, the districts hope to prove their argument that the funding formula is not appropriating state aid in a fair and consistent manner.

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers Brick, Barnegat and Lacey townships as well as the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than a decade. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: New Jersey Shore districts sue state to hand over school funding data
A demonstration in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, in January 2022. KIM WON JIN/AFP via Getty Images

North Korea is struggling to source enough fertilizer for its crops.

State media is now encouraging people to make their own manure, The Daily Beast reported.

Workers are using human excrement to meet their manure-producing quotas, Daily NK said.

North Korea is asking its citizens to use their own poop to make manure as the country faces widespread food shortages, reports say.

The country has long sourced its agricultural manure from China, but that trade, along with a number of other goods, ceased after North Korea closed its borders at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, North Korea has declared securing enough manure the first "struggle" of 2022, Daily NK reported.

State-run media has also been encouraging people to make "homemade" manure, The Daily Beast reported. A source in North Hamgyong Province told Daily NK that residents had started "producing fertilizer from human waste" after authorities launched a 10-day drive to increase production.

Citizens were told to produce a quota of 150 kilograms of manure, with people working in state factories told to provide 500 kilograms between January 4 and January 14, Daily NK reported.

In an attempt to incentivize people, North Korea has also introduced a pass which will only be given to people who achieve that quota of manure production, Daily NK reported. The pass lets people trade manure, the outlet said.

The North Korean Central Committee also briefly shortened the manure trade markets by one hour, so that people had one more hour to make manure, Daily NK reported.

"As the coronavirus emergency has made producing or importing fertilizer difficult, it seems that they have increased our assigned amount," the source said, according to Daily NK.

"In the end, the burden of gathering the fertilizer necessary for farming has all fallen on the shoulders of ordinary people."

As well as a shortage of manure, North Korea is also struggling to secure enough food.

Story continues

In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared a "tense" food crisis and, in September, he urged North Koreans to come up with solutions to the "food problem," NK News reported.

In early October, a United Nations expert said that the situation was precarious, Reuters reported. That month, North Korea said it had started breeding black swans to slaughter to provide a new food source.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Students across New York City walked out of their schools just before noon Tuesday to protest COVID-19 safety conditions in their classrooms.

Its unclear how many students citywide joined in the social media-fueled protest, but at Brooklyn Technical High School, the citys largest, an estimated 600 kids poured out into18-degree temperatures to call attention to what they described as an unsafe and chaotic environment at their school with the ongoing viral surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant.

It doesnt feel safe to be in school to be honest, said Danny Mui, a sophomore at the 6,000-student Brooklyn Tech. In my classes, half the classes arent there. Some have COVID, some are afraid of COVID, and the school just isnt doing anything about it.

The walkout was driven by a series of social media posts that circulated Monday calling on city students to leave class at 11:52 a.m. on Tuesday in protest.

Social media activity documented scattered participation across boroughs and age groups, but its unclear how many students participated in all.

Some kids reported that administrators discouraged them from staging walkouts. Student attendance has already been far below normal levels, averaging just 69% over the past two weeks.

We understand the concerns of our school communities during this crisis and wholeheartedly support civic engagement among New York City students, said Education Department spokeswoman Sarah Casanovas. Weve doubled in-school testing and deployed 5 million rapid tests to quickly identify cases, stop transmission and safely keep schools open. Student voice is key, and well continue to listen to and work closely with those most impacted by our decisions  our students.

City Schools Chancellor David Banks tweeted Tuesday afternoon that he would meet with the leaders of the walkout.

Students outside Brooklyn Tech said the schools massive size and crowding has made it tough to attend in-person classes safely.

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Theres no social distancing at all, the stairways are packed. Theres no point coming here if Im going to get sick, said one student who asked not to use her name.

Mayor Adams and Banks have been forceful about the importance of keeping school buildings open during the pandemic, pointing to past evidence that COVID-19 spread in classrooms has been lower than in other settings and emphasizing that in-person school can be crucial to families without other options for child care and food.

But schools across the city have confronted a wave of challenges in staying open, with teachers and students calling out sick in droves.

Because of the recent surges, theres a lot of teachers that are out. I had maybe four subs at once; were basically getting nothing done, said Brooklyn Tech student Jacob, who asked that only his first name be used.

The sheer volume of cases is also straining the school systems ability to track and respond to infections  and some Brooklyn Tech students called for stricter mitigation measures.

Coming to school every day feels like a raffle-type thing where. ... Its like I hope I dont get COVID today, said sophomore Daniel Chen.

A new Education Department policy of distributing rapid tests to all students exposed to a COVID-positive classmate in school is good in theory, but has hit some roadblocks in practice, kids said.

They give some students so much more than what they need, and some kids they dont get it at all, said Raida Hasan, a ninth-grader.

Several of the Brooklyn Tech students acknowledged that they suffered emotionally and academically during extended stretches of remote learning early in the pandemic, but argued that offering kids a temporary virtual option would help alleviate some of the current burden on schools and pupils.

Last year when we had remote learning, my grades were bad, we basically didnt learn anything, said a freshman named Kelly, who asked that only her first name be used. But I think maybe hybrid learning, or two weeks off of school, would be best.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard announced Tuesday that he tested positive for the coronavirus and will be working remotely.

Bouchard, a Republican who won a sixth term in office in November 2020, is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot.

He said he is experiencing a headache, congestion, exhaustion and other aches with the virus.

Even though I choose to be fully vaccinated and received the booster shot, the omicron variant was still able to catch up with me, he said in a release.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard

I had assumed it was not a question of whether it caught up to me given the duties of a first responder, but when. Per our protocols I will be in quarantine, but I will continue to work remotely.

The virus is in its fourth surge in Michigan, with health officials saying it is fueled by the highly-transmissible omicron variant. The surge is bearing down on the state, driving up cases and hospitalizations and breaking record after record in its wake.

More: Michigan warns of unprecedented COVID-19 surge, urges vaccines and boosters

More: Omicron variant is disrupting almost every aspect of life in Michigan

Models suggest the surge could peak in late January or early February.

Health officials are urging residents age 5 and older to get vaccinated against the virus or boosted, to wear better masks -- such as KN95s -- in indoor settings, to social distance and to wash hands.

On Monday, the state health department confirmed 617 cases of omicron in Michigan through genetic sequencing, including 93 cases in Oakland County. More than half of the cases statewide are in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties and the city of Detroit.

But that is estimated to be only a small fraction of the total number of cases of the virus strain in the state.

More: Outdoor tent serves as waiting room at Mercy Health Muskegon during COVID-19 surge

More: Michigan attorney general issues consumer alert for COVID-19 test scams

In November 2020, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said he tested positive for COVID-19 and reported having mild symptoms. A month later, Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon died after a month-long battle with the virus. He was 65.

Story continues

More: 'He was born smiling:' Police, civilians say goodbye to Sheriff Benny Napoleon

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said in the release that it has been hit hard by COVID-19, with more than 170 of its 1,400 employees off work because they have the virus or were exposed to it.

Earlier in the pandemic, Bouchard ordered regular testing for employees, regardless of vaccination status, to keep workers and the public protected.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oakland County Sheriff Bouchard tests positive for COVID-19
An off-duty Los Angeles police officer was slain in a shootout with several assailants who approached him in a neighborhood during an attempted robbery, authorities said Tuesday.

Fernando Arroyos, 27, was shot at about 9:15 p.m. Monday in an unincorporated area of south Los Angeles County.

Arroyos was shopping for his first house with his girlfriend when a black pickup with three men inside approached the victim and several suspects got out, there was an argument and two of them pulled guns, authorities said.

"The officer yelled for his girlfriend to leave, to run, to go back to the car," LAPD Chief Michel Moore said. "Shots were fired. The officer returned fire. The officer was struck."

Arriving county sheriff's deputies found Arroyos bleeding in an alley and he was pronounced dead at the hospital, a Sheriff's Department statement said.

His girlfriend wasn't wounded.

The pickup drove off but three men and two women have been detained for questioning, including a man who was found on a street with a gunshot wound to his leg, authorities told KNBC-TV.

Arroyos was a three-year department veteran assigned to the Olympic division just west of downtown Los Angeles.

"He had a promising future, a bright future, that was taken away viciously over a street robbery," the police chief said.

"My heart is broken, our city's heart is broken, and certainly our LAPD family's hearts all bleed," Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

"This man died a hero trying to defend himself and his girlfriend," the mayor said.

The officer's body was transported to the coroner's office in a procession.

'A hero is laid to rest': Magawa, African rat that hunted land mines in Cambodia, dies

Stolen mail: Florida letter carrier allegedly stole 4,000 pieces of mail, most of them from retirement home

Gun safety: Personalized smart guns, which allow only verified users to shoot, may become available in US

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Off-duty LAPD officer shot and killed in attempted robbery
The first death of an Oklahoma County jail inmate this year occurred Wednesday and is under investigation, according to a release from jail administration.

30-year-old Austin Bishop died Wednesday after lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, according to the release. Officials did not provide the cause of his death.

The State Medical Examiners Office will make a final determination of the cause of Bishop's death.

Bishop's death comes after more than a dozen inmates died in the custody of the Oklahoma County jail in 2021.

A detention officer serving breakfast was alerted to an unresponsive detainee inside a cell Wednesday morning, according to the news release. The detention officer immediately began CPR and called for medical assistance and other personnel. Medical staff continued resuscitation efforts until Oklahoma City firefighters arrived and took over, according to the statement.

More: A new Oklahoma County jail has been proposed, but how will the county pay for it?

The Oklahoma County jail in Oklahoma City., Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022.

Jail surveillance video shows Bishop outside his cell for recreation between 9:25 and 10:55 p.m. on Tuesday, the release states. The last time he was seen outside of his cell was at 11:14 p.m.

Bishop was booked into the jail on June 6, 2021, on charges of first-degree murder and second-degree murder, according to the Oklahoma State Courts Network.

More: Oklahoma County detention officer fired after jail suicide

The most recent death at the jail prior to Bishop was the suicide of Gabriel Yalartai on Dec. 26. It resulted in the firing of a detention officer who failed to conduct required sight checks every 30 minutes on Yalartai, who was being held in a mental health unit. Yalartai, who hanged himself, had not been checked in almost 12 hours, officials said.

Criticism of the troubled facility remains high amid issues with staffing and safety as some elected and appointed leaders advocate for building a new jail.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Inmate death sparks investigation at Oklahoma County jail
Alejandra Perez-Handler had a 2-month-old baby and desperately needed at-home work, so she took a job as a contact tracer in Connecticut.

From October through November, she made about 20 calls a day to people who had been exposed to Covid-19, painstakingly working through a lengthy list of names. Now, she makes about 30 calls a day as cases surge, largely because of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Its mentally draining, said Perez-Handler, 23. Its just exhausting.

Her eight-hour days have turned into 11-hour days, creating an increasingly stressful scenario for her family. Some calls last 10 minutes, while others can go on for a half-hour or more. Some people thank her; some hang up on her; some threaten to harm her, screaming and demanding that she tell them where she lives; and others are devastated.

A week before Christmas, I had to call a mom about her baby, who was less than 30 days old and had Covid, Perez-Handler said. After the phone call, I told my supervisor, I just had a really rough call, I need a break, and then just broke down.

The changing nature of Covid-19 means major pitfalls for contact tracers, including extraordinary workloads and failed attempts to reach people who have been exposed.

Some epidemiologists maintain that contact tracing is a crucial preventive measure worth continuing, albeit with significant changes.

It is important because it provides a landscape of who had been in contact with someone that is positive, so it helps us identify who can be the next positive or prevent the sick individual from transmitting the virus to a healthy individual, said Luisa N. Borrell, a professor of public health policy at City University of New York.

While some calls fail, others can stop chains of infection, which is enough to keep contact tracing going, Borrell said. Ideally, it should reinforce other regulations, such as masking, testing, quarantining and isolating, she said.

Lorna Thorpe, director of epidemiology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, who is leading the evaluation of New York Citys contact tracing program, said that aspects of contact tracing are beneficial even when the program is struggling. Advising people on how to get tested or where to seek medical help also helps, even when a contact tracer cant gather the names of everyone who was exposed.

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What is less good is what the status of those contacts are, how many of them actually went on to get tested or how many of them already were tested or had symptoms, Thorpe said. Thats not quite as robust.

If a contact tracer calls too late, people may already be at the end of their infections, she said. While a growing body of research shows that vaccinated people are less likely to spread the virus, the highly transmissible omicron variant has created new concerns.

The scarcity of tests throws up another obstacle, reinforcing Borrell's point that other preventive measures have to be in place for contact tracing to work.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shortened the recommended isolation time for people who test positive from 10 days to five if they're asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving. But some health experts said they feared that the reduced time would increase spread.

The seven-day average for Covid cases across the country reached its highest point Monday with an average of 740,594 new infections a day. Because of the surge, there have been more exposed people, and tracers have had to adapt to the increase. Perez-Handler said no one explicitly directed her to call 30 people a day instead of 20. But supervisors would suggest that she call more people, and failing to do so would illicit criticism or a negative assessment, making her fear for her job.

Nicolette Vigiano, who worked as a Covid contact tracer on Long Island, New York, from December 2020 to August, said she was laid off because her employer thought contact tracing would no longer be needed.

Most of my team was laid off, Vigiano said. Only two or three people stayed. It was right as the vaccines were coming out and everything, and the delta variant hadnt really hit yet. It was a moment of hope.

In November, as the delta variant started overwhelming hospitals, Vigiano received an email asking whether she could return to work as a contact tracer. But as a public health graduate student working in home health care, she could no longer take on contact tracing.

The email specifically said, Please dont respond unless you can do full time and be hired immediately, she said.

Perez-Handler, whose contract ends next month, said the indeterminate state of contact tracing, paired with the intensive workload, does little to entice employees. There are moments when she is proud to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, she said, but she is looking for health care phone assistance jobs that don't involve contract tracing.

When my parents first heard how many calls I had to make, they were like: Can you actually do that much? Like, is that realistic? How can you do that? she said. And Im like: Yep, its possible. I do it every day.
A ransomware attack at the Maryland Department of Health crippled its systems last month and forced many of its services offline, the state agency confirmed Wednesday.

For weeks, the department described the event as a network security breach and offered few other details about the nature of the incident. Services ranging from the reporting of daily COVID-19 surveillance data to basic local health department functions were rendered unavailable, and officials declined to say definitively when such operations would be restored.

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Due to an ongoing investigation, health department officials said they still cant say much. They said employees noticed a downed server Dec. 4 and immediately took action, preventing unauthorized access or the acquisition of sensitive information.

At this time we cannot speak to the motive or motives of the threat actor, said Chip Stewart, Marylands chief information security officer, during a news media briefing Wednesday. That said, both law enforcement and cybersecurity authorities have observed that health and hospital systems are increasingly being targeted by malicious actors during the pandemic.

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Stewart said the threat actors demanded payment, but he and other department officials declined to specify the amount. They did not give in to the payment demands, he said.

The attack came right as the new and highly infectious COVID-19 omicron variant began circulating in Maryland. Without the daily COVID metrics, public health experts, hospital leaders and state residents only had a fuzzy picture of the new strains grasp. Several functions, including some licensing services at the state Board of Nursing, remain unavailable due to the attack.

A small line formed outside the Maryland Board of Nursing. Some licensing services remain offline due to a ransomware attack on the Maryland Department of Health. (Ulysses Munoz/The Baltimore Sun)

This ransomware attack followed others on local entities in recent years, including at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore City government and Baltimore County Public Schools. Cybersecurity experts said it points to a growing sophistication of threat actors as more services turn digital, with every state and city vulnerable.

These problems are not out of the ordinary on a nationwide basis  not only from the states but at the county level as well, said Michael Greenberger, an attorney and founder and director of the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security. Across the country, more needs to be done. On a nationwide basis there needs to be hard work done on defending these systems.

Health officials declined to count how many services were impacted by the attack or name them, saying the list was too long to go over. They said they are working to restore all services quickly and are instituting workarounds to some functions as needed.

They also asked for patience as they restore what was lost.

In cybersecurity incidents, there can be pressure to reconstitute services quickly, and sometimes too quickly, Stewart said. All too common are stories of organizations that had to restart recovery efforts because of this, sometimes more than twice.

We are recovering with deliberate action to minimize the likelihood of reinfection. I cannot stress how important this point is  in order to protect the states network and the citizens of the state of Maryland, we are proceeding carefully, methodically and as expeditiously as possible, to restore data and services.

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The health department this week declined to fulfill a records request about the attack filed by The Baltimore Sun under the states Public Information Act. Officials said that the responsive documents either contain information about the security system or are part of an investigatory file compiled for law enforcement purposes and their release would interfere with the investigation.

After the attack, health department officials activated an incident response plan that looped in members of the states cyber response team at the Maryland Department of Information Technology, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Maryland State Police, the governors Office of Homeland Security and the Maryland National Guard.

Stewart said he notified the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. He said he also activated the states cybersecurity insurance plan that brought in forensic resources and advisers considered as the best in the industry for these matters.

Employees at the health department were instructed to use their personal devices and stay off the departments Wi-Fi system following the attack, according to an internal memo shared with The Baltimore Sun. Employees now have a new wireless system, officials said, and the agency is phasing in new devices and platforms.

The decision to contain the health departments service, or take them offline, was a deliberate one, Stewart said, and the responsible thing to do. He said the state is hardening its information technology infrastructure and defenses to prevent similar attacks from occurring in the future.

Maryland health officials are scheduled to give a briefing Thursday on the ransomware attack to state lawmakers, who have been pressing for more information. Its likely, however, that some or all of the briefing may be closed from public view due to the sensitive nature of the incident and the ongoing investigation.

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Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. >

A soon-to-be released report from the Maryland Cybersecurity Council recommends that the state consolidate the management and funding of all of its IT operations  currently scattered across state agencies  under the supervision of the state IT office, as well as increase vigilance by prioritizing risk assessments and monitoring sensitive information. The report also suggests creating a state fund that would give money to local governments to help them improve cybersecurity.

With continued cybersecurity threats, the need has never been greater to protect government IT systems, wrote Sen. Katie Fry Hester and Ben Yelin of the University of Marylands Center for Health and Homeland Security, who co-chaired a committee that worked on the report.

Hester, a Democrat who represents Carroll and Howard counties, said an attack on the states health department was inevitable given its vulnerabilities and blind spots. Health departments, especially small, local ones, tend to be underfunded and understaffed and may not use modern systems or devices, she said.

She has several goals for this years legislative session, which kicked off Wednesday. Among them are to centralize and consolidate the states information technology systems, update the legacy systems and make sure the best practices for safeguarding against future attacks are widespread within state government.

Its unfortunate, but not surprising, Hester said about the attack. Were on board, were much more engaged for passing something and knowing what the solutions are.

Officials declined Wednesday to provide a timeline of how long the ongoing issues related to the attack could take to resolve.

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Baltimore Sun reporters Alex Mann and Pamela Wood contributed to this article.
Photo credit: Tim Marrs

You might be surprised to find out that the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and the Chevrolet Corvette are related. Turns out, the Wienermobile is much like its namesake foodbuilt from a variety of ingredients. In the case of Oscar Mayer's hot dogs, the list includes turkey, chicken and pork; for the Wienermobile, its an array of automotive components, some of which are shared with world-beating performance cars. Lets examine the Wienermobile to see exactly how the vehicular sausage is made.



It might be hard to tell from first glance, but each one of todays six Wienermobiles all started life as partially built Isuzu NPR HD, a cab-over-engine medium-duty vehicle often seen in the form of a box truck or refrigerated truck. The Wienermobiles size and its commercial use put it under the jurisdiction of federal trucking laws and records, so investigating the legendary machine is as easy as searching the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations truck inspection records for vehicles registered to Oscar Mayer parent company Kraft Foods Group, Inc. Among the 12 vehicles registered to Kraft Foods , its not hard to spot the Wienermobiles, thanks to their novelty license plates: WNRMBLE, BIGBUN, RLSHME, OHIWISH, OSCRMYR and YUMMY.

Examining the records for BIGBUN, we find a Vehicle Identification Number belonging to a 2012 Isuzu NPR HD Incomplete Chassis. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records, every current Wienermobile lists The Shyft Group, a company specializing in custom commercial trucks and RVs, as the vehicle manufacturer.

Photo credit: Isuzu

The Isuzu truck that forms the basis of the Wienermobile fleet uses a Chevrolet L96 6.0-liter gasoline V-8 engine. The L96 is an iron-block variant of the all-aluminum LS2 engine that originally debuted in the C6-generation Corvette. While the Corvette engine differs from the truck powerplant in many ways, the two engines do share some internal components, including connecting rods.

GM is well known for its mix-and-match approach to the small-block V-8, and the Wienermobiles L96 engine is no exception. The cylinder heads are shared with the LY6 engine, found in the Chevy Suburban and the Express van. The motorized hot dog uses a 6-speed 6L90 automatic transmission, a gearbox found in a variety of GM trucks and vans as well as two supercharged high-performance vehicles, the fifth-generation Camaro ZL1 and the second-generation Cadillac CTS-V. Yes, the transmission from Cadillacs wild 556-hp rear-drive station wagon is what gets a giant fiberglass hot dog down the road.

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Much of the Wienermobiles powertrain is made up of common Chevy and GMC components. The rest of the vehicle pulls from a broader ingredient list. The Wienermobiles front brake pads are shared with two other Isuzu models, the Elf and the Reach. The Elf can often be found overseas as a commercial truck or a small motorhome, while the Reach is a North American package delivery vehicle with a walk-through van body, most often seen in use by FedEx or DHL.

Photo credit: Justin Sullivan - Getty Images

Some Wienermobile components go far beyond Isuzu. The front outer wheel bearings are a standard size found in many other applications, including as the differential bearings in the first-generation Acura NSX. Meanwhile, the Wienermobiles inner front wheel bearings are shared with the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz G550 and G63.

Even the Wienermobiles signature paint scheme is a product of sharing. The fiberglass body wears PPG paintthe bun is color code 82355, which first appeared as Sunburst yellow on 1977 and 1978 Datsuns, while the hot dog itself is color code 60488, a shade of orange first used on Ford fleet vehicles in the early Seventies.

The Wienermobile truly lives up to what its fiberglass body represents. Beneath that polished sausage exterior is a concoction of components from all different places, assembled into one singular machine.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House Chief Medical Advisor and Director of the NIAID, answers questions during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Jan. 11, 2022.





Welcome to Tuesday's Overnight Health Care, where we're following the latest moves on policy and news affecting your health. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup.

A Maryland doctor performed the first successful animal-to-human heart transplant with a pig heart potentially opening up "an important new option for patients in the future."

Today's big story: Biden administration health officials had a long day answering some pointed questions before the Senate Health Committee.

For The Hill, we're Peter Sullivan (psullivan@thehill.com), Nathaniel Weixel (nweixel@thehill.com) and Justine Coleman (jcoleman@thehill.com). Write to us with tips and feedback, and follow us on Twitter: @PeterSullivan4, @NateWeixel and @JustineColeman8.

Let's get started.

Health officials slammed over messaging

Dr. R Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks to Dr. A Fauci, White House Chief Medical Advisor and Director of the NIAID, before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Jan.11

There were a lot of tough questions over several hours on Tuesday for an array of administration health officials at a Senate hearing.

Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.), the top Republican on the Senate Health Committee, blasted the administration's difficulties in communicating information on testing, boosters and isolation.

"This administration has time and again squandered its opportunities and made things worse in the decisions you've made on testing and treatments and most crucially in communicating with the American people," Burr said during the hearing.

"I'm hoping that you'll understand that my criticism comes from a place of concern. Because your communication efforts are a mess and have only made things worse," Burr added.

Burr slammed last summer's announcement - and then reversal - that vaccinated people did not have to wear masks indoors.

The senator said the rollout of boosters was a "disaster" and the recent update to the isolation and quarantine period left people confused.

Also testing: Burr expressed frustration at the continued shortage of at-home tests and questioned the administration's ability to procure the 500 million tests that President Biden announced in December.

Story continues

"Something's not right here, guys, on testing," Burr said, noting that there are currently only contracts signed for 50 million tests.

Read more here.

FAUCI, PAUL CLASH AGAIN

These hearings now always seem to include a showdown between White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

During the pair's latest clash Tuesday, Fauci accused Paul of putting him in danger with personal attacks.

"This happens all the time. You personally attack me, with absolutely not a shred of evidence of anything you say. So I would like to make something clear to the committee: You're doing this for political reasons," Fauci told Paul.

During the hearing Paul went after Fauci on several topics, including blaming Fauci for school closures and conflating emails purportedly about the origins of the virus, among other issues.

In pushing back on Paul, Fauci pointed out that the police in Iowa recently arrested an armed man just before Christmas who claimed he was traveling from Sacramento to Washington, D.C., in order to "kill Dr. Fauci."

According to reports at the time, the man was arrested in possession of an assault rifle and ammunition, as well as a "kill list" of people he planned to attack in D.C., including Fauci, President Biden and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

"So I ask myself why would [the] senator want to do this? You go to Rand Paul website, and you see 'fire Dr. Fauci' with a little box that says 'contribute here!' You can do $5, $10, $20, $100. So you are making a catastrophic epidemic for your political gain," Fauci told Paul.

Read more here.

US sets new COVID-19 hospitalization record

Medical staff move a COVID-19 patient from the emergency room into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit

The United States on Tuesday set a new record for COVID-19 hospitalizations, with more than 145,000 people in the hospital with the virus.

The 145,982 people hospitalized with COVID-19, according to Department of Health and Human Services data, surpasses the previous peak of about 142,000 people set in January 2021, during a major winter surge before vaccines were widely available.

People who are vaccinated and especially those who received their booster shots are well protected against severe disease and hospitalization from the virus.

But the sheer number of cases of COVID-19, fueled by the highly transmissible omicron variant, means that even a small percentage leading to hospitalization causes a surge that strains hospitals.

The hospitalizations are driven in large part by people who are unvaccinated. Carlos del Rio, an infectious disease doctor at Emory University and at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, said last week that 80 to 90 percent of the patients primarily in the hospital for COVID-19 were unvaccinated, or in some cases had two shots of vaccine (without a booster) and had an underlying condition.

About a third of the patients with the virus, he said, have tested positive for COVID-19 but are not primarily in the hospital because of the virus.

Big picture: Overwhelmed hospitals also reduce the quality of care for vaccinated people who need help for non-COVID-19 issues, like a car crash or a heart attack.

Read more here.

RED CROSS DECLARES FIRST NATIONAL BLOOD CRISIS IN US

The Red Cross has declared its first-ever national blood crisis in the U.S.

In a statement emailed on Tuesday, the organization warned members of the public of the consequences of its worst blood shortage in more than a decade - including doctors being forced to make "difficult decisions" about which patients receive blood transfusions over others.

The American Red Cross said it had "less than a one-day supply of critical blood types" and has had to limit distributions to hospitals.

"At times, as much as one-quarter of hospital blood needs are not being met," the organization said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a 10 percent overall decline in the number of people donating blood, in addition to ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations.

Call for donations: The Red Cross urged the public to make an appointment to donate blood as "blood and platelets donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments."

Donors of all blood types - especially type O - are being urged to make an appointment now to give in the weeks ahead

Read more here.

CMS floats limited Alzheimer's drug coverage

Medicare will cover the controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm only if a patient is enrolled in a clinical trial, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed Tuesday.

The proposed decision means that CMS would only cover Aduhelm and similar types of drugs if the trial were approved by the agency and conducted in a hospital outpatient setting.

The drug has drawn controversy for its price and because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it despite doubts from experts about its effectiveness, as well as potential safety concerns.

The CMS review process found that while "there may be the potential for promise with this treatment, there is also the potential for harm to patients. This harm may range from headaches, dizziness, and falls, to other potentially serious complications such as brain bleeds," CMS Chief Medical Officer Lee Fleisher said in a statement.

Disappointment: The proposed decision is a blow to Alzheimer's advocacy groups, as well as the drug's manufacturer Biogen.

"This draft coverage determination denies the daily burden of people living with Alzheimer's disease. Coverage with evidence development (CED) under a randomized clinical trial will exclude almost all patients who may benefit. This will significantly limit patient access to an FDA-approved treatment, especially for underserved patients as evidenced in other CED determinations," the company said.

Read more here.

WHAT WE'RE READING

CDC weighs recommending better masks against omicron variant (The Washington Post)

Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in US and Britain (The Associated Press)

Disabled Americans feel abandoned by CDC. Now, CDC is desperate to make amends (Rolling Stone)

STATE BY STATE

COVID outbreaks at Louisiana nursing homes infect nearly 1,200 staff members (New Orleans Public Radio)

COVID-19 test hoarding in Minnesota limits appointments amid omicron surge (Star Tribune)

Fire closes hospital and displaces staff as Colorado battles omicron (Kaiser Health News)

Michigan reports eight new K-12 COVID outbreaks as students begin return to school (MLive.com)

That's it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hill's health care page for the latest news and coverage. See you on Wednesday.
By Ali Sawafta

JILJILYA, West Bank (Reuters) -An 80-year-old Palestinian-American man was found dead after being detained and handcuffed during an Israeli raid on an occupied West Bank village, Palestinian officials and relatives said on Wednesday.

The U.S. State Department said that Omar Abdalmajeed As'ad was a U.S. citizen and that it had sought clarification from Israel over the incident. His body was found in Jiljilya in the early morning with a plastic zip-tie still around one wrist.

The Israeli military said it had carried out an overnight operation in the village, and that a Palestinian was "apprehended after resisting a check". It said he was alive when the soldiers released him.

"The Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is reviewing the incident, at the end of which the findings will be transferred to the Military General Advocate Corps," it said in a statement.

As'ad was a former Milwaukee, Wisconsin, resident who lived in the United States for decades and returned to the West Bank 10 years ago, his brother told Reuters.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters: "We support a thorough investigation into the circumstances". He said the State Department had expressed its condolences to the family and offered to provide consular assistance.

As'ad's family delayed the funeral until Thursday to allow a post-mortem. Islam Abu Zaher, a local doctor who said he had tried to resuscitate As'ad but found no pulse, said there were no obvious signs of injury and the cause of death was unclear.

"It is possible that he suffered a heart attack or some form of panic," Abu Zaher told Reuters, noting that As'ad had previously undergone open heart surgery and cardiac catheterisation. "We would need to perform an autopsy."

Jiljilya village council head Fouad Qattoum said As'ad was returning home after visiting relatives when Israeli soldiers stopped his car, bound him, blindfolded him and led him away to a building still under construction. Another villager said he saw Israeli soldiers walking As'ad away around 3 a.m.

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As'ad's body was found more than an hour later, according to vegetable seller Mamdouh Elaboud, who said he was himself detained for 20 minutes, then released.

"After the soldiers were gone, we noticed someone on the ground," Elaboud, 55, told Reuters. "He was lying face down on the ground and when we turned him over we found an elderly man with no sign of life."

In a Facebook post, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh blamed Israeli forces for the man's death and called it a crime.

Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Amnon Shefler said the military "will investigate this event in a thorough and professional manner, acting in line with our values and protocols."

(Reporting by Ali Sawafta in Jiljilya and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza: Additional reporting by Simon Lewis and Rami Ayyub in Washington; Writing by Stephen Farrell in Jerusalem; Editing by Peter Graff and Howard Goller)
Jan. 12Longmont police about 10 a.m. Dec. 31, assisted Louisville police on a felony menacing report located in the 700 block of Saint Andrews Lane in Louisville. A man was arrested.

A Longmont resident on Monday reported a theft from his vehicle in the 1600 block of Deerwood Drive. There is no viable suspect information or investigative leads.

About 3:30 p.m. Monday, a Longmont officer attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Baker Street and Ninth Avenue. The vehicle eluded the officer, and the officer did not follow because of reckless driving by the suspect.

Longmont police on Monday responded to the 100 block of Main Street on a report of a vehicle trespass.

About 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Longmont officers took an auto theft report that occurred in the 1800 block of Main Street.

Longmont police about 8:30 p.m. Saturday were dispatched the 2200 block of East Ken Pratt Boulevard on a shoplift. A summons was issued.

About 6 p.m. Sunday, Longmont officers responded to a harassment report in reference to harassing calls. The incident is being investigated and charges are pending.

Erie police on Jan. 4 responded to the 2900 block of Blue Sky Circle in reference to a vehicle trespass.

On Thursday, Erie police responded to the 100 block of Ortega Court in reference to a report of criminal mischief.

Erie officers on Thursday responded to the 300 block of Weld County Road 3 in reference to a burglary.

On Thursday, Erie police responded to a report regarding a vehicle that eluded officers after a traffic stop attempt in the area of Mountain View Boulevard and Colo. 7.

Erie officers on Monday were dispatched to the 2000 block of Bonanza Drive Weld in reference to a trespass.
PORTLAND, OR  It's been a tough two years for Oregonians looking to enjoy the area's premier parade and early almost summer festival. The Portland Rose Festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While things could change, festival organizers say they plan on coming back strong this year with in-person events again.

Things are scheduled to kick off on May 27 with the Rose Festival opening night and fireworks celebration and the opening of CityFair.

The theme this year is "Reunion."

Organizers say that the"Reunion" ttheme "means demonstrating how our community can carry on traditions, honor diversity, and celebrate unity."

The plan is to have all the usual events such as the Grand Floral Parade, Fleet Week, and, of course, the Starlight Parade on June 4 and the Junior Parade two days later.

This article originally appeared on the Portland Patch
Heat map showing temperatures rising to 45C in Argentina (European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery)

A historic heatwave with temperatures soaring up to 45C (113F) has hit Argentina, causing power grids to fail and leaving at least 700,000 people without electricity in Buenos Aires.

Hot dry weather, driven by the Pacific Oceans La Nina weather pattern, has made the South American nation the hottest place in the world, with current temperatures rising above those in Australia, bringing Argentinas hottest day since 1957.

The role of the climate crisis in exacerbating heatwaves is well documented  though no single weather event can be attributed to global warming patterns. Nonetheless, the record highs come amid heightened concerns in Argentina over rising temperature trends, and lack of rainfall which has seen water levels in the major Parana river drop to an almost 80-year low.

Electricity companies in Argentina blamed a huge spike in demand for energy, which caused technical failures resulting in the power cuts.

The outage came as temperatures in the capital rose higher than 41C, while higher temperatures were recorded elsewhere.

According to the Buenos Aires Times, city authorities said on Tuesday that the heatwave had delivered a high of 41.1C at 4.05pm local time  the second-highest reading in the capital since 1906.

Forecasters have said the country will likely see similar highs on Thursday and Friday, with cooler temperatures expected to arrive on Sunday.

Argentinian leaders warned residents to stay out of the sun in the hottest part of the day, wear light clothes and stay hydrated.

"We have to be very careful these days," said Buenos Aires mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta.

Meteorologist Lucas Berengua told Reuters the heatwave was off the charts and would likely set new records in the country.

This is a heatwave of extraordinary characteristics, with extreme temperature values that will even be analysed after its completion, and it may generate some historical records for Argentina temperatures and persistence of heat, he said.

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The power cuts have left Buenos Aires residents with no air conditioning to cool down.

I came home and we were without electricity and the house was a furnace,Jose Casabal, 42, told Reuters. So I took [the children] off to their grandmothers house to swim in the pool.

Other residents described the heat as unbearable.

Marta Lorusso, 59, an architect, said the changing climate was a major concern: I was always born here in a temperate climate and I saw how the temperature changed over the years, and it is not what were used to, he said.

This with the low pressure really kills me, I cant stand it. I drink litres of water and do what I can. And on top of it all, without electricity. I dont know what to do.

Farmers have warned that Argentinas crops have likely experienced the greatest level of heat stress in recent weeks than they have in several years. Due to the long dry spell, soil moisture levels have been depleted and crop stress has increased, according to the US publication AgWeb Farm Journal.

The record heatwave comes after studies have sounded the alarm on the impact of the climate crisis on South American animals. A 2019 heatwave, also in Argentina, caused the mass death of Magellanic penguins, which scientists described as a major concern.

Additional reporting by Reuters
By Anna Mehler Paperny and David Ljunggren

TORONTO (Reuters) - A proposal by Quebec to tax unvaccinated people may be lawful but may also go against the spirit of Canada's universal public health system, rights and medical experts said on Wednesday.

Tuesday's surprise announcement by the province's premier, Francois Legault, came with few details.

While his government would not say Wednesday how the tax would be levied, when or against whom, Canada's Civil Liberties Association said it could violate Canadians' fundamental rights, while health advocates expressed concern about its broader implications.

"I've not seen anything like this in Canada before. I'm worried about the precedent it would set," said Danyaal Raza, a doctor with Unity Health in Toronto and former chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare.

Quebec, Canada's second-most populous province, is struggling with surging COVID-19 hospitalizations, and Legault noted that the province's relatively small unvaccinated population was represented disproportionately among the hospitalized.

Facing a provincial election in October, his government's response to the pandemic thus far has met with approval from 65% of Quebeckers surveyed, according to a Leger poll released this week.

But the province's public health director stepped down earlier this week, prior to the tax plan announcement, citing an "erosion" of public trust in anti-pandemic measures.

Asked on Wednesday about the plan, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he "received that proposal with interest" but would not weigh in on it, saying he needed more details.

Canada's public health system is underpinned by the Canada Health Act, meant to guarantee universality and accessibility, among other things. It precludes user fees for insured services.

Quebec's tax could be framed as a "sin tax" similar to that placed on alcohol and cigarettes or as a tax on a health risk factor like private insurers charge, Raza said.

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As such, it might not violate Canada's Health Act but that did not mean it was a good idea, he said.

Cara Zwibel, acting general counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, said it might however violate Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms if viewed as "a way of compelling people to get vaccinated".

It was not clear if the tax's goal is to convince more people to get vaccinated or to finance health care, she said.

McGill University biomedical ethicist Phoebe Friesen was concerned the logic of taxing unvaccinated people could be extrapolated to other behaviors seen as driving health spending  obesity, for example  but that are tied to marginalization.

"If you want to be consistent and logical, you should charge all sorts of people for their hospitalization if it's based on behavior that they're 'responsible' for," she said "... And it's incredibly tricky to figure out what that looks like."

(Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; editing by John Stonestreet)
George Hamel III would not be the managing director of his familys successful winemaking business had it not been for his fathers decision to leave Florida to pursue a dream.

George Hamel III, Hamel Family Wines (Hamel Family Wines)

I was in fifth grade and decided to play with our computer, he remembered. Dad left his resignation letter on the screen. Yeah, I was in fifth grade but I could still read. I yelled for mom.

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Being uprooted from friends at that age could be traumatic, but it worked out pretty well for the now 37-year-old. He went on to earn an MBA degree and eventually made his way back to Hamel Family Wines where he works beside his younger brother, John, who serves as winemaker.

Hamel Family Wines isnt just another hobby winemaker. Located in the Moon Mountain District in Sonoma Valley, its four vineyards produce some of the most desired cabernet sauvignon in the valley with prices ranging from $48 to $225. These are the kinds of collector wines more common in Napa Valley, which is just across a mountain range from the family ranch.

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Sonoma County is often overlooked for cabernet sauvignon even though the grape variety is the second most planted red grape. Alexander Valley may get all the attention in Sonoma, but Moon Mountain is gaining steam. It is home to the historic, 250-acre Monte Bello vineyard, owned by Gallo, that supplies grapes to Arrowood, Sbragia Family Wines, Hansel and other producers.

Hamel Family Wines vineyards (Hamel Family Wines)

George Hamel Jr. retired from a private equity firm and moved the family to Californias Bay Area in 1996. In 2006 they bought a house in Kenwood in Sonoma County to escape the hassle of San Francisco. The property came with an acre of cabernet sauvignon vine, but more were added. Their first vintage was less than 300 cases. Today, the operation produces about 8,500 cases with a goal to stop at about 10,000 cases. Thats small in the California market, but George Hamel III said its manageable.

Until now a vast majority of the wines were sold directly to consumers through its club website. But as production increased and the family sought more recognition, they decided to open distribution channels to several states.

All of the wines  60% are cabernet sauvignon or red blends  are made from estate-grown grapes. The vineyards are organic and biodynamically certified. Hamel said dry farming forces the vines to dig deep for valuable nutrients. Wines made in Moon Mountain are known for their acidity, something often lacking in overwrought Napa Valley cabernet sauvignons.

George III credits his brother, John, with the rising quality of the wine. He said John is obsessed with making the best wine possible from the Moon Mountain soils. He changes consultants every five years just to learn from a variety of experts.

Hamel Family Wines (Hamel Family Wines)

He also has introduced concrete tanks, a practice that is centuries old but gaining popularity in modern winemaking, to the fermentation and aging process. Proponents feel it keeps the wine fresh and preserves structure. George said its all about balancing oak, stainless steel and concrete to achieve better structure, soft tannins and more minerality.

The success of this process was born out in the two Hamel wines we tasted. The 2018 Isthmus  a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot  burst with blackberry, cassis and graphite aromas. The mineral notes threaded their way through a broad palate of black fruit and juicy tannins. Thirty-one percent of the fermentation was in concrete tanks; aging was 17 months in concrete. The freshness of the fruit was remarkable.

The same held true for the unblended 2017 Nuns Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Although concrete was not used in the aging process, 65% of the fermentation was in concrete. Likewise, the fruit was fresh and the structured was well defined. This wine will age for more than a decade.

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Although many of the vineyards are on the valley floor, the 114-acre Nuns Canyon Vineyard rises 1,400 feet up a hillside.

Hamel Family Wines also makes a zinfandel and two sauvignon blancs, one in a California style and the other, blended with semillon, in a Bordeaux style.

Wine picks

Chalk Hill Estate Red 2017 ($70). Even with some additional bottle age, this blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot is big. Sporting a heady alcohol of 15.6%, it packs a wallop on the palate with firm tannins, good acidity and dark fruit flavors. Generous blackberry aromas with a hint of tobacco.

Priest Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($50). This is actually a good value among Napa Valleys usually expensive flock of wines. Using estate grapes from 24 blocks, the producer has created a multidimensional, complex wine. Full-bodied, balanced, loaded with dark fruit flavors and a touch of tobacco leaf.

Zenato Alanera Rosso Veronese 2018 ($15). This wine made from Italys native corvina grape is an incredible value. Medium body and fruity like a beaujolais, it is an easy drink to serve as an aperitif or to accompany pasta, burgers and other such fare. Big cherry flavors.

Zenato San Benedetto Luguna 2020 ($16). From Northern Italy, this fabulous white wine has citrus aromas and stone fruit flavors. Good acidity makes it a perfect aperitif or a wine to go with poultry and fish.

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La Valentina Montlpulciano dAbruzzo DOC 2018 ($15). Violet aromas are followed by strawberry and cherry flavors. Medium body.

Ancient Peaks Chardonnay Paso Robles Santa Margarita Ranch 2020 ($20). A big mouth-coating, fruit-driven chardonnay from Paso Robles. Lucious pear, melon and pineapple fruit notes dominate with (thankfully) no discernible oak. A hint of spice creates some interest without intruding on the bountiful fruit.

Tom Marquardt and Patrick Darr have been writing a weekly, syndicated wine column since 1985. See their blog at moreaboutwine.com. They can be reached at marq1948@gmail.com.
A restaurant worker adjusts an outdoor propane heater in New York City on Nov. 29, 2020. Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

New Yorkers are turning to Reddit to sell their reservations, some of which cost upwards of $400 per person.

Users will only be allowed to sell nonrefundable reservations at or below face value at the initial time of purchase.

Restaurants across the US are continuing to deal with cancellations and low-traffic due to rising COVID-19 infections.

People scouring for exclusive reservations at Michelin-star restaurants may be able to skip the months-long waiting line.

Moderators for Reddit group /FoodNYC said in a thread on Tuesday that they have seen an uptick of posts from users offering to sell their coveted restaurant spots.

As cases of COVID-19 and its Omicron variant soar in the US, reservation-only restaurants are once again dealing with increased cancellations and sparser dining rooms. New York City is facing over 32,000 COVID cases on a weekly average, making people less willing to spend time at restaurants and other indoor public spaces.

"Unfortunately 2 people in our party have tested positive for COVID, so we will not be making the trip to NYC," one user said in a post about a table for four at Eleven Madison Park on New Year's. "Asking for the price I paid. $1,524.25 total (inc tax) OBO."

Eleven Madison Park, a Michelin-star restaurant in New York's Flatiron District, typically touts months-long waitlists. Insider found two recent Reddit listings for reservations tickets within the next month.

Another user offered two seats worth $707 at Michelin-star Atomix in late December, saying they had to cancel because their fiance "was not feeling well."

Insider reached out to Eleven Madison Park and Atomix about their reservation policies in regards to the Reddit listings, but they have not yet responded.

FoodNYC's moderators responded to the frequency of the posts, saying they will allow people to use the group to initiate reservation exchanges, but they also stipulated several conditions.

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"You may sell reservations for below or equal to face value (plus all taxes and fees) ONLY. You must clearly state the price in the post. One penny more than the exact amount you paid and you will be banned," the moderators said in the post. "This is not StubHub. Gouging will not be tolerated."

Reddit users will also only be allowed to sell nonrefundable reservations that would result in the loss of money, the moderators said, and those with refundable or free reservations should contact the respective restaurant to sort out cancellations.

Earnest reservation exchanges, as well as "ticket" scalping, are not new, says Nick Kokonas, CEO of Tock, a third-party platform which handles reservations for Eleven Madison Park. Transactions have been going on for years through a variety of platforms, including Reddit, Craigslist, and Facebook.

"Ultimately, the reservations policies are controlled by the individual restaurants, not by Tock. But every restaurant I know of currently will refund a reservation due to COVID and safety precautions," Kokonas said.

Per its Terms of Use, Tock monitors its platform for potential scalping activity, which it says is rare.

Meanwhile, the Reddit group moderators said they are also not taking responsibility for transactions made on the page, encouraging users to do their own research before handing over money, like contacting the restaurant, authenticating accounts, and even meeting sellers in-person.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) asks questions during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to discuss reopening schools during Covid-19 on Thursday, September 30, 2021.





Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Tuesday issued a warning to Democrats about the potential consequences of getting rid of the filibuster and accused President Biden of going down "the same tragic road" of former President Trump.

"The United States Senate is one of our vital democratic institutions, and the power given to the minority in the Senate and the resulting requirement for political consensus are among the Senate's defining features," Romney said while speaking on the Senate floor.

"Note that in the federal government, empowerment of the minority is established through only one institution: the Senate," he said. "The majority decides in the House; the majority decides in the Supreme Court; and the president, of course, is a majority of one. Only in the Senate does the minority restrain the power of the majority."

Romney asserted that the power afforded to the minority was "critical" because it helped to ensure that laws passed in the Senate appealed to both political parties and did not "originate from the extreme wing of either one." Without the filibuster, measures on taxes, safety net programs and national security would change every time another party gained the majority, Romney said.

"There is also a reasonable chance Republicans will win both houses in Congress, and that Donald Trump himself could once again be elected president in 2024," he continued. "Have Democrats thought what it would mean for them - for the Democrat minority - to have no power whatsoever?"

The Utah senator also accused his Democratic colleagues of hypocrisy, pointing to their frequent use of the filibuster when they were in the minority in the past.

"Over the course of my life, I have found that when presented with a matter of personal advantage that would require abandoning principles, the human mind goes to work overtime to rationalize taking that advantage," he said.

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Romney also criticized Biden's speech on voting rights in Georgia, in which the president said Republicans were seeking to "turn the will of the voters into a mere suggestion."

"And so, President Biden goes down the same tragic road taken by President Trump - casting doubt on the reliability of American elections," said Romney. "This is a sad, sad day. I expected more of President Biden, who came into office with the stated goal of bringing the country together."

Biden on Tuesday made it clear that he supported changing Senate rules in order to pass voting rights legislation.

"I believe the threat to our democracy is so grave that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills," he said in Atlanta.

"And if that bare minimum is blocked, we have no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster for this," he added.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Russia and China blocked the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday from supporting new sanctions on Mali for its military leaders decision to delay next months elections until 2026, a blow to the restoration of democracy in the troubled West African nation.

Kenyas U.N. ambassador, Martin Kimani, said after closed-door discussions on the proposed French-drafted statement endorsing the sanctions imposed by the West African regional group ECOWAS he was disappointed that the council couldnt agree on what he called a relatively mild press statement.

Kimani said the Security Councils failure to support ECOWAS actions spurred its three African members -- Kenya, Ghana and Gabon -- to speak to reporters to fully back the regional bloc's position, including the imposition of sanctions on the military authorities in Mali to ensure an expedited transition to constitutional rule.

Mali has struggled to contain an Islamic extremist insurgency since 2012. Extremist rebels were forced from power in Malis northern cities with the help of a French-led military operation, but they regrouped in the desert and began launching attacks on the Malian army and its allies. Insecurity has worsened with attacks on civilians and U.N. peacekeepers.

In August 2020, Malian President Boubacar Ibrahim Keita was overthrown in a coup that included Col. Assimi Goita. Last June, Goita was sworn in as president of a transitional government after carrying out his second coup in nine months. The junta initially had agreed to hold a new election in late February but the military leadership now says the presidential ballot will not take place until 2026 because of deepening insecurity across the country, giving Goita four more years in power.

ECOWAS leaders responded Sunday, calling Goita's delayed timetable totally unacceptable and saying it simply means that an illegitimate military transition government will take the Malian people hostage during the next five years.

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They imposed new sanctions, suspending most commerce and financial aid to Mali, closing land and air borders with other members of ECOWAS and activating the blocs standby force, saying it will have to be ready for any eventuality.

The United States, United Kingdom, France and other Security Council members joined the Africans in supporting ECOWAS actions.

British deputy ambassador James Kariuki called Malis decision to delay elections deeply disappointing, saying it brings into question the transitional authorities commitment to democracy and the rule of law, despite assurances given to members of this council during our visit to Bamako last October.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield accused Malis transitional government of a blatant lack of political will ... to make progress toward organizing elections and said a five-year transition extends the pain of the people.

The three countries also strongly criticized the presence of the Russian private military company, the Wagner Group, in Mali.

French Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere reiterated his countrys condemnation of the deployment of mercenaries from the Wagner Group who are known to threaten civilians, loot resources, violate international law and the sovereignty of states. He expressed regret that Malis transitional authorities are using already limited public funds to pay foreign mercenaries instead of supporting the national forces and public services for the benefit of the Malian people.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the company has a legitimate right to be in the West African nation because it was invited by the transitional government, and he has insisted that the Russian government is not involved.

Malis U.N. ambassador, Issa Konfourou, told the Security Council there are no mercenaries on Malian soil. He said Russian trainers are in Mali to advise and train its military on the use of military equipment acquired by the government from Russia.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said: Hysteria around the Russian company is yet another manifestation of double standards, for it is clear that the market for such services is monopolized by Western countries.

Konfourou said the government was shocked by ECOWAS' economic and financial sanctions and emphatically condemned these illegal and illegitimate measures. He said Goita asked ECOWAS to reconsider its interpretation of the situation in Mali, remains open to dialogue with the regional bloc, and reiterated a willingness to spare no effort to ensure the prompt restoration of constitutional order in safe and secure Mali.

Diplomats said Russia considered the proposed council statement unbalanced, and Nebenzia was sympathetic to the government.

We understand and are cognizant of the difficulties encountered by the Malian authorities in preparing for general elections, the Russian ambassador said. We concur with the fact that absent restoration of government control in many parts, regions of the country, it will be difficult to view the vote as legitimate.
Slow cookers, Crock-Pots and Instant Pots are beloved by millions of home cooks because they take a lot of guesswork out of the cooking process.

Taking a shortcut with a recipe, however, isn't always the safest way to make a meal. Take frozen chicken, for example. Many cooks don't think twice about tossing a few frozen chicken breasts into a slow cooker  and the internet is filled with plenty of recipes that list frozen poultry as an ingredient. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture says otherwise.

So why is cooking frozen chicken unsafe?

Getty Images stock

According to the slow cooker and food safety guidelines from the USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service, it's imperative to "always thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker." If this is news to you, youre not alone. Not all of our favorite slow cookers come with consistent warning labels.

When asked about using frozen chicken in slow cookers, a representative for Crock-Pot told TODAY Food via email, "You can cook frozen meat in any Crock-Pot brand product, but suggested cook time may need to be increased."

Related: Set it and forget it!

The company also recommends using a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken is "well above" 165 degrees before consumption.

"We recommend that you refer to your products instruction manual as well for specific instructions and guidance," the company representative told TODAY.

The instruction manual for Crock-Pot's 3.5-quart slow cooker not only advises increasing the cooking time when using frozen chicken, but also recommends adding 1 cup of warm liquid to "act as a cushion to prevent sudden temperature changes."

What about other countertop cooking devices?

Crock pot (Amazon)

Instant Pot, the headline-making pressure cooking device with a cult-like following, has instructions on its website that say there's no need to defrost frozen food prior to cooking it. While it doesn't specify frozen chicken, the guidelines advise consumers to plan mealtime accordingly since "frozen food will prolong the pre-heating time and cooking time."

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When asked whether it's OK to cook frozen chicken in an Instant Pot, a representative from the company's customer service team told TODAY the practice is definitely safe and advised home cooks to simply tack on an additional five minutes of cooking time.

Instant Pot

Food experts also have differing opinions adding frozen chicken into slow cookers. Some, like Tom Super, senior vice president of communications at the National Chicken Council, think its fine.

"It is entirely safe to prepare frozen chicken in a slow cooker or Crock-Pot as long are you are familiar with the make and model of the device," Super told TODAY.

What is the USDA worried about?

It all comes down to the temperature and the timing.

"It is safe to cook a frozen chicken in a slow cooker," Quin Patton, a food scientist formerly with PepsiCo, told TODAY. "You just need to make sure the internal temperature gets up to 165 degrees at some point during the cooking process."

The USDA confirms that 165 degrees is the minimum internal temperature for safely cooking poultry (ground beef, pork, lamb and veal all need to reach 160 degrees). Meat thermometers are easy to find, with many highly rated models starting at just $11.

Lavatools / Lavatools

While frozen chicken can easily reach this temperature in any slow cooker, a problem arises if that poultry spends too much time thawing out in what the USDA calls the "danger zone." The danger zone is defined as the temperature range between 40 and 140 degrees, where bacteria grows most rapidly.

Pamela Ellgen, author of "The Healthy Slow Cooker Cookbook," cites salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus as common culprits and says they can even contaminate other foods cooked alongside the chicken in the slow cooker. While the bacteria will most likely be killed when the chicken reaches its required temperature, the toxins that grow may be heat resistant. According to the USDA, these toxins, not the bacteria that produce them, cause food-borne illnesses.

TODAY asked the USDA Meat and Poultrys public hotline about the frequency of this happening and a spokesperson said it was not something they currently keep records of or receive reports on from consumers.

Since some food experts think size matters, we also asked if its true that cooking with smaller pieces of frozen chicken decreases the likelihood of food spending too much time in the so-called danger zone.

"We would probably need to bring in someone from the technical staff to verify that," said a USDA spokesperson. Basically, our recommendations are a little bit more conservative just to make sure everyone is covered.

Related: Before whipping out that Crock-Pot or slow cooker, make sure you know how to use it properly.

In this case, "everyone" refers to pregnant women, children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems who are particularly susceptible to getting sick. For those clients, nutritionist Jackie Arnett Elnahar advises against eating frozen chicken prepared in a slow cooker. For her other clients, she recommends being cognizant about the size of the frozen chicken pieces.

"When you purchase the chicken, have them cleaned and cut into 2-inch cubes before putting in the freezer, Elnahar said. Or place a larger piece of frozen chicken, 4 to 6 ounces, in the slow cooker at the highest setting and start to break it down after an hour so heat is distributed more evenly throughout."

chicken tacos made in slow cooker (Pamela Ellgen)

While home cooks in a time crunch might be tempted to toss frozen chicken into a slow cooker, following the USDA guidelines will help cut down on the likelihood of harmful bacteria developing.

Whatever you do, just dont forget to unplug your slow cooker when youre done using it.

Related:




Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and more than 50 Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation to send high-quality masks to every American amid a push to get the public to wear better masks given the omicron surge.

The legislation would send every person in the country a package of three N95 masks, which provide significantly better protection than the cloth masks many people have been wearing.

It would appropriate $5 billion to boost manufacturing and distribution of the masks and use the U.S. Postal Service to distribute them, along with pickup locations at sites such as schools and public transit stations.

"As we face the rapidly spreading omicron variant, we should remember that not all face masks are created equal," said Sanders said in a statement. "Congress must demand the mass production and distribution of N95 masks, one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of the Covid virus. It is an absolute scandal that in the richest country in the history of the world, high-quality masks are not more readily available to frontline workers, health care workers, and all Americans."

Some leading health experts have also been pushing the Biden administration to do more to make high-quality masks available to the public. The omicron variant is so transmissible that regular cloth masks are rendered much less effective.

"Cloth masks are little more than facial decorations and should not be considered an acceptable form of face covering," Leana Wen, a public health professor at George Washington University, tweeted last month. "The US should require (& distribute) medical-grade surgical masks to be worn in crowded indoor spaces."

White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients said earlier on Wednesday that the administration is "strongly considering options to make more high-quality masks available to all Americans," but he did not elaborate.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky also said Wednesday that her agency would not be changing its guidance to urge Americans to wear higher-quality masks, expressing concerns that people need to feel comfortable in them so they wear them.

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Mask wearing has become highly politicized, and some members of the public will not wear any kind of mask.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are among the co-sponsors of Sanders's "Masks for All Act," which was first introduced in 2020.

In the House, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) are leading the effort along with lawmakers including Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

"This is a crisis and our response must meet the moment," Khanna said. "If we can afford a $778 billion defense budget, we can afford to send N95 masks to every American to keep people safe as Omicron cases spike."
The Enmarket Arena opening has reignited the debate over the Savannah Civic Center's future.

The arena opened Feb. 5 and the operating agreement for ticketed events at the Civic Center expires in May. City Manager Jay Melder and his staff are in the midst of exploring options for the future of the Civic Center site. Those include razing the facility, restoring Elbert Square and making the rest of the site available for redevelopment; and preserving the Johnny Mercer Theatre half of the civic center and developing the rest of the site for civic uses.

Savannahians began calls tor replace the Savannah Civic Center in the 1990s - if not earlier - because of its cramped confines and poor sightlines. The discontent sparked the Savannah City Council to action, although the process could be called deliberate at best, glacially at worst.

Opinion: Savannah has waited 20 years for the Enmarket Arena. We can hang on another few weeks

Work continues on the Enmarket Arena.

Here's a look back at Savannah's civic center-arena saga.

1996: Savannah City Council orders a feasibility study be done on the deficiencies of the then 28-year-old Savannah Civic Center.

Cars line up outside the Savannah Civic Center for free testing of COVID-19 testing. On Oct. 15 flu shots will be available at this site.

1999: Savannah City Council sponsors a feasibility study into a new Civic Center.

2001: Savannah leaders begin discussing replace Savannah Civic Center.

2002: Citys SPLOST project list includes $30 million to buy land and do site preparation for a new civic center. Referendum approved the following year.

February 2003: Savannah Civic Center hosts two minor league hockey games and public talk about new arena increases in volume.

November 2005: City prepares master plan for a 10,000-seat, $80 million arena planned for the westside. The timeline called for construction to begin in August 2009 with completion by July 2011.

September 2006: Voters approve SPLOST extension that includes $80 million to build a new arena.

August 2010: City Council considers at least three additional sites, the Savannah River Landing site (now home to Eastern Wharf), a collection of parcels between the Georgia Ports' Ocean Terminal and the old Georgia Power plant on River Street and a 350-acre swath northwest of Interstate 95 and Georgia 204 Acting City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney recommends a feasibility study to determine a new location.

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April 2012: City officials consider building a new baseball stadium and would use $22 million in available SPLOST funding designated for an arena to help pay for it.

July 2012: City Council commissions a study and define whether an arena needs to serve more as an entertainment venue or large-scale community center.

September 2012: Small-Toney asks City Council to consider using most of the $19 million in SPLOST funds set aside for a new arena for extensive renovations of the Civic Center.

October 2012: City council nixes the proposed arena site at Interstate 95 and Ga. 204.

2012: City Council unanimously approves purchasing about 7 acres from Argos USA at 620 Stiles Ave. for $440,000.

August 2013: City leaders say the city now owns enough property on the westside to build the new arena.

September 2013: City Council votes to build the arena in west Savannah.

November 2013: Voters approve SPLOST extension that includes $105 million to build a new arena.

May 2015: City Council unanimously approves a contract for a study of the existing Civic Center and new arena site.

May 2016: Study finds that a suitable arena for the westside site would cost about $140 million.

June 2016: City Council votes to build the new arena at the current site.

June 2018: City Council approves $8.8 million design contract for new arena.

September 2018: City Council awards an $11.2 million construction management contract for arena.

October 2018: Three concepts for the new arena are unveiled to the public.

April 2019: City Council approves a management contract for the new arena.

June 2019: City Council unanimously votes to adopt recommendations from the Urban Land Institute to demolish the Civic Center and redevelop the site once the new arena opens.

The new Savannah Arena is taking shape, with seating now wrapping around three sides along with a club leavel and luxury suites.

September 2019: A groundbreaking is held for the new arena.

January 2021: A minor league hockey team, the Savannah Ghost Pirates, is announced for the new arena.

April 2021: Crews install the final truss and enclose the roof.

One end of the arena remains open for easier access to construction materials.

July 2021: Enmarket Arena is announced as the venue's official name.

October 2021: First events at Enmarket Arena are announced.

Enmarket is the naming partner of the Savannah arena.

December 2021: The city announces that parking will not be ready in time for the planned Enmarket Arena opening in January.

Jan. 11, 2022: City officials announce that the planned Jan. 13-14 opening of the arena is delayed due to several pandemic-related issues, including supply chain disruptions.

Jan. 27, 2022: City officials extend the Civic Center operating agreement, allowing the venue to continue hosting ticketed events for 90 days after the arena opens.

Feb. 5, 2022: The arena opens with a ribbon cutting and a community day.

Feb. 6, 2022: Country music star Riley Green plays the venue's first concert.

May 13, 2022: The Savannah Civic Center operating agreement expires.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: A timeline from dreams and Savannah meetings to Enmarket Arena
Jan. 12With both the Kentucky House and Gov. Andy Beshear announcing proposed budgets for the next biennium, area educators are excited, but thinking realistically, about some of the historic investments in education in each plan.

On Monday, the governor announced his two-year budget proposal, which includes almost $2 billion in additional funding for public education, from preschool through 12th grade. He will present this spending plan Thursday to lawmakers.

Specifically, the governor's proposal calls for offering free preschool to all 4-year-olds and fully funding professional development. It also includes a significant increase of 12.5% in the Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) funding per pupil for districts.

SEEK is the state's primary K-12 funding formula, and it is set at $4,000 per pupil. Beshear's plan calls for that to increase to $4,300 in the first year and $4,500 in the second year of the two-year budget. The House GOP budget calls for the amount to increase to $4,100 in the first year and $4,200 in the second year.

A 5% raise for school personnel, as well as restoring funding for textbooks and classroom materials, is also in Beshear's plan.

Both budget plans call for the state to fully fund all-day kindergarten. Districts provide all-day kindergarten, but are only funded at about 50% of the cost to do so. Both plans also call for increasing funding for student transportation. The state now funds about half the cost of transportation for students, and Beshear's plan proposes to fully fund districts' transportation costs. The House GOP plan proposes to increase transportation funding to 70%.

School leaders all agree that while this is the early stages of the budget's legislative process, both plans are encouraging.

Matthew Constant, Owensboro Public Schools superintendent, said both budgets are "education friendly and education forward" and that both plans  or a compromise among both  will move K-12 education forward in terms of offering more resources for students.

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"I know that in the legislative process, neither proposal will be the final version, but they are both good places to start from," he said. "I am impressed that both the legislature and the governor see the value and are putting the value behind early education. We have needed and lobbied for full-day kindergarten for years."

He said that is a welcome relief.

Daviess County Public Schools Superintendent Matt Robbins agreed, and he said that the district has been offering full-day kindergarten services for at least two decades. He said having funding from the state for this program is "long overdue."

"I'm very pleased that seems to be a hallmark of both budgets," he said.

Robbins also said he knows the budget proposals are in the beginning stages of a long process and that a lot of changes are likely to occur before the final budget is adopted. However, both budgets appear to be a move forward.

"We have been dealing with flat-lined budgets for at least two bienniums now," he said. "To see positive traction there of any kind in both of them .... it looks like there are opportunities for compromise, so we can reach some key goals and objectives."

He and Constant both said the governor's proposal for universal preschool is attractive because statistics strongly suggest the benefits of early education for all.

Ohio County Schools Superintendent Seth Southard said he is encouraged about the governor's support for public education, but that he is also a realist. Thinking about what this added support could mean for students is exciting, but "not feasible."

"I don't see the revenue will be there to support (the governor's) budget," Southard said. "I am very cautious."

He said it's great to have a governor that is pro-education, and he commends Beshear for that. He also said he would be happy with either budget because both mean a step forward for public education, and whatever compromise the two entities come to still gives districts more resources and freedoms.

Muhlenberg County Schools Superintendent Robby Davis also said seeing possible added investments in public education at the state level is "very encouraging."

"Our kids deserve it, and we all benefit when our students have added opportunities to succeed," Davis said.

Tommy Burrough, McLean County Public Schools superintendent, said it's hard to get hopeful when it comes to early budget proposals because they often change so much throughout the legislative process. However, he said what he has seen from both the House GOP and the governor's plans will benefit students.

"As long as we don't go backward and we are moving forward, that is a plus," he said. "Anything extra we can get above and beyond what we have is a plus for the district and the kids, but it's a waiting game at this point."

Phone calls and emails were not immediately returned from representatives of the Hancock County Schools district.

Bobbie Hayse, bhayse@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-691-7315
The state attorney disciplinary commission has moved to suspend the law license of prominent Baltimore attorney Kenneth Ravenell following his federal conviction last month for laundering money for a drug organization.

The Attorney Grievance Commission filed with the states highest court a petition for discipline and request for immediate suspension of Ravenells law license, saying the conviction triggers a violation of the Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct.

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Maryland Chief Judge Joseph M. Getty signed an order Wednesday giving Ravenell 15 days to argue why he should not be suspended immediately from practicing law.

Ravenell, regarded as one of Marylands most brilliant attorneys, was charged by federal authorities with racketeering, drug conspiracy and money laundering for allegedly helping direct the operation of marijuana boss and nightclub impresario Richard Byrd. Byrd, who is serving 26 years in prison, testified against Ravenell, as did other members of his organization.

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The jury acquitted Ravenell of the drug conspiracy counts but convicted him of money laundering, and he faces the possibility of years in prison at sentencing in May. His lawyers signaled they would appeal the conviction, and on Monday were granted additional time to ask for a new trial.

Also this week, federal prosecutors filed a sealed motion on Byrds behalf related to his assistance in the case. Prosecutors said at the trial that they would ask for a sentence reduction in exchange for Byrds cooperation.

Though the motion is sealed, the motion to seal cites that the document relates to a Rule 35(b) motion, under which prosecutors can move to ask a court to reduce someones original sentence if the person provided substantial assistance in investigating or prosecuting another person.

Byrds attorney, Michael Sklaire, also filed a motion under seal Monday, records show.

Ravenell was charged along with his own one-time attorney, Joshua Treem, who was acquitted of obstruction of justice charges. Its unclear whether Treem still could face punishment from the grievance commission related to the case.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) addresses reporters after the weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.





Senate Republicans' campaign arm raked in nearly $28.6 million in the final quarter of 2021, bringing its total for the year to $104.8 million.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) finished 2021 with $32.7 million in the bank, a hefty sum as the GOP looks to flip the Senate in this year's midterm elections. Its quarter haul marked a record for one three-month span in an off-year by either the NRSC or the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), its Democratic counterpart.

Roughly 443,000 donors gave to the NRSC in 2021, including almost 170,000 first-time donors.

"This NRSC team has smashed fundraising records all cycle, and we have [Senate Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer [D-N.Y.] and the radical Senate Democrats to thank," said Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), the NRSC's chairman.

"Senate Democrats are focused on abolishing the filibuster, eliminating voter ID requirements, and reckless spending sprees instead of securing the border, fixing the supply chain, and lowering the cost of everyday goods for American families. Voters are rejecting the Democrats' extreme agenda and are turning to Republicans because we are the party of solutions and will fight to ensure their success. Senate Republicans will win this November, and we are ready to fix the disaster the Democrats have created."

The DSCC has not yet released its final fundraising numbers for the last quarter of 2021, but it finished November with just over $18.2 million in the bank.

The NRSC's fundraising news comes as the GOP is growing increasingly confident that it is poised to retake the Senate, which is split 50-50.

Midterm elections during the first term of a new administration typically favor the party that's out of power and Republicans must net just one seat to win control.

Republicans are targeting Democratic senators in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and New Hampshire. Meanwhile, the GOP is defending open seats in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as Sen. Ron Johnson's seat in Wisconsin.

Overall, Republicans are defending 20 seats to Democrats' 14.
Tennessee could see big changes to the current Basic Education Program funding formula in 2022, though some are skeptical it means the system is better.
A federal judge in New York on Wednesday declined to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit against Prince Andrew, who is being sued by a woman who claims she was forced to have sex with him while she was a minor and under the control of former financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Judge Lewis Kaplan said in his ruling that he denied "in all respects" the duke's attempts to stop the case.

The decision is the latest blow against Andrew, who has consistently denied the accusations of Virginia Giuffre, now 38, and a vocal critic of the justice systems failures in the Epstein case. The Duke of Yorks lawyers have unsuccessfully fought to have the civil lawsuit thrown out for months.

In the lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Giuffre says Andrew sexually abused her on multiple occasions between 2000 and 2002 while knowing that she was a sex trafficking victim under the age of 18. Specifically, Giuffre says she was forced to engage in sex acts with the duke in London, New York, and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands.

Andrew was a longtime friend and associate of Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and Epsteins former girlfriend and recently convicted coconspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein killed himself in a federal detention center in August 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking and abusing dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14. Maxwell, 60, was found guilty of federal sex trafficking charges for her role in Epsteins illicit operation on Dec. 29. She could face up to 65 years in prison.

Giuffre first publicly accused Andrew of sexual assault in a sworn statement for a different Epstein-related lawsuit in December 2014. She then sued Andrew for battery and emotional damages on Aug. 9, 2021, under New Yorks Child Victims Act of 2019, a temporary law that allowed people over the age of 55 to file civil lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse  no matter how long ago the incident  but only during a limited time period.

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The duke and his legal team have fought from the beginning to make Giuffre's case go away. Andrew was able to avoid being served for nearly a month  and even then, his legal team at first claimed that he had not been properly presented with the official documents under UK and international law. (Kaplan rejected this argument in a ruling dated Sept. 17.)

Before the hearing, Kaplan rejected a defense motion that attempted to delay proceedings based on the argument that Giuffre primarily resides in Australia and not the United States. The judge also ordered the unsealing of a 2009 secret settlement between Epstein and Giuffre, which Andrews legal team claimed included a clause preventing her from suing the royal.

In the hearing, the dukes lawyer Andrew Brettler questioned the constitutionality of the Child Victims Act and cited Giuffres 2009 settlement of a sex trafficking case against Epstein in his arguments to dismiss charges on Tuesday. He also argued that Giuffre had not been explicit enough in her allegations against Andrew, which led to a tense moment in the virtual courtroom.

"Ms. Giuffre doesn't articulate what supposedly happened to her at the hands of Prince Andrew," he said. We do not know the details of the allegations, and it's time that we do before Prince Andrew should be required to answer these very serious allegations."

That's not a dog that's going to hunt here, Kaplan responded, saying that Giuffres claim that she had been forced to engage in sexual intercourse was specific enough for the current stage of the proceedings.

The judge emphasized this in his ruling. "Ms. Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous,'" he wrote. "It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse."

Kaplan also shot down the defense's arguments about the constitutionality of the Child Victim's Act, saying that it had been upheld in the face of other legal challenges. (He called Brettler's argument "creative" but "without merit.")

A provision in the 2009 settlement between Giuffre and Epstein prohibits her from pursuing legal action against the financier and anyone who could have been included as a potential defendant in that matter. Although the document does not name Andrew, Brettler argued that he should be included in the potential defendant category.

Giuffres lawyer David Boies disagreed, saying that the 2009 settlement only concerned sex trafficking.

There is no allegation that Prince Andrew was the person transporting. There is no allegation that Prince Andrew fell into the category of people who were doing the trafficking, Boies said. He was somebody to whom the girls were trafficked."

Kaplan sided with Boies on this point in his opinion, saying the settlement does not preclude Andrew from facing Giuffre's accusations in a court of law.

"The 2009 agreement cannot be said to demonstrate, clearly and unambiguously, that the parties intended the instrument 'directly,' 'primarily,' or substantially 'to benefit Prince Andrew,'" he wrote. "The Court cannot rewrite the 2009 agreement to give the defendant rights where the agreement does not clearly manifest an intent to create them."

The next key date in the case is Jan. 14, when Giuffres legal team will respond to discovery requests from Andrews attorneys.

Andrew is ninth in line to the British throne. He stepped back from royal life following a disastrous BBC interview in November 2019, in which he denied dancing with or meeting Giuffre  despite having been pictured with his arm around her waist (Andrew said he had no memory of the photograph being taken). He also disputed Giuffres allegation that he sweated on her while dancing at a London club by claiming that he cannot perspire as a result of his military experience in the Falkland Islands.

Giuffres lawyers have requested as part of the discovery process proof of this medical condition and evidence that he was, as he told the BBC, attending a birthday party at a Pizza Express with his daughter on the date of one of the alleged assaults.

More on this
A Simi Valley Police Department vehicle.

A divided Simi Valley City Council has removed a member of a neighborhood council for disclosing the location of a police DUI checkpoint last month and advising motorists how to avoid it.

The vote Monday night was 3-2 with Mayor Keith Mashburn and council members Mike Judge and Dee Dee Cavanaugh supporting a motion to oust Rebecca Albarran from Neighborhood Council No. 3 after serving only two months on the advisory panel.

"What I firmly believe is that she made bad judgment, especially as a recently appointed member of a neighborhood council," Mashburn said during the sometimes-heated hearing.

Addressing the City Council on Zoom, Albarran was unapologetic for disclosing the checkpoint's location and attributed her removal to a personal "vendetta" by Mashburn for criticizing his leadership.

"I feel I should not be removed from Neighborhood Council District 3," she said.

"I have broken no laws," she said. "I have not violated the (city's) code of ethics. I remain committed to this community. I offer no apologies, nor do I detract my actions for posting the location."

State law does not require police departments to disclose the locations of checkpoint sites but it is not illegal for a member of the public to divulge them.

Council members Ruth Luevanos and Elaine Litster opposed Albarran's removal. Luevanos sharply questioned Simi Valley Police Chief Dave Livingstone at length about the department's DUI checkpoint policies.

"What would be the harm in posting (the locations) in advance?" Luevanos asked.

Livingstone replied that it would undermine the deterrent effect.

"You know it's going to be there, but you don't know exactly where it's going to be," he said.

Luevanos noted that the Los Angeles Police Department has disclosed exact locations of DUI checkpoints in advance on its website, lapdonline.org.

ICYMI: Congressman Garcia's district loses conservative Simi Valley in remapping effort

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The City Council appointed Albarran to the executive board of Neighborhood Council No. 3 on Nov. 8. It is one of four councils that advise the City Council and Planning Commission on resident concerns, proposed developments and more.

On Dec. 6, the Simi Valley Police Department announced a DUI checkpoint would be conducted at an undisclosed location on Dec. 17.

Prior to the checkpoint operation, Albarran posted on social media the location -- the intersection of Wood Ranch Parkway and Madera Road, according to a staff report for Monday's City Council meeting.

The post read, "DUI LOCATION: Woodranch Parkway and Madera coming into Simi Valley. If you are coming from Thousand Oaks or off the 23 turn right on Country Club Drive."

Mashburn asked city staff to determine whether Albarran had violated the city's code of ethics for elected and appointed officials, the staff report said. The report made no findings.

Alleged racism: Simi Councilwoman Luevanos passed over for mayor pro tem

Albarran asked the council what section of the code she had violated. The code covers such matters as acting in the public interest, complying with the law and conduct of members.

She didn't get an answer.

Earlier in the meeting though, Mashburn said city officials must act in the "best interests" of residents, one of the code's conditions.

Albarran said Tuesday she posted the location "to give information to people and people can make a decision about whether they want to go through a checkpoint or not."

She said "other people" informed her of the location and she was able to confirm it. She declined to say who the other people were.

Prior to the council's vote, about 30 public speakers weighed in, the vast majority in support of Albarran.

"I think this entire ordeal is incredibly ridiculous, hypocritical and unprofessional," said Aliyah Ewing. "She's an outstanding individual who has time and time again proved her commitment to the city."

A few public speakers were critical of Albarran.

"I take DUI checkpoints seriously," said Lori Mills. "I think that someone who is going to be on the (neighborhood) council should think about other people's lives."

Mike Harris covers the East County cities of Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, as well as transportation countywide. You can contact him at mike.harris@vcstar.com or 805-437-0323.

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM and get all the latest Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and transportation news from Star reporter Mike Harris. Get a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Member of Simi neighborhood advisory panel removed by City Council
Whitesbog hosts Moonlight Walk and Saturday Markets

Whitesbog Preservation Trust will host Saturday Markets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays this winter, weather permitting.

Enjoy shopping at assorted vendors and at the General Store Porch sale for local handmade items and tasty jams, honey, chocolates, walking sticks and more.

Visitors may also want to grab a trail map and head out for a hike around the trails and bogs.

Also, Whitesbog will host a Moonlight Walk from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 15. Meet at the General Store. Bring a mask for check in.

An experienced guide will share insights about Whitesbog and the nature that surrounds it.

More: Harriet Tubman traveling sculpture unveiled at Philadelphia's City Hall

More: Animal shelters, rescue groups see early donations from campaign honoring Betty White

Trails can be bumpy and sandy and it will be dark so plan to dress for the weather and conditions and bring a flashlight. The walk is expected to be three to five miles in length.

A donation of $10 is requested.

Snacks will be provided after the hike.

GPS address is 799 Lakehurst Road in Browns Mills.

For information, visit whitesbog.org.

Philadelphia Orchestra presents Martin Luther King Jr., Tribute Concert

The Philadelphia Orchestra will present a free Martin Luther King Jr., Tribute Concert at 1 p.m. Jan. 17.

Join Yannick Nezet-Seguin, music director, and the orchestra as they honor the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr., and celebrate the Philadelphia community with the uniting power of music.

Admission is free, but tickets are required. Seating is general admission and on a first-come, first-served basis starting 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. Tickets do not guarantee entry. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

The concert will be broadcast live on WRTI 90.1 FM.

The concert will be presented in Verizon Hall on the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus at 300 S. Broad St., in Philadelphia.

For tickets or information, call (215) 893-1999 or visit www.philorch.org.

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Enjoy an evening out at the Levoy Theatre

The Levoy Theatre will host a variety of events this month including:

Moondance, the Ultimate Van Morrison tribute concert, 8 p.m. Jan. 14, tickets $21 to $27.

REZA: Edge of Illusion, features an interactive show with illusions, magic, comedy and more, 2 and 7 p.m. Jan. 15, tickets $27 for adults and $24 for children.

Van Halen Nation, a Van Halen tribute, and Dr. Feelgood, a Motley Crue tribute, 8 p.m. Jan. 22, tickets $22 to $25.

Warriors Dont Cry, recommended for students in grades 5 to 10, inspired by Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals Little Rock Nine memoir Warriors Dont Cry, this production is a catalyst for deeper discussion about social responsibility, civil discourse, social media and community engagement, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Jan. 27, tickets $10.

David Brightons Space Oddity, the Ultimate David Bowie Experience, 8 p.m. Jan. 29, tickets $30 to $39.

David Bromberg Big Band, 7 p.m. Jan. 30, tickets $44 to $59.

The theater is at 130 N. High St., in Millville.

For tickets or information, call (856) 327-6400 or visit levoy.net.

Actor and comedian Mike Epps is set to bring the laughs to Philadelphia with his No Remorse Comedy Tour at 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Liacouras Center.

Have some laughs at Mike Epps No Remorse Comedy Tour

Actor and comedian Mike Epps is set to bring the laughs to Philadelphia with his No Remorse Comedy Tour at 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Liacouras Center.

Epps will be joined by Gary Owen, Desi Banks, Dominique and Jay Pharoah.

Tickets are $59 to $250.

The center is at 1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia.

For tickets or information, including regarding vaccination and mask requirements, visit www.liacourascenter.com.

Get your tickets the Landis Theater events

The Landis Theater will host a variety of concerts this month including:

So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience, 8 p.m. Jan. 14, tickets $25.

JC Cole & Folsom '68, a Johnny Cash tribute, 8 p.m. Jan. 28, tickets $20.

Aerosmith founding member and guitarist Ray Tabano presents British Invasion Music, a multimedia show, 8 p.m. Jan. 29, tickets $30.

The theater is at 830 E. Landis Ave., in Vineland.

For tickets or information, call (856) 691-3600 or visit thelandistheater.com.

Museum of the American Revolution celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend

During Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, pay tribute to the life, service and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Museum of the American Revolution.

Theatrical performances, discovery carts, and more will examine protest and patriotism in early America and explore the continuing struggle for equality for all.

Dr. King was committed to ensuring the American Revolutions promise of freedom and equality for all people, said Adrienne Whaley, the museums director of education and community engagement. At the museum, we understand that his work for equal rights continues today and each of us has a role to play in bringing it to fruition.

Highlights include:

Meet James Forten, 1:15 and 3:15 p.m. each day, a one-man theatrical performance which explores Fortens life as a free Black Philadelphian, privateer and sailmaker.

Discovery Cart: Protest in Early America, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, explore a discovery cart featuring images and replica objects related to the protests of the Revolutionary era.

We Shall Continue, online, watch the Philadelphia Jazz Projects performance, an engaging intermingling of spoken word, singing and instrumental music paying tribute Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Promises of the American Revolution, online, in this blog post, learn how King powerfully invoked the words and messages of the American Revolution in his calls for civil and economic rights and in speaking out against racism.

At the museum and in the free virtual tour, explore other personal, often unfamiliar stories of free and enslaved people of African descent during the Revolutionary era.

The museum is daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Revolution Place Discovery Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Monday.

Timed tickets are $51 for a family of four, $19 for ages 18 to 64 in advance or $21 at the door, $13 for ages 6 to 17, free for ages 5 and younger, $18 for ages 65 and older, students, teachers and active military, and $25 for any day tickets.

The museum is at 101 S. Third St., in Philadelphia.

All visitors ages 5 and older will be required to show proof of vaccination. Visitors age 18 and older must also show a matching, valid identification.

Masks are required for ages 2 and older.

For tickets or information, call (215) 253-6731 or visit amrevmuseum.org.

Wheaton Conversations features Pacific Northwest artists

Join Pacific Northwest artists Kait Rhoads and Jen Elek for Wheaton Conversations as they converse about their passion for the natural world, art-making processes, and community-driven artwork at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 via Zoom.

To register for this event and for information on all of the Wheaton Arts Cultural Centers Wheaton Conversations, including recordings of past conversations, visit www.wheatonarts.org/wheaton-conversations.

Renault Winery hosts enchanting and informative guided tours of its historic winery, including curated pairings of its wines and Champagnes with exclusive culinary delights, on Thursday evenings.

Wine and a tour offered at Renault

Renault Winery hosts enchanting and informative guided tours of its historic winery, including curated pairings of its wines and Champagnes with exclusive culinary delights, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays.

The tour concludes with a dessert and wine paired flight at the newly renovated Winemakers Hall.

Tickets are $65.

The winery is at 72 Bremen Ave., in Egg Harbor City.

For tickets or information, call (609) 965-2111 or visit www.renaultwinery.com.

Music and SINGO planned at The Madison Pub

The Madison Pub will offer music and SINGO this month.

The schedule includes:

Music by Brian Varhelyi, 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 14.

DJ Joey Hayes hosts SINGO, 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 21. Get a SINGO card, listen to a short sample of a song and then match the song to a tile on your board. Its like Bingo except with music. Prizes will be awarded.

Music by Carmine Desanto, 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 28.

The pub is at 33 Lafayette St., in Riverside.

For information, call (856) 764-4444 or visit www.TheMadison.net.

Visit the Cape May Lighthouse

Climb the 199 steps up the original, cast iron spiral stairway to the top of the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse and view the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, the surrounding nature trails of Cape May Point State Park, and Cape May Point Borough.

The lighthouse is open from noon to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, through February, plus Jan. 17 and Feb. 14 and 21.

Interpretive panels on the grounds, at the base and on the climb tell stories of Lighthouse Keepers, the surrounding area, and how the lighthouse functioned historically and today. The Cape May Lighthouse is the third beacon at this location. Still an active aid to navigation, it was restored and is maintained by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture).

The Oil House on the grounds contains a fully accessible Visitors Orientation Center and Museum Shop.

Admission is $12 for ages 13 and older and $8 for ages 3 to 12.

The lighthouse is at 215 Lighthouse Ave., in Cape May Point State Park.

For tickets or information, call (609) 884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.

All Stars of Hip Hop to perform at Boardwalk Hall

Boardwalk Hall will host a performance by top Hip Hop artists at 7 p.m. Jan. 16.

KRS-One, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Kid N Play, Mystical, Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane, DJ Kool and DJ Kid Capri are among those scheduled to perform.

Tickets start at $60.

Boardwalk Hall is at 2301 Boardwalk in Atlantic City.

For tickets or information, visit boardwalkhall.com.

The Ritz Theatre hosts Falsettos and The Amazing Animal Race

The Ritz Theatre Company will present Falsettos at 8 p.m. Jan. 14 and 15, 2 p.m. Jan. 16, 8 p.m. Jan. 21 and 22 and 2 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Ritz Theatre.

Falsettos revolves around the life of a charming, intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin, his wife, lover, about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist, and the lesbians next door. Its a hilarious and achingly poignant look at the infinite possibilities that make up a modern family and a beautiful reminder that love can tell a million stories.

Tickets are $27.

Also, Ritz Kidz will present The Amazing Animal Race at 1 p.m. Jan. 15. Join Mr. Robert and his friends as they summon the spirit of the Jade Emperor and learn how 13 animals scurried and scampered across the Yangtze River to win a place in the Chinese calendar.

Tickets are $10.

All audience members ages 5 and older will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test to enter the theater. Masks are required.

The theater is at 915 White Horse Pike in Haddon Township.

For tickets or information, call (856) 288-3500 or visit ritztheatreco.org.

Broadway Theatre presents Matilda and The Enchanted Unicorn

Broadway Theatre of Pitman will present Roald Dahls Matilda The Musical. The show is full of high-energy dance numbers including School Song, All I Know and The Smell of Rebellion.

Performances will be offered at various times from Jan. 14 through Feb. 6.

Tickets are $35.

Also, the theater will open its Childrens Theater Season with a new show, The Enchanted Unicorn, the Musical. It will be presented at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Jan. 15. Tickets are $10.

The theater is at 43 S. Broadway in Pitman.

For tickets or information, call (856) 384-8381 or visit www.thebroadwaytheatre.org.

Museum exhibit focuses on Black Lives Matter

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey will host an exhibit of paintings by Melvin Irons and Quilts from the Stitch Their Names Memorial Project through Feb. 27 at Stockton Universitys Noyes Arts Garage.

A reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 14. Irons will be on hand to sign prints of his work.

The museum will expand upon the Black Lives Matter theme with an exhibit pairing the crafts of needlework and quilting with the art of painting.

The exhibits explore the contemporary history of African American people through an artistic lens.

Two quilts on loan to the museum from the Stitch Their Names Memorial Project bring attention to black lives cut short as a result of racism, police violence and hate crimes.

The Project is a group of cross-stitchers and quilters who seek to honor the legacy of Black individuals for whom racism and hate have led to their deaths.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.

Visitors are asked to wear masks.

Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

The garage is at 2200 Fairmount Ave., in Atlantic City.

For information, visit aahmsnj.org.

Dracula (Brian Hull) with Mavis (Selena Gomez) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation's Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. The Johnny Monster Bus and Character Tour, presented by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Animation, will be in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 12.

Hotel Transylvania: Tranformania tour visits Philadelphia

Hotel Transylvania: Tranformanias Johnny Monster Bus and Character Tour, presented by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Animation, will make a stop in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 12.

The event will feature character meet and greets, exclusive giveaways, and other fun activities in advance of the release of the final chapter of the Hotel Transylvania film series, which will be available to stream on Prime Video beginning Jan. 14.

In this film, Van Helsings mysterious invention, the 'Monsterification Ray, goes haywire, and Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny becomes a monster!

For information on the film, visit www.facebook.com/HotelT.

Roller skating fun continues at Cape May Convention Hall

Roller skating sessions continue this month at Cape May Convention Hall.

The schedule for January is 4 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays; and 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m Saturdays and Sundays. All sessions are family skate. The schedule is subject to change.

Admission is $5 for skaters and non-skaters. Skate rental is $5 and blade rental is $7.

Children age 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. No more than four minors per adult.

The hall is at 714 Beach Ave., in Cape May.

For the schedule and information, visit www.capemaycity.com/roller-skating.

VisitSouthJersey.com contributed to this report. Send event information and community news items to lvoit@gannett.com. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription to The Daily Journal/ Courier Post/ Burlington County Times.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey/Philly things to do: Concerts, comedy, theater, art
EDISON, NJ  A petition by a high school student in Edison calling for virtual learning in the school district has gained over 3,500 signatures.

Edison Public Schools is among the few districts in New Jersey to offer in-person classes since winter break. When most school districts decided to move to virtual learning at the beginning of the new year, Edison informed families on Dec. 31 that remote learning was mandated only for students affected by COVID-19.

I speak for the numerous bright students of Edison who have expressed great concern about this new policy. Those concerns not only by the students but the parents seem to be disregarded despite their efforts during the past four months, continuously going to school while social distancing and continuing to excel with the constant fear of catching the virus or even worse passing it on to a loved one, the student wrote on Change.org.

Allowing only those students who tested positive for COVID-19 to participate in remote learning was "not sufficient" to stop the spread of the virus, the student wrote.

Is it impossible to not get affected with Covid-19 after Jan 3 at 7:40 AM? When we all sit shoulder to shoulder in the cafeteria? When we all squeeze through the halls? When we get stepped on walking through the intersection? Will coronavirus just disappear?

Many parents and guardians who signed the petition expressed concern over the schools policy to remain open when COVID-19 cases spike in the state, driven mainly by the omicron variant.

During the districts reorganization meeting on Jan.3, student journalists from the high school newspaper questioned the School Board and the Superintendent on transparency regarding updating the districts COVID-19 numbers.





The district said they were working to have a dashboard to reflect the positive cases and that they are enhancing testing across schools.

In the meeting, which went on for over three hours, community members voiced their concerns about overcrowding in the district, saying social distancing was difficult in high-traffic settings like the cafeteria and hallways. A high school student even called on the district to have a better contact tracing method.

Story continues

Superintendent Bernard Bragen said as far as he understands, current state laws do not allow for hybrid learning. He said many students suffered "significant learning losses" at every level, and online learning "wasn't the same" as being in a classroom for many students.

The Superintendent noted that many students were struggling with mental health issues.

"When you have students that are attempting suicide, I would argue that yes it (social/emotional learning) is important. Where some of our students are with their ability to cope with frustration, the burdens of being in school on a regular basis, and things that they haven't navigated for almost a year-and-a-half, many are struggling," Bragen said.

"These decisions are not made in isolation, that we would take easily."

Bragen said many New Jersey school districts, like South Brunswick, went remote due to staffing concerns. That situation hasn't risen in Edison yet, he said. Although there are COVID-19-related staff absences, the school district has enough staff to open schools safely.

COVID-19 cases among school staff in Middlesex County have spiked since the holiday break, according to data from the New Jersey's Department of Health. Read More: COVID In Middlesex County Schools: What NJ Data Reveals

Middlesex County has reported case rates higher than the state average of 29.73 cases per 1,000 people.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.





This article originally appeared on the Edison-Metuchen Patch
Update: TidalHealth has announced a move away from Crisis to Contingency mode of operations at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury and TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford effective Feb. 4.

In the last two weeks, the number of COVID-19 patients being treated in Maryland hospitals has almost doubled, according to the Maryland Hospital Association.

Communities across the state are confronting the worst surge of the pandemic  a spike in cases that has left hospitals "virtually full."

The influx of patients has forced hospitals to turn to crisis protocols.

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury announced Tuesday that the hospital would be implementing "crisis standards of care" because of significant increases in emergency department volume and COVID-19 admissions, as well as the nationwide staffing shortage.

TidalHealth Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in Salisbury, Maryland.

As of Tuesday morning, TidalHealth had 87 total COVID-19 patients, including 55 Wicomico County residents, according to the Wicomico County Health Department.

Among those county residents were 33 unvaccinated individuals and 22 vaccinated individuals, 16 of whom had not received a booster.

Maryland's statewide seven-day positivity rate sits at 26.91% as of Wednesday morning, while Wicomico County's is at 32.7%. Neighboring Worcester and Somerset counties sit at 30.81% and 26.84%, respectively.

TidalHealth is the 13th Maryland hospital to shift into crisis status, and this is the first time in the hospital system's 125-year history that its facilities have operated under these standards of care, according to a Tuesday news release.

More: Where to get a COVID-19 test in Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset

More: Wicomico COVID cases outpace rate of state as Maryland's overall total cases surge More: Eastern Shore COVID-19 statistics hard

TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford made the shift Monday alongside ChristianaCare headquartered in Wilmington, Bayhealth in Dover and Milford and Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington.

Story continues

Hospitalizations in Sussex County have been trending upward over the past two weeks, with the total number of COVID patients at 174 as of Tuesday's data release.

TidalHealth said never-before seen occupancy levels coupled with lengthy stays have made managing the volume of patients challenging  a problem being faced by many hospitals nationwide.

A Maryland Hospital Association news release showed the number of COVID-19 patients being treated in the state's hospitals was up to 3,452 as of Monday, which is more than double what the state saw at the peak of its last surge in January 2021.

TidalHealth Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in Salisbury, Maryland.

TidalHealth has experienced a 300% increase in COVID-19 admissions since Dec. 1 across its facilities, and there have been record-setting numbers of emergency department visits for COVID-19 symptoms.

Like the rest of Maryland, the hospital system has surpassed the peak number of admissions recorded during previous pandemic surges.

We remain fully committed to providing the best and safest possible care, but it is becoming extremely challenging with the anticipated holiday surge in cases now occurring, TidalHealth CEO Dr. Steve Leonard said in a statement.

The crisis standards of care are implemented as a way to extend key resources and minimize the effect of shortages when demand exceeds a hospital's ability to provide health care through normal means.

More: TidalHealth to pause some elective surgeries as Maryland hospitalization rates jump

More: Top issues for Maryland lawmakers: Big budget surplus, pot legalization, climate and COVID

While in crisis status, TidalHealth's no visitation policy will remain in effect, and team members will be relocated to different areas and units of patient care as they are needed. Patients may see wait times increase, especially in the emergency department.

The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medial Services Systems' County/Hospital Alert Tracking System website shows health care facilities have been shifting in and out of red and yellow alerts.

A yellow alert means the emergency department has temporarily requested not to receive any patients in need of urgent medical care because of an overwhelming overload that means the department may not be able to safely manage certain patients. A red alert is triggered when there are no ECG monitored beds available.

Maryland hospitals and their dedicated caregivers have been saving lives from this deadly disease for two years. We need your help as we suffer the worst surge of this crisis, Bob Atlas, president and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association said in a statement.

Both TidalHealth and the Maryland Hospital Association have been stressing the importance of precautions like wearing masks and getting vaccinated.

The Maryland Hospital Association said the "overwhelming majority" of the COVID-19 patients in Maryland hospitals have not been vaccinated.

On the Lower Eastern Shore, vaccination rates have been lagging in Wicomico and Somerset counties.

Statewide, more than 92% of the population over the age of 18 and more than 86% of people over the age of 5 have received at least one dose of a vaccine.

Wicomico and Somerset counties are among eight Maryland jurisdictions where less than 60% of the population has received at least one dose, and the percentages of people fully vaccinated in these two counties are among the five lowest in the state.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: As Maryland COVID numbers climb, TidalHealth moves into crisis status
Happy Wednesday, people of Beaverton! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Mild with clouds breaking. High: 57 Low: 42.

Here are the top five stories in Beaverton today:

Beaverton School District released a letter recently saying that schools are "close to the tipping point" for needing to switch to remote learning. See what other nearby districts are doing on KGW.com. Cornelius' city manager is set to retire at the end of June. Rob Drake has held multiple public offices in his civil service career that spans five decades, including serving as mayor of Beaverton. Highlights of his tenure include helping build trust between the Latino/a community and law enforcement and expanding the public library. (Pamplin Media Group: click here for free access using your WCCLS card; click here if you have a paid subscription) In the market for a new abode? Check out the roundup of local real estate for sale at Beaverton Patch. Take a gander at a recent Beaverton Police Log at Pamplin Media Group. Four DUIIs made the list (yikes!). Other incidents included the arrest of a man who had 14 aliases, a purse snatch/property grab on Southwest Allen Boulevard and two separate death investigations. (Click here for free access using your WCCLS card; click here if you have a paid subscription) Visit OR Health Authority for an update on COVID cases across the state. Locally, Washington County is reporting over 1,000 new cases in the week leading to January 10. About 24 percent are testing positive, and there were six COVID-related deaths in that time period.

From our sponsor:

Today's Beaverton Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx  the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com.

Story continues

Today in Beaverton:

Online Dungeons and Dragons Teen Scene - Hillsboro's Shute Park Library hosts an online event for teens ages 13-18 to explore a classic game. (6:30 PM - 7:30 PM)

Tune in to hear what's happening with THPRD via the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors , broadcast on YouTube. (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)

Proposed 35-lot subdivision - Washington County hosts a chance to learn about development plans for a 4-acre site at 11455 NW McDaniel Road . (7:00 PM)

Wednesday Night Argentine Tango Practica in Tigard - Dust off those dancing shoes. All ages are welcome at 8900 SW Commercial Street for dancing with music from local DJs. $10 for non-members. (8:00 PM - 11:00 PM)

From my notebook:

Check out the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce's new brochure, "Experience Beaverton." The all-things-local business, community and visitor guide is available here.

Beaverton City Government wants to help you on your next trip downtown! Check out Your Beaverton to learn more about parking options. (Facebook)

Get out your fleece leggings and beanies! THPRD says they're starting up Fitness in the Park this week! Click over to their site for more info! (Instagram)

Loving the Beaverton Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe

Get your local business listed in front of readers

Send me a news tip or suggestion at ash.the.copyartist@gmail.com

That's it for today! I'm off to NOT go to the gym because it's closed for COVID. See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

 Ash DeMello

About me: Check out my profile at the Beaverton Downtown Association's blog or follow me on Instagram (you'll be one of eight!).

This article originally appeared on the Beaverton Patch
Follow all the action as Tottenham host Chelsea in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg this evening.

Antonio Contes side were resoundingly beaten at Stamford Bridge in the first leg, with a 2-0 loss leaving Spurs with a mountain to climb to reach next months final at Wembley. Kai Havertz opened the scoring within just five minutes before a Ben Davies own goal followed in the first half, with Tottenham somewhat lucky to not be punished further. The performance led an infuriated Conte to declare Spurs a middle team and stress how stretched the gap has become to their London rivals.

After a serious loss of momentum in December, which has left Chelsea an almighty ten points adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City, the Blues have slowly begun to rediscover their form as of late. The drama surrounding Romelu Lukakus controversial interview has subsided and Chelseas emphatic first-leg victory was followed by an effortless canter past Chesterfield in the FA Cup third round at the weekend. Thomas Tuchel is still having to manage several injuries, though, particularly at full-back where Reece James and Ben Chilwell are out for the foreseeable future. The winner of the tie will go on to face either Liverpool or Arsenal in the final. Follow all the latest updates below:

Tottenham vs Chelsea

Chelsea lead 3-0 on aggregate

18 mins: Rudiger heads Chelsea into lead from corner

Tottenham XI: Gollini; Tanganga, Sanchez, Davies; Royal, Winks, Hojbjerg, Doherty; Lucas, Lo Celso, Kane

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Sarr, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi; Mount, Werner, Lukaku

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:34 , Michael Jones

89 mins: Referee Andre Marriner doesnt think it is necessary to take the players off the pitch but the game hasnt restarted yet and theres been no word about the situation in the stands.

The referee is waiting at the side of the pitch getting information from one of the other officials and the players are jogging about trying to keep warm.

Story continues

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:31 , Michael Jones

86 mins: There is a fair bit of commotion in the stands behind Kepa Arrizabalagas goal and the game has paused whilst it gets dealt with. The Chelsea goalkeeper did his best to make the referee of the situation and several stewards have made their way over to that part of the ground.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:29 , Michael Jones

83 mins: Tottenham are stay searching for a goal. Theyve got plenty of attacking players on the pitch now but its stll not working out for them. Substitute Oliver Skipp slides a pass into the right side of the box where Emerson Royal is waiting onside. He collects the ball and looks for Kane in the middle of the box but his cross doesnt reach him as Malang Sarr blocks it and boots the ball clear.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:25 , Michael Jones

80 mins: Chelsea win a corner deep in Tottenhams half over on the left wing. Hakim Ziyech floats the ball into the box and a headed clearance sends the ball over to Jorginho. He boots it back at goal but scuffs his effort and fires it well wide of goal.

Its his last act of the game as Ruben Loftus-Cheek comes on for the last 10 minutes.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:21 , Michael Jones

77 mins: NGolo Kante is getting a run out ahead of Chelseas Premier League match against Manchester City at the weekend. He replaces Mateo Kovacic and will give the Blues even more control in the middle of the pitch.

Azpilicueta swings a cross in from the right wing but cant pick out Lukaku and Davies heads it clear for Spurs.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:19 , Michael Jones

74 mins: For a 10-15 minute period Chelsea seemed to switch off and allow Tottenham more possession and more freedom going forward. Then came Harry Kanes disallowed goal and they were given a reprieve that has woken them up. Thomas Tuchels introduction of another defender has given them back control of the ball and theyre working hard to keep it away from the Tottenham midfielders.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:14 , Michael Jones

71 mins: Since the disallowed goal there have been changes from both managers. Ryan Sessegnon and Bryan Gil are on for Spurs replacing Giovani Lo Celso and Matt Doherty.

For Chelsea Timo Werner and Mason Mount have been replaced with Hakim Ziyech and Marcos Alonso.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:13 , Michael Jones

68 mins: Tottenham had just taken the front foot in the game. Theyd forced a few saves out of Kepa and then created their best chance to score with Kane every so slightly offside. The Chelsea goalkeeper came so far off his line he was in front of the Tottenham captain when the ball was played.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:11 , Michael Jones

65 mins: NO GOAL! VAR is called on for the third time of the night and for the third time tonight Tottenham lose the decision. This time VAR checked whether Harry Kane was onside as the ball is played to him but he had just strayed off and the goal is disallowed.

GOAL! Tottenham 1 - 1 Chelsea (1-3 agg) - Kane, 63'

21:09 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Is this a lifeline for Tottenham?! Spurs win the ball high up the pitch and leave Chelsea scrambling to cover their lines. Kepa comes out to get the ball but its played past him into Kane on the right side of the box. Rudiger sprints back to the goalline but Kane guides it coolly past him and into the far bottom corner.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:05 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Emerson Royal comes forward on the right with the ball and wins a corner for Tottenham. Lo Celso swings the ball into the centre of the box but Kepa comes confidently out to claim the ball. It looks like he wants to catch it but doesnt quite get to the ball and instead decides to punch it away.

Save! Spurs recover the ball and attack down the left with Doherty. He fires a cross deep into the box and picks out fellow full-back Royal. Royal powers a header at goal but Kepa leaps to his left and palms the ball wide of goal!

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

21:02 , Michael Jones

59mins: No penalty! For the second time tonight Tottenham are denied a spot kick. It never looked right and was impressive work from Kepa Arrizabalaga. VAR didnt take long at all to call Andre Marriner over the pitchside monitor. He takes a look at the replays and overturns his decision.

Penalty to Tottenham!

21:00 , Michael Jones

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

57 mins: Theres a collison between Kepa Arrizabalaga and Lucas Moura in the box. Mouras gone down and Andre Marriner points to the spot again.

Kane slips the ball into the area for Moura whos first touch takes the ball away from him. Kepa comes flying off his line, wins the ball and then collides with Moura.

VAR is called into action again...

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:59 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Chelsea are cruising towards the Carabao Cup final. They look very comfortable out there. There is no zip or urgency to Tottenhams play when the get the ball and when Chelsea are in possession there doesnt seem to be any desire to win it back as quickly as possible.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:56 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Tangangas had a lot of work to do tonight to stop crosses fro reaching Lukaku. Malang Sarr whips one in from the wide left area and the Tottenham centre-back is up to the challenge again.

When Chelsea recover the ball it comes across to Mount on the right side. He carries the ball into the area and is clipped by Doherty. Mount stays on his feet but cant shift the ball into a shooting position and is forced out to the wing.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:53 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Kovacic plays a one-two with Jorginho to work the ball through midfield. He then passes it out to Hudson-Odoi in space on the left and the wingback slots a cross towards the back post. Lukaku is hovering around and Ben Davies takes no chances electing to knock the ball behind for a corner.

Rudiger is the target of the set piece for Chelsea and once again beats the Tottenham defenders in the air. He gets a purposeful connection on the ball this time but still doesnt head it cleanly and his effort sails over the crossbar.

Second half: Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:50 , Michael Jones

Kick off: No changes of personnel from either side as Tottenham kick off the second half. The give the ball away to Chelsea who work the ball up the left side and feed it into Lukaku. He spins into the box and takes the ball to the byline where Tanganga sticks close to him and forces the striker to run it out of play.

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20:47 , Michael Jones

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Whether you would like a weekly rundown direct from our chief football writer Miguel Delaney or you want weekly sport digest from our sport editor Ben Burrows you can sign up by clicking here and scrolling to the sport section.

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Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:44 , Michael Jones

Antonio Rudigers opener was his 10th goal for Chelsea in all competitions, with those goals being scored at just three different stadiums (Stamford Bridge 5, King Power 3, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 2).

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:39 , Michael Jones

Another dominant performance from Chelsea sees them with a commanding lead after three-quarters of this two legged semi-final tie.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Half-time: Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:35 , Michael Jones

45+3 mins: Antonio Rudigers opening goal has give Chelsea the lead at half-time in this Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. The Blues have an almost unassailable three goal cushion now and its going to take a miracle for Tottenham to progress from here.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:30 , Michael Jones

45 mins: The Tottenham corner comes to nothing as Chelsea defend it with relative ease. Three minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:29 , Michael Jones

42 mins: No penalty! The replays that VAR sees are pretty clear that Rudiger fouled Hojbjerg but the contact came outside of the penalty area and after taking a couple of minutes to look at every angle they decide to overturn the penalty and award Spurs a free kick.

Giovani Lo Celso takes it for Tottenham. He goes for goal and hits Rudiger in the wall who manages to head the ball over his on goal and out for a corner.

Penalty to Tottenham!

20:28 , Michael Jones

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

40 mins: This is a better shout from Spurs. Hojbjerg is played into space and tries to carry the ball into the Chelsea box. Rudiger has to slide in front of him to win the ball.

He seemingly does but also clips the Tottenham midfielder outside the box. Hojbjerg takes a couple of extra steps and then goes down in the box. It all happened so quickly that Andre Marriner points to the spot.

VAR is checking it though...

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:25 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Penalty shout! Chelsea give the ball away in the middle of the pitch and one pass up to Kane sees him drag the ball into the box. Rudiger comes across to tackle but holds his own ground and allows Kane to run into him. Kane loses control of the ball and falls over in the penalty area but the referee has a good look at the incident and waves for play to go on.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:20 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Almost! Werner carries the ball down the left side for Chelsea and faces no resistance as he stops and looks for a teammate in the box. He finds Lukaku and chips the ball over to the striker who whips a head to meet the cross in the air. He doesnt catch off of the ball though and his headed effort goes wide of the back post.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:18 , Michael Jones

33 mins: Chance! Much better from Tottenham! They use the width of their wingbacks and send the ball over to Doherty on the left wing. He slides the ball into the box for Kane who shoots on the turn but has his effort blocked. The ball comes rolling out to Hojbjerg who guides a curling effort towards the far top corner but his shot is deflected behind for a corner.

Close! The corner is whipped into the middle of the area and Sanchez wins the initial ball and flicks it over to the back post. Kane is free and lunges at the dropping ball - a touch will knock it over the line - but it just evades him and bounces safely out of play.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:15 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Chelsea have been fairly relentless in getting the ball into Tottenhams final third and Japhet Tanganga in particular is having a tough time keeping them out. He does okay to marshall the ball behind for a Chelsea corner and Harry Kane gets on the end of Mounts delivery to head the ball out of the area.

The Blues recover the ball quickly though and Spurs are put once again on the back foot.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:12 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Timo Werner draws another foul out of the Tottenham centre-backs and wins Chelsea a free kick over to the left of the penalty area. Mount sends the free kick into the box but doesnt get it over Lucas Moura who heads the ball out of the danger zone.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:09 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Save! Tottenham need to score next but Chelsea look the more likely. The work the ball out to the left wing where Callum Hudson-Odoi takes over possession. He sprints up the pitch, darts inside and then drills a low effort towards the far post. He gets his shot through the cluster of Spurs defenders but cant beat Gollini who dives across to his left and palms the ball wide of the post.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg)

20:07 , Michael Jones

21 mins: The equation hasnt really changed for Tottenham with that goal. They needed to score three goals to win the game anyway and now need three to take the match to extra time. A difficult task has just gotten a bit harder though, if Chelsea score again then itll be curtains.

Spurs whip a cross in from the left side as Emerson Royal comes flying into the box from the right. He challenger Sarr for the ball but the Chelsea defender does well to guide it behind. Tottenham win a corner though.

GOAL! Tottenham 0 - 1 Chelsea (0-3 agg) - Rudiger, 18'

20:03 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Killer blow for Spurs! Mason Mount takes the corner for Chelsea and whips a dangerous ball into the centre of the box. Gollini comes out to punch the ball away but is too tentatively with his effort. He cant get around Rudiger whos made a decent run to lose his marker and leaps to meet the ball in the air. He gets quite fortunate after missing his header as the ball hits him in the back, loops up and finishes in the back of the net.

Tottenham 0 - 0 Chelsea (0-2 agg)

20:02 , Michael Jones

17 mins: Chance! Chelsea are starting to turn up the heat on Tottenham. Werner makes a darting run into the right side of the box and receives the ball. He squares a pass and it skips through everyone before falling to Sarr arriving from the opposite wing. He runs onto the ball and shoots first time but his effort is blocked and goes out for a Chelsea corner.

Tottenham 0 - 0 Chelsea (0-2 agg)

19:59 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Lucas Moura receives the ball just inside of Chelseas half and goes on a decent run towards the box. He breaks down the inside left channel before cutting inside and rolling the ball onto his right foot. The Chelsea defenders drop off him and allow Moura space to shoot from range but he pulls the chance well wide of the far post.

Tottenham 0 - 0 Chelsea (0-2 agg)

19:58 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Save! Chelsea hit another long ball over the top and this time pick out Lukakus run into the box. Ben Davies doesnt get goalside of the striker and Lukaku holds him off with ease as he brings the ball under control. He fires off a shot with his left foot but Gollini is well positioned close to the near post and makes a sharp reactionary save to deny Chelsea an opening goal.

Tottenham 0 - 0 Chelsea (0-2 agg)

19:56 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Chance! A simple long ball comes up the middle of the pitch towards Lukaku. Davinson Sanchez beats the Chelsea striker in the air but his headed clearance only comes out as far as Timo Werner. He spots Pierluigi Gollini off his line and attempts to chip it over the Tottenham goalkeeper but sends his effort over the goal.

Tottenham 0 - 0 Chelsea (0-2 agg)

19:53 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Tottenham are showing a bit of confidence on the edge of Chelseas box. Giovani Lo Celso, Harry Winks and Lucas Moura work the ball quickly between each other before Lo Celse draws Andreas Christensen into a silly challenge and wins a free kick.

Harry Kane takes the set piece and drills his shot straight into the wall. The ball rebounds back to Kane who slots it out ot Doherty on the left wing. Lukaku is back to defend and closes down the wingback forcing him to run the ball out of play.

Tottenham 0 - 0 Chelsea (0-2 agg)

19:49 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Good work from Chelsea as the ball comes to Mateo Kovacic in the middle of the pitch. He spins away from a challenge and slots the ball up to Callum Hudson-Odoi who drives through the inside left channel. Malang Sarr provides an option on the overlap and Hudson-Odoi lays the ball off to him. He sends an early cross into the box by Japhet Tanganga covers it for Spurs and strongly clears the danger with a good header.

Tottenham 0 - 0 Chelsea (0-2 agg)

19:46 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Chelsea get this semi-final second leg underway. Cesar Azpilicueta flicks the ball down the right wing and attempts to find Romelu Lukaku. Hes beaten to the ball by Ben Davies who prods it up to Matt Doherty and sends Tottenham into Chelseas half.

Tottenham vs Chelsea

19:43 , Michael Jones

Theres a light show at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium before the teams make their way out onto the pitch. Cesar Azpilicueta and Harry Kane lead out their respective sides.

Theres a big cheer for the home side, the fans certainly seem to think Spurs can get a result tonight.

Tottenham vs Chelsea

19:38 , Michael Jones

Harry Kane leads Tottenham in the absence of Hugo Lloris tonight. Can he inspire Spurs to a famous victory and get them to the Carabao cup final?

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)

Tottenham vs Chelsea

19:35 , Michael Jones

Tottenham are looking to become just the second team to reach the League Cup final having lost the semi-final first leg by more than one goal, after Aston Villa in the 1993-94 campaign.

Tottenham vs Chelsea

19:33 , Michael Jones

In all competitions, Chelsea have progressed from each of their last 13 two-legged ties when winning the first leg, since going out to Liverpool in the 2006/07 Champions League semi-final.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Chelsea weigh up Thiago Silva and NGolo Kante gamble for Tottenham

19:28 , Michael Jones

Chelsea are weighing up the calculated gamble of pitching Thiago Silva and NGolo Kante into Wednesdays Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Tottenham.

Boss Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Silva and Kante have completed their Covid-19 isolation and the influential Blues duo both start on the bench this evening.

Chelsea weigh up Thiago Silva and NGolo Kante gamble for Tottenham

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Spurs vs London teams

19:24 , Michael Jones

Tottenham are appearing in their third League Cup semi-final in the last four seasons and 17th overall. However, they last won the competition in 2007/08 and have been knocked out of the League Cup by London clubs in five of the past eight seasons last doing so in 2018/19 when Chelsea beat them at the semi-final stage.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Blues looking to reach Carabao Cup final

19:21 , Michael Jones

Chelsea have successfully navigated five of their last seven League Cup semi-finals only failing to reach the final on two occasions. In 2012/13 when they lost out to Swansea and in 2017/18 when Arsenal were victorious against them.

If they knock out Tottenham tonight it will be a third final for the Blues in a year under manager Thomas Tuchel after Chelsea also reached the Champions League and FA Cup finals last season.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Conte on Chelsea

19:17 , Michael Jones

Antonio Conte says that Chelsea have improved as a team with the signings they made over the summer including bringing Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge.

The Spurs boss acknowledged that the Blues are a formidable team but insists his Tottenham side are also improving and has urged them to show it on the pitch tonight. He said:

We know very well that they are a really good and important team in this moment. They won the Champions League last season, they tried to improve their team and their squad with good investment this summer but at the same time we want to continue to improve and to show, first of all to us, that we are improving, that our work is going well. We know that its an important game and we want to try to play a good game and try to give everything.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Spurs yet to lose at home under Conte

19:13 , Michael Jones

There are some encouraging signs for Tottenham fans going into tonights second leg. Spurs have a pretty strong record at home in League Cup semi finals and they are yet to lose at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under manager Antonio Conte.

In eight games in north London since his arrival, Conte has picked up seven wins across four competitions (Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa Conference League).

Three of those matches have also come against rival London sides in Brentford, West Ham and Crystal Palace where Spurs won every game scoring seven goals and conceding just once.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli among Spurs players running out of chances to prove worth to Antonio Conte

19:06 , Michael Jones

It was a comment that was almost said in passing, but clearly had a point to it.

You have to be good to try to change opinion, Antonio Conte said, after his Spurs side laboured to a 3-1 win over Morecambe in the FA Cup . If someone is disappointed with you, its normal. I was a player and it happened sometimes to me that someone was unhappy with my performance. This is our life. I repeat: its OK.

The Tottenham Hotspur manager was addressing a question about how Tanguy Ndombele was booed as he trudged off following a second-half substitution, but it could have been a message to most of his starters against Morecambe.

Tottenhams fringe players running out of chances to prove worth to Antonio Conte

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Tuchel on tonights game

19:03 , Michael Jones

Despite their two goal advantage from the first leg Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel says the Blues are not getting ahead of themselves and have prepared well to face a difficult opponent tonight. He said:

I would actually say we have no foot in the final. Why would you think about whether we have one foot or half a foot, why would you use energy thinking about this? We play another tough match in a tough stadium against a very good team and a top coach. So we need to be prepared and its maybe better not to expect too much because nobody knows what is going to happen. We need to be fully aware of everything and we need to adapt to the situations that happen to us on the pitch. Anything can happen in football, we want to make it happen on our side. If problems or obstacles occur, its our duty to respond, to show reactions and this is what we do. Im very sure that everybody knows we play a very important match in a derby against Tottenham, a big stadium, a big club and a very competitive coach on the other side. So we need our best level.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: League Cup history

19:00 , Michael Jones

Tottenhams last trophy was won 14 years ago and it was in this very competition. Back then the League Cup was called the Carling Cup and Spurs were victorious in the 2007/08 final beating Chelsea 2-1.

On the other hand the last time Chelsea reached the League Cup final, back in 2014/15 when it was called the Capital One Cup, they faced Tottenham again and beat them 2-0 at Wembley.

Another trip to Wembley awaits the winner of this tie, can Spurs shock the Blues, overcome a two goal deficit and come out on top?

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Head-to-head

18:56 , Michael Jones

Since losing three consecutive matches in 2018/19 Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine fixtures against Tottenham across all competitions with seven wins and two draws.

Last time out Chelsea defeated Tottenham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge so take a commanding lead heading into this second leg. Can Tottenham overcome it?

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Team changes

18:53 , Michael Jones

Antonio Conte makes five changes to the Tottenham team that lined up against Morecambe at the weekend. Davinson Sanchez and Emerson Royal come into the defence with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane replacing Dele Alli, Bryan Gil and Tanguy Ndombele.

Thomas Tuchel also swap out a bunch of players. Antonio Rudiger comes in for Lewis Hall with Hakim Ziyech, Saul Niguez and Christian Pulisic replaced with Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho and Mason Mount.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Line-ups

18:46 , Michael Jones

Tottenham XI: Gollini, Royal, Tanganga, Sanchez, Davies, Doherty, Winks, Hojbjerg, Lucas Moura, Lo Celso, Kane

Our team to face Chelsea this evening!  pic.twitter.com/Nk58WEr584  Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 12, 2022

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Christensen, Sarr, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Lukaku, Werner

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Recent results

18:40 , Michael Jones

There has only been one fixture since these sides last met in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. Both teams were involved in FA Cup action as they played their first matches in the third round of the competition.

Tottenham faced a tricky encounter with League Ones Morecambe with took the lead in the first half through Anthony OConnor. It wasnt until Antonio Conte introduced his star players, including Harry Kane and Lucas Moura, late in the second half that the tied turned in Spurs favour. Harry Winks equalised in the 74th minute before Moura and Kane each added a goal to give Tottenham a comfortable 3-1 victory.

Chelsea hosted Chesterfield at Stamford Bridge and were several classes above the non-league club. They were 4-0 up at half-time with Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Romelu Lukaku and Andreas Christensen all getting on the scoresheet as Thomas Tuchel fielded and fairly strong line-up. Changes came at the break but Chelsea added to their tally through a Hakim Ziyech penalty before Chesterfield got on back 1 minutes from the end. Chelsea eventually winning 5-1.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Conte on Tottenhams will to fight'

18:34 , Michael Jones

Tottenham boss, Antonio Conte, says that his team deserved to lose the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final (2-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge) but believes that they can improve on the mistakes they made last week and have the will to fight for a positive result tonight.

In a pre-match press conference yesterday Conte said:

For sure its an important game, the second leg of a semi-final of a trophy  we are working well to try to prepare in the best possible way, In the first game, we lost 2-0 and I think we deserved to lose the game. We conceded two goals in a way that, for sure, we can improve and to try, about the mistakes, in the future to find a better solution. When you start and you lost the first game 2-0, its not easy, but at the same time we want to try to give everything on the pitch, to show personality, to show character, to show the will and the desire to fight. This is very important and it will be very important tomorrow.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Kepa expected to return for Chelsea

18:30 , Michael Jones

With Chelseas first choice goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, at the African Cup of Nations back up option Kepa Arrizabalaga has another chance to show Thomas Tuchel his skills and push for a permanent place in the starting XI.

Kepa sat out Chelseas FA Cup win over Chesterfield with Tuchel electing to go with Marcus Bettinelli in goal but the 27-year-old is expected to be back between the sticks tonight after Tuchel acknowledged his trust in Arrizabalaga. The Chelsea boss said:

Everyone had trust in Kepa once he needed to play and I felt the same from him. He does not need to show what he is capable of in these 90 minutes, we trust him and it is not easy in his position. "I am so happy to have him. There is genuine trust and Im happy he can show it because he is absolutely ready to show it."

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Early team news

18:25 , Michael Jones

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte confirmed that Cristian Romero, Steven Bergwijn, Eric Dier and Son Hueng-min will all miss tonights Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea.

All four were missing for Spurs FA Cup win over Morecambe on Sunday and confirmed that we didnt recover any players compared to the last game at his pre-match press conference.

For Chelsea, Thiago Silva and NGolo Kante who miss the first leg due to positive Covid tests are back in training as is Cesar Azpilicueta but all three remain doubts for a starting place.

Tottenham host Chelsea in Carabao Cup semi-final second leg

15:14 , Michael Jones

Welcome to The Independents live coverage as Tottenham take on Chelsea in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Spurs have been left with a mountain to climb after succumbing to a resounding 2-0 defeat in the first leg at Stamford Bridge. Antonio Conte was infuriated by his sides performance, stressing how much they need to improve in the aftermath, while the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Dele Alli and Steve Bergwijn appear to have little future at the club.

Chelsea will be in higher spirits, having slowly started to recapture their form. A torrid December all but ended the Blues hopes in the title race, while Romelu Lukakus interview saga compounded the loss of momentum, but victory against Spurs in the first leg was followed by an easy canter past Chesterfield and Thomas Tuchel will be hopeful his side can push on from here.
A trial has begun in Atlanta for Cardi B's 2019 lawsuit against a YouTuber.

The rapper alleges that Latasha Kebe made false claims about her in several videos.

The lawsuit claims that those false claims included that Cardi B contracted herpes and used drugs.

Cardi B arrived at an Atlanta federal courthouse on Monday to begin a trial against a YouTuber whom she has accused of defamation, Billboard reported.

The rapper alleged in a 2019 lawsuit filed in the Atlanta Division of the Northern District Court of Georgia that Latasha Kebe, who has 1 million subscribers on her channel unWinewithTashaK, went on a "malicious campaign" against her and became "obsessed" with the rapper. The lawsuit claims that Kebe made false statements about Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, in several videos, including that she had tested positive for herpes and abused drugs.

The lawsuit, which was reviewed by Insider, said that the YouTuber knew posting videos about Cardi B "would draw substantially more viewers to her content than she typically garners."

Kebe denied the accusations and alleged in a $3 million countersuit that Cardi B had sent fans to harass her, according to Billboard. That case was dismissed by a judge last year who said there was "no evidence" of such harassment, Billboard reported.

Claims in other videos posted by Kebe include that Cardi B's then-unborn child would have intellectual disabilities and that the rapper "prostituted for a living," according to the complaint.

Further claims made by Kebe that have been revealed over the past two years of litigation include that Cardi B "engaged in a debasing act with a beer bottle" and "committed infidelity," Billboard reported.

In November 2021, US District Judge William Ray ordered the Center for Women's Pelvic Health at UCLA to send him "any and all medical records" relating to tests for herpes and HPV, Rolling Stone reported. After receiving the results, judge Ray determined they were "not helpful" to Kebe's case.

Story continues

Just selection for the case was completed on Monday, Complete Music Update reported, and proceedings began on Tuesday.

Kebe's attorney Sadeer Sabbak urged jurors "not to make any judgment" without context, "because context is everything, especially in the media," according to Law360. "Everyone is familiar with humor, everyone is familiar with opinion, and everyone needs context to appreciate that."

In return, Cardi B's lawyer Sarah M. Matz said, "Saying people have highly stigmatic diseases is not a joke," and that Kebe "knows that statements like this, if false, are defamatory."

Despite the lawsuit, Kebe has continued uploading videos on her YouTube channel most days, although her last video to mention Cardi B was posted over six months ago.

YouTube's terms of service state the platform is not responsible for "the Content submitted by any user, or for the defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of any user."

Under its defamation complaint requirements, it states YouTube "will only consider legal complaints where we've been notified by the party in question or their authorized legal representative."

Representatives for Cardi B and Kebe did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
A man was seriously injured in a shooting in Northwest Baltimores Arlington neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, police said.

At about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the 3900 block of W. Belvedere Ave., close to the Bel Park Tower apartments and a variety of stores, for a reported shooting, according to a news release from the police department. They found a man suffering from an apparent life-threatening gunshot wound.

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He was taken to the hospital, where his condition was unknown Tuesday evening. Due to the extent of the victims injuries, Northwest District homicide detectives are investigating the shooting.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call detectives at 410-396-2100 or call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP to make an anonymous report.

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Monday night, three people were shot and killed in separate incidents across the city. At about 8 p.m., a 25-year-old was shot to death in East Baltimore. An hour later, a man was found shot lying in the middle of the street in Northwest Baltimore. And around 11:30 p.m., also in Northwest Baltimore, a 34-year-old was shot and killed.

[ Baltimore homicides interactive map ]
Photograph of students from Fort Albany Residential School reading in class overseen by a nun c 1945. From the Edmund Metatawabin collection at the University of Algoma. (Photo/WikiCommons)

An increasing number of Catholic organizations are joining the discussion about Indian boarding schools. But what role do they have to play in the pursuit of truth and healing, and who is their participation serving?

In November, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop James Wall of Gallup, New Mexico, chairman of its Native American Affairs subcommittee, sent a letter on behalf of the organization to all U.S. bishops, encouraging them to initiate truth and healing discussions with local Nations.

We encourage you to consider reaching out to local Tribal leaders, and begin, if you have not already done so, a dialogue about the schools that were historically in your areas, as well as any that continue in operation, the letter said. The second goal of such a dialogue is to discern where reconciliation is needed and what form it might take.

{source}<h5><a href="http://bit.ly/NNONewsButton" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #008080;">Want more Native News? Get the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">free daily newsletter</span> today.</span></a></h5>{/source}

The letter also encourages bishops across the country to comply with the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, launched in June by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. If the federal government asks for any records you may possess, we encourage cooperation, Coakley and Walls wrote. If there is a request from the government to enter Catholic property and investigate historic graves, we would encourage cooperation.

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City also recently launched a project aimed at understanding its own history with the Catholic Indian boarding schools in Oklahoma. Oklahoma hosted the greatest number of Indian boarding schools in the countryat least 83, according to data collected by the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, the group at the helm of the truth-and-healing work associated with those schools.

Story continues

The state ran 11 of the Indian boarding schools, though historians note that, even in government-run schools, there was Catholic influence. The last Catholic Indian boarding school in Oklahoma, Saint Patricks in Anadarko, closed in 1965.

What is the initiative?

The work of the initiative, called the Oklahoma Catholic Native Schools Project, is twofold. Part of it focuses on historical document research, and the other on collecting survivors experiences.

The projects coordinator is Michael Scaperlanda, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma Citys chancellor and a retired law professor at the University of Oklahoma. He told Native News Online that the initiative will likely take a year.

For the research, the Archdiocese has enlisted the volunteer work of professor Bryan Rindfleisch of Marquette University in Milwaukee, where records from the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions are kept.

Rindfleisch, who specializes in Native American history, says he expects the records to reveal violence that took place in Indian boarding schools.

The very nature of boarding schools is violence, whether that's cutting hair, asking you to give up your religion, and talking about restricting religion and adopting Catholicism, he said. You see that all in the record. So I'm just assuming violence is there.

Rindfleisch told Native News Online that there are hundreds of thousands of documents on just the Oklahoma boarding schools. He will be responsible for writing a report with his findings. Scaperlanda said that report will then be made public.

The second part of the project, collecting oral histories, has already begun.

In October, Catholic Deacon Roy Callison (Cherokee Nation) began hosting listening sessions along with his wife, a member of the Choctaw Nation, to hear from Oklahoma boarding school survivors and their descendants. Callison said the two were inspired after the news of the mass grave of unmarked children being discovered in Canada, and he thought he could help gather some information for his own population.

Eventually, Archbishop Coakley contacted the couple to help lead the Oklahoma Catholic Schools Native Project in continued listening sessions. Callison hosted the fifth one on Jan. 9, and says they wont stop until hes visited every region of the state.

There's no training required because basically what we do is we go into the parish, and I'll usually assist in Mass, and then we'll have a listening session after in one of the parish halls. I just explain to them that we're wanting to document this to find out anything that went on in Catholic Native American boarding schools, and they know I'm recording it, and they're free to just speak whatever's on their mind.

Callison said that, so far, hes mostly heard from descendants of survivors, and hes mostly heard about positive experiences.

In the coming months, Scaperlanda said, the Native Project also plans to document the oral histories of boarding school survivors and their descendants, collected by University of Oklahoma PhD candidates.

My assumption has been by having professionals under a professor at the University of Oklahoma, that they would receive whatever training was necessary by nature of their academic program, he said. And they will receive the best practices (and) training coming from indigenous communities.

Tribal response

While Native leaders support the message sent by Coakley and Wall in their letter to the bishops, they also urge extreme caution.

After the letter was sent out in November, the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) released a statement saying it has been calling for churches to share their records for years, and there cannot be any further delays.

Churches also need to understand that in this process of truth and justice a basic principle is not to cause any further harmthis includes being self-serving in seeking absolution, the statement said. This is a time for survivors, Tribal Nations, and Indigenous people to lead on this issue and center their own healing, so we urge extreme caution in churches reaching out to survivors, beginning healing initiatives, recording stories, or centering their perspectives and interests on this history. The churches are perpetrators in these genocidal crimes against humanity, so they should act as such in all their communications with the victims and survivors.

A good first step for the church to take

On the other hand, some believe the Catholic church has a responsibility to right its wrongs, though keeping in mind the best practices on how to do so.

Maka Black Elk (Oglala Lakota Nation)the executive director for truth and healing at the Red Cloud Indian School, a former boarding school in Pine Ridge, S.D.sits on the board of the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, where his main role is to serve as a liaison to the Catholic church.

The Catholic Church ran numerous amounts of these schools and have, by far, the greatest share of any denomination of Christianity, he told Native News Online. There is still a deep schism in the community between the Catholic Church and Native peoples that I personally believe needs healing.

Since Red Cloud began its workthe first project of its kindin September 2020, Black Elk said they have learned a lot about protocol.

We really see the importance of having those kinds of difficult conversations about: what does it look like for the Catholic Church to remain active in Indian Country? What should look different? How should the Catholic Church really address this history in a more active way, instead of a more passive way? he said. NABS was a great resource for this when it comes to eventual collection of stories, and engaging with survivors and alumni, we need to have mental health, spiritual health, and support available and ready.

Overall, the bishops November letter was an important step towards healing, Black Elk told Native News Online.

I think this is a powerful first step for the church to make this effort to say, you all need to know about the history, he said. If you have tribal communities in your diocese today who have this history in your diocese, you need to start finding out this basic information.

To explore Native American Boarding School Healing Coalitions resources on curriculum, reading, and research, visit their website.

About the Author: "Jenna Kunze is a reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Her bylines have appeared in The Arctic Sounder, High Country News, Indian Country Today, Smithsonian Magazine and Anchorage Daily News. In 2020, she was one of 16 U.S. journalists selected by the Pulitzer Center to report on the effects of climate change in the Alaskan Arctic region. Prior to that, she served as lead reporter at the Chilkat Valley News in Haines, Alaska. Kunze is based in New York."

Contact: jkunze@indiancountrymedia.com
Former President Donald Trump, his sister Maryanne Trump Barry and the estate of his late brother Robert Trump tried on Tuesday to convince a New York judge to dismiss a lawsuit by Mary Trump that accused her family of swindling her out of at least $10 million.

Attorneys for the Trump siblings argued Mary Trump's claims are time-barred by a six-year statute of limitations and prohibited by legal releases she signed in 2001 when the family settled the estate of Fred Trump Sr., the former president's father.

The Trumps also argued Mary Trump possessed "boxes and boxes of information" about the estate settlement that should have given rise to any claims at the time.

MORE: Video ABC News Exclusive: Mary Trump Interview with Stephanopoulos

"She writes in her book 'we knew at the time we were being lied to,'" said Gary Friedman, an attorney representing Maryanne Trump Barry said, referencing Mary Trump's book "Too Much and Never Enough." "So certainly that indicates that she had some duty at that time if she felt she was being lied to, look a little further and a little deeper and not wait 20 years."

PHOTO: Mary Trump appears on 'The View,' July 23, 2020. (ABC)

Even if she had a sense she was being lied to, the judge said that would not constitute awareness of alleged fraud.

"I'm a little hesitant about the idea of not even allowing them to pursue that," Judge Robert Reed said.

MORE: Trump asks federal judge to halt civil investigation into his business practices by NY attorney general

Mary Trump's lawsuit she did not know about the alleged fraud until the New York Times wrote about it in October 2018. Her attorney took issue with the notion that she knew at the time she was being fleeced.

PHOTO: (FILES) In this file photo taken on January 6, 2021, US President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

"She was being given financial statements, value statements and other documents that were tailor-made to conceal this fraud," her attorney, John Quinn, said during a virtual hearing Tuesday.

Mary Trump's lawsuit said former President Trump and his siblings "conspired with each other and those loyal to them to abuse their dominant position for their own benefit, breach the trust that had been placed in them, and defraud Mary out of what was rightfully hers," a sum that her lawsuit said could be more than $10 million.

Former President Trump countersued, accusing his niece of conspiring with The New York Times in "an insidious plot to obtain confidential and highly-sensitive records which they exploited for their own benefit."

Trump, his sister and estate of his late brother ask judge to dismiss lawsuit by Mary Trump originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Former President Donald Trump. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump told NPR he felt comfortable being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

But he also said he didn't see why COVID-19 survivors needed shots unless they're in at-risk groups.

People can get COVID-19 more than once, and experts still recommend a full vaccine course.

Former President Donald Trump, who is triple-vaccinated, said in a new interview that he didn't understand why people who had caught COVID-19 would ever get vaccinated unless they're old or immunocompromised.

During an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep published Wednesday, Trump responded to a question about the millions of Americans who hadn't been fully vaccinated by predicting the pandemic "is going to phase out."

"You know, there are many people that have had it, if you look at the numbers," Trump answered, referring to coronavirus infections.

"I don't know why they would be getting the vaccine for the most part, unless they were at a certain age group and they had certain problems, whether it's the high blood pressure, diabetes, and, you know, various things in particular."

While studies have indicated that past infection can offer long-term protection against the coronavirus, people can still get COVID-19 more than once, and researchers recommend a full vaccine course, including a booster, to lower the risk of reinfection.

Trump has in recent weeks heavily endorsed COVID-19 vaccinations, and he told NPR he felt "very comfortable" being vaccinated. Many of his supporters remain anti-vaccination, however, and in a live interview last month he told his supporters not to boo when he announced he had received a booster shot.

He also told NPR he didn't believe in vaccine mandates, saying they're "bad for the economy." Last year, President Joe Biden announced COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private companies and health workers, but they have been ensnared in a series of court cases that have since reached the Supreme Court.

Story continues

The NPR interview, which was meant to last 15 minutes, was cut short after Trump hung up the phone while being challenged over his false election-fraud claims.

The former president has previously discussed who he thinks should take the COVID-19 vaccine.

In an interview with the One America News Network, which aired Tuesday, Trump said he didn't think "young, healthy" people should take the vaccine.

"I don't think that certainly, these young kids should take it," he said, according to a clip of the interview published by Mediaite, adding, "Their immune systems are so strong."

As of Tuesday, just over 60% of the US population was considered fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisia's main opposition Ennahda party on Wednesday called for supporters to protest on Friday against President Kais Saied, defying a government decision to ban all gatherings.

The government said earlier it was re-imposing a night curfew, banning all gatherings for two weeks and discouraging people from travelling abroad to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 cases.

The Islamist party said it will protest against "the nascent dictatorship that perpetuates the monopoly of power and authority and seeks to strike the free judiciary".

(Reporting By Tarek Amara; Editing by Chris Reese)
Editor's note: Shortly after this story posted on Feb. 25, organizers said they had postponed the sinking because of bad weather. Stay tuned for more updates.

The weekend weather conditions have finally lined up calm enough to sink two long-anticipated artificial reefs.

Saturday and Sunday, two large vessels will be sunk as artificial reefs off the Martin-St. Lucie county line in honor of a late charter boat skipper who died from COVID-19 in September 2021.

The reefs will be named after Capt. Patrick Price, 42, who was well-known for his Stuart-based fishing business, DayMaker charters, and his Bahamian charity work.

From vessel to reef: Perfect tribute: Martin County artificial reef to get 3 new vessels honoring Patrick Price

How's it feel?: Florida shark study: UMass surveys anglers on emotions, effects of losing their catches

Missed by many: Celebration of life for popular captain, Patrick Price, attended by hundreds, all by boat

Capt. Patrick Price and son Zane of Jensen Beach fish aboard DayMaker charters out of Sailfish Marina in Stuart.

Organizers have been trying to deploy the vessels since mid-January, but windy sea conditions prevented it. Organizers tried to deploy on a weekend also because there is a tremendous amount of angler interest in seeing the vessels be sunk.

The vessels, formerly named the Last One and the Spirit of Palm Beach, will be sunk in about 100-180 feet of water, on a site permitted for artificial reefs. Now the two reefs bear the names DayMaker and Capt. Patrick Price.

Davy Jones' locker

The vessels were stored at Willis Custom Yachts in west Stuart, along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. The vessels are:

Last One: 98-foot-long, steel-hulled Benetti motoryacht

Spirit of Palm Beach: 65-foot-long, 21-foot-tall, steel tour boat

Each vessel has the name of the reef painted on its sides, and is in the water awaiting towing crews from McCulley Marine Services. McCulley tugboats will pull them 16 miles down the St. Lucie River to the St. Lucie Inlet, then about 12 miles northeast to the Fort Pierce Sportfishing Club Artificial Reef site, which is about halfway between the St. Lucie and Fort Pierce inlets.

Story continues

The Spirit of Palm Beach, a steel tour boat long out of commission, is set to be deployed as the DayMaker artificial reef when sea conditions allow.

Last One, now named Capt. Patrick Price Reef, will be deployed in 180 feet of water about two miles south of the Muliphen artificial reef. The Spirit of Palm Beach, now named DayMaker Reef, will be sunk in 100 feet of water about two miles south-southwest of the Amazone shipwreck.

The Last One, a 98-foot long steel cruiser donated to the MCAC Reef Fund by Victoria Parillo of Texas, is renamed the Capt. Patrick Price Reef on Jan. 9, 2022.

Both are at depths that can be helpful as potential habitat for snapper, grouper, triggerfish, porgy, cobia, king mackerel and numerous species of bait fish.

Price's business, begun in 2009, was dependent upon healthy habitat on the seafloor to enhance robust fisheries. His widow, Mandy, who is part of the committee to sink the reefs, suggested the depths since Patrick would have wanted it that way.

Last One, a steel-hulled 98-foot long Benetti yacht made in Italy, was donated to the MCAC Reef Fund by Victoria Parillo, of Rockwall, Texas, and is scheduled to become an artificial reef off Martin County in late 2021 or early 2022. The ships, last One and The Spirit of Palm Beach are stored at Willis Custom Yachts in Martin County.

A helping hand

The effort to prepare the reefs began weeks after Price died, said Dave Powell, vice president of the Martin County Artificial Reef Fund. The St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program was asked to assist because permits were not available to sink the vessels off Martin County.

The vessels were donated by American Custom Yachts and Victoria Parillo of Rockwall, Texas, in memory of her late husband, Joseph Parillo.

The cost of cleaning the vessels according to Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency standards and hauling them to their final resting places will total about $200,000.

Many people donated funding, materials and services in a show of support for Price:

Treasure Coast Concrete provided 30 tons of concrete

Ask Fuels helped remove 3,600 gallons of old diesel fuel

Angler D.J. Biggs of Palm Beach helped remove two 10,000-pound motors

CRB Geological and Environmental Services oversaw the cleaning of the vessels.

Stuart Scuba volunteers will help to verify the vessels land where planned.

The Spirit of Palm Beach, a steel-hulled 65-foot long, 21-foot tall, once a well-known tour boat, was donated to the MCAC Reef Fund to sink as an artificial reef off Martin County in late 2021 or early 2022. The Spirit of Palm Beach and the Last One are stored at Willis Custom Yachts in Martin County.

The Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have inspected and approved the sinkings.

Martin's Reef Fund has been involved in the successful deployments of nearly two dozen artificial reefs since its first: the Wickstrom Reef in 2003, Powell said. St. Lucie's Reef Program deployed three reefs in 2021 and is active in creating habitat for fish and corals to enhance fishing and diving activities.

The public is welcome to watch the deployments, but must remain at a safe distance from towing tugboats and the sinking site.

For more information go to mcacreefs.org and stlucieco.gov.

Ed Killer is TCPalm's outdoors writer. Sign up for his and other weekly newsletters at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage. Friend Ed on Facebook at Ed Killer, follow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller or email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Artificial reefs will become habitat for snapper, grouper, cobia
Stiffing a bartender on New Years Eve could cost two men whom police accused of lighting a Christmas tree on fire before dawn on New Year's Day that damaged the iconic Southernmost Point buoy in Key West, Florida.

The torching the holiday tree was recorded by surveillance cameras, police said. Burn marks measuring several feet high and wide defaced the 12-foot monument, which marks the southernmost tip of the continental U.S., 90 miles from Cuba, police said. Damage was more than $5,000, police said.

The vandalized Southernmost Point buoy. (City of Key West)

When video of the alleged crimes made the rounds, bartender Cameron Briody recognized one of the men, who he said had failed to tip him during a busy New Years Eve shift at Irish Kevins on the city's famous Duval Street.

I knew immediately that I had served him and that he had used a card, so his name would be on the slips, Briody told The Miami Herald.

Briody could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

Alyson Crean, a spokesperson for Key West police, confirmed Wednesday that Briody's information helped police identify two suspects.

Irish Kevins general manager, Daylin Starks, told The Herald that the bar has several cameras. Briodys frugal customer and his companion were connected to the bar through credit card receipts and timestamped videos, Starks said.

We could follow them the whole time, in and out of the bar, he said.

The information was shared with police, Irish Kevins said in a Facebook post, which gave Briody a huge shout out!

After a long night shift on one of the busiest nights of the year, when Cameron awoke to the news he immediately called work and alerted management that he was certain he had waited on these guys, the post said.

After combing through footage we were able to provide Key West PD with pictures of the men along with their names. We are extremely proud of Cameron, The Key West Police Department, and anyone else who took part in naming these suspects, it said. We are also glad that those responsible for vandalizing a city landmark so near and dear to so many will have to take responsibility for their actions.

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Police identified the suspects as David B. Perkins Jr., 21, of Leesburg, Florida, and Skylar Rae Jacobson, 21, of Henrietta, Texas. Both face charges of criminal mischief with damage over $1,000.

They had made arrangements to turn themselves in, police said in a statement.

Perkins and Jacobson were recorded on multiple cameras at about 3:30 a.m. Jan. 1 setting the Christmas tree ablaze, police said.

Some of the video, which quickly spread on social media, shows one man dragging the tree to the location, police said.

They hid when a car drove by, then took several pictures on their phones of each other in front of the tree and buoy, police said. Then, while one man checked the surroundings, the other lit the tree, and a fire raged. One man took one last photo of the blazing tree before the two ran out of camera range. Using several police resources, the men were quickly identified.

Perkins and Jacobson could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
For decades, Oregon detectives puzzled over the brutal slaying of two teenagers hitchhiking across the Pacific Northwest in 1978.

Cynthia Frayer, 17, and Kirk Wiseman, 19, of Southern California, were found dead after being shot in the head multiple times in a wooded area near Lake of the Woods, Klamath County sheriffs officials said at a Jan. 6 news conference. Frayer had been sexually assaulted.

I would love to say its just another case, but its not, detective Dan Towery said.

Forty-three years later, advanced DNA testing of Frayers clothing identified Ray Whitson Jr., who died in Texas in 1996 but previously lived in Oregon, as the suspected killer, authorities said.

Whitsons family cooperated with the investigation and confirmed that he often traveled with a .22-caliber pistol, which was the kind of gun used to kill Frayer and Wiseman, Towery said during the news conference.

Its still unclear how Whitson, a lumber yard worker at the time, encountered Frayer and Wiseman but Towery said he believes Whitson offered them a ride.

Thats always going to be an unknown, Towery said. At this point, we just will never know.

The unsolved case weighed on investigators over the years.

It was a very gruesome scene, Dan Tofell, former Klamath Falls police chief, told the Herald and News. Its not every day you find two young people killed in the way they were ... I still remember it vividly. I can still picture it.

Howard Wiseman, Kirk Wisemans father, congratulated detectives for answering at least some questions about the slayings, KPIC reported.

They went way above and beyond the call of duty in closing this case for us family members, he said, according to the news outlet.

Towery said he plans to return a letter written by Frayer about the couples journey and their hopes and dreams to her family now that the case has been suspended.

We have been able to bring closure for a family, District Attorney Eve Costello said at the news conference.. Because when somebody dies and you dont know really what happened. You just left this universe in a really awful way. It leaves you with a huge hollow feeling. This work has allowed that family to have some degree of peace.

Story continues

Remains of woman identified decades after she was unearthed in desert, CA officials say

Teen visiting sister was killed 43 years ago in California. Police just made an arrest

25 years later, DNA leads to charges in killing of California waitress, officials say
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The new U.S.-European Union Trade and Technology Council, a body formed to help patch up strained transatlantic trade relations and help the allied democracies better compete with China, will hold a second meeting in Europe later this year, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Wednesday.

In remarks to an online U.S.-European trade event, Tai did not provide precise timing for the meeting. It would follow an inaugural TTC conference last year in Pittsburgh, at which the two sides agreed to strengthen semiconductor supply chains, curb China's non-market practices and take a more unified approach to regulating big, global technology firms.

"Going forward, the Biden-Harris Administration will use the TTC to further U.S.-EU cooperation on technology and innovation, advance our shared democratic values, and protect fundamental labor rights," Tai said in prepared remarks.

(Reporting by David Lawder)
By Jan Wolfe

(Reuters) -The U.S. congressional committee investigating the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol asked House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday to voluntarily answer questions about Donald Trump's actions on the day of the riot.

In a letter https://january6th.house.gov/sites/democrats.january6th.house.gov/files/2022-1-12.BGT%20Letter%20to%20McCarthy.pdf to McCarthy released publicly, the House of Representatives Select Committee requested he sit for an interview in early February.

McCarthy later issued a written statement saying he would not cooperate with what he described as an "illegitimate" committee."As a representative and the leader of the minority party, it is with neither regret nor satisfaction that I have concluded to not participate with this select committees abuse of power that stains this institution today and will harm it going forward," McCarthy said in the statement.

The committee is trying to establish Trump's actions while thousands of his supporters attacked police, vandalized the Capitol and sent members of Congress and then-Vice President Mike Pence running for their lives.

The committee met virtually with Trump's former White House spokesperson, Kayleigh McEnany, on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the meeting.

"We also must learn about how the President's plans for Jan. 6 came together, and all the other ways he attempted to alter the results of the election," the Select Committee's chairman, Representative Bennie Thompson, said in the letter to McCarthy.

The committee is also investigating whether Trump suggested to McCarthy what he should say publicly and to investigators about their conversations on the day of the attack, according to the letter.

McCarthy and Trump met on Jan. 28, 2021, in Palm Beach, Florida.

The panel had previously asked another Trump ally in Congress, Representative Jim Jordan, to disclose conversations he had with Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. Jordan said on Sunday he would not cooperate with the committee's investigating, also calling it illegitimate.

Story continues

Two Republicans, Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, are members of the committee.

Thompson has said the panel is looking into whether it has the authority to issue subpoenas to congressional Republicans to force their cooperation.

The Select Committee has interviewed more than 340 witnesses and issued dozens of subpoenas as it investigates the storming of the Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters as lawmakers were certifying President Joe Biden's election victory.

The committee is aiming to release an interim report in the summer and a final report in the fall, a source familiar with the investigation said last month.

The committee's members have said they will consider passing along evidence of criminal conduct by Trump to the U.S. Justice Department. Such a move, known as a criminal referral, would be largely symbolic but would increase the political pressure on Attorney General Merrick Garland to charge the former president.

One police officer who battled rioters died the day after the attack and four who guarded the Capitol later committed suicide. Four rioters also died, including a woman who was shot by a police officer while trying to climb through a shattered window.

(Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Scott Malone and Sandra Maler)
An early Tuesday morning shooting left a 23-year-old college student dead in Towson, police said.

Baltimore County Police said officers were called to the unit block of West Susquehanna Ave. around 2 a.m. for a gunshot victim.

Advertisement

When officers arrived they found Ikemefuna J. Eguh dead outside. According to a release from Towson University, Eguh enrolled as a senior last semester as an exercise science major. He went by Justin to friends and grew up in East Orange, New Jersey.

Next of kin have been notified, and TU Student Affairs staff will be in touch with the family to provide support, according to a university news release. We ask that you join us in keeping his friends and family in your thoughts during this most difficult time.

Advertisement

Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland is offering a $2,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call county detectives at 410-307-2020.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the conclusion of military operations in Afghanistan and plans for future counterterrorism operations, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool, File

On Sunday, Sen. Mike Rounds acknowledged on "This Week" that the 2020 election was fair.

Former President Donald Trump issued a statement calling Rounds a "jerk" for his comments.

Rounds told CNN that Republicans should instill public trust in the American electoral system.

In a Tuesday interview with CNN correspondent Manu Raju, Sen. Mike Rounds implored fellow Republicans to reassure their constituents by instilling confidence in the country's democratic process, even as former President Donald Trump continues to push conspiracies about the legitimacy of the 2020 election.

"I think it's critical that we offer the American public our direct view that they can trust the election system in the United States today and that they can go to the polls knowing that their votes will be counted," Rounds said.

On Sunday, the South Dakota senator asserted for the first time on ABC's "This Week" that the 2020 presidential election "was fair, as fair as we've seen."

Trump responded by issuing a statement attacking Rounds, calling him a "jerk" and pledging to never endorse him again.

When Raju responded that many Republicans refrain from talking about the 2020 election to avoid a "tiff with Trump," Rounds reiterated that he was not trying to be confrontational by recognizing Joe Biden's win.

"What we are looking for is to be able to provide good information in a timely fashion, to be seen as being as responsible and being honest," Rounds told CNN's Raju. "I think that's what the American people deserve and I think that's what many of us want to do."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has tried to shift the GOP's focus toward future elections, defended Rounds' remarks on CNN: "I think Sen. Rounds told the truth about what happened in the 2020 election. And I agree with him."

Read the original article on Business Insider
United Airlines planes sit on the runway at Newark Liberty International Airport (Getty Images)

United Airlines is canceling more flights after thousands of the companys workers called out sick with the coronavirus.

According to a memo from the airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, about 3,000 UA employees have recently tested positive for Covid-19, including almost a third of the workers at Newark Liberty International Airport  an important entryway to New York City.

The Omicron surge has put a strain on our operation, resulting in customer disruptions during a busy holiday season, Mr Kirby wrote. As a result, he said, flights would have to be cut.

While we go to great lengths to avoid canceling flights, we worked to get ahead of the impact by acting early to cancel flights when necessary and notifying impacted customers in advance of them coming to the airport, the CEO said. Were also reducing our near-term schedules to make sure we have the staffing and resources to take care of customers.

Covid infections have been skyrocketing in the United States, where more than 760,000 cases are currently being reported per day. Studies have shown that the highly contagious new Omicron variant, which is driving the surge, causes fewer deaths and hospitalisations than previous strains  but workers still have to stay home if they test positive.

Hence the labour shortage at United, and at other airlines. Delta Air Lines has complained of significant disruptions due to Omicron, and JetBlue has said its coping with record-breaking sick calls.

The result has been a wave of cancellations. Since Christmas, more than 29,000 US flights have been canceled across the industry, according to The New York Times. Stormy winter weather has also led to trips being cut or delayed.

In addition to the disruptions for customers, Mr Kirby noted in his memo that Omicron has affected the personal well-being of our United team.

To those who are out sick or isolating, we wish you a speedy recovery, the CEO said.

The good news, he said, was that Uniteds vaccine mandate is working. Even as thousands of the airlines workers tested positive for Covid, the CEO said, none of them are currently hospitalised, and none have died of the virus in the last eight weeks.

In dealing with COVID, zero is the word that matters  zero deaths and zero hospitalisations for vaccinated employees, Mr Kirby wrote. And while I know that some people still disagree with our policy, United is proving that requiring the vaccine is the right thing to do because it saves lives.
In this article:

NEW YORK (AP)  US judge refuses to throw out Virginia Giuffre's sexual assault lawsuit against Britain's Prince Andrew.
(Reuters) - Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS Health Corp have cut paid sick leave for workers who test positive for COVID-19, aligning their policies to a change in U.S. health guidance, the companies said on Tuesday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its recommendations that people should isolate for five days after a COVID-19 infection, instead of 10.

A spokesperson for CVS said that the company is providing five days of paid leave for eligible full- and part-time workers, except where state or city paid leave laws provide for more.

The company also added that paid leave is available only to employees who are vaccinated, approved for a reasonable accommodation, or otherwise covered by local laws.

Walgreens said that it is providing COVID-19 paid leave benefits for five days to workers and after Feb. 23 will continue to provide the same benefit for five days to those who are fully vaccinated and test positive for COVID-19.

Both the companies offered up to two weeks of paid leave earlier.

The company added that unvaccinated workers, who have an approved medical or religious exemption, also will continue to be eligible for the paid leave benefit.

Last week, Walmart said workers in the United States will receive one week of paid leave instead of two, if in need of isolation or have tested positive for COVID-19.

Amazon said that the workers infected with the virus can receive up to 40 hours paid leave given the shorter period of isolation.

(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
George King, 55, of Westerville, and Amanda Youngblood, 35, of Huber Heights, near Dayton, were operating a Beechcraft Baron 58 plane that crashed around 7 p.m. Saturday.

A Westerville man was one of two Ohio pilots killed when a small aircraft crashed in a wooded area west of St. Louis on Saturday.

George King, 55, of Westerville, and Amanda Youngblood, 35, of Huber Heights, near Dayton, were operating a Beechcraft Baron 58 plane that crashed around 7 p.m. Saturday.

According to officials with the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, the plane had climbed to about 8,000 feet prior to the crash and began a rapid descent.

Air Safety Investigator Mike Folkerts said the speed at which the crash occurred is not typical of crashes. The plane did not have a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder on board.

During a media briefing on Monday, a NTSB official told reporters that there was no communication from King or Youngblood after the descent began. The plane struck the ground at high speed, but did not damage any structures in the area.

The plane was operated by Air Net II, LLC. According to the company's website, the company provides charter planes and specializes in transporting radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear medicine. The company's website said flight crews are based in Columbus and St. Louis.

The Dispatch reached out to AirNet II for comment, but the company had not replied as of mid-afternoon Wednesday.

On Saturday, the plane had taken off from Spirit of Saint Louis Airport, en route to Denver to pick up cargo.

Investigators told reporters on Monday that King had more than 6,000 hours of flying time and Youngblood had logged more than 1,000 hours. King had worked as a pilot for the Ohio State Highway Patrol for more than two decades before retiring in 2019.

Please help us congratulate Sergeant George F. King, Aviation Unit, on his retirement from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Major Joshua M. Swindell and Staff Lieutenant Justin W. Cromer presented him with his credentials. pic.twitter.com/NodzXMm78V  Ohio State Highway Patrol (@OSHP) May 31, 2019

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Westerville pilot one of two Ohioans killed in Missouri plane crash
London  More than 25 years after a brutal war tore Bosnia apart and left more than 100,000 people dead, the country is once again mired in a political crisis that some fear could push it back into armed conflict.

What happened in the 1990s?

When Bosnia and Herzogovina, which had been part of Yugoslavia, was declared an independent nation in 1992, it was made up of ethnic Serbs, Bosniaks, and Croats. Bosnian Serbs, who were outnumbered in the new nation, resisted Bosnian independence, however. They were supported by ethnic Serbs in other parts of the former Yugoslavia, including the neighboring nations of Serbia and Croatia.

Soon after Bosnia and Herzegovina was recognized as an independent nation, Bosnian Serbs began attacking towns and cities with large Bosniak populations. Within weeks, nearly two thirds of Bosnian territory was under Serb control. More than 1 million Bosniaks and Croats were forced from their homes and roughly 100,000 people killed in what became a proven case of genocide by the Bosnian Serb army.

The international community was seen as ineffective in stopping the violence. Even after the town of Srebrenica was declared a United Nations "safe zone" in 1995, more than 7,000 Bosniak men were killed there in a massacre when U.N. peacekeepers failed to protect the area.

After an eventual NATO bombing campaign, a U.S.-brokered peace deal divided the country into two self-governing, but united entities: A Serb-led entity called Republika Srpska with its own government now exists in the north and east, within the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What's happening now?

Late last year, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik sparked fears of a secession bid when he said Republika Srpska would pull out of three key Bosnia Herzegovina state institutions  the armed forces, the top judiciary body and the tax agency.

Dodik also said the Bosnian intelligence and security agencies would be banned from operating in Republika Srpska.

Story continues

Members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina diaspora organized protests around the world on January 10, 2022, like this one in Brussels, Belgium, calling for the 1995 peace agreement that ended the war in the country to be upheld. / Credit: Thierry Monasse/Getty

His rhetoric sparked demonstrations across Europe, and in New York and Washington D.C., with protesters demanding the international community intervene  this time before the tension turns to bloodshed. The U.S. government has called for an investigation into reports that banned nationalist ceremonies were held by Bosnian Serbs earlier this month, commemorating the date in 1992 that Bosnian Serbs declared their own state in Bosnia, which ignited the conflict, Al Jazeera reported.

The ceremonies, reportedly led by Dodik himself, were also said to be attended by Serbian, Russian and Chinese officials.

"The United States is deeply concerned over reports of hate speech, glorification of war criminals and provocative incidents targeting returnees in the Republika Srpska entity," a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said in a statement. "We urge competent authorities to investigate these incidents without delay and to hold the responsible individuals accountable."

A map of Bosnia and Herzegovina shows the two independently governed but united entities that make up the country under the terms of a U.S.-brokered 1995 peace deal. / Credit: Getty/iStockphoto

The European Union threatened to impose sanctions, "should the situation further deteriorate."

"The events we have witnessed in the last six months are too reminiscent of the pre-war period, and at least we survivors have the duty and the right to speak publicly and say clearly," protest organizers said on Facebook.

They stressed that they "do not want war and division."

"Bosnia and Herzegovina, she must not be put in the position she was with the establishment of parallel institutions and autonomous territories contrary to the constitution of the state, which was the introduction to aggression, persecution, mass war crimes and genocide for which many have been brought to justice We are asking to prevent the repetition of history from the nineties!" they said.

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Wichita County has administered more than 135,176 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as of Jan. 11, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

That's up 1.37% from the previous week's tally of 133,354 COVID-19 doses administered.

In Wichita County, 43% of people living in Wichita County are fully vaccinated as of Jan. 11. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers someone fully vaccinated two weeks after they've been given a single-dose shot (Johnson & Johnson) or a second shot (either Pfizer or Moderna).

More: COVID surge forces cancellation of MLK Day ceremony

Texas reported 5,143,345 total cases of coronavirus, an increase of 7% from the week before.

The five counties with the highest percentage of their population fully vaccinated in Texas as of Jan. 11 are Presidio County (84%), Webb County (83%), Maverick County (81%), Starr County (79%) and Hudspeth County (78%).

Here are the latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Wichita County as of Jan. 11:

How many people in Wichita County have received a COVID-19 vaccine?

49% of people in Wichita County have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 64,740 people

43% of people in Wichita County are fully vaccinated, for a total of 57,282 people

For a county-by-county look at the vaccination rollout, see our COVID-19 vaccine tracker, which is updated daily.

How many people in Texas have been vaccinated so far?

71% of people in Texas have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 19,658,488 people

60% of people in Texas are fully vaccinated, for a total of 16,685,870 people

COVID vaccinations for kids and boosters

The percentages in this story reflect the total share of the population that has received vaccines. That now includes people as young as 5 years old, for whom vaccines have been authorized.

These weekly stories will be updated as more data on vaccination rates in children, as well as booster vaccination rates, are released.

We pull data on local vaccine distribution on a weekly basis. Check back for our next weekly update mid-week for the latest numbers.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita County Texas vaccine rate: How many people are vaccinated?
A Wichita Falls man was arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution during an undercover operation.

According to allegations provided in an arrest warrant:

On Sept. 2, a special agent with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Divisions conducted a one-day operation to target people attempting to solicit prostitutes online. The stated purpose was to combat human trafficking.

Operation Dear John was conducted at a hotel in Wichita Falls. Police say Anthony Venegas responded to an ad and agreed to pay $100 for sexual intercourse. The special agent monitored text messages between Venegas and the undercover officer in which Venegas agreed to pay money for sexual favors.

Venegas arrived at a hotel and was arrested by officers for Solicitation of Prostitution. Because of COVID pandemic conditions at the jail, Venegas was released, and a warrant was issued for his arrest later. Police arrested him on Wednesday.

He is charged with Solicitation of Prostitution. His bond was set at $2,500 by a judge.

According to a previous Times Record News report, Venegas was arrested in 2018 during a traffic stop conducted by WF police. He was charged with possession of marijuana.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls man charged with solicitation of prostitution
UPPER DARBY, Pa.  A pilot crash-landed a medical helicopter Tuesday without loss of life in a residential area of suburban Philadelphia, somehow avoiding a web of power lines and buildings as the aircraft fluttered, hit the street and slid into bushes outside a church, authorities and witnesses said.

It was a miracle that none of the four people aboard, including an infant patient, suffered life-threatening injuries, Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy M. Bernhardt said.

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Rescue crews rushed to the wreckage by the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church in Upper Darby at about 1 p.m. and helped get the pilot, two crew members and the infant out of the aircraft, Bernhardt said at a news conference.

A medical helicopter rests next to the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church after it crashed in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday. Authorities and a witness say a pilot crash-landed a medical helicopter without casualties in a residential area of suburban Philadelphia, miraculously avoiding a web of power lines and buildings as the aircraft fluttered, hit the street and slid into bushes outside a church. (Matt Rourke/AP)

The infant was taken to a hospital as authorities worked to notify the childs family, Bernhardt said.

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The aircraft had taken off from out of state. Its believed to have encountered mechanical problems during the flight, said a Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency spokesperson, citing reports from county officials.

At the crash site, a stop sign on the corner was cleaved into two and had apparently been hit by the helicopter when it came down. The aircraft was on its side in two pieces, just outside the stone church.

Its a miracle, its an absolute miracle, here what you see behind me, Bernhardt said, adding that hes eager to shake the pilots hand for getting the helicopter down the way they did.

A witness, Joshua James, said he was driving nearby with his wife and young son when he saw the tail of the helicopter swaying back and forth as it slid to a stop. He put his car in reverse.

The medical helicopter rests next to the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church. (Matt Rourke/AP)

It makes no sense to me that it didnt hit any of the wires or anything  that it didnt hit us, James said.

Jerrell Saunders, 28, said he had been walking from his work in maintenance at an apartment building nearby when he saw the helicopter just floating, like real low, like extremely low, like it could land on the building that I work at.

He got in his car to go to the hardware store and the helicopter was going in the same direction. He said he saw it hit the ground in the middle of the road and slide across the ground until it crashed.

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

I guess the pilot tried to land in a safe area, because it took a bounce on the ground and fell and, like, slid, Saunders said.

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The helicopter turned on its side and, as smoke was coming out, he saw people jumping out of the helicopter.

A helmet sits on the ground near the scene of the crashed medical helicopter. (Matt Rourke/AP)

Im telling my grandkids about this one, he said.

A fire official said the helicopter had about an hours worth of fuel left at the time of the crash, and crews took steps to keep leaking fuel from contaminating groundwater.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft was a Eurocopter EC135 medical helicopter and that the agency was investigating, along with the National Transportation Safety Board.

A spokesman for Air Methods, the air medical emergency transport service that owns the helicopter, said it was part of the LifeNet program based in Hagerstown. Federal agencies were investigating.

Our team will cooperate fully with their efforts to assess the cause of this unfortunate accident, said Air Methods spokesman Doug Flanders.
While predicted snowfall totals are still up in the air, confidence is rapidly accumulating for a significant winter storm to sweep through the region this weekend.

As of Wednesday, Jan. 12, the National Weather Service in Greer, South Carolina forecasts the bulk of precipitation to fall Saturday night through Sunday afternoon for Henderson County and the surrounding area.

NWS Meteorologist Clay Chaney said the system could bring substantial amounts snow and even ice.

We could be looking at a wintry mess, Chaney said Wednesday morning. ...We are becoming more and more confident that (there will be) significant ice and snow accumulation.

More accurate predictions will come through around 72-84 hours before the system is expected to hit. NWS plans to release its first accumulation map on Thursday.

Snow covers trees lining the entrance to Mills River Park and Town Hall in this January 2021 file photo.

"A stronger storm system will arrive from the west over the weekend," according to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from NWS on Wednesday. "More significant snow accumulations will be possible late Saturday through Sunday night. Sleet and freezing rain may mix in at times in southern mountain locations. All interests should closely monitor this system since winter weather impacts could be substantial, but remain highly uncertain at present."

Chaney advised the community to begin preparations for a winter storm.

He also urged caution for those planning to commute Monday, Jan. 17, as re-freezing and black ice will be major concerns.

A winter storm watch will likely be issued late Thursday into early Friday, with a winter storm warning following later in the day, according to Chaney.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Henderson County, NC weather: 'Wintry mess' winter storm coming
A screengrab of FeedFeeds homepage on Jan. 12, 2022. The site is the subject of a discrimination lawsuit from two women of color who are former employees.

A Black woman and a woman of South Asian descent are suing one of the Internets most popular foodie websites, alleging the company paid them less than white employees and tolerated casual racism and other abuse in the workplace.



The Washington Post identified the women as Rachel Gurjar, who emigrated from Mumbai and Sahara Henry-Bohoskey in reporting on their lawsuit against FeedFeed, which features articles, recipes and social content around food and bills itself as a network connecting people who love to cook.



Both women came to FeedFeed with backgrounds in food and media, which would have made them a unique match for a media company about food. But they now say those qualifications were overlooked inside a company that was hostile and culturally insensitive.



From the Washington Post In their lawsuit and in interviews with The Post, Gurjar, 33, and Henry-Bohoskey, 30, a Black woman raised in Japan, paint a picture of Feedfeed as a place that tolerated casual racism and sexism. In their complaint, they allege they were tasked with menial labor and were used to promote Feedfeeds diversity while being treated as second-class employees. They also allege they were encouraged not to take lunch breaks and were regularly required to work evenings and weekends, often receiving no overtime.

FeedFeeds founders, Dan and Julie Resnick denied all the allegations, providing the post with 16 pages of answers to questions about the companys culture along with supporting documents they said theyll also use in court.



The lawsuit also names Jake Cohen, the sites editorial and test kitchen director, and described some of his alleged antics around the office:



Read more

Cohen, the plaintiffs allege in their suit, at one point discouraged Gurjar from having a child, implying work comes first. (Cohen denied he said this; he said he was talking about how he didnt want to have children.) When Cohen cooked meals for himself, the lawsuit alleges, he would leave dishes for Gurjar or others to clean as though they were his personal maids. He would allegedly mock Gurjars pronunciation or grammar, even though English is her second language. (Former employees said they witnessed these behaviors.) At the start of the pandemic, he allegedly said to several staffers, Oh my god, I am so scared I am going to get the coronavirus because I have so many crazy rich Asians living in my building who keep getting packages from Korea and China!

Sheesh. No word on when the case might move forward, but well keep you updated.
WOODBURY, MN  Woodbury is one of more than 200 local governments across Minnesota that have signed on to participate in a $26 billion nationwide settlement with an opioid manufacturer and distributors.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined the 11-figure settlement in July, with the state able to claim up to $296 million over 18 years as part of the agreements to end lawsuits against opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and the three major distributors in the U.S.  Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen.

No amount of money will ever be enough to make up for the damage and destruction caused by these companies, but these historic agreements are at least a measure of accountability, if not justice, Ellison said Dec. 8 in a letter to elected officials throughout Minnesota.

SoWashCo Cancels Bus Routes Amid Critical Driver Shortage

States had to sign onto the settlement agreements by mid-August, while local governments in participating states had until Jan. 2 to join.

Tribal nations are negotiating separate settlements with Johnson & Johnson and the three distributors, according to the Minnesota Attorney Generals Office.

The Woodbury City Council adopted a resolution to join the settlements at a 13-minute special meeting Dec. 16.

City Attorney Scott Riggs told council members that a final amount for Woodbury has not yet been determined and that it will take some time for funds to be paid out, according to minutes from the meeting.

2 Boys, 13, Arrested After Car Thefts, Pursuit On I-94: Police

The Washington County Board of Commissioners also voted in December to join the settlements. The board said it will use the countys settlement money to support social service agencies through the Opiate Epidemic Response Fund.

Payments could be received as soon as April, county officials said.

Under the terms of the settlement, the three distributors must pay up to $21 billion over 18 years, according to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. Johnson & Johnson will pay up to $5 billion over nine years, with up to 75 percent of that to be paid during the first three years of the agreement.

Story continues

Most of the money is earmarked for opioid treatment and prevention in states that joined the settlements.

COVID-19 Testing Reimbursements Available In Washington County

Participating cities and counties could split up to $222 million of Minnesotas settlement funds, with the state to spend the remaining money on opioid abatement, according to the Minnesota Attorney Generals Office.

Almost 5,500 Minnesotans died from opioid overdoses from 2000-2020, according to the Department of Health.

Opioid-related deaths in Minnesota reached an all-time high  678  in 2020, a 59 percent increase from the 427 deaths recorded in 2019, public health data shows.

This article originally appeared on the Woodbury Patch
ALTAVISTA  As part of the Central Virginia Health Districts ongoing efforts to reach rural and underserved areas with pandemic mitigation measures, including COVID-19 vaccines, a mobile vaccination clinic was set up Thursday at the Altavista Fire Company.

Thursdays clinic was one in an ongoing series of efforts to increase vaccination rates as the omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to spread through the region. The clinic was open to ages 5 and older who sought either first or second doses of a vaccine, or a booster shot.

By the end of the clinic Thursday, RN manager Kercia McCargo said the team of five health care workers had given 30 Moderna or Pfizer vaccines to individuals from all age ranges, including a few 5- to 11-year-olds. Many came for a booster shot, while others were getting their first dose, in some cases because an employer required the vaccination for their employees, McCargo said.

At a previous mobile clinic stop in Victoria, McCargo said 50 vaccines were given within two hours.

The mobile clinics next stop will be Saturday morning at GLH Johnson Elementary School in Danville, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Inclement weather from a winter storm in Virginia on Monday caused the Virginia Department of Health to close vaccination sites, resulting in canceled appointments for some.

VDH said in a news release that individuals who missed their scheduled shot are encouraged to reschedule the appointment as soon as possible, especially in the case of second doses.

Second doses of Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are normally given 21 to 28 days  three or four weeks  after the first dose, for maximum efficacy, according to the VDH news release. However, these vaccines can be extended up to 42 days apart, if necessary.

According to a news release and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is limited information on the effectiveness of receiving a second dose beyond 42 days. Individuals who receive a second dose longer than 42 days after the first still will be considered fully vaccinated, however.

To find the nearest clinic and make a vaccination appointment, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov, or call: (877) 829-4682.

Walk-in vaccinations also are available at locations such as Walmart and other major pharmacies.

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When former Gov. Ralph Northam began his term in 2018, an estimated 660,000 Virginians lacked high-speed internet access. That staggering figure was a metric the governor took personally.

Northam grew up on a farm just outside of Onancock on the Eastern Shore. His hometown was among the unserved places, and long before the COVID-19 pandemic became the driving issue behind broadband policy, he channeled his personal experience into a sense of urgency.

Last month, nearing the end of his term, Northam took the podium at a fire station in Goochland County with a sense of accomplishment. He announced $722 million in new grants that would support 35 broadband projects across 70 Virginia localities. Roughly 278,000 households, businesses and community institutions stood to gain high-speed service, and Virginia now is on pace to achieve universal broadband by 2024.

We always knew broadband was important for everybody, said Northam, whose team has steered more than $2 billion in public and private investments over the past four years. No matter who you are, no matter where you are in Virginia, it has become a necessity.

But the metrics that have shaped recent broadband efforts, led by the number of unconnected homes and businesses, have to evolve going forward. Virginia must measure the return on investment by collecting concrete data about who is receiving new internet services and where it is being placed.

Circle back to Northams initial case for pursuing universal broadband. The digital divide in Virginia was caused by a fundamental math problem, the governors team explained in its Commonwealth Connect report. For private providers, the cost of building 1 mile of service in Arlington and Accomack counties might be the same, but densely populated areas like Arlington offer more potential customers.

For areas with lower densities, the cost of the infrastructure outweighs the potential revenue that could be gained from customers, the report warned. In those areas, without government intervention, citizens will never be served.

Government intervention has taken four paths over the past four years.

First, Virginia ramped up state grants that support public-private partnerships between localities and providers. Annual investment in the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative jumped from $1 million in 2017 to $50 million in 2021.

Second, the General Assembly adopted laws that accelerate coverage and competition. Most notably, the utility-leverage program allows major electricity companies to partner with localities and providers to serve hard-to-reach areas.

Third, state leadership developed detailed guidance and resources for localities to develop broadband plans. Information sharing has ranged from sample requests for proposals to maps of available services and assets.

And finally, relationship building between public and private entities resulted in the Commonwealth Connect Coalition, a grouping of 100-plus businesses, nonprofits and other entities invested in high-speed access.

Why put time and energy into these initiatives? The Commonwealth Connect report stressed there was a significant return on investment for rural and small businesses.

One study cited that universal broadband could add $1.29 billion to Virginias gross state product while creating upward of 9,400 jobs. Small-business growth could add $20 million to $26 million in state income tax revenue. Agriculture, the commonwealths largest industry, could increase output by 18% through the adoption of connected technologies. And property values could jump an estimated 3% to 8% through the addition of reliable internet access.

But the report admitted these calculations still fail to capture the economic benefits of increased market access for rural businesses, telehealth patients, students and more.

It can be easy to say, Well, some of our county is connected,  Rep. Abigail Spanberger, 7th, added at the Dec. 13 event in Goochland. But thats not everybody.

Extending Spanbergers sentiment, it can be easy to say Well, our entire county is connected. But what about the people behind the data? Theres more work to do to ensure that better outcomes are reaching households and businesses with newfound connections.

Look no further than the tumult of last weeks snowstorm across Virginia. Local governments already are using digital tools to send civic alerts that help residents prepare for  and survive  during a crisis.

Last Sunday morning, Goochland County reached out to residents via social media: No matter the weather forecast, downloading the @DominionEnergy app to easily report and check the status of power outages right from your fingertips is a smart idea.

By Tuesday afternoon, with a vast majority of its residents facing a multiday power outage, Louisa County announced help via Twitter for residents  with a major caveat: There is a warming shelter available at the Holly Grove [Fire Department]. We cannot provide transportation.

Current broadband investments have to lead to better systems in the future  ones that can improve power-outage response times, provide shelter and transportation, and most of all, prevent motorists from being stranded for an incomprehensible 24 hours along a major interstate highway.

Great strides have been made in the past four years to close the digital divide. But a connection alone wont result in improved outcomes. With more than $2 billion on the line, we have to monitor the implementation and collect data that demonstrates a real return on investment for Virginians.

 The Richmond Times-Dispatch

 The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Japanese employers will offer job opportunities to 50,000 highly skilled Asian professionals in digital technology and other in-demand fields under a government initiative announced Monday.

Competition for talent is only heating up across the continent, particularly in the fast-growing members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Asia-Japan Investing for the Future Initiative is designed to help Japanese companies secure the workers they need to better compete in booming business areas.

Japan wants to "offer opportunities for ambitious youth," said Koichi Hagiuda, minister of economy, trade and industry, in an online event Monday while visiting Indonesia.

Under the new initiative, the government will work to expand the number of degrees offered jointly by universities in Japan and abroad. Japanese employers will be encouraged to hire graduates of these programs and other skilled professionals over the next five years.

The government will also create more opportunities for foreign alumni of Japanese universities to participate in internships and information sessions by potential Japanese employers.
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Winery Liberty School Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon There is little doubt about the fact that the most familiar red wine grape varietal in the world is the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, seen listed  Known for its dependability as a varietaly correct wine, Liberty School Reserve elevates the standard of Paso Robles  2018 Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon. Pricing Mix6. Add to Wishlist Remove from Wishlist. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 $16*retail. $24.99 : Liberty School ... To craft our Liberty School  91 pts Wine  Shipping calculated at checkout. Vibrant and distinctive, with snappy cranberry and cherry flavors that are laced with smoky anise and white pepper notes, picking   With a beautiful deep ruby hue and brackish edge, aromas of fresh vanilla, cedar and black currants fill the glass. Rating: 100 % of 100 (1) Review. 527184. Ships Only in CA. 91.  Back Label. Bright Fruit Aromas Of Fresh Blackberry, Black Cherry and Boysenberry Along With  Cheers! Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Currently Unavailable $14.99. High Res. Other Vintages. Wine Profile. Aromas first greet you with warm vanilla, fresh currants and lightly toasted oak notes. Rating: 100 % of 100 (1) Review. The reserve bottling from this widely available brand is  ... Stores and prices for '2018 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvig ... ' | tasting notes, market data, prices and stores in CA, USA. Liberty School Cab Reserve 2018. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 er en vinder pa alle fronter: Den er utrolig stabil argang efter argang, den er mellemfyldig  Argentina. Liberty School Cabernet Paso Robles 750ml Paso Robles, Central Coast, CA- An elegant, medium-bodied Cabernet with aromas of black cherry and plum followed by subtle flavors of strawberry and spice. Ale Battered Walleye, Buttered Peas, Frites, Lemon Ginger Vinegar, Remoulade Opaque ruby in the glass. Recoltant Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 . SKU: 1499. Aromas of warm  Reserve your stay at Malliouhana , Auberge Resorts Collection. Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet 2018. Liberty School Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. The Liberty School Reserve elevates the standard of Paso Robles  Accolades. Sold Out. Community Unit School District 300 School Improvement Plan, 2018-2019 page 1 of 13 School Name Liberty Elementary School 6500 Miller Rd. A robust, concentrated  Aromas first greet you with warm vanilla, fresh currants, and lightly toasted  Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 750ml $12.99 USD. Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet opens with aromas of black cherry, plum and violets, followed by subtle flavors of strawberry and allspice. Through dedication and commitment of crafting wines with integrity, we have become a brand that is synonymous with the Paso Robles region.. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon. Ownership: Hope Family Wines. The wine possesses a saturated garnet color that reflex the richness of the wine overall. Bright fruit aromas of fresh blackberry, black cherry and boysenberry along with hints of violets, leather and toasted oak fill the glass. This Cabernet is a staple for any wine lover. Paso Robles, USA. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Liberty School 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) Editors' Choice. Beginning in the 1980s, the Hope family sold cabernet sauvignon grapes to Caymus for its Liberty School label, and Austin  Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon. $20.99. 14 99. TASTING NOTES. The wine possesses a saturated garnet color that reflex the richness of the wine overall. The 2018 Liberty School Cabernet Reserve was aged for 15 months in oak, blended in Winter of 2020 and bottled in early Spring of 2020. All 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013. Average of 85.6 points in 111 community wine reviews on 2008 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, plus professional notes, label images, wine details, and recommendations on when to drink. You now have FREE access to nearly 300,000 wine, beer and spirit reviews. Liberty School. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. The  Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United States Theres no arguing the success of this wine. Sold Out $24.95. At first glance the deep garnet color fades into brickish red edge. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon. 28 Fish and Chips. Add to Wishlist. Sextant Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. This terrific Cabernet, so well-structured and tasty, is an excellent value. Liberty School Wines View all from Liberty School Wines. Decant 1 hour and pair with a rare steak. $14.99. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2018 750ML Sku: 26984 Bottle Price: $22.99 Qty: Enter quantity to buy Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 1-99 Paso Robles. The Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is another one of the lineups of fine wines at Hope Family Wines. This Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 was reviewed on May 15, 2019 by Natalie MacLean. Liberty School 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) Central Coast. Laroque Cabernet Franc Cite de  Good structure. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Liberty School honors the Hope familys roots with a dedication to making high quality wines. Add to cart. 9/10 $22.95 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Aromas first greet you with warm vanilla, fresh currants and lightly toasted oak notes. Liberty Lake Wine Cellars 2018 Scooteney Flats Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain, $36 Mark Lathrop went to business school, not winemaking school, but... Posted December 16, 2021 Aromas of cassis, black briar, smoke, toast, blackberry liqueur. Bottle Images. Red. Wine Specs Vintage 2018 Varietal Cabernet  At first glance the deep garnet color fades into brickish red edge. 527184. Firm yet supple tannins finish off this   Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 750 mL; Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 750 mL. Purchase 2016 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 750 ml., a red wine from Paso Robles in Central Coast in California in the United States, at WineDeals.com 91 pts Wine Enthusiast The reserve bottling from this widely available brand is quite serious and savory on the nose. Browse. 750ML / 14.5% ABV. $14.99. Our Liberty School Cabernet is a versatile wine with a deep crimson color. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 750 mL. 3.9. Add to cart The Hope family  Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 750 mL. 4.5 (3 Reviews) Ownership: Hope Family Wines. All Vintages. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 750ML To craft our Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, ... click for more details Sku: 14762 Reg. 12 Bottle Case Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet 2018 w/ Shipping Included. 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008  Oldest vintage available. The availability of this product is limited and subject to change. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California - This Cabernet is a staple for any wine lover. Red. Liberty is known for making value-driven wines that offer quality with every sip, and this vintage is a very strong testament to the winemakers consistent ability to reach this goal. 2018. 2017 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon California (view label images) CT88.8 . Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ships free when purchased by the 12 bottle case!  Fill a 12 bottle case with this item or any of our other 400+ eligible free shipping items and that case ships for free! + / - Hover over image to Zoom. Forgot your password? The Hope family, owners of Liberty School, helped transform the 'wild west' of Paso Robles into a wine lover's destination thanks to wines like this rich Cab with its black fruit flavours. A real crowd-pleaser with barbecued fare or a meat-lovers' pizza. Liberty School 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. Our Liberty School Cabernet is a versatile wine with a deep crimson color. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Beskrivelse Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. 2018 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, USA, California, Wine Review. This Cabernet is a staple for any wine lover. In 1996, when the Hopes established Treana Winery, the Liberty School brand officially became part of Hope Family Wines. Liberty School wines are made in a traditional style. Fruit driven, they are crafted to reflect true varietal character. The wines are barrel-aged, employing very little new oak. Go to shop SAQ. Standard delivery 1 week No minimum order. Delivery Available. At first glance, the deep garnet color fades into brickish red edge. (As of 02/19/2021) Josh  Standard delivery 1 week No minimum order. (As of 05/06/2019) Scott Peterson  Price per bottle. 4.1. The 2017 Liberty School Cabernet was aged for 16 months in oak, blended in winter of 2019 and bottled in early spring of 2019. Liberty School is the affordable label made by Austin Hope in Paso  TASTING NOTES: This storied wine has been a staple on dinner tables for more than 40 years. Liberty School - CellarTracker. Low Res. 2018 Liberty School Cabernet 750ml, Central Coast, Paso Robles Local, Free, & Flat Rate Shipping Available Most Ship Orders Within 24 hrs. On the nose, fresh vanilla bean, black currants and a dash of smoke welcome you before each sip. Liberty School Cab Reserve 2018 $25*retail. Quantity must be 1 or more Size Quantity. At first glance, the deep garnet color fades into brickish red edge. Labels. The 2014 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon Has A Beautiful Ruby-Black Color With A Ruby Red Rim. The nose has cassis, cedar and spice. Known for its dependability as a varietaly correct wine, our Liberty School Reserve elevates the standard of Paso Robles Cabernet. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $ 16.49. inc. 13% sales tax. SKU: 1499. Futures Policy. 4.1 49 Ratings. Buy 750ml 2013 Liberty School from San Luis Obispo, California, and browse Saratoga Wine Exchange's entire selection of Cabernet Sauvignon today. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2017 (United States) SCORE: 89 PRICE: $22.95. Vintage. October 5, 2018 Review of: Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2018 Liberty School Cabernet Reserve was aged for 15 months in oak, blended in Winter of 2020 and bottled in early Spring of 2020. Sold Out. Try the. Varietally on target, reliable year after year, Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Cuvee consistently over-deliver value wines of outstanding quality. $23.95. Alcohol % 14.5. nakedwines.com. Fruit driven, they are crafted to reflect true varietal character. Write a Review. Wine Specs. If you buy one of our wines and disagree with the Angel Price, well give you your money back. The wine possesses a saturated garnet color that reflex the richness of the wine overall. This used to be a go to wine but it had been about 15 years since tried. Still a very nice Cab for the money. Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon. The reserve bottling from this widely available brand is quite serious and ... Editors Choice See Full Review. Dry with a full yet velvety mouth feeling (LOVEE). Add to Wishlist. The Hope family has been making Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon since 1990. Tasting Notes. The 2019 Liberty School Cabernet was aged for 15 months in oak, blended in Winter of 2021and bottled in early Spring of 2021. dUZg, rOcw, Abmxsjs, gEBBb, Mytp, ScFRop, sghLqB, TgjFRDm, lggJFE, UMQ, cPBfQ, Quadrafinka Webb Net Worth, Borderlands 2 Vr Multiplayer 2020, Sikh Radio Stations Near Da Nang, East Hampton Star Yard Sales, Rice Vinegar Near France, He Really Flared Up My Temper Metaphor, ,Sitemap,Sitemap
MidAmerican Energy will host a meeting Thursday in Treynor about a possible wind energy project in parts of Pottawattamie and Mills Counties.

The company sent letters to area landowners, inviting them to an informational meeting about the project, which MidAmerican said is in the early development stages.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Treynor Community Center, 11 W. Main St., Treynor.

The wind project is in the early development stages, and MidAmerican is excited to partner with landowners to help bring this project to fruition, the letter stated.

A local landowner who received the letter passed it on the Nonpareil after expressing concern about the project.

All landowners in the project area are invited, whether or not they would be likely to host equipment on their property.

The meeting will cover development and construction of a wind generating project and general background information related to financial payments to those who sign a wind easement, according to the letter.

MidAmerican is a regulated Iowa utility based in Des Moines and has been installing and operating wind generation projects since 2004. The company owns and operates 37 wind projects consisting of more than 3,400 wind turbines located in 32 Iowa counties. The nearest wind farm to Council Bluffs is located in the Walnut area.

MidAmerican said it has a long history of successfully partnering with thousands of Iowa landowners on wind projects that benefit the local counties where they are located, the state of Iowa, the environment and our customers, the letter stated.

Anyone unable to attend the meeting who would like additional information or would like to provide MidAmerican with updated contact information is asked to contact Sara Houlihan, senior project developer, by phone at 515-242-4072, via email at sara.houlihan@midamerican.com or in a a letter to MidAmerican Energy, Attn: Sara Houlihan, P.O. Box 657, Des Moines, IA 50306.

For more information go to midamericanenergy.com.

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The Council Bluffs City Council has approved a temporary use permit allowing New Visions Homeless Services to operate a warming center from Friday through April 15.

During its Monday meeting, the council discussed the issue during a public hearing. The resolution an emergency overnight shelter component for the facility, which will be located at 1607 Ave. I. The center would be open and staffed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week and would offer hot meals, showers, clothing, hygiene items and the availability to work with a case manager to help offer solutions to their homeless crisis, according to New Visions.

Councilman Chad Hannan moved to deny the motion for both the overnight shelter as well as the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. shelter.

I appreciate (New Visions Interim CEO Brandy Wallars) drive to make a difference for an underserved population, however I feel like its our duty here on the council to represent the folks that put us here, Hannan said. We had three people reach out that all live within a block who said they do not want this in their neighborhood and I respect that, so that is why Im voting no on this.

Councilman Roger Sandau echoed what Hannan said.

In the letter of intent to the City Council from New Visions it stated, A warming center is a short-term emergency shelter that operates when temperatures or a combination of precipitation, wind chill and become dangerously inclement to human life. The purpose of the warming center is to prevent death and injury from exposure to the elements and also avoid destruction to community property as some individuals seek refuge in abandoned buildings and structures.

Councilman Joe Disalvo argued against striking the resolution in its entirety because he could see some use during regular business hours  9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I could see it being used in this manner, with the caveat that in the event there is an issue or we do get lots of reports from the police department or have issues and complaints, we have the ability then to rescind the temporary use permit, he said.

The motion to deny failed, with Councilmen Sandau and Hannan voting for the motion and Councilmen Disalvo, Steve Gorman and Chris Peterson voting against the motion.

Disalvo then made a motion to approve the resolution, reduced to daytime hours with the council retaining the right to rescind the temporary permit use should there be problems. The motion passed 3-2, with the voting the inverse of the initial vote.

Gorman, Peterson, Walsh sworn in

Mayor Matt Walsh and Councilmen Chris Peterson and Steve Gorman took an oath of office for their new terms.

Peterson and Gorman are newcomers to the council, replacing Melissa Head and Mike Wolf, who did not seek reelection. Walsh was sworn in for his third term as mayor.

Citizens request to be heard

During the citizen input period, Ann Schumacher, president of CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs, asked the council to support two projects, one for CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs and the other for Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Schumacher said the hospitals are full and they are seeing another surge in patients.

We just got data that looks like we will continue to see an increase in hospitalizations, peaking sometime at the end of this month, she said. The Midwest, and Council Bluffs, has yet to really see the impact of this omicron impact.

David Burd, CEO and president of Jennie Edmundon, presented a project to upgrade its telemetry patient monitoring system. This monitoring system allows the hospital staff to monitor different patient conditions including blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, etc. and then transmit that data to a central station so different patients can be monitored at one time.

The importance of that system has been emphasized by the COVID pandemic, virtually every COVID patient needs to be monitored through the telemetry system, Burd said.

Denise McNitt, vice president of patient care services at CHI Health Mercy presented the project to expand the hospitals cardiopulmonary rehab program.

Patients that have had the COVID and have had extreme circumstances of some of the cardiac and pulmonary issues, were discovering that they really need a lot of healthcare after they leave the hospital, she said.

Also during citizen comment, Al Ruby, president of the Kanesville Honor Guard, said their group would like to take the annual veterans parade and put the parade back in the veterans hands. He asked that his group run the parade instead of the American Legion. More discussion on the veterans parade will be held at the Jan. 24 council meeting.

Also at the meeting, the council:

Approved Resolution 22-09 approving the Urban Revitalization Plan for the 16th Ave. Urban Revitalization Area. It will be located on approximately 34 acres of undeveloped land located along 16th Avenue, west of S. 17th St. and east of the Union Pacific railyard.

Approved Resolution 22-10 authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Turn the Paige Investments, LLC concerning a residential development at the intersection of Franklin and Bennett Avenues.

Approved Ordinance 6479 on its first reading establishing that the 16th Avenue Urban Revitalization area will be located on approximately 34 acres of undeveloped land located along 16th Avenue, west of S. 17th St. and east of the Union Pacific railyard.

Approved Resolution 22-13 authorizing the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to implement body worn camera equipment and services for the City of Council Bluffs Police Department.

Approved Resolution 22-14 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Ehrhart Griffin and Associates for engineering services in connection with the East Manawa Sewer Rehab, Phase XI.

Approved Resolution 22-15 that will adopt the planned commercial development plan for Lot 1, Mall of the Bluffs, Replat 1. Location: 1751 Madison Ave.

Approved Resolution 22-16 approving revisions of Personnel Policy 208.

Tabled Resolution 22-17 revising the City Personnel Police No. 215 Residency Requirement.

The following were approved for liquor licenses Andrews Lounge, 1210 N 25th St.; D&S Xpress, 4040 S. Expressway; Driftwood Inn, 2701 Harry Langdon Boulevard; The Grass Wagon, 110 S. 29th St.; Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 2211 S. 32nd St.; Home Team Cookout, 3150 24th Ave.; The Hut, 1925 W. Broadway; Hy-Vee Market Grille, 2323 W. Broadway; I 80 Liquor, 2411 S. 24th St., #1; La Carreta Rosa, 620 S Main St.; Pizza King, 1101 N. Broadway; St. Patricks Catholic Church, 4 Valley View Drive; Tobacco Hut #18, 429 Veterans Memorial Highway; Wal-Mart #3150, 1800 N. 16th St.; and Whistles Pub & Grub, 807 S. 21st St.

The next City Council meeting will be Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at Council Bluffs City Hall, 209 Pearl St.

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For the last six days, Carol Gorsuch of Manchester has had to figure out how to get her two children to class at Manchester Valley High School. They would normally ride a bus, but a shortage of drivers has led to the Carroll County Public Schools canceling certain routes.

I dont have a ride for my children for school unless I provide it.  Is this going to be something that is going to continue throughout the school year? Gorsuch said. Its a bizarre situation.

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The shortage of bus drivers for schools primarily in the northern part of the county is due to COVID-related quarantines at F&S Transportation, one of the contractors that works with the school system, said Michael Hardesty, director of transportation for CCPS.

... The pandemic has not helped with the overall shortage of school bus drivers in Carroll County and across the country, Hardesty said. We are hopeful that the current situation affecting F&S will be improving later this week and into next week.

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A letter sent to families on Sunday said that school buses on routes for Manchester Valley High School, North Carroll Middle School, Shiloh Middle School, Manchester Elementary School and Ebb Valley Elementary School were impacted.

We apologize for this inconvenience and continue to work with our contractors to find other substitute drivers or rerouting solutions.  In the meantime we wanted to inform you this evening so that you may consider transporting your child to school, the letter said.

In addition to COVID-related staffing issues, Dianne Grote, president of the Carroll County School Bus Contractors Association, said some county school bus drivers have talked about potentially planning a sickout to protest for higher pay  something that has occurred in the Howard County public school system, when several bus drivers called out sick in November.

I was made aware that there are some school bus drivers that are organizing a possible strike; however, I have made it very clear to everyone, including that group, that I am not in favor of a sickout or strike, Grote said.

The association has been meeting with Carroll County school administrators since April to address school bus driver wages. A potential strike could jeopardize the associations partnership with the school system and have a negative impact on students, parents, employees and businesses, Grote said.

The Carroll County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, at the Board of Education offices, 125 N. Court St., Westminster. Meetings are streamed live on the school system website (www.carrollk12.org). Public comment is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. Speakers will be allowed three minutes to address the board.

Jon ONeal, chief of operations for the school system, said that funding for school bus drivers may be talked about during the meeting. As of Tuesday, bus driver funding was not listed on the agenda.

CCPS pays bus contractors for each of their bus routes through a transportation reimbursement formula, which is approved by the school board each year, he said.

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The way in which we reimburse the contractors is through a detailed formula that has different component parts and it adds up to total amount that we reimburse a bus contractor  we reimburse them on a bus- route-by-bus-route basis, ONeal said.

Several Carroll County school bus contractors and drivers have previously requested higher pay, while advocating for benefits. According to Grote, CCPS pays contractors $23.83 per hour per bus driver and each contractor pays its bus drivers on a varied scale.

Drivers are actually paid as high as $19.86 per hour and as low as $14.75 per hour, Grote said.

[$23.83 per hour] includes fixed costs that cover all the additional employers expenses on payroll, Grote said.

In November, the school board approved bonuses for bus drivers and attendants. The bonuses were to recognize the services drivers have provided throughout the pandemic, ONeal said.

Drivers were given $1,000 and attendants were given $500, ONeal said.

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Editors note: This story has been updated to include more detailed information from the president of the Carroll County School Bus Contractors Association on the per-hour pay for CCPS bus drivers.
Gov. Pete Ricketts said Tuesday his mid-biennium budget recommendations to the Legislature will include a $500 million appropriation to construct a canal system to ensure Nebraska's continued access to South Platte River water flowing into the state from Colorado.

"Upon approval, we'll engage stakeholders on project location and design," Ricketts wrote in his weekly newsletter.

The governor will address the Legislature on Thursday for his annual State of the State address.

"Given the state's strong financial position, budget resources are available to undertake this historic project without incurring a penny of debt," the governor said.

Ricketts first spoke of the proposal during a news conference Monday, but detailed his plans in the newsletter, including his decision to proceed immediately with an appropriation this year of the resources required to complete the project.

"Colorado's plans to siphon off water from the South Platte River (before it flows into Nebraska) would decrease agricultural water supplies and raise pumping costs for our residents," the governor said.

"It would jeopardize municipal water supplies for Lincoln, Omaha and other Platte River communities.

"The loss of water would threaten the cooling water supplies for Gerald Gentleman Station, Nebraska's largest electric-generation facility" and undercut the state's capacity to generate hydroelectric power while increasing costs and regulatory burdens, Ricketts said.

"Constructing the canal is the primary means for Nebraska to exercise our legal rights to water flows from the South Platte River," he said.

Ricketts had earlier said Nebraska will exercise its rights under the South Platte River Compact signed in 1923 to waters flowing from the Rocky Mountains through Colorado into the state, acting in the face of plans in Colorado to build projects "to ensure no 'excess' water leaves its state."

That action, undertaken in the form of nearly 300 projects, "threatens to choke off the flow of water into Nebraska," Ricketts said, with estimates of almost a 90% loss.

On Tuesday, a spokesman for Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was reviewing the matter.

Kevin Rein, Colorados state engineer and director of the states water resources division, told The Associated Press that officials will work with Nebraska to fully understand the proposal and ensure that Colorados interests are protected while respecting Nebraskas rights under the agreement.

Nebraska started work on a canal before World War I, but abandoned the project, part of which is still visible from Interstate 76 near Julesburg, Colorado.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon
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Police in Ecuador seized 656.7 kg of cocaine dissimulated in a container bound for Tunisia, Business News reports.

Fausto Buenano Castillo, Chief of the Latin American countrys police, told media that security forces found the cocaine hidden in a container supposed to carry banana, during an operation dubbed Vispera.

The drug shipment, estimated at $42 million, was dissimulated in black bags, in form of bricks.

Castillo neither provided further details on the owner of the container nor on the addressee in the North African country.

Tunisia has criminalized the use of drugs. Late November, the Tunis court of first instance sentenced four young men to 20 years in prison for forming a drug trafficking network in the capital.

The court also slapped around $35,000-fine on each.
The anti-terrorism department of the Tunisian ministry of Justice has launched a probe against three members of Islamist party Ennahdah, including the Speaker of the suspended parliament Rached Ghannouchi, all of them suspected for financing terrorism activities in Egypt, Tunisie Numerique reports.

The investigations against Ghannouchi and the two other former members of parliaments namely Saied Ferjani and Rafik Abdessalem follow the analysis of documents revealing the three politicians are in possession of a sizeable of amount of money, the online media notes citing local newspaper Al Chourouk.

Ghannouchi, a politician, is reportedly the richest man in the North African country with a total asset valued at TND2.7 billion (close to $1 billion).

Additional other documents allege that three politicians funded terror organizations in Egypt.

Tunisia authorities, the media say, have reached out to their Egyptian counterparts to assess copies of documents seized during the arrest of the former acting Muslim Brotherhood leader Mahmoud Ezzat, in 2020.

Egypt has outlawed the movement and has hauled hundreds of its top leaders into prison since incumbent President Abdefattah al-Sisi ascended to power in 2013 in a coup against Egypts first democratically elected leader Mohamed Morsi who is also a member of the organization.

Morsi himself died in prison during a court hearing in June 2019.

Tunisian authorities, the media also revealed, have turned to French authorities to provide documents justifying the source of funds and firms controlled by Ghannouchis relatives, on the French territory.

Ennahdah appears to be in the eye of the cyclone for several days. Noureddine Bhiri, another senior member of the party and former minister, has been held under house arrest in an identified location in connection with some alleged terrorism plotting.

Posted by North Africa Post North Africa Post's news desk is composed of journalists and editors, who are constantly working to provide new and accurate stories to NAP readers.
Nebraska Press Women are seeking nominations for the Marian Andersen Nebraska Women Journalists Hall of Fame, according to a press release.

NPW created the hall of fame in 2011 to recognize women journalists who have made a difference for their profession and their communities, said Bette Pore of Grand Island, NPW vice president and chair of the Marian Andersen Nebraska Women Journalists Hall of Fame.

The general public is welcome to submit nominations for the award, Pore said. Women nominated may be living or deceased, may come from any facet of the journalism profession, including broadcast, print or online, news, advertising or public relations.

Deadline for submission is Jan. 31.

Nominees must have a Nebraska background by birth or work experience, having spent a significant amount of their professional careers in the state. Nominations will be judged on contributions to the profession, achievements within the profession and service to her communities (local as well as Nebraska and/or regional/national).

Nominations must give compelling reasons why the woman should be selected and must be accompanied by two letters of support, each of which addresses at least one of these criteria.

Final selection will be made by the NPW Board of Directors. Inductees will be honored at the 2022 Nebraska Press Women spring convention. Convention details will be announced later.

For more information, visit nebraskapresswomen.org.
LINCOLN  The Nebraska Soybean Board is looking for soybean farmers interested in filling two of Nebraskas four director positions with the United Soybean Board for a three-year term, according to a press release.

This is a great opportunity to get involved with your soy checkoff and work toward the common goal of increasing return on investment for all U.S. soybean farmers, said Scott Ritzman, NSB executive director. With the vision to deliver sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day, USB farmer-leaders are setting a clear path for research, education and promotion investments for the future.

USB is made up of 78 volunteer farmer-leaders who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers.

Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of meal, oil and sustainability, focusing on programs and partnerships that drive demand and preference for U.S. soy.

According to the USB, investments are focused on education, promotion and research.

The USB uses education to foster demand for U.S. soy.

Through research, the board works with organizations to develop new products, which in turn grows demand for U.S. soy and fosters scientific advancement.

As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDAs Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

All checkoff paying soybean producers in Nebraska are eligible to apply.

To be considered for the national leadership position, interested farmers need to submit a U.S. Department of Agriculture background information form before the March 17 deadline.

To obtain this form, contact Scott Ritzman at the Nebraska Soybean Board office at 402-432-5720.

The Nebraska Soybean Board members will submit a first preferred choice nominee and second preferred choice alternate for the open positions to USDA for consideration.

The secretary of agriculture will make the final appointments.

The USDA has a policy that membership on USDA boards and committees is open to all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status.

The chosen individual appointed is eligible to serve a total of three consecutive terms.

For more information about the United Soybean Board, visitunitedsoybean.org
A Lincoln County District Court judge ruled Tuesday afternoon that Erwin Charles Simants will remain confined to the Lincoln Regional Center, the facility that he has been committed to since 1979.

Judge Michael Piccolo said the 76-year-old  who shot and killed six members of a Sutherland family in 1975  is still mentally ill and dangerous.

During a short annual competency review hearing, Piccolo also ruled that Simants is only allowed to leave facility grounds under supervision for medical appointments and outings with staff or family members and friends. He rejected a request from a non-family member for unsupervised visits with Simants.

The next competency review is scheduled for Dec. 2.

It was the 46th hearing for Simants since he was found not guilty by reason of insanity in his second trial for the crime. He was charged with killing Henry and Marie Kellie; their son, David; and three of their grandchildren  Daniel, Deanna and Florence  on Oct. 15, 1975.

Simants waived his right to appear at the hearings years ago.

He was found guilty of six counts of first-degree murder in the initial trial and spent two years on Nebraskas death row before the conviction was overturned on appeal.

Karla Downey and Sylvia Hansen, the daughters of Audrey Brown  Henry and Marie Kellies only surviving daughter  both attended Tuesdays hearing.

It was the sixth year that Downey  who was 18 months old at the time of the crime  has been in court for the Simants hearing.

Audrey Brown died April 30, 2018.

Back when Mom was still able (to attend), she didnt want us kids coming to the hearings because she didnt want him to know what we looked like, Downey said. We started to come to support her and Dad (Melvin Brown), and now we come to support Dad. We keep it going because we want the court to remember that there was a family behind the case that was dearly loved and is dearly missed.

While the competency hearings have had the same results over the years she has attended the hearings, Downey said she still doesnt relax until she hears that Simants will remain confined.

I think it would actually be cruel at this point to release him because he has been in some type of custody since 1975, Downey said. But its still in the back of our mind and we always hold our breath until (the court) says that he still is considered dangerous and mentally ill.

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About 15 people spent their lunch hour Tuesday enjoying sandwiches and salad while making a sales pitch of sorts from a conference room at NebraskaLand Bank.

They werent pushing a financial plan or product, however. Instead they were offering a chance to help youth through the Community Connections Mentoring program.

Those in the room made calls to people they knew, or to individuals who were suggested, to gauge interest in becoming a mentor to a child in kindergarten through seventh grade.

The Phone a Friend was a recruitment effort for the program.

We definitely need the mentors to come into the program, and there are a lot of kids on the waiting list (for a mentor), said Angela Hipp, the mentoring coordinator for Community Connections. There are also a lot of kids who arent even on the waiting list who need this, who could use this.

Weve talked about, How do we get the word out there and get people involved? As we discussed it, we thought we just needed a time where we sit down and make those calls, Hipp said. Its what were doing (Tuesday). Were just making connections, and its not to pressure anybody. Its just to get them to think about it.

January is National Mentoring Month, and North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher read a proclamation at the luncheon to highlight that. Melissa Mayo, the executive director of Mentor Nebraska, was also in attendance to touch on the benefits of a mentor-mentee relationship.

The benefits are endless, Mayo said. Its an opportunity for young people to get involved in their community, to explore new things with their mentor and to build a trusting relationship with an adult.

Conversely, mentors get the same thing out of it as well. Mentors get to be involved in a young persons life, see what makes them tick and what they love to do and whats happening from (the youths) point of view.

Hipp said the goal is to recruit roughly 50 new members to the Community Connections program over the next few months.

One of our thoughts this year was, Wouldnt it be great to have the reverse, where we have mentors waiting to get matched up with a kid? Hipp said. The last couple years, things have slowed down with people volunteering. I know there are other programs in town that are really in need of people as well. If this helps anybody get new volunteers, then it is a success.

We find that if you talk to somebody about (mentoring), they are more likely to get involved than if they see an ad or hear about it in passing.

The program is looking for individuals who are at least 18 and have the interest in making a positive difference in a childs life. Individuals should be able to make a one-year commitment to the program and to spend four to eight hours a month with their mentee.

Community Connection Mentoring was established more than 20 years ago and averages roughly 50 mentor-mentee matches annually.

(The adults) spend a year matched with their mentee, but most of our mentors go well beyond that, Hipp said. They can continue to be matched in our program until (the specific student) reaches eighth grade.

But most of the time that relationship continues well beyond that. They build that friendship and (the student) feels there is someone in the community who will continue to support them.

Hipp said there are a number of reasons students are suggested for the program, and most referrals come through school counselors

Sometimes parents come looking for this. They need that extra support, Hipp said. It might be a single mom who feels she needs a male role model for her son, or it might be a child that is experiencing some anxiety at school or having trouble making friends. Most of the time its just where we are trying to get support for them and to feel empowered.

More by Tim Johnson

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Well-wishers flooded the offices of the Howard County Historical Society in early December, waiting to give their best to Shawn Gladden, the outgoing executive director.

Fred Campbell, left, is the new executive director for the Howard County Historical Society. He took the reins on Jan. 1 from Shawn Gladden, right, who served in the role for almost nine years. (Dylan Slagle/Baltimore Sun Media Group)

This is the man, said Don Howell, retired battalion chief of Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, nodding at Gladden. Hes helped me a whole lot. The Howard County fire services are not a good curator of history.

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After almost nine years at the helm, Gladden stepped down on Dec. 31 and relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Fred Campbell took over this month as the historical societys new executive director.

The Howard County Historical Society was founded in 1958 and is the primary private repository of historical records and artifacts related to Howard Countys rich history, according to its website. The society extends membership to any individual or corporation who pays annual dues and is governed by a board of directors, elected by the membership to three-year terms. Board members hire the executive director to handle day-to-day operations.

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Though he is leaving the area, Gladden was quick to note that he would still be involved with the Howard County Historical Society. In fact, he is the curator for the upcoming Ellicott Family Legacy exhibit scheduled to open in February.

I was pumped to do history here in my own county, said Gladden, who was born and raised in Howard County. A benefit was a lot of people I grew up with are in county government. People I collaborate with are people I played Little League with.

From the start, Gladden was impressed with the historical societys state-of-the-art archives. His main course of action was caring for the societys Museum of Howard County History, at 8328 Court Ave., in Ellicott City.

It was always run by volunteers, and no one with a museum background, Gladden said. They knew the collection and cared for it, but it didnt feel like a museum.

He worked to redefine the museums collection policy and improved on the museums exhibits and presentations.

There was a loose collection policy that accepted anything that was dropped off, even if not county-related. It just had to be old, Gladden said.

The museums exhibits, too, had to reflect all of Howard County, not just Ellicott City, where the museum is located.

Shawn did a lot to increase membership. He did a lot of programing and he was great at doing displays and exhibits, said Martha Clark, a board member whose family has long been active in the society. He brought a lot of continuity.

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Ellicott City will be in the limelight this year as it celebrates its 250th anniversary. Aside from the exhibit overseen by Gladden, the society will host the opening of Ellicotts Quaker School Childrens Museum in April and its popular holiday house tour will take place in Ellicott City this year.

All of this will fall to Campbell, the historical societys new director, whom Gladden had been prepping to take the role since midsummer.

Ellicott City 2022 is a big thing, Campbell said. 2022 will be interesting to see how it goes with COVID still around.

The pandemic has had an impact on the societys volunteer base, as many were elderly and have not been able to return in person to help out, Gladden said, affecting research opportunities, office management and special events. More high school and college age volunteers have begun signing up to help, Gladden said, and he believes Campbell has a good foundation to build on.

Our [volunteer] numbers are going up, Campbell said. There are a dozen [volunteers] ... that are active.

Campbell also hopes to build on the societys programs, which include the popular Lunch Dates with History lecture series on the first Friday of every month and the holiday bus tours.

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A former college professor, Campbell said he hopes to lead more bus trips to focus on topics such as the National Road. He would also like to see more diverse groups featured in the museum.

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Our voices need to be broader, Campbell said.

Campbell will have a lot of projects to juggle, Gladden said, and he has the capability and temperament to do it.

Clark, too, is confident Campbell can handle the job.

We are happy to have Fred there, Clark said. He will continue to work on the Ellicott City 250 and working with a lot of people.

Fred Dorsey worked with Gladden numerous times via Preservation Howard County. Dorsey also wished Gladden well upon his departure in December.

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There are just a number of things he has done that really fired up the importance of the historical society to the entire county, Dorsey said, and he hopes that will continue under Campbells leadership.

I look forward to extending our relationship, he said.
Phase 3 of North Plattes Shot in the Arm housing incentive program is ready to take applications for a pilot program aimed at rehabilitating older homes.

Guidelines for the eight-home program were announced Tuesday by the Lincoln County Community Development Corp. and the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp., founders of the 7-year-old Shot in the Arm effort.

Its separate from but could be paired in some cases with state Sen. Mike Groenes microTIF incentives approved by the Legislature in 2020, chamber President and CEO Gary Person said.

Those interested in rehabbing or upgrading abandoned or vacant single-family homes can qualify for up to $25,000 per unit in Shot in the Arm 3 matching funds, according to a chamber press release.

A total of $200,000 in rehab incentives are available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who qualify, it added. All approved projects must be substantially completed by April 1, 2023.

LCCDC is managing the rehab pilot program for the chamber, which received a $500,000 Nebraska Rural Workforce Housing Fund grant last April for Shot in the Arms $1.2 million third phase. Chamber members, led by Great Plains Health, and a $250,000 Quality Growth Fund grant from the city of North Platte provided local matching funds.

Shot in the Arm Phase 3 also introduces a new $15,000-per-unit incentive for building owners in downtown North Plattes Canteen District to create or modernize upper-floor apartments.

The latest phase continues Shot in the Arm incentives for new single-family homebuilders of $12,000 for a single-family home, $24,000 for a duplex or town home and $6,000 per unit for apartments.

Person said Phase 3s rehab pilot program has a slightly broader reach than microTIF, which offers property tax refunds to repair, rehabilitate or replace older homes and business buildings.

Single-family homes eligible for the chamber-LCCDC incentives must be at least 40 years old, compared with microTIFs minimum age of 60 years.

They also can be located anywhere in the city, Person said. Buildings whose owners receive microTIF must be in areas designed substandard and blighted for purposes of tax increment financing.

But if theyre in TIF-eligible areas and are at least 60 years old, Person added, their owners should consider applying with the city for microTIF and the chamber for Shot in the Arm 3 rehab funds.

It would be great if they used both tools on houses that qualify, because then it really does become a rehab project that can work for a redeveloper, he said.

The North Platte City Council in August authorized microTIF for interested property owners in TIF-eligible areas.

Click here for details on microTIF and a map showing areas that already are TIF-eligible.

For an application and guidelines for Shot in the Arm 3s home rehab program, click on RWHF Rehab Guidelines and RWHF Rehab Application on the chambers Shot in the Arm page at nparea.com/shot-in-the-arm-housing-incentive.

For information, call LCCDC at 308-534-5095.

More by Todd von Kampen

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A South Dakota man is facing a felony drug charge after his mother unknowingly served his marijuana-laced brownies to a group of seniors at a local community center, according to officials.

The 46-year-old man is charged with possession of a controlled drug or substance, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine upon conviction.

A report from Bon Homme County Deputy Sheriff Joel Neuman says dispatchers received several calls about possible poisonings on Jan. 4. All the calls involved seniors who had earlier been at a Tabor Community Center card game.

An investigation into the incident led Neuman to believe the patients were all under the influence of THC, the compound in cannabis that produces the high sensation and that the THC came from a batch of brownies brought by a woman to the community center, the Yankton Press and Dakotan reported.

Two seniors who ate the brownies identified the woman who brought them. The woman told Sheriff Mark Maggs that her son had baked the brownies she brought to the card game, according to the report. The woman gave Maggs the remainder of the brownies at her home.

Officials said the son admitted bringing some THC butter back from a recent visit to Colorado and using it to make the brownies.

He was arrested and released on an unsecured bond of $3,000. An initial court appearance is scheduled Jan. 25.
Maj. Stephen Long described the Plains as the Great American Desert when his expedition studied our region in 1820. It is almost wholly unfit for cultivation, and of course, uninhabitable by a people depending upon agriculture for their subsistence, wrote his groups geographer. Fast forward 200 years, and Nebraska has developed into a global powerhouse of agricultural production. We rank No. 1 in the nation in agricultural cash receipts per capita.

How have Nebraskans transformed the Great American Desert into some of the most productive ag land in the world? Through our inventive and responsible use of water resources. While weve used these resources wisely, the actions of our neighbors in Colorado threaten to deplete them.

The water we depend on for agriculture, drinking water and other uses isnt confined within our states borders. The Ogallala Aquifer underlies eight states, and rivers like the Republican River and Platte River flow across state lines in and out of Nebraska. Over the years, weve negotiated agreements with surrounding states regarding our shared water resources.

One such agreement is the South Platte River Compact that Nebraska signed with Colorado nearly 100 years ago, in 1923. It regulates the use of the waters of the South Platte River, which originates in the Rockies and flows through Colorado into Nebraska.

Colorado is currently planning nearly 300 projects and over $10 billion of expenditures to ensure no excess water leaves its state. This threatens to choke off the flow of water into Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources  working with the Attorney Generals Office, natural resources districts and public power districts in our state  has been vigilantly watching developments in Colorado. NeDNR estimates that Colorados plans, when fully implemented, will cause a nearly 90% reduction in flows coming into Nebraska from Colorado.

This would dramatically impact Nebraskans. Colorados plans to siphon off water from the South Platte River would decrease agricultural water supplies and raise pumping costs for our residents. It would jeopardize municipal water supplies for Lincoln, Omaha and other Platte River communities. The loss of water would threaten the cooling water supplies for Gerald Gentlemen Station, Nebraskas largest electric generation facility. The decreased flow would also undercut our capacity to generate hydroelectric power in Nebraska. The reduction in water would almost surely increase costs and regulatory burdens for the state, our NRDs and water users.

The good news is that the South Platte River Compact entitles Nebraska to construct a canal to ensure access to our fair share of the South Platte Rivers water. The agreement specifically provides Nebraska authority over water and land in Colorado for the project.

On Monday, I announced Nebraskas intention to construct this canal  pending the Unicamerals approval  to protect our water users from reduced South Platte River flows. My mid-biennium budget recommendation for the Legislature will include $500 million for the canal project. Upon approval, well engage stakeholders on project location and design.

Constructing the canal is the primary means for Nebraska to exercise our legal rights to water flows from the South Platte River. If we fail to act now, Nebraska could see sharply reduced inflows from the South Platte River. As I already mentioned, this would have a devastating impact on our state. By taking initiative to build the canal, were protecting Nebraskas water rights for our kids, grandkids, and generations beyond. Given the states strong financial position, budget resources are available to undertake this historic project without incurring a penny of debt.

Nebraskas way of life depends on access to our states abundant water resources. Weve been great stewards of our water through the years. For example, weve maintained the Ogallala Aquifer, on average, within 1 foot of where it was in the 1950s. Weve done all of this while developing into a global leader in agricultural irrigation.

Inventions like the center pivot, the development of drought-resistant hybrid crops and the use of precision irrigation techniques have optimized our use of water resources. The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute estimates that crop water productivity for corn and soybeans in Nebraska increased 75% from 1990 to 2014. In other words, our farmers are continuously growing more crops with less water.

All of Nebraska stands to gain when we preserve, protect, manage and engage in good stewardship of our water supply  and all stand to lose if we fail to do so. Our ag producers are reliant on water supplies as they work to feed the world. Communities from Ogallala to Omaha depend on the Platte River for drinking water. We use water from the Platte River to generate power, and the river is crucial to the quality of our natural environment as well.

I urge the Legislature to act now and protect our water supplies from being irreversibly diminished. You can help by reaching out to your state senator to make your voice heard. Their contact information is available at www.NebraskaLegislature.gov.

If you have questions about the proposed canal, write me at pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-2244. Lets seize the moment to make sure future generations of Nebraskans can enjoy the water resources theyre entitled to.
Biden speaks on voting rights at the Atlanta University Center. Photo: Patrick Semansky/AP/Shutterstock

For months, voting-rights advocates have complained that Joe Biden was excessively focused on the bipartisan infrastructure bill and then the Build Back Better package at the expense of their urgent legislative priorities. It was an understandable conclusion, since news media endlessly discussed Bidens economic agenda  while voting rights appeared to simmer on a back burner in Washington despite emergency conditions created by the Republican stampede toward voter suppression at the state level. Now, with Senate Democrats forcing the issue by scheduling a definitive showdown with Republicans on voting rights in the few days leading up to Martin Luther King Day, Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris raced down to MLKs home town of Atlanta, Georgia. In the battleground state, whose own GOP legislature enacted a particularly egregious new election law earlier this year, he expressed his determination to sweep aside the Senate filibuster rules that have allowed the GOP to stonewall the legislation in question.

He also retroactively explained his prior silence, saying: Ive been having these quiet conversations with members of Congress for the last two months. Im tired of being quiet!

That this gesture may have come a little late to satisfy Bidens critics was made clear by the fact that a number of voting-rights activists located in Atlanta conspicuously boycotted the speech, as CNN reported:

Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, and representatives of several voting-rights groups urged Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris to remain in Washington on Tuesday if they dont have a clear plan to advance voting-rights legislation. Some of the groups that urged Biden to skip his Atlanta trip are the Asian American Advocacy Fund, GALEO Impact Fund Inc., and New Georgia Project Action Fund.

If this last group sounds familiar to non-Georgians, its probably because its an arm of the voting-rights group founded by 2018 and 2022 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who cited a scheduling conflict in skipping Bidens speech as well.

It would be unfair to call the presidents speech a bust, since he did take the occasion to fully abandon his long-standing reluctance to zap the filibuster if its necessary (as it now definitely is) to overcome Republican obstruction, saying: I support changing the Senate rules, whichever way they need to be changed to prevent a minority of senators from blocking actions on voting rights. And the disdain for the event common among voting-rights advocates did not prevent some important figures from attending, including Rainbow PUSH Coalition founder Reverend Jesse Jackson, National Action Network founder Reverend Al Sharpton, National Urban League president Marc Morial, and NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson.

But this reaction from Johnson suggests results rather than rhetoric are expected:

While President Biden delivered a stirring speech today, its time for this administration to match their words with actions, and for Congress to do their job, Johnson said. Voting rights should not simply be a priority  it must be THE priority.

And what that means was made clear by Cliff Albright:

If [Biden] is saying the next seven days is going to be historic and critical, hes got to fully lean in after he gives the speech, having the kinds of meetings, finding out from (West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe) Manchin what exactly its going to take, and being very direct and forceful  just as forceful as he has been on infrastructure and on some other issues, Albright said.

Here was Albrights zinger: Theres no sense in having 40 years of Senate experience only to tell us that you cant whip two votes, meaning Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, the stubborn Democratic opponents of filibuster reform.

So: Anything less than what Biden did in Atlanta might have drawn truly dangerous scorn from key elements of his partys activist base, whose enthusiasm (or lack thereof) for Biden and his party could prove crucial in this years midterms. But its not at all clear that he can meet the expectations he is now helping to raise for results on voting rights or other progressive priorities.

My advice to Biden and Democratic congressional leaders is that total candor is in order on what they can and cannot do right now, combined with a sober warning of what will happen to every progressive cause  perhaps for a long time  if Democrats lose their trifecta in November. And if Biden happens to have some secret leverage on Joe Manchin, now is the time to exercise it forcefully.
A teacher interacts with students virtually while sitting in an empty classroom during a period of Non-Traditional Instruction at Hazelwood Elementary School on January 11, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky. Jefferson County Public Schools, along with many other school districts in the U.S., have switched to NTI in response to severe staffing shortages caused by the prevalence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images

Chicagos kids head back to school on Wednesday, after Mayor Lori Lightfoot reached a deal with delegates of the Chicago Teachers Union. Teachers had previously voted to teach remotely, in the face of rising COVID cases among staff and students, crumbling school infrastructure, and an inadequate testing regime. Chicago Public Schools retaliated, and locked teachers out of class for four days. If the agreement is approved by the unions rank-and-file membership, it would increase testing and create a formula to trigger remote learning, such as if 30 percent of teachers are out sick for two consecutive days, or if 40 percent of the citys student body are quarantined. In either case, school will go remote for five days. That will help protect teachers and students alike from the virus. It will also likely inflame a debate that has grown further and further detached from reality over time.

A chorus of critics wants schools open for in-person learning no matter the cost to educators. For example, Dr. Leana Wen, previously the health commissioner of Baltimore, took to Twitter and urged teachers unions to stop unspecified delays. She added, We need all schools to be in-person, now. In a follow-up editorial published by the Washington Post, she claimed that left-wing activists are pushing for schools to remain closed and wrote that Chicago teachers, whod demanded more testing and a remote option, werent following the science.

One parent, Rebecca Bodenheimer, joined Wen in pointing the finger at teachers unions. She began to fear that even in-person school in fall 2021 was at risk because of the impossible demands of the teachers union (that schools remain fully remote until there were near-zero COVID cases in Oakland), she wrote in Politico, and apathy of the school board and district; even after teachers were prioritized for vaccination, there was no urgency to get kids back to the classroom. In practice, however, teachers are trying to weigh two pressing risks: the virus spreading and learning loss. Their actual demands frequently fall short of impossible. Recently, a group of Oakland teachers recently organized a sick-out to draw attention to their demands, which include two weeks of remote learning, HEPA filters in cafeterias, and the mass distribution to staff and students of N95 and KN95 masks, the Mercury News reports. They cited student absences as a motivator to reopen safely.

Pundit Nate Silver took matters to even more grandiose extremes. When Mother Joness editor-in-chief, Clara Jeffrey, asked Twitter whether unions were pushing closures not prompted by staff shortages due to their own infections, he replied, Suppose you think that school closures were a disastrous, invasion-of-Iraq magnitude (or perhaps greater) policy decision. Shouldnt that merit some further reflection? he asked.

Teachers and their unions did successfully call for remote education in the past, before vaccines were available. In blue states, at least, officials complied, given the obvious danger of COVID. Red states were less concerned, and less likely to close schools or even enforce mask mandates in them. While remote education undeniably contributed to learning loss in children, Silvers point is easily knocked aside  nobody died because officials closed schools. Wen, however, tries to map out a more complicated middle path. She condemns Republican governors for their opposition to masks in one breath and attacks teachers unions in the next, but she and critics like her ignores the inarguable fact that if a teacher is too sick to work, or a student is too sick to come to school, learning loss is inevitable. Remote learning is inferior to in-person school; its better than nothing at all.

In their haste to attack teachers and unions, critics fail to keep up with the times. Its not March 2020, and teachers know that. Most are now vaccinated. Theyre not asking for another remote semester. Where unions are calling for virtual learning at all, its as a temporary measure until the Omicron wave subsides. Their demands to date are focused on safety measures, as seen in Chicago and Oakland. Critics either ignore those demands in favor of mischaracterizations, or, like Wen, insist that Omicron is mild enough to justify the risk.

Its far easier to blame teachers and their unions than it is to ask difficult questions about the state of public education, which the pandemic turned into an emergency. In June 2020, the Government Accountability Office estimated that around one-third of the nations public schools have inadequate heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, Chalkbeat reported. Districts are understaffed, a problem that predates the pandemic. Despite some efforts to raise wages, an Edweek Research Center survey found last October that the most common strategy in the short term for tackling the shortage is to ask employees to take on additional responsibilities. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said theyve done that this year. Teachers are burning out, and staff shortages are often felt most keenly by low-income schools, according to one National Bureau of Economic Research working paper cited by The Guardian. Staffing shortages extend to other school workers, too: Rural schools often lack school nurses, a significant problem amidst a pandemic.

Union critics often say theyre speaking on behalf of these children, whose chances of social mobility rest, often, on their access to quality public education. The Childrens Defense Fund says that children are the poorest age group in the country, with around one in six living in poverty. The great American myth is a fragile, unsupported thing. The idea that this country is a place where anyone can get ahead mostly rests on the shoulders of educators. When they stumble, critics perceive weakness rather than the heaviness of the load.

Perhaps this is why teachers unions have always had their critics. Todays debaters are retrenching themselves along old battle lines. The U.S. boasts a long tradition of union-bashing, and teachers are tempting targets, because they are something of an American rarity: a unionized and mobilized profession. They also occupy a politically delicate, if powerful, position: Everyone cares about kids, or claims to. Poised as they are to influence the minds of the young, teachers are potential enemies of the right wing. To some liberals, the teacher is most of the time neither peer nor foe but something closer to the help. When a teacher asserts herself, she must be disciplined.

I kept hoping that someone in our all-Democratic political leadership would take a stand on behalf of Clevelands 37,000 public-school children or seem to care about what was happening, one self-described liberal, Angie Schmitt, complained in a piece for The Atlantic. Werent Democrats supposed to stick up for low-income kids? Schmitt went on to say that she suffers from symptoms of long COVID, without showing much regard for teachers who might worry about the same. She removed her child from traditional public school, and placed them in a charter school, where teachers are much less likely to be unionized. Bodenheimer removed her child from public school altogether, and sent them to private school instead.

In this way problems reinforce themselves, and no progress whatsoever is made. Teachers and students alike deserve a better conversation. Their interests arent opposed but aligned: The virus is still here, it is circulating in schools, and kids and school staff are getting sick in droves. Theres no replacement for in-person education, but if its temporarily inadvisable, why blame teachers and their unions for a reality they did not create and can not change? It would be far better indeed to discuss why schools arent safe in the first place; why they lack proper ventilation and the staff necessary to keep going. That would require a much more nuanced and grounded debate than the one were having now. Officials and pundits pit parents and teachers against each other, but both groups need more help than theyre getting, and both have reason for fury. They share an enemy the size of a country. America was failing its kids before COVID. Were reaping the consequences now.
Encouraging results in initial evaluations against airborne SARS-CoV-2

NEW ORLEANS, January 12, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Henley Ion, a New Orleans-based life sciences technology company developing next generation innovations in medical devices, reports positive testing results of their protective device designed to provide respiratory protection, without the use of conventional filtration which can make breathing difficult.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005373/en/

Henley Ion Virus Defender (Photo: Henley Ion)

In initial testing with Henleys first prototype at a high-containment laboratory located at the Tulane National Primate Research Center, the Henley Ion Virus Defender removed >99% of SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosols under rigorous Biosafety Level 3 testing conditions.

Leading the team at Henley is Dr. Julian Henley, co-founder of the company behind the patent-pending technology that uses micronized electrostatic precipitation (mEP) to remove infectious bioaerosols from the air. The respirator device uses mEP directly integrated into the mask to effectively remove infectious aerosol particles from both inhaled and exhaled air - as opposed to filtration, which can be difficult to breathe through and wear over long periods of time.

"As a physician, we are field soldiers at war with disease. My top priorities are to help sick patients recover and prevent healthy people from falling ill, especially if the enemy is an airborne contagious virus," said Henley. "The objective of our efforts at Henley Ion is to provide people with the means to protect themselves from airborne pathogens."

Dr. Henley has been issued 34 patents over the course of his surgical and biotechnology career, and he has partnered with global industrial leaders including Dow Corning in manufacturing advanced medical technologies, including the artificial voice box. Dr. Henley is a Harvard and UCSF-trained physician and board-certified specialty surgeon and served as a clinical faculty member at Yale School of Medicine for over 22 years.

Story continues

Independent Technology Evaluation

Chad J. Roy, PhD, director of infectious disease aerobiology at the primate research center, led the laboratory testing. "The preliminary evaluation of this products ability to protect against airborne viruses like SARS-CoV-2 is encouraging," said Roy. "Aerosol particle removal without the use of filtration represents a step change in respiratory protection technology."

Additional evaluations are ongoing at the Tulane facility under a cooperative research agreement between Henley Ion and the university.

A published paper with peer-reviewable performance data is forthcoming.

Henley Technology Integration and Licensing

The Henley team designed and engineered the mEP for easy integration into existing personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment. It has been designed to augment respirators, military and emergency response helmets, and other safety equipment, with the core technology serving as the primary or adjunctive mechanism of respiratory protection. Henley aims to initiate discussions with PPE and safety equipment manufacturers for opportunities to license the mEP technology.

"The number one mission at Henley Ion is to save lives", says Skipper Bond, CEO of Henley Ion. "We have taken industry-proven technology used every day and adapted it to the human being to protect the airway from airborne pathogens like SARS-CoV-2."

Another Innovation Born in New Orleans

According to Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc, the regional economic development organization, "Henley Ion is another example of breakthrough innovation born in the New Orleans region. Throughout history, New Orleans has met global challenges, and improved lives not only in New Orleans, but throughout the country and world. Henley potentially follows in that tradition of innovation and service."

Dr. Henley is bringing a portfolio of patents with the relocation of Henley Ion to New Orleans, the city chosen as the development hub for a national and international effort of talent. The company will develop a range of new technology and products over the coming years, including an HVAC system where initial evaluations are currently underway.

About Henley Ion

Henley Ion is an advanced development life sciences technology company located in New Orleans, Louisiana that is dedicated to improving the human condition through next-generation innovation in medical and other human factor devices. The team at Henley is working every day to transcend the normal into life-changing solutions to the betterment of all. For more information, please visit https://henleyion.com or follow on LinkedIn.

For media inquiries, please contact Mr. Jordan Friedman at jfriedman@bondmoroch.com or (504) 323-8130. Questions about Henley Ion, the mEP technology, or licensing matters can be directed to Mr. Skipper Bond, CEO of Henley Ion at (504) 323-8129 or skipperb@henleyion.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005373/en/

Contacts

Mr. Jordan Friedman

jfriedman@bondmoroch.com

(504) 323-8130

Mr. Skipper Bond, CEO

skipperb@henleyion.com

(504) 323-8129
Quantum Energy Inc (QEGY) Announces Share Retirement of 19,382,676 Common Shares

Quantum Energy Inc. (OTC: QEGY) (Quantum) announces the return and retirement of 19,382,676 common shares, which reduces the Companys outstanding common shares to 30,455,943 from 49,838,629 common shares. Quantum is an energy-focused company with a project emphasis on rare earth refining and property development in the United States and Canada. This includes the refining, processing and value-added manufacturing of rare earth elements and other raw materials to produce magnetic and associated energy-related products -www.qegy.energy.

Quantum Energy Inc. (OTC: QEGY) (Quantum) announces the return and retirement of 19,382,676 common shares, which reduces the Companys outstanding common shares to 30,455,943 from 49,838,629 common shares. Quantum is an energy-focused company with a project emphasis on rare earth refining and property development in the United States and Canada. This includes the refining, processing and value-added manufacturing of rare earth elements and other raw materials to produce magnetic and associated energy-related products -www.qegy.energy.

Company Reduces Outstanding Shares by 39% to 30,455,943 Common Shares



WASHINGTON and HENDERSON, Nev., Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantum Energy Inc. (OTC: QEGY) (Quantum) announces the return and retirement of 19,382,676 common shares, which reduces the Companys outstanding common shares to 30,455,943 from 49,838,629 common shares.

The Company completed settlement agreements with four former officers and directors, and one former affiliate shareholder of the Company, resulting in the retirement of 19,382,676 of the Companys common shares.

Harry Ewert, Chief Executive Officer, stated, These confidential settlement agreements and common share retirements represent the significant and substantial work of our securities attorneys and the executive management of the Company. Special recognition to our CFO Mr. William Westbrook for all of his hard work on this subject matter over the last 8 months.

The Company also announces the resignation of Jeffrey Mallmes from his position as Director from our Board of Directors effective January 3rd, 2022. A related 8-K filing will be completed today.

Additionally, the Company announces that it has filed an action in the United States District Court of the State of Nevada against defendants John Suprock and PSC Advisors, LLC, an entity controlled by John Suprock. The complaint alleges breach of implied covenant of good faith & fair dealing, unjust enrichment, and breach of contract. The Company is seeking the return of 3.4 million shares of its common stock, legal fees, and monetary damages. See: 2:21-cv-02184-JAD-BNW Quantum Energy Inc. v. PCS Advisors LLC et al.

Story continues

Will Westbrook, Quantum CFO, stated, the Company will continue to aggressively pursue the rights of the Company as well as to protect the value of our legitimate shareholders.

About Quantum Energy Inc.

Quantum is an energy-focused company with a project emphasis on rare earth refining and property development in the United States and Canada. This includes the refining, processing and value-added manufacturing of rare earth elements and other raw materials to produce magnetic and associated energy-related products - www.qegy.energy .

Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as may, will, expect, anticipate, aim, estimate, intend, plan, believe, is/are likely to, future or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operation, business strategy, financial results, and financial needs. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. You should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in Risk Factors appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. Those risks are not exhaustive. We operate in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.

Quantum Energy Inc. Company Contact:

Douglas C. Bean

Investor Relations

Washington, DC

202-750-3822

investorrelations@qegy.energy

www.qegy.energy

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://prdesk.globenewswire.com/ResourceLibrary/ResourceLibrary/GetDynamicThumbnailContentContent/?resourceId=08ace3a9-9fa8-4046-b775-d46a4c8249f8&maxHeight=280&maxWidth=280






The indoor mask requirement appears headed toward reinstatement at all Auburn City Schools starting Jan. 18, the superintendent said at Tuesdays board of education meeting.

According to district guidelines, masks are required if it reports confirmed positive COVID cases among 0.5% or more of students, faculty and staff for two weeks in a row.

In the first week back from Christmas break, ACS reported 154 confirmed positive COVID cases, and 92 students received notice of possible exposure at school.

ACS said this is the highest reported number of positive cases this academic school year.

At present, it appears that the data will necessitate the reinstatement of a mask requirement indoors at school, Superintendent Cristen Herring said at the meeting.

Herring said the school data will be provided to the Alabama Department of Public Health and a report will be made public on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 16. The next day, Monday, is the MLK Holiday, with students taking the day off and returning on Jan. 18.

The Auburn Board of Education made the announcement at the meeting Tuesday night and several parents came forward to voice strong opinions about it.

Several parents said cloth masks do not prevent the spread of COVID and that its pointless to enforce masks unless students and teachers are all wearing N95 masks.

You want to follow the science at the beginning, follow the science now, said parent Andrea Tobin. Masks dont work. Parents need choice.

The parents that spoke at the meeting also said they want to be the ones to choose whether or not to make their children wear a mask.

My main thing is that, I said it before, that I just want to have a choice, said Natalie Smart, who has two children attending district schools. Im a parent. I want to choose what to do with my child.

Another parent, Steffani Brian, accused the school board of enforcing policies that abuse children and faculty psychologically and accused the board of manipulating information.

You are, simply put, monsters that have put an agenda and that of the state above the humanity of those you claim to serve, Brian said. May God have mercy on your souls. May He have mercy on mine for the absolute, visceral, consuming, disgusting animosity I feel toward every one of you.

One parent, Jason Pratt, expressed his approval for the boards decision after the meeting.

Im a principal scientist with a global company here in Auburn. I have two kids, he said. This is the same crowd of anti-maskers that have shown up ever since August.

Pratt said hes glad the board is following the science and the CDC and that they have been clear about the standards.

Auburn City Schools asks students and teachers to continue to practice preventative measures and ask parents and guardians to remain the first line of defense by screening for symptoms daily.

If a student or teacher has symptoms of illness, ACS said they should stay at home and will be excused from school.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Former "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken announced Monday he's running for Congress again in North Carolina, this time seeking to succeed the retiring U.S. Rep. David Price.

In a video announcing his bid in the 6th District, Aiken said he's joining the already crowded field for the Democratic primary, which has been delayed from March to mid-May due to litigation.

Aiken, 43, has had a career in music, theater and reality shows  in addition to political and social activism  since finishing second to Ruben Studdard on the TV singing contest in 2003.

"Hey, folks. It's been awhile. Now, I know I look a little different these days, but we've met before," he says in the video.

Aiken won the Democratic nomination for a largely rural central congressional district in 2014, edging former state Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco. But he lost in the general election to then-Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers, receiving 41% of the vote.

While that district was comfortably Republican, the proposed 6th District that Aiken is running in is overwhelmingly Democratic. It includes all of Orange and Durham counties  home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, and very affluent western Wake County.

The high-tech Research Triangle Park is within the 6th District and where Price has been serving almost continuously since 1987.

Aiken, who grew up in North Carolina and now lives in the Raleigh area, said he'd work to promote inclusion, provide free, high-quality health care and fight climate change.

"As a loud and proud Democrat, I intend to use my voice to deliver real results for North Carolina families, just like David Price has done for decades," Aiken said in a news release.

The 6th District primary winner would almost assuredly win the general election. The state's congressional map is being challenged in court as an illegal gerrymander, however, meaning the lines could be altered and candidates may reconsider the district in which they could run. But any Triangle-area district should favor a Democrat.

Announced 6th District Democratic primary candidates include state Sens. Valerie Foushee of Orange County and Wiley Nickel of Wake County; Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam; and virologist Richard Watkins.

Aiken, who would be the first openly LGBTQ person elected to Congress from the South if he won in November, said he would provide a counterweight in state politics to hardline Republicans such as Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn. Many Democrats have called on Robinson to resign for comments he's made about sex education in schools that critics say disparaged LGBTQ people.

"As Democrats, we have got to get better about speaking up and using our voices, because those folks ain't quieting down anytime soon," Aiken says in the video.

Aiken said it was Price who helped him get interested in politics as a child. He told The News & Observer of Raleigh that when his eighth grade middle-school class studied the 1992 election, Aiken asked his teacher if he could invite a politician to speak, and contacted Price, who agreed.

Aiken's celebrity status is not quite as strong as it was eight years ago, and he still has not served in elected office before, Meredith College political science professor David McLennan said in an interview Monday. But Aiken proved to be a credible candidate in 2014 and could benefit in the primary from efforts to link himself to Price, he said.

The top two vote-getters would advance to a runoff if the leading candidate does not receive more than 30% of the vote.
BRUSSELS  The United States and NATO rejected key Russian security demands for easing tensions over Ukraine but left open Wednesday the possibility of future talks with Moscow on arms control, missile deployments and ways to prevent military incidents between Russia and the West.

The decisions came at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, the first of its kind in over two years. That Russias delegation did not walk out of the talks and remained open to the prospect of future discussions after having its main positions rebuffed were seen as positive notes in a week of high-level meetings aimed at staving off a feared Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin wants NATO to withdraw its troops and military equipment from countries that border Russia, which include Ukraine but also NATO allies like Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Putin also asked for the 30-nation military alliance to agree not to admit any more members.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right, welcomes Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, center, and Russia's Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin prior to the NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (Olivier Hoslet /AP)

Speaking after the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman reaffirmed that some of Putins security demands are simply non-starters.

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We will not slam the door shut on NATOs open-door policy, she told reporters after almost four hours of talks. We are not going to agree that NATO cannot expand any further.

The meeting was called as an estimated 100,000 combat-ready Russian troops, tanks and heavy military equipment are massed near Ukraines eastern border. The buildup has caused deep concerns in Kyiv and the West that Moscow is preparing for an invasion.

Russia denies that it has fresh plans to attack its neighbor and in turn accuses the West of threatening its security by positioning military personnel and equipment in Central and Eastern Europe.

While noting that escalation does not create optimum conditions for diplomacy, to say the least, Sherman also expressed optimism following the Brussels meeting given that Moscow did not dismiss the idea of further talks.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who chaired the meeting, said NATO nations and Russian envoys both expressed the need to resume dialogue and to explore a schedule of future meetings.

Stoltenberg said NATO is keen to discuss ways to prevent dangerous military incidents or accidents involving Russia and the Western allies, reducing space and cyber threats, as well as setting limits on missile deployments and other arms control initiatives.

But Stoltenberg said any talks about Ukraine wouldnt be easy. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine and backed a separatist insurgency in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland in 2014. In the years since, the fighting has killed more than 14,000 people.

There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on this issue of Ukraines potential NATO membership, Stoltenberg told reporters after what he said was a very serious and direct exchange with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

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Stoltenberg underlined that Ukraine has the right to decide its future security arrangements and that NATO would continue to leave its door open to new members.

No one else has anything to say, and of course, Russia does not have a veto, he said.

Grushko, who described Wednesdays talks as serious, deep and substantive, countered by saying that the freedom to choose ways of ensuring ones security mustnt be implemented in a way that infringes on legitimate security interests of others.

He did not rule out more discussions with the Western allies but scoffed at NATOs assurances that it doesnt threaten Russia and warned that the alliances attempts to ensure its security by deterring Russia were doomed to fail.

If NATO opts for the policy of deterrence, we will respond with a policy of counter-deterrence, Grushko said. If it turns to intimidation, we will respond with counter-intimidation. If it looks for vulnerabilities in Russias defense system, we will look for NATOs vulnerabilities. Its not our choice, but we dont have other options if we dont overturn this current very dangerous course of events.

Daily Top Stories Daily Get the day's top news, sports, opinion, features and local events. >

The NATO-Russia Council was set up two decades ago, but full meetings paused when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula nearly eight years ago. It has met only sporadically since.

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Moscows draft agreement with NATO countries and the offer of a treaty between Russia and the United States would require NATO to halt all membership plans, not just with Ukraine, and scale down its presence in countries close to Russias borders.

Endorsing such an agreement would mean NATO abandoning a key tenet of its founding treaty, which holds the alliance can invite in any willing European country that can contribute to security in the North Atlantic area and fulfill the obligations of membership.

The Russian draft also proposed mutual limits on war games and confidence-building measures to prevent accidents involving warships and aircraft. Grushko said Russia would be willing to continue discussions on those issues and arms control steps, such as the non-deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Europe.

In the United States on Wednesday, Senate Democrats released their White House-backed proposal for legislation that would ratchet up sanctions on Russia if it sends troops into Ukraine. The measures would target Putin, his top civilian and military leaders, and leading Russian financial institutions.

___

Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington, and Jari Tanner in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
Save this holiday

Alabamians have celebrated Robert E. Lee Holiday in January for over 120 years, the oldest Alabama holiday named for a famous historical figure.

Shamefully, last Legislative Session, Republican Senators Randy Price, Will Barfoot, Tom Whatley and other Republicans joined with the left-wing Democrats to sponsor Senate Bill 300, which would have abolished General Lee's Holiday in January, his birth month.

Thankfully, Senator Clyde Chambliss did not co-sponsor SB 300.

This anti-Confederate Bill was defeated and should never be introduced again.

These RINOs are opposed to President Trump, who stated:

"They want to get rid of our great heroes and heroines. They want to get rid of our history, our culture, our heritage. They were starting to rip down our Statues and it started with people, Confederate people, Generals, and then it went to Robert E. Lee; and then to Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson and now, George Washington. Were not going to let this stuff go on."

Polls by PBS and NPR show that 86% of Republicans and 44% of Democrats want our Confederate monuments to stay where they are and not be moved. The same goes for our Confederate veterans holidays and symbols.

Twenty-five years ago, giant corporations tricked Democrats into opposing our Confederate Battle Flag, which made the rural white voters, known as yellow-dog Democrats, switch to the Republican Party.

Now the Democrats have tricked these Lincoln-Republicans into opposing our Confederate holidays, causing Republicans to lose this rural white vote.

These anti-Confederate Republicans will destroy the Republican Party, just as the Democrats did theirs, if they continue to attack our Confederate Heritage.

Roger K. Broxton

President, Confederate Heritage Fund

Andalusia
Washington, PA (15301)

Today

Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 76F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low around 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
I couldnt sleep so Ive been thinking more



Theres no other conclusion other than this is all bullshit



How did he not know he was positive on the 16th? - he applied for the exemption on the 16th.



And - weve been saying this all along - what was his plan for AO before he tested positive. He wasnt going to go unless he caught COVID so he could qualify for that exemption? Was he licking boots trying to catch it? Then he magically tests positive so woohoo he can book his flight? Bullshit.



And he went to Spain? What are Spains vaxx rules?



I think he and his team concocted the plan to request the COVID-in-last-6-months exemptions and picked the perfect date for his positive test to be. But Novak didnt want to disappoint the children or miss out on his LEquipe shoot (thread of truth to his wanted to honour his commitment but regretted it later statement) so he did those events not thinking anyone would ever find out.



He thought he would just slip in to the country like normal, he was not expecting all this to come to light and be analyzed. Then they were forced to produce more evidence and come up with a viable timeline. Caught in a web of liessss



I think what hes admitting to is the least bad version of events (and its still really bad). The fact that hes admitting to this timeline leads me to believe the truth is much worse.

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Totally agreed.

I am almost positive that he and/or his team "exchanged something of value" for a positive test in his name to be dated on/around December 16 so that he could apply for his exemption for Australia.





The stupidest part is that this is all about quarantine-free entry. He could have entered the country earlier and quarantined for two weeks as an unvaccinated non-citizen. He and his team have done everything they can to skirt or violate the rules so that he can do whatever he wants. SMH.





Throw him out - an ordinary (ie not famous person) would have been thrown out by now.



Edited at 2022-01-12 01:28 pm (UTC)

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He could have entered the country earlier and quarantined for two weeks as an unvaccinated non-citizen



Fucking wat

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he also fucked it up for his own future because now every country will triple check him when he will try to cross it, especially if it will for something like a tennis tournament.





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It doesn't add up.



- No symptoms. Had negative antigen test but did PCR anyway? This isn't consistent with the behavior of an anti-vax person.



- Only found out the result on the 17th? Doesn't the form clearly show otherwise?



- Applied for medical exemption on the basis that he had COVID recently, but didn't "catch COVID" until after the form was completed?



A normal person would not have been allowed into the country. Too many inconsistencies and 'mistakes' on the visa application. Money talks as always

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He did the PCR because he was at the basketball game where numerous people tested positive. Should have isolated as a contact while waiting for the results really.

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"No symptoms. Had negative antigen test but did PCR anyway? This isn't consistent with the behavior of an anti-vax person."



IA the positive PCR just so happened to be what ended up being his only route into Australia. how fortuitous for him that those people at the basketball game tested positive.

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I hate this asshole for taking up so much air on all the news podcasts I listen to.

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Your icon just sent me back to 2010. Bringing back my youth hah



(Also, your username and my lack of people to talk to makes me want to ask if youve listened to Kid A Mnesia? I love Amnesiac, but it feels more complete with Kid A and if you say the word has been stuck in my head for weeks.)

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awww <3

and those are my favourite Radiohead albums from high school although i have not heard Kid A Mnesiae. gonna go listen now.

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So he ignored isolation rules once despite testing positive, why should anyone (i.e. Australian government) trust that he's following any rules/would follow any rules now?

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I'm too used to seeing this guy win when he shouldn't to think he'll actually see any consequences for this.



I feel like if they were gonna kick him out they would have done it earlier.



But whoever told him to release this statement is...yeah. Don't really get what they thought it would do.

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The best take I've seen is that the Aus Gov is still trying to deport him, but they are combing through everything with lawyers before doing so. If they cancel his visa (again) and he wins (another) appeal, the Feds will be on the hook for loss of prize money and sponsorship income he missed by not making the tournament. It's (potentially) a lot of money so they're covering their asses first.

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Everything I read about him makes him look like the biggest, most entitled asshat. That his dates don't add up, that he lied on the form, that he exposed a journalist (if true) to potential COVID, none of this looks good.



For visa applicantions everywhere, you're supposed to declare everything you filled out is true ie not fraudulent.



OTOH, because the AO is so damned important, and is an event with non-Aussie participants, the organizers should actually also be better informed/inform the porential participants about the correct and most timely government info/work closely with federal and state officials.



But like, Australia, Tennis Australia, etc, like there are other athletes participating, many of whom are even also stars and presumably didn't fraudulently fill out legal entry forms- you don't have to die in this hill ...

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it's also so eye-roll that his agent filled out his entry form. Only the poors fill out their own forms I guess.

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Agents filling out form isn't uncommon

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I used to fill out visa application forms for my bosses, bc otherwise they would just so it so late that like the risk of not getting a visa would be legitimate. But this was also pre covid by a decade where I didn't need medical info of another human-- this time it's different. And I would bet the assistant was told what to fill out for the medical details by someone else on his team, maybe someone with a law degree or medical.... knowledge (he seems like the type to not believe in medical doctors).

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I don't doubt this isn't unusual, but iirc the onus is still on you if it's incorrect, right?

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they should kick him out, i know a lot of people are like 'aUsTRAlIA is FaCIsT' but theres too many lies in this shit. he has enough money as it is, does he really need to be come down here and cause more covid cases?



I see the media isn't covering the immigration issue as well. I can't imagine how they feel being trapped in the hotels having a crowd of people cheering, blasting music to get a multi-millionaire out of the hotel to fucking play tennis smh

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No, instead of covering the treatment of refugees, they literally asked one to give advice to this asshole. We live in an insane world.

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Seriously?!! This should've drawn more attention to the treatment towards refugees. But no, a multimillionaire athlete who does whatever he wants because, apparently, he can, is more important than people who have no choice but to stay in that hotel because they have nowhere to go and are trying to find a safe home.

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These fuckwits arent competent enough to be fascist. They literally couldnt organise a root in a brothel.



Except of course when it comes to torturing refugees.



I hate them. I hate them all so much.

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Dig that hole deeper, shithead.



I saw some tweets from Australian sports journalist Dan Clark that a decision has been made, will be announced tomorrow, and doesnt sound good for Djokovic. I know he likes a bit of a troll and attention, but it doesnt seem like thats what hes up to.

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I saw that but he seems to be the only one saying it, so I doubt he has any inside information. I would take it with a pinch of salt.



Someone else said that Djokovic's lawyers submitting more information seems like a stall tactic, but not much more than that.

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I hate his face and everything he stands for. His wife, his parents, his brother they can all go to hell. It says so much about his character that hes willing to go through this lie about being positive by kanyeshrugging the fact that if he was truly positive he wouldve been knowingly infecting others. What a piece of shit.

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If his PR people gave him the go ahead to release this asinine statement they must loathe him as much as I do.

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Probably his dumbass brother skimmed it once and was like "good enough"



He was also the PR master behind that press conference where reporters asked the family straight up if he knew he was positive on the 16th when he was out interacting with people on the 17th.



Don't employ your siblings folks!

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I don't even follow tennis and I can't stand him simply for all the lies and arrogance. He refuses to get vaxxed, goes all over the world while the rest of us have sacrificed two years of our lives, is loudly anti-vaccination and acts like the rules don't apply to him at all.



I'd like to see him banned from tennis permanently. He sets a terrible example for sportsmanship.

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First of all, everybody knows that if they're waiting for a PCR result, they have to isolate themselves. And giving an interview while knowing that you're COVID positive isn't an "error of judgment", it's not caring about other people's lives. I still think his positive result is bullshit.

And his people "ticked the wrong box". This reminds me of Sharapova "not reading the email" letting her know that the drug she was taking was considered illegal in sports.

There's no misinformation or human error. He's an entitled asshole and only cares about himself. I hope the Australian Government does the right thing and kicks him out of the country, although I don't have high expectations.

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Doesn't he also say like 'on reflection it was an error in judgement'.



Like you didn't know at the time it was a bad idea?

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Yes, even if it weren't COVID, when you're sick, you isolate yourself in order not to infect other people. But he had to think about it to realize that?? He's such a huge liar, and not a very good one.

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I just want his entitled, arrogant ass to burn. Fuck him. Kick his ass out. I hate people like this.



He was a dick at the summer olympics. He's a poor loser/winner and an overall asshole. I wish he'd just go away.

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lol @ Ana Burnabitch

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Well, yesterday I bumped into a friend in a supermarket who informed me they tested positive a couple of days ago and yet, they are running around. I had my mask on and everything, but I am freaking terrified to go out because people clearly stopped isolating here.

Am I surprised by Djokovics actions? Nope. He is acting like the rest of the idiots in the Balkans. But he obviously lied to everyone and deserves to be canceled for the eternity for that.



Edited at 2022-01-12 01:11 pm (UTC)

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My work is wilding out with the new cdc guidelines. One of my coworkers tested positive on Friday, and had to be back to work on Monday because if she started feeling symptoms on the Wednesday before she tested positive then thats technically 5 days. And she was saying that her chest hurt and they were like yep thats a side effect of covid! Shes clearly still sick and putting us all at risk by being here. Makes my blood boil. Fuck the CDC for taking away the ten day isolation period. Its gonna cause so much more spread but hey at least the ceos and shareholders will still be making money!

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LOOOOOOOOOOOL I've been tested countless times for work when I've been exposed and not ONCE did I think to myself "well I feel fine, why would I bother checking my results before going to see some kids". I'm Serbian too and I have always gotten my results e-mailed to me (along with a text that my results are done) the same day (the latest I got the e-mail was 10pm) and EVEN IF somehow the most famous Serbian person had to wait for 24h to get an e-mail like...



AND HE DIDN'T EVEN APOLOGISE FOR THIS!!! Did he let everyone he was in contact with at the time know he was positive?



All a moot point since I am willing to bet all my money he faked having corona.



I am sorry for the rant but omg I hate him. And I know what will happen, even if he gets deported ("THEY HATE SERBIAN PEOPLE"), even if he gets to stay and loses ("AUSTRALIA'S EVIL PLAN TO STOP NOLE FROM BEATING THE RECORD WORKED") or if he breaks the record ("NO ONE CAN HOLD SERBIA BACK, NOVAK IS JESUS") NO ONE in Serbia will ask him about all this.



Fuck, I hate everything.

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Novaxx only cares about Novaxx (and maybe his wife, some of the time).

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I mean he reportedly fucks around on her, so if he does care about his wife, it's definitely not all the time.

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yup I know celebs get tested all the time but are they really that desensitized that they wouldn't check their results like the rest of us. Maybe his texts and emails go to his agent too  (and they didn't tell him? yeah right)



And you're right, the "I was horrified when I learned of my positive result and immediately contacted the event organizers to check on the children!!" is missing from his statement.



From everything I've seen I was doubting Serbia would ever actually investigate him :(

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He doesn't seem like the type to readily apologise....

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the french sports newspaper (l'equipe) confirmed before he even posted his social media post that they were never told he was positive. they found out online during all this news like the rest of us. the international tennis writers association confirmed it a second time after novaxx social media post that they werent told. novaxx didnt apologize whatsoever for not telling them at any point in his statement.

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Do they not teach children to groom themselves and look presentable for big interviews and meetings these days?

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IKR. He styled his hair like thatlike on purpose 

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Ok but actually I think those standards are better lost to the past. Who cares if your hair or attire for some preconceived notion of what is good/classy etc when that has nothing to do with the thing you are interviewing for. If youre interviewing to be a fashion columnist I can see your look needing to convey something specific but its a school, people should be given the same consideration if the zoom to it while wearing literal rags.

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And actually further to that its a school specifically focusing on creative expression so they should be even more accommodating and accepting of wildly out of the average styling choices.

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Ok Grandma.

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Julliard admissions board must be shaking

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MTE LMAO

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Honestly this is my go-to inner monologue for any "social media star gets pissed off for not getting special treatment" story lmao but I'm old

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seriously this gif is such a gift, i use it nearly once a week.

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PERFECT LMAO

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If they let him in then theyd have to let in tons of other talentless white people with money. Oh.

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Where can I go to praise Juilliard for this

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You could donate to them, but also, please nobody do that because Juilliard students have been protesting regarding tuition fees rising during the panini when a lot of them cant even study on campus right now and that school does not need even more pennies in their endowment.

The Juilliard staff also tried to lock some of the protestors inside the building so they couldnt protest on the sidewalk 

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The Juilliard staff also tried to lock some of the protestors inside the building so they couldnt protest on the sidewalk



I hadnt heard that! For the recent Covid safety protest or another?

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No wonder if he put as much effort into the audition as he did for his lewk.



And disgusting for thanking fans for harassing them.

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That's the Harry Styles he chose? 

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If these places were actually about ability it would be something.

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What an entitled brat



Embarrassed for him and his dumb fans

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these the same white boys every few weeks

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i would kill for a pink panther bar

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Show us the acting reel, trash bag.

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I literally found out apout this guy two days ago (I don't have TikTok) and watch a bunch of his videos.



Not sure if his for real or it's all a gimmick (the small apartment thing).



Anyways, he admitted he fucked up the audition by using an accent. Why are they harassing Julliard for?

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It's easier for them to direct their misguided anger at the institution that rejected him than simply admit that whatever he did  which was probably along the lines of the Tik Tok content they enjoy from him  wasn't up to snuff.

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Because Stan culture is never admitting your favorite did anything wrong ever also Im assuming most of his fan base (hopefully!) has brains that arent fully developed yet and will grow out of this, although Trump people are trying their best to prove me wrong

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omg me too at not knowing if his shit is real or fake!! he came up on my fyp from that small apartment vid of his and i watched a few other of his vids about how hes like "lol im so broke" and it was just...a weird vibe all around. i didnt realize he was 'famous' tho lol

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yeah that's the weird thing about it all. he admitted he fucked up so it's not like he threw his followers at the school to do shit like this.

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Was what he used on the video an accent? It sounded bad whatever it was.

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Lol this should ensure he'll never get cast in anything. His fans must be dumb as hell.



Maybe his next venture can be a podcast called "How Not To Go About It."

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he's gonna be fine:



He is, however, already represented by Diomi Cordero, a talent manager in Los Angeles who brought Mr. Webber to the NFT party and also represents Angus Cloud, an actor on Euphoria. Mr. Harris is a co-producer on the show.

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Ugh, well... I get it, but I assume there are still some doors that will be closed to him. (Like Julliard's for instance... )

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honestly that would be a cute podcast idea. people who fail spectacularly at something by doing every step wrong. plus people could learn to do things the right way that they might not have known about.



Edited at 2022-01-13 02:13 am (UTC)

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I just watched his video ... yeah. The "theatre kid" energy he has annoyed me after 10 seconds. Maybe try dinner theatre instead.

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dinner theater!

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Do these idiots think that harassing the school will change their mind??

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Yes

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The U.S. Department of Labor, Choate Construction to Promote Workplace Safety and Health at Savannah Historic District Project

The partnership was created to focus on preventing worker injuries and exposure to hazards.

OSHA has signed a strategic partnership with Choate Construction to promote worker safety and health during the construction of a mixed-use development in the historic district of Savannah, Georgia. The Associated General Contractors of Georgia Inc. and the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute  Safety, Health and Environmental Services Group are also supporting this partnership effort.

According to a press release, the partnership seeks to prevent worker injuries and exposure to hazards during the construction project by developing a contractor-government approach to safety and health. The initiative will also assist contractors in developing and implementing quality safety and health programs, as well as providing safety and health training to employees, employers and supervisors.

Participants will focus on the identification and prevention of hazards related to falls, struck-by or caught-in materials or equipment, electrical equipment and safe work practices, heat illness, fire protection, safe use of hand and power tools and silica and noise exposure.

"Public-private sector partnerships focused on worker safety and health training and the elimination of hazards during major construction projects are proven methods to enhance worker safety," said OSHA Area Office Director Robert Stocksdale in Savannah, Georgia. "While each partnership is unique, they all demonstrate a commitment to ensuring each worker gets home safely, every day."

The project's scope of work includes a six-story, multi-use building with 232 residential apartment units and retail and amenities space. The 245,800 square-foot facility will be in Savannah's historic district. OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program works with employers, employees, professional and trade associations, labor organizations and other interested stakeholders to establish specific goals, strategies and performance measures to improve worker safety and health.
Crude prices dipped slightly before jumping again after the Energy Information Administration reported an inventory decline of 4.6 million barrels for the week to January 7.

The inventory change followed an estimated 2.1-million-barrel decline for the previous week.

In fuels, however, the EIA reported builds across the board.

Gasoline inventories added 8 million barrels in the first week of the new year, compared with a hefty build of 10.1 million barrels for the previous week.

Gasoline production averaged 8.6 million bpd, which compared with 8.5 million bpd in the previous week.

In middle distillates, the EIA estimated an inventory increase of 2.5 million barrels for the first week of January, which compared with a build of 4.4 million barrels during the last week of December 2021.

Middle distillate production averaged 4.8 million bpd last week, compared with 5 million bpd in the previous week.

Refinery runs last week averaged 15.6 million bpd, which compared with 15.9 million bpd for the previous week. Imports averaged 6.1 million bpd, compared with 5.9 million bpd during the last week of 2021.

Oil prices meanwhile have been oscillating rapidly driven by production changes in Libya, fluctuating concern about the effect the Omicron variant will have on demand and OPECs melting spare production capacity.

At the time of writing Brent crude was trading at $84.28 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate was changing hands at $82.17 per barrel both up as tailwinds gained the upper hand temporarily. Among these was the change in attitude towards the latest coronavirus variant, with analyst joining OPEC in expecting the effect of the latest infection wave to be short-lived.

"Omicron has yet to wreak the havoc of the Delta variant and may never do so, keeping the global recovery on track," OANDA analyst Jeffrey Halley told Reuters.

Another reason for bullish price predictions has to do with OPECs dwindling spare capacity.

"Combination of facts - that demand is going to be stronger than anticipated and that OPEC's supply may not grow as fast as the demand - is why prices are climbing," said Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn, as quoted by Reuters earlier this week.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
With oil markets tightening and oil prices set to climb, now might not be the best time for renewables to break away from the cash that fuels them

One oil major that is going to be testing this strategy out will be Eni, with the Italian oil giant looking to create a new business called Plenitude

Activist shareholders around the world are attempting to make oil majors split their fossil fuel businesses from their renewable energy businesses

Last October, a hedge fund disclosed a stake worth $750 million in Shell and urged the supermajor to split its fossil fuel business from its renewable energy business in a move that just a decade ago would have seemed, to put it mildly, eccentric. "Shell has too many competing stakeholders pushing it in too many different directions," the owner of the hedge fund, billionaire Daniel Loeb, wrote to his clients.

While the two companies held preliminary talks on the topic, according to Shell, there has been no news on any splits since last October, perhaps because the owner of Third Point is otherwise occupied with shareholder disgruntlement.

Yet earlier this month, a former industry voice lent itself to the split-Big-Oil idea: former BP chief executive and current chairman of BeyondNetZero, a climate change-focused investment vehicle, part of General Atlantic.

In a recent piece for Time magazine, John Browne acknowledged the commitments many oil companies had made about reducing their carbon footprint but noted that "First, companies need to be bolder in separating low- and zero-carbon activity from their fossil-fuels business. The former is rapidly growing, less capital intensive and valued at a premium by investors, whereas the business of hydrocarbons is capital intensive, unloved by the market and in decline."

That oil is unloved by certain parts of the market is certainly true. However, it is not entirely true that it is universally unloved.

According to Morningstar data recently cited by the Wall Street Journal, for instance, the energy sector outperformed every other industry in terms of fund performance, with asset inflows into energy funds adding a net $11.4 billion last year.

Related: Shells Gas Trading Booms While Oil Trading Slows Ratings agencies appear to be optimistic on oil stocks as well, even on U.S. oil producers and refiners who are far behind the European supermajors in terms of climate commitments and action.

So why should Big Oil split at all?

It seems the push aims to make it easier for ESG investors to buy into, say, Shell's renewable energy business without having to also effectively buy into its oil business. But it also seems this is not a good enough reason for Big Oil to separate its still much more lucrative oil and gas business from its rather smaller, rather newer renewable energy business.

BP's Bernard Looney, the man who in no uncertain terms said BP's future is low-carbon and with rather unfortunate bad timing, recently said that world oil demand had peaked in the early months of the pandemic, called rising oil prices a "cash machine". It was these pricesoil and gas pricesthat helped BP book a solid increase in profits, which, in turn, allowed it to further boost shareholder returns.

Separating this cash machine from a business that has yet to take off and is being financed with money from that very same cash machine would hardly make sense for any company while the cash machine is still going strong. Or would it?

"If companies take steps to separate these very different types of activity into two corporate entities, investors can allocate their capital more efficiently, and the true value of the low-carbon businesses embedded within large hydrocarbon producers will become clearer," said Lord Browne of Madingley in his Time Magazine piece, pointing to Italy's Eni as an example.

Eni said in November that it planned to list its renewable energy business under the name Plenitude. But Plenitude will not be purely a renewable business, and this is noteworthy. Plenitude also includes Eni's retail oil and gas operations, even though chief executive Claudio Descalzi said the hopes were to have Plenitude deliver 100-percent decarbonized products by 2040.

Speaking to the FT, Descalzi also pointed out at the time that on its own, the business would be able to grow more quickly and would be able to free up resources at the legacy company to transform in line with climate goals.

Related: Why Are Renewables Stocks Plunging?

"This will free up more cash for Plenitude, the new company, to develop renewables by itself and leave us more space, more free cash flow to invest in the transformation of the company," Descalzi explained.

The FT's Helen Thomas called Eni a test case, and it is indeed a test case that will show whether splits are a good idea for Big Oil or not. After all, as both BP and Shell have explained more than once, the oil money, to put it crudely, is essential for the renewable energy business.

This is unlikely to change anytime soon, especially with the current outlook for oil prices. With forecasts for tight supply as spare capacity at OPEC dwindles and public oil drillers maintain their cautious approach to production growth, splitting oil from non-oil operations does not really make sense.

This would likely change when the oil market swings into a surplus but, interestingly, even though the IEA said the market had swung into a surplus in December, the effect of this report on prices was negligible. It seems that for now, it would be best to keep the cash machine as part of the business it is powering.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
At the start of 2022, Omicrons surge and record COVID cases in many major economies are combining with an expected oversupply on the oil market to give bears a reason to cheer.

Yet, oil prices rose by 5 percent in the first trading week of the year as analysts focused on the possibility that the oversupply may not be as high as predicted a few months ago, also because of very low levels of inventories at the end of 2021. In addition, supply disruptions in Libya and Kazakhstan reminded market players of the volatility of much of the worlds oil production in geopolitically sensitive areas.

COVID developments will continue to be the biggest wild card in the market this year, but average global oil demand in 2022 is expected to exceed the pre-pandemic level from 2019, forecasters and analysts say.

Demand is set to grow even further from 2021 into 2022, barring new mass lockdowns in many places. Supply will no doubt also grow to the point of exceeding demand, most analysts predict. Not only is OPEC+ set to continue unwinding its production cuts, but non-OPEC+ producersled by the United Stateswill also raise supply, especially at $80 oil, which means that global crude oil production is set to grow from both OPEC+ producers and those outside the pact.

However, the coming oil glut could be much smaller than expected and could exert much less downward pressure on oil prices this year, some analysts, including Bloomberg First Word oil strategist Julian Lee, say.

OPEC+ Undershoots Oil Production Targets For Months

First, OPEC+ is nowhere near pumping to its overall quota. Depressed investments and a lack of spare capacity at many producers in the pact, especially African OPEC members, have made monthly oil production increases much lower than the allowed 400,000 bpd for OPEC+, of which 253,000 bpd is allocated to the ten OPEC members bound by the pact.

Last month was the seventh consecutive month in which OPEC+ had failed to deliver on its production increase, and the fifth straight month in which it had undershot its target production by more than 500,000 bpd, according to Bloomberg and OPEC data compiled by Bloombergs Lee.

OPEC+ produced 625,000 bpd below its overall production target in December 2021, slightly better than the 655,000-bpd shortfall off the target in November, per Bloomberg estimates.

OPEC is not faring much better, with African members dragging output down. According to the monthly Reuters survey, OPECs oil production increased by just 70,000 bpd in December from November as the cartel consistently failed to raise its production by 253,000 bpd a month as per the OPEC+ deal.

Moreover, although the group still expects a surplus on the market this year, it could be a smaller one compared to last months assessment. OPEC+ continues to see the Omicron impact on demand as mild and short-lived, just as OPEC said in its Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) in mid-December.

Spare Capacity Is Shrinking

Yet, all oversupply models rely on the assumption that OPEC+ will actually deliver on its production targetsomething it has not done for seven consecutive months.

OPEC+ has been undershooting its collective production targets for months and will likely continue to do so in the months ahead. African OPEC members lack the capacity and investments to boost production, while Russia is estimated to pump and export lower volumes than its quota. The underproduction could even become a major upside for oil in 2022, especially if Omicrons dent to global oil demand remains limited to jet fuel, as the most recent estimates and analyses have shown.

The biggest Arab Gulf producers have the means to raise output and fulfill their OPEC+ quotas, but this, of course, shrinks their spare production capacity, which accounts for the majority of the spare capacity globally.

As recent weeks showed, oil market balances are one conflict in Kazakhstanor one blockade in Libyaaway from turning into deficits. With lower spare capacity, mostly concentrated in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait, a sudden supply disruption in 2022 would push oil prices higher.

The supply concern which is not going to disappear anytime soon is OPEC spare capacity. There are only a handful of members that have the capacity to increase output, whilst others are failing to meet their agreed production levels due to disruptions and lack of investment, ING strategists Warren Patterson and Wenyu Yao said on Monday.

Goldman Sachs, for example, is very bullish on oil for 2022 and beyond due to low investment in the sector and the fact that only two oil producers in the worldSaudi Arabia and the UAEcurrently have the capacity and the means to pump more oil than they did in January 2020, just before COVID. Everyone else is struggling, Jeff Currie, global head of commodities research at Goldman Sachs, told Bloomberg Television in an interview last week.

Overall, demand remains robust as signaled in the six-month futures spread in Brent which has more than doubled since the December, omicron demand worry low point, Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, said on Monday.

Lower-than-expected supply growth could soon wipe out the certainty of a large oil glut, as uncertainty and volatility will continue to be the only two certain things in oil markets this year.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Billboard Music Charts to be officially launched in Vietnam

The Billboard Music Charts, one of the most respected and recognized music charts globally, will be officially launched in Vietnam on January 14, marking a historic moment for Vietnams music industry.









A Vietnamese music star performs at her live show in HCMC. The Billboard Vietnam Music Charts will give Vietnamese artists the opportunity to reach out to the international audience. (Photo: VNA)



The charts are expected to give Vietnamese artists and music a much-needed platform for achievement and success, plus a doorway to the international music landscape.



Billboard Vietnam will launch two flagship charts, including the Billboard Vietnam Hot 100, which encompasses all music genres, and the Billboard Vietnam Top Vietnamese Songs, which ranks the most popular Vietnamese songs.



Both charts rank the most popular songs in the country based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of leading audio and video music services in Vietnam, plus downloaded sales from top music retailers, provided by MRC Data.



With the launch of the two charts, Billboard Vietnam will be able to showcase the popularity of local artists, as well as to highlight the reach and influence of global artists within the territory.



Vietnamese artists will be able to celebrate their musical achievements and success to the international music community.



Music Charts are one of the most important validations artists can receive from fans. We are excited that Vietnamese music culture can unite and shine with artists around the world under a standardized metric for our music industry, said Billboard Vietnam CEO Myke Brown.



I would like to thank Billboard President Julian Holguin, the entire Billboard US and regional team for their commitment to bringing the charts to Vietnam. We at Billboard Vietnam are truly committed to our local artists and we wish for them to reach their highest potential by empowering them and providing them with an opportunity to participate and be discovered on the global stage.



Billboard was first introduced as a national music chart in 1940 and their music popularity rankings have grown to be the most accurate and respected measure of success for artists and their music.



The Billboard Hot 100, introduced in 1958 and Billboard 200, launched in 1956, have been the barometer of success for artists, songs and albums in the United States for decades and resonate globally, especially for international acts that are able to dominate those rankings.



A recent example was Korean act BTS, which grew in international prominence following a string of No. 1 titles on the Hot 100 and Billboard 200, as well as multiple Billboard Music Award wins.



Since the introduction of the charts, Billboard has been the music industrys main resource for measuring what is popular, said Billboard President Julian Holguin.



With its storied history, artistry, and cultural significance, we couldnt be more thrilled to launch a new regional chart in Vietnam. Billboard is humbled to bring the rich Vietnamese music scene to a global audience, and look forward to the artist discovery this chart will usher in.



Music fans play a vital role for the Billboard Vietnam music charts as their support counts for streams, views, and sales of their favorite artists music through legitimate music providers, which contribute toward these artists success.



The charts will be the first of their kind locally, exposing Vietnamese music and artists to an international audience while displaying the impact of international acts within Vietnam. These charts will also be featured on Billboard.com, further empowering artist discovery among a global community.
Surprisingly, I can agree with County Council members Amanda Fielder, Jessica Haire and Nathan Volke on their votes last week against emergency legislation allowing the county executive to extend mask mandates for up to 90 days. Our county health officer had the authority to impose a mask mandate on Thursday and on Friday. Why did they need an emergency vote on a health issue that is the purview of the health officer? Of course, their no votes should have been followed by an endorsement for Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman to extend mask requirements . He did that on Friday, and the mandate is now in effect until Jan. 31.

Jessica Haire asked when the mandates are going to end. The emergency bill clearly stated they would be in effect for up to 90 days. As for the pandemic, we dont know when that will end, but we agree the uncertainty is stressful.

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Amanda Fielder said she thinks we should consider delivering vitamin mixes to reduce hospitalizations and that she doesnt like mandates. How does she feel about stop signs? I dont know why Mr. Volke voted no, but all three endorsed an effort to undermine the county health officers authority after he issued an order.

Anne Arundel County Hospital leaders pleaded with the public in an editorial in the Capital Gazette two weeks ago.

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The smallest daily habits can make an enormous impact. Wash your hands, wear a well-fitting mask when you leave your home, practice social distancing, stay home if you are sick, and avoid crowds. Now is the time to get fully vaccinated and receive a booster shot. It is the best defense and you will be better protected from severe illness and death from COVID-19. The majority of patients hospitalized are lacking vaccination and/or a booster.

Weve come so far and we will not give up. Through every new variant and surge, we are committed to serving you with all of our partners. Thank you for entrusting us with your care and for doing your part to protect your family, friends and loved ones.

Last week, hospital leaders also reached out to County Council members, according to council member Allison Pickard.  Yes. for the first time during this entire pandemic, our hospital leadership reached out directly to County Council members about the hospital crisis.

A unified council vote for the mask mandate would have let hospital leaders and workers know that weve got your back. It would have been a strong statement in support of universal masking requirements right now. Do you libertarians want to bring back smoking in restaurants? Sometimes there need to be rules and these are temporary ones.

And then there is Mr. McMillan. His campaign slogan should be Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics. As others have noted, his recent commentary opposing mask mandates was filled with cherry-picked facts and meaningless comparisons, along with fear mongering.

First a disclaimer. My day job is professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. My opinions are my own and independent of the university.

Mr. McMillan starts by comparing case rates between counties at one point in time, which is meaningless. He needs to compare changes over time by exposure. And if we are cherry-picking facts, lets compare hospital occupancy rates in Maryland on Jan. 5: Anne Arundel County had the third highest among 20 Maryland counties with 101% of all hospital beds and 85% of ICU beds filled. Prince Georges County, where mask mandates have been in place since August, is 18th with 71% occupancy overall and 57% of ICU capacity filled.

Yes, death rates are down  partly because people are being kept alive by hospitals. But death and hospitalization rates are also down because omicron seems to be less virulent than the delta variant, and more people are vaccinated. Vaccines are working to reduce hospitalization and death rates.

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Dont confuse rates and absolute numbers of people. The peak number of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in Maryland during last winters surge was 1,952 on Jan. 12, 2020; the number occupied on Jan. 8 2022 was 3,306. Rates are down but numbers are up.

McMillan begins and ends his blizzard of misleading information with the specter of lockdowns and school closures. The recent COVID bills were about extending a mask mandate amid an unprecedented surge in infections. The bill was supported by leaders of the major hospitals in our county. Get a grip.

Everybody, take a deep breath (appropriately distanced). We arent enemies, we live in the same communities and share resources, including hospitals. Listening to the recommendations of hospital leaders in the current health crisis is a no-brainer.
Saudi Arabia is expanding its downstream presence and crude customers in Eastern Europe, traditionally Russias backyard, by buying a stake in a Polish refinery.

Saudi oil giant Aramco has signed a deal with Polish refiner and fuel retailer PKN Orlen to buy 30 percent in a 210,000-bpd refinery in Gdansk, Poland, 100 percent in an associated wholesale business, and 50 percent in a jet fuel marketing joint venture with BP, the worlds largest oil company and top oil exporter said on Wednesday.

The acquisitions are subject to regulatory approvals, including one from the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, Aramco added.

The investments will widen Aramcos presence in the European downstream sector and further expand its crude imports into Poland, which aligns with PKN Orlens strategy of diversifying its energy supplies, the Saudi oil giant said in a statement.

Aramco has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PKN Orlen and SABIC, one of the worlds largest petrochemicals companies, to explore joint opportunities in Poland and elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe.

Such international partnerships are essential for building the largest multi-utility group in this part of Europe, said Daniel Obajtek, President of the PKN Orlen Management Board.

Poland has been seeking for years to diversify its energy supplies away from Russia, and Polish energy firms have signed in recent years various deals for oil supply from Middle Eastern exporters and liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from the United States.

Poland is also one of the most vocal opponents of the Russia-led Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project from Russia to Germany, which is currently stuck in regulatory limbo in Germany.

Aramcos refinery deal in Poland will help the Saudi oil giant to strengthen its position in a region traditionally dominated by Russian crude, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Salih Yilmaz and Rob Barnett wrote in a note.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
After three terms serving in the Maryland Senate, Crofton Republican Ed Reilly will be going into this election cycle campaigning to represent a very different group of constituents in District 33 if the Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission gets its proposed map of legislative districts passed.

Its an all-out campaign, and theres a very specific reason for that, Reilly said. The Democratic leadership has taken 40% of my constituents that Ive represented for 10 years and they have assigned them elsewhere, and theyve given me 40% new constituents whove never heard my name.

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Reilly said those potential new voters are mostly Democrats.

District 33 currently includes a wide swath of the county, stretching from Cape St. Claire in the east to Severn in the north and Crofton in the west at the Prince Georges County border, and into Davidsonville and south county.

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The new map proposed by the commission, which is largely in the hands of the Democratic majority and assumed to pass, would shift District 33 to remove Severn and include Odenton.

After serving in local and state government for a combined 20 years, he said he understands how to make decisions that will benefit as many voters as possible.

I classify myself as a moderate Republican. Im a strong fiscal person  very pro-life, pro-gun  but the rest of the legislative issues Im a little more centrist on and people appreciate that, Reilly said.

Reilly hopes, with another term, he can continue to tackle projects he has been working on for a while that have started to gather steam in recent months.

One of those projects involves looking into changing the landing patterns and procedures of planes at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport in order to reduce environmental harm and excessive noise.

Two years ago, Reilly co-sponsored a bill with state Sen. Clarence Lam of Howard County to study the effects the BWI planes have on the human nervous system, hearing, breathing, animals that live near the landing zone, the Severn River and more. After it was passed by the General Assembly, Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed it.

Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. >

Now theyre taking a different approach.

Were putting together a commission. The commission will have 11 people, and they will be technical and scientific-oriented, Reilly said. It will work on analyzing the same effects, he said, but it will be less expensive than the original proposal.

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Reilly is also working on passing a bill that would allow dental hygienists to do four procedures they cannot currently perform under the supervision of a dentist after receiving training: orthodontia, radiation, nitrous oxide and polishing of teeth. The bill comes at the request of the Maryland State Dental Association.

These are routine procedures if done with a certified person  safe, reliable and would allow the dentist more time to do procedures that a dentist needs to do, Reilly said.

He said he thinks his constituents appreciate his values and ability to assess each situation with a level-headed, nonpartisan approach and hopes that will encourage even his new constituents to reelect him.

I hope that my background, my values and my voting record reflect the values of the majority of my constituents, Reilly said. I try to get government out of the way of small businesses so they can hire employees and make a profit and help the communities in which they operate. Im not a right-wing radical. I think I represent a strong right-of-center position.

Lawyer Dawn Gile, a Democrat, and Stacie MacDonald, a Republican business owner, have also filed to run for the seat.
Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse issued a mask mandate Tuesday for schools and many other public indoor spaces in the city of Omaha, but the Nebraska attorney general is threatening legal action to stop it.

The order was set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Under the order, schools, many businesses and other entities whose premises are open to the general public must require people age 5 and older to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose while indoors, unless the people maintain a distance of 6 feet from each other.

But there are many exceptions for individuals and places where the mandate will not apply, including religious services.

Huse cited an astronomical spike in cases that is threatening to overwhelm already strained hospitals and health care workers. A mask mandate is needed to slow transmission of the omicron variant of COVID-19, Huse said.

This was not an easy decision at all and I know that its going to create some waves, Huse told the Douglas County Board. But this is a tool that is in our toolbox. We have research evidence out there showing that masks decrease transmission.

The move is opposed by Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, who said the Douglas County Health Department lacks the authority to issue such a mandate. Ricketts asked Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson to consider legal action. Peterson sent Huse a letter Wednesday afternoon threatening a lawsuit to stop the mandate.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert also opposes a mandate, but she said that Huse has the authority to issue one.

Huse and Douglas County Board member Chris Rodgers, president of the Douglas County Board of Health, said they believe they are on solid legal ground, based on the advice of City of Omaha and Douglas County attorneys.

Huse said the measure will be temporary, possibly four weeks. She will act under the authority delegated to her under Omahas city code.

Huse said the order likely will come with benchmarks, including reducing case rates in the county to under 200 cases per day per 100,000 residents.

Currently, Douglas County is adding more than 1,100 case a day on a seven-day rolling average.

Hospital capacity also would have to drop to 85% or less for a week. Weve got to give them breathing room to take care of all of you, Huse said.

The number of COVID cases in the county has exceeded past peaks, and the number continues to rise. Hospitals already are above 93% of their capacity.

In a statement her office sent out Tuesday afternoon, Stothert said she doesnt support Huses decision, although I recognize she has the authority to do so under City Code. I am disappointed she is proceeding with such an impactful decision for all Omaha citizens without my support or the full support of the City Council, as she previously said she would.

The previous mask mandate in Omaha was implemented in 2020 before the availability of an effective vaccine, Stothert said.

She noted that an order regarding the mandate signed by Huse cannot be voided by the Mayor or the City Council.

Omaha City Council President Pete Festersen on Tuesday issued a statement in support of Huses plan. He said the majority of the seven-member council supports her decision to implement a temporary mask mandate in Omaha to help address the surge of COVID-19 cases and to help keep our schools, hospitals and first responders operating during this challenging time.

Ricketts, however, said in a statement, I remain adamantly opposed to mask mandates for Nebraskans, and I support Mayor (Jean) Stotherts priorities to reasonably manage the spread of COVID-19 in Omaha. The Douglas County Health Department lacks legal authority to impose a mandate, and I have asked Attorney General Peterson to consider legal action.

The question of legal authority is complicated and contested. State authorities have said the Douglas County health director couldnt issue such an order for the county without approval from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services under state law. Huse in August had requested the states approval for a countywide mask mandate, and that request was denied.

But now, she is limiting the mask mandate to within Omahas city limits. She said the authority comes from City of Omaha code under which the Douglas County department director also acts as the health director for the city.

I have spoken to both the city attorney and the county attorney that represents our office and both feel that we are on solid footing legally, Huse said.

The Nebraska attorney general disagrees. In his letter Tuesday, Peterson told Huse that she doesnt have the authority to issue such a directed health measure (DHM) without state approval.

If the Douglas County Board of Health proceeds with its intention to issue a mask mandate DHM for the City of Omaha, the Attorney General currently plans to file suit seeking to have the DHM declared invalid and to enjoin the mask mandate from being enforced, Peterson wrote to Huse.

City Council members Aimee Melton, Brinker Harding and Don Rowe also issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying they strongly disagree with Douglas County Health Director Huses dictate forcing a mask mandate in Omaha. Over the last two years, the statement reads, we have seen time and again that mask mandates are not an effective method for combating the coronavirus.

The three, all of whom are Republicans, also said they vehemently object to an unelected and unaccountable bureaucrat imposing their will upon the city without reaching out to those who are entrusted by the citizens of Omaha to represent them.

Projections indicate the Omaha metro area could need at least 40% more hospital capacity in the next few weeks to accommodate the anticipated increase in people becoming ill enough with COVID to require hospital care. While the omicron variant of the coronavirus is considered milder than the delta variant, health officials expect omicrons easy transmission to cause so many more cases that it will land more people in hospitals.

I cant stand by and know that I could have done more and didnt do more, Huse said.

Under Omaha city code, the Douglas County health director can issue orders in public health emergencies.

One section of the city code says the health director shall have the authority to adopt such rules and regulations, restrictions or measures as he shall deem necessary to protect the public health of the city.

Another section, labeled authority at threat of epidemic, says it shall be the duty of the health director, when the city is afflicted with or threatened by an epidemic of contagious disease, to issue orders for the prevention, removal or limiting of such diseases.

Festersen wrote that council members believe Huse clearly has this authority and we will continue to support the resources needed to increase testing and vaccination rates in our community.

Its unclear how the mandate will be enforced. Huse indicated it would be complaint-driven and said it would be a collaborative effort between the Health Department and law enforcement agencies.

Basically, any complaints of businesses that might not be complying, of public spaces where compliance is not happening, Huse said. If there are repeated offenses, then local law enforcement can be involved.

According to the order, violating the order would be a misdemeanor offense with a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail.

Huse appealed to people to comply with the mask mandate for the good of the community.

My hope is that the people that I know to be Nebraskans, the kindness, the neighborliness of the people who live in this state ... Im really relying on people to do the right thing and to really help their neighbors, Huse said.

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Julie Anderson Julie Anderson is a medical reporter for The World-Herald. She covers health care and health care trends and developments, including hospitals, research and treatments. Follow her on Twitter @JulieAnderson41. Phone: 402-444-1066. Follow Julie Anderson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
An Omaha doctor who specializes in infectious diseases said a mask mandate in the city of Omaha will help slow the increase in COVID-19 cases and cushion the blow on the metro areas health system.

Absolutely, itll help, said Dr. Mark Rupp, chief of the University of Nebraska Medical Centers infectious diseases division. It wont be miraculous. But we need to do what we can to start to slow this thing down if possible.

Whether or not masks work, Rupp said, depends on what theyre made of, how well they fit and how well the wearer is wearing one.

A well-constructed, multilayered, tight-fitting face mask is effective, he said, and theres scads of information to show that.

Said Rupp, Are they perfect? No. And are they going to be perfect against a variant that is more transmissible? No. But it is one of the tools that is fairly easy for people to use that can really make a difference out there in the community.

While protecting hospitals is the main reason cited for issuing a mandate, he said, the measure also is important in helping keep police and firefighters on duty, teachers in classrooms and grocery store workers stocking shelves.

Rupp also said Huse was wise to put a four-week limit on the measure, which gives her the option of re-evaluating where things stand at that time.

In the final analysis, he said, its such a small ask for people to take some precautions for the next few weeks, try to get this thing slowed down and cushion the blow.

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A 25-year-old Council Bluffs man pleaded no contest Tuesday to manslaughter and second-degree assault of an unborn child in the shooting death of a pregnant woman.

Before he reached an agreement with the Sarpy County Attorneys Office, Nicholas S. Holliday had been set to go to trial on Jan. 26. Prosecutors amended a charge of manslaughter of a unborn child to second-degree assault of an unborn child. A charge of second-degree assault of a pregnant woman was dismissed.

Holliday was found guilty in the shooting death of Madyson L. Dennis, 21, of Omaha, at a Bellevue residence. The incident occurred about 10:20 p.m. May 30, 2021, near 27th and Harrison Streets.

Gage Cobb, a deputy Sarpy County attorney, said investigators determined that Holliday was showing people a gun, and while handing the gun to Dennis, it discharged, killing her and her unborn child. Investigators also determined that before handing the gun to Dennis, Holliday didnt check first to make sure the gun wasnt loaded and was reckless in the manner in which he handed the gun to her.

Dennis was pronounced dead at the scene by the Bellevue Fire Department. Holliday was not at the scene when authorities arrived, but he later was found in Omaha and arrested.

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A 21-year-old man who authorities said drove drunk on Interstate 80 in Omaha and crashed into another car, killing the driver, was ordered held on $3 million bail Tuesday.

Joaquin Dimayuga-Alvarado has been charged with motor vehicle homicide and driving under the influence causing serious bodily injury in connection with the death of 76-year-old Timothy Flaherty and injuries to two others.

According to police, Dimayuga-Alvarado was driving a 2010 Nissan Maxima on Saturday with 16-year-old passenger Jamie Dominguez on westbound I-80 between the 60th Street and 72nd Street exits.

Just before 4 p.m., the Maxima struck a 2022 Hyundai Elantra driven by Flaherty that was stopped in the north shoulder of the westbound lanes of I-80, police said. Due to the force of the crash, the Elantra overturned, and Flaherty died at the scene.

Dimayuga-Alvarados Maxima then veered across the Interstate and hit a 2019 Jeep Cherokee driven by 26-year-old Quinten Washington. Washington was not injured, but 25-year-old Marketa Kennedy, who was a passenger in the Jeep, went to a hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Dominguez also was taken to a hospital in stable but critical condition.

Officers at the scene noticed Dimayuga-Alvarados bloodshot and watery eyes and an odor of alcohol, according to an arrest affidavit. He told them that he drank an alcoholic beverage at Isla del Mar near 36th and Q Streets and then drove on the Interstate.

Sobriety tests conducted at the scene showed that he was impaired, police said. About two hours after the crash, Dimayuga-Alvarados preliminary breath test was .156  nearly double the legal limit.

A blood-alcohol test was pending.

According to court documents, the legal immigration status of Dimayuga-Alvarado is unknown, although he provided Omaha police with a photo identification card issued by the Mexican government at a consulate in Texas.

The police officer who arrived at the scene wrote in the arrest affidavit that Dimayuga-Alvarado is considered a potential flight risk due to the lack of ties to the community. That may likely be the reason for the steep bail amount set by Douglas County Judge Grant Forsberg.

A typical bail amount for a motor vehicle homicide charge is about $50,000 to $75,000, but a 2018 World-Herald analysis showed judges reserve highest bail amounts up to $2 million for Latinos whose immigration status was questionable and those with previous drunken driving convictions.

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Nearly eight months after the expiration of Omahas previous mask mandate, round two arrived at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for local establishments and their customers.

Traci Page, an owner and manager at Karma Koffee in west Omaha, lamented in a Facebook post that officials arent on the same page about the new Omaha mask mandate.

Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse announced Tuesday that she would implement the mask mandate, citing an astronomical spike in COVID-19 cases that is threatening to overwhelm already strained hospitals and health care workers.

Huses action drew sharp criticism from Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and Gov. Pete Ricketts and the threat of legal action from Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson. That left Page feeling conflicted.

When I saw the open public disagreement on this (from officials), it was very unsettling as a business owner because you look to your leaders for their wisdom and for them to make the right decision, Page said. Not to create confusion.

Page and fellow Karma Koffee owners Jeff and Heidi Wilke wrote a Facebook post Wednesday encouraging customers to follow the new mandate and saying staff will continue to practice other COVID-19 mitigation measures. Those measures include staff wearing masks and the coffee house, near 156th Street and West Dodge Road, maintaining limited seating. The owners also highlighted curbside pickup and delivery options.

Jeff Wilke said in an interview that anyone not wearing a mask will be offered one.

People who come to our place need to be wearing a mask until they sit down, he said. Thats what our expectation is.

Customers at Karma Koffee and Bagel Bin, near 120th and Pacific Streets, appeared to be largely following the mandate that took effect Wednesday. Based on observations, customers wore masks while ordering and took them off while seated and eating and drinking  as is allowed under the mask mandate.

Susan Brezack, a co-owner of Bagel Bin, said Wednesday that the business has not been affected. She said about 80% of Bagel Bins customers have been wearing masks throughout the pandemic.

One man said he would go somewhere else upon learning of the mask mandate, Brezack said.

Bob Kimball, owner of Wohlners Neighborhood Grocery and Deli, also said business at the 33rd and Dodge Streets store has been unaffected.

There have been a few people who walked in and did not know about it, he said, adding that people, including vendors, quickly complied when informed of the mandate.

Kimball estimated that well over half of Wohlners customers had been wearing masks before the mandate.

Its just business as usual, he said.

Brezack said people largely understand the position that businesses are in right now.

Theyre tired of (wearing masks), but they understand what has to be done, she said. We can deal with this.

Page noted that Karma Koffees Facebook post has generated support for the business, with some people saying they would be stopping in soon for coffee. One commenter noted that small businesses were crushed and ruined when the pandemic hit.

Huse, Douglas Countys health director, has said the mask mandate will remain in place until case counts for the city of Omaha are below 200 per 100,000 residents for seven days and hospital capacity is maintained at or below 85% for seven consecutive days. The order will be reviewed every four weeks.

Attorney General Peterson sent a letter to Huse saying she does not have legal authority to impose the mandate because it has not been approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. In the Tuesday letter, Peterson said his office plans to take legal action to invalidate the mandate.

But even though she opposes the mandate, Stothert said Tuesday that Huse has the authority to issue one under the Omaha city code. The code says the Douglas County health director can issue orders in public health emergencies.

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The first baby elephant born at Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, who was 5 days old on Wednesday, has only a few jobs: to sleep, eat and get used to her new family.

Kiki, an 18-year-old African elephant, gave birth to the calf surrounded by a herd of female elephants for support.

They all tightly squeezed with (Kiki) in the middle, in protective mode, said Dennis Pate, the zoos president. It was heartwarming to see.

The female calf, weighing in at more than 175 pounds and standing about 3 feet tall, has been getting used to the herd since she was born Friday morning at the Elephant Family Quarters building.

Pate said Jayei, an elephant in her 20s, has been like a second mother to the calf. Most of the time, all zoo staff can see are eight legs and a little calf in between all of them.

The baby elephant has yet to be named. The zoo auctioned off naming rights last fall to a family that still needs to visit the enclosure, Pate said.

For now, the calf will work on her nursing skills. Her father, 21-year-old Callee, has been visiting the calf at night when the herd is in the family quarters building. Soon, Callee, the zoos only bull elephant, will be able to stay around full time.

Another elephant named Claire is expected to have the zoos second calf any day now.

It will be a few weeks until the public will be able to see the new baby elephant. Pate said its likely the zoo will wait until after Claire has her calf to reopen the building.

Visitors eventually will be able to visit the elephant herd with a timed ticket. Pate said the zoo is planning to put risers in the Elephant Family Quarters building to allow about 120 people at a time to view the calves.

Kikis and Claires calves are expected to be the only baby elephants born this year in the U.S., Pate said. The nations elephant population is decreasing, with an average of two births and four deaths a year.

The Omaha zoo set out to reverse that trend when it built its elephant enclosure in 2014. Pate said the goal over the past seven years has been to start birthing baby elephants at the zoo to help grow the population.

An elephant has a gestation period of 22 months. Kikis pregnancy was announced in October, seven months after zoo officials announced that 12-year-old Claire was pregnant.

Sarah Armstrong, the zoos elephant manager, said zoo staff, who were monitoring Kikis hormone levels, implemented a 24-hour watch on Thursday, Jan. 6. Armstrong said Kiki started showing signs of discomfort around 6 p.m. that same day.

She and another zoo employee stayed up all night to monitor Kiki, but active labor didnt start until 10:30 a.m. Friday. The calf was born at 11:33 a.m.

We were happy to sit back, hold our breath and watch it all happen, Armstrong said.

Claire has a birth window that stretches until the beginning of February, Armstrong said. If the calf isnt born by next week, zoo staff will perform an ultrasound to check the babys health.

Pate said the two calves should grow up together like siblings. When they get older, they will start to play and chase each other like two kids would, he said.

Its fun to watch, Pate said. And the people will watch them grow up.

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In response to the Anne Arundel County health officers public safety order last week reinstituting a countywide mask mandate, Republican County Council member Nathan Volke and Republican county executive candidate Herb McMillan reached out to a lawyer about the legality of the order. That lawyer, Charles Muskin, is now drafting a lawsuit against the county and the county health department.

After the Anne Arundel County Council voted last week against allowing County Executive Steuart Pittman to extend his seven-day mask mandate and state of emergency as COVID-19 cases continued to spike and hospitals became increasingly overwhelmed, county Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman took matters into his own hands.

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Kalyanaraman issued a public safety order under state law extending the mask mandate to the end of the month, which requires face coverings in indoor county public areas and crowded outdoor public settings.

County Attorney Gregory Swain said Kalyanaraman had the authority to do this under state statute 18-208 subsection B of the general health article of the Maryland Code, which reads, in part: When a health officer is notified of an infectious or contagious disease within the county, the health officer shall act immediately to prevent the spread of the disease.

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Swain also cited the Maryland Code of Regulations 10.06.01.06, which reads, in part: The secretary or a health officer shall: Take any action or measure necessary to prevent the spread of communicable disease or to control a reportable disease and condition; and issue, when necessary, special instructions for control of a disease or condition.

Muskin said Volke, who voted against the mask mandate and state of emergency extensions, and McMillan, who is also a former state delegate, approached him soon after Fridays council vote and the subsequent public safety order.

I had concerns about the legality of the order, said Volke, R-Pasadena. I reached out to him for his thoughts.

In a nutshell, the health officer doesnt have the authority to enter what he did on his own, Muskin said. He has to get approval through the state health department.

Muskin cited Maryland General Health Article Section 3-306 subsection C, which reads, in part: The health officer for a county shall enforce throughout the county under the direction of the secretary, the state health laws and the policies, rules and regulations that the secretary adopts.

He also cited the same 18-208 state statute that Swain did but had a different interpretation.

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He is to act immediately, Muskin said, emphasizing the last word. This disease has been out there for almost two years now. This is not an immediate action. Theyre trying to circumvent the vote of the County Council.

After analyzing the statute, Muskin decided to drawn up a lawsuit against the county and county health department. He declined to name the plaintiff or plaintiffs who will be listed in the lawsuit.

As for a timeline, Muskin hopes to have the lawsuit drafted by Thursday and into the court sometime next week asking for a temporary restraining order.

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A temporary restraining order is when you go immediately to the courthouse and ask the judge to enter a temporary, 10-day order requiring somebody to do something or not do something, Muskin said. What we want is that the county not enforce this [mask mandate] because we have restaurant people who have been threatened by the health department already, and we want that to stop.

Volke said he looks forward to seeing how this all plays out and feels confident in Muskins case. McMillan did not respond to requests for comment.

Along with hundreds of thousands of Anne Arundel County residents, I look forward to the court declaring what we already know  the health officer lacked legal authority to disregard the vote of the County Council opposing a mask mandate and make up his own rules, Volke said.

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The county health department stands by its decision.

The department of healths actions are all defendable and justified under the applicable statutes and regulations, as [the Maryland Department of Health] has confirmed with us, Anne Arundel County Health Department Director of Communications Megan Pringle said. The statute the health department relied on requires the health officer shall cooperate with the secretary to prevent the spread of the disease. Dr. Kalyanaraman cooperated with them on this issue. Approval is not required as the health officer has the authority to act when a health officer has reason to believe that a disease that endangers public health exists within the county.

The Maryland Department of Health confirmed with The Capital it was made aware of the public safety order and took no position.

Jeff Amoros, communications director for the county executive, added, Were confident all the elements of the statute were met for Dr. Kalyanaraman to lawfully issue this order.
The judge in the federal case against U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry blistered Fortenberrys attorneys Tuesday for attacking an FBI agents reputation and scrutinized prosecutors one-time characterization that Fortenberry was trending toward becoming a witness rather than the subject of the investigation.

U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. also raised doubts about whether Fortenberrys trial will go on, as scheduled, in mid-February. Federal courts in Los Angeles  where Blumenfeld is based  have suspended jury trials through the end of January because of a surge in COVID-19 cases. Any extension of that suspension would delay Fortenberrys trial.

Fortenberry, a Republican who has represented eastern Nebraskas 1st District since 2005, is charged with three felonies  two counts of making false statements to federal agents and one count of seeking to conceal the source of $30,000 in conduit political contributions from a 2016 California fundraiser.

The money originated with Gilbert Chagoury, a Paris-based Nigerian, who purportedly directed the donations to Fortenberry because of a shared interest in protecting Christians from persecution in the Middle East. It is illegal for foreigners to donate to U.S. political campaigns.

Monday, the embattled lawmaker announced plans to seek a 10th term. Tuesday, he did not appear in court during the motions hearing; the judge had excused him from appearing.

Tuesdays hearing was relatively routine in that it involved battles over discovery and a motion to suppress the defendants statement to law enforcement  both of which are commonplace in criminal cases. Then again, little in Fortenberrys case is routine.

One of the charges against Fortenberry grew out of a July 2019 interview in Washington, D.C., in which lead prosecutor Mack Jenkins, an assistant U.S. attorney based in Los Angeles, asked some of the questions posed to Fortenberry. Prosecutors allege that Fortenberry lied during that interview and an earlier interview at his Lincoln home about the origin of the $30,000.

They claim that Fortenberry had been informed that the money probably came from Chagoury during a 2018 phone call from the organizer of the California fundraiser, who, by then, was cooperating with the FBI. But authorities allege Fortenberry denied knowing that fact during interviews with law enforcement.

Having criticized Jenkins for taking part in the interview, Fortenberrys attorneys, John Littrell and Ryan Fraser, argued Tuesday that Fortenberrys granting of an interview in D.C. resulted from assurances that Jenkins had given to Fortenberrys former attorney. That attorney, Trey Gowdy, said Jenkins told him that Fortenberry was not a target of the governments investigation, but a subject who was trending toward becoming a witness.

Fraser argued Tuesday that Fortenberry might not have spoken to FBI agents but for that assurance.

Judge Blumenfeld questioned prosecutors on the characterization that Fortenberry was trending toward being simply a witness in the investigation.

I mean a reasonable (defense) lawyer would take some comfort and perhaps calculate that into his or her decision about whether to proceed with an interview, dont you think? Blumenfeld said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamari Buxton told the judge that Fortenberry is the one who sought out the second interview after having spoken months before to FBI agents who had shown up at his Lincoln home to talk about the California fundraiser.

Buxton said no prosecutor promised Fortenberry that he wouldnt be prosecuted. Buxton said the defense is essentially arguing that prosecutors have to be forever held to whatever representation they make of someone being questioned in a federal investigation.

What the defendant is saying is that ... it creates a contractual obligation for the government to honor that designation, regardless of what the investigation uncovers, Buxton said. Thats not how investigations work.

Littrell also argued that the defense should have a right to see any texts or emails between the federal prosecutors on the team to see if they show any bias or animus toward Fortenberry. Littrell argued that prosecutors thought that Fortenberry would come clean during the D.C. interview. When he told the truth  instead of telling prosecutors what they wanted to hear, according to Littrell  prosecutors were frustrated. So the only reason for continuing the second interview was to punish Fortenberry, Littrell said.

The prosecutors motives do matter, Littrell said. The lead prosecutors motives certainly matter.

Federal prosecutors have resisted the request for their communications, saying it invades private work discussions between attorneys and, therefore, is off limits.

A third prosecutor on the case, assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Har, said the desired information also would not reveal anything other than attorneys talking about next steps in the investigation.

Could the defendant put a wash over all of that and suggest that it was done because (prosecutors were) upset? Har said. That could be said about any investigation that continues to logically flow from the false statements that the defendant made.

The judge said he would rule on the defense motions at a later date.

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LINCOLN  Death would become a little less costly in Nebraska under a compromise measure given first-round approval Tuesday.

As advanced, Legislative Bill 310 would help people inheriting property in the state by increasing the amount exempt from inheritance taxes, reducing the tax rates and eliminating the tax on heirs age 21 or younger. The measure cleared first-round consideration on a 41-4 vote.

Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, who introduced LB 310, led the push for eliminating or drastically reducing the tax. His original version of the bill would have cut the tax in half. He backed an amendment offered this year that would have phased it out entirely.

Clements argued that the tax, which dates to 1901, is outdated and puts the state at a competitive disadvantage. Nebraska is one of only six states that levy inheritance taxes, and one of the six, Iowa, will phase out its tax by 2025.

People are finding out that Nebraska is a bad place to die, he said, adding that, as a community banker, he has seen cases where heirs have to sell their inheritance to pay the taxes on it. I think we can do better than to treat families this way.

But the idea of eliminating the tax or reducing it sharply met with strong opposition from county governments, which get the proceeds from inheritance taxes. Opponents said inheritance tax revenues represent the second-largest revenue source for counties and losing that revenue would force counties to turn to their other main source of revenue  property taxes.

If I could get rid of the inheritance tax, I would, said State Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson. But this is a tax shift. This is going to raise property taxes.

Nebraska counties have collected about $70 million in inheritance taxes in each of the last six years, although the amount fluctuates from year to year for individual counties. Douglas County collects between $12 million and $13 million annually. Because the amount is unpredictable, most counties put the funds in their cash reserve or put the money to one-time uses.

Clements argued that this is a good time to reduce the tax because counties are getting money from the federal pandemic relief legislation. But others said the federal dollars provide a one-time influx of money and do not replace the inheritance taxes in the future.

Blueprint Nebraska, an economic development initiative launched by Nebraska business and higher education leaders, has called for eliminating the inheritance tax as part of its effort to overhaul the states tax system.

Under current law, spouses are exempt from paying inheritance taxes. Immediate family, including children, parents, grandparents and siblings, pay a 1% rate on inherited property, with a $40,000 exemption. More distant relatives, such as nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and their descendants, pay a 13% rate, with a $15,000 exemption. All others pay 18%, with a $10,000 exemption.

The compromise version of LB 310 would raise the exemption for immediate family to $100,000 but leave the rate unchanged. The exemption for more distant relatives would increase to $40,000 and the rate would drop to 11%, while the exemption for unrelated heirs would increase to $25,000 and the rate would drop to 15%.

Clements said the compromise, which was proposed by the Revenue Committee, would reduce the amount collected by counties to about $60 million annually.

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NORMAL  Humans weren't the only ones displaced after tornadoes ravaged the Midwest on Dec. 10.

Pets and stray animals were pulled from the rubble after severe storms swept through parts of Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky and elsewhere, overwhelming shelters there.

"They were overfilled," said Jane Kahman, manager of the Humane Society of Central Illinois in Normal. "There were strays or people who lost their homes who couldn't take care of (pets) and that type of thing. It's still going on in that region. People are still looking for help with their animals."

That's where local animal shelters stepped in.

Animals were given care locally to take pressure off shelters in tornado-damaged areas. Some were rescued. Others were surrendered after people were left homeless.

The Humane Society of Central Illinois, 423 N. Kays Drive in Normal, has brought in eight stray dogs that were rescued following the December storms, and they expect to continue taking in more in the coming months, said Kahman.

"They were brought up here to relieve the stress of the southern Illinois shelters, because they couldn't take in more but they wanted to help," said Kahman. "Anytime there's that urgent need, my contacts throughout the state know that they can always call us to see if we have room."

Severe thunderstorms tore through southern Illinois and surrounding states. The worst hit in Kentucky, where at least 70 were killed in a tornado that swept through multiple states. Back in Illinois, the National Weather Service estimated an EF3 category tornado hit an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, collapsing part of the 1.1 million-square-foot building and killing six.

In Central Illinois, the Alton Delivery and Warehousing facility north of Mattoon was destroyed. Bloomington-Normal escaped the most severe damage.

Of the eight dogs the HSCI has taken in that were displaced during the storms, one remains up for adoption: a 1-year-old hound-pit bull mix named Leroy.

Leroy was brought to the shelter after he was rescued in the Metropolis area in southern Illinois, and while much of his backstory is unknown, he is a sweet puppy looking for his fur-ever home in Bloomington-Normal.

"He was found a stray and that's about all I know," said Kahman. "They were transferring from southern Illinois up so they could help Edwardsville (shelters) and the others. He's just one of the many that I've taken in recently."

Leroy was healthy when he arrived in Normal, but while his other friends were adopted out rather quickly, he stayed behind waiting on an appointment with a local veterinarian to be fixed.

"He was in very good shape, we just had to wait for a vet appointment," said Kahman. "That's why he stuck around longer. That's the major obstacle right now, is that vets are, due to their shortages in employees and the increase in the amount of animals people have gotten through the pandemic, their practices are full."

Leroy goes up for adoption Wednesday, and he is expected to appear during an upcoming Humane Society fundraising event at The Station Saloon, 1611 Morrissey Drive, in Bloomington. The event is 4-7 p.m. on Monday.

People who are interested in adopting Leroy or any animal through the HSCI are asked to submit an online application or to fill out an application at the shelter.

IF YOU GO WHAT: Queen of Hearts Raffle, a fundraiser to support the Humane Society of Central Illinois. WHERE: The Station Saloon, 1611 Morrissey Drive, in Bloomington. WHEN: 4-7 p.m. Monday. MORE INFO: Visit hscipets.org.

Andrew Childers, who is on the HSCI animal care team and helped coordinate the Queen of Hearts event, said Leroy would do well as a family dog, perhaps one with children and a large yard where he can run and play. Leroy is also friendly with other dogs, and he always wants to be beside his human caretakers.

"He does very well while walking," said Childers. "He'll sometimes pull if he sees a bird, he loves his birds. Sometimes when walking, if he gets too ahead and doesn't hear footsteps behind him, he'll stop and make sure that you're there. He always wants to be close to someone."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Sierra Henry at 309-820-3234. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_sierrahenry.

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BLOOMINGTON  A traffic stop for a vehicle code violation has led to drug charges in McLean County court against two Chicago residents.

Prosecutors said Rochelle A. McCray, 37, and Tony Robinson, 38, were in the vehicle that Bloomington police stopped around 2:30 a.m. Monday near West Market Street and North Western Avenue.

A police dog indicated there were illegal drugs and a search of the car was ordered, a prosecutor said in a probable cause statement. Police found about 50 grams of cocaine, or about 1.75 ounces, throughout the vehicle packaged in at least 50 separate bags, prosecutors said.

A .40 caliber handgun also was found within a bag inside the vehicle, and Robinson was found in possession of a green star-shaped pill which tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine, authorities said.

McCray is charged with unlawful possession of:

Watch now: ACLU president confronts Bloomington council on license plate cameras A two-year contract with Flock Safety to purchase and install 10 automatic license plate readers in Bloomington is tabled to the first week of February.

15-100 grams of cocaine with the intent to deliver, a Class X felony

1-15 grams of cocaine with the intent to deliver, a Class 1 felony

15-100 grams of cocaine, a Class 1 felony

Less than 15 grams of cocaine, a Class 4 felony

Robinson is charged with unlawful possession of:

15-100 grams of cocaine with the intent to deliver, a Class X felony

15-100 grams of cocaine, a Class 1 felony

A weapon by a convicted felon, a Class 2 felony

Firearm ammunition by a convicted felon, a Class 2 felony

Less than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony

McCray was jailed in lieu of posting $5,035, while Robinson remains jailed in lieu of posting $15,035.

Arraignments are scheduled for Jan. 28.

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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BLOOMINGTON  A LeRoy man was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison on burglary and firearm charges.

Jordan P. Gillespie, 27, pleaded guilty last year to one count each of residential burglary, a Class 1 felony, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a Class 2 felony.

He was charged in February along with a co-defendant whose case has not yet been resolved.

Court documents indicated then that he committed a residential burglary and stole firearms from the residence between Nov. 14 and Dec. 9, 2020, in the 400 block of East North Street in LeRoy.

Defense lawyer Brendan Bukalski said Gillespie broke into his fathers home.

Firearms reported stolen were a .357 magnum, a 9mm and a .22 caliber handgun, as well as ammunition.

Police recovered some of the stolen items, but the .357 magnum and 50 rounds for that gun, and the 9 mm handgun along with 200 rounds for that firearm were not recovered, the judge said Tuesday.

Judge William Yoder told Gillespie that he was ready to impose a 20-year prison sentence. But prosecutors recommended a total 15 years in prison for the residential burglary charge, which will run concurrently with the firearm charge.

Bukalski asked the judge to sentence Gillespie to seven years in prison.

Gillespie received credit for at least 346 days previously served in jail.

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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DOWNS  A Tri-Valley High School science teacher and his students will have a chance to work with NASA and the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center at the California Institute of Technology to do astronomy research over the next year.

Jeff Benter was selected to be part of the 2022-2023 class of the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program. Benter and three other teachers from across the country will work with Varoujan Gorjian, a scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

The program has the teachers do research using data from various NASA and IPAC databases, a press release from IPAC said.

In the end the teachers and their students present posters about their research, with the presentations planned for a meeting in Seattle in January, 2023.

Recent NITARP projects have included studies about the disks of matter around black holes in the centers of galaxies and searching for young stars in a nebula, both projects completed by the class that started in 2020, just before the pandemic began.

The teachers who participate also share their learning and training with other teachers in their district, IPAC said in the release.

Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood

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The death of 5-year-old Damari Perry, allegedly at the hands of family members charged in connection with his death, has reignited discussions about corporal punishment, child abuse and, experts say, a larger category of severe, recurring punishment more closely resembling child torture  sometimes designed not to leave a visible injury.

Although he was originally reported missing by relatives who said he was last seen Jan. 4 at a party in Skokie, Damari is believed to have been dead several days before the Jan. 5 call to police was made. He died Dec. 29, the day before he would have turned 6, allegedly after a family member forced him to remain in a cold shower for an unspecified amount of time as punishment, prosecutors have said.

Sometimes kids get punished in ways that are intended to not leave any marks, said Betsy Goulet, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield who teaches ways to reveal less obvious physical abuse, so you want there to be conversations that somehow bring that to the surface.

Perrys mother has been charged with first-degree murder, and two of her other sons also are charged in connection with the boys death, according to Jim Newton, a spokesman for the Lake County states attorneys office.

In interviews with the Tribune, experts didnt evaluate the validity of those charges or the specifics of the investigation into Damaris death, but rather offered greater context on child abuse in general.

Ive been in this business for 40-plus years, and talking ... about this makes me uneasy, said Arthur Lurigio, a psychology and criminal justice professor at Loyola University Chicago. Its horrible to even imagine.

Allegations like the ones in Damaris case may cross into the realm of child torture, a level beyond abuse, in a similar category as isolation, confinement and starvation, Lurigio said. Torture can go past episodic anger and is designed to establish domination and control, he said.

Without specifically addressing the Perry case, Lurigio said abusers, in general, often will dehumanize the child, lack empathy for the child, are unable to control their behaviors and occasionally may have intellectual limitations or traumatic brain injuries.

Thats because human brains are hard-wired on a basic, evolutionary level to care for kids and not hurt them, he added.

Think about what you would have to overcome to be able to hurt a child to this degree, Lurigio said. We dont hurt kids.

Its also not necessarily about trying to correct or prevent a behavior. Harsh punishment is about rage and instilling fear, Goulet said.

She partners with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a coordinator for the Child Protection Training Academy, a center for simulation-based child protection training.

Part of the training includes teaching advocates to look for less obvious signs of abuse in a home. This practice can include asking parents questions about their attitudes toward punishment, or looking for objects that could be used in abuse, such as heavy weights in a childs room, Goulet said.

Though she wouldnt speculate on the mindset of those involved in this case, cold showers might be used as punishment because parents think it wont harm a child, Goulet said, and we know otherwise.

Still, cold showers are not a widespread cause of death for children, she said.

It just so happens now weve heard about it in two pretty high profile cases, she added, referring to the 2019 death of 5-year-old Andrew AJ Freund. Freunds parents were convicted of causing his death in northwest suburban Crystal Lake, after he was put in a cold shower for an extended period and beaten.

Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for DCFS, said he could not immediately determine how often this tactic is used in cases of child abuse.

Corporal punishment can be difficult to discuss, in part because of generational differences regarding how physical discipline is viewed, Goulet said.

There even are students in her child protection classes who say, Well, my parents hit me and Im OK. And thats a good starting point, she said. Goulet implores those students to ask themselves about the effect of this type of punishment and whether there were times when it was too intense or caused fear, she added.

Many of us grew up in homes where parents used different techniques, she said, adding that advocates now know corporal punishment can cause brain damage  something that wasnt widely known a generation ago.

Perry was placed into the foster care system soon after he was born at the end of 2015, according to DCFS records, but his mother, Jannie Perry, regained custody of her children in 2017. In May 2021, the agency investigated an allegation of abuse or neglect involving Damari, but that report later was determined to be unfounded, McCaffrey, the DCFS spokesman, said.

Jannie Perrys oldest son, 20-year-old Jeremiah Perry, has been charged with aggravated battery and concealment of a homicide in connection with his brothers death. Another of Perrys sons, who authorities say is 17, has been charged as a juvenile.

In the past, charges might not have been filed against caregivers other than parents, according to Robin Wilson, a law professor at the University of Illinois.

However, child abuse laws have recently expanded to include other adults with caretaking relationships, such as siblings, Wilson said. This change acknowledges that other people than parents may have a significant role in a childs life, and may have control over a child, she added.

No one in the home sought medical care for the boy, authorities said. After he died, family members allegedly left his body at an abandoned home in the 700 block of Van Buren Street in Gary, authorities said.

Jeremiah Perry is being held in the Lake County Jail in lieu of $3 million bail. He had been scheduled to appear in court again Tuesday, but details of the appearance werent immediately available.

Jannie Perry had been expected in bond court Sunday, but was hospitalized due to an undisclosed medical issue, authorities said.

Perrys four other children have been placed in foster care with DCFS, McCaffrey said.

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This story originally was published on Jan. 12, 2017.

It was called the Missouri Miracle. For once, a screaming headline was an understatement.

On January 12, 2007, FBI agents and police officers entered a small apartment in Kirkwood to cap their search for Ben Ownby, a boy who had been snatched four days before from a rural school bus stop in Franklin County. Sitting quietly on a sofa was a second boy, a teenager.

He was Shawn Hornbeck, who had disappeared more than four years earlier from his own rural neighborhood in Washington County. He was still listed as a missing person, and almost everyone but his family had given up hope of finding him alive.

The man who kidnapped them both was Michael J. Devo Devlin, 41, a portly social misfit and pizza-restaurant manager in Kirkwood who grew up in neighboring Webster Groves. He lived in a cluttered one-bedroom apartment in the 400 block of South Holmes Avenue, near the Union Pacific rail line.

On the day of the second kidnapping, another boys good memory of seeing a beat-up white pickup near the scene led investigators to Devlin, then to his apartment  and to the miracle double discovery.

Gary Toelke, then the Franklin County sheriff, made the announcement outside his office in Union as cold rain fell: We have some good news for you and probably some unbelievable news. We located Ben this afternoon in the city of Kirkwood and we also located Shawn Hornbeck, who was at the same residence.

A short time earlier, Devlin had confessed to investigators, saying, Im a bad person.

74 life sentences

On that day  Jan. 12, 2007  the news flashed worldwide, quickly inspiring the enduring headline. Grateful families were reunited. The boy with the good memory, Mitchell Hults of Franklin County, was rewarded with a bounty that included a new pickup, even though at 15 he wasnt quite of driving age.

That fall, Devlin pleaded guilty in four courthouses of multiple counts of kidnapping and sexual assault, and was sentenced to 74 life sentences in Missouri prison and 170 years of federal time. He remains in a protective-custody wing of the state Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron, in northwestern Missouri.

Almost strangled

Shawn was 11 and riding his bike alone on Oct. 6, 2002, when Devlin, who had been patrolling quiet roads for months in search of a young victim, spotted him. Devlin, driving his white pickup, knocked Shawn off his bike and drove off with him.

Devlin kept Shawn tied up for a month in his Kirkwood apartment. At one point, he tried to strangle the boy but stopped after Shawn promised he would never tell anyone.

For the next four years, with Shawn believing his family would be harmed if he fled, the two lived alternately as father and son or just family friends.

Devlin eventually let Shawn hang out with buddies, get a cellphone and go on dates. He didnt go to school. Shawn said nothing, and nobody in Kirkwood noticed he was the missing boy from Richwoods, 50 miles away. Inside the apartment was a childs hell of sexual abuse.

His parents created the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation to help search for missing children. On Oct. 6, 2006, the fourth anniversary of their sons disappearance, they circulated a computer-generated photo of what an older Shawn might look like.

Devlin would later tell FBI agents that he began looking for another boy because Shawn was getting too old. That led him on Jan. 8, 2007, to Beaufort, in western Franklin County, where he kidnapped Ben Ownby from the bus stop. Shawn was with him in the pickup.

Mitchell, a truck enthusiast who happened to be nearby, got a good look at the 1991 Nissan, giving Toelke and the FBI a solid lead.

Three days later, two Kirkwood police officers answered a call at Devlins apartment building for an unrelated complaint. Preparing to leave, Officer Gary Wagster asked his partner, Chris Nelson, Are you seeing what Im seeing?

It was a pickup of the sort on the bulletins, down to Mitchells description of dirt and rust. Devlin appeared, taking out his trash. The officers knew him from the Imos restaurant where he worked, around the corner from the police station. They asked questions; Devlin would not let them search his apartment.

Police zeroed in. Officers kept watch on the apartment and Devlin, whom investigators confronted the next morning at Imos. Finally confessing to Bens kidnapping, he stunned his questioners by saying he also had Shawn.

Toelke was in his office at the Franklin County Jail as officers down the hall began talking about the stunning possibility.

At first, I thought it was some kind of sick police joke, Toelke later recalled. Then Roland [Corvington of the FBI] came in and said its true. The command post erupted.

People talk about life-changing events, he continued. Thats what it was.

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On Monday, Iowas state Senate president went too far. As elected lawmakers from around the state reconvened at the Iowa Capitol amid laughter, happy talk and big goals for the session, Republican Jake Chapman lashed out, not at the opposing party, but at two constituent groups: journalists and teachers.

In what may be the most inappropriate allegation you'll ever hear from a public official, the 37-year-old lawmaker accused members of both professions of having a sinister agenda to "normalize sexually deviant behavior against our children, including pedophilia and incest." He said they are "pushing this movement more than ever before."

Some teachers, Chapman alleged, "are disguising sexually obscene material as desired subject matter and profess it has artistic and literary value." Of journalists, he asserted, "It has become increasingly evident that we live in a world in which many, including our media, wish to confuse, misguide and deceive us, calling good evil and evil good."

Chapman's hits may have been aimed at the Register editorial board over an editorial that said: "When we lack evidence to the contrary, we trust that educators have kids' well-being first in mind and will resolve close calls in favor of free expression. Chapman views them as enemies of the people, either negligently or maliciously poisoning young minds."

While acknowledging that some excerpts highlighted by opponents included frank discussions and portrayals of sex acts and sexual abuse, the editorial said, "They are part of award-winning longer stories relevant to young people's experiences. Chapman sees works that appeal 'to the prurient interest,' according to the state law already on the books that he says school employees may be violating."

We in the news media are capable of defending ourselves against broadsides like Chapman's on Monday. But it's harder for school teachers and librarians to stand up for themselves in the face of such a diatribe, especially against accusations as grotesque and twisted as Chapman's claims about encouraging pedophilia and incest.

Many teachers already are stretched to their limits with the pandemic and Iowa politicians' refusal to order safety measures, attacks from parents who want to have sole discretion on what their children can see, and now some newly elected school board members taking their cues from national right wing-groups and movements that are hostile to public education in the first place.

Not to mention, it doesn't behoove a public official to make such inflammatory generalizations about an entire line of work, especially one over which his body has financial power.

One wishes it were just that the senator has a really thin skin and can't take criticism that would prompt him to speak such harmful words on a day when lawmakers usually make nice with colleagues and constituents in an attempt to start off the year right. As Senate president, Chapman is expected to rise above petty personal defensiveness.

But a more sobering interpretation of his position on this, for families across the state, is that he doesn't want anyone to read materials that would affirm their lives as gay or transgender people.

Sexual orientation is not something people choose. It's who they are. For children struggling to understand their sexual orientation or gender identity, literature can help bring self-acceptance and affirmation that they're not alone. Iowa already has laws protecting LGBTQ civil rights. Ours was one of the first states to have same-sex marriage. If Chapman can't accept that, maybe he shouldn't hold office in this state.

But for now, since he is, he should apologize to those he hurt, and do a better job of listening to others who don't share his biases. If he doesn't, he should be removed from his leadership position and legislators should seek to censure him. Both houses of the Legislature have ethics committees with equal representation from both parties, and anyone can file an ethics complaint over a lawmaker's inappropriate behavior.

Iowans should also respond by speaking out publicly in support of teachers, whom Chapman had the audacity to characterize as supporters of incest and pedophilia.

Rekha Basu is a columnist for the Des Moines Register. rbasu@dmreg.com

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The Chief Executive Officer of Allianz Life, Mr Gideon Ataraire was adjudged the 2021 CEO of the Year; Insurance Category at the just ended 2021 edition of the Corporate Ghana Awards.



The event was held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.



The CEO of the Year Award sought to highlight outstanding leadership and strong performance during a turbulent business climate.



Commenting on the award, Mr Ataraire said, the award is for our cherished customers and dedicated employees who have made the winning of such an award possible.



He added that the company would continue to listen to its customers who provided good feedback to improve the quality of service and solutions.



He said although there had been difficult times due to the pandemic, the employees of Allianz Life had shown so much commitment and resilience which resulted in the winning of the award.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has urged the media not to forget about the importance of credibility, professionalism, and other ethics in journalism.



"The media is doing well but they need to avoid opinion journalism. The fact must be reported and not rumours. Journalists must keep their views out of their reportage," he urged.



The Information Minister made this remark on the back of the opening of the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP) 2022.



The programme which is being spearheaded by the government and its partners, including the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), the National Media Commission (NMC) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is aimed at training 250 media practitioners annually under a scholarship.



Speaking to sit-in host, Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', the Ofoase Ayiribi MP likened the training programme to Free SHS saying: "This is like a free SHS for the media...all you need to do is to go and study".



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) sayts it will, thisyear, commence processes to review the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP).



The Head of Public Affairs at the FWSC, Mr Earl Ankrah who made this known said the Commission was putting a team together, comprising all stakeholders from the public and private sectors to commence the review process soon.



He was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).



He said the review would focus on job evaluation factors, allowances and non-core allowances, consolidation of certain allowances under the basic pay, the premium, and performance management among others.



The SSPP is a policy for salary administration for public sector institutions introduced by the government in 2010.



The FWSC said the review of the policy had become necessary after about ten years of its implementation.



A complete overhaul of the single spine is under serious consideration. It is about ten years since its implementation, and the consultants recommendation was that the policy should be reviewed periodically, Mr Ankrah, said.



He said the Commission could not undertake the review processes alone, hence the need to involve all relevant stakeholders particularly the beneficiaries of the SSPP and employers.



Mr Ankrah said the Commission would hold a stakeholder engagement session to kickstart the processes.



It is a herculean task, which will involve all stakeholders. So, all the social partners will sit down and decide, he said.



The government, in 2009, initiated the SSPP as a proposal to reinstate equity and transparency in public service pay administration.



The policy was implemented in 2010 to regulate the payment of public service workers, especially those under Article 190 of the 1992 Constitution, over a five-year period.



Despite the policy seeking to eliminate inequalities in the public sector pay structure, its implementation over the last decade has not been smooth, with stakeholders and beneficiaries constantly agitating that the policy had failed to address inequalities.



The Trades Union Congress (TUC) for instance has persistently called for a review of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), saying it has not served its purpose.



Pay in the public sector is still very low, pay inequities are still very wide and there is an energetic attempt by some public sector entities to exit the SSSS, with some having already exited, bringing us back to the previous situation when there were multiple bargaining sectors within the public sector, Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Director of the Labour Policy and Research Institute of the TUC, said at an Economic Forum on the 2021 mid-year budget in Accra in August last year.

Source: GNA









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A former High Commissioner to India, Sam Pee Yalley, has cautioned against what he describes as the use of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to control media content in Ghana.



This comes after the Asantehene was chosen as the guest speaker for the official opening of the maiden media capacity enhancement programme at the Manhyia Palace on Monday 10 January.



In his speech at the event, the Asantehene told the journalists that they have a duty to protect and preserve the unity and stability of our country



It is my hope that improving the understanding of our practitioners will contribute to the enhancement of the quality of the media and diminish the source of concerns we have today.



Let me conclude with a fervent appeal to the media, to all our journalists and media owners, you all have a duty to protect and preserve the unity and stability of our country, in the face of all the turmoil in the world, you are proud because you can point to your country with pride and its stability and increasing success, he said.



A challenging moment it has been but it is so for us to follow the Methodist hymnal and count our blessings, count them one by one and we will know what the Lord has done for us. That knowledge should inspire us to persevere, to work hard to douse conflict, work hard to forge unity and generosity of heart, the Asantehene added.



But Mr Sam Pee Yalley who is against the choice of the Manhyia Palace as the venue for the event in a text message read on the New Day show on TV3 by Johnnie Hughes on Tuesday January 11 that We must careful not to use the power of the Asantehene in the manipulation of Media Content in Ghana. This will be in the long term interest in Media Freedom in Ghana.



The venue is wrong, the Chieftaincy Institution itself is a subject of Media scrutiny and such subtle attempts to influence Media content is dangerous.



Deputy National Youth Oragnsier of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Edem Agbana who also raised issues against the government being the organizer of this capacity enhancement programme, indicated that this has the propensity of compromising the neutrality of journalists.



He believed that the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) should have been the organizers of such an event, not the government.



He was contributing to a discussion on the New Day show with Johnnie Hughes on TV3 Tuesday January 11 regarding the programme designed by the government through the Ministry of Information to provide training for some 250 journalists annually across the country.



The government should not be the organizer of this event, Agbana said.



He further asked the GJA to take up the issue of welfare of journalists seriously.



The Ghana Journalists Association must sit-up on the issues of welfare of journalists. We need to have a whole conversation about the welfare of journalists, he said.



Communications Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), George Ayisi, however believed that there was nothing wrong with the government organizing the programme.



The government is supporting all institutions to thrive and the media is part so that is ok. That cannot take people from their jobs, he said.



He however agreed with Agbana on the point that another body could have organised this programme.



It would have been ideal if GJA had done it or the National Media Commission (NMC), he said.



On Monday, 10th January 2022, we officially opened the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP) for the first cohort of Ghanaian journalists at Manhyia, Ashanti Region.



Meanwhile, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has thanked the Asantehene for hosting the opening ceremony.



The National Media Commission (NMC), Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Private Newspaper Publishers Association (PRINPAG), Institute of Professional Studies (IPS), Communication Educators, Association of Ghana Civil Society Groups in Media and selected leading journalists and media houses worked together to set up an independent working group that is collaborating to enhance the capacity of Ghanaian journalists to ensure they deliver on their mandate.



Appreciation to His Royal Majesty, Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II for gracing and hosting the opening ceremony. We will continue to do more to support the Ghanaian journalist, he wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

Source: 3news.com









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The First Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on Ghanaians to join hands to protect the countrys democracy.



He said it was prudent for the citizens to perform their civic responsibilities while politicians worked to enhance the welfare of the citizenry and not engage in corrupt practices to the detriment of the country.



Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, made the call in an address at a ceremony at Effutu Essuekyir in the Effutu Municipality where more than 50 teachers, schools, staff of the education directorate and retirees were honoured.



The event, on the theme Motivating the teacher: The role of Stakeholders, was organised by the Municipal Education Directorate and solely sponsored by the MP to motivate and also encourage other teachers to work harder.



Truth



The Effutu MP said politicians must tell the electorate the truth about the real state of affairs and stop pretending that all was well just because they wanted to hold on to office.



He called on his constituents to rally behind him to bring more development projects to the area, including the construction of a Childrens Hospital at Effutu Gyangyanadze to serve the Central Region.



He thanked Neenyi Ghartey VII, Effutu Oma Odefe and the chief and elders of Gyangyanadze for releasing land to the government to build the children's referral hospital.



Mr Afenyo-Markin said an Information, Communication and Technology Centre was under construction at Effutu Osubon Payin and expressed the hope that it would be inaugurated before this years Aboakyer festival.



Education



On Education, he announced that a 50-person capacity library block fully stocked with computers and a classroom block with offices had been constructed for the Winneba Vocational Training School.



He expressed gratitude to the teachers for properly grooming the children under their care and urged parents to encourage their children to concentrate on their studies for them to become patriotic and responsible citizens in the society in the future.

Source: GNA









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US President Joe Biden referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as 'President Harris' in yet another slip of the tongue while addressing students in Atlanta.



The gaffe which isn't the first by the president, was made while speaking about voting rights on the campus of Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College on Tuesday, January 11. He didn't correct himself after making the error. Referencing last year's Capitol Hill riot on January 6, he told the crowd:



'Last week, President Harris and I stood in the United States Capitol to observe one of those before and after moments in American history.' Biden has referred to his second-in-command as 'President Harris' multiple times since coming into office - including at a speech in South Carolina last month.



In December 2020, before the Biden administration was sworn in, Biden called Harris the 'president-elect.' During the 2020 election, Donald Trump and Republicans accused Biden of suffering from cognitive decline .



Watch the video below.





Biden calls Kamala President Harris yet again pic.twitter.com/vYaQlIGtdW

 Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) January 11, 2022









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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Veteran actor, Psalm Adjeteyfio has been speaking about how he wasted the GH50,000 cash donation from the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia meant for his rent and upkeep.



He said he used 30,000 to buy two plots of land and also purchased a used taxi for his son for GH20,000.



The explanation has come a day after he was captured in a viral audio on social media begging for leftover food from media personality MzGee.



The audio left many to wonder how a man who had received such a colossal amount from the Vice President and an extra 1,500 as monthly upkeep from the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey will come back begging for help.



To clear the air, the actor who is popularly known as T.T. said he has invested the funds that were accrued from these donations, hence his current state.



Taking note of the situation, the whole world had their eye on the money so I should be very careful how I use the money, so I got two plots of land which I paid for one with ready cash Im yet to pay for the other one, he said in an interview on Takoradi-based Empire FM.



Strangely, the reason the Vice President came to TTs rescue did not feature in his spending.



Dr Bawumia had donated to the actor to enable him to pay for his rent and use the rest for his upkeep.



But after blowing the cash TT has gone back to his begging way, asking people for leftovers.



TT pleaded with potential donors who backed off upon hearing the announcement of the Vice Presidents gesture to keep supporting him to survive.



Meanwhile, there is a brouhaha over who leaked the audio. MzGee who was heavily criticised for the leak claimed she didnt leak the audio, alleging she only sent it to someone in the office of the Vice President.



But speaking on Empire Fm, T.T also alleged that MzGee told him she forwarded the said audio to her husband when she was not in Ghana to see how best they could help him.



This, therefore, presupposes that her claims about only sending the audio to someone at the office of the Vice President may not be entirely accurate.

Source: Daily Guide









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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This X-ray image of the galactic center merges all Swift observations from 2006 through 2013. Sagittarius A* is at center. Red are low-energy X-rays (300 to 1,500 electron volts). Green are medium-energy (1,500 to 3,000 eV). Blue are high-energy (3,000 to 10,000 eV) in blue. Credit: NASA/Swift/N. Degenaar

The black hole at the center of the galaxy not only flares irregularly from day to day, but also in the long term. This was revealed by an analysis of 15 years of data by an international team of researchers led by Alexis Andres from El Salvador. Andres started his research in 2019 as a summer student at the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and dug into it in the years that followed. The research is to be published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Astronomers have known for decades that Sagittarius A*, the black hole in the center of the Milky Way, flashes every day and sometimes gets 10 to 100 times brighter than normal. To find out more about Sagittarius A*'s flares, an international team of astronomers searched for patterns in 15 years of data. That long data set is available because NASA's Swift satellite has been glancing at the central black hole every three days since 2006.

It turns out that from 2006 to 2008, the area near the black hole was flashing quite a bit. But between 2008 and 2012, it was pretty quiet. And after 2012, the flares increased again.

The researchers could not distinguish a pattern. "So how the flares occur exactly remains unclear," says co-author Jakob van den Eijnden (now University of Oxford (United Kingdom), formerly University of Amsterdam). "It was previously thought that more flares follow after gaseous clouds or stars pass by the black hole, but there is no evidence for that yet. And we cannot yet confirm the hypothesis that the magnetic properties of the surrounding gas play a role either."

Summer school

The research was led by Alexis Andres from El Salvador. He participated in the summer of 2019 as an undergraduate student in the ASPIRE program of the Anton Pannekoek Institute of Astronomy at the University of Amsterdam. In this program, talented students from countries with fewer academic development opportunities work on an astronomical project for a summer. After summer school, Andres returned to El Salvador and devoted himself to this research for two years. He led the international research team from a distance because of the corona restrictions. Andres has been studying for a master's degree in astronomy in Mexico City since August 2021. He wants to become a professional scientist and wishes to bring astronomy to his home country.

Long dataset

"The long dataset of the Swift observatory did not just happen by accident," says co-author Nathalie Degenaar (University of Amsterdam). She was the supervisor of Andres and Van den Eijnden during the summer school. While Degenaar was doing her Ph.D., NASA granted her request for the measurements. "And since then, I've been applying for prolongation regularly. It's a very special observing program that allows us to conduct a lot of research."

Over the next few years, the astronomers expect to gather enough data to be able to rule out whether the variations in the flares near Sagittarius A* are due to passing gaseous clouds or stars, or whether something else is going on.

Sagittarius A*

Sagittarius A*, (in short Sgr A*, pronounced "saj a-star") the black hole at the center of the galaxy, is located in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius as seen from Earth. Astronomers have been studying the black hole's environment for years. For example, half of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2020 went to researchers who had spent years tracking the stars that circle the black hole. And an international team of astronomers, with a large share from the Netherlands, is trying to take a picture or a movie of the direct surroundings of the black hole using the Event Horizon Telescope. Partly because this black hole flares so unpredictable, it is a lot harder to image than, for example, the black hole in galaxy M87, of which the first picture was published in 2019.

Explore further Watch stars move around the Milky Way's supermassive black hole in deepest images yet

More information: A Swift study of long-term changes in the X-ray flaring properties of Sagittarius A*. Accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society A Swift study of long-term changes in the X-ray flaring properties of Sagittarius A*. Accepted for publication in the
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Cramming from a book, making notes or learning summaries. In the past these were about the only ways to memorize your course material. But that has long since changed. Multimedia is the code word. But is it effective?

Associate Professor of Chemistry Ludo Juurlink imported an app from the United States that helps students absorb vast amounts of information.

"All those students who cram at the last minute. It's no good," says Juurlink. "We've known for a century that it doesn't work." He thinks the current education system is too focused on earning credits. "You have to jump hurdles, but no one checks whether the knowledge has actually stuck. And yet it's important that our doctors know all the bones and muscles in the body and our chemists the chemical notations. You need to know it off by heart to be able to do the job properly."

At a teaching and learning conference in Australia, he found the solution: the Cerego app, which is used all around the world, for medical degrees, for instance. He started using it in Leiden and it has been a success. His appointment as Fellow of the Leiden Teachers' Academy provided 25,000 euros for research and his appointment as Leadership Fellow secured him the prestigious Comenius Grant of 250,000 euros. This has enabled him and his student assistants to carry out the Studying Mobile research project.

More efficient learning

What began with a single course in the Cerego app has now grown to include more than 20 courses in medicine, bio-pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, life science and technology, molecular science and technology, and archaeology. You learn and practice the course materials in an app on your phone. "You can practice while you're waiting for the bus. That's completely different from having to open a 1,200-page book. You therefore use dead time to learn boring material."

The app presents the material in different ways. You learn the bones by identifying them in a picture, for instance, but also by typing in their names. "Variety makes it more likely to stick. But perhaps more importantly, it also tracks how much the student learns. If the error margin in the answers is still high, they will have to repeat things more often. If it is low, new material is added. The computer gradually discovers how and at what pace the student learns best and then sends push messages if they need to repeat something. This personification is really valuable because it makes the learning so much more efficient."

App users do better

The results speak for themselves. "In exams we see a clear difference between the students who use Cerego and those who don't. It looks to be extremely suited to rote learning, and the long-term retention seems better too. In addition, and this surprised us, the group that uses the app seems able to do more with the knowledge they've learned than the group that doesn't."

Juurlink predicts that technology will become 'immensely' important in education. "Universities will soon face competition from many educational institutions that no longer have a building. Obviously, our educational institutions will retain their quality and it remains to be seen what the level of "Google University' will be, but it's an unmistakable trend. Things will be digital and remote. And therefore much cheaper. This won't take anything like 50 years. If you consider that almost everyone in Africa has a mobile phone, you can see that this represents huge opportunities."

Students write textbook

Juurlink is already working on something new. He has developed a master's course in which students learn to communicate via figures. "For natural scientists reading and creating figures is essential. Text is supplementary for us." He has used this as the basis of an interdisciplinary master's course for which there isn't yet a decent textbook. "The students all write a part of the book Surface Sciencefor Students by Students. And the next group will improve the previous work and add new material. The book will therefore get bigger and better, and the students will learn all about not only creating figures for texts in the natural sciences but also about writing and using figures. When it is finished it will be a fantastic standard work that everyone can use."

Explore further Technology in higher education: learning with it instead of from it
Depictions of Anadenanthera colubrina use in the Middle Horizon: left) the Ponce Stele at Tiahuanaco portrays an elite individual holding a drinking cup and snuff tablet (photograph courtesy of A. Roddick); right) a vessel from the Wari site of Conchopata features the tree and its tell-tale seed pods sprouting from the head of the Staff God (illustration courtesy of J. Ochatoma Paravicino). Credit: DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.177

A team of researchers from Dickinson College, the Royal Ontario Museum and the University of Rochester, has found evidence of pre-Columbian Andes elites using drugged beverages to promote political advantage. In their paper published in the journal Antiquity, the group describes finding evidence of a beer-like beverage laced with a psychotropic drug and given to commoners by an elite group in their society, and their theory on why it was done.

In this new effort, the researchers were working at a dig site at Quilcapampa, in southern Peru. Prior research has shown the site was once home to a Wari village. The Wari people lived in the mountains of what is now Peru from approximately 600 to 1000 CE. Prior work has shown that the Wari people were divided between elites and commoners. The elites were made up of political and religious leaders who had access to commodities that were not generally available to everyone else. One such commodity was vilca, a strong hallucinogen made from the seeds of the vilca tree. Elites crushed them and snorted the material inside. The seeds were not readily available to commoners because the trees grew approximately 400 mountainous kilometers from where they lived. Planned excursions appeared to be the means of obtaining the seeds.

As they were digging, the researchers found a cache of a large number of fruit remnants from the molle tree. Prior research has shown that the fruit was used to make a beer-like beverage called chicha. It was mixed with the remains of other foods, such as potatoes and peanuts. The finding suggested a large feast had been hosted at the site. Further study of the feast remnants showed that vilca seeds had been mixed in with the chicha, creating what the researchers describe as a mellow psychedelic state in those who were imbibing. And in this case, because of the large amount of fruit that had been used, it seems the consumers of the beverages were commoners.

Vilca seed recovered from Component II at Quilcapampa (scale in cm; photograph by M. Biwer). Credit: DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.177

The researchers theorize that the elites spiked the beer as a way to demonstrate their power to the commoners, solidifying their position. They also suggest that doing so also instilled goodwill between the commoners and the elites allowing society to function as a cohesive unit.

Carbonised molle drupes presenting evidence for boiling and/or soaking to brew chicha molle (scale in mm; photograph by M. Biwer). Credit: DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.177

Molle pit located in Component II (Locus 2707) (photograph by S. Bautista). Credit: DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.177

More information: Matthew E. Biwer et al, Hallucinogens, alcohol and shifting leadership strategies in the ancient Peruvian Andes, Antiquity (2022). Journal information: Antiquity Matthew E. Biwer et al, Hallucinogens, alcohol and shifting leadership strategies in the ancient Peruvian Andes,(2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.177

 2022 Science X Network
Clay Center, KS (67432)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 63F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low around 45F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Aerosols from biomass burning, such as in the Indonesian East Kalimantan province in Southeast Asia, have a particularly strong influence on cloud formation. MPI for Chemistry/Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC). Credit: MPI for Chemistry/Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC)

Clouds have significant impact on the energy balance of the Earth system. Low clouds such as Stratocumulus, Cumulus and Stratus cover about 30 percent of the Earth surface and have a net cooling effect on our climate. What counteracts global warming, can have economic consequences: a persistently dense and low cloud cover over land can reduce agricultural production and the solar-power generation. Understanding the factors governing low cloud cover is not only important for regional weather forecasting and global climate prediction but also for their socioeconomic effects.

Aerosol effects on cloud formation are key to understand climate forcing in the Anthropocene. Wildfires inject large amounts of biomass burning aerosol particles into the atmosphere, which by interacting with clouds, strongly enhance the formation of marine stratocumulus cloud. But their role in regions with strong human activities and complex monsoon circulation remains unclear.

An international team led by Yafang Cheng from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPIC) and Aijun Ding from Nanjing University have now investigated the role of wildfires in the formation of low clouds in southern Asia, a region that covers a land area of about 500,000 km2 with approximately 270 million inhabitants. The researchers used a comprehensive approach combining model simulations with multiple information from weather observations, biomass burning emissions and satellites data.

"We discovered a particular strong impact of biomass burning aerosols on cloud formation in southeastern Asia," says the first author of the recently published study, Ke Ding.

"The degree of cloud enhancements over continent in this region are comparable to those in the Southeast Atlantic induced by biomass burning in Southern Africa, a well-known wildfire hotspot, even though the total biomass burning emissions in Southeast Asia are much lower." According to Ding, who was an exchange Ph.D. student in Cheng's Group, supported by the Chinese Scholarship Council, and is now an assistant professor in Nanjing University, the biomass burning emission in this region is about one-fifth of Southern Africa.

Aerosolradiation interactions continue to increase whereas aerosolcloud interactions tend to saturate at high aerosol loading

"Our analysis shows that the main reason for the amplified aerosol effect and enhanced cloud formation is the synergetic effect of large-scale monsoon circulation and aerosol-cloud-boundary layer interactions in southeastern Asia," explains Yafang Cheng, the head of a Minerva Research Group at the MPIC and corresponding author of this study. Aerosols can influence cloud formation directly by serving as cloud condensation nuclei (aerosolcloud interaction) or indirectly by absorbing and scattering solar radiation (aerosolradiation interaction). "Though many studies have focused on the aerosolcloud interaction effect, we find that the aerosolradiation interaction effect, especially that of the absorbing soot particles, play a dominant role on the low-cloud enhancement in southeastern Asia. This further supports our recent hypothesis that aerosolcloud interactions tend to saturate at high aerosol loading, whereas the strength of aerosolradiation interactions continues to increase and plays a more important role in highly polluted episodes and regions," the atmospheric scientist adds.

The results further demonstrate that aerosolradiation interaction caused by biomass-burning smoke from wildfire dominates the springtime low-cloud enhancement in southeastern Asia, and hence influences the regional climate and weather. Given the direct impacts the clouds over land have on human activities, such as agricultural production, solar-energy generation, and regional climate, the mechanism reported in this study is important for regional sustainability. It thus needs to be included in future forecast and assessment models.

Moreover, climate change is expected to increase the frequency and spread of wildfires. "Thus, recording a present-day baseline with extensive and long-term measurements such as our ongoing project CARIBIC-SP2 should help to constrain model estimations of the climate impact of wildfire and foster our fundamental understanding of future climate change." summarized Yafang Cheng.

Explore further Observations confirm that aerosols formed from plant-emitted compounds can make clouds brighter

More information: Ke Ding et al, Aerosol-boundary-layer-monsoon interactions amplify semi-direct effect of biomass smoke on low cloud formation in Southeast Asia, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Ke Ding et al, Aerosol-boundary-layer-monsoon interactions amplify semi-direct effect of biomass smoke on low cloud formation in Southeast Asia,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26728-4
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A couple walking on a North Carolina beach made a rare discovery that could help researchers solve mysteries from long ago.

Rita and Tom McCabe were used to finding shells during their walks on West Onslow Beach in the 1970sbut then they started stumbling upon large bones. After years of keeping the remains in their garage, the couple gave them to the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

It turns out, the bones belonged to a whale species extinct for about 300 years.

"We grew very excited because there was very little scientific information on the North Atlantic gray whale population because it was no longer here," David Webster, a longtime professor and senior associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at UNCW, said in a news release.

The whale specimenbelieved to be the "most complete" of its kindfound a new home at UNCW, where it remained for decades.

Now officials say the bones began a new chapter at the Smithsonian in late 2021.

Webster said he thinks the couple, who have both since died, would find joy in knowing their collection could continue to help researchers.

"I'm sure they are just tickled pink," he said in the news release. "They are probably saying, 'Can you believe it? We made it big time.'"

The Smithsonian said it hopes the donated specimen will help offer clues about North Atlantic gray whales and what life was like hundreds of years ago.

"Specimens like these, tie to place and time," Nicholas Pyenson, curator of fossil marine mammals at the National Museum of Natural History, said in a Smithsonian Ocean article. "They tell us how the world once was."

The museum will have the bones on display, according to UNCW. But getting the massive load more than 300 miles from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., was no easy feat.

The bones were loaded onto a van that "looked more like a minibus" and were cushioned with "layers and layers of bubble wrap," David Bohaska, a vertebrate paleontology collections specialist, told Smithsonian Ocean.

The journey was reminiscent of the time the couple first dropped the bones off at UNCW.

"They drove a small Chevy S10 pickup truck to campus, and they had bones hanging out all over the place," Webster said in the news release for the school, which today has about 18,000 students.

After initially thinking the specimen was a humpback whale, researchers said closer examination revealed a more rare surprise. The bones have stains that helped them determine where the animal may have been.

"UNCW researchers discovered through radiocarbon tests that the bones are hundreds of years old and probably washed ashore after the young whale died of natural causes during a migration period," the college said. "They theorize that the carcass floated into the New River Inlet and ended up in the nearby salt marshes."

The remains, found along West Onslow Beach near the Camp Lejeune military base, also have marks that indicate Native Americans may have butchered the whale after it died, UNCW professor David La Vere said in the news release.

North Atlantic gray whales weighed up to 90,000 pounds and were found in the northern part of the world before they were last seen in the 1700s. Though the exact cause of their extinction isn't known, their habitats near the shore made them vulnerable to whaling, the Smithsonian Ocean website said.

Explore further Massive whale beaches itself in northern France

2022 Miami Herald. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Carters freshwater mussel (Westralunio carteri) stranded on a dry river bed. Credit: Alan Lymbery, Author provided

Freshwater mussels are dying suddenly and in the thousands, with each mass death event bringing these endangered molluscs closer to extinction. Tragically, these events rarely get noticed.

In March last year, for example, seawater was introduced into the lower Vasse River in south-western Australia to control harmful algal blooms. This killed the entire population of Carter's freshwater mussel (Westralunio carteri) in this section of the river.

For me, this was particularly distressing for two reasons. First, the species was recently listed as vulnerable to extinction thanks to the work of my then graduate student Michael Klunzinger.

Second, among the 3,0004,000 mussels killed were 160 my colleagues had previously collected from the river, kept alive in cages for nine months, then re-introduced so they would survive the construction of a new bridge.

Freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered groups of animals on the planet, with 47% either extinct or threatened with extinction. Yet we hear almost nothing about the extinction crisis they face.

I want to bring your attention to why freshwater mussels are important, why many will become extinct within our lifetimes, and why this will have dramatic consequences for freshwater environments throughout the world.

Researchers from Murdoch University taking samples from the Vasse River, where thousands of mussels died last year. Credit: Stephen Beatty, Author provided

Under threat, yet poorly studied

Mass death events like the one in the Vasse River are not uncommon for freshwater mussels.

In 2019, the death of hundreds of thousands of pheasantshell mussels in the Clinch River in Tennessee, U.S. may have been caused by a virus, and prolonged droughts have killed mussels en masse throughout the U.S. and Australia.

There are 18 species of freshwater mussels in Australia. Only two of these are listed as threatened under Australia's environment law: Carter's freshwater mussel and the Glenelg freshwater mussel (Hyridella glenelgensis).

Unfortunately, this doesn't mean we're doing better at mussel conservation than the rest of the world. It just means our freshwater mussels are very poorly studied. There have been no ecological assessments of the conservation status of most Australian freshwater mussels.

One of the most serious threats to freshwater mussel populations in Australia is climate change. Reduced rainfall has resulted in a dramatic reduction of water flow. In south-western Australia, for example, water flow has decreased by around 70% since the 1970s and climate change models predict at least a further 25% reduction by 2030.

This loss of flow means more of our rivers go without water over the dry season, and these drought conditions are lasting longer. Mussels can live for a short time without water by burrowing into the sediment, but longer and more severe dry spells will kill them.

Indeed, severe drought killed around 2.9 million freshwater mussels in the Murray Darling Basin between 2017 and 2020.

Mussels lure fish in to host their parasitic larvae. Credit: Shutterstock

The livers of rivers

A big reason freshwater mussels are so vulnerable is because of their unique life cycle.

Unlike marine mussels (which release their eggs and sperm into the sea), female freshwater mussels fertilize their eggs internally. The embryos grow in special pouches of the gills until they're released as tiny larvae that are parasitic on fish.

Many mussel species have marvelous ways to attract fish when the larvae are due to be released. For example, the US pocketbook mussel (Potamilus capax) uses part of it's body to create a lure which looks like a small fish. This lure is waved about to attract the mussel's host fish, bass, which are predators of smaller fish.

After spending several months as a parasite, the larvae then metamorphose into juvenile mussels and drop off their host into the sediment.

Most mussel species take five to ten years to reach sexual maturity. They are slow growing and long lived, often with a lifespan of 100 years or more. This combination of characteristics means mussel populations often cannot recover from large death events.

This can have devastating knock-on effects to the freshwater ecosystem, as mussels are considered "keystone" species.

Carters freshwater mussel on a stream bank in south-western Australia. Credit: Michael Klunzinger, Author provided

When rivers cease to flow in dry summer months, freshwater fish and other animals find refuge in the remaining pools. Freshwater mussels behave like the livers of rivers, keeping these refuges clean and ensuring animals can survive until the rains return.

They maintain water quality by filtering and removing suspended sediments, nutrients, bacteria and algae. They also deposit nutrients on the river bottom, and their burrowing activity mixes and aerates the sediment.

Take more notice

I was distressed that thousands of endangered mussels died in the Vasse River. I was also distressed, but not surprised, at the general lack of attention to these deaths. If a pod of dolphins had died in an estuary because of human actions, we would have heard an outcry.

The plight of freshwater mussels illustrates a sad reality for freshwater life. Freshwater ecosystems are incredibly diverse. Per unit area, there are more than twice as many species of freshwater animals and plants than on land or in the ocean. But more than four times as many of these species are threatened with extinction.

Despite this, the conservation management of freshwater species lags far behind that of terrestrial or marine species. Freshwater environments are very poorly protected by conservation reserves and up to 71% of the world's wetlands have been lost since 1900.

One urgent priority for Australia is to invest in freshwater protected areas, the same way as we invest in marine protected areas and terrestrial conservation reserves.

If you live near a stream, river or freshwater lake, go and visit it soon and appreciate the myriad forms of life that live below the surface. Chances are they won't be there in the decades to come unless we develop policies and practices that protect our freshwater ecosystems.

Explore further New mussel discoveries in Myanmar spark calls for protection

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Artist's impression of an evolving white dwarf (foreground) and millisecond pulsar (background) binary system. Using the 4.1-meter SOAR Telescope on Cerro Pachon in Chile, part of Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, a Program of NSF's NOIRLab, astronomers have discovered the first example of a binary system consisting of an evolving white dwarf orbiting a millisecond pulsar, in which the millisecond pulsar is in the final phase of the spin-up process. The source, originally detected by the Fermi Space Telescope, is a missing link in the evolution of such binary systems. Credit: NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / J. da Silva / Spaceengine Acknowledgment: M. Zamani (NSF's NOIRLab)

Using the 4.1-meter SOAR Telescope in Chile, astronomers have discovered the first example of a binary system where a star in the process of becoming a white dwarf is orbiting a neutron star that has just finished turning into a rapidly spinning pulsar. The pair, originally detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, is a "missing link" in the evolution of such binary systems.

A bright, mysterious source of gamma rays has been found to be a rapidly spinning neutron stardubbed a millisecond pulsarthat is orbiting a star in the process of evolving into an extremely-low-mass white dwarf. These types of binary systems are referred to by astronomers as "spiders" because the pulsar tends to "eat" the outer parts of the companion star as it turns into a white dwarf.

The duo was detected by astronomers using the 4.1-meter SOAR Telescope on Cerro Pachon in Chile, part of Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), a Program of NSF's NOIRLab.

NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has been cataloging objects in the universe that produce copious gamma rays since its launch in 2008, but not all of the sources of gamma rays that it detects have been classified. One such source, called 4FGL J1120.0-2204 by astronomers, was the second brightest gamma-ray source in the entire sky that had gone unidentified, until now.

Astronomers from the United States and Canada, led by Samuel Swihart of the US Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., used the Goodman Spectrograph on the SOAR Telescope to determine the true identity of 4FGL J1120.0-2204. The gamma-ray source, which also emits X-rays, as observed by NASA's Swift and ESA's XMM-Newton space telescopes, has been shown to be a binary system consisting of a "millisecond pulsar" that spins hundreds of times per second, and the precursor to an extremely-low-mass white dwarf. The pair are located over 2600 light-years away.

"Michigan State University's dedicated time on the SOAR Telescope, its location in the southern hemisphere and the precision and stability of the Goodman spectrograph were all important aspects of this discovery," says Swihart.

"This is a great example of how mid-sized telescopes in general, and SOAR in particular, can be used to help characterize unusual discoveries made with other ground and space-based facilities," notes Chris Davis, NOIRLab Program Director at US National Science Foundation. "We anticipate that SOAR will play a crucial role in the follow-up of many other time-variable and multi-messenger sources over the coming decade."

The optical spectrum of the binary system measured by the Goodman spectrograph showed that light from the proto-white dwarf companion is Doppler shiftedalternately shifted to the red and the blueindicating that it orbits a compact, massive neutron star every 15 hours.

"The spectra also allowed us to constrain the approximate temperature and surface gravity of the companion star," says Swihart, whose team was able to take these properties and apply them to models describing how binary star systems evolve. This allowed them to determine that the companion is the precursor to an extremely-low-mass white dwarf, with a surface temperature of 8200 C (15,000 F), and a mass of just 17% that of the sun.

When a star with a mass similar to that of the sun or less reaches the end of its life, it will run out of the hydrogen used to fuel the nuclear fusion processes in its core. For a time, helium takes over and powers the star, causing it to contract and heat up, and prompting its expansion and evolution into a red giant that is hundreds of millions of kilometers in size. Eventually, the outer layers of this swollen star can be accreted onto a binary companion and nuclear fusion halts, leaving behind a white dwarf about the size of Earth and sizzling at temperatures exceeding 100,000 C (180,000 F).

Using the 4.1-meter SOAR Telescope in Chile, astronomers have discovered the first example of a binary system where a star in the process of becoming a white dwarf is orbiting a neutron star that has just finished turning into a rapidly spinning pulsar. The pair, originally detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, is a "missing link" in the evolution of such binary systems. Credit: Images and Videos: NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / J. da Silva / Spaceengine / CTIO / SOAR / J. P. Burgos / NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center / Chris Smith (USRA/GESTAR) / Caltech / IPAC Acknowledgment: M. Zamani (NSF's NOIRLab) / Music: Stellardrone - Airglow

The proto-white dwarf in the 4FGL J1120.0-2204 system hasn't finished evolving yet. "Currently it's bloated, and is about five times larger in radius than normal white dwarfs with similar masses," says Swihart. "It will continue cooling and contracting, and in about two billion years, it will look identical to many of the extremely low mass white dwarfs that we already know about."

Millisecond pulsars twirl hundreds of times every second. They are spun up by accreting matter from a companion, in this case from the star that became the white dwarf. Most millisecond pulsars emit gamma rays and X-rays, often when the pulsar wind, which is a stream of charged particles emanating from the rotating neutron star, collides with material emitted from a companion star.

About 80 extremely low-mass white dwarfs are known, but "this is the first precursor to an extremely low-mass white dwarf found that is likely orbiting a neutron star," says Swihart. Consequently, 4FGL J1120.0-2204 is a unique look at the tail-end of this spin-up process. All the other white dwarfpulsar binaries that have been discovered are well past the spinning-up stage.

"Follow-up spectroscopy with the SOAR Telescope, targeting unassociated Fermi gamma-ray sources, allowed us to see that the companion was orbiting something," says Swihart. "Without those observations, we couldn't have found this exciting system."

This research was presented in a paper "4FGL J1120.02204: A Unique Gamma-ray Bright Neutron Star Binary with an Extremely Low Mass Proto-White Dwarf," to appear in The Astrophysical Journal.

Explore further Astronomers discover new candidate redback millisecond pulsar

More information: 4FGL J1120.0-2204: A Unique Gamma-ray Bright Neutron Star Binary with an Extremely Low Mass Proto-White Dwarf, arXiv:2201.03589 [astro-ph.HE] 4FGL J1120.0-2204: A Unique Gamma-ray Bright Neutron Star Binary with an Extremely Low Mass Proto-White Dwarf, arXiv:2201.03589 [astro-ph.HE] arxiv.org/abs/2201.03589

Provided by Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)
Fig. 1: Comparison between observed and modeled compositional asymmetries. Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s41561-021-00872-4

A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in China and one in Australia created a model to explain the differences found on the near and far sides of the moon. In their paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience, the model shows that a massive cosmic impact millions of years ago could account for what is seen on the moon's surface today.

For many years, scientists assumed that the moon looked pretty much the same from the near or far sides, but then probes found that was not the case at all. There were differences in how the surface looked and in the rocks and material situated on the surface. The findings set off speculation to explain the difference. However, most scientists had come to agree that during its early years, the moon was in a primordial state, which means that all of the material covering it would have blended into a nice, even mix that would have been sustained as the moon cooled and the surface hardened. That meant that the differences seen on different sides of the moon arose after the moon cooled. Some have suggested that the differences were due to a cosmic impact at the south pole. Observations have shown that a large impact occurred over 4 billion years ago, creating the Aitken Basin. But how such an impact could create the conditions found today was still a mystery.

In this new effort, the researchers took all of the known factors into consideration and put them into a model to simulate a large cosmic impact. Their simulation showed that such a large impact would result in a lot of heat, enough to restart the convection that occurred during the moon's early stages. But the simulation also showed that material from the body that collided with the moon would have made its way into the moon's interior, preventing even convection from occurring. It also showed the foreign material spreading out from the center of the collision area. Then it showed that as the convection continued, material from deep inside the moon made its way to the far-side surface of the moon, creating the differences observed today.

Explore further Early moon model shows heavy metal atmosphere

More information: Nan Zhang et al, Lunar compositional asymmetry explained by mantle overturn following the South PoleAitken impact, Nature Geoscience (2022). Journal information: Nature Geoscience Nan Zhang et al, Lunar compositional asymmetry explained by mantle overturn following the South PoleAitken impact,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-021-00872-4

 2022 Science X Network
The Omo Kibish Formation in southwestern Ethiopia, within the East African Rift valley. The region is an area of high volcanic activity, and a rich source of early human remains and artefacts such as stone tools. Credit: Celine Vidal

The age of the oldest fossils in eastern Africa widely recognized as representing our species, Homo sapiens, has long been uncertain. Now, dating of a massive volcanic eruption in Ethiopia reveals they are much older than previously thought.

The remainsknown as Omo Iwere found in Ethiopia in the late 1960s, and scientists have been attempting to date them precisely ever since, by using the chemical fingerprints of volcanic ash layers found above and below the sediments in which the fossils were found.

An international team of scientists, led by the University of Cambridge, has reassessed the age of the Omo I remainsand Homo sapiens as a species. Earlier attempts to date the fossils suggested they were less than 200,000 years old, but the new research shows they must be older than a colossal volcanic eruption that took place 230,000 years ago. The results are reported in the journal Nature.

The Omo I remains were found in the Omo Kibish Formation in southwestern Ethiopia, within the East African Rift valley. The region is an area of high volcanic activity, and a rich source of early human remains and artifacts such as stone tools. By dating the layers of volcanic ash above and below where archaeological and fossil materials are found, scientists identified Omo I as the earliest evidence of our species, Homo sapiens.

"Using these methods, the generally accepted age of the Omo fossils is under 200,000 years, but there's been a lot of uncertainty around this date," said Dr. Celine Vidal from Cambridge's Department of Geography, the paper's lead author. "The fossils were found in a sequence, below a thick layer of volcanic ash that nobody had managed to date with radiometric techniques because the ash is too fine-grained."

As part of a four-year project led by Professor Clive Oppenheimer, Vidal and her colleagues have been attempting to date all the major volcanic eruptions in the Ethiopian Rift around the time of the emergence of Homo sapiens, a period known as the late Middle Pleistocene.

The researchers collected pumice rock samples from the volcanic deposits and ground them down to sub-millimeter size. "Each eruption has its own fingerprintits own evolutionary story below the surface, which is determined by the pathway the magma followed," said Vidal. "Once you've crushed the rock, you free the minerals within, and then you can date them, and identify the chemical signature of the volcanic glass that holds the minerals together."

The researchers carried out new geochemical analysis to link the fingerprint of the thick volcanic ash layer from the Kamoya Hominin Site (KHS ash) with an eruption of Shala volcano, more than 400 kilometers away. The team then dated pumice samples from the volcano to 230,000 years ago. Since the Omo I fossils were found deeper than this particular ash layer, they must be more than 230,000 years old.

"First I found there was a geochemical match, but we didn't have the age of the Shala eruption," said Vidal. "I immediately sent the samples of Shala volcano to our colleagues in Glasgow so they could measure the age of the rocks. When I received the results and found out that the oldest Homo sapiens from the region was older than previously assumed, I was really excited."

"The Omo Kibish Formation is an extensive sedimentary deposit which has been barely accessed and investigated in the past," said co-author and co-leader of the field investigation Professor Asfawossen Asrat from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, who is currently at BIUST in Botswana. "Our closer look into the stratigraphy of the Omo Kibish Formation, particularly the ash layers, allowed us to push the age of the oldest Homo sapiens in the region to at least 230,000 years."

"Unlike other Middle Pleistocene fossils which are thought to belong to the early stages of the Homo sapiens lineage, Omo I possesses unequivocal modern human characteristics, such as a tall and globular cranial vault and a chin," said co-author Dr. Aurelien Mounier from the Musee de l'Homme in Paris. "The new date estimate, de facto, makes it the oldest unchallenged Homo sapiens in Africa."

The researchers say that while this study shows a new minimum age for Homo sapiens in eastern Africa, it's possible that new finds and new studies may extend the age of our species even further back in time.

"We can only date humanity based on the fossils that we have, so it's impossible to say that this is the definitive age of our species," said Vidal. "The study of human evolution is always in motion: boundaries and timelines change as our understanding improves. But these fossils show just how resilient humans are: that we survived, thrived and migrated in an area that was so prone to natural disasters."

"It's probably no coincidence that our earliest ancestors lived in such a geologically active rift valleyit collected rainfall in lakes, providing fresh water and attracting animals, and served as a natural migration corridor stretching thousands of kilometers," said Oppenheimer. "The volcanoes provided fantastic materials to make stone tools and from time to time we had to develop our cognitive skills when large eruptions transformed the landscape."

"Our forensic approach provides a new minimum age for Homo sapiens in eastern Africa, but the challenge still remains to provide a cap, a maximum age, for their emergence, which is widely believed to have taken place in this region," said co-author Professor Christine Lane, head of the Cambridge Tephra Laboratory where much of the work was carried out. "It's possible that new finds and new studies may extend the age of our species even further back in time."

"There are many other ash layers we are trying to correlate with eruptions of the Ethiopian Rift and ash deposits from other sedimentary formations," said Vidal. "In time, we hope to better constrain the age of other fossils in the region."

Explore further Dating of volcanic ash at Sangiran shows Homo erectus arrived later than thought

More information: Celine Vidal, Age of the oldest known Homo sapiens from eastern Africa, Nature (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04275-8 Journal information: Nature Celine Vidal, Age of the oldest known Homo sapiens from eastern Africa,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04275-8
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Every living thing requires energy. This is also true of microorganisms. Energy is frequently generated in the cells by respiration, that is, by the combustion of organic compoundsin other words, food. During this process, electrons are released, which the microorganisms then need to get rid of. In the absence of oxygen, microorganisms can use other methods to do so, including transporting the electrons to minerals outside the cells.

Reduction rates vary considerably

In oxygen-free soils or sediments, iron oxides play a major role as acceptors of the released electrons. But how do the electrons get from respiration in the cells to the iron oxides which are found outside the cells? For this process, microorganisms can use special molecules that receive two electrons at the cell surface, and then transport them to the iron oxides like a taxi. There the two electrons alight from the taxi, and reduce trivalent iron in oxides to its divalent form. The taxi is then free to transport more electrons.

These extracellular electron shuttles (EES) have been known about for a long time. Until now, however, it has never been clear why their efficiency is so dependent on their structure and the environmental conditionsand why the speed of the iron oxide reduction varies by several orders of magnitude. All attempts to explain the massive efficiency differences on the basis of known parameters such as pH or temperature have failed until now.

Electrons have to be considered individually

A study by Eawag and ETH Zurich researchers, just published in the journal PNAS shows how efficiency differences in the EES can be explained by a single, unmistakable relationship. "In our relationship, we didn't look at the average energy of the two transported electrons as has been done up to now, but rather at the individual energy level of each electron," reports Meret Aeppli, lead author of the study.

Eawag-environmental chemist Thomas Hofstetter says, "It turns out that the transfer of the first electron from the EES to the iron oxide is often decidedly less energetically efficient than the transfer of the second." The researchers have shown that the energy difference between the first electron transferred from the EES to the iron oxide determines the iron reduction rate.

Using this concept, it is possible to explain the efficiency differences between various EES, even across a sizeable pH range, as well as between two different iron oxides. Michael Sander from the ETH Zurich explains the process with an analogy: "Under many conditions, the first electron is actually very reluctant to leave the EES taxi, but it is pushed out from the back seat, so to speak, by the second electron."

Electron transfer made visible using UV light

To arrive at their findings, the authors of the study not only devised their own experiments and to collected the resulting data, but also integrated the results of previous studies. For the experiments in the Eawag and the ETH laboratories, the researchers used natural and synthetic EES molecules and investigated two widely available iron(III) oxides. The rate of electron transfer from the EES to the iron oxide, and thus the efficiency of the electron transport, can be made visible with UV light. This light is absorbed differently by the EES depending on whether they are underway with or without the two electrons.

Tiny but crucial

The study describes just one small step in microbial respiration, but while it may be small, it is critical to many processes. Now that anaerobic respiration of mineral phases using EES is understood at a generic level, comparisons can be made more easily between studies and systems. This paper is therefore a must-read for anyone working with anaerobically-respiring microorganisms and their carbon exchange. While this step may appear to be a small one, it is nevertheless highly relevant for the understanding of global biogeochemical processesfor example the anaerobic breakdown of organic substances in thawing arctic soilsside, a process in which enormous quantities of climate-critical CO 2 are released.

Explore further Microbial biomass change shifts the role of iron oxides in organic C mineralization in anoxic paddy soil

More information: Meret Aeppli et al, Thermodynamic controls on rates of iron oxide reduction by extracellular electron shuttles, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Meret Aeppli et al, Thermodynamic controls on rates of iron oxide reduction by extracellular electron shuttles,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2115629119

Provided by Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
Martin Sebastian Gussone from the German Archaeological Institute reviews his notes at Iraq's ancient site of Al-Hirah.

After war and insurgency kept them away from Iraq for decades, European archaeologists are making an enthusiastic return in search of millennia-old cultural treasures.

"Come and see!" shouted an overjoyed French researcher recently at a desert dig in Larsa, southern Iraq, where the team had unearthed a 4,000-year-old cuneiform inscription.

"When you find inscriptions like that, in situ, it's moving," said Dominique Charpin, professor of Mesopotamian civilisation at the College de France in Paris.

The inscription in Sumerian was engraved on a brick fired in the 19th century BC.

"To the god Shamash, his king Sin-iddinam, king of Larsa, king of Sumer and Akkad," Charpin translated with ease.

Behind him, a dozen other European and Iraqi archaeologists kept at work in a cordoned-off area where they were digging.

They brushed off bricks and removed earth to clear what appeared to be the pier of a bridge spanning an urban canal of Larsa, which was the capital of Mesopotamia just before Babylon, at the start of the second millennium BC.

"Larsa is one of the largest sites in Iraq, it covers more than 200 hectares (500 acres)," said Regis Vallet, researcher at France's National Centre for Scientific Research, heading the Franco-Iraqi mission.

The team of 20 people have made "major discoveries", he said, including the residence of a ruler identified by about 60 cuneiform tablets that have been transferred to the national museum in Baghdad.

Members of a French-Iraqi archaeological expedition work on a dig at the site of the Sumerian city-state of Larsa, in southern Iraq.

Archaeological 'paradise'

Vallet said Larsa is like an archaeological playground and a "paradise" for exploring ancient Mesopotamia, which hosted through the ages the empire of Akkad, the Babylonians, Alexander the Great, the Christians, the Persians and Islamic rulers.

However, the modern history of Iraqwith its succession of conflicts, especially since the 2003 US-led invasion and its bloody aftermathhas kept foreign researchers at bay.

Only since Baghdad declared victory in territorial battles against the Islamic State group in 2017 has Iraq "largely stabilised and it has become possible again" to visit, said Vallet.

"The French came back in 2019 and the British a little earlier," he said. "The Italians came back as early as 2011."

In late 2021, said Vallet, 10 foreign missions were at work in the Dhi Qar province, where Larsa is located.

Iraqi archaeologists and workers use traditionally-made clay bricks to restore the white temple of Anu in the Warka site in Iraq's Muthanna province, on November 27, 2021.

Iraq's Council of Antiquities and Heritage director Laith Majid Hussein said he is delighted to play host, and is happy that his country is back on the map for foreign expeditions.

"This benefits us scientifically," he told AFP in Baghdad, adding that he welcomes the "opportunity to train our staff after such a long interruption".

'Cradle of civilisations'

Near Najaf in central Iraq, Ibrahim Salman of the German Institute of Archaeology is focused on the site of the city of Al-Hira.

Germany had previously carried out excavations here that ground to a halt with the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Equipped with a geomagnetic measuring device, Salman's team has been at work in the one-time Christian city that had its heyday under the Lakhmids, a pre-Islamic tribal dynasty of the 5th and 6th centuries.

French archaeologist Regis Vallet leads the French-Iraqi expedition team at the site of the Sumerian city-state of Larsa, near the city of Nasiriyah, on November 22, 2021.

The Sumerian city-state of Larsa was the capital of Mesopotamia just before Babylon, at the start of the second millennium BC.

After a conflict-imposed absence of decades, European archaeologists are making an enthusiastic return to Iraq to discover more of its millennia-old cultural treasures.

German archaeologist Margarete Van Ess inspects an artifact during a German-Iraqi archaeological expedition in the Warka site in Iraq's Muthanna province.

"Some clues lead us to believe that a church may have been located here," he explained.

He pointed to traces on the ground left by moisture which is retained by buried structures and rises to the surface.

"The moistened earth on a strip several metres (yards) long leads us to conclude that under the feet of the archaeologist are probably the walls of an ancient church," he said.

Al-Hira is far less ancient than other sites, but it is part of the diverse history of the country that serves as a reminder, according to Salman, that "Iraq, or Mesopotamia, is the cradle of civilisations. It is as simple as that!"

Explore further Iraq gets back looted ancient artifacts from US, others

 2022 AFP
Studying the genome of thale cress, a small flowering weed, led to a new understanding about DNA mutations. Credit: Padraic Flood

A simple roadside weed may hold the key to understanding and predicting DNA mutation, according to new research from University of California, Davis, and the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Germany.

The findings, published January 12 in the journal Nature, radically change our understanding of evolution and could one day help researchers breed better crops or even help humans fight cancer.

Mutations occur when DNA is damaged and left unrepaired, creating a new variation. The scientists wanted to know if mutation was purely random or something deeper. What they found was unexpected.

"We always thought of mutation as basically random across the genome," said Grey Monroe, an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences who is lead author on the paper. "It turns out that mutation is very non-random and it's non-random in a way that benefits the plant. It's a totally new way of thinking about mutation."

Researchers spent three years sequencing the DNA of hundreds of Arabidopsis thaliana, or thale cress, a small, flowering weed considered the "lab rat among plants" because of its relatively small genome comprising around 120 million base pairs. Humans, by comparison, have roughly 3 billion base pairs.

"It's a model organism for genetics," Monroe said.

Lab-grown plants yield many variations

Work began at Max Planck Institute where researchers grew specimens in a protected lab environment, which allowed plants with defects that may not have survived in nature be able to survive in a controlled space.

Sequencing of those hundreds of Arabidopsis thaliana plants revealed more than 1 million mutations. Within those mutations a nonrandom pattern was revealed, counter to what was expected.

"At first glance, what we found seemed to contradict established theory that initial mutations are entirely random and that only natural selection determines which mutations are observed in organisms," said Detlef Weigel, scientific director at Max Planck Institute and senior author on the study.

Instead of randomness they found patches of the genome with low mutation rates. In those patches, they were surprised to discover an over-representation of essential genes, such as those involved in cell growth and gene expression.

"These are the really important regions of the genome," Monroe said. "The areas that are the most biologically important are the ones being protected from mutation."

The areas are also sensitive to the harmful effects of new mutations. "DNA damage repair seems therefore to be particularly effective in these regions," Weigel added.

Plant evolved to protect itself

The scientists found that the way DNA was wrapped around different types of proteins was a good predictor of whether a gene would mutate or not. "It means we can predict which genes are more likely to mutate than others and it gives us a good idea of what's going on," Weigel said.

The findings add a surprising twist to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection because it reveals that the plant has evolved to protect its genes from mutation to ensure survival.

"The plant has evolved a way to protect its most important places from mutation," Weigel said. "This is exciting because we could even use these discoveries to think about how to protect human genes from mutation."

Future uses

Knowing why some regions of the genome mutate more than others could help breeders who rely on genetic variation to develop better crops. Scientists could also use the information to better predict or develop new treatments for diseases like cancer that are caused by mutation.

"Our discoveries yield a more complete account of the forces driving patterns of natural variation; they should inspire new avenues of theoretical and practical research on the role of mutation in evolution," the paper concludes.

Co-authors from UC Davis include Daniel Kliebenstein, Mariele Lensink, Marie Klein, from the Department of Plant Sciences. Researchers from the Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford University, Westfield State University, University of Montpellier, Uppsala University, College of Charleston, and South Dakota State University contributed to the research.

Explore further Cells rank genes by importance to protect them, according to new research

More information: Detlef Weigel, Mutation bias reflects natural selection in Arabidopsis thaliana, Nature (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04269-6 Journal information: Nature Detlef Weigel, Mutation bias reflects natural selection in Arabidopsis thaliana,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04269-6
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Secondary school children struggled to concentrate and engage with schoolwork in the move to online learning during lockdown, negatively affecting their confidence and wellbeing, according to a new study.

Researchers from Swansea University and Cardiff University surveyed a total of 407 pupils aged between 11 and 18 during November 2020 when schools had reopened.

Lead author Professor Nicola Gray of the Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Life Science at Swansea University said: "We wanted to examine if there were differences in concentration, motivation, and engagement from a pupil's perspective during online and classroom-based teaching. So we asked pupils to compare their normal classroom experience to learning online."

The pupils answered questions on their ability to concentrate, how motivated and engaged they felt, and if they felt confident in their ability to learn. Analysis of their responses showed pupils' learning experiences were significantly lower for online learning compared to classroom learning. Also these differences were more marked in students with specific learning difficulties.

Professor Gray added: "As previous research has shown that 50 percent of lifetime cases of mental health disorders begin before the age of 14 there are concerns that the pandemic would lead to a surge of mental health difficulties for young people. These results show a substantial decrease in pupil's learning experiences compared to the normal classroom experience. The problem is even worse for those with working memory problems.

"Given the demonstrated association between engagement in education and children's mental wellbeing, it is imperative that educators find ways of overcoming problems encountered during online education to prevent a greater proportion of young people requiring mental health support and intervention."

Tom Walters, member of the research team and senior leader at Howells School Llandaff (Girls Day School Trust) added: "During online learning staff were aware that many were struggling to adapt to the new mode of learning, particularly those with specific learning difficulties. With the likelihood of this mode of learning being more prevalent in future, we were keen to better understand the demands of learning remotely, and tried to do so in an evidence-based manner."

The full paper has been published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology.

Explore further What young people want to help them recover from school closures

More information: Thomas Walters et al, Secondary school students' perception of the online teaching experience during COVID19: The impact on mental wellbeing and specific learning difficulties, British Journal of Educational Psychology (2021). Thomas Walters et al, Secondary school students' perception of the online teaching experience during COVID19: The impact on mental wellbeing and specific learning difficulties,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/bjep.12475
A wolf seen in Yellowstone National Park in 2017. The reintroduction of these large carnivores to the park happened in 1995 and has been hugely divisive ever since. Credit: Jacob W. Frank/National Park Service

Almost all of the world's 31 largest carnivore species, including gray wolves, grizzly bears, cheetahs and lions, have been impacted by human development and activity. Most of these animals have seen their range and populations decline over the past century, and many are listed as threatened by international conservation groups.

As conservationists and scientists consider if and how to bring back these species in significant numbers across their historical ranges, many potential conflicts arise: Will the animals pose a threat to humans or livestock? Who gets to make the decisions? Who benefits the most from these recovery efforts?

A team of researchers led by the University of Washington is considering these questions through an unconventional lens: justice. The researchers drew upon the field of environmental justicewhich primarily has focused on harms to people and public healthand applied its concepts to wildlife management, considering forms of injustice that people, communities and animal groups might experience. Environmental justice, in this context, looks at who is most vulnerable and who could be disproportionally harmed by large carnivore reintroductions.

"We are awakening to the fact that justice matters and is present in a lot of domains, including conservation projects," said lead author Alex McInturff, an assistant professor in the UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. "We're hoping this paper is a really timely intervention that gives those involved in these reintroduction projects a framework to say, "We care about justice. We didn't really know we were overlooking it in past efforts, and now we have something that can help inform us going forward.'"

The team published its framework last month in the journal Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene. UW News spoke with McInturff to find out more about the team's goals for this work.

UW News: How can environmental justice help with wildlife conservation?

AM: Environmental justice and biodiversity conservation are two of the most important concerns people and nature face in the 21st century, but they're rarely discussed together. Now, there is an emerging paradigm in conservation that asks, how can humans coexist with free-living animalseven ones that are potentially dangerous like large carnivoresinstead of thinking about conservation only as setting aside protected land for species? As we begin this new paradigm in conservation, we propose starting it with questions of justice in mind so that they're baked in from the beginning.

The bear pictured here, nicknamed Daniza, was one of nine bears reintroduced to Italy from Slovenia between 1999 and 2001. Credit: Archivio Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta

What unique challenges do large carnivore reintroductions pose that environmental justice can help address?

Large carnivores are a unique set of species for a lot of different reasons. They are involved in just about every kind of human-animal conflict you can imagine, so we thought they were a challenging but important place to start. Some of these challenges: People who make decisions about carnivore reintroductions sometimes don't live near the places where the recovery effortsand potential related animal-human conflictsare occurring. Large carnivores themselves are wide-ranging and highly mobile. One animal's erratic behavior can impact people's view of the entire species. So, the challenges and the opportunities go hand in hand, and that makes this difficult, but also important, to tackle.

In the paper, you describe four components of environmental justice that are important to consider in conservation projects. Can you explain those in the context of large carnivore reintroductions?

Distribution considers who is actually being harmed materially and who is benefiting

Participation asks who has a seat at the decision-making table

Recognition asks whose worldview is being recognized in the terms of the debate or in the discussion itself

And finally, affective (or emotional) justice considers how we appropriately account for people's emotionsfear, anger, happiness, for exampletoward the reintroduction of certain species

On this last point: On one hand, we should take emotions really seriouslyfear can be life-changing and is very important to understand as a harm in and of itself. And at the same time, emotions can be difficult to estimate, and they can reorient power dynamics. In the case of large carnivores, we've often seen people who are not vulnerable or marginalized use emotions like fear to make themselves into victims. They wind up having an even bigger voice in the decision-making process than they might have had before.

So how can we use this environmental justice framework going forward in these reintroduction efforts?

Through a justice lens, we can ask questions about who is making decisions, and whether they are people who are in power, or people who are already marginalized. We can try to measure the ways in which material harm has been inflicted on different groups of people, or the ways in which impacts are unequally distributed. Social science, or humanistic, considerations tell us a bit about the bigger picture: What are the worldviews involved, how might those limit or enable discussions that weren't possible before, and how are people's emotional experiences shaping these conversations and the possible outcomes?

The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park happened in 1995 and has been hugely divisive ever since. People have spent millions of dollars trying to address the problems that arose. But, in fact, it might be that a different kind of framingone around justicecould offer an important new step toward addressing these problems.

This isn't something folks love to hear, but I think the truth is, if you expect a framework like this to give you a single, perfect answer to solve problems, you're setting yourself up for failure. Large carnivore reintroductions include a complicated and challenging set of circumstances, so having a process in place is really important, especially one that's informed by a good understanding of justice.

What's next with this work?

Our goal is to walk through this framework using a possible California grizzly bear reintroduction as a case study to lay out what it would actually look like to do this while thinking about environmental justice from the very beginning.

Explore further Emotions and culture are most important for acceptance of carnivore management strategies

More information: Alex McInturff et al, Meeting at the crossroads, Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene (2021). Alex McInturff et al, Meeting at the crossroads,(2021). DOI: 10.1525/elementa.2020.00172
MaNGA measures spectra at multiple points in the same galaxy, using a newly created fiber bundle technology. This image shows the Sloan Foundation Telescope and a close-up of the tip of the fiber bundle on the left, while the bottom right illustrates how each fiber observes a different section of each galaxy. The top right shows data gathered by two fibers observing two different part of the galaxy, showing how the spectrum of the central regions differs dramatically from outer regions. Credit: Dana Berry/SkyWorks Digital, David Law, SDSS Collaboration

Just over a month ago, scientists from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) released the complete dataset of 10,000 galaxies observed by the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) project, making MaNGA the largest galaxy survey of its kind.

Kevin Bundy, assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, is MaNGA's principal investigator.

"Observing such a large sample with MaNGA allows us to see how the detailed internal properties of galaxies vary in systematic ways with other factors, like galaxy mass or where galaxies live in the universe," Bundy said. "These patterns are the key to understanding the physical processes that shape galaxy evolution."

MaNGA is a special kind of galaxy survey, using an innovative fiber-bundling technology to make detailed spectral maps of thousands of nearby galaxies. Spectra are graphs that show the amount of light given off by a galaxy at different wavelengths, much like a rainbow shows the amount of sunlight in various colors. Most previous galaxy surveys have either taken detailed images in one or a handful of colors, or measured just a single spectrum for an entire galaxy, but MaNGA works differently.

With fiber-optic cables bundled into tightly-packed hexagonal arrays, the team measured spectra at tens to hundreds of separate points in each galaxy, resulting in a "datacube" containing full spectroscopic information at each point. MaNGA was able to observe seventeen galaxies at once, while similar surveys could only observe one galaxy at a time. Six years of observing in this mode created the largest sample size of this kind ever obtained.

Researchers study each data cube to reveal its galaxy's detailed chemical composition; find the ages, chemical makeup, and motions of the stars inside it; and map ionized interstellar gas. MaNGA has created over 30 different maps for each galaxy. These maps can be used for lots of different applications, for example, to estimate how many baby stars are being formed at every position in the galaxy, or to find the influence of the central supermassive black hole. MaNGA dramatically increases the number of galaxies with this detailed information, and a sister project, the MaNGA Stellar Library (MaStar), helped it along.

Galaxies are made of stars, so understanding them in detail requires a detailed library of spectra of stars. Alongside the complete release of MaNGA, SDSS scientists announced the completion of MaStar, which made use of otherwise unused time on the MaNGA instrument to observe over 24,000 stars, enabling the scientists to more accurately extract information from the MaNGA data.

The leader of the MaStar project, Renbin Yan of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, explained, "MaStar is a special kind of library that includes spectra for as many types of stars as possible. Using these data, we can figure out how many of each type of star add up to make each of the many spectra from a MaNGA galaxy and reconstruct the most accurate view ever of when and where stars formed in that galaxy's cosmic history."

For example, MaNGA data have been used to make movies showing how the location where baby stars form moves around through spiral arms and other features in galaxies. Identifying which spectra came from which internal structure turns out to be tricky for computers, but with the help of citizen scientists, the MaNGA team have been able to do this, providing in this release maps showing where the structures are. And the kinematics of galaxies can reveal previously unknown galaxy interactions.

All of this MaNGA data has been made publicly available, and the SDSS team have also created a specially designed tool dubbed "Marvin" to help with data access. Marvin allows anyone to have a quick look at the data of each galaxy in an easy-to-use web interface, and is also available as a powerful set of python modules which allow anyone familiar with coding to access and visualize this complex data. Brian Cherinka at the Space Telescope Science Institute, one of the lead developers of Marvin, explains, "Marvin was designed specifically to access the complex MaNGA data and help researchers to avoid some of the common pitfalls in data visualization and access."

Using MaNGA data and an early version of Marvin, scientists have already been discovering many new things about galaxies, with over 500 papers already published using the data. For example, MaNGA team members discovered a new class of galaxy, dubbed a red geyser, in which outflows from the supermassive black hole, revealed in MaNGA maps of ionized gas, are preventing new stars from forming. And to scientists' surprise, this happens even in the smallest galaxies.

Making MaNGA data publicly available and accessible will fuel science analyses for years to come and puts the full power of MaNGA data into the hands of anyone who wants to use it. "It's important to us that the data is not just available, but also accessible, so that anyone with an interest in galaxies can use MaNGA data for their research, education, or just for fun, can explore the cubes, spectra, and maps to learn more about these galaxies," said Anne-Marie Weijmans of the University of St. Andrews, who led the part of the SDSS team in charge of data releases. "You don't need to be a galaxy expert to work with MaNGA data: we have many tutorials on our website to get you started."

The instrumentation innovations developed for MaNGA will reverberate into the future. The next generation of SDSS (SDSS-V) is expanding on the novel fiber-packing methods developed for MaNGA to construct even larger fiber bundles for its Local Volume Mapper program. This survey will also study gas and newly-formed stars, but in an environment much closer to homeour own Milky Way and its nearby smaller neighbors. By combining these data with what MaNGA has learned from thousands of more distant galaxies, astronomers will gain a much deeper understanding of how gas and stars coexist and interact throughout a galaxy's lifetime.

Explore further MaNGA data release includes detailed maps of thousands of nearby galaxies
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Male mosquitoes beat their wings faster when swarming at sunset to better detect females and increase their chance of reproducing, finds a novel study led by UCL scientists.

Published in Science Advances, the findings provide a vital new insight into how mosquitoes, driven by their internal circadian clock, combine changes in wing beats with their acute auditory senses to successfully mate. Faster wing beats produces a different flight tone (sound), allowing male mosquitoes to better detect the flight tones of females.

Researchers say that understanding the intricacies of the mosquitoes' mating game could help curb the spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and the Zika virus.

Lead author Professor Joerg Albert (UCL Ear Institute) said: "Mosquitoes are exquisitely auditory animals; without their sense of hearing they could not reproduce.

"Within busy swarms males need to locate females during mid-flight by detecting the females' faint flight tones. But given that these flight tones are nearly inaudible for the males, how does their hearing work?

"Understanding this fascinating mating system could help limit the numbers of offspring, which is of crucial importance in the fight against mosquito borne diseases."

For the study, researchers at UCL Ear Institute recorded the flight tones (=wing beats) of free-flying malaria mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae, in swarms of 100 males or 100 females in special incubators with highly sensitive microphones.

The microphones registered each flyby event of a mosquito and allowed researchers to extract the frequency of their wingbeats across several days and daytimes.

Male mosquitoes beat their wings up to 500-1,000 times a second, while females beat their wings 300-600 times.

Researchers found that these wing beats changed across the day, even in individually kept mosquitoes, but only in males not in females.

Explaining the findings Professor Albert said: "At dusk, when males are swarming and listening out for females entering the swarm, males beat their wings faster. This increase in wing beat frequency changes the frequency of 'distortion tones' which are produced inside the male ears when their own flight tones mix with the flight tones of an arriving female.

"The distortion tones produced during duskin the mating swarmsare more audible to the male ear than those created at other times of the day. So, by changing their wing beat in the swarm they make females more audible and increase their chances to detect one."

Researchers say the change in wing beat is partly a result of their circadian clock; increasing wing beat frequency is likely very costly for the males (aerodynamically), so they restrict this increase to the time of swarming.

Importance of discovery and next steps

Mosquito flight tones and their role in mosquito biology have been the subject of dozens of investigations and speculations for more than a century.

This study is an important step forward in understanding how mosquitoes use acoustics to influence reproduction, but other as yet unidentified variables are also at play, so more research is required.

"By the year 2050, due to ongoing climate changes, almost half the globe will be threatened bypartly debilitatingmosquito borne diseases," said Professor Albert.

"In order to monitor and control mosquito populations, a quantitative understanding of acoustic mating in mosquitoes is needed. This will also help optimize genetic interventions, such as the release of genetically modified mosquitoes, designed to collapse local mosquito populations. Our findings provide the platform for this endeavor, by identifying the key determinants (and variables) of mosquito flight tone-based hearing."

This study involved researchers at UCL, The Francis Crick Institute, London, Nagoya University, Japan, Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania, the Institute of Tropical and Public Health, Switzerland, University of Perugia, Italy, and the Consorzio Interuniversitario Biotecnologie, Italy.

Explore further Built-in sound amplifier helps male mosquitoes find females

More information: Jason Somers et al, Hitting the right note at the right time: Circadian control of audibility in Anopheles mosquito mating swarms is mediated by flight tones, Science Advances (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abl4844 Journal information: Science Advances Jason Somers et al, Hitting the right note at the right time: Circadian control of audibility in Anopheles mosquito mating swarms is mediated by flight tones,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl4844
Credit: Ms.Lotus Bua/Shutterstock

Ph.D. students are the future of research, innovation and teaching at universities and beyondbut this future is at risk. There are already indications from previous research that there is a mental health crisis brewing among Ph.D. researchers.

My colleagues and I studied the mental health of Ph.D. researchers in the UK and discovered that, compared with working professionals, Ph.D. students were more likely to meet the criteria for clinical levels of depression and anxiety. They were also more likely to have significantly more severe symptoms than the working-professional control group.

We surveyed 3,352 Ph.D. students, as well as 1,256 working professionals who served as a matched comparison group. We used the questionnaires used by NHS mental health services to assess several mental health symptoms.

More than 40% of Ph.D. students met the criteria for moderate to severe depression or anxiety. In contrast, 32% of working professionals met these criteria for depression, and 26% for anxiety.

The groups reported an equally high risk of suicide. Between 33% and 35% of both Ph.D. students and working professionals met the criteria for "suicide risk." The figures for suicide risk might be so high because of the high rates of depression found in our sample.

We also asked Ph.D. students what they thought about their own and their peers' mental health. More than 40% of Ph.D. students believed that experiencing a mental health problem during your Ph.D. is the norm. A similar number (41%) told us that most of their Ph.D. colleagues had mental health problems.

Just over a third of Ph.D. students had considered ending their studies altogether for mental health reasons.

There is clearly a high prevalence of mental health problems among Ph.D. students, beyond those rates seen in the general public. Our results indicate a problem with the current system of Ph.D. studyor perhaps with academic more widely. Academia notoriously encourages a culture of overwork and under-appreciation.

This mindset is present among Ph.D. students. In our focus groups and surveys for other research, Ph.D. students reported wearing their suffering as a badge of honor and a marker that they are working hard enough rather than too much. One student told us: "There is a common belief  you have to suffer for the sake of your Ph.D., if you aren't anxious or suffering from impostor syndrome, then you aren't doing it "properly."

We explored the potential risk factors that could lead to poor mental health among Ph.D. students and the things that could protect their mental health.

Financial insecurity was one risk factor. Not all researchers receive funding to cover their course and personal expenses, and once their Ph.D. is complete, there is no guarantee of a job. The number of people studying for a Ph.D. is increasing without an equivalent increase in postdoctoral positions.

Another risk factor was conflict in their relationship with their academic supervisor. An analogy offered by one of our Ph.D. student collaborators likened the academic supervisor to a "sword" that you can use to defeat the "Ph.D. monster." If your weapon is ineffective, then it makes tackling the monster a difficultif not impossibletask. Supervisor difficulties can take many forms. These can include a supervisor being inaccessible, overly critical or lacking expertise.

A lack of interests or relationships outside Ph.D. study, or the presence of stressors in students' personal lives were also risk factors.

We have also found an association between poor mental health and high levels of perfectionism, impostor syndrome (feeling like you don't belong or deserve to be studying for your Ph.D.) and the sense of being isolated.

Better conversations

Doctoral research is not all doom and gloom. There are many students who find studying for a Ph.D. to be both enjoyable and fulfilling, and there are many examples of cooperative and nurturing research environments across academia.

Studying for a Ph.D. is an opportunity for researchers to spend several years learning and exploring a topic they are passionate about. It is a training program intended to equip students with the skills and expertise to further the world's knowledge. These examples of good practice provide opportunities for us to learn about what works well and disseminate them more widely.

The wellbeing and mental health of Ph.D. students is a subject that we must continue to talk about and reflect on. However, these conversations need to happen in a way that considers the evidence, offers balance, and avoids perpetuating unhelpful myths.

Indeed, in our own study, we found that the percentage of Ph.D. students who believed their peers had mental health problems and that poor mental health was the norm, exceeded the rates of students who actually met diagnostic criteria for a common mental health problem. That is, Ph.D. students may be overestimating the already high number of their peers who experienced mental health problems.

We therefore need to be careful about the messages we put out on this topic, as we may inadvertently make the situation worse. If messages are too negative, we may add to the myth that all Ph.D. students experience mental health problems and help maintain the toxicity of academic culture.

Explore further No cause for alarm about graduate students' mental health

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The United States has probably played a major and previously underestimated role in the trafficking of tiger parts, according to a new study. The research points to San Francisco, Dallas, and Atlanta as the main entry hotspots for these illegal products.

Tigers are endangered, with less than 5,000 individuals estimated to remain in the wild. Illegal trade in tiger parts, mostly for medicinal purposes, contributes to the species' decline.

Previously, studies on tiger trafficking patterns primarily focused on 13 Asian countries where tigers still roam free, with very little research on the United States. The new study, published in Conservation Science and Practice, investigated the extent and attributes of tiger parts entering the United States from 2003 to 2012.

Data from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, revealed 292 seizures of tiger parts illegally entering the United States during those years, indicating that the scale of trade may have been underestimated. A 2019 study, for example, covering the more recent period of 2000 to 2018, documented 624 seizures of illegal tiger products, but estimated that only 6 happened in the U.S., based on media reports.

"People in the U.S. have this false notion that the illegal trade in tiger parts is half a world away. In reality, we in the U.S. are involved in and driving a large portion of the illegal trade," said lead author Sarika Khanwilkar, a Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University and the founder of the non-profit Wild Tiger. "This research is a step to better understand the role of the U.S. in the global tiger trade, which will improve policy and enforcement and direct future research efforts."

China has been and remains the main destination and largest consumer of tiger parts, but the new data shows that U.S. import seizures represent almost half (46.8%) of global seizures.

Khanwilkar and her coauthors caution that their study may also underestimate the scale of tiger trafficking in the United States, because the use of digital platforms to trade and pay for illegal wildlife products has increased, and economic prosperity has expanded demand. The data also doesn't reflect the most recent trends; after the team's original FOIA request in 2013, regulations around FOIA requests to the Fish and Wildlife Service limited the quality of data that was available.

The researchers found that of the 65.8% of seized parts with a known origin, 99.5% came from wild tigers. The majority of seized products were imported from China and Vietnam (34.2% and 29.5%, respectively). However, a lack of data about the country of origin (which can be different to the country of export) made it difficult to determine trafficking routes or understand where wild tigers were poached to supply the trade.

The authors propose several ways to better monitor the source and trafficking routes to improve policy, enforcement, and ultimately contribute to conserving wild tigers.

For example, they suggest enhancing detection efforts in San Francisco, Dallas, and Atlanta, which were the main hotspots for illegal tiger imports.

They also recommend using forensic DNA analysis to determine the origin and source (wild versus captive) of the illegally traded tiger parts. Finding out where these tiger parts came from would provide guidance as to where to focus conservation and enforcement efforts.

The study's coauthors include Monique Sosnowski, Ph.D. candidate at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Sharon Guynup, a journalist, National Geographic Explorer and Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Explore further New report finds no slowdown in tiger trafficking

More information: Sarika Khanwilkar et al, Patterns of illegal and legal tiger parts entering the United States over a decade (20032012), Conservation Science and Practice (2022). Sarika Khanwilkar et al, Patterns of illegal and legal tiger parts entering the United States over a decade (20032012),(2022). DOI: 10.1111/csp2.622
The tiger cub receiving treatment from veterinary doctors at the rare breeds rehabilitation centre in the village of Alekseevka in Russia's Far East.

Russian animal rescuers said Wednesday they were fighting for the life of an Amur tiger cub who had been found dying from exhaustion and frostbite in the country's far east.

An emaciated female tiger cub aged around four or five months and suffering from severe frostbite and injuries was found by a local fisherman on a river bank in the south of the Primorye region late last year.

The fisherman reported the find to wildlife carers who evacuated the cub to a rehabilitation centre, said Amur Tiger Centre.

"External examination showed that she was severely exhausted as a result of which the tip of her tail was frostbitten," the centre said, adding that the cub's lower jaw also became necrotic after an injury.

The tiger, who weighed just around 20 kilogrammes (44 pounds)roughly half the normwhen she was found, underwent an intense rehabilitation course and gained about 10 kilogrammes in preparation for surgery. The dead tip of her tail was also cut off.

Late last week the cub underwent a 2.5-hour operation, with doctors transplanting healthy tissue to repair her jaw.

The surgery was successful but it is too early to make any predictions and say if it will be possible to release the cub back into the wild, said Amur Tiger Centre.

The ailing tiger underwent surgery to repair its jaw.

Amur tigers are an endangered species.

"The most important thing right now is to halt the tissue necrosis and save the tiger's life," said Sergei Aramilev, the centre's head. "People are doing their best."

Russia and China are home to the big cats which are also known as Siberian tigers and are listed as "endangered" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List.

There are around 600 tigers in Russia, said Pyotr Osipov, head of the Amur branch at WWF.

"Heavy snowfall and changes in temperature have significantly complicated tigers' life this winter," Osipov told AFP, adding that two tiger cubs had recently been found frozen to death.

President Vladimir Putin has personally championed the protection of the Amur tiger.

In 2010, Putin, then the country's prime minister, hosted an unprecedented 13-state summit that aimed at doubling the big cat's population.

 2022 AFP
Researchers discovered that CRISPR-Cas9 genetic editing during meiosis was key to controlling allelic inheritance in male and female mice. The image shows male germline stem cells (magenta only) and Cas9 expression in meiotic spermatocytes marked by the overlap of magenta and green. Credit: University of California - San Diego

Nearly three years ago University of California San Diego researchers announced the world's first CRISPR-Cas9 genetic editing-based approach to controlling inheritance in mammals.

The 2019 achievement described research led by then-UC San Diego graduate student Hannah Grunwald and Associate Professor Kimberly Cooper, who employed "active genetics" editing, a technology developed at UC San Diego, to influence the inheritance of genes in mice. This gives biologists the ability to control which copy of a gene is inherited from one generation to another with potential for a variety of biomedical and environmental applications. The research succeeded in female mice but not in males, presumably due to differences in the timing of key events in females and males during the reproductive cell division process known as meiosis.

Led by graduate student Alexander Weitzel, Grunwald, Cooper and their colleagues have now succeeded in developing CRISPR-Cas9 inheritance control in male mice by shifting the gene editing window to more closely match the timing of meiosis in both sexes. Their results were published December 23, 2021 in the journal PLOS Biology.

The achievement advances the prospects of scientists being able to use genetic editing for new laboratory models in an array of research pursuits, from investigations of human disease to therapeutic drug design to invasive species removal.

"For these gene conversion strategies to work in any contextin the lab or in wild populationsyou need the mechanism of gene conversion to work in both males and females," said Cooper, associate professor in the Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences. "It seems as though the reason this process was previously working in females is because we were closer to the female meiotic window. Now that we've moved Cas9 expression to within the meiotic window in males, it works in them too."

As before, the researchers used an active genetic DNA element that copies genetic information, known as a "CopyCat," in mice. During the new experiments, the researchers used the regulatory DNA of Spo11, a gene known to be involved in meiosis in males and females, to control expression of the Cas9 protein that cuts DNA.

"Since timing is so important, hitting that meiosis sweet spot was important for male gene conversion," said Cooper.

As before, getting the new strategy to succeed came with some limitations. In order to land in the male timing window, while staying within the female timing window, the gene conversion process became less effective, likely because of a lower level of Cas9 expression. Current research in Cooper's lab is investigating this issue.

"While showing that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene conversion is possible in both male and female mouse germlines, our work reveals nuances that differ from insects and that must be considered for further refinement and implementation in rodents," the authors note in the paper.

Relatedly, Grunwald, Weitzel and Cooper have expanded on their work by publishing a type of instruction manual for other laboratories interested in gene conversion in mammals.

In a Nature Protocols article, also published December 23, the researchers describe details of their CRISPR-Cas9 gene conversion system and potential for use in the laboratory and in wild rodent populations. They lay out the technical hurdles that must be overcome before scientists implement such strategies for applications in any context. Broadening this system, the authors write, would expand laboratory efficiencies, which hold benefits on several levels.

"If successfully implemented in the laboratory, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene conversion promises to save money, time and animal lives, while simultaneously expanding our ability to investigate some of the most complex developmental questions and most prevalent human diseases," they say in the paper.

Explore further Researchers first to use CRISPR/Cas9 to control genetic inheritance in mice

More information: Alexander J. Weitzel et al, Meiotic Cas9 expression mediates gene conversion in the male and female mouse germline, PLOS Biology (2021). Alexander J. Weitzel et al, Meiotic Cas9 expression mediates gene conversion in the male and female mouse germline,(2021). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001478 Hannah A. Grunwald et al, Applications of and considerations for using CRISPRCas9-mediated gene conversion systems in rodents, Nature Protocols (2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00646-7 Journal information: PLoS Biology , Nature Protocols
The tarantula Taksinus bambus in its habitat. Credit: JoCho Sippawat

Inside a bamboo culm in Thailand, researchers discovered the first case of a genus of tarantula that lives exclusively in bamboo stalks.

A famous wildlife YouTuber from Thailand, JoCho Sippawat, was the first to find the new species of bamboo culm tarantula in Mae Tho, Mueang Tak district, Tak province. He then collaborated with arachnologists Dr. Narin Chomphuphuang (Khon Kaen University) and Chaowalit Songsangchote (Kasetsart University), who studied and described the new genus.

The new tarantula genus bears the name Taksinus in honor of the Thai king Taksin the Great. The researchers chose the name in recognition of Taksin the Great's old name, Phraya Takgovernor of Tak province, which is where the new genus was discovered. After the Second Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, Taksin the Great was the only king of the Thonburi Kingdom to become a key leader of Siam, prior to the establishment of Thailand.

What distinguishes Taksinus from all other Asian arboreal genera is the relatively short embolus of the male pedipalps, which is used to transport sperm to the female seminal receptacles during mating. Its habitat type and distribution are also different from those of related species. While Asian arboreal tarantulas have been reported in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo, this is the first such genus known from Northern Thailand.

Taksinus bambus tarantula in its habitat. Credit: JoCho Sippawat

Tarantulas from Southeast Asia can be either terrestrial or arboreal. Arboreal tarantulas spend time on different types of trees, but, to date, this is the first tarantula that is only found on a specific tree type.

"These animals are truly remarkable; they are the first known tarantulas ever with a bamboo-based ecology," Dr. Chomphuphuang said.

The tarantulas were discovered inside mature culms of Asian bamboo stalks (Gigantochloa sp.), hence their scientific name - Taksinus bambus. Their nest entrances range in size from 23 cm to a large fissure and feature a silk-lined tubular burrow, either in the branch stub or in the middle of the bamboo culms. All the tarantulas found living in the culms had built silken retreat tubes that covered the stem cavity.

Few people realize how much of Thailand's wildlife remains undocumented... We are primarily on a mission to research and save the biodiversity and wildlife within these forests from extinction, especially species-specific microhabitats.

The habitat of the tarantula Taksinus bambus. Credit: JoCho Sippawat

"We examined all of the trees in the area where the species was discovered. This species is unique because it is associated with bamboo, and we have never observed this tarantula species in any other plant. Bamboo is important to this tarantula, not only in terms of lifestyle but also because it can only be found in high hill forests in the northern part of Thailand, at an elevation of about 1,000 m. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are now Thailand's rarest tarantulas," says Dr. Chomphuphuang.

These spiders cannot bore into bamboo stems themselves. Sometimes, they rely on the assistance of other animals such as the bamboo borer beetle, bamboo worm, bamboo-nesting carpenter bee, and some rodents. In other cases, rapid changes in moisture content can cause bamboo to crack.

"Few people realize how much of Thailand's wildlife remains undocumented," Dr. Chomphuphuang points out. "Thai forests now cover only 31.64% of the country's total land area. We are primarily on a mission to research and save the biodiversity and wildlife within these forests from extinction, especially species-specific microhabitats."

The newly described tarantula Taksinus bambus seen in the bamboo stalk. Credit: JoCho Sippawat

The research was published in ZooKeys.

Explore further A new species of huntsman spider described

More information: Chaowalit Songsangchote et al, A new genus of bamboo culm tarantula from Thailand (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae), ZooKeys (2022). Journal information: ZooKeys Chaowalit Songsangchote et al, A new genus of bamboo culm tarantula from Thailand (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae),(2022). DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1080.76876
Anti-sexual-harassment action at a Chinese subway station. Credit: Chen Xiangqi

Even before creating a constitution, the first thing the victorious revolutionaries of the People's Republic of China did was pass the New Marriage Law in 1950, giving women equal rights and creating a fundamentally feminist legal framework compared to the patriarchal system of Confucianism they had wiped away.

It was part of a 20th century wave of "socialist feminism," which itself was one of many successive approaches to female empowerment that make up the title subject of a new book co-created by a University of Kansas scholar.

"Feminisms with Chinese Characteristics" (Syracuse University Press) was co-edited and co-written by Hui "Faye" Xiao, professor of Chinese literature at the University of Kansas, and Ping Zhu, associate professor of Chinese literature at the University of Oklahoma.

They and their 10 co-authors in the United States, Europe, mainland China and Hong Kong trace the trajectory of feminism from its first stirrings in modern China through the upheavals of Maoism and then over the last 40-plus years of post-socialism, or, as it came to be known under Mao's successor, Deng Xiaoping, "socialism with Chinese characteristics." It is this formulation that gives the book its viewpoint.

In fact, there have been so many twists and turns in the idea of Chinese feminism that Xiao said the subject of her book chapter, the exploited migrant domestic worker who is also the celebrated author of the memoir "I am Fan Yusu," likely does not wish to be known as a feminist.

"Probably she wouldn't label herself a feminist," Xiao said, "so it's more about what she writes and what kind of subversive potential that her writing and the other workers' writings have. In today's China, you have a revival of a conservative gender ideology that is endorsed and sponsored by the state. So that is why sometimes feminism can be a very sensitive word."

Because the so-called "NGO feminists" aligned with nongovernmental organizations in recent years (1995-present) have international ties, theories and funding, Xiao said, "they have become a target of state surveillance."

How did Chinese society go from venerating revolutionary women leaders like Yusu's mother, a Communist village leader in rural China during the revolutionary and post-revolutionary periods, to today, where the figure of the female cadre is a caricature of backwardness? As Xiao and her fellow authors explain (in broad strokes, at least), China went from nationalist feminism in the pre-Mao era to a top-down socialist, or state, feminism in the early years of the PRC, passing through the era of NGO feminism and finally landing on the "market feminism" of today.

"According to market feminism, those female cadres were overliberated, living masculine lives," Xiao said. "If they are not having a family, they're not real women. ... So it's very much about how to rediscover the feminine nature in women."

As for the term "market feminism," Xiao said, "according to this theory, the feminine nature is very much expressed through finding a unique and feminine lifestyle, and it is also the capacity or the ability to select appropriate commodities to attain these feminine qualities. So the focus is very much on self-expression and self-fulfillment and individual achievement."

With this latest iteration of feminism and its "emphasis on rediscovering or restoring women's true feminine nature," Xiao said, "you can see the binary structure is coming backmen versus women and masculine versus feminine."

Xiao said that the researchers, writers and activists who wrote chapters sought throughout the book to question all manner of simplistic, binary divisions that are embedded in all hierarchical and oppressive systems.

Xiao finds hope in the solidarity generated by the intersectional struggles of female worker/writers like Fan Yusu and her colleagues in the outer-suburban Beijing Picun Literature Group, some of whom she got to know during a 2019 visit, courtesy of research grants from KU's Center for East Asian Studies and the American Philosophical Society.

"When they write down their storieswhen they find their voices to criticize the structural inequalities at every stage of their livesI find that very empowering and very inspiring," Xiao said. "I would call it grassroots feminism because it's not about elites or famous people or celebrities. It's very much about ordinary people and even socially marginalized groups. Their acts, their practices, their own words and narratives weave together into a network of feminist practices and also ideas to show us more possibilities.

"I'm trying to say that from what they have done ... we could see a new potential, a new ray of hope," the KU researcher said. "You're now in this age of division and also oppression. So that results in this new hope, new potential for grassroots feminism from ordinary people."
In this photo provided by Tokyo Zoological Park Society, visitors use smartphones to take pictures of Japanese-born twin pandas and their mother at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Twin panda cubs made their first public appearance Wednesday before their devoted fans but only briefly - just for three days for now - due to the upsurge of the highly transmissible coronavirus variant. Credit: Tokyo Zoological Park Society via AP

Twin panda cubs made their first public appearance Wednesday before devoted fans in Tokyo, but they will be on display only briefly for nowover three daysdue to a spike in COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant.

The twins, male cub Xiao Xiao and its sister Lei Lei, which were born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in June, took their first steps as beaming fans held up their smartphones to film the cuddly pair as they played together.

In a video released by the zoo Wednesday, the twin cubs sit back to back on a tree playing with bamboo while visitors can be heard saying "kawaii (cute)!" in the background. Then the male cub steps on its sister to move up the tree.

"My heart thumped with excitement when I first saw them," said Kirie Tanaka, an avid panda fan who came from the western Japanese city of Osaka for the day.

During her turn, the cubs were pretending to eat bamboo and "that was just adorable," said Tanaka, whose hat and bag were decorated with panda-motif ornaments. "It's so comforting to see them."

The twins, which were palm-sized pink creatures when they were born, now weigh as much as a toddler each and have developed black-and-white fur. They enjoy climbing trees and playing together on the wood chips on the ground, according to the zoo.

In this photo provided by Tokyo Zoological Park Society, Japanese-born twin pandas Xiao Xiao, top, and Lei Lei, bottom, are seen together at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Twin panda cubs made their first public appearance Wednesday before their devoted fans but only briefly - just for three days for now - due to the upsurge of the highly transmissible coronavirus variant. Credit: Tokyo Zoological Park Society via AP

In preparation for their debut, the twins and their mother were placed in a shared living quarter where they were exposed to sounds from a radio to get used to noise and voices from visitors.

The zoo has been closed since Tuesday as the highly transmissible omicron variant spreads rapidly across Japan. The zoo is open only for the twin panda exhibit until Friday, with 1,080 visitors who won slots in a competitive lottery granted access each day.

Zoo staff Naoya Ohashi lamented the scaled-down debut and said he hopes many more people can see the panda cubs after coronavirus infections slow.

Groups of six people at a time were allowed to enter the panda quarters, where they could remain for one minute. The public viewing period is limited to two hours in the morning.

The rare animals live mainly in the bamboo-covered mountains in China's Sichuan area.

This photo provided by Tokyo Zoological Park Society, shows Japanese-born twin pandas, Lei Lei, center, Xiao Xiao, left, and their mother Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Twin panda cubs made their first public appearance Wednesday before their devoted fans but only briefly - just for three days for now - due to the upsurge of the highly transmissible coronavirus variant. Credit: Tokyo Zoological Park Society via AP

Visitors queue to see the twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei and their mother Shin Shin Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at Ueno Zoo. in Tokyo. Twin panda cubs made their long-awaited first public appearance Wednesday before their devoted fans but only limited to three days as their zoo has to close amid the upsurge of the highly transmissible coronavirus variant. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Souvenir products of the twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are sold at a shop as the panda cubs made their much-awaited first public appearance Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at Ueno Zoo. in Tokyo. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Visitors with panda hats pick up a souvenir product Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at Ueno Zoo. in Tokyo. Twin panda cubs made their long-awaited first public appearance Wednesday before their devoted fans but only limited to three days as their zoo has to close amid the upsurge of the highly transmissible coronavirus variant. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Empty cafeteria area with a monitor of introduction of the twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei is seen Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at Ueno Zoo. in Tokyo. Twin panda cubs made their long-awaited first public appearance Wednesday before their devoted fans but only limited to three days as their zoo has to close amid the upsurge of the highly transmissible coronavirus variant. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Souvenir products of the twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are sold at a shop Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at Ueno Zoo. in Tokyo. Twin panda cubs made their long-awaited first public appearance Wednesday before their devoted fans but only limited to three days as their zoo has to close amid the upsurge of the highly transmissible coronavirus variant. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Souvenir products of the twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at a shop as the panda cubs made their much-awaited first public appearance Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at Ueno Zoo. in Tokyo. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Souvenir shop clerks prepare to open the shop as twin panda cubs made their much-awaited first public appearance Wednesday on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at Ueno Zoo. in Tokyo. The Japanese-born twin pandas are now six months old and making a long-waited debut to the public, but only for three days as the zoo is closing amid the omicron upsurge. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

China has for decades loaned its unofficial national mascot in what is known as "panda diplomacy." All pandas, including those born abroad, must eventually be returned to China.

The twin cubs' elder sister, Xiang Xiang, born in the Ueno Zoo in 2017, is set to be sent back to China in June.

There are about 1,800 pandas living in the wild in China and about 500 others in captivity in zoos and reserves, the majority within the country.

Explore further Berlin's panda twins ready for public debut

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
At-home COVID-19 rapid tests will soon be free to many people, following an announcement Monday that President Joe Bidens administration will require insurance companies to cover their cost.

But despite that requirement being slated to take effect Saturday, some details of how it will work remain nearly as scarce as the tests themselves, which have been in short supply in recent weeks.

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Youngstown City Health Department worker Faith Terreri grabs two at-home COVID-19 test kits to be handed out during a distribution event on Dec. 30, 2021, in Youngstown, Ohio. (David Dermer/AP)

Heres what we do (and dont) know so far:

Q: Who will be able to get the tests for free?

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A: The Biden administration is requiring insurance companies and group health plans (such as those typically offered by employers) to cover the costs of tests for members. People who buy their own insurance plans will also be eligible for the free tests.

State Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, programs, which are for lower-income individuals and families, are already required to cover the tests.

Traditional Medicare will not cover the costs of over-the-counter, at-home tests through this new program, though people on Medicare may be able to get free at-home tests through community health centers and Medicare-certified health clinics and through a new, federal website expected to be unveiled next week .

People with Medicare Advantage plans should check with their individual plans to see if theyre covering over-the-counter, at-home tests.

Q: What types of tests will be covered? How many?

A: The new requirement will apply to over-the-counter COVID-19 tests that have been authorized, cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That includes a number of tests, such as the popular BinaxNOW test made by north suburban-based Abbott Laboratories.

The tests generally involve swabbing the nose at home and then waiting 10 to 15 minutes for results.

Q: How many tests can a person get for free?

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A: Insurance companies will be required to cover eight over-the-counter, at-home tests each month, per person on a plan. That means if there are four people in a family, all covered by the same insurance plan, the family could get 32 free tests a month.

Q: Will there be any upfront cost to buy tests?

A: This is where things get tricky. The administration is requiring insurers to cover the costs of the tests in one of two ways. Insurers can pay for them upfront, meaning a consumer could go into a pharmacy, pick out a test, show an insurance card and then walk out with a test without paying any money.

Or, insurers can have a consumer pay for a test at the pharmacy and then seek reimbursement by submitting a claim to the insurer.

Neither of Illinois two largest health insurance companies, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois or UnitedHealthcare, answered questions Tuesday about which methods they plan to use.

Blue Cross spokeswoman Colleen Miller said in a statement, We are analyzing the Biden-Harris Administrations mandate to cover (over-the-counter) home Covid-19 tests and we will be prepared to implement according to the governments guidelines.

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A spokesperson for Deerfield-based Walgreens said the retail pharmacy chain was awaiting further guidance from federal and regulatory agencies on reimbursement.

Spokespeople for Walmart and CVS Health did not respond by deadline Tuesday to requests for comment on details of how consumers would be able to get the tests for free at their stores.

People will be able to buy the tests at stores and through online retailers.

Q: How do I get reimbursed for tests?

A: Starting Saturday, if you have to pay upfront for an over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 test, keep your receipt. Contact your insurance company for more information about how to submit a claim.

How much youll be reimbursed depends on how your insurance company handles this new requirement.

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The Biden administration is trying to incentivize insurers to make the tests available with no upfront costs by asking them to set up networks of preferred pharmacies, stores or online retailers where people can get the tests without handing over cash. Insurance companies that do that will only have to reimburse people up to $12 a test if they buy the tests at stores or retailers outside of those networks.

Insurance companies that dont set up those networks will be required to reimburse people the full costs of the tests, even if they exceed $12.

Q: Can uninsured people get the rapid, at-home tests for free?

A: Not through this new requirement, but the Biden administration plans to distribute 1 billion over-the-counter, at-home tests starting next week. People, regardless of their insurance status, will be able to order those through a website that has not yet been made public.

Uninsured people can also get free, at-home tests from some community health centers, and Medicare-certified health clinics.

Q: Can I get reimbursed for tests I bought before Saturday?

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A: You can try, but insurance companies are not required to cover those.
Former students and colleagues are mourning the loss of Brad Cameron, a longtime professor of social work who died on Dec. 28, 2021. He was 78.

If I could look back on any particular professor in my undergrad degree who pushed me the most, he certainly is at the top of my list, said Tyleen Winterbower Caffrey, who graduated in 1997. He reminded me that growing up in foster care shaped me, and did not define me. He will certainly be missed."

Cameron joined the faculty of the social work program at Pittsburg State in 1987, serving as the director of the program until 2014. He brought to the classroom years of experience practicing social work, predominantly in substance abuse and mental health settings.

He also taught in the universitys justice studies/criminal justice program and in the psychology and counseling program, of which he was a graduate.

He pushed students so much to step out of our comfort zones, had higher expectations for us than we often had for ourselves, and so much more, said Samantha McCullough, a 2019 graduate.

Colleagues said he loved teaching, cared deeply about his students and what kind of social workers they would be, and was admired and respected by his colleagues.

There is no one else like Dr. Cameron. We all have knowledge and skills that came from Brad and that will always stay with us, said Associate Professor Kristen Humphrey, who was his student from 1988 to 1991 and who would go on to become his close colleague. Well always remember his crazy outfits and hundreds of pairs of shoes. He was a skilled professor, brilliant scholar, and incredible human.

He was also a veteran, having proudly serving his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Cameron earned his MSW in 1969 at the University of Oklahoma, then worked in the field until 1987 delivering mental health services in a variety of settings including Ozark Mental Health Center, private practice, Kansas City Veterans Administration, Oklahoma City Public Schools, and Eastern State Hospital.

He held additional degrees in English education (BSED, University of Oklahoma, 1967), law (Juris Doctorate, Oklahoma City University, 1977), psychology, (MS, Pittsburg State University, 1983), counseling (Ed.D., University of Arkansas, 1990), sociology (MA, University of Arkansas, 1995), and criminal justice (JSCJ, Drury University, 2007).

Never one to let age slow him down, Cameron drew headlines in 2018 when at 75 he had to retire as a municipal court judge, per requirement of Missouri state law. He had served on the bench since 1980.

In addition to teaching, he also remained active in research and in the past few years had given several presentations at conferences and written for scholarly publications.

Brad is one of those people who makes a difference in the lives of each person he interacts, said Provost Howard Smith, vice president for academic affairs. The campus misses him dearly.

Camerons wife, Dana, also was a graduate of PSUs psychology program, having earned a masters in school counseling and an EdS in school psychology. She preceded him in death in 2012.

He is survived by two sons, Bret Cameron and Blake Cameron, both of Carthage, a granddaughter, Ivy Cameron, of Independence, Missouri; and many extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage, where Cameron was a member.

The family asks that memorial gifts be directed to the Pittsburg State University Brad and Dana Cameron Scholarship  a scholarship started by a former student to honor Camerons wife after her death. Donations for the scholarship can be made online at https://psufoundation.givingfuel.com/psu-give-to-page by specifying the Brad and Dana Cameron Scholarship.
Starting Wednesday, each inpatient at Glens Falls Hospital will only be allowed one unique visitor per day.

According to a news release from the hospital, the period of high community spread has brought about these temporary changes.

The safety of our patients, visitors and staff is always our first priority, the hospital said in a news release.

Visiting hours will be seven days per week from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors are not permitted to leave and return, and they cannot be replaced by someone else.

All visitors must be 18 years old, and will only be permitted to enter through the West Entrance of the hospital. There they will be screened by security. All visitors must wear a mask at all times, and should bring their own mask. Those who visit will be asked to use hand sanitizer at the screening station.

There are a few exceptions to these new rules.

One visitor may accompany a patient outside of visiting hours on the day of discharge from an inpatient stay.

There will be up to two support people, including a doula, allowed in the Joyce Stock Snuggery. For the Special Care Nursery, patients may have one birth parent plus one significant other who must remain in the room for the entirety of the visit.

Visitation in the hospitals Emergency Department will be limited to those who need special assistance, such as the elderly, children and those with developmental, emotional or cognitive limitations. Compassionate exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

For same-day surgeries and outpatient procedures, one visitor can accompany the patient during admission, and rejoin them for the discharge process. Those who are accompanying the patient may stay in waiting area or Au Bon Pain, the hospitals cafe.

Visitation for special areas related to pediatric patients, patients for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care of the patient and patients in imminent end-of-life and compassionate exceptions remain unchanged, according to the news release.

Warren County

Warren County reported 228 additional cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday afternoon, along with 218 recoveries. According to the recent report, Health Services is currently monitoring 1,389 active cases, with 1,375 if them involving mild illness.

There were 13 reported hospitalizations. Ten of those are vaccinated, with one of those ten having received a booster shot.

There is one critically ill patient, who is vaccinated. Of the 13 hospitalized individuals 10 are vaccinated. One of those 10 has had a booster shot.

Health Services reports that 88 of the new cases were reported through the countys new online reporting system for positive home tests, which went live Monday morning. People can report a positive home test at https://warrencountyny.gov/COVIDHomeTestReport.

There are vaccine clinics being organized by Health Services for students in the following districts:

Glens Falls City School District, Wednesday;

Queensbury Union Free School District, Thursday;

Bolton School District, Friday

North Warren School district, Friday;

Johnsburg Central School, Jan. 21

Parents are advised to reach out to school administrators for more information related to appointments for these clinics.

Warren Countys vaccination rate stood at 73.4% on Tuesday, with 79% of the population receiving their first dose. The county also reported that 88.2% of residents 18 years old and older have gotten at least one dose.

The countys seven-day average of new cases was 217.1 as of Tuesday.

Recent potential COVID exposure advisories in Warren County include:

Downtown Social, Glen Street, Glens Falls, Jan. 1, no mask worn

Curtis Lumber, Big Bay Road, Queensbury, Jan. 3, no mask worn

Walmart, Route 9, Queensbury, Jan. 7 and 8, mask worn

Pizza Hut, Main Street, Queensbury, Jan. 8, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., no mask worn

Washington County

Washington County reported 136 new COVID cases on Monday night, along with 116 new recoveries. Public Health advised that there were hundreds of additional cases still pending investigation.

There were 15 county reported hospitalizations, which is three more than the previous report.

Washington County is monitoring 331 active cases. There are 1,545 people under monitoring due to exposure to COVID-19.

Public Health continues to report that the new cases have varying locations of origin, including household spread, workplace spread, and spread at school or community events.

The county recently launched an at-home COVID test kit portal. The portal can be found on the countys COVID information site.

For the entire month of January Public Health will be holding weekly vaccination booster clinics every Tuesday and Thursday. The clinics will run between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the countys Burgoyne Avenue Campus in partnership with the countys EMS vaccination team.

Washington County reported its vaccination rate to be 62.1% as of Monday night, while 66.2% of county residents have received their first dose.

Jay Mullen is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls, Warren County and crime and courts. You can reach him at (518) 742-3224 or jmullen@poststar.com.

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Amy Fiedler-Horack is the principal of Sackets Harbor Central, a K-12 school of 400 students on the edge of Lake Ontario.

A few days ago, she found herself doing something usually not in her job description: mopping the school stairs, because she said there was no else to do it.

Our tech guy is taking out garbage. If we lost another custodian, if our food department lost anybody, we would be in trouble, she said.

She says the arrival of the omicron variant and the winter, with all its sniffles, colds, and flus, has hit them hard. Sick teachers and staff have to quarantine. Those with a runny nose have to go home until theyre tested and get back a negative.

Too many staff are out for them to cope.

People are getting sick, whether theyre vaccinated or not. And so its just starting to tax our systems, when our systems are already stretched to the limit. Were doing the best we can.

Fiedler-Horack says it would only take one or two more people in certain departments for them to have to close school and go remote until they had enough staff again to maintain our facilities safely.

That, she says, is every schools nightmare. No one wants to return to remote learning.

Test-to-stay and shortened quarantines might help, she said.

All these same issues existed last year, with the additional burden of no vaccine and less access to rapid tests. But there were also fewer actual cases; the omicron variant seems to have ushered in the highest daily positive case counts so far in the North Country.

There is some hope on the horizon for schools; the CDC, and subsequently New York state, have been relaxing quarantine rules, which could mean less time at home for staff and students.

And New York recently started to promote the test-to-stay model, where students and teachers exposed to positive coronavirus cases can take daily tests instead of quarantining for ten days. People who get a negative test can go to school.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has been very vocal about minimizing quarantines and school closures in the New Year.

Logistically cant do it

But Principal Fiedler-Horack says that right now, they cant run a test-to-stay program at Sackets Harbor, even though they would love one. They just recieved their first shipment of testing kits from the state and have a limited amount.

But the problem is, if we start using them, we dont have anything to replace it with. So its really not a program that we can implement.

She said its translating to mixed messages, and frustrated staff and families.

Our older students know (about test-to-stay) because they hear everybody talking about it. And theyre like, well, we can just test to stay. No, actually, you cant, so its actually making the situation worse.

She also said county and state guidance isnt yet reflecting a change toward test-to-stay. And theyre struggling to take advantage of relaxed rules as it is. For instance, recent guidance says that critical need employees can shorten their quarantine to five days.

However, Fiedler-Horack said that only applies if people meet a list of criteria. And then only if Jefferson Public County Health says okay, you can come back.

Tetering on the edge

Fiedler-Horack said for her school to stay open and in-person, they need more concrete guidance, and more physical and financial support in establishing a test-to-stay program.

New York officially adopted the test-to-stay change on Dec. 23, so schools are hopeful that more support will be coming soon. Fiedler-Horack said she welcomes it, but also wanted to reiterate that schools are teetering on the edge right now.

I think the messages is that our kids are struggling and our teachers are struggling, our administrators are struggling. This whole system is struggling right now. And you know, if we dont ... get that out there then that no change is going to happen.

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QUEENSBURY  Ralph Bartlett has been announced as the new fire coordinator for Warren County.

Bartlett, who is a retired sergeant for the Warren County Sheriffs Office and a former Chestertown fire chief, started in his new position late last month, according to a news release sent from Warren County.

He has been involved with the fire service in Warren County for 35 years. Bartlett currently serves as a New York state fire instructor and captain with the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Department.

He said that he was honored that the Department of Emergency Services choose him to fill the position.

Warren County has a contingent of well-run fire companies whose members work hard to make sure their communities are protected, and my job is to assist them however I can, Bartlett said in a news release.

Bartlett serves as an administrator of the Warren County mutual aid plan for fire calls, acts as a regional fire administrator under the New York State Fire Administrators Office in times when the statewide Fire Mobilization Plan is activated and manages the state outreach fire training program in his new role with the county.

He will serve on the Warren County Fire Advisory Board as well.

Bartlett will report to Ann Marie Mason, the countys director of emergency services. She was thrilled with the hire, and said that he will work with fire companies in Warren County to make sure they have the resources they need.

Between his years in the fire service and the Warren County Sheriffs Office, Ralph is well-known and well-respected around Warren County, Mason said in a news release.

The countys three deputy fire coordinators Scott Combs, Chip Mellon and Ted Little will assist Bartlett. Glens Falls Fire Chief Jamie Schrammel, who is the countys hazardous materials coordinator, will also provide assistance.

Jay Mullen is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls, Warren County and crime and courts. You can reach him at (518) 742-3224 or jmullen@poststar.com.

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(CNN)  Sixteen top U.S. universities, including Duke, Vanderbilt and Northwestern, are being sued by five former students claiming those schools may be involved in antitrust violations in the way those institutions worked together in determining financial aid awards for students, according to the lawsuit filed in a U.S. District Court in Illinois.

The complaint, which was filed Sunday, alleges that these private national universities have "participated in a price-fixing cartel that is designed to reduce or eliminate financial aid as a locus of competition, and that in fact has artificially inflated the net price of attendance for students receiving financial aid."

The suit is asking for class-action status to cover any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who paid tuition, room or board at these institutions within varying timeframes from 2003 to the present. The plaintiffs want a permanent injunction against this alleged conspiracy, and they are also seeking restitution and damages to be determined in court.

The suit centers around the application of Section 568 of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, which allows institutions to collaborate on financial aid formulas if they don't consider the student's financial need in admission decisions.

The lawsuit alleges nine schools (Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern, Notre Dame, the University of Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt) have "made admissions decisions with regard to the financial circumstances of students and their families, thereby disfavoring students who need financial aid."

It claims seven other colleges mentioned in the suit (Brown, the California Institute of Technology, Chicago, Cornell, Emory, Rice and Yale) "may or may not have adhered to need-blind admissions policies, but they nonetheless conspired with the other Defendants."

"All Defendants, in turn, have conspired to reduce the amount of financial aid they provide to admitted students," the complaint read.

CNN reached out to all 16 colleges in the lawsuit for a response. Yale University told CNN in an email that "Yale's financial aid policy is 100% compliant with all applicable laws." In response to CNN's request for comment, the California Institute of Technology said, "Caltech is currently reviewing the lawsuit and cannot comment on the specific allegations. We have confidence, however, in our financial aid practices."

Massachusetts Institute of Technology also responded, saying, "MIT is reviewing the filing and will respond in court in due time."

The suit alleges the colleges fixed prices through a formula that was based on a shared methodology, a "set of common standards for determining the family's ability to pay for college."

"This methodology assesses the income and assets of a given financial-aid applicant and their family to determine the applicant's ability to pay and thus the financial contribution that the applicant and their family is expected to make. The applicant's assessed ability to pay therefore is a key determinant in the net price of attendance," according to the complaint.

"Under a true need-blind admissions system, all students would be admitted without regard to the financial circumstances of the student or student's family," the complaint read.
AbseconSt. Elizabeths weekly raffle: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish continues one of its staple fundraisers, the Cyrenean Club, a weekly raffle for $500. Purchase one ticket for $51 and get 52 chances to win. If you win once, you go back in for a chance to win again. Drawings occur every Tuesday in the Parish Office. All proceeds benefit the church. For more information, call 609-641-1480, ext. 0.

Atlantic City

Clothing drive: Turning Point Day Center for the Homeless at 1717 Bishop Richard Allen Ave. is accepting donations of gently used mens clothing as well as personal care items, cleaning supplies, bottled water and other food items. The center was founded by Second Baptist Church to help those in need in the community. This is an ongoing project. The public may bring donated items to the center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For information, call 609-246-6080.

Barnegat Township

Winter arts display at library: The works of 11 brush-and-canvas artists from Pine Shores Art Association are exhibited through January and February at the Ocean County Library Barnegat Branch, at 112 Burr St. The exhibit, themed Winter Wonderland, represents the artists perspectives of winter and nature. The works will include paintings and clay crafts by Mary Walker-Baptiste and Linda Saladino; paintings by Nancy Glines, Lonny Hall, Paul Hartelius, Margaret Hartwell, Suzi Hoffman, Kimberly Measure, Shelly C Ristow, Barbara Whelan and Nadine Yura; clay creations by Alexandra Smith and Mary Kate Fogel; and verse by Louis Baptiste. Participating artists will discuss the exhibit, and their creative processes, in a video to be featured on OCLs YouTube channel, Spotify, and at theoceancountylibrary.org. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For information, call 609-698-3331.

Hammonton

Medication drop box: Join Together Atlantic County, a substance misuse prevention coalition, teamed with Bellevue Drug Company to install a medication drop box for the community to safely dispose of unwanted, unused and/or expired medications. The box is located inside the store at 254 Bellevue Ave. and will be available during normal business hours.

Lower Township

Food assistance available: There are five established food banks in the township to assist individuals and/or families experiencing economic hardship. For information, visit the township website or call 609-886-2005, ext. 132. Donations of food items are welcome.

Millville

Book club: The Millville Womans Club will host its monthly book discussion 1:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the clubhouse, 300 E St. This months book is Hemingway: A Life Without Consequences by James R. Mellow. If interested in attending, call Eloise Sulzman at 856-691-7434.

New Gretna

Veterans museum open: The Veterans United Military Memorial Museum at 5576 Route 9 in New Gretna is open to the public on weekends with reservations. The museum was established in 1985 with the goal of highlighting the achievements of service men and women and includes military artifacts. For information, visit vummm.org or call Jim Comis at 609-296-2210.

Northfield

Church bingo: St. Gianna Parish (Church of St. Bernadette), 1421 New Road, holds bingo games every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 a.m. Doors open 8 a.m. Refreshments are available for sale, with proceeds to benefit church programs. All are welcome.

Ocean City

Coffee With Cops: The Police Department will host a Coffee with Cops from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 15 at New York Cafe and Grill, 928 Haven Ave. The public is invited to discuss any thoughts or questions on local policing and other topics with the departments Community Policing Unit. The program is designed to help officers and community members connect in an informal setting. New York Cafe and Grill will provide free coffee to all who attend. For more information, contact Patrolman John Davis at 609-525-9142 or JDavisIV@ocnj.us.

Sea Isle City

AARP meetings: AARP Chapter 710 meets 1 p.m. second Thursdays inside the Community Lodge at 300 JFK Blvd. For more information, call Tom Owings at 609-263-1453.

Indoor yoga: NJ Beach Yoga will hold classes inside the Community Lodge at 300 JFK Blvd. on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 7:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required at njbeachyoga.com/.

Somers Point

Grace Place Food Pantry: Grace Lutheran Church at 11 E. Dawes Ave. hosts an ecumenical food pantry for residents of Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point. Hours are 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week. The pantry is closed the first full week of each month. For more information, call 609-927-9982.
As Illinois schools struggle to staff classrooms pummeled by the latest COVID-19 surge, state officials said Tuesday they halved the recommended quarantine time for students and teachers from 10 to five days.

Officials with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the states board of education said earlier this month the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recently updated isolation and quarantine guidance, which was slashed from 10 to five days, would only apply to the general public, and would not yet impact schools.

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But on Tuesday, officials with the Illinois State Board of Education said effective immediately, the state will follow the CDCs guidance on shortening isolation and quarantine periods. The guidance applies to all public and nonpublic schools that serve students in prekindergarten through 12th grade.

The guidance says students and school employees who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must stay home for a minimum of five days and a maximum of 10 days after the first day of symptoms, or the date from a positive viral test for those who are asymptomatic, according to the ISBE website.

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In addition, students and staff who test positive must continue to wear a mask around others for five more days after returning to school, officials said. Individuals may return to school after five days if asymptomatic or fever-free without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours, diarrhea/vomiting have ceased for 24 hours, and other symptoms have improved.

The leaders of the states two largest teachers unions said they had not been alerted by the state board, nor the health department, that the new CDC recommendations would apply to Illinois schools starting this week.

Students arrive at Mount Greenwood Elementary School in Chicago, the only Chicago Public Schools open for in person learning in Chicago on Jan. 11, 2022. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Its frustrating, because we want to be a part of those discussions, and all along weve said we want to follow the science and the CDC guidance, said Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, whose members include Chicago Public Schools employees, who are expected to be back in the classroom Wednesday after a five-day stand-off.

But this new guidance looks extremely difficult to maintain, because there are so many permutations. ... It assumes that every mask is good, and that all schools have the ability to maintain 6 feet of distance, Montgomery said, referring to a slate of directives that accompanies the CDCs shorter quarantine recommendation.

For example, CDC officials say schools should ensure that staff or students who test positive for COVID-19 continue to wear a well-fitted mask around others  including at home  for five additional days after release from isolation, and should avoid being around students or staff who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, according to the IDPH website.

If masks need to be removed (for example, at lunch), ensure 6 feet of physical distancing until 10 days after symptom onset or positive test, IDPH officials said.

Still, some teachers say while they are hopeful the shortened quarantine recommendations could help avoid school shutdowns by bringing teachers who test positive back into the classroom sooner, and might reduce the amount of school students miss, following the expanded guidance could prove nearly impossible.

Ask any teacher how many times you have to tell your students to pull up their masks, which is understandable, because they are teenagers, and theyre suffering, as this has been going on for two years, said Sherry Jo Baehr, an officer with the Niles Township High School District 219 teachers union.

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District 219 was one of several suburban school districts forced to take an adaptive pause last week due to staff shortages at the districts two high schools.

I just dont think five days are as safe as 10, especially for schools that dont have all of the support our district has, said Baehr, a school librarian at Niles West High School in Skokie.

Do all of our teachers in Illinois have access to N95 masks? And do all schools have separate areas for immunocompromised students to eat lunch? Baehr said.

Kathi Griffin, president of the Illinois Education Association, the states largest teachers union, also expressed concerns about the new guidelines, especially with the soaring numbers of teachers out sick with the virus.

Putting economics above health and safety is not going to help students or help us attract and retain educators, said Griffin.

She said school employees statewide are waiting for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign a bill that would allow educators to use administrative days for COVID-related absences rather than using their sick time.

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Many teachers and education employees across the state have either already exhausted all of their sick time or are very close to running out of sick days. Legislation like this will help us address the education employee shortage instead of making it worse, Griffin said.

A spokesman for Township High School District 214 said officials have alerted parents, students and staff at the districts six high schools that the Arlington Heights-based district is now following the updated guidelines.

As to the question of what we think the change might mean in practical terms, I think the pandemic has taught us to be cautious in making predictions or projections, District 214 spokesman David Beery said.

kcullotta@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kcullotta
During times of uncertainty, turn to the cards.

Thats what Rowan College at Burlington County did with its annual report. Instead of a stuffy paper, the college released its yearly summary in the form of a tarot deck.

The 31-card deck  a reference to the colleges 3+1 degree program  features digital illustrations highlighting the students, faculty, alumni and events that made up the 2020-21 academic year.

In years past, the colleges marketing team has sought to reimagine what an annual report can be. Theyve produced a magazine, a calendar and even a newspaper with a comic strip, but this disruptive year needed a report to match.

When we started brainstorming ideas for this annual report, we knew we had to think outside the box for many reasons, RCBC President Michael A. Cioce said in a news release. It was a pandemic year, for one. But it was also a time during which everyone around us was reflecting on their choices, their lifestyles and their places in the world.

We wanted to do something inspiring, he said. This deck showcases the myriad ways people from varying backgrounds come together on our campuses to learn, evolve and grow.

The deck includes cards like The Apprentices  the students who make up the colleges Workforce Development and Culinary institutes  and the The COVID Combatants  RCBC nursing students who volunteered on the frontlines of the pandemic. Other cards spotlighted graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021, the colleges free tuition program, standout students and distinguished professors.

Using illustrations also helped the college put together a visually interesting report despite having less original photography due to reduced on-campus operations during the pandemic.

Tarot cards dont predict your future. Theyre not meant to tell your fortune. And they shouldnt be used to make decisions, Cioce wrote in the report. What they can reveal, however, is the possibilities you have depending upon the path you take. We created the RCBC deck to illuminate those possibilities.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  People will soon have the opportunity to weigh in on the policies and procedures of Stockton University police.

The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police will have assessors evaluate the Stockton University Police Department as part of the departments regular accreditation process, according to a news release from the university. The final, on-site accreditation is scheduled to take place Feb. 8 and 9.

Employees and members of the general public are invited to comment to the NJSACOP assessment team via phone, email or physical mail. People can call 609-626-3412 to leave their comments from 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 9. They can email their comments to the department at police.accreditation@stockton.edu. Physical mail can be sent to the NJSACOP Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053.

People leaving their comments via phone have five minutes to do so and must address the compliance of Stockton police with NJSACOP standards.

The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies, NJSACOP Accreditation Program Director Harry Delgado said in the release. The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the Commissions assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.

Stockton police must comply with NJSACOP law enforcement accreditation program standards to achieve accredited status. Accreditation lasts for three years, during which time a law enforcement agency must submit annual reports attesting to its continued compliance with NJSACOP standards.

Stockton Director of Campus Public Safety Adrian Wiggins said the accreditation process recognizes an agencys professional excellence while helping ensure internal accountability.

Verification by the team that the Stockton University Police Department meets the Commissions best practice standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence, Wiggins said in the release. Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agencys ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.

Those interested in learning more can contact department Accreditation Manager David Madamba at david.madamba@stockton.edu or 609-626-3428. They also can email Delgado at hdelgado@njsacop.org or mail the NJSACOP Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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Atlantic Countys new Republican Assembly members, Claire Swift and Don Guardian, made the trip to Trenton on Tuesday to get sworn in as state legislators for the 2022-23 legislative session.

So did Assemblyman Michael Torrissi, R-Burlington, Camden, Atlantic. Hammonton, where Torrissi was a Republican councilman, is the only Atlantic County town in the 8th Legislative District.

It was like going to college. You were excited to go but didnt know exactly what to expect, said Guardian, the former mayor of Atlantic City and former business administrator in Toms River, said as he drove home. It was very positive.

State Sen. Nicholas Scutari was elected the first new Senate president in 12 years, succeeding fellow Democrat Steve Sweeney, who lost reelection to Republican Ed Durr in November. Taking office along with Scutari was new Majority Leader Sen. Teresa Ruiz, who said she is the first Latina to occupy the post.

In separate ceremonies, all 40 members of the Senate and 80 members of the Assembly were sworn in, with Democrats keeping their majority, though at slimmer margins.

Scutari said the public is tired of COVID-19 isolation and political polarization and residents want lawmakers to focus on economic and academic recovery, a nod to the small businesses that have shuttered and rising prices as well as the upheaval in schools affecting students and parents.

Red wave driven by GOP turnout, but will it last? In the wake of Republicans sweeping into office across South Jersey, knocking out even longt

It is not lost on most of us in this chamber today that as a state, as a country and a world people feel tired  tired of feeling scared, tired of feeling isolated, tired of having their jobs, their schools and their social enjoyment restricted and tired of the polarization, he said. I believe our residents want to see a pathway forward.

The specter of the coronavirus hung over the swearing-in ceremonies, with lawmakers in masks, surrounded by see-through barriers and subject to testing or vaccine-proof mandates to enter the premises.

Guardian said everyone had to show proof of vaccination to get in, but also had to take a rapid COVID-19 test.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin participated virtually, as he did during the last voting session Monday, as he has tested positive for the coronavirus, he has said.

We are all used to those rules, Guardian said of the COVID precautions.

The ceremony for the Assembly took place in the War Memorial near the Statehouse, Swift said.

Republican team gives LD2 united voice for first time in 15 years For the past 15 years, the highly competitive 2nd legislative district has sent a mix of Rep

All the new members were up on stage and current members in the audience, said Swift, a Margate lawyer. They individually swore in all 16 new members.

Each member was allowed to bring 10 people. Swift brought her three kids, her husband and some other relatives.

Everyone was very nice, saying they want to work together, Swift said. Im looking forward to hitting the ground running, working with Vince (Polistina) and Don (Guardian), to be a strong voice for people in South Jersey as well as the state. Everybody is ready to get to work and get things done. We need it.

Torrissi, owner of Torrissi Transport, a trucking company with more than 400 trucks, said Hammonton has a lot in common with the rural communities in the 8th District. His family had a farm in Blue Anchor, Camden County, he said.

We are in Atlantic County, but we have a different mentality with farms and Pinelands as opposed to the shore, Torrissi said. We have similar issues up here.

All three new legislators said they are waiting to receive their committee assignments and have yet to see details of the legislative calendar and whether it will be in person or partly virtual because of COVID-19.

Both Guardian and Swift said it seemed members on both sides of the aisle are aware of how important it is to make New Jersey more affordable by controlling property taxes and creating and retaining jobs.

The two are opening an office at Montpelier and Atlantic avenues in Atlantic City, Guardian said. There will be full-time English, Spanish and Mandarin speakers on site, he said.

We are working on Bengali, Urdu and Vietnamese, Guardian said, at least one day a week.

Swift said her priorities will be providing good constituent services, especially to help with the problems residents are having with unemployment and motor vehicle issues.

Based on the 30 to 40 calls the senator (Polistina, R-Atlantic) gets a day, they are almost all related to unemployment and getting drivers licenses, registrations and other motor vehicle issues, Guardian said.

Swift is used to driving to Trenton, she said, after working for the state Attorney Generals Office for a time.

Bill to expand syringe access programs in NJ passes Legislature TRENTON  Atlantic City government may no longer have control over whether there is a syring

We took the parkway to Exit 58, then through the Pinelands on the way up, Swift said. The kids loved the adventure. We were talking about the Jersey Devil.

Her children are Jack, 11, and twins Anthony and Claire, 9.

You could really feel part of the history over the last 200 years of the Assembly being sworn in, Guardian said. People were very cordial, both Republicans and Democrats.

Monday was the final day of the 2020-21 legislative session, and of the terms of Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato, both D-Atlantic, who lost to Swift and Guardian in November.

In the Senate, Democrats now hold 24 Senate spots to the GOPs 14. Thats down from 25-15 in the previous session. In the Assembly, the Democrats have 46 seats to the Republicans 34. Democrats previously had a 52-28 seat advantage.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-272-7219 mpost@pressofac.com

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State Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, has announced her intent to run for the newly drawn 89th House District in Illinois after being drawn out of her 71st District seat when legislative borders were redrawn in October.

The new 89th District consists of all or parts of Carroll, Jo Davies, Ogle, Stephenson, Boone, Winnebago and DeKalb counties. The seat is currently held by State Rep. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, who was drawn into the 90th District, leaving the seat open.

McCombie was first elected to the Illinois legislature in 2016. She has no official Republican opponent yet for the June 28 primary election.

"During my time in the House, I have challenged leaders in both parties to ensure Illinois taxpayers are protected and hard-working families in Illinois have safe neighborhoods, strong schools, economic opportunities and more freedom," McCombie said in a press release. "Still, there is more work to do to drive success for our region and achieve the ethics and state government reforms needed to promote growth and get Illinois back on track.

"I look forward to introducing myself, listening and earning the support of all voters who crave a better direction for Illinois. Im guided by conservative principles, common sense and am committed to delivering results."

McCombie graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelors degree in business. She served on the Savanna City Council and as mayor before her election to the Illinois House.

McCombie owns Blue Appraisals LLC, a real estate appraisal company operating in Illinois and Iowa, and works as a Realtor for Mel Foster Co. She has been married to husband, Curt, for 15 years.

If elected, McCombie said her top priorities will be education, job growth, ethics reform, restoring public safety and strong constituent service.

"Despite the challenges we face because of liberals heavy hand in Springfield, the good news is we change Illinois for the better if we stand strong and together," McCombie said. "We deserve leaders who are transparent, ethical and focused on protecting Illinois families and our most vulnerable citizens. Id be honored to continue serving the people of Illinois."

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Employee Arthur Mickle checks vaccine cards as diners arrive for brunch on Jan. 9, 2022, at Daley's restaurant in Woodlawn. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Its another tough winter for Chicago restaurants. And depending who you ask, the citys COVID-19 vaccine mandate is either hurting or helping.

In highly vaccinated neighborhoods, and in restaurants already asking customers for proof of vaccination, the mandate has largely been a relief.

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In less-vaccinated neighborhoods, many of which are on the citys South and West sides, it is making a difficult time harder.

Asking people in my area to show proof of vaccination is almost asking them for a fight, said Carmella Coqmard, owner of The Foodies Spot in the Grand Crossing neighborhood. People are very, Dont do that. Theyre getting very defensive. Im losing customers.

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The wait list is empty during the usual Sunday brunch at Daley's restaurant in Woodlawn, Jan. 9, 2022. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Business last weekend was the worst to date in the three-year history of The Foodies Spot, which serves organic, halal and kosher food, Coqmard said. She laid off three workers Monday due to a downturn weeks in the making.

Though multiple factors work against Chicago restaurants at the moment  winter weather is baring its teeth and the omicron variant continues its spread, with 201,428 new cases of COVID-19 announced last week by the state health department  Coqmard is dealing with another factor: less than 46% of residents in the 60649 ZIP code where her restaurant is located are fully vaccinated.

That figure accounts for one of the lowest vaccination rates in Chicago, where a citywide average of 65% of residents are fully vaccinated and 73% have received at least one dose, according to city data. But even in the early months of 2021 when vaccines became available, racial disparities emerged. Advocates at the time said a higher share of Black and Hispanic residents might have a harder time lining up shots, or may be wary to taking them because of past medical discrimination.

A Tribune analysis in May of more than 1 million first doses given in Chicago found nearly 60% of shots went to suburbanites and residents of neighborhoods deemed to have the lowest risk of COVID-19. Unequal access to vaccines for communities on the South and West sides contributed to lower vaccination rates and preventable COVID-19 deaths, according to a University of Chicago study released in September.

Coqmard has little doubt that the low vaccination rate is affecting her sales. She also said she isnt surprised at the downturn in a ZIP code where about 95% of residents are Black.

A lot of Black people do not trust vaccination, Coqmard said. When theres mandates about stuff, they dont trust it. Theres history that causes fear, even when theres possibly something good for them.

Preparing for the worst, she paused indoor dining and only offered food to-go when the mandate began Jan. 3.

According to a dozen restaurant owners interviewed across the city, customer reaction appears to be following vaccination rates: Those in more highly vaccinated areas are navigating the mandate more easily than those in lower-vaccinated areas.

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Mike Zar, the fourth-generation owner of Daleys Restaurant in the Woodlawn neighborhood, said business was down at least 30% during the first weekend of the mandate. Sunday morning is usually his busiest time of the week as post-church crowds funnel in, and 20-minute waits for a table are common, even in winter.

Kaidence Ruskin dines with grandmother Debra Thurmond and mother Diamond Ruskin for brunch on Jan. 9, 2022 at Daley's restaurant in Woodlawn. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

On Sunday, he said, he didnt bother opening one of his three dining rooms, which in normal times would be packed. In the Daleys ZIP code, 60637, 51% of people are fully vaccinated, city data says. Neighboring ZIP codes 60621 and 60649 have even lower vaccination rates; both are under 46%.

During the first few days of the vaccine mandate, Zar said, business was down 80% as he regularly turned away parties of five or six people, and one doesnt have a card, and they all leave.

Owner Mike Zar stacks chairs in an empty section during Sunday brunch, Jan. 9, 2022. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Though awareness of the mandate seems to have improved, he said, hes still turning away business.

One minute Im frustrated, and the next minute I understand, he said.

The city, Zar said, is doing the right thing. It just comes at an expense for everyone.

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The expense is often less marked on the other side of the city.

Uncommon Grounds Lakeview location, which is in one of the highest-vaccinated ZIP codes  60613, where 77% of people are fully vaccinated  saw business go up during the first weekend of the vaccine mandate.

Owner Mike Cameron said part of the uptick is likely rooted in an email newsletter sent to nearly 20,000 subscribers last week pleading for business after early winter struggles. But he also said the vaccine mandate has made things easier.

As COVID-19 cases skyrocketed and some Chicago restaurants began temporarily shutting down last month, Uncommon Ground began mandating proof of vaccine Dec. 17  about two weeks before the city. Cameron said his staff endured the occasional pushback before the citys mandate went into effect.

Owner Mike Cameron checks a vaccine card as a diner arrives on Jan. 10, 2022, at Uncommon Ground in Lakeview. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Since then, complaints have largely dissipated, he said. Meanwhile business has risen across the board  dine-in, takeout and delivery, Cameron said. Fellow North Side restaurant owners hes spoken to recently are all on the same page supporting the mandate, he said.

It leveled the playing field, and Im glad for that, Cameron said. And if it makes my guests and staff feel more comfortable and safer, its definitely the way to go.

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Cameron said most criticism has been online; he and other restaurant owners and managers in highly vaccinated areas said negative online reviews and hostile emails have been the worst of the pushback.

Dan Weiss, owner of Dollop Diner in Ravenswood and 15 coffee shops mostly in highly vaccinated areas downtown or on the North Side, said he has heard no concerns from staff about customer response to the vaccine mandate.

Server Armando Sanchez checks on a table of diners on Jan. 10 at Uncommon Ground in Lakeview. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

Three-quarters of residents in Dollop Diners 60640 ZIP code are fully vaccinated, according to city data, which is one of the highest rates in the city.

A number of things are making business difficult, but a vaccine mandate is not the No. 1 thing, he said. Im more worried about it being zero degrees.

Weiss said hes not a fan of putting restrictions on customers or asking for what he considers private information. But hes ultimately comfortable with the mandate.

Its good  now you can sit in a room and have peace of mind that everyone in there is believably vaccinated, he said. From a business owner standpoint, Im happy to do anything that makes my staff comfortable and more relaxed. But Im of the viewpoint that theres nothing but the virus going away that will make everyone happy and comfortable.

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Weiss said his business depends on people to be out and shopping and living life, but has largely given up hope on that happening in 2022. Hes hopeful it will be the case by summer 2023.

jbnoel@chicagotribune.com

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A Princeton, Iowa, woman was sentenced Friday to three years in federal prison for lying to clients of her business that purported to buy and sell precious metals for customers, according to a news release from the United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Iowa.

Chelsea Lynn Gless, 32, was the manager and part-owner of Royal Metals Group, and for almost four years she misappropriated clients' money and precious metals, instead of delivering the precious metals and paying clients for them. She used the funds to pay personal expenses and other Royal Metals Group clients she owed money to, according to the release.

Gless was charged in November 2020 with mail fraud, money laundering and wire fraud. In August 2021 she pleaded guilty to a scheme to defraud and one count of mail fraud.

Gless was ordered to serve three years of supervised release after her prison term and to pay $2.9 million in restitution to victims.

"Chelsea Gless developed a scheme to defraud dozens of precious metals investors of millions of dollars. In some cases, the victims of this scheme lost their entire retirement savings," FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said in the release. "The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to apprehend subjects like Chelsea Gless whose crimes of fraud can have devastating financial consequences for their victims."

The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, with help from the Iowa Attorney General's Office, Scott County Sheriff's Office, Davenport Police Department and Bettendorf Police Department.

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Chicago Public Schools students  at least those not in COVID-19 quarantine  will head back to class Wednesday after the resolution of another dispute between the district and the Chicago Teachers Union that prompted four canceled school days.

But as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CTU leaders traded insults leading up to, and even after, the announcement of an agreement late Monday, CPS Mount Greenwood Elementary School was already open for business.

Monday morning, with temperatures in the teens, bundled children arrived at the school holding the hands of parents, grandparents and adults trying not to slip on icy patches on the ground.

Almost every other CPS school was entering its fourth day of canceled classes. And while nearly 160 schools offered some in-person activities Monday, only three provided full instruction, according to CPS CEO Pedro Martinez.

Mount Greenwood officials had told families last week it would be open Monday because nearly all staffers had been showing up, despite the CTU work action that has transpired. More than 70% of union members endorsed a resolution to refuse in-person teaching without expanded COVID-19 mitigation measures. The action was called off late Monday after the sides reached their reopening agreement.

Aside from teachers apparently willing to go against the union resolution, Mount Greenwood has also benefited from few COVID-19 disruptions. While overall numbers have surged to record levels in CPS and Chicago recently with the spread of the omicron variant, Mount Greenwood reported just six cases last fall, according to CPS data, and since Dec. 4 has never had more than six people in quarantine at one time.

On Monday, Elise Simcox walked up to the school hand in hand with her kindergartner to drop her off. Having grown up in a union household with a mother and sister who are teachers, the drop-off seemed a bit wrong to her while CTU conversations continue. She was curious how many students would show up.

Its mixed feelings for me. I dont want the teachers to feel like I just need a babysitter and Im just dumping my kid off. But theyre also telling us theyre going to resume academics today, she said.

Staff members were out in front of the school receiving and greeting students who were getting hugs from parents, many of whom were pulling to the curb just long enough for their child to disembark and be ushered into the building by teachers.

Other parents were less conflicted about the back and forth of the labor dispute and more centered on the continuity of education for youth. A parent who wished to remain anonymous said shes excited that the kids are learning in-person at Mount Greenwood and they need to remain so.

She said it was stressful following the union conflict and waiting to see if there would be a return to remote learning or if school would be canceled.

I dont think its great for the kids to not have the consistency, she said. I think this is one place they go to  no matter where youre from ... school is a place of consistency for kids, a place for social and emotional learning, where they need to be instead of at home. I understand the teachers concern about health and safety and if youre in school, youre short-staffed. I think (school closures are) one of those things that needs to happen on an as-needed basis and thats something that needs to come from the top of CPS. Principals have been in the spotlight to have to make those calls and it can change overnight, whether theyre closing or not.

Mount Greenwood is located in the Far Southwest Side area that shares its name, is surrounded by suburbs on three sides and is known for the dense number of Chicago workers who live there, including many Chicago firefighters and police officers. Its been noted to be more politically conservative community than the city as a whole. According to the citys COVID-19 vaccine site, over 72% of the population within the 60655 Zip code, of which Mount Greenwood is a part of, have completed the vaccine series. The schools state report card shows the schools student population is less diverse than the district overall.

Its that community that Mount Greenwood Elementary parent and Beverly resident says in-person schooling is helping.

Neka Whites daughter is in pre-kindergarten and says the continuity of in-person learning is for the betterment of the community.

Its a good thing for the kids that need to be learning, she said. I think its really good to continue with their education, but I can also understand that it can frustrate the teachers union, that theyre not in unison.

Attempts to reach Mount Greenwoods school administration were unsuccessful.

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Time for you to ask these questions with a truthful answer! Do you believe everything Biden and his administration tell you? Is it time for Biden to resign? Is the border safe or we in danger of more crime? Why should student loan debt be cancelled; is it fair for those who paid for their children's education? Have we ventured extremely into climate control without proper knowledge of the consequences? Do you believe in the extreme left Democrat party and their beliefs? Is Biden capable to turn around inflation? Should the oil pipelines be turned-on and America becomes energy independent? Will you buy an electric car in the next 2 years at a cost of over $50,000? Do you want term limits in all government? Do you like WOKE? Can you vote for what is good for America rather than be a party junkie? Should the crazy state of California leave the union? Would we be better off if it did leave the union? Do you want definition of sex to be male or female, not some made-up definition? Do you want parents to voice their opinion to schools, colleges, on what is appropriate subjects? You need to count the positives and the negatives within yourself with truth and integrity. There are many philosophies, but what is of basic importance is compassion for others, concern for others suffering, and reduction of selfishness! Vote your conscience for the good of all that is true and safe for all Americans!
Rock Island County Health Department Administrator Nita Ludwig offered a message about social responsibility Wednesday as the Illinois Department of Public Health takes over COVID-19 contact tracing.

In late December the Illinois Department of Public Health announced its plan to contact all positive cases entered into the states data systems. Any of the positive tests associated with a cell phone number will receive an automated text message. The initial outgoing text will read:

IDPH COVID: There is important info for you. Call 312-777-1999 or click: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/confirmed-or-possible-covid-19.html

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, individuals who call the number in the text will be considered as "opting in" for an interview. Public health officials will then prioritize case investigations for individuals who are 65 years and older and are at higher risk of severe illness.

Ludwig said she hoped those who test positive will have to "take personal responsibility to ensure the communitys safety"

"All productive societies require some personal responsibility from its members. If you test positive, you should share your information regarding your symptoms, positive tests or exposure with your worksite, family, friends and others that you care about before or after gathering," Ludwig said. "Although (the Rock Island County Health Department has) helped guide the community through recommendations and best practices, individuals now generally should know what to do and when to do it."

Ludwig noted employees who test positive for COVID-19 and need letters for release from work will have to request them from the states automated system.

"If you dont participate in the assessments offered, it will not generate release letters. The Rock Island County Health Department cannot issue release letters because this process is part of the centralized contact tracing efforts," Ludwig said. "The states surge center will take over all calls, but if you dont get a call, you still must follow isolation and quarantine rules.

"For the health of our health care workers and everyone in the community, COVID-positive patients must stay home. Those who take home tests also must follow isolation and quarantine rules to keep all of us as safe as possible. We all have the tools to prevent severe illness: vaccination, boosters, masking, social distancing, handwashing, disinfection and isolating when you are sick."

Ludwig said removing contact tracing from local public health departments is a result of the explosion of cases across the Quad-Cities.

"Vaccination remains our best tool to end the pandemic, but only about 60% of Rock Island County residents 5 and older are fully vaccinated. As a result, our case counts have risen to all-time highs," Ludwig explained. "Health departments throughout Illinois, including the Rock Island Health Department, do not have enough staff to address all calls that will be coming in from the community during this most recent surge. All county health departments and hospitals in the state are overwhelmed."

COVID-19 in the Q-C, by the numbers

New COVID-19 cases  and seven-day positivity rates  continue to soar throughout the Q-C area.

According to Wednesday's update from the Iowa Department of Public Health, Scott County's seven-day positivity rate of 29% fueled 2,142 new cases since last Wednesday. That's 306 new cases a day in the last week.

Scott County has confirmed 36,768 cases since the start of the pandemic.

Scott County also saw its number of COVID-19 deaths increase by six over the seven-day period ending Wednesday. There have been 328 deaths in the county since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Rock Island County Health Department reported a single death Wednesday  a man in his 30s who died at home. COVID-19 has claimed 428 lives in the county since the pandemic started.

Public health officials in Rock Island County reported 550 new cases since Monday's update, bringing the total number of infections confirmed in the county since the start of the pandemic to 26,772.

Ludwig commented on the nature of Wednesday's new cases.

"The high number of cases today suggest two stories," Ludwig said. "First, we see a large number of newly infected people who are 60 and older. Our vaccination rate for those 65 and older is quite good  82% are fully vaccinated and 95% have at least one dose. However, only 36% of people have received their booster dose. Boosters are available to everyone 12 and older at least five months after their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or two months after their Johnson & Johnson dose.

"The other worrisome point is the high number of people who are younger than 50 and have tested positive. This age group tends to be not vaccinated at all. Our total vaccination rate for 5 and older is 60%. We urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

Vaccinations in Rock Island Co.

The Rock Island Health Department continues to offer the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines on Tuesdays and the Pfizer vaccines on Fridays. Hours for both days are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pediatric Pfizer clinics are on Fridays.

Links for appointments are posted on RICHDs Facebook page at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. You can find other providers at vaccines.gov.

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The Quad-Cities is straddling state lines on implementing a federal agencys vaccinate-or-test mandate under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Iowa Division of Labor issued a notice Friday that it wont adopt or enforce the standard by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration that requires employees of workplaces with 100 or more employees to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask.

Illinois private sector follows federal OSHA standards. The federal agencys vaccine-or-test mandate went into effect Monday but is being contested in court.

Illinois OSHA, on the other hand, which covers state and local government employees, not private businesses, issued a notice it will adopt the federal standard, giving employers until Jan. 24 to begin to come into compliance and until March 25 to implement testing.

The rulings come as the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing the federal standard, which makes the future of such mandates uncertain.

Iowa and Illinois are two of 28 states that have a separate federally-approved state OSHA plan, operated by states or U.S. territories, which allows them to set their own policies for public, and, in Iowas case, private workplaces.

But the plans must be at least as effective as OSHA in protecting workers and in preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. If not, the federal agency would have the authority to challenge and step in to enforce the rules.

Per federal policies, states with their own plans must adopt any new federal standard within 30 days.

In Iowa, Labor Commissioner Rod Roberts, who's appointed by the governor, issued the notice the state would not comply with the federal vaccine-or-test mandate because it is not necessary because Iowas existing standards are at least as effective as the federal standard change.

In a telephone call on Tuesday, Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administrator Russell Perry pointed to existing standards in personal protective equipment, respiratory protection and sanitation that Iowa OSHA leadership believed were just as effective.

We feel these standards adequately protect against COVID and have since this thing started, Perry said.

When asked to elaborate, Perry said no standards explicitly regulated COVID-19 except for emergency temporary standards, such as one Iowa adopted in June that required health care employers to provide respirators, to screen patients and employees for symptoms, among other requirements. That standard expired in December, with federal OSHA pledging to bring back a plan for a permanent rule.

One example Perry provided was that if workplaces required respirators, they needed to be fit-tested and employees trained on how to properly wear them. Iowa OSHA could file a citation if that process wasnt followed.

Echoing federal arguments in court, Perry said Iowa OSHA leadership felt the circumstances negated the need for an emergency standard mandating vaccinations because vaccinated people could contract and transmit the virus with the omicron variant and that it was difficult to tell where someone contracted it.

We just feel that the fact that a vaccinated person can spread the virus that that negates the mandate because the mandate was to keep the virus from spreading in the workplace, Perry said.

When asked about whether the vaccine reducing risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 factored into the decision, Perry said it didn't: I think thats a true statement, thats part of the CDC. The bottom line here is Im totally for vaccination, so is Iowa OSHA, so is our government. Our state governments just against mandating it.

According to CDC data collected during the delta surge, unvaccinated Americans were 10 times more likely to be hospitalized and 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19. While early data suggests omicron tends to put a lower percentage of those infected in the hospital, U.S. hospitals are caring for the highest number of COVID-19 patients since the start of the pandemic, according to federal data released Tuesday. Hospitals in the Quad-Cities have urged people to get vaccinated and warned that a majority of COVID-19 in-patients they care for havent been vaccinated.

The Biden administration argues that under the statute, it had to act. COVID-19 has killed more than 800,000 people in the U.S. and hospitalized millions, and in-person work is a source of virus spread.

Perry said the Iowa OSHA looked at whether employers were making a good-faith effort to mitigate hazards like COVID-19.

My guidance is that as we go into inspections that we look at these standards for Personal Protective Equipment, respiratory protection and sanitation, Are employers doing everything they can to keep the workplace free of recognized hazards? Perry said.

In November 2020, eight Iowa labor and civil rights groups lodged a federal complaint against Iowa OSHA because they say the agency was slow to respond to worker complaints of unsafe work environments, in particular crowded conditions in meat-packing plants, where hundreds of workers tested positive for the virus. An investigation into Iowa OSHA has been underway, said Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, one of the groups that filed the complaint.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds joined the lawsuit challenging the vaccine mandate under review by the Supreme Court and has supported measures to prevent vaccine mandates.

A former OSHA senior official, Debbie Berkowitz, said pending the Supreme Courts decision, Iowas decision likely wouldnt meet minimum requirements set out by federal law governing OSHA state plans because Iowa didn't have any COVID-19-specific rules.

Berkowitz, who served as an OSHA chief of staff during the Obama administration, predicted the federal agency would step in if Iowa were to go through with its announcement. Under state plans, the federal government pays for half of a state's OSHA budget and the state pays for the other half.

The law is very clear that for a state to keep its state program and receive 50% of federal funding, and to take over enforcement of standards, those standards have to be as effective as federal OSHA, Berkowitz said. "They don't have any standard that is as effective as this federal standard; they don't have any COVID-19 requirements for employers."

Berkowitz pointed to an example of South Carolina, which declined to implement the federal health care facility emergency temporary standard in June. In October, federal OSHA notified the state it would begin the process of taking over enforcement of the state plan. South Carolina backed down and adopted the federal standard. Berkowitz, a fellow at Georgetown University, wrote an article in support of the vaccine-or-test mandate.

A few major employers in Iowa are mandating vaccines, including Tyson Foods and Des Moines-headquartered Wells Fargo, according to the Des Moines Register. One of the largest employers in the Quad-Cities, Deere and Co., has not said whether it is implementing a vaccine mandate. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment and a COVID-19 safety protocols statement on an employee site said the company would continue COVID-19 safety protocols, which included refraining from asking about others vaccination status.

In Illinois, the public information officer for the states Department of Labor, Paul Cicchini, said if the federal standard is invalidated by the Supreme Court, then Illinois OSHA would have to withdraw its adoption of the federal rule.

At that point, IL OSHA could determine whether it wants to develop its own rule, which would be subject to the normal rulemaking process, Cicchini wrote in an email.

Davenport, Bettendorf, Rock Island and East Moline officials told the Quad-City Times/Dispatch Argus they would follow their states guidance.

Davenport City Administrator Corri Spiegel wrote in an email that the City has been collecting vaccination records of city employees and has had a multitude of discussions on how a mandate would be handled operationally, in preparation for a potential mandate from Iowa OSHA.

As a local government, Spiegel wrote the City falls under Iowa OSHA regulations and is awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court, which may impact federal response to Iowas announcement.

The city has continued to encourage employees to get vaccinated and will be holding another on-site vaccine clinic next week for employees to obtain their initial vaccines or boosters.

City of Rock Island Human Resources Director, Rob Baugous said the city had a clinic primarily for employees that would be set up for regular testing if the mandate held up. Illinois OSHA for public employees set a March deadline to begin having unvaccinated employees begin weekly testing.

We are striving to be compliant and meet Illinois deadlines, Baugous said, adding that Rock Island was still in early stages of collecting vaccine statuses.

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Thickly but masterfully plotted, the remarkably consistent films of Asgar Farhadi follow parallel lines: morals vs. morals and, more provocatively, morals vs. ethics. If moral clashes debate right and wrong, then we can look at ethics as the power plays dramatizing stubbornly opposed views of whats right.

Farhadis latest, A Hero, centers on that second debate. It boasts the filmmakers usual high level of unassuming craft; a superb cast; and a couple of limitations, though not flaws, worth noting. The film, a two-hour exercise in simmering anxiety and the slow fuse of a big little lie, makes its streaming premiere Jan. 21 on Amazon Prime, while continuing its limited theatrical run in the Chicago area.

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The setting is the Iranian city of Shiraz. There, Rahim, played by Amir Jadidi with an air of serene resignation, has been jailed in debtors prison. The scowling creditor controlling his fate helped Rahim start a business  hes a calligrapher and painter by trade  but he wants his loans repaid. Rahim needs money, quickly, in order to buy his way out of prison and settle the debts while on a two-day pass.

The money he needs pops into the story as a kind of street-level miracle. His clandestine girlfriend, Farkhondeh (Sahir Goldoust), finds a handbag full of gold coins, left behind at a bus stop. At first she and Rahim plan to pawn the coins. Then, instead, Rahims ethical impulse takes the lead and the money is returned to its rightful if furtive owner. Rahim becomes a media hero, and a model prisoner for his prison overseers.

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But fate, various forms of Iranian bureaucracy and simmering grudges, reroute Rahims sudden celebrity. Like all Farhadis work, A Hero operates as a calmly agonizing procedural, where one evasion or deception naturally squirms into the form of another, and another. There are some new elements in Farhadis focus here: the role of social media in ordinary lives, for one, and  visually  some conspicuous change-ups in the cutting of some sequences and montages.

Mohsen Tanabandeh, from left, Saleh Karimai and Amir Jadidi in a scene from "A Hero." (Amirhossein Shojaei/AP)

The limitations of A Hero have to do with a tendency present in this writer-directors earlier efforts, ranging from good to excellent. His movies are dominoes, falling  models of solid dramatic progression, in the dramatic tradition of Ibsen and Arthur Miller. After A Separation (2012), Farhadi won his second Oscar for A Salesman, in which an Iranian theater production of Millers Death of a Salesman mirrored the offstage ethical dilemmas of its actors. Farhadis finest work approaches Salesman level ambiguity; his second-tier films are more like Millers All My Sons, with their step-by-step, more easily diagramed tragedy. A Hero is second tier, with this crucial caveat: Farhadis second tier is like most filmmakers first.

The cast is perfect throughout, blending pros and amateurs. Jadidi is playing a fundamentally passive man, which means we know he will blow at dramatically strategic points in A Hero. It is not easy to play such a character, at least in between the explosions; with his ambiguous countenance, and minute physicalization of a hangdog psyche, Jadidi keeps everything on track. What lends Farhadis latest picture its chaotic vitality are the domestic scenes, in the home of Rahims sister (Maryam Shahdaei, always scolding her brother about his unworthy cigarette habit). In these scenes we sense life as its lived in contemporary Iran, and everywhere.

That life is shadowed by doubt, fear, economic uncertainty and a million small moral and ethical questions. Those are what A Hero explores, while balancing our sympathies toward what these people are going through.

A Hero  3 stars

MPAA rating: PG-13 (for some thematic elements and language)

Running time: 2:07

How to watch: Now in theaters, at the Gene Siskel Film Center; Lake Theatre in Oak Park; and Marcus Gurnee. Amazon Prime streaming premiere Jan. 21.

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Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune

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CHICAGO  Chicago students returned to classrooms Wednesday after the nation's third-largest school district canceled five days of classes amid a standoff with the teachers union over COVID-19 safety protocols.

But members of the Chicago Teachers Union have until Wednesday afternoon to decide whether to approve the agreement or refuse in hopes of restarting talks with the city.

Leaders of the union made the tentative agreement on Monday and have urged members to accept it, acknowledging that teachers didn't get initial demands including widespread coronavirus testing and a districtwide commitment to use remote learning during a surge of COVID-19 infections.

Union President Jesse Sharkey acknowledged on Monday that the agreement "wasn't a home run" but was "as much as we could get right now."

Chicago's struggles to keep educating children during the omicron variant's surge are similar to those faced by districts across the country, but the latest high-profile fight between teachers and Mayor Lori Lightfoot forced attention from the White House and governor's office.

The union, which voted last week to revert to online instruction, told teachers not to show up to schools starting Jan. 5 while talks took place

Lightfoot, a Democrat, repeatedly refused to agree to remote learning districtwide. She also opposed teachers' demands for a testing program that could randomly test all students unless their parents opted out.

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The death of 5-year-old Damari Perry, allegedly at the hands of family members charged in connection with his death, has reignited discussions about corporal punishment, child abuse and, experts say, a larger category of severe, recurring punishment more closely resembling child torture  sometimes designed not to leave a visible injury.

Although he was originally reported missing by relatives who said he was last seen Jan. 4 at a party in Skokie, Damari is believed to have been dead several days before the Jan. 5 call to police was made. He died Dec. 29, the day before he would have turned 6, allegedly after a family member forced him to remain in a cold shower for an unspecified amount of time as punishment, prosecutors have said.

Sometimes kids get punished in ways that are intended to not leave any marks, said Betsy Goulet, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield who teaches ways to reveal less obvious physical abuse, so you want there to be conversations that somehow bring that to the surface.

Perrys mother has been charged with first-degree murder, and two of her other sons also are charged in connection with the boys death, according to Jim Newton, a spokesman for the Lake County states attorneys office.

In interviews with the Tribune, experts didnt evaluate the validity of those charges or the specifics of the investigation into Damaris death, but rather offered greater context on child abuse in general.

Ive been in this business for 40-plus years, and talking ... about this makes me uneasy, said Arthur Lurigio, a psychology and criminal justice professor at Loyola University Chicago. Its horrible to even imagine.

Allegations like the ones in Damaris case may cross into the realm of child torture, a level beyond abuse, in a similar category as isolation, confinement and starvation, Lurigio said. Torture can go past episodic anger and is designed to establish domination and control, he said.

Without specifically addressing the Perry case, Lurigio said abusers, in general, often will dehumanize the child, lack empathy for the child, are unable to control their behaviors and occasionally may have intellectual limitations or traumatic brain injuries.

Thats because human brains are hard-wired on a basic, evolutionary level to care for kids and not hurt them, he added.

Think about what you would have to overcome to be able to hurt a child to this degree, Lurigio said. We dont hurt kids.

Its also not necessarily about trying to correct or prevent a behavior. Harsh punishment is about rage and instilling fear, Goulet said.

She partners with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a coordinator for the Child Protection Training Academy, a center for simulation-based child protection training.

Part of the training includes teaching advocates to look for less obvious signs of abuse in a home. This practice can include asking parents questions about their attitudes toward punishment, or looking for objects that could be used in abuse, such as heavy weights in a childs room, Goulet said.

Though she wouldnt speculate on the mindset of those involved in this case, cold showers might be used as punishment because parents think it wont harm a child, Goulet said, and we know otherwise.

Still, cold showers are not a widespread cause of death for children, she said.

It just so happens now weve heard about it in two pretty high profile cases, she added, referring to the 2019 death of 5-year-old Andrew AJ Freund. Freunds parents were convicted of causing his death in northwest suburban Crystal Lake, after he was put in a cold shower for an extended period and beaten.

Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for DCFS, said he could not immediately determine how often this tactic is used in cases of child abuse.

Corporal punishment can be difficult to discuss, in part because of generational differences regarding how physical discipline is viewed, Goulet said.

There even are students in her child protection classes who say, Well, my parents hit me and Im OK. And thats a good starting point, she said. Goulet implores those students to ask themselves about the effect of this type of punishment and whether there were times when it was too intense or caused fear, she added.

Many of us grew up in homes where parents used different techniques, she said, adding that advocates now know corporal punishment can cause brain damage  something that wasnt widely known a generation ago.

Perry was placed into the foster care system soon after he was born at the end of 2015, according to DCFS records, but his mother, Jannie Perry, regained custody of her children in 2017. In May 2021, the agency investigated an allegation of abuse or neglect involving Damari, but that report later was determined to be unfounded, McCaffrey, the DCFS spokesman, said.

Jannie Perrys oldest son, 20-year-old Jeremiah Perry, has been charged with aggravated battery and concealment of a homicide in connection with his brothers death. Another of Perrys sons, who authorities say is 17, has been charged as a juvenile.

In the past, charges might not have been filed against caregivers other than parents, according to Robin Wilson, a law professor at the University of Illinois.

However, child abuse laws have recently expanded to include other adults with caretaking relationships, such as siblings, Wilson said. This change acknowledges that other people than parents may have a significant role in a childs life, and may have control over a child, she added.

No one in the home sought medical care for the boy, authorities said. After he died, family members allegedly left his body at an abandoned home in the 700 block of Van Buren Street in Gary, authorities said.

Jeremiah Perry is being held in the Lake County Jail in lieu of $3 million bail. He had been scheduled to appear in court again Tuesday, but details of the appearance werent immediately available.

Jannie Perry had been expected in bond court Sunday, but was hospitalized due to an undisclosed medical issue, authorities said.

Perrys four other children have been placed in foster care with DCFS, McCaffrey said.

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State Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for state treasurer Tuesday, stressing his opposition to tax increases and a desire to bring greater transparency to state spending.

Demmer, a deputy GOP leader in the House who has served in the chamber since 2013, is the first Republican to announce for the post held by Democrat Michael Frerichs since 2015.

Unfortunately, in Springfield right now, the politicians answer to every problem is higher taxes and more spending. We know Springfield politicians wont change overnight, but we can take an important first step by electing a proven fiscal watchdog as state treasurer, Demmer said in a statement.

Thursday is the first day for candidates to begin circulating petitions to appear on the June 28 primary ballot.

Demmer has been the point person for House Republicans on state budget issues. In his announcement, he criticized Frerichs support for Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers effort to shift Illinois from a flat-rate income tax to a graduated-rate system  a move voters soundly rejected last November.

As expected, Demmer also hit at a controversial remark Frerichs made in June 2020, when the state treasurer said adoption of the graduated-rate tax system could allow taxes on retirement income for those who could afford it. Illinois does not tax retirement income and Frerichs said later that he opposed creating such a tax.

The vast majority of Illinoisans have not heard of Mike Frerichs but he stands tall among the tax-and-spend Springfield crowd. Throughout his 15 years as a Springfield politician, Mike Frerichs continually voted to raise taxes. And now, he even wants to tax retirement, Demmer said.

Frerichs, who was a member of the legislature from 2007 until becoming state treasurer, said Demmer has voted against legislation backed by the treasurers office that requires insurance companies to review their records and governmental death records to ensure that theyve paid death benefits to customers

He does not have the conviction to fight for Illinois families and he does not have the backbone to stand up to special interests, Frerichs said in a statement. He said Demmers record on issues surrounding the state treasurers office proves he will side with Wall Street and big business and against working families.

Meanwhile, in the Republican race for governor, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf of Waterloo selected as his running mate Carolyn Schofield, a member of the McHenry County Board who also serves on the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

Illinois needs leaders that can bring us together and provide solutions. Anger and outrage are not going to solve our states problems, Schimpf said in making the announcement in Crystal Lake.

What we need is leaders that understand what its like to live day to day. Leaders that understand what its like to wake up in the middle of the night wondering how youre going to pay for your kids education, leaders that understand the challenges that people face in Illinois, he said.

Schofield said Schimpfs background in the military, as an attorney and in the state legislature, combined with her municipal experience, makes us the best ticket for this race.

Illinois has been subjected to poor decisions and political dysfunction and Paul and I are pledging to work with varied viewpoints to help solve the states most pressing needs, she said. As a mother, an engineer, a cancer survivor and a volunteer, I am dedicated to public service fueled by my logic and my grit.

Schofield has made twice made unsuccessful runs for a seat in the General Assembly.

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Another GOP candidate for governor, businessman Gary Rabine of Bull Valley, is set to formally announce Friday his choice of Aaron Del Mar, former Cook County GOP chair who serves as Palatine Township Republican chair, as a running mate.

Rabine has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and his continued leadership within the party. But Del Mar, who previously was an Illinois convention delegate for Trump, has criticized moves backed by the former president. He called the ousting of Wyoming U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney from House GOP leadership over her opposition to Trump shortsighted.

In a May interview with WBEZ, he said Trumps continued influence has made it more difficult to move forward with the Republican Partys interests.

Its a challenge trying to get both sides of the party underneath the tent, Del Mar said. These fights that we have about a former president arent helping the situation by any means.

All of this sideshow-ness that weve had in the last four to six years, I dont think its done us very well, he said of Trump and Republicans. I dont think were better now than we were four years ago.

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DES MOINES  A four-year transition to a flat state income tax rate of 4%, shortening the time Iowans could claim jobless benefits and a new plan for devoting public K-12 aid for private school tuition are among the proposals introduced Tuesday night by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in her charge to state legislators.

The Republican governor, who faces re-election this year, unveiled the proposals during her annual Condition of the State address to the Iowa Legislature. She delivered her remarks in the Iowa House chamber at the Iowa Capitol.

The state taxes on all Iowans income would be reduced every year until resting at 4% in 2026, under Reynolds proposal. The governors office said that would make Iowas state income tax burden the fifth-lowest in the country. The state, according to the governors office, currently has the 16th-highest burden.

Flat and fair, Reynolds said.

When fully implemented, the income tax reduction would translate to the average Iowa worker paying $1,300 less annually in taxes, the governors office said. That is in addition to, the office said, $1,000 in average savings that already are expected from income tax reductions passed by the state in 2018.

Thats money that can be reinvested into our economy and used to promote the prosperity of every Iowan, Reynolds said. Yes, well have less to spend once a year at the Capitol, but well see it spent every single day on Main Streets, in grocery stores, and at restaurants across Iowa. Well see it spent in businesses instead of on bureaucracies.

The proposal would reduce state revenues by roughly $1.6 billion in 2023, the governors office said. The most recent state budget was just more than $8 billion.

The governors office said if state revenue and spending continue to grow at their recent averages of 4 and 2% respectively, the 4% flat income tax would not force any budget cuts. The office also said the plan does not require any use of the states taxpayer trust fund, which is currently flush with $1 billion.

Democrats did not embrace the governors tax plan, arguing it would disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Iowans.

Its going to shift the tax burden from the wealthiest people in our society who can afford to pay their fair share to middle class families, Zach Wahls, the Democratic Senate Minority Leader from Coralville said after the speech.

Reynolds proposal also would phase out all state taxes on retirement income.

The governors tax plan requires legislative approval. Some legislative Republicans have proposed phasing out the state income tax entirely.

Unemployment changes

Reynolds also proposed making more changes to the states unemployment system as a means to address Iowas worker shortage. According to her staff, Reynolds will create a separate division in the states workforce development agency to work with businesses that are searching for employees.

Reynolds also proposed cutting the amount of time that Iowans can receive unemployment benefits  from 26 weeks to 16 weeks  and lowering the new salary offers that Iowans receiving benefits must accept.

Currently, Iowans receiving benefits must accept a job offer if it pays a certain percentage of their previous salary. Reynolds will propose lowering those thresholds as a means of getting unemployed Iowans to work sooner.

Reynolds said the current 26 weeks to receive benefits is frankly  more time than necessary, and the salary threshold reduction will ensure that those collecting unemployment cant turn down suitable jobs while living on taxpayer funds.

Democratic legislative leaders said they do not believe Reynolds proposals will solve the states worker shortage.

Weve been looking at affordable housing, affordable child care, looking at making sure Iowas a welcoming state and we build public education, Jennifer Konfrst, the Democratic House minority leader from Windsor Heights, said after the address. We didnt see anything tonight that was bold or truly going to address the workforce crisis.

Education funding and policy

Reynolds budget proposal includes a 2.5% funding increases each for K-12 schools, community colleges and the states three public universities.

These things have been undercut and underfunded for years, Konfrst said of K-12 public school funding. Were going to need to look at what the budget impact would be.

Reynolds also proposed using federal stimulus funding on a one-time $1,000 retention bonus for all Iowa teachers who remain at their school for another year.

She also proposed an expansion of public funding for private school tuition. Her proposal would make $5,340 scholarships available to any public school student who lives in a household at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. That equates to, for example, a household of three with total income of $87,840 or less, or a household of four with total income of $106,000 or less.

The $5,340 figure is based on 70 % of state aid per student. The other 30%, or roughly $2,300, would go to a state fund and be reallocated to smaller school districts.

Reynolds previous private school tuition proposal failed to pass in the Iowa House in part due to concerns that it would cause financial stress on small, rural school districts.

It sounds like, from my conversations with the governor and her office as well as tonight, that shes trying to find that balance, Pat Grassley, the Republican House speaker from New Hartford, said after the address. So well see how its received (by House Republicans).  I think shes tried to address some concerns that she heard from last session.

The program initially would be capped at 10,000 students, the governors office said.

In response to recent concerns from parents and some Republican state lawmakers about books in school libraries that they deem to have graphic or explicit material, Reynolds delivered strong words in her speech but offered a modest policy proposal.

Reynolds proposal would require all schools to publish online all class materials, including textbooks, syllabuses and standards, as well as a comprehensive list of books available in the schools library. Schools are already required to have that information available; Reynolds proposal would require them to publish that online.

Her proposal also would add a provision that if a school district does not respond to a parents complaint about any books or material within 30 days, the complaint goes before the state education department. State funding would be withheld from any district that does not comply with the new requirements.

We live in a free country with free expression. But theres a difference between shouting vulgarities from a street corner and assigning them as required classroom reading. Theres a difference between late-night cable TV and the school library, Reynolds said. If school boards and administrators refuse to understand that  if they believe the classroom is about pushing their worldview  then were on the wrong path.

The books that have been flagged by some parents and lawmakers typically are about LGBTQ characters or written by LGBTQ authors and describe sexual encounters in brief passages.

Reynolds also, according to her office, is proposing a requirement that all students pass a citizenship test in order to graduate from high school.

Ethanol mandate

Reynolds also tweaked from last year and will reintroduce ethanol legislation. Her new proposal will require all retailers with compatible equipment to offer the E15 ethanol blend by 2026  a lower 10 % blend is most common now  and require that all newly installed or upgraded infrastructure be E85 or B20 compatible.

State budget

Reynolds proposed an $8.2 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Her proposal would leave $960 million in the ending balance and all the state emergency and reserve accounts full.

Most state agencies would have status quo funding, with the exception of an $86 million increase in health and human services funding  $71 million of which would go to increased mental health care funding  and an $11.6 million combined increase in funding for the justice and judicial systems.

No agency would be forced to reduce spending, the governors office said.

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CHICAGO  Chicago schools will expand COVID-19 testing and have standards to switch schools to remote learning under a hard-fought tentative deal approved by teachers' union leaders. But parents and some union members questioned whether the bitter fight over pandemic safety protocols that canceled five days in the nations third-largest school district was worth it.

Students were poised to return Wednesday, one week after the Chicago Teachers Union voted for remote learning and instructed members to stay home until there was a deal or the latest COVID-19 surge subsided. The district, which flatly rejected online class and said it was disastrous for students, responded by locking teachers out of online platforms, docking their pay and canceling classes in the roughly 350,000-student district.

The pandemic learning issues in Chicago mirror those elsewhere, but the city's fight with the powerful union stood out, drawing attention from the White House, governor's office and fueling fresh frustrations for parents already worn out by the past two years.

For some, the ends didn't justify the means, dragging out uncertainty for students in the largely Latino and Black low-income district.

Parent Nolberto Casas, who has two young children enrolled in CPS, said the fight between the union and city turned his house upside down. Neither he nor his wife can work remotely and had to take off work. He blamed the union for the nightly uncertainty about the status of schools and said the agreement contained marginal improvements. He said remote learning was not a good option, particularly for one of his children who has special needs.

We were basically flying by the seat of our pants, said Casas, who lives in a heavily Latino enclave of the city.

Many union members also seemed displeased with the end results, saying they fell far short of initial demands.

The tentative deal didn't include two key provisions the union wanted: Metrics to prompt district-wide remote learning and assurances that union members wouldnt be punished for failing to report to schools.

The unions house of delegates approved the deal by 63%, lower than the 80% who voted a week earlier to teach remotely. Union President Jesse Sharkey acknowledged it wasnt a home run, a day before some 25,000 rank-and-file members were due to start voting on the deal. Voting was to end Wednesday.

Dave Stieber, a social studies and poetry teacher at a South Side high school, said Tuesday that he would vote against the proposal  but all of his frustration was with the city.

The unions elected negotiators are busting their behind to get the city to agree to basic safety measures, but the city and particularly Mayor Lori Lightfoot refused to budge, Stieber said. He wasn't confident any of the measures in the agreement would add protection for students or staff.

Lightfoot and school leaders also took criticism for their handling from parents, particularly in waiting to announce school cancelations until the evening hours each day, lobbing sharp comments at the union and avoiding questions from local reporters for the national news circuit.

Parent Shavon Harris, who has a 10-year-old son enrolled at a North Side school where nearly all the students are Black and low-income, said district communication was poor, including about COVID-testing. She said the safety plan should have been in place months ago after last year's expired, particularly after kids lost out on education during remote learning.

Were back to square one and back and they dont have a back up plan, she said of the dispute.

The first-term mayor dismissed questions about her leadership and was quick to say the only losers in the negotiations were children who were out of school.

City officials have argued that schools are safe with protocols in place and have touted a $100 million safety plan, including air purifiers in each classroom. Roughly 91% of staff are vaccinated and masks are required indoors.

At the same time, the union also took hits.

The CTU has historically enjoyed strong support from parents, including during an 11-day teachers strike in 2019. But more parents have been increasingly vocal against the union, particularly during disagreements about COVID-19 safety protocols.

An increasing number of union members were also willing to defy union directives, from 10% on the first day of the unions action to roughly 16% Monday, according to the district. One union member used a Chicago Sun-Times letter to publicly quit the union Tuesday, saying the dramatic CTU strategy undermined confidence in union leaders and the standoff was the final straw.

Still, some labor experts including Robert Bruno, a University of Illinois professor who wrote a book on the 2012 teachers strike, said that despite some seemingly petty rhetoric between both sides, the negotiated agreement was a win.

The talks also resulted in the district buying KN95 masks for students and teachers, boosting incentives to attract substitute teachers and allowing teachers unpaid leave related to the pandemic.

The outcome is good for keeping the schools open and for having a productive relationship between two parties that, quite frankly, dont trust each other, he said.

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MINNEAPOLIS | Clyde Bellecourt, a leader in the Native American struggle for civil rights and a founder of the American Indian Movement, has died. He was 85.

Bellecourt died Tuesday morning from cancer at his home in Minneapolis, Peggy Bellecourt, his wife, told the Star Tribune. Lisa Bellanger, the current co-director of AIM, also confirmed his death to The Associated Press.

Bellecourt was a co-founder in 1968 of the American Indian Movement, which began as a local organization in Minneapolis that sought to grapple with issues of police brutality and discrimination against Native Americans.

The group quickly became a national force. It would lead a string of major national protests in the 1970s, including a march to Washington, D.C., in 1972 called the Trail of Broken Treaties, and a 71-day occupation in 1973 of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, to highlight corruption on the reservation and federal injustices against Indians.

Bellanger said condolences have been coming in from around the globe.

He was known worldwide, she said.

Clyde was a really good man and influenced a lot of people, said Winona La Duke, an American Indian activist and the executive director of Honor the Earth. He was very influential in my life.

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After more than three decades of leading Oglala Lakota College as it nourishes the Pine Ridge Reservation and surrounding areas with higher education, President Thomas Shortbull has announced his plans to retire in July. He served as president for 31 of the colleges 50 years.

On behalf of the OLC Board of Trustees, we want to express our appreciation to President Shortbull for all he has done for our College, and especially his importance to our students, faculty, staff, and the Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Rapid City and the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, said Board President Dennis Brewer in a statement.

Shortbull was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2017.

An enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Shortbull served as president from 1975 to 1979 and then from 1995 to 2022. Before becoming president, he had already established himself as a strong leader.

Shortbull was selected as the executive director of the Task Force on Tribal State Government Relations in 1973 and gerrymandering was among the problems he tackled. After Native votes had been divided into three legislative districts near Shannon and Todd counties, Shortbull helped to create a plan redrawing boundaries that would provide for a Native-majority district. The U.S. Department of Justice ordered the state to develop a plan close to what Shortbull proposed for what became District 27.

They did come down to the decision that South Dakota had to create a legislative district in that area that would have a majority of the population be Indian, he said in a telephone interview.

Looking back, Shortbull said the move was important in creating a voice for Native populations.

In 1975, Shortbull became president of what was then the Lakota Higher Education Center. In 1973, he had earned his masters degree in public administration from the University of South Dakota.

He recalls meeting with Gerald One Feather, a heralded leader who was instrumental in the founding of the college. One Feather, the board chair at the time, asked Shortbull if he would apply to be president.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe chartered the College in 1971. Shortbull explained some of the motivation.

When I went to the University of South Dakota in 1965, 20 (Native students) entered and only two of us graduated, he said. Elders saw the failure rates and said we should try to educate our own people based on being grounded in the culture and history of the people.

Shortbull also played a vital part in the passage by Congress of the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act in 1978 during the Carter Administration.

Four of us were key to the passage of it, he said.

A news release from Oglala Lakota College notes a number of improvements during Shortbulls tenure.

A new Woksape Tipi, or library building, and new college centers at Pine Ridge, Porcupine, Oglala, Allen, Wanblee, Manderson, Martin and Rapid City were completed. And other improvements, according to the release, included a Veterans Monument; OLC Historical Center; student dormitories at Pine Ridge and Kyle; new Head Start Centers at Wanblee, Kyle, Manderson, Martin; renovation of Pine Ridge Head Start Center; a multi-purpose building housing a collegiate gym and faculty offices; a bookstore; a math and science building; an automotive classroom building; five faculty/staff housing units; and two new Kyle College Center buildings.

The colleges operational budget also grew from $6.8 million in 1995 to an average of $35 million over the past seven years, not including funding from the CARES ACT, according to the college.

In fall 2021, 1,451 students were enrolled in Oglala Lakota College, with 944 attending one of the Pine Ridge Reservation College Centers, 330 attending the He Sapa College Center in Rapid City, and 177 attending the Cheyenne River College Center in Eagle Butte.

Shortbull said OLC staff members have worked hard to raise funds from a number of sources, federal and local, to provide higher education to people living on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Our ultimate goal is that every student who comes to our institution will get full cost of attendance paid for by our scholarships and Pell Grants, Shortbull told the Journal last fall. One day we hope all of our students will have their costs paid for.

Shortbull said it may take 50 years to achieve that goal.

Shortbull said that in the colleges 50 years of existence, 1,417 bachelors degrees have been conferred, along with 3,249 associates degrees. Shortbull said the enrollment in the early days of the college tended to be small, something that makes the overall numbers of degrees all the more striking.

To have the college graduate about 90 students per year over 50 years is monumental, he said.

He also emphasized the study of Lakota history, culture and language.

Were not only going to get you academic credentials to qualify for positions, but reinvigorate who you are as a people, he said, explaining that students are required to take courses in Lakota Studies. For bachelors degree students, he said, 15 hours in Lakota Studies are required, with at least two courses in the language.

Its a different kind of environment, he added, noting the closeness that develops between students, and also between students and faculty members who understand the sorts of challenges students face outside of class.

Its probably the way education should be, he said.

OLC officials also note the college began managing the Pine Ridge Reservations Head Start Program in 2005. The college also established in 2006 the Cheyenne River College Center at the request of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The Center is on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes Reservation.

College officials also note that Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine has ranked OLC among the highest in graduation Native American students since 2010.

The advertisement of the OLC presidents position will run from January 5 to March 5. A Search & Screen Committee will review the applications and forward up to three candidates to the Board of Trustees by the end of April, according to the college. The OLC Board of Trustees plans to hire a new president at its May Board of Trustees meeting.

The new presidents first day in office will be in July, with an agreed upon start date negotiated with the Board of Trustees, according to college officials.

For more information about Oglala Lakota College, go to olc.edu.

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Xi's Party school lecture highlights CPC's historical confidence

Xinhua) 08:14, January 12, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, called on Tuesday for efforts to deepen the review, study, education and promotion of the CPC's history so as to better understand and make good use of the historical experience of the Party over the past century.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when addressing the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, which was attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials.

The study session was aimed at advancing the learning and understanding of the resolution on major achievements and historical experience of the Party over the past century, adopted at the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, Xi noted.

He urged efforts to champion the great founding spirit of the Party, boost historical confidence, promote unity and solidarity, enhance the fighting spirit, and motivate the whole Party, as well as Chinese people of all ethnic groups, to work tirelessly to realize the Second Centenary Goal.

The opening was presided over by Li Keqiang, and attended by Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Vice President Wang Qishan also attended the event.

MARXISM IN CHINESE CONTEXT

The resolution comprehensively reviewed the achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times through the Party's endeavors over the past century, Xi said.

"Marxist theory is not a dogma, but a guide to action; it must develop with the evolution of practice," Xi said.

China is experiencing the greatest and most unique practical innovation in human history, Xi said, adding that the formidable tasks of reform, development and stability, as well as the problems, risks, challenges, and tests for governance of the country, are all unprecedented.

Xi urged efforts to gain a keen appreciation of the underlying trend of the times, better coordinate upholding and developing Marxism, and continue adapting the basic tenets of Marxism to China's specific realities and its fine traditional culture.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

CONTRADICTIONS AND TASKS

The focus on analyzing and summarizing the Party's understanding and grasp of the principal contradictions facing Chinese society and the key tasks over the past century is an important part of the resolution adopted at the plenary session, Xi noted.

Xi stressed having a comprehensive understanding of the problems while giving priority to major ones and key aspects of the problems.

He also highlighted the approach of making breakthroughs in key areas so as to achieve overall economic and social development.

STRATEGIC THINKING

The resolution comprehensively reviewed how the Party constantly put forward sound strategies and policies in the past century, Xi noted.

Stressing the importance of enhancing strategic thinking, Xi called for efforts to maintain a firm resolve to implement the strategies while making flexible policies in line with realities.

All regions and departments must cross-check their work with the Party's theories, lines, principles and policies, said Xi, adding that the strategic decisions made by the CPC Central Committee must be implemented unconditionally without being distorted or bent.

SELF-REFORM

"It is a significant part of the resolution to analyze and review the Party's study and understanding of self-reform in the course of its struggle over the past century," Xi said.

Emphasizing that the key to maintaining the CPC's true nature as a Marxist party lies in the Party itself, Xi said that the key to self-reform is the courage to confront problems squarely and cut to their very core in fixing them.

Xi called on all Party members to adhere to the spirit of self-reform, boost the political consciousness of full and strict Party self-governance, and avoid any slacking in its exercise.

There will be no exceptions made for those who have violated Party discipline or the law, Xi stressed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

HISTORY EDUCATION

Xi stressed that it has been a major political task for the whole Party to understand the Party's past success and how it can continue to succeed in the future, guided by historical materialism and a rational outlook on the Party's history.

Demanding a long-term and regular mechanism for Party history education, Xi urged the whole Party to focus on studying and implementing the guiding principles of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and the resolution.

Leading Party officials should take the lead, and the Party's history should be better incorporated into the syllabus of Party schools and the curriculum of ordinary schools. It should be made a way of thinking and promoted properly among youngsters.

Presiding over the opening of the study session, Li Keqiang called on the whole Party to remain in alignment with Xi's remarks and the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee in both thought and action, making down-to-earth efforts to prepare for the successful convening of the 20th CPC National Congress.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Dear Amy: My husband died a few months ago. He was very well respected. Everyone thought very highly of him.

We were married for over 50 years.

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About 40 years ago he had been working with a woman who lived in another city. He and other co-workers would travel to her city for work.

We had been married for 10 years and had three children.

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I went to an award dinner held in their honor.

The morning of the dinner, he was in the shower and the phone rang in our hotel room. When I answered it, the person on the other end used her name, instead of mine.

My husband said that the person knew that they worked together and assumed she was there before leaving for the dinner.

Shortly after that, there were a couple of other incidents that made me suspicious.

A few weeks passed, and he said he wasnt going to work with her anymore because he was starting to have feelings for her.

I brought up all my suspicions and accused him of having an affair.

He was upset and told me that nothing had ever happened between them.

I was not able to forget.

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I always wondered why he told me he had feelings for her. He could have just stopped working with her, and I wouldnt have known.

We stayed together for another 40 years, but I never could totally forgive him.

Now that he has died, I am thinking of this more than ever.

Other than that, he was the perfect husband and father.

Do you think I am using this as a reason to not mourn?

 Stuck

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Dear Stuck: Your theory about why you are stuck might be correct. Additionally, my take is that you might now be (unconsciously) justifying your inability or unwillingness to forgive your husband over the course of 40 years  and so you are doubling down and ruminating about it, now.

Surely, his long-ago admission would have been very hard for you to take, but it seems to me that he did everything he should have done: he was honest with you, he stopped working with her, he continued on in the marriage to you.

I believe that you would find some liberation now if you worked your way toward forgiveness  forgiving him for his transgression, as well as yourself  for holding onto this so tightly.

We humans are saddled with complication and frailty. We do hurt one another. The ability to forgive is such a gift  I hope you can give it to yourself, now.

A grief group or therapist could help you to sort this out.

Dear Amy: My wife and I have been married twice to each other. Our first marriage lasted for 28 years. We remarried each other three years ago.

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The reason for the first divorce was her cheating on me with my best friend.

This went on for years, and I tolerated it until my kids were grown before I moved on.

After two years being single, I decided to go back to my wife because my daughter was getting married, and I always wanted a family life.

My wife is again cheating  at least four times that I know of.

She is a really nice person otherwise and we never fight.

I am a healthy person, sexually and mentally, but the mental abuse of this cheating is not easy on me.

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What do I do now?

 Family Man

Dear Family Man: You could try to have an open marriage, where you and your wife stay legally married and continue to live together but are both free to have outside relationships.

That might not be tenable for you  in which case, you can divorce again, but continue in a family and friendship relationship with this woman you have chosen to marry twice.

You obviously care about her, but she  quite obviously  will not be in a monogamous relationship with you.

Dear Amy: Discouraged Dater expects dates to text her.

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I am a mom to three young men, and they just cant seem to find women who dont want to text all day long  24/7.

Ask Amy Daily No-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. For a limited time, sign up for the Ask Amy newsletter and get the book Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from Americas Favorite Advice Columnist for $5. >

They actually have jobs in which they need to work, but these needy professional women want to be joined at the hip as soon as they meet.

Seems to me if youre chatting all day long, then why bother getting together; theres probably nothing left to say.

 Baffled Mom

Dear Baffled: Thank you for offering this perspective.

Got a question for Amy? Enter it here and well send it to her.

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Sign up here to receive the Ask Amy newsletter to get advice e-mailed to your inbox every morning, and for a limited time  get the book "Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from Americas Favorite Advice Columnist" for $5.

2021 Amy Dickinson.
A widespread shortage has made the urgency of giving blood greater than its been in years.

We are at a historic two-year low in our blood supply at this point, Tori Robbins, Vitalant communications manager in this region, said Tuesday.

Vitalant, a nonprofit organization, is the primary blood provider for the hospitals in South Dakota, Robbins said. The organization serves 900 hospitals across the United States.

Meanwhile, the American Red Cross  not connected to Vitalant  has declared the current scarcity to be the worst blood shortage in over a decade.

Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available, the Red Crosss website says.

Speaking on behalf of Vitalant, Robbins also noted slimmer supplies of blood.

We strive to have four days on hand of each blood type, she said. We are seeing less than two days on hand  especially of the critical O type bloods: O positive and O negative.

Robbins said O negative is the universal blood type, or the type that everyone can receive. O positive, she said, is the second most needed blood type and can be received by 80 percent of the population.

But Robbins stressed theres a critical shortage of all blood types, as well as a critical shortage of platelets.

Its important to have all blood types on hand so we can transfuse the correct blood type whenever its needed, she said.

Bruce Nearhood, a longtime donor, was giving blood on Tuesday at the Rapid City Vitalant Donation Center.

Im giving platelets, he said. A lot of people have cancer, where my wife used to work, and its a way for me to give back without costing me anything but time.

Nearhood said his wife used to work in the Monument Health Cancer Care Institute.

So, I know a lot about cancer patients and their needs, he said.

Steve Struble, also giving blood on Tuesday, described the process as seamless, based on his experiences and observations. He recalled the first time he gave blood, in 1974.

I was in boot camp. They called my name, lined me up, and took my first pint of blood," he said.

Struble went on to serve for four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, he said, and his practice of blood donation has continued through to the present.

Robbins noted some reasons for the current shortage, in addition to the pandemic.

Blood donations drop over the holiday season, and we saw them drop over the last couple of weeks, she said. She also said severe weather, along with the fires in Colorado, have curtailed donations.

Robbins said people who aren't feeling well should not donate blood. But she also said people sometimes conclude they cant donate blood  for other reasons  when in fact they may be eligible. So, she encourages them to call an information number of 877-25VITAL, or 877-258-4825, with questions.

Robbins said some eligibility requirements have changed during the pandemic. She said, for instance, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration relaxed some restrictions connected to giving blood after having lived abroad. She noted other restrictions have changed, as well, and she encouraged people to call the information number to find out if they have questions.

She also mentioned confusion surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines.

The vaccine does not affect your ability to donate blood one way or the other," she said.

Robbins described ripples of fluctuation, with regard to blood donation, throughout the pandemic.

In the beginning of the pandemic people werent coming out to donate blood because they were under recommendations to stay home, she said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention then encouraged blood donation, she said, which helped to fuel an increase in donations. But since then there have been dips and surges. And the current period, as she and others describe it, constitutes a deep dip in donations.

Maggie Button, a donor care technician at Vitalant who works with platelets, described her approach to interacting with people  a practice that seems especially vital when the need for blood donation is acute.

We always just try to make them feel like family, she said. We get to know our donors really well.

Robbins noted that most people are able to donate blood, but only a small percentage do. She also encouraged people who donate once a year to increase their donations to twice  and she said three times a year constituted a good goal. She said people can call to determine the type of donation thats best.

The Rapid City Vitalant Donation Center at 2209 W. Omaha is open daily for appointments, including on the weekend. People can call 877-258-4825 or go to vitalant.org/ to make appointments and find area blood drives.

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A motorist was shot and wounded Tuesday night on Interstate 95 in Petersburg  the second interstate shooting in the Richmond and Tri-Cities region in 24 hours. A Richmond man was fatally shot Monday evening on I-95 in Chesterfield County.

In Tuesdays shooting, Virginia State Police said a white Chevrolet Impala was traveling on I-95 when it was struck by several rounds fired by a person in a passing vehicle about 11:20 p.m. The vehicle pulled off onto the ramp for Exit 48 (Wagner Road), and the driver  who was struck by the gunfire  ran on foot to a nearby convenience store, where 911 was called.

The driver, 33, was taken to Southside Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The victim was unable to provide a description of the suspect vehicle.

At this stage of the investigation, there is no evidence linking Tuesdays shooting with Monday nights fatal shooting of a Richmond man on I-95 in Chesterfield County, said state police spokesperson Corinne Geller.

In the Monday case, Jamari L. Phillips, 21, was found dead of a gunshot wound in the rear seat of a Ford Focus that had pulled over onto the shoulder near Ruffin Mill Road in Chesterfield. Police said the 11:30 p.m. shooting appeared to be a targeted and deliberate act that involved the occupants of two vehicles traveling in the northbound lanes of I-95.

State police investigated 25 interstate shooting incidents in the Richmond/Tri-Cities region last year, several of them deadly. Twelve occurred in Richmond, four in Chesterfield, four in Petersburg, three in Henrico County and one each in Colonial Heights and New Kent County. In a majority of the cases, a vehicle was struck but no one was injured.

Fifteen of the shootings occurred on I-95, three on Interstate 85, four on Interstate 64 and one each on Interstate 195 (Downtown Expressway), Interstate 295 and state Route 288.

The two most recent shootings on I-95 remain under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Virginia State Police at (804) 609-5656 or #77 on a cellphone or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
A Richmond man was killed in a shooting late Monday that involved the occupants of two vehicles traveling in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Chesterfield County, state police said Tuesday.

The shooting does appear to have been a targeted and deliberate act, said Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller.

The victim, identified as Jamari L. Phillips, 21, was found dead in the rear passenger seat of a black 2011 Ford Focus after police arrived at the scene. The incident occurred about 11:30 p.m.

Police said that at this stage of their investigation, it appears the shooting started around the 55 mile marker near the Colonial Heights/Chesterfield County line as the Ford Focus and another vehicle, which remains unidentified, were heading northbound.

After traveling three more miles, the driver of the Focus pulled off onto the right shoulder near Ruffin Mill Road. The driver of the unknown vehicle then pulled in front of the Focus and stopped, police said.

A male in the unknown vehicle got out and continued shooting at the Focus, Geller said. The unknown vehicle then drove off as the male shooter ran off on foot.

The male shooter from the unknown vehicle was picked up a short time later by an unknown vehicle near a group of dealerships along I-95, Geller said.

After arriving at the scene, police located Phillips dead inside the Ford Focus. The other passenger, a 22-year-old man from Richmond, also fled on foot in the same general direction as the male driver. He returned to the Ford Focus once state police arrived and was not injured in the shooting, Geller said.

The driver of the Ford Focus was last seen running off the right side of the northbound lanes of I-95, away from the interstate, Geller said.

Evidence collected within the Focus suggests he may have been injured in the shooting. Police have checked area hospitals, but he has yet to be located, Geller said.

More than two dozen cartridge casings were collected at the 58 mile marker on I-95. Based on evidence, Geller said state police have determined there were at least two firearms used in the shooting.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Virginia State Police by calling (804) 609-5656 or #77 on a cellphone or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, Chesterfield County Public Schools has expanded virtual learning options by partnering with Virtual Virginia, a move aimed at getting students off virtual waitlists and helping with a monthslong shortage of math teachers.

Roughly 1,600 students across eight middle and high schools were not taught by a licensed math teacher until the end of November due to a teacher shortage. The students began being taught by Virtual Virginia teachers on Nov. 29.

Virtual Virginia, a tuition-based program sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education, offers full-time and part-time virtual learning to all grade levels.

Locally, regionally, and nationally there is a shortage of licensed math teachers, schools spokesperson Shawn Smith said by email on Tuesday. Math teacher vacancies during the school year are not unique to Chesterfield.

The schools include Carver, Falling Creek, Matoaca and Tomahawk Creek middle schools and Clover Hill, Matoaca, Meadowbrook and Monacan high schools.

As we enter into the budget season for Chesterfield County Public Schools, I hope that the public has heard this statement that we are lacking math teachers and we have a tremendous number of vacancies and that these national vacancies are an issue and, I mean, we have a crisis in education right now, School Board member Debbie Bailey said Tuesday. And the reason why our virtual school is not able to expand and accept more [students] is staffing.

Since the beginning of the school year, Chesterfield students have had the opportunity to enroll in a K-8 Virtual Learning Academy or CCPSOnline, which has functioned for 15 years, offering online middle and high school courses. Both programs filled up, creating waitlists.

Of the students on the K-8 and CCPSOnline waitlists, 119 have indicated they will accept a spot in Virtual Virginia, Smith said by email Tuesday.

As of Tuesday, 26 students were added to the K-8 waitlist since returning from winter break, Smith said. The K-8 program has a maximum enrollment of 1,881 students and currently has 1,668 students enrolled with 135 pending offers.

CCPSOnline is no longer maintaining a waitlist because of the Virtual Virginia Option, Smith said Tuesday.

Since reopening schools last Wednesday after winter break, 256 COVID cases have been reported among students and staff, with students accounting for 207 of the cases as of Tuesday afternoon.

In recent days, 3,206 students were in quarantine on Friday, while 2,916 were out quarantining on Monday. Chesterfield is maintaining the 10-day quarantine for students who test positive.

On Thursday, 529 teachers, 88 bus drivers and 59 support staff members were absent, according to Smith, who emphasized not every absence was linked to the virus.

Across the region, Richmond Public Schools, which announced an action plan to keep schools open amid omicron in late December, and Henrico County Public Schools also reported teacher absences last week. On Thursday, Henrico reported 404 absences among staff, also saying not all were COVID-related, while RPS on the same day reported 160 absences.

While RPS handed out 8,000 test kits to families ahead of the return to school, Chesterfield parents have publicly called out the county school district for not doing enough. As of last week, Chesterfield schools had requested 7,000 test kits from the Virginia Department of Health that would be split among 62,000 students, 8,000 staff members and across all schools.

Look at the news: Omicron [variant] is surging. Our percent positivity rate is an order of magnitude higher than when we closed schools last winter, Chesterfield parent Michael Karabinos said during Tuesdays public comment.

On Tuesday, Chesterfield recorded 769 daily COVID cases, compared to 92 daily cases exactly a year ago on Jan. 11, 2021, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

When a child is out sick, we are asked to get them tested, but every testing center is full. No tests for weeks out. We are thrown to the wolves. CCPS should be providing tests to every student when a kid comes to the nurses clinic with a cough [and] swab them on site, Karabinos added.

Chesterfield Superintendent Merv Daugherty said that while people may not like what we are doing, the school system is working with risk management and the Chesterfield Health District. Daugherty also said the district has ordered additional KN95 masks for staff.

Smith, during Tuesdays meeting, said the school system has expressed interest in a test-to-stay program for students that could reduce quarantine times for those exposed but not infected, but that depends on tests being readily available. And in partnership with the Chesterfield Health District, at least one vaccine clinic in each of the five county districts is forthcoming.

***

Also on Monday, the School Board unanimously voted members Ann Coker as the new board chair and Dot Heffron as vice chair.

Both elected to the School Board in November 2019, Heffron previously served as vice chair in 2020-2021 followed by Coker in 2021-2022.
The city of Richmond, like a gambler on a losing streak, cant be convinced to cut its losses and leave the casino.

Richmond councilwoman Reva Trammell is attempting to position city voters to reconsider the One Casino and Resort project they narrowly rejected in November.

Her rationale? South Side residents, including her constituents in the 8th District, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal only to have their will canceled by voters in the citys majority white precincts.

Trammells legislation would have the City Council petition Richmond Circuit Court to order a referendum in 2022.

Im doing what my people have asked me to do, she told reporter C. Suarez Rojas in Tuesdays Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Her gambit represents a potential roadblock for Virginia Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, who is drafting legislation of his own to let Petersburg hold a casino referendum. That legislation would include a provision forbidding Richmond from conducting a second vote for five years.

Morrissey argues that what Trammell is doing is undemocratic. And members of the grassroots progressive coalition that helped defeat the Richmond casino agree.

Quinton Robbins, political director of Richmond For All, made it clear that the organization does not support the introduction of casinos anywhere in Virginia. But what Trammell is doing is particularly nefarious, considering the fact that we had a democratic election, the voters decided, and now she wants a second bite of the apple.

Or as organizer Allan-Charles Chipman put it: It is a frequent tactic of casinos once they lose in democratic processes to try and break the will of the people with consecutive referendums. They believe the house always wins the vote too.

What argument can be advanced on behalf of a Richmond casino that we havent already heard?

If substantial political support and more than $2 million in spending werent enough to gain casino approval, either the backers campaign or their product was flawed. Or both.

My ambivalence about casinos is documented.

Im neither an ardent fan nor foe of casinos, but my eyes are clear enough to see them as no panacea for what ails South Richmond or, for that matter, Petersburg. Still, my qualms about separating low-income patrons from their money are equaled by my uneasiness at robbing poor grown folks of their agency.

But theres something unseemly about Trammell and Urban One lining up so soon for another turn at bat after striking out. Richmond voters had their say a mere two months ago; Petersburg voters deserve theirs, yea or nay.

I understand how the racial and geographic demographics of Novembers vote are not a good look. But casino supporters knew going in that this was a citywide vote. Perhaps more of their dollars should have been directed at white voters, instead of being deployed as part of a shock and awe campaign featuring the star power of actor Jamie Foxx and rapper Missy Elliott.

Or as Robbins noted, this was not a level playing field. Casino opponents spent $20,000 against the millions poured into the effort by proponents, he said.

If you cant beat those odds, maybe its time to leave the table.

Robbins reiterated the concerns of casino opponents  arguments that, despite my stated ambivalence, I have no good answer for. Casinos, he says, are fundamentally extractive industries ... designed literally to take money from people. The majority of that revenue comes from people who can ill afford it, or from those with gambling problems. This is an industry that preys on desperation, preys on poverty, he said.

Morally, theres never a good time to reintroduce this proposal, he said. But, I think if the General Assembly came back and reapproved a casino for the city, that at least would have the strength of democratic process behind it instead of this sort of referendum petition process that Councilwoman Trammell is going through.

Proponents noted that the One Casino and Resort would have been the only Black-owned casino in the nation. But Black empowerment built on meager means of the Black impoverished was an incongruous selling point in our moment of racial reckoning.

Chipman, for his part, says hes excited that City Council has approved $1.3 million in seed money for a national museum on enslavement in Shockoe Bottom. For him, that shows that our city is finally leaning into projects and histories that set it apart from cities and offers the world a path to a better future.

As far as Chipman is concerned, that future is now.

A casino, much like the bad habits it profits off of, are much better left behind in 2021, he said.

The democratic vote to reject that casino was Richmond casting off exploitation as a New Years resolution. I sincerely hope thats a resolution we can keep.
The amount of blood available for transfusions at hospitals in the Richmond area and across the country has plunged to dangerously low levels because of the omicron variant, which has canceled blood drives, scared away potential donors and reduced the working staff.

Typically, the American Red Cross maintains five days worth of blood. But recently, the supply has dipped below one days worth.

In what is being called the worst shortage in more than a decade, doctors have been forced to ration blood, consider delaying chemotherapy and delay non-life-threatening procedures.

There isnt just one problem and, as a result, there isnt just one solution, said Jonathan McNamara, Virginia communications director for the American Red Cross, a nonprofit organization that supplies blood to local hospitals.

The pandemic  particularly the omicron variant  has made people less likely to donate blood or volunteer at blood drives. The Red Cross has seen the number of donators dip 10% both nationwide and locally. The number of first-time donors in the state has plummeted.

Blood drives at high schools and colleges are some of the most energetic and reliable drives the organization hosts. But more than half of those events have been canceled because of the pandemic.

Before COVID-19, the Red Cross operated approximately 110 drives per month between the Richmond and Charlottesville areas. Recently, it has held 75 to 80. One event can bring in anywhere from 50 to 300 pints of blood.

The need to social distance has rendered blood mobiles unusable. The Red Cross has shifted its events to larger venues, such as the Altria Theater, Richmond Raceway and large hotel ballrooms, where beds can be spaced apart.

In the past week, winter storms have limited operations even further.

Like nearly every business, the Red Cross has experienced a staffing crunch during the pandemics latest wave. On any given day, about 20% of the staff has been in quarantine, McNamara said. The American Red Cross employs about 55 Richmond-area employees dedicated to blood collection.

The Red Cross relies on volunteers, too, to check in donors or to drive the blood to hospitals. Volunteers have been in short supply in recent weeks.

At VCU Health, the shortage has particularly affected cancer patients, said Dr. India Sisler, the clinical director of pediatric hematology and oncology for the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. When patients undergo chemotherapy, it suppresses the bone marrow where blood cells are made, often causing the patients to become anemic. Their platelets drop, and they can experience an increased risk for bleeding.

Without a blood transfusion ready, doctors are considering whether the chemotherapy should be delayed.

Other patients are born with blood disorders, and some cant produce their own blood cells, a condition known as thalassemia. These patients need transfusions every few weeks to survive. VCU Health is now considering stretching the time between transfusions, perhaps from four weeks to five, Sisler said.

Still other patients are anemic because of complications such as ulcers or hemorrhoids. Those patients wont die without a transfusion, but they are uncomfortable with a low blood level, often experiencing dizziness or headaches. These patients are less likely to get blood right now, Sisler said.

Its making treatment a lot harder for patients, the doctor added.

Without a transfusion, these patients with milder disease are putting strain on their heart and lungs, potentially doing long-term damage.

The shortage isnt limited to VCU, Sisler said. Health systems across the country are discussing how to distribute the limited blood in stock. At HCA Health System, which owns six for-profit hospitals in the Richmond area, there is enough inventory to care for critical patients in need, said Pryor Green, a spokesperson for the health system.

But we are concerned about the blood shortage for the community at large, Green said.

A patient dying because from a lack of a transfusion isnt normal in modern medicine. Its unclear how dire the shortage has become. Doctors are now asking, if they cant provide an ideal level of care, what must be done to keep their patients safe?

It might mean postponing a liver transplant, because the procedure requires a large volume of blood, and blood could be used to help multiple patients, Sisler said.

In her 15 years of practice, shes never seen the volume get so low, where triage is necessary.

VCU has delayed procedures that require blood and are considered elective. For example, a patient with sickle cell disease needed a central line revived to replace a malfunctioning port-a-cath  central lines and port-a-caths allow hospital staff to easily deliver a medicine or chemotherapy into a patients body. But the patient would need a blood transfusion before the operation, so the procedure was put off.

There are multiple components to blood that can be donated. Red blood cells aid anemic patients, while platelets can stop an injured person from bleeding. These are the most common forms of blood donation. Plasma can be donated for more specialized afflictions, including trauma, burns and cancer.

Type O-negative is the most useful and often the lowest in stock, Sisler said. O-negative blood can be donated to recipients with any blood type and, when a patient arrives at a trauma center in need of a life-or-death transfusion, the patient often receives O-negative blood, because there isnt time to determine the blood type.

The shortage comes mostly from the supply side, Sisler said. While hospitals are near or at capacity now, COVID patients dont often need transfusions. VCU Healths blood bank, which receives the blood and determines alongside administration who receives it, is working around the clock to distribute its resources, Sisler said.

Its unclear how much time will take to replenish the supply. McNamara wouldnt speculate.

We are in an evolving situation with many unknowns, he said.

Staff and guests at VCU Health have started booking appointments for blood donation recently, and the spots have been filling up, Sisler said.
BRUSSELS  The United States and NATO rejected key Russian security demands for easing tensions over Ukraine but left open Wednesday the possibility of future talks with Moscow on arms control, missile deployments and ways to prevent military incidents between Russia and the West.

The decisions came at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, the first of its kind in over two years. That Russias delegation did not walk out of the talks and remained open to the prospect of future discussions after having its main positions rebuffed were seen as positive notes in a week of high-level meetings aimed at staving off a feared Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin wants NATO to withdraw its troops and military equipment from countries that border Russia, which include Ukraine but also NATO allies like Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Putin also asked for the 30-nation military alliance to agree not to admit any more members.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right, welcomes Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, center, and Russia's Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin prior to the NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (Olivier Hoslet /AP)

Speaking after the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman reaffirmed that some of Putins security demands are simply non-starters.

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We will not slam the door shut on NATOs open-door policy, she told reporters after almost four hours of talks. We are not going to agree that NATO cannot expand any further.

The meeting was called as an estimated 100,000 combat-ready Russian troops, tanks and heavy military equipment are massed near Ukraines eastern border. The buildup has caused deep concerns in Kyiv and the West that Moscow is preparing for an invasion.

Russia denies that it has fresh plans to attack its neighbor and in turn accuses the West of threatening its security by positioning military personnel and equipment in Central and Eastern Europe.

While noting that escalation does not create optimum conditions for diplomacy, to say the least, Sherman also expressed optimism following the Brussels meeting given that Moscow did not dismiss the idea of further talks.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who chaired the meeting, said NATO nations and Russian envoys both expressed the need to resume dialogue and to explore a schedule of future meetings.

Stoltenberg said NATO is keen to discuss ways to prevent dangerous military incidents or accidents involving Russia and the Western allies, reducing space and cyber threats, as well as setting limits on missile deployments and other arms control initiatives.

But Stoltenberg said any talks about Ukraine wouldnt be easy. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine and backed a separatist insurgency in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland in 2014. In the years since, the fighting has killed more than 14,000 people.

There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on this issue of Ukraines potential NATO membership, Stoltenberg told reporters after what he said was a very serious and direct exchange with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

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Stoltenberg underlined that Ukraine has the right to decide its future security arrangements and that NATO would continue to leave its door open to new members.

No one else has anything to say, and of course, Russia does not have a veto, he said.

Grushko, who described Wednesdays talks as serious, deep and substantive, countered by saying that the freedom to choose ways of ensuring ones security mustnt be implemented in a way that infringes on legitimate security interests of others.

He did not rule out more discussions with the Western allies but scoffed at NATOs assurances that it doesnt threaten Russia and warned that the alliances attempts to ensure its security by deterring Russia were doomed to fail.

If NATO opts for the policy of deterrence, we will respond with a policy of counter-deterrence, Grushko said. If it turns to intimidation, we will respond with counter-intimidation. If it looks for vulnerabilities in Russias defense system, we will look for NATOs vulnerabilities. Its not our choice, but we dont have other options if we dont overturn this current very dangerous course of events.

The NATO-Russia Council was set up two decades ago, but full meetings paused when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula nearly eight years ago. It has met only sporadically since.

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Moscows draft agreement with NATO countries and the offer of a treaty between Russia and the United States would require NATO to halt all membership plans, not just with Ukraine, and scale down its presence in countries close to Russias borders.

Endorsing such an agreement would mean NATO abandoning a key tenet of its founding treaty, which holds the alliance can invite in any willing European country that can contribute to security in the North Atlantic area and fulfill the obligations of membership.

The Russian draft also proposed mutual limits on war games and confidence-building measures to prevent accidents involving warships and aircraft. Grushko said Russia would be willing to continue discussions on those issues and arms control steps, such as the non-deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Europe.

In the United States on Wednesday, Senate Democrats released their White House-backed proposal for legislation that would ratchet up sanctions on Russia if it sends troops into Ukraine. The measures would target Putin, his top civilian and military leaders, and leading Russian financial institutions.

___

Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington, and Jari Tanner in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
The Richmond City Council has allocated $1.3 million for work to begin on a national slavery museum and historical campus in Shockoe Bottom.

The council approved the funding Monday evening after a public hearing where all 11 speakers supported the creation of the museum, even those who said they want more transparency and commitments that Black descendants of enslaved people will have the chance to reap financial benefits from its construction and development through jobs, internships and marketing opportunities.

The National Slavery Museum, as it is called in city legislation, would be located at Lumpkins Jail in Shockoe Bottom, which was the center of a slave trading market that was larger than any but New Orleans for decades before the Civil War and the abolition of slavery.

Project supporters and city officials say a 9-acre heritage campus is also part of the plan.

It is important to tell that terrifying truth, that whole story, but then to also materially benefit those people whose stories you are telling, said Joseph Rogers, a community activist and manager of partnerships and community engagement for the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

If we do nothing but tell that story, and then let people continue to simply go about their lives ... we do nothing, we gain nothing, and we continue to slide downwards, said Rogers, noting that the citys Black population has declined by 20,000 while the rest of the city grows. The descendant community must benefit from this because, if not, we will not be a part of the city any longer.

The funding approved Monday awards $300,000 for a museum foundation made up of members from the defunct Richmond Slave Trail Commission to hire professional staff to work on the project. The remaining $1 million is earmarked for design services for the campus and a planned community engagement process.

Sylvester Turner, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church and a former member of the Slave Trail Commission, said during Mondays public hearing that the museum would honor the approximately 300,000 people that historians estimate were sold in Virginia in the mid-19th century.

The monies that you are offering ... will open up the opportunity for us to do it in a way that is not only effective, but a way that will honor our ancestors who gave so much, not only to the city, but the state and to this country, Turner said. We have to honor them.

Members of the council also spoke in favor of the project, including 9th District Councilman Michael Jones, who said he believes it is of particular importance after the city removed its Confederate monuments last year.

The response cant be to build back up Monument Avenue, Jones said. It must be to build back the antithesis of what was torn down. And the best thing to do is to become serious as a council and administration to tell the true story ... of whats in place in Virginia.

Richmond is not where it is today without the labor of enslaved Africans, he added. Something is owed.

***

In other business on Monday, the City Council voted to accept the state-owned property where the Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee monument had been located at the intersection of Monument and Allen avenues.

The council also passed legislation to formalize the removal of two other monuments, a statue of Gen. Williams Carter Wickham that was in Monroe Park and the First Virginia Regiment monument that was in Meadow Park.

Protesters toppled both monuments in June 2020, a month before the city took down its Confederate monuments in the wake of nationwide protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

State and city officials recently announced that all of the monuments, including the Lee monuments and its graffiti-covered pedestal, will be transferred to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, which will partner with the Valentine museum, other local institutions and the public to determine the final disposition of the monuments.

The area around the Lee monument became a central hub for demonstrations and community gatherings during the 2020 protest movement following the killing of Floyd. The City Council is scheduled to vote on Wednesday to formally accept the Lee statue from the state.

Lincoln Saunders, the citys chief administrative officer, said Monday that officials are still forming plans to work with the public to decide what should be done with the circle. He said fencing that was installed last year will remain until grass begins to grow over the monument foundation.
Virginias 60-day legislative session, which kicks off Wednesday in Richmond, will feature a power struggle between the new GOP-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate, the states first GOP governor in close to a decade, and the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be a stark departure from recent sessions of the General Assembly, when Democrats had near-unilateral control over state laws and easily enacted their key priorities, like increasing the minimum wage, tightening gun control laws and boosting police accountability.

Republicans, newly in power after a sweeping victory in November, are expected to take aim at some of those new laws, while ushering in a new conservative agenda for Virginia that is still being shaped by different camps within the party.

Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin takes office Saturday as Virginias 74th governor. His priorities for the legislature center on a package of tax cuts he says will make Virginia a more attractive and affordable place to live, and changes to the states education system, including a push to usher in more privately run public schools.

The governors administration will also be working behind the scenes to rally support for Youngkins Cabinet, which requires General Assembly confirmation. Youngkins choice for secretary of natural resources, Andrew Wheeler, who led the Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump, has drawn overwhelming criticism from Democratic lawmakers.

Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, who succeeds Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, as speaker of the House, will lead a chamber with a new 52-48 GOP majority.

Thousands of people  lawmakers, staffers, lobbyists and the public  will descend on the Capitol for a session that will be conducted primarily in-person amid a surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the highly infectious omicron variant.

The states record-setting number of cases and hospitalizations  which are straining Virginias hospitals and testing capacity  are expected to peak in coming weeks, as lawmakers try to carry out their work.

Heres a list of what to watch:

Tax reform

Youngkins campaign took early aim at what he describes as an astronomical cost of living that he says is driving many Virginians away to different states. Amid record revenue projections of an additional $13 billion over three fiscal years, Youngkin and Republicans in the legislature have started working on a series of tax cut proposals  and the general idea has support from key Democrats.

Youngkin has proposed to eliminate the states grocery tax; provide a tax rebate of $300 for individuals and $600 for families; double the standard deduction; delay the recent 5-cent increase to the gas tax; cut taxes on veterans retirement pay; and make it more difficult for localities to increase property taxes.

In his final two-year budget proposal, outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam also backed tax cuts, throwing his weight behind axing the states 1.5% portion of the tax on groceries starting Jan. 1, 2023. Northams proposal would not eliminate the 1% add on for localities.

Northams tax cut proposals could signal fissures between the GOP and Democratic approach to cutting taxes.

The Democrats plan would also make 15% of the states earned income tax credit refundable for lower-income families, which Northam said would benefit working-class Virginians  those disparately hurt by the economic challenges of the pandemic.

Education

Education will play a big role this session, as in the race for governor.

House GOP bills would restore a requirement that school principals report to police misdemeanors students commit on school grounds and remove the student exemption from disorderly conduct provisions in state law  in line with a Youngkin campaign promise. Democrats and civil rights activists said the changes were meant to curb the school-to-prison pipeline and better handle student discipline.

Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, who will chair the House education panel, is sponsoring a bill that targets changes to the admissions process for the states specialty governors schools.

For years, advocates have taken aim at an admissions process that results in a disparate number of Black and Latino students at these schools. Davis bill describes policies to correct that as proxy discrimination.

Youngkin wants to expand the number of charter schools in the state from fewer than 10 to almost 300. Expect lawmakers to consider legislation toward that end. One bill from Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, would force the state to create regional charter school divisions in areas where local school districts are struggling with accreditation.

The regional charter school divisions would be controlled by a board filled out by the state, which would have the power to approve charter school applications. Local school divisions would have minority representation on these boards, giving them little say over new charters.

Crime

A number of GOP bills would reverse measures Democrats passed in an effort to curb police brutality and excessive use of force following the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd  all Black Americans.

GOP bills would remove the prohibition on police stopping and searching a person or vehicle based solely on the smell of marijuana; remove provisions requiring search warrants to be executed in daylight from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and remove localities power to establish civilian review boards with oversight over local law enforcement, including subpoena power.

The bill restricting when criminal search warrants can be executed is known as Breonnas Law, after the woman Louisville police fatally shot during a botched nighttime raid in March 2020.

Other GOP bills would decrease from $1,000 to $500 the threshold at which petit larceny becomes grand larceny and repeal provisions not yet in place regarding the sealing of police and criminal records for certain convictions.

Confirmations

Youngkin, whose job as the states top official will be his first foray into public office, will be working to secure support for his Cabinet from the legislature.

Wheeler, who tried to roll back environmental safeguards as Trumps head of the EPA, appears headed for rejection in the Senate.

I dont know of any [Democratic senator] thats in support of that nomination, and he may even have some problems in his own party, said Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, whose party has a 21-19 edge in the Senate.

Youngkins other choices  announced in recent weeks  have proved less controversial so far, but some could still face headwinds in the Senate.

Guns

Republicans also are seeking to roll back a number of gun control measures Democrats passed in 2020, the year after a disgruntled Virginia Beach city employee killed 12 workers and wounded four others in a municipal building.

GOP bills would remove the one-gun-a-month restriction on handgun purchases; repeal prohibitions on carrying firearms in places of worship, preschools, day care centers or on Capitol Square; and remove localities authority to pass ordinances restricting firearms from government buildings, parks and recreation centers.

The National Rifle Association officials in Virginia have said the local authority bill is their top priority, arguing that it had created a patchwork of local policies that residents could not reasonably follow.

Elections

On elections, Republicans have introduced bills to restore the photo ID requirement for voting; to repeal drop box provisions for collecting absentee ballots; to cut the early voting period from 45 days down to 14 or even 10 days; to repeal same-day registration and to require absentee voters to provide the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.

Youngkin supports restoring the photo ID requirement as part of his election integrity agenda. Democrats did away with the requirement, arguing that it placed an undue hurdle for low-income voters.

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In 2007, a future governor, Ralph Northam  who had twice voted for Republican George W. Bush for president and would consider jumping to the GOP, having been wooed with prized committee assignments in the Virginia Senate  was elected to that clubby body as a Democrat, winning with a candidacy that then-Gov. Tim Kaine said perfectly matched a Chesapeake Bay-spanning district that embraced city, suburb and countryside.

Kaines point: That Northam, born to an ancient family on the rural Eastern Shore but living and practicing pediatric neurology in urban Norfolk, and espousing sensibilities that resonated in adjacent suburban Virginia Beach, could offer something to everyone.

Northam would defeat a Republican incumbent, carrying every locality in the district, Democratic and Republican.

Northam would not match that breadth of support running statewide, setting up an intriguing paradox not seen since Jerry Baliles victory for governor in 1985: that a Democrat of rural origin would fully harness the voting strength of the states metropolitan areas, where two in three Virginians live. That is a complete reversal from the mid-20th century, when the population was overwhelmingly rural.

On arriving in Richmond, Northam would have as his desk mate his future running mate for attorney general, Mark Herring of Loudoun County. In the ornate Senate chamber, they would lay the foundation for their statewide candidacies  sometimes while Northam munched the sandwich he would carry in a blue, insulated sack.

That he made his own lunch  and cut his own hair, favoring the high-and-tight look of his alma mater, Virginia Military Institute  magnified the image of Northam as practical, earnest and approachable; more a neighbor from whom youd borrow a lawn mower than a politician on the make.

This helped Northam to the lieutenant governorship in 2013; to a landslide victory for governor four years later  no doubt, aided by revulsion to the Trump presidency  and saved him from a racial calamity that threatened to drive him in 2019 from the office he departs Saturday, closing a term that was consequential and confounding.

It was his sincerity that helped him survive, said Albert Pollard, an environmental lobbyist and former Democratic delegate from the Northern Neck, hard by the Bay, a long-besieged environmental jewel and economic engine for his and Northams legislative districts. His sincerity has prevented him from being a better glad-hander. But that helped him to survive his blackface crisis.

That episode  triggered by the release by a right-wing blog of a photograph purporting to be Northam, as a medical student, in minstrel-like make-up  began in early February and dragged on for months. Northam initially apologized for being in the photo, then said that wasnt him in the picture.

The timing  the photo surfaced at the start of Black History Month  intrigued a Black political activist, Fergie Reid Jr., son of the first Black person elected to the House in the 20th century in 1967 and for whom Northam recently named a row of restored state buildings.

The younger Reid said the photo represented a political assassination attempt intended to demean Northam and diminish Black support for Democrats in the election to decide control of the legislature.

Reid also remains troubled by near-universal demands among Black political figures for Northams resignation, suggesting it played into the hands of Republicans.

Reid dismisses claims Northam may be bigoted, noting that as a middle-aged white guy who came of age during desegregation, the governors sensitivities on race were elevated as he attended integrated public schools, served in a racially diverse Army and worked as a physician in a heavily Black city.

He weathered the storm not with the greatest of ease, but he weathered the storm, nonetheless, said Reid.

The racial embarrassment might have sunk others but Northam endured. An initially ham-handed effort at damage control gave way to a personal doggedness and contrition backed with a program of racial equity. This would largely restore his standing with the public, contributing to the Democratic take-back of the General Assembly.

With his party in complete control of Virginia government for the first time in nearly three decades, a path was clear for Northam to win progressive policies on voter access, abortion rights, gun control, labor rights, energy, the environment, and police reform.

He won the elimination of the death penalty, legalization of marijuana, local authority to remove Confederate monuments, and a freer hand in managing the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

Some of these initiatives, with their racial and cultural overtones, were viewed by voters as overreach and as Northams inability  if only for recompense for the blackface moment  to say no to his partys dominant liberals.

Both contributed this past November to the restoration after two years of a Republican majority in the House of Delegates and the election of Glenn Youngkin as the first GOP governor since 2014. GOP legislators and Youngkin are spoiling to reverse the Northam legacy, but could be thwarted by the single vote with which Democrats still control the Senate.

As a gubernatorial candidate  one seeking to follow a popular fellow Democrat, Terry McAuliffe, whom Youngkin would narrowly defeat  Northam ran as many would-be successors do: vowing a continuum. And while politicians prefer to shape events rather than be shaped by them, Northam capitalized on the latter, playing the hand he was dealt  wild cards and all.

In 2017, his victory was complemented with the Democrats unexpected near-takeover of the House. This brought resistant Republicans to heel on Medicaid expansion and augured the first steps toward criminal justice reform, including an end to the practice of revoking drivers licenses for unpaid fines  a practice that falls heavily on the poor and minorities.

He rolled with the punches, said Pollard. And invoking an activity Northam expects to do more of in retirement, Pollard added, Sometimes when youre out on the water, you have to put out bait for the fish that are out there, not the fish you set out for.
Tina Ramirez is turning her aim from the 7th Congressional District to the new 12th state Senate District in Chesterfield County, where she faces a likely primary battle with another conservative Republican who had an eye on Congress, Sen. Amanda Chase.

Ramirez announced Wednesday that she will drop her bid to challenge Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, in the dramatically reconfigured congressional district and seek the Republican nomination next year in the new 12th Senate district, which is almost entirely western Chesterfield, with a small slice of Colonial Heights.

The 12th Senate District is a wholly new district, which is exciting because we need new voices and fresh ideas, she said. This is what I bring to the conservative movement. We dont need the same career politicians who relentlessly spew the same tired talking points, but accomplish nothing.

The formation of new lines also highlights a truth that is too often forgotten: this seat belongs to the people, not to any candidate, she added. The people will decide who is the best person to represent their conservative values.

The Senate redistricting map that the Virginia Supreme Court approved recently has upended political calculations throughout Virginia, moving the 7th Congressional District from being anchored in the Richmond suburbs to Prince William County, the Fredericksburg area and part of the rural Piedmont.

As a result, both Chase and now Ramirez have dropped their bids to unseat Spanberger, who lives in western Henrico County but now plans to run for a third term in the new district.

The political landscape also has changed dramatically for Senate and House districts in the General Assembly. The 12th Senate District currently is represented by Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, but her home has been shifted into the new 16th Senate District, including western Henrico and part of Richmond.

The new map also shifted Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, from the current 10th Senate District  encompassing parts of Chesterfield, Richmond and Powhatan counties  into the 12th, but Hashmi announced this week that she will run in the new 15th District to represent eastern Chesterfield, including Chester, and part of South Richmond.

Ramirez, a Chesterfield businesswoman and founder of a nonprofit foundation to promote religious freedom, is bringing a hefty campaign fund for the congressional campaign to her Senate bid, with almost $343,000 raised through Sept. 30.

Her focus remains on conservative values and issues that are much like those of Chase, a two-term senator who has courted controversy as a self-styled Trump in heels on the GOPs right wing.

Like Chase, Ramirez has voiced concern about alleged fraud in the 2020 presidential election, although she acknowledges Joe Biden as president. Chase is calling for a forensic audit of the election results in Virginia, which Biden won by 10 percentage points.

I made the decision to run for office with the goal of putting a check on liberal policies that are taking away our rights and freedoms, making our schools about education again, and getting government out of the way of our businesses and entrepreneurs, Ramirez said.

I have fought for our freedoms around the world, and I am committed to securing them here at home so my daughter grows up in an America that reflects our values, she said.

Ramirez is a Powhatan County native whose parents were second-generation immigrants from Mexico and what was then Czechoslovakia. She lives in Chesterfield with her daughter, Abigail, and is a former public school teacher who blames Democrats for the shuttering of schools during part of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Im running because I care about the commonwealth and because I am committed to serving my neighbors and their interests, she said.
The Virginia legislature convened Wednesday to kick off a 60-day session, in which Republicans and Democrats will split majority control of the legislative chambers and struggle to exert their competing visions for the state.

The end of Democrats unilateral control of the legislature was marked by the election of Republican Todd Gilbert as the next speaker of the House of Delegates, succeeding Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, the first female speaker in the chambers more than 400-year history.

Gilbert, the second speaker to hail from Shenandoah County, promised from the dais to do the peoples business in the light of day.

We will address the issues that they told us they were concerned about as we asked them for their votes, said Gilbert, a lawyer who has served in the House since 2006.

Republicans also elected Paul Nardo as House Clerk, returning him to the job he had held for nearly nine years before Filler-Corn replaced him with Suzette Denslow, who was the first woman to hold the position.

Across the way in the Senate, Democrats retained a 21-19 edge. The chamber will soon be presided over by Lt. Gov.-elect Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, who will be sworn in on Saturday as the first woman  and woman of color  to hold the job.

The legislature convened in person as the state continues to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. The omicron variant has fueled a record-setting number of cases and hospitalizations  straining testing capacity and hospital beds.

In the House, masks were hard to spot on the faces of Republican lawmakers even as close to 200 people gathered in the lower chamber and elected officials sat elbow-to-elbow.

In the Senate, where 40 lawmakers serve, compared with 100 in the House, Plexiglas booths surrounded each of the senators desks. Lawmakers from both parties mingled with each other, sometimes without masks.

***

Majority leaders from both parties made their priorities clear during news conferences Wednesday.

House GOP leaders described an agenda that would focus on cutting taxes, slashing government regulations, conservative education policies and protecting law enforcement.

House Republicans, who now hold a 52-48 edge in the chamber, threw their support behind a proposal from Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin to give Virginians a $300 tax rebate for individuals ($600 for couples), to double the standard deduction and cut the states 2.5% grocery tax.

The Senate Democratic Caucus during their own news conference said they support tax cuts that target working-class Virginians disparately hurt by the pandemic.

Instead of doubling the standard deduction, Democrats will seek a refundable tax credit.

Increasing that standard deduction across the board  youre going to wind up giving a lot of tax money away to people who dont need it, said Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax. I dont need a tax cut. But there are a lot of people who do need this additional money.

On education, House Republicans outlined plans to bring more charter schools to Virginia, to ensure race-blind admissions at governors schools, and to fund school infrastructure and teacher pay raises.

Senate Democrats said they would seek to expand state funding for affordable child care, and measures to cushion the states teaching workforce. They will propose legislation to make it easier for international and military teachers to get teaching credentials in Virginia. They will also propose more funding for teachers focused on students learning English as a second language.

Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, said she would again introduce a bill to give workers paid family leave.

Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus said on Wednesday that they will fight GOP efforts to, in the words of chair Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, turn back the hands of time in areas such as voting rights, education, criminal justice, minimum wage increases and protections against evictions.

Our number one priority is, remains, has always been our public education system, which now is over 50% students of color, said Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond.

McClellan said the Black Caucus will fight any effort to take from local governments authority over whether to authorize charter schools.

The Black Caucus also said it would push back on efforts to undo Democrats generational reforms related to criminal justice.

***

In the House, Republicans and Democrats engaged in the first partisan dispute of the session.

The new 52-48 Republican majority  minus Del. Will Wampler, R-Washington County, who was absent  dismissed efforts by Democrats to amend the proposed new House rules to require Gilbert to let members work remotely rather than leave it to his discretion, as well as give the same discretion to committee chairs.

Democrats also tried unsuccessfully to block a new rule requiring a two-thirds supermajority of members to allow the House to meet virtually, instead of in person, because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

And Republicans blocked their effort to restore language to the rule against harassment to name specific protected classes, such as age, race, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The policy already is in place, said new House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott. Were not going to change the policy.

But the Republican refusal to consider the five proposed amendments prompted all 48 Democrats to vote against the new House rules, which Filler-Corn called concerning and alarming.

As legislators, our priority has to be to keep everybody safe, said the former speaker, who faced a backlash from Republicans for requiring the House to meet virtually during last years session and a special session in late 2020.

Filler-Corn also faulted the new rule against harassment for having no guardrails to protect specific classes of people.

In an interview, Filler-Corn said that while Democrats dont have the votes to block Republican efforts, their strategy as a new minority will focus on shining a light on GOP actions they believe will hurt the state.

mleonor@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6254 Twitter: @MelLeonor_ Staff writers Patrick Wilson and Andrew Cain contributed to this report.
PEARISBURG  Former Giles County legislator Joseph Ryan Yost was charged Wednesday with four counts of embezzling from his former employer, the county historical society.

Yost, 35, a Republican who held the 12th District House of Delegates seat from 2012 to 2018, was indicted Tuesday by Giles County grand jury on four counts of embezzlement. He was served with the charges on Wednesday and is scheduled to appear in Giles County Circuit Court on Feb. 2 to have an attorney appointed if needed.

Josh Elrod, the commonwealths attorney for Buena Vista, has been appointed as a special prosecutor for the case.

Yost, a Giles County native and former executive director of the historical society, ran for legislative office citing strong local ties.

He did not immediately respond Wednesday to a message requesting comment on the indictments. He did not reply to multiple messages over the past year regarding the investigation.

According to a search warrant filed in the case, the board of directors of the Giles County Historical Society became aware that money was missing, then learned that a debit card was being used to withdraw funds.

Board members told investigators they had not authorized a debit card, and that board policy was to only withdraw money using checks signed by two board members.

The indictments charge that embezzlement occurred on four dates in 2019: in January, July, August, and December.

Last year, the head of the board of directors, Robert Givens, said that the matter had been turned over to Virginia State Police for investigation.

Court paperwork said that Yost now works for a child care organization in Pearisburg.
Messiah Johnson spent more than 20 years in prison for a beauty salon robbery he didnt commit. Hes since started a trucking business and recently bought a home, and he wants to employ people returning from incarceration.

But he needs one last thing to get his life back. Gov. Terry McAuliffe, at the end of his term in 2018, granted Johnson a partial pardon  called a conditional pardon  based on credible evidence he was innocent. Johnson has waited four years, hoping Gov. Ralph Northam would grant an absolute pardon.

But the Northam administration recently notified Johnsons lawyers at the University of Virginia Innocence Project that they wouldnt be getting to it and it would pass to the next administration. Northam leaves office on Saturday when Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin is sworn in, and Johnson hopes Northam will reconsider.

I still have that stigma of 24 felonies. And in some peoples mind, maybe Im not innocent, Johnson said. So thats still a dark cloud over my head. I would like for myself, my family, my community, the people Ive inspired and helped and of course my daughters to know that their father is absolutely, 100% innocent. ... My family and I  we need him to make the right decision and grant me the pardon.

Deirdre Enright, a law professor at the University of Virginia and founder of the UVA Innocence Project, helped investigate Johnsons case and confirm the real robber. She said she was mystified about why the Northam administration couldnt act on the request for an absolute pardon in four years when the facts McAuliffe had remain the same.

Its a slam dunk on innocence, she said. Weve solved the crime, we got an affidavit from the guy who did it. ... I just dont understand what the problem is.

Johnson moved to Virginia in the 1980s as a child and by his early 20s was working in a job removing hazardous lead from homes. His life changed on the night he went out to a club in Norfolk with friends.

After leaving, they were surrounded by blue police lights and guns pointed at them. An officer told Johnson he was a suspect in a robbery.

It was a few weeks after the December 1997 robbery of the Norfolk beauty salon. Another man, Robert A. Humphries, was charged in a string of robberies but Johnson was charged with the beauty salon robbery.

After a mistrial, prosecutors offered Johnson a plea deal of three years behind bars after he had already served a year and a half. He wouldnt accept. A jury convicted him and he was sentenced to 132 years.

I have no regrets about declining that three years because my whole fight has been about my innocence and being vindicated, Johnson said.

Enright said they found that police conducted suggestive lineups of the beauty salon robbery victims to identify Johnson as the robber. Police mistakes in photo and in-person lineups are a leading cause of wrongful convictions.

Humphries signed an affidavit admitting to the robbery.

The case for innocence was clear, Enright said, and then this year they found even more evidence after the Norfolk commonwealths attorneys office allowed access to its files.

Records showed that the lead detective told officers that one of the victim identifications of Johnson was far too suggestive and hampering to the investigation and possibly prosecution. The detective told the officers not to do that again.

The lead detective interviewed the victim but didnt record it because he didnt think it could be used in court due to the faulty police lineup.

But that victims identification of Johnson was used in court anyway during both trials.

Johnson had no knowledge of who Humphries was.

Kelly Thomasson, the secretary of the commonwealth, and Grant Neely, the communications director to Northam, did not respond to an opportunity to discuss the case.

Johnson was a victim of identity theft while incarcerated and had to address more than $50,000 in debt from that. The felonies on his record made it difficult to find housing.

I still have 24 felonies on my record because it was only a conditional pardon. It doesnt exonerate me.

He praised the second-chance policies of McAuliffe and Northam, who has granted over 700 pardons in his term. But he said hes turned over everything he can and answered every question and doesnt know whats left to investigate.

For me and my family, we want to be able to move on with the next chapter of my life.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herrings Office of Civil Rights is investigating whether a South Richmond landlord who blamed tenants for dangerous conditions in their apartments discriminated against its residents.

The new housing discrimination inquiry into Southwood Apartments LLC and Seminole Trail Management comes on the heels of a Richmond Times-Dispatch investigation at the Communities at Southwood, Richmonds largest Latino community.

Over three months, reporters observed homes rife with mold, rat and roach infestations and other maintenance issues the landlord is legally responsible for repairing. Tenants say management ignored requests or failed to adequately address problems brought to their attention.

Specifically, we are seeking to determine whether those entities have imposed discriminatory terms and conditions on residents or made discriminatory statements to residents based on race and/or national origin, according to the letter from Herrings office, dated Jan. 9 and obtained by The Times-Dispatch.

The state probe coincides with city officials pledging stronger oversight at the complex after Times-Dispatch reporters began asking questions about the living conditions there.

Under Virginias Fair Housing Law, it is illegal for housing providers to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status or source of income. The law also forbids landlords from applying different standards to different classes of people.

The Times-Dispatchs reporting included some troubling allegations, and the Office of Attorney General has the responsibility to ensure equal access to housing in Virginia, said Charlotte Gomer, a spokeswoman for the Attorney Generals Office.

The investigation could unfold over weeks or months, Gomer added. She declined further comment, citing the pending investigation.

Chip Dicks, an attorney representing Southwoods owner, said the rental company would cooperate with the attorney generals offices inquiry and conduct its own investigation.

Southwood is an equal housing provider and fully complies with the letter and spirit of the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Virginia Fair Housing Law, said Dicks, a former state delegate and member of the Virginia Housing Commission, in a written statement. The management of Southwood had read about the allegations of fair housing violations at its community and takes those allegations seriously. The Management is not aware of any noncompliance with fair housing laws and regulations. We are also not aware of any fair housing complaints filed by any tenants and were not aware of the involvement of the Attorney Generals Office until today.

Current and former residents said the problems at Southwood have persisted for at least two decades, predating the complexs current management and the $10 million renovation it conducted a decade ago.

Elena Camacho, a community organizer with New Virginia Majority who has rallied residents for nearly three years, in a Tuesday interview invited the attorney generals office to speak directly with the families to gain a better understanding of the problems.

Its better when people say it with their own words what they are living, Camacho said.

A survey of nearly 100 Southwood households conducted last year by New Virginia Majority, an advocacy organization that has aided tenant organizing efforts, found that 88 lived with rodents, 78 had roaches and 59 reported mold in their homes, among other issues.

Carroll Steele, Southwoods on-site property manager, declined multiple interviews over a series of months before agreeing to answer questions from The Times-Dispatch in writing. In her response late last month, Steele blamed tenants for causing the issues and not reporting them to her office in a timely fashion.

A vast majority of our residents are very easy to work with and have little to no complaints. We do have some residents from third-world countries that have poor housekeeping issues and have brought the pest control issues with them upon moving into their apartment, Steele wrote. Because of the size of the property we receive hundreds of work orders per month and each work order is taken care of within hours or days depending on the severity. We respond to emergencies and mildew complaints immediately but the resident needs to inform us of the issue if we are to address.

After publication, Michael Jones, who represents the neighborhood on the Richmond City Council, condemned Steeles characterization blaming immigrants for the conditions as both xenophobic and racist.

I am aware of the situation at Southwood and I am following it closely, Jones said Tuesday after reviewing the letter from Herrings office. I look forward to the outcome of this investigation because oftentimes the most vulnerable among us are taken advantage of. Everyone deserves safe and clean neighborhoods and a clean place to reside and raise a family.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said he supports the attorney generals probe.

Regardless of their background, no resident should feel they have to make a choice between living in unsanitary conditions and the fear of housing discrimination for speaking up to have those conditions addressed, Stoney said. In light of the conditions described by housing advocates and Southwood residents, including those reported by The Times-Dispatch and subsequently documented by city inspectors, these concerns merit further investigation.

Camacho said workers from the leasing office had visited Delia Lopez Figueroa  a mother of three in Southwood who spoke with The Times-Dispatch about how she duct tapes holes in the ceiling to prevent cockroaches from falling onto her bed  after publication and told her the videos she took part in with reporters werent funny, which intimidated Lopez Figueroa.

Another tenant who submitted a request for repairs received a letter noting that his lease could be terminated because he has housekeeping issues in the apartment, Camacho said.

This could create fear in the tenants to stop doing the requests of repairs, Camacho continued.

While there were no active code enforcement cases at the 1,287-unit complex early last month, city inspectors visited the property after reporters raised questions about conditions there. Accompanied by Steele, inspectors saw several randomly selected apartments through the complex, according to a report detailing the visit by Richmonds Acting Building Commissioner David L. Alley III.

In two of the units, they observed several code enforcement violations, including a roach infestation; mold in the kitchen and bathroom; leaky plumbing; missing smoke detectors; and what inspectors termed a lack of general housekeeping habits, as evidenced by pots left on the stove, food left out in the kitchen and cobwebs.

The city deemed the two apartments unfit for human habitation, until property management fixed the violations  something Steele did not disclose in written responses to reporters sent two weeks after city inspectors found violations at the property. Two households had to be temporarily relocated, according to the city report.

Both units passed a follow-up inspection, and management scheduled pest extermination for the entire building afterward, according to the citys Property Maintenance and Code Enforcement division. It has not received any additional complaints from the complex since.

A follow-up meeting with management is planned for this week, and code enforcement will inspect a new building at the complex each month, officials said.

While it would be unfeasible to inspect all 1,287 units immediately, the report stated, we must continue our efforts by responding to tenant complaints as they come available, the tenants of this complex must be informed and provided with the necessary information so they can contact us directly for serious health violations such as infestation and mold.

Mark Robinson Mark Robinson covers Richmond City Hall. Follow Mark Robinson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
By Deb Wake and Liz White

At a debate in 2020, Rep. Don Beyer, D-8th, was asked whether he supported Amendment 1, the referendum that would take redistricting power away from elected officials for the first time in Virginia history.

The congressman said he very strongly support[s] it, before delivering a hard truth.

I was Lieutenant Governor for eight years, and the ugliest debates [during that time] were over the partisan redistricting where elected officials got to choose their own voters, rather than voters choose their elected officials.

This admission didnt surprise us. For years, our organizations  the League of Women Voters of Virginia and OneVirginia2021  have worked to improve Virginias redistricting process in the face of significant political pushback. We have seen firsthand how difficult it can be to make progress when politics supersedes what is best for the voters.

Its not hard to find examples of this in the work of the inaugural Virginia Redistricting Commission, which was marred by partisan infighting. When negotiations collapsed as deadlines loomed, many anti-gerrymandering advocates felt deflated  ourselves included.

But the process marched onward  exactly as designed  and in late December, the Supreme Court of Virginia unanimously approved new electoral boundaries for the General Assembly and U.S. Congress. This was the culmination of thousands of hours of advocacy from ordinary Virginians who agreed our redistricting status quo had been profoundly broken for generations, and there should be a good faith effort to repair it.

Even though there were times when Virginias new redistricting process was unquestionably messy, frustrating and difficult, it still worked.

For starters, it worked because of unprecedented public input. Throughout the past year, thousands of Virginians gave map-drawers feedback in real time  from emails to testimony at more than 50 public meetings to submitting 2,000-plus comments on various map proposals. This is a seismic shift when compared to the opaque handshake dealings of the past.

Whats more, the final maps openly and diligently considered this input, with the special masters memo even including an itemized list of changes made based on specific comments they received. This by far was the most transparent redistricting process Virginia voters ever have seen.

The process also was successful because the maps themselves are fair. And you dont have to take our words for it. Virginias new districts have been lauded by a long list of nonpartisan analysts  including the Brennan Center for Justice, Campaign Legal Center, FiveThirtyEight, University of Virginias Center for Politics and Princeton Gerrymandering Project  that said Virginias new districts are among the fairest in America.

Based on this variety of datasets, its clear the maps pass four fundamental tests:

They accurately reflect Virginias partisan leanings and do not unduly favor one party over the other.

They are geographically compact by largely respecting municipal boundaries and communities of interest.

They are far more competitive than last decades districts.

They provide ample opportunities for minority voters to select the candidate of their choice by creating more minority-majority districts.

But while nonpartisan analysis tells us Virginias new redistricting process took a long road to a positive outcome, there still are those who look at the commissions impasse as an indication that the process failed. And while there certainly are ways to improve redistricting in the future, we encourage Virginia voters to look at the past year in its totality.

We are reminded of those citizen commissioners who repeatedly said they do not consider Virginias redistricting reform efforts a failure, despite the stain of partisan gridlock on the commissions work. We agree. In our eyes, true failure would have been to approach this process the same way we always have, hoping for a different result.

Everyone agreed on a problem that needed to be fixed in Virginia: Elected officials in the majority party had carte blanche to draw their own districts behind closed doors and without any meaningful citizen engagement whatsoever. And even though it gave us both a few new gray hairs along the way, it is impossible to ignore the fact that Virginia has taken a huge, unprecedented step to solve this problem.

Looking forward, we know more can be done to ameliorate some of the ugly debates surrounding redistricting, as Beyer put it. But as the dust settles on Virginias first meaningful attempt to end partisan gerrymandering, we can say with confidence that after long debates, thousands of public comments and more than a decade of advocacy, voters finally have maps they can be proud of. Isnt that what this was about in the first place?
Chicago Teachers Union members have until Wednesday afternoon to vote on an agreement to reopen schools for in-person learning amid the omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge. An approved deal would mark the end to the latest labor dispute between the school district and the union, which has been a hallmark of Mayor Lori Lightfoots time in office.

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In the meantime, schools across the district are welcoming students back to classrooms Wednesday. Teachers returned to buildings Tuesday, as electronic ballots opened for union rank-and-file members to weigh the Chicago Public Schools plan.

The proposal passed the first hurdle on Monday, when the unions 600-member governing body, its House of Delegates, voted to suspend its temporary remote work action that led the district to cancel classes for five days. Just under two-thirds of the House of Delegates supported advancing the CPS measure, which has been criticized by some teachers and union leaders as not strong enough in the fight against COVID-19.

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[ Chicago Public Schools reopens as dispute-fatigued parents hope new COVID-19 safety measures hold ]

This hasnt been easy on anyone, and we still have things that we need, CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said Monday. This agreement provides us with some infrastructure to implement those things and to make sure, the best that we can, that we are protecting people as best as we can.

Some teachers felt the action was rushed and poorly planned, while others said they didnt get enough out of the final deal to justify the disruption. Questions remain about how aspects of CPS proposal, such as expanded testing, will be executed if the plan is approved.

In a Tuesday statement to the media, CPS said it will promptly share the details and timeline for implementation of new COVID-19 policies and procedures once CTU votes to ratify the new safety agreement.

Some of the negotiations were centered on a metric that spells out when an individual school would temporarily transition to remote learning. The union had called for a districtwide bench mark as well  a set of guidelines were included in the 2021 safety agreement  but CPS CEO Pedro Martinez indicated the virus should be combated school by school.

The CPS proposal would allow a school to go virtual when 30% or more of a schools classroom teachers are absent for two consecutive days because they tested positive; or when more than 40% of a schools student population has been directed to quarantine or isolate during a COVID-19 surge, among other scenarios.

CPS had set the teacher absence bar at 40% in a proposal last week, while CTU had pushed for a school to go remote when 20% or more of its staff is in isolation or quarantine.

Under the CPS proposal up for a vote, teachers would report to buildings if their school goes virtual, and affected schools could resume in-person instruction after five school days. Its unclear if there are any schools that would start remote learning this week because they meet the proposed metrics.

CTU chief of staff Jen Johnson suggested that Spry Elementary in Little Village  where the union held a press event Monday  could be at that threshold based on student absences. CTU President Jesse Sharkey said Monday the union is aware of at least one other (school)  I think that one of the things that we suspect is going to happen is that as testing improves, were going to get a better sense of how much COVID is coming into our buildings.

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Testing was a hot-button topic as well. A take-home test kit initiative over the holidays was a bust, and the district has not ramped up its in-school weekly testing program the way it has pledged. Martinez has promised 40,000 weekly tests could be administered through the program, which is voluntary for students and mandatory for unvaccinated staff members. Nearly 34,000 nasal swabs were taken the week before winter break, the most so far this school year.

More than 53,000 students had signed up for the free testing program as of Thursday, the district said. As part of its proposal, CPS is focusing its efforts on increasing program registrations through phone banks, where staff can get paid for performing such outreach. Families would receive an incentive to sign up for testing, though details were not included in CPS plan.

The goal is to test at least 10% of the student population of every school each week, though its unclear what happens if there are not enough sign-ups. CTU wanted an opt-out program where any student could be tested unless a parent said no, like other districts and schools do, but Lightfoot called that idea morally repugnant.

COVID-19 testing would be available to all staff this week under CPS proposal, which also calls for additional testing opportunities for symptomatic students. CPS said it will obtain at least 350,000 tests  presumably from the state  to satisfy the extra demand.

Thank you @GovPritzker for agreeing to sell @ChiPubSchools 350,000 antigen tests.  Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) January 9, 2022

CPS said it also wants to work with CTU to get more students vaccinated. Slightly more than half of the districts students ages 12 and older are fully vaccinated and about a quarter of students ages 5 to 11 have received at least one dose, according to district data. About 330,000 students are enrolled in CPS, the nations third-largest school district. CPS says about 91% of staff is fully vaccinated.

KN95 masks would be distributed to staff and students under CPS plan, which does not specify the number of masks that will be dispensed. The proposal would also allow school safety leaders to restore the daily health questionnaire from the last school year to enter buildings; schools to expand contact tracing efforts; and the district to increase stipends for substitute teachers.

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Even if the CPS plan is approved by union members, there are some details that need to be worked out. Martinez would have to decide whether to recommend the Chicago Board of Education add instructional days to the school calendar. Teachers, meanwhile, would be paid for the lost days if CTU prevails in either of its unfair labor practice claims against the board, the unions attorney said Monday.

Staff members who didnt come to buildings didnt get paid, unless they were authorized by the district to work remotely, Martinez said. Teachers complained of being locked out of their email and virtual classrooms, so they were unable to teach remotely or communicate with students.

Lightfoot has complained that the recurring disputes with CTU make Chicago schools less attractive to families, threatening the districts future and prompting parents to pursue other educational options for their kids.

Previous conflicts include the 2019 teachers strike that put students out for more than two weeks of classes and a bitter, monthslong standoff over the reopening of schools after the pandemics arrival.

Lightfoot has also repeatedly blamed her battles with the teachers union on electoral politics, noting CTU leaders backed her opponent in the 2019 election and have been recurring critics of her administration. She complained in a national interview that the union wants to take over running the city government, for instance, and told an Alderman that the union will bad-mouth her until I beat them again in the next election.

The latest dispute took many residents by surprise, though it was months in the making as union leaders criticized conditions at schools as both sides failed to reach a safety agreement for the fall. Omicrons surge, which has led to record COVID-19 cases across the United States and in Chicago, escalated the unions concerns into a full crisis.

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City leaders struggled at times to articulate a clear message or plan. After the CTU voted last week to go remote through the end of this week, for instance, Martinez told parents at a news conference that they could send their kids to school even though classes were canceled  a directive the district quickly went back on, as most principals lacked the staff to host students.

A few schools opened for in-person instruction Monday and even more offered enrichment activities for students who needed a place to be during the daytime, the district said.

We are excited to welcome back to school buildings all our students, teachers and other members Wednesday, CPS said in its statement.

tswartz@tribpub.com

gpratt@chicagotribune.com
One of the things I am sure of is that the American electoral process is the envy of the free world. The idea that individuals have a right to choose the people who represent them is a beacon of freedom. Nothing centers that more than the principle of one person, one vote.

But Virginia is one of only two states that constitutionally takes away peoples ability to vote forever if they have been convicted of a felony, unless a governor restores that right. This has led to approximately 250,000 Virginians being ineligible to vote.

The punishment issued by a court is in direct response to the crime. When that punishment is complete, the rights and privileges lost during the period of incarceration should be restored when that sentence ends. If the crime does not mandate a life sentence through the court, why should the law allow the continued punishment of formerly incarcerated people by not giving them back their rights?

Restoring voting rights doesnt advantage any particular party. Over the years, both Republican and Democratic governors have used their authority to restore rights to thousands of returning citizens. But the process is cumbersome and expensive, putting it out of reach for many returning citizens. Additionally, future governors could eliminate the restoration policies that currently exist. Depending solely on executive action is not a lasting solution.

Research shows that returning citizens who vote are less likely to return to criminal activity and more likely to make a positive impact in their communities  making them safer for everyone. In fact, the International Association of Chiefs of Police long has recognized civil rights restoration upon completion of a sentence as an important element of successful re-entry into the community.

It is likely we may know some of these returning citizens. They are veterans, entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, mothers, fathers, pastors, businesspeople  they come from all walks of life. They are people who made a mistake, rehabilitated their lives, and now are looking to be fully engaged in their communities and the civic process. They are people looking for a second chance. As a police chaplain and pastor, I believe in being smart on crime, I believe in redemption and I believe in second chances.

In March 2021, the General Assembly approved a constitutional amendment that creates a fundamental right to vote for all citizens in Virginia age 18 and older who are not currently serving time for a felony conviction. Now members of the legislature must vote to pass the exact same amendment one more time before it can go to the final and most important step: being placed on the 2022 ballot so Virginia voters can decide. A right that is so central to who we are as a country should be in the hands of the people, not in the hands of the government.

Those who know me know that I care most about faith, family, safety and freedom, and the right to vote is one of the things that makes us most free. Virginia needs to join the growing list of governors, legislatures and voters in both red and blue states who have taken steps to restore voting rights to people who have served their time. Virginia should enshrine this fundamental right to vote into the constitution, providing a safeguard that ensures thousands of Virginians are restored as full citizens. We must act now. Restoring the right to vote that the constitution freely gives should be simple and automatic for returning citizens so that they may fully rejoin civic society.
Reflecting on rhetoric

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

In George Wills inaugural column of 2022, he bemoans a perceived bastardization of language by the left in 2021 and offers a carefully curated, if not cherry-picked, list of supposed atrocities perpetuated against both English and reason. No sensible person condones the reprehensible conduct of the Jussie Smolletts of the world, but there seems little material damage done by the language he deplores beyond offense to his linguistic sensibilities.

Far more threatening and troubling is the novel lexicon bubbling up from the right: Free speech is construed as an absolute right to disseminate noxious personal attacks and patent untruths across private media platforms. A patriot is any of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Fake news is a fact that rebuts the right-wing narrative. Voter fraud is the sole means by which a Democratic candidate prevails.

Will assails the lefts perceived deformation of the word violence just as a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll reveals that 40% of Republicans, 41% of independents and 27% of Democrats see use of violence against the government as justifiable.

Perhaps Will should resolve to apply the clarity of a mind uncluttered by euphemisms and neologisms as well as his superb wordsmithery to the right's rhetoric .

David Routt.
Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center made international news after completing the first successful heart transplant between a pig and a human last week. David Bennett, a 57-year-old Maryland resident, received a heart from a genetically modified pig, which was raised by Blacksburg company Revivicor.

Revivicor, located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, focuses on the science of xenotransplantation, or transplanting organs between different species. The company specifically focuses on altering the DNA of pigs to successfully transplant hearts, kidneys and lungs into human patients.

The surgery in Maryland marked the first successful heart transplant between a pig and a human. Bennett received an emergency authorization for the surgery through the Food and Drug Administrations compassionate access provision, which allows patients with no other options to receive treatments not yet approved for the wider public.

So far, the heart seems to be working well and Bennetts body has not rejected the organ. David Ayares, Revivicors chief scientific officer, said over the next few months, researchers and doctors will continue to monitor Bennett as he takes immunosuppressants, required for anyone who receives an organ transplant, and watch for signs of rejection.

Were really happy with how this patient is doing, Ayares said. The organ is life supporting, and its doing its job.

The pig, which was raised on Revivicors farm near Blacksburg, was genetically altered to make it more compatible with the human body.

Ayares said researchers started years ago by creating the genetic modifications in a laboratory petri dish. Then, they were able to take that cell and use it to clone the pigs. Once established, the genetic line has been used to breed the pigs with those specific modifications.

Researchers first inactivated the alpha-gal gene, which produces carbohydrates in the pigs. Humans have natural antibodies against that specific sugar, which would cause the body to reject an organ from a pig.

Revivicor also added six human genes that would help prevent rejection. Another added gene slows the growth rate and reduces the size of the heart to make it compatible for humans.

Over the years, Revivicor scientists have tested these modifications in baboons, which have the same natural antibodies against the alpha-gal gene as humans, making those primates a good model to test rejection and transplantation responses.

Its not without challenges, Ayares said. Weve been trying to get here all this time.

Revivicor began as the U.S. subsidiary of a Scottish company, PPL Therapeutics, which famously cloned Dolly the sheep in 1996. PPL Therapeutics purchased TransPharm, a Blacksburg company working to produce human therapeutic proteins in cows, in the early 1990s.

In 2003, Revivicor spun out as a standalone company to focus on research into genetically-modified pigs and xenotransplantation. In 2011, it was acquired by United Therapeutics, which focuses on lung therapies to treat people with pulmonary hypertension and other diseases, and also to overcome the organ shortage crisis.

There are currently more than 100,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the United States. According to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, 17 people die daily while awaiting transplants.

Last year was the first time the annual total of transplants exceeded 40,000 and the United States saw an increase of about 6% in the number of transplants performed.

The mission of Revivicor and United Therapies is to achieve an unlimited supply of organs. Ayares said there are many people whose quality of life would drastically improve with a transplant  yet they are not experiencing a life-threatening illness and cannot access the waiting list.

I think having an unlimited supply is really going to be world-changing, Ayares said.

He said the emergency use authorization for the surgery last week was an important step for the company and researchers are learning more every day since the operation. But the success of the surgery has not changed Revivicors path.

Researchers will continue to complete preclinical trials and collect data about xenotransplantation within primates. Ayares said he hopes to complete the preclinical studies by early 2023 and then apply to the FDA for a full clinical trial in late 2023.

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PEARISBURG  Former state legislator Joseph Ryan Yost was charged Wednesday with four counts of embezzling from his former employer, the Giles County Historical Society.

Yost, 35, a Republican who held the 12th District Virginia House of Delegates seat from 2012 to 2018, was indicted by Giles County grand jury Tuesday on four counts of embezzlement. He was served with the charges Wednesday and is scheduled to appear in Giles County Circuit Court on Feb. 2.

Josh Elrod, the commonwealths attorney for Buena Vista, has been appointed as a special prosecutor for the case. Elrod ran as an independent when he was elected to his Buena Vista position in 2019.

Yost, of Pearisburg, served as the part-time executive director of the Giles County Historical Society beginning in 2014. The society lost its nonprofit status under his watch due to not filing required forms for several years, then regained it in 2018 when he caught up on the paperwork.

Yost did not reply to multiple messages during the past year regarding a Virginia State Police investigation of the historical countys finances.

On Wednesday, attorney Chris Tuck of Blacksburg said that he was representing Yost and that his client would have no comment on the indictments.

According to a search warrant filed in the case, the historical societys board of directors became aware that money was missing, then learned that multiple unauthorized purchases had been made using a debit card assigned to the society.

But board members had no knowledge of a debit card being issued, the search warrant said. Board policy was to only withdraw money using checks signed by two board members.

The indictments charge that embezzlement occurred on four dates in 2019: in January, July, August, and December.

Last year, the head of the board of directors, Robert Givens, said that the matter had been turned over to Virginia State Police for investigation. The search warrant said the investigation began in April 2021.

Court paperwork said that Yost now works for a child care organization in Pearisburg.

Yosts General Assembly seat covered Giles County, parts of Montgomery and Pulaski counties, and Radford. In the 2017 election, Yost lost to Democrat Chris Hurst, who served two terms before being defeated in November by Jason Ballard, who returned the seat to the GOP.
This time last year, the Republican Party was hitting bottom. Now a resurgent GOP is poised to reclaim one, if not both, chambers of Congress and retain its lock on dozens of state legislatures and governors offices.
Jeff Bezos will be flying to space on the first crewed flight of the New Shepard, the rocket ship made by his space company, Blue Origin. The flight is scheduled for July 20, just 15 days after he is set to resign as CEO of Amazon.

Blue Origin said Bezos' younger brother, Mark Bezos, will also join the flight.

"Ever since I was five years old, I've dreamed of traveling to space," Bezos, 57, said in a Monday morning Instagram post. "On July 20th, I will take that journey with my brother. The greatest adventure, with my best friend."

If all goes according to plan, Bezos  he world's richest person with a net worth of $187 billion  will be the first of the billionaire space tycoons to experience a ride aboard the rocket technology that he's poured millions into developing. Not even Elon Musk, whose SpaceX builds rockets powerful enough to enter orbit around Earth, has announced plans to travel to space aboard one of his companies human-worthy crew capsules.

British billionaire Richard Branson, whose own space company, Virgin Galactic, is planning on conducting flights to suborbital space for ultra-wealthy thrill seekers and competing directly with Blue Origin. Branson has long said he would be among the first passengers aboard Virgin Galactic's rocket-powered plane, but that flight is expected to take place later in 2021.

Blue Origin's flight crewed flight will see the company's six-seater capsule and 59-foot rocket tear toward the edge of space on a 11-minute flight that'll reach more than 60 miles above Earth.

After six years of extensive and often secretive testing of the rocket and capsule, called New Shepard, Blue Origin announced in May that it was preparing to put the first passengers in a New Shepard capsule.

Though the company has not announced how much it will sell regular tickets for, Blue Origin said one seat will be given to the winner of a month-long auction that's currently in progress. The bidding had reached $2.8 million as of Monday morning.

Blue Origin was founded by Bezos in 2000, and the company conducted more than a dozen test flights with no one on board at Blue Origin's facilities in rural Texas, about 70 miles from Marfa.

Bezos created Amazon in 1994, first as an online bookseller, with $250,000 from his parents. Over the following years it has grown to become one of the largest companies in the world, with business in everything from Amazon Web Services, a cloud computing services company that counts entities from Netflix to the CIA as customers; to owning MGM, the studio that makes James Bond; to holding a major stake in Rivian, an electric car company.

It has its own home security company, Ring, and its own grocery chain, Whole Foods. And that's before you get to the airline, Prime Air, with its own fleet of over Prime Air-branded 70 aircraft, shipping exclusively packages from Amazon around the world.

Amazon's explosive popularity helped grow Bezos' fortune to more than a billion dollars by 1999, when he was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. He founded Blue Origin in 2000, and said at one point that he was selling upward of $1 billion worth of Amazon stock each year to help fund the company's rocket development.

Bezos will remain involved in Amazon, though he will transition to the executive chairman role.

He will be succeeded as CEO by Andy Jassy, the head of Amazon Web Services.

Bezos' brother, Mark, formerly the owner of an advertising agency and is now a senior vice president at Robin Hood, a New York City charity.

In addition to New Shepard, Blue Origin is also working to develop a towering rocket called New Glenn, which the company hopes will be used to send US government and commercial satellites to orbit, as well as potentially make trips to deep space. Blue Origin also hoped to be involved in NASA's plan to return humans to the moon by 2024, though it was bested by SpaceX for a contract to build the lunar lander that would shuttle astronauts from the moon's orbit down to the surface. Blue Origin is protesting that contract decision, though NASA has also said that Blue Origin is still eligible to bid to work on future lunar missions.

Bezos has called Blue Origin "the most important work I'm doing," though he has not previously been open about whether he personally would like to travel to space.

"I'm interested in space because I'm passionate about it," Bezos, who also made a cameo in 2016's Star Trek: Beyond," said during an interview with Mathias Dopfner, the CEO of Axel Springer. "I've been studying it and thinking about it since I was a five year old boy  but that is not why I'm pursuing this work. I'm pursuing this work because I believe if we don't, we will eventually end up with a civilization of stasis, which I find very demoralizing."

***

With additional reporting by Rachel Crane.
WASHINGTON (AP)  House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy appears to have settled on a strategy to deal with a handful of Republican lawmakers who have stirred outrage with violent, racist and sometimes Islamophobic comments.

If you can't police them, promote them.

The path to power for Republicans in Congress is now rooted in the capacity to generate outrage. The alarming language, and the fundraising haul it increasingly produces, is another example of how Donald Trump, the former president, has left his mark on politics, changing the way Republicans rise to influence and authority.

Success in Congress, once measured by bills passed and constituents reached, is now gauged in many ways by the ability to attract attention, even if it is negative as the GOP looks to reclaim a House majority next year by firing up Trump's most ardent supporters.

That has helped elevate a group of far-right lawmakers  including Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul Gosar of Arizona  whose inflammatory comments once would have made them pariahs.

Rather than face punishment for personal attacks that violate longstanding norms of Congress, they've been celebrated by conservatives, who have showered Boebert and Greene with campaign cash.

"We are not the fringe. We are the base of the party," Greene, who has previously endorsed calls to assassinate prominent Democrats, said last week on a podcast hosted by former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

The hands-off approach by Republican leadership gives them license to spread hate speech, conspiracy theories and misinformation that can have real world consequences, while testing the resolve of Democrats, who already removed Gosar and Greene from their committees.

It's also a different tack from the one McCarthy took in 2019 when he stripped then-Rep. Steve King of Iowa of his committee assignments for lamenting that white supremacy and white nationalism had become offensive terms.

Boebert offers the latest example.

In two videos that surfaced recently she likened Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who is one of three Muslims in Congress, to a terrorist concealing a bomb in a backpack. Boebert has also repeatedly referred to Omar as belonging to a "jihad squad," as well as "black-hearted" and "evil."

Her comments drew widespread condemnation and led to calls for Boebert to become the third GOP lawmaker this year to be removed from congressional committees. But instead of publicly apologizing to Omar, a defiant Boebert insisted that Omar should be the one to issue a public apology "to the American people" for her "anti-American" rhetoric, as well as past "anti-Semitic" comments, which Democrats condemned at the time.

In the uproar that followed, Omar received death threats, including a voicemail left by a man who called her a "traitor" and suggested she would be soon be taken "off the face of the (expletive) earth."

"We cannot pretend this hate speech from leading politicians doesn't have real consequences," Omar said Tuesday while calling on the Republican Party to "actually do something to confront anti-Muslim hatred in its ranks."

Boebert, meanwhile, burnished her image through an appearance on Fox News where she blamed Democrats who "want to cancel me" for the controversy. She has raked in $2.7 million so far this year, making her one of the top Republican fundraisers, according to campaign finance disclosures.

McCarthy, who is in line to become speaker if Republicans retake the majority in the 2022 midterm elections, downplayed the controversy Friday. He credited Boebert for attempting to privately apologize in a phone call with Omar, while breezing past Boebert's refusal to do so publicly.

"In America, that's what we do," he said. "And then we move on."

But McCarthy has also indicated that there will be little consequence for personal attacks. Just last month he said those punished by Democrats could be in line for a promotion if he becomes speaker, floating the possibility that Gosar and Greene "may have better committee assignments" than before.

That also poses a vexing issue for Democrats. During a Wednesday caucus meeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned Boebert's behavior, but cautioned that restraint was needed.

"This is hard because these people are doing it for the publicity," Pelosi said, according to a person in the room, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private deliberations. "There's a judgment that has to be made about how we contribute to their fundraising and their publicity on how obnoxious and disgusting they can be."

In many cases, the incentive to outrage can outweigh the consequences.

Greene arrived in Congress this year with a well documented history of making inflammatory comments. A former adherent of the QAnon conspiracy theories, she once mused that a wealthy Jewish family may have used space lasers to spark California wildfires.

She's also harassed survivors of school shootings, accused Pelosi of committing crimes punishable by death and appeared in a 2019 video at the Capitol in which she argued Omar and another Muslim representative weren't "really official" members of Congress because they didn't take the oath of office on the Bible.

Since her election she's used her nonstop attacks and viral online moments to reap a $6.3 million fundraising windfall  more than three times the cost of the average congressional campaign  while proving to be a speaking draw at Republican fundraisers around the country.

"If you say something bats crazy, if you say something extreme, you are going to raise money," said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who is one of the few Republicans to publicly criticize the rhetoric of her colleagues. Mace, who publicly feuded with Greene last week, said the Georgia lawmaker was a "grifter of the first order" who takes advantage of "vulnerable conservatives."

Gosar, who was censured last month after posting an animated video of himself killing Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, is nowhere near as prolific of a fundraiser. But he has become a celebrated figure for white nationalists and has made appearances at fringe right-wing events, including a gathering in Florida last February hosted by Nick Fuentes, an internet personality who has promoted white supremacist beliefs.

Still, some Republicans say just because the three have achieved a measure of fame doesn't mean they have accumulated real influence or staying power.

"There's always some gifted communicator who comes in," said Rep. Tom Cole, a 10-term Oklahoma Republican, who used the GOP class of 1994, when Republicans took over the House for the first time in decades, as an example. "We're a long way of knowing how long they'll stay. A lot of the brightest stars of the 1994 class were gone within eight years."

Besides he added: "The reality is the first six years, the only thing you are going to do is what they let you."

***
Pulling a pistol from his waistband, the young man spun his human shield toward police.

"Don't do it!" a pursuing officer pleaded. The young man complied, releasing the bystander and tossing the gun, which skittered across the city street and then into the hands of police.

They soon learned that the 9mm Beretta had a rap sheet. Bullet casings linked it to four shootings, all of them in Albany, New York.

And there was something else. The pistol was U.S. Army property, a weapon intended for use against America's enemies, not on its streets.

The Army couldn't say how its Beretta M9 got to New York's capital. Until the June 2018 police foot chase, the Army didn't even realize someone had stolen the gun. Inventory records checked by investigators said the M9 was 600 miles away -- safe inside Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

"It's incredibly alarming," said Albany County District Attorney David Soares. "It raises the other question as to what else is seeping into a community that could pose a clear and present danger."

The armed services and the Pentagon are not eager for the public to know the answer.

In the first public accounting of its kind in decades, an Associated Press investigation has found that at least 1,900 U.S. military firearms were lost or stolen during the 2010s, with some resurfacing in violent crimes. Because some armed services have suppressed the release of basic information, AP's total is a certain undercount.

Keep scrolling to the end of this story for a guide to the military guns most often lost or stolen

Government records covering the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force show pistols, machine guns, shotguns and automatic assault rifles have vanished from armories, supply warehouses, Navy warships, firing ranges and other places where they were used, stored or transported. These weapons of war disappeared because of unlocked doors, sleeping troops, a surveillance system that didn't record, break-ins and other security lapses that, until now, have not been publicly reported.

While AP's focus was firearms, military explosives also were lost or stolen, including armor-piercing grenades that ended up in an Atlanta backyard.

Weapon theft or loss spanned the military's global footprint, touching installations from coast to coast, as well as overseas. In Afghanistan, someone cut the padlock on an Army container and stole 65 Beretta M9s -- the same type of gun recovered in Albany. The theft went undetected for at least two weeks, when empty pistol boxes were discovered in the compound. The weapons were not recovered.

Even elite units are not immune. A former member of a Marines special operations unit was busted with two stolen guns. A Navy SEAL lost his pistol during a fight in a restaurant in Lebanon.

The Pentagon used to share annual updates about stolen weapons with Congress, but the requirement to do so ended years ago and public accountability has slipped. The Army and Air Force, for example, couldn't readily tell AP how many weapons were lost or stolen from 2010 through 2019. So the AP built its own database, using extensive federal Freedom of Information Act requests to review hundreds of military criminal case files or property loss reports, as well as internal military analysis and data from registries of small arms.

Sometimes, weapons disappear without a paper trail. Military investigators regularly close cases without finding the firearms or person responsible because shoddy records lead to dead ends.

The military's weapons are especially vulnerable to corrupt insiders responsible for securing them. They know how to exploit weak points within armories or the military's enormous supply chains. Often from lower ranks, they may see a chance to make a buck from a military that can afford it.

"It's about the money, right?" said Brig. Gen. Duane Miller, who as deputy provost marshal general is the Army's No. 2 law enforcement official.

Theft or loss happens more than the Army has publicly acknowledged. During an initial interview, Miller significantly understated the extent to which weapons disappear, citing records that report only a few hundred missing rifles and handguns. But an internal analysis AP obtained, done by the Army's Office of the Provost Marshal General, tallied 1,303 firearms.

In a second interview, Miller said he wasn't aware of the memos, which had been distributed throughout the Army, until AP pointed them out following the first interview. "If I had the information in front of me," Miller said, "I would share it with you." Other Army officials said the internal analysis might overstate some losses.

The AP's investigation began a decade ago. From the start, the Army has given conflicting information on a subject with the potential to embarrass -- and that's when it has provided information at all. A former insider described how Army officials resisted releasing details of missing guns when AP first inquired, and indeed that information was never provided.

Top officials within the Army, Marines and Secretary of Defense's office said that weapon accountability is a high priority, and when the military knows a weapon is missing it does trigger a concerted response to recover it. The officials also said missing weapons are not a widespread problem and noted that the number is a tiny fraction of the military's stockpile.

"We have a very large inventory of several million of these weapons," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in an interview. "We take this very seriously and we think we do a very good job. That doesn't mean that there aren't losses. It doesn't mean that there aren't mistakes made."

Kirby said those mistakes are few, though, and last year the military could account for 99.999% of its firearms. "Though the numbers are small, one is too many," he said.

In the absence of a regular reporting requirement, the Pentagon is responsible for informing Congress of any "significant" incidents of missing weapons. That hasn't happened since at least 2017. While a missing portable missile such as a Stinger would qualify for notifying lawmakers, a stolen machine gun would not, according to a senior Department of Defense official whom the Pentagon provided for an interview on condition the official not be named.

While AP's analysis covered the 2010s, incidents persist.

In May, an Army trainee who fled Fort Jackson in South Carolina with an M4 rifle hijacked a school bus full of children, pointing his unloaded assault weapon at the driver before eventually letting everyone go.

Last October, police in San Diego were startled to find a military grenade launcher on the front seat of a car they pulled over for expired license plates. The driver and his passenger were middle-aged men with criminal records.

After publicizing the arrest, police got a call from a Marine Corps base up the Pacific coast. The Marines wanted to know if the grenade launcher was one they needed to find. They read off a serial number.

It wasn't a match.

***

Crime guns

Stolen military guns have been sold to street gang members, recovered on felons and used in violent crimes.

The AP identified eight instances in which five different stolen military firearms were used in a civilian shooting or other violent crime, and others in which felons were caught possessing weapons. To find these cases, AP combed investigative and court records, as well as published reports. Federal restrictions on sharing firearms information publicly mean the case total is certainly an undercount.

The military requires itself to inform civilian law enforcement when a gun is lost or stolen, and the services help in subsequent investigations. The Pentagon does not track crime guns, and spokesman Kirby said his office was unaware of any stolen firearms used in civilian crimes.

The closest AP could find to an independent tally was done by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services. It said 22 guns issued by the U.S. military were used in a felony during the 2010s. That total could include surplus weapons the military sells to the public or loans to civilian law enforcement.

MORE FROM THE AP INVESTIGATION:

Those FBI records also appear to be undercount. They say that no military-issue gun was used in a felony in 2018, but at least one was.

Back in June 2018, Albany police were searching for 21-year-old Alvin Damon. They'd placed him at a shooting which involved the Beretta M9, a workhorse weapon for the military that is similar to a model Beretta produces for the civilian market.

Surveillance video obtained by AP shows another man firing the gun four times at a group of people off camera, taking cover behind a building between shots. Two men walking with him scattered, one dropping his hat in the street. No one was injured.

Two months later, Detective Daniel Seeber spotted Damon on a stoop near the Prince Deli corner store. Damon took off running and, not far into the chase, grabbed a bystander who had just emerged from the deli with juice and a bag of chips.

After Detective Seeber defused the standoff, officers collected the pistol. A check by New York State Police returned leads to four Albany shootings, including one just the day before in which a bullet lodged in a living room wall. In another, someone was shot in the ankle.

At the request of Albany police, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced the gun's story. The ATF contacted Army's Criminal Investigation Command, and a review of Army inventory systems showed the M9 had been listed as "in-transit" between two Fort Bragg units for two years before police recovered it.

And the Army still doesn't know who stole the gun, or when.

The case wasn't the first in which police recovered a stolen service pistol before troops at Fort Bragg realized it was missing. AP found a second instance, involving a pistol that was among 21 M9s stolen from an arms room.

Military police learned of the theft in 2010. By then, one of the M9s was sitting in an evidence room in the Hoke County Sheriff's Department, picked up in a North Carolina backyard not far from Bragg. Another M9 was later seized in Durham after it was used in a parking lot shooting.

Another steady North Carolina source of weapons has been Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, where authorities often have an open missing weapons investigation. Detectives in Baltimore found a Beretta M9 stolen from a Lejeune armory during a cocaine bust. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service found in the 2011 case that inventory and security procedures were rarely followed. Three guns were stolen; no one was charged.

Deputies in South Carolina were called in 2017 after a man started wildly shooting an M9 pistol into the air during an argument with his girlfriend. The boyfriend, a convicted felon, then started shooting toward a neighbor's house. The pistol came from a National Guard armory that a thief entered through an unlocked door, hauling off six automatic weapons, a grenade launcher and five M9s.

Meanwhile, authorities in central California are still finding AK-74 assault rifles that were among 26 stolen from Fort Irwin a decade ago. Military police officers stole the guns from the Army base, selling some to the Fresno Bulldogs street gang.

At least nine of the AKs have not been recovered.

***

Insider threat

The people with easiest access to military firearms are those who handle and secure them.

In the Army, they are often junior soldiers assigned to armories or arms rooms, according to Col. Kenneth Williams, director of supply under the Army's G-4 Logistics branch.

"This is a young guy or gal," Williams said. "This is a person normally on their first tour of duty. So you can see that we put great responsibility on our soldiers immediately when they come in."

Armorers have access both to firearms and the spare parts kept for repairs. These upper receivers, lower receivers and trigger assemblies can be used to make new guns or enhance existing ones.

"We've seen issues like that in the past where an armorer might build an M16" automatic assault rifle from military parts, said Mark Ridley, a former deputy director of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. "You have to be really concerned with certain armorers and how they build small arms and small weapons."

In 2014, NCIS began investigating the theft of weapons parts from Special Boat Team Twelve, a Navy unit based in Coronado, California. Four M4 trigger assemblies that could make a civilian AR-15 fully automatic were missing. Investigators found an armory inventory manager was manipulating electronic records by moving items or claiming they had been transferred. The parts were never recovered and the case was closed after federal prosecutors declined to file charges.

Weapons accountability is part of military routine. Armorers are supposed to check weapons when they open each day. Sight counts, a visual total of weapons on hand, are drilled into troops whether they are in the field, on patrol or in the arms room. But as long as there have been armories, people have been stealing from them.

Weapons enter the public three main ways: direct sales from thieves to buyers, through pawn shops and surplus stores, and online.

Investigators have found sensitive and restricted parts for military weapons on sites including eBay, which said in a statement it has "zero tolerance" for stolen military gear on its site.

At Fort Campbell, Kentucky, soldiers stole machine gun parts and other items that ended up with online buyers in Russia, China, Mexico and elsewhere. The civilian ringleader, who was found with a warehouse of items, was convicted. Authorities said he made hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Often though, recovering a weapon can prove hard.

When an M203 grenade launcher couldn't be found during a 2019 inventory at a Marine Corps supply base in Albany, Georgia, investigators sought surveillance camera footage. It didn't exist. The warehouse manager said the system couldn't be played back at the time.

An analysis of 45 firearms-only investigations in the Navy and Marines found that in 55% of cases, no suspect could be found and weapons remained missing. In those unresolved cases, investigators found records were destroyed or falsified, armories lacked basic security and inventories weren't completed for weeks or months.

"Gun-decking" is Navy slang for faking work. In the case of the USS Comstock, gun-decking led to the disappearance of three pistols.

Investigators found numerous security lapses in the 2012 case, including one sailor asleep in the armory. The missing pistols weren't properly logged in the ship's inventory when they were received several days before. Investigators couldn't pinpoint what day they disappeared because sailors gun-decked inventory reports by not doing actual counts.

***

Room for discrepancy

Military officials shied from discussing how many guns they have, much less how many are missing.

AP learned that the Army, the largest of the armed services, is responsible for about 3.1 million small arms. Across all four branches, the U.S. military has an estimated 4.5 million firearms, according to the nonprofit organization Small Arms Survey.

In its accounting, whenever possible AP eliminated cases in which firearms were lost in combat, during accidents such as aircraft crashes and similar incidents where a weapon's fate was known.

Unlike the Army and Air Force, which could not answer basic questions about missing weapons, the Marines and Navy were able to produce data covering the 2010s.

The Navy data showed that 211 firearms were reported lost or stolen. In addition, 63 firearms previously considered missing were recovered.

According to AP's analysis of data from the Marines, 204 firearms were lost or stolen, with 14 later recovered.

To account for missing weapons, the Pentagon relies on incident reports from the services, which it keeps for only three years.

Pentagon officials said that approximately 100 firearms were unaccounted for in both 2019 and 2018. A majority of those were attributable to accidents or combat losses, they said. Even though AP's total excluded accidents and combat losses whenever known, it was higher than what the services reported to the Pentagon.

The officials said they could only discuss how many weapons were missing dating to 2018. The reason: They aren't required to keep earlier records. Without providing documentation, the Pentagon said the number of missing weapons was down significantly in 2020, when the pandemic curtailed many military operations.

The Air Force was the only service branch not to release data. It first responded to several Freedom of Information Act requests by saying no records existed. Air Force representatives then said they would not provide details until yet another FOIA request, filed 1.5 years ago, was fully processed.

The Army sought to suppress information on missing weapons and gave misleading numbers that contradict internal memos.

The AP began asking the Army for details on missing weapons in 2011 and filed a formal request a year later for records of guns listed as missing, lost, stolen or recovered in the Department of Defense Small Arms and Light Weapons Registry. Charles Royal, the former Army civilian employee who was in charge of the registry, said that he prepared records for release that higher ups eventually blocked in 2013.

"You're dealing with millions of weapons," Royal said in a recent interview. "But we're supposed to have 100% recon, right. OK, we're not allowed a discrepancy on that. But there's so much room for discrepancy."

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Brandon Kelley said the service's property inventory systems don't readily track how many weapons have been lost or stolen. Army officials said the most accurate count could be found in criminal investigative summaries released under yet another federal records request.

AP's reading of these investigative records showed 230 lost or stolen rifles or handguns between 2010 and 2019 -- a clear undercount. Internal documents show just how much Army officials were downplaying the problem.

The AP obtained two memos covering 2013 through 2019 in which the Army tallied 1,303 stolen or lost rifles and handguns, with theft the primary reason for losses. That number, which Army officials said is imperfect because it includes some combat losses and recoveries, and may include some duplications, was based on criminal investigations and incident reports.

The internal memos are not "an authoritative document," Kelley said, and were not closely checked with public release in mind. As such, he said, the 1,303 total could be inaccurate.

The investigative records Kelley cited show 62 lost or stolen rifles or handguns from 2013 through 2019. Some of those, like the Beretta M9 used in four shootings in Albany, New York, were recovered.

"One gun creates a ton of devastation," Albany County District Attorney Soares said. "And then it puts it on local officials, local law enforcement, to have to work extra hard to try to remove those guns from the community."

***

Hall reported from Nashville, Tennessee; LaPorta reported from Boca Raton, Florida; Pritchard reported from Los Angeles; Myers reported from Chicago. Also contributing were Jeannie Ohm in Arlington, Virginia; Brian Barrett, Randy Herschaft and Jennifer Farrar in New York; Michael Hill in Albany, New York; and Pia Deshpande in Chicago. ___ Contact Hall at https://twitter.com/kmhall; contact LaPorta at https://twitter.com/jimlaporta; contact Pritchard at https://twitter.com/JPritchardAP; contact Myers at https://twitter.com/myersjustinc. ___ Email AP's Global Investigations Team at investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/. See other work at https://apnews.com/hub/ap-investigations.
RICHMOND  Virginias 60-day legislative session, which kicks off Wednesday in Richmond, will feature a power struggle between the new GOP-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate, the states first GOP governor in close to a decade, and the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be a stark departure from recent sessions of the General Assembly, when Democrats had near-unilateral control over state laws and easily enacted their key priorities, like increasing the minimum wage, tightening gun control laws and boosting police accountability.

Republicans, newly in power after a sweeping victory in November, are expected to take aim at some of those new laws, while ushering in a new conservative agenda for Virginia that is still being shaped by different camps within the party.

Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin takes office Saturday as Virginias 74th governor. His priorities for the legislature center on a package of tax cuts he says will make Virginia a more attractive and affordable place to live, and changes to the states education system, including a push to usher in more privately run public schools.

The governors administration will also be working behind the scenes to rally support for Youngkins Cabinet, which requires General Assembly confirmation. Youngkins choice for secretary of natural resources, Andrew Wheeler, who led the Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump, has drawn overwhelming criticism from Democratic lawmakers.

Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, who succeeds Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, as speaker of the House, will lead a chamber with a new 52-48 GOP majority.

Thousands of people  lawmakers, staffers, lobbyists and the public  will descend on the Capitol for a session that will be conducted primarily in-person amid a surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the highly infectious omicron variant.

The states record-setting number of cases and hospitalizations  which are straining Virginias hospitals and testing capacity  are expected to peak in coming weeks, as lawmakers try to carry out their work.

Heres a list of what to watch:

Tax reform

Youngkins campaign took early aim at what he describes as an astronomical cost of living that he says is driving many Virginians away to different states. Amid record revenue projections of an additional $13 billion over three fiscal years, Youngkin and Republicans in the legislature have started working on a series of tax cut proposals  and the general idea has support from key Democrats.

Youngkin has proposed to eliminate the states grocery tax; provide a tax rebate of $300 for individuals and $600 for families; double the standard deduction; delay the recent 5-cent increase to the gas tax; cut taxes on veterans retirement pay; and make it more difficult for localities to increase property taxes.

In his final two-year budget proposal, outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam also backed tax cuts, throwing his weight behind axing the states 1.5% portion of the tax on groceries starting Jan. 1, 2023. Northams proposal would not eliminate the 1% add on for localities.

Northams tax cut proposals could signal fissures between the GOP and Democratic approach to cutting taxes.

The Democrats plan would also make 15% of the states earned income tax credit refundable for lower-income families, which Northam said would benefit working-class Virginians  those disparately hurt by the economic challenges of the pandemic.

Education

Education will play a big role this session, as in the race for governor.

House GOP bills would restore a requirement that school principals report to police misdemeanors students commit on school grounds and remove the student exemption from disorderly conduct provisions in state law  in line with a Youngkin campaign promise. Democrats and civil rights activists said the changes were meant to curb the school-to-prison pipeline and better handle student discipline.

Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, who will chair the House education panel, is sponsoring a bill that targets changes to the admissions process for the states specialty governors schools.

For years, advocates have taken aim at an admissions process that results in a disparate number of Black and Latino students at these schools. Davis bill describes policies to correct that as proxy discrimination.

Youngkin wants to expand the number of charter schools in the state from fewer than 10 to almost 300. Expect lawmakers to consider legislation toward that end. One bill from Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, would force the state to create regional charter school divisions in areas where local school districts are struggling with accreditation.

The regional charter school divisions would be controlled by a board filled out by the state, which would have the power to approve charter school applications. Local school divisions would have minority representation on these boards, giving them little say over new charters.

Crime

A number of GOP bills would reverse measures Democrats passed in an effort to curb police brutality and excessive use of force following the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd  all Black Americans.

GOP bills would remove the prohibition on police stopping and searching a person or vehicle based solely on the smell of marijuana; remove provisions requiring search warrants to be executed in daylight from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and remove localities power to establish civilian review boards with oversight over local law enforcement, including subpoena power.

The bill restricting when criminal search warrants can be executed is known as Breonnas Law, after the woman Louisville police fatally shot during a botched nighttime raid in March 2020.

Other GOP bills would decrease from $1,000 to $500 the threshold at which petit larceny becomes grand larceny and repeal provisions not yet in place regarding the sealing of police and criminal records for certain convictions.

Confirmations

Youngkin, whose job as the states top official will be his first foray into public office, will be working to secure support for his Cabinet from the legislature.

Wheeler, who tried to roll back environmental safeguards as Trumps head of the EPA, appears headed for rejection in the Senate.

I dont know of any [Democratic senator] thats in support of that nomination, and he may even have some problems in his own party, said Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, whose party has a 21-19 edge in the Senate.

Youngkins other choices  announced in recent weeks  have proved less controversial so far, but some could still face headwinds in the Senate.

Guns

Republicans also are seeking to roll back a number of gun control measures Democrats passed in 2020, the year after a disgruntled Virginia Beach city employee killed 12 workers and wounded four others in a municipal building.

GOP bills would remove the one-gun-a-month restriction on handgun purchases; repeal prohibitions on carrying firearms in places of worship, preschools, day care centers or on Capitol Square; and remove localities authority to pass ordinances restricting firearms from government buildings, parks and recreation centers.

The National Rifle Association officials in Virginia have said the local authority bill is their top priority, arguing that it had created a patchwork of local policies that residents could not reasonably follow.

Elections

On elections, Republicans have introduced bills to restore the photo ID requirement for voting; to repeal drop box provisions for collecting absentee ballots; to cut the early voting period from 45 days down to 14 or even 10 days; to repeal same-day registration and to require absentee voters to provide the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.

Youngkin supports restoring the photo ID requirement as part of his election integrity agenda. Democrats did away with the requirement, arguing that it placed an undue hurdle for low-income voters.
The Virginia legislature convened Wednesday to kick off a 60-day session, in which Republicans and Democrats will split majority control of the legislative chambers and struggle to exert their competing visions for the state.

The end of Democrats' unilateral control of the legislature was marked by the election of Republican Todd Gilbert as the next speaker of the chamber, succeeding Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, the first female speaker in the chamber's more than 400-year history.

Gilbert, the second speaker to hail from Shenandoah County, promised from the dais to do the "people's business in the light of day."

"We will address the issues that they told us they were concerned about as we asked them for their votes," said Gilbert, a lawyer who has served in the House since 2006.

Across the way in the Senate, Democrats retained a 21-19 edge. The chamber will soon be presided over by Lt. Gov.-elect Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, who will be sworn in on Saturday as the first female and woman of color to hold the job.

The legislature convened in person as the state continues to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. The omicron variant has fueled a record-setting number of cases and hospitalizations - straining hospital beds and tests.

In the House, masks were hard to spot on the faces of Republican lawmakers even as close to 200 people gathered in the lower chamber and elected officials sat elbow-to-elbow.

In the Senate, where fewer lawmakers serve, Plexiglass booths surrounded each of the senators' desks. Lawmakers from both parties mingled with each other sometimes without masks.

***

Majority leaders from both parties made their priorities clear during news conferences Wednesday.

House GOP leaders described an agenda that would focus on cutting taxes, slashing government regulations, conservative education policies and protecting law enforcement.

House Republicans, who now hold a 52-48 edge in the chamber, threw their support behind a proposal from Youngkin to give Virginians a $300 tax rebate for individuals ($600 for couples), to double the standard deduction and cut the state's 2.5% grocery tax.

The Senate Democratic Caucus during their own news conference said they support tax cuts, but ones that targeted working-class Virginians disparately hurt by the pandemic.

Instead of doubling the standard deduction, Democrats will seek a refundable tax credit.

"Increasing that standard deduction across the board  youre going to wind up giving a lot of tax money away to people who dont need it, said Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax. I dont need a tax cut. But there are a lot of people who do need this additional money."

On education, House Republicans outlined plans to bring more charter schools to Virginia, to ensure race-blind admissions at governor's schools, and to fund school infrastructure and teacher pay raises.

Senate Democrats said they would seek to expand state funding for affordable child care, and measures to cushion the state's teaching workforce. They will propose legislation to make it easier for international and military teachers to get teaching credentials in Virginia. They will also propose more funding for teachers focused on students learning English as a second language.

Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, said she would again introduce a bill to give workers paid family leave.

Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus said on Wednesday that they will fight GOP efforts to, in the words of chair Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, turn back the hands of time in areas such as voting rights, education, criminal justice, minimum wage increases and protections against evictions.

Our number one priority is, remains, has always been our public education system, which now is over 50% students of color, said Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond.

McClellan said the Black Caucus will fight any effort to take from local governments authority over whether to authorize charter schools.

The Black Caucus also said it would also push back on efforts to undo Democrats' "generational reforms" related to criminal justice.

(This is a developing story.)

mleonor@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6254 Twitter: @MelLeonor_ Patrick Wilson, Michael Martz and Andrew Cain contributed to this report.
Chicago Public Schools students  at least those not in COVID-19 quarantine  will head back to class Wednesday after the resolution of another dispute between the district and the Chicago Teachers Union that prompted four canceled school days.

But as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CTU leaders traded insults leading up to, and even after, the announcement of an agreement late Monday, CPS Mount Greenwood Elementary School was already open for business.

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Monday morning, with temperatures in the teens, bundled children arrived at the school holding the hands of parents, grandparents and adults trying not to slip on icy patches on the ground.

Almost every other CPS school was entering its fourth day of canceled classes. And while nearly 160 schools offered some in-person activities Monday, only three provided full instruction, according to CPS CEO Pedro Martinez.

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Mount Greenwood officials had told families last week it would be open Monday because nearly all staffers had been showing up, despite the CTU work action that has transpired. More than 70% of union members endorsed a resolution to refuse in-person teaching without expanded COVID-19 mitigation measures. The action was called off late Monday after the sides reached their reopening agreement.

Aside from teachers apparently willing to go against the union resolution, Mount Greenwood has also benefited from few COVID-19 disruptions. While overall numbers have surged to record levels in CPS and Chicago recently with the spread of the omicron variant, Mount Greenwood reported just six cases last fall, according to CPS data, and since Dec. 4 has never had more than six people in quarantine at one time.

On Monday, Elise Simcox walked up to the school hand in hand with her kindergartner to drop her off. Having grown up in a union household with a mother and sister who are teachers, the drop-off seemed a bit wrong to her while CTU conversations continued. She was curious how many students would show up.

Students arrive Tuesday at Mount Greenwood Elementary School in Chicago, a rare school that opened for classes during the CPS-CTU standoff. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Its mixed feelings for me. I dont want the teachers to feel like I just need a babysitter and Im just dumping my kid off. But theyre also telling us theyre going to resume academics today, she said.

Staff members were out in front of the school receiving and greeting students who were getting hugs from parents, many of whom were pulling to the curb just long enough for their child to disembark and be ushered into the building by teachers.

Other parents were less conflicted about the back and forth of the labor dispute and more centered on the continuity of education for youth. A parent who wished to remain anonymous said shes excited that the kids are learning in-person at Mount Greenwood and they need to remain so.

She said it was stressful following the union conflict and waiting to see if there would be a return to remote learning or if school would be canceled.

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I dont think its great for the kids to not have the consistency, she said. I think this is one place they go to  no matter where youre from  school is a place of consistency for kids, a place for social and emotional learning, where they need to be instead of at home. I understand the teachers concern about health and safety and if youre in school, youre short-staffed. I think (school closures are) one of those things that needs to happen on an as-needed basis and thats something that needs to come from the top of CPS. Principals have been in the spotlight to have to make those calls and it can change overnight, whether theyre closing or not.

Mount Greenwood is located in the Far Southwest Side area that shares its name, is surrounded by suburbs on three sides and is known for the dense number of Chicago workers who live there, including many Chicago firefighters and police officers. Its been noted to be a more politically conservative community than the city as a whole. According to the citys COVID-19 vaccine site, over 72% of the population within the 60655 ZIP code, of which Mount Greenwood is a part of, have completed the vaccine series. The schools state report card shows the schools student population is less diverse than the district overall.

Its that community that a Mount Greenwood Elementary parent and Beverly resident says in-person schooling is helping.

Neka Whites daughter is in pre-kindergarten and says the continuity of in-person learning is for the betterment of the community.

Its a good thing for the kids that need to be learning, she said. I think its really good to continue with their education, but I can also understand that it can frustrate the teachers union, that theyre not in unison.

Attempts to reach Mount Greenwoods school administration were unsuccessful.

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drockett@chicagotribune.com
The case of a Roanoke man declared a career offender on a federal drug charge has prompted two members of the U.S. Supreme Court to call for clarification of sentencing guidelines.

Although the high court denied Thomas Javion Guerrants request to hear his appeal Monday, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a statement that his 10-year sentence is an example of nationwide confusion that can have direct and severe consequences for defendants sentences.

Sotomayor was joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who usually sits on the opposite philosophical side of the nations top judicial panel.

In 2019, Guerrant was convicted of selling a small amount of heroin to an undercover informant who briefly stepped into the back seat of his car while it was parked on a Roanoke street.

At the time, the 29-year-old had a prior record that included convictions of malicious wounding and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Dillon cited those charges in declaring Guerrant a career offender  which requires at least two prior convictions on certain charges  and sentencing him to 10 years in prison.

Had Guerrant not been deemed a career offender, federal sentencing guidelines would have set his maximum punishment at 46 months.

In appealing the case, assistant public defender Randy Cargill challenged the use of the marijuana conviction as one of the predicate offenses for the career offender designation.

Federal sentencing guidelines do not define the term controlled substance, leaving judges to decide if a marijuana offense should be counted toward an enhanced sentence.

Some courts have turned to federal law to make that determination, while others  including the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld Dillons decision  have based the definition on state law.

Mr. Guerrant would not have received this lengthy sentence sentence in the many federal courts that follow the sensible rule that federal law controls in federal court, Cargill said.

Virginia law has a broader definition of marijuana, including seeds and stalks, than what is contained in the federal statute. Cargill argued that when a state criminalizes something in a way that the federal government does not, a conviction in state court should not be used in determining whether someone is classified as a federal career offender.

When Cargill first made that argument to Dillon in 2019, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Bassford called it a fascinating issue.

But the question narrows down to the definition of marijuana, and whether the breadth of that definition matters. And I think that it does not in the context of the career offender law, Bassford said, according to a transcript of the hearing.

With appellate courts across the nation split on the issue, Guerrants petition for appeal urged the Supreme Court to take the case and resolve this deep division.

When the nations highest court denies an appeal, which happens in about 99% of the more than 8,000 requests filed each year, it seldom states a reason in a one-line court order.

The statement from Sotomayor and Barrett did not take issue with the courts denial as much as it did with the failure of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, which is responsible for drafting guidelines to reduce disparity among criminal courts, to fix the problem.

The seven-member commission has not had a quorum for the past three years, Sotomayor wrote. Members of the commission are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate in a process that is often painfully slow.

I hope in the near future the Commission will be able to resume its important function in our criminal justice system, read the statement, which was included in court records noting the courts denial.

It is unusual for Supreme Court justices to make such a statement at this stage of a case, according to Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond.

However, Tobias wrote in an email, it is appropriate for Justices to send a signal to the other two branches of government that their inaction in delaying the nomination and confirmation of a properly functioning commission for 3 years is affecting the federal courts and imposing potentially detrimental effects on the federal criminal justice system.

There is currently just one Senate-confirmed member of the commission.

However, acting chair Judge Charles Breyer is joined by two non-voting members, a designee of the U.S. attorney general and the head of the U.S. Parole Commission.

Some nominations were made by the administration of former president Donald Trump, but were not taken up by the Senate. Current President Joe Biden has yet to make any nominations.

The sentencing commission provided the following comment Tuesday from Breyer:

I share in the sentiment expressed yesterday by Justices Sotomayor and Barrett. As I have said many times, it is critical that the White House nominate and the Senate confirm enough new commissioners to allow it to resume its important statutory of updating the guidelines to address new policies, circuit conflicts and changes in law.

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" " An artist's impression of what Earth's Black Box will look like when it is built in Tasmania, Australia. Earth's Black Box

In autumn 2021, as leaders from across the globe converged on Glasgow to talk about the impact of human-caused climate change, a coalition of artists, architects and researchers in Australia devised a way to document the apocalypse. How? By storing data in a massive metal monolith in Tasmania, an island off the coast of Australia.

Known as Earth's Black Box, the project, equal parts art installation and time capsule, aims to document the physical changes wrought by global warming  and humanity's geopolitical response to them.

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The installation's name is a nod to a common aviation practice. Commercial airplanes and many private aircraft are equipped with a "black box" (otherwise known as a flight recorder), a mechanism that automatically logs important flight details like altitude, airspeed, time elapsed and equipment functionality. These boxes, which are usually bright orange rather than black, are designed to withstand extreme temperatures as well as immense amounts of force and pressure. They are sometimes the only objects that survive a plane crash intact, allowing investigators to reconstruct a timeline of what went wrong in the aftermath.

Earth's Black Box draws inspiration from these mechanisms. The vault will be made from specially designed, 3-inch (76-millimeter)-thick reinforced steel, chosen for its resilience to fire and water damage as well as its general toughness.

Along with the University of Tasmania and an artists' collective called the Glue Society, Clemenger BBDO, an Australian communications firm, plans to build the 33-foot (10-meter)-long vault in a remote part of western Tasmania. They chose the location for its relative geological and geopolitical stability.

"We believe it should withstand any foreseeable natural events," says Jim Curtis, executive creative director at Clemenger BBDO, via email.

Unlike an airplane's flight recorder, however, Earth's Black Box is not meant to withstand total planetary destruction  if Earth were to (somehow) explode, for instance, it probably wouldn't survive. Instead, the artists and data scientists behind the project think of it as a way to log the progression of Earth's current ecological collapse, which is already profoundly changing the environment.

"At its core, the box is intended to be a symbol of the catastrophic situation we find ourselves in," says Curtis. "And importantly, it's intended to hold our leaders to account by being an unmissable structure that reminds them that their actions  or inaction  will be recorded for generations to come."

The box will record two types of data: primary and contextual. The primary data will consist of the planet's vital signs, ranging from daily temperatures to atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration to sea level. The contextual data, which Curtis says will be drawn from sources like government documents, social media and pieces of journalism, is intended to show world leaders' responses (or lack thereof) to the climate crisis.

Does Earth Need a Black Box?

Many scientists believe that humanity is at a climate crossroads. Our current 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 Celsius) of global warming has already intensified storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes, led to massive regional droughts, and swamped some coastal cities with flooding, according to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s Sixth Assessment Report, released in summer 2021. Continued warming, especially exceeding 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius), will be catastrophic for billions of people globally, the report concluded. These data represent a "code red for humanity," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

Curtis explains what prompted the project: "We are at a crucial juncture when it comes to fighting climate change, and it felt like there was a continued lack of accountability. A lot of talk, no action. And we thought, 'What would happen if we recorded every commitment and step (or lack thereof) that was made? Would that help hold people to account?'"

However, given the pace of climate change, the worst of those effects probably won't come for a few decades or centuries, according to most models. In the long term, Earth's Black Box is about recording catastrophic climate change for future archaeologists. But its more immediate purpose as a work of art is to remind people in power that their actions are being recorded.

The project is reminiscent of other "doomsday" storage sites, such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which contains samples from more than 930,000 different varieties of agricultural crops, and the Frozen Ark, a U.K. initiative to freeze DNA from all of the world's endangered animal species. Both these initiatives are designed to preserve global biodiversity in the face of mass extinction. However, climate change is beginning to threaten even these fail-safes, as the arctic permafrost they are encased in becomes less and less reliable. In contrast, Earth's Black Box will not rely on cold temperatures to remain viable  it is less an ark and more a time capsule.

For now, the box's creators still have a few bugs to work out before the project is complete. They are still deciding how to encode the data inside the box  they may end up storing it in several different formats, including binary code, The New York Times reported. Data will be stored on a giant solar-powered hard drive with enough space to collect information for 50 years.

Instructions for retrieving the data could be etched into the outside of the box, though the possibility of vandalism has made some involved in the project hesitant to include them right away. "It's in Beta," Michael Ritchie, one of the Black Box's managing consultants, told the New York Times in December 2021.

Still, Curtis and his associates hope that the project will be up and running by mid-2022. They have already begun gathering data, as a burnt orange "Live Recording" scroll reminds you on the project's webpage. "Only one thing is certain," the site reads, "your actions, inactions, and interactions are now being recorded.

"How the story ends is completely up to us."

Now That's Interesting The first airplane black box was devised by Australian chemist David Warren in 1953 after a series of de Havilland Comet commercial jet crashes. He was reportedly told by his supervisor to drop the idea; thankfully, he did not.
" " This grasping robot, developed by Stanford University engineers based on studies of birds, can land on and grasp a tree branch. Lentink Lab

When it comes to doing aerobatic maneuvers, aerial drones seem to be rapidly catching up to birds. But flying robots also are becoming adept at another avian feat of agility that's nearly as amazing  the ability to land and perch on just about any object or surface, ranging from tree branches to telephone wires, without falling off.

Stanford University researchers, for example, have developed a device called a stereotyped nature-inspired aerial grasper, or SNAG, which can be attached to a quadcopter drone to give it feet and legs resembling those of a peregrine falcon. When equipped with the device, the drone is able to fly around catching and carrying objects and perching on various surfaces, according to a Stanford news release dated Dec. 1, 2021, describing the work.

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But duplicating the agility of birds wasn't easy to do. The researchers shot video of small parrots flying back and forth between special perches that contained sensors to measure the physical forces of landing, perching and takeoff.

"What surprised us was that they did the same aerial maneuvers, no matter what surfaces they were landing on," one of the researchers, William Roderick, explained in the news release. Roderick is a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and the author, with engineering professors Mark Cutkowsky and David Lentink, of an article on the project, published Dec. 1, 2021, in the journal Science Robotics. "They let the feet handle the variability and complexity of the surface texture itself," he said.

Giving a drone similar abilities required technological ingenuity. SNAG has a 3D-printed structure that emulates a falcon's lightweight bones, and each of its legs is equipped with a motor for moving back and forth and a second one for grasping.

Mechanisms in the robot's legs are designed to absorb impact energy and passively convert it into grasping force, the way that a bird's tendons would. As a result, a drone equipped with the device can clutch something strongly in just 20 milliseconds. Once the robot's feet are wrapped around a perch, its ankles lock and an accelerometer  a device that measures vibration  detects the landing and triggers a balancing algorithm to stabilize it on the perch.

Elsewhere, researchers at other institutions also have been working for years on giving drones the ability to land and hang onto something. As this 2019 Smithsonian article explains, being able to land in various places helps drones to conserve energy that they would expend by having to remain airborne. That's important, because the flight time of robotic aircrafts is limited by their battery power.

Now That's Interesting In 2019, researchers at Northeastern University in Boston unveiled a technology that allows a flying drone to hang upside down like a bat, according to a university news release.
TIMMONSVILLE, S.C.  Teachers at Timmonsville High School and Johnson Middle School were told in a faculty meeting Tuesday afternoon that both schools would close June 30.

South Carolina Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman told the Morning News that when Florence Four consolidates with Florence One Schools, the middle and high school students in the district can choose to attend any of the three Florence One high schools, South Florence, West Florence and Wilson, or any of the four district middle schools, John W. Moore, Sneed, Southside and Williams.

"Both the middle school and the high school will be closed," Spearman said. "And the students will be able to select which school they would like to attend."

She said she also asked Florence One to give priority in hiring to the teachers at Timmonsville High School and Johnson Middle School.

Spearman said she couldn't guarantee all of the teachers at the schools jobs but added that there is a teacher shortage and she would work with surrounding districts for opportunities for the teachers who don't get a Florence One position.

Brockington Elementary School will remain open for the residents of Timmonsville and the surrounding area but will also become a magnet school for arts, Spearman said.

Any student in Florence One can choose to attend the new arts magnet program, she said.

Spearman said she is working with the county's legislative delegation to set the boundaries of the combined district to ensure that the people of Timmonsville and surrounding areas are represented on the Florence One board.

Spearman added she sent a letter to and met with Florence One Schools Board Chairman Porter Stewart II and Richard O'Malley, Florence One superintendent, to ask the board to take the steps to absorb the Florence Four district and its business at the end of the fiscal year.

In the letter, she asks the Florence One Board of Trustees to allow O'Malley to become the designated superintendent for Florence Four until the consolidation occurs.

If approved, O'Malley will report to Spearman in the role and regarding the consolidation.

Spearman said negotiations were underway to determine his compensation for the role. She added the compensation would probably be similar to the compensation of Dan Strickland who served in a similar capacity in 2019.

She added she has asked Florence One to immediately begin welcoming the students of Florence Four with meetings for them and their families so that the students can begin to select their next school.

Spearman and the South Carolina Department of Education have been managing Florence Four since a state of emergency was declared in 2018.

She said the district was out of compliance with federal law regarding special education, recordkeeping was lax regarding the programs and the district's audits had shown several deficiencies.

Spearman said those items had been corrected under state management but the district's declining enrollment makes its future as a district unsustainable without consolidation.

The consolidation has resulted in pushback from the Florence Four community and the district's powerless board of trustees.

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 New paper explores "Reimagining Judging" in the US "after a decades long love affair with prison" | Main | "The Original Criminal Jury" 

The title of this post is the title of this new paper authored by Chun Hin Jeffrey Tsoi now available via SSRN. Here is its abstract:

The First Step Act's (FSA) compassionate release reform was a modest but necessary step; the pandemic and the threat it posed to the incarcerated population ought to prompt reflections on what the next steps should be. This Essay is intended to serve as both a brief historical review of state influence on federal compassionate release, and as a reflection on the unfinished compassionate release reform in terms of DOJs execution.

Part I briefly surveys the trajectory of 18 U.S.C.  3582(c) from the Sentencing Reform Act (SRA) to the Prisoner-initiated & Court-ordered (PICO) compassionate release provision in the FSA, and its application in the pandemic. Part II supplements the compassionate release literature by exploring the history of PICO compassionate release in state law as a backdrop of the long-awaited federal reform allowing prisoners to petition for their own release, and it proposes that state practices, especially that of New Jersey, might have influenced the introduction and passage of FSA in part through the Model Penal Code. Part III suggests that the arc of compassionate release reform in federal law is nevertheless unfinished, with the Department of Justices (DOJ) objection practices being part of the necessary change. Using data and cases from the District of Columbia, whose PICO compassionate release statute is modeled after federal law and clearly intended as a response to the pandemic, this Essay proposes that the DOJ's perspective and practices must change to adapt to the essential purpose of compassionate release: addressing mass incarceration in America with compassion.
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January 12, 2022

"No Justice, No Pleas: Subverting Mass Incarceration Through Defendant Collective Action"

The title of this post is the title of this notable new essay authored by Andrew Manuel Crespo now available via SSRN. Here is its abstract:

The American penal system is a system of massive, oppressive, racially unjust incarceration. It is also, to quote the Supreme Court, a system of pleas. The latter drives the former, as coercive plea bargaining makes it possible for the state to do two things that are otherwise hard to pull off at once: increase convictions and sentence lengths. Mass incarceration is a predictable result. But while plea bargaining is intensely coercive when leveraged against individuals, the system of pleas has a structural weak point. That Achilles heel is exposed once we see people facing prosecution not as isolated individuals but rather as a potentially collective community of power. Organized to act together, this community has unique resources. Most notably, they have the power to say not guilty when asked how do you plead? If done together, this simple but profound act of resistance would grind the penal system to a halt. Courts and prosecutors simply do not have the resources to sustain mass incarceration while affording everyone accused of a crime the constitutionally guaranteed right to a trial. This fact is what makes plea bargaining so essential to mass incarceration in the first place. Plea bargaining unions, with their implicit power to threaten plea bargaining strikes, thus hold a potentially radical transformative power  a decarceral power, a democratic power  that arises from the penal systems massive overextension. Susan Burton, a formerly incarcerated organizer, floated this idea in the pages of the New York Times with Michelle Alexander one decade ago. In the years since, it has never received focused academic attention and has seen only sporadic and isolated attempts at implementation. This essay is the first installment of a broader project that aims to conceptualize, strategize, and test the limits of Burtons idea. The immediate goals here are to chart some of the contours of Burtons core insight  examining both its promise and its hurdles  while marking some key questions for future exploration.

January 12, 2022 at 02:45 PM | Permalink

Comments

"...once we see people facing prosecution not as isolated individuals but rather as a potentially collective community of power...."

Yup, that's it! A consortium of those who have sex with five year-old's, sell smack to high schoolers, rob the immigrant trying to make his way by being the night cashier at the 7-11, fleece grandma out of her life savings, smuggle aliens across the desert in a waterless truk, do three blocks' worth of smash-and-grab, etc., etc., are a "community of power."

You gotta love people who write stuff like this, you really do. Boy do I wish they'd shown up at my door when I was an AUSA.

P.S. If anyone is interested in a more serious but still pointed discussion of plea bargaining, I had one with the VP of Cato for criminal law, the very experienced Clark Neily. https://fedsoc.org/events/feddie-night-fights-plea-bargain-punch-out

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 12, 2022 3:13:41 PM

Hi Bill -

I just think that the article is trying to make the point that the system is built upon plea bargains and that if more than 5% or so of defendants were to insist upon a jury trial, the system would break down. I do think, however, that we should try to view defendants as people who can be redirected onto a more positive life path and that the more people we can redirect without using prison/probation/felony records the better - thus we should try to view more and more defendants as capable of change and use the least restrictive means to address criminal behavior.

Brett Miler

Posted by: Brett Miler | Jan 12, 2022 5:31:04 PM

This article presents a great thought experiment but ignores the fact that the participants are facing an enormous prisoner's dilemma. Eventually someone is going to crack, as soon as that one does it becomes that much harder for the rest to retain their solidarity.

Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Jan 12, 2022 5:47:58 PM

Sounds like a recycling of "One Just Man" authored by James Mills in 1974

Posted by: ? | Jan 12, 2022 7:02:10 PM

Soronel --

What you say is correct and points to an even more disturbing flaw at the base of the article: It views individual defendants as ciphers in an attack on the system -- in other words, as political soldiers defined by a cause rather than as individuals. Talk about politcizing justice!

And there's this too: The answer here is to simply tell the truth. If you're guilty, say so and accept the consequences of your intentional behavior. If you're not, say that and tell the government that it will have to convince a unanimous jury of 12 strangers, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you committed every element of the offense.

Of course, the advice to "simply tell the truth" is anathema to a big chunk of the Left, which sees EVERYTHING as a Really Big Political Struggle of some kind, and to a smaller but allied portion that thinks the whole thing is a game with strategy and moves and head fakes, and that simply telling the truth is just a sop for suckers.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 12, 2022 8:17:36 PM

Brett Miller --

"I do think, however, that we should try to view defendants as people who can be redirected onto a more positive life path..."

It's a mistake to view "defendants" as a class. Some can be redirected in a better direction and some can't or won't agree to it. It depends mostly on the individual, not the "system." Recidivism statistics suggest that rehab fails more often than it works. But this is not surprising; by the time someone gets charged with a crime for which any significant period of incarceration is a realistic possibility, he or she has typically gone past the time when they're going fundamentally to change. It happens every now and again, but for the most part it doesn't.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 13, 2022 1:34:18 AM

I totally agree that defendants shouldn't be viewed as a class. Some are guilty, some are not. And there's no way to tell which is which without a fair trial, which the vast majority of defendants of both classes cannot afford. As such, plea bargains are an abomination, as they are not a method for determining truth, but take guilt as the axiom on which the whole system is built.

It would be no more unfair for me to assume that, just because he's a prosecutor, Bill Otis is automatically guilty of suborning perjury, hiding exculpatory evidence, and threatening would-be defense witnesses with perjury charges. How about we hold Mr. Otis in a covid-infested jail with a bail he can't afford, but promise to immediately release him with time served if he confesses to the above? I wonder if he thinks that would be fair.

Disclaimer: I was coerced into a felony plea bargain 44 years ago, for a charge I was completely innocent of. My record is otherwise perfectly clean before and since. I was later able to prove my innocence. The Virginia courts did not dispute my proof, but said it was irrelevant due to being untimely, so my conviction stands.

Posted by: Keith Lynch | Jan 13, 2022 8:12:20 AM

Soronel, not only does the article NOT ignore the prisoner's dilemma, it actually includes an entire section entitled "Prisoners' Dilemmas" (pages 17-22).

Perhaps we can all take the time to actually read these articles (or at least their tables of contents) before commenting on them?

Posted by: Curious | Jan 13, 2022 9:38:16 AM

Isnt this the prisoners dilemma?

Posted by: Federalist | Jan 13, 2022 1:27:04 PM

Keith Lynch --

"Some are guilty, some are not. And there's no way to tell which is which without a fair trial, which the vast majority of defendants of both classes cannot afford."

Two points on that one. First, in my experience, public defenders are, on average, at least as good as privately retained attorneys. They know the judges and have a heart-felt commitment to their clients. Second, there most certainly is a way to determine guilt without a trial, that being the defendant's own words, backed up by the sort of corroboration typically provided in the statement of facts that accompanies the plea.



"As such, plea bargains are an abomination, as they are not a method for determining truth, but take guilt as the axiom on which the whole system is built."

The Supreme Court begs to differ, and has for at least 50 years. See Brady v. United States and Santobello v. New York. The great majority of criminal cases are settled for the same reason the great majority of civil cases are settled: Each party gets something it values, and both are saved the expense and uncertainty of trial.

"It would be no more unfair for me to assume that, just because he's a prosecutor, Bill Otis is automatically guilty of suborning perjury, hiding exculpatory evidence, and threatening would-be defense witnesses with perjury charges."

Yup. But if I said under oath in open court, after weeks or months to think about it, and with the assistance of counsel, and knowing the range of possible consequences, that I suborned perjury, etc., then you would be overwhelmingly justified in concluding that that's what I did.

"How about we hold Mr. Otis in a covid-infested jail with a bail he can't afford, but promise to immediately release him with time served if he confesses to the above? I wonder if he thinks that would be fair."

I think I would tell the truth, as I did in court for 25 years without exception. I didn't do that because that's what the rules require. I did it because that's what my parents taught me long before I ever heard of court. And they taught me that it's most essential to tell the truth, not when it's easy and inconsequential, but when it's hard and costly.

What did your parents tell you?

As to your claim that you falsely told a court that you were guilty of a crime, that's not something I would be proud of. You also provide no specifics and no citations to the Virginia court decisions you claim vindicated your innocence. I was wondering if you could provide these things now. For example, why were you arrested? What was the charged offense that went to court? Could you provide a copy or link to the indictment? What was the colloquy between you and the judge when you entered your plea? What did he ask and what did you answer? What did the government say was the supporting evidence? Could we see a transcript? (Self-serving post facto declarations of innocence just don't move the ball). Did your attorney agree to this fraud on the court? What was his name? Did the police, the prosecutor, your attorney and the judge all effectively collude to convict a man they knew or had good reason to know was innocent? Can you understand why that allegation of an immoral conspiracy is hard to believe?





Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 13, 2022 3:12:31 PM

As usual with these scholarly papers, they have to claim that there is some kind of racial element to mass incarceration, when it is instead the vastly large number of black violent criminals in American society.

However the idea of the paper is revolutionary and should be considered. However the writer's idea that there should be a "collective" or something is nonsense. Those charged with crimes in Fresno are not going to collectively bond in pleading not guilty with those in Sarasota.

A more practical solution would be to pass blanket laws prohibiting plea bargaining of any kind or more likely, pass laws that make jury trials mandatory in all cases.

This would successfully outlaw plea bargaining. This measure should be implemented, like yesterday.

Posted by: restless94110 | Jan 13, 2022 3:13:57 PM

restless --

"A more practical solution would be to pass blanket laws prohibiting plea bargaining of any kind or more likely, pass laws that make jury trials mandatory in all cases...This would successfully outlaw plea bargaining. This measure should be implemented, like yesterday."

If plea bargaining were outlawed, the defense bar's screeching would be audible on Pluto.

This is what the pro-criminal crowd is missing (or hiding): The defense bar LIVES OFF plea bargaining. And why shouldn't it? Bargaining churns the cases much more quickly and therefore brings in the dough, and it gets the client off with a fraction, often a small fraction, of what he'd be facing if he went to trial.

The idea that it's all on the prosecutor's side is just a fantasy, as those of you who actually do litigation full well know.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 13, 2022 3:28:12 PM

Bill,

You'll note, however, that even when there has in fact been a trial that restless still rejects the result (regardless of whether that result is acquittal or conviction). Don't feed the troll.

Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Jan 13, 2022 5:20:59 PM

Mr. Otis, I'll answer your questions about my case, but I don't think this is the appropriate venue. Please send me your email address. Thanks. Anyone else who wants to see my reply to him, send me your email address too. Send to my current disposable email address, kfl21f@KeithLynch.net. Thanks.

Posted by: Keith Lynch | Jan 13, 2022 5:49:18 PM

Crespo misses the public's medium and long term response to such an action. Everyone who is convicted of anything significant will start getting a de facto life sentence with guaranteed parole after the sentence length the public feels they "should" serve. Everyone gets one trial, then the system doesn't have to worry about those pesky trial rights because you can just revoke parole. Could you blame the public for supporting such a system if the alternative were letting 95 percent of crimes that currently get prosecuted escape sanction?

Posted by: Jason | Jan 13, 2022 10:12:01 PM

Keith Lynch --

I respectfully decline to send you my email, for three reasons.

First, I don't give it out to people I don't know, and I don't know you. The "body language" of your comments tells me that you're probably acting in good faith, but not with the degree of confidence I need.

Second, I have given out much more information about myself than any other commenter, almost completely without reciprocity. I'm not going yet further down the disclosure path until that changes. Half the people here won't even identify themselves.

Third and most important, this is a public thread, not a private exchange. You used your own experience to highlight what you view as the defects in plea bargaining. There's nothing wrong with that, but, because this is a PUBLIC discussion rather than a one-on-one conversation limited to you and me, the important (if not critical) details of the bargain you in your own case are ones I would need to explore in a continuation HERE of this debate -- a continuation all should be able to see. Thus, I could not, consistently with the whole purpose of a public discussion board, maintain the confidence it seems you seek.

To put it another way, it's not really possible to put forward a specific example of one plea bargaining experience without, in that same medium, setting out the full range of critical information about it, i.e., what was the charge, what was your lawyer's role, what questions got asked and answered at the plea-taking hearing, what the judge (and later the appellate judges) said in their own words, etc.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 13, 2022 11:29:38 PM

Plea vs. go to trial is not quite the prisoner's dilemma. In the prisoner's dilemma, both individuals benefit if neither cooperate.

In the plea bargaining context, that's not the case. It is more a reverse tragedy of the commons. The "commons" -- the court system -- would suffer if everyone fully used it (but the users would benefit if the commons collapsed). So the system contains incentives to the individual person to not use it.

My county for example has the ability to try around 250 cases per year (at least pre-covid). We typically try 50-80. If defendants as a group adopted a no plea policy, we would have to triage cases. But the top 250 cases would get tried. So if you are a person facing a murder case or a child sex assault (the cases that we have been trying during the more restricted covid era), you will get your trial. Thus, assuming a "good" plea offer that gives you a discount from what you would get if you are found guilty, a guilty defendant would lose by rejecting the plea regardless of whether other defendants also insist on a trial. So these defendants have no incentive to balk at taking a good offer. And the process flows from there -- if 240 of the 250 defendants facing the most serious charges plead, we then have 200 trial slots available for the next batch of offenders and so forth until our full caseload has been resolved with only 50 trials.

To shut down the system, enough of the people at the top of the priority list have to be willing to accept the consequences -- a longer sentence -- to benefit strangers who are only facing a minimal sentence or probation. Most people are not that altruistic, and criminal offenders as a group are not noted for being exceptionally concerned about the wellbeing of others.

Posted by: tmm | Jan 14, 2022 10:57:16 AM

tmm,

The prisoner's dilemma being faced is that if all defendants insisted upon going to trial (and stuck to it) the prosecutor's office would have to entirely drop charges against the vast majority. But knowing that others are unlikely to stick to the pact it is in each defendant's own interest to be the first to defect.

Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Jan 14, 2022 12:47:34 PM

Comments like those are why Otis was rejected for the USSC

Posted by: whatever | Jan 14, 2022 4:07:30 PM

whatever --

Although it's hard to critique your nuanced analysis of the supposedly excess use of plea bargaining (the subject of this thread -- remember?), you might want to be a bit more refined there in Step 3.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 14, 2022 11:05:41 PM

Sornonel, except in the classic prisoner's dilemma, everyone benefits to a degree if no one defect (depending upon how it is phrased) and is harmed more if somebody else defects but they do not. In the reject all pleas movement, there is a group of defendants that will lose if nobody defects and are not impacted by what other people do.

Let's call the top priority cases as Group A. Their option is plead and average say 15 years in prison or go to trial and fact 25 years. They have no incentive to go to trial. Going to trial is not a gamble on other people choosing not to defect, it is sacrificing yourself to beneft somebody elses.

In the prisoner's dilemma, people in group A are facing the option of if both defect, each gets 15 years, if one defects that person gets 5 years and the other gets 35 years, if neither defects, both (depending on if you want a sole defector to be better off than if nobody defects) go free or get 10 years. In short, there is some potential gain from not defecting. So maybe the person is willing to gamble that the other person will see it the same way and opt not to defect. It is about whether to gamble on what somebody else will do, not about sacrificing yourself to that somebody else will get the benefit.

Posted by: tmm | Jan 16, 2022 10:55:21 AM

tmm and Soronel --

I think we need to take a step back from the academic world and its theories and models, and look at why plea bargains are as prevalent as they are in the real world (which is to say, in close to all the cases).

The reason is easy to see: They're this prevalent because ALL the actors in the system benefit. The defense bar can take a lot more cases (and thus make more money) while getting substantial benefits for the client they would be unlikely to get at trial. The prosecution gets more convictions of criminals at lower cost per case, and avoids the uncertainties and risks of a contested action. The judges get an easier and less onerous work load, what with the attorneys essentially doing the nitty-gritty for them. And the defendants get to walk away from many (often most) of the original charges, and/or get reduced charges, plus credit for acceptance of responsibility at sentencing.

Where all the actors benefit from Practice X, Practice X will continue. This is real easy.

I personally would prefer less plea bargaining, because (1) it makes people lazy, and (2) the Constitution, after all, designates trials not bargains as the method for resolving criminal cases. But I don't make the world.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 16, 2022 2:53:40 PM

Bill Otis,

And I would prefer that nearly all felons and a good number of misdemeanants be executed. We don't always get what we want.

Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Jan 16, 2022 5:04:01 PM

Mr. Otis: Okay, I'll respond to your questions about my case here,

having gotten permission from our gracious host. I apologize for the

excessive length and the poor organization, but I wanted to post this

quickly, before you stop checking this comment thread for replies.

(All others are of course also welcome to read and respond to this.)

Before getting into my case, I'll respond to your implicit claim that

a confession given under duress should be treated as gospel. Everyone

agrees that a mugger who says, "give me your wallet or I'll shoot you"

is guilty of a serious crime. Would you claim that if the mugger

instead says, "give me your wallet and say, 'I'm giving you this

wallet of my own free will because the wallet is rightfully yours, and

I'm not being coerced' or I'll shoot you" he is completely innocent of

any crime?

You suggest that innocent people should trust the system and go to

trial. Any American who follows the news knows that any such trust is

profoundly misplaced. And even if he doesn't follow the news, he'll

be advised by his lawyer that if he goes to trial he will probably

lose. Seldom does a week go by without yet another headline about

someone exonerated after 20, 30, even 40 years in prison. Usually

if they had pleaded guilty they would have been out in five years or

less. And it's obvious to anyone who has read in detail about many

such cases that the causes of the wrongful convictions are very

common, and the causes of the exonerations are freakishly unlikely,

implying that the overwhelming majority of innocent convicts are

never exonerated.

When an innocent defendant believes that if he goes to trial he'll

almost certainly be convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison term,

or that if he refuses to plead guilty his loved ones will also be

prosecuted, or that trials are postponed indefinitely due to covid and

he'll remain in a covid-infested jail until then, that's coercion, and

many people will plead guilty, just as happened in Stalin's infamous

show trials, and during the Salem witch hunts. Nobody in Salem who

confessed to being a witch was executed.

Should Kalief Browder have pleaded guilty? He was held in Rikers

Island without a trial for three years, for allegedly stealing a

backpack. He was offered "time served" if he were to plead guilty,

but he refused and demanded a trial. Eventually the charges were

simply dropped. He was badly abused in that jail, and committed

suicide soon after his release.

It may be true that "public defenders are, on average, at least as

good as privately retained attorneys." But most privately retained

attorneys aren't very good, especially not if they're not assisted

by expensive investigators, witnesses, and forensic scientists.

Defendants who win serious cases typically spend far more money

on a defense than most American can afford.

You imply that a guilty plea is the same as a confession under oath.

That's obviously false, since otherwise there would be no such

thing as an Alford plea, in which a defendant pleads guilty while

maintaining his innocence.

You may be perfectly truthful, but people are known for the company

they keep. Prosecutors work with police. Not all cops are killers,

but they're all liars. It's a job requirement. They claim they only

lie to suspects, but countless videos, including ones from their own

body cameras, have proven that they also routinely lie to judges and

juries. Honest people don't lie to anyone.

For years after my case, I thought that what happened to me was an

aberration, a nest of bad cops and a corrupt prosecutor, and that they

would soon be arrested and convicted, and I would be exonerated. Only

gradually did I learn, from books, blogs such as Radley Balko's, and

personal communications from others to whom similar things happened,

that this was simply the way the system worked all over the US, and

that my school, the newspapers, and Joe Friday had lied to me. The

system total lacks both the religious/humanist virtue of humility and

the scientific virtue of falsifiability. For these they substitute

the bogus virtues of "finality" and "closure."

Cops and prosecutors are rewarded for convictions regardless of

circumstances. It's as if the system had been designed to lock up as

many Americans as possible for as long as possible, using techniques

such as coerced plea bargains, prisoners' dilemma, reverse prisoners'

dilemma, suborned perjury, rigged lineups, and bogus forensic science.

About my case:

I was raised in a conservative household. We honored and trusted

authorities, including the police. I watched TV shows such as

Dragnet, and movies such as The FBI Story, and believed it was

non-fiction, and that cops were good guys who valued truth and

justice. I got an A in high school civics and in nearly all other

classes except gym. I never got into trouble at school or elsewhere.

At age 20 in 1977 I moved from my parents' house to an apartment in

Arlington County, Virginia. After a few months with little income,

I got a roommate, William Kelly Shields, to share the rent, after

meeting with his parents. He was 17, and was the son of an Air Force

general.

Just eleven days after he moved in with the help of his parents, we

were both arrested for a string of burglaries, all in the same nearby

office building. They began after he moved in. I was unaware of

them. He had a computer terminal which he said he had gotten from his

father, and I had no reason to suspect that he was lying and that it

was stolen. I later learned that other stolen office equipment was

hidden in his part of the apartment, and that some was at the home of

a friend of his, whose name I don't remember.

The terminal needed a phone line. Presumably the cops told the phone

company to watch for the terminal during phone line installations.

It was the phone installer, called by Shields, who reported its

presence in our apartment to the police.

I was interrogated at length. They read me my Miranda warnings,

but I wrongly believed they were working in good faith, and that by

cooperating I could quickly clear myself and assist them in going

after the real culprit. They kept falsely insisting they had

overwhelming evidence against me, including fingerprints at the crime

scene, eyewitnesses, video, and forensic evidence such as prints

of the shoes I was then wearing. They acted insulted when I kept

insisting I was innocent and hadn't been there, and as I kept coming

up with increasingly implausible explanations for the evidence

(e.g. that my roommate must have borrowed my shoes).

They then insisted -- after spending hours keeping me off balance --

that I know I'm lying about "not remembering," even though I never

mentioned memory. They said nobody is going to fall for a claim that

I blanked it out, or for an insanity plea. Before I could regain

my bearing, one cop quietly says something like, "Wait a minute, I

noticed this subtle sign in him, I think he might actually be telling

the truth about not remembering." That cop then argues with the

others. Finally they provisionally come to agree with him, and argue

to me that they're here to get me help, but only if I agree to fully

cooperate with them, by trying really hard to remember, and by coming

up with a hypothetical scenario of the burglary.

I didn't confess. Instead I had a total breakdown. They had me

half believing that I was criminally insane.

That night, or at least as soon as the next time I was able to sleep,

I dreamed of committing the burglary. Was it a dream, or a repressed

memory? I had many similar dreams during my imprisonment.

I was held in jail. Neither my parents not I could afford the $5000

bail.

I was appointed a lawyer. I don't think Virginia had official public

defenders at the time. I will not post his real name on this public

forum, as I have some negative things to say about him, he's still

in practice, and I don't want to get sued. (Yes, I know truth is a

defense, but presumably the state would rely on its version of the

truth, not on the actual truth.) So I'll call him Lionel Hutz. (If

you really want to know his name, you can probably get it from my

criminal record. Or you could just email me your email address.)

I noticed that the search warrant said apartment 683 (which didn't

exist), but I was in apartment 638. I mentioned this to Hutz, and

asked if that meant the results of the search could be thrown out.

Hutz replied that I "watch too much television." This isn't evidence

of innocence, of course, but it is evidence of ineffective counsel.

Also, he didn't investigate at all and didn't call any character

witnesses despite a dozen volunteers.

I was soft touch for Hutz's insisting that I was "technically guilty"

(of what?) but that the judge knew I hadn't done anything seriously

wrong, and would almost certainly sentence me to probation or time

served if I were to plead guilty. The plea bargain was how to "put it

behind me" and "take responsibility." He had an air about him that

this was no big deal, but was the sort of thing that happens to almost

everyone eventually.

He also told me that the prosecutor was willing to drop all charges

if I were to truthfully testify that my cellmate, Michael G. Simoneau,

had confessed to murder. I tried to get him to confess, but didn't

succeed, so of course I didn't testify. (Simoneau was later convicted,

I don't know on what evidence, nor do I know if he was guilty.)

Also, if I was unwilling to follow Hutz's advice, he would withdraw

from my case and I'd be on my own. I either didn't know that it was a

felony, or didn't know what felony meant. Nobody told me that I would

permanently lose any rights. Nobody told me what crime I was pleading

guilty to or what the elements of that crime were.

Since I've always been a perfectionist, I *felt* guilty, simply

because a stolen terminal was in my apartment, and my roommate hadn't

yet been listed on the lease agreement. Also, I knew he was 17 (3

years younger than me), hence perhaps I was supposed to supervise him

rather than treating him as a fellow adult. Also, I could have easily

checked with his father as to whether he (the father) was really the

source of the terminal. It wasn't until years later that I realized

how crazy and antisocial it would be to assume anything of value a

roommate had is probably stolen unless he can prove otherwise.

Hutz also told me that I'd be tried separately on each of the several

charges, and would spend months in jail between each trial, and that

if I were convicted of even one of them, I would be sentenced to up to

20 years in prison on each charge.

I don't remember what I said to the judge, except that it was exactly

what Hutz told me to say. If I recall correctly, the judge didn't ask

me to confess to anything, but just made sure I knew that by pleading

guilty I would lose my right to a trial or to appeal the conviction or

sentence. And he asked me if I had discussed this with my attorney.

If I recall correctly, Hutz "waived reading." He had a large stack of

papers and asked me to sign them in several places. This was in front

of the scowling and impatient judge, whom I didn't want to annoy. The

courtroom was full of people, and I knew they weren't there for my

case, but for other cases. In retrospect I should have insisted on

returning to the jail with the papers so I could read them, but I

trusted Hutz, and believed him when he had said or strongly implied

that I would be sentenced as soon as I pleaded guilty, and that I

would then be free to go home. So I signed all the papers in the

indicated places without reading any of them. I didn't get to keep

a copy, so I have no idea what they said. For all I know, I signed

a confession to assassinating President Kennedy, or a will leaving

everything to Hutz, or both.

I was guilty of what Ayn Rand called the greatest sin of all -- mental

abdication. I was completely lost, so I totally relied on Hutz. I

do recall that when I finally learned what I had pleaded guilty to --

two counts of burglary -- I was very surprised. I had thought it was

something like unknowing possession of stolen property or failure to

supervise my juvenile roommate.

All other charges were dropped in the plea bargain. They almost all

involved burglaries in various offices in the same office building,

1901 North Moore Street in Arlington. Also possession of burglary

tools; I have no idea what tools that referred to. I had standard

tools and tools specific to electronics, but never had any lock picks.

I had also been charged with possession of a device to tap phones. I

never had any such thing. I did have lots of radio gear, as I had a

ham radio license (N4TP), and as part of that hobby I had things such

as alligator clips, which I suppose could be used to tap phones.

Whatever I said to the judge, he wasn't impressed. He said he was

"baffled" by my case. (So was I.) He sentenced me to six years,

saying I appeared to be angry and not at all remorseful. I was

sent to a prison farm, Bland Correctional Center in Bland County.

Fortunately, this was before Virginia abolished parole. I was

eligible for parole in 18 months. I had heard that nobody gets parole

unless they admit their guilt at their parole hearing. I thought long

and hard about that, and decided that I would answer honestly even if

it meant I would serve the full six years. I would have been willing

to say I didn't think I was guilty, as I had no memory of the crime,

and as it would have been profoundly out of character for me, nor was

there any motive, but that I couldn't be certain. Fortunately, they

didn't ask about my guilt, but only about my future plans.

I've always had lots of good friends. Some of them got together to

do two things, line up a job for me and investigate the crime. They

ended up doing both in the same place, DBS, the small firm I had

pleaded guilty to burglarizing twice, on consecutive weekends. They

spoke to its president, Don Reisler. He said that the police hadn't

investigated at all, but just took the report over the phone. And

that Hutz hadn't even done that much.

After talking with my friends during at least two visits, he was

convinced of my innocence, for three reasons:

* The burglar climbed in through the ceiling. At the time I was

morbidly obese and not at all athletic. (So much for burglary

tools being relevant.) (I lost the excess weight 34 years ago

and have kept it off ever since.)

* The burglar wrote something on the wall. They proved that was not

my writing by showing him letters I wrote them from prison. The

content of those letter also told him of my character, interests,

and skills.

* There was a third identical burglary the following weekend,

by which time I was in jail, so I obviously couldn't have done

that one.

He agreed to hire me, sight unseen, directly out of prison, if I made

parole. I was able to inform the parole board of this at my parole

hearing.

I worked at DBS for a year. The writing was still on the wall.

It wasn't my roommate's writing either. I remained friends with

Don Reisler for the rest of his life. (He died in 2012.)

He hired a lawyer to get my conviction overturned. This lawyer

informed us of Virginia's notorious 21-day rule. If you were

convicted of murdering me in the Old Dominion, and I were to show

up alive and well 22 days later, they'd go ahead and execute you,

as proof of innocence is irrelevant after three weeks.

You ask what court accepted proof of my innocence. No court did.

They refused to look at the proof, as it was untimely. Sorry if I

said anything that implied otherwise.

After a year at DBS I went to work for SAIC, a defense contractor,

with the help of a friend who worked there. I got a security

clearance. On my SF-86 form I explained the circumstances of my

wrongful conviction. The federal government accepted my explanation

after interviewing Reisler, my friends, my parents, and others.

I'm still officially a convicted felon. But I think being viewed

as innocent by the crime victim, by the federal government, and by

everyone who knows me well is pretty persuasive, as is the fact that

my record is otherwise perfectly clean before and since. Nor have I

ever in my life been fired, sued, committed, or had anyone ask for a

restraining order or protective order against me, nor have I ever been

on any form of public assistance.

My fellow prisoners also viewed me as innocent, even when I didn't say

anything about my case. Probably because I had none of the correlates

of criminality, other than being young and male. I didn't (and still

don't) lie, cheat, steal, smoke, drink, gamble, overspend, use drugs,

borrow money, have tattoos, have prominent scars. I didn't talk about

crimes, guns, gangs, or about any of the above. I almost never use

profanity. Nor have I ever been promiscuous. (I do have needle tracks,

but those are due to my being a 30-gallon blood donor.)

Prisoners almost always talk among themselves about their past crimes

and their plans for future crimes and how they plan to avoid getting

caught again. I did not.

I'm no longer politically conservative, especially not now that it

seems to mean support for Trump and refusing vaccination and masks

(though I do vote no on all bond issues), but I remain conservative

in my personal habits. I'm a strong believer in taking personal

responsibility. All I ask from the government is to be left alone.

And yes, I do feel guilty about my profound gullibility. Hutz may

have thought he was doing me a favor by lying to me to get me to plead

guilty. Very likely I would have lost at trial, and been sentenced to

decades, especially if I had a lawyer who did nothing except warm the

chair next to me at the defense table, but it was *my* choice, and he

stole that from me. I'm just thankful that my dishonorable behavior

directly harmed nobody but myself. That being said, don't you think

I've been punished enough? If I ever had a "debt to society," I've

long since paid it off. Why not automatically clear everyone's record

after seven years? Financial debts, even if they're for millions of

dollars, automatically go away after seven years. How many ex-convicts

are convicted of new crimes after seven years with a clean record?

I mentioned having dreams about the burglaries, which at the time I

couldn't be absolutely certain weren't memories. DBS didn't look

anything like the crime scene in my dreams, nor did the rest of the

building. So I no longer have any doubt about my innocence. Also,

psychological research has shown that implanted memories exist and

repressed memories do not.

My voting rights were restored in 2016. Not for any virtue on my

part, but because Governor McAuliffe restore the rights of everyone

who had completed their sentence.

You say, "The Supreme Court begs to differ [about plea bargains], and

has for at least 50 years. See Brady v. United States and Santobello

v. New York. The great majority of criminal cases are settled for

the same reason the great majority of civil cases are settled: Each

party gets something it values, and both are saved the expense and

uncertainty of trial."

They also say it's okay for police to lie, but that doesn't make lying

honest or virtuous. It doesn't even make it a good strategy for the

police, except in the short term. More and more people are refusing

to believe anything a cop says, or to answer any police questions, no

matter how innocuous. Millions have seen that 46-minute "Don't Talk

to Police" YouTube video by a law professor here in Virginia to his

class, which describes how even truthful answers by an innocent person

can be used to convict him.

Compromise is not always a good thing. If someone points a gun at you

and demands your wallet, do you think you should compromise? Maybe

give him half your money and one of your credit cards, and in return

he'll only pistol-whip you, not shoot you? The plea bargain is

egalitarianism run amok, as it treats guilty and innocent exactly

alike, though no two groups should be treated more differently. And

it rewards acting ability above all else. Had I been less honest

and been a skilled actor, I might have falsely claimed, during

my allocution, that I had been addicted to heroin but was now

courageously in recovery, one day at a time, and thanked the

cops who ransacked my apartment for saving me from all that, until

there wasn't a dry eye in the courtroom, and gotten probation.

Future generations will look upon Brady v. United States and

Santobello v. New York the way we look upon Dred Scott v. Sandford.

SCOTUS isn't infallible.

You wrote, "But if I said under oath in open court, after weeks or

months to think about it, and with the assistance of counsel, and

knowing the range of possible consequences, that I suborned perjury,

etc., then you would be overwhelmingly justified in concluding that

that's what I did."

Your friends, family, and coworkers may conclude that. And of course

judges are required to conclude that. (I'm sure a judge who refused

all plea bargains would soon be fired.) But I would not conclude

that, despite my being biased against prosecutors and cops. Unlike

most cops, I'm aware of confirmation bias, and don't imagine that

I'm somehow immune. I have a whole shelf of books about wrongful

convictions, but I also have a whole *bookcase* of books that are

pro-police, pro-prosecution, and anti-defendant. Have I mentioned that

I've always spent most of my free time reading? I won't say I own a

lot of books, but I really ought to get carbon sequestration credits

for them. I have seen public libraries with fewer titles.

I'm also aware of just how coercive the system is. They love and

reward redemption narratives, but hate and punish innocence narratives.

A young person is likely to choose five years in prison over a likely

sentence of life without parole, even if it requires falsely confessing

to whatever they tell you to confess.

You ask, "What did your parents tell you?"

They told me to always tell the truth, and to always cooperate with

authorities. I still always tell the truth when I speak or write, but

I often choose to remain silent and uncooperative. For instance when

U.S. Marshals came to my door ten years ago in search of a federal

fugitive I had exchanged letters with when he was in prison, I didn't

answer the door or return their phone calls, as tempting as it would

have been to invite them in and show them that he wasn't there.

You ask, "Could you provide a copy or link to the indictment?"

I can't find my copies, but I'm sure I'm the only person named Keith

Lynch to be indicted in Arlington County, Virginia (the smallest

county in the US), in December 1977, so they should be easy to find.

If you need my birthday, SSN, or anything else that could be used

for identity theft, sorry, but I won't post it in a public forum.

You ask, "What was the colloquy between you and the judge when you

entered your plea? What did he ask and what did you answer?"

It was 44 years ago. I was very confused by the process. My memory

is far from perfect. So I won't venture to guess. As I said, I don't

think I confessed to anything, or was even told what I was pleading

guilty to. Perhaps there's still an official recording or transcript

of it somewhere that you can find. If so, I'd love to get a copy.

You ask, "What did the government say was the supporting evidence?"

I don't recall them saying anything. But I assume the supporting

evidence was that stolen office equipment was found in the apartment

that was in my name only. And presumably my roommate, and perhaps

his friend, claimed that I did it, in return for charges against them

being reduced or dropped.

Bill Shields, my roommate, later joined the Army, got a dishonorable

discharge and a lengthy criminal record, and committed suicide in

Florida in 2004.

You say, "Self-serving post facto declarations of innocence just don't

move the ball"

I have no reason to lie. In my experience, ex-convicts do not

typically maintain their innocence even if they are innocent.

There's no benefit to it.

You ask, "Did the police, the prosecutor, your attorney and the judge

all effectively collude to convict a man they knew or had good reason

to know was innocent?"

I doubt they gave the slightest thought to whether I was innocent or

not, any more than a cattle rancher gives any thought to the innocence

of the cattle he slaughters. As I said, they didn't even bother to

visit the crime scene. I could *walk* from the crime scene to the

police headquarters in just eleven minutes. Rather, they just went

through the process by rote, dotting the "i"s and crossing the "t"s.

Phrased another way, I believe the whole of the criminal justice

system is a collusion to convict as many Americans as possible of as

many crimes as possible and to sentence us to as many years in prison

as possible. I'm not claiming that's the motivation of any individual

in it, but that people within it who tend to work toward that goal

tend to be rewarded and promoted, and those who take the time,

money, and effort to try to figure out, not who can be expeditiously

convicted, but who is actually guilty, tend to be left behind,

if not actually fired.

You ask, "Can you understand why that allegation of an immoral

conspiracy is hard to believe?"

I'm not saying it's a conspiracy, as that would require scienter,

i.e. knowledge among the participants that they're doing something

not just immoral, but illegal. As you said, SCOTUS has given their

dispensation, as they once did for slavery.

Becoming convinced of how profoundly broken and dishonest the criminal

justice system is took me years, and thousands of pages of reading

of reputable sources. For instance when I say that much of forensic

science is bogus, that's not something I heard on some crackpot's

radio broadcast, that's the conclusion of The President's Council of

Advisors on Science and Technology's report, "Forensic Science in

Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison

Methods."

Also, cops tend to think they have a magical infallible ability to

tell who is lying to them, and that once they're sure of the suspect's

guilt, that justifies whatever it takes to convict them.

Please look at my criminal record to confirm that my record is

perfectly clean before and since that eleven-day crime spree 44 years

ago. (Well, I did get a $50 ticket in DC 15 years ago, but that was

civil, not criminal.) Due to your status, you're probably also able,

unlike most people, to confirm my claim that I also have no juvenile

record, and possibly also my claim that I obtained a security

clearance and that I claimed innocence on my application for it.

If you doubt my claim that my alleged victim hired me right out of

prison as he knew I was innocent, please read _The Many Worlds of Hugh

Everett III: Multiple Universes, Mutual Assured Destruction, and the

Meltdown of a Nuclear Family_ by Peter Byrne. For that biography,

Peter Byrne interviewed me and also Don Reisler, the man who hired

me. There is less than a page about me, since the biography isn't

about me. Byrne's day job is as an investigative reporter, so I doubt

he could be easily fooled. And I'm not the one who told him Reisler's

name or how to reach him. You can also contact Byrne directly, via

his website, https://www.peterbyrne.info/

This was a long time ago, I was confused through most of it, and my

memory is imperfect, so please forgive me if I'm misremembering some

minor details.

After confirming my claims, please post the fact that you confirmed

them in this thread, so I can point others to that confirmation.

Thanks.



Posted by: Keith Lynch | Jan 17, 2022 2:34:00 PM

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 US Sentencing Commission issues new report on "Recidivism of Federal Drug Trafficking Offenders Released in 2010" | Main | "No Justice, No Pleas: Subverting Mass Incarceration Through Defendant Collective Action" 

A helpful reader ensured I did not miss the fascinating New Jersey Supreme Court ruling in NJ v. Comer, A-42-20)(NJ Jan 10, 2022) (available here), regarding limits on extreme juvenile sentencing. The start of the opinion for the Court provide the context and the essentials of the ruling:

This appeal raises challenging questions about the constitutional limits that apply to sentences for juvenile offenders.

The law recognizes what we all know from life experience -- that children are different from adults. Children lack maturity, can be impetuous, are more susceptible to pressure from others, and often fail to appreciate the long-term consequences of their actions. Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460, 477 (2012). They are also more capable of change than adults. Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48, 68 (2010). Yet we know as well that some juveniles -- who commit very serious crimes and show no signs of maturity or rehabilitation over time -- should serve lengthy periods of incarceration.

The issue before the Court is how to meld those truths in a way that conforms to the Constitution and contemporary standards of decency. In other words, how to impose lengthy sentences on juveniles that are not only just but that also account for a simple reality: we cannot predict, at a juveniles young age, whether a person can be rehabilitated and when an individual might be fit to reenter society.

The question arises in the context of two juveniles who committed extraordinarily serious crimes for which they received long sentences. In one case, the juvenile offender, who was convicted of felony murder, will not be released for three decades and cannot be considered for parole throughout that time. In the other appeal, it will be more than four decades before the 14-yearold offender, convicted of purposeful murder, will first be eligible to be considered for parole.

Both juveniles argue that their sentences violate federal and state constitutional provisions that bar cruel and unusual punishment. See U.S. Const. amend. VIII; N.J. Const. art. I,  12. They ask the Court to find that a mandatory sentence of at least 30 years without parole, which N.J.S.A. 2C:11- 3(b)(1) requires, is unconstitutional as applied to juveniles.

We decline to strike that aspect of the homicide statute. But we recognize the serious constitutional issue defendants present under the State Constitution. The Court, in fact, anticipated the question in 2017 and asked the Legislature to consider amending the law to allow juvenile offenders who receive sentences with lengthy periods of parole ineligibility to return to court years later and have their sentences reviewed. State v. Zuber, 227 N.J. 422, 451-53 (2017).

Today, faced with actual challenges that cannot be overlooked, we are obligated to address the constitutional issue the parties present and cannot wait to see whether the Legislature will act, as the State requests. That approach is consistent with the basic roles of the different branches of government. The Legislature has the responsibility to pass laws that fix the range of punishment for an offense; the Judiciary is responsible to determine whether those statutes are constitutional. Under settled case law, courts also have the authority to act to protect statutes from being invalidated on constitutional grounds.

Here, the statutory framework for sentencing juveniles, if not addressed, will contravene Article I, Paragraph 12 of the State Constitution. To remedy the concerns defendants raise and save the statute from constitutional infirmity, we will permit juvenile offenders convicted under the law to petition for a review of their sentence after they have served two decades in prison. At that time, judges will assess a series of factors the United States Supreme Court has set forth in Miller v. Alabama, which are designed to consider the mitigating qualities of youth. 567 U.S. at 476-78 (quoting Johnson v. Texas, 509 U.S. 350, 367 (1993)).

We provide for the hearing, rather than strike the homicide statute on constitutional grounds, because we have no doubt the Legislature would want the law to survive. The timing of the hearing is informed by a number of sources, including acts by the Legislature and other officials.

At the hearing, the trial court will assess factors it could not evaluate fully decades before -- namely, whether the juvenile offender still fails to appreciate risks and consequences, and whether he has matured or been rehabilitated. The court may also consider the juvenile offenders behavior in prison since the time of the offense, among other relevant evidence.

After evaluating all the evidence, the trial court would have discretion to affirm or reduce the original base sentence within the statutory range, and to reduce the parole bar to no less than 20 years. A juvenile who played a central role in a heinous homicide and then had a history of problematic behavior in prison, and was found to be incorrigible at the time of the later hearing, would be an unlikely candidate for relief. On the other hand, a juvenile who originally acted in response to peer pressure and did not carry out a significant role in the homicide, and who presented proof at the hearing about how he had been rehabilitated and was now fit to reenter society after two decades, could be an appropriate candidate for a lesser sentence and a reduced parole bar.

The Appellate Division rejected the juveniles constitutional claims. We therefore reverse and remand both matters for resentencing. We express no opinion on the outcome of either hearing.
Logo of Zurich insurance is seen at a former office building in Zurich

LONDON (Reuters) - Zurich Insurance could exceed its targets for the 2022 financial year as the business has performed well during the COVID-19 pandemic, CEO Mario Greco said on Wednesday.

Europe's fifth-largest insurer set out ambitious three-year targets in Nov 2019, including raising its target for business operating profit after tax return on equity (BOPAT ROE) to more than 14% from the previous goal of more than 12%.

"We're fully in the race to deliver to shareholders all our targets for 2022... we can even exceed those targets," Greco told Reuters Breakingviews in an interview.

Insurers were gloomy about the outlook for the industry when the coronavirus outbreak took hold in early 2020. But they have remained profitable after excluding COVID-19 from many policies and raising premiums.

Greco said the commercial insurance business in particular was likely to see strong growth this year, helped both by rising premium rates and by increasing demand for cover.

Traditional markets such as Germany and Switzerland as well as emerging markets such as Brazil and Indonesia provided growth opportunities, he said.

But growth would not necessarily come via acquisition, he added.

"If you need to transform yourself, acquiring a business which needs transformation is not a great solution. In general, we don't think the solution to this is acquisition, it's providing the customers with what they need."

Zurich will report full year 2021 results on Feb. 10.

(Reporting by Carolyn Cohn; editing by Huw Jones, Kirsten Donovan)
A series of prominent veterinarians Tuesday called for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to free a coyote from its cage and transfer it to an animal sanctuary, while officials defended their treatment of the animal as a way to connect the public with wildlife.

The 3-year-old coyote has been on display at River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook since it was mistakenly raised as a puppy at an animal shelter in Tennessee, and is considered dependent on humans to survive.

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A coyote paces in a cage at the River Trail Nature Center on Jan. 5, 2022, in Northbrook. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

About 2,400 people have signed an online petition objecting to what it describes as the coyotes inhumane conditions. Northbrook resident Nicole Milan, who started the petition, offered to have private donors pay to transfer the coyote to the Wild Animal Sanctuary outside of Denver, Colorado. Outside experts voiced their concerns about the animals well-being before an online meeting of the Forest Preserve board of commissioners.

Valerie Johnson, a veterinarian and assistant professor at Michigan State University, told the board that videos of the coyote pacing show it is under a lot of stress.

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The Wild Animal Sanctuary, where she worked previously, has a very large area for coyotes, either in packs or by themselves, with underground dens and vegetation to hide from humans.

It provides a more natural place, as good as you can get  she said, for an animal that cannot be released into the wild.

There is no educational value to having children see an animal stressed in a cage, she said. In my mind, it just shows them thats OK, which it is not.

Dr. Audrey Siegrist, veterinarian for the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, who previously worked in coyote rehabilitation, said she was concerned about the size of the enclosure, which officials said measures about 266 square feet, whereas coyotes in the wild cover a range of several square miles.

She also emphasized that most coyotes are social animals, living in a pack, while some are solitary, often because they have lost a mate or are looking for a pack.

A coyote paces in a cage at the River Trail Nature Center on Jan. 5, 2022, in Northbrook. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

The most important thing is providing it with more what they would need naturally, she said. A large space, and an opportunity for proper socialization.

The district keeps so-called ambassador animals at five different nature centers. Most are injured and unable to live in the wild.

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Jacqui Ulrich, director of the Cook County Forest Preserves, said the district animals are inspected by veterinarians annually, and meet or exceed all standards from inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The district spends $63,000 a year on food, housing, upkeep and care of the animals, plus staff time, and gets advice from senior wildlife biologist Chris Anchor, with 34 years experience, who conducts important research on wild coyotes through the Urban Coyote Research Project.

Officials said the coyote is often calm, but gets excited and paces when people visit or before feeding time. They described the Forest Preserve workers as its family and pack.

Many school children and other visitors may never see such animals in the wild, and come to the nature center for that chance, Ulrich said.

Our ambassador animal programs are some of our most popular programs, she said. Its an opportunity ... to see them up close and learn a lot about them.

The nature center with the coyote is located in the district of Forest Preserve Commissioner Scott Britton, who visited the coyote in its cage last week, and said the staff members love the animal.

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Were just trying to figure out whats best for this coyote, he said. We need to continue this conversation ... to what we can do to improve this situation.
ABOUT THE DONOR: Through the Iowa Kidsight program, the Sioux City Lions Club offers free vision screenings to children ages six months to six years of age, averaging screenings for 1,000 to 1,200 children each year. The club also collects and recycles eyeglasses and hearing aids for needy individuals. In addition the club also funds college scholarships for local students. On June 20, 2020, the Sioux City Lions Club celebrated its 100th anniversary. It's the oldest Lions Club in Iowa.
For the first year of his life, Kayden Jongsma was deemed a medical mystery. Doctors were unable to explain away his silent aspiration, failure to thrive, and intestinal problems as he spent more days in hospital beds than in his own crib at home.

His parents, Greg and Kayla Jongsma  of Portage, Indiana  were desperate for answers so they sought out genetic testing.

A day before Kaydens first birthday, the results came back. It was in that moment they had an answer: There were fewer than 1,000 documented cases like Kayden Jongsma in the world.

PORTAGE  When Greg and Kayla Jongsmas son Kayden was born on Nov. 18, 2020, his doctors thought he had a rare heart defect and was experiencing heart failure.

At 36 hours old, he was rushed by helicopter from St. Marys Medical Center in Chicago to Comer Childrens Hospital, where he spent the next 10 days in the NICU under close monitoring until he was stable enough to come home.

A few months later, any sign of a defect appeared to have resolved.

We thought maybe the worst was over. We were told his hearts fine. That was our biggest of worries, and now it was over, Kayla Jongsma, 22, said.

Failure to thrive

In the days and months since birth, Greg and Kayla continued to struggle with Kaydens tendency to vomit after feedings five or more times a day. He couldnt keep anything down and was severely adverse to a bottle.

Despite all attempts to help Kayden gain weight, his doctors placed him, at one point, in the 0.01 percentile. He was diagnosed at multiple checkups with failure to thrive, a condition when children dont gain weight consistently or at the expected rate. He would gain weight and then plateau, Greg and Kayla said.

Eventually, they learned he aspirates when he eats, prompting doctors to place Kayden on an nasogastric (NG) tube at four months old. Its designed for children who cant get their needed nutrition by mouth. Two months later, he was back in the hospital and placed on a gastrostomy (G) tube.

Nothing really helped, Kayla said.

At six months, CT and MRI scans helped diagnose Kayden with an abnormally small pituitary gland and undescended testicles. He was also missing part of his corpus callosum  the band that connects the two brain hemispheres, as Kayla explained. That particular finding signaled he could suffer from subtle to severe mental and intellectual disabilities later in life.

Like books on a shelf

In July, a different nutritional tube was placed in Kayden with little improvement. By early August, Greg and Kayla transferred Kayden to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. The ambulance ride was not covered by insurance so they are having to pay on that out of pocket.

Two genetic screenings had turned up nothing so far, but within days of arriving at Luries, they asked for a full genetic panel on Kayden.

He had one done after birth that was basic. And then months down the line, he had another genetic test that was a little bit more in depth. But this syndrome only shows up on the full genome sequencing test, where they rip apart each chromosome. Its like books on a shelf and they go through each one, Greg explained.

Months later, on Nov. 17, the day before his first birthday, they finally got the call from a geneticist  and an answer.

He had Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome, a rare genetic condition.

Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome may be related to global developmental delays, sleeping difficulties, feeding and digestion complexities, unusual facial features, short/petite stature, hypotonia, dental issues, hairy elbows, long eyelashes, etc., according to the WSS Foundations website.

Kayla described the day she learned her son had WSS as the best and worst of her life.

I was extremely happy to finally have an answer because  there was just a bunch of different (symptoms) and nothing was adding up. Every time we went into the hospital, we would find something else out, Kayla said. The more I talked with the genetic counselor, the more I learned theres really no research on it. They just started actual research on it two years ago. There are states that dont even have cases. I just wish it was something well known and that they knew how to handle it. Theres no treatment for it.

The syndrome was clinically described in 1989 but was not genetically identified until 2012 by a group of researchers in England, according to the WSS Foundation.

Because its such a new syndrome, theres little awareness even among doctors.

I was torn 50/50 and honestly I still am, she said. The only thing we got was a name.

Kayla and Greg have found help through WSS support groups on Facebook that are few and far behind, and their own research. But Kayden's doctors dont have all the answers. With little known about the syndrome and Kayden being an extreme case, a long-term prognosis is out of the question at his stage in life.

Long-term care

Late last year, Kayden tallied his 20th hospital stay for his continued vomiting spells. He is currently an inpatient at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, where he is awaiting discharge to La Rabida Childrens Hospital.

Once there, hell receive extensive round-the-clock, long-term care, feeding therapy and other help managing this lifelong disorder.

Kayla said they decided in early December to send him to La Rabida for long-term care. It was not an easy choice  but the best one.

This has been a lot on me and Greg. Either he starts vomiting too hard and Im worried about dehydration, and then we have to bring him in. Or his tubes get clogged or breaks. Or he gets a fever. We were just literally running nonstop two times a week to Luries. It was just too much and I felt bad because Im lugging him back and forth through the hospital, Kayla said.

At Lurie's, Kayden is currently on Total Parental Nutrition, a method of feeding through a central picc line that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract.

Thankfully, Kayla said he is starting to tolerate  and even enjoy  spoon-fed purees and blended foods  a huge milestone.

He is also starting to army crawl and sit up with some assistance. He also loves to bang on a toy drum, taking after his own father, who plays the drums.

Because of his syndrome, Kayden will reach milestones at his own pace. Others, he may not reach, but it won't be for a lack of trying.

"I think hell walk but I think it'll be delayed. I don't know how old he'll be. Or just like speech, anything really, theres no set standard on it (with children with WSS). It'll just be the therapies he gets and how well he does," Kayla said.

Greg, who works at Altom Transportation in Hammond, Indiana, and Kayla, who works as a part-time supervisor at UPS, will face a lifetime of medical bills. They have set up a GoFundMe page to accept donations as they navigate this rare genetic disorder and help Kayden live a full life.

To donate, visit the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kayden-jongsmas-fight-with-wss

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ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- A Doon, Iowa, man was sentenced to five years in prison Monday for causing a crash that left another man in a wheelchair.

Christopher Kelderman, 38, pleaded guilty in November in Sioux County District Court of two counts of serious injury by vehicle by reckless driving.

On April 24, 2020, Kelderman ran a stop sign at an intersection and collided with another vehicle, causing serious injuries to its two occupants. Both occupants had to be mechanically extracted from the vehicle, and one now uses a wheelchair.

Emergency responders noticed Kelderman smelled like alcohol and saw beer cans inside and outside his vehicle. Kelderman failed a sobriety test and admitted he had been drinking prior to the crash.

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SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man was arrested Tuesday on charges of forcing a young girl to perform sex acts with him numerous times for more than five years.

Ignacio Gomez, 31, was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on six counts of second-degree sexual abuse. His bond has been set at $50,000.

According to a complaint filed in Woodbury County District Court, Gomez began sexually abusing the girl, who is under age 12, in May 2016. The abuse occurred countless times, the complaint said, until Oct. 15, 2021. The complaint did not say where the sexual abuse took place.

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Residents of a south suburban hotel, some of whom have lived there for years, got a reprieve Wednesday afternoon after the property passed a follow-up inspection concerning fire code violations, according to the village.

More than 80 residents of Travelodge in Matteson had been told Tuesday they had to leave by the end of the day Wednesday, according to Latricia Washington, a manager at the hotel.

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But Wednesday morning, residents learned they could get a last-minute reprieve and waited for the results of a prioritized afternoon inspection.

A police vehicle outside the Travelodge by Wyndham motel in Matteson on Wednesday before inspections of the motel's fire safety systems. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Issues pertaining to fire alarms and smoke detectors on the second and third floors of the building had been addressed and the property passed the new inspection, according to Sean Howard, a village spokesman.

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He said the hotel still has a mountain of other building code violations and police issues that need to be addressed, but at this point the other violations are not serious enough to force a closure.

Washington said she was crying tears of joy after learning the property had passed the inspection, and notified residents that they could stay.

Im excited, she said. Im over excited.

Before the inspection, however, residents such as Lisa Perez were concerned where they would end up.

Fire Chief Michael Bacon arrives at the Travelodge by Wyndham motel in Matteson on Wednesday before inspections of the fire safety systems were conducted. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

I dont have a vehicle. I dont have money. I dont have anywhere to go, she said. I dont even have a box to start packing my stuff.

Stephanie McWilliams said that she and her five children shuttled from one motel to another since May, when they were evicted from their Chicago apartment.

Me and my kids have not called anyplace home, the single mother said, standing in the hallway outside her room Wednesday morning. I cant have them living in one-bedroom hotels.

She is across the hall from Lisa Brooks, and the two have known each other for about six months but McWilliams said she considers Brooks as her mom, and her kids refer to her as grandma. They have both been at the motel for a little more than a month, they said.

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Stephanie McWilliams, left, and Lisa Brooks have been living at the Travelodge in Matteson for a little more than a month. (Mike Nolan / Daily Southtown)

The hotel was in violation of an abundance of regulations for its sprinkler and fire alarm systems, with complaints going back to February 2021, the Matteson Fire Department said in a statement before the follow-up inspection.

Residents were being asked to leave specifically because some alarms in the building would not go off in an emergency, Matteson fire Chief Michael Bacon said.

Bacon pointed to the deadly apartment building fire in New York City this week as evidence of what can happen with safety issues.

I cant in good conscience go home every night knowing that I have a building in town where Ive got people paying to stay, and sleep, and have the life-safety issues that we have, he said, adding the Fire Departments intent was never to displace anybody.

Latricia Washington is a manager at the Travelodge in Matteson, which the village had threatened to close for building code violations. (Mike Nolan / Daily Southtown)

The Matteson Police Department was working with nearby hotels to place residents who were unable to find other housing, according to fire officials. Some already have chosen to leave the hotel, Howard said.

Perez said the Travelodge also houses her daughter and five grandchildren, ranging in age from 5 years to 12 years old.

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Her youngest granddaughter on Tuesday told Perez she doesnt want to leave, she said.

To see her like that, worrying, it made me sad, she said.

The hotel provides not just a place to stay, Washington said, but also food, toy drives and COVID-19 tests for those in need.

We lean on each other, Perez said. So for them to come knock on my door yesterday and tell me I have to leave  Its just crazy.

McWilliams and Brooks said that neither of them own a vehicle, and McWilliams said that, apart from child support, she has very little income.

Every day I wake up and think How am I going to pay for the room, how am I going to feed the kids? McWilliams said.

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Brooks said that she is trying to maintain a positive attitude.

We already know its going to work out, she said.

mnolan@southtownstar.com

oolander@chicagotribune.com
LAWTON, Iowa -- New district, another campaign.

On Tuesday, Woodbury County GOP Chairman Bob Henderson announced his 2022 candidacy for Iowa House District 2.

Henderson, who succeeded Suzan Stewart as Republican chair for the county, previously ran three unsuccessful campaigns for Iowa House District 14. Now that the legislative area Henderson calls home has been shuffled, due to state-level redistricting, the former community college instructor is feeling better about his chances in a fourth electoral bid.

"I think the district is more favorable to me, politically. Its far more rural, which I enjoy," Henderson said while on his way to a campaign event in the Lawton. The town of less than 1,000 people is fully within the new District 2, as are northern and eastern portions of Sioux City and the townships of Concord and Banner.

Democratic Rep. Steve Hansen lives in the newly-drawn District 2. In the 2020 election, Henderson lost to Hansen, 55.6 percent to 44.0 percent, in the current-House District 14.

According to Henderson, who taught for decades in public schools and has lived in the Sioux City-area since 1989, two of his biggest priorities, if elected, would be tax relief and education.

In regard to the former, Henderson said the state legislature should be looking for ways to get Iowa's budget surplus back into the hands of residents. "The most efficient way and best way is to do it through income tax relief. Weve had a pretty robust economy so that needs to get back to our taxpayers," he said. And though Henderson noted the state's economy is in good shape, he did say neighboring South Dakota has an economic advantage over Iowa as it has no state income tax. Henderson said the difference is enough to lure businesses from Sioux City over to South Dakota.

As for education, Henderson, who has a master's degree in mathematics and a doctorate in educational administration and policy study, said there's much to be done. "A fundamental change in our education system should be for us to get back to developing good citizens," he said before adding that that focus shouldn't be at odds with academic subjects but work in tandem with them.

Outside of teaching, Henderson has also done musical directing for two Sioux City churches and worked for Sen. Chuck Grassley as a regional director. He said that one thing he's come to appreciate about the area, in all of the various capacities he's served it, is the blend of rural and urban.

"I was just talking to someone the other day who is not from Sioux City who said: Thats really a nice city. Its big but its still kind of small town America. And weve enjoyed that," Henderson said.

"Weve enjoyed the changes that have come in the past 30 years and thats been done under pretty good leadership. I suspect my wife and I will not be those who, upon further retirement, move to a warmer climate."

Jared McNett is an online editor and reporter for the Sioux City Journal. You can reach him at 712-293-4234 and follow him on Twitter @TwoHeadedBoy98.

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SIOUX CITY  The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to oppose both carbon dioxide pipelines proposed to run through the county.

On Tuesday, the supervisors approved a draft letter to the Iowa Utilities Board, expressing the opposition and reasons given by local landowners.

The board has heard from many landowners in person, through email and phone calls opposing the Navigator Heartland Greenway and Summit Carbon Solutions pipelines, as well as any other pipelines.

Rocky De Witt said the board should be united in sending a letter supporting landowners.

It has been unanimous from the landowners that each and every one of the is adamant that they do not want any pipelines encroaching on or through their property, according to the letter.

The letter states the supervisors resists the pipelines proposed and "asks the Iowa Utilities Board to deny any and all permits and/or eminent domain declarations against the landowners in Woodbury County."

A few of the reasons include loss of land value, loss of land for development, right-of-way violations by contractors and no financial gain for the landowners.

Dallas-based Navigator Heartland Greenway has a proposed route that runs through 36 Iowa counties, including Woodbury, Plymouth and Lyon. A map shows the pipeline skirting Sioux City on the east and south sides and extending into Dakota and Dixon counties in Nebraska.

The board of supervisors denied Navigator access to survey a portion of the 204-acre county farm, which is the path of the proposed route. The county has been considering selling the land, and it has been deemed that a pipeline will diminish the value or at minimum reduce development opportunities for the County, according to the letter.

Summit Carbon Solutions has also proposed a pipeline through 30 Iowa counties, including a portion running nearly straight from south to north past Merrill.

Carol Hennings of Moville said the pipelines violate landowner rights.

Jim Colyer of Sergeant Bluff owns a piece of property adjacent from the county land. He said both pipelines crisscrossing on the backside of his land. He said the prices offered are not fair.

Gayle Palmquist of Lawton said the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline would go through a mile of her land and she already has a pipeline through her farm.

She said the pipeline already on the land has caused thousands of dollars to repair the damage created on the crop land.

An Iowa State University study that looked at the impacts from construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline found crop in the right-of-way had 25 percent lower yields for soybeans and 15 percent lower yields for corn during the first and second crop seasons after construction. The study also found that there is slow recovery from soybean-corn rotation.

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SIOUX CITY -- The City of Sioux City will host a Community Speak-Out event on Jan. 20 that will focus on the City Council.

Community Speak-Out sessions allow community members an opportunity to publicly share their experiences and provide suggestions on how the city and residents can drive positive change.

The in-person event begins at 5 p.m. at the Sioux City Public Museum.

One month following the event, the council will respond with answers to questions and comments via Facebook Live on the City of Sioux City: Diversity page.

For more information, contact Sioux City Community Inclusion Liaison Semehar Ghebrekidan at sghebrekidan@sioux-city.org or 712-203-7738.

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  A land-mine-detecting rat in Cambodia who received a prestigious award for his life-saving duty has died in retirement, the charity for which he had worked has announced.

Magawa, an African giant pouched rat, died last weekend, said an announcement on the website of APOPO, a Belgium-headquartered non-profit group. The organization trains rats and dogs to sniff out land mines and tuberculosis.

"All of us at APOPO are feeling the loss of Magawa and we are grateful for the incredible work he's done," the announcement said.

Magawa was born in November 2013 in Tanzania, where APOPO maintains its operational headquarters and training and breeding center. He was sent to Cambodia in 2016. His death at 8 years of age was not unusual for the species.

The death of Magawa was announced a day after three mine removal experts working for another group were killed by an accidental explosion of an anti-tank mine in Cambodia's northern province of Preah Vihear. Almost three decades of civil war that ended in 1998 left Cambodia littered with land mines and other unexploded ordnance that continues to kill and maim.

APOPO's office in Cambodia posted condolences for the three dead and one wounded from the Cambodia Self Help Demining group.

According to APOPO, Magawa detected more than 100 land mines and other explosives during his five-year career before retiring last year.

In 2020, the rat won a gold medal from the Britain-based People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, considered the highest award for gallantry an animal can receive.

African giant pouched rats are believed to be especially well-suited for land mine clearance because their small size lets them walk across mine fields without triggering the explosives.

In retirement in Cambodia's northwestern province of Siem Reap, Magawa was housed in his usual cage and fed the same food  mostly fresh fruit and vegetables  that sustained him during his active career. To keep him trim, he was released for 20-30 minutes a day into a larger cage with facilities such as a sandbox and a running wheel.

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The Chicago Teachers Union has voted to approve the COVID-19 agreement with Chicago Public Schools, formally putting an end to their latest dispute over school safety, though the omicron surge that prompted the conflict rages on.

The CTU rank-and-file narrowly passed the measure Wednesday, with about 56% of the vote in favor. That came hours after schools reopened following five days of canceled classes that resulted from the impasse, when union members refused to teach in person.

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Union President Jesse Sharkey said the outcome was a clear show of dissatisfaction with Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Its outrageous that teachers, school nurses, counselors and more had to endure a week of being locked out by the mayor just to get a commitment from her bargaining team to provide every student with an N95 mask in a pandemic, he said.

CPS reported that almost 89% of teachers showed up for work Wednesday. Officials also said no district-run buildings had to switch to schoolwide remote learning Wednesday but that they were still assessing how many classrooms or buildings might have to pivot to remote learning Thursday, adding that information would be shared with school communities and on the CPS COVID-19 data dashboard.

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Some schools had as many as 10 classrooms that had to pause in-person classes Wednesday because of high rates of coronavirus cases or close contacts, the district said.

In whats become a recurring scene since the COVID-19 pandemic began, school officials in the morning welcomed back students, most of whom had spent only two days inside a classroom since winter break began more than three weeks ago.

Outside Kenwood Academy High School on the South Side early Wednesday, a number of parents expressed relief their kids were back in class.

But one mom saw the school stoppage as a wasted opportunity to improve safety for students.

No, Im not happy that school is back in place because I feel that (CPS) didnt do anything to guarantee the safety for the health of the students, Kenwood Academy parent Kimberly Jones said after dropping off her daughter.

CTU leaders have said their work action  though it didnt force a temporary return to remote learning as a large majority of members wanted  resulted in an agreement that provides enhanced COVID-19 safeguards like more masks and testing and a specific metric for when a school will pause in-person learning.

An internal CTU analysis, obtained by the Tribune, details how some union leaders viewed the standoff. Under rough overall assessment, union leaders wrote that they increased testing, forced a district pause on classroom time and won a useful metric for shuttering schools with high case numbers.

We accomplished more than nothing, but less than we wanted, the union leadership said in a slide that acknowledged it was a bruising fight and workers might not get paid for the four days.

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Some members will say, It wasnt worth it. But we are grown-ups, the slide continued. We realize  when we walk out, we dont get to know the outcome in advance. We also would have had NOTHING had we ducked this fight.

The union said its action was hurt by things it couldnt control, like Lightfoot and the national politics of return to school. And it expressed worry about the divisiveness of COVID in our union. Its top next step: Cannot allow differences of opinion on this vote and tactics to impact our long term solidarity.

With scores of students and staff members already in quarantine and case rates still high, it remains to be seen if most schools can remain fully open.

A record 10,898 students and about 2,300 adults were in isolation Wednesday because they tested positive for COVID-19 or in quarantine because they came in contact with an infected person. Fully vaccinated, asymptomatic people are not required to quarantine.

CPS says about 91% of its staff is fully vaccinated. Just over half of CPS students 12 and older are fully vaccinated, while about a quarter of students ages 5 to 11 have received at least one dose, according to district data.

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Kenwood Academy High School students return to school on Jan. 12, 2022, after five days off for COVID-19 protocol discussions between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Earlier this week, CTUs House of Delegates, its 600-member governing body, voted to suspend its temporary remote work action after the tentative deal with CPS.

In Jones view, the unexpected school break was counterproductive.

All they did was have more days off, she said. A lot of the children were probably mingling, doing other things, so there was no reason for them to be out of school if you werent going to make sure that there was going to be testing before coming back to school.

Jones added: I do not feel that it was time (return to class) because kids are germy. Right now its flu season. Its pneumonia season.

In addition to the direct impact of the pandemic, CPS is also struggling with a nationwide substitute teacher shortage. In some cases, mostly in high schools, that has resulted in classes being moved into auditoriums, but the district said most of those students were receiving remote instruction from a teacher in quarantine.

Officials said theyve begun several initiatives to address the shortage and incentivize new substitute teacher recruits.

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In some cases, especially at the high school level, students may be moved to an auditorium if a specific class, such as physical education, cant be offered due to a staff absence. However, the majority of our students who are in auditoriums are logged into remote classes and are receiving instruction from their teachers, who are teleworking due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions.

Outside Budlong Elementary on the North Side, where she was dropping off her 4-year-old daughter, Sofia, for preschool, Ester Burke said she had mixed emotions about the resumption of schools, though she wished the district waited longer to bring students back as cases of COVID-19 have been continuously rising.

Because she works from home, Burke said its easier to adjust if her daughter has to shift to remote learning, but she knows many families dont have the same circumstances.

I understand needing to go back also because parents have to physically go to work and feed their kids, she said. I have split feelings on it, but the back-and-forth is also not good for the kids.

Burke said her first thought during the latest CPS labor dispute was the union and the city should have figured this out before coming off of holiday break.

For kids, the transition of going back to school and then pulling them out and then sending them back, all within a week or so, is not quite healthy mentally or emotionally, especially at a young age, she said.

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Rosalyn Mendoza walks her daughter Adelyn Mendoza, 5, to her preschool at Budlong Elementary School in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2022. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Burke said after any kind of break, the chance of another uptick in cases is high. With the pattern possibly repeating itself after spring break, Burke said, the district and union should start planning in advance, adding that schools may need to look into unconventional means of operation to meet the needs of different families.

The school system is going to have to change with the times and if that means splitting up how students are learning, like having your schools open to have some staff members that can actually teach children but still have remote learning available, then theyre going to have to do that, Burke said.

Kenwood dad Demarcus Anderson said his daughter had been able to keep herself motivated even during Zoom learning, but he said the social distancing from her friends can be difficult.

Its been hard mentally because theyre separated. One minute theyre in school and the next thing theyre quarantining and theyre stuck indoors. Its hard to adapt.

Mom Shamar White said at-home learning can be disruptive to her familys usual schedule, but placed some blame on planning during the current surge.

I think its just more of trying to keep a structure going for them  thats the hard thing  and the family, White said.

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When the kids are home, we have to think about grocery shopping and feeding them and schedules. Things get a lot more complicated. Weve been through this before. It feels like the schools could have prepared better after the holidays for them to come back. Instead ... theyre at home and not doing anything.

Bertha Treadwell said her granddaughter, a Kenwood Academy student, needs the structure of in-person learning to perform at her best.

Shes one of those hands-on students. She needs to be in the classroom. She was an honors student in eighth grade and then she came here and they were working remotely, her grades started dropping, Treadwell said. ... It was hard for her to stay focused. And even she said, Ill be glad when school starts back.

Treadwell added that kids lose interest in online learning. Its not the same as being in the classroom. Its not. They need that interaction, without a doubt. Im so glad that school is back in, I dont know what to do.

Sterling Haukom Anderson brought her 7-year-old son Langston to Budlong School Wednesday and said she was still a little nervous even though hes fully vaccinated.

Its a little scary, she said. I trust his teachers and the administration there at Budlong, but Im still nervous of him being in the classroom and not knowing how others are feeling health-wise.

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But after two weeks off for winter break and another five days of canceled classes, she said its good for her son to even just get out of the house. ... Because this happened right after winter break, they essentially did not have school for three weeks and thats just a lot, a lot of missed learning.

She did wish that the school gave an option for remote learning the last five days.

Moving forward, Haukom Anderson said she hopes all parents understand the importance of vaccinating their children if they are able.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford also said hes also aiming to expand vaccination rates, particularly given that children in areas where fewer people are inoculated are more likely to miss in-person classes, deepening racial inequities in CPS.

Were talking, going on two years now, a pandemic of academic loss, said Ford, a Chicago Democrat. When students in these communities have to quarantine because their test positive rate is so high, that means these young people will fall further behind academically. Its a failure on the citys part.

He said his push to vaccinate more children and families is about doing everything we can to get students back in classrooms with healthy and safe environments.

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We need to send the message that vaccines are working, Ford said. The more access to testing and vaccines on the West Side, the better off. It makes no sense that its not convenient enough for families still. We have to tailor our approach, because what works for one community doesnt necessarily work for another. Its about meeting parents where theyre at, eliminating their hesitancy and making them comfortable, providing education and on-site vaccinations.

Tribunes Jose M. Osorio contributed.
An assistant warden at a state correctional facility in Lincoln was arrested yesterday after alleged misconduct involving a relationship with an inmate.

Sarah Nelson Torsiello, 45, was booked on suspicion of unauthorized communication with a prisoner and sexual abuse of an inmate.

Torsiello had worked for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services for more than 18 years, starting in August 2003. The department announced her arrest and resignation in a late-night news release on Tuesday. She most recently worked at Nebraska's Reception and Treatment Center, which focuses on treating inmates who struggle with mental health issues while offering non-clinical education programs.

It is extremely disappointing that someone in this position now faces felony charges," Scott Frakes, the department's director, said in the release. "These are serious offenses. Inappropriate behavior involving a member of the inmate population will not be tolerated in NDCS.

Upon her arrest Tuesday, Torsiello was taken to the Lancaster County Jail.

Her arrest marks the third time in six months an state employee or contractor has been arrested for alleged wrongdoing.

Anna Idigima, a former evidence technician with the Nebraska State Patrol, was arrested in September and indicted in October for conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, alleged to have been stolen from the patrol's evidence facility.

The cocaine, which Idigima is alleged to have distributed alongside her boyfriend, George Weaver Jr., caused numerous overdoses across Lincoln in July and August, according to the police department. At least one person tied to stolen cocaine died, officials said in September.

And Amanda Danekas, a medication aide who had been contracted to work inside the Lancaster County jail, was arrested in November for allegedly delivering narcotics to people incarcerated at the facility, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.

Danekas had been employed with Wellpath, a Lincoln-based nursing service, for about eight months before employees at the jail reported to the sheriff's office in late October that they suspected the 44-year-old had been dealing narcotics at the West O Street jail, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said then.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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Republican members of Iowa's congressional delegation claimed Tuesday Democrats are manufacturing a voting crisis in order to exert more control from Washington, D.C.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, decried Democrats attempt to change the Senate filibuster to help pass elections and voting rights legislation to overcome the 60-vote threshold thats now required to pass most bills.

Ernst, in a Senate floor speech, argued Democrats are "using fake hysteria they are trying to blow up the Senate and fundamentally change our country" to promote an effort "that is unpopular, unnecessary and unacceptable."

Ernst, a former county auditor and commissioner of elections, was joined on the Senate floor by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Ottumwa.

The pair claim Democrats' proposed election reforms would undermine states ability to run elections.

"Their legislation would overturn state laws and election procedures like the ones that have been so successful in states like Iowa," Miller-Meeks said in a statement. "They spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on an ill-conceived plan to overturn my election and wasted months of precious time. This is nothing more than a partisan power-grab."

Wheatland Democrat Rita Hart withdrew her election contest of Iowa's 2nd Congressional District race in March, after months spent asking Congress to investigate Miller-Meeks' six-vote win, making it the closest congressional race in decades.

Harts campaign was challenging the state-certified results, claiming 22 ballots  including those of Scott County voters  were legally cast but not counted following a district-wide recount in all 24 counties because of errors by election workers.

The pair's remarks coincided with President Joe Biden's trip to Atlanta alongside Vice President Kamala Harris as part of the administration's effort to ramp up pressure on Congress to pass major voting rights legislation at a time when GOP-led legislatures, including in Iowa, have advanced bills voting rights advocates argue will make it harder for some groups to vote.

Iowa was among the first state to enact voting restrictions following the 2020 Presidential election under a Republican-backed nationwide push to pass so-called election-integrity measures.

The new law enacted last spring shortens Iowa's early voting period, shortens the period to request mail-in ballots, restricts the ability of county auditors to establish satellite in-person early voting sites and bars elections officials from proactively sending ballot requests, among other provisions.

"In Iowa & other states, we've seen efforts to restrict ballot box access," Democratic U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne of West Des Moines tweeted Tuesday ahead of Biden's speech. "That's why I backed the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act & measures like #HR1 to restore voting rights & combat voter suppression. For the sake of our democracy & all voters, the Senate must act."

Republicans argue recently passed provisions by Iowa and other states safeguard voting and promote confidence in the integrity of elections. That includes voter ID laws and tightening rules related to voting by mail, limiting a voting method that has had growing appeal after many states expanded those options to make voting safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Democrats warned (Iowa's 2017 voter ID law) was dangerous and an unnecessary hurdle and a significant barrier for anyone who is not a white male. They could not have been further from the truth," Ernst said. "Three times since the new Iowa voter ID law was implemented the state has seen record-high turnout for elections" and "huge voter participation," including record-high absentee voting in the 2020 election.

"My friends on the other side of the aisle will have you believe that voters are being suppressed in red states all over this country," Ernst said, when states like Delaware and New York, home to President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, respectively, make casting a ballot more difficult.

Ernst called House Democrats' effort to overturn Miller-Meeks' narrow victory in 2020 the "opening salvo in the lefts ongoing rush to take over elections" and limit voter ID and other "common-sense election reforms."

"Plain and simple, Washington Democrats are gas-lighting the American people," Ernst said. "Their push to blow up the Senate and take over elections isnt about voter access, its about power."

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen already has raised $5.4 million in contributions to his campaign, a figure that dwarfs the amount of money that previous Republican candidates for governor reported in their initial campaign finance reports.

Pillen had cash on hand for his campaign totaling $4.1 million moving into 2022.

His figures include 18 donors contributing $100,000 to the Columbus pork producer, who is a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

The Pillen numbers compare with about $1.4 million raised by Gov. Pete Ricketts in 2013 as he prepared for his initial gubernatorial race eight years ago.

Pillen counts 1,328 Nebraska contributors and has contributed $1 million of his own money to his campaign.

The multi-candidate Republican gubernatorial primary contest appears likely to feature a costly battle with Pillen and Charles Herbster, a Falls City cattle producer, leading the campaign finance charts.

The Pillen campaign's estimate of Herbster expenditures thus far approaches $3 million, with nearly $1.5 million in television and radio outlays already in the books.

Herbster, who was agricultural adviser to former President Donald Trump, has received Trump's endorsement. Pillen is expected to garner Ricketts' endorsement, but the governor has been silent so far.

The strong early fundraising success of Pillen reflects his lifetime of "building relationships," Kenny Zoeller, Pillen's campaign manager, said Monday.

"But we're not taking anything for granted. Jim is building relationships and creating relationships.

"Right now, we feel it's either Pillen or Herbster," he said.

The Republican contest also includes Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha and former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau of Omaha, along with a number of other announced candidates. Michael Connely of York, Donna Nicole Carpenter of Lincoln and Lela McNinch of Lincoln have filed with the secretary of state.

Former Gov. Dave Heineman considered entering the race, but ultimately decided to remain in private life in Fremont.

"We're not done fundraising," Pillen campaign consultant Jessica Flanagain said during a joint interview with Zoeller.

"We have enough money to communicate his message," she said, "and it's important that it's coming from other Nebraskans."

Pillen has campaigned in 85 of Nebraska's 93 counties thus far.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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Polling reportedly is underway asking whether there is potential support for Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk if he were to become a Republican candidate for the 1st District House seat now held by embattled Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Lincoln.

Asked about those reports, Flood said: "No comment."

Flood, a former Speaker of the Legislature, returned to the Legislature in 2021 after being term-limited out of office upon completing two consecutive terms in 2013. He was speaker for six years beginning in 2007.

Although the timing may not have been connected to reports circulating about the polling that may be underway, Fortenberry announced his candidacy for reelection in a YouTube video message Monday.

Fortenberry is currently under indictment in Los Angeles for allegedly misleading federal authorities who were investigating illegal foreign contributions to his reelection campaign in 2016.

The Lincoln congressman was first elected to eastern Nebraska's 1st District House seat in 2004.

Flood, a Norfolk attorney, owns and operates a network of radio and television stations that combine into a statewide media network called "News Channel Nebraska."

Meanwhile, Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, a Democratic candidate for the House seat, announced that she raised $209,777 from 954 donors in the last six weeks of the final 2021 quarter after entering the race Nov. 15.

"People are clearly eager to invest in this movement to grow our economy, support our communities, increase access to health care, build and expand our infrastructure and recruit and retain a workforce for the future," she said.

"It's time to get beyond the partisanship and divisions and actually listen to the people."

Pansing Brooks, who is completing her second term in the nonpartisan Legislature and will be term-limited out of office at the end of the year, said she believes that "it's time to get beyond the partisanship and divisions and actually listen to the people."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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As forecasters monitored the likelihood of severe weather developing, Charles Herbster said he was in contact with Donald Trump, who along with the former presidents pilots and the weather service decided to postpone his appearance.
A Lincoln couple is facing felony charges after their 4-month-old child was found to be malnourished and in need of life-saving care earlier this month, according to court documents.

Kevin Scott, 21, and Amanda Wellington, 25, called police at around 3 p.m. Jan. 2 after they found their child had turned blue and was gasping for air in their home near 27th and Y streets, according to the affidavit for the couple's arrest.

Paramedics rendered life-saving measures to the child, who was later admitted to CHI St. Elizabeth for "immediate life-saving care" after investigators found the child to be severely malnourished, according to the affidavit.

"His bones were clearly visible, and his skin was hanging due to the lack of muscle and body fat," the affidavit reads.

Stacie Bleicher, medical director at Lincoln's Child Advocacy Center who reviewed body cam footage of the child, told investigators the baby was at risk of death when police responded to the couple's residence, according to the affidavit.

The 4-month-old, who was 7 pounds at birth, weighed 6 pounds, 6.5 ounces when he was admitted to St. Elizabeth's, according to the affidavit. The child hadn't seen a doctor since mid-September, LPD investigators wrote in the affidavit.

Scott and Wellington told investigators transportation issues had prevented them from taking their child to medical appointments in the months since, and the family's gas had been shut off, according to the affidavit. The couple, whose apartment had been heated by space heaters, told police they couldn't afford to have their gas re-activated.

In the affidavit, investigators noted the couple had a functioning vehicle.

A spokesperson for Black Hills Energy said the gas provider in Lincoln encourages customers to call and worth through financial issues. The spokeswoman pointed to Black Hills Cares, a company program that in Nebraska partners with the Salvation Army to provide financial assistance to those in need, as well as public assistance programs throughout the state.

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lincoln offers funds to assist with housing and utility costs, though need for such assistance has to be a result of the pandemic for applicants to qualify, according to the city's website.

Both Scott and Wellington were arrested on Friday and later charged with felony child abuse.

After initially being lodged at the Lancaster County Jail, both Scott and Wellington were released on personal recognizance bond, meaning they didn't have to pay to be released. They would have to pay $500 if they fail to appear at their next court hearing in February.

A part of the couple's bond condition is a no contact order with the 4-month-old, who remains at St. Elizabeth's, according to court filings.

Three other children living in the home were placed into protective custody, according to juvenile court records.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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State Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for state treasurer Tuesday, stressing his opposition to tax increases and a desire to bring greater transparency to state spending.

Demmer, a deputy GOP leader in the House who has served in the chamber since 2013, is the first Republican to announce for the post held by Democrat Michael Frerichs since 2015.

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State Rep. Tom Demmer, center, of Dixon, announces ethics reforms in response to federal investigations at the Thompson Center in Chicago in 2019. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

Unfortunately, in Springfield right now, the politicians answer to every problem is higher taxes and more spending. We know Springfield politicians wont change overnight, but we can take an important first step by electing a proven fiscal watchdog as state treasurer, Demmer said in a statement.

Thursday is the first day for candidates to begin circulating petitions to appear on the June 28 primary ballot.

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Demmer has been the point person for House Republicans on state budget issues. In his announcement, he criticized Frerichs support for Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers effort to shift Illinois from a flat-rate income tax to a graduated-rate system  a move voters soundly rejected last November.

As expected, Demmer also hit at a controversial remark Frerichs made in June 2020, when the state treasurer said adoption of the graduated-rate tax system could allow taxes on retirement income for those who could afford it. Illinois does not tax retirement income and Frerichs said later that he opposed creating such a tax.

The vast majority of Illinoisans have not heard of Mike Frerichs but he stands tall among the tax-and-spend Springfield crowd. Throughout his 15 years as a Springfield politician, Mike Frerichs continually voted to raise taxes. And now, he even wants to tax retirement, Demmer said.

Frerichs, who was a member of the legislature from 2007 until becoming state treasurer, said Demmer has voted against legislation backed by the treasurers office that requires insurance companies to review their records and governmental death records to ensure that theyve paid death benefits to customers

He does not have the conviction to fight for Illinois families and he does not have the backbone to stand up to special interests, Frerichs said in a statement. He said Demmers record on issues surrounding the state treasurers office proves he will side with Wall Street and big business and against working families.

Meanwhile, in the Republican race for governor, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf of Waterloo selected as his running mate Carolyn Schofield, a member of the McHenry County Board who also serves on the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

Illinois needs leaders that can bring us together and provide solutions. Anger and outrage are not going to solve our states problems, Schimpf said in making the announcement in Crystal Lake.

What we need is leaders that understand what its like to live day to day. Leaders that understand what its like to wake up in the middle of the night wondering how youre going to pay for your kids education, leaders that understand the challenges that people face in Illinois, he said.

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Schofield said Schimpfs background in the military, as an attorney and in the state legislature, combined with her municipal experience, makes us the best ticket for this race.

Illinois has been subjected to poor decisions and political dysfunction and Paul and I are pledging to work with varied viewpoints to help solve the states most pressing needs, she said. As a mother, an engineer, a cancer survivor and a volunteer, I am dedicated to public service fueled by my logic and my grit.

Schofield has made twice made unsuccessful runs for a seat in the General Assembly.

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Another GOP candidate for governor, businessman Gary Rabine of Bull Valley, is set to formally announce Friday his choice of Aaron Del Mar, former Cook County GOP chair who serves as Palatine Township Republican chair, as a running mate.

Rabine has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and his continued leadership within the party. But Del Mar, who previously was an Illinois convention delegate for Trump, has criticized moves backed by the former president. He called the ousting of Wyoming U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney from House GOP leadership over her opposition to Trump shortsighted.

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In a May interview with WBEZ, he said Trumps continued influence has made it more difficult to move forward with the Republican Partys interests.

Its a challenge trying to get both sides of the party underneath the tent, Del Mar said. These fights that we have about a former president arent helping the situation by any means.

All of this sideshow-ness that weve had in the last four to six years, I dont think its done us very well, he said of Trump and Republicans. I dont think were better now than we were four years ago.

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ARCHIVED - Temperatures plummet in Spain with the arrival of Storm Diomedes



The rain will give way to intense cold in the coming days in Spain

Storm Diomedes is currently battering Greece and causing very adverse weather which could make its way to Spain this week, according to State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). Spokesperson Beatriz Hervella has said that Diomedes is an intense front that will most likely bring strong winds and a considerable drop in temperatures from Wednesday January 12, although nowhere near the extremes experienced elsewhere in Europe.

At the beginning of the week the calm weather prevailed with the exception of a few showers on the eastern coast, but from Wednesday the Mercury will begin to plummet and Aemet predicts that a few weather warnings will be issued in the coming days that will focus on the extreme minimum temperatures across much of Spain.

In general, the meteorologists forecast that the second week of January will be dry with the worst of the rain contained in the surroundings of Malaga, the southeast of Spain and the eastern and central Cantabrian Sea. While many regions could experience sub-zero temperatures and severe frosts the news isnt all bad, as Hervella confirms that we are expecting some anticyclonic days which will bring clear skies and settled weather overall.

Image: Aemet
The Foreign Affairs Minister added that Slovakia is the last of all countries in the so-called eastern wing of NATO that does not have such an agreement.

Left to right: Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO), Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok (SaS nominee), Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Daniel Zmeko (Source: SITA)

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Slovakia should conclude a defence cooperation agreement with the US. The Slovak Defence Ministry has submitted the proposal for an interdepartmental review procedure, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) said.

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The document should circumscribe the rules of cooperation and enable money to be drawn in favour of the Slovak Armed Forces. The minister declared that the agreement fully respects Slovakias sovereignty.

It is an absolutely standard international agreement which was signed today by 23 member states of NATO out of the 29 states outside of the US, Nad said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Such countries include Hungary and Poland, for example.

Defence Ministry fails to justify the purchase of F-16 fighter jets Read more

It will ease many things for us; it will standardise the cooperation which is ongoing, he noted and added that discussion about the agreement started in 2018 under the former government.

In the first phase, the agreement should earmark USD 100 million to modernise the defence infrastructure. The chair of the ministry said that investments in the airports are especially needed. He emphasised that any infrastructure built will be the property of Slovakia.

Logical step, MFA says

Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok (SaS nominee) added that Slovakia is the last of all countries in the so-called eastern wing of NATO that does not have such an agreement. He considers the agreement to be a logical step taking into consideration previous intensive cooperation with the US.

A politically declared strategic alliance with the United States turns into an alliance of an operational nature, Korcok said, as quoted by TASR.

Army will modernise, plans to purchase dozens of armoured vehicles Read more

He emphasised that US Armed Forces will do nothing in Slovakia without the country's knowledge and agreement. According to him, the agreement does not presume a permanent US presence on the territory of Slovakia.

The text of the agreement was approved within the coalition, according to Nad. Korcok also expects negotiations with the opposition. The government should discuss the agreement in January 2022. It should be approved by parliament too and ratified by the president.

Zmeko welcomes the agreement

The Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Daniel Zmeko welcomes the agreement. According to him, administratively it will simplify joint training activities and set precise rules for dealing with related situations.

It will also provide an opportunity to improve compliance and better align plans when looking for answers to current security challenges. Due to the state of the Armed Forces infrastructure, it also welcomes the announced investments.

Central Slovak company will create components for Lynx combat vehicles Read more

Negotiations by the previous government on a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States have begun. Former defence minister Peter Gajdos (SNS) decided not to take part in them. He argued that the adoption of the agreement would jeopardise Slovakia's sovereignty.
The defence minister said he will resign if any allegations of the agreement's opponents comes true.

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The draft of the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Slovakia and the US has found many opponents in the opposition. The party Smer, led by former three-time PM Robert Fico, plans to summon a non-scheduled parliamentary session and also wants to organise a referendum on whether people agree with placing American military bases in the area of the Slovak Republic.

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Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad reported on the government's plans to sign DCA with the US in mid-December. At the beginning of January, when the interdepartmental review procedure was over, the General Prosecutors Office led by Maros Zilinka submitted 35 objections to the wording of the agreement and thus rejected the agreement as a whole. Later, the opposition echoed these objections.

Non-scheduled session followed by referendum

Fico said the non-scheduled parliamentary meeting should take place before the meeting scheduled for February 1. Besides Smer MPs, the MPs without a caucus formed around MP Tomas Taraba will sign the proposal to summon the non-scheduled session.
https://sputniknews.com/20220112/be-ready-to-run-if-needed-visitors-to-alaskas-park-warned-about-stressed-out-moose-1092202490.html

'Be Ready to Run if Needed': Visitors to Alaska's Park Warned About 'Stressed-Out' Moose

'Be Ready to Run if Needed': Visitors to Alaska's Park Warned About 'Stressed-Out' Moose

Visitors to Alaska's Denali National Park have been warned about local moose being aggressive following heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures in the area.

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Visitors to Alaska's Denali National Park have been warned about local moose being aggressive following heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures in the area. The extreme weather conditions have left the local moose population "stressed out," experts said. "With the record-breaking snow we saw at the end of December, followed by consistent -40 temps, the moose around the park are highly stressed out. If you decide to visit soon, be on high alert for moose...If a moose charges, run away!" the park wrote on Facebook. Alaska is home to up to 200,000 moose, which can weigh more than 725 kg, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said. Visitors have also been warned that in snowy weather moose tracks can be hidden and the animals can suddenly appear out of nowhere. "Keep your head up and look around before you walk out the door or around the corner and especially while walking on trails or in the dark. Moose can be anywhere and are often hard to see until you are too close," the park said in the statement.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/biden-administration-clears-five-guantanamo-bay-detainees-for-transfer--1092192225.html

Biden Administration Clears Five Guantanamo Bay Detainees for Transfer

Biden Administration Clears Five Guantanamo Bay Detainees for Transfer

The US government has granted the transfer of five detainees from the military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The facility turned 20 years old on Tuesday, and still houses 39 detainees, with 21 yet to be cleared for transfer.

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The Biden administration has stated its goal of closing the prison permanently. However, the process of releasing and then transferring prisoners is complicated and fraught with potential pitfalls.The Periodic Review Board is tasked with determining which detainees are cleared for release and transfer. The panel consists of representatives from different US national security agencies.The prisoners' crimes, alleged crimes, and behavior, are all taken into account before a release is granted. Before a prisoner can be transferred, the US must negotiate with their home nations government, or a third party, to allow their release.Guled Hassan Duran, Moath al-Alwi, Suhail al-Sharabi, Zakaria al-Baidany and Abdulmalik Bajabu have been identified as the five detainees approved for transfer. None of the men have been charged with a crime.Duran was deemed a crucial member of East Africa al-Qaeda*. He was captured in 2003 in Djibouti, reportedly in the alleged final stages of plans to carry out terrorist activities in the region. He is a Somali national.According to his attorney, and documented in a Senate Intelligence Committee report released in 2014, Duran was tortured at CIA black sites.Durans clearance for transfer was granted on November 10 but does not contain the rationale for the decision.Zakaria al-Baidany, who was also tortured at CIA black sites, was granted clearance on December 27.Moath al-Alwi, was granted his release by the review board at an unspecified time. The board noted his lack of a leadership position in al-Qaeda or the Taliban* and factored in his highly compliant behavior as reasons for his release.Abdulmalik Bajabu, accused of having ties to East Africa al-Qaeda, was arrested by Kenyan authorities in 2007. He was one of the five final detainees to arrive in the military prison.The final of the five detainees granted their release, Suhail al-Sharabi, was accused of serving as a bodyguard to Osama bin Laden. The Yemeni has also been accused of belonging to al-Qaeda.Al-Sharabi has been at Guantanamo Bay for close to two decades. The panel did not reveal their rationale for approving his transfer.At its height, the military prison at Guantanamo Bay housed hundreds of male prisoners. Now, under 40 detainees are housed in the facility. With the US war in Afghanistan officially over, Guantanamo Bay remains a final reminder of Americas costly War on Terror.* Terrorist organisations outlawed in Russia and many other states

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/bill-gates-believes-after-omicron-covid-19-can-be-treated-like-seasonal-flu-1092199720.html

Bill Gates Believes After Omicron, COVID-19 Can Be 'Treated Like Seasonal Flu'

Bill Gates Believes After Omicron, COVID-19 Can Be 'Treated Like Seasonal Flu'

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates went on Twitter on 11 January to share his opinions on a plethora of issues linked with the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates went on Twitter on 11 January to share his opinions on a plethora of issues linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.In his live Q&A session with Devi Sridhar, director of Global Health Governance and professor at the University of Edinburgh Medical School in Scotland, Gates predicted what would follow after the current Omicron wave of COVID-19 outbreak dies down.The co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation warned of the effects of the Omicron variant on the unvaccinated, claiming most of the severe cases will be those who failed to get the jabs. He expressed the belief that people may have to take yearly inoculations in the foreseeable future.Vaccines, wrote Gates in his Twitter thread, prevent severe cases of the respiratory disease and deaths, but they still allow breakthrough infections". He underscored the importance of developing vaccines that "prevent re-infection and have many years of duration". Asked what were the odds that a more contagious variant of COVID-19 might be looming after Omicron, the philanthropist didnt think it was likely.The American multi-billionaire also addressed some of the aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic that have triggered speculations and conspiracy theories. On the origins of the virus  a hotly debated topic  he pointed to the data being pretty strong that it came from another species.While a 2021 World Health Organization study offered no definitive answers on the issue, dismissing as "extremely unlikely" the theory of a leak from a Chinese laboratory, he advised labs to be careful."There will be future outbreaks coming from other species so we need to invest in being ready," wrote Bill Gates.When asked about the conspiracy theory that claimed the entrepreneur came up with the coronavirus in order to control the worlds population through vaccination, Gates, who has millions towards research on the infectious disease, including the development of inoculation and its procurement, wrote that like Devi Sridhar, Anthony Fauci, and others, he himself had been "subject to a lot of misinformation". Looking ahead, Bill Gates said the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention need to be injected with more resources to get a head start on pandemics.In December 2021, Bill Gates had voiced optimism that the Omicron-generated surge in coronavirus cases could burn itself out in three months, adding, "I still believe if we take the right steps, the pandemic can be over in 2022."

https://sputniknews.com/20200814/bill-gates-doesnt-rule-out-that-coronavirus-vaccine-may-become-mandatory-1080172902.html

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At the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France Emmanuel Bonne will visit China and hold the 22nd China-France Strategic Dialogue on January 13.

CCTV: Can you share the arrangement and Chinas expectation of the visit by Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France Emmanuel Bonne?

Wang Wenbin: During the visit of Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France Emmanuel Bonne, Chinese leaders will have virtual meetings with him and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold the 22nd China-France Strategic Dialogue with him to have strategic communication on ways to deepen mutual political trust and practical cooperation across the board, develop China-Europe relations under Frances rotating presidency of the EU, jointly uphold and practice multilateralism, and other issues. They will also have in-depth exchange of views of international and regional hotspot issues of common concern.

With the persistent and unchecked pandemic, accelerating changes unseen in a century and mounting challenges in the world, China expects this visit to further enhance mutual political trust, deepen practical cooperation across the board, contribute to the healthy and stable growth of China-France and China-Europe relations in the long run, and inject more positive energy into efforts to uphold multilateralism, improve global governance and promote world prosperity and development.

MASTV: Based on preliminary data for 2021, Rhodium Group estimates that the US greenhouse gas emissions increased 6.2% relative to 2020. The rebound is largely due to a jump in coal-fired power generation, which increased 17% from 2020. Some media outlets believed that the US is even further from hitting its 2025 and 2030 climate goals. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted the report. Other authoritative international researches have reached similar conclusions recently. We regret this. Climate change poses a grave challenge to mankinds survival and development. As a developed country and a major emitter of greenhouse gases, the US should not get too preoccupied with whats happening in the neighboring farm to neglect its own crops. It should stop playing the old trick of saying a lot but doing a little or merely paying lip service and instead join the doers with concrete action. The rebound in US emissions reminds us once again that when putting forward and formulating emissions reduction targets, we should be objective and rational, follow the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and take into consideration different national realities. We should avoid setting unrealistically ambitious targets or even restricting developing countries legitimate development rights and interests.

In addressing climate change, President Xi Jinping stresses that successful governance relies on solid action and visions will come true only when we act on them. China has always been taking earnest actions in climate governance. We take the initiative in assuming international obligations suited to our national condition and have been taking bolder actions to address climate change. Having over-shot the climate action goals of 2020 ahead of schedule, China announced the vision of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in September 2020, raised the goals of Nationally Determined Contributions, and published the 1+N policy framework for implementing carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, all of which are concrete actions to add positive energy to the global climate governance.

Shenzhen TV: It is reported that Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega held an inauguration ceremony on January 10. The US Department of the Treasury announced economic sanctions on six Nicaraguan officials including the Defense Minister of Nicaragua for undermining democracy, and imposed visa restrictions on 116 individuals related to the government. What is Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: China firmly supports the government and people of Nicaragua in choosing independently a development path that suits their national realities. We urge the US side to face squarely its own democratic deficit, renounce the misguided old practice of arbitrary sanctions and pressure, stop engaging in hegemonic and bullying acts, adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, lift unilateral sanctions on Nicaragua and stop interfering in Nicaraguas domestic affairs.

Bloomberg: Taiwan plans to open a $1 billion fund for joint projects between Lithuania and Taiwan. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The one-China principle is an invincible trend with strong popular support. The Taiwan authorities attempts to expand space for Taiwan independence activities with dollar diplomacy are futile and bound to fail.

RIA Novosti: Afghanistans ambassador to China, Javid Ahmad Qaem, left his post earlier in January. Has China received any documents from Afghanistan about Qaems successor? Considering that China does not recognize the Talibans government, will Beijing allow Talibans representative to enter the country and serve as Afghanistans ambassador?

Wang Wenbin: I made a response yesterday to Afghan Ambassador Qaems leaving his post. China and Afghanistan are staying in touch through smooth channels. China is ready to remain in communication with the Afghan side. As to your specific question, I have no information to offer at the moment.

Beijing Daily: On January 10, Gabit Koishibayev, Kazakh Ambassador to China, said at an embassy press briefing that he thanks and highly appreciates Chinas support for his country and people at this difficult hour. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: After a large-scale riot occurred in Kazakhstan, President Xi Jinping sent a verbal message to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to openly show his support. He said in the message that China is ready to provide necessary support to the best of its capacity to help Kazakhstan tide over the difficulties. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and reiterated Chinas firm support for Kazakhstan in maintaining stability and curbing violence. China also joined other SCO member states in releasing a statement on the situation in Kazakhstan at the earliest time possible to voice support for the measures taken by the Kazakh leadership to restore stability at home, demonstrating strong support for Kazakhstan.

President Tokayev has expressed thanks for President Xis verbal message at a critical moment for Kazakhstan. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tileuberdi said that the Chinese Foreign Ministers call on the National Day of Mourning in Kazakhstan once again demonstrates Chinas firm support for and brotherly friendship with Kazakhstan. These interactions fully embody the high level of the two countries permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and deep bond of friendship through weal and woe.

I also noted that Ambassador Koishibayev said at the press conference that the Kazakh authorities have taken effective measures to maintain stability and curb violence and the security situation is stabilizing. I would like to reiterate that China firmly supports all measures conducive to restoring stability in Kazakhstan and will continue to provide every necessary assistance to help Kazakhstan maintain steady and sound development.

Yonhap News Agency: The DPRK said it successfully test fired a hyper-sonic missile on January 11. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. Chinas position is consistent and clear. We hope all relevant parties can advance the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue following the dual-track approach and the phased and synchronized principle.

The Paper: Yesterday, January 11, marks the 20th anniversary since the Guantanamo Bay prison was opened. An expert group appointed by the UN Human Rights Council issued a statement on January 10 that condemned the prisons continued operation in violation of human rights. It said, Twenty years of practicing arbitrary detention without trial accompanied by torture or ill treatment is simply unacceptable. What is Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: The Guantanamo Bay prison is a dark chapter in the world history of human rights. If there is a detention camp that holds Muslims, then it must be the Guantanamo Bay.

Since the arrival of the first prisoners 20 years ago, the US torture of the detainees has been frequently reported, evoking outrage in the international community. The US has promised more than once that it would shut down the prison. However, 20 years on, 39 people are still kept there, and few of them have been charged with or convicted of crimes.

In fact, secret prisons set up by the US can be found across the world. The Guantanamo Bay prison is like a tip of the iceberg. According to reports, the US built many secret prisons in Afghanistan and US allies after waging the war in Afghanistan. The US military committed atrocities, torture and murder against civilians in Iraq after its invasion, and prisoner abuse in the Abu Ghraib prison shocked the world.

Lately, Lithuania finally paid a compensation to the forever prisoner Abu Zubaydah jailed in a US secret prison in the suburb of Vilnius, which came more than three years after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Lithuania should give him compensation and 20 years after he was detained in the prison by the US without charge.

The black sites of the US such as the Guantanamo Bay prison reminds people of US dark track records against human rights. The US should earnestly reflect on itself, immediately close the Guantanamo Bay and all other secret prisons across the world. It should stop atrocities including arbitrary detention and torture of prisoners, deliver apologies and compensations to the victims and bring to justice those who authorized and committed the torture.

Associated Press of Pakistan: Recently, a Pakistani student at a university in Tianjin fell seriously ill and remained hospitalized for over two months. The Chinese authorities paid heavy expenses for his medical treatment and also sent him back home in coordination with Pakistan Embassy Beijing. Now his father and other family member through a letter have expressed their gratitude and high respect to the Chinese authorities for their all-out support. I wonder if you have any comment on that.

Wang Wenbin: This is another example showing vividly that the bond of friendship and mutual assistance between the Chinese and Pakistani people is stronger than gold and the two countries iron-clad friendship is deeply rooted in the people and boasts strong vitality.

Since COVID-19 broke out, many foreign students including some from Pakistan have persevered with their studies in China. The Chinese government and their schools care about their safety and health and will continue to provide them with every possible assistance.

Bloomberg: Sri Lankas central bank governor told reporters today the country may negotiate a new loan from China in order to help ease its debt obligations. Does the foreign ministry have any details on this potential new loan?

Wang Wenbin: I am not aware of the situation you mentioned. I want to stress that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Sri Lanka have been showing each other mutual understanding and support. China has always been doing its utmost to provide help for Sri Lankas economic and social development and will continue to do so in the future.
https://sputniknews.com/20220112/china-ready-to-assist-kazakhstan-where-does-nato-enlargement-end-1092190385.html

China Ready to Assist Kazakhstan; Where Does NATO Enlargement End?

China Ready to Assist Kazakhstan; Where Does NATO Enlargement End?

China has sent Kazakhstan a verbal message of support and is offering assistance within its capabilities after CSTO peacekeeper forces halted a terrorist coup... 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-12T07:36+0000

2022-01-12T07:36+0000

2022-01-12T09:37+0000

bernie sanders

kazakhstan

csto

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jcpoa

the critical hour

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China Ready to Assist Kazakhstan; Where Does NATO Enlargement End? China has sent Kazakhstan a verbal message of support and is offering assistance within its capabilities after CSTO peacekeeper forces halted a terrorist coup attempt earlier this week.

Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss the US-Russia border crisis. The US delegation has pledged to provide a written response to Russia's security proposals by next week. Also, McGovern writes about media malfeasance regarding these important negotiations.Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector in Iraq, joins us to discuss Kazakhstan. China has sent Kazakhstan a verbal message of support and is offering assistance within its capabilities after CSTO peacekeeper forces halted a terrorist coup attempt earlier this week. Also, the Kazakh President has begun appointing new government ministers in a move to set the nation back on a stable political track.KJ Noh, activist, writer, and teacher, joins us to discuss US foreign policy. KJ Noh explains that US claims of adherence to a "rules-based order" are merely methods of rhetorical misrepresentation used to make a mockery of treaties and international law.Niko House, political activist, independent journalist, and podcaster, joins us to discuss domestic politics. Popular Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has come forth arguing that the Democrats have turned their back on the working class. He further argued that many working-class voters will be moving to the GOP as a result of loss of faith in the Democrats.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. Iran has ruled out any prospect of an interim nuclear deal with the United States. Also, resistance fighters are demanding that US troops leave Iraq. These demands are being supported by a dramatic increase in attacks on US troops and military installations.Greg Palast, investigative reporter, joins us to discuss voting rights. Georgia voting rights groups are boycotting President Biden's upcoming speech, arguing that he has failed to support their fight for election fairness.Teri Mattson, Latin America coordinator for Code Pink, joins us to discuss the Global South. Delegations from around the world are pouring into Nicaragua to attend the inauguration of President Daniel Ortega. Also, the Venezuelan opposition is falling apart and some figures are recognizing the folly of aligning with US puppet Juan Guaido.Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "America's Undeclared War," joins us to discuss NATO. Dan joins us to discuss the history of NATO and the current reality of the military organization. We discuss the benefits of the United States guaranteeing to go to war in defense of tiny countries in Eastern Europe whose leaders tie their political legacies to World War II-era Nazi collaborators.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/deaf-mute-girl-in-critical-condition-after-gang-raped-thrown-into-road-in-indias-rajasthan-1092200289.html

Deaf, Mute Girl in Critical Condition After Gang-raped, Thrown Into Road in India's Rajasthan

Deaf, Mute Girl in Critical Condition After Gang-raped, Thrown Into Road in India's Rajasthan

According to the National Crime Records Bureau report released last year, India recorded an average of 77 rape cases daily in 2020  a total of 28,046 cases... 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

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In a shocking incident of brutality, a deaf and mute girl was gang-raped and thrown into the road near a culvert while bleeding in Alwar city in Indias Rajasthan state.The incident took place on Tuesday night but it came to light on Wednesday when a passerby noticed the girl wreathing in pain. He called the police who rushed her to a local hospital."We have come to know that the minor had gone missing from nearby Malakheda Village at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. We informed her parents and they identified their kid," Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Gautam told Indian news agency IANS.Doctors said that the girl was badly injured by a sharp object and is in a very serious condition  she's battling for her life at an intensive care unit (ICU).In order to provide advance care and treatment, the police then transported the girl to JK Lon hospital in Jaipur city in the same state. A team of seven doctors, including gynaecologists and plastic surgeons, is treating the girl.The police are searching for the unidentified culprits and examining all CCTV footage from the time and place.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/ex-white-house-spokeswoman-mcenany-met-with-us-house-panel-probing-january-6-riot--reports-1092220534.html

Ex-White House Spokeswoman McEnany Met With US House Panel Probing January 6 Riot -Reports

Ex-White House Spokeswoman McEnany Met With US House Panel Probing January 6 Riot -Reports

Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday met virtually with the US House Select Committee probing the events on January 6, 2021, CNN reported citing two sources familiar with the matter.

2022-01-12T22:41+0000

2022-01-12T22:41+0000

2022-01-12T22:41+0000

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McEnany was subpoenaed in November to provide testimony before the Select Committee as a person who worked with the former US President Donald Trumps White House and was a spokesperson for Trumps 2020 reelection campaign, the report said on Wednesday.To date, the Select Committee has subpoenaed more than 40 individuals who were allegedly involved in the events at the US Capitol on January 6, including Trumps close allies and advisers.On that day, a group of Trump supporters entered the US Capitol in a bid to protest the certifying of the 2020 presidential election results from several US states that Trump claimed were fraudulent and voter fraud that robbed him of election victory. The authorities shot one protester dead during the incident and charged more than 700 people for participating in the event.

https://sputniknews.com/20220112/jan-6-panel-seeks-information-voluntary-testimony-from-minority-leader-kevin-mccarthy--1092218711.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/for-fox-sake-has-us-any-intelligent-diplomats-1092208473.html

For Fox Sake Has US Any Intelligent Diplomats?

For Fox Sake Has US Any Intelligent Diplomats?

Foxes seem to be in vogue during the high-stakes talks this week between the US and Russia over deteriorating security conditions in Europe. 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-12T15:32+0000

2022-01-12T15:32+0000

2022-01-12T15:32+0000

columnists

wendy sherman

us

russia

antony blinken

nato

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The BBC headlined with this: Can the Silver Fox outwit Vladimir Putin? The report was referring to Wendy Sherman, the gray-haired diplomat who is leading the US delegation in discussions with Russian counterparts in Geneva, Brussels and Vienna.Deputy Secretary of State Sherman is described glowingly as an expert negotiator whose wily ways may get the better of Russia on how to reduce dangerous tensions in Europe. (In truth, with people like her, the tensions will only get worse.)Earlier, Shermans boss at the US State Department, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also invoked the image of a fox pertaining to negotiations. Blinken disparagingly said that Russias complaints about Ukraine undermining its national security was tantamount to a prowling fox protesting about hens in a henhouse. (A stupid analogy devoid of any reality.)Remember, supposed foxy Sherman nearly derailed past negotiations with Iran over the nuclear deal when she opined undiplomatically that lying was in the DNA of Iranians. As if the Americans are known for integrity! A point later affirmed when the deal she helped cobble together was later trashed by President Trump.Or how about Blinken snidely commenting on Russian security forces going to assist fellow CTSO-member Kazakhstan during the recent political turmoil. Blinken said the problem would be getting Russian troops to leave. This is from an official of a country whose troops are illegally occupying Syria and looting its oilfields.Blinken, Sherman and all other US politicians assert that Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 and that Moscow is currently planning to invade again. There is no awareness or admission of the CIA-backed coup in Kiev in 2014 and the launching of an ongoing civil war by the NATO-backed regime.Washington doesnt have diplomats. It has mouthpieces spouting propaganda points that have no basis in facts. Thats why the Silver Fox cannot outwit Putin, because thats a completely oxymoronic way of looking at a major geopolitical problem.The explosive situation stems from the US and its NATO partners having installed a regime on Russias doorstep that is obsessed with antagonizing Moscow. The American and NATO denial of the Neo-Nazi character of their client state is part of the quandary.The civil war in Ukraine between the NATO-backed Kiev regime and the ethnic Russian population in the Southeastern Donbas region is fueled by Kievs aggression and massive US military support. The Kiev regime has refused to implement a peace accord and in fact, continues to breach a ceasefire by attacking the Donbas.The continuation of the conflict is deliberately pursued because it allows the Kiev regime to peddle the myth about Russian aggression. This myth is the lynchpin for aspirations to join the US-led NATO alliance which in turn will furnish lucrative weapons contracts and make a lot of Ukrainian oligarchs even richer.It would be insanity on the part of Russia to permit the NATO alliance to gain any bigger foothold in Ukraine than it already has. It is absolutely imperative from Moscows point of view based on its existential national defense that the US-led military bloc exclude Ukraine and any other neighboring state. The reality is that the US and NATO have weaponized a Russophobic regime that would, if given the chance, install missiles capable of hitting Moscow within minutes.Blinken, Sherman and all the other dimwit diplomats who extol NATO as a defensive, democratic alliance are doing so out of deep ignorance and arrogance. They are incapable of understanding Russias very real concerns and reciprocating.After eight hours of in-depth discussions in Geneva with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov during which the Russian official explained exhaustively the security concerns and rejected categorically any invasion plans, Sherman still told reporters afterward that she wasnt sure about Russias commitment to diplomacy. She speculated that the Russian aim was to deliberately fail the talks and then to proceed with its alleged invasion plan for Ukraine.Ms Sherman has less the agile cunning of a fox and rather more the obdurate dumbness of a tank. The same goes for the rest of the diplomat corps in Washington. Theyre all hopelessly clueless, paralyzed mentally from their own ridiculous propaganda.

https://sputniknews.com/20220109/us-building-oil-refinery-in-syrias-hasaka-reports-say-1092137047.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220111/what-are-major-reasons-behind-washingtons-unwillingness-to-accept-russias-nato-proposals-1092184191.html

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columnists, wendy sherman, us, russia, antony blinken, nato
https://sputniknews.com/20220112/french-govt-launches-fight-against-incest-mulls-clear-ban-on-incestuous-relationships--1092207300.html

French Gov't Launches 'Fight Against Incest,' Mulls 'Clear Ban' on Incestuous Relationships

French Gov't Launches 'Fight Against Incest,' Mulls 'Clear Ban' on Incestuous Relationships

One in 10 French people claim to have been the victims of incest, according to a poll conducted by Ipsos in November 2020. Such surveys over the years show the... 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

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2022-01-12T15:51+0000

2022-01-12T15:51+0000

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The French government has announced plans to ban incestuous relationships.While incest is currently legal in France unless children are involved, Secretary of State for Child Protection Adrien Taquet said the government intended to criminalise such relationships even if both parties are over the age of 18.In favour of a clear ban," he added that he hoped the 18-year threshold for incest would be reviewed. Cousins would still be allowed to marry under the changed rules, while no clarification was offered regarding whether the proposed legislation would extend to stepfamilies.Laurent Boyet, chairman of child protection charity Les Papillons, welcomed the move, saying that incest should be legally forbidden to the same degree as it was already socially forbidden."In 1791, incest, blasphemy, and sodomy were struck down from the French Revolutionary penal code as "victimless crimes" in line with the idea that if there's no victim, there's no crime.France's 'Incest Scandals' The subject of incest hit headlines last year amid a spate of scandals.One of France's most prominent political commentators, Olivier Duhamel, 70, was accused of sexually abusing his stepson from the age of 14 in the 1980s.Duhamel dismissed the incest allegations laid out in a book, La Familia grande, penned by his stepdaughter Camille Kouchner, as personal attacks.Kouchner and her twin brother are children of France's ex-foreign minister, co-founder of the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) medical charity Bernard Kouchner, and academic Evelyne Pisier, who died in 2017. After Kouchner and Pisier separated, she went on to marry Duhamel. In the wake of the publication, Duhamel had resigned from all of his positions.After opening their investigation of the academic for rape of a minor and sexual aggression on 5 January, prosecutors in France revealed in June 2021 they were dropping it because the statute of limitations had expired.However, Kouchners book was instrumental in prompting a move by the French government to overhaul the countrys legislation on sex between adults and minors. Other high-profile revelations of family sex abuse soon followed, which lacked a legal age of sexual consent or specific crime against incest.While France had prohibited sex between an adult and a minor under the age of 15, it was not automatically considered rape.However, a new law was enacted in April, which defined a sexual relationship with a minor under 15 as rape, punishable by 20 years in prison, unless the sex was consensual and the age gap minor. Amid the scandal, the French government also brought in legislation making it an offence to have a sexual relationship with a close relative who was under 18.This comes as one in 10 people in France claimed they had been victims of incest, according to an Ipsos poll conducted in November 2020. According to estimates by Frances Interior Ministry, no more than 10 percent of victims of sexual abuse ever lodged a complaint against the perpetrators.

https://sputniknews.com/20210209/sciences-po-director-reportedly-resigns-after-incest-case-involving-a-university-professor-1082028579.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/gop-senators-seek-answers-as-bidens-doj-reveals-formation-of-new-domestic-terrorism-unit-1092187935.html

GOP Senators Seek Answers as Biden's DoJ Reveals Formation of New Domestic Terrorism Unit

GOP Senators Seek Answers as Biden's DoJ Reveals Formation of New Domestic Terrorism Unit

Matthew G. Olsen, the head of the US Department of Justice's National Security Division, revealed in opening remarks before the Senate Judiciary Committee that the department would form a new Domestic Terrorism Unit to assist in combating a growing security threat.

2022-01-12T00:02+0000

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gop

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republicans

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chuck grassley

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dick durbin

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Matthew G. Olsen, the head of the US Department of Justice's National Security Division, revealed in opening remarks before the Senate Judiciary Committee that the department would form a new Domestic Terrorism Unit to assist in combating a growing security threat. The DoJ official detailed that the new unit would "augment our existing approach" established by National Security Division attorneys tasked with both international and domestic cases. Olsen highlighted that DoJ-affiliated authorities have arrested and charged over 725 peoplewith 325 of those facing felony countsfor their roles in the deadly US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. "We have seen a growing threat from those who are motivated by racial animus, as well as those who ascribe to extremist anti-government and anti-authority ideologies," Olsen noted.Additionally, the FBI is seeking to identify and arrest an additional 200 suspects linked to the Jan 6, 2021, Capitol building breach, according to Jill Sanborn, executive director of the FBI's National Security Branch. Word of the unit's formation comes just days after the one-year commemoration of the violent and deadly attack by supporters of then-US President Donald Trump against the US Capitol building and its inhabitants.Olson also made reference to the 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, which was carried out by a lone gunman and resulted in 23 deaths. Most of the victims were LatinX. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the senate majority whip and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, opened the hearing with a video compilation that included live footage and news reporting of the deadly insurrection, which took place shortly after then-US President Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally, protesting the results of the 2020 presidential election. "They are normalizing the use of violence to achieve political goals," Durbin pointed out. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) responded to Durbin by showing a video of unrest in Portland, Oregon, and other parts of the US following the police killing of Minneapolis resident George Floyd.Sanborn highlighted during the hearing that the FBI has opened over 800 cases related to the summer 2020 riots cited by Grassley. More than 250 arrests have been made since. When asked whether any confidential informants of FBI agents participated in the January 6, 2021, riot, Sanborn told Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) that she would not "go into the specifics of sources and methods." The security official also declined to answer whether any agents or informants "committed crimes of violence" on January 6, 2021, or "actively encourage and incite crimes of violence." "Who is Ray Epps?" Cruz asked, as he presented visuals of a person reportedly named Ray Epps, a former Marine, who took part in the insurrection and has become the focal point of conspiratorial claims linking federal agents to the attack on the US Capitol building. Sanborn refused to answer the question, as well as several others posed by Cruz about Epps.Epps, an Arizona resident, has not been charged with a crime in connection with the January 6, 2021, riot.The Texas senator went on to claim that Epps was one of several individuals the FBI was seeking information on in a January 8, 2021, memo. Cruz used another visual aid to point out that Epps was later removed from the FBI list, without reason.One gray area identified during the hearing related to the definition of a domestic terrorist. The FBI's Sanborn noted that there were four domestic terror attacks conducted by domestic violent extremists last year, resulting in 13 deaths. The FBI official did not specify the events referenced.

https://sputniknews.com/20220111/trump-lawyers-claim-immunity-ask-judge-to-toss-civil-suits-seeking-damages-for-jan-6-riot-1092169251.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/india-china-start-new-round-of-negotiations-over-ladakh-border-dispute-1092199295.html

India, China Start New Round of Negotiations Over Ladakh Border Dispute

India, China Start New Round of Negotiations Over Ladakh Border Dispute

China and India have started the 14th round of corps commander-level negotiations to resolve the 20-month border conflict in the Ladakh region

2022-01-12T10:06+0000

2022-01-12T10:06+0000

2022-01-12T10:06+0000

asia & pacific

china

india

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The previous round of talks took place in October 2021 and did not bring any results. The Indian defense ministry said Chinese negotiators rejected its call for restoring peace in the area of the de facto border, referred to as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).The 14th negotiation is taking place at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point on the LAC's Chinese side, Asian News International reported.Shortly before the negotiation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that the situation on the border was generally stable and the parties were maintaining dialogue through diplomatic and military channels.The lack of a marked border between India and China has long been a source of tensions between the countries. Tensions escalated in May 2020 as a series of clashes between border forces led to multiple fatalities.In a bid to settle the conflict, the two nations launched disengagement consultations in early June 2020, with the first phase of disengagement on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Lake completed last February. The situation once again escalated in September 2021 prompting both countries to resume troop deployment near the LAC. Since then, China has repeatedly accused India of provocations, which it dismissed as groundless.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/nato-collectively-preparing-for-every-eventuality-with-russia-if-diplomacy-fails-sherman-says-1092209263.html

NATO Collectively Preparing for Every Eventuality With Russia if Diplomacy Fails, Sherman Says

NATO Collectively Preparing for Every Eventuality With Russia if Diplomacy Fails, Sherman Says

NATO members are collectively preparing for every eventuality with Russia if it walks away from the proposed diplomacy path in relations with the alliance and Ukraine, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said on Wednesday.

2022-01-12T16:00+0000

2022-01-12T16:00+0000

2022-01-13T14:11+0000

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If Russia walks away, however, it will be quite apparent they were never serious about pursuing diplomacy at all. That is why collectively we are preparing forever for every eventuality, Sherman said during a press briefing.The dialogue of the NATO-Russia Council began on Wednesday and Russia had the opportunity to hear what the alliance's members other than the United States have to say, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told journalists."Clearly, we began dialogue today," Sherman said.It is also important that at the end of today's meeting Russia did not reject the idea of having more discussions with NATO, she added. "I am glad Russia was at the NATO summit and heard what other 30 states had to say," she added.According to the US diplomat, the meeting ended with a "sober challenge" from the alliance to Moscow to de-escalate amid growing tensions over Ukraine.Sherman noted that during the meeting Russia did not make any commitment to de-escalate nor did it state that it would not do so.The United States and allies at a NATO-Russia Council meeting on Wednesday were united that certain core Russian proposals on European security are simply nonstarters, Sherman went on to say.During the meeting, NATO allies offered their views on the areas where the alliance and Russia could make progress together to strengthen security for all and for the world, including reciprocal actions focused on risk reduction and transparency, communication and arms control, the US Deputy Secretary of State said.NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed hope that the NATO-Russia Council could convene again soon to have "deeper discussions" on areas of interest where making progress is possible, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said on Wednesday.On Nord Stream 2 ProjectIt is very difficult to imagine the Nord Stream 2 pipeline becoming operational if Russia advances on Ukraine, Sherman told journalists on Wednesday.She noted that Washington has long been clear about the project."It is the Russian geopolitical project that undermines energy security and national security," she said.In December, media reported that the United States is pressing Germany to halt the Nord Stream 2 pipeline should Russia invade Ukraine. However, the Kremlin said the pipeline was not mentioned during the virtual meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden in late 2021.Nord Stream 2 is a joint venture of Gazprom, Royal Dutch Shell, OMV, Engie, Uniper and Wintershall. The project is designed to carry natural gas from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. The pipeline was completed in September and is now undergoing certification in Germany, which has been stalled by the Federal Network Agency's demand to create a German subsidiary and then file a separate bid.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/nato-will-make-every-effort-for-political-way-foward-with-russia-stoltenberg-says-following-talks-1092205999.html

Stoltenberg: NATO Won't Give Up Open Door Policy, Right to Station Troops in States Ringing Russia

Stoltenberg: NATO Won't Give Up Open Door Policy, Right to Station Troops in States Ringing Russia

Russian and NATO officials held talks in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the security proposals put forward by the Russian Foreign Ministry in mid-December... 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-12T13:38+0000

2022-01-12T13:38+0000

2022-01-13T14:10+0000

nato

russia-nato row on european security

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The Western bloc's member states "will make every effort" to find a political way forward with Russia, but will not give up on its "core principles," including its open door policy for membership, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said."There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on these issues, and the differences will not be easy to bridge. But it is a positive sign that all NATO allies and Russia sat down around the same table," Stoltenberg said.Stoltenberg indicated that the bloc called on Russia during the meeting to "withdraw its forces" from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - presumably in a reference to Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and to Crimea  the region which broke off from Ukraine and rejoined Russia in 2014 following a Western-backed coup in Kiev.NATO, he said, "expressed serious concern" about the alleged Russian military buildup "in and around Ukraine," and called on Russia to de-escalate the situation and to "respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours.""They also called on Russia to refrain from aggressive force posturing and malign activities directed against allies and abide by all its international obligations and commitments," Stoltenberg said.The NATO chief said the bloc was prepared to hold further meetings with Russia on a broad range of issues, including missiles, but said that the Russian side had indicated that they are not ready to do so at this stage.Last month, asked to comment on the Foreign Ministry's decision to publish Russia's security proposals openly, President Vladimir Putin indicated that Moscow did so openly amid fears that the Western bloc might try stalling tactics. "They will chat endlessly, speak endlessly about the need to negotiate, and do nothing, except pumping up our neighbour with modern weapons systems, and increase the threat to Russia, with which we will then be forced to somehow deal with, somehow live," Putin said.In his press conference on Wednesday, Stoltenberg also commented on the ongoing diplomatic spat between Russia and the bloc, which blew up late last year after NATO unilaterally revoked the accreditation of eight employees of the Russian mission to NATO, prompting Moscow to suspend the operations of the bloc's information office in the Russian capital. The secretary-general said there was mutual interest in restoring the work of these offices.Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said relations between Moscow and the alliance had sunk to a state beyond "catastrophic," because "to be catastrophic you need to have [relations]" to begin with.Wednesday's talks in Brussels, led by the Russian side by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Grushko and Deputy Minister of Defence Alexander Fomin, were the second of three discussions between Russian officials and officials from the US and NATO this week on the security proposals tabled by Moscow in mid-December. On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and their respective delegations met in Geneva, Switzerland. On Thursday, the Organisation for Security Co-operation in Europe - which includes Russia and members of the NATO alliance, plus other states in Europe and the former Soviet Union, will meet in Vienna to wrap up the whirlwind of diplomatic talks.The United States and its allies have broken commitments made to Russia not to expand beyond the borders of a reunified Germany following the end of the Cold War. In remarks last month, President Putin indicated that Russia had been forced to try to set up "red lines" on the bloc's further eastward push now because NATO has "squeezed us against such a line...that we can't move around."

https://sputniknews.com/20220110/nato-must-reject-military-development-of-territory-of-its-eastern-members-russia-says-after-talks-1092161778.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220111/what-are-major-reasons-behind-washingtons-unwillingness-to-accept-russias-nato-proposals-1092184191.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220109/russia-has-not-been-thrown-off-balance-by-us-tough-position-on-security-guarantees-moscow-says-1092135168.html

https://sputniknews.com/20190402/gorbachev-nato-expansion-reasons-1073764558.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/nicaragua-rides-wave-of-china-reaffirming-bri-1092198667.html

Nicaragua Rides Wave of China, Reaffirming BRI

Nicaragua Rides Wave of China, Reaffirming BRI

Political leftward turn pushes regional leaders to make suitable choices. 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-12T09:38+0000

2022-01-12T09:38+0000

2022-01-12T09:38+0000

nicaragua

china

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Swearing in at inauguration ceremony for his new term attended by envoys from China and Russia and reaffirming cooperation with China, Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega is aligning with current global trends as more Latin American nations elect left-leaning governments that will act in their own best interests, despite continuing US attempts to reinforce its influence by using measures mixing sanctions and aid in what it considers its "backyard." Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Cao Jianming attended Ortega's inauguration ceremony in Managua on Monday, meeting with Ortega prior to the ceremony to exchange views on deepening future cooperation, the Xinhua News Agency reported. On 10 December, Nicaragua announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC), 3.5 hours after the Central American country announced it was severing "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan island. Nicaragua has made the right choice in keeping with current trends. It chose China out of the need for development, and future cooperation between the two countries will be broader, Yang Jianmin, an expert on Latin American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. Yang also noted that before the resumption of diplomatic relations, Nicaragua expressed support to China on topics related to Xizang and Hong Kong regions. During the meeting with Cao on Monday, Ortega thanked the Chinese president for sending a special envoy to attend the inauguration and said that Nicaragua will adhere to the one-China principle, totally supports and is willing to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative to build a better future for the China-Nicaragua bilateral relations, Xinhua reported. Nicaragua media and Russian media reported that China and Nicaragua signed cooperation agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on cooperation under the framework of the BRI and the 21st Century Maritime Cooperation, and an agreement for the mutual exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic passports, service passports, and public or official affairs passports.Latin America, with many underdeveloped countries, relies on exports of primary products. Dominated by the US, these countries have been forced to stay in the lowest end of the industrial chain, Pan Deng, executive director of the Latin American and Caribbean Region Law Center of China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times. Their urgent needs are ridding themselves of their current position in the industrial chain designated by the US hegemony, breaking bottlenecks and improving infrastructure construction, and seeking potential cooperation in fields like carbon credits, Pan said. These advantages have encouraged these countries to board the fast train of China's economic development, Pan noted. However, out of geopolitical concerns, the US not only prevented countries in the region from establishing diplomatic relations with the PRC, spared no efforts to thwart countries from making the right choices, and set limitations to restrict Chinese companies from doing businesses in the area, Pan said. For example, US officials have been reportedly pressing Latin American countries to replicate Washington's decision to exclude Huawei from its 5G networks, hyping concerns over China's alleged "snooping activities." Pan noted that in order to help the island of Taiwan reinforce "diplomatic ties," the US pushed the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative in March 2020 to threaten countries that attempt to sever ties with the island. With the stable political situation in Nicaragua, cooperation projects especially under the BRI, likely on infrastructure and telecommunication, will soon bring benefits to local residents, analysts said, noting the cooperation stands in sharp contrast with the US and EU's latest sanctions on Nicaragua. On Monday, just before Ortega's inauguration, the US imposed a new round of sanctions on Nicaragua officials, including the defence minister over accusation of "state acts of violence." Meanwhile, the EU announced fresh sanctions on individuals in Nicaragua for "undermining democracy" and "human rights abuse," US media reported. Afraid of China's increasing influence in the region, the US also blocked cooperation between China and regional countries. But China's investment and economic activities could not only promote regional economic development but also benefit the US given the large number illegal immigrants swarming into the US driven by disturbances in the region, Jiang noted.Align With Global TrendAnalysts noted that establishing diplomatic relations with China aligns with the global trend and the interests of countries in Latin America and is also what each leader considers during their days in office. Nicaragua is the eighth country that the island of Taiwan has lost "diplomatic relations" with after the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s Tsai Ing-wen became Taiwan regional leader in 2016. In September 2019, the Solomon Islands severed ties with Taiwan, and less than a week later, Kiribati also broke ties with it.The island of Taiwan now has 14 "diplomatic allies" left with eight located in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, experts noted that as diplomatic ties resumed between China and Nicaragua as well as the bilateral cooperation have demonstrated their positive effects, more countries would join Nicaragua to make the right choice.Moreover, with the left-leaning political shift across Latin America, countries may adjust their diplomatic relations with the US, develop closer relations with China and Russia. Recently, many Latin American countries have seen a strong push toward the left, including the election victory of Henrique Borici in Chile. Honduras has just elected Xiomara Castro as president, a left-wing woman who shows the intention to establish diplomatic relations with the Chinese mainland, and Peru also elected Pedro Castillo as president, who was a teacher in a rural school and trade-union activist.Pan told the Global Times leftists in Latin America have recently taken power in many countries, and a trend of "left-leaning" governments has become increasingly obvious. The left wing in Latin America is heavily influenced by its opposition to hegemony, especially the US' interference in its internal affairs. Although the "carrot and stick" policy of the US is still working, the ruling environment of the left will help the authorities, social elites and the general public in many Latin American countries to recognize the hegemonic behaviour of the US, forming more social consensus, and make a choice in accordance with the historical trend when the time comes, Pan said. Yang said that the US government has noticed this trend and has started to take a measures. "It can be said that even today, the US still sees Latin America as its 'backyard' and is determined to ensure its absolute influence in the region, and is willing to resort to sanctions, threats and even military invasion to do so." However, Yang noted that the Biden administration is wooing people with high-profile promises of aid to build infrastructure and solve problems like immigration. It also imposes pressure on Latin American countries that hope to establish closer relations with China, adding obstacles to the development of China-Latin America relations.This article originally appeared on the Global Times website.

https://sputniknews.com/20211210/taiwan-regrets-nicaraguas-decision-to-cut-off-ties-with-island-foreign-ministry-says-1091409941.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211209/nicaragua-ends-diplomatic-relations-with-taiwan-recognizes-there-is-only-one-china-1091400832.html

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Italian luxury brand Prada launched a campaign "Action in the Year of the Tiger" to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Tiger and to raise awareness on safeguarding tigers, the largest animal in the feline family and a species at the risk of extinction.

As part of the campaign, Prada's logo was transformed into a powerful tiger face.

The campaign invited art talents under 30 to create their own interpretations of the tiger through paintings, designs and sculptures. The applicants' works will be judged by a jury comprising of artists Liu Ye, Lu Yang and Goshka Macuga. Works by the finalists will be used during the campaign throughout 2022.

Chinese actor Li Yifeng and actress Chun Xia participated in the campaign.

Prada will also contribute to the conservation of endangered Amur tiger by making a donation to "Walking with Tiger and Leopard" program of China Green Foundation. The program shares information of wildlife and biodiversity with the public by high-tech monitoring methods to improve the awareness of tiger and leopard conservation by environment education in order to create an "Eden of Big Cats" which will allow tigers to live in harmony with humans.
https://sputniknews.com/20220112/pakistans-first-ever-security-policy-prioritises-economic-ties-over-kashmir-dispute-with-india-1092197421.html

Pakistan's First Ever Security Policy Prioritises Economic Ties Over Kashmir Dispute With India

Pakistan's First Ever Security Policy Prioritises Economic Ties Over Kashmir Dispute With India

On Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will release the public version of the national security policy. The first-ever national security policy provides... 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-12T11:43+0000

2022-01-12T11:43+0000

2022-01-12T13:43+0000

pakistan

ceasefire

kashmir

imran khan

narendra modi

national security

jammu and kashmir

india

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The Pakistan government will prioritise economic diplomacy with India in its first-ever national security policy, which will suggest doing away with decades-old hostility with the eastern neighbour. According to Pakistani daily Express Tribune report, the 100-page policy envisages better trade and business ties with India, even if the longstanding Kashmir dispute remains unresolved.We are not seeking hostility with India for the next 100 years. The new policy seeks peace with immediate neighbours, an unnamed official told the daily ahead of the formal release of policy on Friday.However, the government official also mentioned that prioritising geo-economics doesn't necessarily mean overlooking the geo-strategic and geo-political interests of the country.Last month, the upcoming policy covering 2022-26 had received a nod from the National Security Committee (NSC), which includes service chiefs and top ministers.The NSC is the governments topmost consultative and decision-making body for coordinating issues pertaining to national security.Pakistans national security advisor Moeed W. Yusuf has dubbed it a citizen-centric comprehensive policy with economic security at the core.The decades-old rivalry between the two nuclear-armed nations had aggravated in 2019 when India revoked the special status of disputed Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the Narendra Modi government of violating the Indian Constitution, the United Nations Security Council resolutions on Kashmir, and the Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan.After two years of Pakistan's sustained campaign on Kashmir at international forums, the two countries' armies surprised the world by restoring the ceasefire understanding along the Line of Control (LoC) in February 2021.The two armies have been maintaining peace at the highly militarised border since then.Kashmir has been a major bone of contention between rivals India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947, as both claim it in full but govern in part.

https://sputniknews.com/20210405/betrayal-kashmiris-turn-to-stone-pelting-as-india-and-pakistan-vow-to-uphold-loc-ceasefire-1082542779.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/russia-nato-council-meeting-on-security-guarantees-to-kick-off-in-brussels-1092193182.html

Russia-NATO Council Meeting on Security Guarantees to Kick Off in Brussels

Russia-NATO Council Meeting on Security Guarantees to Kick Off in Brussels

The first meeting since 2019 between high-level delegations from NATO and Russia on security guarantees in Europe in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council will take place at NATO headquarters

2022-01-12T05:45+0000

2022-01-12T05:45+0000

2022-01-13T14:12+0000

world

russia

nato

russia-nato row on european security

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The meeting comes after the US-Russia talks in Geneva which were held on Monday. The meeting will start at 09:00 GMT and be followed by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's press conference at around 13:30 GMT. The issues of arms control, European security and military transparency will be high on the meetings agenda. Both sides have declared that they have a number of issues and concerns to discuss and that they are serious about their positions.In December, Russia presented draft agreements on security guarantees in Europe to the United States and NATO. These guarantees include legal obligations that NATO will refrain from advancing eastwards and accepting new members from the former Soviet Union, especially Ukraine and Georgia, as these have expressed their desire to join NATO, as well as to refrain from creating NATO military bases on the territories of former Soviet countries. Another proposal is the non-deployment of short- and intermediate-range missiles in the region.NATO has already responded to some proposals, stating that Moscow cannot dictate whether Ukraine or other countries can join the bloc, and said that it was not ready to discuss such issues without Kiev. The US also reiterated that decision, saying that it will not allow NATO's "Open Door" policy to be slammed shut. Nevertheless, some positive attitudes after the US-Russia talks may be projected for the upcoming meeting. After the meeting on Monday, the US expressed their assurance that a compromise on offensive missiles can be found with Moscow. The dialogue on the size and scope of military exercises and on improving transparency about those exercises may also lead to some compromises.The NATO-Russia Council will be followed by consultations with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna on Thursday, 13 January.

https://sputniknews.com/20211223/russia-us-attempts-to-use-security-guarantee-talks-as-cover-to-arm-ukraine-will-worsen-situation-1091739952.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/russia-to-be-second-home-for-kanye-ye-west-meeting-with-putin-in-the-cards-claims-confidant-1092196273.html

Russia to Be Second Home For Kanye Ye West, Meeting With Putin In the Cards, Claims Confidant

Russia to Be Second Home For Kanye Ye West, Meeting With Putin In the Cards, Claims Confidant

Rapper Ye, more commonly, Kanye West, is planning a trip to Moscow later this year to meet with President Vladimir Putin and hold Sunday Service performances, according to his associate cited by Billboard.

2022-01-12T08:14+0000

2022-01-12T08:14+0000

2022-01-12T08:22+0000

kanye west

us

russia

vladimir putin

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Rapper Ye, more commonly known as Kanye West, known for his world-famous hip-hop music and designer items, is planning a trip to Moscow later this year to meet with President Vladimir Putin and hold Sunday Service performances, according to his associate cited by Billboard.The musicians trip is currently being planned for spring or summer, depending on Yes schedule, strategic advisor Ameer Sudan told the outlet."Russia is going to be 'a second home' for Ye He will be spending a lot of time out there, said Sudan.Ye purportedly hopes to expand his business in Russia with the help of Azerbaijani-Russian billionaire developer Aras Agalarov, president of the Crocus Group, one of Russias leading developers.With a portfolio of businesses that boasts shopping centres, fashion brands, department stores, boutiques and much more, the Agalarovs Crocus Group is responsible for an estimated over 4 million total square meters of developed property in Russia, states the companys website.Ye is working on new business deals with the Agalarovs, according to Sudan, which are projected to increase the rappers wealth to over $10 billion.Ye was worth $6.6 billion thanks to lucrative deals with Adidas and Gap, Bloomberg reported in march 2021.Furthermore, Ye also ostensibly plans to collaborate musically with Agalarov's musician son, Emin, who was trained by the late legendary Soviet-era baritone Muslim Magomayev.Since launching his career in 2005, Emin Agalarov, who goes by EMIN, has released over a dozen albums and toured internationally. Ye is said to be planning to raise Emins profile in the US.The Sunday Service shows in Russia will be Yes first performances in the country, according to Sudan, and something the artist has considered doing since he debuted the project in 2019. Ye allegedly plans to invite President Vladimir Putin to attend the gospel performance as a special guest.Last November, Ye, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and generally known for outlandish statements on politics, society and culture, called himself Young Putin, purportedly in a reference to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, during an interview on the popular Drink Champs podcast, telling hosts, Culture is an oil. Culture is an energy, and Im the king of culture for the past 20 and the next 2,000 years.Regarding the artists mulled plans to visit Russia, Sudan was cited by Billboard as saying:This is Ye, Ye is going to get there regardless. What are they going to say? Hes going to be a special guest of the Agalarovs Kanye knows whats going on more than the average human being, hes well aware of things. And its nothing against the United States or to cause conflicts, but Ye is Ye  he cant be controlled.Netizens weighed in on the report, with some suggesting that the artist was simply an attention seeker.

https://sputniknews.com/20211113/ye-compares-himself-to-young-putin-heres-why-1090705049.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/unease-protests-as-yet-another-us-nuclear-sub-arrives-in-arctic-norway-1092195272.html

Unease, Protests as Yet Another US Nuclear Sub Arrives in Arctic Norway

Unease, Protests as Yet Another US Nuclear Sub Arrives in Arctic Norway

The arrival of the nuclear submarine USS Washington armed with cruise missiles to northern Norway has sparked strong reactions and protests.

2022-01-12T07:57+0000

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2022-01-12T07:57+0000

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On Tuesday, 11 December, the nuclear submarine USS Washington arrived in Troms in northern Norway, sparking strong reactions and protests.The US submarine is armed with cruise missiles and tasked with patrolling the northern waters, where Russian submarines sail out of the Northern fleet's bases at the Kola Bay and the Barents Sea.According to protesters who gathered outside the guarded gates of the Tnsnes harbour outside of Troms, the port calls make Norway a piece in a dangerous game between superpowers.Hakon Elvenes of the organisation No to nuclear-powered warships believes that US nuclear submarines should not be allowed to dock in Norway, and is concerned about the symbolic effect of them being invited into Norwegian waters.Elvenes's organisation received support from the Young Reds, the youth wing of the Reds Party. Its leader Alberta Tenne Bekkhus argued that that NATO has pursued aggressive rhetoric and a provocative policy against Russia, and that Norway is to blame for welcoming large military forces from the US. By facilitating port calls by nuclear US submarines, Norway is stirring the superpower conflict further, she argued.It is absolutely right to criticise Russia for a lot of what it does, but we think it is beside the point to only talk about Russia, when the West and Norway also have been involved in creating this conflict, Bekkhus told NRK.Therefore, the Young Reds argue that a new agreement between the US and Norway on the military use of Norwegian soil is completely wrong.Now you will actually introduce permanent areas that can be used for this. It will only make Norway more insecure, Bekkhus argued.Bekkhus referred to the Supplementary Defence Cooperation Agreement (SDCA), which facilitates further defence ties with the US. The agreement complements existing bilateral agreements with the US and NATO and allows for the creation of so-called agreed areas at Norwegian military bases to be used jointly by Norwegian, US and allied forces. It is furthermore possible for the US to set up its own infrastructure on the bases, which are paid for by the US, with American usage rights, but will be owned by Norway.Last year, a visit by a fellow US sub sparked similar reactions and protests as it transpired that the Troms municipality lacked the expertise or equipment to handle a possible accident with radioactive leakage, which could lead to a deadly public health crisis as well as environmental pollution.Reds Party leader Bjrnar Moxnes argued that the Defence Ministry had underestimated and downplayed the consequences of an accident and stressed that Troms will become a major military target.With a population of above 71,000, the city of Troms is Western Europe's largest above the Arctic Circle.Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the last port call that happened in May 2021 and suggested that the civil port in the immediate vicinity of the Russian border was becoming the next NATO outpost.

https://sputniknews.com/20210511/i-fear-that-our-city-will-become-a-bomb-target-us-sub-greeted-with-protests-in-norway-1082851966.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/us-coast-guard-touts-expanded-role-in-pacific-say-china-gets-excited-during-training-with-taiwan-1092212068.html

US Coast Guard Touts Expanded Role in Pacific, Says China Gets Excited During Training With Taiwan

US Coast Guard Touts Expanded Role in Pacific, Says China Gets Excited During Training With Taiwan

While the protection of Americas shoreline remains the US Coast Guards primary mission, the deployment of its vessels and personnel to Asia, Europe and the... 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-12T18:16+0000

2022-01-12T18:16+0000

2022-01-12T19:10+0000

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The US Coast Guard is taking on a more assertive role against China in the Pacific theatre, and doing missions which the Navy is unable to or not geared toward, Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz has said.As an example, the commandant pointed to the recent deployment by the USCGC Munro, a 418-foot Legend-class cutter, which completed a three-month-plus deployment in the Indo-Pacific last October, drilling with the Australian Navy, transiting through the Taiwan Strait (to Chinas irritation), and joining Taiwanese forces for training. During its Pacific deployment, the Munro was subordinated to the US 7th Fleet in Japan.Technically, the US military and the Coast Guard are prohibited from stationing troops on Taiwanese territory or conducting exercises with the islands military under the China-US agreements reached in the 1970s and early 1980s. Last year, it was revealed that "small numbers" of US troops have been illegally stationed on Taiwan since at least 2008, with over 600 personnel visiting the island over the past two years alone. Exacerbated China-US tensions over Taiwan led to talks between Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, after which Biden pledged notto change US policy toward the island.'Globalized' Coast GuardThe US Coast Guard maintains dozens of sector commands across the contiguous United States, as well as Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii and Guam. However, unlike the coastal defence forces of other nations, the Americans also maintain three operational commands abroad  including the USCG Far East Activities command at Yokota Air Base, Japan, USCG Activities Europe, based in Schinnen, the Netherlands, and Patrol Forces Southwest Asia based in Manama, Bahrain.Late last year, USCG Pacific Area commander Vice Adm Michael McAllister said the Coast Guard was responsible for missions that were different from the Navys, noting that the service serves to complement the Navys defence capacity, including by engaging in policing against illegal Chinese fishing activities.At the end of the day, we try to model a type of behaviour that keeps commerce open, peacefully resolves disputes, protects valuable resources, and counters illicit activities, McAllister said.The Coast Guards broad global reach has been criticized by other nations, and by some US politicians, who have expressed concerns about what American coast guard ships were doing guarding the coasts of other countries, and fears about overreach.Last April, after CNN reported on Iranian harassment of a US Coast Guard vessel in the Persian Gulf, witty commentators quickly asked what the ship was doing in the Middle East, nearly 7,000 miles from US shores.Representative Anthony Brown (D) told The Insider that he was anxious about efforts to further integrate the Coast Guard with the Navy, noting that this may impact its primary mission.Brown promised to continue to fight for the funding our services need in Congress, but stressed that that funding must also be managed correctly and strategically.The Coast Guard is presently in the middle of what Commandant Schultz has called the largest recapitalization programme since the Second World War to replace old ships. However, some officials in Washington want more cash  on top of the $13.1 billion provided for fiscal year 2022. Last year, Trump-era assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific security affairs Randall Schriver suggested that if were going to get serious with the Coast Guard as a tool for international engagement, we have to invest a lot more so that that tool is available.

https://sputniknews.com/20210829/chinese-troops-put-on-high-alert-during-us-warships-passage-through-taiwan-strait-report-says-1083746413.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211118/us-navy-orders-navigation-stand-down-for-subs-after-uss-connecticut-collision-in-s-china-sea-1090830287.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210629/us-coast-guard-considering-arctic-fonops-to-counter-russian-presence-at-north-pole-1083269415.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/us-confirms-death-of-american-in-ramallah-seeks-details-from-israel---state-dept-1092220419.html

US Confirms Death of American in Ramallah, Seeks Details From Israel - State Dept.

US Confirms Death of American in Ramallah, Seeks Details From Israel - State Dept.

The United States confirms the death of a US citizen near Ramallah and is seeking clarification about this incident from the Israeli government, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday.

2022-01-12T22:21+0000

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2022-01-12T22:21+0000

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We can confirm the death of US citizen Omar Assad in a city near Ramallah. We have been in touch with Mr. Asad's family to express our condolences about this tragedy. We're providing all appropriate consular assistance to the family at this time. We've also been in touch with the government of Israel to seek clarification about this incident, Price said during a press briefing.The Israeli Defense Forces said there is an ongoing investigation into the incident and the United States supports thorough probe into the circumstances of it, Price added.Early on Wednesday, Omar Asad was found dead in the West Bank village of Jiljiliya near Rammalah, according to a media reports. Asad was an 80-year-old Palestinian returning with his family after visiting relatives when they were stopped by Israeli soldiers who were taking part in an operation in the village.The mayor of Ramallah, Fuad Moutee, said Asad died of a heart attack while he was still handcuffed, according to the reports.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/us-house-panel-subpoenas-ex-white-house-official-2-republican-strategists-over-capitol-riot-ties-1092191343.html

US House Panel Subpoenas Ex-White House Official, 2 Republican Strategists Over Capitol Riot Ties

US House Panel Subpoenas Ex-White House Official, 2 Republican Strategists Over Capitol Riot Ties

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US House Select Committee investigating the events at the Capitol on January 6, said that it has subpoenaed two Republican strategists... 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-12T01:24+0000

2022-01-12T01:24+0000

2022-01-12T01:24+0000

us house of representatives

us capitol

subpoena

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Chairman Bennie G. Thompson today announced that the Select Committee has issued subpoenas to three individuals as a part of its investigation into the January 6th attack on the US Capitol and its causes, the Select Committee said in a press release on Tuesday. "The committee is demanding records and testimony from three witnesses involved in planning and preparations for the January 6th rally at the Ellipse, which immediately preceded the violent attack on the Capitol."The panel explained it believes Andy Surabian and Arthur Schwartz served as advisers for Donald Trump, Jr. and were in contact with an array of individuals, including the former US president as well as with Kimberly Guilfoyle regarding the rally on January 6, the release said.The panel also said it believes Ross Worthington is the person who drafted Trumps speech for the rally on January 6, the release added.To date, the Select Committee has subpoenaed more than 40 individuals, who were allegedly involved in the riot at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, including Trumps close allies and advisers.On that day, a group of Trump supporters entered the US Capitol in a bid to protest the certifying of the 2020 presidential election results from several US states that Trump claimed were fraudulent and voter fraud that robbed him of election victory. The authorities shot one protester dead during the incident and charged more than 700 people for participating in the event.

https://sputniknews.com/20220106/capitol-riot-investigation-panel-subpoenas-phone-records-of-mypillow-boss-mike-lindell-1092069442.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/us-senators-introduce-bill-to-sanction-china-officials-obstructing-covid-19-origins-probe-1092192088.html

US Senators Introduce Bill to Sanction China Officials Obstructing COVID-19 Origins Probe

US Senators Introduce Bill to Sanction China Officials Obstructing COVID-19 Origins Probe

Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Marco Rubio introduced legislation that would sanction Chinese officials and organizations that play a role in preventing an independent investigation in China into the origins of the novel coronavirus.

2022-01-12T03:31+0000

2022-01-12T03:31+0000

2022-01-12T03:31+0000

probe

us

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covid-19

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"Today, Sen. Chuck Grassley joined Sen. Marco Rubio and several of his colleagues in introducing the Coronavirus Origin Validation, Investigation, and Determination (COVID) Act of 2022," Grassley's press office said in a news release on Tuesday. Grassley said in the release that an investigation is necessary to reveal whether the Chinese government is responsible for releasing the virus and covering it up.The legislation would specifically target the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and its affiliated institutes and laboratories, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology.In addition, the bill would also suspend federal research funding across all academic fields for studies that involve CAS and prohibit gain-of-function virus research cooperation for any individual or institution based in the United States that receives federal funding.On October 29, US intelligence released a declassified report on its investigation into the origins of the novel coronavirus, which found that the virus had not been developed as a biological weapon. However, the report also mentioned that that Beijing continued to hinder the global investigation, resisted sharing information and blamed other countries, including the United States.The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that China had made clear its firm opposition when the US intelligence agency released the unclassified summary of assessment on the novel coronavirus origins in August. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the report was a political and false one, with no scientific basis or credibility.In spring 2021, the World Health Organization issued a full report on the coronavirus origin, stating that the leak from laboratory is unlikely.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220112/watch-nyc-students-walk-out-in-protest-demanding-remote-learning-amid-skyrocketing-covid-cases-1092217683.html

Watch: NYC Students Walk Out in Protest Demanding Remote Learning Amid Skyrocketing Covid Cases

Watch: NYC Students Walk Out in Protest Demanding Remote Learning Amid Skyrocketing Covid Cases

As US officials continue to resist calls for better safety measures to control the spread of COVID, many are taking matters in their own hands, mostly recently students in New York, where the outbreak has reached historic levels.

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As US officials continue to resist calls for better safety measures to control the spread of COVID-19, many are taking matters into their own hands, mostly recently students in New York City, where the outbreak has reached historic levels.Hundreds of students at least 22 schools across New York City saw students walk out on Tuesday as part of a student-organized Student Walkout for Covid Safety.I organized this because our school conditions are not safe right now, Felicia, a junior at Bronx High School of Science who headed the schools walkout, told the Riverdale Press, adding they were protesting because no one is doing it for us.The amount of cases that we have are just - there are so many people sick, and our mayor is not doing enough to protect us, all the millions of kids in the school system, they said. The students primary demand was to be given the option to go remote.It doesnt feel safe to be in school to be honest, Danny Mui, a sophomore at the 6,000-student Brooklyn Technical High School, told the New York Daily News. In my classes, half the classes arent there. Some have COVID, some are afraid of COVID, and the school just isnt doing anything about it.Students also described how many of their teachers are sick and how the quick turnover of substitute teachers means little schoolwork is actually getting done in the classroom.New York has been the epicenter of the Omicron outbreak since the new SARS-CoV-2 variant was detected in the US last month, rising to such high levels that in the final days of 2021, an estimated 2% of all Manhattan residents had active Covid cases and one test in five was returning a positive result.On Monday alone, 40,000 New Yorkers tested positive for Covid, including almost 13,000 students and more than 2,200 staffers, but newly sworn-in Mayor Eric Adams and schools chancellor David Banks have remained committed to keeping schools open no matter what.Acknowledging the protests, Banks tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that he was inviting student leaders to meet with me so we can work together for safe and open schools. However, NYC Student Walkout for COVID Safety, an account representing the nascent protest movement, tweeted late on Tuesday night that none of the 5 organizers running this account have received any messages from the Chancellor.We are ready whenever you are, they added.Nationwide, the outbreak has set new records as local, state and federal governments make similar refusals to implement stricter safety procedures, including the lockdowns used so effectively to control outbreaks in China. On Tuesday, the US registered a new world record with 1.4 million new Covid cases in a single day, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is predicting at least 85,000 more deaths before the month is out.The Big Apple isnt the only place where schools have become a battlefield over Covid policies: in Chicago, the militant teachers union voted for an electronic lockout of Chicago Public Schools after Mayor Lori Lightfoot swore off another social lockdown and the teachers judged their schools safety measures to be inadequate.Last Winter, before COVID-19 vaccines were in widespread use, teachers across the US struggled to win adequate safety protections for them and their students as school districts rushed to resume in-person learning. In Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Chicago, and other cities, teachers joined with students and parents in protest to draw attention to the need for better ventilation, stricter quarantine requirements, and a rotating student system to minimize students in the building.

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us, protest, students, new york city, safety, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20220112/what-an-idiot-hot-mic-catches-fauci-criticizing-gop-lawmaker-during-heated-congressional-hearing-1092191862.html

'What an Idiot': Hot Mic Catches Fauci Criticizing GOP Lawmaker During Heated Congressional Hearing

'What an Idiot': Hot Mic Catches Fauci Criticizing GOP Lawmaker During Heated Congressional Hearing

On Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci engaged in a contentious exchange with GOP Sen. Roger Marshall, who pressed the leading US expert on infectious disease about the... 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-12T03:19+0000

2022-01-12T03:19+0000

2022-01-12T03:19+0000

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A hot microphone caught Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to US President Joe Biden, speaking offhand following a heated interrogation by GOP Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas. Fauci was heard on a hot mic to describe Marshall as a "moron."Marshall acknowledged that Fauci's salary was provided to Congress by his colleagues, including Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "All you have to do is ask for it, Fauci fired back. Youre so misinformed, its extraordinary."Marshall proclaimed that, due to the nature of Fauci's job, there is a perception that the latter is being made aware of certain information before members of Congress. The US senator qualified that he personally believes that "is not the case." While Marshall claimed that his office could not find Fauci's financial disclosures, the latter repeatedly pointed out that all of the information the Republican requested is readily available to the public.Both sides have since commented on the situation. Marshall later stated that, while calling him a moron "may have alleviated the stress" Fauci was feeling, "it didnt take away from the facts." The GOP senator did not elaborate on what facts he was referring to.Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, argued that it's "frankly unacceptable" for GOP lawmakers to use a US Senate hearing to spread "conspiracy theories and lies about Dr. Fauci, rather than how we protect people from COVID-19."

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Xi eyes closer post-pandemic cooperation with Indonesia

Xinhua) 08:18, January 12, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China and Indonesia should advance cooperation in a coordinated manner in the post-pandemic era.

In a phone conversation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Xi suggested that the two sides integrate Belt and Road cooperation with China's building of a new development pattern and Indonesia's medium- and long-term national development plan.

Since last year, China-Indonesia relations have been moving forward while maintaining stability in defiance of the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi noted.

The two countries, he added, have launched a high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism, and established a new pattern of bilateral cooperation on the "four-wheel drive" of political, economic, cultural and maritime affairs.

China and Indonesia are both major developing countries, and have similar ideals and beliefs in pursuing national development and seeking happiness for their people, Xi said.

Facing major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, the two countries should strive to build a community with a shared future, he said, adding that the key to achieving this goal is to get concrete things done well one after another.

Xi stressed that the two sides should work together to fight the pandemic and set a good example of health cooperation.

China, he said, will continue to cooperate with Indonesia throughout the vaccine industrial chain and on drug research and development, help Indonesia build a regional vaccine production center, and work with Indonesia to improve global public health governance and build a global community of health for all on the basis of jointly fighting the pandemic.

The two sides should pursue common development and set a role model for practical cooperation, Xi added.

He called for joint efforts to build the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway with high quality, earnestly implement such key programs as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" project, and foster such new growth areas as new energy, decarbonization, digital economy and maritime cooperation.

China, he stressed, will actively participate with all its strength in anything that is conducive to promoting Indonesia's development and deepening China-Indonesia cooperation.

Xi said China attaches great importance to Indonesia's role in regional and international affairs, and stands ready to work with Indonesia to implement the consensus reached at last year's China-ASEAN commemorative summit, promote regional economic recovery and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Noting that China and Indonesia hold the chairs of BRICS and the Group of 20 (G20) respectively this year, he said China is ready to work with Indonesia to practice true multilateralism, actively implement the Global Development Initiative, safeguard the interests of emerging-market and developing countries, and contribute to promoting global economic recovery and improving global economic governance.

For his part, Widodo extended congratulations on the success of the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, saying he believes that the Chinese people will continue to achieve new glories under Xi's leadership.

Last year, bilateral trade and investment grew rapidly, and health cooperation -- especially cooperation in vaccine production and drug research and development -- achieved remarkable results, he said, noting that 80 percent of Indonesia's vaccines came from China.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway is advancing smoothly and expected to be completed and opened to traffic as scheduled, he added.

The good relations between Indonesia and China are based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, he said.

Indonesia, he said, is willing to work with China to strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and pandemic response, actively promote Belt and Road cooperation, and advance the building of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors and the implementation of the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" project.

He added that his country welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Indonesia and conduct cooperation in high technology, green development and other areas.

As G20 chair this year, Indonesia is willing to closely coordinate with China to help the group play an active role in promoting international solidarity and global economic recovery, he said.

He also wishes the Chinese people a happy Spring Festival, and China success in hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
China will endeavor to provide more convenient and smarter public services in the field of intellectual property rights (IPR) during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to a plan issued by the National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA).

By 2025, China is expected to create a more convenient public services system, build more smart information infrastructure, and provide diversified public services for IPR work, per the NIPA plan.

IPR public services institutions will reach all provincial-level regions by 2025, according to the plan. The country will then have approximately 200 technology and innovation support centers, 150 college-based national IPR information services centers, and 200 national IPR public services stations nationwide.

Intellectual property authorities are committed to supporting the construction of an IPR information platform, the further opening-up of basic IPR data, and the construction of high-level and specialized IPR databases, the NIPA said.
https://sputniknews.com/20220112/why-is-south-dakota-senator-mike-rounds-calling-the-2020-election-fair-1092189815.html

Why is South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds Calling the 2020 Election Fair?

Why is South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds Calling the 2020 Election Fair?

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including the World Bank demanding faster G20 debt relief, and North Korea... 12.01.2022, Sputnik International

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Why Is South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds Calling the 2020 Election Fair? On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including the World Bank demanding faster G20 debt relief, and North Korea successfully firing a hypersonic missile.

GUESTTed Rall - Political Cartoonist, Syndicated Columnist | Recovering From COVID-19, Anthony Fauci, and Voting RightsTyler Nixon - Attorney, Media Relations Specialist | Democrats Stick Together, Who is Ray Epps ?, and Republican CowardnessIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Ted Rall about COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, Dr. Fauci attacks Rand Paul, and employers COVID-19 policies. Ted talked about the nurses union in California and fired health care workers being rehired. Ted spoke on the Democrats' focus on voting rights and President Biden in Georgia giving a speech on voting rights.In the second hour, Lee and Jason Goodman spoke with Tyler Nixon about FBI involvement on January 6th, Senator Mike Rounds, and the lack of credibility in our institutions. Tyler discussed the establishment Republicans' lack of courage and unanswered questions about the 2020 election ballots. Tyler spoke about January 6th and the FBI refusing to answer questions about possible FBI involvement on the day.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com

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There is one month left to join the global community of horse-crazy teens that are pursuing their passion for horses online!

Over 1,000 youth around the world have logged on to take advantage of the free "Horse Behaviour and Safety" course offered until January 31 on TheHorsePortal.ca.

Equine Guelph, the horse centre at the University of Guelph in Canada, is well known for its career pathways in the equine industry through online learning. The virtual classroom has been extended to the grassroots of the horse world with this short self-paced course that is rapidly growing in popularity among teenagers (ages 13-17). Thanks to the generous safety partners, young horse enthusiasts from all over the globe are learning how to speak horse.

There is approximately two weeks worth of material and fun activities for kids to access whenever they like, 24/7. At the end of the course, a certificate of completion is awarded.

Course topics include:

1. The Horse in the Wild  A Herd and Flight Animal

2. The Modern Day Horse

3. How Horses See and Hear

4. Herd Behaviour  How Horses Interact with Each Other

5. Horse Handling/Approaching a Horse

6. Rider/Helmet Safety

7. Trailer Loading Safety Basics

8. Safety around the Barn and Paddocks

9. Fire Safety

10. Returning from an Injury

Students will be able to watch a multitude of videos from industry professionals, including guest expert Dr. Rebecca Husted-Gimenez from the United States. As a world-renowned instructor on technical large animal emergency rescue, Gimenez has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to horse behaviour and safe handling.

It is wonderful to see the growing enthusiasm for this program geared towards the equestrians of the future, said Gayle Ecker, Equine Guelph director. "It is a perfect way for youth to fuel their passion and learn more about their favourite animal in a safe, online community of like-minded individuals."

Equine Guelph thanks its generous sponsors for making this international youth initiative possible: ESSO, Kubota Canada, Ontario Equestrian, SSG Gloves, System Fencing and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.

(With files from Equine Guelph)
Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, is partnering with local agencies over the next several weeks for a campaign designed to attract individuals interested in becoming a CASA volunteer or foster parent.

The They Are Worthy campaign includes three different informational events throughout the community in which interested people can learn more about what it means to be a foster parent, CASA volunteer or other ways to assist children in the system.

The goal is to really show that  the children that we serve, a lot of times these children are in foster care  theyre worthy of having safe and stable homes and having a voice in court, CASA executive director Kelcie McBride said. So, we decided to partner with a lot of service agencies in the area to recruit CASA volunteers and foster parents. A lot of the type of people that we thought would be interested in being a CASA volunteer, we also thought might be interested in being a foster parent; (they have) a lot of the same characteristics, want to help children, that sort of thing. So, we figured we might as well partner up, provide the information and let people decide what would be the best fit for them.

The campaign came out of a conversation with the local Through the Eyes of the Child team, an initiative through the Nebraska Supreme Court for local, multidiscipline teams to improve systems processes through different perspectives  primarily through the eyes of children.

They call it Through the Eyes of the Child, because were wanting to see the system through the eyes of the children, Charles Lieske, Mediation West executive director and local contact for the local Through the Eyes of the Child team, said. We want to know whats working well for kids, and we also want to know whats not working well for kids.

At the December meeting, Lieske said lead judge James Worden, who presides over many local child welfare cases, said he thought it would be a good idea to show appreciation for those who have served in some capacity in this environment and to inform and recruit more people who might be interested in serving in those roles.

Thats when Through the Eyes of the Child started partnering with various agencies, and McBride began working on putting together the campaign.

The campaign kicks off Thursday, Jan. 13, at Mediation West from 4-6 p.m. The kickoff event will provide people with information about the court process as well as how to become a foster parent or CASA volunteer.

Well be focusing on the court process and how to become a foster parent or CASA volunteer, McBride said. The court system can be very difficult to understand  but we wanted to provide that information, what the reality of that might look like for people  being kind of related to a case, but not being an attorney on the case; that looks very different.

On the following Thursday, Jan. 20, from 6-8 p.m., interested individuals can speak with current CASA volunteers, foster parents, former foster youth and various agency staff at Cappuccino and Company to get additional information about what its like to be a volunteer or foster parent.

Thats going to be kind of like a table chat set up where people can go to the different tables for the agencies that theyre interested in learning more about, McBride said. So, we anticipate having a lot different local service agencies there.  Itll kind of be a one stop shop for learning everything you want about becoming a volunteer, foster parent and navigating the court system.

The campaign will then wrap up at Lakota Lutheran Church on Thursday, Jan. 27, at 11:30 a.m. with more information on becoming a foster parent or CASA volunteer.

Theres a big need for Native American representation as CASA volunteers and also as foster parents, McBride said. Anybody is welcome to come to any of these, but we wanted to make sure that we made an extra effort to reach out to that community and thought that Lakota Lutheran Church would be a great place to do that.

If interested individuals cant make it to any of these events, there is also an online event via CASAs Facebook page in which multiple informational posts a day will be made throughout the next few weeks.

McBride said the events dont have to be just for people interested in becoming a volunteer or foster parent either; they can also be for people interested in the conversation but unsure of how theyd like to contribute.

Even if you are not interested in becoming a foster parent or volunteer but maybe you are a driver of change and you want to still help and thats just not the way youre able to do so at the time, you can still come learn about this stuff, she said. You know, the reality is that there arent enough foster homes, and children have to be placed out of the area. They may not have someone advocating for them in court. These children have already been removed from their homes, and they now have to adapt to going to a new school, trying to make new friends, getting used to a new schedule, and thats a lot to put on anybody, especially if theyre going through the stuff that the kids have gone through.

When it comes down to it, the goal of the campaign is to generate awareness of and advocate for child welfare in the area.

I guess the thing that stands out to me from the years that we had foster kids in our home, is kids just want to be loved and they want to feel safe, Lieske said. And, if a family has the capacity to do that, even though it might be a scary thing to embark on  it makes a profound difference in in these kiddos lives. And, as we think about what we want for our society in the future, having kids whove experienced a stable childhood leads to stable and productive adults later, and so its not always easy, but its well-worth the effort to be in these childrens lives.

To learn more about how to get involved, attend one of the events or reach out to McBride at 308-672-2922 or casaofscbcounty@gmail.com, or Lieske at 308-635-2002 or charles@mediationwest.org.

Other agencies involved in the campaign include DHHS, Guardian Light Family Services GLFS, St. Francis Ministries, Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, Native Futures and the local Through the Eyes of the Child team, which includes representation from probation, the County Attorneys Office, county court, Mediation West, Immigrant Legal Center and more.

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The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education voted 5-2 Monday night to continue requiring students to wear masks at school.

After voting in December to reinstate the mask requirement starting on Jan. 5, the board voted Monday to extend the requirement through the next board of education meeting on Feb. 14.

Board Chairman Todd Carver and member Bill Howell were the dissenting votes.

Howell made an initial motion to make masks optional, but the motion was not seconded.

Whether its the communicable disease law or the toolkit the fact is we have sent healthy children home, Howell said. We have sent children home that did not need to go home. (Superintendent) Dr. (Jeff) James has begged and pleaded to get a three-foot rule, which would have solved a lot of our problems. I am not convinced that the tests are accurate. I do know one thing, I agree with many of you, my rights have been taken from me.

After Howells motion failed, Sam Kennington made a motion to continue with the mask requirement.

During discussion of Kenningtons motion, Carver asked the board to instead, consider providing a one-percent positive rate threshold and allow any school under that threshold to make masks optional until their COVID positive rate rose above one percent.

The board indicated they did not want to muddy the waters and instead passed a different motion to review Carvers suggestion along with studying any and all possibilities to reduce the exclusion of children from schools.

Before the board voted to require masks, numerous board members expressed the sentiment during the discussion of Kenningtons motion that their hands are currently tied by the states communicable disease law.

Board attorney Ashley F. Leonard described the communicable disease law as a state law that gives authority to the state commission of health to authorize control measures for communicable disease. It also requires all persons to follow these control measures. And the school board falls under the definition of persons.

The toolkit is not really the issue, its the communicable disease law, board member Martin Page said. That is where the problem has been, and that law goes way back. Now we are seeing Raleigh once again trying to blame someone else for everything, this is an absolute no win.

Board member Doug Knight added that his vote to keep the mask requirement was not a science decision but about keeping kids in schools.

Its not a science question anymore I think, it seems to be politics and keeping kids in schools. I love science but thats not what this question is.

The board will vote again on the issue at the Feb. 14 meeting.
This years Washington County Business Challenge has launched.

This competitive, six-week training program is in its ninth year and will award over $32,000 in cash and services to startups and expanding businesses within the towns of Abingdon, Damascus and Glade Spring and the county.

The mission of the challenge is to foster small business development and job opportunities.

To date, more than 130 business owners have participated, with 45% starting or expanding businesses, which resulted in job growth and increased tax revenue.

The program, which begins Jan. 18, will be a virtual-only weekly event.

The challenge is a collaborative effort of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Community Capital and Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator.

This year, the Emory & Henry School of Business has increased the 2022 Entrepreneurship Award. In addition to $5,000 cash and support from the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, the winner will receive mentorship, tuition assistance and the opportunity for three employees to attend Emory & Henrys Small Business Growth Program.

This award is given to an enterprise or individual that demonstrates current or potential impact in Washington County.

There will be two $5,000 first-place awards, two $2,500 second-place awards and two $500 third-place awards.

Other awards include:

 First Community Bank will award $1,500 for the best pitch and $1,000 to the best business plan.

 Comfort Suites will award $1,000 for the most knowledgeable business idea.

 Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator will award half-price rent for one year for the first-place startup business and first-place existing business winners.

 The Washington County Chamber of Commerce will award four one-year chamber memberships to all first- and second-place winners.

 Mike Spiegler, principal partner in Spiegler and Blevins CPAs, will contribute one year of CPA services.

 John Martin, partner at Penn Stuart, will contribute the business startup formation documents to the winning contestant.
With the many things going on in the world today, it is easy to forget that for a significant amount of time, multilateral talks have been ongoing in Vienna, Austria, concerning the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), better known as the Iran Deal. The deal was agreed in 2015 by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and stipulated that Iran imposed a limit on its levels of uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.



However, Republicans and foreign policymakers in the United States criticized the deal, which the Obama administration undertook, and in 2018 the Trump administration announced America's withdrawal from the JCPOA and imposed illegal blanket unilateral sanctions on the country under the false premise that Tehran had violated its terms. In setting out demands for the U.S. to re-join the deal, Washington subsequently moved the goalposts. They are now demanding more than previously required, seeking to curb Tehran's legal ballistic missile program and its other regional activities throughout the Middle East. Iran has since responded by increasing its level of uranium enrichment.

America's problem with Iran is not, in fact, about nuclear weapons. Instead, it is a question of regional hegemony, that is, "who dominates the Middle East." Policymakers in Washington see Iran as a revisionist power posing a challenge to a U.S.-led regional order underpinned by America's ally Israel and its strategic partners in the Gulf States. This has led to several "proxy conflicts" throughout the region, including Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

The JCPOA is a legally binding treaty under international law, which the United States unilaterally revoked with the diplomatic lobbying of Israel. The results have undermined peace and stability in the Middle East. America's allies in Europe understand that the upkeep of the deal is critically important as it provides a legal guarantee against a nuclear Iran. Still, they have ultimately been unable to rescue it due to American dominance over them. Tehran's view, which had been initially compliant to its original terms and conditions, is that they should not have to capitulate to external American preferences in respect to other matters. Therefore, Iran will only restore uranium levels providing sanctions are lifted.

In this case, Washington attempted to move the goalposts by demanding more than required, and ultimately stifled talks on reviving the deal. Many neo-conservatives in Washington advocate that peace with Iran is not an option and misleadingly think pressure can force the country to change its preferences. This is misleading. The United States should restore the JCPOA and push its allies and partners to attain peace with Iran and end regional proxy conflicts.

The Middle East has been continually offset by war, division, and destruction. The U.S. has long articulated to attain dominance, but is it not time for a different strategy? This is especially true if Washington is serious about shifting its attention elsewhere.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/TomFowdy.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn.
Phoenix Hardwoods and Floyd County Economic Development Authority received $10,000 to expand the business operation Tuesday, a project that will bring eight new jobs to the area and new life to the former Farmers Supply building on Main Street.

Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina K. Ring was in Floyd Jan. 11 to make the announcement and present Jeff, Annie and Ben Armistead with a state flag that flew over the Capitol.

The ceremony was also streamed on Phoenix Hardwoods' Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhoenixHardwoods.

I am thrilled that we are able to partner with a community like Floyd County to support a company like Phoenix Hardwoods as both appreciate Virginias hardwood resources as much as I do, Ring said in an official release from the Governors Office after the event.

Ring, who grew up in Craig County, commended Phoenix Hardwoods sustainability in repurposing and refurbishing forestry products, as well as the businesss drive to train artists in woodworking.

The Armisteads bought Phoenix Hardwoods in 2019 from Bill and Corrinne Graefe, and plans to open in its new home on Main Street in the spring.

In addition to keeping the (original Phoenix Hardwoods) facility and retaining their team of talented young artisans, the companys retail expansion into the Town of Floyd is breathing new life into the old Farmers Supply store, the release stated, adding Farmers Supply opened in the 1930s and closed in late-2020.

Ring explained Jan. 11 the $10,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund will be matched by Floyd County. She noted AFID grants are designed to encourage local sourcing of forestry materials.

Phoenix Hardwoods expansion will lead to $100,000 in new capital investment, Ring added, and allow the company to purchase $76,000-worth of Virginia-grown hardwoods during the next three years.

As a lifelong conservationist, I'm overwhelmed and elated to receive this AFID grant, said Phoenix Hardwoods Jeff Armistead. This will allow Phoenix Hardwoods to expand and continue our work with Virginia's sustainable natural and human resources, trees and jobs."
His peers were standing and applauding as words of recognition for his service were read. A newly crafted wooden box that held accolades hed helped bring to Marion proved too heavy for just one man to carry. In the midst of that moment, David Helms remembered cleaning a pool.

Helms, whose service to the town, region, and the commonwealth was celebrated last Monday evening, told those gathered that his first job for Marion came in the early 1960s when he was a student at Emory & Henry College. The young Helms accompanied the late Evelyn Lawrence to the pool that at the time served the Black community. It was his job to clean the pool.

Legacy of Service

Still, his lifelong commitment to community service began even earlier. Helms carried forward a tradition he learned from his father, who served on the Glade Spring Town Council. His dad brought the first fire truck to the small Washington County town and then went on to serve as a volunteer firefighter. Helms and his brother joined their father as firefighters for their hometown. Helms also volunteered with the rescue squad.

Their father died in 1960, but his legacy of service didnt pass away. In 1968, Helms again followed in his fathers footsteps, running for a seat on Glade Springs town council. With a degree in elementary education, Helms was also serving Washington County as a fifth-grade teacher.

His career in education that extended across 37 years would eventually bring Helms to Smyth County, where he first taught at Marion Intermediate School and then took the reins as principal of Marion Primary School.

Helms brother also called Marion home, serving first on the town staff and then on its council.

In 1989, Helms experienced another loss when his brother died. He again picked up the family legacy. In 1990, he ran for a seat on the Marion Town Council and won.

A decade later, Helms ran for the mayors post and has been re-elected continuously since then.

Jim Gates, Marions vice mayor, has served alongside Helms for the better part of 30 years.

Reflecting on Helms leadership, Gates noted his willingness and desire to represent the town at numerous community functions, to listen to all those who want to talk with him, and to give other leaders their say on issues. Even more importantly, Gates said, Hes always had the best wishes for the town at heart.

That desire to see Marion prosper brings Helms into the office about 30 hours a week, noted Town Manager Bill Rush. In more populous communities, Rush said, the mayors post is full-time and paid. Thats not the case in Marion, but the town manager said Marions citizens still get a full-time mayor.

Noting that hes been involved in numerous organizations and serves on the state board of the Virginia Municipal League, Rush said, I know a lot of mayors, and I wouldnt trade this one. He is as an engaged mayor as youll ever see.

Serving Beyond Marion

Other mayors and towns and cities throughout the commonwealth have benefited from Helms service.

In 2013, he was elected as the 95th president of the Virginia Municipal League, an association of city, town and county governments that strives to improve and assist local governments.

The VML works to represent and lobby for local governments before the Virginia and U.S. governments.

In 2017, Helms served as the lone voice for small towns in rural America when he testified before a U.S. House of Representatives committee in an effort to save a threatened grant program that helps communities provide essentials like water and sewer and create economic growth. Others testifying that day included the mayor of the city of Gary, Indiana; the mayor of the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania; the director of community development for the city of Shreveport, Louisiana; and leaders of housing services in Los Angeles, California, and Washington, D.C.

At Home

For all his work to benefit the state and country nowhere are the fruits of Helms labor more obvious than Marion.

The proclamation adopted recognizing his work Monday declared that Helms was instrumental in landmark projects, including developing the towns regionally acclaimed Memorial Day activities, helping recruit Emory & Henry College School of Health Sciences to Marion, promoting tourism growth and downtown revitalization, supporting youth programs, and serving as an ambassador for Marion.

As part of Monday evenings celebration, Ed Stringer and council member Tricia Spencer created a wooden display case to showcase the three VML Achievement Awards the town has won during Helms tenure as mayor. Those awards include one in 2002 for the public-private partnership to develop a Callan Drive neighborhood, another in 2012 for downtown revitalization, and a third in 2015 for the towns innovative Pop Up Marion entrepreneur development program.

The proclamation said the awards case would be displayed in Town Hall as a permanent reminder of the accomplishments of the Town of Marion as part of Mayor David Helms continuing and lasting legacy of service to our community, our county, our region, and our Commonwealth, and we join in wishing Mayor Helms continued health and success as we continue to lead and to grow under his leadership.

A Unifying Call

Town officials kept the time of recognition a secret from Helms as did his wife, Sue, who appeared in the council chamber just as her husband was walking forward to accept the commendation. When Helms took to the podium, acknowledging Sue and saying that he couldnt have accomplished all that he has without her, were among his first words. In the past, he has described his wife as his heart, soul and inspiration.

Helms also said succinctly, I feel blessed.

However, the mayor was also quick to deflect sole credit for the towns successes. He gave significant credit to the council and town staff. He reflected, I used to wonder what all those people [in the town hall] did? Now, Helms said, he understands how hard they work.

Still, he said, Its not me. Its not the council. Its everybody working together, including Marions citizens.

This week was not the first time Helms has emphasized the importance of government, businesses, and citizens working together for the communitys betterment.

In a 2013 interview, the mayor spoke of a cooperative spirit and of things that money cant buy. Then, Helms said, It takes attitude. Its everybody working together.

Helms regularly thanks citizens who attend council meetings for doing so. In 2013, he championed greater citizen involvement in the community, saying hed like to see more people ask, How can I help?

Monday, he said the spirit of pulling together needs to continue for the whole county and all of Southwest Virginia.

He assured everyone that hes not stopping his service anytime soon. I plan to continue. Im moving, just a little slower, he said.

Spirit of Service

Gates lauded Helms for his comeback following a mild stroke in recent years. Hes done a fantastic job, the vice mayor said.

His schedule doesnt reflect that of someone whos slowed down. Saturday evening, Helms filled in at a Salvation Army Red Kettle when another bell ringer wasnt able to come. Then, he talked with out-of-town visitors attending a Song of the Mountains concert at the Lincoln Theatre, whod also attended Marions Christmas parade Friday evening. They couldnt believe a town our size had such a parade, he reported.

Councilman Larry Carter told of a similar conversation with a woman applying to E&Hs School of Health Sciences. Shed watched the parade and was captivated by the town, telling Carter she hoped to be accepted by E&H and able to live in Marion for three years.

Of the downtowns Christmas celebration Thursday, Merry Marion, Helms said people told him the town could serve as the setting for a Hallmark holiday movie. Again, the mayor pointed to the necessity of businesses, government, and people working together.

While he complimented activities, Helms also looked to the future, saying, Theres always opportunities to do better next year.

Helms brings an elected leaders presence to any number of community events. On a chilly November Sunday, he was at the Henderson School of Appalachian Arts encouraging participants in a Raku pottery firing. In past years, he annually took part in March of Dimes Walk for Babies and visited with teams at the American Cancer Societys Relay for Life. Visitors to Marions farmers market regularly find the mayor there and willing to talk.

Standing for Democracy

Then, theres the VFW and the veterans and patriotic programs that are near and dear to Helms heart.

Each VML president selects a platform for his year of service. A hallmark of Helms service in Marion is his commitment to the communitys veterans and promoting patriotic events to recognize their contributions and encourage others to follow their lead in giving back.

In his first address to the VML members as their president, Helms extended his message farther, challenging Virginias local municipal leaders to unite in a call to patriotism and service motivated by its spirit.

Reminding the leaders that they are the most directly accessible elected officials our fellow citizens can get a hold of, he charged them not to wait for another terrible tragedy to strike, but for each of us to strike out, to find ways to come together, like we have so many times throughout our countrys history, and be Americans first! Not politician versus citizen, party versus party, small town versus metropolitan city, but Americans. Lets find ways to come together as patriots, as proud Americans.

And lets resolve to lead our communities with that awesome honor and responsibility, pulling together while allowing the exchange of ideas through civil discourse, but with the ultimate goal of serving those who voted us in office. Join me to recommit our service to the very people we serve, to bring them the very best government we are able, and to leave office knowing we have not left a shattered, divided commonwealth, but one much stronger because of the common fabrics we weave. Let us serve with the fervor of patriotism. Let us serve.

Helms belief in democracy and the voice of each citizen is carried out week after week in the town councils meetings during which he always opens the floor to citizens to bring their concerns before the leaders.

He does the same for council members when issues are debated.

However, Gates noted that the mayor expects discussions to remain civil and without personal agendas. Still, the vice mayor said, Helms lets everybody have their say but is always respectful of others feelings. Thats a good indicator of his leadership, Gates said.

Town Attorney Mark Fenyk observed that the leaders of many towns take part in training sessions of how to work together. Marion doesnt have that problem, he said.

Helms reflected, We disagree but when we walk out the door, its behind us.

Continuing to Serve

Mondays ceremony was brief, but Gates said it was fitting. He explained that it came up in discussions that for Helms lifetime of service he hadnt been honored in such a way.

As for the mayor, he returned to his seat and the council went about the publics business, addressing matters of police business, water line repairs, small business loans, and future development.

Marions elected leaders served the communitys citizens.
Its the jingle bell time of year and volunteers are needed to ring the bells and bring a little jingle to the Salvation Army red kettles.

The Smyth County chapter of the Salvation Army is asking the community for help this holiday season. Bell ringers are needed for collection stations around the county.

We need the help, said Rob Keene of Chilhowie, who took over chairmanship duties this year from longtime president Sue Thompson. Volunteers are in short supply at all the red kettle stations, Keene said, and especially at Walmart in Marion, where a captain is needed.

Stations are set up from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day except Sundays through Christmas Eve. A shift lasts about two hours.

Individuals, civic and church groups, and businesses are invited to sign up for a single shift or take a day at a bell station. Unmanned kettles will be placed at other business locations.

Keene credits the many people who have helped him and who support the Salvation Army. He especially thanks members of VFW Post 4667 in Marion who sponsor the program and volunteer as bell ringers and provide a place for meetings to be held.

Red kettles are out through Christmas Eve in various places around the county, including Food City in Marion and Chilhowie, Walmart, the Bank of Chilhowie and in Atkins and Chilhowie elementary schools and Chilhowie High School.

Anyone who wishes to make a contribution by mail may send it to the Salvation Army, PO Box 133, Marion, VA 24354. Electronic contributions may be made through the Salvation Army national website, which has a link to the local chapter. You can even scan a debit or credit card right at the red kettle station.

Over 90% of the funds raised locally stay in the local communities to help low-income families and individuals who are having difficulty in paying for heating costs, food, lodging, utilities, transportation, and medical needs.

Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up at a red kettle site or call Don Musser at 276-782-3677 or Keene at 276-780-5123.
Virginias incoming Youngkin administration intends to join other states in challenging federal vaccination requirements, including those for health care workers.

Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares jointly announced that decision Friday in a written statement, calling the mandate issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services unconstitutional.

In the statement, Youngkin notes that hospitals are already dealing with historic staffing crises.

Instead of supporting state and local governments efforts to protect the lives and livelihoods of their citizens, the Biden administration has resorted to unlawful vaccine mandates that force hardworking Virginians to walk away from their paychecks, Youngkin said. President Bidens CMS mandate ignores the hospital systems long-established policies designed to keep staff and patients safe and threatens the tenure of essential medical personnel at a time when staffing shortages threaten the health and safety of Virginians.

More than 20 states filed two different lawsuits last year challenging the health worker mandates. A federal judge in Louisiana issued an injunction halting the mandates in those states, but CMS last week announced it was pushing forward with the requirements in 25 states and the District of Columbia  including Virginia and Tennessee  which arent part of either lawsuit.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on challenges to the CMS requirements and a similar vaccination mandate issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

This is the mandate that Ballad Health System officials said could harm the system and impact its ability to treat and serve patients if enforced as written.

Ballad didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

Ballad operates seven hospitals in Virginia, including some of its smallest facilities. If large numbers of workers resign or are forced from their jobs due to the mandate, the results could be catastrophic for serving those communities, Ballad CEO Alan Levine wrote in a letter to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of CMS.

This week, Ballad, which currently employs more than 13,000 across the region, asked the federal agency to consider waivers or other means to ease the mandate, since about 2,000 Ballad employees are unvaccinated and didnt seek a federal waiver on health or religious grounds.

According to the statement, the new administration plans to move quickly after the inauguration to challenge all of the federal vaccination mandates, including the CMS, OHSA and Head Start mandates.

While we believe that the vaccine is a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19, we strongly believe that the federal government cannot impose its will and restrict the freedoms of Americans and that Virginia is at its best when her people are allowed to make the best decisions for their families or businesses, Youngkin said in the statement.
UnitedWay of Pierce County is pleased to announce the hire of Dr. Jarrett Brunny as Vice President of Community Impact. Brunny is a new Pierce County resident who joined the team in December.

As Vice President of Community Impact, Brunny will play an integral role in helping the organization bring people together to break the cycle of poverty with a coalition of advocacy and human service partners, including the Center for Strong Families, South Sound 211, Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT), and an expansive network of public and private partners serving with a common purpose.

Brunny brings a wide variety of skills and depth of knowledge to the position, including more than 20 years as a volunteer with United Ways across the country, executive experience in nonprofits, and 12 years of professional accomplishments in public health informatics, program development and evaluation.

"The Vice President of Community Impact is a critical member of our team," said Dona Ponepinto, President and CEO. "He will be a tremendous asset to both United Way and our community as we continue to engage, convene and mobilize resources to lift 15,000 families out of poverty by 2028."

Brunny is responsible for leading the impact team and stewarding community stakeholders devoted to advancing equity and co-creating pathways out of poverty directly with Pierce County residents, many of whom have faced historical and systematic disenfranchisement that continues today.

Before joining United Way of Pierce County, Brunny directed neighborhood-level collective impact efforts with United for Children at United Way of South Hampton Roads in Norfolk, Virginia, focusing on educational equity and economic mobility.

Brunny earned his doctorate in public health at the University of Florida and a Master of Public Health degree at the University of South Florida. While there, Brunny received research and practice awards for childhood lead poisoning prevention in medically underserved areas, suicide prevention, and family caregiving for chronic disease and disability. He frequently serves as a consultant to the Office of Minority Health (OMH) and the Office of Adolescent Health (OASH) at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

"United Way of Pierce County is committed to advancing anti-poverty initiatives in our county," Brunny said, "I am fortunate to join a team of professionals that are devoted to the science, the art, and the relationships that make our vision a reality and help uplift so many people each year."
A man and his dog escaped a Kelso fire Tuesday morning in the 600 block of North Seventh Avenue.

No one was injured, but the mans 180-square-foot living space above a detached garage was destroyed, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue reports.

The fire department reports the occupant woke to his quarters on fire around 10 a.m. after his dog was barking. Crews responded to the scene within five minutes and the fire was contained in another five minutes, the department states.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue reports. Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Lt. Bryan Ditterick said the occupant used a space heater. Ditterick advised people to ensure items like clothes and debris are not located in front of heaters to prevent fires.

The Longview Fire Department, Kelso Police Department and Cowlitz PUD also responded to the fire.

Smoke alarms

There were no smoke detectors in the unit that caught fire, officials say.

The Washington State Fire Marshall reports 72% of the 59 people who died from residential fires in 2020 in Washington did not have working smoke alarms in their homes. The office reports smoke alarms should be tested every six months.

Where should you install a smoke alarm? The National Fire Protection Association suggests installing smoke alarms in: Every sleeping room.

Outside each separate sleeping area.

Every level of a home.

Washington state law requires landlords to provide working smoke detectors in units, while tenants are required to maintain them by replacing batteries.

Ditterick said crews inspect and change smoke alarms for local elderly people who cannot reach devices on high ceilings. He said the department also has smoke alarms that shine lights when smoke is detected for people who are hard of hearing. Contact the department headquarters at 360-578-5218 for more information, Ditterick said.

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A vote re-match is set between Amazon workers in Alabama and the tech colossus.

Labor organizers and e-commerce giant Amazon are set for a rematch vote to begin next month on whether workers will form a union at a warehouse in Alabama, officials said Tuesday.

A closely-watched ballot last year on starting the first Amazon union in the United States ended in a stinging defeat for organizers, who accused Amazon of breaking the rules and were granted a re-do on appeal.

The National Labor Relations Board on Tuesday posted a notice saying it will mail out ballots on February 4, with counting of the votes set for March 28.

The results of last year's election were set aside because the NLRB found Amazon "interfered" with the election by having a mailbox installed outside the main entrance of the warehouse and polling workers during mandatory meetings, according to the notice.

"Workers' voices can and must be heard fairly, unencumbered by Amazon's limitless power to control what must be a fair and free election," said a statement from the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union backing the organizing effort.

The vote in the small Alabama town of Bessemer drew heavy media attention as it pitted supporters of the employeesartists, Democratic and Republican lawmakers and even President Joe Bidenagainst tech colossus Amazon.

"Our employees have always had the choice of whether or not to join a union, and they overwhelmingly chose not to join the RWDSU last year," Amazon senior public relations manager Barbara Agrait said in response to an AFP inquiry.

"We look forward to our team in (Bessemer) having their voices heard again."

Amazon is currently facing a group of workers in a New York warehouse also seeking to create a union.

Explore further US authorities order new vote in Amazon union bid

 2022 AFP
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Recent research suggests that communities that have seen steep reductions in manufacturing jobs are less likely to adopt plans related to environmental sustainability, highlighting the role that economic transitions play in fostering sustainability efforts.

The finding may seem counter-intuitive, as it suggests that one way to encourage sustainability is to ease transitions from manufacturing. But the work could play an important role in informing policy decisions for communities as local, state and federal governments strive to adjust to a changing climate.

An article on the work, "Historical manufacturing volatility and local sustainability efforts: A link to the past," is published in the journal Global Environmental Change.

To learn more about the work, we spoke with the researchers: Christopher Galik, an associate professor of public administration at NC State, and Yuhao Ba, a Ph.D. graduate from NC State who is now an assistant professor of public policy at the National University of Singapore.

The Abstract: What was the key question you were setting out to address when you started this work?

Christopher Galik: Given pressing environmental challenges like climate change, along with gridlock at the federal level preventing all-encompassing, top-down solutions to these challenges, we wanted to better understand why communities adopt sustainability plans and practices at the local level.

Yuhao Ba: More specifically, we wanted to see if historical factors played a role in local communities' sustainability commitments and decisions. This is because the literature on local sustainability efforts has focused, pretty much exclusively, on present-day socioeconomic, political, and environmental attributes. So, there was a potentially large gap in the literature.

TA: What drew you to that?

Galik: There's been a lot of work done on why communities adopt sustainable plans and practices at the local level. Often times, as Yuhao just alluded to, the way that these questions are usually assessed is to look at the current attributes of a community: things like education, income, political leanings, structure of the local government, or even environmental quality and industrial makeup of an area. But, having grown up in a town where most of the heavy industry went away decades ago, it occurred to me that there might also be certain attributescultural heritage and connection to an industrial base that can last long after the loss of the industry itselfthat are harder to measure looking at only data from the present day.

TA: Where do you even begin with a subject like that?

Galik: Well, it's both pretty straightforward and really challenging.

On one hand, we're just adding in another variable to the same types of models that others have long used to tease out these relationships. On the other hand, to even see if our initial hypothesis made sense, we had to connect branches of research that don't usually talk to each other.

In this case, it was linking work from those who research community-level sustainability programming and those who study industrial transitions. Despite the fact that both are focusing on what's going on in these individual communities, there really wasn't a lot of crossover in the existing research or even in the questions being asked. From there, we needed to find data to allow us to test the connections with previous transitions. We eventually found that in almost 50 years of county-level manufacturing job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. At that point, it was simply a matter of developing a statistical model that allowed us to use both decades of historical data with single-year measurements of present-day community attributes to try and tease out what's related to sustainability plan adoption at the local level.

TA: What did you find?

Ba: Our findings are quite interesting. Basically, the results show that the magnitude of changes in manufacturing employmentthe swings observed within the manufacturing sector in a given locality over timeis negatively associated with the probability of adopting a sustainability plan. Counties having greater swings in manufacturing employment were associated with lower probabilities of adopting a sustainability plan. This means that those communities with more severe manufacturing job loss may be less likely to commit to a sustainability plan. In other words, the pace of transition really matters!

TA: What are the potential applications of these findings? In other words, how could this inform policy decisions? Is it a local government thing? State? Federal?

Galik: The most interesting thing for me, personally, is how this has the potential to inform so much of the efforts currently out there to help communities transitionwhether they are communities that have historically been supported by heavy manufacturing as the economy continues becoming more service-oriented, or communities that have risen up around industries like coal that are likely to face challenges as the economy transitions to cleaner, renewable sources of energy.

If the results of this study play out like we think they might, there's a possibility that efforts to help communities transition more smoothly and evenly might counterintuitively ease their eventual adoption of more sustainable practices. I think there's always a role for policy at all levels to help guide these efforts, but in this particular case, a top-down, overnight rush might not be the most effective approach in all situations. It's more a matter of meeting communities where they are.

TA: Whenever research answers one question, the answer often raises a host of additional questions. What are some future directions for this work?

Ba: The cool thing about this paper is that it opens up a series of research questions on the relationship between historical industrial transitions and local sustainability efforts. For example, in addition to the U.S. context, studies in other places or on other industries would definitely help strengthen our understanding of influence of past industrial transitions on present-day climate action, particularly given the groundswell of local initiatives globally since the Paris Agreement. Beyond program adoption, we also want to explore the relationship between past transitions and other, more complex aspects of local sustainability and climate efforts such as planning, capabilities, and performance. While adopting a plan can signal that sustainability is important to a given community, it's also important to look at the concrete steps and outcomes that a community can demonstrate.

Explore further Newly proposed system of measurement could help determine community sustainability

More information: Yuhao Ba et al, Historical manufacturing volatility and local sustainability efforts: A link to the past, Global Environmental Change (2021). Yuhao Ba et al, Historical manufacturing volatility and local sustainability efforts: A link to the past,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102421
Infosys headquarters in Bangalore, India.

India's Infosys raised its full-year revenue guidance on Wednesday, with the software giant forecasting robust demand for digital services after another strong quarter.

The country's second-largest IT firm exceeded analyst expectations with revenues of 318.67 billion rupees ($4.31 billion) in the three months to December 31, up 23 percent from last year.

Net profit at the Bangalore-headquartered company rose nearly 12 percent to 58.09 billion rupees.

"Our year-on-year growth was the fastest we've had in 11 years," chief executive and managing director Salil Parekh told a media briefing.

"The growth was broad-based across industries, service lines and geographies, driven by our differentiated digital and cloud capabilities."

The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to between 19.5 percent and 20 percent in constant currency terms.

The December quarter is traditionally weak for India's IT industry due to the year-end holiday season, but Infosys and other firms have benefitted from increased demand during the pandemic.

Revenues from digital services grew 41.2 percent year-on-year, contributing more than 58.5 percent of total revenue, up from 56.1 percent in the previous quarter.

The firm's legacy consulting and technology business grew just 0.5 percent in the quarter.

Infosys said it had signed large deals worth $2.53 billion in the period.

The company plans to expand its graduate hiring programme to 55,000 recruits this year, up by 10,000, to meet increased demand for digital services.

Its employee attrition ratea key metric for IT companiesspiked to 25.5 percent from 20.1 percent in the previous quarter, with Indian software firms facing an intense competition for talent.

Infosys was at the forefront of an outsourcing boom that saw India become a back office to the world, as Western firms subcontracted work to a skilled English-speaking workforce.

Over 60 percent of its revenue comes from North American markets.

Shares in the company closed more than one percent higher in Mumbai ahead of the earnings announcement.

 2022 AFP
India's largest software exporter Tata Consultancy Services announced a $2.4 billion share buyback Wednesday after reporting strong quarterly earnings, boosted by sustained demand for its digital services.

Net profit at the IT giant rose more than 12 percent to 97.69 billion rupees ($1.32 billion) in the three months to December 31, above analysts' expectations, compared to the same period last year.

Strong demand across business segments pushed third-quarter revenue growth to its highest in five years, increasing more than 16 percent year-on-year to 488.85 billion rupees, the Mumbai-headquartered company said.

"We've had an exceptional quarter," chief executive and managing director Rajesh Gopinathan said in a media briefing following the results announcement.

"In the calendar year '21, we have now hit the 25-billion-dollar-revenue mark. Most importantly, the growth came with continuingly industry-leading profitability."

The country's second-most valuable firm by market size announced it will buy back shares worth 180 billion rupees at a price of 4,500 rupees per share.

This represents a 16.67 percent premium to Wednesday's share closing price of 3,857 rupees.

Operating margins fell marginally to 25 percent, compared to 25.6 percent in the previous quarter, impacted by an increased focus on hiring and retaining talent.

TCS said it hired 28,823 new employees in the quarter, even as employee attritiona key metric for IT companiesinched up to 15.3 percent from 11.9 percent in the previous quarter.

TCS was at the forefront of an IT boom that saw India become a back office to the world as firms in North America and Europe subcontracted work, taking advantage of a skilled English-speaking workforce.

The company earns more than 80 percent of its revenues from its Western markets outside of India.

Overseas growth at TCS was led by North America, which contributes half of its total business and saw revenue growth of 18 percent year-on-year.

Revenues from Europe, the United Kingdom and Latin America grew 17.5, 12.7 and 21.1 percent respectively, compared to the year-ago quarter.

TCS won new orders worth $7.6 billion in the quarter, 12 percent higher than orders worth $6.8 billion signed in the previous quarter.

The board also approved an interim dividend of seven rupees ($.09) per share for shareholders.

Shares of TCS closed 1.5 percent lower in Mumbai ahead of the release of the results.

Explore further India's Infosys hikes growth forecast after strong quarter

 2022 AFP
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has test-fired a hypersonic missile, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported early Wednesday local time.

The test-fire was conducted by the Academy of Defence Science on Tuesday, the report said.

"The test-fire was aimed at the final verification of overall technical specifications of the developed hypersonic weapon system," it added.

Kim Jong Un, top leader of the DPRK, watched the test-fire, before which he was briefed on the hypersonic missile weapon system, according to the KCNA.
Only one offshore wind farm is currently fully operational in the United States: the Block Island Wind Farm, pictured, which was completed at the end of 2016 off the state of Rhode Island and capable of producing 30 megawatts.

The US government announced Wednesday it will auction more than 480,000 acres off the coasts of New York and New Jersey to build wind farms as part of its campaign to supply renewable energy to more than 10 million homes by 2030.

Offshore wind developers will bid February 23 on six areas in the New York Bightthe most lots ever offered in a single auctionwhich could generate between 5.6 to seven gigawatts of energy, enough to power two million homes, the Interior Department said.

"We are at an inflection point for domestic offshore wind energy development. We must seize this momentand we must do it together," Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement.

The auction will be the first under President Joe Biden, whose administration aims to build as many as to seven major offshore wind farms and review plans for at least 16 others along the US coasts.

The effort is part of Washington's fight against climate change, and the Biden administration says the wind investment would cut 78 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and create tens of thousands of jobs.

The auction comes after the state governments of New York and New Jersey announced plans to install 16 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2035, the largest such commitment in the country, the Interior Department said.

Only one offshore wind farm is currently fully operational in the United States: the Block Island Wind Farm, completed at the end of 2016 off the state of Rhode Island and capable of producing 30 megawatts.

Explore further US approves its biggest offshore wind farm yet

 2022 AFP
A researcher stretches the large-scale rubber material. Credit: Georgia Tech

For electric vehicles (EVs) to become mainstream, they need cost-effective, safer, longer-lasting batteries that won't explode during use or harm the environment. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology may have found a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries made from a common material: rubber.

Elastomers, or synthetic rubbers, are widely used in consumer products and advanced technologies such as wearable electronics and soft robotics because of their superior mechanical properties. The researchers found that the material, when formulated into a 3D structure, acted as a superhighway for fast lithium-ion transport with superior mechanical toughness, resulting in longer charging batteries that can go farther. The research, conducted in collaboration with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, was published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

In conventional lithium-ion batteries, ions are moved by a liquid electrolyte. However, the battery is inherently unstable: even the slightest damage can leak into the electrolyte, leading to explosion or fire. The safety issues have forced the industry to look at solid-state batteries, which can be made using inorganic ceramic material or organic polymers.

"Most of the industry is focusing on building inorganic solid-state electrolytes. But they are hard to make, expensive and are not environmentally friendly," said Seung Woo Lee, associate professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, who is part of a team of researchers who have uncovered a rubber-based organic polymer superior to other materials. Solid polymer electrolytes continue to attract great interest because of their low manufacturing cost, non-toxicity and soft nature. However, conventional polymer electrolytes do not have sufficient ionic conductivity and mechanical stability for reliable operation of solid-state batteries.

Novel 3D design leads to jump in energy density, performance

Georgia Tech engineers have solved common problems (slow lithium-ion transport and poor mechanical properties) using the rubber electrolytes. The key breakthrough was allowing the material to form a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected plastic crystal phase within the robust rubber matrix. This unique structure has resulted in high ionic conductivity, superior mechanical properties and electrochemical stability.

This rubber electrolyte can be made using a simple polymerization process at low temperature conditions, generating robust and smooth interfaces on the surface of electrodes. These unique characteristics of the rubber electrolytes prevent lithium dendrite growth and allow for faster moving ions, enabling reliable operation of solid-state batteries even at room temperature.

"Rubber has been used everywhere because of its high mechanical properties, and it will allow us to make cheap, more reliable and safer batteries," said Lee.

"Higher ionic conductivity means you can move more ions at the same time," said Michael Lee, a mechanical engineering graduate researcher. "By increasing specific energy and energy density of these batteries, you can increase the mileage of the EV."

The researchers are now looking at ways to improve the battery performance by increasing its cycle time and decreasing the charging time through even better ionic conductivity. So far, their efforts have seen a two-time improvement in the battery's performance / cycle time.

The work could enhance Georgia's reputation as a center for EV innovation. SK Innovation, a global energy and petrochemical company, is funding additional research of the electrolyte material as part of its ongoing collaboration with the Institute to build next-generation solid-state batteries that are safer and more energy dense than conventional LI-ion batteries. SK Innovation recently announced construction of a new EV battery plant in Commerce, Georgia, expected to produce an annual volume of lithium-ion batteries equal to 21.5 Gigawatt-hours by 2023.

"All-solid-state batteries can dramatically increase the mileage and safety of electric vehicles. Fast-growing battery companies, including SK Innovation, believe that commercializing all-solid-state batteries will become a game changer in the electric vehicle market," said Kyounghwan Choi, director of SK Innovation's next-generation battery research center. "Through the ongoing project in collaboration with SK Innovation and Professor Seung Woo Lee of Georgia Tech, there are high expectations for rapid application and commercialization of all-solid-state batteries."

Explore further Reactive electrolyte additives improve lithium metal battery performance

More information: Seung Lee, Elastomeric electrolytes for high-energy solid-state lithium batteries, Nature (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04209-4 Journal information: Nature Seung Lee, Elastomeric electrolytes for high-energy solid-state lithium batteries,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04209-4
South Hills (15301)

Today

Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 76F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
The first comprehensive analysis of inpatient hospital costs for COVID-19 patients in the United States from April to December 2020 was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Advances in Therapy.

The study was published in October 2021 by a team of collaborators including Dr. Robert L. Ohsfeldt, a regents professor and Ph.D. program co-chair in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health.

The [study] was motivated by a need to have a source of credible evidence for hospital cost for use in economic evaluations of COVID treatments, Ohsfeldt said.

Other collaborators on the six-to-eight-month project were Casey Kar-Chan Choong, Patrick L. McCollam and Hamed Abedtash, who are all with study sponsor Eli Lilly and Company of Indiana; Kari A. Kelton, with Medical Decision Modeling Inc. of Indiana; and Russel Burge with the University of Cincinnati, GPORWE-Bio-Medicines and Eli Lilly and Company.

The study examined the hospitalization costs for COVID-19 patients, factors associated with costs and length of stay, and the monthly trends of costs and length of stay from April to December 2020 in the United States, according to a Texas A&M Today article.

The independent variables included: age groups, sex, race, ethnicity, geographic region, comorbidity, hospital type, urban status, payer type, Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial Ordinal Scale, Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups codes, discharge status and admission month; while dependent variables were cost and length of stay.

Results of this study showed that the median length of stay in hospitals was six days and the median hospital cost was $11,267. The median length of stay in intensive care units was five days and median ICU cost was $13,443. Older age, comorbidities and mechanical ventilation were major drivers of costs, hospital length of stay and risk of death, and a downward trend of cost and hospital stay was observed from April to December 2020, according to the study.

The team used admissions and discharge data from patient records in the Premier Healthcare Database to estimate the inpatient costs and length of stay for patients in the hospital overall, as well as those patients specifically in the ICU; regression analyses were used to examine patient and hospital characteristics for factors associated with changes in costs and length of stay, according to the A&M article.

Premier Healthcare Database is a commercial database; what happens is a lot of hospitals will contribute their cost data, so this is data from their internal cost accounting systems that they will contribute to this data warehouse, Ohsfeldt said.

He said not every hospital was included, but a fair number of hospitals across the U.S. were.

The sample we had for the study was about 250,000 COVID admissions from April to December, so it is a fairly big set of hospitals that contributed data, he said. It is different than a lot of data that people use because it is not based on insurance claims, it comes from the cost data from the hospitals themselves; it is their internal cost accounting data that they use to track how much it costs them to produce the inpatient services that they produce.

He also said he wasnt sure how many people would be interested in the study because it was made up of a lot of numbers and variables. The main limitation the collaborators faced was working with a smaller amount of data, because of it was not readily available to them at the time of the study.

The main limitation is that it takes time for data to become available, so at the time we started the study that was the most recent time frame for data availability, he said.

Ohsfeldt said a somewhat unexpected pattern was that hospitalization costs declined over time.

The costs over time were declining fairly substantially and I guess that makes sense, [because] keep in mind, this is adjusted for the changes in the composition of COVID cases that were hospitalized, he said. It is not because the COVID cases were getting less severe or other things about the COVID case mix [where] cases that happened to be hospitalized [from] April to December; so the analysis adjusted for that.

He said the cost trends of hospitalizations had been standardized in terms of their severity and the types of patients that were being hospitalized.

Ohsfeldt said they gathered that the overall cost average of hospitalizations declined 26 percent from April to December 2020.

If you think about it logically, that makes sense because when COVID first presented itself, the health-care system didnt know exactly how to handle it and were trying various things to treat it and some of those things didnt work very well so they were not necessarily treating it as effectively as they could have, he said. Once they had time to learn about how to treat it more effectively, by December they learned what worked and what didnt work and were treating it more effectively and less expensively.

He said he didnt necessarily expect to see a decline, but it was not overwhelmingly surprising, but the magnitude wasnt something he expecting. He also said the study showed that older people had the higher COVID severity and higher hospital costs.

That is also something that is pretty much what you would have expected to see in terms of the patterns across different types of patients, he said.

The team observed a downward trend in length of stay, cost, discharge to post-acute care, and discharge due to death from April to December 2020; over this time period, there was almost a 50% reduction in median hospital costs, the study stated.

The results of the study suggest that reducing time to recovery by only one hospital day may save $2,118 per patient/day on average, and, if applied to the 198,806 patients in the cost analysis alone, the cost savings would exceed $421 million, the study stated. Reducing ICU length of stay by one day would save $3,586 per patient/day on average, and over $251 million based on the 70,054 ICU patients in the cost analysis, according to the study.

To read the study in detail, visit rdcu.be/cEIwu.

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Brazos County health officials reported 323 new cases of COVID-19 among county residents Wednesday.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Brazos County continued to rise to near-record highs amid a surge in omicron infections, climbing to 2,820 on Wednesday. The countys all-time high for active cases was 2,966 on Sept. 30. Brazos County reported 123 active cases of the virus on Nov. 5, which was the lowest number of active cases in 2021.

Health officials said 4,812 cases of the virus reported by health care systems and testing centers were awaiting confirmation Wednesday.

Brazos County officials have confirmed 36,980 cases of COVID-19 in the county since the pandemic began in March 2020.

A Texas A&M University website said the number of active, self-reported cases of the virus among students, faculty members and staff was 742 as of Sunday, the last date for which figures were posted.

The university reported a positivity rate of 23.4% for the week that ended Saturday. The universitys spring semester starts Tuesday.

Officials with the Brazos County Health District said 33,792 cases were considered recovered as of Wednesday; health officials classify all cases older than two weeks as recovered.

Fifty-eight Brazos County residents were hospitalized Wednesday for treatment of symptoms related to the virus.

The percentage of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the states Trauma Service Area N  Brazos County and six surrounding counties  was 20.47% on Tuesday, the last date for which figures were reported. Other counties in the Brazos Valley region are Burleson, Robertson, Grimes, Madison, Washington and Leon.

There were 114 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the seven-county Brazos Valley region Wednesday, with 19 new patients admitted in the past 24 hours, according to the Department of State Health Services.

Four COVID-19 patients were on ventilators in the region, and there were no intensive care unit beds available in the region. Of the 557 staffed hospital beds in the region, 35 were available Wednesday, according to state figures.

Across the state, 11,571 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Wednesday.

Brazos Countys positivity rate  the percent of positive cases to tests  was 8.04% on Wednesday.

Health officials said 460,183 tests for COVID-19 had been administered by Brazos County health care providers since the pandemic began.

There were 38 new probable COVID-19 cases reported in Brazos County on Tuesday. To date, health officials have reported 5,898 total probable cases.

To date, 368 Brazos County residents have died after testing positive for COVID-19, according to health department figures. No virus-related deaths have been reported in Brazos County since Dec. 11.

Statewide

On Wednesday, 61,113 new cases of COVID-19 and 136 virus-related deaths were reported in Texas.

The total number of COVID-19 cases reported in the state was more than 4.3 million, according to state figures.

State officials said 75,533 Texans have died of COVID-19 as of Wednesday.
Republican candidates for Texas governor will be in College Station on Jan. 19 for the Republican Governor Forum, which begins at 6 p.m. at the College Station Hilton. The event is hosted by Grassroots Victory Texas and the Republican Party of Brazos County. Candidates who have confirmed attendance are Allen West, Don Huffines, Chad Prather, Paul Belew, Danny Harrison and Kandy Kay Horn. The event is free and no tickets are required. The primary is March 1.

WEDNESDAY

EVENTS

Blood drive, 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at North Zulch High School, 11450 5th St. in North Zulch. Email nicholsn@nzisd.org for more information.

Bike maintenance clinic, 5 p.m. at Trek Bicycle College Station, 2307 Texas Ave. A free introductory class on how to keep your bike in working condition, covering basic repairs, maintenance and cable adjustments.

American Business Womens Association Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott, 3939 Texas 6 in College Station. The speaker will be Tina Duncan.

Rio Brazos Audubon Society monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m. online event. The program will be on birding in Costa Rica, presented by Michael McCloy. The Zoom link for the meeting is tinyurl.com/northerncardinal.

Common Threads, 2 to 3 p.m. at Middleway Urban Monastery, 309 N. Tabor Ave. in Bryan. Bring a crochet, knitting, cross stitch or any thread project to work on during a spiritual gathering.

Toddler and preschooler play group, 10:30 a.m. at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater, 1015 Colgate Drive in College Station. A free event with games and activities hosted by Fit4Mom Bryan-College Station.

Salvation Army food distribution, beginning at 9 a.m. at 2506 Cavitt Ave. in Bryan. Food will be distributed to those in need until supplies run out.

One Million Cups, 8:30 a.m. at Lake Walk Innovation Center, 3891 S. Traditions Drive in Bryan. A weekly meeting that brings entrepreneurs and community members together for coffee and conversation.

Once Upon a Story Time, 10 a.m. at the Lake Walk Pavilion, 4107 Lake Atlas Drive in Bryan. The Childrens Museum of the Brazos Valley will host a free, one-hour story time and craft.

Comedy night, 9 p.m. at 3rd Floor Cantina, 201B W. 26th St. in Downtown Bryan. No cover charge. Open mic starts at 8:30 p.m.

Pool tournament, 8 p.m. at Bottlenecks, 1789 F.M. 60 in Caldwell. $10 entry fee.

Story time for Babies and Toddlers, 10 a.m. at Clara B. Mounce Public Library, 201 E. 26th St. in Bryan. A musical, puppet-filled story time for children ages 0 to 3 years old.

Ready to Read story time, 10:30 a.m. at Clara B. Mounce Public Library, 201 E. 26th St. in Bryan. Longer stories geared toward children ages 4 to 6 years old.

Meyer Book Club, 10 a.m. online and in person at the Bob and Wanda Meyer Senior and Community Center, 2275 Dartmouth St. in College Station. The group will be discussing Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton. Registration is required. For details, email handerson@bryantx.gov or call 764-3416.

Teens Relax, 4 p.m. at Larry J. Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Parkway in College Station. Teens ages 13 to 18 are invited to visit the library for an hour after school to unwind.

COVID-19 TESTING

St. Teresa Catholic Church, 201 Hall St. in Bryan, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Due to high demand, walk-ins may not be accepted. curative.com.

Lincoln Recreation Center, 1000 Eleanor St. in College Station. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to high demand, walk-ins may not be accepted. curative.com.

Kohls parking lot kiosk, 1509 Texas Ave. in College Station, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rapid PCR testing. Due to high demand, walk-ins may not be accepted. curative.com.

Blinn College, 651 Blinn Blvd. in Brenham, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Due to high demand, walk-ins may not be accepted. curative.com.

Rudder Plaza kiosk, 275 Joe Routt Blvd. on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For Texas A&M students, faculty and staff members. Appointments required.

Mays Plaza kiosk, 210 Olsen Blvd. on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For Texas A&M students, faculty and staff members. Appointments required.

A.P. Beutel Health Center, 311 Houston St. on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For Texas A&M students, faculty and staff members. Appointments required.

EXHIBITS

Oceans of Plastic at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station. A collection of art made from plastic pollution acquired from beaches along the Texas coast. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, and tickets must be purchased at bush41.org/visit/admission.

Celebrating 60 Years, through January at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, 3232 Briarcrest Drive in Bryan. A celebration of 60 years of service to the Brazos Valley through vintage photographs, artifacts and specimens. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults.
 Flash

As the world enters the third year of the pandemic, the climate crisis, growing social divides, heightened cyber risks and uneven global recovery are the top global risks in 2022, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said in a new report published on Tuesday.

The "Global Risks Report 2022" warns that five of the top 10 global risks are environment-related, including climate action failure, extreme weather and biodiversity loss. Meanwhile, the main short-term global concerns include the erosion of social cohesion, livelihood crises and infectious diseases.

"We've seen what can happen when there is public-private collaboration, when we put our faith in science and technology, and when there is global coordination. The result of that was developing a vaccine for COVID-19," Saadia Zahidi, the WEF's managing director, told Xinhua in a virtual interview following the release.

"Now, if we can do that for one specific and very urgent area, we can do the same thing for other areas that require urgent attention, and that includes climate change. There are a number of technologies that are now available; it's really about making that green transition."

Now in its 17th edition, the latest annual report from the Geneva-based forum urges leaders to adopt a coordinated, multi-stakeholder response, and create policies that manage risks and resolve systemic issues.

"Half of the world is still not vaccinated, and half of the world still does not have access to the internet," Zahidi stressed. "We're seeing a rising divergence between the developing world and the developed world.

"It's really about working out who has the best possible models that help governments move out of a constant focus on the emergency situation, towards building recovery and investing in resilience."

"That is where I think the experiences of economies and pulling together the economic, social and green agendas closer together. That's where the proof point is going to lie. And those are the models that the rest of the world have to emulate," she added.

UNEVEN RECOVERY

The report, which has been developed with the WEF's strategic partners Marsh McLennan, SK Group and Zurich Insurance Group, also warns that global economic recovery from COVID-19 will be uneven and potentially volatile in the coming years.

A global survey of experts found that only 1 in 6 is optimistic, and only 1 in 10 believes that global recovery will accelerate.

The economic fallout of the pandemic and diverging levels of recovery also continue to threaten cooperation on other global challenges, at a time when climate and environmental risks loom large, the report emphasizes.

Zahidi added: "China is amongst the very positive growth stories that we've seen in the world in the last 30 years, with people coming out of poverty, having new economic opportunities, and now seeing how China manages this transition, this economic and green and technological transition that is underway. That's going to provide a role model to others."

Zurich Insurance Group's chief risk officer Peter Giger says in the report: "The climate crisis remains the biggest long-term threat facing humanity. Failure to act on climate change could shrink global GDP by one-sixth, and the commitments taken at COP26 are still not enough to achieve the 1.5 C goal."

"It is not too late for governments and businesses to act on the risks they face and to drive an innovative, determined and inclusive transition that protects economies and people."

BUILDING COALITIONS

Last month, the WEF announced that due to continued concerns over Omicron it will defer its annual meeting, which is usually held in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. Initially scheduled to take place between Jan. 17-21, it is now planned for early summer.

In the meantime, participants will join "State of the World" online sessions, bringing together global leaders to find solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

"A lot of the forum's work is about building coalitions that help address some of these global challenges, whether that is greater access to vaccines and more resilient healthcare systems, building better education and skills systems, or managing the transition towards a greener economy," Zahidi said.

"We do believe that connecting in person is incredibly important. It's part of what helps strengthen the relationships that lead to these coalitions, and we'll be looking towards summer to hopefully bring together global leaders again."
Can you believe that 2021 is over and 2022 is just beginning?

It was a busy year for us at the Grand Island Public Library, and 2022 looks to be even busier. However, some of the staff took the time to recommend their favorite books and DVDs from the past year.

How many of them are on your list of to-read or watch?

Library Director Celine Swan recommends American Dirt, by Jeanine Cummins, the story of a well-off bookstore owner in Acapulco who has to flee Mexico for the United States with her young son to escape the cartels. It really makes you think about the struggles of others and what we take for granted in our own lives.

Several of our assistants offered their favorites.

Lori suggests Anxious People, by Fredrik Backman. This is at the top of my favorite book list, she said. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version. He (Backman) does an amazing job of developing his characters. It made me laugh and cry. Anxious People is the story of eight anxious strangers, stuck in an apartment open house as police search for a would-be bank robber who seems to be one among them. The audiobook is narrated by Marin Ireland.

Irasema enjoyed Eat a Peach, by David Chang. This memoir details the life of the well-known chef who grew up the son of Korean immigrants in Virginia, his discovery of his love of food, how he built his successful restaurants, and his struggles with his own mental health.

Elle recommends The Lost Apothecary, by Sarah Penner. This historical mystery also has elements of fantasy as Caroline, an aspiring historian in London, discovers a 200-year-old apothecary that helped women take revenge on the men who wronged them.

Nicci says The Queens Thief, series by Megan Whalen Turner is one you shouldnt miss. This fantastical series follows Gen, a master thief, who has the ability to steal anything and his adventures putting his talents to use.

Nicci said, the book came out in the fall of 2020, so I had to listen to the whole series again. It is one I can go back to over and over again and still love. The first book in the series is, The Thief.

If you want to give manga a try, Jackie enjoys Chis Sweet Home, written and illustrated by Kanata Konami. It is about a kitten named Chi who gets separated from her mom and siblings one day. As Chi tries to find her family, she is adopted by a young boy, and learns all about her new life and people in her new surroundings.

Laura Fentress, our youth and family services librarian, also weighed in. She suggests How Do You Live, by Genzaburo Yoshino, first published in 1937. This was translated into English for the first time this year, she said. On its surface, its a simple slice-of-life story about a boy navigating life after death of his father with guidance from his caring uncle. But it also asks big questions about humanity, ethics, and what a good life looks like.

Finally, if you are need a new television series, one of my new mystery favorites is Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, from BBC One. This light-hearted mystery follows grumpy private investigator Frank Hathaway and rookie sidekick Lu Shakespeare as they investigate mysteries all across the English countryside.

Available on both DVD and through Hoopla, this is perfect for mystery fans who want to solve crimes without all of the gritty details and gore.

We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season, and rediscover some old favorites and find some new at the library in 2022. Happy New Year!

Shaun Klee serves as the adult and technical services librarian for the Grand Island Public Library. Email him at ShaunK@gilibrary.org

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YORK  Monica Robinson, 38, of York, who was charged with nine felonies related to delivery of a controlled substance after being arrested at Recharge Lake, has been sent to prison.

She was sentenced this week in York County District Court.

The case began when a deputy with the York County Sheriffs Department was on regular duty when he saw a white SUV parked in a parking lot at Recharge Road.

In the affidavit filed with the court, the deputy indicates he made contact with a woman in the drivers seat who was Robinson. He said the passenger was Jeremiah Pinaire, 40, who had a Missouri drivers license.

The deputy said he could smell the odor of burned marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

Jeremiah admitted he had a dugout which based on my training and experience is a wooden container which typically houses a small marijuana pipe and a small amount of marijuana, the deputy says in the court document. I had Jeremiah exit the vehicle and sit in the back seat of my patrol unit. I then spoke with Monica who admitted there was a roach in the vehicle and grabbed a small roach from a portable ashtray located in a cup holder between the driver and the passenger seat.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. The following items were found:

 Ten individually packaged plastic baggies containing varying amount of marijuana. Some baggies contained approximately one ounce of marijuana and others contained just a few grams. The approximate weight of all the marijuana was 5.3 ounces.

 Four individually packaged plastic Ziploc style baggies containing a white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine. One baggie contained approximately 2.1 grams of methamphetamine and the three remaining baggies contained methamphetamine residue. A field test of the white crystal-like substance inside one of the baggies field tested positive for methamphetamine.

 Two white tablets with the markings T258 etched on the tablet. These tablets were later identified as Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate which is a Schedule 2 controlled substance and available by prescription only. These tablets were located in a Tylenol container inside a bag in the third row of the vehicle. A prescription was not located in the vehicle.

 Eight blue tablets with the markings GG258 etched into the tablet. These tablets were later identified as Alprazolam, which is a schedule 4 controlled substance and available by prescription only. The markings on the bottle were not correct.

 One blue tablet with the markings C1 etched into the tablet. This tablet was later identified as Clonazepam, which is a schedule 4 controlled substance and available by prescription only. The markings on the bottle were not correct.

 Eleven concentrated cannabis cartridges, some of which were located in individually packaged plastic containers.

 Three packages of cannabis-infused edible products.

 One rubber container which contained a yellow waxy substance consistent with a concentrated form of cannabis in wax form. This substance later field tested positive for marijuana.

 $500 in cash which was folded and separated into five different bundles. The five bundles were then rubber banded together. The money was located in her wallet. There was also other money in Monicas wallet that was not folded, separate and rubber banded as the other money. A field test was conducted by rubbing a test strip across several different bills within two of the five bundles. This field test indicated the presence of cannabis particles on the money.

 Digital scale with a small amount of green leafy substance and a white substance were located in the groves, edges and top of the digital scale. The white substance later field tested positive for methamphetamine.

 Various items of drug paraphernalia, to include three glass marijuana pipes, wrapping papers, roller, dugout and marijuana roach.

It was indicated in the court documents that Recharge Lake is a recreation area, open to the public, which contains playground with three or more apparatus intended for the recreation for children.

She was charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance (with an enhancement because it was at a recreational area), Class 3A felonies; two counts of possession of a controlled substance, Class 4 felonies; three counts of having no drug tax stamp, Class 4 felonies; and possession of money while committing a drug-related violation, a Class 4 felony.

These were later amended to one count of an attempted Class 2 felony and two counts of attempted Class 2A felonies.

The defendant was on probation when she caught this case, said York County Attorney John Lyons, and that is significant. Also, a motion to revoke that probation was filed. And she had a prior unsatisfactory probation. There was evidence of drug dealing. She didnt even make an attempt to fight to get probation as she didnt meet with them or get her evaluation. She is aware she has mental health problems yet she continues to worsen them with drug use. I also object to her serving a term in the county jail as there are more services for her in the department of correctional services. She says she is open to treatment if the court orders her to do so  that is not a recipe for success. Probation is for defendants who want help. I dont see any accountability from her. We are recommending a straight sentence.

She knows she has a problem with illegal substances, said Deputy York County Public Defender Patrick Tarr. During the last two years, its been a problem for many and there has been a lot of self-medicating happening. She was on probation in Dodge County, which had been going well and this case is the reason for that revocation hearing. I believe treatment could be very helpful.

Your prior criminal history includes an unsatisfactory probation, two possessions and a pending revocation, Judge James Stecker said to Robinson. The court hears you saying today that you want to complete treatment but the PSI indicates you will only go to treatment if you are told to. If you wanted help, you would have lined up a bed and you would have done an evaluation, but youve done nothing.

For each conviction, she was sentenced to a term of 1-2 years in prison, to be served concurrently.
Online Learning Tools

Learn With Chegg Unveiled with Enhanced Personalization, Content Integrations

Chegg today unveiled Learn With Chegg, a new phase in its digital learning platform that offers more personalization and the ability to automatically push relevant content to users based on their needs, the company said in a news release.

The enhanced platform is underpinned by a "sophisticated recommendation and personalization model" and also integrates its existing academic services  including study help, test prep, and writing and math support  to help students more easily discover related content. Learn With Chegg incorporates data on student needs garnered over a decade from its millions of subscribers to make users learning journey easier and more intuitive, the company said.

Through Learn with Chegg, students can intuitively organize their study support by specific concepts, courses, textbooks, or classes.

The Learn with Chegg platform will leverage billions of user interactions taking place each month, which provide the basis for a unique understanding of how todays students want to learn, the concepts they are most likely to struggle with, how best to sequence and shape learning help to maximize understanding, and how to deliver academic support in the most time-efficient manner, said Nathan Schultz, president of Learning Services at Chegg. Chegg knows where students get stuck and the kinds of content students are consuming at key points in their studies, so it knows which ones to offer them next. Cheggs platform is geared towards locking concepts into students long-term memory by serving them content that will continually enhance and drill in their learning.

In development for over two years, the enhanced platform will be able to adapt to a students preferred study method and provide the kind of learning material they find most suits their learning from Cheggs robust library of videos, practice problems, flashcards, learning pages, step-by-step textbook solutions and more, the company said. Additionally, students will now be able to test their knowledge of a topic through immediate assessment, and theyll be prompted to take assessments after they have studied content on the platform, the news release said.

Learn With Chegg also aims to bolster the companys efforts to support students in learning throughout their lives. Chegg will continue to expand its capabilities to support learners well beyond high school and college, offering lifelong learning options and a holistic approach to a broad array of student needs. Learn With Chegg integrates with Chegg Skills, as well as with the recently launched Chegg Life, which offers subscribers guides on topics like financial planning, career pathways, and mental wellness. To that end, Cheggs offerings are now organized around four core pillars: Books, Study, Career, and Life.

We wanted the Chegg brand and the services we offer to reflect the reality of the modern student, said Chief Marketing Officer Esther Lem. They are mature, motivated, and lifelong learners who will rely more and more on Chegg for all kinds of support.

Chegg is a publicly held company based in Santa Clara, Calif., and trades on the NYSE under the symbol CHGG. For more information, visit www.chegg.com.
[Comments have been added, Thurs. 12:30 p.m. EST]

We've been talking about riches these past few days. And everybody has different ideas about money. The way I've always thought about wealth in my own life is that it gets me back to zero. That is, being prosperous is not actually a very good source of rewards; what it's really good for is removing the problems. Too much below the zero line, and I'm in a state of deficiency, where problems proliferate because I don't have the wherewithal to get them solved. If you've ever been poor, think of all the problems and headaches you experienced just because you couldn't afford a reliable automobile. It can even create minor crises, for instance when you're in dire need of a large repair you can't afford, or if you get in an accident when you don't have insurance. If you're prosperous, your car always works, your maintenance costs are predictable, everything's all insured and checked and inspected, you never worry about gas money, and you might even have a backup car in case anything does go wrong. It "nulls out" all the car problems. Gets you back to even. The car is just there, at your service.

As another example, I sometimes think of my history with...um, washing machines. (You can probably already tell this is going to be the weirdest post I ever wrote, but hey, it's a blog. If you don't like it, you can wait till Friday.)

When I was a boy, here's how clothing got washed: I dropped my dirty clothes on the floor of my bedroom and they disappeared. Some time after that, they reappeared, washed, dried, and neatly folded, in the drawer of my dresser. This happened invisibly, when I was at school. The agent of this routine miraculous transformation was Emmie, our sixtysomething spinster housekeeper of German descent. And this, by the way, is the optimum method for getting one's laundry done. It's ideal, not to mention lovely, and I wish I had appreciated it more.

The part about the bedroom floor was me, though. I have a very vague memory of a hamper in the upstairs hall that I was supposed to throw my dirty laundry into. But I don't think I very often did. Emmie didn't seem to resent having to pick my laundry off the floor; Emmie didn't seem to resent anything.

Start-stop

Emmie had two peculiarities I remember above all. One was that every now and then, as she worked, she would break into song. But it was always the same song, and she sang only one line of it: "Aroundthe worldin eigh-ty days...." Next, as if she had forgotten the words, she would continue with "ta-tah-tah-ta, ta-tah-tah-ta...." Then she would hum a few more bars softly and fall silent. A few moments or minutes would pass and she'd start up again, singing the same snippet again, exactly the same way. I probably heard her do that eight hundred times, or twice that.

The other odd thing was the way she drove her carby repeatedly flooring the accelerator and then letting up off the pedal completely and coasting. So if the speed limit was 25, like it was in our neighborhood, she'd accelerate to 30, drift down to 20, then accelerate to 30 again. When I dawdled in the morning and missed the school bus, sometimes Emmie helped my mother by driving me to school. Accelerate, coast. Accelerate, coast. It's not like the car jumped ahead when it was floored. Her car, an inexpensive American hardtop coupe of a bland greenish color with a vinyl roof, probably had less than 90 horsepower and a zero-to-60 time in the high teens. Steadily holding delicate middling positions of the accelerator, however, was beyond herwhen I goaded her into trying it, she just held the pedal down too long and we ended up careening down the leafy, lazy roads of the sleepy suburb of Bayside at fifty miles an hour! Which alarmed us both. Although the subtleties of Emmie's adult psychology were no doubt beyond my ken at the time, I was a bright enough child, and it did occur to me that she would continue to be fine with her odd style of driving so long as she never had to pilot too powerful a car.

It was only two miles, but it was during these trips to school that I pried her for details of her life. (Curiosity has always been one of my main characteristics.) Emmie's story, as far as I ever knew it, was that she was the daughter who had stayed home to care for her elderly parents, which she had done dutifully and without complaint. Her immigrant parents (Milwaukee was settled largely by Germans) had spoken little English, so she translated for them as well. There had been suitors for her, once upon a time, one in particular whom she honored in memory, but the complications of her familial duties had discouraged him. The problem with the arrangement was that, with her parents gone to their reward and Emmie's obligations fulfilled, she herself was left alone in her own old age. (I resolved at age ten not to end up like that, although I have.)

After my parents separated, it became my job to do my own laundry. I can't complain about that, because it's a basic life skill any young person of either sex should learn. At least the respective laundry machines at Mom's house and Dad's house were convenient and private, and supplies and maintenance were paid for out of my parents' pockets rather than mine. Again, no appreciation from me. Laundry was a chore and chores an annoyance.

After that, I moved to the Corcoran School of Art's "dorm," so called, a small brownstone apartment building in the Dupont Circle area of D.C. The laundry machines were just outside the door of my unit, which was convenient, but they were often in use, night or day, and at night the noise of the machines and people's comings and goings fractured my sleep.

Then I moved to a larger apartment building in Georgetown. We tenants weren't allowed to have laundry machines in our unitssupposedly because of the risk of flooding, but also probably because the coin-op machines in the ancient dank basement were another source of income for the landlord. Those machines were dirty and sluggish, and took a lot of quartersyou had to run the dryers twice to have any hope of getting everything dry. If you abandoned your stuff for even a few hours it would be removed and set aside by some other tenant, some of whom would just pile your clothes on the floor, which looked like it had not been cleaned since maybe the Truman administration.

Stop, thief!

I was never a clothes horse except for a brief period of about three years in my mid-teens. If pictures from that period are any indication, that did not go well. So I've never owned much in the way of clothing, and what I do own tends to be utilitarianI got through the entire George W. Bush administration with four identical pairs of black jeans. But I never learned the value of even basic clothing until I had some stolen from that apartment building in Georgetown.

The basement was what's called a "walk-out" type, and it got a lot of walk-through traffic because the basement door was the entrance from the back parking lot. And there was a band of homeless people in the "park" you had to be careful of. The park was actually not a parkit was the oldest Black graveyard in D.C., for the leaders and well-to-do of the Black community in the 1700s and 1800s. But at some point all the headstones had been shoved into the bushes and into the little gully, to clear the land for picnic tables and games of Frisbee (which I considered to be beyond disrespectfullet's not get me started on that topic). Halfway down the slope to Rock Creek was a crypt, a small stone room dug into the hillside. It was where the caskets of the dead had been temporarily stored during Winters when the ground in the cemetery was too frozen to dig. The crypt was the headquarters of the shadowy and shady homeless bunch, and you had to be cautious around it. I only peeked into it once, during the day, when its denizens were out panhandling, procuring their poisons of preference, thieving, or doing whatever they did.

I made the mistake of leaving a bag of clean laundry in the basement, because I was on my way out and too lazy to take it back upstairs. And then, unfortunately, I forgot about it. For a whole day or maybe even two. Bad move. The door to the parking lot was never locked. My bag got stolen. I had never thought twice about the cost of clothing until I lost that whole heap of it during a time when money was tight! Shirts, $20, jeans, $25, and so onthe replacement cost of that single bag of vanished laundry was more than $200. Painful.

Next I moved to a luxury apartment in Laurel, Maryland, and things started looking up. That was in my professional photographer period, so I had some money finally**. The apartment had a small utility room with laundry hookups just off the kitchen, and I splurged for a basic top-loading washer-dryer set in stylish avocado green. That was a luxury, toomy machines were private, proximate, shiny and new, needed no quarters, and they worked just like they were supposed to. And there you have itback to zero! No more problems with laundry. Nothing could go wrong from there on out, right?

Except that a year later Xander was born and we moved to Chicago. And that's where I hit the nadir, laundry-wise. I had paid to move my still-fairly-new machines from Maryland, but I couldn't use them in the unit. So while my still all-but-new washer and dryer sat unused in storage in the basement of the building across the courtyard, mocking me, I had to take all our laundry five miles away to a laundromat and sit there and wait till it was done. It sucked up a lot of time, and it was vaguely humiliating in some undefined way, but let's look on the bright sideI got a lot of reading done. Xander, who was six months old, slept beside my chair in his handy detachable carseat basket. It was the least convenient way of getting laundry done I had ever experienced. I had certainly gone a long way down from the days of Emmie. That avocado-green washing machine and dryer had to be left behind when I moved again, and by the time I went back to get them they had vanished. Back below zero again.

Beautiful girl

This is getting longer than it is interesting. So, long story short, unless it's already too late for that: things are getting better now. Here in Western New York we have a large Mennonite community, and for an oh-so-short time a couple of years back I hired a beautiful young Mennonite housekeeper (or cleaning lady or maid or whatever you want to call it) named Jen Zeiset. And for that short period I actually did make it full circle back to the era of Emmie. Jen came once a week for maybe half a year or so. She didn't just help out; she enjoyed domestic work and had a gift for it. She worked like there was a contest on, wouldn't take breaks even when I encouraged her to, and did things better than I thought they could be done. She did all the laundry and folded it beautifully and returned it to the drawers. (To answer your question, noI have matured into an orderly and dignified old fart, so I don't drop my undies on the floor any more.)

That's what affluence is for, the way I look at it. It alleviates the mundane, quotidian problems of life. You never have to cart the laundry to the Laun-Dro-Mat and stop for a roll of quarters along the way.

Alas, I'm back to shifting for myself. Mennonite girls, I'm told, only work outside the home until they start their own families. I assumed I might have Jen for two years, because she was only 18 when I hired her and Mennonite women typically marry at around 20, but no such luck: she married her beau Cody that very year and moved away to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where his business is. I wish I'd had to courage to ask her if I could take her portraitshe really was an uncommonly beautiful young woman, slender and demure in her cap and long dress. Smart and decent, too. It's no wonder she got taken early in the draft, if that's not too crass a way to put it. Cody was reportedly pretty head-over-heels for young Jen. According to her mother.

But we were talking about riches: and here's what really makes you rich. Not just to get back to zero, the point where a lack of money is no longer causing any problems: but to appreciate it. This is really where the satisfaction comes from, if you ask me.

It's the difference between Jen and Emmie. I took Emmie for granted; but after years of annoyances with the quotidian task of getting my clothes clean, every time I opened a drawer to find Jen's stacks of crisply folded clean shirts...well, I felt a flush of satisfaction, pleasure, and gratitude. Each time. I suppose rich people will pooh-pooh the idea that periods of poverty have anything to do with the enjoyment of wealth, and I can't speak for others, but I will claim that it sweetens the simple fruits of prosperity to have lived without them. In the way that hunger increases the satisfaction of a simple but excellent meal.

Searching for home

Oh, and by the waymy conclusion about Emmie's song was not that she was simple, but that she went about life with the lush cadence of a waltz playing in her head! She worked, you might say, in waltz time. Swinging the vacuum cleaner back-and-forth, forth-and-back as if the skirts of her gown were brushing the floor of a Berlin ballroom. I wish I had figured this out early enough to see if waltz time could be overlayed on the rhythm of her pulses of acceleration as she drove, but by the time this idea occurred to me Emmie had long since faded into a memory. Still, it pleases me to think that maybe her odd gun-it-and-coast style of motivating her car might have been a sort of repressed dancing.

It was only long after her death that I got curious about those lyrics: what were the words that came next after "Around the world in eighty days," anyway? I learned then to my astonishment that those weren't even the right wordsthe song title, from the 1956 musical, never occurs in the song itself. Rather, it begins, "Around the world I've searched for you...." And the words that come next, the ones Emmie always sang with placeholder ta-tah-tahs, are,

I traveled on, when hope was gone,

To keep a rendezvous....

Mike

*You know how they talk about off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway? Well, this post is off-off-topic. We'll have no more of this!



**I told everybody I earned $72k a year, but it was $72k gross, $39k net. Maybe...1991, so $143k/$77k in today's money.



Book o' the Week

American Geography by Matt Black, a great name for a photographer but a terrible internet name, impossible to search. Stan Banos calls American Geography a "handsome, well thought out and put together book." Matt's work is outstanding.



The link is a portal to Amazon. Thank you kindly for helping support The Online Photographer!

The following logo is also a link if you click on it:

Original contents copyright 2020 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)

Featured Comments from:

GKFroelich: "For what it's worth, this was my favorite post since your one on Fotomats. Perhaps that's because I could relate to it so well, but it was a great read, and had me smiling the entire time."

Marty Knapp: "Mike, Thanks for making my day! Your essay this morning put big smiles on both my wife's and my faces. I could just see Emmie waltzing around...your description brought me right beside both of you. You have a gift of inviting us into the rooms and times of your life. I wish I was able to write as well as you, but for the time being I will be happy just reading your OT and OOT narratives! Please keep these coming!"

Jonathan: "If you are not familiar with Hans Rosling and the Magic Washing Machine you really should look it up. In addition to not having to worry, a functioning car/washing machine/whatever provides an enormous amount of free time. Having to take the car to the shop or waiting for a repairman can waste a whole day."

Scott Marriott: "When you said: 'This is getting longer than it is interesting,' I just about shouted: 'No it's not!' I enjoyed it immensely. I'm only a couple of years older than you and found many of your descriptions painfully funny, familiar and telling. I could easily hear more like them."

Robert Roaldi: "My wife and I have a running joke about money. We say that we want to die with zero dollars in the bank. She was speaking to her cousin a few months ago, after he had just retired, and she told him our line. He said, 'I want my cheque to the funeral home to bounce.'"

Mike replies: Funny, but I feel the opposite. I have never been much motivated by money; I didn't realize until a particular day in my brother's kitchen in 2003 that I had never actually tried to make money. Now I do feel the danger of insecurity in my old age, so I care more now. But mostly, the main reason I would like to earn some money is so I could leave something to my son. That's not the only thing, but it's really what motivates my ambition (what I have of it) more than anything else.

Gerard Kingma: "Years ago I read Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor. This post very much reminds me of that. It's about nothing and about everything at the same time. Thank you."

Mike replies: Years ago I had the opportunity to meet Garrison Keillor. He gave a talk at a bookstore in Georgetown. After the talk, a long line of people formed to meet him and exchange a few personal words. Most of the people in front of me asked deep questions, and each exchange seemed to take a lot of time. The line moved slowly. I was at the very end of the line, and I meant to ask him a deep question too: "How can I become a writer?" But as the line dwindled, the bookstore cleared of people, and the afternoon light outside began to shift toward dusk. When it came my turn, I opened with, "how are you?" and Mr. Keillor immediately answered, "tired." I looked at him more closely, and he did look very weary, and distracted, and I realized that what he most likely wanted more than anything was to get to his dinnerhis eyes kept wandering toward the front door, even. So I just thanked him briefly for his talk and wished him a good evening. His face actually brightened when he realized he didn't have to talk to me! I didn't take it personally at all. Rather, I considered how kind it was of him to talk to everyone in the line, all the way to the very end, leaving no one out, even though he most probably very much wanted to be finished and leave.

Ernest Zarate (partial comment): "There are entire books, numerous self-help courses, workshops, counselors, computer apps, free 'advice' from family and strangers and much more that focus on money. But Ive never seen or heard of anyone distilling wealth in all its many phases (i.e., to have or have not) down to washing machines. Never. Real estate. Exotic cars. Travel. Antiques. Stock market. IRAs. Retirement. Yes, all that and more. But never washing machines. To say nothing of household help, young and old."

Andrzej Rojek: "Mike, I liked your off-off-topic quite a lot indeed. I fully subscribe to your opinion that having lived without fruits of prosperity can sweeten them when they eventually appear.

"Poland where I was born and where I live now was on the wrong side of the iron curtain a few of decades ago. Permanent shortages of food and household items were facts of life in the 1980s. Russian cameras such as Smena (lower end) and Zenit (somewhat higher end) were all I could have dreamt of. East German Praktika seemed to be beyond my reach while Japanese SLRs remained a sort of unobtainium back then. When my friend got a colorful flyer of Olympus photo gear (I cannot recall the exact camera model and what I remember is Zuiko 50mm /1.2) we felt like kids looking at a candy behind a window pane. I feel it affects the way I appreciate and enjoy my cameras these days (including those that heavily fall short of what can be considered as fancy cameras). P.S., my Zenit is still in perfect condition after some 35 years (however, I haven't used it for quite a long time now)."

Peter in Boulder: "Off off topic or not, Mike, I greatly enjoyed it. Your definition of wealth resonated with me."

Geoff Wittig: "Ah, memories of laundry thrills past.... Washing and cleaning clothes is one of those boring fundamentals that explain why being poor is so soul-crushing and expensive. My first two years in medical school were spent in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, during the nadir of New York City's 1980s crime and bankruptcy crisis. The closest laundromat was a grimy snake-pit crawling with cockroaches a half mile walk northeast from our apartment. If you didn't stay guarding your machine, your clothes would disappear. A heavy pocketful of quarters got you one load. There was at least one stabbing at that laundromat while we were there, so I did all the laundry; it was too hazardous for my petite wife. Affluent people generally have no idea how hard it is for working poor folks to get the laundry done; how expensive it is in terms of time, effort, and share of a very meager budget."

Mike replies: True dat. Barbara Ehrenreich's bestseller Nickel and Dimed has some vivid stories of that.
An upswing in positive COVID-19 test results has forced one area school district to cancel classes and another is warning it may do the same due to staff shortages.

With nearly one-fourth of its student population out, Galatia Community Unit School District No. 1 has cancelled all classes, extra-curricular activities and sporting events until Tuesday, Jan. 18 and Herrin Superintendent Nathaniel Wilson has said that closures may be coming to his district.

In a letter to parents posted on social media yesterday, Galatia Superintendent Shain Crank said the district had almost 100 students absent Tuesday and with several staff members testing positive for the virus, the districts ability to staff buildings and serve bus routes has been impacted.

Crank said in his letter that he is optimistic about returning to classes next week.

Not being in session over the next three days and subsequent holiday weekend will let staff and students recover, keep students from getting further behind, provides us a time for deep cleaning of the district buildings/buses and hopefully slow down the spread of COVID, he wrote.

Also in a social media post to families Tuesday, Herrin Community Unit School District No. 4 Superintendent Nathaniel Wilson conveyed challenges facing the district because of COVID-19.

Overall, it has been difficult to operate at our normal level of operations due to many teachers and staff being out for sickness, he wrote. I tell you this because I want you to be prepared in the event we are unable to have school due to staff shortages.

Wilson expressed a desire to continue in-person instruction, but said, if necessary, emergency closures would happen.

Both superintendents were unavailable for comment.

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 Flash

Mine-sniffing hero rat Magawa, who won a gold medal for his mine-detection work in Cambodia, has died at the age of eight, charity Apopo said in a news release on Tuesday.

"Hero rat Magawa passed away peacefully this weekend," the news release said. "Magawa was in good health and spent most of last week playing with his usual enthusiasm, but towards the weekend he started to slow down, napping more and showing less interest in food in his last days."

During his five-year career, Magawa found over 100 landmines and other explosives, making him Apopo's most successful hero rat to date, it said.

Apopo is a non-profit organization that trains African giant pouched rats to save lives by detecting landmines and tuberculosis.

"His contribution allows communities in Cambodia to live, work, and play, without fear of losing life or limb," it added.

In September 2020, Magawa was presented with a gold medal from British veterinary charity People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for his work detecting landmines in Cambodia before he retired in June last year.

Magawa was born and trained in Tanzania by Apopo to detect the scent of the explosive chemicals used in landmines and point them out to his handlers.

Regional and internal conflicts had left Cambodia as one of the most mine and explosive remnants of war-affected countries in the world. An estimated 4 to 6 million landmines and other munitions were left over from the almost three decades of conflicts.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) explosions killed 11 people and injured 33 others in Cambodia last year, a government report said, adding that from 1979 to 2021, landmines and UXO explosions had claimed a total of 19,808 lives and either injured or amputated 45,156 others.
Works by Southern Illinois University Carbondale emeritus faculty Jerry Monteith and Daniel Overturf, a glimpse into the regions history and artifacts, and an exhibition relating to health and wellness in the African American community are among the highlights at University Museum this spring.

With the start of the spring semester on Jan. 10, exhibitions are slated to begin this week.

This semester the University Museum will be hosting a wide variety of exhibits, featuring works by a score of extremely talented regional artists as well as rarely seen works from the Museum's collections, said WM Weston Stoerger, curator of exhibits. With everything that will be on display there will always be something new and exciting to come and see.

The exhibitions, with brief descriptions, are below. The complete spring schedule will also be available on the museums Facebook page.

As with all exhibitions, the artwork represents the viewpoints of its creators, not SIU. As a public university, SIU does not promote or oppose political candidates. SIU complies with the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act and State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.

NORTH HALL

Mitchell Gallery

Parting Shots

Jan. 11-May 7  The works of Jerry Monteith and Daniel Overturf. Fascinating sculptures by Monteith, professor emeritus in the School of Art and Design, and four new collections of never before seen photography by Overturf, who recently retired from cinema and photography in the College of Arts and Media.

Continuum Gallery

Lighting the Way

Jan. 10-April 2  Examples of historic lighting from around the world featuring historical and contemporary light fixtures, from seal oil lamps to chandeliers design from the museums various collections.

Atrium Gallery

Curators Choice

Jan. 11-May 7  Head down these dark and mysterious passages with the museum staff as they bring out rarely seen works from the museums Fine Arts collections.

Forge, Form, Fabricate

April 10-May 7  A nationwide juried exhibition of collegiate metalsmiths. The works are selected by a panel of Southern Illinois Metalsmiths Society (SIMS) members and guest judges and coincides with the SIMS annual conference.

SOUTH HALL

Southern Illinois Gallery

Our Region

The non-rotating exhibition features historic, geologic and anthropologic artifacts from through the region from collections through the museum and SIUs Center for Archaeological Investigations.

Lutes Gallery

European Painting, Sculpture, and Decorative Arts

The exhibition highlights paintings, sculptures, tapestries and furniture from Renaissance Europe highlighted from the collection of Carl W. Lutes.

Saluki Gallery

Big Muddy Film Festival

Feb. 1-March 12  A compilation of videos from previous Big Muddy Film Festival participants paves the way for the 2022 film festival and will culminate in a compilation of never-before-seen videos.

Mid-Century Modern

March 22-July 30  A combined exhibition between the School of Art and Design and University Museum will feature the art and design schools collection of mid-century modern design schematics paired with the museums furniture collection from that period.

West Gallery

Womens Voices 2: A Collective

Feb. 1-May 7  This annual mixed media exhibition will feature the works of 24 female artists from throughout the region chosen by guest curator Teresa Fix.

Hall of Art

Convalescent Care

Feb. 1-March 26  The exhibition joins a campuswide STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) initiative to address health and wellness in the African American community and feature medical and spiritual healing exhibits from the museums collection.

Study Gallery

Its an Honor

Feb. 1-May 7  The museum will present highlights from donations by Cho-Yee To, a 1967 SIU doctoral graduate in education who will receive an honorary Doctor of Educational Leadership degree from the university. To is an emeritus professor at the University of Michigan.

International Gallery

Global Menagerie

Jan. 11-May 7  Selected from the museums international collections, the presentation will include exhibits from around the world featuring wildlife and animals.

Exhibits are open to the public

Admission to the museum is free, and it is open to the public. The museum, art galleries and both halls are open Tuesdays-Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Public metered parking is available across from the Student Center and beside Woody Hall.

Each of the museums halls has a maximum capacity of 25 people, and face masks are required at all times when visiting. University Museum events will be compliant with the Restore Illinois Plan. The university is committed to protecting the community, so visitors must follow current campus and state pandemic safety protocols and wear masks in shared indoor spaces.

For more information, contact Stoerger at stoerger@siu.edu or visit museum.siu.edu.

Lighting the way -- Candle molds and a candle holder dating back to the late 1800s are among University Museums historical and contemporary light fixtures on exhibit this semester.

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The Rev. Dr. Caesar R Richburg is one of 25 pastors participating in a hunger strike launched on Jan. 6 as part of a push for federal voting rights legislation.

Richburg, chairman of the Regional Medical Center board, is also pastor of Bethel AME Church in Columbia.

The strike was launched on Jan. 6 by Faith for Black Lives, an initiative of The Peoples Consortium for Human and Civil Rights Inc. Its a New York City-based advocacy organization that says its committed to building communities through radical love in action.

Richburg and 24 other pastors from across the nation are not eating solid foods until Monday, Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the national holiday celebrated in honor of the late civil rights icon.

Richburg said the effort was launched to urge the U.S. Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act either before or on MLK Day.

Key provisions of the Freedom to Vote Act include requiring that all 50 states offer early voting periods  with exceptions  for at least two weeks prior to Election Day, including on nights and weekends, for at least 10 hours per day.

Each state would also be required to ensure that, when possible, early voting polling places are within walking distance of public transportation, accessible to rural voters and located on college campuses.

The hunger strike is simply a demand for action in response to threats against the basics, or the bones of our democracy and really the right to vote. States across the country passed laws directly impacting voters, Richburg said.

The pastor claims the laws could make mail-in voting and early voting more difficult, impose stricter voter identification requirements and make faulty voter purges more likely.

In an emerging trend, we have restrictive laws in four states, i.e. Georgia, Kansas, Iowa and Texas. They impose newer and even more stringent criminal penalties on election officials and other persons. These new criminal laws will deter election officials and other officials who assist voters from engaging in what you just might call simple, ordinary, lawful and often essential tasks, Richburg said.

The pastor said a Georgia law where an individual can be charged with a crime for handing out water and snacks to voters waiting in line at the polls was unimaginable. The law allows self-service water receptacles.

Can you imagine that? Youve got voters standing in line at the polls. Some could very well be persons who are diabetic, who have a very rigid order of when it is that they should eat. Move over to the Midwest. In Iowa and Kansas, if you look at their laws, people could literally face criminal charges for returning ballots on behalf of voters who may very well need assistance, such as voters with disabilities, Richburg said.

He continued, When you go down in Texas, you have election officials who could face criminal prosecution if they encourage voters to request mail ballots, or regulate poll watchers. So what we have here is states which have enacted laws to reduce early voting (and) restrict access to absentee ballots to literally seize control of nonpartisan elections, he said.

Richburg said extreme gerrymandering also threatens access to Black political representation in states and federal elections.

He said a hunger strike requires dedication and sacrifice, but it is a worthy effort.

A hunger strike is really a form of sacred resistance through nonviolent action. We sacrifice in order to raise the moral conscience of this beloved nation of ours to the challenges facing our beloved democracy. None is better than the one which weve been blessed with, Richburg said.

He referenced Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian anti-colonial nationalist who employed nonviolent resistance, including hunger strikes, to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule.

Thats basically where we are. Were asking strikers to abstain from solid foods for the duration of the action, and were encouraging them to drink just water and (other) liquids.  As faith leaders, our call to ministry goes well beyond the boundaries of the campus by which our churches are domiciled, Richburg said.

He continued, As faith leaders, were both priests and prophets, and were called to simply speak truth to power and raise the conscience of our nation. We need to do that through moral resistance, and heres a kind that really requires sacrifice. Its a kind that requires deep commitment, and its a deep commitment to radical love.

The pastor said he optimistic change will come.

Were swiftly approaching midnight for democracy in our nation, and weve got to act before its too late. Were not going back. I think too much has been achieved, too many sacrifices have been made for us to be where we are today, he said.

Contact the writer: dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5534. Follow "Good News with Gleaton" on Twitter at @DionneTandD

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I remember the feeling in newsrooms back in the 1960s, as many journalists began to have doubts about the Vietnam War.

In those big work spaces where newspapers come together and broadcasts are assembled, the Vietnam War was taken by journalists to be the good guys vs. the bad guys  the way it had been in the two world wars and the Korean War. But by the mid-1960s, the media was turning against the war.

Some reporters went to Vietnam, the rest of us edited and sometimes melded several files from the war.

Initially, coverage reflected simply what the U.S. commanders were saying in daily briefings from Saigon. As our colleagues on the ground in the war zone began to tell a different story from the official one, editors and writers far from Vietnam began to change their views. Enthusiasm turned to doubt, followed by anti-war sentiment. The media, in its way, had found its conscience.

Media doubt accelerated as the war dragged on and turned to something close to hostility. I was privy to this because I circulated as a desk editor between three newspapers: the Washington Daily News, the Washington Evening Star, and the Baltimore News-American, finally roosting at The Washington Post.

The American Newspaper Guild passed an anti-war resolution at its annual convention in Dallas in 1969. This side-taking disturbed many journalists. It wasnt objective, but it passed anyway.

Today, the media landscape is different. There are many more partisan outlets in broadcasting and fewer strong, local newspapers. And there is the whole new world of social media, which defies monitoring. Still, the reporting is done by the mainstream media, and from this all else flows.

While the attitudes of the mainstream are important, they arent as commanding as they were in the time of the Vietnam War  in the time when the nation watched the evening news with total belief and hung on every word from Walter Cronkite.

I have a strong sense of that same struggle between the professional requirement for objectivity and the private conscience is testing the media today just as it did in the days of the Vietnam War.

Can we still cover the divisions of today as an event, as we do most things, or is it morally different?

There is an emerging consensus that journalists collectively  and a more disaggregated group couldnt be imagined than the irregular army of nonconforming individualists who make up the Fourth Estate  are concerned about the survival of democracy. The very basis of our freedoms, of our pride, and even of our history as a free nation capable of the orderly and willing transfer of power is at stake. You cant work in media now and not feel the sense of the nation going off the rails.

It is, I submit, a turning point when journalists of conscience cant fall back on the old rules of objectivity, giving one opinion and countering it with another. To give the other side, when you, the writer, know the other side is a contrived lie, is to give credence to the lie and further extend its malicious purpose.

You cant give the lie the same credence as the truth or you will hide in false equivalence and fail the public.

Even journalists I know who are socially and politically conservative are signing on to the idea that they must take a stand for the truth.

The Big Truth being that Joe Biden won the presidential election, verified over and over again by recounts and court findings. The false equivalence would be to repeat the Big Lie and say at the end of a report, But supporters of Donald Trump assert the election was rigged.

When you know that the future of our democracy is in the balance, as a journalist, you feel it is time to take a stand; not to stand with Democrats, but to stand with the truth.

Llewellyn King is executive producer and host of White House Chronicle on PBS. His email is llewellynking1@gmail.com and you can follow him on Twitter @LlewellynKing2. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

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Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.

Tomorrow

Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
NIDCO (the National Infrastructure Development Company) says it has not initiated any tender or award of contract process with regard to the Toco Port.

In a news release, the company said the issuance of any letters of award or contracts relating to the Toco Port project is fraudulent and not authorised by Nidco.
THE Childrens Authority is failing to protect migrant children, many of whom are commonly abused in child care facilities. And when they complain, the Authority is unresponsive.

A ten-member team appointed by Cabinet to investigate reports of child abuse at childrens homes found that Venezuelan girls placed at St Judes School for Girls were openly labelled prostitutes by staff and other residents, beaten by other residents and in one instance by a security guard, resulting in multiple physical injuries.
Those with authority over others often become wolves because the people under their charge 
Arizona Early Music has postponed its Tucson Baroque Music Festival that was set to be part of the Tucson Desert Song Festival Jan. 28-30.

AEM Executive Director Dominic Giardino said the move was in response to the states rising COVID-19 cases and the threat of the highly contagious omicron variant.

The big factor at play here is that we have 11 musicians coming from all over the country, predominantly from New York, and we have three programs, and every player is indispensable, Giardino said Tuesday, not long after the AEM board had officially hit pause on its January programs.

It is the second Song Festival event that has been postponed because of the pandemic.

True Concord Voices & Orchestra hit pause on its January programs on Jan. 6 and postponed three concerts and a recital with soprano Susanna Phillips that were supposed to take place the same weekend as the AEM festival.

Phillips, who was to sing the world premiere of Jocelyn Hagens Here I Am that was commissioned by True Concord, is set to make up those dates Jan. 28-30, 2023, according to True Concord Music Director Eric Holtan.

The Tucson Baroque Music Festival is Arizona Early Musics most ambitious program in its 40-year history. Normally, the organization specializes in presenting concerts by early music  think 15th and 16th centuries  artists often performing on period instruments.

Its an exciting, ambitious project that will happen, said Giardino, who was hired in August  the first time in its history that AEM has had a paid employee.

Arizona Early Music will resume live events in February, when it brings in the viola da gamba quartet Parthenia on Feb. 27. In March, the lute duo of Paul ODette and Ronn McFarlane will perform virtuoso works from Italy and England.

In April, AEM is hosting the four-time Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble Tallis Scholars from the United Kingdom. For tickets and more information, visit azearlymusic.org

Giardino said the Tucson Baroque Music Festival could be rescheduled for early next season, possibly in October.

+1

Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com. On Twitter @Starburch

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Ditmanson, Leonard Dr. Leonard Frederic Ditmanson Dr. Leonard Frederic Ditmanson passed away at the age of 63 in Oro Valley, Arizona on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. A Tucson resident and servant to the medical community for nearly four decades, "Lenn" was a family man and is survived by his loving .... Read more

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Toast 101, 4699 E. Speedway Blvd., is the place to go for familiar brunch options served in a trendy atmosphere.

Fun fact: co-owner Kalvin Jarvis represented Tucson on "The Voice" when the singer competed in the popular NBC show in 2019.
Frank Craycroft, a mechanical and mining engineer, built one of the most impressive houses of the day on the road that now bears his name.

Craycroft was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1872, to Elkanah and Louise Craycroft. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and then, following in the tradition of men in his family, enrolled in the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. On graduation day in 1889, he received his degree in mining engineering and also became a CPA.

He spent the next four years working with his father on water works projects. After his father died, he lived in Boulder, Colo., Bisbee, Globe and Los Angeles. He also served in the Spanish-American War in 1898.

In 1904, Craycroft came to Tucson, working mostly in heating and power plant construction. He also was chief engineer for the J. Knox Corbett Co., and later went into business for himself. The 1925 Tucson City Directory lists his business, Frank Craycroft Plumbing and Heating, at 40 Toole Ave., downtown. He was also an important promoter of the El Conquistador Hotel, where El Con Mall is now.

Craycroft was married twice, first to Mary L. Norman, of Texas, who died in 1917, and again in 1925 to Edna E. Huckabee (some sources site her last name as Greene). He had three children.

In 1925, he built a house in the desert, just off a dirt road that was then called Kenyon. A Tucson Citizen article in May of that year described the house as "of Spanish architecture and is built in the shape of an 'H.' " The article said it "contains nine rooms and three baths . . . two large sleeping porches, and a porch built on the roof, which is gained by means of a spiral stairway."

The house, at 5524 E. Fourth St., off Craycroft Road, has been remodeled and changed hands several times. In the 1990s, it was the headquarters of the Tucson chapter of the American Cancer Society. It is now a private business.

Roughly 15 years after the house was built, Kenyon Road was renamed Craycroft Road.

Frank Craycroft died suddenly on May 10, 1929, at his home. He was 56 years old.

Sources:

Thanks to reader Carl Hendley for suggesting this street.

Special thanks to Alexa N. Tulk of the Arizona Historical Society

Richard E. Sloan, "History of Arizona," Record Publishing Company, 1930

William G. Clemens, "Craycroft building is both central and historic," Tucson Citizen, Dec. 1995

"Craycroft Brings Home Bride To Grace Palatial Residence Now Going Up On Speedway," Tucson Citizen, May 1925

"Frank Craycroft Claimed By Death," Arizona Daily Star, May 1929

Tucson City Directory, 1925

If you have streets to suggest or stories to share, contact writer David Leighton at streetsmarts@azstarnet.com.
A longtime Tulsa Kentucky Fried Chicken franchisee announced Tuesday that he has sold 13 of his locations, including 10 in the Tulsa area.

Denis Schoenhofer of Schoenhofer Enterprises sold the venues to New York-based SC Food Group LLC, which owns and operates such brands as Jimmy Johns, Burger King and IHOP.

Citing a nondisclosure agreement, Schoenhofer didnt release the sales price. Whether the restaurants sold will continue to operate as KFCs wasnt immediately clear.

Schoenhofer Enterprises purchased the KFC locations in 2003 and continues to operate in Kansas, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma, where it operates locations in Bixby and Durant.

It is a bittersweet time for Schoenhofer Enterprises, Schoehofer said in a statement. While we are excited to continue to grow as a company and have appreciated the opportunity to own and operate these restaurants for the last eighteen years, it was not an easy decision.

Six of the restaurants Schoenhofer sold are in Tulsa. Others sold in the area are in Sand Springs, Claremore, Pryor and Bartlesville. Also sold were eateries in Hugo, Idabel and Coffeyville, Kansas.

My family loves Tulsa, and we will continue to live here, Schoenhofer said. However, we are focused on growth in new and other existing markets.

My son and daughter are third-generation KFC franchisees and are increasingly focused on markets outside of the immediate area. Their grandfather and my father, Chuck Schoenhofer, was one of the first KFC franchisees in Kansas and worked through his mid-80s, so Ive got a ways to go before Im anywhere near that.

About 20 years ago, Denis Schoenhofer bought 10 Tulsa-area KFCs out of bankruptcy and immediately began remodeling them. He also has purchased bankrupt markets in the southwest, including in Amarillo, Texas, and Wichita, Kansas. Schoenhofer recently built two new restaurants in Pueblo and Canon City, Colorado, that have become two of the highest volume KFCs in the country.

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More than 12,500 Oklahomans have been lost to COVID-19, and many of their families no doubt experienced the unique anguish of deciding when to let them go  when to silence the cacophony of machines working overtime to keep these husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers and other beloveds on this side of the veil.

Im a reserved person, I think, Mattie Fish, 84, said. Im not a leader. I dont like to make decisions.

But late on a Thursday evening last Feb. 11, her older son, Roger Fish, took a phone call from the hospital in Oklahoma City where his brother, Ashley Fish  Matties younger son  had been transferred. Ashley, who was on a ventilator fighting COVID, had taken a turn for the worse, they said, and Mattie needed to go to the hospital and make a decision.

So she and Roger and Ashleys children went the following morning, braving the biting cold and icy roads, to say goodbye to Ashley, 53.

He was in a coma, but they told us he could hear us, Mattie said. So I told him that his whole life had been dedicated to his children and that he was a good father.

After Ashley died, the family returned to the Sand Springs residence they have called home since 1965. Just hours later, on Saturday morning, they called us to St. John (in Tulsa) to do the same thing for Elmer, Mattie said.

Unlike Ashley, Elmer Fish, 85, was conscious, but everything was just bad, his wife said. There was nothing encouraging.

He didnt want to go on the ventilator. That wasnt even an option at that point, Mattie said. Early on, he had told the nurses that he didnt want the ventilator.

Elmer hadnt wanted to go to the hospital, either, after his doctor told the couple that he likely had COVID, so the doctor sent him home to recuperate, but he told Mattie that if Elmer got worse, she should call for an ambulance. And on Friday, Feb. 5, with Elmer unable to catch his breath, thats what she did.

Elmer hadnt been in good health, anyway, she said, but he fought the virus for more than a week.

Mattie and Roger gave the hospital permission to withhold life support, and Elmer died early on Valentines Day, just five weeks and three days shy of the couples 60th wedding anniversary.

A joint funeral service was held for Ashley and Elmer at Angus Acres Baptist Church, where Elmer and Mattie had attended for decades. Mattie said the auditorium was full of mourners.

But the familys grief would continue.

A little more than six months after Ashley and Elmer were laid to rest, Roger got sick.

I know he heard me

I leaned heavily on Roger after Ashley and Elmer passed, Mattie said, and after he got sick, I told my pastor, I just dont know what Im going to do.

I went up to the hospital every day. Roger was in St. Francis (in Tulsa), she said. He had a hard struggle, and everything was negative. His kidneys shut down early on, and they just never did come back.

Roger, who went into the hospital on Sept. 2, also had repeated cardiac and blood pressure episodes.

I tried to prepare my grandkids that if he survived, he was going to have a long-term recovery, Mattie said.

Eight weeks after Roger entered the hospital, on Thursday, Oct. 28, his mother was asked for permission to cease life-sustaining measures.

On Friday, I couldnt go up there, she said. I just couldnt.

Roger, 59, died the next day when his blood pressure shot up and he went into cardiac arrest. Medical personnel performed CPR but were unable to save him.

I had talked to him, Mattie said. Maybe he tried to protect me (by dying anyway). I knew he wouldnt want to live like that. I just knew it wasnt going to be good, but I just couldnt let go  just couldnt make a decision.

That was my last conversation with him, she said. I know he heard me. I know he heard me.

Now theres just a few of us

Raley Fish is just 17, but shes old beyond her years.

Ashleys daughter, she plans to graduate from high school this year  a year early  and care for her younger siblings, Sammie, 16, and Rollin, 11.

Their older brother, Riley Weir, is attending college in Kansas.

Mattie is the younger kids guardian now, but none of them feels like its fair for an 84-year-old woman to have to raise a houseful of grandkids.

And, as their recent experience has shown, you can never know how long a person will live.

She wouldnt say she does, but I know she has hard times sometimes, Raley said of Mattie. I feel like shes doing a fantastic job, honestly.

Still, Raley is taking on more of the responsibilities.

My dads important thing was school. The toughest he was on us was about schoolwork, she said. We needed to have As and be good students, so I keep on my siblings about that and keep up with that myself because I feel like thats what he would want us to do.

And she says shes ready for whatever else comes.

Im going to be 18 this year, she said. And I would do anything for them.

Family was always a big thing, Raley said.

All of them were parents to all of us kids. Everyone was always around, she said. We were all like one big family.

And the family thats left now, well, its struggling.

Its been really tough without all of them, Raley said. The holidays were hard. We always seemed to have a big family, and now theres just a few of us.

I didnt see my life going this way

For her part, Raley tries to focus on the future.

She and Sammie attend classes at Barnsdall High School, while Rollin goes to Angus Acres Elementary School.

But Raley also takes prenursing classes at Tri County Tech in Bartlesville and basic education classes at the Rogers State University campus there in the hopes of getting into RSUs nursing program.

I always wanted to be a nurse, she said. Its what me and my dad had always talked about. I like to help people.

She acknowledges that the very pandemic that has stolen so much from her family makes it difficult to think about a career in health care.

It does feel scary with the pandemic going on, she said, but there has to be somebody to help all these people.

Ashley actually survived his first battle with COVID. He became infected in August 2020 and was pretty sick for a week or two.

He was like, That was the worst thing I ever went through, Raley said, adding that he got very serious about wearing masks and taking other precautions, saying, Nobody should have to go through what I went through.

The second time he became ill, he suddenly spiked a fever of 104. The hospital tried to admit him, but Ashley wouldnt agree to that until he was able to ensure that his children would be cared for.

He went back the next day, and he was there for about a month before he died, Raley said.

She said she believes that her father would have gotten vaccinated against COVID if he had had the opportunity, and she added that the rest of the family has since done so.

We all live with my grandma, and shes older, and she doesnt want to get it because shes all we have, she said.

Thats a lesson that Raley and her family have taken to heart.

You cant really take any moment for granted, she said. The whole time they were in the hospital, I kept telling myself they were going to make it, but they didnt make it. I remember my dad telling us we were all his angels, but he thought he was going to make it, and he didnt.

Raley said she has some better days and some not-so-good days.

I wont say I feel cheated, she said. I know lifes unfair, but I didnt see my life going this way. I dont know why this happened to us.

Ive only got me

Lacey Fish said her father, Roger, was always quiet until you got to know him.

He was a listener and great advice giver, she said.

That was especially important for Lacey, whose mother, Wendy Fish, died in 2016, leaving Roger to finish raising Lacey. And now, with her father gone, too, Lacey sometimes wonders where to turn for that listening ear.

I definitely feel alone  more than Id like to admit, actually, she said. I love my family. Theyve really helped me through these tough times. But nothing compares to the love and care from your mom and dad.

Its definitely hard around the holidays and birthdays, she said. But I know they are with me in spirit. I wouldnt wish for anyone to have to lose a parent so young, or, even worse, both.

Im 24 and have no parents or siblings. Ive only got me.

Lacey lives in the house she shared with her parents and works at a hair salon, but she said she doesnt know if thats a long-term plan.

After all Ive experienced in hospitals, with multiple family members being admitted throughout the years, I think I want to do something in health care  possibly a nurse of some sort, she said. I dont know, honestly. Im still figuring that out.

Lacey said Roger started feeling icky early one week in late August, but by the end of the week, he felt so bad he left work early.

I made him an appointment to get tested, which was obviously positive, she said. After a week of not getting noticeably better, he asked me to take him to the hospital.

For the next three weeks, Rogers family couldnt see him.

After he tested negative, we were able to go and see him and even get a few pictures with him, Lacey said. He was doing better, and they were even talking about sending him to a rehab facility until he was 100% again.

And then he took a turn for the worse when he developed a bacterial infection in his lungs, she said. He was then put on a ventilator.

I didnt even get to see him before. The doctors asked if he wanted to make a phone call, and he told them he didnt even think he could talk, Lacey said. It must have been so scary for him because hes the one that told the doctors he couldnt breathe anymore on his own.

He was on the vent for about a month before he passed.

I think he would be proud

Lacey said Roger never thought COVID would be that bad. I didnt even think it would be bad.

Mattie said Roger was planning to be vaccinated but that we were always so busy.

But Lacey said there were hesitations about the vaccine, too.

He was up in the air about it, which is understandable. He had heard about many side effects and so on, she said. Looking back, I really wish he had gotten it.

I was sort of against it, as well, until I noticed that COVID was literally attacking my family, she said. I got vaccinated soon after he passed away. I think he would be proud of my decision.

Lacey still struggles with the loss, especially this time of the year.

Its very hard for me at the moment, she said. We just had the holidays, and his birthday is at the beginning of January.

I feel very isolated some days  just deep in my thoughts. And other days, I enjoy the happy memories and pictures and music we shared together.

He truly was my best friend  my whole heart.

Lacey also offered advice about remembering whats important.

You shouldnt take anything for granted, she said. If I learned anything in 2021, it would be that. I never wouldve thought this would happen to me  losing three of my closest family members in less than nine months.

Spend time with your grandparents, aunts, uncles  even if its just a phone call here and there, she said. You never know when the last time you will see them will be.

Life is hard right now, but I know God has a plan for me. Better days will follow, and thats all Im looking forward to.

Loved. Missed. Remembered: Sand Springs' COVID losses arent statistics. Theyre friends, neighbors and relatives Few communities across the metro area have suffered under COVID-19 like Sand Springs. The numbers are sobering. But numbers don't resonate with people. People resonate with people. And people are what weve lost  our neighbors, friends and loved ones.

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Three statewide virtual charter schools are being cut $58.9 million in state aid after posting significant declines in student enrollment, while Tulsa Countys traditional school districts are picking up a total of $15.5 million more.

In midyear adjustments announced to schools late Monday, the Oklahoma State Department of Education distributed the final remaining $49 million in state aid for the fiscal year 2022, which ends June 30.

Dramatic growth in statewide virtual charter school enrollment and state-funded private school scholarships in recent years had already turned the process on its head.

Now, a recent change in state law coupled with sudden, significant enrollment declines at Epic One-on-One, Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy and Insight School of Oklahoma between the end of the 2020-21 academic year and Oct. 1, 2021, has unleashed a new kind of ripple effect on Oklahomas state aid funding formula for public schools.

Compared to initial state aid allocations made in late July, Epic One-on-One is to receive $53.4 million less, Oklahoma Virtual is to receive $4.8 million less and Insight is to receive $663,000 less.

Conversely, every school in Tulsa County except for Berryhill saw their state aid adjusted upward.

This is a marked change from this point in FY2021, when Tulsa County districts saw their state aid adjusted downward by $31 million.

The big midyear 2022 winners in terms of actual dollars were Tulsa Public Schools, up $3.3 million, the large suburban districts of Jenks, Broken Arrow, and Union, each up $1.2 million to $1.9 million, plus Bixby, which is up almost $2.6 million.

Tulsa Honor Academy, a TPS-sponsored charter school, saw its midyear allocation spike nearly $1.5 million.

The process of reserving a portion of annual state aid for schools  this year, 2% was withheld by the state  was designed decades ago to deliver additional taxpayer dollars in the middle of the fiscal year to districts that had seen student enrollment increases since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1.

The formula used for calculating these midyear adjustments includes more funding for students whose household income levels are so low that they qualify for free or reduced-rate school lunches, as well as for English-language learners, gifted and talented students, and those with special education needs.

But Senate Bill 212 changed the state law on how charter schools are funded effective July 1, 2020.

The enacted measure, sponsored by now former State Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, requires that statewide virtual charter schools experiencing a significant decline in membership of 15% or greater have their state funding calculated based on their student enrollment at the nine-week mark of the current year  not on higher enrollment numbers from either of the previous two.

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Step through the front door of La Tertulia, and you might think youve somehow crossed a couple of state lines.

The building, which at one time was home to the original The Bramble, has been completely transformed in a space that so well evokes the aura of northern New Mexico, and Santa Fe in particular, that you might wonder whether you are still actually in Oklahoma.

The walls, for example, are white stucco, with window-like niches that hold examples of Santa Clara and San Ildefonso pottery and turned-wood bowls. Built-in chiminea-styled fireplaces are set in the front and rear corners of the dining area (and were kept ablaze and crackling each time I visited). The ceiling is a series of rough-hewn logs arranged in a chevron pattern, and seemingly held in place by much larger logs.

Our property owner, Jeff Scott, took a piece of one of the big logs and made that bowl out of it, said Kevin Nashan, the chef and owner of La Tertulia, pointing to the object that is set in one of those niches. I thought it was lovely, and I wanted to make it a part of the decor.

Nashan is the James Beard Award-winning chef who first came to Tulsa in 2018 when he opened Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co., a concept based on one of the restaurants he founded and runs in St. Louis.

La Tertulia is inspired by the restaurant of the same name that Nashans grandparents, June and Willie Ortiz, founded in 1972 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The family ran the establishment, which specialized in northern New Mexican food, for close to 30 years. And in that time, La Tertulia became something of a culinary destination.

Its really been amazing, but it seems just about every night since weve been open, weve had people come in who say they remember dining at the original restaurant, or that they knew my grandparents, Nashan said.

Those who remember the original La Tertulia will likely feel quite at home once they unfold the menu at the Tulsa incarnation, as Nashan said his grandparents menu is the foundation of the food being prepared by executive chef Brian Green and his crew (La Tertulia shares kitchen space with Peacemaker, for which Green also serves as executive chef).

Were not trying to replicate everything, Nashan said. For example, the original menu included a paella, and we would basically have to dedicate a station just to making that one dish. Its just not worth the hassle.

But otherwise, I would say a good 75 to 80% of our menu comes from the original restaurant, he said. Weve made a few upgrades and tweaks, of course.

Nashan said he developed the menu for the new La Tertulia with help from Green, his brother Chris, and Jose Venta and Adrian Moldonado, two chefs who work at Sydney Street, his St. Louis restaurant.

The menu is not extensive, but it is varied. For example, appetizers include the expected queso and guacamole, along with a shrimp and octopus cerviche. The soup offerings eschew the usual tortilla soup for a green chili stew, pozole and a black bean and jalapeno soup.

One can order a burger, but it will come folded in a flour tortilla and topped with red and green chili sauces. Three steaks are available, as well as one fish dish  a grilled rainbow trout topped with roasted potatoes dressed in a chimichurri sauce that also seasons the fish.

That was one of the dishes ordered ($18) during a recent visit, and it was a highlight. The fish was perfectly cooked, with the delicate, almost buttery flesh enlivened by the hint of smoke from the grill and the acidic tang of the chimichurri. The chunks of new potatoes had a crisp exterior and creamy interior.

The trout came with a cup of pinto beans, which were also a component of the deluxe combination dinner ($18.25), which gives one a fairly comprehensive sampling of what La Tertulia can do.

The platter comes with a taco, a rolled blue-corn enchilada, a tamale, a chili relleno and a good portion of carne adovada, which is chunks of pork shoulder simmered in a rich and spicy red chili sauce. Accompanying all this are rice, pinto beans and pozole, or hominy.

The carne adovada was the star of the plate, both on its own and as the filling in the tamale, where the sweetness of the firm, tasty masa balanced the spice of the filling. The enchilada, filled with chicken, was good, but I found the poblano of the chili relleno strangely bitter, and its coating disintegrated under the blanket of undeniably flavorful green and red salsas.

We went with the carne asada and soft corn tortilla for the taco, which should be eaten first, as the tortillas structural integrity is quickly compromised from the sauces on the plate. The meat had a bit of chew to it, but otherwise it was enjoyable.

Our server, Darren, recommended the sopapillas (75 cents each)  not for dessert, as is usually the purpose for these pillows of fry bread, but as a way to sop up sauce or clean the palate.

One receives a bowl of deep maroon salsa and a bowl of hearty chips at the start; the color of the salsa should be a bit of a warning, as it packs a healthy dose of lip-tingling heat.

We also shared a bowl of queso ($6.50), which had a distinct, and much enjoyed, vegetal heat, as well as an order of tostadas ($8.75). Two crisp blue corn tortillas were topped with a white bean escabeche, chunks of unctuously tender beef cheek, pickled onion and jalapeno. We probably could have eaten a table full of those.

For dessert, we had the flan ($6), a generous serving of firm, creamy custard in a thin caramel sauce.

La Tertulia has a full bar and an extensive drinks menu, curated by bar manager Lauren Clark. Among the favorites are a Hatch Chili Martini ($10), made with a vodka infused with green chilies, and a Mezcal Negroni ($9). The bar also offers several variations on the margarita, nine wines and a selection of local, domestic and imported beers.

We shared a half-pitcher of the house sangria ($16), which was refreshing without being too sweet, or overly fruity.

General manager Richard Purtell said the restaurant seats 62, not counting about a half-dozen seats at the bar. Speaking of seats  the west wall of the restaurant has been designed so that a seating ledge, topped with cushions, runs its length. My companion for the evening found it to be less than comfortable.

Because of the restaurants size, reservations are usually recommended, though Purtell said they are still working out the details.

We dont want to be a place where its impossible for people to get a seat, he said. We want to be able to accommodate walk-in customers as well. Were just trying to find that right balance.

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There are days  such as last Thursday  when those who own and operate food trucks think seriously about reconsidering their career path.

That was one of the coldest days so far this winter, with temperatures shivering around 20 degrees.

Yeah, we were partially frozen up that day, and we had to lose a days business, said Justin Carroll, who co-founded 1907 Barbecue with John Karr. The duo have been serving their style of Oklahoma barbecue at their truck that has been located outside Tulsas Cabin Boys Brewery since 2019.

It was just one of a thousand reasons why having a brick-and-mortar location is so appealing, Carroll said.

That wish will come true in a few weeks, when 1907 Barbecue becomes the newest addition to the Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Lewis Ave. (An exact opening date has not been set, as various circumstances including the COVID-19 pandemic mean the process for getting all the city permissions and approvals to open a new food business take longer.)

The change in location is also representative of the Tulsa barbecue scene in general, which has grown to feature cooks who take the tradition of smoking meats seriously, but also are willing to explore and invent.

One such establishment is Oakhart Barbecue, 1644 E. Third St., which was No. 4 on the Tulsa Worlds annual Best New Restaurants list. Co-owners Brian Hodges and Chris Emmons follow the traditions of Central Texas barbecue, using post oak wood and only salt and pepper as seasoning  along with an artisans touch at coaxing culinary magic from these simple elements  to create mouth-watering barbecue.

But Oakhart is far from the only establishment helping to give Tulsa some serious cred as a barbecue hot spot. And the popularity of these restaurants is such that many are seeking out additional locations to spread their individual takes on barbecue throughout the city.

1907 Barbecue

1717 E. Seventh St.

Hours: Noon-2 p.m, 4-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; noon-8 p.m. Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday, or until sold out.

1907 Barbecue got its start in 2013, when Carroll and Karr smoked their first brisket and were so pleased with the results that they started entering barbecue competitions. The men decided to start a food truck originally as a way to help finance their trips to competitions.

After several mobile years, 1907 Barbecue worked out an agreement with Cabin Boys Brewery to have a permanent site in its parking lot. When American Solera opened next door, the truck developed a solid business provide barbecue to complement local craft beers.

We have a great relationship with the breweries, Carroll said. But we were starting to feel a little constrained. The truck is also our commissary, so we are doing all our prep work and cooking in a 52-square-foot space.

And while we have a cooker that would let us make enough food to last a full day, we simply dont have enough hot storage in the truck to hold that much food, he said.

Carroll said he and Karr first approached Mother Road Market about a year and a half ago about possibly moving into the food hall.

They were interested, because it was around the time that Oklahoma Joes had moved out, Carroll said. But the timing was all wrong. We were still growing as a company, and the only space that was available was the largest one in the hall, which would have been too expensive for us.

Then, about two months ago, representatives from Mother Road Market approached Carroll and Karr about setting up shop.

It had been our goal to open a brick-and-mortar place of our own in 2022, Carroll said. But the more we thought about it, we realized that it would be a smart move to go into Mother Road Market, and take advantage of all the things they offer to help us perfect our systems so that we would be ready to open our own place.

One advantage of being in Mother Road Market is, simply, exposure.

Where were at now, you kind of have to know were there to find us, Carroll said. On the other hand, everyone in Oklahoma knows about Mother Road Market. So I think were going to have a much larger potential customer base there.

And we should have the physical room to refine our current menu and explore new options, he said. Im a huge pastrami fan, and thats pretty much impossible to do well in a food truck.

Carroll said 1907 Barbecue draws from elements of the beef-based Texas barbecue as well as the pork-forward Kansas City style to create a unique hybrid flavor profile.

One uniquely Oklahoma contribution to barbecue, however, has not been a part of the 1907 Barbecue menu. But that may change.

Ill be honest  Im not a fan of barbecued bologna, Carroll said. People ask for it all the time, and weve done it as a special on occasion. But I have a feeling, with the cost of meat being what it is, we may have it on the menu as a lower-cost option.

Killer Wail Barbecue

2112 E. Admiral Blvd.

Hours: Opens at noon Saturdays until sold out.

One local favorite among barbecue fans that has no plans to go anywhere is Killer Wail Barbecue, which can be found every Saturday in the parking lot of Heirloom Rustic Ales.

Chef and owner Oliver Larrabee runs this one-man operation that has been cooking up Central Texas-style barbecue for the past three years.

Im a native of Austin, which has a very distinctive barbecue culture, Larrabee said. When I moved up here to Oklahoma, I didnt realize that what I now know as Central Texas barbecue wasnt just barbecue everywhere else.

It was one of the things I really missed, so I started cooking to try and make the sort of barbecue I knew from home, he said.

Larrabee went through the Kitchen 66 program (like Mother Road Market, a project of the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation), which helps aspiring food business entrepreneurs develop their concepts into reality.

Because the tradition of Central Texas barbecue is based on simplicity  salt and pepper instead of complex spice rubs, sauce judiciously employed if at all  the practice of cooking is often a very hands-on process.

The way we do things is rather artisanal, because there are so many elements you have to take into consideration, Larrabee said. Its not just that every piece of brisket is different. The dryness of the wood youre using, the temperature and humidity of a given day, even the speed and direction of the wind, all have an effect on the meat.

So its always very much a learning process, no matter how long youve been at this, to figure out how to create consistency, he said.

The flavor that Larrabee creates is mild in its smokiness, with black pepper a bit more forward. His pork ribs and brisket get a light drizzle of Killer Wails vinegar-based sauce.

Killer Wail is only open on Saturdays and routinely sells out by early afternoon. Larrabee posts to social media sites such as Facebook to inform fans about upcoming specials, or if inclement weather or life events (such as the recent birth of his third child) will affect those hours.

Ive been open only on Saturdays for about a year now, and I rather enjoy it  it gives everything almost an event-like atmosphere, he said. And this spot is really one of the hidden gems of Tulsa, since Heirloom Rustic Ales was recently named as one of the top breweries by Wine Enthusiast. The environment they create is one where I feel comfortable, and it gives me a way to support my family and have an artistic outlet.

Cains Kitchen by Green and Gambill

423 N. Main St.

Hours: Kitchen opens when doors open for Cains Ballroom shows.

It was one of those things that happens when a couple of cooks get together during a pandemic lockdown and start talking.

Ive been a huge fan of the Cains Ballroom for years, said Adam Green, and I knew the kitchen area next to it was open. So Hunter and I approached them about our taking it over.

Green, who runs the award-winning Macs Barbecue in Skiatook, and Hunter Gambill, whose culinary efforts range from wine and whiskey to Gambills Pastaria and Gambills Wine & Coffee, started serving up food to concertgoers in September under the name Cains Kitchen by Green and Gambill.

Barbecue has been something of a mainstay at the Cains, as local establishments such as Oklahoma Joes and Burn Co. Barbecue have previously occupied this space.

And while the menu features items familiar to fans of Macs Barbecue, the new spot also features items that dont require a lot of smoke to be flavorful.

We wanted to keep the menu fairly simple, with items that could be prepared quickly, Green said. So we have pizzas and Italian subs from Gambills Pastaria, as well as things like the Frito Pie and sandwiches like the Mac and the Okie from Macs.

We like to think that people are coming to the Cains in order to eat our food, Green said, laughing. But we know that were more of an impulse thing for the audience. Thats why we want things to be as good as we can make them, because one reason for being in this spot is to promote our businesses to an audience that might not be aware of what we do.

While the Cains Kitchen by Green & Gambill is usually only open when the venue is hosting a concert, Green said there are plans to offer special events that arent linked to shows.

Were planning on doing a regular brunch in the near future, as well as special events like Steak Nights, like the one were doing (Jan. 16) in honor of Ben Alexanders birthday, he said. Its a way for local chefs to get together and have fun cooking the sort of things we always wanted to do.

New digs

Two local barbecue restaurants, both of which earned praise from Tulsa World food critics, will expand to additional locations this year.

Leons Smoke Shack, which has been in operation since 2014 at 601 S. Sheridan Road, is readying its second location in what used to be the Swamp House, at 1529 E. Third St.

Leon Thompson opened his restaurant in 2014 and quickly developed a loyal following for his barbecue, which is cooked over a mixture of pine, hickory and post oak woods.

Hours for the current location are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. leonssmokeshack.com.

Alpha Grill, which specializes in what chef and owner Frank Willis calls barbecue with a twist, will be opening a second location this year at 6670 S. Lewis Ave. The site was formerly occupied by Helen of Troy, then Tandoori Guys Express.

Alpha Grill began as a food truck that routinely set up shop near the intersection of 31st Street and Sheridan Road. In 2020, the business moved around the corner and into Mall 31, 5970 E. 31st St., where the Willis family continued to blend Mexican, Cajun and Caribbean foods and flavors with traditional Oklahoma barbecue.

Both the original locations of Leons Smoke Shack and Alpha Grill will remain open once the new locations are operational.

What the Ale: Cabin Boys Brewery gets a grain silo

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How well are last years Oscar winners doing? Could they be in the hunt again this year?

If your name is Frances McDormand, yes. In addition to playing a supporting role in The French Dispatch, shes Lady Macbeth in The Tragedy of Macbeth (and a producer of that film). The latter is likely to get some attention and could bring her back to the big night. Nomadland won her two trophies  Best Actress and Best Picture.

Anthony Hopkins, who didnt attend the ceremony but won Best Actor for The Father, never seems at a loss for work. According to IMDB, the website that lists film credits, he has three films that were slated for release in 2021 and two in the hopper for 2022. One of those  The Son  is part of a trilogy with The Father, the film that won Hopkins his latest statuette. Quite likely, he wont be nominated this year.

Yuh-Jung Youn, the Best Supporting Actress winner who was thrilled to meet Brad Pitt when he handed her the Oscar, had two films this year, but neither is getting the attention Minari did. She is still a force in the Korean film industry. But American producers havent scrambled to find roles for her.

Daniel Kaluuya, the Best Supporting Actor winner for Judas and the Black Messiah, has three films in varying forms of completion. None is eligible for this years competition. Nope reunites him with his Get Out director Jordan Peele; Blak Panther: Wakanda Forever brings him back to the screen as WKabi; and The Upper World drops him in a futuristic situation and gives him a very special ability.

Chloe Zhao, who won Best Director for Nomadland, followed that up with this years much-awaited Eternals, a Marvel offering that didnt received the raves many expected. She, likely, wont be in the mix, either.

Of the 2021 nominees, the most likely to appear on the 2022 list is Olivia Colman, who has been mentioned in end-of-the-year lists for The Lost Daughter, a Maggie Gyllenhaal film. She was nominated last year for The Father.
This week has been busy for Tulsa homicide detectives, who investigated one homicide at a north Tulsa apartment early Tuesday and by early that afternoon were announcing arrests in the citys second homicide of 2022.

Detectives suspect foul play after a young man was found dead at the Oakley Apartments in north Tulsa on Tuesday morning.

The death  Tulsas third homicide of 2022  was reported about 8:45 a.m. near Tecumseh Street and Harvard Avenue. A neighbor and friend of the mans had gone to see him and found the body, Police Department Public Information Officer Andre Baul said.

Trauma was evident on the body, Baul said, but homicide detectives were unsure what had caused the trauma.

Most of the complexs parking lot was cordoned off by crime-scene tape as neighbors and family members gathered outside.

Hours after that call, police announced the arrests of two men in connection with the second homicide of the year.

Carl Couch, 36, was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Michael Johnson, 41, who was found with a gunshot wound at a north Tulsa home a week earlier. Jeremy Paul York, 47, was charged with accessory to murder.

On Monday, patrol officers located Couch, who was questioned by homicide detectives and was booked into the Tulsa County jail later that night.

Couch, listed as homeless in jail records, is held without bond.

York reportedly was taken into custody Tuesday. He is held in lieu of $500,000 bond.

Officers were called to the residence, just north of Admiral Place on Florence Avenue, about 10:30 p.m. Jan. 5. Johnson died at a hospital several hours later.

According to an affidavit, Johnson and his girlfriend had just arrived at Johnsons home after winning some money at a casino when they were ambushed and chased by a group of people who shot Johnson in the head.

During the investigation following the homicide, police found information that indicated the shooting resulted from a drug debt owed to a person incarcerated with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and affiliated with the Universal Aryan Brotherhood prison gang, according to the affidavit.

The information indicated that Johnson owed the gang member money for narcotics and had not paid his debt. A group of people were ordered to collect the debt or take Johnsons Ford Mustang, according to the affidavit.

Police apparently were told different stories about what happened.

One witness reportedly said Couch, who the witness knew as A.J., told the witness he shot Johnson after the victim was getting the upper hand during a physical altercation.

The witness told officers that Couch, another man and a woman had gone to collect the debt from Johnson.

After the homicide occurred, York went to collect the .22-caliber handgun and silencer that was used in the homicide, the witness reportedly said. The witness alleged that York then took the gun apart and threw it in the river.

On Monday, police interviewed another witness who was present during the shooting, according to the affidavit. That person had been kidnapped and forced to go with Couch and the other debt collectors, the person told police.

When the group arrived at Johnsons house, Couch and the woman confronted Johnson, who then ran to his front porch as Couch shot him twice, according to that witness.

Later Monday, after officers had arrested Couch, he told investigators he did shoot Johnson, according to the affidavit. He reportedly said his girlfriend, the woman who was with him during the shooting, had cheated on him with Johnson.

Couch reportedly told police he waited for Johnson to arrive at home and then banged on Johnsons car window, making Johnson run away from him.

Couch said he shot twice at Johnson but missed, according to the affidavit, and then the two began fighting over the gun. He told investigators that was when he shot Johnson in the head, according to the document.

Couch reportedly said Johnsons cousin was with them during the shooting and that he wished he had shot Johnsons cousin, too, because blood is thicker than water.

(Couch) said he has been to prison before, and this will be the last time he goes to prison, the affidavit states.

Kelsy Schlotthauer and Anna Codutti contributed to this story.

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Oklahomas public school enrollment has seen its first downturn in 19 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the biggest hits have been to pre-K and kindergarten.

According to the annual Oct. 1 student count, overall enrollment was down 9,537 students, or 1.36%, to 694,113 students total.

Just a year earlier, the states student count of 703,650 was noted by officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Education for being the first-ever instance of public school enrollment exceeding 700,000.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, Oklahoma public school enrollment had been on the rise every year since 2002.

Every single traditional school district in Tulsa County posted losses, with the hardest-hit being Keystone, Owasso and Tulsa, in that order.

Tulsa Public Schools reported a 33% decline in pre-K enrollment and 15% decline in kindergarten, which Superintendent Deborah Gist said is pretty consistent with pandemic enrollment trends across many of the nations largest, urban school districts.

Im very concerned about our little Tulsans who are missing these critical and foundational early years of learning, Gist said. Our schools have been working so hard one-on-one with families to try to bring kids back to school, and we have seen positive results. Its not just about counts and budgets  its about serving kids. In some cases, we dont know where the children have gone.

Early childhood enrollment declines account for three-fourths of the state of Oklahomas overall downturn in public school students, with 4,734 fewer prekindergartners and 2,381 fewer kindergartners than in the 2019-20 academic year.

This pandemic has presented a multitude of challenges, and lower early childhood enrollment numbers tell us we will need to heighten our focus on early learning opportunities and strategic interventions to ensure these children have the prerequisite skills needed for reading and math, said State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. Copious evidence points to the effectiveness of early childhood education in preparing children for lives of learning and academic success, and we are deeply committed to serving our youngest learners.

Debra Andersen, executive director of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness, said national advocates for early childhood education are already discussing the resources that will be needed to address deficits in the youngest childrens development.

It is hard for us to keep our finger on the pulse of what children and families are doing right now, Andersen said. What are the long-term impacts going to be by missing out on this critical time, the window of opportunity for kids to have the kinds of educational experiences that are going to lay the foundation? But with little ones, you cant leave them home alone.

Schools have been opened and closed and families just need a consistent place they know can provide care for their child while parents work. Many of these families have probably prioritized their concerns about the health and safety of their kids over their early childhood education needs.

According to state education officials, there were also dramatic increases seen this year in pre-K and kindergartners enrolled in Oklahomas six statewide virtual charter schools, which offer online instruction to children at home.

Pre-K enrollment at those schools was up 214%, from 623 to 1,956, and kindergarten enrollment was up 271%, from 793 to 2,945.

Annual student counts are a major factor in how public schools are funded and Tulsa Superintendent Gist said all of the shifts and changes that are occurring, some of which may be long-term, are making the task of budgeting and planning for staffing needs extraordinarily challenging.

Were going to have to make some predictions about that and take some actions to try to get the outcome we want, which is to bring our families and kids back home to our schools, she said. It is difficult to predict and plan when there is no past experience.

Owasso Superintendent Amy Fichtner said her districts enrollment has already rebounded by about 200 students since the states annual official count was taken on Oct. 1.

Owasso Public Schools leaders are trying to ride out pandemic-related uncertainties by not overreacting to enrollment declines and instead focus on supporting classroom teachers and shielding students and parents from fiscal management concerns going on in the background.

Because of the pandemic, our families are making the best decisions they can. This truly is an individual family decision based on their family dynamics and their needs and their feelings about the choices offered here, Fichtner said. This was a new experience for everyone. We have had to be flexible in the way we deliver our program options. Our teachers have been exceptionally nimble.

Dramatic shifts of students have also been recorded across the public school system, as a significant number of parents looked to forgo any in-school instruction for their children in 2020-21 because of the pandemic.

That trend sent student enrollment in Oklahomas online public schools soaring.

Across all six public schools sponsored by the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, plus Epic Blended Learning Centers, which offer online students in Tulsa and Oklahoma counties some in-person instruction options, enrollment more than doubled from 32,494 on Oct. 1, 2019, to 67,038 on Oct. 1, 2020.

Epic Charter Schools, which includes the statewide Epic One-on-One virtual school, now serves 59,445 students compared to 28,068 in October 2019.

E-School Virtual Charter Academy, a Guthrie-based online school founded in August 2019, has seen the greatest one-year spike. A little over a year ago, the fledgling E-School had 44 students, but as of Oct. 1, claimed 978.

Co-founder Phil Nichols said student enrollment there was down to around 900 by early November and it has dwindled more since then.

People are going back to brick and mortar (schools), he said. Primarily what we are seeing now is parents saying theyve become more comfortable with whats going on with COVID, and I think it was a bit more rigorous than some people thought it would be.

Despite the mid-year erosion in student numbers, Nichols said E-School is already planning for additional technology and staffing needs for 2021-22, as new growth is expected.

I can tell you what we thought we would get to in terms of student enrollment before COVID  it wasnt 900. I can tell you that, so its been tough, he said laughing. It has been an impossible situation, but weve got some fabulous, just rock star teachers.

Featured video: Grave robbers nearly destroyed one of Oklahomas most precious archaeological sites

Tulsa Worlds people to watch 2021

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OKLAHOMA CITY  Some educators took issue on Tuesday with comments Gov. Kevin Stitts education secretary, Ryan Walters, made about in-class cancellations as COVID cases continue to rise.

Shutting down schools should not be the first reaction but should be a last resort, Walters wrote on Twitter.

Parents are tired and children suffer when administrators act out of fear and not in the best interests of their kids and their future, Walters wrote.

He called on school to use all resources and administrative personnel to cover classes to ensure all students have an in-person option, he said.

They should fulfill their obligation to educate our kids in Oklahoma, he said.

Walters, a Republican, is running for state superintendent.

Our students are paying the ultimate price for the lack of leadership from the Governors Office during this pandemic, said State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister.

Hofmiester, who is term limited as school superintendent, has left the Republican Party and is running for governor as a Democrat. Stitt, a Republican, is seeking reelection.

Schools need to be open, and school leaders are doing everything in their power to make that happen, she said.

Pretending the pandemic doesnt exist does nothing to solve the problem  in fact, it makes it worse. This week is living proof. It is past time to stop pitting Oklahomans against one another and exploiting a public health crisis.

Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller called Walters comments inaccurate and unfair.

He said the best option amid the surge is for schools overwhelmed by illness to move to distance learning for short periods of time.

He and other district leaders decided Monday evening such a move was necessary for the remainder of the week since Bixbys schools are already contending with more absences due to active COVID cases than in any whole month since the pandemic began  205 students and 55 employees.

The assumption is that simply putting a warm body in a classroom means that students will continue to receive equitable, quality instruction, and thats false, Miller said. Were better off having direct instruction through Google Chromebook with that teacher and their students than just putting students with a clerk or administrators, because then its just supervising kids  babysitting  and not instruction.

He said generalized statements are not helpful.

These types of comments do not resonate well with teachers and do not contribute to the retention of quality teachers in the state of Oklahoma, Miller said.

Union Superintendent Kirt Hartzler said that due to the COVID surge there simply arent enough adults who arent sick to safely have kids receive instruction in every building.

This is not a response born out of fear, Hartzler said. It has absolutely nothing to do with fear but everything to do with not having an adequate number of staff available to safely open schools. We had administrators in classrooms yesterday, and it was not sustainable considering our skyrocketing COVID numbers.

Clinton Public Schools announced when classes let out Tuesday afternoon that all students would have to remain at home and participate in the districts virtual learning programs until next Tuesday, Jan. 18.

A letter to parents from the superintendent there said 35% of the staff were out and 30% of students were absent.

Kim Meacham, a parent and Clinton school board member, took to Twitter to object to Walters comments, which he posted on that and other social media platforms.

I lipped off today  and I dont normally do that. It just hit me wrong today, Meacham said when reached by phone by the Tulsa World. Especially from behind a keyboard, its really easy to shame right now. I know hes the secretary of education, and I know hes running for state superintendent next time, and thats not really a supportive thing to do  to shame all of those school systems who are trying their best to stay open. Its kind of a cop-out to me.

Nobody is sitting back with their feet on a desk eating bonbons.

Meacham said she volunteered to cover three shifts of cafeteria duty at a particularly hard-hit Clinton elementary school on Tuesday.

I learned of how many staff we had out at that particular elementary school, so I picked up the phone and called the principal and asked, `How could I help?

Shawna Mott-Wright, president of the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association, which is the collective bargaining unit for teachers in Tulsa Public Schools, challenged Walters and anyone with similar sentiments to begin substitute teaching in local classrooms immediately to better understand the practical realities of the current surge for schools.

She said Walters would find that school and district administrators and local teachers union representatives are already pitching in as substitute teachers to cover for sick workers.

If Secretary Walters would be helpful and of some use instead of playing the political blame games, he would not pit parents against school administrators, said Mott-Wright.

Youre mad schools are closed? Schools are closing because we dont have enough teachers. The beatings will continue until morale improves approach? You pit teachers against parents and administrators and drive more teachers out. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Hows that working out for kids?

Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa, responded to Walters tweet.

Given the spike in Covid infections, the inaction of the governor and the failure of the entire administration to protect Oklahomans, this might be the most tone deaf tweet in the history of twitter, Nichols wrote.

Walters was asked about the criticism and didnt back down from his original comments.

Parents want an in-person option for their kids, and parents know what is best for their kids, he said.

If they want an in-person option, we should be giving that in-person option to their kids, Walters said. Pay subs more. Partner with local churches. My fear is the long-term impact on kids if we continue to close schools down like this.

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Barbara Hoberock Capitol Bureau Writer I have covered the Oklahoma Legislature since 1994. I cover politics, appellate courts, state agencies and the governor. I have worked for the Tulsa World since 1990. Phone: 405-528-2465 Follow Barbara Hoberock Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Oklahoma Attorney General John OConnor said Tuesday hes made preliminary contact with several of eastern Oklahomas tribal chief executives, but whether that represents the first sign of a thaw in the icy relations between the administration and the states tribal nations remains unclear.

Ive called each of the (Five Tribes chief executives) on their personal phones, OConnor said following an appearance at the Tulsa Country Club, where he spoke to the Republican Womens Club of Tulsa County. Ive talked with three of them.

OConnor did not name the three, but the Cherokee Nation said OConnor met with Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. in October.

It was an introduction and preliminary conversation on McGirt, but there was little to no substance in that meeting, said a tribal spokeswoman.

A spokesman for the Muscogee Nation said Chief David Hill has not met with OConnor.

OConnors remarks came as the state and eastern Oklahomas tribal governments wait for a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, probably on Tuesday, on whether to hear any of Oklahomas 43 appeals related to the courts 2020 decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

In that decision, the court ruled that the Muscogee Nations reservation was never legally abolished. State courts have ruled that McGirt also applies to the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Quapaw and Seminole reservations.

Gov. Kevin Stitt and his administration argue that the decision has thrown eastern Oklahoma into chaos, a claim hotly contested by the tribes and others.

Although Oklahoma elects its attorney general, Stitt appointed OConnor last summer to fill a vacancy, and OConnor generally acts in accordance with the governors wishes  something his predecessor, Mike Hunter, did not always do.

On Tuesday, OConnor kept up the administrations message, suggesting that the Supreme Court had created a 51st state with McGirt and saying the tribes are trying to take over the eastern half of our state, in all respects.

Most of the tribes have indicated a willingness to enter into compacts with the state that would settle most of the issues raised by McGirt while maintaining their sovereignty.

The Stitt administration, even before McGirt, has taken a more adversarial approach to the tribes than his recent predecessors.

OConnor, who is campaigning for election to a full term in his own right this year, nevertheless said he respects our Indian friends.

The Indian Nations didnt go looking for McGirt, he said. The state of Oklahoma didnt go looking for McGirt. It was just a lucky argument that somebody made in a criminal case.

I dont blame (tribal) leadership, he said. I think the tribal leadership feels a little differently than the tribal members in a lot of ways.

I dont blame them. If you were dealt a royal flush youd probably sit on it, too, he said.

OConnor is expected to meet Tulsa attorney Gentner Drummond in Junes Republican attorney general primary. Drummond narrowly lost to Hunter in the 2018 primary.

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Oklahomas beleaguered health care workers are expecting a rough two to four weeks as COVID-19 cases smash records, hospital admissions rise  albeit more slowly than cases  and more staff than ever are out in quarantine or isolation.

The numbers of new COVID cases are dwarfing what the state experienced a year ago at the pandemics prior peak. The state now reports nearly 65,000 active COVID infections, which is about 1 in 62 Oklahomans.

However, case counts alone are woefully short of capturing the full breadth of community spread, with at-home testing and many people who have no or minor symptoms not seeking a test.

Dr. Dale Bratzler, the University of Oklahomas chief COVID officer, said a very conservative way to approximate how many Oklahomans have active infections is to multiply known active cases by three.

So about 194,500 people. Or 1 in 21 Oklahomans.

I tell people, Just assume that the person youre working with, the patient youre caring for, just assume that theyre infected, Bratzler said. Its what we have to do right now.

Lawanna Halstead, an Oklahoma Hospital Association vice president, said she worries about quality of care for patients.

Health care workers are weary and tired as the pandemic nears its two-year mark and hospitals are yet again at capacity.

The states recent three-day average of hospital inpatients with COVID-19 is 1,117, which is 39% above two weeks ago and 63% higher than a month ago. In ICUs across the state, the three-day average was 277 COVID patients.

Nurses might have two to four times their normal patient loads, Halstead said, and some hospitals have paused certain services like rehabilitation to divert more staff to acute care.

Emergency room wait times can be several hours. Intensive-care beds are filled as soon as they open. And hospitalizations generally lag case counts by a couple of weeks.

Were thinking its going to be a rough two to four weeks, Halstead said.

She noted that some hospitals again have canceled surgeries that arent urgent as another method to handle the influx with fewer employees than a year ago.

I venture to say all the hospitals are looking at surgical schedule every day to see if that surgical patient would end up in an inpatient bed and, if so, can that be postponed, which is really awful for those people that need that surgery, Halstead said. If your condition after surgery warrants a hospital bed  and certainly an ICU bed  then you probably need that surgery really bad.

So we kind of learned in that very first surge that that wasnt the greatest idea to put other patients off.

OU epidemiologist Dr. Aaron Wendelboe said the staggering case counts are indicative of the huge strain placed on frontline workers, from teachers and first responders to health care providers and many others.

But cases arent the entire picture, and Wendelboe hopes people understand how much the COVID-19 vaccines are blunting the worst of the disease.

If anyone in the public is still out there thats on the fence  should I get vaccinated or should I not  I dont want this conversation to be, Look at all the cases. The vaccines not working, Wendelboe said. Its more like, Look at all the cases, but the vaccine is still doing its primary job of preventing hospitalization and death.

The share of COVID inpatients who need intensive care has lowered to about one-quarter; often in the past, about one-third of those infected with COVID-19 needed ICU resources.

Waning immunity, precautions

Not helping matters, Oklahoma ranks near the bottom nationally for percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated  62.6%  and percentage of fully vaccinated people who have received a booster dose  36.5%.

Im not convinced the fact that we have a lot of people who have been previously infected has made a big difference with respect to the case counts, Bratzler said, adding that vaccination is by far the most important way a person can take to protect themselves.

More than 90% of COVID hospital patients in Oklahoma are unvaccinated, according to the latest state data.

The new daily COVID-19 case totals Saturday through Monday were the three highest of the pandemic so far  and not even particularly close.

The state reported 9,320 new cases Saturday, 9,608 Sunday and 8,130 Monday. The previous record before the recent onslaught was 6,487 new cases on Jan. 10, 2021.

The daily case count reported Tuesday was lower than the prior three days but still quite high at 5,011.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases hit 6,957 on Tuesday  63% higher than the record 4,256 a year ago.

Bratzler wasnt terribly surprised by such rapid transmission because of the states low vaccination numbers, and he said he expects COVID-19 cases to keep rising.

In fact, he added, OU is proceeding under the assumption that classes will have students with active infections. The university is requiring masks in classrooms for at least the first couple of weeks of the spring semester.

A lot of schools reopened last week  or at least temporarily reopened  but there were just lots of activities that have happened recently where people are coming together indoors, Bratzler said. And, sadly, the culture is not to be wearing a mask very often.

Halstead said hospitals are asking people to wear masks, physically distance and not partake in large congregate activities. And, unless they are ill, people shouldnt go to a hospital emergency room for a COVID test because that takes away staff time from patients who are actually sick.

Although hospitals are able to cycle through COVID inpatients faster during this omicron wave compared to delta because on average their illnesses arent quite as severe, Halstead said the sheer numbers are again a tremendous strain.

From what I hear theyre all at capacity and have a lot of patients waiting in the emergency department for both (general) and ICU beds, Halstead said.

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The commemoration of Jan. 16, 2021, by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional Democrats was deceptive and over the top. It will only further divide the country.

They said that Jan. 6 is on par with Pearl Harbor or 9/11. Get a grip. It was a bad thing and shouldn't have happened. The participants should be arrested and tried.

No one attempted to overthrow the government; and no one has been charged with insurrection or terrorism. Five people died. There were other riots last year that were far more deadly and destructive.

This riot was not nearly as bad as what happened on Aug. 15, the day that Biden engineered the Afghanistan withdrawal debacle. This directly resulted in an attack at the Kabul airport that killed 13 U.S. servicemen and 170 Afghan civilians.

Thousands of Americans and many more Afghan allies were betrayed and left behind, leaving them at the mercy of terrorists. About $83 billion in U.S. weaponry was also left behind for the terrorists to use against us or sell to our enemies. Biden made the United States a laughingstock and destroyed our credibility and trust with our allies.

If the politicians in Washington want to commemorate a date in history, Aug. 15 would be far more appropriate than Jan. 6. That will never happen as long as the Democrats are in charge. They are only interested in making Trump look bad and covering Biden's gross incompetence.

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The State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) decided to block the securities accounts of Trinh Van Quyet, chairman of conglomerate FLC, from Tuesday until further notice as he had failed to report his sale of nearly 75 million FLC shares early this week.

The SSC has tasked the Vietnam Securities Depository with freezing all of Quyets trading accounts and required securities companies to stop all transactions requested by the FLC executive.

The decision was based on Decree No.155/2020, which allows the stock watchdog to seal an individuals account to verify details related to that persons violations.

The Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) on Tuesday announced it had canceled the transactions of the 74.8 million FLC shares which Quyet had made on Monday without giving a heads-up.

The law requires major shareholders of listed companies to announce their planned transactions in advance.

Nearly 135 million FLC shares were exchanged on the market on Monday, far higher than the daily average of 15 to 45 million shares.

H., an investor, said he rushed to buy FLC shares on Monday morning at VND24,100 (US$1) per share and expected to see a threefold or fourfold increase in the coming days.

However, FLC plunged to the floor price of VND21,150 ($0.9) in afternoon trade on the same day.

Chairman Quyet previously registered to sell 175 million FLC shares between January 10 and 17, reducing his ownership in the company from 30.34 percent to 5.7 percent.

The information was stated in a document signed by chairman Quyet on January 5, but the SSC did not receive it until the end of Monday afternoon.

FLC, with portfolios ranging from real estate to aviation, did not publish the information on its official website between January 5 and 10.

The SSC previously announced that it was working with relevant authorities to impose a fine upon Quyet for his violation.

Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi has asserted that a stern penalty must be imposed to deter similar offenses in the future.

Nguyen Hoang Hai, secretary-general of the Vietnam Association of Financial Investors, suggested that competent authorities consider criminally charging Quyet aside from slapping him with an administrative fine.

Concealing information regarding the listing and trade of stocks that results in serious consequences is punishable by a fine worth VND100 million ($4,400) to VND2 billion ($88,000), a non-custodial sentence of up to two years, or a jail term of three months to five years, Hai quoted the Penal Code as saying.

Hai stressed that Quyets violation had negatively affected FLC as well as local investors, businesses, and the economy in general.

The incident led to investors rushing to sell FLC shares on Tuesday, causing the code to plunge to the floor price of VND19,100 ($0.84).

Statistics showed that about 154.95 million FLC shares were traded on Tuesday.

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A group of young Vietnamese have developed an audiobook application called Voiz FM, hoping to make more information available to the general Vietnamese people.

They take copyright very seriously and have experienced tremendous advancement over time.

Since its launch in September 2019, Voiz FM has received a great deal of investment.

The application witnessed a sixfold leap in its growth in 2021 when Vietnam was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, browsers can choose from 2,000 audiobook titles on this app.

September 2021 marked the one-million-download milestone for the app both Android and iOS.

Voiz FM is developing an AI voice and has run a pilot test with over 800 participants, 80 percent of whom could not figure out which voice was not human.

It is commendable to see young people investing in this field of audiobooks as they can see its potential, said Le Hoang, vice-president of the Vietnam Publishing Association.

These young entrepreneurs should go professional, take well-planned steps, and overcome initial difficulties so that their efforts can grow substantially in the near future.

From the sound to the mind

Le Hoang Thach and Lam Huy Vu, chief technology officers of the company that developed the app, would like to emphasize the importance of auditory input in peoples intellectual development.

Audiobooks allow multitasking and facilitate the dissemination of information, according to Thach.

This type of book also breaks the barriers among participants in a book-sharing event, especially among those unconfident in front of a live session.

We hope that Voiz FM can nurture and connect the community members and help them overcome any physical or psychological hurdles, said Thach.

As college students, we always caught the bus to school because we were not residents of Ho Chi Minh City.

We listened to audiobooks along the way to make the most of our time.

Because audiobooks at that time were of low quality and there were often chapters missing, Thach set his sights on establishing a provider of a higher quality service, and his dream has come true.

In December 2021, Voiz FM was given a full license for digital publication from the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution.

They are one of the few companies that qualify for such licensing.

Working with the southern office of the Vietnam Publishing Association, Voiz FM ran a book-giving event from July to October 2021.

They offered free books to inhabitants of provinces under the social distancing order meant to prevent the COVID-19 spread last year.

However, the application failed to attract investors at first since audiobooks appeared a rather novel idea, according to Thach.

This was coupled with widespread copyright infringement of published books and a dire limit in resources.

One of the biggest bugs was the copyright issue, said Thach.

Voiz FM is determined to protect the copyright on audiobooks and the rights of authors and publishers.

Voiz FM has removed more than 50,000 cases of infringing content on YouTube and Spotify since July 2020. However, certain offenders were so clever that we had to call for the authorities' help.

Therefore, we are filing an appeal to the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution, asking for support.

Buying copyright from Vietnam and foreign countries

Voiz FMs developers are partnering with over 20 domestic and international publishers for purchasing the copyright on their books, according to Thach.

We offer more than 100 voices and we own over 2,000 books of various genres," he said.

They have the intention to expand their scope and create podcasts and sleep-aid materials.

Audiobooks have considerable potential in the Vietnamese market, according to vice-president Hoang.

The reasons, as he stated, include the massive Internet growth and the fast pace of young peoples lives.

Audiobooks allow them to multitask. They can pick up knowledge while cooking, jogging or driving, he explained.

Vietnam was the only country in Southeast Asia with more searches for ebooks than printed tomes in 2019.

This trend is analogous to that in developed countries like the U.S., the UK, and Germany. So, the audiobook can very likely undergo great growth soon.

Thanks to the encouragement for digitalization from the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution, digital materials from publishers and issuers have become more available, according to Hoang.

The audiobook stands out amongst the different digital forms and can boost the development of companies like Voiz FM, he added.

However, copyright infringement remains as the general public believes sharing books for free equals help for the community, not a legal offense.

This has a considerable negative impact on companies that value copyright.

Audio vs hard copy  two different stories

Audiobooks and printed tomes are not interchangeable because they differ in their nature and context of use, similar to the differences between a book and a book-based movie, according to Thach.

Each customer has their own way of making use of audiobooks.

They might listen before bedtime, while running or cooking, he said.

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About 70 South Korean nationals who attended the giant CES tech trade show in Las Vegas last week tested positive for COVID-19, health authorities of the Asian country said on Wednesday.

These included some executives and staff of major South Korean companies, according to industry sources and one company.

About 20 people from Samsung Electronics and about six at SK Group, parent of energy firm SK Innovation and chipmaker SK Hynix, were among those who tested positive for the virus after attending CES, the sources said.

The cases risk dealing a blow to South Korea's COVID-19 control, after the country had just brought down daily number of infections from record highs in December by restoring tough social distancing rules and widely adopting vaccine passports at public locations.

Hyundai Heavy Industries said six of its employees who attended CES tested positive while in the United States and were quarantined, and some have been released since.

"Multiple" Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Mobis employees who attended CES also tested positive after arriving back in South Korea, South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported, citing an unidentified industry source without specifying the exact number of cases.

About 70 attendees, all South Korean nationals, have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Tuesday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Some 340 South Korean companies participated in CES, it added.

"Many Korean businesspeople who attended CES ... are now confirmed to be infected with COVID-19," Son Young-rae, a senior South Korean health ministry official, told a briefing.

"We are promptly contacting those who participated in the event and conducting epidemiological investigations, but we urge domestic businesspeople or those who are in Korea that attended the event to undergo PCR tests as soon as possible," he said.

Most of the Samsung officials who tested positive were flown back to Korea from Nevada in two chartered flights, arriving late on Tuesday Seoul time, and the remaining Samsung officials are expected to be flown back on Wednesday, South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported, citing unidentified industry sources.

The Samsung officials are being moved to quarantine facilities in South Korea and most were asymptomatic or have light symptoms, the paper said.

A spokesperson for Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES' operator, did not have an immediate response.

Nevada state health authorities said, "Many new cases have had recent travel history, attended events, and have visited multiple locations where they could potentially have acquired their infection." They said they do "not have evidence linking the recent surge in COVID-19 cases with CES."

Samsung Electronics declined to confirm details of the cases. It said it "took a number of steps to protect the health and well-being of (CES) attendees", including requiring vaccines, mask mandates, social distancing protocols and providing testing for all employees throughout the week.

SK Group declined to comment on the cases, citing its policy of not disclosing personal information. Hyundai Motor Group did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to media.

South Korea reported 381 cases of infections contracted overseas for Tuesday, a record, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, bringing the daily number of infections across the country to 4,388.

Health ministry official Son said the rise of infections contracted overseas is seen mainly due to the spread of the Omicron variant, although the number of CES attendees who tested positive did have some effect.
China releases measures to keep foreign trade stable

Xinhua) 08:20, January 12, 2022

Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2021 shows a loaded ship leaving a container terminal in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Wang Jianmin/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday unveiled new guidelines to ease pressures on foreign trade companies and keep the country's exports and imports stable.

The country will further open up the economy and carry out cross-cyclical adjustments to support medium, small and micro-sized foreign trade companies, and guarantee their orders and stabilize expectations, according to the guidelines on further stabilizing foreign trade released by the State Council.

The guidelines detailed 15 measures including fiscal and financial support for foreign trade companies as well as incentives for new forms of businesses in foreign trade.

According to the document, the yuan exchange rate will be kept stable at a reasonable and balanced level, and the country will help foreign trade companies hedge against foreign exchange risks.

China will also adopt measures to ease the supply chain risks for foreign trade companies and encourage them to sign long-term deals with shipping firms.

The guidelines stressed efforts on imports of bulk commodities to ensure sufficient domestic supply.

The country will further enhance trade liberalization and facilitation, and take the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as an opportunity to further stabilize foreign trade, the guidelines stated.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Argentina's capital Buenos Aires was hit by a major power outage on Tuesday that left thousands of homes without electricity amid a heat wave that has seen temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), some of the highest in the world.

Electricity distributors Edenor and Edesur both reported power outages as the high temperatures generated a spike in demand for energy to cool homes and businesses.

The National Electricity Regulatory Entity (ENRE) said Edenor's power cut had affected 700,000 in the Buenos Aires area. Some 43,400 Edesur customers were left without power after failures of high-voltage lines hit two of its substations.

A seller arranges products at his shop during a blackout, amid a heat wave, in Buenos Aires, Argentina January 11, 2022. Photo: Reuters

AySA, which provides drinking water in Buenos Aires, asked the population to optimize the use of water because the outage had also affected its purification system.

High temperatures are expected to continue throughout the week with peaks close to 40 C, according to the National Meteorological Service (SMN).

"The SMN issued a warning in anticipation of an extreme heat wave this week, with temperatures that could reach 41C in the concession area," Edesur said in an email to its clients. "We are working to strengthen our network in the face of growing demand."
Read what is in the news today:

Politics

-- The National Assembly has approved raising the state budget deficit to VND240 trillion (US$10.5 billion) at most for 2022 and 2023.

-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed at a reception for the World Health Organization (WHO)s Regional Director for the Western Pacific Takeshi Kasai in Hanoi on Tuesday that the WHO continue to support Vietnam in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment drugs, especially the research, production, and recognition of domestically-grown jabs, according to the VGP News.

Society

-- Workers in Vietnam will have nine days off to celebrate the 2022 Lunar New Year holiday, the Government Office officially announced on Tuesday evening.

-- Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested and initiated legal proceedings against six people in connection with a racket producing more than 30,000 fake branded hats.

-- Vietnams Ministry of Health has warned of Molnupiravirs effect on sperm quality, although the risk is considered low, after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended the anti-viral drug developed by U.S. companies Merck and Ridgeback be kept out of the COVID-19 treatment protocol.

-- Seven regular international flights between Vietnam and the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia have been available for bookings, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

-- The National Assembly approved on Tuesday afternoon the investment of VND146.99 trillion ($6.47 billion) in the construction of the North - South Expressway.

Education

-- The Ministry of Education and Training and two companies under Bitex Group on Tuesday presented scholarships worth a total of VND5 billion ($220,260) in five years to 400 children orphaned by the COVID-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City.

World news

-- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday amended the fact sheet for Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine to include a rare risk of immune thrombocytopenia, a bleeding disorder, according to Reuters.

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Vietnams Ministry of Health has warned of Molnupiravirs effect on a number of subjects, after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended the antiviral drug developed by U.S. companies Merck and Ridgeback be kept out of the COVID-19 treatment protocol.

Molnupiravir has been licensed for circulation and approved for emergency use in the treatment of COVID-19 in many countries such as the UK, the U.S., and Japan, according to the Vietnamese health ministry.

Based on the indications and recommendations endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the antiviral drug is used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 cases in adults with at least one risk factor for severe progression.

Molnupiravir is prescribed for patients with symptoms that arise less than five days earlier, while using it for post- or pre-exposure prophylaxis against COVID-19 is not recommended.

Notably, the ministry also warned that Molnupiravir is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Women planning to become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for four days after the last dose of Molnupiravir.

It is also not recommended that mothers with COVID-19 breast-feed their children during treatment and for four days after the last dose of Molnupiravir.

For children and adolescents, Molnupiravir should not be used in patients under 18 years of age because of possible effects on bone and cartilage development.

For men, Molnupiravir can affect sperm quality, although the risk is considered low.

Therefore, men who are sexually active with women of childbearing potential should use a reliable method of contraception consistently during treatment with Molnupiravir and for at least three months after the last dose of the drug.

The Ministry of Health specifies that to ensure safety and effectiveness, only use Molnupiravir with a doctors prescription following its indications, usage limits and warnings, and cautions.

People are advised against self-medicating with illegal Molnupiravir or medicine of unknown origin.

While using Molnupiravir, a patient should immediately contact their doctor for advice and timely treatment if they encounter any adverse drug reactions.

On January 5, ICMR Chief Dr. Balram Bhargava said that Molnupiravir has major safety concerns and has been excluded from the national protocol for treating coronavirus patients because of permanent transmissible changes in the structure of genetic material of cells and muscles, as well as bone damage, India's Economic Times reported.

To date, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health has allocated about 400,000 doses of Molnupiravir to 51 provinces and cities that are implementing a program on the controlled use of the drug for mild cases of COVID-19 in the community.

The results of the Molnupiravir trial showed that most of the patients taking the drug had a low viral load, a very low rate of severe disease, and no deaths.

Recently, the advisory council of the Ministry of Health proposed granting conditional circulation registration to three drugs containing the active ingredient Molnupiravir, which are produced in the country.

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Vietnams Tan Hoang Minh Group has announced its decision to withdraw from a land purchase contract after winning the bid to buy a 10,000-square-meter land lot in Ho Chi Minh Citys Thu Thiem New Urban Area at a record price of over US$1 billion last month.

The decision was mentioned in a letter sent by Tan Hoang Minh Group chairman Do Anh Dung to leaders of the Party, the state, the government, and the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee on Monday.

Dung said Tan Hoang Minh had decided to unilaterally terminate the auction contract and will accept all sanctions in accordance with the law.

On December 10, the citys Property Auction Service Center announced that land lot No. 3-12, which covers an area of 10,059.7 square meters at Thu Thiem New Urban Area, had been sold to Ngoi Sao Viet Real Estate Company, a subsidiary of Tan Hoang Minh Group, at VND24.5 trillion ($1.07 billion), equivalent to VND2.4 billion per square meter.

The starting price of the land was more than VND2.9 trillion ($127.7 million).

The second highest bidder was a foreign company, which offered VND23.8 trillion ($1.04 billion).

Chairman Dung said Tan Hoang Minh bought the land plot at such a high price as it wished to contribute to the citys budget and help the metropolis recover after serious COVID-19 outbreaks.

According to auction regulations, Tan Hoang Minh will lose its deposit of nearly VND600 billion ($26.4 million) if it terminates the contract, and the land lot will be sold to the company with the second highest offer if it still wants to make the purchase.

In an official announcement, Tan Hoang Minh Group said it had considered the opinions from state management agencies and the public after winning the auction.

The group agreed that buying the land lot at such a hefty rate would cause serious consequences for the real estate sector and the economy in general, implying that the prices of land in the vicinity would skyrocket as a result.

After winning the auction, Tan Hoang Minh has adjusted its investment, business, and financial plans, and found that its profit will be lower than previously expected.

Ngoi Sao Viet Company will send an official document on this decision to the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee.

The firm will also inform the Property Auction Service Center about the termination of the auction contract.

Founded in 1993, Tan Hoang Minh Group specializes in various fields including real estate, financial investment, building materials, and furniture, among others, according to its website.

Spanning over 6km2, Thu Thiem New Urban Area is a redevelopment project abuilding in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City.

Once completed, it is meant to replace District 1 as the city center with massive residence, shopping, financial, park, and office developments.

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The federal government is extending the $50 million Temporary Interruption Fund for a further 6 months until 30 June to help the screen sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher, said, Since the launch of the TIF in August 2020, the Morrison Government has played a vital role in providing confidence to the sector that COVID-19 related roadblocks would not derail the production of quality Australian film and television.

Seventy-seven applications for coverage have been approved under the TIF to date, with an average of 346 people employed and 162 businesses supported on each production.

Through the Fund, the Morrison Government has allowed for productions to secure financing so that local casts and crews can continue to work, and business associated with these productions can continue to operate.

Thankfully, because none of the projects covered were delayed by key personnel contracting COVID, the quantum in the fund remains at $50 million.

The screen sector is a key driver of economic growth, and this kind of surety supports recovery and investment. Our continued support has allowed the Australian screen industry to keep thousands of people employed and continue to produce high quality local content.

Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner said, We are extremely pleased with this decision from the Morrison Government. The TIF has been of substantial benefit to investment, employment and sustainability in the sector, and we are grateful for the strong support the Government has shown the sector through the creation and extension of the fund. The TIF has been instrumental in ensuring continuity of activity in the sector during the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated challenges in the financing market.

Our advice to Government has been that the challenges arising from COVID-19 associated with the confidence in the market associated with the financing of Australian content are persistent and will continue. This means that the underlying market gaps which justified the creation of the TIF are still in place, and are likely to be for some time.

The extension of the fund announced by Minister Fletcher today not only protects businesses and thousands of jobs but also ensures the pipeline of much-loved Australian content continues to flow, to the benefit of Australian and international audiences. This is a great result for Australian screen content, businesses, employment and audiences.
Theres a reason Mary (Isla Fisher) always runs away when honesty is required of her in Wolf Like Me. She has baggage.

Just not the sort that Gary (Josh Gad) -or any other rational, thinking human- would expect to find on a first date.

Stans new 630 min drama filmed in Adelaide is described as genre-bending and to say much more would be something of a spoiler. But when it was heavily hinted at the end of the first episode it was an unexpected surprise.

Up until that point I was settling into another modern relationship drama, about a single dad & daughter looking for their perfect wife / mum (hey Gary, try Bluey for some beaut parenting skills?).

American Gary also has his own cross to bear as he struggles to move on following the death of his Australian wife. But he chose to stay in Adelaide with daughter Emma (Ariel Joy Donoghue), given her strong bond with her mothers family: aunt Sarah (Emma Lung) and uncle Ray (Anthony Taufa). Emma wants her dad to be happy, but she still has panic attacks, exacerbated by a very nasty car accident with Marys vehicle.

When Mary, an advice columnist, drops by their house later to apologise for the collision, so begins a connection with Gary that takes both to dark places. Did fate bring them together? Can they fight it? Could they love themselves enough to love someone else?

The metaphors, dramatised in writer / director Abe Forsythes genre twist, fly thick and fast once unveiled, becoming the most interesting thing about an otherwise sweet, small relationship drama.

Jacket-wearing dad Gad and kooky Fisher handle the material sincerely. Its probably one her most adventurous roles, but was really necessary to have Fisher feign an American accent? Press notes refer to Mary escaping the US to Adelaide as part of her back story, but it does feel very much like a choice to engage US viewers (it will screen on Peacock).

Both also move on pretty unrealistically from a major car accident, flirting over red wines well before any insurance claims are settled. Be warned, theres a lot of car accidents, but policing is absent.

Daughter Emma is often tasked with adult responses (You dont have a life. Youre unhappy.) which I guess makes her something of an old soul with young eyes. Veteran Robyn Nevin will also appear as a woman with dementia, who can still offer life experience.

Having set up its metaphor / twist Wolf Like Me may also need to up the budget to live up to its bent genre and hopefully spiral into a full-blooded, hellish descent into mythology.

That may help distract from the lingering question around why Australian stories need to be dipped in American syrup, far greater baggage than that facing Gary and Mary.

Wolf Like Me screens Thursday on Stan.
Tyler, TX (75702)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 79F. S winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

A widely scattered shower or thunderstorm is possible this evening. Then cloudy skies overnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
While many may see Black freedom struggles in the United States as a local phenomenon, their global reverberations have always been felt. Demonstrations in the wake of the murder of George Floyd spread among Black and non-Black populations across the world in 2020. Tactics of direct nonviolent action inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement continue to this day in other freedom struggles beyond U.S. borders. Black freedom struggles have always been global, Shannen Dee Williams, Associate Professor of History at the University of Dayton, reminds us. The examples are manifold: slave rebellions that spanned and spread across the Americas, the advocacy of Ida B. Wells against lynching in the late 19th century sought foreign intervention, the Universal Negro Improvement Association and Garvyism in the 1920s advocated for Pan-Africanism; many civil rights leaders of the 1950s and 1960s, young and old, sought and made connections with decolonization campaigns in Africa and Asia.

The civil rights movement took shape within the context of the Cold War and at a time when large swathes of Africa and Asia were undergoing decolonization and freedom movements. These nations watched the development of the movement in the US carefully. In India, particularly, the Dalit (oppressed, broken) community, found inspiration in the message of social justice and the demand for political representation that was the core of the civil rights movement. 'Race and caste are not synonymous, but they influence each other,' notes Dr. Haimanti Roy, Associate Professor of History at the University of Dayton. While much has been said about Gandhi's influence on Martin Luther King, Dr. Roy suggests that King was closer in ideology to the Dalit leader, Dr. B R Ambedkar, even though they did not meet each other. They both had similar ideas about social justice and political empowerment of disenfranchised minority communities.

In fact, when King visited a local school for Dalit children in the southern Indian state of Kerala in 1959, the principal introduced him thus: "Young people, I would like to present to you a fellow untouchable from the United States of America." Although King was initially shocked by this introduction, he later understood the deeper connections of oppression, exclusion and exile that African Americans in the US and Dalits in India shared. The broader Black freedom struggle has continued to inspire Dalit struggles in this region, from the formation of the Dalit Panthers in the 1970s to the recent emergence of Dalit Lives Matter groups in Nepal and India.

The African continent is also connected to the civil rights movement: Julius Amin, Professor of History at the University of Dayton, notes that Martin Luther King Jr.s trip to Ghana inspired his sermon Birth of a New Nation. He was moved by the Ghanaian peoples struggle against colonialism and by their welcoming spirit. He also later visited Nigeria and had a profoundly impactful experience there as well. King came to understand that colonialism in Africa and segregation in the U.S. were two sides of the same coin. The influences were clearly reciprocal: The earliest leaders of decolonized Africa, such as Presidents Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe of Nigeria both attended historically black colleges --Lincoln College and Howard University respectively-- that helped shape their worldview, Dr. Williams added.

Dr. Amin further commented: What did King mean to the African people? Look all around. In heavily meaningful gestures, you can find schools, other institutions, and buildings and children named after Martin Luther King Jr. In the living room of many households in African nations, you find the picture of Martin Luther King Jr. next to that of important family members. His enduring legacy can be felt across the continent. This is no small thing.

Dr. Roy reflected Struggles for social justice, while informed by local context, are not bounded by territory. Ideas are borderless. The world was paying attention to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, and it informed activism in many corners of the world.

Martin Luther King Jr. himself clearly understood this message when he said: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Black freedom struggles in the United States have always had global dimensions and a deep impact on others across the world, and it is important to remember, reflect, and learn about this on this MLK Day.
IPO Edge and the Palm Beach Hedge Fund Association hosted a fireside chat at the 2022 ICR Conference with the Founder, co-CEO, and COO of Black Rifle Coffee Company, LLC to discuss BRCCs unique business model, the evolution from DTC to multichannel, management team capacity, unit economics of the companys Outpost physical retail locations, and opportunities in the ready-to-drink (RTD) consumer segment. The event featured Black Rifle Coffee Founder Evan Hafer, Co-CEO Tom Davin, and COO Toby Johnson joined by and IPO Edge Editor-at-Large Jarrett Banks in a moderated video session lasting approximately 15 minutes.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL REPLAY

About Black Rifle Coffee Company

Black Rifle Coffee Company is a veteran-founded coffee company and a leader in hiring veterans and giving back to the service community. Launched in 2014 by former Green Beret and CIA contractor Evan Hafer, BRCC has been embraced by coffee lovers for its bold roasts and creative content. In its seven years of operation, BRCC has inspired, entertained, and informed generations of active duty service members, military veterans, first responders, and the men and women who support them. BRCC sells premium-roast coffee and coffee accessories and BRCC-branded apparel online, at its company-owned and franchise coffee outposts, and in select retail stores across the U.S. With every purchase made, they give back.

To learn more about BRCC, visit www.blackriflecoffee.com, follow along on social media, or subscribe to the Coffee or Die blog at https://coffeeordie.com/presscheck-signup.

Mr. Hafer, Mr. Davin and Ms. Johnson discussed:

BRCCs unique business model

The evolution from DTC to multichannel

Management team capacity

Unit economics of physical Outpost retail locations

Opportunities in the ready-to-drink (RTD) consumer segment

About the Speakers:

Evan Hafer is the founder and CEO of Black Rifle Coffee Company. Americas leading Veteran-owned and operated premium, small-batch coffee roastery. He started Black Rifle Coffee Company to provide a high-quality coffee to the pro-American and Veteran communities.

Story continues

Between deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he worked to refine both his coffee roasting and his firearms skills. He has spent over a decade researching coffee, refining his roast profiles, and (of course) drinking what he roasts. Black Rifle Coffee Company is quite literally the combination of his two favorite passions. He takes pride in the coffee we roast, the veterans we employ, and the causes we support.

Tom Davin is the Co-CEO at Black Rifle Coffee Company. He is a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer veteran with 25 years of experience as a senior executive, investor, and board member of fast-growing, category-defining brands including PepsiCo, Taco Bell, Panda Express, Oakley, Zumiez, and 5.11 Tactical. Professionally, Tom brokered the deal between PepsiCo and Starbucks to bring bottled Frappuccinos to the retail market, and hes responsible for introducing 5.11 Tactical to the brick-and-mortar retail market. As a Recon Marine, Tom attended and graduated from some of the top military training and leadership schools, including Parachute Jumpmaster, Special Forces Combat Diver, and U.S. Army Ranger School. Tom holds a bachelors degree from Duke University and an MBA from Harvard. He takes his coffee black  specifically, Blackbeards Delight Americano-style brewed with an espresso machine  and enjoys fitness and spending time with his family.

Toby Johnson is the Chief Operating Officer and adds to our veteran ranks, having served seven years in the U.S. Army. She earned an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. She was selected for aviation training and later further selected to become an AH-64D Apache Longbow (Gunship) pilot. Toby deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division as part of the initial invasion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Upon leaving the U.S. Army, she attended Harvard Business School, earning an MBA. Toby started her business career 14 years ago as the manufacturing director at a Frito-Lay plant (a division of PepsiCo) ultimately spending 13 years at PepsiCo, where she held key leadership positions with increasing responsibilities in manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, and sales. For the past year, Toby has been the Senior Vice President of Sales for Campbells $4B snacks division, where her team sold brands including Goldfish, Milano, Pepperidge Farm, Late July, Cape Cod, Kettle Brand, and Snyders of Hanover.
For 15 years, retired Col. Michael D. Mahler commanded the 3rd Armored Division's cavalry squadron at Budingen, Germany. Now, people can read about his experiences in his memoir "Tales from the Cold War: The U.S. Army in West Germany, 1960-1975."

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Press released the latest Association of the United States Army (AUSA) book on Dec. 28.

"Through our partnership with AUSA, we're able to support our educational mission with books that demonstrate the multiple factors the military comprises. These include knowledge of academic subjects like history, strategy, geography, and communications," Dr. BJ Robinson, director of UNG Press, said. "These books, especially 'Tales from the Cold War: The U.S. Army in West Germany, 19601975,' demonstrate another important factor: humanity."

The partnership between UNG Press and AUSA produces high-quality books that address subjects such as military land power and land warfare history, technology, combat, and strategy and tactics. The curated collection helps educate members of the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, the AUSA, U.S. government officials, and the public.

"Tales from the Cold War" features Mahler's recollections about his time in Germany while he raised his family and commanded a cavalry squadron. In his memoir, Mahler reflects on the lessons from the senior leaders of World War II, the building of the Berlin Wall, and the unique challenges that come with command.

The UNG Press is a scholarly, peer-reviewed press that serves as an extension of UNG. Its primary function is to promote education and research with a special emphasis on innovative scholarship and pedagogy. Through its partnership with Affordable Learning Georgia and eCore, the UNG Press is the leading press in Georgia for producing open educational resources and open textbooks.
University of North Georgia (UNG) faculty member Dr. Michael Rifenburg has won the 2022 Regents' Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Award from the University System of Georgia (USG). He will officially receive the recognition and the accompanying $5,000 prize at the Regents' Scholarship Gala in September.

It marks the second year in a row a UNG faculty member has earned the honor  associate professor of marketing Dr. Caroline Munoz secured the award in 2021.

Rifenburg received especially high marks for his work with students as research and writing partners. An associate professor of English, he serves as co-director of first-year composition in the English department and senior faculty fellow for scholarly writing within UNG's Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership (CTLL).

"This award is certainly humbling and surprising," Rifenburg said. "It shows the quality of students and faculty I get to work with at UNG and the quality of professional development through the CTLL."
TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Vice President for Economic Affairs Mohsen Rezaei called for closer cooperation with Cuba to counter sanction pressures of the United States against the two nations, Iran's state TV reported on Wednesday.

"By expanding cooperation, we must neutralize the sanctions and pressure," Rezaei made the remarks when meeting with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Tuesday in Nicaraguan capital Managua.

Iran respects Cuba's resistance against the "excessive demands of the oppressors" and is determined to strengthen relations with Cuba, said Rezaei, who is on the visit to Managua to attend the inauguration ceremony of the country's President Daniel Ortega, according to the report.

He referred to "good" cooperation between the two countries in the production of a joint COVID-19 vaccine, stressing the importance of efforts to further enhance bilateral ties in various sectors, especially in science, technology and trade.

"We can establish a joint trade union to facilitate and boost Iran's trade with Latin American states, particularly Cuba," he noted.

For his part, Diaz-Canel praised the resistance of the Iranian government and people against the excessive demands of oppressive powers, "particularly the United States," and voiced his support for Iran's rights of peaceful use of nuclear energy.

He urged development of comprehensive ties between the two countries, particularly in trade, science and technology, adding that "the joint cooperation to counter coronavirus disease and the development of a vaccine is a great success in the fight against sanctions and the conspiracy of the common enemy of the two nations." 
Connally Independent School District students and teachers will go to online instruction for four school days in response to an accelerating number of COVID-19 cases in the district, which was hit especially hard during a surge in cases last semester.

In a letter sent to school officials Tuesday and posted on the districts website, McLennan County health authority Dr. Farley Verner recommended closing all four Connally schools for one week because of an increase in COVID-19 cases among students and staff. Verner also recommended that all Connally students and staff be tested to identify any additional cases.

The campuses are set to reopen for classes Jan. 19, with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday cutting down on the number of instructional days affected.

Verner said in an interview Tuesday that the number of cases and absences at Connally schools reported Monday and Tuesday had truly exploded, leading the health district and school administration to take action. At one point, Connally primary and elementary schools reported more than 40 students and teachers either had tested positive for COVID-19 or were absent because of illness. The junior high reported a similar combination of about 80, and the high school reported about 60, although Verner said those numbers were approximations.

The numbers kept changing all day long, he said.

The rapidly accelerating number of cases and absences, particularly in the context of soaring case rates countywide, pointed to campus closures as a way to keep the outbreak in check.

In the days of an influenza outbreak, if schools had absenteeism up to 10%, we would recommend school closures, Verner said.

Given the known cases and exposures, along with the possibility of students having COVID-19 but no symptoms, continuing to hold classes could cause an exponential increase in exposure and new cases, he said.

During the fall semester, Connally ISD saw two junior high teachers, a primary school instructional aide and a high school sophomore die of COVID-19. Two of its campuses had weeklong closures last semester.

COVID-19 cases in the county continue to skyrocket at a pace previously unseen. The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District on Tuesday reported 785 new cases among McLennan County residents, driving the total of active cases to 3,993, both record highs. The seven highest daily new case totals have come since Dec. 31, and the seven highest active case counts have come in the past seven days.

As of Tuesday, 130 people were in local hospitals with COVID-19, more than double the 61 as of Jan. 1. Of the 130 hospitalized Tuesday, 14 were on ventilators. The seven-day average of new cases per day stood at 614.

Since Jan. 1, the countys cumulative case count has increased 12%, to 52,032, and the 5,640 new cases reported are just two shy of the number reported in the previous three months.

Results of rapid at-home tests are not reported to the health district. Considering the local demand for home testing kits and the current positivity rate from other testing, Verner said it is conceivable that the real number of active COVID-19 cases in the county could be at least double the number of reported cases.

Its very clear the number of new cases has to be a fraction of the actual number of cases, he said.

The Waco-McLennan County health district is providing daily COVID-19 testing at the McLennan Community College Community Services Building parking lot at 4601 N. 19th St. Registration is available at covidwaco.com.

In a letter to parents and guardians Tuesday, Connally Superintendent Wesley Holt said school principals would provide details on how students can access remote conferencing with their teachers and requirements for attendance purposes. School facilities will be cleaned while campuses are closed, he said.

The district will continue to offer free meals to students. Breakfast will be distributed from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon in front of Connally Elementary School and Connally Junior High School.

The district also is working to hold drive-thru testing for Connally students, staff and immediate family members. The district will post details of the testing date and time on its website Wednesday afternoon.

Holt asked parents to watch their children for any symptoms and to contact their schools nurse if any student tests positive for COVID-19.

Verner said parents in all local school districts should follow the same practice.

With COVID cases expanding so quickly, they cannot send children who are not well to school, he said.

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Two McLennan County judges and their opponents in the March 1 primary touted their credentials Monday during a McLennan County Republican Womens lunch.

Judge Susan Kelly of 54th State District Court and her opponent, Christi Hunting Horse, and McLennan County Court-at-Law No. 3 Judge Ryan Luna and his opponent, Kristi DeCluitt, were given 3 minutes to make a statement and then answered two questions from a moderator.

Kelly, 59, was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in December 2020 to replace Judge Matt Johnson when Johnson was elected to Wacos 10th Court of Appeals. Luna, 32, was appointed by McLennan County commissioners in June from a field of eight applicants to serve as the first judge of the newly created county court.

Hunting Horse, 47, and DeCluitt, 51, both work as prosecutors in the McLennan County District Attorneys Office, with Hunting Horse serving as a felony prosecutor and DeCluitt handling juvenile offenders.

Hunting Horse spent four years in the Navy, where she worked as an assistant staff judge advocate and a trial defense attorney in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps. She also was a law clerk for a federal judge in North Carolina, was staff attorney for six years for the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia and worked two years as an attorney and ethics and compliance adviser with top secret security clearance for the FBI in Washington, D.C.

She said she advised admirals and their chiefs of staff while in the service and wrote 700 opinions during her work on the federal appellate court. She said she also has prosecuted some of the most serious felony offenses during her seven years as a McLennan County prosecutor.

All this has put me in a position to see the law from every single side and to be able to perform this job, Hunting Horse said.

She opened by telling a story about a shopping trip to Sears in Waco with her mother and sister when she was 5 years old. She said she pilfered four small coat hangers from the store dressing room that she thought would fit in nicely with her Barbie doll wardrobe. Her mom walked into her room and saw the hangers. Without yelling, she calmly and immediately drove Hunting Horse back to the store.

Hunting Horse confessed to the clerk and apologized.

I have never forgotten that, she told the crowd. When I look back and think about what kind of judge I want to be, I would be like my mom. She was timely in what she did. She was fair in the decision that she made, but I think the most important thing she did in that moment was make an impact on who I am. She changed me when I was 5 years old. I tell you this story to help you understand what kind of judge I hope to be.

Kelly pointed to the scales of justice to illustrate her experience on various levels of the justice system. She worked as staff attorney in the 10th Court of Appeals, is a former felony prosecutor and also was a criminal defense attorney. She said she and 19th State District Court Judge Thomas West, whose courts split the countys felony caseload, are both board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and said fewer than 1% of all Texas lawyers have earned that certification.

The wheels of justice are moving, even in a pandemic, Kelly said. We have moved since we both took office more than 2,000 cases, even with COVID and with technical difficulties. We have had 14 jury trials and we were supposed to have one this week but the defendant turned up with COVID.

Kelly said she loves her job, including when police officers come to her home at 2 a.m. with an arrest warrant for her to sign.

I dont know how much more legal experience I need. I think it is more important for me to tell you that I am 100 percent devoted to this job and to this county, she said. It is my honor to be your honor.

DeCluitt is a former assistant city attorney in Waco and College Station and served two terms as a McLennan County justice of the peace. She was the top vote-getter among four candidates in the March 2020 Republican primary for 19th State District Court before losing to West in the runoff election.

She pledged to run the court efficiently and treat everyone fairly and with respect.

You see all this economic development going on downtown? I wrote those contracts, multimillion dollar contracts. So I have plenty of civil experience, as well, she said.

Luna worked as a civil attorney for the Carlson Law Firm for five years and said he hit the ground running after his appointment. He has turned the new court into a civil court, primarily, and said he already has helped ease a backlog of civil cases.

He said his goal is to prevent civil cases from languishing in county court for years by disposing of cases with 18 months of their filing in the case of jury trials and within a year for bench trials.

Early voting starts Valentines Day, so have a heart and vote for Judge Luna, he said.

Jan. 31 is the voter registration deadline for the March 1 primaries.

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McLennan County has slipped into a winter drought after a December that hit the record books as the warmest ever and the driest since 1950.

The regional drought, which the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies as severe, has stunted pastures and row crops, raised wildfire threats and lowered the levels of lakes and stock ponds.

Little relief is in sight: long-range forecasts show that relatively dry and warm weather is expected to prevail in the region for the rest of the winter.

Texas as a whole saw its warmest December in more than 130 years of recordkeeping, Texas state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said, estimating the average temperature was nearly 12 degrees above normal statewide.

Nielsen-Gammon, a professor of meteorology at Texas A&M University, blamed the balminess on a La Nina weather pattern and an unusual jet stream that stayed to the north. Global warming trends contributed to the record December warm spells margin of victory, he said.

The La Nina pattern, which is controlled by ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean off South America, is expected to hold for the next couple of months, meaning a higher likelihood of warm and dry weather, Nielsen-Gammon said.

He said a lot could happen between now and summer, but a warm, dry winter can be a precursor to a drought year, as it was in the record-shattering year of 2011.

The dry weather in 2011 started in October, he said. This time around, September was dry also. This drought got a head start.  So far we havent had one of those reset months, and January looks like its not going to be wet.

He said warm winters dry the soil, intensifying the droughts impact.

In Waco, the average December temperature was 62.3 degrees, which is 13.1 degrees warmer than normal. December ended with a streak of days with highs in the high 70s and 80s before the weather turned cold in the first week of January, dropping to a low of 18 on Jan. 3.

Through Saturday, Waco Regional Airport has received only 0.09 of an inch of rain since Dec. 1., according to the National Weather Service. The last four months of 2021 saw 5.77 inches of rain, less than half the normal amount of 12.86 inches in that time frame.

Shane McLellan, Texas A&M Agrilife extension agent for McLennan County, said farmers and ranchers have gotten off to a rocky start in 2022 after months of scanty rainfall.

I never like to be dry in winter months, McLellan said. Fall and winter are usually a time to rebuild and resupply groundwater and deep soil moisture so theres a lot of available moisture when its time to plant. If we dont receive a drenching rain by summer, that would be horrible.

Already, ranchers are having to give their cattle extra hay because forage is sparse, he said. Winter grains such as rye, oats and wheat have struggled in the dry soil and are more vulnerable to freezing temperatures than usual, McLellan said.

Meanwhile, high winds and dry conditions led McLennan County to declare a burn ban this past week, joining 75 other counties statewide.

McGregor Volunteer Fire Department responded to a grass fire Thursday afternoon at SpaceX in McGregor that burned 140 acres before it was extinguished without any major damage, said Jeff Douglas, the departments vice president.

Were not sure how it started. It may have been a power line, he said Friday. It just spread very quickly because of the wind. Its very dangerous right now for fires. Yesterday was an example of that.

The lack of rainfall over the last two months has also dropped the level of Lake Waco by more than 3 feet.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for a high in the mid-50s Monday, dropping to the high 30s overnight, followed by a high Tuesday in the upper 50s and overnight lows in the 40s. Temperatures are expected to rise to the 50s and 60s later in the week with rain chances of 20% to 30% starting overnight Thursday into Friday.

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HARARE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday thanked the Chinese government for its donation of an additional 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the country.

Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe would receive 6 million Sinovac and 4 million Sinopharm vaccines, which would help ease the country's health challenges.

"I take this opportunity to inform the nation ... of China's magnanimous decision to donate 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Zimbabwe," he said in an address to the nation aired by state broadcaster ZBC.

The donation is in addition to the 2 million doses the country has received from China since February 2021.

"Government applauds China's strong support and commitment to ensuring the availability of affordable and effective vaccines not only to our country Zimbabwe and the African continent but the entire global community," he said.

"This is highly commendable and represents compassionate leadership, absolute regard for human life, dignity and safety as well as exemplary global solidarity in the face of the unprecedented health challenge of our time brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

The country is pushing for more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and as of Tuesday, 3,197,072 people had received the complete set of two doses; 4,176,397 their first doses and 15,185 had received the booster doses.

The country had recorded 223,765 COVID-19 cases, 5,201 deaths and 199,960 recoveries as of Tuesday. 
NEW YORK (AP)  It started as just another January morning, the damp chill prompting a family on the third floor of a drafty Bronx apartment tower to run a space heater for extra warmth, as residents had done countless times before.

In the moment, that decision hardly deserved a second thought.

Soon, though, it would prove the first in a series of fleeting choices and troubling circumstances that combined to fuel a staggering tragedy.

If only the heat inside apartment 3N had been sufficient. If only the family, fleeing a fire sparked by the malfunctioning space heater, had pulled the door closed behind them. If only their neighbors, conditioned to ignore frequent alarms that nearly always proved false, had not disregarded them this time. If only the blaze hadn't started near the bottom of the building, quickly turning the structure into a chimney that funneled impenetrable black smoke up stairwells and down hallways as scores struggled to escape.

If only so many seemingly minor factors had not aligned, then 17 people, including eight children, might now be alive.

"I dropped on my knees and started to pray to God and said, 'Please help me. Please help us,'" said Tysena Jacobs. 68, who was making breakfast in her 15th-floor apartment when acrid smoke started billowing under the front door. "It was like a nightmare."

Most nightmares, though, are solitary.

This one, all too real, was endured by hundreds spread over 19 floors -- taxi drivers and teachers, the elderly and newborns, many of them west African immigrants. From the outside, their brown block building set on a cement corner appeared anonymous. But inside it was a community, only vertical. That amplified both the damage and the grief.

If only, after an almost eerily mild December, the weekend's weather in New York had not turned cold. Each winter, some apartments in the Twin Parks tower stayed comfortable while others did not, forcing residents to improvise, said Stefan Beauvogui, a 67-year-old immigrant from Guinea who lives on the fourth floor.

On Sunday, he and his wife had space heaters running in both bedrooms and their sitting room because the building's heat "don't work for nothing." He said he had complained, but it hadn't been fixed.

Fathia Touray's family was the first to arrive at Twin Parks from the west African country of Gambia in the mid-1980s. They and other new arrivals bought space heaters. But sometimes her family had to turn on the oven or boil pots of water to keep the chill at bay, said Touray. She moved out in 2005 but her family remained, forced to flee Sunday's blaze.

Investigators say an electric space heater set up in one of the bedrooms of a duplex on the third floor of the building had been on for a "prolonged period" when an unspecified malfunction set off a fire around 11 a.m. Soon, flames began billowing from the unit's windows.

Down the hall, resident Karen Dejesus heard one of the building's hard-wired smoke alarms going off on the other side of her apartment door. At first, she ignored it.

"So many of us were used to hearing that fire alarm go off, it was like second nature to us," said Dejesus, 56, who was in the apartment with her son and 3-year-old granddaughter. "Not until I actually saw the smoke coming in the door did I realize it was a real fire and I began to hear people yelling 'Help. Help. Help.'"

Up on the 10th floor, Jose Henriquez had the same reaction.

"It seems like today, they went off but the people didn't pay attention," Henriquez said in Spanish.

By that point, smoke was spreading fast. When residents of 3N fled, the door to the unit was left open and stayed that way, investigators say, despite New York City law that requires entrances to apartments and stairwells be spring-loaded so they close automatically. The company that owns the building said in a statement Monday that maintenance workers repairing a lock on that door recently had inspected the self-closing mechanism and found it working.

Within minutes, air rushing through the open doorway had sucked flames, soot and thick black smoke into the hall, and then under Dejesus' door. Before she could stuff towels into the opening, it filled the room, forcing the family to flee down the stairs to the lower floor of their duplex.

When firefighters arrived a few minutes after the blaze was reported, they broke down her door and rushed all three family members out a window onto a waiting ladder.

But while the flames never escaped the third floor, smoke poured into the building's stairwells and, with a second door left open on a 15th-floor landing, rapidly swept throughout the building. There was little to hold back the blaze in a structure that has sprinklers in its compactor and laundry rooms but none elsewhere.

Glenn Corbett, a fire science professor at John Jay College in New York City, said closed doors are vital to containing fire and smoke, especially in buildings without systems to douse a blaze.

"In a building that doesn't have sprinklers in it, that has very little fire safety in it, this door became literally life and death for hundreds of people," he said.

On the ninth floor, Kweesam Wood, a train station cleaner for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was in the shower when his 6-year-old daughter Dasanii ran to tell his wife that she smelled smoke. The family grabbed clothes and started down the building's fire stairs.

But "there were people, glass, bodies," Fatima Wood says. They only made it down a few flights when heavy smoke forced them to turn around.

The smoke, though, kept rising.

On the 15th floor, Jacobs and her brother rushed toward the door as the air in their apartment took on the odor of soot. But they decided not to open it when they saw plumes of smoke billowing from beneath it.

Four floors up, Renee Howard was startled by a banging at her door. She opened it to find a firefighter, his face covered in soot, standing in a hallway filled with black smoke, asking her if everyone inside was OK. Assured she was safe, he ordered her to keep away from the door and stay near the window and wait for further instructions.

"I didn't move from there for at least seven hours because I didn't know where the fire was," she said.

Staying put kept her safe. But in a building without fire escapes, many residents flooded into the stairways, leaving what refuge they had in their units. Members of another family who lives on the same floor as Howard died trying to escape the building.

In the chaos, though, others made it to safety.

"I just ran down the steps as much as I could but people was falling all over me, screaming," said Sandra Clayton, 61, who was able to grope her way through the smoke. Gasping for air outside, she could think only of the wails of those who would not make it.

As residents returned to the building Monday hoping to gather personal items, they despaired pondering all the ways in which the tragedy and its terrible toll might have been averted.

"I saw the firefighters taking the children out. Their lives have been snatched away in a second," Howard said, breaking into tears. "I don't want to go back there. It's such a heartache."

***

Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan, Deepti Hajela, Dave Porter, Bernard Condon, Mike Sisak and Andrew Selsky and video journalists Robert Bumsted and Ted Shaffrey contributed to this story.
On Dec. 28, the Tribune-Herald published a column by Dr. W. Richard Turner arguing that Baylor, as a sectarian Christian university, should not be a top-ranked (R1) research university. There are some critical problems with Turners argument. There is a tension between prestige as a research university and Christian identity, but it is very different from the tension Turner perceives.

One error that underlies Turners column is the notion that knowledge is truly compartmentalizable  that one area of our knowledge can be isolated from other areas. Knowledge is deeply interconnected in ways that are not always deliberate. Knowledge shapes character and character changes slowly. An atheist does not stop being an atheist and a Christian does not stop being a Christian when they arent talking about religion. Even more than other beliefs, what we believe about God impacts the ways we think and act about many things. Only in a limited sense can anyone of any tradition truly set aside what they think about God.

Far from being a reason to distrust research, this is a good thing. Our big picture convictions about God, humankind and natural science guide our approach to our small picture tasks. For example, our convictions about the purposes of science and the university will have an enormous impact on which research questions we choose to explore. Too often, market forces or cynical national interests decide the course of scientific research. The trend of the last century of industry has been that technology develops to accomplish the same work with fewer workers who have less training. Technological progress has made workers more replaceable and weakened their bargaining position. This was not inevitable, but it was in the economic interests of those with enough wealth to fund research. In their book, Accessory to War, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Avis Lang have chronicled how astrophysics, at every point in the disciplines history, has stood in an uncomfortable partnership with militaries. Young scientists might go into astrophysics because of their awe at the universe around us, but war pays the bills, say Tyson and Lang. When we try to do research without purposes, motivations or agendas, we do not really rid ourselves of them; we merely leave them unexamined.

As a Christian university, Baylor is in a position to say, unabashedly, We pursue the sciences, and all learning, in the service of Jesus Christ. By so doing, the university would give itself a leg to stand on in resisting the pressures of markets and militaries. A university that attempts to practice a pure objectivity, with no agenda at all, will be like a ship that attempts to sail in no particular direction at all: it will end up moving in whatever direction the wind happens to blow. Bob Dylan said it well: It may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but youre gonna have to serve somebody. If we claim to be in no ones service, even in our learning, were kidding ourselves.

Turners column also reflects the error that the idea that God has nothing to do with it is somehow more neutral or objective than the idea that God matters. He argues that Baylors Christian identity compromises its research. But a university that attempts to function as though there were no God or as though God did not matter for its existence has adopted a de facto atheist identity. Why should we be less suspicious of a de facto atheist identity than we are of an admittedly Christian one? Rather than attempting to have no identity at all, let us all humbly acknowledge our convictions so that we can be aware of the ways they impact our work.

Moving beyond the text of the column, the editorial cartoon that the Tribune-Herald staff placed with Turners column online was very misleading. The cartoon suggested that Baylors Christian identity led it to ignore medical science and take a cavalier attitude toward the COVID-19 pandemic. In reality, Baylors response to the pandemic could not have been farther from what the cartoon portrayed. With even a casual stroll around campus, a person can see the millions of dollars of work that the university invested in creating a safe environment for students. For much of the pandemic, masks were required indoors on campus. The Tribune-Herald even reported that Dr. Deborah Birx commended Baylors as a model response. Baylor has clearly not acted with disregard for the science.

Finally, this is not to say that there is no conflict at all between R1 status and Christian identity. There is tension, but it is tension of a very different kind than that discussed by Turner. The pursuit of the R1 label is a pursuit of worldly prestige. Baylor has long sought to be seen as an academically elite university. To do so, a school has to play by the rules of academic prestige rather than the way of Jesus. One of the major aspects of R1 universities is the awarding of doctorates. At present, the market is so saturated with people who hold Ph.D.s that it ought to be obvious that American universities are awarding too many. The same institution that employs most Ph.D.s also produces Ph.D.s. That institution can produce far more doctors than it can employ. As more and more universities have added Ph.D. programs (in the name of prestige), the overproduction of Ph.D.s has gotten worse, leaving many doctors in many fields unemployed. The pursuit of R1 status requires the production of doctorates, but R1 status does not care about the well-being or future prospects of the people holding those degrees. It is therefore in conflict with Baylors Christian identity because leadership in the kingdom of God is characterized by humble service, not by dominance and competition.

Second, in its pursuit of prestige, Baylor has inadvertently joined the ranks of the guardians of social class in the United States. One way to secure ones place in the upper echelons of American society is by studying at a prestigious university. But of course, prestigious universities are inevitably expensive. Therefore, very few people can secure their social status via education who are not already wealthy. If you want to get rich, go to a fancy school; but if you want to go to a fancy school, it sure helps to be rich. Universities are powerful guardians of the United States socioeconomic status quo. In its pursuit of prestige, Baylor has raised tuition (to be fair, so has every other college). Baylor has succeeded in gaining prestige, but in doing so, has left the poor behind and become an inadvertent protector of social class.

Therefore, the real conflict between R1 status and Christian identity is the deep connection of R1 status to wealth and worldly power. Cover to cover, the Bible tells the story of the lifting up of the poor and weak and the bringing down of the powerful. In the United States, prestigious universities are those that serve to keep the powerful in power. A university that is being faithful to its Christian identity will seek to serve the poor and the outcast.

Waco resident Jamey L. Yadon graduated from Truett Theological Seminary in 2018 with a Master of Divinity. He also holds a bachelors degree in physics from Western Kentucky University. He writes a blog at jlyadon.wordpress.com.
Demanding both

People of faith should value truth, freedom and the dignity of every voter. Thats why they should condemn the Jan. 6 attack as an attempted coup and reject the participants efforts to use religion as a distorted justification for their actions. They should also urge the select committee to hold accountable all who tried to end our democracy and to unanimously recommend in its final report passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure that future attempts to overturn the will of the voters cannot succeed.

White Christian nationalists  incited and assisted by Donald Trump and other Republican elected officials  tried to use a lie to overthrow the will of the voters, which would have ended our democracy. It was an act of white supremacy that violated the dignity of every person. The attack occurred under banners declaring Jesus is my savior, Trump is my president. But this deadly Christian nationalism is neither faithful nor patriotic.

The terror unleashed on that day was stopped but it is still a threat because the politicians, pastors and organizers who condoned and collaborated in the insurrection are trying to block accountability. They continue telling the big lie about the 2020 election that incited it. In 19 states, their allies are putting up new barriers to voting, including by giving partisan politicians new power to overturn the will of the voters. White supremacists who took part in the Jan. 6 attack are menacing people at school board meetings.

Our democracy depends on securing accountability for those who tried to end it on Jan. 6, 2021, and advancing legislation that protects the will of the voters. People of faith should be demanding both.

Ingrid Martine,

Valley Mills

Ted the hypocrite

I think that we can make it official. Texas Sen. Rafael Ted Cruz is a hypocrite. In his attempt to denigrate Democrats, he said: I think in a time of crisis, character is revealed. This from a man who ran away to Cancun while Texas was in the midst of its worst freeze ever. A freeze that almost broke the grid and hundreds of Texans froze to death. A hypocrite who blamed his wife, then his daughter, for his Cancun vacation. He even left the family dog alone in their home.

Clearly Cruz cares for you as much as he cares for his dog. In October of last year, he again showed us his great character by tweeting, Cancun is lovely this time of year. Yep, the term hypocrite is a perfect fit for Cruz.

Chuck Nissley,

Temple

Snorting covfefe

Loved Steve Boggs column in the 1/6 One Year Later insert in Thursdays paper. And the editorial column was wonderful. The idiot column written by Pete Sessions? I laughed so hard, I almost snorted my covfefe through my nose!

Gayle Stone,

Waco
When am I contagious if infected with omicron?

It's not yet clear, but some early data suggests people might become contagious sooner than with earlier variants  possibly within a day after infection.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the few days before and after symptoms develop. But that window of time might happen earlier with omicron, according to some outside experts.

That's because omicron appears to cause symptoms faster than previous variants  about three days after infection, on average, according to preliminary studies. Based on previous data, that means people with omicron could start becoming contagious as soon as a day after infection.

With previous variants, people became contagious two to four days after infection. And people remain contagious a couple days after symptoms subside.

Researchers say it's too early to know whether that shorter incubation period for omicron translates into earlier contagiousness. But it would help explain the variant's rapid spread.

Dr. Amy Karger of the University of Minnesota Medical School recommends that people test themselves at three days and five days after exposure if possible.

"A lot of people are turning positive by day three," Karger says, referring to omicron. "There's basically an opportunity here to catch people earlier than you would with the other variants."

If you only have one test, it's fine to wait until day five, Karger says.

People who have COVID-19 symptoms should get tested immediately if possible.

Lab-developed tests are more sensitive than rapid tests so they should be able to pick up the virus by day three after exposure, if not earlier.

People who don't develop symptoms generally have much lower viral levels, so it's far less clear when or if they become infectious.

Still, those who test positive but don't have symptoms should isolate for at least five days, under the latest CDC guidelines. The agency came under criticism for not requiring a negative test before leaving isolation, but even after tweaking the guidelines officials said that step should be optional.

People with symptoms should stay isolated until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.

***
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen already has raised $5.4 million in contributions to his campaign, a figure that dwarfs the amount of money that previous Republican candidates for governor reported in their initial campaign finance reports.

Pillen had cash on hand for his campaign totaling $4.1 million moving into 2022.

His figures include 18 donors contributing $100,000 to the Columbus pork producer, who is a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

The Pillen numbers compare with about $1.4 million raised by Gov. Pete Ricketts in 2013 as he prepared for his initial gubernatorial race eight years ago.

Pillen counts 1,328 Nebraska contributors and has contributed $1 million of his own money to his campaign.

The multi-candidate Republican gubernatorial primary contest appears likely to feature a costly battle with Pillen and Charles Herbster, a Falls City cattle producer, leading the campaign finance charts.

The Pillen campaign's estimate of Herbster expenditures thus far approaches $3 million, with nearly $1.5 million in television and radio outlays already in the books.

Herbster, who was agricultural adviser to former President Donald Trump, has received Trump's endorsement. Pillen is expected to garner Ricketts' endorsement, but the governor has been silent so far.

The strong early fundraising success of Pillen reflects his lifetime of "building relationships," Kenny Zoeller, Pillen's campaign manager, said Monday.

"But we're not taking anything for granted. Jim is building relationships and creating relationships.

"Right now, we feel it's either Pillen or Herbster," he said.

The Republican contest also includes Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha and former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau of Omaha, along with a number of other announced candidates. Michael Connely of York, Donna Nicole Carpenter of Lincoln and Lela McNinch of Lincoln have filed with the secretary of state.

Former Gov. Dave Heineman considered entering the race, but ultimately decided to remain in private life in Fremont.

"We're not done fundraising," Pillen campaign consultant Jessica Flanagain said during a joint interview with Zoeller.

"We have enough money to communicate his message," she said, "and it's important that it's coming from other Nebraskans."

Pillen has campaigned in 85 of Nebraska's 93 counties thus far.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon
Gov. Kim Reynolds will unveil her policy priorities tonight at the annual Condition of the State address.

Reynolds told reporters last week that she plans a bold and historic agenda for the 2022 legislative session, including tax cuts, a comprehensive workforce package, and education reform.

WATCH THE CONDITION OF THE STATE HERE AT 6 PM:

I believe that this upcoming session represents yet another opportunity for us to come together as one state, accomplish great things and continue to lead this nation, she said. Iowa is moving in the right direction.

Reynolds excited about tax cuts

Reynolds was reticent to discuss the specifics of her tax plans with reporters last week.

Im not going to give any details, but Im excited about where were at, she said.

Critics say Iowa Gov. Reynolds failed leadership includes COVID-19 CEDAR RAPIDS  A year ago, Gov. Kim Reynolds acknowledged the toll that 2020 had taken as she delivered an upbeat message that Iowans were coming back despite being beaten and battered in about every way imaginable and some unimaginable.

She said the states $1.24 billion surplus is evidence that Iowa is collecting too much from its citizens  and that overcollection is making Iowa less competitive with other states.

Every single one of those states are reducing taxes so that they can be more competitive, grow their economy and bring people to the state of Iowa, she said.

Reynolds said whatever tax cuts come next, they need to be fiscally responsible and maintainable over time.

We have to make sure that we can still fund priorities that are important to Iowans: public safety, education, she said. And I think weve demonstrated that we can do that.

Broad workforce package will include child care, job training

Throughout the COVID pandemic, Iowa employers have struggled to find enough workers, even as the unemployment rate has fallen from its peak in 2020.

Were still above the national average, but were not back to where we were prior to the pandemic and we need to figure out why, Reynolds said.

Iowas unemployment rate in November was 3.7%  a far cry lower than the 11.1% unemployment rate the state recorded in April 2020, during the shutdowns. But the rate is still significantly higher than it was in November 2019, before COVID, when the states unemployment rate was 2.8%.

Iowa lawmakers agree on need for workers, but not how to get them DES MOINES --- How can Iowa persuade more people to move here, live here and work here?

The number of people participating in the workforce has also fallen between November 2019 and November 2021. In 2019, 70.4% of Iowans were participating in the workforce  either holding a job or actively looking for one. In 2021, just 66.8% of Iowans were active workforce participants. Thats a difference of about 81,600 people.

Reynolds also noted that two-thirds of Iowans on unemployment are between the ages of 25 and 54 and pledged to look into why that age group was lagging.

Were willing to invest in Iowans, she said. Theres tremendous opportunities out there for great careers across every single sector.

Reynold promised a comprehensive proposal to address the issue, including changes to career training, child care and the unemployment system.

The unemployment code was written a long, long time ago, when we were in a much different position, she said. And today, we need to incentivize work, not pay people to stay home.

Reynolds announced in October that Iowa Workforce Development would introduce new rules to promote rapid reemployment.

The new work search requirements for some unemployed Iowans took effect Sunday, requiring job-seekers to meet with a career planner and do at least three other reemployment activities each week.

Parent choice to drive education policy

Reynolds said parent choice will continue to be a major theme in 2022.

One of the outcomes of COVID is it gave parents a front-row seat into what was happening in our education system, she said.

Through the pandemic, school boards and parents debated mask wearing in schools. Reynolds and Iowas Republican majorities maintained that parents should decide whether children should wear face coverings. A court ruling allowed school districts to impose mask mandates to protect disabled students.

Late in the year, a new debate emerged. Some parents and lawmakers asked school boards to remove certain books with explicit or controversial content.

Reynolds said schools need to have more transparency for parents, including a list of books available to their children.

We just need to make that accessible to parents so that they can even have a better idea of whats available to their kids and whats being taught in the classroom, she said.

But Reynolds also acknowledged the successes in Iowa schools, and she commended teachers for staying strong through tough times. She and other Republicans have emphasized the importance of opening schools in person before many other states.

We need to be in a classroom. Its a safety net for kids, as well as social, emotional growth, she said. We figured out a long time ago how to do it safely and responsibly.

Reynolds said that decision was also driven by parents, who called her and lawmakers and pleaded with them to reopen schools.

I think thats a dynamic that youre going to continue to see play out with parents as they continue to really pay attention to whats happening in our schools, good and bad, she said. And theyll react accordingly.

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CEDAR FALLS  School districts in the midst of approving policies to comply with the Biden administrations COVID-19 vaccine mandate for large employers are now holding off following a Friday directive from the Iowa Division of Labor.

The agency, which has adopted federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards and operates an approved state plan, announced it will not enforce the mandate. Along with private businesses employing at least 100 employees, the mandate applies to public school districts.

Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Waverly-Shell Rock community schools were planning to adopt policies Monday at their board of education meetings, but instead tabled them. Cedar Valley districts that approved policies earlier this month have suspended or paused them.

Superintendent Andy Pattee told the Cedar Falls board that the administration recommends this item be tabled as we begin to see ... what the Supreme Court does and what they decide, as well as what happens with the Iowa state plan and the way they interpret this.

Bidens push to require vaccines for many people has been on-again, off-again based on a series of federal court decisions as some states challenged the mandate. It would require vaccines, with certain exceptions, as well as COVID-19 testing and masking for the unvaccinated at large businesses.

Most recently, it was to go into effect Monday after a federal appeals court panels decision Dec. 17. In the meantime, it advanced to the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments Friday.

If the Supreme Court says that they are not going to stay this, then it continues to move forward across the 22 states, I believe, that do not have a state OSHA plan, said Pattee. Iowa has a state OSHA plan that allows them to be able to say the state plan is going to supersede the federal plan.

Pattee said there are some scenarios where the mandate would be back on again.

If the federal OSHA comes back and says no your Iowa OSHA plan does not meet the federal plan, thats a different conversation then, he explained. Well have to come back and move forward with this as a potential next step. So, theres a lot of moving parts with that.

A news release issued Friday by Gov. Kim Reynolds office said Iowa Labor Commissioner Rod Roberts has submitted a notice that Iowa will not be adopting or enforcing the mandate. Upon close review of the OSHA mandate, he said in the news release, Iowa has concluded that it is not necessary because Iowas existing standards are at least as effective as the federal standard change.

With that we will be removing our policy until a later time ... if and when the guidance changes, Kingsley Botchway, chief officer of human resources and equity, told the Waterloo board. I hate to say that, but its changed at least three times in the last month.

On the backdrop of this, there is also the Supreme Court, he said. They could yet have some type of guidance that comes down that either changes or reaffirms the information that Im sharing.

Were just pressing pause, he added. There may be some things that we still do to get us prepared in the event that it does change back.

Superintendent Ed Klamfoth said in an email that the Waverly-Shell Rock board took no action on the item Monday due to the Iowa OSHA statement. We will revisit if the law requires it.

Officials with Dike-New Hartford, Union, Jesup, Hudson and Dunkerton community schools said their policies included language to suspend them or pause implementation in situations like this.

Janesville Consolidated School Superintendent B.J. Meaney said in an email that the board approved its policy Friday night during an emergency meeting, but the district got notice a few hours after adjourning of the Iowa OSHA communication. We are meeting again (Wednesday) night to revisit and likely suspend the policy.

Brad Laures, superintendent of Denver Community Schools, said in an email that the districts policy would be suspended if the Supreme Court or other legal entity dismissed the OSHA Standards. We are eagerly awaiting what the Supreme Court decides.

Tony Voss, superintendent of Hudson Community Schools, said in an email that suspension of the boards policy would only be triggered by a Supreme Court stay on enforcement. While that hasnt happened, he decided after the Iowa OSHA announcement Friday that a local pause in enforcement was appropriate.

Only a few remaining employees needed to complete the vaccine disclosure at that point, Voss noted, so the district finished that anyway. This will help in the event we receive guidance to enforce the mandate which will enable us to move very quickly on to that phase without needing to find out who is and isnt vaccinated, he sad.

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A legislator is proposing that the state appropriate $200,000 for the christening and commissioning of the USS Iowa, a nuclear submarine.

Republican Rep. Brian Lohse of Bondurant, who sponsored HF 2002, said the 377-foot warship is under construction in a Groton, Conn., shipyard.

Its anticipated the christening  when the shipyard will release the submarine over to the Navy for testing  will be this spring in Connecticut. It hasnt been finalized, but the commissioning may take place near Los Angeles where the retired USS Iowa battleship is moored.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS: A House Republican leader wants a broader review of presidential executive orders before state officials choose to ignore them.

HF 2012, introduced by Rep. John Wills of Spirit Lake, who serves as House speaker pro tem, would allow the Legislative Council to refer presidential executive orders to the attorney general and governor for review. The attorney general would determine whether an order is constitutional and offer advice on whether to seek an exemption from the order or a ruling on its constitutionality.

The bill also prohibits the state, a political subdivision or any publicly funded organization from enforcing a presidential executive order that restricts a persons rights or which the attorney general has determined to be unconstitutional and which is related to certain enumerated subjects.

Gov. Kim Reynolds recently announced that the state labor commissioner would not enforce the Biden administrations vaccine-or-test mandate for workplaces with 100 or more employees, regardless of the U.S. Supreme Courts upcoming decision on the matter.

Wills thinks more people should be involved in reviewing compliance with presidential executive orders.

#TRUSTME VOTER INFO: Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has joined fellow members of the National Association of Secretaries of State in the #TrustedInfo2022 education effort to encourage citizens to look to their state and local election officials as the trusted sources of information for the 2022 elections.

Election officials are referees. We dont wear team jerseys in the administration of elections, Pate said. My office is dedicated to running clean, smooth elections and its more important than ever to remind Iowans that election officials are the trusted sources for election information.

Pates office has information, resources and accessible tools for those interested in learning more about elections at https://voterready.iowa.gov/. For more information or concerns about incorrect elections information, contact the secretarys office at sos@sos.iowa.gov.

SENATE SEATING: Two Democratic senators spoke about the decision by Senate Republican leadership to move the Statehouse media out of the press work spaces on the chamber floor and into the upstairs public gallery. The Iowa Capitol Press Association and other press freedom groups have raised concerns with the decision.

For 140 years reporters have been on the floor of the Iowa Senate, said Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, the Senate minority leader. We oppose this in the strongest possible terms.

Senate Republican staff said they made the decision because it has become increasingly difficult to define media. The Iowa House and Iowa courts have both defined media, as have the vast majority of states, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures.

What are Senate Republicans afraid of? asked Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City. (Statehouse reporters) deserve transparency, not arrogance or hubris.

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by Marwa Yahya

CAIRO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian government is beefing up several mega-projects of agricultural reclamation around the country to secure food production, according to experts.

The nationwide projects would reclaim nearly three million feddans (12,504 square kilometers) of land in four years, which constitute about one third of the cultivated areas in Egypt, to secure the highest production of food crops.

The land reclamation include 500,000 feddans in North and Central Sinai province to the east of the capital, 1.5 million feddans in different rural areas, 500,000 feddans on Dabaa Axis in north western Egypt, and 300,000 feddans in Toshka, southern Egypt.

"Egypt's total cultivated area has climbed from 7.8 million feddans in 2000 to 9.4 million feddans now, but is still not enough compared to the over-growing population," Saad Nasaar, advisor to Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, said.

"We are sufficient in vegetables, fruits, rice, maize, medical and aromatic plant, poultry and fish, while deficient in sugar, oil, wheat and beef," he added.

Nassar referred to water as the main challenge for reclaiming land in Egypt, which needs 80 billion cubic meters annually, while its water resources only produce 60 billion.

"To tackle such difficult issue, Egypt gives priority to the projects of wastewater treatment," he noted.

In December 2021, Egypt inaugurated one of the world's largest wastewater treatment plant Bahr El Baqar, at a cost of 1.14 billion U.S. dollars. The plant, located on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal, is expected to produce two billion cubic meters annually that will all go to the Sinai Peninsula.

Meanwhile, Egypt will establish another 5-billion-dollar water plant in northwest Egypt for producing six billion cubic meters of water for reclaiming the land in the New Delta region.

"Plans of agricultural expansion is the strategic solution to compensate for the land Egypt has lost in the Nile Valley and Delta," according to Shaker Arafat, chairman of state-run Food Technology Research Institute.

Egypt has lost around 400,000 acres of farmland since 1980 in its most fertile land in the Nile Valley and Delta due to urban expansion over the decades, according to official statistics.

Arafat said that Egypt has been working on enhancing its food security via expanding the agricultural land vertically and horizontally.

He said horizontal expansion means adding more agricultural gross land across the country, using artificial intelligence technology, and planting strategic crops like wheat, maize, grains and oilseeds crops to reduce the food gap between production and consumption.

While vertical expansion means reproducing new seeds that produce more crops, consume less water and cope with climate change fluctuations, according to Arafat. 
WATERLOO  Its officially the worst stretch of time for coronavirus cases since the respiratory illness was discovered in Black Hawk County in the spring of 2020.

More than 400 Black Hawk County residents have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began nearly two years ago. Hospitalizations stood at 60 as of Wednesday. And though COVID tests are difficult to come by, those who are getting tested are testing positive more than 40% of the time  41.5% as of Wednesday, a record high.

This year has started a little differently than what we had anticipated, unfortunately, said County Health Director Nafissa Cisse Egbuonye at last weeks Board of Supervisors meeting.

Unvaccinated people in the county are at an extremely high risk for COVID-19 infections, according to The New York Times COVID tracker. Disease spread is so high that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that even vaccinated people wear masks in the county. About half of recent coronavirus infections have been traced back to the highly transmissible omicron variant, according to the Iowa State Hygenic Lab.

Thats the big difference between November 2020 and January 2022: Vaccines and booster shots are now widely available for most residents age 5 and older.

So Egbuonyes news of nearly 700 new cases from Jan. 7 through Jan. 11  and daily spikes higher than at any previous point during the pandemic  prompted one supervisor to suggest acceptance of the pandemic and its effects.

Were going to have people die of COVID tomorrow. Thats just the reality, said Supervisor Dan Trelka. I think were at a time when we need to accept that COVIDs a part of our life and move on.

Trelka, who has previously said he was against vaccine and mask mandates regarding COVID mitigation, has also said he is vaccinated and believes it should be everyones choice, including among county employees.

Supervisor Chris Schwartz argued not everyone has a choice in the matter.

Were supposed to be coming together to protect the vulnerable, Schwartz said, pointing to a plateau in countywide vaccinations. Young people should get vaccinated as well, so were not allowing more variants to be created and spread.

Egbuonye said she hoped the board encouraged vaccination: Around 66% of county residents 12 and older have been fully vaccinated. That is a little lower than the statewide number of 68.1%, according to the CDC.

The unvaccinated or not-fully-vaccinated population is the largest strain on hospitals statewide, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health, accounting for nearly 80% of COVID patients in intensive care units and nearly 73% of COVID patients hospitalized as of Wednesday.

That is true in the Cedar Valley as well, Egbuonye told the board Tuesday.

Were at a point where we just need peoples help. Our health care partners are exhausted, she said. Its very hard to manage the volume of cases that are occurring.

Hospitals in the area confirmed Egbuonyes assertion. UnityPoint Health-Waterloo spokesperson Carson Tigges said his hospital continues to deal with issues pointed out in a recent Courier article on the omicron variant causing a massive increase in hospitalizations.

MercyOne locations are caring for an extremely high number of patients, said MercyOne Waterloo Medical Centers spokesperson, Chelsea Keenan.

She urged people with symptoms not requiring hospitalization to stay home to control the spread of COVID, and to make a telehealth appointment instead of walking into a primary care or urgent care office. She also urged vaccination and booster shots when eligible.

Wear a mask, even if you are vaccinated, Keenan added.
DES MOINES  A four-year transition to a flat state income tax rate of 4%, shortening the time Iowans could claim jobless benefits and a new plan for devoting public funds to private school tuition are among the proposals introduced Tuesday night by Gov. Kim Reynolds in her annual Condition of the State address.

The Republican governor, who faces re-election this year, unveiled the proposals in remarks to a joint session of the Legislature in the House chamber at the Iowa Capitol.

State taxes on all Iowans income would be reduced every year until resting at 4% in 2026 under Reynolds proposal. The governors office said that would make Iowas income tax the fifth-lowest in the country. The state, according to the governors office, currently has the 16th-highest rate.

Flat and fair, Reynolds told the assembly.

When fully implemented, the tax reduction would translate to the average Iowa worker paying $1,300 less annually in taxes, the governors office said. That is in addition to $1,000 in average savings already expected from income tax reductions passed in 2018.

Thats money that can be reinvested into our economy and used to promote the prosperity of every Iowan, Reynolds said. Yes, well have less to spend once a year at the Capitol, but well see it spent every single day on main streets, in grocery stores, and at restaurants across Iowa. Well see it spent in businesses instead of on bureaucracies.

The proposal would reduce state revenues by roughly $1.6 billion in 2023, the governors office said. The most recent state budget was just more than $8 billion.

The governors office said if state revenue and spending continue to grow at their recent averages of 4% and 2%, respectively, the 4% flat income tax would not force budget cuts. The office also said the plan does not require any use of the states taxpayer trust fund, currently flush with $1 billion.

Reynolds proposal also would phase out all state taxes on retirement income.

The governors tax plan requires legislative approval. Some legislative Republicans have proposed phasing out the state income tax entirely.

Unemployment

Reynolds also proposed making more changes to the states unemployment system to address Iowas worker shortage. According to her staff, Reynolds will create a separate division in the workforce development agency to work with businesses searching for employees.

Reynolds also proposed cutting the amount of time Iowans can receive unemployment benefits  from 26 weeks to 16 weeks  and lowering the salary offers Iowans receiving benefits must accept.

Currently, Iowans receiving benefits must accept a job offer if it pays a certain percentage of their previous salary. Reynolds will propose lowering those thresholds.

Reynolds said the current 26 weeks to receive benefits is frankly  more time than necessary, and the salary threshold reduction will ensure that those collecting unemployment cant turn down suitable jobs while living on taxpayer funds.

Education

Reynolds budget proposal includes a 2.5% funding increase for K-12 schools, community colleges and the states three public universities.

She also proposes using federal stimulus funding on a one-time $1,000 retention bonus for all Iowa teachers who remain at their school for another year.

Reynolds also proposed an expansion of public funding for private school tuition. Her proposal would make $5,340 scholarships available to any public school student who lives in a household at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. That equates to, for example, a household of three with total income of $87,840 or less, or a household of four with total income of $106,000 or less.

The $5,340 figure is based on 70% of state aid per student. The other 30%, or roughly $2,300, would go to a state fund and be reallocated to smaller school districts.

Reynolds previous private school tuition proposal failed to pass in the Iowa House in part due to concerns it would cause financial stress on small, rural school districts.

We want to ensure our small schools stay strong while, at the same time, empowering parents to choose whats best for their child, Reynolds said.

The program initially would be capped at 10,000 students.

In response to recent concerns from some parents and some Republican lawmakers about books in school libraries that they say contain explicit material, Reynolds delivered strong words but offered modest action.

Reynolds proposal would require all schools to publish online all class materials, including textbooks, syllabuses and standards, as well as a comprehensive list of books available in the schools library. Schools already are required to have that information available; Reynolds proposal would require them to publish it online.

Her proposal also would add a provision that if a school district does not respond to a parents complaint about books or material within 30 days, the complaint goes before the state education department. State funding would be withheld from any district that does not comply.

We live in a free country with free expression. But theres a difference between shouting vulgarities from a street corner and assigning them as required classroom reading. Theres a difference between late-night cable TV and the school library, Reynolds said. If school boards and administrators refuse to understand that  if they believe the classroom is about pushing their worldview  then were on the wrong path.

The books that have been flagged by parents and lawmakers typically are about LGBTQ characters or written by LGBTQ authors and describe sexual encounters in brief passages.

Reynolds also, according to her office, is proposing a requirement that all students pass a citizenship test in order to graduate from high school.

Ethanol

Reynolds also tweaked from last year and will reintroduce ethanol legislation. Her new proposal will require all retailers with compatible equipment to offer the E15 ethanol blend by 2026  a lower 10% blend is most common now  and require that all newly installed or upgraded infrastructure be E85 or B20 compatible.

State budget

Reynolds proposed an $8.2 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Her proposal would leave $960 million in the ending balance and all the state emergency and reserve accounts full.

Most state agencies would have status quo funding, with the exception of an $86 million increase in health and human services funding  $71 million of which would go to increased mental health care funding  and an $11.6 million combined increase in funding for the justice and judicial systems.

No agency would be forced to reduce spending, the governors office said.

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CEDAR FALLS  While the Human Rights Commission awaits the likely hiring of a paid, full-time city employee who would provide expertise in support of its mission, commissioners continue to discuss what it can offer to the community in the meantime.

Vice Chair Sonja Bock announced Monday evening the HRC will co-sponsor an event with the Cedar Falls Public Library from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Community Center during National Black History Month, otherwise known as African American Heritage Month.

Up to 24 participants will learn how to conduct genealogy research using 23andMe and Ancestry.com resources, and about the challenges faced by African Americans working to uncovering their roots.

For example, Black Americans face hurdles when trying to find information on enslaved ancestors who were recorded in slave schedules under the names of their owners, Bock said.

10 laptops will be available, but people are encouraged to bring their own. People with interest or questions are invited to email sonja.bock@cedarfalls.com.

Commissioners hope to plan more, possibly larger events involving paid speakers and partnerships with other organizations. Bock tossed out the idea of possibly requesting an increase in its $1,500 annual budget to make that possible.

That would lend additional resources, in addition to the full-time city position, labeled by city officials in planning as an equity coordinator/Human Rights Commission liaison costing $95,000.

At the moment, the commission is assisted by a city employee whose full-time job is in human resources but who also serves as a liaison to help it carry out its mission.

The new position still must be approved by the City Council as part of its annual budget process before staff can begin the hiring process. No councilors have publicly announced opposition.

On Monday, the topic of establishing a presence in and a rapport with the community came up, through means like social media and video production.

Also, Bock spoke of establishing the expectations residents should have when they approach the commission as a resource and share an incident involving themselves at a public meeting.

Bock, a sociology professor and the newest commissioner, told her colleagues they need to show empathy and positive body language indicating a genuine interest in taking grievances seriously.

She said commissioners are there to support, listen and advocate.

It takes an extreme amount of courage for someone to, first of all, speak out, whether its about work or school, or whatever, she said. It takes so much courage because there is backlash, and that backlash is real, and it causes so much anxiety for people because they could lose their job, or they could lose potential ways to make money, friends, or references. The list just goes on and on.

Public safety director position's future to be discussed 'sooner rather than later' in Cedar Falls Administrator Rob Gaines told councilors Monday hed wait for direction from them before working to identify a replacement for Director Jeff Olson, who is retiring in March.

Speaking from experience  she previously appeared in front of the HRC  she said the bigger goal is the HRC establishing how it should go about responding to complainants.

I dont think there is anything worse, to come and present  because Ive been in that position  and then youre told, Well were not going to do anything, or we cant do anything, she said.

Commissioner Jordyn Beranek noted peoples grievances can be very personal, and they dont necessarily want it to be public record.

That left open the question of how commissioners could handle such grievances discreetly without violating open public meeting laws.

Three of its eight commissioners were absent Monday, including newly appointed chair Eashaan Vajpeyi, but the commission had a quorum.

One vacancy exists on the nine-member commission.

In other business:

Commissioners informally reaffirmed a desire to find a person identifying as male fill the vacancy. In addition, a request will likely come before council Feb. 7 to expand the commissions membership from nine to 11, in light of its committees  education, outreach/communication, advocacy and policy  regularly conducting business.

Commissioners approved a motion related to finalizing a generic statement it would immediately release upon finding out about an alleged incident. The hope is to issue a statement on social media and other channels to let the community know commissioners are aware of an incident, support any victims and will gather more information, etc.

Commissioners approved a $253 advertisement in The Courier on Sunday in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day the following day.

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Q: Where can I write to Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney?

A: Congresswoman Liz Cheney, 416 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515.

Q: Is Vanna White leaving Wheel of Fortune and if so why?

A: According to a September article in USA Today, longtime Wheel of Fortune hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White renewed their contracts through the 2023-24 television seasons, Sony Pictures Television says. The duo has been on with the popular nighttime show since its inception in 1983.

Q: Can skin cancer turn into something worse?

A: According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, melanoma is usually curable when detected and treated early. However, once melanoma has spread deeper into the skin or other parts of the body, it becomes more difficult to treat and can be deadly.

Q: What happened to Paul on The Young and the Restless?

A: According to the Soap Opera Network website: Doug Davidson stated in October that he hasnt been asked back to The Young and the Restless after portraying Paul Williams on the soap for the better part of 43 years. I dont see me going back, but all of you are so incredibly wonderful. Thank you, Davidson said on Twitter to users who were querying about his status on the show.

Q: How long does a furnace last, and how soon do they need to be replaced?

A: The average life expectancy for a gas furnace is around 15 years. With excellent routine maintenance and a little luck, a furnace can last even longer. Likewise, a neglected furnace may not last beyond its warranty.

Q: Why was U.S. mail being delivered on Sunday, Jan. 9, in parts of Waterloo?

A: The Postal Service delivers Priority Mail Express and certain Amazon packages on Sundays.

Q: I saw you had an article on sharks being used to combat the coronavirus. My husband 25 years ago had cancer and he started taking shark cartilage. Is this what they are talking about?

A: No. Since cartilage is a body tissue in which no blood vessels are present, researchers guessed that certain molecules isolated from shark cartilage could inhibit the growth of blood vessels, which could stop cancer from growing. This action, called anti-angiogenesis, was seen when shark cartilage was directly applied to tumors in a test tube. But clinical use remains controversial due to lack of supporting data and unsatisfactory patient outcomes in clinical trials. In the coronavirus study published Dec. 16, researchers found sharks have antibody-like proteins that can stop the virus that causes COVID-19. These antibodies, called VNARs, are a natural part of the sharks immune system and may also guard against COVID-19 variants  such as delta  and related coronaviruses, a news release from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which collaborated on the study, said.

Q: What was Harry Reids net worth at his time of death?

A: According to the website Celebrity Net Worth, Harry Reid, former U.S. senator from Nevada and Senate majority leader, had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death.

Calls are taken on a special Courier phone line at 234-3566. Questions are answered by Courier staff.

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MOGADISHU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Somalia and the United Nations migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), have facilitated the return of 91 citizens after more than two years of confinement in detention centers in Libya.

Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdisaid Muse Ali, who received the nationals who landed at the Mogadishu airport early Wednesday, said that the government worked tirelessly to secure their release.

Muse said the government is expected to bring another 100 citizens from Libya soon.

"We welcomed 97 Somalis this morning back home from Libya. The government worked to secure their release. The government has been working hard to return citizens who have suffered in foreign countries," Muse said.

The IOM has been facilitating the return of Somalis who have either been stranded or incarcerated in foreign nations especially in Libya, Tanzania and Uganda.

According to the Somali government, more than 2,500 Somalis have been repatriated from Libya, India, Seychelles, Eritrea, Sudan, and Tanzania since 2018.

The UN says Somalia continues to be characterized by migration flows, with internal displacement and irregular migration constituting major challenges. Every year, thousands of Somalis who make hazardous journeys along regional migration routes are exposed to severe protection risks. 
It's all in the hair.

Put your best head forward with the best cuts, color, blowouts and more to keep you looking salon-fresh year-round in the Bay Area.

Best Haircuts in the Bay Area See on Instagram Edo Salon: The It Shag Edo cofounder and stylist Jayne Matthews is the undisputed queen of the "new" shag, currently taking over Instagram to the tune of 59,000 followers (and counting). Now working primarily out of the salon's new Oakland location, Matthews customizes her tousled sexy cuts for all types of tressesextra long, curly, fine, you mane name it. The good news: Education is a big part of Matthews' MO, so all Oaktown and SF stylists are fluent in shag. Gail Goldberg // Haircut with Jayne at Edo ($300; other stylists $95+); 4245 Piedmont Ave (Oakland), and 601 Haight St (Lower Haight). edosalon.com



DiPietro Todd Salon: Tried and True When it's time for a chop, we need to know whom we can trust. At this mainstay salon, the dependable team of well-trained stylists has a warm chair-side manner and deft scissor hands that effortlessly style magazine cover-worthy hairdos. After 30 years in Union Square, the salon recently moved to a hip and gorgeous spot in Jackson Square. Also look for locations in Pacific Heights and Mill Valley. Michaela D'Artois // Haircut ($115+) at diPietro Todd Salon, 520 Washington St (Jackson Square), 2239 Fillmore St. (Pac Heights), and 250 Camino Alto (Mill Valley); dipietrotodd.com

Cowboys & Angels: Precision Haircut With more than 20 years in business, Cowboys and Angels has amassed a serious cult following for their chic cuts and team of international stylists, including owners David Tolls, Louise Baranowski, and Tracey McAllister. The bright, airy salon and laid-back vibe belie their precision haircuts, designed to help even the most unruly strands fall effortlessly into place. Imagine thata salon-perfect style that mere mortals can replicate at home. // Precision haircut ($110+) at Cowboys and Angels, 207 Powell St., Suite 400 (Union Square), cowboysandangelssf.com

Spoke & Weal: Celeb Tresses A haircut from sought-after celebrity stylist Jon Reyman is akin to a religious rite: He has a deific instinct about what our hair needs and how its shape can take your look up a few notches. His unusual practice of lightning-fast dry cuts is easily the best thing you could do for your locks. Can't get an appointment with the in-demand JR? No worries, all the stylists wield a mean pair of scissors. Carly Sperbeck and Christy Gylo get consistent props from discerning clients. Sarah Medina // Haircut with John($800; other stylists $75+) at Spoke and Weal, 701 Sansome St. (Jackson Square), spokeandweal.com

Pony Salon: Individualized Cut Corinna Hernandez opened her salon in Oakland this year, but she's been chopping the locks of cool Bay Area babes for two decades. Known for her razor-sharp skills, her special sauce is a knack for creating cuts to fit a client's face shape, hair type, and lifestyle. We're partial to her French Girl bobs and endless option of bangs (baby, curtain, choppy, blunt etc.). If you're considering a big hair change, she's your girl. The rest of the Pony cut-and-color crew are ballers, too. G.G. // Haircut with Corinna at Pony Salon ($185; other stylists $95+), 6012 College Ave (Oakland), pony.salon

Best Hair Color in the Bay Area See on Instagram Archer Salon: Balayage Archer Salon is a quiet haven just off bustling Grant Avenue. But don't let the cozy vibe fool youexpert colorists, stylists, and aestheticians run the salon like a well-oiled machine. For baby blonde highlights, owner Gari Cuevas is the pro; for the balayage experience, Jo Ann Custodio knows best (plus she's a pro at keeping Asian hair happy and healthy when lightening up).M.D. // Balayage ($250+) at Archer Salon, 33 Grant Ave. (Union Square), archersalon.com

Barrow Salon: Color and Styling Adorned with art by local Lena Wolff, this salon is a mecca for good hair. Proprietor and stylist Michelle Snyder has cultivated a talented team with experience from New York Fashion Week and beyond: Eileen McCarthy is our color expert of choice (plus she gets props from Allure mag). Sit back with a made-to-order cup of coffee or a generously poured glass of bubbly while she does all the work. Kristen Philipkoski // Color and styling ($95+) at Barrow Salon, 256 Sutter St., 4th Floor (FiDi), barrowsalon.com

Madison Reed: DIY + Color on the Go Glorious home hair color that doesn't leave you smelling like a lab rat? SF-based hair care brand Madison Reed's ammonia-, resorcinol-, PPD-, and paraben-free colors leave our hair soft and silky, not stinky. One of our favorite products is the color reviving glossyou don't even need to color your hair to go crazy for this $30 shine-boosting treat. If you're coloring your hair at home but aren't yet a Madison Reed convert, give their color translator a try: Simply enter your current brand and shade, and MR will match your hue...only without all the smelly toxic chemicals. Not a fan of DIY? MR now has several IRL salons in the Bay Area so you can leave it to the experts. Chloe Hennen // Color kit ($22 for subscribers, $26.50 for one-time orders); in-salon root touch-ups are just $40; Madison Reed, madison-reed.com

Veer & Wander: Color + Artisanal Products Salon-meets-apothecary Veer & Wander is our go-to for expert hairstyling and artisanal skincare products, makeup, and aromatic candles. (Strike a match to the 6 Brady Street wick, redolent of black tea and sweet tobacco.) Owner and stylist Connie McGrath is a known expert in both cut and color: Pick up some of her tricks of the trade during public workshops on Tuesdays. SM // Women's Cut ($90+) at Veer & Wander, 6 Brady St. (SoMa), veerandwander.com

Cinta Salon: Balayage With Shadow Root Whether it's balayage or pastel tresses they seek, trend-conscious style mavens look to this Grant Avenue mainstay to keep their locks au courant. Ask for a shadow root to update your usual balayagea multi-textural effect achieved by painting or foiling both cool and warm tones on each strand of hairor go a little wild with any of Aveda's bright new shades. C.H. // Balayage with root shadow ($170-$300) at Cinta Salon, 23 Grant Ave. (Union Square), cinta.com

Brand Benjamin Salon Longtime Spoke and Weal hair color specialist Teddy Benjamin went off on his own to open Brand Benjamin Salon, a boutique space located in Cow Hollow. His staff is known for hair color that will win you compliments. // Balayage ($275 and up); partial Highlights ($200 and up); new growth hair color ($100) at Brand Benjamin Salon, 2848 Webster St. (Cow Hollow), brandbenjamin.com. *Thanks to our partners at Brand Benjamin Salon.

Best Blowouts in San Francisco See on Instagram Dry Bar We book our appointments through DryBar's easy-to-use app. The upbeat Pac Heights salon has pop music on the stereo and classic chick flicks on the flat screen. Choose from 10 styles in their look book, including the wavy Dirty Martini (a favorite). Sleek and straight types, go for the Manhattan. Enjoy coffee or champers while the stylist works on your locks for a $49 flat fee. It's as easy, and addictive, as that. Emily Holt // Blowout ($49+) at Dry Bar, 1908 Fillmore St. (Pacific Heights),thedrybar.com

Bloom Blow Dry Bar Bloom Blow Dry Bar (say that 10 times fast!) is our go-to when only beachy waves will do. Summon your inner surfer chick and chill out during the shampooonly Unite's cruelty-free products will touch your tresses in this salonand read magazines on an iPad while they give you that perfect, tousled blow dry. When you emerge, beware of catcalls. // Bloom Blow Out ($49) at Bloom Blow Dry Bar, 819 Ulloa St. (Forest Hill), bloomblowdrybar.com

Best Brows + Hair Removal in the Bay Area See on Instagram Marilyn Jaeger Skincare: Spotless Those pesky in-growns have met their match in Marilyn Jaeger's Spotless, a green teainfused miracle potion that relieves skin of evil red bumps post-shaving and waxing thanks to the patented molecule called Qusome, which penetrates deep to dissolve the bacteria that causes in-grown hairs and blemishes. // Spotless ($19-$99) at Marilyn Jaeger Skincare, 3384 Sacramento St. (Presidio Heights) and 5257 College Ave. (Rockridge), marilynjaegerskincare.com

Benefit Cosmetics: Brow Bar Benefit's brow bars have become famous for their fast and flattering signature wax. Its countless Bay Area locations (SF, Marin, Oakland, Burlingame and beyond) are staffed with licensed professionals, all highly trained in the art of brow shaping and makeup application. Get groomed and dolled up in one quick go. // Brow Bar @ Benefit Cosmetics (multiple locations), benefitcosmetics.com

Habit: Sugar Waxing San Francisco's first wax-only salon, this gorgeous Cow Hollow studio offers sugar waxinga favorite among Habit's dedicated clients. The treatment is slightly more expensive than a standard wax, but gentler and less painful. We appreciate Habit's unparalleled discretion: Upon making an appointment, we received a code for the private entrance. K.P. // Sugar waxing ($20-$75) at Habit, 3212 Fillmore St. (Cow Hollow), waxhabit.com

La Tira: Waxing This four-room specialty salon eases the physical and mental pain of waxing with its cheerful decor, a soothing Enya-free soundtrack, and a friendly staff who experlty applies (and strips away) quick-drying hard wax for minimal redness. Wax on. E.H. // Bikini waxing($28$68)La Tira, 1301 Church St. (Noe Valley), latirawaxstudio.com

Blink Eyebrows and Cosmetics: All-Around Brow Needs A focus on all things browsmeticulous shaping to threading and tintingmakes Blink a go-to for gals in the know. Founder Anna Lee and all the aestheticians (we heart Dede McNeal) are arch artists of the highest order. The eyelash tints are also excellent, and last a long time. G.G. // Brow Design ($50+) at Blink Eyebrows, 166 Geary St, (Union Square), blinksf.com




Joe Pugliese/NBC

En espanol

NBCs hit family drama This Is Us returns for its sixth and final season this month, and the decades-spanning saga about the Pearson clan is still packed with all the twists, tricky timelines and tears youve come to expect. If youre a fan of the show, you already know the basics  and if youre not, you might want to stop reading until youve caught up. There are spoilers ahead!

Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia) are the parents of three children, named Randall (Sterling K. Brown), Kevin (Justin Hartley) and Kate (Chrissy Metz), who were all born on the same day. The show jumps back and forth through time, introducing us to pivotal Pearson moments from the past, present and future. In this feel-everything drama, the family is touched by tragedies and triumphs that include, but are not limited to, the Vietnam War, drug addiction, Alzheimers, emotional trauma, racism, miscarriages, breakups, drunk driving, rehab and a devastating house fire, but also healing, support, adoption, career success, humor, creativity, music and love. As we wind down to the series finale, its a great time to take a look back at some of the behind-the-scenes trivia and on-screen moments you may have missed. Break out your tissues!
The company made the announcement after equipment used to harvest iceberg lettuce tested positive for the bacteria. The tainted greens were then processed at facilities in Springfield, Ohio, and Soledad, California, before being distributed to 37 states. 

Affected store brands include Walmarts Marketside, Aldis Little Salad Bar and H-E-B label salads. The Presidents Choice brand sold in Canada was also recalled. 

How to spot recalled salads

Products subject to the recall are identified with a lot code beginning with the letter W and a Best if used by date between Dec. 22, 2021, and Jan. 9, 2022, and the letter B with a Best if used by date between Dec. 23, 2021, and Jan. 8, 2022. Shoppers can see the full list of recalled salads and corresponding lot codes (located in the upper-right-hand corner of the package) on Dole's recall announcement page.

If you have any of the recalled salads in your refrigerator, throw them away immediately, even though no illnesses associated with the affected products have been reported as of Jan. 7. Anyone with questions should contact the Dole Consumer Response Center at 800-356-3111, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT.
iStock/Getty Images Plus

En espanol | Felicia Mullaney remembers trying to help the widow of a veteran who had died at a young age of cancer.

The widow was attempting to claim a state property tax break that was designed to help veterans and their survivors, but there was a problem. To qualify, she needed proof that her husband had been totally disabled, but her husband had never applied to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a total disability rating before he died.

As a result, the widow could not get the benefit.

Were seeing a lot of people not aware of what they need to do to claim benefits, says Mullaney, director of veteran benefits for Vietnam Veterans of America. Its a pretty common problem.

Jim Marszalek, national service director for Disabled American Veterans, is familiar with the problem. He says that even though the VA conducts classes for service members before they leave the military to acquaint them with benefits, many service members are focused on immediate concerns, not on benefits that might help them and their families in the future.

When you get out, its stressful. You want to look for a job and move on, he says.

Plus, Marszalek says, many benefits hinge on having a condition that the VA labels a disability, and theres a stigma associated with disability.

Such feelings, combined with the complicated rules involved in qualifying for benefit programs, often mean that survivors of veterans end up like the widow whom Mullaney was trying to help, missing out on benefits they deserve, experts say.

Some of the most important benefits that survivors should explore include:

Compensation for survivors

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is one of the most valuable benefits available to veterans survivors. People who meet the criteria for DIC can get tens of thousands of dollars a year in tax-free payments.

DIC payment rates are adjusted annually. In 2022, surviving spouses of veterans who have died since Jan. 1, 1993 will receive about $1,440 a month, with supplementary payments possible if the veteran was disabled or if the spouse is disabled or caring for minor children. (The VA uses a different scale for veterans who died before 1993, with DIC rates ranging from about $1,440 to $3,290, plus supplements, depending on the deceaseds pay grade.)

Dependent children may also qualify for DIC payments, and some parents of deceased veterans can get benefits if their income is low.

DIC payments are not automatic and not everyone is eligible. Survivors must apply for the benefit, and the sooner they do it, the better. If they apply more than 12 months after the service members death, payments are retroactive only to the date they applied, not the date the veteran died. In most cases, surviving spouses lose eligibility if they remarry.

The program is designed to compensate survivors when service members die during their service, or as a result of a service-connected disability. It also compensates survivors in cases where veterans die from a cause unrelated to their service but were rated by the VA as being totally disabled from a service-connected disability for a certain amount of time immediately before their death.

Experts cite the program as one of the reasons veterans should apply for total disability ratings as soon as they are eligible.

If you dont have permanent and total, try to get it, says Mullaney. Dont wait until you think you are dying.

Health care

Another valuable benefit available to eligible survivors is comprehensive health coverage from the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Under this program, the VA shares the cost of most health care services and medical supplies that it considers necessary for eligible surviving spouses and children. In most cases, eligibility for the coverage depends on the degree of a veterans service-connected disability.

Comprehensive health coverage is also available under the VAs Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program to children of Vietnam veterans and certain Korean War veterans who have been diagnosed with spina bifida.

More limited health coverage is available in specific situations. For example, service members spouses and children who lived at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1953 and the end of 1987 can get reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket health care costs because of contaminated drinking water there. The benefit applies to treatment of 15 specific illnesses and medical conditions, including several forms of cancer, infertility and miscarriage.

Another targeted health benefit applies to children with certain birth defects other than spina bifida who were born to female Vietnam veterans. The Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Benefits Program (CWVV) covers services necessary for treatment of the covered birth defect and associated medical conditions.
Despite the drop in veteran unemployment to 3.2 percent in December 2021, two-thirds of all veteran and active-duty spouses employed in the civilian sector say they are underemployed in some way, according to data from the Blue Star Families annual Military Lifestyle Survey.

To help alleviate unemployment and underemployment in the veteran community, AARP created the Veteran and Military Spouses Job Center.

This free, one-stop resource will help veterans and military spouses learn how to effectively leverage their military skills and experience to give them an edge in todays competitive job market and avoid underemployment, said Broussard.

The center includes a suite of free resources to help find jobs, explore new career fields, get advice, take a job training course and more. Among the resources offered are:

AARP Job Board: Veterans can search for employers who value military experience and how it applies to their industry. Use the Veterans Wanted filter to search for employers who are actively seeking applicants with a military background.

AARP Resume Advisor: Get a free expert review of how well your resume communicates your skills, and obtain personalized recommendations on how to make your resume stand out. Discounted writing packages are also available to rewrite your resume, cover letter or LinkedIn profile.

Be Your Own Boss: Many veterans have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs in civilian life. For those interested in starting a business or a side gig, AARP has compiled resources to help aspiring entrepreneurs take that step.
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A large flock of critically endangered migratory birds, the yellow-breasted bunting, have arrived at the Boeung Prek Lapouv Protected Landscape in southern Cambodia's Takeo province during their yearly migration, a conservationist organization said on Wednesday.

The yellow-breasted bunting was considered a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2004 due to a rapid drop in population size.

The species breeds in Europe and northern Asia, and then migrates yearly to parts of Asia, including India, southern China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, for winter quarter and food from December to April, said BirdLife Cambodia in a news release.

"In January 2022, thousands of the yellow-breasted bunting have migrated to the Boeung Prek Lapouv Protected Landscape for habitats and food during their yearly migration," Bou Vorsak, program manager for BirdLife Cambodia, told Xinhua.

The yellow-breasted bunting's population in the world has declined by more than 80 percent in recent years, the news release said, adding that for Cambodia, more than 800 yellow-breasted buntings had been recorded in some provinces between 2016 and 2019. 


Up to 10.85% Copper plus Gold intersected at Horse Well

Melbourne, Jan 13, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cohiba Minerals Limited ( ASX:CHK ) is pleased to provide results for drillhole HWDD05 from the exploration drilling program at its Horse Well project in South Australia (Figure 1*).Cohiba's CEO, Andrew Graham says, "The results from drill hole HWDD05 provide further confirmation that we are drilling in the right location. The mineralisation is becoming more pervasive, and we have seen a considerable increase in gold and silver mineralisation as well as copper. Given that HWDD05 was angled from HWDD04 (same collar location) even a small step out has returned significantly improved results. We have also continued to apply considerable technical expertise on understanding the petrology, mineralogy, alteration styles and structures as these are critically important to understanding IOCG deposits and subsequent drill hole positioning. The considerable effort invested in this technical analysis will enable the Company to optimise its drilling programs for maximum success."HWDD05 was an angled hole (azimuth 55deg and dip 80deg) drilled from virtually the same collar location as hole HWDD04 to further investigate the mineralisation that was encountered in HWDD04.The analytical results for drill hole HWDD05 were completed by ALS Laboratories and have been assessed by the Company and its technical consultants. The assay results have been weighted based on the sample length and all reported intervals are continuous sample lengths.The results are summarised below:2m @ 5.2 g/t Au from 928 - 930m *47m @ 0.18% Cu, 0.18 g/t Au and 1.06 g/t Ag from 965 - 1,012mincluding:0.5m @ 1.63% Cu, 0.61 g/t Au and 9.51 g/t Ag from 986.35m0.4m @ 1.70% Cu, 2.01 g/t Au and 2.57 g/t Ag from 992.6 m3.0m @ 1.25 g/t Au from 995.0m0.5m @ 1.43% Cu, 0.53 g/t Au and 3.28 g/t Ag from 1,009.48m114.66m @ 0.37% Cu, 0.25 g/t Au and 1.0 g/t Ag from 1,095.34 - 1,210mincluding:0.5m @ 1.60% Cu and 0.63 g/t Au and 1.63 g/t Ag from 1096.5m0.9m @ 1.63% Cu, 1.0 g/t Au and 3.59 g/t Ag from 1,117.85m1.0m @ 1.74% Cu, 2.19 g/t Au and 4.53 g/t Ag from 1,122.0m1.0m @ 0.85% Cu, 5.31 g/t Au and 6.65 g/t Ag from 1,123.5m0.91m @ 3.21% Cu, 1.15 g/t Au and 2.81 g/t Ag from 1,158.85m1.14m @ 1.55% Cu, 1.78 g/t Au and 2.84 g/t Ag from 1,173.360.8m @ 10.85% Cu, 2.94 g/t Au and 20.6 g/t Ag from 1,199.0m0.5m @ 1.18% Cu, 0.26 g/t Au and 3.2 g/t Ag from 1,326.5 - 1,327m23m @ 0.37% Cu, 0.10 g/t Au and 1.9 g/t Ag from 1,362 - 1,385m* There was no sampling from 930 - 965m (35m) due to a lack of visible mineralisation but this interval will be assayed to investigate possible continuation of the gold recorded from 928 - 930m.An initial technical review of the drill core has shown that the mineralisation, brecciation and alteration styles in some of the mafic units are typical of an IOCG deposit (Figure 2*) and that the structural history of the veins reflects the "big picture" structural evolution of the Olympic Dam Breccia Complex (ODBC) with early shear and late dilational characteristics.HWDD05 also showed a strong spatial correlation between iron (Fe), copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag) and a reasonably good correlation with uranium (U) which are key characteristics of the ODBC.Ongoing petrological, mineralogical and alteration studies will be undertaken to enhance the Company's understanding of the Horse Well Prospect and to aid. to aid future drill hole targeting.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Cohiba Minerals Limited

Cohiba Minerals Limited (ASX:CHK) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with the primary focus of investing in the resource sector through direct tenement acquisition, joint ventures, farm in arrangements and new project generation. The shares of the company trade under the ticker symbol CHK.

The Company recently acquired 100% of the shares in Charge Lithium Pty Ltd, which holds exploration licences in Western Australia.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  More than 10 school districts around New Mexico  including the school system in the capital city  have announced plans in recent days to return to remote learning amid a surge of COVID-19 cases that has led to vexing staffing issues.

Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Larry Chavez announced Tuesday that schools in his district would return to remote learning next week.

The district would then go back to in-person learning a week later if conditions improve, which could leave open the possibility of an extended closure.

We are pausing because, with so many staff  teachers, bus drivers, custodial staff and nutrition workers  quarantining, we cannot currently ensure the safe operation of schools, Chavez said in a statement.

Staffing shortages are placing extreme stress and additional duties on those who remain at work, he added, saying the district had 361 new virus cases among students and staff last week, and expects the number of new infections to rise to 600 this week.

Public schools in several other New Mexico cities  including Lordsburg, Texico, Cuba, Pecos and Hagerman  have also announced plans in recent days to temporarily return to remote learning due to the wave of new cases, according to the state Public Education Department.

And more school districts could follow suit in the coming days.

The Albuquerque Public Schools, however, will stay the course and maintain in-person learning, said spokeswoman Monica Armenta.

The pandemic continues to be completely unpredictable, but, for now, our goal is to remain with in-person learning, which we believe is the best option for kids, while we mitigate the risks for students and staff, Armenta said.

The decision by some districts to return temporarily to remote learning comes as the number of new COVID-19 cases in New Mexico has hit record-high levels in recent days as the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus sweeps across the state.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases was at 3,172 new cases per day as of Tuesday after state health officials announced 2,932 new cases.

Thats higher than the previous average high of about 2,100 new cases per day set during a surge of COVID-19 infections in November 2020.

However, the states death rate due to the virus has remained below peak levels, likely due to the fact that 76.2% of New Mexico adults were fully vaccinated as of Tuesday  and 37.6% of adults had gotten a booster dose.

But there were 25 additional deaths related to COVID-19 reported by the state Department of Health Tuesday, bringing the states death toll to 6,045 residents.

New Mexico schools were closed to in-person learning by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration in March 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the state, and they remained shuttered for the rest of the school year and, with some exceptions, for most of the following school year, too.

State education officials acknowledged that the closures posed challenges to students and working parents alike, with former PED Secretary Ryan Stewart describing in-person learning as the gold standard.

A report presented in September to a key legislative panel found public school students had lost the equivalent of between 10 and 60 days of instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The negative ripple effects are expected to affect younger, at-risk students the most in a state that was already found to have failed to provide a sufficient education for all students, especially Native Americans and English-language learners.

In a Tuesday memo to school superintendents around New Mexico, top state education officials said districts should implement enhanced protocols to reduce COVID-19 transmission in school settings.

They also said the state Department of Health has secured enough rapid antigen tests to conduct regular surveillance testing for school employees, and enough so that students who are deemed close contacts can test out of mandatory quarantine.

However, Chavez said the states testing provider, Premiere Medical Group, has struggled to meet demand. He said the testing shortage was also making it difficult to meet a state mandate that school employees undergo weekly COVID-19 testing if they are not fully vaccinated with a booster shot by Jan. 17.

We cannot meet this testing mandate if the state cannot provide the tests, which places us in further jeopardy in our schools and school sites, Chavez said.

While some health officials have said the omicron variant of COVID-19 could produce milder symptoms in many individuals, the latest surge of new cases has renewed concerns about New Mexico hospitals being stretched beyond capacity.

There were 584 individuals hospitalized around the state as of Tuesday  up from 493 people a week earlier.
The state Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments today, Wednesday, as to whether a high-profile Albuquerque lawyer should be disciplined for alleging now-retired Court of Appeals Judge James J. Wechsler was biased in favor of the Navajo Nation in approving a major water rights settlement in 2013.

Victor Marshall stands to lose his license to practice law indefinitely after questioning the judges impartiality and making allegations a state disciplinary board hearing committee determined were false.

Marshall may well have crossed a line that lawyers are not allowed to cross in his comments about Judge Wechsler, especially given what information he had at the time.

Even in the zealous representation of a client, lawyers cannot make baseless accusations against a judge.

And some discipline may be warranted.

But this heavy-handed punishment goes too far and could have a chilling effect on how lawyers represent their clients and what information they relay to the media. The panel criticized Marshall for making his allegations in public pleadings and in a press release.

While criticizing judges without foundation is to undermine the integrity of our entire system of government, the public has to believe justice is blind and judges make sound rulings from a position of neutrality.

The N.M. Judicial Ethics Handbook states, A biased judge deprives the parties of the fundamental right to an impartial tribunal. Even if the judge is not actually biased, the appearance of impropriety undermines the credibility of the judicial process.

Marshall contends Wechsler didnt disclose a previous relationship with the Navajo Nation before ruling in its favor. Marshall, who represented non-Indian water users, alleged Wechsler had an undisclosed conflict of interest because he once worked for the Navajo Nation.

Wechsler and the disciplinary board panel advising the Supreme Court say there was no conflict because Wechsler worked not for the Navajo Nation, but on behalf of individual Navajos when he worked as an attorney for DNA Legal Services in the early 1970s, and that he did not participate in water rights issues.

Marshall also claimed in a court record the public might reasonably wonder whether the judge fixed this case for his former client.

Wechslers ruling in 2013 recognized the Navajo Nations right to divert 635,729 acre-feet of water per year from the San Juan River. Wechsler also approved the settlement between the state and the Navajo Nation.

Using fixed is beyond the pale; but was Marshall wrong to point out Wechsler should have disclosed his prior work?

Marshalls lawyer will surely argue if Wechsler had simply disclosed a previous relationship with Navajo clients at the outset of the 2009 case, Marshall could have at least attempted to seek the judges recusal.

And Marshall contends he should be allowed to use evidence he uncovered since his initial accusations that he says bolsters his claims. The Supreme Court has rejected looking at that new evidence.

Now a state disciplinary board panel is asking the Supreme Court to suspend Marshalls license to practice law indefinitely. An attorney for the board recommended a lesser sanction  a public censure. Marshalls attorney noted the Navajo Nation asked Wechsler to sanction Marshall but Wechsler decided not to.

Yes, words matter, and Marshall likely should face repercussions for his. But taking away his livelihood for an undetermined time is draconian.

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.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Thousands of Albuquerque municipal government employees have until next Friday to prove they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or commit to a weekly testing regimen to demonstrate they are not infected with the virus.

Mayor Tim Keller, who had so far refrained from implementing any employee vaccine requirements, announced the update Tuesday, saying the city is preparing to meet the standards set out by the federal governments workplace safety organization. The rules, issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, apply to employers with at least 100 workers. The city is budgeted for about 6,300 employees.

To be considered fully vaccinated, an employee must have had their second shot in a two-shot series (like Pfizer or Moderna) or their single-dose shot (like Johnson and Johnson) at least two weeks prior.

Keller stressed that the city is not mandating vaccines since employees can choose the testing path instead, a requirement that would start Feb. 7; however, those who opt for testing and do not show a negative test result each week risk being placed on unpaid leave. Those who test positive can use their accrued sick leave.

The citys plan drew some quick criticism. Albuquerque Area Firefighters Union President Justin Cheney said the union believes its members have the right to make their own medical decisions and that numerous firefighters contacted him out of frustration on Tuesday. While Keller said during Tuesdays news conference that the federal and state standards give him no flexibility in how to apply rules, Cheney said the mayor is still obligated to work out certain terms with the union, including what happens if tests are unavailable and who pays for them.

He has room to negotiate, Cheney said, adding that the union could take their concerns to the Labor Management Relations Board if the city administration does not pursue such negotiations.

The head of Albuquerques police union has expressed similar concerns about the lack of negotiation. He also noted that even vaccinated workers can and do contract COVID-19.

A mandate is not going to prevent any outbreaks in the Albuquerque Police Department or in the city of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Police Officers Association President Shaun Willoughby told the Associated Press.

The city expects employees who choose testing to do it on their own time; however, those who cannot manage that may ask supervisors to authorize testing during work hours, a city spokeswoman said.

Officials on Tuesday acknowledged that tests have become increasingly hard to find.

Keller said the city is working to provide access to testing via a contract with an outside provider but there is no arrangement yet.

The OSHA rules have faced legal challenges and are presently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Even if the high court strikes down the federal rules, Keller left open the possibility that he would still institute something similar at the local level. He said such a decision would likely happen in mid-February and depend on several factors.

What Ill do is I think what weve done in the past over COVID  if we think its necessary because of the safety of the city, the public health of the city or because of keeping city services running, we will certainly be open to taking unilateral action, he said.

Currently, 45 Albuquerque firefighters are out because they either tested positive for COVID or suspect they may have it and are awaiting test results, Albuquerque Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Emily Jaramillo said during Tuesdays news conference. But she said that has not interrupted service.

While case numbers have soared in New Mexico and nationwide over the past few weeks, Keller said COVID has not derailed city operations due to employee absences, but that remains a concern.

Systematically, services have not been affected, and thats a great thing, he said. Thats one of our goals and thats why it is important that we adhere to these requirements.

Leadership at Bernalillo County  which employs about 2,700 people in the metro area  had in September announced it would not require employees to get vaccinated, but offered incentives if they did and said the policy could change in the future. Asked Tuesday if Bernalillo County too would heed the OSHA rules, a spokesman said the county is currently discussing the issue and would provide more information later this week.
MANILA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines reported 32,246 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, the second-highest single-day tally since the pandemic began in January 2020, pushing the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 3,058,634.

The Department of Health (DOH) said the number of active cases or patients still battling the disease soared to 208,164 as the positivity rate rose to 45.7 percent.

The DOH also reported 144 coronavirus-related deaths, raising the country's death toll to 52,654, with 11 laboratories failing to submit data. The deaths include those who died in previous months.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the COVID-19 surge was still ongoing, adding it was still "premature" to say that the COVID-19 infections had slowed down after recording slightly lower new cases on Tuesday.

"Tuesday's caseload is not an indication that the peak is over. We might still be in the acceleration phase of our surge. I cannot say for now whether it is the beginning of a downtrend," he told an online forum on Wednesday.

Infections are beginning to spread outside Metro Manila, he added.

Duque said the lower case count reported on Tuesday was due to the failure of testing laboratories to submit data on weekends. Many health care workers, including nurses and medical technologists, contracted the virus affecting the operation.

The Philippines' COVID-19 infections surged to record levels beginning Saturday before peaking on Monday, with 33,169 cases.

Officials blamed the spike on high mobility, poor compliance with safety health protocols during the holiday season, and the fast-spreading Omicron and Delta variants.

Meanwhile, the Philippines' Department of Transportation has banned unvaccinated people in Metro Manila from using public transport while the capital region is under alert level 3 (on a scale of 5) or higher.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new policy was in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's order to restrict the movement of unvaccinated people in Metro Manila, the region with the most active and new cases.

Tugade said only those with medical conditions that prevent their complete COVID-19 vaccination and those traveling to buy food and other essentials were exempted from the "no vaccination, no ride" policy.

The Philippines, which has around a population of 110 million, has tested more than 24 million people since the outbreak. 
A man is in critical condition after driving a car into a house Tuesday evening in Northeast Albuquerque.

Daren DeAguero, an Albuquerque police spokesman, said nobody inside the home was injured.

He said the crash occurred around 7:4 p.m.in the 3500 block of Delmar NE, a few blocks northwest of Comanche and Carlisle. DeAgeuro said the driver was taken to the hospital and police will be investigating what led to the crash.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Unvaccinated Sandia National Laboratories employees can breathe a sigh of relief  at least for now.

Lab officials have decided to pause enforcement of a previously announced vaccine mandate that was set to go into effect this month, Scott Aeilts, Sandias associate labs director of mission services, told the Journal on Tuesday.

The labs decision comes amid an ongoing lawsuit that a handful of unvaccinated lab employees have filed to stop them from facing consequences for not getting their shots.

We do remain committed at Sandia to the health and safety of all of our employees or subcontractors, Aeilts said. And, at this time, we just recently made a decision to pause the enforcement of the mandate here at Sandia. So thats something we have elected to do.

Sandia officials had previously issued directives that all employees and subcontractors be fully vaccinated by mid-January.

President Joe Biden last year issued an order requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for federal workers and contractors. The requirement has faced numerous legal challenges, some of which are pending.

One of the cases was brought by Sandia employees who have formed the SNL Workforce Freedom Alliance. The group filed a complaint and request for injunctive relief in federal court last month.

Ana Garner, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said previously that the case was an effort to stop the labs from putting negative pressure on employees who refuse to get vaccinated. She could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for Sandia said the labs announced last week a pause on any disciplinary action against employees who have not been vaccinated, as well as on processing religious or medical exemptions.

Despite the pause in enforcement, Sandia continues to encourage the small percentage of employees who remain unvaccinated to become fully vaccinated to create a safer workplace at the labs and help deter community spread, Manette Fisher, a spokeswoman for the labs, said in an email.

The Office of Management and Budget has said agencies can use discretion in terms of what action to take against unvaccinated employees, the Hill, a newspaper and digital media company in Washington, D.C., reported this week.

Sandia officials previously told the Journal that the vast majority of its roughly 12,300 employees and contractors in New Mexico are fully vaccinated.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Archbishop John C. Wester called for universal, verifiable nuclear disarmament in a pastoral letter delivered Tuesday during an online news conference.

The missive is an official letter from Wester to the clergy and members of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

Wester noted that the archdiocese has a special role to play in advocating for nuclear disarmament given the presence of the Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories in New Mexico.

Wester visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2017.

It was a somber, sobering experience as I realized that on August 6, 1945, humanity crossed the line into the darkness of the nuclear age, Wester wrote.

The letter, titled Living in the Light of Christs Peace, notes that speaking against nuclear weapons has long been a priority of the Catholic Church.

The Vatican was the first nation state to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

While arguing against the use and proliferation of nuclear weapons, Wester wrote we need to encourage life-affirming jobs for New Mexicans in cleanup, nonproliferation programs, and addressing climate change.

Answering a question about the economic impact and support of the labs for the state, Wester said, there are many ways to convert what the laboratories are doing today to peaceful means. Converting current jobs is doable, is possible and there are ways of replacing those jobs with these peaceful, life affirming means, he said.

In January five nuclear weapons nations released a joint statement saying they consider the avoidance of war between nuclear weapon states and the reduction of strategic risks as our foremost responsibilities.

Wester said he had seen the statement and was encouraged by it. Thats precisely what we need for our leaders to be talking about this very thing. Thats so important and so critical at that level.
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.  Navajo President Jonathan Nez has signed legislation to provide $557 million in hardship assistance to tribal members amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Nez approved the bill last week to send $2,000 checks to adult tribal members and $600 for each child using federal virus relief funding. The Navajo Nation doesnt issue per capita payments to tribal members, which made the widespread financial assistance rare and highly anticipated.

Nez urged tribal members to use the money responsibly, including to help the elderly, students and veterans or to pay outstanding bills.

Remember, were not out of this pandemic yet, Nez said. So dont go and spend all this money. Put some aside, the pandemic is still here. Plan.

The Navajo Nation Council voted to tap some of the $2.1 billion the tribe received from the American Rescue Plan Act that President Joe Biden signed last year. The money will be sent to tribal members who applied a year ago for relief funds under a previous round of hardship assistance.

An estimated 250,000 adults each will receive $2,000 payments, and the parents or guardians of 95,000 tribal members under the age of 18 will receive $600 for each child.

Nez previously approved $300 checks for tribal residents 60 and older who showed they needed extra assistance under separate legislation. The tribe was up against a deadline to spend the $16 million it had from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act approved by former President Donald Trump, or have it revert to the federal government.

The Navajo Nation also used CARES Act funding to send the first round of hardship assistance payments.
SEATTLE  A Neo-Nazi who helped lead a campaign to threaten journalists and Jewish activists in three states was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in federal prison  the longest prison term handed out to the participants in the conspiracy.

A jury convicted Kaleb Cole in September of five felony counts related to the delivery of Swastika-laden posters to journalists and employees of the Anti-Defamation League in Washington state, Arizona and Florida in early 2020. The posters warned: You have been visited by your local Nazis, Your Actions have Consequences, and We are Watching.

Seattle U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour handed down the sentence after hearing from victims who spoke of lingering fear and installing expensive home security systems in response to the threats. Miri Cypers, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, described picking up toys from her yard before fleeing to a hotel so that Cole and his followers would not know she had a daughter.

U.S. Attorney Nick Brown credited the victims for facing Cole in court: Their courage has resulted in the federal prison sentence imposed today, he said.

The judge noted that Cole, 26, had tried to operate under the anonymity of the internet, and that when journalists, including Chris Ingalls of Seattles KING-TV, exposed him, He took great pains to silence them through threats and intimidation.

To function as a democratic society, we need reliable and truthful journalism, Coughenour said.

Unlike others sentenced in the case, Cole expressed no remorse, which helped explain why his sentence was more than twice as long as that of the conspiracys other leader, Cameron Shea. At his sentencing, Shea told the court, I cannot put into words the guilt that I feel about this fear and pain that I caused.

Cole, most recently of Montgomery, Texas, was a leader of a hate group called Atomwaffen Division. He and four others faced charges including conspiracy, mailing threatening communications and interfering with a federally protected activity. The posters included images such as a hooded figure preparing to throw a Molotov cocktail at a house, and the words Death to Pigs  the same message followers of Charles Manson scrawled in victims blood during a home invasion murder.

Cole had been on law enforcements radar since at least 2018, when he was stopped at U.S. Customs upon returning from a trip to Europe. Authorities searched his cellphone and found photos of him posing at various sites, including at the gates of Auschwitz, or displaying a white supremacist flag and performing the Nazi salute.

Investigators said he became a leader of Atomwaffen Division after another leader was arrested on explosives charges.

In 2019, Seattle police obtained an extreme risk protection order against him, seizing nine guns from his home. They said Cole had gone from espousing hate to now taking active steps or preparation for an impending race war.'

Those steps including organizing paramilitary-style hate camps in Nevada and Washington, investigators said.

After the weapons were seized, Cole moved to Texas, where he was found in a speeding car with another Atomwaffen member, marijuana and four guns, including three assault rifles.

Coles grandmother, JoAnne Powell, pleaded with the judge for leniency Tuesday, insisting that her grandson was a good man who made some poor decisions and never meant to hurt anyone.

I beg that you would not look at him with hatred for what his political views have been, she said. Kaleb is not a violent or mean person.

Coles attorney, Christopher Black, insisted that he was not really a leader of the conspiracy, and that the threat campaign was Sheas idea. He acknowledged that Cole made the posters and offered suggestions in carrying out the effort, but said others charged had done similar work.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Woods disagreed, saying Cole stood out from the other defendants for his lack of remorse. He decried racism and religious intolerance said its the great tragedy of this country, 250 years in, so many Americans have that feeling of unease.

That was his identity, his lifes work to this point: hate, targeting people to instill terror, Woods said. And it worked.

The other two defendants were Johnny Roman Garza, of Queen Creek, Arizona, who was sentenced to 16 months for affixing one of the posters on the bedroom window of a Jewish journalist, and Taylor Parker-Dipeppe, of Spring Hill, Florida, who received no prison time for attempting to deliver a flier but leaving it at the wrong address. Parker-Dipeppe was severely abused by his father and stepfather and hid his transgender identity from his co-conspirators and the judge found that he had suffered enough.
BERLIN  Victims of torture in Syria and human rights activists say they hope the upcoming verdict in a landmark trial will be a first step toward justice for countless Syrians who suffered abuse at the hands of President Bashar Assads government in the countrys long-running conflict.

A court in the German city of Koblenz is scheduled to deliver its ruling Thursday in the trial of Anwar Raslan, a former Syrian secret police officer who is accused of crimes against humanity for overseeing the abuse of detainees at a jail near Damascus a decade ago.

Speaking this week before the verdict, one of those who testified against Raslan said that whatever the outcome, the court proceedings in Germany would send an important message that those responsible for crimes in Syria can be held to account.

As Syrians who suffered a lot, especially after the beginning of the revolution, (the trials shows) those sufferings are not in vain, said Wassim Mukdad, a torture survivor and co-plaintiff who  like the defendant  now lives in Germany.

Mukdad was among dozens of witnesses who testified against Raslan and a second defendant, Eyad al-Gharib, who was convicted last year of accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced by the Koblenz state court to 4 years in prison.

The court concluded that al-Gharib was part of a unit which detained anti-government protests and took them to a facility in the Syrian city of Douma known as Al Khatib, or Branch 251, where they were tortured.

Federal prosecutors allege that Raslan was the senior officer in charge of the jail and supervised the systematic and brutal torture of more than 4,000 prisoners between April 2011 and September 2012, resulting in the deaths of at least 58 people.

The court heard evidence implicating Raslan in 30 of those deaths, said Patrick Kroker, a lawyer with the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights who represented several survivors at the trial. Instances of sexual violence are also being considered as part of the charge, he said.

A key part of the evidence against Raslan were the photographs of alleged torture victims smuggled out of Syria by a former police officer, who goes by the alias of Caesar.

Raslan could face life in prison if convicted. His lawyers asked the court last week to acquit their client, claiming that he never personally tortured anybody and that he defected in late 2012.

Kroker said that while the trial is the first of its kind worldwide, it doesnt set a legal precedent the way cases do in the American or British legal system. However, other courts can cite the verdict and evidence heard in Koblenz, he said.

With Russia and China using their vetoes to block attempts by the U.N. Security Council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court, countries like Germany that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction for serious crimes will increasingly become the venue for such trials, Kroker said.

About 800,000 Syrians have sought refuge in Germany since the start of the war, including Raslan and al-Gharib, who were arrested in 2019. The Koblenz courts decision not to provide Arabic translations to spectators for most of the 107 hearings or allow the trial to be recorded for the historical record has been a disappointment.

Still, Mukdad  the co-plaintiff  said he was relieved that Raslan was getting a fair trial.

This is actually what we strived for, he said. To solve our problems through laws and through fair trials, not through violence and counter-violence, not through revenge and the law of the jungle.

Its a long way, I know, but every long way starts with a step, he added. And for me, this is the first step.

His comments were echoed by Yasmen Almashan, who lost five of her brothers and who now speaks for the Caesar Family Association, a group that has been able to identify missing relatives based on the photos.

Justice must not stop, it must continue, she told The Associated Press ahead of the verdict. It must be just the beginning.

Conservative estimates put the number of those detained or forcibly disappeared in Syria at 149,000, more than 85% of them at the hands of the Syrian government, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Most disappeared or were detained soon after peaceful protests erupted in March 2011 against Assads government, which responded to the rallies with a brutal crackdown.

Activists say the effects go beyond those detained or disappeared. Relatives are stuck in time, forced to pay bribes to find out their loved ones fate or search through a network of prisons and detention facilities where torture is rampant. Rights groups say thousands died from torture in confinement.

The Syrian government denies it is holding any political prisoners, labelling its opposition terrorists. After battlefield wins, it has negotiated limited prisoner exchanges with various armed groups, which families say offer partial solutions for a very small number of people.

A Syrian doctor, Alaa M., is expected to go on trial in Germany this year accused of torturing an inmate at a prison run by military intelligence in his home country.

___

Sarah El Deeb in Beirut contributed to this report.
MOSCOW  Moscow and Washington both took uncompromising stands Tuesday ahead of more talks amid a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine, with the U.S. rebuffing a demand to halt NATO expansion and the Kremlin saying it will quickly see if its worthwhile to even keep negotiating.

At Mondays talks in Geneva, Russia insisted on guarantees precluding NATOs expansion to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations and demanded to roll back the military alliances deployments in Eastern Europe. The U.S. firmly rejected the demands as a nonstarter.

The U.S. envoy to NATO set a tough tone for the next talks with Moscow, ruling out any concessions on the alliances eastward expansion. We will not allow anyone to slam NATOs open-door policy shut, said U.S. Ambassador Julianne Smith.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the Geneva talks as open, comprehensive and direct, but emphasized that Moscow wants quick results. We see no significant reason for optimism, he told reporters.

Peskov said Russia-NATO talks in Brussels on Wednesday and a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna on Thursday would show whether further negotiations are worthwhile.

It will become clear in what direction and how to proceed and if it makes sense, he said. We absolutely wouldnt accept dragging this process out endlessly.

Smith said not a single ally inside the NATO alliance is willing to budge or negotiate anything as it relates to NATOs open-door policy.

We stand firm in pushing back on security proposals that are simply nonstarters, she told reporters. Theres widespread unity and consensus across the alliance on the challenge that sits before us.

The U.S. estimates Russia has massed about 100,000 troops near Ukraine, a buildup that has stoked fears of an invasion. Moscow says it has no plans to attack and rejects Washingtons demand to pull back its forces, saying it has the right to deploy them wherever necessary.

President Vladimir Putin has warned Moscow would take unspecified military-technical measures if the U.S. and its allies dont meet its demands. He spoke with members of his Security Council, saying he wanted to discuss unspecified issues related to security and infrastructure in border areas.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said it was too early to tell whether the Russians are serious about the path to diplomacy or not, or whether they will use the talks as a pretext to claim that diplomacy couldnt possibly work and move forward with an invasion.

Psaki sidestepped questions about whether the U.S. agreed the Geneva talks did not provide reason for greater optimism. She noted, however, that they had included discussions about the placement of missiles in Europe and reciprocal limits on military exercises.

There are a range of discussions that can be a part of a diplomatic path, but ultimately its up to the Russians to determine about whether theyre going to take a serious approach, she said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who led the Russian delegation in Geneva, said afterward that it would be hard to make any progress on other issues if the U.S. and its allies stonewall Moscows demand for guarantees precluding NATOs expansion.

The U.S. and its allies reject the demand for NATO not to admit new members, emphasizing that a key alliance principle is that membership is open to any qualifying country and no outsiders have veto power. But Washington and NATO also say they are ready to discuss arms control, confidence-building measures, greater transparency and risk reduction if Russia takes a constructive stance.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said she briefed the North Atlantic Council on her talks in Geneva. The United States is committed to working in lockstep with our Allies and partners to urge de-escalation and respond to the security crisis caused by Russia, she tweeted.

The U.S. warned that Russia will face unprecedented sanctions if it attacks Ukraine.

Amid the tensions, the Russian military said 3,000 troops were taking part in drills at firing ranges in the Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Smolensk regions near Ukraine.

In 2014, Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of its Moscow-friendly leader and threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in the countrys east, where more than seven years of fighting has killed over 14,000 people.

A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany has helped end large-scale battles, but frequent skirmishes have continued and efforts to negotiate a political settlement have failed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Tuesday in Kyiv with French and German officials on prospects for another meeting of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, saying he wanted substantive talks on ending the conflict.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, saying Kyiv and Washington remain united in seeking de-escalation through diplomacy and strength.

___

Aamer Madhani and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington and Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed.
NEW YORK  The Oscar race may be missing in-person glitz this year, but it doesnt lack for star power. Will Smith, Lady Gaga and Ben Affleck landed individual nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards on Wednesday, while the casts of Belfast and CODA were among those nominated for the guilds top award, best ensemble.

The nominees were announced Wednesday by actors Vanessa Hudgens and Rosario Dawson on Instagram Live. While the nominations were conducted virtually due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the streamed announcement still represented one of the most meaningful mornings in an awards season largely snuffed out by the pandemic.

Joining Kenneth Branaghs semi-autobiographical Belfast and the coming-of-age drama CODA for best ensemble were the casts for Ridley Scotts true-tale, high-camp House of Gucci, Adam McKays apocalypse comedy Dont Look Up and the family tennis drama King Richard. Notably left out were the casts of Steven Spielbergs lavish West Side Story revival (which landed a supporting nod for Ariana DeBose) and Jane Campions The Power of the Dog. Campions gothic drama, though, landed individual SAG nominations for Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

The SAG Awards have more of the awards season spotlight this year since the Golden Globes  usually the kickoff party to final Oscar stretch  made barely a peep. The Globes were unceremoniously announced Sunday on Twitter in a private ceremony due to Hollywoods boycott of the beleaguered Hollywood Foreign Press Association over diversity and ethical issues. The omicron surge also prompted the Critics Choice Awards to postpone its Jan. 9 in-person gala. For the second straight year, Oscar season has gone virtual  and struggled to make much noise.

But the SAG nominations suggest that plenty of famous faces are in the hunt this year. Along with Will Smith (King Richard) and Cumberbatch, the nominees for best male lead actor are: Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth), Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick  Boom!) and Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos).

Up for best female lead are: Lady Gaga (House of Gucci), Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter), Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos) and Jennifer Hudson (Respect).

Joining Dunst and DeBose in the best female supporting category are Caitriona Balfe (Belfast), Cate Blanchett (Nightmare Alley) and Ruth Negga (Passing). The best male supporting nominees are: Affleck (The Tender Bar), Bradley Cooper (Licorice Pizza), Troy Kotsur (CODA), Jared Leto (House of Gucci) and Smit-McPhee.

Kotsur is the first deaf actor to land an individual SAG nomination.

The SAG Awards, presented by the actors guild SAG-AFTRA, are among the most reliable Oscar bellwethers. Seldom does a movie or performance not nominated by the screen actors end up winning at the Academy Awards. Actors make up the biggest percentage of the film academy, so their choices have the largest sway.

But last year, SAG and the academy diverged more than usual. Only one of its acting winners  Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah)  repeated at the Oscars. (The other SAG winners were Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis in Ma Raineys Black Bottom, and Yuh-Jung Youn in Minari.) The Aaron Sorkin courtroom drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 won best ensemble at a virtual SAG Awards while Chloe Zhaos Nomadland  which included many nonprofessional actors and went unnominated for SAGs ensemble award  triumphed at the Oscars.

That history will give hope to supporters of Kristen Stewart (Spencer), maybe the most notable performer overlooked Wednesday. Others that missed out include Peter Dinklage (Cyrano), Ciaran Hinds (Belfast) and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story).

While some have rooted for some of the years most popular blockbusters to give the flagging Oscars a populist jolt, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dune and No Time To Die received no major nominations from the actors guild. Dune and No Time to Die did, though, join Black Widow, The Matrix Resurrections and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in the stunt ensemble category.

Yet possibly the most popular TV series of 2021 did haul in plenty of recognition. Netflixs much-watched Squid Game was nominated for four SAG awards including best drama series.

Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk on Wednesday recalled watching the hoopla at awards ceremonies held at the Shrine Auditorium across the street from the University of Southern California when he was studying there.

At the time, I told myself Id like to feature my work at American film awards one day, he said in an interview. Now, I think back to those memories.

The series star Lee Jung-jae said he felt an electrical shock when his name was announced among the nominees. A veteran of Korean TV and film, hes laughed off U.S. media questions about overnight success.

Ive decided Im now a newbie actor! he said Wednesday, clutching a bottle of wine.

The television nominations were also led by HBOs Succession (four nods including best drama series and best actor for Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox); Ted Lasso (five nods including best comedy series); and The Morning Show (four nods including best drama series).

The 28th annual SAG Awards are to be held Feb. 27 and will be broadcast on TNT and TBS. The Oscars are scheduled for March 27.

___

AP Entertainment Writer Juwon Park contributed to this report from Seoul, South Korea. Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
DENVER  Grocery store workers in the Denver area went on strike Wednesday after their union rejected the latest contract offer from a chain of stores owned by Kroger Co., the nations largest traditional grocery store chain.

Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 allege unfair labor practices by King Soopers. King Soopers has accused the union of the same thing.

On Tuesday, the union rejected a contract offer that included $170 million for wage increases and health care benefits and bonuses ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 for ratifying the contract, The Denver Post reported.

Our original offer on the table was $148 million in wage increases. We raised that to $170 million this morning, which is the largest wage increase in the history of King Soopers and City Market, Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers and City Market said Tuesday.

The company operates both King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado.

Union President Kim Cordova said King Soopers has not provided information it needs on items including wages, pensions, health care to evaluate the proposal. It also included unacceptable provisions, including restricting workers ability to work overtime, she said.

King Soopers and City Market said stores will remain open despite the strike.
Meow Wolf has a new leader.

The Santa Fe-based arts collective announced that Jose Tolosa will become the new CEO.

Tolosa worked with ViacomCBS for 14 years before coming to Meow Wolf.

Meow Wolf has imagination at its core, said Tolosa, It is not only poised to impact communities and artists, as it has already proven, but to change the way people think and experience the world around them. This unique and pivotal moment in the companys history is an opportunity to seek sustainable, thoughtful growth, expanding our exhibitions and engaging beyond the four walls.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Tolosa is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Georgetown University.

Tolosa takes over the role from co-CEOs Carl Christensen, Ali Rubinstein and Jim Ward, who became interim co-CEOs in October 2019.

Ward, originally chief content officer, stepped down as co-CEO in 2021 and remains an advisor to the company. Christensen and Rubinstein will return to their original roles as chief financial officer and chief creative officer, respectively.

Ali, Carl and Jim have been instrumental in building Meow Wolf into a strong, strategic business for the past two years and we could not be more grateful for their leadership, said Christopher Sobecki, chairman of Meow Wolfs board. We are excited for the new focus Jose will bring to the company as we continue to take Meow Wolf into new dimensions.

Meow Wolf continued to grow in 2021 as it opened its permanent installations, Omega Mart in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Convergence Station in Denver.

According to Meow Wolf, it welcomed over 1.7 million visitors at its three locations, which includes its original installation House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe.

The company plans to continue hiring across all locations, with Santa Fe remaining as its creative headquarters.

Meow Wolfs mission continues to be inspiring creativity through art, exploration and play so that imagination can change the world, Rubinstein said. 2021 proved this is possible and set the stage for what is to come. We are ready to create more and inspire more, and we believe Jose will guide this effort beautifully.
Commentary: Perverse hegemonism behind U.S. disastrous democratic experiments

08:23, January 12, 2022 By Guo Yage ( Xinhua

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

For quite some time, under the pretense of concern for democratic values and human prosperity, the United States has launched countless disastrous democratic experiments across the world, a bellicist enterprise that reveals its perverse zero-sum reckoning, hegemony and hypocrisy. In fact, the lives of the ordinary are the last thing it cares about.

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The day of remembrance for the Capitol riot has set off a new round of taunts between the two major U.S. political parties and triggered fiery speeches about how the so-called "American democracy" is under urgent threat.

But while politicians from both parties have been giving the utmost attention to this tragedy to cream their rivals under the cloak of "the will of the American people," none of them have ever taken seriously any other bloodshed the United States created overseas in history, the casualties of which were often hundreds of thousands of times higher.

For quite some time, under the pretense of concern for democratic values and human prosperity, the United States has launched countless disastrous democratic experiments across the world, a bellicist enterprise that reveals its perverse zero-sum reckoning, hegemony and hypocrisy. In fact, the lives of the ordinary are the last thing it cares about.

With the declared aim of preventing more human suffering in Yugoslavia, the U.S.-led NATO forces carried out continuous air strikes in 78 days against the country, leaving more than 8,000 civilians dead or injured, and nearly 1 million displaced.

People gather at the Kabul airport during evacuation in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2021, after the Taliban's takeover of Kabul on Aug. 15. (Xinhua)

Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya have also been America's overseas testing grounds for the so-called "democracy promotion."

The U.S.-launched war has killed around 50,000 Afghan civilians from 2001 to mid-April 2020, and reduced some 11 million to refugees. The scene of terrified Afghan civilians trying to scale airport fences and chase airplanes in Kabul was in chilling echo of what happened in 1975, when overfilled U.S. Army helicopters lifted evacuees from the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.

Besides, the years of bloodshed have left more than 200,000 Iraqi civilians dead, and dragged Libya into greater turmoil.

In fact, research last year by anti-war group CODEPINK revealed that an average of 46 bombs have been dropped on other countries per day by the United States and its allies since 2001.

Behind the so-called democracy, which U.S. writer William Blum described in his book as "America's deadliest export," is a group of arrogant and selfish U.S. politicians, businessmen and arms dealers exploiting the term either for pursuing America's global domination or for satisfying their personal interests. That is why the United States has, from its first days, colluded with terrorist groups whenever it feels necessary.

Iraqi protesters take part in a demonstration against the presence of U.S. troops in the country in Baghdad, capital of Iraq, Jan. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Its democratic experiments abroad have eroded democracy in international relations, as the country has grossly interfered in other countries' domestic affairs and undermined the international system and rules. Just as Blum pointed out in his book, the United States has tried to overthrow more than 50 foreign governments since the end of World War II, interfered in elections in at least 30 nations, and attempted to assassinate over 50 foreign leaders.

More and more people around the world have come to realize that the U.S. enterprise of "democracy aid" is hardly of, by and for the people. For example, few countries in the Middle East and no North African countries have participated in the so-called "Summit for Democracy" put together by the United States in December. America's democratic promotion does not even sell in its domestic market.

"From the COVID-19 pandemic to global trade rules, from climate change to economic development, the United States is actively frustrating the priorities of most of the world's democracies. In the process, U.S. foreign policy is -- in the name of democracy -- compounding the global crisis of democracy and delegitimizing U.S. power," said U.S. magazine Foreign Affairs in July.

Any attempt to monopolize democracy, deny the legitimacy of other development paths, and reshape the world in a single image is the greatest damage to global democracy, and runs totally counter to humanity's common aspiration of peace, stability and common development.

It is time for the United States to wake up to that, stop its bloody democratic experiments immediately, and leave other countries alone, if it truly wants to hold onto its democratic values.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Two women have lost their lives and a teenage girl was seriously wounded by an unexploded ordnance blast in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar, a local official confirmed on Wednesday.

"The incident occurred in a house in Warsak village, Lal Pur district, on Tuesday when an explosive remnants of war (ERW) exploded," Basir Zabuli from provincial police directorate told Xinhua.

According to the source, one of the victims has found and brought the ERW after they returned collecting firewood from nearby mountains, in an effort to sell the item as scrap metals in the village.

Afghan officials use the term ERW referring to unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO).

Landmines, anti-personnel mines as well as ERWs left behind from wars kill or maim about 120 people every month in the post-conflict country, according to Afghanistan's State Ministry for Disaster Management.

On Monday, at least six children and a vendor were killed and several others wounded when an ERW exploded outside a school in remote Lal Pur district, near the border with Pakistan. 
NEW ORLEANS  A severely corroded pipeline ruptured and spilled more than 300,000 gallons (1.1 million liters) of diesel fuel just outside New Orleans after the operator delayed needed repairs, according to federal records.

Most of the fuel drained into two artificial ponds called borrow pits and thousands of fish, birds and other animals were killed, state and local officials said Wednesday. The spill also contaminated soil, according to state and federal officials.

The pipelines owner said 315,000 gallons (1.2 million gallons) of fuel with some water mixed in had been skimmed and recovered, primarily from the ponds. Cleanup work is ongoing.

The spill from the 16-inch-diameter (40-centimeter-diameter) line operated by Collins Pipeline Co. was discovered Dec. 27 near a levee in St. Bernard Parish, just east of New Orleans, according to documents from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The spill had not been previously publicly reported.

An inspection of the 42-year-old Meraux Pipeline more than a year earlier, in October 2020, revealed external corrosion along a 22-foot (7-meter) section of pipe at the same site as the spill, federal records show.

The pipe had apparently lost 75% of its metal where the corrosion was worst, which would have required immediate repair, according to the records. But work was delayed and the line continued operating after a second inspection concluded the corrosion was not bad enough to require immediate repair under federal rules, the records show.

The spilled fuel also contaminated soil in an environmentally sensitive area near the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, a closed canal, according to state and federal officials. A small amount of diesel remains in the two borrow pits, said Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Gregory Langley.

The spill killed 2,300 fish and more than 100 other animals, including 39 snakes, 32 birds, a few eels and a blue crab, according to statistics provided by Robert Trey Iles, a spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Nearly 130 animals  72 alligators, 23 birds, 20 snakes and 12 turtles  were captured for rehabilitation, he said.

Diesel is a highly toxic petroleum product that can kill fish and plants that come into direct contact with it, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Fuel from small spills can evaporate or disperse naturally in just a couple of days but larger spills can take months to degrade.

A pipeline safety advocate said it was maddening that the corrosion was known about for more than a year prior to the spill yet fuel kept flowing through the 125-mile-long (200-kilometer-long) line from Chalmette to a storage terminal in Collins, Mississippi.

Its especially maddening to learn that Collins Pipelines initial analysis deemed the pipe in such poor condition that it warranted an immediate repair, said Bill Caram with the Pipeline Safety Trust. The Bellingham, Washington-based organization advocates for more stringent oversight of the nations sprawling network of pipelines transporting oil, natural gas and other hazardous fuels.

Collins Pipeline is a subsidiary of Parsippany, New Jersey-based PBF Energy Inc., which owns six petroleum refineries in the U.S. including the Chalmette Refinery in St. Bernard Parish.

The company repaired the line at a cost of $500,000 and resumed operations last Saturday, PBF Vice President Michael Karlovich told The Associated Press in an email. An environmental damage assessment is pending, he said.

Although we continue to remediate and monitor the area, on-water recovery operations have been completed, Karlovich said. He said the site is about 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) from the Mississippi River, not just a few hundred feet away as federal officials said.

In an order to PBF Chairman Thomas Nimbley describing the steps the company had to take before it restarted the line, the associate administrator of the federal pipeline safety agency, Alan Mayberry, identified the probable cause of the spill as localized corrosion and metal loss based on preliminary reports.

More than two months before the spill, a PBF Energy representative said in an October 2021 email to federal pipeline regulators that the company had completed repairs on another flawed section of the line, but was still awaiting approval to address the corrosion found in the vicinity of the rupture site, according to federal records.

The company already had reduced pressure inside the line in November 2020, shortly after the corrosion was first found. The company reduced the pressure it slightly more in November 2021 because it had not repaired the line within a time frame required under federal regulations, according to pipeline officials.

Federal regulators have initiated six enforcement cases against Collins Pipeline since 2007. They include a 2021 warning letter alleging management problems at the companys pipeline control room in Texas and a 2011 warning for not conducting external corrosion tests frequently enough, federal records show.

No fines or other penalties were levied against the company, according to the records.

___

Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
The next three Albuquerque International Balloon Fiestas are going to be powered by ExxonMobil.

One of the worlds largest producers and refiners of petroleum products has been named as the fiestas presenting sponsor, Paul Smith, the fiestas executive director, said Wednesday.

ExxonMobil has signed on as presenting sponsor through 2024, Smith said, adding that the company had already been a major sponsor  they just elevated their game.

The company began flying balloons in the fiesta in 2019 under its subsidiary, XTO Energy, and again in 2021 under the ExxonMobil banner. It was also a sponsor of a VIP tent, the online production of Balloon Fiesta Live, and the video boards on Main Street, Smith said.

In addition to these sponsorships, he said, theyre going to be in all of our advertising, and whenever we talk about the fiesta it will be the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta powered by ExxonMobil.

Smith declined to say how much ExxonMobil paid for the sponsorship. However, the last presenting sponsor, Canon U.S.A. Inc., in a lawsuit filed against the fiesta, sought the return of $250,000 after the 2020 Balloon Fiesta was put on hiatus because of the COVID pandemic.

ExxonMobils New Mexico production manager, Rick Cannon, said in a statement, We are honored to serve as presenting sponsor of one of New Mexicos most well-known and enchanting events. As a major energy producer in New Mexico, we are committed to both being an industry leader and to supporting New Mexican traditions and aspirations. We look forward to joining the Balloon Fiesta team, the ballooning community and New Mexicans in lifting off the 50th Fiesta this October.

Al Tetreault, president of the fiestas board of directors, said, the board was delighted to welcome ExxonMobil as the new presenting sponsor. Their employees live and work here and this sponsorship of the states largest tourism event demonstrates their commitment to New Mexico and its rich traditions, he said.

The annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is billed as the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. The 2019 event generated $186.82 million in total economic impact of which $109.89 million was in direct spending at local businesses and lodging. The fiesta that year saw 866,414 guests.

Attendance for the 2021 fiesta, held with some mask and other COVID safety measures in place, was down 9.5%, compared with the 2019 event. In addition, three of 14 balloon sessions were canceled because of weather.

Because economic impact surveys are conducted every other year, there were no revenue numbers available for 2021. The next survey will be at the conclusion of the 50th golden anniversary event, scheduled for Oct. 1-9.
Instagram Celebrity

When announcing that she has given birth to her first child with the 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' rapper, 'The Real' co-host thanks God for giving her family while she only asked for 'a life of love and happiness.'

Jan 12, 2022

AceShowbiz - Jeannie Mai is officially a mom. The co-host of "The Real" has announced that she welcomed her first child with rapper Jeezy (Young Jeezy). Taking to her social media account, she expressed her gratitude.

"I asked God for a life of love and happiness," the 43-year-old TV personality wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, January 11 alongside a photo of a baby hospital crib. "He sent me my family. Baby Jenkins is here [red heart emoji]."

Her post has since been flooded with congratulatory messages. Cynthia Bailey commented, "Congrats! [red heart emojis]," while Tamera Mowry left a bunch of red heart emojis. Also sending warm note was Adrienne Bailon, who wrote, "CONGRATULATIONS [heart emojis] so happy for you!!! Can't wait to meet Baby Jenkins. Xx."

Jeannie began trying to start a family with the 44-year-old rapper ahead of their March 2021 wedding in Georgia. After suffering a pregnancy loss, the California native considered in vitro fertilization but ended up conceiving naturally.

"It was the most beautiful sign that anything's possible, that you're not in control and God has a plan," Jeannie told Women's Health last September while announcing her pregnancy news. The "Dancing with the Stars" alum added, "Being a mom is hands down the hardest role in the entire world. Now that we're bringing another Jenkins into the picture, I have no idea what to expect."

Jeannie often shared her pregnancy journey on social media. Days after announcing that she's expecting her first child, she shared a sweet video of Jeezy listening to the baby's heartbeat. A month later, she showed the first sonogram of the baby.

Then in November, Jeannie threw a travel-themed baby shower. "It was our first ever baby shower for Baby Jenkins and we had the best time!" she said of the bash. "We wanted it to be travel-themed since every discussion about Baby J took place on many of our adventures around the world. We invited the special people in our lives, guys and girls, and enjoyed the warm day overlooking Los Angeles. We were so thankful to share this with family and friends."

The bash was attended by 50 guests, including "The Real" co-host Adrienne and her husband Israel Houghton as well as former "The Talk" co-host Elaine Welteroth, DJ Ruckus and Too Faced co-founders Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson. The party incorporated drinks that played with Jeannie and Jeezy's decision to not find out the baby's gender such as the "It's maybe a girl Aperol" and "I think it's a boy Blueberry
WENN/FayesVision TV

The half-hour series will see the 'Office' alum portraying a psychotherapist who finds himself being held prisoner by a serial killer, portrayed by the 'Star Wars' actor, with an unusual request.

Jan 12, 2022

AceShowbiz - The cast for upcoming FX limited series "The Patient" has further taken shape. "About Time" actor Domnhall Gleeson has been tapped to star on the series, on which he is set to join Steve Carell in the 10-episode show's cast.

The half-hour series will see Carell portraying a psychotherapist who finds himself being held prisoner by a serial killer (Gleeson) with an unusual request: curb his homicidal urges. "But unwinding the mind of this man while also dealing with the waves of his own repressed troubles creates a journey perhaps as treacherous as his captivity," according to the official synopsis.

Gleeson's TV credits include "Frank of Ireland" and "Run". In addition to starring, he co-produced and co-wrote "Frank of Ireland" with Michael Moloney and his brother, Brian Gleeson. The actor is set to appear on HBO's limited series "White House Plumbers" which is about he masterminds behind the Watergate break in during Richard Nixons Presidency.

Gleeson, who is repped by Paradigm and The Agency, is also known for his portrayal of General Hux in the new "Star Wars" trilogy. His movie credits also include "The Kitchen", "The Little Stranger", "American Made", "Ex Machina" as well as "The Revenant".

Joining Carell and Gleeson on "The Patient", Linda Emond ("Succession", "Lodge 49"), Laura Niemi ("This Is Us") and Andrew Leeds ("Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist") also star on the 10-episode limited series. Chris Long ("The Americans") serves as executive producer in addition to directing the first two episodes. Also behind the lens for the show are Kevin Bray ("Insecure", "The Americans") and Gwyneth Horder-Payton ("Pose", "Pam & Tommy").

Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg will write and executive produce the series, which was originally ordered to series at the network back in October. Carell will also serve as executive producer alongside Caroline Moore and Victor Hsu. Meanwhile, FX Productions produces the show.
Instagram Celebrity

Justin Johnson, who previously planned to surrender on Monday, January 10 but didn't show up, was captured in Indiana on Tuesday, while Cornelius Smith was arrested in December on an auto-theft warrant.

Jan 12, 2022

AceShowbiz - Two men wanted for the murder of Young Dolph are finally in custody. Justin Johnson, who was wanted on a slew of charges out of Memphis, was arrested on Tuesday, January 11 after a two-month manhunt.

Justin was taken in by U.S. Marshals Officers in Indiana. He has since been booked on first-degree murder warrant. The 23-year-old also has an outstanding warrant for violation of federal supervised release out of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. The original charge was for a weapon offense.

Justin had been on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted list. Law enforcement says he has ties to organized crime and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Justin, a Memphis rapper who goes by the name Straight Drop, previously announced plan to turn himself on Monday, January 10, but he never showed up. "Turning myself in Monday @201," he posted on his Instagram Story. He went on to stress, "I'm innocent. I'll be back sooner than you can blink."

But instead of surrendering to police, Justin released a new music video on Monday. "Back again. Straight drop 'Track Hawk'," he promoted the song on his Story. "Official video out now. Link in bio." He appeared to be taunting the authorities in another post, writing, "None but gangster s**t on my record ! You n***s police and bogus , all my charges I did time for or either got drop."

Meanwhile, the second suspect, Cornelius Smith, was arrested on December 9 in Southaven, about 210 miles northeast of Memphis, on an auto-theft warrant involving the white Mercedes Benz used in Dolph's shooting. He had been in custody in the DeSoto County Jail, but was extradited and transferred to the Shelby County Jail on Tuesday.

Cornelius was indicted on first-degree murder charges as well as additional counts of attempted first-degree murder, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and theft of property over $10,000. During the shooting, Dolph's brother was present with him and was considered the victim of the attempted murder charge.
WENN/Judy Eddy Celebrity

The model, who shares 5-year-old daughter Dream Kardashian with her ex, is granted a chance to defend herself as the court gives two-hour deposition each for the Kardashian-Jenner sisters as well as Kris Jenner.

Jan 12, 2022

AceShowbiz - Blac Chyna has been granted a chance to defend herself. The model and her legal team are set to depose Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Kris Jenner as part of Rob Kardashian's assault and battery lawsuit against her.

The 33-year-old model's attorney Lynne Ciani said in a statement obtained by Page Six on Monday, January 10 that they are "very pleased to announce" that her client will be able to depose the Kardashian-Jenner family as the trial court has "agreed" the reality stars are "not above the law."

According to sources, Blac, born Angela Renee White, had initially wanted each of the women to be deposed for seven hours. At the hearing, her lawyer said she would agree to a four-hour deposition. However, the court ended up reducing the deposition to just two hours per person.

Upon learning of the deposition, Michael Rhodes, counsel for the Kardashian-Jenner family, said in a statement on Tuesday, "We are pleased the court limited the scope of the depositions to minimize the burden on the very busy members of the family." The reality family's legal team previously had attempted to quash the deposition, arguing the women had already been "examined exhaustively in a related matter."

"The subpoenas must be quashed because they present an unwarranted annoyance, embarrassment, oppression and undue burden on the Non-Parties," the lawyers stated in court documents. The attorneys continued that the Non-Parties "have already been examined exhaustively by Ms. White in the related matter."

The court documents added, "Ms. White has no basis for wanting to depose these Non-Parties again on the same issues, other than to harass and burden the Kardashians/Jenners and generate headlines forcing the Non-Parties to file this motion." The lawyers further insisted, "The court should reject Ms. White's misuse of the discovery process and quash the subpoenas."

Blac and Rob, who share one daughter, 5-year-old Dream Kardashian, parted ways in 2017. That same year, Rob sued her for allegedly attacking him after getting drunk. He claimed she tried to choke him with the wire of an iPhone charger. He explained further that he was somehow able to escape but not before she repeatedly punched him in the face and caused injuries to his neck.

As for now, Rob is reportedly dating and "feeling really good about himself," as his sister Khloe said. The Good American founder shared an update on her brother when speaking to Andy Cohen in the "KUWTK" reunion. Confirming that her sibling is no longer single, the 37-year-old added, "I know Rob is feeling really good about himself right now and he's working really hard on himself."

After host Andy asked Khloe about Rob's absence from the reality show after he decided to step back, Khloe explained that Rob "just needed a break." The mother of True Thompson said, "I think also a lot of his personal relationships. Really, it's not so much about physical appearance, it's a lot of how he felt internally about some of the women in his life and how they treated him, or how he felt they might have used him to get to certain areas or levels."

"And I think that really affected him because my brother is such a lover and has like, the most incredible heart and personality," Khloe further shared. "And I think he's just getting stronger and I think you have to get heartbroken and you learn from your mistakes."
Instagram Celebrity

Released from the hospital after being involved in a three-car wreck, the 'Love and Hip Hop: Miami' star shares a picture of her sporting a neck brace while smooching with her beau who is on crutches.

Jan 12, 2022

AceShowbiz - Sukihana and Kill Bill remain strong in love after involved in a car accident. The raptress/reality TV star has shared a racy picture with her boyfriend while giving a look at their conditions following the crash.

On Tuesday, January 11, the "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" star indirectly addressed the three-car crash as she posted an image of her making out with Bill. Showing the extent of their injuries, the actress was seen sporting a neck brace while her beau was on crutches.

The injuries didn't stop the lovebirds from expressing their love for each other as Suki was seen straddling her man with one of her legs, while Bill supported her thigh. Bill himself needed the crutches to support him standing. "Throat still gone work Pooh," she wrote in the caption.

The comments section was flooded with messages from her followers expressing their relief that Suki and Bill are fine. "glad y'all are okay," one person wrote. Another echoed the sentiment, "Glad y'all safe." A third similarly said, "ayooooo glad y'all ok," while someone else added, "Lmaooooo this ain't even suppose to be funny but glad y'all good."

Meanwhile, Suki's mother Lori Lee confirmed that her daughter has been discharged from the hospital. "Suki and Bill are released from the hospital. Thank you for all the great energy. ~Mama," so she wrote in an update on her Instagram feed.

Lori was also the first who broke the news about the car accident. On Monday, she revealed that her daughter Suki and Bill were rushed to the hospital after involved in the crash. "This is Mama.. Suki and Bill were in a 3 car wreck and rushed to the hospital via ambulance," she posted at the time.

She also shared photos of the wrecked cars from the accident, including a white sedan and two black cars. It's unclear which car was Suki's and who caused the accident, but all three cars appeared to have major damage on the front side.
Instagram Celebrity

In her first TV interview since the '...Baby One More Time' hitmaker's conservatorship ended, the former star of 'Zoey 101' says that she 'loves' her older sister amid their rift.

Jan 12, 2022

AceShowbiz - Jamie Lynn Spears has gotten emotional when talking about her strained relationship with her older sister Britney Spears. The actress-turned-author broke down in tears in a teaser for her upcoming sit-down with "Good Morning America", her first TV interview since her older sister's conservatorship ended.

Sitting down with Juju Chang to discuss her new memoir, "Things I Should Have Said", which focuses on her famous family, the "Zoey 101" alum's emotions flipped when Britney became the topic of conversation. Wearing a white blazer with matching trousers and a tight shirt, she grabbed a tissue and ruined her makeup while declaring, "I love my sister."

Juju intervened when she noticed Jamie Lynn's chin trembled. "But things have gotten complicated," the host stated, to which Britney's younger sister responded, "I guess so." The 30-year-old actress/author was also asked, "What has caused this rift?" She then immediately looked up as more tears fell from her face.

In the preview, Juju addressed Jamie Lynn's book title. The TV host said, "The book title is 'Things I Should Have Said'." She went on to dig deep on the topic as she asked the "Steel Magnolias" actress, "What do you regret not saying?"

Jamie Lynn herself has been the target of social media trolls since Britney called out their family for the pain they caused to the "Toxic" hitmaker during her conservatorship battle. Jamie Lynn was also recently unfollowed by her older sister on Instagram despite her attempt to fix their broken relationship.

Last October, Britney appeared to shade her sibling over her forthcoming memoir "Things I Should Have Said". The book was previously titled "I Must Confess", a lyric from her 1998 debut single, "Baby One More Time".

"I'm thinking of releasing a book next year," Britney joked. She added, "But I'm having issues coming up with a title so maybe my fans could help !!!!" She continued, "Option #1  'S**t, I really don't know' Option #2  'I really care what people think' !!!! What do you guys think ????"

Of the situation, a source said at the time, "It's sad to say, but Britney isn't all that surprised that Jamie Lynn is using this opportunity with the media spotlight on their family to promote her own book." The insider went on to add, "All she ever wanted was to support her family before [the conservatorship] began. What saddens Britney the most is that Jamie Lynn isn't even using this opportunity to speak out in support of her."
FOX TV

In a new episode of FOX Soul's 'Cocktails with the Queens', the CEO of Allure Realty further defends the new Netflix show following complaints over not selling homes.

Jan 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - Sharelle Rosado has reacted to DJ Envy's negative comments on Netflix's "Selling Tampa". In a new episode of FOX Soul's "Cocktails with the Queens", Sharelle further defended the show following complaints over not selling homes.

"I felt like I know there was a little shade in there when people, you know, the ladies came back clapping because we know we do [sell homes]," the CEO of Allure Realty said. She also noted that things on "Selling Tampa" are different from "Selling Sunset".

"There are two different stories. Even though we're a franchise, our story is different from the Oppenheim brothers. We are a minority-owned brokerage that's getting into luxury, stepping into luxury. We could sell 400, 500 homes all day, every day," she argued. "But the story behind it is, if you paid attention, we're stepping into a luxury division."

She went on to explain, "And we made huge deals on the show. We got with the developer and all the listings are multi-million dollar listings. He didn't pay attention to that." She also noted that she and Juawana Williams closed the deal with Mielle Organics which was looking for minority-owned brokerage to represent them in Miami.

Fans, however, thought that Sharelle was missing DJ Envy's point. "Envy was talking about how production was focusing more on drama and not real estate which is what the show is supposed to be about," one Instagram user commented underneath The Shade Room's post regarding the matter.

"He wasn't saying y'all wasn't selling, his point was the network showed more drama than y'all actually closing & they're showing houses being sold on the white show how are y'all not understanding that," another person echoed the sentiment. "They missed the whole point and are loud and wrong about it," someone else added.

One user wrote, "Production not painting that picture honey that's the point." Another comment read, "If missing the point was a person." Meanwhile, one other person defended DJ Envy, "He definitely clarified what he meant but okay."

"The Breakfast Club" host caused drama when he took to Instagram earlier this month to compare "Selling Tampa" with "Selling Sunset". "The Same person created both these shows... SMH. 1 show sold no homes... NONE!!!! Kind of embarrassing.. The other show sells homes.. Hmmmm... Anybody else watches these shows??" so he wrote.

Cast member Colony Reeves was among those who responded to DJ Envy. "Thank you @djenvy for posting about our show! I hope you've watched it on your own. If you did, you will see some homes were sold. Keep in mind this is only season 1 and there's only so much that can be put into 30 minutes and 8 episodes. I encourage you all to support us and watch our show for yourselves before making an assumption. I love you @djenvy !" she wrote to DJ Envy.

To that, the radio host replied, "I'm 6 episodes in.. Not about y'all.. I love the fact y'all have an all Black Real Estate firm... it's dope to me.. but s**t show my sisters like y'all show sunset that all.. I just don't like the fact producers don't show y'all in that light..."
WENN/TNYF Celebrity

While Ye's strategic advisor Ameer Sudan reveals there are talks about the 'Hurricane' spitter travelling to Russia later this year, a PR representative for the rapper says it's just 'wishful thinking.'

Jan 12, 2022

AceShowbiz - Kanye West's team is apparently not on the same page about his future business ventures. After it was reported that the rapper wants to meet President Vladimir Putin and hold his first-ever shows in Russia, his spokesperson has begged to differ.

A PR representative for Ye denied that there are talks about the Yeezy designer travelling to Moscow to meet the Russian president. The rep, Pierre Rougier, shot down the story in an email to Rolling Stone, saying it's "entirely fabricated. Work of fiction or wishful thinking from these Russian people."

Meanwhile, publicist Rob Goldstone, a rep for Emin Agalarov who served as the conduit between him and Donald Trump Jr. for the Trump Tower meeting, backed the initial claim. He said he could "confirm there are talks going on" about West's planned meeting with Putin, but declined to comment further.

It was West's confidant and strategic advisor Ameer Sudan himself who told Billboard that the Atlanta native wants to meet Putin, hold Sunday Service performances and expand his business ventures in Russia. He said travel plans are currently in the works for the 44-year-old star to visit the country in spring or summer, depending on his schedule.

Sudan is helping to coordinate the arrangements with attorney Scott Balber, the managing partner of Herbert Smith Freehills' New York office. Balber's clients include Azerbaijani-Russian billionaire real estate developer Aras Agalarov, who is sometimes known as the Donald Trump of Russia, and his musician son Emin Agalarov.

Sudan said that West is working on new business deals with the Agalarovs that would likely to increase his net worth to more than $10 billion. The "Gold Digger" spitter allegedly also plans to collaborate musically with Emin to raise the latter's profile in the U.S. and plans to invite Putin to attend his Sunday Service show in the country as a special guest.

Sudan further gushed that the country is going to be "a second home" for Ye. He added, "He will be spending a lot of time out there."
BUDAPEST, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's leading gas and oil firm MOL signed a 610 million-U.S. dollar contract with Grupo Lotos SA and PKN Orlen to acquire 417 service stations in Poland, MOL announced Wednesday on the website of the Budapest Stock Exchange (BSE).

"MOL today signed a set of agreements with PKN Orlen and Grupa Lotos covering the sale and purchase of several portfolio elements within Consumer Services. Accordingly, MOL acquired 417 service stations in Poland including 270 company owned sites with a country-wide coverage and the potential to reach a top three position in the local fuel retail market," MOL said in a statement.

"The purchased set of assets would provide a basis for future growth in the country, where MOL had limited presence thus far," MOL said.

About the financial implications of the transactions, MOL said that they are expected to have a mid-term positive annual EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) generation potential of around 70 million U.S. dollars to the Consumer Services segment and will be financed from available liquidity. The deal would have no adverse effect on MOL's previously communicated dividend payment capacity.

Closing of the transaction is subject to, among others, obtaining the approval of the European Commission.

Following the conclusion of the agreement, MOL will become a major player in the Polish fuel retail market, owning more service stations in Poland than in Hungary.

"For MOL this deal represents a major step on the strategic transformational journey we started in 2016... By this acquisition, we will gain access to the biggest economy in Central and Eastern Europe as well as to reach almost 40 million potential customers with our products and services," Zsolt Hernadi, chairman and CEO of MOL Group commented on the deal. 
What technology trends are you following most closely, with an eye toward how they may impact the work of your scientists and Cortevas future growth?

Im keeping a close eye on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and automation  were at an interesting point in our industry where these technologies are beginning to make a huge impact. Were seeing a digitalization of so much of what we do both within R&D and across many aspects of our business. While these technologies arent new, theyre already enabling us to accelerate R&D processes and make higher-quality, data-driven decisions much faster than ever before.

For example, using AI and machine learning, were able to analyze thousands of images to understand different views, how our molecules work, symptomology, and more. We can see how our active ingredients are making an impact on real challenges farmers face, like pests, weed pressure, soil health  even before the human eye can see it.

At the same time, farmers are embracing technology. As they become increasingly tech-savvy, theyre becoming more open to using AI, for example, to optimize what they do. Data about weather patterns, the best crop rotations, use of nitrogen, even when and how much to water to use are enabling farmers to be even more informed and make even more precise decisions to maximize yield. Ultimately, this helps put farmers in an even better position to pass their farms on to future generations.

What are the biggest challenges confronting farmers that the average person has little appreciation for?

Were all fighting against a decrease in global food security. In fact, Economist Impact just published the tenth annual Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which provides a lookback over the past 10 years of data to help propel us toward the UN Sustainable Development Goal of reaching zero hunger by 2030. The report revealed a decline in global food security for the second consecutive year.

Farmers are on the front lines, faced with helping to figure out how to satisfy increased demands for more food across the globe. Theres mounting pressure to maximize yields without adverse environmental impact and without conversion of non-agricultural land. At the same time, farmers must navigate growing complexity stemming from climate change, pests, the distribution of disease, temperature stress on crops, and more. And theyre focused on protecting biodiversity while also ensuring theyre making decisions that enable them to pass farms down to future generations.

I dont think the average person truly understands or appreciates the challenges of farming today: the decisions growers must make and the unforeseen shifts farmers have to anticipate and manage while ensuring they have the right tools and innovation to improve local productivity. Its a tall order!

The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) awarded you its 2020 Distinguished Career Award winner. In doing so, it said you are   committed to building a diverse workforce and has engaged in targeted outreach to address under-representation. What sort of efforts in this area have you undertaken that have yielded the greatest results?

As a company, we are committed to advancing inclusion, diversity, and equity. We firmly believe its the right thing to do for our people  and its the right thing to do from a business perspective too.

We are a company focused on innovation  and coming up with creative, new solutions to address the ever-evolving challenges farmers face requires a team of people from across the globe with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. That diversity of thought coupled with scientific excellence is what it takes to deliver the impactful tools and technologies farmers need.

The composition of my own leadership team is reflective of this thinking  its a very diverse group. I have long believed diversity and the collaboration among an array of leaders within my organization are key drivers of our success and our industry-leading pipeline. Were collaborating across borders every day with team members in China, India, Japan, Europe, Canada  every part of the world.

One example of work weve done recently is a program called Corteva Developing Emerging Leaders and Talent in Agriculture, or simply, Corteva DELTA. It was modeled after a similar program in place at one of our heritage companies. I had the privilege of helping develop that program and am pleased a talented team at Corteva put something similar in place.

The goal of Corteva DELTA is to enable STEM students with diverse backgrounds to apply their skills to a career in agriculture, share their interest and research, and gain insight into careers in the industry, sustainable and reliable food production, and Corteva. In our first year, 40 U.S.-based, under-represented minority undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdocs, participated in a virtual symposium. We also awarded six undergraduate scholarships and 11 grants to graduate students and post-docs, which were accompanied by a Corteva mentor as part of the DELTA program.

This is just a small glimpse into the work were doing at Corteva in this arena. We believe in the power of diversity, an inclusive workforce, and a culture of belonging to enable us to deliver innovative products and solutions and best serve our global customer base. While Corteva has made inroads, there is more work to be done, and I am always thinking about new ways I can both mentor the internal talent that already exists on my team and attract even more diverse employees to our company.

Given the importance of food to human life, and the projections for population growth, do governments  generally speaking  invest appropriately in agricultural research?

This is a great question  and an important one. In my opinion, the answer is no.

Ending global hunger is one of the greatest challenges, and opportunities, of our lifetime. We live in the most abundant period in history, yet one in nine people do not have enough food to nourish their lives. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there are more than 820 million people who suffer from hunger around the world.

To advance food security, our global food system must navigate a myriad of hurdles, including:

a future marked by climate change and declining natural resources,

the need to access both adequate nutrition and adequate amounts of Calories,

an under investment in agriculture,

gaps in technology,

regulations limiting producers ability to trade freely,

consumers ability to access more affordable and nutritious food,

and societys ability to supply food to the places it is needed most.

And, while we have improved the production of crops and livestock over the years, trillions of pounds of food go to waste each year.

The worlds population is expected to grow from 7 billion today to 9 billion by 2050. To keep up with our growing population, global agriculture production must increase by more than 60%. At the same time, consumer expectations for safe, abundant, and nutritious food are echoing all the way though the food system, putting unique demands on farmers.

This challenge is big  and the kind that warrants additional funding into agricultural research.

Economist Impacts GFSI weighs affordability, availability, quality, and safety of food along with assessing how resilient nations are in protecting their natural resources to enable them to keep producing food now and in the future, according to the report.

The report makes clear that government and non-governmental (NGO) support, including food safety net systems, as well as public/private partnerships, are crucial to building resilience. It says, Investments are needed in research and innovation, preparations must be made to weather climate-related disasters, and natural resources need protection.

The report also states, Reduced public investment in agriculture R&D is a major contributor to poorer performance by high-income, top-performing countries.

The time for additional investment in agriculture research is now  so that through new innovations, we can help solve the food system challenges we face now and in the future.

If you had to break it out in rough percentages, how much of your career success do you owe to (a) your formal academic schooling, (b) the professional training provided by your employer, and (c) general on-the-job experience?

Id say its an even split. All three have helped me progress in my career. There is no doubt strong academics served as a springboard, first to getting my foot in the door early into my career and then moving into positions of increasing responsibility.

My professional training along with more general on-the-job training are equally important. Both fed my appetite to constantly learn and evolve, first as a scientist, and over time, as a leader. Ive held roles in process research, regulatory, discovery  all of which have enabled me to approach R&D with a focus on delivering products that help customers.

Today, I think of myself first and foremost as a scientist followed closely by a businessperson. I have a blend of a formal scientific education with business acumen built over the course of my career. While Ive always had a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit, growing my business knowledge is the result of on-the-job learning. Thats also helped me recognize the importance of a strong connection between R&D and the business, their understanding of market needs, meeting our customer needs to drive yield and drive profitability. Thats one thing that sets Corteva a part in a highly competitive industry  we dont just do science to do science. Were always thinking about the innovations farmers really need  and our purpose, which is to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Our ability to deliver on that is a blend of modern science and alignment both with the customer and across our business.

Whats the most significant sustainability issue confronting your team? And what is your plan to address it?

Sustainability isnt an issue  its how we do business. Corteva and its heritage companies have always supported sustainable farming, pushing past the boundaries of innovation by investing in agricultural research and technologies that improve productivity and enhance sustainability. Were building on the sustainability legacy of our heritage companies and brands with a new vision for the future.

Every day, were taking on the challenges facing the global food supply by innovating, collaborating, and engaging. Were growing sustainable solutions that protect the source of our food, help agricultural communities thrive, and provide tools for healthier lives. And weve established 14 goals focused on environmental, economic, and social sustainability that we are committed to achieving by 2030 to help increase the resilience of our global food system.

Like the farmers we serve, we care deeply for the health and wellbeing of our natural environment. So much so that teva, which means everything nature in Hebrew, is incorporated in our name. Sustainable performance is built into our design and discovery process from beginning to end.

As a six-time Green Chemistry Challenge Award winner, weve been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) more than any other agricultural input company for groundbreaking scientific solutions to real-world environmental problems.

We are leaders in utilizing predictive safety approaches within our industry to determine environmental impact earlier in the crop protection product development process. This enables us to incorporate environmental safety into the earliest stages of product design.

Our commitment to sustainability is in who we are and what we do. We are driving a more responsible food system, one that sustains and enriches our lives and our planet

Talk about the metaphorical one that got away. Is there a project that eluded you? Why? And if you could return to it, what would you do differently?

There are many examples of this  its just the nature of what we do. As we research new or improved active ingredients, biologicals, formulations  there are almost always challenges, like toxicological issues in later stages. But were constantly learning something new and applying those learnings to develop new molecules and uncover additional discoveries in which we need to invest. At this point, weve institutionalized those learnings into other projects so we can come up with even better active ingredients.

We have one of the highest success rates in our pipeline compared with competitors. Part of that is the result of past learnings that weve applied to new projects. In addition, we formed a predictive safety center to determine environmental impact earlier in the crop protection product development process, enabling us to incorporate environmental safety into the earliest stages of product design.

Ten years from now, what advancement in crop protection will have the greatest impact on farmers?

I think the most impactful advancement will be a holistic solution that enables farmers to address the whole acre. While advancements in crop protection, traits, germplasm, biologicals, and digital tools will continue helping farmers address challenges, the biggest impact on driving yield, soil health and more will employ all these tools in one, harmonized solution.

If you think about it, its a lot like the mobile phones we all now carry around in our pockets. When mobile devices were first introduced, they were just used to make phone calls. Today, theyve progressed into powerful computers that fit in the palm of our hands. The future of farming will follow that path, becoming a farming system that works cohesively. It will be another powerful example of the famous phrase coined by Aristotle, The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

How has your family influenced your leadership style?

My parents owned their own business. Thats where I got my entrepreneurial spirit. I watched them work extremely hard every day, adjusting and taking risks to ensure the business remained successful. My drive to succeed came from seeing them push hard every day to take care of their customers and their employees.

I learned early in my life the importance of taking calculated risks  which has been instrumental in my career. I left India for the United States to attend graduate school. I really didnt know anyone. Yet, I knew the decision was the right one because my parents raised me to understand that taking risks was critical. Moving to the U.S. by myself was the ultimate risk-taking lesson. And that decision continues to serve me well and helps to define how I lead.

I want my team to know that we have a fail-fast and learn environment  and my leadership style reflects that. It stems from my own experience feeling comfortable taking risks. In our business, we cant be successful if we dont take data-driven risks. The biggest risk for any R&D-centered company is not taking one. Every day at Corteva, were trying something new. We say we have an owner mindset at our company. Every employee owns a piece of our success. In R&D, were very deeply focused on science. At the same time, we must be strongly invested in and connected to the business and the why. We do what we do every day for our customers  the farmers  and the environment.

The most important component of my leadership style is the tone I set for my team. As a leader, I work hard to create a collaboration-centered culture. Across my team, and throughout all of R&D, we are constantly working together to ideate, problem solve, and uncover new approaches to solving farming challenges. In addition, work should be fun. Its fun to solve problems that really matter and it's fun to build relationships with colleagues. I work hard to be a leader who engages with my employees on a personal level  I saw my parents do this with their employees and customers, getting to know them beyond just the job they did each day. Building relationships with colleagues and taking steps to help them see me as a person, not just their boss, is an important element of my leadership style.

What non-technical skills have you most relied on to-date for your career advancement?

Being communicative, humble, and a good storyteller are at the top of my list.

First, being communicative is critical and I rely on that skill every day. Its all about listening first followed by open communication. Listening to employees  really listening  to make sure they have what they need and are continuing to thrive. Listening to famers  hearing the challenges theyre facing and the solutions they need to overcome them. This has always been front and center at Corteva because it is such a critical element to drive innovation. We dont do science just to do science  its always focused on solving real problems for our farmers. I didnt learn that from any of my professors  it came from my experience on the job. At the same time, its important to keep teams and customers informed about the work were doing to help farmers and move the agricultural industry forward.

Second, humility. Im reminded of a Duke University study called, Personality and Individual Differences. The study found that some respondents were willing to adjust their opinions if new evidence suggested their view wasnt accurate. The researchers considered those individuals as intellectually humble. In science, we challenge assumptions. We work to prove hypotheses. We use data to support or refute our initial thinking  and the willingness to adjust based on what we learn is critical.

Applying that same thinking to my career has helped shape the kind of colleague and leader I am. It guides how I mentor and develop my team. Ive had many kinds of leaders in my career. Those that understand and prioritize helping others succeed are the ones after whom I have modeled my own leadership style.

Last, but certainly not least, throughout my career, Ive relied upon an ability to tell compelling stories. Its hard to think about the importance of storytelling in business without mentioning Simon Sinek, a British-American author and inspirational speaker, who said, Stories are attempts to share our values and beliefs. Storytelling is worthwhile when it tells what we stand for.

Whether Im speaking at a conference, engaging with other scientists, farmers or leaders across our business, or even presenting to our board, stories help me connect to my audience and frame what Im explaining with context that resonates across backgrounds and experience levels. The professors and business leaders that engaged my interests the most often started lectures or meetings with stories that brought students or colleagues together.

These three skills have proven invaluable to me throughout my career. Today, Im fortunate to lead a large team of scientists who I believe are among the most skilled and talented in the industry. What drives and fulfills me is working alongside them, developing innovations that truly make a difference as we continue working collectively toward a common purpose. At Corteva, thats to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come.

Having spent 30 years in industry, can you share three essential things you learned on the job that professors didnt teach you in university?

While my professors taught me a great deal in university, the actual hands-on experience Ive gained while in industry has been invaluable. Im fortunate that the list of things Ive learned on-the-job is lengthy  with the three essential items including:



Working across a variety of scientific fields in R&D, including discovery research, process chemistry research, regulatory and, more recently, in the development space. The knowledge and experience I gained by working within each of those R&D disciplines gave me a more complete understanding of the function and that just cannot be replicated in classroom or academic lab setting.

Doing hypothesis-based, focused research on customer-driven needs. The ability to do modern science thats directly connected to and solves real farmer challenges is incredibly rewarding. Its also been a huge catalyst for me in drawing connections between the science, the purpose and the business.

Learning the importance of being agile, constantly adopting to change and building the resilience to pivot as needed. For example, like so many companies across the world, our team had to figure out how to adapt to the Covid pandemic. It changed the way we work but our priorities remained intact. As a science-based company with labs across the globe, safety always comes first. In the midst of a pandemic, thats taken on an even higher level of criticality: keeping scientists safe while enabling them to continue innovating without close contact and managing the associated stress while balancing mental health and well-being.

Whats a place you cant wait to go back to?

I love traveling anywhere and in non-pandemic times, I jump at the chance any time I can! The opportunity to experience different cultures, meet new people, try new foods and see amazing places is one of my favorite things to do. If I have to pick one place to go back to though, Id have to say it would be returning home to India.


Fresh off their successful collaboration with American rock guitar legend Joe Walsh., young Sarod virtuosos, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash took to social media today to announce their brand-new EP.

Curated, produced and presented by the brother classical music duo, We For Love aims to raise awareness and proceeds for the Justice For Every Child campaign that was launched by Kailash Satyarthi Childrens Foundation (KSCF). Founded in 2021, this national campaign is working to ensure victims of child sexual abuse and rape get timely justice and mental health support to enable them to heal and continue their lives with dignity and freedom. The campaign will intervene in 5,000 cases of child sexual abuse and rape in 100 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in 100 districts across the country with the highest backlogs of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 cases across India.

Releasing on 21st January 2022 across all streaming platforms via Affetto Records, the 6-track experimental EP embraces an eclectic mix of collaborators including Karan Johar, Karsh Kale, Malini Awasthi, Mahesh Kale, Shubha Mudgal and the iconic Sarod Grand Master Amjad Ali Khan. The prolific Paresh Maity has been instrumental in creating the cover art of the presentation and has taken inspiration from his Odyssey of Celebration XII.

Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi said, There is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of our children. Let us ensure justice for all our children

Echoing a similar stance Ustad Amjad Ali Khan who is credited for putting Sarod on the global map says, I pray that only care and compassion should be circulated amongst children of the world today for a bright future tomorrow. It is our duty to give love, peace and happiness to the younger generation of today and tomorrow so that they can achieve their destination and goal, without fail.

Speaking about the EP Amaan Ali Bangash elaborates further, We For Love has the most diverse line up of artists in-terms of soundscapes and sensibilities. From electronic to classical, from thumri to bhajans everything seamlessly comes together in divine accord. We thank every artist on the project for whole heartedly participating in the process and making this EP one of our most memorable collaborative pieces thus far. Infact this EP is our first presentation with so many artists coming together for a noble cause.

Reflecting on how music serves as a changemaker Ayaan Ali Bangash expands, Music is a powerful medium that connects humankind. We For Love has indeed been a defining journey for us as artists and as fellow human beings. The idea was to create endless pathways to make a positive impact which is both uplifting and action-inspiring. Today, the appeal of socially conscious music is widespread and we are happy to contribute to this revolution time and again.

film producer and director Karan Johar adds on, Child rights and protection is a burning issue which should be of concern to each one of us. We need to place children above everything else as their development is critical to their future. Donate to the campaign to ensure that child victims of rape and sexual abuse receive the much-needed support in their quest for justice. Together we can and we must ensure justice for every child.

Prolific painter Paresh Maity further states, Children are our future, our sunshine. They are the foundation of our society. Educate every child today for a better society tomorrow. I support Kailash Satyarthis campaign against Child labor and universal right to education of every child.

Classical vocalist Shubha Mudgal adds, It is a privilege to be able to contribute to a noble cause like Justice For Every Child with a track Fire Within where I have also had the opportunity to collaborate with wonderful artistes and sensitive human beings like Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash.

Folk singer Malini Awasthi concludes,  Loved collaborating with the talented Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash as part of the inspiring initiative of KSCF , where we use music as a medium to invoke equal rights for each and every child, and build a ssecure and safe future for generations to come.

Honouring the foundations vision of a world free of violence against children and providing support to child victims of rape and sexual abuse, all proceeds from this presentation will be donated to Kailash Satyarthi Childrens Foundation. Donations can be directed to https://satyarthi.org.in/ donate/
Blenders Pride welcomed Alia Bhatt as the new face of the brand with a captivating campaign film, 'Made of Pride'. It showcases Alia's relentless and never give up attitude, and her pride in being her authentic self. She takes the punishing glare of lights, symbolic of the challenges and continuous scrutiny that one confronts on the journey to success, head-on and emerges unfazed and triumphant. The multi-faceted actor with her resilience and dynamism truly represents the brand's philosophy that takes an exciting new turn with this bold and empowering campaign.

The leader in its category, Blenders Pride once again creates a benchmark with this new and powerful take on pride. The brand embarks on a new journey with a refreshing tone of voice that is vibrant, aspirational & contemporary. A shift from black & white imagery to infusing colour is a refreshing move for the brand, but one that continues to enhance premium cues. Through the narrative of the film, Alia nudges the audience to adorn an attitude reflective in the lyrics Watch out! Im here to slay, Hit me with your brightest light. Ill stare back. Im made of pride. The 360-degree integrated campaign will be seen across TV, Digital, Print & OOH.

Commenting on the announcement, Kartik Mohindra, Chief Marketing Officer, Pernod Ricard India, said, Alia Bhatts story of becoming todays youth icon and one of the most talented stars in our film industry makes her unarguably the best choice for our new brand ambassador for Blenders Pride. Our new campaign celebrates the pride of being your authentic self, showcasing Alias strength of character and resilience. In a world where making safe choices comes easy, the new campaign aims to nudge todays confident consumers, and encourage them to let their pride be the catalyst in making authentic choices that take them further in life.

Commenting on the launch, Actor Alia Bhatt, said, I am thrilled to be the face of Blenders Pride and be a part of this impactful film that beautifully weaves in the story of Made of Pride'. I truly believe that pride gives us the strength to take challenges head on and remain unfazed on the journey to success. I love that the campaign not onlyencourages people to take pride in being their authentic self, but alsoconnects with so many different aspects of my life.

Conceptualized by creative agency Lowe Lintas, the TVC has been shot by the famous French filmmaker and visual artist Jean Claude Thibaut, known for his path-breaking work in Luxury Lifestyle.

Commenting on the campaign, Prateek Bhardwaj, Chief Creative Officer - Lowe Lintas said, The campaign reframes the relationship between pride and success. For Blenders Pride, true pride isnt a result of success. Instead, its a prerequisite to handle success. With Alia Bhatt staring down the limelight in a never-seen-before avatar, the brand boldly challenges older notions of pride, and encourages us to unabashedly own our choices.
CleverTap, the world's leading user engagement and retention cloud, announced today that Jayant Kshirsagar has joined its leadership team in the role of Senior Vice President of Marketing. Kshirsagar will lead the companys marketing initiatives as it expands into new markets across the globe.

Kshirsagar is a momentum player, with a long track record of launching strategic marketing initiatives that have measurable impacts on business outcomes. His keen understanding of the customers he has served and the challenges they face allows him to envision paths for growth, and to articulate solutions to the market.

Consumers today show a clear preference for mobile-first consumption, says Kshirsagar. Its how they research products, shop and manage every aspect of their daily lives. Consequently, every brand must become mobile-first if they want to remain relevant to the consumer. Whats more, brands face unprecedented pressure to increase user retention, engagement and lifetime value. I look forward to helping CleverTap plan and execute holistic strategies that drive customer connection and grow transactions through valuable and contextual marketing and communications.

Kshirsagar brings over 25 years of leadership experience at multinational companies, including SAP, Intuit, Wipro, AT&T (Idea Cellular) and, most recently, at the high-growth startup MarketsandMarkets, the company behind the world's first market intelligence cloud.

We are delighted to have Jayant join our leadership team and direct the marketing function towards building a robust growth engine for CleverTap, says Vikrant Chowdhary, Chief Growth Officer. His vast expertise in building communities at scale and increasing market consideration will be pivotal to our growth plans globally. Chowdharyelaborates on the importance of Kshirsagars role and how it reinforces CleverTaps core foundation and leadership team in his latest blog on the company website.

Kshirsagar holds a bachelors degree in Electronics Engineering from Pune University and an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management.
Instamojo, Indias largest full-stack digital solutions provider for D2C and small business owners, conducted a study across its platform to understand the trends and developments in the DTC eCommerce space. The Indian DTC brands eCommerce outlook 2022 report launched as a part of the study draws upon the experiences of over 20 lakh small businesses in 2021. It lays out 6 major trends foreseen for the upcoming year.

The outlook for DTC online businesses looks promising for 2022. Todays digital entrepreneur is more dynamic and aware than they have ever been. With the right kind of tools and support from the Govt. as well as the private sector, India is on the path to record massive business growth.

Key Insights from The Indian DTC Brand eCommerce Outlook Report 2022

More women-led DTC businesses come into the spotlight: Instamojo witnessed over 5,00,000+ women visiting the website in 2021. 40% of the total online businesses using Instamojo are women, with increased interest from women aged above 50.

Heightened attention to data transparency: In most cases, consumers are not actually against sharing their data, what they demand is transparency.

Focus on sustainable packaging and healthy products: As consumer conscience grows, their expectations from brands are also on an all-time high.

Commenting on the outlook for 2022, Sampad Swain, CEO and Co-Founder, Instamojo, said, As entrepreneurs and small businesses increasingly learn the benefits of selling independently online, we can expect the DTC model to catalyse business growth significantly in the coming quarters. In the last couple of years, both digitisation and changing consumer behaviours have made it imperative for small businesses to move and/ or expand online. To this front, in the post pandemic world, the DTC model can be an effective solution to accelerate business recovery. It is heartening to see the digital growth of this sector which has mostly been defined by traditional business models. As we witness the shift of DTC businesses to the online medium, we aim to support the growth journey of more than 250,000 small business owners as they strive towards becoming digitally independent.

6 major DTC brand eCommerce trends foreseen for 2022:

Consumers become more DTC brand conscious

The year 2022 will be ruled by consumer sentiment.

As e-commerce grows, brands will be conscious of the product they are selling, and also how they are selling it.

There will be a heightened focus on sustainability, not just for the product but for the entire supply chain.

Consumers are also becoming more aware of where the product comes from.There has been an increase in Indians wanting to support local and small businesses over industrialised factory products or from multinational corporate brands.

DTC brands will take control over the customer journey

eCommerce has evolved from commercial transactions that happen over the internet to personalised, more customised journeys that feel more human. Brands today will invest in resources that make the entire customer experience frictionless and hassle-free.

One of Indias leading tech-enabled logistics and order fulfilment platforms witnessed a 60% growth in the number of independent sellers on-boarding on its platform. A clear indicator of an increase in DTC brands

DTC brands will also invest more in the power of SEO.

Need for hyper-personalisation and instant gratification by consumers make DTC brands a preferred channel or eCommerce

SEO will become the most important marketing channel.

SEO meta tag features are the second-most popular premium feature at Instamojo, indicating that online store owners are relying on their own website and SEO skills to reach consumers directly

SEO will become the biggest FREE acquisition channel for DTC brands in India in 2022

Along with SEO, social media will play an even larger role in aiding brand discovery

Influencer marketing will lead the way for organic growth. YouTube will be spearheading this growth.

Social commerce will be the preferred channel for e-commerce from a consumer PoV

The new wave of DTC brands are aware that selling on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube is a profitable choice.

Instamojo saw a 23% rise in new users who logged in via phones.

40% of the Entrepreneurs on Instamojo that signed up in 2021 had a business profile on social media.

2022 will see massive budget expansions on influencer marketing, especially on micro-influencers, as they havea better grip on niche categories.

To replicate the mall experience, people are hopping onsocial media LIVE streams to shop while feeling like apart of a community.

Revenue-based financing takes centre stage

As homegrown and independent businesses rise in number, there will also be a significant shift to revenue-based financing over traditional venture capital.

An increased consumer consciousness coupled with the rise in social commerce will make 2022 a golden year for Indian DTC brands.

DTC brands to spend 40% more on performance marketing
EVE WORLD, a women-only platform that proffers expression, creation, and community enablement appoints Singapore-based Dr. Keith Kueh as the Director of Engineering and Ozan Yukruk from Ukraine as the Product Lead. In his new role, Keith will lead and build EVEs engineering team across product development, research, and design as well as machine learning, and blockchain technology. On the other hand, Ozan will play an instrumental role with his product & technical prowess to ensure that the roadmap aligns perfectly to the vision and business needs. Together, both Keith and Ozan will work closely with the Founders - Tarun Katial, Aparna Acharekar, and Rajneel Kumar.

Gearing up for a launch this year, the announcement is in line with the platforms objective of accelerating its development velocity and laying a strong foundation.

Commenting on the new appointment, Mr. Rajneel Kumar, Co-Founder  EVE WORLD said, We are extremely delighted to have Keith onboard with us. His profound understanding of technology and expertise across industries is a strength advantageous for Eve World. With Keiths extensive knowledge and experience, we are confident that he will be instrumental in driving the platform's growth thereby making him an excellent addition to our leadership team. Furthermore, having Ozan on board is another stellar recruitment by us that will see him strategize opportunities that increase engagement on the platform. His deep hands on experience in gaming will be a valuable asset.

Keith brings in over two decades of in-depth domain knowledge and technical proficiency to Eve World. During his illustrious career, he had a wide range of experience in technology, sales, & marketing for brands including Ahealo, Gracious, & Sockect. He also spearheaded development and services for technology infrastructure for many companies in Singapore.

Speaking about his role, Dr. Keith Kueh said, I am excited to join EVE WORLD and be a part of its growth story. My aim will be to build a future-proof tech architecture that thrives on seamless and innovative user experience, in addition to leveraging blockchain technology to create a responsible virtual environment for women worldwide.

Additionally, Ozan brings with him more than 15 years of work experience in the technology sector as well as another five years in the product management space. Hailing from a software development background, he has worked in software projects in the Fin-tech, Mobile Games, Health and Fitness, Malware Analysis, Retail arena for different companies.

Sharing his thoughts about the appointment, Ozan Yukruk shared, Im delighted to be a part of EVE WORLD and looking forward to being part of the many milestones that they set in their journey. Continuing to chase excellence, I hope to make the most of my software development and product management skills as we continue to build a decentralized, engaging and safe, digital ecosystem for women around the world.

Eve World seeks to build a positive and valuable digital experience for women worldwide, where young girls and women of all ages can create and consume content, share opinions and thoughts, engage, and build connections in a responsible, safe virtual environment.
IDP, a global leader in international education services, celebrates a proud moment by launching 23 new offices today simultaneously across India. The new offices are set up in Gandhinagar, Anand, Raipur, Shimla, Kurukshetra, Jammu, Trichy, Thrissur, Patna, Guwahati, Calicut, Agra, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Meerut, Hubli, Warangal, Tirupati, Kakinada, Goa, and Nashik. With this development, IDP will now have 67 offices spanning across 60 cities in India. Apart from this, IDP India also has 24 virtual offices through which students from any part of the country can connect with IDP experts.

With aggressive expansion plans in place, IDP is committed to fulfilling the study abroad dreams of every student in India. And to realise their ambition, IDP has taken the first step by extending its expertise to students residing in tier-2 and tier-3 cities that are a mix of state capitals and upcoming education hubs in the country.

Students will now have access to world-class counseling services both via virtual and in-person mode through these new offices to study in prestigious universities and institutions across Australia, USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland. From course and university selection, application submission, offer acceptance, visa assistance, to finding accommodation, applying for health insurance, opening bank accounts, etc., these new offices have dedicated study abroad experts to help students in their entire study abroad journey.

Speaking on occasion, Mr Piyush Kumar, Regional Director (South Asia and Mauritius), IDP Education, said, "We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 23 new offices in India. As a global leader, we take the onus of providing the best international education counseling experience across India. This time we are deepening our reach into the interiors of the country, directly targeting students residing in tier-2 cities. We are constantly working towards taking our expert guidance to every region to empower as many students as we can with the right resources and information."

The move is much in line with our vision of keeping students first and implementing a student-friendly approach to fulfill their study abroad dreams," he added.

IDP is known to provide end-to-end overseas education assistance customized to students, helping them achieve their international education and career goals. In the past 50 years, IDP has already placed half a million students in their dream institutions, making them a sought-after organisation recommended by 9 out of 10 students.
India News Manch, the biggest UP- Uttarakhand poll conclave in the run-up to the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, was held on Tuesday, 11 January at Taj Lucknow. The platform brought together all the big-wigs of national and regional politics. The mega conclave was telecast live on NewsX and India News. The event was also streamed live on major OTT platforms- Dailyhunt, Zee5, ShemarooMe, Jio TV, Watcho, MX PlayerMzaalo, TataSky and PayTm live streams.

The events guest list included Chief Ministers, MPs, MLAs, state cabinet ministers, along with the top brass and spokespersons of political parties. India News Manch also provided a much-needed stage for discourse and discussion in an election season marred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kartikeya Sharma, Founder, iTV Network expressed, Building on our legacy of innovative and engaging programming, India News will continue to host such impactful events keeping viewers at the core of its strategy. It was a pleasure to host Union Cabinet ministers, state cabinet ministers, members of parliament, chief ministers, party presidents, general secretaries and spokespersons, on one stage to participate in some of the most compelling panel discussions and exclusive interviews ahead of the elections.

The first speaker of the event to take the centre stage, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, spoke about contesting UP elections and said that he considers himself an ordinary worker of the BJP and that he will contest elections from whichever seat the party chooses for him. Reiterating the public stance of the Sangh Parivar, Yogi Adityanath said, Hindutva is a way of life and Hindus represent the essence of India. Moreover, Yogi said, while underlining his governments non-discriminatory approach, Benefits to all, appeasement to none. Talking about his government gaining notoriety as a bulldozer regime, the UP CM stated, We will use the only language that criminals understand.

Jitin Prasad, UP Minister of Technical Education, while stating the reason for joining the BJP, revealed, The leadership qualities of our honourable Prime Minister is not ordinary, and I took this decision by taking inspiration from him. Describing the difference in the functioning of BJP and Congress, the minister remarked, There is planning, vision and goal here which is really commendable. According to Prasad, development and culture will be crucial factors in the upcoming UP assembly elections.

He also asserted that the BJP government in UP is driven by sound policies. Through our strong vision, we are generating employment, promoting industrialization and fueling investments, said Prasad.

Farmers leader Rakesh Tikait was also an invitee to the conclave. BJP spends a lot of money on their IT cell. The small channels of our group have given a competition to these IT cells, said Tikait while alleging the nations ruling party of maligning his image. The leader while speaking about the outcome of the massive farmers protests, said, From those protests, the farmers have learned to speak for themselves with sheer confidence. Tikait also warned the Modi government and said, If the government works against the will of the farmers, the Sayukt Morcha will stand against it and work accordingly.

Former UP CM & Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, also made an appearance at the poll conclave. Accusing the BJP of using divisive tactics, Akhilesh said, "BJP is continuously indulging in hate politics. They are employing divisive tactics." Speaking about possible impacts of the repeal of farm laws on the electorate of western UP, Yadav stated, Farmers will be taking on a fight for their honour this time. And when that happens, BJP will be swept out of UP. Further, he claimed that the SP-led alliance will form the government in the state with a massive mandate. I can say with certainty that when the people get the chance to vote, BJP will be swept out of UP and the SP-led alliance will win 400 seats., said the SP chief.

Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat also graced the event with his presence. Putting forward his point about the reports of his disagreements with party leadership, Rawat said, I am not upset with Congress high command. Informing us about his partys campaign strategy in poll-bound Uttarakhand, the senior leader revealed that the party has begun digital campaigns as a result of the ban on election campaigning in the state. People of Uttarakhand are angry over Devasthanam board, claimed Rawat about public sentiment towards the BJP.

Another prominent guest of the day was Uttarakhands CM, Pushkar Singh Dhami. Dhami talked about his BJPs efforts to improve the hilly states infrastructure. More than 1 lakh developmental programs started in Uttarakhand under PM Modi. The CM also expressed confidence about BJPs victory in the upcoming assembly elections in Uttarakhand and said, BJP Will win with an absolute majority in Uttarakhand."
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia said Wednesday that a U.S. private collector has agreed to return 28 looted Cambodian cultural artifacts and the antiquities will be repatriated to the kingdom at an appropriate time.

One of the antiquities is a large Ganesha believed to be from Prasat Bak temple at Koh Ker Temple, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts said in a press statement, adding that this statue was looted from Cambodia about two decades ago.

In 2020, it was listed by the Antiquities Coalition as one of the top 10 most wanted looted statues in the world, the statement said.

"This sculpture of Ganesha is another astonishing example of the brilliance of our ancestors. Ganesha, the Hindu god with an elephant's head, is widely known for its wisdom and power to overcome obstacles and its return home will be a momentous occasion for Cambodia," Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodian minister of culture and fine arts, said in the statement.

Other artifacts include a sandstone Buddha sculpture from seventh-eighth century, a 10th century Hindu god Vishnu, and a 10th century bronze image of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.

"This repatriation shows Cambodia's continuing commitment to finding and bringing back our ancestors' souls that departed from their motherland over a number of years, including during a period of war," she said.

"We encourage other private collectors and museums to follow this private collector's decision and to contact us now to discuss repatriation to the rightful owner," the minister added. 
The Type Directors Club, the worlds leading typography organization and authority on typographic excellence, has appointed designer, strategist, and educator Ksenya Samarskaya to serve as its first managing director in the clubs 75-year history.

Samarskaya will work alongside Carol Wahler, long-standing TDC executive director, to expand on TDCs commitment to typographic excellence. She will be responsible for driving TDCs brand and vision; managing marketing and partnerships; overseeing operations, heralding TDCs annual Typeface Design, Communication Design and Ascenders competitions, as well as launching new initiatives

She will also work closely with the TDC Advisory Board to ensure consistent application and continuation of TDCs anti-racist pledge, which involves proactively seeking women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ designers to become members, awards program judges, event speakers and Board members, providing ways to elevate and showcase their work to the global community.

The typographic community is at an inflection pointtheres a global blossoming of interest and more nuanced cultural conversations taking place, Samarskaya said Its an exciting moment in history, and an incredible privilege to join TDC at this critical juncture. Im very honored and pleased to be working with our incoming Advisory Board and The One Club to help facilitate the conversations and momentum underway.

Samarskaya ran her own studio, Samarskaya & Partners, for the past 11 years, where she managed a team of creatives in providing clients with brand positioning, visual communications, and a range of design solutions. She also managed Solonka, S&Ps type foundry, which provided typographic consultation, custom type design and production, language support research, and Cyrillic expertise.

She has presented on type at TypoLabs Berlin, BITS Chiang Mai,The Design Kids Lisbon, the Core77 Conference New York, and others, and designed courses for, and taught at, SVA, NYU, Harbour.Space University in Barcelona and Bangkok, IE School of Architecture & Design in Madrid, Minneapolis College of Art & Design, and the University of the Arts.

A TDC member and volunteer since 2005, she also served as a judge for the 20TDC awards, chair of the 24TDC Typeface Design awards, and is co-chair of this years 25TDC Typeface Design awards competition which saw a expansion in the number of judges and additional focus on world scripts.

Ksenyas strong skill set, deep industry knowledge and connections, and energy make her the right person to help drive TDC growth and relevance to the global type community, said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club. Bringing her on board as the organizations first managing director is also a reflection of The One Clubs commitment to TDC and all that it stands for.

Established in New York in 1946, TDC celebrates and amplifies the power of typography and serves as a global community united by the shared belief that type drives culture and culture drives type. The organization runs the esteemed TDC Communication Design and TDC Typeface Designcompetitions, produces The Worlds Best Typography annual, coordinates traveling global exhibitions of award-winning work, offers scholarship programs and hosts conferences, classes, workshops, Type Salons and a design jobs board.

TDC became part of The One Club for Creativity in October 2020. The One Club uses revenue generated from entries to its global awards shows -- including The One Show, ADC Annual Awards, TDC awards, Young Ones Student Awards, Young Guns and others -- and puts it back into the industry to fund programs under its four pillars: Education, Inclusion & Diversity, Gender Equality and Creative Development.

These programs include the annual Where Are All The Black People diversity conference and career fair, ONE School free portfolio program for Black creatives, ONE Production free food styling training for diverse creatives,Creative Boot Camps for diverse college students, Right the Ratio Summitsaddressing gender equality, Global Educators Summits, Creative Leaders Retreats, mentorship programs for more than 200 young creatives each year, bi-annual Saturday Career Workshops for high school students, and more.

The One Club for Creativity, producer of The One Show, ADC Annual Awards, Type Directors Club Communication Design and Typeface Designawards, Young Guns and Creative Week, is the world's foremost non-profit organization whose mission is to support and celebrate the global creative community. The One Show is a top global awards show for advertising, design and digital marketing, focusing on the creativity of ideas and quality of execution. Established in 1921, the global ADC Annual Awards is the worlds longest continuously running creative award for advertising and design, honoring excellence in craft, design and innovation. Creative Week takes place in May, and is the preeminent festival celebrating the intersection of advertising and the arts.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has asked the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to release the news ratings with immediate effect.

MIB has also asked BARC to release the last three months data, for the genre in a monthly format, for fair and equitable representation of true trends. As per the revised system, the reporting of news and niche genres shall be on a four week rolling average concept.

Based on the TRP committee report and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAIs) recommendations made in April 2020, the BARC has undertaken revision in its processes, protocols, oversight mechanism and initiated changes in governance structure, etc. The reconstitution of the Board and the technical committee to allow for the induction of independent members have also been initiated by BARC. A permanent oversight committee has also been formed. The access protocols for data have been revamped and tightened.

BARC has indicated that in view of the changes undertaken by it, they are reaching out to related constituencies to explain the new proposals and are in readiness to actually commence the release as per the new protocols.

The ministry has also set up a Working Group under the chairmanship of the CEO, Prasar Bharti; for the consideration of leveraging the Return Path Data (RPD) capabilities for the use of TRP services, as also recommended by TRAI and the TRP Committee Report. The Committee shall submit its report in four months time.
Rupeek, Indias leading asset-backed digital lending platform announced that it has doubled its gold loan disbursals in December 2021 compared to 2020. It has recorded a mammoth annual disbursement run rate of $1billion in December 2021, making Rupeek the first ever asset-backed lending company to achieve this milestone in the fintech space. Despite the headwinds faced by the gold loan industry due to the decline in gold prices through 2021, Rupeek has demonstrated resilience with strong growth and continues to disrupt the category with its unique tech-led doorstep model and seamless integration with multiple lending partners, thereby driving efficiency in lowering its operational expenses.

With a strong commitment to building Indias first ever technology led gold monetisation (GoMon) infrastructure, Rupeek is well poised to double-down its growth momentum and establish itself as a GoldTech player in India. At the recently concluded Rupeek for India thought leadership event, the company showcased their upcoming lineup of disruptive products aimed at monetising Indias $2trillion worth gold assets. After witnessing the tech-led doorstep models unparalleled growth, these new products currently in the pilot stage, will be the next big game changers and strong growth drivers for Rupeek in 2022.

In a price competitive market, Rupeeks focus on technology and product innovation; and its customer-first approach has helped it establish itself as a brand which is not just transformative and relatable to the modern consumer, but a brand with the best functional proposition as well and unlock growth opportunities. With an aim to further democratise access to secured credit, Rupeek plans to grow aggressively in 2022 and expand its lender partner network from 4 to 10+, and its city footprint from 35+ to 120+ cities.

Sumit Maniyar, Founder and CEO, Rupeek said, We are grateful for the support received from customers, investors and employees, and for believing in us and showing their commitment during the most challenging times. Rupeek is the first brand that has digitised the entire process of obtaining secured credit against gold holdings, allowing users to get instant credit from the comfort of their homes. Our aim is to set the foundation for tech-led gold monetisation in the country through unique, industry-first innovations and further, unlock growth and credit for a billion Indians.

Being a digital lending platform, Rupeek is uniquely positioned to achieve the above, through the integration with large banks and its position as a consumer-first, tech-led brand, that simplifies all things gold. Recently, Rupeek raised a $34 million round of funding that was led by Lightbox and existing investors. The RainMaker Group acted as the sole advisor to the Company during this process.

Prashant Mehta, Partner at Lightbox said, Sumit and the strong leadership team at Rupeek are at the forefront of product and technology innovation for gold based digital financial products. Rupeek is targeting a massive $2 trillion opportunity, democratizing access to cheap capital and fueling Indias economy. This latest round of funding will be used to significantly scale and build Indias largest digital asset backed fintech platform

In an environment where the quantum of funds raised garner more attention than consumer growth metrics, Rupeeks growth first mindset helps them stay on course while exploring opportunities to raise sufficient capital and capitalise on forward-looking growth. It truly wants to create a modern day GoldTech brand that commits to solve Indias credit pain points, thereby unlocking growth for all.
Senco Gold & Diamonds, one of Indias largest jewellery retail chains, celebrated the New Year in a unique way by enlivening the lives of more than 2000 orphan children and spreading joy therein across all its 123 stores in India.

The less privileged children enjoyed the opportunity provided by Senco and celebrated the occasion with joy and enthusiasm, while whole-heartedly participating in various fun filled activities such as games, drawing competitions and cultural programmes. During the events at Senco stores, children also showcased their talent through featured dance, music and magic shows. Senco Gold & Diamonds executives also distributed sweets and gifts among the orphan children on this joyous occasion.

Suvankar Sen, CEO, Senco Gold and Diamonds, said, As a responsible corporate citizen, we believe in making a meaningful contribution towards the society and communities that we operate in. The initiative with children who are the future of our society, was a reiteration of our commitment, and it was a humbling experience to see how small things, can make a huge difference to these special children. It was also wonderful to see a plethora of talent among not so privileged kids of our society. We look forward to more such occasions in the future, to celebrate with these special young ones, spreading cheer and joy.

Senco Gold & Diamonds has always believed in giving back to the society. With this objective in mind, Senco Gold & Diamonds set up a Shaankar Sen Institute of Vocational Studies for Women & Youth under the aegis of P.C. Sen Charitable Trust, at Madhyamgram. The prime objective of the institute is to empower women and youth from disadvantaged sections of society by providing them training through short term courses on Jewellery Designing, Beauty Care, Retail Sales, Home Care and Health Care Services.
Taproot Dentsu, a dentsuMB Company & the creative agency from dentsu India, has launched its latest campaign for Tasva, a new mens ethnic wear brand by Tarun Tahiliani & Aditya Birla Group. The campaign, Sada Mast Raho, challenges the social code of conduct prescribed for the groom at his wedding. Be it his choice of clothes, mannerisms or body language, the film encourages men to feel free to express themselves in their true spirit, especially during their special day. For the record, Tarun Tahiliani is a prominent Indian fashion designer and is known for his ability to infuse Indian craftsmanship & textile heritage with tailored silhouettes.

Mens fashion in India has come a long way owing to a plethora of boutique labels offering out-of-the-box and trendy looks, cuts and fits for men across western casual and formal wear. Today, there is ample choice for men to pick from and make a statement or express themselves through fashion. However, when it comes to ready-to-wear wedding wear, they are limited in style, fits and quality. Besides, in India, the choice of the grooms outfit is often a consensus between his mother, sister or bride-to-be, if not more. Often the grooms find their style and taste compromised and their expression confined when it comes to their wedding.

Therefore, the film is a war cry against this compromise and urges grooms to be themselves, more so on the most important day of their life. It showcases the typical ways a groom must behave in a function such as posing for photos, standing upright and looking like a royal mannequin, being traditional in greeting his elders and dressing a certain way that may not suit his personality. On the contrary, the Tasva groom is liberated from these chains of social codes and is true to his character. He is comfortable and expressive in his outfit and his skin.

The film shows a scene from a typical wedding reception. The photographer is instructing the bride and groom to pose for the typical wedding album kind of photos. The groom dressed up gorgeously in a Tasva outfit watches his bride perplexed and guests getting bored. He blows a whistle and signals to the band to play something interesting. Thereafter he takes the wedding by storm. He dances, grooves, teases and mocks the rather serious codes and rituals that surround an Indian wedding. He joins the band and sings, Fursat Na Dekho, Mahurat Na Dekho, Sada Mast Raho. In the end, we see him take an uncles pagdi and climb atop an elephant and dance as the entire guests at the wedding join him in the gala party.





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Speaking on the campaign, Tarun Tahiliani, Tasva, an Aditya Birla Group Venture said, The spirit of Tasva i.e 'the best of self' can not be expressed in jaded, forced portraits but must be expressed in the current possibilities - of movement, freedom and self-expression. The film beautifully captures this in the digital age. And our garments are also young, tailored, sculpted but designed for fit and movement - a light, cool breeze - Sada Mast Raho.

Titus Upputuru, Creative Head, Taproot Dentsu Gurgaon added, When you see the advertising in this segment, it all seems rather serious. The way a man poses after wearing traditional Indian wear, it seems like he is on to saving the world. He is standing upright and has this piercing look into the camera. Also when it comes to weddings, sada sukhi raho, sada suhagan raho (to the bride), etc. are the usual blessings that are given. We said lets change the conversation because the young men who have marriage on their minds arent suddenly turning into these very serious men. It is their big day and they still want to have a good time. Thats why we wrote Sada Mast Raho. It was wonderful to partner Tarun Tahiliani. I love his sensibilities and the finesse that he has brought into the garment is pure genius.

Abhinav Kaushik, Head, Taproot Dentsu Gurgaon commented, Men today have very clear preferences with respect to their attire and are using self-grooming and dressing as means to express their true personalities. But when it comes to Indian wear, they are somewhat at a loss due to lack of options, unlike in western wear. With Tasva, we aim to widen their range of choices and encourage that natural self-expression and exuberance even in Indian wear. This campaign is an absolutely refreshing way to break the seriousness that comes with ethnic wear.
Twitter Inc. (TWTR) is the first of Silicon Valley companies to join Aleph Group as a stakeholder to support Alephs educational endeavors in pursuit of their mission to power the digital ecosystem in emerging countries to unlock and drive economic growth. The Group aims to provide digital advertising education, training and certification to over 50,000 digital professionals in 90 countries worldwide, creating new digital jobs for the future to underpin economic development in underserved markets.

For over a decade, Twitter has relied on Alephs brands, IMS Internet Media Services, Httpool and AdDynamo to be their exclusive advertising partner in 74 countries where they do not have local presence. Aleph helps Twitter monetize their user base primarily in emerging countries by providing dedicated local sales and support teams, proprietary technology to help advertisers maximize their Twitter investments and a robust cross-border payment solution that helps Twitter efficiently generate incremental revenue in non-core markets.

Throughout the course of their partnership, Twitter has recognized the urgency to provide digital-first education to every corner of the planet.

Having Twitter as a stakeholder in Aleph is a particular honor and a special recognition for us. This is a clear endorsement of our efforts in educating a new generation of digital professionals, equally everywhere around the globe comments Gaston Taratuta, Aleph Group Founder and CEO. Access to quality education is key to personal success, yet some parts of the world keep being left behind. Our mission is to ensure that being a digital expert becomes a possibility for all and we are committed to making that happen.

The internet and mobile phones have created an information superhighway, and Aleph is paving that highway with educational tools and content to deliver to those parts of the world that have yet to harness the full power of digitalization.

Aleph has been a valuable and strategic partner to Twitter for many years, said Sarah Personette, Twitters Chief Customer Officer. With a diverse set of capabilities, Aleph has supported our business globally , both as a sales and technology partner. This investment is a natural evolution in our relationship with Aleph.

By investing in Aleph Group, Twitter has backed the companys commitment to training the next generation of digital experts in over 90 countries on 5 continents. They will do so by building a proprietary educational tech platform that will enable professionals of all ages to acquire a local certification and join the community of 50.000 Aleph-trained professionals from across the globe, thus amplifying their employment and career development opportunities.

In a globally connected world, where mobile technology and internet access have become our greatest social equalizer, the skills of the past are being replaced by new technologies. To survive and thrive in the labor market of the future, professionals will need to develop their unique competitive advantages. Digital skills will become a necessity, while those with greater digital skills will hold the key to success.
The much-anticipated genre bending series, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein which releases on Netflix come Jan 14, 2022 features a range of diverse tracks. Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein is an ode to the classic and pulpy Indian thrillers of the 90s and even the title itself has been inspired from the popular Baazigar song.

The soundtrack for the series has been composed by the young music director duo, Shivam Sengupta and Anuj Danait who are both mates from their time together at the Berklee College of Music in the US.

The maverick young duo bring a fresh new vibe to the series soundtrack with songs like the title track - Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein which brings the modern foot tapping rendition of our favourite 90s song in a new avatar with elements of Latin/ Spanish arrangements and dark eerie vocals. Bheega Bheega - a soulful romantic number which features heartwarming lyrics and uses conventional Western Instruments along with Indian folk melodies and a powerful action packed song like Teri Baari Hai to name a few.

Speaking about the soundtrack, Director of Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein, Sidharth Sengupta said, The series is truly elevated with the compelling soundtrack created by Shivam and Anuj, which adds a unique flavour and soul to the story as a whole. We are elated with the initial response to the music of the show and hope the audience will enjoy it and find themselves humming and singing it as well.

Music Director, Shivam Sengupta said, We wanted the music to tell this twisted and fierce love story in our own way and it was an immense honour to recreate the timeless classic that is Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein and give it a modern twist as an homage to the legendary anthem.

The themes of the soundtrack explore classic 90s nostalgia and fuse it with a modern vibe. It was an exhilarating experience to work with Shivam on the diverse set of songs which delve into many genres like Romance, Classical, Bollywood, Jazz, Rap and much more. added Anuj Danait.

The official soundtrack of Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein features 11 songs, which are available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn & Gaana.
The Federal Council

Bern, 12.01.2022 - On 12 January 2022, the Federal Council appointed Rosmarie Schlup as Switzerland's Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London. Ms Schlup is currently head of the Macroeconomic Support Division at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO. At the same time, the Federal Council conferred on her the title of ambassador. Ms Schlup will take up her appointment on 1 September. She succeeds Remigi Winzap, who has been the director since September 2018.

Rosmarie Schlup was born in 1977 and comes from Lengnau in the canton of Bern. She is currently head of the Macroeconomic Support Division at SECO. From August 2015 to October 2016, she worked as a senior technical assistance officer at the International Monetary Fund in Washington. Before that, she was deputy head of SECOs Macroeconomic Support Division, from December 2011 to August 2015. In January 2009, she joined the Export and Location Promotion Section in the Promotion Activities Directorate at SECO as a senior officer and as head of delegation of the Paris Club, before being promoted to deputy head of section in August 2010. Rosmarie Schlup studied international relations at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and gained a Master of Science in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics in 2008.

Switzerland has been a member of the EBRD since 1991. The bank was founded to support the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union on the path to democratisation and in the transition to a market economy. The EBRD Board of Directors, comprising 23 members, sets the banks operational, financial and administrative policy. Besides its own interests, Switzerland represents those of its constituency, which comprises Liechtenstein, Ukraine, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Montenegro and Turkmenistan.

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Alton, IL (62002)

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Thunderstorms this morning, then cloudy skies this afternoon. High 66F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

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Mostly cloudy. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The notorious Guantanamo Bay detention facility, a symbol of U.S. torture and abuse of prisoners, marked on Tuesday the 20th anniversary of the first prisoners' arrival, amid renewed calls that it be shut down and America reflect on its poor human rights record.

"Today is a day to reflect, and to act," U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar wrote in an op-ed published in Teen Vogue on Tuesday. "For those of you who don't know much about Guantanamo and all that it represents, I urge you to educate yourselves ... I am confident that the more you learn, the more appalled you'll become."

The detention site at Guantanamo Bay naval base on the island of Cuba admitted its first detainees on Jan. 11, 2002, as part of the U.S.-led global "War on Terror" in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 people on American soil.

Over the past two decades, nearly 780 inmates have passed through the cells of the U.S. military prison, where they were reportedly subjected to torture and other brutal treatment. Thirty-nine men are still there. Of them, a dozen have been charged with war crimes, while the rest are either eligible for transfer or continue to be held under indefinite detention.

"Around the world, Guantanamo is a symbol of racial and religious injustice, abuse, and disregard for the rule of law," said Hina Shamsi, director of the National Security Project at the nonprofit American Civil Liberties Union, in a statement on Tuesday.

"All of the prisoners have been exposed to the physical and psychological trauma associated with prolonged indefinite detention," Shamsi continued. "Our government's embrace of systematic torture shattered lives, shredded this country's reputation in the world, and compromised national security. To this day, it has refused to release the full details of the torture program or to provide justice and redress for all the many victims."

Khalid Qasim, a Yemeni national who has been detained without charge or trial at Guantanamo since 2002, described his days at the detention camp in an opinion published by The Guardian on Sunday.

"For the first nine years at Guantanamo, I was held in solitary confinement. It was a harsher, more violent place then," Qasim wrote. "The communal blocks that opened in 2010 made a difference, but the deliberate mental torture remains the same. The rules change constantly and without warning. Some guards and some administrations are more cruel than others."

"The torture we are exposed to is not isolated to the interrogation rooms; it exists in our daily lives. This intentional psychological torture is what makes Guantanamo different. There is interference in every aspect of my existence -- my sleep, my food, my walking," he added.

Between 2002 and 2021, nine detainees died in custody Guantanamo, two from natural causes and seven reportedly committed suicide. None had been charged or convicted of a crime.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced shortly after he took office that his administration will move to put an end to the Guantanamo Bay prison. His administration transferred one detainee out of the detention center in July 2021.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters on Monday that the White House continues "to be committed to closing down that facility" but refused to disclose what progress had been made.

Omar also underlined the U.S. "Congress has acted to frustrate rather than facilitate closing Guantanamo," while urging the White House "to dramatically pick up the pace" on the issue.

A group of independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council also condemned the continued operation of Guantanamo.

"Despite forceful, repeated and unequivocal condemnation of the operation of this horrific detention and prison complex with its associated trial processes, the United States continues to detain persons many of whom have never been charged with any crime," the experts said in a statement released on Monday.

"Guantanamo Bay is a site of unparalleled notoriety, defined by the systematic use of torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment against hundreds of men brought to the site and deprived of their most fundamental rights," they said, going on to describe the facility as a symbol of a systematic lack of accountability for state-sponsored torture, ill-treatment, and impunity granted to those responsible.

Since the opening of the detention center, only 12 individuals are reported to have been charged, with just two convicted by military commissions.

The trial of five detainees accused of directly participating in the 2001 plot that led to planes being hijacked and flown into New York City's Twin Towers and the Pentagon has still not begun.

Pre-trial hearings on motions to suppress evidence of torture are now going into a tenth year. In their statement, the UN experts expressed deep concern at these delays.

"We particularly highlight the failures of the United States judicial system to play a meaningful role in protecting human rights, upholding the rule of law and enabling a legal black hole to thrive in Guantanamo with their apparent approval and support," they added.

Lee Wolosky, former U.S. special envoy for Guantanamo closure, also published an op-ed piece on Tuesday in Politico looking back at the "legal and policy morass" that had developed around the prison.

"A task that many saw as a matter of decisively turning the page on a dark chapter in American history turned out to be much messier, more tedious and more legally and politically fraught than I anticipated," Wolosky observed. "Our longest war has ended, yet Guantanamo endures." 




This article was on Apple News, from The Washington Post (gee, I wonder if Apple News will let AofA on?) it's in the "Business" section, not "Health" or "Science." Because Business hates uncertainty, and has that bit of cover to be able to complain about it. Health and Science are not.



Which mask? What test? Covids latest surge spreads an epidemic of confusion.

Some unity - good news! But not really unity, more a joining of the disgruntled. Sounds like Festivus. And strange bedfellows, indeed. Because everyone is confused, frustrated and wondering whats right, er left, er correct regardless of politics. We have readers all over the spectrum, pardon the phrase. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, International readers with their own political affiliations. And all are welcome. The fact is that on January 12, 2022, the messages are so jumbled as to be useless. We're being treated like mice in a maze, and the cheese is moving fast.This article was on Apple News, from The Washington Post (gee, I wonder if Apple News will let AofA on?) it's in the "Business" section, not "Health" or "Science." Because Business hates uncertainty, and has that bit of cover to be able to complain about it. Health and Science are not.

Tiffany Li wants to trust the governments guidance on the coronavirus, but the messages are so confusing now that shes enhanced her precautions, going back to seeing friends only outdoors  in New Hampshire, in January  often with masks on.

In Houston, Mark Thiessen was all in on vaccinations last year, but now, with all the conflicting information about when and whether to get tested, he completely avoids pandemic news. When three members of his family got what felt like head colds over Christmas break, they didnt bother to get tested or quarantine.

As Americans push into a third winter of viral discontent, this season has delivered something different: Amid the deep polarization about masks and vaccines, amid the discord over whether and how to return to pre-pandemic life, a strange unity of confusion is emerging, a common inability to decipher conflicting advice and clashing guidelines coming from government, science, health, media and other institutions. Read more at:



Which mask? What test? Covids latest surge spreads an epidemic of confusion..
Jerry Johnson is Barron County undersheriff when he records minus-60 degrees Jan. 9, 1977, at his home near Cameron, Wisconsin.
When the game is on the line, winning takes a team with players who take pride in their role and trust in each other. Heather Donley knows the success of the beef industry  and our ranches  requires the same team effort
In the southeastern South Dakota town of Avon, the latest census counts just fewer than 600 people.

The number could be bigger, but a lack of available houses and apartments have hindered people from putting down roots there, according to one local leader.

Families was to move in, but we have absolutely no housing available for families to move in, Sara Hento said.

Hento has taken on Avons housing crisis as her primary project through a leadership program called Rural POWER. Part of the inaugural class from the Billie Sutton Leadership Institute, Hento and five others spent the last several months honing their leadership skills and brainstorming big ideas.

I think it is critical that we continue to develop rural leaders within our rural communities in South Dakota so we can see the success of our communities continue in the future, Hento said.

Rural POWER, which stands for Powering Opportunities While Energizing Rural, is accepting applications for a second year Jan. 1 to Feb. 1. Applications for Rural POWER and Suttons other leadership program, the Billie Sutton Leadership Institute, are available online at suttonleadership.org.

Those interested can apply for themselves by submitting a resume and a questionnaire answered in writing or on video. Anyone can also nominate someone they feel would be a good fit for the program. Theyll be contacted by the institute and encouraged to apply.

Participants will be selected in March.

If youre interested in leveling up your leadership game, apply for the program, said Wayne Ducheneaux, another member of the first Rural POWER class.

Ducheneaux is not new to leadership positions. An enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, hes moved up from manager of the tribes hotel enterprise to administrative officer of the tribe. He served on the tribal council and spent a couple years as vice president. After working at a law firm in Washington, D.C., Ducheneaux moved home to Eagle Butte just over a year ago. Hes now executive director of the Native Governance Center working with tribes in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

My whole professional career has been a service to my tribe, he said.

Still, hes learned much through the Rural POWER program. By meeting inspiring people from both sides of the political aisle, Ducheneaux said he has learned public speaking skills and about figuring out who you are and how to relate with others in a group, group dynamics and how to create a movement.

Its helps people understand that change starts with you, he said.

His leadership program is focused on advocating for tribal members to run for leadership positions in the broader community so native voices can be heard.

Really connecting to non-Native folks is important, Ducheneaux said. Its good for me to realize how you bridge that gap.

Hento came to Rural POWER with a passion for seeing rural communities succeed. Growing up near West Point, Nebraska, in high school she worked with the local chamber of commerce to support rural economic development.

She landed in Avon after meeting her husband at the University of South Dakota. When his parents passed away unexpectedly while the young couple was in graduate school, he and his brother took over as the fifth generation on their farm.

Im happy that I was able to continue true to my roots to stay in a rural community, Hento said.

In Avon, she has been invited to serve on the board for low income senior housing, and she sees opening a senior housing facility as one solution to opening up houses for families down the road. Its been helpful to talk to thought leaders and hear how other communities have tried to relieve housing shortages, she said.

Working for the school district in Avon, shes also passionate about providing quality education at small schools.

Avon has outstanding resources and benefits for students, she said, noting success in academics, sports, oral interpretation and drama. But she knows it will take local leaders continuing to talk to legislators and decision makers to continue that small town success.

Housing shortages, quality education and Native American representation are no small issues, but Rural POWER seeks to give local leaders some guidance and inspiration to face those challenges.

You can be a leader from anywhere within the community, Ducheneaux said. You dont have to aspire to be the governor or county commissioner. There are other positions where you can step up and provide leadership.

Janelle is editor of the Tri-State Neighbor, covering South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa and northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at jatyeo@tristateneighbor.com or follow on Twitter @JLNeighbor.

Midwest Messenger Weekly Update Get the latest agriculture news delivered to your inbox from the Midwest Messenger. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
CUSTER, Mont.  They say there are two seasons in Montana: winter and road construction. For ranchers in the Big Sky State, dealing with the elements is just part of the deal. It could be 40 below zero with the wind blowing or it could be 100 above with the sun bearing down and it wouldnt matter. The cattle need to be cared for either way.

The first week of the new year brought another round of weather at Casey and Rebecca Motts operation, which lies outside of Custer on the very eastern edge of Big Horn County. During a phone update on Jan.4, Casey reported there was an additional four inches of snow and it was quite bitterly cold outside.

Yesterday was kind of nice, it got up to 40 degrees, but then this cold front moved in. I think we got up to maybe five degrees today and tomorrow the high is supposed to be minus six, Casey said during the phone call.

Intense cold like that means the cattle will need a little extra feed. A bovines greatest heat source is their rumen. If it is working and percolating, it is releasing energy that keeps the body temperature up. Casey has some wind breaks in his corrals, which the cattle can access, and his yearling heifers are running in a field with ample trees. If a cows gut is working and they can get a reprieve from the wind, it is almost astonishing how well they can do in cold temperatures.

Feeding the cows a few extra pounds of hay of course equates to a bit more labor for Casey. With the added chore of feeding more hay, Casey is eternally grateful for the fact his main water tank is staying open.

I think we got down to 36 below about a week ago and the new tank I just put in was open. It didnt even have a skim of ice, so I must have done something right, he said with a chuckle.

One water tank in Caseys corrals that the horses and a few calves utilize did freeze during the bitter cold snap, but Casey was able to get it thawed out and back to flowing with relatively little hassle.

While the unfrozen water tanks sure are a blessing for Casey, the law of ranching averages dictates something must go wrong to counteract the good fortune. Caseys counterbalancing misfortune came in the form of his main loader tractor breaking down.

Casey noticed the loader on his tractor was swaying more then he would like, so he took the tractor into the shop, removed the bucket, and tightened up the mount. Well, that didnt remedy the swaying, so it was back to the shop for further investigation, and while taking the mount off of one side, the entire side wall frame on the tractor fell off with sheared off bolts being the culprit.

After a parts run to Billings, Casey is set to make the necessary repairs, just in time for the weather to once again turn bitter.

I joke with Rebecca that the only time I seem to turn a wrench is when the temps dip below zero, Casey laughed.

Weather aside, Casey does not fancy himself a mechanic and would rather avoid it if he could, but as a rancher he certainly isnt afforded that luxury.

Aside from mechanic work and feeding cows, Casey is also starting to dive into some leatherwork, which is a favorite wintertime hobby of his. Nothing beats working on leather in a cozy workshop on those cold winter nights, thats for sure.

The Prairie Star Weekly Update Get the latest agriculture news delivered to your inbox from The Prairie Star. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
It may not come as a big surprise, but Scottsdale is home to more short-term rentals than th
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have opened a digital aviation corporate laboratory, intended for the co-creation of technologies that will accelerate the digital transformation of Singapores aviation sector, and help enhance the air travel experience for passengers.

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Named the SIA-NUS Digital Aviation Corporate Laboratory and located at the Innovation 4.0 Building at NUS Kent Ridge campus, the S$45 million (US$33.3m) research facility includes state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, such as a cabin simulator and a cockpit simulator with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. The facility will also benefit from research expertise across NUSs faculties and research institutes.

Altogether the lab is designed to help SIA accelerate its digital transformation programme, helping it overcome the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. The objectives of the lab include driving traveller-centric digital services, ensuring security and safety in air travel, and enhancing organisational effectiveness and workplace productivity for SIA and Singapores aviation sector.

The cabin simulator will be used to develop data-driven enhancements to passenger comfort, sleep and cabin service. The research teams will also develop specifications of new product and service protocols for enhanced passenger experiences and customer service. This will be achieved by combining insights from different research approaches, including data analytics, behavioural and sleep science, design processes, as well as the organisational knowledge and practices of SIA.

The Corporate Laboratory will focus on developing innovations in the following key strategic areas related to the inflight experience:

Enhancements to SIAs cabin seat products: The team will develop and implement novel sensor-based methods for collecting and mining data that can be used for the purpose of analysing comfort on long-haul flights. The data mining seeks to uncover critical insights on seat comfort, which will then be translated into specifications and measurement targets to enhance SIAs cabin seat products.

Novel features to improve customers sleep on board flights: Evidence-based insights on inflight sleep quality will be used to design a sleeping environment that can be adapted to optimise passengers sleep. This includes enhancing seat comfort in ways that facilitate the initiation and maintenance of sleep, optimising environmental factors that affect sleep (e.g. light, sound and touch), and the scheduling of cabin services in a manner that minimises the disruption of passengers sleep opportunities.

Pushing SIAs customer experience: To elevate SIAs customer experience and in-flight service to the next level, the team aspires to develop an in-house solution to deploy a sensor-based, data-driven technology platform. The concept involves capturing, interpreting and anticipating real-time passenger needs, as well as designing suitable service interventions to address passenger comfort, both at an individual and cabin level. The solution processes real-time physiological variables (e.g. cold/hot, hunger or thirst, sleepiness, fatigue) to determine passengers physiological state so as to inform or, where suitable, prescribe actions for the cabin crew.

The laboratory forms part of SIAs Digital Innovation Blueprint, set out in 2018 by the airline to establish itself as a digital aviation and travel experience leader. This was followed by the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between NUS and SIA, with the University as the Airlines knowledge partner.

Goh Choon Phong, CEO of SIA said that the facility, will lead to even more innovative solutions that can enhance the customer experience and travel journey, optimise revenue generation, and increase operational efficiency.

Advancing digital transformation

The SIA-NUS Digital Aviation Corporate Laboratory is helmed by Professor Teo Chung Piaw, Executive Director of the Institute of Operations Research and Analytics of NUS, and Mr Chan Mun Chung, Senior Manager at SIAs Digital Innovation Lab, who will be the co-Directors of the Corporate Laboratory.

Over the next five years, the SIA-NUS Digital Aviation Corporate Laboratory expects to train more than 70 researchers and PhD students, who will play a critical role in fostering resilient and long-term research and development, and engineering talent pipeline for Singapores aviation industry.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, This significant collaboration will tap into NUS deep-tech and multi-disciplinary research expertise across artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data science, operations research and analytics, optimisation, sleep studies and industrial design, to deliver high value and productivity improvements for SIA, our countrys flagship carrier. The innovative technologies developed from the research will redefine the air travel experience for passengers worldwide, while accelerating the digital transformation of Singapores aviation sector.

NUS research expertise across its faculties and research institutes will include activities in the following areas:

 Revenue management and dynamic pricing: The aim is to develop a new approach to design optimal price tiers for air tickets and manage seat inventory, leveraging modern analytical tools and technologies that can perform deep data analytics in airline revenue management systems. Currently, SIA faces challenges in the areas of price elasticity estimation, dynamic pricing, and competition. These challenges require the development of a customised solution for SIA. Expertise, infrastructure, and relevant background work done at NUS Institute of Operations Research and Analytics (IORA), Business School, School of Computing, and Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management will be tapped on to add value to the proposed projects in this area.

 Transforming competency and skills development: The Corporate Laboratory will look at deploying technology to enhance training within the aviation industry. Specifically, the projects will use eye-tracking technology to quantify and personalise training programmes for pilots, and tap on Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology to complement existing training programmes, providing SIA with greater learning flexibility. In the first project, eye-tracking technology will be used to develop a data-driven and competency-based training framework, which will provide an objective approach to training, as well as potentially reduce the number of required hours in flight simulators and training costs. In the second project, the use of AR and VR will help to complement existing training programmes for new cadets as well as the routine refresher courses for current flight and cabin crew by providing greater flexibility in where they can train. It will also include more types of scenarios and situations that can be simulated.

 Employee wellness: The aim is to develop a fatigue modelling and prediction algorithm that can be customised for every pilot and cabin crew member, based on different fatigue factors. This will allow SIA to enhance pilot and cabin crew safety and well-being while upholding levels of performance. In addition, this project aims to achieve a more comprehensive picture of the well-being of SIAs flight crew, and provide guidelines on fatigue mitigation strategies to improve employee wellness. The outcomes that the Corporate Laboratory aims to achieve include accurate individual-based fatigue modelling and prediction, fatigue management approaches, and cumulative fatigue modelling. Expertise and relevant background from NUS School of Computing and the Duke-NUS Medical School will be tapped on to add value to the proposed projects in this area.

 Passenger comfort, sleep and cabin service: Developing real environment cabin simulators to enhance customers comfort, sleep qualities, as well as developing specifications of new product and service protocols for enhanced and unparalleled customer service.

Research activities

The Corporate Laboratory will tap into NUSs research capabilities from the following areas:

 Business School  Department of Analytics and Operations

 College of Design and Engineering  Department of Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Division of Industrial Design

 Duke-NUS Medical School  Chronobiology and Sleep Laboratory

 Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech)

 Institute of Operations Research and Analytics

 School of Computing  Information Systems and Analytics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Carlene Robinson, (334) 206-5051

The Alabama Department of Public Health announces that the draft of the 2020 Alabama State Health Assessment is now available online for the publics review and comments. The document provides helpful information that can be used for local community health improvement initiatives. This colorful 180-page document includes a wealth of statistics and other information about the health concerns Alabama residents face.

The purpose of the State Health Assessment is to learn more about the community: the health of the population, contributing factors to higher health risks or poorer health outcomes of identified populations, and community resources available to improve health status. This will serve as the foundation for a statewide health improvement plan that will identify community assets and resources that can be mobilized to improve overall population health.

A workgroup was established in 2018 to begin identifying the top health issues throughout the state. Input was obtained from diverse agencies, organizations, community groups, health care providers, and citizens across Alabama to determine appropriate and relevant health issues to be included in this assessment. A survey was conducted, and 14 health issues were determined as high priority.

The top 14 health indicators were ranked in the following order: (1) Mental Health and Substance Abuse; (2) Access to Care; (3) Pregnancy Outcomes; (4) Nutrition and Physical Activity; (5) Social Determinants of Health; (6) Sexually Transmitted Infections; (7) Geriatrics; (8) Cardiovascular Diseases; (9) Child Abuse/Neglect; (10) Environmental Health; (11) Violence; (12) Cancer; (13) Diabetes; and (14) Tobacco Use and Vaping.

Several data sources were identified in order to demonstrate the health status of Alabama residents within each of the top 14 health indicators. Those include behavioral risk factors, birth and death data, and medical billing claims. Tables and statewide maps detail specific health equity concerns such as areas identified as food insecure, socially vulnerability, or possessing higher rates of poor health outcomes.

The public is invited to view the document online and submit comments before the State Health Assessment is finalized. The draft State Health Assessment is available online at alabamapublichealth.gov/accreditation/sha.html. Please email comments to Carlene.Robinson@adph.state.al.us. The deadline of public comment is February 9, 2022.

For additional information, visit alabamapublichealth.gov/accreditation/sha.html or contact Carlene Robinson, Bureau of Prevention, Promotion, and Support, (334) 206-5051.

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Joyce Irene McNabb Hopkins passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022. She was the daughter of Herschel Sprague and Pauline Inez McNabb, born in Helena, Oklahoma, on February 25, 1933. She moved with her parents to LeFors, Texas, when she was two and to Hooker, Oklahoma, in 1949.

This was the year she met the love of her life, Billy Hopkins. Fate had it that they would meet grabbing hold of the same pole at the roller rink. No wonder she caught his eye as Joyce was beautiful inside and out. She had a smile and personality that would light up the room.

They dated for over a year until Billy was drafted into the U.S. Army January 1, 1951. He wasn't about to let Joyce get away while he was in the service so he called and asked for her hand in marriage and they were married March 24, 1951.

Billy served for two years and during this time Joyce completed her high school degree at Hooker High School and began working at Tri-County Electric. When Billy returned, they moved to Guymon and decided to start a family. She and Billy lived in Guymon for over 60 years, and it will always be home to her. In 1955, Gayla was born and Joyce made the decision to be a full-time mother. A second daughter, Debra, was born in 1960. Joyce stayed home until both girls were school age.

She started back to work and held various bookkeeping positions landing her career with Guaranty Abstract and Title Company of Guymon where she served for 24 years. She was exceptional at her career and highly regarded. She set a great example for her daughters as a working woman and taught them to set their aspirations high.

Joyce treasured family. Joyce's father passed away at a young age when Joyce herself was only 25. Without hesitation, Joyce and Billy both stepped in to provide strength and comfort to her mother and two younger brothers, John and Bruce. She hosted many get-togethers with family and friends. When you knocked on her door, there was always food and a place to rest your head. She was a math wizard and loved games, especially dominoes. You had to be on your toes as she didn't lose easily. She played clear up till her last few weeks on this earth. She loved camping and fishing, especially the annual trip to Monument Lake, Colorado, where they took many family and friends.

Joyce was a member of the Victory Memorial United Methodist Church. She was active in the Women's Groups where she served her Lord and established life-long friends.

In 2017, when Billy's health began to diminish, Billy and Joyce moved to Katy, Texas. In 2019, Billy passed away. She missed him dearly, always feeling a big part of her was gone too. She carried on making the most of life and everyone she touched just loved her. She will now be resting in eternal peace beside Billy. She will always be in our hearts.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Survivors include her daughter, Gayla Wilkins and husband Michael, daughter Debra Cates and husband Bryan Thomas; grandchildren, Brandon Stofko, Alicia Stofko, Ryan Cates and his wife Vy; great-grandchildren Braedyn, Brecken, Logan, Beau, Ellie; two brothers, John McNabb and his wife Leda and family Bruce McNabb and his wife Rhonda and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fort Bend Senior Meals on Wheels in Rosenberg, Texas, through the funeral home.

Graveside service for Joyce Hopkins will be Friday, January 14, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Good Hope Cemetery. Viewing will be before the service at Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. in Helena beginning at 1 p.m. Online condolences may be made at http://www.lanmanmemorials.com.
An inmate at James Crabtree Correctional Center (JCCC) in Helena is now facing three additional felony counts. Court records show the inmate, Corey Dave Fore, is alleged to have used a computer to download and distribute child pornography from inside the prison while employed through a Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) work program.

Cullen Fowler, a fugitive apprehension agent with the ODOC, on Nov. 17, 2021, was assigned to assist District Attorneys Office Investigator Stephen Tanio in the investigation. Tanio is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. On Nov. 11, he received a cyber tip regarding the distribution and possession of child pornography. A report from Instagram, Inc. indicated on Sept. 27, 2021, an individual had uploaded one video clip of child pornography onto the internet.

On Nov. 15, Tanio submitted an affidavit to the Woods County District Court for an order to obtain registered subscriber information for the IP address from Pioneer Telephone. A letter from Pioneer listed the address as part of an ETS circuit dedicated solely to the Department of Corrections OCI-Manufacturing.

On Nov. 17, Tanio submitted an affidavit to Woods County District Court applying for a search warrant to obtain Instagram records including basic subscriber information and Instagram posts, messages and any video associated with the user name associated with the account he was investigating in the possession of Facebook, Inc. Facebook complied providing 33 pages of records from Sept. 7 to Nov. 12.

Tanio provided Cullen with a copy of all investigative records and a copy of the video uploaded to Instagram.

On Nov. 26, Cullen contacted Pioneer Telephone legal division. A Pioneer technician came on the line and advised the IP address is associated with a circuit with multiple computers sharing one IP address located at Oklahoma Correctional Industries (OCI) on the grounds of JCCC in Helena. JCCC is primarily a medium security facility housing approximately 1100 inmates.

OCI is an ODOC entity that employs inmates. An inmate makes an hourly wage and learns job skills to use on completion of their sentence. Private companies can enter a contractual agreement with ODOC for the sale of goods, products or services. Approximately 1100 inmates work for OCI related companies at 13 sites across Oklahoma. OCI at JCCC is a call center for telemarketing consisting of a large building with multiple workstations equipped with computers. When jobs in the call center come available, inmates interested complete applications and turn them into their case managers. The case managers complete an evaluation and assessment of the inmates.

On Nov. 30, Cullen went to OCI at JCCC to complete a site visit. He learned that currently there were no call center operations underway. When asked about hiring practices, the OCI liaison said inmates are hired based on the interview, prior experience and their skills level. The background of an inmate or previous criminal charges were not viewed or considered. The liaison indicated Fore was working in OCI at JCCC on the dates and time of the child pornography being uploaded.

On Nov. 30, Cullen was told by the OCI contract employee that Fore was an inmate assigned to Case Energy call center work. She stated Fore was assigned as the IT manager and had received an administrative password for Case Energy Internet Server access which allowed him to complete IT work for Case Energy.

On Nov. 30, Cullen conducted a background of inmate Fore. He determined on Dec. 1, 2015, in Tulsa County District Court, Fore was found guilty of two counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12, four counts of lewd molestation, two counts of lewd or indecent proposal to a child and one count of possession of obscene material or child pornography. Fore received eight sentences and a 20-year sentence for the child pornography charge.

On Dec. 1, 2021, Cullen and Tanio conducted a post-Miranda, videotaped interview of Fore. According to the affidavit in the case, Fore admitted to utilizing his administrative IT access to the Case Energy IT server at ODOC OCI, JCCC, Helena, to search for sexually explicit images of children, create a social media Instagram account, save the explicit images and then upload them onto the Internet to his Instagram account.

Corey Dave Fore, 48, has been charged in Alfalfa County with possession of obscene material or child pornography, distribution of obscene material or child pornography, and violation of Oklahoma statute via computer, all felonies.

The first two counts are each punishable by imprisonment up to ten years or a fine up to $10,000, or both. The third count is punishable by imprisonment for not more than five years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both such imprisonment and fine.
In his 1781 Notes on the State of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson famously reminded those Americans who dismissed the Amerindians they were in the process of subjugating as irredeemably savage that their own Northern European ancestors were likewise considered irredeemably savage by the Romans who had conquered them.

However, through the process of civilization at the hands of the Romans, themselves tutored by the Greeks, Northern Europeans went on to build mighty cultures.

Jeffersons understanding of the power of civilization to transform a seemingly savage people had existed in the West for centuries and served as at least one of the platforms of Western colonization.

Jeffersons view is abhorrent to much of contemporary political discourse, which considers colonialization as being equivalent to genocide -- except, of course, if a nonwestern power conquers another people, such as the 8th-century Arab conquest of Spain, which is often, if not always depicted, as a good and noble act.

Portland State Universitys Dr. Bruce Gilley learned this lesson the hard way when his September 2017 article, The Case for Colonialism, published in Third World Quarterly, drew incredible scorn, including death threats from angry readers.

Not to be deterred, Gilley has published a recent work detailing the life of one of the last defenders of colonialism, Sir Alan Burns.

Gilleys book, titled The Last Imperialist: Sir Alan Burns Epic Defense of the British Empire is a crushing broadside against the left-wing celebration of de-colonialization.

The Last Imperialist accomplishes this goal, curiously, by demonstrating how Alan Burns was a thoroughly liberal and anti-racist administrator concerned with the wellbeing of those whom he governed in the colonies.

Alan Burns lived a Tintin-like life. He was being born and raised in the British Caribbean -- and, strangely for a British colonial administrator, Burns was a Catholic. Burns later spent his career fighting against the Germans in Togoland as part of the West Africa Frontier Force and eventually served in colonial administration in British Honduras, the Gold Coast, and Nigeria.

In The Last Imperialist, Gilley provides a vision of colonial life that has long vanished. In the life of Sir Alan Burns, we encounter colonial officials driven mad by isolation, revolutionary Nigerian cult leaders claiming to be the second Elijah, and Bahamian bootleggers. We further encounter in Gilleys well-wrought pages black nationalist Marcus Garvey, the infamous Nigerian Womens War, and stories (perhaps too racy for the reader with a chaster muse) of adulterous love affairs between colonial administrators and native women.

Like American president Richard M. Nixon after him, Alan Burns was a conservative liberal, who believed in the Enlightenment credo of human rights as well as (contrary to both left- and right-wing racialists) a common humanity shared by all human beings. While serving in the Bahamas, Burns celebrated Emancipation Day, which commemorated the end of slavery on the tropical island. As Gilley notes, Alan firmly believed that the same institutions that civilized Europe could do so for the rest of the world. He founded a Carnegie library in Lagos, Nigeria, and encouraged diverse social gathers to ease tensions. He further brought African members into the Gold Coast Legislature while serving as the colonys governor.

Throughout The Last Imperialist, Gilley contrasts revolutionary countries such as Guatemala and Haiti with other countries with a stronger colonial government such as British Honduras and the Bahamas. Gilleys central point is that colonialism stabilized and strengthened colonials while the much-trumpeted revolutionary wars frequently led to chaos and death.

This is not to argue that colonialism is without its mistakes -- a point Alan Burns himself noted.

The murder of an African tribal priest by eight prominent men, often known as the Ju-Ju murder, provided to be one of the most difficult moments in Alans career as he battled with both African and English politicians to attempt to enforce what he perceived to be justice. For Alan, the Ju-Ju murder was symptomatic of the barbarism that civilization was attempting to end in the Third World and which it had allegedly ended (or at least tamed) in Europe.

Sir Alan Burns remaining years were spent battling an increasingly radicalized and anti-colonial United Nations as the British Empire retreated and handed the baton of Western Civilization to the United States.

As Gilley himself hints, what is most frightening about the current discussion of colonialism is the complete absence of truth and honesty from the new wave of left-wing historians.

Gilley demonstrates that many radicals in the developing world privately were able to express their admiration for various elements of colonialism but were unable to voice such support publicly for obvious reasons.

Gilley also marshals quotes from such noted writers as Octavio Paz, V.S. Naipaul, and Chinua Achebe in praise of some elements of colonialism.

However, rational, documented arguments for colonialism do not matter in a time in which the criterion for correctness is no longer truth and the standard for rightness is not justice but rather the will to power and violence.

Image: Regnery Gateway
When Democrat Terry McAuliffe said he didnt want parents to have influence over their childrens education, it wasnt a gaffe; he meant it.

The new totalitarians cannot abide by freedom, especially freedom of education which ensures parents have influence over their childrens education and, therefore, future. The allies of the new totalitarians, however, agree with McAuliffe and other Bolsheviks.

The real reason is that education shapes and molds people; if the educational juggernaut has complete control over education, they have complete control over the next generation, and, therefore, complete control over the future of American society.

Education, as envisioned by leftists, is about control. Its about power. Its about propaganda. Its about ensuring their vision of remaking society is safe and secure.

There are two competing strands of education. The public school system and elite aristocratic control of prestigious institutions like my alma mater Yale are about indoctrinating the next generation into what to properly believe and how to properly act on those beliefs. There is no free inquiry of the mind or soul. Education is put to the service of the politics of activism and reform, the politics of remaking society, and knowing what to remake because of ones education.

The other strand of education goes back to Christianity with antecedent roots in Greece and Rome. We call this humanistic education. It came into its mature form in the Late Renaissance, emerged in its highest form in Protestant England (Cambridge and Oxford, when they were good schools to attend), and was brought to America with the arrival of the Puritans and their establishment of Harvard and Yale (when they were good schools).

The impetus of humanistic education is about becoming a better human being, a soul sharpened by the skills of critical inquiry and exposure to the best writing, rhetoric, and scholarship to help one navigate the big questions of life. The goal of a humanistic education, or a liberal arts education, is about a true exposure to diverse intellectual issues to help you be a better, more well-rounded, human being. The ultimate end of this ideal of education is self-sufficient and autonomous individuals, not a collectivized frenzied mob marching down streets shouting the same slogan ad nauseum with the same signs repeating the same phrases.

Moreover, the humanistic ideal of education extends beyond the classroom. One should continue one's love of learning in the company of family and friends, thereby forming a community of learning rooted in love. For love builds up all things and leads to gratitude.

Totalitarians cannot abide by an educational philosophy that aims at instilling love, for one doesnt destroy what one loves.

Thus, the totalitarians who wish to control the next generation from preschool to collegiate graduation want to instill a philosophy of hatred and resentment into students. Resentment for what we have and hatred toward what weve done. This spirit of hatred and resentment is meant to motivate students, as they take their place in society, to destroy and remake all that they resent and hate into what theyve been told for 20 years to believe in: the communist Utopia, even if not all have been explicitly told thats the goal.

What unites the totalitarians is not a love of learning but hatred and resentment. But this is no way to form a strong society. Hatred and resentment are always shifting, always demanding a scapegoat, an other, to be the target of said hatred and resentment that only temporarily unites people.

There is an irony, of course, in a movement that speaks of inclusion and love and ending otherizing while their entire life philosophy is predicated on exclusive otherizing and hatred toward the irredeemable other.

Since hatred and resentment cannot build but only destroy, we have seen over the past two years their manifestation of the totalitarian dream in action. While cities burned and fellow Americans were killed in criminal violence, the media was saying this was mostly peaceful. When these protests of hate and resentment dissipated, they left burned buildings, businesses, and battered communities in their wake.

This, though, is the goal: To destroy what is evil, oppressive, and the cause of our national sins (white filial suburbia).

As we enter a new year, a new semester, and a new election cycle, it is imperative for all Americans, especially those with children in education, to understand the real crisis of education and what the battle over its future entails.

We have before us two roads. Love of learning and exposure to the great beauty of our cultural patrimony, which is meant to be shared with all, or hatred and resentment of that cultural patrimony to induce division and bring destruction in its wake. Families should do everything in their capacity to ensure that love is what guides their children as they grow and graduate instead of the pernicious spirit of hatred and resentment.

This, of course, means parents need to be aware of what their children are learning. And if they object to it, parents should have every right to seek emendation (through school board elections, especially) or the freedom to decide where their children go for education (religious or private or an untainted public school). It also means that parents have responsibilities outside of the classroom too; to ensure that they counter the spirit of hatred and resentment that their children may (and often are) be exposed to and to counter that with a spirit of love, awe, and wonder for the lives we have and hope to build.

Paul Krause is the editor of VoegelinView. He is the author of The Odyssey of Love: A Christian Guide to the Great Books, The Politics of Plato, and contributed to The College Lecture Today and the forthcoming book Diseases, Disasters, and Political Theory.
American cities burned when a career criminal named George Floyd died in police custody while on a lethal dose of fentanyl. But Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt was shot to death by a senior Capitol Police officer  a lieutenant  with a troubling history and was exonerated by an official investigation without even being interviewed.

Because Ms. Babbitt was the wrong race and of the wrong political persuasion, there is no fanning the flames of resentment, no riots, and no justice for Ashli Babbitt and her family.

Paul Sperry covers the outrage for Real Clear Investigations:

When U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd went on "NBC Nightly News" to tell his side of shooting and killing unarmed Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt, he made a point to note he'd been investigated by several agencies and exonerated for his actions that day. "There's an investigative process [and] I was cleared by the DOJ [Department of Justice], and FBI and [the D.C.] Metropolitan Police," he told NBC News anchor Lester Holt in August, adding that the Capitol Police also cleared him of wrongdoing and decided not to discipline or demote him for the shooting. Byrd then answered a series of questions by Holt about the shooting, but what he told the friendly journalist, he likely never told investigators. That's because he refused to answer their questions, according to several sources and documents reviewed by RealClearInvestigations. In fact, investigators cleared Byrd of wrongdoing in the shooting without actually interviewing him about the shooting or threatening him with punishment if he did not cooperate with their criminal investigation. "He didn't provide any statement to [criminal] investigators and they didn't push him to make a statement," Babbitt family attorney Terry Roberts said in an RCI interview. "It's astonishing how skimpy his investigative file is."

Read the whole thing.



Lt. Michael Byrd.

You can watch the Byrd interview with Holt below:

In an exclusive interview with @LesterHoltNBC, Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd describes why hes choosing to identify himself. Byrd shares his account of the January 6 riot, as officers barricaded the door and he fired a single shot, killing Ashli Babbitt. pic.twitter.com/Q4n7zUqS6N  NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) August 27, 2021

A reader who is an attorney comments via email:

This was unquestionably a whitewash. There's no possible way you clear a person in this circumstance without even an interview. There's no possible way this was self-defense. Nor is there any other possible justification. There was nothing about Ashli Babbitt that was more threatening than any other protesters (in fact less). She had no gun or lethal weapon and in fact there were none at the protest at the Capitol. And there was nothing about this police officer and his position that made it more justifiable to shoot someone. No other officer shot a protester and no other protesters were shot. No protesters were shot in all of the year's long Antifa BLM riots. Officers are required to warn a person before shooting. Not only did he not warn her but the question is what would he warn her not to do or continue doing that posed a great threat to him or others. All of this is compounded by the fact that they didn't even make the officer answer any questions and they cremated Ashley Babbitt's body without the permission of her husband within two days of her shooting. If this isn't a cover-up there's never been one. To any thinking person this is a gross governmental injustice. It's completely un-American. Or as some politicians would say, this kind of behavior and its whitewash is a threat to our democracy. To show you how politicized our country is there's no hue and cry in the in the press because she was a Trump supporter. And apparently it's all right to kill Trump supporters and it's unsurprising that the ACLU, which once was a protector of our civil liberties, is nowhere to be seen. That's because, the ACLU has now been politicized like most other of our major institutions.

Another reader asks:

Is there anything that can stand in the way of the wrongful death lawsuit? Would that be a jury trial? Would the proceedings be public either live or via transcript? I assume Byrd can still be tried criminally if Republicans control the Justice Department  administrative exoneration would not qualify as double jeopardy. Republican House can hold hearings and subpoena him (at which time he would probably take the 5th).

Photo credit: Twitter video screen grab.
As an old guy with no fondness for rap, I discovered Matt Brevner's new music video from an unlikely source. It is featured on The Remnant newspaper's website in its Remnant-TV link. The Remnant is the oldest traditionalist Catholic newspaper in the United States (est. 1968). The editor, Michael Matt, is often controversial, with no love for the works of woke Pope Francis and other Great Resetsupporters. Here is what Michael had to say about Brevner's new music video ("More of Us"):

When the pope, bishops and priests remain silent in the face of evil, the very stones will cry out.

Here at Remnant TV, we believe anyone who is speaking out against the godless "New Normal" should be supported and indeed promoted.

Matt Brevner hails from the People's Republic of Canada, and yet he is unafraid to speak out against the Trudeau Tyranny. His thoughtful lyrics will surely inspire many people to think more clearly about what is happening to our children, our families, and our countries.

It's true, there are many more of us than them, and if we all were to stand up, speak out, and fight back with God's help, we would surely put an end to this nightmare. Matt Brevner is showing the world how it's done.

We encourage our viewers, therefore, to share this link and pray for the success of this young man's heroic effort to speak truth to power.
Is there anything better than a Republican with some fight still left in him? We saw Ted Cruz redeem himself in his questioning of an FBI official on the Jan. 6 riots.

Better still, we're seeing the return of Cocaine Mitch.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is telling Democrats now talking up busting the filibuster, which Joe Biden now also is calling for, to be verrrrry careful what they wish for.

You can almost see him rubbing his hands together and putting on a wolfish grin as he makes his calls.

According to the Washington Examiner:

Senate Republicans say if Democrats vote to end the filibuster, the GOP will use the new rule to force votes on a string of Republican bills that would stand a good chance of passing in the evenly divided Senate. In a move that would turn the Democratic plan to end the filibuster on its head, Republicans say theyll bring up legislation that can easily garner 50 GOP votes and a few Democratic ones. This could advance Republican measures under the rule change Democrats are considering that would lower the 60-vote threshold to 51 votes.

Axios added:

What he's saying: "If my colleague tries to break the Senate to silence those millions of Americans, we will make their voices heard in this chamber in ways that are more inconvenient for the majority and this White House than what anybody has seen in living memory."

Some of those things on the McConnell wish list have been noodling about among Republicans for a while.

Back in April, McConnell told the Wall Street Journal:

How would they feel about a Republican Senate operating with 51 votes majority deciding that they need to have a national right-to-work law? asked Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) at a recent press conference, referring to legislation that would bar mandatory union fees. Other possibilities, according to Mr. McConnell and fellow Senate Republicans: anti-abortion bills, tighter election and immigration laws, loosening of environmental regulations, concealed-carry gun reciprocity in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and defunding cities that have adopted so-called sanctuary policies to limit cooperation with immigration authorities.

Border wall? Right to work? Keystone XL? Ending abortion? Mandatory deportation for criminal illegals? Those are some of the items on the list that McConnell could easily get through with a little help from his Democrat friends (he'd only need to peel off one or two at this point) or, easier still, when the Republicans retake the Senate in 2022. McConnell says he's got a dozen of these items in mind right now. That's hardball.

If these wish-list items still somehow can't come up for a vote, they can come up for a debate, one that would force Democrats to be counted on their unpopular positions, should the 60-vote filibuster and go to a 51-vote majority as Democrats wish:

Other candidates for action include a proposal sponsored by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) to codify the Trump administrations revised Waters of the United States rule, which the Biden administration said in November it would scrap. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers announced in November the restoration of an Obama-era rule expanding the number of waterways protected under the Clean Water Act. Another proposal sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) would bar money appropriated under the 2020 CARES Act or the 2021 American Rescue Plan from going to public elementary and secondary schools that arent open for in-person learning. A third proposal sponsored by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) would prohibit the Department of Justice from paying settlements to illegal immigrants detained at the U.S.-Mexico border.

It's all so delicious -- like the sight of Wile-e-Coyote cooking up a cartoon bomb for the Road Runner and accidentally detonating it in his own face.

McConnell, for all his malignment on various matters, knows his stuff on the Senate and knows how to use Senate power.

He's redeeming himself with this maneuver, which is so desperately needed in this runaway bus-without-brakes Biden presidency and Congress. McConnell is so skillful he knows how to make Democrats blow themselves up with their own bomb.

And he's not even waiting for November 2022 to feel his oats, he's getting busy now. He knows which way the winds are blowing, so he's getting busy now.

That's the good Mitch, the Cocaine Mitch (an affectionate, sarcastic nickname derived from Democrat stupidities that even Mitch has said he enjoys.) Mitch knows how to give overbearing, overweening, over-the-top radical Democrats who think they have all the power something to be afraid of.

Attaboy, Mitch; more like this!

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
On Monday, Project Veritas released documents showing that an organization called EcoHealth Alliance approached the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (AKA DARPA) seeking funding for its research into SARS viruses in rats, only to be turned down because of DARPA's gain of function concerns. EcoHealth then turned to Fauci's NIAID, which seemingly did research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology that led to COVID's spread throughout the world. When quizzed about these documents before the Senate, Fauci denied the charges, but if you listen carefully, he denied a straw man of his own making.

Monday's bombshell was that DARPA refused to accept EcoHealth's proposal for bat virus research in China. It did so because EcoHealth's proposal failed to acknowledge that it was obviously doing gain-of-function research and, therefore, failed to address safety concerns or problems with the gain-of-function research moratorium. Project Veritas also produced an August 2021 letter from U.S. Marine Corps major Joseph Murphy, a former DARPA fellow. Major Murphy wrote the summary after finding conveniently "misfiled" documents.

If you don't like plowing through documents, Project Veritas's video explains what's going on:

Major Murphy's summary of what took place after 2018, when DARPA rejected the EcoHealth proposal, is illuminating. If you have the time, read all 24 pages. For now, I'll focus on two points.

The first is that, since April 2020, it's been known within the government that both ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are curatives because of how they interact with the virus's engineered spike protein. I happen to believe that the administrative state, Democrat party, and media (but I repeat myself) quashed this information, first to destroy Trump's re-election chances and then to maintain steady pressure on Americans to conform to the jab regime.



Image: The DARPA cat and the Fauci rat from Reality Bites by Broc Smith.

The second point is what Major Murphy wrote about EcoHealth's journey from DARPA to Fauci's NIAID. It must be understood that Major Murphy has no firsthand knowledge of what Fauci ultimately saw. Instead, as Major Murphy explains, he was privy to the original DARPA documents as well as the documents from the Wuhan lab, which allowed him to tie the two together. In other words, if I understand correctly what he wrote, while he knows that EcoHealth connected with Fauci, he has no firsthand knowledge of whatever information, written or oral, EcoHealth gave to Fauci:

Being defense-related, it makes sense that EcoHealth submitted the proposal first to the Department of Defense, before it settled with NIH/NIAID. [Note the passive formulation of "before it settled with," phrasing that means Murphy didn't know the terms of the settlement.] [snip] As is known, Dr. Fauci, with NIAID did not reject the proposal.

Now we can turn to Fauci's straw-man denial on Tuesday when he appeared before the Senate. Rand Paul went after him vigorously, which led to Fauci's wonderful self-own as he held aloft a sign saying "Fire Dr. Fauci":

.@RandPaul just ENDED Fauci on LIVE TV



Fauci has no idea what to do with himself other than tremble in fear and whine about Rand Paul's "Fire Fauci" campaign



This is the GREATEST thing you'll WATCH today. LOL! pic.twitter.com/zhWHmrKAwb  Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 11, 2022

Dr. Fauci and I finally agreed on something in our Senate hearing today pic.twitter.com/6MMX570yBn  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 11, 2022

In addition to Rand Paul, Sen. Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kans.) grilled Fauci regarding the latter's insistence that his department never funded gain-of-function research:

Here's what I noticed: aside from Fauci's repeated, creepy little flick of the tongue, beginning at 2:48, Fauci limits his denial to having seen the grant request, which is probably true. What he doesn't say is that he never had different communications with EcoHealth or received different information. He also continued in his refusal to produce all the documents in his possession:

It really pains me to have to just point out to the American public how absolutely incorrect you are. What came out last night on Project Veritas was a grant that was submitted to DARPA. Then it distorted and said we funded the grant. We have never seen that grant and we have never funded that grant. So once again, you are completely and unequivocally incorrect when you join  the DARPA proposal was a grant that we never saw and we did not fund. So, you are incorrect, sir. [snip] Why don't we go and look at the Veritas statement. They were talking about a grant that was submitted to DARPA[.]

By focusing entirely on "that grant," Fauci manages not to answer whether he received a similar proposal, whether formal or informal, from EcoHealth. And that's true because NIAID would never receive a DARPA grant in the first place.

What Fauci could have said was something along the lines of "EcoHealth never came to us with any proposal." Instead, he slithers around, tongue flickering, trying to distance himself from "that grant."

Maybe Fauci really didn't see anything at all. And maybe he just accidentally gave EcoHealth lots of taxpayer money to go to the CCP militaryallied Wuhan Institute of Virology and conduct gain-of-function research on bat viruses...but I'd be hard pressed to believe that story.
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people."

Only moral and religious people? Who said that about the Constitution?

Someone who would know: John Adams, America's first vice president and second president, who served on the First Continental Congress and helped draft the Declaration of Independence.

Adams went on to say immediately thereafter, "It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." In other words, it's "wholly inadequate to the government of" an immoral and godless people.

Sadly, in 2022, there's no shortage of those in America.

For individuals who have never read the Constitution, the preamble lays out the intent:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Per Adams, then, "We the People of the United States" means "We the [moral and religious] People of the United States ... do ordain and establish this Constitution." It does not mean, "We the [immoral and godless] People."

That difference really could explain many of the ongoing problems in America today.

Anti-America anarchists are attacking the Constitution and constitutional rights as America approaches her 250th birthday in 2026. Increasing numbers of citizens are endorsing socialism as the national model, an oppressive ideology that destroys liberty and freedom.

So perhaps John Adams pegged it over two centuries ago. Maybe the issues today come down to morality and religion or, more accurately, a lack thereof. Both are in states of precipitous decline.

It was moral and religious people who wanted "to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility," etc. That seems logical for ethical beings attempting to escape religious persecution elsewhere in the world.



Image: John Adams by John Trumbull (cropped), 1793. Public domain.

Would immoral, godless types want those things?

Probably not. A less perfect Union would likely be their goal. Certainly, less Justice would be and, preferably, no Justice. That appears to be the trajectory the U.S. is on now.

Tranquility?

No!

Those lacking scruples and spirituality would surely have less Tranquility  i.e., Turmoil  in mind. Immoral people profit by exploiting mayhem, not being constrained by ethical norms good people respect. And godless heathens don't worry about the next life; they just smash and grab everything they want in this life. Mine! That seems a lot like where the U.S. is today or is getting darn close to being.

Defunding the police insanity decapitated Justice while trashing Tranquility as well. The closet communists running big cities trampled two constitutional objectives at once with that and kicked the bejesus out of "general Welfare" and "the Blessings of Liberty" to boot.

Turn on the TV; see what's going on across America. Look at what's happening on airplanes...in elevators...on Main Street, USA. It's ugly and getting uglier day by day.

For an old academic like me, "our Posterity" (i.e., children) mentioned in the Preamble seem especially out of touch with the goals our forefathers set. Far too few young people today have a clue about the value of the Constitution, democracy, and capitalism. That does not bode well for the future.

In 2019, Alyssa Ahlgren, a college student working on her MBA, articulated the problem in an article entitled "My Generation Is Blind to the Prosperity around Us." She highlighted that "the United States of America has lifted more people out of abject poverty, spread more freedom and democracy, and has created more innovation in technology and medicine than any other nation in human history." Knowing this, she can't understand why many of those her age are attracted to socialism.

Ms. Ahlgren also noted, "We don't have a lack of prosperity problem. We have an entitlement problem, an ungratefulness problem, and it's spreading like a plague." That was before China's viral plague hit and infected the U.S. with Maoist prosperity-killing internment dictates. Locked away, "a lack of prosperity problem" has become a reality.

The essay concluded by noting that Ahlgren's "generation is becoming the largest voting bloc in the country." They can either "continue to propel us forward with the gifts [of] capitalism and democracy" or "fall into the trap of entitlement and relapse into restrictive socialist destitution." Too many are leaning in the latter direction.

Where we stand today, it's clear moral and religious people of all ages must unite. Multiple generations must come together to reaffirm the importance of America's Constitution.

Vote to rebuild every parameter called for in the Constitution:

A more perfect Union  Yes!

Justice  Yes!

Domestic Tranquility  Yes!

Common defense  Yes!

General Welfare  Yes!

Blessings of Liberty  Yes!

You don't know how to vote for those?

Find those politicians who endorse all Constitution components and vote for them. Better yet, find non-politicians who love America and are willing to shoulder the burden of getting the U.S. back on track  i.e., are willing to run for public office. Vote for them.

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people." It's time for every moral and religious person in America to help ensure that the Constitution survives. Anyone standing on the sideline is, by default, voting "no" on every principle therein.

R.W. Trewyn earned a Ph.D. after surviving combat in Vietnam and has survived 50-plus years slogging academe's once hallowed halls.
The senile old fool over at the White House, supposedly a man of moderation and experience, sure has a way of persuading voters.

He made one colossal dog of a speech on Jan. 6, screaming about President Trump and his supporters. He's since decided to encore himself, with a new round of yelling at the public.

According to the Newsweek transcript of the speech, which was the only one I could find, he began with this tripe, appropriating the cadences of the Declaration of Independence and President Lincoln's Second Inaugural address both of which were gravity-laden calls to war

In our lives and the lives of our nation  the life of our nation, there are moments so stark that they divide all that came before from everything that followed. They stop time. They rip away the trivial from the essential. And they force us to confront hard truths about ourselves, about our institutions, and about our democracy. In the words of Scripture, they remind us to "hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate." Last week, [Vice] President Harris and I stood in the United States Capitol to observe one of those "before and after" moments in American history: January 6th insurrection on the citadel of our democracy. Today, we come to Atlanta  the cradle of civil rights  to make clear what must come after that dreadful day when a dagger was literally held at the throat of American democracy.

Any questions as to why this dotard's poll numbers are in the toilet?

His Jan. 6 speech shaved several points off his already low poll numbers, and you can bet that this phony call to war will take off even more.

See, he'd have you think democracy itself is under attack because the Senate isn't all in on his national junk-mail balloting, zero-ID, dirty voter rolls, national ballot-harvesting bill, complete with Democrat-drawn congressional districts, claiming that it was all about that hotbed of voter suppression, Georgia.

And today, we call on Congress to get done what history will judge: Pass the Freedom to Vote Act. (Applause.) Pass it now  (applause)  which would prevent voter suppression so that here in Georgia there's full access to voting by mail, there are enough drop boxes during enough hours so that you can bring food and water as well to people waiting in line.

He lied about the water again, which Georgia's vote integrity law does not prohibit at all except if it's used by activists to bribe voters. He railed against voter integrity measures being passed by various states as "Jim Crow 2.0." He browbeat the voters further with: "Do you want to be on the side of Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis?" (He forgot that Lincoln was a Republican and Davis was a Democrat.) Even the Wall Street Journal editorial page thought that was pretty "cringe."

He "went there" on the live issue of the fraud in his own election, something huge numbers of American voters are on to, and tried to use it to get support for his zero-ID vote reforms.

As he falsely railed about voter "suppression," he was absolutely oblivious to the fact that he "won" the state of Georgia in the 2020 election. Based on Joe's speech, Georgia is a hotbed of voter suppression, yet somehow he won there.

But bringing up Georgia does call to mind that some big investigations are going on there over voter fraud, and the Georgia secretary of state is investigating them at long last. An activist group called True the Vote brought out concrete evidence of ballot-harvesting, including a witness who said he was paid $10 per harvested vote for a tidy sum of $45,000 in the 2020 election. Ballot-harvesting is illegal in Georgia, as it is in nearly every country in the world. It's even illegal in Mexico now, the nation that pioneered the practice in decades past. Somehow, he wants more ballot-harvesting.

Biden also praised unattended ballot drop boxes in Georgia, which certainly helped him win his "victory," and which are now being subject to state legislative controls.

Dropping your ballots off to secure drop boxes  it's safe, it's convenient, and you get more people to vote. So they're limiting the number of drop boxes and the hours you can use them.

That's interesting stuff because, right now, Georgia voters know that their state is under investigation for its unattended ballot drop boxes and the mysterious way the continuous videotapes on them, intended to safeguard against someone stuffing the boxes with fraud ballots, somehow disappeared in some of Georgia's counties as the investigators came knocking. Biden's claims to the integrity of the unattended drop boxes sound like his early claims on the efficacy of the COVID vaccine.

Biden also was big on arguing for mass mail-in ballots, so-called junk mail elections, from dirty voter rolls that no longer need to be maintained or inspected under his proposed election "reform."

For example, voting by mail is a safe and convenient way to get more people to vote, so they're making it harder for you to vote by mail.

No, it isn't. The chain of custody is broken through this practice as the ballots pass from hand to hand in the postal service, many of whose facilities are zero-security, and many of whose employees are rabidly left-wing partisans. That practice Biden advocates for is rightly banned in every country in Europe as an open door to fraud. Suddenly, Joe doesn't want to be like the Europeans, but he didn't mention that.

The whole thing was a huge scold, with a sizable helping of racial grievance huckstering thrown in for good measure. Biden sounded like a mean old man yelling at kids to get off his lawn, and it was a creepy sight, given that he made his raging speech unmasked as dozens of black kids in servile masks sat behind him. Rules for me, and thee...

It was obnoxious. It was offensive. It certainly matched his bitter, grievance-laced speech from Jan. 6 if not exceeded it. Vote for my national ballot-harvesting bill or be a Bull Connor racist which wasn't exactly subtle.

More to the point, it will persuade no one. It's just yelling from a miserable creature who got into the White House by fraud and now seeks to rig elections so that Democrats will never lose power again. That's what socialist dumps like Venezuela and Nicaragua do.

This clown can't be expelled from office soon enough, come November 2024.

Image: Screen shot from Washington Post video posted on YouTube.
Mark Meadows, former chief of staff to President Trump, filed an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court, January 7, in support of the former president's claim that his official papers should be covered by executive privilege and not released to the Jan. 6 House Select Committee. The matter is now on appeal before the Supreme Court as a result of the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upholding the decision by President Biden that executive privilege is not justified to keep the Trump papers from the Select Committee. The appellate ruling from Judge Patricia Millett included the curious assertion, at the top, of "multiple" deaths at the Capitol, January 6, 2021, with the added contention that the Trump-supporting "mob" came armed with "weapons." The only violent death was that of Trump-supporter Ashli Babbitt, shot and killed by a Capitol cop. There were no reports of demonstrators carrying arms, to my knowledge.

A comment in the amicus brief goes to the heart of this matter. "For Executive Privilege to fulfill its intended purpose of allowing full and free communication among Presidential advisors, it must be able to survive a party change in the Presidency and a hostile Congress." If there were any doubt of the hostility that President Biden (and congressional Democrats) have for Donald J. Trump, those doubts should have been dispelled by the following excerpts from Mr. Biden's denunciation of his predecessor, January 6, 2022.

And here's the truth: the former president of the United States of America has created and spread a web of lies about the 2020 election. He's done so because he values power over principle. Because he sees his own interest as more important than his country's interest and America's interest. And because his bruised ego matters more to him than our democracy or our constitution. He can't accept he lost. Even though that's what 93 United States senators, his own attorney general, his own vice president, governors and state officials in every battleground state have all said: he lost. That's what 81 million of you did as you voted for a new way forward. He has done what no president in American history, the history of this country has ever, ever done. He refused to accept the results of an election and the will of the American people.

Judge Millett's ruling, if it is upheld, will, arguably, set a precedent that the Constitution accepts a predecessor's executive privilege rights to be held hostage by the succeeding, and hostile, president and Congress. At the very least, such a precedent would not encourage stability in transitions; more likely, it would encourage unconstitutional conduct by a rogue, vindictive Congress, issuing bills of attainder (banned in Article I, Section 9) against former presidents. In wrongly permitting the incumbent to erase his predecessor's executive privilege, the appellate court did nothing to contradict the contention of amicus Meadows that the subpoenas spewing from the Select Committee have a law enforcement purpose, not a legislative one.

Two days after Meadows filled his amicus brief with the Supreme Court, Rep. Jim Jordan sent a letter to January 6 Select Committee chair Bennie Thompson, rejecting the chair's request that Jordan appear before the panel that the Ohio congressman saw in the context of "Democrats' nonstop investigations and partisan witch hunts."

Calling Thompson's December 22 letter "an unprecedented and inappropriate demand" of a congressional colleague, Jordan wrote, "This request is from outside the bounds of any legitimate inquiry, violates core Constitutional principles, and would serve to further erode legislative norms." The ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee continued, "Your attempt to pry into the deliberative process informing a Member about legislative matters before the House is an outrageous abuse of the Select Committee's authority." Contending that Thompson's "unprecedented action serves no legitimate legislative purpose and would set a dangerous precedent for future Congresses, " Jordan noted that "[i]t is telling that the Select Committee has chosen only to target Republican Members with demands for testimony."

Rep. Jordan's letter further reminded Thompson that House Democrats, in their brief for the February 2021 impeachment, had already accused Mr. Trump of responsibility for January 6, accusing Republicans of "sedition" and calling them "traitors." Before concluding the January 9, 2022 letter, Mr. Jordan rebuked the Select Committee for having "abused fundamental civil liberties  investigating private citizens' political speech protected by the First Amendment, and seeking to impose gag orders on telecom and email companies to prevent them from notifying their customers that the Select Committee has demanded their data."

There should be little doubt that if a Republican committee consisting of Republicans and a couple of Democrat turncoats were to act so arbitrarily and high-handedly toward Democrats, the Democrats would rise up in solidarity, aided by the clamor of an outraged media establishment. Where Jim Jordan's signature was the only one on his letter to Chair Thompson, a similar letter from a Democrat to a Republican chair would have included more than two hundred Democrats.

But the Jordan letter, with the Meadows brief in support of former President Trump, point to positive activity on the patriotic front in this political war to keep alive our legacy of liberty.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
How bad are things going for President Biden? The answer is "pretty bad."

We just learned that Stacey Abrams didn't join the president in Georgia for his big speech on what he claimed were voting rights.

This is the story that alerted us:

Republicans seized on a report that Stacey Abrams, the influential Georgia Democrat and gubernatorial candidate, will miss President Bidens important voting rights speech Tuesday due to a scheduling conflict. "Theres bad, and then theres Gubernatorial candidate in a state you carried cancels on you bad," Ben Williamson, an adviser for former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows tweeted. He retweeted a post from New York Times reporter Nick Coransanti, who cited an Abrams aide. The reason for the scheduling conflict was not clear. An Abrams aide confirmed reports and told Fox News she has a conflict but expressed the candidate's support of the president.

And sure enough, she never showed. When asked about it by a reporter, Joe Biden flew off the handle at the reporter, saying he felt "insulted"by the very question. He claimed to be great pals with Abrams.

So what's the problem?

Maybe Miss Abrams had better things to do, such as celebrating Georgia's victory over Alabama. It's a good reason, but that parade is not today.

Maybe Miss Abrams got stuck somewhere because of all the canceled flights; perhaps that was the claimed scheduling conflict.

Or maybe Miss Abrams was watching the president's approval rates and would rather skip the speech. You know that President Biden is in trouble when his best polls are the ones based on "adults" rather than likely or registered voters.

The real story here is that President Biden is a liability. Imagine what the Senators from Nevada and Arizona must be thinking about this. Don't expect an invitation to the president or vice president to those

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
The inner-city predator has been a problem for decades, but never before has the predator received the affirmation of the criminal justice system.

The criminal justice system and the mainstream media have conditioned us to see the predators themselves as victims of social forces. They are people deprived of opportunity and incapable of making decent choices.

The predators are the true victim. The prey is simply collateral damage.

There is no such thing as individuals making choices because choices are functions of opportunities, and opportunities are limited by social forces.

Ask any sociologist, and you will hear a mantra of explanation absent individual volition, responsibility, or decision-making.

As sociologists, progressives, and liberals see it, the predators who come out of the inner city and smash and grab their way through suburban shopping malls for $500 to $1,000 are not thugs, but desperate young people. Their behavior shows not their thuggery, but their limited opportunities. Why else would they take such enormous risks for so little money?

And who is responsible for this? You are because you have not worked to change the social system. It is not the people doing the smashing and grabbing who are at fault, but the people who limited their opportunities.

And the legitimacy of this twisted ideology is underscored by having the police stand in place while the "teens" bash their way through suburbia.

Whether in New York City, San Francisco, Philadelphia, or Los Angeles, progressive prosecutors siding with this ideology will not prosecute criminals for certain crimes.

In San Francisco, an elderly Asian man minding his own business gets kicked in the head by a young thug. The thug sees no incarceration time. Under the policy of prosecutor Chesa Boudin, he gets counseling. This is called "distributive justice." It, however, requires the assent of the victim, and in this case, the elderly victim speaks no English and never consented. No matter  Boudin's concern is for the thug, not the victim.

In Chicago, an elderly white man sleeping on the elevated train is beaten by more than a dozen black teens. Kim Foxx, Chicago's controversial state's attorney, refuses to prosecute the teens. Why? Because the victim suffered brain damage and cannot identify the assailants even though closed-circuit TV clearly shows the thugs beating the man. One wonders: if a dozen or more white teens had beaten up an elderly black man, would the decision have been the same?

Foxx has also refused to prosecute gang members shooting it out in broad daylight on city streets because being in a gang creates certain risks.

Newly appointed Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg said he would not prosecute such criminal offenses as resisting arrest and evading transportation fares. Armed robberies that did not result in injury would be treated as misdemeanor petty larceny, and not as a felony.

Ask yourself, what message is Bragg sending? If the cops arrest you, fight them off and run away because you won't be prosecuted. If you want to ride the subway, just jump the turnstile; it's no longer a crime. And if you rob a store at gunpoint, just make sure you don't shoot anyone. Take the loot and run. If you get caught, it is only petty larceny. You'll probably get a fine that will cost less than what the loot you took is worth.

When the legal system refuses to enforce the law, it invites more criminal behavior. The people who extol the so-called virtues of distributive justice know this.

Their concern is not for the law-abiding citizen, but for the criminal. The criminal is the product of the social system. The criminal is the true victim, in this mentality, and the rest of us need to stand ready to be collateral damage.

Perhaps, the progenitors of distributive justice need to be reminded that there is a long tradition of frontier vigilance in this country. When there was no law or when the law didn't function, community influentials formed committees of vigilance.

Maybe law-abiding citizens need not accept their fate as victims. Maybe police need not accept the threat to life and limb that comes from a person resisting arrest.

We need to resist this insanity as we need to resist any tyranny.

Abraham H. Miller is an emeritus professor of political science, University of Cincinnati, and a distinguished fellow with the Haym Salomon Center.

Image: PxHere.
On Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz reminded people why they've appreciated his contributions to the conservative cause. Jill Sanborn, the executive assistant director for the FBI's national security branch, appeared before the Senate to answer questions about the FBI's role in events on January 6. Cruz grilled her with a series of questions to determine whether the FBI played a part in the events of the day, including questions about Ray Epps, a very visible presence on the day. Sanborn, instead of giving a full-throated denial, refused to answer any questions, leaving the strong impression that the FBI was behind the whole thing.

The questions Ted Cruz asked are of pivotal importance. Internet sleuths have examined whatever publicly available footage they could obtain of events in and around the Capitol on January 6. Even without the 14,000 hours that the Capitol Police, under Nancy Pelosi's control, refuse to produce, the known footage has raised some serious questions. The three most disturbing questions involve Ray Epps, the missing "restricted area" signs and fences, and the Scaffold Commander.

The Revolver explains these three issues and people at length in a must-read article, but here's the very short version:

(1) Ray Epps was seen on January 5 aggressively encouraging people to storm the Capitol and on January 6 doing so again, appearing to give the marching orders to a small cadre of people. If anyone should have been arrested, it was Ray Epps. Instead, Epps spent six months on the FBI's most-wanted list and then vanished.

(2) There's footage showing unknown men  never arrested  systematically removing the signs and fences that the Capitol Police had erected informing people that areas usually available to the public were now off-limits. This meant that almost all the people who walked onto the newly "forbidden land" and even into the Capitol when Capitol police waved them in had no way of knowing that they were engaged in a criminal act.

(3) The Scaffold Commander had a megaphone; placed himself on a scaffold; and assertively, as if there were a plan, directed the crowd to enter the Capitol. Again, those who followed his advice, in the absence of signs and fences, and with the police holding the doors open, had no way of knowing they had committed a crime. The FBI, surprisingly, shows no interest in this man.



Image by Andrea Widburg.

No wonder that many people now believe that January 6, from start to finish, was an FBI-planned event intended to entrap Trump supporters. This gave Democrats, their administrative state allies, and the media a narrative they could use to destroy both Trump and his supporters by libeling them as insurrectionists and hunting them down as domestic terrorists. (Positing this as a plan explains how the entire leftist infrastructure immediately began hammering away at the word "insurrectionist," a key word from Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.)

It was with those concerns in mind that Cruz fired a series of questions at Sanborn as he attempted to learn the FBI's and Ray Epps's roles on January 6.

And to question after question, Sanborn's response was a variation of the same theme: she couldn't answer because doing so would reveal "sources and methods." She might as well have stood up and screamed, "Of course, we were there!" If the FBI hadn't been there, "no" would have been the safe and appropriate answer. (As it happens, even the New York Times concedes that the FBI was there.)

Senator @tedcruz: "Ms. Sanborn, who is Ray Epps?"



Jill Sanborn: "I am aware of the individual, sir." pic.twitter.com/0rrY7ukDyx  The Columbia Bugle  (@ColumbiaBugle) January 11, 2022

Senator @tedcruz Asks Why Ray Epps Was Removed From The FBI's January 6th Wanted List pic.twitter.com/FJeEuXNjFr  The Columbia Bugle  (@ColumbiaBugle) January 11, 2022

After the hearing, the January 6 kangaroo court...er, committee, decided to reinforce the feeling that there's a cover-up in place. Through a spokesman, it announced that it had talked to Ray Epps, and everything was fine. Epps assured the committee (and it's unclear if he was under oath) that he had no connection with the FBI. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

B) 1/6 Cmte spox: Mr. Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on January 5th or 6th or at any other time, and that he has never been an informant for the FBI or any other law enforcement agency.  Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 11, 2022

The committee's insouciance about a man caught on camera urging people to storm the Capitol is surprising, given that the FBI and the committee have been hunting down and imprisoning anyone who even got within spitting distance of the Capitol. But good ol' Ray Epps, he's fine, just fine.

You don't have to be in Denmark to know something rotten is taking place in D.C.
The Mauthausen concentration camp, situated about 20 kilometers east of the city of Linz in Upper Austria, was the hub of one of the largest labor camp complexes in the German-controlled part of Europe, with a central camp near the village of Mauthausen, and nearly one hundred other subcamps located throughout Austria and southern Germany. Among these Mauthausen had the most brutal detention conditions. It was classified Grade III, where the most incorrigible political enemies of the Reich were sent to be exterminated, often through exhaustion by grueling forced labor. The SS called Mauthausen Knochenmuhle, or the bone grinder.

The camp was located on the edge of a granite quarry where camp inmates were sent to work. Indeed, the site for the camp was chosen because of the quarrys close proximity to Linz, a city Hitler planned to rebuild with grandiose buildings as envisioned by Albert Speer.

The Stairs of Death at Mauthausen concentration camp, then and now.

Several times throughout the day, prisoners were forced to carry blocks of stone, often weighing as much as 50 kilograms, up the 186 stairs of the so called "Stairs of Death". Often, exhausted prisoners would collapse and drop their load on top of those following, creating a horrific domino effect with prisoners falling onto the next, and so on, all the way down the stairs. The heavy stones would crush their limbs and bodies. People died on these stairs every day.

Sometimes, the SS guards would force the exhausted prisoners to race up the stairs carrying blocks of stone. Those who survived the ordeal would then be placed in a line-up at the edge of a cliff, the SS called "The Parachutists Wall". At gun-point each prisoner would have the option of being shot or pushing the prisoner in front of him off the cliff. Some prisoners, unable to bear the tortures of the camp, would willfully jump off the cliff. Such suicides were frequent.

Today, the "Stairs of Death" form part of the guided tours at the Mauthausen Memorial. The stairs have been redone and straightened so that tourists can easily climb up and down them, but at that time they were tilted and slippery.

From the accounts of Christian Bernadac, a French resistance fighter who was imprisoned at Mauthausen, and later wrote a book titled The 186 Steps,

Those who visit the Mauthausen quarry today, don't see the same thing, for since then, the steps have been redone - a real stairway, cemented, and regular. At that time, they were simply cut with a pick into the clay and rock, held in place by logs, unequal in height and tread, and therefore extremely difficult, not only for climbing but also for the descent. Stones rolled under our wooden-soled sandals, and we were forced to keep moving at a very rapid pace. The work consisted of carrying up a stone of considerable size and weight, along the 186 steps, after which there was still a considerable distance to cover. The man who chose a stone found to be too small was out of luck. And all of this went on at the rate of eight to ten trips per day. The pace was infernal, without a second's rest.

The Mauthausen quarry is now overgrown with trees and bushes. Much of the camp site is also covered by residential areas built after the war. There is a museum now and a visitor center.

Photo credit: Ramon Cutanda Lopez/Flickr

Photo credit: Sonya Brunt/Panoramio

Photo credit: Martin/Flickr

Photo credit: damian entwistle/Flickr

Photo credit: German Federal Archive/Wikimedia

SS officers climbing the "Stairs of Death", April 1941. Photo credit: German Federal Archive/Wikimedia

View of the Wiener Graben quarry and stone "stairs of death" (Todesstiege) at the Mauthausen concentration camp. Photo credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Prisoners at forced labor in the Wiener Graben quarry at the Mauthausen concentration camp. Photo credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Photo credit: German Federal Archive/Wikimedia

Photo credit: German Federal Archive/Wikimedia

Sources: Wikipedia / scrapbookpages.com / www.wien.gv.at
North Andover, MA (01845)

Today

Mostly cloudy with rain ending for the afternoon. High 57F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is already receiving its first software update. The device, which broke cover last week, is picking up its first update just a day after it went on sale yesterday. The update brings the latest January 2022 Android security patch. The official changelog doesnt mention anything else but we are expecting additional optimizations and stability improvements as well. Samsung tends to seed some early optimizations to its newly-launched devices.

As far as the content of the January SMR (security maintenance release) is concerned, Samsung recently confirmed that it brings fixes for over 60 vulnerabilities found in Googles version of Android as well as the Korean brands custom software. A handful of those were critical issues.

First reported by SamMobile, the new update for the Galaxy S21 FE is currently rolling out to users in Thailand. The new firmware version is G990EXXU1BUL5. Users in other regions, including the US, can also look forward to the update in the coming days.

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Meanwhile, if youre looking to buy the Galaxy S21 FE, we wouldnt recommend you not to. Its a great phone at $700. You can check out our review to know more about how the device performs in day-to-day life. The device is available to purchase from Samsungs website as well as carrier partners.

Galaxy S21 FE has finally arrived

The Galaxy S21 FE took forever to launch. For months, it was just leaks and rumors. But now that the device is official, things are going along nicely for it. The phone went on sale yesterday and today, it is receiving a new software update as well. Since not many people have got their hands on the new phone yet, most Galaxy S21 FE buyers will have an OTA (over the air) update waiting for them out of the box.

If youve used a Samsung phone before, you probably know how to update your new Galaxy S21 FE. But if youre switching from some other brand, youll be happy to know that its a fairly easy process. You will receive a notification once the OTA (over the air) update hits your phone.

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You can also check for updates manually from the Settings app. Simply navigate to the Software update menu and tap Download and install. If an OTA update is available, youll be prompted to download it. Now let the download complete and select Install now for the phone to automatically reboot with the new software package. You can also schedule the installation process for a later time or manually trigger it later.
Samsung has officially denied reports of the Exynos 2200 chipset being killed off. This led to speculation that the upcoming SoC could arrive later. Samsung is now saying that the new chipset will launch with the Galaxy S22 lineup next month.

Speaking to Business Korea, the manufacturer said it would unveil the next-gen flagship SoC during or just before the launch of the Galaxy S22. If reports are accurate, the Galaxy S22 will go official by mid-February, so we may have to wait at least a few weeks for the official release of Exynos 2200.

We are planning to unveil the new application processor at the time of launching a new Samsung smartphone, a company official said. Addressing speculation about the chipsets underwhelming performance and production-related issues, the official said there are no problems in these areas.

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The new GPU is expected to resolve the problems of the Exynos 2100. We intend to sharpen our competitiveness by loading GPUs for games into mobile devices, the official added.

Samsung initially planned to launch the Exynos 2200 by late 2021

Notably, the company was originally targeting a late 2021 release timeframe for the chipset. The postponement to January 11, and now potentially February, raises concerns.

Samsung is clearly at a disadvantage with its new chipset, as rival offerings are already here. Qualcomm took the wraps off its 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in late November. Meanwhile, MediaTek unveiled the Dimensity 9000 chip a few weeks prior.

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Part of the reason theres so much talk about Samsungs new chipset is the integrated AMD GPU (RDNA 2). With features like ray tracing being one of its key selling points, there was understandably a lot of hope from the Exynos 2200.

Reports suggest that the Exynos 2200 chipset would make it into Galaxy S22 variants for regions like South Korea and Europe. Meanwhile, key markets like the U.S., China, and India would reportedly get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 version of the new flagship.

We expect to obtain plenty of information on the Galaxy S22 series as we get closer to its official unveiling. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, in particular, has the mobile industry excited based on leaks and rumors. Early reports said the Galaxy S22 would break cover by early February, Samsung reportedly delayed it by a week.
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(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 12 - Italian police said Wednesday they had identified the suspected vandals who allegedly stained famed Sicilian beauty spot la Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks) with red powder on Friday night.

The white marn cliff near Agrigento was made even more famous as a backdrop of several of Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano stories.

Vandals smeared ferrous oxide powder on it on the night of Friday-Saturday, staining it red.

The cliff has been put up by Italy for UNESCO world heritage status.

Police said they had identified two men who were suspects in the vandalism, an act they said was carried out as a protest against police and 'the system'.

One of the two has already been convicted of vandalising the Milan metro and the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, as well as the Punta Bianca white cliff near la Scala dei Turchi.

The red stains were washed off the Stair of the Turks on Monday morning.

The beauty spot takes its names from the incursions of Saracen and Barbary raiders, or 'Turks', in Sicily from the Middle Ages onwards. (ANSA).


80-yr-old Palestinian dies after Israelis arrest him Doctors say it was cardiac arrest, no comment from Israel

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, JAN 12 - An 80-year-old Palestinian man died in a West Bank village on Tuesday some hours after the end of an operation by the Israeli army during which he was tied up, blindfolded and held in a building under construction.



The news was reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA but has not yet been commented on by the Israeli army.



WAFA stated that the man's named was Omar Abdel Majid Asad, from the Jiljilya village near Ramallah.



He crossed paths with soldiers while in his village and was then forced to remain tied up, alongside four other people, until late night.



Only at dawn were the inhabitants of the village able to help them, but they found Asad dead.



The Palestinian health ministry said that his death had been caused by cardiac arrest.



Palestinian prime minister Mohammed Shtayeh has issued a statement condemning the incident.



In Israel, thus far, there have not been any official comments on the matter.(ANSAmed).




TUNIS - The new governor of Tunis, Kamel Fekih, Kamel Fekih, previously a senior finance ministry official and an ally of the president, announced on the private broadcaster M Tunisia that he would not authorise demonstrations on January 14 to avoid "unnecessary" gatherings.

There has been a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections in the country in recent days.

Speaking on the Bila Kinaa programme, the governor said that he had not yet received requests of this sort but that in any case he would not issue any authorisations.

He called on Tunisians to show responsibility by abiding by health-related instructions, regulations concerning social distancing, and the presentation of vaccine passes to enter public spaces.

For January 14, the 11th anniversary of the revolution, opposition parties and civil society groups have announced that they will stage protests against measures brought in by President Kais Saied.

Government decisions are expected to be announced on Wednesday regarding new measures to counter the spread of COVID-19.
BELGRADE - Belgrade has protested against modalities that it considers "unacceptable" through which the Serb population in Kosovo will be able to vote in a referendum on justice sector reform slated for Sunday in Serbia.



Kosovo authorities have said that Kosovo Serbs can vote not in regular voting stations but via post or in the liaison office in the Kosovo capital.



Milovan Drecun, head of the commission for Kosovo in the Serbian parliament, spoke Wednesday about another 'provocation' by Kosovo PM Albin Kurti that risks sparking tension and incidents.



Kurti, Drecun said, is trying anything he can to present Kosovo as an independent state and to convince Belgrade and the Serbs in Kosovo to recognise the sovereignty of Pristina, which Serbia does not currently recognise.



The liaison office, Drecun said, is not a diplomatic representative office where foreigners go to vote, while Serbian residents abroad vote via post.



"But Kurti continues with his provocations and says 'we will give you the possibility to vote, but not at voting stations', " Drecun said.



Drecun added that, if this decision were to pass, the same would happened with parliamentary and presidential elections in April in Serbia. For Belgrade, he said, this is absolutely unacceptable.



Kurti should be stopped from engaging in irrational behaviour and setting a precedent that could cause incidents, Drecun added.



He called on the OSCE, the EU, and the rest of the international community to intervene to avoid what he called dangerous consequences.



A referendum is planned in Serbia on a series of constitutional amendments on the justice sector that aim to make judges, the judiciary, and the entire justice system impartial and independent of political power, in line with the country's desire to become part of the EU.


GENEVA - The UN urged Tunisian authorities on Tuesday to immediately release - or properly charge - former justice minister and prominent Ennahdha party member Noureddine Bhiri, and another man, who have been detained under suspected terrorism offences.



Ennahdha is an Islamist political party and the dominant political force in Tunisia.



UN human rights spokeswoman Liz Throssell said during a press conference in Geneva that the developments had deepened the UN's "already serious concerns" about the deteriorating human rights situation in Tunisia.



On December 31, Bhiri was detained without warrant and no explanation has been given, she said.



"He was taken to a number of undisclosed places of detention and for several hours his family and lawyer did not know his whereabouts," she added, noting that he was subsequently put under house arrest.



His party called it a "kidnapping".



The 63-year-old suffers from several pre-existing health conditions, including diabetes and hypertension and was transferred to hospital on January 2 after going on hunger strike.



He remains in hospital, where he is under guard.



"Officials have indicated that he is suspected of terrorism-related offences. However, we understand that his lawyers have to date not been formally informed of any charges against him.," she said.



"A second man was also taken away and detained on the same day and in similar circumstances, with his location unknown until 4 January.



Although the men's families and the UN Human Rights Office in Tunisia have since been able to visit them, these two incidents echo practices not seen since the Ben Ali era and raise serious questions regarding abduction, enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention," she added.



"We urge the authorities to either promptly release or properly charge these two men in accordance with due process standards for criminal proceedings," she stressed.



Ennahdha was at the center of a stalemate with President Kais Saied since July 25 and his decision to suspend the parliament, in which Ennahdha has had a majority in the past ten years.



The party and other opposition groups denounced a "coup d'etat" and several Tunisian and international NGOs have said that they are concerned about trends toward authoritarianism.



President Saied said that he wanted to "save" the country, which is suffering from months of political stalemate, and in December announced a referendum to be held on July 25 and elections on December 17.



"As well as the actions of the Internal Security Forces, we are concerned at the stifling of dissent in Tunisia, including through the improper use of counter-terrorism legislation, and the increasing use of military courts to try civilians, which raise serious concerns regarding the equitable, impartial and independent administration of justice," the UN spokesperson noted.
Italy top in Europe for tourist presences, ISTAT European countries still suffering from pandemic

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JAN 12 - The Italian national statistics institute ISTAT said Wednesday that Italy was in top place in Europe for the number of tourist presences in the first nine months of 2021, though with a number reduced from that seen in 2019.



In 2021, tourism flows from all European countries were still significantly marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely limited the mobility of people.



Eurostat said that the number of nights spent (presences) in hospitality facilities in the EU-27 was at about 1.1 billion in the first eight months of 2021, similar to what was seen in the same period of 2020 but about 50% lower than the figure seen in the same period in 2019.



Among the countries showing the greatest drop in presences compared with the same period in 2019 were: Malta (-65.4%), Latvia (-58.7%), Hungary (-57.8%), and Portugal (-56.2%).



Following was Spain which, with a 54.6% drop has lost its top ranking in Europe for number of presences to Italy (in top place in 2021) and Germany (in second place).



On the first nine months of 2021, the provisional date from Italy show a less negative trend than the European average compared with 2019, with presences down by 38.4% and arrivals by 46.5%.(ANSAmed).




Former prime minister Gordon Brown is urging the Government to convene a special conference to help stave off a winter of starvation in Afghanistan.

He has written to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss proposing the UK holds an Afghan pledging conference in support of the UNs emergency Afghan Appeal.

In the letter, he suggests the UK jointly co-hosts the humanitarian event with the European Union.

Relief in the form of aid will not be enough, said Mr Brown, adding that immediate action was needed to to stop 97% of Afghans becoming condemned to poverty.

He wrote: More than half the Afghan population, 23 million, now face extreme levels of hunger, with 8.7 million at risk of famine, including one million children with severe acute malnutrition who are at risk of dying soon from starvation.

Relief in the form of aid will not be sufficient to restore the economy of Afghanistan.

Difficult decisions will need to be made about dollar/Afghan currency swaps and, the revival of the banking and payment systems, without giving succour to the Taliban regime.

But we need immediate action to prevent a winter of starvation.

You have already allocated funds to Afghan humanitarian aid both in August and then in December.

In addition, Germany has announced an additional 600 million euros for humanitarian assistance.

I believe that if the UK took this initiative and offered more help, we can look forward to receiving support for the proposed pledging conference from the 36 members of the coalition which sent troops to Afghanistan and from the Middle East state and from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Well-wishers have waved off Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales as it sailed for the first time as the head of Natos rapid response task force.

The 65,000-tonne warship was appointed the command ship of Natos Maritime High Readiness Force at a ceremony held onboard at Portsmouth Naval Base on Tuesday.

It sailed from the Hampshire port on Wednesday ahead of a series of major exercises with Nato to be held throughout the year, starting with a Norwegian-led exercise.

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales passes the Round Tower in Portsmouth Harbour (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The UK has taken over from France to run the task force, which was formed to deal with major global incidents.

The task force will be run for the next 12 months by Commander UK Strike Force  the most senior sea-going staff of the Royal Navy, headed by Rear Admiral Mike Utley.

Rear Admiral Utley said: Nato is the cornerstone of the UK defence and our commitment to the alliance is absolute, and it is a privilege to be the UK Maritime Component Commander moving into our vital role this year.

For the next year, the warship will serve as the Nato command vessel (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The Royal Navy is global, modern, ready and well-placed to support Nato in all its endeavours.

A navy spokesman said: As well as a test of the battle staff, it will be the first test of HMS Prince of Wales since the carrier was declared fully operational at the beginning of autumn following two intensive years of trials and training.

Captain Steve Higham, HMS Prince of Wales commanding officer, said: This year, as the Nato command ship, we will spend over 200 days at sea operating globally with our allies.
Alfie Steele, 9, died after being found in a critical condition at home in Droitwich, Worcestershire. (SWNS)

A mum and her partner have been charged with murdering her nine-year-old son.

Carla Scott, 34, and Dirk Howell, 39, are accused of killing Alfie Steele, who was found in a critical condition at home in Droitwich, Worcestershire, on 18 February last year.

The youngster was airlifted to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital but died hours later.

Scott and Howell are scheduled for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Worcester Crown Court on 25 February, Worcester News reports.

The couple also face charges of causing or allowing the death of a child, and cruelty to a person aged under 16 between 13 July 2019 and 18 February 2021.

Following his death, Alfies grandad Paul Scott said: We are completely devastated by the loss of Alfie, he had a smile that would melt butter.

"He was intelligent and inquisitive, and was courageous like a lion; he was a good Christian boy who was full of God.

He would never shy away from anything and had no fear.
Care home residents human rights have been completely handed over to care homes who have too much power, actress Ruthie Henshall has said.

Experts compared the care sector to a Wild West as the Joint Committee on Human Rights heard evidence on the impact of visiting restrictions on vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

MPs and peers were hearing evidence as part of their new inquiry into protecting human rights in care settings.

Henshall, whose mother Gloria died in May last year, said it was absolutely devastating to watch her rapid decline as she was effectively locked in her bedroom spending gargantuan amounts of time alone.

While she was granted essential caregiver status enabling her to visit indoors, her sister had to push her arm through the window to her mothers room so she could hold her hand before she was allowed to go inside.

She said over Christmas 2020 she too was only able to see her mother through a window, who was in tears because she could not understand why her daughter did not come inside.

We are asking actor @RuthieHenshall about the restrictions she faced when visiting her mother in a care home, and how her mother was affected. Watch our session live here: https://t.co/WGAqVYNsnK pic.twitter.com/nGCJMaewcN  UK Parliament Human Rights Committee (@HumanRightsCtte) January 12, 2022

The West End star, who is an ambassador for the campaign group Rights for Residents, said: I watched a huge decline in my mother  huge  over four months.

Their human rights have been completely handed over to a business instead of to the people that really matter and care.

She added: I think the care homes have too much power, and theyre not being monitored properly.

And this is for me, one of the big, huge problems, is that we seem to have very little say over our loved ones care.

She said it is essential that the right to an essential caregiver is enshrined in law, adding that the current guidance is open to interpretation.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said families lose all control over a loved ones care once they enter a care home, and it is a rights-free zone for both families and residents.

She said: And so put those two issues together and you end up with routine, frankly, tragedies really.

This has been the most terrible time I think for older people in care homes, partly because so many people died particularly earlier on but also because of the sort of collateral damage from that, and the consequences of the fear of repeating it, and the isolation of so many people, for who actually seeing the people they love the most is the most important thing in their life, and take that away and there isnt very often much left.

She added: Its a Wild West and there are no rights.

So are we surprised we are where we are? Its a complete lack of framework within which to protect people who are, you know, (at) one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.

Helen Wildbore, director at Relatives and Residents Association, said older people in care are facing the most serious, the most sustained attack on their human rights that weve ever seen.

Government guidance still fails to balance the risk of coronavirus against the risk of isolation and needs an urgent and complete overhaul, she said.

She told the committee: We know that isolation is having a hugely detrimental impact and its not just on well being  its on peoples lives, its on their dignity, its on their liberty and their autonomy, and care providers tell us that they want to do more to facilitate safe and meaningful contact and they feel that they can do that in a safe way, but they feel shackled by the Governments guidance.

And how I would describe it is trying to wrap people up in cotton wool, and thats just simply not possible, its not desirable and its not lawful.

A spokesperson for the Care Quality Commission said: The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on many people and we know it has been particularly difficult for those who are living in care homes and their families and loved ones.

We also noted in our latest State of Care report that staffing pressures are being felt across all health and care settings, and this continues to be the case as the recent spike in Covid infections puts pressure on the care sector.

We have taken decisive action throughout the pandemic to help keep people safe in care settings including undertaking almost 10,000 inspections, and making absolutely clear to providers that blanket approaches to visiting are unacceptable and may trigger an inspection.

Where concerns have been raised with us in relation to visiting we have taken action in every case, including following up with providers, inspecting, taking regulatory action and where applicable, raising safeguarding alerts with local authorities.

We continue to seek assurances from care home providers about how they are supporting visiting to happen and we are verifying this information when we go out and inspect and will continue to do so.

We have introduced a mandatory question on each of our care home inspections which looks at how visiting is being supported to happen in a safe way.
Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook is flush with cash. The head of the worlds first company to reach a $3 trillion market cap took home a staggering $98.7 million in stock and cash in 2021. Thats a 571% increase in his compensation compared to 2020.

Cook, of course, has seen Apple through a slew of firsts including hitting a market cap of $1 trillion in 2018. Oh, and he also oversaw the release of everything from new versions of the Apple Watch to the companys expansion into streaming services.

Cook didnt just take home $98.7 million in cash, though. His base salary for 2021 was $3 million. The bulk of his compensation came in the form of stock awards valued at $82.3 million and $12 million in non-equity incentive compensation.

Either way, thats enough scratch for anyone to live comfortably for 10 lifetimes. How does that compare to Cooks contemporaries? Lets put it this way: His compensation makes most of his closest competitors look paltry by comparison. Heres how they compare based on the most recently available public data.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella  $49.9 million total compensation in 2021

Satya Nadella, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft, gestures as he attends Microsoft's 'Young Innovators' Summit' in New Delhi, India February 26, 2020. His salary was roughly half of what Apple CEO Tim Cook made in 2021. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Microsoft (MSFT), Yahoo Finances company of the year for 2021, has been on a tear in recent years thanks to the growth of its Azure cloud platform and transition to recurring revenue models for things like its Microsoft 365 platform. In 2020, the company reported revenue of $143 billion. In 2021, that increased to $168 billion.

CEO Satya Nadella has similarly seen his compensation package balloon over the years. In 2019, the chief executive pulled in $42.9 million between his base salary, stock awards, and Microsofts incentive plan compensation. That jumped to $44.3 million in 2020, and finally to $49.9 million in 2021.

Much of Nadellas pay comes from those stock awards, with his 2021 salary totaling $2.5 million, and stock awards totaled $33 million. His incentive plan pay was worth $14.2 million.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai  $7.4 million total compensation in 2020

Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks on stage during a keynote address announcing Google's new cloud gaming service, Stadia, at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, U.S., March 19, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Google parent Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) hasnt released its 2021 full year revenue, so its difficult to make a direct comparison to Apple and Microsofts 2021 results. But in 2020, the company made $182.5 million, up from $161.9 in 2019.

Thats proven especially fruitful for Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, whos earned more than a quarter of a billion dollars over the last three years. In 2018, the CEO earned $1.8 million in cash and other compensation including a salary of $650,000. In 2019, Pichai made the same salary, but received stock awards valued at $276.6 million, in addition to other compensation totaling $3.4 million. That works out to a compensation package worth $280 million.

In 2020, the CEO didnt receive any stock awards, but his salary jumped to $2 million. He also received $5.4 million in compensation that was largely used to pay for personal security, for a total of $7.4 million in 2020. Well find out about Pichais 2021 earnings when Alphabet releases its 2022 proxy statement later this year.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg  $25.3 million in 2020

Meta Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

Like Alphabet, Facebook parent company Meta (FB) has yet to release its full fiscal 2021 earnings; but in 2020 the company saw total revenue of $86 billion, a 22% increase over its 2019 revenue of $70.7 billion.

Zuckerberg, however, famously takes a yearly salary of $1. Whats more, the majority of his compensation from 2018 through 2020, totaling $712.6 million, was dedicated to personal security for Zuckerberg and his family. A portion of that, some $7.4 million. was spent on private jet flights for the CEO.

Why no salary? Because the majority of Zuckerbergs wealth is tied up in the massive share of Meta stock he holds. According to the companys latest proxy statement, Zuckerberg holds more than 350 million shares of Meta. He also controls 57.7% of total voting power, meaning he controls all of the decisions the company makes.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy  $35.8 million in 2020, when he was CEO of AWS

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Amazon (AMZN) has yet to release its 2022 proxy statement, and is expected to provide its full 2021 earnings in the coming weeks. In 2020, however, the company saw some $386 billion in total sales across its products and services. Thats up from $280.5 billion in 2019.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is still relatively new to his position as overseer of all of Amazons properties. And since he only took over the role from founder and current star man Jeff Bezos in July, Amazons latest proxy statement doesnt list his new compensation as Amazon CEO.

Instead, it provides a look at his earnings as CEO of the companys most lucrative arm, Amazon Web Services. That said, according to regulatory filings, Amazon granted the new head of Amazon more than $200 million worth of stock when he assumed his role.

As head of AWS, though, Jassy made $35.8 million including $35.6 million in stock awards in 2020. He also previously received $19.5 million in stock in 2018. His base salary has remained steady over the last three years at $175,000.

Jeff Bezos, meanwhile, is one of the richest people on Earth and owns roughly 10% of Amazons total shares.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk  $0 in 2020

Tesla CEO Elon Musk gestures as he visits the construction site of Tesla's Gigafactory in Gruenheide near Berlin, Germany, August 13, 2021. Patrick Pleul/Pool via Reuters

Tesla (TSLA) is a titan of the automotive world, and CEO Elon Musk is every bit as well compensated as youd expect. The company will release its full year 2021 earnings in the coming weeks; however, in 2020 it saw revenue of $31.5 billion, up from $24.6 billion in 2019, and $21.5 billion in 2018.

Musk, meanwhile, has no salary. In 2018 he earned $56,380 as his base pay and a CEO performance award of $2.3 billion worth of stock. However, that is subject to Musk meeting certain criteria such as the company hitting certain market capitalization milestones.

Under the plan, Musk can purchase the stock at $70.01 per share, an incredibly deep discount compared to its going rate of north of $1,000 per share.

In 2019, Musk earned a base salary equivalent to Californias minimum wage requirement. Hes never cashed out his checks, though. And in May 2019 he requested that the company no longer pay him a salary at all. He received no salary or stock compensation in 2020  though hes not doing too badly as one of the richest people on Earth.

Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings  $34.7 million in 2022

Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO of Netflix, speaks during the opening night of the WSJD Live conference in Laguna Beach, California October 24, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Netflix (NFLX) will release its full year 2021 earnings report on Jan. 20, so we dont have a look at how it performed over the last 12 months, but its 2020 performance was a step up from 2019. The company took in $25 billion in 2020 compared to $20.2 billion in the prior year.

Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings, who shares the title with Ted Sarandos, brought in $34.7 million in cash and stock in 2022, the same amount he received in 2021, and down from $43.2 million in 2020.

Hastings compensation comes in the form of a salary of $650,000 and stock options priced at $34 million. In 2020, the co-CEO received the same salary and stock option awards worth $42.4 million.

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DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has told Conservative MPs on the backbench 1922 Committee that the Northern Ireland Protocol is a good deal for Brussels, but a bad deal for the UK.

Si Jeffrey met with the influential group as part of his efforts to build pressure on the Government to push for the removal of the so-called Irish Sea border.

He held the meeting ahead of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss meeting with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic on Thursday to discuss negotiations over the post-Brexit agreement.

Speaking after the meeting, Sir Jeffrey said: This was a welcome opportunity to outline to the Conservative parliamentary party, the hugely damaging and destabilising impact of the protocol upon Northern Ireland and to reiterate the need for imminent action by HM Government.

In short, it is a good deal for Brussels but a bad deal for the United Kingdom.

I used this important opportunity to set out the clear and unambiguous assessment by Northern Irelands pro-union voices, that if left in place, the protocol would lead to the economic and constitutional divergence of Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom.

A situation that no Conservative and Unionist government should or could ever accept.

The protocol prevented a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit, but introduced new trade barriers in the Irish sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

While the EU has given concessions on its operation, notably to ease the flow of medicines, these have not satisfied many who oppose it.

The DUP has said the arrangement is not sustainable because it does not have the support of the unionist community.

Sir Jeffrey said members of the 1922 Committee expressed clear concern over the continued role of the European Union in the internal affairs of the United Kingdom.

He added: Without any input whatsoever from representatives of the UK, Northern Ireland is required to implement EU law and is subject to the jurisdiction of the EU courts.

The current temporary grace periods may be shielding Northern Ireland from the full economic devastation of the protocol, but at a current cost to our economy of 2.5 million each day, businesses across the United Kingdom cannot sustain the continued imposition of the protocol.

There was a clear understanding from the 1922 Committee, that the protocol was imposed upon Northern Ireland without the support of its people and a clear recognition that even those parties in Northern Ireland who previously argued for its rigorous implementation now accept that the current arrangements are unworkable.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is due to meet with EC vice-president Maros Sefcovic on Thursday (Ian West/PA)

The wrongs of the protocol must be righted as quickly as possible and I welcome the strong words of support from across the Conservative Parliamentary Party to reverse the damaging consequences of the current arrangements. Now is the time for action

Parliament will play a vital role in restoring Northern Irelands place within the internal market of the United Kingdom in line with the Governments Command Paper and guarantee to the people of Northern Ireland in the New Decade, New Approach Agreement.

Later this week the Foreign Secretary will be meeting the European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic, in which rapid progress to remove the Irish Sea border must be achieved.

The support of Conservative MPs to ensure the Government imminently delivers upon its commitments would represent important progress.

The Foreign Secretary has replaced Lord Frost in leading negotiations with the EU over the protocol.

Ms Truss said earlier this week she will suggest constructive proposals to her EU counterpart Maros Sefcovic this week during their first face-to-face talks.

But she also said she is willing to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol, which would suspend parts of the treaty designed to prevent a hard border with the Republic, if a deal cannot be struck.

Ms Truss held meetings with the DUP and Sinn Fein earlier this week.
The No Surprises Act, health care legislation targeted at preventing surprise medical bills, officially went into effect on Jan. 1, albeit with one major exclusion: ambulance bills.

A 2021 survey found that ambulance bills account for 8% of all medical debt. A big reason why is because 51% of emergency and 39% of non-emergency ground ambulance rides include an out of network charge from insurers, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.

I think part of the issue is that a lot of ambulances are run by the states, which makes it more complicated for them, Matthew Rae, associate director at the Kaiser Family Foundation, told Yahoo Finance.

Just 10 states have protections in place against surprise billing by ground ambulance providers in health care. (Chart: The Commonwealth Fund)

Furthermore, Rae added, you can absolutely not request a specific ambulance provider to ensure its in-network. Just 10 states have laws in place protecting consumers from being balance-billed by a ground ambulance provider.

Most places you may not have a choice over whos the ambulance that shows up, Rae said. This is absolutely a place where someone who is having an emergency has to make a call and they dont have control picking their provider and then they are potentially subjected to a surprise bill.

'Fundamentally broken' ambulance billing system'

According to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, citing data from seven states, more than two-thirds of emergency ground ambulance rides had an out-of-network charge for ambulance-related services.

Loren Adler, associate director of the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy, told Yahoo Finance that there is "only one [provider] who has a monopoly contract for the region you live in. Theres literally no choice. Not that you really have a choice of emergency physicians, barely have any choice over an anesthesiologist, but its even more extreme. We think of ground ambulance services as if it should be like a municipal fire department type of service."

Adler noted that something like 80% of ground ambulances are out-of-network.

Dr. Paul Davis of Findlay, Ohio holds up a large surprise medical bill that he received for U.S. President Donald Trump to see during an event centered on a proposal to end surprise medical billing in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 9, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Its fundamentally broken  its not like the ambulance has as much power because they dont get to choose who they pick up, he said. Neither side has a lot to stand on here. And then youre getting a lot of one-off fights between the insurers and the ground ambulances which is not great for the patients stuck in the middle.

And those who are without any health insurance and in need of an ambulance are responsible for footing the entire bill, though Rae noted that they do have the ability to negotiate.

"This is a place where people can incur big expenses," he said.

'Prices are the problem'

And so why were ambulance costs excluded from the No Surprises Act?

My general impression is that it has to do with the fact that ambulances are owned by a whole bunch of people, Rae said. Sometimes theyre administered by state and local governments. Sometimes theyre administered by private companies. Sometimes theyre administered by hospitals, and sometimes theyre administered by private equity firms, which tends to be a lot of ownership with ambulances. I think part of having state and local governments involved made it more complicated, but that would be a great question for the people who made the exception.

In the meantime, some state and local governments have enacted their own laws to try to regulate these prices. According to the analysis by Peterson-KFF, however, some of these state regulations only apply to a subset of ground ambulance agencies.

A person receives a tour of the station's rescue ambulance at a Culver City Fire Department vaccination clinic on August 5, 2021, in California. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP)

Self-funding kind of messes up state regulation here, Rae said. This is a place where states have the ability to regulate their fully insured plans, which is only a small share of those with private coverage, about a third of those with private coverage. In the vast majority of these cases, it has to do more with the market, but it has to do with what the state legislators are doing.

Part of the market features players like private equity firms, he explained. This is a place where private equity firms thought about having more ambulances, and theres for-profit corporations that make this their thing and deliver ambulance services, Rae said. Its a growing share of the market over time.

Its possible they contract with some insurers and not others, but I suspect there are some providers who just dont contract with insurance, he added. They dont want to accept a negotiated wage. They may have the leverage in the market to do that. By not contracting with insurers, they can charge out-of-network bills.

More than half of emergency ground ambulance rides in 2018 included an out-of-network charge. (Chart: Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker)

Cara Stewart, director of policy advocacy at Kentucky Voices for Health, explained that the privatization in health care has led to these higher costs.

If theres a theme to follow, its that the prices are the problem," Stewart told Yahoo Finance. "People like to try to play word games and blame this, that, and the other. But straight up, the prices are the problem, which is not that hard to understand. Its the private equity-owned carriers that have grown exponentially.

$380 million in ambulance bills

Overall, the cost of ambulance bills decreased by 3% from 2010 to 2019, though it rose significantly in some states during that same span of time, with the average spending amount increasing by 10%, according to an analysis by ValuePenguin.

Wyoming saw ambulance costs rise by a whopping 148%, the highest amount of any state, despite the fact that it spends the fourth-lowest amount on ambulances.

The highest total cost of ambulance spending was in California, which spent $380 million from 2010 to 2019.

Conversely, New Jersey experienced the steepest spending decline of any state for ambulance-related services. In 2010, expenditures totaled $176 million. In 2019, spending fell to $119 million  a drop of 32%. Still, ambulance costs averaged $170 million per year in the state, making New Jersey the state with the 11th-highest annual spending total over that period of time.

Stewart criticized these high fees, especially since the onus often falls upon the patients.

"Most health care pre-determines your options based on your network, your geography, who you need to get in with, who provides that service, and if its an emergency and its the only trauma hospital around, you have to go to that one because you need trauma care," Stewart said.

She continued: Those are all traps to convince people that youve somehow failed as a person dealing with your own finances. Thats a complete trap. You have not failed. Its not even possible for you to make an informed choice because even if you tried, even if its one of those largely shockable services, try to call and find out how much it will cost at different places. You will spend hours and hours of your life and never get the answers.

Adriana Belmonte is a reporter and editor covering politics and health care policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow her on Twitter @adrianambells and reach her at adriana@yahoofinance.com.

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A bunch of readers pointed out something I overlooked when I wrote recently about high-cost blue states hemorrhaging residents, who are moving to lower-cost red states. My story focused on the threat to Democrats as they lose representation in Congress and have to sustain costly benefit programs in states and cities with a declining tax base.

But there could be other important consequences. With the migration from blue states to red states, will this change the political dynamics in the red states? Lindsey Evans of Albuquerque asked. Though it was a narrow victory for the Democrat senators in Georgia last time, might this occur in other red states that are experiencing this blue wave migration?

Many others asked similar questions, so I looked into itand the answer is yes, the movement of people from state to state could change partisan dynamics in ways that affect elections. In fact, its probably already happening. Demographic patterns can be complex and take place over decades, and many factors affect voting trends. So its important not to oversimplify. Yet more liberal voters moving to the South and West may have tipped Georgia and Arizona to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, with future changes possible.

[The Newmaverse is Rick Newmans community of commentators, critics, cranks and crazies. Join by following Rick on Twitter, signing up for his newsletter or sending in your thoughts. Future stories may result.]

Theres not much question, in my mind, that migration patterns have made a difference, North Carolina State political science professor Irwin Morris told me. People moving into the South tend to be more Democratic. People moving from one place to another in the South tend to be more progressive. Within 10 to 15 years, the Democrats could be in a very good position.

A supporter holds a flag as U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock hold a campaign event ahead of Georgia's runoff elections in Savannah, Georgia, U.S., January 3, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Georgias vote for Biden in 2020 was the first time the state went Democratic in the presidential election since Bill Clintons victory in 1992. Bidens 2020 win in Arizona was the first for a Democrat there since Clintons reelection in 1996. Both states also have two Democratic senators, another sharp reversal for Republicans. Yet both states have Republican-controlled state governments and deep pockets of conservative voters, so they could be hard-fought battleground states for years to come.

Georgia has grown by attracting workers to the booming Atlanta region, while Arizona has grown thanks to retirees and transplants from the West Coast. The idea that transplants bring liberal politics with them may be too pat, however.

Ive seen studies that show when people migrate, they adopt the politics of their new locale instead of bringing their politics with them, Ted Johnson, a scholar at the Brennan Center for Justice, told me in an email. Of course, as the Big Sort suggests, people are likely to move to places that share their politics. So the Californians moving to Texas are just increasing the number of liberals in places where liberals already livelike Austin.

There are other caveats. Voter-turnout efforts in Georgia energized Black voters who went for Biden and two Democratic Senate candidates who won January runoffs. Meanwhile, incumbent President Donald Trump's baseless attacks on election integrity may have backfired by depressing Republican turnout. Tribal votes for Biden were an unusual swing factor in Arizona. Democratic presidential or Senate candidates may not be able to repeat those 2020 victories in upcoming elections.

Morriss research on 11 southern states suggests that faster-growing ones are likely to become more liberal over time, because people who move tend to be younger, more educated, more racially diverse and more liberal-leaning. Of the 11 states Morris has studied, six are growing fairly rapidly, opening them to more political change: Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas. Slower-growing southern states such as Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas are more likely to stay conservative.

Supporters of Former President Donald Trump attend a rally held at the Sarasota Fairgrounds in Sarasota, Florida, U.S., July 3, 2021. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

For perspective, the internal movement of people in the United States has always shaped the nations political economy. The Great Migration of 6 million blacks from the South to other parts of the country during much of the 20th century remade many cities and contributed to the civil rights movement. Democrats had a lock on the South for nearly a century after the Civil War, but Republicans became the dominant party after Presidents Kennedy and Johnson pushed and enacted sweeping civil-rights reforms that alienated southern whites. Republicans seem to have benefited more than Democrats from demographic changes of the last 30 years. The huge bellwether Florida has gone for the Republican presidential candidate in seven of the last 10 elections, for instance, and Florida of course tipped the contested 2000 election to Republican George W. Bush.

If demographic changes were to help Democrats capture Florida or Texas, that would be a political game-changer, since those are large states getting bigger and gaining more political punch, while some of the blue coastal powerhouse states are shrinking. But plenty of things could spoil that blue dream. Donald Trump showed a remarkable ability to garner votes from working-class whites who have now become core Republican voters. The Democratic party has trouble shaking a reputation for urban elitism. Gerrymandering and other political chicanery could help Republicans keep control in the South even if they fall out of favor with home-state voters.

At least a few people leaving blue states hope conservative enclaves remain exactly as they are. Jim Doherty, who describes himself as libertarian, wrote to say hes moving his family from Illinois to Alabama because taxpayer-borne pension costs for unionized government employees are getting out of control in the Land of Lincoln.

Do you think enough blue folks will mess up the red states? he asked.

We exchanged a few emails and decided that if hes aiming for low-cost state likely to stay conservative, blood-red Alabama is probably as safe as it gets.

The last to fall is why we picked Bama, Jim concluded, with an LOL. Florida almost elected Gillum [a Democrat, as governor] and Texas could be more purple than we know. Yep.

Rick Newman is a columnist and author of four books, including "Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman.

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Dr. Fauci and Senator Paul clash during COVID-19 Senate hearing

A frustrated Anthony Fauci appeared to call U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., a "moron" during a tense exchange Tuesday, as Fauci fielded questions from lawmakers on his work on the country's COVID-19 response.

During a Senate Health Committee meeting, Marshall questioned Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a top health advisor to President Joe Biden, on his financial disclosure.

As the fiery back-and-forth wound down and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., began asking a question, Fauci could be heard whispering "what a moron" and "Jesus Christ" in response to Marshall's questioning.

Hot mic moment: Dr. Fauci was caught muttering "what a moron" after a fiery exchange with Republican Senator Roger Marshall during a Senate hearing on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/8N0ho9YDEO  The Hill (@thehill) January 11, 2022

Fauci was visibly frustrated during the questioning as well. At the end of the exchange he called Marshall "misinformed" for alleging Fauci had not disclosed key financial information.

As Fauci is a public official, his financial disclosure information is available via a Freedom of Information Act request  but Marshall said his staff was unable to find it. He pointed to Fauci's reported salary of over $400,000, making him the highest paid federal government employee.

Related video: The heated exchanges of Sen. Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci

"This is a huge issue," Marshall said. "Wouldn't you agree with me that you see things before members of Congress would see them so there is an air of appearance that there are some shenanigans going on. I assume that's not the case."

More Fauci: Rand Paul vs. Anthony Fauci  again. Fauci says Paul's personal attacks led to death threats, harassment

"What are you talking about?" Fauci interjected. "My financial disclosures are public knowledge and have been so. You have amazingly wrong information."

Media outlets, including the Center for Public Integrity, have obtained Fauci's financial disclosure information in past years.

In a statement, Marshall said Fauci "had a very frustrating day" because of stiff questioning on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, among other issues.

"Calling me a moron during a Senate hearing may have alleviated the stress of the least trusted bureaucrat in America, but it didnt take away from the facts," Marshall said.

Marshall pressed Fauci, as well as Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on a range of COVID-19 issues during the hearing, which was focused on the surge of omicron variant cases across the U.S.

That included why officials were not investing more in pushing out therapeutics to treat COVID-19.

But the hearing also underscored many conservative attacks on Fauci, a longtime target of Republicans. Some lawmakers have called for his resignation in recent months after he pushed back against theories about the origin of COVID-19 and criticism for his handling of the pandemic.

Vaccinated and test positive?: What to know about omicron, COVID for this holiday season.

In earlier questioning, Marshall told Fauci "the American people don't trust the words coming out of your mouth."

"Every day you appear on TV, you do more damage than good when it comes to educating the public on COVID," Marshall said.

Fauci responded by saying Marshall's question "was a real distortion of the reality."

"If you look at everything I have said on TV, it is to validate, encourage and get people to abide by the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," Fauci said.

Andrew Bahl is a senior statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at abahl@gannett.com or by phone at 443-979-6100.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Anthony Fauci calls Sen. Roger Marshall a moron at COVID-19 hearing
Exercise rider Humberto Gomez takes Medina Spirit over the track during a training session ahead of the Preakness Stakes on May 12, 2021, in Baltimore. (Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

In the latest twist to the bizarre situation surrounding the California Horse Racing Boards equine medical director, Dr. Jeff Blea has been placed on administrative leave by UC Davis pending further review of his veterinary license. Blea has not been performing the functions of EMD since Thursday after state attorneys indicated he needed a veterinary license.

The board was informed on Wednesday night that its interpretation that the equine medical director did not need a veterinarians license was not entirely accurate. Blea had his license suspended last Monday at the request of the California Veterinary Medical Board after an emergency hearing on Dec. 24.

Blea has been charged with eight violations, mostly minor including inadequate bookkeeping. Two other veterinarians charged at the same time did not have an emergency license review even though they are still practicing veterinarians while Blea has moved to a regulatory role and does not see patients.

The ruling by the office of the deputy attorney general, which usually represents both the VMB and the CHRB, did not specifically say the EMD has to have a veterinarian license but that some functions of the role are not limited to the treatment of animals.

Blea actually works for the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, which in turn loans him to the CHRB. Any short-term change in job status starts with UC Davis. John Pascoe, executive associate dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, did not return messages from The Times.

Bleas status with the CHRB was confirmed by four people with knowledge of the situation but did not want to be quoted because it dealt with a personnel issue. UC Davis has not made an announcement.

Blea did not want to comment on his situation.

Scott Chaney, executive director of the CHRB, also would not comment but continued to express his support for Blea.

It is expected that staff members at UC Davis will perform routine regulatory functions of the EMD while this is under review.

At the center of this action by the VMB is its belief that Blea should not oversee the necropsy and investigation into the death of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit after a workout at Santa Anita on Dec. 6. Medina Spirit tested positive for a legal medication, but not legal on race day, after the Derby.

The horse has not faced disqualification and his trainer, Bob Baffert, has not been charged with anything by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Bafferts attorneys are contending that the medication, an antiinflammatory betamethasone, was administered through an ointment to heal a rash and the rule only deals with intraarticular injections.

Blea did not treat any of Bafferts horses.

Adding fuel to an already combustible situation was Dr. Rick Arthur, who preceded Blea as EMD for 15 years.

The accusation against Dr. Blea is a political hit-job, Arthur wrote to Lourdes Castro Ramirez, secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, which oversees the CHRB and VMB. For a regulatory agency to use its enforcement powers against an individual licensee for political purposes is reprehensible. We would never consider such a thing at the CHRB.

Arthur went on to say, I strongly recommend you have inside counsel review the obscene accusations against Dr. Blea and the politics behind their over-the-top accusations.

While Castro Ramirez has line authority over the CHRB and VMB, they operate as almost independent organizations. Administrative and technology services are some of the things they share.

Were aware of the letter, but have no comment at this time, said Russ Heimerich, deputy secretary of communications of the BCSH.

Arthurs sentiment underscores a growing rift between the CHRB and VMB. The CHRB did not learn about the charges against Blea until after it was posted on the VMB website. In addition, the CHRB did not learn of any investigation against Blea while it was vetting the candidate for the EMD role. Blea gave up his private practice and assumed the regulatory role on July 1 of last year.

One person familiar with regulatory practices, but not willing to use their name because of the sensitivity of the matter, said one agency is under no obligation to tell another agency of an investigation. Jessica Sieferman, executive officer of the VMB, would not speak to The Times, and a spokesperson would not answer a hypothetical on standard practices.

The next license hearing for Blea is Jan. 21. The CHRB meets on Jan. 20 where there will likely be no equine medical directors report because the regulatory board does not currently have a person functioning in that role. The situation will most certainly be brought up in closed session, where most personnel issues and litigation are discussed.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Arsonists Attack 'Church of Compassion' in Chernobyl Fallout Zone

ARSONISTS ATTACK 'CHURCH OF COMPASSION' IN CHERNOBYL FALL-OUT ZONE: U.S. ministry Slavic Gospel Association ( www.sga.org ) is rushing to the aid of a one-of-a-kind "church of compassion" set on fire by arsonists in Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear fallout zone. The church is a unique place of hope and help for children living on the edge of a toxic wasteland, the result of the world's worst ever nuclear disaster more than 3 decades ago.

U.S. ministry Slavic Gospel Association rushes to aid only church 'for miles' on edge of nuclear wasteland



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Slavic Gospel Association (SGA)

Jan. 12, 2022



LOVES PARK, Ill., Jan. 12, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- A U.S. ministry is rushing to the aid of a one-of-a-kind "church of compassion" targeted by arsonists in Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear fallout zone.



The only church in the village of Mlachivka  on the edge of the Chernobyl radiation "exclusion zone"  was badly damaged by fire on Jan. 6, Christmas Eve in the region's Russian Orthodox calendar. Evidence at the scene shows arson as the cause.



The church  the only evangelical congregation for miles  is a unique place of hope and help for children living on the doorstep of a toxic wasteland, the result of the world's worst ever nuclear disaster more than three decades ago.



"This little church is a major compassion haven for so many children in a very dark place," said Michael Johnson, president of Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org), who has traveled to the area many times.



"Most of these children are from dysfunctional homes with alcoholic parents. Domestic violence is common. Pastor Nikolai's church is a unique place where they feel loved, safe, and cared for," said Johnson, who announced SGA would be helping the church rebuild.

The fire  called a desperate act of arson  didn't stop the congregation from holding a special service outside in the snow and bitter cold, as local firefighters and police looked on. Later, children received gifts, warm coats, and Bibles  part of an SGA-sponsored local church Gospel outreach called Immanuel's Child.



Many of the children  including local orphans  benefit from the Chernobyl church's numerous compassion projects, supported by the Illinois-based ministry. They include a feeding program for children who face severe hunger, clothing distributions for kids who often have only rags to wear, and a summer camp program for children exposed to potentially deadly radiation.



Children of Chernobyl

The world experienced its worst ever civil nuclear disaster April 26, 1986, when a reactor exploded at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, turning the surrounding area into a nuclear wasteland and releasing a radioactive cloud over 77,000 square miles.



In the years that followed, thousands of children in the fallout zone have developed life-threatening health issues, including cancers. Many have died.



SGA supports a church-run summer camp in neighboring Belarus, away from the radiation zone, giving hundreds of children living in the Chernobyl area the chance to enjoy a healthy experience, "filled with fun, good food, and God's love," Johnson said.



Across the former Soviet Union  from Eastern Europe to Siberia  the ministry supports thousands of local evangelical churches, caring for orphans, helping families in war zones, and sharing the Gospel message.



Founded in 1934, Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) helps "forgotten" orphans, widows and families in Russia, the former Soviet countries of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Russian-speaking immigrants in Israel  caring for their physical needs and sharing the life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ. SGA supports an extensive grassroots network of local evangelical missionary pastors and churches in cities and rural villages across this vast region.



SOURCE Slavic Gospel Association (SGA)



CONTACT: Sheryl Sellaway, 404-695-5564, ssellaway@inchristcommunications.com


U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, left, is joined by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach, during a visit to the port. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The supply-chain nightmare didn't cancel Christmas, but another holiday crisis is looming: the Lunar New Year.

Local lawmakers and port officials accompanying U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the Port of Long Beach on Tuesday acknowledged enduring problems with the shipping, unloading and delivery of goods across the country, including the challenge of getting the local ports  a major choke point  to operate around-the-clock.

And though one holiday crisis appears to have been averted, a fresh surge of cargo from Chinese manufacturers is expected to flood U.S. ports before Chinese businesses close up to celebrate the Year of the Tiger starting Feb 1.

The wave of cargo ships carrying goods to U.S. consumers is expected to reach California in the next two or three weeks, port officials said.

On Tuesday, as Buttigieg praised local officials for moves that eased bottlenecks around the holiday period, 60 cargo ships idled offshore near the Long Beach port, waiting for their turn to dock.

The supply-chain crisis is not over, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said while touring the Long Beach port with Buttigieg.





"No one is taking a victory lap," he said in an interview. "No one is high-fiving each other."

A key hurdle: Officials have been unable to get the Los Angeles port to operate around-the-clock, as planned and announced in October under a Biden administration strategy to address the supply-chain crisis ahead of the holiday period.

Under the plan, the port expects to nearly double the number of hours that cargo moves off container ships and onto highways by having crews work through the night, with members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union filling the extra shifts.

But Seroka said the effort has been hampered because most elements of the supply chain  including warehouse operators and truck drivers  don't operate 24 hours a day, making it difficult to accept cargo at the ports in the middle of the night when workers aren't available to receive the products. Making matters worse, he said, is a shortage of truck drivers and warehouse workers since the start of the pandemic.

"It's the private sector that needs to drive this," he said.

Buttigieg also acknowledged more work was needed to resolve the supply-chain problem.

In an interview with The Times, he said the ports needed more funding to modernize their facilities and adjacent rail lines and roads to ease bottlenecks during the next cargo surge.

"We've got to be ready for the unexpected," he said.

Buttigieg visited the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for an update on remedies to the supply-chain problem, which stemmed from COVID-19 outbreaks that forced the closure of many manufacturers and ports in Asia that were later slow to ramp back up to meet rebounding U.S. demand.

Once goods began to arrive by sea at a record pace, the ports were inundated and unable to unload and distribute cargo fast enough. The Biden administration, port officials and others took several steps to ease the backlog, including imposing fines on shippers who left cargo containers clogging the docks and devising a plan to operate the ports 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Together the two sprawling ports are responsible for handling nearly half of all imports into the United States, making them a key part of logistical networks strained by the coronavirus crisis.

Buttigieg's visit caps a series of efforts to ease the supply-chain backlog.

Officials at the ports started Nov. 15 to impose a fee on containers that sit around for more than six days if intended for rail transport or nine days if intended for trucks. The ocean carrier companies that brought in those idling containers face fines of $100 on the first day past deadline, $200 on the next and so on.

Since Nov. 1, the number of idled cargo containers clogging the Port of Long Beach has been reduced by more than 40%, said Mario Cordero, executive director of the port. No fines have yet to be collected because the threat is working, he said.

Seroka said the mere threat of fines has already reduced the number of cargo containers at the Port of Los Angeles by 60% since Oct. 24.

About a dozen elected officials, labor leaders and port executives at a news conference at the Long Beach port extolled the recent efforts to keep store shelves full during the holiday season.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti introduced Buttigieg as "the man who saved Christmas."

Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks cash and debit card payments, reported in late December that holiday sales had risen 8.5% from a year earlier, a point officials said illustrates how supply-chain problems didn't hamper holiday spending. Purchases of clothing and jewelry fueled the results, which covered Nov. 1 through Dec. 24. Holiday sales were up 10.7% compared with the 2019 holiday period, before the pandemic.

Buttigieg has taken a lead role for the Biden administration in addressing the supply-chain problem. In October, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Buttigieg announced $5 billion in loans to help modernize Californias seaports.

In December, Buttigieg announced $52.3 million in infrastructure grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation to make improvements at the Port of Long Beach for a new locomotive facility, extension of the east rail yard and extension of the west rail yard.

Buttigieg told the crowd of officials and port executives that as long as the country is battling a pandemic, the supply chain won't be free of glitches.

"Supply chains are human," he said. "Supply chains are people."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Eva Bruns speaks at a news conference in Spanish Lake, Mo., on Nov. 11, 2021, calling for a more thorough investigation of the death of her son, 28-year-old Justin King. To the right of Bruns is Justin King's father, John Alexander King. (AP)

A Missouri coroner's inquest jury on Tuesday found that the death of a Black man at the hands of a white neighbor in a small-town trailer park was justified.

The six-member coroner's inquest jury convened to examine the death of Justin King in Bourbon, Missouri, a town of 1,600 residents 75 miles (120 kilometers) southwest of St. Louis.

The decision disappointed civil rights leaders, some of whom rallied at the Crawford County Courthouse before the hearing. Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel Jr., who attended the inquest, questioned if all the evidence was presented.

Sad is an understatement," Chapel said of the decision. Were still seeking justice and that will continue as the days go on.

King, 28, was shot to death in broad daylight outside his neighbor's home on Nov. 3. The inquest jury's finding backs the initial police investigation which determined that the shooting was justified  a finding questioned by some neighbors as well as King's family.

Coroners inquests are relatively uncommon, said Peter Joy, a professor at the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. Theyre not necessary when the cause of death is clearly not a crime, such as an auto accident, nor are they necessary when a crime was clearly committed, like many fatal shootings.

The jury's finding carries no legal weight

Its only where you have these questions, and thats a very small number," Joy said. "With a smaller county, you may go several years before there is a coroners inquest.

The six-member jury hears testimony and weighs other evidence just as a trial jury would. The difference: Their finding carries no legal weight. Joy said the county prosecutor can factor in the jurys decision in deciding whether to file charges; can appoint a grand jury for further investigation; or can ignore the inquest entirely.

The inquest on Tuesday marked the second coroner's inquest in six months to examine the suspicious death of a young Black man.

Derontae Martin was 19 when he died in April during a party at the Madison County home of a man with a history of making racist comments and social media postings. Investigators determined Martin killed himself, but a subsequent coroners inquest jury found he died by violence, not suicide.

One witness said at the July inquest into Martin's death that the homeowner told him he killed Martin, saying, he didnt like Black people. But another witness said he saw Martin shoot himself.

Despite the inquest jury's determination, no charges have been filed. A phone message left with Madison County Prosecuting Attorney M. Dwight Robbins wasn't returned.

Neighbors questioned the police account

In King's death, the Crawford County Sheriff's Department didn't respond to interview requests, nor did the prosecutor. But the sheriff's department posted on Facebook soon after the shooting that it appears that King was shot and killed after forcing entry into a neighbors residence where an altercation took place. The homeowner stated that he feared for his life and shot King.

Two of Kings neighbors, in November interviews with The Associated Press, questioned the police account. They said King was a friend of the shooter, a white man in his 40s who lived across the street. Neighbor Katie Bosek said that when her car wouldnt start around 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 3, King and the shooter worked together to connect a loose wire and got the car going.

King was killed less than 15 minute later, Bosek said.

Missouris castle doctrine law allows for deadly force against intruders. Joy said that even if the shooter and King knew each other, the shooting could be deemed justified if it was determined that King was trying to break in.
The ex-girlfriend of Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., reportedly testified in front of a federal grand jury investigating the congressman for sex crimes Wednesday, a sign that the Department of Justice could be closer to indicting the conservative firebrand.

According to NBC News, the ex-girlfriend has been in talks with prosecutors for months over an immunity deal that would result in an exchange of her testimony for a withholding of a charge of obstruction of justice. Last March it was reported that the Department of Justice had an open inquiry into whether Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old for money.

Rep. Matt Gaetz at the U.S. Capitol. (Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)

Gaetz has yet to be charged with any crime at the state or federal level, has denied any wrongdoing and has referred to the investigation as a witch hunt. The federal investigation began in 2020 under the administration of then-President Donald Trump, of whom Gaetz is an outspoken supporter.

Authorities have reportedly been looking into whether Gaetz, 39, could be charged under the Mann Act, which prohibits bringing anyone across state lines with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense. If the case moves forward, the three-term congressman could also be charged with obstruction of justice for a phone call with the ex-girlfriend and another witness in the case. Prosecutors reportedly sought the cooperation of the ex-girlfriend because she was in an open relationship with Gaetz at the time of his alleged sexual relations with a minor.

The investigation into Gaetz stems from one into Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County, Fla., tax collector. Last May, Greenberg pleaded guilty to several crimes, including the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. A 2017 photo shows Greenberg with Gaetz and Republican operative Roger Stone. Greenberg also posted a photo with Gaetz outside the White House to his Twitter account in 2019.

In October, the Justice Department added two top prosecutors to the case. Investigators are also looking into a trip to the Bahamas where the ex-girlfriend and underage girls could have been present. Last fall, Florida real estate developer Stephen Alford pleaded guilty to charges he had tried to extort millions from Gaetzs family in exchange for a presidential pardon on the sex crime charges. Alfords extortion attempt came months after the initial investigation into Gaetz started.

Tucker Carlson speaks during the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Feszt on Aug. 7, 2021, in Esztergom, Hungary. (Janos Kummer/Getty Images)

In a March 2021 interview with Tucker Carlson, Gaetz attempted to pull the Fox News host into the story, telling him, I can say that, actually, you and I went to dinner about two years ago, your wife was there, and I brought a friend of mine, youll remember her. And she was actually threatened by the FBI, told that if she wouldnt cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay-for-play scheme that she could face trouble.

I dont remember the woman youre speaking of, Carlson said, or the context at all.

That was one of the weirdest interviews Ive ever conducted, Carlson said later in the broadcast.

Gaetz, the son of a prominent Florida Republican politician, was elected in 2016 and represents the states First Congressional District, which includes much of the Florida Panhandle. Gaetz has been a cable news fixture who has made headlines for stunts like wearing a gas mask when Congress was discussing COVID-19 legislation in March 2020. Gaetz married girlfriend Ginger Luckey last August in California.

Hours before the initial New York Times story on the investigation was published last March, Axios reported that Gaetz was considering an early retirement from Congress to take a position with the conservative outlet Newsmax. In 2017, Gaetz was the only no vote on a human trafficking bill that was passed unanimously by the Senate and by a 418-1 count in the House.

Unless there is an overwhelming, compelling reason that our existing agencies in the federal government cant handle that problem, I vote no because voters in northwest Florida did not send me to Washington to go and create more federal government, Gaetz said of his vote at the time.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate has passed a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Emmett Till, the Chicago teenager murdered by white supremacists in the 1950s, and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, who insisted on an open casket funeral to demonstrate the brutality of his killing.

Till was abducted, tortured and killed after witnesses said he whistled at a white woman at a grocery store in rural Mississippi, a violation of the Souths racist societal codes at the time. In return, he was rousted from bed and abducted from a great-uncles home in the predawn hours four days later.

The killing galvanized the civil rights movement after Tills mother insisted on an open casket and Jet magazine published photos of his brutalized body.

Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J. and Richard Burr, R-N.C., introduced the bill to honor Till and his mother with the highest civilian honor that Congress awards. They described the legislation as a long overdue recognition of what the Till family endured and what they accomplished in their fight against injustice.

The House version of the legislation is sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill. He also has sponsored a bill to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Mamie Till-Mobley.
A Texas therapist allegedly distributed performance-enhancing drugs to two United States athletes ahead of their participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games held last summer in Japan, according to federal prosecutors in Manhattan.

U.S. prosecutors arrested and charged Eric Lira, a 41-year-old therapist in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday in the first criminal accusations in the U.S. of doping at the Tokyo Games. The Olympics were postponed one year due to COVID-19.

The two athletes were not identified in the charging documents. Lira, who prosecutors said calls himself a "kinesiologist and naturopathic" therapist, is expected to appear before a federal judge in Texas Wednesday. He is the first charged under the Rodchenkov Act passed in December 2020 that extends enforcement of illegal drug activities to international events.

Therapist charged with distributing PEDs

Lira allegedly obtained misbranded versions of prescription drugs from Central and South America and distributed them to two athletes, prosecutors said. The drugs included human growth hormone and erythropoietin, commonly called "EPO" and used to stimulate production and maintenance of red blood cells.

At a moment that the Olympic Games offered a poignant reminder of international connections in the midst of a global pandemic that had separated communities and countries for over a year, and at a moment that the Games offered thousands of athletes validation after years of training, Eric Lira schemed to debase that moment by peddling illegal drugs," Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement. "The promise of the Olympic Games is a global message of unification. Today, this Office sends a strong message to those who would taint the Games and seek to profit from that corruption.

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said prosecutors allege that Lira "knew he was breaking rules when he communicated with Olympians through an encrypted messaging app to hide his illegal activity."

Therapist, athletes tried to evade testing

Federal prosecutors charged a Texas therapist with giving American athletes performance-enhancing drugs ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. (REUTERS/Mike Blake)

Prosecutors said Lira communicated with an athlete, identified as "Athlete-1" in the complaint, via encrypted communications regarding the sale, shipment and use of the drugs. It included communication regarding the "testability" of the drugs by anti-doping authorities, per the complaint. They also spoke of the results after using the drugs. Per the complaint:

On or about June 22, 2021, Athlete-1 wrote to LIRA, Hola amigo / Eric my body feel so good / I just ran 10.63 in the 100m on Friday / with a 2.7 wind / I am sooooo happy / Ericccccccc / Whatever you did, is working so well. Shortly thereafter, and in advance of Athlete-1s arrival in Tokyo to compete in the 2020 Olympics, LIRA encouraged his client: What you did ... is going to help you for the upcoming events. You are doing your part and you will be ready to dominate (ellipsis in original).

Athlete-1 was caught in a drug test conducted around July 19, 2021 and the athlete was suspended from Olympic competition, "including in the women's 100m semi-finals" the evening of July 30, 2021, prosecutors said.
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Americans stay cautious amid arrival of new COVID-19 peak

Xinhua) 09:04, January 12, 2022

NEW YORK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United States saw a new record high of COVID-19 hospitalizations on Tuesday, as its caseload kept hiking, staff level fell and medical system was struggling against an unprecedented surge of the coronavirus.

The country registered a total of 145,982 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Tuesday, surpassing the previous record of 142,273 set on Jan. 14, 2021 and about twice as many than two weeks ago, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"The highly transmissible Omicron variant threatens to obliterate that benchmark," reported The Washington Post on Tuesday. "Disease modelers are predicting total hospitalizations in the 275,000 to 300,000 range when the peak is reached, probably later this month."

N95 MASKS RECOMMENDED

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering updating its mask guidance to recommend that people opt for the highly protective N95 or KN95 masks worn by healthcare personnel, the newspaper quoted official sources as saying.

With the highly transmissible Omicron variant spurring record levels of infections and hospitalizations, experts have repeatedly urged the Joe Biden administration to recommend the better-quality masks rather than cloth coverings to protect against an airborne virus.

When the CDC issued its initial mask guidance in 2020, health officials did not urge the use of the more protective face coverings out of concern that health workers might be unable to get them. But health officials said there are no longer serious shortages of N95 masks.

CAMPUS CAUTION

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a deal with the Chicago Teachers Union on Monday that would return students to classrooms on Wednesday after a dispute over coronavirus safeguards canceled a week of classes in the country's third-largest school district.

The deal, which city officials said included provisions for additional testing and metrics that would close schools with major virus outbreaks, was approved by the union's House of Delegates Monday night and was expected to be voted on later in the week by rank-and-file teachers.

Teachers were expected to return to school buildings on Tuesday, with students joining them the next day. Leaders of the union described the agreement as imperfect but needed, given the conditions teachers are facing in the pandemic, according to The New York Times (NYT).

RETAIL FEAR

Long checkout lines, closed fitting rooms, empty shelves, shortened store hours, the dread of coronavirus, and clashes with customers who refuse to wear masks, the newspaper said, "a weary retail work force is experiencing the fallout from the latest wave of the pandemic."

Many U.S. store workers are facing rising risks and grappling with shifting guidelines, said the report. Retailers are generally not extending hazard pay as they did earlier in the pandemic and unwilling to adopt vaccine or testing mandates.

"Store workers are navigating the changing nature of the virus and trying their best to gauge new risks. Many say that with vaccinations and boosters, they are less fearful for their lives than they were in 2020," said the report.

"But they remain nervous about catching and spreading the virus," the report added.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
During the past year I have joined the daily online streaming of the Anglican Service of Morning Prayer. The informal 20-minute service with psalms and readings for the day plus discussion and prayer, is a helpful way to start the day and to direct my focus. My favourite part of the liturgy from A Prayer Book for Australia is the prayer:

The night has passed and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

It makes me think about how we usually start the day.

Norman Shanks of the Iona Community wrote in the book This Is the Day: Readings and meditations from the Iona Community by Neil Paynter:

We are either pilgrims or planners.

Planners spend their time trying to fit into their lifestyle and priorities set by others, and measure the value of social achievements in terms of material success. Pilgrims on the other hand cope with the unpredictability of life, accept human vulnerability and see lifes ups and downs in terms of opportunities for human growth.

Goals

Planners are probably those of us whose day begins with a too-early alarm that sets in train a well-worn schedule of school and work and appointments and meetings. There are goals to be achieved and bills to be paid. The ladder of social and financial success looms large. The days schedule rolls with its own momentum and urgency with not a minute to spare.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Routine can be comfortable. We dont need to stop and think. The next task just pops up and we engage with it. Filling the days time and space until it is time to slump in front of a screen and then try to catch some sleep before it starts all over again the next day. Theres little time left to nurture relationships or find opportunities for human growth; to relax and enjoy smelling the roses.

Unpredictability

Pilgrims are probably the ones who get up with the sun or whenever they wake, ready to accept whatever the day may bring. They may live alone or with a big family but are not really fussed about having more than the necessities of living. Theyre doing OK. They are unfazed by unpredictability.

Pilgrims take life one day at a time and may seem quite chilled about it all. (Sometimes that can be irritating!)

Pilgrims have time for spontaneous chats and a meal with friends and strangers. They may feel moved to sit on the verandah and read a book, or walk in the mountains, or volunteer to help in their local community.

I knew of one 95 year-old who sometimes expressed surprise at waking up to a new morning. Ah! Im still here. Another day.

Disruption

Bushfires, droughts and floods have been major disruptions in the last couple of years, and of course theres COVID. Lives have been turned upside down, plans and routines are in disarray. Many of us are still stressed by uncertainty, by lockdowns and the loss of jobs and opportunities. Social life, overseas travel, restaurants, theatres  all off limits.

Online meetings are useful but they dont quite fill the need for social life and real connection; well be dealing with mental health issues for a long time to come.

Such disruption could be a serious, perhaps mortal wound for some.

The Planner might take a long time to adapt to different ways of doing things, to recover, if at all. The Planner will certainly be wounded.

But the Pilgrim is flexible, goes with the flow and while the wound will heal, the scar it leaves will be a gentle reminder of lifes journey, like a worn patch on a favourite garment.

As Pilgrims, Christians can allow God to set the pace and priorities and so gladly say the prayer:

The night has passed and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind:

(Silence may be kept)

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,

so may the light of your presence, O God,

set our hearts on fire with love for you;

now and for ever. Amen.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenias foreign ministry has issued a statement, condemning the gross violation of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the eastern direction of the border of the Republic of Armenia with the use of artillery and UAVs.

We strongly condemn todays (January 11) gross violation of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the eastern direction of the border of the Republic of Armenia with the use of artillery and UAVs, as a result of which servicemen of the armed forces of Armenia Arthur Mkhitaryan and Rudik Gharibyan were fatally wounded and two servicemen were injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the killed servicemen and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

The provocative actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces are another manifestation of the continuous encroachments of Azerbaijan on the territorial integrity of Armenia, which have started since May 12, 2021, with the infiltration into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and continued with recurrent armed attacks.

The Republic of Armenia draws the attention of international community to the fact that official Baku, continuing its encroachments on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, violates the basic principles of international law, including the UN Charter, and undermines regional security.

The Armenian side has repeatedly stated that one of the ways to avoid further escalation of the situation may be the mirrored withdrawal of troops from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and introduction of an international monitoring mechanism along the border.

We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from provocative actions and implement their commitment on establishing stability in the region undertaken as a result of the Brussels meeting and with the Trilateral Statement of Sochi, the statement says.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. The military says it recovered the body of an Armenian serviceman from the area where the heavy fighting took place on January 11 when Azerbaijani forces attacked Armenian positions from the eastern side of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The Azeri military deployed UAVs and artillery in the assault.

This brings the Armenian militarys death toll in the January 11 shooting to 3.

The killed soldier is identified as Private Vahan Babayan (born 2003). The two other fallen troops are Private Artur Mkhitaryan (born 2002) and Junior Sergeant Rudik Gharibyan (born 2002).

The two other Armenian servicemen who were wounded in action while suppressing the Azeri attack are in non-life threatening condition, according to the Ministry of Defense.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenian peacekeepers deployed in Kazakhstan as part of the CSTO held exercises under the scenario of a potential assault on the largest bread factory in Almaty, the Russian Rossia 24 TV channel reported.

In the report, Rossia 24 noted that the CSTO peacekeepers are guarding the bread factory because it is literally feeding the entire population of the city.

Seyran Kocharyan, an Armenian peacekeeper, told Rossia 24 that the residents of Almaty and the bread factorys staff are very hospitable, have received them openheartedly and are appreciating their mission.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Former national police chief Lt. General Vladimir Gasparyan faces multiple criminal charges in a corruption case. The Anti-Corruption Committee released the indictment on January 12.

Gasparyan is accused in laundering more than 2 billion drams over the course of 18 years.

From 1997 to 2010, Gasparyan was the Chief of Military Police. He then served as Deputy Minister of Defense for a year. From 2011 to 2018 he was Chief of Police.

According to the indictment, Lt. General Gasparyan awarded no-show jobs to his wife and daughter at the Military Police and Police in between 2000-2018, with damages totaling more than 45,000,000 drams.

Lt. General Gasparyan is accused in abuse of power, falsifications and other corruption-related crimes, which led him to illicitly obtaining expensive homes and cars the value of which significantly exceed his familys legal income. He then laundered the assets through accomplices. The investigation revealed that Gasparyan laundered a total of 2,116,040,804 drams of assets.

The indictment was sent to the Supervising Prosecutor for approval and forwarding to court.
YEREVAN, 12 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 12 January, USD exchange rate down by 0.83 drams to 481.49 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.60 drams to 547.21 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.03 drams to 6.47 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.27 drams to 656.17 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 147.18 drams to 27969.74 drams. Silver price up by 1.49 drams to 349.7 drams. Platinum price up by 222.84 drams to 14659.81 drams.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. The Human Rights Council has elected Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, to serve as a vice-president for 2022. Mr. Hovhannisyan was elected from the Eastern European group of States, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Twitter page of the UN Human Rights Council.

In 2022, the council will be chaired by Argentina. The other three vice-presidents of the UN Human Rights Council are representatives of Germany, Uzbekistan and Libya.
According to information released by the company Sako on January 12, 2022, The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command and Sako Ltd signed a contract for the procurement of the new Rifle System M23 on 12 January 2022. The procurement was preceded by collaboration on the development of the rifle system between Sako Ltd and the Finnish Defence Forces in 20202021 in accordance with the letter of intent between the Finnish Defence Forces and Sako Ltd.

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Sako Rifle System M23. (Picture source Sako)

The total value of the procurement including the value added tax is approximately EUR 10 million. The contract also includes an additional procurement option for possible subsequent procurements.

SakoLtds roots are deeply set in the Finnish Defence Industry. Last year Sako celebrated its hundredth anniversary, and we have collaborated closely with the Finnish Defence Forces for decades. We value greatly the trust that the Defence Forces has shown us, and this procurement contract deepens our collaboration, creates new jobs in Finland, and also improves Finlands security of supply,states Sakos General Manager, Mr.Raimo Karjalainen.

The new Rifle System M23 includes two separate rifle configurations: the Sniper Rifle 23 for sniper use and the Designated Marksman Rifle 23 for use as an infantry section support weapon by designated marksmen. In addition, the contract includes accessories, spare parts, maintenance equipment, as well as user and maintenance training provided by Sako. Sako has designed the rifles, which are based on the widely used AR10construction. The rifles are semi-automatic and their calibreis7.62 NATO.

The contract represents an initiative of utmost commercial and strategic significance for Sakos Defence and Law Enforcement business. During the development of the rifle system, we have conducted multiple extensive tests in different conditions together with the Finnish Defence Forces. We believe that the Rifle System M23 provides a solution that caters extremely well for the operational needs of the Finnish Defence Forces, says Mr. ArtoKaikkola, Business Unit Director at Sako's Defence and Law Enforcement Business Unit.

The contract announced today is the first supply contract in relation to Sakos new product family of self-loading rifles, and the first rifles will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces later this year. As a whole, this new product family is a momentous business opportunity for Sako in Finland and the Nordic countries as well as globally. We are very happy that this contract also enables the implementation of joint rifle procurements between Finland and Sweden, Kaikkola continues.

One of the guiding principles in the development of the Rifle System M23 was the ability to produce weapons in Finland. The rifles will be manufactured in Sakos factory in Riihimaki  thus, the project improves Finlands security of supply and promotes retaining skills and technology as well as the ability to manufacture and repair weapon systems in Finland.

In recent years, we have made significant investments in our production and product development, and we will continue investing in the rifle and cartridge business in the coming years as well. We are committed to the continuous development of our expertise in Finland. The procurement contract deepens the collaboration between Sako and the Finnish Defence Forces, creates new jobs in Finland, and also improves Finlands security of supply, notes General Manager Karjalainen.

The signing of the procurement contract took place at the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command Headquarters in Tampere on 12 January 2022.
If AAP forms the government in Punjab, we will ensure that we provide necessary security to the PM and the common people, Kejriwal said

Chandigarh: Raising the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab, AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said, "if AAP forms the government, we will ensure that we provide necessary security to the PM and the common people."

"The PM's security breach is a serious issue. The Congress government has failed to provide security to the Prime Minister and common people. If AAP forms the government in Punjab, we will ensure that we provide necessary security to the PM and the common people," Delhi CM, who is in Chandigarh for a two-day visit, said.

Last week, PM Modi's convoy was stuck on a flyover when he was on his way to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district to visit National Martyr's Memorial.

The Punjab election is scheduled for February 14 and the result will be announced on March 10.

This time, Shiromani Akali Dal has joined hands with BSP and BJP is contesting elections with former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).

In the 2017 Assembly election, the Congress party won the polls, securing 77 seats of the 117 total constituencies. AAP had emerged runner-up, winning 20 seats. Akali Dal had won 15 seats and its alliance partner BJP in 3 seats.
A possible strategy and mechanism to leverage the private sector in times of peak of demand can be explored, Rajesh Bhushan advised

New Delhi: Noting the "significant surge" in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Centre on Wednesday wrote to all states and UTs urging them to direct departments concerned to ensure adequate buffer stock of medical oxygen for at least 48 hours and reinvigorate oxygen control rooms.

The Union Health Ministry said the emerging scenario calls for immediate measures by states and UTs to ensure optimal availability of medical oxygen at all health facilities.

In a letter to states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that private health facilities providing oxygen therapy services may be assessed and their medical oxygen infrastructure capacities need to be explored.

A possible strategy and mechanism to leverage the private sector in times of peak of demand can be explored, he advised.

Bhushan outlined that LMO tanks at the health facilities should be sufficiently filled and uninterrupted supply chain for their refilling should be ensured.

Stating that health facilities across the country have been strengthened with PSA plants, he stressed that it is important to ensure that these PSA plants are kept fully functional.

"All steps should be taken for the proper upkeep and maintenance of such plants," Bhushan said.

"All health facilities providing in-patient care and oxygen therapy should have buffer stock of medical oxygen sufficient for at least 48 hrs," he said.

Bhushan said all the health facilities should have adequate inventory of oxygen cylinders along with back-up stocks and robust refilling systems. It should also be ensured that these cylinders are filled and kept ready.

"All districts should ensure that oxygen concentrators supplied to them are fully functional. Their proper up keep and maintenance need to be ensured, " he said.

All higher-level health facilities should have life support equipment including ventilators, BiPAP, SpO2 systems and associated consumables in sufficient numbers to respond to the emerging needs.

All infection prevention protocols should be adopted while using the oxygen delivery devices and equipment at all the health facilities, he said.

Bhushan asked states and UTs to ensure optimal use of all oxygen delivery equipment and devices, and deployment of adequately trained HR at all facilities.

As advised, training of facility wise oxygen stewards should be completed within the next few days.

The Health Ministry along with Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has organised 10 hours training for operators of PSA plants for day-to-day operation, 40 hours training of Master Trainers and 180 hours training of trouble shooting of PSA to a significant number of persons in all States.

The oxygen control rooms should be reinvigorated at state and UT level for prompt resolutions of oxygen related issues and challenges, Bhushan stated.

All the states have been asked to ensure on boarding of all healthcare facilities utilising oxygen to ODAS digital platform, directly or through State API's, the letter stated.
Rajesh Bhushan urged the chief secretaries to direct their departments to ensure adequate buffer stocks of medical oxygen

Union health ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan urged the chief secretaries to direct their departments to ensure adequate buffer stocks of medical oxygen for at least 48 hours and reinvigorate oxygen control rooms. (Photo:PTI)

New Delhi: As India reported a whopping 1,94,720 fresh Covid-19 cases and 442 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Centre on Wednesday said the emerging scenario calls for immediate measures by states/UTs to ensure optimal availability of medical oxygen at all health facilities.

In a letter, Union health ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan urged the chief secretaries to direct their departments to ensure adequate buffer stocks of medical oxygen for at least 48 hours and reinvigorate oxygen control rooms.

The health secretary said the private health facilities providing oxygen therapy services may be assessed and the medical oxygen infrastructure capacities need to be explored. He advised that a possible strategy and mechanism to leverage the private sector in times of peak demand times should be explored.

With a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, fuelled by the new Omicron variant, the countrys positivity rate has jumped 10 times in the past 12 days. The daily positivity rate has increased to 11.05 per cent and active cases have mounted to 9,55,319, the highest in 211 days. The Omicron count has also crossed the 5,000 level.

In Delhi, 27,561 new Covid-19 cases, the second-highest single-day rise since the beginning of the pandemic, and 40 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. The deaths recorded are the highest since June 10 last year, when the national capital recorded 44 fatalities. The citys positivity rate has jumped to 26.22 per cent -- the highest since May 4 when it was at 26.7 per cent.

Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain said Covid-19 cases have started to come down in Mumbai and we will soon see the same trend in the national capital. Plateauing of hospital admissions is an indication that the wave may have peaked. We may see a decline in cases in two to three days, he added.

Maharashtra reported 46,000 fresh Covid-19 cases at a positivity rate of 21.4 per cent. Of this, Mumbai logged 16,420 cases -- about 41 per cent more than Tuesday -- at a positivity rate of 24 per cent and seven deaths.

For the last four days, Mumbai had been witnessing a drop in daily cases after reporting the highest-ever 20,971 cases on January 7. On Tuesday, it reported 11,647 cases, while two patients died of the infection that day.

The Covid-19 infection has been spreading fast all across the country. About 300 districts in India are reporting weekly Covid-19 case positivity of more than five per cent. As many as 19 states have logged over 10,000 active Covid-19 cases. Health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal said Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat are emerging as the states of concern due to their high infection rate.

Echoing recent concerns by the World Health Organisation that people are considering Omicron as mild, saying this was not right, Niti Aayog member (health) Dr V.K. Paul said: Omicron is not a common cold. It is not so simple and neither should it be taken lightly. And even if Omicron appears less severe, it is because of the extensive vaccination coverage that we have achieved. The same Omicron has challenged the health infrastructure of many countries.

It is not possible to genome-sequence all Covid samples, Dr Paul said, adding still it is clear that Omicron is fast replacing Delta in the country. Data from metro cities at least 10 days back showed 80 per cent of cases were because of Omicron. But we cant say that Delta is not there. There is a mixed picture of Delta and Omicron, which will also change.

Dr Paul said: We need to be vigilant, get vaccinated and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour Vaccination is an important pillar in our Covid response programme.

About 155 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses have already been administered in the country. Currently, the precautionary dose for Covid-19 is being given to healthcare/frontline workers and senior citizens aged over 60. Of about 7.5 crore children in the 15-18 age group, about 2.83 crore teenagers have already been given their first dose of Covaxin.
Almost minutes after Mr Mauryas resignation, a photograph of him with Akhilesh Yadav was shared on the latters social media handle

New Delhi: In a major jolt to the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh, state Cabinet minister and influential OBC leader Swami Prasad Maurya on Tuesday quit the Yogi Adityanath government and the BJP ahead of the upcoming crucial Assembly polls. Along with Mr Maurya, three BJP legislators -- Tindwari MLA Brajesh Prajapati, Tilhar MLA Roshan Lal Varma and Bilhaur MLA Bhagwati Sagar -- announced they would also leave the BJP in support of the minister.

Almost minutes after Mr Mauryas resignation, a photograph of him with Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav was shared on the latters social media handle welcoming him into the SP and predicting a historic defeat of the BJP in the coming polls. However, Mr Mauryas daughter, BJP MP from Badaun Sanghamitra Maurya, claimed that her father had only resigned from the BJP and not joined any other party yet, and that he would reveal his strategy in a couple of days.

Union home minister Amit Shah, sources said, has been tasked with the task of damage control in poll-bound UP.

Speculation is rife that at least a dozen BJP MLAs who are considered close to Mr Maurya could resign soon, amid rumours that the BJP leadership is planning to replace more than 35 per cent of its sitting MLAs to combat anti-incumbency. Opinion polls have predicted that the BJP will possibly retain power in UP this time, though with a lesser number of seats as compared to the 2017 election.

The sources said that Mr Amit Shah had, in a damage control exercise, had at least two telephonic conversations with Mr Maurya after the news of his resignation broke. Mr Maurya claimed gross neglect towards dalits, backwards, farmers, unemployed youth and small traders by the Yogi Adityanath government as reasons for his decision to quit the party.

The resignations came on a day when the top UP BJP top leadership, including chief minister Yogi Adityanath, deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal and state unit chief Swatantra Dev Singh, among others, were in the national capital for a brain-storming session for the coming polls with the BJP top brass, including Mr Shah. BJP president J.P. Nadda, who is Covid-positive, joined the meeting via video conferencing, where the BJP leadership was assessing its performance constituency-wise. Sources said that at least 20-23 calls were made by Mr Bansal, Mr Maurya and the BJP state unit chief to the MLAs who quit, and even those whose names were reported by the media as likely quit the BJP. The BJPs UP election in-charge and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Mr Bansal, it was learnt, also called leaders of the party's key allies in the state -- Apna Dals Anupriya Patel and Nishad Partys Sanjay Nishad -- as the seat-sharing formula is yet to be officially announced. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was learnt, was also apprised about the UP situation.

In UP political circles, speculation had been rife for the past couple of months that the SP chief was in touch with some OBC and Brahmin leaders of the BJP to successfully implement the social engineering formula to dent the saffron partys chances of retaining power in the politically crucial state. Mr Maurya, who joined the BJP from the BSP in 2016, said his reason for quitting the party was the Yogi Adityanath governments gross neglect of dalits, backwards, farmers, unemployed youth and small traders. However, within the BJP, the buzz was that he wanted tickets for more than two dozen of his supporters. Mr Shah, it was learnt, had held a one-on-one meeting with Mr Maurya during his recent visit to the state and had assured him that his grievances would be addressed.

Soon after Mr Mauryas resignation from the BJP, the SP chief shared a photograph of himself and Mr Maurya on his social media handle with the tweet: This time all the oppressed, downtrodden, neglected will unite against the BJPs insulting and divisive politics There will be a revolution of the SPs politics of giving respect to all. In 2022, with everyone meeting each other, there will be positive politics of mela hobe. There will be a historic defeat of the BJP.

Urging Mr Maurya to reconsider his move, deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya tweeted: I dont know for what reasons respected Swami Prasad Maurya has tendered his resignation. I appeal to him to sit down for a talk. Decisions taken in a hurry often prove wrong.

In his resignation letter addressed to UP governor Anandiben Patel, the five-time MLA from Padrauna said: I discharged my responsibilities as the minister for labour, employment and coordination in the council of ministers headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, despite adverse circumstances and ideology.

Mr Mauryas departure from the BJP is likely to damage the partys prospects in at least 20 seats spread across Kushinagar, Pratapgarh, Kanpur Dehat, Banda and Shahjahanpur.
Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, in a tweet, welcomed Dara Singh Chauhan into the SP

New Delhi/Lucknow: After Swami Prasad Maurya, another minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government, Dara Singh Chauhan, on Wednesday quit the ministry and tendered his resignation from the BJP amid speculation that of the more than 35 per cent MLAs who will be replaced by the BJP leadership in the coming Assembly polls, at least a dozen are ministers.

While Mr Chauhan, who joined the BJP in 2015, said he will seek the opinion of his well-wishers before joining any other party, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, in a tweet, welcomed him into the SP.

Hearty welcome and greetings to Shri Dara Singh Chauhan ji, the relentless fighter of the struggle for social justice. The SP and its allies will unite and take the movement of equality to its height eliminate discrimination! It is our collective resolve! Respect everyone -- space for everyone, Mr Yadav tweeted in Hindi. He had welcomed Mr Maurya in a similar manner, though the latter announced that he would join the SP only on January 14. Amid the news of BJP MLAs quitting the saffron fold, two sitting MLAs, SPs Hariom Yadav and Congress Naresh Saini, joined the BJP on Wednesday at the party headquarters.

At least four more MLAs have quit the BJP since Tuesday in support of Mr Maurya, a prominent OBC leader, who according to rumours in the BJP, was asking ticket for more than two dozen of his supporters.

Mr Maurya had quit the BJP over gross neglect by the UP government towards dalits, backwards, farmers, jobless youth and small traders.

In a related development, an MP-MLA court in Sultanpur issued an arrest warrant against Mr Maurya in a seven-year-old case of allegedly making objectionable comments against Hindu gods. The judge, Yogesh Kumar, issued the warrant against him after he did not attend the court hearing on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow after his resignation, Mr Chauhan, who represents Madhuban Assembly constituency in Mau district, said: Dalits, backwards and the deprived did not get justice in the present government. Thats why I am quitting the Cabinet." He added that he would consult his supporters before taking his future course of action.

The recent developments appear to strengthen the SPs influence among the non-Yadav OBCs in the state, less than a month before the crucial elections that will also have an impact on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Mr Chauhan said he had worked with dedication over the past five years but dalits, OBCs and the unemployed did not get justice from the BJP government. He also said he had been telling the party high command about the problems all through, but was ignored as he was talking about the backwards and dalits.

Uttar Pradesh deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya urged Mr Chauhan to think again. It hurts if any member of the family strays. I would only urge the respected gentlemen that it would be their loss only if they board a sinking boat. Elder brother Dara Singh ji, please reconsider your decision, he tweeted in Hindi. On Tuesday, he had made a similar appeal to Mr Maurya.

In the resignation letter to state governor Anandiben Patel, Mr Chauhan said: I have worked with full diligence for the betterment of my departments But troubled by the complete neglect of backwards, the deprived, dalits, farmers and unemployed youth, besides messing up of the reservation facility for dalits and the backwards, I am tendering my resignation from the Cabinet.

Besides Mr Maurya and Mr Chauhan, Tindwari MLA Brajesh Prajapati, Tilhar MLA Roshan Lal Varma, Bilhaur MLA Bhagwati Sagar and Bidhuna MLA Vinay Shakya have also tendered their resignation from the BJP.
by Nirmala Carvalho

Students from the Don Bosco Arts and Science College helped a single mother of two, by raising funds and building a house for them in 10 months. I am really happy and proud for what the young people of Don Bosco College have done, said Bishop Alex Vadakumthala. [S]tudying does not merely mean acquitting another degree but requires opening ones heart and mind, he added.

Kannur (AsiaNews)  Students attending the Don Bosco Arts and Science College in Kannur, a district in the Indian state of Kerala, have built a house for a poor woman and her two children.

This is the fourth initiative of its kind carried out as part of the National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Lucy Kudakapalliyil, an assistant professor in the colleges English department, found mother and children while travelling on a bus.

The womans husband had left her to fend for herself and their two children, a 10-year-old with mental issues and a six-year-old with kidney problems. Mother and children found themselves with no place to stay.

The educator found temporary accommodations for them at the Avila Sadan Retreat Centre. Later, with the help of Fr Raphson Peter, she was able to obtain land for the three donated by the Illickal family, but still lacked the money to build a house.

At that point, some college students stepped in. Through various initiatives, they raised 500,000 rupees (US$ 6,765) in the towns of Kannur, Thalassery, Mattannur, Koothuparamba and Iritty.

Such an effort was particularly noteworthy given the difficult economic situation caused by the pandemic.

The house was built in 10 months, and the family received the keys in a ceremony held in the college auditorium.

I am really happy and proud for what the young people of Don Bosco College have done, said Bishop Alex Vadakumthala of Kannur speaking to AsiaNews.

In addition to learning in college, we need to inculcate human values, he added, because studying does not merely mean acquiring another degree but requires opening ones heart and mind to a neighbour who suffers. May this spirit continue in all of our colleges.
by Sumon Corraya

Sponsored by PIME Sisters, the facility teaches in English, based on a programme increasingly sought after by middle class families in the capital. The facility will also financially support five other schools in remote villages offering free education to the poor.

Dhaka (AsiaNews)  The Mary Immaculate International School, a new educational facility set up by the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception (PIME Sisters), opened its doors on Monday in Dhaka.

Located in Monipuripara, in the capitals Tejagon area, the English-language primary school will follow the Cambridge curriculum, a programme increasingly sought after by Dhaka families.

When the first 10 pupils arrived, they were met by teachers and the Sisters waiting for them in a welcoming environment.

Our charism is evangelisation, said principal Sr Emanuela DCosta, speaking to AsiaNews. However, the school will also offer academic lessons as well as moral education to the students so that they can grow as individuals and citizens.

The Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception already run five schools in some of Bangladeshs remotest villages, providing free education to the poor.

The Mary Immaculate International School in Dhaka requires a tuition fee, but the money will also serve to support the societys work across the country.

The new schools tuition fee is very reasonable, explained Sr Emanuela. Mid-income families can afford to pay for our school.

Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze of Dhaka, who also heads the Bangladesh Catholic Education Board, blessed the facility on 20 December.

The school can accommodate up to 40 students. New students will be able to enrol starting this this month.

We are very happy for such a quality school. It is a neat and clean campus; the environment is very good. Children can play here, said one parent.

I feel safe and worry free to keep my son in this school, he explained. Both he and his wife attended a missionary-run school and want the same for their children.

The Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception have 12 convents in Bangladesh and 71 local nuns, 15 of whom carry out their ministry as missionaries in other countries. Another 15 Sisters come from abroad and are currently living their vocation in Bangladesh.
She had been battling colon cancer for a long time. Instead of allowing the dissident to visit her, the authorities arrested him. He has been missing for almost a year. When he was a student, Guo participated in the Tiananmen protests. In detention, he was tortured several times.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  The wife of lawyer and human rights activist Guo Feixiong died on Monday in the United States from colon cancer, Human Rights Watch reported.

According to the advocacy group, the Chinese government had repeatedly prevented Guo, a lawyer, from visiting his wife.

About a year ago, 55-year-old Zhang Qing underwent surgery to remove a tumor, followed by chemotherapy.

Guo (whose real name is Yang Maodong) has been missing since 28 January 2021 after security officials at Shanghai airport prevented him from boarding a plane for the United States.

Shortly before, he had published an open letter to the Chinese government asking them to have empathy for ordinary people and allow him to leave China to visit his dying wife. To protest against the travel ban, he went on a hunger strike.

The well-known dissident has been accused of endangering national security because of his fight for human rights in China since the Tiananmen protests in 1989, when the Chinese government slaughtered thousands of students demanding freedom and democracy.

Detained a first time in 2006, Guo has spent 11 years in prison, targeted by the authorities for helping residents in a village in Guangdong against a local party boss whom they accused of profiting financially from the illegal sale of their land.

When he called on the government to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Guo was sent back to prison in 2013.

In a prophetic statement made in December 2015, he said: Our movement for freedom and democracy will only grow stronger in the crucible of your repression, which will speed up the fall of the regime.

After his release from prison in August 2019, the police put him under constant surveillance.

To escape persecution, Guos wife fled to the United States in 2009, taking their two children with her.

Zhang repeatedly denounced the torture inflicted on her husband in prison: chained hands and feet to the bed for days, sleep deprivation, and electric shocks to the genitals.

For Chinese Human Rights Defenders, the Chinese government's treatment of the couple is "cruel and inhumane". The human rights organisation urged Beijing to allow Guo to at least attend his wife's funeral.
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District Attorney Jenny Palmer has been in office one year and gave an update of what has been accomplished and what they hope for in 2022.
Unfortunately, the House of Tokyo never made the CB1100R available to North American buyers, but some copies did eventually get imported to U.S. soil. For instance, the specimen pictured above was shipped from a South African collector to the Iconic Motorbike Auctions warehouse in Santa Monica, California.This sexy thing is a 1983 variant of Honda s range, so you might hear people referring to it as a CB1100RD. The Japanese legend comes equipped with a youthful tank protector, chromed mirrors, and an aftermarket exhaust system of unknown origin, while its analog counter shows a little over 24,000 kilometers (15k miles).Furthermore, the bikes carburetors got treated to a thorough scrub, and its battery was replaced in preparation for the sale. As far as the production numbers are concerned, only 1,500 units of the CB1100R have been assembled for the 1983 model-year, so were basically talking about the motorcycle equivalent of a precious artifact!Featuring an air-cooled 1,062cc four-banger with 115 hp and 73 pound-feet (99 Nm) of twist on tap, this nasty animal can hit speeds of up to 149 mph (240 kph). The creatures powertrain is placed inside a double cradle skeleton, whose front end rests on 39 mm (1.5 inches) anti-dive telescopic forks.At the opposite pole, suspension duties are managed by dual adjustable shock absorbers and a double-sided swingarm. Stopping power comes from triple brake discs that measure 296 mm (11.7 inches) in diameter, all of which are paired with twin-piston calipers. When its beefy 6.9-gallon (26-liter) fuel tank is empty, the 83 MY CB1100R weighs in at 518 pounds (235 kg).The old-school rarity weve just examined is going under the hammer on the IMA website , where you may place your bids within the next three days. The online auction will be open until January 14, and were yet to see a bidder whos generous enough to meet the reserve price. Mind you, this isnt the sort of machine thatll change hands for less than five digits.
For most riders, the fact that Honda s mighty CBX1000 stayed in production for just four years is truly heartbreaking, and we can only imagine what this six-cylinder behemoth wouldve become if it stuck around a little longer. With their skinny forks and single-piston calipers, the earlier models are indeed quite unsettling, but these weaknesses have been addressed as of 1981.This is the year when the Japanese titan saw a sport-tourer facelift, which was intended to boost sales and bless the nameplate with a second shot at life. Unfortunately, the publics interest continued to be rather sparse, so the CBX was eventually given the ax after the 1982 model-year.In our day and age, these machines are experiencing a surge in popularity on the second-hand market, and some gearheads will gladly pay a pretty penny to get their hands on one such entity. This articles photo gallery presents an 82 MY CBX1000 Super Sport thats currently up for grabs on Bring a Trailer , where you can place your bids until January 16.At the moment, the top bidder is offering 4,500 bones for Hondas classic icon, but youll probably have to do better if you plan on meeting the reserve. Before you wander off, feel free to join us for a brief overview of the tourers main specifications in the paragraphs that follow.The 1982 CBX1000 features an air-cooled 1,047cc inline-six powerplant with dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and 98 wicked ponies on tap. By spinning the chain-driven rear Comstar hoop via a five-speed gearbox, the engines force enables its bearer to hit speeds of up to 135 mph (217 kph).Moreover, the old-school tourer can go from zero to 60 mph (96 kph) in 4.6 seconds before finishing the quarter-mile run in 12.4 blistering ticks. Weighing in at about 633 pounds (287 kg) dry, the unrelenting CBX boasts a sizeable fuel capacity of no less than 5.8 gallons (22 liters).
The facelift has brought a reinterpreted Citroen logo, as well as changes to the front grille, which now has dotted lines that unite the DRLs in the headlights, which are also new in both shape and interior design. The front bumper has also been changed, as has the hood. It is truly a facelift.The profile of the C5 Aircross shows no significant changes at first, but the French have added new alloy wheels in the range, as well as a different design for the rearview mirror caps that match the roof bars, as well as new styling elements on the side panels.When the rear of the C5 Aircross facelift is concerned, Citroen has fitted it with a set of new taillights, while also changing the shape of the inner element of the rear bumper. A new color, Eclipse Blue, is now available, and customers can still order color packs for contrasting ornaments or a two-tone combination with a black roof.The latter continues to have two exhaust ornaments, but those are just ornaments, as the real exhaust pipe is concealed behind the bumper  that was the case for the pre-facelift, and we do not expect that to change with the facelift.On the inside, the C5 Aircross comes with a new 10-inch touchscreen multimedia unit, which sits on a redesigned center console. It is placed higher than before, and the air vents were moved underneath it. The gauge cluster remains a 12.3-inch digital display that can provide essential information to the driver.The French marque has changed some materials on board for a higher level of perceived quality. Customers also get the new Citroen Advanced Comfort seats, already offered on the C4 and C5 X These come with an extra layer of foam for more comfort and extended durability, as they are meant to resist sagging over time. The seats in question can be ordered with heating and massage functions, but no ventilated versions are available. We experienced similar seats in an e-C4 we drove last year , and they are quite comfortable.The center console comes with bigger storage bins, two USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a redesign of the e-Toggle gear selector for the automatic transmission models.The company prides itself on having the only model in its class to come with three individually-adjustable rear seats that can slide, recline, or be retracted for maximum modularity.When engines are concerned, Citroen claims that its C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid can drive up to 55 kilometers (ca. 34 miles) in its all-electric mode or at speeds of up to 135 km/h (ca. 84 mph).It also comes with an instantly-available torque of 320 Nm (ca. 235 lb.-ft.), and the plug-in hybrid's battery can be charged in less than two hours from a Wall Box.Judging from the specifications above, there is no change in the powertrain department, although Citroen might announce some changes later. Gasoline-engined and diesel-engined versions are still available.
On December 31, 2021, just days ahead of her 100th birthday, legendary actress, comedienne and animal lover Betty White passed away at her home. Tributes from fellow celebrities, friends and fans continue to pour in, and will probably continue to do so as the documentary Betty White: A Celebration will run in U.S. theaters on January 17, on what would have been her 100th birthday.Betty loved cars , though arguably not as much as she loved animals. This one, which she called Parakeet (she named all her cars after birds, and found inspiration for the names from the paint color), was particularly special for her, since it had been a gift from her late husband Allen Ludden.It was a surprise gift, too, as she would say in interviews years later: Ludden had returned home from a job and, as customary, he didnt want Betty to wait for him at the airport. So, he drove home, but not in a taxi: he arrived in this Seamist Green 1977 Cadillac Seville he had picked up for her. The special kind of pastel green had been chosen with her in mind, since she loved pastels. The combination of the green and the white vinyl top and the white leather interior turned it into an instant attention-magnet.The Seville was factory loaded and rear-wheel drive, but it also featured a few extra touches, like a small dash plaque that reads Betty. The actress would later add an AT&T phone inside, so she could always be reached for business. It is still inside the car.Betty loved Parakeet, though she didnt drive it too much . In 2002, she donated it with 18,000 miles (29,000 km) on the odo to an animal charity. It then ended up with a Houston collector who donated it to the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum ( AACA Museum ) in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Its been there all this time, either on display or offered for special tours in the storage section.If youre a fan of the legendary actress and are in the area, know that the Parakeet will go back on display at the museum on January 16, 2022, with the following day having been declared Betty White Day. The video below is for those who cant make the visit.
Most people wouldnt dare to even think about customizing an esteemed Ducati 999 beyond the point of no return, but the Frenchmen over at Freeride Motos dont seem to be that bothered. When a client crossed their doorstep to commission a project based on Bolognas 900SS, Pierre Dhers and his crew suggested that the higher-spec 999 would be a more suitable candidate for the feat he had envisioned.The customer decided to heed their advice and wasted no time searching for a befitting donor, which appeared in the form of a 2005 model from Ducatis range. This brutal piece of machinery carries a liquid-cooled 998cc L-twin engine with 140 hp and 80 pound-feet (109 Nm) of torque at its disposal.Before hitting a top speed of 165 mph (266 kph), the Duc will obliterate the quarter-mile jog in no more than eleven seconds flat. Now, lets see how the Freeride pros went about transforming the '05 MY 999 into a custom masterpiece with sinister vibes, dubbed the "Black Edition." Aside from the bikes fuel tank, every bit of factory bodywork has been removed, making room for bespoke alternatives.Starting at the rear, we find an aluminum tail section with integrated LEDs sitting on top of a revised subframe, and the whole setup is accompanied by a handsome solo saddle. The creatures front end is adorned with dual headlights and a tiny nose fairing, while a unique belly pan can be spotted in between the wheels.We also see a premium selection of carbon fiber goodies, including new fenders, a stealthy chain guard, and a state-of-the-art EVR airbox. The latter is paired with a stainless-steel exhaust at the other end of the combustion cycle, and the original clutch mechanism has been discarded in favor of a CNC Racing module.The French moto doctors fitted the titan s suspension with top-shelf Ohlins hardware on both ends, then theyve upgraded the brakes using Brembo goodies. Lastly, we arrive at the cockpit, where Dhers specialists installed Aviacompositi instrumentation and Renthal clip-ons, as well as Motogadget bar-end blinkers and a set of Domino grips.
Last month, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) received a one-time grant of $9 million from the U.S. government to get the show back and running again. This kind of gave away DADAs intention to revive the motor show that seemed at the time as dead as a dinosaur bone. But then the CES followed and it turned out to be a huge success. Theres no doubt this encouraged Detroit dealers to push ahead with their plans for NAIAS.Suffices to say the decision is now official, and we expect the press to gain access to the show on September 14-15. The annual Charity Preview follows on September 16 to raise money for non-profit organizations, and then the show will open for the public between September 17-25.There isnt much information at the moment, but the organizers are expected to reinvent NAIAS to make it more appealing to the public. In addition to the main event at Huntington Place, there will be additional free outdoor activities throughout downtown Detroit.NAIAS is not the only auto show that has to reinvent itself in a time when people increasingly turned to online events. The Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany changed a lot until it became the Munich Mobility Show.Also, the Paris Motor Show appears to return from the dead too. After four years of absence, the European event will be open to the public starting October 17. This should mark people's renewed interest in auto shows throughout the world, after years of online events and pandemic restrictions.
As we all know, there are plenty of urban air mobility startups gearing up to change the way we fly, forever. Weve been talking about the innovative aircraft and related infrastructure developed by various companies all throughout 2021, and the story continues this year, as theyre getting closer to launch the new eVTOLs.Eve, a subsidiary of the world-renown Embraer aircraft manufacturer, is determined to become a leader in this new market , and so far it has successfully joined forces with numerous partners across the globe. The most recent one is Falko, one of the biggest lessors of regional aircraft in the world. With offices in the UK, Ireland, and Singapore, Falko wants to contribute to the greening of the aviation sector, and plans to do so with the help of eVTOLs.The recent agreement with Eve Mobility, for the order of 200 eVTOLs, in conjunction with Eves next-generation air traffic management software and service operations, comes as a culmination of the close relationship that Falko and Embraer established back in 2014. The regional aircraft leasing company firmly believes in Eves potential of becoming one of the top names in this emerging market.Indeed, Eve has already secured hundreds of orders through numerous partnerships, in all parts of the world. Republic Airways, one of the biggest regional airlines in the U.S., is bringing the Eve eVTOLs to Boston, New York, and Washington D.C. The American airline even went one step further, and started paving the way for future eVTOL specialists, at its training school for pilots and technicians, called the Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy, in Indianapolis.On the other hand, Embraer is involved in several other sustainable aviation projects, apart from UAM aircraft. Its most recent launch, the Energia Family, is a range comprised of four concept aircraft powered by electric propulsion and/or hydrogen fuel cells.Soon enough, hydrogen aircraft and eVTOLs could become common means of transportation in urban areas.


There were no reports of pirates in the area, nor did the name of the ship appear in the systems. Now the owner has a short fifteen-day window to reclaim the vessel.





Late last week, Chevrons offshore oil rig workers found a ghost ship measuring 262 ft (80 m), abandoned in the southern waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The staff alerted local authorities, who checked the vessel to find out there were no identifying documents, crew, or cargo on board. The only thing they noticed about it was its label, Jin Shui Yuan 2.The ship, which is believed to be of Chinese origin, was spotted floating around a hundred nautical miles from the mouth of Songkhla Lak, Thailand.Thai navy proceeded to try and tow it ashore on Sunday, January 9, but due to rough seas and strong winds, the ghost ship sank near Sichon District in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, in the south of Thailand.After it sank, local officials have been working alongside the marine to keep the oil leak from the ghost ship, which covers more than half a mile (one kilometer), from harming the environment around it, with buoys placed around the place where the ship sank.When they checked it, authorities claimed the ships bridge looked like it had been left in a hurry. The stairway on the shipwreck that leads to the downstairs gallery seems to suggest it hadnt been used in a while.But one expert talked to the Thai media, claiming that the ship might have been an illegal oil tanker, The Thaiger suggests. The vessel, which sustained some damage, could have been operating for a while without proper maintenance, and, if it were operating as an illegal oil tanker, it couldnt have docked for repairs.
Car dealers need a steady flow of cars coming in and out of their gates to stay in business and clearly, the supply issues in the auto industry are affecting their bottom line. With new cars shortages, used vehicles are just as good, if not better, considering the crazy prices we see today on the used-car market . Theres just one problem, though: for used vehicles to enter the market, their owners need to trade them in for a new car.This is why General Motors steps in to help its dealers with consolidated inventories and premium services that proved enticing to car buyers. Its used-vehicle platform CarBravo will launch this spring with both GM and non-GM cars on offer, as well as the flexibility to cater to all kinds of buyers.CarBravo will give customers more choice and access to shop significantly expanded inventories of both the dealer and a national central stock of GM used vehicles. Importantly, the program features will also be offered on non-GM used vehicles, Steve Carlisle, president of GM North America, said in a statement. CarBravo is designed to provide customers the convenience to shop how they want, where they want  online, at the dealership or both. The used car market is highly competitive at the moment , with online platforms like Carvana and Carmax absorbing an increasing number of used cars. CarBravo is GMs answer to this shift in customers preferences that favor online shopping over the more traditional dealer approach. Ford already started their Ford Blue Advantage service a year ago, although we must admit GMs name is cooler.Carmax and Carvana may have inspired GM not only with their name but with their business model as well. CarBravo vehicles available on GMs digital platform will come with clear pricing, history reports, and 360-degree view photos. They are all inspected and reconditioned to GMs standards and are covered by warranty.Depending on the package, some buyers will benefit from roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. Moreover, the customers can request at-home test drives and home delivery, depending on availability at participating dealers. Some vehicles sold through the CarBravo platform will also come with complimentary trials of OnStar and SiriusXM services, as GM wants to broaden access to its subscription services.
Lamborghini already made a habit of taking a few cars from its lineup and driving them to specific locations, searching for great driving roads. It did that before and, before the 2021 winter started, it did it again in Scotland. The event started in Edinburgh and the Lambo convoy passed through the still-closed ski resort and highest village from the Scottish Highlands, Tomintoul.The carmaker brought seven vehicles for this event, from the Aventador , Hurracan, and Urus ranges, and they came in all versions from coupe to open-top, from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive. For those who don't know, Scotland doesn't have "rainy weather," but "Scottish weather," as I found out a few years ago in Inverness. It wasn't precisely rain, but something that kept everything wet, from streets to clothes, hair, face, everything. And, by the way, an umbrella was not an option while driving a supercar.The Lamborghini tour circled the Cairngorm's art installations created for travelers on the Snow Roads route. They watched the "Still" outside of Tomintoul, "The Watchers" near the Lecht ski resort, and the "Contours" in the Glenshee Cairnwell pass. At the time of Lamborghini's tour, the ski resorts were still closed, and the roads were empty. Nevertheless, it was indeed a good moment to enjoy the glorious sounds of the naturally-aspirated V12 engines.But for further visits, the Urus came in very handy, taking the Lamborghini's drivers to Cairngorms Dark Sky Park to seek out the Cor Tauri, the brightest star in the Taurus (Bull) constellation, which is the moniker adopted by Lamborghini to describe its electrification program. Of course, just like any other carmaker in Europe, the Italian brand has to switch to a full-electric range.
Last year, Podbike stated that deliveries of its four-wheeled e-bike are scheduled to start sometime in 2023, with pre-orders being open since fall. Now the company boasts more than 3,400 pre-orders and counting. On the official website, Podbike now specifies that deliveries are planned to start this year.As expected, the first lucky customers to receive their one-of-a-kind e-bikes will be those in Norway, since it is the closest to Podbikes Research & Development department. Germany is also on top of the list, as many of the companys clients are from that country.The Frikar is meant to replace short distance car travel, being a great solution to both avoiding high traffic and reducing emissions. This re-invented velomobile, as Podbike likes to call it, is designed for the Nordic climate, offering complete weather protection. As extra options, you can also benefit from heating and a filtered air cabin. During hot days, you can remove the canopy.This single-seater (you can also opt for an additional child seat) passes as a cycle in Europe, which means you dont require a license and you can use it on bike lanes. It measures 2,3 m (7.5 ft) in length and 0.84 m (2.7 ft) in width, being able to fit people with a maximum height of 2 m (6.5 ft).While it operates like a bike , featuring functional pedals, their purpose is to power a generator, with no chain or belt being part of the scheme. Unlike regular e-bikes, the Frikar packs three motors , with two of them serving as electronic transmission and another one acting as assist motor/electronic brake. Although the speed is technically limited to 25 kph (16 mph) due to European regulations, by continuing to pedal, you can reach up to 60 kph (37 mph) downhill, depending on factors such as rolling resistance, inclination, etc.The Podbike Frikar is powered by an 877 Wh battery that promises up to 80 km (50 miles) on a range. You can further extend that range via a power module that allows you to carry two battery packs.Right now, pricing for the four-wheeled e-bike starts at 6,250 (approximately $7,100).
BREAKING: Brand new Model S design with new headlights and charge port photographed in Taiwan! These changes are expected soon with deliveries in the US.



Source: https://t.co/s6EYunA1iG pic.twitter.com/vkkxpjfE2D  Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 11, 2022

Tesla offered a comprehensive refresh for the Model S/X duo only six months ago. It was the moment the models at the top end of Teslas range got the controversial yoke steering wheel that was later replicated by more traditional carmakers, including Toyota. Now it seems Elon Musk forgot some important features when it introduced the refreshed range, and so another update has been prepared.To avoid embarrassment, Tesla decided the new features would be quietly released in Taiwan before being rolled out in the rest of the world. The thing is, with all the hype surrounding Tesla models theres little chance anything can be kept quiet, so here we are. Its safe to say the changes Tesla made with the new refresh will get to the U.S. and Europe too, so you might want to know whats changed, courtesy of Tesla Motors Club For starters, its obvious the headlights and the taillights are a little different than before. Most probably, the headlights are the Matrix-LED type like the ones featured on the latest Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The changes are more subtle at the back, although you will notice a huge update underneath the charging flap. Were talking about the new CCS charging plug that appears on a Model S for the first time. Its also the first time Model S is officially sold outside North America, so this explains everything.Thats because the cars sold outside the U.S. (and Canada) have to feature a CCS charge port instead of the proprietary Tesla connector. It is believed this change will not make it to the U.S. market, but given Tesla already switched the Model 3 to the CCS standard it would not be surprising if they do the same with the Model S/X vehicles.Time will tell, but history shows proprietary standards are usually replaced with more common counterparts. In the future, Tesla will also have to open its Supercharger network to other cars too, so it will make no sense in having both cars and charging poles with dual connectors.
Were all sick and tired of reading about all the eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) advancements because all we want at this point is to fly the darn things already. Bellwether is yet another startup promising to revolutionize transportation with its flying hypercar, getting all our hopes up. Founded in 2019, the company has kept a very low profile until now, but it recently decided to change that and let the world know what its been up to for the last 24 months.The Bellwether website offers close to zero information on the highly appraised volar, but we now have a fresh video shared by the startup on its social media channels. It is footage of a test flight that took place in Dubai in November but was only released today.According to Bellwether, as reported by evtol.com , the aircraft in the video is a half-scale prototype of the volar, a two-seater that was remotely piloted and managed to take off and fly at an altitude of just 13 ft (four meters), cruising at a relaxed speed of just 25 mph (40 kph). But Bellwether claims the production model will have a capacity of four or five passengers and will measure around 10.5 ft (3.2 m) in width. That would make it 5 ft (1.5 m) wider than an average car.The final design of the volar will allow the flying car to reach speeds of up to 135 mph (220 kph) and heights of up to 3,000 ft (915 m). It will have a maximum take-off weight of 1,320 lb. (600 kg) and its battery will have a run time of up to 90 minutes.Thats all we know so far about the Bellwether volar, with the company adding that it plans to launch the eVTOL in 2028. As far as its initial price goes, if this thing does hit the market, expect to pay for it as much as for a private jet.
Horsepower

No, I'm not talking about "The Judge," even though it's one of the most desirable GTOs out there. This story is about the Royal Bobcat , the meanest GTO ever built. And the car you're about to see below is probably the cleanest GTO Bobcat in existence.Showcased by the folks over at YouTube's "Warehouse," this 1965 Pontiac GTO went through a thorough restoration and presents itself as a Concours-ready classic. The shiny dark red paint and chrome trim are backed by a stunning interior with cream upholstery, while the engine bay is so clean you could eat off the block.Of course, the engine is one of the most important details here, as this GTO isn't powered by a run-of-the-mill 389-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) V8. While it started life as a 389, this powerplant was stroked to 421 cubic inches (6.9 liters) and upgraded beyond the standard Tri-Power's rating of 360 horsepower.How powerful, you ask? Well, there's no specific info, but it's safe to say it cranks out more than 400 horsepower. Enough to compete with the iconic COPO and Yenko Camaros , as well as other high-power muscle cars of the era. And the 421 V8 sounds mean too. The exhaust sound footage at the four-minute mark will blow you away.If you're not familiar with Royal Bobcat-tuned Pontiacs, these were forged by Ace Wilson Jr. at his Pontiac dealership in Royal Oak, Michigan. An avid race fan and Pontiac enthusiast, he began creating beefed-up muscle cars in 1959 with GM's blessing.His Pontiacs started winning at the drag strip in 1960 and dominated national events through 1963. When Pontiac decided to withdraw from racing that year, Royal Pontiac began selling tuned streetcars.As the GTO became a popular choice among muscle car enthusiasts, Royal Pontiac sales soared to the point where the dealership delivered more than 1,000 Bobcat conversion kits in 1966.GTO Royal Bobcats are becoming increasingly valuable nowadays, with auction prices usually going past the $100,000 mark (depending on condition and documentation). This 1965 Pontiac is definitely one of the most expensive ones. Check it out in the video below.
When you are learning to ride a bicycle, some assistance is more than welcomed. And while balance bikes are designed with the safety of the child in mind, it never hurts to be able to take control of the wheeler, just in case. And if you can do it from 300 ft away, even better. This is exactly what the myStopy wireless brake assistant is here to offer.The gizmo consists of the braking device itself, which has an integrated light and is splashproof. A 1500mAh, 3.7V battery is also integrated, promising 105 hours of run time. myStopy also comes with a USB-rechargeable remote control and a bracelet to place it in. An Allen key is also included, for when you need to install the device on the bike.According to the German manufacturer, the remote brake device comes with a working range of up to 100 m (328 ft), allowing you to immediately stop the bike at a push of a button. This way, parents get to have control over the balance bike, keeping children safe on the wheeler and helping them learn how to better assess dangerous situations.Installing myStopy is a quick and easy process, with the device being mounted on the bikes seat post. Right now, the wireless brake assistant is only compatible with German-made Puky balance bikes, but the manufacturer plans to make the device work with a wider range of wheelers.You can order myStopy on the companys website for a price of 60 ($68).
EV

Underground Racing is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based shop specialized in twin-turbo Lamborghini Huracan and Audi R8 builds. Theyre most famous for the crazy performance figures squeezed out of the factory V10 engines, but now they have another trick ready to impress. Manual transmissions are popular among enthusiasts, and Underground Racing obliged with a manual transmission swap for the newer R8s.The job was done at the request of one of their customers in Dallas, Texas, who also ordered URs twin-turbo setup. The result was a marvelous 2020 Audi R8 with 1,500-horsepower under the hood and a manual transmission replacing the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Thanks to Underground Racing expertise, R8s center console looks like its coming from Audi.The tuning house fitted the car with a street clutch for factory-like drivability but kept the factory all-wheel-drive system in place. The manual transmission came from a first-generation Audi R8 but needed some work to seamlessly integrate with the powerful engine. The car also got a Performante center-lock wheel conversion, complete with custom-finished Performante wheels.This is, for now, a one-time job, but Underground Racing confirmed it will soon develop into a regular entry in their catalog. We must say it isnt cheap, as the transmission swap will only be offered to those that also pay for the twin-turbo kit We dont know the price yet, but the tuning kit starts at $49,000 installed, with prices as high as $175,000 for the most powerful configurations. So youd probably need to thoroughly ponder whether you want a stick-shift Audi R8 or you can do with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.Too bad Audi decided to let go of this wonderful machine , at least in the current V10 form. Whether the R8 will return as an, later on, is up to the boffins in Neckarsulm, Germany.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - The new Jeep Compass Trailhawk is introduced to the media at the Chicago Auto Show on July 14, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. It is the first major auto show to be held in the United States since the start of the pandemic. (Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images)

2022 promises to be a big year for Jeep in the Indian market, with the automaker set to introduce three SUV lines in the subcontinent. The returning Trailhawk variant will be the first to be launched by Jeep in India this year, followed by the all-new Meridian and Grand Cherokee models.

Jeep Trailhawk returns with a bang in India this year

Many expected Jeep to release Trailhawk in India last year after its January launch of Compass, but that did not transpire with the automaker discontinuing the popular variant. This year, the Trailhawk is back to join its SUV fleet, albeit in a limited edition with Jeep only manufacturing just a set number of the said model.

The Trailhawk is expected to utilize more off-road-focused hardware in its new model, including a new four-wheel-drive system different from the standard Compass. This year's version of the Trailhawk will also have updated cosmetic elements in its alloy wheel designs, accents, and bumpers. The Trailhawk is expected to headline Jeep's Compass lineup and launch in February. Just like before, the Trailhawk will be a diesel-only variant.

Those looking for a bigger SUV from Jeep will be delighted with the automaker's next release around June this year. After debuting to rave reviews in the global market last year, the Jeep Commander finally arrives in India this year. Jeep will market the said SUV differently in India, launching it as the Meridian.

Related Article: What Happens If You're Hit By Someone Driving a Company Car?

Jeep to launch Meridian and Grand Cherokee later this year

This variant is spacious compared to the Compass line as it is stretched both in wheelbase and overall length to accommodate seats in the third row. The Meridian may share some similarities with the Compass in terms of the overall design, but what sets this SUV apart aside from its third row of seats are its upholstery and trim inserts.

The Meridian also has a more powerful diesel engine than the Compass, given its bigger size. Jeep will develop a 200hp engine for the Meridian, which may feature mild-hybrid technology to aid the SUV's fuel economy. The Meridian is also expected to have a 9-speed automatic gearbox, which will help the unit send power to each of its four wheels.

The Grand Cherokee holds a special place in Jeep's heart as this SUV model was one of its inaugural models in India. This year, the said variant returns with an all-new model, with the Indian market set to get the standard 5-seater.

This Grand Cherokee is even more special for Indian Jeep fans because the said model will be locally assembled. The previous edition of the Grand Cherokee was a CBU import. Digital technology is the main focus of the Grand Cherokee this year, with three digital screens dominating the dashboard.

The Indian version of the Grand Cherokee will be powered either by a 290hp, 3.6-liter petrol V6 engine or a 4xe plug-in hybrid variant. The SUV model will be released around September this year.

READ MORE ON AWN:

Traveling By Public Transport Is Your Safest Option

Sure Stop: 5 Tips For Choosing The Right Braking System
One of Elvis Presley's former prized possessions is up for sale with his 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham going under the auction hammer. It is not the King's iconic pink Cadillac that is up for bidding but the infamous yellow 1975 model, which bears a hefty 8.2-liter V8 engine.

Rare Elvis Cadillac goes on sale

Presley bought the then-brand-new yacht-like sedan back in 1974 for $12,512. He specified the sunroof for the car and the bonnet-mounted 'Goddess' ornament for the Cadillac. Aside from having 1-ELVIS plates, the five-seater also has a Bombay Yellow finish.

A 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham once owned by Elvis Presley has gone under the hammer  https://t.co/GRMVVQMWGS pic.twitter.com/5gK0KVDt4C  Top Gear (@BBC_TopGear) January 10, 2022

Presley drove this Cadillac for a year before gifting it to George Nichopoulos, the doctor, who would go down later in history as the one who overprescribed opiates to the King, resulting in the superstar's untimely death.

This particular Cadillac car is special because it has the supporting paperwork that Presley bought and acquired the model. Aside from the copy of the original order form signed by the King, a delivery sheet also shows that the car was given to Presley. Not even the other cars displayed in the Elvis museum can boast this same level of paperwork in relation to the King's purchase.

The car that is up for auction is currently in Sweden and has a framed 14-carat gold key for the Cadillac. It also has a bunch of photographs featuring Presley and his friends. Bidding for the said car began on Elvis' birthday, January 8, and will close on January 23.

Related Article: Jeep to Launch 3 SUV Variants in India in 2022; Lines up Trailhawk, Meridian, and Grand Cherokee

Buyers willing to pay the huge price because of the car's history

Potential buyers of the aforementioned Cadillac should not expect a car in mint condition with auctioneers Car and Classic UK saying that it has never been restored. Pictures of the said automobile indeed show a cracked steering wheel, and the vinyl in some areas of the car has been pulled away. The Cadillac also has a cracked plastic trim as well as peeling paint and light surface rust.

The Cadillac's dash is in good condition, though, with bright and clear gauges. The original radio of the Cadillac remains intact, as well as the car's electric windows, air-conditioning, factory-fitted electric seats, rear footrests, and cruise control. The carpets and the velour trim on the seats also remain in fine condition. The same can be said of the Cadillac's exterior, which is exceptional given the car's old age.

That being said, potential buyers will attempt to purchase this car because of its place in history. According to Car & Classic editor Chris Pollitt, "You are buying a piece of original history, a period chariot belonging to one of the most famous showmen in the world."

Presley was known to be a Cadillac fanatic, acquiring almost 250 limousines from the luxury carmaker during his lifetime. The most famous one in his collection was the bright pink 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood that is on permanent display at the Graceland Museum.

READ MORE ON AWN:

Millennials and Their Cars

Just Had An Accident? The Pros And Cons Of Buying A New Car
A Tesla Inc. electric vehicle waits to transport passengers through the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 3, 2022. (Photo : PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

Valerie Capers Workman, Tesla's head of human resources and its most prominent Black executive, is leaving the company this month in a shock move. Next week, she will join the career-network firm, Handshake, to become its new chief legal officer. Workman's Linkedin profile confirms the impending switch with her role as Tesla's vice president of people concluding this month.

Workman makes switch after a rapid rise at Tesla

Workman released a statement in an email to Bloomberg, saying that she is "proud of all that she was able to accomplish at Tesla with the support of truly excellent colleagues, especially at the People and Legal teams."

Workman cited her high school experience in track and field, saying that she needs to pass off the baton in a better place than when she received it. Workman believes she has done so at Tesla, implementing so many important programs for the company's employees across the globe.

Workman began her career in Tesla as an attorney in the company's legal department back in 2018. She quickly rose through the ranks, from associate general counsel to become the head of several regions' human resources. She then took an executive role, assuming the position of vice president of people in July 2020. Workman directly reported to CEO Elon Musk as she battled in her tenure issues such as discrimination lawsuits.

Related Article: A Snapshot of the Indian EV Market

Workman played a key role in the company's tackling of racial and COVID-19 issues

As one of Tesla's highest-ranking Black leaders, Workman became one of the company's key defenders in tackling multiple racism controversies. Tesla has faced several high-profile lawsuits regarding its treatment of Black employees and subcontracted workers at its auto plant in Fremont, California.

Just this past October, one of Tesla's former contract workers was awarded $137 million in damages after a jury found the company ignoring racial taunts and graffiti directed at the victim. Workman wrote an email published by Tesla on the night of the verdict, stating that "the Tesla of 2015 and 2016 is not the same as the Tesla of today."

Workman also helped Tesla navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, leading teams that developed the company's "employee-focused programs" in response to the coronavirus. Workman was the one who defended Tesla at a city council meeting in Austin, Texas, where their headquarters is currently set up.

Tesla found itself in hot water after Musk ordered to keep its Fremont factory open despite a local health directive to close the facility. Workman told council members that they "have been way ahead of the curve and it's kind of unfortunate that the media has not captured that."

One of Workman's main achievements at Tesla was producing the company's first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion report. The report showed that only 10 percent of Tesla's workforce in the United States were Black and African-American employees. That figure drops even further to 4 percent when discussing diversity at the managerial and director levels.

READ MORE ON AWN:

Understanding Whiplash Injuries and Your Legal Options after a Car Crash

Battling the Problem of Distracted Driving
Copyright  2020 by Mountain Times Publications. Digital or printed dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action.
With the Iran nuclear talks reaching a critical moment, the White House plans to focus much of its public messaging in the coming weeks on attacking former President Donald Trump for leaving the 2015 deal, two sources briefed on the White House plans told me.

Why it matters: The Biden administration thinks it's now just a matter of weeks before the critical decision point: Either a deal will be reached and the U.S. will return to the nuclear deal or talks will break down and the administration will move to put more pressure on Iran, the sources said.

Both scenarios will generate political backlash, particularly from Republicans, but the White House wants to keep Democrats together in part by emphasizing that it was Trump who triggered this crisis and left them with only bad options.

"They are going to focus the fire on Trump," one source said.

A senior administration official said the White House would "continue to clearly state the facts and set the record straight at this critical moment for diplomacy and important point in history."

Behind the scenes: According to the two sources, the Biden administration has set the end of January or early February as the deadline to make a decision and intends to ramp up its public messaging on Iran before then.

The White House hopes the message will be amplified by current and former officials in the U.S. and in Israel who believe Trumps withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal was a mistake.

What they're saying: During Tuesday's State Department press briefing, spokesperson Ned Price diverted from a question about the Vienna talks into an attack on the Trump administration.

Its worth spending just a moment on how we got here," Price said. "It is deeply unfortunate that because of an ill-considered or perhaps unconsidered decision by the previous administration that this administration came into office without these stringent verification and monitoring protocols that were in place."

Price said the Trump administration promised a better deal that never came close" and instead "Iran has been able to gallop forward with its nuclear promise."

Whats next: The eighth round of talks in Vienna has continued for almost two weeks now. U.S. and European diplomats briefed on the talks say there has been modest progress but not such that they're optimistic a deal is at hand.
Former President Trump and the Trump Organization filed a motion Monday for a preliminary injunction against New York Attorney General Letitia James' investigations into the business, accusing her of "unconstitutional" abuse of process.

Why it matters: Trump is seeking a stay in the civil investigation by James' office into the family business while the outcome of his lawsuit against the attorney general is pending or for James to "recuse herself from involvement in any capacity in the active civil and criminal investigation," according to the filing.

In an emailed statement Monday evening, James pointed to the action as the latest example of the Trump Organization allegedly seeking "to delay our investigation into its business dealings."

Details: The motion, filed in the Northern District of New York, accuses the Democratic attorney general of overreach and launching a "politically motivated attack."

It called the "co-mingling of joint criminal and civil investigations" into the Trump Organization "highly prejudicial."

"By playing both sides, she is able to cherry pick her investigatory methods  civil or criminal  in a calculated manner to, for example, leverage a Fifth Amendment assertion and obtain an adverse inference," the filing alleges.

What they're saying: James said in her statement that "neither Donald Trump nor the Trump Organization get to dictate if and where they will answer for their actions."

"Our investigation will continue undeterred because no one is above the law, not even someone with the name Trump," James added.

The big picture: James has in recent weeks escalated her office's civil investigation into the Trump Organization's business practices by issuing subpoenas in December for two of the former president's children, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump.

The Trump lawsuit seeks to stop the probe into whether the Trump Organization engaged in financial fraud by submitting false property valuations to reduce its tax burden.

The Trump Organization faces a similar criminal investigation from the Manhattan District Attorneys Office.

Read the motion, via DocumentCloud:
The Armenian Defense Ministry said Azerbaijani forces opened fire late in the afternoon at its positions in Armenias Gegharkunik province bordering the Kelbajar district west of Nagorno-Karabakh. The positions were shelled and attacked with combat drones later in the day, the ministry said in a statement.

The Armenian side took proportionate actions, it said. The exchange of gunfire was continuing as of 6 p.m. [local time.]

Two Armenian soldiers, Artur Mkhitarian and Rudik Gharibian, were killed and two others wounded in the fighting, the ministry said in another statement released later in the evening. It said the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is now relatively stable.

Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported, meanwhile, that Armenian troops shot and killed an Azerbaijani soldier at a Kelbajar section of the border.

A local official in Gegharkunik reported an exchange of gunfire in the same border area on Saturday. The Armenian military did not officially confirm that information.

Tensions in the area have run high since Azerbaijani forces reportedly advanced a few kilometers into Armenian territory last May. Yerevan has repeatedly demanded their withdrawal. Baku maintains that its troops took up positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry said the latest ceasefire violations there are yet another manifestation of Azerbaijans continuing infringements of Armenias territorial integrity that began on May 12, 2021.

The situation on the border was on the agenda of Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyans phone call on Tuesday with Karen Donfried, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.

The Foreign Ministry said Mirzoyan briefed Donfried on recent days ceasefire violations by the Azerbaijani armed forces and stressed the need for steps to de-escalate the situation.
You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @idesai98 on Twitter.
Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 79F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms, especially late. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The Beaumont City Council is one step closer to launching a search for its next city manager.

At the first city council meeting of the new year on Tuesday, two professional search firms gave more information on their process to find a new city manager. However, the council ultimately decided to put off a vote on which search firm to employ.

Edward Williams, of Baker Tilly US, LLP, and Kevin Hugman, of Strategic Government Resources, spoke at length about their respective businesses and how their firm would help the city find a suitable replacement for current City Manager Kyle Hayes, who announced his retirement in early November.

Related: Beaumont City Manager to retire

Baker Tilly US is part of Baker Tilly International  one of the worlds largest accountancy and business advisory networks. The firm would charge Beaumont $24,500 and the process to find a new manager is estimated to take anywhere from 90 to 120 days.

Simply put, we have no agenda, said Williams. We become an extension of your HR department. And we basically work with you to identify the profile for your desired or ideal candidate.

After meeting with the council to assess their needs and desires in the position, Baker Tilly would launch a recruitment process that would include outreach and postings, background checks, written questionnaires and a video interview. The firm would then provide the council with a report on all of the gathered information as well as applicants resumes and cover letters.

The firm verifies references; checks media coverage of candidates, including their social media; does an academic verification; and finds professional certification credentials for the councils top four or five candidates. The firm also performs a personality profile at the councils request. All of this information would be provided to the council before the elected body conducts interviews.

Once you identify the individual you desire to hire, if you request it, we provide you with salary data, Williams said. We walk through the salary negotiation piece and ensure that there is an acceptance on the table.

Prompted by a question from Ward 1 Council member Taylor Neild, Williams explained that the firm does have an option to put out a web-based community survey to allow residents to give their own input on what theyd like to see in a new city manager. Williams said that Baker Tilly also could do focus groups with the community. Either would cost an additional fee of roughly $1,650.

SGR focuses on recruitment for local governments, consulting, leadership development, assessment and training. SGR estimates its costs at $24,900 for a process estimated to take three to four months. For an additional fee, the firm would administer the management personality-type testing to candidates.

We very much believe in public service and really our focus is working with local governments, Hugman said. We believe in helping city councils and cities find leaders that believe in public service and are dedicated public servants, and that stems from our CEO, Ron Holifield, and his passion, and that extends throughout the company. A lot of our employees, including myself, are public sector employees.

Hugman served as city manager in Duncanville, a suburb of Dallas, before retiring in 2020.

SGR knows this business and we know how to work with candidates, he said. We know how to work with cities.

The firm offers to meet with the city to establish a candidate profile and hiring timeline. After that, they create a brochure, market the position and reach out to a national candidate pool, before performing an initial screening and sorting of applicants. Once the city selects 12 semi-finalists, those individuals answer a written questionnaire delving more deeply into their work experience. Semi-finalists are interviewed and subjected to a media search, and all of the compiled information is presented to the city. SGR also will evaluate candidates credit ratings and verify their education.

In addition to SGRs extensive candidate vetting, it also gives applicants an opportunity to get to know the city theyve applied as well. The firm compiles information about a city from a variety of sources so there are no surprises and the city does not lose a promising candidate close to an anticipated hiring due to unforeseen circumstances.

We try to provide a process that is smooth and seamless, user friendly for both the candidates and for you, Hugman said. We have a very good reputation with candidates. They trust us. And so a lot of candidates apply for searches that we are conducting where they might not apply sometimes.

After they city receives extensive information on the viable candidates, they select four to five finalists for an interview directly with the city before the ultimate selection is made.

We can work with the candidate to help negotiate the offer, Hugman said. And if you want to do a press release on the hiring, we will draft something for you to look at and review. We will also do a post-hire workshop if you would like.

The council ultimately decided not to choose a firm on Tuesday. The continued discussion of a possible firm will be on the January 25 agenda, Hayes said.

Both of these are excellent firms, said Council member Mike Getz. I think we couldn't go wrong with selecting either.

rachel.kersey@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/ontheREKord
PORT ARTHUR  Port Arthur residents have expressed dismay over the past few weeks as garbage has piled up  waiting on the curb to be whisked away by city workers.

While delayed trash pickup is an annoyance to residents, it also is a public health issue.

The citys garbage collection service has had trouble keeping up with its schedule and is sometimes days, or up to a week behind. This issue is not new. Port Arthur officials have been discussing how to get collection services back to its normal operations for more than a year, but as every month has passed, new issues have arisen, compounding into the current situation.

The main issue is that several trucks of the citys fleet are out-of-commission because they need replacement parts, and Port Arthur has not been able to secure the parts due to nationwide supply-chain issues.

Out of the citys 12 garbage trucks, only five are currently in operation, though four more are expected to come back online this week, according to a presentation from the citys Tuesday council meeting.

But Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie at a Tuesday news conference said that this issue requires multiple solutions  not just one thing can solve the problem.

We are aggressively pursuing the repairs of our fleet of vehicles that we have for garbage collection, Bartie said.

Those repairs include fixing some of the trucks diesel and hydraulic systems, the parts of which are hard to find.

Its supply and demand, said Port Arthur City Manager Ron Burton. Let me just give you one example. For hydraulic fuel hoses, we would have gone to Beaumont two months ago. Now, we have to go as far as the city of Houston to purchase (them).

The next solution is one which has already produced results. Bartie said the city has secured a lease of one garbage truck that will be delivered next week.

Two more garbage trucks are being provided by Republic Services under a contract that began Tuesday.

We are looking at a six-month period that we would actually lease these trucks to be sure that our garbage is picked up in a timely manner, Bartie said.

The city also is increasing its collection schedule from four to six days  Monday through Saturday  to make up for days that lost due to broken trucks. Bartie said adding a seventh day may be a possibility if it is needed.

Bartie said the city is also in the process of modifying the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality landfill permit to allow the landfill to operate seven days a week and holidays to catch up on garbage disposal.

There are several things that have to take place. We cant just go out and start doing it, Bartie said. Because then we will be in total violation with what the state of Texas says we can do as far as handling garbage.

Garbage collection hours will also be extended to as long as there is daylight, for the foreseeable future, Bartie said. He said the city will continue to monitor and alter the schedules, routes, etc. daily.

Theres also a shortage of heavy trash trucks in the city. Port Arthur has 10 heavy trash trucks, with seven currently operational.

Bids are out as I speak to hire a company that can provide us four heavy trash trucks on an as needed basis with even less than a 24-hour request period, Bartie said.

Bids will open on Feb. 2. Bartie said that this provision will allow the city to request and receive a truck in fewer than 24 hours should the city need them to prevent getting behind in the schedule again.

A new heavy trash truck was ordered by the city last fall and will be delivered by Jan. 22, Bartie said.

If all goes according to plan, Bartie said there should be between seven and nine trucks in operation by Friday.

Hopefully, we can get through this week and by Saturday, get the entire city collected, he said.

City staff is negotiating another contract with Piney Woods, a private contractor, to handle garbage collection for Sabine Pass and Pleasure Island.

The lack of operational trucks is not the only issue the city has to solve to resume normal garbage operations.

On Monday, the Port Arthur Health Department reported 46 new COVID cases for the city, two of whom are trash truck drivers who tested positive, meaning they have to quarantine for 14 days as well as anyone they may have come into contact with in the department, Burton said.

But he noted hes not concerned about not having enough drivers for the trucks.

We are working with Republic and we made it very clear to them as part of the contract that we are negotiating with them  you send your drivers with the vehicles, and well pay for that as well, Burton said. And well pay for an assistant so that they could learn the route much faster.

Bartie said in a few months, people might bring up the budget cost of these solutions. Burton said that the council might be able to put some of the $27.6 million COVID relief funds towards this situation, including staff overtime since it is related to the pandemic.

As long as we meet the guidelines, Burton said. Well make sure that it meets the criteria for expenditure.

Bartie said the city will work with the solutions for six months, and if progress isnt made, there will be a come to Jesus meeting to hold officials accountable and to go back to the drawing board.

That is the most important thing that we want the citizens of Port Arthur to know, that we are standing together unified to implement a program that we believe is a workable solution to the problem that we have right now, Bartie said.

olivia.malick@hearst.com

twitter.com/oliviamalick
Students at Johnson High School spent class time sitting in an auditorium on Friday because classes were without a teacher or a substitute. NEISD spokesperson Aubrey Chancellor says there were 672 teachers out district wide today, January 7, and the district has been unable to find substitutes for 300 positions. This has been a growing problem at school districts across San Antonio as COVID cases continue to rise.

Chancellor says she didn't know how many of the absent teachers have COVID-19 since they classify their time off under personal or family illness, but she knows the wave of absences came after winter break.

The students are sent to the auditorium, Chancellor says, and are given any work that was planned for the day but are not taught.

She says NEISD has had trouble finding substitutes since the beginning of this school year, the first time Texas schools brought back in-person learning since the pandemic started in March 2020.

Chancellor says it's been mentally taxing on staff.

"Its tough," she says. "Every time our employees think there is going to be a little bit of hope  that we're going to turn a corner  theres another challenge."

Superintendent Sean Maika emailed a statement to parents this afternoon talking about teacher shortage. Maika says that the district welcomes parents who want to volunteer, adding that they will be added to schools based on their skills.

But he reiterated the district's need for substitutes and included a link where one could apply.

"We have increased substitute pay and are in desperate need of subs who know this school district, our communities and most importantly, love helping children," Maika says.

Still, parents are concerned with the teacher absences and its effect on their children. Jeremy Polen's daughter attends Johnson High School. She sent texts to a group thread with Polen and his wife notifying them that her history class and others were sent to the auditorium instead of a classroom, adding that they were not being taught or doing work.

Classes ranged from English, math, history, or science. Chancellor says the size of the classes vary but did not give details on the numbers of students. There are 755 seats in the auditorium.

Polen says in an emailed statement that sending students to an auditorium during the spread of a highly contagious variant of COVID-19 was very concerning to his family.

NEISD follows Texas' executive orders and only recommends face masks while encouraging cleanliness and social distancing when possible.

"All we are asking as parents is to be informed about what is going on at school but it doesnt seem that communication is timely," Polen says. "But I also understand what the administration is going through and I know its difficult."
Disneyland first announced changes to Splash Mountain nearly two years ago, with an intention to make the ride more inclusive. While the company has maintained that the plans are still in place, it doesn't appear that major changes are happening any time soon.

Plans to remove the Brer Rabbit theming on Splash Mountain, the log flume water ride that opened in 1989 in Disneyland and 1992 in Walt Disney World, were announced in June 2020 but have not yet been implemented. With Disneylands closure of the ride as of Jan. 10, it seemed possible that the re-theming to a storyline from The Princess and the Frog, Disneys only movie with a Black princess, might finally be happening  but Disney has confirmed that the ride closure isn't related to those changes.

"Splash Mountain will undergo a seasonal winter refurbishment that is expected to take one to two months," a Disneyland official told SFGATE.

As of press time, Disneyland has posted which rides will be closed for refurbishment through Feb. 21; Splash Mountain is listed as unavailable through that date. At Walt Disney World, Splash Mountain is listed as closed for refurbishment through Feb. 10.

Disney Parks

The current story line of Splash Mountain is based on Song of the South, a movie so racist and problematic that it was never released on home video in the U.S. and isnt available to stream on Disney Plus. In March 2020, just a few months before the ride change was announced, then-Disney executive chairman Bob Iger told shareholders that the film is not appropriate in todays world, so much so that the company wouldnt even release it with an outdated cultural depictions disclaimer, as Disney has with other films on its streaming platform like "Peter Pan."

The new concept is inclusive  one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year, the company said about the reimagining in a statement in June 2020.

Julie Tremaine

Since that announcement, Disneyland and Walt Disney World have revamped Jungle Cruise to remove problematic cultural depictions. Disney announced those changes in January 2021 and opened Disneylands updated version in July of the same year, with the Florida version following shortly afterward. This fall, Disneyland removed sexualized depictions of Jessica Rabbit on Roger Rabbits Car Toon Spin.

"Disneyland pushed the planned 2022 opening date for Mickey & Minnies Runaway Railway to 2023, clearing a spot on the calendar for the Splash Mountain makeover," the Orange County Register wrote. "But the lack of any mention of Splash Mountain during the Destination D23 event and recent comments from Disney World officials suggest the project will take longer than initially expected."

Courtesy of Getty

There are additional Princess and the Frog features being added to New Orleans Square, the area adjacent to Splash Mountain, including a gumbo restaurant reflective of Tianas Place, the restaurant the movie's main character opens in New Orleans. A version of Tianas Place is also offered on some Disney Cruise Line ships.
Stephanie Grisham, former press secretary to President Donald Trump, remembers the challenges that came from so many Fox News hosts having the direct number to reach Trump in the White House residence.

"There were times the president would come down the next morning and say, 'Well, Sean thinks we should do this,' or, 'Judge Jeanine thinks we should do this,'" said Grisham, referring to Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro, both of whom host prime-time Fox News shows.

Grisham - who resigned from the White House amid the Jan. 6 attacks and has since written a book critical of Trump - said West Wing staffers would simply roll their eyes in frustration as they scrambled to respond to the influence of the network's hosts, who weighed in on everything from personnel to messaging strategy.

Trump's staff, allies and even adversaries were long accustomed to playing to an "Audience of One" - a commander in chief with a twitchy TiVo finger and obsessed with cable news.

But text messages - newly released by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection - between Fox News hosts and former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, crystallize with new specificity just how tightly Fox News and the White House were entwined during the Trump years, with many of the network's top hosts serving as a Cable Cabinet of unofficial advisers.

As the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol unfolded, Meadows received texts from Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham and Brian Kilmeade, as well as Hannity, according to the newly released communications.

"Mark, the president needs to tell people in the Capitol to go home," Ingraham wrote. "This is hurting all of us. He is destroying his legacy." Ingraham's private missives, however, differed starkly from what she said on her show later that evening, when she began whitewashing the violence of the day and claiming the attacks were "antithetical" to the Trump movement.

Kilmeade urged Meadows to get Trump "on TV" to call off the rioters, writing, "Destroying everything you have accomplished."

And Hannity asked Meadows, "Can he make a statement? Ask people to leave the Capitol."

Other texts released by the committee reveal that Hannity also offered the White House advice in the run-up and aftermath to the attacks that resulted in five deaths. On Dec. 31, 2020, Hannity texted Meadows to warn, "I do NOT see January 6 happening the way he is being told." And on Jan. 10, 2021 - referring to a conversation he had with Trump himself - Hannity texted Meadows and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a close Trump ally, to try to discuss strategies to rein in Trump.

"Guys, we have a clear path to land the plane in 9 days," Hannity wrote. "He can't mention the election again. Ever. I did not have a good call with him today. And worse, I'm not sure what is left to do or say, and I don't like not knowing if it's truly understood. Ideas?"

A former senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share candid details of private discussions, said Trump would also sometimes dial Hannity and Lou Dobbs - whose Fox Business show was canceled in February - into Oval Office staff meetings.

"A lot of it was PR - what he should be saying and how he should be saying it; he should be going harder against wearing masks or whatever," Grisham said. "And they all have different opinions, too."

A Trump spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Fox News declined to comment.

Michael Pillsbury, an informal Trump adviser, said he realized how powerful Fox News was in Trump's orbit when the former president began embracing Sidney Powell - an attorney promoting Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud - and other election fabulists after seeing them on Dobbs's show. Pillsbury added that while it seemed obvious that many of the claims were patently false, Trump was inclined to believe them, in part because he was watching them on TV and had affection for Dobbs in particular.

"It taught me the power of the young producers at Fox, and Fox Business especially," Pillsbury said. "These young producers who are in their mid-20s. They come out of the conservative movement, they've never been in the government. They are presented with these reckless, fantastical accounts. And they believe them and put them on for ratings."

Alyssa Farah, a former White House communications director, said the four most influential Fox hosts were Dobbs, Hannity, Igraham and Pirro - and in the final year of the Trump administration, Hannity was the most influential. Other former top administration officials also mentioned Mark Levin, another Fox News host, and Maria Bartiromo, a Fox Business host, as two other network stars in regular touch with the White House.

From the point of view of the staff, Farah said, the goal was simply to "try to get ahead of what advice you thought he was going to be given by these people" because their unofficial counsel "could completely change his mind on something."

But the relationship was also symbiotic, with White House aides actively trying to influence the network, especially on issues such as spending deals and averting government shutdowns. They knew if they could get Fox hosts to echo their goals on air, that would help sway the president.

Jeff Cohen, author of "Cable News Confidential: My Misadventures in Corporate Media," said the recent text messages represent a "smoking gun."

"If you watch Fox News as much as I do, and I watch a few hours a night, they're always signaling their close contact with the White House," Cohen said referring to the Trump era. "But these texts are just the hard evidence. This is just how deeply intertwined the Fox News leadership is with Trump and the Trump White House."

The problem, he explained, is that even though many of these hosts are opinion journalists, they are still violating public trust by not disclosing the full extent of their relationships with the Trump administration.

"Journalists and media are supposed to be public checks on power, not private advisers to power," Cohen said. "A commentator is still a journalist, and even if the commentator doesn't consider him or herself to be a journalist, they still have to tell the public when they played a role in something they're commenting on."

One former top White House official said that the hosts often had more influence with Trump based on what they said on air rather than in their various backchannels to him and his team, in part because the former president was obsessed with the following - and ratings - of their shows.

Former Trump chief of staff John Kelly told others in the White House that Dobbs's show was critical to understanding the president and that Trump's ideas and feelings about people often originated from that program. Kelly also told colleagues that if Dobbs went after a White House senior staffer, they risked their status falling quickly in the eyes of the former president.

When Kelly could not watch the prime-time Fox shows himself, he would ask other staffers to monitor them, and he would scour the White House call logs for the names of Fox News personalities.

Pirro, several Trump aides said, often grew irate if the former president did not appear on her show frequently enough in her view, especially if he had been on Hannity's show several times prior.

Fox shows were so important to the president that White House staffers were determined to get guests booked on them, even forcing staffers to take weekend shifts appearing on Pirro's show after Pirro complained she couldn't get a guest - and the former president also called in himself.

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Hannity called Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and other Trump allies on a number of occasions to voice his months-long concern that the campaign was heading in the wrong direction and Trump would lose unless he turned around his operation, according to a Republican with direct knowledge of the campaign's operations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details of private discussions. They added that Hannity was much more bullish on his show than in private about Trump's electoral prospects.

As the coronavirus pandemic ramped up in early 2020, a range of Fox News hosts again mobilized to offer backchannel advice to the Trump White House. In March, Tucker Carlson flew to Trump's private Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., to warn of the seriousness of the virus. Carlson told Trump he might lose the election because of covid-19, while Trump told the prime-time host that the virus wasn't as deadly as people were claiming.

In April, Ingraham arrived at the White House with two on-air regulars whom are part of what she describes as her "medicine cabinet" for a private meeting with Trump. There, she talked up hydroxychloroquine, a controversial anti-malarial drug which public health experts have concluded is not effective as a covid-19 treatment.

An internal Trump coronavirus response team led by Jared Kushner, the former president's son-in-law and senior adviser, also prioritized the requests of certain VIPs, including Kilmeade and Pirro. Kilmeade had called two administration officials, for instance, to pass along tips about where to obtain personal protective equipment. And Pirro had repeatedly urged administration officials to send a large quantity of masks to a specific New York hospital.

At the time, a Fox News spokeswoman said neither host had been aware that their tips were receiving preferential treatment.

Since leaving office, Trump has vociferously complained about Fox, particularly its coverage of the election and what he views as increasingly negative coverage about him. But he has kept in close touch with many of the hosts and even sees some of them at his Florida resort.

The Jan. 6 committee has asked Hannity to cooperate with its investigation, and he has hired Jay Sekulow, a longtime Trump attorney, to represent him. "We are evaluating the letter from the committee. We remain very concerned about the constitutional implications especially as it relates to the First Amendment. We will respond as appropriate," Sekulow said in a statement last week.

But some former senior White House officials said the texts make the role of Hannity and others seem more outsize than it was. The former president appreciated that the Fox crew was fighting on his behalf on a daily basis, this person said, "but he would not be like, 'Let me call Larry Kudlow and change our economic plan because Laura Ingraham said that.'"

Kudlow, who now hosts a show on Fox Business, came to Trump's attention as a top economic adviser in part because of the business show he previously hosted on CNBC.
An oil tanker sails on the Sugandha River in Jhalokati, southern Bangladesh, Nov. 21, 2021.

Nearly 40 percent of Bangladeshs petroleum imports for the next six months will come from suppliers in China, officials said Wednesday, confirming a U.S. $1 billion deal by Dhaka to buy oil from several countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

A cabinet committee on government purchases, headed by Finance Minister A.H.M. Mustafa Kamal, approved the proposal to buy 1.5 million metric tons of petroleum including diesel, gasoline and aviation fuel for the period covering January through June, officials said.

Bangladesh is a fuel importing country. We import both refined diesel, jet fuel, gasoline and crude petroleum, A.B.M. Azad, chairman of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corp. (BPC), told BenarNews.

Included are deals with Chinas UNIPEC ($266 million) and with PetroChina ($113 million). UNIPEC is to supply 400,000 metric tons of refined diesel, gasoline and jet fuel while PetroChina, is to supply 170,000 metric tons of the same refined fuels.

Md. Shamsul Arefin, an additional secretary at the cabinet division, confirmed to BenarNews that the committee had approved the proposals to import refined fuels from companies and suppliers in the Peoples Republic of China and four other countries.

In the other countries, PTTT of Thailand, ENOC of the United Arab Emirates, BSP of Indonesia and PTLCL of Malaysia have been contracted to supply fuels to Bangladesh valued at $621 million, according to a copy of the proposal from the Bangladesh Petroleum Corp. obtained by BenarNews.

Azad said Bangladesh also buys crude oil from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to be processed at the Eastern Refinery in Chittagong.

But this refinery cannot meet our annual demand, Azad said, noting that the nation could refine about 1.3 million metric tons of crude oil  well below the annual demand of at least 6.2 metric tons.

So we have to import refined fuel from different countries, Azad said.

Bangladesh, he said, has government-to-government contracts with China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the UAE to purchase refined fuels.

In line with the contract, we floated an international tender and the Chinese companies were the lowest bidders, Azad said. The Chinese companies have been supplying us with fuel in line with the terms and conditions, but it does not mean that we will stop importing fuels from the Middle Eastern countries.

Azad said Bangladesh had reached a similar deal with companies in China and the four other countries in 2020.

He expects demand to grow in the coming months.

The economy has turned around from the fallout of COVID-19. So, the demand for fuels will certainly increase in the coming months, Azad said.

Concerns

Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at the Center for Policy Dialogue, an economic think-tank, called on Dhaka to consider price concerns in dealing with Beijing.

China is not an oil producing country. They import oil from different petroleum producing countries and sell it to other countries after refining, he told BenarNews.

I think Bangladesh should import fuels directly from the petroleum producing countries. If we buy from the producing countries, the price would be lower than Chinas, he said.

I hope the government will consider the price issue, he said.

Bangladesh is almost totally dependent on imports for fuels such as diesel, gasoline, aviation fuel, kerosene and other petroleum derivatives.
South Africa: Deadline to submit employment equity reports looms

Employers have until Saturday, 15 January 2022, to submit their annual 2021 employment equity (EE) reports, as prescribed in accordance with the Employment Equity Act.

The reporting window opened on 1 September 2021 for both manual and online reporting. The manual reporting season closed on 1 October 2021.



The Department of Employment and Labour Director for EE, Ntsoaki Mamashela, advised employers to submit their reports on time and not wait until the last minute.

Mamashela warned that if the system is jammed with many people logging in at the same time, it runs the risk of crashing.



The 2021 report submission was preceded by a national series of advocacy workshops. The EE workshops focused on presenting respective provincial EE status, updating on EE Amendments and EE Sector targets, how to access copies of the EEA2 Online by completing EEA11 form, including 2021 EE reporting, and EE inspections and enforcement in the labour market, Mamashela said.

The aim of the Employment Equity Act, which came into being in 1998, is to promote equal opportunity and fair treatment in employment through the elimination of unfair discrimination, implementing affirmative action measures to redress the disadvantages in employment experienced by designated groups, and to ensure their equitable representation in all occupational levels in the workforce.

Failure to abide with the provisions of the EE Act may result in imposition of fines, Mamashela said.



She commended Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, for submitting South Africas ratification instruments to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on Convention (C190) that deals with violence and harassment in the workplace.

The signing would provide an ideal framework on the interpretation and implementation of the Employment Equity Act pertaining to violence and harassment, including gender-based violence in world of work, she said.



Mamashela said in order to give more protection to workers, the National Economic Development and Labour Council is on course to finalise a code of conduct and guidelines on enforcement of mechanisms to deal with violence and harassment in the workplace by March 2022.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
To carry forward spirit of China-Africa friendship, cooperation

09:06, January 12, 2022 By He Yin ( People's Daily

China, in its cooperation with Africa, has always honored its commitment and worked in a practical and efficient manner.

The 2021 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Conference is held. (Photo/Hubei Daily)

Over a month ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping summarized the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation at the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, where he also raised four proposals to build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

At the conference, he announced that China will work closely with African countries to implement nine programs of China-Africa practical cooperation.

After the conference concluded, a series of relevant activities were held, including the 2021 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Conference, and the launching of a group of China-Africa Joint Centers for Modern Agrotechnology Exchange, Demonstration &Training.

China and Eritrea decided to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership. China and Kenya inked a series of cooperation documents on digital economy, investment, agriculture and export of Kenyan agricultural products to China. Besides, China said it would help the Comoros achieve universal immunization within a year, completely eliminate malaria in the Comoros by 2025, and support the Comoros Emerging Plan for 2030.

These concrete actions to implement the outcomes of the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation are deepening and substantiating the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

The mutual assistance and solidarity demonstrated by China and Africa amid the COVID-19 pandemic manifests the spirit of building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has offered 120 batches of emergency medical supplies for 53 African countries and the African Union (AU), delivering these materials to each and every African country and region. Besides, almost all African countries have received Chinas COVID-19 vaccines.

When Africa was facing a new round of COVID-19 resurgence, President Xi announced that China will provide another one billion doses of vaccines to Africa, to help the AU achieve its goal of vaccinating 60 percent of the African population by 2022.

Photo shows the Kipevu Oil Terminal in Mombasa, Kenya. (Photo/CGTN)

At present, this largest-ever aid plan for Africa is well underway. Batches of Chinese vaccines are being shipped to every corner of the African continent, crossing mountains and seas.

These actions prove that China will always stand firmly with Africa and work with it to achieve the final victory in the fight against the pandemic.

China is the largest developing country, and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. The mutual assistance between the two sides when they are pursuing economic development and national rejuvenation will help enhance the common welfare of the 2.7 billion people in both China and Africa.

China has always been following the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and pursuing the greater good and shared interests in its cooperation with Africa. The two sides have built over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of highways, nearly 1,000 bridges and 100 ports, as well as a large number of hospitals and schools.

Recently, a Chinese company built oil terminal at the port of Mombasa, Kenya was completed. It is another witness to the sincere friendship between China and Africa and a joyful result of the cooperation between the two sides under the Belt and Road Initiative, heralding a bright prospect of the two sides on their way to modernization.

As long as China and Africa keep maintaining their solidarity and cooperation, they will definitely explore a new path for developing countries to achieve modernization.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said he is often asked why Kenya and China cooperate so closely, and he told them, because China and Kenya respect each other and treat each other as equals. What he said exactly explains why China and Africa enjoy sustaining friendship and cooperation.

China never attaches political strings in its cooperation with Africa, or forces the latter to do anything. The country always sees Africa as a broad stage for international cooperation rather than an arena for competition among major countries. If there is any competition, then we should compare who has done more for Africa, who has contributed more to Africa, and who has worked more for the African people.

Photo shows the Kipevu Oil Terminal in Mombasa, Kenya. (Photo/CGTN)

China is sincere in offering assistance to African countries, and is willing to cooperate with all countries in the world to develop Africa. The African people know clearly who their real friend is. President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki called China an indispensable and true development partner of Africa, and hoped that China could play a bigger role in Africa's peace and development process.

The spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, which features sincere friendship and equality, win-win for mutual benefit and common development, fairness and justice, and progress with the times and openness and inclusiveness, will be carried on from generation to generation.

Joining hands for modernization and the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, China and Africa will surely write a glorious chapter in the history of human civilization.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Demonstrators protest against the visit to Myanmar by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, in Yangon, Jan. 7, 2022.

Cambodia on Wednesday postponed the first ASEAN meeting under its 2022 chairmanship, the government said, amid reports of differences among the blocs members over Prime Minister Hun Sens visit to Myanmar last week where he did not meet democracy leaders.

An in-person foreign ministers retreat, scheduled for next week in Siem Reap, was postponed indefinitely because some top diplomats from member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had said they would find it difficult to travel, said Khieu Kanharith, the host countrys information minister.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat (AMM Retreat) initially scheduled on Jan 18-19, 2022 in Siem Reap province has been postponed, he said in a statement on Facebook, without announcing a fresh date for the meeting.

The reason for the postponement is that many ASEAN foreign have difficulties traveling to attend the meeting, he added.

The postponement effectively delays the official endorsement of Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as ASEANs new special envoy for Myanmar.

Radio Free Asia (RFA), with which BenarNews is affiliated, tried to contact Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan and Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Koung but did not immediately hear back from them on Wednesday.

Divisions within ASEAN over Hun Sens trip to Naypyidaw and a potential invitation to the Myanmar juntas foreign minister to attend the ASEAN diplomats retreat might be why some diplomats chose not to attend next weeks meeting, analysts said.

ASEAN states who cited travel difficulties were likely being polite instead of saying outright that they didnt want to go to Siem Reap, according to Sophal Ear, a Cambodia expert at Arizona State University in the U.S.

This is not officially a boycott, but [some members-states foreign ministers] came-up with some excuses as to why they cannot join the meeting.  The chickens are coming home to roost, its karma for Cambodias Cowboy Diplomacy, Ear, an associate dean and professor at the universitys Thunderbird School of Management in Phoenix, told RFA.

When you do things others dont want you to do, they dont come to your party and have excuses  Be ready for a long list of reasons for why someone cannot show up, he added.

Another Southeast Asia analyst, Hunter Marston, said Cambodias chairmanship had got off to a rocky start.

Seems internal divisions over the chairs invitation to the Myanmar military-appointed Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin have created an impasse, Marston, a doctoral student at ANU College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University, said on Twitter.

A non-political representative

Hun Sen, the leader of Cambodia, which this year took over the revolving annual chairmanship of ASEAN, had said before going to Myanmar last week that he wanted the Burmese junta to be represented at the blocs meetings.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo had categorically said that if Burmese coup leader Min Aung Hlaing did not implement an earlier agreed upon five-point road map to democracy, then Myanmar should only be represented by a non-political individual at ASEAN meetings.

A Malaysian foreign ministry spokesman, meanwhile, told BenarNews on Monday that Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah would attend the Siem Reap meeting only virtually.

Critics said that Cambodia had undermined the regional bloc through Hun Suns meeting with the Burmese junta leader Min Aung Hlaing after he was disinvited from the ASEAN summit in late 2021 for reneging on his promises to implement the blocs five-point consensus. Back then, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore had backed shutting out the coup leader from the regional blocs top summit.

By visiting Myanmar and meeting with Min Aung Hlaing, Hun Sen legitimized Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, pro-democracy activists in Myanmar said.

The military leader who toppled the elected Burmese government last February had promised, among other things, to end violence and give an ASEAN special envoy access to all parties in the Myanmar political crisis. He did none of those things.

Min Aung Hlaing refused to allow an ASEAN special envoy access to democracy leaders last year.

Meanwhile, more than 1,400 mostly pro-democracy protesters have been killed by security forces since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup. And a day after Hun Sen left Myanmar, National League for Democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to four more years in prison over what many said were frivolous charges.

Hun Sen would have divided the regional bloc because of what some describe as his cowboy diplomacy with Myanmar, causing more authoritarian member-states to be at odds with liberal democratic ones, analysts had said.

China appreciates Myanmars readiness

In other developments, Japan on Tuesday welcomed Cambodias active engagement as ASEAN Chair on the situation in Myanmar, and both ministers shared the view to coordinate closely, the Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement.

Additionally, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said that ASEAN member-state Thailands top diplomat had sent a congratulatory message saying he strongly supported the outcomes of the Cambodia-Myanmar joint press release, local media reported.

On Monday, China, Myanmars close ally, spoke in favor of Hun Sen and Cambodia, as well as Myanmar.

China appreciates Myanmars readiness to create favorable conditions for ASEANs special envoy to fulfill his duty, and works toward effective alignment between Myanmars five-point roadmap and ASEANs five-point consensus, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, told reporters.

The two roadmaps have nothing in common.

China will fully support Cambodia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, in playing an active role and making [an] important contribution to properly managing the differences among parties of Myanmar.

The Khmer Service of Radio Free Asia contributed to this report. BenarNews is a unit of RFA.
Gen. Wanlop Rugsanaoh, the Thai peace talks panel chief (seated, right), Anas Abdulrahman (also known as Hipni Mareh), the BRN chief negotiator (seated, left), and Abdul Rahim Noor, the Malaysian facilitator for talks between the two (seated, center), pose with other delegates for a photograph at a hotel in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Jan. 12, 2022.

After two days of in-person talks between Thai officials and southern separatist BRN rebels, the Malaysian facilitator for the peace dialogue said Wednesday that it would take at least two years to find a solution to end the conflict in Thailands Deep South.

Both sides discussed a three-point plan, which includes a reduction in violence as a basis for further negotiations to end the decades-old insurgency spearheaded by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (National Revolutionary Front), a Thai official said.

Both parties finally met face-to-face after not being able to do so for nearly two years, Malaysian facilitator Abdul Rahim Noor, a former police inspector-general who represents his government and brokered the talks, told BenarNews in an exclusive interview.

The discussion was done in a peaceful manner and conducted in three languages  Thai, English, and Malay. I spoke in English, which was translated to Thai for the Thai government, and Malay for BRN representative, as they are more comfortable speaking in Malay, he said of the two-day round of talks that opened on Tuesday.

Rahim Noor declined to give full details about the talks held at a Kuala Lumpur area hotel.

I cannot share that but I can tell you that both sides are keen to find a solution to the situation in the Deep South, he said.

Only a political solution can solve the situation in the Deep South, but finding the solutions that both can agree with will take time. At least another two years.

On the Thai side, a military official close to the peace talks said Thailands delegation and the BRN representative s discussed a three-point framework which will be used as a roadmap for further talks.

The proposed framework includes violence reduction, political participation, and discussion mechanism in the [Deep South] region, said a statement from the source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

After the meeting ended BenarNews tried to talk to Anas Abdulrahman (also known as Hipni Mareh), the head of the BRN delegation, but he declined to comment.

The latest round of talks ended Wednesday evening after eight hours of discussion, a Malaysian security official involved in the meeting told BenarNews on condition of anonymity, because he also was not authorized to talk to reporters.

The Deep South encompasses Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala provinces and four districts of Songkhla province. Since the insurgency reignited in January 2004, more than 7,000 people have been killed and 13,500 others injured in violence across the mainly Muslim and Malay-speaking border region, according to Deep South Watch, a local think-tank.

The armed separatist movement against Buddhist-majority Thailand began in the 1960s. The movements primary demand has been independence for the region.

Thai security personnel inspect an area from where a suspected separatist threw a bomb at a civilian defense volunteer base, in Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, April 23, 2021. [AFP]

Patani Darussalam proposal

Gen. Wanlop Rugsanaoh headed the 10-member Thai panel at the peace talks.

The representative from Thai national security council, as well as from Thai Attorney General Office, are also here, Rahim Noor, the Malaysian peace broker, told BenarNews during the interview conducted at the hotel during a break in Wednesdays proceedings.

Including the facilitator, a total of 10 officials, including from the Malaysian polices Special Branch, were also present at the talks.

Rahim Noor said the two Thai sides also discussed a proposal by BRN on the creation of an autonomous Patani Darussalam.

A report published last week by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore said the BRN, in May 2021, had proposed the establishment of an autonomous Patani Darussalam. The proposal said that in this region, the Patani people would have the right to design their education and economic systems, and the communitys Malay language and identity would be officially recognized and preserved.

On Wednesday, Rahim Noor said that Bangkok would have to consult with many parties before it could agree to the rebels proposal.

The Thai government is the only entity that can solve the situation in southern Thailand, he said.
A member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines protests outside the Malacanang presidential palace in Metro Manila, Jan. 17, 2018.

Gunmen on a motorbike shot dead a former broadcast journalist running for a local post in upcoming elections in the southern Philippines, police and his colleagues said Wednesday, in the first killing of a Filipino media figure in 2022.

Jaynard Angeles, 36, who had worked as a political commentator and station manager for Radyo ni Juan, was gunned down in front of a car-repair shop in Tacurong city. The suspects sped away after the attack, said Allan Freno, a spokesman for the city government.

He died on the spot, Freno told reporters.

Local police confirmed the incident, but declined additional comment pending a formal investigation.

Angeles had recently resigned from the station to run for councilor in the nearby town of Lambayong, according to Freno, who said he was known to anger officials over on-air comments.

He used to criticize politicians on his program, Freno told reporters.

If the killing is proven to be linked to his work as a journalist, he would be the 23rd killed in the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said.

Joseph Jubelag, president of a local media organization, Socsargen Press Club, said Angeles death must be investigated.

We condemn the killing. We demand justice, Jubelag told BenarNews.

Angeles predecessor at the radio station, Benjie Caballero, was shot in Tacurong in October 2019 and died in a hospital two months later.

More recently, Jesus Malabanan, a journalist who helped the Reuters news agency cover the governments war on drugs was shot and killed last month in the central Philippines.

In October 2021, journalist Orlando Dinoy was killed after he was shot six times by a suspect who entered his home in the southern Philippines.

Since 1992, as many as 88 members of the Philippine media have been killed because of their work, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Dangerous profession

The media profession in the Philippines is considered one of the most dangerous in the world, watchdog groups have said.

In 2009, 32 journalists were among 58 people killed in the biggest single-day attack on the working press in the Philippines.

The journalists were massacred by armed followers of the Ampatuan clan as they accompanied relatives and supporters of a rival who was filing his candidacy for governor of Maguindanao in the south.

A decade later, dozens of Ampatuan clan-members were convicted of murder, but more than 50 others  including dozens of police officers and body guards in the employ of the Ampatuans  were acquitted.

President Duterte has often vowed to protect journalists and offered praise for their roles in advancing democracy. Despite that praise, he has frequently attacked those in the media who have questioned his administrations drug war, which has left thousands dead.

His allies in Congress had voted to shut down television network ABS-CBN Corp.

Separately, Maria Ressa, the leader of online news site Rappler, was convicted of cyber libel, but remains free pending an appeal. Last year, she won the Nobel Peace Prize, but still faces several court cases.
A satellite photo shows the Chinese-built base at Mischief Reef, a disputed feature in the Spratly islands in the South China Sea, March 19, 2020.

Japan has been conducting its own freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea to warn China but in a cautious manner, Japans largest newspaper reported.

The Yomiuri Shimbun quoted unnamed government sources as saying that Japanese naval ships sailed through waters near the artificial islands and reefs claimed by China in the South China Sea on at least two occasions, in March and August last year.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force (Japanese Navy) operations started in March 2021 under the administration of then-Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, it said. Suga stepped down in October.

A senior Defense Ministry official told the paper that the operations were meant to warn China, which is distorting international law, to protect freedom of navigation, and the law and order of the sea.

However, despite being similar to the freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) conducted by the U.S. Navy, the Japanese ships were only sailing in the international waters and did not enter Chinas territorial waters, the Yomiuri reported, adding that these operations were conducted on such occasions as traveling to or from joint drills with other navies, or deployment to the Middle East.

Territorial waters are the sea areas that lie within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) from a countrys coast and China demands that foreign warships ask for permission for so-called innocent passage.

Japan is a treaty ally of the U.S., which retains more than 50,000 troops on Japanese soil. But Mark Valencia, adjunct senior scholar at Chinas National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS), said: These are not FONOPs a la the U.S.

They do not challenge Chinas territorial sea regime nor its sovereignty claims to low-tide features like Mischief Reef like the U.S. FONOPs do, he said.

They are an exercise of freedom of the high seas that is not opposed by China.

Mischief Reef is one of the South China Sea features that China has developed into artificial islands in recent years despite protests from some other claimants, including the Philippines and Vietnam.

Beijing also claims territorial waters around those artificial islands, though these claims have no basis in international law.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Takanami sails off Yokosuka, Japan, Jan. 10, 2020. [Kyodo via Reuters]

Commitment to an open sea

Australian Rear Adm. (retd) James Goldrick, a prominent maritime affairs analyst, said many U.S. FONOPs in the South China Sea were about warship passage rights without prior notification within self-claimed territorial waters not only of China, but also Vietnam and the Philippines.

But the Japanese effort was about freedom of naval/maritime operations rather than freedom of navigation, or supporting the U.S. FONOPs, he said.

The South China Sea is not and should not become a closed sea, Goldrick said.

Alessio Palatano, Professor at Kings College London and an expert in Japanese naval history and strategy, said recent operations show Japan has been exercising its compliance to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in a way that previously it was very careful to avoid.

This is a step up which brings Japanese behavior much closer to other major maritime powers. Britain and France regularly sail in ways which at times challenge excessive forms of maritime claims, Palatano told RFA.

Its clear political signaling that shows that Japan is becoming proficient in using its naval capabilities to create a wide-ranging set of signaling options in communicating its political disagreements with Chinese behavior.

So long as the Japanese continue on such a nuanced approach, this is very welcome, he said.

Meanwhile Valencia from the Chinese state think tank NISCSS warned that even though the Japanese operations did not raise alarm, if they actually did challenge Chinas territorial sea regime or sovereignty claims by entering its claimed territorial waters or violating the innocent passage regime, then China might well retaliate.
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Reporter

Heather Bellow, a member of the investigations team, joined The Eagle in 2017. She is based in the South Berkshire County bureau in Great Barrington. Her work has appeared in newspapers across the U.S.
Investigations editor

Larry Parnass joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, CommonWealth Magazine and with the Reuters news service.
Gov. Charlie Baker takes questions from COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management Committee Chairs Sen. Jo Comerford and Rep. Bill Driscoll on Tuesday, during a virtual oversight hearing.
PITTSFIELD  A man accused of domestic violence offenses pleaded his case to a judge Tuesday, then was ordered to remain in custody before trial.

During an in-person appearance in Central Berkshire District Court, Miguel Valentine, 39, told Judge Mark Pasquariello that he understood that his "criminal history has caused grief," but said he has turned over a new leaf.

Prosecutors seek dangerousness for man who allegedly assaulted girlfriend and resisted arrest A judge will decide next week whether city man Miguel Valentine, accused of domestic assault, will remain held before trial.

"I see how harmful it all was. The difference today is that I'm highly motivated to do whatever it takes to grow beyond my past mistakes," he said.

Valentine pleaded not guilty last week to assault and battery on a family or household member, resisting arrest and threatening to commit a crime. The charges stem from a Jan. 3 incident during which, police said, he grabbed his girlfriend by the hair and pulled her backward. Law enforcement in Pittsfield said that, while in custody, he made threats against the woman.

The Berkshire District Attorney's Office had requested that the court order Valentine be held without bail before trial, arguing that the facts of the case and Valentine's criminal history demonstrate that he poses a danger to the alleged victim.

On Tuesday, Valentine asked Pasquariello to instead order him released from custody with a GPS tracker. He said he was "financially inclined" to provide for his children, and "inclined to be a better father."

"All I ask is the court to give me just one chance on the GPS monitoring, and I promise you, you will not regret it," he said.

Pasquariello responded that when weighing prosecutors' request to deny him the right to bail, he must take into account Valentine's criminal history and past restraining orders against him. He determined that prosecutors had met their burden of evidence, and ordered Valentine held in pretrial custody for 120 days.

"Unfortunately, you're correct  your criminal history is, I have to consider that making this decision. I don't take it lightly," Pasquariello said. "I don't take it lightly, believe me."

The judge noted that not among the evidence presented was the 911 call from Valentine's Jan. 3 arrest. He told Valentine and defense lawyer Ryan Cummins that if the tape, once received, bodes well for his case, the court can take it into account when reconsidering the no-bail decision.
SPRINGFIELD  A Pittsfield man with a history of felony convictions, including attempted murder, has been sentenced to serve 11 years in federal prison.

Elvins Sylvestre, 43, was convicted last July on firearms and drug-trafficking charges related to the 2019 discovery of heroin and cocaine in his possession, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts. Authorities said he had 11 grams of heroin, which shakes out to about 550 doses.

Federal prosecutors announce guilty verdict in Pittsfield man's drug, gun case BOSTON  A federal jury has found a Pittsfield man guilty of drug trafficking and firearm offenses.

Sylvestre also was convicted of being a felon in possession of a .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun that contained an extended magazine and over 40 rounds of ammunition.

The Pittsfield Police Anti-Crime Unit had been investigating Sylvestre when law enforcement raided his home Nov. 22, 2019.

2 from Pittsfield face drug, weapons charges PITTSFIELD  Two city men suspected of dealing crack cocaine from a Wahconah Street building each is facing multiple drug and weapons charges after a search turned up drugs, a loaded gun and 

In addition to finding the firearm and narcotics, authorities reported fining dealer paraphernalia like digital scales with apparent drug residue.

It was far from his first brush with the law, and his criminal past precluded him from having either guns or ammunition, federal authorities said.

Sylvestre previously had been convicted of a number of felonies, including possession of stolen property, robbery, assault and battery and attempted murder.

In addition to the gun charge, Sylvestre was convicted on charges including possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking felony.

During a hearing Monday in federal court in Springfield, Judge Mark Mastroianni sentenced him to 11 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Involved in announcing the sentencing was U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse prosecuted the case.
When discussing the coronavirus crisis that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans and turned the world upside-down, we often speak in 
Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who has served as her city's executive since 2006, is the first mayor to join the growing field of Democratic candidates for Massachusetts lieutenant governor.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Partly cloudy. High near 60F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers late at night. Low 42F. ESE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Your friends dog recently was put to sleep, a loved one calls in hospice for cancer, or a couple you love is struggling in their marriage. Sometimes we are not the one in troubled times, but we are surrounded with others who need extra compassion and care. Take a minute and stop reading this article to think about who God has placed into your life who is going through a hard time and how you can comfort him or her. When you return, we are going to study how God calls us to be comforters.

I think that one of the sweetest names of our Lord is that He is called the God of all comfort. Not only does He carry this responsibility, but we too as Christ followers, who are filled with the Spirit of God, also have the gift and privilege of comforting others through His power.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

The God of all comfort ministers to us in hard times, so that we can comfort others. When we personally have experienced the ease and safety in the shadow of the Lords wings, we are able to seek Him and share Him with other in afflictions (Psalm 17:8). Those going through grief or fear or doubt can be encouraged by the fact that God is right there for them and with them. He holds them in His hand.

As I have been reading through the Bible chronologically with Bible Recap, we have been studying the book of Job. This man of God was attacked by the enemy and the Lord allowed Satan to put Job through many trials. Job had friends who came in an effort of comfort, and sat with Job for seven days without saying a word (Job 2:13). This was all until Job finally felt ready to share about his grief. Unfortunately, his friends chose to give advice that was not fully true, and they ended up hurting Job more than helping him.

When we are given a person in front of us to minister and care for in a trial, many times we want to fix it and make it better for them. This is not a bad desire, however we need to slow down in our efforts and the drive to give advice. I would say this is especially convicting when we ourselves have not experienced a similar situation. Everyone has different spiritual gifts, but even having the gift of mercy and compassion does not mean counsel, it means comfort.

2 Corinthians 1 informs us that we go through hard things so that we can later encourage those in similar trials. This means that we might have more wisdom and understanding of sharing how Jesus comforted us and how this might be of comfort to them. But beware of trying to take the place as ultimate comforter. 2 Corinthians 1 says that we comfort others with the God of all comfort. This means that when we are compassionate towards the sufferer, we are pointing them to Jesus open arms.

Sometimes the best thing that we can do for someone is to let them know that we are there for them, love them, are praying for them, and showing that we care. We can do this by hugs, a listening ear, prayer, and just being available. Comfort does not have to be complicated.

When someone else is going through a challenging season, it can be tempting to try to play the hero of their story. We do not want to become anyones crutch. The only person they need to lean on is the unwavering Jesus Christ. Prayerfully consider how to have healthy boundaries with a person who is struggling. This would be a case-by-case situation, but it is always good to be a motivator and a friend. However we need to know when to take a step back or even connect a sufferer to more professional help. At the end of the day, we want to ask the question, How can I love this person well? Sometimes that is being very present and connecting regularly. Other times that is knowing your place in the process of their healing or growth.

No matter if you are the one in need of comfort or you are the comforter, God has gifted us with His Spirit of understanding and grace. We can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to love well and to also allow others to point us to Jesus when we need comfort. This is the beauty and the great gift of the body of Christ. We can help redirect each others eyes to the Savior when life is tough. We have great hope in Him.

Psalm 139:10 Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Isaiah 41:10 Dont be afraid, for I am with you. Dont be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Romans 3:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

More from this author

5 Uplifting Scriptures and Prayers to Motivate You for the New Year

How the Holy Spirit Is Doing a Home Makeover on Our Hearts

How Can We Glorify God through Sisterhood?



Photo credit: Unsplash/Anthony Tran

Emma Danzeys mission in life stems from Ephesians 3:20-21, inspiring young women to embrace the extraordinary. One of her greatest joys is to journey with the Lord in His Scriptures. She is wife to Drew and they have been married for over a year. Drew and Emma serve with Upstate CRU college ministry in South Carolina. Emma is an avid writer for Salem Web Network and provides articles on the Bible, life questions, and on the Christian lifestyle. Her article on Interracial Marriage was the number 1 viewed article on Crosswalk for the year 2021. All the glory to the Lord! She has the joy of being the host of Her Many Hats podcast where she explores the many roles that women play while serving One God.
If there is one book in the Bible that speaks to the realities of the human experience it is the book of Psalms. If you have never read them or seriously looked at them, let this article be an encouragement and motivation to do just that. There are several different types of Psalms that follow different themes and will speak directly to the seasons of life.

The Psalms represent the full gamut of human emotions. You will find just about every human emotion represented in the Psalms, and you will also discover many common questions about life are asked within the Psalms. The individuals who wrote them were using a vehicle to express what was going on in their hearts. Like a modern-day song writer or poet, the Psalms were just that  sacred songs or poems expressing the authors thoughts and feelings at that moment in their life. They expressed thoughts about God, about life, literally about everything. Here is how R.E.O. White describes the Psalms, which I believe captures their essence.

 what has endeared the psalms to every generation, and evoked most wonder, is their immense breadth of religious experience, of pious feeling, aspiration, complaint, struggle, protest, and regret. The psalms mirror the human soul in all its vicissitudes of faith and unbelief, joy and perplexity, rebellion and submission. And they do so with utmost honesty, freedom, and boldness, as individuals or congregations confess their sins, complain of mans ill-treatment or of Gods silence, call down judgment on their enemies, plead piteously for longer life, healing, deliverance, or comfort. Bitter resentment at lifes unfairness, protest at Gods mysterious ways, his delay in helping, his anger or his inactivity, are balanced by joyous outbursts of praise, gladness, thanksgiving, and testimony to Gods faithfulness.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Christiane Lois Dating
MECOSTA COUNTY  New cases of COVID-19 in Mecosta County rebounded to pre-holiday levels last week after seeing a steady four-week decrease throughout December.

The District Health Department No. 10 reports 213 new cases from Sunday, Jan. 2, through Saturday, Jan. 8. Known exposures during that period included household contact, health care worker, social gathering, recent travel, community contact, school, preschool and care facilities. The highest one-day totals occurring Thursday and Friday, with 53 and 51 cases, respectively.

Mecosta County had been experiencing a steady decline in numbers in the past four weeks. After clocking in at 226 new cases the week of Nov. 28 through Dec. 4, weekly numbers dropped to 166 (Dec. 5-11), 125 (Dec. 12-18) and 100 (Dec. 19-25) before rising to 139 the last week of 2021.

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, DHD No. 10 reported 39 new cases, bringing the total number of cases since the pandemic began to 6,376. As of Monday, Jan. 10, 5,602 individuals have recovered, 71 have died and 664 cases remain active.

The number of active cases at Ferris State University also has jumped. After breaking for the holidays, it resumed daily reports Tuesday, Jan. 4, with 22 current active cases. That number jumped to 49 cases by Friday, Jan. 7. On Monday, Jan. 10, it reported 70 new cases, with 65 current active cases.

The Big Rapids campus had been averaging about 20.6 active cases of COVID-19 during most of the semester before rising to a daily average of 26.1 cases the first half of December.

Statewide, there has been 1.68 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 27,878 related deaths, as of Monday, Jan. 10. A positivity rate of more than 25% puts all of Michigans 83 counties remain in a high level of community transmission.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines community transmission level is based on the case rate and the positivity rate for a particular area. Case rate is determined by the number of new cases per 100,000 people in a seven-day period, in this case Jan. 3-9. Positivity rate is the percentage of positive Nucleic Acid Amplification tests in a seven-day period, in this case Jan. 1-7.

Here are the rolling seven-day totals from the CDC's COVID Data Tracker for area counties, as of Tuesday, Jan. 11:
The programme is designed to support MVP to commercialisation stage ventures that have the potential to increase access and affordability of healthcare in India

NSRCEL, the startup hub at IIM Bangalore, has selected seven early-stage healthcare startups for its final stage of the Incubation Program for Healthcare Startups, which are currently undergoing a nine-month incubation programme.

The programme is designed to support MVP to commercialisation stage ventures that have the potential to increase access and affordability of healthcare in India.

The structured incubation programme provides support to Healthcare innovators and entrepreneurs through their lab to market journey. With the NSRCEL healthcare incubation programme, both clinicians and hospitals can engage with startups and mentor and monitor the progress of those startups which can contribute to their strategic objectives.

The Incubation Program for Healthcare Startups was launched in early 2021 and received over 300 applications from all over the country. 26 firms were shortlisted for a pre-incubation program, and from there seven are now undergoing an intensive nine-month incubation journey with NSRCEL.

The ventures selected in this cohort are working in areas like oncology, neurology, mental health, HR tech for doctors, etc. During their incubation journey, the startups will be engaged in domain-specific support through mentors, industry experts, and investors in the Healthcare space. NSRCEL will facilitate networking and peer-learning sessions to explore synergies within and beyond the NSRCEL Startup Ecosystem.

TOP seven ventures under incubation prog for health startups are:

1. MedPiper Technologies

2. Dial4242 Ambulance Services

3. Dockare

4. Daffodil Health

5. Onward Assist

6. MayaMD

7. NeuroLeap
The solution would be based on disruptive 4D Bioprinting technology

Alkem Laboratories has announced to launch a unique patented technology for the treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) in India. The solution would be based on disruptive 4D Bioprinting technology, which would be used to treat deep, non-healing chronic wounds and is expected to be launched in the Indian market in the latter half of 2022 post regulatory approval.

Alkem has collaborated with South Korea-based Rokit Healthcare to commercialise the technology in India.

The advanced technology for DFU management has a high scope of preventing amputations in diabetic patients. This technology will be available at affordable rates to Indian patients at a time when there is no definitive treatment for DFU in India.
In a previous article written by 21st Century titled "What is the fuss about ESG", the changing world of Environment, Society and Governance was explored. For the first time, 21st Century (representing Africa) is part of a worldwide study of ESG metrics conducted by the GECN Group of companies covering five continents - Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.

Chris Blair, CEO of 21st Century.

The main trends emerging from the study are as follows:

A growing number of companies across the world are tying executive pay to ESG performance, particularly in the environmental area in long-term incentive plans.



There is an increase in the number of companies using Social Metrics in their incentives in all regions, except Singapore.



Companies allocate a higher weighting to ESG metrics in short-term incentives (25%) than in long-term incentives (20%).



The global average aggregate weighting of ESG metrics in incentive plans account for 9% of the maximum total remuneration package (fixed pay plus variable pay) received by the companys top executive each year.

Figure 1: Percentage of companies using ESG metrics in incentives by region.

Figure 2: Percentage of companies using social metrics in incentives by region.

Figure 3: Average proportion of top executives maximum total remuneration contingent on weighted scorecard ESG metrics by region.

Figure 4: Percentage of companies using ESG metrics in incentives by short (left-hand column) and long-term (right-hand column) incentives by type of measure.

Figure 5: Weighting of ESG metrics in incentives by short and long-term incentives.

We have just completed the study across eight listed exchanges in which South Africa is the only emerging market exchange. South African listed companies can stand tall amongst the developed nations in our adoption and application of ESG metrics.ESG metrics can be described as non-financial metrics and are about the sustainability of the world, the continents, countries, businesses and society. Society is becoming more vocal about government and business practice as the world moves from Shareholderism to Stakeholderism.This trend has been catapulted forward due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the unsustainable business practices worldwide that are leading to the destruction of the environment and of society.This years GECN research aimed at examining any year-on-year trends in companies using ESG metrics in executive incentive plans (both the prevalence and weighting), particularly changes in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic and the increasing market pressure for companies to increase their focus on ESG in their business strategies.Our study also identified that a growing number of companies are starting to incorporate ESG metrics in executive long-term incentive plans and that the weighting is higher than in prior years - tying sustainable metrics to executive pay in the long term.More than 74% of companies in all sectors reviewed use ESG metrics. South Africa ranks 4th in the world with 75% of companies using ESG metrics, whilst Australia leads (84%), followed by Continental Europe (79%).There has been a huge swing towards Social Metrics, catalysed by the pandemic which highlighted the inequity of pay and wealth around the world, particularly prevalent in South Africa, which has the highest Gini coefficient (measure of income inequality), and one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. South Africa moves to 3rd place for the use of Social Metrics (68%), behind Australia (84%) and Europe (70%).South Africa ties in 1st place with Australia, with 13% for the most important metric of ESG  the weighting of the executive maximum total remuneration linked to ESG metrics. The link between the executive key performance indicator (KPI) and executive pay is critical in incentivising the executive to do the right thing.Figure 4 shows that using ESG metrics is much more prevalent in short-term incentives (71%) than in long-term incentives (only 16%). We can only hope that the move from short-term towards long-term incentives continues rapidly, as this is how ESG metrics will become sustainable.The prevalence does not, however, tell the full picture of the effectiveness of ESG metrics in short- and long-term incentives. It is rather the weighting of the metric that is important, as this incentivises the executives behaviour. The median weighting for ESG metrics in short-term incentives is 25% compared to 20% in long-term plans, and is significant for both.The upper quartile, 25% of metrics or more have a weighting in short-term incentives of 40% and 30% for long-term incentives. This is encouraging for the future sustainability of ESG. Even at the lower quartile, 25% of metrics or less still have a weighting of 20% for long-term incentives.The world is in urgent need of change in terms of its environment, climate change, social inequity and well-being. ESG metrics could be the silver bullet that brings this change about, but only if it is universally adopted and governed. South Africa sets an example that as an emerging market, we can contribute and stand tall amongst our world peers.
Coronado, CA (92118)

Today

Cloudy early, becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon. High 63F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.
Thirty-four organizations in the Danbury area will receive $893,700 in state grants toward helping with pandemic-related recovery and supporting their community-serving work.

They are among the 624 museums and cultural, humanities and arts organizations across the state approved to receive $16 million in CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant money.

The grants are part of a $30.7 million support allocation to Connecticut Humanities  an independent nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities  over the next two years by the state General Assembly, with funding provided by the state Department of Economic and Community Developments Office of the Arts.

Danbury-area organizations were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 up to $266,200  the latter of which was received by the Ridgefield Playhouse.

More than $76,000 in grant funding was awarded to six Danbury organizations, with the highest allocation of $25,300 going to the Danbury Music Centre at 256 Main St.

The Danbury Museum & Historical Society will receive a $19,700 grant, which executive director Brigid Guertin said will be critically useful in retaining the staff and programmatic endeavors of the museum during these difficult financial times.

Having the support of Danburys legislative team, working in partnership with our city museum, to bring these monies back to our community is very much appreciated, she said. The Danbury Museum Board of Trustees, volunteers and staff are so very grateful.

The citys other grant recipients are the Danbury Railway Museum ($11,600), Musicals at Richter ($8,600), the Society for Preservation & Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing ($5,900) and Richter Arts ($5,600).

Preserve New Fairfield  a local volunteer group that works to preserve historic structures and artifacts in town  has been awarded a $5,700 grant, and the New Fairfield Historical Society is receiving a $5,100 grant.

The historical society plans to use its grant money to continue maintaining the Little Red Schoolhouse, provide educational opportunities, maintain historical photos and documents, and provide more events for residents.

COVID has deeply impacted our ability to hold events that support our mission, historical society member Karen Keeler wrote on the organizations Facebook page.

The Jewish Community Center in Sherman was awarded a $10,200 grant, and The Sherman Playhouse will receive $8,100.

New Milfords Sherman Chamber Ensemble is receiving a $9,800 grant, which executive director Liba Furhman said will go toward programming costs associated with the organizations concerts for the upcoming season.

Its our 40th anniversary year, she said, and were very grateful to Connecticut Humanities for supporting not only the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, but organizations across the state.

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut will receive $6,700 to support the Bethel-based FilmFest52 organization and $5,500 for Bethel Jazz.

Circus Moves  a mobile circus arts education company on Greenwood Avenue  will receive $6,400, and the community-based volunteer group Bethel Arts will get $5,300 in funding.

In addition to the $266,200 grant awarded to the Ridgefield Playhouse, the following 12 Ridgefield organizations will receive funding:

 Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum  $112,300

 ACT of CT  $106,800

 Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center  $42,900

 Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra  $22,600

 Ridgefield Theater Barn  $19,500

 Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra  $13,000

 Ridgefield Historical Society  $12,800

 Ridgefield Guild of Artists  $11,000

 Thrown Stone Theatre Company  $10,700

 The Ridgefield Chorale  $9,000

 Camerata DAmici  $6,200

 Town of Ridgefield  $5,100

The Brookfield Craft Center was awarded a $28,100 grant and the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts will receive $9,100. Both organizations are located on Whisconier Road in the towns historic district.

The following five Newtown-based organizations will receive $73,000 in CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant funding:

 Edmond Town Hall  $39,400

 NewArts  $15,200

 Newtown Cultural Arts Commission  $7,400

 Newtown Historical Society  $6,000

 EverWonder Childrens Museum  $5,000

The Redding Historical Society on Lonetown Road will receive a $5,900 grant.

Connecticut Media Group
LITCHFIELD  The five yellow military ribbons affixed to trees on the Litchfield town green will be coming down.

Attorney Thomas R. Gerarde cautioned the boroughs Board of Warden and Burgesses during a meeting Tuesday about the legal risk of keeping the ribbons up. He said leaving up a sign that has a message like the ribbons opens the borough up to being sued if they denied the speech of another group wishing to put any kind of sign on the town green.

The yellow ribbon is a sign. It has a message, Gerarde said. Its in support of our troops here and abroad. If you allow the yellow ribbons to stay up, they can do that. It would not be illegal. What they cant do is that if someone else wants to put a sign up, they cant say the yellow ribbons were fine, but I dont like the message associated with the new ribbon. You have exposure, youll get sued, and youll probably lose.

Gayle Carr, acting warden and senior burgess, has said the ribbons violate section 72 of the boroughs code.

The boroughs code states that no person in a park shall ... paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement or inscription whatsoever, nor shall any person erect or cause to be erected any sign whatsoever on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park.

Three dozen ribbons were first put on the towns trees in 2003 by families of military members serving in the Iraq War. In 2010, a compromise was reached allowing them to keep five ribbons up. In September, the board voted to have the ribbons removed, sparking a debate in town.

Gerarde fielded many questions from board members and the public, all seeking ways to preserve the ribbons. In many cases, he reiterated his warning about a first amendment violation.

If youre thinking about why dont we see how it goesmaybe we wont ever get this horrible group coming in  once youve done that, the die is cast, Gerarde said. There is no coming back from that. If the horrible hate group comes in  the hate group will have a claim.

Tensions rose at the meeting, as members of the public directly questioned Carr, who is newly elected, about why now she decided to pursue removing the ribbons.

You have a new board with two attorneys who immediately spotted a potential liability, Carr said. You cannot discriminate about speech. You either let it all or you let none. We were already letting some. It was wrong to say no to anyone else. The job  is to protect the green and the residents of the borough  thats why we are here now, to take action in a way to protect the green and the residents.

Carr said another group, which Gerarde later said was seeking to affix pink ribbons to trees for breast cancer, was denied in the last year.

After Gerarde left, Carr and the board decided to have the ribbons removed, potentially seeking ways in the future to either put the ribbons back up or find another way to honor the military. Theyre using a motion they passed at a December meeting to do so.

Those ribbons, as they exist, are in violation of the code and must be removed, the motion states. They should be removed regardless of what message they express. If the ribbons are allowed to remain as an expression of a particular viewpoint, the borough could not remove from one of its trees any other ribbon, placard, or poster that expresses a message or viewpoint. Our trees would be subject to becoming sites for the posting of expressive material of all kinds, and the borough has a substantial government interest in avoiding the defacing of its trees, impairing the aesthetics of the park, and also in keeping the parks free of foreign material attached to trees.

Carr said she felt it was necessary to take immediate action on the matter.

The longer its up, the longer we leave the borough exposed to liability on this issue, Carr said. I didnt hear anything that countered that. If were honest and we listen to what counsel said, if we want to protect members of the borough. The best thing to do is start with a clean slate, take it all down and figure out where to go from there.

Connecticut Media Group
Minutes after their bombshell expose of Dr. Anthony Faucis crimes, Project Veritas was banned by Twitter in an effort to hide the incriminating evidence from the public.

You know Twitter & the Left are afraid of #ProjectVeritas when you see this. #ExposeFauci pic.twitter.com/7fpAzDdu0K  Waingro (@Waingro33) January 11, 2022

On Monday evening, minutes before the Twitter ban, Project Veritas released never before seen military documents detailing the origins of Covid-19, gain-of-function research, vaccines, potential treatments, and the governments effort to hide everything from the public.

The newly U.S. military documents prove that Dr. Fauci lied under oath.

Thegatewaypundit.com reports: Fauci has repeatedly testified under oath to Congress that the US government was never involved in gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab.

Via Project Veritas:

Military documents state that EcoHealth Alliance approached DARPA in March 2018 seeking funding to conduct gain of function research of bat borne coronaviruses. The proposal, named Project Defuse, was rejected by DARPA over safety concerns and the notion that it violates the gain of function research moratorium.

The main report regarding the EcoHealth Alliance proposal leaked on the internet a couple of months ago, it has remained unverified until now. Project Veritas has obtained a separate report to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, written by U.S. Marine Corp Major, Joseph Murphy, a former DARPA Fellow.

The proposal does not mention or assess potential risks of Gain of Function (GoF) research, a direct quote from the DARPA rejection letter.

Project Veritas reached out to DARPA for comment regarding the hidden documents and spoke with the Chief of Communications, Jared Adams, who said, It doesnt sound normal to me, when asked about the way the documents were buried.

If the Department of Defense felt this [gain-of-function] research was too dangerous to proceed with, why in the world did the NIH, NIAID and EcoHealth Alliance recklessly disregard the risks involved? OKeefe asked his viewers.

WATCH:
The latest updates on the new normal  chronicling the lies, distortions, and abuses by the ruling class.

That the public health experts would social justice-ize the COVID agenda was inevitable. As Anita Sarkeesian deftly and succinctly observed:

Add to sexist: racist, fatphobic, transphobic, and the remainder of the cornucopia of isms that propagate incestuously by the day. There you have the entire single-sentence guidebook, in any context, to understanding SJW ideology  to the extent thats what justice can even be considered.

Frankly, the only roadblock that hindered the COVID wokeness from the start was the were all in this together talking point that cant be reconciled with divisive identity politics. Trying to get the deplorables to cooperate with the draconian lockdowns was already difficult enough in the beginning.

But, of course, even that obvious contradiction couldnt hold back the SJW-COVID merger. The transphobia/ableism/whatever-ism angle is just too tempting  its catnip to the left.

And, anyway, things need not make sense in Neoliberal Candyland, after all, do they?

Sovereign Man last Friday hit on the denial of monoclonal antibodies (one pharma therapeutic that actually appears to work) to non-white people for the sake of racial equity.

The race-based care angle is an important story with life-or-death implications, but its just the tip of the non-binary iceberg.

So lets dive headfirst into the diversity end of the pool (the shallow one). Because its our greatest strength. Because its liberal. Because its loving.

Playing the Anti-Semite Card: Fauci Hides Behind Holocaust Victims to Deflect Criticism

Lara Logan compared Fauci to Josef Mengele, the notorious Nazi scientist, due to Faucis mass medical experimentation on the population. (Experimentation, incidentally, which he has justified as necessary to combat a virus that he helped engineer himself through NIH funding.)

But the Nazi doctor thing was not a fair comparison, as Mengele only crippled/killed his victims by the thousands. Fauci has the blood of literally hundreds of millions of innocents  perhaps billions in the final count  on his hands. He has fiddled with the lives of his test subjects on a scale Mengele only had wet dreams of.

But Fauci, rather than breathing a sigh of relief for Logan downplaying the severity of his mass crimes and perhaps thanking her for her charitable comparison, instead went on the offensive, taking rhetorical cover behind Holocaust victims.

Here he and the MSNBC cuck do some grade-A pearl-clutching:

And he got the Auschwitz Memorial to weigh in on his side:

Exploiting the tragedy of people who became victims of criminal pseudo-medical experiments in Auschwitz in a debate about vaccines, pandemic and people who fight for saving human lives is shameful. It is disrespectful to victims & a sad symptom of moral and intellectual decline.  Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) November 30, 2021

Fauci is effectively a Hamas terrorist, launching his COVID terror rockets off of a Gaza Strip schoolhouse to prevent retaliation  its the exact same tactic. Except instead of hiding behind Palestinian schoolchildren, Faucis human shields are WWII-era Polish Jews.

If you criticize Warlord Fauci, hell claim you are both disrespecting The Science and in favor of re-holocausting the Jews.

Noam Chomsky, Celebrated Left Hero, on Unvaccinated: Lock Them in Homes, Getting Food Is Their Problem

To protect public safety, one must deny the public with access to vital resources. This is the central governing principle of the Lockdown Left, which has exhausted all appeals to reason (lets be honest, it never had any good ones anyway). Its also fresh out of the various sordid carrots to lure the peasants into the vaxx station like free sex, free booze, and free weed.

The only thing left is siege warfare.

Effectively starving citizens who allegedly have rights in a democracy for not complying with tyrannical medical mandates to inject experimental genetic material into themselves and their children is liberal, and its loving.

Do you hear the wise, learned old mans measured NPR-style tones that convey reason and careful thought? Thats how you advocate genocide while passing off genocidal rhetoric as academic.

New York Governor Declares Racism Public Health Emergency

The only stunning thing is that this didnt happen earlier during the 2020 Summer of Love (aka the George Floyd riots).

Via ABC:

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared racism a public health crisis, signing an entire package of legislation Dec. 23 aimed at addressing discrimination and racial injustice in the state The long list of new efforts will also cover inclusivity in health care.

I plan on covering this concept more in-depth in the near future because its crucial to understand whats going on in the broader scheme of things: COVID is merely the vehicle to get the technetronic, all-inclusive social control grid established and legitimized .

The ruling class plans, down the line, to piece-by-piece incorporate the woke racism obsession, climate change, and literally any other social/economic boutique issue into the public health fold. The CDC will serve as the de facto ruling party.

This is your new authoritarian strongman, and it looks nothing like a clean-shaven Nazi commander in leather boots:

In Case a Casual Observer Understandably and Mistakenly Assumes The Left Actually Cares About Public Health

As Tyler Durden observed that sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken, just so, leftists berating their fellow citizens about public health doesnt make them public health virtuosos.

The same people who, since 2015, have called any normal person who wouldnt lick Hillary Clintons boots Russian agents and domestic terrorists and Nazis suddenly profess to care about the Nazis well-being. What an odd turn of events to suddenly develop emergent empathy.

Its a pure culture war thing to force the holdouts into prostration before the technocracy, and has been since the beginning.

The Tweet above encapsulates how they actually think  that guy (or non-binary thing, or whatever) was just brave enough to spell it out. Its all about owning the deplorables and has been from the start. The average gender non-conforming HuffPo reader orgasms every time it delivers the latest catnip story about a conspiracy theorist allegedly dying of COVID. They celebrate death.

Then, when a triple-vaxxed boomer like Colin Powell dies, they go catatonic with cognitive dissonance to somehow blame the unvaxxed for that death as well (despite the indisputable fact weve exhaustively covered here that the vaccines do not prevent transmission).

The less sense the latest Covidian claim de jour makes, the harder the blue-checks Tweet about it, the louder their calls to censor their opponents, and the more defensive and aggressive they become.

This is who they are. These are their values.

Remember: these same self-appointed moral paragons are themselves child abusers responsible for the mass dumbing down of an entire generation for the sake of appeasing their own neuroticism.

Never let them claim the moral high ground.

Ben Bartee is a Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff via his blog, Armageddon Prose, Substack, Patreon, Gab, and Twitter.
A New Haven officer who has been in a coma since she was involved in a high-speed collision with a sergeant while on her way to a call in 2008 has died.

Officer Diane Gonzalez died Monday, New Haven police said. She leaves behind a son, two daughters and grandchildren.

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Her fellow officer, Sgt. Dario Scott Aponte was killed instantly in the crash, city police said. Aponte, 43, was a 17-year veteran; Gonzalez was 47 and had been with the department 13 years at the time of the collision. Apontes wife, who also served with New Haven police, had delivered a son months earlier.

[ Deadly crash rocks force ]

The crash happened late on the night of Sept. 9, 2008, more than 13 years ago. Both Gonzalez and Aponte were headed to the same emergency call, a report of a violent domestic dispute at 53 Maltby St. The caller said a man was beating a woman as her children watched.

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The two officers patrol cars crashed at the intersection of East and Chapel streets, less than two miles from Maltby.

If one of those vehicles had gotten to that intersection five seconds later, Police Chief James M. Lewis said at the time, they would have gotten to that call and handled it.

[ An open letter to Evelyn Borrero, the woman New Haven officers were rushing to help ]

Three officers had been dispatched to the call at 11:23 p.m. The officers cars collided at 11:27 p.m.

Gonzalez had to be cut from her car, police said. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and slipped into a coma from which she never emerged.

On the 911 call, the womans screams and the mans yelling were audible. Are they coming? the caller asked. Hes going to kill her.

When officers arrived on Maltby Street, the man and woman were gone. Police tracked them down later, but they refused to cooperate with officers. Police did not arrest the man because the woman suffered no visible injuries, a police spokesman told the Courant at the time.

Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
Boulder, MT (59632)

Today

Showers in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 54F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 36F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
With health care one of the most sought-after jobs, Connecticut will receive more than $60 million in federal money for workforce development that targets the industry and information technology and manufacturing. Pictured here, workers wearing personal protective equipment work with a COVID-19 patient in a Stamford Hospital intensive care unit. (John Moore/Getty Images North America/TNS)

Workforce development plans that were knocked off course by COVID-19 are getting a new push in Connecticut with more than $60 million in federal pandemic relief, Gov. Ned Lamont said Tuesday.

Kelli Vallieres, executive director of the Connecticut Workforce Development Unit, said 8,000 workers will be trained. The state will earmark $14 million each to manufacturing, health care and information technology ; $10 million to infrastructure and green jobs; and about $9 million to other industries.

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[ In a pandemic that damaged the economy, advisory group recommends overhaul of workforce development in Connecticut ]

This represents one of the largest investments Connecticut has ever made in workforce training, she said at a news conference.

In this file photo, the Connecticut State Capitol in 2020. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant/Hartford Courant)

Demand is highest in Connecticut for jobs in manufacturing, health care and information technology, Vallieres said. Applications for the money will emphasize underrepresented workers such as communities of color, former prison inmates, veterans and the disabled.

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Funding will be available to regional workforce boards, nonprofit organizations, colleges and other agencies that apply for it, she said. The organizations will be asked to collaborate to strengthen pre-assessment and technical and employability skills, Vallieres said. The deadline to apply for the money is Feb. 20.

Employers are not eligible to apply for the money, but will benefit from the training.

Lamont in 2019 established an advisory group that submitted a report the following year recommending strategies to match skilled workers with jobs in manufacturing, health care and information technology. The group also turned its attention to social problems that trap low-wage workers.

News @3 Daily Catch up on the days top headlines sent directly to your inbox weekdays at 3 p.m >

The governor said his workforce development plans were hit by immediate short-term COVID-related interruptions.

The federal money will be a key piece of the states economic development strategy, Lamont said. Employers looking to set up shop or expand can ask for aid tied to the federal funding.

The unemployment rate in Connecticut had plummeted to 6% in November from a peak of 11.4% in May 2020 when the economy reeled from government-ordered business shutdowns. However, employers in industries as varied as retail, manufacturing and transportation are unable to fill jobs that have been vacant for months or even a year or longer.

Economists say employment problems are caused by a mismatch between skills needed to fill jobs and what applicants offer, inadequate daycare that prevents parents from seeking work or holding down a job and a reluctance by some to risk COVID-19 infection by working outside the home.

A workforce development report that Lamont released in October 2020, called for the launch of three to five skills-based hiring pilot initiatives, establishing talent retention organizations in three cities and establishing training programs for high-priority jobs in manufacturing, health care, and IT.

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Vallieres said CARES Act funding of $10 million  among the first rounds of financial help from Washington in 2020  helped train more than 1,300 workers. Nearly two-thirds of the beneficiaries were low-income participants who found work in manufacturing, health care and information technology.

Stephen Singer can be reached at ssinger@courant.com.
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Server Rail Weaver brings breakfast to diners in At The Dam in Broad Brook. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

In the early days of January, we polled our readers: What are your favorite neighborhood haunts, the mom and pops, your go-to places for affordable, delicious family meals?

Were not talking about the high-priced restaurants that get all the attention. Were talking about the small places that may not have a website, but they dont need one, because they are the center of the community on a day-to-day basis.

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We got hundreds of nominations. More than half of the top vote-getters are breakfast-and-lunch only, which just proves that one great coffee shop can tie a whole town together.

"It's always been a dream to do this," says Susan Chadbourne, who left a career in the corporate world to open At The Dam with her son Paul Merker. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

The winner, with the most nominations by far, is At the Dam in East Windsor. This diners unpretentious exterior gives no clue to the love this small breakfast-lunch place has in the community. Nominators commented on the friendliness of the staff, the perfection of the hash and the tasty soup specials.

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One nominator raved, This hidden gem in Broad Brook is operated by a foodie who knows how to make both comfort food and gastronomical delights with equal flair.  The only drawback for me is that I dont live closer but maybe thats a good thing!

Towels with the logo of the restaurant hang from a shelf in At The Dam. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

Another nominator wrote Food is outstanding and the staff are friendly and inviting! I feel like family when Im there. The environment has a community feel and they definitely live up to their slogan where friends meet. This is my go-to breakfast spot!

At the Dam, at 100 Main St., is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon on Sundays. It serves breakfast and lunch favorites  omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, burgers  and posts daily specials on Facebook.

A wall of At The Dam Restaurant in Broad Brook displays photographs of regular customers who served in the armed forces. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

On patriotic holidays, a favorite special is the red, white and blue pancakes, topped with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream. Other fun specials are the peanut butter and jelly French toast stack, smores pancakes and taco omelet. They can be found on Facebook.

Here are the other 10 top vote-getters.

[ Get the latest Connecticut restaurant news sent straight to your inbox: From restaurant openings and closings, to local dining events and more ]

Anas Kitchen

Anas Kitchen was at 712 Hopmeadow St. in Simsbury for three years and reopened last summer at 244 Farms Village Road, which is closer to the farms where owner Ana Oliviera got her ingredients.

Anas fans followed her to the new location and noticed the farm-to-table freshness. Their food is homemade, and so fresh you can taste the difference. My family loves it, we go every weekend. They have the kindest staff, one nominator wrote.

Popular menu items are the Sunshine Salad with avocado, chickpeas, feta and sunflower and pumpkin seeds; a chipotle chicken sandwich with bacon and avocado; scrambled eggs with lox; a farmers omelet with potatoes, cheddar, chives and tomato; and a Croque Madame, with cheese and ham on sourdough, Bechamel sauce and fried eggs on top.

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Anas hours are Tuesday to Friday 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekends 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. anaskitchencafe.com.

Mos Midtown

Mos Midtown, a beloved anchor in Hartford for decades, continues to bring the love to its 25 Whitney St. location in the West End.

Mos is the quintessential breakfast and lunch spot in the west end of Hartford. Stanley, a Polish immigrant, is a loveable yet grumpy owner, making generous portions of affordable, delicious food to a wide array of diverse characters. He might even teach you a little Polish. And Spanish, a longtime fan wrote.

At Mos, everything is a little bit Mo. Egg dishes include Papa Mo, Mama Mo, Baby Mo and Egg McMo. They also have omelets, pancakes, burgers and sandwiches and specials. One nominator wrote Try their potato pancakes or their potato pancakes smothered in mushroom gravy.

Mos Midtown is open weekdays 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Its web presence is minimal, but Mos does have a Facebook page and a menu can be found on Yelp.

Kens Corner

Kens Corner Breakfast & Lunch, at 30 Hebron Ave. in Glastonbury, is the quintessential neighborhood breakfast and lunch place. Family-run, with super friendly owners and waitstaff, personal touches galore, homemade delicious and fresh, high quality food prepared with care and flair. Great neighbor vibe.

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One nominator said that about the beloved breakfast-and-lunch spot, which has been a landmark in Glastonbury for about 34 years. Owner Ken DAttilio prides himself on the freshness of his food, getting it from farmers in town.

Kens offers an extensive menu of breakfast classics including its Big Eater menu items, soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches and burgers. Daily specials are offered, like various muffin and bagel flavors and loaded omelets, lobster sandwiches and pumpkin everything.

Kens is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends. facebook.com/kenscornerbreakfast

Monte Alban

Monte Alban, at 531 Farmington Ave. in Hartford, provides an oasis in which to relax, enjoy a meal, and escape from the business of Farmington Avenue, one fan commented online.

Another raved, The chicken enchiladas verdes platter is so delicious. The corn cakes melt in your mouth and the black beans are perfect seasoned.

The bright-yellow Mexican restaurant has been a fixture in the West End for 20 years. It was founded by brothers Alfonso and Wenceslao Martinez, natives of Oaxaca. Their menu features authentic Mexican flavors in familiar dishes like quesadillas, tostadas, tamales and ceviche and lesser-known bites such as shrimp, crab and octopus in cocktail sauce; pork chops in green pumpkin seed sauce; red snapper with salad and rice; and tilapia with chipotle sauce. montealbanhartford.com.

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Auroras

Auroras Bakery Restaurant, at 299 Capitol Ave. in Hartford, has a warm atmosphere thats like a neighborhood oasis. Thats what one of the nominators said about the restaurant owned by Guatemala-born Karen Valenzuela, Ericka Valenzuela and Gabi and Joshua Orellana.

The tiny restaurant opened a year into the pandemic, and it was immediately embraced by the community in the Frog Hollow neighborhood.

Menu items include sebas nachos, tostada aguacate, tacos dorados, platanos crema queso, estrellados, and other Guatemalan, Mexican, Salvadoran and American meals, as well as breads and pastries.

It also has a huge variety of fresh squeezed juices  melon, pineapple, papaya, hibiscus, pina colada, green apple, celery, cucumber  and smoothies. On Three Kings Day, Jan. 6, they made traditional Kings rosettes.

Auroras is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. facebook.com/Aurorascapitol

Glastonbury Coffee Shop

Glastonbury Coffee Shop, at 30 Welles St., is a perfect community hangout. This has been my familys go-to breakfast place for the past 24 years. The food is excellent and the service is consistently outstanding. Its a small breakfast and lunch restaurant thats been around since 1978 and not much has changed since then. No reservations and no tablecloths!, one nominator said.

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Another nominator raved about one of Americas favorite foods: Their bacon is out of this world! It is so thinly sliced! Anything with bacon cannot be beat!

The coffee shops web presence is minimal. The restaurant is open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends. facebook.com.

TJs Burritos

TJs Burritos at 3 Turkey Hills Road in East Granby is a newcomer  it opened in February 2021. But it caught on fast with locals, who love the idea of getting a burrito for breakfast, or maybe chicken wings, a burger, or just a muffin or scone.

Co-owner Jeremy Jackson was a minority owner and manager at Vs Trattoria in Hartford. Another co-owner, Stefan Drago, worked at the Society Room, both in Hartford. The pandemic killed their jobs and they decided to go to the burbs and open a Mexican place. The third co-owner, Tricia Martin, wanted a bakery and coffee shop. They got both.

Starting at 6 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, TJs serves breakfast  breakfast sandwiches and burritos, smores toast, avocado toast, biscotti, muffins, scones, croissants  and Mexican food, burgers, wings and sandwiches. After breakfast is over, Mexican, burgers and tacos are served until 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

On the online nomination form, fans raved. Local gem! Local owners run small business and food and vibe is the best! Best coffee around!

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Get ready for a party on Feb. 11. Its TJs first birthday and its Taco Tuesday. tjsburritos.com.

Sally and Bobs

Sally and Bobs, at 10 N. Main St. in West Hartford, is a neighborhood institution. It was opened in 1969 by Sally and Bob Dworetsky. In 1983, they retired, and their daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Ronnie Zieky, took over. In 2016, those two retired and handed the diner over to Helen Brower and Cesar Contreras, who run Sally and Bobs to this day.

The neighborhood has stayed loyal from one owner to the other. Great food, huge servings, everything so fresh and fast. Love to watch them cook. They know so many customers by name. Fun and delicious, a nominator said.

Starting at 6 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 7 a.m. Sundays, and until 2 p.m. the diner serves breakfast classics, soups of the day, salads, club sandwiches, deli sandwiches, melts, grilled cheese and burgers. sallyandbobs.com

Harvest Cafe

At 1390 Hopmeadow St. in Simsbury is Harvest Cafe & Bakery, which one nominator called the Peach Pit of the Farmington Valley. Another raved We were delighted to discover it and shocked when we meet others that havent.

Situated near the Simsbury-Granby border so fans from both towns can call it their own, Harvest has an impressive collection of Eggs Benedict dishes, quiches of the day and other breakfast classics.

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Lunch, which is served after 11 a.m., includes specialty sandwiches  chicken salad croissant, ham and brie melt, gorgonzola portobello  as well as reubens, grilled cheese, deli classics, burgers, soups and a tempting variety of salads.

Food & Drink Weekly Keep up with news from the Connecticut food scene, delicious recipes, and restaurant and bar reviews >

Harvest is open Wednesday to Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. harvestcafebakery.com.

Roux Cajun Eatery

Steph Civitillo, a native of the Jambalaya Capitol of the World, Gonzales, Louisiana, moved to Simsbury and brought her grandmas recipes with her. Roux Cajun Eatery, at 10 Wilcox St., is her homage to her home.

Roux serves gumbo, crawfish etouffee, Gulf shrimp with grits, biscuits and gravy, loup garou burger, loup garou chips, blackened alligator, beignets, King cake, pecan pralines and Doberge cake.

The recipes are hand-me-down from the chefs family and are oh-so-delicious! Try the shrimp po-boy or the jambalaya  youre in for a treat!, a nominator raved. The restaurant also has a fun vibe. Check out the authentic New Orleans lighting!

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Roux is open Tuesday to Friday noon to 9 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. rouxct.com.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
Some Brandon business owners are frustrated over long wait times to apply for the federal governments COVID-19 rapid test kit program.

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TIM SMITH/THE BRANDON SUN Micheal Smith, owner of Patches Restaurant on 18th Street North, applied for COVID-19 test kits through a federal program and had to wait two weeks just to be approved to apply.

Some Brandon business owners are frustrated over long wait times to apply for the federal governments COVID-19 rapid test kit program.

Micheal Smith, owner of Patches Family Restaurant, said he was delighted when he found out about a federal program that provides COVID rapid antigen test kits to small- and medium-sized businesses for an upfront cost of $14. Buying test kits for his staff of 10, including himself, would prove expensive as they retail for around $35 to $45 at pharmacies.

He wasnt expecting a nearly two-week wait time just to be approved to apply, though.

"When I logged on the website and put in my information, it said I qualified and got a message that it would be about four business days for approval  [but] it took eight business days just to get approval to apply," he said.

He received notice of his approval to apply on Tuesday.

While he understands demand for these test kits is extremely high across the province, he questions why it took so long when he was given a specific time frame.

The federal government established the Rapid Antigen Test Initiative to distribute rapid tests to small- and medium-sized businesses. According to the Government of Canada website, businesses who are approved can receive rapid tests from pharmacies if they are an incorporated business, have 10 to 199 employees, and are in an industry that is currently open under provincial guidelines. Businesses can apply to pick up their tests from a Shoppers Drug Mart and accept their terms and conditions, or register with another participating pharmacy.

The tests are to be used for regular workplace screening of employees who are required to be on-site.

Businesses and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply.

Working in a restaurant, Smith said he and his staff definitely need these kits to keep themselves and their patrons safe. At the time he applied, he was told he could get up to 10 boxes with five tests per box and the small upfront cost. That sounded ideal to him, he said, as he could give a box to each staff member.

"We are a restaurant and we definitely need these because we work with the public," Smith said. "I got lucky, though. My sister mailed me two boxes from Ontario, so I can test myself, but I am very limited on what I can get."

So far, he had only tried the online portal to acquire test kits.

Another Brandon business owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said he signed up for the program, too, and was ecstatic to find out the tests were so affordable.

As of Tuesday afternoon, he had been waiting two weeks, as well as weeks for pharmacies to get supplies for the program. He agreed businesses need these tests to keep their workplaces safe for themselves and their customers, adding no one can expect an employee to pay $35 to $45 for their own test every time someone feels ill because there are no supplies to take home.

The governments are stressing safety in the workplace, but are not providing the tools to help them, he added.

While looking at other locations where the tests were available for purchase, the cost was either too high or the product was out of stock.

The program is supposed to help provinces and territories deal with heightened demands for testing kits and long lineups at testing sites.

The province has been making rapid antigen test kits available to businesses through an agreement with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce to distribute them to employers, but that program was recently placed on hold.

Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Barry Cooper said the chamber is always willing to work with the government to distribute test kits.

"We want these kits out there and in the hands of business owners and employees," he said. "This will help businesses stay open and safe, because if they are not feeling well, they can check themselves quickly and isolate if it is a positive case, [therefore] protecting the public and reducing time off. It also gives the public confidence staff are protecting them as well."

 kmckinley@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @karenleighmcki1
MONTREAL - Adult Quebecers who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will be forced to pay a "significant" financial penalty, Premier Francois Legault said Tuesday, one day after the sudden resignation of the province's public health director.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault, right, and then-Quebec Public Health Director Horacio Arruda leave a news conference in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Quebec is reporting 62 additional deaths linked to COVID-19 today, one day after the province's public health director resigned. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL - Adult Quebecers who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will be forced to pay a "significant" financial penalty, Premier Francois Legault said Tuesday, one day after the sudden resignation of the province's public health director.

The penalty would be the first of its kind in Canada and would apply to unvaccinated residents who don't have a medical exemption, Legault told reporters in Montreal. The "health contribution" is necessary, he said, because about 10 per cent of adult Quebecers aren't vaccinated, but they represent about half of all patients in intensive care.

"I think right now, it's a question of fairness for the 90 per cent of the population who made some sacrifices  I think we owe them this kind of measure," Legault said, adding that the unvaccinated should be forced to pay for the extra burden they are placing on the health-care system.

The premier's big news came with few details, however. The amount of the penalty is yet to be determined, as is how and when it would be applied.

Liberal Opposition Leader Dominique Anglade suggested Legault rushed the announcement to distract people.

"We didn't hear anything about a safe return to school for our children, more rapid tests, a resumption of surgeries," Anglade tweeted on Tuesday after the premier's news conference. She described Legault's announcement as a "smoke show" that lacked detail.

Dr. Horacio Arruda resigned as public health director on Monday night, after the Quebec government faced weeks of criticism from the opposition and pundits for its handling of the latest wave of COVID-19. Quebec's health-care system is under enormous stress from the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 patients, and the latest restrictions  including a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew  are some of the strictest in the country.

During Tuesday's news conference, Legault introduced Arruda's interim replacement, Dr. Luc Boileau, the head of a government health-care research institution called the Institut national d'excellence en sante et services sociaux. Boileau, however, wouldn't comment on the government's plan to financially penalize the unvaccinated or on the subject of mandatory vaccination.

"I was nominated this morning," Boileau told reporters. "I have not yet had the opportunity to make a full assessment of the current situation."

Last week, Quebec announced it would expand the vaccine passport system by requiring proof of vaccination to enter liquor and cannabis stores. Health Minister Christian Dube has said he was mulling extending the passport further, to shopping malls and personal care salons.

Legault said Tuesday the passport expansion remained on the table: "Yes, we will continue to look at spreading the use of the vaccine passport, but I think we have to go further."

If Legault makes good on this threat to make the unvaccinated pay, Quebec would join several European countries that have similar plans. In Austria, residents aged 14 and over could start facing fines of up to $5,147 if they arent vaccinated against COVID-19 by March 15. In Greece, those over 60 have until Jan. 16 to get a first dose of vaccine or be fined $143 a month, while in Italy, residents 50 and older are required to be vaccinated or could face fines of up to $2,287.

Raisa Berlin Deber, a health policy professor at the University of Toronto, said she thinks a tax on the unvaccinated would be allowed under the Canada Health Act, which governs the country's provincially run universal health-care systems.

If the government planned to charge people without a COVID-19 vaccine for health care, that would be a different story, she said. But if I just say there's a tax on you if you're not vaccinated, that's not related to your access to specific health-care services, Deber said.

Earlier Tuesday, Quebec reported 62 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus, pushing the total number of people killed by COVID-19 in the province to 12,028, the most in Canada. The Health Department said COVID-19-related hospitalizations rose by 188, to 2,742, after 433 people were admitted to hospital in the previous 24 hours and 245 were discharged. The number of people in intensive care rose by seven, to 255.

Dube said around 50 per cent of COVID-19 cases in Quebec hospitals are people admitted for other reasons who test positive during routine screenings. But even without those cases, Quebec's health system would be still be struggling to provide quality and timely care to everyone who needed it, he said.

The coming weekend will be our most difficult weekend, Dube told reporters.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.

 With files from The Associated Press and Laura Osman in Ottawa.



This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
An injured hip and a 40-minute wait time for an ambulance have a local resident calling on the province to improve emergency services in Brandon.

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An injured hip and a 40-minute wait time for an ambulance have a local resident calling on the province to improve emergency services in Brandon.

Joseph Nault, 67, fell in the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot last Thursday evening and was left waiting on the ground for around 40 minutes for an ambulance to transport him to the nearby hospital.

SUBMITTED A selfie of Joseph Nault, 67, laying on the ground in the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot in Brandon, waiting for an ambulance to arrive after he fell last Thursday.

Temperatures that evening hovered around -35 C.

"There was a slope of ice there I couldnt see in the dark. It sloped downward, so when my boots hit that, my feet went out and I went down on my right shoulder and right hip," Joseph said.

As he lay there in pain, waiting for the ambulance to arrive, his suffering only intensified. The cold seeped into the back of his body, leaving him with water blisters  a step below frostbite  he said.

"Had I gotten into an ambulance in five or 10 minutes, I wouldnt have experienced much of that or any of that. I would have been in [the] emergency [room] that much sooner. I never got anything for pain that whole time I was laying there," Joseph said.

There were no ambulances available in Brandon at the time of his accident, according to a Shared Health spokesperson.

Joseph said he ended up being transported to the Brandon Regional Health Centre by a rig sent to Brandon from Rivers.

"It was frustrating," Joseph said. "I dont blame the ambulance people. I dont blame the health care, theyre at the mercy of what they can do. The government is the one who controls all that."

Joseph remained at the health centre for surgery until he was discharged on Tuesday to Rivers.

"Im still in a lot of pain and because of the blisters on my bum and back, its irritating and itchy. Its uncomfortable," Joseph said.

He is slowly healing but is still unable to put much weight on his leg.

"The sooner I can put weight on it, the sooner I can start walking, and the sooner I will recover," Joseph said.

His daughter, Charlene Nault, said Fire Rescue crews were able to respond to the scene in about five minutes, but they did not have the proper equipment to transport Joseph to the nearby health centre.

"I was so pissed off," Charlene said. "I was so angry that he laid there on the ground in -40 C for 40 minutes, waiting for an ambulance, when he was like eight blocks from the hospital."

Nault noted her father was in a bad car accident about seven years ago that resulted in him having a metal rod placed in his back. The accident left Joseph with a broken back and neck, she said, and his spine has also fused. Because of these medical conditions, paramedics could not move Joseph without the proper equipment.

Charlene praised Superstore employees for trying to help Joseph as he lay in the parking lot until medical aid could arrive. Staff provided blankets to keep him warm while he waited.

Joseph said he believes his ordeal was brought on by government cuts and costs, and that has resulted in Westman no longer having adequate ambulance services to meet the needs of citizens.

"It would have been five minutes wait time if I would have got an ambulance in Brandon, but it turned into 40 minutes wait time because they had to come from outside of Brandon," Joseph said.

According to Shared Health, paramedics arrived on the scene at Superstore within seven minutes of the call to 911 and they provided care until an ambulance arrived. There were several simultaneous calls at the same time as Josephs call, a situation that is not uncommon in urban centres like Brandon.

Shared Health is exploring steps to increase EMS capacity, the spokesperson said, and encourages all residents to call 911 if they or someone they know is experiencing a medical emergency.

"Calls are prioritized to ensure high acuity and trauma patients continue to receive timely care, with our paramedic fleet strategically positioned to ensure all communities have access to emergency services  even if a local unit is temporarily unavailable."

 ckemp@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp
OTTAWA - Businesses struggling under yet another round of lockdowns and capacity restrictions will have an extra year to repay emergency interest-free loans issued by the federal government, but business groups say that might not be enough breathing room for the hardest hit.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Trudeau announced businesses will have longer to repay the loans they were offered under the Canada Emergency Business Account. The program offered interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - Businesses struggling under yet another round of lockdowns and capacity restrictions will have an extra year to repay emergency interest-free loans issued by the federal government, but business groups say that might not be enough breathing room for the hardest hit.

The Canada Emergency Business Account offered interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits.

When the government first created the CEBA program at the onset of the pandemic, it set a repayment deadline of Dec. 31, 2022, for anyone who wanted to take advantage of zero interest and having a portion of the loan forgiven.

But since then, some businesses have had only brief reprieves from the onslaught of COVID-19 and the restrictive public health measures that come with it.

"The bottom line is of course this: we will continue to be there, to have people's backs with as much as it takes, with as long as it takes, until we get through this pandemic," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a media briefing Wednesday.

Businesses who were approved under the Canada Emergency Business Account will now have until the end of 2023 to pay back their loans, Trudeau announced.

The government also extended the loan forgiveness deadline.

Businesses who repay what they owe by the end of 2023 will be offered loan forgiveness of 33 per cent, up to $20,000.

The news was especially welcomed by Restaurants Canada, which represents some of the businesses hardest hit by lockdowns and gathering limits.

"With most restaurants across the country now taking on even further debt in the face of the Omicron wave, ensuring they will have enough cash flow to continue their operations will become increasingly critical," the association said in a statement Wednesday.

Since its launch, the Canada Emergency Business Account has provided loans worth $49.17 billion to more than 898,000 companies, the largest portion of which are in Ontario.

The extended deadline will give businesses some much needed breathing room, said Alla Drigola Birk, director of parliamentary affairs for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

"It is very much welcome news because, you know, from the Canadian chamber's perspective, we had a lot of businesses that were getting a little bit nervous about the upcoming deadline," Drigola Birk said in an interview.

"But with the Omicron wave, and fresh lockdowns that many provinces have put in place across the country, those businesses that would have had a hard time paying off the loans before this wave are going to have an even harder time repaying the loan in time to meet the deadline to receive the forgivable portion."

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have called on the government to roll back the repayment deadline even further, to December 2024, to help more recipients take advantage of the zero-interest and forgiveness options.

"There isn't a lot of debt for debt relief out there, especially for COVID debt," Drigola Birk said.

A survey of CFIB members late last year suggested they could take two more years to become profitable again.

CFIB has asked the government to consider allowing businesses to apply for another $20,00 loan and increase forgiveness to 50 per cent, up to $40,000.

CFIB president Dan Kelly also said the program should be expanded to include new firms, micro-sized companies and the self-employed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2022.
FREDERICTON - If current trends continue, New Brunswick could report 5,500 people testing positive each day for COVID-19 by the end of the month, the province's chief epidemiologist said Tuesday.

A nurse gets a swab ready at a temporary COVID-19 test clinic in Montreal, on Friday, May 15, 2020. New Brunswick's chief epidemiologist says if current trends continue, the province could see 5,500 people testing positive each day for COVID-19 by the end of the month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

FREDERICTON - If current trends continue, New Brunswick could report 5,500 people testing positive each day for COVID-19 by the end of the month, the province's chief epidemiologist said Tuesday.

"If these trends hold, we expect to reach our peak towards the end of January or early February," Mathieu Chalifoux told a news conference in Fredericton. "This would represent close to 5,500 cases daily and nearly 220 active hospitalizations."

There are currently a record 88 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the province, including 14 in intensive care and 11 on a ventilator. Chalifoux said he expected the province will return to current levels in five to six weeks' time.

John Dornan, interim president of the Horizon Health Network, said Tuesday, "We are at the start of a very high tidal wave. It's creeping up now, but in the next two to three weeks, it's going to crash over us like no one's business."

"We are near the two-year mark, but the worst is yet to come and it's not going to come over the next six months, it's going to come over the next few weeks," he told reporters.

Officials reported one COVID-19-related death Tuesday  a person in their 90s in the Moncton region. There have been 173 deaths in the province since the start of the pandemic.

The Edmundston Regional Hospital and the Saint John Regional Hospital are closing units and reallocating staff in an effort to deal with outbreaks in the hospitals. There are currently 377 health-care workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolating, and officials say they expect the impact on front-line staff will increase in the coming weeks.

Chalifoux said as many as 55,000 people could be isolating at any given time over the next few weeks. "This will impact not only our health-care system but also other critical services such as fire departments, police departments, power services and so on. It will also impact large and smaller businesses as workers either require sick time or isolation time."

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell said New Brunswickers can help flatten the curve by further limiting their contacts. "We can all help and bring our expected peak down if we all reduce our contacts by seeing fewer people, distance appropriately, and wear properly fitted masks when inside," Russell said.

New Brunswickers, Russell added, are encouraged to be prepared by having a plan for isolation and keeping supplies like food and medication on hand and watching for symptoms of COVID-19.

Russell said it's hoped the public will do their part by reducing their contacts, rather than the province having to impose further public health restrictions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.
Chinese elements amaze visitors at Expo 2020 Dubai

Xinhua) 09:08, January 12, 2022

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2022 shows the light show at the China Pavilion of Expo 2020 Dubai in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

As a much-anticipated event at the Expo starting on Oct. 1, 2021, the National Day of China Pavilion also represents the culmination of a chain of China-themed events running through the past three months that have dazzled visitors with splendid Chinese culture and cutting-edge technologies.

DUBAI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The national flag of China was raised in morning breeze on Monday under the iconic dome of the Al Wasl Plaza, the central stage of the Expo 2020 Dubai site, marking the start of the National Day of China Pavilion.

In the plaza decorated with traditional Chinese elements like the Chinese blessing knot, officials from China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) initiated an array of celebration activities showcasing the Asian country's cultural and sci-tech achievements.

As a much-anticipated event at the Expo starting on Oct. 1, 2021, the National Day of China Pavilion also represents the culmination of a chain of China-themed events running through the past three months that have dazzled visitors with splendid Chinese culture and cutting-edge technologies.

People pose for photos in front of the China Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE BILATERAL TIES

The UAE is China's second-largest trade partner in the Middle East and hosts the largest Chinese community in the region, most of them in Dubai and Sharjah. The National Day of China Pavilion is hailed as an opportunity to advance bilateral ties.

At the opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Ni Jian read a written speech sent by Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, in which Hu noted that the economies of China and the UAE are highly complementary, and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the UAE's concept of "Revitalizing the Silk Road" are highly compatible, so the two sides have broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.

China, Hu said, is ready to join hands with the UAE to further enhance political mutual trust and practical cooperation in various areas under the framework of the BRI, so as to enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of the two countries and their people.

In his speech, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi said, "the UAE and China share a steadfast relationship, based on notions of friendship and respect, which has gone from strength to strength over the years."

Bilateral collaboration is strengthened under the BRI, in which the UAE has been a key and supportive partner, Al Shamsi added.

A qipao gala is held during Expo 2020 Dubai in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua)

FEAST OF CHINESE CULTURE

At the opening ceremony, Chinese artists wowed the audiences from different countries with fascinating performances.

"It's absolutely breathtaking," Khaled Al Hassan, a UAE visitor, told Xinhua after watching a tenor singing the Chinese song My Motherland and Me. "It definitely makes me want to learn about China because it is such a sophisticated and time-honored civilization."

Besides history and traditions, the pageantry of "China Day" also highlighted China's future-oriented technologies and innovations. To celebrate the opening ceremony, a China-developed orange robot mascot Opti performed a specially choreographed dance routine to welcome visitors.

The one-meter-tall robot, developed by Chinese tech company Terminus Group, has the IQ of a five-year-old child with its built-in artificial intelligence algorithm and is able to provide services including food deliveries, information and guidance.

Apart from 50 Optis, smart solutions provider Terminus Group has also supplied the expo with another 152 Titan Series robots, providing convenience to visitors from across the world with Chinese high-tech.

Moreover, a spectacular light show performed with drones at the China Pavilion attracted hundreds every night. The show, powered by China's advanced technologies in drone manufacturing and the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, is one of the most-watched performances at the Expo.

"I am very proud as a Chinese citizen to see this stunning performance," said Wu Zhengxi, a Chinese college student in Dubai.

"It tells a China story that is old and new at the same time. We are a nation that has a splendid history, yet we are also a nation with a future-oriented mindset," said Wu.

People visit the China Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

SHARED FUTURE FOR MANKIND

Under the theme of "building a community with a shared future for mankind -- innovation &opportunity," the China Pavilion has been a window to learn about China's sci-tech achievements as well as its dedication to a more connected world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his video message for the China Pavilion, spoke highly of the significance of the Expo 2020 Dubai, calling on the people of all countries to work together, respond to the call of the times, strengthen global governance, pursue innovation-driven development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, the Chinese vice premier said in the written speech.

Many visitors at the pavilion said while China's technological advancements have been stunning, they are also impressed by the sincerity and goodness China has conveyed towards the world through the exhibition.

A Pakistani visitor, who only gave his name as Aladdin, said he came to visit the China Pavilion for two reasons: first, China is a powerhouse for technological innovation; second, China has always been a solid defender of world order and justice.

Salman Mohammed, an Indian visitor, said the National Day of China Pavilion is an exciting event, and he has been waiting to visit the pavilion because China has made extraordinary achievements in technology, infrastructure, and economy.

With an area of 4,636 square meters and in the shape of a traditional Chinese festival lantern representing peace and happiness, the China Pavilion is one of the largest and most popular national pavilions at the Expo. It has received more than 800,000 visitors since it opened to the public.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
As omicron cases in Connecticut surge, whether to require mask wearing has been hotly contested. Gov. Ned Lamont has declined to issue a statewide mandate, instead allowing municipalities to make the choice.

South Windsor, East Hartford, Manchester and Windsor Locks got together last week to encourage Lamont to mandate masks across the state as we enter a period of escalating transmission, hospitalization and death, the news release said.

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However, as the positivity rate soared to about 20% before the holidays, some towns reinstated mandates on their own.

Many towns recommend or require masks be worn when in municipal buildings like town halls, libraries and schools. Schools and hospitals require them, too. But where do you have to wear a mask to enter the grocery store or a restaurant?

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Heres a list:

Bloomfield

A universal mask mandate was enacted in Bloomfield on Jan. 6.

Any person who fails to wear a mask or cloth face covering as required herein, other than a person who qualifies for exemption, shall be guilty of a violation and fined $100, Town Manager Stanley D. Hawthorne said in a release.

Bridgeport

Bridgeport instituted a universal indoor mask mandate in August and never lifted it.

Our leadership held their ground, properly predicting what we would be going through during the holidays, city spokeswoman Rowena White said on Monday.

East Windsor

A universal mask mandate was effective in East Windsor on Jan. 7 and ends Feb. 1.

All private businesses within the Town of East Windsor are required to have all employees and patrons wear a mask while in their facility, First Selectman Jason E. Bowsza wrote in a letter on Jan. 4.

Hamden

On Dec. 11, Hamden reinstated its universal indoor mask mandate in any spaces open to the public.

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Mayor Lauren Garrett, in her declaration, added that masks are required in any private indoor business, and in any places of employment, where social distancing is impractical, unlikely, or difficult to maintain.

Hartford

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin issued a universal mask mandate on Jan. 3 and ending Feb. 1.

Exceptions are allowed for those with relevant medical conditions, those under the age of 2, those eating or drinking, and in certain circumstances inside private offices and office-buildings, a news release states.

Mansfield

Mansfield has had a universal indoor mask mandate for a long time.

We have had a mask mandate since the beginning of the pandemic and had extended it this past summer, indefinitely, into the new year, said town councilman Charles Ausburger.

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Middletown

A universal indoor mask mandate was enacted in Middletown on Jan. 6.

The order will remain in effect until February 1, 2022, unless extended due to ongoing need, Mayor Benjamin Florsheim wrote in a release.

New Haven

New Haven initiated a universal mask mandate in August and has not lifted it.

Town officials have rigorously enforced the mandate with inspections at hundreds of businesses, with a handful of verbal or written warnings issued.

Norwalk

The city of Norwalk instituted a universal mask mandate on Dec. 23.

The mandate will be continually evaluated and reviewed in consultation with the Norwalk Health Department and will remain in effect until transmission rates decrease, a town announcement stated.

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Stamford

Stamford issued a universal mask mandate on Dec. 21.

The mask mandate will be temporary and reassessed by the administration, continuing until transmission rates decrease, a press release states.

South Windsor

Five Things You Need To Know Daily We're providing the latest coronavirus coverage in Connecticut each weekday morning. >

South Windsor issued a universal mask mandate Jan. 9.

The order will be lifted when the community is in the yellow category, which is 5-9 cases per 100,000 per day, the towns website states.

West Hartford

A universal indoor mask mandate was enacted on Jan. 6. No end date was announced.

Mayor Shari Cantor called on Lamont to implement a statewide mandate. COVID-19 does not stop at municipal borders. Our hospitals and health-care delivery systems are all regional assets that serve multiple communities, she told The Courant when she issued the mandate. There should be one common statewide and regional standard.

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Windham

Windham instituted a universal indoor mask mandate last September, during the height of the delta variant, and never lifted it.

When all those other towns lifted their mandate, we did not. Its status quo for us now, said Jim Bellano, director of economic and community development for the Town of Windham.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
OTTAWA - Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says Canada is in crisis when it comes to COVID-19 PCR testing capacity, as Ottawa struggles to make good on its promise to deliver 140 million rapid tests to provinces by the end of the month.

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Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks during a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says Canada is in crisis when it comes to COVID-19 PCR testing capacity, as Ottawa struggles to make good on its promise to deliver 140 million rapid tests to provinces by the end of the month.

Access to PCR molecular testing, which is considered the gold standard when it comes to confirming a COVID-19 diagnosis, is in a crisis across the country, Duclos said Wednesday.

Many provinces have decided to restrict molecular PCR testing to individuals who are at a higher risk of being hospitalized from COVID-19 or are in settings where the virus could spread more quickly.

Duclos said that is why at-home rapid antigen tests have become a crucial tool in this fifth wave of the pandemic, which has been driven by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

It has caused provincial case counts to soar, overwhelmed testing sites and has prompted doctors to warn that hospitals are being pushed to the brink.

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised the Liberal government would send provinces 140 million rapid tests. That would be four times the number of rapid tests the federal government provided in December  enough for every Canadian to have one a week  and they are to be distributed on a per-capita basis.

But as residents wait for testing, some provinces have flagged that shipments have been slow to arrive.

In Ontario, 4.6 million of the 54 million tests earmarked for the province by Ottawa have arrived, with another 7.8 million set for delivery. There is no such schedule for the remaining 42 million promised tests.

Manitoba Health says it's been told by Ottawa the province is allotted five million tests a month. A recent shipping notice confirmed it would get a total of 700,000 devices for January. It has already received 132,000.

"The premier and prime minister also had discussions in December and again this week, in which the premier stressed the need for additional rapid tests for Manitoba," says a statement from the department.

The B.C. Ministry of Health says the province has asked for more than 19 million tests from Ottawa and "there is no confirmation from the federal government about when they will arrive."

Federal Procurement Minister Filomena Tassi says the provinces' demand for the tests has increased drastically since last year, while the market has become very competitive.

"There are issues with respect to the supply chain. And those deal with issues of labour, issues of accessing raw materials, and also the cargo planes and getting transportation," she said during Wednesday's federal COVID-19 briefing in Ottawa.

She says the government is working with 14 suppliers to secure the tests that were promised by the end of the month.

We're going to continue to work with suppliers to ensure if there are things, logistics, that we can assist with as a federal government, we are there to help those suppliers every step of the way.

The United States promised Wednesday to increase the availability of rapid tests to schools by providing five million each month. To University of Windsor professor Anne Snowdon, who studies health-systems and supply chains, rapid test kits are the latest product to soar to the top of global demand in the pandemic.

Underpinning the problem is the underdevelopment of the health-care supply chain and lack of domestic manufacturing, she said, adding Canada is at a competitive disadvantage compared to larger markets like the U.S., as countries race to find suppliers.

"Now we're in this chaotic transition of finding, and trying to find, any supplier you can in the world that might have what you need."

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping tweeted Wednesday his province has yet to receive a firm delivery schedule for the around 16 million rapid tests promised by Ottawa for January, and like others, is dealing with delays.

So far, he said only 500,000 have arrived.

Saskatchewan, meanwhile, reported Wednesday 525,499 of the 4.3 million allotted for the month had arrived, with another 2.3 million scheduled for delivery.

In Nova Scotia, a government spokeswoman says it has received 700,000 of the 3.6 million rapid tests Ottawa promised to provide this month, with the remainder set to arrive over the next two weeks "if shipping and logistical timelines remain on track."

Prince Edward Island's Department of Health says it asked for its full share of 560,000 tests this month, and has been sent 80,000. Another 290,500 are scheduled for delivery.

The federal Liberals have repeatedly said that only vaccinations, rather than rapid tests, will get Canada through the pandemic. Trudeau reiterated that point Wednesday as he criticized Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole for saying those who remain unvaccinated should be allowed to take rapid tests, rather than lose their jobs or be put on leave, under mandatory vaccination policies.

For their part, Tories say Trudeau has failed to provide enough rapid tests and personal protective equipment to provinces, forcing many of them to bring back restrictive public health measures. Better access to these tools would have helped manage the spread, they argue.

"They have failed. Again," tweeted Conservative health critic Luc Berthold Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2022.
THURSDAY, Jan. 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday announced that predeparture tests for people traveling to the United Kingdom will no longer be required because restrictions meant to contain the international spread of the highly contagious omicron variant are now meaningless.
Harrisonburg, VA (22807)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 80F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The Liberal chair of a parliamentary group supporting a republic has backed a fresh proposal for choosing an Australian head of state and says now is the right time for the government to lead a renewed debate about leaving the British monarchy.

Liberal MP Jason Falinski was part of a two-year consultation on a hybrid model unveiled by the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) on Wednesday in which voters would choose their head of state from a shortlist of 11 people selected by politicians.

Each state and territory parliament would nominate one individual, while the federal Parliament would choose three, and the names would be put to a national election with the winner serving a five-year term.

People dont want a Trump-like figure and they dont want Shane Warne; Peter FitzSimons launches a new republic model. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Launching the proposal at the Federation Pavilion in Sydneys Centennial Park on Wednesday, ARM chair Peter FitzSimons said it was important a suitable republic model was on the table before the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who is 95 and marks 70 years on the throne this year.
A 13-year-old is dead and another is set to face court on murder charges following a very tragic school holiday stabbing on the NSW Central Coast.

Police arrived at Langford Drive in Kariong on Tuesday night to find a 13-year-old boy lying in the street with severe injuries, allegedly inflicted by a kitchen knife.

Police at the scene of the fatal stabbing of a 13-year-old boy in Kariong on the NSW Central Coast Credit:Nine News

Tragically a 13-year-old young male was killed after being stabbed in the chest a number of times, Brisbane Waters Commander Detective Superintendent Darryl Jobson told reporters on Wednesday.

This is a very tragic situation.
The Australian Republic Movement has proposed a new hybrid model for a republic in which the countrys head of state would be chosen by voters from a shortlist of 11 names selected by state, territory and federal parliaments.

Launching the model at the Federation Pavilion in Sydneys Centennial Park on Wednesday, the group said the Australian choice model was the only one that could receive majority electoral support at a referendum.

Under the proposal, each state and territory parliament would nominate one individual, and the Federal Parliament would nominate three. The shortlist of 11 Australians would then be put to voters at an election, and the successful head of state would serve a five-year term.

People dont want a Trump-like figure and they dont want Shane Warne; Peter FitzSimons launches a new republic model. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The hybrid model is designed to bridge a long-standing divide over whether an Australian head of state should be directly elected by the people or selected by the government, as is presently the case with the governor-general, who is recommended to the Queen by the Prime Minister.
Queensland has reported a jump of 23 hospitalised COVID-19 patients on Wednesday with an additional three people requiring intensive care  two of whom are on ventilators.

The details were reported alongside 22,069 new infections detected in the state in the 24 hours to Tuesday night, from 57,600 laboratory tests and almost 4000 rapid results.

Across the state 555 COVID patients were in hospital, with 30 of those in intensive care. Eight of those patients were on ventilators.

A total of 130,947 reported infections were now active across the state, though experts suggested the figure was probably at least double that.
Meanwhile, aged care experts say strict 14-day isolation rules for residents were unsustainable and mandated visitor policies needed to be urgently implemented to support a depleted workforce and prevent the deterioration in residents mental health. Guidelines published by the NSW governments Clinical Excellence Commission show residents that have close, face-to-face contact for longer than 15 minutes with a positive case are classified as high risk and need to isolate for 14 days. With Omicron so widespread we need guidelines, approved by national cabinet, that balance infection control and the rights of older people to mix with other residents, friends and family in the middle of outbreaks, Mr Sadler said. Its not realistic to keep older people locked in rooms for extended periods. We are just getting these rolling, never-ending lockdowns. Frustrated family members said they did not understand why local public health units locked down aged care facilities for 14 days, when household contacts only needed to isolate for one week.

Joe Garai said his 73-year-old mother, who has Alzheimers, was upset and lost weight in lockdown after a COVID-19 exposure at St Elizabeths Home at Dean Park, near Blacktown. Loading Communication from the facility, which Mr Garai said had been very good, indicated by the end of the lockdown only staff had tested positive. My mum is double vaccinated, she never had symptoms, never tested positive to COVID, the staff are all wearing full PPE, and she was still locked in her room ... the public health units need to have a bit of a commonsense approach, he said. Daniel Virgili, who travelled from London to Sydney to find his mother was in lockdown, said he was seeking answers from Willowood at Chatswood about when her isolation would end, as it had exceeded 14 days.

This has to stop, its cruel on her, he said in a text message to management on Wednesday, seen by the Herald. Willowoods operator, Columbia aged care, was approached for comment. In a statement, NSW Health said it was reviewing procedures in high-risk settings, such as aged care facilities, and was evaluating whether it is appropriate to implement a reduced isolation time in these settings. Targeted infection control spot checks were introduced by the federal regulator in March 2020. Most homes with outbreaks  444 out of 495  had received a visit since the pandemic began, but only 5 per cent of these checks were performed since July last year. Information provided on the regulators website states: The commission will, should it be necessary, stand up targeted spot checks or undertake other regulatory activities to respond rapidly if there is a heightened risk of community transmission that may impact aged care services. Providers also say they are spending tens of thousands of dollars on rapid tests after deliveries from the federal government were delayed.

Loading In an email sent by Ashfield Baptist Homes to families, the provider said staff continue to do a RAT before each shift which we are now sourcing at our own cost. An order of 5000 kits which lasts under a week cost $80,000. Therefore, we will be unable to provide RATs for any family members, now or in the future, unless there is a policy change. We will keep all families advised, the email, seen by the Herald, said. Mr Sadler said some providers are spending up to $100,000 each month procuring tests. The federal Department of Health said in a statement that it was prioritising deliveries of PPE and RATs to facilities with an exposure.

Orders are processed based on urgency, it said. If a facility has an outbreak, it can source its own commercial supply and claim the cost. More than 30 homes in NSW have had multiple outbreaks during the pandemic, including two facilities now in their fourth and fifth lockdowns. Aged care researcher and advocate Dr Sarah Russell said there was an urgent need to assess infection controls. Not taking such a step seems a most basic dereliction of duty from a regulator, she said. However, a spokesperson for the commission said it conducted an infection control-specific assessment contact program in June, August and December last year and made over 1790 calls to NSW services specifically to discuss infection prevention and control.
Rental prices for Brisbane houses have again skyrocketed to record heights, with new data revealing the Queensland hot spot outpaced every other capital in the country for annual growth last year, with experts warning theres more to come.

Released today, Domains December 2021 Rental Report shows house rents rose on average by $20, or 4.3 per cent, over the quarter to $480, and by 12.9 per cent over the year to cement what is now the longest period of continuous house rent growth in the citys history.

The second-best performing city was Canberra, where house rents rose by 12.5 per cent over the year to $675 per week.

For the Queensland capital, its also the biggest quarterly price jump in 15 years, with unit rents also rising by $10 over the past three months to reach a record high of $420 per week.
Bryan, OH (43506)

Today

Rain this morning with thunderstorms by evening. High 63F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
The former Polar Corp. factory in downtown New Britain. (Courtesy of City of New Britain)

The state is providing about $1.3 million to clean up the contaminated land around the vacant Polar Corp. building downtown so the owner can convert it into more than 60 apartments.

The $15 million project is an example of how CTfastrak  controversial when it opened seven years ago  has been a major plus for the city, Mayor Erin Stewart said.

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The state has really doubled down on its commitment to partner with communities that want to build up areas around mass-transit systems, she said. You have so many success stories that are coming along with this.

The four-story brick building on Columbus Boulevard and High Street is about a block-and-a-half walk from the downtown CTfastrak station, making it a prime target for Connecticuts drive to foster development near train and bus lines.

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The building has stood vacant since aerospace components manufacturer Polar moved manufacturing to Farmington about six years ago. It was used for heavy industry long before Polar; city land records list it a being constructed in 1900.

Polar Corp. President Andy Kowalski wants to convert the building into 61 mixed-income apartments. That project has been talked about for years, Stewart said, but wasnt possible without state aid for environmental remediation.

This would continue to be (just) a dream if it were not for the brownfield money thats been made available, Stewart said Tuesday. These are tricky areas for redevelopment  you wont see it happen if there isnt some type of additional assistance because the properties are too expensive. A developer cant get financing for brownfield work so youd have to put up $1 million in cash, and people just dont have the type of money.

The former Polar Corp. factory in New Britain (Courtesy of City of New Britain)

Gov. Ned Lamonts administration is providing the $1.3 million through a department of economic and community development grant program for brownfield cleanups.

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New Britains state legislative delegation put out statements praising Lamont after the announcement.

This grant will help to move forward efforts to create new housing while spurring local economic activity, said Sen. Rick Lopes, D-New Britain.

Bringing abandoned properties back into productive use helps New Britain with environmental protection, quality of life and the tax base, Rep. Manny Sanchez said.

Stewart said the environmental cleanup could take more than a year, and projected that the full Polar remodeling job is a two- to four-year project. Its one of several new large-scale apartment developments in various stages of progress downtown; work is under way to restore the Berkowitz Building as rental housing, and developer Avner Krohn is completing the site work for a roughly 110-unit project he calls The Brit. Last week, Krohn said he plans a nearly identical project alongside it.

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The former Polar Corp. factory at Columbus Boulevard and High Street in New Britain. (Courtesy of City of New Britain)

The city is preparing to seek developers for the second half of the former police headquarters property along Columbus Boulevard. The first half is the site of Columbus Commons, an 80-unit apartment building that opened to tenants last year.

Were seeing the result of years of planning. These projects are all on very different timelines, Stewart said. We have competition between developers, but theyre also complementing each other - and theyre all following the citys long-term vision.

Don Stacom can be reached at dstacom@courant.com
Premium motorcycle maker on Wednesday launched the 2022 edition of 250 Adventure bike priced at Rs 2.35 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Bookings for the new 2022 250 Adventure has commenced at its showrooms across the country, the company said in a statement.

The bike is powered by a 248cc four-valve single cylinder liquid cooled engine that delivers 30PS power and 24 Nm of torque.

The 2022 KTM 250 Adventure is a travel-enduro motorcycle that appeals to a wide spectrum of bikers across the country, Bajaj Auto Ltd President (Probiking) Sumeet Narang said.

"The KTM 250 Adventure is an accessible motorcycle that offers an enjoyable riding experience for daily tarmac commutes and weekend off road escapes," he added.

KTM has a 12-year-old partnership with Bajaj Auto Ltd, which owns 48 per cent stake in KTM AG. Since its entry into India in 2012, KTM has sold over 3.1 lakh bikes, making India its largest global market. It has a presence in over 365 cities in the country with 460 stores.

(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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Cloud kitchen company Curefoods has raised $62 million from Iron Pillar, Chiratae Ventures, Sixteenth Street Capital, Accel Partners and Binny Bansal. While $52 million came in equity funding, $10 million came in debt financing from Alteria Capital, BlackSoil Capital & Trifecta Capital.

Curefoods plans on utilising the investment to continue acquiring major cloud kitchen brands across the country. Additionally, the company expects to make further inroads by geographically expanding its multi-brand kitchens across the country and building a D2C platform for all its brands.

The company owns multiple brands and runs over 100 cloud kitchens nationwide. Curefoods growth in the market has vastly outpaced industry norms, with revenue growing 50 per cent Q-o-Q over the last one year.

Ankit Nagori, founder of Curefoods, said, The online food delivery industry in India is going through a revolutionary phase; the market has shown huge prospects and attracted heavy investments in recent years. Over the next decade, there will be an opportunity to build multiple food brands across cuisines and geographies. With the fund infusion, we plan on expanding across geographies, and meeting newer customer expectations.

Curefoods commenced operations in 2020 and currently operates brands like EatFit, Yumlane, Aligarh House Biryani, Masalabox and CakeZone across 12 cities in India.
Technologies, a contract manufacturer in electronic goods, on Wednesday said it has entered into a joint venture with Japan-based Rexxam Co Ltd for manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) for air conditioners for domestic and international markets.

Devices, the joint venture company, will be 40 per cent owned by and the rest 60 per cent by Rexxam, according to a statement.

"The JV company has received approval under the PLI scheme of the Government of India under the white goods category and in accordance with the same, it will undertake manufacturing of printed circuit boards for air conditioners (PCBA) for domestic and international markets," the company said.

Dixon Technologies Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Atul B Lall said the JV will cater to customers of Rexxam for both domestic and export markets.

"With Dixon's excellent record of manufacturing and Rexxam taking the lead in marketing and sales, we are positive that this partnership will be well-positioned and a key player in this space," he said.

He added that it will be a contributor to strengthening India's electronics manufacturing sector as well as towards the Indian government's vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Earlier in August 2021, Dixon Technologies had announced to form a JV with Rexxam to manufacture PCBs for ACs.

(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.)
Refyne, Indias first and largest Earned Wage Access (EWA) platform, has announced the closing of its $ 82 million Series B round led by Tiger Global. A significant contribution came in from existing international investors - QED Investors, partners of DST Global, Jigsaw VC, XYZ Capital, and RTP Global - and new investor Digital Horizon participating in the round.

Refyne, founded by Chitresh Sharma and Apoorv Kumar, has quickly become Indias premier EWA platform that partners with employers to enable their employees to access a portion of their accrued but unpaid salary any time before payday. Within just 10 months of being operational, Refyne has raised a total of $106 million. The company has pioneered EWA for the Indian workforce, establishing a stronghold as the leader for on-demand pay in the market. In less than a year, Refynes transacting user base has grown 68x and the platform recorded 165x increase in the number of transactions over the period, underscoring the liquidity gap being addressed by EWA.

The Series B will propel Refynes position as an innovative product in Indias fiercely competitive fintech space that is simplifying personal finance for the masses on a mega scale. The funds will be used for product development, expansion of the team, and to ramp up various business functions. The company has partnered with more than 150 organizations, catering to over 700,000 employees. It expects to reach more than 3 million employees in 12 months.

We built Refyne on the notion that everyone should be able to manage their personal finances without the threat of falling into debt traps due to liquidity shortfalls between pay cycles, said Chitresh Sharma, CEO and co-founder, Refyne. The Series B will help scale our business to build financial inclusivity in the workplace and eliminate predatory lending, Chitresh

Refynes angel investors and advisors include Indian fintech veterans Susir Kumar, Founder of Intelenet, Bobby Mehta, Chairman of Jones Lang Lasalles Board, Former Head of TransUnion and Allstate Corp, and private global venture capital investor and entrepreneur Oliver Jung.

Refynes partner include Practo, TeamLease, CARS24, Tenon, Shadowfax, Rebel Foods, Acko, BlackBuck, Arti Group, Cafe Coffee Day, among several others.

We believe Refyne will be the preferred partner for large employers that want to offer Earned Wage Access, said Alex Cook, partner, Tiger Global.

Asias first comprehensive report on EWA and financial well-being in India by Ernst and Young, in partnership with Refyne, noted that 81 per cent employees face liquidity crunch between pay cycles. EWA can help the workforce bridge this gap and manage their monthly finances, resulting in positive relationships between employers and employees and improved productivity. This is reiterated by the fact that close to 60 per cent of employees said they would consider EWA as a deciding factor for their next job.

The report also noted employers who implemented EWA observed a significant drop in attrition, faster talent acquisition, enhanced workforce productivity, and improved eNPS.

Refyne is a zero-cost and risk-free solution for organisations and integrates seamlessly with any existing Human Resource Management System and Enterprise Resource Planning service. The company has also developed a proprietary Vendor Management System and Attendance Manage System that allows large enterprises to seamlessly scale EWA for their on-roll and off-roll employees.

Earned Wage Access is a progressive concept designed as a financial wellbeing solution for employees. It enables employees to track and withdraw their real-time earned pay instantly, without disrupting payroll. EWA is not a loan, therefore Refyne does not charge any interest or processing fees and relieves employees from the pressure of repayment.


Drug major on Wednesday said its subsidiary InvaGen Pharmaceuticals will continue to hold shares in US-based Avenue Therapeutics despite termination of the stock purchase and merger agreement they inked in 2018.

In November 2018, had announced that InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc has entered into definitive agreements to acquire US-based speciality business firm Avenue Therapeutics for up to USD 215 million.

The Mumbai-based drugmaker at that time had stated that it intends to acquire Avenue Therapeutics, a Fortress Biotech company, in two stages.

In November last year, the drug maker, however, announced that InvaGen has received a notice from Avenue for termination of the acquisition deal they inked in 2018.

The stock purchase and merger agreement (SPMA) entered between InvaGen and Avenue has been terminated with effect from November 1, 2021, said in a regulatory filing.

"However, the stockholders agreement November 12, 2018 between InvaGen, Avenue and other stockholders remains in force; and InvaGen will continue to hold shares in Avenue," it added.

Avenue Therapeutics is focused on development and commercialisation of intravenous (IV), Tramadol, a painkiller.

(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.)
CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma said on Wednesday that the company's share market performance has been in line with that of global peers in the sector over the past six months due to macroeconomic factors.

Macro factors like quantitative easing, free money due to US monetary policy and other parameters led to a spook in the market in terms of pricing the IPO. Paytms shares have received a similar response to that of global peers in the last six monthsBut that is not a complete reasoning. What happened to the IPO is still a question, he said.

At Rs 1,083.4 at the end of todays trading session, Paytms price has declined 50 per cent from its issue price of Rs 2,150. The hit a high of Rs 1,961.05 on November 18, but has failed to touch its issue price since listing.

On a lighter note, Sharma indicated that he would have bought more shares of if he could as it was trading cheaply. It is just that my compliance team says I cannot buy back for six months, he said.

According to analysts, the market has punished the for a thinly spread business model, scant revenues and an unclear path to profitability. While valued its IPO at Rs 1.49 trillion ($20 billion), it currently has a market capitalisation of around Rs 70,240 crore ($9.5 billion).

Speaking at the India Digital summit organised by IAMAI, Sharma said the right way to benchmark Paytm's loan business performance would be to measure its growth in terms of number of loans disbursals in the past three years against a three-decades old player like Bajaj Finance. However, he maintained that Paytm's smaller average ticket size of loans is by design to be such to ensure better quality of loans.





The problem of our country has been that the metric people chase is the size of loans. The better metric is the quality of loans. If we had Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 15,000 loan sizes we would have been a better country today, he said.

This week brokerage firm Macquarie came out with a report on Paytm, maintaining its underperform rating and cutting its target price for the stock to Rs 900. It flagged attrition in the companys senior management, its average merchant loan size at sub-Rs 5,000 levels over the past year and regulatory uncertainty in fintech and insurance spaces as concerns.

According to Macquarie analysts, the Reserve Bank of Indias proposed digital payments regulations could cap wallet charges. This business still accounts for 70 per cent of Paytms overall gross revenues and, hence, any such regulation could impact revenue significantly. Add to that the recent rejection of Paytms foray into insurance by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. We believe this could impact the companys prospects of getting a banking license, the Macquarie analysts noted.

However, the Paytm CEO countered the argument saying that government policy and RBI regulation have done anything to hurt fintech in the country. It is only a problem when somebody tries to act smart with the regulator. That is when the regulator says I know what you are doing there, he quipped.

Sharma also said that although online insurance and wealth management offer good opportunities to the fintech sector due to under-penetration, it is lending that has the biggest capacity of generating revenues in financial services.

On being asked what the biggest areas of opportunity for technology start-ups in the country during the next decade, he pointed to healthcare and electric vehicles. I have been driving an EV for the last one month and no one can go back to their earlier automobiles after using an EV And healthcare because it is what people are ready to pay for, he said.
More than 60% of teachers, paraprofessionals and other staff say their schools lack the supplies and proper COVID-19 safety protocols to feel safe at work, according to a survey by a coalition of labor unions. (DAVE ZAJAC/AP)

More than 60% of teachers, paraprofessionals and other staff say their schools lack the supplies and proper COVID-19 safety protocols to feel safe at work, according to a survey by a coalition of labor unions.

Despite state efforts to quickly distribute millions of N95 masks and at-home rapid tests, 70% of educators said they couldnt access them before returning to school on Jan. 3. More than half say administrators dont understand the myriad challenges theyre facing.

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Some unionized school staff will wear black to school on Wednesday to draw attention to growing safety concerns amid the latest surge in COVID-19 cases.

There are places where things went really well, but that just wasnt the consistent experience across the state, Kate Dias, president of Connecticut Education Association, the states largest teachers union, said in a statement.

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I had schools that opened this week and still didnt have masks, and thats problematic, Dias said.

The Board of Education Union Coalition, which represents over 60,000 public education employees in Connecticut, received responses from more than 5,500 school staff between Jan. 7 and Jan. 10.

Union staff want remote option

Union leaders insist that staff agree with the well-documented benefits of in-person instruction, which experts say cannot be replicated even by high-quality remote alternatives.

And school closures also prompt questions related to equity: studies suggest achievement gaps, already prevalent within public schools, have only widened during the pandemic.

Black, Indigenous, Latino and low-income students were hit the hardest by last years mostly-remote learning methods, according to data released last summer by NWEA, a nonprofit testing group.

But the unions survey results suggest staff members continue to doubt whether in-person instruction can be done safely, particularly during times of high community transmission.

According to the union survey, nearly 90% of school staff believe superintendents should have the ability to implement remote instruction days in the short term, without having to make them at the end of the year.

Several school districts closed last week due to COVID-related absences among educators, bus drivers and other school staff. In Waterbury, where schools were closed Monday due to COVID, the district reported that 241 staff members tested positive for COVID-19 and 343 were absent on Tuesday, Dias said.

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The complete shutdown of school buildings  and even entire districts  because of staffing shortfalls could and should have been avoided, Jan Hochadel, AFT Connecticut President, said in a statement.

On Monday, Chicago Teachers Union leaders and district officials reached an agreement that will allow individual schools to move online when dealing with a certain number of staff or student absences, if theres high transmission in the area.

In Connecticut, school districts lack such a mechanism. State law only views remote learning as an adequate replacement for students who need to quarantine, or for those who live with vulnerable family members, but not for entire schools.

The remote option has gained traction with lawmakers in Connecticut, but there has been some confusion over who has the authority to recognize remote learning days as counting toward the 180 required by law.

The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the state legislature recently wrote to the state Department of Education to request that superintendents be given the flexibility to pivot to short-term remote learning.

But the department cannot allow superintendents to do so, according to Charlene Russell-Tucker, department commissioner.

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Connecticut does not have a remote learning provision for this school year, she said. Closures due to COVID-related staff shortages are treated like snow days, and must be made up at the end of the year.

Only Gov. Ned Lamont has the authority to recognize remote learning days as counting toward 180, Dias said, but the governor has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to keeping schools open.

We recognize there continues to be staff and faculty disruption when it comes to COVID-19, Lamont spokesperson Max Reiss said Monday. At the same rate, were trying to provide things like rapid tests, additional in-person testing capacity and N95 masks to provide additional protection and an understanding of the virus at the school level.

The remote learning option would be a tool in the toolbox, union leaders said, to help some communities mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19 while students and staff access staff.

Nobody wants to go back to full-time remote, or even an extended remote experience, Dias said. Still, she said she wonders why the door is completely closed to remote learning, particularly after many schools invested heavily in online infrastructure last year.

Mask scarcity

In addition to 70% of educators, 64% of paraprofessionals and 57% of support staff said they did not have access to N95 masks or at-home rapid tests before returning from winter break, according to the survey.

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The union coalition has previously called on state leaders to mandate N95 masks for school staff. Thirty-seven percent of school staff said they work directly with students who are unable to wear a mask, making individual protection more critical.

Though doctors typically dont recommend N95 masks for school-aged children, health experts say they provide more protection than other kinds of masks.

Five Things You Need To Know Daily We're providing the latest coronavirus coverage in Connecticut each weekday morning. >

The CDC is reportedly considering whether to update its mask guidance to recommend KN95s or N95s, given the omicron variants high level of transmissibility.

Whatever the guidance, Dias said, her members will follow. We just really want whats guided to us to be available to us, Dias said.

Connecticut teachers are committed to continuing to show up for work, union leaders say, despite their concerns. According to the survey 70% educators said their district is not balancing their professional expectations with their social and emotional needs.

Teachers are encouraged to wear black to school on Wednesday to support the extensive safety protocols promoted by the Board of Education Union Coalition.

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Others will wear red to signal their support for safe, in-person learning. Dias said she hopes the action brings attention to the tremendous effort of our educators, and prompts discussions on how to make more safety supplies available.

These schools are open because these teachers have continuously showed up, regardless of the resources available to them, Dias said.

Seamus McAvoy may be reached at smcavoy@courant.com
Indias largest automotive manufacturing company Motherson Sumi Systems (MSSL) is looking to expand business in four key non-automotive areas. These are aerospace, logistics, technology and industrial solutions and health and medical.

According to Laksh Vamaan Sehgal, group vice-chairman, MSSL, diversification into non-auto segments will help it leverage its strength of global presence, product design and development expertise. The company expects the new verticals to generate 25 per cent of its revenue by 2025. In the logistics space, the company has a joint venture with a Japanese premium car carrier.

We spent the last five years thinking about where our strength areas are and where we can make maximum impact. We found that our strength is in manufacturing and supply chain. So, we wanted to use that strength in other verticals like medtech and aerospace. These are all segments where we can use our expertise that we have developed in the automotive side, said Laksh Vamaan Sehgal.

Motherson recently said it acquired a majority stake in Bengaluru-based CIM Tools. CIM Tools is a leading supplier in the aerospace supply chain. We reached out to Boeing and Airbus to show what we have done on the automotive side. We took over CIM Tools as they want their suppliers to grow in this region. We want to grow that business and use it as a launching pad to grow our operations globally for these customers, he added.

Sehgal said IT will be another focus area in the non-automotive business. We already have our software company, which has done very well. Now, we want to open that up for external customers as well and grow it. Its promising because we have seen a lot of our customers wanting the same solution that we have built for our internal purposes like ERP (enterprise resource planning) and product lifecycle management system. We have organic orders already and customers are enthused to see us go into the new areas, said Laksh.

It has recently received a nod from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for the groups restructuring. According to the plan, the domestic wiring harness (DWH) unit has been demerged from MSSL and is now in the process of being listed. Samvardhana Motherson International (SAMIL), the principal holding company of MSSL, will take 33.4 per cent in the new company.

The restructuring, which started in July 2020, has led to the creation of two . It has been done to simplify the groups structure as well as align itself for Vision 2025. It targets revenue of $36 billion with a 40 per cent return on capital employed.
Kaleidofin, a neobank, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $10 million in its series B round, led by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. This takes the total raised by Kaleidofin till date to $18 million. Existing institutional investors, Oiko Credit, Flourish Ventures, Omidyar Network, Blume Ventures and Bharat Fund also participated in the Series B round.

Kaleidofins key product lines are: KaleidoGoals, a goal-based savings solution, KiScore, a supervised machine learning based automated credit health check for informal sector customers, KaleidoCredit, a credit as a platform service for lending and debt capital markets use cases and KaleidoPay, a suite of inclusive payment solutions. Across product lines, Kaleidofin has over one million active transacting customers across India. It has created a localised and accessible footprint across 230 districts and 14 states in semi urban and rural India.

Sucharita Mukherjee and Puneet Gupta, founders of Kaleidofin said, We look forward to scaling up the Kaleidocredit business line and drive deep loan product innovation focused on the informal customer and nano business. To this end, we will deepen our investments in developing our technology, risk management and data science capabilities''

Access to customisable credit for nano-entrepreneurs can unleash a growth wave for enterprises and the economy, and also enable some to graduate to small and medium enterprises. Kaleidofin can play a key role in this movement based on its on-the-ground partnerships and the scientific process for risk assessment and pricing. added Geeta Goel, country director, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation India.

To support the next phase of exponential growth, Kaleidofin has appointed Natasha Jethanandani, CTO and Vipul Sekhsaria, chief networks officer, both founding team members, as co-founders. Sekhsaria has built out the last mile networks that enable Kaleidofin to reach out to the customer and has been responsible for driving business growth across product lines. Jethanandani has built out Kaleidofins technology team and capabilities and brought a strategic focus to the firms product development roadmap.
State-owned Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) has inked a pact with pan-African infrastructure investment platform Africa50 to continue the development of the Transmission Project on a public-private partnership basis.

According to a statement by the power ministry, the project entails the development, financing, construction, and operation of the 400kV Lessos-Loosuk and 220kV Kisumu-Musaga transmission lines under the public-private partnership (PPP) framework.

Once completed, the project will be the first independent power transmission (IPT) in and will set a reference point in Africa as the first financing of transmission lines on a PPP basis.

This project will also improve both the supply and reliability of power transmission in western and further create a demonstration effect to help increase private sector investments into the expansion of Africa's power transmission networks, which is critical to bridging the continent's electricity access gap.

In this development partnership, PowerGrid, one of the world's leading electric transmission utility companies, will provide technical and operational know-how to the project, while Africa50 will bring its project development and finance expertise and will act as a bridge between the Kenyan government and private investors.

The signing of this agreement underscores PowerGrid and Africa50's commitment to continue to dedicate resources to accelerate development activities on the project until financial close.

Signing on behalf of PowerGrid, its Chairman and Managing Director K Sreekant said the company is pleased to partner with Africa50 in undertaking the development of the first PPP mode transmission project in Kenya.

PowerGrid hopes that the present transmission project in Kenya shall serve as a model for undertaking more such projects in Kenya as well as other African countries. The company with its rich technical and managerial experience in undertaking transmission systems under the PPP mode will be pleased to be associated with this journey, he added.

Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobiss said the platform is pleased to partner with the Government of Kenya and PowerGrid to implement this important and pioneering project in one of our shareholder countries. "In the past few years, a lot of emphases has been placed on attracting private investments in energy production infrastructure in Africa."



Ebobiss added that it is time to also focus on catalysing private investment into the development of power transmission networks across Africa as these are a critical link to improving electricity access, especially in underserved communities.

(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 slew of reforms announced by the government have helped assuage investor concerns in the sector, and expects to continue its fundraising plans, VIL CEO Ravinder Takkar said on Wednesday.

(VIL) on Tuesday announced its decision to opt for converting about Rs 16,000 crore interest dues liability payable to the government into equity, which will amount to around 35.8 per cent stake in the telco.

If the plan goes through, the government will become the biggest shareholder in the company.

Post conversion, Vodafone Group's shareholding in the company will drop to around 28.5 per cent, and that of Aditya Birla Group to around 17.8 per cent.

Takkar, during a virtual briefing, said that in light of the conversion of interest into equity, the promoters have mutually agreed to amend the existing shareholder agreement and reduce the 'minimum qualifying threshold' from 21 per cent to 13 per cent for the purpose of retaining their existing governance rights, including appointment of directors and appointment of certain key personnel.

This amendment to the articles of association will be subject to shareholders' approval.

On fundraising plans, Takkar said the reforms measures taken by the government has been a positive sign for the investors and "should help relieve some of the fears or some of the concerns that they had brought up".

"So, I would say that this process is positive for the fundraising part. Certainly, it has been positive from investor feedback. And I would hope that we will continue forward as we have been on the fundraising process and hope to actually be back shortly" with an announcement, he added.

Clarifying on the modification on existing shareholder agreement, Takkar said the changes would allow promoters to continue with governance rights and retain ability to direct and promote the company till the minimum shareholding is 13 per cent each (combined up to 26 per cent).

By doing so, promoters have in fact reaffirmed their commitment to the company, he added.

"So, in light of the reduction in the promoter shareholding due to this dilution, they have also in a way committed to... they still continue to promote the company and control the governance rights...

"... even up to 26 per cent of the promoter shareholding and I think that once again it is a strong commitment from the promoters to say that they will continue to direct the company... They will guide the company forward. And I think it's very, very important," Takkar said.

He further noted that "we have been engaged with investors for several months now. I can confirm again very, very strongly that there is a huge interest in investors, especially international investors, in investing in India."



According to Takkar, investors are interested not just in India, but in the in particular. "And we have had interactions with several of them," Takkar said.

The had got a shot in the arm with the government last year approving a blockbuster relief package that included a four-year break for from paying statutory dues, permission to share scarce airwaves, change in the definition of revenue on which levies are paid and 100 per cent foreign investment through the automatic route.

The government had also given telcos the option to convert the interest amount pertaining to the moratorium period into equity.

VIL's total gross debt, excluding lease liabilities and including interest accrued but not due, as of September 30, 2021 stood at Rs 1,94,780 crore.

The amount comprises deferred spectrum payment obligations of Rs 1,08,610 crore, AGR liability of Rs 63,400 crore that are due to the government and debt from banks and financial institutions of Rs 22,770 crore.

(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.)


Markets regulator on Wednesday said it has granted recognition to Ventures as an accreditation agency.

With the recognition, Ventures will be able to issue accreditation certificates to "accredited investors".

Ventures is a wholly-owned subsidiary of depository CDSL.

The recognition to CDSL Ventures has been granted for a period of three years with effect from February 1, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in statement.

The renewal of the recognition would be subject to satisfactory performance by CDSL Ventures, it added.

The procedure for accreditation of an investor and verification of accreditation status of an investor by investment providers -- Alternative Investment Funds, Portfolio Managers and, Investment Advisers -- and other modalities will be displayed on the website of CDSL Ventures and Central Depository Services (India) Ltd (CDSL), said.

In August last year, the regulator had notified norms for introducing framework for accredited investors in the Indian securities market. It also came out with modalities for implementation of the framework for such investors.

Under the norms, a person will be identified as an accredited investor on the basis of net worth or income.

Individuals, HUFs, family trusts, sole proprietorships, partnership firms, trusts and body corporates can get accreditation based on financial parameters specified by the regulator.

Accreditation agency will be responsible for verification of documents submitted by applicants, timely processing of applications and issuance of accreditation certificate, maintaining data of accredited investors and verification of accreditation status.

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General M.M. Naravane said on Wednesday that the armys response to Chinese attempts to change status quo was very robust.

He also said that the killing of civilians by security forces in Nagaland last month is under investigation.

"Army's response to Chinese attempts to change status quo was very robust; we were able to thwart the Chinese designs," said Naravane

The COAS added: "The regrettable incident that occurred in Oting, Nagaland, on December 4 is being thoroughly investigated. We remain committed to the security of our countrymen, even during the conduct of operations."

He said while the last two years have been challenging because of the Covid pandemic and the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Army responded robustly to both.

"We have not only augmented the forces, but also infrastructure and weapons in the last two years. Roads, tunnels, storage facilities have been set up. We are in a much better position than a year-and-a-half ago. We are ready for any challenge," Naravane said.

--IANS

miz/arm

(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.)
Rajya Sabha MP on Wednesday said attempts are being made in the country to brand a particular community as a villain and emphasised that the word 'Hindutva' does not exist in ancient religious books as the term was coined by freedom fighter V D Savarkar and it has political connotations.

Describing himself as a very religious person, the veteran said he had never used terms like "saffron terrorism or Hindu terrorism", but has instead spoken about "Sanghi terrorism". An atmosphere is being created in the country these days in which a community is being termed as a villain. (Hindutva ideologue) Savarkar has said in his book that only those people have a right to stay in this nation whose religion took birth in this land (India) and that all other faiths are foreign. "But if this concept is followed then what will happen to NRIs working in the USA, the Middle East?. It is a frustrated ideology and nothing, Singh told reporters at his residence here on the occasion of Swami Vivekanand Jayanti. The former CM said some people have started treating Hindutva as a religion which is not correct. The word Hindutva is not seen anywhere... be it the Vedas, the Upanishads or the Puranas. This word was coined by Savarkarji with political identity in mind. He himself has written in his book that Hindu religion has nothing to do with Hindutva. "But we have started treating Hindutva as a religion though it is against Sanatan Dharam, traditions and Hindu religion... I am ready to debate on this," he said. Earlier, in his opening remarks before the press meet, Singh clarified that he or his father had never joined the RSS as claimed by some people and highlighted the history of his ancestral town Raghogarh, a former princely state. The former chief minister said he was not inclined towards politics during his student life and never voted in student union elections. Singh said he had been a very religious person since the beginning of his life and his ancestral town has temples of different deities and even in those days (pre-independence) Dalits were allowed to enter them. The MP said he is against those who use religion as a political tool and added that as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh he had acted firmly against radical forces irrespective of their religion. He said Sanatan Dharma treats everyone with equality and it is the biggest strength of India. The same thing was stated by Swami Vivekanand at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago and also other forums. If you want to make this country Vishwa Guru, then you have to take everyone with you. There are different religions and sects in the country, but never ever these kinds of things took place. We are against the use of religion as a political tool, Singh said. Singh recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's advice of "Rajdharma (duty of a ruler) given to then-chief minister Narendra Modi in the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat riots. "Rajdharma" means taking along everyone, the Congress leader said. To a question, Singh said, I was never against Hindus, I am a Hindu.... I am a totally religious person and will never use religion in politics. For me, religion is not a political weapon, but a matter of faith. But I will always be against fanaticism.

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The has ruled that undervaluation of goods under transit and the route being taken other than declared in e-way bills by themselves cannot be the ground of confiscating items by the GST authorities.

Mere change of route without anything more would not necessarily be sufficient to draw an inference that the intention is to evade tax, the court ruled. In the same manner, mere undervaluation of the goods also by itself

is not sufficient to detain the goods and vehicle, far from being liable to confiscation.

The order was given on a writ petition by a seller and a trucker for a release of goods and the vehicle concerned detained by the GST authorities. The confiscation notice was given by a tax commissioner in Ahmedabad.

The vehicle and the goods were confiscated on the grounds that the truck was intercepted while it was traveling in a different direction than the direction of destination. From that, authorities inferred that it appears that the goods were being transported with intention to evade tax.

The second ground was that the value of goods being transported is shown as less than compared to its real market value.

The court found sound logic in the arguments of the petitioners that there cannot be any mechanical detention of a consignment in transit solely on the basis of the two reasons cited above.

"We find that merely (from) the direction preferred by the petitioners for delivery of consignment to the

place destined for, an inference cannot be drawn with regard to the intention of the petitioners to evade tax," it said.

So far as the second ground with regard to the goods being transported to be undervalue is concerned, no material has been placed on record, the court observed.

Even otherwise, it is a settled legal position that undervaluation cannot be a ground for seizure of goods in transit by the inspecting authority, it said.

As such, the court quashed the confiscation proceedings initiated by the GST authorities. It ordered the vehicle and goods to be released at the earliest and handed over to the petitioners. End
Former Punjab Chief Minister and Punjab Lok Congress President on Wednesday tested positive for COVID-19 and has self-isolated himself.

Singh requested all those who came in contact with him to get themselves tested.

"I have tested positive for #Covid with mild symptoms. Have isolated myself and request all those who came in contact with me to get themselves tested," tweeted Amarinder Singh.

On Monday, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party Jagat Prakash Nadda said he had tested positive for the COVID-19 infection.

"I got my COVID-19 test done after witnessing initial symptoms. My report has come positive. I am feeling fine now. On the advice of doctors, I have isolated myself. All those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are requested to get themselves tested," tweeted Nadda in Hindi.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Minister of State for Defence Ministry Ajay Bhatt also tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

Meanwhile, India recorded as many as 1,94,720 fresh COVID-19 infections and 442 fatalities in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Wednesday.

With this, the total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 3,60,70,510 including 9,55,319 active cases. The daily positivity rate due to this virus in the country is at 11.05 per cent. Active cases account for 2.65 per cent of the total cases.

As many as 69.52 crore total tests were conducted so far wherein a weekly positivity rate of 9.82 per cent was observed.Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 34,424 new COVID-19 cases, Delhi added 21, 259 fresh cases, West Bengal added 21,098 fresh COVID-19 cases, Karnataka reported 14,473 new cases and the rest of the cases were reported from other states.

Of the fresh infections logged in today in the country, 4,868 infections are of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Maharashtra reported 1,281 cases, Rajasthan reported 645 cases, Delhi reported 546 cases, Karnataka reported 479 cases and Kerala reported 350 cases of the Omicron variant.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A task force looking at policing in Connecticut has issued its final recommendations to the legislature. The group's proposals include policies designed to increase transparency and accountability. (moodboard / Getty Images/moodboard RF)

A task force created by the legislature more than two years ago approved a list of proposals Tuesday that aim to improve the accountability, transparency and diversity of police departments in Connecticut.

The 21 recommendations endorsed by the Police Transparency and Accountability Task Force range from establishing standards for citizen accountability boards to requiring police to post their policies and procedures on their websites.

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Right now, what were doing is setting a marker: here are all the things we agree need to happen, said Ken Barone, a policy and research specialist at the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at UConn. The next step is how do we make them happen. Thats going to be an ongoing conversation.

The task force was initially formed in 2019 by the legislature; its mission was refined and expanded in 2020, following national outrage over the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis.

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We started even before Mr. Floyd was killed, said Daryl McGraw, a criminal justice consultant who co-chairs the task force. Its been two years and weve had a lot of conversations... so much work went into this.

Daryl McGraw, shown in this file photo, is the co-chairman of a task force looking at police accountability and transparency. (Hartford Courant file photo)

Some of the task forces recommendations, such as the appointment of an inspector general to investigate and prosecute police use of force cases, have already been implemented.

Some of the recommendations can be implemented on the local level or by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, which establishes standards for law enforcement officials in Connecticut.

Several of the recommendations made by the task force aim to improve police interactions with people who have mental health issues and other disabilities.

One proposal calls for licensed clinical social workers to conduct behavioral health assessments. Other measures include expanding the 211 system to take some of the non-emergency calls typically handled by 911 dispatchers and create a voluntary registry so police will know if they are interacting with a disabled resident.

The recommendations also include a proposal to provide police with additional training to improve their understanding of mental and physical disabilities.

Milford Police Chief Keith Mello, who serves on the task force, said some of the task force recommendations are under-developed. But those policies can be worked on by lawmakers, he said.

The task force spent close to two years examining a myriad of issues relating to policing. It held several listening tours to hear from members of the public about their experiences with law enforcement.

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Improving diversity was one of the groups main goals. To that end, it is recommending state support for programs that recruit and train police officers who reflect the states racial and ethnic demographics. It is also supporting efforts more diversity within the civilian ranks of police departments.

The task force also adopted a number of proposals to improve transparency and build public trust. It is recommending police departments post all of their procedures on their website, so members of the public will have a better understanding of how these agencies operate.

Theres a lot of unfinished work on the table, McGraw said, but the recommendations represent an opportunity to open some doors, to open the lines of communication ... [with] police departments.

This [should be] the first step, not the last step, he added.

The report will be submitted to the legislatures judiciary and public safety committees for possible action during the 2022 session, which begins in February. Task force recommendations are available at ctpolicetransparency.com.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the Centre will be providing Rs 3,000 crore to in the next five years to set up urban health and wellness centres, public health labs and critical care units across the state.

At a time when was at loggerheads with the Centre over the medical entrance issue, Modi said that there is a need to address the regional imbalance in the system while inaugurating 11 medical colleges across the state. Taking forward Tamil Nadu's battle on the medical entrance issue, chief minister M K Stalin on Wednesday urged the Prime Minister to give an exemption to the state from the Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET)-based admission to medical courses.

The new medical colleges will add 1,450 more seats for MBBS aspirants in the state, taking it from 5125 medical seats in 27 colleges. The medical colleges in Virudhunagar, Namakkal, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri districts were set up at an investment of around Rs 3,750 crore, of which Rs 2,145 crore was the centre's contribution.

This is for the first time that the country is seeing the launch of 11 medical colleges at one go. "Just a few days back, I had inaugurated nine medical colleges at the same time in UP. I am getting to break my own record," he added.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of medical education during the time of the pandemic, alleging that the previous governments did not pay attention to it due to vested interests. He said that the issue of shortage of doctors was addressed only by the current government. "In 2014, our country had 380 medical colleges, in the last seven years, the number has gone up to 596 medical colleges, an increase of 54 per cent. Similarly, in 2014, our country had around 82000 medical undergraduate and postgraduate seats. In the last seven years, this number has gone up to around 148,000. This is an increase of about 80 per cent," he added.

The PM also pushed for further investment in the sector stating that the future will belong to societies that invest in . The once in a lifetime Covid-19 pandemic has re-affirmed the importance of the health sector," he said, stating that India has the potential to become a destination for quality and affordable healthcare.
Booster shot of Covaxin neutralises both Omicron and Delta variants of Sars-CoV-2 virus, said on Wednesday.

The company said that Covaxin (BBV152) booster dose generated robust neutralising antibody responses against both Omicro (B.1.529) and Delta (B.1.617.2) using a live virus neutralisation assay (test). It added that 100 percent of the test serum samples showed neutralisation of the Delta variant, and more than 90 percent of the samples showed neutralisation of the Omicron variant.

The company today announced results from a study conducted at Emory University demonstrating that sera from subjects who received a booster dose of Covaxin (BBV152) six months after getting a primary two-dose series of Covaxin (BBV152), neutralised the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variants.

Earlier studies demonstrated the neutralising potential of Covaxin (BBV152) against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Alpha, Beta, Delta, Zeta and Kappa, said.

The study will be published on the preprint server, medRXiv, shortly.

The neutralisation activity of Covaxin-boosted sera was comparable to what has been observed in mRNA vaccine-boosted sera against the Omicron variant. More than 90% of all individuals boosted with Covaxin (BBV152) showed neutralising antibodies. All participants received an initial two-dose schedule of COVAXIN (BBV152) at Day 0 and Day 28, said.





On Saturday, the company had said that the booster dose study showed promising results. The phase 2, double blind, randomised controlled Covaxin trial demonstrated long-term safety with no serious adverse events, it said. The booster shot was given six months after the second Covaxin dose.

As the dominant Covid-19 variant throughout the world, Omicron poses a serious public health concern, said Mehul Suthar, Assistant Professor, Emory Vaccine Center and who led the laboratory analysis.



Data from this preliminary analysis show individuals receiving a booster dose of Covaxin have a significant immune response to both the Omicron and Delta variants. These findings suggest that a booster dose has the potential to reduce disease severity and hospitalizations.

Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech said they are in a continuous state of innovation and product development for Covaxin.



The positive neutralisation responses against the Omicron and Delta variants, validates our hypothesis of a multi-epitope vaccine generating both humoral and cell mediated immune responses. Our goals of developing a global vaccine against COVID-19 have been achieved with the use of Covaxin as a universal vaccine for adults and children, he claimed.
As many as 300 districts in India are reporting weekly Covid case positivity of more than five per cent, the Union government said on Wednesday as it warned against treating the infection due to the Omicron variant as common cold and urged people to get vaccinated.

At a press conference, Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat are emerging as states of concern due to the rise in Covid cases there.

A sharp rise in COVID-19 infections has been noted in India with the case positivity climbing to 11.05 per cent on Wednesday from 1.1 per cent on December 30, he said.

Concurrently, Covid cases have been rising globally with January 10 recording the highest ever single-day rise of 31.59 lakh cases worldwide, Agarwal noted.

NITI Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul said the pandemic has again become intense, this time powered by the Omicron variant "which is rapidly replacing or has already replaced" Delta as the dominant form.

"Omicron is not the common cold and we cannot take it lightly just because it is causing mild infections. This variant has led to the collapse of the health system of some countries. Health workers at some places had to take leave leading to increased pressure."



Stressing that vaccination is an important pillar in the Covid response programme, Dr Paul said, "We need to be vigilant, get vaccinated and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. It is society's responsibility to slow the spread... We will defeat this virus together."



About the spread of the disease, Agarwal said the number of districts reporting over five per cent weekly case positivity has increased from 78 in the week ending on January 4 to 300 in the week ending on Jan 11.

Informing the press conference that 19 states have over 10,000 active Covid cases, he said Mumbai, Pune and Thane in Maharashtra, Bengaluru Urban in Karnataka, Kolkata in West Bengal and Chennai in Tamil Nadu are emerging as districts of concern.

Stressing on the importance of getting inoculated, the joint secretary quoted the World Health Organisation to say that vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization appears to be substantially higher than against symptomatic COVID-19 disease.

Paul said 92 per cent of India's adults have been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine while 68 per cent are fully inoculated.

Around 18.86 lakh has been given precaution dose while 38 per cent of the adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years have received the first dose.

"It is our appeal, whoever is eligible should take the vaccine and those aged over 60 years must take the precaution dose," Paul said.

He said that some senior citizens are yet to get their first dose of vaccine.

"We estimate that of 13.75 crore (elderly) individuals, 12.25 crore got the first dose. We want those who have been left behind to get vaccinated. Their vulnerability is a concern for us," the NITI Aayog member said.

Paul said it was expected that the west to east progression of COVID-19 this time would take longer. "But the spread has been rapid because of increased transmissibility of this new variant of concern."



"Now, we are understanding the disease from the Indian experience also. It looks like hospitalisation rates may be low but it is still large in scale. We have to maintain our vigil," he said.

Stating that genome sequencing of all Covid positive samples is not possible, Paul said, "Data from metro cities 10 days back showed 80 per cent cases were because of Omicron. But we can't say that Delta is not there. There is a mixed picture... it will also change."



On vaccination status of those dying from COVID-19, Agarwal said, "For people who take vaccines, their overall hospitalisation, death and (infection) severity reduces. We have not analysed that data from a clear detailed perspective. These have been mostly done as sample study."



Paul added that information is being collected and analysis will be done.

Asked about the impact of election rallies on the spread of the disease, Agarwal said, "The Election Commission has issued guidelines related to gathering and rallies. We are coordinating with the EC and a decision will be taken accordingly as the situation evolves."



India added 1,94,720 new infections to its tally of COVID-19 cases pushing it to 3,60,70,510, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Wednesday.

Active cases have increased to 9,55,319, the highest in 211 days, while the death toll has climbed to 4,84,655 with 442 fresh fatalities. Of the total 4,868 cases of the Omicron variant, 1,805 people have recovered or migrated so far.

(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.)
With daily Covid cases touching nearly 200,000 in less than a fortnight, Indias case positivity rate, too, has gone up from 1 per cent on December 30, 2021, to over 11 per cent on Wednesday. The number of districts with a positive rate of more than 5 per cent has grown nearly fourfold in the past one week, from less than 80 to 300 on January 11, according to the health ministry data.

There are eight states where weekly cases and the positivity rates have risen sharply in the past one week. In Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat, active cases have jumped between sixfold and elevenfold.

Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, for instance, have seen elevenfold increase in active cases in the past week. In Rajasthan active cases have risen by a factor of 9.6. Among districts of concern, Kolkatas weekly positivity rate is more than 60 per cent.

The data from metros clarifies that is fast replacing Delta in India. But Delta has not gone away completely. We should, however, not treat as a common cold. One of the reasons its effect is mild is also because vaccinations have happened, said V K Paul, chairman of the national Covid task force, and member-health NITI Aayog, while addressing a weekly media briefing on the Covid situation in India.

Quoting a New York State health department study, the health ministry said that starting December 13, 2021, fully-vaccinated people had around 78 per cent lower chance of getting infected, compared to the unvaccinated.

Across the time period of analysis, since May 2021, the fully-vaccinated population had between 90.2 and 95.7 per cent lower chance of being hospitalised with Covid, compared to the unvaccinated population, the study said.

In India, 92 per cent adults have received their first dose, while 68 per cent are fully vaccinated. Thirty-eight per cent of those between the 15 and 17 years of age have taken their first dose.

The government also assured that the country is in very good shape with regard to the testing capabilities.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director-General Balram Bhargava, while elaborating on the manufacturing capacities of different test kits, explained, The lateral flow tests, such as the rapid and home antigen test kits, can detect Covid infection from Day 3 to Day 7.

India has a maximum capacity of producing 9.7 million such test kits per day. Kits, such as OmiSure, developed by Tata MD, have been checked and validated by ICMR-National Institute of Virology for detecting cases and will be rolled out soon.





Misuse of drugs

The government has warned against the overuse and misuse of certain drugs in the treatment of Covid, such as the use of steroids and several other drugs not part of the national Covid treatment protocol.

Officials also warned against the rampant irrational use of Mercks antiviral drug Molnupiravir. After extensively debating the issue, the national expert group of Covid treatment protocol has said the drug has certain risks that warrants caution. Its known and unknown harms far outweigh the claimed benefits, the expert committee has said.

Bhargava, detailing the expert groups position on the matter, said, According to the currently available information, it does not merit inclusion in the national treatment guideline. Evolving science will dictate how we proceed further.

The drug approved by the Drugs Controller General of India is to be used under very narrow circumstances - among the elderly and the unvaccinated with other comorbidities. There is no benefit of the drug in diabetics, previously infected or vaccinated, clarified Bhargava.

The government also said that medicines have contributed to a great extent in the rising cases of mucormycosis. There is guilt that there has been an overuse of medicines. Steroids disturb medical pathways and immunological protection. Now we are more aware and we do not want this to happen, said Paul.

He said the general public should be aware of the national treatment protocol which has been made after much thought by the best minds in the field of medicine.

The Ministry of AYUSH also shared its recommendations for treating and preventing Covid during the Omicron wave at a media briefing. It has said that based on research evidence, its Ayuraksha kit can be used as a prophylaxis against Covid. Besides recommending 'kadha' (ayurvedic drink prepared with herbs and spices) for Covid patients in the current wave, the ministry has also prescribed pills for the management of asymptomatic to moderately ill patients, along with homeopathy and Unani interventions.

The AYUSH ministrys Special Secretary P K Pathak told reporters that during the entire AYUSH intervention, 139 scientific research studies were carried out and several manuscripts published and peer-reviewed.

A good immune system is necessary for the prevention of disease. Research studies have shown that the AYUSH-64 pill assists in faster recovery and prevents severe disease, he said.
district in might see the ongoing wave of the COVID-19 cases reach its peak by the last week of January or the first week of February, and hence the administration is taking all steps to ramp up the health infrastructure to tackle the situation, a senior official said on Wednesday.

on Tuesday recorded 6,110 cases with a positivity rate of 21 per cent, taking the district's tally to 12,01,439, while the death toll reached 19,271.

Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao said the district is currently witnessing an upward trend as far as the number of infection cases is concerned and the authorities are ensuring that all preventive and precautionary steps are being taken.

Asked about reports which indicate that the COVID-19 curve is flattening in Mumbai and Delhi, Rao said that Pune is three weeks behind Mumbai in terms the pace of infection.

"It is too early to say that it has reached a plateau, but if we consider that it has reached a plateau, I expect that maybe the last week of January or first week of February, we (Pune) would also reach to the status where Mumbai is today," he said.

Rao also said that if by the end of January or mid-February, Mumbai is completely safe and the situation there normalises, then by the end of February or March, a similar situation could be seen in Pune district.

"The situation may change as the climatic conditions, demography and the style of living in Pune is different from Mumbai. But as per the experiences from the past waves, we can say that we will be in a better shape by mid-March," he said.

Talking about the current situation, Rao said the weekly positivity rate has increased in the last two to three weeks. "It has witnessed a rise from three per cent to 21 per cent. If we compare it with the last three to four days, the positivity rate has climbed to 21 per cent from 14-15 per cent."



Going by the trend in Mumbai, Kolkata or Delhi, it is most likely that Pune district would reach somewhere around 35 percent positivity rate, he said, adding, "This can be slightly delayed, the reason being adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour (CAB)."



"Although the positivity rate is above 20 per cent, the silver lining is that the rate of hospitalisation is around six per cent, which was almost 30 per cent during the second wave. However, we are not very sure how the virus is going to behave in the coming couple of weeks. So in case the trend gets reversed, we are preparing ourselves to handle any kind of scenario," Rao told PTI.

He said there are three factors that can be attributed to fewer hospitalisations.

"First of all, the Omicron variant is not leading to complications among patients. Secondly, the treatment protocol has improved and evolved and doctors have become more confident and the third and important factor is that public at large has gained sufficient confidence and the panic which was there earlier, is now less," he reasoned.

Rao said that next review meeting will be held on Friday.

"I think that in the present scenario, we are not going to propose any further restrictions as far as economy and general life is concerned, but we very earnestly request the people to follow all the COVID-appropriate behavior and work on the immunity," he said.

The official said that the COVID-19 fatality rate is very low right now and said that the most positive thing of the current wave is that the infection is going to the lungs and affecting them and it is reduced to the upper respiratory tract.

In the present scenario, both Omicron and Delta variants are affecting people, he said, adding, "As per the virus behavior, it is predicted that in the latter part of the wave, Omicron will replace Delta completely and the fatality rate may go down."



Rao said that several steps are being taken to ramp up the health infrastructure in Pune district.

"COVID Care Centres are being set up, hospital staff are being trained. We are constantly having talks with doctors and other stakeholders," he said.

He also said that in view of the past experience of drug shortage, further black marketing of medicines like Remdesivir and Tosilizumab, efforts are being taken to ensure that there is sufficient stock of all necessary drugs, including Molnupiravir.

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Delhi's air quality was 'moderate' Wednesday morning but it still ranked among the worlds most polluted cities as the gain from a couple of days of rains appear waning.

The citys Air Quality Index (AQI) was 193 at 8 am, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecast agency SAFAR. Readings below 50 are considered safe, 51 and 100 is 'satisfactory' and anything above 300 is considered hazardous or 'severe'.

SAFAR, on Sunday, predicted that low wind speed would affect Delhi's air quality. AQI is likely to be Satisfactory tomorrow (Monday) and then degrade to Moderate on January 11 and January 12 due to low wind speeds, SAFAR said.

Delhi on Saturday recorded its highest rainfall in a day for January in 22 years, yielding the city's best air quality in over two months. The last time Delhi's air was in this category was on October 25 last year.

Delhi was this morning the world's ninth most polluted city in the world with an AQI of 162, according to IQAir.



Preliminary data from a month-long experiment has shown that indoor levels were nearly half of the outdoor levels in Delhi-NCR during November-December so far.

India is failing in efforts to improve its toxic air quality, with the number of smog-plagued cities increasing since the launch of a national program to tackle the issue, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

A total of 132 cities now have pollution levels deemed below national standards, from 102 cities when the National Clean Air Programme began in 2019, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
The Wednesday appointed a five-member committee headed by former apex court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to probe the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Punjab.

The "questions cannot be left to one-sided enquiry" and a judicially trained mind needs to oversee the probe, a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said while appointing the Justice Malhotra panel.

The bench also appointed the Inspector General of the Investigation Agency (NIA), Director General of Police of Chandigarh, the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Additional DGP (Security) of Punjab as members to the panel.

The apex court directed the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to provide all the seized documents pertaining to the security arrangements made by the Punjab government for the Prime Minister's January 5 visit immediately to the panel head.

The bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, said the panel will submit its report "at the earliest".

It said the points of reference of the apex court-appointed panel will be to inquire as to who all are responsible for the security breach and to what extent, the remedial measures are necessary.

The panel will give suggestions on security of constitutional functionaries ensuring that such incidents do not take place in future.

On January 5, Modi's convoy was stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Ferozepur after which he returned from Punjab without attending any event, including a rally.

While reserving the order in the matter on January 10, the apex court had said it would set up a panel headed by its former judge to probe the security breach. It had also stayed the parallel inquiries by committees of the Centre and the state.

The top court's order has come on the plea of an organisation, Lawyers Voice, seeking a thorough investigation into the breach in Modi's security in Punjab to ensure there is no such incident in the future.

It had taken note of the concerns of the Punjab government that its officials are being condemned by the central government panel without any proceedings and ordered, All inquiries should stop.

The Centre had justified the issuance of show-cause notices, saying they were based on admitted non-compliance of statutory schemes on the role of state police with regard to providing security to the Prime Minister.

The petition filed by Bijan Kumar Singh, vice president, Lawyer's Voice, termed the incident as a pre-meditated conspiracy to breach the security of the prime minister and bring security in jeopardy.

Take cognizance of the serious and deliberate lapse on part of the Respondent No 1, 2 and 3 (state government, chief secretary and DGP) concerning the security and the movement of the prime minister of the country, said the plea filed through lawyer Sandeep Singh.

It also sought direction to the district judge, Bhatinda, to collect all official documents and materials from all possible sources pertaining to the movements and deployment of Punjab Police in connection with the visit at the earliest and produce them before the top court.

Further, it sought direction to the Union Home Ministry to initiate departmental action against the state's Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police.

Issue a writ...or direction fixing responsibility of the Respondent No 2 and Respondent No 3 (Chief Secretary and DGP) and place them under suspension.., it said.

The petitioner is seeking urgent intervention... raising an imminent and issues of importance impinging upon the national security and for protection of the fundamental right to movement across the country and liberty of citizens in the country, it said.

The plea urged the court to take cognizance of the matter and ensure that the official records are not tampered with and presented before it at the earliest.

The petitioner... is seeking to highlight the said incident and raise an important question as if the Prime Minister of the country can face such a situation, then the fundamental rights of citizens which has been guaranteed ...are in serious jeopardy in Punjab and beyond, it said.

It is shocking that an overwhelming section of the blockage of the road was consisting of the police personnel on the spot which made the complicity of the State authorities apparent, the plea alleged.

The security lapse, as per reliable reports in the print and the electronic media, and as per the Press Information Bureau report of the Central Government, was clearly intentional and raises a serious question as to national security and the role played by the present political dispensation in Punjab, it said.

As per protocol, the car for the Chief Secretary and DGP or their nominees of the visiting state is earmarked and supposed to join the motorcade and however, as per the reports, neither the two officials nor their representatives joined the motorcade, it alleged.

It has been reported that the said road route was a part of the pre-decided contingency route which had been previously discussed and settled with the State Government in great detail. Thereafter, the Prime Minister proceeded to travel by road after necessary confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP (director general of police) Punjab Police, it said.

It is clear from the events that private persons were given access to the Prime Minister's route, and other persons were instigated to join the blockade, which represents a serious and unpardonable breach of national security by the State apparatus and the political establishment of the state, 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 first level meeting between and was held via virtual mode on Wednesday for mutual discussion of the bilateral issues.

The meeting was conducted after the decisions taken by Chief Minister of Naveen Patnaik and Chief Minister of YS Jagmohan Reddy in a meeting.

The meeting was held on digital mode under the co-chairmanship of Suresh Chandra Mahapatra and Sameer Sharma.

"The meeting ended with a happy and encouraging note as both the sides could understand the issues from each other's perspectives through discussions. The major problems regarding inter-state transportation, road connectivity, filling of the teaching posts in Odia and Telgu medium schools and colleges operating in both the States, and setting up of Odia Language Chair in Dr B.R. Amedkar University at Srikakulam and Telugu Language Chair in Berhampur University were mutually agreed to be carried forward," read a press statement from the Odisha government. "Chief Secretary Odisha, Mahapatra highlighted the need for road communication to Swabhiman Anchal from Andhra Pradesh side. He said, the area was well connected through Gurupriya Setu and the naxal issues were curtailed significantly from Odisha side. Road communication from Andhra Pradesh side would add to ending the problem of left wing extremism in the area. Chief Secretary Andhra, Sharma welcomed the proposal and agreed to construct five major roads from Andhra side," added the statement

Further, Chief Secretary, Mahapatra made it clear that joint demarcation committee of both the states at district level would demarcate the border area where maps were clear and not under dispute."

"It was further decided that the issues relating to Machhkund joint hydro electric project would be examined by the project administration committee (PAC) under the co-chairmanship of the Principal Secretaries of Energy of both the States. The meeting of the PAC would be convened shortly for carrying forward three small hydro-electric projects namely Balimela Dam Toe, Japaput SHEP, and Lower Machhkund SHEP. The matter relating to issue of no abjection certificates from both the sides for pump storage projects taking water from the reservoirs was discussed in detail. Chief Secretary, Mahapatra said that the certificates should be issued keeping in view the water share of each State as per the mutual agreement," said the statement.

Managing Directors of OSRTC and APSRTC would meet shortly for finalizing the terms and conditions of reciprocal transport agreement between two States. The meeting also resolved that the technical committee of both states would deliberate the issues relating to the proposed projects under water resources department.

The Principal Secretaries of various departments of both the States participated in discussions. From Odisha side, Development Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Jena, Principal Secretary Water Resources Anu Garg, Principal Secretary Revenue and Disaster Management, Satyabrata Sahu, Principal Secretary Energy Nikunja Bihari Dhal along with other senior officers participated in deliberations.

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Positivity rate in rose to 10.96 per cent on Wednesday even as the state recorded 21,390 fresh Covid cases during the day. Of that, Bengaluru accounted for 15,617 cases.

The High Court asked the state government why the Mekedatu padayatra was allowed amid the rising number of Covid cases. It also issued a show-cause notice to the Congress for violating Covid curbs.

Congress did not follow Covid rules. Congress did not allow officers to do their duty. Will the Congress now ignore Hon'ble High Court's reprehension? The BJP government did not use brute force to stop padayatra respecting the right to protest in a democracy, and not due to inability, said health minister Sudhakar K.

The Mekedatu Padayatra is a 10-day march demanding the implementation of a reservoir project on the Cauvery river in the state. The Congress started the padayatra on Sunday despite the state government's Covid restrictions.

Late on Tuesday evening, the state government extended Covid curbs in the state to January 31 morning. The state government has now prohibited all rallies, dharnas, and protests  marriage functions are permitted with not more than 200 people in open spaces and 100 people in closed places. Intensive surveillance will be conducted at the states borders with Maharashtra, Kerala and Goa, the government said.
The on Wednesday sought a status report from the government about an ongoing project to publish the collected writings and speeches of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

A bench of Justices P B Varale and A S Kilor issued a notice to the government and asked it to file reply within three weeks. In December 2021, the HC had taken suo motu (on its own) notice of newspaper reports that the project had come to a standstill. Terming the project as "absolutely necessary and desirable," it had said the delay reflected a "sorry state of affairs," and directed the court registry to convert the issue into a public interest litigation (PIL).

On Wednesday, advocate Swaraj Jadhav, who has been appointed to argue the PIL, said the government set up the Babasaheb Ambedkar Source Material Publication Committee way back in 1979, but "nothing much was done".

Ambedkar had delivered several important speeches outside India too and some of them were published in the international media, advocate Jadhav said, adding that these speeches and reports should be incorporated in the project. The HC said the committee's remit would cover everything. "When the state took a decision to publish Ambedkar's speeches and writings, there was no bar on those published in the international media. There are even some interviews. So the committee can consider everything," the HC said. "We don't think a specific direction is required to include material published in the international media. We will ask the state to file a proper reply and tell us what is the status of the committee and the entire project," it further said. State's lawyer Poornima Kantharia said the government would offer a "positive response to all the issues raised in the PIL." The court pointed out that the chairperson of the committee had died a few months ago, so the government would have to make new appointment or reconstitute the whole panel. As per the report published in the Marathi daily Loksatta, 33,000 copies of Ambedkar's writings had been published as part of the project and only 3,675 had been made available for distribution.

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Cut Bank, MT (59427)

Today

Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 64F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low around 40F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
The COVID-19 tally in rose to 8,10,442 on Wednesday with detection of 3,639 new cases, while the death toll increased to 10,540 after one more patient succumbed to the infection, a health department official said.

The positivity rate stood at 4.5 per cent as against 3.9 per cent on Tuesday, when the state had recorded 3,160 infections, he said. The recovery count stood at 7,85,496 after 497 people were discharged from hospitals during the day, he said. The state is now left with an active tally of 14,406, the official said. Indore and Bhopal, the two worst coronavirus-hit cities of Madhya Pradesh, registered 1,169 and 572 cases, respectively, during the past 24 hours, he said. With 79,689 samples examined during the day, the number of tests in MP went up to 2,45,13,460, the official added. A government release said 10,64,38,602 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far in the state, including 2,61,307 on Wednesday. figures in MP are as follows: Total cases 8,10,442, new cases 3,639, death toll 10,540, recoveries 7,85,496, active cases 14,606, number of tests so far 2,45,13,460.

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Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on Wednesday described as "highly regrettable" the December 4 firing incident in Nagaland's Mon district in which 14 civilians were killed and said "appropriate action", as required to uphold the law of the land, would be taken based on the investigation.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the Army Day, Gen Naravane said the Army's Court of Inquiry ordered into the incident is expected to submit its findings in a day or two.

He said the Army has standard operating procedures (SOPs) that encapsulate its operational experience and "appropriate action" will be taken and corrective measures instituted to further refine the SOPs based on the outcome of the investigation.

In a botched counter-insurgency operation at Oting village in Mon district, 14 civilians were killed on December 4 in Nagaland, triggering massive public outcry as also demands to lift the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the state.

The Act empowers security forces, deployed in "disturbed areas", to conduct operations and arrest anyone without a prior warrant. It also gives immunity to the forces if they shoot someone dead.

"The incident which happened in Oting in Nagaland is highly regrettable. In the aftermath of the incident, the Eastern Command was quick in ordering an inquiry. It is headed by a Major General. That inquiry is in its final stages and the findings would be submitted in a day or two," Gen Naravane said.

Apart from the Court of Inquiry by the Army, the state government appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident.

"The regrettable incident of December 4 during operations in Nagaland is being thoroughly investigated. We remain committed to the security of our countrymen, even in the conduct of operations," Gen Naravane said.

The Chief of Army Staff said the force has been cooperating fully with the SIT and both the probe teams are taking the statements from a cross-section of people that will help in having a greater understanding of what has happened.

"Based on the findings of the inquiry, appropriate action will be taken. I would like to clarify that the law of the land is paramount and we will always uphold that and take action as required in upholding the law of the land," Gen Naravane said.

Gen Naravane said the overall security situation in the North-Eastern region remained under control, noting that a robust security posture has significantly curtailed the operational space for terrorists.

Referring to insurgents ambushing an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur district of Manipur in November killing a Commanding Officer, he said one incident is not reflective of the overall situation in the North-Eastern region.

"We have taken whatever action is required to deal with that. The bottom line is that the situation in Northeast has improved manifold," he said.

The Army Chief said there has been a graduated de-induction of Army units from areas where the security situation has improved.

"On the Indo-Myanmar Border, being an important facet of our security calculus, the due impetus to border guarding is being given by the Assam Rifles," the Army Chief said.

"We intend to progressively increase, the number of Assam Rifles Battalions deployed for border guarding in times to come, the Army Chief said



Gen Naravane said that as a result of the improvement in the security situation, a number of Army formations involved in counter-insurgency operations, especially in Manipur and Assam, were disengaged from that role.

"Now as they have been disengaged from their CICT (counter-insurgency and counter-terrorists) role, they are now able to totally focus on their primary task, that is the conventional role," Gen Naravane said.

He said that almost two divisions were relieved from CICT roles, noting that it just goes to show how much the security situation has improved in the region.

"From wherever they have been moved out, the Assam Rifles have taken over the role in these areas," he said.

On the Manipur ambush, he said it was a very unfortunate incident that has happened on the convoy of 46 Assam Rifles.

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The standing committee of the BJP-led North civic body did not impose any new and also rejected a proposal in its budget 2022-23 to raise residential and commercial property taxes, officials said Wednesday, even though the municipality faces an acute financial crisis and has not been able to pay its staff for months.

The North Municipal Corporation also decided not to approve the Commissioner's proposal to reduce rebate on property taxes by 5 per cent.

The move by the civic body's standing committee comes ahead of the civic polls due this year.

North Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sanjay Goel in his budget 2022-23 presentation on November 25, 2021 had proposed to increase the property by 2 per cent and reduce the rebate from existing 15 percent to 10 percent.

He had said that these moves would strengthen the financial condition of the municipality.

Presenting the revised budget estimates, North Corporation Standing Committee Chairman Jogi Ram Jain said no new tax is being proposed in the civic body's budget.

"Since people are still not over the coronavirus pandemic and it has adversely impacted financial condition of the public, the proposal to reduce the rebate from 15% to 10% by Commissioner North DMC was not accepted. Proposal to increase the property tax by 2% as suggested by Commissioner is also not being accepted by Standing Committee," Jain said in his budget speech.

Jain also said that to further give relief to citizens, a substantial part of the increased property-tax on Municipal Valuation Committee-3 (MVC-3) basis has also been withdrawn by the North DMC.

According to the North Municipal Corporation, the revised budget estimates for year 2021-22 stood at Rs 7,818.66 crore while the budget estimate for the year 2022-23 stood at Rs 7,504.91 crore.

Jain said that the civic body is also striving to boost its health infrastructure at the time of the pandemic.

"More than 500 LMO (Liquid Medical Oxygen) based oxygen beds provision is being made for all North DMC Hospitals. PSA (Oxygen) Plant is almost ready to be functional at Hindu Rao hospital, Rajan Babu hospital, Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Disease hospital and Girdhar Lal Maternity hospital," Jain said.

He said that escalation of beds from 10 to 50 is being done at Hindu Rao Hospital and 20 beds have been allocated for paediatric patients.

At Rajan Babu Hospital, 20 beds ICU and 10 beds HDU are in process of being made functional.

As many as 60 oxygen point beds are being made functional for paediatric COVID care at Mrs Girdhar Lal Maternity Hospital.

In his speech, Jain said that North DMC has chalked out a plan to provide parking for 13,500 cars by developing multi-level parkings at 19 locations.

These include Shiva Market in Pitampura; Gandhi Maidan; Qutub Road; Sant Nagar in Rani Bagh; Idgah Road; Shastri Park; Rajendra Nagar; U&V-block in Shalimar Bagh; AC Block in Shalimar Bagh; Bank Street, Karol Bagh; Madipur; Udyog Nagar; Punjabi Bagh; Nangloi; Mundka metro Station; R.G. Complex, Paharganj; Pratap Nagar; Pusa Lane and Old City SP Zonal Office.

He said that work on most of these major projects has started.

In addition to the above, two stack parking lots will be constructed at Hanuman Setu near Nigam Bodh Ghat and Fatehpuri.

Jain claimed that North DMC has reduced the height of garbage at Bhalaswa landfill site by 11 meters through bio-mining and processing the legacy waste with the help of 24 Trommel machines.

He said 30 more such machines are being set up there.

Period of validity of general trade and factory licenses was increased from one year upto three years, he said.

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Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital of conducted a study on the variant which shows that the virus is mutating but the disease severity is mild.

In the research, it was discovered that 35 mutations included 3 non-significant mutations in the spike protein.

"This is one of the best research in done by gene sequencing lab. LNJP has done a study on and submitted data of 13 patients. We have compared the original virus from Wuhan, China. In the study, we found 35 mutations which include 3 non-significant mutations in the spike protein in this variant, as compared to 31-32 mutations in the South African variant. We did gene sequencing and correlated with clinical findings and we found that these patients were either asymptomatic or mild in nature," said Dr Suresh Kumar, Medical Director, LNJP.

Dr Kumar said the study shows that the virus is mutating and the disease severity is mild.

Speaking on the rise in COVID-19 cases in Delhi, the LNJP MD said that when positivity is more than 20 per cent then it is an alarming situation and it means that people might require beds and ICU for high-risk patients.

"The number of new cases in is increasing and we have seen positivity around 25 per cent. We have seen that more and more people are admitted with comorbidities. When positivity is more than 20 per cent then it is an alarming situation and it means that people might require beds and ICU for high-risk patients. In the coming days we see that more people will be requiring hospital admission," he said.

He further welcomed the decision of the Government for closing all restaurants in the national capital.

"This is a good step. I welcome this decision because there is a lot of infection when we do dining in a closed environment. The surfaces, tables, chairs are contaminated and while you are eating you don't wear a mask so the chances of spread are much more. It is a very important step and definitely, it will help in help in decreasing the spread of the COVID virus," said Dr Kumar.

He also welcomed the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) latest guidelines that anyone who has come in contact with a COVID-infected patient, does not necessarily need to take the COVID-19 test unless the person is in the 'high-risk' category based on age or comorbidities.

"It is a good step. Most of the contact have no illness so there is no need for testing. If we have one health worker who is asymptomatic but positive, then we have to do a lot of testing of contacts which is not necessary," he added.

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Prime Minister on Wednesday was briefed by the country's spy chief on and regional security, including the latest situation in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Khan along with key federal ministers visited Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Secretariat in Islamabad, said an official statement.

Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum, Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), briefed Prime Minister Khan.

A comprehensive briefing followed by discussion on security and regional dynamics with focus on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan was held, according to the statement. Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa was also present.

Khan has been regularly visiting the ISI Secretariat to get a briefing on the prevailing security conditions. In September 2021, he visited the ISI's headquarters and was briefed on the security and regional dynamics.

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Commerce and industry minister on Wednesday urged industry leaders to make advance payments to small businesses that have already been hit by the ongoing pandemic.

Timely payment to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will help them in continuity and boost employment and growth.

Goyal was speaking at a virtual meeting with heads of top industry associations to seek their suggestions and inputs to ensure quick rebound of economic activities to spur growth.

Pradeep Multani, President of industry lobby group PHDCCI Chambers, who was also at the meeting said in a statement that punitive measures may be taken against the habitual defaulters who do not meet their payment obligations as per agreed terms of maximum in 45 days.

PHDCCI urges the large firms and PSUs to release all pending dues of to help them to meet their financial requirements in this extremely difficult time, an official statement said.

Goyal further said that the government is striving to conclude early harvest agreements with several countries so that the benefits could reach industry soon. While a free trade agreement (FTA) with UAE is nearing conclusion, negotiations with Australia for an interim deal are at an advanced stage. Apart from that, talks with Israel are also going on.

Apart from that a comprehensive dialogue with South Korea is being fast tracked and talks have been initiated to address concerns arising out of the previous free trade agreement between the both nations, the minister said, urging the industry leaders to become proactive in giving inputs to the government, especially in arenas like FTA negotiations.

He also asked the industry to use a single window for processes and approvals to the maximum extent possible and asked them to give suggestions and inputs for further decriminalization of rules and reduction of compliance burdens wherever feasible.
Delhi Health Minister on Wednesday said that COVID-19 cases in the Union Territory continue to be above 20,000 but the positivity rate is stable around 25 per cent, which is a good sign.

He further informed that the hospital admission rate has not risen in the past four-five days and if it holds then there will be some relief in restrictions.

"COVID-19 cases in the Union territory continue to be above 20,000 but the positivity rate is stable at around 25 per cent which is a good sign. The union territory has reported 21,259 COVID-19 positive cases and 23 deaths on Tuesday. Hospital admission rate has not risen in the past 4-5 days, if it continues, there will be some relief in restrictions," Jain told ANI.

Talking about deaths due to COVID-19, he said, "Most of the deaths that are taking place are also due to serious injuries and otehr disease. For example, a few days ago a case had come where a boy had attempted suicide, who later died in the hospital. He was COVID-19 positve also. It should be considered a suicide but it is said that he died due to COVID-19".

"In Delhi, 2209 beds were filled till yesterday, while 12,000 were vacant. There is an occupancy of 15 per cent. Only 15,000 beds have been released so far. While there is a provision of 37 thousand beds. We have more arrangement than the number of beds given in LNJP and Rajiv Gandhi. We will put more when needed, but looks like it they won't be needed."

On the restrictions imposed in Delhi, he said, "Fewer people are getting admitted to hospitals. It seems that the cases are going down, so if they go down then the restrictions will be reduced".

Speaking about the ICMR guidelines, he said, "They are correct instructions. Only those who have symptoms should get tested".

Delhi reported 21,259 new COVID-19 during the past 24 hours with a positivity rate of 25.65 per cent, the state health bulletin on Tuesday said.

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Projects of the "magnitude" like that of SilverLine "cannot be hurried" or "completed on war cries", rather they have to be carried out in accordance with the law if they need to have any legitimacy, the said to the state government on Wednesday.

The remarks by Justice Devan Ramachandran came while hearing several pleas challenging the manner in which the state and the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (K-Rail) were carrying out land surveys in connection with the LDF government's ambitious semi high speed rail corridor project -- SilverLine.

"No project of this magnitude can be completed by war cries, it has to be done as per the law. A project of this nature cannot be hurried. It has to be as per the law, then only will it have any legitimacy. You have to follow the law to the hilt.

"Such projects cannot be taken forward based on fear by putting up such large poles," the court said and added this was by far the biggest project in the state and hopefully "they (state and Centre) are doing it with their eyes wide open".

The petitioners had opposed putting up of large concrete poles to mark the land surveyed for the SilverLine project saying it was in violation of the Survey and Boundaries Act and these structures were blocking access to various individuals' properties.

The court, on December 23 last year, had directed the state and K-Rail to install survey stones of the prescribed standards under the Kerala Survey Rules.

On Wednesday, K-Rail informed the court that prior to December 23, 2021, order 2,834 poles had already been put up, but after that survey stones were being laid as per the Act and the orders of the court.

Justice Ramachandran said, "You messed it up by doing this. This issue rose because of your haste. You have obstructed access to homes. What you have done is egregiously improper as per this court. Surveys can be conducted for any project, but it has to be as per the law.

"If you start laying such large, leviathan poles for each project, it would be difficult to move around in the state," the court added.

After the state government and K-Rail sought time for a detailed hearing of the issues raised in the pleas, the court listed the matter on January 20 and directed that till the next date survey stones will be installed as per the rules, by the competent authority and of the prescribed size.

The court also directed K-Rail what it proposes to do with the "offending" 2,834 concrete poles already installed "which apparently are in violation of the Rules".

The court also asked the Centre's lawyer to be present on the next date to clarify the status regarding the project, saying "you cannot keep the court in the dark".

"We are groping in the dark. I want the Union of India to say if the project is on. What does Railway mean by in-principle approval?" were the other queries raised by Justice Ramachandran.

The state government had recently told the high court that laying of boundary stones for the project by saying that "only preparatory and preliminary works" were being carried out.

In an affidavit filed in the high court, the state has said that it only issued a government order (GO) on August 18, 2021 according sanction for conducting a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study and for constituting an expert group to evaluate the report of the same.

The state government has said that in the August 2021 order it has been made clear that steps to proceed with land acquisition would be taken only after getting the final approval for the project from the Railway Board.

However, in the same affidavit, the state has also said, "It is also pointed out that as per GO(MS) No.3642/21/RD dated December 31, 2021, revised orders have been issued according for the acquisition of 1,221 hectares of land of various villages for the Semi High Speed Railway Line - SilverLine - project."



The state government has further said the boundary stones were being laid to enable the SIA team to identify the land and conduct the study.

Kerala government's ambitious SilverLine project, which is expected to reduce travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod to around four hours, is being opposed by the opposition Congress-led UDF, which has been alleging that it was "unscientific and impractical" and will put a huge financial burden on the state.

The 540 kilometre stretch from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod would be developed by K-Rail -- a joint venture of the Kerala government and the Railway Ministry for developing railway infrastructure in the southern state.

Starting from the state capital, SilverLine trains will have stoppages at Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur before reaching Kasaragod.

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The Federation of Association (FORDA) on Wednesday requested to Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to take necessary measures for the commencement of NEET-UG Counselling 2021.

In a letter, the FORDA thanked the Committee for declaration of the NEET-PG Counselling 2021 schedule soon after pronouncement of judgement by the Supreme Court.

"At the very beginning, we would like to thank you for declaration of the NEET-PG Counselling 2021 Schedule soon after pronouncement of judgement by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 7th January 2022 and the Counselling process is set to begin today (12th January) onwards. Along with this, we would like to draw your attention towards the plight of thousands of Medical aspirants across the nation who had appeared and cleared the NEET-UG Entrance Examination and are eagerly waiting for the commencement of NEET-UG Counselling 2021," the letter reads.

It further said, "Similar to Broad Speciality Courses, there has been no admission of Under-Graduate students in the current Academic Year, owing to postponement of the Counselling. Though it was notified that along with NEET-PG Counselling, NEET-UG Counselling will also commence soon, there has been no further update in this regard yet. This has led to a lot of anxiety and confusion among the aspirants. We would hereby request you to kindly take note of the grievance of Medical aspirants of the nation and take necessary measures for commencement of NEET-UG Counselling 2021 at the earliest."

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed NEET-PG Counselling for 2021-2022 based on existing EWS/OBC reservation criteria.

The apex court has given a green signal to 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Class (OBC) and 10 per cent for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category in the All-India Quota (AIQ) seats for the admission process in the as existing criteria this year.

A Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna said that it has upheld the constitutional validity of 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Class (OBC) for admission in the NEET-PG.

However, for the EWS category, the Supreme Court said that the 10 per cent criteria, which was notified earlier shall continue to operate for this year so that the admissions process shall not be dislocated for the current academic year.

The Court said that it will hear the matter relating to EWS later and listed it for March 3, 2022, for further hearing.

The Court noted that there is an urgent need to commence the process of counselling and therefore it issued some interim direction.

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The is resolved to show "zero tolerance" to and is committed to extracting "dire costs" for it, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said on Wednesday, referring to Pakistan's cross-border terror in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the Army Day, he said the concentration of some 350 to 400 terrorists in terror launch pads and training facilities on the other side (Pakistani side) of the Line of Control (LoC) and repeated infiltration attempts "expose" the "nefarious intents" of the adversary.

At the same time, he said last year's ceasefire understanding between the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Indian and Pakistani armies resulted in some improvement in the situation along the LoC.

"Along the Line of Control, after a heightened situation for a prolonged period, the DGMOs understanding in February last year was aimed at achieving mutually beneficial, and sustainable peace," he said.

"Resultantly, the situation has witnessed marked improvement. However, increase in the concentration of terrorists in launch pads, across the LoC and repeated infiltration attempts, once again expose their nefarious intents," he said.

Gen Naravane further said: "We, on our part, have resolved to show zero tolerance to terror, and commit ourselves to extract dire costs, should that be forced upon us," he said.

In a significant move aimed at reducing tensions, the Indian and Pakistani armies on February 25 last year announced that they would cease firing across the LoC while recommitting themselves to a 2003 ceasefire agreement.

The Army chief said that the "proxy war" continues as terrorists are still there in the terror launch pads across the border.

"The combined intelligence inputs suggest 350 to 400 terrorists on the other side at the launch pads or in various training camps. This threat has in no way receded. We have to remain alert .A threat on the western front is very much there and cannot be ignored," he said.

On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Gen Naravane said a 'whole of government' approach has led to progressive improvement in the security situation.

"Efforts to give an indigenous hue to terrorism, by setting up a faade, of proxy terror Tanzeems, have failed miserably. Inimical elements, re-energised their attempts at disrupting peace in the valley by targeting minorities, and non-locals.

However, we have been able to counter these challenges," he said.

Asked whether demilitarisation on the Siachen glacier is possible, the Army chief suggested that it all depends on Pakistan.

"We are not averse to demilitarisation of Siachen glacier. But the precondition for that is to acceptance of the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL). Pakistan has to accept it," he said.

Gen Naravane said both sides have to sign on the dotted lines before any kind of disengagement takes place. Pakistan has been opposed to accepting the AGPL.

Asked about drones being used by terror outfits in Jammu and Kashmir, he said it is a threat and armed forces are seized of the challenge.

He said the drones are being used primarily to transport ammunition and drugs.

"We are well seized of the issue...Union Home Ministry is very much alive and countering it," he said.

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At a Tuesday meeting, city staff proposed using $125,000 from a state grant to give to qualified community-based organizations, with the city matching or exceeding the money.

The request: give $200,000 within 30 days to community-based organizations fighting gun violence in Newport News.

The plan: an approximately seven-month process that will include a study conducted by Christopher Newport University before distributing the money.

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The Newport News City Council members agree that something needs to be done to address gun violence in the city, but Councilman David Jenkins drew criticism from fellow members for introducing his proposals at the regular session.

Jenkins asked fellow council members at the Dec. 14 meeting to allocate $200,000 of pandemic relief money for the community organizations.

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Gun violence is time-sensitive, Jenkins said. Its not one of those things we can wait six months or a year to figure out.

Several members of the council expressed displeasure with Jenkins for bringing his motion to the regular session rather than the lower-profile work session, where proposals can be discussed by the council before theyre voted on. The council voted to wait until it could discuss the proposal at its next work session.

But Jenkins initial proposal to use America Rescue Plant Act funds and make the money available immediately wasnt talked about at the meeting. Instead, Assistant City Manager Alan Archer told the council Tuesday that the city had $125,000 from a state grant to give to qualified organizations with strategies to reduce gun violence. He said the city plans to match or exceed the grant money.

The council will spend an additional $25,000 from the state grant to conduct a study of gun violence in the community in partnership with the CNU Center for Crime, Equity and Justice Research and Policy.

The CNU research center, which launched in the fall, plans to conduct the survey to gain a better understanding of concerns around safety, root causes and effects of violence in the community, Archer said.

While this isnt the first time the city has done studies on gun violence, City Manager Cindy Rohlf says the data changes and much of the information the city has is six or seven years old.

In the plan presented by the city managers office Tuesday afternoon, the city would solicit grant applications in June and announce who will be receiving funds in July.

The city is looking for organizations that offer solutions such as education, employment and housing services for people at high risk for violence, and mentoring and mental health support for those who are affected by gun violence.

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Council and citizens from about half a dozen community groups praised the conversations that happened during the work session and public comment period.

Jenkins, however, said at the meeting that night that his original proposal  the immediate $200,000  still hadnt been addressed.

He moved, for a second time, to create the $200,000 grant program within the next month. Councilman Marcellus Harris supported the motion but took issue with Jenkins choice to bring the motion up during the meeting rather than at the work session.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

Mayor McKinley Price accused Jenkins of grandstanding, and said the council could not just hand over the money because it has a responsibility to be careful with funds and how theyre dispersed.

I have mixed feelings  I was very happy in the work session  it was a very good discussion about gun violence prevention, said Ruth Winters, a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action, which fights for public safety measures to prevent gun violence.

She commended the city managers office for understanding that gun violence is a public health issue and that community groups are instrumental in the fight against gun violence but said she was discouraged to see the council vote down Jenkins proposal to provide additional funding using the ARPA dollars.

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Adrian Cook, founder of Let Our Voices Empower, also found the work session conversation to be encouraging but was disappointed to see that everyone in the council didnt seem to be on the same page.

Cook told the Daily Press he has a job, so he does mentorships and other work to reduce gun violence in his spare time and relies on his own money for his efforts.

Funding would allow us to do this on a more full-time basis and to reach more kids by being able to employ more people to do the work that were doing, Cook said.

Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com
The Wednesday asked the Centre, Delhi Police and Uttarakhand Police to respond to a plea seeking direction to ensure investigation and action against those who allegedly made hate speeches during two events held recently in Haridwar and the capital.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, which agreed to hear the plea and issued notice on it, permitted the petitioners to make representation to the concerned local authorities against holding of future Dharam Sansad' events there.

The bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, posted the matter for hearing after 10 days.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by journalist Qurban Ali and former Patna High Court judge and senior advocate Anjana Prakash, who have also sought a direction for an "independent, credible and impartial investigation" by an SIT into the incidents of hate speeches against the Muslim community.

After the bench said it was issuing notice on the plea and listed it for hearing after 10 days, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, said the only problem is that in the meantime a Dharam Sansad' is going to be held on January 23 in Aligarh and they don't want it to happen.

Sibal requested the bench to list the matter for hearing on January 17 and said they would serve all the respondents by then.

We will permit you to make a representation to the concerned authorities. Let them act upon it, the bench said.

The apex court permitted them to bring it to the notice of local authorities about such event, which are going to take place, and which according to the petitioners, are contrary to the penal law.

The plea, which specifically referred to the "hate speeches" delivered between the "17th and 19th of December 2021 at Haridwar and Delhi", has also sought compliance of apex court's guidelines to deal with such speeches.

One event was organised in Haridwar by Yati Narsinghanand and the other in Delhi by 'Hindu Yuva Vahini' allegedly "calling for genocide of members" of a community, it said.

At the outset, Sibal referred to a one-page transcript of what was said in the Dharam Sansad' and said he doesn't want to sensationalise this issue by reading the content.

The bench observed that it would issue notice to the states and let them come before it.

Sibal said notice be issued to the Centre also because as per the apex court's earlier judgement, they have to appoint nodal officers to prevent these kinds of thing.

Mr Sibal, you take notice to all the respondents, the bench observed.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising mentioned an intervention application on behalf of Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

Jaising said it was on Tushar Gandhi's petition that the apex court had rendered a decision in 2019 saying all states must appoint nodal officer to ensure that mob lynching does not take place.

My simple application is, that judgement of the court is not being implemented. Kindly allow the intervention, that's all I am asking for, she said.

The bench observed that for the time being, it is issuing notice to the respondents on the plea listed before it.

Sibal said the events are overtaking us and Dharam Sansad' are being announced on daily basis.

Let the returnable date be as soon as possible because they have announced another Dharam Sansad'. The next one is on January 23 in Aligarh, in the midst of what is happening in Uttar Pradesh today, he said.

During the hearing, the bench asked whether another bench of the apex court is already seized of petition raising similar issue.

Sibal said no similar matter is pending before any other bench of the apex court.

The CJI observed that this is a matter which has to be heard but the point is whether any other bench is already hearing similar plea.

One of the advocates appearing in the matter said there are some matters generally on which are pending but it is not related to Dharam Sansad'.

You hear this separately. What is being done. No quick steps are being taken. Dharam Sansad' (events) are being held in Kurukshetra, Dasna, Aligarh and in states where process of elections is going on. This attracts several provisions, Sibal said.

What will happen is that atmosphere of entire country will be vitiated. This is all contrary to what this Republic stands for. It is contrary to the ethos and the values which we cherish, he said.

Sibal said the 2019 judgement has not been implemented by the authorities.

If that judgement would have been implemented in letter and spirit, these Dharam Sansad' would not have taken place, Jaising said, adding the 2019 verdict was on the issue of mob lynching on the allegations of cattle smuggling.

Sibal also argued that there is no law with respect to this kind of .

We are issuing notice. You take notice. List after 10 days. We will see if it is connected to other matter, we will list, otherwise we will hear, the bench said.

The Uttarakhand Police had filed an FIR on December 23 last year under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code against some persons including Sant Dharamdas Maharaj, Sadhvi Annapoorna alias Pooja Shakun Pandey, Yati Narsinghanand and Sagar Sindhu Maharaj.

A similar complaint was filed with the Delhi Police for the second event organised in the capital.

The plea said that no effective steps have been taken by Uttarakhand and Delhi police.

Till date no FIR has been lodged by Delhi Police despite calls for ethnic cleansing at the event organised here, 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.)
will hand over two Indian prisoners, who have been serving life imprisonment in the island nation, to India on Wednesday and Thursday under the prisoners exchange agreement, a senior prison official said here.

Prison Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake told PTI that the additional Secretary to the ministry of justice has informed the commissioner general of prisons to release the two Indian nationals.

They will be handed over to the Indian police officials at the Colombo international airport today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday), he said without identifying the two Indians to protect their privacy.

One of the convicts serving life imprisonment has been in jail for over 12 years for possession and Import of narcotics and charged under the Poisons, Opium And Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, Ekanayake said.

The second, charged under the Dangerous Drugs Act, is serving in a jail here over the last 6 years.

The India- bilateral agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons was signed in June 2010, paving the way for the transfer of prisoners to jails in their home country.

The agreement provides for the conditions under which such transfers can take place and the various obligations of the transferring State and the receiving State.

(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.)
Harassment of Muslim women in through social media apps such as "Sulli Deals" must be condemned and prosecuted as soon as they occur, a UN Special Rapporteur has said.

UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues Dr Fernand de Varennes took to Twitter to raise concern on the issue of minorities in India, saying Muslim women in are harassed and sold in social media apps.

"#Minority Muslim women in # are harassed & 'sold' in #socialmedia apps, #SulliDeals, a form of #HateSpeech, must be condemned and prosecuted as soon as they occur. All #HumanRights of minorities need to be fully & equally protected, Varennes said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The Delhi Police last week arrested Aumkareshwar Thakur, 26, who is believed to be the creator of "Sulli Deals" app from Madhya Pradesh's Indore, the first arrest made in the case.

Hundreds of Muslim women were listed for auction on the mobile application with photographs sourced without permission and doctored.

The accused, a Bachelor of Computer Application degree holder, admitted that he was a member of a group on Twitter and the idea to defame and troll Muslim women was shared there.

"He admitted that he had developed the code/app on GitHub. After the uproar regarding the Sulli Deals app, he had deleted all his social media footprints," a senior police officer said.

In a separate "Bulli Bai" case, the Delhi Police on January 1 registered an FIR in connection with an online complaint submitted by a city-based woman journalist against unknown persons for allegedly uploading her doctored picture on a portal.

The case pertains to the creation of the 'Bulli Bai' app, which targeted Muslim women by putting up their images online for "auction".

According to Delhi Police, Niraj Bishnoi, 21, who was arrested from Assam, was the alleged mastermind and creator of the ''Bulli Bai'' application.

He had disclosed during interrogation that he was in touch with the person behind the Twitter handle @sullideals, the alleged creator of the ''Sulli Deals'' app that was hosted on GitHub in July last year.

(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.)
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday inspected the COVID-19 war room, 108 emergency control centre in and praised the local administration for doing 'great work' in controlling the spread of the pandemic.

The minister, who is on a brief visit to the state for the scheduled inauguration of 11 new medical colleges in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inspected the medical infrastructure set up by the health department in the city.

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan and senior government officials accompanied Mandaviya who inspected the control rooms, COVID war room, 108 emergency control centre, oxygen plants at the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS), Teynampet.

The Union minister was briefed by the state government authorities on the functioning of the Covid war room and control centre among others, sources said.

"During my visit to carried out an inspection of control rooms, COVID War Room, oxygen plants established under PM CARES at DMS Compound, Teynampet, Chennai", Mandaviya said on Twitter. "The local administration is doing great work towards defeating the Covid-19", he said.

On the inauguration of 11 new medical colleges by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mandaviya said the establishment of the medical colleges would promote 'affordable education' and improve health infrastructure in the country.

"Strengthening medical education and tertiary health care in Tamil Nadu", he tweeted while sharing some pictures of the medical colleges.

"The establishment of these medical colleges in Tamil Nadu is in line with PM Narendra Modi's constant endeavour to promote affordable medical education and improve health infrastructure across the country", he said.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said he received the COVID-19 precautionary dose of vaccine.

"Since I am eligible to receive the booster dose as I have completed the mandated nine-month period after the second dose administered to me on April 7, 2021, I received my booster dose today", he said.

Chief Minister M K Stalin formally rolled out the initiative on January 10 to administer booster dose to eligible frontline workers, health care workers and those aged above 60 years and have completed the mandated nine-month gap after receiving the second dose of vaccination.

According to Subramanian, there are about four lakh people who are eligible to receive the precautionary doses in the state.

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The government gave a lifeline to Vodafone Idea, saving it from an imminent collapse. After deferring statutory dues, the telco has agreed to issue equity to the government against interest dues on its liabilities. What does this move mean for the company, for the and for the government? is in a better position to raise funds now. So are the online grocers, due to pandemic. Of late, online grocers such as BigBasket and new entrants in the quick commerce space such as Swiggy have been looking at the community buying model in social commerce to expand online grocery in Tier 4 and 5 . But what is the community buying model? How is it different from the traditional reseller model in social commerce? And does social commerce hold the key to expanding the share of online shopping in the total food, grocery, apparel and consumer electronics retail trade in the country? The online grocers may well tap the unexplored in small towns, where traditional kiranas are still calling the shots. Now lets find out how the IT giants are placed ahead of their quarterly results.

The October-December quarter is generally a low season for the Indian IT companies such as Infosys and TCS due to furloughs in its majority markets. But analysts expect the third quarter of FY22 to be an exception this time. That apart, what all factors will guide the markets today and how should you trade Voda Idea after yesterdays crash? After markets, let us see how the government is gearing up to deal with another wave of pandemic. According to the Delhi government, 35 out of 46 people who succumbed to Covid-19 between Wednesday and Saturday last week were not vaccinated at all. This analysis has re-emphasised the ever-increasing need for inoculation. Beginning Monday, the central government rolled out the booster or precautionary dose of Covid-19 vaccine for senior citizens with comorbidities. Healthcare and frontline workers are getting the third shot. Find out about this precautionary dose and more in this episode of the podcast.
India's leading telecom operators have asked the government for a major cut of 90-95% in the base price for the 5G auction in the mid-band 3300-3670. Read more on that in today's top headlines.

Deadline to file corporate income-tax returns, audit extended

The finance ministry on Tuesday extended the deadline for corporations to file income-tax returns (ITRs) to March 15, 2022. For entities whose accounts need auditing, the last date to submit the audits has been extended to February 15. However, salaried taxpayers whose accounts are not liable for auditing did not get an extension. Read more

Telecom companies push for 90-95% cut in base price of 5G spectrum

The countrys three leading mobile operators have asked for a steep cut of 90-95 per cent in the base price for the 5G auction in the mid-band 3300-3670.

The regulator had earlier recommended a price of Rs 492 crore per MHZ for pan-Indian spectrum of this band. Telecom companies had complained that this was very high and would make 5G services unviable. Read more

Pune's startup FPL Technologies valuation jumps to $750 million

FPL Technologies, a Pune-based start-up based in Pune, has raised $75 million as part of its Series C funding round, led by its existing investor - QED Investors along with Janchor Partners, Sequoia Capital India, Matrix Partners and Hummingbird Ventures.

The fresh equity is raised at a post-money valuation of $750 million. Read more

Q3 preview: Profit may rise 17% YoY; buyback quantum eyed, say analysts

IT major, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), is scheduled to announce its December quarter (Q3FY22) results on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, along with considering a share buyback proposal. On an average, the companys net profit may rise 2.5 per cent sequentially, up to Rs 10,200 crore, backed by nearly 4 per cent QoQ jump in revenue. Read more

stitches deal with Tatas for title sponsorship

The is replacing mobile device maker as title sponsor of the (IPL) after the Chinese firm pulled out of the contract for the second time in less than two years. The decision to rope in the was taken in a governing council meeting of the IPL on Tuesday. Read more
Slamming the administration for the breach in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's in the state, an ex-servicemen body has written to President Ram Nath Kovind to take measures to ensure that such lapses and "dereliction of duties" don't go unpunished.

Noting that he is also India's supreme commander, the veterans in a letter to the President urged for suitable action to ensure that such "unacceptable lapse" does not recur.

The letter has been written by 'Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad' headed by Lt Gen V K Chaturvedi (retd).

This is indeed a very sad reflection on the state of the civil administration in and throws up numerous questions on the capacity and capability of all those responsible for the visit and the law and order prevailing, it said, referring to the breach of security during Modi's trip last week which forced him to cut short his visit.

The veterans noted that Modi was enroute to pay the nation's respects at the Martyrs' Memorial and that the contingency plan required that his route should have been secured and cleared by the state administration, irrespective of the fact that the initial plan was to move by helicopter from Bhatinda to Ferozepur.

It is extremely shocking that this was not done, indicating total apathy on the part of the government and its administration, the veterans said.

"For the Punjab chief minister to state that his government had no intimation that the prime minister would move by road is thus misleading and unacceptable as a road move was part of the contingency planning," they said.

A clearance was also given by the Punjab DGP but the route was not sanitised which suggests "utter indifference" and "total incompetence" to the most sensitive matter, they said.

They claimed that the absence of the chief secretary and the DGP to receive Modi on an official visit to the state also gives credence to the "conspiracy theory" being talked about and is a matter of great concern.

The security of the prime minister was thus compromised, which could have resulted in very serious consequences for the country, they 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.)
In his last scheduled Army Day press conference as the chief of the Indian Army, General M M Naravane underlined its impressive performance in meeting the twin challenges of Covid-19 and the Chinese intrusions in Eastern Ladakh, while also tackling the proxy war on the western front (with Pakistan).

The armys response to Chinas attempts to unilaterally change the status quo along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) has been very robust and we have been able to thwart their designs, said Naravane.

Describing the armys reaction after being surprised in May 2020 when thousands of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) troops crossed the LAC  the de facto Sino-Indian border  Naravane said: We have inducted additional troops; we have made billeting arrangements for as many as 25,000 additional troops that had gone into that sector. Not only billeting but also roads and tracks, and storage facilities for ammunition and FOL (fuel, oil, lubricants); and additional facilities for more increments that might need to come into the sector.

Naravane asserted his army was much better poised today than it was a year, or a year-and-a-half, ago to meet any challenge that was thrown up.

Describing the frantic troop redeployment and review of operational plans that followed the PLAs intrusions into the Pangong Tso, Galwan, Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang sectors in April-May 2020, the army chief said: This also gave us an opportunity to review our operational plans and a lot of activities were undertaken to augment our capabilities, not just in Eastern but all along our northern front (where we took) a very holistic view.

It was not just about augmentation of forces, but also of infrastructure weapons and equipment. I dare say that in the last year or year-and-a-half our capabilities have increased manifold in the northern front, said Naravane.

Meanwhile, in Ladakh, the Indian and Chinese commanders were engaged on Wednesday in the 14th round of senior officers talks. It is a good thing that talks are going on. It shows we can resolve our differences through dialogue, said Naravane.

Describing the potential of the senior officers talks to defuse the situation, the army chief recounted the progress since 2020: The 4th and 5th round of talks resulted in resolving the issue at PP 14. By the 9th and 10th round, we were able to resolve the issues in the north and south bank of Pangong Tso and the Kailash Range. By the 12th round, we were able to resolve the issue at PP 17 We have to keep talking to each other to understand each others viewpoints, perceptions and differences. And every time we have this dialogue, those differences keep getting narrowed down. And then we reach an understanding, which is based on mutual and equitable security and which is acceptable to both sides.

But to expect that every round of talks will have an outcome is also quite unreasonable. A number of rounds will be needed to resolve the situation one at a time. In the series of talks that are going on, we are hopeful that we will be able to resolve the talks at PP 15, which is the one that is pending right now. Once that is done, we will go on to the other issues which pre-date the current standoff. We are hopeful that those will also get resolved, said Naravane.

Responding to a question on whether the Chinese presence in Eastern was a permanent one, Naravane said: Now that (the Chinese) are there and they have made a lot of infrastructure, it remains to be seen whether they will permanently garrison themselves there (in Eastern Ladakh), or whether they are going to be amenable to some kind of de-induction in times to come.

Describing the steps towards de-escalation, the army chief said: First, disengagement has to happen from certain areas. Once disengagement happens, we can think of a little bit of de-escalation. By that I mean moving back from being bang on the LAC to areas in depth, but remaining within that general area. Once this kind of confidence is built up, we can think of de-induction, wherein troops can go back to their garrisons and locations. But whatever we decide to do will be based on the principle of mutual and equal security, which will be our bottom line. But until that happens, we have to be prepared to stay there as long as it is required.





Naravane, who has, since he became army chief, mooted the need for the Indian Army to shift its balance from the western (Pakistani) border to the northern (Chinese) border, said this did not require clairvoyance.

This (shift in emphasis) has been discussed for a long time Over the years, a lot of the augmentation of the northern borders had already taken place. In Sikkim, the armour has built up from none to an independent armoured squadron, which was built up to two armoured regiments. So force augmentation and a little bit of rebalancing to the northern borders was already being carried out.

We have always been cognisant of the dual threat that we face on the northern front and the western front and we have always been reviewing our operational plans. It shows we are a dynamic army, said Naravane.

Asked whether Chinas famed infrastructure development would result in the Indian Army being caught short on the LAC, Naravane said his soldiers are building infrastructure too: Whatever they (the Chinese) are doing is being equally matched from our side. We too are building roads and bridges and in no way are we lagging behind. I think we are evenly matched as far as that is concerned.

Responding to a question on the situation with Pakistan after a border ceasefire, Naravane was upbeat. In February 2021, we were able to reach an understanding with the Pakistan side. There was a ceasefire in place since 2003, but that was being observed mainly in the breach. Post-February 2021, this understanding was renewed and, since then, ceasefire violations have come down drastically. In fact, none has happened except for two isolated incidents, he said.

That has created a little bit of normalcy on the western front. That, notwithstanding, the proxy war continues. Terrorists are still there in launch pads across the border. The combined intelligence inputs suggest as many as 350-400 terrorists on the other side or in training camps. So the threat has in no way receded. We have to remain alert and the threat from the western front is there and cannot be ignored, said the army chief.
Commercial service and can safely co-exist, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has said, allaying concern about signal interference with aircraft systems.

COAI, which represents telecom companies, issued a statement on Wednesday in reaction to a letter by Federation of Indian Pilots that raised the issue about possible interference of signals with radio altimeter in an aircraft. Altimeters measure altitude above terrain. It helps pilots in situational awareness during low visibility and also provide inputs for onboard systems such as the traffic collision avoidance system.

"We understand the concerns raised by Federation of Indian Pilots, and the matter has been highlighted in the past as well wherein the authorities have found the issue of spectrum interference uncorroborated. There is a gap of 530 MHz (from 3670 MHz to 4200 MHz) in the transmission of frequencies. Thus, making it safe for 5G and to co-exist, director general S P Kochhar said.

While 5G trials are currently underway in the 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz bands, the Department of Telecommunications has decided to allocate new frequency bands in the 526-698 MHz band for 5G services as well. The government expects commercial roll out of service later this year and spectrum auctions are expected to take place in July.

In the US, at least 50 airports will have temporary buffer zones that will ban 5G coverage. The measure has been undertaken following representation by industry bodies seeking practical solutions prioritizing safety and avoiding disruption to air traffic.
The power regulator DERC has turned down city discoms' request to allow them to relinquish 98 Mega Watt of power allocation from three generation plants of NTPC, official sources said on Wednesday.

The three discoms BRPL, BYPL and TPDDL had through Delhi government last year sought reallocation of 98 MW of power from NTPC power plants-



Kahalgaon-I (51 MW), Farakka (23 MW) and Unchahar -I (24 MW).

"The request was turned down by Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission considering lower cost and their contribution in meeting the existing demand," the sources said.

It was communicated by DERC to Delhi government's additional chief secretary(power) in a letter in December 2022, they said.

The average power purchase cost of Delhi is higher as compared to many other states due to "higher allocation from the costly power plants", stated the letter. Delhi has neither coal mines nor hydro-potential and is totally dependent on central PSUs as major source of its power supply.

Further, the letter stated that NTPC's gas based stations- Anta, Auraiya and Dadri-Gas- have higher generation cost.

The generation cost of these (Kahalgaon-I, Farakka and Unchahar -I) plants is lower as compared to that of gas based plants, it said.

"Considering the cost and their contribution in meeting the existing demand, the power allocation from these plants to Delhi will require to be continued at present," stated the DERC letter.

The distribution licences (discoms) also informed DERC that the matter related to surrender of power from Dadri-I is subjudice.

Power regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission in July 2022 had allowed Reliance Infrastructure firms BRPL and BYPL to exit power purchase agreements with NTPC's Dadri-I power plant, which completed 25 years.

The NTPC has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against it.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Marine was accused of sending inappropriate images. His account has since been deleted. (Twitter)

A Marine is under investigation for sending an unwanted photo of his genitals as part of a pattern of misrepresenting himself to exploit vulnerable women, according to several people familiar with the events.

The Marine Corps launched an inquiry last week after social media posts about the unsolicited photo grabbed the attention of a two-star deputy commanding general at the Armys Cyber Center of Excellence.

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Maj. Gen. Johanna Clyborne, who is also adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, asked publicly on Twitter for information so the noncommissioned officer could be reported.

But in addition to that uproar, dozens of women accuse him of lying and manipulating them for months to get pity, emotional gratification, nude photos and, in some cases, sex.

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Hes literally lying about his whole life, said the woman who received the unsolicited photo, a government employee who said she had a security clearance and asked not to be named to protect her privacy and career.

If you know the identity of the NCO who was DMing inappropriate pictures please DM me that individuals information and unit if known.  Maj. Gen. Jo Clyborne (@joclyborne) January 1, 2022

The service is withholding the accused Marines name and other details to protect his privacy and the integrity of the investigation.

We take all allegations of sexual harassment seriously and do not condone the alleged online behavior, Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Jim Stenger said in an email.

The Marine under investigation, who was identified online, did not respond to inquiries on Twitter, and a phone number at which others had reached him was disconnected.

One of at least two Twitter accounts believed to be the Marines, @USEmCee, was deleted. But not before he admitted there that he was wrong to send pictures and sexual comments without explicit consent.

___

A double life

He told the women he was in special operations battlefield personnel recovery or was the Marine Corps version of James Bond, some said online and in interviews. But in reality, hes a musician, they say.

His targets say he maintained the public Twitter account @USEmCee, which, before the scandal, had gained some popularity for tweets about leadership but also featured many of what he called horny posts.

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He contacted many of the women through that account, with its profile photo showing staff sergeant rank insignia.

While he often publicly spoke of taking care of lower-ranking Marines, he was privately making passes at junior personnel, the women say.

He often made sexual comments to a much younger ROTC cadet, in what some say was a shocking abuse of rank.

It was only after the photo incident that some felt comfortable coming forward with more accusations.

It took one person being brave enough to post about it, said Madison Korns, a 23-year-old civilian who met him through a military friend online and joined a chat group in which members exchanged nude photos.

Now, approximately 35 women have begun sharing their stories of him in a group chat of their own. Some have also done so in public forums online.

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He helped a lot of people, and he made people think it was genuine, the government employee said. I think he did that just to lure women in.

___

Narcissist behavior

Between posts about leadership, @USEmCee often discussed his masturbation habits in public posts.

With some women, he initiated private conversations that were sexual at the outset, but with others, he at first offered help as they struggled with personal difficulties.

Online and in interviews, the women say he lied to build trust. For example, one tweet said he told a woman dealing with the death of a loved one that he worked in mortuary affairs.

Were all convinced that he had like a spreadsheet (of the lies), Korns said. I just dont know how he kept any of this straight.

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Korns opened up to him about having been sexually assaulted in college, and he shared purported details about himself, telling her he was adopted and had one lung, she said.

Now Im questioning everything hes ever said, Korns said.

He frequently played on sympathy, claiming to be a 30-something virgin or long celibate after being repeatedly rejected by women, they say. He told some hed never dated.

It now seems he was married the whole time, the women say. Stars and Stripes could not independently confirm his marital status.

Though few of the women have met him in person, he has likely amassed an impressive collection of nude photographs of them, said a former Marine who is in the private group chat.

Shes one of at least two who say they had sexual relationships with him. But she wouldnt have if she had suspected he was married, she said.

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To obscure his relationship status, he told some women that he had a female roommate who was carrying a dying friends child and that he planned to adopt the child when the friend died, she said.

To me this is like true psychopath, narcissist behavior, said the former Marine, who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect her privacy.

She stressed that those he charmed are not stupid. They just didnt think to compare notes online  until now.

Were still unraveling lies that hes told, said the former Marine.

___

A revealing photo

The government employees friendship with @USEmCee began after she complained online about discrimination she said she faced from a Navy corpsman while getting medical care.

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The Marine messaged to advise her how to file a formal complaint, she said. Soon after, their chats turned sexual, and at some point they exchanged intimate photos.

But after about a month, in October, he went too far by suggesting they meet up to get blackout drunk and have sex.

To me it feels predatory, she said. He was very adamant about getting drunk.

After that, he continued love bombing her with messages, she said, but she largely ignored them until she awoke Dec. 30 to the unrequested and unwanted Snapchat image of his private parts.

She tweeted her disgust without naming him. He responded privately that he thought that shed liked that type of photo before, according to screenshots she provided.

Still, she was reluctant to publicly out him until she found out that he was doing damage control by suggesting to others that shed led him to believe such images were welcome. So she released the screenshot of his admission.

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It wasnt just a dk pic that was the problem, but months of calculated deceit with her and others, she said on a Twitter account shes since made private.

___

Potential consequences

Some military-affiliated Twitter users say the incident highlights issues with sexual misconduct in the military. Others see it as a timeless tale of a man lying to impress women. Some questioned whether it warranted a generals attention.

Clyborne has no doubts. To ignore it would be shirking her duties and tolerating unacceptable behavior, she told Stars and Stripes.

The behavior we accept is the standard we set, she said in an emailed statement.

Clyborne made it easier for others to speak up, said Natalia Antonova, a journalist and online security researcher with whom @USEmCee also interacted privately online.

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Its a really good thing that he got unmasked, she said.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

As for potential punishment, trial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for sending intimate images may be difficult because the code doesnt address distribution of photos of ones own body, said Don Christensen, a former Air Force prosecutor.

But administrative actions could be taken for sure, said Christensen, now president of Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy group for military sexual assault survivors.

The seedy incident also hints at potential national security vulnerabilities, as foreign security services could exploit defense personnel using the same tactics, Antonova said.

The Marines downfall, she said, was talking to so many women that he lost control.

Not even Russian spies are that dumb, said Antonova, a frequent Kremlin critic.

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For the former Marine who says she met with him, its horrifying that an NCO would pose as a mentor and then exploit that.

I want that power taken away from him, she said.
India's imports of palm oils declined by 29.15 per cent to 5.44 lakh tonnes in December 2021, but the rise in shipments of RBD palmolein is threatening the survival of domestic refineries, Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) said on Wednesday.

India, the world's leading vegetable oil buyer, had imported 7,68,392 tonnes of palm oils in December 2020. In December last year, fell to 5,44,343 tonnes.

The country's total vegetable oil imports declined by 10 per cent to 12.26 lakh tonnes in December 2021 compared to 13.56 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.

The share of palm oil is more than 60 per cent of the country's total vegetable oil imports.

According to SEA, there has been a rise in imports of RBD palmolein that will affect domestic refiners. There is a huge disparity in prices of RBD palmolein and Crude Palm Oil (CPO) after reduction in import duty on the former.

"The reduction in effective import duty on (refined) palmolein from 19.25 per cent to 13.75 per cent without simultaneous reduction in import duty on CPO has the potential to increase the import of refined palmolein at the cost of CPO, which is the raw material for domestic refiners," it said.

Since RBD palmolein is freely allowed at lower duty till March 2022, SEA said about 10 to 12 lakh tonnes of RBD palmolein imports are expected during the January-March quarter, replacing much of CPO as there is a disparity to the tune of Rs 6,000-8,000 per tonne in processing costs.

"It indicates that Indian refiners have a heavy disparity and will compel them to close down the palm oil refineries," it added.

Among palm oil products, import of CPO declined 29.59 per cent to 5.28 lakh tonnes in December 2021 from 7.48 lakh tonne in the year-ago period, as per SEA data.

The shipment of Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO) also fell to 13,800 tonnes from 19,486 tonnes in the same period a year ago.

However, the imports of RBD palmolein rose to 24,000 tonnes in December 2021 from 900 tonnes in the year-ago period.

Among soft oils, the import of soyabean oil increased 21.57 per cent to 3.92 lakh tonnes in December last year as against 3.22 lakh tonnes in December 2020.

Similarly, the shipment of sunflower oil rose 10 per cent to 2.58 lakh tonnes in December 2021 from 2.34 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.

According to SEA, edible oils stock as of January 1 was estimated at 5.80 lakh tonnes and about 11.40 lakh tonnes was in the pipeline.

palm oil mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, and a small quantity of crude soft oil, including soyabean oil, from Argentina. Sunflower oil is imported from Ukraine and Russia.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India and set a bilateral trade target of $50 billion before 2030, as South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo held talks with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The two mnisters held wide-ranging discussions covering the whole gamut of bilateral trade and investment-related aspects. They also agreed to impart fresh momentum to the discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CEPA) upgradation negotiations and also promote extensive B2B interactions on trade and investment between industry leaders of the two countries, a Commerce and Industry Ministry statement said.

The two ministers agreed to address difficulties expressed by industry from both sides and instructed their respective negotiating teams to meet on a regular basis in order to conclude the CEPA upgradation negotiations, as soon as possible, in a time-bound manner, building upon support from relevant stakeholders, so as to try to achieve the target of $50 billion before 2030 which was agreed at the summit meeting in 2018.

These regular negotiations shall be a forum to discuss the difficulties of the business community from both countries and emerging trade-related issues including supply chain resilience. The ministers agreed to boost bilateral trade to achieve growth in a fair and balanced manner to the mutual advantage of both sides.

According to data from South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, bilateral trade in the first half (January-June) of 2021 was recorded at $10.97 billion, an increase of 38 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year. South Korea's to India increased 38.5 per cent ($7.4 billion), imports increased 37.4 per cent ($3.6 billion), and the trade balance recorded a surplus of $3.8 billion.

--IANS

nimish/vd

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The and the are locked in a close battle in Manipur, as they are projected to poll 36 per cent and 33 per cent votes in the upcoming Assembly elections, respectively, as per the ABP-CVOTER Battle for the States survey

The 60-member Assembly will go to the polls in two phases on February 27 and March 3, while the counting of votes will be taken up on March 10.

The sample size for the survey was 2,100 across 60 Assembly seats in the state.

The has led over the consistently, albeit with a wafer-thin margin. The trend observed so far seems to be crystallising and the BJP's edge has withered over the from the previous round of tracker.

It is currently expected to win 25 seats while the Congress is close on the heels with 24 seats. The Naga ethnic party NPF is expected to mop up 4 seats and "others" could tag around the 7 remaining seats.

The crystallisation of electoral trends has a lot to do with polarisation along ethnic lines witnessed in the state. The renewed Naga assertion and reaction to it from Manipuri tribes is the defining feature of the coming elections.

In case the loses its slender edge or if there is a sudden surge from Congress, we may observe yet another hung Assembly with the role of kingmaker resting with NPF and others. The probability of that happening is more than what it was a month ago.

polls are important for the BJP to show its continued dominance in Northeast India, especially with the worsening internal security situation casting a shadow over its track record. A pacified and progressive Northeast has been an important pillar of BJP's national messaging, predicated on security and national assertions.

--IANS

san/arm

(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.)
Hours after supremo unveiled his party's " Model" of governance after the Feb 14 polls, state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu attacked him dubbing him a "political tourist" and his model a Copy-Cat Model".

"Political Tourist @ who was absent in for the last 4.5 years claims to have a Model. AAP's campaign & agenda is a joke on the people of Punjab. A list of 10 pointers written by people sitting in Delhi with zero knowledge of Punjab can never be Punjab Model!, Sidhu tweeted.

Besides dubbing Kejriwal's post-poll governance template for Punjab as a "Copy-Cat Model", Sidhu went on to describe it also as I am very insecure Model, Liquor Mafia Model, Ticket for Money Model, I am very sorry Majithia Ji: the Cowardice Model, Writing free cheques model, Electricity to Ambani's Model and 450 jobs in five years Model.

Sidhu, who had earlier shared his roadmap for ruling the state after polls, said the resurrection of Punjab is a serious issue as the lives of three crores Punjabis depend on it.

"People of Punjab will not fall for these hollow and non-serious agendas. A Genuine Roadmap which will bring back People's resources from Mafia Pockets to People of Punjab is required," said Sidhu in his tweet.

Earlier in the day, unveiling his party's "Punjab Model" of governing the state after polls, national convener and Delhi chief minister had promised justice in sacrilege cases, jobs to youths, corruption-free governance, asserting that people want to bring his party to power to break the friendly "partnership" between the Badals and the Congress.

The Punjab model will have a 10-point agenda which will include free power to people up to 300 units per billing cycle and controlling the drug menace, he said.

The Delhi chief minister said with the announcement of polls, people are happy that they have got an opportunity to bring a change and have made up their minds to give AA a chance.

Accusing the Badal family and Congress of looting the state, Kejriwal said, "This time people have made up their minds to break this partnership and bring the government of common people, common Punjabis".

A day earlier, Sidhu had promised setting up of a state-owned liquor corporation for mobilising about Rs 25,000 crore of revenue if his party returns to power after the assembly polls.

He had also promised to set up a state-run corporation for sand mining and a regulatory commission for the cable sector.

He said everyone claims that the Punjab exchequer is empty but nobody gives any roadmap on how to improve its financial health.

"If the right agenda is not given, you will be the same run-off-the-mill government that has been run by the two chief ministers for the last 25 years," he had said.

Elaborating his plans to set up the state's liquor corporation, if the Congress returns to power in Punjab, Sidhu said it will regulate the liquor industry in Punjab.

(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.)
Unveiling his party's "Punjab Model" ahead of assembly polls, national convener on Wednesday promised justice in sacrilege cases, jobs to youth, corruption-free governance, and asserted that people want to bring his party to power to break the friendly "partnership" between the Badals and the Congress.

The Punjab model will have a 10-point agenda which will include providing free power to people up to 300 units per billing cycle and controlling the drug menace, he said.

The Delhi chief minister said that with the announcement of polls, people are happy that they have got an opportunity to bring a change.

"In 1966, Punjab became a separate state. Since then till today, for 25 years Congress ruled the state while for 19 years the Badal family ruled. Both ruled the state in a partnership of sorts. Whether the Badal party came to power or the Congress, they ran their governments in partnership. When their government used to come to power, they never used to take action against each other," Kejriwal said at a press conference in Mohali.

Accusing the Badal family and Congress of looting the state, he said, "This time people have made up their mind to break this partnership and bring government of common people, common Punjabis", and added that people have made up their mind to give one chance to .

Spelling out the AAP's agenda if it comes to power, Kejriwal said he, state unit chief Bhagwant Mann and other leaders have been touring Punjab over past many weeks and meeting people and based on the inputs they got from various sections of people, the party has prepared the "Punjab Model".

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu had earlier shared the roadmap about his "Punjab Model".

"When AAP will form government, we will make a new Punjab, which is prosperous and which will usher in growth," said Kejriwal, whose party is eyeing to wrest power from the Congress.

Touching upon the 10-point agenda, Kejriwal said employment avenues will be generated in the state and youth who have left for greener pastures including Canada will contemplate coming back once they get jobs in their own state.

He said it will be the AAP's priority to control drug menace which, he said, is continuing as before as drug mafia enjoys patronage from powers that be.

Establishing peace, harmony and brotherhood in the state and giving justice in sacrilege cases and strict punishment to the culprits involved is also on the party's agenda, he said, adding there have been so many sacrilege incidents, but not even in one case anyone has been punished.

If voted to power, we will wipe out the drug syndicate from Punjab, ensure justice in all cases of sacrilege, and end corruption. We will set up 16,000 mohalla clinics & provide free treatment to every Punjabi. We will also provide 24/7 free electricity: AAP chief pic.twitter.com/O7Y5YKmgYK  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

He also promised to give corruption-free Punjab, where the common man, "who has to give bribe to get his work done," will no longer have to do that.

Among other agenda points of the AAP's "Punjab Model", Kejriwal promised to improve the state of education and health in the state, where condition of government schools, hospitals will be improved while 16,000 "Mohalla Clinics" will also be opened in the health sector.

Kejriwal said women above 18 years will be given Rs 1,000 per month.

All issues of farmers will be resolved while a "raid raj" and "corruption" will be eliminated and a congenial atmosphere will be created for trade and industry to flourish, he added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a significant political development, Nationalist Congress Party President announced on Tuesday that his party would contest the upcoming Assembly in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and .

Stating that the party will join hands with the Samajwadi Party-led front coming up in Uttar Pradesh, Pawar said that he would attend a meeting convened next week to discuss and finalise alliances and poll strategies for the northern state, which will go to the polls in seven phases between February 10 and March 7.

"Of the five states going to the polls, we shall be contesting in three states. We plan to work out alliances with like-minded parties," Pawar told mediapersons here.

While the would be joining the SP-led alliance in Uttar Pradesh, in Manipur, the party is cobbling up an understanding with the Congress, with which it shares power in Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

"We are in talks with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress in Goa," Pawar added while disclosing NCP's programme to contest in three of the five states going to the polls in February-March, barring in Punjab and Uttarakhand.

Elaborating on Uttar Pradesh, the 81-year-old leader said that "the stage is set for a change" from the current rule by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The masses want 'parivartan', and UP is all set for a change (of power). People there are not happy with the BJP's communal style of politics. Polarisation on communal lines is being done in UP ahead of the elections, and the voters will give a befitting reply to this," Pawar said.

Referring to the abrupt exit of Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned from his office on Tuesday with sources claiming that he is likely to join the Samajwadi Party soon, Pawar said that "this is just the beginning" and the BJP will get many more such jolts in the run-up to the .

Hoping that the Samajwadi Party-led alliance will sweep to power in the ensuing elections, Pawar hinted that at least a dozen more MLAs from various other political parties in Uttar Pradesh are likely to walk over to Samajwadi Party soon.

In Manipur, where the has four legislators, it will be a tie-up with the Congress to contest five seats, while negotiations are underway with Shiv Sena-Congress to repeat Maharashtra's MVA experiment in Goa and ensure BJP's defeat.

For Goa, MP Praful Patel, Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Goa Congress leaders are negotiating to hammer out an alliance on the lines of MVA.

Pawar declared that he would attend a meeting convened by SP President Akhilesh Yadav to discuss the election strategy, saying that the voters will not support BJP's plans to contest on communal lines.

The NCP supremo also slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's recent '80:20' statement (80 per cent people are with BJP, 20 per cent are against), saying that it was not befitting of him (Adityanath) to seek to divide the people on religious lines and hurting the sentiments of the minority community there.

Speaking of Punjab, Pawar surmised that the incumbent Congress will return to power, but with the recent turn of events, even the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has become a contender.

On the much-talked about grand opposition alliance at the national level, Pawar reiterated that the Congress must be an integral part of any such opposition front against the BJP.

Nevertheless, he said it is up to the Congress to decide whether to go alone or join hands with like-minded parties in the coming Assembly elections.

MVA ally in Maharashtra, the Congress is yet to react to Pawar's assertions on the proposed NCP-SP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, alliance with Congress in Manipur, and talks with both Congress and Trinamool in Goa.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)

--IANS

qn/arm

(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.)
Two men, including an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel, were shot dead in Manipur's Imphal West district, leading to tension in the area, police said on Monday.

The incident happened around 9 pm on Sunday in Samurou in the Wangoi police station area, they said.

Abujam John (50) and Abujam Sashikanta (34) were near their home when the accused, who are yet to be identified, shot them, police said.

John died at the spot, while Sashikanta, the IRB personnel, succumbed to the wounds on the way to a hospital, they said.

John was an active member and worked for agricultural minister O Lukhoi, party sources said.

Locals said that Sashikanta was also a supporter and worked for the party in the area.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh visited the families of the victims on Monday morning.

"It was an attack on supporters and the government will not remain silent until the perpetrators are arrested," he said.

Police are investigating the killings, he added.

The killings led to tensions in the area with the state going to the polls next month.

Protesting the killings, irate locals blocked the arterial Mayai Lambi Road that passes through the town, connecting capital Imphal. However, the police swiftly removed the protesters and brought the situation under control.

(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.)
Senior UP minister and government spokesman Siddhartha Nath Singh has said that former minister Swami Prasad Maurya, in all the five years that he was a minister, had never raised any concern about the state government overlooking interests of backward castes, Dalits or the youth.

"Those who did not work and expected things to happen in the last minute, also understood whether they will get a ticket. So, accordingly, left because of that. They knew that they won't get a ticket," he said.

In his resignation letter, Maurya has come down heavily on the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh. As he quit the BJP, Maurya accused the party of working against the backward community.

sources said that Maurya was angling for a ticket for his son Utkarsh Maurya. His daughter Sanghmitra Maurya is already an MP from Badaun.

Singh said, "What surprises me is that we sat together in the cabinet and many other groups of ministers. All the while we were together, he always praised that the Yogi government, along with the Modi government, has done the maximum for Dalits, OBCs, maximum for the farmers."

Maurya, a five-term MLA, wields clout among 35 per cent non-Yadav OBCs in eastern Uttar Pradesh. His exit from the has triggered a rippling effect with the resignation of three other MLAs - Roshan Lal Varma, Brijendra Prajapati and Bhagwati Sharan Sagar. All three have accused the Yogi government of being anti-OBC.

--IANS

amita/svn

(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 on Wednesday accused the government in Punjab of deliberately ignoring the security threat to Prime Minister despite being informed of it by state police personnel, and asked who in the opposition party sought to benefit from the breach.

Union minister and leader Smriti Irani cited a 'sting' done by a new channel which purportedly showed some Punjab Police officials saying that they informed their superiors about protestors blocking the route of Modi's carcade but no action was allegedly taken.

Addressing a press conference, she said, "What is extremely disconcerting is that Punjab Police officials have highlighted how they continuously engaged with the Cong government and administration in Punjab to bring to light the threat to the security of PM and his route. The question this expose begets who in the Congress-led government in Punjab continued to deliberately ignore these threats to the PM's security?"



Who sought to benefit in the from the breach to Modi's security, she asked.

Irani said the then Punjab DGP had given an all-clear message to Modi's security team and wondered as to why he did so.

She also hit out at the over Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's statement that he had also briefed party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra about the development and questioned his doing so as the Congress general secretary is a private citizen.

Why is that private citizen an "interested party" in the matter of the prime minister's security, Irani asked.

With Channi often taking aim at the over its concerted campaign against him over the alleged security threat to the prime minister, she accused Congress leaders of trivialising such a serious matter.

Modi's Punjab visit on January 5 was cut short as he was stranded on a flyover for 20 minutes due to a blockade by protesters.

After the lapse in security, Modi's convoy decided to return without attending an event at a martyrs' memorial at Hussainiwala. The prime minister also could not attend a rally in Ferozepur.

Channi has insisted that there was no threat to Modi.The Congress has suggested that the decision to cut short the prime minister's trip was caused by the alleged thin attendance at his rally.

The Supreme Court has constituted a panel to probe the entire incident.



I reiterate our questions to Congress high command. Why were security measures deliberately breached due to the active connivance of the Congress-led Govt in Punjab? Who in Congress sought to benefit from the breach of PM's security?: Union Minister Smriti Irani pic.twitter.com/GA9QDLg5rI  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

(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.)
Delhi CM and National Convener said on Wednesday that the party would announce its chief ministerial candidate for Punjab next week.

Kejriwal, who is in Chandigarh for a two-day visit, said, "We will announce AAP's CM candidate for Punjab next week."

The Punjab election is scheduled for February 14 and the result will be announced on March 10.

This time, Shiromani Akali Dal has joined hands with BSP and BJP is contesting elections with former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).

In the 2017 Assembly election, the Congress party won the polls, securing 77 seats of the 117 total constituencies. had emerged runner-up, winning 20 seats. Akali Dal had won 15 seats and its alliance partner BJP in 3 seats.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At-home COVID-19 rapid tests will soon be free to many people, following an announcement Monday that President Joe Bidens administration will require insurance companies to cover their cost.

But despite that requirement being slated to take effect Saturday, some details of how it will work remain nearly as scarce as the tests themselves, which have been in short supply in recent weeks.

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Youngstown City Health Department worker Faith Terreri grabs two at-home COVID-19 test kits to be handed out during a distribution event on Dec. 30, 2021, in Youngstown, Ohio. (David Dermer/AP)

Heres what we do (and dont) know so far:

Q: Who will be able to get the tests for free?

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A: The Biden administration is requiring insurance companies and group health plans (such as those typically offered by employers) to cover the costs of tests for members. People who buy their own insurance plans will also be eligible for the free tests.

State Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, programs, which are for lower-income individuals and families, are already required to cover the tests.

Traditional Medicare will not cover the costs of over-the-counter, at-home tests through this new program, though people on Medicare may be able to get free at-home tests through community health centers and Medicare-certified health clinics and through a new, federal website expected to be unveiled next week .

People with Medicare Advantage plans should check with their individual plans to see if theyre covering over-the-counter, at-home tests.

Q: What types of tests will be covered? How many?

A: The new requirement will apply to over-the-counter COVID-19 tests that have been authorized, cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That includes a number of tests, such as the popular BinaxNOW test made by north suburban-based Abbott Laboratories.

The tests generally involve swabbing the nose at home and then waiting 10 to 15 minutes for results.

Q: How many tests can a person get for free?

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A: Insurance companies will be required to cover eight over-the-counter, at-home tests each month, per person on a plan. That means if there are four people in a family, all covered by the same insurance plan, the family could get 32 free tests a month.

Q: Will there be any upfront cost to buy tests?

A: This is where things get tricky. The administration is requiring insurers to cover the costs of the tests in one of two ways. Insurers can pay for them upfront, meaning a consumer could go into a pharmacy, pick out a test, show an insurance card and then walk out with a test without paying any money.

Or, insurers can have a consumer pay for a test at the pharmacy and then seek reimbursement by submitting a claim to the insurer.

Neither of Illinois two largest health insurance companies, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois or UnitedHealthcare, answered questions Tuesday about which methods they plan to use.

Blue Cross spokeswoman Colleen Miller said in a statement, We are analyzing the Biden-Harris Administrations mandate to cover (over-the-counter) home Covid-19 tests and we will be prepared to implement according to the governments guidelines.

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A spokesperson for Deerfield-based Walgreens said the retail pharmacy chain was awaiting further guidance from federal and regulatory agencies on reimbursement.

Spokespeople for Walmart and CVS Health did not respond by deadline Tuesday to requests for comment on details of how consumers would be able to get the tests for free at their stores.

People will be able to buy the tests at stores and through online retailers.

Q: How do I get reimbursed for tests?

A: Starting Saturday, if you have to pay upfront for an over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 test, keep your receipt. Contact your insurance company for more information about how to submit a claim.

How much youll be reimbursed depends on how your insurance company handles this new requirement.

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The Biden administration is trying to incentivize insurers to make the tests available with no upfront costs by asking them to set up networks of preferred pharmacies, stores or online retailers where people can get the tests without handing over cash. Insurance companies that do that will only have to reimburse people up to $12 a test if they buy the tests at stores or retailers outside of those networks.

Insurance companies that dont set up those networks will be required to reimburse people the full costs of the tests, even if they exceed $12.

Q: Can uninsured people get the rapid, at-home tests for free?

A: Not through this new requirement, but the Biden administration plans to distribute 1 billion over-the-counter, at-home tests starting next week. People, regardless of their insurance status, will be able to order those through a website that has not yet been made public.

Uninsured people can also get free, at-home tests from some community health centers, and Medicare-certified health clinics.

Q: Can I get reimbursed for tests I bought before Saturday?

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A: You can try, but insurance companies are not required to cover those.
With transactions setting record highs every month as digital payments adoption deepens in the country, it is quite reasonable to expect this flagship payments platform to process 1 billion transactions a day. While this milestone can be achieved in 10 years time without any effort whatsoever, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the umbrella organisation of digital payments in the country is aiming to achieve the 1 billion transactions per day milestone on in the next 3  5 years, said Dilip Asbe, MD&CEO, .

If we dont do anything, we will achieve this target in the next ten years. But we should aim to do it in the next 3  5 years time and this is where the whole ecosystem has to rally behind it. It is just 5-6x growth than what it is today, Asbe said in a fireside chat with Amirsh Rau, CEO, Pine Labs, at the India Digital Summit.

"The digital payment potential of a country is related to its population and that way we are blessed with a large population and 1 billion transactions a day is clearly possible in 3  5 years time," he said.

To achieve this milestone in the next 3-5 years, Asbe said, it is imperative that we follow the three zero approaches  zero touch (contactless), zero time (it has to be faster than cash), and zero cost to the customer. If these three zero come along then 1 billion transactions a day will happen in the next 3  5 years time, he said.

In addition to that, it is also important to have a high level of customer education and awareness around digital payments and a robust framework and law enforcement agencies.

had a bumper year, both in value and volume terms, in 2021. In CY21, UPI processed more than 38 billion transactions, amounting to Rs 71.59 trillion. In 2021-22 (FY22) so far, it has processed more than 31 billion transactions, surpassing the transactions processed in 2020-21 (FY21). In FY21, the platform processed around 22 billion transactions. The goal is to touch 40-42 billion transactions in FY22.

According to a report by Jeffries, in FY22, UPI accounts for 50 per cent of retail digital payments in the country and is almost 4.5x of debit and credit card transactions. The report said digital payments are annualising at $2 trillion in India, with UPI being the largest driver, followed by cards and mobile wallets. Experts have suggested that the next phase of growth in UPI will come from the AutoPay feature, which allows recurring payments of up to Rs 5,000.

Speaking on the payment charges, Asbe said, from a customer standpoint, it should be absolutely free. Digital payment is driven by the customer, not by the merchants. The reason why I emphasise zero charges to the customer is because you do not want to create any kind of resistance for them, he said.

Having said that, the merchants also benefit from digital modes of payment because when someone pays through cash, the merchant is competing with the cash the customer has but when it comes to digital payments, the merchant instead is competing with the balance the customer has in his bank account. So, there is no harm for a merchant to pay some charges. But they have to be reasonable and they have to come down with volumes going up. Till the time we follow the economies of scale approach on payment charges, it will help the ecosystem to grow, Asbe said.

Currently, UPI payments do not attract merchant discount rates (MDRs), while for debit cards, MDR is capped at 0.9 per cent for transactions, except for RuPay debit card, which attracts zero MDR. In the case of credit cards, there is no cap on MDR. For wallets and PPI instruments, the MDR is not regulated and may range from 1.5 to 2.5 per cent, and in some cases, even higher. MDR is the rate at which merchants are charged for accepting payments made via credit cards, debit cards, net banking and digital wallets.

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it will float a discussion paper, which will cover all aspects of charges in digital payments such as credit cards, debit cards, prepaid payment instruments (cards and wallets) and Unified Payment Interface (UPI), among others, with the main objective of the regulator is to make digital transactions affordable to users and economically remunerative to providers.
About 70 South Korean nationals who attended the giant tech trade show in Las Vegas last week tested positive for COVID-19, health authorities of the Asian country said on Wednesday.

These included some executives and staff of major South Korean companies, according to industry sources and one company.

About 20 people from Samsung Electronics and about six at SK Group, parent of energy firm SK Innovation and chipmaker SK Hynix, were among those

who tested positive for the virus after attending CES, the sources said.

The cases risk dealing a blow to South Korea's COVID-19 control, after the country had just brought down daily number of infections from record highs in December by restoring tough social distancing rules and widely adopting vaccine passports at public locations.

Hyundai Heavy Industries said six of its employees who attended tested positive while in the United States and were quarantined, and some have been released since.

"Multiple" Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Mobis employees who attended also tested positive after arriving back in South Korea, South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported, citing an unidentified industry source without specifying the exact number of cases.

About 70 attendees, all South Korean nationals, have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Tuesday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Some 340 South Korean companies participated in CES, it added.

"Many Korean businesspeople who attended CES ... are now confirmed to be infected with COVID-19," Son Young-rae, a senior South Korean health ministry official, told a briefing.

"We are promptly contacting those who participated in the event and conducting epidemiological investigations, but we urge domestic businesspeople or those who are in Korea that attended the event to undergo PCR tests as soon as possible," he said.

Most of the Samsung officials who tested positive were flown back to Korea from Nevada in two chartered flights, arriving late on Tuesday Seoul time, and the remaining Samsung officials are expected to be flown back on Wednesday, South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported, citing unidentified industry sources.

The Samsung officials are being moved to quarantine facilities in and most were asymptomatic or have light symptoms, the paper said.

A spokesperson for Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES' operator, did not have an immediate response.

Nevada state health authorities said, "Many new cases have had recent travel history, attended events, and have visited multiple locations where they could potentially have acquired their infection." They said they do "not have evidence linking the recent surge in COVID-19 cases with CES." Samsung Electronics declined to confirm details of the cases. It said it "took a number of steps to protect the health and well-being of (CES) attendees", including requiring vaccines, mask mandates, social distancing protocols and providing testing for all employees throughout the week.

SK Group declined to comment on the cases, citing its policy of not disclosing personal information. Hyundai Motor Group did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to media.

reported 381 cases of infections contracted overseas for Tuesday, a record, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, bringing the daily number of infections across the country to 4,388.

Health ministry official Son said the rise of infections contracted overseas is seen mainly due to the spread of the Omicron variant, although the number of CES attendees who tested positive did have some effect.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee and Heekyong Yang in Seoul and Hyunjoo Jin in San Francisco; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell and Muralikumar Anantharaman)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, made the reporting of rapid antigen test results mandatory Wednesday as it experienced its deadliest day of the pandemic with 21 deaths.

State Premier Dominic Perrottet said residents who failed to register a positive rapid antigen test would face a fine of up to 1,000 Australian dollars (USD721) starting next week.

Perrottet said the registration process was simple and would help health officials provide more support to people with underlying health conditions.

The 21 deaths reported in New South Wales on Wednesday topped the previous record of 18 set on Monday. The state saw 34,759 new COVID-19 cases and 2,242 hospitalizations, including 175 patients in intensive care.

Victoria state also reported 21 deaths Wednesday along with 40,127 new cases as the state government announced that 1,000 first-year healthcare students and retired nurses would be recruited as vaccinators to meet rising demand for booster shots.

Deputy Premier James Merlino said the state's healthcare system is strained, with around 6,600 workers off duty after testing positive or coming into close contact with a positive case.

New pandemic orders coming into force in Victoria on Wednesday make booster shots mandatory for critical workers in various fields including health care, disability care, aged care, emergency services, correctional facilities, hotel quarantine and food distribution.

Workers in food and beverage manufacturing, distribution and packing will be allowed to continue working after coming into close contact with a positive COVID-19 case.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
has sent three people to prison for up to four-plus years over breaches of rules that led to a virus outbreak, in one of the harshest punishments for lapses in enforcing the governments strict Covid-zero policy.

The violations at a cargo company in Dalian, a port in the northeast, included failing to ensure employees wore masks, avoided visiting public venues after hours, and were properly quarantined and tested, the Global Times reported late Tuesday, oversights that allowed four people to infect 83 .

The episode involved a cargo ship bringing frozen goods into Dalian in mid-November 2020, the state-run news website said. The companys controller, its legal representative and a supervisor were given prison terms from 39 to 57 months last week. The company was fined 800,000 yuan ($125,500), according to the news website, which didnt give the full names of the company or the individuals, or name the court.

In late 2020, saw virus flareups in Liaoning, whose second-largest city is Dalian, and in Beijing. Chinese authorities are especially protective of the nations capital, often requiring negative Covid tests to enter by plane or train, and strictly tracking peoples movements around town with a mobile app.

claims that the can persist in conditions found in cold-chain food and packaging, and authorities have been testing imported meat and seafood for traces of the virus. health authorities downplay the likelihood of such transmission.

Dalian handles about 70% of the total imported cold-chain products in the worlds No. 2 economy. In November last year, the city linked a flareup that led to placing tens of thousands of university students under lockdown on the cold-chain industry.

On Wednesday, police in Xuchang, Henan province, said in a statement that the regional head of a Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Group Co. unit was detained for breaking virus rules, leading to an outbreak. The statement didnt say what the person had done wrong.

Shares of the company slid as much as 7.8% in Shanghai, touching the lowest since December 2020.

Henan is the one of Chinas newest virus hotspots, prompting Vice Premier Sun Chunlan to urge authorities in the central province to adopt more targeted measures to curb Covid, the official Xinhua News Agency has reported.
regulators warned that frequent Covid-19 booster shots could adversely affect the immune system and may not be feasible.

Repeat booster doses every four months could eventually weaken the immune system and tire out people, according to the European Medicines Agency. Instead, countries should leave more time between booster programs and tie them to the onset of the cold season in each hemisphere, following the blueprint set out by influenza vaccination strategies, the agency said.

The advice comes as some countries consider the possibility of offering people second booster shots in a bid to provide further protection against surging omicron infections. Earlier this month Israel became the first nation to start administering a second booster, or fourth shot, to those over 60. The U.K. has said that boosters are providing good levels of protection and there is no need for a second booster shot at the moment, but will review data as it evolves.

Boosters can be done once, or maybe twice, but its not something that we can think should be repeated constantly, Marco Cavaleri, the EMA head of biological health threats and vaccines strategy, said at a press briefing on Tuesday. We need to think about how we can transition from the current pandemic setting to a more endemic setting.

The EU regulator also said at the briefing that oral and intravenous antivirals, such as Paxlovid and Remdesivir, maintain their efficacy against omicron. The agency said that April is the soonest it could approve a new vaccine targeting a specific variant, as the process takes about three to four months. Some of the worlds largest vaccine-makers have said they are looking at producing vaccines that could target new variants.

Omicron overtaking Delta globally in terms of circulation: WHO

Omicron is quickly overtaking the Delta variant of Covid-19 and becoming dominant around the world, a senior WHO official has warned, with the global health agency cautioning that there is "increasing evidence" Omicron is able to evade immunity but has less disease severity as compared to other variants.

It could take some time for Omicron to overtake Delta in some countries, because it depends on the level of circulation of the Delta variant in those countries, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and Covid-19 Technical Lead at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Maria Van Kerkhove said on Tuesday.

Omicron has been detected in all countries where we have good sequencing and it's likely to be in all countries around the world. It is quickly, in terms of its circulation, overtaking Delta. And so Omicron is becoming the dominant variant that is being detected, Kerkhove said during a virtual questions and answers session.

She further cautioned that even though there is some information that Omicron causes less severe disease than Delta, it's not a mild disease because people are still being hospitalized for Omicron. The Covid-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, released by the WHO, said that over 15 million new Covi-19 cases were reported globally in the week of January 3-9, a 55 per cent increase as compared to the previous week when about 9.5 million cases were reported.

Over 43,000 new deaths were reported in the past week. As of 9 January, over 304 million confirmed COVD-19 cases and over 5.4 million deaths have been reported.

The highest numbers of new cases were reported from the US (4,610,359 new cases; a 73 per cent increase), France (1,597,203 new cases; a 46 per cent increase), the UK (1,217,258 new cases; a 10 per cent increase), Italy (1,014,358 new cases; a 57 per cent increase) and India (638,872 new cases; a 524 per cent increase), the update said.

Kerkhove said the 15 million cases reported in the last seven days are a record high in this pandemic and are an underestimate given the challenges in surveillance around the world and COVID-19 self-tests at home that are not registered.

The WHO update said that the Omicron variant has a substantial growth advantage and is rapidly replacing other variants.

This variant has been shown to have a shorter doubling time as compared to previous variants, with transmission occurring even amongst those vaccinated or with a history of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection; there is increasing evidence that this variant is able to evade immunity, the update said.

It said that in terms of disease severity, there is growing evidence that the Omicron variant is less severe as compared to other variants.
By Shadia Nasralla

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices hit two-month highs on Wednesday on tight supply and easing concerns about the potential hit to demand from the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said on Tuesday the economy of the United States, the world's biggest oil consumer, should weather the current COVID-19 surge with only "short-lived" impacts and was ready for the start of tighter monetary policy.

Brent crude futures were up 34 cents, or 0.4%, at $84.06 a barrel at 0918 GMT.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 49 cents, or 0.6%, to $81.71 a barrel. Both contracts are set for their sixth session of gains out of eight.

The Brent contract is showing growing backwardation with front-month delivery around $4.20 more expensive than delivery in six months' time, indicating tight supply currently.

OPEC+ producers continue to hold back more than 3 million barrels per day in output, while sanctions on Iran pin back its exports.

And though OPEC+ producers are raising their output targets each month, technical difficulties have prevented several countries from hitting their quotas.

"Assuming China doesn't suffer a sharp slowdown, that Omicron actually becomes omi-gone, and with OPEC+'s ability to raise production clearly limited, I see no reason why Brent crude cannot move towards $100.00 in Q1, possibly sooner," said Oanda analyst Jeffrey Halley.

"There are plenty of variable outcomes in the previous sentence, the biggest threat being Omicron in China, India, and Indonesia."

Meanwhile, European jet fuel refining margins are back to pre-pandemic levels as supplies in the region tighten and global aviation activity recovers.

U.S. crude stocks fell by 1.1 million barrels for the week ended Jan. 7, according to market sources citing figures from the American Petroleum Institute (API) industry group.

Government figures are due on Wednesday. [EIA/S]

On Tuesday, the U.S. Energy Information Administration upgraded its oil demand outlook, seeing U.S. demand rising by 840,000 bpd in 2022, up from a previous forecast for an increase of 700,000 bpd.

(Additional reporting by Sonali Paul in Melbourne and Koustav Samanta in Singapore)

(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.)
Property firms controlled by developers Shimao Group Holdings, Kaisa Group Holdings and Greenland Group have been named and shamed in a list of Chinese "consistently overdue" on commercial paper payments.



The total number of such delinquent firms jumped 26% in December from the previous month, according to the list published by the Shanghai Commercial Paper Exchange.



The spike in defaults on commercial paper - a popular short-term debt instrument that Chinese developers use to delay payment to suppliers - shows sustained liquidity stress in the sector despite some policy easing.



The list also contains an increasing number of defaults by construction material suppliers and decoration companies, suggesting developers' debt troubles could be spreading.



A total of 484 were overdue on at least three commercial paper payments during the Aug. 1 to Dec. 31 period, according to the list, published on the exchange's website.



The December total was 100 more than in November and included 95 in the sector, or nearly one-fifth of the total.



Four of the names are project companies of developer Shimao Group, which is discussing payment arrangements with creditors after announcing a default on a trust loan last week.



The list, which does not disclose financial figures, also includes firms controlled by Kaisa Group, which is also struggling to repay investors, according to an analysis of the firms by Reuters.



Companies controlled by Greenland, Risesun Real Estate Development Co, Grand Enterprises (CGE), Zoina Group and Seedland are also on the list.



Shimao and Kaisa did not immediately respond to requests for comment and Greenland declined to comment. Risesun, Zoina, Seedland and CGE could not be reached for comment.



China's CSI 300 Real Index retreated 1% on Wednesday morning after dropping as much as 3.2%, while the Hang Seng Mainland Properties Index lost 1.4%.



Property bond performance was mixed, with a Shimao bond slumping 18% in Shanghai.



China's commercial paper market came under renewed scrutiny in 2021 with regulators demanding greater disclosure as part of efforts to rein in ballooning debt in the property sector.



Commercial paper, which is not counted as interest-bearing debt, increasingly became a source of funding for developers locked out of other financing channels.



Group, the world's most indebted developer struggling amid a debt crisis, owes more than 200 billion yuan ($31.42 billion) in commercial paper.



(Reporting by Andrew Galbraith and Samuel Shen; Additional reporting by Clare Jim; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Jacqueline Wong)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
said Wednesday it has successfully conducted the "final" test-firing of a new hypersonic missile a day earlier as its leader Kim Jong-un called for the strengthening of the country's "strategic military muscle both in quality and quantity" during an on-site inspection.

"The superior maneuverability of the hypersonic glide vehicle was more strikingly verified through the final test-fire," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. "The test-fire was aimed at the final verification of overall technical specifications of the developed hypersonic weapon system," reported Yonhap News Agency.

The hypersonic glide vehicle demonstrated "glide jump flight", "corkscrew maneuvering" and hit "the set target in waters 1,000 km off," it added with regard to Tuesday's launch. It marked the third known test-firing of what the secretive North claims to be a hypersonic missile, with the second one conducted last week.

Kim attended the firing in an activity which Pyongyang usually describes as field guidance. He previously oversaw such a major in March 2020.

A photo released by the country's tightly controlled state media showed Kim's influential sister, Kim Yo-jong, accompanying him.

The North's latest saber-rattling came as nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang remain stalled since the no-deal Hanoi summit in February 2019.

Kim urged officials in the missile research sector to "bolster the war deterrent of the country with their continued ultra-modern scientific research achievements" and stressed the need to build up "strategic military muscle both in quality and quantity."

South Korea's military initially downplayed the North's hypersonic missile claims as "exaggeration" but stated later the latest launch demonstrated "improvement" from the previous tests.

The North announced the first test-firing of a "hypersonic" missile Hwasong-8 in September last year. The missile reportedly flew at a top speed of around Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday's projectile flew over 700 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 60 km and a maximum speed of Mach 10.

Some experts here are still cautious about making a conclusion on the North's hypersonic missile capability.

Speed alone is not a definitive element for the categorisation of hypersonic missiles, as ordinary medium-range projectiles also typically fly at such a speed during boost phases after liftoff. It is the hypersonic missile's speed coupled with its maneuverability at a low altitude that makes it harder to intercept, they say.

Developing a hypersonic weapon was one of the North's "five core tasks" under a five-year plan to strengthen its defense capabilities unveiled at its eighth party congress held a year ago.

" is likely to continue with testing other strategic weapons it vowed to develop down the road," Prof. Lim Eul-chul at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies said.

On Tuesday, President Moon Jae-in expressed concern over North Korea's repeated missile launches ahead of South Korea's presidential election slated for March and ordered officials to come up with measures to ensure "no further tension in inter-Korean relations."

The White House also condemned North Korea's latest launch and urged the North to engage in dialogue.

--IANS

int/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Oil soared nearly 4% on Tuesday, supported by tight supply and expectations that rising cases and the spread of the variant will not derail a global demand recovery.

Brent crude gained $2.85, or 3.5%, to $83.72 a barrel, its highest settlement since early November. The global benchmark dropped 1% on Monday.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose $2.99, or 3.8%, to end at $81.22, also its highest price since mid-November. On Monday, it fell 0.8%.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said he expects the economic impact of to be short-lived, adding that ensuing quarters could be very positive for the economy after the surge driven by the variant subsides.

" has yet to wreak the havoc of the Delta variant and may never do so, keeping the global recovery on track," said Jeffrey Halley, analyst at brokerage OANDA.

Brent rose by 50% in 2021 and has rallied further in 2022 as demand has recovered to near pre-pandemic levels while the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, slowly ease record output cuts made in 2020.

However, lack of capacity in some OPEC nations has kept supply additions below the 400,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) increase agreed to last year among the group. [OPEC/O]

Recent outages in Libya have also buoyed prices, and the National Oil Corp said it was suspending exports from the Es Sider terminal.

"Combination of facts - that demand is going to be stronger than anticipated and that OPEC's supply may not grow as fast as the demand - is why prices are climbing," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group.

U.S. crude inventories dropped by about 1.1 million barrels last week, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute, less than the 2 million-barrel draw estimated in a Reuters poll. Official government data is due on Wednesday. [API/S][EIA/S]

European refiners' crude and oil products stocks in December dropped by more than 11% from a year earlier, Euroilstock data showed. At the same time, European jet fuel refining margins, are back to pre-pandemic levels as global aviation activity recovers despite the spread of Omicron.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government lowered its oil output growth estimates, while raising its oil demand forecast.

Production was estimated to rise by 640,000 bpd this year, lower than last month's forecast of a 670,000 bpd increase. Total oil demand was now seen rising 840,000 bpd for the year, higher than the 700,000-bpd increase expected last month. It is estimated to rise by another 330,000 bpd in 2023.

(Additional reporting by Alex Lawler and Noah Browning in London, Sonali Paul in Melbourne and Koustav Samanta in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Paul Simao)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Pakistani court on Wednesday sentenced four persons to death after convicting them guilty in the outside Mumbai attack mastermind and JuD chief Hafiz Saeed's house here, according to a court official.

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta also handed down five years imprisonment to a woman, identified as Ayesha Bibi, during the in-camera trial proceedings at high security Kot Lakhpat Jail here.

Three people were killed and over 20 others injured in the outside Saeed's residence here on June 23, 2021 that also damaged a number of houses, shops and vehicles in the area.

"The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore awarded death sentence to Eid Gul of banned Tahreek-i-Taliban (TTP), Peter Paul David, Sajjad Shah and Ziaullah on nine counts. Another suspect Ayesha Bibi was handed down five years imprisonment, a court official told PTI.

(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.)
Lubbock, TX (79409)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 79F. NE winds shifting to SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy in the evening, then thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 59F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has said that he has refused to agree with the Monetary Fund's new proposal to the cash-strapped country to renegotiate its loan programme, fearing that the global lending agency might impose new conditions.

Tarin made the remarks on Monday during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, which completed clause-by-clause reading of the Finance Supplementary Bill 2021, introduced to impose Rs 375 billion worth of new taxes under a condition of the IMF loan programme, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.

and the IMF had signed a USD 6 billion deal in July 2019 but the programme was derailed in January 2020 and restored briefly in March, 2021 before again going off the track in June, 2021.

From June to August there were no serious discussions between the two sides.

Tarin informed the committee that the sixth review date was January 12 but took a three-week extension since both bills were in parliament for approval.

When I approached them for an extension, they (IMF) asked to renegotiate the programme, he was quoted as saying by the paper.

The minister said that he did not agree to renegotiations, fearing that the IMF might impose new conditions.

He added that the IMF had now agreed on a January 28 or January 31 date for taking Pakistan's case to its board and the final date will be conveyed to us soon.

The IMF's desire to seek renegotiations suggests that the government does not have much time to meet all prior actions, posing a challenge to secure approval of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Amendment Bill 2021 from the Senate before the new tentative dates.

Under Article 70 (3) of the Pakistani Constitution, any house of parliament has 90 days to approve a bill from the date of introduction.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance on Monday approved the SBP Amendment Bill, which once cleared by the National Assembly, will be laid before the Senate for approval.

If the Senate approval is not secured this month, it could create problems for the government, which is also facing a new challenge in the shape of replacement of IMF Mission Chief to Pakistan Ernesto Rigo.

The sixth review was scheduled to be approved by the IMF board in June last year but has been lingering on due to delay in implementing the IMF's conditions.

(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.)
Pakistani Prime Minister has said that his government remained fully focused on increasing exports to stimulate economic growth.

Exports are one of the major sectors for wealth creation, which can act as the most important driving agent to boost the national economy, Khan added on Tuesday while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 14th Chambers Summit 2022 arranged by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Islamabad.

He said the incumbent government has been making all-out efforts to remove hurdles and bottlenecks faced by exporters, investors and businessmen to give a spur to the country's exports industry, Xinhua news agency reported.

All the necessary facilities and utilities would be provided for setting up industrial zones, while provision of land at affordable prices to set up economic zones would be ensured.

Khan added that has never faced such big challenges as posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and it is worth appreciating how the country was out of the woods. He said that friendly countries such as China have helped the country go through the difficult times.

--IANS

int/khz/

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ruled out an bailout today and said it plans to seek another loan from to address an economic crisis that has led to food and fuel shortages.

The is not a magic wand, central bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal told a news conference in Colombo. At this point, the other alternatives are better than going to the . Cabraal added that talks with over a new loan were at an advanced stage, and a fresh agreement would service existing debt to Beijing.

They would assist us in making the repayments... the new loan coming from is in order to cushion our debt repayments to China itself, he said.

Cabraals remarks come days after a visit from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who discussed a debt payment restructure with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Beijing is already the islands biggest bilateral lender, accounting for at least 10 per cent of Sri Lankas external debt.
Acting Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid on Tuesday at a ceremony in Kabul, during which the Air Force held an exercise, said the military aircraft that were taken abroad should be returned, according to Tolo News.

The Defence Minister said that if the countries where the military aircraft were taken do not return them, they will face consequences.

"Our aircraft that are in Tajikistan or Uzbekistan should be returned. We will not allow these aircraft to remain abroad or to be used by those countries," he said.

"After the collapse of the former government, over 40 helicopters were transported to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan," he added.

Before the fall of the former government, had over 164 active military aircraft and now only 81 are in the country. The rest were taken out of and brought to different countries, according to Tolo News.

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A 19-year-old security researcher claims to have hacked remotely into more than 25 Inc. cars in 13 countries, saying in a series of tweets that a software flaw allowed him to access the EV pioneers systems

David Colombo, a self-described information technology specialist, tweeted that the software flaw allows him to unlock doors and windows, start the cars without keys and disable their security systems.

Colombo also claimed he can see if a driver is present in the car, turn on the vehicles stereo sound systems and flash their headlights.

The teenager didnt reveal the exact details of the software vulnerability, but said it wasnt within Teslas software or infrastructure, and added that only a small number of owners globally were affected. His Twitter thread elicited a robust response, with more than 800 retweets and over 6,000 likes.

Its primarily the owners (& a third party) fault, Colombo said in a response to questions from Bloomberg News. This will be described more in detail in my writeup. But glad to see taking action now.

A representative for Tesla in China declined to comment, while the carmakers global press team didnt respond to an email seeking comment outside of West Coast business hours.
The Biden administration on Wednesday slapped sanctions on five North Korean officials in its first response to Pyongyang's latest ballistic missile test.

The Treasury Department announced it was imposing penalties on the officials over their roles in obtaining equipment and technology for the North's missile programs.

In addition, the State Department ordered sanctions against another North Korean, a Russian man and a Russian company for their broader support of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction activities.

The moves came just hours after said its leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a successful flight test of a hypersonic missile on Tuesday that he claimed would greatly increase the country's nuclear war deterrent.

One of the five North Koreans targeted by Treasury is based in Russia, while the other four are based in China.

All are accused of providing money, goods or services to North Korea's Second Academy of Natural Sciences, which Treasury says is heavily involved in the country's military defense programs.

"The DPRK's latest missile launches are further evidence that it continues to advance prohibited programs despite the community's calls for diplomacy and denuclearization," said Treasury's chief of terrorism and financial intelligence, Brian Nelson. He referred to the North by the acronym of its official name: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The sanctions freeze any assets that the targets have in US jurisdictions, bar Americans from doing business with them and subject foreign companies and individuals to potential penalties for transactions with them.

Shortly before the announcement, North Korea's state news agency reported that the latest missile launch involved a hypersonic glide vehicle, which after its release from the rocket booster demonstrated glide jump flight and corkscrew maneuvering before hitting a sea target 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away.

Photos released by the agency showed a missile mounted with a pointed cone-shaped payload soaring into the sky while leaving a trail of orange flames, with Kim watching from a small cabin with top officials, including his sister Kim Yo Jong.

The launch was North Korea's second test of its purported hypersonic missile in a week, a type of weaponry it first tested in September, as Kim Jong Un continues a defiant push to expand his nuclear weapons capabilities in the face of sanctions, pandemic-related difficulties and deadlocked diplomacy with the .

(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 US has started to persuade the governments of and to allow its military bases on the territory of these Central Asian countries.

First of all, this will enable the American military to conduct special operations in Afghanistan and deliver "over-the-horizon" missile strikes there against reconnaissance targets using long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), according to Frontier Post.

Earlier, last October, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kal, during a hearing in the US Senate Armed Services Committee, hinted that, if necessary, in order to establish bases in the Central Asian region, the Pentagon would bribe the leadership of and .

Moscow, in turn, strongly opposes America's military presence in Central Asia, which for Russia is important for organizing its strategic defense. The Kremlin also realizes that the penetration of radical elements from Afghanistan to the north is a serious threat to its security.

An article in the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs proposes to find allies among the neighbouring countries in Afghanistan and organize the interaction with them and neutral territorial entities to export their collaborators from Afghanistan.

The US tends at all costs to locate bases on the territory of or Tajikistan, which will host UAVs along with the infrastructure for maintenance and support, command posts, as well as special operations forces and analytical units to evaluate intelligence data and prepare recommendations for decision-making for the use of shock drones, Frontier Post reported.

Also, by having military bases in Tajikistan, the US will hope to continue its operations through Special Forces against the Taliban regime along with the help of ethnic based in Afghanistan.

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US President gave a statement on changing the Senate's so-called filibuster rules to push the voting rights legislation and rebuked the former president Donald Trump and his allies for disenfranchising anyone who votes against them.

Taking to Twitter he said, "The next few days when these voting rights bills come to a vote, will mark a turning point in this nation. Will we choose democracy over autocracy? Every Senator will have to declare where they stand."

"I ask every elected official in America - how do you want to be remembered?", he added.

Last year, President ripped apart the claims of Donald Trump's 'big lie' about the 2020 presidential election and said that the US is facing the "most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War" due to alleged attempts by the Republican party to suppress and subvert the right to vote in fair and free elections.

Furthermore, he said, "When it comes to protecting majority rule in America, a majority should rule in the United States Senate. To protect our democracy, I support changing the Senate rules to prevent a minority of Senators from blocking action on voting rights."

Earlier, Biden blasted efforts from Trump and others to sow doubt about the 2020 election months after it concluded, which have spurred action from Grand Old Party (Republican Party)-led state legislatures to push new elections laws that would limit absentee voting and make it more difficult for certain groups to vote.

Biden pointed to the dozens of court challenges thrown out by federal judges, including some appointed by Trump. He noted Wisconsin, Arizona and Georgia confirmed his victories in each state through audits and recounts, reported The Hill.

Notably, Just hours before Biden spoke, Trump issued a statement calling for Pennsylvania to conduct an audit of the 2020 results, in which Biden won the state by roughly 80,000 votes.

"The goal of the former president and his allies is to disenfranchise anyone who votes against them. That is the kind of power you see in a totalitarian state - not in a democracy. Today, we call on Congress to act to defend your right to vote - and our democracy", he added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It was once hailed as the future of Chinese banking, a privately run lender that would mint money by outmaneuvering its state-owned rivals.

An ill-fated push into property lending has instead turned Minsheng Banking Corp. into one of the biggest casualties of the real estate debt crisis thats roiling Asias largest .

Battered by mounting losses on loans to developers including Group, Minshengs stock tumbled 31% in the 12 months through last week -- the worst performance in the 155-member Bloomberg World Banks Index. Hedge funds and other short sellers are more bearish on the lender than any of its global peers.

People familiar with Minshengs operations say the bank, founded in 1996 as Chinas first non-state controlled lender, is now in damage control mode. It has restructured its real estate finance group to give more power to local branch managers, made reducing holdings of property debt a top priority for 2022 and plans to cut salaries for some staff by half, the people said, asking not to be named discussing private information.

Minshengs plight underscores the widening fallout from Chinese President Xi Jinpings crackdown on the property industry and other parts of the countrys capital-hungry private sector. It also offers a warning to global financial firms that are investing billions of dollars to expand in China: Bets that seem like sure things can quickly sour when the nations policy makers decide to change course.

Minsheng has about 130 billion yuan ($20 billion) of exposure to high-risk developers, amounting to 27% of its so-called tier-1 capital, the most among big Chinese lenders, Citigroup Inc. analysts estimated in a September research report. The bank will need years to work through its bad debt problem and a capital injection from a stronger rival cant be ruled out, said Shen Meng, director at Chanson & Co., a Beijing-based boutique investment bank.

The pursuit of high growth and returns to its private shareholders pushed the bank to take on lots of high-risk investments, Shen said.

Minsheng said in a response to questions from Bloomberg that it completed a restructuring of its real estate finance unit at the end of 2020, transferring some functions to local branches. Employee compensation is largely stable, the bank added.

Chairman Gao Yingxin, who joined Minsheng from Bank of Ltd. in 2020, pledged to address the lenders challenges at a shareholders meeting in June. Ten years ago we were the pearl on the crown, but now our gap with peers is widening, Gao said. Corporate governance will switch from short-sightedness to long-termism.

This isnt the first time Minsheng has faced a reckoning after a period of rapid growth. In 2009, Dong Wenbiao, who helped found Minsheng alongside other wealthy Chinese businessmen including pig-feed tycoon Liu Yonghao and property mogul Lu Zhiqiang, orchestrated the banks push into steel-industry lending as part of a goal to become the most profitable bank in China. While Minshengs earnings surged at an annual rate of nearly 50% over the next five years, a steel sector downturn ultimately led to a pileup of bad loans and Dong left the bank in 2014.

Minsheng then pivoted to the property industry, which enjoyed several years of debt-fueled growth until Xis government began imposing ever-tighter curbs on housing speculation and developers leverage. As defaults began to soar, Minsheng reported a 36% drop in profits in 2020 -- the most in at least two decades -- and another 5% decline in the first nine months of 2021.

More pain is all but guaranteed. The bank is one of the biggest creditors to Evergrande, whose debt crisis has rattled global markets over the past year and sparked financial contagion across Chinas property industry. Minsheng had about 29 billion yuan of exposure to as of June 2020, according to a letter seen by Bloomberg that the developer sent to provincial authorities that year.

Minsheng said in September that its loans to had dropped by about 15% since June 2020, without specifying a level. When taking into account the banks indirect lending to Evergrande through trust products, Minshengs exposure to the developer exceeds 29 billion yuan, people familiar with the matter said, without providing a specific figure.

Minsheng said in its response to queries from Bloomberg that its loans to Evergrande are all tied to residential projects, with sufficient collateral including land, properties and projects under construction. The bank said it hasnt invested in Evergrande bonds or cooperated through wealth management products or funds.

Minsheng has also been a major lender to other troubled developers including China Fortune Land Development Co., Sichuan Languang Development Co. and Tahoe Group Co. Its total exposure to real estate loans totaled 417 billion yuan as of June 30. While thats down about 20 billion yuan from the start of 2021, its still nearly double the level five years earlier.

Adding to investor concerns are questions about Minshengs corporate governance. The bank has been hit with at least three fines exceeding 100 million yuan each over the past three years -- more than any of its peers -- for regulatory lapses including non-compliant developer loans and wealth management products.

The banks relationship with one of its largest shareholders, Lus China Oceanwide Holdings Ltd., has also raised eyebrows. Minsheng extended a 21.6 billion yuan credit line to Oceanwide in December even after the developer had defaulted on a dollar bond. The bank has said it maintains strict monitoring measures for Oceanwide and will control risks by strengthening its collateral.

Many of Minshengs challenges have arguably been priced in by investors. The bank, which has a market capitalization of $25 billion, trades in Hong Kong for just 0.2 times reported net assets, the lowest level in the Bloomberg World Banks Index. JPMorgan Chase & Co., the biggest U.S. bank by market value, has a multiple of 1.94.

Credit markets suggest Minsheng will weather the real estate downturn without a liquidity crisis of its own. The banks one-year negotiable certificates of deposit have an indicated yield of about 2.77%, only a few basis points higher than peers including China Merchants Bank Co. and Ping An Bank Co. Minsheng stands to benefit if Chinese policy makers continue their recent easing of curbs on the property sector, a shift that has already helped the banks stock stabilize in recent weeks.

Minsheng has pegged its future growth on retail banking and lending to small businesses -- areas that, for now at least, enjoy support from Xis government. The bank has hired several high-profile executives from rivals to lead its transition.

Yet Minsheng faces an uphill battle to become a formidable player in consumer banking. Its retail customer assets totaled 2 trillion yuan in September, compared with 3 trillion yuan at Ping An Bank and 10 trillion yuan at China Merchants Bank.

Meanwhile, short sellers are betting that Minsheng will face more turmoil as Chinas developer crisis drags on. Wagers against the bank amount to 8.6% of shares outstanding, nearly double the level at the second-most shorted firm in the Bloomberg World Banks Index, according to IHS Markit data.

The turning point for Minsheng could be a long way off, according to Chanson & Co.s Shen.

With the risk of private developers growing, it will take at least three years for Minsheng to clean up its bad debts, Shen said.
The key benchmark indices look set for a positive start on the back of encouraging global cues. The focus, however, is likely to be on the IT majors - Infosys, TCS and which are scheduled to announce the Q3 results today. WATCH PREVIEW



As of 08:05 am, the SGX Nifty January futures quoted at 18,235, indicating a likely 140-point gap-up for the NSE benchmark. Meanwhile, here are the other for trade on Wednesday.

Earnings Watch: Other than the IT majors, Indian Merchant Banking Services, Ind Bank Housing, KD Leisures, Kome On Communication, NB Footwear, Pradhin, Roselabs Finance, Tinna Rubber and Infrastructure and Vrinchi are scheduled to announce December quarter results today.

Banks: As per analysts projection of 19 listed banks, Bloomberg estimates these banks to post a likely 36.3 per cent YoY growth in net profit at Rs 38,153 crore for the December quarter (Q3FY22), helped by a lower provisioning burden for stressed loans. However, sequentially, net profits may decline 2.2 per cent from Rs 39,022 crore in Q2FY22. READ MORE



The three leading telecom companies in the country are pushing for 90-95% cut in base price of 5G spectrum. The regulator had earlier recommended a price of Rs 492 crore per MHZ for pan-Indian spectrum of this band. Telcos are also seeking easy payment terms of 20-25 years, with 5-6 years of moratorium. READ MORE The companys heavy engineering arm dispatched a repeat order for four identical mega tubular reactors to a large petrochemical complex overseas.

Hindustan Unilever: The FMCG giant has hiked prices of soaps and detergents by 3-20 per cent, including products such as Wheel, Rin, Surf Excel and Lifebuoy, owing to rising raw material costs. READ MORE



SpiceJet: The Madras High Court has dismissed low-cost airlines appeal against a single-judge bench order for its winding up due to non-payment of $24 million to SR Technics- a maintenance and repair company.

Rejecting the appeal, a division bench of Justice Paresh Upadhyay and Justice Sathi Kumar Sukumara Kurup suspended the order till January 28 to enable the airline to move a further appeal before the Supreme Court. READ MORE



Delta Corp: The companys net profit jumped more than four-fold to Rs 65.90 crore for the quarter ended December 2021 as against Rs 15.49 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Total income was up 127.2 per cent at Rs 168.30 crore from Rs 74.07 crore in the same period.

G R Infraprojects: The companys board has approved a proposal to raise up to Rs 75 crore by way of issue of NCDs (Non-convertible debentutures), with a green shoe option of Rs 25 crore. The instruments will hold a token rate of 7.7 per cent annum, maturing at the end of 10th year.

JSW Steel: The steel major posted a 28 per cent YoY growth in the groups combined steel production at 5.35 million tonnes (MT) during the quarter ended December 30, 2021.

India Steel Works: The companys board has approved a proposal to raise up to Rs 50 crore by way of rights issue of equity shares to existing shareholders.

Katare Spinning: The companys Q3FY22 net loss narrowed considerably to Rs 20.79 lakh when compared with a loss of Rs 66.64 lakh in Q3FY21. Total income grew three-fold to Rs 81.32 lakh from Rs 26.47 lakh in the same period.

Radhe Developers (India): The company reported a significant improvement in Q3 earnings. For the quarter ended December 2021, it posted a net profit of Rs 16 crore as against a net loss of Rs 86 lakh for the quarter ended December 2020. Total income also surged to Rs 18.59 crore from Rs 12 lakh in the same period. The companys board has also approved a proposal to invest up to Rs 11 crore in Party Cruises.

Sharat Industries: The company has scheduled its board meeting on January 18 to consider a proposal for rights issue of equity shares.

Hathway Bhawani CableTel & Datacom: The company reported a 13.9 per cent YoY decline in Q3 net at Rs 25.84 lakh from Rs 30 lakh. Total income was also down to Rs 93.16 lakh from Rs 1.11 crore for the December quarter.

Madhusudan Industries: The company reported dismal earnings for the quarter ended December 2021. It posted a net loss of Rs 47.74 lakh as against a net profit of Rs 1.89 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago.

Choice International: The companys board is scheduled to meet on January 14 to consider and approve the issue price for the proposal rights issue, exchange ratio and record date for the same.

Stocks in F&O ban: Delta Corp, Indiabulls Housing Finance, Vodafone Idea and RBL Bank are the only stocks in the F&O ban period today.
The Central Government has secured the approval of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for export of Indian mangoes to USA in the new season. The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the USA since 2020 as USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facility due restrictions imposed on international travel because of Covid-19 pandemic. Recently, in pursuant to the 12th India - USA Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting held on November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a framework agreement for implementing the 2 Vs 2 Agri market access issues.

Under the agreement, India and the US would follow joint protocol on irradiation for India's mango exports and pomegranate exports to the US and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from the US. A revised work plan has been worked out, including phase-wise transfer of oversight of preclearance of Irradiation treatment to India as agreed upon between both the countries.

As part of the mutual agreement, India will be able to export mangoes to the USA in the mango season commencing with the Alphonso variety of mangoes by March onwards. Notably, there is a huge acceptance and consumer preference of Indian mangoes in the USA as India had exported 800 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of mangoes to the USA in 2017-18 and the export value of the fruit was USD 2.75 Million. Similarly, in 2018-19, 951 MT mangoes of USD 3.63 Million were exported to USA and 1,095 MT of USD 4.35 Million of mangoes were export to USA in 2019-20. As per estimates received from the exporters, the export of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20.

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IT stocks: IT majors Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro will release their December quarter earnings today, 12 January 2022.

UltraTech Cement: The cement major announced the commissioning of Line II of the Bara Grinding Unit in Uttar Pradesh, having cement capacity of 2 mtpa.

DLF: The realty major has clocked sales worth approximately Rs 1500 crore for towers in the first phase of the newly launched luxury residential project, ONE Midtown.

Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) (TTML): The company opted for converting the interest from adjusted gross revenue dues amounting to Rs 850 crore to equity, following which the government will hold approx 9.5% in the company.

RITES: The transport infrastructure consultancy and engineering company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SMEC Group to cooperate and explore infrastructure projects.

Federal Bank: The board of directors of Fedbank Financial Services (FedFina), a subsidiary of bank, has approved initiating the process of an initial public offering (IPO) by way of fresh issue and offer for sale, subject to market conditions.

Delta Corp: The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 61.58 crore for the quarter ended 31 December 2021, up sharply from Rs 15.56 crore clocked in the same period last year.

Sharat Industries: The company has scheduled board meeting on 18 January 2022 to consider a proposal for rights issue of equity shares.

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Quiklyz, the vehicle leasing and subscription business vertical of Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (Mahindra Finance/ MMFSL), today announced that it will offer the widest range of electric vehicles (EVs) for leasing and subscription to potential customers. Quiklyz is a new-age digital born vehicle leasing and subscription platform that offers great convenience, flexibility, and choice to customers across Indian cities.

Quiklyz currently has the largest portfolio of EVs on the subscription platform.

The portfolio spans across electric 4W from the leading OEMs offering electric vehicles including Mahindra, Tata Motors, Mercedes-Benz, MG Motors, Audi, and Jaguar as well as electric 3W load vehicles from Mahindra and Piaggio for e-commerce fleet operators.

Customers will have the flexibility to upgrade their vehicle in 2-3 years keeping in tune with ever increasing technology features in newer EV launches going forward.

The EVs on-road price is currently higher than petrol and diesel vehicles, although the running cost is much lower. The customers intending to purchase EV vehicles through bank loanstherefore must pay very high down payment. However, with Quiklyz there is no requirement for down payment, and monthly subscription charges for EV 4W starts from as low as INR 21,399 / per month.

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Last week, Richard Leakey, the famous Kenyan paleoanthropologist and conservationist, who spent much of his life researching the origins of the human species in the East African Great Rift Valley, died at his home near Nairobi at the age of 77. He belonged to an extraordinary family of British-Kenyan fossil seekers/analysts who may have contributed, since Charles Darwin, more to our understanding of the origins of Homo sapiens than any other single family in ...

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Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Wednesday accused the in of precipitating the COVID crisis with their 'Walk for Water', demanding a balancing reservoir across Cauvery river at Mekedatu in Ramanagara district.

"Not heeding calls to postpone the Padayatra programme, ostensibly undertaken to draw political mileage, the leaders are precipitating the COVID crisis in the state," Jnanendra said in a statement. He criticised the adamant attitude of the leaders for continuing their march and said the initial apprehension of the government about the Padayatra "is unfortunately coming true". "Because of this specific reasons, we had appealed to the Congress leaders to defer this event but it seems that Congress leaders are only concerned about taking political advantage and not about the public health," he said. According to Jnanendra, already several Congress leaders who had taken part in the 10-day event had tested positive for Covid-19 and got admitted to the hospital. Renewing his appeal to the Congress leaders to end their programme, Jnanendra said, "I hope the Congress leaders who were also in power in the past would act sensibly and responsibly and call off their programme." The Congress commenced its march from Mekedatu from January 9 demanding the balancing reservoir for complete utilisation of the Karnataka's share of Cauvery water to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru and adjoining districts. The Tamil Nadu government has opposed the project saying that it will hamper their interest.

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Political upheavals in have begun with a vengeance as parties hunker down to decide on the individuals they will field as MLAs and many others, anticipating they might be denied a nomination, have started to switch party loyalties.

Dara Singh Chauhan, environment and forest minister in the Yogi Adityanath government, on Wednesday became the second minister to resign after Swami Prasad Maurya quit both the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday.

Both assessed their chances and were given to understand that they would not figure on the BJPs list of nominees. Both are likely to join the Samajwadi Party, though Maurya said he would reveal his cards on Friday.

Maurya represents the Padrauna seat, the area where the Congress used to hold sway and former Union minister RPN Singh won the seat once.

Both leaders belong to Other Backward Classes (OBC), with Dara Singh representing the Noniya Chauhan caste in which he had substantial following and Maurya representing the Kushwaha caste. Both represent important areas in Eastern UP (Chauhan from the Mau-Ghosi-Azamgarh area) where the had posted a stellar performance in the last Assembly election. Interestingly, hours after he quit the and the ministership, a 2014 criminal case against SP Maurya was revived.

Some MLAs owing allegiance to Maurya are also expected to follow their leader. Roshan Lal Verma, Brijesh Prajapati, Bhagwati Sagar, and Vinay Shakya have already announced their decision to quit the .

The traffic is mostly into the Samajwadi Party, which has emerged as the biggest challenger to the BJP. Imran Masood, sitting Congress MLA, had joined the SP earlier this week. More defections in Western UP, which will go to the polls in the first phase of the elections (February 10), and central UP (14 February) should be expected before January 21, which is the last date for filing nominations.

The BJP is now beginning to show some signs of concern at the exit of the OBC leaders. Some months ago, OP Rajbhar, an alliance partner of the BJP representing important OBC communities, crossed over to the SP. Now, two more leaders have followed suit. This kind of caste consolidation can harm the BJPs prospects, though it is too early to predict how badly the party would fare.

Meanwhile, the BJP held a series of meetings in Lucknow finalising candidates, and sources said the possibility of fielding Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from Ayodhya was also flagged. The chief minister is currently a Member of the Legislative Council. The party has said Adityanath will not be fielded from Mathura.

The BJP's central election committee, whose members include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to meet later this week.
A whopping 1,700 personnel have tested positive for the coronavirus infection since January 1, officials said on Wednesday, adding that a special camp has been organised to administer booster doses to staffers of the headquarters.

The force comprises over 80,000 personnel, police said.

"A total of 1,700 personnel of the force have tested positive for the infection from January 1 to January 12. All of them are doing fine and are under quarantine. They will be joining duty after recovery," a senior police officer said.

A special camp was organised for administering booster shots to frontline workers of the Police, the staffers working at its headquarters on Jai Singh Marg, they said.

"Special arrangements for administering precaution dose (booster) of Covid vaccine was organised from 11:30 am onwards at officers' lounge on the ground floor of the PHQ. This initiative was taken so that staffers like guards among others deployed at our headquarters do not have to go outside during their duty hours to get booster shots.

"But only those eligible police personnel, who have completed nine months after taking their second dose of vaccine, would be eligible for the booster shots," Special Commissioner of Police (Welfare) Shalini Singh said.

According to police, total 396 personnel were given the booster dose, including a number of senior officers.

The special camp will continue on Thursday as well.

Similarly, vaccination camps will be organised at all the Delhi Police Wellness Centres and Covid Care Centres across Delhi to ensure full coverage of all eligible Delhi Police personnel at the earliest, police added.

In a meeting held on Tuesday with senior officers of districts and other units, the officers were strictly instructed to brief their personnel to take care of themselves and follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent coronavirus amid rising cases among the force, police said.

"We have issued detailed SOPs in this regard and have listed the preventive measures to be taken. In Tuesday's meeting, all the officers were asked to take care of themselves and the force to conduct briefings of staffers regularly and instruct them to follow the issued SOP strictly.

"Being frontline workers, they are bound to perform their duties so they should do it with full precautions," Singh asserted.

She further stressed that officers have been instructed to strictly convey to their personnel the importance of following social distancing, wearing masks and maintaining hand hygiene while on duty.

"We have also told the personnel that social distancing should be maintained while they are in their respective barracks and mess. They have been asked to sanitise their keys after their shift while they handover vehicles to the next shift incharge," the officer said.

In another welfare initiative and to provide assistance to the Delhi Police personnel and their families, all personnel were informed about Delhi Police Wellness Centres functioning in places like Hauz Khas, Dwarka, Model Town, Shalimar Bagh, Kondli and Security Section in Vinay Marg, police said.

All the personnel were also directed to contact the respective in-charge of their unit for uploading the date of second dose of vaccination as mentioned in Covid vaccine certificate, they said.

"All police personnel are also informed about the counsellors available for providing Covid-related counselling and for uplifting mental health of the personnel and their families. They have been provided with names and contact details of the counsellors who would be available for them," Singh said.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Chinmoy Biswal, who is also the spokesperson of the force, tested positive for the infection. He is currently doing fine and under quarantine.

Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana had on January 5 issued the SOPs for the force to follow to tackle the pandemic.

According to this order, all police personnel and their eligible family members who have not been vaccinated, may be motivated to complete the vaccination process.

"Those who have not been vaccinated due to medical reasons may be encouraged to seek medical opinion again for vaccination," the order had said.

All police personnel may be motivated to take the precaution dose of the Covid vaccine and install and usethe Aarogya Setu mobile app mandatorily, it saod.

Self-monitoring to be adopted by police personnel and any kind of illness may be reported without fail, to daily health monitoring officer, the order added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pradesh Committee (MPCC) has complained to the Election Commission of India that the BJP-led state government has violated the election Code of Conduct by issuing several policy orders after the announcement of the Code of Conduct.

K Meghachandra Singh, Working President of MPCC in a Press conference held at Bhavan, Imphal on Tuesday, said that state government issued orders converting many private colleges into government aided colleges.

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting held late Friday night, hours ahead of the election Code of Conduct kicking in.

Singh also demanded a CBI enquiry into cases of alleged misappropriation of state government funds meant for public works.

(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.)
Dodoma [Tanzania]/Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 12 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany in partnership with African First Ladies announced the winners of Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards "More Than a Mother" 2021.

The awards were announced by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother together with African First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother'. The theme of the awards was: Raising awareness about Infertility Prevention, Breaking Infertility Stigma, and Empowering Girls and Women through Education.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation celebrated the winners saying "I am extremely proud and pleased to announce the winners of Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2021. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the African First Ladies for their consistent support as Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother. I appreciate all the efforts put in by the African Media Fraternity who became the voice of the voiceless to raise awareness about sensitive social and cultural issues such as Infertility stigma and girl education action, in the past year. I have always emphasized the prominent role of media as I strongly believe that both media and art have the capacity and ability to create a culture shift in our communities in a cost-effective way. I welcome all the winners to be members of our Merck Foundation Alumni and work closely with us to support and empower women and girls at all levels."

Merck Foundation received a great response from African journalists in the form of several excellent entries. The 'Merck Foundation More Than A Mother' Awards Committee introduced second and third positions in order to select more than one winner for different categories. The awards committee also announced Special Awards, to acknowledge the high quality of work received in more than one category by the same applicant and this to encourage their passion and dedication towards this noble cause.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, said, "I am very happy with the work showcased by all our winners; hence it gives me immense joy to announce that Merck Foundation is additionally rewarding the winners by providing them with one year access to an online educational training program called 'MasterClass'. The MasterClass is an immersive online experience and self-paced learning course that can be accessed anywhere with the Internet. I encourage all the winners to be 'Merck Foundation More Than A Mother Advocate' to further raise awareness about infertility, eliminate the stigma around it and support girl education. I also welcome them as valuable members of 'Merck Foundation Alumni'.

She further added, "I would also like to announce the Call for Applications for the Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 'More Than a Mother' 2022. I am looking forward to the entries from the Media Fraternity across Africa this year to write meaningful and influencing stories and reports to raise awareness and sensitize our communities about Infertility Prevention, Breaking Infertility Stigma, Empowering Girls & Women through Education. We shall soon share details on these awards for the upcoming year, 2022."

Here is the list of Award Winners:

Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia, H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; The First Lady of Ghana, H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO; The First Lady of Liberia, H.E. CLAR MARIE WEAH; and The First Lady of Nigeria, H.E. Dr. AISHA MUHAMMADU BUHARI:

WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS:

FIRST Position:

-Dzifa Tetteh Tay, The Spectator, GHANA

-Ojoma Akor, Daily Trust Newspaper, NIGERIA

SECOND Position:

-Jonathan Donkor, Ghanaian Times, GHANA

-Efia Akese, The Mirror, GHANA

THIRD Position:

-Yaw Asirifi-Twum, Freelance Journalist, GHANA

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS:

FIRST Position:

-Never Garmah Lomo, Newspublictrust.com, LIBERIA

-Zadok Kwame Gyes, Daily Graphic / Graphic Online, GHANA

SECOND Position:

-Neta Kris Abiana Parsram And Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah, Multimedia Group Limited, GHANA

-Benedicta Gyimaah Folley, Ghanaian Times, GHANA

THIRD Position:

-Agnes Opoku Sarong, New Times Corporation, GHANA

-Bukola Afeni, Newsdayonline.com, NIGERIA

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS:

FIRST Position:

-Nyadror Adanuti Nelson, Diamond FM, Tamale (Northern Region), GHANA

SECOND Position:

-Never Garmah Lomo, Newspublictrust.com, LIBERIA

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS:

FIRST Position:

-Alieu Ceesay, QTV Gambia, The GAMBIA

SECOND Position:

-Akua Oforiwa Darko, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GHANA

THIRD Position:

-Beatrice Senadju, Ghana Broadasting Corporation, GHANA

Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Namibia, H.E. MONICA GEINGOS; The First Lady of Malawi, H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:

SOUTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS:

FIRST Position:

-Sonja, Freelance Journalist at The Namibian Newspaper, NAMIBIA

-Moses Mugugunyeki, The Standard, ZIMBABWE

SECOND Position:

-Memory Kutengule Chatonda, Weekend Nation, MALAWI

THIRD Position:

-Isaac Salima, Times Group, MALAWI

ONLINE CATEGORY

FIRST Position:

-Shireen Van Wyk, Freelance Journalist, NAMIBIA

-Tendai Rupapa, The Herald, ZIMBABWE

-John Manzongo, The Herald Newspaper, ZIMBABWE

-Gracious Mugovera, The Patriot, ZIMBABWE

SECOND Position:

-June Shimuoshili, Unwrap.Online, NAMIBIA

-Catherine Murombedzi Nee Mwauyakufa, The Observer, ZIMBABWE

THIRD Position:

-Eva Hatontola Chanda, Radio Christian Voice, ZAMBIA

RADIO CATEGORY

FIRST Position:

-Prudence Chibale Siabana, Radio Phoenix, ZAMBIA

SECOND Position:

-Janet Mtali, Trans World Radio, MALAWI

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY

FIRST Position:

-Alepher kasongo, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation- MBC, MALAWI

SECOND Position:

-Brenard Mwanza, Luntha television, MALAWI

Here are the winners from East African Countries:

EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS:

FIRST Position:

-Christina Mwakangale, The Guardian, TANZANIA

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS:

FIRST Position:

-Bridges Mugala, 2includeeveryone.blogspot.com, KENYA

-Veronica Romwald Mrema, matukionamaisha.blogspot.com, TANZANIA

RADIO CATEGORY

FIRST Position:

-Adam Gabriel Hhando, CG FM Radio, TANZANIA

-Victor Moturi, Pamoja FM, KENYA

SECOND Position:

-Jumbe Benjamin, KFM RADIO (Nation Media Group - Uganda), UGANDA

THIRD Position:

-Mercy Tyra Murengu, Atoo Sifa Fm-Kakuma, Stringer for Voice of America, KENYA

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS:

FIRST Position:

-Walter Mwesigye, NTV Uganda, UGANDA

-Zainab Mohammed, TV47 Kenya, KENYA

SECOND Position:

-Elizabeth Kadzo Gunga, Royal Media Services (Citizen TV), KENYA

-Anne Njogu, Standard Media Group, KENYA

Here are the winners from African French Speaking Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; The First Lady of Central African Republic, H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA; The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:

AFRICAN FRENCH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES

PRINT CATEGORY

FIRST Position:

-Issa Moussa, Niger Times, NIGER

-Iradukunda, Journal Le Renouveau du Burundi, BURUNDI

SECOND Position:

-Donat Muemba, Jua Magazine, DRC

ONLINE CATEGORY

FIRST Position:

-Koami Agbetiafa, Niger Inter Hebdo, NIGER

-Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal Africa, BURUNDI

-Ambrosine Memede Azododassi, Savoir News Agency, TOGO

SECOND Position:

-Brehima Traore, Alert-mali.com, MALI

-Ngwa Keziah Fela, Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) Yaounde, CAMEROON

RADIO CATEGORY

FIRST Position:

-Schella Claudicia Yemengali, Radio Centrafrique, CAR

-Ndayishimiye Cyriaque, Radio TV Buntu, BURUNDI

-Magendero Benigne, RTV Buntu Buye, BURUNDI

SECOND Position:

-Stephane Kokanzo, Radio Centrafrique, CAR

THIRD Position:

-Innocent Ndihokubwayo, Radio Tv Buntu, BURUNDI

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY

FIRST Position:

-Donat Muemba, Jua Services / Jua Magazine, DRC

-Matthias Kabuya Tshilumba, Radio Television Debout Kasai (RTDK) Mbuji-Mayi, DRC

-Jean Nepomuscene Irambona, Radio-TV Buntu, BURUNDI

Here are the Special Award Winners

SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS

-Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Diplomacy & Development, DRC

-Jessy NZENGU, (lualabamaprovince.com), DRC

-Jean-Bosco NtaconayigizE, Radio TV Buntu, BURUNDI

-Ahmed Bello, Savoirnews.net, CAMEROON

-Maurice Tuninahazimana, Radio TV Buntu, BURUNDI

About 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' campaign

"Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe, effective and equitable fertility care solutions. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention, management and male infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for fertility specialists and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.

With "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother", we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It's all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.

The Ambassadors of "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" are:

Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as;

-'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training

-'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Fashion Awards

-'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Film Awards

-'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Song Awards

-Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it

Children storybook, localized for each country

Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App

(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.merck.foundation & amp;hl=en" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.merck.foundation & hl=en

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard

Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/merckfoundation) Merck Foundation

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/MerckFoundation)

YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ1GIZSPlhk) MerckFoundation

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/merckfoundation) Merck Foundation

Flickr: (https://www.flickr.com/photos/163124125@N08) Merck Foundation

Website: (https://www.merck-foundation.com)

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI/NewsVoir): 'Pearl Precision,' a leading brand in Sanitary Ware and Bathroom Accessories has launched state-of-the-art bathroom accessories comprising CP Faucets family collection range, Health Faucets and Flushing Systems apart from Cisterns, Seat Covers, P.T.M.T Taps and Kitchen Sinks, among others.

Created with innovation at every step, all these products by Pearl Precision are the trendsetting fusion of style and elegance.

Available in a wide range of choices to suit every individual's interior aspirations, all these products launched by Pearl Precision is no less than a royal retreat. A timeless saga of contemporary design, the stylish and trendy collection brings with it everything that the brand Pearl Precision epitomises - opulence, luxury and exquisite designs.

Moreover, the company has a large network of Channel Partners comprising more than 500 across the country to make the products available with technical support and after sales service.

Naresh Kumar Garg, Managing Director, Pearl Precision said, "Pearl Precision is committed to redefine elegance for every home and institution through its unmatched range of reliable and high quality product portfolio. Our most durable bathroom accessories, CP Faucets and other sanitary ware products are latest in the series offering a truly mesmerising experience of sleek finish and latest design. At Pearl Precision we believe in setting new trend by offering affordable and high-quality products with inspirational design and functionality."

'Pearl Precision' has In-House Tool Room which is equipped with all modern machineries like CNC, WIRECUT, VMC etc. and it is capable of developing moulding dies for delivering premium quality products. To manufacture its exclusive collection, Pearl Precision has used latest technology which helped it flawlessly create sustainable design for this unique environment friendly product line. Moreover, this haute collection is maintenance free and promises unbeatable durability with high performance.

The exquisite collection of Bathroom accessories and Faucets by Pearl Precision are available in all the retail hardware, or bath ware stores across the country.

Pearl Precision Products Pvt. Ltd. (Pearl Precision) began its activity as a company in 1986 that made Sheet Metal Components & Heat Sinks. After these first radiators, the firm expanded its portfolio with the production of Plastic Molded items.

In 2011, Pearl Precision entered into an extensive line of residential and commercial products which incorporate style and innovation into Cisterns, Seat Covers, Faucets, Showers, Sinks, Household and Accessories for the consumers. Pearl Precision has already spread its presence across India as well as in UAE & Nepal with the Brand name of "Pearl". Pearl Precision has also been approved by "Bureau of Indian Standards" to use ISI mark on the products manufactured by it. With ideas from the technical and experienced human minds in the organization and through the process of continuous product development, it has established itself as an entity which can deliver products with immaculate precision within time bound schedule.

For more information, please visit (https://pearlprecisionproducts.com).

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China sees leapfrog development of foreign trade in goods

09:16, January 12, 2022 By Luo Shanshan ( People's Daily

Early in the morning of Jan. 1, 2022, a China-Europe freight train loaded with 100 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers set off from an international freight logistics base in Guangzhou city, capital of south Chinas Guangdong province.

Photo taken on Jan. 4, 2022 shows a large number of commercial vehicles to be shipped overseas at Yantai Port, east Chinas Shandong province. (Peoples Daily Online/ Tang Ke)

The train left China via the land port of Manzhouli on the China-Russia border for Vorsino Station in Moscow, Russia. It will arrive at its destination, which is more than 10,000 kilometers away, 16 days after its departure.

The China-Europe freight trains have so far made a cumulative total of over 40,000 trips, carrying various kinds of goods to 174 cities in 23 European countries through 73 freight routes. With a logistics distribution network covering the entire Eurasian continent, these freight trains have effectively guaranteed the stability of international trade.

Since the launch of reform and opening up in 1978, China has continuously promoted institutional reform and innovation in foreign trade. As a result, the countrys goods trade enjoyed leapfrog development, with its structure continuously improving and overseas market constantly expanding, making important contributions to the countrys social and economic development.

By establishing platforms for international economic and trade cooperation, such as the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, the China International Import Expo, and the China International Fair for Trade in Services, China has actively participated in global economic and trade cooperation, boosted trade liberalization and facilitation, continuously setting new records in trade volume.

From 1980 to 2020, Chinas total goods imports and exports soared from 57 billion yuan (about $8.95 billion) to more than 32 trillion yuan.

Photo taken on Jan. 7, 2022 shows workers producing solar modules for export in the workshop of a new energy company in east Chinas Jiangsu province. (Peoples Daily Online/ Zhai Huiyong)

Riding on the wave of the Canton Fair, Galanz, a leading home appliance maker in China, has gained an increasing share in overseas market over the past more than 20 years. Its products are now in great demand in more than 200 countries and regions.

At first, the companys exhibits at the Canton Fair were only several microwave ovens and rice cookers, and it needed to scramble for foreign orders on site. Today, people can see smart home appliances for the whole house exhibited by Glanz, and the company is attracting more and more foreign customers through various channels both online and offline.

In 2020, when the external environment for foreign trade was complex and grim, Chinas trade in goods scored a total value of 32.16 trillion yuan, making the country the only major economy in the world to realize positive growth in foreign trade in goods, which has further consolidated the countrys position as the worlds largest trader in goods.

In the first 11 months of 2021, Chinas foreign trade in goods totaled 35.39 trillion yuan, up 22 percent year on year. During the same period, the countrys imports and exports with main trading partners such as the ASEAN, the EU and the U.S. all enjoyed double-digit growth.

The joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), while creating new space for global economic growth, has opened up new horizons for the development of Chinas foreign trade. Driven by the initiative, various regions have vigorously optimized their foreign trade structures, effectively promoting the orderly and free flow of both international and domestic factors of production, efficient allocation of resources, and in-depth integration of markets.

During the first three quarters of 2021, Chinas foreign trade with countries along the routes of the BRI surged 23.4 percent from the same period of the previous year.

A China-Europe freight train sets off from Deyang city, southwest Chinas Sichuan province, on the 100th train trip from Deyang to Europe, Jan. 5, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/ Hu Zhiqiang)

Chinas exports of high-tech and high value-added products have witnessed particularly rapid expansion. The export volume of Chinas mechanical and electrical products jumped 21.2 percent in the first 11 months of 2021, with its proportion in Chinas total foreign trade rising to 59 percent.

Specifically, the countrys exports of automatic data processing equipment and its parts, household appliances, and automobiles (including chassis) climbed 12.3 percent, 16.3 percent and 108.4 percent, respectively.

At the final assembly workshop of eGT New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd., a new-energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer headquartered in Shiyan city of central Chinas Hubei province, 240 NEVs roll off the production line every day, 80 percent of which are sold to overseas customers. In 2021, the company exported more than 10,000 NEVs to overseas markets.

The smooth functioning of industrial and supply chains has facilitated the import of production equipment and parts and export of finished vehicles, helping the company control costs and improve global competitiveness, said Zhao Weidong, general manager of eGT New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd.

Newegg Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., a trading company based in east Chinas Shanghai, recently exported a batch of goods smoothly to the U.S. by sea after completing customs clearance via the bonded warehouse mode (customs supervision code 1210) for bonded cross-border e-commerce trade at the Yangshan Special Comprehensive Bonded Zone in Shanghai.

Under the 1210 mode, e-commerce platforms can temporarily store goods at comprehensive bonded zones in advance, and sort and package them at their own warehouses in the zone, said Shi Zhibin, overseas operations director of the company.

The mode features advantages including low cost, fast tax refund and high efficiency, according to Shi, who disclosed that the company set up its overseas warehouse for cross-border e-commerce at the Yangshan Special Comprehensive Bonded Zone because of its special geographical location and favorable policies.

China attaches great importance to the development of new business forms and models of foreign trade, said Ren Hongbin, Chinas vice minister of commerce.

The countrys Ministry of Commerce has worked together with various localities and departments across the country to continuously improve relevant policy systems and optimize business environment. As a result, a growth of nearly 10 times in the trade volume of cross-border e-commerce was realized in five years, export volume through market procurement trade methods rose five times in six years, and the countrys number of overseas warehouses exceeded 2,000, according to Ren.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The conversion will lead to dilution of the holdings of all the existing shareholders of the firm, including the promoters. Post-conversion, it is expected that the government will hold around 35.8 per cent of the total outstanding shares of the company, and that the promoter shareholders would hold around 28.5 per cent (Vodafone Group) and 17.8 per cent (Aditya Birla Group), respectively.  DC Image

New Delhi: The government is likely to become the single largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea (Vi) Ltd, India's third largest telecom service provider, as the Vi board on Tuesday approved conversion of about Rs 16,000-crore interest dues payable to the government into equity.

The company informed the telecom department that it would opt for converting the interest on spectrum and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues into government equity, as permitted under the October 2021 relief package.

In the package, the government has given telecom operators an option of paying interest for the four years of deferment on the deferred spectrum instalments and AGR dues by way of conversion into equity of the net present value (NPV) of such interest amount.

The conversion will lead to dilution of the holdings of all the existing shareholders of the firm, including the promoters. Post-conversion, it is expected that the government will hold around 35.8 per cent of the total outstanding shares of the company, and that the promoter shareholders would hold around 28.5 per cent (Vodafone Group) and 17.8 per cent (Aditya Birla Group), respectively.

"The net present value (NPV) of this interest is expected to be about Rs 16,000 crore as per the company's best estimates, subject to confirmation by the DoT.

Since the average price of the company's shares at the relevant date of 14.08.2021 was below par value, the equity shares will be issued to the government at par value of Rs 10/- per share, subject to final confirmation by the DoT. The conversion will therefore result in dilution to all the existing shareholders of the company, including the promoters," Vi said in a regulatory filing.

"As a part of relief package in October 2021, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had laid out various options regarding the telecom reforms package. The board had opted for deferment of spectrum auction instalments due up to four years; and deferment of AGR related dues by four years in the meetings held on October 18 and October 27 last year. However, the telecom companies were also required to pay interest on these dues during the moratorium period," it said.

Analysts are of view that the equity conversion could be a bad news for the company, its consumers and shareholders. After the board's approval to conversion of interest on spectrum and AGR dues, the share market reacted negatively where Vodafone Idea shares tanked 20.54 per cent to Rs 11.80 on the BSE.
Most of us got our second and last jab months ago. Experts say that the immunity offered by Covid-19 vaccines wanes with the passage of time. So, as the third wave is threatening to take the world into its grip again, nations are mulling administering a third dose to its vulnerable population.

And India, which on Tuesday logged 1.68 lakh new Covid-19 cases and 277 deaths, has started vaccinating its population which is above 60 years of age and have comorbidities.

The booster shot is no different from the earlier doses which we had. It elicits an immune response from our body leading to production of antibodies, which in turn help the body fight the virus.

Meanwhile, there is no consensus on whether the booster shot should be different from the earlier two jabs that one had. Citing several experts, DownToEarth magazine recently said in an article that there is no peer-reviewed study in India on the efficacy of mixing vaccines.

In July last year, The World Health Organizations chief scientist had asked individuals against mixing and matching Covid-19 vaccines.

He said that such decisions should be left to public health authorities.

On the other hand, pointing to a study in the UK, BBC had last year said that a mix-and-match approach appears to give good protection against the pandemic virus. Some other studies have suggested that mixing-and-matching offers an even better immune response than using the third dose of the same series.

Back home, the Indian government is staying away from mix-and-match policy for the booster dose for now.

For those fully vaccinated with Covishield, protection against fresh infection is just 3%. Protection against serious disease caused by Omicron is 18%, and against death 29%. Now, with a booster dose, this will increase to 80% protection against serious disease, and 88% against death.

Medical experts have also suggested that the government should reduce the gap between two doses of vaccines from the present 84 days or 12-16 weeks.

This would ensure speedier full vaccination of the entire eligible adult population. The Centre has, though, said that the interval between the second and third doses will be nine months.

The decision to keep the interval between the second and third doses at nine months has been based on the findings of five scientific studies carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad.

The third shot will for sure offer some shield to the elderly and the frontline workers from this ongoing wave of pandemic, even if it is from the same series.
The government taking a 35.8% holding in has surprised many. At a time when it looked poised to dilute its stakes in many public sector companies, the move failed to excite the Street too, as the cash-strapped companys shares dipped 21% yesterday.

Experts also pointed out that ailing government-owned telecom giants MTNL and BSNL are also crying for attention. They are yet to roll out services.

But the move may well give a lease of life. The third-largest telecom carriers fundraising plans are significantly delayed and Vodafone Group has made it clear it will not make any fresh equity infusion into its Indian unit.

Against this backdrop, the government of India is set to become the single largest shareholder in struggling after the telco opted to convert interest worth Rs 16,000 crore on deferred spectrum liabilities and Adjusted Gross Revenue dues into equity.

It had previously accepted a four year moratorium on spectrum and AGR dues offered by the governments Telecom Reforms Package announced last September.

While Airtel had chosen to pay the interest arising out of such deferment, Vodafone Idea is taking advantage of the relief package to convert them into equity. This will result in a massive dilution to existing shareholders.

The government will hold some 35.8% stake in Indias third biggest carrier.

The Vodafone Group will own around 28.5% and Aditya Birla Group about 17.8%.

While this may provide comfort to financial creditors, at the same time it places an undue expectation on the government for any future fund infusions as it has consciously chosen to be part of the companys turnaround.

As of September end, Vodafone Idea had a gross debt of Rs 1.94 trillion, 90% of which it owes to the government. The companys decision crucially prevents a duopoly in the telecom market, which was ostensibly the intent of the telecom reforms package.

While this move has helped the company extinguish some dues, the government holding has evidently unsettled investors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared last February that government has no business to be in business.

Vodafone Idea should not be allowed to remain a quasi-public sector company for long. While the government may become the largest shareholder, it may not get involved in running the company.

In an earlier interaction with Business Standard, Vodafone Ideas CEO Ravinder Takkar had said that it would be incorrect to state that the company will turn into a public sector undertaking. He said the government has no interest in acquiring and running telecom companies.

The government will also have an option to convert the due amount pertaining to the deferred payment into equity at the end of the four-year moratorium period.

In the absence of any significant external fundraising by the company, such a scenario would mean the government becoming a controlling shareholder.

Nevertheless, it should soon come up with an exit strategy for its stake. Its support provides short-term relief and stability but over the long term it needs to be ensured that Vodafone Idea does not go the Air India way.
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The Awards Committee of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, today announced the recipients of its prestigious annual awards. Honoring transformative advancements in multiple areas  including medicine, astronomy, lithography, optical metrology, optical design, and community leadership  the Society's awards recognize technical accomplishments as well as committed service to SPIE and support of its organizational mission.

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Michael Berns, winner of the 2022 SPIE Gold Medal. (Photo: Business Wire)

SPIE Gold Medal: Michael Berns

In recognition of his work in bioengineering research and his distinguished career that brought together engineers, physicists, biologists, and physicians to collaborate on ground-breaking discoveries and innovations.

SPIE President's Award: Tuan Vo-Dinh

In recognition of his outstanding and extensive role in SPIE conference leadership, in disparate technical areas, and for his mentorship of early investigators as well as peers.

SPIE Directors' Award: Julie Bentley

In recognition of her outstanding service to the Society in extraordinary ways, including authorship, course instruction, conference program leadership, committee membership, and service on the Board of Directors.

SPIE Mozi Award: Thomas W. Ebbesen

In recognition of his phenomenal contributions to the field of nano-optics, especially the extraordinary optical transmission through sub-wavelength hole arrays.

SPIE Britton Chance Award in Biomedical Optics: Bruce Tromberg

In recognition of his high-impact translational research and overall leadership in the development of biophotonic technologies for diagnostics and therapeutics.

SPIE Biophotonics Technology Innovator Award: Bert Muller

In recognition of his distinguished contributions to 2D and 3D imaging for the challenges of the 21st century, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, bioinspired dental repair, and incontinence treatment.

SPIE Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Award in Optical Design: Masato Shibuya

In recognition of his significant contributions to the development of optical design through the invention of phase-shift masks for photolithography, and for laying the foundations of imaging theory based on plane-wave expansions.

SPIE Harrison H. Barrett Award in Medical Imaging: Maryellen Giger

In recognition of her pioneering work in the fields of digital image formation, computer-aided diagnosis, radiomics, and radiogenomics.

SPIE Harold E. Edgerton Award in High-Speed Optics: Mona Jarrahi

In recognition of her pioneering contributions to plasmonic time-domain spectroscopy and imaging systems as well as their scientific and industrial applications.

SPIE Dennis Gabor Award in Diffractive Optics: Gabriel Popescu

In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to holography and quantitative phase imaging for biomedical applications.

SPIE George W. Goddard Award in Space and Airborne Optics: Michelle Stephens

In recognition of her technical innovation, mentoring, and exceptional leadership in pursuit of space-based, fundamental measurements of the Earth and Sun, while reducing technological barriers and promoting standards for the advancement of space and airborne optics.

SPIE G. G. Stokes Award in Optical Polarization: Alex Vitkin

In recognition of his extensive contributions to tissue polarimetry, including advanced methodology developments for sensitive and robust Stokes and Mueller measurements; polarimetric computational and analytical platforms; and biomedical applications including cardiology, regenerative medicine, glucometry, and breast-cancer margin assessment.

SPIE Chandra S. Vikram Award in Optical Metrology: Jurgen Czarske

In recognition of his important contributions to computational laser metrology with paradigm changes in fluid dynamics, inspection, aerospace, communication, and biomedicine.

SPIE Frits Zernike Award for Microlithography: Harry J. Levinson

In recognition of his outstanding achievements contributing to our fundamental understanding of advanced lithography process control, especially in the concepts of Image-Log-Slope, Mask defect printability, and thin-film optics optimization.

SPIE Diversity Outreach Award: Qaisar Abbas Naqvi

In recognition of his inspirational attitude and dedication to students, helping transform the lives of women and men from traditionally under-recognized segments of society by supporting their pursuit of higher education and research in optics and related fields.

SPIE Maria Goeppert-Mayer Award in Photonics: Shin-Tson Wu

In recognition of his seminal contributions to display and photonic device technologies that led to widespread applications.

SPIE Maiman Laser Award: Bill Krupke

In recognition of his scientific, technical and community leadership, innovation, and numerous seminal results in laser science and technology.

SPIE Early Career Achievement Award  Academic Focus: Bhavin Shastri

In recognition of his pioneering efforts in the field of neuromorphic photonics and his contributions to interdisciplinary research across nanophotonics, unconventional computing, and silicon photonics that pushed the frontiers of machine learning.

SPIE Early Career Achievement Award  Industry/Government Focus: Lionel Clermont

In recognition of his significant achievements in the field of stray light control, particularly his work on the development of the ultrafast time-of-flight imaging characterization method.

SPIE Maria J. Yzuel Educator Award: Rajpal Sirohi

In recognition of his many years of service in the field of optics through leadership, capacity building, and outreach.

SPIE Aden and Marjorie Meinel Technology Achievement Award: Ge Wang

In recognition of his pioneering contributions in X-ray and optical molecular tomography, including their coupling for biomedical applications.

The complete listing of all SPIE awards and recipients is available here.

About SPIE

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, SPIE has contributed more than $22 million to the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. www.spie.org.

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Highlights of the Results

Gross Revenue was Rs 203.1 billion ($2.7 billion 1 ), an increase of 3.3% QoQ and 29.6% YoY

), an increase of 3.3% QoQ and 29.6% YoY IT Services Segment Revenue was at $2,639.7 million, an increase of 2.3% QoQ and 27.5% YoY

Non-GAAP 2 constant currency IT Services Segment Revenue increased by 3.0% QoQ and 28.5% YoY

constant currency IT Services Segment Revenue increased by 3.0% QoQ and 28.5% YoY IT Services Operating Margin 3 for the quarter was at 17.6%, a decrease of 19 bps QoQ

for the quarter was at 17.6%, a decrease of 19 bps QoQ Net Income for the quarter was Rs 29.7 billion ($399.1 million 1 ), increase of 1.3% QoQ

), increase of 1.3% QoQ Earnings Per Share for the quarter was at Rs 5.43 ($0.07 1 ), an increase of 4.2% YoY

), an increase of 4.2% YoY Operating Cash Flow was at Rs 30.1 billion ($404.2 million 1 ), which is 101.3% of Net Income

), which is 101.3% of Net Income Our closing strength of employees for IT Services was at 231,671, an increase of 41,363 employees on a net basis YoY. We added 10,306 employees during the quarter

Wipro declared an interim dividend of Rs 1 ($0.0131) per equity share/ADS

Performance for the quarter ended December 31, 2021

Outlook for the quarter ending March 31, 2022

IT Services

A US-based healthcare company has awarded Wipro a business process and platform services contract spanning claims processing and setting up a customer service center using Wipros proprietary healthcare platform. Wipro will enable the client to expand its product offerings and go-to-market strategies and grow in this business segment.

A leading US-based student-aid organization has awarded Wipro a multi-million dollar engagement to manage and streamline their mainframe operations to support their mission critical platform and help enhance end-user experience.

Wipro has won a multi-million dollar engagement with a US-based industrial manufacturing company to drive workplace transformation that delivers best-in-class end-user experience with an effective approach for mergers and acquisitions integrations.

Wipro has won an engagement with a leading US-based retail brokerage for a large integration program that includes modernizing and scaling applications across its multiple lines of business.

A technology-driven travel marketplace has selected Wipro as its strategic partner to modernize its core travel platform and help set up a capability hub in Mexico. The modernized platform will significantly enhance customer experience and help generate new revenue streams for the customer.

Digital Services Highlights

A large, Brazil-based water and waste management company has awarded Wipro a strategic engagement to transform their internal processes, improve operational efficiency, and enhance competitiveness leveraging Wipro FullStride Cloud Services.

A leading US-based Cloud Security and Identity Governance solutions provider has selected Wipro to develop demanding functionalities and enhancements to support their core Product Development function. Wipro will help the customer meet growing demands, enable a quicker time to market and scale their software business globally.

A leading US-based financial advice firm has selected Wipro and Capco as strategic partners to deliver multiple digital transformation programs. Together with Capco, Wipro will lead an innovation program to facilitate greater adoption of new technologies to accelerate the companys digital transformation journey.

Wipro has won an engagement with a US-based multi-state healthcare organization to deliver modernized member services. Wipro will leverage a new cloud-based, globalized contact center service delivery model to digitally transform and optimize stakeholder experience and ensure cost savings, quality, compliance and growth for the customer.



Analyst Recognition

Wipro has been recognized as a Leader for the second consecutive time in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Network Services (Ted Corbett et al., 10 Nov 2021)

Wipro positioned as a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Data Management Service Providers, Q4 2021

Wipro was featured in the Top 3 players in HFS Top 10: Life Sciences Service Providers 2021

Wipro was featured in the Top 4 players in HFS Top 10: Energy Services 2021

Wipro was rated as a Leader in Avasant High-Tech Industry Digital Services 20212022 RadarView

Wipro was positioned as a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Salesforce Implementation Services 2021 Vendor Assessment (Doc # US47073921, Nov 2021)

Wipro was rated as a Leader and Star Performer in Everest Groups Enterprise Quality Assurance (QA) Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022

Wipro was recognized as a Leader in Everest Groups Cloud Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022  Europe, North America

Wipro was recognized as a Leader in Everest Groups Advanced Analytics and Insights (AA&I) Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022

Wipro ranks among the Top Service Providers in Customer Satisfaction and Innovation categories in Whitelane & Navisco Germany IT Outsourcing Study 2021

Wipro ranks among the Top Service Providers in Customer Satisfaction and Innovation categories in Whitelane French IT Outsourcing Study 2021

Wipro was recognized as a Leader in Everest Groups Intelligent Automation in Healthcare  Solutions PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022

IT Products

IT Products Segment Revenue for the quarter was Rs 1.8 billion ($23.8 million 1 )

) IT Products Segment Results for the quarter was a profit of Rs 0.1 billion ($1.3 million1)

India business from State Run Enterprises (ISRE)

India SRE Segment Revenue for the quarter was Rs 1.6 billion ($21.8 million 1 )

) India SRE Segment Results for the quarter was a profit of Rs 0.1 billion ($1.8 million1)

Quarterly Conference Call

We will hold an earnings conference call today at 07:15 p.m. Indian Standard Time (08:45 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time) to discuss our performance for the quarter. The audio from the conference call will be available online through a web-cast and can be accessed at the following link-

For the convenience of the readers, the amounts in Indian Rupees in this release have been translated into United States Dollars at the certified foreign exchange rate of US$1 = Rs 74.39, as published by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on December 31, 2021. However, the realized exchange rate in our IT Services business segment for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 was US$1= Rs 76.12 Constant currency revenue for a period is the product of volumes in that period times the average actual exchange rate of the corresponding comparative period IT Services Operating Margin refers to Segment Results Total as reflected in IFRS financials

WIPRO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Rs in millions, except share and per share data, unless otherwise stated) As at March 31, 2021 As at December 31, 2021 Convenience translation into US dollar in millions

Refer footnote 1 ASSETS Goodwill 139,127 242,945 3,266 Intangible assets 13,085 44,320 596 Property, plant and equipment 85,192 90,248 1,213 Right-of-Use assets 16,420 18,445 248 Financial assets Derivative assets 16 35 ^ Investments 10,576 17,543 236 Trade receivables 4,358 1,301 17 Other financial assets 6,088 6,052 81 Investments accounted for using the equity method 1,464 775 10 Deferred tax assets 1,664 2,357 32 Non-current tax assets 14,323 10,222 137 Other non-current assets 15,935 12,377 166 Total non-current assets 308,248 446,620 6,002 Inventories 1,064 1,025 14 Financial assets Derivative assets 4,064 5,277 71 Investments 175,707 235,740 3,169 Cash and cash equivalents 169,793 107,458 1,445 Trade receivables 94,298 122,365 1,645 Unbilled receivables 27,124 38,908 523 Other financial assets 7,245 9,608 129 Contract assets 16,507 16,680 224 Current tax assets 2,461 4,185 56 Other current assets 24,923 29,504 397 Total current assets 523,186 570,750 7,673 TOTAL ASSETS 831,434 1,017,370 13,675 EQUITY Share capital 10,958 10,962 147 Share premium 714 1,304 18 Retained earnings 466,692 555,789 7,471 Share-based payment reserve 3,071 4,094 55 SEZ Re-investment reserve 41,154 44,167 594 Other components of equity 30,506 37,609 506 Equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company 553,095 653,925 8,791 Non-controlling interests 1,498 446 6 TOTAL EQUITY 554,593 654,371 8,797 LIABILITIES Financial liabilities Loans and borrowings 7,458 55,417 745 Derivative liabilities - 1 ^ Lease liabilities 13,513 15,056 202 Other financial liabilities 2,291 3,676 49 Deferred tax liabilities 4,633 14,989 201 Non-current tax liabilities 11,069 14,520 195 Other non-current liabilities 7,835 8,238 111 Provisions 2 6 ^ Total non-current liabilities 46,801 111,903 1,503 Financial liabilities Loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts 75,874 78,501 1,055 Derivative liabilities 1,070 340 5 Trade payables and accrued expenses 78,870 87,506 1,175 Lease liabilities 7,669 8,647 116 Other financial liabilities 1,470 3,906 53 Contract liabilities 22,535 28,161 379 Current tax liabilities 17,324 18,992 255 Other current liabilities 24,552 24,238 326 Provisions 676 805 11 Total current liabilities 230,040 251,096 3,375 TOTAL LIABILITIES 276,841 362,999 4,878 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 831,434 1,017,370 13,675 ^ Value is less than 1

WIPRO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Rs in millions, except share and per share data, unless otherwise stated) Three months ended December 31, Nine months ended December 31, 2020 2021 2021 2020 2021 2021 Convenience translation into US dollar in millions

Refer footnote 1 Convenience translation into US dollar in millions

Refer footnote 1 Revenues 156,700 203,136 2,731 456,976 582,334 7,828 Cost of revenues (104,313) (142,778) (1,919) (313,400) (407,907) (5,483) Gross profit 52,387 60,358 812 143,576 174,427 2,345 Selling and marketing expenses (11,326) (13,988) (189) (30,721) (40,857) (549) General and administrative expenses (7,814) (12,036) (162) (25,997) (33,854) (455) Foreign exchange gains/(losses), net 566 1,187 16 2,109 3,280 44 Other operating income/(loss), net - 14 ^ (81) 2,179 29 Results from operating activities 33,813 35,535 477 88,886 105,175 1,414 Finance expenses (1,400) (1,403) (19) (3,966) (3,608) (49) Finance and other income 5,975 3,578 48 16,465 12,311 165 Share of net profit/ (loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method 101 76 1 126 73 1 Profit before tax 38,489 37,786 507 101,511 113,951 1,531 Income tax expense (8,524) (8,063) (108) (22,590) (22,547) (303) Profit for the period 29,965 29,723 399 78,921 91,404 1,228 Profit attributable to: Equity holders of the Company 29,667 29,690 399 78,225 91,318 1,227 Non-controlling interests 298 33 ^ 696 86 1 Profit for the period 29,965 29,723 399 78,921 91,404 1,228 Earnings per equity share: Attributable to equity holders of the Company Basic 5.21 5.43 0.07 13.74 16.71 0.22 Diluted 5.17 5.42 0.07 13.46 16.67 0.22 Weighted average number of equity shares used in computing earnings per equity share Basic 5,696,798,493 5,467,954,878 5,467,954,878 5,694,731,405 5,465,359,077 5,465,359,077 Diluted 5,741,070,466 5,481,204,821 5,481,204,821 5,812,779,105 5,478,766,612 5,478,766,612 ^ Value is less than 1

Particulars Three months ended Nine months ended Year ended December

31, 2021 September

30, 2021 December

31, 2020 December

31, 2021 December

31, 2020 March

31, 2021 Audited Audited Audited Audited Audited Audited Revenue IT Services Americas 1 56,644 53,205 45,015 159,532 131,581 178,091 Americas 2 61,076 59,260 44,702 175,441 133,346 179,821 Europe 59,620 58,619 42,880 172,700 120,334 165,441 APMEA 23,596 22,715 20,717 67,543 61,637 82,462 Total of IT Services 200,936 193,799 153,314 575,216 446,898 605,815 IT Products 1,767 1,894 1,563 4,972 5,568 7,685 ISRE 1,623 1,867 2,388 5,427 6,610 8,912 Reconciling Items (3) 47 1 (1) 9 13 Total Revenue 204,323 197,607 157,266 585,614 459,085 622,425 Other operating income/(loss), net IT Services 14 15 - 2,179 (81) (81) Total Other operating income/(loss), net 14 15 - 2,179 (81) (81) Segment Result IT Services Americas 1 11,390 10,521 8,075 31,290 23,177 33,040 Americas 2 12,057 11,819 10,190 35,226 31,089 41,589 Europe 9,172 9,186 9,283 26,683 22,969 31,673 APMEA 2,483 3,028 2,778 8,577 8,402 11,476 Unallocated 173 (156) 2,945 73 3,896 5,153 Other operating income/(loss), net 14 15 - 2,179 (81) (81) Total of IT Services 35,289 34,413 33,271 104,028 89,452 122,850 IT Products 96 94 78 137 (100) 45 ISRE 134 393 471 1,002 474 1,061 Reconciling Items 16 20 (7) 8 (940) (903) Total 35,535 34,920 33,813 105,175 88,886 123,053 Finance expenses (1,403) (1,459) (1,400) (3,608) (3,966) (5,088) Finance and Other Income 3,578 4,114 5,975 12,311 16,465 20,912 Share of net profit/ (loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method 76 (10) 101 73 126 130 Profit before tax 37,786 37,565 38,489 113,951 101,511 139,007

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue to IT Services Revenue as per IFRS ($Mn)
The number of active Covid cases in the state shot past the 15,000 mark to stand at 16,496 on Tuesday, even as the department said Telangana recorded 1,920 new cases of the disease, with two more people succumbing to it.  PTI

HYDERABAD: Telangana health department officials, who have so far maintained that the third wave of Covid-19 in the state would be benign, and that there was no reason for anyone to worry about catching Covid, at least the one caused by the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus, appeared to have started pressing panic buttons on Tuesday.

Though sounding confident all along that any Covid wave would be met with firmly, the health department on Tuesday began making preparations for a rush of Covid patients into hospitals. The first indication of this was a decision by the Gandhi Hospital to limit its intake of patients and discharge stable patients to create room and make more beds available to an expected rise of Covid-hit people seeking medical care.

Even as news emerged that 87 per cent of Covid cases in Hyderabad were of the Omicron variety with the rest being the more virulent and potentially dangerous Delta variant, major government-run hospitals in the city continued to report increasing Covid infections among its staff, straining their ability to provide services to patients.

Among the hardest hit were the Gandhi Hospital, and the Osmania General Hospital where, between the two, 123 medics were found to have contracted Covid. The highest number of doctors at these hospitals to catch the disease was house surgeons who numbered 45, followed by 39 MBBS students, 33 post-graduate students, and 6 faculty members. While Gandhi Hospital had 44 of its health care staff were hit by Covid, in Osmania 79 of its staff caught the disease.

Incidentally, Gandhi Hospital had been a Covid only specialist centre until the subsiding of the second wave of the disease while Osmania Hospital continued to offer its services to all patients ever since the pandemic arrived in Telangana in the form of a lone Covid-19 case on March 2, 2020.

Meanwhile, the number of active Covid cases in the state shot past the 15,000 mark to stand at 16,496 on Tuesday, even as the department said Telangana recorded 1,920 new cases of the disease, with two more people succumbing to it.

The number of Covid tests in the state inched towards the one lakh mark with 83,153 tests reported for the day from across the state. The department, however, said that it was awaiting results of 15,969 tests, which meant that one out of every 34 tests for which results were available, turned out to be a Covid positive person.

In the GHMC limits, the department said 1,015 new cases were reported, with the second highest number of 209 coming from the neighbouring Medchal-Malkajgiri district, followed by 159 in Ranga Reddy district.

Cases also rose in most other districts of the state with health officials warning that people travelling to their native places from Hyderabad for the Sankranti festival would carry the disease and spread it in other parts of the state. They said a serious surge in cases could be seen a few days after the Sankranti festival from across Telangana.
The risk of dying from cancer in the United States has decreased over the past 28 years according to annual statistics reported by the American Cancer Society (ACS). The cancer death rate for men and women combined fell 32% from its peak in 1991 to 2019, the most recent year for which data were available.

Some of this drop appears to be related to an increase in the percentage of people with lung cancer who are living longer after diagnosis, partly because more people are being diagnosed at an early stage of the disease.

Cancer continues to be the second most common cause of death in the US, after heart disease. A total of 1.9 million new cancer cases and 609,360 deaths from cancer are expected to occur in the US in 2022, which is about 1,670 deaths a day.



These statistics dont include either basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers because US cancer registries are not required to collect information on these cancers. These numbers also do not account for the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has likely had on cancer diagnoses and deaths because they are projections based on reported cases through 2018 and deaths through 2019.

Cancer Statistics, 2022, published in the American Cancer Societys journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, provides the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths expected in the US this year. The estimates are some of the most widely quoted cancer statistics in the world. The information is also available in a companion PDF report, Cancer Facts & Figures 2022 and is available on the interactive website, the Cancer Statistics Center.

Cancer death rate continues to drop

The 32% drop in cancer death rate between 1991 and 2019 translates to almost 3.5 million fewer cancer deaths during these years than what would have been expected if the death rate had not fallen. This success is largely because of fewer people smoking, which resulted in declines in lung and other smoking-related cancers.

Other factors that contributed to the reduced death rate include:

Chemotherapy after surgery for breast and colon cancer

Combination treatments for many cancers

Prevention and/or early detection through screening for some cancers, including cancer in the breast, cervix, colon, prostate, rectum, and more recently, lung

The risk of death from cancer dropped by about 2% a year from 2015 through 2019 compared to 1% a year during the 1990s. Accelerating declines in the cancer death rate show the power of prevention, screening, early diagnosis, treatment, and our overall potential to move closer to a world without cancer.

The researchers note that improving upon the success of the reduced cancer death rate will require more investments from national, state, and local levels in two equally important areas:

Cancer research that expands knowledge and advances treatment options

Making sure that successful, targeted cancer control interventions are more broadly and equitably applied to all populations.

Progress in the early detection of lung cancer



The outlook is more promising than ever for lung cancer at all stages of disease. In recent years, more people with lung cancer are being diagnosed when the cancer is at an early stage and living longer as a result.

The rate of localized-stage disease diagnosis increased by 4.5% yearly from 2014 to 2018, while there were steep declines in advanced disease diagnoses. The result was an overall increase in 3-year survival rates. In 2004, 21 out of 100 people diagnosed with lung cancer were living 3 years after their diagnosis. By 2018, that number had risen to 31 out of 100 people.

Increased survival is also largely due to improvements in:

Tests to diagnose lung cancer

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

Updates to pathologic staging

Drugs that target the most common gene mutations in lung cancer

Improved lung cancer outcomes may also reflect increased access to care through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), says Rebecca Siegel, MPH, lead author of Cancer Statistics, 2022, and Senior Scientific Director of Surveillance Research at ACS. Plus, the ACS and USPSTF first recommended screening for lung cancer in 2013, so screening  even with low rates  still could have helped increase the diagnosis of localized-stage disease, she says.

Here are some other statistics about lung cancer:

Lung cancer still causes more than 350 deaths each day, which is the highest number of deaths for all types of cancer more than breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers combined. It causes 2.5 times more deaths than colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of death from cancer in the US.

more It causes 2.5 times more deaths than colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of death from cancer in the US. About 8 out of 10 (81%) deaths from lung cancer in 2022 are expected to be caused from smoking cigarettes. Both the amount and how long someone smokes increase risk of dying from lung cancer. People who smoke are about 25 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who never smoked.

Both the amount and how long someone smokes increase risk of dying from lung cancer. People who smoke are about 25 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who never smoked. Second-hand smoke causes almost 3% of new diagnoses of lung cancer and is expected to cause about 3% of deaths from it in 2022.

of lung cancer and is expected to cause about 3% of deaths from it in 2022. After smoking, the next leading cause of lung cancer is exposure to radon gas, which is released from soil and can build up indoors.



which is released from soil and can build up indoors. Nonsmoking-related deaths from lung cancer would rank as the 8th leading cause of death from cancer if they were classified separately.

Stable progress against prostate and breast cancer

Prostate cancer. The risk of dying from prostate cancer decreased by about 50% from the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s due to improved treatment and earlier detection through screening with prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing, which helps find cancer when it is only in the prostate (localized). But in recent years, the risk of dying from prostate cancer is only decreasing by 0.6% a year. The cause for this slowing progress may be related to changes in screening guidelines.

Despite the contribution of screening to a reduction in mortality, there was increasing evidence that PSA testing was causing undue harm through overdiagnosis and overtreatment of prostate cancer. As a result, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) changed their screening guidelines.

In 2008, the USPSTF recommended against routine screening with PSA testing for men age 75 and older and in 2012 for all men, which led to fewer men being screened.

At first, reduced PSA testing was followed by rapid declines in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. But from 2014 to 2018, the incidence rate for local-stage disease stayed stable, whereas incidence rates for regional-stage disease rose each year by 4% and by 6% for distant-stage disease.

As a result, the proportion of prostate cancers diagnosed at a distant stage has more than doubled over the past 10 years, from 3.9% to 8.2%.

ACS researchers note that controversy remains about the underutilized potential of the PSA test to reduce deaths from prostate cancer by detecting potentially fatal disease earlier.

One study found that after the 2012 USPSTF guideline changes, there was a steeper drop in PSA testing in Black men than in White men, says Siegel. Thats concerning because early detection is especially important for Black men, who are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as White men. See the ACS Guidelines for Screening and Early Detection of Prostate Cancer.

Breast cancer. In females, breast cancer incidence rates have been slowly increasing by about 0.5% a year since the mid-2000s. This rise in diagnoses is due in part to more women having obesity, having fewer children, or having their first baby after age 30. Declines in breast cancer mortality have slowed in recent years, probably related to rising incidence as well as unchanged mammography rates.

Cancer disparities continue



Racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities in cancer occurrence and outcomes largely show longstanding inequalities in wealth that make access to high-quality health care difficult for some people. These disparities can be attributed in large part to historical and persistent structural racism in the US experienced by all people of color.



Cancer disparities occur when barriers to high-quality cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment create differences in cancer occurrence and outcomes based on sociodemographic factors such as race, ethnicity, age, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, or the place where a person lives. Most inequities in wealth, education, and overall standard of living among people of color stem from historical and persistent structural racism and discriminatory practices.

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly reduced peoples ability to find available services for cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. These delays in care will probably worsen cancer disparities given the unequal burden the pandemic is having on communities of color.

Here are examples of statistics showing these disparities:

In 2019, 27% of men without a high school education smoked cigarettes compared to 6% of men with a college degree. This is partly due to tobacco companies specifically marketing in neighborhoods where many people have low incomes.

This is partly due to tobacco companies specifically marketing in neighborhoods where many people have low incomes. Black women have a 41% higher breast cancer death rate than White women even though their incidence of breast cancer is 4% lower.

than White women even though their incidence of breast cancer is 4% lower. Cancer survival rates are lower for Black people than for White people for almost every cancer type .

. American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) have the highest liver cancer incidence of any major racial/ethnic group in the US. The risk of developing liver cancer among AIANs is more than double that in White people. (See 2022 Special Section on AIANs and Cancer.)

Cancer in children and adolescents

Cancer is the second most common cause of death among children ages 1 to 14 years in the US. Accidents are the most common cause.

In 2022, it is estimated that 10,470 children will be diagnosed with cancer, and 1,050 will die from the disease.

Although the cancer incidence rate among children has been increasing some since the mid-1970s, cancer death rates in children have declined by 71% since 1970, largely due to improvements in treatment and more children taking part in clinical trials.

since 1970, largely due to improvements in treatment and more children taking part in clinical trials. Leukemia remains the most common childhood cancer , accounting for 28% of all cancers in children. Death rates for leukemia went down by 84% from 1970 through 2019.

, accounting for 28% of all cancers in children. from 1970 through 2019. Brain and other nervous system tumors are the second-most common type, accounting for 26% of all childhood cancers.

Cancer is the fourth most common cause of death among adolescents ages 15 to 19.

In 2022, it is estimated that 5,480 adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer, and 550 will die from the disease.

Similar to children, cancer incidence rates among adolescents have increased slightly for decades, while the cancer death rate declined by 61% from 1970 to 2019

from 1970 to 2019 Brain and other nervous system tumors are the most common type, accounting for about 21% of cancers in adolescents, followed by lymphoma (19%).

Progress among adolescents has lagged somewhat behind children for complex reasons that include lower enrollment in clinical trials, differences in tumor biology and treatment protocols, as well as treatment tolerance and compliance.

Other highlights from the report


Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday urged the DMK functionaries to desist from greeting him in person on Pongal, and said the pandemic situation called for extreme restraint and strict compliance with government's COVID-19 safety precautions.

Though he will be immensely delighted in meeting the party members to exchange greetings, in the present context, particularly amidst increasing Coronavirus cases, it will be prudent to avoid crowding.

I kindly request you to avoid the congregation. It is absolutely mandatory to follow the government guidelines on COVID-19 precautions, the DMK president, who piloted his party to a spectacular win after being in the opposition for a decade, said.

In a letter to party members, Stalin recalled that he made a similar appeal for the New Year's Day for the same reason and was amazed at the sense of control of the cadres who accepted and adhered to it. So, I request you to observe it on this Pongal (mid-January) festival. Be resolute in preventing the spread of Coronavirus. This will be an unparalleled Pongal gift you will be giving me, the DMK president said.

Extending his Pongal greetings to the party functionaries he said let there be a surfeit of love in hearts and joy in homes. Pongal festival is a unique symbol of Tamil culture, a festival dedicated to peasants and a festival of thanksgiving to nature. He recalled that it was the DMK which identified Pongal as a Tamil festival. Party legislators and officials should ensure the government Pongal gift hampers reaches the beneficiaries.

May your hearts and minds be filled with everlasting joy. Adhere to government guidelines on COVID-19 safety. Maintain social distancing and wear masks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, Stalin urged.
Caitlin Koska, left, and Michael White appear with their 14-year-old rescue dog, Luna, at their wedding on May 1, 2021, in St. Joseph, Mich. The couple adopted their pet after her owner died through Tysons Place Animal Rescue, a specialized organization focused on helping the terminally ill and seniors headed to residential care. (Cat Carty Buswell via AP)
From left, Superior Court Judges Nathaniel Poovey, Graham Shirley and Dawn Layton listen to testimony from Jowei Chen, a political scientist from the University of Michigan, not pictured, during a partisan gerrymandering trial over North Carolina's new political maps Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 at a courtroom at Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh, N.C. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP)
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ATLANTA  Matthew De Galan, whose global communications background spans leadership positions at CARE, Mercy Corps, the Nike Foundation, and the U.N. Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, has been named vice president of communications at The Carter Center.

In a national search that reached over 300 prospective candidates, De Galan was selected for his expertise in international nonprofit and corporate branding, storytelling, thought leadership, policy advocacy, and creative development.

Matthew has led impressive, celebrated communications work with significant international nonprofits and the Nike Foundation, said Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center. His experience and talents uniquely qualify him to build our communications capacities and clarify and elevate the Centers voice, relevance, and presence. His passion for the Centers work and understanding of our potential stood out.

De Galans recent work for the U.N. on ending violence against children and global sex trafficking has garnered international attention. At Nike Foundation, his efforts put girls on the agenda of policymakers, and at Mercy Corps he helped reposition the organization as the first responder in global emergencies.

De Galan, who will join the Center in mid-February, will lead the communications team as the Center transitions from being a founder-led organization to one energized by the founders principles. Reporting to the CEO and working with colleagues across the organization, De Galan will develop strategies, ideas, and initiatives to refresh the brand and elevate the visibility and impact of the Centers work, vision, and voice.

De Galan is known as a multitalented visionary who spots trends and positions his organizations to adapt and communicate in ways that stand out and differentiate. In addition to his leadership in communications, he has experience in grant-making, fundraising, and public-private partnerships, and he has lived, worked, and traveled extensively in sub-Saharan Africa. He also has authored several books. At each place he has worked, he has been a valued team leader and colleague.

Matthew is a leader who fosters engagement, innovation, big ideas, and collaboration, Alexander said. He has proven strength in both strategy and implementation. He will help the Center develop a forward-looking communications strategy and world-class team consistent with our mission, capacities, and aspirations. I look forward to Matthew playing an essential and catalytic role as a member of the leadership team, helping the Center lean into a modern, vibrant, and sustainable future.

De Galan earned a bachelors degree in journalism and French from University of Kansas and a degree from the Universite de Bordeaux in French politics & literature. He is a graduate of the Harvard Humanitarian Leadership Program. He began his career as a reporter at the Kansas City Star.

The Carter Center partnered with BoardWalk Consulting, a national firm based in Atlanta, on the vice president of communications search.

###

Contact: In Atlanta, Soyia Ellison, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org



The Carter Center

Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope.

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
The company has so far reacted positively to the workers intentions to unionize, though the two sides must now work to figure out the terms of the deal. Titmouse co-founder Chris Prynoski released the following statement on social media:

We are proud of the Titmouse artists in NY and support them as we move into the future together! Following our voluntary recognition of the unit, we look forward to the opportunity to work with IATSE as we explore the first agreement for our NY-based employees  chris prynoski (@chrisprynoski) January 10, 2022

Cartoon Brew was the first publication to report on poor labor conditions at Titmouse New York, back in 2012. We noted a large gap  almost $700 per week  between the starting wages for artists working on the same show in the companys L.A. and New York studios. While conditions have since improved, true parity between the two can only be achieved now that the New York branch has joined TAG.

Animation unions have existed in New York in the past. The city had representation from the 1940s until the 1980s, when the Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists (IATSE Local 841) merged with the International Photographers of the Motion Picture Industry (Local 644). But Titmouse is the first New York animation studio to be organized in more than three decades.

Importantly, TAG has indicated that their organization of Titmouse New York represents a new era in the organization, as it aims to expand representation to animation workers throughout the United States. TAG business representative Steve Kaplan said in a statement: This historic moment is a cause for celebration as we begin a nationwide effort to ensure all animation workers are treated with respect and are afforded the same benefits and protections as those who are working in Southern California.

Meanwhile, Canadas animation industry is beginning to organize. The animation team at Oasis Animation in Montreal became the countrys first-ever accredited animation union in 2020 and reached a deal with the studio last June, while Titmouse Vancouver workers voted to join The Canadian Animation Union (IATSE Local 938)  TAGs sister union  in 2020. They ratified the unions first animation agreement in September 2021.

Late last year, TAG sat down to negotiate a new master agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents employers. The groups failed to reach an agreement by the deadline. Bargaining will resume on February 14.

Image at top: Harriet the Spy
With 11 medical students testing positive on Tuesday, the total number of students and staff who got infected reached 42. (Photo:KMC)

Hanamkonda: For the past four days, coronavirus is haunting the medical students of Kakatiya Medical College by infecting as many as 42 members so far, which included professors and the principal of the college in the district.

On Saturday last, 17 medical students tested positive for Covid19. The KMC management conducted RT-PCR tests on all 195 students.

On Sunday five students tested positive and on Monday seven more did so, of which four were medical students, two professors and one was the principal of the college.

With 11 medical students testing positive on Tuesday, the total number of students and staff who got infected reached 42.

The professors expressed worry over many medical students getting infected with the virus. They said many PG students of KMC were serving the Covid-hit patients in the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) hospital and were exposed to the virus. They were hit even though they were vaccinated twice.

Meanwhile, MGM hospital superintendent Dr. Battula Srinivas said all the medical students who tested positive were isolated and all care was taken of them, along with providing them proper medical treatment.

He also said precautionary steps were taken in the KMC and MGM hospital to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Re.: Rob Hopkins letter Balancing act (Castanet, Jan. 11)

Rob calls Canadians one big family. Sorry if I fail to agree with him.

As an unvaccinated person, I have been on lockdown since August, was fired, denied Employment Insurance and am now potentially facing a mandatory vaccination.

Nobody seems to care, as the public's opinion seems to indicate Canadians love to deprive the unvaccinated of our rights supposedly guaranteed by the (Canadian) Charter (of Rights and Freedoms).

Does anyone care anymore that there are people here who don't want the vaccine? Does anyone care about leaving the decision for medical treatment up to the individual? Debate has completely left compulsory vaccination behind.

If you are unvaccinated (in Quebec) you are a new taxable base and a scapegoat for this great Canadian family to blame for the failures of government Covid policy.

I am not a family member of yours Rob, I am a hated, trapped minority, held hostage by the mob of public opinion.

Nick Hassard
Photo: Contributed Many massage parlours in Richmond are still offering unlicensed sexual services, according to one patron's very angry wife

It appears Richmonds unlicensed sex trade is alive and well, if the sordid story from an understandably angry wife is anything to go by.

The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, contacted the Richmond News with details of how her husband caught a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) after frequenting a city centre massage parlour.

According to the woman, her husband said he knows of many men who are addicted to the extracurricular services being offered at the business, which cannot be named for legal reasons.

She told the News that she was glad her husbands STI made it not further than him, although she wasnt taking any chances and had banished him to sleeping on their cold, hard floor.

I still had to get two shots of penicillin in the ass to make sure of that, she added.

How many of these girls are there against their will? I'm not sure but it wouldn't surprise me if there might even be a minor or two thrown in the mix. How are these places being overlooked?

She said that, despite her husbands admission, he returned to the business for more of the same.

She then marched into the parlour with his photo, demanding that they refuse his patronage in the future.

The woman reported the business to the City of Richmonds bylaws department, which dispatched officers to investigate.

However, according to city spokesperson Clay Adams, the officers found no evidence of practice or activity that would contravene the requirements of the business license.

In March 2020, the News published a feature about the unlicensed sex trade in Richmond, which highlighted that the citys policies on sex work hadnt changed in 20 years.

The article pointed out that six body rub establishments in Richmond and a quick search on vanpeople.com  a Chinese language website for free classified ads  found dozens of women advertising in Richmond as sex workers.

Coun. Alexa Loo, at the time, wanted the city to look into tightening up the rules surrounding such establishments to make it as hard as possible to operate, adding that she didnt think the city should be supporting human trafficking in Richmond.

And in March of last year, the News reported how a report to Richmond city council on massage parlours has been delayed by more than a year.

Asked this week if she thinks its still a problem in Richmond, Loo doesnt think much has changed in the last two years.

I think the city does everything it can, as it stands. But technically, we license prostitution here and were not the only community to have done it, she said.

There is a sense that, in the past, we wanted (sex workers) off the street, so we licensed the (body rubs).

My concern is still that, in some of these situations, you have women or younger girls that are not from here, so there is trafficking and coercion involved.

There is an argument that it is a womens right to do this, its a legitimate job, etc. Thats all very woke, but Im not sure the people who say that would like their daughter involved in that trade.

Loo acknowledged that there are many genuine massage parlours in Richmond that are perfectly legitimate businesses; Ive been to some of them. They are strictly legitimate, well-priced.

But (the illegal sex trade) is still clearly happening and will keep on happening. Something has to change. People are still using this service.

Loo emphasized that human trafficking and coercion is what shes most concerned about.

What we need to have is more outreach people, offering the women an out, so to speak; an option or other opportunities.

Im not here to be the morality police, but I am here to say, I care about young women and girls, and even boys, being trafficked and forced to do this.

She added that many people in power in Richmond still feel its a case of out of sight, out of mind when it comes to admitting theres an issue in the city.

Advocacy groups for sex workers previously told the News that they dont believe that human trafficking is the number one issue facing the trade, which would be better served by making it safer for workers to operate.
I sat through yet another Kelowna city council meeting Monday afternoon and was once again forced to contain myself.

It is exhausting and disheartening, to say the least, to always leave council chambers wishing for better for our community and knowing our current council members don't understand why people are so frustrated with them.

They have become so accustomed to sitting in those chairs and going about the business of our city with no real thought to the true impact they have.

As council discussed items, I (held) my head in hands and, if I hadnt had a mask on, could have been seen muttering some choice words.

I took to Twitter as the meeting was underway to declare my disgust at a few points. I eventually left. It gets to be too much sometimes, to sit there and be quiet like I was told (to do) by Mayor Colin Basran so long ago. But I digress.

Affordable housing was the issue that finally broke me.

Kelowna city council wants to pat itself on the back that it has done everything possiblepulled all the levers.

I disagree. Many options remain open to municipal governments. As the Official Community Plan declares, we need to be bold. It is not bold to throw our hands up in the air and say it isn't our jurisdiction.

Bold is:

 Coming up with thoughtful progressive ideas

 Support for co op housing

 Building social housing on properties the city owns

 Not allowing bidding wars on city owned rentals

 By laws to create low income rentals in new developments

 Putting a stop to all the greed it supports

Coun. Ryan Donn mentioned protests in Berlin and that there will be a breaking point here too. Kelowna is the fourth most expensive city in the entire country. That breaking point is here for many.

As the city hands out $10,000 for design competitions maybe it is time for it to ask who it is designing for. As Coun. Gayle Given said, it isn't for her kids.

Be bold, be resilient, be unafraid to do things differently. Let's ensure we mean that because we have to if we want a healthy community.

Heather Friesen
Photo: The Canadian Press President Joe Biden walks to the Oval Office of the White House after stepping off Marine One, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Washington. Biden is in Georgia today to make his case for protecting voting rights in the United States. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Patrick Semansky

"Tired of being quiet," President Joe Biden put Democrats on notice Tuesday that he supports changing how the U.S. Senate conducts the countrys business if it means passing legislation aimed at protecting the right of Americans to vote  a step he says is vital to the mission of protecting democracy.

Biden, speaking in Atlanta to a crowd of prominent civil rights activists, Georgia lawmakers and members of Congress, gave his unqualified blessing to the idea of doing away with the filibuster, even if only temporarily, in order to pass legislation to blunt what he calls a Republican attack on the country's core values.

"I support changing the Senate rules, whichever way they need to be changed, to prevent a minority of senators from blocking action on voting rights," Biden said to rousing cheers. He said he's done having "quiet conversations" with lawmakers about the issue.

"I'm tired of being quiet," he said. "When it comes to protecting majority rule in America, the majority should rule in the United States Senate."

The challenge for the White House is that at the moment, that majority is as thin as it gets: 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, with only Vice-President Kamala Harris available to break ties. Sixty votes, a so-called "supermajority," is whats typically required to get most bills through the upper chamber.

Without 60 votes, any senator in the minority can use the filibuster to extend debate on a bill indefinitely, ensuring it never comes to a vote  a tactic that these days is easily invoked in writing, rather than the old-fashioned "talking filibuster" of years gone by.

Biden has long hinted at his support for a "carve-out" exception to the filibuster rule for voting rights, a strategy deployed as recently as last year to get a coronavirus relief bill done, but until Tuesday had never delivered such a full-throated endorsement.

And he did it with a pointed reminder of how close predecessor Donald Trump  a defeated former president, Biden stressed  came in the dying days of his presidency to overthrowing the rule of electoral law on Capitol Hill last Jan. 6.

"Democracys victory was not certain, nor is democracys future," the president said.

"Were here today to stand against the forces in America that value power over principle, forces that attempted a coup  a coup against the legally expressed will of the American people by sowing doubt, inventing charges of fraud, seeking to steal the 2020 election from the people.

"They want chaos to reign. We want the people to rule."

Republicans, however, say the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are simply measures aimed at preventing them from taking power.

In a divided Senate, the bills have focused fresh attention on Capitol Hill's two most coveted Democratic votes: West Virginia's Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, neither of whom has shown any enthusiasm for the idea of doing away with the filibuster.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has set a deadline of Monday, which happens to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S., to trigger a debate and a vote on whether to change the rules.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck McConnell, meanwhile, says it's the Democrats who are attacking democracy, not the Republicans  and he doesn't plan to let it happen without a fight.

"Fifty Republican senators, the largest possible minority, have been sent here to represent the many millions of Americans whom Leader Schumer wants so badly to leave behind," McConnell said on the floor of the chamber.

"If my colleague tries to break the Senate to silence those millions of Americans, we will make their voices heard in this chamber in ways that are more inconvenient for the majority and this White House than what anybody has seen in living memory."

An analysis released last year by the Brennan Center for Justice found that 19 states passed 33 new laws in 2021 that stiffen the rules around voting, particularly with regards to voter ID and using early or mail-in ballots. Republicans argue that the new laws actually make voting more accessible, not less.

Stringent new penalties on election officials in Georgia, Texas, Kansas and Iowa make it harder for election officials to assist voters, such as by delivering completed ballots for people who might need help doing so.

In Georgia, it's illegal to provide water or food to people waiting in long lines at polling stations. Texas has made it against the law to encourage voters to request mail-in ballots or to regulate the behaviour of poll watchers.

"Whether it's education, health care or anything of that sort, being able to exercise their rights to have a say in those decisions  this is how democracy works," said Alice Huling, a voting rights expert and general counsel for Campaign Legal Center, a non-profit advocacy group focused on electoral issues.

"Unfortunately, that ability  the freedom to have a say in those decisions  has been facing multiple threats."

Many of those threats have been in direct response to Trump's persistent and ongoing efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 election, which by every measure, legal and otherwise, legitimately elevated Biden to the White House.

Critics say the measures represent a broad, concerted effort to disenfranchise certain voters in the U.S., particularly low-income Americans and people of colour, and to make it easier to challenge legitimate election outcomes.

The antidotes, they say, are already before Congress.

If passed, the Freedom to Vote Act would establish minimum federal standards for voting access and make it harder for partisan actors to jerry-rig the process. The John Lewis bill, named for the late Georgia congressman and civil rights champion, is designed to limit discrimination at the ballot box.

Charles Bullock, a politics professor at the University of Georgia, said Democrats are clearly staking their political future on the issue of voting rights  and may also be overstating the risk of inaction as a result.

"It is an issue that mobilizes the Democratic base better than about anything else," Bullock said in an interview, dismissing fears of a total disenfranchisement of Black voters in Georgia and a return to the Jim Crow era.

"Those who characterize the Georgia law, the Texas law as being Jim Crow 2.0 simply have no idea what Jim Crow did, which actually did pretty much eliminate Black participation," he said.

"Well, that's not going to happen today. By Democrats campaigning against these laws and using them to motivate their base, we may actually see higher participation (in elections)."
Photo: Renee Merrifield Renee Merrifield, Kelowna-Mission MLA, is one of seven people seeking leadership of the BC Liberals.

The committee overseeing the BC Liberal leadership race, contending with complaints from six of seven contestants about the validity of its membership list, sought Tuesday to assure them and the public that it will root out any fraud.

Campaigns for all but the Kevin Falcon leadership drive argue that upwards of 60% of the more than 43,000 memberships do not comply with agreed-upon criteria for next months leadership vote. They want a much more exhaustive audit than the Leadership Executive Organizing Committee (LEOC) is so far conducting.

The committee released a statement Tuesday that played down the extent of the issue. So far, it stated, no memberships have been cancelled and no party members have been expunged.

The committee indicated that about 7% of the membership list has so far been flagged for follow-up before it can register to vote for the leadership. But sources in two of the complainant campaigns quickly reacted that it doesnt mean the issue is confined to 7% of the membership, only that the partys limited audit of about 10% of the membership is proceeding.

A separate letter sent late Monday to all seven campaigns, obtained by BIV, provides insight into how the committee and the campaigns are contending with the disputed membership data weeks before members elect a new leader. The Falcon campaign manager questions the complaints as part of the barrier to visible minorities trying to engage in provincial politics.

The letter recounts a conference call last Friday of the seven campaign managers. It notes that Tyler Pronyk, campaign manager for Gavin Dew, told the call that his team had enlisted an expert to determine that there were incomplete profiles of many new members, including typos in email addresses, members sharing a phone, email, phone and email, having no email, having an out of province phone or no phone. The letter noted campaign managers for Val Litwin, Renee Merrifield and Stan Sipos also raised concerns about the committees audit process of memberships.

It said Mark Warner, campaign manager for MLA Ellis Ross, noted a team member knocked on a door in Victoria and was advised that four of five members said to live at that residence did not live there.

In earlier correspondence, campaigns said they found members that held the same phone number and email address but different residential addresses in different ridings. Some had provided out-of-province phone numbers or addresses, and some addresses werent residences but were parking lots or forestry service roads. Campaigns noted that when they contacted newly minted members by phone or in person, many were unaware of their membership, of a leadership contest or even of the BC Liberal party itself.

The letter to the campaign managers says Kareem Allam, the campaign manager for Falcon, expressed the opinion that any complaints with the audit process in place were motivated by politics disguised as concern for the integrity of the vote. He pointed out that the more barriers to participation and the more onerous the audit process will ultimately lead to the undesirable result of disproportionately disenfranchising racialized voters. Falcon himself raised concerns in a radio interview that the committees algorithm is identifying South Asian and Asian voters with large households unduly for audit.

BC Liberal party staff informed the committee that 70% of the new memberships involve apparently racialized party members. It continues: As it is recognized that language barriers will undoubtedly impact some racialized new party members and increase the likelihood that they may be flagged in the audit process, the LEOC has been reassured by staff that supports are in place to assist members through the entire process and in a multitude of languages.

But its statement Tuesday made clear that the committee does not use any form of demographic characteristics to identify individuals for audit.

Broadcaster Jas Johal, a former BC Liberal MLA, took to Twitter to call the campaign complaints a form of structural and institutional racism. He noted that in his experience the front door or a seat at the table is not available to members of visible minorities in any meaningful way ... the only way for these communities, is to get involved in leadership races because its the only place for a level playing field in politics.

MLA Karin Kirkpatrick, a supporter of the Falcon campaign, tweeted that the party needs to encourage diversity and keep cultural bias out of how we are vetting membership.

To mitigate foul play, the party required a prospective party member to supply a full first and last name, full address, birth date and an unduplicated phone number and email address or a witnessed document. The four-year membership had to be paid with a unique credit card or by cheque, again to avoid one person paying for a batch of memberships.

Reviews of the membership lists conducted by complainant campaigns questioned upwards of 60% of the memberships, including more than 14,000 of the 23,000 memberships sold since last May 1 when the campaigns and the membership drives went into high gear.

In its statement, the committee said several factors can prompt further review of memberships, including anonymized IP address, missing email addresses, missing phone numbers, a credit card that doesnt match the members name or listed address, use of a non-Canadian IP address for membership purchase, or overuse of a single IP address.

The letter to the campaigns said that a leak of the complaints last week to the media contained rather alarming and defamatory claims with no evidence to support them. The committee believes this this kind of communication on the part of any leadership campaign is worthy of discipline.

The vote to succeed Andrew Wilkinson as BC Liberal leader takes place February 3-5 in online balloting in which members can cite their choices as leader in order of preference. The votes for the lowest finisher on each ballot will be transferred to a voters next choice on the next ballot.
Photo: The Canadian Press B.C. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside attends the official opening of the relocated New Westminster Secondary School in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. Two British Columbia schools have stopped in-person classes, less than two days after most students returned to classrooms following an extended holiday break due to the surging COVID-19 Omicron variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Two schools have stopped in-person classes in British Columbia, just two days after most students returned to classrooms following an extended holiday break due to the surging COVID-19 Omicron variant.

The Education Ministry said Tuesday schools in Hazelton and Surrey recently made the decision to enter "functional closure."

Ginger Fuller, secretary-treasurer of the Coast Mountain School District, said officials will meet Wednesday to decide when to reopen Hazelton Secondary School to regular classes after it was closed because of a staff shortage.

She said due to privacy concerns she could only confirm the closure was a result of illness.

A message to parents and caregivers posted on Hazelton Secondary School's website says there are two ways a school can be functionally closed: either by Northern Health Authority recommendation due to the COVID-19 case count or safety concerns related to a shortage of staff.

"The school district may close a school due to a shortage of staff to be able to provide a required level of student safety," says the notice to parents. "This would likely be due to a high absenteeism of all staff or certain employees required for a school to function and the inability to replace those absences."

The ministry said the independent Bibleway Christian Academy in Surrey has also suspended in-person classes.

No one from the school was immediately available to comment.

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside said school administration officials, including principals, make decisions about closing in-person classes and moving to temporary online teaching.

"Local staff in our districts and everyone in our education system is working very, very hard to do everything we can to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 so we can continue to keep kids connected to in-person learning," Whiteside said in an interview.

"These are challenging times. Let's hope we move through them quickly," she said.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said that this week's full return to in-person classes was positive for students, who benefit emotionally, socially and intellectually in school environments.

"These are the best places for children to be," Henry said Tuesday, acknowledging many people are feeling "a lot of anxiety" about the return to classrooms.

"It will be bumpy over the next few weeks as we get through this wave," she said.

Whiteside said the ministry will monitor student attendance levels over the coming days as well as keep watch on numbers for teachers and staff while schools face the challenges of the Omicron variant.

"We don't have firm (attendance) numbers yet," she said. "We have some anecdotal reporting in from different parts of the province that indicates there is indeed a somewhat lower attendance than what would be normal for the week, but nothing dramatic and nothing firm yet."

Stephanie Higginson, the B.C. School Trustees Association president, said Monday there were higher-than-normal rates of student absences at some Interior schools following the holiday break.

The decision to extend the break until Monday helped teachers and staff prepare schools for a safe return to classes, said Whiteside.

"I'd say that the week of preparation time that we did last week at the direction of public health was a very important investment in time and opportunity for staff, educators and school-based and district leadership to develop enhanced safety plans," she said.

Whiteside said the safe-return plans also include provisions for "the potential need for short-term transitions to home-based learning."
Photo: The Canadian Press

The expert spearheading new draft national standards for long-term care says they must strike a difficult balance between residents' safety and their quality of life.

The pandemic devastated long-term care homes across the country as thousands of residents fell ill and died, and laid bare the deficiencies people in the sector have warned about for years.

The federal government requested the new standards in the 2020 throne speech, and CSA Group, previously the Canadian Standards Association, is set to release a draft for public feedback in February.

They will be based on consultations with experts, stakeholders and interest groups across the country.

Those consultations revealed a tension between infection prevention and the social, emotional and mental well-being of residents, said Alex Mihailidis, chair ofthe technical subcommittee developing the new standards.

"We are not designing a hospital, we're not designing an acute care ward," Mihailidis said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

"We are designing people's homes and for many of them the last home they're going to live in."

A report on the CSA Group's consultations showed many of the policies and procedures employed during the pandemic to protect residents from the virus did so at the expense of their mental and social well-being.

Infection prevention specialists from the acute care sector were dispatched to long-term care during the pandemic and sometimes requested changes that limited the residents' quality of life, the report said.

In one example, specialists suggested personal items be removed from the rooms to make them easier to clean and disinfect. But residents' cherished possessions should instead be considered essential, the report stated.

Mihailidis said striking that balance as part of a national set of standards has been tough.

The CSA Group standards will touch on everything from the heating, ventilation and air cooling systems and plumbing to the use of technology and infection prevention.

While the standards are intended to make sure long-term care centres are safe, he said they will be guided by people-centred care, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Some suggestions that came up during the consultations involved kitchens that residents can use themselves, single-occupancy rooms, dementia-friendly design elements, gender-neutral washrooms, and dining rooms that allow for physical distancing.

The standards also need to accommodate homes of all sizes and types all over the country, so they will not be overly prescriptive, he said.

They are being developed in conjunction with the Health Standards Organization, which will focus more on the care provided in the homes.

It's not clear how the government plans to enforce the standards once they are finalized and published in December, however.

In his mandate letter late last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instructed Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos to negotiate agreements with provinces and territories to improve the quality and availability of long-term care homes.

He also ordered his minister to develop federal legislation to ensure the safety of seniors in long-term care, though the homes fall under provincial jurisdiction.

"Really, at the end of the day, we need the buy-in from the provinces and territories," Mihailidis said.
Photo: The Canadian Press The Komagata Maru monument is seen in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Police in Vancouver say an arrest warrant has been issued for a man who allegedly defaced a memorial dedicated to the occupants of a ship that was forced to return to India more than a century ago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Police in Vancouver say an arrest warrant has been issued for a man who allegedly defaced a memorial dedicated to the passengers of a ship that was forced to return to India more than a century ago.

The Vancouver Police Department says in a news release a charge of mischief was approved Monday following a four-month investigation into vandalism of the city's Komagata Maru memorial.

Police announced in August they were investigating the report as a possible hate crime after social media posts showed graffiti and handprints in white paint that had marred the memorial on the city's seawall.

The memorial includes the names of those who sailed to Vancouver from India aboard the Komagata Maru on May 23, 1914, but were denied entry due to racist policies at the time.

The vessel, which arrived in Vancouver's Burrard Inlet carrying 376 people, was denied entry to Canada even though those on board were British subjects.

Premier John Horgan said in a social media post in August that he was "deeply upset and angry" by the graffiti, which police said covered the passengers' names.

Thirty-nine-year-old Yuniar Kurniawan is facing one count of mischief.

Police say they collected evidence from the scene and identified a suspect after people began discussing the crime on social media.

This crime reverberated throughout the community because of what this memorial reveals about our past and the steps we have taken to become a more inclusive community, Sgt. Steve Addison says in a release.
HYDERABAD: Upping the ante against the BJP, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday gave a clarion call to people in the state and across the country to root out the BJP government at the Centre accusing it of weakening the rural economy, hereditary professions and playing havoc with the farm sector only to hand over the agriculture sector to the corporates.

He came down heavily on the Centre for its decision to increase the prices of fertilisers saying that it would push the agriculture sector into a crisis and break the backbone of the farming community in the country, said a press release issued by the Chief Ministers Office here on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister expressed anguish that the Centre had removed subsidies on fertilisers, which were in vogue for several decades, and the situation came to such a pass that the farmers had no option but to take up their ploughs and revolt against the BJP government.

The Chief Minister urged the people to confront the BJP on the matter at every opportunity. He made it clear that if the Central government failed to withdraw the increased prices of fertilisers, there will be countrywide agitations against the Centre. He also urged the farming community in the state to expose the BJPs conspiracy and join the struggle to make the Centre withdraw the fertiliser price hike.

Expressing his anger at the BJP government at the Centre which made tall promises that it would double the farmers income in the country by 2022, the Chief Minister said it had now increased the prices of fertilisers to an all-time high to break the farming communitys backbone.

"It is highly reprehensible that the Central government which promised to double the income of farmers took a U-turn and increased the agriculture expenses. This shows that the BJP government is totally against the farmers and it is proved beyond any doubt," Rao said.

The Chief Minister alleged that there was a deep-rooted conspiracy behind the Centre's policies and actions to make the lives of farmers miserable. "Move to install meters to agriculture borewells to collect the power charges, not linking MNREGA with the farm sector, increasing the fertilisers prices to all-time high, not purchasing paddy cultivated by the farmers, and all these draconian decisions of the BJP government at the Centre have made farmers life difficult to survive. One should oppose the actions that would make farmers become labourers in their own land," Rao added.
A TEC receives REDUCHLOR bypass order for the Eclepens plant

12 January 2022

To reduce the chlorine content in the kiln system to enable an increase of the thermal substitution rate in the kiln line of the cement plant in Eclepens, Switzerland, Holcim (Suisse) SA (Holcim Group) has awarded A TEC a contract for the implementation of its innovative REDUCHLOR Bypass. A TEC will also take care of the bypass dust handling and will modify the alternative fuel feeding system to the calciner.

The scope of supply for this order includes the whole engineering, supply and mechanical erection works incl. the required supervision services.

The plant in Eclepens has a capacity of 2150tpd. By using the REDUCHLOR Bypass the plant will be able to use high rates of alternative fuels with elevated chlorine content.

Published under
Buena Vista, CO (81211)

Today

Sunshine in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 64F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low near 30F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
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Chatham, VA (24531)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 87F. ENE winds shifting to SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Cleveland State Community College invites the public to join the third annual I Have a Dream Weekend in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, Feb. 20. The event was rescheduled due to inclement weather. The march has been rescheduled for 3 p.m., and the memorial service will take place at 4 p.m. The weekend of activities was created to honor Dr. King and his efforts of equality within our nation. The college is encouraging the community to come together and give back to others in the spirit of Dr. King.



While we are proud to engage the community in this annual event, it is our greatest hope that it will inspire a greater sense of understanding, peace and racial justice throughout the year, stated Dr. Bill Seymour, CSCC president. I could not be happier that the City with Spirit has embraced this opportunity to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and extend his dream to this community.



All participants will meet at the Bradley County Courthouse at 3 p.m. to march downtown.



The community is encouraged to join the Community Choir in singing songs in celebration at the Broad Street United Methodist Church.



Dr. King Day is a day that we reflect and serve. It is a time when we look inside to see if we exemplify the best version of humanity toward each other, stated Dr. Willie Thomas, assistant to the President for Equity and Inclusion at CSCC. We must always be reminded of Dr. King's message that only love can conquer hate and fear.



Officials said, "Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and civil-rights activist who had a seismic impact on race relations in the United States, beginning in the mid-1950s. Through his activism and inspirational speeches, he played a pivotal role in ending the legal segregation of African American citizens in the United States, as well as the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, among several other honors. After his assassination, he was memorialized by Martin Luther King Jr. Day."



For any questions regarding this event, contact Dr. Willie Thomas at wthomas01@clevelandstatecc.edu or 423-473-2397.
Theres a new development in an East Lake fire that left a Chattanooga firefighter injured. A body was discovered on Tuesday and the fatality is now under investigation.

The fire happened in the early morning hours of Sunday at 2603 4th Ave. at the site of a condemned building. Upon arrival, multiple Blue Shift companies found a one-story commercial structure fully involved in fire with flames through the roof.

A defensive attack was launched because of the conditions present. Due to the building being condemned and structurally compromised and due to the amount of fire, it was not safe for firefighters to go inside the burning structure so they fought the blaze from the outside. Engine 5 pulled a line to attack the fire through the front of the building. Ladder 1 took the deluge gun and provided a water curtain to protect a nearby residence. Squad 1 and Squad 13 took an attack line to another side of the building for defensive operations. Ladder 5 set up their aerial waterway and conducted aerial fire operations.

A mayday was called due to a partial front facade collapse. One firefighter was injured when the front facade collapsed on top of them at the sidewalk, striking him down with debris. The firefighter was transported to the hospital by HCEMS. He was treated and later released.

Meanwhile, back out at the scene on Sunday morning, Chattanooga Public Works used heavy machinery to demolish what was left of the structure due to safety concerns about the buildings stability. A thorough search was made of the abandoned, collapsed structure as it was dismantled by Public Works to search for any possible victims and nothing was found at the time.

On Tuesday morning, someone was sifting through the rubble and located human remains. They notified 911 and CFD and CPD responded. A body was located in the piled up debris. CFD and CPD will be investigating the fatality. The body will be taken to the Medical Examiners Office.

The location is the old Ricky's Restaurant.

City Council members said Tuesday that action needs to be taken on old buildings that are allowed to stay in a dilapidated condition for long periods. Fire officials said they "had a history" with that building. They said it was very fortunate the firefighter was not hurt more seriously.
Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar, along with other party leaders, addresses the media ahead of the padayatra. (Photo: Twitter/@DKShivakumar/File)

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday asked the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) to submit before it by January 14 whether they had taken any permission to hold the 'Walk for Water' demanding a balancing reservoir across Cauvery river at Mekedatu in Ramanagara district.

Hearing a petition, the division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Suraj Govindaraj also directed the state government to submit before it on Friday how the permission was granted to the KPCC to hold the rally.

The Bench asked the government what measures were taken to restrain the KPCC from holding the rally. The court directed the Congress to explain whether they were adhering to COVID norms such as wearing face masks, and maintaining social distancing.

The petition was filed by A V Nagendra Prasad through advocate Shridhar Prabhu.

On January 4, following a surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, the Karnataka government had banned protests, demonstrations and congregation of people.

Yet, the Congress went ahead with its 'padayatra' (march) saying that the government was inflating the number of COVID-19 cases, and alleging that it's trying to scuttle the party's programme.

The Congress started its 10-day padayatra demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across Cauvery river, despite COVID-19 restrictions, on January 9.

Led by Congress' state president D K Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Siddaramaiah, the padayatra with the theme 'Namma Neeru Namma Hakku' (Our water, Our right) began at the Sangama, the confluence of Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers at Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, and will be spanning a distance of nearly 139 km.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has accused the Congress party of playing politics on the Mekedatu issue, instead of behaving like a responsible opposition.

Further, alleging that the Congress did not put any efforts to take the project forward while in power, he reiterated that his government is committed to implement the project.

The Congress' march from Mekedatu to Bengaluru is scheduled to pass through Kanakapura, Ramanagara and Bidadi, before culminating at Basavanagudi in Bengaluru on January 19. It will be covering about 15 of the 224 Assembly constituencies in the state.

Though the padayatra is being projected as apolitical by demanding the implementation of the Mekedatu project, it is also seen as Congress' attempt to mobilise its cadres and consolidate its voter base in the old Mysuru region, which is a Vokkaliga bastion, where JD(S) is its traditional rival and the ruling BJP is attempting to make inroads ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls.

Much is at stake for Shivakumar, the man behind this march, as several Congress functionaries believe that it is an attempt by the KPCC chief, ahead of the state elections, to assert his chief ministerial ambitions, for which Siddaramaiah is also a strong contender. The party has seen several incidents of political one-upmanship between the two leaders last year.

The Karnataka government submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Central Water Commission (CWC) in 2019, which was then referred to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) where it is stuck currently as Tamil Nadu, which is the lower riparian state has opposed the project tooth and nail.

Karnataka has maintained that the project within its territory will benefit both states as the surplus water stored can be managed between the two during the distress years, and its implementation will in no way affect the interests of Tamil Nadu's farming communities, as there will be no impact on its share of water.

While the neighbouring state is of the view that the project would "impound and divert" the uncontrolled water flow due to Tamil Nadu from Kabini sub-basin, the catchment area below Krishnarajasagara, and also from Shimsha, Arkavathi and Suvarnavathi sub-basins besides other small streams.

The estimated Rs 9,000 crore Mekedatu multipurpose (drinking and power) project involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district. The project once completed is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) and can also generate 400 megawatts of power.
The next step to find a new town manager for the town of Signal Mountain was discussed at the council meeting Monday night. ZOOM interviews were conducted on Jan. 3 and from those, three candidates were chosen for in-person interviews.

Those are:

Michael Morrow, Lake Worth, Fla.

Matthew Hammond, Village of Tequesta, Fla.

Kevin Owens, Birmingham, Ala.

Honna Rogers, municipal management consultant with Municipal Technical Advisory Service in Knoxville, (MTAS), who is guiding the process, suggested proceeding with a group interview and an assessment panel which would look for qualities not necessarily found on resumes. Then individual meetings will be scheduled for those who the council is most interested in.

The afternoon of the interviews, a casual community reception will be held where employees and citizens can talk to the applicants. An assessment will also be done online by the California Psychological Inventory, and the results will be given to the council after the interviews. Ms. Rogers said all these measures should be used as tools to make a decision. The goal is to schedule the interviews for the week of Jan. 31 and a decision could then be made at the first of February.

In the meantime, the council voted to increase the payment for travel reimbursements to Interim Town Manager Mitchel Moore who is commuting to Signal Mountain from his home in Athens Tn., until the new town manager begins. He found that the original employment agreement that paid $298 per pay period did not cover actual expenses and a vote to increase that amount to $591 was unanimously approved.

The lengthy process for building sidewalks in the Old Town neighborhood of Signal Mountain was started a couple of years ago and is being extended again. Chris Davis with ASA Engineering updated the council on where the project now stands. He said recent suggestions to move the sidewalks to different roads or place them on different sides of the street might be good ideas but it could not be done without causing significant delays in the construction. Because that would be different than the original plans which had been submitted to TDOT, the changes would cause the whole process of reviews and approvals to start over. As it is, the engineers have to reply to comments that have been sent from TDOT and must get their approval before authorization will be given for the town to purchase rights-of-way. That acquisition should take around one year at which time construction plans can be started.

The council decided that more information was needed before making decisions on proposals that would amend the pay scale of various job positions in the town and eliminate one title from the pay scale in the fire department. MTAS is now in the process of doing departmental studies that will be used to amend the pay scales once the results of the studies are known.

Since the Lions Club will no longer be participating in the fireworks display on the Fourth of July, the town has been investigating ways that the shows could continue. In the past, the town of Signal Mountain has contributed from $4,000 to $5,000 to the Lions Club for the fireworks show. Mr. Moore told the council that the cost to schedule a show for the Fourth of July would now be $25,000 and that it is too late to do it for this year. The council discussed planning ahead for future years by asking the Recreation Board to form a sub-committee that could include representatives from businesses and/or Walden in hopes of finding sponsors and donations that could fund the fireworks show.

Loretta Hopper, director of the public works department, was appointed to be Signal Mountains representative to the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA) replacing retired Town Manager Boyd Veal.

In his report, Assistant Town Manager Moore said that he is trying to get the town back up to speed after a rash of employees have been absent due to having COVID or having been exposed to it. He said it has become a real issue that people need to take seriously. Water Utility Director Adam Chrnalogars last day will be Jan. 14 and Mr. Moore said that he had done a great job and will be missed. The job opening has now been posted on the towns website along with a vacancy for an administrative assistant. An agenda is being put together for a special council workshop session that is scheduled for Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. to be held at the MACC.

Dick Graham reported recent and upcoming activity at the MACC. He said that the MACC board has received a matching grant that will double what can be raised up to $15,000. There are two months left to procure the money in order to receive the match and donations will be welcomed. The next playhouse will take place on Feb. 11 and then every Friday and Saturday through February. An art show with works from the late Joel Baxley will also be open during the month. There will also be a couple of concerts during March.

The next meeting of the Signal Mountain Council will be Jan. 24.
I had noticed that Chattanooga Clergy for Justice was cited in two news articles in the last week. I was curious to learn more about this organization so I looked up their website. Surprisingly, there is no phone number nor is there any individual affiliated with them. It is not possible to get in touch with them to inquire about the nature of their work and to find out who is responsible ... (click for more)
Many people repeat Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s quotation that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. President Barack Obama, for one, repeated it often. Where did this quotation come from, and what is its connection to the federal courts?



We begin in 1965, with the historic march from Selma to Montgomery to protest the suppression of black voting rights in Alabama. On Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965, Alabama State troopers and mounted sheriffs deputies waded into hundreds of civil rights protesters on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to stop the march. Among the beaten marchers that Sunday was future Congressman John Lewis, one of the leaders of the march.



After Bloody Sunday, Dr. King and other civil rights leaders decided it was imperative to complete the March. They filed a lawsuit in federal court in Montgomery seeking an injunction to prevent Alabama officials from interfering in the rest of the march. That case was assigned to United States District Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr.



Judge Johnson held an evidentiary hearing at which Dr. King and other witnesses testified. Dr. King testified about his philosophy of nonviolence:



This philosophy says in substance that one must have the inner determination to resist what conscience tells him is evil with all of the strength and courage and zeal that he can muster; at the same time he must not resort to violence or hatred in the process. It is a way of seeking to achieve moral ends through moral means, and I would say that the basis of the philosophy of nonviolence is the persistent attempt to pursue just ends by engaging in creative nonviolent approaches and never coming to the point of retaliating with violence or using violence as an aggressive weapon in the process.



Under cross examination, Dr. King was asked about his views on disobeying the law when he thought the law was unjust or unfair. He gave this response:



I think there are times that laws can be unjust and that a moral man has no alternative but to disobey that law, but he must be willing to do it openly, cheerfully, lovingly, civilly, and not uncivilly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty, with a hope and a belief that by accepting this and doing it in this way he will be able to arouse a conscience of the community over the injustice of the law and therefore lead to the bright day that everybody will set out to change it.



After the hearing, Judge Johnson ruled in favor of Dr. King and the marchers. In his ruling he said: The law is clear that the right to petition ones government for the redress of grievances may be exercised in large groups. Indeed, where, as here, minorities have been harassed, coerced and intimidated, group association may be the only realistic way of exercising such rights. Judge Johnson permitted the march to Montgomery and prohibited Alabama authorities from interfering with the marchers.



Dr. King was greatly impressed with Judge Johnsons handling of the hearing and the decision. He is quoted in the New York Times as commenting at the time that Judge Johnson was the man who gave true meaning to the word justice. For this and other decisions upholding the Constitution, Judge Johnson received threats and much criticism.



As a result of Judge Johnsons decision, Dr. King and about 2,000 other marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus bridge and completed the five-day, 54-mile trek to Montgomery and the state capitol on March 25, 1965. The marchers were joined in Montgomery by nearly 50,000 supporters, ministers, priests, rabbis, ordinary citizens, and social activists. It was on the grounds of the Alabama state capitol building that Dr. King gave his historic, nationally televised speech containing the often-quoted phrase, which itself originated with the nineteenth century Unitarian minister and abolitionist Theodore Parker. Dr. King had used the quotation before, but never before a national audience.



Dr. King called the countrys supportive response to the brutality on Bloody Sunday a shining moment in the conscience of man. In wrapping up his speech, he said:



I know some of you are asking today, How long will it take? I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because truth pressed to earth will rise again.



How long? Not long, because no lie can live forever!

How long? Not long, because you will reap what you sow!

How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.



As a result of Bloody Sunday, Dr. Kings actions, and Judge Johnsons decision, the need for a national voting rights law was irrefutably demonstrated. That year the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed by Congress and signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The law enabled millions of black people in the south to exercise their Constitutional right to vote and to thereby participate more fully in their local, state, and federal governments. It is actions like theseby individuals, elected officials, and judgesthat bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice.



Curtis L. Collier

United States District Judge

Chair, Eastern District of Tennessee Civics and Outreach Committee



Carrie Brown Stefaniak

Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier

Past President, Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association



Kristen A. Dupard

Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier
Chris Butler, a talented writer for The Tennessee Star, tried to draw Weston Wamp into a messy spot the other day when Weston, the son of Zach, was asked if he would publicly denounce a letter his dad signed in support of an investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Chris should have known better; Westons smarter than a fox.

Weston is one of three good candidates in hopes of becoming Hamilton Countys new Mayor. So far Matt Hullender and Sabrina Smedley have joined Weston in the quest to be the countys chief executive.

Heres what Chris wrote on the Tennesseestar.com website on Monday:

* * *

By Chris Butler of The Tennessee Star, on January 11, 2022

Weston Wamp, son of former Tennessee Republican Congressman Zach Wamp, is running for mayor of Hamilton County, and he said Monday he is not his father concerning the latters views on former U.S.

President Donald Trump.

This, after The Tennessee Star asked Weston Wamp one question about his father and another question concerning Trump.

The Star first asked Weston Wamp whether he will publicly denounce his fathers recent letter supporting Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY At-large District) and Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16) for their work investigating the events of January 6, 2021.

I am not my father, and I had nothing to do with the letter, Wamp said, without elaborating.

The Star then asked Weston Wamp whether he worries Trump will endorse one of Wamps opponents in the Hamilton County primary.

No, because I am the most conservative candidate running for Hamilton County mayor, Wamp said.

Zach Wamp  who served in the House of Representatives for eight terms from 1995-2011  advises a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, Issue One, that, according to its website, unites Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to fix our broken political system.

The elder Wamp serves on the council alongside former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, former U.S. Senate majority leaders Tom Daschle and Bill Frist, former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele.

Former congress member Wamp and other Issue One members last month urged more members of the GOP to assist with the January 6 committees work. Zach Wamp and the letters other co-signers described the people who came to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as a violent mob who did lasting damage to our democratic norms and institutions.

Issue Ones website lists Weston Wamp as a consultant and senior political strategist for the nonprofit.

Weston Wamps website says he leads a national nonprofit that fights wasteful government spending. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee appointed Weston Wamp to the Tennessee Board of Regents, which governs the states 40 community and technical colleges.

* * *

U.S. REPORTS 1.35 MILLION NEW COVID CASES IN ONE DAY

Jan 11 (Reuters) - The United States reported 1.35 million new coronavirus infections on Monday, according to a Reuters tally, the highest daily total for any country in the world as the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant showed no signs of slowing.

The previous record was 1.03 million cases on Jan. 3. A large number of cases are reported each Monday due to many states not reporting over the weekend. The seven-day average for new cases has tripled in two weeks to over 700,000 new infections a day.

The record in new cases came the same day as the nation saw the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients also hit an all-time high, having doubled in three weeks, according to a Reuters tally.

There were more than 136,604 people hospitalized with COVID-19, surpassing the record of 132,051 set in January last year.

While the Omicron variant is potentially less severe, health officials have warned that the sheer number of infections could strain hospital systems, some of which have already suspended elective procedures as they struggle to handle the increase in patients and staff shortages.

The surge in cases has disrupted schools, which are struggling with absences of staff, teachers and bus drivers.

Deaths are averaging 1,700 per day, up from about 1,400 in recent days but within levels seen earlier this winter.

* * *

COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS REACH RECORD

(CNN) The number of US patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has hit a record high, adding strain to health care networks and pushing states toward emergency staffing and other measures as they struggle to cope.

More than 145,900 people were in U.S. hospitals with COVID-19 as of Tuesday -- a number that surpasses the previous peak from mid-January 2021 (142,246) and is almost twice what it was two weeks ago, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The hospitalization record comes amid a surge in cases fueled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

And it came on a day when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's acting commissioner told a U.S. Senate hearing that most people are going to get COVID-19, and the focus now must be on making sure hospitals and essential services function.

Dr. Janet Woodcock was responding to a question from Senator Mike Braun about whether it's time for the United States to change its COVID-19 strategy. Her statement was not a new assessment of COVID-19, but rather attempted to make clear the need to prioritize essential services as the Omicron variant surges.

"I think it's hard to process what's actually happening right now, which is: Most people are going to get COVID," Woodcock said Tuesday during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing. "And what we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function, transportation, you know, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens."

Because the Omicron variant is so contagious, more people than ever are testing positive for the virus across the country. And while vaccinated people can catch the virus as well, serious risks related to COVID-19 -- including hospitalization and death -- are remarkably higher among unvaccinated people, health experts have said.

The United States averaged more than 754,200 new COVID-19 cases daily over the past week, according to Johns Hopkins University data. That's about three times last winter's peak average (251,987 on January 11, 2021), and 4.5 times the peak from the Delta-driven surge (166,347 on September 1), according to JHU.

The country has averaged 1,646 COVID-19 deaths a day over the past week -- 33 percent higher than a week ago, according to JHU. The peak average was 3,402 daily on January 13, 2021, JHU data shows.

The Omicron variant caused 98.3 percent of new coronavirus cases in the United States last week, according to estimates posted Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

royexum@aol.com
Vincent Printing, which has been providing large-format printing solutions to customers in the outdoor advertising industry across the nation and throughout the world since 1940, announced Wednesday that FutureTech Holding Company, Beau Wells, and MLJB Holdings have officially acquired the company from longtime owners, Doug and Charlie Casey. The acquisition was finalized on Dec. 29, and the terms of the sale were not disclosed.

As part of the acquisition, the ownership group has named a management team to lead Vincent Printing going forward. Effective immediately, Beau Wells will become president and chief executive officer, Glen Brooks will be the chief financial officer, and Alison Henry will be vice president of Customer Engagement. The company plans to expand the management team over the next few months.

Today is an exciting day for the future of Vincent Printing, our employees, and the customers we passionately serve every day, said Mr. Wells. While the company may have a change in ownership, it does not represent any change in our commitment to deliver large-format printing solutions that bring big brand ideas to life while providing exceptional customer service to our clients, something Vincent Printing has done continuously since 1940.

"This change marks an important next step for Vincent Printing. It will create broader opportunities where we can make needed investments in technology, equipment, facilities and our employees  investments that will ensure our company has the ability to expand its product offerings, serve new vertical markets to drive future business opportunities, and write the next chapter in our rich history.

Headquartered in Chattanooga, Vincent Printing is a full-service printing company that specializes in large-format printing solutions for the outdoor, retail, sports, and transit industries. With employees based in many cities throughout the country, the company has established a legacy of providing premier printing solutions for some of the most recognizable brands throughout the world. Today, Vincent Printing helps customers tailor their brand campaigns to push the limits of what a print medium can be, said officials.

Another important endeavor at Vincent Printing is giving back and supporting causes important to its employees. The new ownership group is committed to this core value.

Mr. Wells added, Vincent Printing is one of Chattanoogas best kept secrets. We have been a part of the Chattanooga community for more than 80 years, and due to the hard work and efforts of our employees, we are recognized nationally as a leader in the large format printing industry. Going forward, we will strive to identify ways we can raise our presence and support important causes within the industry and in the communities where our employees live, work and play.






Happy Feet International, a producer of luxury vinyl plank and tile, has added four new team members to help meet growing customer demand across the United States. Headquartered in Chattanooga, the company has hired Mike Ernest, Bill Pefanis and Darby Warren into sales positions. In addition, Allison Bethen will help support the sales team and lead customer service for the companys West Coast operations.



Were expecting 2022 to be an even stronger year for Happy Feet, and our new sales team members will help increase our reach in markets across the country while delivering great customer care, said CEO Casey Johnson.

Our new additions are very experienced in the flooring industry and will be able to expertly assist our growing network of independent dealers.At Happy Feet, Mr. Ernest will be responsible for sales across Louisiana. He brings more than 30 years of experience in the flooring and carpeting industry, most recently with T&L Distributing. He has an extensive background in sales and building strong customer relationships.A native of Baton Rouge, Mr. Ernest has spent most of his career in Louisiana. Prior to T&L Distributing, he worked for Emerson Carpet One for about 20 years in various sales positions. "Mr. Ernest is dedicated to his profession and has completed numerous sales schools, seminars and training programs over the years," officials said.Mr. Pefanis is also joining Happy Feet as a territory manager and will be responsible for attracting new clients, securing accounts and maximizing profitability within his market, which includes Trenton, NJ. He has about 20 years of experience in the flooring industry in a range of sales positions spanning the east coast.Most recently, Mr. Pefanis worked for Stone Access and was responsible for sales across the Northeast. "Hes knowledgeable in retail sales, design and installation of a range of products, including hardwood, laminates, ceramics and stone. The new position with Happy Feet brings Mr. Pefanis home to his native New Jersey," officials said.Happy Feets expansion across the U.S. has led to the addition of new team members, including Ms. Warren, who will be responsible for sales in the Washington and Oregon markets. She will lead business development, building relationships with customers and generating sales in her territory in the Northwest, which she has called home for the last seven years.Ms. Warrens previous experience includes sales, most recently with Granite Top Inc., where she prepared countertop estimates and facilitated transactions with dealers, as well as residential customers. "A driven and quick learner, she got her start in the industry with Great Floors, where she coordinated relationships with vendors and managed multiple accounts including Costco,: officials said. "Ms. Warren has always been results-oriented, once placing third on beam in gymnastics at a New York state competition."Supporting the sales team is Ms. Bethen, who just joined Happy Feet and will handle west coast customer service.

"She brings a robust background in customer care, having worked as a front desk coordinator in commercial real estate for 10 years, as well as multiple years in healthcare as an office coordinator," officials said.

Based in Southern California, Ms. Bethen plans to apply her established approach in handling client relationships to her work at Happy Feet. She will be responsible for scheduling sales appointments, processing orders and acting as a liaison to the sales team on various projects. Outside of work, Ms. Bethen enjoys going to the beach with her husband Jason and their chihuahua, Lucy.
The Third Congressional District will not go all the way from the bottom of the state to the Kentucky line under a plan released on Wednesday by the Republican majority. It includes all of Bradley County, not just a portion of it.

Currently, the district comprises two halves, joined together through a narrow point at Ten Mile in Roane County.

counties, as well as most of Campbell County.

The upper half now includes Scott, Morgan, Roane, Anderson and Union

The lower half borders North Carolina to the east and Georgia to the south. It includes Hamilton, Polk, McMinn and Monroe counties and the bottom half of Bradley County.

Under the proposed reconfiguration, the top half of Scott County going up to Kentucky will be in District 6. District 3 will have the bottom portion of Scott County.

The lower part will include Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, McMinn and Monroe with the connecting point at Ten Mile.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann said of the plan, I am very pleased with the proposed Congressional Map from the General Assembly that reunites the entirety of Bradley County in the 3rd Congressional District. Bradley County is a vibrant and important county in our great state, and I will be honored to have the opportunity to represent all citizens of Bradley County once the map is finalized.

A major point of contention in the new map is that Nashville would be split into three different districts.

Longtime Congressman Jim Cooper said that is aimed at diluting Democratic votes.
Sister Wives star, Meri Brown, feels like she and Robyn Brown are the only wives in the family who are still fighting for the family. Janelle Brown and Christine Brown leave for Utah for Thanksgiving, and Kody feels like theyre not loyal to him anymore.

Meri Brown and Robyn Brown, Sister Wives | TLC

Meri and Robyn discuss the family culture

On the Jan 2nd episode of Sister Wives, Meri decided to meet up with Robyn to clear the air after she joked about Robyn making up the coronavirus (COVID-19) rules. The sister wives discussed Meris friendship with Kody and what the plan is for Thanksgiving.

Meri says, I tell you, Robyn, the conversation the other day made me so sad. Like, we were not a family. Everybodys ready to go and do their own thing for the holidays.

She said, And Im like, This isnt the family that I signed up for.' She continues, Sitting there in that conversation, everybody didnt seem like they wanted it.

Meri says that she and Robyn are the only ones fighting for the family

On Sister Wives, Meri confesses to the cameras, When we were younger [and] when our kids were younger, we worked together. We did it together. Its been years. You know, we really started getting comfortable just doing our own thing.

She explained, Theres like a wedge between us. Robyn tells Meri, It was really weird, but I felt like the idea of what I thought the family was, isnt real or something. It was really, really weird. And really hard. Robyn wonders what happened to the family culture built on being there for each other went.

Meri tells Robyn, Nobodys fighting for our family right now, I think, honestly, except for you and me. I will tell you. I hate that were in this place that we have to fight for it. But I feel like that, where were at.

Kody says that Christine and Janelle arent loyal to him

Christine and Janelle both decided to go to their separate Thanksgiving dinners with their older kids instead of spending it with Kody. They agreed that it would be impossible to be with their older kids and comply with Kodys strict coronavirus rules.

Kody was hurt by Janelle and Christines choices to leave Flagstaff for the holiday. While Kody sat around the table with Meri, Robyn, and her five children, he made a speech talking about the beauty of the people around him.

Kody tells the cameras, COVID has been such a strain on the family. And everybody here at this table has been really easy on me about my rules for COVID. He continues, The contrast has been one of those things has really just made me aware of those who are loyal to me and those who are not.

Are Meri and Robyn the only ones who still respect Kody? Are they the only ones fighting for the family? Fans will have to keep watching season 16 to find out more about the family dynamic. Sister Wives airs Sundays on TLC and discovery+.

RELATED: Sister Wives Fan Theory: Is Robyn Browns Nanny Actually a Surrogate?
Catalyst surfaces have rarely been imaged in such detail before. And yet, every single atom can play a decisive role in catalytic activity.

A German-Chinese research team has visualised the three-dimensional structure of the surface of catalyst nanoparticles at atomic resolution. This structure plays a decisive role in the activity and stability of the particles. The detailed insights were achieved with a combination of atom probe tomography, spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Nanoparticle catalysts can be used, for example, in the production of hydrogen for the chemical industry. To optimise the performance of future catalysts, it is essential to understand how it is affected by the three-dimensional structure.

Researchers from the Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion in Mulheim an der Ruhr cooperated on the project as part of the Collaborative Research Centre Heterogeneous oxidation catalysis in the liquid phase.

At RUB, a team headed by Weikai Xiang and Professor Tong Li from Atomic-scale Characterisation worked together with the Chair of Electrochemistry and Nanoscale Materials and the Chair of Industrial Chemistry. Institutes in Shanghai, China, and Didcot, UK, were also involved. The team presents their findings in the journal Nature Communications, published online on 10 January 2022.

Particles observed during the catalysis process

The researchers studied two different types of nanoparticles made of cobalt iron oxide that were around ten nanometres. They analysed the particles during the catalysis of the so-called oxygen evolution reaction. This is a half reaction that occurs during water splitting for hydrogen production: hydrogen can be obtained by splitting water using electrical energy; hydrogen and oxygen are produced in the process. The bottleneck in the development of more efficient production processes is the partial reaction in which oxygen is formed, i.e. the oxygen evolution reaction. This reaction changes the catalyst surface that becomes inactive over time. The structural and compositional changes on the surface play a decisive role in the activity and stability of the electrocatalysts.

For small nanoparticles with a size around ten nanometres, achieving detailed information about what happens on the catalyst surface during the reaction remains a challenge. Using atom probe tomography, the group successfully visualised the distribution of the different types of atoms in the cobalt iron oxide catalysts in three dimensions. By combining it with other methods, they showed how the structure and composition of the surface changed during the catalysis process  and how this change affected the catalytic performance.
Rama Rao claimed that the TRS government had spent Rs 2.71 lakh crore on the agriculture sector in the last seven years which include Rs 1.16 lakh crore on irrigation projects, Rs 50,000 crore towards Rythu Bandhu and Rs 3,535 crore to insurance companies. If this is true, then why is the TRS government not procuring agricultural produce?  ANI

HYDERABAD: Terming the claims being made by Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) government on agriculture growth as bogus, TPCC president and MP A. Revanth Reddy accepted the challenge posed by minister K.T. Rama Rao for a debate on the issue.

He was addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday along with TPCC political affairs committee convener Mohammed Ali Shabbir and others.

The TPCC president said he was ready for an open debate on what the Congress government did from 2004-2014 and how the TRS government brought about an agrarian crisis from 2014 to 2021 besides debating on how the Congress-ruled states were doing better than the TRS government for farmers' welfare.

He said that the concept of free power for the agriculture sector was introduced by the Congress. "The then energy minister Shabbir Ali was instrumental in implementing 7-hour quality power for free for the agriculture sectors in the entire undivided Andhra Pradesh. Later, the duration of free power supply was increased to nine hours," he said.

Revanth Reddy said the Congress government in Chhattisgarh headed by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was doing much better for the agriculture sector compared to Telangana or other States. He offered to take a delegation of Telangana ministers for a comparative study.

Rama Rao claimed that the TRS government had spent Rs 2.71 lakh crore on the agriculture sector in the last seven years which include Rs 1.16 lakh crore on irrigation projects, Rs 50,000 crore towards Rythu Bandhu and Rs 3,535 crore to insurance companies. If this is true, then why is the TRS government not procuring agricultural produce? he asked. He said the entire agriculture infrastructure would be of no use if farmers were unable to sell their produce and make profits.

Revanth Reddy said the TRS government opened belt shops across the state and collected over Rs 1.45 lakh crore by selling liquor. He said common people, especially poor and middle-class, were made to habituate to liquor consumption. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had become an ambassador for drunkards, he alleged.

Referring to a claim made by Chandrashekar Rao in the past that he earned Rs 1 crore per acre, he asked him to transform his farmhouse into a tourist destination and create awareness among farmers on which crops they should cultivate.

"KT Rama Rao has proved to be an inefficient minister. Performances of all his departments like municipal administration, information technology, panchayat raj and others are the worst. He knows nothing about what the previous Congress government did for the agriculture sector in Telangana, Revanth said.

The TPCC chief said he was ready for an open debate on all these issues at any time and place suggested by the minister. He said the debate could be held at the Rythu Vedikas, Pragathi Bhavan or the Telangana Martyrs' Memorial. He said the Congress leaders would come for the debate if any media house organised it. However, he advised Rama Rao not to run away from the debate as he did in the past on the issue of drugs.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home. Elnora J Rock of Chickasha, OK, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the age of 85. She was born Dece
Assemblies of God leader George O. Wood, who encouraged expansive growth in the Pentecostal denomination through a commitment to diversity, conservative doctrine, and church planting, has died at the age of 80.

Wood served as general superintendent of the General Council of Assemblies of God from 2007 to 2017. In that decade, the denomination grew to a record 3.24 million members, and cumulatively added more than 660 congregations, according AG News. And the Assemblies grew more diverseboth in the pews and at the leadership level, as Wood worked to make sure more women, minorities, and people under 40 had prominent roles in directing the denominations future.

When he began as general superintendent, the executive presbytery was made up of 14 white men. When he left, it had expanded to 21 seats, with seven occupied by racial minorities and two by women. The denomination itselfhistorically whitewas about 42 percent minority when Wood retired.

He had a unique ability to open doors for young people, women, and ethnic minorities by providing them a meaningful seat at the table, Doug Clay, Woods successor as general superintendent, told AG News. That has been a major force behind our growth in each of those areas.

Wood, for his part, attributed his vision to the Pentecostal tradition of being flexible when it is important to be flexible and firm when it is important to be firm.

We have been flexible when it comes to culturemusic, dress, pulpit attire, he told Religion News Service in 2013. While remaining consistent on that which has not changed, which is doctrine.

George Oliver Wood was born to missionaries George Roy Wood and Elizabeth Weidman in China on September 1, 1941.

He learned early of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the importance of hard work and education. George O. Woods fatherwho had been pulled out of school after the fifth grade and put to work in a glass factory by his stepfatheralways spoke of what he missed, with his lack of education, and what he had gained, with conversion, baptism in the Holy Spirit, and a call to ministry.

The Wood family moved back to the US in 1949, after the Chinese Communist Revolution, and served in a variety of small Assemblies churches, never staying in one community for more than a few years. The younger Wood described himself at that time as an awkward missionary kid who worried too often about whether he was really saved or if he could have possibly blasphemed the Holy Spirit.

He liked school, though, and was encouraged to pursue an education. Wood earned a BA from Evangel College (now University), and then followed it up with a masters degree, a doctorate, and a law degree. Despite historic Pentecostal skepticism of education, Wood was not drawn away from the church. Instead, he threw himself into ministry, first as director of spiritual life and student life at Evangel, and then as pastor of Newport-Mesa Christian Center in Costa Mesa, California.

What it means to be a leader

He was a faithful pastor and a humble servant of the church, his son George Paul Wood recalled in a 2014 interview with the Springfield (Missouri) News-Leader. Every Sunday morning, father and son would go get doughnuts and take them to the church, unlocking the doors before anyone else arrived.

George Paul admired his fathers preaching, but when he said he was also interested in becoming a minister, his father didnt teach him about homiletics. He hired him as the church janitor.

I learned what it means to be a pastor, said George Paul Wood, who is now executive editor of Assemblies of God Publications. Thats training you cant pay for. Thats life training.

George O. Wood rose to national leadership in the Assemblies of God in the 1990s, taking the role of second position of general secretary. He was promoted by the denomination to the top spot in 2007. That same year, the general council voted to expand the national presbytery to include a female minister and a minister under the age of 40.

As Wood pointed out, about a quarter of all Assemblies of God ministers were women in 2007. More than a third were under 40. And yet no women or ministers under 40 had a position in national leadership.

Some in the Assemblieswith an eye on Southern Baptist debates over women in ministryquestioned whether the Pentecostal church was going liberal because of its stance on women. Wood argued the Assemblies of God wasnt adapting to changing cultural norms, but staying true to the Pentecostal understanding of Scripture.

I grew up listening to my mother and other women preaching the gospel, he wrote. What was their basis for so doing? The Holy Spirit had called them in light of the prophetic promise of Joel 2:2830 fulfilled in Acts 2:1718in the last days God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, including daughters as well as sons who would prophesy, including women as well as men servants.

Pushing for compassion

Perhaps the most controversial moment in Woods tenure as general secretary, however, came in 2009when he temporarily stepped down from leadership.

Wood wanted the Assemblies of God to add a fourth fundamental purpose to the denominational constitution. In addition to seeking to save the lost, worshiping God, and building up the body of believers, Wood wanted to add compassion as one of the churchs reasons for being.

The resolution was defeated. As the general superintendent, Wood was chair of the council meeting and not allowed to make an argument from the floor. So he decided to step down from leadership to make the argument that compassion ministries were an important growing edge of ministry.

We live in a culture in which the church has to earn credibility, and without acts of compassion I believe the church loses its credibility in the world, Wood said at the time.

In a second voice vote, it wasnt clear whether Woods argument had carried the day or not. A third vote was taken, and the compassion resolution won by a vote of 585 to 242.

Before the council left Orlando, it also reappointed Wood as general superintendent.

In subsequent years, Wood pushed the Assemblies to focus on church planting. He even challenged the denomination in 2011 to plant one church per day. That year, 368 new Assemblies of God congregations were started. He set a similar vision for the World Assemblies of God congress, telling those gathered in 2017 that the Holy Spirit was telling him the Assemblies should aim for one million churches worldwide by the year 2033.

Im really loved by God

Wood spoke out more about politics in later yearsexpressing special concern about the legalization of same-sex marriage and threats to religious liberty. He made headlines in 2019 warning that a day of persecution was coming for Christians in the US.

Wood also worked, however, to keep his distance from partisan politics, and encouraged leaders in the Assemblies not to identify too closely with a party or a candidate.

Our focus should be on the gospel, he said in 2017. If we begin to endorse candidates, then we are politicizing the church, diluting our message, and bringing unnecessary division among our people. It is sufficient that we can speak on issues without endorsing specific candidates for office.

Wood was diagnosed with stage IV cancer on August 31, two days before his 80th birthday. It was a surprise, but he later said he also felt instant peace.

As a follower of Jesus, I have two great options, he said. I can go to my home in Springfield or I can go to my home in heaven. I like both.

In the last four months of his life, he said he was more convinced than ever of the personal love of God.

As Ive been reading Scripture lately, I just keep focusing upon the fact that God deeply loves us, he said in a 2021 interview. And thats part of the, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. He strengthened me by giving me this great emotional assurance to this still-insecure missionary kid that Im really loved of God.

Wood is survived by Jewel, his wife of 56 years, and their children George Paul Wood and Evangeline Hope Zorehkey.
Fewer than 10% of Evangelicals want shorter sermons; 30% want more in-depth teaching: survey

Fewer than 10% of Evangelical Protestants want to have shorter sermons during worship, while nearly a third want more in-depth teaching, according to recently released survey data.

Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts released a new report last Friday titled The Congregational Scorecard: What Evangelicals Want in a Church.

The researchers surveyed 1,000 American Evangelical Protestants, asking for their views on 14 different elements about the churches they attend for worship.

According to the report, a copy of which was emailed to The Christian Post on Monday, only 7% of respondents want sermons to be shorter, while 85% believe the sermon lengths are acceptable as they are. About 8% percent said they wanted sermons to be longer.

These trends were fairly consistent across generations, as 10% of Evangelicals under the age of 40 preferred shorter sermons, while 11% over the age of 70 responded the same.

Evangelical respondents between the ages of 40 and 54 were the least likely to want shorter sermons, with 3% agreeing with this idea. Respondents between the ages of 55 and 69 were the most likely (88%) to believe sermon lengths were fine as they are.

One of the more surprising findings was that so few Evangelicals want shorter sermons, since such a common and unfortunate stereotype is long-winded pastors, Grey Matter Research President Ron Sellers told CP.

Not only that, but we keep being informed that younger adults have short attention spans, and pastors really need to cut down their sermons to reach this population. I expected to find a higher proportion of evangelicals (especially younger people) who wished for shorter sermons, like maybe 20% or 30%. Instead, it is just 7%.

Additionally, the data shows that 30% of respondents want more in-depth teaching from their churches, while 69% responded that they felt the depth of teaching was fine as is.

Mark Dreistadt, CEO of Infinity Concepts, said that he considers the nearly one-third of Evangelicals wanting more depth in sermons to be especially surprising.

The most surprising insight was that 30% of evangelicals want more in-depth teaching than their church is currently providing, said Dreistadt.

This demonstrates an opportunity for pastors to go deeper into the Word of God. This is good news at a time in our culture when biblical literacy is so low  there appears to be a desire among Evangelicals to deepen their understanding of biblical truth.

In 2019, former LifeWay Christian Resources CEO Thom S. Rainer reported that a social media survey of 1,000 people found that the average length of sermons was declining compared to four years earlier.

The median length of the sermon of those surveyed was 27 minutes, down from 29 minutes four years ago, explained Rainer.

Though a number of respondents indicated changes to sermon length were longer than previous years, by a 3:2 margin more pastors were moving to shorter sermons.

The Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts report also found that around two-thirds of respondents liked the political messages or political involvement of their churches, while 22% wanted less political involvement from their churches.

Sellers told CP that this finding did not surprise me much, because any time a topic is controversial, I expect to see some reaction to it.

There have been many stories and a lot of anecdotal evidence, plus a variety of studies, showing people switching churches or even leaving the Church due to political differences, either overall or on a specific position such as abortion or same-sex marriage, he added.

So if people leave or switch due to political differences, it wont be anything new  just a continuation of whats already been happening in our society for some time.

In addition to questions over sermon length, depth of teaching and politics, respondents were asked if they believe their church needs to change the amount of music, styles of music and styles of worship. Respondents were asked for their thoughts on their churches focus on evangelism, social issues, outreach, overall service length, congregation size, racial diversity, how often donations are requested and the number of women in leadership.

For each element listed, on average 74% of respondents said they were content with how their church handled the matter and did not want to see a change.

Dreistadt hopes the report will give church leaders some benchmarks to measure and some insights to consider.

However, it is important to note that there is a wide variety of church styles to choose from and evangelicals tend to look for churches that fit their personal preferences, Dreistadt said.

So we want to encourage pastors and church leaders to learn from the data and increase their awareness of potential changes. However, we also want to encourage them to always pursue the calling God has placed on their hearts for the congregation.
Pastor Tavner Smith announces time off to spend 'with God' after staffers quit over affair rumors

Weeks after a video surfaced online allegedly showing him kissing a woman who is not his wife and multiple members of his staff quit, Pastor Tavner Smith of Venue Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has announced he will take a few weeks off to get counseling and spend time with God.

Im going to be taking some time to fill up, spend time with God, and get some counseling so I can come back rested, refreshed and ready for the rest of the year, he wrote in an Instagram post on Jan. 5. I love you and Ill see you in February.

At least eight employees of Smiths fast-growing congregation reportedly quit working for the church last month after confronting him about the video recorded in North Georgia.

Two former employees and four volunteers or members previously connected to the church told The Chattanooga Times Free Press that the eight employees quit after confronting the pastor about a rumored affair with a church employee.

The church previously declined to comment publicly, but court records show that the pastor and his wife, Danielle Smith, who have three kids, began divorce proceedings last May.

That same month, Smith was in the middle of preaching a series he called Dirty Destinies where he preached about how God can use peoples dirt from their past to minister.

The question is not Am I dirty?' because I am, he said. A matter of fact, look at your neighbor and say 'Im dirty.'"

I dont think we have any doubts about that anymore. I think weve been real about that over the last six weeks, he continued. Every single person in here is full of dirt. God did not choose perfect people. God only chooses available people.

He noted that the subtitle of the series was No perfect people allowed.

Do you know why God doesnt choose perfect people? Its because there are none, he told the congregation. A perfect person could not relate to any other person because everybody else has been through stuff, got dirt and struggling with dirt as we speak.

Several individuals who said they are former members or employees of Smiths church, however, were not happy with the way he had been handling his affairs. They publicly made significant allegations of pastoral abuse and misconduct against Smith and his leadership team.

Former Venue Church employee Colt Chandler Helton, who claims to have worked for over 12 churches throughout his career, including Hillsong and North Point, said in a Facebook post that he was hired by Venue Church to set up its systems and structures and model anything an adult would experience on a Sunday morning.

In hind sight I taught the Iranians how to make nuclear weapons, Helton, who worked for the church for nearly a year beginning in 2014, contends. I gave a man who had very very bad intentions the ability to make a mega church.

He shared a lengthy list of reasons why he left Venue Church, including what he claims to be financial abuse and witnessing domestic abuse in an atmosphere where there are zero elders or accountability.

He suggested that Smith may have been intimately involved with females in the church other than his wife.

I witnessed on many times the lead pastor have alone time with females on the worship team and congregation, he wrote, while pointing out how the churchs theology devolved into something resembling the prosperity gospel.

I was told I was not allowed to speak to the lead pastor unless I was spoken to. Because he was so close to God and his closeness couldnt be put in jeopardy by speaking to commoners, Helton also claimed.

Smith's website explains that he moved to Tennessee in 2012 "because of his radical obedience to Gods plan, and started a move of God through Venue Church." He previously served as an executive student pastor at Redemption World Outreach Center in Greenville, South Carolina. The website says that he became the understudy to Redemption Pastor Ron Carpenter, who remains Smith's mentor.
Pakistani Christian man imprisoned 4 years on false blasphemy charges is granted bail

The brother of a Pakistani Christian man granted bail last week after spending years in prison is pleading with Pope Francis and other international leaders to evacuate and grant his brother asylum in a Western country as concerns about his health and safety persist.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan granted bail for Nadeem Samson, a Catholic who has been imprisoned in Pakistan for four years on blasphemy charges. Samsons brother, Shakeel Anjum, a United States citizen, reacted to the development in an interview with The Christian Post.

[On the] one side, we are happy. But [on the] other side, we are very afraid, he said, speaking on behalf of himself and another brother, who also lives in Pakistan.

Anjum cited the Jan. 3 death sentence of Zafar Bhatti, another Christian imprisoned under Pakistans blasphemy laws, as a cause for concern.

While the Supreme Court of Pakistan granted Samson bail, the legal proceedings stemming from the blasphemy charges against him will continue at the district court level.

Anjum told CP that trials are very dangerous because he has to  go to the court back and forth to attend the hearings. He recalled a 2020 incident where a Muslim accused of blasphemy was murdered right in the court, fearing that his brother could end up facing the same fate.

He was murdered right in the court, Anjum said. He was on bail and he got shot dead and somebody just killed him in the court.

More recently, on Dec. 3, a Twitter account managed by Anjum devoted to securing his brothers release retweeted a video of a Sri Lankan Hindu Factory manager who was burned alive by #Muslims mob for accused blasphemy. Anjum said these two incidents have left him and his brothers really scared and really worried.

In light of the concerns and the fact that mob attacking is common in Pakistan, Anjum delivered an appeal to the pope and Josep Borrell, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs.

Both [of my] brothers actually should be evacuated immediately because this is very, very risky, he said.

Anjum also fears for his brother, Michael, who has attended Samsons court proceedings and visited him in jail. He believes that Michaels association with Samson is enough to put his life in danger as well. Anjum called on the Canadian government to grant Samson asylum to save his life.

I have no parents. I have two brothers  in Pakistan, Anjum added. They should be protected and they should be evacuated immediately from Pakistan.

Anjum elaborated on the toll that four years in prison has taken on his brother. My brother, for [the] last few months, he has [been] very sick, he said. We got the orders for his treatment. We got the court order for  his immediate treatment.

Because the jail superintendent didnt allow his brother out of the jail for his treatment, Anjum said Samson was in severe pain.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedoms profile on Samson lists kidney stones as a health concern and indicates that he has faced torture while detained.

Samson is reportedly living in inhumane conditions at the district jail in Lahore, where he has also been denied adequate medical care for treating kidney stones, the congressionally-mandated religious freedom body said.

Anjum agreed with Samsons lawyer that his bail was historic. Blasphemy charges in Pakistan can be punishable with life imprisonment and even the death penalty. However, the Pakistani government has never executed anyone for a blasphemy conviction.

Specifically, section 295-C of Pakistans penal code mandates that whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy [Islamic] Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

As CP previously reported, Samson was arrested in November 2017 after the man he was leasing a house from told police that the Pakistani Catholic had posted blasphemous material on his Facebook account.

Anjum previously alleged that the man, Abdul Haq, created a fake Facebook account to smear his brother in an effort to avoid having to pay Samson the $4,000 owed to him as part of the lease agreement.

Anjum previously predicted that the Supreme Court of Pakistan would make a fair decision about Samsons fate because they have bodyguards and are therefore not intimidated by the mob. By contrast, Anjum asserted, the trial court judges do not have any security for themselves.

So they have only one option, he maintained. They have to allow the punishment.

Anjum lamented that most blasphemy cases in Pakistan follow a familiar pattern, where after several years of litigation, the judges determine that the accusations of blasphemy are false.

Their lives are ruined in trial, Anjum said of those falsely accused of blasphemy. In the case of Samson, his accuser never appeared in the trial court.

False allegations of blasphemy are a common occurrence in Pakistan. Patrick Sookdeho of the Barnabas Fund, a Christian aid agency, elaborated on the indiscriminate and improper use of blasphemy laws in Pakistan at the first annual International Religious Freedom Summit that took place in Washington, D.C., last summer.

In a panel discussion featuring Asia Bibi, another Pakistani Christian imprisoned on blasphemy charges who since fled the country, Sookdeho informed attendees that Pakistans blasphemy law has been used by those who are unhappy with Christians or [used against] a particular Christian as a weapon to settle scores.

In Pakistan today, there are at least five Christians on death row for blasphemy, he proclaimed. There are 20 Christians in prison on blasphemy charges. ... Since 1990, at least 15 Christians have been murdered because of blasphemy allegations, often before trial has begun.

He stressed that the allegations of blasphemy and hostile treatment endured by Pakistani Christians does not come from the government, per se, but rather from the institutions of society.
Rangoli competitions, essay writing competitions etc were held on Rythu Bandhu for the past one week to celebrate the occasion in all the 119 Assembly constituencies. (Representational Image/ DC)

Hyderabad: The stage is set for the sky to be dotted with kites across Telangana displaying colourful images of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, IT minister K.T. Rama Rao and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) government's welfare schemes on Sankranti. TRS MLAs and party leaders have placed orders for thousands of kites having images of Chandrashekar Rao and Rama Rao.

MLAs and party workers will fly these kites in all major junctions in the city and districts on January 14 and 15 as part of Rythu Bandhu celebrations being carried out by the TRS across the state. The TRS leadership has given a call to the party's rank and file to celebrate Rythu Bandhu until Sankranti on January 15 to mark the milestone of Rythu Bandhu financial assistance to farmers reaching Rs 50,000 crore on January 10.

Rangoli competitions, essay writing competitions etc were held on Rythu Bandhu for the past one week to celebrate the occasion in all the 119 Assembly constituencies. They now want to conclude the celebrations by flying kites to thank the Chief Minister and his son for implementing Rythu Bandhu without any interruption since May 2018 despite financial constraints due to Covid since March 2020.

Ministers from Hyderabad and surrounding districts, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Mohd Mahmood Ali, Sabitha Indra Reddy and Ch Malla Reddy are organising special programmes to fly TRS kites on January 14 and 15. TRS Jubilee Hills MLA Maganti Gopinath placed an order for 30,000 TRS kites with images of Chandrashekar Rao and Rama Rao.

Speaking to this newspaper, Gopinath said, "Our party leaders and workers will fly kites at all major junctions in the city to celebrate Sankranti. Public address systems will be set up at all the major junctions which will play songs on the achievements of the TRS government over the past seven years besides thanking the Chief Minister for implementing schemes such as Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, Aasara pensions etc."

Besides the images of the two ministers, the kites will also flash the TRS government's flagship programmes such as Kaleshwaram project, Mission Bhagiratha, 2BHK housing scheme, Mission Kakatiya, Palle Pragathi, Pattana Pragathi and achievements of the TRS government in agriculture, irrigation and social sectors.

TRS leaders feel that the Sankranti celebrations in this manner will also help them to create awareness among the people of the achievements of the TRS government over the past seven years and counter Opposition's criticism against Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and TRS.
The Presbyterian Church adds Per Capita Sunday to official calendar to explain funding system

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has added an observance called Per Capita Sunday to its calendar in the hopes of fosteringa better understanding of its funding systemamong congregations.

Being the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States, it announced that the first Per Capita Sunday will be held on Jan. 23.

Per capita is the term that PCUSA uses to describe the system by which the internal functioning of the denomination is funded, such as its agencies and the Office of General Assembly.

Kate Duffert of the PCUSA Office of the General Assembly told The Christian Post that the observance was created to help members realize the theological significance of the funding system.

Over the past few years, staff and volunteers in the PCUSA have noticed our conversation around per capita has been centered in the practicality of what per capita funds and the methods through which it is collected, said Duffert.

However, per capita is rooted in a set of theological values and principles  that all are called to participate in the church, that congregations are called to join together in mission, that we believe in creating meeting spaces that include the voices of many in decision making, and that we need one another to hold ourselves accountable.

Duffert explained that the creation of Per Capita Sunday allowed for the creation of more materials that enable congregations to explore this call during worship.

William McConnell, the mission engagement adviser with the PCUSA Presbyterian Mission Agency, sees the observance as an effort to clear up confusion about what per capita is and what it is not.

McConnell views it as a good way to share information and to address questions about this system as well as an effort to lift up the deeply theological concept of shared responsibility and support for those things that the church does together.

Jan. 23 was selected for the first Per Capita Sunday because it's around the time many congregations are finalizing their annual budgets. It also falls on the day in the Revised Common Lectionary that centers on the 1 Corinthians 12 passage about the Church being one body but many parts.

This seemed to be a strong scriptural corollary to the connectional aspects of per capita, noted McConnell, adding that PCUSA had not yet selected a date for next years Per Capita Sunday.

Per capita traces its origins to the 18th century, when the pre-PCUSA Presbyterian Church created a fund meant to cover the expenses of commissioners traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for their first General Assembly gathering.

For the observance later this month, the mainline Protestant denomination has created multiple resources, including a liturgical text that can be used for worship.

We hope that congregations will take this opportunity to dive into conversation about per capita  whatever that may mean for them, explained Duffert. For some, it may be a chance to affirm their existing commitment to per capita. For others, it may be a newer discussion that comes with more exploration.

While there is no mandate to observe Per Capita Sunday in any way, we are hopeful that congregations find these resources and the possibility of this set-aside time as helpful ways to discuss the importance of per capita to the PCUSA.

Per Capita Sunday comes as the PCUSA is looking to curb expenses due to financial woes linked to its considerable years-long decline in congregations and members.

Last May, for example, the denomination released its annual book of statistics in a digital format only, with PCUSA Stated Clerk, the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson II, saying that this was partly in response to a decline in revenue.

For one, it costs approximately $25,000 to produce 2,000 copies of this book. Secondly, it can quickly become outdated as things change throughout the church, said Nelson last year.

I have said many times over the past year that we need to be moving the church forward in the 21st century.  But economics have also prompted us to make smarter decisions on how per capita dollars are spent. We find this to be more efficient and timelier, giving Presbyterian leaders the information they need in real time.
Sean Feucht claims he lost book deal with HarperCollins over 'political views'

Worship leader and activist Sean Feucht took to social media on Monday to claim that book publisher HarperCollins dropped his book deal over his "political views."

Feucht tweeted that he had just received a call from his book publisher, mentioning one of the country's largest book publishers, HarperCollins, by name.

"They are canceling my book because of my political views," he asserted. "This is nuts!!"

Just got a call from my book publisher @HarperCollins and they are canceling my book because of my political views.



This is nuts!!! ????  Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) January 10, 2022

Feucht then shared videos on Instagram with further detail but said the social media platform kept removing his videos.

In his latest video, which is still active on the page as of Tuesday afternoon, the preacher claimed that he had worked on the book for three months with the publishing giant.

"Signed an agreement with the second-largest publisher in the world, HarperCollins. We've been working on it for three months together. [I] have an agreement, had it signed, pretty far into this process, and was just notified today. They're canceling it," he noted.

The Christian Post reached out to Feucht and the publishing company for further details.

A HarperCollins Christian Publishing spokesperson said, "We did not have a signed contract."

Feucht responded to CP, alleging that "Harper Collins is trying to weasel out of their signed agreement."

"The reality is that we had a signed Deal Memo with Harper Collins," he assured. "The book had gone to auction, and there were six different offers. I accepted the offer from Harper Collins. The signed Deal Memo includes an agreement on terms such as the advance, royalties, discount rates, subsidiary rights, and book buybacks. Just within the last several days, we were working with them on the title, book cover and manuscript development."

Feucht ran for U.S. Congress in 2020 as a Republican in California's 3rd Congressional District but came in third place. Since then, he has been at the center of several large health mandate-defying Christian revival gatherings since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that have gotten national media attention.

His book will discuss how God helped him and his team through it all.

"Why is there so much resistance to this message? The premise of the book is about boldness and courage. I'm sharing about our journey in the last couple of years, and how the Lord forged this thing in us through many different layers of resistance. So I just thought it was so ironic that, that they would cancel a book on boldness and courage because they didn't have the boldness and courage to publish it," Feucht maintained. "The irony is so rich here."

Feucht has become a well-known revivalist, and his latest album, Let Us Worship - Azusa, reached No. 1 on the iTunes chart in October. The former Bethel Church worship leader is the founder of the Let Us Worship movement.

The Oral Roberts University alumnus believes the new "resistance" is more than a move by a publisher but part of a spiritual battle.

"Just thinking about the spiritual elements that don't want us to have this message, and how even this message of boldness and courage would be controversial. The book is actually not political, really, at all. It's just talking about our faith and how we got to stand up for our faith," the father of four clarified.

"I feel even more after today feeling the waves of this resistance. I even feel more in my spirit like I'm stewarding something that I feel like it's going to bless a lot of people and free a lot of people. So of course, even in the process of writing this message, I'm walking through the fire of how to steward and stay bold and courageous in the midst of this."

Feucht ended his video by asking his thousands of followers to pray for him as he needs "wisdom and discernment."

"These are big dogs, man, that are coming after us, "he concluded. "I'm not one to demonize people. It's powers and principalities that don't want the message to go out. But I feel like this is the call, this is the cry, this is what we need to hear and what we need to release in 2022."

HarperCollins Publishers is among the five biggest English-language publishing companies in the world.
Christian investors, what are BlackRock and other Wall Street giants supporting with your money?

The Wall Street Journal recently ran a news story about how Larry Fink, the CEO of the world's largest investment company, is pursuing his own social and political goals using client money.

BlackRock manages roughly ten trillion (yes, I meant to use the "t", that's trillion, not billion) dollars worth of investments. Even if you are not invested directly in a BlackRock fund, they may well be managing the retirement plan of your employer or of your state. They also administered the bonds involved with various stimulus programs (ones which they recommended the government launch) so if you are an American, they're managing a portion of the national debt.

One of the little secrets about these money management firms is that they don't just get to make money on your investments as a client (which, of course, is fine), but that they get to vote on your behalf about a wide variety of social and political corporate policies according to BlackRock's value system, and not yours.

Case in point, transgender issues:

" the money manager joined others in signing a statement opposing a Texas bill regulating transgender access to public bathrooms in 2017, Britt Harris, then-investment chief at Teacher Retirement System of Texas wanted a word with Mr. Fink. Mr. Harris, who now leads the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Co., told Mr. Fink that he respected the CEOs personal views. But he didnt want BlackRock telling Texas what to do, according to people familiar with the mens exchanges."

Wherever one stands on such issues as sexual reassignment medical procedures for minors, forcing physicians to violate their religious or moral convictions about such matters, or whether a biological man ought to be able to force himself onto a girl's wrestling team, it is at least clear that these issue are highly contentious and that that they are likely to foster backlash.

In fact, they already have:

"Mr. Finks power, combined with his advocacy on a hot-button issue, has made him a flashpoint for activists, politicians and unions, both those who think BlackRock isnt doing enough and others who say its doing too much."

It's interesting to note that BlackRock is under pressure from activists who think it "isn't doing enough." Having attended dozens of annual meetings, I've noticed a pattern in which those companies which have a history of acquiescing to social activists find themselves subjected to escalating demands. The basic argument is usually something like "You've already made public statements saying that LGBTQ (or global warming, or voting rights, 'stakeholder capitalism', etc.) are core values, now you have to live up to that by doing x, y, z!'

In other words, appeasing these groups seems to lead to more demands.

But we also should not underestimate the degree to which consistently coming down on the side of one particular ideology is also stoking anger from the right, including people with real power:

"In mid-2021, two Republican senators wrote to a large 401(k)-type plan expressing concern BlackRock was putting its CEOs views ahead of investors needs and infusing left-leaning priorities in its voting guidelines  Mr. Toomey is the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, which has a say over financial regulation matters. Mr. Johnson is the ranking member for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations."

The issues go further than LGBTQ identity politics. For example, at the same time that BlackRock is promoting the LGBTQ political agenda as an humans rights issue, it is actively pursuing negotiations with China to launch investment funds within the country. While those negotiations have been going on, BlackRock recently said that investors have too little money invested in China.

Furthermore, BlackRock has aggressively fought against the use of fossil fuels by American companies (while China remains the largest emitter of carbon in the world), going so far as backing efforts by an activist hedge fund to put two members on the board of Exxon who are opposed to the use of fossil fuels such as oil. It's understandable for investors to ask precisely how it is in the interest of an oil company to be against the use of oil.

A concerning element of this focus on fossil fuels is the degree to which Mr. Fink has been calling on global institutions to use the 2008 model of government centralization, bailout and control on a global scale to promote 'sustainability':

"One idea he pushed was authorizing the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to shoulder the first losses on sustainable-energy projects, so other investors would feel safe putting in money. It was an echo of how the U.S. in 2008 fenced off the worst Bear Stearns holdings to encourage JPMorgan to take over the firm." Larry Fink Wants to Save the World (and Make Money Doing It)

One need not be a conspiracy theorist (and I certainly am not) to recognize that the policy recommendations that Mr. Fink and/or BlackRock are making share a great deal of overlap with the publicly declared ideas which the founder of Davos branded The Great Reset: The Great Reset | World Economic Forum.

Of course, anyone is free to promote whatever ideology they wish. The problem is that BlackRock and other giant asset managers are doing it in your name and with your money. BlackRock is offering some large institutions such as retirement plans to vote their own shares, but that is not available to plain old 'retail investors.'

So, for ordinary investors, when you buy shares in their funds, you are buying them seats at the table. Your money is giving them votes in annual meetings. It's time for investors to start asking BlackRock and Vanguard and the other large asset managers, "What, exactly, have you been promoting with my money?"

Or as legendary gadfly investor, Sam Zell said on CNBC a few years back, I didnt know Larry Fink had been made God.

Readers of this column know that he has not.
Abraham Accords pave way for previously unthinkable Arab-Israeli defense cooperation

On Sept. 15, 2020, President Donald Trump brokered the signing of the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and Israel and Bahrain.

This historic achievement creates a pathway for increased cooperation between American, Israeli, and Arab countries on trade and investment while strengthening the abilities of all three to deter Iranian aggression through previously unheard of Arab-Israeli defense cooperation.

In April 2021, the United Arab Emirates Air Force flew alongside Israeli fighter jets for the fourth time in Greeces annual Iniochos aerial training exercises, which also included the U.S., France, Spain and Cyprus.

The exercise allowed the United Arab Emirates and Israel alongside other participants to work together to complete different aspects of a shared mission by practicing air-to-air combat, air-to-ground precision strikes, and evading attacks from surface-to-air missiles.

Shortly after the Iniochos aerial exercise, the chief of the United Arab Emirates Air Force, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi, attended Israels Blue Flag aerial exercise in October 2021. Occurring biennially, the joint exercises featured 75 fighter jets and 1,500 personnel from the United States, Israel, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Although the United Arab Emirates planes did not participate in the exercise, Amir Lazar, head of the Israeli Air Force, characterized the significance of the visit saying that Israel and the United Arab Emirates would someday be working together to counter Iran.

Alongside aerial cooperation, maritime collaboration between Arab, Israeli and American forces are increasingly important to deter Iran in the Persian Gulf.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to restrict, or cut off altogether, the free flow of trade in the Strait of Hormuz. In this year alone, there have been at least 11 major incidents in which naval forces belonging to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have hijacked commercial oil tankers and harassed U.S. Navy ships.

In early November, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain conducted a joint military exercise in the Red Sea. The first publicly acknowledged naval exercise between the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Israel, and the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command included the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet in Bahrain and a coalition of 34 countries that make up the Combined Maritime Forces whose purpose is to carry out counterterrorism and counterpiracy operations in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

The five-day exercise was designed to broadly enhance naval collaboration between maritime operations teams to safeguard freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. As a result, Arab, American and Israeli navies can effectively work together to deter Iran in critical waterways like the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

One of the biggest concerns is Irans use of anti-ship mines, which it has deployed in the Persian Gulf during past conflicts to prevent oil tankers from entering and exiting Arab ports. Since the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, Iran has more than quadrupled its stocks of both conventional and advanced smart mines to well over 6,000.

Although the U.S. Navy has a small, aging force of minesweepers, its capabilities are limited given the large quantities of Iranian sea mines spread across the Strait of Hormuz. Should the U.S. find itself in active conflict with Iran, the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet would be vulnerable to attacks in the Persian Gulf.

To better deter the potential damage inflicted by Iranian anti-ship mines, state-owned Israeli and Emirati defense contractors Israel Aerospace Industries and EDGE, respectively, announced plans to jointly design a semi-to-fully autonomous naval vessel at the Dubai Airshow. Called the 170M, these vessels are capable of mine detection and sweeping; anti-submarine warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and deploying for certain types of aircraft.

Platforms like the 170M will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and its Arab partners operating in the Persian Gulf and are just one example illustrating the promise of further Arab Israeli defense cooperation.

Further participation in multinational aerial exercises such as Blue Flag 2023 and Iniochos 2022 will allow the United Arab Emirates to continually refine its integration of fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft, and enhance its ability to operate in conjunction with U.S. partner forces, including Israel.

The Abraham Accords have shifted the geopolitical order in the Middle East. As the U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan, and takes a step back from Iraq, and Syria, Arab-Israeli defense cooperation will be paramount to deter Iranian aggression, safeguard the free flow of trade, and maintain stability in the region.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
Dont let Biden off the hook for the disaster he left in Afghanistan

The media has largely moved on from the Afghanistan debacle, and many are all too eager to sweep the consequences of President Bidens botched withdrawal under the rug. Yet, the repercussions will last lifetimes.

Currently, hundreds of parents and family members are seeking help for their starving children. Last year, the United Nations warned that one million Afghan children were at risk of starvation, and now many are struggling to make it through the winter.

On the best of days, Afghanistan has a near-universal poverty rate. Now, a famine and economic collapse are making it virtually impossible for many to meet their families basic needs. In sheer desperation, some parents are being driven to sell their young daughters into future marriages just so the family will have a few months worth of food. Its an unthinkable choice  but one that some feel is their only chance to evade death by starvation when there is no work to be found.

One fathers decision has him in agony. He told CNN reporters that he could no longer sleep at night because he sold his nine-year-old daughter into marriage. The guilt and shame have broken him. Following unsuccessful attempts to find work, even traveling to the provincial capital, he said, We are eight family members. I have to sell to keep other family members alive. The money from the sale will feed the family for only a few months.

Sadly, the economic collapse in the wake of the Talibans rise was predicted and shouldnt take Biden administration officials by surprise. The question now is how to respond.

The U.S. government is rightly being careful to avoid giving any financial aid to the Taliban. And although the United States donated funds through international humanitarian aid groups, Olivia Enos, a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, has pointed out that current aid levels are expected to meet only 40% of the anticipated needs to get through the winter months. The Biden administration should seek effective solutions to get substantial help directly to suffering Afghans.

When it comes to promoting religious freedom in Afghanistan, the U.S. government has always fallen far short. The past 20 years of U.S. involvement in the country failed to produce a cultural acceptance of religious freedom or pluralism. The consequences continue. And for the Afghan Christians most endangered by the rise of the Taliban, the Biden administrations actions (and inaction) were shameful.

Although certain groups of Afghan nationals were given Priority 2 (P-2) designation for the U.S. refugee program  which allows more direct access for individuals to apply when they are at immediate risk  religious minorities were not offered P-2 status. This is in spite of the Taliban openly threatening religious minorities and the number of minorities who would have utilized the program being small and manageable. The Biden administration should fix this error and extend P-2 status to Afghan religious minorities.

When private NGOs tried to help vulnerable Christians, women and others fleeing the Taliban, the State Department was accused of thwarting these rescue efforts. Josh Youssef, president of Help the Persecuted, helped organize refugee flights out of Afghanistan with endangered religious minorities. When he reached out to the State Department for help, he was told that he would have a better chance of the plane taking off if there were LGBT-identifying persons on board.

But religious minorities arent the only people with reason to fear. Amid the Talibans rollback of womens rights, many women who had public professions are scrambling to hide their identities. Female athletes are on the run, changing locations every few weeks to avoid being caught and punished by the Taliban.

Women who served in the Afghan military or police are also hiding. Samima, who served in the Afghan Air Force, fled to a new location with her husband after she received phone calls from Taliban fighters and the Taliban began going door to door looking for former Afghan military members. She told The Wall Street Journal, Thousands of girls like me are receiving threats, face an uncertain future and are being tracked by the Taliban.

Countless Afghan girls and female university students have been kept at home and out of school since the Talibans return. For many, their dreams were put on hold in 2021, perhaps permanently.

Meanwhile, there are still Americans who remain stuck in Afghanistan. Not to mention the countless Afghan allies who worked for the U.S. military and were promised protection in just such a circumstance as a U.S. withdrawal.

The White House would be happy for us all to forget that the grossly mishandled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan ever happened. But we must not. America spent 20 years involved in this country; the people of Afghanistan deserve better than to be abandoned and ignored in their hour of most dire need. Furthermore, the American people deserve far better leadership than President Biden has shown throughout this ordeal largely of his own making.



By electing Joe Biden, Americans entrusted him with our foreign policy. The resulting human suffering in Afghanistan ought to be remembered as a grave stain upon Bidens presidency.

Originally published at the Family Research Council.
When inventors, scientists and surgeons trust God

William Thompson (Baron Kelvin) was one of the most eminent scientists of the 19th century. He said, Do not be afraid of being free thinkers. If you think strongly enough you will be forced by science to the belief in God, which is the foundation of all religion. You will find science not antagonistic, but helpful to religion.

When inventors, scientists and surgeons trust God, it often has a marvelous ripple effect among their peers and others.

Sir Ambrose Fleming (1849-1945) has been called a father of modern electronics. Fleming said, There is abundant evidence that the Bible, though written by men, is not the product of the human mind. By countless multitudes it has always been revered as a communication to us from the Creator of the Universe.

Matthew Maury (1806-1873) was a pioneer of oceanography and nicknamed Scientist of the Seas. He said, The Bible is true and science is true, and therefore each, if truly read, but proves the truth of the other."

Joseph Lister (1827-1912) is known as the father of antiseptic surgery. Lister said, I am a believer in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.

You too can come to believe the truth about Jesus Christ and the Bible. If your mind is currently closed on the matter, would you be willing to start from scratch with an open mind?

Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was the inventor of the electric motor. When asked about his belief in the afterlife, he said, Speculations? I have none. I am resting on certainties. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. And in a public talk on science and religion he said, The book of nature which we have to read is written by the finger of God.

Samuel Morse (1791-1872) invented the telegraph. He said, The nearer I approach to the end of my pilgrimage  the grandeur and sublimity of Gods remedy for fallen man are more appreciated.

Are you aware that you are a fallen human being in need of Gods remedy? Do you realize that you will stand before your Creator on Judgment Day? (1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:10; Acts 17:31; Hebrews 9:27; John 12:48; Matthew 12:36; Matthew 24:36; Psalm 96:13; Romans 2:16; Revelation 20:11-15).

As you get closer to the end of your earthly pilgrimage, just remember that it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18). As Judgment Day approaches, find comfort in the fact that God sent His only Son to be your Savior. We have Gods Word on the matter. All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16) and was written by 40 authors over a period of 1,500 years. The 66 books of the Bible can be completely trusted.

George Washington Carver (1864-1943) was a pioneer of agricultural chemistry. Carver said, Without my Savior I am nothing. The Lord has guided me. He has shown me the way, just as He will show everyone who turns to Him.

Will you accept the truth of Gods Word and receive Christ as your Savior? (John 1:12). God will not force you to trust Him. If you do not want God in your life, He will allow you to go your own way and eventually stand before Him spiritually naked on Judgment Day.

You have two options. You can either choose to pay for your own sins in Hell, or you can accept the payment Jesus made for your sins through His death on the cross (1 Peter 3:18). If you place your faith in Christs sacrificial death, you will be welcomed into Heaven one day where you will be overjoyed throughout eternity.

Make no mistake about it. No one will survive Judgment Day without Jesus as their Savior. If you reject Him now, He will reject you then. Jesus said, If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).

Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1907) was a Scottish obstetrician and a significant figure in the history of medicine. He became famous for his discovery of the anesthetic qualities of chloroform. He said, But again I looked and saw Jesus, my substitute, scourged in my stead and dying on the cross for me. I looked and cried and was forgiven. And it seems to be my duty to tell you of that Savior, to see if you will not also look and live. How simple it all becomes when the Holy Spirit opens the eyes!

Sir David Brewster (1781-1868) invented the kaleidoscope and is known for his contributions to the field of optics. He said, It cannot be presumption to be sure of our forgiveness because it is Christs work, not ours; on the contrary, it is presumption to doubt His Word and work. Before he died he said, I shall see Jesus, and that will be grand. I shall see Him who made the worlds.

Would you like to have that kind of faith? Would you like to be sure that your sins are forgiven and that Heaven is your eternal home? Saving faith is simply a matter of taking God at His Word. Faith clings to the promise of the Gospel.

Jesus presented the Gospel in John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

If you do not yet believe this good news, ask God to open your eyes (Acts 26:17,18). You may be highly intelligent, and yet have a very low spiritual IQ. Human intellect is not the key to understanding and believing the Gospel. Belief requires humility and a willingness to accept Gods Word and embrace Gods promises.

If you have an open mind, read the Gospel of John and ask the Creator of the Universe to reveal Himself to you. Listening to God as you meditate upon Scripture is the only way to come to trust Him.
2 North Carolina churches merge to survive costly toll of pandemic

With the share of self-identified Christians in America continuing to plummet and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forcing some churches to permanently shutter, two North Carolina congregations that have hemorrhaged members and donations will merge this Sunday in a bid to survive the toll of the virus.

The pastors of Hope Church in High Point and Renaissance Church in Jamestown explained in a Fox 8 interview that they see their decision as an opportunity to keep the ministries alive. They hope other struggling churches will be inspired by their actions.

We had a large building with a large mortgage, and there were bills to pay, Pastor Randall Reece, who founded Hope Church in 2003, told the outlet. So going from a church of 350 to a church of 80, the loss of income was significant. And even in the congregation of 80, some of the ones who were regularly giving really had to stop because they were impacted by COVID as well.

The church did not immediately respond to calls from The Christian Post on Friday, but Reece told the news outlet that struggling churches merging in the pandemic makes sense.

It certainly makes sense. Those churches can stay alone and struggle or come together in strength and merge out of the pandemic from a position of strength. Hopefully, it becomes a model, he said.

Pastor Jason Goins, who founded Renaissance Church in 2008, said he hopes his friendship with Reece will help the merger.

I mean, Randall and I are great friends. Hes like a spiritual father to me. He got me involved in the ministry. It takes that relation equity, he said. This is an opportunity for something great to come out of something that is a period of darkness for all of us.

Goins says he knows that the idea of merging with another church can be difficult to consider for some congregations. He noted that while Renaissance Church wasnt in as difficult a position as Hope Church, they also struggled.

We dwindled by 150 people or so, but the folks we have been left with are excited and energized, so were bringing together two pockets of two energized congregations, Goins detailed.

The first service will be 10 a.m. on Sunday at Rennaissance Church in Jamestown.

A Gallup poll released earlier this year suggested that less than half of American respondents (49%) have formal church membership, marking an 80-year low. In 1937, 70% of Americans had a formal church membership.

Data from the National Public Opinion Reference Survey conducted by Pew Research Center from May 29 to Aug. 25, 2021, finds that just under half (45%) of adults in the United States say they pray daily, a decrease of 13 percentage points from 2007. In 2014, 55% said they prayed daily.

Even though self-identified Christians are still the largest religious demographic in the U.S., they make up a collective 63% of the adult population. When the Pew Research Center began measuring religious identity in 2007, self-identified Christians outnumbered nones 78% to 16%.

The study noted the decline in Christians nationwide was mostly concentrated among respondents who identified as Protestant. Their numbers declined by 10% in the last decade and 4% in the last five years.

Last month, the 221-year-old First Presbyterian Church in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, permanently closed its doors on Christmas Eve due to declining membership and attendance.

The Potters House of Denver announced plans last month to sell its $12.2 million megachurch in Arapahoe County, Colorado, and go completely virtual amid declining donations amid the pandemic.
Jackie Hill Perry: Christians who blame God for sin elevate Satan

Jackie Hill Perry, who made the decision years ago to leave a lesbian lifestyle to follow Christ, warned young Christians against blaming God for their sins.

The 32-year-old poet, speaker and hip-hop artist who hails from St. Louis, Missouri, told the Gen Zers gathered at Passion 2022 that when Christians cannot accurately define God, without defining the word holiness because God is holy. And when Christians blame God for the sin in the world, they deny the holy nature of God by projecting human nature onto Him.

The things humans believe about God determine how they behave, Perry said, and at the root of all sin is unbelief in the Word and in God's worth.

Whats problematic about our sinful nature?" she asked those gathered Monday at the two-day annual conference spearheaded by Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia. "We talk about God like Hes unjust, just because He allows some suffering in our world. We open up His Word and we refuse to believe its true, as if God had the potential to lie to you. But who I described sounds more like the devil than it does God, she added.

Who do you suppose we are imagining God as when holiness is disregarded in our definitions of Him? We have somehow supposed that Satan sits on the throne."

You dont have sex with people you arent married to just because youre lustful, you do it because you dont believe that God is Lord of the body, she declared. You didnt take a job that God told you not to just because youre disobedient. You did it because you didnt believe that God can provide for you at a lower wage.

It is very difficult for Christians to be holy sometimes, Perry said, because they tend to try to modify behavior externally without dealing with the belief systems at the root of their sinful issues.

I have a suspicion. I think that one reason why faith and, therefore, holiness is so difficult for us is because we live in a constant state of self-preservation. Weve experienced all kinds of pain, betrayal, abuse, unfaithfulness, inconsistency, dishonesty. We know this world isn't safe because sinners live here, so we are always trying to protect ourselves from the potential of any kind of hurt, any kind of pain, any kind of suffering, she explained.

And I wonder if, underneath our doubt, the reason why we dont trust God, and therefore we struggle with holiness, is because we have a suspicion that God isnt safe either; that He is just like the father that left us, that He is like the mother that didnt nurture us, the friend that didnt listen to us, or the person in a position of power that abused us, Perry posited.

So when God uses His Word and His son to reveal Himself as a heavenly parent or a faithful friend or our Lord, we dont relinquish control, surrender our wills because we have mistakenly projected onto God the nature of everybody that has sinned against us, she said.

Perry further explained that if God is holy, He cannot sin, which, in turn, means He cannot sin against them.

If God cannot sin against you, doesnt that make Him the most trustworthy being that exists? The holy God is a God that is without fault.

Earlier in her talk, Perry reminded those gathered that, as Christians, they have the ability to know the real definition of holy as they begin to get a better understanding of God's character and make that their foundational truth and sole definition of the Lord.

How we define the term [holy] cannot and should not start with the people you know or the feelings you have, Perry advised. Holiness finds its most precise definition in who God has revealed Himself to be.

Theres a lot of baggage around the word holy, Perry continued. Some of us hear the word and immediately think about people who are always dressed in a particular kind of apparel. They are serious. They are strict. They are rigid. And they seem to be resistant to fun.

Oftentimes, Perry said, Christians have false definitions of the word holy, and it makes them uncomfortable.

Some of us hear the word holy and we immediately feel something, she said. We might feel fear. We feel shame. We might feel even defensive or on guard or we might feel curious.

Seems like we are in a world where definitions are always changing. Consider words like man, woman, marriage, salvation, truth, love, privilege, oppression, and how each word might mean different things to different people, Perry pointed out.

But when we get to God, we dont have the authority to redefine or re-imagine Him. We dont have the right to redefine or reimagine holiness either. Because God is holy, she emphasized.

Reading from Isaiah 6:1-8, Perry also shared how the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne and He heard the heavenly creatures called seraphim praising God and singing about the doctrinal nature of God to one another. The seraphim were praising God by saying to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.

If the seraphim were suddenly replaced by people, in our current cultural context, then the lyrics of their song might be different, Perry said. If we asked someone and gave them the supernatural ability to leave Earth and enter Heaven and stand near the throne and ask them to sing and attribute [it to] God, they would stand there, open up their mouths and out of it would come: Love, love, love, is the Lord of hosts.

God is love, Perry said before suggesting that Christians should ask themselves: Would God be love if God wasnt holy?

Without righteousness permeating His being, setting Him apart from all that is arrogant, all that is abusive, all that is self-serving, self-protected and self-centered, if there was no righteousness, if there was no moral purity in God, would He be able to love you at all? Perry asked.

It is because God is holy that He is also kind, humble, honest, faithful, aka, loving, she declared.

When the seraphim had a chance to say something about the nature of God, they said, He is holy, Perry noted, stressing the repetition of the seraphims praises. They mention Gods holiness more than two times, Perry said, and in Hebrew, literature repetition is a way of putting emphasis on words and phrases.

In the same way, when Jesus wanted to emphasize the truthfulness of His statements, He would say: truly, truly, she added.

Repetition adds emphasis. So to say that God is holy, holy, holy implies that the seraphim recognized that God is not merely holy, but God is most holy, supremely holy, completely holy, utterly holy, she said.

Perry recalled that throughout her early experiences in church, holiness meant different things to her based on how other people acted toward her.

It was God is holy. Im not, so Im going to Hell, Perry recounted of her early church days. It also seemed like holy people talked about Hell all the time. You could laugh at the wrong joke and theyll be like: Youre going to laugh your way straight to Hell.

And I was confused about why I have to be efficient, even on my way to damnation.  It just seemed like holy people always liked to talk about judgment, always liked to talk about sin, always liked to talk about wrath, she continued.

As a result of her early church experiences, Perry said she once believed that holiness was only about rule-keeping and judgment.

I think most of us at one point may have had a narrow, most likely negative framework of the term holy, and I want you to know if that is the case, then it has affected how you view and thus interact with God, Perry added. Because if by holy we only mean restriction, and not also the possibility of freedom or simply wrath and not mercy, then when you hear God is holy, holy, holy, you will be pessimistic and guarded. You will not be moved to worship.

As Perry concluded her talk, she advised the audience that during times when other people are abandoning the faith and deconstructing their faith, to hold on to theirs.

You dont have a choice. Hold on to yours. Why? because where are you going to go? she asked. Who else has the Words of eternal life? Who else is able to save? Who else is able to comfort you when youre hurt and heal you when youre wounded? Who else is able to keep you from falling if not the holy, holy God?

This Lord, this King, this Son, this Jesus is holy, holy, holy, she concluded.

In addition to Perry, other speakers at the Passion 2022 conference included: Pastor Louie Giglio, Sadie Robertson Huff, David Platt, Christine Caine, Timothy Tebow and many others.
Biden's education secretary urged NSBA to write letter labeling parents domestic terrorists: emails

Newly released emails reveal that a controversial letter likening parents to domestic terrorists for raising concerns about the material their children were exposed to in public schools was crafted at the request of U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

A chain of emails released by the advocacy group Parents Defending Education on Tuesday documented a conversation between two National School Boards Association members, Marnie Maldonado and Kristi Swett.

The conversation took place on Oct. 5-6, 2021, after the leadership of the National School Boards Association wrote a letter to President Joe Biden asking for federal assistance to stop threats and acts of violence against public schoolchildren, public school board members, and other public school district officials and educators.

The Sept. 29 letter sought to label parents as angry mobs for speaking out against masking their children at schools and raising concerns about materials promoting trans activism, pedophilia, and critical race theory. Parents' disagreements with school board members at meetings were to be classified by federal agencies as heinous actions [that] could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes.

In an Oct. 5 email to Swett, a member of the NSBA leadership, Maraldo inquired as to whether the NSBA letter to Biden violated the boards procedure outlining the emergency powers of the NSBAs Executive Committee.

The policy states that when it is not feasible or possible for the board to meet, the Executive Committee shall have general authority to act for the board on policy decisions or to make statements on public issues subject to the constraint that the decisions or statements are within the limits of and consistent with the NSBA beliefs and policies and constitution and bylaws.

Additionally, the policy stresses that such authority to act for the board shall be taken only when the Executive Committee has declared an emergency and determined that it is not possible or feasible for the board to meet as an assembled body, by telephone or by mail. It also requires the Executive Committee to inform members of the NSBA of any emergency action of the Executive Committee within 24 hours.

I am very concerned about the process by which the statement was made and the tone that essentially allowed the White House to direct the Attorney General to consider members of our community domestic terrorists, Maraldo wrote. I agree that we need to focus on civility, and we should be looking to our local law enforcement to protect board members and deal with threats of violence. I would have appreciated an opportunity to work with my fellow board members to give better direction on this very delicate topic.

Swett responded to Maraldo on Oct. 6, telling her: I didnt think the letter fell under an emergency situation, it certainly was not characterized that way when [then-NSBA Interim Executive Director] Chip [Slaven] told the officers he was writing a letter to provide information to the White House, from a request by Secretary Cardona.

Swetts reply indicates that Cardona was involved in the development of the letter, which was written as parents descended on school board meetings to express their outrage about the sexually explicit material available in high school libraries and curriculum. Parents have also expressed opposition to the teaching of critical race theory in public schools at school board meetings.

The NSBA letter, combined with a memorandum published by the U.S. Department of Justice five days later that asked federal law enforcement agencies to facilitate the discussion of strategies for addressing threats against school administrators, board members, teachers and staff, resulted in considerable backlash.

A group of parents filed a lawsuit against the DOJ over its memo and many state affiliates cut ties with the NSBA in the weeks that followed the letters publication. The Minnesota School Board Association was the most recent to terminate its membership with the NBSA.

The debate about parents role in their childrens education impacted the outcome of state and local elections in November. The 1776 Project PAC, which endorsed school board candidates opposed to CRT, reported that a majority of the candidates it endorsed emerged victorious in their races. In the Virginia gubernatorial election, Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe, who declared: I dont think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.

The chain of emails released Tuesday is not the first indication that the Biden administration was involved in the development of the Sept. 29 letter. Parents Defending Education previously obtained an Oct. 2 email where NSBA President Viola Garcia informed members of the organizations Board of Directors that NSBA has been engaged with the White House and the Department of Education on these and other issues related to the pandemic for several weeks now.

The same chain of emails, released by Parents Defending in Education in October, includes an email sent by Slaven to NSBA board members with the letter attached. Slaven spoke of talks over the last several weeks with White House staff, noting that they requested additional information on some of the specific threats.
Blasphemy laws dont protect religion, they kill people: USCIRF hearing

Blasphemy laws in nearly half the worlds countries encourage violence to be inflicted on religious minorities, said researchers at a virtual hearing presented by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

The hearing on Wednesday announced the release of a new report titled, "Violating Rights: Enforcing the World's Blasphemy Laws," which examined the impact of blasphemy laws worldwide. Well-natured politicians in those countries often believe forbidding insults to religion will lead to less violence, researchers said. But in reality, forced conformity creates more oppression.

In many nations with blasphemy laws, mobs attack and kill people who have been accused of blasphemy, said University of California School of Law lecturer Amjad Khan.

Nations that criminalize blasphemy tend to foster an environment where terrorism is more legitimized, prevalent and insidious. Most notably, nation-states that enforce blasphemy laws are indeed statistically more likely to experience terrorist attacks, said Khan.

Of the 84 nations with blasphemy laws, 43 do not enforce the blasphemy laws in their legal code. Most blasphemy laws are poorly designed, vaguely worded and have unclear penalties, USCIRF chair Gayle Manchin said to The Christian Post.

Blasphemy is defined as insulting or showing contempt for God, but of course that pertains to your own beliefs or expression of beliefs," she said. "Freedom of expression totally invalidates blasphemy laws.

Even when governments dont enforce blasphemy laws, they can still threaten religious liberty. Often, mobs violently attack people accused of blasphemy and say they were enforcing the law to escape punishment, said Jocelyn Getgen Kestenbaum, an associate professor of clinical law at Cardozo School of Law.

There is an issue of mob driven violence at the hands of non-state perpetrators. One hundred and thirty-six incidents of mob violence were reported from 2014 to 2018, she said. Sometimes thousands of victims were involved in mob action.

The hearing included Shaan Taseer, the son of the late Pakistan Gov. Salman Taseer. A bodyguard killed the governor in 2011 because of his plan to reform the country's strict blasphemy law. Though he was accused of blasphemy, courts posthumously found Taseers father innocent of the charge.

Salman Taseer had been accused by hardline groups of committing blasphemy by criticizing Pakistan's blasphemy law, which is supposed to protect Muslim sentiments, but according to human rights groups is often used to settle personal scores and oppress Christians and other religious minorities.

He was also known for standing up for Christians who were being punished by the country's blasphemy laws, including Asia Bibi, who was on death row for eight years after being accused of insulting Islam. Bibi was acquitted by a court in 2018 and granted asylum in Canada. She's been seeking asylum in France since the beginning of this year.

Being accused of Pakistan is in itself a death sentence with no judge, no jury, straight to the executioner. People are beaten to death, shot on the spot for only an accusation, Taseer said. I, too, have been accused of blasphemy and have a fatwa on my head. A mob believes that anyone who kills me will get a ticket to Heaven.

In Pakistan, people accused of blasphemy tend to come from poor, minority groups and are often illiterate. People almost always get accused by a neighbor after a previous disagreement, and they never get a fair trial, Taseer said. Blasphemy accusations are legal murder.

Surprisingly, countries including Germany, Scotland, Denmark, Canada and Italy still have blasphemy laws, said Manchin. Germany plans to apply its blasphemy law to internet content. In strongly religious countries where authoritarian governments rule, blasphemy laws are the strictest. In Brunei, Pakistan and Iran, blasphemy bears the death penalty.

In countries that are governed by authoritarians and where there is a majority religion, there infiltrates an idea that everybody needs to believe the same thing. If you dont, youre a threat to the majority, Manchin said. Countries that have the strictest blasphemy laws also have the greatest extent of mob violence. Theyre turning a blind eye and allowing these hate groups to enforce laws they have on the books.

At the hearing, Sen. James Langford, R-Okla., called attention to a recent congressional resolution against blasphemy laws which he sponsored.

The resolution would make the repeal of other countries blasphemy laws a priority for the United States, designate countries with blasphemy laws as countries of particular concern, and oppose the U.N.'s efforts to create international blasphemy norms.

The resolution has already in the House, but Senate leaders are blocking it from getting a vote, he said.

Many countries dont want to be able to discuss blasphemy and apostate laws, and they choose to hide these things, Langford said. We cannot turn a blind eye to this because it has been exposed.

From 2014 to 2018, more countries have made new blasphemy laws than have repealed them, Manchin said. In some countries, laws on blasphemy have improved considerably. Iceland, Norway, France, Malta, Denmark, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Greece, Scotland and Uzbekistan all removed their blasphemy laws. A key factor in their decisions was pressure from the U.S. to change the laws.

We have found that what the U.S. thinks of other countries makes a difference. Most countries care what they look like to the rest of the world, said Manchin. In many cases, they try to do better. Sudan is a case where theyre winding down and slowly working away from it.
Egypt releases Coptic Christian activist after 2 years in pretrial detention

Religious freedom advocacy organizations are praising the Egyptian government for releasing from detention a Coptic Christian activist who has spoken out against the mistreatment faced by Coptic Christians in the country.

Ramy Kamel was released from prison Saturday after spending more than two years in detention for what the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and the advocacy group Coptic Solidarity described as spurious charges.

Specifically, Kamel was accused of joining a terror group and broadcasting false information and receiving foreign funding. But supporters say he was jailed because of his journalism and human rights activism.

Advocacy groups, including In Defense of Christians and International Christian Concern, expressed gratitude for his release while maintaining that Egypt has a long way to go to ensure equal treatment of Coptic Christians under the law.

We applaud the Egyptian government for the release of Ramy Kamel, said IDC Executive Director Richard Ghazal in a statement. While the Egyptian government of President Sisi, in recent years, has demonstrated incremental progress through constitutional reforms, there is still much more work to be done to afford Coptic Christians equal citizenship in their native homeland.

ICC President Jeff King said in a statement that the organization welcomes Kamels release after years of advocacy.

Despite this victory, we cannot ignore the fact that Egypt has a long record of pursuing superficial human rights changes in an attempt to manage its international reputation, King said. But Egypts human rights record is equally clear: the situation is very bad. And for Christians, who are already forced to live on the edge of society, the consequences can be devastating.

Kenneth Roth, the executive director of the human rights advocacy group Human Rights Watch, reacted to Kamels release on Twitter.

Great that President Sisis Egyptian government finally releases Coptic rights activist Ramy Kamel after wrongfully forcing him to spend two years in detention. He never should have been jailed. There are tens of thousands of imprisoned Egyptians like him.

Great that President Sisi's Egyptian government finally releases Coptic rights activist Ramy Kamel after wrongfully forcing him to spend two years in detention. He never should have been jailed. There are tens of thousands of imprisoned Egyptians like him. https://t.co/9MAgg3WL1e  Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) January 10, 2022



Ned Price, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, issued a statement to Al-Monitor State Department Correspondent Elizabeth Hagedorn encouraging the government of Egypt to continue additional releases of long-term detainees.

"We welcomed the release this weekend of activists Ramy Kamel and Ramy Shaath from pre-trial detention in #Egypt," @StateDeptSpox says.



"We encourage the government of Egypt to continue additional releases of long-term detainees."  Elizabeth Hagedorn (@ElizHagedorn) January 11, 2022

According to the Jubilee Campaign, a non-profit organization that promotes the human rights and religious liberty of ethnic and religious minorities in the most oppressive countries, Kamels arrest occurred directly after he applied for a Swiss visa to attend the UN Forum of Minority Issues in Geneva as a speaker on the forced displacement of and discrimination against Coptic Christians.

Kamel was ambushed and arrested in his home on 23 November 2019 after he had been documenting attacks on Coptic Christian churches and houses of worship in Egypt, the Jubilee Campaign reported. Upon his arrest, which was carried out without a warrant, police also confiscated personal information documents, his computer and cellphone, and even his camera.

The Jubilee Campaign said it is believed that Kamel [had been] physically assaulted by the police as a means of acquiring his passwords for his electronic devices, and that he [had] faced other means of cruel treatment in detention, including being denied medication for his asthma and high blood pressure conditions. Additionally, Kamel reportedly received extraordinarily few visits from his family or legal counsel.

Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, ranks Egypt as the 16th worst country in the world for Christian persecution on its 2021 World Watch List.

Egypt is home to more than 16 million Christians, who account for a little less than one-sixth of the total population.

Open Doors USA attributes the adverse treatment of Christians in Egypt to dictatorial paranoia. The most common acts of persecution against Christians in the African nation include Christian women being harassed while walking in the street and Christian communities being driven out of their homes by extremist mobs.

A lack of serious law enforcement, combined with the unwillingness of local authorities to protect Christians, compounds the danger faced by the religious minority in Egypt.
Pakistan acquits Christian man sentenced to death for 'blasphemy,' but he remains in danger

A Christian man sentenced to death has been acquitted by a Pakistani court six years after he was charged with blaspheming the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

On Tuesday, the Lahore High Court acquitted Sawan Masih, a street sweeper from the eastern city of Lahore who was sentenced to death in March 2014 under Pakistans notorious blasphemy laws, PTI reports.

A Lahore High Court division bench headed by Justice Syed Shehbaz Ali Rizvi acquitted Sawan Masih, a court official told PTI on Tuesday. The court official went on to say that the Lahore High Court also ordered Masih to be released from custody.

Masih, a father of three, was accused by his Muslim friend, Muhammad Shahid, of insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad during a conversation in the eastern Lahore city's Joseph Colony. According to Shahid, Masih said, My Jesus is genuine. He is the Son of Allah. He will return while your prophet is false. My Jesus is true and will give salvation.

However, Masih denied the charges and said the accusations were made due to a property dispute.

The following day, mosques recounted the accusation against Masih over their PA systems, prompting a mob of more than 3,000 Muslims to loot and burn 180 Christian homes, 75 shops, and at least two churches. Amid the violence, Christian families were forced to flee the area.

Masih was handed over to the police and was later charged under Section 295-C of Pakistans Penal Code. He was later sentenced to death under Section 295-C by Judge Chaudhry Ghulam Murtaza, saying he "must be hanged and fined," in a trial held in the Lahore Camp Jail due to security concerns.

The sentencing also included a fine of Rs.200,000 (roughly $2,050).

Masih filed an appeal against the death sentence, raising objections to the police investigation and prosecution, and pleading that the blasphemy charges were fabricated by individuals who wanted to occupy the property of the Joseph Colony.

"The trial had ignored the basic principles of criminal justice in general and principles of Islamic Justice in this case. It committed material irregularity in non-reading and misreading of the evidence on record that has caused serious miscarriage of justice.

"The trial court completely ignored a serious lapse in the prosecution case of 33 hours of un-explained ordinate delay in recording the FIR over such a sensitive issue by the complainant and also ignored, the case law of the superior courts cited at the Bar by the defense counsel," Masih said in his appeal.

The Lahore High Court decided that the prosecution had failed to establish that Masih had committed blasphemy and acquitted him reversing his death sentence.

However, PTI notes that though Masih will be freed soon, his family faces threats and is in hiding.

William Stark, persecution watchdog International Christian Concerns Regional Manager for South Asia, applauded the ruling, noting it is rare to see such a high profile blasphemy case against a Christian justly resolved at the High Court level in Pakistan.

However, Stark said ICC is deeply concerned for the safety of Sawan and his family, as extremists in Pakistan are known to target individuals accused of religious crimes, like blasphemy, even if they have been acquitted.

The abuse of Pakistans blasphemy laws must be curbed and false allegations must be rooted out and punished. Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minority communities. Without real reform, religious minorities, including Christians, will face more false blasphemy accusations and the extreme violence that often accompanies these accusations.



Amnesty International notes that Pakistans notorious blasphemy laws are often used against religious minorities and others who are the target of false accusations. They also embolden vigilantes prepared to threaten or kill the accused, it says.

At the U.S. State Departments 2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom last July, Pakistani human rights activist Shaan Taseer said there are as many as 200 people jailed in Pakistan on blasphemy charges.

In September, police in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province arrested a Christian man on charges of blasphemy after residents alleged they found pages torn from a Quran inside a drain. He now faces the death penalty.

In August, a Christian man was charged with blasphemy for making a theological argument on Facebook that Muslims deemed insulting toward the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He too is now facing a potential death sentence for the post.

In 2014, a Christian couple was burned to death inside of a brick kiln by an enraged Muslim mob after they were falsely accused of ripping pages out of a Quran.

Pakistan is ranked as the fifth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List.
Teen mom who confessed to tossing newborn in dumpster is charged with attempted murder

A New Mexico teenager who confessed to police that she was the mother of a newborn baby found discarded in a dumpster and that she was the one who left the child has been charged with attempted murder and felony child abuse.

In a statement shared on Facebook, the Hobbs Police Department said that at about 8 p.m. last Friday, officers were called to the 1400 block of N. Thorp Street about a baby found in a dumpster.

Shortly after confirming the report, they provided assistance to the newborn. Hobbs EMS transported the child to a Lubbock, Texas, hospital for pediatric treatment. After reviewing the surveillance video of the area, police identified 18-year-old Alexis Avila as a suspect in the case. She later confessed that she gave birth to the baby at another location before leaving the child in a dumpster.

Avila is scheduled for a court appearance in Lovington on Wednesday afternoon. She is charged with attempting to commit first-degree murder.

Joe Imbriale, the owner of Rig Outfitters and Home Store, told KOB4 that when police called him Friday night with a request to view his surveillance footage, he knew something wasn't right.

I saw the officers' faces, and they did not look right. They really didn't, he said.

"I said, 'What is it we are looking for?' And she goes, 'We're looking for somebody who dumped a black garbage bag in your dumpster.' I turned around, I said, 'Please don't tell me it was a baby,'" the business owner said.

The video shows a woman believed to be Avila leaving the dumpster at about 2 p.m. Friday. Around six hours later, three people are shown searching through the dumpster and pulling out a black bag.

A woman in the group pulls out the newborn and cares for it, while a male quickly uses his phone. Police later arrived on the scene.

"I was in shock just to see this, Imbriale said.

According to a criminal complaint, Avila told police that she didnt know she was pregnant until a Jan. 6 doctor's appointment she had for abdominal pain.

She said the day she gave birth, the baby came "unexpectedly" when she went to the bathroom. She said she panicked as she cut the umbilical cord.

She wrapped the baby in a towel, placed the child in a bag with some trash, then put them in another bag and tied the bag shut. When asked what she thought would happen to the child after it was placed in the dumpster, she said nothing.

One of Avila's school friends at Hobbs High School, who declined to be named but has known her since freshman year, challenged her claim to police that she did not know she was pregnant in an interview with The Daily Mail.

I heard her talk about being pregnant around late September, early October, the friend said. She never expressed that it was a bad thing that she was pregnant.

On Dec. 17, she reportedly dropped out of high school. The 16-year-old father of the child, who was not named in the report because he is a minor, told the publication that Avila was aware of her pregnancy well before January but told him she had a miscarriage.

The baby boy is reportedly currently in the custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department. Those wanting to make donations to help the baby can contact the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department, the police department announced Tuesday night.

The teen father says he wants custody of the baby and has called him Saul, according to The Daily Mail. While he remains younger than the legal age of consent in New Mexico, which is 17, Avila is not expected to face statutory rape charges because she is less than four years older than him.

Imbriale said hes now having difficulty sleeping.

I can't sleep at night just knowing that this baby was just tossed in a dumpster like that. I'm sorry, but who does that? he asked. That is evil. I don't have words for it."
3 men sentenced to life in prison for Ahmaud Arbery murder: 'All praise to God'

The three white men convicted of killing 25-year-old unarmed African American Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia have been sentenced to life in prison.

Judge Timothy Walmsley in Georgia sentenced 35-year-old Travis McMichael and his 66-year-old father, Gregory McMichael, a retired police detective, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Meanwhile, their 52-year-old neighbor William Roddie Bryan, 52, was also was sentenced to life in prison but with the possibility of parole.

On Feb. 23, 2020, Arbery was shot to death while jogging outside the city of Brunswick, Georgia.

A widely-shared video leaked by Greg McMichael to a local radio station showed Arbery being chased by a white Ford pickup truck as he ran through the Satilla Shores subdivision. Arbery briefly disappeared off-camera as a gunshot was heard in the background. Two more shots rang out as Arbery appeared back in the footage before falling to the ground. He was dead by the time the police arrived at the scene.

In this case, I think many people are seeking closure, the judge said before the sentencing on Friday.

The mother, the father, the community, and maybe even parts of the nation, but closure is hard to define and is a granular concept. Its seen differently by all depending on their perspective and the prism of your lives.

The judge called for silence for one minute.

That one minute represents a fraction of the time that Ahmaud Arbery was running in Satilla Shores, he said. When I thought about this, I thought from a lot of different angles, and I kept coming back to the terror that must have been in the mind of the young man running through Satilla Shores.

Arberys parents, Wanda Cooper-Jones and Marcus Arbery, also addressed the court.

These men have chose[n] to lie and attack my son and his surviving family. They each have no remorse and do not deserve any leniency, Cooper-Jones said. They chose to treat him differently than other people who frequently visited their community. And when they couldnt sufficiently scare him or intimidate him, they killed him.

You know, something that just does not sit right with me at this time? The man who killed my son has sat in this courtroom every single day next to his father, Marcus Arbery said. Ill never get that chance to sit next to my son ever again  not at the dinner table, not at the holidays and not at a wedding. When I close my eyes, I see his execution in my mind over and over. Ill see that for the rest of my life.

The defense had argued that Travis McMichael was trying to make a citizens arrest of Arbery, whom they suspected of burgling a nearby home under construction. The defense had also argued the shooting was an act of self-defense because Arbery was resisting McMichaels attempt at an arrest. The judge noted in his closing statement before sentencing that the men admitted they didnt know for sure that Arbery had done anything wrong. He said Greg McMichael tried to "establish a narrative early on in the case.

The sentencing comes about two months after a jury found the three men guilty of murder in the highly-publicized case that has been among those at the forefront of nationwide protests for racial justice.

The Arbery murder trial was attended by prominent African American faith leaders and civil rights activists, such as the Rev. Al Sharpton. National headlines were made after Bryans defense attorney complained in court about the presence of prominent black pastors.

Jamal Bryant, the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia, had called on pastors from around the country to join him in forming a human prayer wall against racism and injustice at the Glynn County Courthouse. Bryant accompanied Arberys mother to the sentencing Friday.

All praise to God. Nobody said the road was going to be easy. But we dont believe He has brought us this far to leave us now, Bryant said in a news conference after the sentencing. We want to thank the citizens of Brunswick for standing around this family, undergirding them with love and support.

President Joe Biden released a statement soon after the verdict was announced in November, saying that Arberys killing was a devastating reminder of how far we have to go in the fight for racial justice in this country.

Nothing can bring Mr. Arbery back to his family and to his community, but the verdict ensures that those who committed this horrible crime will be punished, stated the president.
Mother Teresa's charity no longer banned from receiving foreign donations in India

Indias government has restored the license of Mother Teresas charity to receive and spend overseas funds for its work in the country less than two weeks after blocking the Catholic group from receiving foreign donations. Licenses of many other Christian groups remain revoked.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reversed the ban on the Missionaries of Charity on Friday, Vatican News reported. The charity founded by the Albanian-Indian Catholic nun runs orphanages and schools for abandoned children and relies heavily on foreign donations to carry out its mission.

We never expected that our registration could be cancelled but it happened, Sunita Kumar told the Union of Catholic Asia News agency. We are happy that the restoration of our license happened without much delay."

On Christmas Day, the government agency announced that Missionaries of Charity no longer met eligibility requirements under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act because the charity was found to have adverse inputs when its renewal application was reviewed.

About a week before Christmas, police in the western state of Gujarat began investigating the charity after officials filed a police complaint under the states anti-conversion law, alleging the nuns were forcibly converting girls.

Police filed the case for allegedly hurting Hindu religious sentiments and luring young girls toward Christianity in a shelter home the charity runs in Vadodara city, The Indian Express reported at the time.

The police complaint said the charitys Home for Girls in Makarpura area was forcing girls to read the Bible and pray with the intention of steering them into Christianity.

A spokesperson from the charity had denied that it was involved in any religious conversion activity.

We have 24 girls in the home. These girls live with us and they follow our practice as they see us doing the same when we pray and live, the spokesperson said. We have not converted anyone or forced anyone to marry into Christian faith.

Founded by the famed Roman Catholic nun in 1950 in Calcutta, the charity runs orphanages, schools for abandoned children, soup kitchens and other charitable operations. The organization serves the poorest of the poor, irrespective of social class, creed or color.

We deliberately choose to show Gods concern for the poorest and the lowliest, remaining right on the ground, while offering immediate and effective service to those in need, until they can find someone who can help them in a better and more lasting way, the website notes.

Bishop M. Jagjivan, the moderator of the National Christian Council, an organization representing Indias Christian community, told The Wall Street Journal last month that Indias government has increasingly rejected foreign-funding approvals for Christian groups, forcing many faith-run organizations to shut.

On Jan. 1, 2022, the interior ministry published a list of more than 6,000 nonprofits whose FCRA registrations had been deemed to cease, many of which are Christian groups, including the Catholic organization Salesians of Don Bosco.

These NGOs can no longer receive any foreign contribution. They can also not utilize what they have already received, said the list.

In 2017, Christian child sponsorship organization Compassion International, which helped 147,000 children in India, ceased operations in India after being blocked from receiving foreign funding. Over 100 members of U.S. Congress wrote a letter to Indias interior minister calling for Compassion International to be allowed to receive foreign funds.

In 2020, the Indian government banned six other Christian groups from receiving foreign funds: New Life Fellowship Association, Evangelical Churches Association of Manipur, Ecreosoculis North Western Gossner Evangelical, and Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Believers Church, a network founded by Gospel for Asias K.P. Yohannan, and three other associated organizations were blocked from receiving foreign funds in 2017.

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014, Indias government has increasingly tightened rules on foreign funding of non-governmental organizations, many of them religious.

While Christians make up only 2.3% of Indias population and Hindus comprise about 80%, there has been an uptick in radical Hindu nationalist attacks on religious minorities and prosecution of anti-conversion laws.

Several Indian states, including Gujarat, have passed anti-conversion laws, which presume that Christians force or give financial benefits to Hindus to lure them into converting to Christianity.

While some of these laws have been around for decades, no Christian has been convicted of forcibly converting anyone to Christianity. These laws embolden Hindu nationalist organizations to make false charges against Christians and conduct mob attacks.

The watchdog group Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, reports that Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences.

Hindu extremists believe that all Indians should be Hindus and that the country should be rid of Christianity and Islam, an Open Doors fact sheet on India explains. They use extensive violence to achieve this goal, particularly targeting Christians from a Hindu background. Christians are accused of following a foreign faith and blamed for bad luck in their communities.

For Indias Christians, 2021 was the most violent year in the countrys history, according to a report. At least 486 violent incidents of Christian persecution were reported in the year.
UK girls' school association bans trans-identified biological boys from enrollment

An association of 25 girls schools in England and Wales has adopted a new policy to maintain the institutions single-sex status by refusing admissions to trans-identified biological male students.

The Girls Day School Trust updated its policy on gender identity last month, saying its committed to single-sex education for girls, and, therefore, admissions to the schools are based on the prospective students legal sex as recorded on their birth certificate.

Applications from students who are legally female but who identify as trans or non-binary will be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis, the policy states. Single-sex schools present a particular context for transgender students. There may be cultural challenges involved in a trans student who does not identify as a girl attending a school which deliberately tailors its ethos and educational approach to cater specifically for girls.

The policy argues that admissions policies based on gender identity instead of sex recorded on a students birth certificate would jeopardise the status of GDST schools as single-sex schools under the act.

For this reason, GDST schools do not accept applications from students who are legally male, the policy stresses. We will, however, continue to monitor the legal interpretation of this exemption.

GDST Chief Executive Cheryl Giovannoni said in a statement that its member schools are able to operate a single-sex admissions policy, without breaching the Equality Act 2010 on the basis of an exemption relating to biological sex.

Under current laws and guidance, the GDST believes that an admissions policy based on gender identity rather than the legal sex recorded on a students birth certificate could jeopardise the status of GDST schools as single-sex schools under the act, Giovannoni maintains.

Teacher and trans campaigner Debbie Hayton wrote an op-ed for the UnHerd titled A Win for Common Sense at The Girls Day School Trust.

As the law stands, children in the UK cannot acquire a Gender Recognition Certificate which means they cannot change their legal sex, Hayton wrote. So that means that there is no question about girls schools excluding girls who choose to identify as boys: they are still female legally as well as biologically. Trans-identified girls are not being turned down.

The group being excluded are boys who identify as girls, but not because of their gender identity, Hayton continued. One only needs to look as far as the Equality Act 2010, which allows single-sex schools to refuse to admit pupils of the opposite sex. ... Those boys remain legally male and therefore ineligible.

Headteachers in the United Kingdom have called on the Department for Education to frame national guidance on transgender issues to be published as education leaders are struggling to cope, according to The Telegraph.

It is a really big issue and the lack of formal guidance for schools is something that we are concerned about, Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School of College Leaders, was quoted as saying. This issue has grown quite rapidly over the past few years and it certainly feels like something that has become much more common. It is increasingly something that almost all schools are having to think about, but particularly single sex schools.

In 2017, when the gender identity issue was becoming more prominent in the U.K. and the number of children referred to gender identity clinics was on the rise, a major school guide announced that it would rate schools based on how transgender-friendly they are.

Sally-Anne Huang, the headmistress of the private James Allens Girls School in south London, said at the time that she would no longer be calling her students girls to avoid potentially offending pupils who were questioning their gender.

I try not to say girls, [but] when you have been teaching for 20 years, it is very hard not to say girls, she said, according to The Sunday Times.

Some critics have, however, warned that pushing trans issues on young people risks leaving them confused.

Chris McGovern, a former adviser to the Department for Education, warned in 2017 that people are making a career out of encouraging children to question gender at an age when they need to be left to be children.

When teachers raise these issues children can become confused or unhappy and traumatized by it, he said.
When Pacific Yard Houses New Years Eve party was at 60-percent capacity, it was a huge relief for manager Teak Daniele.

Typically, the venues New Years Eve bash is sold out and packed with revelers. But this year at least, Daniele was glad that was not the case.

I didnt have to worry about how many people were in the building at one time and I would have been a lot more uncomfortable if it was packed, he said.

On New Years Eve, the venue was just getting back on its feet after being closed for most of the week between Christmas and New Years Eve. Several staff members tested positive for COVID-19 as did Daniele. The restaurant was deep cleaned and reopened for a half day on Dec. 30 before returning to its regular schedule Dec. 31.

For Daniele, it ended up being an easy decision to close for those few days as he put the safety of both his staff and the community at top priority.

Its a balancing act many small businesses are facing now as the omicron wave  COVID-19s most recent variant  sweeps across the area causing yet more disruption and uncertainty for the already battered hospitality industry.

On YourConroeNews.com: As restaurants bouce back from pandemic, staffing woes linger

On Tuesday afternoon, the Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, confirmed that the county reached an all-time high of COVID-19 active cases in Montgomery County. According to the latest data from the health district, active COVID-19 cases increased by 7,105 to 16,652 from the last report on Jan. 4 through Tuesday afternoon.

But there is some good news. The health district also reported Tuesday that those who have been vaccinated and/or boosted tend to have mild symptoms and the majority can recover at home. Roughly 57 percent of the countys 562,000 residents are vaccinated.

According to a report by the Houston Chronicle, the omicron variant is extremely transmissible and while researchers have detected more omicron cases in vaccinated residents than with other variants, vaccinated people who become infected are significantly less likely to need hospitalization than their unvaccinated peers. Montgomery Countys positivity rate is 38 percent as of Tuesday afternoon, up from 23 percent last week.

The wave is another blow to the hospitality industry that has been upended by the pandemic for two years now. While the mandated shutdowns and restrictions are a thing of the past in Texas, restaurants still struggle with staffing shortages, supply chain issues and workers getting sick during this recent wave.

Despite all this, local restaurants operators in Montgomery County still feel very fortunate.

At Pacific Yard House, a perfect storm scenario lead to the restaurants pause between Christmas and New Years.

On YourConroeNews.com: COVID cases soar in Montgomery County

Daniele said theyve been operating under COVID-19 for almost two years now and they have procedures in place to allow them to keep moving forward during the pandemic.

Weve operated under COVID-19 for a long time and weve never had more than one or two people out, ever, he said. The venue employees roughly 50 people.

Early in the week of Christmas a few of his staff members were not feeling well, then like dominoes more and more fell ill. Daniele started not feeling well the Wednesday before Christmas.

I wasnt running a fever, I just wasnt feeling well and didnt feel like doing anything, he said. He wanted to get tested because his dad was coming in for Christmas, but was unable to find a test due to shortages and the extreme demand for tests.

One of the bartenders had an extra test and Daniele tested positive. Then his kitchen manager was running a fever and another manager thought she might have allergies and tested negative.

On YourConroeNews.com: County restaurants see uptick with end of COVID-19 restrictions

The day after Christmas, he was down to one manager who was not sick. Many staff members were out of town with family for the holiday and he didnt feel like he could call them back to work. Then there was the complication of staffers being unable to get tests and the confusing predicament of some people testing negative and later positive.

When it came down to making the decision to close, Daniele said it really wasnt a difficult one at all.

We made the decision to shut down for two days to see who was running a fever and who is not running a fever, he said. The week between Christmas and New Years is traditionally slow. In my opinion, with New Years coming up, it was better to have this thing under control and know who is and is not sick.

On Dec. 26, Pacific Yard House posted a notice on the restaurants Facebook page that the establishment would close for the day and patrons should check back on Monday.

It ended up being closed through Dec. 29 and going through a deep cleaning. And the move drew support from their loyal customers who praised the business for caring about the staff and the community. Opening for a half day on Dec. 30 allowed Daniele to gauge the demand and what staff was available.

By New Years Eve staff had returned from out of town and previously sick members were able to return and they were rocking and rolling into the new year.

Even through the brief closure, Daniele felt very fortunate, but it is just one example of the stain a small business can go through in this uncertain time.

Not everyone is as lucky as we are, he said. Sanitizing measures will continue and the staff will continue to wear masks through this wave. Ample space in the venue also allows patrons to spread out and they have outdoor seating as well.

On HoustonChronicle.com: As omicron spreads, business owners again find themselves in limbo

Jim Hallers, owner of two locations of Tailgators Pub & Grill and of Citizens Grill on FM 1488, acknowledges that omicron is here and its everywhere right now.

Across his four locations Hallers is able to offer testing to his few hundred employees. Twice a week the tests are picked up and the employee is emailed his or her results.

At any given time, I can have half a dozen employees with COVID-19, he said. But the difference is hes able to move employees around as needed. He said the staff at his locations are also very good about covering the shift of a sick co-worker. He said he could see where smaller operators though might not have any choice but to close should an outbreak occur.

But what he says is key is that if you are sick, stay home, no matter what youre sick with.

If you have the flu or pneumonia, I dont want you to come to work either, he said. He believes COVID-19 will weaken to become just another sickness.

He rejoiced when the CDC lowered the recommended quarantine time from 10 days to five in December. For his younger employees, it meant getting back to work faster.

In 95 percent of young people three or four days later, they are asking to come back to work, he said. Five days seems to be much more realistic and not punish the young healthy people who recovered in five days.

He has noticed peoples attitudes seem different now through this wave with vaccinations in place and what appears to be a weaker variant.

The fear factor that I saw in people a year ago is gone, he said.

shernandez@hcnonline.com
Two men were arrested in the Mines Road area loading marijuana bundles into a parked vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.

Jose Adan Espinoza-Ramirez, 33, and Juan Manuel Martinez, 50, were arrested on the charges of possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, attempt to possess with the intent to distribute the controlled substance, and conspire to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.

U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a report of multiple people illegally crossing into the United States on Jan. 7. A camera operator notified agents that the group remained on the riverbanks near the Perez Property and were carrying bundles of marijuana.

Responding agents encountered multiple people carrying suspected bundles of marijuana running along a trail that leads to the corner of Abbeville and Allen roads. The people were loading the bundles into a red Ford Expedition parked at the end of the trail.

Upon encounter, eight people started running through the brush in the direction of the Rio Grande. An agent then observed a migrant in the rear driver side passenger seat securing the bundles inside the vehicle. The migrant was identified as Martinez. A group of people managed to return to Mexico with four bundles of marijuana.

A search of the area resulted in the discovery of an individual who was identified as Espinoza-Ramirez, a migrant from Mexico. Five suspected bundles of marijuana were located in and around the vehicle. The marijuana weighed 356.04 pounds and had an estimated street value of $284,832.

Drug Enforcement Administration special agents and task force officers would respond to take over the investigation. In a post-arrest interview, Espinoza-Ramirez admitted to making arrangements to smuggle the marijuana with an acquaintance in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico the previous day. He expected payment for his smuggling services.

Martinez stated that a man he identified as Alberto recruited him in the United States to do mechanic work on Albertos vehicle. Alberto instructed Martinez to drive a red Ford Expedition near the trail located by Abbeville and Allen.

Martinez stated that individuals then approached his red Ford Expedition with bundles of marijuana and began placing them in the vehicle. Martinez stated that Alberto and the other individuals absconded when approached by the U.S. Border Patrol. Martinez stated that his vehicle was the only vehicle in the area at the time, states the affidavit.
China's civil aviation industry becomes smarter

Xinhua) 09:35, January 12, 2022

Passengers walk in the terminal of Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's civil aviation industry has become smarter, thanks to continuous efforts in injecting new-generation digital technologies and management modes into the sector.

In 2021, major progress was achieved in building a smart civil aviation industry in fields such as airport management and aircraft inflight connectivity, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

By the end of 2021, 66 airports nationwide were capable of providing facial-recognition services, data from the CAAC shows.Meanwhile, 234 airports could serve their passengers with a "paperless" journey by introducing e-boarding and e-security checks, allowing passengers to travel with only their identification cards and eliminating the need for conventional paper boarding tickets.

By the end of 2021, 842 aircraft in China's civil aviation fleet were capable of providing inflight WiFi services.

China has also launched an "easy security check" service, which provides safer and more efficient security-check measures, at major airports with an annual passenger throughput of more than 10 million.

"It's a new security-check mode sustained by information technologies," said Li Tong, deputy head with the public security bureau of the CAAC. "Under ideal conditions, passengers could save up to half the time by going through the new security check at airports."

Passengers check in via a facial recognition facility at the terminal of Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

The application of digital technologies is of great importance to ensuring safety, efficiency and sustainable growth.

The CAAC is committed to making the industry smarter by integrating new-generation digital technologies into the whole industry -- from air travel, air logistics and customs clearance, to the industry's operation and supervision, according to the CAAC's smart aviation strategy.

The administration has also been actively promoting the radio-frequency identification technology in luggage tracking, automatic luggage check-in, and intelligent inquiry services, among others.

Innovation is among the key tasks of the CAAC in ensuring high-quality development of the industry this year, with smart aviation as a highlight.

The administration said it will also boost the development of the BeiDou navigation system and the industrial application of 5G technology in the civil aviation sector.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
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On the first day back to classes after the Christmas break, UISD confirmed nearly 10,000 absences.

The district announced Monday that 400 staff members and teachers as well as around 9,000 students were not present. However, numbers were from the morning attendances and were not final. The district added that this number may be even higher as COVID testing was ongoing during the day and some individuals chose to leave campuses as results were given.

UISD covered absent teachers with substitute teachers, and other departments helped cover classes in cases where substitute teachers were also unable to attend.

What our principals are doing right now is theyre analyzing the situation at every campus and every grade level, and theyre either grouping classes together, we have the substitute teacher or we have district personnel covering classes, UISD Associate Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Emma Leza said.

UISD is following instructions from the state, meaning they have no vaccine mandate. Thus absent teachers and staff are expected to return as the COVID situation and transmissions mitigate in the city.

The most important thing for us is to be able to have instruction available for our students, Leza said. We want to make sure that when theyre with us on campus, of course, safety is No. 1, but we also have to make sure that were providing the instruction that they need.

We dont want them to lose out another year of not being able to have that on campus instruction, which we know is so important.

As the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned masks from being mandated, UISD is following these instructions but is still highly recommend their use. Leza further shared that even before the omicron variant reached Laredo, the majority of their students and employees were wearing masks, thus helping to control the spread of COVID in schools. Safe distancing and desk shields are in place in classrooms, and all the instructions that have taken place to minimize the spread of this virus.

As Friday, Jan. 7 was the return to work for UISD employees, this gave the district the opportunity to offer staff from all departments, teachers and substitute teachers to take a COVID test to count the positive and negative cases. With close to 200 tests taken, UISD had the ability to prepare in advance for the upcoming return to classes for students and designate the teachers and substitutes for the upcoming start of spring semester. Staff members were still able to take a COVID test Monday before walking into their classes.

Parents who suspect their kids are infected can still use their campus clinic to have them tested there as long as theyre UISD students. Antigen tests are available on all UISD campuses but PCR testing kits are not available the moment. Vaccine clinics are still available for UISD students as they encourage everyone eligible to get their doses.

For COVID positive students and staff members, either symptomatic or asymptomatic, an intake report will be created by the campus/department administration for students and campus/department administration for employees. After this, they may return to school/work when: they have been fever free for 24 hours without medication, have improved symptoms and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. The start of isolation is considered the day after symptoms first appeared, meaning they may return to school/work on Day 11 if they are symptom free.

cecilia.trevino@lmtonline.com

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Hard hit in 2020 by the arrival of the global COVID-19 pandemic and oil market crash, Texas oil and gas industry displayed an economic resurgence in 2021.

In the Annual Energy & Economic Impact Report the Texas Oil & Gas Association has presented since 2007, the association said the states energy industry paid $15.8 billion in state and local taxes and state royalties. At the same time, state royalties and production taxes rose by more than 20 percent. Production taxes exceeded $5 billion for only the third time in history.

As our nation continues its rebound from the lingering impact of the pandemic, this data confirms reliable, affordable energy, fuels and products made by the oil and natural gas industry are central to continued economic and environmental progress, said TXOGA President Todd Staples in a media call to discuss the report.

Just as the West Texas portion of the Permian Basin leads the state in oil and natural gas production and taxes and royalties paid, the region leads in benefiting from those taxes.

According to the report, Midland Independent School District topped the list of top 10 school districts receiving oil and natural gas property taxes, receiving $134.9 million in FY 2021. Seven West Texas counties were among the top 10 counties to receive property taxes, led by Reeves County with $47.4 million or 67.3 percent of its total tax base. Midland County placed fifth with $18.9 million or 36.9 percent of its tax base.

That $15.8 billion translates into more than $43 million in state and local taxes and state royalties being paid every day, Staples said. He pointed out that those funds go to support the states schools and universities, roads, first responders and other essential service. The Permanent School Fund received $1.099 billion and the Permanent University Fund $979 million while the states Economic Stabilization Fund, better known as the rainy day fund, received $1.134 billion.

Oil and gas royalties are the only source of fresh capital to (the PSF and PUF) and have been for a century, Staples said.

Since 2007, when TXOGA first started compiling this data, the Texas oil and natural gas industry has paid more than $178.7 billion in state and local taxes and state royalties, a figure that does not include the hundreds of billions of dollars in payroll for some of the highest paying jobs in the state, taxes paid on office buildings and personal property, and the enormous economic ripple effect that benefits other sectors of the economy.

In 2021, the industry employed 422,122 Texans, who -- on average -- earned $109,000 each, almost double the average pay compared to other private sectors. And for every direct job in the industry, conservative estimates indicate that an additional 2.2 indirect jobs are created. In total, 1.37 million Texans jobs ultimately derive from the Texas oil and natural gas industry, according to the report.

Beyond the economic impact of the states energy industry, Staples stressed that investments made by the industry have positioned the United States as the global leader in energy and environmental progress. Methane emissions are down dramatically, even as oil and natural gas production increases. Flaring rates in Texas are at record lows and Texas-produced LNG is an environmental game-changer for nations around the world, he said. He cited a statistic from the Railroad Commission that the statewide flaring rate in Texas fell to a record low level of 0.2 percent in October.

Staples warned that this progress is under assault by federal policies designed deliberately to eliminate the oil and natural gas industry and all of the quality-of-life, environmental and economic benefits it provides. Our federal government is quite literally standing in the way of global environmental progress.

He concluded, We cannot sacrifice energy freedom for energy dependence. Squandering our nations energy might through misguided policy is a disservice to every American and a step in the wrong direction on the environment.

Top 10 Permian Basin Counties  Oil and Natural Gas Property Taxes

Reeves County $47.4 million 67.3% of tax base

Loving County $28.0 million 88.0%

Martin County $25.6 million 87.9%

Ward County $24.3 million 71.4%

Midland County $18.9 million 36.9%

Pecos County $16.5 million 54.9%

Upton County $15.3 million 84.4%

Andrews County $14.8 million 63.9%

Yoakum County $11.6 million 71.3%

Crockett County $11.4 million 76.7%

Top 10 Permian Basin ISDs Oil and Natural Gas Property Taxes

Midland ISD $134.9 million 36.8% of tax base

Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD $105.0 million 65.5%

Wink-Loving ISD $93.6 million 83.4%

Rankin ISD $60.1 million 83.8%

Grady ISD $48.2 million 93.8%

Reagan County ISD $43.1 million 81.5%

Glasscock County ISD $36.3 million 71.4%

Culberson County-Allamore ISD $35.9 million 74.6%

Andrews ISD $32.6 million 61.8%

Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD $27.8 million 69.2%
SEATTLE (AP)  A Neo-Nazi who helped lead a campaign to threaten journalists and Jewish activists in three states was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in federal prison  the longest prison term handed out to the participants in the conspiracy.

A jury convicted Kaleb Cole in September of five felony counts related to the delivery of Swastika-laden posters to journalists and employees of the Anti-Defamation League in Washington state, Arizona and Florida in early 2020. The posters warned: You have been visited by your local Nazis, Your Actions have Consequences, and We are Watching.

Seattle U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour handed down the sentence after hearing from victims who spoke of lingering fear and installing expensive home security systems in response to the threats. Miri Cypers, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, described picking up toys from her yard before fleeing to a hotel so that Cole and his followers would not know she had a daughter.

U.S. Attorney Nick Brown credited the victims for facing Cole in court: "Their courage has resulted in the federal prison sentence imposed today, he said.

The judge noted that Cole, 26, had tried to operate under the anonymity of the internet, and that when journalists, including Chris Ingalls of Seattle's KING-TV, exposed him, He took great pains to silence them through threats and intimidation.

"To function as a democratic society, we need reliable and truthful journalism, Coughenour said.

Unlike others sentenced in the case, Cole expressed no remorse, which helped explain why his sentence was more than twice as long as that of the conspiracy's other leader, Cameron Shea. At his sentencing, Shea told the court, "I cannot put into words the guilt that I feel about this fear and pain that I caused.

Cole, most recently of Montgomery, Texas, was a leader of a hate group called Atomwaffen Division. He and four others faced charges including conspiracy, mailing threatening communications and interfering with a federally protected activity. The posters included images such as a hooded figure preparing to throw a Molotov cocktail at a house, and the words Death to Pigs  the same message followers of Charles Manson scrawled in victims blood during a home invasion murder.

Cole had been on law enforcements radar since at least 2018, when he was stopped at U.S. Customs upon returning from a trip to Europe. Authorities searched his cellphone and found photos of him posing at various sites, including at the gates of Auschwitz, or displaying a white supremacist flag and performing the Nazi salute.

Investigators said he became a leader of Atomwaffen Division after another leader was arrested on explosives charges.

In 2019, Seattle police obtained an extreme risk protection order against him, seizing nine guns from his home. They said Cole had gone from espousing hate to now taking active steps or preparation for an impending race war.

Those steps including organizing paramilitary-style hate camps in Nevada and Washington, investigators said.

After the weapons were seized, Cole moved to Texas, where he was found in a speeding car with another Atomwaffen member, marijuana and four guns, including three assault rifles.

Cole's grandmother, JoAnne Powell, pleaded with the judge for leniency Tuesday, insisting that her grandson was a good man who made some poor decisions and never meant to hurt anyone.

I beg that you would not look at him with hatred for what his political views have been, she said. Kaleb is not a violent or mean person."

Cole's attorney, Christopher Black, insisted that he was not really a leader of the conspiracy, and that the threat campaign was Shea's idea. He acknowledged that Cole made the posters and offered suggestions in carrying out the effort, but said others charged had done similar work.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Woods disagreed, saying Cole stood out from the other defendants for his lack of remorse. He decried racism and religious intolerance said it's the great tragedy of this country, 250 years in, so many Americans have that feeling of unease.

That was his identity, his life's work to this point: hate, targeting people to instill terror, Woods said. And it worked.

The other two defendants were Johnny Roman Garza, of Queen Creek, Arizona, who was sentenced to 16 months for affixing one of the posters on the bedroom window of a Jewish journalist, and Taylor Parker-Dipeppe, of Spring Hill, Florida, who received no prison time for attempting to deliver a flier but leaving it at the wrong address. Parker-Dipeppe was severely abused by his father and stepfather and hid his transgender identity from his co-conspirators and the judge found that he had suffered enough.
A year ago, we witnessed the horrors of Jan. 6, 2021. Weve been treated to a host of actors, pundits, and other armchair experts who insist that America is coming apart or ready for a Civil War. It isnt, though there are some angry people who wish it so. Our goal as citizens of the United States should remain to resist the authoritarian urges of ideologues on both sides.

It was traumatizing to see mobs overrun the U.S. Capitol, chanting death to politicians, many waving non-USA flags, a few thousand extremists who thought their narrow opinions should override the will of the millions who participated in the democratic elections.

But I stayed up that night to watch those same politicians who eluded death because of the bravery of many Capitol Police and security, come right back into the chambers, and do the job they were elected to do. Meanwhile, there were those in the House who sought to overturn the results on charges that havent been supported by a single election audit in Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Texas, Idaho ... the list goes on and on.

I also saw our judiciary, full of conservative, liberal and moderate judges, who have weighed the evidence and refused to cave to the pressure to make rulings on scant results, wild conjectures, adding rulings that reveal how unsupported the charges are.

And there were members of the executive branch, from the Defense Department, the Justice Department, and other institutions who resisted the intimidation and demands to make up a result that didnt exist, to carry out a coup which we are learning more about in plans revealed by investigative bodies.

Opponents of the rules are still around, hoping to convince you it was just a peaceful stroll through the Capitol, or, in a complete perversion of the truth, an expression of democracy.

And there are those on the left who use the entire Trump presidency as a rationale to argue that democracy is bad and we need to replace it with a complete rule by their side. I read a professors argument for stopping climate change with authoritarian governance, despite the horrible track record authoritarians on both wings have had for treating the environment.

History is littered with the bones of democracies which could not stand up to the pressure of authoritarians and even totalitarians. The Weimar Republic, Taisho Democracy, the French Third Republic, Italys Democratic Regime from the World War I era, the Spanish Republic, and democratic hopes of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in China. Ive had the fortune, or misfortune, to visit several countries in East Europe whose brand-new democracy that overcame the scourge of Communism couldnt outlast the autocratic nationalists.

Ive been to Boris Yeltsins Russia, with all of its flaws, but still far freer than whatever Vladimir Putin offers. Ive been to a Turkey during an election where the voters repudiated the countrys president and longtime ruling party, only to have the countrys leader engineer the means to rule as he pleases, taking away the civil liberties of its citizens and jailing those who disagree with him.

Americas republic proved it could survive the kill shot that was attempted last year. But small, well-organized extremes on both sides will do their best to take away your freedom and replace it with their own viewpoint whenever they can. Its not just up to the Capitol Police, Congress, the courts, or even colonels and captains to protect this countrys liberty, enshrined in our Constitution. Its primarily your job as well to resist these undemocratic impulses.

Each of those other free societies fell because too many left it up to someone else to do that job.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised the provinces will have enough COVID-19 vaccines to provide those eligible with a fourth dose, if they become necessary. Pictured, a COVID-19 vaccine is given to someone in Thunder Bay.
Florida, US (34429)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Chance of a shower or two during the evening, followed by partly cloudy skies overnight. Thunder possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
Citrus County School Board members met Tuesday evening to review new emergency relief funding, school improvement projects and changes to instructional materials.

District seeks approval for ESSER III funds

The Citrus County School District is currently planning how to spend $34.2 million from the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief III (ESSER) funding under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act.

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"This is a big deal," school board member Doug Dodd said.

Funds must be used toward the reopening and recovery of schools, along with recouping of funds incurred from COVID-19. Applying schools must submit an implementation plan for approval.

Tammy Wilson, director of finance, presented the districts plan to board members. "There is a lot more in-depth things that we had to do for this one," Wilson said. "And of course, it's quite a lot more money."

Wilson said at least 20% of the funds must be spent to address learning loss. The district hopes to utilize approximately $7.2 million toward bus and kindergarten aides, reading intervention, summer school and after school enrichment, among others.

"We were trying to look at what was working with the money," Wilson said, "and continue those programs."

Another $1 million would be used for learning loss among low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness and those in foster care.

The district hopes to spend approximately $13.4 million on educational technology, including hardware, software and connectivity. About $5.3 million would go toward staff salaries, benefits and eSchool curriculum and supplies.

In addition, approximately $3.12 million would provide mental health services and supports such as threat assessment tools, school counselor salaries and behavioral specialist salaries.

Other proposed items include:

Approximately $1.2 million for development days and learning management.

Three-hundred thousand in furniture for schools to reduce virus transmission with social distancing.

Public health protocols, including COVID-19 sick pay and substitute teachers, would see $813,050.

Approximately $160,000 for communication, such as quarterly Chronicle inserts, parent guides and calendars.

Administrative costs, not to exceed 5% of the total award, are also allowed. The district hopes to use approximately $1.6 million.

"These are nonrecurring funds," school board member Thomas Kennedy said. With this in mind, he emphasized the district is looking at long term strategies, rather than short term gains.

District facilities will receive necessary improvements

The school board approved all items on the agenda related to upcoming facility upgrades, renovations and remodels.

School board to mull facility upgrades, renovations In keeping with the spirit of the New Year, Citrus County Schools are looking at facility re

The district got the go-ahead to advertise the following bids: Citrus Springs Elementary School kitchen remodel, Crystal River High School freezer/cooler upgrade, Lecanto Primary School partial HVAC upgrade and Lecanto Middle School front office relocation.

In addition, the board approved the five-year financial audit of the district's educational planning and construction activities. They were found to be in full compliance.

Schools will also see district-wide fence repairs and installation, along with new tires for district buses.

District suspends social-emotional learning resources

Months ago, the board directed district officials to review instructional materials processes. At Tuesday's meeting, a policy update was added for good cause.

"Our goal, as it has always been, is to implement state statute to the fullest extent of our ability," coordinator of special academic programs Darrick Buettner told the board.

Most notably, the district received new guidance from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE).

According to Trish Kahler, director of elementary education, FDOE directed districts not to adopt materials pertaining to social-emotional learning (SEL) terminology. "We currently do not have instructional materials that include social emotional learning."

However, Kahler said several of the district's character education, mental health and behavior resources are labeled as SEL resources. Therefore, the district is suspending the use of Sanford Harmony and School-Connect, which were originally promoted by FDOE.

Kahler said the district plans to continue meeting the standards of character education and mental health per state statute.

To view the complete agenda, visit tinyurl.com/t6phzraj. To watch Tuesday's meeting, visit youtube.com/user/CitrusSchools.
ANALYSIS: IRCC's snapshot of the Express Entry pool shows most candidates are eligible for FSWP. CEC candidates also increasing due to pause in draws.

Nearly 80% of Express Entry candidates fall under FSWP ANALYSIS: IRCC's snapshot of the Express Entry pool shows most candidates are eligible for FSWP. CEC candidates also increasing due to pause in draws.

Nearly 80% of Express Entry candidates fall under FSWP ANALYSIS: IRCC's snapshot of the Express Entry pool shows most candidates are eligible for FSWP. CEC candidates also increasing due to pause in draws.

Nearly 80% of Express Entry candidates fall under FSWP ANALYSIS: IRCC's snapshot of the Express Entry pool shows most candidates are eligible for FSWP. CEC candidates also increasing due to pause in draws. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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The number of Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates in the Express Entry pool has swelled due to a lack of draws targeting these candidates.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provided CIC News the following breakdown of candidates who were in the Express Entry pool on January 4. These figures come the day before the first Express Entry draw of the year when IRCC invited Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates only.

Out of nearly 194,000 candidates, more than 154,000 were FSWP candidates, about 38,000 were CEC candidates, 577 were Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates, and the remaining 344 PNP candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence the following day.

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Number of Candidates in Express Entry Pool as of January 4, 2022 by Immigration Category (in Persons)

Immigration Category Number of Candidates Canadian Experience Class Candidates 38,223 Provincial/Territorial Nominee Candidates 344 Federal Skilled Worker Program Candidates 154,421 Federal Skilled Trades Program Candidates 577 Grand Total 193,565

IRCC has not invited FSWP candidates to apply for permanent residence since the last all-program draw in December, 2020. As a result, about 80% of Express Entry candidates in the pool are eligible for the FSWP. In 2019, FSWP candidates received about 45 per cent of all invitations. Once the pandemic hit in March 2020, Canada only invited CEC and PNP candidates for a few months, then returned to all-program draws that summer.

But in 2021, Canada only invited CEC and PNP candidates. The reason for inviting high numbers of CEC candidates was because the federal government had promised to admit 401,000 newcomers last year, and the strategy was to focus on candidates who were already in Canada. The overwhelming majority of CEC candidates are based in Canada. For the first six months of the year, Canadas travel restrictions barred non-exempt permanent residents who had been approved outside of Canada after March 2020 from entering the country. The more candidates they invited overseas, the more would be stuck in immigration limbo, unable to complete the landing process and become permanent residents.

Even after restrictions lifted, the PNP and CEC draws continued. In September IRCC stopped holding draws for CEC candidates, and instead only invited PNP candidates every two weeks. An internal memo from the same month suggests that IRCC paused CEC draws to help reduce application backlogs and get Express Entry processing back down to six months. In 2020, the average processing time was up to nine months.

As a result of the pause in CEC draws, the number of CEC-eligible candidates has grown to nearly 20% of the pool.

Compare that to June, when CEC candidates made up 6% of the pool. At that time, IRCC had been holding CEC and PNP draws on the regular. In fact, that month they were drawing 6,000 CEC candidates at a time. It would have been a record had it not been for the February 13 draw when IRCC emptied the pool of CEC candidates.

Number of Candidates in the Express Entry Pool as of June 29, 2021 by Immigration Category (in Persons)

Immigration Category Number of Candidates Canadian Experience Class Candidates 10,529 Provincial/Territorial Nominee Program Candidates 366 Federal Skilled Worker Program Candidates 153,062 Federal Skilled Trades Candidates 644 Grand Total 164,601

In six months, the pool has grown for both CEC and FSWP candidates. The fewer FSTP candidates could be due to a number of factors. IRCC has a hierarchy for inviting candidates in the pool who are eligible for more than one program. The hierarchy goes CEC, FSWP, and then FSTP. So, if you are eligible for CEC and FSTP, IRCC will invite you to apply as a CEC candidate, for example. FSTP candidates could have also gotten a provincial nomination and moved to the PNP class.

Also, Express Entry profiles are valid for one year in the pool. If candidates have not been invited in that time they are no longer counted in the pool. People whose Express Entry profiles have expired can re-submit if they want to try again. Since there was no FSTP or FSWP draw in 2021, some of these candidates who submitted profiles in 2020 may have seen their profiles expire.

PNP candidates are usually guaranteed to be invited to apply, since they get a 600-point award for the nomination. IRCC has held PNP-specific draws throughout the pandemic even though these candidates may not necessarily be in Canada. The PNP is designed by provinces and territories to support their immigration objectives, but the federal government gets the final say on who can become a permanent resident. Because of this, the nominating provinces and territories need the federal government to invite PNP candidates so they can meet their regional economic and population growth targets.

What to watch for in 2022

This year, we are expecting Canada to increase immigration levels targets. In the previous Immigration Levels Plan, Canada expected to admit 411,000 newcomers in 2022. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has to announce the new targets by February 14.

While announcing that the Atlantic Immigration Pilot would become a permanent program in 2022, Fraser said Canada would move back to admitting a mix of immigrants from both in Canada and abroad.

I anticipate as we go forward we are going to have a healthy mix of people who are here with some experience in Canada now and other employees who may not yet be here that will come to Canada through a program such as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, as the public health situation allows, Fraser told reporters.

IRCC has said in a September internal memo that it wants to cut the Express Entry backlog in half in order to meet the processing standard of six months before resuming draws for categories other than the PNP. As of December, the Express Entry backlog was down to about 119,000 people waiting for decisions, compared to October when it was at nearly 138,000.

The decline was driven by CEC applications, which were down to nearly 25,000 applications in December compared to more than 48,000 in October. The FSWP backlog increased to about 55,000 in December, compared to October when it was at nearly 51,000.

In recent months, IRCC has been ramping up processing. Toward the end of 2021 IRCC was finalizing more than 45,000 applications in a month.

Senior IRCC officials met with high-ranking civil servants in November to discuss the Express Entry intake strategy for the months leading into early 2022. We will know what was discussed in this meeting when the information becomes publicly available.

We do not know when IRCC will resume FSWP or CEC draws, but we can get clues from how fast IRCC is processing applications, and the briefing notes from the November 2021 meeting. The updated immigration levels plan will also be telling.

Get a Free Canadian Immigration Evaluation

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Candidates from all Employer Job Offer streams were invited in Ontario's first draw of the year.

Ontario holds first PNP draw of 2022 Candidates from all Employer Job Offer streams were invited in Ontario's first draw of the year.

Ontario holds first PNP draw of 2022 Candidates from all Employer Job Offer streams were invited in Ontario's first draw of the year.

Ontario holds first PNP draw of 2022 Candidates from all Employer Job Offer streams were invited in Ontario's first draw of the year. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Ontario invited 1,084 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination on January 11.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program ( OINP ) issued invitations to candidates who had profiles in its Expression of Interest (EOI) system. These candidates may be eligible for one of three streams under the Employer Job Offer category: Foreign Worker, International Student and In-Demand Skills.

Here are the invitation numbers by Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream:

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream  264

Employer Job Offer: International Student stream  762

Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream  58

Get a Free Canadian Immigration Evaluation

Candidates invited under the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream had work experience in the National Occupational Codes ( NOC ) below:

Health and agricultural occupations:

NOC 3413  nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

NOC 4412  home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers

NOC 8431  general farm workers

NOC 8432  nursery and greenhouse workers

NOC 8611  harvesting labourers

NOC 9462  industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers

Manufacturing (outside the GTA only):

NOC 9411  machine operators, mineral and metal processing

NOC 9416  metalworking and forging machine operators

NOC 9417  machining tool operators

NOC 9418  other metal products machine operators

NOC 9421  chemical plant machine operators

NOC 9422  plastics processing machine operators

NOC 9437  woodworking machine operators

NOC 9446  industrial sewing machine operators

NOC 9461  process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing

NOC 9523  electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers

NOC 9526  mechanical assemblers and inspectors

NOC 9536  industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators

NOC 9537  other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors

Ontario seeking more immigrants

Each year, the federal government allows the provinces provinces and territories that run the PNP to issue a certain number of nominations.

In 2021, Ontario was allowed to nominate 8,350 immigrants. The province got an additional 250 nominations for temporary foreign workers in intermediate skilled occupations, NOC Skill Level C.

By November 10, Ontario had issued 8,600 nominations. The provinces immigration minister, Monte McNaughton, told CIC News in an October interview that the province is asking the federal government to double their allocation in 2022. The province will receive its allocation number from Immigration Canada later this year.

Get a Free Canadian Immigration Evaluation

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
34838

Industry leaders will discuss critical trends and developments in data centers, connectivity and edge networking

Omaha, Neb.  1623 Farnam, a regional leader in network-neutral edge interconnection and data center services, announces today that its President, Todd Cushing, will speak on the Data Centers, Connectivity and Edge panel at the highly anticipated PTC22 ICT conference.

The panel session will be moderated by Alexander Ramirez, Managing Director in the Global Communications investment banking group at Citi. As a nationally recognized data center, IT and telecom executive with more than 25 years of experience, Cushing will weigh in with other panelists, who include Giuliano Di Vitantonio, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Business Segments and incoming CEO at Atlas Edge; Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX International; Vincent English, CEO and Board Director, Megaport Ltd.; and Phillip Marangella, Chief Marketing Officer, EdgeConneX. The panel session will take place from 15:30-16:45 Monday, Jan. 17, and will be available online globally.

Cushing utilized his years of expertise in data center design and technology infrastructure during 1623 Farnams recent $40 million expansion, which included significant upgrades to the facilitys electrical power infrastructure and increased colocation capacity by converting the fiber-rich carrier hotel into usable, high quality data center space.Centrally located in Omaha, Nebraska, at the nexus of the countrys east-west and north-south fiber routes, 1623 Farnam is ideally positioned to maximize interconnection capabilities for its customers, and its over 50 carrier and cloud partners, including Megaport, Google Cloud, Telia Carrier, the state of Nebraska, Windstream Wholesale, ALLO, OPTK Networks, Arvig, Great Plains Communications and others.

Omaha IX, the premier midwest Internet Exchange, is also located at the 1623 Farnam data center, providing infrastructure and services to help customers decrease latencies and network costs while increasing control and performance.

With our recent expansion and renewed commitment to providing the most powerful edge-focused connectivity solutions possible, we are especially pleased to meet our customers and partners at CTC22 this year, Cushing says. As a major interconnection point for cloud, service, content providers and services, we are eager to join in the dynamic discussion of critical trends in the IT and telecommunications space, including the rapidly increasing demand for high-speed-dependent applications like 5G, Augmented and Virtual Reality, cloud gaming and the Internet of Things.

The Pacific Telecommunications Council annual conference, known as PTC, is a strategic springboard for global communications providers, focusing on planning, networking and discovering what lies ahead for the industry. This years conference will be held Jan. 16-19 in Honolulu, Hawaii. For conference registration and scheduling information, go to PTC'22 - Telecom Conference - Hawaii 2022 - PTC. To set up a data center tour or a virtual meeting with the 1623 Farnam team, please email info@1623farnam.com.
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Platforma Nationala a Femeilor din Moldova, lanseaza concursul de selectare a serviciilor de organizare a Sesiunilor PEER to PEER cu scop de abilitare economica a femeilor, supravietuitoare a violentei in baza de gen
Just six days into January 2021, journalists documenting the Capitol riots were assaulted and tens of thousands of dollars of media equipment damaged. In April, a journalist went on trial after her arrest while reporting from a Black Lives Matter protest the year before. By the time the year closed, one of the most venerated news institutions was under a publishing gag-order.

While we did not see the scope of national social-justice protests of 2020a year in which journalists were arrested or assaulted on average more than once a day2021 still outpaced the years before it for press-freedom violations. We systematically capture this data in the US Press Freedom Tracker, where Freedom of the Press Foundation, in partnership with the Committee to Protect Journalists and other press freedom groups, has documented aggressions against journalists in the United States since 2017.

Its tempting to compare 2021 against 2020when assaults and arrests of journalists hit an all-time highand conclude, because fewer journalists were arrested and fewer were hit with crowd-control munitions, that the state of press freedom in the US can be ignored. That conclusion would be wrong.

In fact, if you remove 2020 from the equation, the amount of press-freedom violations documented in 2021 outpaces the years before it across several categories:

More than 140 assaults of journalists in 2021 captured in our Physical Attack category outpaces assaults from 2017 to 2019 combined ;

The number of journalists reporting equipment damaged outpaces the same reports from 2017 to 2019 combined ; and

The 59 arrests or detainments documented by the Tracker nearly equals the arrests and detainments documented from 2017 to 2019 combined .

In 2021, we documented 142 assaults of journalists. For the second consecutive year, the majority of those assaults came during protests: 95 percent in 2020 and 77 percent in 2021.

The year began with a protest that became a riot, as the US Capitol was stormed by a mob attempting to stop certification of election results. The Tracker documented at least 16 journalists assaulted in Washington, DC, while covering those events, many of whom were targeted.

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For the second year in a row, the response to federal and local mandates around COVID-19 also factored into physical attacks of journalists. From anti-lockdown to anti-vaccine protests, coronavirus-related assaults increased from four (and much harassment) in 2020 to 14 in 2021.

In 2020, an unprecedented 142 arrests and detainments of journalists occurred, a nearly 1500-percent increase over the nine documented in 2019. In 2021, that number was 59, with nearly half arrested or detained in kettles, a tactic used to hem in large crowds, often before mass arrests.

The last arrests of the calendar year came on Christmas Day, when two Asheville Blade reporters were arrested while covering the eviction of a homeless encampment in North Carolina. Both face charges of trespassing, with hearings scheduled for March, and one of the reporters, Matilda Bliss, had her phone confiscated during her arrest.

Subpoenas, the Espionage Act and a Prior Restraint

Other Tracker categorieswe monitor nearly a dozendeserve closer looks as well.

For the first time in five years of documentation, the number of publicly-known subpoenas or other legal orders has decreased rather than increased. Of course, its not unusual to find out about subpoenas much after the fact: In 2021, we published details about just more than 50 subpoenas requesting reporting material or journalistic testimony. Fewer than half of those were for subpoenas issued in 2021.

For example, the US Department of Justice informed The New York Times on June 2, 2021, that the agency secretly obtained phone records of four of the newspapers reporters more than a year before, during the Trump administration in 2020.

That administration also attempted to obtain the four reporters email records in January 2021, an effort that continued for a time under the Biden administration. On June 5, the DOJ announced that it would no longer seize journalists records during leak investigations.

In December, freelance journalist Amy Harris sued the US House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol after it subpoenaed telecom operator Verizon for her phone records. Of the more than 20 subpoenas captured in 2021, Harris is among the eight still pending.

The Trump administration, together with the CIA, also reportedly plotted to kidnapand possibly even assassinateWikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been held in a London jail since 2019, Yahoo! News reported in September. In October, more than two-dozen major civil liberties and human rights groups groups, including FPF, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding that the DOJ drop its prosecution of Assange, underscoring that the criminal case against him poses a grave threat to press freedom both in the United States and abroad. To date, Bidens DOJ has continued the Trump administrations case against Assange, and in December, an appeals court in the United Kingdom said it would allow the US to proceed in extraditing him.

And while we only documented one prior restraint for all of 2021, even one is noteworthy. On November 11, a New York state court ordered the New York Times not to publish information around the group Project Veritas, the first prior restraint for the newspaper since the Pentagon Papers case 50 years ago. That prior restraint, which was struck down by the Supreme Court in a landmark decision in 1971, only lasted 15 days. As of this writing, this latest prior restraint remains in place, confounding press-freedom groups.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Kirstin McCudden is the vice president of editorial for Freedom of the Press Foundation and managing editor of the US Press Freedom Tracker. She writes the Trackers monthly newsletter, which first published much of this analysis. Subscribe to it here.
It can be difficult to discuss the problem of the local news crisis. On the one hand, the problems are apparent and easily explained: local newsrooms (particularly newspapers) are closing and shrinking, there are fewer people reporting than there used to be, and many people working in local journalism arent making much money at all. On the whole, this means that access to robust localized information is more limited for many than it once was. But part of the difficulty in writing about the state of local news on the ground lies in the great diversity of what local news can be; not everything is failing, and its not all failing in the way we imagine it to be. Though many newsrooms shuttered amid the pandemic, Poynter reported that more than seventy local newsroomsand nearly as many newsletterswere launched during the same time. And because local journalism comprises so much more than the small-town newspapers that national outlets and media critics so readily imagine, the state of local media is difficult to describe, writ large. There are outlets experiencing growth and success in many places across the country. Local news, it seems, is both failing and transforming, suffering and succeeding, clinging to life and sustaining communities.

As civic-minded people consider whether or not the current state of local journalism constitutes a crisisand what the language of crisis ignores and elidesperhaps its worth considering the limits of our paradigms when we talk about local journalism from a thirty-thousand foot view. What common mistakes do we make when we think about this problem? Going into a new year, here are a few insights that might help us sharpen the conversation:

First, its important to remember that a community is made up of many communities. Its all too easy to fall into the habit of referring to that nebulous target readership surrounding a local newsroom as its community, but that limits our imagination when we think about how groups of people interact and intersect. In CJRs winter magazine issue in 2020, Oaklandside editor-in-chief Tasneem Raja told Jack Herrera, We can fall into these habits of shorthand. But in our work, in our reporting, even as part of our style guide, we say that we dont talk about the Oakland community. We understand that theres no such thing as the Oakland communityor the Latino community or the queer community. There are communities within each of these large categories.

Local newsrooms dont write for their community, but communities, plural, and the best local newsrooms take that multiplicity into account. In some ways, local newsrooms have the power to define new communities by speaking to the intersecting interests of many in a single place.

Second, our understanding of communities changes when we change our metrics. Though news deserts are most straightforwardly described and measured by geographic boundaries, communities cannot be as neatly categorized. Were tethered to those physically closest to us in a number of ways, of course, and local governance plays a role in that, but our lived experiences are layered. Regions are made up of counties which are made up of cities which are made up of neighborhoods which are made up of blocks, and our communities are formed by more than proximity: theyre formed through workplaces, religious affiliations, shared language, and other group identities. We need more sophisticated language for thinking about the many layers of an information ecosystem.

Some researchers have worked to shift paradigms when studying news networks, creating different ways for us to imagine the state of local news on the ground. In February, Sarah Stonbely from Montclair State Universitys Center for Cooperative Media told Sara Sheridan, Life is really lived at the municipal level in a place as dense as New Jersey and elsewhere. Because of the way that the local government is structured, the decisions around taxes and public services are made at that level. Some decisions are made at the county level, but theres so much variance across counties. For example, were in Essex County, which includes Montclair, which is very affluent, sort of feels very progressive in certain ways. And then theres Newark, which is much less affluent, and has a lot of problems around policing. These are very different types of communities, but theyre both within the same county. So to generalize Essex County just doesnt work.

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Or, as Darryl Holliday noted for CJR more recently, communities are organized around pre-existing information networks established by public libraries, post offices, high school and college newspapers, churches, block clubs, community organizations, and other civic organizations round out a networked community-information service in the making.

What if more researchers and local news providers reconsidered the way we define the spaces we serve? In the internet era, our reach can be expansive (in those areas with strong broadband access, at least). How will we define place in 2022, and how can we think about it in more sophisticated ways?

Finally, though there are many inspiring survival stories in local news, we need to draw a distinction between those surviving and those flourishing. It happens again and again in my reporting: I come across local news practitioners who have seen a need in their communities and have risen to the occasion in remarkable ways. Many people running hyper-local newsrooms take cut salaries, or no salary at all. They live from loan to loan amid the pandemic. They staff their newsroom with retired reporters. And though theres a difference between the stagnant benefits for staffers at hedge-fund-owned papers and the self-inflicted concessions made by independently wealthy owners or retirees, theres a problem in every underfunded newsroom: there arent enough margins to bring on new voices or to pay employees a living wage. Labors of lovewhile inspiring and impressivearent built to sustain a more tenable future.

As we move into 2022, theres space to think more broadly about human relationships and civic engagement, and the unique and complicated role local news can play in both. It will require a lot of specificity, plenty of good questions, and vigorous reimagination if we want to build a system that doesnt just survive, but flourishes.

The Journalism Crisis Project aims to train our focus on the present crisis, and to foster a conversation about what comes next. We hope youll join us. (Click to subscribe!)

EXPLORE THE TOW CENTERS COVID-19 CUTBACK TRACKER: Throughout 2020 and 2021, researchers at the Tow Center collected reports of a wide range of cutbacks amid the pandemic. Theres an interactive map and searchable database. You can find it here. And read a recent report here.

Below, more on recent media trends and changes in newsrooms:

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Lauren Harris is a freelance journalist. She writes CJR's weekly newsletter for the Journalism Crisis Project. Follow her on Twitter @LHarrisWrites.
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On New Years Day, thirty years and one week after the Soviet Union ceased to exist, the government of Kazakhstana post-Soviet republic in Central Asia that has been ruled by the same political party ever sincelifted a cap on the price of the gas that many Kazakhs pump into their cars. In a deeply unequal country, the move proved a final straw for many people, and protesters soon filled the streets; as demonstrations spread across the country, their demands grew to include calls for broader political change. By last Wednesday, the scene had become violent: official buildings in Almaty, the largest city, were set on fire, as, reportedly, were the offices of TV stations linked to the Kazakh and Russian governments, after a crowd stormed two buildings that they share. That night, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president, said on state TV that he had asked a Russia-led regional security alliance for help restoring order; the bloc soon sent troops. On Friday, Tokayev went on TV again, said the streets were full of bandits and terrorists, and ordered police and soldiers to shoot to kill. He also blamed so-called free media outlets for inciting violence.

State media has since announced that 164 people died and thousands more were arrested during the unrest. Those numbers are shrouded in confusion, though its clear that media workers were among the count. Muratkhan Bazarbayev, a driver for Almaty TV, a pro-government channel, was driving to an interview with Almatys mayor last Wednesday when he was shot dead; a colleague lost two fingers in the same attack. Almaty TV blamed rioters for the shooting. Numerous journalists reported being targeted by demonstrators, with some deciding to hide their press credentials as a result; many other reporters say they have been fired on by state security forces, with some hit by rubber bullets and stun grenades. By Thursday, at least eight reporters had been detained, including two journalists with the local branch of RFE/RL, a US-backed broadcaster, and Makhambet Abzhan, a blogger whose apartment was surrounded by police and who had his electricity cut; Abzhans family said that he subsequently managed to leave the apartment, but, as of Monday, they had not heard from him since. On Friday, Lukpan Akhmedyarov, an independent journalist, was sentenced to ten days in jail for participating in an unlawful protest. Today, Reporters Without Borders said that it had asked the United Nations to investigate escalating violence and obstruction toward the press.

ICYMI: Project Veritas battles for journalism, and against it

As protests started to heat up last week, officials imposed a state of emergency and warned that its terms would impose extra-sharp restrictions on the spread of false information, with the threat of yearslong jail terms for noncompliance. They also shut off the internet. Last Tuesday afternoon, two news sites, Orda and KazTag, were blocked, the latter after refusing an official request to delete an article. By the evening, messaging apps had stopped functioning; the next day, the internet went down nationwide, with even VPNs proving relatively ineffective at circumventing the blackout. Connectivity was partially restored for the duration of Tokayevs Wednesday address on state TV, then cut out again; in his address on Friday, Tokayev said that he would restore access, but warned that that did not mean that people can freely post your musings, slander and insults, your incitements and calls. Connectivity came back on Monday, then went again. The same day, officials told Fergana, an independent news site based in Russia, to delete an article outlining rumors that relatives of Nursultan Nazarbayevwho served as president from the end of Soviet era through 2019, when he (at least nominally) handed Tokayev the reinsmay have been implicated in a plot to seize power.

In addition to the internet, phone lines have been patchy, and the authorities have also blocked foreign journalists, including some with longstanding press credentials, from entering the country to report. All this, as the Wall Street Journals James Marson noted recently, has made it very very difficult to work out whats going on in Kazakhstan. This seems true not only for foreign-based reporters, but also for many residents, as rumors have swirled. As Isabelle Khurshudyan, a Moscow correspondent with the Washington Post, put it, people even on the ground are confused.

The violent turn in the demonstrationsand who exactly may have been behind itremains particularly murky. Even in countries with strong press rights (including the US), protests are often contested narrative battlegrounds; in Kazakhstan, the government has given itself an advantage as it has sought to bend the narrative in its favor. Last week, a presidential representative put out a YouTube video in English in which he castigated foreign media for creating a false impression that the government has targeted peaceful protesters; Tokayev has since characterized the violence as a foreign-backed terrorist coup attempt without offering any hard evidence. On Sunday, state TV broadcast the confession of a supposedly unemployed man from neighboring Kyrgyzstan who claimed to have been paid to fly in and cause havoc; the man had visible facial injuries, and was quickly recognized as a prominent Kyrgyz musician. Photos also circulated of Kazakh security forces wearing blue UN helmets, a possible visual ploy to present themselves as peacekeepers with international legitimacy. UN officials rebuked Kazakh officials for their unauthorized use.

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Kazakhstan has long been a hostile environment for press freedom. As Sher Khashimov and Raushan Zhandayeva have reported for Foreign Policy, the early post-Soviet period saw something of a renaissance for Kazakh media, with officials distributing cheap broadcasting licenses; in 1997, however, the Nazarbayev regime stripped many of those licenses away and freedom of the press only degenerated from there, with authorities instituting a range of regulatory curbs on independent and investigative journalism. In 2019, when Tokayev succeeded Nazarbayev, he signaled that he might oversee a broader political opening, and in the last couple of years, online media, in particular, has had a bit more space to operate. In the same period, however, the government has grown savvier in surveilling, blocking, and otherwise controlling the web; according to Khashimov and Zhandayeva, the regime also learned to mimic nontraditional media outlets using copycat projects that pose as oppositional but arent. As Zholdas Orisbayev has reported for Eurasianet, politicians, including Nazarbayevs daughter, have also doubled down on anti-media rhetoric, including the foreign agent slur that Russian officials have wielded against media there. (The legal context for the term is different in the two countries.)

In the wake of the protests, Tokayev has once again signaled a potential political opening. Last week, he reinstated the gas-price cap, sacked his cabinet, and removed Nazarbayev from his current perch atop a national security council; yesterday, in another address, Tokayev implicitly torched Nazarbayevs legacy without naming him, promising economic reforms and a clampdown on corruption and cronyism. Tokayev also announced the impending withdrawal of the Russian-led forcesan angle that led many Western news reports on the speech in light of growing tensions between the US and Vladimir Putins regime. (The New York Times called the Kazakhstan intervention a geopolitical triumph for Putin.) Tokayevs domestic follow-through is also worthy of our close attention, however, as is the situation for the press in Kazakhstan. Political openings of any variety dont tend to be very durable without media openings, too.

Below, more on press freedom and journalism around the world:

Kazakhstan: Last week, as the unrest in Kazakhstan unfolded, Bellingcat, an open-source investigative-journalism platform, launched a database of notable flights into and out of the country as one tool to help researchers and reporters monitor the situation from afar. The ability to follow, in real time, where high profile individuals, cargo flights, or even transport of soldiers to and from a conflict zone can provide crucial insight into a developing situation, Aiganysh Aidarbekova wrote. For example, in Kazakhstan rumours have spread about the whereabouts of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, with local media alleging that he has left the country with his two daughters.

Last week, as the unrest in Kazakhstan unfolded, Bellingcat, an open-source investigative-journalism platform, launched a database of notable flights into and out of the country as one tool to help researchers and reporters monitor the situation from afar. The ability to follow, in real time, where high profile individuals, cargo flights, or even transport of soldiers to and from a conflict zone can provide crucial insight into a developing situation, Aiganysh Aidarbekova wrote. For example, in Kazakhstan rumours have spread about the whereabouts of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, with local media alleging that he has left the country with his two daughters. Armenia: In 2018, when Nikol Pashinyan, a former journalist, took over as the prime minister of Armenia, a country in the Caucasus region, local journalists hoped that he would usher in a new era of press freedom. Now Nick Lewis, of the Committee to Protect Journalists, reports that those hopes may have been dashed. Reformsabove all in the areas of access to official information and television market liberalizationhave failed to materialize, Lewis writes. Armenias Parliament has placed restrictions on reporters access, including to stop them covering brawls among lawmakers, while Pashinyans government tightened laws around defamation and insult.

In 2018, when Nikol Pashinyan, a former journalist, took over as the prime minister of Armenia, a country in the Caucasus region, local journalists hoped that he would usher in a new era of press freedom. Now Nick Lewis, of the Committee to Protect Journalists, reports that those hopes may have been dashed. Reformsabove all in the areas of access to official information and television market liberalizationhave failed to materialize, Lewis writes. Armenias Parliament has placed restrictions on reporters access, including to stop them covering brawls among lawmakers, while Pashinyans government tightened laws around defamation and insult. Zimbabwe: Jeffrey Moyo, a freelance reporter who has worked for the Times in Zimbabwe, was scheduled to go on trial today after he was arrested last year and charged with helping two other Times journalists enter the country illegally. Moyo has entered a not-guilty plea, and even the government acknowledged at one point that the charge he faces is practically baseless, the Times reports. Some Zimbabwean journalists have privately expressed fears that the prosecution of Mr. Moyo was unnerving partly because of his reputation as a highly professional freelancer who has no political agenda. If it can happen to him, they argue, it can happen to anyone.

Jeffrey Moyo, a freelance reporter who has worked for the Times in Zimbabwe, was scheduled to go on trial today after he was arrested last year and charged with helping two other Times journalists enter the country illegally. Moyo has entered a not-guilty plea, and even the government acknowledged at one point that the charge he faces is practically baseless, the Times reports. Some Zimbabwean journalists have privately expressed fears that the prosecution of Mr. Moyo was unnerving partly because of his reputation as a highly professional freelancer who has no political agenda. If it can happen to him, they argue, it can happen to anyone. Tanzania: According to the East African, fourteen people, six of them journalists, were killed in a road-traffic accident in Tanzania this week. The journalists have been identified as Johari Saan, Husna Mlanzi, Van Charles, Abel Ngapemba, Anthony Chuwa, and Steven Msengi; their driver, Paul Silanga, also died. Their car had been traveling in a convoy with a regional official. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzanias president, wrote on her Twitter account that she was shocked by the deaths.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: Ten days of turnover

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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
NEW YORK (AP)Investigators sought answers Monday for why safety doors failed to close when fire broke out in a New York high-rise, allowing thick smoke to rise through the tower and kill 17 people, including eight children, in the citys deadliest blaze in more than three decades.

A malfunctioning electric space heater apparently started the fire Sunday in the 19-story building in the Bronx, fire officials said. The flames damaged only a small part of the building, but smoke poured through the apartments open door and turned stairwells into dark, ash-choked death traps. The stairs were the only method of escape in a tower too tall for fire escapes.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the apartments front door and a door on the 15th floor should have been self-closing and blunted the spread of smoke, but the doors stayed fully open. It was not clear if the doors failed mechanically or if they had been manually disabled. Nigro said the apartment door was not obstructed.

The heavy smoke blocked some residents from escaping and incapacitated others as they tried to flee, fire officials said. Firefighters carried out limp children and gave them oxygen and continued making rescues even after their air supplies ran out.

Glenn Corbett, a fire science professor at John Jay College in New York City, said closed doors are vital to containing fire and smoke, especially in buildings that do not have automatic sprinkler systems.

Its pretty remarkable that the failure of one door could lead to how many deaths we had here, but thats the reality of it, Corbett said. That one door played a critical role in allowing the fire to spread and the smoke and heat to spread vertically through the building.

Dozens of people were hospitalized, including several in critical condition. Mayor Eric Adams called it an unspeakable tragedy at a news conference near the scene Monday.

This tragedy is not going to define us, Adams said. It is going to show our resiliency.

Adams lowered the death toll from an initial report Sunday, saying that two fewer people were killed than originally thought. Nigro said patients were taken to seven hospitals and there was a bit of a double count.

The dead included children as young as 4 years old, City Council Member Oswald Feliz said.

An investigation was underway to determine exactly how the fire spread and whether anything could have been done to prevent or contain the blaze, Nigro said.

A fire department official said the space heater had been running for a prolonged period before the fire began. What caused it to malfunction remains under investigation, spokesman Frank Dwyer said. Fire then spread quickly to nearby furniture and bedding, Dwyer said.

Nigro said the heat was on in the building before the fire started, and the space heater was being used to supplement it.

But Stefan Beauvogui, who lived with his wife in the building for about seven years, said cold was an ongoing problem in his fourth-floor apartment. Beauvogui said he had three space heaters for the winterfor the bedrooms and the sitting room. The heating system that was supposed to warm the apartment dont work for nothing. He said he had complained, but it had not been fixed.

Large, new apartment buildings are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that swing shut automatically to contain smoke and deprive fires of oxygen, but those rules do not apply to thousands of the citys older buildings.

The building was equipped with self-closing doors and smoke alarms, but several residents said they initially ignored the alarms because they were so common in the 120-unit building.

Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, the group that owns the building, said it was cooperating fully with the fire department and the city and working to assist residents.

We are devastated by the unimaginable loss of life caused by this profound tragedy, the statement said.

A spokeswoman for the ownership group, Kelly Magee, said maintenance staff in July fixed the lock on the front door of the apartment in which the fire started and, while doing that repair, checked that the apartments self-closing door was working. No issues were reported with the door after that point, Magee said.

New York City inspectors have issued violations for problems with self-closing doors on five apartments in the building and one opening to a stairwell stretching back a dozen years, according to a database maintained by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The records state that all the violations were corrected.

Residents smoking in the stairwells sometimes tripped the fire alarms, and property managers had been working with them to address the problem, Magee said. She said the alarms appeared to work properly on Sunday.

The tower was required by building codes to have sprinklers only in its trash compactor and laundry room because it has concrete ceilings and floors, she said.

Camber Property Group is one of three firms in the ownership group that purchased the building in 2020 as part of $166 million purchase of eight affordable housing buildings in the borough. One of Cambers founders, Rick Gropper, served on Adams transition team, advising him on housing. He contributed to a dozen politicians in the past few elections, including $400 to Adams campaign last year.

New York City has been slow to require sprinklers for older apartment buildings, passing laws to mandate them in high-rise office towers after 9/11 but punting in recent years on a bill that would require such measures in residential buildings.

In 2018, a city lawmaker proposed requiring automatic fire sprinklers in residential buildings 40 feet or taller by the end of 2029, but that measure never passed, and the lawmaker recently left office.

A sprinkler system set off by heat in the apartment might have saved lives, said Ronald Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Most likely it would have extinguished that fire or at least held it in check and not produced the amount of toxic smoke, said Siarnicki, adding that firefighter groups have been lobbying for stricter sprinkler requirements for years.

The building is home to many families originally from Gambia in West Africa.

Resident Karen Dejesus said she was used to hearing the fire alarm go off.

Not until I actually saw the smoke coming in the door did I realize it was a real fire, and I began to hear people yelling, `Help! Help! Help! she said.

Dejesus, who was in her two-floor apartment with her son and 3-year-old granddaughter, immediately called family members and ran to get towels to put under the door. But smoke began coming down her stairs before the 56-year-old resident could get the towels, so the three ran to the back of the apartment.

It was so scary, she said. Just the fact that were in a building thats burning and you dont know how youre going to get out. You dont know if the firefighters are going to get to you in time.

Firefighters broke down her door and helped all three out the window and down a ladder to safety. Dejesus clung to her rescuer on the way down.

The fire was New York Citys deadliest since 1990, when 87 people died in an arson at the Happy Land social club, also in the Bronx. Sundays fire happened just days after 12 people, including eight children, were killed in a house fire in Philadelphia.

Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan, Deepti Hajela and Bernard Condon contributed to this report.

About the photo: Cleaning and recovery crews prepare their tyvek suits outside the apartment building which suffered the citys deadliest fire in three decades, in the Bronx borough of New York on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The cost of settling workplace class-action lawsuits reached a record high in 2021, defying expectations that the COVID-19 pandemic would decrease the size and reduce the number of payouts, according to a new report by the Seyfarth Shaw law firm in Chicago.

The plaintiffs bar capitalized on a recovering economy and aligned priorities with the new Biden Administration to secure a record financial haul in 2021, stated the author, Seyfarth partner Gerald L. Maatman Jr. As the defense based on arbitration agreements with class action waivers faces increased attacks across the country, employers can look at this past year as a precursor to new legal challenges and an explosion of class and collective actions in 2022.

Seyfarths 18th annual Workplace Class Action Litigation Report says it examined a record number of 1,607 class action rulings in 2021. The analysis includes all rulings in the federal and state court systems.

The law firm reports the aggregate amount of the top 10 private monetary settlements in each of five categories of workplace class action lawsuits; employment discrimination, wage and hour, Employee Retirement Income Security Act, statutory private actions and governmental employment. Altogether, the total of the top ten settlements in each of the categories was $3.62 billion in 2021, surpassing the previous high of $2.72 billion set in 2017 and dwarfing the $1.58 billion paid out in settlements in 2020.

Employers saw increases in settlement values for wage and hour claims, ERISA filings and private statutory claims, but decreases in the amount spent to resolve employment discrimination lawsuits and government enforcement litigation.

The top ten private plaintiff statutory settlementscases involving biometric privacy, breach of contract or violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, skyrocketed to a new high of $1.67 billion. The previous record was $487 million in 2017.

Those settlements include an agreement by the University of Southern California to pay $852 million to settle a class action by 702 victims who claim they were sexually abused by the universitys staff gynecologist. Sutter Health in Northern California agreed to pay $575 million to settle litigation that accused the hospital system of abusing its market power to raise prices and force health plans to use its providers, the report says.

Seyfath said a legislative trend to protect privacy and personal data in workplaces will likely generate more class action litigation in 2022.

Allegations that employers mishandled retirement plans also led to large settlements last year. The top 10 ERIA settlements cost a total of $837 million, double the $380 million total in 2020 and the $376 million total in 2019.

Repeated waves of 401(k) fee litigation have brought more than just litigation headaches for employers; the significant exposure presented by these cases has caused many fiduciary liability insurers to make significant policy changes that make coverage more expensive and more difficult to obtain, the report says.

The top ten settlements of wage and hour class cases cost $641.3 million last year, up from $294.6 million in 2020 and $449.05 million in 2019. Seyfarth said the number of filings increased in 2021, perhaps due to a backlog that developed during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

We expect these numbers to rise ever further in 2022 with a more employee-friendly U.S. Department of Labor actively working to eliminate pro-business rules and shifting its regulatory focus toward a plaintiff-friendly agenda, the report says.

Seyfarth said the Biden Administration has reversed many of the pro-business policies adopted during Donald Trumps presidency. For example, the Department of Labor rescinded a regulation that took effect in March 2020 that created a four-factor balancing test to determine whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. Other changes may come after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission loses its majority of Trump-appointed members later this year.

The report is available upon request by clicking the link here.

About the photo: In this July 1, 2019, file photo, Dr. George Tyndall, 72, listens during an arraignment at Los Angeles Superior court in Los Angeles. The University of Southern California agreed to pay $852 million to settle a lawsuit filed by 702 student who say they were sexually abused by the staff gynecologist, according to the Seyfarth Shaw law firm.
SCHRIEVER, La. (AP)More than four months after Hurricane Ida destroyed or did major damage to their houses, some Louisiana residents are just now moving from tent camps to government-supplied mobile homes and RV trailers.

Shantell Campbell of Houma and her three school-aged children moved last week from a camp to one of dozens of RV trailers provided through a state test program and paid for by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at a field in Schriever, about 11 miles (18 kilometers) away.

Im grateful, Campbell told The Courier. Theres still people trying just to get here.

Tent camps in Dulac and Montegut have closed, and occupants have moved from camps under single huge tents to one in Chauvin, featuring multiple small tents, said Terrebonne planning and zoning director Chris Pulaski.

Its better in the event anybody tests positive for COVID, Pulaski said.

The state test program is starting to reduce the backlog, the newspaper reported.

FEMA suggested the program because regulations for state-run shelters are less restrictive than those for mobile homes provided by the federal agency, Mike Steele, spokesman for the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Protection, said Monday.

In addition, he noted, the RV trailers are easier to haul onto property.

Hurricane Ida left many of the residents homes unlivable. The storm roared ashore Aug. 29, 2021, at Port Fourchon, 47 miles (75 kilometers) southeast of Houma, as a strong Category 4 hurricane with 150-mph (240-kph) winds.

As of Monday, Steele said, the state has deployed 3,101 RV trailers across south Louisiana, including 1,272 in Terrebonne Parish and 580 in Lafourche Parish. Nearly 7,500 people from more than 2,600 households are living in them, he said.

Steele said the program started in some of the worst-hit coastal areas and moved inland. The first RV trailers were set out in mid-October, two weeks after FEMAs approval, he said.

Kentucky officials have talked to their counterparts in Louisiana about emulating the program to house people whose homes were hit by Decembers deadly tornadoes, and Louisiana is considering the purchase of more trailers, Steele added.

Were talking to FEMA about having this as a regular option after disasters, he said.

Pulaski said FEMA had approved nearly 1,500 households for housing but had only 70 mobile homes occupied.

The move to trailers frees up needed space in the tent camps, Terrebonne Parish Councilman Carl Harding said.

Alexis Amacker lived for a while in a tent camp near his home in Houma. He has now moved into an RV trailer.

It took a while, but its a blessing, Amacker said.

Parish officials have repeatedly criticized the slow response by FEMA at getting mobile homes set up across the two parishes.

Harding said residents living in the RV trailers told him last week that their needs include getting a school bus stop and Wi-Fi access.

Those housed in the campers are chosen at random from residents who have applied for temporary housing after the storm. In addition to tent camps, some lived in hotel rooms paid for by FEMA.

Two tent camps in Terrebonne Parish are still full, according to Pulaski, who said hes also worried that COVID-19 is delaying progress. He said he tested positive over the holidays. Hes feeling better, and has been staggering shifts and letting staffers work from home to cause as little disruption as possible.

We cant afford to have the permit office go down because of a COVID outbreak, he said. Theres too much at stake.

In Chauvin, Carolyn Marcel and Kenneth Scott Jr. have had a FEMA mobile home on their property since Dec. 12, but couldnt move in because inspection and licensing werent complete. Marcel and Scott said they havent been given a timeline. For now, they are staying in a small camper that theyve parked in their sons driveway.

Both have heart problems and joked that once they move into the FEMA trailer with all of their equipment, itll look like a hospital unit. Both have been responsible for taking care of family members and say they need their own space after being stretched thinly.

We need rest, Marcel said.

Associated Press writer Janet McConnaughey in New Orleans contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at the MMS- Payne Funeral Home Chapel from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Grace Ann Harrison passed away on April 26, 2022 at the age of 76 years old. Grace Ann was born to Dryden and Joan Carman 


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Cleburne, TX (76033)

Today

Thunderstorms this morning, then cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 75F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Beachwood, OH (44122)

Today

Rain. High 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 48F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Playmakers Youth Theatre at the Mandel Jewish Community Center in Beachwood will present two spring performances after nearly two years without live shows because of the COVID-19 pandemic. High school students will put on A Midsummer Nights Dream in April, while kindergarten through ninth graders will perform Seussical in May.

Director Emma Miller, who was hired in March 2020, said she is enthusiastic about both shows and believes A Midsummer Nights Dream will push the cast to become better performers.

It feels like an amazing reintroduction to performing live for these teens who have the appetite to tackle something thats really challenging and rewarding and exciting, Miller said.

She said the creativity and lesson behind Seussical are what will attract young audiences to the production. The message of the musical that every person is valuable falls in line with the mission of Playmakers, she said.

Miller grew up in Shaker Heights and is a member of The Temple-Tifereth Israel in Beachwood. She started performing with Playmakers at age 7, where she made lifelong friends and memories, she said. For instance, her Playmakers friends from different religious backgrounds would come together for Shabbat dinner at one of their houses.

It was the kind of emblematic experience which shows that no matter our background, we have come to love each other and be in this community together, Miller said.

Another favorite memory was when she was part of the Playmakers production of Hair in high school. In between the matinee and evening performances, the cast sang songs from the show fully costumed at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst while a crowd gathered and asked where they could find tickets. She also enjoyed the various 24-hour theater experiences called Playmakers PM.

Those overnights are also so representative to me of what Playmakers is, Miller said. Its like laughing and crying and having this hilarious, wonderful, enriching, amazing time with your favorite people.

Miller attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where she earned a degree in drama with a focus in directing and trained at the National Theater Institute in Waterford, Conn. Since then, she has run a professional theater company and worked as a theater educator. Currently, she has dual residency in New York City and Cleveland.

Her choice to return to Playmakers as director came from her appreciation of the group.

I credit who I am as a human being and as a theater educator and artist to Playmakers and to performing arts camp, Miller said. The opportunity to give that kind of life-altering experience that shaped me back to the next generation felt incredibly important to me and really compelling.

Sheri Gross, who is the interim arts critic for the Cleveland Jewish News, directed Playmakers for 21 years before Rachel Zake took over. Miller is the third director in the organizations history. She started during the production of the musical Frozen just before everything shut down and became virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Miller was a Playmakers participant under Gross and worked closely with her as an assistant director through high school and during camp summers, she said.

She is a mentor and dear friend, Miller said.

She said her main goal for this group is to keep the children engaged with live theater. She plans to connect students to working professionals and offer classes to improve technique.

Theater can teach children valuable life lessons like teamwork and build their self-esteem, she said. This is why Playmakers deemphasizes the casting process so there are no small roles.

We make sure that every child feels like they have a moment to shine in the spotlight, Miller said. So, I think kids should come for that opportunity.

Madisyn Woodring is a freelance writer.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted 30 million worth of counterfeit medicines made to appear like branded drugs, it announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The BOC said it launched its operations in Paranaque City last January 5 after it received tips about the fake medicines. They arrested a 31-year-old Pakistani national and brought him to the Paranaque City Prosecutors' Office for an inquest. The suspect would be slapped with various cases.

"We received reports about the presence of counterfeit items. Its not just items, but medicines. We acted on this immediately because this can pose as a health threat," said Raniel Ramiro, Customs Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence Group.

The fake items were apparently labeled with household brand names such as Biogesic, Neozep, Bioflu, Medicol, and Alaxan FR. Some brands that have gained attention partly because of the ongoing global health crisis were also counterfeited. These are Immunpro, Ivermectin, Phenokinon F Injection, Planax, MX3, and others, the agency said.

The BOC noted that the items packed in cartons tagged with Chinese characters were deemed counterfeit, citing a certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Unilab Pharmaceuticals.

As COVID cases surge, more Filipinos complained about the shortage of over-the-counter flu and fever medicines.

RELATED: Some branded paracetamol out of stock; govt urges use of generic drugs

While the government previously clarified there was no shortage of drugs to treat some COVID symptoms, it has eventually issued an order on Tuesday limiting the number of over-the-counter fever and flu medicines a household can purchase due to increased demand. This is also to prevent consumers from hoarding, the order specified.

READ: Govt sets purchase limit on fever, flu meds
Chinese FM holds talks with Bahraini counterpart

Xinhua) 09:48, January 12, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Tuesday.

Noting Bahrain and China enjoy time-honored relations and a solid friendship, Al Zayani said Bahrain attaches great importance to strengthening and deepening relations with China and is ready to expand bilateral cooperation in all areas.

Wang said China appreciates Bahrain's firm adherence to the friendly policy towards China and thanks Bahrain for its solid support on issues involving China's core interests and major concerns.

Noting that China firmly advocates and practices multilateralism and upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Wang said China will always stand on the side of developing countries and small- and medium-sized nations to jointly defend international fairness and justice.

China is willing to be a long-term and reliable strategic partner of Bahrain and deepen mutual trust and friendship, Wang added.

China will continue to provide vaccines to Bahrain, work with Bahrain to keep international anti-pandemic cooperation on the right track, and ensure scientific and fair research on global tracing of virus origins, Wang said.

China is ready to strengthen bilateral cooperation on 5G communications, e-commerce, digital economy, and big data, and advance cooperation in the fields of infrastructure and photovoltaic projects, said Wang.

China encourages more competitive Chinese enterprises to invest in Bahrain and hopes that Bahrain would continue to provide an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, he added.

Al Zayani said Bahrain recognizes the basic norms governing international relations such as non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect, good neighborliness, and peaceful dispute settlements. He added that Bahrain also opposes politicizing human rights issues and supports China's efforts to maintain unity and stability.

Al Zayani said that Bahrain supports China in hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics and opposes the politicization of sports.

The two sides exchanged views on cooperation between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as well as on the Iranian nuclear issue and the situation in the Middle East.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
> All the News

The Commission is proposing today a partial suspension of the application of the agreement with the Republic of Vanuatu allowing citizens of Vanuatu to travel to the EU without a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-period.

This is necessary to mitigate the risks posed by Vanuatu's investor citizenship (or golden passports) schemes on the security of the EU and its Member States. Today's proposal follows extensive exchanges with the authorities of Vanuatu, including prior warnings of the possibility of suspension. The schemes allow citizens of third countries to obtain Vanuatu citizenship - and thus also visa-free access to the EU - in exchange for a minimum investment of 130,000 USD.

Based on careful monitoring of the schemes and information received from Vanuatu, the Commission has concluded that Vanuatu's investor citizenship schemes present serious deficiencies and security failures, with:

The granting of citizenship to applicants listed in Interpol's databases, which raises concerns about the reliability of the security screening;

An average application processing time too short to allow for thorough screening; as well as no systematic exchange of information with the applicants' country of origin or main past residence before citizenship is granted;

A very low rejection rate: up until 2020, only one application was rejected;

The countries of origin of successful applicants including countries that are visa-required for the EU, with some that are typically excluded from other citizenship schemes.

As a result, Vanuatu's investor citizenship schemes allow individuals who would otherwise need a visa to travel to the EU to bypass the regular Schengen visa procedure and the in-depth assessment of individual migratory and security risks it entails.

Additionally, investor citizenship schemes operated by Vanuatu since 2015 are commercially promoted with the expressed purpose of granting visa-free access to the EU, while the visa waiver agreement is not aimed at allowing visa-required travellers to circumvent the visa requirement by acquiring Vanuatu citizenship.

The Commission has concluded on this basis that Vanuatu's investor citizenship schemes present heightened risks for the security of the EU and its Member States and is therefore proposing a partial and proportionate suspension of the visa waiver agreement. The suspension would be applicable to all holders of ordinary passports issued as of 25 May 2015, when Vanuatu started issuing a substantial number of passports in exchange for investment. These holders would therefore no longer be allowed to travel to the EU without a visa (but would retain the possibility to apply for a visa to visit the EU).

Next steps

It is now for the Council to examine this proposal and decide whether to partially suspend the visa waiver agreement. The European Parliament must be kept informed. If the Council decides to partially suspend the agreement, Vanuatu should be notified at least two months before the suspension is applied. During the period of partial suspension, the Commission must establish an enhanced dialogue with Vanuatu, with a view to eliminating or substantially mitigating the security risks for the EU and its Member States. Should Vanuatu introduce sufficient measures to this effect, the partial suspension should be lifted.

Background

Investor citizenship schemes in countries with visa-free access to the EU may have an impact on the visa-free regime, as they raise security risks.

The Commission's report on investor citizenship schemes of January 2019 highlighted concerns about such schemes, in particular as regards security, infiltration of organised crime, money laundering, the financing of terrorism, tax evasion and corruption. In the report, the Commission also warned that the schemes could be used to circumvent the regular Schengen visa procedure and the in-depth risk assessment this procedure entails.

Since 2015, almost at the same time as the visa waiver agreement between the EU and Vanuatu was signed and started to apply provisionally, Vanuatu started operating investor citizenship schemes on an increasingly large scale, granting citizenship to a high numbers of applicants. The Commission has carefully monitored the schemes and collected information regarding their management, in particular as regards application requirements, security screening of applicants, exchange of information and statistics the on number of applications, the nationality of applicants and the rejection rate.

At meetings between the EU and Vanuatu held in April 2019 and April 2021, the EU referred again to the potential impact of Vanuatu's investor citizenship schemes on the visa waiver agreement. On both occasions, the EU urged Vanuatu to immediately address possible risks of infiltration of organised crime, money laundering, tax evasion and corruption associated with such schemes. However, no substantial amendments were made to the schemes and in April 2021 the Government of Vanuatu even took additional steps to set up a new citizenship program.

All EU visa waiver agreements can be suspended on grounds of security or public policy concerns.

Source: European Commission - Press release
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday warned that self-administered COVID-19 antigen test may yield false result and lead to contamination.

He reiterated that the Food and Drug Administration has not yet allowed any antigen test kit for home use.

He also noted that use of antigen test kits sold online could mean improper usage, result interpretation, and disposal since there is no guideline on how to use these.

"We just want to appeal to everyone that you cannot be doing this by yourself. How are you going to dispose? This can possibly lead to contaminationYou are accountable and responsible for your actions because the FDA's grant of certificate of product registration comes with the guidelines how to do it, he said.

You cannot be doing this by yourself and be cavalier about it. Mamaya gagawin mo, tapos false negative o false positive, ano gagawin mo? (What will you do if the result is either false positive or false negative?)" he added.

Duque warned that there are consequences and advised the public to be careful.

Don't order these antigen test kits in the hope you'll be able to find out if you have the virus or not," he added.

He urged the public to keep following the minimum public health standards, such as wearing of face masks and getting vaccinated.

The Health chief also said he instructed the FDA to step up efforts to find the sources of test kits being sold online.

"We have to look for the source of the antigen test kits and check them whether it has been granted approval or not. If not, they can be illegal and fake," he said.

Some Filipinos reportedly resorted to self-administered antigen test despite the absence of FDAs approval due to the high cost of laboratory-based COVID-19 tests, long lines in testing centers, and delay in the release of results.

The FDA only recently opened the application for self-administered antigen test kits, which will determine in 30 minutes if a person has COVID-19 or not. The DOH will issue guidelines on the proper use of antigen test kits at home on Jan. 17.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  Its too early to write off the possibility of National Capital Region reverting to Alert Level 4 just yet, a Metro Manila local chief executive said Wednesday.

"Of course it's too early to say na [that] we will say no to an Alert Level 4. I think that we still have to wait for more data and probably make that decision closer to the time when it has to be made, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte told CNN Philippines The Source.

Probably 2 days before the [January] 15th ends just to make sure pinaka-updated na data tinitignan natin [were looking at the most updated data], she further explained.

Currently, Belmonte and her fellow mayors want NCR to remain under Alert Level 3 as the regions healthcare utilization rate has yet to meet the threshold of Alert Level 4 and establishments and individuals are acting as if the metros classification was already escalated.

RELATED: Alert Level 4 by proxy: Abalos defends mayors opting to keep NCR under Alert Level 3

Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro also told The Source that they are monitoring the regions healthcare utilization rate, emphasizing that Metro Manilas alert level should be adjusted once it goes up.

As of Jan. 11, Department of Health data show the capital region's utilization rate is at 54% for ICU beds, 60% for isolation beds, and 64% for ward beds.

An area must have a healthcare utilization rate of 71-84% for it to be placed under the tighter Alert Level 4 according to DOH metrics.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque, meanwhile, expressed hope Alert Level 4 does not happen anytime soon, adding the government's pandemic response task force is guided by experts in the data analytics technical working group.

RELATED: Palace: We are prepared for possible Alert Level 4 in NCR

"We hope the hospitalsand this will also depend on local government units and private hospitalsensure that their capacities are really, truly for the severe and critical, he said at Wednesday's Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

Metro Manila will be under Alert Level 3 until Jan. 15.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday denied two separate petitions  one seeking to reopen the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) and the other to postpone the upcoming elections to 2025.

The first plea pertains to the request of the PDP-Laban wing headed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, which also asked the Comelec to delay the printing of poll ballots due to unresolved cases against aspirants.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez explained the plea was junked as the grounds raised in the petition were not meritorious.

The petition was saying that its impossible to do all of these things because hindi pa tapos yung mga kaso (because the cases are not yet resolved). That is a wrong assertion. This is not the first time that we will be going to print with pending disqualification cases for example, Jimenez said in a media briefing.

The fact that there are pending disqualification cases has never been a reason for suspending the start of printing ballots," he added.

The second plea seeking the postponement of the elections was filed by the Coalition for Life and Democracy last month.

The group cited the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

As for the reason for junking the petition, Jimenez advised to wait for the release of the poll bodys resolution.

Both decided finally today, thats why resolutions are not yet out, he said. Discussed and all agreed it should be denied.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Melissa Lopez contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12) The countrys top health official has said the Department of Health (DOH) will secure enough funds for medical frontliners in a crucial meeting on Thursday with the Finance and Budget departments.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the meeting with the Department of Finance and Department of Budget Management is necessary to identify the source of around 43 billion needed for the special risk allowance.

The programmed funds allotted for it in the 2022 budget can only cover two months, he noted.

We're looking at better revenue generation and more efficient collection," Duque pointed out in an online Kapihan forum. "About 7.8 or 7.9 billion was in the programmed funds in the GAA for 2022. That will only last no more than two months worth of allowances."

He admitted funds were insufficient in 2021, leading to the delayed issuance of benefits.

"Kulang talaga sa pondo for SRA (special risk allowance) and MAT (meals, accommodation, and transportation). I have to admit hindi pa nabibigay lahat but we continue to do that," he added.

[Translation: We lacked funds for the SRA and MAT. I admit we haven't given it in full yet, but we continue to work on it.]

Health workers across the country have long aired their frustrations against the DOH's alleged neglect in providing COVID-19 benefits.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  The World Health Organization does not expect the IHU variant that was first detected in France to become more prevalent in the Philippines than the Omicron or Delta, country representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said on Wednesday.

"This variant has not shown a capacity to predominate in transmission so it does not seem to have a capacity to be displacing Delta or Omicron," said Abeyasinghe in a government-led 'Laging Handa' public briefing.

The variant has been circulating since September or November last year, Abeyasinghe said. But as of this time, it is not yet a variant of concern.

Instead, it is classified as a variant under monitoring, which means it may pose a future risk but its impact remains unclear.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said the IHU variant will enter the country "whether we like it or not." But experts said it is not yet a threat.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  The National Privacy Commission on Wednesday directed the Commission on Elections to explain the alleged hacking of its servers.

The NPC set a virtual clarificatory meeting with Comelec and Manila Bulletin on Jan. 25 to discuss the news organizations report on the supposed data breach.

The Comelec must address the serious allegations made in the Manila Bulletin news report and determine whether personal data were indeed compromised, particularly personal information, sensitive personal information, or data affecting the same, which were processed in connection with the upcoming 2022 national and local elections," said Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga in a statement.

The NPC also ordered Comelec to conduct a comprehensive probe into the matter and submit its findings no later than Jan. 21.

On Jan. 10, the Manila Bulletin reported an alleged hacking incident into the Comelecs servers that was discovered by the publication's tech team. The downloaded data could potentially affect the May 2022 elections, the report said.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez questioned the claim, arguing that the information, which reportedly included passcodes from vote-counting machines, was not yet available in the systems.

The poll body has since launched an investigation into the matter.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12) A number of presidential aspirants on Wednesday opposed the Department of Transportations new policy banning the unvaccinated from using public transport in Metro Manila while under Alert Level 3 or higher.

Senator Manny Pacquiao said those who have yet to get their shots should not be forced, but should instead be educated about the benefits of vaccines.

Ako po ay nanawagan sa DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), sa PNP (Philippine National Police), sa DOTr at sa ating mga LGU na huwag naman po sana nating pilitin ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna kung ito ay labag sa kanilang paniniwala. Kumbinsihin po natin sila at pagpaliwanagan ngunit huwag natin silang pilitin, Pacquiao said.

[Translation: Im calling on the DILG, PNP, DOTr, and LGUs not to force our countrymen to get vaccinated if this is against their belief. Lets persuade them, educate them, but not force them.]

Labor leader Leody de Guzman also raised concern over the rule, stressing that there is no law backing it up and would therefore violate peoples rights.

He called on the government to expedite the vaccination drive and strengthen the healthcare system instead.

Senator Ping Lacson said the government should first check if there are enough shots available for the public.

Indiscriminately punishing even the willing but have no choice due to government shortcomings in providing for their protection should first be taken into consideration before taking a drastic action of possibly denying those people their means of livelihood to feed their families, Lacson said.

The Office of Vice President Leni Robredo maintained that the countrys vaccination policy should inform and incentivize rather than penalize.

Similarly, free mass testing and improved contact tracing are key in controlling transmission of the virus, it noted.

The camp of former senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr. said that while it agrees to enhanced restrictions against the unvaccinated, it also called on the government to further expand the inoculation drive and bring it closer to the people. If possible, to their very doorsteps, it said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  Metro Manilas COVID-19 reproduction number, or the average number of contacts infected per case, has decreased to 4.69 after being higher than 5 for two weeks, according to OCTA Research.

In a tweet on Wednesday, OCTA Research fellow Guido David noted that the National Capital Regions reproduction number had been higher than 5 since Dec. 30 when the uptick in cases started, even reaching 6.16 on Jan. 2.

A decreasing reproduction number indicates that the trend is slowing down. One way to think of this is a decreasing growth rate, cases are still rising but at a slower pace. In past surges, a peak is always preceded by a decreasing reproduction number, David explained.

However, he pointed out it is still uncertain as to whether the capital region is already nearing the peak of COVID-19 surge.

Are we close to the peak in the NCR? Hopefully. Because the trends being observed are based on limited data, there is still uncertainty when the peak might happen. Again, hopefully sooner than later, he added.

On Wednesday, the Philippines reported over 32,000 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total active case count to 208,164  its highest yet.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said it is still too early to assume that the spread of COVID-19 in the country is slowing down as the government observes spikes in regions near Metro Manila.
The Coastal Point is a local newspaper published each Friday and distributed in the Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island, Ocean View, Millville, Dagsboro, Frankford, Selbyville, Millsboro, Long Neck and Georgetown, Delaware areas.
Employees at Mountaire Farms' Selbyville processing plant were asked to vote on whether to retain the United Food Commercial Workers union to represent them. A second vote on the issue favored removal of the union.
Children ages 12-15 can now receive a booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, five months after they receive their second dose.
Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
The Colorado Supreme Court has determined that trial court judges who attempt to define the concept of reasonable doubt using illustrations or analogies to familiar concepts may, in fact, be committing an error that requires reversal of a defendant's conviction.
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As the Cubs were beating the Braves 6-3 Wednesday night Steve left to see the game with his mom and dad, Reva and Harold, brother Ron and baby niece Elizabeth Henney. He left behind to run the store his wife Kathleen (Knight), Amelia (27), Nathan (24) and his beloved cat Lewis Black. His sis
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Every time Apple attempts to inject a little more privacy into the digital world, it faces pushback  but the evidence suggests opponents would be better off going along for the ride.

A bigger business with more privacy

Take Do Not Track for ads and the move to quash IDFA tracking in iOS 14. When Apple first announced its plan, critics across the ad industry complained it would damage their business.

Apple counter-argued that it would simply inspire advertisers to think more creatively about how to reach customers  while also providing more privacy to those customers.

Who's right?

You get to decide. But it seems relevant to consider that the latest App Annie State of Mobile report claims the mobile ad market climbed 22.6% last year, despite moves to limit data tracking. Thats clear evidence to suggest the mobile advertising industry is now healthier than ever before  even as users gained a little more privacy.

Now iCloud Private Relay faces pushback, too

This pattern of resistance to change is occuring again. Apples iCloud Private Relay service is smart. It works to protect a users Safari browser traffic by making it impossible to relate browsing habits to identity.

It does so by sending the request via one route while receiving the website by another. The effect of Private Relay is a little like VPN, and means no one, not Apple and not the carrier, can easily tell what sites you visit online. Youd think everyone would welcome this.

Youd be wrong.

Carriers are complaining about the move. In Europe a consortium including T-Mobile, Telefonica, Orange, and Vodafone have told the European Commission that Private Relay prevents them from managing their networks and accessing vital network data and metadata.

They complain that Apple has become a digital gatekeeper with the move. I expect Apples army of lawyers is tooling up for a fight. After all, they will see that the carriers argument makes little sense, given that Private Relay effectively gets rid of the gate. Who can keep a gate that does not exist?

It is worth noting that T-Mobile is one of a handful of carriers to have been accused of blocking the service, but it says the problem is with Apple.

Customers who chose plans and features with content filtering (e.g. parent controls) do not have access to the iCloud Private Relay to allow these services to work as designed. All other customers have no restrictions, T-Mobile said.

Why do carriers want this stuff?

Carriers may have been quietly using this information to benefit their businesses. (It is also possible that some may be required to gather this information under some national security regulations.)

A BT Group submission to the UK government complained that these technologies would make it difficult to monitor and censor content: The encryption developments such as DNS over HTTPS and Apple iCloud Private Relay pose significant challenges for implementing such Access Restriction Orders, it said.

No one can collect such information if it does not exist.

Whats strange about this is that most carriers will permit you to use VPN services (assuming you can find a trustworthy provider). And carriers have always been able to gather location data and usually some insight into app use.

Dig a little deeper

Security experts think the carriers have little reason to complain, with perhaps one of the larger rationales being the potential universality of this protection. While VPNs arent routinely used, this service is available to every user and enabling it may obscure some information around network usage.

Telecom operators should already be comfortable with network neutrality, so simply managing the lower technical layers of the networks, privacy researcher Lukasz Olejnik told Wired.

He argues that they can achieve pretty much the same results in terms of network optimization and provision of advanced network services by digging deeper into network infrastructure.

What happens next?

I think carriers will dig into network infrastructure to deliver advanced services and will still enjoy rapid business growth, just as the ad market is experiencing. They just need to find a new approach that isn't data intrusive.

I am, however, concerned about the potential consequences if part of the problem carriers are having with Private Relay reflects the need to monitor content in line with security regulation in some places. If that is the case, Apple may be forced to remove the service from additional nations.

(The beta service is not available in China, Belarus, Colombia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkmenistan, Uganda, and the Philippines.)

But I also fear that Apple may be pushed to extend its currently quiescent CSAM protection system to monitor for other forms of online harm. That, of course, is precisely what privacy advocates have warned about.

Apple would simply argue that privacy is maintained for all "law-abiding" users, whatever that means in any given jurisdiction.

The story continues.

Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
As organizations continue to wrestle with how to manage a hybrid workforce, security outside the corporate firewall continues to play a huge role in day-to-day IT operations.

Following the October release of Windows 11, which boasted features aimed at enabling hybrid work, Microsoft last week announced the first PCs with its Pluton chip-to-cloud security technology. The technology is aimed at securing the computers of remote workers and others.

At CES, Microsoft announced that Lenovo and chipmaker AMD have launched the first laptops  the ThinkPad Z13 and ThankPad Z16  that come natively with the Pluton security chips. Pricing for the ThinkPad Z13 starts at $1,549, pricing for the ThinkPad Z16 starts at $2,099. Both laptops will be available in May and Lenovo said there is no additional cost associated with the Pluton chip inside.

Pluton will be disabled by default on 2022 Lenovo ThinkPad platforms (specifically, the Z13, Z16, T14, T16, T14s, P16s, and X13 using AMD 6000-series processors). Customers will have the ability to enable Pluton themselves, a Lenovo spokesperson said.

Asked why the chip is initially disabled, the spokesperson said enterprise customers "have told us they extensively test and evaluate any new security-related software or feature that will be introduced into their network and can choose to enable Pluton on their devices as they see fit. As Pluton rolls out into market and we have time to assess the customer demand for factory enablement, we will review enabling [it]."

The Pluton processor is aimed at delivering greater protection than the existing Trusted Platform Module (TPM) as its a dedicated security chip that handles security features such as BitLocker, Windows Hello, and System Guard.

Windows 11 came with a plethora of security updates, not the least of which was the inability to disable existing features such as UEFI, Secure book, and the cryptographic TPM. Windows 11 is a Zero Trust-ready operating system designed to be secure from the chip to the cloud, with verifiable security verifications built in and turned on by default.

TPM 2.0 is used to generate and protect encryption keys, user credentials, and other sensitive data so malware and attackers cant access or tamper with data.

The Pluton chip is a purpose-built security processor developed through a joint effort between Microsoft and top silicon makers, including AMD and Qualcomm. Its aimed at protecting PCs against some of the most sophisticated malware attacks by more securely storing user credentials (including fingerprint information), identities, personal data, and encryption keys. The embedded security processor brings together the functionality of TPM 2.0 with the ability to update and dynamically add new security features seamlessly through Windows Update, the Microsoft service that installs the latest software/firmware on a computer.

The tightly integrated hardware and software helps protect against security vulnerabilities by adding additional visibility and control, and is more adaptable to changes in the threat landscape, according to Microsoft.

The Pluton chip is integrated into the die of a devices CPU and is therefore more difficult for attackers to access. Sensitive information stored in it cant be removed  even if an attacker has installed malware or has physical possession of the PC  because the chip is isolated from the rest of the system. The discrete chip also helps prevent emerging attack techniques, such as speculative execution (a side channel attack) that exploits CPU behavior and functionality.

Pluton can act as a TPM or provide additional security to a device in conjunction with a third-party discrete TPM, according to a Microsoft spokesperson.

Our partners have the choice and flexibility in offering Pluton with or without a third-party TPM, the Microsoft spokesperson said in an email response to Computerworld. When Pluton is configured as a TPM, it protects the BitLocker keys used to help encrypt and protect customer data stored on the system.

Patrick Hevesi, a vice president analyst at Gartner, said the biggest benefit of the Pluton chip is the possible elimination of the physical side channel attacks against standalone TPM-to-CPU communication channels.

Side-channel attacks dont target weaknesses in the crypto-systems themselves; instead, the malware looks for information leaks that may indicate something about the cryptographic systems operation. For example, acoustic attacks can record the sound of a user's key strokes to steal their passphrase or the electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation emitted by a computer screen can be used to view information before it's encrypted.

"Since the Pluton security process will be built right into the System on a Chip (SoC) chips, there should be no way to get to the channel without destroying the chip," Hevesi said via email. "Also, according to Microsofts specifications, the keys will never leave the Pluton Security boundary, which will help prevent attacks like speculative execution and other key material types of attacks."

Another benefit of the Pluton architecture is that Microsoft will control the firmware updates to the security processor and allow for direct updates from Windows Update; that allows the company to control and secure the firmware code and continue to add new security features as new versions of Windows roll out, according to Hevesi.

Microsoft will also be able to advance the hardware and software security features such as secure boot, measured boot, and virtualization-based security right on a single SoC processor.

"This will help prevent even remote attacks that try to change the kernel or OS boot process. The Pluton chip will help secure remote devices because of both the physical layer and software based security feature integrations," Hevesi said. "This technology also can apply to devices on-premises to possibly prevent physical insider attacks and they have also added this technology to Azure Sphere in the cloud."

Not everyone believes the new Pluton chip is the security be-all-to-end-all.

Michael Suby, research vice president for IDC's Security and Trust research service, said the SoC platform is a useful advance that in the short term won't radically change corporate PC-purchasing decisions.

"A potential exploit sequence of threat actors could clandestinely take physical possession of the executives laptop, crack open the device and infect it at the hardware level, and then leave the device, seemingly undisturbed to the executive and potential IT security teams as well," Suby said.

Lenovos new laptops are powered by AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors, which integrate the Pluton Security chip on new Windows 11 PCs. The Pluton chip is built on technology used for years in Microsoft Xbox and Microsoft Azure Sphere.

As we move into this new era of hybrid work, you need modern security solutions that deliver end-to-end protection from wherever you are, the Microsoft spokesperson said. Windows 11 was designed to raise the bar on security out of the box to enable protections like Windows Hello, Device Encryption, virtualization-based security (VBS), hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), and Secure Boot -- a combination that has been shown to reduce malware by 60%.

Microsoft said many of the upgrades in Windows 11 and the collaborative chip design were inspired by hybrid work themes.

It is clear the past few years have fostered great learnings that our partners have integrated into the design of these devices. These learnings  and the new ways of working  also influenced many of the innovations in the design of Windows 11, Nicole Dezen, vice president of Microsoft Device Partner Sales, said in a blog post.
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On Sunday evening, the world of comedy  and the world as a whole  suffered a devastating loss when actor/comedian/beloved TV dad/blue humor icon, Bob Saget was found dead in his Orlando, Florida hotel room hours after performing a stand-up show as a part of his national comedy tour. At just 65 years old, Saget's untimely passing struck a chord, rattling several generations of fans and fellow comedians alike.

"Beautiful Bob Saget passed away today at 65," fellow comic Jim Carey wrote of his late colleague. "He had a big, big heart and a wonderfully warped comic mind. He gave the world a lot of joy and lived his life for goodness' sake."

Nice guys DO finish first, actor Rob Schneider said of his pal's passing. Beyond his considerable talents, Bob Saget was a kind and gentle presence that always made every one in the room feel at ease. A sweeter man there never was. And a wicked sense of humor that would make you howl with laughter.

And they're right. Over the course of his life in the spotlight, Saget mastered a subtle art few other comics and actors ever could. He was able to embody two polar opposite -- and still equally hilarious -- personas all while staying true to himself and his audience, an impressive skill that speaks to his unparalleled expertise in comedy  and the kindness of his character.

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Throughout the bulk of the late 80s and early '90s, Saget graced television screens across the nation every Tuesday at 8 p.m. as Full House's loving patriarch, Danny Tanner. A wholesome single dad that adored his three daughters, DJ, Stephanie, and Michelle, lime soup (a.k.a. runny green Jell-O), and of course, disco, Saget's character always had a heartwarming, fatherly life lesson on deck  that he'd only share as cheesy, sentimental 80s music swelled in the background. It was this iconic portrayal  one which he reprised in the sitcom's 20-teens Netflix reboot Fuller House  alongside his gig as the host of America's Funniest Home Videos and his reputation as a loving father that earned him the title of America's Dad.
A look back at the history of the Herburgers
Opinion: Biden said what needed to be said
The director for the Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies within the Institute for Information Management and Communication at Japans Kyoto University, Toshio Okabe, issued an apology on December 28 to users of the supercomputing systems for losing approximately 77 terabytes of user data, which comprised approximately a mere 34 million files from 14 research groups.

The apology follows the advisory that users had received on December 16, which outlined how from December 14 to 16 a defect in the backup storage program of the supercomputer system supporting the /LARGE0 directory failed, and the data was deleted unintentionally.

The supercomputer was identified as the Nippon Hewlett-Packard GK. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) in its own apology confirmed the data loss, accepting 100% responsibility and referenced how 49 terabytes of data remain backed up on the /LARGE1 directory. HPE went on to offer compensation to those who lost their files and provided a pathway to initiate the dialog.

How the data loss occurred

As HPE explained, a machine running the backup script had been adjusted to improve visibility and readability, but the script was modified and was reloaded by overwriting the prior script. One small glitch occurred and the resulting code was reloaded from the middle, which caused the deletion of the /LARGE0 directory instead of the directory of files designated for deletion.

To mitigate against a recurrence, HPE said it would:

Fully verify code prior to applying it to the supercomputer system.

Conduct an examination regarding the impact and suggest improvements to avoid a recurrence.

Re-educate engineers to avoid recurrence of human error.

Kyoto University put the backup process on full-stop until the end of January.

Missing backup processes and procedures

The universitys apology explained how restoration of deleted files wasnt possible as there was no multigenerational backup. The basic tenets of son-father-grandfather backup methodologies simply did not exist. Going forward, however, incremental backups would be the norm and a full backup which mirrored the original corpus would also be created.

In his apology highlighted to all users, Okabe said, The possibility of file loss due to equipment failure or disaster [exists] so  please backup your important files to another system.

The published notice was updated on January 4, 2022, mitigating the breadth of the data loss. As it turned out, some of the files lost did not require restoration, which resulted in a new final total loss of only 8 terabytes of important data comprising 3.5 million files. The number of affected users both from within the university and beyond who used the universitys supercomputers has landed on 68 users.

The takeaway for CISOs

Kyoto University outsourced the operation of the supercomputer center to a third party, in this instance HPE. Okabe pointedly placed the problem at the feet of HPE, while also noting there was a problem with the operation management system at the university. Even the existence of a single generational cold storage backup drive of 100 terabyte capacity (an investment of less than $10,000) would have been sufficient to house the prior day/weeks files and obviate the catastrophic loss of user data. Such was not the case.

What happened in Kyoto was a classic case of the machines being the insider threat. In this case, nothing was stolen. Rather the information was destroyed. There is no indication this instance was nothing more than human error. Multiple groups had their research affected, a setback no doubt. Though human error was at play, the result is identical had the code had been purposefully adjusted to fail by an unscrupulous individual, with the goal of destroying the work of a targeted entity within the affected groups.

Questions CISOs should be asking of their teams include:
More than 5,000 Connecticut workers  most of them millennials  filed applications for paid leave in the first month of the states new program, data shows.

The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority received 5,565 applications in December when the Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Act launched. Under the program, workers can qualify for up to 12 weeks off for varying medical and family reasons, while receiving a percentage of their regular pay.

About 200 people filed applications in the first two hours of the program, according to Andrea Barton Reeves, CEO of the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority.

Weve had family and medical leave since the mid-1990s  its just never been paid, Reeves said. The actuaries thought we would have 85,000 claims in a given calendar year.

With nearly 160 applications in December, New Haven had the largest number of residents seeking paid time off through the program, slightly ahead of Waterbury, Bristol and Bridgeport.

Data obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media shows 7 in 10 claims statewide were filed by women, and more than half by the millennial generation, which comprises 35 percent of the U.S. working population.

In December, just over half of the applications statewide were filed by parents for paid leave during pregnancies, deliveries and bonding time with infants. The next largest group of applications, at 36 percent of the pool, came from people seeking paid time off to recover from ailments and injuries that were not eligible for workers compensation because they were not sustained on the job.

Some of those applications cite health complications from COVID-19, according to a Connecticut Paid Leave Authority official, who noted that workers must have a health professional certify they have had an extended bout of severe symptoms for the request to be approved. The authority has yet to approve any applicant citing COVID-19 as a reason for paid leave.

The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which expired at the end of 2020, allowed workers to get paid leave in instances where exposure to COVID-19 could seriously jeopardize the health of a family member. However, tax credits continued through last September for businesses offering paid time off to workers affected by the virus.

The new Connecticut paid leave program has some employers concerned it will lead to more people taking time off, putting an additional burden on other staff already strained during the pandemic.

Now youve got a program where people can be absent from the workplace up to 12 weeks every single year, said Eric Gjede, vice president of public policy for the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. You have a reaction from some employees of, well Im darn well going to use this thing if Im paying for it.

With a target of $400 million, the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority had collected through December just over $300 million from employers via a 0.5 percent tax on worker earnings. Workers are required to make contributions for three months before qualifying for benefits.

Last week, the state Department of Labor approved a 1 percent catch up surcharge employers can pay to cover any period when they failed to forward contributions to the fund. Through early January, 124,000 employers had registered to withhold the tax from paychecks.

Were just trying to identify those employers that we know should be participating and are not, Reeves said. That, we are still working on.

Employees of companies that already offer paid leave are exempt from the tax, if the benefits of those plans match or exceed the Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. In a September 2021 study, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that 23 percent of workers had access to paid family leave under their employer plans, with 40 percent having access to short-term disability payments covering illness and injury.

CBIA is offering its member businesses one such plan underwritten by The Hartford Financial Services Group.

You cant require employees to contribute any more than the state plan, Gjede said. It has to abide by all the same rules and it has to be approved by the authority as equivalent in every way, shape or form.

As the case with unemployment insurance, self-employed workers in Connecticut are exempt from paying the tax, but can opt-in to have the option of filing for paid leave when needing a legitimate break from their job that curtails their income.

For a Connecticut minimum-wage worker making $13 an hour, the program disburses 95 percent of that amount. A formula is then used for those making more than minimum wage that reduces the percentage. The state has an online benefits calculator, which computed a benefit of $780 a week  or less than $41,000 annually  for a person making Connecticuts median household income of about $78,450.

Reeves said the biggest misconception so far has been the assumption that workers can draw 100 percent of their normal earnings from the program. The Paid Leave Authority is launching this week a new round of online workshops with sessions for workers, business owners and employment professionals needing to learn more about the program rules.

Part-time workers are eligible for paid leave if they earned $2,325 in any quarter of the preceding year, or just under $200 a week on average.

The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority hired Aflac to handle claims by workers taking paid leave. Reeves said part of Aflacs appeal was its experience in flagging claims that appear fraudulent.

We really wanted to work with an organization that had a long and deep history in managing disability claims, because thats about as close as you can get to that, Reeves said. They have a special investigations unit  and there are 150 people who work just for Connecticut.

Includes prior reporting by Shayla Colon and John Moritz.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
More than 141,000 people have accessed their COVID vaccination records online since Connecticut launched a digital passport system last month.

However, the states data does not show how many users then uploaded the information to their smartphone to use as proof of vaccination as the program is intended, and the numbers may include duplicates.

But the data obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media Group provides the first look into how many people have accessed the digital records.

Unlike New Yorks Excelsior Pass, Connecticuts system relies on users logging in to the states immunization database to access a copy of their vaccination records. The file contains a QR code that users can then scan with a smartphone. A digital version of their vaccine card, called a SMART Health Card, is then created and can be saved on a smartphone or other device.

Since the option of uploading the card to a smartphone went live Dec. 13, users have accessed their records in the database 141,673 times as of Monday, according to Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballes office.

The state numbers show an increase after the SMART Health Card system went live. In total, vaccination records have been downloaded 198,681 times since the state started allowing people to access the information online. That suggests people may have flooded the database to download a digital vaccine card once the option of putting it on their phone became available.

At most, the numbers reflect about 5.6 percent of the states more than 2.5 million fully vaccinated individuals may be using the digital vaccine cards.

But the numbers also contain duplicate downloads  meaning if someone downloaded their vaccine record more than once, it could be counted twice or more in the data. Its also unclear from the state figures how many people used the system to actually upload it onto a smartphone. A spokesperson for Geballes office said the state is working to get more data from the vendor.

Asked about the program on Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont pointed to the apparent uptake as a success, and said hed like to see more business owners ask for proof someone has been vaccinated.

Hundreds of thousands of folks have downloaded the digital health card, making it a lot easier for them to demonstrate their vaccination status coming into a restaurant, or bar, like BAR down in New Haven requires it, Lamont said.

Lamont was referring to a popular Elm City night club that announced in August it would require proof of vaccination or a negative test from patrons amid a renewed wave of infections brought on by the omicron variant. A handful of other New Haven venues soon followed suit.

Id like to see more restaurants and bars and stores send notice that wed like to see your vaccination status, so I think were making progress on that, Id like to see more, Lamont said.
Despite recent COVID-19 trends that have been among the most troubling of the nearly two-year pandemic, some medical experts say this latest surge spurred by the omicron variant could begin to subside in days or weeks.

I think were going to certainly see the peak in the next couple of weeks, perhaps by the end of the month, said Dr. Albert Ko at the Yale School of Public Health.

While Connecticuts positivity rate, which sat at 23.85 percent Tuesday, showed little downturn, Gov. Ned Lamont said it appears to have stabilized having now hovered between 20 and 24 percent for the past week.

But when exactly the peak will hit may be hard to tell, according to Ko, a former key adviser of Lamonts on the pandemic. He pointed to the high positivity rate and the prevalence of at-home testing kits that often go unreported.

Those two factors hurt epidemiologists ability to see a clear picture in the moment, he said, because accurate measurement relies on consistent testing of a wide swath of people who are infected and who are not infected.

Ko said Connecticut appears to be coming off the exponential phase of the illness, when cases double every few days.

It still increases, but you start leveling off, he said. Were at the point where we dont really know.

Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist for Hartford HealthCare, offered a more optimistic timeline, suggesting the peak is days away.

Cases should hopefully start decreasing by Jan. 15 and hospitalizations should follow by Jan. 21, he said.

Hospitalizations edged up across the state Tuesday with a net increase of 31 patients for a total of 1,920, which is 52 patients shy of the pandemic peak of 1,972 seen on April 22, 2020.

We're getting hopefully to the top point of the curve. And even though people remain ventilated at this point, the ventilators as compared to this time last year is much less. And so these are all good signs, Wu said.

Lamont seemed encouraged by the latest hospitalization figures, noting it appears that the rate of new admissions was slowing.

Weve seen that more pronounced in New York, so that gives us a little hope, he said.

The latest Connecticut figures come amid a crushing demand for tests across the state.

We did more tests this week than ever before in history, more than 300,000 PCR tests, Lamont said. The record testing coincided with a statewide effort to distribute more than 1 million at-home testing kits secured since late December.

With broad testing at record levels, Connecticut has been able to identify a significant number of COVID-19 cases. On several days in the past week, the state has set records for new daily cases reported, the height of which was on Jan. 4, when 10,604 new infections were discovered.

To meet the rampant demand, the state and its providers have been working to ramp up capacity at testing sites, which were bogged down by people trying to get results ahead of the Christmas and New Years holidays.

Major hospital networks have been working to increase testing capacity both onsite and through mobile efforts. Meanwhile, the state has been working to open more testing sites.

Hartford HealthCare, one of the largest health networks in the state, has seen record numbers of COVID-19 patients in the past week or so, but officials there have said some are incidental infections found when someone visits a hospital for an unrelated reason.

We are seeing still an increase in COVID patients and prevalence in Connecticut, said Dr. Ajay Kumar, Hartford HealthCares chief clinical officer. Were seeing incline at the moment, the number of hospitalizations rising.

Omicron continues to increase its presence in Connecticut amid this latest surge of cases.

Nathan Grubaugh, a Yale School of Public Health researcher helping to lead the genomic sequencing effort, said Tuesday that 97 percent of outpatient tests at Yale New Haven Health facilities were identified as potentially omicron.

In light of the rapid spread of the omicron variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appear to be considering new recommendations that prefer N95 and KN95 masks over other face coverings such as those made of cloth, according to a Washington Post report. The move comes amid evidence that these masks are more effective at preventing the spread of the omicron variant.

While Lamont remains committed to not instituting a broad indoor mask mandate, many of the states largest cities and towns have renewed these restrictions amid the sharp rise in COVID-19 infections.

Meanwhile, the state has been distributing 6 million N95 masks to municipalities for distribution to residents and school districts.

When asked about his thoughts on the significance of wearing N95 masks, Lamont expressed confidence in all face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

An N95 mask ... lets say is 20 percent better than a cloth mask, but a cloth mask is 85 percent better than nothing at all. So its still incredibly valuable, Lamont said.

Lamont also acknowledged there is no N95-quality mask for children at this time.

We are working on that with manufacturers, he said. We will see what the future brings.

Staff writers Jordan Fenster and Dan Haar contributed to this story.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the pandemic high of hospitalizations was 1,972.
As temperatures plummet and wind chills dip below zero this week, Connecticut utility officials are warning local officials and customers about the potential for rolling blackouts if this type of weather is sustained for prolonged periods this winter.

Discussions about a rare rolling blackout began last month when Gordon van Welie, president and CEO of the regional grid provider, ISO-New England, said it was a worst-case scenario if an extended period of cold weather combined with a lack of available natural or liquid gas to fuel the power plants.

While Connecticuts winter so far has been relatively mild, officials with Eversource and United Illuminating are preparing local officials and customers if the conditions suddenly change.

Mitch Gross, a spokesperson for Eversource, said Connecticuts largest electric distribution company has begun reaching out to its 1.27 million customers in 149 communities around the state.

Being asked by ISO-New England to implement controlled, rotating power outages would be an unprecedented step, Gross said.

We want our community leaders to understand what this would mean for them and their constituents and how working together, we might be able to conserve enough energy to avoid these outages, he said. However, if they were necessary, they would happen periodically, affecting rotating groups of customers and the length would be established based on the situation and ISOs direction. We recognize that controlled outages would have a significant impact on the communities and customers we serve and were committed to communicating our contingency plans so we can work together if an emergency occurs.

Officials, however, have not said publicly how the blackouts would be rolled out in each community and how long they would last.

Representatives with United Illuminating have begun contacting public officials in the 17 municipalities the company services, providing information about how rolling blackouts would be implemented if New Englands power plants run out of fuel.

UI representatives began meeting with community leaders last week to provide the details as a precaution should the need arise in the future, said Gage Frank, a UI spokesperson.

Were doing it for preparation and planning purposes in the event the need arises, Frank said.

He said UI officials expect to finish meeting with officials in each of their communities by the end of the week.

Frank said UI has also asked officials in the towns the company serves to list where the vulnerable populations are in their communities so those residents wont have their power turned off.

Weve asked them to let us know that information because each town is different, Frank said.

Matthew Kakley, a spokesperson for ISO-New England, said the regional electric grid operator is not seeing anything in our 21-day forecast that would warrant any concern.

Theres nothing concerning any weather conditions or oil depletion (at the regions power plants), Kakley said. If those conditions were to present themselves going forward, we would make a public announcement if we saw any reasons for concern.

Its a rare step Kakley said ISO-New England has never needed to take.

Weve never called for region-wide controlled outages, he said. There have been a couple of very brief controlled outages to deal with highly-localized issues, but nothing on a large scale.

Increased demands on New Englands electric grid are likely this week when temperatures plunge into the single digits and the wind chill will make it feel as cold as around negative-10 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

But ISO officials have said temperatures that cold would need to be sustained for a prolonged period for the possibility of temporary blackouts.

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti said he wasnt involved in the meeting UI representatives held with city officials. But in general, Cassetti said hes very concerned about the state of our grid.

Its an antiquated and old system, he said. It needs to be updated.

Will Healey, a spokesperson for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said ISO-New England has the obligation to ensure reliability, and most importantly, is the entity with the most insight into the reliability risks the grid faces.

We are concerned that ISO has been communicating an increased risk the grid is facing this winter, but has not provided any solutions to address the immediate risk, Healey said.

Matthew Cassavechia, Danburys emergency management director, said city officials are always concerned about power outages whether they are short-term or prolonged. Advanced notice of how the planned outages would occur allows Danbury officials to assess the citys operation plans, according to Cassavechia.

They are giving us a framework of what this might look like, he said. We want to make sure that the generator we have will be in a readied state. We understand we cant have a generator at every building, but we want to be able to quickly connect them in the event that this happens.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
Gov. Ned Lamonts repeated refusals to reinstitute a statewide mask mandate has created a calamity for Connecticut. COVID cases are skyrocketing, and hospitals are overflowing, returning caseloads to nightmare levels not seen since the pandemics darkest days. Front-line health care workers  nurses, respiratory therapists and doctors  are exhausted and stretched past capacity. The situation is a disaster, not just for COVID patients, but for everyone seeking care. Not surprisingly, death counts are rising again.

A long overdue statewide mask mandate would mitigate this chaos. Data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and elsewhere show that mandates decrease infections, hospitalizations and death. During the first COVID wave, Gov. Lamont issued a mandate, and Connecticut residents rose to the challenge, flattening the COVID curve, and helping hospitals escape the rationing and turmoil experienced in places such as Italy and New York City.

Masks prevent disease by protecting wearers from inhaling SARS-CoV-2 into their lungs. They also decrease spread by preventing infected people from exhaling virus into the air. In the hierarchy of masks, surgical masks are better than cloth because they have an electrostatic charge that helps capture the virus. KF94, KN95 and medical grade N95 masks are even more effective because they fit snugly over the face, preventing air movement through the sides. My colleagues and I have spent countless hours wearing N95s at the bedside of COVID patients and therefore facing little risk of infection. The risk is far greater in community spaces such as indoor restaurants and bars, stores, supermarkets and gyms, where mask-wearing is inconsistent.

When COVID rates declined in the spring of 2021, the CDC issued guidance that vaccinated people no longer needed to wear masks, and Connecticut relaxed restrictions. At the time, we hoped most state residents would pursue vaccination, but this didnt happen. Connecticuts vaccination rates are high compared to the rest of the country, but only 75 percent are fully vaccinated. Hundreds of thousands of people remain vulnerable to COVID because theyre too young to be vaccinated, immunocompromised, or still refuse the shot despite its demonstrated safety and ability to prevent serious illness. Even among the fully vaccinated, many Connecticut residents have yet to receive booster shots, leaving them vulnerable to breakthrough infections, which can still spread disease.

With the rise of the omicron variant and without a statewide mask mandate, its no surprise that COVID rates are exploding.

Connecticuts current guidance on mask-wearing is muddled and ineffective. The governor has repeatedly resisted calls to reinstitute a mask mandate despite the latest surge, leaving individual towns to create their own rules. This means if I go shopping in New Haven or Hamden, I must wear a mask, but not in North Haven or West Haven. The state permits individual businesses to require masks, but without the backup of a statewide mandate, business owners are forced to choose between confronting customers who refuse to wear masks and endangering the health of other customers and employees.

Confusing messages from the Lamont administration, including repeated statements that the governor will not reinstitute a mandate, add to the frustration of medical and public health professionals working hard to promote mask use. Just as frustrating, Lamont has said he opposes a mandate because he considers it unenforceable. His spokesperson Max Reiss recently stated that the responsibility fell to individual cities and towns because it just wouldnt be possible to send out the state police to be the enforcers, as if Connecticut residents need the threat of police action to respond to common-sense public health rules.

Connecticut residents are understandably tired of wearing masks, and some complain that mandates impinge on their personal liberties. My colleagues and I understand the fatigue and recognize the widespread frustration as the pandemic enters its third year with no sign of letting up. But if we wish to regain our freedoms  to dine out again and to see each others faces again  the best thing we can do is come together to protect one another and bring this surge to a close.

Connecticut faces a choice in the weeks ahead. Without a statewide mask mandate, hospitals may be pushed past their breaking point, subjecting state residents to needless suffering and death as unmasked individuals continue to contract and spread disease. But it doesnt have to be this way. Gov. Lamont could issue a mandate tomorrow. He could use his authority to bring the latest surge to a more rapid end. He could choose health over politics. He could save lives. Its not too late for him to take the steps we desperately need.

Dr. Mark D. Siegel is a critical care pulmonologist at Yale-New Haven Hospital and a professor of medicine at Yale Medical School. The opinions expressed are his own and do not represent the official views of Yale Medical School or Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Meghan Scanlons tenure as the new chief executive officer and president of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence didnt start with encouraging words.

I came into this role, and one of the first people I met with told me it was the worst time come into this role, said Scanlon, who started in the job last year.

Scanlon spoke Wednesday during the Center for Family Justices 2022 Legislative Breakfast, at which some of the state and local agencies that help survivors of domestic and sexual violence outline policies, reforms and funding that could help their clientele. The Center for Family Justice, which hosted the virtual event, offers multiple domestic, sexual and child abuse services  including crisis intervention, providing help with police and prosecutors, and counseling  at its headquarters in Bridgeport.

Legislators and other stakeholders were invited to listen in while Scanlon and others talked about their various challenges and needs.

The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence is the membership organization for Connecticuts 18 domestic violence service agencies, including CFJ. During her presentation at the legislative breakfast, Scanlon spoke about how programs like CFJ have been slammed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they work to assist soaring numbers of people coping with abuse.

Across the state, weve seen shelters running way over capacity, she said, adding that, at their highest point, shelters were at 180 percent capacity, and agencies struggling to find spots for people.

There have also been staffing issues, particularly in the latest COVID-19 surge.

Just this past week, I think we had 24 advocates that were working in the court system who came down with COVID, Scanlon said.

Domestic violence homicides also continue to be a pervasive issue. A recent Hearst Connecticut Media Group investigation found that, since 2000, nearly 300 people have been killed by intimate partners in Connecticut. Last year alone, Scanlon said, there were 11 homicides linked to domestic violence.

In the midst of all this need, domestic and sexual violence crisis programs nationwide are on the verge of temporarily losing a significant chunk of federal funding, which is provided through the Victims of Crime Act Fund.

The fund, which is generated from criminal fines and fees, was created in 1984 to provide federal support to programs that help victims of crime. Scanlon said the fund is at an all-time low as those fines have been redirected to the general treasury for the past few years. Though the fund is set to replenish in two years, Scanlon said, until then, grants will be greatly reduced.

Scanlon said the coalition will likely need a total of $7 million in state funding over the two years to cover the loss. She said the crime act fund supports many of the state coalitions services, including its domestic violence hotline. Losing all that money would be devastating in terms of the services we provide, she said.

Other needs that Scanlon discussed included the desire to have one full-time child and family advocate at each of CCADVs 18 member organizations.

According to the coalition, an average of 5,000 children are served each year by its member programs, but there is no state funding to support this position.

Others who spoke at the legislative breakfast included Lucy Nolan, director of public policy at the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, a statewide coalition of individual sexual assault crisis programs. Nolan outlined some of the alliances needs, including $12.3 million in one-time funding to be allocated to Connecticuts Office of Victim Services in anticipation of the loss of the Victims of Crime Act Fund.

Nolan discussed policy changes too. One that the alliance wants to see enacted is the barring of unnecessary pelvic and prostate medical exams of patients under deep anesthesia for teaching purposes without the explicit consent of the patient.

In some cases, she said, medical students perform pelvic and prostate exams on anesthetized patients as part of their training. Right now, Nolan said, there is broad consent, meaning patients are told that a medical student could work on them, but arent given details.

Requiring explicit consent benefits both the patients and the students, Nolan said.

For many of the medical students its a moral issue, she said. They know they are doing without consent, but feel they have to.

Nolan, Scanlon and other advocates asked legislators to consider the requests they had outlined during the upcoming legislative session.

CFJ President and CEO Debra Greenwood echoed those thoughts.

The things you hear in the media about the spike in abuse that has happened due to pandemic has had a significant impact in all communities  not just here in Connecticut, but all over country, she said. It really is an enormous amount of people who need our help.
FAIRFIELD  The new music education program at Sacred Heart University aims to make a vibrant community of forward-thinking teachers, its director says.

Frank Martignetti was recently brought on as assistant professor and director of SHUs new music education program, according to the university. The 42-credit graduate program will begin this summer, with the undergraduate program starting in the fall.

Martignetti said people at Sacred Heart have wanted to create a music major for years  both students and faculty. The university finally made it happen and is investing resources in it. He said he was given a broad brush to create a dream program and was later hired to direct it.

Im really proud of what were building here, he said. I hope it enrolls a vibrant cohort of really high-quality students  both masters level and undergraduate. I hope that it has students teaching successfully throughout the Northeast and that it gets a reputation for being really forward thinking and progressive.

He said he is now working on recruitment, facilities, equipment and staffing for it.

Martignetti, a Fairfield resident originally from New Rochelle, N.Y., said he spent 28 years teaching and performing music. He sang in church and school choral groups throughout his life, and began working professionally as a church organist and choir director, as well as music director for community theater productions.

As he went through his career, Martignetti continued in music education  teaching high school students in New Haven. He later directed the University of Bridgeports music education program for nine years, and eventually ran the entire department of music and performing arts.

SHUs music education masters program takes a year and a half to complete on its own, while the undergrate-to-masters music program will take five years.

Our MAT program is for people who have a degree in the subject, and they have, often, significant professional experience in the discipline, and now they want to teach it, he said.

Martignetti said the program is similar to the previous program he oversaw and revitalized at the University of Bridgeport.

The cool thing about it is that the graduate students who are in the program, range in age from 22  just out of undergrad  to 40 or 50 something, he said. Its a cool mix of adult learners.

Martignetti said he is not sure how many people will enroll in the graduate program this coming summer, adding youre at the point where youve started a new business and youre waiting for the phone to ring.

He said he wants the cohort to be small enough that he can give students individual attention, while also being large enough for them to be able to network and learn from each other.

Its not intended to be a huge program, but we dont want to limit its growth potential either, he said. Its just a solid cohort.

Adult learners have unique strengths and weaknesses, Martignetti said, and so they need individual attention. The teaching certification is broad, covering pre-K through 12th grade and the topics of general music, choir, band, orchestra, technology and music theory  as well as the vast variety of instruments.

No one can teach all those things well, he said. So, its a matter of helping students build on those strengths and finessing their weaknesses and learning new skills so they have a few areas in which they can be effective.

Martignetti said there are several post-baccalaureate teacher prep programs in Connecticut, but the only masters in music programs education are the ones are Sacred Heart University and University of Bridgeport. He said his former students are doing well in the job market.

Everyone is working, he said. Most teaching positions are available in the summertime with a few around Christmas time. But, the job market seems quite good. Unfortunately, some people are retiring from teaching because theyre scared of getting COVID.

Martignetti said there were 18 open music teacher positions in the state as of Tuesday  a number higher than normal.

Another aspect of this program will be the relationship the university and its students have with Bridgeport Public Schools, Martignetti said. He said he has done workshops with Bridgeport music teachers and other professional development during his time at BU, and assisted the district in other ways. He wants to build that relationship while running SHUs program as well.

Were trying to create a unique opportunity where, just like the rest of the teacher programs here, they have the option to go into this Bridgeport teacher residency  where they work with a very good teacher in the Bridgeport schools, he said.

The student would co-teach with that teacher for the full school year, Martignetti, and then Bridgeport would offer them a job if the graduate agreed to work there for at least three years.

We want our students to teach in a variety of contexts to find the context that works for them, he said. We want them to know how to teach all students successfully and well. To create a great music program in a district where the resources are not as good... is a terrific outcome.

joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com
MILFORD  A former Beacon Falls Board of Finance member with a prior sexual assault conviction on his record was sentenced to serve four years in prison Wednesday for sexually assaulting a girl when she was between 7 and 9 years old.

Joseph Dowdell, 64, had pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree sexual assault of a victim under 16 and two counts of risk of injury to a minor in the case in October.

Under the terms of a plea deal, Judge Peter Brown handed down a 15-year prison sentence to be suspended after Dowdell serves four years, followed by 10 years probation.

Dowdell was formerly a member of the Beacon Falls Board of Finance, but resigned immediately after his arrest, according to Town Clerk Len Greene Sr.

The prosecutor in the case, Assistant States Attorney Mary Sanangelo, said the victim had been prepared to testify at trial but supported the plea deal and sentence.

Sanangelo said Dowdell repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl while the victim was living in Dowdells home between May 2012 and November 2013.

The girl revealed the assaults to a school counselor in 2017, after which Dowdell was arrested.

What made the case especially shocking, the prosecutor said, was that Dowdell had previously pleaded guilty to a sex crime  in 2000, for fourth-degree sexual assault.

Sanangelo did not detail Dowdells sentence in that case, but said the conviction wasnt enough as Dowdell had been able to continue with his depraved acts toward children, she said.

Its so disturbing to think that this defendant waited for another opportunity in his own home to take advantage of another victim, she said.

The prosecutor said the victim, now 16, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

But, Sanangelo said, She has found a way to make it through this through her strength and character.

More than a dozen of the victims family and friends were in court Thursday, many of whom cried as she detailed the trauma she and her loved ones went through

My childhood was ripped from me, she said. All the good memories now are tied to bad ones.

Speaking of Dowdell, she said she initially blamed herself for the abuse, but I soon came to the conclusion that it was you, she said.

Youre the one who was sick enough to do this, she said. What you did broke me and my family and tore us apart in ways that many families would not be able to get over, but we did.

Asked if had anything to say, Dowdell declined. After signing an acknowledgment of sex offender registry requirements, he was handcuffed and led to the courthouse lockup by judicial marshals.

The judge ordered Dowdell, who has moved to Vermont, to register as a sex offender for 10 years and barred him from having any contact with the victim until 2052.

While on probation, Dowdell will not be allowed to have unsupervised conduct with minors unless approved by probation officials, will have his computer and smartphone use monitored, and will have to undergo annual polygraphs to make sure hes complying with the conditions of his release.
Microsoft reveals a list of fixes for the first "Patch Tuesday" of the year 2022, which includes those for several of the vulnerabilities in its systems such as the Microsoft Windows, as well as Zero-Days which can be exploited if they are not addressed.

The said vulnerabilities that the software manufacturer have fixed includes exploits in its remote code execution, or the RCE, as well as privilege escalation flaws, spoofing issues, and those are in its cross-site scripting.

Vulnerabilities Fixed

According to BleepingComputer.com, a total of 97 vulnerabilities were fixed by Microsoft for its first "Patch Tuesday" of 2022.

These include 41 vulnerabilities within its Elevation of Privilege, 9 vulnerabilities within its Security Feature Bypass, 29 vulnerabilities within its Remote Code Execution, 6 vulnerabilities within its Information Disclosure, 9 vulnerabilities within its Denial of Service, and 3 Spoofing vulnerabilities.

READ ALSO: Windows 11 Update Error Code 0x800f0831 Fix Guide: What are the Ways to Fix This

The said fixes, according to ThreatPost.com, cover several of its software programs such as Microsoft Windows operating system and Office including their components, Microsoft Edge, its Exchange and SharePoint Servers, its .NET framework, its Microsoft Dynamics, its Open-Source Software, and its Windows Hyper-V, Defender, and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

Aside from the fixes for the large list of vulnerabilities, the first patch update of the year from Microsoft also addressed at least six Zero-Days.

According to ZDNet.com, these include the CVE-2021-22947 HackerOne assigned CVE, which is a Curl remote code execution (RCE) that allows Man-in-the-Middle attacks, and the CVE-2021-36976 MITRE assigned CVE, which is an open sourced Libarchive use-after-free bug leading to an RCE.

They also include four more CVEs that involve around Windows software such as the CVE-2022-21874, which is a local Windows Security Center API RCE vulnerability, the CVE-2022-21919, which is a Window User Profile Service Elevation of Privilege security issue, the CVE-2022-21839, which is a Windows Event Tracing Discretionary Access Control List Denial-of-Service, or DoS, and the CVE-2022-21836, which is a Windows Certificate spoofing.

These six CVEs are not being actively exploited by threat actors who wanted to exploit them. However, the CVE-2022-21919 and the CVE-2022-21836 have their Proof of Concept (PoC) public exploit code recorded and available.

The CVE-2021-22947 HackerOne assigned CVE, on the other hand, was branded as "Critical," but it was already been fixed by their maintainers along with the CVE-2021-36976 MITRE assigned CVE.

Another CVE that was addressed by the patch update is the CVE-2022-21907, which is a bug that is discovered in the HTTP Protocol Stack, or the HTTP.sys, that was used as a protocol listener for processing HTTP requests by the Microsoft's Windows Internet Information Services web server.

According to a separate article by BleepingComputer.com, if it was exploited successfully, threat actors can send maliciously crafted packets towards targeted Windows servers, which are using the said protocol stack for processing packets.

According to Zero Day Initiative, they are a part of 122 CVEs that Microsoft fixed for the month January, which is an "unusually large" update by the company, considering that over the past few years, the average number of patch releases during January is about half of the number the update had this year.

The other CVEs that are in Microsoft's January 2022 patch update also include the additional 24 CVEs inside the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge that was addressed earlier this month and two other CVEs in open-source projects that were previously fixed.

READ ALSO: Windows 10 Error 0x0 0x0 Guide: What Causes it, How to Fix it
FAIRFIELD  After more than a year of work, the Racial Equity and Justice Task Force sent the blueprint for a racial equity plan over to the town.

The plan outlines some first steps in a continual process of making Fairfield a town where people of all backgrounds and cultures feel safe, valued, and heard. The task force will likely present the plan to the Board of Selectmen during at the Jan. 31 meeting.

We believe that this is just a 15-month effort toward best practices, Selectwoman Nancy Lefkowitz, who co-chairs the task force, said of the 50-page document. Its a launch point for further discussion. Theres no line in the sand.

The task force recommended the town immediately take up five actions and offered more recommendations to advance racial equity. While the first two are more clerical  as they involve the board hearing a presentation of the blueprint and voting it into the public record  the next three constitute more substantial steps.

First, the task force recommended the town issue a proclamation acknowledging the existence and impact of systemic racism in Fairfield, as well as a resolution to address it in town governance and operations.

The document argues that acknowledging systematic racism as an issue clears the way for addressing the disparities and inequities it causes. It also noted the American Public Health Association, as well as almost 20 municipalities in Connecticut, have declared racism a public health emergency.

The next recommendation is to create a permanent commission to build upon the task forces work, as the task force will be disbanded after presenting to the board. The task force suggested the commission be vested with a number of responsibilities, including monitoring the progress of the possible plan implementation and serve as a Citizen Review Board when there are instances of racism, racist slurs or related issues in town.

The final immediate action item called for the town to hire a director of community justice and belonging to oversee and manage Fairfields racial equity planning and response. The position could complement the permanent commission and would work with the head of human resources to create a strategy to recruit diverse candidates across all town departments. That person would also develop and support executive training and culture management initiatives and find and address disparate impacts of town policies and projects.

The task force voted unanimously to send the blueprint to the Board of Selectmen at last Thursdays meeting. Lefkowitz said the group is proud of the work it is presenting.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick created the task force in the wake of George Floyds killing in 2020. As part of its mandate, the task force was charged with reviewing town policies to find if any have explicit or implicit racial biases that contribute to racial inequity in all aspects of Fairfield governance. The group then had to provide formal recommendations to the Board of Selectmen, including a racial equity plan by Jan. 31, 2022.

Lefkowitz said the task force found areas where there was room for improvement as it looked at government operations through a lens of racial equity and justice. Those areas were identified through discussions with town employees and residents, as well as researching best practices in the public and private sectors.

Were not reinventing the wheel, she said. Were looking to the success that other communities have had.

The other recommendations targeted the areas of governance, criminal justice and policing, housing, education, community engagement and arts and culture. While not exhaustive, the task force lists suggestions within each category that could help make each more equitable for all residents.

For instance, the task force recommended the town collect, review and publish data on the racial, ethnic, and linguistic makeup of the towns workforce. It also recommended developing procedures to increase the recruitment, retention and promotion of people of color within the workforce.

The plan recommends all town employees take racial equity and cultural competency training, and suggests having translation services available for people who dont speak English.

The task forces recommendations for the towns approach to criminal justice primarily involved looking to community policing and keeping the police practices more transparent to the public.

Lefkowitz said the creation of a permanent commission would allow the town to further discuss or battle test the task forces recommendations.

Unless they do steps 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the rest of it would be hard to implement, she said.

Lefkowitz said group will discuss how to present the document to the selectmen during the task forces next meeting on Thursday.

We were a group of committed, dedicated volunteers who wanted to look at the issue of racial equity and who were tasked with... looking at government operations, she said, later adding the recommendations they make are not the end-all-be-all for the issue. Its not the only solution. It is a solution. It should be the continuation of many conversations that need to ensue.

joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com
Are credit unions ready to take over the world? They already are.

In Asia alone, there is a 119% year-over-year increase in membership. Right now, credit unions are gaining traction across all six major continents. A 29% increase in worldwide membership is nothing to ignore.

For credit unions in the U.S., this worldwide uptick offers a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between growth and effective messaging. For many, its easy to get in the habit of looking for inspiration right next door. When strictly relying on local consumer trends and direct competitors marketing strategies for insights, brands can quickly develop blind spots. By thinking global, its possible to anticipate the needs of your target audiences in fresher, faster ways.

Common Threads

Right now, there are over 375 million credit union members on earth. Thats almost 50 million more people than the entire U.S. population. Credit unions are more than a movement. They are a force.

So, how did credit union memberships get so popular? Some of this uptick has to do with years of underreporting the popularity of credit unions in high population countries like India. But, many also believe the global pandemic has forced people everywhere to reassess who they trust with their money. At a time when individuals needed to band together, the importance of community-based financial resources became all the more apparent.

However, membership numbers are only one side of the coin. Lending is a huge factor in whether or not any credit union is financially fit. Although membership seems to be on the rise across the globe, loans taken out at credit unions appear to be trending down. This may be due to factors such as a countrys federal loan regulations and accessibility. But, it could also be a question of messaging. How often and when do you promote mortgages, refinancing, home lending, auto loans, and more? Make sure to offer multiple opportunities for audiences to learn about all of the services you offer. Dont just talk about a product when its in season. Consistent, strategic messaging can make sure your voice doesnt get lost in the noise.

Golden Ages

The average age of a North American credit union member is 53 years old. Thats almost a decade older compared to Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Although the typical membership age in the U.S. itself is a bit lower at 47, this should still give decision makers some pause. Considering that most Americans get their first savings account as teenagers, this older age range points to a gap in audience communication. In a recent survey of American credit union members with adult children, 60% reported their kids chose not to bank at their parents credit unions.

For younger adults, there are two major factors influencing who they choose to do business withconvenience and personal value alignment. When it comes to the former, seamless digital services are a must-have. For the latter, a brand must be pure of heart. Thankfully, the credit union industrys barrier is the first one: digital convenience. Conquering it requires time and money, but it isnt an impossible feat.

More often than not, convenience takes precedent over personal value alignment. Its why 30% of consumers feel guilty about shopping on Amazon but continue to do it anyway. Take a look at your digital services. Do they go beyond whats expected? If the answer is no, maybe its time to reevaluate your member-facing tech. Remember that these days, digital convenience is its own form of customer service. Credit unions are historically known as the premier resource for financial help with a human mindset. Improving your suite of digital banking tools is the natural progression of what it means to provide exceptional service in todays world.

Isle Living

Credit unions may be booming worldwide, but some institutions still struggle with loans.

In particular, Irish credit unions have seen an increase in savings accounts, but their overall loan-to-asset ratio remains low. How are they combating this issue? By thinking decades ahead.

In Ireland, many are reassessing how credit unions can be an asset during the climate change era through risk assessment, measurement, monitoring, and mitigation for households across Ireland. These initiatives have changed how consumers think about credit unions, and will likely pay off for years to come.

Identifying brand differentiators is all about taking the blinders off. What are the greatest challenges facing your community over the next 10, 20, 30 years? Chances are, these concerns will have a massive financial impact on consumers. How can your institution help? Being a true financial partner means finding solutions to problems that arent top of mind at the moment. From there, building unshakable brand loyalty is at your fingertips.

The phrase future proof is thrown around a lot these days, especially in the wake of COVID. Achieving this label can feel nearly impossible. In reality, it doesnt require everyone to have a crystal ball. Future proofing boils down to your organizations willingness to ask the hard questions no one wants to talk about. Thinking with a global mindset is a great way to get inspired and honor what credit unions are all aboutputting people before profits.
Last week, we blogged about FinCENs New Years Resolutions, as laid out in the Fall 2021 Rulemaking Agendas they published in December. Today well take a look at the agenda of another federal regulator  the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The CFPBs Fall 2021 regulatory agenda was relatively short. The Bureau put out a blog post, saying that the agenda reflects the continuation of significant rulemakings that further our consumer financial protection mission and help to advance the countrys economic recovery from the financial crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The blog also states the Bureau anticipates that Director Rohit Chopras priorities will be more fully reflected in the Spring 2022 agenda. Heres what is on the Fall 2021 Agenda:
The New York Credit Union Foundation board of trustees has approved two new measures that will help small-asset-sized credit unions in the state gain further access to critical resources within the credit union system.

The trustees approved an initiative that will cover the full cost of membership in the New York Credit Union Association for all credit unions in the state with up to $1 million in assets. As of Dec. 1, 2021, the move will pay for the membership dues of 23 credit unions.

Additionally, the Foundation approved a small credit union professional development discount program for credit unions with up to $50 million in assets. The program will automatically provide approximately 150 New York credit unions in the asset tier with a discounted rate on NYCUAs events and professional development offerings. The program is valued at approximately $25,000.

Its no secret credit unions must evolve in order to stay relevant in todays hyper-competitive market, but smaller credit unions in particular face enormous hurdles when it comes to implementing new initiatives, said Kathryn Getz, CEO of Sweet Home Federal Credit Union in Amherst, N.Y. The Foundation has always been there for our credit union and served as a vital lifeline when we needed to train staff or volunteers, develop new products and harness new technologies. Im thrilled to see the Foundation is expanding its reach so even more small credit unions can benefit from the organizations efforts.
Cullman, AL (35055)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Nurses and other health workers who are infected with the COVID-19 virus continue their service as US health officials take unusual measures to address the shortage in staff and overwhelmed hospitals due to the continued surge of infections.

Health authorities allow hospital staff to report for duty as long as they exhibit mild symptoms or if they are asymptomatic.

Over the weekend, California health officials that hospital staff members who got tested positive for the dreaded virus but showed no symptoms could carry on in their duties. The same policy was implemented in hospitals in Rhode Island, and Arizona wherein employees of medical facilities are allowed to stay on the job if they got no signs or just mild symptoms of COVID-19, as per Associated Press report.

Many hospitals in the US are overwhelmed with increased COVID-19 hospitalizations but have staff shortages because employees call in sick.

Read Also: COVID-19 Pandemic: A Lookback on How the Virus Affected the Lives of Millions, Hopes for 2022

Overwhelmed Hospitals

The highly transmissible but mild omicron variant has become the dominant strain in the US after it prompted an explosion to more than 700,000 cases in one day, which beat last year's record high. While the number of people being hospitalized due to the virus is currently at 110,000, a bit lower than the highest record one year ago, which is around 124,000.

In December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that health care workers who are COVID-19 positive but got no symptoms can go back to work after seven days with a negative test. However, the isolation period can be shortened if there is a lack of hospital staff, which is expected in the current situation in the country, according to a report from ABC News.

The department also said that Infected workers must wear extra protective N95 masks and must be assigned to treat COVID-19 positive patients.

California Hospital Association Spokesperson Jan Emerson-Shea said that they do not have any information on whether hospitals will adopt the approach. Still, they expect an overwhelming increase in the number of patients in the next few days.

Keep Nurses Safe

Meanwhile, the California Nurses Association condemns the decision by the California Department of Public Health to allow COVID-19 positive but asymptomatic health care workers to report back to work right away without being tested or isolated, as per US News.

According to CNA President Cathy Kennedy, such policy puts the lives of health workers and patients at risk.

"Governor Newsom and our state's public health leaders are putting the needs of health care corporations before the safety of patients and workers. We want to care for our patients and see them get better - not potentially infect them," she said.

She added that allowing infected nurses and other health care workers to work is dangerous. " If we get sick, who will be left to care for our patients and community?"

Kennedy even stressed that nurses' health must be protected and ensure that they are safe while performing their duties in the front lines of the battle against COVID-19. She added that taking away isolation time could lead to increased risks of transmissions, hospitalizations, and even death.

"We must protect patients and keep nurses healthy and safe," said Kennedy.

Related Article: Pharmaceuticals, Leaders Push for Second COVID-19 Booster Shot But Doctors Disagree

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Dalton, GA (30720)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Ms. Dorothy "Dot" McCrory age 88 of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Monday, May 2, 2022 at the Regency Park Health Care Center. She was born May 15, 1933. Dot as she was known to friends, was preceded in death by her parents Elma McCrory and Boyd Hicks as well as a brother Jack Hicks. Sh
Memphis, TN (38152)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 80F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
During a tense conversation Tuesday, a disgruntled Anthony Fauci seemed to label U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan, a "moron," as Fauci addressed questions from legislators about his work on the country's COVID-19 response.

Marshall questioned Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a major health advisor to President Joe Biden, on his financial disclosure at a Senate Health Committee hearing. Fauci could be heard mumbling "what a stupid" in response to Marshall's inquiry as the tense exchange winded down and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan, began asking a question.

During the questioning, Fauci was obviously irritated. He termed Marshall "misinformed" at the end of the debate for claiming Fauci had not revealed critical financial information.

Fauci's financial disclosure information is available through a Freedom of Information Act request since he is a public officer, but Marshall's team was unable to locate it. He cited Fauci's alleged compensation of almost $400,000, which he said made him the highest-paid federal employee.

In previous years, media sources such as the Center for Public Integrity could get Fauci's financial disclosure information. Marshall stated in a statement that Fauci "had a very stressful day" due to tough questions on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, among other things, as per USA Today.

Fauci accuses Senator Paul of fueling threats against him

At a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci chastised Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for encouraging death threats against him and his family for "political gain," after the Kentucky Republican accused Fauci personally for all COVID-19 fatalities in the U.S.

Paul launched a barrage of accusations against Fauci at the session, stating that the infectious disease specialist aggressively attempted to stifle other scientists and prevent any study into the coronavirus's origins. He then went on to accuse Fauci of being directly responsible for every death in the United States as a result of COVID-19.

Fauci told the committee that a heavily armed California guy was caught on his way to Washington, D.C. He was arrested last month after telling investigators he meant to murder Fauci and Vice President Joe Biden. Fauci then displayed Paul's campaign website printouts, which included the words "Fire Dr. Fauci" with a contribution request.

For over a year, the Republican senator and the country's top infectious disease specialist have been at odds over the coronavirus and public health professionals' efforts to contain the epidemic. Fauci has been asked to resign by Paul. After yet another argument over the virus's origins, Fauci stated during a hearing last summer that Paul didn't know what he was talking about. In November, Fauci said that Republicans like Paul had exploited him as a scapegoat for anti-science assaults, according to Huff Post.

Read Also: States Seek To Exert Authority Over Broader Battle Against Joe Biden's Vaccine Mandate After Pentagon Wins First Fight To Vaccinate National Guard

Biden's health advisor dismisses Wuhan lab leak theory

According to an email obtained by House Republicans on Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci dismissed the hypothesis that COVID-19 came from a Chinese facility shortly after the outbreak in the United States, calling it a "shiny item that will go away."

Ranking members of the House Oversight Committee and the House Judiciary Committee, Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) revealed the contents of the April 2020 email in a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, demanding that the chief White House medical adviser be made available to testify.

On April 16, 2020, Dr. Francis Collins, then-Director of the National Institutes of Health, gave Fauci a link to a Fox News anchor Bret Baier piece suggesting that "a few folks" knowledgeable with COVID-19's origins believed it originated from the Wuhan facility, as per New York Post.

Related Article: Anthony Fauci Pushes for COVID-19 Booster Shots Amid Omicron Scare, U.S. Nears 800,000 Death

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ashland, KY (41101)

Today

Showers this morning then scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 85F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Make no mistake: Prime Ministers Questions was a huge open goal for Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party  a major opportunity to forensically and methodically take down the Prime Minister.

And while some people think the Leader of the Opposition did a good job, I think he fluffed it. Instead of pinning a humiliated Boris Johnson firmly to the floor, Starmer allowed the PM to wriggle free and do what he should have done weeks ago: apologise to the British people.

I suspect that if Johnson survives the next week or so, Partygate will become much like Dominic Cummings infamous visit to Barnard Castle  an infuriating irritation but, in the end, not a game-changer.

One reason for this is that while Johnson and the Conservatives have been seriously damaged in the polls  and are now trailing Labour  Sir Keir Starmer is not exactly an enticing prospect.

While some people think the Leader of the Opposition did a good job, I think he fluffed it. Instead of pinning a humiliated Boris Johnson firmly to the floor, Starmer allowed the PM to wriggle free

Lets examine, for instance, what would have happened to Britain if Starmer, rather than Johnson, had been leading the country through the Covid crisis.

For a start, we would almost certainly have spent much of the past two years in perpetual lockdown, paying the devastating economic, mental and physical costs.

At every possible turn in this crisis, Sir Keirs Labour has demanded more restrictions, more lockdowns, more state intervention and even stricter measures. Limits have always been put ahead of liberty.

Rather than rely on the British people taking personal responsibility for their own lives, an idea that is always unpopular on the Left, Labours instinct was always to lock us down.

This became clear early on when a large number of Labour MPs put their names to the ridiculous Zero Covid strategy which they said was successfully implemented in New Zealand.

But even New Zealand has abandoned the policy  which involves locking down entire cities in response to only a very few cases  concluding it is simply not workable.

Then, last July, Starmer warned that the Johnson variant is already out of control and the country was heading for 100,000 cases a day.

Sir Keir Starmer pictured leaving home on Wednesday morning on his way to Prime Minister's Questions

Again and again, we were told to expect a summer of chaos, that the country and the NHS could not cope. But as usual, we never came close to the apocalyptic projections as a combination of vaccines, testing, boosters and Britons plain old common sense kicked in.

As we drifted towards the end of the year, we were told that Britain was heading into a winter of nightmarish proportions.

Yet now we have a higher level of booster protection than all of our European neighbours and the biggest testing programme in Europe, while Omicron infections are falling.

Im no Johnson fan but the fact remains that his approach of pushing against lockdowns in favour of vaccines, boosters and testing with light-touch restrictions has been validated  even if he needed a few reminders from his backbench MPs.

Britain is showing the world that it is possible to live and work alongside the Omicron variant while not locking down.

This is why we are now heading down the home straight to January 26, when the current restrictions will expire. My prediction is that if Johnson is still in No 10 when we reach that date, he will benefit in the polls as the Prime Minister who put liberty first.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson sat beside Dominic Raab and Liz Truss at PMQs on Wednesday afternoon

Its not just about Covid, of course. At every difficult moment over the past two years, the Labour Party has rushed to the worst possible outcome.

Remember the lorry-driver crisis? Starmer told us Johnson had ruined Christmas and there would not be any food in the shops. I dont know about you, but my Christmas was fine.

And then came the meltdown over furlough. Labour opposed ending it, with Starmer warning it would cause a scale of unemployment not seen for generations.

Yet last month, unemployment fell to 4.2 per cent while the number of workers added to payrolls jumped by 257,000, the biggest monthly rise since 2014.

No doubt in Sir Keirs alternative universe, the furlough scheme, which cost an eye-watering 68 billion, would still be running, plunging the country and our children into an even bigger pile of debt.

Britain is sick and tired of the endless doomsday politics and predictions of catastrophe.

Opposition MPs react as Boris Johnson apologises in the House of Commons during Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions

And throughout this crisis, Sir Keir Starmer has been shroud-waver in chief with his refusal to believe that people taking personal responsibility is far more effective than relying on the state.

As the political thinker Thomas Sowell once said: There has never been a shortage of people eager to draw up blueprints for running other peoples lives.

Britons are right to feel angry about Johnsons double standards. He appears determined to sit on the wrong side of their strong sense of fair play. But if he does come out of this crisis as the politician who ripped up those blueprints and let people get on with their daily existence, I not only think they will give him another chance  but he will survive much longer than his critics think.
Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of the world-famous Wellcome Trust, has condemned the policy failures of politicians in the pandemic while preaching a gospel of accountability so we learn the lessons of this public health catastrophe. His words have immense impact.

An expert in tropical diseases and adviser to the World Health Organisation, he is probably Britains most influential scientist as head of our biggest charity that put 1.2billion last year into medical and scientific research.

Farrar was also a member of the Sage advisory committee until he resigned last year shortly after publishing a rather self-aggrandising book entitled Spike: The Virus v The People.

Everyone needs to learn the lessons, scientists included, he wrote, attacking Boris Johnson for the disgrace of delaying a public inquiry into the pandemic until it has ended. We only honour the dead by pledging to learn from the mistakes that cost them their lives.

Few would argue with such fine words. So how strange this same man now stands accused of playing a role in delaying investigations into the pandemic origins.

Science depends on sharing data, fierce debate and challenging evidence  and few scientific investigations are more important than discovering the origins of Covid to help guard against future disasters.

Yet Farrar agreed with other top British and US scientists to label as conspiracy theory any suggestions the novel strain of coronavirus responsible might be linked to a laboratory incident in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where it first emerged.

P4 laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province

This was confirmed again this week when Republican members of Congress released previously redacted snippets of email discussions providing fresh evidence of how these experts privately feared the new virus showed signs of lab manipulation while publicly condemning such theories.

They even admitted they were concerned such a destructive debate might harm science in general and their colleagues in Chinese science in particular.

Their disturbing actions  and shameful appeasement of China  have not only hampered global understanding of this destructive new disease, but also gravely damaged faith in science at a time when such trust has never been more vital.

There are now two core questions over the birth of this pandemic: did Covid emerge through some kind of scientific mishap or through natural transmission from animals?

And why did the science establishment work so hard to silence dissident voices? Indeed, it seems incredible that not only does Farrar remain in a job in which he directs so much crucial medical research, but even saw his annual salary rise by 28,000 to 512,000 last year, according to latest accounts.

For Sir Jeremy is a pivotal figure in the sequence of secretive events that followed the emergence of a new disease in Wuhan in late 2019.

Many of the growing concerns revolve around a secretive teleconference Farrar led on February 1 2020, as fears over the emerging pandemic exploded.

And the more we learn through leaks, freedom of information requests, interviews and tenacious investigations, the more it smacks of an establishment conspiracy to stifle debate over high-risk science  ironically by accusing those who challenge the consensus of being conspiracy theorists.

Pictured: Workers are seen next to a cage with mice (R) inside the P4 laboratory in Wuhan

The call involved the two most influential scientists in America  controversial presidential adviser Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Francis Collins, then head of the US major funding body financially supporting high-risk research into bat coronaviruses conducted in Wuhan  plus 11 experts including Sir Patrick Vallance, our governments chief scientific adviser.

We know from Farrars book and previous email disclosures that several key participants, including Farrar, were concerned the deadly new virus was linked to research in Wuhan, home to several labs carrying out research into bat coronaviruses.

One Australian-based virologist said he was 80 per cent sure this thing had come out of a lab while another key participant was 60 to 70 per cent convinced.

After their hour-long discussion, Farrar remained uncertain, saying this will remain grey unless there is access to the Wuhan lab.

Yet, following that call and the airing of those views, the scientists public stance changed with bizarre speed for such a vexatious scientific conundrum  especially given the lack of data from Wuhan or any assistance from Beijing.

They began publishing punchy statements dismissing lab leaks in the most prestigious science journals, some of which have extensive commercial ties to China.

And they were backed by patsy politicians and supine journalists, whose hostility was inflamed by then President Donald Trumps allegations about the China virus. The result was this vital debate was set back at least a year.

Farrar and two other Wellcome Trust experts signed a key statement in the Lancet medical journal praising Chinese efforts to tackle the disease while saying they strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid does not have a natural origin.

(L-R) Arancha Gonzalez Laya, Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC), Alex Liu, Managing Partner and Chairman, A.T. Kearney and Jeremy Farrar, Director, Wellcome Trust

It later emerged the article was covertly organised within days of the call by Peter Daszak, a British scientist whose New York organisation funnelled US funds to research partners at Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinas top biosafety lab.

Farrar also quietly assisted five scientists, four of whom were on that call, to write a commentary in Nature Medicine that firmly stated the authors do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible.

This hugely-influential statement has been accessed 5.62 million times and cited by more than 2,000 academic papers.

One of the quintet, a Texas microbiologist called Robert Garry, later said the first draft was completed on the day of that secretive call.

The Daily Mails sister paper, the Mail on Sunday, was a lonely voice in this country as it worked with a few brave scientists and researchers to challenge Chinas lies, winkle out evidence of US funding ties to Wuhan and expose glaring conflicts of interest among key figures in this tawdry saga.

Yet when I submitted FOI requests for relevant email discussions involving Sir Patrick, I received page after page of redacted documents, as did US investigators seeking to discover why all these experts suddenly switched tack.

Edinburgh University also refused to share data on the dubious grounds that disclosure might endanger the health or safety of Andrew Rambaut, a biologist who was on the conference call and a joint author of that Nature Medicine article.

Now, courtesy of some US Congress members, we have a few more details that serve to fuel concerns over the divergence between what leading scientists said in public and private  although most of the text remains redacted.

One note sent by Farrar the day after their call said Garry was struggling to think of a plausible natural scenario to explain the furin cleavage site  a feature not found on similar types of coronavirus that lets it enter more efficiently into human cells.

Rambaut, co-signatory of that article dismissing lab links, said on the same day he remained agnostic although struck by the unusual furin cleavage site.

And perhaps the biggest clue as to what was behind this came from Ron Fouchier, a pioneer of risky gain of function research to boost infectivity of bat viruses to humans, when he said further debate over the virus being engineered would distract top researchers from their active duties and do unnecessary harm to science in general and China in particular.

Thankfully, the ground has shifted to ensure more acceptance of the lab leak hypothesis, especially since there remains no firm evidence to support theories of natural animal to human transmission.

Concerns escalated after disclosures that Daszak even sought US funding in 2018 to work in Wuhan on a scheme to insert rare cleavage sites into SARS-like coronaviruses collected in the field, then run experiments on live bats.

This debate goes on but, regardless of its conclusion, it underlines the need to regulate the wilder frontiers of science. Those science leaders who fail to do so show contempt for those who legitimately challenge them and for the public.
Software company Service Now has been voted the best place to work in the UK by employees.

Jobs website Glassdoor analysed thousands of anonymous reviews from employees to determine the top 50 list, which also features Oliver Bonas, the LEGO group, Schuh, Dishoom and Nando's.

Employees rate their company on a number of factors, including work-life balance, company culture, benefits and the CEO, awarding each a rating from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied).

Tech companies dominate the list with 19 winners, including seven in the top 10.

Revealed: 50 best places to work in the UK according to employees 1. ServiceNow Company Rating: 4.6 2. AND Digital Company Rating: 4.6 3. Salesforce Company Rating: 4.6 4. Immediate Media Company Company Rating: 4.5 5. Abcam Company Rating: 4.5 6. McKinsey & Company Company Rating: 4.5 7. Adobe Company Rating: 4.5 8. VMware Company Rating: 4.5 9. Arm Company Rating: 4.5 10. Meta (Facebook) Company Rating: 4.5 11. Hitachi Capital (UK) Company Rating: 4.5 12. Dishoom Company Rating: 4.5 13. Microsoft Company Rating: 4.4 14. Mastercard Company Rating: 4.4 15. Dell Technologies Company Rating: 4.4 16. Zurich Insurance Company Rating: 4.4 17. Awin Company Rating: 4.4 18. Google Company Rating: 4.4 19. SAP Company Rating: 4.4 20. Wise Company Rating: 4.4 21. Ocado Technology Company Rating: 4.3 22. Boston Consulting Group Company Rating: 4.3 23. Apple Company Rating: 4.3 24. Diageo Company Rating: 4.3 25. The Gym Group Company Rating: 4.3 26. Oliver Bonas Company Rating: 4.3 27. Octopus Energy Company Rating: 4.3 28. Arcadis Company Rating: 4.3 29. Sky Betting and Gaming Company Rating: 4.3 30. Barratt Developments Company Rating: 4.3 31. Softcat Company Rating: 4.3 32. Cisco Systems Company Rating: 4.3 33. Sage Company Rating: 4.3 34. Nandos UK & Ireland Company Rating: 4.3 35. Trailfinders Company Rating: 4.3 36. Schuh Limited Company Rating: 4.3 37. the LEGO Group Company Rating: 4.3 38. Kainos Company Rating: 4.3 39. Johnson & Johnson Company Rating: 4.3 40. Fidelity International Company Rating: 4.2 41. S&P Global Company Rating: 4.2 42. Ford Motor Company Company Rating: 4.2 43. Jet2.com Company Rating: 4.2 44. Procter & Gamble Company Rating: 4.2 45. Marriott International Company Rating: 4.2 46. Capgemini Invent Company Rating: 4.2 47. Mars Company Rating: 4.2 48. Mott MacDonald Company Rating: 4.2 49. O2 Company Rating: 4.2 50. MBDA Company Rating: 4.2 Advertisement

Other industries represented include finance, manufacturing, travel & tourism, construction, media, retail, restaurants and more.

Service Now topped the list with a score of 4.6, while IT services firm AND digital came second Salesforce, last year's winner and also a software company came in third.

Service Now Employees praised the company's fantastic culture, potential for opportunities and excellent training.

The company offers a range of services including IT service, business and operations management, HR service delivery and customer service management, and its clients include the NHS, Vodafone and Experian.

ServiceNow is one of the 25 newcomers to the UK list, six of which are among the top 10.

Google (No. 18, 4.4) is recognised for the eighth consecutive year and is the only employer to make the UK list every year since launch.

Software company Service Now has been voted the best place to work in the UK by employees. Jobs website Glassdoor analysed thousands of anonymous reviews from employees to determine the top 50 list, which also features Oliver Bonas and Dishoom

IT services firm AND digital came second Salesforce, last year's winner and also a software company, came in third. Tech companies dominated the top 10

Employees are asked to share their opinions on some of the best reasons to work for their employer, as well as any downsides and are encouraged to provide advice to management.

The top 10 is dominated by tech companies, with Adobe and Meta - who own Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - also appearing in the top 10.

Immediate Media Company, which publishes dozens of BBC magazines, consultancy firm McKinsey & Company, and Abcam, a producer, distributor and seller of protein research tools were also in the top 10.

Immediate Media Company, who publish dozens of BBC magazines came fourth with a score of 4.5

Consultancy firm McKinsey & Company, and Abcam, a producer, distributor and seller of protein research tools were also in the top 10.

The Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards feature six distinct categories, including honours for the Best Places to Work across the UK, France, Germany and Canada and recognising both large and small to medium companies in the U.S.

Winners are ranked based on their overall rating achieved during the past year.

Ratings are based on a 5-point scale: 1.0=very dissatisfied, 3.0=OK, 5.0=very satisfied; actual calculations extend beyond the thousandth decimal place.

Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor Chief Executive Officer, said: 'The world of work is rapidly evolving, fuelled by the pandemic and now millions of workers re-evaluating their expectations of employers.

'This year's Best Places to Work winners are leading the way by listening and responding to employee feedback and reimagining the employee experience to truly put their people first,'

'It's inspiring to see these employers step up during the pandemic to expand and grow company cultures where employees feel supported and valued in and out of work. Congratulations to all of this year's Employees' Choice Award winners.'
What was meant to be a relaxing weekend getaway to the Gold Coast quickly turned into a 'vulgar' experience for Victorian travellers Justine Martin and Anna McLean.

The two friends arrived at a hotel resort late one evening in April 2021 and were looking forward to getting some shut-eye, but instead were left traumatised after feeling something crawling all over their body.

Ms Martin, 50, told FEMAIL she dismissed the feeling at first before catching something behind her neck and realised the mattress was infested with bed bugs.

'I turned the light on, stripped the bed and there were bugs everywhere,' the resilience consultant said, later describing the experience as 'vulgar'.

Victorian travellers travellers Justine Martin (left) and Anna McLean (right) were looking forward to their weekend away at the Gold Coast when everything went terribly wrong

But after arriving at their hotel Ms Martin felt a crawling sensation over her body and later stripped the bed to find the mattress was infested with bed bugs

'They were everywhere in both beds, some dead and some alive, it was truly disgusting,' she said.

Ms Martin recalled the bed felt 'gritty' to lie on as if the mattress was covered in a layer of sand.

The feeling likely occurred due to the particles of excrement left behind by the insects.

Ms Martin recalled the bed felt 'gritty' to lie on as if the mattress was covered in a layer of sand

'We rang the night manager at 3:30am who didn't seem too worried about the pests and gave us another room to sleep in,' she said.

But while they were transferred, Ms Martin wasn't taking any chances and checked both beds in the second room.

To her disbelief both mattresses were also infested with bed bugs.

'At this point we were exhausted, it was 5:30 in the morning and thankfully we didn't unpack our luggage otherwise our clothes would've been infested too,' she said.

The pair were left with dozens of bites from sleeping in the infested beds which looked like 'bad mosquito bites'.

In the early hours of the morning they found another hotel to sleep in for 'three times the price' and later received a refund due to the awful experience.

'We were looking forward to shopping, sunshine and relaxing because the borders had just opened, but we didn't get any of that,' she said.

'It was a weekend from hell.'

Ms Martin said the pair arrived on a Thursday evening, slept all day on the Friday only for it to rain 'all weekend'.

'By Sunday we just couldn't wait to get home - what a disaster!' she said.

How to avoid bed bug and dust mite infestations this summer: Wash your sheets every week Wash sheets separate to clothes and towel, spot cleaning and marks before washing. Use hot water and a hot dryer if there are mites Duvets, comforters and throw blankets that have less contact with your skin can be washed every month or two Pillows and doonas should be cleaned every six months and replaced every two years Getting rid of bed bugs: As their eggs are difficult to see, and have a long incubation period it can be tricky ridding your home of a bed bug infestation A combination of non-chemical and chemical treatments may be needed Advertisement

Experts say bed bug populations are exploding across the country with a 5000 per cent increase in the unwanted creatures over recent years.

Bed expert Darren Nelson, from Solace Sleep, says bed bug infestations are most common from December to February due to the warm weather and increased travel, which helps them spread from holiday homes and campsites back to the bedroom.

To spot bed bugs, it's best to strip the bed and look for any dark blood spots, dead bugs or old shells as the bugs often shed skin.

'The best way to combat bed bugs is to keep your sheets and bedding clean, with bed bugs twice as likely to be found in dirty sheets and clothes compared to clean,' Mr Nelson said.

'Most people wash their sheets every week or two - but forget about their pillow and doona, going months if not years, between washes.'

But he warned the bugs aren't just found in beds and furnishings, they can also live in brick walls.

Unwashed sheets, pillows and doonas are also a breeding ground for dust mites that feed off the dead skin cells you shed while you sleep.

'Symptoms of a dust mite allergy include sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, and nasal congestion. For asthmatics, they can cause you to wheeze more, especially at night when you are lying in a bed infested with dust mites,' he said.
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Sandra Lee enjoyed a night of dancing under the stars in Mexico while throwing an epic 50th birthday party for her best friend Tracy Holland.

The Food Network star traveled to Cabo San Lucas with her pals last week to host Saturday night's bash honoring Holland, the founder and CEO of HatchBeauty Brands.

Lee, 55, dazzled in a white cropped peasant blouse that revealed a sliver of her stomach and a matching layered midi-skirt. Her long blond hair was pulled up in a high bun while her bangs framed her face.

Sandra Lee (right) threw her best friend Tracy Holland (left) a 50th birthday party in Mexico on Saturday night

Lee, 55, dazzled in a white cropped peasant blouse that revealed a sliver of her stomach and a matching layered midi-skirt

The Food Network star was spotted dancing on the beach with Trent Bryson, CEO of Bryson Financial

Lee had a smile on her face as Bryson dramatically dipped her during their dance

She skipped jewelry and topped off the beachy look with a pair of flat sandals, though didn't wear them for long. She was later seen carrying them in her hands while walking barefoot in the sand.

Her fiance Ben Youcef, 42, didn't appear to be at the party or on the trip.

While Lee opted for white, Holland stood out in a plunging floral dress with billowy sleeves and a low back.

Lee went all out for the birthday bash, which started with dinner at Nido, a tableside Japanese grill at the Viceroy Hotel.

The open-air restaurant is housed in a unique nest-like structure located between the resort and the ocean, making it perfect for a special event.

Lee traveled to Cabo San Lucas with her pals last week to host Saturday night's bash for Holland,

The evening started with dinner, and Lee sat to the right of Holland, the founder and CEO of HatchBeauty Brands

Bryson was seated to Lee's right, and they were seen deep in conversation over dinner

The open-air restaurant is housed in a unique nest-like structure located between the resort and the ocean

The long table was covered with pink and white floral arrangements and pink water glasses

Lee sat between Holland and Trent Bryson, CEO of Bryson Financial, whom she chatted with throughout the night.

The long table was covered with pink and white floral arrangements and pink water glasses. Guests appeared to be drinking everything from wine to cocktails, including what looked like a margarita for Lee.

Both she and the guest of honor stood up to give speeches, and the group was photographed raising their glasses in a toast.

After dinner was over, Lee got the birthday cake ready. The three-tie confection featured pale yellow icing topped with pink flowers and a stunning sea-shell scalloped design on the sides.

The celebrity chef and another gal pal were by Holland's side as she sliced into her birthday cake before hitting the dance floor.

There appeared to be a number of speeches during the dinner, and one attendee looked like she was about to fall asleep

Guests were drinking everything from wine to cocktails, including what looked like a margarita for Lee

Lee was among the guests who stood up to pay tribute to Holland on her milestone 50th birthday

The party guests had smiles on their faces as they were photographed raising their glasses in a toast

Lee was seen mingling and dancing with guests, including Bryson. The twosome put on a show on the dance floor, with Bryson dramatically dipping her at one point.

She had a smile on her face as they swayed to the music, clearly enjoying her night in Cabo San Lucas.

Other guests  including the birthday girl  were also spotted hitting the dance floor as they partied the night away.

Lee has been documenting her time in Mexico on her Instagram, and before Holland's birthday celebration, she shared a mirror selfie that showed off her top.

'Party time! Happy birthday sweet Tracy! Love u!!!' she wrote.

The day before, Lee and Holland were spotted walking side by side in the sand after leaving the Viceroy Hotel.

Holland also said a few words at the dinner while Lee looked up at her from her seat at the table

Lee and another friend were later seen getting the cake ready for the birthday girl

Plates were stacked so party guests could grab a slice when they were ready

The pals crowded around Holland as she blew out the candle on her three-tier cake

Holland also had the honor of slicing the top tier of her birthday cake on Saturday night

The confection featured pale yellow icing topped with pink flowers and a stunning sea-shell scalloped design on the sides

Lee wore a figure-flaunting two-piece, the top of which was visible under her unbuttoned coverup. She had her blonde hair pulled back and shielded her eyes from the sun with a pair of sunglasses.

The chef appeared to be deep in conversation with Holland, who wore a pink one-piece with a leopard sarong slung around her hips.

They stopped to chat with two men, one of whom was Bryson. Holland had her arm around Bryson's shoulders while Lee laughed at something that was said.

Lee and Holland are longtime friends who were introduced by Tesco CEO Ken Murphy.

The day the photos were taken, Holland took to Instagram to sing her friend's praises.

'Thank you Sandra Lee for helping to make my Mexican Riviera birthday so magical, I love your heart and soul!' she wrote. 'Thank you for being my Muse in all things beautiful including for NatureWell. You are a creative force and thank you so so much.

After dinner, Lee and her guests moved the party onto the beach, where there was a fire pit and couches for lounging

Ever the perfect hostess, Lee appeared to be bringing people fresh drinks throughout the night

When she wasn't tending to her guests, the celebrity chef was dancing with friends

Lee energetically danced with an unidentified friend dressed in a white and blue patterned suit

Both Lee and her dancing partner were barefoot on the beach as they swayed to the music

Other guests, including Holland, cuddled up close to their dancing partners

Holland appeared to be enjoying herself as she danced with loved ones at her 50th birthday party

While Lee opted for white, Holland stood out in a plunging floral dress with billowy sleeves and a low back

'And Ken Murphy the best friendship matchmaker ever, you said it best when you said, I can take to my grave that that one of the great thing in the world I did was put the two of you together, what a friendship."'

Lee, meanwhile, shared her own post, writing: 'Happy Birthday Sweet Trac! You beautiful creature even more inside as out and  I love you so!!

'Time to get down  we are dialed in! And thank you KEN MURPHY for the gift of friendship  the world is a better place because of you both.'

Their girls' trip came a week after Lee was photographed packing on the PDA with her fiance in Malibu on New Year's Day.

She and Youcef, an Algerian writer and interfaith leader, were spotted passionately kissing at the Malibu Country Mart. They spent the night before ringing in the new year together at Nobu Malibu, People reported.

'They are very much looking forward to the new year,' a source told the outlet. 'They are happier than ever.'

Lee's long blond hair was pulled up in a high bun while her bangs framed her face

Lee didn't appear to be happy to be having her picture taken, and at one point she raised her hand in front of her face

Servers wore masks and walked around with drink trays while guests enjoyed themselves a the hotel

Lee was spotted grabbing a drink for another male friend who was wearing a pale pink blazer

She threw her arms around him as they chatted on the beach after dinner

Lee seemed to be the life of the party as she danced and mingled with guests

Lee's fiance Ben Youcef, 42, didn't appear to be at the party or on the trip to Mexico

Lee and Bryson both had smiles on their faces as they danced hand in hand under the stars

Instead of the large engagement ring her fiance gave her in Paris over the summer, Lee wore a delicate filigree band lined with diamonds.

The new bling is believed to be a Christmas gift from Youcef, a source told Page Six.

Lee moved to Malibu after she and her ex, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, split in September 2019. They dated for 14 years and lived together, but they never got engaged in their decade and a half as a couple.

She and Youcef are believed to have met at a charity event in Santa Monica back in March, with him making the first move.

He is a father to five-year-old twins with his soon-to-be ex-wife, California-based realtor Apryl Stephenson. Though the pair are still legally married, they separated in 2019 and they filed for divorce in January 2020.

Youcef proposed to Lee in August during their whirlwind trip to France that coincided with the sexual harassment scandal surrounding Cuomo.

Lee didn't have any jewelry on, including the large gemstone engagement ring Youcef gave her

One guest was captured recording Lee as she pointed to something out in the distance

Lee and Holland are longtime friends who were introduced by Tesco CEO Ken Murphy

Lee and Holland are believed to have been staying at the Viceroy Hotel, where the beach party took place

Lee had topped off her beachy look with a pair of flat sandals, though didn't wear them for long. She was later seen carrying them in her hands while walking barefoot in the sand

Lee seemed to be on top of things at the party, and at one point she was spotted speaking to a hotel employee

Before Holland's birthday celebration, Lee took to Instagram to share a mirror selfie that showed off her top. 'Party time! Happy birthday sweet Tracy! Love u!!!' she wrote

Lee (pictured on Friday) has been documenting her time in Mexico on her Instagram

'Ben really wanted to distract Sandra from all the news, so he whisked her away to Paris,' an unnamed source close to Youcef told the New York Post. 'He knows how hard this has been on her and he wants to make sure she feels loved and supported.'

The source added: 'Ben is incredibly protective of Sandra. They're soulmates and head-over-heels in love.'

Cuomo, 64, resigned from office in August after investigators working for New York Attorney General Letitia James authored a report concluding he had sexually harassed 11 women.

Cuomo has denied the allegations.

The ex-governor has been hit with a charge of forcible touching relating to the allegation of Brittany Commisso, a former aide who claimed Cuomo groped her breast in the office of the Executive Mansion in Albany in December 2020.

The complaint, which was signed by an investigator from the Albany County Sheriff's Office, alleges that the former governor 'intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, forcibly place his hand under the blouse shirt of the victim and onto her intimate body part.'

On Friday, a bikini-clad Lee was photographed frolicking on the beach with Holland

Holland took to Instagram to sing her friend's praises over the weekend, writing: Thank you for being my Muse in all things beautiful including for NatureWell. You are a creative force and thank you so so much'

'And Ken Murphy the best friendship matchmaker ever, you said it best when you said, I can take to my grave that that one of the great thing in the world I did was put the two of you together, what a friendship,"' she added

Lee had spent New Year's with her fiance, Ben Youcef, 42, in Malibu (pictured in 2014)

Lee had dated Andrew Cuomo for 14 years until she broke up with him in 2019

Commisso's claim was the most serious of all of the allegations listed in James' report, which Cuomo has maintained was a hit-job by James to get him out of her way.

'From the moment my office received the referral to investigate allegations that former Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, we proceeded without fear or favor,' James' office said in a statement.

'The criminal charges brought today against Mr. Cuomo for forcible touching further validate the findings in our report.'

If convicted, Cuomo could face up to one year in prison.

Despite the charges filed against him, Cuomo is considering running for political rival James' attorney general post, sources said.

He held the position from 2007 to 2010 before becoming governor and now sources close to the politician told the New York Post he could run for the position in 2022.

'People in Cuomos orbit are tossing it out there,' a person close to Cuomo told the New York Post. 'Theyre floating [the idea].'
An Australian foodie has shared his easy and delicious recipe for healthy KitKat bars that only uses five ingredients and is completely vegan and gluten free.

Cookbook author and Instagram-famous chef, Arman Liew, who goes by The Big Man's World online, demonstrated how to make homemade KitKat bars in a video posted to TikTok.

In the clip, the Melbourne chef said he was 'obsessed' with KitKars bars so created his own 'healthy, homemade' version using dairy-free chocolate chips, coconut oil, peanut butter, maple syrup and gluten-free Chex cereal.

Scroll down for video

Cookbook author and Instagram-famous chef, Arman Liew, who goes by The Big Man's World online, demonstrated how to make homemade KitKat bars that are vegan and gluten-free and only use five ingredients in a video posted to TikTok.

Arman starts by adding the chocolate chips, coconut oil, peanut butter and maple syrup to a microwave-safe bowl.

He said although he used dairy free chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips will work just as well.

Arman then melts the ingredients together in the microwave stirring regularly to combine and make sure it doesn't burn or go lumpy.

Arman starts by adding the chocolate chips, coconut oil, peanut butter and maple syrup to a microwave-safe bowl and melting the ingredients together

He then adds the Chex cereal into the bowl with the melted chocolate and mixes to combine

He then adds the Chex cereal into the bowl with the melted chocolate and mixes to combine.

Arman transfers the mixture into a baking tray lined with parchment paper and puts it in the fridge for at least an hour until it is firm.

'Slice them up and try not to eat them all at once,' he finishes the clip.

Arman transfers the mixture into a baking tray lined with parchment paper and puts it in the fridge for at least an hour until it is firm

'Slice them up and try not to eat them all at once,' he finishes the clip

Recipe: Five-ingredient, vegan, gluten-free KitKat bars Ingredients 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips of your choice 1 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 1/4 cup coconut oil 3 cups Rice Chex cereal (you can use any Chex cereal of your choice) Method 1. In a microwave safe bowl or stovetop, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil and heat until melted 2. Remove from microwave/off stove and whisk until completely incorporated 3. Add the Chex cereal to the bowl with your melted ingredients and stir to combine 4. Line a 8x8inch deep dish or deep baking tray with parchment paper and pour the mixture in 5. Refrigerate until firm - at least an hour. 6. Remove and cut into bars Source: The Big Man's World Advertisement

Arman's clips has racked up more than 116,300 views since it was posted last week with many viewers saying they're keen to try the recipe for themselves.

'Kit Kats were my favourite until I was diagnosed with celiac disease. Im going to the store after work for these ingredients,' one fan wrote.

'Ive made your recipe its awesome and my kids love it,' commented a second.
North Korean state media reported this week that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un attended the country's newest advanced hypersonic missile test, the first time the leader has attended such a launch in over a year.

The launch, which was verified by Japan and South Korea's military services on Monday, was the second in less than a week, following another hypersonic platform test on Wednesday that included maneuverable boost-glide vehicle technology.

Kim Jong Un urges military scientists to accelerate efforts

In September, North Korea conducted its most recent hypersonic weapon test. Since then, it has boasted of "successful results" as it competes with China, Russia, and the United States in a global arms race.

"Carried out with the objective of finally validating the overall technical features of the designed hypersonic weapon system," according to the latest demonstration. Since the governing Workers' Party's Eighth Congress in January of last year, the creation of such a weapon has been a top priority. However, Kim was not included in any public accounts of missile tests during 2021, including the testing of a new cruise missile, a train-based ballistic missile, a submarine-launched ballistic missile, and the first hypersonic weapons test, in what looked to be a first.

Top military officials, including Pak Jong Chon, secretary of the Korean Workers' Party Central Committee and a member of the ruling party's politburo presidium, oversaw the latest launches, according to state media, at a time when Kim had reduced his public appearances in general, possibly due to COVID-19 concerns or health issues related to a significant weight loss that has alarmed even his own citizens, as per News Week via MSN.

The alleged launch was detected on Tuesday by officials in South Korea and Japan, prompting criticism from governments around the world and a statement of concern from the UN Secretary-General.

The second launch of a "hypersonic missile" in less than a week reaffirmed Kim's New Year's resolution to strengthen the military with cutting-edge technology at a time when negotiations with South Korea and the US have stagnated.

It was Kim Jong Un's first ceremonial presence to a missile launch since March 2020, and he pushed military scientists to "further accelerate the efforts to steadily build up the country's strategic military might, both in quality and quantity, and further modernize the army," according to CNA.

Read Also: US Urges To Reach a Deal With Russia, Tells Moscow That De-escalation is Needed as Ukraine Crisis Deepens

North Korea's leadership would have been enraged by South's assessment

The North's leadership would have been enraged by South Korea's appraisal of last week's launch, according to Cheong Seong-Chang, a senior analyst at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea, and may have planned a succession of tests to make its threat real.

Hypersonic missiles are categorized as a high priority mission for strategic weapons in the current five-year plan, and the Hwasong-8 was tested in September of last year. Experts estimate that North Korea is still years away from developing a true hypersonic system.

Pyongyang stated in 2021 that new submarine-launched ballistic missiles, a long-range cruise missile, and a train-launched weapon had all been successfully tested. In 2021, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, as well as a long-range cruise missile, a train-launched weapon, and a hypersonic warhead.

Pyongyang's claims of hypersonic flight have been questioned by South Korea. Last week's test was simply a minor advance over the regime's existing ballistic missiles. According to Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, a second hypersonic test would be conducted soon after the first might imply that last week's launch was a failure, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: North Korea Launches 2nd Possible Ballistic Missile In 6 Days Amid International Objection

@YouTube

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A mum-of-two has shared her secret tip for removing greasy stains from kitchen cabinets and leaving them sparkling clean every time.

Home hack queen, Chantel Mila, known online as 'Mama Mila', uses only three ingredients for her DIY cleaning paste and says it 'does the hard work' for you.

The Melbourne mum makes the cleaning paste by first placing half a cup of bicarb soda into a bowl.

Scroll down for video

The Melbourne mum makes the cleaning paste by first placing half a cup of bicarb soda into a bowl

Bicarb soda contains powerful properties that can remove grease marks without any scrubbing needed.

She then adds one cup of water and a squirt of lemon juice to the bowl. Lemon juice contains natural properties that can cut through grime and bacteria.

Chantel mixes the water, lemon juice and bicarb soda together to form a paste and applies it to her greasy kitchen cabinets.

Bicarb soda contains powerful properties that can remove grease marks without any scrubbing needed

She then adds one cup of water and a squirt of lemon juice to the bowl. Lemon juice contains natural properties that can cut through grime and bacteria

She suggests it is best to 'patch test' before you use the paste to clean cabinet as surfaces can react differently.

Once the paste has been applied to the cabinets Chantel leaves it on for five minutes while the mixture does all the work.

To finish Mama Mila simply wipes off the paste with a flannel and warm water to reveal a shining, spotless kitchen.

'This mixture is so powerful at cleaning your cabinets,' Chantel shared online

'This mixture is so powerful at cleaning your cabinets,' Chantel said.

Her post has received praise from her huge following of over 600,00.

'Oh girl, I needed this one! I need to do a deep clean and organisation soon, thank you so much for sharing,' a woman wrote.
BBC cancer podcast star Deborah James, who has incurable bowel cancer, say she's had to learn how to walk again after being bed-bound for three weeks in December after she contracted infectious colitis.

The former deputy head teacher turned cancer campaigner, 40, from London, has been living with stage four bowel cancer since she was diagnosed in December 2016, and was told early on that she might not live beyond five years - a milestone that passed in the autumn.

The first episode of the You, Me and the Big C saw Deborah, a mother-of-two, reveal how she'd been 'absolutely floored' by 'big gun chemo' during the summer and then a serious infection at the year's end - which saw her carried into a London hospital at 1am by her husband for treatment.

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In new series of cancer podcast, You, Me and the Big C, James, 40, revealed she had to learn how to walk again after being bed-bound with colitis in December

The cancer campaigner told the BBC show's co-hosts Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland that her cancer is currently stable in a really 'b****y awkward place' and she's still deciding on treatment options

James marked five years since her 2016 diagnosis - a milestone she thought she wouldn't make - in December but was in hospital with infectious colitis

She told co-hosts Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland on the newest episode of the BBC podcast that she'd had to learn to walk again after being forced to remain in bed for almost a month.

She said: 'After colitis, I had to relearn to walk again because I had so much fluid.

'I'd been bed-bound for three weeks and just learning how to walk to the end of the drive or whatever, is just impossible essentially.'

Discussing how difficult the last six months have been, James said while she was really happy that the 'big gun chemo' she endured has slowed her cancer's growth, which had been 'on the march', it had been an exhausting time.

The latest episode of Radio 5 Live's You, Me and the Big C saw James telling her co-hosts, Steve Bland, bottom left, and Lauren Mahon, bottom right, that her cancer is stable but future treatment options remain uncertain

The former deputy head teacher celebrated her 40th birthday in October but admitted this week that 'big gun chemo' in the summer had 'floored her'

The social media star has documented her battle with cancer online since being diagnosed and campaigned for better awareness around bowel cancer diagnosis

BOWEL CANCER: THE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULDN'T IGNORE Bowel, or colorectal, cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps. Symptoms include: Bleeding from the bottom

Blood in stools

A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks

Unexplained weight loss

Extreme, unexplained tiredness

Abdominal pain Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they: Are over 50

Have a family history of the condition

Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel

Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease

Lead an unhealthy lifestyle Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy. More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis. This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages. According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. It affects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute. Advertisement

She explained: 'I have to be honest with you, going from targeted therapy back onto chemo, it was hardcore, big gun chemo, and it absolutely utterly floored me.

'I would say my quality of life was just hideous.'

Updating listeners on the current state of her health, she said: 'Some days I feel fine, my quality of life is OK right now, but I'm not the person people have known for the past four years where I'm running around exercising everyday.'

'It's just stable in a really b****y awkward place.'

The campaigner revealed that because of her reduced liver function and the colitis, she's not likely to qualify for a clinical trial.

She admitted she'd been 'procrastinating' over potential treatment options during the Christmas break.

In the summer, James was told she had an aggressive new tumour that had wrapped itself around her bile duct - requiring a life-saving stay in hospital - and a stent fitted to stop her liver from failing.

The stent fitted to stop her liver failing 'stopped working' in December.

She explained to her followers at the time how hopes at having a 'quick replacement operation' had turned into a 'nightmare'.

She said: 'I'm now at the mercy of hopefully some super 'magic medicine miracle' - but then I always have been, and any chance is a chance right?

'All I ever say Is all I want is hope and options.'

In April, James shared that her cancer, which has been kept at bay by pioneering treatment, was back again and she was forced to endure a 12th operation.

The West London mother-of-two, a deputy head, was diagnosed 'late' with incurable bowel cancer in 2016.

She has frequently said that as a vegetarian runner, she was the last person doctors expected to get the disease.

After sharing her experiences on living with the disease on social media, Deborah became known as the 'Bowel Babe' and began writing a column for the Sun.

In 2018, Deborah joined Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland to present the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C on Radio 5 Live.

Bland tragically died of breast cancer on September 5th that year; her husband Steve Bland now co-presents the show.
Dog booties might look cute while out for winter walks but they could be causing your pet more harm than good, an expert has warned.

Animal charity the Blue Cross recommends winter boots, which typically have a flexible sole and Velcro straps, to help keep pooches comfortable while walking in low temperatures.

However vet and TV presenter Sean McCormack explained these boots could actually be doing more harm than good.

Animal charity the Blue Cross recommends winter boots, which typically have a flexible sole and Velcro straps, to help keep pooches comfortable while walking in low temperatures. However an expert has warned the accessories might be doing more harm than good. Stock

Writing in the magazine Dogs Today, he said: 'Dogs find it extremely difficult to adapt to wearing boots, as they make their paws heavier and restrict movement.

'One of the most common problems with dog boots, is that pet parents find it difficult to recognise when they don't fit their dog correctly.

'This can cause a lot of discomfort for your pet and make walking very challenging for them.'

Dogs' paw pads consist of a layer of pigmented skin, usually pink or black, covering fatty tissue. Since fat is insulating, these pads create a level of insulation from cold surfaces.

Dogs' paw pads consist of a layer of pigmented skin, usually pink or black, covering fatty tissue. Since fat is insulating, these pads create a level of insulation from cold surfaces. However booties can give an extra layer of protection. Stock image

From walking on lead to mopping up antifreeze, Dogs Trust shares its tips for walking dogs in winter Keep your dog on a lead if it's snowing There may be deep patches or the snow may cover up areas that arent safe. Make sure your dog is wearing a collar and an ID tag and is microchipped. It's important to ensure your microchipping database is up to date with your address and contact details. Find out how to update your dog's details. Make sure you wipe your dogs legs, feet and stomach after a walk The grit from the roads and dampness from rain or snow can irritate their skin. Never leave your dog in a car Whether it's hot or cold, dont leave your dog in a car. Dont let your dog walk on frozen ponds The ice may not be thick enough to take their weight. If your dog does fall through the ice never be tempted to go in after them. If possible, encourage them to swim back to you and call the emergency services. Antifreeze is highly poisonous but tasty to dogs Keep it well out of their reach and mop up any spills! Safety first Think about your own footwear when you're going out with your dog in winter, and make sure you're as visible as your dog Regularly check your dog's leads, collars and harnesses Make sure theyre all functioning safely and wont get damaged by winter weather. If it's extra cold it can be very difficult to do up lead clips and attach them to collars and harnesses so doing this indoors is sensible! Wet weather may also make metal clips rust. For more information visit Dogs Trust Advertisement

McCormack noted the pads are so tough they can withstand snow and frozen ground.

Experts at Blue Cross shared advice on how to recognise if your dog might need boots.

'If your dog starts lifting up their paws, whining or stopping while out on walks it could well be because their feet are too cold, so its a good idea to invest in some doggy winter boots for them to wear,' the charity explained.

'This also makes post exercise cleaning easier as well. You should look for dog boots that have a good sole and Velcro straps.'

If a dog is uncomfortable in boots, owners should take extra care to wipe down the pads after walking to ensure no harmful salt or grit is trapped between the pads.

McCormack also suggests rubbing the pads with petroleum jelly to prevent cracking.
Grand Duke Guillaume has tested positive for coronavirus, a week after his father confirmed he has the virus.

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, 40, who spent the festive season with his family the Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie, 37, and their one-year-old son Charles, confirmed in a statement that he is symptom-free and isolating.

Meanwhile his father Grand Duke Henri, 66, whos is also vaccinated, said he was suffering 'mild symptoms' in a release last week.

Grand Duke Guillaume has tested positive for coronavirus, a week after his father confirmed he has the virus (seen at Christmas with the Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie, 37, and their one-year-old son Charles)

Guillame's father Grand Duke Henri, 66, (seen with his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 65) whos is also vaccinated, said he was suffering 'mild symptoms' in a release last week

Confirming the news on Tuesday, the Grand Ducal Court said: 'Following a self-test which turned out positive, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince placed himself in self-isolation.'

Revealing that he is 'symptom-free and isolating', they added: 'A PCR test carried out subsequently confirmed the positive result and His Royal Highness remains in isolation, in accordance with the provisions of the amended law of July 17, 2020 on measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic'.

The news comes after the royal court revealed Grand Duke Henri was 'showing mild symptoms' just a few days after contracting the virus in the New Year.

Grand Duke Henri, 66, and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 65, are seen having their vaccinations last spring

The news comes after the family spent the festive period together, releasing sweet pictures of Prince Charles of Luxembourg, 1, celebrating his second Christmas.

Charles, who was born in May 2020, showcased the playful smile which has earned him the reputation as one of Europe's cutest royal babies in the sweet snaps.

Princess Stephanie was seen sporting an all-red ensemble while her son sat on her lap, as his father appeared to try and make his son laugh with a large stuffed animal bear, who was sporting a festive scarf and Santa Claus hat.

Behind the family was a fireplace decorated with stockings and candles, while Charles proved he is already turning into a trendy young prince, dressed in a cream jumper and tan trousers.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa shared the official Christmas portrait of the royal family of Luxembourg ahead of Christmas last month

Charles was born at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, and has become a fixture of the Grand Ducal Court's Instagram account.

At the time of his birth, the young Prince could not meet his grandparents Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa because of social distancing measure put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Discussing the birth of his son back in May, Prince Guillaume said it was 'probably the most incredible day that we will have in our life'.

He explained: 'To be able to greet the child that comes into one's life is the most magical thing, parenting, a couple can have.'

Photographs were then shared as the newborn met his grandparents the Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa over a video call.

In a statement, the Luxembourg royals said they were 'delighted to announce the birth' of their son.
Reese Witherspoon is being mocked on Twitter for an 'embarrassing' tweet insisting that 'parallel digital identities' will soon be ubiquitous  and everyone will be using cryptocurrency.

On Tuesday, the 45-year-old Oscar winner tweeted: 'In the (near) future, every person will have a parallel digital identity. Avatars, crypto wallets, digital goods will be the norm. Are you planning for this?'

Reese's tweet was quickly met with jokes, criticism, and otherwise derisive comments from fans who insist she either doesn't know what she is talking about or wasn't writing her tweets herself.

Reese Witherspoon is being mocked on Twitter for an 'embarrassing' tweet insisting that 'parallel digital identities' will soon be ubiquitous

On Tuesday, the 45-year-old Oscar winner tweeted: 'In the (near) future, every person will have a parallel digital identity. Avatars, crypto wallets, digital goods will be the norm. Are you planning for this?'

Several were confused to see Reese tweeting about the topic at all.

'I need to know if this is actually you tweeting or you have someone that tweets for you?' asked one.

'Blink twice if Mark Zuckerberg is holding you hostage,' said another.

'If youve ever wondered what it would be like if Gwyneth Paltrow was dating Elon Musk, welp,' wrote a third.

Some insisted she was weighing in on something she doesn't seem to understand, with one writing: 'This is more embarrassing for you than doing late night infomercials.'

For one thing, they pointed out that people have in fact had 'avatars' on the internet for years.

'We had digital avatars when I was 12. they were free and didn't burn down the rain forest,' wrote one.

Twitter users are wondering if she is even the author of the tweet, with some suggesting she doesn't understand what she is talking about

'Furries have had parallel digital identities and avatars for decades, without all the unnecessary crypto garbage,' said another.

'I like how people are complaining about this tweet using their parallel digital identity and avatars,' quipped a third.

Quite a few people also chastised Reese for promoting cryptocurrency, insisting that it is a scam.

'Crypto is 100% a scam, one that's hideously damaging to the environment. You'll never catch me investing in it!' wrote one.

'No sorry I don't get involved in scams that will peter out in a few years but you have fun,' said another.

'Hi Reese, 25 year programmer / technology professional here. This whole thing is a giant scam, and ecologically devastating for the planet. This dystopian future you long for is terrifying,' wrote one more.

Many have pointed out that 'digital identifies' and avatars have been the norm for years - including on Twitter itself

'Reese Witherspoon trying to get us to invest in pyramid schemes was not on my bingo card today,' added yet another.

Proponents of cryptocurrency like Bitcoin and Ethereum have hailed it as the future of money, but critics have called it a 'scam' and a 'fraud.'

In 2018, Bill Harris, a former CEO of Intuit and the founding CEO of PayPal and Personal Capital, wrote in an article for Vox that cryptocurrency is 'a colossal pump-and-dump scheme,' arguing that promoters 'pump' up the price and create a 'speculative frenzy.' Then, when the price is 'artificially high,' they 'dump' their holdings.

'The result is a massive transfer of wealth from ordinary families to internet promoters,' he said.

He also argued that the things that supposedly make crypto valuable are untrue: Namely, that Bitcoin is accepted 'almost nowhere' and the value can swing 10 percent or more, that there is extreme price volatility, and that the trading exchanges are less reliable and trustworthy than banks.

'A bitcoin has no intrinsic value. It only has value if people think other people will buy it for a higher price  the Greater Fool theory,' he said.

Others have called cryptocurrency a 'scam' and a 'fraud' and are disappointed that she is promoting it

Critics have also pointed out that cryptocurrency users are susceptible to theft by hackers.

What's more, they say, it is bad for the environment because it takes so much electricity to create.

Morgan Stanley and Alex de Vries, an economist who tracks energy use in the industry, argue that the electricity needed to created a single digital token is 'at least as much electricity as the average American household burns through in two years,' the New York Times reported.

What's more, the outlet adds, the Bitcoin network alone consumes the same amount of energy every day as some medium-size countries.

In addition to the criticism, a few Twitter just had fun with Reese's suggestions, mocking how she asked how people are 'planning' for the future she described.

'I quit my job four months ago to focus on nothing else. My avatar is almost done. I'm very hungry and the bank has taken my home,' said one.

'Yes. I am hoarding bottlecaps and shiny stones beneath a rock near my apocalypse shelter, which I will use to barter with fellow survivors as we hide from the Metabots sent to terminate us for rejecting the Facebook terms of service,' said another.
Former Olympic skier Bode Miller and his wife Morgan made their first Today show appearance with their newborn baby girl on Wednesday, revealing that they still haven't settled on a name for their seven-week-old.

The couple welcomed their daughter on November 26, at their home in California, with the help of a midwife. As the eighth child in their family, they have taken to calling her Ocho  which is Spanish for 'eight'  while trying to choose her name.

'Its hard because her personality is different, and I think were all trying to get used to it,' Bode, 44, told Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie while joining the show via live video feed from their home in Montana.

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Bode and Morgan Miller appeared on the Today show with their seven-week-old daughter on Wednesday after welcoming the newborn on November 26, at their home in California

The newborn is the eighth child in their family, and they have been calling her Ocho, which is Spanish for 'eight,' while trying to choose her name

'Shes stumped us on names so far. We have a lot that we like, but she hasnt smiled or high-fived or anything when we say them to her, and we say them to her all the time.'

Morgan, 34, a former pro volleyball player, previously shared that they were toying with the idea of incorporating a part of their late daughter Emmy's name  Emeline Grier Miller  into their newborn daughter's moniker.

'Our three front-runners are Skyler, Scarlett, and calling her Lettie, or Olivia, and calling her Liv,' she said while cradling their newborn.

'All kind of have a special meaning to it. So we may have to reach out to our social media followers and ask for some assistance because she has not really been giving us many answers.'

Morgan, a former pro volleyball player, shared that their 'three front-runners are Skyler, Scarlett, and calling her Lettie, or Olivia, and calling her Liv'

Bode explained that they are having a hard time picking out a name 'because her personality is so different' and they are still getting used to it

Bode, who is running a ski academy in Colorado, explained that he has a personal favorite, but he is concerned it's too popular.

'Im a huge fan of Liv, Olivia,' he said. 'Its a little bit frustrating that its one of the most popular names this year because most of the names of our children arent terribly popular, but were not going to let that stand in the way, obviously.'

In addition to their newborn, they are parents to sons Nash, six, Easton, three, and twins Asher and Aksel, two, and late daughter Emmy.

Emmy was 19 months old when she drowned in a neighbor's swimming pool in June 2018. She was rescued from the water, but paramedics were unable to revive her, and she later died in hospital.

Bode said their family's newest addition 'just fits right in' with her big brothers

Bode and Morgan are parents to sons Nash, Easton, and twins Asher and Aksel (pictured) and late daughter Emmy. He also has two older children from a previous relationship

The couple's late daughter Emmy was 19 months old when she died in the hospital after drowning in a neighbor's swimming pool in June 2018

Since her death, the parents have dedicated themselves to raising awareness of infant drownings and advocating for all moms and dads to get their own children into swimming classes as early as possible.

Morgan shared in June that she wanted to honor her late daughter Emmy by incorporating her name into her new baby's moniker

Bode also has a daughter Dace, 13, and son Nate, eight, from a previous relationship.

The proud dad shared that his newborn baby girl is 'so similar' to her big sister Emmy but is also 'really unique as well.' He added that 'she just fits right in' with her big brothers.

'Emmy was such a great balance because she was such a powerhouse and then when she passed, it was shocking because you really felt this energetic shift in the house,' he recalled.

'Obviously, we were all suffering and everything, too, but there was this gap there for all the boys. And now they have this little girl. It just makes them gentle. You'd be blown away.'

After their Today show appearance, Morgan took to her Instagram Stories to share their name choices with her 165,000 followers and ask them to vote on their baby girl's first and middle names.

After their Today show appearance, Morgan took to Instagram Stories to share their name choices with her 165,000 followers and ask them to vote for one

Bode and Morgan are considering having Grier be their daughter's second middle name in honor of her late sister, whose full name was Emeline Grier Miller

The four possible combinations are Scarlet Olivia Khione, Skyler Olivia Khione, Scarlet Olivia Grier, or Skylar Olivia Grier

As she explained earlier in the morning, they like either Scarlet or Skylar for a first name, and they are also considering calling her 'Liv' if she goes by her middle name, which will be Olivia.

For her second middle name, they are between Khione, the Greek goddess of snow, or Grier, her late sister's middle name.

The four possible combinations are Scarlet Olivia Khione, Skyler Olivia Khione, Scarlet Olivia Grier, or Skylar Olivia Grier.

Bode and Morgan have both insisted that this child would be their last, and they were overcome with emotion when they learned last May they were expecting a baby girl.

'She's perfect and bringing her into this world was a perfect way to close this chapter of growing our family,' they told People when they announced their daughter's birth last month

Bode and Morgan (pictured pregnant) have both insisted that this child would be their last, and they were overcome with emotion when they learned they were expecting a baby girl

They broke down in tears of joy when they popped pink confetti cannons with their friends and family during a celebratory gender reveal party

They threw the fiesta-themed gender reveal at their California home days after announcing to the world that they were expecting another child following the birth of their twins in 2019.

They broke down in tears of joy when they popped pink confetti cannons with their friends and family during a celebratory gender reveal party.

'She's perfect and bringing her into this world was a perfect way to close this chapter of growing our family. Our hearts are so full,' they told People when they announced their daughter's birth last month.

'Bode told me the day after she was born that this is the happiest he thinks he's ever been in his whole life,' Morgan added.
Why lush silk pyjamas are the perfect way to stay in and dress up this winter

By Alexandra Shulman

Lets face it, January has little to recommend it apart from being the perfect time to indulge in a pair of silk pyjamas. They dont even have to be pure silk  crepe de chine, satin, even, frankly, a smidgeon of polyester is acceptable.

The main thing is that they should glide and slither over the body in a delicious and some might say impractical manner. But anyone making that observation would be missing the point.

The point of silk pyjamas, the reason they have held such allure over the decades, is that with their weighty, slippery smoothness and their wafting hems, they are a piece of clothing that lifts us out of the humdrum.

Alexandra Shulman reveals how silk pyjamas became trendy as they become a way of getting dressed up to stay in. Pictured: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in a pair by M&S

What more can you ask from a garment whose very purpose is leisure and lounging? Especially now, when opportunities for dressing up to go out are rare. In silk pyjamas you can dress up to stay in.

It was the 19th century when a type of pyjama first became popular in Western society. Introduced from the East, where traders and explorers first encountered them, pae jamas were essentially a loose drawstring pant. In hot climates these were everyday wear, but once imported back home they became nightwear  not for women but for men, who began to swap their long nightshirts for these trousers, which indicated that you were a cultured, well-travelled type of guy.

Fast-forward to the 20th century and the different climate post-World War I. Women, whose dress had always been so restrictive and designed almost deliberately to hamper their movements, with layers of undergarments and trailing hems, began to have different lives. Lives that were more like those of men.

They could drive cars, they worked in offices, they had bank accounts, they travelled abroad and their clothes reflected this new status. They were more free to move.

The first fashionable womens pyjamas were for the wealthy, whose lifestyle included travel and, specifically, time spent at the beach  Biarritz, Palm Beach, Gatsbys Long Island. It was, predictably, Coco Chanel, with her beady eye on the culture of the times, who took pyjamas mainstream.

She wasnt the first to design them  master couturier Paul Poiret had for years produced richly decorated silk pyjamas for privileged clients  but she spotted the valuable role for pyjamas in the new transitory moments of the day.

Alexandra believes Coco Chanel (pictured), with her beady eye on the culture of the times, took pyjamas mainstream

An American Vogue article of 1927 describes how in Floridas Palm Beach many women change three times each morning, from dress to bathing-suit and then into pyjamas.

Pyjamas, which are after all loose jackets and trousers, were perfect to wear from beach cover to the first sundowner. In cities, they were worn to meet people before dressing for dinner.

And it is these glamorous pyjamas that we lust after. Not the bobbly grandad Viyella pairs of old, perfectly accessorized with pipe and slippers.

Nor, heaven forbid, the frightful pairing of a T-shirt-style top with baggy leggings that at some stage in the last decade became a sleepwear option.

Not even (although I personally have a fondness for them) prep-school striped cotton. No. Todays most desirable pyjamas are in lush satin, and a far more welcome gift than a box of tissue-wrapped red or black or even oyster lace lingerie.

Alexandra said the fact that pyjamas make us feel good can also make us attractive to those around us. Pictured: Kirsten Dunst

Its pretty hard to argue that pyjamas, no matter how sumptuous the fabric or exotic the pattern, have that same glaring, traffic-light sexuality of lace underwear. A baggy shirt and pants, even in silk, dont always strike quite the same note in the red-blooded man that some other, more revealing items might. But that doesnt mean that all men dislike them.

After all, many Hollywood screen goddesses wafted around in silk pyjamas. And anyway, these are a self-indulgent treat and the fact that they make us feel good can also make us attractive to those around us. Even men who might theoretically prefer their bedmate in a sliver of skimpy something or other. I owned my first silk pyjamas only a few years ago, when I was at Vogue and Dolce & Gabbana gifted all the fashion editors a pair, monogrammed with their initials.

Mine were in a dashing, vivid chartreuse and, unlike some of my colleagues, I wore them in the hotel room rather than the front row because, unlike them, I hadnt spotted that silk pyjamas were a new fashion item.

Alexandra admits she has resented moments where she has had to swap her pyjamas for proper clothes in recent months. Pictured: Audrey Tautou

That was 2016 and now, six years on, Im often to be found contemplating a new pair. I have to admit to a hankering for the crazy glam of a feather-trimmed pair of Sleepers Ive spotted on Net-a-porter and fantasise about a richly patterned set by Olivia von Halle, the queen of luxury PJs.

But, in the meantime, Im in love with a pair a friend gave me recently, from the slightly more affordable silkwear catalogue Patra. They are in a flattering blush-tinted cream, with a fine pink silk trim, and manage to be both beautifully light yet not remotely transparent, loose but not bulky.

Ive pottered happily around the house wearing them over recent months, slightly resenting the moment I have to swap them for some proper clothes.

And theyre the best pair Ive ever had for sleeping in, emerging uncreased to greet the day, unlike much of the rest of me.

...but can you really give them a machine-wash?

By India Sturgis

Popularised by the likes of Kate Beckinsale, Amanda Holden and model Gigi Hadid, the trend for silk pyjamas is booming. But washing them is fraught with risk.

The fibres are prone to snagging and the colours can run, so its no surprise silk brands tell us to dry-clean only or hand-wash. Until now, that is. Suddenly the High Street is awash with sophisticated sets that promise they can be washed in the machine, tumble-dried and even  gasp!  ironed.

In fact, according to fabric technologist Mairwen Jones, the reason were advised to dry-clean rather than machine-wash some silks is not always down to the fabric itself, which is a natural protein fibre usually produced by silkworms to build their cocoons.

Its more often about protecting the brand, she explains. A dry-clean label protects against a company having to accept and replace returns if the fabric shrinks or the colour runs when a garment is washed at home.

Many brands dont have the systems in place to deal with that. Mass-market retailers such as H&M do lots of fabric tests, such as colour-fastness for machine-washing, as they buy such large quantities  for others it is simply not economical, or viable.

Still, surely some silks wash better than others? Maybe slightly, says Mairwen, but thats mostly dependent on thickness  thicker washes better  and whether they have embellishments or sensitive trimmings rather than anything else. Most silk, if treated gently and washed at 30 degrees or less, with the correct non-biological detergent, will manage OK being carefully washed on its own.

It helps, too, that recent fabric processing advances mean dyes last better and fibres are more tightly woven and less prone to shrinkage. Ultimately, retailers are becoming more confident their silk will withstand your wash cycle.

Here, Femail puts three machine-washable silk pyjama sets to the test, following their washing and drying instructions to the letter.

So how did they fare in terms of shrinkage, fading, wrinkles and wear and tear?

SHADE & TEXTURE TOTALLY CHANGED

Arket silk pyjama shirt, 79, and pyjama bottoms, 79, arket.com

India Sturgis said the colour of Arket silk pyjama shirt and bottoms looked faded after washing and the finish was not as shiny. Pictured left: Before, right: After

Available in off-white or black, this satin-smooth 100 per cent silk is a loose fit, longer at the back, with wide cuffs and legs.

The silk is thin, looks very shiny and was a bit rougher than others. It wrinkled pre-wash.

The care instructions are to wash at or below 30c with a mild detergent, tumble-dry on low and iron on medium.

After washing: The colour looked faded  a different shade  and the finish was not as shiny.

Verdict: Faded badly. Extra mark for post-wash softness and iron and tumble-dry-ability. 3/5

SHRANK AFTER A GENTLE CYCLE

Me + Em eco silk sheep print pyjama set, 395 down to 276, meandem.com

India said Me + Em eco silk sheep print pyjama set felt tighter and shorter after washing. Pictured left: Before, right: After

This was the thickest and smoothest silk tested, and the most crease-resistant. With details like navy piping, a wide stripe following the leg line and a joyous sheep print, the set looks almost too good for bed.

The fabric is listed as 100 per cent eco silk. Washing instructions are a gentle machine-wash. I used a silk detergent on the same cycle as the others tested.

After washing: The top felt shorter and tighter and the trousers came up slightly and felt tighter at the top.

Verdict: Beautiful but shrank a bit after machine-washing. If in doubt, go a size up.3/5

SOFT, SHINY SILK IS STILL INTACT

Yolke classic silk pyjama set in jade, 345 down to 240, yolke.co.uk

India said Yolke classic silk pyjama set in jade had the same colour and texture after washing. Pictured left: Before, right: After

Cut from the fashionable brands signature blend of stretch silk, these feel light but still luxurious.

The composition is 94 per cent silk and 6 per cent spandex. These were ultra-shiny pre-wash. Yolke says use a delicate cool wash with a silk detergent.

After washing: Body, colour and texture remained the same. They still hung well, but were very minimally more snug. Almost no wrinkles.

Verdict: Impressive. 4/5
A premature birth is often followed by weeks of hospital care and desperate anxiety for new parents.

Yet few of us can imagine the extraordinary pain endured by Georgina Lucas and her husband Mike, whose baby was born not only early but with such profound neurological problems, they were forced to decide whether or not to withdraw his life support at just three weeks old.

It was in late November 2019 that a heavily pregnant Georgina went on a weekend break to the Kent coast from the London home she shares with Mike, the director of an advertising agency, and their 18-month-old son Finn. That Saturday, while still on holiday, she went into early labour and baby Grey was born by caesarean section, at 31 weeks, weighing three and a half pounds.

He was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a local hospital and put on a ventilator. But less than two weeks later, a scan revealed he was missing a nerve tract which connects the two halves of the brain together, among other serious abnormalities.

Georgina Lucas recounts having to decide with her husband Mike, whether or not to withdraw baby Grey's life support after he was born with serious abnormalities. Pictured: Georgina with husband Mike, toddler Finn and baby Grey

It meant he would never be able to breathe without mechanical help, and that speech would be difficult or impossible. He was unlikely ever to see and his hearing would be severely limited.

The prognosis was devastating and left Georgina and Mike with a decision no parent should ever have to take. Should they try to keep Grey alive? Or should they let him die?

Here, Georgina details the agonising meeting with doctors that followed  and how the depth of their love for their baby boy helped them make that difficult decision..

December 5, 2019

Mike and I are in the quiet room attached to the NICU with Dr Chandra and Dr Stewart, the specialist doctors who look after the babies. I think I know where this conversation is going to end. The sense of inevitability hangs heavy in the air.

But where does it begin? How do you begin to discuss removing life support from your three-week-old baby?

We go over the possibilities, if Grey were ever to leave the hospital and go home. Its a very, very big if.

Hed need a team of nurses  Dr Chandra mentions eight  round the clock, just to be able to breathe. Wed do it, of course wed do it, somehow, if there were to be any hope of him experiencing any pleasure at any point in the future. But, given his diagnosis, it is unlikely hed even be able to tell us if he were in pain.

Its agony. My body aches. I feel sick and hopeless and guilty and then sick all over again. Our baby. Our darling, darling baby.

Georgina (pictured, with Mike) said baby Grey's abnormalities meant he would never be able to breathe without mechanical help and was unlikely ever to see

You dont need to decide now. And even if you do decide now, you can change your mind, says Dr Stewart. You can take as much time as you need.

But we do need to decide. I know Mike and I both feel it. It has been six days since the results of Greys MRI scan smashed our world into tiny razor-sharp shards, and all I really want to do is lie in a dark room and cry. But we have to find some steel within ourselves. If you cant breathe, cant see things, cant communicate, cant hear, cant move, is that really a life?

A huge part of me wants to keep him in that incubator, where hes safe, with all of you, with us, I say. But he cant stay there for ever, can he?

I glance at Mike. In my heart I know there is only one thing to do. All the other options bring pain to Grey  immeasurable pain.

What would happen? I ask. How does it work?

Its unlikely hed even be able to tell us he was in pain

Dr Stewart takes a breath. When you are ready, we would gently take out his breathing tube. We call it a compassionate extubation.

She pauses. You would need to be prepared that some babies breathe for a little while on their own  that might be minutes, might be hours. In some cases, its longer. I think, with Grey, it would be quick.

She stops. I digest what shes saying. You can stay with him, as long as you want. We have a suite where you can spend the night with him, you can spend a week with him. We have cold cots [cots kept at a cooler temperature to allow a baby to stay with their parents for longer] that we can put him in. It is all up to you.

Grey is three weeks old. I should be deciding how often to feed him, whether he needs a bath. Deciding whether his crying is wind or a dirty nappy, not if well need a cold cot for his tiny, lifeless body. You let us know when you would like to do this. There is no rush, no timeline. This is your decision. We are here to support you.

I nod. Mike is nodding, too. This is the decision we are left with: when should we let our baby die?

Georgina remembers Grey being moved into the isolation room, which felt quiet after the buzz of the ICU. Pictured: The family in the hospital while baby Grey sleeps in an incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit

December 8

We arrive at the hospital a little after 6.30am. Grey is moved into the isolation room, where the window looks out on to a small concrete courtyard towards a staff room, where a nurse scrolls through her phone, drinking a cup of tea. Taking her morning break on a day like any other. This is the nature of life-changing tragedy, I realise. It occurs quietly, almost unnoticed, alongside the mundane.

The space feels quiet after the buzz of the ICU. I tuck one of Finnys toy rabbits in beside Grey, and put an embroidered cushion on the chair. I pull out a pack of photos and peg some of them up in the window.

Today is the day we have chosen. Everything seems to be in the sharpest focus, vibrant Technicolor. Every action feels momentous. Am I consciously drawing each second into my memory? Or is my mind doing it automatically?

How do you fit a lifetime of love into three weeks? And then into one day? And then just seconds?

One of the nurses, Nena, brings baby wash, a big sterile bowl and tons of cotton wool. Greys hair is a little fusty, so were going to give him an incubator bath. He wriggles around as I sweep warm, damp cotton wool over his head and lather his soft curls.

He flares his nose. Carefully, methodically, I wash every little part of him.

His skin puckers and wrinkles over his arms and legs  so much spare for fat and muscle that will now never cover his bones. I gently pat him dry with a soft towel and dress him.

A long-sleeved vest and a tiny-weeny onesie, freshly laundered, ready for today. I unfasten and reattach his wires, thread them through the new clothes. Hes tucked in, snug, warm. Hes ready now. I will never be.

Georgina (pictured) whispered words to her grandparents who died before Finn was born, asking them to look after baby Grey

I have wondered at the promise within my small boy. Who he might be, what he might do. Ive looked forward to watching the seedling of a person emerge  but that luxury has been whisked away. We must accept that well never have the chance to get to know him. All we have is here and now.

We turn to the photos, to show him our favourite places  the seaside, the wild Cornish coastline, the mountains we love so much.

And then we show him the precious people I have to hope will find him, somehow. My granny, who died in April, who never could have imagined her third great-grandson would be joining her so soon. Mikes granny, who died when I was 12 weeks pregnant with Finn. My grandfather, who died three months before Finn was born. I whisper words to each of them: please look after him, please give our tiny boy all the cuddles that we cannot.

I stroke his little cheeks, then press my finger to his mouth

Now Mike holds him, tiny Grey snuggled under his chin. He looks so peaceful, his back covered by Mikes hand. We sit, first in silence, then talking quietly to him, telling him we love him, that well miss him. That well talk about him for ever, that everyone will know him. We tell him well look after Finny, that Finny will miss looking after him, that well all miss getting to know him, seeing how he grows.

How do you fit a lifetime of love into three weeks? And then into one day? And then a few hours? And then minutes, then seconds?

As the nurses lift Grey from his chest, Mikes tears fall with deep, shuddering gasps. His face contorted. His body shaking. There is nothing I can do, nothing I can say. How can you lift your baby from your chest knowing you will never feel his heart beat there again? They place Grey gently upon me and I gaze down at his serene face. His eyes are closed. He knows nothing of our pain. He will never know this pain. We can give him that.

Georgina (pictured, with husband Mike) said Grey's face twisted as the tiny plastic tube sucked the build-up of mucus from his chest

A soft knock and Dr Chandra is in the room. She wears a printed shirt and jeans tucked into her boots. She isnt on duty.

I wanted to come to see Grey, to see you, she says. She gazes down at his little face. Oh Grey . . . she whispers. Mike puts an arm around her. I can see she is fighting to stop her tears. She doesnt need to. I want to tell her, you can cry, its OK.

Not long after she leaves, the quiet is broken by the alarm on the monitor over my head. Glancing up, I see Greys oxygen saturation is dropping. Nurses return to the room in seconds; one suctions the secretions from his chest, one monitors his levels. His face twists as the tiny plastic tube sucks the build-up of mucus from his chest. Gradually, his numbers come back up. But then minutes later they are down again.

I think he is telling us hes ready. He hates the suction  we have to listen to him; we have to let him go. No more, my darling, I whisper to him. No more of that. I know its horrible, we arent going to do it again. Soon you will be free from all of this.

Its time. When the numbers fall once more, the nurses gently unplug all the alerts. There will be no more alarms. Nena calls Dr Stewart, who kneels low, by Greys face, in line with mine. Are you sure? she says. I nod. One slow, smooth movement and the breathing tube is pulled carefully from his mouth. The medical staff leave the room.

The sun is shining against the silver frame of the window opposite. Its the first time I can see Greys face without wires and tubes. His little chest is still rising and falling, his hand is curled around my finger.

I see his perfect lips, free of the ventilator, for the first time since a momentary glimpse when he was born. They pucker in a little bow as he takes tiny breaths.

Georgina (pictured) remembers holding Grey against her shoulder and walking around the room, a little bounce in her step as if soothing him to sleep

Its OK, I whisper. Its OK.

Greys fingers begin to go limp, gently releasing mine. The gaps between his breaths have begun to slow. My baby is dying. Suddenly, it is quiet. We listen to the silence. I cant cry. Nena comes in to check his heartbeat. Its faint, but there. Is he in pain? I ask. He cant be in pain.

He is peaceful, she says. See his face. But lets give him a little sedative. It will make sure he feels nothing. She slips it into his mouth and then leaves. Each break between gasps, the world seems to stop. We hold our breath, too. The gaps stretch longer, longer and longer.

I hold Grey against my shoulder and walk around the room, a little bounce in my step, as if soothing him to sleep. I stroke his little cheeks, then press my finger to his brand-new rosebud mouth.

Dark curls poke out from under his hat and his hand rests against my chest. When Finn was tiny, I would press him to my chest exactly like this, and wish I could keep him like that for ever, wish I could preserve his perfect innocence, protect him from all the bad things. In some ways, this is the one thing we can do for Grey. All he has ever known is pure love, for his whole life. Nothing but love.

Time passes. There is silence. I can no longer feel even the faintest murmur of a heartbeat.

Moments later, Nena slips a stethoscope inside his babygrow. She listens, and listens, and listens. Then she bows her head and shakes it gently. Grey doesnt have a heartbeat.

He has slipped away as quietly as he arrived. Free.

I feel a strange calm; its both soothing and unsettling. I dont know how long we sit like this. Time is no longer measured by normal patterns. Its rhythm is forever disturbed. Three weeks was never a lifetime.

A wise friend told my mum when her dad died that grief is the price we pay for love. I have never forgotten it. But now I see it a little differently. Grief doesnt come after love. Grief is love. The very deepest love. Its love in a guise Id never have chosen, love I will carry with me for all of my life.

Adapted from If Not For You by Georgina Lucas, published by Little, Brown on January 27 at 16.99.  Georgina Lucas 2021. To order a copy for 15.29 (offer valid to January 27, 2022; UK P&P free on offers over 20), visit mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
Former Royal Marine and Special Forces soldier Matthew Ollie Ollerton, 51, is best known for Channel 4s SAS: Who Dares Wins. The bestselling author lives in Shropshire with his wife Laura, 41, and her son William, 12.

My mum Angela, 74, was always good in a crisis. She had to be, because holidays with me as a child were like going into combat.

Over the years my appetite for danger meant I ended up sinking a fishing hook in my leg, embedding glass in my shins and almost losing my arm. Luckily, my mum had super-powers. My dad left when I was 13, leaving my mum to bring up three kids. She had a good job but, with no help, there were times when she was so stretched financially she had to steal toilet paper from work.

Matthew 'Ollie' Ollerton, 51, (pictured) who lives in Shropshire, revealed his mum was always good in a crisis

When I said at 14 that I wanted to join the Marines, my mum took me to the careers office. She never let on how scared she was  even when I was in Iraq.

Then, after 26 years away from home, I returned to the UK in 2014 and she let me spend three months at her Cornwall cottage, just working on myself. That was when I realised I was done with meeting women in nightclubs. I wanted a life partner.

Ive battled drink on and off all my life, but when I met Laura in 2014, she helped me overcome it. We were both jaded by previous marriages, but I turned a corner after taking the hallucinogen Ayahuasca in Costa Rica in 2019. My ex-girlfriend Nat is a psychologist and shed recommended it to me after studying its effects on veterans with PTSD.

Laura appeared in my visions and I realised I couldnt let the past contaminate the future, so I proposed to her on New Years Eve 2019.

She looks after me like Moneypenny looks after 007  our wedding was going to be Bond-themed. It was meant to take place in July 2020, but we ended up marrying in December 2020 on my 50th birthday. It was the best present ever and it means Ill never forget our anniversary.

Ollie Ollertons latest thriller All Or Nothing is out now (also on audio and Kindle).
The last time a man kissed me passionately, he stopped to say he was very passionate about politics. Me too! I declared, before asking him if he didnt find it fascinating that Americans were about to vote in a President with dementia.

Big mistake. Huge!

He looked at me as if I had just admitted I was pregnant with Donald Trumps baby.

For four years, Id listened to political obsessives debate whether the leader of the free world was mad or merely part-insane. Yet when it came to vote in his successor in late 2020, no one questioned the cognitive abilities of Joe Biden. Why? Because in a woke world, you need to be Ms Right-On to find Mr Right.

The exception that proves this rule is actor-turned-activist Laurence Fox, who this week announced his engagement to Arabella Fleetwood Neagle, an active supporter of his anti-woke agenda. But for the rest of the anti-lockdown lovelorn, the struggle is very real.

As activist Laurence Fox announces his engagement to Arabella Fleetwood Neagle (pictured), Emily Hill says for the rest of the anti-lockdown lovelorn, the struggle is very real

I have torpedoed all chance of a date in the post-Covid era. Essentially, the only man alive who wont judge me for reporting on illegal protests and questioning the efficacy of face masks is Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens and, alas, hes taken.

The first thing any potential beau does when assessing your desirability these days is Google your name and  if hes clever  run your profile photographs through its image search. Any cursory search of Emily Hill brings up an ever lengthening list of outlandish opinion columns Ive fired off, including The real epidemic is one of stupidity!, in which I bemoan the fact that vaccines do not seem to have ended the Covid crisis as we were told they would, and How ironic that the deranged Twitterati think censoring Trump is democratic.

When signing up to dating apps, no one has to state useful information for the purposes of love and marriage  such as romantic intentions, STIs or past criminal convictions  but you do have to fill out a profile stating your political persuasion and religious beliefs, and get a badge if you are vaccinated.

Yesterday, when I downloaded dating app Hinge, the first man who wanted to match with me announced that he was Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim  in other words, so woke I have no idea how he sleeps. Youd think the app would make you pick one faith. It doesnt.

Ive noticed older men, in particular, put that their interests include Black Lives Matter, environmentalism and LGBTQIA, says one of my fortysomething friends who is looking for love with an older man. Im pretty sure they didnt know what any of that meant two years ago, so when I find them writing it I wonder if theyre actually into it or think it will impress me because Im younger.

But advertising your woke credentials to enhance your Casanova status is such a successful strategy now that wokefishing has become a phenomenon.

Emily (pictured) claims single men on dating apps dangle their progressive opinions in the dating pool to reel in a partner

Essentially, single men dangle their progressive opinions (or at least, those they claim to have) in the dating pool to reel in a partner. On Hinge, members have to fill out prompts for conversation-starters and within minutes Id scrolled through potential matches with opening statements such as I wont shut up about how capitalism is to blame for everything and Best travel story  I got deported from Cuba because I was photographing too much. Until that point, Id thought it was a communist Utopia. One chap I came across listed his hobby as being open-minded.

Before the pandemic, I thought I was Left-wing because I felt that liberal, apparently Leftie Sweden had the right idea about any number of social issues.

The only man alive who wont judge me is Peter Hitchens

Post-2020, the countrys insistence on preserving the civil liberties of its citizens and sticking to the pre-Covid science regarding how to approach a pandemic has left me more convinced by the Swedish model than ever.

Yet because refusing to vigorously lock down is an anti-woke position to take, my admiration for Sweden now makes me the sort of rabid, Right-wing extremist no man wants to be seen dead with. Woke has taken over the world and anyone who wont be woke  for whatever reason must shut up or become persona non grata.

Virtue-signalling conceals a multitude of sins (thats why its so popular with hypocrites and liars), so I am convinced most of this woke posturing is bogus. Like many women, I have found myself accidentally dating men who hate our whole sex.

Emily (pictured) said woke terminology men include on their profiles refers to their interest in polyamory and open relationships, rather than sleeping around and cheating

If a man declares hes a feminist on his profile, what he means is hell ask for explicit verbal consent to everything he does to you  except when it comes to ghosting you, another single friend explains (by ghosting she means disappearing off the face of the planet after, say, the fourth date, which may have been more intimate than the first).

One of these men even wrote it in his bio, quite explicitly: Feminist on the streets, misogynist in the sheets. I shudder for girls who fall for that.

Other woke terminology men include on their profiles refers to their interest in polyamory and open relationships. Previously, this was known as sleeping around and cheating.

What if I told you that I was into ethical non-monogamy? a typical lure will read from a man with long hair, wearing pink nail varnish, who has his fishing tackle tucked into a pair of pants illustrated with a wolfs head  as if thats the best offer a girls ever going to get.

Single men dangle their opinions to reel in a partner

Indeed, the only practice the woke frown on, sexually speaking, is commitment. That is a conservative value and as unconscionable on a dating app as it would be on any other form of social media.

Once upon a time, falling in love and getting married meant you were off the market, but thanks to woke innovations there is no longer any safety in a wedding ring. There is even an app, called Feeld, specifically for so-called ethical threesomes.

Not all men here in Britain want to treat you like a human sex doll, obviously, but the Never Kissed A Tory movement  a slogan that increasingly appears beneath dating profiles  appears to have driven many actual Tories offline.

Emily(pictured) said if youre not woke these days, youre lucky to even get a first date

I need to steer clear of alumni of the woke nurseries Goldsmiths and SOAS [both institutions within London University], says one Brexiteer, who now sits around in rural pubs with a copy of The Spectator sticking out of his pocket like a flurry of peacock feathers, hoping to meet a lady.

My objection isnt that woke people want to do good, he adds, and I agree with him. They do, and thats great. We all want to end racism and sexism. But they build whole personalities around being more woke than the next person, and the last thing I want on a date is a recitation from the liturgy of post-colonial studies.

The truth is that forming relationships on the basis solely of physical appearance or political leanings isnt likely to result in love that lasts. Last October, one UK study found that couples who meet on dating apps are six times more likely to get divorced within the first three years of marriage.

At least they made it that far, I thought when I read that. If youre not woke these days, youre lucky to even get a first date. As for a second, well, it wasnt to be for me and my passionate kisser.

I still think Joe Bidens senile and that means Im still single.
Commentary: China's independent innovation to make pie of global common development even bigger

Xinhua) 09:54, January 12, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Associated Press (AP) has recently cited in a report business and political leaders as smearing China over its pursuit of tech "self-reliance" in an unfounded claim that it might "slow down innovation, disrupt global trade and make the world poorer."

Only too absurd is the logic of the AP's coverage. While admitting the world is suffering from severe chip shortages due to COVID-19, the news agency is still bent on hyping up Washington's vicious attempt to deter major countries like China from independently producing chips and pursuing sci-tech innovation, which has further disrupted the already-tangled global supply chains.

The AP's argument attests to the ulterior motives of those who stubbornly cling to an obsolete "Western-centric yardstick" and the arrogant mindset of "America First." It seems fairly necessary to help them make order out of the confusion of their minds.

Examples abound that in recent years the United States, in order to maintain technology supremacy, has been heavy-handed with foreign companies that strive to develop advanced technologies, despite its long-proclaimed rules of free market economy and international trade norms. Abusing state power under the pretext of national security, Washington has placed hundreds of Chinese institutions and companies into the U.S. "entity list" of export controls, regardless of their contributions to the U.S. economic growth.

For one thing, China's drive to accelerate independent innovation is the natural and necessary path that the country must follow amid rapid social and economic development. It conforms to the law of economics, and is never at the mercy of anybody else.

Such economic bullying and technological blockade did not stop the development of Chinese enterprises, but made more of them earnestly improve research originality and strive for more breakthroughs in professional fields.

"From chasing after others, to running neck by neck with counterparts, and to taking the lead in a race, this is the normal law of development for a major tech power," said Australian economist Guo Shengxiang. "Even without U.S. sanctions, China would devote itself to independent innovation, so as to strengthen tech-driven and innovation-driven economic growth. That's also what China needs to achieve sustainable development."

For another, China's independent innovation does not mean working behind closed doors. As part of global innovation, China helps break the monopoly of a minority of powers and stabilize global supply chains. For years, China has been committed to promoting international cooperation in science and technology and sharing its development dividends with the rest of the world. Up to now, China has established a sci-tech cooperation relationship with more than 160 countries and regions, and joined more than 200 international organizations and multilateral mechanisms.

Notably, China's greater focus on independent innovation and international cooperation has been highly recognized by foreign entities. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, rose 15.9 percent year on year to top the 1-trillion-yuan (156.85 billion U.S. dollars) mark in the first 11 months of 2021, surpassing the whole-year FDI in 2020, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In particular, high-tech industries saw FDI inflow jump 19.3 percent.

As has been witnessed, China's innovative development has shown a strong positive spillover effect worldwide. Take BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) as an example. BDS-3 has met the requirements in performance indexes of positioning, velocity measurement, and timing precision, as well as the availability and continuity of its services, based on real-time testing of the international GNSS monitoring and assessment system.

Basic products of the Chinese navigation system have been exported to over 120 countries and regions. Applications such as land rights confirmation, precision farming, digital construction and smart port services based on the system have also been applied in ASEAN countries, South Asia, East Europe, and Africa, contributing to local economic and social development, as well as the construction of the Belt and Road.

As a further illustration, the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure, one of China-aided projects in the East African nation, has allowed Kenya to expand broadband access, giving a boost to the country's e-commerce as well as the information and communications industry.

Thanks to its improved capability in scientific research and medical technology, China has so far provided 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations, which accounts for one third of total global vaccine use outside of China, thus becoming the biggest foreign provider of COVID-19 vaccines.

China's independent innovation will surely make the pie of global common development even bigger, and more dividends of cross-border exchanges and international win-win cooperation will thus be reaped by all market entities across the world.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
According to court papers filed Tuesday, prosecutors withdrew a welfare fraud allegation against the stepmother of a missing New Hampshire child for receiving food stamps in her name and replaced it with three new counts, including theft.

In accordance with the attorney general's office, the modification was made based on new documents concerning Kayla Montgomery's benefits from the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Missing New Hampshire child's stepmom faces multiple charges

Harmony Montgomery, her stepdaughter, went missing in 2019 when she was five years old but was not reported missing until late last year. Kayla Montgomery was arrested last week on suspicion of collecting $1,500 in food stamps for Harmony Montgomery from December 2019 to June 2021, despite the fact that the girl did not reside with Harmony's parents, Kayla and Adam Montgomery. She pled not guilty to the charges..

Although the new theft charge was brought under a different law, it accuses her of taking Harmony's food stamp money. The two "prohibited behavior" charges were brought under public welfare law, alleging that Kayla Montgomery made wilful false statements about Harmony being in her family in order to get benefits in February and March of 2021, ABC News reported.

Harmony Montgomery's original mother looked for her daughter for quite some time. Crystal Sorey stated in an email to the mayor of New Hampshire that she is a single mother of three children with just two children.

Elijah Lewis, a 5-year-old kid found dead in a Massachusetts park in October 2021, was the subject of Sorey's remark. The emails were given to the Manchester Police Department, according to a spokeswoman for the mayor's office. Harmony was placed on a "lost kid" notice two days later.

According to court records revealed earlier this month, Sorey called police on November 18, 2021, stating Harmony was gone. Harmony's father, Adam Montgomery, had physical custody of the daughter, according to Sorey, and she couldn't reach him. Sorey also said that she had to relinquish custody of Harmony in 2018 due to drug problems.

Read Also: Real Estate Heir Robert Durst Convicted of Killing Bestfriend Susan Berman Dies at 78; Death Vacates Murder Conviction

Harmony Montgomery's mother fears ex sold her daughter

The New Hampshire Department of Children's Services was contacted by police to locate Adam, but the agency was unable to find him by December 27. When police learned that Harmony "had not been physically seen since October/November 2019," they began looking for him.

Michael Montgomery, Adam Montgomery's brother, was also interviewed by police and said that Adam Montgomery had assaulted Harmony. Adam Montgomery's cousin, Kevin, was contacted by police after seeing an alleged assault incident that left Harmony with a black eye. Adam Montgomery was unhappy with Harmony when her little brother started screaming, according to Kevin, since he urged her to keep an eye on him, as per Crime Online.

The mother of the missing New Hampshire kid told NewsNationNow's Brian Entin that Adam Montgomery was aggressive and sold their seven-year-old daughter for drugs. Sorey believes Harmony's father should have never been given custody.

Harmony's mother said that no one listened to her worries because she was battling addiction and that the police in Manchester, New Hampshire, only intervened after she threatened to address the media. People should "hear" her and "come forward and tell us something because someone knows something," she says, The Sun reported.

Related Article: Mystery of 7-Year-Old New Hampshire Girl's Disappearance Only Reported This Week Despite Being Missing 2 Years Ago

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Transplant patients could routinely be given animal organs within years, according to the surgeon behind the world's first operation to give a dying man a pig heart.

Many experts see the field  known as xenotransplantation  as a solution to a global shortage of human organ donors that is expected to get worse as we live longer.

Last week, a genetically modified pig heart was transplanted into a terminally ill heart failure patient and the organ appears to be functioning properly so far.

The lead surgeon who carried out the pioneering op, Dr Bartley Griffith, said it could prove a 'real stunner' in terms of the broader implications for the future of medicine.

He added: 'If we can be successful with this experiment there will be plentiful organs... we'll be able to expand wellness to a much broader group of patients and they can have the hearts on demand.'

After being told he was too sick to qualify for a human organ, David Bennett, 57, had the nine-hour surgery at the University of Maryland on Friday.

He is recovering in hospital, aided by a machine that helps pump blood around his body. His immune system has not immediately rejected the organ but it will be weeks before doctors can be sure the operation was a success.

A spokesperson for the NHS said they were watching the US case with 'interest' and a leading expert predicted the surgeries would be mainstream within a decade.

Last week, a genetically modified pig heart was transplanted into a terminally ill cardiac failure patient for the first time and the organ appears to be functioning properly so far. The lead surgeon who carried out the pioneering procedure, Dr Bartley Griffith (left), is pictured with the recipient David Bennet, 57

Members of the surgical team show the pig heart for transplant into patient David Bennett in Baltimore on Friday

Scientists have been toying with animal-to-human organ donation for centuries, dating back to the 1800s when wounds were treated with skin grafts from frogs.

Using pig heart valves is already common now, but the transplantation of an entire organ has proved too dangerous until recently.

In October 2021, surgeons notched up a 'first' when they attached a kidney grown in a gene-edited pig to a brain-dead human patient. The kidney functioned properly for a 54-hour observation period.

How was Mr Bennet's surgery possible? David Bennett, a 57-year-old handyman from Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday became the first person in the world to receive a pig heart transplant. The operation was performed as Mr Bennett did not meet the criteria for a human heart transplant and faced dying from heart disease if he did not undergo the operation. 'It was either die or do this transplant,' he said. Have animal organs been transplanted to humans before? Scientists have been toying with animal-to-human organ donation, known as xenotransplantation, for decades. Skin grafts were carried out in the 1800s from a variety of animals to treat wounds, with frogs being the most popular. In the 1960s, 13 patients were given chimpanzee kidneys, one of whom returned to work for almost nine months before suddenly dying. The rest passed away within weeks. At that time human organ transplants were not available and chronic dialysis was not yet in use. In 1983, doctors at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California transplanted a baboon heart into a premature baby born with a fatal heart defect. Baby Fae lived for just 21 days. The case was controversial months later when it emerged the surgeons did not try to acquire a human heart. More recently, waiting lists for transplants from dead, or allogenic, donors is growing as life expectancy rises around the world and demand increases. In October 2021, surgeons at NYU Langone Health in New York successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a human for the first time. It started working as it was supposed to, filtering waste and producing urine without triggering a rejection by the recipient's immune system. Why would Mr Bennet's body not reject the animal organ? Earlier attempts to insert animal organs into human hearts have largely failed because patients' bodies rapidly rejected them. Rejection is caused by the immune system identifying the transplant as a foreign object, triggering a response that will ultimately destroy the transplanted organ or tissue. Roughly 50 percent of all transplanted human organs are rejected within 10 to 12 years, for comparison. To give the experimental operation the best chance of success, scientists genetically modified the pig heart to make it more compatible with the human body. This involved removing a certain sugar in the cells that is known to cause rapid rejection. A pig heart was used over other animals because pigs are easier to raise and achieve adult human size in six months. Several biotech companies are developing pig organs for human transplant. After a nine-hour procedure, Mr Bennett is said to be recovering and doing well. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center say the transplant showed that a heart from a genetically modified animal can function in the human body without immediate rejection. But they warned Mr Bennett's prognosis is 'unknown at this point' and he may only live for days with the pig heart. What did they do to make sure the pig heart could be used? Revivicor, a subsidiary of US biotech company United Therapeutics, genetically modified the pig heart that was implanted in Mr Bennett. Scientists inactivated four genes, including sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection. A growth gene was also inactivated to prevent the pig's heart from continuing to grow after it was implanted. In addition, six human genes were inserted into the genome of the donor pig  modifications designed to make the organ more tolerable to the human immune system. How long does the pig heart last? As it is a world-first, it is unclear whether the operation will be successful in the long-run or how long the heart will last. After undergoing a standard heart transplant using a human organ, around nine in 10 people will live for at least a year. When animal hearts have been used so far, all patients have lived for just days or weeks because patients' bodies rapidly rejected the animal organ. Advertisement

Doctors say the next few weeks will be critical to see if Mr Bennett makes a full recovery.

If successful, it would mark a medical breakthrough and could save thousands of lives every year.

Dr Griffith said it had been a 'real privilege' to be involved with the surgery.

'It's incredible, the patient is doing so well today only four days out, the heart's function looks normal, it is normal,' he added.

'I mean, this man has a pig's heart in his chest. Let that sink in a little bit'.

Dr Griffith said if it proves to be a success it could mean fewer people will need to wait dangerously long periods for a transplant.

Around 7,000 people are on the UK Transplant Waiting List and at least one person dies every day while waiting for a match.

In the US, an average 20 people die each day waiting for one to become available.

But the problem has become a worldwide phenomenon, as the population gets older there is more demand and fewer dead donors.

Dr Griffith said Mr Bennett had been 'very willing to die' but wanted to undergo the operation so that it might help others in future.

Commenting on Mr Bennett's condition, he said: 'He's still recovering, he's been very sick so it's still thumbs-up stuff, we don't have a deep discussion.

'He was very willing to die, he didn't want to, but he felt that this was an experiment he was willing to undergo even if he didn't make it, to help others.

Dr Griffith added: 'It's a wonderful team based on reliance and dependence on each other's knowledge sets.

'The university medical centre just rallied to the cause.

'It's gathered a lot of attention of course but there are really committed people all around and it's a real privilege to be involved.

'I've spent my life doing transplants of one type or another so it's not unusual for me to be in a life or death situation but this one was a real stunner in terms of the broader implications.

The pig used in the the transplant had been genetically modified to knock out several genes that would have led to the organ being rejected by Mr Bennett's body.

The NHS Blood and Transplant said there is 'still some way to go' before pig organs are routinely used in transplants.

A spokesperson added: 'We are always interested in new research that may allow more patients to benefit from transplant in the future.'

But some scientists are more optimistic. Professor Gabriel Oniscu, director of the Edinburgh Transplant Centre, said the procedures could be mainstream within a decade.

He told The Telegraph: 'The unwritten joke in the field of transplantation was that xenotransplantation has always been around the corner, but it has remained around the corner.

'Now I think it is not around the corner anymore, its on the straight line. In the past, weve always said it will be five to 10 years, but its never been the case.

'I think now we are certainly looking within this timespan. Im hopeful that it will happen.'

Mr Bennett, a labourer, knew there was no guarantee the risky operation would work but was too sick to qualify for a human organ.

A day before his surgery, Mr Bennett said it was 'either die or do this transplant', adding: 'I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's my last choice.'

He is now breathing on his own but is using a Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine that helps pump blood throughout his body.

The next few weeks will be crucial to see how he responds to being weaned off the machine.

But some British doctors are still sceptical and have warned the announcement was premature.

Dr Francis Wells, a consultant cardiac surgeon at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, said: 'The ambition of utilising the immunologically modified pig heart for transplantation is not new.

'Hearts that were transplanted into monkeys worked successfully in the short term, but there was great concern regarding the release of prion-related diseases from the pig cells as a result of immunosuppression so the programme was halted.

'We wait to see how this has been modulated in the current programme. In addition, although the early function of the heart is vital, it is the mid- and long-term that matters the most.

'As yet there is no data on this and we wait with interest to learn how this courageous patient progresses.

'Perhaps it is far too early to make such an announcement to the world.'

Mr Bennett, who has been relatively healthy most of his life, began having severe chest pains in October, his son said.

He went into the University of Maryland Medical Center with severe fatigue and shortness of breath.

His physician said he struggled to climb three steps as his condition quickly deteriorated.

The patient terminal heart failure made him ineligible for a human heart transplant or a heart pump.

TOM LEONARD: A pig's heart and a human life saved...is this the op that'll change transplants for ever?

Stricken by terminal heart disease, David Bennett had only one chance left. He had been bedridden in hospital for months with an irregular heartbeat and was connected to a heart-lung machine keeping him alive.

He was deemed too ill for a human transplant  but there was another option, and the 57-year-old grabbed it.

I know its a shot in the dark but its my last choice, he said after making the decision.

Last Friday, the handyman from Baltimore, Maryland, made history as the first person to successfully receive a genetically modified pigs heart. Delighted doctors say the patient is doing well

Last Friday, the handyman from Baltimore, Maryland, made history as the first person to successfully receive a genetically modified pigs heart. Delighted doctors say the patient is doing well.

They and other medical experts have hailed this groundbreaking procedure as the dawn of an astonishing new era of transplantation. It will give hope to thousands of people with failing organs who have been frustrated by the chronic shortage of human ones.

Researchers have also been studying how to transplant pigs lungs, livers and kidneys into humans. All these could now be possible thanks to the most recent procedure.

More than 100,000 people are waiting for organ transplants in the U.S., of whom 1,700 need a heart. In the UK, about 7,000 people are on the transplant waiting list (at least 300 of whom need a heart).

Last year, in Britain, more than 470 people died while waiting for an organ transplant.

However, many will be deeply alarmed, fearing science is once more trampling over basic notions of ethical behaviour towards animals and, indeed, may now be poised to disturb the natural order by merging man and other animals.

The potential perils of doing this were most famously  and terrifyingly  explored by H.G. Wells in his novel The Island Of Doctor Moreau.

Researchers have also been studying how to transplant pigs lungs, livers and kidneys into humans. All these could now be possible thanks to the most recent procedure

Mr Bennetts operation was foreshadowed in the novel Pig Heart Boy, by British author Malorie Blackman, in which the transplant proves so divisive that the teenage recipient has a bucket of pig blood poured over him by an outraged animal rights protester.

The animal used in the six-hour operation at the University of Maryland Medical Centre was no ordinary pig. It had been genetically modified, essentially created in the laboratory to overcome the problem that has long bedevilled so-called xenotransplants  in which the cells, tissues or organs of other species are transplanted into humans  namely the rejection of the foreign body by the human recipient.

In the most famous example of a xenotransplant, dying American infant Stephanie Fae Beauclair  known as Baby Fae  was given a baboon heart in 1984 but lived only 21 days before it was rejected.

In the case of Mr Bennetts new heart, it was removed from the pig on the morning of surgery and stored in a special preservation chamber. This XVIVO Heart Box, the size of a microwave oven, preserves the heart at 8c (46f) while supplying it with a nutrient-rich oxygenated solution. It was wheeled on a trolley into the operating room where Mr Bennetts body was waiting to receive it.

The surgery was fairly straightforward compared with the science that had gone into preparing the pig.

Pigs have a gene that produces a molecule, not found in humans, that triggers an immediate and aggressive immune response in humans, called hyperacute rejection. Within minutes, the body attacks the foreign organ.

With Mr Bennetts porcine heart donor, three of the genes that would have caused the organ to be rejected had been deactivated using a pioneering DNA-editing technique known as CRISPR.

With Mr Bennetts porcine heart donor, three of the genes that would have caused the organ to be rejected had been deactivated using a pioneering DNA-editing technique known as CRISPR

Another gene, which would have caused the pig heart to grow drastically, was also knocked out. In addition, six human genes that would dramatically increase the chances of the heart being accepted were inserted into the pig.

Mr Bennett also received an experimental anti-rejection drug. To go ahead with the pig-heart transplant in Maryland, the university had obtained an emergency authorisation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on New Years Eve through its compassionate use programme, which allows risky experimental procedures on people who have no other treatment options.

Pigs have long been an attractive source of potential transplants because their organs are so similar to those of humans and  unlike primates such as chimpanzees and baboons  can be bred in large numbers. A pig heart at the time of slaughter is about the size of an adult human one.

Pig heart valves have been used successfully for decades in humans. Indeed, Mr Bennett himself received one about ten years ago.

Dr Bartley Griffith, the director of the universitys cardiac transplant programme, who performed the operation on Mr Bennett, had transplanted pig hearts into 50 baboons over five years before offering the option to his newest patient.

He said of the transplanted organ: It creates the pulse, it creates the pressure, it is his heart. Its working and it looks normal. We are thrilled, but we dont know what tomorrow will bring us. This has never been done before.

On Monday, the patient was reported to be breathing on his own while still hooked up to a heart-lung machine to help his new organ.

He said he was looking forward to getting out of bed, although his son acknowledged the family were in the unknown at this point.

Medical experts hailed the operation as a watershed but, given animal-human transplant history, some were cautious in their response.

On Monday, the patient was reported to be breathing on his own while still hooked up to a heart-lung machine to help his new organ

Sir Terence English, who carried out the UKs first successful heart transplant in 1979, said: This is a marvellous advance which has enormous potential for the future.

With pigs hearts, we would no longer have patients on the waiting list, dying, because surgeons cannot get a heart of the right size with the right blood type for them. There would be an off-the-shelf heart available whenever one was needed.

The major sticking point, he said, had been eradicating those genes in pigs which are responsible for their organs being rejected in humans. He added: Having mainly achieved this, and with pig organs lasting several months in primates, now was the time to start trying in humans.

A spokesman for NHS Blood and Transplant said: We have been watching this particular field of research for many years  the possibility of transplant between animals and humans.

However, there is still some way to go before transplants of this kind become an everyday reality.

Francis Wells, consultant cardiac surgeon at the Royal Papworth Hospital near Cambridge, suggested it was too early to declare the operation a success.

Although the early function of the heart is vital, it is the mid- and long-term that matters the most, he said.

As yet, there is no data on this and we wait with interest to learn how this courageous patient progresses.

The hurdles ahead arent only scientific, of course. Animal rights group Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) immediately condemned the transplant. Animal-to-human transplants are unethical, dangerous, and a tremendous waste of resources that could be used to fund research that might actually help humans, it said in a statement.

Animals arent toolsheds to be raided but complex, intelligent beings. It would be better for them and healthier for humans to leave them alone and seek cures using modern science.

Yet xenotransplantation from animals to humans has a surprisingly long history. Throughout the 19th century, doctors treated wounds with skin grafts from various animals, often frogs.

In the 1920s, French surgeon Serge Voronoff developed a procedure for transplanting slices of chimpanzee testicles into older men whose zest for life was deteriorating.

He claimed that the hormones produced by the testes would rejuvenate his patients, enhancing not only libido but eyesight and memory. His transplant became enormously popular among millionaires, prompting Voronoff to set up a monkey farm to keep up with demand and develop a monkey ovary transplant after women requested their own version of the treatment.

In the 1960s, scientists transplanted chimpanzee kidneys into 13 patients, one of whom returned to work for almost nine months before suddenly dying from what was believed to be an electrolyte disturbance.

In 1964, the first heart transplant in a human was performed using a chimpanzee heart, but the patient died within two hours. In October 2021, surgeons notched up a first when they attached a kidney grown in a genetically modified pig to a brain-dead human patient. The kidney functioned properly for a 54-hour observation period.

Countries such as the UK and U.S. tightly regulate xenotransplants but other countries do not, a fact that has already prompted researchers to conduct trials in places such as Mexico.

The World Health Organisation has expressed fears of so-called xenotourism, in which desperate transplant patients resort to going to countries that impose no limits on operations.

A new era may have dawned but, as with other scientific breakthroughs, the future may not be entirely rosy.
Just 17 Britons have died of cardiac arrests during sex over the past three decades, an analysis has revealed.

St George's University of London researchers trawled through data of nearly 7,000 sudden cardiac deaths between 1994 and 2000.

Roughly 0.2 per cent of the victims died during sexual intercourse or within an hour after.

The majority of deaths involved middle-aged men with no history of heart problems.

A random cardiac arrest  when the heart suddenly stops  was the most common cause of death.

Experts argued the findings should reassure millions living with heart conditions that having sex doesn't pose a significant risk to their health.

Charities have found that people with heart conditions can experience anxiety about their sex life, with some worried that having intercourse could put excess strain on their organ.

A study has total of 17 sudden cardiac arrest deaths have been linked to sexual activity out of nearly 7,000 cases. Authors say the finding should reassure the millions of Britons living with heart disease that their sex lives are not putting their health at risk

Sex and heart conditions: What can sufferers do to reduce anxiety? Feeling anxious about sex following the diagnosis of a heart condition or a cardiac emergency is relatively common according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The charity recommends that before having sex people with heart conditions should think about: avoiding having sex after a heavy meal as there is a risk of indigestion after eating which can mimic chest pain.

avoiding too much alcohol before sex as it could make you lightheaded and can increase the risk of arrhythmias

find a comfortable position that works for you

ask your partner to take a more active role

if you have a glyceryl trinitrate spray or tablets, a medication used to treat angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles, keep them where you can reach them just in case you need them Source: BHF Advertisement

Professor Mary Sheppard, one of the authors of the study, said: 'We believe these findings provide some reassurance that engaging in sexual activity is relatively safe in patients with a cardiac condition, especially in younger individuals.'

The data was collected from St George's cardiac pathology centre, the only facility of it kind to specialise in sudden cardiac death in the UK.

The average of age of the sex-related fatalities was 38, and two-thirds of the victims were men.

Only one in four had any history of cardiac disease, according to the study published in the medical journal JAMA Cardiology.

The main case of cardiac arrests are cardiomyopathy, abnormal heart rhythms or other diseases of the vital organ.

But sometimes the cause of the death cannot be pinpointed.

This was the case for just over half of the 17 sex-related fatalities, with nine attributed to sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, a medical term for when the heart malfunctions and stops beating and no other cause can be found.

The next most common cause of death was aortic dissection, where a part of the heart is weakened and tears, causing blood to leak between the walls of the heart.

Such events can also be triggered by intense exercise and stress, as well as using drugs such as cocaine.

Factors such as genetic conditions and lifestyle such as smoking can also play a role in individual risk.

One limitation of the study the authors acknowledged was that they only looked at deaths related to sexual activity, and not survivors of cardiac arrests relating to sexual activity.

This could mean the true risk of sexual activity and heart conditions could be could be greater.

Charity the British Heart Foundation (BHF) estimate there are 7.6million people living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK.

British Heart Foundation senior cardiac nurse Ruth Goss told MailOnline that the study was reassuring.

'Although this is a small and limited study, its reassuring that it linked very few deaths from sudden cardiac arrest to sexual activity,' she said.

Ms Goss added that many people with heart conditions did feel nervous about their sex life

'Its normal to feel anxious about sex when you have a heart condition, but its no more likely to cause a sudden cardiac arrest than any other type of physical activity,' she said.

'Theres no reason why people with a heart condition cant continue to enjoy a healthy sex life, although its important to follow your doctors advice.'

She encouraged anyone with a heart condition and worried about their sex life to speak to their specialist medical professional or their GP.

In its guide to sex and heart conditions, the BHF says sex is no more dangerous than other forms of exercises such as walking a mile or climbing a flight of stairs.

But the charity does recommend that heart attack survivors wait two to four weeks before becoming sexually active again.

In a BHF survey of 2,400 people with heart conditions in 2018, nearly half said their condition affected their sex life.

Heart disease is one of the biggest killers of Britons a year with 160,000 deaths each year, the equivalent to one death every three minutes.

And the US Centre for Disease Control estimates 695,000 Americans die from heart disease every year, equivalent to one death every 36 seconds.
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One in five girls born in Britain are now expected to reach the age of 100, according to Government analysts who have created a calculator that estimates how long we live.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says boys born in the same year have a slightly lower chance of becoming a centenarian  13.6 per cent (one in eight)  in line with the historic trend of women living longer than men.

On average, boys who were born in 2020 can expect to reach the age of 87 and girls are likely to breach 90, the agency said.

Despite figures showing children born today are likely to live to an older age than their parents, experts today warned life expectancy improvements have stalled.

Progress in the UK had already stalled before Covid took off, prompting much debate about the causes. Some attributed it to health cuts and austerity.

But experts fear the pandemic has exacerbated the issue and there are already signs it has reversed some of the gains made in recent decades.

Separate figures from the United Nations (UN) Population Division suggests Britain's overall life expectancy across ages and sexes is around 81-and-a-half.

It means the UK has the 29th highest life expectancy in the world, with Hong Kong topping the global chart at 85.3 years. For comparison, the US ranks 46th, with an expectancy of 79.8 years.

Select your age and sex below to see what your average life expectancy is:

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Separate figures from the United Nations (UN) Population Division suggests Britain's overall life expectancy across ages and sexes is 81-and-a-half. It means the UK has the 29th highest life expectancy in the world, with Hong Kong topping the chart at 85.3 years. For comparison, the US ranks 46th, with an expectancy of 79.8 years

These two maps of life expectancy in England show both the current situation and how it has changed since 2002. The top map shows the life expectancy of women (left) and men (right) colour coded with red tones representing lower than average and bluer tones representing higher than average. The bottom map shows the life expectancy change for women (left and men (right) between 2002 and 2019. It shows that women have seen smaller gains in life expectancy than men.

ONS data suggests 65-year-olds in the UK can expect to live on average a further 19.7 years if they are male, or 22 years if they're female. This is projected to increase to 21.9 extra years for men and 24.1 years for women who are aged 65 in 2045.

Analysts expect life expectancies for children who are born in 2045 to hit 90.1 for boys and 92.6 for girls.

Life expectancy was falling in England BEFORE the pandemic struck Life expectancy was already falling before Covid struck in a fifth of communities in England, according to research. Imperial College London scientists analysed mortality trends for all 7,000 districts scattered across the country. Results showed life expectancy for women declined in approximately 18.7 per cent of neighbourhoods between 2014 and 2019, by an average of two months. Meanwhile, in men it fell in around 11.5 per cent of communities, by an average of a month-and-a-half. Experts claimed there was a gap of around 27 years between the richest and poorest parts of England  where the average life expectancy sits at around 79.8 for men and 83.4 for women. People living in the north of England and in urban areas had the lowest life expectancy. Lead author Professor Majid Ezzati said the findings were a warning sign of an ongoing policy failure to address health and socioeconomic disadvantages across the nation. Advertisement

But the data also suggests girls born in 2020 are now expected to die nearly five years earlier than predicted back in 2012.

David Finch, assistant director of healthy lives at the Health Foundation, said: 'Today's figures show that children born today can still expect to live longer than their parents.

'However, people living in the UK today are not expected to live for as long as previously predicted.

'The unprecedented increase in deaths caused by Covid should end as we move beyond the pandemic but there will be a lasting impact from the decade of stalling life expectancy prior to the pandemic.'

He continued: 'The government faces a massive challenge in delivering its promise to improve life expectancy for people in the UK.

'Improving health needs to be a key consideration in all government policy and investment decisions, the vast majority of which have the potential to help or hinder efforts.

'The pandemic has laid bare the extent of underlying poor health in the UK, with tragic consequences.

'Good health is vital to the countrys prosperity and government cannot delay any further in investing in our future.'

It comes after research suggested life expectancy was already falling before Covid struck in a fifth of communities in England.

Imperial College London scientists analysed mortality trends for all 7,000 districts scattered across the country.

Results showed life expectancy for women declined in approximately 18.7 per cent of neighbourhoods between 2014 and 2019, by an average of two months.

Meanwhile, in men it fell in around 11.5 per cent of communities, by an average of a month-and-a-half.

Experts claimed there was a gap of around 27 years between the richest and poorest parts of England  where the average life expectancy sits at around 79.8 for men and 83.4 for women.

People living in the north of England and in urban areas had the lowest life expectancy.

Lead author Professor Majid Ezzati said the findings were a warning sign of an ongoing policy failure to address health and socioeconomic disadvantages across the nation.
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The Omicron variant could soon run out of steam in the U.S., with many experts predicting cases will reach their peak within the coming weeks. A combination of high infection and vaccination rates mean the strain could soon run out of people to infect, and cases could quickly start declining soon. Wastewater data from Boston also signals a dramatic decline in cases could be around the corner as well.

The U.S. is currently averaging 750,515 new cases every day, the second highest daily average recorded in the pandemic so far - only trailing the figure recorded Tuesday of 767,200. While it is a long way from the 264,546 cases being average two weeks ago at the end of January, case growth is already starting to slow day to day.

One of the reasons cases may soon decline is the fact that the variant could eventually run out of people to infect. Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease and the country's top infectious disease expert, said Tuesday the variant will eventually infect almost everyone in America.

'Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody,' Fauci said

'Those who have been vaccinated ... and boosted would get exposed. Some, maybe a lot of them, will get infected but will very likely, with some exceptions, do reasonably well in the sense of not having hospitalization and death.'

Fauci, along with many other health officials are still recommending all Americans to get vaccinated and boosted if they have not already. While around 1,700 Americans are still dying from the virus every day, almost all deaths are among unvaccinated people, and the shots are highly effective at mitigating any complications even after infection. With how quickly the variant is spreading, and how many people are getting infected in such a short period of time, many are hopeful that Omicron will run out of people to infect in the coming weeks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further bolstered the case that the variant is less severe than others on Wednesday, publishing a study finding that the variant is 50 percent less likely to cause hospitalization and 91 percent likely to cause death than previous virus strains.

A promising sign is coming out of Boston, Massachusetts. The state is among those currently dealing with the worst of the surge, but wastewater data is showing a recent sharp decline in the amount of Covid in the local population.

Wastewater can be tested to find what level of an overall population is dealing with Covid. Traces of the virus are found in a person's urine and stool, and sewage centers can test massive samples to see prevalence of Covid in the population.

Earlier this year, prevalence of Covid in Boston wastewater began to surge, up to 10,000 RNA copies of the virus per milliliter sampled - more than triple previous levels. The figure has quickly declined to 6,000 copies per milliliter, a 40 percent drop in virus prevalence.

'But this suggests good news for the disruption caused by the sheer numbers of infections. Will likely take a few days to show up in case counts, which if they follow will show a peak around now. Just like there was a peak this time last year. Past is prologue,' Bill Hanage, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, wrote in a tweet.

The most promising sign for the U.S. is the current situation in England. Once the global hotspot for the variant, cases in the UK are down 45 percent over the past week, with around 120,000 people testing positive every day. While deaths and hospitalizations have risen in recent days, neither figure has managed to keep up with infections at all recently.

Wastewater data from Boston, in Covid-struck Massachusetts, shows that Covid prevalence in sewage has dropped 40% this week after surging to record levels to start the year

Covid cases in the U.S. have surged in recent weeks, up by 185% over the past two weeks. Some experts believe the rapid surge in cases will lead to the variant running out of steam soon and reaching its peak before receding

UK sees cases drop 45% in a week and infections decline six days in a row in sign Omicron surge has peaked Cases are trending downwards almost everywhere in England, and London - once the worst struck city in the world by Omicron - is no longer among the national leaders in new daily cases. Cases have dropped by 45% over the past week, and declining cases have now been recorded in six consecutive days Hospitalizations and deaths continue to creep upwards, but like the U.S., neither figure has risen to the same extent that cases have. This signals the more mild nature of the Omicron variant, and the effectiveness of the vaccines One expert says the UK is the most well-positioned nation in the northern hemisphere to deal with the Omicron variant going forward A similar pattern has occurred in South Africa, where the variant was first detected in late November The U.S. often lags behind the UK by a few weeks. Many stateside experts are predicting that cases will soon peak, then decline, in the U.S. in the near future as well. Advertisement

What happens in the UK often precedes the U.S. by a few weeks, and the current decline in cases across the pond matches predictions by American health officials that the virus will likely recede in the coming weeks.

South Africa, where the variant was first detected in late November, has seen cases plummet in recent weeks after a massive surge to end 2021. After peaking at over 23,000 cases in mid-December, the nation is only recording 7,000 cases per day at the moment, showing another quick decline in cases after a rapid rise.

Dr Ali Mokdad, also of the University of Washington, told the Associated Press this week that he also believes the same will occur, and that cases could even start rapidly declining soon.

'It's going to come down as fast as it went up,' Mokdad, who teaches health metrics at the school, said.

Dr Pavitra Roychoudhury is a bioinformatics expert at the University of Washington in Seattle. She told DailyMail.com that more tests than ever are coming back positive at the moment, and while it is overwhelming, the recent surge should peak soon.

'My understanding is that eventually there'll be enough people will infected that there'll be some sort of some sort of immunity that will be established,' she said.

'That will result in those case numbers plateauing, and then starting to turn down again... It can't come soon enough.'

On Tuesday, former chief of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) predicted that up to 40 percent of Americans will eventually become infected during the surge. He also believes around ten percent of the population is actively infected at any given moment.

When a person gets infected they, at least temporarily, have some protection from re-infection. As the pool of people available for the virus to infect quickly shrinks, the virus will slowly begin to lose steam and recede. Many people have also been jabbed, with 63 percent of Americans fully vaccinated and 23 percent having received a booster, giving even more people protection from the variant.

While cases in the U.S. have quickly grown, deaths have not followed. Around 1,700 Americans are dying from Covid every day, only a 10% jump over the past two weeks, and nowhere near records set last winter

'Because you'll have lots of people who've had a natural infection, or [are] protected via vaccination, and they just have not been infected yet and are protected from that. Combined, those two things will hopefully allow [the surge] to hit that peak and then start turning down and gradually reduce,' she told the DailyMail.com.

Roychoudhury agrees with Mokdad and others that signs from overseas show that the surge could rapidly decline after it reaches its peak.

For now, though, the surge continues across the U.S. Cases are up 185 percent over the past two weeks. Hospitalizations are reaching record levels as well, with 140,641 people in the hospital with Covid every day. That figure also includes people who go to a hospital for a non-Covid reason and test positive while there - though. This means the figure is likely inflated by non-virus illnesses and injuries.

In Virginia, a state of emergency has been declared by the Governor in an effort to combat capacity shortages during a surge in cases. Under the order, hospitals will be allowed to expand capacity and some regulations on staffing roles will be lifted.

The state has suffered a 153 percent increase in cases over the past two weeks, with 200 of every 100,000 residents testing positive every day - both figures putting the state towards the middle of the pack. Virginia is also suffering 0.16 deaths per every 100,000 residents every day, the third lowest rate of any U.S. state.

New Jersey has been one of the hardest struck states by the Omicron-fueled Covid surge tearing through America. The state has the fourth highest infection rate in America, with 350 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus daily. Only four states are logging more than 300 cases per every 100,000 residents daily.

A public health emergency has been instituted in the state to combat rising cases. The orders from Gov Phil Murphy include increased vaccine rollout and testing efforts. Mask mandates will also be reinstated in some parts of the state.

Cases in the state have doubled over the past two weeks, though the week-to-week growth of cases has contracted in recent weeks. Many officials believe the current surge is nearing its peak, and New Jersey could be an example of the Omicron variant burning out.

Neighboring New York, also an early hot spot of the Omicron variant, is seeing its weekly growth of cases contract as well. The state is still among the leaders in infection rate, with 378 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus every day. Cases have doubled over the past two weeks, though the week-to-week change has shrunk since the surge first began.

The nation's leader in infection rate in Rhode Island, which has by far ran away from the rest of the pack in recent day. The state, where 77 percent of residents are fully vaccinated, is recording 507 positive cases every day for every 100,000 residents - a 226 percent increase over the past two weeks. No other state has more than 400 new cases every day per every 100,000 residents.

Massachusetts is the fourth and final state with an infection rate of over 300 per every 100,000 residents, at 359. All four states leading the nation have fully vaccinated more than 70 percent of their residents, and each are among the top 20 states in death rate by population.

While Kentucky is not experiencing surges to the level of many other states, the Bluegrass state's government is taking drastic action to stop the spread of the virus as well.

Gov Andy Beshear activated the National Guard this week, sending 445 members to hospitals and health care facilities in the state to assist with a recent uptick in cases. Over the past two weeks, cases in the state have jumped 240 percent with 188 of every 100,000 residents recording infections every day.

Some of Kentucky's neighbors in the south are experiencing some of the worst case surges in the nation at the moment. South Carolina remains the nation's leader in case growth over the past two weeks, up 842 percent over that period. No other state has recorded an increase of more than 700 percent during that time.

Other nearby states suffering massive case increases include Arkansas (455 percent increase over past two weeks), Alabama (392 percent), Oklahoma (376 percent), North Carolina (328 percent), Mississippi (301 percent).

Many states out west have quickly creeped up as leaders in case increases over the past two weeks. The 673 percent increase in cases suffered by Alaska over the past two weeks is the second highest rate in the country. Utah (554 percent increase), Oregon (538 percent) and Montana (520 percent) are also among the five states that have suffered case increases of 500 percent or more.

Along the west coast, California, the nation's most populous state, suffered a 401 percent increase in case over the past two weeks.

The number of states recording more than one death per every 100,000 residents has shrunk to four, even as cases spike nationwide - another sign that the Omicron variant is not as dangerous, even if it does cause record case numbers.

Indiana remains the leader in mortality rate, with 1.38 of every 100,000 residents dying from Covid every day.

Delaware comes in second, with a mortality rate of 1.28 of every 100,000. Pennsylvania (1.04) and New Mexico (1.01) make up the remaining group.

Michigan, once the leader by far in Covid deaths per capita, has finally seen its figure per every 100,000 residents shrink below 1.0 once more - falling to a 0.96 average as of Wednesday. It is a hopeful sign that the surge that hammered the Great Lakes state for months now is finally receding.

Dr Pavitra Roychoudhury (pictured) is a bioinformatics expert at the University of Washington. She says Omicron is spreading at such a rapid rate that it will likely reach its peak in the coming weeks, before cases start declining

Across the pond, the situation in the UK is getting better by the day. Wednesday marks the sixth straight day where daily cases have declined in the once-Covid ravaged nation. While deaths have increased week-over-week, some are attributing the low figures last week to data reporting lags caused by the holidays.

'In general, now, the countries we know best in the northern hemisphere have varying stages of the pandemic,' David Heyman, an epidemiologist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said.

'And probably, in the UK, it's the closest to any country of being out of the pandemic if it isn't already out of the pandemic and having the disease as endemic as the other four coronaviruses.'

He notes that between a successful campaign to rollout Covid booster shots, and the amount of Britons that have already been infected, enough people already have immunity against the new strain that its spread can be controlled. And even those that do get infected will not suffer severe cases due to their body's increased ability to combat the variant.

'That means immunity against serious illness and death after infection if one is vaccinated, or after re-infection if one has had illness before, and that population immunity seems to be keeping the virus and its variants at bay, not causing serious illness or death in countries where population immunity is high,' he said.

'I looked at the ONS (Office for National Statistics) most recent report on population immunity and they estimated about 95 percent of the population in England and a little less than in other parts of the United Kingdom do have antibody to infection either from vaccination or from natural infection.

'And that antibody, as I said, is keeping the virus at bay. And it's now functioning more like an endemic coronavirus than one that is a pandemic.'

Cases are trending downwards almost everywhere in England, and London - once the worst struck city in the world by Omicron - is no longer among the national leaders in new daily cases.

Deaths have remained at bay as well, not nearly rising to the same extent as cases during the recent surge. The nation is currently averaging 120,821 cases and 379 deaths per day. While hospitalizations have climbed, the figures are inflated by people coming in for other issues and testing positive while they are there - just like what is happening in the U.S. Nearly a third of Covid occupied beds in England are filled by people who came in for treatment for a different reason.

As cases decline, health officials are also discussing the possibility of reducing the nation's quarantine period for positive tests down to five days, from seven, following a move made by the CDC in America in recent weeks.

Experts say there is reason to believe that incidentals will continue to rise as the variant pushes England's infection rates to record highs, with one in 15 people estimated to have had Covid on New Year's Eve

UK Health Security Agency data showed London recorded 12,000 cases yesterday, the least in a month. It was comparable to the total cases on December 13

All 30 boroughs in London, once suffering the worst surge in the world, are currently recording declining cases. Cases are starting to decline almost everywhere, and the areas that are still seeing cases rise are experiencing surges at rates much lower than previous weeks.

Around 12,000 cases were recorded in London on January 11, a far fall from the 20,000 cases per day being recorded at the start of 2022, and the lowest daily total since December 13.

Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, is now giving 'optimistic signals' that the worst of Covid is over. Just last month, England's chief medical officer publicly dismissed South African doctors' claims that Omicron was mild and accused people of 'overinterpreting' data.

In South Africa, the starting point of the Omicron surge, cases and hospitalizations are on a sharp decline as well.

Covid cases in the nation began to rapidly rise at the end of last year. Cases peaked at over 23,000 per day - a new record for the country - in mid-December, before a rapid decline began. Only weeks later, the country is recording 7,200 cases per day, a drop of over 60 percent in only a month.

Some nations are still in the same place as the U.S. at the moment, though.

Germany set a new record for new cases Wednesday, with 80,430 logged. The previous record for the country was set in late November, right around when the Omicron variant was discovered, and cases interestingly began to drop.

After Christmas, cases in the country started to spike once more after reaching a low of around 40,000 cases per day. Cases have doubled over the past two weeks now.

The country has already put some strict lockdown measures in place, like limiting private gatherings to only ten people and putting a halt to large scale events, even when outdoors.

France recorded 368,149 cases on Wednesday, also a record for the western European country. The country's current surge is by far the worst it has suffered, with the 270,000 cases being logged every day being more than five-fold higher than the previous record of around 50,000 cases.

The country has implemented a national vaccine passport system, with unvaccinated people barred from indoor dining and other facilities unless they have a recent negative test.
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Covid is continuing to cause surges across America, and while deaths still remain low, some state governments are taking drastic action to stop the spread. Staffing issues have also been an issue for many hospitals around the country, spurring emergency orders from some to relieve those shortages.

The nation's leader in infection rate is Rhode Island, which has by far ran away from the rest of the pack in recent day. The state, where 77 percent of residents are fully vaccinated, is recording 507 positive cases every day for every 100,000 residents - a 226 percent increase over the past two weeks. No other state has more than 400 new cases every day per every 100,000 residents.

On Wednesday, the state's Governor Dan McKee held his first covid briefing of the new year, saying that 175,000 covid tests were administered this week, meaning that 17% of the state tested in one week. At least 90 percent of the states infections are estimated to be caused by the highly contagious Omicron variant - up from 45% from last week.

At the briefing, McKee said that he would increase testing capacity by distributing 100,000 at-home covid tests, increase vaccination capacity and relieve the stress on hospital systems by deploying the National Guard to assist.

In Virginia, a state of emergency has been declared by the Governor in an effort to combat capacity shortages during a surge in cases. Under the order, hospitals will be allowed to expand capacity and some regulations on staffing roles will be lifted.

The state has suffered a 153 percent increase in cases over the past two weeks, with 200 of every 100,000 residents testing positive every day - both figures putting the state towards the middle of the pack. Virginia is also suffering 0.16 deaths per every 100,000 residents every day, the third lowest rate of any U.S. state.

New Jersey has been one of the hardest struck states by the Omicron-fueled Covid surge tearing through America. The state has the fourth highest infection rate in America, with 350 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus daily. Only four states are logging more than 300 cases per every 100,000 residents daily.

A public health emergency has been instituted in the state to combat rising cases. The orders from Gov Phil Murphy include increased vaccine rollout and testing efforts. Mask mandates will also be reinstated in some parts of the state. Cases in the state have doubled over the past two weeks, though the week-to-week growth of cases has contracted in recent weeks. Many officials believe the current surge is nearing its peak, and New Jersey could be an example of the Omicron variant burning out.

Rhode Island, where 77 percent of residents are fully vaccinated, is recording 507 positive cases every day for every 100,000 residents - a 226 percent increase over the past two weeks. No other state has more than 400 new cases every day per every 100,000 residents

Covid cases in the U.S. have surged in recent weeks, up by 185% over the past two weeks. Some experts believe the rapid surge in cases will lead to the variant running out of steam soon and reaching its peak before receding

As a result of the highly infectious variant taking over, cases in the U.S. have rocketed in recent weeks. In two weeks, new daily cases have increased from around 235,269 per day to 750,515 per day - a 184 percent jump

But Center for Disease Control director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has blamed the Delta variant - not Omicron - for causing the average 1,716 daily deaths in the US.

Dr Rochelle Walensky (pictured), director of the CDC, says that recent upticks in Covid deaths being suffered in the U.S. are attributable to the Delta variant, not Omicron. Over 1,700 Americans are dying from Covid every day, a 10% increase from two weeks ago

According to most recent data released by the CDC, the Omicron variant makes up around 98 percent of sequenced cases, with Delta making up just under two percent.

And while cases have risen dramatically, deaths have not followed, mainly due to the mild nature of the Omicron variant when compared to other strains. The small growth in deaths that has occurred could be entirely separate from the recent surge being experienced nationwide.

The agency released data on Wednesday showing the variant is 50 percent less likely to cause hospitalization in people it infects, and a whopping 91 percent less likely to cause death.

'We may see deaths from Omicron but I suspect that the deaths that we're seeing now are still from Delta,' Walensky said.

She noted that investigations into the number of Covid deaths being caused by Delta versus the Omicron variant may take some time.

Neighboring New York, also an early hot spot of the Omicron variant, is seeing its weekly growth of cases contract as well. The state is still among the leaders in infection rate, with 378 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus every day. Cases have doubled over the past two weeks, though the week-to-week change has shrunk since the surge first began.

Massachusetts is the fourth and final state with an infection rate of over 300 per every 100,000 residents, at 359. All four states leading the nation have fully vaccinated more than 70 percent of their residents, and each are among the top 20 states in death rate by population.

While Kentucky is not experiencing surges to the level of many other states, the Bluegrass state's government is taking drastic action to stop the spread of the virus as well.

Gov Andy Beshear activated the National Guard this week, sending 445 members to hospitals and health care facilities in the state to assist with a recent uptick in cases. Over the past two weeks, cases in the state have jumped 240 percent with 188 of every 100,000 residents recording infections every day.

Some of Kentucky's neighbors in the south are experiencing some of the worst case surges in the nation at the moment. South Carolina remains the nation's leader in case growth over the past two weeks, up 842 percent over that period. No other state has recorded an increase of more than 700 percent during that time.

Other nearby states suffering massive case increases include Arkansas (455 percent increase over past two weeks), Alabama (392 percent), Oklahoma (376 percent), North Carolina (328 percent), Mississippi (301 percent).

The US has recorded more than 62 million covid cases since the start of the pandemic. As a result of the highly infectious variant taking over, cases in the U.S. have rocketed in recent weeks. In two weeks, new daily cases have increased from around 235,269 per day to 750,515 per day - a 184 percent jump

At least 842,322 people have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The US is now averaging around 1,700 deaths a day, with CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky blaming the Delta variant - and not Omicron

UK sees cases drop 45% in a week and infections decline six days in a row in sign Omicron surge has peaked Cases are trending downwards almost everywhere in England, and London - once the worst struck city in the world by Omicron - is no longer among the national leaders in new daily cases. Cases have dropped by 45% over the past week, and declining cases have now been recorded in six consecutive days Hospitalizations and deaths continue to creep upwards, but like the U.S., neither figure has risen to the same extent that cases have. This signals the more mild nature of the Omicron variant, and the effectiveness of the vaccines One expert says the UK is the most well-positioned nation in the northern hemisphere to deal with the Omicron variant going forward A similar pattern has occurred in South Africa, where the variant was first detected in late November The U.S. often lags behind the UK by a few weeks. Many stateside experts are predicting that cases will soon peak, then decline, in the U.S. in the near future as well. Advertisement

Many states out west have quickly creeped up as leaders in case increases over the past two weeks. The 673 percent increase in cases suffered by Alaska over the past two weeks is the second highest rate in the country. Utah (554 percent increase), Oregon (538 percent) and Montana (520 percent) are also among the five states that have suffered case increases of 500 percent or more.

Along the west coast, California, the nation's most populous state, suffered a 401 percent increase in case over the past two weeks.

The number of states recording more than one death per every 100,000 residents has shrunk to four, even as cases spike nationwide - another sign that the Omicron variant is not as dangerous, even if it does cause record case numbers.

Indiana remains the leader in mortality rate, with 1.38 of every 100,000 residents dying from Covid every day.

Delaware comes in second, with a mortality rate of 1.28 of every 100,000. Pennsylvania (1.04) and New Mexico (1.01) make up the remaining group.

Michigan, once the leader by far in Covid deaths per capita, has finally seen its figure per every 100,000 residents shrink below 1.0 once more - falling to a 0.96 average as of Wednesday. It is a hopeful sign that the surge that hammered the Great Lakes state for months now is finally receding.

The Omicron variant could soon run out of steam in the U.S., with many experts predicting cases will reach their peak within the coming weeks. A combination of high infection and vaccination rates mean the strain could soon run out of people to infect, and cases could quickly start declining soon.

One of the reasons cases may soon decline is the fact that the variant could eventually run out of people to infect. Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease and the country's top infectious disease expert, said Tuesday the variant will eventually infect almost everyone in America.

'Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody,' Fauci said

'Those who have been vaccinated ... and boosted would get exposed. Some, maybe a lot of them, will get infected but will very likely, with some exceptions, do reasonably well in the sense of not having hospitalization and death.'

Fauci, along with many other health officials are still recommending all Americans to get vaccinated and boosted if they have not already.

Wastewater data from Boston also signals a dramatic decline in cases could be around the corner as well.

A promising sign is coming out of Boston, Massachusetts. The state is among those currently dealing with the worst of the surge, but wastewater data is showing a recent sharp decline in the amount of Covid in the local population.

Wastewater can be tested to find what level of an overall population is dealing with Covid. Traces of the virus are found in a person's urine and stool, and sewage centers can test massive samples to see prevalence of Covid in the population.

Earlier this year, prevalence of Covid in Boston wastewater began to surge, up to 10,000 RNA copies of the virus per milliliter sampled - more than triple previous levels. The figure has quickly declined to 6,000 copies per milliliter, a 40 percent drop in virus prevalence.

'But this suggests good news for the disruption caused by the sheer numbers of infections. Will likely take a few days to show up in case counts, which if they follow will show a peak around now. Just like there was a peak this time last year. Past is prologue,' Bill Hanage, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, wrote in a tweet.

Wastewater data from Boston, in Covid-struck Massachusetts, shows that Covid prevalence in sewage has dropped 40% this week after surging to record levels to start the year

The most promising sign for the U.S. is the current situation in England. Once the global hotspot for the variant, cases in the UK are down 45 percent over the past week, with around 120,000 people testing positive every day. While deaths and hospitalizations have risen in recent days, neither figure has managed to keep up with infections at all recently.

What happens in the UK often precedes the U.S. by a few weeks, and the current decline in cases across the pond matches predictions by American health officials that the virus will likely recede in the coming weeks.

South Africa, where the variant was first detected in late November, has seen cases plummet in recent weeks after a massive surge to end 2021. After peaking at over 23,000 cases in mid-December, the nation is only recording 7,000 cases per day at the moment, showing another quick decline in cases after a rapid rise.

Wednesday marks the sixth straight day where daily cases have declined in the once-Covid ravaged nation. While deaths have increased week-over-week, some are attributing the low figures last week to data reporting lags caused by the holidays.

'In general, now, the countries we know best in the northern hemisphere have varying stages of the pandemic,' David Heyman, an epidemiologist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said.

'And probably, in the UK, it's the closest to any country of being out of the pandemic if it isn't already out of the pandemic and having the disease as endemic as the other four coronaviruses.'

He notes that between a successful campaign to rollout Covid booster shots, and the amount of Britons that have already been infected, enough people already have immunity against the new strain that its spread can be controlled. And even those that do get infected will not suffer severe cases due to their body's increased ability to combat the variant.

'That means immunity against serious illness and death after infection if one is vaccinated, or after re-infection if one has had illness before, and that population immunity seems to be keeping the virus and its variants at bay, not causing serious illness or death in countries where population immunity is high,' he said.

'I looked at the ONS (Office for National Statistics) most recent report on population immunity and they estimated about 95 percent of the population in England and a little less than in other parts of the United Kingdom do have antibody to infection either from vaccination or from natural infection.

'And that antibody, as I said, is keeping the virus at bay. And it's now functioning more like an endemic coronavirus than one that is a pandemic.'

Cases are trending downwards almost everywhere in England, and London - once the worst struck city in the world by Omicron - is no longer among the national leaders in new daily cases.

Deaths have remained at bay as well, not nearly rising to the same extent as cases during the recent surge. The nation is currently averaging 120,821 cases and 379 deaths per day. While hospitalizations have climbed, the figures are inflated by people coming in for other issues and testing positive while they are there - just like what is happening in the U.S. Nearly a third of Covid occupied beds in England are filled by people who came in for treatment for a different reason.

As cases decline, health officials are also discussing the possibility of reducing the nation's quarantine period for positive tests down to five days, from seven, following a move made by the CDC in America in recent weeks.
The United States is currently averaging 1,716 deaths per day from Covid, and Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), blames the Delta variant - not Omicron - for causing them.

Walensky said at a news conference Wednesday that the slight increase in deaths over the past two weeks - up 10 percent - are attributable to the little circulation left of the Delta variant, not Omicron.

According to most recent data released by the CDC, the Omicron variant makes up around 98 percent of sequenced cases, with Delta making up just under two percent.

As a result of the highly infectious variant taking over, cases in the U.S. have rocketed in recent weeks. In two weeks, new daily cases have increased from around 235,269 per day to 750,515 per day - a 184 percent jump.

Deaths have not followed though, mainly due to the mild nature of the Omicron variant when compared to other strains. The small growth in deaths that has occurred could be entirely separate from the recent surge being experienced nationwide.

The agency released data on Wednesday showing the variant is 50 percent less likely to cause hospitalization in people it infects, and a whopping 91 percent less likely to cause death.

Dr Rochelle Walensky (pictured), director of the CDC, says that recent upticks in Covid deaths being suffered in the U.S. are attributable to the Delta variant, not Omicron. Over 1,700 Americans are dying from Covid every day, a 10% increase from two weeks ago

According to CDC data, the Omicron variant (purple) accounts for 98% of cases in the U.S., and is largely responsible for cases nearly tripling over the past two weeks. The Delta variant (orange), which dominated much of the latter half of 2021, only makes up around 2% of cases

'We may see deaths from Omicron but I suspect that the deaths that we're seeing now are still from Delta,' Walensky said.

She noted that investigations into the number of Covid deaths being caused by Delta versus the Omicron variant may take some time.

The Delta variant was the dominant strain in the U.S. for much of the latter half of 2021.

Originally discovered in India last spring, the variant arrived in the U.S. over summer, and caused massive case surges nationwide starting in mid to late summer.

It became the dominant strain in July, and remained so until the Omicron variant took the nation by storm in December.

The summer Delta surge peaked at around 200,000 cases per day in September, less than a third of the current daily case rate in America.

Nearly twice as many Americans were dying from Covid over summer every day than are during the current winter surge, showing just how much more deadly Delta is when compared to Omicron.

Hospitalizations in the U.S. are rising as well, with a record 140,641 Americans in the hospital with Covid on an average day this week.

Walensky did not comment on whether this surge could also be attributed to the lingering Delta variant.

Some believe that number is heavily inflated, as many people who are going to the hospital for treatment of other conditions are being tested while there and generating positive cases.
The surge of Omicron cases striking much of America has left many hospitals nationwide without the staff necessary to treat patients.

According to a report by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), of 4,294 hospitals in overseas, 975, or 22.7 percent, do not have enough nurses and doctors to meet current patient volume, Fox News reports.

The agency also reports that 79 percent of inpatient beds nationwide are currently occupied, with 21 percent of best being used by Covid patients.

While those figures are not quite crisis level, it means that many facilities do not have the necessary staff to deal with virus surges because of how hard the virus is hitting its staff.

Fearing these kinds of circumstances, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated guidance late last year to allow Covid positive health care workers to return to work more quickly.

Around 23% of U.S. hospitals are currently facing critical staffing shortages as many doctors and nurses are out due to Covid infection. Last month, the CDC revised its guidelines to allow health care professionals in facilities facing shortages to more quickly return to work. Pictured: A man receives treatment for Covid symptoms in a Rexburg, Idaho, hospital on October 28

Currently, a record 140,000 Americans receiving treatment in hospitals every day have Covid, though the figure is inflated by some people who show up for treatment for another condition and test positive while there.

Some U.S. governors have taken action to relieve pressure on their hospitals as the surge in patients continues.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has activated 445 members of the national guard to assist hospitals and food banks in the state, referring to the current Covid situation as a 'war'.

'But I cannot think of a higher calling right now in what is a war and the deadliest war in our lifetime of ensuring that we can increase hospital capacity by using the guard,' he said at a new conference Tuesday.

Massachusetts has also activated 500 members of the national guard to deal with a recent Covid surge, including 300 assigned to help 55 cute care hospitals.

Maine and Ohio have made similar moves, activating National Guard personnel, to deal with surges and overwhelmed hospitals in the state.

Covid cases have sharply risen in recent days, with the average daily case count tripling to 760,000 per day in only two weeks

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency for overwhelmed hospitals this week.

The order, which will be in effect for 30 days, allows hospitals to expand bed capacity and add more staff.

More appointments can now also be performed virtually, to keep additional patients out of the hospital, and there are less regulations of staff hiring and roles.

According to new guidance issued by the CDC in December, a health care who tests positive can return to work as early as possible if they work in a hospital deemed to be a in a 'crisis' situation.

Even in hospitals that are not undergoing a crisis, health care staff that have received their booster shots are allowed to remain at work after Covid exposure.

In a boost to all industries, and a move that may have spurred more spread of Omicron, the CDC moved the standard quarantine time for a Covid infected American down to five days on December 27.

The move came in an effort to prevent staffing shortages in all kinds of industries, especially the airline industry which was hamstrung by Covid outbreaks late last year.

'COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant have increased along with seasonal increases in influenza and other respiratory virus infections,' the agency wrote last month.

'The potential for a large number of cases raises serious concerns about societal impact due to illness, as well as isolation and quarantine requirements.'

While Covid deaths have increased by 10% in recent weeks, CDC chief Dr Rochelle Walensky says the less prevalent Delta variant is responsible for the uptick, not Omicron

While the Omicron Covid variant is very infectious, and is currently responsible for around 760,000 infections every day, it is more mild than previous strains.

Despite a tripling in cases over the past two weeks, deaths have only jumped by ten percent.

That increase may not even be attributable to the new strain, according to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, as she said Wednesday that many of the deaths still occurring from Covid are from the Delta variant - which only makes up two percent of total U.S. cases per the agency's data.
Peers have slammed plans for Britcoin, claiming there is no case for creating a digital currency.

The House of Lords economic affairs committee said the UKs plans for a central bank digital currency (CBDC)  dubbed Britcoin  could present challenges to privacy and financial stability.

The Treasury and the Bank of England have been exploring a digital alternative to physical cash similar to bitcoin, but backed by the pound and supervised by the Bank.

Panned: The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee said the UKs plans for a central bank digital currency  dubbed Britcoin  could present challenges to privacy and financial stability

It would eliminate bank accounts, as all transactions would be recorded on an unchangeable ledger.

Supporters say it would make payments cheaper and quicker, and slash banking costs.

Critics worry it could make mortgages and other loans more expensive.

Witnesses included Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey.

Committee chairman Lord Forsyth said: We found the potential benefits of a digital pound, as set out by the Bank, to be overstated or achievable through less risky alternatives.

The Bank is due to consult on the idea this year and will make a decision based on responses.
An online payments company has become the UKs most successful start-up after being valued at 30billion by international investors.

Based in Fitzrovia, London, Checkout raised 730million in a funding round that makes it worth more than fintech upstart Revolut, which was valued at 24billion last July.

The company was founded a decade ago and processes online payments for websites and customers including Deliveroo, fashion website The Hut Group and furniture seller Heals.

Fortune: Checkout is majority-owned by Swiss national Guillaume Pousaz (pictured) who at 40 years of age has a paper fortune worth 15bn

Checkouts success confirms Londons position as the tech capital of Europe. But the UK has a challenge to keep it in London as the firm has previously hinted that it would list in the US.

Checkout is majority-owned by Swiss national Guillaume Pousaz who at 40 years of age has a paper fortune worth 15billion.

He is a resident of Dubai, where his wife Laure Pousaz and three children live, but spends most nights at a five-star hotel in London.

Checkouts 30billion valuation is more than double what it was worth a year ago.

Those taking part in the latest round include New York investment firm Tiger Global, asset manager Franklin Templeton and Singapores sovereign wealth fund GIC.

Investors appetite for payments companies has been turbocharged by the pandemic as consumers shop online.

Every time a user makes a transaction, Checkout takes a small fee for processing it, as well as a flat fee.

As a result, it is processing billions of dollars every year in more than 150 currencies. Checkout has 1,700 employees globally.
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A memoir by a soldier who served with Adolf Hitler in the First World War sheds light on how Hitler held his extreme views even as a younger man. Above: A photograph of Hitler that was taken during the four-year conflict

A soldier who fought in the trenches with Adolf Hitler was given a chilling warning of the horrors he would later inflict on millions of people.

Hans Mend served with the future Nazi dictator throughout the First World War and, in 1931, penned a memoir in German about his experiences.

Now, I served with Hitler in the Trenches is being released for the first time in English in February by history publishers Pen & Sword.

It reveals how Hitler alienated some of his comrades by airing his far-right opinions during fierce debates between the soldiers whilst they served in France and Belgium.

In one exchange that foretold what was to come, he ranted that, if he were in power, he would 'free the Germanic race of the Jewish parasites'.

In another, the fierce conversation  again about Jews - nearly resulted in a fight breaking out.

After the war, Hitler rose to become dictator of Nazi Germany and his twisted ideology of racial hierarchy resulted in the Holocaust, in which an estimated six million Jewish people were systematically murdered in a network of death camps.

Hitler and Mend served together in the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment - which was also known as the List Regiment after its commander Colonel List - in France and Belgium.

Both men were dispatch runners, meaning they performed the dangerous role of carrying messages between units on the German front.

As part of the List Regiment, Hitler  who reached the rank of corporal - and Mend fought in major skirmishes including the First Battle of Ypres in 1914 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Because he was Austrian, Hitler had needed special permission to serve in the German unit.

In the Battle of the Somme, Hitler was wounded in his left thigh when a shell exploded near the entrance to the dugout used by dispatch runners.

He was sent for nearly two months to recover in hospital and then demanded to be sent back to the Front. After his return, he was temporarily blinded in a mustard gas attack.

Hitler was decorated with both the relatively common Iron Cross Second Class and the more prestigious Iron Cross First Class, which was rarely given to a corporal.

The latter award came after Hitler stumbled into a French trench while delivering a message.

This image, taken in northern France shows Hitler (front, far left) with fellow members of the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment. At least one of the men (back, second from left) appears to be injured

The future Nazi leader pointed his rifle at the French soldiers inside and ordered them to surrender before delivering them as prisoners to his commanding officer.

But Mend's recollections are filled with mention of Hitler's hateful obsession with Jews.

He recalled how, during the Christmas period in 1914, he heard Hitler engaged in a 'verbal battle' with a fellow soldier which led to him airing his views.

Mend said he joined the conversation by jokingly asking the group, which included Hitler, 'Which of you will become Reichschancellor at the next election?'

A comrade immediately replied that 'it will be Hitler, and I will be Finance minister!'

Another soldier then told Mend: 'What that chap Hitler says is rubbish. Whoever thinks chasing Jews from our country would help us?

One of the best-known images of Hitler during his time on the Western Front shows him (middle row, right) with some of his comrades and a pet dog in the French village of Fournes-en-Weppes, in August 1916

Hitler is seen second from right with some of his comrades in Fromelles, northern France

'We must have the Jewish investment; without it, we cannot continue to conduct war and, above all, what does he know of German politics?

'I have been studying for a couple of years and know better. It seems to me better many Jews than one Christian.

'In our party, we have many Jews who look after their work interests better than Christians.'

Mend said that Hitler then retorted: 'Even though I am an Austrian, I know German ways better than you.

'You can preach your red gospel to Jews and Marxists but at least spare us.'

When the argument continued further, Mend said it would 'not have taken much more for a fight to break out'.

Hitler is seen above during his time in Fournes-en-Weppes. Hitler and Mend served together in the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment - which was also known as the List Regiment after its commander Colonel List - in France and Belgium

He added that Hitler then spoke again and 'castigated' Jewish bankers before saying that 'if he were in power,' he would 'free the Germanic race from the Jewish parasites and send these race pollutants and people exploiters to Palestine'.

Mend himself also appeared to share Hitler's racist views, recounting how he told him he was 'right' when the future dictator complained about wealthy Jewish people again.

Later in his book, Mend recalls how a Jewish member of the regiment 'absolutely could not tolerate Hitler'.

But despite this sickening illustration of Hitler's anti-Semitic fascism in the making, Mend also had praise for Hitler.

I served with Hitler in the Trenches, by Hans Mend, is being published Pen & Sword in February

He recalled how there were 'very few men the regiment as resilient and fit as Hitler', adding that 'with unbelievable toughness he endured the greatest strains and never allowed weakness to show'.

Writing of Hitler's actions during a battle in Wytschaete, Belgium, in November 1914, Mend said: 'How he succeeded then, forcing himself through the incessant artillery fire, is still incomprehensible to me today.'

He later added: 'Adolf Hitler had, on this day, achieved amazing things and was one of those decorated after the battle with the Iron Cross, Second Class.'

Mend also referred to him and the future dictator as 'like brothers' who were 'used to each other and accepted the other's little quirks'.

Besides his racism, another incident demonstrates Hitler's chilling nonchalance in the face of horror.

Mend recalls how, after an English plane crashed near them, both pilots presented a 'horrible sight' which he would 'never forget'.

But he said that, of the men who witnessed it 'only Adolf Hitler was uninterested'.

He added: 'I could not understand his strange behaviour, he was, and remained, an exceptional case.'

I served with Hitler in the Trenches, by Hans Mend, is being published Pen & Sword on 28 February.
Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Tuesday that he will run for re-election as the Senate's top Republican leader at the end of the year, thereby ruling out any prospect of a Republican leadership change.

Former President Trump has blasted McConnell in recent months after he blamed Trump for encouraging the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. After voting for a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure program and a proposal to enable Democrats to lift the debt ceiling by themselves with a simple majority vote, McConnell has become a focus of Trump's rage.

Mitch McConnell has no plans to step down

McConnell, who is 80 in February, said on Tuesday that he had no intentions to step down as Senate Republican leader anytime soon. Only a few days ago, Senate Republican Whip John Thune made a similar assertion, McConnell's senior deputy, made the same news, ended months of speculation by announcing his candidacy for a fourth Senate term over the weekend.

Thune will be allowed to continue as the Republican whip for another two years before being forced to resign at the end of 2024 due to the Senate Republican Conference's term-limit regulations for leadership positions. The top executive, on the other hand, is not subject to term limits, as per The Hill.

Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, promised on Tuesday to effectively shut down a "post-nuclear Senate" as Democrats rush to a vote on changing the Senate's 60-vote filibuster in the coming weeks. This isn't the first time McConnell has threatened to filibuster legislation.

When Democrats initially won control of the Senate last year, he made essentially identical remarks and looked ready to advocate for an end to the legislative filibuster. However, these fresh remarks come at a time when Democrats appear to be more committed than ever to eliminating the filibuster.

On Tuesday, McConnell cautioned that the Senate's "authority to establish the agenda," which is currently "exclusively in the hands of the majority," might be taken away by using Senate "Rule XIV," which allows any senator to put a bill on the Senate's calendar.

That remark came after McConnell launched an initial attack on the problem on Monday night when he invoked Rule XIV to put numerous GOP proposals on the agenda. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responded by offering to vote on the bills at a simple-majority threshold if Democrats received simple-majority votes on the elections bills. Schumer had threatened to bring filibuster changes up for a vote next week if Republicans did not vote for Democrats' elections bills, according to Fox News.

Read Also: Anthony Fauci Calls Sen. Roger Marshall a "Moron" Over Public Financial Information During Tense Hearing on COVID-19

McConnell, Collins urge Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to run for Senate

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is being urged to run for Senate by McConnell, Maine Senator Susan Collins, and other Republicans. In recent months, McConnell and Florida Senator Rick Scott, who heads the Republicans' Senate campaign arm, have had many meetings with Hogan about recruiting.

McConnell's deputy Steven Law, who heads a McConnell-aligned super PAC, has also spoken with Hogan. Elaine Chao, McConnell's wife, has also tried to attract Hogan. She previously worked in the Trump and George W. Bush administrations.

Senate Republicans with a more moderate bent have also attempted to do so. Other officials in Washington have provided internal polls or made financial commitments in an attempt to persuade Hogan that, if he ran for Senate, he would have a good chance of winning, as per Newsweek via MSN.

Related Article: Democrats Confronted With Rising Retirements as Kevin McCarthy Anticipates More Than 30 People To Retire Before 2022 Midterm Elections

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Investment manager Charlie Aitken is walking on air after kicking financial goals in spite of his very public marriage break-up, and split with business partner Chris 'CJ' Nasser late last year.

Despite a torrid November and December, Mr Aitken has shared some positive financial news about his company's healthy returns for 2021.

And on Wednesday he looked relaxed and upbeat as he returned shirtless from a swim at Bondi Beach.

Walking along a residential street at North Bondi wearing a snug pair of bue patterned boardshorts, Mr Aitken appeared deep in thought and at one point lifted his arms in a satisfied stretch.

Looking contented after a dip at Bondi Beach, Charlie Aitken lifted his arms in a satisfied stretch as he walked shirtless post-swim along a North Bondi street

Wearing a snug pair of blue patterned boardshorts, Charlie Aitlken released some positive news about his investment fund which ended ahead of teh market for the whole of 2021

Mr Aitken's new relationship with his business partner's wife, Hollie Nasser, and his decision to leave the family home he shared with his wife, Ellie Aitken, and their two children made headlines at the end of 2021.

A wealthy executive and pubs investor, Mr Nasser and his now estranged wife were prominent fixtures in the Aitken's social set in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

However after the affair came to light, Mr Nasser's family pulled a reported $7.5million from Aitken Investments Management (AIM) and major investor Kerry Stokes also sold out.

Charlie Aitken releases very good news for his equity fund in 2022 after a torrid year of public marriage split - and despite new girlfriend Hollie Nasser's husband pulling out $7.5m, he's laughing all the way to the bank

The way it was: As a couple, Chris and Hollie Nasser (above left) became a permanent fixture in the Eastern Suburbs social set with the Aitkens (right) and the Nasser family invested $7.5m in Mr Aitken's company

It's good news for Charlie Aitken (above after a Bondi swim on Wednesday) with his AIM Global High Conviction Fund delivered a return of almost double the market benchmark

Last November, as rumours of Mr Aitken and Hollie Nasser's relationship took off, Mr Nasser stepped off the board of AIM after five years as director and shareholder.

He was replaced by his younger brother, Damien, but that reportedly didn't stop the Nasser family from selling $7.5 million worth of stocks.

Then, Seven Network billionaire Stokes sold his 19.99 per cent stake in Aitken Investment Management.

Ellie Aitken, who was best friends with Hollie Nasser, also ceased her executive role at AIM to take a new position with rival fund manager Pallas Capital, while remaining a director of AIM.

However, even while the turmoil of his private life appeared to be eating into his corporate world, it has now emerged that Mr Aitken's equity AIM Global High Conviction Fund was performing very well.

Sealed with a kiss: Hollie Nasser and Charlie Aitken stepped out together last year after both their marriages to estranged spouses appeared to have come to an end

Along with Chris Nasser pulling out, Ellie Aitken (above with Charlie), while remaining a director ceased her executive role at AIM to take a new position with rival fund manager, Pallas Capital

Mr Aitken has now quietly released news that AIM Global High Conviction Fund delivered a return of 3 per cent after fees in December, compared to a benchmark return of 1.7 per cent, The Australian reported.

That means for the whole of 2021, AIM had a 31.1 per cent return after fees, ahead of a 29.3 per cent benchmark.

Mr Aitken provided a post mortem of the policy response to the COVID-19 global shutdown in a note about the fund's strategy.

'After the Omicron strain of Covid-19 led to heightened volatility towards the end of November, initial data suggests that while this strain is highly transmissible  the severity of symptoms appears to be much lower,' he wrote.

Hollie Nasser (above, late last year) has taken out an AVO against her estranged husband, Chirs Nasser, which he indicated he will strenously defend in court this year

Charlie Aitken went public with his relationship with Hollie Nasser (above) and the pair appeared inj public as a couple loooking happy and relaxed

Holly Nasser (above) was once close friends with Charlie Aitken's wife Ellie, who appears to have drawn a line on her 19-year marriage to the equity fund investor

'As a result, markets have looked through the economic disruption likely to be caused by this new variant, as it seems the public health interventions required to protect populations are likely to be less severe relative to previous variants.'

AIM Global High Conviction Fund has stakes in luxury goods manufacturer LVMH Mote Hennessy, Google owner Alphabet, beauty brand Estee Lauder, and Accenture a Fortune 500 company that specialises in information technology services.

In November, Global High Conviction Fund, delivered a return of 3.9 per cent last month, 0.3 per cent higher than the benchmark return of 3.6 per cent.

The fund returned 57.6 per cent over the course of three years, compared to a benchmark 56.1 per cent.

While Aitken Investment Management has long been regarded by some of its rivals to lag behind, its performance can be compared to funds such as Magellan Financial, one considered a 'rock star' of fund managers.

Hollie Nasser above with estranged husband Chris

While Mr Aitken was going through his marriage collapse, Magellan Financial chairman Hamish Douglass was enduring his own split from wife Alex.

Unfortunately for Mr Douglass, Magellan now lags behind its the benchmark Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) index over every single time period from three months to 10 years.

Last December, Magellan CEO Brett Cairns abruptly walked out of $116 billion Magellan global equities fund.

Just under two weeks later, Magellan endured a $23 billion loss after being dumped by its biggest client sparking its 'worst day ever' and a massive share slump of 33 per cent.

AIM says on its website that it follows a 'quality strategy' with its investment portfolio, which avoids investing in brands with poor balance sheets, high risk companies or 'deeply cyclical businesses'.

Ellie Aitken (above with Charlie earlier in their marriage) holidayed solo with their children, taking off for Aspen, Colorado and away from the intense scrutiny after their split

Mr Nasser is estimated to have made an additional $150,00 over the life of his investment worth $10 million in AIM.

Mr Nasser has been focusing on his children and has gone out of his way to avoid speaking of the relationship breakdown.

He is being supported by his close friends, many of whom are said to be 'horrified with the nature of what's gone on'.

Chris Nasser (above with estranged wife Hollie) is estimated to have made an additional $150,00 over the life of his investment worth $10 million in AIM

Ellie Aitkens opted to spend the Christmas season on the ski fields of Aspen in Colorado with the two children she shares with Charlie.

She flew out of Sydney on December 15 for a quiet break to avoid the intense limelight of the public fallout of her 19 year marriage.

'The truth is that despite the support of friends and family I have not coped well with the deeply hurtful lies, gossip and innuendo that has surrounded the breakdown of my relationship,' she said in a statement released on her departure.

She announced she would be 'taking a break from social media' and public view while she and her family adjust to the separation and her estranged husband's new relationship.

'I had attempted to put on a brave face and tried to manage my feelings and wellbeing despite the fact that I have not had any control over the reasons for my sorrow.'
A young woman who was crushed to death by a car in her driveway has been remembered for her vibrant smile and passion for helping others.

Breanna Jones, 22, was spending time with her sister at her Happy Valley home, in Adelaide's south, on January 6 when she realised her boyfriend was on his way back to the property.

She went outside to move her sister's car to make room for his vehicle, but during the process the parked Holden SUV rolled back and fatally struck her.

It is believed Ms Jones exited the car, which had an electronic handbrake, without realising it had not been engaged.

Tributes have since poured in on social media for Ms Jones as devastated friends and love ones remember the 'selfless' young woman whose life was taken too soon.

Breanna Jones, 22, (pictured) was tragically killed on January 6 after being struck by a car in the driveway of her Adelaide home

Her father Daniel Jones said his daughter, who worked as a bakery manager for Woolworths, had a kind heart and 'was always thinking about others'.

'She had all the time in the world for other people,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'Quite often she would get home a few hours late from work and you would find out it was because one of her co-workers was having a hard time, so she had stayed to chat with them.

'Her passion for other people, it was never too much. I know people say that a lot about their loved ones - but that was who she was.'

Mr Jones said his daughter, the second eldest of four girls, was cheeky and had a 'fantastic dry sense of humour'.

Despite suffering from several neurological conditions which left her living in pain, she 'never complained' and was always the 'happiest, bubbliest' person in the room.

She had a 'love for life' and the 'biggest smile', never letting on to others about her personal struggles even though her quality of life was diminishing.

Mr Jones said the family still don't know what happened but find some solace in the fact that she is no longer suffering.

'What we do know is that she went out to move the car, so her boyfriend could get into his usual park. He spoke to her on the phone - he got back two to three minutes later.

Daniel Jones said his daughter (pictured together) was the 'happiest, bubbliest person'

Jerilderie Drive, in Happy Valley (pictured) sits on a hillside, and is filled with long, steep driveways

'When he arrived, he found her. She was gone already.'

'We've been told by the coroner's office her death would have been quick. I am just glad it was.'

Those who had the privilege of meeting Ms Jones will always cherish her caring nature and ability to brighten any room.

'There are no words to describe how much you meant to everyone. Breanna you were such a joy to be around and you were so special to me and all that knew you,' one friend wrote on Facebook.

'Ill miss your smile, your laugh, your cheeky sense of humour and your awesome hugs. You were one of the nicest people I know.

'You really did lighten up every room you were in. You will be missed.'

Ms Jones has been remembered for her 'beautiful soul' and caring nature towards everyone who knew her

'Precious Breanna, you were so generous with your love and joy! Your smile was so contagious - and you made everyone who knew you feel loved,' another friend said.

'You will be so deeply missed by us all!'

Family friend Brad Richmond has set up a GoFundMe page to help support Ms Jones grieving family to cover unanticipated costs associated with funeral and memorial services.

Since being launched on Tuesday, the fundraiser so far reached $8,188 of its $20,000 goal as the community rallies behind the family.

Mr Jones said the family has been overwhelmed by the support of friends who have reached out during this devastating time.

'People say "I don't know what to do, all I can do is give my condolences"

'But it does help.

'It means the world that people care.'
A man who rushed to the scene of Sunday's deadly Bronx fire to help EMS take people to the hospital later learned that his brother and sister-in-law died in the tragedy, leaving behind four children who still don't know their parents are dead.

Yusupha Jawara got to the Twin Parks North West building after a space heater in a third-floor unit caught fire, sending black smoke rushing up through the building's staircase. The smoke killed 17 people, including eight children.

At St. Barnabas Hospital, Jawara said a man in a gurney looked familiar.

'I was just helping the EMS transport one person to the hospital when I saw him - somebody similar like him - on a stretcher being brought to the ER,' Jawara said Tuesday as his family began making funeral plans for their loved ones.

'At that time, I didn't have the focus to know that it was him.'

He has since learned that his brother Hagi Jawara, 47, and his sister-in-law Isatou Jabbie, 31, were two of the 17 people who died of smoke inhalation on Sunday.

They leave behind four children, ages six to 15, who are visiting relatives in The Gambia and still don't know their parents perished.

'Right now, we are trying to get the bodies and arrange the funerals and how to break the news to [the children],' Jawara told the New York Post. 'Then, as a family, we will sit down together and figure out what will happen next.'

Hagi Jawara, 47, and Isatou Jabbie, 31, were confirmed dead Monday. The couple leave behind four children, ages six to 15, who are visiting relatives in The Gambia

Yusupha Jawara, Hagi's brother, lives near the site of Sunday's fire and rushed to the building

Jawara was helping EMS transport people. Above, first responders at the scene on Sunday

Yusupha saw a man that looked like his now-deceased brother St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx (above), but he didn't get confirmation of his brother's death until Monday night

After a deadly blaze broke out at a Bronx apartment building, Jawara, who lives nearby, rushed to the scene and helped transport people to the hospital. But as Sunday wore on, his concern about his family grew.

His brother Hagi did not answer the phone. Neither did his sister-in-law.

Then he thought back to that brief glance of the man whose hair and partially masked face looked so much like his brother. It couldn't be, he thought.

Surely, his brother would have been safe on the 18th floor, far from the fire that started 15 stories below.

But Jawara's brother and sister-in-law were among the 17 people who died as they tried to flee through the smoke-filled stairwell of the 19-story tower.

The victims of the city's deadliest fire in more than three decades included eight children, three of them from one family. All of them died of smoke inhalation, according to the medical examiner.

The fire at the 19-story tower at 333 E 181st Street in the Bronx on Sunday began with a malfunctioning electric space heater, authorities say

The Sunday morning fire killed 17 people, including eight children, who died of smoke inhalation

On Monday, Jawara stood outside the Masjid Ar-Raham mosque on Webster Avenue, where many of the building's residents worship, hoping to learn more information about his relatives. He said he had been to the hospital and called 311 almost a dozen times to no avail.

'We want to know who is alive and who is dead,' Jawara said, according to the New York Daily News. 'That is all we want to know.'

Video obtained by a Daily News reporter and published on Twitter shows Jawara distraught as he awaited information about his family.

He had an answer by nightfall.

'They both passed away,' he said Monday night. 'It's God's will. We have to take it in faith and pray for them.'

Jawara's brother fled to the United States in the 1990s as a refugee during the civil war in his homeland of Sierra Leone. He later married a Gambian woman, whose family had settled in the Bronx.

'Their neighbors on the higher floors never came out and they were safe, so I thought that maybe my brother also was safe in the apartment,' he said.

But when a cellphone belonging to his sister-in-law was found on the street, he knew something was amiss.

'My brother worked two jobs, one as a construction worker and the other in a fried chicken place, Yusupha Jawara told the Daily News. 'His wife was a home health aide. They were good hard-working people.'

They leave behind four children: Two daughters, ages 14 and 11, and two sons, ages 4 and 7.

Fire officials say a malfunctioning electric space heater started the blaze, which damaged only a small part of the building. But smoke engulfed the complex after tenants fleeing the unit where the flames began left the apartment door open behind them in their hurry to escape.

Hagi Jawara had previously complained about the heating in the unit, his brother Yusupha told the New York Post.

Hagi 'said the heat was not normal, its cold,' Jawara recalled. 'He said the heaters were not working properly.'

A relief fund for victims, set up by New York City, is accepting donations. Another fund, started by the Gambian Youth Organization, has raised $939,000 on GoFundMe.

Yesbely Fernandez, who lived on the 17th floor of 333 East 181st Street, captured video as she and her loved ones fled the building after a fire broke out on the third floor, causing the apartment complex to fill with smoke

Fernandez continues videotaping as they walk through the blackened hallways of the building. They are seen carrying flashlights as the hallway is dark

Workers in protective clothing sweep outside the building on Tuesday

Spring-loaded hinges that were supposed to shut the door automatically did not work. A second door also left open in a stairwell higher up acted as a flue, sucking smoke upward.

A fire in the mid-1980s in the same apartment building produced heavy smoke that rose from floor to floor, but everyone survived because they knew to stay in their homes, fire officials said in a training publication.

In the 1986 fire, smoke from burning garbage traveled through a trash compactor shaft and spread across the building, but it did not produce the deadly results of the recent fire because residents mostly stayed put until the fire was out, according to a fire official who wrote about the blaze in the training publication called With New York Firefighters, or WNYF.

People who did try to flee were new to the building and unfamiliar with high-rise safety procedures, the official wrote. One woman tried escaping down a stairwell with her 6-month old baby, then got confused as she retreated back toward her apartment and was found sitting on a hallway floor, clutching her child, the publication said.

At the time of the 1986 blaze, the fire official wrote, automatic fire sprinklers in the trash compactor shaft and compactor room had been turned off. A self-closing door to the compactor closet on one floor had been wedged open and the door to a stairway on another floor had been left open to increase air flow.

The 'combined effect of bypassing these safety devices contributed to the severity of the subsequent fire,' Deputy Chief James Murtagh wrote in the publication.

The deputy chief blamed 'ignorance, carelessness or lack of understanding, with disastrous results.'

At the time, according to the publication, each apartment was equipped with fire-protected, self-closing doors and a smoke detector.

The fire at Twin Parks North West complex in the Bronx broke out in Unit 3N, where the nine-person Wague family resided. Their residence is pictured Monday, covered in ash and debris

The Wague family's apartment is seen completely destroyed. Father Mamadou Wague said the blaze left his eight-year-old daughter trapped in her bedroom on a mattress engulfed in flames. He pulled his daughter out of the flames and managed to escape

Fire experts found several faulty self-closing doors in a Bronx apartment complex where a fire left 17 dead on Sunday. Investigators also believe the building's older fire safety measures contributed to the spread of the fire

Sunday's blaze originated in a third-floor apartment, sparked by a faulty space heater that is now the subject of an investigation by federal safety regulators at the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Photographs taken by DailyMail.com Monday of the complex's interior showed the skeleton structure that remains of the unit where the blaze erupted. The residence, which once housed a family of nine, was heavily damaged, with a window blown out, and covered in ash and debris.

Mamadou Wague, who lived in the third-floor duplex apartment with his wife and eight children, said the doors in his unit - which are designed to close automatically - get stuck if pushed open too far.

'When you push the door all the way to the edge, it didn't close by itself,' the West African immigrant father-of-eight told the Post.

A resident looks out the window of the Bronx building on Tuesday

'I actually thought later that the door had shut, but the fire department people told me it had stayed open.'

City inspectors had previously cited the complex six times for failing to maintain the building's self-closing doors.

Management was issued the door-related citations between 2013 and 2019, the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) records obtained by the New York Post revealed.

A spokesperson for the owners told DailyMail.com the building currently has no open door-related complaints or violations.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the apartment'ss front door and a door on the 15th floor should have been self-closing and blunted the spread of smoke, but the doors stayed fully open. It was not clear if the doors failed mechanically or if they had been manually disabled.

The deaths over the weekend spread anguish through a mostly immigrant community in the Bronx.

Authorities have yet to release the names of the victims, even though the medical examiner's office has begun releasing some of the dead to funeral homes.

At least a dozen of those who perished worshipped at the Masjid-Ur-Rahmah mosque, where imam Musa Kabba has been helping the community grieve.

'Things have been very slow, but we have to be patient,' the imam said.

Haji Dukuray, of Delaware, confirmed Monday the deaths of his 49-year-old nephew, who bares the same name, his wife, Haja Dukureh, 37, and their three children: Mustapha Dukuray, 12, Miriam Dukuray, 11, and Fatoumata Dukuray, 5.

Dukuray told New York Daily News is in contact with family in The Gambia and working to determine next steps: 'The first step of closure for us is trying to retrieve the bodies.'

Fatoumata Drammeh (pictured), 50, was killed in the fire, her sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, who said that she and her family were 'such lovely people'

Fatoumata's 12-year-old son Muhammad was the youngest member of the family to lose his life in the Bronx apartment building fire

'In some cases we will bury the dead here. In some cases, we may fly them back to The Gambia,' he added.

The uncle told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the children's parents did not survive.

'This is a very close-knit community. We are predominantly from one town in The Gambia called Alunghare, so we are all family,' said Dukuray, who drove to the Bronx from his home in Delaware on Monday. 'Most of the people here, we are all related in one way or the other.'

Because many people in the building were also members of the same congregation, 'it's like one big family.'

'We just want to have the deceased and place them in their final resting place,' Dukuray said.

Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, was also killed in the fire, her grieving sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, as well as her three children: daughters Fatoumala, 21, and Aisha, 19, as well as son Mohammed, 12.

'They're such a nice people, they're so lovely,' said Koumba Drammeh of her sister, nieces and nephews. 'We're gonna miss them a lot.'

Sera Janneh's father told DailyMail on Tuesday that the late 27-year-old (pictured) was very caring

Tijan Janneh, 64, told DailyMail.com about the terrifying moment he ventured outside apartment 6C apartment and lost sight of his 27-year-old daughter Sera Janneh.

In the aftermath of the fire, Tijan and his heartbroken wife called hospitals trying to locate Sera, who had been rushed to receive medical care in critical condition amid the chaos.

Twenty-four hours later, the Janneh family learned about Sera's death.

'She was a nice woman. She was very caring, helping - she listened to us,' the distraught father-of-seven said of his daughter, who is among 17 people killed in the blaze. More than 50 other people were injured.

'When the fire broke [out], I'm the one who opened the door to the alarm sounding,' he explained. 'It was 10 minutes to 11 in the morning...I [saw] the smoke. Then I called everybody [to come outside]. She was telling me ''Maybe we can stay,'' but we [saw] people coming down and I said ''Let's go. We are all going.'''

Tijan, his wife and five of his children who still live with them managed to get to the fourth floor but were sent back in by firefighters who were trying to control the flames and dissipate the smoke in the hallways in order to ensure a safe evacuation.

'The smoke was coming, heavy. We tried to turn back to walk. All the lights [were] off in the building,' Tijan said.

Tijan said he and his family left the apartment thinking they would have a better chance to escape the flames.

'We had no idea. When we opened the door, we saw everybody on the floor. So everyone was trying to get [out], so we also decided to get [out].'
A fibula bone found in an SUV pulled from the Ohio River is from a woman who disappeared with her two kids in 2002 after leaving a suicide note saying she was going to 'drive into the river.'

Dearborn County Coroner Cameron McCreary learned Friday that the bone was confirmed to belong to Stephanie Van Nguyen, who was 26 when she disappeared with her daughter Kristina, 4, and her son John, 3, Indiana State Police said.

The children are still not accounted for. They will remain listed as missing unless they're found or the family files to have them declared legally dead after 19 years.

Nguyen was last seen on April 19, 2002, by a police officer who gave her a ticket for a minor traffic infraction. She had left a note for her parents along with a large amount of money and jewelry, instructing them to use it to pay for funeral costs.

The 1997 Nissan Pathfinder was found submerged in the river near Aurora in Southeastern Indiana in October 2021 after police reopened the case. A search of the SUV led to the discovery of one bone, believed to be from a human.

A bone belonging to Stephanie Van Nguyen, 26, was found in an SUV submerged in the Ohio River near Aurora, Indiana in October, authorities have now confirmed

Nguyen had disappeared with her two young children, Kristina, 4, and John, 3, back in 2002. She had left a suicide note along with money and jewelry that said she was goin to drive into the river

Nguyen's 1997 Nissan Pathfinder was found in the Ohio River in October after Delhi Township patrol Officer Heather Taylor asked to take another look at the case

Nguyen, who was from Delhi Township in Southwestern Ohio, left a note in April 2002 saying she was going to 'drive into the Ohio River,' but her vehicle was not located at the time, police said.

The fibula bone was taken by Krista Latham and her team from the University of Indianapolis Anthropology Division for analysis by her lab before being transferred to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Laboratory for further analysis.

Investigators were able to obtain mitochondrial DNA from the bone that allowed them to identify it as belonging to Van Nguyen, McCreary said in a statement.

He said that no other human remains were found inside the SUV.

Nguyen's children will remain listed as an open missing persons case unless remains are located or if the families file for court proceedings to have them declared legally dead.

'I am happy we were able to finally give Ms. Nguyen's family some closure in this almost two-decade-long search for their loved one,' McCreary said.

This October 2021 photo released by Indiana State Police shows authorities working on the river during the recovery of the SUV near Aurora, Indiana

'Windows were broken. The roof was almost completely gone, and the car was in really bad shape,' said Delhi Township police Lt. Joe Macaluso

After police in Delhi Township reopened the missing persons case last year, divers discovered the SUV with the use of side sonar scan technology in an area more than 50 feet below the Ohio River's surface and about 300 feet from the riverbank.

The last person to see Nguyen alive was a police officer in Rising Sun, Indiana - a city right on the border of the Ohio River. He stopped her at around 1:30 a.m. on April 19, 2002, for a minor traffic violation, according to Cincinnati station WLWT.

Nguyen and her children were not reported missing until days later.

Along with a note to her parents, Nguyen left a large mount of money and jewelry.

The note said, 'Use this money and jewelry to pay for the funeral for me and the children,' and 'I'm going to drive into the Ohio River down by Grand Victoria,' according to retired Delhi Township Sgt. Bob Schwaeble, who was assigned the case in 2002.

Along with her suicide note to her parents, Nguyen left a large mount of money and jewelry and told them to use the money 'to pay for the funeral for me and the children'

'There was always the theory of - was this somebody who just wanted to leave the family and make the illusion that she was going to harm herself and the children? Or was it just that, that she did that,' Delhi Township Police Lt. Joe Macaluso told WLWT.

The case was dormant for a while until Delhi Township Patrol Officer Heather Taylor asked if she could take a look at it.

'Side sonar scanning is much more advanced than it was. We dove on some cars and dove on some objects to determine whether, in fact, it was our target vehicle, and yesterday we were successful,' Macaluso said back in October when the SUV was found.

'Windows were broken. The roof was almost completely gone, and the car was in really bad shape,' he added.

Coroner McCreary said that once the weather improves, authorities plan to make another dive in the Ohio River to search for additional human remains.
The stepmom of missing seven-year-old Harmony Montgomery has been hit with new charges for allegedly lying to authorities about the little girl's whereabouts to claim food stamps.

Kayla Montgomery, 31, allegedly obtained $1,500 in food stamps from December 2019 to June 2021 for Harmony - despite the fact the youngster vanished in 2019 at age 5. Harmony was not reported as missing until late last year.

Prosecutors dropped one welfare fraud charge against Kayla but filed three new ones. The new theft charge still alleges that she accepted the food stamp benefits for Harmony; it was filed under a different statute.

The change was being made based on updated records about the benefits provided by the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Adam Montgomery, 31, father of missing Harmony Montgomery, and his wife, Kayla Montgomery, 31, face multiple charges after daughter Harmony, who vanished in 2019, was reported missing late last year

Police in Manchester, New Hampshire have been searching for seven-year-old Harmony Montgomery, who is blind in one eye, after learning she hasn't been seen since 2019

The new charges include theft and two 'prohibited acts' misdemeanors. They were filed under a public welfare statute, alleging that Kayla Montgomery made intentional false statements that Harmony was in her household to claim the benefits in February and March of 2021.

Kayla Montgomery is scheduled for arraignment Thursday on the new charges.

Last week, Kayla Montgomery's lawyer asked that she be released from jail. The judge agreed to the prosecution's request for $5,000 bail.

On Monday, her lawyer filed a motion asking for bail reconsideration after being informed by prosecutors that the welfare fraud charge, a felony, 'is unfounded, although a lesser charge or charges may be warranted.'

Prosecutors responded that after a review of Kayla Montgomery's file and consultation with Health Department employees, it anticipated filing a theft charge - also a felony - and eight misdemeanor charges.

By the end of the day, the theft charge, plus two misdemeanors were filed.

The bail should remain the same, the motion said.

Prosecutors said they contacted her lawyer about the anticipated new charges, but it was before that conversation that the defense filed its bail reconsideration motion on the welfare charge.

A Manchester Police officer fly a drone for an extended period of time over Harmony's last known location

This aerial photo shows police searching the backyard of a house in Gilford Street, Mancheste, on Sunday as part of an investigation into the disappearance of seven-year-old Harmony Montgomery

Manchester police are seen exiting the Manchester home where Harmony lived with a large brown paper evidence bag from the scene

In an interview with police on New Year's Eve, Kayla - who shares three children with her husband, ages 4, 2 and 1 - said she last saw Harmony in November or December 2019.

She said her husband was driving Harmony to the child's mother in Massachusetts. She said she believed Harmony had been returned to the mother and never saw or heard about Harmony after that day, according to the police document.

Kayla Montgomery also told police she hadn't seen Adam since October and had not spoken to him since November.

Adam Montgomery, 31, was charged last week with several counts, including failing to have Harmony in his custody. He pleaded not guilty and has been jailed without bail.

On Saturday, authorities were seen searching Harmony's last known residence in Manchester, state Attorney General John M. Formella, Hillsborough County Attorney John Coughlin and Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenber said.

Details were not released but two men were seen leaving the home with a large piece of equipment used to detect and map out areas underground and find voids beneath concrete, Patch.com reported.

Manchester Police officers flew a drone for an extended period of time over the property, and later flew a second time.

They were also seen exiting the home with a large brown paper evidence bag from the scene. The current homeowner is cooperating with authorities but not involved with the case.

'Due to the ongoing investigation, no additional information will be released at this time,' New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said in a statement. 'Officials ask the public to respect the privacy of the current residents  and to stay off of their property as the investigation continues.'

Crystal Sorey (picture) last saw her daughter Harmony during FaceTime call in 2019

A 'Bring Harmony Home' poster was seen at a candlelight vigil held for the seven-year-old on Saturday

Crystal Sorey, the mother of Harmony Montgomery, held a candlelight vigil in Manchester near the residence where she was last seen alive as friends and family gathered and prayed for the girl's safe return.

Sorey explained that she lost custody of Harmony in July 2018 because she was a drug addict, and she said that Montgomery also had struggled with substance abuse problems.

She claims she has repeatedly tried to track her little girl down since then but in court filings obtained by DailyMail.com the Manchester Police Department said it was not contacted until November 18 of last year.

Despite no leads in the search for Harmony, Sorey said she still believes her daughter is safe.

'I don't feel like she's gone. I just don't feel that in my heart,' Sorey told NBC Boston. 'Like, I don't feel like I lost her. And a mother knows, a mother knows if your baby's here or not. I know she's here.'

Police are still requesting help from the public in locating Harmony.

Anyone with information can call 603-203-6060.

Manchester police have also said a reward for information that helps find Harmony has also grown to $94,000. Harmony's great-uncle has also started a fundraising effort.
Supreme Court justices have refused to hear the appeal of a US-born ISIS bride who was stripped of her passport after traveling to Syria, marrying three jihadis and calling for Memorial Day terror attacks.

The justices declined without comment on Monday to consider the appeal of Hoda Muthana, 27, who was born in New Jersey in October 1994 to a diplomat from Yemen and grew up in Alabama near Birmingham. She claims to be remorseful, and has begged to be allowed back into the US.

Muthana left the U.S. to join the Islamic State in 2014, apparently after becoming radicalized online.

While she was overseas the government determined she was not a U.S. citizen and revoked her passport, citing her father's status as a Yemeni diplomat at the time of her birth. Her family sued to enable her return to the United States.

A federal judge previously ruled in 2019 that the U.S. government correctly determined Muthana wasn't a U.S. citizen despite her birth in the country. Children of diplomats aren't entitled to birthright citizenship. The familys lawyers appealed, arguing that her father's status as a diplomat assigned to the U.N. had ended before her birth, making her automatically a citizen.

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of Hoda Muthana, 27, who left her family's home in Alabama to join the Islamic State terror group, but then decided she wanted to return to the United States. Muthana, who was born in New Jersey in 1994 and grew up in Alabama.

This photo of female jihadis waving the ISIS flag was found on a now-deactivated Twitter account which reportedly belonged to Muthana

The United States Supreme Court rejected Muthana's appeal on Monday, not making any comments on why they declined it

Muthana surrendered to U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces as Islamic State fighters were losing the last of their self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria and going to refugee camps.

Since then Muthana has said that she has regretted her decision to join the group, when she left the US at 19-years-old and headed to Raqqa in Syria via Turkey, where she would first marry an Australian jihadist and then a Tunisian man.

Both died fighting for ISIS, and she secretly married a Syrian, The Guardian reveals.

During her time as a jihadi bride in ISIS's then-capital Raqqa in Syria, Muthana would use social media as a tactic to spread hatred against non-Muslims and call for terror attacks in the US.

In a 2015 tweet, she celebrated the burning of her U.S. passport online and made posts with statements like 'Spill all (the Americans') blood.'

'Go on drive-bys and spill all of their blood, or rent a big truck and drive all over them. Veterans, Patriot, Memorial etc Day parades..go on drive by's + spill all of their blood or rent a big truck n drive all over them. Kill them.'

However, the young mother-of-one now wants to return to her country of birth with her child, Adam, who muis the son of Muthana's second husband.

Muthana is pictured with her son, Adam, who is believed to be around two-years-old, in an undated picture

In a picture from 2019, Muthana holds her 18-month-old son Adam in-front of one of the administration buildings of the al-Hawl IDP camp where ISIS suspected families, who fled heavy fighting in the city of Baghuz are kept

Muthana was born to Yemeni diplomats in New Jersey in 1994 and grew up in her family's home in Hoover, Alabama (pictured), until 2014 when she left for Syria, after being radicalized online

For now, she is believed to be in the tent-city that is al-Hol - also known as al-Hawl - a refugee camp in northern Syria some 200 miles away from ISIS's 'last front' near the village of Baghouz by the Iraqi border.

Speaking to The Guardian in 2019, the ex-jihadi claims she 'deeply regrets' leaving the US, and that she believed she was doing what was right according to Islam.

'I thought I was doing things correctly for the sake of God,' adding that she now believes she 'misunderstood' her faith.

'I was really young and ignorant and I was 19 when I decided to leave.'

At the time when she left, her family pleaded with her to come home and in an interview with BuzzFeed, her father said she had been 'brainwashed'.

The 24-year-old former University of Alabama student says she is worried about her son's future, and begged the US and her family for forgiveness at the time.

'I believe that America gives second chances. I want to return and I'll never come back to the Middle East. America can take my passport and I wouldn't mind.'

The decision to revoke her passport was made under former President Barack Obama. The case gained widespread attention as former President Donald Trump tweeted about it, saying he had directed the secretary of state not to allow her back into the country.

Like Muthana, Shemima Begum, 22, is pleading with UK authorities to let her return to her home country as she fears for her son's future, but was denied

Another western ISIS bride living in the camp is 19-year-old Shamima Begum, who was just 15 when she and two classmates Kadiza Sultana and Amira Abase travelled from London's Bethnal Green to Syria in February 2015.

Begum, like Muthana, is pleading with authorities to be allowed to return to her home country as she fears for the future of her son. However, like the US, the UK has denied her entry and stripped her from her citizenship in 2019.

Begum was born in the UK, but government ministers there decreed that she was also eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship, and revoked her British passport on that basis.
Eyes wide, paws draped over the side of their pen, these sixteen cute puppies gleefully peered out at the world as they enjoyed celebrity status as the largest litter in Guide Dogs history.

The German Shepherd-Golden Retriever mix litter of puppies were sired by the charity's most prolific stud, Trigger, a six-year-old Golden Retriever who now has fathered 239 dogs.

The average litter size for dogs across all breeds in the UK is five to six, while for a German Shepherd it is eight.

Golden Retriever-German Shepherd puppies, from a litter of 16, attend a health check-up at the Guide Dogs National Centre in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

The puppies enjoyed the outdoors after their mother set record for the charity's largest ever litter

Before the puppies go to their individual homes with puppy raisers they had a health check

Matthew Bottomley, head of breeding at sight loss charity Guide Dogs UK, said: 'A litter of sixteen is incredibly unusual, but such a gift.

'The pandemic has had a detrimental impact on our charity's breeding programme and how many litters we can have, so these puppies are even more treasured.

'Our staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly to ensure all the puppies have thrived and they are now ready to start their journeys to becoming life-changing guide dogs for people with sight loss.'

They are a litter of crossbreed puppies as their mother is a German Shepherd and their father a Golden Retriever

Dog Care and Welfare staff at the Guide Dogs National Centre in Leamington Spa with the adorable puppies

Some of the puppies had dark fur (left). Meanwhile, some of their siblings had hints of their Golden Retriever ancestry (right)

The charity said it hoped these crossbreed puppies will have the loyalty and drive of the German Shepherd, as well as the friendliness and confidence of the Golden Retriever.

While it was Trigger's 28th litter, it was the first for the puppies' mother, a three-year-old German Shepherd called Unity.

Guide Dogs said it runs the 'biggest, most ethical breeding programme of working dogs in the world'.

The puppies cosy up to their mother, a three-year-old German Shephered called Unity

This was the first litter Unity has had, although it is the 28th litter of their father, which is Guide Dogs UK's most prolific stud

The sight loss charity tests the health of its breeding dogs, which live with volunteers to give the puppies the best start in a home environment.

All puppies to go the Guide Dogs National Centre near Leamington Spa for one week before being individually placed with volunteer puppy raisers across the UK.

The charity helps millions with sight loss in Britain, such as Nathan Foy, 41, from Cardiff.

Mr Foy suffers from sight loss owing to congenital glaucoma and said Guide Dogs UK 'saved' him.

Pictured: Nathan Foy, 41, with his dog Mason. Mr Foy suffers from sight loss because of congenital glaucoma

Mr Foy said Guide Dogs UK 'saved' his life and said his dog Mason reassures him if he has hallucinations becuase of his condition

He also has Charles Bonnet syndrome, which causes him to have intense visual hallucinations, usually related to things he touches or hears.

The hallucinations can be simple patterns but in many cases are complex images including events, people, places or animals.

Mr Foy said his guide dog Mason kept him safe and able to realise his visions were not real.

He said: 'Living with Charles Bonnet has been really difficult.

'Not many people I speak to have heard of it before, and assume hallucinations are a sign of a mental health problem, rather than linked to sight loss like in my case.

'At one point I was slipping into depression and the hallucinations were making things worse.

'Speaking to Guide Dogs saved me.'
A man wielding an axe pursued and rammed another driver in a terrifying road rage attack that led to the break-up of the Loyal Crims gang, wanted over a series of alleged violent crimes.

The frenzied, shirtless driver of a silver two-door hatchback is shown pursuing a Mercedes, whose driver recorded the incident on a dashcam last August near Ewingsdale at Byron Bay.

The attacker, who was later sent to jail for two years, is shown gesturing wildly and waving a hatchet before ramming the Mercedes twice.

Initially, the attacker is shown speeding up behind the Mercedes, then stopping in the middle of the three-line M1 as he tries to run the driver off the road.

'Oh, he's got an axe dude!' says one man to another inside the Mercedes being chased on the dash cam video.

The car being pursued edges around the attacker's car before screeching into a U-turn and speeding off in the opposite direction.

But the silver hatchback quickly follows, and its driver rams the back of the Mercedes, twice.

'Ohhhh. Keep driving! 'Holy f***,' one shouts as the hatchback slams into their rear for the first time.

The shaken occupants are heard agreeing it was best to head to the Byron Bay police station to report the incident.

After the second time the attacker rams the Mercedes, his vehicle is shown spinning out of control, and with significant damage.

The attacker then speeds off in a different direction.

Social media users were quick to applaud the driver of the Mercedes after footage of the situation went viral online.

'Glad the rager received a two-year sentence. And good on these lads for remaining calm,' wrote one commenter.

'How were you guys so calm. Honestly I would have crumbled the second he hit my car. Awesome job lads, glad youre OK,' shared another.

'That was intense. And you got it all on camera, thanks for that. This is like an assassination attempt like movie car chases.'

A man wielding an axe pursued and rammed another driver in a terrifying road rage attack near Byron Bay that led to police breaking up a notorious gang

New South Wales Police arrested a 47-year-old man over the incident the same day and later announced his arrest was part of a major investigations into the Loyal Crims gang in Northern NSW.

Strike Force Raptor and the State Crime Commands Robbery and Serious Crime Squad joined forces on the investigation, leading to five arrests over a series of serious assaults, drug supply and possession, firearm supply and use, armed robbery and vehicle theft.

The car which pursued and rammed the Mercedes is shown badly damaged after ramming it a second time

The driver demands the Mercedes pull over when he stops in front of it on the M1 near Byron

'Following extensive investigations, several ongoing cases from both the Richmond and Tweed/Byron Police Districts merged under the same Strike Force [Bench] banner to investigate the criminal group Loyal Crims' a NSW Police statement said.

'A 47-year-old man was convicted after he pursued two men in a vehicle southbound on the M1 Motorway at Ewingsdale, near Byron Bay, in August 2021 before threatening the other driver with an axe and ramming his car several times,' a NSW Police statement read.

'The South Grafton man pled guilty to predatory driving, and being armed with intent to commit indictable offence among other offences; he was sentenced to two years imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 10 months.'

NSW Police also confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the road rage attacker was driving an unregistered, uninsured vehicle and was 'a member or associate' of the Loyal Crims organised criminal group.

'We will allege in court this network was operating across Northern NSW and committing serious offences which put the public in danger.''
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The grieving father of a woman killed in the Bronx apartment fire on Sunday recounted the moment he was separated from his daughter while his wife and other children struggled to escape the smoke.

Tijan Janneh, 64, told DailyMail.com about the terrifying moment he ventured outside the 6C apartment of the Twin Park North West complex and lost sight of his 27-year-old daughter Sera Janneh.

In the aftermath of the fire, Tijan and his heartbroken wife called hospitals trying to locate Sera, who had been rushed to receive medical care in critical condition amid the chaos. Twenty-four hours later, the Janneh family learned about Sera's death.

'She was a nice woman. She was very caring, helping - she listened to us,' the distraught father-of-seven said of his daughter, who is among 17 people killed in the blaze. More than 50 other people were injured.

'When the fire broke [out], I'm the one who opened the door to the alarm sounding,' he explained. 'It was 10 minutes to 11 in the morning...I [saw] the smoke. Then I called everybody [to come outside]. She was telling me ''Maybe we can stay,'' but we [saw] people coming down and I said ''Let's go. We are all going.'''

Tijan, his wife and five of his children who still live with them managed to get to the fourth floor but were sent back in by firefighters who were trying to control the flames and dissipate the smoke in the hallways in order to ensure a safe evacuation.

'The smoke was coming, heavy. We tried to turn back to walk. All the lights [were] off in the building,' Tijan said.

Tijan said he and his family left the apartment thinking they would have a better chance to escape the flames.

'We had no idea. When we opened the door, we saw everybody on the floor. So everyone was trying to get [out], so we also decided to get [out].'

Sera Janneh's father told DailyMail on Tuesday that the late 27-year-old (pictured) was very caring

Tijan Janneh, 64 (pictured), confirmed the death of his 27-year-old daughter Sera Janneh to Dailymail.com

Firefighters told Tijan and other people in the hallways to return to their apartments until the smoke was controlled and they could leave the building safely, he said.

'I was crawling - to go up - because I could not see nothing. When [I saw] the fire department... somebody pushed me and said ''go go,''' he recalled.

What followed were unimaginable moments of anguish. His wife and some of his children did not make it back to the apartment but were eventually evacuated by firefighters.

He sheltered inside his apartment with some of his children and waited for instructions from the fire crew.

His door was closed this time so the smoke wouldn't get inside, Tijan said. Forty-five minutes later, they were told it was safe to leave.

'The fire department came, banged on the door and I said ''Where [are they]?'' And they said ''They're all out. They're ok.'' I said ''Ok, when they're ok, I'm good,''' Tijan told DailyMail.com.

But the scene Tijan found downstairs was beyond heartbreaking. He was met by his inconsolable wife and was told by the fire department that two of his daughters had been taken to hospitals due to smoke inhalation.

One of them was sent to a hospital in Manhattan, while Sera was rushed in critical condition to another hospital.

Tijan said that for an entire day, they were not sure where she had been taken. When they found out where Sera was, they learned she had passed away.

Parents Haja Dukureh, 37, and Haji Dukuray, 49 and their children were killed in the fire

Mariam Dukureh, 11, Mustapha Dukyhreh, 12 and Mariam Dukureh, 5, also died in the fire

Toure Seydou, 12, (left) and Mustafa Dukureh, 12, (right) died in the fire

Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, was also killed in the fire - her grieving sister Koumba told DailyMail.com - along with her three children: daughters Fatoumala, 21, and Nyumaaisha, 19, and son Mohammed, 12.

Parents Haja Dukureh, 37, and Haji Dukary, 49 and their children Mariam Dukureh, 11, Mustafa Dukureh, 12 and Fatoumata Dukureh, 5, also died.

Other fatal victims have been identified as Fatoumata Tunkara, 43, Toure Seydou, 12, Omar Jambang, 6, and Hawa Mahamdou, 5.

Additionally, a husband and wife have been named as victims of the blaze.

The deaths of Hagi Jawara, 41, and his wife Isatou Jabbie, 31, were confirmed Monday evening by Hagi's brother, Yusupha Jawara.

Haouwa Mahamadou, aged five, and Ousmane Konteh, aged just two, have also been named among the dead, reports the NY Post, with the latter being the youngest of all the victims.

Other family members and friends have shared photos of their loved ones online, in a desperate bid to track them down after Sunday's blaze at the Twin Parks North West Complex in the New York borough, which was triggered by a space heater.

Tijan told DailyMail.com that the heating in the building was not ideal, and that he, as well as the family whose apartment the fire originated at, owned a space heater 'to keep his children warm.'

'That's the problem...because the heating in the building is not enough,' he said.

A New York City official, who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity, revealed fire marshals suspect the space heater had been running uninterrupted for multiple days. According to a list of resident maintenance requests shared online, building received at least four complaints last year of units being without heat. It is unclear if Unit 3N was having an issue with heat.

Jose Dineo, who lives in the third floor with his three children, told DailyMail.com Tuesday that space heaters are necessary in the winter because the 'building didn't have good heat'.

I feel good with the heat in my apartment,' Dineo, 40, said. 'We have an electric heater because before the building didnt have good heat.'

'Five years back the heat doesnt work well. After three years they put in a new boiler. We feel good with the heat but still sometimes, on days like today, definitely we need to use an extra heater.

Fatoumata Drammeh (pictured), 50, was killed in the fire, her sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, who said that she and her family were 'such lovely people'

Fatoumata's 12-year-old son Muhammad was the youngest member of the family to lose his life in the Bronx apartment building fire

Investigators believe the fire was started by one of several space heaters in a third-floor unit after it was left running uninterrupted for days. Smoke then spread throughout the complex after the apartment's entry door failed to automatically close.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro claimed a door in the stairwell - which is meant to be used as an emergency exit - also failed to close, furthering the problem.

'The stairwell was very dangerous as the door was left open and some of the floors  certainly on 15  the door was open from the stairs to the hall and the 15th floor became quite untenable,' Nigro said.

'They're such a nice people, they're so lovely,' Koumba Drammeh said of her sister, nieces and nephews. 'We're gonna miss them a lot.'

Haji Dukuray, of Delaware, confirmed Monday the deaths of his 49-year-old nephew, who bares the same name, his wife and their three children.

Dukuray told New York Daily News is in contact with family in Gambia and working to determine next steps: 'The first step of closure for us is trying to retrieve the bodies.'

'In some cases we will bury the dead here. In some cases, we may fly them back to The Gambia,' he added.

Other family members and friends have shared photos of their loved ones online, in a desperate bid to track them down after Sunday's blaze at the Twin Parks North West Complex in the New York borough, which was triggered by a space heater.

Isatou Jabbie, 31, and husband Hagi Jawara, 41, were confirmed dead Monday after the Bronx apartment building fire by Jawara's brother Yusupha

Friends posted photos on Instagram stories asking for the whereabouts of the Drammeh family - mother Fatou and her daughter, Aisha and son, Muhammad - who have been missing since the fire

Family members and neighbors are continuing to desperately search for any evidence of their missing relatives and friends in the wake of the apartment fire that was set after a faulty space heater set it alight and tore through the Bronx block killing eight children and nine adults.

Dorel Anderson and her boyfriend Ramel Thompson were reported missing after having been unaccounted for after residents evacuated the apartment building.

Anderson, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, was visiting Thompson, a resident, at the time of the fire.

Her cousin, Lonell Sessoms, confirmed on Facebook that Anderson has since been found at an area hospital. She is 'intubated but alive'.

It is unclear if Thompson has yet been found.

The list of the missing was announced as an immigrant father has revealed he leaped through flames to save his eight children.

The death toll, originally reported as 19, was revised downwards to 17 on Monday. Addressing the reduced death toll, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said patients had been taken to seven different hospitals in the city, which led to 'a bit of a double count'.

Fire experts, attributing smoke to the fatalities, believe a self-closing door in the Twin Parks North West complex may have malfunctioned, allowing the smoke to spread through the building.

'The fire was contained to the hallway just outside this two-story apartment, but the smoke travelled throughout the building and the smoke is what caused the deaths and the serious injuries,' Nigro said during a press conference Monday.

Dorel Anderson and her boyfriend Ramel Thompson were both in the apartment building during the fire and reported missing. Anderson, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, was visiting Thompson at the time of the fire. She has been found. Thompson's whereabouts remain unknown

Fire experts said the design of a nearly 50-year-old Bronx building and its older fire safety features likely contributed to the a blaze caused by a faulty space heater turning the complex into a smoke-filled chimney on Sunday morning

Exclusive photographs taken by DailyMail.com reveal what remains of the family unit after the fire engulfed their duplex apartment at 333 East 181st Street, at 11am on Sunday.

Mamadou Wague, who lived in Unit 3N with his wife and children, recalled how he was woken by his children screaming 'fire' and then found his eight-year-old daughter, Nafisha, screaming and trapped on a burning mattress in her bedroom.

'I just grab her and run,' the west African immigrant told the New York Times. 'I didnt think about anything except getting her out.'

Wague, 47, pulled his daughter from the burning bed, suffering burns to his lips and nose, and escaped the unit with his family. Nafisha sustained burns but is alive.

Fire Marshals ruled the fire 'accidental,' noting that it was caused by a malfunctioning space heater and that a 'smoke alarm was present and operational'.

Officials believe the fire spread so rapidly because Mr Wague left his apartment door open as he fled for his life with his kids.

Mamadou Wague said he was asleep when the fire broke out, recalling how his kids alerted him to the blaze: 'One of the kids said, "Oh, Daddy! Daddy! Theres a fire!'

New York City's worst fire disaster in more than 30 years that broke out on the second and third floor of a building at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx has killed eight children and nine adults (pictured, people jump to safety from the burning building)

Some of the broken windows from a fire where a space heater caught fire and caused the devastation in the Bronx

Mayor Eric Adams said there may have been a 'maintenance issue,' as it was supposed to close automatically. He told CNN: 'The doors in the building did have self-closing mechanisms. We are just looking at that specific door.'

However, Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association Union, said the 49-year-old building was poorly equipped to deal with a fire.

'It was at a building that was built under federal guidelines way back when, so its not up to New York City fire codes,' he told the New York Daily News.

It has no fire escapes and stairwells meant to be used as emergency exits quickly filled with smoke, along with floors where stairwell doors were left open.

Large, new apartment buildings in the city are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that swing shut automatically to contain smoke and deprive fires of oxygen, however those rules don't apply to older buildings.

Many residents ignored the fire alarms when they went off on Sunday because they sound so frequently as false alarms.

The building received various complaints from residents last year, including at least four alleging their unit had 'no heat'

'First we heard the fire alarm go off. Numerous times,' said Michael Joseph, 32, who lived on the sixth floor with his uncle. But we didn't think nothing of it, because normally people in the building, they smoke and tend to set it off. So we thought it was probably just people playing.'

The apartment complex was purchased for $24,675,000 in 2020 by a group of investors, including Camber Property Group. Rick Gropper, a co-founder and principal at Camber, was one of the nearly 800 individuals named last month to the new mayor's transition team.

Pope Francis offered his condolences Monday to the victims of the 'devastating' apartment fire. In a telegram sent to New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan he offered 'heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness' to those affected by the blaze.

The five-alarm blaze is New York City's deadliest in three decades. President Joe Biden, speaking with Mayor Adams Monday, offered his 'heartfelt condolences and support' to the victims, city leaders and residents. Biden told the mayor any resources the city needs will be made available.

Although the flames only damaged a small portion of the building, smoke escaped through the Wague family's open door and flooded the stairwells - the only method of escape as the building was too tall for fire escapes - with ash.

Some people could not escape because of the volume of smoke, while others became incapacitated as they tried to flee. Several residents said the fire alarms in the building are always going off so they ignored them.

While there have not been any major building violations or complaints listed against the building, according to city building records, however it was reportedly not up to code.

FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro said that 'very heavy' fire and smoke 'extended the entire height of the building' and confirmed that a space heater caused the blaze. Firefighters were pictured rescuing residents from the blaze early on Sunday

Some of the items that caught on fire in apartment 3N

Public records show the building has open violations for cockroach and mouse infestations, lead paint and water leaks, however no structural violations were listed.

The New York Post reported there were more than two dozen violations and complaints at the building since 2013 - despite $25 million in state loans for repairs.

The Twin Parks North West complex is classified as a D1 building, according to Street Easy. The classification designates the complex as an elevator apartment building that is semi-fireproof and without stores.

D1 buildings can be found in all five boroughs of New York City and account for about 29 percent of complexes in the Bronx, Property Shark reported.

Investigators determined a malfunctioning electric space heater started the fire in the 19-story building, leaving victims on 'every floor.'

Eight children were among at least 17 people killed and 63 injured in Sunday's inferno. Dozens of residents were hospitalized, several in critical condition, and doctors were continuing efforts to save victims live on Monday.

The mayor said it's likely the death toll could rise.

'We pray to God that they'll be able to pull through,' Mayor Adams said during a CNN interview Monday morning.

At least 200 firefighters responded to the scene, some arriving within minutes of the initial call for help. As they entered the building, the first responders were met with flames in the hallway.

The fire at Twin Parks North West complex in the Bronx broke out in Unit 3N, where the nine-person Wague family resided. Their residence is pictured Monday, covered in ash and debris

The Wague family's apartment is seen completely destroyed. Father Mamadou Wague said the blaze left his eight-year-old daughter trapped in her bedroom on a mattress engulfed in flames. He pulled his daughter out of the flames and managed to escape

The blaze is unit 3N was caused by a faulty space heater

The entire unit was damaged by the blaze

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said an investigation was underway to determine how the fire spread and whether anything could have been done to prevent or contain the blaze.

Adams said it appears the smoke spread due to a door that was supposed to automatically close being open.

'There may have been a maintenance issue with this door. And that is going to be part of the .. ongoing investigation,' Adams said on Good Morning America.

The mayor said the fire crews continued rescue measures even after running out of oxygen.

'Their oxygen tanks were empty and they still pushed through the smoke,' he explained, noting that icy conditions made it difficult for firefighters to put out the blaze.

Jay Jimenez, who lives in the building next door, said he went into the building to help rescue trapped residents. He said he helped 'a lot' of people make it to safety, but also recalled the horrifying moments he carried deceased victims out of the building.

'I was just focused on the mission,' Jimenez, 35, told DailyMail.com on Monday. He said he helped the fire department as they brought victims to the lobby: 'I pulled them out, while they bring them through the stairs and out the front lobby and I just took them by the knees and brought them all the way outside.'

He added: 'I couldn't sleep last night - I haven't slept. I feel sad. I got kids. I saw a three-year-old completely dead and that's in my mind. I am not the same. It's really sad.' Jimenez also applauded the 'hero' first responders who risked their lives to help the trapped residents.
Young Army soldiers will be battling 'seasoned freedom fighters' across two dozen North Carolina counties in a two-week 'guerrilla warfare exercise' where they attempt to overthrow an 'illegitimate government'.

News of the training exercise comes just days after the anniversary of the Capitol riot and as the Justice Department announces the creation of a new 'domestic terrorism' unit to tackle what officials said is an 'elevated threat from domestic violent extremists'.

Some questioned the close timing of the events, while others went further with fears that the Biden administration is 'preparing for American Uprising'.

'Biden's military wargames fighting and killing American "Freedom Fighters" in guerilla (sic) warfare,' one Twitter user posted in reaction to news of the guerilla warfare training on US soil.

Another Twitter user even questioned if the government was 'trying to get troops accustomed to the idea of killing fellow Americans?'

However, the guerilla training exercise, known as Robin Sage, has actually been running every few months since the 1970s.

Young soldiers will be battling 'seasoned freedom fighters' across North Carolina counties in a two-week 'unconventional guerrilla warfare exercise' - known as Robin Sage - where they attempt to overthrow an 'illegitimate government' (Pictured: Robin Sage training in July 2019)

During Robin Sage training, young soldiers will face off against seasoned service members from units across Fort Bragg, acting as opposing forces and guerrilla freedom fighters, as well as 'specially trained' guerilla civilians.

Some social media users find the exercise concerning as the 143-year-old Posse Comitatus Act bars federal troops from participating in civilian law enforcement except when expressly authorized by law. The legislation cites military interference in civilian affairs as a threat to democracy and personal liberty.

Others have implied the exercise is preparing soldiers to prevent an insurgence and fear it is training American troops how to fight their own people.

The Robin Sage exercise, which serves as the final exam in Special Forces Qualification Course training, will begin January 22 at an undisclosed location on private land.

It places soldiers in the 'politically unstable' fictional country of Pineland and forces them to conduct reconnaissance, raids, ambushes, and numerous other operations a 'numerically superior enemy'.

Robin Sage places soldiers in the 'politically unstable' fictional country of Pineland and forces them to conduct reconnaissance, raids, ambushes, and numerous other operations a 'numerically superior enemy' (Pictured: A Special Forces candidate engaging a target during Robin Sage training in 2019)

'The Special Forces candidates have to meet up with and make rapport with a third-world nation guerrilla force, train them up, and then work by, with, and through that guerrilla force to conduct combat operations against a numerically superior enemy occupying force,' retired Special Forces warrant officer Steve Balestrieri, who also served as an instructor for the course, told Business Insider.

The US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, which conducts the Robin Sage exercise, said teams are placed in a 'real world setting characterized by armed conflict' and presented with war-crime scenarios, such as a partner force wanting to execute a prisoner or destroy a village.

The soldiers are then tasked with negotiating the situations without violating war laws or losing the support of their allies.

Several citizens, however, are concerned the exercise encourages soldiers to target civilians

'Military members act as realistic opposing forces and guerrilla freedom fighters, also known as Pineland resistance movement,' the center told the Charlotte Observer.

'To add realism of the exercise, civilian volunteers throughout the state act as role players. Participation by these volunteers is crucial to the success of this training, and past trainees attest to the realism they add to the exercise.'

Several citizens, however, are concerned the exercise encourages soldiers to target civilians.

'Whether this is a routine exercise or not, the fact that it seems plausible that our own military is training on how to combat its own citizens is telling,' Scott M. argued in a comment on an article about the training.

'Over the past year. we've heard our very own commander in chief mock the ability of an armed citizenry to defend itself against government tyranny. That ability is foundational to our bill of rights and he seems to think it's a joke.'

'Obviously practice for civil war or domestic warfare,' echoed someone using the name James Bond. 'Hope it utterly fails.'

The training exercise (pictured in 2019) serves as the final exam in Special Forces Qualification Course training and will begin January 22 at an undisclosed location on private land

Retired Special Forces warrant officer Steve Balestrieri (pictured right), who has served as an instructor on the course, said soldiers have to 'meet up with and make rapport with a third-world nation guerrilla force, train them up, and then work by, with, and through that guerrilla force to conduct combat operations against a numerically superior enemy occupying force'

Despite the online criticisms, those familiar with the course allege the interactions between the 'team' and the 'guerrillas' could determine the success or failure of a mission on the battlefield.

John Black, a retired Green Beret, told Insider his Robin Sage infiltration was 'supposed to be brutal'.

'We had packed everything in preparation for more than two weeks in the field with no resupply. Two Blackhawk choppers dropped us off behind enemy lines where we were to meet our partner force in the middle of the night,' he explained.

'We walked and walked with this guy for hours in what seemed like a circle  he was lost. The captain asked to help him navigate with the map. Turned out we had been circling the camp for hours and the solution was simple  ask if he needed help.'

The retired service member argues the most important aspect of the training exercise is the hands-on lessons it provides about Special Forces operations and the prevention of a resistance or insurgent force taking power.

'As a Green Beret, I feel Robin Sage is imperative and really gets you to think about the real mission of Special Forces, to work with and through a partner force,' Black said.

Soldiers will face off against seasoned service members from units across Fort Bragg, acting as opposing forces and guerrilla freedom fighters, and specially trained civilians (Pictured: Robin Sage training in July 2019)

Teams are placed in a 'real world setting characterized by armed conflict' and presented with war-crime scenarios, such as a partner force wanting to execute a prisoner or destroy a village

'Very little of what a Green Beret does is kicking in doors and getting bad guys. Robin Sage definitely helped prepare me for life as an operator on a team,' he added.

Balestieri echoed Black's statements, saying: 'What makes Robin Special is how well and smoothly it's run from the time the student teams go into isolation until they [infiltrate] and are actively engaged with the G-Force.'

Robin Sage training - named after Col. Jerry Michael Sage (pictured) who was captured by Nazis and attempted to escape more than a dozen times before succeeding - has been conducted since 1974

'It rams home how important is, when operating in a guerrilla warfare/unconventional warfare environment, to at least have the nominal support of the population.'

Robin Sage training - named after Col. Jerry Michael Sage who was captured by Nazis and attempted to escape more than a dozen times before succeeding - has been conducted since 1974.

Public notice of the 'premiere unconventional warfare exercise' became priority in 2002 after a student was killed and another injured when North Carolina sheriff's deputy mistook the exercises for criminal activity.

Military officials claim all 'Robin Sage movements and events have been coordinated with public safety officials throughout and within the towns and counties hosting the training.'

They warn residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares, but reiterate 'controls are in place to ensure there is no risk to persons or property.'
As the US-backed government in Kabul crumbled last August, Afghanistan's current Taliban government has urged Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to recover air force jets and helicopters which have been flown to the neighboring countries by fleeing pilots.

Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob, speaking at an Afghan air force event in the capital on Tuesday, said his administration would never allow the planes to be stolen or utilized by foreign nations.

Taliban regime has 50 operational military aircraft

According to VOA News, just days before the Taliban took over the nation on August 15, US-trained Afghan air force pilots flew themselves and their families to safety in Uzbekistan aboard more than 40 aircraft, including A-29 light attack planes and Black Hawk helicopters.

In early September, Uzbek officials said that hundreds of Afghan pilots and their families had been deported for illegally flying into the country aboard military aircraft. According to reports, the Afghan citizens were relocated to a US military facility in the United Arab Emirates as part of a deal struck between Washington and Uzbekistan to relocate more than 450 Afghans.

The fate of the plane, on the other hand, is still unclear. Afghanistan possessed approximately 164 operating aircraft until the government fell in August, with the majority of them being flown out of the country. According to Afghan media sources, just 81 people were left behind.

The Taliban's air force commander, Amanuddin Mansour, declared at the same event that the government currently has 50 operational combat aircraft and is working to repair the others. When the previous Afghan government fell, US-trained Afghan pilots flew hundreds of Afghan Air Force (AAF) aircraft to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Inamullah Samangani, a Taliban spokesperson, recently informed local television Tolonews that the Taliban were in discussions with the governments of these nations to return the helicopters. The Afghan Air Force was trained and equipped at a cost of billions of dollars by the United States.

According to a study by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, the Afghan Air Force had 131 operable aircraft out of 162 in its overall inventory before the country's collapse. In October, the US watchdog stated that approximately a quarter of the planes were flown to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Prior to the final US departure, another 80 planes were rendered useless at Kabul International Airport, as per DPA via MSN.

Read Also: Kim Jong Un Calls for More "Military Muscle" After North Korea Fires More Advanced Missile Test That Flies Ten Times The Speed of Sound

Taliban increases the wheat payment

As the financial situation worsens, the Taliban government announced on Tuesday that it is extending its 'food for work' program, in which it pays thousands of public sector employees with donated wheat rather than cash. Agriculture officials told a press conference that wheat provided by India to the former US-backed Kabul administration is being used to pay 40,000 workers 10 kg of wheat per day for working five hours a day.

According to them, the initiative, which mostly employs paid laborers on public works projects in Kabul, would be spread across the nation. According to Fazel Bari Fazli, deputy minister of administration and finance at the Ministry of Agriculture, the Taliban government has already received 18 tonnes of wheat from Pakistan with a promise of 37 tonnes more, and is in talks with India for 55 tonnes.

The increasing initiative highlights the mounting dilemma that the Taliban administration is facing as currency in the nation runs out, and it may raise issues among donors about the use of humanitarian aid for government objectives when financial flows into the country are still restricted.

Foreign sanctions against Taliban members, restricted central bank assets, and a drastic drop in previously supportive international contributions have left the Taliban rule with minimal government funds and a worsening economic crisis. As foreign countries try to save millions from starving, humanitarian aid has persisted, but it is meant to avoid Afghan government procedures and is largely provided by international multilateral agencies, Reuters via MSN reported.

Related Article: Pakistan, Taliban Militants Agree on Ceasefire After Weeks of Negotiations

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Staff shortages have caused some Sydney councils to stop collecting bins, leaving rubbish overflowing on the street and infuriating residents.

Manufacturing, transport, postal, warehousing, and now waste collection are all undermanned with thousands of workers in Covid isolation.

The City of Canterbury Bankstown was the first to announce a delay in bin collection on December 31 as Covid cases reached tens of thousands.

Covid-19 staff shortages have began affecting waste collection services in some Sydney Councils with some residents faced with overflowing rubbish bins

'As Covid-19 cases increase, services and businesses across the country are being affected. This includes temporary delays with waste collection across Canterbury-Bankstown,' the council said.

'We're working hard to empty all bins as scheduled, with red bins being the priority.

'Please continue to put your bins out on their scheduled collection day. We may not pick them up at the usual time, however if they aren't emptied by 2pm, please report your missed bin.'

Days later Camden Council was forced to inform residents the surge in cases had also affected its services, with workers plunged into isolation or infected with Covid.

'Due to a number of our staff impacted by the recent Covid outbreak, we are currently experiencing some delays in our bin collection service,' it said.

'We are working hard to pick up all scheduled bins and minimise the impact on our residents.

'If your bins have not been collected, please leave them out and we will empty them as a priority. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.'

The City of Canterbury Bankstown and Camden Council recently announced delays on rubbish collection services due to a rise in Covid-19 cases

Residents said their overflowing bins were left on the side of the road, and some said their rubbish wasn't collected at all.

'Three weeks in a row one of my bins didn't get picked up till the damn thing was that heavy the next bloke put a red tag on it saying it was too heavy. What a joke,' wrote one man.

'We actually got through and had someone come pick up the bin the following day  but didn't even shake the bin properly and didn't get the last bag of rubbish out. Super annoying and frustrating especially being a family of five,' another added.

Others were understanding of the situation and urged people to be more patient while Covid-19 wreaks havoc on services.

'Totally understand. This is only the start of this virus impacting business. As more people get this virus the more that it will put business behind in their service,' one wrote.

'Let's just hope that everyone understands at not take it out on the poor person that has to answer the phone.'

Camden Council said a number of its staff was impacted by the recent Covid-19 outbreak causing a delay in rubbish collection

'I hope all staff and families stay safe... You are all doing a great job,' another added.

But some furious locals demanded a decrease in council rates while residents were impacted by the delay to rubbish collection.

'Great. So a reduction in council rates then?' one asked.

'Hire casual staff. Our rates are going up for this service, it's essential,' another demanded.

The City of Canterbury Bankstown told Daily Mail Australia they have implemented a contingency plan to deal with staff shortages amid the latest Covid outbreak.

'To date, there have been minimal disruptions to our bin collection service, with bins being collected later in the day than usual,' it said.

'To mitigate any potential shortages, staff were deployed from other areas of Council to the waste team, rosters were changed and working hours increased.'

Sydney's Inner West Council announced on Tuesday Covid-19 staff shortages were affecting bulk waste services but not regular rubbish collections.

'Inner West Council is experiencing staffing shortages due to the current Covid-19 situation,' it said.

'These shortages are starting to impact on some of our services, including booked bulky waste collections, streetscapes, rangers and customer service.

'These services are still being delivered  but there may be some small delays. And please note, regular waste collections (red, yellow and green bins) are not affected and are still running as normal.'

Some councils reported staff shortages amid the state's latest Covid-19 infection surge impacting rubbish collection around Sydney

The City of Sydney told Daily Mail Australia it was prioritising the collection of red bins as it monitored the evolving Covid-19 situation.

'Like many service providers, the City of Sydney's cleansing and waste teams have been impacted by the recent surge in Covid-19 case numbers, which are causing some disruptions to our collections,' the council said.

'We are prioritising red and yellow waste bin collections, and these should be carried out as usual.

'There will be some delays to bulky pick-up and green waste collections.

'We are asking residents to leave their booked items and green waste bins out and we will collect them as soon as possible.'

The City of Parramatta Council had a minor disruption to green and yellow bin collections due to staff shortages but said it was redirecting resources to ensure its services continued running.

'City of Parramatta Council is committed to delivering essential services, such as waste collection, to the community despite the ongoing challenges caused by the pandemic,' the council said.

'To help manage staff shortages and other impacts, it is redirecting resources where possible to help ensure services continue uninterrupted.

'Council's dedicated staff, in particular its frontline workers, are working hard to deliver services in exceptional circumstances.'
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has tested positive for COVID-19 and says she will be working from home during her isolation period after experiencing mild symptoms.

The mayor's breakthrough case comes one day after she struck a deal with the Chicago Teachers' Union (CTU), which kept schools closed for four days as they demanded better COVID-19 safety policies amid the Omicron surge.

In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Lightfoot revealed she had tested positive and will be in quarantine until she tests negative.

'I am experiencing cold-like symptoms but otherwise feel fine which I credit to being vaccinated and boosted,' Lightfoot wrote on Twitter.

'I will continue to work from home while following the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines for isolation.'

During his last public appearance on Monday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced she reached a deal with the Chicago Teachers' Union to reopen schools on Wednesday

On Tuesday afternoon, Lightfoot revealed she tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing mid symptoms. She will be working from home during her isolation period

Lightfoot warned that her case was a reminder for people to get vaccinated and boosted.

The Windy City reported 4,793 new COVID cases on Tuesday, a slight drop from the average 5,189 cases a day the city saw last week. Deaths remained low at 17 new cases.

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady warned residents that the Omicron surge is still on going despite the drop in daily cases.

'This is still a very bad surge and I don't want people to think otherwise,' Arwady said on Tuesday.

'I really don't want people to think sort of it's over, it is extremely not over.'

Arwady has said that while the city is experiencing a rise in cases, students are relatively safer in schools and advised that schools not shutdown over COVID.

The winter Omicron surge led to the Chicago Teachers' Union to enact what the mayor and school officials called 'an illegal strike' as they demanded the city implement additional COVID-19 regulations for in-person classes.

The union struck a deal with Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools on Monday to enact a plan that would bring back in-person learning on Wednesday.

The plan also set conditions by which any individual school would go back to remote learning, which would be determined by staff absences, students in quarantine or a high community transmission of COVID.

Chicago saw 4,793 new COVID cases on Tuesday, a drop from the average 5,189 cases a day last week. Deaths remained low at 17 new cases, and about 72.8 percent of residents have gotten at least on jab of the vaccine

Public health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady insisted that the safety protocols set in place for Chicago Public Schools were sufficient to protect the children and staff

During her last public appearance on Monday, Lightfoot struck a conciliatory tone after previously refusing to pay teachers who had refused to show up in school after claiming the latest COVID surge was putting their health at risk.

Meanwhile, CTU leaders on Monday night hailed new measures to increase testing for COVID in schools and secured new KN95 masks for staff and students.

However, they were disappointed with the inability to get opt-out testing and some other aspects into the agreement.

Currently, students aren't forced to test and can opt in to do it. The union wants testing to become mandatory, with students forced to opt out of it if they wish to avoid being swabbed.

'It was not an agreement that had everything, it's not a perfect agreement, but it's certainly something we can hold our heads up about, partly because it was so difficult to get,' said controversial CTU President Jesse Sharkey, who had called Lightfoot 'relentlessly stupid.'

Chicago Teacher's Union president Jason Sharkey called Mayor Lightfoot 'relentlessly stupid' in a press conference on Monday

CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates hailed the agreement as 'the only modicum of safety' in schools but called Lightfoot 'unfit to lead.'

'The Chicago Teachers' Union once again, in this pandemic, has had to create the infrastructure for safety and accountability in our school community,' Davis Gates said.

'This is the second January in a row where we have had to be held hostage, quite frankly, in hostage negotiations.'

Lightfoot and other city officials, including Arwady and Chicago Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, have continued to insist that in-person classes remain the best option for students but have agreed to negotiate with the union.

Parents have slammed the socialist leader of the CTU as he continues to defend the last-minute decision to shutter schools last week by claiming 'going in puts students and families at risk.'

Just 400 positive COVID cases - about 70 percent students and 30 percent staff - were reported last week after classes returned following the winter break. There are more than 350,000 students and 25,000 staff members in the Chicago Public Schools district.
An updated lawsuit filed against a Michigan high school documents Ethan Crumbley's 'unusual' behavior before he allegedly opened fire.

The suit reveals warning signs leading up to the shooting which included 15-year-old Crumbley bringing a bird's head in a Mason jar filled with yellow liquid three weeks before the massacre took place, according to the Detroit Free Press, which reported its findings after exclusive access to the revised lawsuit.

Crumbley was also revealed to have allegedly brought bullets to class and put them on display and researched ammunition on his phone only a day before the shooting.

In the $100 million lawsuit filed against Oxford High School, officials are being targeted as the responsible party for the November 30 shooting that saw four students killed and seven others injured.

Crumbley allegedly posted on Twitter later on November 29, writing: 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. See you tomorrow Oxford,' the Detroit Free Press reported Friday.

The Michigan high school has since been singled out for being made aware of Crumbley's behavior but taking no action as they were said to have allegedly told students and parents there was no reason for concern.

Following the shooting, Crumbley remains in custody and is being charged as an adult for his involvement in the deadly shooting.

His parents James, 45, and Jennifer Crumbley, 43, have also each been charged with involuntary manslaughter on claims that they made the gun accessible for their son prior to the incident.

An updated lawsuit filed against Oxford High School reveals more 'warning signs' related to Crumbley's behavior before he allegedly shot and killed four students on November 30

Oxford High School has been accused of neglecting to properly address Crumbley's behavior prior to the shooting

The suit revealed that Crumbley scribbled violent drawings on his math homework and in his journal as well as exhibiting other behaviors such as bringing a severed bird head to school and putting bullets on display in his classroom the day before the shooting

The updated suit, which was filed by Michigan firm Fieger Law, has added 11 new counts after being made aware that the school knew of Crumbley's behavior.

'The school was on alert about Ethan,' firm attorney Nora Hanna told the Free Press. 'There are a million things that they could have done.'

New details in the suit emerged the extent of Crumbley's behavior leading up to the shooting, which included allegedly drawing a picture of a gun on his math homework and a sketch of someone opening fire at the school in his journal, recording himself torturing animals, messaging his mom about 'ghosts and demons in the house' and even texting his friend 'It's time to shoot up a school JK.'

In addition, video surveillance revealed Crumbley had allegedly put a severed bird's head in a bathroom stall after he kept it under his bed for six months, according to Hanna.

An email was sent out by the school after students allegedly found and reported it.

'Please know that we have reviewed every concern shared with us and investigated all information provided (we) want our parents and students to know that there has been no threat to our building nor our students,' the email read, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Ethan Crumbley's parents James (left) and Jennifer (right) were charged with manslaughter after they allegedly made a gun accessible to their son

Crumbley is being held and tried as an adult for murder, terrorism as well as other counts for his involvement in the November 30 shooting

The Crumbley have remained in custody since December 4

Crumbley was reportedly given access to a SIG SAUER 9mm

A severed deer's head was also found in the school courtyard only weeks before, on November 4, as well as messages written in red paint found on the pool deck and windows of the property.

Parents also complained to the school that students were receiving threatening messages during this period.

'I know I'm being redundant here, but there is absolutely no threat at the HS [high school]," the principal, Steven Wolf, stated in the email, which was cited in the lawsuit.

'Large assumptions were made from a few social media posts, then the assumptions evolved into exaggerated rumors.'

It remains unclear if Ethan Crumbley was the culprit for these incidents.

However, the school continued to receive criticism for taking little to no action against him as even students were aware of his allegedly 'violent' tendencies.

The suit noted that the school should have gotten Child Protective Services involved, which is required by law. The school allegedly only threatened to do so, which purportedly only gave him more time to plan the shooting.

In addition, the suit claimed that a school liaison officer was barred from a meeting with Crumbley and his parents after a teacher found his gun drawing.

It is alleged that two of the school's counselors chose to keep the drawing away from the officer.

The school also allegedly told students 'to stop spreading information over social media' after they received the threatening messages in early November.

A wanted poster for James Crumbley. A massive manhunt of the area led to their capture in the basement of a nearby building - less than a mile from the Canadian border

School district attorney Tim Mullins has since defended the district for the way it handled the incident.

Mullins also said he is attempting to dismiss the lawsuit on immunity grounds, according to court documents.

'My focus is to get this community healed  to get the teachers who love their kids back in the classrooms,' Mullins told the Free Press.

'The prosecutor made it very clear, "I dont want you releasing anything." 'I said, "Agreed." We've given (the prosecution) everything we have.'

Crumbley's parents have also been blamed for the shooting after they were accused of providing him access to a gun, as well as for refusing to take him home after they were called in for the meeting.

Hours before the school shooting begun, the Crumbleys were called to the school to discuss Ethan's disturbing behavior including drawings depicting a gun, a bullet, blood everywhere, a shooting victim and a laughing emoji.

The note included the words: 'Thoughts won't stop, help me'; 'my life is useless' and 'the world is dead,' Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said. After the meeting, the Crumbleys left their son to finish the day at school when he opened fire on his classmates and teachers.

'They did not intervene. They did not schedule therapy,' Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Marc Keast previously said in court.

'Instead, they bought him what he desperately wanted, a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun.'

James and Jennifer Crumbley were arrested on December 4 after they were found hiding in a Detroit art studio.

Students pay tribute at a memorial in front of Oxford High School after four students were killed seven others were injured

Madisyn Baldwin, 17, (left) and Hana St Juliana, 14, (right) died in a shooting rampage at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit

Justin Shilling, 17, (left) died in the hospital the morning after the shooting and Tate Myre (right) died in the school on November 30

The pair failed to show up for their arraignment and stopped communicating with their attorneys which sparked a manhunt search for them.

They went on the lam for two days, December 3 and 4, and withdrew $3,000 from their son's bank account after his arrest as they planned to run away to Florida.

The couple appeared in court on Friday where they asked a judge to lower their $500,000 bond to $100,000. But that request was denied by an Oakland County judge who deemed that both parents were a flight risk.

During Friday's bond hearing, Prosecutor Karen McDonald argued that the bond should remain at $500,000 for each of them because of their lack of ties to the state of Michigan and their plans to flee the area just hours following their son's arrest.

McDonald said James, who worked as a Doordash delivery driver and Jennifer, who had been terminated by her employer, both had families in Florida and started making plans to move there immediately after the shooting.

'On November 30, just hours after their son murdered children in a school, they started making plans.,' McDonald told the court.

She added that they started making plans to sell horses once they were in Florida and bought four cellphones. They had also drained their son's bank account of $3,000, leaving only 99 cents.

On December 1, the couple checked into a different hotel where they made contact with discussion of the sale of their horses and withdrew $2,000 from their bank. They then checked out of the hotel, leaving one of their cars behind but parked so that the license plate could not be easily seen.

McDonald said they drove to the art studio in Detroit the same day where they were captured and taken into custody after leading authorities on a large-scale manhunt.

Both Crumbleys have pleaded not guilty to all four charges of involuntary manslaughter. Each count is punishable by up to 15 years in prison along with a $7,500 fine and mandatory DNA testing.

Their son, who also previously pleaded not guilty, is due back for his arraignment on Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court.
More than five million rapid antigen test kits reserved for Australia could be sent to the United States because of bureaucratic delays.

Self-testing kits are sold out at chemists and online across Australia as Omicron case numbers, in almost every state, continue to surge in the tens of thousands every day.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration didn't approve any of the kits until October - almost a year after their counterparts in the US and the UK.

SupplyAus, an Aboriginal-run good distribution business, imported home-test kits from China that have been approved for use in the US but not Australia.

Chief executive Adam Williams said those much-needed kits would be sent to the US unless the TGA approved them so they could be available in Indigenous communities for $5.

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More than five million rapid antigen test kits reserved for Australia could be sent to the United States because of bureaucratic delays. Self-testing kits are sold out at chemists and online across Australia as Omicron case numbers, in almost every state, continue to surge in the tens of thousands every day (pictured is aa chemist in Sydney on January 11, 2022)

'We have five million units that we could put on commercial planes within a matter of hours,' he told the ABC's 7.30 program.

'If this goes any longer, we'll probably just sell them there.

'Just sitting there in storage doesn't make any point and the factory's constantly calling us to say, "Adam, I have people around the world that want to buy these.

'"Are you taking them or not?"'

The TGA, an agency of the federal Department of Health, has now approved 21 kits, with 15 of them from China.

But with Chinese New Year coming up on February 1, Chinese factories are set to close, further delaying supplies.

Australia's TGA didn't approve its first self-administered rapid antigen test until October 2021.

The American Food and Drug Administration approved the first over-the-counter home testing kit in December 2020.

SupplyAus, an Aboriginal-run good distribution business, imported home-test kits from China that have been approved for use in the US but not Australia. Chief executive Adam Williams (pictured left with federal Liberal MP Andrew Laming) said those much-needed kits would be sent to the US unless the TGA approved them so they could be available in Indigenous communities for $5

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the first lateral flow test kit in January 2021.

Rapid antigen tests in Australia have quickly sold out at chemists and supermarkets after National Cabinet, on January 5, announced they would be allowed to confirm a positive Covid test.

The measure was designed to people from having to queue up for hours at a Covid testing clinic to get a PCR or polymerase chain reaction test.

Queensland has since January 1 allowed interstate travellers to take a rapid antigen test to enter the state instead of having to queue up for a PCR.

Visitors or returning residents having 72 hours for the result to be valid as part of their border declaration form.

Queensland has since January 1 allowed interstate travellers to take a rapid antigen test to enter the state instead of having to queue up for a PCR (pictured is a border check point at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast)

Brisbane-based company AnteoTech was early last year given a $1.4million grant from the Queensland government to develop a 15-minute rapid antigen test.

But chief executive Derek Thomson said the TGA's reluctance to approve rapid antigen tests meant they weren't manufactured in Australia.

'All the development work was done right here in Brisbane and our first target market was Europe because the Australian market were not using RATs at the top and therefore we set up our manufacturing in Spain to service the European market,' he told 7.30.

'We've been campaigning for over a year for the extended use of RATs to frontline the response to the pandemic but Australian governments have not seen that that was the viable way forward.'

Anthony Tassone, the Victorian president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, said rapid antigen test shortages were likely to continue for another month, as Chinese New Year celebration holidays caused production delays (pictured are folk artists performing in Langzhou ahead of the Chinese New Year)

AnteoTech's EuGeni product is approved for use in Europe but the TGA has yet to give approval for its use in Australia.

Innovation Scientific's nasal swab test is the only Australian-made rapid antigen test approved by the TGA.

It has an acceptable sensitivity rating which means it has an 80 per cent accuracy rate.

Anthony Tassone, the Victorian president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, said rapid antigen test shortages were likely to continue for another month, as Chinese New Year celebration holidays caused production delays.

'We do hope that the supply situation will improve by the end of January,' he told the ABC.
Australians should go so far as sealing gaps between doors in their homes to prevent the spread of Covid, a medical expert has suggested.

Kirby Institute epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre said it was necessary to take such measures - even before a household member tested positive - to reduce the risk of infection.

She recommended residents attach adhesive strips or fabric door-stoppers to the bottom of doors to prevent breathing air that could potentially be carrying the airborne virus.

Once someone tests positive, they should create an 'isolation space' where they could stay away from everyone else as much as possible.

Health officials across the country have said most people can fight off the infection at home by resting, taking Panadol for pain and drinking lots of fluids (stock image)

Professor MacIntyre - who in the early stages of the pandemic once predicted Australia could suffer 400,000 deaths to the virus- said such measures were warranted given high numbers of cases.

She said most common transmission of the virus was inside the home, but some strategies could reduce the risk of infection.

'This virus is spread through the air you breathe, you can scrub your hands till the cows come home but if you don't pay attention to safe indoor air you're going to get infected,' she told the ABC.

A good test was whether you could smell your neighbours' cooking, and if so, it meant air was being shared between residences.

Professor Raina MacIntyre (pictured) has recommended people seal their doors with tape to reduce the risk of breathing air that could be carrying the virus

Professor MacIntyre also suggested wearing masks inside even if no one is infected, limiting visitors, and doing regular rapid antigen tests after high-risk events.

Deakin University epidemiologist Catherine Bennett suggested household members who tested positive should be moved to the part of the house easiest to isolate.

If they shared a room with someone who wasn't infected, the healthy housemate should sleep on the couch or even in a tent in the backyard.

Other extreme measures included disinfecting bathrooms after every use, flushing the toilet with the seat down, and considering air-conditioning airflow.

Covid-positive people should ideally have all their meals delivered to their door by other members of the household.

'If I was walking up to the door, I'd put my mask on, I'd fan the air away in front of me to make sure it's not still air, and I'd pick up the tray and go away,' Professor Bennett said.

Those infected can keep their household safe by staying isolated in one room as much as possible and avoiding shared spaces (pictured, a student receives hand sanitiser in Sydney)

She also suggested having a kit of essential Covid supplies ready as after a positive test, no one would be able to leave the house.

These included cleaning supplies, disposable gloves for handling dishes, N95 masks, frozen food, and common medication like paracetamol.

Professor Bennett also suggested buying a thermometer to monitor fevers, and a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels.

However, Australians may consider what lengths they really want to go to as evidence mounts that Omicron is much milder than other variants.

Initial data shows Omicron is accounting for fewer hospital and ICU admissions with the large majority of people infected experiencing mild to moderate symptoms.

Health officials across the country have stated most people can fight off the infection at home by resting, taking Panadol for pain and drinking lots of fluids (pictured, queues for testing)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week called for calm when he announced the new variant was 75 per cent less severe than the previous Delta strain.

Health officials across the country have stated most people can fight off the infection at home by resting, taking Panadol for pain and drinking lots of fluids.

Some remedies that can aid recovery from Covid are the same used to tackle colds and flu, such as regular doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain and fevers.

Regularly drinking fluids will also speed-up the recovery process as well as products with electrolytes to keep the body hydrated.

People should avoid coffee, alcohol, intensive exercise and strenuous activities.

Initial data shows the Omicron variant is accounting for fewer hospital and ICU admissions than previous strains (pictured, pedestrians in Brisbane)

Those infected can keep their household safe by staying isolated in one room as much as possible, opening windows for air flow and avoiding shared spaces.

Experts suggest cleaning often-touched surfaces in your room and bathroom including light switches, electronics and counters as much as possible.

Wearing a face mask when around others and frequently washing hands with soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser can also reduce the risk of infection.

Activities like puzzles, painting or colouring are also recommended to help curb accumulating boredom throughout the seven-day isolation period.

It comes as a top infectious diseases expert revealed Covid-19 is causing fewer hospitalisations than a bad flu season in Australia.

Professor Peter Collignon (pictured) said the number of people in hospitals with the virus was less than the number of patients admitted with influenza during a recent winter

Professor Peter Collignon said the number of people in hospitals with the virus was less than the number of patients admitted with influenza during a recent winter.

'We're seeing a lot of people in hospital and a lot of people in ICU but we need to keep it in perspective,' he said during an appearance on the Today Show on Wednesday.

'It's still less than what we often see in winter with influenza, for instance, a number of years ago, and it seems to be less of an issue than even six months ago with the proportion of infected people going into hospital.'

Mr Collignon said the high level of vaccination across Australia meant a smaller proportion of people were requiring care in hospital, or dying.

'So much so, that if you're vaccinated your risk is probably similar to a season of influenza, it's the one or two million unvaccinated adults we still have who are disproportionately in hospital and disproportionately in ICU.'
So often, when a marriage falls apart in the public eye, all the attention is focused on the woman in the equation, especially when infidelity plays its part. The wronged wife. The new love. The battle between two, often furious, females.

But whats it like to be the man in the middle of such a storm?

It is something Ive been thinking about recently, as actress Alice Evans, 53, the estranged wife of Hornblower star Ioan Gruffudd, 48, vents her anger, despair and heartache through social media towards her famous husband, who is now in a relationship with actress Bianca Wallace, 30.

Its a situation that has certainly struck a raw nerve with me, enduring as I have decades of very public acrimony with not one but two warring ex-wives. And while I feel genuinely sorry for both women involved in the Ioan saga, I also wonder how he is feeling.

My journey through a field of landmines to reach my current state of happiness with my fourth wife, Jelena (pictured together), was nothing less than surviving a war zone

Does he suffer guilt and self-recrimination for his role in all this pain, as I did? No doubt there is some significant hurt to see the woman he used to love now so unhappy.

After all, you once shared the limelight together and spoke about your love and professional respect for each other in glossy magazines, as I once did with both of my ex-wives  and meant it, wholeheartedly.

Yet for all the past love, perhaps Ioan cant help but feel, as I did, that his ex is struggling to let go of the past. Despite assumptions, men do feel as many complex emotions as women when a marriage ends.

I saw both my marriages as being in a terminal decline when I stumbled across and fell in love with my wives replacements during long absences from home, as Ioan seems to have done with Bianca while filming in Australia.

But I must admit that during the first flush of new romance, my dominant feelings were excitement and euphoria, which largely washed away the distress of a broken marriage.

To this day, my exes and I exist on fragile ceasefires  something perhaps exacerbated by the fact that, as with Ioan, the women each time were younger than my wives, which may have heightened their rage and hurt.

A marriage that fails in the public eye is not a pretty sight. My journey through a field of landmines to reach my current state of happiness with my fourth wife, Jelena, was nothing less than surviving a war zone.

My first short marriage ended with little more than a whimper in the mid-1970s, with a daughter, Nicola, now 47. A long-term live-in relationship soon followed that lasted six years. When those partnerships failed, there was no drama, no stress. And no bad blood.

My second wife, Debby, was an altogether different story. She was an air stewardess I met on a flight during the summer of 1984, three years after I joined ITN as an ambitious reporter.

(Soon after, I became ITNs award-winning correspondent in the Middle East  an upward trajectory that led to me being headhunted by CNN.)

By the time the seat-belt signs went off on that British Airways shuttle flight to Manchester, Debby had already told the cabin crew she had met the man she was going to marry.

And we did get married in 1985 and had a daughter, Brooke, now 32. But over time the marriage became a cracked vessel because we had been steadily drifting apart.

It seemed to me that Debby found it hard to be left alone for the long periods I was away on assignments, and in the end I felt we were communicating on entirely different wavelengths. Then I met Tess Stimson, wife No 3.

Her 25th birthday celebration in 1991 was in full swing at a London restaurant when she stepped towards me, saying: May I have a birthday kiss?

I was intent on placing a polite peck on the cheek. But, instead, Tess planted a massive smacker on the lips, which bowled me over in an instant.

I met Tess Stimson, wife No 3. Her 25th birthday was in full swing when she stepped towards me, saying: May I have a birthday kiss? She planted a smacker on the lips, which bowled me over in an instant. Pictured: Tess Stimson and Brent on their wedding day

In less than a week, impetuously, we started to plan a future together, even though I was still with Debby, albeit with the marriage on its last legs.

However, once Mrs Sadler the second got wind of my new romance, she went on the warpath, accosting us in the lobby of the London hotel where Tess and I were lying low. It was an unfaithful mans worst nightmare.

Youre never going to leave me, Debby roared, her face flushed with anger. Then she told Tess: Youll never have him. Hes mine. If he leaves me, hell have nothing.

Next, she began to brand me a love rat in the newspapers. Tess hit back by dismissing her as an irrelevance, just one more bill on our list, a quote she spent hours thinking about to make it sound as spiteful as possible.

A magazine cover story about Tess and me, with the headline Foreign Affairs  The Woman Who Scooped Brent Sadler, provoked another round of verbal hostilities from Debby.

She labelled Tess as having a bad reputation for stealing husbands  which was untrue  and a laugh like a hyena, which stung my third wife-to-be.

Obviously, they detested each other. With hindsight, it would have been better for all of us if Id tried to dampen down the fire. But I did the opposite: feeling the need to strike back, I encouraged Tess to do her worst.

That was a mistake which stoked further resentment and acrimony, and I soon regretted.

It wasnt helped by unsolicited paparazzi shots of Tess and me walking hand in hand, looking as if we were without a care in the world.

When Ioan and Bianca recently stepped out together for a show of unity in Los Angeles, my own memories came flooding back.

I fully understand why they did such a thing. Ioan wanted to make a public statement of commitment to Bianca. But against the background of his torrid marital breakdown, such displays only risk fanning the flames of acrimony into a dangerous inferno.

If I hoped for a fresh start by marrying Tess in 1993 (a wedding covered by Hello! magazine), it didnt happen, even as two more children came along, Henry and Matthew, now 27 and 24.

My second wife, Debby, was an altogether different story. She was an air stewardess I met on a flight during the summer of 1984, three years after I joined ITN as an ambitious reporter. Pictured: Debby and Brent at their daughter's christening

Our marriage lasted barely six years  an all-too-typical lifespan for my doomed relationships.

You may be cynical about what Im about to say here but, despite everything  all the bitterness, break-ups and very public embarrassments  I still hadnt given up on finding true love.

I was something of an incurable romantic. I wonder if Ioan feels the same way.

Searching for a fairy-tale happy ending isnt a motive often attributed to men who are publicly lambasted for infidelity, but I know that can be just the case.

Happily, for me, I found my fairy tale, though Tess was the price to pay for it. Jelena Anicic was a treasure trove of knowledge about life in the former Yugoslavia when I first met her in Belgrade in 1997, by which time Id been married to Tess for four years.

Twenty-two years younger than me, she was multilingual, a medical doctor and a young gun in political opposition to Serbias nationalist leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Falling deeply in love yet again while already married may have sounded like another feeble excuse for what was rather selfish, unacceptable and irrational behaviour.

Nevertheless, we promised each other a future without knowing how to achieve it.

What damage would we cause by blowing up another marriage? I would find out soon enough.

Hell certainly hath no fury like a Tess scorned. She dubbed me an insecure, attention-seeking emotional child in print and said I was nothing more than a man who cheated and lied and who put himself before the needs of his children.

I saw both my marriages as being in a terminal decline when I stumbled across and fell in love with my wives replacements during long absences from home, as Ioan seems to have done with Bianca (pictured with Gruffudd) while filming in Australia

What a year: Bianca looked happy and content in the plethora of images as she summed up her 2021

Many people agreed with her at the time. And its easy to understand why.

That said, I saw things differently. Genuinely, I had always wanted marriage, family and stability. But being sent to boarding school aged 12, after my father died from heart disease when I was just nine, left me emotionally scarred, and being an ambitious war correspondent made a sustainable family life almost impossible.

There also seems to be something of a widespread assumption that a husband who leaves his wife and children for another woman either feels nothing or is simply elated that he has moved on to greener pastures.

I firmly believe this is a myth, reducing male emotions to the cliche of an oat-sowing lothario.

Looking good: It comes Ioan's ex Alice accused Bianca of editing a bikini snap last week, which she shared on New Year's Eve to reflect on 2021

Eek: Taking to Twitter after Bianca posted the snap, Alice penned: 'It's ok Bianca. We believe you. Your "instas" are gorgeous. Which filter is it by the way? I NEED it!'

Few leave a marriage without feeling remorseful about the good times you once shared  and thats nothing to be ashamed of.

However, it can be difficult to communicate those lost feelings with an abandoned ex-wife, especially when she can see that theres another woman who has replaced her.

The pain I caused was even enough to make those two previously sworn enemies, Tess and Debby, unite  and of course, they couldnt resist traducing me in public.

I was callous and in common with many TV personalities, Tess said, required a massive support system, needing to be the centre of the domestic universe.

That might have rung true in the Gruffudd household too, and I make no excuse for admitting that was how I must have behaved at times.

Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans attend the opening ceremony of the 58th Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 15, 2018 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

But perhaps the most significant thing Ive learned from all this public turmoil is the importance of protecting your children. When a broken marriage is in freefall, the damage caused to them can be incalculable.

While leaving the family was all my own doing, a wave of sorrow hit me every time I saw a sign for the H&M clothing store, the boys first-name initials.

But relations around the children got better and, to her credit, Tess let us into their lives.

Jelena also invested 20 years in building a relationship with Henry and Matthew.

Shielding Ioan and Alices two daughters from any emotional anguish is, I hope, priority No 1.

Jelena and I played happy families with Tess for the boys sake, our Crown Jewels, and the effort paid off, even though at times it was like walking on eggshells.

Yet I was not so successful with Debby, and I blame her sniping for destroying any hope of having a relationship with Brooke, whom I have not seen since she was the age of two.

So, looking back, do I believe that you should never air your dirty linen, like Alice Evans and, indeed, Tess and Debby have done?

Would we have got through the heartache any better if we had kept our powder dry? I believe we would have.

Now, I prefer to look back on my broken marriages for what they were when they began. When there was no bitterness, no war of words.

I remain thankful that both Debby and Tess supported me in my unforgiving career and gave birth to three of my children.

They are all now thriving in their own right, and while Debby has never remarried, Tess did and has a new husband and college-age daughter.

Its only now, with time, that I can look back and see my own mistakes in how I handled the break-ups and their aftermath.

Perhaps thats why my marriage to Jelena has reached 19 years and lasted longer than the first three put together.

And if theres one saving grace from all the feuding, its the way the boys have turned out. Henry and Matthew, both teachers in the U.S., seem to have simply taken the best from the warring adults around them.

While I did my utmost to spend time with them when they were growing up, my guilt about not being with them as much as I wanted refused to fade until late last year, when Henry saw me playing happily with Jelenas two young nephews.

He thought back to when he was their age and, as an adult, could appreciate all the time and effort Id put into keeping him and his brother as close as possible.

Henry knew what the youngsters could expect from having me in their lives and said: I am jealous of the childhood they are about to have.

Words I will treasure for ever.
A Singaporean-Australian poet has been left shocked and outraged by a 'racist' question from a long-time neighbour.

Eileen Chong was putting homemade treats in the letterbox for an elderly Scottish neighbour at their Sydney apartment block on Tuesday when she was approached by another 'old white' resident.

The Singaporean-born poet of Chinese descent later took to Twitter to recall the awkward encounter and her classy response to the offensive question, sparking online debate.

'Racism means entering the building youve lived in for eight years & being asked by an old white neighbour how much you charge for cleaning,' the online thread began.

Sydney poet Eileen Chong (pictured) claims 'an old white' neighbour asked how much she charged for cleaning

'I have been brought up with such impeccable manners that I merely blinked, & said, 'Oh, Im not a cleaner, sorry'. When really I should have said, That depends. How much do YOU charge? Its so tiring. Im so tired.'

Ms Chong described the incident as 'casual racism' as she delved into the controversial subject more broadly.

'Some white people will really look at an Asian body & think interchangeable person here to serve me. No shade on cleaners. Ive worked as a cleaner before, its real work. But its just a lot,' she continued.

'If youre outraged that this casual racism happens, you should be outraged we have refugees in detention. You should be outraged Palestinians have to fight to stay in their own homes. You should be outraged at the systemic injustices Aboriginal people face on their own lands still.'

'Anything less is hypocrisy.'

Ms Chong said there was a flip side to the encounter that made her day - bumping into her much friendlier Scottish neighbour in the car park afterwards.

'I havent seen him in a long time. Hes from Glasgow, & he looked so old & tired & sad. I asked him if he wanted some tablet & his whole face lit up. So at least one person will be very happy today,' she wrote.

Tablet is is a medium-hard, sugary treat from Scotland.

Ms Chong's experience sparked a divided response online.

'On behalf of all white Australians, I apologise sincerely and completely. This sort of behaviour is utterly unacceptable and should have disappeared long ago. I always challenge this nonsense when I hear it - we all need to,' one woman commented.

Eileen Chong was delivering homemade Scottish treats (pictured) to another elderly neighbour when she was confronted by the awkward question

Many commended Ms Chong on her classy response to the question while others spoke out about their own encounters of racism.

'I was a speaker in a closed conference. I was on the floor hooking up laptop. Lady stands over me and tells TELLS ME to get a her tea, black no sugar. I did. Imagine her eyeballs when I was introduced as speaker,' one woman posted.

Another added: 'I am European looking. Once was a med secretary for Sri Lankan-born doctor. Sometimes people used to think I was the doctor and she was some really well-dressed cleaner.'

But some questioned whether the neighbour's 'ignorant' query was racist.

'How is that racism? It was an ignorant QUESTION. Racism would be if you were TOLD you are not allowed to rent that apartment because you are Asian, Black, White, etc,' one person wrote.
Australians have cleared chemists out of Nurofen and Panadol amid the Omicron surge, but accidentally left the shelves filled with a less popular painkiller that's just as good as the popular brand names.

Eagle-eyed shopper at a Chemist Warehouse store noticed panic buyers had ignored dozens of packets of the pain relief medication Panamax.

Paramax is cheaper than Panadol but has exactly the same active ingredient.

Australians have ignored dozens of packets of the pain relief medication Panamax (in white and orange boxes on left hand side of photo) as they raid chemists for Panadol amid the Omicron surge

The woman shared shelves normally stocked with Panadol and Nurofen stripped bare, while Panamax supplies were almost untouched nearby.

'When people dont realise Panamax is paracetamol,' the woman wrote on Twitter.

At $2.99 a packet for 100 tablets, others joked Panamax was also almost five times cheaper than the more popular Panadol equivalent.

Supermarkets have been stripped bare of pain relief medication in recent days as shoppers prepare to be infected with the milder strain by having over-the-counter medications handy.

The shortage has sparked scenes reminiscent of the toilet paper hoarding of 2020, with many now unable to find their preferred medications,

The buying spree was prompted by Deputy Chief Health Officer Professor Michael Kidd urging Australians to prepare themselves for contracting Covid as case numbers surge.

On Monday, many said they went to the supermarket and found themselves unable to find any painkillers.

'No Panadol on the shelves at my local Woolworths yesterday - stripped bare,' one person wrote to Twitter on Monday.

Supermarkets shelves in Australia's capitals are being cleared of Panadol and Nurofen after the deputy chief medical officer said the pills would be handy amid Omicron (pictured: a Woolworths store on Monday)

Coles has brought in purchase limits at every one of its stores across the country as Australia battles to contain the Omicron variant

'Use Panadol they say. There's no Panadol to buy at Coles, at Woolworths, at the 4 local chemists or at Aldi. There is no Nurofen either,' another person said.

'So the local Woolworths was saying they had Rapid Antigen Tests. Husband went down. Nope no RATs. All gone. Also no Panadol, Nurofen or any other painkillers. Well done Greg Hunt. This is how you create that hoarding sh** you were talking about,' added a third.

Another person added they had searched for Panadol on the Woolworths online site and the item was unavailable.

Supermarkets have been experiencing supply-chain issues in recent weeks with many stores running low on stock (pictured: a Queensland Coles store on Monday)

Many people took to Twitter to vent their frustration after being unable to buy Panadol (pictured)

On Monday Professor Kidd said that with the prevalence of the Omicron strain, many Australians would likely test positive to the milder variant of Covid over the next few weeks.

'With the rising case numbers we've seen over the past week in many parts of the country, it's likely that many of us will test positive for Covid-19 over the coming days and weeks if we haven't already done so,' he said.

He said that having some the medicines around would help with mild aches and fevers that can be associated with Omicron.

'The first thing to do is to be prepared. My advice is that you make sure you have some paracetamol or ibuprofen at home.'

The panic-buying is reminiscent of toilet paper and paper towels being hoarded in 2020

'It's important to be prepared because you won't be able to go to your supermarket or pharmacy if you are diagnosed with Covid-19.'

Professor Kidd added drinking plenty of water is also essential.

Coles has meanwhile brought in purchase limits in every one of its stores across the country, as supermarkets battle to keep shelves stocked in the face of Australia's growing Covid crisis.

Toilet paper, paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin will now be limited in its 800 stores with Australia recording a further 90,000 Covid cases nationwide on Tuesday.

Last week the supermarket giant also announced caps on some chicken, beef and pork products.
Bronx fire victim Felix Martinez is currently clinging to life on a ventilator

The owners of a Bronx apartment building damaged in a blaze that killed 17 people are being sued for $1 billion by at least 22 people who suffered 'pain, shock and mental anguish' in the horrific fire, according to a new filing.

Rosa Reyes and Felix Martinez, who are married, were first to be represented in a class-action suit against the owners of 333 East 181 Street, where a space heater sparked the city's deadliest fire in decades on Sunday.

Martinez is currently clinging to life on a ventilator after getting lost in a darkened stairwell and being overcome by smoke, his lawyer said.

As of Tuesday evening, 20 others had joined the lawsuit after a preliminary investigation revealed a 'maintenance issue' might have prevented the fire from being contained to the original third-floor unit.

Toxic smoke was able to spread beyond the apartment because its front door failed to self-close, despite being designed to automatically shut, fire investigators previously said.

Smoke poured into the building's stairwells and, with a second door left open on a 15th-floor landing, rapidly swept throughout the complex.

'Because of the defendants' negligence, each individually named plaintiff and all class members were caused to sustain serious injuries and to have suffered pain, shock, mental anguish,' the lawsuit, obtained by DailyMail.com, says. 'These injuries and their effects will be permanent.'

A class-action lawsuit is seeking $1 billion in damages after a fire at a Bronx apartment building killed 17 people and injured many others

Pictured: Firefighters worked at the scene of a fatal blaze at the Bronx apartment building on Sunday; a coroner said Tuesday that each person who died suffered from smoke inhalation

The lawsuit alleges that building management was negligent by failing to ensure that unit doors were self-closing, that fire detectors were functional and that the emergency escapes were in working order. Pictured: Firefighters on Sunday helped rescue people in the building

All of those killed during Sunday's inferno died from smoke inhalation, a coroner confirmed Tuesday.

It's likely that 'hundreds' of others were injured or affected by the tragedy, the lawsuit states.

It alleges that building management was negligent by failing to ensure that unit doors were self-closing, that fire detectors were functional and that the emergency escapes were in working order.

It also says that the high-rise lacked a building-wide intercom system and sprinkler system.

The lawsuit also claims that at least one of the building's owners was aware of the defective doors at the time of the fire.

Its four owners - Bronx Park Phase 111 Preservation LLC, Lich Investment Group, Belveron Partners and Camber Property Group - were named as defendants.

The building's previous owner, Cammeby's International Group, and Rubin Schron are also named in the suit because the current owners have alleged that the predecessors played a role in the building's condition.

Lawyer Robert Vilensky, who is representing the victims, said the group includes plaintiffs who have been affected in a variety of ways.

'They run the gamut,' he told DailyMail.com on Tuesday. 'I represent someone whose family died, I represent people who have posttraumatic stress, I represent people who were in the hospital for a day because of smoke inhalation and are still coughing up black soot.'

'Because of the defendants' negligence, each individually named [victim was] caused to sustain serious injuries and to have suffered pain, shock, mental anguish,' the lawsuit says

It was revealed Tuesday that city inspectors cited the high-rise at least six times for failing to maintain self-closing doors within the past nine years. Pictured: A scene at the fire Sunday

A spokesperson for the building's owners told DailyMail.com that the building currently has no open door-related complaints or violations.

It was also revealed Tuesday that city inspectors cited the high-rise at least six times for failing to maintain self-closing doors within the past nine years.

Building management was issued door-related citations between 2013 and 2019, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) records obtained by the New York Post show.

Vilensky has also filed a notice of claim against the City of New York, alleging it failed to follow through with building infractions.

'It's wonderful of all these building inspectors find violations, but if they do nothing to enforce the code to make sure that the landlord's fix the violations, you end up in the exact same situation that we ended up in today, which is 17 needless deaths,' he said.

Some New Yorkers who lost loved ones in the fire are sharing their heartbreaking stories with the public.

Tijan Janneh, 64, told DailyMail.com about the terrifying moment he ventured outside the 6C apartment of the Twin Park North West complex and lost sight of his 27-year-old daughter Sera Janneh.

In the aftermath of the fire, Tijan and his heartbroken wife called hospitals trying to locate Sera, who had been rushed to receive medical care in critical condition amid the chaos. Twenty-four hours later, the Janneh family learned about Sera's death.

'She was a nice woman. She was very caring, helping - she listened to us,' the distraught father-of-seven said of his daughter.

'When the fire broke [out], I'm the one who opened the door to the alarm sounding,' he explained. 'It was 10 minutes to 11 in the morning...I [saw] the smoke. Then I called everybody [to come outside]. She was telling me ''Maybe we can stay,'' but we [saw] people coming down and I said ''Let's go. We are all going.'''
Extraordinary vision has emerged of the moment a man was kidnapped for a $3million ransom by four attackers outside his south-western Sydney home.

The video shows a white BMW SUV pull up outside a house at Condell Park and four men rush towards 39-year-old Omar Elomar then assault him.

A fifth man points a handgun at the driver of a black Lexus IS350 parked in the driveway before the kidnappers bundle Mr Elomar into the BMW X6 and speed off.

The kidnapping occurred about 7.30pm on Sunday and Mr Elomar presented himself to Bankstown Hospital, battered and bruised, on Tuesday night.

Scroll down for video

Omar Elomar (right) has miraculously reappeared with minor injuries after he was kidnapped by gang members outside his home in Sydney's south-west on Sunday evening

It has been reported a $3million ransom was paid for his release.

Mr Elomar suffered broken ribs and a black eye and discharged himself from hospital when police sought to interview him.

He has not cooperated with attempts by detectives to speak to him about the ordeal.

Police described his injuries as superficial. 'Inquiries by detectives attached to State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad are underway,' they said in a statement.

Mr Elomar may have been kidnapped after he was mistakenly linked to the theft of more than 400kg of cocaine allegedly related to exiled Comanchero bikie boss Mark Buddle, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Buddle fled to Iraq last June before the AN0M raids that saw some 250 organised crime figures arrested.

There is no suggestion Elomar was involved in the theft or distribution of cocaine, or any other crime.

Unidentified sources confirmed Mr Elomar was mistakenly identified by kidnappers as one of the thieves that stole a 400kg cocaine shipment from drug lord Mark Buddle in 2020

Buddle (above) fled to Iraq last June before the AN0M raids that saw some 250 organised crime figures arrested

Underworld sources told the Telegraph the $3million ransom held against Mr Elomar was paid in full by an unnamed person prior to his release.

Police are still investigating whether a burned out car found five hours after the kidnapping in nearby Greenacres is related to the case.

The car was set alight in an open carpark at a Lawford Street unit block in the early hours of Monday morning, spreading to a second car before it was extinguished by firefighters.

Mr Elomar was abducted from his home (above) in Bankstown, west Sydney, around 7:30pm on Sunday and stuffed into a white SUV

Although Mr Elomar's abduction was not believed to have anything to do with the underworld shootings of members of the Hamzy family, it came three days after the last fatal shooting.

Ghassan Amoun, the brother of jailed gangster and Brothers 4 Life boss Bassam Hamzy, was shot dead in a brazen broad daylight execution at lunchtime last Thursday in South Wentworthville.

Amoun was the third Hamzy relative to be gunned down, following brother Mejid Hamzy fatally shot at Condell Park in October 2020, and cousin Bilal Hamze outside a Japanese restaurant in Sydney's CBD last year.

Mr Elomar appeared at Bankstown Hospital with broken ribs and facial bruising after his ransom was reportedly paid by an unknown person
According to recently revealed court records, Prince Andrew was aware that his sex-abuse accuser had been trafficked to him. Last week, a hearing was conducted in New York on the Duke's move to dismiss Virginia Giuffre's civil action.

Giuffre, aged 38, allegedly signed a legal agreement in 2009 promising not to pursue accusations against pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's accomplices. The Duke of York, who is 62 years old, denies all allegations leveled against him. According to Judge Lewis Kaplan, the motion will be decided soon.

The ruling on Prince Andrew's petition to dismiss Virginia Giuffre's sexual assault civil complaint against him is still pending. Judge Lewis Kaplan of New York said last Tuesday that he will decide "very soon" on whether Giuffre may pursue her civil complaint and that he is examining whether a settlement deal between Epstein and Giuffre protects Andrew from legal action.

It's also been reported that Prince Andrew's lawyers would invite Maxwell to testify as a victim in order to prove Virginia Roberts, the accuser, wasn't the one who was mistreated. All of the charges against Prince Andrew are false, and he claims he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre, as per The Sun.

Accuser's settlement deal with Jeffrey Epstein made public

On the day of a critical court hearing in the case against the prince, details of a deal between Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre that Prince Andrew's attorneys hoped to save him from facing a sex abuse lawsuit have been made public. Giuffre was given $500,000 to settle her charges against the late pedophile banker, a former friend of the Duke of York, according to a 2009 legal document unsealed by a New York court on Monday.

Giuffre promised to "free, acquit, satisfy, and eternally dismiss" Epstein as well as "any other person or entity who may have been listed as a possible defendant," according to the 12-page agreement. Duke of York lawyers, who are being sued by Giuffre for allegedly sexually assaulting her while she was a juvenile, believe that because she promised to forgo any legal action against persons related to Epstein, her lawsuit against him should be dismissed.

Giuffre, then Virginia Roberts, claims she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17 and a minor under US law in London and at two of Epstein's houses. The duke has categorically rejected the allegations, and a hearing on his move to dismiss the lawsuit will be held in New York on Tuesday morning when a judge will hear legal arguments regarding the phrasing and consequences of Giuffre's deal with Epstein.

If the action proceeds, the Prince may be required to give an oath deposition and hand over decades of private conversations. Andrew Brettler, the royal's lawyer, has previously claimed that the civil lawsuit should be dismissed since the 2009 settlement relieved him of any responsibility. according to Independent.

Read Also: Meghan Markle Wins 1 Pound Token in Damages After Privacy Case; Sussexes Face Pressure Over 2020 Archewell Figures

Prince Andrew's daughters devastated over his absence in family trip

Prince Andrew's absence from their family ski holiday caused Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie much distress. The sisters were joined by their husbands, baby, and Sarah Ferguson for a journey to Verbier, Switzerland, where the Duke of York had a chalet, following Christmas.

Beatrice and Eugenie, on the other hand, were said to have to make do with regular Skype calls with their father, who was away on vacation. While the Duke is facing a civil sex action, which he denies, he was warned not to go on vacation. Prince Andrew was apparently planning to fly out with the party, but he changed his mind when his staff warned him that being seen on vacation while the issue is still underway would be "inappropriate."

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Beatrice's husband, their daughter Sienna, and Edo's son Wolfie were all present. Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank also brought their one-year-old son August to the event. The Duchess of York is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, Express reports.

Relater Article: Prince Andrew Attempts To Dismiss Sexual Abuse Case; Judge Grills the Duke's Defense

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Courtney Ireland-Ainsworth has been jailed for 10 months at Liverpool Crown Court after lying to police over her ex-boyfriend

A 'poisonous' ex-girlfriend who sent herself threats from fake Instagram accounts to get an innocent man locked up has been jailed for 10 months.

Courtney Ireland-Ainsworth created up to 30 false profiles, then told police her former partner Louis Jolly was behind 'vile' messages that she said had been sent to her.

The DHL worker, who was 19 at the time, reported him for supposedly threatening to stab her and warning: 'She is getting a f***ing blade in her chest.'

She made 10 police statements claiming Mr Jolly was harassing and stalking her, leading to him being arrested six times and spending 81 hours in custody, including being remanded overnight.

Mr Jolly was arrested six times, charged with assault and stalking, hit with a stalking protection order, bailed on a home curfew with an electronic tag, and even lost his job.

Recorder Ian Harris today told Ireland-Ainsworth: 'You created an entirely fictional but superficially credible web of poisonous deceit for over five months.'

Mr Jolly, 22, said they were together for two years but split up on 'okay terms' in October 2019, before Ireland-Ainsworth started seeing a new boyfriend, a man called Declan Rice.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Ireland-Ainsworth, now 20, of Brackendale, Runcorn, then began her 'deliberate and malevolent lies'.

Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, said she made numerous calls to police from July 15 to December 13, 2020, and provided screenshots of messages and the names of Instagram accounts, which she attributed to her victim.

Mr Jolly said his ex-girlfriend's lies to police left him thinking he'd be better off dead

She also told police he smashed items in her house, put a brick through her nan's window and threatened to stab her and her boyfriend

The court heard Ireland-Ainsworth alleged Mr Jolly called her from withheld numbers, stalked her, her friends and her new partner, filmed her walking down the street and sent her the video, verbally and physically abused her and made false claims she was using cocaine;

She also told police he smashed items in her house, put a brick through her nan's window and threatened to stab her and her boyfriend

Recorder Harris said: 'You stated after he had been arrested the stalking became worse.

'You provided images of damage to property and you yourself, as to where you said he knifed you with a Stanley knife, and there was a scar on your chest.'

In her fourth statement on October 21, she claimed he'd told Mr Rice online: 'Wait til I see her, she is getting a f***ing blade in her chest fully this time.'

Ireland-Ainsworth's mother rang police on November 15, saying Mr Jolly had threatened to stab her online. Detectives made a request for data from Facebook, which owns Instagram, but Mr Blasbery said 'this data took some time to be released to the police'.

Mr Jolly, 22, said they were together for two years but split up on 'okay terms' in October 2019, before Ireland-Ainsworth (pictured) started seeing a new boyfriend, a man called Declan Rice

Locking her up for 10 months and making a 10-year restraining order at Liverpool Crown Court, a judge told her she persisted in 'deliberate and malevolent lies' which wasted police time

Mr Jolly was hit with an interim stalking protection order on December 4, and bailed for six weeks with an electronically tagged home curfew, between 7pm and 7am daily.

Ireland-Ainsworth accused him of breaching the order and her mother called police on December 13 to report this.

However, when police received the data from Facebook, it showed at least 17 Instagram accounts created using two of Ireland-Ainsworth's email addresses and IP addresses connected to her home and mobile phone.

She was arrested and interviewed on December 12, 2020, when she confessed, before the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued stalking and assault allegations against Mr Jolly.

Mr Blasbery said: 'She attempted to minimise during that interview what she had done. She eventually admitted it.

'She stated her ex-boyfriend Mr Jolly was hassling her, but in order to make the police believe it she sent false messages to the police so that they would take it seriously.'

The court heard Ireland-Ainsworth set up as many as 30 fake Instagram accounts online

Ireland-Ainsworth, who had no previous convictions, admitted perverting the course of justice.

Recorder Harris noted in a pre-sentence report she was 'blaming the victim in some respects', but now abandoned those claims.

Jim Smith, defending, said his client was 19 at the time, immature and diagnosed as suffering from 'complex' post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Mr Smith said the PTSD arose from 'severe trauma' when Ireland-Ainsworth was a child, and a probation officer stated it affected her decision making.

Mr Smith said Ireland-Ainsworth worked at DHL Supply Chain and was a 'very respected member of that team' and 'loved and respected' by family and friends.

He suggested her personal difficulties amounted to 'exceptional circumstances' and the judge could spare her jail.

Mr Smith concluded: 'The defendant and her family are truly sorry for what has occurred in this case.'

Recorder Harris told Ireland-Ainsworth he was going to send her to prison, as she started crying in the dock.

He said her allegations 'all of them untrue' had an 'absolutely shattering effect' on the victim and his family.

The judge said: 'He's become a shell of the man he used to be.'

Recorder Harris told Ireland-Ainsworth: 'You in my judgement involved your boyfriend Declan Rice and your mother and grandmother in making statements to the police... you involved them in your dishonesty.'

He continued: 'You had made a catalogue of assertions in order to get Mr Jolly into serious trouble - calculated to lead to criminal sanctions and a loss of his liberty.

'I find a lot of thought and planning went into this criminal enterprise, which had hallmarks of sophistication and cunning about it.

'Even after you were arrested and charged, you continued to make derogatory assertions against Mr Jolly.'

Recorder Harris added: 'In the pre-sentence report you admitted messaging yourself from 20 to 30 fake Instagram accounts that you set up.

'You said, I quote, "you wanted to hurt Mr Jolly and you didn't see that your actions were selfish".

'You persisted in deliberate and malevolent lies for five months. You wasted police time and resources...

'You caused untold emotional harm to a completely innocent man and his family. He suffered anguish for months.'

Recorder Harris reduced Ireland-Ainsworth's sentence because of her mental health difficulties and gave her full credit for her guilty plea.

Locking her up for 10 months and making a 10-year restraining order, he added: 'I extend considerable sympathy to the Jolly family for what they have had to suffer at your hands.'
Former President Trump poked at President Biden's political snafu with Stacey Abrams in Georgia Tuesday, claiming the voting rights activist 'wants nothing to do with him.'

'Stacey Abrams helped Biden steal the 2020 Election in Georgia but now she won't even share a stage with Joe,' Trump said in a statement. 'Stacey knows that Biden actually lost BIG in Georgia, and in the 2020 Presidential Election as a whole, and he's been so terrible she now wants nothing to do with him. Even the woke, radical left realizes that Joe Biden's Administration is an embarrassment!'

Abrams, who lost the gubernatorial race to Gov. Brian Kemp but is running for the seat again in 2022 in the Peach State, was notably absent from Biden's visit to Atlanta to talk voting rights.

Biden and Abrams said they'd missed each other due to an unspecified scheduling conflict.

The president's visit comes after Georgia, joined by a number of other states, enacted new voting restrictions in the wake of the 2020 election, where Democrats won both Senate seats and the presidential vote in the historically red state.

'Stacey Abrams helped Biden steal the 2020 Election in Georgia but now she won't even share a stage with Joe,' Trump said in a statement

Biden delivered a fiery speech on voting rights in Atlanta Tuesday, where he said he was 'tired of being quiet'

Biden and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams said they'd missed each other due to an unspecified scheduling conflict.

Several local civil rights activists are boycotting the president's speech because of what they call a lack of action on the part of the administration surrounding voting rights.

'I spoke to Stacey this morning. We have a great relationship. We got our scheduling mixed up. I talked to her at length this morning. We're all on the same page, and everything's fine,' Biden said of the voting activist's absence.

Asked if he was insulted Abrams did not show, he quipped: 'Im insulted that you asked the question,' before flashing a quick grin.

Abrams did, however, welcome Biden to Georgia in a tweet the night before his visit. 'The fight for voting rights takes persistence. As MLK exhorted, 'The clock of destiny is ticking out. We must act now before it is too late.' Thank you [Biden] for refusing to relent until the work is finished. Welcome back to Georgia where we get good done.'

Georgia' Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, meanwhile, is nearing a decision whether to bring charges against Trump and his allies for trying to pressure Georgia officials to overturn Biden's election victory.]

Under investigation is Trump's Jan. 2, 2020 call with Georgia Sec. of State Brad Raffensberger where Trump said: 'I just want to find 11,780 votes.'



White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was confronted with questions about Abrams' absence en route to Georgia, where Biden had a full schedule of events planned.

'He understands scheduling conflicts and how they appear in your life,' she said. 'We have a full plane of congressional leaders and advocates for voting rights,' she added.

Biden said in his Atlanta speech that he was 'tired of being quiet' on voting rights and demanded the Senate kill the filibuster in order to pass federal legislation.

The President's speech came just hours after Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said again that he would not back removing the filibuster to pass voting rights and amid Republican claims Democrats want to federalize elections.

'I have been having these quiet conversations with members of Congress for the last two months,' Biden said of his work on voting rights. And then he slammed the podium as the crowd cheered, declaring: 'I'm tired of being quiet!'

And he attacked the Senate, an institute he served in for 36 years.

'Sadly, the United States Senate designed to be the world's greatest deliberative body, has been rendered a shell of its former self,' he said.

He called on the Senate to change its rules to bypass the 60-vote threshold needed to advance two voting bills. Republicans are in opposition to such a move and two Democratic senators, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, are also leery of doing so.

'I believe the threat to democracy is so great that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills. Debate them, vote, let the majority prevail. And at that very minute it was blocked, we had no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster for this,' Biden said.
A veteran doctor claims he urged Australia's top politicians and health bureaucrats months ago to stockpile rapid antigen tests before shortages hit the country.

Ian Norton, former head of the World Health Organisations emergency medical team, claimed he pushed Australian leaders to heavily invest in rapid antigen tests six months ago.

But he said it fell on deaf ears and now supply chains have critical labour shortages with workers struggling to find tests needed to be cleared to work.

Specialist emergency physician Ian Norton (pictured) claims he urged Australian leaders to stockpile rapid antigen tests before mass shortages swept the country

'I'm disappointed we weren't better prepared because we were advocating for preparation for this for some time, to get ready, to have a stockpile ready to use at the state and commonwealth level,' Dr Norton told The Australian.

'It's tough to watch now because we were advocating for so long and I remember vividly having lots of conversations with chief health officers and their various staff in different jurisdictions.

'[I was saying] this is really relevant, particularly to a couple of industries we've been supporting, such as the meat sector and distribution centres, these are places we should have seen as critical.'

Australians were urged to switch to rapid tests to alleviate mounting pressure on PCR clinics as Covid-19 cases surged.

The lack of rapid antigen tests has led to critical labor shortages in distribution centres and supply chain as workers were plunged into Covid-19 isolation (pictured, a pharmacy displays a sign informing customers they have sold out of RAT kits)

However, it is near-impossible to get their hands on rapid antigen tests with stock numbers dwindling and pharmacy shelves stripped bare.

The shortage left manufacturing, transport, postal, warehousing, and even waste collection undermanned as thousands of workers were plunged into Covid isolation.

'We were watching other countries stocking up on RAT tests and wondering why on earth we were not getting ready in case that happens here. Was it that we truly felt it would never happen to us here?' he added.

Dr Norton, the founder of Health Crisis management outfit of Respond Global, is now working to support affected workers in supply chains.

Furloughed food logistics and manufacturing staff are allowed to leave self-isolation to attend work if they have no symptoms, wear a mask, and undergo daily rapid antigen testing.

However tens of thousands of workers are still unable to get their hands on a rapid test kits due to limited availability.

Australians were urged to switch to RAT tests to alleviate mounting pressure on the PCR test systems, predominantly in NSW and Victoria as Covid-19 cases surged (pictured, residents endured long wait lines for PCR tests at Bondi Beach on New Year's Day)

However, NSW politicians will receive close to 2,000 free rapid antigen tests.

They will be sent out to MPs' electorate offices across the state, and staff who work out of Parliament House will have access to at least one per week.

In an email to the parliamentary workforce on Monday, the Department of Parliamentary Services confirmed a limited supply was put aside as a 'safety measure'.

'For electorate offices, a limited supply of tests (20 RAT kits) will be sent out to each of the 98 electorate offices for use by members and staff, starting from tomorrow morning,' MPs were told.

Supermarket giants such as Woolworths and Coles have also been allocated stockpiles for workers - but they are said to be dwindling.

The first of 50 million rapid antigen tests will begin arriving in NSW this week, with the state government trying to source another 50 million for distribution in late February and March.

The Victorian Government also secured an order for 34 million rapid antigen tests to be delivered by the end of January.
Sajid Javid has strengthened his support for the Government slashing self-isolation periods, saying he is increasingly of the view it is sensible, the Daily Mail understands.

Ministers are under pressure to reduce the required isolation after Covid symptoms start from seven days to five to stop the country grinding to a halt.

Slashing the stay-at-home period for those testing negative would lessen crippling staff shortages blighting schools, hospitals and businesses, campaigners believe.

Sajid Javid has strengthened his support for the Government slashing self-isolation periods, saying he is increasingly of the view it is sensible, the Daily Mail understands

The Health Secretary is understood to be increasingly of the view that this looks like a sensible thing to do, with signs that cases are levelling off nationally.

Tory MPs have been pushing for the Government to change its guidance, and last night former Conservative minister David Jones said it should urgently reassess the self-isolation period.

Former Tory Cabinet minister Theresa Villiers said of the potential change: If this is judged to be safe in the United States, then lets apply the same rule here to relieve the great pressure that staff absence is creating for our health and care system.

And Oxford Universitys Professor Carl Heneghan, who has been volunteering in urgent care this winter, said: While it made sense early in the pandemic to have a very simple ten-day rule, it doesnt make sense almost two years in.

A much more nuanced policy would reflect when people are infectious versus when they are not... We need a pragmatic approach like testing every day until people are negative.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) this week admitted it had issued misleading claims about the way Britains rules compare with other countries.

Oxford Universitys Professor Carl Heneghan, who has been volunteering in urgent care this winter, said: While it made sense early in the pandemic to have a very simple ten-day rule, it doesnt make sense almost two years in'

But Downing Street said yesterday that the Government was still gathering the latest evidence on whether to cut existing isolation rules.

Boris Johnsons official spokesman said: The Prime Minister hasnt received formal advice either way yet. So, well await that and then make a decision.

The military will respond to non-emergency ambulance calls in the East Midlands after isolation rules left the service critically short of staff.
Tory MPs last night demanded more financial support with energy bills for colder parts of the country as well as cuts to VAT and green levies.

One backbencher said it was wrong for politicians earning more than 80,000 to legislate to push up heating costs for the poorest in society.

Another questioned why Britain was so reliant on Putins gas rather than building up its own reserves. Rishi Sunak continued to hold meetings with rebellious Tory backbenchers who urged him to tackle the cost of living crisis.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold further talks with Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng this week as they try to agree measures to help struggling families with their energy bills

Boris Johnson is under growing pressure after a new poll found one third of Britons fear they will be unable to pay their energy bills this year because of the worsening cost of living crisis

One MP urged the Chancellor to consider giving more money to areas with colder weather. The Treasury said that the idea would be looked at.

Cold weather payments give an extra 25 to pensioners on benefits if local temperatures drop to below freezing for seven days, but the system does not apply to all or cover whole areas.

Ministers are considering extensions to the Warm Home Discount, which gives 140 a year towards energy bills to 2.2million on benefits.

Experts predict rising wholesale energy prices will hike bills by 50 per cent in April, costing households hundreds of pounds extra. Labour forced a Commons vote on scrapping the 5 per cent energy VAT rate for a year, but the motion lost by 319 votes to 229.

The energy price cap is due to be reviewed in April and experts expect it to rise by more than 50 per cent

Lee Anderson (pictured), the Conservative MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, argued for the removal of green levies, adding a lot of us are sat here on over 80,000 a year... and we are telling poor people that they must pay more to heat their rooms

Some of the most critical of Mr Johnsons energy policies were MPs from formerly Labour seats in the North of England. These areas could benefit from schemes targeting funding at colder areas.

Lee Anderson, the Conservative MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, argued for the removal of green levies, adding a lot of us are sat here on over 80,000 a year... and we are telling poor people that they must pay more to heat their rooms.

Conservative Craig Mackinlay, who represents South Thanet in Kent, said: Is it at all sensible that Britain and the EU spend billions with Putins Russia on gas so that he can have more money to create weapons of offence on the borders of Europe?

n A council is facing an enormous bill after discovering it has not paid for gas for 17 years. Beverley Town Council in East Yorkshire does not have a gas supplier, despite using and receiving gas since 2004. The discovery was made in November when an engineer was called to the councils offices to fix a broken gas boiler.
A tough-as-nails magistrate has given an Instagram influencer charged with high-range drink driving a swift dressing down and indicated she's facing 'very serious consequences' for her actions.

Patricia Hadjia, 27, pleaded guilty to high range drink driving after she crashed into three parked cars and flipped her Jeep Grand Cherokee while three times over the limit in Maroubra in Sydney's east on October 16.

Her license was suspended after she blew a blood-alcohol reading of 0.181.

Ms Hadjia told Daily Mail Australia she was 'embarrassed and deeply regretful' over the incident.

Her barrister, Tom Hughes, hoped the matter would be dealt with in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday and indicated he was seeking a community corrections order by way of punishment.

Ms Hadjia (centre) hoped her matter would be concluded when she faced the Waverley Local Court on Wednesday

Patricia Hadija (pictured left) crashed her Jeep after attending a wedding reception (pictured on the day of the crash holding a champagne flute)

Hadjia will appear again in six weeks, when she is expected to be sentenced and is facing 'very serious consequences'

'Since September 2018, 5,164 cases have been dealt with under the high-range section 45.5 per cent have received a community corrections order,' he said.

'Having regard to her having no prior records and a guilty plea, 44.5 per cent are dealt with by CCO (a community corrections order) and 49 per cent fine only.'

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge cut Mr Hughes off, telling him the statistics meant very little to her in her sentencing decision.

'I'm not convinced a CCO is the way to deal with your client, Mr Hughes,' the Ms Milledge said.

'None of those statistics have any of the subjective material before me in terms of this offending.

'[Ms Hadjia] collided with multiple cars, kept on driving, emergency services had to be called her and her passenger were trapped for a period of time.'

Patricia Hadjia is pictured right at the scene of the crash, in the same green pants she wore to the wedding earlier that day. Her passenger sits atop the car

Patricia Hadjia, 27, pleaded guilty to high range drink driving after she crashed into three parked cars and flipped her Jeep Grand Cherokee while three times over the limit in Maroubra in Sydney's east on October 16

Mr Hughes said his client was anxious to have the matter dealt with and move on, but accepted 'what will be, will be'

The matter could not go ahead because she had not received sentencing reports for Ms Hadjia and needed further clarity as to what options are available to the court moving forward.

The magistrate adjourned the matter for six weeks, instructing Ms Hadjia and her team to seek sentencing reports ahead of her next appearance.

Mr Hughes said his client was anxious to have the matter dealt with and move on, but accepted 'what will be, will be'.

Court documents reveal Hadjia's 29-year-old male friend, who was the passenger at the time of the crash, climbed out of the wreckage smoking a cigarette.

Ms Hadjia told Daily Mail Australia she was 'embarrassed and deeply regretful' over the incident

'The guy was still in there and he had his head out the window He put a cigarette in his mouth,' a witness of the Duncan Street crash said.

He was also pictured sitting on top of the flipped Jeep.

The Instagram influencer, who works as a consultant for people looking to increase their engagement and followers on social media, posted a picture holding a champagne glass hours before the accident.

It's understood she was a guest at a wedding.

Ms Hadjia will return to the same court on March 2 for sentencing.
An Australian surgeon has demonstrated the correct way to do a rapid antigen test and the common mistake many people are making - putting swabs too far up the nose.

Dr Eric Levi, an ear, nose and throat specialist from Melbourne, has posted a series of helpful video to his TikTok account which show parents the right and wrong way to perform the tests - which contain lessons for us all.

Dr Levi said people have come to believe they need to insert the swab really deep because of PCR tests performed upon them, but that is not necessary with RATs.

'The aim is to go low and slow - aim for the back of the nose,' he says.

Dr Eric Levi, an ear, nose and throat specialist from Melbourne, posted a video to his TikTok account showing parents the right and wrong way to test their kids

Dr Levi said he's heard from many parents concerned they're not performing the RATs accurately, and offered advice for those concerned they're not doing a proper job.

'Remember, going up is painful, always aim down, going low and going slow. I've got my little finger to stabilise my hand on her chin,' he says.

Dr Levi is a Consultant Surgeon at Ear, Nose and Throat Victoria, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.

He regularly posts explainers to his TikTok account helping followers perform nasal and throat Covid tests on themselves and others.

His latest video offers a tutorial for parents conducting rapid tests on their children, an important lesson with kids going back to school around the country in the next few weeks.

'She is sitting comfortably on the sofa, I'm using my arm to support her head,' Dr Levi says as he performs the swab on his daughter.

'Just going in slowly with a bit of a gentle twirl going round to the back, one to two centimetres. Twirling and then slowly coming out, and that's it.'

Dr Levi is a Consultant Surgeon at Ear, Nose and Throat Victoria, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne

Dozens of parents commented on the video thanking Dr Levi, with many putting the technique into practice.

'So useful! I used your adult technique and was shocked by how easy it actually was,' a mother replied.

'This is great, thank you!!! And thanks Moana for volunteering,' another commented, thanking Dr Levi's daughter for helping the tutorial.

He says despite hesitation from people surrounding the tests and concerns they are doing them wrong, practice makes perfect and the normalising of RATs will see more accurate results going forward.

He regularly posts explainers to his TikTok account helping followers perform nasal and throat Covid tests on themselves and others

In another video, Dr Levi explains to children the tests are harmless and safe, demonstrating on a puppet T-Rex.

'Some of you might be a bit worried, you might think it's painful, well surprisingly it's actually very easy and very quick,' he says.

'You just show them your beautiful nose, you have one on the left and one on the right.

'They will come in with this tiny little swab stick. They'll put it in and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, then on the other side.

'They might put a little swab stick on your throat. That's all that it is, it's nice and quick, and not scary at all.'

The ear, nose and throat specialist appeared on The Project on Monday night explaining he made the videos after hearing people were having trouble conducting their own tests.

'I realised that a lot of my friends and patients and colleagues weren't comfortable testing their own nose,' he told the program.

'Particularly people from culturally and linguistically diverse, or elderly patients, it's actually quite challenging.'

Dozens of parents commented on the video thanking Dr Levi, with many putting the technique into practice

In NSW, primary school-aged children aged between five and 11 years have begun receiving their first dose of a special Pfizer vaccination.

Premier Dominic Perrottet remains committed to getting children back in classrooms later this month, despite a recommended eight-week gap between the first and second doses for this cohort.

More than 78 per cent of children aged 12 to 15 are already fully vaccinated.

His Victorian counterpart Daniel Andrews has also ruled out postponing the resumption of classrooms, however Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk delayed the start of term one by a fortnight until the second week of February.

The South Australian government will finalise its school plans this week but has warned to expect disruptions surge to the surge in Covid cases.

The safe reopening of schools will be high on the agenda when the national cabinet meets on Thursday.
Elvis Costello has revealed that he will no longer perform one of his most popular hits, Oliver's Army, because it contains a racial slur used to describe Catholics.

The song was written about the conflict in Northern Ireland and Costello said it was what his grandfather was called while serving in the British Army.

The 67-year-old told the Telegraph: 'It's historically a fact. But people hear that word go off like a bell and accuse me of something that I didn't intend.'

The line in question includes the lyric: 'Only takes one itchy trigger/ One more widow, one less white n*****.'

The song, taken from the 1979 album Armed Forces, is one of Costello's best-known hits and received endless plays across all BBC radio stations without any complaint  until recently.

Elvis Costello (pictured) has revealed he will no longer perform one of his most popular hits, Oliver's Army, because it contains a racial slur used to describe Catholics in Northern Ireland

The song, taken from the 1979 album Armed Forces, is one of Costello's best-known hits and received endless plays across all BBC radio stations without any complaint  until recently

Oliver's Army full lyrics Don't start that talking I could talk all night My mind was sleepwalking While I'm putting the world to right Call careers information Have you got yourself an occupation? Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else But here today There was a Checkpoint Charlie He didn't crack a smile But it's no laughing party When you've been on the murder mile Only takes one itchy trigger One more widow, one less white n***** Oliver's Army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else But here today Hong Kong is up for grabs London is full of Arabs We could be in Palestine Overrun by the Chinese line With the boys from the Mersey and the Thames and the Tyne But there's no danger It's a professional career Though it could be arranged With just a word in Mr. Churchill's ear If you're out of luck or out of work We could send you to Johannesburg Oliver's Army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else But here today And I would rather be anywhere else But here today And I would rather be anywhere else But here today Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh Advertisement

In 2013, the BBC received criticism for editing the song by bleeping out the offending line and on his last tour Costello rewrote the song in response to being 'cut down by the censors'.

He added: 'On the last tour, I wrote a new verse about censorship, but what's the point of that?'

'So I've decided I'm not going to play it. [Bleeping the word] is a mistake. They're making it worse by bleeping it for sure. Because they're highlighting it then. Just don't play the record!'

In a separate interview with the Guardian to promote his new album, The Boy Names If, Costello said he wanted radio stations to stop playing the original recording.

He said: 'Sadly that two-word slang is a historical fact. It was a derogatory term for Irish Catholics which I use to make the point.

'One dreads to think how the officer class spoke about people of colour. Perhaps I'd express the same idea differently now.'

Costello added that radio stations will 'do him a favour' by not playing the 1979 song anymore.

Because when I fall under a bus, they'll play 'She', 'Good Year For The Roses' and 'Oliver's Army',' he added. 'I'll die, and they will celebrate my death with two songs I didn't write. What does that tell you?'

Good Year For The Roses was written by Jerry Chesnut and performed by George Jones, while She was originally written and performed by Charles Aznavour.

Costello released cover versions of the songs in 1981 and 1999, respectively with his cover of She coming in as his biggest song on streaming services, wracking up 80 million plays on Spotify alone.

It comes months after Rolling Stones confirmed they would no longer play the song Brown Sugar due to controversy surrounding the song's lyrics.

The hit track was originally titled 'Black P****', but Mick Jagger decided before releasing it that the title was too 'nitty-gritty' and it was changed to Brown Sugar.

The 1969 song depicts scenes of slavery and sexual violence, including lyrics telling of a slave driver whipping a group of women, and has come under fire in recent years for its comments about slavery.

Keith Richards said the band made the decision to retire the track as they don't want to get involved in 'conflicts' about the lyrics, while Mick Jagger hinted that the song may return to their setlist in the future.

The last time the Stones played the hit track, which has sold 2,700,000 times in original sales since its release, was on August 30, 2019, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

In 2013, the BBC received criticism for editing the song by bleeping out the offending line and on his last tour Costello rewrote the song in response to being 'cut down by the censors'

It provoked a backlash from 'woke' music fans who claimed they should not still be singing the song due to its depictions of slavery.

But furious Rolling Stones fans said they don't understand the controversy surrounding the track as it is clearly anti-slavery, with many saying artists should be free to express themselves without fearing 'cancel culture'.

The 1969 song has been a staple of the Rolling Stones live shows since it came out 50 years ago, and is the second most played song in their catalogue after Jumpin' Jack Flash, with 1,136 known performances, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

Keith Richards, who recorded the song with Jagger over a three-day session at the famed Muscle Shoals studio in Alabama, said he was taken aback by the recent discomfort about the lyrics, since it was always a grotesque story about slavery, rape and sexual violence.
Brits looking to make holiday plans in the near future have been given a boost, as Paris confirmed France would be opening its borders to British holidaymakers soon.

France made the decision last month on December 18 to close its borders to British holidaymakers in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

However, with the number of confirmed cases of Covid continuing to soar in France despite the measures, the French government looks set to reverse its decision, according to The Times.

One source even told the paper that the borders could be open again 'within hours'.

France is looking to open its borders back up to British holidaymakers 'very soon', reversing a decision to shut out Brits back in December (stock image)

With the number of confirmed cases of Covid continuing to soar in France despite the measures, the French government looks set to reverse its decision - good news for struggling ski resort bosses (stock image)

Confirming the news that the borders would be re-opening, Alexandre Holroyd - the French MP in charge of expats living in the UK - said the changes would be brought in 'very soon'.

The decision to re-open its borders to British tourists will come as a welcome relief to ski resort bosses - with Brits making up a large chunk of the visitors to the country's resorts.

With no British tourists, many sky bosses saw a dip in the number of visitors, resulting in drastic financial losses.

Ski tour operator Skiline.co.uk has even issued a statement on the news that France's borders could be re-opened shortly.

Long queues have built up at Dover with the Operation TAP temporary traffic system implemented to help ease the huge lines of lorries at the border

Pictured: A huge queue of lorries is seen waiting to enter the Port of Dover yesterday - with a backlog being caused by the Dover Tap system

Vehicles stood stationary awaiting border checks yesterday, just a day after the Port of Dover boss begged the government for lateral flow tests

The statement read: 'We are expecting the French government to make an announcement this Wednesday to confirm that British vaccinated skiers can enter France from Saturday.'

As such, the firm has started selling spots on its trips - though has promised refunds should the borders not be open in time.

Booster vaccines will be required for any holidaymakers hoping to qualify for a pass sanitaire - which permits access to restaurants, museums and ski lifts.

France has already slightly eased travel restrictions for Brits seeking to enter the country - with last week seeing anyone with compelling business trips being allowed into the country.

Current rules dictate that anyone arriving in France from the UK must show a negative Covid test at the border, before completing a 48-hour quarantine, and then undergoing another test.

At the turn of the New Year, French tourism bosses urged Emmanuel Macron (pictured) to scrap his travel ban on UK holidaymakers, accusing him of punishing the industry over worsening ties with Britain

It comes after calls from French tourism bosses at the turn of the new year, urging Emmanuel Macron to scrap his travel ban on UK holidaymakers, accusing him of punishing the industry over worsening ties with Britain.

Francois Badjily, head of the Alpe dHuez tourist office, suggested France was playing politics with the pandemic. We have the impression that our industry is being made to pay the price for the poor relations between both countries right now, whether its about Brexit or fishing or whatever, he said.

Mr Badjily said the current rules were incoherent because fully vaccinated tourists from other countries where the Omicron strain is already present are able to visit.

Vaccine passports are needed to enter French holiday hotspots such as ski resorts, as well as restaurants, bars and leisure facilities.

Alpe dHuez draws a quarter of its visitors from the UK every year, and Mr Badjily added: Why should a Briton who meets these criteria not be allowed to come, but the French and Belgians can?

WHO regional director Hans Kluge warned yesterday that the Omicron variant will infect 50 per cent of Europe over the next two months at its current rate (Pictured: Hans Kluge during video press conference on Tuesday)

It comes as the World Health Organisation said this yesterday that more than half of people in Europe are on track to contract the Omicron coronavirus variant in the next two months if infections continue at current rates.

Speaking at a press conference, regional director Hans Kluge warned that the Omicron variant represented a 'new west-to-east tidal wave sweeping across' the European region.

'At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasts that more than 50 percent of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next six to eight weeks,' Kluge told reporters.

The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries and territories including several in Central Asia, and Kluge noted that 50 of them had confirmed cases of the Omicron variant.

According to the WHO, 26 of those countries reported that over one percent of their populations were 'catching Covid-19 each week,' as of January 10, and that the region had seen over seven million new virus cases reported in the first week of 2022 alone.

Referencing data collected over the last few weeks, Kluge said the variant was confirmed to be more transmissible and that 'the mutations it has enable it to adhere to human cells more easily, and it can infect even those who have been previously infected or vaccinated.'

However, Kluge also stressed that 'approved vaccines do continue to provide good protection against severe disease and death, including for Omicron.'

He cited the hospitalisation rate in Denmark, which he said is six times higher among the unvaccinated than among those who had received their jabs.

It comes as the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 in France rose by 767 to 22,749 on Monday, the biggest increase since April 2021.

Health Minister Olivier Veran told lawmakers yesterday that the Omicron strain leads to less serious complications than previous variants, but since it is highly infectious, it is pushing hospital numbers up quickly, reported France24.

According to official data released on Monday, France reported close to 94,000 new Covid-19 cases.

This pushed the seven-day moving average of new infections to a new high of 269,614, marking the 14th day in a row in which the value climbed up.

Huge queues of lorries build up at Dover after port bosses begged for lateral flow tests to keep traffic moving and predicted 20-mile motorway queues unless Covid checks are lifted by Easter holidays

By Jack Newman for MailOnline

Long queues have built up at Dover with the Operation TAP temporary traffic system implemented to help ease the huge lines of lorries at the border.

Vehicles stood stationary awaiting border checks, just a day after the Port of Dover boss begged the government for lateral flow tests to ease the pressure on the workers.

The Dover TAP, a temporary traffic system to prevent a build up in lorry traffic, was brought in amid tailbacks on the motorways.

Long queues have built up at Dover with the Operation TAP temporary traffic system implemented to help ease the huge lines of lorries at the border (pictured this evening)

A long queue of lorries wait on the A20 at Capel-le-Ferne for the Port of Dover in Kent today

The TAP sees a 40mph speed restriction for all vehicles approaching the port brought in.

Port-bound lorries are required to queue on the nearside to prevent congestion and traffic lights hold back lorries until there is space at the Port of Dover.

The port's chief executive Doug Bannister said staff 'still don't have full access' to daily tests despite being key workers.

Last week, Boris Johnson had promised 100,000 key workers would receive the lateral flows each day.

The port has applied to be included in the scheme but is yet to receive the supply, leading to potential shortages and causing delays,.

The Dover TAP, a temporary traffic system to prevent a build up in lorry traffic, was brought in amid tailbacks on the motorways

The TAP sees a 40mph speed restriction for all vehicles approaching the port brought in

Bannister told the BBC: 'The government has made lateral flow capacity available to some key areas. They haven't stepped as deeply into our operations as we'd like them to.'

He said port workers had 'maintained the operations and the critical flow of goods into the nation' over the past two years and the port needs to be 'better prepared'.

He added daily tests would ensure there is the 'right complements of the people on the ground to facilitate travel'.

Exports across the channel between Great Britain and the EU became subject to full customs controls on January 1, adding to the delays.

Lorries queue at the entrance to the Port of Dover in Kent as the boss begged for more lateral flow tests

The port's chief executive Doug Bannister said staff 'still don't have full access' to daily tests despite being key workers

It comes after a ferry boss predicted 20-mile motorway queues if Covid border checks are not lifted by Easter as UK holidaymakers are likely to ditch long-haul trips for holidays closer to home in Europe.

Consumer confidence in travel is currently low as a consequence of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, which caused a number of new travel restrictions and testing requirements to be introduced over the festive period.

There are hopes, though, that 2022 will see a resurgence in travel demand amid hopes some restrictions will soon be lifted with Britain moving towards a situation where it can 'live with' the virus.

Chris Parker, director of capacity and passenger performance for ferry operator DFDS, has warned that an increase in Brits heading to Europe for an Easter holiday could lead to 20-mile queues at Dover if Covid border checks are not eased.

He said checks on passenger locator forms and vaccination passports mean it takes longer for travellers at the border, which could continue to be an issue.

Mr Parker added: 'Any sort of significant return in terms of passenger numbers, that's going to escalate the problem.

'It's really, really important that we don't find ourselves around Easter, for example, doing these sort of checks because it simply won't work.

'The impact would be queues back on to the motorways of Kent, stretching back 10, 20 miles - there's no question about that - and in fairly short order.'

Mr Parker added that little notice prior to the introduction of new restrictions had also led to 'quite a lot of abuse' for DFDS staff at the border.

Freight lorries, heading to Dover, queuing on the M20 motorway at the Channel Tunnel Terminal junction in Kent on December 18, 2021

DFDS ferries Dover Seaways (top) and the Cote d'Opale pictured as they arrive at the Port of Dover in Kent

If demand for travel eventually returns to pre-pandemic levels, he also predicts there will be behavioural changes among holidaymakers.

Mr Parker said: 'I do think that maybe there will be a shift a little bit away from long haul back towards more local holidaying, and I guess that also underlying there's that element of sustainable travel, green travel.'

As well as the challenges presented by the pandemic, he said the travel industry is still getting to grips with Brexit and how to pursue a greener, more sustainable future.

Asked about restrictions on UK nationals visiting France introduced days before Christmas, Mr Parker hailed the 'very good news' last week that the UK Government had rolled back its main restrictions and said 'we may hear something quite soon' regarding the French Government following suit.
Police are offering $1 million for information to solve the suspicious death of a young Melbourne musician, after a fire at his home more than six years ago.

It's believed Connor Tolson, 21, a drummer in Melbourne band Riders Of Sin, died before the blaze in his bungalow at the back of his family's home in Malvern East on September 19, 2015.

He had been out celebrating a friend's 21st birthday in Brighton on September 18 and left the party to walk to the train station with three other guests about 11.30pm.

Police are offering $1 million for information to solve the suspicious death of a young Melbourne musician Connor Tolson (above), after a fire at his home more than six years ago

In 2015 Connor was believed to have been killed in a fire after returning home from a party

Mr Tolson was picked up by a rideshare driver near North Brighton train station about 12.13am on September 19 and dropped off near his home.

His sister heard noises that sounded like movement in the backyard about 3.30am, but when she looked out her window she didn't see anything.

Local residents smelt smoke and called triple zero to report a fire between 4.30am and 4.45am, and Mr Tolson's sister awoke just before 5am to find the bungalow on fire.

However, a 2017 inquest into the death found it was suspicious and referred it to the Victoria Police Arson and Explosives Squad to investigate

Now a recent autopsy report has indicated Connor had died before the onset of the bungalow fire

She awoke her mother and they went outside to find the bungalow well alight.

Mr Tolson's mother kicked open the front door, with the bungalow already filled with smoke and flames.

Fire crews arrived and extinguished the blaze before inspecting the bungalow and finding the musician's body, with the fire initially deemed non-suspicious.

However, a 2017 inquest into the death found it was suspicious and referred it to the Victoria Police Arson and Explosives Squad to investigate.

Prior to the fire Connor had attended a party celebrating a friend's 21st birthday in Brighton

Detectives Senior Sergeant Mark Kennedy urged anyone with information about Connor's death to contact police

An autopsy report indicated he had died before the onset of the fire.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Kennedy said those responsible for the death may have spoken to someone about Mr Tolson and hoped the reward could lead to them coming forward.

'People's circumstances can change over the years and someone who may not have wanted to provide information to police previously may now feel ready to do so,' he said.

'It doesn't matter how insignificant you think the piece of information is, it could be exactly what our investigators need to make a breakthrough in this case.'
Countless discussions regarding Joe Biden's Build Back Better bill continue to occur, especially now that House majority leader Chuck Schumer confirmed that Democrats would soon be casting their votes.

According to reports, Senate Democrats are confident that they can still pass the bill, but they also know that they need to change it. After all, not all Democrats are on board with the Build Back Better bill as a whole.

As such, one of the suggestions among the party is for specific components of the Build Back Better bill to be voted on and approved apart from the rest.

Senate Democrats willing to make adjustments to BBB

For instance, Rep. Susan Wild is fighting to pass Build Back Better's $35 monthly cap on co-pays for insulin treatments. This will take effect next year and will only apply to products covered by insurance if approved.

Wild said she would be surprised if Senate Democrats won't approve this.

Other senators are convinced that narrower segments will be approved much easier as opposed to the entire Build Back Better bill as a whole that would cost $1.8 trillion for the next ten years.

"I think that all the historical signs seem to be pointing to some narrower set of segments. Obviously, the old saying, 'Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good,' has been vastly overstated, but it's still true," Sen. Richard Blumenthal said via the Huffington Post.

Read Also: Joe Biden Shelves Joe Manchin's $1.8 Trillion Social Spending Offer After Senator Refused To Support Build Back Better Bill

Joe Manchin won't support Build Back Better bill

Sen. Joe Manchin is proving to be one of the biggest roadblocks of the bill. After all, he previously told reporters that he couldn't wrap his head around providing families with financial benefits when some of them would use the money for drugs.

But Rep. Dan Kildee pointed out that while Manchin has been very vocal regarding his lack of support for the Build Back Better bill, the senator has not said exactly what he would be willing to support.

CNN also likened what Manchin has been doing to what former Republican Sen. Charles Grassley did to the Barack Obama administration in 2009. At the time, Grassley also refused to get on board with Obama's Affordable Care Act.

But the publication also pointed out that not all hope is lost when it comes to reeling in Manchin to support Build Back Better bill. After all, the Senate Democrats already agreed to make some changes.

The challenge now has to do with how they would spend and allocate their $1.75 to $1.8 trillion budget among all the components included in the bill.

Joe Manchin backs out of his $1.8 trillion proposal

Last year, Manchin proposed the $1.8 trillion frameworks to Biden as part of their negotiations. This would include universal prekindergarten for ten years, expansion of Obamacare, and a huge budget to combat climate change.

But after proposing his framework, the West Virginia senator told reporters that he decided not to support the bill. The back and forth has caused more tensions between Manchin and the Democrats, according to MSNBC.

However, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said they would continue to see if they could sway Manchin to support the Build Back Better bill.

Related Article: Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Vows To Make Changes To Filibuster Rules To Ensure It Will Be Approved by Jan. 17

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Australia's two biggest states have committed to reopening schools on time for the new year, amid calls to delay bringing children back as the covid pandemic continues.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said children needed to be back 'on day one' while Victorian acting health minister James Merlino said the state would 'absolutely' deliver face-to-face learning as planned.

'(My priorities are) hospitalisations number one and number two is getting kids back into the classroom,' Mr Perrottet said on Wednesday.

NSW Premiere said getting children back to school 'on day one' in his secondest highest priority amid the Omicron outbreak

'We need kids back on day one and that is what we are going to do.'

Mr Merlino said he was working with NSW and other jurisdictions for a nationally consistent framework schools returning.

'No one is talking about lockdown, no one is talking about remote learning,' he said.

'I want every child back at school day one term one and we will be making sure that that is the case.

Victorian acting health minister James Merlino said the state would no be using remote learning and that he wants 'every child back at school day one term one'

States and territories are reportedly working together to ensure a nation-wide school framework can be created as school reopen as children begin to receive vaccinations

'We made a commitment to the people of Victoria - get vaccinated, and then we can move beyond remote learning, move beyond lockdowns.'

The states and territories are working with the head of the prime minister's department Phil Gaetjens on a plan to coordinate schools reopening, with advice likely to go to a national cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Australia's former deputy chief medical officer has put his name on a letter to national cabinet urging leaders not to delay the school year's start.

Australia's former deputy chief medical officer has put his name on a letter to national cabinet urging leaders not to delay the school year start as the child vaccination rollout continues

Medical experts have said children going back to school will not have an impact on the trajectory of covid Omicron cases

Dr Nick Coatsworth, along with other medical experts, says children going back to school will not have an impact on the trajectory of covid Omicron cases.

'Many kids have already had it so there is no cause to delay schools going back,' Dr Coatsworth told Nine Network.

'It is not correct to delay it. I put my name on a letter (on Wednesday) to national cabinet indicating we do not feel as medical experts that is right.'

Queensland has already decided to delay term one by two weeks, to allow for more booster shots for teachers and vaccination of young children

Queensland has already decided to delay term one by two weeks, to allow for more booster shots for teachers and vaccination of young children.

Clinical epidemiologist Nancy Baxter says while school is essential for children, a one or two-week delay won't have a long-term impact, especially if choice is involved.

Professor Baxter says parents should be able to choose whether to send their child to school on the first week or not.

The child vaccination rollout only began on Monday meaning most children will not be fully vaccinated until March at the earliest

'Schools could be open, but potentially not for all students,' she told the ABC.

'Some students may not feel safe to go back to school, some parents may not feel safe to send their kids back to school before they're vaccinated.'

GPs have expressed concern a shortage of vaccines and workforce constraints will slow the child vaccination rollout.

GPs have expressed concern a shortage of vaccines and workforce constraints will slow the child vaccination rollout

The United Workers Union wants the federal government to define early educators as frontline essential workers, provide free rapid tests and expand the definition of close contacts to include the workplace so financial support is available for teachers needing to isolate.

Labor deputy leader Richard Marles blamed the shortage of rapid antigen tests on the federal government.

'You can't find a rapid antigen test even if you want to pay for it and that is a failure of this government,' he told Sydney radio 2SM.

The United Workers Union wants the federal government to define early educators as frontline essential workers and provide free rapid tests as nationwide shortages continue

'All of this is having an impact on our labour, our economy, our workforce.'

It comes as NSW recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic, with 21 fatalities and another 34,759 cases reported.

Meanwhile, Victoria on Wednesday recorded 40,127 new cases and 21 deaths.

There were also 1583 new cases in Tasmania.
The grandfather of the New Mexico baby who was abandoned in a dumpster by his teen mom said his 16-year-old son is the father and his family wants custody of the infant.

Oscar Astorga, 50, said his son Stephen, 16, had no idea ex-girlfriend Alexis Avila, 18, was pregnant until she gave birth last week and was then caught on camera callously chucking their child into a dumpster behind a shopping center in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Now, in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Astorga has revealed that the family wants custody of the child.

'Of course we're trying to get custody,' Astorga told DailyMail.com. 'Of course.

'He is my grandson. That's why we can't comment on anything because we're trying to get my grandson.'

Oscar Astorga, 50, (left) said his family wants custody of their son's baby after mother Alexis Avila, 18, was arrested for abandoning the child inside a New Mexico dumpster

The family of Stephen Astorga, (left) 16, said that he had no idea his former girlfriend Alexis Avila (right) was expecting a baby

He added that his family has received death threats since the video went viral.

Text messages exchanged by Stephen and a friend show he believed Avila had miscarried and had no idea he was to become a father until she was arrested for dumping the baby.

Astorga's family has now hired a lawyer to help them get custody of the baby who is recovering in the care of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department at a hospital in Lubbock, Texas.

Speaking at his home in Hobbs, Astorga, 50, said the family are pulling out all the stops to get the baby they have named Saul home.

Astorga, who runs a company servicing the local oil and gas industry, told DailyMail.com that the news of the baby had come as a huge shock  and told how his family have received death threats on social media.

Telling of the moment he discovered he had become a grandfather, Astorga said: 'When you don't know and then all of a sudden someone calls you? It's like wow.'

Oscar Astorga was pictured at his Hobbs, New Mexico home. He said his son, Stephen, 16, and his family want custody of the newborn

The teen, who attended Hobbs High School with Avila, has called his son Saul and is reportedly asking for custody of his son. In messages with a friend, he sounded frustrated and upset by the news

After giving birth, Avila said she 'panicked.' She wrapped her son in a towel, placed him in a white plastic bag containing some trash, and a larger black trash bag, and drove around, before throwing the child in the dumpster at the Broadmoor Shopping Center

He added: 'I'd like to tell you a lot of things. I'm a God-fearing man. I just can't comment right now.

'There's a lot of people on social media that have been sending death threats to our family. We haven't done anything wrong. My friend saw them. These people on social media.

'We have nothing to hide but we can't comment right now.'

Stephen has said that Avila, whom he had broken up with in August 2021, told him she had miscarried.

Saul was born in the bathroom of his grandparents' $104,000 Hobbs home last Friday.

Avila told cops that she had no idea she was pregnant and only realized something was amiss when she started getting abdominal pains.

She has been charged with attempted murder and a felony count of child abuse and will appear in court in Lovington, New Mexico, on Wednesday for a detention hearing.

After giving birth, Avila claims she panicked and, hours later, wrapped her infant son in a towel and drove him to the Broadmoor Shopping Mall in downtown Hobbs where she was captured on camera throwing him in a dumpster behind oil industry supply store Rig Outfitters.

The Hobbs High School student was then seen jumping back in her white Volkswagen Jetta and driving off.

Baby Saul was discovered five hours later by three dumpster divers who initially thought the noise they heard was that of a cat mewing.

Panicked 911 calls have emerged detailing the horrifying moment a newborn baby was found in a dumpster in New Mexico. 'We just found a baby in the god**n trash,' the caller is heard saying. 'He's freezing cold and still has his umbilical cord attached'

Footage from the same camera caught the moment a heroic woman rescued the child

One the rescuers, April Meadow, wrapped the baby in her coat  telling a 911 dispatch operator that the baby was 'freezing cold.'

After the baby was found, he was taken to a hospital in Hobbs and then transferred to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, which has a more advanced NICU unit.

When doctors assessed the baby, they found that his body temperate was so low that it did not register, indicating hypothermia. The newborn was also given a blood transfusion, and put on a feeding tube and oxygen.

Police said the baby was in a stable condition at the hospital on Monday.

Avila's mother Martha, 47, has broken her silence to defend her daughter and told DailyMail.com that the birth came as 'a shock'

Avila's mother told DailyMail.com that the birth came as 'a shock' outside her $104,000 home in Hobbs, New Mexico

On Tuesday, Avila's mother spoke out for the first time  defending her daughter and telling DailyMail.com: 'Everyone makes mistakes'.

Martha Avila, 47, said she had no idea her daughter was pregnant and added that news of the birth came as a shock.

The 47-year-old said her family does not plan to share their side of the story but a lawyer for Avila said they will make a statement following a detention hearing for their client on Wednesday afternoon.

Martha added: 'People can talk and give their opinion. Everybody makes mistakes. People can preach all they want, they can judge all they want but we only care about the judgment of one.'

Meanwhile, some of Avila's friends have challenged her version of events, saying the teen mom was 'open about her pregnancy' at school.

Astorga's version of events also clashes with Avila's with a friend of the teen dad telling DailyMail.com that he had known she was pregnant but was told she miscarried after they split up in August 2021.

'I heard her talk about being pregnant around late September, early October,' the classmate said. 'She never expressed that it was a bad thing that she was pregnant.'

Avila reportedly dropped out of high school on December 17. Hobbs High School refused to comment on her case.
Most Australians who test positive for Covid on rapid antigen tests must now report their results, with the NSW government hitting patients who don't do so with $1,000 fines.

Victorians have had to register their results since last Friday but will not be penalised, nor will Queenslanders, Tasmanians and those in the Northern Territory.

Most states have created step-by-step guides on how residents report they've caught the virus.

Here, Daily Mail Australia reveals what you need to do in your state to record a positive rapid antigen result.

Scroll down for official advice on when to get RAT tested

Rapid antigen tests have replaced PCR results in the majority of states in Australia due to the strain placed on high rates of testing over Christmas and the New Year

There have been widespread complains over the lack of kits available in Australia and the prices many shops are charging

THE SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD DO A RAPID ANTIGENT TEST, ACCORDING TO NSW HEALTH Suffering symptoms

Household/social/workplace/education contact

Visiting vulnerable family/before events

Are in high-risk settings with an outbreak

Going to hospital & it's requested

International arrivals Advertisement

New South Wales

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Wednesday that all residents who test positive via rapid antigen tests must lodge their results via the Service NSW app or website.

Fines of $1,000 apply to those who don't but the premier admitted it would be difficult to enforce.

Residents are instructed to open their Service NSW app where they will then click on Covid-19 Resources and then select 'Register a positive test result'.

Users will then be asked a series of questions to determine if they are a 'low-risk' or 'high-risk' patient with the virus.

Those who are low-risk can isolate at home and will be alerted once the seven days is over.

High-risk patients will be contacted by NSW Health within 48 hours ans asked further questions.

Fines will be carried out for those who don't comply from January 19 - although experts have questioned how they could be carried out.

Covid patients who don't register positive rapid antigen test results will be fined $1000 in NSW - even though the Premier admits it will be difficult to enforce.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Wednesday that all residents who test positive via rapid antigen tests must lodge their results via the Service NSW app or website

RULES AROUND REPORTING POSITIVE RAPID TESTS Those who test positive on a rapid antigen test must report their results via the Service NSW app Fines of $1,000 will apply to those who don't with penalties coming into force from January 19 Positive results from January 1 can be reported with anyone testing positive as of Wednesday January 12 required to report it on the app Positive results must be lodged within 24 hours of the test People who don't have the app can lodge their results through the Service NSW website Interstate travellers can log on as a guest Those who register their positive result will receive a notification from NSW Health when their seven-day isolation is up How to do it : NSW residents can open the Service NSW app and click on Covid-19 Resources They then select 'Register a positive test result' They will be taken to another site where they fill in their personal details and log their results Advertisement

NSW will fine Covid patients who don't register their rapid antigen test results $1000 while free tests are expected to be handed out in schools amid major changes enforced around the state. Pictured: Sydneysiders walk through Bondi on January 4

Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory

While not mandatory, residents of Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have each been asked by their respective health departments to fill out an online form if they report a positive rapid antigen test result.

Healthcare professionals will then recommend appropriate care to the individual, but most will be told to isolate from home.

Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory don't mandate residents record their positive RAT results but ask for people to fill out an online form

South Australia

Anyone who fails a rapid antigen test must immediately seek a PCR test and quarantine until they receive a negative result.

Unlike other states, RATs are still not considered official confirmation of an infection in SA.

Positive rapid results must also be recorded using the state's Rapid Antigen Test Reporting Form which provides the government with ongoing data on the virus.

WA lifted its ban on rapid antigen tests last week, but there is no system in place for residents to record their results yet

Western Australia

Last week, Western Australia lifted its ban on rapid antigen testing in the state after advice from the National Cabinet and federal government.

RATs had previously been prohibited in the state due to doubts surrounding its effectiveness.

But the successful application of the tests in other states has seen that decision reversed.

Chief Health Officer Dr Andrew Robertson said that revoking the ban was done in the best interests of West Australians.

'[I] consider it reasonably necessary to give the following directions to all persons in Western Australia to prevent, control or abate the serious public health risk presented by COVID-19,' he wrote in an ammendment to WA's Health Act.

There is currently no process for reporting positive test results in WA.
Two Cambridge University professors are locked in a woke war over whether calling a mixed-race Colston expert eloquent is offensive.

Priyamvada Gopal accused David Abulafia of being dismissive for using the word about history professor David Olusoga, whose father was Nigerian.

She claimed using the words eloquent or articulate for intellectuals of colour could be seen as a sleight-of-hand dismissal. She said it implied the person was just whipping up passions and had no substance.

Priyamvada Gopal accused David Abulafia of being dismissive for using the word 'eloquent' about history professor David Olusoga, whose father was Nigerian

Prof David Abulafia, pictured, wrote an article in the Daily Telegrpah where he said Prof Olusoga was 'eloquent' but denied there were any racial implications

Prof David Olusoga, pictured, gave evidence in the trial of the Colston Four where he outlined the slave trader's career which was used by the defence to justify their clients actions

In response, Professor Abulafia labelled her utterly bizarre, accusing her of twisting everyday language. He denied his words were offensive and said both white and black people could be equally described as eloquent without racial implications.

The row erupted after Professor Abulafia, a history don, wrote an article for the Daily Telegraph about the trial of activists who toppled the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol.

He argued that pulling down the statue did not aid historical understanding and that the activists should not be deciding its fate. He added as an aside: The jury was not being asked to judge Colston, even though the defence thought it appropriate to call the eloquent David Olusoga as a witness and to ask him to describe Colstons career.

Professor Gopal, who teaches postcolonial literature, seized on the article and posted it on Twitter. This was seemingly in response to a tweet from another academic who claimed that the writings of academics that champion bigotry would not pass an intro class.

Professor Gopal tweeted the article, saying: Few undergrads produce work this weak after the first week or so.

Professor Abulafia hit back in an interview with student newspaper Varsity, calling her comments insulting or potentially libellous.

The former chairman of the history faculty said: I have never heard the use of the word eloquent being linked to racism. David Olusoga has a marvellous ability to communicate, I admire that enormously. The word eloquent is the perfect word to use.

Professor Abulafia, 72, was born in London to a Jewish family and spent most of his career at Cambridge, specialising in Mediterranean history.

Professor Gopal, 54, has spoken about having family roots in India and is vocal on Twitter about race. In October, she was stopped from delivering a lecture in Whitehall because of remarks she made about Home Secretary Priti Patel.

The Daily Mail has tried to contact Professor Gopal, Professor Olusoga and Cambridge University for comment.
Police forces across the UK are being urged to send officers to every burglary scene after three forces saw a dramatic drop in the number of burglaries.

Forces in Greater Manchester, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire all publicly pledged to send an officer to every burglary in a bid to tackle the number of unsolved crimes.

As the forces have confirmed the approach has produced a visible impact on the number of break-ins across their counties, ministers believe the results are evidence a national roll-out of the strategy is justified.

A Government source told the Daily Telegraph: 'This is good policing. The public expect the police to pursue available opportunities to prevent and detect crime.

'Not only do you get to speak to the victims, which is important from a reassurance point of view, but you can also pick up forensics like fingerprints. Most of these people are repeat offenders.'

Northamptonshire Police's Operation Crooked aims to make the county a 'hostile environment' for burglars and saw the force slash the number of domestic break-ins by 48 per cent, according to the Telegraph.

In two years, the number of burglaries dropped from 5,500 to 2,850.

As part of its operation, Northamptonshire Police also issued named photos and wanted appeals for six of its most prolific burglars.

Ministers are being urged to create a national policing policy that would see officers sent to the scene of every burglary across the UK, as three forces find the method cuts break-ins

Last month, the force hit headlines when it sent Christmas cards to known or suspected burglars advising them to have a crime-free Christmas

The Telegraph also reports that Bedfordshire saw its detection rate for burglaries almost treble from 8.2 per cent at its launch to 22.8 per cent last November.

Overall, on average there have been around 34 fewer residential burglaries every month across Bedfordshire in 2021 compared to last year.

The force also said there were almost 100 fewer burglaries in hotspot areas across Bedfordshire as the clocks went back - a period normally targeted by burglars.

The dramatic drop in the number of break-ins in Bedfordshire coincides with the force doubling its solved rate for burglaries in November compared to the average.

As part of its strategy, the force wrote to almost 40,000 households in areas identified as having higher rates of burglary.

These letters contained crime prevention advice to coincide with the clocks going back, which can historically see a rise in burglary offences as the nights get darker earlier.

Figures show there were 93 fewer residential burglaries in these areas throughout October and November last year compared to the same two months in 2020, according to Bedfordshire Police.

As part of Operation Crooked, Northamptonshire Police force sent Christmas cards (pictured) to known burglars in the area to warn them to have a 'crime-free Christmas' last month

Under the banner of Operation Maze, the force has committed to sending a forensic officer to the scene of every burglary and to treat any burglary in a frequently-targeted area as a priority, as well as those with vulnerable victims or the prospect of witnesses.

Detective Superintendent William Hodgkinson said in a statement: 'We are determined to tackle burglary from every angle.

'We are investing in our fantastic Operation Maze burglary squad and want to double the number of detectives working in that unit next year.

'But we are also being creative in how we get the word out to our communities to make themselves a hostile target for opportunistic thieves.

'There are some simple steps you can take to keep your home safe. Plus, if you have any information, please report it  all reports go into our intelligence systems, help us build the full picture of burglary across the county and take action.'

The initiative is expected to be rolled out to forces across the country as the tactics used are evidence that it is effective.

Priti Patel said the approaches used by Northamptonshire Police and Bedfordshire Police contributed to an overall drop of 30 per cent in the number of burglary offences recorded

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, told the Telegraph: 'It is thanks to forces such as Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire who are focusing on getting back to the basics of policing that we will continue to cut neighbourhood crime like burglary, which has dropped by more than 30 per cent in the last two years.'

Greater Manchester Police said the approach would be introduced in the force after the publication of the Government's Beating Crime Plan last summer.

Launching what they called Operation Castle, the force said in a statement at the time: 'GMP has volunteered to work with the government to evaluate the benefits of sending a police officer to every domestic burglary across Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police reinforced the operation in October - again ahead of the clocks going back - and said they would continue to send an officer to every domestic burglary.

Superintendent Dave Pester, GMP's force tactical lead for Operation Castle said: 'Burglary is one of the most intrusive forms of crime a person can experience - whether it's your home, your school, or the business you've created.

'This is why Operation Castle has been developed and I'd like to reinforce our commitment to deploying a police officer to every burglary - whether that is residential or elsewhere in the community.

Greater Manchester Police launched Operation Castle last year as part of the Government's Beating Crime Plan to reduce neighbourhood crime. Pictured: Greater Manchester Police HQ

'This new renewed commitment for GMP means that we will actively be targeting burglary offenders, arresting them and bringing them to justice because we know the misery they can cause to our communities.

'For every burglary reported to ourselves, we are prepared to take robust action to fight this high impact crime and every report will be investigated - utilising a full range of assets from across the force including from our forensic teams to identify offenders where possible and delivering support crime prevention advice as well as victim support.'
This pristine watering hole hidden in a secluded beach looks like the perfect spot to cool off in Australia's hot summer - until you take a closer look.

Cotton Candy Caves, near Moody Beach on the NSW Central Coast, is infested with dangerous bluebottle jellyfish that causes blinding pain with just one sting.

Avid bushwalker Shenea Varley stumbled upon the hidden danger as she enjoyed a day by the water after a long trek.

The jellyfish, known for delivering a painful sting to their victims, could be easily mistaken as a large patch of sea foam to the untrained eye.

But Ms Varley was quick to spot the stingers that arrive in droves on Australian beaches during the warmer months.

Avid bushwalker Shenea Varley, also known on TikTok as @thehappinesstrail, was enjoying a day by the water when she came across a large swarm of bluebottles (pictured)

She warned swimmers of the dozens of venomous creatures lurking beneath the surface that they may not see until it's too late.

'When the water looks so inviting but there is a whole floating pile of blue bottles waiting to play with you,' she captioned a video posted to her TikTok.

The video quickly caught the attention of thousands of viewers who shared their own painful interactions with bluebottle jellyfish.

'Me not knowing what that is, jumping to my death,' one user joked.

'I would've jumped in thinking it was foam,' a second agreed.

'I had one literally hanging off my togs as I was walking out of the water in high school. Hurt so much. Poor bluebottle ended up in the bin,' a third shared.

Bluebottles are typically washed up in Sydney's eastern suburbs during summer as the 'float' part of the stinger catch a north-easterly wind to shore (pictured, bluebottles at Bondi Beach)

'I had one of them wrap their tentacle around my leg as a kid. My dad carried me up the beach, licked his fingers and then just flung it off,' another commented.

'Blue bottles are amazing creatures but, no thanks,' a user said.

'I agree. Super cool to look at but stayed firmly on the rocks,' Ms Varley replied.

Bluebottles are typically washed up on beaches in Sydney's eastern suburbs during summer as the 'float' part of the stinger catch a north-easterly wind to shore.

The creatures are more technically referred to as siphonophores but are more commonly categorised as jellyfish.

The bluebottle is not just one creature but multiple that make up a 'colony' of four kinds of 'highly modified' individuals, according to the Australian Museum.

The creatures use a blue inflated bag seen on the surface to carry it across the water while underneath a mass of long tentacles sting and fish for crustaceans

The creatures use a blue inflated bag seen on the surface to carry it across the water while underneath a mass of long tentacles sting and fish for crustaceans.

The unwelcome visitor can deliver a nasty sting if trodden on or encountered in the water, however no one has ever died from the venom.

The tentacles are covered in stinging cells called nematocysts that inject a small amount of a toxin that can cause intense pain after coming into contact with skin.

For the average person, getting stung will cause no adverse effects, however it can present further complications if the victim is very young, elderly or allergic.
Shes regarded as the most powerful woman in ballet  and now shes leaving the UK for America.

English National Ballets artistic director Tamara Rojo is stepping down after ten years in the role.

The 47-year-old Spaniard is credited with championing female talent, having created more than 40 works by women choreographers as well as staging visionary performances.

Spanish ballerina Tamara Rojo, 47, (pictured) of the Royal Ballet, plays Princess Aurora during a dress rehearsal of The Sleeping Beauty at The Royal Opera House in London

Rojo in Sleeping Beauty for the English National Ballet. The star will journey to America to join a company in San Francisco

She will leave the company at the end of the year and join the San Francisco Ballet as its first female artistic director.

In my own career, I never worked with a woman creator.'

'The conversation has moved on, she told The Times.

Miss Rojo, who was born in Canada to Spanish parents, staged daring performances such as Akram Khans reimagined Giselle in 2016.

The former principal dancer at The Royal Ballet, said it was time for someone new to take English National Ballet to the next step.

She has a nine-month-old son, Mateo, with partner Isaac Hernandez, 31, who is a principal at the San Francisco Ballet.
The French government is planning to ban incest for the first time since 1791.

Incest is currently legal in France unless children are involved, but Adrien Taquet, the secretary of state for children, said the government wanted to criminalise incestuous relationships even if both parties are over the age of 18.

In an interview with AFP, Mr Taquet said: 'Whatever the age, you dont have sexual relations with your father, your son or your daughter.

'It is not a question of age, it is not a question of consenting adults. We are fighting against incest. The signals must be clear.'

He said he wanted the 18-year threshold for incest to be reviewed, saying he was in favour of a 'clear ban'.

Adrien Taquet, the secretary of state for children, said the government wanted to criminalise incestuous relationships even if both parties are over 18

Emmanuel Macron's (pictured) government is planning to ban incest for the first time since 1791

Under the changed rules, which would bring France in line with most other European countries, cousins would still be allowed to marry.

Ministers have not yet confirmed whether step families would be included in the ban.

Mr Taquet added: 'The law is to issue clear prohibitions in society: incest is prohibited.'

The move was welcomed by Laurent Boyet, the chairman of child protection charity, Les Papillons, who said it was important that incest was 'legally forbidden' as much as it is already 'socially forbidden'.

Crimes including incest, blasphemy and sodomy were removed from the statute book in 1791 - a legacy of the French Revolution removing Christian-inspired morality brought in by the old regime.

The subject of incest was somewhat of a taboo until last year when one of France's most prominent political commentators was accused of the sexual abuse of his stepson.

Olivier Duhamel, 70, who described the 'incest' allegations as 'personal attacks' was accused in a book, written by his stepdaughter Camille Kouchner, of abusing her twin brother for two years from the age of 14.

In an interview with AFP, Mr Taquet (right) said: 'Whatever the age, you dont have sexual relations with your father, your son or your daughter'

The book 'La Familia grande' shocked French intellectual circles given Duhamel's prominence and close connections to the elite.

Camille Kouchner and her twin brother are the children of France's former foreign minister and co-founder of the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) medical charity Bernard Kouchner and academic Evelyne Pisier, who died in 2017.

Mr Kouchner and Pisier separated and she went on to marry Duhamel.

Camille Kouchner said she chose to write the book because she could 'no longer be silent'.

It was not the first such controversy regarding longstanding taboos over the abuse of minors to make headlines in France and around the world.

Publisher Vanessa Springora, in a book published in January 2020, accused prize-winning writer Gabriel Matzneff of abusing her while she was a minor.

Film star Adele Haenel in November 2019 accused director Christophe Ruggia of sexually harassing her when she was in her early teens.

Haenel and other French actresses also in February last year walked out of France's Cesar awards after filmmaker Roman Polanski - wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977 - won best director.

One of France's most prominent political commentators Olivier Duhamel, 70, was accused of the sexual abuse of his stepson

Following the Duhamel scandal, the French government brought in legislation making it an offence to have a sexual relationship with a close relative who was under 18.

Mr Boyet said the law implied that 'incest was accepted' if they were over the age of 18.

Isabelle Aubry, the chairwoman of Face a L'inceste, which supports victims of incest said she did not understand why Mr Taquet had brought up the issue of incest now given ministers had the opportunity to outlaw it altogether last year.

She accused President Macron's government of 'an electoral manouevre' 100 days away from the presidential election.
A pair of Florida women were hit with felony charges after allegedly throwing containers of glitter at a man and covering his apartment during an argument.

Sarah Franks, 29, and Kaitlin O'Donovan, 27, were arguing with Jacob Colon at his home in Clearwater at around 3 a.m. on Monday.

Colon was allegedly struck by the two women after the pair threw a container of glitter each at him before making their way inside his apartment and tossing more there, according to an arrest affidavit.

Both Franks and O'Donovan were later arrested, charged with burglary with assault or battery, and booked into Pinellas County Jail.

The relationship between the women and Colon, as well as the reason for the argument, still remain unclear.

Sarah Franks, 29, (left) and Kaitlin O'Donovan, 27, (right) were arrested and charged after allegedly pelting Clearwater resident Jacob Colon with containers of glitter and covering his apartment with it

The women were arrested on charges of felony burglary with assault or battery and were booked into the Pinellas County Jail. Franks faces an additional charge of misdemeanor criminal mischief

The early morning attack is said to have begun after a vicious argument unfolded

According to the affidavit, the early morning attack began after the two women started arguing with Colon, who had been standing on his fenced balcony at the time.

During the argument, the girls both hurled containers of glitter at him, striking him in the upper head and torso, according to the arrest affidavit.

Franks then climbed over the ground-level fence and made her way inside Colon's apartment where she allegedly continued to pelt him with more containers of glitter.

She then also unlocked the door for O'Donovan to let her in the apartment, and she also threw more containers at him, the arrest document states.

After the glitter attack, Franks also kicked a window in the apartment before fleeing the scene with O'Donovan, police said.

Investigators say that the incident began after the girls started arguing with Colon, who was standing at the balcony of his apartment

The pair had allegedly thrown containers of glitter at Colon both outside and inside the apartment, which hit his upper torso and head

The pair were later arrested by local police after their getaway vehicle was traced back to their residence.

Officer Matt High with the Clearwater Police Department noted that the car was still 'warm to the touch' and traces of glitter were also seen inside the vehicle.

Franks and Donovan were arrested on charges of felony burglary with assault or battery.

Additionally, Franks was charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief for breaking Colon's window.

She has since been bonded out of jail after posting a $75,250 bail while O'Donovan remains in custody.

A judge has also ordered both women to have no future contact with Colon.
A man in Honduras has stormed into the cockpit of a Miami-bound American Airlines plane during boarding, allegedly barging past the pilots and damaging the controls before attempting to fling himself out the window.

The incident on Tuesday afternoon was apparently captured on video, with an unidentified man seen wriggling to try and get out of the cockpit window while an astonished ground crew ran to the scene.

'They're dragging him back inside,' the person filming notes, as the man is hauled away from the window.

Photos on social media appeared to show the damaged controls in the cockpit, as well.

Scroll down for video

The man can be seen trying to fling himself out of the cockpit window of the plane at the airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

A photograph posted to Twitter appeared to show the damaged cockpit controls

Honduras's La Prensa newspaper said it was unclear whether the man was a ticketed passenger for the flight.

American Airlines confirmed the incident, and said that flight 488 from San Pedro Sula - the second-largest city in Honduras after the capital Tegucigalpa, infamous as one of the world's most dangerous cities - was delayed.

The identity of the passenger was not revealed.

'During boarding of American Airlines flight 488 with service from San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP) to Miami (MIA), a customer entered the open flight deck and caused damage to the aircraft,' the airline said in a statement.

'Crew members intervened and the individual was ultimately apprehended by local law enforcement.

'A replacement aircraft is on its way to Honduras and the flight is scheduled to re-depart at 9:30pm local time.

'We applaud our outstanding crew members for their professionalism in handling a difficult situation.'

The plane had been scheduled to depart at 2:35 p.m. local time. Passengers were waiting to take off on a replacement flight set for 9:30 p.m. local time.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot just announced that she tested positive for COVID-19 but stressed that she's only feeling minor symptoms because she's fully vaccinated and boosted.

"Earlier today, I tested positive for COVID-19. I am experiencing cold-like symptoms but otherwise feel fine which I credit to being vaccinated and boosted. I will continue to work from home while following the CDC guidelines for isolation. This is an urgent reminder for folks to get vaccinated and boosted as it's the only way to beat this pandemic," she said via the Huffington Post.

COVID-19 cases in Chicago decreases but still alarming

According to NBC Chicago, the state has seen a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. An average of 4,793 new cases are also reported daily. Hospitalizations have also been averaging 187 per day, which shows an increase of 37 percent in the last week.

Even though the number of daily cases is much lower now compared to last week, Dr. Allison Arwady from the Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner said that there's still an omicron surge in the state, as well as other parts of America.

Gov. JB Pritzker also sent Lightfoot his well-wishes. He also urged residents to follow in the mayor's footsteps by getting vaccinated and boosted.

Read Also: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Accused of Violating Indoor Mask Mandates After Requiring Employees to Get Inoculated

Mayor Lori Lightfoot reaches an agreement with Chicago Teachers Union

According to reports, Lightfoot is isolating and working from home, which aligns with what the Chicago Teachers Union has been fighting for in the past couple of weeks.

Lightfoot refused to side with the members of the teacher's union that wanted classes to take place virtually until omicron cases subside or until new mandates and measures were put in place.

Reports confirmed that the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in Chicago resulted in severe staffing shortages in schools. Some students and their family members are also sick due to the virus and because of the cold weather.

However, Chicago Public Schools initially opposed the demands of the Chicago Teachers Union by arguing that remote learning has not been beneficial for both students and teachers. The lack of interaction among students has also resulted in an increase in mental health issues.

But the Chicago Teachers Union stood firm with their demands and said that the health and safety of the students and staff should be of utmost importance.

Lightfoot and the Chicago Teachers Union eventually reached an agreement to include the return of in-person classes in most schools starting Wednesday.

In her statement, the mayor said that the kids should be at the forefront of every decision that they would make in the state.

Lori Lightfoot threatened teachers that refused to go to school

Prior to this, Lightfoot sided with the Chicago Public Schools and threatened employees that refused to go back to work that they wouldn't receive their salaries.

The teachers union tried to haggle by asking the schools to provide students and teachers with KN95 masks and increase COVID-19 testing, but these measures have not been approved.

As of press writing, students have the option to get tested or not, but the union wants testing to be mandatory, according to Daily Mail.

Related Article: Chicago Public Schools Forced To Cancel In-Person Classes Amid Surge in COVID-19 Cases; Union Says Students' Safety Should Be Prioritized

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NSW authorities are likely to face an uphill battle trying to implement new 'very unenforceable' rules that make it compulsory to report positive rapid antigen test results for Covid-19, a law academic says.

From Wednesday, NSW residents who fail to report positive rapid test results will face a $1,000 fine as the state transitions to a testing program based on the at-home testing kits, rather than PCR tests.

Under the new regime, unveiled by Premier Dominic Perrottet on Wednesday morning, it will be mandatory for residents aged over 16 to log any positive RATs they have taken this year via the ServiceNSW app or website.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) unveiled the state's Covid-19 Rapid Antigen self-reporting protocols on Wednesday

Dominic Perrottet said PCR tests will continue to be used alongside rapid tests amid the surge in cases, admitting that reporting results would be hard to enforce.

'There are obviously areas right across the state where there are laws that are harder to enforce than others  this is clearly one that will be harder to enforce, there's no doubt about it,' he said.

The premier said he expected everyone in the state to upload their results with a grace period of seven days given before penalties are enforced.

However, the new plan has come under fire by many who have criticised how authorities will regulate whether people will upload their positive results.

Chris Rudge, an expert in health law and medical regulation from the University of Sydney, labelled the new system as 'very unenforceable'.

'I can't think of many legal instruments that are more unenforceable than this,' Dr Rudge told AAP.

NSW residents who fail to report positive RAT results will face a $1000 fine but the penalties have been labelled as 'very unenforceable' (pictured, a Covid-19 rapid antigen test kit)

'It inevitably will be either very selective or very patchy, there's no uniformity or equity of oversight here.'

He said two groups in particular are likely to be in the sights of authorities - people hospitalised with Covid-19, and those living in a 'group setting'.

That is because Covid-19 positive patients in hospital could easily be questioned about whether they had reported a positive RAT test, while those in share houses or living with family could be 'dobbed in' by housemates.

Two groups in particular are likely to be in fined by authorities for failing to self-report RAT results - people hospitalised with COVID-19, and those living in a 'group setting'

Adding to problems for authorities, he said, were evidentiary stumbling blocks that could hamper prosecutions for alleged flouting of the rules. Dr Rudge pointed to police having to unearth a positive Covid-19 RAT result, or a record or photo of one, to prove a breach of the rules.

'It's very hard to prove if there's no positive test available,' he said.

He described the mandatory RAT reporting regime as largely about 'self regulation', despite the threat of financial penalties for non-compliance.

'The problem with self-regulation is it's pretty hard to enforce unless there is some chance intervention or a dob in, or something additional to the self-regulation,' he said.

The stricter rules come as NSW set a record for its deadliest day of the pandemic, with 21 people dead and 34,759 new Covid-19 cases reported. Some 2242 people are in hospital with the virus across the state, 175 of them in intensive care.
The brain surgeon ex-husband of socialite Emma Steel - who wrongly accused him of assault in a sensational court case - has been spotted holidaying with their two daughters in Queensland.

Dr Tim Steel has been enjoying the sun on Hayman Island this week, along with Ms Steel's son Jack from her previous marriage to champion jockey Shane Dye.

Jack Dye gave evidence for his stepfather when Ms Steel falsely claimed her then husband had assaulted her in their palatial home in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The neurosurgeon and his children have been accompanied during their summer break by the girls' nanny, a family friend.

Dr Steel was photographed at the resort days after Ms Steel was seen enjoying a romantic date with her cosmetic surgeon boyfriend Dr Alireza Fallahi at Coogee in Sydney.

Neurosurgeon Dr Tim Steel (right), whose ex-wife Emma Steel wrongly accused him of assault two years ago, has been holidaying on Hayman Island with the former couple's two daughters. Accompanying them is the girls' nanny (centre) and Ms Steel's son Jack Dye (left)

'This is the first real holiday that Dr Steel has been able to have with his family in almost two years,' the neurosurgeon's lawyer Paul McGirr said. Dr Steel is pictured behind his daughters' nanny, a family friend

Dr Steel was photographed at the resort days after Ms Steel was seen enjoying a romantic date with her cosmetic surgeon boyfriend Dr Alireza Fallahi at Coogee in Sydney's eastern suburbs (pictured)

Dr Steel's lawyer Paul McGirr confirmed the young woman with Dr Steel and his daughters was the girls' nanny and not some new love interest.

'This is the first real holiday that Dr Steel has been able to have with his family in almost two years,' Mr McGirr told Daily Mail Australia.

'The lady is a family friend and the family nanny for his two younger children. There is absolutely no type of romantic relationship with this lady.'

Dr Steel, who is in late 50s and has stayed in good shape, was seen swimming alongside his daughters while Jack Dye and the bikini-clad nanny soaked up the sun by the pool.

Daily Mail Australia understands Dr Steel is single, while 43-year-old Ms Steel appears to have moved on and found happiness with Dr Fallahi after her latest marriage breakdown.

The pair was first linked in the weeks after she gave evidence against her second husband in their bitter legal dispute.

Dr Steel's lawyer confirmed the young woman with Dr Steel and his daughters was the girls' nanny and not some new love interest. 'There is absolutely no type of romantic relationship with this lady,' Paul McGirr told Daily Mail Australia. Dr Steel is pictured with the nanny

Daily Mail Australia understands Dr Steel is single, while 43-year-old Ms Steel appears to have moved on and found happiness with Dr Fallahi after her latest marriage breakdown

Dr Steel was married to Emma Steel for 11 years before the couple faced off in an assault case heard in Downing Centre Local Court in July 2020. He is pictured centre next to his children's nanny on Hayman Island this week

Ms Steel was all smiles as she and Dr Fallahi took her pet Pomeranian for a stroll through the eastern suburb on Sunday.

She wore an ankle-length red cut-out dress for the occasion, at one point carrying her stilettos in her hand as she took photos of the dog on her phone.

Ms Steel was married to Dr Steel for 11 years before the couple faced off in an assault case heard in Downing Centre Local Court in July 2020.

During that four-day hearing Ms Steel accused the father of her daughters of financial abuse despite him giving her an allowance of up to $24,000 a month.

Dr Steel, who had a $23million property portfolio, was accused of punching, slapping and kicking Ms Steel the morning after a Christmas party in 2019.

Charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and damaging property were thrown out after magistrate Vivien Swain found inconsistencies in Ms Steel's evidence.

Charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and damaging property against Dr Steel were thrown out after a magistrate inconsistencies in Ms Steel's evidence. Dr Steel is pictured in the pool at Hayman Island with Ms Steel's son Jack Dye standing

During a four-day hearing Ms Steel accused the father of her daughters of financial abuse despite him giving her an allowance of up to $24,000 a month. The former couple is pictured

In court, Mr McGirr had described Ms Steel as a witness of 'very little credit' and an 'unhinged person' who made up allegations against her husband.

'I relation to her, she will make up anything to suit herself,' Mr McGirr said.

'The catalyst for all this is money. She was treating Dr Steel like a walking ATM.'

Ms Steel began her relationship with Shane Dye when she was a 19-year-old model known as Emma-Kate Sullivan and they were together for six years before tying the knot.

The former couple's then 19-year-old son Jack gave evidence against his mother at the assault hearing, describing her obsession with household finances.

Jack Dye said his mother regularly complained Dr Steel was stingy with money, despite her being paid an allowance of $24,000 a month.

Dr Steel, a senior neurosurgeon at St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, had been unable to practise due to the charges against him but has since returned to work

Ms Steel had also claimed in evidence her husband was having an affair and suggested he cut up a lacy red pair of her underwear.

'Dr Steel was the victim of her vicious attacks,' Mr McGirr told the court.

'Poor old Dr Steel is the one getting his reputation sullied. Emma Steel is a woman who is playing the system and playing the victim.'

Dr Steel had told the court how his work Christmas party in 2019 descended into police being called to the couple's Bellevue Hill home the next morning.

Ms Steel, a onetime television host, alleged her husband had been having an affair with his secretary, with whom he was in a hotel room on the night of the Christmas party.

Dr Steel categorically denied assaulting his wife or ever having an affair with the receptionist - or anyone else - during their marriage.

He said he had been sound asleep on the morning after the party, face down in bed, when his wife woke him up by scratching his back and head.

'I was awoken by severe pain in my back and behind my ears,' he said. 'I was hit about three or four times.'

Ms Steel alleged in July 2020 her husband had been having an affair with his secretary. Dr Steel categorically denied ever having an affair with anyone else. He is pictured right in a pool on Hayman Island this week

From the time police arrived at the Steel family home Dr Steel maintained he had only acted in self defence and Ms Swain found nothing to disprove that.

Any injuries Ms Steel sustained were the result of Dr Steel protecting himself against an attack by his wife.

'I am satisfied that there is a reasonable possibility that the accused believed his conduct was necessary in order to defend himself,' Ms Swain said.

'I am satisfied that the way in which the scuffle occurred and the injuries that were occasioned to the complainant, that that was a reasonable response in the circumstances as the accused perceived them.'

In court, Dr Steel described a troubled marriage and alleged his wife had previously attacked him.

'She is regularly aggressive,' he said. 'Regularly confrontational and regularly demanding.

'When she is confronted by difficulties her behaviour deteriorates. Certainly verbal abuse is common and verbal denigration is almost constant.'

Jack Dye, then 19, told a magistrate in July 2020 his mother regularly complained Dr Steel was stingy with money, despite her being paid an allowance of $24,000 a month. Mr Dye is pictured leaving Downing Centre Local Court

Ms Steel claimed she was the victim of ongoing financial abuse, which Ms Swain discounted. 'I am not satisfied that that is made out either,' she said.

Ms Steel told the court her husband gave her $10,000 a month for personal expenses and $10,000 to run their household but sometimes the total sum was up to $24,000.

Dr Steel said the household allowance covered costs including their children's expenses, after-school activities, clothing and groceries.

It did not go towards bills such as rates, utilities, school fees, holidays, motor vehicle expenses, insurance, takeaway food or restaurant meals.

The court heard in total Ms Steel received $175,902 in regular payment over seven months in 2019, which included a top-up of $30,902 to the $2,500-a-month she was given.

Ms Steel told a magistrate her husband gave her $10,000 a month for personal expenses and $10,000 to run their household but sometimes the total sum was up to $24,000

Mr McGirr said it was 'farcical' under those circumstances for Ms Steel to claim financial abuse.

'I was living within our means of a four to six million annual salary,' she said.

'I was spending five per cent of our annual income.'

Ms Steel claimed she was in fear of her husband and police had applied for an apprehended violence order against him.

'I'm petrified because of the ongoing abuse,' she told police.

Ms Swain dismissed the AVO application, finding while Ms Steel may hold fears 'I am not satisfied those fears are based on reasonable grounds'.

Dr Steel, a senior neurosurgeon at St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, had been unable to practise due to the charges against him but has since returned to work.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday gave his strongest denouncement yet of the Senate filibuster - calling for its abolition so that the voting reforms he wants can be passed, despite having defended the vote-blocking system in 2005 and 2019.

The president, speaking at a rally in Georgia, told the crowd that if the Senate does not at least agree to debate the voting bills, 'we have no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster for this.'

The filibuster is a way of blocking a vote - something that was rarely done in previous decades but has become increasingly frequently used. For example, to block gun reform in 2013 after the Sandy Hook shooting.

Under the arrangement, there must be 60 votes to end a debate and proceed to a vote - so without the 60 votes, the bill can never be passed. The Senate is currently split with 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats, as the two independents caucus with the Democratic Party.

Biden, as a senator, was previously in favor of the system, resurfaced videos show.

'At its core, the filibuster is not about stopping a nominee or a bill, it's about compromise and moderation,' he declared in 2005.

Scroll down for videos

Joe Biden is seen on Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, calling for an end to the filibuster so that voting reform can be passed

'This nuclear option is ultimately an example of the arrogance of power.

'It is a fundamental power grab by the majority party, propelled by its extreme right and designed to change the reading of the Constitution, particularly as it relates to individual rights and property rights.

'It is nothing more or nothing less.'

Biden continued: 'The nuclear option extinguishes the power of independents and moderates in the Senate. That's it, they're done.

'Moderates are important if you need to get to 60 votes to satisfy cloture; they are much less so if you only need 50 votes.'

He added: 'We have been through these periods before in American history but never, to the best of my knowledge, has any party been so bold as to fundamentally attempt to change the structure of this body.

'What shortsightedness, and what a price history will exact on those who support this radical move.'

He also threatened to use the filibuster in the same year, when the Senate was considering then-President George W. Bush's nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the United States Supreme Court.

'If he really believes that reapportionment is a questionable decision  then clearly, clearly, you'll find a lot of people, including me, willing to do whatever they can to keep him off the court,' Biden said at the time, adding: 'That would include a filibuster, if need be.'

He also joined in the filibuster of George W. Bush's energy bill in 2003, and George H.W. Bush's effort to cut the tax on capital gains in order to stimulate the U.S. economy.

In 2019, Biden said that his views on the value of the filibuster hadn't changed.

'Ending the filibuster is a very dangerous thing to do, because it has been used by progressives our whole time to make sure that we did not get rolled over,' he said at the time, speaking at the Iowa state fair as a candidate for the presidency.

Yet as president, Biden's views have evolved - as did Barack Obama's during his presidency.

Obama was in favor of the filibuster until his gun control bill following the Sandy Hook shooting was blocked.

Biden is seen in September 2019 at the Iowa State Fair, when he said removing the filibuster was 'dangerous'

In March 2021, Biden said he would support reinstating a talking filibuster, which requires senators to continuously hold the floor and make speeches if they want to block a bill.

In October, Biden said he backed 'fundamentally altering' the filibuster to make progress on certain issues.

And by December, he said he'd be willing to consider a carveout to the filibuster to pass a voting rights bill.

On Tuesday, he spoke just hours after Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said again that he would not back removing the filibuster to pass voting rights, and amid Republican claims Democrats want to federalize elections.

'I have been having these quiet conversations with members of Congress for the last two months,' Biden said of his work on voting rights.

And then he slammed the podium as the crowd cheered, declaring: 'I'm tired of being quiet!'

He attacked the Senate, an institute he served in for 36 years.

'Sadly, the United States Senate designed to be the world's greatest deliberative body, has been rendered a shell of its former self,' he said.

'I believe the threat to democracy is so great that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills. Debate them, vote, let the majority prevail.

'And at that very minute it was blocked, we had no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster for this,' Biden said.

The crowd of a few hundred burst into applause at his words.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to try and push a rules change but it's unclear how his move would succeed without all 50 Democratic senators.

Biden's speech on Tuesday may help convince some moderates in the Senate to change the rules; he himself cannot do it alone.

Yet Sens. Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona have repeatedly stressed the need to preserve the filibuster, even in recent weeks.

With the Senate evenly balanced, their opposition is likely to signify the end of any hope Biden may have of ending the filibuster.
An entire mountain in Queensland is up for sale for a mere $620,000, with the plot of land cheaper than an average house in Brisbane.

Mount Hallen on Gatton Esk Road in the Somerset region boasts stunning panoramic views of surrounding bushland and even has its own postcode.

The 107.27 ha piece of land, 100km north-west of Brisbane, commands views over nearby Lake Wivenhoe and its summit can only be reached by four-wheel drive track.

The private mountain was originally listed in 2019 for the first time in 30 years, but it has recently hit the market again for buyers seeking an off-the-grid lifestyle.

Mount Hallen 100km north-west of Brisbane, offering panoramic views of surrounding bushland, has been put up for sale for $620,000 (pictured)

The previous owners used their unique parcel of land as a holiday destination (view from mountain pictured)

The property is undeveloped bushland with the only infrastructure being an old trig station, previously used for mapping.

Now re-listed for six months, the site has proven difficult to sell due to the challenges of building on a summit.

Selling agent Lyn Sills of @Realty previously told Daily Mail Australia, the mountain was used as a holiday destination by its former owners.

The previous owners had planned to build a retirement house on the unique parcel of land and had always dreamed of living on a mountain, Ms Sills said.

'It was one of those things where it was their lifelong dream but their plans changed,' she added.

'There's a lovely clearing area there that's very pretty and has the mountains out the back you could build a house on.'

The 265-acre property commands views over the nearby Lake Wivenhoe (pictured in background) but its summit can only be accessed by four-wheeled drive

The private mountain is located between Esk and Gatton and is nearby the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.

The only infrastructure on the vast property is an old trig station previously used for mapping

The mountain last sold for $122,000 in 1989, a bargain compared to Brisbane's current median price range of $757,000.

A 1.3 hour drive from Brisbane, the private mountain is between Esk and Gatton and is nearby the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.

The area is mostly home to older, maturing or established couples with only 2.6 per cent made up of young families, according to Realestate.com.au.

A census count of Mount Hallen from 2016 recorded a population of 458 people with the median age of residents aged in their late forties.
Philadelphia fire officials confirmed that a deadly rowhouse fire that killed 12 people, including nine children, was caused by a Christmas tree that had been ignited by a lighter.

The Fairmount duplex, which housed 26 people, caught fire on Wednesday after a five-year-old boy living on the second floor was believed to be playing with the lighter and sparked a blaze that eventually caused the building to go up in smoke, officials said Tuesday.

Local firefighters responded to the scene after the blaze was reported at 860 North 23rd Street at 6:38 a.m.

Despite getting the fire under control within an hour, 12 of the 18 residents living on the second and third floors of the housing complex passed away from smoke inhalation.

Investigators looked thoroughly for the source of the ignition before coming to the conclusion that a lighter found near the Christmas tree was most likely the cause.

'We believe with certainty - so 99 to 100% confidence - that the first item ignited in this blaze was a Christmas tree,' Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said Tuesday at a press conference.

'We believe with near certainty, based on the evidence, the ignition source for this tree was a lighter that was located nearby.'

Thiel also revealed that seven faulty smoke detectors were found in the apartment during the course of the investigation.

Philadelphia fire investigators have determined the cause of the deadly Wednesday fire was a Christmas tree that was believed to be ignited by a five year old boy living on the second floor

The fire had claimed the lives of 12 residents, including nine children, after it sparked early on Wednesday morning

Flowers, candles and toys were left in remembrance of the victims in the deadly blaze

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel revealed the cause of the fire at a press conference on Wednesday which was revealed to be one of the worst blazes in the city's history

The 12 victims in the deadly fire were revealed to be DeKwan Robinson, Destiny McDonald, Janiyah Roberts, J'Kwan Robinson, Natasha Wayne, Quientien Tate-McDonald, Quisha White, Rosalee McDonald, Shaniece Wayne, Taniesha Robinson, Tiffany Robinson and Virginia Thomas.

In terms of the apartment structure, 18 people lived on the second and third floors of the duplex apartment with eight living on the first.

The fire had started on the second floor before making its way and engulfing the top of the building.

'Fire conditions were not what you see on television,' Thiel also said at the conference.

'There was zero visibility, high heat - and by high heat, I'm talking about 900-1,000 degrees at the ceiling - toxic smoke filling the entire building, and it's loud in a fire.'

After 50 minutes, crews managed to get into the building but found that 12 residents had already perished.

However, they still were able to rescue two survivors, one of whom was a child and was taken to the hospital.

All eight residents on the first floor escaped from the blaze unharmed.

Four of victims Virginia Thomas's children pictured in 2019

Three of victim Rosalee McDonald's children are pictured after they died in the fire

McDonald had been the mother of six children which included three girls and three boys

Victim Quinsha White was one of the 12 killed in the deadly fire on Wednesday

The fire also claimed the life of Virginia Thomas

Victim Rosalee McDonald's two children Quintien Tate McDonald, 16, (left) and two-year-old Tiffany Robinson were the oldest and youngest victims in the fire amongst the sister's children

'Rest assured, those firefighters did their level best - as our medics did their best - to save those lives,' Thiel said.

'Tragically we know that despite the best response from our dedicated firefighters, medics, dispatchers, sometimes we are too late.'

The fire had claimed the lives of three sisters Rosalee McDonald, 33, Virginia Thomas, 30, and Quinsha White, 18, as well as their nine children who ranged in age from two to 16, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The sisters' cousin Aneisha Thomas spoke to the Inquirer as she mourned their tragic loss.

'When I go visit Philly, it's going to be a void,' Thomas, 36, told the Inquirer. 'It's going to be a blank stare when I visit because of how I can't go visit them.'

Other city officials also spoke out about the deadly fire as it was considered one of the worst tragedies in the city's history.

Mayor Jim Kenney choked on tears as he spoke at the scene. He called it 'without a doubt one of the most tragic days in the city's history.'

'Please keep all these folks and these children in your prayers. Losing so many kids is devastating. Keep these babies in your prayers,' he said.

Fire chiefs also struggled to put into words the horror of the blaze.

'I've been around for 35 years now and this is probably one of the worst fires I've ever been to. I don't have the words for how we're feeling right now,' Philadelphia Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy said, adding that he was concerned his team would uncover more bodies in the aftermath.

'That number is dynamic because there's still an ongoing recovery effort inside. That number sits right now at 13. We also had eight people self evacuate.

'As of right now, the fire marshal along with the ATF are in the process of doing a thorough investigation of this terrible event,' he said.

First Lady Jill Biden, who lived in a suburb north of Philadelphia, also tweeted in response to the tragedy on Wednesday afternoon.

'My heart is with the families and loved ones of the victims of the tragic fire in Philadelphia,' she wrote.

Family members gather for a vigil for the victims of the fatal rowhouse fire in front of the Bache-Martin School in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia

A family member gathers with community members for the candlelight vigil

Balloons are released during a vigil by the Bache-Martin School to honor the victims on January 6

The building, which is owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, had fourteen tenants authorized for the four-bedroom apartment.

A spokesperson for Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections said that while a large number of people lived in the apartment, the city does not limit the number of family members who can live in a single unit.

PHA 'does not evict people because they have children,' the spokesperson said.

'This was an intact family who chose to live together. We don't kick out our family members...who might not have other suitable housing options,' he said.

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) said that all the alarms were inspected back in May and were working.

There were also reportedly carbon monoxide detectors that did not go off on the morning of the fire.

This tragedy comes before another fire broke out at an apartment building in the Bronx on Sunday that claimed the lives of 17 people.

The fire had been caused by a malfunctioning electric space heater which sparked one of the deadliest blazes in NYC history.
Western Australia has banned residents of all other states and territories from visiting, even to visit dying family members.

Mark McGowan raised the Northern Territory to 'extreme risk', the highest level of Covid warning that bans all arrivals even for compassionate reasons.

The NT was the only state or territory not yet set to extreme, being only 'high risk', meaning the entire country is now banned except for a few exceptions.

Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) has shut Western Australia's borders to the Northern Territory after deeming it an 'extreme risk'

An increase in cases in the NT prompted a tightening of border restrictions after the territory recorded 594 infections on Monday.

The new rules will come into effect by 12.01am on Thursday, with only government officials, defence force personnel and diplomats allowed to travel into the state.

An exemption for travel could be granted under 'specialist or extraordinary circumstances' if approved by the state's police commissioner or chief health officer.

Travellers with an exemption must be vaccinated and complete 14 days of quarantine in a state-run facility at their own expense.

An additional two days of quarantine will be required at a 'suitable premises' with Covid testing conducted within 24 hours of arrival and on days five and 13 of isolation.

The NT reported 352 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday bringing the number of active cases in the territory to 3,000.

Covid-19 cases have jumped in the NT with the territory recording 352 new infections on Wednesday follow 594 cases on Monday

There are 28 people hospitalised with Covid-19 and one patient admitted to the intensive care unit.

Premier McGowan said a growing number of interstate travellers were in hotel quarantine alongside overseas arrivals.

'We know the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly around much of the country and unfortunately the Northern Territory is now too seeing an accelerating caseload in the community,' he said.

Western Australia has now deemed all states and territories as an 'extreme risk' shutting out all of the country (pictured, a map indication WAs Covid-19 classification requirements)

'Our controlled border remains a vital tool to protect Western Australia as we work to push our vaccination rates as high as possible towards February 5, including third doses and vaccinations for five to 11-year-olds.'

The premier urged all WA residents in the Northern Territory with an approved G2G Pass to return home immediately otherwise they would be denied entry.

Tighter border controls come as the premier warned life for the unvaccinated population is about to get 'very difficult'.

This comes as Mark McGowan vowed to make the lives of the unvaccinated 'very difficult'

In the lead up to the state re-opening on February 5, Mr McGowan said residents who were unvaccinated wouldn't be able to enjoy the same freedoms as their inoculated counterparts.

Mr McGowan said the state successfully navigated through a Delta cluster and its two latest Omicron outbreaks, but said the virus would continue to find its way into WA.

'With the sheer number of cases in the rest of the country right now, it is placing pressure on supply chains across a number of industries,' he said on Monday.

As the state moves closer to 90 per cent vaccination, Mr McGowan said the eastern states were proof of what would happen if people continue to reject the jab.

'Over east, the intensive care units are filled with the unvaccinated... even though that's a tiny proportion of the population, they are hugely over-represented,' he said.

'[The unvaccinated] will be able to work in some limited industries, they'll be able to go to supermarkets and get essential supplies and the like.

'But a lot of the things we take for granted and the things we enjoy, they won't be able to do and that's because we want to protect them and save their lives, and we want to protect other people from their transmissibility.'
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A North Carolina police officer accused of hitting a black man with his truck before shooting him dead has yet to be arrested because 'evidence is still being collected', a police chief has revealed as protests entered a third night.

Jason Walker, 37, was shot and killed in broad daylight by off-duty Cumberland County Sheriff's Lieutenant Jeffrey Hash, at just after 2.15pm on Saturday, in Fayetteville.

Hash was driving in his personal vehicle with his wife and daughter when he claims Walker jumped on his car, tore off his windscreen wipers and began smashing his windshield - later telling a bystander during a 911 call: 'He jumped on my vehicle. I just had to shoot him.'

But Black Lives Matter activists and a trauma nurse who attended to Walker on the scene have suggested that Hash hit the father-of-one - who leaves behind a young son - with his truck and then shot him dead in cold blood, while noted lawyer Ben Crump, who represents the family of George Floyd, branded the incident a 'case of a shoot first, ask later philosophy'.

There have now been three straight nights of protests demanding Hash be arrested - with more planned for this week - as Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin and others plead for demonstrators to remain peaceful. While Hash was taken into custody following the shooting, he was not arrested and has been placed on administrative leave.

It comes after Police Chief Gina Hawkins told CBS 17 that initial statements from witnesses, and the physical evidence, including the truck's black box, do not indicate that Hash hit Walker with his vehicle.

'Often individuals are not arrested immediately without, with lack of evidence, so right now evidence is being collected by the State Bureau of Investigation to determine that,' Hawkins said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now 'reviewing' the evidence - including body cam footage - to see if there were any civil rights violations.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins said initial statements from witnesses and physical evidence do not indicate that Hash hit Walker with his vehicle as Black Lives Matter protests continue over the incident

Lieutenant Jeffrey Hash (left) was detained and questioned over the Saturday shooting death of Jason Walker (right) in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Hash (left) is seen on the phone with 911 operators in the immediate aftermath of the shooting on Saturday. He claimed that Walker jumped onto the hood of his truck and beat the windshield while his wife and daughter were in the truck

The protests over the incident have entered the third night with many calling on Hash to be arrested

She added that the city council had voted on Monday night for the Department of Justice to get involved in the investigation.

'I believe that the council just like the rest of the community are hurting because of Mr. Walker's death, and I believe that request is... to ensure as much transparency as possible,' Hawkins said.

A 911 call had been released earlier Tuesday during which a frantic Hash told an operator that Walker had jumped on his windshield and he was trying to protect his family when he shot him.

'I had a male jump on my vehicle and break my windshield. I just shot him,' Hash told the 911 operator. 'He jumped on my car.'

As Hash spoke, an angry crowd could be heard forming in the area, demanding to know what happened, and he is heard telling one bystander: 'He jumped on my vehicle, I just had to shoot him!'

Hash further explained to the 911 operator: 'He came flying across Bingham Drive, running, and I stopped so I wouldn't hit him. And he jumped on my car and started screaming, pulls my windshield wipers off and started beating my windshield, broke my windshield, I had my wife and my daughter in my vehicle.'

When the 911 operator asked whether Walker was breathing, Hash responded: 'No ma'am, he is gone. He is gone ma'am.'

During the call, Hash could also be heard speaking to a trauma nurse on the scene. At one point, she asked him whether he knew where the bullet entry point was, to which he said he did not know.

'I am just trying to protect my family,' he is heard saying in the call before it cuts off.

Black Lives Matter activists have suggested that Hash hit Walker with his truck and then shot him dead in cold blood, a version of events shared by a nurse who tried to tend to Walker's wounds, but which police say the early investigation does not support.

Noted attorney Ben Crump is now representing Walker's family and said in a statement: 'We have reason to believe that this was a case of ''shoot first, ask later,'' philosophy seen all too often within law enforcement.'

On Tuesday night, demonstrators had gathered for a third time outside Fayetteville's Transit Authority and chanted: 'What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now', while another group of protesters held signs outside the State Capitol in Raleigh.

Local activist Myah Warren called out Chief Hawkins directly, demanding her resignation.

'Chief, because your men failed to arrest this man on site, he got to sit at his house and watch Sunday night football,' Warren told USA Today.

'I'm letting you know right here, right now, your time is up, you gotta go, so go ahead and get ready.'

Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin also sent out a statement asking for protestors to remain peaceful.

'As a father and an African-American man, I can empathize with what these two families are experiencing during this turbulent time,' Colvin said.

'As a city, we must continue to come together, help one another, and look out for those in need.'

Elizabeth Ricks, center, cries as she recounts rendering aid to Jason Walker during a demonstration in front of the Fayetteville Police Department, Sunday. Ricks claims that Hash rammed Walker with his truck and then shot him in cold blood

Pandora Harrington and other demonstrators march from the Cumberland County Law Enforcement Center to the Fayetteville Police Department and back during a 'Justice for Jason Walker' demonstration, Sunday

Demonstrators cry during a 'Justice for Jason Walker' demonstration in front of the Fayetteville Police Department, Sunday, January 9, 2022, in Fayetteville, N.C. Walker, 37, was shot and killed on Saturday by an off-duty deputy

Hash, was taken into custody after the shooting, but not arrested, and put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Hash phoned 911 after the shooting and told cops he fired at Walker after the man jumped on his truck and began beating the windshield, terrorizing his teenage daughter and wife inside the vehicle, but protesters don't believe his version of events.

Meanwhile the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began an 'initial assessment' of the case, reviewing 'evidence, statements and body-worn camera' to determine whether there were potential civil rights violations.

In dramatic video of the shooting aftermath, Hash can be seen telling police that Walker 'ran across the street so I stopped. He jumped up on the car, started screaming. He broke off my windshield wiper and started beating on the glass.'

'I have my daughter, my child in here,' added Hash, pointing toward a person, apparently his daughter who is believed to be in her mid to late teens, sitting in the truck.

At another point he said: 'I'm going to protect my wife and my child.'

The Fayetteville police chief said that Hash's version of events was supported by an examination of the truck, which showed that one windshield wiper had been torn off and used to break the windshield in several places, as Hash claimed Walker had done.

However, one alleged eye-witness spoke out in the press and claimed that Walker was simply crossing the road when Hash struck him with his truck and shot him.

Pandora Harrington, right, cries as she holds a sign with an image of Jason Walker during a demonstration on Sunday

Demonstrators march to the Cumberland County Law Enforcement Center during a 'Justice for Jason Walker' demonstration, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Fayetteville, N.C. Walker, 37, was shot and killed on Saturday by an off-duty deputy

Demonstrators outside Fayetteville's Transit Authority last night chanted 'What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now'. Protesters do not believe Hash and claim that he hit Walker with his truck and then shot him in cold blood

Protesters gathered in Fayetteville in North Carolina for a second night on Monday after Jason Walker, a black man, (pictured) was allegedly shot dead by off-duty cop Lieutenant Jeffrey Hash

Trauma nurse Elizabeth Ricks (bottom right) applies pressure to Walker's wounds in the immediate aftermath. Ricks claims to have witnessed the shooting, saying that Walker was 'just walking home' when Hash hit him with the truck and shot him

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins said on Monday that a preliminary investigation had found that Walker 'ran into traffic and jumped on a moving vehicle' before he was shot.

Hawkins said that investigators examined the black box computer of the truck, which had not recorded any impact with any person or thing.

'We currently have no witnesses who claim that anyone was hit by this truck,' she said, claiming that the only eye-witness said Walker was not struck by the vehicle.

Walker, a single father who leaves behind one young son, was pronounced dead on scene.

Police did not disclose how many times or where he was shot but family members said that Walker was shot in the back twice.

Elizabeth Ricks, said she is a trauma nurse who witnessed the incident and applied pressure to Walker's wound, told the crowd on Sunday that Walker was attempting to cross the street to get to his home when he was struck by the deputy's truck and then shot.

Ricks told the News & Observer she was on the scene and watched the entire situation unfold. As a healthcare worker, she jumped into action and tried to save Walker's life.

'I did not see anyone in distress. The man was just walking home,' said Ricks. State licensing records show that Ricks is a certified nursing assistant.

At a demonstration on Sunday, Ricks told a crowd of protesters that she tried to save Walker and tried to reassure him that he would be fine as he died before her very eyes.

'Then he closed his eyes one more time, and kind of did a sigh... and I know he passed that way,' Ricks said, according to the Fayetteville Observer. 'It brings me closure that the last thing he heard were positive words and knowing that someone loved him and cared enough to stop by even though I didn't know him.'

At a demonstration on Sunday, Elizabeth Ricks (center with microphone) told a crowd of protesters that she tried to save Walker and tried to reassured him that he would be fine as he died before her very eyes

Ricks said she gave a statement to police at the scene, but hadn't been contacted by Fayetteville investigators, and was only contacted by an SBI agent when the state took over the case.

It's unclear why Ricks' account directly contradicts Chief Hawkins' statement that the only actual eye-witness stated that Hash did not run over Walker with his truck.

In video of the shooting's aftermath, recorded by Rick's husband, it appears the off-duty deputy had been driving a red truck that was not a law enforcement vehicle.

Hash told police: '[Walker] ran across the street, so I stopped. He jumped on my car and started screaming. He broke off my windshield wiper and started beating the glass.'

Hash has served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office since 2005 and is currently assigned as a Lieutenant in the Civil Section.

His attorney said he would argue self-defense in the case if the shooting came to trial.

Police Chief Hawkins said investigators noted that 'a windshield wiper was torn off and the metal portion was used to break the windshield of the truck in several places.'

Crump, the walker family attorney, said in a statement: 'We stand committed, with the family and the young son that Jason Walker left behind, to finding answers as to what happened to him when he was senselessly shot and killed by off-duty deputy Jeffrey Hash.'

'We look to the North Carolina SBI for a swift and transparent investigation so that we can get justice for Jason and his loved ones.'

Hash (right, with Sheriff Ennis Wright) told investigators at the scene that Walker jumped onto the hood of his truck, ripped off a windshield wiper, and began beating on the windshield with it, terrorizing his daughter who was inside the vehicle

Hash (second from right seated) has served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office since 2005 and is currently assigned as a Lieutenant in the Civil Section

Hash is seen at a ceremony in 2019 with family members. He said his wife and daughter were in the truck during the shooting

Another group of protesters gathered and held signs outside the outside the State Capitol in Raleigh on Monday night

Protesters gathered in Fayetteville in North Carolina for a second night on Monday after Jason Walker, a black man, was allegedly shot dead by an off-duty cop

Walker, a single father who leaves behind one young son, was pronounced dead on scene

Investigators with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have taken over the shooting investigation, Fayetteville police said.

Graphic video from the scene shows a burly white man, who people on social media have identified as the deputy, standing by a red pickup truck talking on the phone, while a black man, who they say is Walker, lies on the ground near the back of the vehicle in a puddle of blood.

Sirens are heard in the background as bystanders rush to help Walker and apply pressure to his wound.

'People are hostile right now,' the driver, now identified as deputy Hash, says in the video.

'Nobody is hostile,' a shirtless black man replies from across the street. 'Don't you (expletive) say that.'

'I don't know where the entry point is,' the woman attending to Walker's wound says. 'He won't tell me where he shot him.'

When police arrived on the scene, the driver begins telling his version of the events.

'I was coming down here,' the driver is heard telling police. 'He ran across the street, so I stopped. He jumped on my car, started screaming.'

The driver says Walker then pulled on his windshield and hit the glass. Someone is heard saying that they heard four gunshots.

'Is he dying?' a child is heard asking from off-camera.

Investigators have not received any footage of the incident itself but are asking any one with information to step forward.

WRAL-TV spoke with Walker's family, who described him as a happy go-lucky man with a big heart.

'I was sad. That's my best friend. We were really close,' said cousin Brittany Monroe. 'It really broke my heart because he would never hurt anyone. I don't understand how it could happen to him. He would do anything for anybody.'

Demonstrators (pictured on Sunday) outside Fayetteville's Transit Authority last night chanted 'What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now' while another group of protesters held signs outside the State Capitol in Raleigh

Demonstrators also called for the unidentified off-duty deputy to be arrested on Sunday

Another cousin told WRAL that the family is in shock and searching for answers.

'We're hearing one side of the story that sounds like a person that Jason is not, and then on the other side, we're hearing a story that makes complete sense,' he said.

'We have to take it one day at a time. Hopefully the system does what's right and gets to the bottom of this. We really just want justice for Jason.'

Protestors gathered outside the Fayetteville police station Sunday to dispute the account of the deadly incident given by police and call for the off-duty officer to be arrested.

'When Fayetteville Police arrived they did not disarm the shooter, they did not arrest the shooter, and worst of all they did not render aid to the victim,' the Fayetteville Activist Movement claimed in a social media post.

On Sunday, Hawkins said the deputy was taken into custody but was not arrested.

Hawkins confirmed that the department is now in possession of the firearm, which she said was not his service weapon.

Hawkins also explained that officers on the scene did not administer medical aid because the civilian who was attending to his wounds was a medical professional.
Most Australians who test positive for Covid on rapid antigen tests must now report their results, with the NSW government hitting patients who don't do so with $1,000 fines.

Victorians have had to register their results since last Friday but will not be penalised, nor will Queenslanders, Tasmanians and those in the Northern Territory.

Most states have created step-by-step guides on how residents report they've caught the virus.

Here, Daily Mail Australia reveals what you need to do in your state to record a positive rapid antigen result.

Scroll down for official advice on when to get RAT tested

Rapid antigen tests have replaced PCR results in the majority of states in Australia due to the strain placed on high rates of testing over Christmas and the New Year

There have been widespread complains over the lack of kits available in Australia and the prices many shops are charging

THE SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD DO A RAPID ANTIGENT TEST, ACCORDING TO NSW HEALTH Suffering symptoms

Household/social/workplace/education contact

Visiting vulnerable family/before events

Are in high-risk settings with an outbreak

Going to hospital & it's requested

International arrivals Advertisement

New South Wales

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Wednesday that all residents who test positive via rapid antigen tests must lodge their results via the Service NSW app or website.

Fines of $1,000 apply to those who don't but the premier admitted it would be difficult to enforce.

Residents are instructed to open their Service NSW app where they will then click on Covid-19 Resources and then select 'Register a positive test result'.

Users will then be asked a series of questions to determine if they are a 'low-risk' or 'high-risk' patient with the virus.

Those who are low-risk can isolate at home and will be alerted once the seven days is over.

High-risk patients will be contacted by NSW Health within 48 hours ans asked further questions.

Fines will be carried out for those who don't comply from January 19 - although experts have questioned how they could be carried out.

Covid patients who don't register positive rapid antigen test results will be fined $1000 in NSW - even though the Premier admits it will be difficult to enforce.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Wednesday that all residents who test positive via rapid antigen tests must lodge their results via the Service NSW app or website

NSW will fine Covid patients who don't register their rapid antigen test results $1000 while free tests are expected to be handed out in schools amid major changes enforced around the state. Pictured: Sydneysiders walk through Bondi on January 4

Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory

While not mandatory, residents of Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have each been asked by their respective health departments to fill out an online form if they report a positive rapid antigen test result.

Healthcare professionals will then recommend appropriate care to the individual, but most will be told to isolate from home.

Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory don't mandate residents record their positive RAT results but ask for people to fill out an online form

South Australia

Anyone who fails a rapid antigen test must immediately seek a PCR test and quarantine until they receive a negative result.

Unlike other states, RATs are still not considered official confirmation of an infection in SA.

Positive rapid results must also be recorded using the state's Rapid Antigen Test Reporting Form which provides the government with ongoing data on the virus.

WA lifted its ban on rapid antigen tests last week, but there is no system in place for residents to record their results yet

Western Australia

Last week, Western Australia lifted its ban on rapid antigen testing in the state after advice from the National Cabinet and federal government.

RATs had previously been prohibited in the state due to doubts surrounding its effectiveness.

But the successful application of the tests in other states has seen that decision reversed.

Chief Health Officer Dr Andrew Robertson said that revoking the ban was done in the best interests of West Australians.

'[I] consider it reasonably necessary to give the following directions to all persons in Western Australia to prevent, control or abate the serious public health risk presented by COVID-19,' he wrote in an ammendment to WA's Health Act.

There is currently no process for reporting positive test results in WA.
A teenage boy was violently attacked in a disturbing video which shows an assailant stomping on his head during a wild brawl.

The shocking incident unfolded on January 9 around 4.15pm in Melbourne's south east outside the Westfield Fountain Gate shopping centre.

In the clip, footage begins with two teenagers kicking and hitting one another before one of the youths falls to the ground after he was felled by a punch.

Police are investigating after footage emerged of a wild brawl (pictured, the teenagers fighting outside a shopping centre in Melbourne on January 9)

After one teen was felled by a punch, the other young male offender then stomped on the victim's head (pictured) outside a Melbourne shopping centre

He was then stomped on in confronting scenes.

A spokesman from Victoria Police confirmed with Daily Mail Australia an investigation has been launched into the matter.

'Police are investigating an affray outside a shopping centre in Narre Warren on Sunday, 9 January,' a statement read.

'Officers were called to the Princes Highway centre to reports a group of youths were behaving aggressively about 4.15pm.

'Police have been told two males became involved in a physical altercation on the grass area.

'Upon arrival, officers spoke to several boys who refused to make a statement.

'Two teens, aged 16 from South Melbourne and 17 from Narre Warren, had minor abrasions and refused medical treatment.

'The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.'

The incident follows a similar altercation at the centre earlier in January, where a group of teenagers reportedly looked to start a fight with a man who was walking towards the nearby cinema with his partner.
More people are in hospital battling COVID-19 than at any other time during the pandemic, as the Omicron surge sees no sign of abating.

On Tuesday, there were 62,308,132 confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S. and 842,141 deaths.

The U.S. is now regularly reporting more than a million new cases every day - a milestone that was first reached on January 3.

On Tuesday, 1,483,656 new cases were reported, according to Johns Hopkins data. There were 1,906 deaths.

The seven-day average of people hospitalized with COVID was 140,576 - more than last year's winter surge, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Department of Health and Human Services data - and comes as exhausted hospital staff are themselves failing sick, leading to staffing shortages, according to a Wall St

'People who are getting hospitalized right now, because we are so short of staff and capacity to care for everyone, they're very sick or they've been in a significant trauma,' Nancy Foster, vice president for quality and patient safety policy at the American Hospital Association, told the outlet.

'They need to be in the hospital.'

A US Marine veteran is treated by medical workers in a negative pressure room in the COVID-19 ward. The veteran was pictured on Tuesday at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare, as nationwide a record number of COVID patients were hospitalized

Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey, the state's largest system with 17 hospitals, recently had between 750 and 1,000 of its 35,000 employees out sick with COVID-19, said Daniel Varga, the chief physician executive there.

'The challenge has just been the sheer numbers of folks that have been affected, both patients who are coming in but also team members and physicians who are there to care for these folks,' Dr. Varga told The Wall Street Journal.

The rise in hospitalizations is because so many people are falling sick with the Omicron variant, medics say - not because the mutation is especially dangerous.

'It's a numbers game,' said Michelle Prickett, a pulmonary and critical-care specialist at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

'We are still seeing people struggling, we are still seeing the destruction of the lungs,' she said.

Medical workers are pictured on Tuesday at the VA in West Roxbury, Massachusetts

A spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal that, by last week, the 11 hospitals in the larger Northwestern Medicine system had 16 percent more COVID-19 patients than in the last peak, hit in November 2020, and the rate is expected to grow.

COVID cases are rising in all 50 U.S. states over the past two weeks, as an Omicron surge has caused cases to triple nationwide over the past two weeks. All but four states are recording more than twice the cases they were 14 days ago.

Despite the rising cases, deaths in America have remained low, and data revealed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week.

Rhode Island is now the leader in daily case rate, with America's smallest state now recording 418 infections per every 100,000 residents every day.

The state takes the dubious honor long held by New York and New Jersey. The Ocean state is recording a high volume of cases despite one of the highest vaccination rates in America, with 77 percent of residents having received their shots. Cases in the state have more that tripled over the past two weeks.

New York has the second highest case rate, with 379 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus every day.

Right behind it is neighboring New Jersey, at 357 cases for every 100,000 residents.

Both states have struggled more than any others with the Omicron variant, mainly because of the rampant spread of cases in New York City, and many commuting from the Big Apple into other parts of the state and into Jersey.

Massachusetts is the fourth and final state to be recording more than 300 cases per every 100,000 residents, with 354 of every 100,000 testing positive daily.

All four of the states dealing with the highest case rates in America have vaccination rates over 70 percent, showing the ability for the now dominant Omicron strain to evade protection provided by the jabs.

According to most recent CDC data, the variant now accounts for 98 percent of new cases in the U.S.

As a testament to the vaccines, and their ability to prevent death in cases of breakthrough infection, none of the states recording the most cases find themselves among the state with the 15 highest death rates.

While northeastern states are recording the highest case rates, the actual growth in COVID cases in those states has slowed.

Many of them were hit early by Omicron, experiencing surges of the variant in early to mid-December. The variant already seems to be losing steam, though, and growth is slowing.

Some experts are hopeful that the peak is being neared for the hardest struck states so far, and cases will soon begin to decline.

Cases are rampantly rising elsewhere in the country, though, as the variant leaves the northeast and starts its tear elsewhere.

The U.S. South has become the most recent hotspot for the virus, and lower vaccination rates in the region have allowed it to spread even faster than it did in their peer states up north.

South Carolina is currently the nationwide leader in case growth over the past two weeks, with new cases jumping 759 percent over the past two weeks. The state has a vaccination rate of only 54 percent

Many other nearby states like Mississippi (483 percent case growth over past two weeks), North Carolina (479 percent), Arkansas (550 percent) and Alabama (483 percent) are also among national leaders in case growth over the past two weeks.

The West coast is getting slammed by the recent Omicron outbreak as well. States that had their situations largely under control only weeks ago find themselves undergoing huge case surges as well.

California has seen its cases increase nearly seven-fold over the past two weeks, up 597 percent in 14 days. To the north, Oregon has experienced similar growth of 577 percent. Utah has also experienced a 570 percent increase during the same period.

The Midwest and great plains first dealt with COVID surges in October, as early cold weather months struck them harder than the rest of the nation. Cases quickly declined afterwards, though, and it looked like winter would not be as brutal for the region as everywhere else at some points.

Case trends have quickly reversed, though. Now, states like Montana (469 percent growth over the past two weeks), Wyoming (466 percent) and South Dakota (413 percent) find themselves among those with the highest case growth in the country.

The states experiencing the most cases, or the most case growth, are not those that are bearing the burden of deaths, though.

Indiana is currently experiencing the most deaths in America by a large margin. The Hoosier state is the only one to record more than 1.2 deaths per every 100,000 residents, at 1.51.

Three other states are experiencing more than one COVID death for every 100,000 residents every day, Delaware (1.16 out of every 100,000 residents), Wyoming (1.14) and New Mexico (1.05).
The World Health Organization (WHO) just made a shocking prediction regarding COVID-19 in Western Europe. They said that by mid-March, more than half of the countries' population would most likely be infected by Omicron.

As of press writing, more than 7 million Omicron cases have been reported across Europe during the first week of January. This number could easily double within the next two weeks.

Dr. Hans Kluge says Denmark, other countries at risk

Dr. Hans Kluge, the director for WHO Europe, said that all 26 countries in Western Europe reported that at least 1 percent of their overall population had been infected with Omicron.

Since the latest COVID-19 variant spreads more quickly compared to previous ones, the Institute of Health Metrics at the University of Washington believes that more cases will be reported within the next six to eight weeks.

To try and prevent this surge in the coming weeks, Kluge is urging all countries to use face masks indoors, get vaccinated and boosted, and avoid crowded places.

The director also said that he's more concerned with the possibility of the variant infecting more people in countries where there are lower vaccination coverage rates.

In Denmark, the COVID-19 hospitalization rate was six times higher than vaccinated people and boosted, according to the Huffington Post.

Read Also: 12 People in France Infected With Possible COVID-19 Variant IHU; New Strain Has 46 Mutations

Omicron variant less severe but more contagious

According to Fortune, the Omicron variant accounted for just 8 percent of the active COVID-19 cases in the United States a month ago. However, it made up 95 percent of the diagnosed cases in America.

Earlier this week, the hospitalization rates due to COVID-19 reached a record high, with 132,646 people hospitalized.

Dr. Anthony Fauci and other health officials have said time and again that Omicron is less severe compared to the other variants. However, it is still something that needs to be taken seriously.

"Multiple sources of now-preliminary data indicate a decreased severity with Omicron. However, we really do need more definitive assessment of severity with longer-term follow up here and in different countries," Fauci said via CNBC.

Fauci cited a study from Canada last week that found the risk of death due to Omicron is 65 percent lower compared with those that became infected with Delta.

Another study from South Africa found out that only 5 percent of Omicron cases resulted in hospital admission compared to the 14 percent due to Delta.

The health expert also said that Omicron appears to be less severe for children compared to the Delta variant. But hospitalizations are at an all-time high among kids because Omicron is highly contagious.

Dr. Anthony Fauci says most people will be infected with Omicron

Most recently, Fauci said that since Omicron is highly contagious, there's a possibility that everyone will test positive one way or another. But those who are fully vaccinated and boosted will still fare better than those who are not inoculated.

When asked if COVID-19 has entered a new phase, Fauci said that the world may be on the threshold right now, according to CNN.

Related Article: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Resists Another Lockdown Despite Daily COVID-19 Cases Reaching 200,000

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A dramatic arrest unfolded in front of terrified customers at a suburban shopping centre with a young man forced to the ground as a lone officer barked instructions in a bizarre tone which has left viewers of the viral video scratching their heads.

Footage of the incident was uploaded to social media showing the moment the male suspect in a dark cap and baggy jacket was ordered 'get on the ground, face down' at Greensbourough Plaza in northeast Melbourne.

Shocked diners sitting at nearby tables were also told to 'move away' as the young man got on his knees and calmly asked 'do you have a warrant for my arrest?'

His question is met with the police officer bellowing 'get on the ground' and waving a baton - even though the suspect was already laying on the ground.

'Why is the cop screaming? Is he scared?' one TikTok commenter asked.

Others said: 'First day on the job?' and 'Was that really necessary?'

Another wrote: 'The way the cop brought all his training out when the bloke isn't even a threat. That screaming and all that adrenaline for just one teen'.

But while some questioned the actions of the officer others argued he was just making himself clear.

'He is making sure the teenager listens to him and doesn't try anything,' one person suggested.

A dramatic arrest unfolded in front of terrified customers at a suburban shopping centre (pictured) with a young man forced to the ground as a lone officer barked instructions

Footage of the incident (pictured) was uploaded to social media showing the moment the male suspect in a dark cap and baggy jacket was ordered 'get on the ground, face down' at Greensbourough Plaza in northeast Melbourne

Shocked diners sitting at nearby tables (pictured) were also told to 'move away' as the young man got on his knees and calmly asked 'do you have a warrant for my arrest?'

Another correctly pointed out that in Australia a warrant is not needed to make an arrest.

'Police have the power to arrest without a warrant on reasonable and probable grounds,' a commenter said.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Victoria Police for comment on the matter but they were unable to provide any further details.

It is not known if the young man has been charged or why he was arrested.
A six-year-old Chicago boy who was found dead in freezing temperatures in Indiana on Saturday morning was ruled to have been the victim of a homicide, a medical coroner said Tuesday.

The postmortem examination for Damari Perry was conducted on Monday. He was found to have an extremely cold core temperature and partially frozen internal organs, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office.

The exam also found a scattered discoloration of the skin on the right leg and postmortem thermal injury or charring over the body, the coroner's office said.

The young boy's body was found naked and wrapped in a plastic trash bag in an alley.

He reportedly had been forced into a cold shower by three of his family members until he vomited and passed out.

They allegedly then dumped his body near an abandoned house in Gary, Indiana.

The boy's mother Jannie Perry, 38, has been charged with first-degree murder with two of his siblings also facing charges for their involvement.

Police were initially told that the boy was missing but the investigation turned to Damaris home 'after the familys story was contradicted,' the Lake County, Illinois, States Attorney said.

The death of six-year-old Chicago boy Damari Perry has been ruled a homicide by the Lake County Coroner's Office after his body was found in found in freezing temperatures

The young boy's body had been disposed near an abandoned house in Gary, Indiana after his mother and two of his siblings allegedly dumped him there

Perry was reported missing on January 5 by his mother Jannie Perry, 38, and his 20-year-old brother, Jeremiah R. Perry.

They reportedly told authorities that he may have gone missing in Skokie, Illinois, where he and his 16-year-old sister were driven to a party, according to NBC 5 Chicago.

When police questioned the girl, she reportedly told officers that she fell asleep after having several drinks and woke up to find that Damari and the man who had driven them were gone.

But investigators quickly uncovered several contradictions in the story based on evidence they found in Skokie, and instead turned their attention to the boy's North Chicago home.

They interviewed several juvenile witnesses at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center, who led them to find Damari's body near an abandoned home in Gary, Indiana.

Perry's older brother Jeremiah R. Perry faces charges for his involvement in the death of the young boy

Perry had allegedly been placed in a cold shower as punishment before he vomited as a result and passed out

According to authorities, Damari was punished by being placed in a cold shower for an undetermined amount of time prior to his death.

He reportedly 'did something to upset family' on December 29, NBC 5 Chicago reports, and as a result, family members put him in the cold shower.

At some point, Damari vomited and was then taken out of the shower, but he eventually died. Prosecutors claim the relatives did not call for medical help and instead spun the 'completely false' story about Skokie.

Damari's mother, Jannie, is now charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice.

A balloon release scheduled for January 10 was organized to honor Damari

Damari is pictured with his father Dalvin Driver

Jeremiah was also charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice. A judge on Sunday ordered him held on a $3 million bail.

And an unnamed juvenile sibling also faces charges in Lake County Juvenile Court, with no further details offered on that suspect.

More charges could be filed against the family as the investigation continues.

'Our hearts ache over the murder of 6-year-old Damari Perry,' Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement. 'We would not have reached the awful truth of this case without the work of the FBI, the North Chicago Police Department and the investigators and staff at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center.'

'Prosecutors, investigators and victim support professionals worked late into the night and into the early morning to make sure we understand this tragic crime,' he continued. 'Now, because of their rigorous and detailed investigation, we will be able to bring Damari's killers to justice in a courtroom.'
Schools may be safer for children than remaining in the community, one infectious diseases physician says as he predicts a peak of Omicron Covid-19 cases over the coming weeks.

Principles for opening and keeping schools open were finalised by federal, state and territory officials on Wednesday and are expected to be approved by the prime minister and premiers on Thursday.

The deal came as Dr Clay Golledge predicted a peak of infections is still some weeks away, with cases then set to plateau for several more weeks before dropping off.

But Dr Golledge said schools were safe to return to amid the case high, branding a short delay to the start of the school year as 'illogical.'

'It is really important kids get back to school. Children get a very mild illness or no illness at all and their transmissibility is less,' he said.

Schools may be safer for children than remaining in the community, according to infectious diseases expert Dr Clay Golledge (pictured)

Clinical epidemiologist Nancy Baxter (pictured) said while school is essential for children, a one or two-week delay won't have a long-term impact on their education levels

'It is a bit of a falsehood to say it is not safe to go back to schools. Clearly there will be some mitigation measures in place in terms of air quality, ventilation and the vaccination program.'

Clinical epidemiologist Nancy Baxter says while school is essential for children, a one or two-week delay won't have a long-term impact, especially if choice is involved.

Professor Baxter says parents should be able to choose whether to send their child to school on the first week or not.

'Schools could be open, but potentially not for all students,' she told the ABC.

'Some students may not feel safe to go back to school, some parents may not feel safe to send their kids back to school before they're vaccinated.'

But Dr Golledge said a two-week delay such as Queensland's did not seem logical.

'I don't see what an extra two weeks in Queensland is going to buy in terms of mass numbers of vaccinations or changing in air quality over that short period of time,' he said.

Australia's two biggest states have committed to reopening schools on time for the new year, amid calls to delay bringing children back as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said children needed to be back 'on day one' while Victorian acting health minister James Merlino said the state would 'absolutely' deliver face-to-face learning as planned.

'(My priorities are) hospitalisations number one and number two is getting kids back into the classroom,' Mr Perrottet said.

Infectious disease expert Dr Clay Golledge said schools were safe to return to amid the case high, branding a short delay to the start of the school year as 'illogical' (pictured, students in Sydney last year)

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) says kids need to be back on day one of school as Covid-19 case numbers surge

Mr Merlino said a nationally consistent framework for schools returning was necessary.

'I want every child back at school day one term one and we will be making sure that that is the case,' he said.

'We made a commitment to the people of Victoria - get vaccinated, and then we can move beyond remote learning, move beyond lockdowns.'

GPs have expressed concern a shortage of vaccines and workforce constraints will slow the child vaccination rollout.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said if the government had followed medical advice, people would have been vaccinated earlier and received their boosters earlier.

The United Workers Union wants the federal government to define early educators as frontline essential workers, provide free rapid tests and expand the definition of close contacts to include the workplace so financial support is available for teachers needing to isolate.

The government says a list of essential services is still being finalised.

It comes as NSW recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic, with 21 fatalities and another 34,759 cases reported.

Meanwhile, Victoria on Wednesday recorded 40,127 new cases and 21 deaths.

There were also 22,069 cases in Queensland, 1583 in Tasmania, 3715 cases and seven deaths in SA, and 1078 cases in the ACT.
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Britain is set for 'dense' fog during rush-hour this morning as sub-zero temperatures grip the nation, heralding the start of a five-day cold-snap with the mercury near freezing.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for 'dense fog patches' that 'may cause travel disruption' from 10pm last night until 11am today in central and southern England, as well as parts of Wales.

Ahead of its warning, the weather service advised people to expect slower journey times with possible delays to bus and train services and the prospect of delays or cancellations to flights.

It had initially set the alert until midday, but this was trimmed due to the fog 'not being as extensive as earlier expected' and to focus on 'main areas of fog formation'.

Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has put a Level 2 cold weather alert in place and encouraged people 'to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of cold weather'.

Bookmaker Coral has made it odds on at 4-5 that the UK will record its coldest January ever, while also making it even shorter odds of 1-2 on snow falling in London this month.

It comes amid a risk of freezing conditions from this Thursday until next Monday, with temperatures set to plummet as low as -4C (24F) in parts of the country and people urged to check on their vulnerable neighbours.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for 'dense fog patches' that 'may cause travel disruption' from 10pm last night until 11am today in central and southern England, as well as parts of Wales (pictured: two people walk underneath umbrellas during wet and misty weather on Westminster Bridge on Tuesday morning)

Ahead of its yellow warnings (pictured on map above), the weather service advised people to expect slower journey times with possible delays to bus and train services and the prospect of delays or cancellations to flights

From Thursday afternoon, the Met Office is warning that the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, London, South East England and South West England regions will experience cold weather.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said: 'Temperatures in central and southern England are expected to trend downwards from Thursday.

'Overnight minimum temperatures possibly getting to -4C in some rural areas, but widespread below-freezing conditions elsewhere overnight in the following days.

'This will result in some harsh frosts and possible freezing fog in some places.

'Temperatures will stay subdued through the next few days from Thursday in the alerted areas, with highs likely to remain in the mid-to-low single figures through the weekend, especially in places where any fog or low cloud lingers throughout the day.'

Agostinho Sousa, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, added: 'As we continue to experience very low temperatures this winter its important to remember to check on those who are more vulnerable to cold weather, such as elderly or frail friends and family, especially if they live alone or with a serious illness.'

Rowers train at sunrise on Wednesday morning on the River Cam in Cambridge. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said: 'Temperatures in central and southern England are expected to trend downwards from Thursday'

People run along the banks of the River Cam in Cambridge at sunrise today. Agostinho Sousa, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, advised people to wear shoes with good grip if they need to go outside during the cold weather

A man walks through Sefton Park in Liverpool today. Bookmaker Coral has made it odds on at 4-5 that the UK will record its coldest January ever, while also making it even shorter odds of 1-2 on snow falling in London this month

A man walks his dog early this morning in Sefton Park, Liverpool. The Met Office's Dan Rudman said: 'Overnight minimum temperatures possibly getting to -4C in some rural areas'

A cyclist rides through Sefton Park in Liverpool this morning. With the cold weather arriving as Britons face a crushing cost-of-living crisis, the Government advised people to heat the living room during the day and the bedroom while going to sleep

She said the 'most vulnerable' should heat their homes to at least 64F (18C) particularly if they have reduced mobility, are 65 and over, or have a health condition.

She also advised people to wear shoes with good grip if they need to go outside during the cold weather.

Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon told Metro he was not expecting widespread snow, but for a light dusting on high grounds in Scotland, which is expected at this time of year.

Meanwhile, Coral's Harry Aitkenhead said: 'With January still yet to reach its third week and temperatures forecast to sink extremely low as the month progresses, we now make it odds on to be the UK's coldest ever.'

He added: 'Londoners can expect snow this month with the white stuff falling firmly odds on according to our odds.'

Lorries queue in the fog on the A20 into Dover Port on Tuesday in Dover. The fog warning comes amid a risk of freezing conditions from this Thursday until next Monday, with temperatures set to plummet as low as -4C (24F) in parts of the country

Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) put a Level 2 cold weather alert in place and encouraged people 'to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of cold weather'. Pictured: Heavy fog in the New Forest, Hampshire

The sun sets behind the Beatles Statue in Liverpool on Tuesday evening, as temperatures are set to plummet as low as -4C (24F) in parts of the country

The Met Office had initially set the fog warning until midday, but this was trimmed due to the fog 'not being as extensive as earlier expected' and to focus on 'main areas of fog formation'

With the cold weather arriving as Britons face a crushing cost-of-living crisis, including increased costs on heating bills, the Government advised people to heat the living room during the day and the bedroom while going to sleep 'if people can't heat all the rooms they use'.

The UKHSA, which issued the cold weather alert, added: 'Wearing a few thin layers is better at trapping heat than wearing one thick layer.

'Having plenty of hot food and drinks is also effective for keeping warm.'

The predicted cold weather comes after Britons experienced a milder than usual start to the year and follows the UK's warmest ever New Year's Day when St James's Park in London registered 16.3C (61.3F), beating the previous record of 15.6C (60.1F) set in Bude, Cornwall, set more than a century ago in 1916.

And that came after the country's mildest New Year's Eve on record the day before when Merryfield in Somerset reached 15.8C (60.4F), beating the previous high of 14.8C (58.6F) set in 2011 at Colwyn Bay in North Wales.
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Two toddlers were among a group of migrants who managed to cross the Channel by boat under the cover of darkness.

Around a dozen people could be seen being brought into Dover Marina, Kent on board Border Force cutter Speedwell around 3am.

Many were wearing red life jackets and thick puffer coats after spending hours at sea overnight. One young child aged around three, wearing a blue coat and navy woolly hat with pom poms, was carried by their dad.

They were followed by the child's mother, draped in a light blue blanket, holding a large bag containing the family's possessions.

An Immigration Enforcement officer could also be seen holding a very little girl wearing a pink onesie and woolly hat flanked by her parents.

They walked up the gangway at the harbour for processing at Tug Haven following what is thought to be the only successful crossing as of 9am.

Around 22 migrants have been rescued in the Channel after getting stuck in thick fog and 10m waves

The RNLI saved the group - including women and young children - from the rough seas at about 1am

Rescuers were dispatched after receiving an emergency distress call when their 8ft RIB started taking on water

Speedwell Border Force Vessel, which had already saved one boat of migrants, turned back and rescued the other 22

The Home Office is yet to confirm official figures for today. It is the third day of crossings so far this year - with more expected over the next few days due to improving weather at sea.

The first crossing of 2022 came on January 4 when 66 migrants arrived in one boat. This was followed by 96 migrants in three boats on Monday (January 10), taking the total figure for the year so far to 162.

A total of 28,381 migrants made the perilous journey across the Dover Strait in flimsy boats last year - dwarfing the 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

Two young children were brought ashore by officials, wrapped in blankets and wearing coats. Pictured: Ribs on the shoreline overnight

A Border Force official walks with one of the migrants overnight up to the port at Dover for processing

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, said in a previous statement: 'People fleeing persecution should seek safety in the first safe country they reach and not risk their lives paying criminal gangs to cross the Channel.

'This Government is reforming our approach to illegal entry to the UK and asylum by making the tough decisions to end the overt exploitation of our laws and its impact on UK taxpayers.

'The public have rightly had enough of the blatant disregard of our immigration laws and we are bringing in necessary long-term changes.

'The Nationality and Borders Bill will make it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introduce life sentences for those who facilitate illegal entry into the country.

'It will also strengthen the powers of Border Force to stop and redirect vessels, while introducing new powers to remove asylum seekers to have their claims processed outside the UK.'

One of the Border Force vessels enters the harbour carrying migrants who made the dangerous crossing overnight

Meanwhile border agency Frontex reported the number of irregular migrants who crossed into the Bloc last year was 'just short of 200,000' - the highest since 2017.

The number of detected crossings was 57 per cent higher than 2020 when Covid restrictions drastically reduced migration but also 36 percent higher than 2019, Frontex said in a statement.

The statement said arrivals were now 'above pre-pandemic levels'.

'This suggests that factors other than the lifting of restrictions on global mobility are the cause of increased migratory pressure,' the Warsaw-based agency said.

It said one new factor in 2021 was the influx of migrants - most from the Middle East - through Belarus in what the EU says was a deliberate operation by the Belarusian regime.

There were also sharp increases in migrant arrivals through the Central Mediterranean, the Western Balkans and Cyprus.

The main route was the Central Mediterranean - accounting for 65,362 arrivals, or around a third of the total.

The year-on-year increase was 83 percent, Frontex said.

The Western Balkans saw a 124-percent increase from 2020 to 60,540 people. In Cyprus, there were 10,400 recorded arrivals - 123-percent higher than the previous year.

Overall in 2021, Syrians were the most numerous among irregular migrants, followed by Tunisians, Moroccans, Algerians and Afghans.
Kim Jong Un has demanded more 'strategic military muscle' after personally overseeing North Korea's third hypersonic missile test on Tuesday.

The dictator's comments came despite international sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme, and after South Korea's military warned the tests were showing clear signs of progress.

Pictures in state media showed Kim using binoculars to observe the second missile launch by the nuclear-armed nation in less than a week.

Pictured: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches what the North Korean government says a test launch of a hypersonic missile on January 11, 2022 in North Korea

Hypersonic missiles are listed among the 'top priority' tasks for strategic weapons development in North Korea's five-year plan.

After the launch, Kim said North Korea must 'further accelerate the efforts to steadily build up the country's strategic military muscle both in quality and quantity and further modernise the army', according to KCNA.

The Tuesday test, which came as the UN Security Council met in New York to discuss Pyongyang's weapons programme, sparked swift condemnation, with the US State Department branding it a 'threat... to the international community.'

It was the third reported North Korean test of a hypersonic gliding missile. The first, which took place four months ago, was followed by one last week.

North Korea's state news agency KCNA said the most recent test demonstrated 'the superior manoeuverability of the hypersonic glide vehicle'.

It also claimed it accurately hit a target some 620 miles away.

South Korea's military, which had cast doubt on Pyongyang's initial claims, said the missile launched on Tuesday had reached hypersonic speeds and showed clear signs of 'progress' from last week's test.

Hypersonic missiles are listed among the 'top priority' tasks for strategic weapons development in North Korea's five-year plan. Pictured: A purported test launch of a hypersonic missile on January 11, 2022 in North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, looks at the monitors along-side military leaders as a test launch of a missile is carried out on January 11, 2022 in North Korea

Pictured: A graphic showing how hypersonic missiles are able to avoid radar detection for longer than Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) by flying closer to the earth

The missile flew 435 miles at an altitude of about 37 miles at Mach 10 speed, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds of at least Mach 5 - five times the speed of sound - and can manoeuvre mid-flight, making them harder to track and intercept.

Hypersonic missiles also fly lower to the ground, meaning they can avoid radar detection for longer, thus getting closer to their intended target.

'Everything about this test is a reminder that North Korea is all-in on a new military modernization campaign,' Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said on Twitter Wednesday.

'Kim's working his way down his 8th Party Congress wish list and is once again personally guiding tests,' Panda said, referring to a recent meeting of high-level North Korean officials.

Russia, the United States and China have all reported successfully testing hypersonic glide missiles. Russia is generally seen as the world leader in the technology.

The Tuesday test, which came as the UN Security Council met in New York to discuss Pyongyang's weapons programme, sparked swift condemnation, with the US State Department branding it a 'threat... to the international community.'

US Federal Aviation Administration orders 'full ground stop' at ALL West Coast airports for seven minutes as North Korea fired suspected ballistic missile The United States' Federal Aviation Administration stopped every plane from taking off or landing at all West Coast airports for seven minutes after North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea off Japan. Monday's incident, known as a full ground stop, was confirmed by officials at San Diego Airport. No explanation was given, but it happened around the same time as the North Korean missile launch. The stop only lasted for seven minutes, according to officials at San Diego International Airport. A spokesperson for the airport said they got the instruction of a national ground stop around 2:30 p.m. pacific time. 'We really don't have any more details,' Sabrina LoPiccolo said, adding that no reason was given for the stop. The FAA has not responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment as of Tuesday morning. Under an FAA ground stop, flights scheduled to land at an airport are forced to stay at their departure points. Ground stops can be specific to airports or an entire region and are related to either weather, equipment outages or extreme events. Advertisement

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said the weapon was not ready for deployment.

'Nonetheless, Pyongyang's ability to threaten its neighbours continues to grow,' he said.

The fact that Kim attended the missile test indicates that North Korea is satisfied with the level of progress, said Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean studies at Kyungnam University in Seoul.

'Since ... the test was the final verification, additional tests of hypersonic missiles, at least, are not expected for a while,' Lim said.

In the decade since leader Kim Jong Un took power, North Korea has seen rapid progress in its military technology at the cost of international sanctions.

Tuesday's missile landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. While there were no immediate reports of damage, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the launch 'extremely regrettable'.

US Forces Korea said the test 'highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's illicit weapons program,' using the acronym of North Korea's official name.

The tests come as North Korea has refused to respond to US appeals for talks.

At a key meeting last month of North Korea's ruling party, Kim vowed to continue building up the country's defence capabilities, without mentioning the United States.

Dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang remains stalled, and the country is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The impoverished nation has also been under a rigid self-imposed coronavirus blockade that has hammered its economy.
Personal information from shoppers at Bunnings was potentially hacked following a concerning security breach in the lead up to Christmas.

Bunnings Australia confirmed it has been embroiled in a customer data breach involving Flexbooker, a popular online booking and scheduling software company.

Customers who used the Bunnings Drive and Collect online service were informed on Wednesday of a possible security breach.

Personal data from online shoppers at Bunnings was potentially hacked following a security breach in the lead up to Christmas

Bunnings confirmed it is embroiled in a customer data breach involving Flexbooker, a popular online booking and scheduling software company (pictured, a customer at Bunnings in Sydney)

'We wanted to let you know that we have recently been made aware of a data security breach experienced by our third-party booking provider Flexbooker,' an email from Bunnings read.

The hardware giant was quick to add passwords, credit cards and mobile phone numbers were not accessed by the third party site - but registered names and email addresses could have been compromised.

'We take the privacy and the protection of customer information very seriously and we sincerely regret that this has happened,' the Bunnings alert continued.

'Please be assured that passwords, credit card information and mobile numbers are not collected when using Flexbooker to make a booking with us, and we are confident that none of these categories of customer data have been compromised.'

Bunnings Australia went onto state it is engaged in ongoing discussions with Flexbooker in a bid to clarify how the data breach occurred.

'While no action is required of you in response to this issue, as a precaution, we encourage our customers to be cautious of any unusual activity in their email accounts and to regularly change passwords to enhance online safety,' they told shoppers.

Flexbooker confirmed the breach of their company system on December 23, which involved the information of 3.7 million users.

'We truly apologise for the inconvenience this is causing, and want to let you know that this is being handled 'all hands on deck' as the only priority for the company until we can resolve it,' an announcement from Flexbooker read.

The company then announced the issue was resolved a few hours later.

In an email, Bunnings told their customers access to passwords and credit cards were not compromised - but encouraged shoppers to monitor for unusual activity (pictured, Bunnings Warehouse at Forbes in NSW)
Workers at an Australian meat factory which supplies Woolworths are working while infectious with Covid amid a major outbreak, as a union claims many are being forced to turn up for their shifts and wear yellow hairnets to signify they're infected.

Teys Australia at Naracoorte in South Australia's south-east has seen more than 140 cases, but has been given special approval by the state's health department to 'ensure food security' amid rising shortages.

A group of Covid-positive staff, who have been told in an internal email they are 'required to present for work unless you are feeling unwell', claim they've been told to wear 'special yellow hairnets' to signify their Covid status.

'Teys Australia's behaviour in forcing abattoir workers to keep going into work even when they are infected with the Covid virus is dangerous and disgraceful,' Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said.

Teys Australia (pictured) is requiring staff to work at their meat processing facility in SA while infected with Covid

Amid concerns of food shortages, SA Health agreed to give the green light to let a number of staff continue working despite being contagious.

A letter sent to staff on Sunday and seen by the ABC thanks workers for their 'patience and understanding'.

'As confirmed by SA Health you are required to present for work tomorrow [Monday] as normal unless you are feeling unwell,' general manager operations Sage Murray wrote.

'This applies even if you have tested positive to COVID-19 either by a PCR or rapid test [RAT], and also if you are currently isolating because you are a close contact.'

Teys supplies one of the country's two major supermarkets Woolworths with meat products (pictured, empty shelves at a western Sydney store)

SA Health later confirmed this was the case.

'To ensure food security, SA Health has allowed a small group of critical staff who have tested positive and are asymptomatic, to continue to work in an isolated area away from others,' a department spokesperson said.

'These workers must remain at home and isolate when they are not at work until they are cleared from COVID.'

Ms O'Neil said the decision goes against advice continuously handed out by the government and that workers having to continue to work while infectious was contributing to the outbreak.

'Anybody who is infectious with the virus should be isolating at home, to keep themselves their coworkers and the entire community safe. This is what governments, both State and Federal, have been telling us now for two years.'

The ACTU claims staff infected with Covid and made to work have to wear yellow hair nets to signify their Covid-positive status (stock image)

Teys Australia is the nation's second largest meat processing company and is a supplier to major supermarket chain Woolworths, with a large portion of their staff migrant workers.

Cargill, the world's largest Agribusiness, owns 50 per cent of the company.

A Cargill beef processing facility in High River, Alberta was the site of one of the largest Covid outbreaks in Canada in 2020 and on Tuesday another outbreak at the facility was confirmed, with more than a hundred workers infected.

On Wednesday, Ms O'Neil said that not only should Teys not be asking staff to work while infected with Covid but their 'decision to force workers to wear yellow hairnets to indicate whether or not they are infected with the Covid virus is offensive'.

Supply chain issues have caused supermarket shelves to be bare across the east coast. Woolworths boss Brad Banducci has assured customers there's plenty of stock (pictured, empty shelves in a Sydney Woolworths)

'Abattoir workers have literally kept this country fed during the pandemic. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, as do all working people,' Ms O'Neil said.

Woolworths told Daily Mail Australia they were looking into the issue and have a Responsible Sourcing Standards system in place to uphold fair labour conditions and ensure suppliers operate in full compliance with the law.

'We expect all our suppliers to adhere to the COVID safety protocols set by their relevant state health authorities.' the spokesperson said.

'We are looking into the issues raised to ensure current working conditions meet the high labour standards we set for our suppliers.'

This is what the bread aisle looks like at Woolworths Bathurst in central-west NSW in early January (left) and the meat section of a Coles (right)

Thousands of food supply workers across they country have either tested positive to Covid or must isolate as close contacts, leaving many supermarket shelves bare.

Many can only return to work if they take a negative Covid test - but PCR labs remain overloaded while rapid antigen testing kits are in low supply and often sold at huge markups.

This disruption to the supply-chain has caused a shortage in supermarkets and contributed to empty shelves across Australia's east coast.

Supermarkets have been experiencing supply-chain issues in recent weeks with many stores running low on stock (pictured: a Queensland Coles store on Monday)

Ms O'Neil demanded workers have access to free and 'easy to obtain' Rapid Antigen Tests, along with proper PPE like N95 or P2 standard face masks and the safety net of Paid Pandemic Leave.

'Scott Morrison must immediately rule out workers being forced to work while infected with COVID and abandon plans to water down OH&S laws when National Cabinet meets.'
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Daily Covid cases in the UK have fallen for a week straight and hospital admissions are plateauing, official data revealed today as an NHS leader admitted the health service is past the worst of the Omicron outbreak.

There were 129,587 new positive tests across the country in the last 24 hours, Government dashboard data shows, which marks a fall of a third compared to the figure last Wednesday.

It is the seventh day in a row that infections have fallen week-on-week and the UK looks to be following the same trajectory as South Africa, which became the epicentre and where cases collapsed in little over a month.

It came as MailOnline's analysis of separate Government data revealed 12million people are now living in areas where Covid cases are already falling. Outbreaks were shrinking in 95 of England's 315 local authorities by January 6, according to the UK Health Security Agency's weekly report.

Meanwhile, another 398 deaths were recorded today, up by about a fifth on last week. There are around five times fewer fatalities now than during the second wave last January.

But daily virus admissions appear to be flatlining, according to latest hospital data which shows there were 2,049 admissions on January 8, an increase of less than 1 per cent in a week.

Hospitalisations have fallen for 10 days in a row in former Omicron hotspot London, in a promising sign for the rest of the country.

The promising stats came as Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, said it looked as though Omicron was peaking in terms of hospital pressure.

'Unless things change unexpectedly, we are close to the national peak of Covid patients in hospital.

'This is a significant moment but it's crucial we recognise that this will not be uniform - some parts of UK are still seeing rising patient numbers alongside staff absence.'

Meanwhile Dr Richard Cree, an intensive care consultant at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, said: 'The number of people being admitted hasn't risen as high as I feared it might and it may even be starting to plateau.

'I will admit that I thought things might be worse by now but I'm all too happy to be proved wrong. It's looking increasingly likely that we may be able to 'ride out' the Omicron wave after all.'

Even Sir Chris Whitty is now giving ministers 'optimistic signals' that the worst of Covid is over, Whitehall sources claim. Just last month, England's chief medical officer publicly dismissed South African doctors' claims that Omicron was mild and accused people of 'overinterpreting' data. He was accused of 'snobbery' by some experts.

No10 is under mounting pressure to announce a blueprint for learning to live with Covid, with scientists predicting that Britain will be one of the first countries in the world to tame the pandemic. Ministers are already pushing for the final Plan B restrictions to be lifted now there is such a big disconnect between infections and deaths.

A record 3.7million people were infected with Covid on any day last week in England  but cases were slowing nationally, the country's gold-standard Office for National Statistics' surveillance study has found

 Slide me  The above maps show the Covid infection rate changes in England over the weeks ending December 30 and January 6, the latest two available. They indicate that the rate of growth is slowing down across the country

UK Health Security Agency data showed London recorded 12,000 cases yesterday, the least in a month. It was comparable to the total cases on December 13

The above figures show Covid infection rates across all regions except the North East fell on January 5. It could suggest the worst of the wave is over

Meanwhile, a record 3.7million people were infected with Covid on any day last week in England  but cases were slowing nationally, the country's gold-standard surveillance study has found.

Analysts at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated roughly one in 15 people would have tested positive on January 6, up by about 14 per cent on the previous seven days.

That is the smallest increase since Omicron became dominant at the start of December and the ONS said it was 'encouraging' that infections are falling in the former epicentre London.

Latest Government dashboard data shows the capital recorded just 12,309 new cases yesterday  the lowest in a month.

The ONS' weekly infection survey is regarded as being the most reliable indicator of the outbreak because it uses random sampling of 100,000 people, rather than relying on people coming forward for tests. Despite promising signs, it still showed as many as one in 10 were thought to have had Covid in the North West and Yorkshire.

The ONS report, used by ministers to guide Covid policy, is normally published on Friday  but its release has been moved forward while infections run at unprecedented levels.

Before the emergence of Omicron, that figure rarely rose above 1million, but the ultra-transmissible variant has pushed the country's infection rate to astronomical levels.

The agency estimated there were 3.7million people infected on any given day last week, up from 3.3million during the previous spell.

Britain can 'ride out' Omicron wave, says intensive care doctor Britain will be able to 'ride out' the Omicron wave without hospitals becoming overwhelmed, an intensive care doctor has said. Dr Richard Cree, who works at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, had previously feared a major surge in admissions. But writing in his blog yesterday, Dr Cree said: 'Across the country, the number of people being admitted to hospital following infection remains high. 'However, the number of people being admitted hasn't risen as high as I feared it might and it may even be starting to plateau. 'I will admit that I thought things might be worse by now but I'm all too happy to be proved wrong. 'It's looking increasingly likely that we may be able to "ride out" this Omicron wave after all.' He also said there was 'no doubt' that Omicron is far less severe than its predecessors. Hospitalisations in England have plateaued over recent days and in London  which was first to be hit by the variant  they are now falling. Covid cases are also on a downward trajectory, prompting optimism in No10 that some restrictions could soon be lifted. Some ministers are pushing for work from home guidance to be the first to go, fearing it will do the most damage to the economy. Advertisement

The ONS measures the outbreak by looking at the number of active cases - known as prevalence - which always drops more slowly than incidence, how many people are catching the virus.

It found infections definitely increased across all regions of England except London, but the trend was uncertain in eastern England.

In the capital, one in 15 people were estimated to have had Covid in the week to January 6, down from one in 10 the previous week. In the East, the figure was about one in 20.

The highest regional rates are now estimated to be in the North West and Yorkshire/Humber, with one in 10 people testing positive. South West England has the lowest rate, at around one in 25.

Elsewhere in the UK, nearly 170,000 people were thought to be carrying Covid in Wales last week, nearly 300,000 in Scotland, and 100,000 in Northern Ireland. All three figures were the equivalent of one in 20.

Meanwhile, looking at more recent daily data shows infections in England are slowing massively. England yesterday posted 104,833 positive tests, down 29.5 per cent on the previous figure (148,725).

Daily case data is easily skewed by testing, making it hard to distinguish whether falls are genuine. Trends were especially hard to establish over the festive period because fewer people came forward to get swabbed.

But the number of PCR tests carried out in the week ending January 4 was 3.5million, similar to the levels seen before Christmas.

No PCR swabbing data has been released since then for England, so it is impossible to tell whether or not yesterday's plunge was swayed by testing levels.

But London's positivity rate  which experts argue is a more accurate way of tracking outbreaks when testing levels vary  has already started to fall.

London also saw just 12,309 cases logged yesterday, its fewest since December 13. It has sparked hopes that the rest of the country will follow suit, given that the capital was the first to be rocked by Omicron.

Covid cases are already falling in eight of England's nine regions, the figures suggest. The North East is the only one to see its infection rate plateau, although this may drop soon.

Lagged data  which accounts for the date all positive tests were actually taken, not recorded into the system  shows the same trend.

More tests were carried out in the week ending January 6 compared to the week before, bolstering hopes that the worst really could be over for much of the country.

Those figures, which only cover the week to January 6, show five of the ten areas with the fastest falling infection rates were in London.

Lewisham registered the biggest weekly drop (down 23.9 per cent, to 1464.4 cases per 100,000 people), followed by Rochford in Essex (down 21.7 per cent, to 1,673), and Bromley (down 20.3 per cent, to 1,557.3).

On the other end of the scale, no local authority saw its Covid infections double over the latest week. By contrast, over the previous seven-day spell, 46 areas saw their cases rise by over 100 per cent.

Middlesbrough again registered the biggest rise in infections (up 96 per cent, to 3,233.9), while Sunderland saw the second biggest rise (up 93.5 per cent, to 2,716.6) and neighbouring Hartlepool the third biggest (up 89.6 per cent, to 2,936).

Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious diseases expert at the University of East Anglia, said that most of the country appeared to be 'past its peak' of infections, although he cautioned it was still 'early days'.

He told MailOnline: 'Altogether, I think we are all past the peak of infections, although some regions are later than others.'

Asked whether the return of schools could trigger an uptick in infections, he said that was 'possible' and it would take another week or so before it becomes clear in the data.

'I would not be surprised if we start to see cases increasing in children in the next week or two,' he said. 'Once it is in a school it is going to spread pretty rapidly whatever you do  regardless of masks, ventilation and opening windows.'

Professor David Heymann, a leading public health expert at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, yesterday said the UK is set to become one of the first country's to exit the pandemic thanks to its high immunity levels from vaccinations.

He told an event at Chatham House that infections would likely soon settle down and start spreading in a similar way to flu and other endemic illnesses. He also pointed out that it was no longer triggering serious illness or death in large numbers, unlike in March 2020 when the virus first arrived.

Yesterday it emerged that No10's Plan B curbs could start to be lifted this month, with some ministers pushing for the work from home guidance to go first.

Michael Gove, who has consistently argued for the toughest curbs, warned that there were 'difficult weeks ahead' for the NHS as the virus surges outside London. But he said there would be 'better times ahead' once the current surge in cases has passed.

'There are other coronaviruses which are endemic and with which we live  viruses tend to develop in a way whereby they become less harmful but more widespread,' he said.

'So, guided by the science, we can look to the progressive lifting of restrictions and, I think for all of us, the sooner the better. But we have got to keep the NHS safe.'

The Prime Minister has also asked the UKHSA to look again at whether the self-isolation period could be relaxed from seven days to five to ease crippling staff shortages in the economy and public services.

Today Health Secretary Sajid Javid signalled his support for the move, saying it would help to ease pressure on hospitals struggling against staff shortages.
An off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer was shot and killed Monday night while house hunting on LA's south side in an attempted armed robbery.

The officer, who was identified yesterday as 27-year-old Fernando Arroyos, was found by LA County sheriff's deputies in an alley after they responded to a call on the shooting at 9:15pm.

The off-duty officer was wearing plain clothes and was with his girlfriend at the time of the shooting.

Deputies bundled him into the back of a patrol car and rushed him to hospital, but he died later that evening from the multiple gunshot wounds.

Despite his young age, Arroyo was a 'promising' officer' and had already served with the LAPD for three years prior to his death.

LAPD Chief Michael Moore said: 'He had a promising future. A bright future that was taken away viscously over a street robbery.'

Mayor Eric Garcetti said the officer 'died a hero trying to defend himself and his girlfriend'.

'My heart is broken. Our city's heart is broken. And certainly our LAPD family's hearts all grieve.'

Los Angeles Police Department officer Fernando Arroyos, 27, was shot and killed Monday night while house hunting with his girlfriend off-duty on LA's south side in an attempted armed robbery.

The couple had just crossed the street to attend a house viewing at 8700 Beach Street in Florence-Firestone (pictured), when three armed suspects drove up and opened fire

Chief Moore said Arroyos had just finished several days on patrol, and on his day off had joined his partner 'on a hunt for a house, a place to live, a place to buy and invest in the city and in the future of this region.'

The couple had just crossed the street to attend a house viewing at 8700 Beach Street in Florence-Firestone, when three armed suspects drove up.

'The officer yelled for his girlfriend to leave to run to go back to the car,' Moore said, before exchanging gunfire with the suspects.

When LA County Sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene, they found Arroyo bleeding heavily from multiple gunshot wounds. They drove him directly to St. Francis Medical Center, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police chief said that officers recovered two weapons at the crime scene.

'We have our officer's gun, and we have an additional weapon that we believe was responsible for this assault,' Moore said, before appealing for help in tracking down the suspects.

'We know we need the community's help. But we also have every faith and confidence that we'll be identifying the person or persons responsible for this terrible act and this grievous loss,' the chief declared to press outside St. Francis Medical Center shortly after Arroyo's death had been confirmed.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva said his homicide investigators are looking for the suspects in the shooting, while Sheriff's Capt. Joe Mendoza reported that detectives had detained three men and two women for questioning.

'We haven't reached the point of charging anyone, but I would describe them as persons of interest,' Mendoza said.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents LAPD officers, took to social media to pay tribute to Arroyo.

'Tonight, we mourn the loss of one of our officers who was shot & killed in an armed robbery attempt. The officer was off-duty. We pray for the officer's family, and their fellow officers, during this time of pain and sorrow,' it wrote.

When LA County Sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene, they found Arroyo bleeding heavily from multiple gunshot wounds. They drove him directly to St. Francis Medical Center (pictured), but he was pronounced dead on arrival

LAPD Lieutenant Rex Ingram, who was responsible for supervising Arroyos, gave glowing praise of his fallen officer.

Ingram said that Arroyo, who graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in legal studies, was 'the humblest and happiest guy I know on the job'.

'He could have gone to law school or FBI like his peers with that education, but he wanted to serve his community and give back,' Ingram told the LA Times.

'He loved his community. He was very close to his family.'

LAPD officers and sheriff's deputies performed a procession early Tuesday morning, accompanying the body in patrol cars as it was transported from the medical center to the LA County coroner's office in Boyle Heights.

Firefighters used ladder trucks to form an arch over the road near St. Francis as the procession drove past.

'Today we grieve the loss of a young officer who was murdered while off duty. As we mourn his tragic loss, we ask that you keep his family and partners in your thoughts and prayers,' the LAPD said in a statement.
Three former Donald Trump aides have just been subpoenaed by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

One of them is Ross Worthington, Trump's speechwriter, who was responsible for drafting the ex-POTUS's speech during the "stop the steal" rally. Hours before Trump's supporters flocked to the US Capitol, he encouraged them to fight like hell, or they could lose their country.

The committee also subpoenaed Arthur Schwartz and Andy Surabian, two of Trump's advisers. A letter from the committee states that they want to know about the group's rally-planning activities and the involvement of two right-wing conspiracy theorists, Ali Alexander and Alex Jones.

Andy Surabian vows to cooperate in the investigation

Worthington and Schwartz have not confirmed whether they will participate in the investigations or not. But Surabian, through his lawyer, confirmed that they would join in the investigation. However, they are unsure why the adviser, who has close ties to Trump's eldest son, Donny, is being subpoenaed in the first place.

"While we plan on cooperating with the committee within reason, we are bewildered as to why Mr. Surabian is being subpoenaed in the first place. He had nothing at all to do with the events that took place at the Capitol that day, zero involvement in organizing the rally that preceded it and was off the payroll of the Trump campaign as of Nov. 15, 2020," his attorney said via the Huffington Post.

Read Also: Republican Sen. Mike Rounds Says Donald Trump's Election Fraud Claims Are Counterproductive for the Party; Ex-POTUS Calls Him 'Woke'

Bennie Thompson hopes Worthington, Schwartz will also cooperate

In his statement, select committee chairman Bennie Thompson said that the three individuals subpoenaed this week might have relevant information about the Capitol riot. He also said that the three would hopefully join the 340 others that the committee had already interviewed.

The letters sent to the three individuals also included the names of the committee members who wanted to know more about, namely, Taylor Budowich, Julie Fancelli, Katrina Pierson, and Caroline Wren.

The committee also wants to gain access to communications from Trump's son and his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, according to The Independent.

Donald Trump wants broad immunity from civil lawsuits

As of late, Trump has not yet been subpoenaed to cooperate in the ongoing Capitol riot investigation. The ex-POTUS's lawyers also argued earlier this week that he should be given broad immunity from civil lawsuits in relation to his role in the siege.

US District Judge Amit Mehta listened to five hours-worth of oral arguments to help consider whether Trump's request should be granted or not.

As of press writing, Trump is facing three lawsuits from Cong. Eric Swalwell, two members of the Capitol Police, and a group of House Democrats filed a lawsuit against the ex-POTUS for allegedly inciting the insurrection on Jan. 6.

Trump's lawyer wants all lawsuits to be overthrown because his speech ahead of the Capitol riot was political and should be protected by the First Amendment.

In his speech, Trump asked his supporters to save America, to fight like hell, and to march to the Capitol building peacefully and patriotically to make their voices heard, according to CBS News.

Related Article: Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan Refuses To Cooperate in the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Investigation, Accuses Democrats of Engaging in Partisan Witch Hunt

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Britain's spiralling gas crisis could last another two years, the boss of British Gas has warned, as the under-fire chief of Ovo said the UK's poorest people are paying the most, piling pressure on the Chancellor to step in and axe taxes costing an extra 375-a-year.

The struggling market suggests high prices will continue for at least the next 18 months, chief executive of Centrica, Chris O'Shea said.

He said demand was partly being driven by a move away from coal and oil, with gas acting as a transition fuel.

But he claimed ministers could save customers 375 off the average bill by slashing supplier fees, VAT and green levies.

The green levies, called the Energy Company Obligation, are worth about 1billion to the Treasury.

They are used to help about 200,000 households a year for insulation and new boilers - adding 29 to the average yearly bill.

Energy bills for millions of households are expected to jump by more than 50 pet cent in April to 2,000 a year, when Britain's energy price cap is adjusted.

Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure among Tory backbenchers to tackle the crisis after the PM said he is 'constantly' meeting him to discuss the leap.

Ovo Energy boss Stephen Fitzpatrick also called for the Government to cut green levies and social costs on energy bills, and instead raise the money through normal taxes.

'It's important to note that consumers will need to pay the real price of energy,' he said. 'But what we have in our energy bills today (is) not only VAT, but also a whole bunch of environmental and social costs that the poorest in our society are paying the highest proportion towards.

'We think these should be paid through general taxation. There's a wide consensus across the industry that the energy charges that go on everybody's bills are really regressive. They lead to the poorest paying the most.

'If we paid for them through general taxation, we could ensure the wealthiest in society shoulder the biggest burden. It's something that the Government could do today. We think there's an announcement coming, but so far - five months into this crisis - we haven't seen anything.'

The struggling market suggests high prices will continue for at least the next 18 months, chief executive Chris O'Shea (pictured) said

But Centrica, which owns British Gas, CEO Mr OShea warned Britons should expect the current crisis to remain for the next 18 months to two years.

He told the BBC: 'As we move towards net zero gas is a big transition fuel and so as you turn off coal powered stations in other countries maybe there's more demand for gas.

'Over the long run you do get more balance in this system but there isn't an abundance of gas that you can just turn on quickly.

'So I can't say that this will be done in just six months or nine months or a year I can simply just look at what the market says at the moment.

'The market suggests that high gas prices will be here for the next 18 months to two years.'

He added: 'There's no reason to think that energy prices will come down any time soon.'

Asked how the government could help, he added: 'There are three things we outlined that you could do which could take away half this price increase' (file photo)

He said: 'One is to defer the cost of the supplier fee - 100 - another is to take VAT off the bills temporarily or permanently, that's another 100, and there are green levies on bills of about 175' (file photo)

It comes after industry bosses warned a taxpayer-backed support package for energy-intensive businesses hit by the surge may be just a 'flimsy sticking plaster' (file photo)

Stephen Fitzpatrick founded Ovo Energy in 2009 and admits the email sent to customers was humiliating for the business that has made him 675million

The energy firm boss threw cold water on the idea of boosting supply from the North Sea as a domestic solution to the crisis.

He said: 'I'm not sure an increase in UK supply would have brought the price down from 3 a therm, as it was in December, from 50p as it was a year ago.

'We bring gas in from the United States, from Norway, from Europe, from Qatar, from other places.

'So we're not in a position to simply have the UK as an isolated energy market. We are part of a global market.'

Asked how the government could help, he added: 'There are three things we outlined that you could do which could take away half this price increase.

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'One is to defer the cost of the supplier fee - 100 - another is to take VAT off the bills temporarily or permanently, that's another 100, and there are green levies on bills of about 175.

'Those three things together could be enacted very quickly, without regret, and that would take half of the price rise and you get a further relief targeted at those households that need it most.'

Britain privatised British Gas in 1986 and, after a series of deregulating steps since then, the consumer market has seen a plethora of different companies - some essentially just traders - offering gas and electricity to households.

Many of those companies have now gone bust, caught between a government imposed price cap, which limits what companies can charge consumers, and the wholesale natural gas price. The next review of the price cap is to be announced on Feb. 7.

It comes after industry bosses warned a taxpayer-backed support package for energy-intensive businesses hit by the surge may be just a 'flimsy sticking plaster'.

Boris Johnson is reportedly backing a plan being developed by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng for state loans to firms threatened with closure over the winter.

The move follows an extraordinary Whitehall turf war between Mr Kwarteng and Mr Sunak, which broke out over the weekend, with the Treasury denying there are plans.

Mr Sunak is due to hold talks with Tory MPs in the coming days, according to the BBC, as he tries to dampen Conservative anger on the issue.

Some Tory backbenchers are adamant the Chancellor and the Prime Minister must act now to address soaring energy bills and spiking inflation.

Mr Johnson revealed during a visit to a vaccination centre in Uxbridge on Monday he met with Mr Sunak to discuss the energy issue.

The PM said he knows that rising fuel costs are 'making life very tough' and he understands 'how difficult it is' for people.

This morning the 675million boss of an energy company that sparked fury after recommending that households save on their heating bills this winter by 'cuddling' their pets , 'cleaning', or 'doing a few star jumps' today apologised and declared: 'Somebody had a bad day'.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder and head of Ovo Energy, Britain's third-biggest energy supplier, did not reveal if the person who wrote the email had been sacked but admitted their suggestions had been 'upsetting and embarrassing'.

Backbenchers warned the Chancellor the 1.25 per cent national insurance rise coming into force in April would worsen the pressures on family finances

Twenty-five providers have collapsed since the end of the summer, affecting more than four million households

MailOnline revealed yesterday that Mr Fitzpatrick enjoys a sprawling, five-bedroom weekend home in the heart of the picturesque Cotswolds, close to Cirencester, which is worth 3.2million and costs a whopping 850-per-month to power.

His business is in the firing line after offering 'simple and cost effective ways' to help keep its customers warm through winter, other than putting the heating on, including giving a cat 'a cuddle', eating 'hearty bowls of porridge' and sticking to 'non-alcoholic drinks'.

Other suggestions in the email, sent out to customers of SSE Energy Services, a gas and electricity retail business which was acquired by Ovo in 2020, suggested eating ginger - but not chilli, 'as it makes you sweat'. Or trying 'cleaning the house', having a family 'hula-hoop contest' or 'doing a few star jumps'.

Mr Fitzgerald's firm Ovo Energy sparked outrage by sending some customers an email which included a blog advising hard-up customers of handy tips to keep warm during the fuel crisis

Ovo Energy boss Stephen Fitzpatrick owns this sprawling, five-bedroom home in the Cotswolds that has its own swimming pool and is now worth in the region of 3.2million

Belfast-born Mr Fitzpatrick told the BBC: 'I'd like to start by apologising, again. It is unfortunately the case that we are a large company and somebody had a bad day, they sent out an email and we should have caught it. It is an email that should never have been written.

'I think it was probably meant with good intentions but this is the kind of email that causes a lot of upset. Nobody takes the situation facing British customers more seriously than I do so it's really upsetting and embarrassing'.

When asked if he was worried that the company's reputation had been badly hurt, he said: 'I hope that the British public will understand that not everybody gets it right all the time'

'We have spent five or six years investing tens of millions of pounds on technologies that can help customers lower their carbon footprint, save energy and save money so it's really ironic that we're also the company sending out these ridiculous emails advising people to eat porridge and not drink wine. It's just embarrassing and I hope that we have been emphatic with how we have dealt with this'.
Leading Western experts believed a lab leak was the 'likely' origin of Covid but were silenced because it could cause harm to Chinese scientists, bombshell emails show.

Sir Jeremy Farrar, who publicly denounced the theory as a 'conspiracy', admitted in a private email in February 2020 that a 'likely explanation' was that the virus was man-made.

The then-UK Government adviser said at the time he was '70:30 or 60:40' in favour of an accidental release versus natural origin.

In the email, sent to American health chiefs Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Francis Collins, Sir Jeremy said it was possible Covid had been evolved from a Sars-like virus in the lab. He went on that this seemingly benign process may have 'accidentally created a virus primed for rapid transmission between humans'.

But the British scientist was shut down by his counterparts in the US who warned further debate about the origins of the virus could damage 'international harmony'.

He was told by other scientists with links to virus manipulation research that it could cause 'unnecessary harm to science in general and science in China in particular'.

Sir Jeremy claimed in his emails that other respected scientists also believed the virus could not have emerged naturally. Names included Professor Mike Farzan, the Harvard researcher who first discovered how the original Sars virus binds to human cells.

Despite his concerns, Sir Jeremy went on to sign letters in The Lancet a fortnight later denouncing anyone who believed in the lab leak theory as bigoted.

Critics slammed the 'lack of openness and transparency' and accused Western scientists of shutting down debate about Covid's origin for political reasons.

The new emails were only revealed after the US Republican House Oversight Committee were granted access to them yesterday after multiple appeals. Some information in the notes remains redacted.

Sir Jeremy Farrar (right), director of the Welcome Trust, told US health chief Dr Anthony Fauci (left) in an email in February 2020 that a 'likely explanation' for the virus' origins is that it evolved in human tissue in a lab

Other respected experts including Professor Mike Farzan, who first discovered how the original Sars virus binds to human cells, also claimed the virus could not have evolved naturally, according to Sir Jeremy's email

Dr Francis Collins, the US National Institutes of Health director at the time, hit back at the claims immediately, claiming entertaining the theory would allow 'the voices of conspiracy [to] quickly dominate'

Pictured: The Wuhan Institute of Virology, where some believe the virus may have been accidentally leaked from

Who is Dr Ron Fouchier? Lab leak theory denier whose bird flu studies were banned in the US for spreading virus to mammals Dr Ron Fouchier of Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, manipulated the H5N1 bird flu strain to be able to jump between ferrets in 2011 One of the Western scientists who silenced Sir Jeremy's email warning of Covid's 'likely' unnatural origins has been involved in controversial gain of function research. Dr Ron Fouchier of Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, manipulated the H5N1 bird flu strain to be able to jump between ferrets in 2011. The strain is currently wreaking havoc on Europe's bird and mammal populations and infected the first British human ever last week. His study  co-authored by Professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka, a virologist at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and the University of Tokyo  raised fears the virus would be better equipped to jump to humans at the time. It was initially banned from being published, before later appearing in a peer-reviewed journal. However, US officials shut down gain of function research in 2014, immediately calling off funding for 18 proposed studies on SARS, MERS and influenza. Advertisement

In Sir Jeremy's initial email, he revealed his and other experts' main suspicions centred around Covid's unique furin cleavage site  the part of the spike protein which makes it so efficient at infecting human cells.

The email, sent on February 2 when the first Covid death outside of China was confirmed, continued: '[Professor Farzan] is bothered by the furin site and has a hard time [to] explain that as an event outside the lab, though there are possible ways in nature but highly unlikely.

'I think this becomes a question of how do you put all this together, whether you believe in this series of coincidences, what you know of the lab in Wuhan, how much could be in nature  accidental release or natural event? I am 70:30 or 60:40.'

Sir Jeremy later downgraded his estimate 50:50 in further emails just days later on February 4.

Professor Eddie Holmes, from the University of Sydney, said he believed there was a 60:40 chance of a lab leak.

In total, a dozen scientists in the UK, US and Europe  including Britain's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance  were included in the email chains in the first week of February.

Dr Andrew Rambaut, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Edinburgh, responded: 'From a (natural) evolutionary point of view the only thing here that strikes me as unusual is the furin cleavage site.'

Professor Bob Garry, also from the University of Texas, said he could not 'figure out how this gets accomplished in nature'.

But those within the email chain who had concerns were met with push back.

Dr Collins  the former head of the influential US National Institutes of Health  warned that going public with their reservations could be damaging.

He wrote to Sir Jeremy in an email: 'I share your view that a swift convening of experts in a confidence-inspiring framework is needed or the voices of conspiracy will quickly dominate, doing great potential harm to science and international harmony.'

Other western scientists  some of whom were involved in other controversial virus manipulation research  tried to silence the concerns immediately.

In an email to scientists whose names have been redacted in the email chain, Dutch scientist Dr Ron Fouchier, of Erasmus University, said: 'Further debate about such accusations would unnecessarily distract top researchers from their active duties and do unnecessary harm to science in general and science in China in particular.'

Dr Fouchier previously led so-called 'gain of function studies' in the US on H5N1 bird flu in  the strain that is currently wreaking havoc on Europe's bird and mammal populations, and infected the first British human ever last week.

His studies manipulated the strain so that it could successfully jump between ferrets in 2011.

Viscount Ridley, co-author of Viral: the search for the origin of Covid, told the Daily Telegraph: 'These emails show a lamentable lack of openness and transparency among Western scientists who appear to have been more interested in shutting down a hypothesis they thought was very plausible, for political reasons.'

A May 2021 report from The Wall Street Journal cited an undisclosed intelligence report detailing how three scientists from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology sought hospital care in November 2019, months before China disclosed the outbreak

Sir Jeremy said his view changed in line with the evidence at the time, with clear studies pointing towards Covid's natural origin from March 2020.

He said there can be no place for unsubstantiated rumour but it is important to remain open-minded, as there may be other possibilities.

Dr Farrar told MailOnline: 'It is important that we understand how all pathogens emerge so that we can prevent future pandemics.

'In my view, the scientific evidence continues to point to SARS-CoV-2 crossing from animals to humans as the most likely scenario.

'However, as the efforts to gather evidence continue, it is important to stay open-minded and work together internationally to understand the emergence of Covid and variant strains  to end this pandemic and reduce the risks of future events.'

It comes after Dr Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, admitted it took 16 months to publish an official conflict of interest statement in which he revealed Dr Daszak had links to the Wuhan laboratory at the centre of the spillover theory.

Dr Daszak organised the original letter signed by Sir Jeremy later in February 2020, co-signed by 26 other leading researchers which condemned 'conspiracy theories' that Covid did not arise naturally.

The move is also claimed to have shut down any debate over whether the virus could have escaped from a lab last year.

But the zoologist, a Lancastrian who now lives in New York, had ties to Wuhan Institute of Virology stretching back 15 years.

During a grilling from MPs on the Science and Technology Select Committee in December, Dr Horton was forced to defend the 16-month delay before Dr Daszak's important conflicts of interest were finally published in a memorandum in the journal this June.
Hamas has claimed to have captured an Israeli 'killer dolphin' spy armed with 'weapons capable of assassinating' its fighters off the coast of Gaza.





A video posted online by the Palestinian organisation's military wing claimed one of its naval combat units had discovered and captured the hostile aquatic operative while at sea.





It said the naval unit was chased by the alleged Israeli intelligence agent, which was wearing a harness equipped with weapons capable of 'assassinating' Hamas fighters.

Spokesperson Abu Hamza said in the video that the dolphin was found by one of the group's fighters.

Israel has a fleet of 'Dolphin-class' submarines but Hamas's video made it clear that the group was referring to the mammal and not the boats.

They showed footage of a harness, allegedly taken from the captured spy, which was loaded with a spear gun-like weapon - but looked similar to devices used in US, Russian and Ukrainian naval marine experiments.

Israel has not responded to the allegations.

Hamas has claimed Israel has 'killer dolphin' spies that carry weapons and are capable of assassinating its fighters (pictured, an mock-up of the alleged aquatic spies by defence analyst H I Sutton, known as Covert Shores)

A video posted online by Hamas's military wing showed the harness allegedly taken from the captured spy, which was loaded with a spear gun-like weapon

The alleged harness was conical and could have been attached to the dolphin's snout - similar to devices used in US, Ukrainian and Russian marine programs

The alleged harness was conical and could have been attached to the dolphin's snout - similar to harnesses used by US, Ukrainian and Russian naval marine programs, according to defence analyst H I Sutton.

It is not the first time Hamas has claimed Israel's intelligence agency Mossad is using dolphins to spy - in August 2015, the group said it had captured one of the alleged secret agents.

Hamas said one of its military brigade's naval units had captured the dolphin off the coast of Gaza in July 2015 after detecting movement outside port.

Israeli outlets reported at the time that the aquatic mammal was found with 'spying equipment', including a remote control, camera and a harpoon-like weapon thought capable of killing, or seriously injuring, someone.

The device was conical and could have been attached to the dolphin's snout - similar to harnesses used by US and Russia's marine programs, (pictured) according to defence analyst H I Sutton

The Ukrainian army has been using the underwater mammals since the 70s, and they remained under Kiev's command after the collapse of the Soviet Union

It was brought ashore and examined, though no photos of the alleged marine secret agent were released.

Arabic outlet Al-Quds, which first reported the news, said at the time that the dolphin had been 'stripped of its will' and turned into 'a murderer' by Israeli security forces.

The report added the use of dolphins for espionage missions showed the 'anger' and 'indignation' of the Israeli's at the formation of Hamas's naval combat unit.

Israel has previously been accused of harnessing animals for spying purposes. In 2013, Turkish media claimed that birds tagged with Israeli university tracking devices were being sent on espionage missions.

In 2012, an eagle with an Israeli tag in Sudan was captured and touted as a Mossad spy.

While in 2011, Saudi Arabian authorities detained a vulture on suspicion of espionage for Israel after mistaking a tracking device it was carrying for a spy gadget.

And a year earlier, an Egyptian official said Israel-controlled sharks could be involved in a number of attacks on tourists in the Red Sea.

The 2015 report marked the first known allegations that Israel is using dolphins for espionage missions.


A nurse who was struck off for refusing to admit a woman to a mental health unit before she killed herself said 'leave her, she will faint before she dies' before he kicked her out of the facility.

Paddy McKee allegedly made the comment as Sally Mays, 22 - who had mental health issues - tried to strangle herself when she was refused admission.

Ms Mays killed herself at home in Hull in July 2014 after being refused a place at Miranda House in Hull by McKee and another nurse.

Despite her being a suicide risk, they would not give her a place at the hospital after a 14-minute assessment.

Her parents Angela and Andy have fought for several years for improvements to be made and lessons to be learnt from her death.

Paddy McKee (pictured) was shown walking down the street in a 2015 image, just a year after Sally Mays took her own life in Hull

McKee lost his job after failing to admit Sally Mays (pictured) to Miranda House in Hull before she took her life at home

She took her own life in July 2014 after two nurses from Humber NHS Foundation Trust's crisis team refused to admit her to hospital. Pictured: Miranda House

McKee was this month struck off following a Fitness to Practice hearing conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

He was employed in the crisis service of the Humber NHS Foundation Trust at the time he dealt with Ms Mays.

After a 12-day hearing, all 30 charges against McKee were proved along with six aggravating factors while all mitigation was dismissed.

The report by the NMC was this week published and condemned McKee, saying 'he treated her in a way that lacked basic kindness and compassion'.

The NMC found his actions to refuse Ms Mays' admission had contributed to her death.

The 30 charges proved against Paddy McKee over the death of Sally Mays: Not carry out an adequate clinical / gatekeeping assessment in that Mckee did not identify whether he or Colleague 1 would lead the assessment

He did not consider, sufficiently or at all social circumstances; psychological factors; medical issues; mental health assessment; recognition of changes since last seen; identifying and exploring areas of clinical risk; safety and protective factors in the community

He did not fully take into account that [Sally's] care plan provided for short-term admissions

He did not fully take into account [Sally's] two care coordinators and psychotherapist were recommending short-term admission and their reasons

He did not take into account [Sally] had described wanting to a self-harm and had done son earlier in the day.

The alternative care plan to admission he identified did not adequately protect [Sally].

He did not seek a second opinion from a psychiatrist Did not further risk assess [Sally] when she banged her head against a wall after the initial clinical/gatekeeping assessment.

Said 'leave her, she'll faint before she dies' or words to that effect when [Sally] had self-harmed

When the police attended Miranda House he words to the effect of 'she is just a member of the public now' and 'she has been assessed and we want her out of the building'.

Raised his voice to the police.

His decision to refuse admission contributed to [Sally's] death. Advertisement

McKee did not attend the hearing and refused to engage with the process. It is not clear at this stage whether he will appeal.

But the report was hugely critical of him and made it clear his actions contributed to her death.

The report says: 'The panel determined that despite concerns raised by medical professionals about Patient A's increased risk of fatal self-harm or suicide on July 25, 2014, Mr McKee deviated from Patient A's care plan and refused admission for a short-term in patient stay.

'The panel considered that, while there were other factors that could have contributed to her death, if Patient A had been admitted into hospital, she would not have had access to potentially harmful substances or material. Furthermore, she would have had received care and appropriate support from professionals.

'Having examined all of the evidence presented to it, and having particular regard to the expert evidence, the panel was of the view that on the balance of probabilities, it was more likely than not that if Patient A was admitted on July 25, 2014 she would not have died on that day.

'The panel found that Mr McKee's decision to refuse the admission of Patient A contributed to her death and therefore found this charge proved.'

The panel explained how McKee ignored the opinions of other professions when deciding to turn Ms Mays away.

The report says: 'The panel found that Mr McKee demonstrated a flagrant disregard for required standards during the gateway assessment and the clinical opinions of the medical professionals directly involved in Patient A's care.

'It also found that Mr McKee ignored the wishes of Patient A, who was clearly distressed.

'The panel determined that Mr McKee's actions when Patient A self-harmed in his presence were wholly inappropriate as he did not act in her best interests or act immediately to prevent injury and to provide care.

'Furthermore, the panel found that despite opportunities arising where a further risk assessment would be required during Patient A's time at Miranda House, Mr McKee did not carry out any further assessments and continued to refuse admission.

'The panel was of the view that Mr McKee appeared to have pre-determined that Patient A would not be admitted and that even in the face of 'red flags' he did not reassess Patient A and dismissed her requests for help.'

Concerns were also raised over McKee's behaviour that evening when questioned over his handling of Ms Mays.

The report says: 'The panel considered that Mr McKee's behaviour when he was challenged by people who were simply trying to act in Patient A's best interests fell far below the standards expected and raised some serious attitudinal concerns.

'The panel was of the view that all of the above was exacerbated by Mr McKee holding a position of authority, and as a Band 7 mental health nurse, he should have acted as a role model to his colleagues.

'The panel found that Mr McKee's actions fell significantly short of the conduct and standards expected of a nurse and, both individually and collectively, were serious enough to amount to misconduct.'

An eight-day inquest in 2015 heard Ms Mays (pictured as a teenager) - who had emotionally unstable personality disorder - died from an overdose and mechanical asphyxia

The panel determined Mr McKee's actions and behaviour brought the profession into disrepute.

The report says: 'Mr McKee did not adhere to the standards expected of a band 7 nurse, the panel found that he failed to act in the best interests of Patient A and he treated her in a way that lacked basic kindness and compassion, and failed to consider her presenting problems and risks.

'Furthermore, the panel found that Mr McKee demonstrated significant attitudinal concerns in his behaviour towards other medical professionals and the police, it considered that this behaviour brought the profession into disrepute and breached fundamental tenets of the profession.

'The panel considered that Mr McKee is liable to act in such a way in the future.' But the panel went even further in its finding, fearing McKee would not change his ways.

The report continues: 'Having had regard to all of the evidence before it, which included Mr McKee's responses to the events which led to the charges against him, the panel determined that he has demonstrated a wholly inadequate level of insight into his failings.

'Furthermore, the panel found that he does not appear to recognise the gravity of the consequences of his actions and omissions or demonstrate any remorse.

'The panel therefore determined that the risk of repetition and the consequent risk of harm is high. The panel therefore decided that a finding of impairment is necessary on the grounds of public protection.'

The NMC also deemed McKee's fitness to practise mental health nursing has also been impaired.

The report says: 'In addition, in view of the seriousness and nature of this case, the panel concluded that public confidence in the profession would be undermined if a finding of impairment were not made in this case and therefore also found Mr McKee's fitness to practise impaired on the grounds of public interest.'

Ms Mays mother Angela believes the family have finally received some justice for her daughter.

She told Hull Live: 'The imposition of the maximum sanction of a striking off order to ensure that McKee never practices again is what we have sought over the past seven years.

'It is important no other patient suffers the abject psychological torture and cruelty he inflicted on Sally when she was begging for help.

'He afforded her no care, compassion, kindness or human dignity.

'The sanction imposed by the NMC sends out a very important message about the standards of practice required of mental health professionals.

'For us as a family, the past 7.5 years have been utterly harrowing.

'We will never be able to come to terms with the details of the unconscionable behaviour of those, so called 'professionals' responsible for Sally's care and whose actions ultimately directly contributed to her death.'

An eight-day inquest in 2015 heard Ms Mays died from an overdose and mechanical asphyxia after Yorkshire Ambulance Service took 99 minutes to reach her.

The inquest heard Sally asked to be admitted to hospital as her mental health deteriorated in the last few days of her life.

Three nurses from her community team and her psychotherapist recommended a short stay in hospital in line with her care plan.

But McKee and another nurse refused to admit her after carrying out what Professor Paul Marks described as a 'lamentable' assessment.

Instead, they called police when she started banging her head off a wall and tried to strangle herself in her distress.

Officers knew she needed to be in hospital to keep her safe and had a 'stand-up fight' with the nurses to persuade them to change their minds.

But they were forced to take Ms Mays home when the nurses refused to reconsider their decision.

Prof Marks said not to admit Ms Mays constituted 'neglect' which bore 'a direct causal relationship to her death later that evening'.

He said had she been admitted following an initial assessment she 'would have survived and not died when she did'.

Coroner Prof Marks ruled in a 2015 inquest that the failure to admit her to hospital was neglect.

He said: 'For the avoidance of doubt, had Sally been admitted, she would not have died that day.'

The Humber NHS Foundation Trust said it cannot comment on the NMC hearing result.

But a spokesman said: 'We are unable to comment on the specific outcome of the NMC hearing.

'The Trust undertook its own investigation at the time and has implemented significant improvements to its processes and strategy since 2014, to reduce the likelihood of any similar incidents occurring in the future.

'While we do not comment on individual cases due to confidentiality reasons, it is extremely important to us that we communicate directly with those affected.'

In December last year, the High Court in London ordered a new inquest into Ms Mays' death after 'new evidence emerged' although a date has yet to be fixed.
Missing Andrew Gosden's father has revealed he has been plagued by 'nasty scenarios' in his head since learning two men were arrested for kidnap and trafficking over the then 14-year-old boy's disappearance in 2007.

Kevin Gosden previously feared that a child sex ring was involved in his son's abduction and said the latest arrests are 'another unknown that's hard to cope with'.

Andrew, who would be 28 now, vanished from Doncaster on September 14, 2007 - just four months after Madeleine McCann had gone missing in May - and the mystery surrounding his disappearance has been one of the most high-profile missing persons cases of the last 20 years.

The straight-A student was last seen on CCTV at King's Cross station at around 11.20am the same day - but the reason he travelled to the capital and his whereabouts since have remained a mystery.

Yesterday, detectives confirmed they arrested two men in London, assisted by officers from the Metropolitan Police, on Wednesday, December 8.

South Yorkshire Police said a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of kidnap, human trafficking and the possession of indecent images of children. And a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and human trafficking.

Officers have seized numerous electronic devices, including mobile phones, from the two arrested men who have since been released under investigation while inquiries are ongoing.

Detectives believe the forensic examination of the devices could take up to six months, according to the Times.

Andrew Gosden (pictured) was just 14 when he vanished after he left his house in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, withdrew 200 and bought a one-way ticket to London

Kevin Gosden (pictured) previously feared that a child sex ring was involved in his son's abduction and said the latest arrests are 'another unknown that's hard to cope with'

A statement issued on behalf of Andrew Gosden's family on Twitter said: 'We understand that Police investigations will take several months to complete, so until that is the case, we do not know what to think and do not wish to speculate on any possible outcome'

Kevin told Yorkshire Live the family are trying not to get 'overwhelmed' by the news.

He added: 'It's more about what goes on in your head. Obviously some fairly nasty scenarios start to play in your head but we put that to one side because it's still under investigation and worrying doesn't get you anywhere.'

In an interview with ITV News he said: 'We're not able to reach any conclusion about it, so for us it's just another unknown that's hard to cope with.'

A statement issued on behalf of Andrew Gosden's family on Twitter said: 'It is a difficult time for Andrew's family who currently know no more than what is written in the article.

'Police investigations will be ongoing for quite a while and we respectfully ask you to give them your support and consideration whilst this takes place.'

Andrew left his home in the Balby area of Doncaster on September 14 and was seen heading down Littlemoor Lane, towards Westfield Park, at around 8.30am.

Once his parents had left for work, Andrew returned home and changed out of his school uniform into casual clothes, consisting of a black Slipknot T-shirt, black jeans, and a black bag.

Around an hour later, he withdrew 200 from his bank account and boarded a London-bound train at Doncaster station.

He was captured on CCTV at Kings Cross station at around 11.20am the same day. That was the last known sighting of Andrew, and since then no information about his movements has been corroborated by police, despite a massive manhunt.

Kevin Gosden (right) and wife Glenys (left), have commissioned their own searches over the years in a bid to find Andrew

The straight-A student was last seen on CCTV at King's Cross in September 2007, but his reason for heading to the capital and his whereabouts have remained a mystery

Now, detectives have confirmed they arrested two men, assisted by officers from the Metropolitan Police, on Wednesday, December 8

Happier times: Kevin Gosden (centre) pictured with daughter Charlotte and son Kevin, who has been missing for almost 15 years

Andrew's face has featured in campaigns all across the country as missing persons charities have publicised his case everywhere from on milk cartons to buses. Kevin (pictured) previously said that police fixated on accusing him of involvement in Andrew's disappearance, driving him into a deep depression

Kevin Gosden (front), with daughter Charlotte (middle) and wife Glenys (back), lighting a candle at the Altar of St James Church in Piccadilly, central London, where a service to mark the one year anniversary of his 14-year-old son's disappearance too place in 2008

Video footage and witnesses reveal Andrew boarded a train at Doncaster and spent the journey playing on his handheld PlayStation. By around 11.45am, the 14-year-old was in London, hundreds of miles away from home and his family.

The contradictions in Andrew's behaviour that day has led to conflicting theories about whether he had decided to run away, or if he was on a day trip that went horribly wrong.

One theory is that Andrew had arranged to meet a friend or attend a concert in the capital when something or someone happened to him, but no evidence of a plan has ever been uncovered.

A more sinister suggestion is that Andrew was groomed by someone who had arranged to meet him in London that day. But again, no evidence of any communication with anyone on his plans has ever come to light.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Andy Knowles, said: 'Our priority at this time is supporting Andrew's family while we work through this new line of enquiry in the investigation.

'We are in close contact with them and they ask that their privacy is respected as our investigation continues.

'We have made numerous appeals over the years to find out where Andrew is and what happened to him when he disappeared.

'I would encourage anyone with any information they have not yet reported to come forward.'

Despite national TV and radio appeals, poster and e-mail campaigns, he has not been seen since he disappeared in September 2007

South Yorkshire Police released a computer generated image of what he would Andrew could look like now back in 2019

Over the years since his disappearance, Andrew's family has campaigned hard to try to find what had happened to him.

A search was made of the River Thames at one stage Experts even drew up artists' impressions of what he would look like as an adult to try to update the search.

Timeline from the day Andrew Gosden disappeared Andrew left his home in the Balby area of Doncaster on 14 September 2007

Once his parents had left for work he returned home and changed out of his school uniform

He was seen at 8:30am as he headed down Littlemoor Lane, Balby, towards Westfield Park

An hour later, he withdrew 200 and boarded a London-bound train at Doncaster station

Andrew was last seen on CCTV at Kings Cross station at around 11.20am the same day - there have been no other confirmed sightings

His family started campaigning to find what had happened to him

A year after his disappearance, the head teacher at McAuley Catholic High School, Mary Lawrence, travelled to London with staff and pupils and distributed 15,000 leaflets

Andrew's family have kept his room as he left it and not changed the locks on the house as it is believed he took his key

In September 2009, the family released computer-generated images of what Andrew might look like aged sixteen, to mark the second year of his disappearance

In 2016, his parents appealed for information on BBC's Panorama

To mark the tenth anniversary, the charity Missing People made Andrew the face of their 'Find Every Child' campaign - featuring on billboards and advertisements throughout the UK

On 12 September 2017, it was announced that police were launching a fresh appeal

In July 2018, to mark Andrew's 25th birthday, two updated age progression photographs were released by the family

In October 2019, another updated image of Gosden was released

During an episode on BBC's Crimewatch Live - aired in March 2020 - Andrew's father Kevin made fresh appeal for information

Andrew's family launch pre-Christmas appeal in November 2021 and said they 'will never give up hope that they will one day find him' Advertisement

South Yorkshire Police also released an updated computer-generated image of what Andrew may look like in 2019 in the hope renewed publicity might finally lead to the answers.

Andrew's father Kevin previously told the Sunday People, police fixated on accusing him of being involved, meaning crucial time was lost.

He said: 'It's one of the horrifying thoughts that goes through your head even though you don't want it there.

'I feel that he was going to something and, somewhere along the line, he fell foul of somebody.'

He said he was also driven to the point that he attempted to kill himself, and was in no mental state to properly raise his daughter Charlotte.

Kevin added: 'But because of my mental state after Andrew disappeared I was unable to be the dad I wanted to be while Charlotte was still at home.'

Kevin and wife Glenys thought their son had headed to London to 'broaden his horizons' and indulge his passion for visiting museums.

The Gosdens were both working as speech therapists when Andrew disappeared.

Kevin gave up work because he couldn't 'think straight' and has struggled with depression ever since.

Andrew, who was predicted straight A*s in his GCSEs, had been earmarked for the government's Gifted and Talented scheme, which aims to stretch top students.

He disappeared eight days into the new school term and was last seen on grainy CCTV footage leaving King's Cross station - the only confirmed sighting of him.

In behaviour completely out of character, he had pretended to leave for McAuley Catholic High School as normal, returning home to get changed and then get a train to London.

Andrew's bank account has not been used since he made the withdrawal on the morning of his disappearance.

Kevin issued a fresh appeal for information last year on The Missing Podcast in the hope renewed publicity might finally lead to answers.

Describing how it feels to still be searching all these years later, he said: 'You know when your kids are little and you're in a shopping centre, or on the beach or on the park or something and you lose sight of them for a minute? And you get that heart in your mouth, heart-wrenching, 'oh my god, where are they' sensation?

'It's that sensation just prolonged for hours, days, weeks, months and years, where you're just absolutely panicking about making sure you're kid's safe.

'The not knowing, the waking up every day for ever and ever wondering about his existence, even... It's an extended torture.'

'No traces were ever found of him communicating with anybody,' Kevin said. 'We never have found one shred of evidence that he had an event or destination in mind that he was communicating with anybody. It genuinely seems that whatever was going on in his head was only in his head.'

Kevin also struggles to accept that his son would put his family through the heartache of running away. Just a few weeks before his own disappearance, Andrew and Kevin spoke about Madeleine McCann, who had gone missing in May 2007.

'I remember sitting on the sofa in our front room seeing the news of Madeleine McCanns disappearance unfolding and going 'it must be every parent's worst nightmare',' Kevin recalled. 'And Andrew goes, 'yeah, that's awful'. And a few weeks later he disappears off the face of the Earth.'

As well as appealing for information, Kevin urged parents to remain vigilant and to discuss the issue of going missing with their own children.

He added: 'This could happen to anybody. Like us, everything might seem perfectly comfortable and normal and yet, out of the blue this happens.

'I encourage people to talk about this with their kids. It never, ever crossed our minds to talk about going missing.'
Boris Johnson today confirmed he is 'certainly looking' at reducing the coronavirus self-isolation period in England amid reports ministers will agree a move from seven days to five tomorrow.

The Prime Minister told MPs at lunchtime that he hopes to 'bring you more about that as fast as possible' in a clear hint that a decision could be imminent.

The Government has reportedly concluded that the benefits of reducing quarantine to get more people back to work outweigh the increased risk of more people leaving self-isolation while still infectious.

The Covid-O committee of senior ministers is likely to sign off on the move to five days tomorrow, according to The Times.

Mr Johnson has faced repeated calls from business leaders and Tory MPs in recent weeks to slash the self-isolation period for positive cases after the surge of infections during the Omicron wave wreaked havoc with the nation's workforce.

Boris Johnson today confirmed he is 'certainly looking' at reducing the coronavirus self-isolation period in England amid reports ministers will agree a move from seven days to five tomorrow

The Government has reportedly concluded that the benefits of reducing quarantine to get more people back to work outweigh the increased risk of more people leaving self-isolation while still infectious

Health Secretary Sajid Javid is said to be among the ministers who are backing the policy change

Mr Johnson faced fresh calls to cut the self-isolation period to five days during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons this afternoon.

Tory MP Simon Fell told the PM that 12 to 15 per cent of the workforce at his local hospital trust is 'away isolating' while beds are being blocked by patients who are unable to return to social care facilities.

Mr Fell said: 'So with that in mind will by right honourable friend consider reducing the self-isolation period, if it is seen to be safe to do so, down to five days and also accepting any MACA (Military Aid to the Civil Authorities) requests which come through to help get people back out into the community and into social care.

Mr Johnson replied: Yes, we are certainly looking at reducing the isolation period. I hope to bring you more about that as fast as possible.

We will certainly look at all MACA requests. But more fundamentally what we can do to alleviate the pressures in his hospital is to fix the health and social care divide which is what this Government is also doing after a generation of neglect.

Mr Johnson has apparently been told by his scientific advisers that reducing the self-isolation period to five days will result in a slightly increased infection risk.

But there is a feeling in the Cabinet that the move now makes sense because Covid infections appear to to be peaking while staff absences remain high.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid is said to be among the ministers who are backing the policy change which would see England follow the lead of the US where the self-isolation period is already five days.

A Government source told The Times: 'With the epidemiology going in the right direction, the merits [of cutting isolation] are becoming clearer.'

One official said there is a 'sliding scale of risk' and 'it's up to ministers to make the trade-offs'.

The UK Health Security Agency has submitted data to the Government which apparently shows approximately six per cent of people leaving quarantine after seven days are still infectious.

That number would rise to approximately eight per cent if the quarantine period is reduced to five days with a negative test requirement.

Ministers cut the self-isolation period in England from 10 days to seven just before Christmas. Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland all then followed suit after Christmas.

UK ministers had been resisting going any further but always insisted that the policy was being kept under constant review.

They are now reportedly persuaded that they can move to five days amid growing signs that the Omicron wave may have peaked.

Daily coronavirus cases fell by nearly 45 per cent week on week yesterday - the biggest drop since Omicron infections spiked.

There were 120,821 new positive tests logged across the country, down from the pandemic high of 218,000 on the previous Tuesday.
A French mosque has been shut down for supporting Islamist groups and anti-Semitism, France's interior minister confirmed.

Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday that he had ordered the closure of the mosque in the seaside city of Cannes on the French Riviera because of anti-Semitic remarks made there.

Darmanin, 39, added that the mosque was also guilty of supporting CCIF and BarakaCity - two groups that the government dissolved at the end of last year for spreading 'Islamist' propaganda.

The politician told broadcaster CNews that he had consulted with mayor of Cannes David Lisnard before shutting down the mosque.

It comes just two weeks after regional authorities closed a mosque in northern France because of the radical nature of its imam's preaching.

Gerald Darmanin (pictured) said on Wednesday that he had ordered the closure of a mosque in the seaside city of Cannes on the French Riviera because of anti-Semitic remarks made there

The mosque in Beauvais, a town of 50,000 people some 62 miles north of Paris, will remain shut for six months, the prefecture of the Oise region said last month.

Regional authorities said the sermons there had incited hatred, violence and 'defend jihad'.

Darmanin said he had triggered the procedure to close the Beauvais site because the imam was 'targeting Christians, homosexuals and Jews' in his sermons.

Last October, a mosque in Allonnes, 200 kilometres west of Paris, was closed for six months for sermons defending armed jihad and 'terrorism', according to regional authorities.

Darmanin said the mosque was guilty of supporting CCIF and BarakaCity - two groups that the government dissolved for spreading 'Islamist' propaganda. Pictured: View of Cannes beach

The French government announced earlier this year that it would step up checks of places of worship and associations suspected of spreading radical Islamic propaganda.

The crackdown came after the October 2020 murder of teacher Samuel Paty, who was targeted following an online campaign against him for having shown controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published by the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo during a civics class.

In the interview on Wednesday, the interior minister said that 70 mosques in France were considered to be 'radicalised'.

According to the ministry, there are a total of 2,623 mosques and Muslim prayer halls in the country.
An internationally-renowned personal trainer sued the luxury health club where he worked for age discrimination - because they refused to play music that was recorded more than 18 months ago.

Fitzroy Gaynes, 64, started working part-time as a personal trainer at London health club chain Third Space in April 2001 having enjoyed a 'long and successful' career with an 'international reputation' in fitness, an employment tribunal heard.

His employers were described as a 'cutting edge' and 'modern' organisation for whom image and presentation had become an 'increasing priority'.

The central London hearing was told this was emphasised by its Music Brand Standards Policy which stipulated that any music played in the club must have been produced and released in the last 18 months.

There was no bar on playing 'old' music, as long as it was a recent recording or a recent remix, the hearing was told.

Mr Gaynes, who said he does not listen to Radio One or go clubbing, complained that the gym's policy put him at a disadvantage, claiming that he was being discriminated against by his employers' refusal to play older music.

But his claim was thrown out by an employment tribunal on December 20 last year after the club - where membership costs more than 200 a month - argued that tracks recorded 'years ago' just don't sound as good when played through their sound systems.

Fitzroy Gaynes, 64, started working part-time as personal trainer at London health club chain Third Space in April 2001 and has developed an 'international reputation in his field', an employment tribunal heard

Mr Gaynes, who said he does not listen to Radio One or go clubbing, complained that the gym's policy put him at a disadvantage, claiming that he and was being discriminated against by his employers' refusal to play older music

Antony Stewart, Head of Group Exercise, who has a background in the music industry, told the tribunal that modern music simply sounded better than tracks recorded in the past.

'Music production has advanced significantly and with time this has meant that songs that were produced years ago do not sound as good when played on new sound systems in comparison to new music which has been produced and designed to be played with the current technology,' he said.

'This is one of the reasons why we request that songs that are used are no older than 18 months old, to ensure that members of our clubs have the best listening experience which will feed into their overall experience.'

The tribunal heard that in 2019 bosses at the Soho club where he worked launched an investigation into Mr Gaynes for his failure to adhere to uniform and timekeeping policies.

The tribunal heard he often ate food in the studios and left rubbish there after classes.

In October 2019 he raised a grievance alleging bullying, harassment and age, race and sex discrimination. He said that he felt he was being 'targeted'. This was dismissed.

Fitzroy Gaynes started working part-time as personal trainer at London health club chain Third Space in April 2001 (pictured: The Soho Third Space club)

Mr Gaynes' claim was thrown out by an employment tribunal on December 20 last year after the club - where membership costs more than 200 a month - argued that tracks recorded 'years ago' just don't sound as good when played through their sound systems

He raised a second grievance in September 2020, alleging his colleagues and bosses were conspiring to cause him to be disciplined and to damage his reputation. Their behaviour was described as 'racist and ageist'.

This was also dismissed and in October 2020 Mr Gaynes transferred away from the club in Soho to one in Islington, north London.

He took Third Space - which runs a number of London health clubs - to the employment tribunal claiming age and race discrimination. However, his case was dismissed.

Ruling that the music policy was not ageist, Employment Judge Anthony Snelson said: 'We have no information as to the amount and range of music newly recorded or released as a re-mix in any rolling 18-month period.

'We also have no information (statistical or otherwise) concerning the musical preferences of persons sharing [Mr Gaynes'] personal characteristics of race and age. And we have precious little information as to [his] own musical tastes.

'He tells us only that he does not go clubbing, does not listen to Capital Radio or Radio One and leans towards music 'affected by' his 'race, preference and exposure'.

'In the circumstances, we find it impossible to make an assessment as to whether those who share [Mr Gaynes'] personal characteristics are put at a particular disadvantage by the policy or whether he is put at such a disadvantage.

'It is for [Mr Gaynes] to establish the discriminatory effect of the [policy]. He fails to do so.

'The policy constituted a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. We are satisfied that [Third Space] had the aim of providing in their clubs the latest and best music production technology in order to enhance the experience of their members.

'It is sad that [Mr Gaynes], at a late stage in his illustrious career, should find himself expending great emotional energy on recriminations and bitterness.'
Tory peer Michelle Mone has said she will 'vigorously defend' herself as she is sued for 'unlimited damages' for allegedly sending a racist text.

The millionaire bra tycoon, 50, said the claim by financial consultant Richard Lynton-Jones - who is of Indian heritage - 'lacks merit'.

She said through her lawyers it had been served to the High Court without giving her notice 'in contravention of the Civil Procedure Rules'.

Mr Lynton-Jones claims in a ten-page writ she caused him 'enormous distress, embarrassment and injury to feelings'.

His lawyers are also calling for her to pay out at least 200,000 in aggravated damages following the row.

The toxic fallout stems from when a young yacht crew member died during a tragic incident in Cannes in 2019.

Baroness Mone is claimed to have sent the Whatsapp messages to Mr Lynton-Jones and others after this.

She is also alleged to have called his then partner 'a mental loony', 'mad' and 'a nut case bird' in other messages.

Tory peer Michelle Mone (pictured in an Instagram post yesterday) has said she will 'vigorously defend' herself as she is sued for 'unlimited damages' for allegedly sending a racist text

The millionaire bra tycoon, 50, has had a 10-page writ filed against her by Richard Lynton-Jones in the High Court in London

His lawyers claim she has caused him 'enormous distress, embarrassment and injury to feelings'. Pictured: Mr Lynton-Jones in a social media post

How 'Baroness Bra' made her money Lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone was born in 1971 and grew up in Glasgow's East End, leaving school with no qualifications aged 15 before finding work as a model. After running a sales and marketing team for the Labatt's brewing firm, Baroness Mone decided to create a range of support bras after the idea came to her while wearing an uncomfortable bra during a dinner party. Baroness Mone founded MJM International with her then-husband Michael Mone in November 1996, and three years of research, design, and development resulted in the patented Ultimo bra. In August 1999, a month after having her third child, she launched Ultimo at the Selfridges department store in London, which sold the pre-launch estimate of six weeks of stock within 24 hours. The business grew rapidly and in 2010 she earned an OBE from the Queen for her contribution to business. But she sold 80 per cent of Ultimo in 2014, one year after announcing she had left the company following a breakdown in her marriage. Lady Mone was nicknamed 'Baroness Bra' after being elevated to the House of Lords in 2015, where her official title is Baroness Mone of Mayfair. To celebrate her 50th birthday last month, she decided to host five parties - one for each decade of her life  with her new husband billionaire tech tycoon Doug Barrowman, 55. The pair married last November in a glitzy but low-key wedding ceremony at their home on the Isle of Man. Lady Mone has also had a lucrative public speaking career but called time on this last month, saying she wanted to 'focus on her family and new ventures'. Advertisement

But her lawyer told MailOnline: 'This claim was served without prior notice to Baroness Mone in contravention of the Civil Procedure Rules.

'She has been advised that it lacks merit and will defend it vigorously.'

Baroness Mone also posted a new photo on Instagram yesterday with the caption: 'You have to love yourself.

'Not in an egotistical way, but if you learn to love who you're spending the rest of your life with, then others will love you too.'

The businesswoman, often called 'Baroness Bra', slammed the claims against her when they first emerged in December, calling them 'entitled white privilege'.

She also previously said through her lawyers Mr Lynton-Jones's 'appearance is 100 per cent white, with a cut-glass English accent'.

But Mr Lynton-Jones' lawyers say her claims are defamatory, with her Instagram post wrongly suggesting he 'falsely accused' her of 'making a racist comment'.

They also say her comments falsely imply he was 'reasonably suspected of involvement in the manslaughter of a young boy'.

And they argue she is wrong to insinuate he had 'disgracefully refused' to help police with their inquiries.

Mr Lynton-Jones' writ claims Baroness Mane 'well knew' her text was racist.

It claims she knew the claimant had been a victim of racially aggravated assault in Majorca in 2007.

It adds: 'The defendant was well aware of this, having touched the plates resulting from the racist attack, which made her false denial particularly cruel.'

Mr Lynton-Jones claims he and the defendant knew each other 'well' and she was aware 'her was not 100 per cent white'.

His writ says he had 'discussed his heritage with the defendant and her husband Mr Barrowman on various occasions previously'.

It goes on: 'In particular, the claimant and the defendant had known each other a number of years, had spent time together on holidays and in social events on numerous occasions.'

The row started when Mr Lynton-Jones was among guests on a superyacht who met up with Lady Mone and her businessman husband Douglas Barrowman in Cannes.

The two groups, totalling 18, enjoyed lunch at a restaurant on Ile Sainte-Marguerite, leaving their respective crews on board.

They later rafted their boats together so they could continue the fun day out on the water, hopping on and off each other's boats, before deciding to return to shore.

The French skipper of the second superyacht called Vision which was chartered by British internet gaming millionaire Richard Skelhorn, accidentally ploughed into Mr Barrowman's boat as he was turning round to head for home.

An MAIB investigation found the skipper had cannabis in his bloodstream.

Lady Mone published this image on her Instagram today. She captioned it: 'I love to put on makeup to feel my best-self, even if I don't have an event... it makes me feel ready to take on the day'

Richard Lynton-Jones (pictured) alleged Mone racially abused him and called his partner a 'nut case bird' and 'mental loony' three weeks after a day of 'drinking and partying' on two superyachts which ended in an accident and the death of a deckhand

Crewman Jake Feldwhere (pictured), 27, was on the foredeck of an 88ft-long Minx preparing to lift the anchor when he was struck and killed off the coast of Ile Sainte-Marguerite in 2019

Jake Feldwhere was on the foredeck of the Minx preparing to lift the anchor when he was struck and killed in the collision on the evening of May 25, 2019.

Mr Lynton-Jones and Baroness Mone allegedly fell out in a WhatsApp chat on June 13, 2019, after she questioned how much his partner had suffered psychologically.

The Monaco-based financial consultant, who is believed to have a mother of Indian heritage and a white father, replied said he had been seriously traumatised by the yacht incident, saying: 'I would prefer you back the f**k off.'

Lady Mone allegedly replied: 'OMG what a pile of c**p!! You are talking to me, a smart, bright individual who doesn't get taken in by your s**t!

'In fact my b******t detector was on you from day 1. You & your mental loony of a girlfriend have been parting [sic] like mad!  You need to get a grip and have respect for a guy that was killed!!!

'Funny how your mad girlfriend has now deleted all the pictures, don't worry I have screenshots of the dates and times.

'48 hours after the guy was killed. Your [sic] a low life, a waste of a mans [sic] white skin so don't give us your lies. Your [sic] a total disgrace.'

Mr Lynton-Jones complained to the Met, the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards and the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

The story broke in a national newspaper last year and Baroness Mone's legal team hit back.

The claimant's lawyers claim their comments were libellous because they suggested he was lying about her alleged racism.

Minx (crash damage, left) is owned by Michelle Mone and her husband Douglas Barrowman

They are also arguing an Instagram post - which was seen by 'many millions' - had 'caused serious harm to the claimant's personal and professional reputation'.

They say the 'very serious nature of the imputations conveyed, involving serious dishonesty and involvement in manslaughter' will be relied on in court.

The writ adds: 'The defendant's publication of the article has caused the claimant enormous distress, embarrassment and injury to feelings'.

Mr Lynton-Jones wants an injunction to stop Baroness Mone repeating comments.

She is due to speak with police under caution over the alleged racism, but has not been arrested.

But she will not face a probe from parliamentary officials because they said it was outside their jurisdiction.

Baroness Mone's people said in a statement last month: 'Baroness Mone is 100 per cent not a racist.

'Baroness Mone and her husband have built over 15 schools in Africa in the past three years.'

Her lawyers later said she has 'no access' to the messages and no 'detailed memory of them'.

They added: 'She is not prepared to comment on the messages unless and until their authenticity has been confirmed.

'But Baroness Mone, in any event, very strongly denies that she is a racist, a sexist or that she has a lack of respect for those persons genuinely suffering with mental health difficulties.'

Lawyers for the House of Lords member, pictured with her husband Douglas Barrowman, said she has no 'detailed memory' or 'access' to the messages and denied that she is a racist

She said on her Instagram account: 'Since when did calling out a man on his actions after a manslaughter and his entitled white privilege constitute racism?

'Quite the opposite- the accusations I have read today against me are full of contradictions.'

She added: 'I will set the record straight on this defamation before deciding on any legal action.'

Mr Lynton-Jones, from Ferndown in Dorset, began his career with the Queen's bank Coutts, working in Jersey on offshore services for clients.

He was a vice president at Barclays Wealth in both Jersey and Monaco before joining the Monaco office of investment bank UBS.

He specialises in working with ultra high-net worth individuals with investable assets of at least 50 million euros.

In 2018, he joined Lady Mone and Mr Barrowman's new virtual currency venture which saw them launch a coin called Equi which they claimed would be the British Bitcoin.

Mr Lynton-Jones was appointed head of capital raising and investor relations.

Baroness Mone decided to create a range of support bras after the idea came to her while wearing an uncomfortable bra during a dinner party.

Baroness Mone founded MJM International with her then-husband Michael Mone in November 1996, and three years of research, design, and development resulted in the patented Ultimo bra.

In August 1999, a month after having her third child, she launched Ultimo at the Selfridges department store in London, which sold the pre-launch estimate of six weeks of stock within 24 hours.

The business grew rapidly and in 2010 she earned an OBE from the Queen for her contribution to business.

But she sold 80 per cent of Ultimo in 2014, one year after announcing she had left the company following a breakdown in her marriage.

Lady Mone was nicknamed 'Baroness Bra' after being elevated to the House of Lords in 2015, where her official title is Baroness Mone of Mayfair.
Robert Davies, 32, has been jailed for two years and two months

A perverted software engineer hacked into a schoolgirl's webcam and secretly filmed her showering and undressing as part of a campaign of cyber voyeurism that targeted more than 30 victims.

Robert Davies, 32, who has been jailed for two years and two months, was found with photos of the girl on his laptop in addition to a further 27 indecent photos and videos of children.

He also spent two years befriending one 11-year-old girl before gaining access to her computer and switching on her webcam.

Davies used malware to remotely access his victims' webcams, files and chat histories without their knowledge, before stealing intimate pictures and videos.

In some cases, he created fake Skype accounts to 'catfish' his victims into performing sex acts with him.

Davies first came to the attention of the National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2019 after he purchased a number of cybercrime tools, including crypters (encryption software) and remote administration tools (RATs).

He was also identified as a customer of weleakinfo, an online marketplace selling stolen credentials, which was taken offline last year.

Davies infected his victims' phones or computers with malicious software by disguising it with the crypters so their anti-virus protection would not detect it.

He then used the RATs to gain remote access to their devices and steal any sexual images (mainly of women) they had stored on there.

The pervert was arrested three times between November 2019 and August 2021, each time being charged with further offences as officers analysed his devices and the true scale of his offending came to light.

Davies also spent two years befriending one 11-year-old girl before gaining access to her computer and switching on her webcam. File photo

On 2 September, he pleaded guilty to 24 Computer Misuse Act offences, voyeurism, three counts of possessing indecent images of children (IIOC), making IIOC and possessing extreme pornographic images.

Yesterday, he was sentenced to Nottingham Crown Court to 26 months in prison.

He was also placed on the sex offenders' register, given a 10 year restraining order on five of the victims and a 10 year sexual harm prevention order.

Andrew Shorrock, Operations Manager from the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit, said: 'Davies had amassed what can only be described as a cyber criminal's toolkit.

'Not only was he using these tools to break into peoples' devices, he was using them to spy on his unsuspecting victims and to steal naked images of them for his own sexual gratification.

'Even more disturbing is the fact that at least one of his victims was a teenager and we found a collection of images and videos of child sexual abuse on his computer.

'Increasing the barrier of entry into cybercrime by reducing the availability of, and accessibility to, off-the-shelf tools is a key focus for the NCA. We work with a range of partners to target both criminals and their infrastructure, to ultimately disrupt and deter this type of offending.'
Germany recorded 80,430 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, breaking the previous highest single-day record of more than 76,000 in November.

The surge in new infections is blamed on the outbreak of the omicron variant, which is highly contagious yet mild. According to Robert Kotch Institute for Infectious Disease, Germany's vaccination rate is below 75% in its population, lower than other European countries.

Since the start of 2022, the seven-day incidence rate in Europe's largest economy has been constant. On Wednesday, it registered at 407.5 cases per 100,000 people, higher than 387.9 on Tuesday, as per Reuters.

According to the European Medicines Agency, which is in charge of evaluating and supervising medicinal products in the EU, the increase in the number of omicron variant cases across the continent forces COVID-19 to become an endemic disease like influenza, something humans can live with.

Read Also: WHO Predicts Half of Western Europe's Population Could Be Infected With COVID-19, Says Countries With Lower Vaccination Coverage Are At Higher Risk

New Restrictions, Quarantine Period Imposed

Given the continued rising number of infections, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and 16 premiers of federal states of Germany have agreed to implement new rules for restaurants and quarantine periods.

The decision formed on Friday follows the implementation of stricter contact restrictions in December, which will still be imposed.

New rules call for heightened restrictions in restaurants and bars. On top of proof of vaccination, customers will also be required to show proof of receiving a booster shot or a COVID-19 test result indicating negative results.

Germany's leaders also have agreed to cut down quarantine or self-isolation time from 14 days to 10 days if the person doesn't have or recovers from symptoms. If tested negative from the virus, the quarantine period can even get shortened to seven days.

People who got booster shots will no longer be required to undergo quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19 cases. The same applies to fully vaccinated individuals and those who recovered in the past three months, as per ABC News.

German leaders also "urgently recommended" the use of protective FFP2 masks in shops and public transportation.

Mandatory Vaccination Soon

Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey believes that the new measures will provide "extra incentive to get boosters" that help further the vaccination rate in Germany.

Scholz and the German premiers urged citizens to take advantage of the government's vaccination program. They also underscored the need for booster shots for increased protection against omicron and other COVID-19 variants.

"Vaccination is important," said Scholz, who also announced that mandatory vaccination is also being discussed.

Critics earlier blasted Germany's new chancellor for having a weakened stance to implement a universal vaccine mandate. Scholz supported a concept before he took office in December, as per New York Times.

Opposition party member Hendrick Wuest, governor of North Rhine-Westphalia, remarked that state governments want to see Scholz's plans soon. But Scholz assured the public that he would campaign for such a vaccine mandate to be imposed. However, he does not want to pressure the lawmakers, encouraging them to vote according to conscience rather than party lines.

"I will vote for such a vaccine mandate and also advocate it," Scholz said.

Related Article: Germany Suffers Fourth Coronavirus Wave With 50,000 Cases Daily Amid Country's Struggle To Contain the Infection

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Yahoo workers in Japan have been told that they can work from anywhere in the country rather than return to the office - and commute by plane when necessary.

Around 8,000 employees will benefit from the change, which takes effect on April 1, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

More than 90 per cent of employees are already working remotely and Yahoo President Kentaro Kawabe said their performance has held or improved at home, Japan Times reported.

The new flexible working policy will also allow employees to commute by plane, an option which was not previously available to workers, a company statement explained.

Yahoo workers in Japan have been told that they can work from anywhere in the country and around 8,000 employees will benefit from the change, which takes effect on April 1

'We're allowing Yahoo employees to live anywhere in Japan,' Yahoo President Kentaro Kawabe said.

'This doesn't mean we're denying the benefits of the office - you'll be able to fly in when needed.'

Before the pandemic, Yahoo had allowed its employees some flexible home working but had capped the number of remote days at five per month.

Yahoo is now lifting the cap and setting a commuting budget of 950 ($1,300) per month per worker instead.

The decision is a stark contrast to the pre-pandemic Japanese culture that encouraged employees to spend time in the office, often priding long working hours.

It comes after fellow Japanese company Panasonic last week announced employees would have the option of working four days per week as part of a bid to encourage a better work-life balance.

The new flexible working policy will also allow employees to commute by plane, which was not previously an option available to workers, a company statement explained (file photo)

Employees of the multinational electronics conglomerate will be able to take up part-time jobs or spent time on volunteer work on their extra days off.

Chief executive officer Yuki Kusumi said: 'Our responsibility is to strike an ideal balance between the work style and life style for our diverse human capital.'

Technology companies worldwide have been attempting to attract workers by offering a shorter week, with Amazon.com trialling a four-day week for some staff in 2018.

In December 2020, consumer goods firm Unilever also started a year-long trial of a shortened working week for its employees in New Zealand.

In November 2021, staff at Atom Bank - Britain's first smartphone-based bank - were moved to a four-day working week for the same pay to make them 'happier and healthier'.

Atom Bank's 430 employees have been doing 34-hour weeks over four days instead of 37.5 hours over five days since November 1, working from 9.30am to 4.30pm from Mondays to Thursdays.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Japan claimed its sales rocketed by nearly 40 per cent when it trialled a four-day week on full pay in 2019.

And last July, the world's largest-ever trial of a 'four-day' working week in Iceland was deemed an 'overwhelming success'.

Meanwhile, Atom Bank's (pictured: the bank's HQ in Durham) 430 employees have been doing 34-hour weeks over four days instead of 37.5 hours over five days since November 1

Workers were less stressed and had a better work-life balance while bosses saw no significant drop-off in productivity or provision of services, analysts said.

The experiment, which ran from 2015 to 2019, saw some 86 per cent of Icelandic workers negotiate contracts with permanently shortened hours.

Those who took part in the trials included police, healthcare workers, shop assistants, teachers and council workers, a report published by Autonomy and Iceland's Association for Sustainable Democracy said.

Throughout the experiment, most workers did not take an entire day off work but aimed to reduce their hours from 40 per week to 35 or 36 - the equivalent of saving one full working day.

They largely did this by scrapping unnecessary meetings, shortening coffee breaks, and moving services online which allowed offices to close earlier.

As a result, workers said they were able to organise their private lives better - running errands in the afternoons or picking up a bigger share of housework.

They also saw more of their family and friends, and had more time for relaxation or to pursue hobbies and passion projects.

That led to a reduction in feelings of stress and anxiety both at home and at work.
President Joe Biden has again referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as 'President Harris' in yet another slip of the tongue - this time during his voting rights speech in Atlanta on Tuesday.

The gaffe-prone leader of the free world was talking about killing the Senate filibuster on the campus of Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College on Tuesday when he made a slip he has done multiple times.

Students and faculty listening to his speech at the Atlanta University Center Consortium did not seem to notice the slip-up - and he did not bother to correct himself.

Referencing last year's Capitol Hill riot on January 6, he told the crowd: 'Last week, President Harris and I stood in the United States Capitol to observe one of those before and after moments in American history.'

Students and faculty listening to President Biden's speech at the Atlanta University Center Consortium did not seem to notice the slip-up - and he did not bother to correct himself (Pictured: Biden speaks in support of changing the Senate filibuster rules to ensure the right to vote is defended, at Atlanta University Center Consortium on January 11, 2022)

Biden has referred to his second-in-command as 'President Harris' multiple times since coming into office - including at a speech in South Carolina last month.

However Biden was quick to correct his language on Tuesday, making sure to change 'damn' to 'darn' and 'hell' to 'heck' - much to the amusement of the crowd, who laughed on both occasions.

When expressing how hard he worked on getting Stron Thurmond to vote for extending the Voting Rights Act, he told the crowd: 'You have no idea how damn ha-  how darn hard, I worked on that one.'

And while referencing a new Georgia law which will make it illegal to deliver drink or food to people waiting in line to vote, he said: 'What in the hell  heck are we talking about?'

He also seemed to make a joke about being arrested while speaking about the Civil Rights movement.

Biden talked of how he had 'walked' certain 'grounds', adding: 'Seems like yesterday, the first time I got arrested - anyway.'

It was not clear what he was referring to but it comes after he had to walk back a claim that he was arrested while trying to see Civil Rights icon Nelson Mandela.

One of the first moments Biden called Kamala 'President Harris' was in March last year, while offering updates on the vaccination program.

One of the first moments Biden called Kamala 'President Harris' was in March last year, while offering updates on the vaccination program (Pictured: Vice President Kamala Harris gives a speech on the grounds of Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, January 11, 2022)

'When President Harris and I took ...' Biden said, before taking a moment to pause, 'a virtual tour of a vaccination site in Arizona not long ago, one of the nurses on that tour injecting people, giving vax each shot, was like administering a dose of hope.'

Vice President Harris was present during the remarks, but her reaction was not captured on camera.

Biden repeated the mistake in December during a gaffe-laden appearance at the South Carolina State University commencement ceremony.

He told the crowd: 'Of course, President Harris is a proud Howard [University] alum.'

And a year earlier, in December 2020, before the Biden administration was sworn in, Biden called Harris the 'president-elect.'

The repeated gaffes and slip-ups have sparked speculation of cognitive decline from right-wing conservatives, following an election campaign in which Biden repeatedly appeared to get tongue tied.

Former president Donald Trump frequently accused Biden of exhibiting mental decline, and claimed Democrats would invoke the 25th Amendment of the Constitution to replace Biden with Harris.

During a Democratic debate in July 2019, Biden called opponent Senator Corey Booker, D-N.J. the president.

While criticizing Booker's criminal justice plan, he said: 'The fact is that the bills that the president, excuse me, the future president, that the senator is talking about, are bills that were passed years ago and they were passed overwhelmingly.'

Booker joked, 'Well first of all, I'm grateful that he endorsed my presidency already.'

Biden has spoken publicly about his lifelong struggle with stuttering, saying in February 2020 that he 'still occasionally, when I find myself really tired' catches himself stuttering.

'It has nothing to do with your intelligence quotient. It has nothing to do with your intellectual makeup,' Biden said.
An Iraqi father has been accused of sexually assaulting a wheelchair-bound 90-year-old woman inside a German hospital toilet.

The disabled widower, named in German court as Lili F., was waiting for an X-ray in the emergency room of the Dresden-Friedrichstadt hospital after a fall.

According to prosecutors, 33-year-old Iraqi Munthar Al L. pushed his way into the toilet after she entered and 'severely' sexually abused her.

According to prosecutors, 33-year-old Iraqi Munthar Al L. (pictured) pushed his way into the toilet after 90-year-old Lili F. entered and 'severely' sexually abused her

The man has been charged with 'rape with wilful bodily harm', Chief Public Prosecutor Lorenz Haase said, according to Bild.

Munthar Al L. has denied the accusations, and claims that he wanted to help Lili F. by taking her to the bathroom.

Lili F lives in a retirement home, the newspaper reported, and was at the hospital's emergency room for an X-ray after suffering a fall.

In a video testimony - recorded so she did not have to attend court in-person - the elderly woman said that while in the waiting area she wanted to go to the toilet.

It was as she was entering the room that she was accosted by the man, she said.

'Suddenly someone pushed the wheelchair at the door and sat me in the toilet,' she told the court in her testimony.

Pictured: Munthar Al L. is seen in handcuffs. He has been charged with 'rape with wilful bodily harm', Chief Public Prosecutor Lorenz Haase said, according to Bild

The disabled widower, named in German court as Lili F., was waiting for an X-ray in the emergency room of the Dresden-Friedrichstadt hospital (pictureD) after a fall

'At first I thought it was a nurse. But when he wordlessly rubbed his hands between my legs and touched my chest, I got scared.'

Ever since the assault, Lili F said she has experienced nightmares.

The defendant, from Gorbitz, lives with his wife and nine-year-old daughter.

Munthar Al L. suffers from Kidney disease, according to Bild, saying he drinks 'eight beers and a bottle of ouzo every day.'

The man denies the accusations made by the 90-year-old, and told the court: 'She's lying! I wanted to help, just took her to the bathroom.'

The trial continues.
A one-time gangster has formed an unlikely friendship with a police officer - nearly 30 years after shooting him in the back.

Leroy Smith, then a drug dealer, shot two constables when they asked to search him near The Atlantic pub in Brixton, south London, in March 1994.

Mr Smith fired three shots; one hit James Seymour's back and another struck his colleague, Simon Carroll, in the leg.

The shooting might still haunt Mr Seymour, but it did not mark the end of his relationship with Mr Smith - almost 30 years later the pair are good friends.

They now work together to influence younger generations of Londoners at risk of being involved in the violence which had such a devastating impact on both of their lives.

Mr Smith said of his 25-year sentence for the crime: 'High-security prison is very violent, everybody's still on 'gangster mode'.

'When I came out the second time, my ex-partner really got my mind opened and thinking, it's because of her that I made it.

'She was challenging me about some things and making me look at [others] differently.'

Fromer policemen James Seymour and his attacker Leroy Smith are now best friends

PC Seymore was in action outside the Atlantic pub in Brixton, south London, in March 1994

He decided writing a book could be a start, to tell his story in full and hopefully offer a lesson to young people caught in similar circumstances.

His ex-partner agreed, she supported him financially for the year it took to write the book and helped him with parts of the text.

Mr Smith said: 'I thought that maybe that could be the start of something.

It told the story of Mr Smith's life and how it got to the point where he felt shooting two policemen was the only option.

The book was what led to the unlikely friendship between the two men starting up.

Mr Seymour said: 'I decided, what have I got to lose? And I just read it.

'I found out about his life, his mum getting murdered, where he was brought up [and] the temptation of dealing drugs.

'And I don't care what anyone says, a lot of black people have been discriminated against because of their colour and it still goes on.

The pair have now worked on a book which has helped steer young people from crime

'I thought, for people to go and get educated, get a real decent job and earn the same sort of money it takes years and you're facing prejudice as well.

'I can see why young kids get involved in crime and I understood that with Leroy.

'That was the challenge for me understanding what happened.'

With that Mr Seymour decided to take the next step and actually meet him.

Mr Smith chose a train station for the pair to meet, as he feared the whole thing might be a ruse to get revenge.

He said: 'I was very scared. I picked the train station because it's quite public and busy, so it's hard for anyone to do anything to me there.'

The feelings of trepidation were shared by Mr Seymour, although he was not concerned for his safety.

Mr Seymour said: 'I was nervous. [I thought] was I doing the right thing? Did he genuinely want to redeem himself? And was he genuine?'

But from the moment they met both were assured of the other's intentions, Mr Seymour said he could tell straight away that Mr Smith regretted what he did.

He apologised to him face-to-face and from that point on their relationship has just got stronger.

The pair have produced an updated version of Mr Smith's book, Out Of The Box, together and take their story of redemption to at-risk kids.

They now describe themselves as friends, which is remarkable considering how they met.

But not everyone is happy to see them build a positive relationship. Mr Seymour said: 'I've had a hard time doing all this to be honest.

'From colleagues, ex-colleagues [and] family, I've felt really alone sometimes.'

He also gets contacted by people who tell him he's a criminal 'a***licker' and a 'disgrace to the police'.

He said any criticism was outweighed by the positive responses he also gets from colleagues and the public.

Mr Seymour added: 'I know me meeting him has made a difference to several lives. That's all that matters.'
Face masks can drastically blunt the spread of Covid by halving how far contagious particles can travel, a study suggests.

University of Central Florida researchers found droplets emitted by infected people when they speak can float in the air for 4ft. Coughing propels them even further, to around 4.5ft.

But the particles, which can carry Covid, only travel around 2ft when people wear cloth masks.

Triple-layer disposable masks worked even better, cutting the distance travelled by the droplets to just 0.5ft.

Experts argued the findings offered proof that stringent social distancing guidelines could safely be relaxed, as long as masks are worn.

The World Health Organization still recommends people stay 3ft apart in public spaces, and avoid crowds and large gatherings.

The above shows the distance travelled by droplets from someone when they spoke or coughed for five minutes while un-masked, wearing a cloth mask, or wearing a disposable mask. Standard disposable masks have three layers

England did away with its controversial 'one metre plus' rule last year, but No10 still recommends people avoid close contact with anyone they don't live with.

In Scotland, 'one metre' social distancing is required in pubs, bars and restaurants, and in Wales 'two metre' distancing is in place in public spaces.

The US also still has social distancing up to 6ft in places  but it has said children wearing masks in schools only need to keep a 3ft distance.

Evidence on how Covid spreads has shifted since the pandemic began.

Policymakers originally urged people to wash their hands because it was feared the virus spread through touching contaminated surfaces.

But an array of studies have since suggested that the pathogen actually transmits primarily through the air.

Covid may linger in bathrooms for 20 minutes, study shows Covid may linger and remain infectious in shower and steam rooms for at least 20 minutes after an infected person has left, a study suggests. Bristol University researchers found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus thrives in humid or damp environments. Until now, studies into how infectious the coronavirus is in various settings relied on an imprecise method that involved spraying viral particles into sealed drums. But they didn't accurately replicate the nuances that occur when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes in a real-world environment. Now scientists have developed what is thought to be the most accurate method of monitoring this process. They found that as the virus particles leaves the moist conditions of the lungs and become airborne they quickly dry out. But at 90 per cent humidity  the equivalent of a steam or shower room  half of particles were still infectious after five minutes. At 20 minutes, around 10 per cent of the virus remained infectious. Advertisement

Like for other respiratory diseases, Covid sufferers emit tiny virus-laden droplets when they breath, speak or sing.

Once these are suspended in the air, they can then be taken in by another person  allowing the infection to spread.

Scientists asked 14 participants  aged in their twenties and thirties  to recite a phrase and cough for five minutes.

It is thought that none of the participants had Covid when they took the test, although it is not clear how the results would change with an infected person.

They were asked to do the experiment under three scenarios, according to the study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Specialist machines tracked how far the droplets travelled from the individuals in all directions.

Professor Kareem Ahmed, study author, said: 'The research provides clear evidence that 3ft of distancing with face coverings is better than 6ft of distancing without.'

Office for National Statistics surveys suggest 96 per cent of Britons wear face masks when they leave their home. And 91 per cent wear them while shopping.

In the US, polling suggests that the vast majority of people also wear face masks in public spaces.

Studies originally painted doubts over face masks, with some studies showing they had a huge impact on infection rates while others showed they had virtually none.

But evidence has since shown benefits of the coverings, which are able to block up to 80 per cent of virus-laden particles into the air.

It comes after a study by Bristol University found Covid may linger and remain infectious in shower and steam rooms for at least 20 minutes after an infected person has left.
The brother of a British businessman shot dead in the French Alps along with his wife, mother-in-law and a cyclist nine years ago has today welcomed news of a suspect's arrest.

Zaid al-Hilli, 62, whose brother Saad al-Hilli was gunned down along with his 47-year-old wife Iqbal and her 74-year-old mother in a woodland car park near Chevaline in France on September 5, 2012, said he was hopeful that justice would finally prevail.

Speaking to MailOnline, Mr al-Hilli, who lives in Bournemouth, Dorset, said: 'It is good to hear that there has been an arrest and I'm hopeful that that something will come of it, that at last there will be a conviction.

'However, at this stage I'm not going to get carried away as we've been here before. I hope that this latest arrest is not just to show that the authorities in France are doing something.'

Mr al-Hilli, who was previously arrested in connection with the case, added: 'What with all that's happened in the past, I'm very skeptical of this investigation but I have to be hopeful that justice will be done.'

Mr al-Hilli said he did not know of any further developments in the case, adding: 'All I know is that there has been an arrest in France but who it is, I don't yet know.'

It comes after French police said today they had detained a French suspect in connection with the 2012 gun massacre of the al-Hilli family and a French cyclist after discovering 'inconsistencies' in his statement.

Police are examining 'inconsistencies in the suspect's original testimony and checking out his alibi,' said a prosecuting source who also confirmed 'a man was placed in custody at 8:05am' and was being 'questioned at length'.

BFM TV reported the suspect was a man who lives with his partner and had already been interviewed by police as a witness in the case but never detained.

French cyclist Sylvain Mollier, 45, also died in the bloodbath, after being shot seven times at point blank range.

The Al-Hillis' daughter, Zeena, four, hid in the footwell of the vehicle and was unscathed, while her sister, Zainab, seven, was shot and pistol-whipped but recovered.

Zaid al-Hilli (pictured), the brother of a British businessman Saad al-Hilli who was shot dead in the French Alps along with his wife, mother-in-law and a cyclist nine years ago today welcomed news of a suspect's arrest and said he was 'hopeful' justice would finally prevail

French police have re-arrested a suspect in connection with the 2012 gun massacre of a British family and French cyclist in the Alps after 'discovering inconsistencies' in his statement (pictured, the crime scene)

Surrey businessman Saad al-Hilli, 50, (left) his wife Iqbal, 47, and his mother-in-law Suhaila al-Allaf, 74 (right) also died in the September 2012 bloodbath, along with local cyclist Sylvian Mollier, 45

Annecy prosecutor Line Bonnet-Mathis said in a statement: 'A person was taken into custody on January 12, 2022 at 8:05 am by investigators from Chambery in connection with the assassination of the Al-Hilli family and Sylvain Mollier.'

He was said to be 'living in a couple' of houses in the Lyon area, and searches of his home and nearby properties were continuing.

Further details will only be made public once the man's detention period expires, the prosecutors said.

Previous suspects and 'witnesses' arrested over the case During the course of the investigation, at least six individuals have been questioned but none has been charged. Saad al-Hilli's brother Zaid: Arrested on suspicion of murder in 2013 but was later told he would face no further action after police found there was insufficient evidence to charge him with a crime. French former soldier Patrice Menegaldo: Questioned in April 2013 - though police later maintained this was as a witness, not a suspect. Menegaldo took his own life in June 2014 and left a suicide note that referred to 'feeling like a suspect' over the murders. Iraqi prisoner known as Mr S: Questioned after he claimed to have been offered 'a large sum of money' to kill Iraqis living in the UK. Former local policeman Eric Devouassoux: Arrested in February 2014 in connection with the tragedy but later cleared. Unnamed biker: French biker seen in the area at the time was questioned but later ruled out of the case in November 2015. Convicted killer Nordahl Lelandais: Questioned in connection with the case while being suspected of two murders that happened nearby. After a review, authorities said they no longer believe Lelandais was connected to the al-Hilli family case. He was later convicted for the murder of Corporal Arthur Noyer, 23, and faces another trial this year after he admitted killing Maelys de Araujo, eight, in August 2017 - though he maintains both deaths were accidental. Advertisement

Despite an investigation stretching across the world that has involved 100 French gendarmes and nearly 40 UK police officers, those responsible have never been caught, leading to accusations that the French now view the case as unsolvable.

But Ms Bonnet-Mathis recently confirmed that the enquiry is still very much active.

Referring to the nearest hamlet to the crime scene, she said at the end of last year: 'The Chevaline case is continuing, and still involves an investigating judge and investigators.'

Ms Bonnet-Mathis said the 'preservation of physical evidence' was a priority and that 'for us, this is not a cold case.'

She confirmed that forensics officers from the research section of the Chambery gendarmerie had returned to the scene.

Questioned further about the arrest, Ms Bonnet-Mathis said: There have been a lot of arrests in this case, so we mustnt get carried away.

I wont be saying anymore until the suspect has been heard. We have already had a suicide after a police custody in this case, so must remain cautious and measured about its outcome.

I dont want to give anything away that identifies this person, or where he comes from.

In June 2014, Patrice Menegaldo, a former soldier in the French Foreign Legion, took his own life in Ugine, close to Annecy, after being questioned about the case.

He left a suicide note referring to the Alps Murders, following his interrogation by the Chambery detectives.

Police later said his arrest involved a routine hearing of about two hours, saying that Menegaldo was treated as potential witness to the crime, and not a murder suspect.

During the course of the investigation, at least six individuals have been questioned but none have ever been charged.

In 2014, French authorities said that a biker long wanted in connection with the murders had been identified but had no link to the killings.

An Iraqi prisoner known as Mr S who was questioned after he claimed he had been offered 'a large sum of money' to kill Iraqis living in the UK.

Mr al-Hilli's brother, Zaid, was also arrested on suspicion of murder in 2013 but was later told he would face no further action after police found there was insufficient evidence to charge him with a crime.

The brothers, born to middle-class parents in Baghdad before the family moved to Britain in 1971, had enjoyed a close relationship. But they fell out over the family house inherited from their mother, who died in 2003.

Former local policeman Eric Devouassoux, a trained marksman who hoarded Second World War weapons at his home, was arrested in February 2014 in connection with the tragedy. He was later cleared.

Meanwhile in November 2015 a motorcyclist linked with the murders was ruled out of the investigation. One lead in tracing the man was that he was wearing an unusual helmet, only a few thousand of which had been made.

But the motorcyclist said he had been on his way home after a paragliding trip, and was ruled out of the enquiry. It was described at the time as a major setback for police who had focused much of their attention on the motorcyclist.

Saad and Zaid al-Hilli brothers had enjoyed a close relationship. But they fell out over this 1million detached mock-Tudor mansion in Claygate, Surrey, inherited from their mother, who died in 2003

The caravan and tent used by Saad al-Hilli and his family while on holiday at the Le Solitaire du Lac campsite on Lake Annecy (File photo)

Earlier in 2021, detectives said they were investigating a possible link between the murders and a bungling gang of contract killers based in Paris.

Pistol rounds found at the home of one member, a former police intelligence officer, were of the same calibre as those fired by the antique Luger PO6 used to kill the Al-Hillis.

Investigators believe that if the gang was involved it would be more likely that Mr Mollier, who worked in the nuclear industry, was the primary target.

He was a welder in a subsidiary of the Areva nuclear power group and had recently left his wife for an heiress with whom he had just had a baby.

Investigators have theorised his personal life could have been the source of a motive for his murder.

But baffled French investigators have also considered numerous other potential reasons for the attacks.

These range from Mr Al-Hilli's past life in Iraq, including potential financial links to the late dictator Saddam Hussein, to claims that a 'lone wolf' psychopath was responsible for a random attack.

Police have also theorised, but no longer believe, convicted killer Nordahl Lelandais was involved in the deaths.

Mr Lelandis has been convicted for the murder of a 23-year-old soldier and confessed to the killing of an eight-year-old school girl.

But none of the theories surrounding the so-called Alps Murders have stuck, meaning there have been no criminal indictments.

And in one of many bizarre twists in the case, Mrs al-Hilli's previous husband, American dentist James Thompson, died from a heart attack on the same day as the couple, but police said there was no link to the murders.

Earlier in 2021, detectives (pictured at the scene in September 2021) said they were investigating a possible link between the murders and a bungling gang of contract killers based in Paris

Magistrates accompanied by police forensics officers cordoned off the area near Lake Annecy in September 2021

How did events on the day of the 2012 gun massacre of a British family and French cyclist in the Alps unfold?

During the morning of September 5, 2012, Iqbal, her mother Suhaila and her daughters, Zainab and Zeena, were seen picking apples together.

Around 1pm the family left the campsite and drove towards the village of Chevaline.

After 3:45pm an RAF veteran overtook another cyclist on a heavily forested road south of Chevaline in the French Alps.

Moments later he pulled into a car park and found Mr Mollier lying dead beside the family's bullet-ridden BMW, which still has its engine running and was in reverse.

He spotted injured Zainab walking towards him before collapsing. He put her in the recovery position and called for help.

The cyclist saw the dead bodies of Saad al-Hilli, his wife Iqbal and his mother in law Suhaila, inside the car, which was locked.

Each of them had been shot twice in the head while Mr Mollier was shot seven times.

Around 4:20pm police arrived but did not disturb the crime scene because forensic experts from Paris were on their way. More than two dozen spent bullet casings were later found near the vehicle.

Zainab was taken to hospital in Grenoble while her sister Zeena remained hidden, cowering under her mother's legs in the rear footwell for eight hours before she was discovered.

Around 11pm a family who had been camping next to the al-Hilli's told police the couple had two children leading to a rescue mission involving helicopters and search dogs to find Zeena.

A helicopter fitted with thermal imaging flew over the BMW but failed to detect Zeena.

Around midnight on September 6, the police eventually opened the vehicle's doors and discovered the four-year-old cowering under her death mother's legs.
For the majority of the pandemic, Australia's tight borders and stringent lockdowns kept Covid case numbers so low it became the envy of the world - but now the nation is among the most virus-ravaged places on earth.

Sitting 9th on the list of countries' cases per 100,000 people, Australia has surpassed the US, the UK and all of South America, as well as Southern Africa where the Omicron strain was first discovered.

But unlike many foreign nations, Australia still has a remarkably low death rate from Covid - ranking 79th in the world - thanks to its world-leading vaccination figures.

Australia's infection rate over the past seven days has now soared to 87,815 with 346 people in every 100,000 coming down with the virus - following two years of sporadic lockdowns, harsh restrictions and tough border policies.

Thankfully, experts are predicting the peak of Australia's rampant Omicron wave will be reached by January 26 - Australia Day - and then will steadily start to fall.

In comparison the US has a daily average of 760,936 cases across a much bigger population, leaving it with a lower infection rate of 229 people per 100,000.

The UK, currently diagnosing 155,868 cases a days, is seeing 233 people in every 100,000 get infected, while South Africa - once deemed the epicentre of the Omicron outbreak now has an infection rate of just 12.

Australia's low pandemic case numbers were once the envy of the world, but now the nation is among the most Covid-ravaged places on earth (pictured, shoppers in Brisbane CBD)

Sitting as the 9th highest country on the list of cases per 100,000 people, Australia has surpassed the US, the UK, all of South America, as well as Southern Africa where the Omicron strain was first discovered (pictured, Melbourne paramedics)

THE GLOBE'S WORST COVID HOTSPOTS 1. Andorra - Daily average: 534. Cases per 100,000 people: 693. 2. Seychelles - Daily average: 489. Cases per 100,000 people: 500. 3. British Virgin Islands - Daily average: 143 Cases per 100,000 people: 478. 4. Ireland - Daily average: 22,015. Cases per 100,000 people: 446. 5. Gibraltar - Daily average: 148. Cases per 100,000 people: 440. 6. Monaco - Daily average: 169. Cases per 100,000 people: 433. 7. France - Daily average: 283,711. Cases per 100,000 people: 423. 8. Montenegro - Daily average: 2,463. Cases per 100,000 people: 396. 9. Channel Islands - Daily average: 667. Cases per 100,000 people: 387. 10. Cayman Islands - Daily average: 245. Cases per 100,000 people: 378. 11. San Marino - Daily average: 119. Cases per 100,000 people: 353. 12. Denmark - Daily average: 20,762. Cases per 100,000 people: 350. 13. Australia - Daily average: 87,815. Cases per 100,000 people: 346. 14. Cyprus - Daily average: 4,128. Cases per 100,000 people: 344. 15. Portugal - Daily average: 33,285. Cases per 100,000 people: 324. 16. Isle of Man - Daily average: 267. Cases per 100,000 people: 316. 17. Switzerland - Daily average: 25,66. Cases per 100,000 people: 299. 18. Greece - Daily average: 31,899. Cases per 100,000 people: 298. 19. Iceland - Daily average: 1,071. Cases per 100,000 people: 296. 20. Italy - Daily average: 172,559. Cases per 100,000 people: 286. *The daily average of cases is tallied using the past seven days of infections. Not all areas listed above are countries. Source: The New York Times, Coronavirus World Map: Tracking the Global Outbreak Advertisement

Just 0.1 people per every 100,000 succumb to the virus Down Under.

This compares to 1.83 in Monaco, the highest in the world, and 0.52 in the United States.

And while Australia's high placing on the case numbers list may seem alarming, the data may not accurately represent the real rate of infection in many countries as authoritarian governments are likely to be underreporting their case numbers.

Likewise, many infections have gone unreported Down Under in recent weeks, with a shortage of rapid antigen tests and many people unable to get a PCR swab.

Experts predict Australia's Omicron peak will likely hit at the end of January when the highly infectious variant finally 'runs out' of 'core' carriers to infect.

As many of Omicron's carriers, mainly people aged between 20 and 30, have been exposed already, the virus spread may start to slow when it meets people with immunity.

'South Africa saw their peaks in these kinds of timeframes. Hopefully high rates of transmissions we will start to see it turn around in similar timeframes,' Catherine Bennett, chair in Epidemiology at Deakin University.

Experts have warned Australia's Omicron peak may not hit until the end of January when the highly infectious variant finally 'runs out' of 'core' carriers to infect (pictured, Covid testing at Sydney's Bondi Beach)

Australia's case numbers are not thought to be accurate, thanks to huge queues for PCR tests convincing people to stay away (pictured, testing in Bondi Junction on January 8)

HIGHEST COVID DEATH RATE 1) Monaco: 1.83 people per 100,000 2) Trinidad and Tobago: 1.55 people 3) Bulgaria: 1.07 4) Georgia: 0.98 5) Croatia: 0.9 ... 79) Australia: 0.1 Source: The New York Times, Coronavirus World Map: Tracking the Global Outbreak Advertisement

'We'd expect to see waves within the big wave hopefully start to turn around in Australia in the very near future, in about two weeks, so before the end of January.'

The rest of the country outside of major cities will follow, meaning Australia will see the virus spread slowed by mid-February.

'We know the virus mainly spreads in young adults and twentysomethings, because they are the ones mixing most socially and also they are the essential workers,' Ms Bennett said.

'As you get enough people who've had the infection it naturally slows it down because the virus keeps on meeting people who have had it.

'Those areas with high rates will reach a point where there just arent as many people susceptible in the community.'

The continuing booster rollout will also play a big part in the virus hitting a brick wall of immunity in the community, she said.

But until the skyrocketing rates of infection begin to wane it's going to be a tough time for Australians as supply chain chaos leaves supermarket shelves across the country bare.

Australia's infection rate over the past seven days has now soared to 86,999 with 343 people in every 100,000 coming down with the virus (pictured, a patient at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney)

Deputy chief heath officer Professor Michael Kidd warned at a media conference on Monday that with the prevalence of the Omicron strain, many Australians would likely test positive to Omicron over the next few weeks (pictured, ambulances in Melbourne)

Supermarket giant Coles recently announced buying limits on various chicken, beef and pork products and on Tuesday, said they would limit toilet paper and over-the-counter painkillers to cope with demand at their 800 stores.

While a rush to buy is part of the problem, the supply chain crunch is also being compounded by staff shortages as thousands of workers are forced to isolate due to Covid.

Distribution centres are struggling to find drivers and packers while supermarket stores are also finding it tough to get workers.

'To maintain availability & make it fair for everyone we've introduced national purchase limits: toilet paper (1 pack) and select medicinal items (paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin) (2 packs),' Coles said in a statement on Tuesday.

Supermarkets nationwide have to been struggle to keep products on shelves amid the Covid crisis (pictured, Neutral Bay Woolworths in Sydney)

Experts say it may take weeks before things return to normal in Australian supermarkets (pictured, Neutral Bay Woolworths)

Thousands of packers and and drivers at distribution centres have been forced to isolation leaving fresh produce sections bare in many supermarkets (pictured, Neutral Bay Woolworths in Sydney)

'Please continue to treat our team with kindness & respect and only purchase what you need.'

Deputy chief heath officer Professor Michael Kidd warned on Monday that with the prevalence of the Omicron strain, many Australians would likely test positive to Omicron over the next few weeks.

'With the rising case numbers we've seen over the past week in many parts of the country, it's likely that many of us will test positive for Covid-19 over the coming days and weeks if we haven't already done so,' he said.

While he said most cases could be mild 'some might become seriously unwell' so it was still important to isolate if you test positive and seek medical advice if stronger symptoms develop.
Pope Francis left locals surprised after making an unexpected visit to a record store in Rome to bless the premises.

The 85-year-old pontiff, who is a lover of classical music and opera, was seen stepping out of Stereosound, located near the Pantheon, with an LP record in hand on Tuesday evening.

The head of the Catholic Church had visited Stereosound to bless the record store after its recent renovation.

The shop owners are understood to be longtime friends of Pope Francis, who has previously spoken of the power of music and is said to enjoy tango as well as classical composers.

Pope Francis made a surprise visit to Stereosound record store (pictured), located near the Pantheon in Rome, with an LP record in hand on Tuesday evening

Stereosound's owner Letizia said the pope was an 'old customer' who had been going to the shop since he was made a cardinal in 2001, according to Vatican News

The Argentine pontiff, who has previously said Mozart 'lifts you to God', left with a 33 RPM record of classical music, a gift presented by the owner's daughter, Vatican News reported.

A small crowd gathered outside the venue while he was inside for around 10 minutes, but he made no public comments as he left and was driven away in a white Fiat 500L.

Stereosound's owner Letizia said the pope was an 'old customer' who had been going to the shop since he was made a cardinal in 2001, according to Vatican News.

While he was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, he would visit their shop to buy classical music records and CDs when he was in Rome on Church business and stayed at a nearby residence for visiting clerics.

It is not the first time that the pope has been seen nipping into local stores as, in 2015, he was spotted going to an opticians in central Rome to change his glasses.

The following year, three years after being elected head of the world's 1.3billion Catholics, he went to a shop to buy some new orthopaedic shoes.

Francis is known for living more simply than his predecessors, carrying his own briefcase and making his own phone calls.

The head of the Catholic Church (pictured) had visited Stereosound to bless the record store after its recent renovation, a Vatican source told AFP

He lives in modest rooms measuring 50 squares metres (540 square feet) in the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse.

His visit comes after the pope warned against attempts to cancel culture, decrying 'one-track thinking' which he said attempts to deny or rewrite history according to today's standards.

Francis made his comments in an address to diplomats, the main thrust of which was the condemnation of 'baseless' ideological misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines and the pandemic.

In his remarks on Monday, Francis warned of 'a form of ideological colonisation, one that leaves no room for freedom of expression and is now taking the form of the 'cancel culture' invading many circles and public institutions'.

He used the two words in English in the midst of a long speech in Italian.

The 'cancel culture' controversy is particularly sharp in English-speaking countries, especially in Britain where debate has raged over the country's imperialistic history.

Pro-active campaigns have seen the removal of several statues depicting historic figures who had a hand in the slave trade, such as Edward Colston.

While the pope did not mention any specific cancel culture examples, he said any historical situation must be interpreted in the context of its times and not by today's standards.
Buckingham Palace accused former Prime Minister Bob Hawke of 'discourtesy' over planned changes to Australia's citizenship pledge, newly uncovered letters reveal.

The proposal would have meant leaving out an oath or affirmation of loyalty to the monarch.

The main problem was not the proposed changes, but that they were not first discussed with the Queen.

Australia's then governor-general Sir Ninian Stephen spilled the beans on the plan, accusing Mr Hawke of 'impropriety' in a December 1983 letter to Sir Philip Moore, the Queen's private secretary.

Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke (pictured) was rebuked by the governor-general on the orders of Buckingham Palace for his 'discourtesy'

'At no time was there any consultation or discussion with me regarding the proposed amendment to the Australian Citizenship Act,' he wrote in the exchange revealed by The Australian.

'I very much doubt whether the prime minister  has appreciated the impropriety of what has occurred.'

In his reply, Sir Philip wrote: 'The Queen would, I am sure, have found it very valuable to discuss with him personally the reasons why such a change was in mind and it would also have avoided any possible charge of discourtesy in the introduction of a change closely affecting Her Majesty.'

Sir Ninian suggested the Palace rebuke the prime minister and it provided a statement to be given to Mr Hawke, along with a request to review the proposal that new citizens should not be required to swear allegiance to the Queen.

Sir Ninian's vice-regal letters from 1982 to 1989, which are held by the National Archives of Australia, also reveal further clashes with Mr Hawke over the national anthem.

In January and April 1984, Sir Ninian told Sir Philip that he was against Mr Hawke's decision to make Advance Australia Fair the national anthem - replacing God Save the Queen as both the anthem and what is known as the vice-regal salute.

Poll Is Peter FitzSimons' Australian republic model a good idea? Yes No Undecided Is Peter FitzSimons' Australian republic model a good idea? Yes 416 votes

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Mr Hawke was also considering changed to the national flag which would probably have removed the union jack from it.

Sir Ninian was so angry at the planned anthem and vice-regal salute changes that he changed by pen both an Executive Council minute and a proclamation to ensure God Save the Queen could still be played even if Queen Elizabeth was not present.

Replying in June 1984, Sir Philip said it was 'disappointing' Mr Hawke did not 'consult the Queen' about changes to the citizenship oath or the anthem, and said it was 'a mistake' that God Save the Queen was no longer the vice-regal salute.

In a show of power, Sir Ninian took the extraordinary step of summoning Mr Hawke to Government House.

But the prime minister made it clear to him at the meeting that he was not changing his plans - though the flag change never happened.

Bob Hawke (pictured second left) with Queen Elizabeth (pictured centre). Buckingham Palace ordered a rebuke of Mr Hawke for not consulting the Queen over planned Australian changes that would have affected her

Mr Hawke sought to reassure the Queen and her representatives that these moves were not a sign of disrespect to her nor were they a step towards a republic.

Though a republican, Mr Hawke always made it clear that he had great respect for the Queen and that any change towards Australia becoming a republic should only happen after her death.

But Mr Hawke died aged 89 in May, 2019. The Queen, 95, will celebrate 70 years as the monarch on February 6.

Sir Ninian did not just use his vice-regal letters to report the faults he found with Mr Hawke, though.

Pictured left to right, Bob Hawke, Queen Elizabeth II, Hazel Hawke and the Duke of Edinburgh at a reception in Sydney in March 1986 during a state visit to Australia

He often wrote to the Queen that he was impressed with the Hawke government's stability and productivity.

Though he initially approved of Mr Hawke's everyman touch with voters, he reported in January 1986 that the prime minister was now suffering from 'media overexposure'.

'He was perhaps too blatant in his search after publicity and acclaim, turning quite trivial occasions to that end,' Sir Ninian wrote to Sir Philip.

'The result seemed to be that, in the eyes of an originally enthusiastic public, he endangered his standing as a serious person and as a reliable national leader.'

The reporting of the letters about Queen Elizabeth's almost 40-year-old concerns over Australia becoming a republic comes amid a new push for that to happen.

Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke died aged 89 in May, 2019. He held a great affection for Queen Elizabeth II

Australia's republican movement on Wednesday launched a new campaign that could see the country eventually sever ties with the British Royal Family and elect an Australian head of state.

The Australian Republic Movement unveiled its preferred method to appoint a new head of state with the launch of its Australian Choice model.

Under the proposal, every state and territory would get the chance to shortlist their best and brightest citizens to be Australia's head of state through a robust, merit-based selection process, which would then go to a national ballot of 11 applicants.

The elected head of state would serve a five-year term and be responsible for appointing a prime minister with majority support in the House of Representatives but would have no authority in day-to-day governance or passing laws.

The Australian Republic Movement is chaired by journalist and former rugby international Peter FitzSimons, who says the model would gives Australians more choice to choose from qualified and suitable candidates to represent them.
The Government's use of a so-called 'VIP lane' that gave preferential treatment to a pest control firm and a hedge fund to award them nearly 600million worth of PPE contracts was unlawful, the High Court ruled today.

The Good Law Project and EveryDoctor took legal action over more than 340million in contracts given to PestFix and 252million handed to Ayanda Capital by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The High Court was told the VIP lane was reserved for referrals from MPs, ministers and senior officials, adding that DHSC 'then prioritised suppliers including PestFix and Ayanda because of who they knew, not what they could deliver'.

The groups argued that the use of the VIP lane gave an unfair, unlawful advantage to the companies, and that half of the 592m went on expensive equipment the NHS could not even use.

In her ruling today, Mrs Justice O'Farrell ruled that while the use of the so-called VIP lane - officially known as the High Priority Lane - was indeed unlawful, the contracts at the centre of the case would 'very likely' have been given without it.

However, she accepted that there was 'evidence that opportunities were treated as high priority even where there were no objectively justifiable grounds for expediting the offer'.

And she also concluded that a large number of masks and other equipment supplied by PestFix and Ayanda were not suitable for NHS use - leading to tens of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money being wasted.

The PPE 'VIP lane' was reserved for referrals from MPs, ministers and senior officials

Discussing contracts given to pest control company PestFix, she said: 'PestFix offered high volumes of a range of PPE items that were in urgent demand. It had an established business in sourcing PPE, plausible contacts with manufacturers...and could provide a logistical solution to transport the PPE from the manufacturers to the UK.

'These skills, experience, contacts and credibility justified priority consideration of the high volume offers.

'Regardless whether they were made through the portal and assessed by the opportunities team, or were assessed by the high priority lane team, it is very likely that the offers would have resulted in the award of the PestFix contracts.'

The judge made similar findings in relation to the contract awarded to hedge fund Ayanda Capital.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) had contested the claim, telling the court it 'wholeheartedly' rejected the case against it and that the VIP lane was rational and resulted in a 'large number of credible offers' in an environment where PPE deals often failed within 'minutes'.

Mrs Justice O'Farrell later said DHSC's evidence 'establishes that presence on the high priority lane did not confer any advantage at the decision-making stage of the process'.

She continued: 'However, what is clear is that offers that were introduced through the senior referrers received earlier consideration at the outset of the process.

'The high priority lane team was better resourced and able to respond to such offers on the same day that they arrived, in contrast to the opportunities team, where the sheer volume of offers prevented such swift consideration.'

She later said: 'Timeous consideration of an offer was a material advantage in obtaining the award of a contract given the urgency of the procurement.'

Jason Coppel QC, representing the campaigners, previously argued that PestFix was referred into the VIP lane because an ex-director of the company was an 'old school friend' of the father-in-law of Steve Oldfield, the chief commercial officer at the DHSC.

He also claimed Andrew Mills, a former member of the UK Board of Trade and representative for Ayanda Capital, was added to the VIP lane when he contacted a senior official at the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Mrs Justice O'Farrell found the DHSC had complied with the duty to give 'clear and sufficient reasons' for awarding both sets of contracts and that 'sufficient financial due diligence' and technical verification was carried out.

Matt Hancock, seen with his girlfriend Gina Coladangelo, suggested the judgement was a victory

Good Law Project director Jo Maugham said: 'There's nothing that can change the past - but Ministers will now know that if they ever put something like this in place again they will be breaking the law - and very arguably committing misconduct in public office.'

Responding to the High Court's ruling, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: 'This damning judgment confirms what the public already suspected.

'Not only did the Conservatives give their mates privileged access to lucrative Covid contracts, they did it unlawfully.

'The Tory party treated a pandemic as a cash cow for friends and donors. Once again, it's a case of one rule for Tory ministers and their cronies, and another for everyone else.'

But former Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the judgment.

A spokesman for Mr Hancock said: 'We are delighted that the Department for Health has won this case, as the court found that the priority treatment was 'justified' and rightly refused to grant any rectification for the way PPE was urgently bought in the height of the crisis.

'At the time, a huge number of people were doing everything they could to get PPE to the front line as fast as possible in a national emergency.

'As the National Audit Office has confirmed, ministers had no involvement in procurement decisions or contract management.

'The department was doing the best it possibly could within the rules to respond to an unprecedented situation, and crucially, the court has rightly found that action was justified and absolutely no rectification or further action is necessary.'

A spokesman for Ayanda Capital said: 'We are pleased that, despite all the claims to the contrary, the court has rejected any suggestion that we were not an appropriate business to source desperately needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and concluded that the offer we made the Department of Health justified priority treatment on its merits.

'As the court found, this was a unique opportunity to acquire very high volumes of PPE through exclusive access to the full manufacturing output of a leading plant in China. The judge made no criticism whatsoever with regards to the type of face masks purchased and concluded that the contract would almost certainly have been awarded regardless of whether it had been placed in the high priority lane or not.

'We were doing the best we possibly could to help to respond to an unprecedented national emergency, and crucially, the court has not criticised the way we conducted ourselves in any respect.'

The judge said some of Ayanda's face masks were not distributed to the NHS because they had ear-loops rather than head-loops, although she noted they were 'delivered as required' by the contract.
Senator Bernie Sanders thinks that Democratic leaders should be allowed to vote on individual components of Joe Biden's legislative agenda.

During a recent interview, the senator also said that Democrats seemingly need a major course correction to make individual votes on specific components of the Build Back Better spending package.

"All these issues, they are just not Bernie Sanders standing up and saying this would be a great thing. They are issues that are enormously popular, and on every one of them, the Republicans are in opposition. But a lot of people don't know that because the Republicans haven't been forced to vote on them," Sanders said via The Hill.

Sen. Bernie Sanders wants individual votes on certain provisions

More specifically, Sanders wants to bring certain provisions like expanded Medicare, universal pre-K, and other housing and climate issues to the floor. After all, the majority of Senate Democrats are reportedly willing to fight for good policy.

Sanders also thinks that voting on the components of the spending package individually would pressure Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema to make a stand finally. The two senators are refusing to support Biden's Build Back Better bill.

The senator also wants bills to include working-class families because this is the only way to get on board with Biden's agenda.

For instance, Sanders thinks it's just right to extend the child tax credit, cut prescription drug prices, and raise the federal hourly minimum wage to $15.

Sanders added that it's also important for Democrats to show the working class that they are fighting for them while highlighting Republican opposition to hugely popular policies, according to MSNBC.

Read Also: Sen. Joe Manchin Allegedly Plans to Quit Party if He Doesn't Get His Way on the Build Back Better Bill

Sen. Bernie Sanders urges Sen. Joe Manchin to support BBB

Throughout the past couple of weeks, Sanders has also been urging Manchin to explain his decision not to support the Build Back Better bill to the people of West Virginia.

Last month, Sanders said that it's important for Manchin to be able to explain to his supporters why he can't take on the drug companies to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Manchin also needs to explain why he doesn't want to extend Medicare coverage to cover the dental hearing and eyeglasses even though West Virginia is, reportedly, one of the poorest countries in the United States, according to Business Insider.

According to Sanders, Manchin voted in favor of other budget increases, specifically to increase military spending and the infrastructure bill, making him seem out of touch with his constituents.

Manchin previously said that he couldn't support the Build Back Better bill because he couldn't explain it to the people of West Virginia. But Sanders argued that most people from the state would most likely support Biden's agenda.

According to WBOY, Sanders previously offered to pay for a poll service where West Virginians can cast their vote regarding the Build Back Better bill. After all, the benefits of the bill far outweigh its possible downsides.

Related Article: Rep. Pramila Jayapal Says Sen. Joe Manchin's Proposed $1.5 Trillion For Reconciliation Bill Won't Be Approved Because It's Too Low

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This is the terrifying moment a drug cartel used drones to drop explosives on unsuspecting inhabitants in the forests of Tepalcatepec, Mexico, in the latest demonstration of unchecked violence in the region.

People were sent running for their lives on Monday as the drones, controlled by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), soared over their shacks before raining down explosives on the forest floor in the state of Michoacan.

The shocking footage shows an aerial view of a dense jungle where a blue tarpaulin is hung up covering a series of what appear to be makeshift shacks or huts.

Seconds later, a bomb explodes and a number of people can be seen scrambling away from the blast in search of safety as coils of smoke begin to rise from the forest floor.

The drone then lets loose more explosives on the survivors before being shot down by the forest's inhabitants.

The attack represents the latest in a series of brutal assaults on the population of Michoacan which has played host to escalating violence, mostly attributed to the CJNG.

The footage from Monday's attack emerged just weeks after the nearby city of Chinicuila in Michoacan reported that roughly half of its population fled, many illegally into the US, to escape the cartel's violence.

Drones were also used in the December attacks in Chinicuila which led to the mass exodus of civilians and police officers alike.

Footage shows an aerial view of a dense jungle where a blue tarpaulin is hung up covering series of makeshift shacks. Seconds later, a bomb dropped from the drone explodes on the forest floor

A number of people can be seen scrambling away from the blast in search of safety as coils of smoke begin to rise

The bombing set fire to the tarpaulin and the shacks. The drone continued to drop bombs as it scanned the area for survivors

The drone let loose more explosives on the survivors before being shot down by the forest's inhabitants

Michoacan state has been a hot zone for drug traffickers, although in recent months the situation has worsened amid frequent armed struggles for power between rival cartels.

The CJNC is considered one of the two most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico, alongside Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel.

Monday's drone attacks were allegedly carried out to target residents of the town who had participated in a brief gunfight with cartel members trying to gain control of the territory earlier that day.

According to local authorities, one person was injured as a result of the attack, but the small towns and forest dwellings of Michoacan have been plagued by fighting for months as rival cartels battle tooth and nail for every inch of territory.

Last week the mayor of Tepalcatepec Martha Laura Mendoza reportedly begged Mexican authorities for help in restoring security in the region wracked with violence.

'In Tepalcatepec we have had four months of insecurity. This is the only municipality in which we have more than 3,000 displaced people,' Mexican news site El Pais quoted Mendoza as saying.

'Four months and nobody has come to see us, nobody has given a solution!'

The massacres in Michoacan seemingly take place with total impunity.

The state has a population of fewer than five million, but has one of the country's highest murder rates.

On average, more than seven people in Michoacan were executed per day from January to October 2021 alone with a total of 2,234 homicides registered, according to El Sol de Morelia.

Meanwhile, government data shows that 4,242 people have disappeared in the state since 1964 - but 952 of the disappearances occurred in the past year.

The city of Chinicuila in Michoacan has lost half of its police department in the face of the 'terrorist' behavior of the CJNG, which has sparked mass resignations among law enforcement ranks and drove the city's mayor to leave office.

Ruben Larios, who was reelected in June as mayor of Chinicuila, fled the western Mexico town Friday after a failed attack by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The city has lost around half of its population who fled the escalating violence in the final months of 2021

Some Chinicuila residents fleeing the cartel invasion moved to the neighboring state of Colima, according to a recent report by Mexican news station Imagen TV.

Others have found refuge in the United States, particularly in Illinois and California, while remaining refugees have sought out shelter along the border city of Tijuana in hopes that their asylum requests are tended to promptly by US immigration judges.

Surveillance camera footage of a CJNG assault on December 8 showed the scorched earth policy that the cartel has now decided to employ.

It showed armed men barging into many of the houses that had been deserted by homeowners and setting off grenades after they had used drones packed with explosives to attack the neighborhood.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel members barge into a home in Chinicuila in December

One local who was brave enough to remain in Chinicuila compared the deadly cartel's assault to that of a terrorist organization, indicating that some families were beaten despite having no connection whatsoever to cartel activities.

'The truth is this is terrorism. It was very bad,' the resident said.

'It was something very shocking because we are used to (the cartel fighters) arriving on monster (trucks) and everything. But they were bombarding the houses.

'They threatened us, they beat us, they told us that they were going to do more to us and that the government agrees with them.'

Since the mass resignations of police officers in December, the responsibility for policing Chinicuila has fallen to the National Guard and Mexico's armed forces.
Demand for trains has plummeted after timetables were slashed with rail travel at 55 per cent of pre-pandemic levels after Omicron saw firms axe services to cope with staff shortages.

The number of train journeys made on Monday was just 55 per cent of the normal total, according to provisional Department of Transport figures.

That was up 38 per cent on Tuesday, January 4, the first working day of the previous week in England and Wales.

It comes as rail companies across Britain have warned passengers that they face reduced services 'until further notice' amid rail replacement buses, halved service frequencies and a 'Sunday-style timetable' on some routes.

Train firms have slashed hundreds of services due to thousands of Covid-related staff absences, with bosses warning passengers to expect last-minute cancellations and more crowded trains due to fewer in operation.

Staff absence for all reasons is now at 11 per cent across all operators, according to the latest Rail Delivery Group data in the week to January 5  a sharp rise from 8.9 per cent up to December 29 and 8.7 per cent to December 22.

The ever-rising figure is also significantly up on 7.6 per cent in November 2021 and 4.5 per cent at the end of August 2020, during the period when Covid-19 rates in the UK were at their lowest during the pandemic.

Commuters wait to catch a London bound train in Bracknell, Berkshire, on Monday - when the number of rail journeys was just 55 per cent of the normal total

Commuters pictured arriving at London Waterloo Station today, January 5 - the second working day of the New Year

This Transport for London graph dating back to the start of 2020 shows how passenger numbers have dropped once again

This Transport for London graph shows passenger data split by station type, dating back to the start of 2020

Train companies said the amended timetables had been brought in because of high staff absence numbers but also lower demand since the Government's working from home guidance was brought back in last month.

Passenger numbers exceeded 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels prior to Covid fears again taking hold amid the rapid spread of Omicron across the UK in late November.

The variant led to work from home guidance being introduced, causing a significant drop in the number of commuters travelling by train into offices across Britain.

Car use, meanwhile, increased from 75 per cent to 82 per cent between January 4 and January 10, while bus travel outside London rose from 57 per cent to 68 per cent over the same period.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed 'great progress' against Omicron earlier this week and said the Government is 'looking at' cutting the self-isolation period - but warned that the NHS is still under significant pressure.

There are currently mounting calls to reduce the mandatory quarantine period from seven days to five as fears mount over the impact of more than a million people being forced into isolation.

Ministers have already cut isolation times from 10 days to seven for those who can provide negative tests on two consecutive days, but Downing Street has so far refused to follow the lead of France and the US in reducing the period by a further two days.
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The brother of a British girl who went missing on an Australian beach more than 50 years ago said he continues to have nightmares about the tragedy.

In what remains one of Australia's most high-profile unsolved crimes, Cheryl Grimmer, who was then three, was kidnapped 52 years ago from Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong, New South Wales.

As part of wave of Britons in search of a sunnier climate and new opportunities, her parents Vince and Carol Grimmer had emigrated with their daughter and three sons to Australia from Bristol in the late 1960s.

But 52 years ago today, on January 12, 1970, tragedy struck when she was taken after her oldest brother Ricki, who was aged just seven, left her at the beach changing room for just 90 seconds.

Now, as a new podcast by BBC journalist Jon Kay delves into what happened, Ricki Nash has told of his ongoing trauma.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday, the heartbroken brother, now aged 59, said he can 'still see her' at the place she was taken, with the last sighting 'in my nightmares'.

Cheryl's aunt, Pam, who still lives in Bristol, added on the programme said the child was 'so cute' and that she did not talk about what had happened for years afterwards because 'it was painful'.

The brother of British girl Cheryl Grimmer, who went missing on an Australian beach more than 50 years ago. said he continues to have nightmares about the tragedy. In what remains one of Australia's most high-profile unsolved crimes. Above: Cheryl alone and with her father, Vince

The Grimmer family had emigrated from Knowle in Bristol to Wollongong in 1969 in search of a better life.

When she was taken from the local beach, Cheryl had been staying with her family at Fairy Meadow Migrant Hostel.

Her other siblings were Stephen, then aged five, and Paul, who was four at the time.

Cheryl's mother had taken her and her siblings to the beach. Vince Grimmer was away working for the Australian Army.

When it became windy and sand whipped around everywhere, the Grimmers decided to head home, with Carol telling her children to wait for her at the changing rooms while she packed up.

Cheryl was taken when Ricki briefly left her to go and tell his mother that she was cheekily refusing to leave the ladies' changing room.

'To be honest I can still see her there. I have got that image all day every day. I have got it in my nightmares. I don't really like being her to be honest Jon, I get nauseas, I get headaches,' he was heard saying on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday.

In what remains one of Australia's most high-profile unsolved crimes, Cheryl, who was then aged three, was kidnapped 52 years ago from Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong, New South Wales. Above: Cheryl with one of her older brothers

Now, as a new podcast by BBC journalist Jon Kay delves into what happened, Ricki Nash has told of his ongoing trauma. Above: Ricki (centre) with younger brothers Stephen (second from left) and Paul (right) speak to the media in 2016

On January 12, 1970, tragedy struck when she was taken after her oldest brother Ricki, who was aged just seven, left her at the beach changing room (pictured) for just 90 seconds

Because Vince was working at the Australian army's barracks further up the coast, he did not arrive at the scene until the evening. But, because of his job, he arrived with 500 other soldiers who helped to look for the little girl. Above: Members of the military helping to look for Cheryl

'I keep coming back here in the hope we will get answers and keep fighting for Cheryl, she would be fighting hard for me, so I have got to keep fighting for her.

Speaking on the first episode of the podcast, Ricki said that the last time he saw his sister she was standing in the doorway of the women's changing rooms and was smiling and giggling.

'Boys didn't go into the ladies' changing rooms,' he said.

'I said to her "come on, you're going to get into trouble if I have to go down and get her [Mum]."

'And that's when I made that error to go down and get my mother. When we came up, I was probably standing somewhere here, my mother first of all went into the ladies'.

'Then she walked around, there was still no panic from my mother. There was no need to be.

'She walked around a couple of times, she was looking around. Then she started saying "where did you leave her?"

'That's when she started shaking me a little bit there. I said I just left her in the doorway. Then she started asking other people for help. Had they seen a little girl.

'Everyone started calling out her name.'

The Grimmer family had emigrated from Knowle in Bristol to Wollongong in 1969 in search of a better life. Above: The family are seen after Cheryl's disappearance

When she was taken from the local beach, Cheryl had been staying with her family at Fairy Meadow Migrant Hostel. Her other siblings were Stephen, then aged five, and Paul, who was four at the time. Above: Cheryl (second from right) with her brothers

Cheryl was taken when Ricki briefly left her to go and tell his mother that she was cheekily refusing to leave the ladies' changing room. Above: Cheryl with one of her brothers

He added: 'It happened so fast and it's just panic from there and running down onto the beach and people running everywhere, trying to help us locate her. But it was so quick, she was there and she was gone.

'I will never forgive myself for that.'

The distraught brother had a mental breakdown after his sister's disappearance and did not speak to his family for years. He has since been married three times and has had problems with alcohol.

Although he now has a new job and partner, Ricki said he spends 'hours' every day working to find out what happened to his sister, sending emails and making calls.

'I am just consumed by it, he said. I want to hear the truth. I work extremely hard and I just don't stop.'

Ricki's younger brother Paul said Cheryl's disappearance 'shattered' his parents.

'Dad was only a young fella with a wife and four beautiful kids that wanted a better life for us so he brought us to Australia, so when Cheryl went missing it absolutely shattered him,' he said.

'After that, I think it changed my dad which changed our whole family and to this day now even with my own kids and grandkids, I don't let them out of my sight. When we go out I don't enjoy the day.

'My family enjoy the day but I am just too busy counting numbers, checking heads, making sure everyone is there.'

Because Vince was working at the Australian army's barracks further up the coast, he did not arrive at the scene until the evening.

But, because of his job, he arrived with 500 other soldiers who helped to look for the little girl.

Ricki said that the last time he saw his sister she was standing in the doorway of the women's changing rooms and was smiling and giggling. Above: Cheryl with two of her brothers

Ricki said he spends 'hours' every day working to find out what happened to his sister, sending emails and making calls. Above: Ricki (centre) with Stephen (left) and Paul

Wollongong resident Stephen Caskey, who helped with the search, said: 'It was so hard, bloody hard.

'We couldn't see anything, you had to move every blade of grass, every bush every thistle, everything that was there, you had to move physically with your hands to see if there was any sign of a little girl there.

'She was only tiny but we couldn't find her, because she wasn't there.'

Speaking of Cheryl's parents' hope that they would one day find their daughter, Cheryl's aunt, Pam, said to the BBC: 'They never stopped thinking that if Cheryl was alive, one day they might see this smart young lady walking in saying 'hello Mum, hello dad'.

'It was a fantasy. And she was so cute. She really was so cute.'

She added: 'I shut it out of my mind, I shut it right out of my mind. Because it was painful. If you block it out, it hasn't happened.'

Both Carole and Vince passed away without knowing what happened to their daughter. In 2011, a coroner ruled that Cheryl had died at some point after her disappearance.

In 2012, the New South Wales government offered a $100,000 reward for new information into what happened.

Then, in 2016, a man who had confessed to the crime in 1971 had been due to face trial before a key piece of evidence was ruled inadmissible by Australia's supreme court.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed to have murdered Cheryl when he was aged just 16. He said he dumped her body and burnt her clothes.

But this confession was then not followed up until 2017. When police interviewed the man for a second time, he claimed his first statement was made up.

However, police went on to charge him with the little girl's murder, before judges said the evidence was inadmissible because there had been no parent, adult or legal practitioner present at any stage of the interview.

Then, in 2017, the reward for information was upped to A$1million.
A heartbroken dog owner has called for Scotland's animal grooming industry to be regulated after her puppy had to be put to sleep following a visit to a salon where he was put in a 'drying cage'.

Nine-month-old cockapoo Harry suffered a collapsed intestine shortly after being put in a drying cage for 30 minutes at an award-winning grooming salon in May 2021.

He was taken to Vets Now Hospital, in Glasgow, but due to complications was put to sleep on May 8.

Although a post-mortem found that the dog did not die of a heatstroke, his owner Lisa O'Neill claims the puppy 'suffered terribly' inside the drying cage and would have tried to jump around - which she believes caused the collapsed intestine from which he died.

Ms O'Neill, 37, from Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, who bought Harry in October for 2,350, is now campaigning for dog groomers to be regulated.

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) confirmed the dog did not die from a heatstroke or any other issue attributable to the treatment in the groomers.

However it has backed calls for greater regulation of the industry.

Nine-month-old cockapoo Harry suffered a collapsed intestine shortly after being put in a drying cage in May 2021

Ms O'Neill, who works as a police officer, said Harry was first taken to the salon in February 2021.

When he went in May, Harry was washed and then put in a 'drying cage' at the groomers, which Ms O'Neill declined to name, on May 6.

He collapsed, and Ms O'Neill had to go to pick him up and took him to her local vets in Ayrshire.

The next day he was taken to Vets Now Hospital, in Glasgow, and he was put to sleep on May 8.

Ms O'Neill said: 'I did do a bit of research and the groomer I took him to had 30 years of experience, had won awards, so I had absolutely no qualms about taking him there.

'Being a novice and not knowing about cage dryers I didn't know to ask the question.

'When I got him back he looked good, he smelled lovely, he was desperate for a drink but I thought that was quite natural after being dried.

'So away we went and I was quite happy to trust them.

'In May, it was the same scenario - a girl came and took him off me outside.

'About an hour later, I got a phone call saying Harry had collapsed while being dried.

'At this point, I still had no idea about a drying cage.

'It wasn't until she told the vet what had happened they came back to me saying ''he had heatstroke and that these drying boxes are death traps''.

'It turns out, he had been put in a heated drying box and the timer was set for 30 minutes.

'Being an excitable puppy, he didn't like being locked in anywhere so being locked in a drying box he would have jumped about the whole time.

The dog was taken to Vets Now Hospital, in Glasgow, but due to complications was put to sleep on May 8

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) said a post-mortem found the dog had not died from a heatstroke but it has backed calls for greater regulation of the industry

Ms O'Neill said the dog was placed in a drying cage and the timer was set for 30 minutes. Pictured: Stock image of a drying cage

'He was taken to Vets Now in Glasgow to try and treat him but unfortunately, the complication that arose from the heatstroke meant his blood wasn't clotting.

'This was two days after it happened and we were going to get an operation to save him but it couldn't go ahead because his blood wasn't clotting.

'I had to go and sit with him while they put him to sleep. He had suffered horrendously before he was put to sleep.

'He had intussusception due to the stress and trauma of being locked in the box.

Convenient but controversial: Dog drying cages Groomers will often use cage dryers for dogs as they are convenient and make the grooming process more efficient overall. Dogs are placed inside the drying mechanisms after a grooming session and warm air is blown into the cage - this can be from a stand dryer. Some cages only allow for one dog at a time while others have additional nozzles that allow them to dry multiple dogs. However the cages can also present with issues for the animal. Some groomers can place stand dryers too close to the cage and this can heat the air too much and lead to discomfort, skin irritation and overheating in the animal. The devices can also malfunction which can mean too much hot air is being pumped into the cage for a long period of time. This is particularly dangerous if the groomer leaves the canine unattended. In 2012, a spaniel died in a home-made drying cage after her owner dropped her at a dog groomer. The seven-year-old had to be put down after suffering internal bleeding, blistered skin and dehydration. Magistrates were told the golden cocker spaniel had spent 20 minutes inside the drying cage when the groomer realised something was wrong. Advertisement

'The specialist said everything he'd suffered from had caused an intussusception - where intestines go into themselves.

'But his blood wouldn't clot so they couldn't cut him open - he would have just bled out on the table.

'I can discuss it now without breaking down but it's taken a while for that to happen.

'A dog is a member of the family.

'He definitely suffered tremendously, he was locked in a box.

'Harry if you put him in a crate, he would jump about, he didn't want to be locked in, so to be locked in a heated box for that length of time, he would have been going crazy.'

Ms O'Neill has now launched a petition to get the Scottish Government to act on regulating dog groomers which has gained nearly 3,000 signatures.

She said: 'It's amazing the amount of dog owners who know nothing about drying boxes, they hand their dog over and have no idea if they're getting locked in a box or not.

'Scottish ministers do have the powers to regulate the industry, they just haven't done it yet.

'I got in touch with the SSPCA at the time and the inspector who had went out to investigate the groomer hadn't even heard dryer boxes.

'Because there are no laws with groomers, they don't need to tell you about it.

'The box was in working order, apparently it's one of the best in the business, it cost 2,000, it wasn't faulty, so there was nothing the SSPCA could do.'

Scottish SPCA chief inspector Laura McIntyre said: 'In May 2021 we investigated the heart-breaking death of a dog when he fell ill at a groomers shortly after being in a drying cage.

'The dog was taken to a private vet where his condition sadly deteriorated and he was ultimately put to sleep.

'We arranged for a post-mortem to take place, by an external organisation, in order to fully investigate the circumstances.

'This post-mortem found the dog had not died from heatstroke. A follow-up check was also undertaken by a Scottish SPCA vet.

'Given the clinical view from veterinary experts was that the cause of death was not heatstroke or any other issue attributable to the treatment in the groomers, the investigation was closed.

'Expert opinion from veterinary professionals is crucial to any investigation the Scottish SPCA carries out.

'Dogs should be under constant supervision whilst at a groomers. It can be a stressful situation for some dogs and every step should be taken to ensure they are safe and comfortable at all times.

'The rapid increase of dog ownership in Scotland has led to a boom in businesses such as groomers.

'Whilst many are reliable, well-trained and care about the welfare of the dogs they groom, the Scottish SPCA backs greater regulation of the industry.

'Owners should do their research, check reviews and try to use a reputable groomer at all times.'

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We are committed to ensuring high standards of animal welfare for pets in Scotland.

'It is an offence for people in charge of animals to cause them unnecessary suffering and we recently increased the maximum available penalties to five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

'We have introduced a new framework for the licensing of some activities involving animals, and will be consulting on whether to extend this to additional activities, including potentially to dog grooming businesses.

'We plan to bring forward consultations in this area after allowing a period of familiarisation with the recent licensing changes, so that the practical experiences of local authorities in implementing these can be considered in any future proposals.

'We would encourage anyone with information on the mistreatment of an animal to bring it to the attention of Police Scotland, their local authority or the Scottish SPCA.'
The Pennsylvania dentist accused of murdering his wife during a hunting trip in Africa has denied killing her and insisted to DailyMail.com that she died in a 'tragic accident'.

Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, 67, was charged in December with murdering his wife Bianca in Zambia in 2016, then fraudulently claiming $4.8million in life insurance payouts.

An FBI criminal complaint against him claims that he was desperate to get out of his marriage so that he could be with his long-term mistress.

In a statement on Tuesday night, his attorney called the claims 'outrageous' and said Rudolph was looking forward to proving his innocence.

'This is an outrageous prosecution against Dr. Larry Rudolph, a man who loved his wife of 34 years and did not kill her.

'Back in 2016, his wife had a terrible accident during a hunting trip in Zambia. The investigators on the scene concluded it was an accident. Several insurance companies also investigated and agreed.

'Now, more than five years later, the government is seeking to manufacture a case against this well-respected and law abiding dentist. Dr. Rudolph looks forward to his trial where he will demonstrate his innocence,' attorney David Oscar Markus said.

Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, 67, was charged in December with murdering his wife Bianca in Zambia in 2016, then fraudulently claiming $4.8million in life insurance payouts

Dr. Lawrence Rudolph is shown with one of the couple's children, his daughter Ana. She works with him in his dental practice in Pittsburgh

Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, 67, was charged in Colorado on charges of foreign murder and wire fraud, for allegedly shooting dead his wife Bianca during a trip to Zambia. They are shown, during a 2011 hunting trip with a guide. Bianca died in Africa in 2016

Rudolph had nine life insurance policies with seven different companies in various states which he cashed out after his wife's death.

The pair were avid hunters and had flown to Zambia in October 2016 so that Bianca could kill a leopard. At around 5am on October 11, gamekeepers and scouts heard a gunshot coming from their cabin.

When they got there, they found Bianca lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Her husband claimed he was in the bathroom at the time and that she had accidentally shot with a Browning 12 gauge shot gun herself while packing up her gun for a day's hunting.

Zambian Police believed him, ruling the death an accident and allowing him to travel back to America, where the FBI agent says he quickly resumed his relations with an unnamed 'girlfriend', who he'd been having an affair with for years.

The FBI was notified of the case in 2016 after one of Bianca's friends called them to say she was suspicious about Bianca's death.

Bianca and Lawrence, or Larry, had been married since 1982 and while they enjoyed hunting together, the friend said he was prone to affairs.

They were unhappy but would not get a divorce, the friend said, telling the agent: 'Larry is never going to divorce her because he doesnt want to lose his money, and shes never going to divorce him because of her Catholicism.'

The couple had two children together, including a daughter who now works at the dental firm Larry founded.

According to the criminal complaint, in the weeks after murdering his wife, the dentist claimed seven payouts from seven different insurance companies in multiple states. The total payout was $4.8million.

The day after his wife's funeral, he is said to have booked a plane ticket for his girlfriend to fly from Pittsburgh to Phoenix, but he then canceled the ticket and booked a different flight for a different woman, who he met up with in Las Vegas.

He had gone to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico with the first woman in the months before his wife's death, according to the FBI agent.

Lawrence is shown during another hunting trip. He told game keepers in Africa that his wife accidentally shot herself with a 12 gauge shotgun in 2016, and the Zambian police believed him

According to an FBI agent in a criminal complaint, Bianca - a keen hunter - wanted to kill a leopard on the Zambia trip. Her friends told the FBI that Lawrence was always unfaithful but that she wouldn't divorce him because she was a strict Catholic

In the year after her death, Lawrence cashed out $4.8million in life insurance payouts

Lawrence claimed his wife shot herself with a 12 gauge Browning shotgun - which medical examiners say would have been impossible

As part of their five-year investigation, FBI agents interviewed the wife of one of the hunting guides on the Zambia trip who said Larry bribed officials to rush cremating Bianca, even though she was a devout Catholic.

The wife also thought it was strange, she said, that he refused to answer calls from the pair's children.

Three years after her death, a former employee of the dental practice run by Larry told the FBI agent that a manager at the practice confided in them that she was his girlfriend of 15-20 years, and that she had given him an ultimatum to leave Bianca in the months before her death.

As part of its investigation, the FBI carried out a 'reach test' to determine whether or not it would have been physically possible for Bianca to accidentally shoot herself with the gun - a Browning Shotgun.

They found it was impossible, as did a Colorado Medical Examiner who was shown photos of Bianca's body.

'In my opinion, it would be physically impossible to accidentally fire this shotgun in its carrying case and produce the entrance defect noted on the body of Ms. Rudolph.

'The tip of the carrying case was most likely at least two feet from Ms. Randolph when the weapon was discharged regardless if it was on cylinder or full choke settings.

'Further, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for Ms. Rudolph to reach the trigger of this weapon even if it was placed in the case with the muzzle pressed against her chest,' the medical examiner ruled.

Lawrence was arrested in Cabo San Lucas in December.
Donald Trump hung up on NPR during a dial-in interview Tuesday when host Steve Inskeep repeatedly pushed the former president on his election fraud claims.

After badgering Trump for around nine minutes on his claims the 2020 presidential election was stolen, the ex-president got fed up and abruptly ended the interview, which was scheduled for a 15-minute time slot.

Trump blasted RINOs  Republicans in Name Only  for admitting that he lost the election, and particularly called out Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as a 'loser' during his Tuesday NPR interview for saying Joe Biden won in 2020.

The interview became increasingly heated as Inskeep hounded Trump on his continued insistence that Democrats stole and 'rigged' the election in favor of Biden. The 45th president noted as evidence of foul play that Biden's campaign event crowd sizes were minuscule compared to his massive rallies.

'Nobody believes  do you think Biden got 80 million votes?' Trump questioned to Inskeep.

'It's true,' he pushed back, clearly becoming frustrated with the back-and-forth.

'I don't believe it,' Trump said.

'Let me ask you this question  how come Biden couldn't attract 20 people for a crowd? How come when he went to speak in different locations nobody came to watch? But all of the sudden he got 80 million votes. Nobody believes that, Steve.'

'If you'll forgive me, maybe because the election was about you,' Inskeep shot back.

'If I could just move on,' he quickly turned deflected. 'Are you telling Republicans in 2022 that they must press your case on the past election in order to get your endorsement, is that an absolute?'

'They're going to do whatever they want to do. Whatever they have to do, they're going to do,' Trump responded.

Donald Trump (right) hung up during an interview with NPR on Tuesday after host Steve Inskeep (left) repeatedly pushed the ex-president on his claims voter fraud claims. The hang-up came after Inskeep asked Trump if GOP candidates had to repeat his fraud claims to get an endorsement in the 2022 midterms

The former president explained that Republican candidates who are 'smart' are aware that the election fraud angle is a winning issue because 'people don't want it to happen again.'

'People have no idea how big this issue is,' Trump said.

'The only way it's not going to happen again, is you have to solve the problem of the presidential rigged election of 2020. So Steve, thank you very much. I appreciate it.' Trump said.

Inskeep, who was on-camera for the radio interview, tried to keep the former president on the phone, shouting: 'Woah, woah, woah. I have one more question.'

'I want to ask about a court hearing yesterday on January 6, Judge Amit Mehta  he's gone, OK,' Inskeep said.

The interview was six years in the making, according to NPR. Trump has repeatedly declined interview requests with the radio station, but finally agreed to speak with Inskeep on Tuesday in a call-in interview from his home in Florida.

Over the course of the interview, Inskeep pressed Trump on several different angles about the results of the 2020 election, which the ex-president still disputes to this day.

He asked Trump about Republican Senator Mike Rounds' comments on Sunday claiming while there were 'irregularities' but that the 'election was fair.'

Trump also said in the NPR interview that GOP Senator Mike Rounds was 'wrong' to claim 'the election was fair' during an interview Sunday with ABC's This Week (pictured)

In a Monday statement, Trump accused Rounds of 'going woke' and said he would never endorse the South Dakota Republican again, as he did in 2020

'While there were some irregularities, there were none of the irregularities which would have risen to the point where they would have changed the vote outcome in a single state,' the South Dakota senator told ABC's This Week.

'The election was fair, as fair as we have seen. We simply did not win the election, as Republicans, for the presidency. And if we simply look back and tell our people don't vote because there's cheating going on, then we're going to put ourselves in a huge disadvantage.'

'Rounds is wrong on that,' Trump said. 'Totally wrong.'

In a Monday statement following Rounds' interview, Trump called him a 'jerk,' 'weak,' 'ineffective' and questioned whether he was 'crazy or just stupid.' He also claimed he had 'gone woke.'

Rounds hit back at the former president late Monday.

'I'm disappointed but not surprised by the former president's reaction. However, the facts remain the same. I stand by my statement. The former president lost the 2020 election,' Rounds said, according to Bloomberg News.
An Israeli executive caused over 100,000 of damage to a hotel room in a 90-minute siege at one of Londons top hotels during an 'acute manic episode'.

Ofer Tsofan, 52, torched cushions and towels in suite 212 at the Four Seasons Hotel on Park Lane on July 24 last year, jurors at Southwark Crown Court heard.

The jury found Tsofan not guilty by reason of insanity. The Israeli citizen was released on bail by a judge pending a further hearing tomorrow.

The court heard Mr Tsofan was seen by security staff around midday demanding to speak to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and have his family flown to the UK from Israel by private jet, as well as telling staff to f*** off.

Hotel staff called a friend of Mr Tsofan to help do a welfare check on him, but the Israeli businessman hurled abuse at his friend for two hours until police were called, jurors heard.

Police arrived around 9.45pm and tried to enter the hotel room as Mr Tsofan shouted abuse and demanding to see his lawyer.

Mr Tsofan then let the officers into the suite, but barricaded himself in a room while setting fires and throwing various objects at police, including glass bottles and a burning book.

Ofer Tsofan, 52, caused over 100,000 of damage to a Park Lane hotel room in July last year

He torched cushions and towels in suite 212 at the Four Seasons Hotel on Park Lane on July 24

The executive was only wearing a pair of black trousers and had covered parts of his body in shaving cream.

When Mr Tsofan was eventually arrested and taken to hospital, the full extent of the damage was revealed.

Mr Tsofan destroyed three antique Chinese chests, two televisions, a music system, a wooden furniture set, and multiple glass tabletops, the court heard.

Smoke from the fires set of the rooms sprinkler system, causing extensive flood damage.

Three antique Chinese chests, two televisions, a music system, a wooden furniture set, and multiple glass tabletops were destroyed in the rampage

Artwork, furniture upholstery, and three wallpaper panels also needed to be replaced because of ketchup stains, jurors heard. The total bill was 108,982.85

One officer was injured after a glass bottle smashed on a door near his face, jurors heard.

Prosecutor Christopher Jenkins said: It is not disputed that Mr Tsofan committed the acts that he is accused of.

Mr Tsofan was assisted after these incidents by three expert psychiatrists, in essence all three or less agreed Mr Tsofan could avail himself of the defence of insanity.

Mr Tsofan was in the middle of an acute manic episode.

There was effectively a 90-minute siege, with Mr Tsofan barricaded in his room and the police trying to calm him down.

Shaven-headed Tsofan appeared at Southwark Crown Court wearing a blue shirt and green puffer jacket, as a member of his family watched from the public gallery.

The court heard Tsofan purchased 50 Tesla cars as a result of his Bipolar Affective Disorder in 2020, the court heard.

He had flown to London to watch the British Grand Prix days before the hotel rampage last July.

He also told a psychiatrist during his evaluation he wanted to build a city where his family and transgender people could live peacefully, the court heard.

Tsofan denied and was cleared of arson, criminal damage to property and two assaults of emergency workers, namely police officers, due to reason of insanity.

The jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity on all charges.

He has been in custody for some six months waiting for his trial.

The judge Mr Recorder Andrew Wales, QC, released him on bail ahead of sentence tomorrow at Southwark Crown Court.
Covid case numbers across Australia are set to skyrocket on Thursday as multiple states mandate self-reporting of rapid antigen tests.

In NSW, residents must now report positive tests - or be slugged with a $1000 fine - and within just hours of the new system going live on Wednesday, nearly 60,000 told the government they tested positive to the virus.

Those who call South Australia home will soon be forced to report any positive Covid infections detected through the rapid tests, while Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have already introduced mandatory reporting for positive rapid tests.

In the ACT, a RAT reporting system is expected to be launched within days, with Western Australia bucking the trend by continuing to encourage PCR testing.

NSW Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello confirmed on 2GB radio that close to 60,000 positive Covid-19 results from rapid antigen tests were registered in the Service NSW app dating back to January 1 soon after the system went online at 9am.

Covid case numbers across Australia are set to skyrocket on Thursday as multiple states mandate self-reporting of rapid antigen tests (stock image)

In NSW, residents must now report positive Covid-19 tests - or be slugged with a $1000 fine (pictured, members of the public waiting to be tested in Sydney)

Other states such as Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have already introduced mandatory reporting for positive rapid tests (pictured, residents donning face masks in Sydney)

It followed a record 34,759 new cases and 21 deaths across the state from figures released on Wednesday morning, making the deadliest days of the pandemic to date.

Seven of these deaths were not recent, and had been included after the result of coronial inquests.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said he expected NSW residents to 'do the right thing' and upload their results.

He added there will be a 'grace period' for fines, with the hefty $1000 penalties kicking in after seven days.

'For those people that don't have a Service NSW app, you can also go to the Service NSW website, and access the form there,' Mr Dominello said.

'Alternatively, you can go and call Service NSW and they will provide assistance.'

When asked why the government took so long to create their own testing system compared to other states, Mr Dominello said it was because the NSW system was more complex.

'Most other places simply have a web form. We are connecting it to the app because once we connect it to that app, we can then connect you healthcare services as well, and that's the key feature of what we are doing here in NSW,' he said.

'We are basically stratifying those who have Covid into two categories. Those with low risk and those with high risk.'

Residents aged 16 and older must log any positive at-home tests they have taken within 24 hours via the ServiceNSW app or website, in a process Mr Perrottet said is 'seamless'.

Mr Perrottet added PCR and RATs will both have a role in achieving good testing coverage, particularly as NSW struggles with RAT supply.

'The new policy will make PCR lines and turnarounds shorter, he said.

Labor leader Chris Minns said many NSW residents were unable to find the rapid antigen tests to confirm if they have Covid (pictured on Wednesday)

Opposition Leader Chris Minns, who has called on rapid antigen tests to be free, on Wednesday said many people still can't get their hands on the testing kits.

'I think millions of families in the state at the moment would be saying, 'Forget about the fine, where's the test?'' he said.

'This is a fundamental failure of the NSW government. It's the minimum responsibility of the government of the day to be able to tell the people in NSW whether they've got the disease or not.'

In Victoria, Covid statistics were equally damning, with 40,127 new coronavirus cases and 21 deaths.

Hospitalisations also rose to to 946 patients, with 112 in ICU.
A Rhodes Scholar who won a coveted scholarship at Oxford after claiming she overcame childhood abuse and grew up in foster care has been accused of lying to officials and is in fact the daughter of a radiologist who went to private school.

Mackenzie Fierceton, 24, describes herself as a 'queer, first generation, low income' student at The University of Pennsylvania. In 2020, she was given a scholarship to go to Oxford after dazzling the Rhodes Trust with her story of how she overcame welfare, an abusive mother and the foster care system.

But after a November 2020 Philadelphia Inquirer news article about the scholarship, lauded her as a 'first-generation student' who 'has been low-income throughout her life, and grew up in foster care,' an anonymous tipster contacted the Rhodes Trust and UPenn to report her for being 'blatantly dishonest'.

They told the schools how Mackenzie - whose previous name was Mackenzie Morrison - went to the $30,000-a-year Whitfield private school in St. Louis, Missouri.

Her mother is radiologist Dr. Carrie Morrison, and her hobbies at school included horseback riding, skydiving and white water rafting.

She spent less than a year in foster care in 2014 after telling police that her mother pushed her down stairs and left her 'caked in blood'. Her mother was arrested for abuse at the time but the charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence - something she did not include in her admissions essays.

Now, she has withdrawn from the Rhodes program and UPenn is withholding her masters degree pending further investigation.

Mackenzie Fierceton, 24, describes herself as a 'queer, first generation, low income' student at The University of Pennsylvania, was given a scholarship to go to Oxford this year after dazzling the Rhodes Trust with her story of how she overcame welfare, an abusive mother and the foster care system.

According to an investigation by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the only portion of her story which appeared to be true was that she had at one time been in foster care.

In 2014, A 17-year-old Mackenzie told police that her mother pushed her down stairs and struck her at their four bedroom, $750,000 suburban home.

Dr. Morrison was arrested at the time but the case was dropped by prosecutors who said they could never prove Mackenzie's claims.

She told police that Mackenzie asked her to pull some gum out of her hair while she was standing at the top of the staircase. Dr. Morrison said she tried to, but that she 'jerked', fell down two stairs then sat down.

Mackenze's mother, Dr Carrie Morrison, a radiologist from St. Louis. In 2014, Mackenzie told police her mother pushed her down stairs and hit her. Dr. Morrison was arrested but the case was later dropped due to a lack of evidence

It's unclear exactly what happened next but she spent 22 days in hospital, then went to live in foster care for less than a year.

She continued studying at Whitfield - it's unclear who paid her tuition and graduated in 2016, shortly before her 19th birthday.

She then applied to UPenn with a dramatic admissions essay where she claimed her mother threw her down stairs, into a metal table and beat her.

In her telling of the incident, Mackenzie said she woke up the day after it, drove herself to school then collapsed in front of a teacher. She says she then woke up in the hospital, 'caked in blood.'

She referred to her 'facial features' being 'so distorted and swollen that I cannot tell them apart.', said going to the bathroom required an 'army of nurses,' and that braces stabilized 'most of her body'.

Mackenzie stayed with the foster care family, changed her name to Fierceton, then applied for college and was accepted.

In a statement to The Chronicle in light of the scholarship being revoked, Dr. Morrison said of her daughter: 'Mackenzie is deeply loved by her mom and family.

'Our greatest desire is that Mackenzie chooses to live a happy, healthy, honest, and productive life, using her extraordinary gifts for the highest good.'

She would not give any further details.

Mackenzie is shown in her senior year at the private school. She spent less than one year in foster care before going to college

Fierceton grew up in this four bedroom home in the St Louis suburb of Chesterfield. There is a basketball hoop in the driveway and the property is worth $750,000

Mackenzie attended the $30,000-a-year Whitfield school in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated in 2016

Mackenzie was known as Mackenzie Morrison at school. She changed her name before she applied to college

During her undergraduate degree at UPenn, Mackenzie traveled to South Africa. She graduated in May 2020. It's unclear who paid her tuition at UPenn

In her application to UPenn, Mackenzie identified in application as 'queer', 'low income' and a 'first generation student.'

In the Philadelphia Inquirer interview from November 2020, she described high school as 'a very challenging and isolating experience'.

'At my school, everyone kind of knew me as like the foster kid who all these bad things had happened to,' she said.

She did not mention which school she went to - or that it was private.

She maintains that she never lied and that the Rhodes Trust is attacking a 'survivor' of abuse.

In a lawsuit filed in December, she accused The University of Pennsylvania and Rhodes Trust investigators of victimizing her.

During a Zoom interview, Mackenzie told the investigators that it did happen, and that her mother had tried to kill her.

Sherry McClain, a nurse who tended to her verified some of her story, saying: 'She was physically hurt, but even more so was how in shock she was. She was just this vacant, broken, empty child.'

'It could very well be more exaggerated than it was, but the fact of the matter was it was legit, you know? I would never go to bat for somebody who I thought was making something up.'

In diary entries that were obtained by police after the alleged 2014 abuse incident, Mackenzie wrote how she didn't like her mother's boyfriend, and wanted to live elsewhere.

Fierceton, who was born Mackenzie Morrison, is shown with AOC in a photo from her Facebook page. She presented herself to university officials as a 'queer, low income, first generation' student

Mackenzie is shown advocating for a cure to epilepsy. After her story made the local news in Philadelphia, an anonymous tipster notified university officials that she had been 'blatantly dishonest' about her background

Mackenzie is shown in a Zoom presentation where she talks about being a 'marginalized identity'

THE PRESTIGIOUS, 118-YEAR-OLD RHODES SCHOLARSHIP THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO FUTURE WORLD LEADERS, JOURNALISTS AND ASTRONOMERS British mining magnate Cecil Rhodes left a sum in his will to pay for the scholarship in 1902. His goal was for young men from around the world to go to Oxford and build bonds with other English-speaking men, with the hope they'd all become world leaders The coveted Rhodes Scholarship is handed out to 32 people every year by the Rhodes Trust, a charity established in 1903 to award talented students from around the world to study in at Oxford. It was set up by British mining magnate and South African politician Cecil John Rhodes, with the intention of giving future leaders from around the world a motive to study at Oxford and build relationships with fellow English speaking leaders. Rhodes set it out in his will. He died in 1902, after serving as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony - a British colony in South Africa. It was heavily geared towards promoting young white privileged men; candidates had to be unmarried males between the ages of 19 and 25 until 1976, when women were allowed to apply. Eight world leaders have received the scholarship - President Bill Clinton, former President of Pakistan Wasim Sajjad, former Australian Prime Ministers Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Bob Hawke, along with some of the past leaders of Jamaica and Malta. Edwin Hubble received the Rhodes Scholarship in 1910. Ten years later, he used the Hooker Telescope to identify far-away galaxies Clinton won the scholarship in 1968 shortly before his graduation from Georgetown University. He was studying at Oxford when he received a draft notice for the Vietnam War. A young Bill Clinton won the scholarship in 1968 while he was studying at Georgetown Clinton was able to convince Reserve Officers' Training Corp in Arkansas to accept him the previous year, so that he could continue studying. Seven years after it was created, it was awarded to American astronomer Edwin Hubble. Ten years later, he used the Hooker Telescope to identify space galaxies for the first time. The NASA Hubble Telescope is named after him. For more than 70 years, the scholarship was reserved for unmarried men. In the 1970s, women were allowed to apply. Some famous female recipients include Obama-adviser Susan Rice, and MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. Like all major universities and colleges around the world, the scholarship and the determination process behind who receives it has become increasingly progressive in the last few years. The list of 2021 winners was, unsurprisingly, the most diverse yet. Rachel Maddow, left, and Susan Rice, a former Obama advisor, both received the scholarship Advertisement

She weighed up the 'pros and cons' of reporting her mother for abuse, and among the cons were 'could go into Foster Care,', 'no college money, car, etc', and 'no one could believe me. mom could convince everyone Im crazy.'

Her lawsuit says she never lied, that she did enter foster care and that she was considered low income when she applied to college.

She says the university has fabricated the 'anonymous tip' and is retaliating against her because she previously reported it for health and safety concerns. She claims she suffered a seizure in a basement classroom at the school and that it took too long for an ambulance to arrive.

In a lawsuit filed in December, Mackienzie said the university 'launched a sham investigation of Plaintiff, exploiting a phony and contrived administrative claims process against one of its own students  and at the time unrepresented  and accused Plaintiff of lying about the child abuse she suffered and her time in foster care, all of which is true and contemporaneously well documented in court file.'

The University of Pennsylvania said it is not retaliating against her.

'Penn and the Rhodes Trust received credible information that called into question statements Ms. Fierceton made in her applications for admission, financial assistance, and scholarships.

'The Rhodes Trust conducted its own investigation, during which it considered evidence and arguments provided by Ms. Fierceton and her attorney.

It prepared a comprehensive report which was provided to Ms. Fierceton in April 2020.

'The Trust then gave Ms. Fierceton the opportunity to withdraw her candidacy if she chose to do so.

'Ms. Fierceton accepted that offer and withdrew her candidacy.'
A Channel migrant accused of drugging, raping and strangling to death a 13-year-old girl weeks before arriving in the UK on a small boat has today been ordered to return to Austria.

Afghan-born Rasuili Zubaidullah, 23, is accused of raping and suffocating teenager Leonie Walner in Vienna in June last year, after drugging her with seven ecstasy pills.

The 13-year-old's body was found rolled up in a carpet in Wiener Neustadt - a town 35 miles away from the capital - on June 26.

Police believe Leonie was taken to Zubaidullah's flat in Vienna, along with two other men, where she was given the drugs before being raped and murdered.

After the teenager's body was found, Zubaidullah boarded a small boat of refugees and claimed asylum in Britain, allegedly under a fake name.

Austrian authorities tipped off British police that he was a suspect in Leonie's murder and he was arrested by a UK extradition unit.

But lawyers tried to argue the Zubaidullah should not be extradited to Austria, because he is a suspect and has not been formally charged.

Today a judge rejected Zubaidullah's bid and ordered his extradition to Austria within 17 days.

Zubaidullah will be allowed to appeal the ruling, but will remain in custody during any such appeal.

No formal charges have yet been filed against Zubaidullah because Austrian police are waiting to interview him about his role in the gang rape and murder.

During a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court today, District Judge Michael Snow told him: 'I am afraid I am going to reject your challenges and, as a result, you must return to Austria to stand trial in respect of these allegations.'

Leonie Walner's body was found rolled up in a carpet in the Austrian capital of Vienna last June

Austrian police believe Leonie was taken to a flat with two other people before she was killed.

It is believed Zubaidullah met Leonie in a nightlife district along the Danube Canal a day earlier and the pair took ecstasy together before going back to his apartment.

Police say they were joined by two other men, aged 18 and 23, at the apartment in Donaustadt, in Vienna's 22nd district.

Westminster Magistrates' Court today heard how police suspect the men gave the schoolgirl more drugs before she was raped and murdered.

The court heard the three men were arrested after they bragged to a friend about having 'sex with a young girl'.

But Zubaidullah fled and boarded a boat of refugees and claimed asylum in Britain.

He is believed to have provided authorities in Kent with a fake name on 18 July last year after successfully crossing the Channel.

He was living at a taxpayer-funded hostel in Whitechapel, east London, for two weeks before Austrian police tipped off British authorities.

A warrant was issued by the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office in Austria on July 29 2021 and it was certified by the National Crime Agency the next day.

He was arrested by officers from the National Extradition Unit on 29 July last year, 11 days after arriving in the UK.

It was initially believed Zubaidullah had made his way to Italy before it became clear he had reached the UK.

Today he appeared in custody from Wandsworth jail in south London for a five-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

He sat in grey prison uniform as he was told his application to stay in the UK was being refused.

He spoke only to confirm he understood proceedings, which were translated to him by a Farsi interpreter.

Jonathan Swain, prosecuting, told an earlier hearing: 'This case relates to a warrant issued by Austrian authorities on 29 July this year. This was certified by the National Crime Agency a day later.

'Zubaidullah is suspected of committing two offences on 25 and 26 June last year, which are described as a wilful collaboration with three named people.

'He coerced the alleged victim by force and got her to engage in and acquiesce to sexual intercourse by force.

'He gave her seven ecstasy pills before having vaginal intercourse with her.

'It is said the victim was grabbed and choked until she was unable to breathe and suffocated, and therefore she ultimately died.

'The second charge relates to the fact he had sex with her when she was under 14 years old.'

Rasuili Zubaidullah (whose face is blurred for legal reasons) is accused of the drugging, rape and suffocation of 13-year-old schoolgirl Leonie Walner

His lawyer Ben Keith objected to extradition under Section 12A of the Extradition Act 2003, claiming the Austrian authorities had not yet decided to charge Zubiadullah.

He said: 'The issue is whether this case is in fact going to proceed to prosecution and whether this defendant is going to be prosecuted.

'The court could request further information, or it could discharge this case.

'We say the fact Austrian authorities have tried to interview this defendant is evidence that the reason they have not progressed this far is not because the defendant is not in the country, but because he is still at the investigation stage.

'There is enough information to show no decision has been made to charge him.'

However District Judge Snow rejected the lawyer's objection and ordered Zubiadullah be extradited.



He has seven days to appeal the ruling, and if he does not, he will be sent back to Austria within 17 days. He was remanded into custody in the meantime.

Judge Snow said: 'You can appeal against my decision, you have seven days in which to do so. That period is absolute and will not be extended.

'If you do not appeal you will be surrendered within 17 days of today unless I or another judge extends that period.

'You must remain in custody pending your surrender.'

The case has raised concerns that checks on Afghan refugees coming into the country are not strict enough, especially at a time when border crossings have reached record highs.
Chinese FM recaps New Year trips to African, Asian countries

Xinhua) 10:02, January 12, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday held an interview with the news media after concluding his recent trips to Eritrea, Kenya, the Comoros, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Noting the tradition of Chinese diplomacy that Chinese foreign ministers make their first overseas visit to Africa at the start of each year, Wang said that in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he travelled to Africa as scheduled, which has demonstrated China's original commitment to promote China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

Wang said Eritrea is a traditional friend of China, and the two countries share similar views on upholding independence, maintaining political and social stability, and exploring their own development paths.

Kenya, he said, is China's comprehensive strategic and cooperative partner, and China-Kenya cooperation is playing an exemplary and leading role in the joint building of the Belt and Road between China and Africa.

China and the Comoros, though different in size and level of development, have become a model of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between countries, Wang said.

China and Africa share similar ideas and interests, and their cooperation has a solid foundation, great potential and a promising future, he added.

During his visit to Kenya, Wang said that China stands ready to propose the "Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa."

In his interview with the media on Monday, Wang said that the core of the initiative is to support countries in the region to stay out of any geopolitical competition between major countries while keeping their fate in their own hands.

Wang said China has put forward three proposals. First, the Horn of Africa should strengthen intra-regional dialogue to overcome security challenges; secondly, the Horn of Africa should accelerate regional revitalization to overcome development challenges; third, the Horn of Africa should explore effective ways to overcome governance challenges.

The "Initiative," upon being put forward, has received positive responses from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and other countries in the region, which believe that it meets the urgent needs of countries in the Horn of Africa, and that China's appointment of a special envoy for the Horn of Africa indicates that the Chinese side will play a more active and constructive role there.

On the so-called "debt trap" allegation against China, Wang said that the so-called "trap" is in fact a narrative trap created by those who wish to forever plunge Africa into a "poverty trap" and "backwardness trap."

Wang said China has conducted practical and efficient investment and financing cooperation with African countries on a voluntary, equal and scientific basis according to the needs of the African side, which has benefited, not burdened, the people of Africa.

Noting that Africa's development needs have further expanded with its social and economic development in recent years, Wang said China is ready to work with Africa to consolidate and deepen traditional cooperation such as infrastructure construction, while pushing forward cooperation in other emerging areas.

China will also work with Africa to pay more attention to improving livelihoods and make greater contributions to Africa's industrialization and modernization, he added.

As to the relationship between China and the Maldives, Wang said this year marks the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, adding that the two countries have become a model of friendly exchanges and mutual benefits between countries.

It is in the common interests of the two peoples that China and the Maldives jointly build the Maritime Silk Road, Wang added.

Wang said that the two countries should take a broader view and open up a new chapter of mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation.

On China-Sri Lanka relations, Wang said that the sound political mutual trust between China and Sri Lanka provides a strong impetus for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Wang said this year also marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, noting that Sri Lanka was the first country to respond to and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative following its announcement.

The Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port are flagship projects of the two sides, who are working closely together to build the Maritime Silk Road. Both projects have become two engines of Sri Lanka's economic development, bringing tangible benefits to the Sri Lankan people, Wang added.

On the proposal of holding a forum on the development of Indian Ocean island countries, Wang said that as the largest developing country in the world, China is ready to share development experience with Indian Ocean island countries and contribute to the common development of all countries.

Wang also said that China always gives priority to developing countries in vaccine cooperation. As long as developing countries have requests, Wang noted, China will respond and take action.

At present, the plan announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping to provide vaccines to Africa has been implemented, Wang said, noting that China will provide Kenya with an additional 10 million doses of vaccine and will continue to offer sufficient vaccines to the Comoros to help it achieve the goal of universal immunization.

The Chinese side will continue to provide vaccines and anti-pandemic supplies to South Asian countries, and cooperate with interested countries in the research and development of specific medicines, Wang added.

Chinese vaccines are now being sent to every corner of Asia, Africa and Latin America where vaccines are needed, he said, adding that China will continue to stand with other developing countries until the final victory against the pandemic is won.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Last year, the China Yutu-2 rover spotted a mysterious hut which was about 80 meters away from it. Since it was published, netizens speculated that it could be an alien base.

Of course, it is not.

China Yutu-2 Rover Spots a 'Mystery Hut'

Upon posting the said Moon image, several people were curious to know if it is a "Moon Palace," "Arc de Triomphe" and "Alien bases."

Surprisingly, the "mystery house" discovered from the far surface of the Moon by China's Yutu-2 Rover turns out to be a rock. This is not entirely surprising, but it is a fun way to wrap off the lunar mystery that captivated so many people last December.

A writer for SpaceNews and Space.com who covers the Chinese space program, Andrew Jones, informed his followes of the latest update with a tweet last week.

With regards to its position, the cube-shaped "mystery house," which turns out to be a little lumpy rock, is perched on the lip of a crater. In the rover's initial shot, it just appeared to be much larger and more mysterious. The rover was able to recognize the object's real nature after getting closer and gaining some perspective, per Cnet.

Oh, this is amazing. Close to tears. Ourspace has published an update on the "mystery hut" and it's so underwhelming it's brilliant. It's just a small rock on a crater rim that they're now calling "jade rabbit" for its appearance. Source: https://t.co/frrMKH7RWM https://t.co/GFCIRzqmDu pic.twitter.com/jpDLDS8TZu  Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) January 7, 2022

In addition to this, because of its hunched form, the rock has gained the nickname "Jade Rabbit" since it resembles a bunny bending down with a pair of carrots in front of it. Behind the rock's "rump" are several small circular fragments that resemble a rabbit's excrement.

Read Also: Mark Cuban Hates Crypto Spam, But He Can Block It: How to Mute Hashtags on Twitter

China Yutu-2 Rover

According to India Today, the Chang'e-4 mission carried the China Yutu-2 rover to the far side of the Moon's surface in 2019 to travel inside the Moon's South Pole-Aitken region.

Chang'e-4 is China's fourth moon mission and the second to deliver a rover to the lunar surface, per Space.com. Chang'e-1 and -2 were orbiters, while Chang'e-3 landed on the moon's near side with the first Yutu rover. The Chang'e-5 T1 test mission around the moon and the Chang'e-5 lunar sample return mission have both been launched by China.

On the other hand, Business Insider added that in three years since China Yutu-2 was launched, it has driven over 1,000 meters or 0.6 miles.

During its mission, the rover used ground-penetrating radar to reveal the surface of lunar soil, and recognized rocks from the lunar mantle beneath the crust that was pushed to the surface billions of years ago when an asteroid collided with the moon.

Moreover, the rover is investigating an area that has never been exposed to the Sun's light, and scientists believe it may contain knowledge about the early solar system and Earth.

The rover is equipped with two-color cameras, as well as a Lunar Penetrating Radar that can see beneath up to 100 meters and is used to analyze the regolith.

According to the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA), the China Yutu-2 rover is currently dormant again, and when it awakens, it will go further closer to the rabbit and begin investigating the massive impact crater behind it.

Related Article: New NASA Space Telescope Could End Cosmic Dark Age; Simulated Photo Shows Power to Capture Millions of Galaxies!
Danny Cipriani's wife has described the couple's anger after being wrongly linked with the rape arrest of an England rugby union player.

Victoria, 41, a mental health campaigner who wed the Bath fly half, 34, last year, told of her 'great alarm and distress' at being approached about the incident this morning.

Posting on social media, she suggested journalists had made a 'wild guess' because she was the same age as the woman who was arrested alongside the unidentified rugby player.

She added: 'This is completely unwarranted and wholly unacceptable.

'Neither Danny nor myself have been arrested, nor do we have anything to do with the reported case, whatsoever. We do not know anything about it.'

Victoria, 41, a mental health campaigner who wed the Bath fly half, 34, last year, told of her 'great alarm and distress' at being approached about the incident this morning

She suggested journalists had wrongly drawn a link because she was the same age as the woman who was arrested alongside the unidentified rugby player

The arrested player, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taken into custody on Sunday following the report of an attack at a nightclub the day before.

A 41-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of administering a substance with intent to cause a sexual offence.

The arrests came after a woman in her late teens was allegedly sexually assaulted.

Both have been released on bail while detectives continue their investigations.

A police spokesman said: 'Officers were called shortly before 11am on Sunday January 9 to a report of a sexual assault on a female.

'A woman in her late teens was reported to have been sexually assaulted.

'A man was arrested on suspicion of rape and a woman was arrested on suspicion of administering a substance with intent to cause a sexual offence.

'Both have since been released on bail as enquiries continue and a number of lines of enquiry are being followed up by detectives.'

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
An 18-year-old boy has died at a top boarding school in Worcestershire.

Emergency services were called to Malvern College at around 10.20am on January 9 following a report of a concern for safety.

Upon arrival, the teenage boy was found dead at the scene, West Mercia Police said.

Today, the 39,000-a-year independent school, which counts CS Lewis, Sir Chris Whitty and Jeremy Paxman among its alumni, confirmed the death of one of its pupils and said it was the 'most heartbreaking news imaginable'.

A spokesperson for Malvern College said: 'We can sadly confirm the death of one of our pupils at Malvern College over the weekend.

Police were called to Malvern College at around 10.20am on January 10 following a report of a concern for safety

'First and foremost, our thoughts and deepest condolences go to the pupil's family.

'This is the most heartbreaking news imaginable and we have put in place additional, professional support for our whole community at this incredibly difficult time.

'Relevant authorities are involved in the matter and we are unable to comment further at this time.'

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: 'Officers were called to Woodshears Road in Malvern at around 10.20am on Sunday January 9 following a report of a concern for safety.

'Upon arrival, sadly an 18-year-old man was found dead.

'The death is not being treated as suspicious.'

Headteacher of Malvern College Keith Metcalfe (pictured) joined the school in 2019

The independent school, which counts Sir Chris Whitty and Jeremy Paxman among its alumni, confirmed the death of one of its pupils today

Malvern College initially opened with just two dozen boys and half a dozen teachers when it was founded in 1865.

At the onset of the Second World War, the college was temporarily moved to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

When staff returned to the original site in Worcester they were again evacuated to make way for the government's Telecommunications and Research Establishment and housed with Harrow School, in London.

In 1992, the college became a co-educational school when Malvern College, Ellerslie Girls' School and Hillstone Preparatory School were brought together.
Western Australian is in a state of alert after a man with Covid-19 allegedly breached quarantine on Wednesday and then hailed a taxi.

The Department of Health said though the risk to the broader public in the state that has become known as Fortress WA was not high, the man should not have left the city hotel room where he was supposed to be self-isolating.

The man took a ride share service to attend the Royal Perth Hospital Covid testing clinic before he was tracked down.

A young woman (pictured) wears a face mask in Perth, Western Australia. There is a new alert in the state after a man allegedly breached Covid quarantine

He was then taken back to a state-run quarantine hotel in a specialised isolation ambulance.

The authorities are trying to track down the ride share driver who was exposed to the virus.

Tests on Wednesday afternoon confirmed the man he drove is still Covid positive.

Contact tracers are working to identify any other exposure sites, as well as still trying to contain the alert from a woman with a mystery source of infection recorded earlier on Wednesday.

As of Wednesday, the state has banned residents of all other states and territories from travelling there, even to visit dying family members.

State Premier Mark McGowan raised the Northern Territory to 'extreme risk', the highest level of Covid warning that bans all arrivals even for compassionate reasons.

The NT was the only state or territory not yet set to extreme, being only 'high risk', meaning the entire country is now banned except for very few exceptions.

WA Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) has now slammed the border closed to all other Australian states and territories

An increase in cases in the NT prompted a tightening of border restrictions after the territory recorded 594 infections on Monday.

The new rules will come into effect at 12.01am local time on Thursday, with only government officials, defence force personnel and diplomats allowed to travel into the state.

An exemption for travel could be granted under 'specialist or extraordinary circumstances' if approved by the state's police commissioner or chief health officer.

Travellers with an exemption must be vaccinated and complete 14 days of quarantine in a state-run facility at their own expense.

A man allegedly breached Covid-19 quarantine in Perth and hailed a ride share to Royal Perth Hospital (pictured)

An additional two days of quarantine will be required at a 'suitable premises' with Covid testing conducted within 24 hours of arrival and on days five and 13 of isolation.

The NT reported 352 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday bringing the number of active cases in the territory to 3,000.

Mr McGowan said a growing number of interstate travellers were in hotel quarantine alongside overseas arrivals.

'We know the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly around much of the country and unfortunately the Northern Territory is now too seeing an accelerating caseload in the community,' he said.

'Our controlled border remains a vital tool to protect Western Australia as we work to push our vaccination rates as high as possible towards February 5, including third doses and vaccinations for five to 11-year-olds.'
West Virginia's governor said he feels 'extremely unwell' after testing positive for COVID-19, forcing the Republican to cancel his State of the State address scheduled for Wednesday.

Jim Justice, 70, who is vaccinated and had a booster shot, tested positive for the virus Tuesday after developing a cough and congestion. He took a rapid antigen test that came back negative, but the more thorough PCR test came back positive.

'While I was surprised that my test results came back positive, I'm thankful to the Lord above that I've been vaccinated, I've been boosted, and that I have an incredible support system, especially my loving family,' the governor said in a statement on Tuesday.

'That being said, I feel extremely unwell at this point, and I have no choice but to postpone my State of the State address to the Legislature.'

The state has seen cases spike as the more mild Omicron variant spreads through the country. On January 3, West Virginia recorded almost 10,000 new cases but the number of those infected dropped to around 2,500 on January 11. The seven-day average is currently 3,045.

Justice, who is self-isolating at home, said his blood pressure has shot up and has a headache and fever.

Governor Jim Justice, 70, tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday after developing a cough and congestion in the morning. The governor, who is vaccinated and boosted, said he is feeling 'extremely unwell'

Justice revealed his positive test on Twitter, along with a press release statement

Justice is receiving monoclonal antibody treatment to hopefully help 'lessen these symptoms.'

The treatment is used for typically high-risk patients by giving them antibodies to lessen symptoms or the amount of the potential virus inside the body. Patients do not have to have a positive test result to get the treatment.

All those in close contact with the governor have been notified - including his wife, who has tested negative.

The positive test forced the two-term governor to delay his annual address to the residents of the Mountaineer State. He will submit a speech to the Legislature and give the speech at a later date when he is feeling better.

'For this to happen just one night before the State of the State  knowing I won't be able to be there  saddens me. There are so many great things happening in West Virginia right now,' he said in a statement.

The governor has been a huge proponent of the vaccine throughout the pandemic, but West Virginia has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation, with only 55 percent fully vaccinated.

'We need to keep pulling the rope together. We're going to get through this and put an end to this terrible pandemic once and for all,' he said.

He also asked West Virginians to 'continue praying for the 5.452' lives lost in the state due to the virus.

The governor has taken a more direct approach toward vaccination, often saying those who are unvaccinated are 'part of the problem.'

In July, he said: 'If you're out there in West Virginia, and you're not vaccinated today, what's the downside?

'If all of us were vaccinated, do you not believe that less people would die? If you're not vaccinated, you're part of the problem rather than part of the solution.'

He is even advocating for a fourth shot for the state's at-risk population.

West Virginia saw a peak in cases on January 3, before seeing a decline. The state is now still an incline again as Omicron continues to surge

West Virginia is among the states with a low vaccination rate, with only 55 per cent of its population fully vaccinated

Justice sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting him to get CDC and FDA authorization for West Virginia for the additional dose, a press release said on January 6.

West Virginia is the first state in the nation to make this request.

Justice cited Israel's move to offer fourth doses to its citizens and said that West Virginia wants to 'walk hand-in-hand with Israel.'

'Just like West Virginia has led the nation time and again throughout this pandemic, Israel has led the world. And, right now, Israel is offering a fourth dose to an even bigger population  people who are four months out from their Pfizer or Moderna booster shot,' he said at a January 6 conference.

'What we want to do is walk hand-in-hand with Israel.'

The governor proposed the second booster for those over 50 or for essential workers.
The FBI is cracking down on 'crime tourists' from South America who have exploited Virginia's low bail laws to steal more than $2million in a string of burglaries targeting high-end homes of Asian and Middle Eastern families before skipping bail and fleeing back home or to target homes in other states.

The network of thieves are also connected to a series of burglaries at homes across the Carolinas, Georgia and Texas.

Detectives said Asian and Middle Eastern homeowners were targeted because the thieves believe that people of those cultures keep a lot of high value jewelry at home and have cash-oriented businesses.

Dan Heath, a supervisory special agent with the FBI's criminal investigations division, said 'South American theft groups,' are a growing plague throughout the United States - and in countries including India, Britain and Australia, where they often employ similar tactics.

The FBI is cracking down on 'crime tourists' from South America who have exploited Virginia's low bail laws to steal more than $2million in a string of burglaries targeting high-end homes of Asian and Middle Eastern families before skipping bail and fleeing back home or to target homes in other states. Pictured is one of the affluent Virginia neighborhoods, near DC, which was targeted by the thieves

'They represent an enormous threat right now in our country,' Heath said. 'They are tending to thread the needle in avoiding both state and federal prosecution.'

Law enforcement experts say the foreign cells of professional burglars - mostly from Columbia and Chile - enter the country illegally or exploit a visa waiver program intended to spur tourism from dozens of trusted countries.

After entering the country, they reportedly carry out strings of break-ins and other crimes, bringing home up to hundreds of millions of dollars in stolen goods, the agency estimates.

The visiting criminals are emboldened by their discovery a 'sweet spot' in the American criminal system because their offenses don't meet the requirements for federal investigation, and are often overlooked because the country is focusing on a frightening rise in homicides.

Multiple homes in Virginia's well-to-do Vienna neighborhood, pictured, were targeted by the brazen band of thieves, FBI officials say

Residences in the neighboring neighborhood of Great Falls were also targeted, feds say

What's more, no cash or low bail law allow the repeat offenders endless opportunities to continue to the brazen heists, even after being caught.

The FBI say the investigation began after a string of break-ins in homes in Fairfax County, near Washington DC. But they were unable to make any arrests.

The agency didn't get its first real break in the case until two of the suspected criminals tied to the ring were discovered after their car broke down in a suburb in Atlanta, Georgia in 2019.

The network of thieves also went onto burgle homes across the Carolinas, Georgia and Texas

Upon pulling over, a sheriff's deputy questioned the two men, who were Puerto Rican. The two told the officer that they were heading back from one of the mens girlfriends houses.

However, twigs stuck in one of the mens clothing made the officer suspicious of their story, putting the pair on the local police's radar.

The men, who were not arrested at the time, were later caught in a break-in attempt in the area, and were handed over to federal investigators who eventually linked them to the suspected syndicate.

FLAWS OF WASHINGTON DC'S NO-CASH BAIL SYSTEM Washington, DC, did away with cash bail nearly three decades ago, in 1992. According to US government statistics, nearly 88% of defendants arrested in the nation's capital are released non-financially. In the rare cases where judges set financial bond - which accounts for 4 percent of cases in the district - it is almost always cash bond. Over the past five years, 12 percent of released defendants on average have failed to make scheduled court appearances after being freed on bail. Another 12 percent, meanwhile, find themselves again arrested while freed and awaiting trial. Approximately 1 percent of released defendants were arrested for a violent crime while out in the community. Fifteen percent of released defendants ended up with their release revoked due to a violation of the bail or were ordered under increased supervision. A further 12 to 15% of defendants on average are detained by statute throughout case adjudication. Advertisement

The break in the case soon led investigators to a number of other burglars who used underhanded tactics like using jammers to block key fobs to break into cars, or cutting security systems and letting the batteries drain on back ups before looting stores.

In Southern California, the thieves cut a hole in the roof of a jewelry shop whose security they bypassed using the aforementioned method, and used their own generator to hack open a 5,000 pound safe. The suspects made off with $1.2 million in gems, The Washington Post reported.

Feds then filed search warrants with search giant Google to obtain lists of registered mobile devices that had been active near where break-ins took place.

Through cross referencing the numbers, agents were able to identify the same phone numbers and subsequently track the culprits. In one instance in March, officials used GPS devices placed secretly on suspected vehicles to follow thieves' movements to a motel in Alexandria.

Feds then arrested four thought to be involved with the syndicate: Mario Valencia Asprilla, Jhonny Valencia-Valencia, Diego Montano Chasoy and Freddy Hernandez Angulo. All four are Colombian and thought to be behind the Fairfax robberies, police said.

A fifth member of the group, Josue Rodriguez Rolon, was also arrested in June. It remains unclear how any of the suspects came to enter the country.

With that said, Rolon has since been freed on bond, and is now considered a fugitive, court documents reveal. Montano Chasoy, meanwhile, was deported, but the other three remain in custody.

All three are scheduled to stand trial this year in Fairfax court on multiple burglary charges and other counts.
The CEO of America's largest bank has threatened to dismiss about 450 of its New York City-based employees who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

JPMorgan chairman and chief executive Jamie Dimon said this week that employees working at the company's Manhattan headquarters cannot come to the office if they have not received their jabs, adding those who remain unvaccinated will not have the option to work remotely indefinitely.

'To go to the office you have to be vaxxed and if you aren't going to get vaxxed you won't be able to work in that office,' Dimon, who has advocated for in-person work throughout the pandemic, said Monday on CNBC's The Exchange.

'And we're not going to pay you not to work in the office.'

The company has approximately 15,000 employees in NYC and about 97 percent of Manhattan office staff have received their jabs, according to Dimon - leaving approximately 450 unvaccinated.

JPMorgan Chase is one of several companies, including banking giant Citigroup and Facebook parent company Meta, that mandated vaccinations to work in the office. Citigroup has taken it a step further with their 'no jab, no job' policy.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon announced Monday that unvaccinated staff at the company's New York City headquarters 'won't be able to work in that office and we're not going to pay you not to work in the office'

The banking behemoth opened its Manhattan offices only to vaccinated employees in December, per the city's mandate requirements passed by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio before leaving office.

A company spokesperson told DailyMail.com Wednesday that JPMorgan has not issued a broad policy change stating workers must be vaccinated to maintain employment.

The spokesperson noted that Dimon's comments reflect something that could 'potentially happen.'

JPMorgan does, however, encourage employees to get vaccinated and boosted, the spokesperson said, and has its NYC offices open to those who have their jabs and want to come in.

In other offices nationwide, they are administering COVID tests twice weekly to unvaccinated individuals.

The banking giant does 'expect everyone to return to their in-office schedule no later than February 1,' per a company memo. But, the spokesperson said the organization is being flexible with employees during this transition.

The push for vaccination comes as the United States, and New York, report a surge in infections largely due to the Omicron variant. Experts predict the variant will reach its peak in the coming weeks and then decline.

Dimon, who just last month instructed unvaccinated staff in New York City to work from home in compliance with the city's workplace vaccination requirement, continues to urge staff to get their shots.

The CEO has routinely argued against remote work, saying it isn't effective long-term, and believes employees benefit from the in-person environment.

'We believe that going to work is a good thing  that people deal with each other for innovation and creativity and just humanity, is a good thing,' he said.

He has also previously said the 'accelerated trend' of working from home 'does not work for younger people,' CBS News reported. Dimon argued that the 'spontaneous idea generation' and 'those who want to hustle' benefit from the daily mentorship of senior colleagues.

Although he plans to end the work from home culture, Dimon did say he plans to offer flexibility to his employees.

'To go back to work, of course, you have more hybrid and more flexibility as long as it works for the clients,' he told CNBC.

'Let's get back and we'll find ways to get to flexibility that makes sense and the tools that do that and so, I'm quite comfortable  life, airflows look a lot like life did before.'

The CEO has routinely argued against remote work, saying it isn't effective long-term, and believes employees benefit from the in-person environment (Pictured: JPMorgan headquarters in New York City, April 2019)

Although he plans to end the work from home culture, Dimon (pictured in June 2021) did say he plans to offer flexibility to his employees. He also noted the company does not have a blanket vaccine policy as laws vary in different states and countries

He also noted the company, which has over 265,000 employees worldwide, does not have a blanket vaccine policy as laws vary in different states and countries.

'We're not trying to be consistent because as you pointed out, there are different laws and different requirements and cities and states and schools and so here we're adjusting locally,' Dimon told CNBC.

'It doesn't have to be the same everywhere. So, as buildings get to 95 percent and 97 percent vaxxed in certain states, they may end up with a different policy than a different state. And that's fine, too. We're not looking for nirvana here  you're not going to find it.'

Dimon's push for in-person work should not come as a surprise to employees as he has long been an opponent to work from home.

In fact, when JP Morgan issued a memo in December instructing unvaccinated workers to stay home, the company pushed for employees to get their shots.

'We continue to agree with health authorities that being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe - especially as we face the winter months and a new variant - so please consider getting vaccinated if you aren't already, and getting your booster if you are,' the memo said.

'We are taking this step because we have very high rates of vaccination amongst our employees. With rates well above 90 percent, it seems unfair to require our vaccinated employees to wear masks all day at their desks, and would be a step that would slow the progress weve already made towards business normalcy.'

JPMorgan Chase is currently trading at $168.83 per share

Dimon's remarks about termination follow big announcements surrounding vaccine mandates from Citigroup, the fourth-largest bank in the US, and Facebook.

On Monday, Citigroup demanded that employees get their vaccines by the end of this week or they would be at risk of losing their jobs. Exemptions would be available to employees with qualifying medical conditions or religious beliefs.

A source familiar with Citigroup's vaccine policy told CBS: 'Complying with the requirement means either submitting proof of vaccination by the January 14 deadline or receiving an approved medical or religious accommodation or state-permitted exemption.'

The official also said the January 14 deadline does not apply to staff at bank branches. Policies may vary by location.

On the contrary, America's second largest bank, Bank of America, does not have a vaccine mandate, a spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com Wednesday.

However, the company 'strongly encourages employees to get fully vaccinated, including booster'.

Bank of America announced last week it would donate $100 for every US employee who either enters their booster information or gets boosted by the end of January to help fight hunger across the US. Additionally, the company will be hosting several onsite booster clinics for employees in several markets across the country beginning this month.

Wells Fargo, another banking giant, took a similar approach telling DailyMail.com: 'We strongly encourage employees to consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine, but we are not currently requiring it, except where legally required. All employees must either document that they are fully vaccinated or test regularly.'

Like Citigroup, Facebook has joined the growing list of companies to tell its employees to stay home - through at least the end of March - and will require its workers to get a booster shot before returning to the office.

Meta, the parent company of the social media giant, announced Tuesday it is delaying its return to US offices until March 28 and became one of the first American company's to demand proof of a booster shot from on-site workers as the Omicron variant courses through the nation.

JPMorgan Chase is one of several companies, including banking giant Citigroup and Facebook parent company Meta, that has implemented an office vaccination mandate. Citigroup - like JPMorgan - has taken it a step further with their 'no jab, no job' policy

Facebook has told employees not to return to their offices until March 28 and they must have a booster shot when they do come back

Skyrocketing COVID cases led to Meta's decision to keep its workers at home for another two months.

'We're focused on making sure our employees continue to have choices about where they work given the current COVID-19 landscape,' Meta's Vice President of Human Resources Janelle Gale told CNN Business in a statement. She said the booster mandate will give employees 'more time to choose what works best for them.'

'We understand that the continued uncertainty makes this a difficult time to make decisions about where to work.'

Meta employees have until March 14 to decide to work in the office, work full-time remotely or temporarily from home for another 3-to-5 months.

The move comes as most of corporate America and Wall Street have asked employees not to come to the office this month, with COVID-19 cases in the United States repeatedly break new daily records.

Health officials claim the vaccines have helped prevent hospitalizations and deaths - which were only up ten percent over the past two weeks - but infections continue to surge with the Omicron variant.

In New York City alone, health department officials are reporting a seven-day average of 40,116 cases, with 28,632 new infections reported Tuesday.

Statewide, New York has seen a seven-day average of 73,546 cases.

COVID cases in the US have surged in recent weeks, up by 185% over the past two weeks. Some experts believe the rapid surge in cases will lead to the variant running out of steam soon and reaching its peak before receding

The US is currently averaging 750,515 new cases every day, the second highest daily average recorded in the pandemic so far - only trailing the figure recorded Tuesday of 767,200

While cases in the US have quickly grown, deaths have not followed. Around 1,700 Americans are dying from COVID every day, only a 10% jump over the past two weeks, and nowhere near records set last winter

In New York, health officials are reporting a seven-day average of 73,546 cases

Statewide, about 72% of eligible New Yorkers have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. The state has administered 35,278,097 doses and 14,126,890 people are fully vaccinated

The US is currently averaging 750,515 new cases every day, the second highest daily average recorded in the pandemic so far - only trailing the figure recorded Tuesday of 767,200.

While it is a long way from the 264,546 cases being average two weeks ago at the end of January, case growth is already starting to slow day to day.

For now, though, the surge continues across the US. Cases are up 185 percent over the past two weeks. Hospitalizations are reaching record levels as well, with 140,641 people in the hospital with COVID every day.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease and the country's top infectious disease expert, said Tuesday the variant will eventually infect almost everyone in America.

'Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody,' Fauci said

'Those who have been vaccinated ... and boosted would get exposed. Some, maybe a lot of them, will get infected but will very likely, with some exceptions, do reasonably well in the sense of not having hospitalization and death.'

Fauci, along with many other health officials are still recommending for all Americans to get vaccinated and boosted if they have not already. While around 1,700 Americans are still dying from the virus every day, almost all deaths are among unvaccinated people, and the shots are highly effective at mitigating any complications even after infection.
Red-haired children need more protection from gingerism and prejudice, a human rights charity has claimed.

Bullying people for their barnet was not 'harmless banter' and leads to abuse and suicide, Equalities and Human Rights UK said.

They said the discrimination has been present for thousands of years across the world but was 'particularly acute' in Britain.

It comes after a teaching assistant was fired for bullying including one case where he joked about a child's hair colour.

Red-haired children need more protection from gingerism and prejudice, a human rights charity has claimed. Pictured: Actress Karen Gillan

Bullying people for their barnet was not 'harmless banter' and leads to abuse and suicide, Equalities and Human Rights UK said. Pictured: Harry Potter star Rupert Grint

They said the discrimination has been present for thousands of years across the world but was 'particularly acute' in Britain. Pictured: Ed Sheeran

Another famous redhead, Julianne Moore, is pictured in New York City in November

CEO of Equalities and Human Rights UK Chrissy Meleady slammed the idea of it being a 'laugh to belittle, demean and abuse' red-haired children.

She claimed it can be 'very harmful stripping these children of their positive self-identity and confidence' and could lead to 'trying to die by suicide'.

She told the Sheffield Star: 'Bullying red-haired people is one of the last socially accepted forms of prejudice against people for a trait they were born with, researchers say.

'It's not 'harmless banter' researchers say, due to the consequences and adverse impact of the bullying.

'Whilst it might be seen as a laugh to belittle, demean and abuse these children for being red haired or their phenotyical characteristic, it can be very harmful stripping these children of their positive self-identity and confidence and worse it can lead to school refusal, health problems, self-injurious behaviour and even children wanting and trying to die by suicide.'

CEO of Equalities and Human Rights UK Chrissy Meleady (pictured) slammed the idea of it being a 'laugh to belittle, demean and abuse' red-haired children

Ms Meleady told how a family physically abused their baby for its her ginger hair because they thought it was the 'mark of the devil'.

She said another was thrown down the stairs and was hit with a brick by other girls during bullying.

She added: 'There needs to be more done to protect red haired children, not just from gingerism or anti-red haired prejudice and abuse from other children, but from school and other settings members who model the bullying and abuses to red haired children.'

Last week a teaching assistant from St Wilfrid's Primary School in Sheffield was dismissed from his job after 13 years over bullying complaints.

The man, who has not been named, allegedly 'humiliated' a young vulnerable boy when he gave him a girl's name in the classroom.

He was also accused of searching the internet for 'Gingerphobia' during a lesson on Vikings, which saw a red-haired child teased by his friends.

Despite Ms Meleady's claims, a study in October found redheads were enjoying more romantic encounters.

An October survey found redheads are enjoying more romantic encounters  perhaps because they are in greater demand. The study's authors noted that women with red hair  up to nine per cent of European females  'tend to be the subject of various stereotypes about their sexually liberated behaviour' (file photo)

The study's authors noted women with red hair  up to nine per cent of European females  'tend to be the subject of various stereotypes about their sexually liberated behaviour'.

And in Britain, the report said, has more redheads than any other European country.

The Czech researchers wanted to find a connection between red hair and sexual behaviour, collecting data from 110 women (34 per cent red-headed) and 93 men (22 per cent).

The academics from Charles University, Prague, found redheaded women  but not men  reported greater sexual desire and activity over the past year.

Redheads had more sexual partners, 'higher sexual submissiveness' and started sex at a younger age.

The academics said: 'The apparently more liberated sexual behaviour in redheaded women could be the consequence of frequent attempts of potential mates to have sex with redheaded women.'

Katerina Sykorova, who compiled the report, said: 'The intensity of their sexual activity was relatively higher than the intensity of their sexual desire.

'This suggests that it is not the redheaded women's own initiative but higher demand for them which might be responsible for their higher sexual activity and higher number of sexual partners.'

The study said redheadedness was determined by 'the quantity, ratio, and distribution of the two main types of the pigment melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin'.
The attorneys for one of the men charged in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer asked a judge to permit evidence that would show the FBI was aware their rogue 'double agent' was the true mastermind behind the bizarre scheme.

Attorneys for Adam Fox, 40, the alleged ringleader, claim the feds knew that their informant Stephen Robeson was the one pushing the plot and was fired by the agency for disobeyed FBI rules and undermined their investigation, according to new court documents filed Tuesday.

Fox, Barry Croft, 44, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, 23, and Brandon Caserta were arrested on October 8, 2020 after allegedly coming up with the plot because they were upset with Whitmer's COVID-19 restrictions. All five men are currently in custody.

FBI informant Stephen Robeson was fired by the agency for disobeying FBI rules and undermining their investigation

Adam Fox is accused of being the mastermind behind plot to kidnap Michigan Gov Meghan Whitmer because of her COVID-19 restrictions

In addition to Fox, the feds charged (clockwise from top left) Kaleb Franks, Brandon Caserta, Barry Croft and Daniel Harris (right) in plot to kidnap the Michigan governor

According to a federal complaint, five men planned to snatch Whitmer from her vacation home and take her to an undisclosed location

According to a federal complaint, they planned to snatch Whitmer from her vacation home and take her to an undisclosed location.

The defendants claim there was never actually a conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home and that the only ones doing the planning were the FBI and their informant.

Fox's lawyers claim FBI special agents overheard an August 2020 phone call in which another informant, identified as 'Dan', openly discusses Robeson offering the existence of a non-profit charity to provide funding for weapons for the five defendants.

The FBI knew and misrepresented its knowledge of their 'double agent' Robeson 'offering use of 501(c) charity funds to purchase weapons for attacks,' Fox attorney Christopher Gibbons wrote in the filing.

'While the Government attempts to minimize his involvement and its knowledge of the same, the FBI maintained an intimate knowledge and control of (Robeson) and his activities,' Gibbons wrote.

Robeson was charged in Wisconsin in December for defrauding a couple out of an SUV by telling them it was going to a charity he controlled

Fox and the other defendants associated with the far-right Wolverine Watchmen militia group are asking the judge to dismiss all charges.

The men claim that they were entrapped by Robeson and 'Dan,' who recruited potential suspects and helped organize the surveillance of Whitmer's vacation home. The identity of Dan has not been revealed.

There were 12 confidential informants involved in the investigation, who the lawyers say recruited, agitated and funded the movement.

Prosecutors said they will not call on three FBI agents in the case and argued against allowing statements the agents made during the investigation to be allowed as evidence in the trial, which is set to begin March 8.

Prosecutors also said that statements by Robeson, who has been charged with multiple felonies and was fired as an informant in October 2020, should also not be included as evidence because he actively worked against the government while an informant.

Prosecutors called Robeson a 'noncompliant informant,' in a filing last Thursday, who committed a number of 'unauthorized acts,' including offering charity funds, obtaining weapons for the group, and offering to use a drone 'to aid in acts of terrorism.'

The militia training ground in rural Michigan where at least some of the men charged with plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer practiced shooting and blew up homemade explosives

The site is mostly barren aside from a small trailer. It's unclear if anyone lives in it or if was just used by the training camp

Prosecutors said he also failed to inform his FBI handlers about certain events, attempted to destroy evidence, and warned at least one of the defendants he was approached by the government.

Robeson made $19,328.79 for his work as an informant and helped organize at least four events that were said to be critical in the alleged kidnapping plot - paying for pizza, 'moonshine,' and hotel rooms, according to the court documents.

Robeson was indicted last March in federal court on the gun charge and agreed to a plea deal in September.

In December, Robeson was charged in Wisconsin for allegedly defrauding a couple out of an SUV by telling them it was going to a charity he controlled, which allegedly took place in August 2020, the same month two special agents overheard 'Dan's' conversation about Robeson's use of a charity to acquire weapons.

But Fox's attorneys said the government can't have it both ways and asked that evidence on Robeson be allowed at trial.

'The Government consistently relied on a specific cadre of agents and confidential informants from as early as October 2019 to October of 2020 in establishing its case against these defendants,' Gibbons wrote. 'The Government now seeks to distance itself from the very same group agents and informants, and their inconvenient actions and statements during the upcoming jury trial.'
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All 17 victims of a horrific fire that tore through a Bronx apartment block have been named - as it was revealed four survivors including a baby remain on ventilators, and that multiple space heaters were to blame for the blaze.

The death toll, originally reported as 19, was revised downwards to 17 on Monday. All fatal victims died from smoke inhalation, a spokesperson for the city's medical examiner said.

Every member of a family of five were killed in the blaze. Haji Dukary, 49, his wife Haja Dukureh, 37, and children Mustafa Dukureh, 12, Mariam Dukureh, 11, and Fatoumata Dukureh, 5, perished in the tragedy.

Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, was killed in the fire along with her three children; daughters Fatoumala, 21, and Aisha, 19, and son Mohammed, 12.

The deaths of Hagi Jawara, 41, and wife Isatou Jabbie, 31, were confirmed Monday.

Forty-three year old Fatoumata Tunkara and her son Omar Jambang, 6, were also killed.

Twenty-seven-year-old Lehman College student Sera Janneh, 5-year-old Hawa Mahamadou, 12-year-old Seydou Toure and two year-old Ousmane Konteh were the sole members of their individual families to die on Sunday.

Meanwhile, cab driver Mohamed Kamra, 58, revealed her wife Fotoumatia Fofana, 30 and children Mariam, 8, Jabu, 6, Abubakary, 3, and ten-month-old Ceesay are connected to ventilators unable to breath on their own, because of smoke inhalation.

The death toll may rise in the upcoming days, officials have warned, if any of those seriously injured by the blaze succumb to their injuries. More than 70 victims are still hospitalized, 35 with life-threatening injuries.

Despite raised concerns by surviving residents that the heating in the complex was far from ideal, investigators have said heating was not an issue in the building.

Parents Haja Dukureh, 37, and Haji Dukuray, 49 and their children were killed in the fire

Mariam Dukureh, 11, Mustapha Dukyhreh, 12 and Mariam Dukureh, 5, also died in the fire

Fatoumata Drammeh (pictured), 50, was killed in the fire, her sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, who said that she and her family were 'such lovely people'. Her daughter Fatoumata, 21, pictured on the right, also died

Fatoumata's 12-year-old son Muhammad was the youngest member of the family to lose his life in the Bronx apartment building fire. Her daughter Aisha, 19, (pictured right) also died

The uncle of the Haja Dukureh, who bears the same name as her late husband, Haji Dukary, said his family was debating between burying the five members in New York or sending them to The Gambia.

Fifty-year-old Ishak, who was working in Ohio at the time of the fire, is the sole survivor of the Drammeh family.

Ishak said he was 'between sky and heaven,' after the loss of his wife of 28 years, hospital worker daughter Nyumaaisha, University of Buffalo student daughter Fatoumala and son Muhammed, who had turned twelve just a day before the fire.

'One day they are just gone and you will never see them again,' the grieving father told the New York Post. 'My children were lovely.'

The remains of Fatoumata Tunkara and her six-year-old son Omar will be send to The Gambia. They are survived by Tunkara's four other children, aged 9 to 19. A GoFundMe was created to help the surviving children.

Yusupha Jawara, whose brother Hagi and sister-in-law Isatou Jabbie died on Sunday, saw his dead brother in a gurney while he helped transport victims to the hospital after the fire.

'I was just helping the EMS transport one person to the hospital when I saw him - somebody similar like him - on a stretcher being brought to the ER,' Jawara said Tuesday as his family began making funeral plans for their loved ones. 'At that time, I didn't have the focus to know that it was him.'

Isatou Jabbie, 31, and husband Hagi Jawara, 41, were confirmed dead Monday after the Bronx apartment building fire by Jawara's brother Yusupha

Toure Seydou, 12, (left) and Mustafa Dukureh, 12, (right) died in the fire

Forty-three year old Fatoumata Tunkara(left) and her son Omar Jambang, 6, (not pictured) were killed, as well as Sarah Janneh, 27 (right)

The youngest victims, Omar Jambang, 6, Haouwa Mahamadou, 5, and Ousmane Konteh, 2, have not been pictured.

Hagi and Isatou leave behind four children, ages six to 15, who are visiting relatives in The Gambia and still don't know their parents perished.

Tijan Janneh, 64, told DailyMail.com on Tuesday about the terrifying moment he ventured outside the 6C apartment of the Twin Park North West complex and lost sight of his daughter Sera Janneh.

'She was a nice woman. She was very caring, helping - she listened to us,' the distraught father-of-seven said of his daughter.

Tijan said he and his family left the apartment thinking they would have a better chance to escape the flames.

'We had no idea. When we opened the door, we saw everybody on the floor. So everyone was trying to get [out], so we also decided to get [out].'

On Tuesday, people gathered outside the Twins Parks North West complex to honor the life of those lost, their surviving loved ones and and those holding onto their lives in hospitals.

'Tonight is a night that we feel. We feel the broken hearted, those whose spirits have been crushed as a result of this fire,' New York Attorney General Letitia James said.

Fotoumatia Fofana (left) and her child, ten-month-old Ceesar, right, are connected to ventilators unable to breath on their own, because of smoke inhalation, her husband said

Fatoumatia's other children, Mariam, 8, Jabu, 6, Abubakary, 3, are also connected to ventilators

Mohamed Kamra, who lives in the 15th floor with his family, told the New York Post that he hoped his wife and four children would recover from their critical condition.

'I thank Allah that my family made it, and I am hopeful with his continued blessing  they will make a full recovery,' he said.

He was working as a cab driver in New Jersey on Sunday when he heard about the fire, immediately making the two-hour journey home and desperate to find about his loved ones.

'I believe she was carrying two and the other two could walk on their own,' Kamra told the Post. 'I know she would put them first, she would take care of them before she takes care of herself, even if it risks her life. She would give her life for them, as I would.'

People paray during a vigil in front of a hi-rise building where seventeen people including eight children died in a fire, on January 11, 2022

Early in the investigation it was discovered that multiple space heaters were left running for days, one igniting

Vigil being held for the victims of the Bronx fire, January 11, 2022

Dozens gather outside the Twin Parks North West, where a fire broke out on Sunday and 17 died

Kamra said he was frantic after arriving to the scene and finding out that his wife and Jabu were in one hospital, while his other three children were in another.

'Jabu moves her head up and down when you ask her questions. I said to her, 'Jabu, I love you. Do you love Daddy?' And she will shake her head.'

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family as they navigate their journey to recovery, as Kamra spends his time from hospital to hospital and unable to work.

The father-of-four also told the Post that he understood why the family whose apartment the fire originated at was using a space heater to keep the place warm.

'Sometimes there's heat, and sometimes there's none. Sometimes some of the rooms are hot, and some are cold,' he said. 'It has been very cold out, and it's understandable to keep your family warm people will use space heaters.'

Fire experts said the design of a nearly 50-year-old Bronx building and its older fire safety features likely contributed to the a blaze caused by a faulty space heater turning the complex into a smoke-filled chimney on Sunday morning

The fire at Twin Parks North West complex in the Bronx broke out in Unit 3N, where the nine-person Wague family resided. Their residence is pictured Monday, covered in ash and debris

The Wague family's apartment is seen completely destroyed. Father Mamadou Wague said the blaze left his eight-year-old daughter trapped in her bedroom on a mattress engulfed in flames. He pulled his daughter out of the flames and managed to escape

The blaze is unit 3N was caused by a faulty space heater

The entire unit was damaged by the blaze

Investigators believe the fire was started by one of several space heaters in a third-floor unit after it was left running uninterrupted for days. Smoke then spread throughout the complex after the apartment's entry door failed to automatically close.

On Tuesday, FDNY officials confirmed that several other apartments in the Twin Parks North West had been left running for days.

The heaters were likely older models as more modern space heaters have automatic shutoff switches that force them to stop when they get too hot. FDNY recommends people to keep their heaters three feet from furniture, curtains or other bedding.

Fire marshals are investigating why the space heater caught fire and why the code-required self-closing door that would have kept the fire from spreading to the hallways was not functioning.

Despite investigator's findings that heating in the building appeared to be working after boilers were changed in 2015, residents of the apartment complex have said that space heaters were still needed in very cold days like that fateful Sunday morning.

Jose Dineo, who lives in the third floor with his three children, told DailyMail.com Tuesday that space heaters are necessary in the winter.

'I feel good with the heat in my apartment,' Dineo, 40, said. 'We have an electric heater because before the building didn't have good heat.'

'Five years back the heat doesn't work well. After three years they put in a new boiler. We feel good with the heat but still sometimes, on days like today, definitely we need to use an extra heater.'

John Jay College of Criminal Justice Associate Prof. Glenn Corbett told the New York Daily News that building management should have educated residents on how to properly use space heaters.

'Building management should be saying, 'Hey, folks, if you're buying space heaters you should get the modern ones and learn how to use them properly,' Corbett told the Daily News. 'That's what they should have been doing.'

Mamadou Wague said he was asleep when the fire broke out, recalling how his kids alerted him to the blaze: 'One of the kids said, "Oh, Daddy! Daddy! Theres a fire!'

New York City's worst fire disaster in more than 30 years that broke out on the second and third floor of a building at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx has killed eight children and nine adults (pictured, people jump to safety from the burning building)

Some of the broken windows from a fire where a space heater caught fire and caused the devastation in the Bronx

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro claimed a door in the stairwell - which is meant to be used as an emergency exit - also failed to close, furthering the problem.

'The stairwell was very dangerous as the door was left open and some of the floors  certainly on 15  the door was open from the stairs to the hall and the 15th floor became quite untenable,' Nigro said.

'The fire was contained to the hallway just outside this two-story apartment, but the smoke travelled throughout the building and the smoke is what caused the deaths and the serious injuries,' Nigro said during a press conference Monday.

Exclusive photographs taken by DailyMail.com reveal what remains of the family unit after the fire engulfed their duplex apartment at 333 East 181st Street, at 11am on Sunday.

Mayor Eric Adams said there may have been a 'maintenance issue,' as it was supposed to close automatically. He told CNN: 'The doors in the building did have self-closing mechanisms. We are just looking at that specific door.'

However, Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association Union, said the 49-year-old building was poorly equipped to deal with a fire.

'It was at a building that was built under federal guidelines way back when, so its not up to New York City fire codes,' he told the New York Daily News.

It has no fire escapes and stairwells meant to be used as emergency exits quickly filled with smoke, along with floors where stairwell doors were left open.

Large, new apartment buildings in the city are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that swing shut automatically to contain smoke and deprive fires of oxygen, however those rules don't apply to older buildings.

Many residents ignored the fire alarms when they went off on Sunday because they sound so frequently as false alarms.

'First we heard the fire alarm go off. Numerous times,' said Michael Joseph, 32, who lived on the sixth floor with his uncle. But we didn't think nothing of it, because normally people in the building, they smoke and tend to set it off. So we thought it was probably just people playing.'

The apartment complex was purchased for $24,675,000 in 2020 by a group of investors, including Camber Property Group. Rick Gropper, a co-founder and principal at Camber, was one of the nearly 800 individuals named last month to the new mayor's transition team.

FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro said that 'very heavy' fire and smoke 'extended the entire height of the building' and confirmed that a space heater caused the blaze. Firefighters were pictured rescuing residents from the blaze early on Sunday

Some of the items that caught on fire in apartment 3N

Mamadou Wague, who lived in Unit 3N with his wife and children, recalled how he was woken by his children screaming 'fire' and then found his eight-year-old daughter, Nafisha, screaming and trapped on a burning mattress in her bedroom.

'I just grab her and run,' the west African immigrant told the New York Times. 'I didnt think about anything except getting her out.'

Wague, 47, pulled his daughter from the burning bed, suffering burns to his lips and nose, and escaped the unit with his family. Nafisha sustained burns but is alive.

Fire Marshals ruled the fire 'accidental,' noting that it was caused by a malfunctioning space heater and that a 'smoke alarm was present and operational'.

Officials believe the fire spread so rapidly because Mr Wague left his apartment door open as he fled for his life with his kids.

Public records show the building has open violations for cockroach and mouse infestations, lead paint and water leaks, however no structural violations were listed.

The New York Post reported there were more than two dozen violations and complaints at the building since 2013 - despite $25 million in state loans for repairs.

The Twin Parks North West complex is classified as a D1 building, according to Street Easy. The classification designates the complex as an elevator apartment building that is semi-fireproof and without stores.

D1 buildings can be found in all five boroughs of New York City and account for about 29 percent of complexes in the Bronx, Property Shark reported.

The mayor said the fire crews continued rescue measures even after running out of oxygen.

'Their oxygen tanks were empty and they still pushed through the smoke,' he explained, noting that icy conditions made it difficult for firefighters to put out the blaze.

The five-alarm blaze is New York City's deadliest in three decades. President Joe Biden, speaking with Mayor Adams Monday, offered his 'heartfelt condolences and support' to the victims, city leaders and residents. Biden told the mayor any resources the city needs will be made available.
Romney delivered a sharp rebuke of Biden and the Democratic Party on the Senate floor Tuesday night in response to the president's voting rights speech in Georgia

Republican Senator Mitt Romney tore into President Joe Biden and Democrats trying to pass federal voting rights legislation on Tuesday night, accusing them of undermining the 'reliability' of American elections in the process.

The 2012 presidential candidate declared Biden was taking the same 'tragic road' as his predecessor Donald Trump in undermining the democratic process in a searing speech on the Senate floor.

He also urged Democrats to think about 'what would it mean for them' to abolish the filibuster now and see themselves potentially losing Congress and the White House in the near future -- and chided them for decrying it as racist.

'I prepared some remarks to to give this evening, but I had the occasion to watch President Biden as he spoke in Georgia just a few minutes ago. And he said quite a number of things that simply weren't true,' Romney began.

Earlier that day the president traveled to Georgia where he visited the tomb of Martin Luther King, Jr. and delivered remarks on the importance of federalizing election protections.

Democrats' haste to pass election reform is in response to 19 Republican-led states passing voter security measures last year that critics say suppresses minority and low-income communities' right to vote.

Biden also said there was 'no option' but to abolish the filibuster in order for Democrats to pass the reforms with a simple Senate majority. It's unlikely to pass under existing rules that would require them to get 10 Republicans on board.

On Tuesday night Romney said Biden's speech was divisive, and lambasted him for comparing opponents of voting rights legislation and abolishing the filibuster to racist historical figures like George Wallace and Jefferson Davis.

'He also accused a number of my good and principled colleagues in the Senate of having sinister, even racist inclinations,' Romney said. 'So much for unifying the country and working across the aisle.'

'More troubling, however, he said that the goal of some Republicans is to, "Turn the will of the voters into a mere suggestion."

'And so President Biden goes down the same tragic road taken by President Trump casting doubt on the reliability of American elections.

'This is a sad, sad day. I expected more of President Biden, who came into office with the stated goal of bringing the country together.'

Romney also took aim at Biden's former boss Barack Obama, who defended the filibuster as a senator from Illinois but in the last two years has denounced it as a 'Jim Crow relic.'

'Let us be clear that those who claim the filibuster is racist know better. For President Obama to make this absurd charge after he himself made a vigorous and extensive defense of the filibuster just a few years ago, is both jarring and deeply disappointing,' Romney said.

He argued that the filibuster ensures legislation is not passed by the 'extreme wing' of either party by forcing bipartisan senators to compromise.

Romney said the 'minority empowerment' the filibuster ensures means policies enacted by the US government 'tack toward the center.'

Romney compared Biden's efforts to pass voting rights legislation to Trump's 2020 election fraud claims, arguing they both serve to delegitimize American democracy

'Consider how different the Senate would be without the filibuster: Whenever one party replaced the other as majority taxes spending parties would change. Safety net programs would change. National security policy could change,' the Utah Republican claimed.

He later added, 'I don't recall a single claim from Democrats that employing the filibuster hundreds of times over the last several years when they were in the minority was in any way racist.'

Democrats have accused the GOP of 'weaponizing' the filibuster by stalling Biden's agenda despite his control of the majority party in government.

But Republicans charge Democrats with flip-flopping on their previous pledge to preserve the filibuster at a time when they were the minority party.

In 2017, 61 bipartisan senators signed onto a letter to then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to 'preserve' the filibuster in the name of bipartisanship.

But five years later, Schumer has set a goal for Democrats to pass voting rights legislation by Martin Luther King Day on January 17 -- putting them in a time crunch to either force a compromise or somehow do away with the long-held Senate tactic.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine defended his caucus over the letter on Tuesday, claiming it was 'written before one of the largest efforts in the history of this country to disenfranchise voters.'

Romney dismissed the explanation as 'absurd.'

'The country is sharply divided right now. Despite the truth spoken by a number of good people in my party, most Republicans believe that Donald Trump -- they believe his lie that the 2020 election was fraudulent, stolen by Democrats. It's almost half the country,' Romney said on the Senate floor.

'Can you imagine the anger that would be ignited if they see Democrats alone rewrite, with no Republican involvement whatsoever, the voting laws of the country?'

He warned Democrats that multiple projections have shown Republicans on a path to victory in this year's midterm elections -- and urged them to think about what setting such a precedent would create if the GOP had the majority.

'If you want to see division and anger, the Democrats are heading down the right road,' Romney said.

'Theres also a reasonable chance Republicans will win both houses in Congress and that Donald Trump himself could once again be elected president in 2024. Have Democrats thought what would it mean for them? For the Democrat minority to have no power whatsoever?'
Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted his surprise at the fact that more than 80 percent of people have smartphones.

Even more surprisingly, this percentage is predicted to have a massive increase in the next three years.

Elon Musk Tweets Being Mind-Blown Over Smartphone Adoption

The Russian American computer scientist and podcast host Led Fridman tweeted that January 10 marks the 15th anniversary of Steve Jobs' unveiling of the first iPhone. He also added in his tweet that there are now over 6.3 billion smartphone users.

Moreover, Fridman continued that the adoption of technology has been phenomenal, and it continues to accelerate. With this reported increase, it has the potential to either assist or harm mankind. For this reason, he mentioned that every new product designed should consider both outcomes.

Surprised by this fact, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted that he was mind-blown about the huge percentage of humans that have a smartphone.

Mind-blowing that over 80% of humans have a smart phone  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 10, 2022

The replied tweet of the South-African-born business mogul gained more than 37,000 likes and over 1800 retweets.

Upon tweeting his amusement, numerous people also expressed their thoughts and opinion on this matter.

Twitter user @Juanof9 replied to Elon Musk's tweet, claiming that only half of the world's population utilize the internet. With that said, he does not believe that the projected figure is correct.

"Either a subset of that 80 percent have disconnected smart smartphones, or many people have 2 smartphones and many others have none," Juan continued.

Meanwhile, another Twitter user said that the projected internet user is probably less than half of the world, defining that "internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location [or device]) in the last 3 months."

Aside from these comments, Twitter user @AntonioJLievano positively noted that the 80 percent rate of people who have smartphones indicates that several people have an infinite amount of information at their fingertips.

"No excuses when we all have similar tools to be successful," Antonio furthered.

In relation to this, Bank My Cell released a report, titled "How Many Smartphones Are In The World?" to provide detailed information about this projection.

Read Also: China Yutu-2 Rover Spots 'Mystery House' on the Moon--But It's Actually Not a Hut

Smartphone Adoption in the World

For those wondering how Bank My Cell came up with this analysis, the company penned that they started by looking at the most recent weekly numbers on the number of phones, which are broken down into smartphones and feature phones.

Through this distinction, it allowed them to estimate both the global total number of mobile phone users and the adoption of smartphones solely.

To support Elon Musk's tweet, Statista reported that there are more than 6 billion smartphone users in the world, which indicates that about 80 percent of the world's population owns a smartphone.

This percentage is a significant increase from 2016, when there were just about 3 billion users, accounting for approximately 49 percent of the world population at the time.

In addition to this, Bank My Cell noted that the current number of mobile phone users--including both smart and feature phones--is more than 7 billion, accounting for more than 91 percent of all people on the planet.

Feature phones are simple mobile phones without apps or complicated operating systems that are more common in developing countries.

Meanwhile, in terms of mobile connectivity, GSMA real-time intelligence statistics reported that there are currently over 10 billion mobile connections globally, surpassing UN digital expert projections of 7 billion.

On a global scale, Statista forecasts significant growth for all cellular-enabled phones, tablets and IoT devices. According to the company's data sources, the number of mobile device users will rise to more than 7 billion in the next three years.

Related Article: Tesla Quality Issues: Viral TikTok Video Shows Major Complaints About Elon Musk's Tesla Car
In 1947, British rule ended in India and it became two regions - India and Pakistan

The brothers were separated when British India was divided in the 1947 partition

Heartwarming footage shows the brothers sobbing as they meet in Kartarpur

Muhammad Siddique and Habib alias Shela were reunited after 74 years apart

This is the heartwarming moment that two brothers who were separated by the 1947 partition of India were reunited after 74 years apart.

Muhammad Siddique and Habib alias Shela, who are both believed to be in their eighties, were separated in 1947, when British rule ended in India and it was divided into two independent regions - India and Pakistan.

At least 20million people were displaced during the largest mass migration in human history in 1947, while visas between India and Pakistan have remained difficult to obtain since.

But the two brothers were reunited in Kartarpur, Pakistan, after Habib travelled from the Phullanwal area of the Indian Punjab to meet his younger brother Saddiq, who lives in Faisalabad, Pakistan, local media reported.

Heartwarming footage shows the moment the two men laid eyes on each other at the Kartarpur Corridor - a visa-free border crossing between the two countries that opened in 2019.

Muhammad Siddique and Habib alias Shela, who are both believed to be in their eighties, were separated after the 1947 partition of India before being reunited 74 years later

Heartwarming footage (above) shows the moment the men were reunited at the Kartarpur Corridor - a visa-free border crossing between the India and Pakistan that opened in 2019

In the clip, the two brothers walk towards each other before bursting into tears of joy as they throw their arms around each other in a tight embrace.

As they hold each other, one of the brothers says: 'Don't cry, don't worry, we've finally reunited after all these years, don't cry.'

The brothers both wipe tears from their eyes as they finally reunite, with the emotional moment seeming to overwhelm them.

After reconnecting with his brother, Habib praised the Kartarpur Corridor for helping to reunite families who have been separated for years, according to local media reports.

The brothers were separated during the 1947 partition of India, with Habib growing up on the Indian side of the partition line, while Saddiq lived on the Pakistani side.

The Indian Independence Bill in 1947 ended 200 years of British rule and saw the nation divided into a Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan amid religious strife.

In the clip, the two brothers walk towards each other before bursting into tears of joy as they throw their arms around each other in a tight embrace

As they hold each other, one of the brothers says: 'Don't cry, don't worry, we've finally reunited after all these years, don't cry'

But the brothers were reunited by the Kartarpur Corridor, a deal between Islamabad and New Delhi that opened a visa-free corridor between the two countries in 2019.

Visas to travel between Pakistan and India are normally difficult to obtain but the corridor was introduced to allow Sikh pilgrims in India to visit the shrine to their religion's founder, which is in Pakistan.

Sikhs from around the world, Indian pilgrims of all faiths and people of Indian origin can use the corridor, S.C.L. Das, a joint secretary in the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs said at the time.

WHAT IS THE 1947 PARTITION OF INDIA? The Partition of India was when British India divided in 1947 to form the states of India and Pakistan after a clash in religious values. It saw the end of Britain's colonial power over the country as two new nations were formed: Hindu and Sikh majority India and the Muslim majority Pakistan. Bangladesh was later seceded from Pakistan in 1971, with the devastating fallout causing an estimated death toll of between 200,000 and two million. Muslims, at 25 per cent of the population of British India, enjoyed a protected status as a minority government under imperial rule, with many concerned that this would end with the Partition. What followed was the biggest mass migration in human history, along with sexual violence, mutilation, torture and abductions. 70 years on, the effects of the Partition still hang over the two nations, thanks to the ongoing threat of nuclear conflict. Advertisement

The deal provides a secure bridge between the two countries, leading directly to the grave of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak, which lies just 4km (two miles) from the Indian border.

The Covid-19 pandemic temporarily prevented Indians from crossing in 2020, but authorities agreed to reopen the corridor in 2021.

India had long been asking Pakistan for such a corridor, but the project's realisation was prevented by years of diplomatic tensions between the two countries that have fought three wars since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947.

When Pakistan was carved out of colonial India at the end of British colonial rule in 1947, Kartarpur ended up on the western side of the border, while most of the region's Sikhs remained on the other side.

Since then, the perennial state of enmity between India and Pakistan, who have had countless border skirmishes since independence, has been a constant barrier, particularly to Sikhs wanting to visit the temple.

After the corridor opened, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: 'I would like to thank the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, for respecting the sentiments of India. I thank him for his cooperation.'

The Indian Independence Bill, which formed the two independent nations of India and Pakistan, came into force at midnight on August 15, 1947, and ended 200 years of British rule in the country.

Religious strife between Hindus and Muslims in India saw the country separated into two nations, forming a Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.

It sparked the largest mass migration in human history as the partition left millions of Muslims in Hindu-dominated India and Hindus in Islamic Pakistan, prompting families who feared repression to travel in a bid to cross the border.

Independence and partition led to the deaths of at least one million people and saw up to 20million people displaced as Muslims fled to Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs headed to India.

There were an estimated 20,000 Sikhs left in Pakistan after millions fled to India following the bloody religious violence ignited by partition.
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The front page of a 46 page ruling from Judge Lewis A Kaplan that the Duke of York will face a civil sex case trial over allegations he sexually assaulted Virginia Roberts Giuffre when she was 17

Prince Andrew is today under severe pressure to settle with Virginia Roberts Giuffre after a New York judge sensationally refused to throw out her case - paving the way for a box office trial in nine months to examine claims she was repeatedly forced to have sex with him when she was a teenager.

The decision is a devastating blow to the Duke of York, who now faces a hugely expensive and reputation-shredding court case next September unless he tries to pay-off Ms Giuffre with at least $5million.

If he chooses not to settle, or if Ms Giuffre rejects any offers, Andrew faces being interviewed by her lawyers in a videotaped deposition in London that could be played in court, although the ninth in line to the throne cannot be forced to give evidence due to it being a civil suit in a different legal jurisdiction.

Additionally, he could simply ignore the case and let the court give a decision in his absence, although this would be likely to damage his reputation further.

Andrew has been forced to sell off the 17million Swiss ski chalet he owns with his ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York, to cover his legal bills or a settlement after his mother the Queen reportedly refused to pay. He was only able to sell the property after settling a 6.6m debt with the owner.

Judge Lewis Kaplan has slated the case to be held between September and December, with Andrew having the option to appear via videolink. However, this timeline is likely to slip, particularly if Andrew decides to appeal today's judgement.

This morning in New York, he dismissed an application from the Duke of York's lawyers to have the case shut down - freeing Ms Giuffre to pursue her high-profile case in September over her sensational allegations against the British royal.

Andrew's attorneys had unsuccessfully argued that her case should have been thrown out because of a newly-unsealed $500,000 settlement with Jeffrey Epstein. The royal's lawyer, Andrew Brettler, argued it protected Andrew because it contained a clause where she agreed not to take legal action against 'potential defendants'.

In the conclusion of his written ruling, Judge Kaplan said: 'For the foregoing reasons, defendant's motion to dismiss the complaint or for a more definite statement is denied in all respects.

'Given the court's limited task of ruling on this motion, nothing in this opinion or previously in these proceedings properly may be construed as indicating a view with respect to the truth of the charges or countercharges or as to the intention of the parties in entering into the 2009 Agreement.'

Outlining his reasons for denying the motion, Judge Kaplan said the court was not able at this stage to consider the duke's efforts to cast doubt on Ms Giuffre's claims or whether he was covered by the settlement agreement, suggesting these were issues for a trial.

In his ruling, he said: 'The 2009 Agreement cannot be said to demonstrate, clearly and unambiguously, the parties intended the instrument 'directly,' 'primarily,' or 'substantially,' to benefit Prince Andrew.'

And it went on: 'The law prohibits the Court from considering at this stage of the proceedings the defendant's efforts to cast doubt on the truth of Ms Giuffre's allegations, even though his efforts would be permissible at trial. In a similar vein and for similar reasons, it is not open to the Court now to decide, as a matter of fact, just what the parties to the release in the 2009 settlement agreement signed by Ms Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein actually meant.'

Her Majesty is entering a period of celebration in the UK as her Platinum Jubilee marking her 70 years on the throne approaches - but the monarch now faces the prospect of her second son's accuser giving a detailed account of her sexual abuse allegations in open court this Autumn.

Prince Charles, Meghan Markle and Sarah, Duchess of York could all be called as witnesses, David Boies, the lawyer representing Ms Giuffre in her legal action has claimed. Andrew's daughter Beatrice could also be called, because her father used her as an alibi claiming he was with her in a Woking Pizza Express on the night he is alleged to have slept with Virginia in Ghislaine Maxwell's London mews house. However, royals based in the UK cannot be forced to give evidence due to it being a civil case in a different jurisdiction.

Ms Giuffre's lawyer Mr Boies said Andrew's accuser was 'pleased' that 'evidence will now be taken concerning her claims against him.'

'She looks forward to a judicial determination of the merits of those claims,' he said in a statement.

Andrew's medical records will also be requested, to ascertain if he is telling the truth about claims he cannot sweat due to a rush of adrenaline while on a Royal Navy ship under attack in the 1982 Falklands War fought between Britain and Argentina.

Buckingham Palace has refused to comment again today, describing it as an 'ongoing legal matter', but royal experts told MailOnline that Her Majesty now has a 'horrid shadow' over her Jubilee year.

If the trial goes ahead Andrew would likely be subpoenaed to appear in person - but he could refuse to attend. His deposition would be used in lieu of live testimony - but that would likely play out badly with any jury. He will not be able to rely on diplomatic immunity to avoid the case - because it only applies to the Queen and her immediate household.

But legal experts say he cannot be forced to attend any US court, because UK citizens cannot be extradited to America for civil cases. Lawyers will be able to go ahead with the case in his absence. And they say he could still be forced to pay damages if he loses the case.

Mitchell Garabedian, who has represented victims of sexual abuse for decades, said: 'I think it would be a serious mistake for Prince Andrew not to testify  he's a party and if he doesn't testify it's an elephant in a room. If he choses just not to testify, then a jury's going to be wondering why he hasn't.'

Friends of Ms Giuffre, who alleges she was forced to have sex with the Duke of York three times aged 17 on the orders of his friend Jeffrey Epstein, insist she will not agree to an out of court settlement, claiming she wants to 'send a message' that anyone 'with power and privilege' accused of abusing young girls will face the full force of the law.

And Ms Giuffre has instructed her lawyers that agreeing a settlement of at least $5million with Prince Andrew - who denies the allegations being made against him - would not 'advance that message'. But nevertheless, 99 per cent of civil cases in the US are settled out of court.

As Andrew suffered humiliation in New York, it also emerged today:

The Duke of York cannot return to royal duties because his reputation is 'damaged beyond repair' following a the decision to allow a civil case to be brought against him by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, experts told MailOnline;

His mother the Queen now has a 'horrid shadow' over her Platinum Jubilee year unless her son settles to avoid a trial, royal experts have claimed;

Leading commentator Phil Dampier said he believes that the Queen's second son will try to stop the case with an out-of-court settlement;

The author added he believes Andrew is 'finished' and will likely be stripped of his military patronages;

Lisa Bloom, who represents a number of Maxwell and Epstein's accusers, described the judge's ruling as 'a detailed, well reasoned decision'.

Prince Andrew has been humbled by a US court as his attempts to throw out a civil claim against him failed - leaving him facing a costly and reputation shredding trial

The Duke of York was photographed with his arm around the bare waist of then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts. In the background, Ghislaine Maxwell. Roberts claims she was forced to have sex with the royal three times

Miss Roberts, 38, claims she was 17 when she slept with Andrew three times in 2001 under orders from Epstein

The 2009 settlement between Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre was unsealed - but it was not the trump card Andrew hoped for

Will Andrew be forced to appear in US court? Prince faces settling sex abuse lawsuit or being grilled about his sexual history, whether he can sweat and Pizza Express alibi and Fergie and Beatrice called to testify Prince Andrew now faces a choice between settling Virginia Roberts Giuffre's sex abuse lawsuit or facing a potentially ruinous court battle in which he is likely to be be questioned about his sexual history. A New York judge on Wednesday sensationally ruled that the Queen's second son can be tried over allegations he sexually assaulted Miss Roberts when she was 17  allegations which Andrew has categorically denied. Experts believe that Andrew will want to pursue an out-of-court, and potentially multimillion-pound, settlement with Miss Roberts, or face having his private life be put in the spotlight in a blockbuster trial in nine months. However, there have been suggestions that Miss Roberts, who claims she was trafficked by British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and forced to have sex with Epstein and his associates, may not be prepared to accept a deal. Witnesses including Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice could be asked to testify, Miss Roberts's lawyer David Boies has claimed. It is likely the duke will be asked to give evidence under oath as part of the discovery process in what is known as a deposition. However, he cannot be forced to appear in New York to defend himself due to the case being a civil suit in a different legal jurisdiction. Andrew could simply refuse to acknowledge its existence  but the court would then pass a judgement in his absence, risking even more damage to his already-shattered reputation. This is how the next steps could play out: Judge Lewis A Kaplan's decision is a huge blow for Andrew, who now faces having to testify in open court First, what did the judge decide? Judge Kaplan rejected a motion by Andrew's lawyer to have Miss Roberts's sex abuse lawsuit thrown out. The duke's team unsuccessfully argued that Miss Roberts had waived her right to pursue the duke by signing a confidential settlement with Epstein. The settlement, made public earlier this month, detailed how Miss Roberts had received a $500,000 payout in 2009 and agreed to 'release, acquit, satisfy and forever discharged' Epstein and 'any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant'. Andrew B Brettler, the duke's lawyer, had argued his client was a 'potential defendant' as defined by the agreement and so the case 'should be dismissed'. But in his decision, Judge Kaplan said the agreement 'cannot be said' to benefit Andrew. He stressed that his ruling does not express any view as to the truth of Miss Roberts's allegations. What happens next? As it stands, the case on the path to a trial, and discovery (the 'formal process of exchanging information between the parties about the witnesses and evidence they'll present at trial') is already underway. Under Judge Kaplan's timeline, both parties must disclose their expert witnesses by May 13, complete discovery on July 14 and file a join pre-trial proposal by July 28  which would include whether either side wants a jury trial. There is a strong chance these deadlines will be altered. What are the duke's legal option? Aside from proceeding to fight the case in court, the duke has a number of legal options available to him, including: Appealing today's ruling: Andrew could file a motion of reconsideration to Judge Kaplan, asking him to reconsider his ruling. Or he could go straight to the second circuit court of appeals, where it would be heard by a panel of judges. If they also reject his motion, he could ask a second full second circuit to consider it. Another option would be to go straight to the Supreme Court, which would then decide whether or not to hear the case. Filing for a dismissal: He could seek to have the case dismissed by arguing that it cannot be heard in a US federal court because both he and Miss Roberts  who is an American citizen but lives in Australia  are based abroad. Settlement: Most American court cases end in a financial settlement agreed out of court before the case reaches trial. She could seek to extract an apology or an admission of wrongdoing as part of the settlement, but Andrew has always strenuously denied the allegations. Default: Andrew ignores the court summons, meaning the court will rule in his absence. Virginia Giuffre (seen with her attorney David Boies) accuses the royal of sexually assaulting her when she was 17, allegations he has always strenuously denied Will Andrew try to settle? It is likely the duke will be asked to give evidence under oath as part of the discovery process in what is known as a deposition. Unless there are any other motions to dismiss the case, the duke would have to reach a settlement with Ms Giuffre. This is usually a financial settlement where both sides go back and forth until a figure is reached. Experts have argued that Andrew is a 'dead man walking' and will want to strike a deal with Miss Roberts. Media lawyer Mark Stephens said Wednesday's ruling that Andrew is to face a civil sexual assault trial has 'thrown a bomb' into the heart of the royal family and threatens to spark a constitutional crisis. He told the BBC a crisis of this scale was unprecedented for the royal family. 'Prince Andrew has nowhere to go. He's effectively a dead man walking as far as the royal family is concerned,' he said. 'But the one thing he can do is to accept the responsibility, accept the blame, accept that he has to fall on his sword for the sake of the wider royal family.' The duke denies the allegations made against him. What are the chances of the duke seeking to settle? Insiders say the option 'remains on the table'. Andrew's team are understood to acknowledge the 'attritional impact' the case is having on the Royal Family, particularly as the Queen is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this June with the threat of a scandalous sex trial hanging over her. 'Obviously, this is a US case involving US lawyers and involving a US civil lawsuit,' one source said. 'In reality, 99 per cent of US civil litigations are settled out of court. A settlement would always be an option on the table, as that's where the vast majority end up. There is also the wider pressure and attritional impact to consider.' Sources with knowledge of the case have previously told the Mail that no discussions have taken place yet about whether the Queen's son could  or should  agree a settlement without liability being admitted. But neither had it been ruled out as an option, they said. Buckingham Palace has refused to comment, describing it as an 'ongoing legal matter'. On the one hand agreeing a settlement would prevent Andrew going through the humiliating experience of being interviewed by Miss Roberts's lawyers, who will be able to question him about everything from his sexual partners to the minutiae of his dealings with Epstein and with Maxwell, found guilty last month of sex trafficking. They may seek answers from other family members, including his ex-wife Sarah and potentially other senior royals. What dirty laundry could be aired in court if a settlement is not reached? If a settlement is not reached, then the duke's private life could effectively be put in the dock. As a young man, the 'Playboy Prince' was one of the world's most eligible bachelors and earned himself the nickname 'Randy Andy' after being linked to a string of beautiful women. When a bachelor for a second time, Andrew again made headlines, having been spotted cavorting with topless women on holiday in Thailand, and attending a 'hookers and pimps' party with Robert Maxwell's daughter Ghislaine in the US. It is possible that should the lawsuit reach court, lawyers could drudge up Andrew's sexual history and question him about everything from his sexual partners to the minutiae of his dealings with Epstein and with Maxwell, who has been convicted of sex trafficking. Andrew also faced being grilled over his ability to sweat and his Pizza Express alibi. During his 'car crash' BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, Andrew denied that he slept with Miss Roberts, saying one encounter in 2001 did not happen as he had spent the day with his daughter Beatrice, taking her to Pizza Express in Woking for a party. The same alleged sexual liaison, which Miss Roberts said began with Andrew sweating heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp, was later branded factually wrong by the duke, who said he had a medical condition at the time which meant he did not sweat. As a result, it is possible that Andrew's daughter Beatrice could testify in any US trial. It is also possible that Andrew's ex-wife Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson  who herself has generated some of the most humiliating royal scandals of modern times  could give evidence. But a settlement would clearly do little to help the 61-year-old prince clear his name, and it is unlikely to help him achieve his long-held ambition of returning to public life in some form. The Duke of York was photographed with his arm around the bare waist of then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts. In the background, Ghislaine Maxwell. Roberts claims she was forced to have sex with the royal three times Could Andrew be forced to appear in court? Legal experts say Andrew could not be forcibly extradited due to it being a civil case. Edward Grange, extradition expert and partner at Corker Binning, told MailOnline: 'In short, extradition can not take place for as long as the case remains within the civil jurisdiction. 'Prince Andrew would only be at peril of extradition if he were charged with a criminal offence in the USA that carries a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or more. 'Even then, whilst an extradition request could be made to the UK, no doubt careful thought would be given as to whether such steps should be taken given that it would be a very bold move for prosecutors to take because of the undoubted diplomatic headache it could cause for the two jurisdictions.' Mr Grange added: 'If he were to be charged with a criminal offence in the US and if the US were to seek his extradition, his British nationality would not result in a dismissal of the request as Britain extradites its own citizens.' Could Meghan, Charles or Fergie be asked to testify? David Boies, Miss Roberts's lawyer, has said he plans to make a formal request through the UK court system to speak to two witnesses. This raised speculation he wants to speak to Sarah, Beatrice, or one of the duke's police protection officers. He has also speculated that Charles and Meghan Markle could also be called as witnesses if the case reaches court. Mr Boies said that the Duchess of Sussex was a potential witness because she lives in the US and is subject to the jurisdiction of American courts. However, there is no evidence Meghan was a 'close associate' of Andrew or has any information about the claims against him. The rest of the Royal Family are likely to be highly reluctant to give evidence in the case and there is no way for Miss Roberts's lawyers to force them. If Andrew loses the civil case could he face a criminal suit? Defence attorney Julie Rendelman played down the prospect of any criminal charges being filed over Andrew's case. She told The Guardian: 'I believe that [Maxwell] is the final piece in terms of criminal charges involving Epstein. I'm pretty confident prosecutors spent this time evaluating every piece of evidence to see if there is anything else. 'I think they realised the strongest case is Ghislaine, and that's what they went for.' Advertisement

Andrew has no future as a royal because his reputation is now 'damaged beyond repair' Prince Andrew's reputation is 'damaged beyond repair' following a decision by a US judge to allow a civil case to be brought against him by Virginia Giuffre, experts warned. Specialists in reputation management told MailOnline that not only has Andrew been tarnished by the allegations but so has the rest of the Royal Family with legal proceedings against him set to get underway later this year. Simon Wadsworth, managing partner at igniyte, a company which specialises in reputation management, told MailOnline: 'I think it's a long slog from here regardless of the outcomes of any proceedings going forward and any gestures to redeem the situation may only worsen the situation. He (Andrew) may be best to stay out of the public eye for the foreseeable future.' He warned: 'This has damaged the rest of the Royal Family by association. It's difficult for them to control the narrative, so hard for them to influence public opinion. The option of keeping him in a low profile looks to be increasingly difficult when this goes to a hearing.' Reputation specialist Amber Melville-Brown, a partner at international law firm Withers claimed that there appeared to be little hope of salvaging Andrew's reputation 'in the court of public opinion,' whatever the outcome of the civil action. She said: 'He may never recover reputationally from injuries sustained from his fall from grace. 'While Prince Andrew has not been tried nor his evidence yet tested in any court, in the court of public opinion, his reputational ship was already under fire by his association with Epstein, torpedoed on Maxwell's conviction, and all but sunk by this latest loss.' She added: 'Fighting this legal action will require titanic efforts by Prince Andrew's legal team, but whatever the ultimate result in court, it may not be enough in the court of public opinion to raise his reputation from the depths to which it has already sunk.' Alex McCready, Head of Reputation & Privacy at Vardags, a leading international law firm said: 'It is very difficult to see a situation where his reputation can be repaired or him ever having a public role again. It's all about damage mitigation now, particularly in light of the nature of the allegations that he is facing and his status as a member of our Royal family. 'Whatever happens, Prince Andrew's reputation has suffered terrible damage from the allegations in this lawsuit and from his former friendship with Epstein and Maxwell - two convicted sex offenders.' Experts also questioned the tactics employed by Andrew's legal team, as they attempted to use a 2009 settlement between Ms Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein to try and quash the case. Ms McCready said: 'The move to have the case thrown out was always going to be incredibly risky and it now looks like it may have backfired. It is not a reputationally appealing argument to get the case thrown by relying on a 12- year-old settlement agreement between Giuffre and Epstein  but clearly his lawyers thought it had legal merit.' She added: 'I personally think that many are surprised that he's taken any steps to become involved in this US litigation (even if this was simply to ask the court to throw the case out), given he couldn't be compelled to take the stand as it's a civil case.' Ms Melville-Brown described the attempt to have the case thrown out as a 'gamble' that has backfired. She said: 'Prince Andrew has seemingly gambled throughout Ms. Giuffre's complaint and subsequent litigation. Doubling-down with this disastrous dismissal application and betting on Epstein's settlement agreement further associates him with his disgraced friend, costing him a pretty penny in terms of his reputation. 'Facing the wheel of fortune of a trial he could still emerge the victor but win or lose I'd wager the odds are stacked against him on rescuing a reputation so tarnished.' Like other experts, she also voiced concerns over the wider damage to the Royal family but said that she was confident that they would eventually overcome this. She added: 'Prince Andrew's reputation has likely been damaged beyond repair. The accusations levelled at him personally also tarnish the monarchy by association  but not irretrievably as in his case. 'The monarchy is not just a family, it is an institution. As the Queen celebrates an impressive 75 years on the throne, the monarchy has survived for an impressive thousand years. The brand is too robust to fail as a result of accusations levelled at individual members, and the ship will plough on despite there being one man overboard.' Mr Wadsworth said that his professional advice to Andrew over the next few months would be not to make any public statements about the case and fully co-operate with the authorities. He added: 'The disastrous Newsnight interview showed that he should be kept away from any public statements however possible and certainly in a trial situation as he will most likely further damage his image if pushed on the matters he is accused of. 'But at least open and co-operative would at least elicit some sympathy I think with the wider public.' Advertisement

Media lawyer Mark Stephens called the duke a 'dead man walking' who has to 'fall on his sword' for the sake of the monarchy and strike a deal with his accuser.

He told the BBC that Wednesday's ruling that Andrew is to face a civil sexual assault trial has 'thrown a bomb' into the heart of the royal family and threatens to spark a constitutional crisis.

'Prince Andrew has nowhere to go. He's effectively a dead man walking as far as the royal family is concerned,' he said.

'But the one thing he can do is to accept the responsibility, accept the blame, accept that he has to fall on his sword for the sake of the wider royal family.'

Mr Stephens added: 'This is the first time that Prince Andrew's problems have reached into and are beginning to touch the wider royal family.

'There will be crisis meetings taking place. Downing Street will be being consulted. The Privy Counsellors will be called in and of course, the most central advisers to the key members of the royal family will be coming in to deal with this crisis, a crisis that they have never seen before.'

He suggested the duke could appeal against the ruling, but put his chances of success at 40%, and said his best option was to try to settle the case with a financial payment.

'Whether he denies it or not, he's going to have to buy this case off as a matter of realpolitik,' he said.

He added: 'We are really, with Prince Andrew, in the last chance saloon with the towels over the taps.

'The only thing that makes this worse is that Prince Andrew has to start giving evidence in this case, whether that's about his sweating, or his trip to Pizza Express or worse still, he has to deal with the allegations of what he is supposed to have done with a 17-year-old woman.'

Judge Kaplan's decision is a huge blow for Andrew, whose lawyer argued the case should be thrown out as Ms Giuffre had waived her right to pursue the duke by signing a confidential settlement with disgraced paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Stephens said: 'Judge Lewis Kaplan has thrown a reasoned judicial decision like a bomb into the middle and the heart of the royal family and threatens to provoke constitutional crisis as a consequence.'

He suggested Ms Giuffre has 'many of the cards' in this case if Andrew has to settle at all costs, meaning the price of a financial deal would go up.

Judge Lewis A Kaplan's decision is a huge blow for Andrew, whose lawyer argued earlier this month the case should be thrown out as Ms Giuffre had waived her right to pursue the duke by signing a confidential settlement with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Ms Giuffre alleges she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, which made her a minor under US law.

She is seeking unspecified damages in a civil suit against Andrew, but the sum could be in the millions of dollars.

Andrew, who has not been charged with any criminal offences, has vehemently denied all the allegations against him.

Insiders say the option of settling 'remains on the table' for the Duke of York as experts predicted the civil case would proceed.

Andrew's team are understood to acknowledge the 'attritional impact' the case is having on the Royal Family, particularly as the Queen, 95, is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this June with the threat of a scandalous sex trial involving her son hanging over her.

'Obviously, this is a US case involving US lawyers and involving a US civil lawsuit,' one source said last week. 'In reality, 99 per cent of US civil litigations are settled out of court. A settlement would always be an option on the table, as that's where the vast majority end up. There is also the wider pressure and attritional impact to consider.'

Sources with knowledge of the case stressed that no discussions have taken place yet about whether the Queen's son could - or should - agree a settlement without liability being admitted. But neither had it been ruled out as an option, they said.

Miss Roberts - who is bringing the case under her married name Giuffre - claims that not only was she abused by Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, but that they 'trafficked' her to their friend, the prince.

In her claim for battery and infliction of emotional distress, she claims she was raped by the duke on three occasions in 2001 when she was 17 and he 41.

On the one hand agreeing a noliability settlement would prevent Andrew going through the humiliating experience of being interviewed by Miss Roberts' lawyers, who will be able to question him about everything from his sexual partners to the minutiae of his dealings with Epstein and with Maxwell, found guilty last month of sex trafficking.

They may seek answers from other family members, including his ex-wife Sarah and potentially other senior royals.

But a settlement would clearly do little to help the 61-year-old prince clear his name, as he says he desperately wants to do.

Andrew has always vehemently denied the allegations, saying he doesn't even recollect meeting Miss Roberts, despite there being a picture of them together with Maxwell. And a settlement is unlikely to help him achieve his long-held ambition of returning to public life in some form. After his disastrous BBC interview in 2019 with Newsnight's Emily Maitlis, the prince temporarily stepped back from public duties.

A settlement would also not prevent the FBI from pursuing its investigation - its agents would like to speak to Andrew as a potential witness to Epstein's crimes.

Judge Kaplan appeared mostly dismissive of oral arguments by Prince Andrew's legal team to have the case dismissed.

The Duke's lawyer Andrew Brettler had been up first in the hearing, a day after the 2009 settlement between Epstein and Ms Giuffre was unsealed.

The settlement stated: 'In addition to being continually exploited to satisfy defendant's [Epstein] every sexual whim, [Ms Giuffre] was also required to be sexually exploited by defendant's adult male peers, including royalty, politicians, academicians, businessmen and or other professional and personal acquaintances.'

It does not name Andrew or make any mention of 'royalty', but it does say she agrees to 'release, acquit, satisfy, and forever discharge' Epstein and 'any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant.'

The wording and circumstances of the settlement proved to be key in Judge Kaplan's decision to allow Ms Giuffre to proceed with her high-profile civil action.

The judge remarked the settlement made it clear it was 'not intended to be used by any other person' by Epstein, suggesting that this included Andrew.

Judge Kaplan said: 'What about Virginia's settlement agreement language that the terms of the agreement are not to be used in any other case by any other person in any other case?'

David Boies, representing Ms Giuffre, said the settlement and her agreeing not to take legal action against 'potential defendants' did not apply to Andrew.

But Andrew's lawyers argued because Giuffre, 38 said in her original claim against Epstein, she was 'required to be sexually exploited' by Epstein's 'adult male peers, including royalty,' that meant Andrew was a potential defendant and therefore included in the agreement.

The court also upheld arguments from her legal team that the settlement was agreed in Florida and only legally enforceable in that state and not New York, where Ms Giuffre is pursuing her civil action.

Judge Kaplan also challenged Andrew's lawyers on other areas of their use of the settlement to argue for the case to be dropped.

Prince Andrew came under fire after he was spotted taking a stroll through New York's Central Park with Epstein following his prison term in 2011

The developments come at a hellish time for the Duke: last week his former close friend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Epstein

Andrew's failed attempt to get sex assault case thrown out Virginia Roberts, 38, claims she was 17 when she slept with Andrew three times in 2001 under orders from Epstein, a friend of the duke. She is suing for claims of battery and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. Andrew has called her accusations 'baseless' and repeatedly denied them, claiming that she is seeking a 'payday at his expense'. His lawyers failed to use details of a $500,000 settlement reached in 2009 between Miss Roberts and Epstein to block the case against the Duke. Their argument Andrew was essentially identified as a defendant in that settlement and so Miss Roberts signed away the right to sue him was thrown out by the judge. The unsealed court papers revealed that she agreed to 'release, acquit, satisfy and for ever discharge' Epstein and 'any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant'. Prince Andrew was not named in the settlement but his lawyers had believed he is covered as a 'potential defendant'. The document also references the term 'royalty', something the duke's lawyers also suggested gave them 'strong legal ground' to dismiss the case. It says: 'In addition to being continually exploited to satisfy the defendant's every sexual whim, (she) was also required to be sexually exploited by (Epstein's) adult male peers, including royalty, politicians, academicians, businessmen, and/or other professional and personal acquaintances.' His lawyers believed the document had given him a strong case to have the claims against him dismissed, though experts said its wording was 'vague'. Advertisement

He told Andrew B Brettler, Andrew's lawyer that the agreement was supposed to be secret, so how could other 'potential defendants' use it if they were not even to know about it.

The 12-page settlement document was made public on Monday and revealed the terms of a $500,000 (370,000) pay out from convicted sex offender Epstein to Ms Giuffre.

For Ms Giuffre, Mr Boies added that 'there is no allegation that Prince Andrew' was 'doing the trafficking. He was someone to whom the girls were trafficked'. Therefore, Boies argues, the Duke is not a 'potential defendant' under the terms of the Giuffre/Epstein release.

On Tuesday, Andrew's legal team argued for the case to be thrown out on the grounds that Ms Giuffre had reached a settlement with Epstein in 2009 over the sex abuse case she had brought against him.

In her original claim against Epstein she specifically made a reference to being sexually exploited by 'royalty.'

It stated: 'In addition to being continually exploited to satisfy defendant's [Epstein] every sexual whim, [Ms Giuffre] was also required to be sexually exploited by defendant's adult male peers, including royalty, politicians, academicians, businessmen and or other professional and personal acquaintances.'

The settlement does not name Andrew or make any mention of 'royals' but it does state that she agrees to' release, acquit, satisfy, and forever discharge' Epstein and 'any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant.'

His lawyers argued that because Giuffre, 38 said in her original claim against Epstein, that she was 'required to be sexually exploited' by Epstein's 'adult male peers, including royalty,' that meant the he was a potential defendant and therefore included in the agreement.

The 12-page settlement document was made public on Monday and revealed the terms of a $500,000 (370,000) pay out from convicted sex offender Epstein to Ms Giuffre.

Her legal team maintained that the settlement was 'irrelevant' to their case against Andrew because it only applied to people involved in litigation in Florida and did not include him.

She alleges the Andrew sexually abused her  when she known as Virginia Roberts - at the London home of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and at Epstein's homes in Manhattan and Little St James in the US Virgin Islands.

English lawyer and writer David Allen Green said last night that Andrew's lawyers 'have the harder task' in winning the case.

'To win, Andrews lawyers have to show that: agreement as whole can be constructed so as to cover him; the phrase 'potential defendant' should be interpreted to cover him; there is no rule of law/policy that prevents enforcement; he can enforce it without privity,' he wrote.

Virginia Giuffre's lawyers, he argued, 'only have to meet one of these hurdles'.

Green added that Ms Giuffre however would face a problem with explaining who was meant by the phrase 'potential defendant'.

'Some class of person was intended to be covered - and if not Andrew, who?'

Ms Giuffre did not feature in Maxwell's recent trial, when the British socialite and former girlfriend of Epstein was convicted of grooming teenagers for abuse by Epstein and she opted to pursue Andrew through the US courts after launching a civil action against him last summer under New York's Child Victims Act.

Her complaint, filed at a federal court, alleged that Andrew had sex with her on three separate occasions when he was aged 30 and she was 17.

During her visit to London, she claims that she danced with Andrew at a nightclub and then went on to have sex with him at Maxwell's house in Belgravia, Central London.

Documents filed by Ms Giuffre's lawyers claim that Andrew engaged in the sexual acts without her consent, knowing how old she was and 'that she was a sex-trafficking victim.'

They maintain that the 'extreme and outrageous conduct' continues to cause Ms Giuffre, 'significant emotional and psychological distress and harm.'

Andrew's daughter Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are pictured today in Verbier, Switzerland

Andrew's other daughter Princess Eugenie with her husband Jack Brooksbank in Verbier today

They add: 'In this country no person, whether president or prince, is above the law, and no person, no matter how powerless or vulnerable, can be deprived of the law's protection.

'Twenty years ago, Prince Andrew's wealth, power, position, and connections enabled him to abuse a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her. It is long past the time for him to be held to account.'

Speaking about Ms Giuffre's allegations in 2019, Prince Andrew insisted they 'never happened.'

He told BBC's Newsnight: 'It didn't happen. I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened.

'I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever.'

Despite Andrew's denials, there is a photo that clearly shows him with his arm around Ms Giuffre in a location that Maxwell's brother, Ian, confirmed looks very much like her then London house.

Ghislaine Maxwell is facing spending the rest of her life in jail after she was convicted of child sex offences in the US last week.

The former socialite, 60, was found guilty of five charges relating to the sexual abuse of the girls with her ex-boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein.

Epstein, 66, died after hanging himself in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in Manhattan in 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Will Andrew be forced to appear in US court? Prince faces settling sex abuse lawsuit or being grilled about his sexual history, whether he can sweat and Pizza Express alibi and Fergie and Beatrice called to testify

Prince Andrew now faces a choice between settling Virginia Roberts Giuffre's sex abuse lawsuit or facing a potentially ruinous court battle in which he is likely to be be questioned about his sexual history.

A New York judge on Wednesday sensationally ruled that the Queen's second son can be tried over allegations he sexually assaulted Miss Roberts when she was 17  allegations which Andrew has categorically denied.

Experts believe that Andrew will want to pursue an out-of-court, and potentially multimillion-pound, settlement with Miss Roberts, or face having his private life be put in the spotlight in a blockbuster trial in nine months.

However, there have been suggestions that Miss Roberts, who claims she was trafficked by British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and forced to have sex with Epstein and his associates, may not be prepared to accept a deal.

Witnesses including Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice could be asked to testify, Miss Roberts's lawyer David Boies has claimed.

It is likely the duke will be asked to give evidence under oath as part of the discovery process in what is known as a deposition.

However, he cannot be forced to appear in New York to defend himself due to the case being a civil suit in a different legal jurisdiction.

Andrew could simply refuse to acknowledge its existence  but the court would then pass a judgement in his absence, risking even more damage to his already-shattered reputation.

This is how the next steps could play out:

Judge Lewis A Kaplan's decision is a huge blow for Andrew, who now faces having to testify in open court

First, what did the judge decide?

Judge Kaplan rejected a motion by Andrew's lawyer to have Miss Roberts's sex abuse lawsuit thrown out.

The duke's team unsuccessfully argued that Miss Roberts had waived her right to pursue the duke by signing a confidential settlement with Epstein.

The settlement, made public earlier this month, detailed how Miss Roberts had received a $500,000 payout in 2009 and agreed to 'release, acquit, satisfy and forever discharged' Epstein and 'any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant'.

Andrew B Brettler, the duke's lawyer, had argued his client was a 'potential defendant' as defined by the agreement and so the case 'should be dismissed'.

But in his decision, Judge Kaplan said the agreement 'cannot be said' to benefit Andrew. He stressed that his ruling does not express any view as to the truth of Miss Roberts's allegations.

What happens next?

As it stands, the case on the path to a trial, and discovery (the 'formal process of exchanging information between the parties about the witnesses and evidence they'll present at trial') is already underway.

Under Judge Kaplan's timeline, both parties must disclose their expert witnesses by May 13, complete discovery on July 14 and file a join pre-trial proposal by July 28  which would include whether either side wants a jury trial.

There is a strong chance these deadlines will be altered.

What are the duke's legal option?

Aside from proceeding to fight the case in court, the duke has a number of legal options available to him, including:

Appealing today's ruling: Andrew could file a motion of reconsideration to Judge Kaplan, asking him to reconsider his ruling. Or he could go straight to the second circuit court of appeals, where it would be heard by a panel of judges.

If they also reject his motion, he could ask a second full second circuit to consider it. Another option would be to go straight to the Supreme Court, which would then decide whether or not to hear the case.

Filing for a dismissal: He could seek to have the case dismissed by arguing that it cannot be heard in a US federal court because both he and Miss Roberts  who is an American citizen but lives in Australia  are based abroad.

Settlement: Most American court cases end in a financial settlement agreed out of court before the case reaches trial. She could seek to extract an apology or an admission of wrongdoing as part of the settlement, but Andrew has always strenuously denied the allegations.

Default: Andrew ignores the court summons, meaning the court will rule in his absence.

Virginia Giuffre (seen with her attorney David Boies) accuses the royal of sexually assaulting her when she was 17, allegations he has always strenuously denied

Will Andrew try to settle?

It is likely the duke will be asked to give evidence under oath as part of the discovery process in what is known as a deposition.

Unless there are any other motions to dismiss the case, the duke would have to reach a settlement with Ms Giuffre.

This is usually a financial settlement where both sides go back and forth until a figure is reached.

Experts have argued that Andrew is a 'dead man walking' and will want to strike a deal with Miss Roberts.

Media lawyer Mark Stephens said Wednesday's ruling that Andrew is to face a civil sexual assault trial has 'thrown a bomb' into the heart of the royal family and threatens to spark a constitutional crisis.

He told the BBC a crisis of this scale was unprecedented for the royal family.

'Prince Andrew has nowhere to go. He's effectively a dead man walking as far as the royal family is concerned,' he said. 'But the one thing he can do is to accept the responsibility, accept the blame, accept that he has to fall on his sword for the sake of the wider royal family.'

The duke denies the allegations made against him.

What are the chances of the duke seeking to settle?

Insiders say the option 'remains on the table'.

Andrew's team are understood to acknowledge the 'attritional impact' the case is having on the Royal Family, particularly as the Queen is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this June with the threat of a scandalous sex trial hanging over her.

'Obviously, this is a US case involving US lawyers and involving a US civil lawsuit,' one source said. 'In reality, 99 per cent of US civil litigations are settled out of court. A settlement would always be an option on the table, as that's where the vast majority end up. There is also the wider pressure and attritional impact to consider.'

Sources with knowledge of the case have previously told the Mail that no discussions have taken place yet about whether the Queen's son could  or should  agree a settlement without liability being admitted. But neither had it been ruled out as an option, they said.

Buckingham Palace has refused to comment, describing it as an 'ongoing legal matter'.

On the one hand agreeing a settlement would prevent Andrew going through the humiliating experience of being interviewed by Miss Roberts's lawyers, who will be able to question him about everything from his sexual partners to the minutiae of his dealings with Epstein and with Maxwell, found guilty last month of sex trafficking.

They may seek answers from other family members, including his ex-wife Sarah and potentially other senior royals.

What dirty laundry could be aired in court if a settlement is not reached?

If a settlement is not reached, then the duke's private life could effectively be put in the dock.

As a young man, the 'Playboy Prince' was one of the world's most eligible bachelors and earned himself the nickname 'Randy Andy' after being linked to a string of beautiful women.

When a bachelor for a second time, Andrew again made headlines, having been spotted cavorting with topless women on holiday in Thailand, and attending a 'hookers and pimps' party with Robert Maxwell's daughter Ghislaine in the US.

It is possible that should the lawsuit reach court, lawyers could drudge up Andrew's sexual history and question him about everything from his sexual partners to the minutiae of his dealings with Epstein and with Maxwell, who has been convicted of sex trafficking.

Andrew also faced being grilled over his ability to sweat and his Pizza Express alibi.

During his 'car crash' BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, Andrew denied that he slept with Miss Roberts, saying one encounter in 2001 did not happen as he had spent the day with his daughter Beatrice, taking her to Pizza Express in Woking for a party.

The same alleged sexual liaison, which Miss Roberts said began with Andrew sweating heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp, was later branded factually wrong by the duke, who said he had a medical condition at the time which meant he did not sweat.

As a result, it is possible that Andrew's daughter Beatrice could testify in any US trial. It is also possible that Andrew's ex-wife Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson  who herself has generated some of the most humiliating royal scandals of modern times  could give evidence.

But a settlement would clearly do little to help the 61-year-old prince clear his name, and it is unlikely to help him achieve his long-held ambition of returning to public life in some form.

The Duke of York was photographed with his arm around the bare waist of then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts. In the background, Ghislaine Maxwell. Roberts claims she was forced to have sex with the royal three times

Could Andrew be forced to appear in court?

Legal experts say Andrew could not be forcibly extradited due to it being a civil case.

Edward Grange, extradition expert and partner at Corker Binning, told MailOnline: 'In short, extradition can not take place for as long as the case remains within the civil jurisdiction.

'Prince Andrew would only be at peril of extradition if he were charged with a criminal offence in the USA that carries a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or more.

'Even then, whilst an extradition request could be made to the UK, no doubt careful thought would be given as to whether such steps should be taken given that it would be a very bold move for prosecutors to take because of the undoubted diplomatic headache it could cause for the two jurisdictions.'

Mr Grange added: 'If he were to be charged with a criminal offence in the US and if the US were to seek his extradition, his British nationality would not result in a dismissal of the request as Britain extradites its own citizens.'

Could Meghan, Charles or Fergie be asked to testify?

David Boies, Miss Roberts's lawyer, has said he plans to make a formal request through the UK court system to speak to two witnesses.

This raised speculation he wants to speak to Sarah, Beatrice, or one of the duke's police protection officers. He has also speculated that Charles and Meghan Markle could also be called as witnesses if the case reaches court.

Mr Boies said that the Duchess of Sussex was a potential witness because she lives in the US and is subject to the jurisdiction of American courts. However, there is no evidence Meghan was a 'close associate' of Andrew or has any information about the claims against him.

The rest of the Royal Family are likely to be highly reluctant to give evidence in the case and there is no way for Miss Roberts's lawyers to force them.

If Andrew loses the civil case could he face a criminal suit?

Defence attorney Julie Rendelman played down the prospect of any criminal charges being filed over Andrew's case.

She told The Guardian: 'I believe that [Maxwell] is the final piece in terms of criminal charges involving Epstein. I'm pretty confident prosecutors spent this time evaluating every piece of evidence to see if there is anything else.

'I think they realised the strongest case is Ghislaine, and that's what they went for.'

The controversial 'Playboy Prince' who earned the nickname 'Randy Andy' after being linked to string of beautiful women and served in the Falklands but whose reputation has been left in tatters by Epstein sex scandal

Who is New York Southern District Judge Lewis Kaplan Lewis A Kaplan, senior judge for the Southern District of New York Lewis A Kaplan was appointed as a judge to the federal court for the Southern District of New York in 1994 after being appointed by then President Bill Clinton. Aged 77, he has presided over a number of high-profile cases and has earned a fearsome reputation as a tough and controversial lawman who is not afraid to take on prominent organisations and individuals, regardless of adverse media publicity. Born in Staten Island, New York, Judge Kaplan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester in 1966 and a doctorate in law from Harvard in 1969. In 2004, Judge Kaplan married former New York Times reporter and legal publisher Lesley Oelsner. It is not known if they have any children. The couple have a home in an upmarket area of New York and another in the country. Prior to being appointed to the bench in 1994, Kaplan worked for 17 years in the private sector for Paul Weiss, one of the most profitable corporate law firms of that time. Many of Judge Kaplan's cases have generated national media attention in the US and have been praised for setting legal precedents by some while his critics have accused him of opposing human rights. In 2010 he became the first federal judge to preside in a trial of a Guantanamo detainee. Following a high-profile hearing, Judge Kaplan sentenced to life imprisonment Ahmed Ghailani for his role in Al Qaeda's 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania while ordering him to pay $33 million in compensation. Judge Kaplan hit the headlines in the US in the same year when he presided over the cases of 14 members of the Gambino crime family, who were found guilty of racketeering, witness tampering, murder and a number of other serious crimes. They were given sentences ranging from five to 30 years. Despite his legal pedigree, Judge Kaplan has achieved notoriety around the world for his involvement in a high-profile case between energy firm Chevron over pollution in the Ecuadorian rainforest. The case was brought by 30,000 members of an indigenous tribe, resulting in Chevron being fined $18.2 billion for environmental crimes. In turn the company took to court in the US, Steven Donziger, the American human rights lawyer who led the case against them, on racketeering and corruption charges. The hearing was held before Judge Kaplan, who ruled in Chevron's favour and also found Donziger in contempt of court in 2019 for refusing to hand over his electronic devices and placed him under house arrest. He was recently sentenced to six months imprisonment by another judge. Advertisement

The Duke of York will face a defining moment in his public life when Virginia Giuffre gives evidence in court about allegations he sexually abused her.

Andrew has for many years been dogged by controversy but the upcoming civil lawsuit trial will determine his future within the monarchy and how he will be viewed by history.

During his life, the 'Playboy Prince' earned high regard for his bravery during the Falklands War and served as a trade envoy, but he is best known as the man whose reputation was left in tatters amid the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.

As a young man, he was one of the world's most eligible bachelors and earned himself the nickname 'Randy Andy' after being linked to a string of beautiful women.

But later in life his connections with controversial foreign figures raised concerns and he was dubbed 'Air Miles Andy' after being criticised for his globe-trotting, especially helicopter trips to pursue his passion for golf.

At 22, Andrew saw active service in the Royal Navy as a Sea King helicopter pilot in the Falklands War. His service included flying his aircraft as a decoy target, trying to divert deadly Exocet missiles away from British ships.

He later married and divorced the bubbly, flame-haired Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson, who herself has generated some of the most humiliating royal scandals of modern times.

When a bachelor for a second time, Andrew again made headlines, having been spotted cavorting with topless women on holiday in Thailand, and attending a 'hookers and pimps' party with Robert Maxwell's daughter, Ghislaine Maxwell, in the US.

After serving for 22 years in the Royal Navy, the duke became the UK's special representative for international trade and investment, but his 10 years in the role generated a great deal of controversy.

As a roving ambassador, one of his first tasks was a post-September 11 trip to New York, but he was criticised for attending a party during his stay.

Andrew has faced questions over his connections to politicians in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Libya and Turkmenistan.

His judgment was questioned after he held meetings with Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif, and when he entertained the son-in-law of Tunisia's ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at Buckingham Palace.

His relations with Timur Kulibayev, son-in-law of the then-president of Kazakhstan, were also scrutinised after Mr Kulibayev purchased the duke's Sunninghill Park home for 3 million more than its 12 million asking price in 2007.

Simon Wilson - Britain's deputy head of mission in Bahrain from 2001 to 2005 - wrote in the Daily Mail that the duke was 'more commonly known among the British diplomatic community in the Gulf as HBH: His Buffoon Highness'.

In 2011, it emerged that Andrew was friends with American financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Photos surfaced of him with his arm around Virginia Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts, who claimed that Epstein employed her as a masseuse but exploited her while a teenage minor.

The duke was also pictured walking in New York's Central Park with Epstein in December 2010, a year after Epstein's release from prison, and this led him to quit his role as a trade envoy.

In 2013, Andrew was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, but Britain's pre-eminent scientific institution faced unprecedented dissent from members over the move, with one professor describing the duke as an 'unsavoury character'.

Tech-savvy Andrew, who was the first member of the royal family to have an official Twitter account under his own name, focused on his Pitch@Palace work, bringing together industry experts with young entrepreneurs and technology start-ups.

Then in 2015, while enjoying a New Year skiing holiday with his family, he was named in US court documents as having had sex a number of times with a teenage girl, a minor under US law.

The woman alleged she was 'procured' for the duke by Epstein, whom she accused of using her as a 'sex slave'.

She was identified in reports as Virginia Giuffre, the American teenager with whom Andrew had been pictured.

The duke vehemently denied the allegation.

In April 2015, a US federal judge ordered the claims to be struck from civil court records as the long-running lawsuit against Epstein continued.

But Andrew's association with Epstein hit the headlines once again in 2019, amid ongoing investigations into the American, who killed himself in prison in August that year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

The duke's appearance on the BBC's Newsnight programme later in November was intended to draw a line under the matter.

But it was dubbed a 'car crash', with commentators questioning his responses and condemning his unsympathetic tone and lack of remorse over his friendship with the sex offender Epstein.

During the interview, Andrew denied that he slept with Ms Giuffre, saying one encounter in 2001 did not happen as he had spent the day with his daughter, Princess Beatrice, taking her to Pizza Express in Woking for a party.

The same alleged sexual liaison, which the American said began with the royal sweating heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp, was later branded factually wrong as the duke said he had a medical condition at the time which meant he did not sweat.

And he twice stated that his relationship with sex offender Epstein had provided 'seriously beneficial outcomes', giving him the opportunity to meet people and prepare for his future role as a trade envoy.

Now the Epstein saga appears to be reaching its conclusion with Ms Giuffre's civil sex case against Andrew due to be heard in the autumn.
An American man has appeared in court accused of sneaking into the stables of Buckingham Palace last month.

Joseph Huang Kang, 24, is charged with trespassing in the Royal Mews on December 10, 2021.

The Royal Mews is made up of a number of stables used by the royal family at Buckingham Palace.

It is responsible for their transport and contains horses and carriages.

Joseph Huang Kang, 24, is charged with trespassing in the Royal Mews on December 10

Mr Kang was bailed on condition that he not be within 200 metres of Buckingham Palace and that he does not attempt to leave the United Kingdom

The Royal Mews is made up of a number of stables used by the royal family at Buckingham Palace

Mr Kang appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court wearing a navy jacket and carrying a large duffel bag. The court heard that Mr Kang is a US citizen.

He will next appear at Westminster Magistrates court on February 9 of this year.

He was bailed on condition that he not be within 200 metres of Buckingham Palace and that he does not attempt to leave the United Kingdom.

Mr Kang, of the European Hotel, Kings Cross, is accused of one count of trespass on a protected site.
A man wanted for allegedly threatening the manager of a Manhattan Duane Reed with a knife while he robbed the store to the tune of $2,200 items will only be charged as a misdemeanor under new 'woke' Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's new policies.

William Rolon, 43, who has a lengthy record, allegedly strolled into the Lower East Side Duane Reade in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 8 and began filling a plastic garbage bag with cold medicine and other merchandise.

It's another embarrassment for new Bragg, who has spent most of his first month in office under fire over his soft-on-crime policies, which include calling on prosecutors to ditch felony armed robbery charges and instead charge suspects with petit larceny and not seeking carceral sentences for criminals.

Critics say these new policies are to blame for an early increase in New York City crime in 2022.

Bragg was asked by a DailyMail.com photographer Wednesday morning about the case, but he refused to comment, saying it was 'an open matter.'

'We're going to keep on doing the right thing the right way and doing our job,' he insisted Wednesday morning when asked about 'all the controversy' from his statements about plans to keep more criminals on the street.

The Manhattan DA's press office has repeatedly ignored questions about Rolon's case and the decision to downgrade charges.

When a female manager approached Rolon Saturday, he brandished a pocket knife at her.

'F**k you, I'm taking everything,' he said, according to police.

Rolon and a second person, who has yet to be identified, fled with $2,209 worth of goods.

A man who stole $2,000 from a Duane Reade in Manhattan and brandished a knife at a manager may only face petit larceny charges

The brazen criminal even returned to the same store again later that day to take more cold medicine - an ingredient often used to make crystal meth - some paper towels and other items, court papers said.

The store manager immediately called the police and Rolon was arrested. Cops say they recovered a small package of heroin that allegedly dropped out of his sock.

He was charged with first-degree robbery and criminal weapons possession but had the robbery charge later dropped for two counts of petit larceny and other low-level offenses.

First-degree robbery in New York State carries a sentence of between five and 25 years in a state prison, but petit larceny carries a maximum sentence of just one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Rolon's record dates back to 1991 and includes charges of rape, robbery, assault and drug dealing, according to reports.

Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Jay Weiner made it clear to Rolon in court that he was a beneficiary of the new DA, court transcripts said.

Rolon, 43, has a rap sheet dating back to 1991 but was only given a petit larceny charged and not forced to make bail

He called it 'a case that two weeks ago would have been charged as a robbery.'

'Based on your record, you would have faced a long period of time in jail if convicted,' Weiner added. 'The newly elected district attorney has new policies. You're not charged with robbery; you're charged with a misdemeanor here.'

Weiner added: 'I don't know if anyone would ever feel lucky standing in front of me in a courtroom, but you might reasonably feel lucky today.'

Prosecutor Jacqueline Scher asked Rolon be placed under supervised release. The state's bail reform laws require defendants be given the 'least restrictive' conditions to encourage them to come back to court.

'Based on the charging decision that the district attorney's office has made, I can't set bail,' said Weiner, agreeing.

He then warned Rolon that 'bail might be in your future' should he offend again.

Robbery has been on a huge increase in the Big Apple since the beginning of the year. Through January 9, 354 were reported across the city, up 25 percent from 238 in the same period in 2021.

Bragg's policies include calling on prosecutors to ditch felony armed robbery charges and instead charge suspects with petty larceny and not seeking carceral sentences for criminals

Overall, crime has gone up 30 percent in citywide through that same date.

Under Bragg's new soft-on-crime approach, robberies are directed to be prosecuted as petit larceny if no victim was wounded and there was 'no risk of physical harm'.

However, the manager of the Duane Reade said that she feared for her life and didn't want to go back to work, according to the New York Post.

Former Bronx prosecutor and defense lawyer Michael Discioarro said that Bragg is doing a huge disservice to this woman.

'He just ignored the victim,' Manhattan defense lawyer Michael Discioarro said of Bragg. 'He's telling the victim: You don't deserve protection from the state.'

Meanwhile, prostitution, turnstile jumping, weapons possession (of non-firearms) and marijuana possession won't be prosecuted at all under Bragg.

A former Manhattan DA called Bragg's policies 'an affront to every law-abiding citizen.'

'Violent criminals now have carte blanche to re-offend, knowing full well that they will never again sniff the inside of a jail cell,' added former Manhattan assistant DA Daniel Ollen

'If you thought things couldn't get any worse, think again. God help us.'

Bragg was elected Manhattan DA in November after winning a crowded primary in June.

Drug dealers will not be prosecuted for felony crimes unless they commit other offenses on top of drug dealing, and prison should be a 'last resort' - despite the mounting number of violent crimes being committed on the streets of New York by repeat offenders who have been let out of jail early.

NYPD unions, New York Republicans and angry residents were left dumbfounded amid growing fears that the crime-ravaged city will experience the same fate as other progressive-run bastions on the West Coast that have been plagued by looting and lawlessness.

The Police Benevolent Association president Patrick J. Lynch, who leads the nearly 24,000-member union, said that has 'serious concerns' over the new policies.

'Police officers don't want to be sent out to enforce laws that the district attorneys won't prosecute.

'There are already too many people who believe that they can commit crimes, resist arrest, interfere with police officers and face zero consequences.'

The Detectives' Endowment Association released this statement saying he might as well give the criminals business cards

Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said he has 'serious concerns'

The union chief said he hoped that Bragg would sit down with the leaders from his union to discuss the changes.

'We must all pull together towards one goal: a safer New York City.'

Business leaders have previously feared that these new policies could have detrimental effect on Manhattan's economy.

'New York City's quality of life must remain competitive if we are to lure back office workers and tourists,' Jessica Walker, president of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce said. 'The district attorney's stance against prosecuting certain low-level crimes may undermine both the perception and the reality that ours is a safe big city.'

NYGOP Chairman Nick Langworthy called the policy 'pure insanity'.

'This policy is pure insanity by a Soros-funded, woke DA who is opening the door for even more crime and chaos on New York City streets.

'This, on top of Democrats' end to cash bail, will have deadly results and send even more residents, businesses and tourists fleeing.

'This is a damning reminder that elections have consequences,' he told DailyMail.com.

It was a shock to some of those who voted for Adams on his promise that he would crack down on the city's worsening crime problem.

The new mayor has not commented on the criticism of Bragg's memo.

Last week, Bragg tried to offer reassurances that he would only let non-violent criminals who stole 'toothpaste' or 'bread'.

'We will be tough when we need to be, but we will not be seeking to destroy lives through unnecessary incarceration.

'In practical terms that means: I've prosecuted gun cases and if you use a gun to rob a store, or any armed robbery, you will be prosecuted. I've prosecuted cases involving assaulting law enforcement, and if you punch a police officer, you will be prosecuted.

'But if you are houseless with an addiction problem and you steal toothpaste and some bread, you will be diverted for treatment to help break the cycle of recidivism.'

New Mayor Eric Adams (pictured Tuesday) endorsed Bragg for Manhattan prosecutor and claimed on Monday that his policies would help reduce crime

He did not clarify the extent to which the criminals would be prosecuted, or if he would seek jail term for them.

Some expressed concern over Bragg's ability to unilaterally decide which laws will or will not be enforced. The critics argue prosecutors 'must be allowed discretion,' but not the authority to change entire sections of penal code on their own.

Others allege his apparent looser stance on crime is surprising given he grew up in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood in the 1980s, during an endemic time of 'crack violence' and 'crack turf war-related bloodshed'.

The violence extended beyond drug dealers, with many residents sheltering their children in bathtubs to protect them from stray bullets that would shoot through the walls, the New York Post reported.

Critics contend, given Bragg grew up in that time of violence - which was significantly worse than today's crime levels - that he should want to hold criminals accountable for their actions and protect public order.

But others familiar with his upbringing tell DailyMail.com that he actually enjoyed quite a cushy existence, and should stop distorting his past to justify reforms that would keep all but the most serious felons out of jail.

Bragg, the first black Manhattan DA, grew up in Harlem but on one of the safest blocks around, an upper middle-class enclave of brownstones known as Strivers Row, and since age 4 commuted to the elite Trinity School on Manhattan's Upper West Side - details he conveniently leaves out when he makes his case.

'He's made his biography his moral compass, making it seem like there's something magic about his life story that gives him the wisdom to establish policies that affect over one million people,' one insider told DailyMall.com. 'I'm not saying he hasn't experienced racism, but there's lots of privilege he leaves out of his story.'

DailyMail.com has learned that Bragg grew up in an upper middle-class enclave of brownstones and attended an elite school on the Upper West Side. Bragg is pictured with his parents

New York City is currently experiencing soaring crime rates and an increase in shooting incidents not seen since the mid-2000s

Critics also argue Bragg's policies directly conflict with the views and goals of the newly-elected mayor.

However, new Mayor Eric Adams endorsed Bragg for Manhattan prosecutor and claimed last week that his policies would help reduce crime.

Adams was an attractive choice for many voters because of his repeated promises to crack down on crime and bring back plain clothes units to disband gangs and tackle gun violence.

In July 2021 - before they were elected - Bragg and Adams joined famed civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton at the National Action Network rally in New York.

Adams, at the time, said he saw his role as mayor as making 'Bragg's job boring'.

'Prosecution rates is [sic] tied to my educational failure rates, Adams said, according to NewsOne. 'If I do my job right, then he will have nothing to do in this office.'

Bragg added: 'The state has the power to take away someone's liberty. We are going to use that power judiciously and wisely. We're going to use that for fairness and for safety.'

The first homicide of 2022 in NYC: A woman was stabbed to death near a diner in Astoria, Queens on New Year's Day at 9pm

Famed civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton (left) and Alvin Bragg (right) celebrate a decade of 'PoliticsNation With Al Sharpton' on August 24, 2021 in New York City

George Soros has funneled millions into the successful campaigns of other progressive district attorneys across the country. He has also been pumping money into a far-left effort to overhaul the criminal justice system which critics say is creating a lawless America

Bragg was elected thanks in part to the Color of Change super PAC, a political action committee that received $1million from Democratic super-donor Soros.

Soros has funneled millions into the successful campaigns of other progressive district attorneys across the country.

The billionaire, one of the most prolific Democratic donors, is most known for giving to Presidents Clinton and Obama but he has also been pumping money into a far-left effort to overhaul the criminal justice system which critics say is creating a lawless America.

In addition to Bragg, Soros has also funded campaigns of Los Angeles' George Gascon, Philadelphia's Larry Krasner and Chicago's Kim Foxx.

The perp is being represented by the Legal Aid Society, which said in a statement that Rolon 'is a prime example of a person in need of treatment and resources, not incarceration.'

'Jail and prison only create a vicious cycle of incarceration and only serve to exacerbate root cause issues and to detract from public safety,' the statement added.

ALVIN BRAGG'S MEMO PROMISING NOT TO JAIL CRIMINALS AND ONLY USE PRISON AS A 'LAST RESORT' Advertisement

EXCLUSIVE: 'He's trying to score cool points in the hood, but he's no Tupac': Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg tells tales of growing up in 'dangerous' Harlem to justify police reforms - despite being raised in $2m brownstone and attending elite private school

Manhattan's new District Attorney Alvin Bragg regularly gives speeches about his childhood, recalling that cops and civilians pointed guns at him a half dozen times, and says it's his hardships growing up in Harlem that make him the right man for the moment.

But critics familiar with his upbringing tell DailyMail.com that he actually enjoyed quite a cushy existence, and should stop distorting his past to justify reforms that would keep all but the most serious felons out of jail.

Bragg, the first black Manhattan DA, grew up in Harlem but on one of the safest blocks around, an upper middle-class enclave of brownstones known as Strivers Row, and since age 4 commuted to the elite Trinity School on Manhattan's Upper West Side - details he conveniently leaves out when he makes his case.

'He's made his biography his moral compass, making it seem like there's something magic about his life story that gives him the wisdom to establish policies that affect over one million people,' one insider told DailyMall.com. 'I'm not saying he hasn't experienced racism, but there's lots of privilege he leaves out of his story.'

Manhattan's new District Attorney Alvin Bragg regularly gives speeches about the hardships of growing up in Harlem, recalling cops pointing guns at him

Alvin Bragg and his father at his graduation. He graduated from the Trinity School, before he attended Harvard College. He graduated from Harvard cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in government in 1995

Bragg painted a far different picture of himself back in 1995, when he was a student at Harvard University and was featured in a college newspaper profile headlined 'The Anointed One' that mentioned nothing about the violence he now says he experienced.

In fact, Bragg, who served as president of the Black Students Association, acknowledged his privilege in that article, telling the school paper that others in Harlem 'wouldn't have the same kind of potential, walking to P.S. whatever and trying to learn from a teacher who might not be as concerned.'

In the article, Bragg stated that he was well protected by his block and his parents, who sent him away from the city ever summer to stay with relatives in Virginia.

An NYPD detective, who's worked the streets of Harlem, said Bragg these days is 'trying to score cool points in the hood, but he's not Tupac Shakur. More like Baby Face.'

'He keeps throwing up Harlem, Harlem, Harlem,' the detective said, 'but he went to the best schools with a silver spoon in his mouth. When you're privileged like he is, you don't go through the troubles that the average kids go through in an urban neighborhood.'

Bragg sparked outrage last week when he announced his office will stop prosecuting many low-level crimes. He kicked off his introductory 10-page memo with his own hard-knocks story.

'Growing up in Harlem in the 1980s, I saw every side of the criminal justice system from a young age,' his first sentence reads. 'Before I was 21 years old, I had a gun pointed at me six times: three by police officers and three by people who were not police officers. I had a knife to my neck, a semi-automatic gun to my head and a homicide victim on my doorstep.'

Bragg also shared 'perhaps the most sobering experience of my life: seeing  through the eyes of my children  the aftermath of a shooting directly in front of our home, as we walked together past yellow crime scene tape, seemingly countless shell casings, and a gun, just to get home.'

Bragg is from the Upper Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem, and grew up on Striver's Row

He was raised in this brownstone worth $2,100,000 in an upper middle-class enclave

An early photo of the Bragg family. Alvin Sr, Sadie, Alvin Jr and his brother. His mother was a dedicated public school teacher and his father ran homeless shelters

Bragg, 48, a former federal prosecutor, wrote that in large part because of those experiences, he's dedicated his career to achieving 'safety and fairness.' He then proceeded to outline new charging, bail, plea and sentencing guidelines he claimed will meet those goals, while dismissing public safety advocates who argue his more lenient policies will cause a spike in crime.

Bragg made his past a central part of his campaign, helping him beat out seven Democrats primary opponents before defeating Republican Thomas Kenniff in November. He succeeded Cyrus Vance, who did not seek reelection.

Bragg convinced a liberal electorate that he was the right man for the moment because of his urban roots.

'There wasn't such a big difference between the candidates on policies, but he was the only Black man running and he distinguished himself by talking about his biography, a lot,' the insider told DailyMail.com.

But in a campaign that received little press coverage, Bragg curated his own image with little resistance.

He barely mentioned the fact he didn't have to attend public school or hang out in the projects. Waking up on Strivers Row, he commuted out of Harlem to the now $57,000-a-year Trinity School on West 91st Street, where children have less a chance gaining admission than getting into Harvard. He currently sends his two children to the private school, where legacy students have a decidedly upper hand.

The school boasts of the success of its graduates, who include everyone from Eric Trump to John McEnroe.

Alvin is pictured with his father. Bragg's parents Sadie and Alvin Sr. met in as teenagers in Petersburgh, Virginia, where Sadie was the valedictorian and won a scholarship to Virginia State University. She'd later become dean of academic affairs at the Borough of Manhattan Community College

Alvin Bragg is pictured with his wife Jamila Ponton on their wedding day

After graduating from Trinity, Bragg enrolled at Harvard, where he spoke more openly about life on Strivers Row and his elite educational background.

'Bragg says he enjoyed Trinity, despite occasionally feeling like teachers asked him to be the 'flag-bearer' for his race in a discussion,' the Harvard Chronicle article from June 1995 states. 'Denise Philpotts, the school's coordinator of multicultural affairs, says she noticed Bragg's self-confidence even in his overwhelmingly white elementary school classes.'

Over his years there, Braggs played soccer, tennis and basketball, joined student government and served as the school's Tiger mascot, according to the article.

'Today, he is best remembered in the school for starting an annual block party patterned after the Striver's Row festivals he knew as a child,' it adds. 'Bragg orchestrated every detail, form the dunking tanks to the parents who turned hot dogs.'

Trinity Dean of Students Tom Ramsey told the Harvard Chronicle that, as Bragg's parents hoped, 'he did a lot of bridging between the school and the community.'

'While Trinity is only about 30 blocks from Harlem, Ramsey says, 'It's like Cambridge versus Roxbury. It's close, but it's a different world,' the article states.

The article notes Striver's Row was featured in the movie 'Jungle Fever,' and was 'a historic haven for upper-middle-class Black professional households.'

Bragg's parents Sadie and Alvin Sr. met in as teenagers in Petersburgh, Virginia, where Sadie was the valedictorian and won a scholarship to Virginia State University. She'd later become dean of academic affairs at the Borough of Manhattan Community College

His late father during high school was active with the NAACP and led student sit-ins as part of the effort to desegregate restaurants, according to his obituary.

He later worked for over 14 years at the New York Urban League, a civil rights organization where he oversaw operations in Manhattan as the borough director.

Alvin Bragg is pictured with his wife as he's sworn in as an elected Manhattan District Attorney

'He can preach his stories to the uppity white people, make them feel like he's been through so much, but he ain't been through sh*t,' an NYPD detective said about Bragg

'We grew up in a small town' with strong local institutions like church, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts,' Alvin Sr. told the Harvard Chronicle. 'That's one thing we agreed on--we would raise him like we were raised.'

'That's why they chose Striver's Row, where Bragg says he was brought up by the entire neighborhood,' with close-knit residents even sponsoring an annual block party with games and food for the children, which they organized themselves, the article reads.

'He will likely not end up running for office,' the profile states. 'But whatever he does eventually, today there is a definite sense of the anointed about him.'

It quotes Harvard's Dean of Students Archie C. Epps saying, 'I would push him toward elective politics because he's the perfect example of crossover politician who can draw votes from both white and Black voters.'

The 1995 article makes no mention of the violence, or gun incidents that Bragg now routinely talks about in public.

It's led to some snickering among his critics every time he mentions them.

'He can preach his stories to the uppity white people, make them feel like he's been through so much, but he ain't been through sh*t,' the NYPD detective said.

'There are real victims in New York City, but he's not one of them,' he added. 'We now have the highest homicide ratios we've had in decades. He should stop with the rhetoric so we can have an honest debate about his policies, which are the total opposite of what mayor Eric Adams is talking about.'

While Adams, a former NYPD captain, ran on a law-and-order platform, Bragg's memo to his staff Monday announced he 'will not seek carceral' sentences for criminals, unless they were guilty of murder or a handful of other crimes he deemed serious enough to warrant prison.

His sweeping changes call on prosecutors to ditch felony armed robbery charges and instead charge suspects with petty larceny - a misdemeanor which carries a maximum of one year in prison - even when a weapon is involved if the firearm did not 'create a genuine risk of physical harm.'

Burglaries will no longer be prosecuted as burglaries if the bandit steals from a storage unit or outdoor property that isn't connected to a 'living' dwelling, and quality-of-life crimes such as prostitution, turnstile jumping, weapons possession (of non-firearms) and marijuana possession won't be prosecuted at all.

Bragg's sweeping changes call on prosecutors to ditch felony armed robbery charges and instead charge suspects with petty larceny - a misdemeanor which carries a maximum of one year in prison - even when a weapon is involved if the firearm did not 'create a genuine risk of physical harm'

Drug dealers will not be prosecuted for felony crimes unless they commit other offenses on top of drug dealing, and prison should be a 'last resort' - despite the mounting number of violent crimes being committed on the streets of New York by repeat offenders who have been let out of jail early.

NYPD unions, New York Republicans and angry residents were left dumbfounded amid growing fears that the crime-ravaged city will experience the same fate as other progressive-run bastions on the West Coast that have been plagued by looting and lawlessness.

'Why doesn't Bragg just give the drug dealers business cards telling everyone they're open for business, what their hours are, and what they charge?' Detectives Endowment Association President Paul DiGiacomo said in a statement on Wednesday.

'Alvin Bragg's memo to his staff specifying his prosecution policy will result in more crime and increased shootings.

'Where there are drugs, there are guns. D.A. Bragg has made himself the police, the judge and the jury.'

The Police Benevolent Association president Patrick J. Lynch, who leads the nearly 24,000-member union, said that he has 'serious concerns' over the new policies.

'Police officers don't want to be sent out to enforce laws that the district attorneys won't prosecute.

'There are already too many people who believe that they can commit crimes, resist arrest, interfere with police officers and face zero consequences.'
Sen. Ted Cruz slammed a lectern in fury on Tuesday as he accused the Biden administration of hypocrisy on COVID policy and railed against a 'one-sided media' for only asking Republicans why they weren't wearing masks on Tuesday.

During a Republican press conference to discuss President Joe Biden's voter rights push, he was asked why he and his colleagues weren't wearing masks.

He said everyone appearing with him had been double vaccinated and boosted.

'And by the way, on the question of hypocrisy, you just asked, you people at the podium are speaking without masks.

'Just once, I'd like to see a reporter say to Joe Biden when he stands at the damn podium in the White House without a mask, "Mr. President, why aren't you wearing a mask?" he said, slamming the lectern with a fist to punctuate his remarks.

'Just once, Id like to see you say to Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, when she stands at the podium with no mask, "Ms. Psaki, why dont you have a mask?

'The questions are only directed at one side, and I got to say that the American people see the hypocrisy.'

Sen. Ted Cruz was asked about the 'glaring visual' of a line of GOP senators standing before the media without masks during a news conference on Tuesday

He responded by slamming his hand on the lectern and railing against a media that only asked Republicans about masks, even though Joe Biden and Jen Psaki spoke to reporters unmasked

'The questions are only directed at one side, and I got to say that the American people see the hypocrisy,' Cruz said flanked by his Republican colleagues

He was responding to a question in which a reporter referred to the 'glaring visual' of a line of GOP senators standing before the media without masks.

Last week, the Attending Physician of the U.S. Congress advised staff to stay home as the highly infectious Omicron spread through members and their offices.

And Cruz made his comments a day after four lawmakers announced they had caught COVID-19, adding to four more - including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - who announced positive tests over the weekend.

AOC has attracted particular anger after photographs of her emerged showing her maskless in Florida, which has been the target of liberals' anger for its relaxed response to COVID-18.

Cruz has clashed repeatedly with journalists for declining to wear a mask after being vaccinated.

Last March, for example, a reporter asked him to don a face covering as he stepped up to talk to the media.

'Yeah, when Im talking to the TV camera, Im not going to wear a mask,' Cruz answered. 'All of us have been immunized, so...'

The reporter responded by telling him that that masking up would 'make us feel better,' to which Cruz said they were 'welcome to step away.'

Cruz said: 'Just once, Id like to see you say to Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, when she stands at the podium with no mask, "Ms. Psaki, why dont you have a mask?

And he said he was following guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - although fact checkers said the guidelines called for vaccinated people to continue taking precautions, such as wearing masks in public places indoors.

Last year he also led GOP senators in launching a bull to end federal mask mandates for vaccinated passengers on trains, planes and other forms of public transport.

Mask mandates have triggered angry confrontations between passengers and cabin crews on some flights.

Mask mandates have also been a source of friction between Republicans and school boards.

The CDC is currently weighing whether to change its guidance on masking and recommend that Americans wear higher grade face coverings, such as N95s or KN95s by health workers.

The highly transmissible Omicron variant has triggered a surge in infections and hospitalizations, as well as a debate over whether better protection is needed.

Last week, the US saw a record number of positive cases.
Former President Trump in a recent interview tore into politicians who will not say whether they have had their vaccine or booster, deeming them 'gutless.'

'I've taken it, I've had the booster,' Trump said.

'Many politicians - I've watched a couple of politicians be interviewed and one of the questions was 'did you get the booster,' he continued. 'The answer is yes but they don't want to say it, because they're gutless. You gotta say it, whether you've had it or not, say it.'

'The vaccine has saved tens of millions of people throughout the world. I have had absolutely no side effects,' he said in an interview with OAN that aired Tuesday night.

Still, the former president said he does not think young people should get the jab.

'I don't think young, healthy people should take it. I think that, certainly these young kids their immune system is so strong,' he continued, before telling how his 15-year-old son Barron had Covid-19 for 'like two seconds.'

'The vaccine has saved tens of millions of people throughout the world. I have had absolutely no side effects,' he said in an interview with OAN that aired Tuesday night

DeSantis' office previously confirmed that he received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine last April

Trump's reference to watching politicians be interviewed could have been a veiled jab at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who refused to say whether he had had the booster during a December segment on Fox News' Morning Futures.

'I've done whatever I did, the normal shot, and that at the end of the day is people's individual decisions about what they want to do,' DeSantis said.

Asked by Politico this month whether DeSantis had taken a booster shot, his office again demurred.

'I am not privy to the governor's private medical decisions and am unable to share information about his booster status,' DeSantis spokesperson Christina Pushaw said.

'Governor DeSantis has consistently said that vaccination (and by extension, boosters) should be a personal choice, and anyone who has questions or concerns should consult with a healthcare provider.'

DeSantis' office previously confirmed that he received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine last April.

Tensions between the former president and the Florida governor have been simmering as eyes turn to 2024. The New York Times' Maggie Haberman reports that Trump has been telling a number of aides that he is not getting the deference he wants from DeSantis in the run-up to the next presidential election.

But Trump's condemnation of those who won't disclose their vaccine status covers much of the Republican caucus. As of July, nearly half of House Republicans refused to disclose their vaccination status, most of whom are staunch Trump acolytes like Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.

Greene was permanently banned for Twitter after she posted what the social media giant deemed 'misinformation' about the vaccine.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson has notably refused to disclose his vaccination status to his audience.

Trump in a Wednesday morning interview with NPR's Morning Addition said that he believes the pandemic will 'phase out,' regardless of whether more Americans get vaccinated.

'Do you think the pandemic will continue as long as millions of people do choose not to vaccinate?' host Steve Inskeep asked.

'I think it's going to phase out. You know, there are many people that have had it, if you look at the numbers ... the administration has to start giving credit to people that had the China plague  or call it whatever you want.'

Last month, Trump pushed back on conservative host Candace Owens' questioning of the vaccine's efficacy.

'People aren't dying when they take the vaccine.'

Trump was heckled by his own supporters in Dallas last month when he disclosed that he'd gotten a booster shot.

Trump appeared onstage with ex-Fox News host Bill O'Reilly for the final stop of their 'History Tour.'

Still, the former president said he does not think young people should get the jab

'Both the president and I are vaxxed,' O'Reilly said. 'Did you get the booster?' he asked Trump.

Trump answered, 'yes,' to which O'Reilly replied, 'I got it too,' as members of the crowd started to yell.

'Don't, don't, don't, don't ... no, no, no,' Trump responded, wagging his hand at a section of the crowd. 'There's a very tiny group over there,' the ex-president said, pointing.

Trump had encouraged the crowd to 'take credit' for the vaccine. 'You're playing right into their hands when you're sort of like 'oh the vaccine,'' the ex-president said.
A Thai hotel has threatened to sue a guest for 70,000 after she gave the hotel a 6/10 rating and said in a review that it was 'too expensive'.

The guest, identified as Ms Khing, rated the Ozone Hotel near Khao Yai national park in central Thailand on Agoda.com on December 19 after staying there in June.

'The room did not look new as the photos suggested,' she wrote in a review that has since been deleted.

'It wasn't clean. I could not call reception from my room, so I had to walk down by myself. Night-shift staffers were not so helpful, but some were welcoming.

'I would like [the hotel] to adjust the price and improve the quality to match the price. If the opportunity presents itself, I will visit again.'

The hotel responded politely on the site but later phoned Ms Khing to demand she remove the review, pay 1,100 a day in compensation and fork out 65,850 for damages.

Her lawyer said that Ozone Hotel had repeatedly demanded money and an apology for seven consecutive days before threatening filing a criminal lawsuit for defamation.

The Ozone Hotel near Khao Yai national park in central Thailand has threatened to sue a guest, identified as Ms Khing, for 70,000 after she gave the hotel a 6/10 rating and said in a review that it was 'too expensive'

Ms Khing said the resort did not look like the photographs that had been posted online, was not clean and that staff were unwelcoming

The hotel responded politely to the review on the site but later phoned Ms Khing to demand she remove the review, pay 1,100 a day in compensation and fork out 65,850 for damages

Lawyer Sittra Biebangkerd said the hotel had initially thanked Ms Khing for her feedback on her June 13-14 stay before reaching out privately with demands for cash.

'She was told by the resort to delete the review comment immediately, or else she must pay the resort 50,000 Thai baht [1,100] per day in compensation and 3 million [65,850) for the damages,' Biebangkerd told the Bangkok Post.

The resort told Ms Khing she had 15 days from their letter to pay the money and issue apologies.

Biebangkerd added the resort had threatened his client with a criminal lawsuit for defamation if she refused to comply with their demands, complaining that she had sullied the hotel's reputation.

Ms Khing told local news outlets she felt 'threatened' after receiving the letter but insisted she had posted the review in good faith, hoping it would encourage management to improve the resort.

The case prompted an outcry on Thai social media where users argued customers should have the right to complain about substandard services - and others questioned Agoda.com's privacy policy.

It has brought fresh scrutiny to Thailand's defamation laws, which human rights activists say are too harsh and sweeping because they can be used to silence criticism.

In a similar case in 2020, an American teacher was arrested and threatened with two years in jail for defamation after posting a negative review that accused hotel staff of 'modern day slavery'.

Wesley Barnes wrote a TripAdvisor review of the four-star $60-a-night Sea View Resort Koh Chang in Chiang Mai that mentioned 'slave labor, xenophobic comments against hotel staff, and comparing the hotel to coronavirus on multiple occasions on website platforms'.

In a similar case in 2020, American teacher Wesley Barnes was arrested and threatened with two years in jail for defamation after posting a negative review that accused hotel staff of 'modern day slavery'

Wesley Barnes wrote a TripAdvisor review of the four-star $60-a-night Sea View Resort Koh Chang in Chiang Mai that mentioned 'slave labor, xenophobic comments against hotel staff, and comparing the hotel to coronavirus on multiple occasions on website platforms'

The lawsuit against Barnes was dropped in October 2020 after he issued a 'sincere apology' in which he retracted his initial review entirely.

'All of the statements that I made are completely untrue,' wrote Barnes in a statement. 'These reviews and comments were written out of anger and malice. Now, I, Mr. Barnes, have regretted my actions and would like to apologize to Sea View Koh Chang, and its staff.'

He also took responsibility for 'my repeatedly false and untrue statements/reviews made to maliciously defame Sea View Koh Chang'.
Prince Andrew's reputation is 'damaged beyond repair' following a decision by a US judge to allow a civil case to be brought against him by Virginia Giuffre, experts warned.

Specialists in reputation management told MailOnline that not only has Andrew been tarnished by the allegations but so has the rest of the Royal Family with legal proceedings against him set to get underway later this year.

Simon Wadsworth, managing partner at Igniyte, a company which specialises in reputation management, said: 'I think it's a long slog from here regardless of the outcomes of any proceedings going forward and any gestures to redeem the situation may only worsen the situation.

'He (Andrew) may be best to stay out of the public eye for the foreseeable future.'

He further warned: 'This has damaged the rest of the Royal Family by association. It's difficult for them to control the narrative, so hard for them to influence public opinion.

'The option of keeping him in a low profile looks to be increasingly difficult when this goes to a hearing.'

Specialists in reputation management told MailOnline that not only has Prince Andrew (pictured in April 2021) been tarnished by the allegations but so has the rest of the Royal Family with legal proceedings against him set to get underway later this year

The Duke of York photographed with his arm around the waist of then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts. Ghislaine Maxwell can be seen in the background

Mr Wadsworth described the impact of the case on Andrew's reputation as 'devastating', claiming that it has not been helped by his attitude towards Ms Giuffre.

He added: 'The impression he has given is one of not being empathetic and being "above the law".

'All statements and interviews have been around denial and rebuttal which is probably the right legal route but not necessarily in a PR sense  if he is innocent of all charges as he and his team say he is why can't he at least appear to be fully co-operative? There is a victim in this, and they should be the primary focus.'

Reputation specialist Amber Melville-Brown, a partner at international law firm Withers, claimed that there appeared to be little hope of salvaging Andrew's reputation 'in the court of public opinion', whatever the outcome of the civil action.

She said: 'He may never recover reputationally from injuries sustained from his fall from grace.

'While Prince Andrew has not been tried nor his evidence yet tested in any court, in the court of public opinion, his reputational ship was already under fire by his association with Epstein, torpedoed on Maxwell's conviction, and all but sunk by this latest loss.'

She added: 'Fighting this legal action will require titanic efforts by Prince Andrew's legal team, but whatever the ultimate result in court, it may not be enough in the court of public opinion to raise his reputation from the depths to which it has already sunk.'

Alex McCready, Head of Reputation & Privacy at Vardags, a leading international law firm, said: 'It is very difficult to see a situation where his reputation can be repaired or him ever having a public role again.

Experts also questioned the tactics employed by Andrew's legal team, as they attempted to use a 2009 settlement between Ms Giuffre (pictured in August 2019) and Jeffrey Epstein to try and quash the case

'It's all about damage mitigation now, particularly in light of the nature of the allegations that he is facing and his status as a member of our Royal Family.

'Whatever happens, Prince Andrew's reputation has suffered terrible damage from the allegations in this lawsuit and from his former friendship with Epstein and Maxwell - two convicted sex offenders.'

Experts also questioned the tactics employed by Andrew's legal team, as they attempted to use a 2009 settlement between Ms Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein to try and quash the case.

Reputation specialist Amber Melville-Brown (above) claimed there appeared to be little hope of salvaging Andrew's reputation 'in the court of public opinion'

Ms McCready said: 'The move to have the case thrown out was always going to be incredibly risky and it now looks like it may have backfired. It is not a reputationally appealing argument to get the case thrown by relying on a 12-year-old settlement agreement between Giuffre and Epstein  but clearly his lawyers thought it had legal merit.'

She added: 'I personally think that many are surprised that he's taken any steps to become involved in this US litigation (even if this was simply to ask the court to throw the case out), given he couldn't be compelled to take the stand as it's a civil case.'

Ms Melville-Brown described the attempt to have the case thrown out as a 'gamble' that has backfired.

She said: 'Prince Andrew has seemingly gambled throughout Ms. Giuffre's complaint and subsequent litigation. Doubling-down with this disastrous dismissal application and betting on Epstein's settlement agreement further associates him with his disgraced friend, costing him a pretty penny in terms of his reputation.

'Facing the wheel of fortune of a trial he could still emerge the victor but win or lose I'd wager the odds are stacked against him on rescuing a reputation so tarnished.'

Like other experts, she also voiced concerns over the wider damage to the Royal family but said that she was confident that they would eventually overcome this.

Simon Wadsworth (pictured above), managing partner at Igniyte, a company which specialises in reputation management, said: 'I think it's a long slog from here regardless of the outcomes of any proceedings going forward'

She added: 'Prince Andrew's reputation has likely been damaged beyond repair. The accusations levelled at him personally also tarnish the monarchy by association  but not irretrievably as in his case.

'The monarchy is not just a family, it is an institution. As the Queen celebrates an impressive 75 years on the throne, the monarchy has survived for an impressive thousand years.

'The brand is too robust to fail as a result of accusations levelled at individual members, and the ship will plough on despite there being one man overboard.'

Mr Wadsworth said that his professional advice to Andrew over the next few months would be not to make any public statements about the case and fully co-operate with the authorities.

He added: 'The disastrous Newsnight interview showed that he should be kept away from any public statements however possible and certainly in a trial situation as he will most likely further damage his image if pushed on the matters he is accused of.

'But at least open and co-operative would at least elicit some sympathy I think with the wider public.'
Dusti Talavera (pictured), 23, did not hesitate to jump into the freezing water in Arapahoe County, Denver, on Sunday afternoon when she saw three children - aged four, six and 11 - suddenly fall through the ice

A 'heroic' woman who plunged into a 15ft-deep frozen pond to rescue three children has been branded 'amazing' by firefighters in Colorado - who were later reduced to tears when telling a press conference of her bravery.

Dusti Talavera, 23, did not hesitate to jump into the freezing water in Arapahoe County, Denver, on Sunday afternoon when she saw three children - aged four, six and 11 - suddenly fall through the ice.

Talavera managed to pull out two of the youngsters on her own, before a teenage relative of the six-year-old girl - who is believed to have been under the water for more than two minutes - dove in to help bring her back to the surface, only to find that she was no longer breathing.

Dramatic body-cam footage shows the moment first responders desperately performed CPR on the girl to get her to breathe on her own before she was rushed to hospital. She is currently in a serious condition but is expected to survive.

Talavera told a press conference on Monday: 'I was looking out my window and saw a couple of kids walking on the ice pond.

'A few seconds later, I saw them fall in... Instinct was to go outside and help them.'

She added: 'I just kind of put some shoes on and ran out. Nobody was really outside, so I mean, it was me. I just knew it was me that had to do it.'

A visibly emotional Cory Sudden with South Metro Fire Rescue said: 'I have four boys. What she [Dusti] did was amazing.

'We were back at the fire station talking about how brave she was, how great the officers did.

Dramatic body-cam footage shows the moment first responders desperately performed CPR on the six-year-old girl to get her to breathe on her own before she was rushed to hospital. She is currently in a serious condition but is expected to survive

The terrifying incident unfolded on a frozen-over pond (pictured) in the middle of the Addison at Cherry Creek apartment complex, on Florida Avenue, at around 3.30pm on Sunday. Temperatures in the county reached lows of 24F (-4C) that afternoon, having reached lows of 17.6F (-8C) earlier that morning, according to CustomWeather

'And gosh, I hope if this happened to one of mine, somebody like her was close by.'

The six-year-old was taken to Children's Hospital where she was reportedly in a 'stable' on condition on Monday, before having to be transported to Denver Health Medical Center.

She is now said to be in a serious condition but is expected to survive, according to the sheriff's office.

The terrifying incident unfolded on a pond in the center of the Addison at Cherry Creek apartment complex, on Florida Avenue, at around 3.30pm on Sunday.

Temperatures in the county reached lows of 24F (-4C) that afternoon, having reached lows of 17.6F (-8C) earlier that morning, according to CustomWeather.

When police and South Metro Fire Rescue arrived at the scene, all three children had been pulled out of the water by Talavera and a local teenager.

After rescuing the four-year-old girl and 11-year-old boy, she came into difficulty while trying to pull out the six-year-old - who authorities estimate was under the water for just under a few minutes.

It was then that a 16-year-old boy, who is a relative of the little girl, dove into the freezing water to help recover her, reported the Denver Channel.

In a race against time, deputy David Rodriguez took off the girl's coat and began performing chest impressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation - assisted by Deputy Blaine Moulton and Deputy Justin Dillard.

The South Metro Fire Rescue service then continued with life-saving measures.

A visibly emotional Cory Sudden with South Metro Fire Rescue said: 'I have four boys. What [Dusti] did was amazing.' (Pictured: Body-cam footage from dramatic rescue effort on Sunday)

When police and South Metro Fire Rescue arrived at the scene, all three children had been pulled out of the water by Talavera and a local teenager (Pictured: Body-cam footage from dramatic rescue effort on Sunday)

Talavera (left) managed to pull out two of the youngsters on her own, before a teenage relative of the six-year-old girl - who is believed to have been under the water for more than two minutes - dove in to help bring her back to the surface, only to find that she was no longer breathing

According to police, Talavera said she 'wasn't concerned for her safety because they were babies and they needed help.'

The sheriff's office said it is not currently considering criminal charges.

South Metro Fire Rescue tweeted yesterday: 'Quick actions from sheriffs deputies, our firefighters & a heroic bystander all came together in a critical moment to help rescue multiple children from a dangerous situation.

'This weekend and already this evening, South Metro has received multiple calls for people & animals going out onto ice covered bodies of water.

'Please be advised this is extremely unsafe and with our warmer temps today, the ice is not sturdy and you can easily fall in.'
Robert Alcantara (pictured) was apprehended at his Providence, Rhode Island, residence last Thursday for reportedly conspiring to traffic ghost guns and making false statements to law enforcement

A Rhode Island man has been arrested for allegedly making and selling untraceable 'ghost guns' - and using his own mother to smuggle them into the Dominican Republic for sale.

Robert Alcantara, 34, reportedly made at least 100 ghost guns - weapons made from individually purchased parts or kits without serial numbers, and then assembled at home. Purchases of kits or individual parts do not require a background check so can be bought without leaving any record.

Alcantara then transported the guns to the Dominican Republic via Miami, where he sold them for several thousand dollars, according to a Department of Justice statement.

On November 20, during a traffic stop in the Bronx, Alcantara was found with parts for 45 guns in his car, which he'd bought for $16,000 at a gun show in Morgantown, Pennsylvania.

When interviewed at the time, he claimed he had 'never sold or transferred ownership of a firearm to any other individual and that he had never transported a firearm to the Dominican Republic.'

But investigators uncovered evidence that Alcantara had a deal with five co-conspirators to purchase parts for more than 100 ghost guns that were sold or attempted to be sold between September 2019 and November 2021.

On Thursday, he was taken into custody after Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents raided his Providence residence, where he was busted with 45 ghost guns that had been assembled in his makeshift factory.

Alcantara is charged with one conspiracy to traffic firearms and making false statements which can each carry a five year jail sentence.

A total of 45 untraceable guns were seized from Robert Alcantara's home last Thursday

Two suitcases were transported to the Dominican Republic with a load of cash and ghost guns

Authorities found a makeshift gun factory setup at Robert Alcantara's home in Rhode Island

Detectives recovered text messages from his cellphone which they say showed that Alcantara drove down to Philadelphia to drop off bullets in September and also bought $32,000 worth of ammunition in November.

He allegedly would charge $9,624 for assembling and delivering 15 Glocks, court records showed.

Additional text messages revealed that in July 2021, Alcantara reportedly told one of his co-conspirators that his mother would transport some of the ghost guns on a future trip from the United States to the Dominican Republic.

'My mother is coming tomorrow. In case you wanted to send something,' Alcantara wrote in Spanish.

Footage of a September 2019 video uploaded by Alcantara on YouTube shows him at a gun range firing one of the guns he allegedly put together.

'We are here again to test my Glock 19,' he said demonstrating the firearm. 'Today we are going to test a very nice magazine, the ETS (Elite Tactical Systems) 40-round magazine ... Very nice. Brand new.'

If found guilty, Robert Alcantara could serve five years in prison for conspiring to traffic ghost gun and another five for lying to the authorities

Prosectors allege that Alcantara had a deal with other co-conspirators to purchase gun parts and assemble ghost guns that were sold between September 2019 and November 2019

He claimed in a separate text that the ghost guns were 'ready for exportation' to the Caribbean island.

Authorities also found a photo in his mobile device that showed loads of cash and guns inside two suitcase that were picked up at a port in the Dominican Republic.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams credited the federal agents with shutting down the illegal gun pipeline.

'Untraceable 'ghost guns' pose a serious threat to public safety,' Williams said in a statement. 'As alleged, the defendant agreed with others to buy the parts for these firearms, put them together at his home, and then unlawfully sold or attempted to sell over 100 of them ... His deadly ghost gun business has been shut down.'
Yearly, Android releases a massive update that includes new features, bug fixes and more. For this year, it appears that there are numerous Android 13 features to look forward to, including a QR scanner on the lock screen.

3 Android 13 Features to Look Out For

In case you are wondering, there are three major Android 13 features to look out for in the upcoming Android 13 OS codenamed Tiramisu. The said feature includes tap-to-transfer, multi-user profile switching, and QR code scanning in the lock screen.

3. Tap-To-Transfer Feature

While Google redesigns its audio casting tools in light of the Sonos decision, a new media feature has emerged in Android 13 that lets switching media playing between devices much easier, per Android Central.

Android Police discovered the concept from Google of a Media TTT (Tap to Transfer) capability, allowing you to watch media on any Android phone and smoothly transfer the playback to the other device.

You might be familiar with this new Android 13 feature since Apple's iPhones and iPads have a similar capability that passes the material to the Homepod Mini.

Despite the benefit it brings, Android Police added that this feature has a lot of considerations, and there is a possibility that Google has not even figured out how this will function yet. One of the said considerations is whether it will work with NFC, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) or other technologies.

It should be clarified that this functionality is still a speculation since there is no official statement released yet.

Read Also: Wordle App for iPhone, Android? They Are Fake, Scam Apps!

2. Multi-User Profile Switching

Aside from the tap-to-transfer feature, it will also reportedly include a multi-user profile switching in the lock screen. Through this feature, you will be able to easily swap user profiles before unlocking a device, per another Android Central report.

Furthermore, it would make switching between parent and child user profiles, or even work and personal accounts, a lot easier. Multi-user has four categories which are: system user, secondary user, guest user, admin user.

1. QR Code Scanning

Google appears to make it easier for consumers to swiftly read QR codes, per India Today.

Through this, you won't have to utilize the standard camera app to read QR codes or manually activate Google Lens with the Android 13 OS. In addition to this, an option to activate "display QR scanner" is expected to be located at the lock screen, which can also be found under the quick toggle settings.

The report doesn't explain how it works after it's turned on. As a result, it's unclear if this functionality would start a new app or just return you to the Google Lens app.

While Google may be intending to introduce this functionality soon, Samsung already has it. However, Google's choice to include this in Android 13 will allow more people to use it.

Android 13 Release Date

XDA developers assumed that the Android 13 release date will most likely begin during fall this year. Android 12L is expected to launch before the end of Q1 2022, which may be anytime between now and March 31.

Android 12 is still making its way to phones and tablets.

Related Article: 4 Microsoft Teams Bugs Put Android Phones in Danger: Is There a Fix?
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer says fellow Democrats are telling Sen. Joe Manchin their own seats and party majority are at risk if the Senate doesn't change its filibuster rules so they can pass voting rights legislation.

Schumer revealed the appeals to party and self interest Wednesday hours after a group of nine senators met with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) in an effort to get her behind changes to the filibuster. Both have been holding out and standing by their opposition to ending it.

'This is too important to just concede,' Schumer told MSNBC's 'Morning Joe.'

'We are working there are constant meetings and not just among the few senators, but just about every senator  every single one of the 50 [other than Manchin and Sinema] is talking individually to Joe Manchin to Kyrsten Sinema  and they're saying things like: "I'll lose my election if the legislature is allowed to do this in my state.''

Schumer continued: 'We lose our majority  but more importantly, we'll lose our democracy. And those speakers yesterday that I mentioned were very powerful,' he said.

Adding muscle to the effort, President Joe Biden plans to head to the Capitol Thursday to meet with senators and push changes to the filibuster. Biden on Tuesday in Atlanta called for changes to the Senate rules  but wasn't specific about how.

'Today Im making it clear: To protect our democracy, I support changing the Senate rules, whichever way they need to be changed to prevent a minority of senators from blocking action on voting rights,' Biden said.

Democrats are urging Sen. Joe to reconsider his opposition to ending the filibuster to deal with voting rights legislation. 'They're saying things like: "I'll lose my election if the legislature is allowed to do this in my state,"' Majority Leader Charles Schumer said

Schumer was referencing the authors of the book How Democracies Die, who met with Democrats during their caucus meeting Tuesday. Harvard political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt met with Democrats on the day President Joe Biden made a pitch for voting rights legislation and making changes to Senate rules to overcome a Republican filibuster.

'Last night for two and a half hours, nine senators of disparate ideologies and regions met with Senator Sinema,' he said. He said nine were to meet with Manchin.

He observed that both were against eliminating the filibuster but held out hope for changes. 'Now many in our caucus are for it. But even those who are not are for changes in the rules, and not for eliminating it totally. Even those who are not for eliminating and totally are for changes in the rules that allow us to pass voting rights,' Schumer said.

'We're actively discussing potential changes in the rules that hopefully can get all 50 of us there.' But he also said he didn't want to 'delude' people into thinking the votes were there for what he called in 'uphill fight.'

The action came as former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's body lay in state inside the Capitol Rotunda. Reid pushed through a change in the filibuster rule ending the filibuster for nominations other than for the Supreme Court.

Schumer may have worked in a reference to the filibuster in his eulogy to Reid, a former Capitol Police officer whom he called a 'guardian and a steward of the Senate.'

'He took great care of the Senate as an institution, but he also knew that the Senate had to adapt to changing time,' said Schumer.

Back under pressure: Democrats huddled with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) amid push to change the filibuster over a Republican blockade of voting rights legislation

Senators met with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) about the filibuster Tuesday night

President Biden called for changing Senate rules to move voting rights legislation. 'Sadly, the United States Senate designed to be the world's greatest deliberative body, has been rendered a shell of its former self,' he said Tuesday in Atlanta

Not only are Manchin and Sinema resisting. So is the 50-strong Republican minority, including senators such as Mitt Romney of Utah who have denounced former President Donald Trump's election fraud claims.

Romney tore into Biden after he made sweeping comments about Republicans who were resisting the Democratic effort on voting rights, accusing them of undermining the 'reliability' of American elections in the process.

The 2012 presidential candidate said Biden was taking the same 'tragic road' as his predecessor Trump in undermining the democratic process in a searing speech on the Senate floor.

He also urged Democrats to think about 'what would it mean for them' to abolish the filibuster now and see themselves potentially losing Congress and the White House in the near future -- and chided them for decrying it as racist.

'He also accused a number of my good and principled colleagues in the Senate of having sinister, even racist inclinations,' Romney said. 'So much for unifying the country and working across the aisle.'

Taking part in Tuesday's meeting with Sinema were Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Punchbowl News reported.

Schumer has vowed if the Senate does not act on voting rights legislation by Martin Luther King Day on Monday, he will bring up an action to force a change in Senate rules.

Such a move would require support for all 50 Democrats.

Schumer has yet to telegraph whether he would call up the Freedom to Vote Act or the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which updates the Voting Rights Act after adverse court rulings.
PC Daniel Wallwork, 40, sent the image from his personal phone with the words 'Look who's turned up dead'

A police officer who took a photo of a dead woman lying face down and partially-clothed on a bed and sent it to a colleague is facing the end of his career.

PC Daniel Wallwork, 40, sent the image from his personal phone with the words 'Look who's turned up dead' from the scene of the sudden death at around 7pm on April 16 2020.

The Avon and Somerset Police officer, who has seven years' experience in the role, claimed he was merely notifying his colleague of the death of the woman, who lived in Radstock, Somerset.

Father-of-two Wallwork said he and his colleague both had prior involvement with the 42-year-old, including just a few weeks before her death when she was found intoxicated in Midsomer Norton.

He accepted misconduct, denying that his action amounted to gross misconduct.

But the force's Chief Constable Sarah Crewe said Wallwork had 'failed to treat a woman... with respect, dignity or courtesy in the moment of her death' as she made a finding of gross misconduct.

The image was still on Wallwork's phone when it was examined by investigators, although he claimed he believed he had deleted it.

Mark Loker, of the Police Federation, the body representing police officers in England and Wales, told the hearing on behalf of Wallwork: 'There was no merriment to this image - it was to notify his colleague who had attended the address on previous occasions.'

PC Daniel Wallwork, circled in red among colleagues. The image was still on Wallwork's phone when it was examined by investigators, although he claimed he believed he had deleted it

Mr Loker said Wallwork had been to the woman's address previously and 'actually felt quite sorry for her'.

He said the image was not taken to 'make fun or mock' the dead woman.

The force's Chief Constable Sarah Crewe said Wallwork had 'failed to treat a woman... with respect, dignity or courtesy in the moment of her death' as she made a finding of gross misconduct

'He is someone who merely got it wrong on the day and made a terrible mistake or an error of judgment,' Mr Loker said.

The behaviour of police officers at crime scenes has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of the murders of sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman in Wembley, north-west London, on June 7 2020.

PCs Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis, formerly of the Metropolitan Police, were jailed for two years and nine months each in December for taking photographs of the sisters' bodies and sharing them with friends and colleagues on WhatsApp.

Mr Loker remarked that Wallwork had taken the image before the deaths of Ms Henry and Ms Smallman, and said it would be unfair to compare his actions to those of Jaffer and Lewis.

'The values of today cannot be defined by the values of another era,' he said.

He added that Wallwork has an 'exemplary record' in the police, and previously worked as a prison officer after leaving the armed forces, where he served with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers.

In his evidence, Wallwork said: 'I accept what I did was wrong and I chose the wrong method of communication.'

He added: 'I felt almost immediately that I had invaded (the deceased's) privacy.'

The behaviour of police officers at crime scenes has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of the murders of sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman (pictured) in Wembley, north-west London, on June 7 2020

PCs Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis, formerly of the Metropolitan Police, were jailed for two years and nine months each in December for taking photographs of the sisters' bodies and sharing them with friends and colleagues on WhatsApp

The photo was saved in his phone with the title 'This one' - Wallwork denied giving it such a caption, saying he did not know how to save an image with a title.

Mark Ley-Morgan, for Avon and Somerset Police, told him: 'I'm going to suggest you didn't regret it at all; it wasn't until four days later, when (your colleague) challenged you.

'Only then did you realise you were potentially in a bit of trouble.'

Making a finding of gross misconduct, Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Sarah Crewe said: 'I am satisfied there was a conscious and deliberate act on the part of Pc Wallwork in taking and sending the photo of the deceased.

'The primary duty of PC Wallwark that day was to investigate the circumstances of death and report to the coroner.

'PC Wallwork took out his personal mobile phone, he took a photo and sent it to a colleague on WhatsApp; he had no policing purpose for doing so.'

She found 'it was not the case' that PC Wallwork felt immediate regret, noting that the officer could have disclosed what he had done to his sergeant or apologised straight away.

Ms Crewe noted that Wallwork had continued to exchange messages about the deceased 'for some time' after the photo was sent.

'None of the subsequent messages indicate any words of regret,' she said.

Ms Crewe continued: '(Wallwork) failed to treat a woman, who he says he knew to be vulnerable, with respect, dignity or courtesy in the moment of her death, when at her most vulnerable - partially clothed and exposed to his view.

'This would undoubtedly have caused upset and distress to her family and those who loved her.'

The woman's parents attended the hearing, which was held online due to the pandemic.
Scandal-scarred CNN has seen its viewership nosedive by a staggering 90 percent both overall and in the critical demographic coveted by advertisers in the first week of the new year as compared to last year.

The once-proud leader in cable news averaged just 548,000 viewers during the week of January 3, a precipitous drop from the nearly 2.7 million viewers for the same week in 2021, according to the most recent ratings.

Those numbers were supercharged by the the left-leaning network's coverage of the January 6 Capitol Riot, which resulted in CNN having its most-watched day since Ted Turner launched the news outlet in 1980.

However, on the one-year anniversary of the insurrection, viewers chose right-wing rival Fox as it topped ratings for coverage of the event.

CNN also saw an 86 percent decline in the much-desirable 25-to-54 demographic, with a paltry 113,000 tuned in last week, compared to the 822,000 CNN averaged a year ago.

The network, which was swallowed up by AT&T in its merger with WarnerMedia last year, has been plagued by high-profile scandals - most notably the firing of its top-rated prime time star Chris Cuomo after the anchor was found to be helping his sex-pest brother Andrew try to beat harassment allegations, which led to his resignation as New York's governor.

CNN's declining ratings come as the network has made headlines over the actions of anchor Don Lemon (left) and former host Chris Cuomo (right). They both face face accusations of sexual harassment

CNN kicked off the new year with a staggering decline of nearly 90 percent in both viewership from its overall audience and critical target age demographic

Media critics last month slammed network President Jeff Zucker for allowing ratings to drop with some accusing him of 'protecting perverts and pedophiles'

CNN's embattled boss Jeff Zucker was slammed last month over the network's low ratings and reported scandals over the actions of several prominent figures, including Cuomo and Don Lemon.

Lemon, the host of the 10pm show that followed Cuomo before he was fired, faced scrutiny for his own alleged ethics scandal. He was slammed for covering Jussie Smollett's trial after the Empire actor testified in court that the host informed him in a text message that Chicago police did not believe he was the victim of a racist homophobic attack.

The anchor also is being sued by a Hamptons bartender who claims Lemon, who is gay, rubbed his own genitals then shoved his fingers in his face in 2018.

Additionally, CNN senior producer John Griffin was arrested by the FBI on charges involving sex crimes with children.

The year didn't start any better as Andy Cohen when on a drunk-fueled tirade targeting exiting New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio just after the clock struck midnight during the network's annual New Year's Eve show.

Media critics have slammed Zucker, accusing him of 'protecting perverts and pedophiles' while also allowing his network ratings to drop.

'Given the sheer number of public sexual misconduct allegations  from harassment and child sexual violence to abusing one's journalistic credentials to try to silence women who have made allegations  it's fair to ask whether these are indicative of a broader cultural rot at the network that's being papered over as they focus on other priorities,' journalist Drew Holden told Fox News last month.

'Zucker has managed to simultaneously protect perverts and pedophiles as well as oversee a massive decline in ratings,' echoed Amber Athey, editor for the Spectator.

Media critic Jeffrey McCall alleged that Zucker was 'responsible for the culture in which underlings felt these misjudgments were ok'.

The notoriously liberal news network averaged 548,000 viewers during the week of January 3, a significant drop in comparison to its nearly 2.7 million viewers from the same week in 2021, according to ratings data obtained by Fox News

The sharp decline followed CNN's second most-watched year ever, the Daily Beast reported. Despite having a record year, network viewership trended downward for the second half of 2021. The network's demo ratings sank in the third quarter to its smallest since 2014 before bottoming out at the end of the year.

The network saw its strongest ever year in 2020, with viewership likely fueled by pandemic and election coverage.

However, it appeared to struggle catching eyes during primetime, between 8 and 11pm, recording an 83 percent year-over-year drop. It had 4.2 million total primetime viewers during the first week of 2021 and only 705,000 last week.

During the first week of the year, CNN recorded a year-over-year drop of 80 percent of its total audience.

CNN also shed 89 percent of its primetime viewers among its key demographic and 91 percent of viewers ages 18 to 49.

The former television news leader also failed to maintain strong viewership on January 6, something its anchors boasted about the prior year.

In 2021, the network averaged 5.3 million viewers on January 6. This year it failed to reach 1.5 million during any hour of the day despite having special programing marking the anniversary of the riot.

CNN averaged 743,000 viewers on January 6, 2022, an 86 percent decline from the previous year.

When the news outlet topped rankings for insurrection coverage last year, several anchors took to Twitter to applaud the network's success. Some Americans mocked the network over the praise, alleging it was insensitive in wake of what CNN called 'one of the darkest days in American history'.

CNN did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

While CNN's ratings declined last week, Fox topped the rankings for its coverage of January 6. It was also the no. 1 ranked cable news network during President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' anniversary remarks.

During the first week of the year, the network averaged 1.4 million total viewers, only a 15 percent drop from the same period in 2021.

The network was also criticized by the public after Andy Cohen went on a drunken rant blasting former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and ABC host Ryan Seacrest while hosting CNN's New Year's Eve broadcast

The network has reportedly outdrawn CNN and MSNBC combined for 21 weeks straight. It also outdrew ESPN's 1.1 million viewers, finishing as the most-watched basic cable option.

MSNBC lost 67 percent of its total audience last week, 80 percent of which was among its key demographic.

The sharp decline followed CNN's second most-watched year ever, the Daily Beast reported. Despite having a record year, network viewership trended downward for the second half of 2021. The network's demo ratings sank in the third quarter to its smallest since 2014 before bottoming out at the end of the year.

The network saw its strongest ever year in 2020, with viewership likely fueled by pandemic and election coverage.

However, Cuomo's firing on December 4 capped a tumultuous year for the network.

The host of the 9 pm show had been suspended days earlier after New York Attorney General Letitia James' office released text messages that detailed exactly how the star anchor aided his brother as he tried to fight off a sexual harassment scandal last year.

Although it was not referenced in CNN's statement regarding his termination, an attorney told the New York Times that she had informed the network of her client's allegation of prior sexual misconduct against Chris Cuomo.

Debra S. Katz, a prominent employment lawyer who also represents one of Andrew Cuomo's accusers, said that the allegation against Chris Cuomo was made by a former junior colleague at another network, and was unrelated to the Gov. Andrew Cuomo matter.'

Further details about the allegation are unclear, including which network Chris Cuomo was working at at the time of the alleged misconduct. Cuomo's spokesman denied the claim, saying: 'These apparently anonymous allegations are not true.'

CNN's statement cited only Cuomo's 'conduct with his brother's defense' in its decision to terminate the anchor.

'Aside from the string of professional missteps, it would seem Zucker should at least shoulder responsibility for the cratering ratings of this once-proud news organization,' he said. 'The ratings struggles alone at this channel should cause concern in the upper hierarchy of CNN's parent company.'

Most recently, CNN was criticized by the public after Cohen went on a drunken rant blasting de Blasio and ABC host Ryan Seacrest.

The presenter confessed to being 'overserved' with alcohol while hosting the special alongside Anderson Cooper, later admitting he was 'stupid and drunk and feeling it.'

He said he has 'no apologies for drinking on New Year's Eve, none' and claimed CNN and Zucker had not addressed the rant with him.

CNN has already confirmed he would be invited back at the end of 2022.
The assistant speaker of the House is proposing a radical new way of protecting members from COVID-19: Forcing unmasked lawmakers to sit in a plexiglass 'isolation box.'

Democratic Rep. Katherine Clark suggested the measure because fines have not stopped some members flouting the rules.

It recently emerged that Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andrew Clyde had racked up fines of more than $100,000 for repeated offenses.

'This callous disregard for House rules endangers the health of members of Congress and the professional staff whose physical presence is required to ensure continuity of government,' the assistant speaker wrote in a letter to House Sergeant at Arms William Walker.

'This has only become more urgent with the emergence of the highly infectious Omicron variant and what the Attending Physician describes as an 'unprecedented number of cases in the Capitol community.'

The fines currently stand at $500 for a first offense, and $2500 for subsequent infringements, yet they have not stopped far right figures from appearing without masks.

Rep. Katherine Clark, the assistant speaker, wrote to the Sergeant at Arms requesting that unmasked members use plexiglass 'isolation boxes. Marjorie Taylor Greene is among those who have repeatedly flouted mask mandates in the chamber

In her letter, Clark says fines of $2500 are not having an effect on some members

'That is why, in addition to imposing fines, I am requesting that your office begin requiring members who fail to comply with this rule to attend the House floor from the isolation boxes in the House gallery,' wrote the fourth most senior Democrat in the House.

'This commonsense step will not only protect our dedicated House staff from members who refuse to follow House rules, but it will also allow those members to continue to fulfill their constitutional duty to vote on matters before the House.'

Plexiglass was installed in the gallery of the chamber last January to offer 'isolation boxes' for members who were quarantining and needed to be present to elect the speaker.

Greene has been unapologetic about her stance. She has said she is unvaccinated and dismissed the mask requirement as 'communist.'

'The American people have had enough and are standing up against these outrageous and unconstitutional policies,' she said recently.

Republicans see a double standard at work.

On Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz slammed a lectern in fury on Tuesday as he accused the Biden administration of hypocrisy on COVID policy and railed against a 'one-sided media' for only asking Republicans why they weren't wearing masks on Tuesday.

During a Republican press conference to discuss President Joe Biden's voter rights push, he was asked why he and his colleagues weren't wearing masks.

He said everyone appearing with him had been double vaccinated and boosted.

'And by the way, on the question of hypocrisy, you just asked, you people at the podium are speaking without masks.

'Just once, I'd like to see a reporter say to Joe Biden when he stands at the damn podium in the White House without a mask, "Mr. President, why aren't you wearing a mask?" he said, slamming the lectern with a fist to punctuate his remarks.

'Just once, Id like to see you say to Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, when she stands at the podium with no mask, "Ms. Psaki, why dont you have a mask?

'The questions are only directed at one side, and I got to say that the American people see the hypocrisy.'

He was responding to a question in which a reporter referred to the 'glaring visual' of a line of GOP senators standing before the media without masks.

Last week, the Attending Physician of the U.S. Congress advised staff to stay home as the highly infectious Omicron spread through members and their offices.

And Cruz made his comments a day after four lawmakers announced they had caught COVID-19, adding to four more - including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - who announced positive tests over the weekend.

AOC has attracted particular anger after photographs of her emerged showing her maskless in Florida, which has been the target of liberals' anger for its relaxed response to COVID-18.

At the same time, House officials say they have struggled to enforce the rules.

Walker appeared before lawmakers on Tuesday and admitted that his staff had found it difficult to police the mask mandate.

'I see people  members, staff  without masks, and I'll walk up to them and I'll ask them to put the mask on,' he said.

'And some just walk away from me. Some put it on.'
A police officer who was caught by undercover cops arranging to travel to London so he could sexually abuse an eight-year-old girl has been jailed for more than eight years.

Lee Cunliffe, 40, was a serving officer within Greater Manchester Police when he first began messaging a woman he believed was the mother of the child on instant messaging app Kik in September 2020.

He used the name 'Steve S mancgent1' to speak to the woman, who was actually an undercover officer in the Met Police, telling her he would visit London to sexually abuse her daughter.

Cunliffe appeared at Liverpool Crown Court to be sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty to arranging the commission of a child sex offence, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in a public office, distributing indecent photos of a child, and three counts of making indecent photos.

Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary QC, said: 'The type of conduct you were contemplating with this very young child could hardly have been more serious.'

He was jailed for eight years and four months.

Arthur Gibson, prosecuting, told the court that a police probe revealed Cunliffe had sent the messages, including from the IP address of a police-owned computer at Swinton Police Station, and he was arrested in October 2020.

A subsequent search of his home in Hindley Green, Wigan, led to police finding a laptop he had been using to access indecent images of children.

This included images of a 'plainly vulnerable' teenage girl who had made a complaint to Greater Manchester Police in 2018, the court heard.

Lee Cunliffe, based at Greater Manchester Police's Salford district, has been jailed after pleading guilty to one count of attempting to arrange/facilitate the commission of a child sex offence, three counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child, one count of distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child, one count of misconduct in a public office and one count of perverting the course of justice. Three other charges were ordered to lie on file

Cunliffe was sentenced to eight years and four months' imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court

Mr Gibson said the girl alleged her boyfriend had taken indecent images of her and distributed them without her knowledge.

Cunliffe, a trainee in the Criminal Investigation Department, was allocated to the case and the suspect was arrested and his computer and phone seized.

He later wrote an entry on the crime log claiming there was nothing on either device relating to the offence, the court heard.

However, Mr Gibson told the court: 'In fact, both devices contained both still and moving indecent images of children, a total of 227 being accessible.

The computer was returned to the suspect with the indecent images still on and no further action was taken.

Judge Menary said: 'What you did in relation to this girl and this case is shocking and strikes at the very heart of that foundation of trust that the public have invested in the police service.

'The consequence for the teenage complainant is that her complaint was never properly pursued and she remained seriously at risk of further disclosure.

'The question, frankly, is this: why should she ever trust the police ever again about anything?'

The misconduct in a public office charge related to failing to properly investigate the case.

The court heard a search of Cunliffe's laptop also found evidence of files from between 2014 and 2018, which were indicative of child abuse.

Mr Gibson said: 'The evidence shows the defendant did have an interest in child pornography and the sexual abuse of children.

'However, there is some evidence to suggest that he recognised this and was in a state of turmoil about it.'

Police also found a notebook inside Cunliffe's home, which included entries saying he had a sex and porn addiction for which he was receiving counselling.

Julian King, defending, said in mitigation that Cunliffe was a married father and had been a police officer for 17 years.

He added that Cunliffe had been seeing a psychotherapist, who said he had compulsive sexual behaviour disorder.
A New York cabbie says his wife and four young children remain on ventilators after a fire tore through the Bronx apartment building where they live, killing 17.

Mohamed Kamra, 58, said his wife Fotoumatia Fofana, 30, and children Mariam, 8, Jabu, 6, Abubakary, 3, and ten-month-old baby Ceesay are in induced comas after they managed to escape the smoke. But they suffered such severe smoke inhalation that they cannot breathe independently, and are all hooked up to ventilators in hospital.

Kamra, who resides in the fifteenth floor of the Twin Parks North West with her family, was working in New Jersey at the time of the tragedy, he told the New York Post.

After hearing about the tragedy, Kamra rushed his two-hour drive home, desperate to find out about his family.

'I thank Allah that my family made it, and I am hopeful with his continued blessing they will make a full recovery,' Kamra told the outlet.

When he arrived at the Twin Parks North West complex, he was told by FDNY crew that while all his family members had been rescued, they had been separated and taken to different hospitals to treat their injuries.

Kamra said his wife is the most affected, but some of his children are showing signs of progress in the recovery.

'Jabu moves her head up and down when you ask her questions. I said to her, 'Jabu, I love you. Do you love Daddy?' And she will shake her head,' the father-of-four said.

Fotoumatia Fofana (left) and her child, ten-month-old Ceesar, right, are connected to ventilators unable to breath on their own, because of smoke inhalation, her husband said

Fatoumatia's other children, Mariam, 8, Jabu, 6, Abubakary, 3, are also connected to ventilators

Kamra, pictured right, said he was frantic to find his family after he arrived to the Bronx apartment complex

Kamra's wife and son Jabu were taken by first responders to St Barnabas and then transferred to Cornell Hospital, while Mariam, Abubakary, and baby Ceesay were taken to Jacobi.

The distraught father said he has spent the past few days running from one hospital to the other, checking on his children and wife and praying for their recovery.

Kamra was not immediately told where Jabu and his wife had been taken.

'I was frantic when I could not find my wife and Jabu,' he recounted. 'I am doing OK, taking it day by day.'

Kamra's wife, Ftoumatia, is in critical condition, he said.

He said she prioritized her children as she struggled to make it to safety in the pitch-black, smoke-filled hallways with the help of firefighters.

'I believe she was carrying two and the other two could walk on their own,' Kamra told the Post. 'I know she would put them first, she would take care of them before she takes care of herself, even if it risks her life. She would give her life for them, as I would.'

Kamra said he remains hopeful that his family will recover, and that Jabu is already showing progress.

'Jabu moves her head up and down when you ask her questions. I said to her, ''Jabu, I love you. Do you love Daddy?'' And she will shake her head,' Kamra said.

A social worker at Mariam's school has set up a GoFundMe page to help the family as they navigate their journey to recovery and Kamra is unable to work.

'I can't go to work. I'm going from one hospital to another taking care of my family,' he said.

The father-of-four also told the Post that he understood why the family whose apartment the fire originated at was using a space heater to keep the place warm.

'Sometimes there's heat, and sometimes there's none. Sometimes some of the rooms are hot, and some are cold,' he said. 'It has been very cold out, and it's understandable to keep your family warm people will use space heaters.'

Fire experts said the design of a nearly 50-year-old Bronx building and its older fire safety features likely contributed to the a blaze caused by a faulty space heater turning the complex into a smoke-filled chimney on Sunday morning

The fire at Twin Parks North West complex in the Bronx broke out in Unit 3N, where the nine-person Wague family resided. Their residence is pictured Monday, covered in ash and debris

The Wague family's apartment is seen completely destroyed. Father Mamadou Wague said the blaze left his eight-year-old daughter trapped in her bedroom on a mattress engulfed in flames. He pulled his daughter out of the flames and managed to escape

The blaze is unit 3N was caused by a faulty space heater

The entire unit was damaged by the blaze

Investigators believe the fire was started by one of several space heaters in a third-floor unit after it was left running uninterrupted for days. Smoke then spread throughout the complex after the apartment's entry door failed to automatically close.

On Tuesday, FDNY officials confirmed that several other apartments in the Twin Parks North West had been left running for days.

The heaters were likely older models as more modern space heaters have automatic shutoff switches that force them to stop when they get too hot. FDNY recommends people to keep their heaters three feet from furniture, curtains or other bedding.

Fire marshals are investigating why the space heater caught fire and why the code-required self-closing door that would have kept the fire from spreading to the hallways was not functioning.

Despite investigator's findings that heating in the building appeared to be working after boilers were changed in 2015, residents of the apartment complex have said that space heaters were still needed in very cold days like that fateful Sunday morning.

Jose Dineo, who lives in the third floor with his three children, told DailyMail.com Tuesday that space heaters are necessary in the winter.

'I feel good with the heat in my apartment,' Dineo, 40, said. 'We have an electric heater because before the building didn't have good heat.'

'Five years back the heat doesn't work well. After three years they put in a new boiler. We feel good with the heat but still sometimes, on days like today, definitely we need to use an extra heater.'

John Jay College of Criminal Justice Associate Prof. Glenn Corbett told the New York Daily News that building management should have educated residents on how to properly use space heaters.

'Building management should be saying, 'Hey, folks, if you're buying space heaters you should get the modern ones and learn how to use them properly,' Corbett told the Daily News. 'That's what they should have been doing.'

Mamadou Wague said he was asleep when the fire broke out, recalling how his kids alerted him to the blaze: 'One of the kids said, "Oh, Daddy! Daddy! Theres a fire!'

New York City's worst fire disaster in more than 30 years that broke out on the second and third floor of a building at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx has killed eight children and nine adults (pictured, people jump to safety from the burning building)

Some of the broken windows from a fire where a space heater caught fire and caused the devastation in the Bronx

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro claimed a door in the stairwell - which is meant to be used as an emergency exit - also failed to close, furthering the problem.

'The stairwell was very dangerous as the door was left open and some of the floors  certainly on 15  the door was open from the stairs to the hall and the 15th floor became quite untenable,' Nigro said.

'The fire was contained to the hallway just outside this two-story apartment, but the smoke travelled throughout the building and the smoke is what caused the deaths and the serious injuries,' Nigro said during a press conference Monday.
A U.S. government review panel authorized the release of five men detained at Guantanamo Bay, as the prison marks 20 years in operation.

The five prisoners - three Yemenis, one Somalian and one Kenyan - are unlikely to be released any time soon, however, as the Biden administration works to find a nation willing to host them.

None of the men approved for release have been charged with a crime; they've been held as 'law of war' detainees, or prisoners of the war on terrorism.

Approved for transfer are Yemenis Moath al-Alwi, Zuhail al-Sharabi and Omar al-Rammah, Kenyan Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu and Guled Hassan Duran of Somalia, according to the New York Times. All are in their 40s.

Duran was the first 'high value' prisoner approved for transfer, with security measures, as he was the first detainee brought from a CIA black site to be approved for release.

Captured in 2004 on alleged involvement with Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, Duran cannot return to his home country due to a congressional prohibition on the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to Somalia, Libya, Syria and Yemen.

Kenyan Bajabu was arrested in 2007 for a suspected role in the 2002 car bombing in his homeland that killed 13 people at the Israeli-owned Paradise Hotel.

A U.S. government review panel authorized the release of five men detained at Guantanamo Bay, as the prison marks 20 years in operation

The five prisoners - three Yemenis, one Somalian and one Kenyan - are unlikely to be released any time soon, however, as the Biden administration works to find a nation willing to host them

About 800 prisoners, each of whose care and detention costs tens of millions per year, have passed through Guantanamo, many without ever being charged with a crime

Guled Hassan Duran of Somalia was the first 'high value' prisoner approved for transfer

Alwi, perhaps the best-known of the five men, was considered by the board to be a low-level trainee with no leadership role in al-Qaeda or the Taliban.

In 2018, replicas of ships Alwi built from objects in his prison cellblock were featured in a New York art show. Shortly after, the Defense Department declared prisoners' art property of the U.S. government and prohibited detainees from giving pieces to their lawyers or anyone else, according to the Times. Prison guards also stopped showcasing the art on news media visits.

Half of the prison's 39 detainees have been approved for transfer so far, 12 have been charged with war crimes and two have been convicted.

But only one detainee has officially been transferred - a Moroccan man whose repatriation negotiations began under Obama and were not completed until last July.

Among those still awaiting trial is alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Victims of the attack have been waiting patiently for his death penalty trial for two decades. Pre-trial hearings were originally scheduled for this week but put off again due to coronavirus.

Biden made clear on the campaign trail that he wanted to shut down Guantanamo, but weeks ago instead approved millions in upgrades to the facility. A new 'secret' courtroom at Guantanamo should cost taxpayers about $4 million.

About 800 prisoners, each of whose care and detention costs tens of millions per year, have passed through Guantanamo, many without ever being charged with a crime.

Kenyan Bajabu was arrested in 2007 for a suspected role in the 2002 car bombing in his homeland that killed 13 people at the Israeli-owned Paradise Hotel

The cost of Guantanamo has bloated over the past two decades, so that by the time former President Trump took office the U.S. was spending $13 million per year, per prisoner, according to Lee Wolosky, Obamas Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure.

That's compared to $78,000 spent per inmate at a 'super-max' prison in Florence, Colo., home to some of the highest-risk prisoners in the U.S.

For the 39 detainees currently held there, that's at least $507 million dollars per year.

A 2013 Defense Department report calculated the per-prisoner detention cost at only $2.7 million at the time.

In recent years, officials at Guantanamo have forbidden photography of sites that were once routinely shown to visitors and restricted access for reporters to prison facilities.

President Obama, too, tried to close Guantanamo, but ran up against opposition in Congress where lawmakers passed a law that prohibited any detainees held on the island off Cuba to be transferred to the U.S. mainland.

About 770 men and boys have been held at Guantanamo as war prisoners, with prison population peaking at 677 in 2003.

The Bush administration, which opened the prison after 9/11, released 540 detainees, mostly repatriating them back to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. The Obama administration released another 200. Trump placed an effective hold on releases.
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Prince Andrew now faces a choice between settling Virginia Roberts Giuffre's sex abuse lawsuit or going through a potentially ruinous court battle in which he would likely be questioned about his sexual history.

A New York judge has sensationally ruled that the Queen's second son can be tried over claims he sexually assaulted Miss Roberts when she was 17  allegations which Andrew has categorically denied.

Experts believe that Andrew, who earned the nickname 'Playboy Prince' as a bachelor, will want to reach an out-of-court and potentially multimillion-pound settlement with his accuser, or face having his private life be put in the spotlight in a blockbuster trial in nine months.

However, there have been suggestions that Miss Roberts, who claims she was trafficked by British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and forced to have sex with Epstein and his associates while she was a minor under US law, may not be prepared to accept a deal.

Witnesses including Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice could be asked to testify, Miss Roberts's lawyer David Boies has claimed.

It is likely the duke will be asked to give evidence under oath as part of the discovery process in what is known as a deposition. However, he cannot be forced to appear in New York to defend himself due to the case being a civil suit in a different legal jurisdiction.

Andrew could simply refuse to acknowledge its existence  but the court would then pass a judgement in his absence, risking even more damage to his already-shattered reputation.

This is how the next steps could play out:

Judge Lewis A Kaplan's decision is a huge blow for Andrew, who now faces having to testify in open court

What did the judge decide?

Judge Kaplan rejected a motion by Andrew's lawyer to have Miss Roberts's sex abuse lawsuit thrown out.

The duke's team unsuccessfully argued that Miss Roberts had waived her right to pursue the duke by signing a confidential settlement with Epstein.

The settlement, made public earlier this month, detailed how Miss Roberts had received a $500,000 payout in 2009 and agreed to 'release, acquit, satisfy and forever discharged' Epstein and 'any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant'.

Andrew B Brettler, the duke's lawyer, had argued his client was a 'potential defendant' as defined by the agreement and so the case 'should be dismissed'.

But in his decision, Judge Kaplan said the agreement 'cannot be said' to benefit Andrew. He stressed that his ruling does not express any view as to the truth of Miss Roberts's allegations.

What happens next?

Legal experts say he could try to appeal, but the judge's ruling seemed so comprehensive that his chances look bleak. And the case would not be paused while he tried it.

The focus is now on a sensational trial before a New York jury starting as early as September. Unless Andrew promptly settles the case or refuses to participate, a process of 'discovery' will begin.

This will see each side demand answers, documents and 'depositions'  in which they seek to interview witnesses under oath, including Andrew and Miss Roberts.

Miss Roberts has already sent the duke's lawyers a shopping list of questions demanding proof of things he has claimed, including in his infamous 2019 Newsnight interview.

These include asking to see medical evidence he could not sweat due to a 'peculiar medical condition' which he said as he dismissed her claims that the pair had danced in a London nightclub. His lawyers have already said there are no documents available to address this.

Meanwhile, they will demand strict proof of everything Miss Roberts is claiming.

What are the duke's legal option?

The duke has no good options, legal and royal commentators all agreed yesterday. To avoid the gruesome spectacle of the senior royal's sex life being raked over in a Manhattan courtroom, he could either settle the case or ignore it.

He could agree to be interviewed but then 'plead the fifth', under America's constitutional right to avoid incriminating himself.

If he refused to play any further part in the case, he risks being in 'default', with the judge ruling against him in his absence, branding him a sex abuser and ordering him to pay compensation. Andrew could ignore that too, but would then spend the rest of his life being pursued by bailiffs.

If he wanted to settle, Miss Roberts would have to agree  and her price is high, as she has made it clear that as well as money she would demand an apology and an admission of liability.

His options are:

Appealing today's ruling: Andrew could file a motion of reconsideration to Judge Kaplan, asking him to reconsider his ruling. Or he could go straight to the second circuit court of appeals, where it would be heard by a panel of judges.

If they also reject his motion, he could ask a second full second circuit to consider it. Another option would be to go straight to the Supreme Court, which would then decide whether or not to hear the case.

Filing for a dismissal: He could seek to have the case dismissed by arguing that it cannot be heard in a US federal court because both he and Miss Roberts  who is an American citizen but lives in Australia  are based abroad.

Settlement: Most American court cases end in a financial settlement agreed out of court before the case reaches trial. She could seek to extract an apology or an admission of wrongdoing as part of the settlement, but Andrew has always strenuously denied the allegations.

Default: Andrew ignores the court summons, meaning the court will rule in his absence.

Virginia Giuffre (seen with her attorney David Boies) accuses the royal of sexually assaulting her when she was 17, allegations he has always strenuously denied

What are the chances of the duke seeking to settle?

Experts have argued that Andrew is a 'dead man walking' and will want to strike a deal with Miss Roberts.

Media lawyer Mark Stephens said Wednesday's ruling that Andrew is to face a civil sexual assault trial has 'thrown a bomb' into the heart of the royal family and threatens to spark a constitutional crisis.

He told the BBC a crisis of this scale was unprecedented for the royal family.

'Prince Andrew has nowhere to go. He's effectively a dead man walking as far as the royal family is concerned,' he said. 'But the one thing he can do is to accept the responsibility, accept the blame, accept that he has to fall on his sword for the sake of the wider royal family.'

Insiders say the option to settle 'remains on the table'.

Andrew's team are understood to acknowledge the 'attritional impact' the case is having on the Royal Family, particularly as the Queen is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this June with the threat of a scandalous sex trial hanging over her.

'Obviously, this is a US case involving US lawyers and involving a US civil lawsuit,' one source said. 'In reality, 99 per cent of US civil litigations are settled out of court. A settlement would always be an option on the table, as that's where the vast majority end up. There is also the wider pressure and attritional impact to consider.'

Sources with knowledge of the case have previously told the Mail that no discussions have taken place yet about whether the Queen's son could  or should  agree a settlement without liability being admitted. But neither had it been ruled out as an option, they said.

Buckingham Palace has refused to comment, describing it as an 'ongoing legal matter'.

What dirty laundry could be aired in court if a settlement is not reached?

If a settlement is not reached, then the duke's private life could effectively be put in the dock.

As a young man, the 'Playboy Prince' was one of the world's most eligible bachelors and earned himself the nickname 'Randy Andy' after being linked to a string of beautiful women.

When a bachelor for a second time, Andrew again made headlines, having been spotted cavorting with topless women on holiday in Thailand, and attending a 'hookers and pimps' party with Robert Maxwell's daughter Ghislaine in the US.

It is possible that should the lawsuit reach court, lawyers could drudge up Andrew's sexual history and question him about everything from his sexual partners to the minutiae of his dealings with Epstein and with Maxwell, who has been convicted of sex trafficking.

Andrew also faced being grilled over his ability to sweat and his Pizza Express alibi.

During his 'car crash' BBC Newsnight interview in 2019, Andrew denied that he slept with Miss Roberts, saying one encounter in 2001 did not happen as he had spent the day with his daughter Beatrice, taking her to Pizza Express in Woking for a party.

The same alleged sexual liaison, which Miss Roberts said began with Andrew sweating heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp, was later branded factually wrong by the duke, who said he had a medical condition at the time which meant he did not sweat.

As a result, it is possible that Andrew's daughter Beatrice could testify in any US trial. It is also possible that Andrew's ex-wife Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson  who herself has generated some of the most humiliating royal scandals of modern times  could give evidence.

But a settlement would clearly do little to help the 61-year-old prince clear his name, and it is unlikely to help him achieve his long-held ambition of returning to public life in some form.

The Duke of York was photographed with his arm around the bare waist of then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts. In the background, Ghislaine Maxwell. Roberts claims she was forced to have sex with the royal three times

Interviews under oath?

Each side has said they will look for around a dozen depositions. These are video-recorded interviews under oath, with questions asked by the other side's lawyers.

Andrew's lawyers will seek to depose Miss Roberts and may seek to speak to her boyfriend and friends from the time, seeking to expose holes in her claims.

If Andrew gave a deposition, he is likely to be quizzed by Miss Roberts's lawyer David Boies, who has said he will come to England.

Former federal prosecutor Mitchell Epner explained: 'There will be depositions, a sworn interview taking place in front of a court recorder  but not a judge  by the opposing counsel. Prince Andrew would likely give his first deposition in the UK but that would be under US oath.

'He would be questioned by David Boies who is  as far as most American lawyers are concerned  without peer and is the greatest deposition-taker in modern American jurisprudence. This is a very, very bad day for Prince Andrew.'

If the duke was ever found to have lied in a deposition under oath, he could face a criminal charge for perjury.

Could Andrew be forced to appear in court?

Almost certainly not. Legal experts have said that Andrew could not be forcibly extradited due to it being a civil case.

Edward Grange, extradition expert and partner at Corker Binning, told MailOnline: 'In short, extradition can not take place for as long as the case remains within the civil jurisdiction.

'Prince Andrew would only be at peril of extradition if he were charged with a criminal offence in the USA that carries a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or more.

'Even then, whilst an extradition request could be made to the UK, no doubt careful thought would be given as to whether such steps should be taken given that it would be a very bold move for prosecutors to take because of the undoubted diplomatic headache it could cause for the two jurisdictions.'

Mr Grange added: 'If he were to be charged with a criminal offence in the US and if the US were to seek his extradition, his British nationality would not result in a dismissal of the request as Britain extradites its own citizens.'

Submitting himself to a humiliating, forensic, public interrogation about his sex life in a New York courtroom is simply unthinkable for the Queen's second son.

And even if he did believe that giving evidence in person would help him seize victory in this case  and judging by his performance under the Newsnight spotlights, it wouldn't  just by travelling to America he would place himself in peril of being tracked by the FBI, who have been wanting to speak to him for more than two years about his relationship with Epstein.

A request to the British Government to facilitate a formal interview with Andrew, under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, is currently gathering dust in London. If the duke flew to America, he could easily fear the risk of being detained by the authorities and forced to submit to FBI questioning.

Could Meghan, Charles or Fergie be asked to testify?

Others who Miss Roberts's side could target for a deposition include the duke's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice, after he made her trip to Pizza Express his alibi in his Newsnight interview.

Spencer Kuvin, a Florida lawyer who has represented several Epstein victims, said lawyers in the case could issue subpoenas to force people to attend a deposition.

These can be enforced within America and if someone refuses, 'a US Marshal brings them in'. But those outside of the US could potentially simply ignore the request.

Mr Kuvin said: 'You are going to see a lot of plane travel [of potential witnesses trying] to get out of the US in the coming weeks.'

The judge in the case has ordered a tight timeline, naming July 14 as the deadline for the discovery and deposition phases to be completed, to give both sides time to prepare for the explosive trial itself.

If Andrew loses the civil case could he face a criminal suit?

Defence attorney Julie Rendelman played down the prospect of any criminal charges being filed over Andrew's case.

She told The Guardian: 'I believe that [Maxwell] is the final piece in terms of criminal charges involving Epstein. I'm pretty confident prosecutors spent this time evaluating every piece of evidence to see if there is anything else.

'I think they realised the strongest case is Ghislaine, and that's what they went for.'

What's the case against Andrew?

Miss Roberts launched her damages claim against Prince Andrew in August last year. She alleges she was recruited into a global child sex ring aged 16 by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Epstein killed himself in 2019, while his British socialite girlfriend was convicted of child sex trafficking at a sensational trial in New York last month.

Miss Roberts says Epstein and Maxwell began flying her around the country and abroad on his private jets and that she was required to have sex with Epstein's 'adult male peers, including royalty'.

She claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions in 2001, once in London, in New York and on Epstein's private Caribbean island.

Backing up her claims are flight logs  showing she and Andrew were in the same places at the times she alleges she was attacked.

And at Maxwell's trial, Miss Roberts was not directly involved but the jury believed she had been a sex trafficking victim.

What's the duke defence?

Andrew's lawyers will highlight discrepancies in Miss Roberts's claims and how her story has changed several times over the years. Details of dates, places and people have varied, which will all be seized upon as evidence that she cannot be believed.

And the duke's lawyers say she did not even accuse Andrew of having sex with her until 2014, seven years after she first made her complaints against Epstein.

On her own account, Miss Roberts was over the age of consent when she claims she met Andrew, and the duke's lawyers say that because she was 17, she must allege that she was either physically compelled or threatened in some way, and she has failed to do so.

They also allege she rose up within Epstein's sex trafficking operation, suggesting that as an adult she was well paid when she herself began recruiting other teenagers.

Andrew's attempts to avoid the case

Andrew vehemently denies all Miss Roberts's claims, and told Newsnight he did not even remember meeting her, despite the notorious photograph of the pair which his friends have suggested was fake.

When she launched her legal action, the duke was accused of trying to 'dodge, duck, run and hide' in his mother's palaces to avoid being served with her legal papers.

When this failed, he came out fighting, with his lawyers branding his accuser a 'money-hungry sex kitten' who had 'initiated this baseless lawsuit against Prince Andrew to achieve another payday'.
Two New York daycare workers have been fired for forgetting a four-year-old girl in a school van for nine hours in below-freezing conditions, with the driver of the van allegedly bribing the child with $3 to keep quiet.

The two unidentified employees - the driver and a van monitor - at Living Waters Childcare in Rochester were canned Friday after the furious mother of Makyia Artis contacted the school, which told her it had no clue the girl was left out in the cold.

The Rochester girl was picked up by the daycare driver as snow fell in the upstate city at 9.15am on January 7. She told the van monitor she was sleepy and was allowed to lay down across the seats of the near-empty white van.

When the bus arrived at the school, the other students exited, but Artis was overlooked by both the absent-minded driver and van monitor.

'Nine hours in the cold on a bus in 18-degree weather snowing all day long,' raged Brenda Powell after her granddaughter told her what happened.

'The bus seats are leather, and windows had to have been covered in snow, where she couldnt even see out because it snowed all day long. So she just slept balled up in a ball on a cold leather seat for nine hours,' she told WHAM 13.

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Four-year-old Makyia Artis, of Rochester, New York, was left in a school van for nine hours after the driver and van monitor forgot about her in the back of school van

The little girl was marked absent at Living Waters Childcare and was later discovered in the snow-covered van hours later

Makyia, who weighs between 20 and 25 pounds, was marked absent at school and wasn't discovered until the van driver arrived at the end of day to prepare the van. That's when he noticed Artis curled up against the leather seats in the back.

He then allegedly offered Artis $3 to stay quiet about the screwup, but the little girl eventually opened up to her mother after arriving home in the evening, according to the family.

'My daughter said she ran to the couch and threw a blanket over herself. She jumped straight under the blanket with her and said she was really cold and was shivering,' Powell told WHAM 13.

'Had my granddaughter not told my daughter what happened, we wouldnt be sitting here right now. We wouldnt have known. They wouldnt have told us anything about it.'

The daycare fired the two employees on Friday after owner owner Sara Dunbar found out about the incident when Artis' family called to inform her

The van was covered in snow and the temperature was a frigid 18 degrees while Artis was inside the van

Sara Dunbar, the owner of the childcare center, said she was informed that Artis was left in the van by the family.

'We thought this child was absent - i didn't know until i actually received a call from the parent saying her child came home saying she was on the van. So it was a really horrible situation and I would never downplay it,' she told WHAM 13.

When she confronted the driver, he confirmed the little girl had sat in the cold van all day.

'I was so distraught and I was just so hurt. Im like, Why did you guys not follow protocols,' she told the Herald.

She also confirmed the driver had given Artis the money, but could not say whether if it was to buy her silence.

I guess in the process of transporting her home, the driver, because he does have a compassionate heart he stopped to get her something to eat and he took her home. He did give her $3.00 but it wasn't a bribery, said Dunbar, who added that the center has been open for 21 years and they have already updated their check-in procedures so this doesn't happen again.

Makyia's family isn't taking any chances. They already found her a new daycare.

Dunbar has since reported the incident to the state and apologized to the family, even showing up to their home around 6pm to check in on her.

The Rochester Police Department is investigating, as well, to see what criminal charges are applicable. No one has been charged yet.

The family is now advocating for others to continue to ask how their children's day went as to avoid the situation like this where parents might not have known.

'Always, always, always ask questions: "How was your day? What happened in daycare or school today?" Throw those questions out to your kids, so that their child will be the same way and wont wind up going through things and they wont even know about it,' Powell advised.

DailyMail.com has attempted to contact Living Waters Childcare for comment.
A truck which had been disguises with fake logos to look like an official Mexican Food Ministry vehicle, bound for the US, has crashed injured dozens of the 170 migrants hidden inside.

At least 38 immigrants, including eight children, were injured when the truck hit a concrete highway median divider in Veracruz, southern Mexico on Tuesday.

The rest of the 132 migrants, and the driver, fled the scene before authorities could arrive.

The truck had been traveling on highway 150 D Veracruz-Puebla and bound for Mexico City on its way north to the US when it crashed, Veracruz state public security ministry confirmed.

Good Samaritans help 170 migrants out of a truck in Veracruz, Mexico, after the vehicle they were being smuggled in crash on a highway Tuesday. At least 38 migrants remained inside the cargo box and on the side of the road until authorities and paramedics arrived to provide medical attention

Migrants remain on the side of a road in southern Mexico on Tuesday moments after the cargo truck they were being smuggled in crashed. At least 132 migrants fled the scene while 38 remained at the accident site and were provided medical attention before the National Institute of Migration took them in for processing

Footage recorded by bystanders showed Good Samaritans coming to the aid of the migrants, who were crammed inside the cargo box, before Veracruz state police officers and the National Guard arrived.

The driver, who fled from the scene, remained at large as of Wednesday.

Authorities impounded the truck which featured labels from the Mexican Food Ministry on its cargo box. However, the agency confirmed in a statement that the vehicle was not part of its fleet.

The National Institute of Migration identified the 38 migrants as natives of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. All of the individuals were placed in custody of the immigration agency for processing.

The migrants are being attended to as well as checking how they were transported and who was transporting them, Secretary of the Interior Adan Lopez said, as quoted by Mexican digital news outlet Lopez Doriga. Our priority is the protection of migrants, guaranteeing free transit.

The truck and cargo box used to smuggle the migrants featured labels from the Mexican Food Ministry. The department released a statement and said that the trailer and truck were not part of its fleet

The National Institute of Migration identified the 38 migrants as natives of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala

The accident comes nearly a month after a tractor trailer smuggling United States-bound migrants crashed into a barrier connected to a pedestrian bridge in the state of Chiapas and left 56 dead and 104 injured.

According to the Mexican government data, more than 252,000 undocumented migrants were intercepted in Mexico between January 2021 and November 2021. At least 100,000 were deported during the same period.

Data released by the Mexican Commission for Aid to Refugees showed that it received 31,488 refugee petitions in all of 2021.
Violinist Won Hyung-joon will give a speech at the Basel Peace Forum, sharing his experiences promoting inter-Korea relations through music. Courtesy of Won Hyung-joon



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Korean violinist Won Hyung-joon will give a speech at the Basel Peace Forum, the first Korean to speak at the event, which promotes peace building initiatives.



Won, the artistic director of the Lindenbaum Festival Orchestra, will speak during the "Emotions, Art, and Peace" session on Jan. 21, along with other artists.



Won will talk about his experiences bridging different ideologies through music.



Back in 1990, Won performed at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, which was celebrating Germany's reunification. The experience led him to recognize music as a medium of reconciliation and he then performed under the theme of world peace at the U.N. General Assembly Hall in 1996.



He founded the Lindenbaum Festival Orchestra in 2009 with the aim of bridging North and South Korea through music and promoting peace. Won tried to create a joint orchestra of young people from the two Koreas, taking inspiration from Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said's West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, an ensemble of musicians from Israel, Palestine and other places around the Middle East.



In 2019, Won organized a historic joint concert with North Korean soprano Kim Song-mi at the Oriental Art Center in Shanghai, China, and the Musikaliska Theater in Stockholm, Sweden.



Founded in 2016 by the Swiss Peace Foundation, the annual Basel Peace Forum offers a platform for discussions on peace by bringing experts from politics, business, civil society and academia.



"Won's attempt to connect the two Koreas goes well with the theme of the session, presenting the persuasive power of art in contexts affected by conflicts and violence," Maria Vogelbacher, the communications officer of the Swiss Peace Foundation, said.



Won's spirit of taking on challenges continued when the COVID-19 pandemic first swept around the globe. The violinist joined hands with MIT professor of civil and environmental engineering Markus Buehler to create a "musical antibody" for the coronavirus. They translated the spike protein of the virus into a musical scale and created "antibody music" through researching the vibrational frequency of the proteins. Won premiered "COVID-19 Antibody Music (Protein Antibody in E-minor)" in March 2021.


President Joe Biden will head to Capitol Hill on Thursday for a special meeting with Senate Democrats to push them to kill the filibuster in order to pass voting rights legislation.

The president will 'discuss the push to pass voting rights and potential changes to Senate rules,' a senior Democratic aide told DailyMail.com. The in-person meeting will take place in the the Kennedy Caucus Room, which is a large conference room in Russell Senate Office Building.

The meeting comes as both sides have ratched up the rhetoric ahead of the November midterm election, which will decide which party controls the House and Senate. The battle is turning increasingly personal with members of both parties upping the ante in the attacks.

Biden, who served in the Senate 36 years, called the institution a 'shell of its former self' in a fiery speech in Atlanta on Tuesday, where he called for sweeping voting legislation to be passed. And he attacked Republicans for not having the 'courage' to stand up to Donald Trump's false claim he won the election.

Meanwhile, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell went to the Senate floor on Wednesday afternoon to trash Biden, calling his Atlanta speech 'incorrect, incoherent, and beneath his office.'

'The president's rant - rant - yesterday was incorrect, incoherent, and beneath his office,' McConnell said, calling Biden's speech 'profoundly, profoundly unpresidential.'

Biden 'delivered a deliberately divisive speech,' he charged. 'It was designed to pull our country further apart.'

McConnell blasted Biden for comparing those who opposed federal voting laws 'to literal traitors' and said he was demonizing 'Americans who disagreed with him.'

'Look I've known liked and personally respected Joe Biden for many years. I did not recognize the man at the podium yesterday,' he noted.

President Joe Biden will head to Capitol Hill on Thursday for a special meeting with Senate Democrats

Both sides have ratched up the rhetoric: above Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at a service for the late Harry Reid

Biden is making the in-person lobbying attempt to the Capitol as Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have expressed reluctance to change Senate rules without buy in from Republicans.

He and Vice President Kamala Harris also will be working behind-the-scenes to get the two voting bills over the finish line.

The two will 'be working the phones over the next several days pushing members of the Senate to support voting rights legislation and changes to Senate rules,' the White House said on Thursday.

Biden's pitch to Senate Democrats will be that they should change the Senate rules to 'make the instituation work again,' according to the administration.

In his speech in Atlanta on Tuesday, Biden attacked the Senate, an institute he served in for 36 years.

'Sadly, the United States Senate designed to be the world's greatest deliberative body, has been rendered a shell of its former self,' he said.

Republicans stand in united support against the two voting rights bills, arguing elections should be a state issue as opposed to a federal one.

In order to bypass that opposition, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would have to invoke the 'nuclear option,' which would require a majority of senators to support moving the legislation forward with a simple 51-vote majority instead of the usual 60-vote threshold.

The filibuster is a powerful tool for the minority party and Republicans have warned killing it to make an exception for voting rights legislation could lead to it being killed for other issues, diminishing its power.

The loss of the filibuster's power is behind Manchin's and Sinema's hesitiation.

So Biden will frame his argument to Democrats that the filibuster is being used to obstruct.

In his meeting with Senate Democrats, the president will 'discuss the urgent need to pass legislation to protect the constitutional right to vote and the integrity of our elections against un-American attacks based on the Big Lie, and to again underline that doing so requires changing the rules of the Senate to make the institution work again,' the White House said.

The comment echoes one Manchin made on Tuesday, where he said he would support changing Senate rules to make 'the place work better.'

'I'm not for breaking the filibuster, but I am for making the place work better by changing the rules,' Manchin said.

The trip to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue comes two days after the president went to Georgia, to deliver a fiery speech calling for federal legislation on voting rights, tying his argument to the January 6th insurrection and invoking a historical call to protect the right to vote.

'The filibuster is not used by Republicans to bring the Senate together but to pull it further apart,' he said in his speech. 'The filibuster has been weaponized and abused.'

Schumer also weighed in with an election warning to his Democrats, telling them they could lose their seats if they don't support the legislation.

'We are working there are constant meetings and not just among the few senators, but just about every senator  every single one of the 50 [other than Manchin and Sinema] is talking individually to Joe Manchin to Kyrsten Sinema  and they're saying things like: 'I'll lose my election if the legislature is allowed to do this in my state,'' Schumer said on MSNBC's Morning Joe.

He continued: 'We lose our majority  but more importantly, we'll lose our democracy. And those speakers yesterday that I mentioned were very powerful,' he said.

Taking part in that meeting were Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Punchbowl News reported.

Schumer has pledged to pass voting rights legislation by January 17th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but has not detailed his plan on how he will do it.

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin opposes changing the filibuster rules

Why do Biden and the Democrats want to kill the filibuster to pass voting rights? President Joe Biden on Tuesday said the U.S. Senate should consider scrapping a longstanding supermajority rule known as the 'filibuster' if necessary to pass voting-rights legislation that is opposed by Republicans. It is a surprising move for Biden who defended the rule during his 36 years as a Senator. But he believes the current threat to democracy is so severe Congress needs to pass either the Freedom to Vote Act or the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act without Republican support. 'I believe the threat to our democracy is so grave that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills,' he said in his speech in Atlanta. 'Debate them. Vote. Let the majority prevailand if that bare minimum is blocked, we have no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster for this. Critics say the filibuster, which requires 60 of the 100 senators to agree on most legislation, is an anti-democratic hurdle that prevents Washington from addressing pressing problems. Supporters say it forces lawmakers to seek consensus, serves as important check on the party in power and ensures that major laws that affect American life don't change radically with every election. Once a rarity, the filibuster is now routinely invoked. In recent months, Republicans have used it to block voting-rights bills and bring the United States perilously close to a crippling debt default. Democrats could use their razor-thin Senate majority to eliminate the filibuster altogether. But centrist Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema oppose this move, saying that it will shatter the few bipartisan bonds that remain and give Republicans free rein if they take a majority in the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has warned that his party would use other tactics to bring the chamber to a halt if the filibuster is eliminated. WHAT IS THE FILIBUSTER? TERM DERIVED FROM CARIBBEAN PIRATES THAT MEANS 'TALKING TO DEATH' Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate was set up to allow for unlimited debate. In the 19th century, lawmakers developed the filibuster - a word derived from Dutch and Spanish terms for Caribbean pirates - as a way to talk a bill to death. Then-Democratic Senator Strom Thurmond set the record when he spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes to block a major civil rights bill. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy spoke for nearly 15 hours in 2016 to press for gun-control legislation and Republican Senator Ted Cruz spoke for more than 21 hours in 2013 to protest President Barack Obama's signature Affordable Care Act. None of those efforts were successful. Senators agreed in 1917 that a vote by a two-thirds majority could end debate on a given bill. That majority was reduced in 1975 to three-fifths of the Senate, currently 60 senators. Under current rules, senators don't need to talk to gum up the works -- they merely need to register their objection to initiate a filibuster. Over the past 50 years, the number of filibusters has skyrocketed as Democrats and Republicans have become more politically polarized. From 1969 to 1970 there were six votes to overcome a filibuster, the nearest reliable proxy. There were 298 such votes in the 2019-2020 legislative session. WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM FOR DEMOCRATS? Democrats control 50 seats in the Senate, which allows them to eke together a majority with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking 51st vote when needed. They can't overcome filibusters unless at least 10 Republicans vote with them. Democrats were able to bypass the filibuster to pass Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus plan using a special process known as 'reconciliation' that only requires a simple majority for certain budget bills. But that process is subject to complex limitations and cannot be used regularly. Republicans have blocked many other Democratic priorities, though 19 of them did vote for a $1 trillion package to revamp the nation's roads, bridges and other infrastructure. CAN THE FILIBUSTER BE CHANGED? There have already been changes. In 2013, Democrats removed the 60-vote threshold for voting on most nominees for administration jobs, apart from the Supreme Court, allowing them to advance on a simple majority vote. In 2017, Republicans did the same thing for Supreme Court nominees. Both the 2013 and 2017 Senate rule changes were made by simple majority votes. Some Democrats have called for eliminating the filibuster entirely, but they lack the 50 votes needed to take that step. Democrats plan to vote sometime over the next week to scale back the filibuster so it would not apply to voting-related legislation. But it's not clear whether they have the votes for this either; Manchin said last week that he would prefer to get some Republican buy-in for that change. On Sunday he said he might support making the tactic more 'painful' by requiring senators to keep talking on the Senate floor. Biden, who spent 36 years in the Senate, long supported the filibuster but has grown more open to changing it as Republicans have blocked several of his major initiatives over the past year. Advertisement

It's not just Manchin and Sinema who are resisting changing the Senate rules to kill the filisbuster. So is the 50-strong Republican minority, including senators such as Mitt Romney of Utah who have denounced Trump's election fraud claims.

Romney tore into Biden after his Atlant speech. He said Biden was taking the same 'tragic road' as Trump in undermining the democratic process in a searing speech on the Senate floor.

He also urged Democrats to think about 'what would it mean for them' to abolish the filibuster now and see themselves potentially losing Congress and the White House in the near future -- and chided them for decrying it as racist.

'He also accused a number of my good and principled colleagues in the Senate of having sinister, even racist inclinations,' Romney said. 'So much for unifying the country and working across the aisle.'
USA Today was forced to delete a series of tweets after the paper was blasted for trying to 'normalize' pedophilia by saying it is 'misunderstood' and a condition 'determined in the womb' - yet has kept the article available online despite the outrage.

On Monday, USA Today published an article by staff writer Alia E. Dastagir titled 'What the public keeps getting wrong about pedophilia,' where she cited researchers who study pedophilia and say it is a misunderstood term that describes an attraction to minors, not an action.

The article also claimed that pedophilia is a condition that is developed in the womb.

'Not all people who sexually abuse children are pedophiles,' Dastagir wrote. 'Some pedophiles never abuse children, experts say, and some people who sexually abuse children do not sexually prefer them, but use them as a surrogate for an adult partner. They may be disinhibited and anti-social, with impulse control problems.'

The article quoted James Cantor, a clinical psychologist, sex researcher and former editor-in-chief of Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment.

He told the reporter: 'The evidence suggests it is inborn. It's neurological. Pedophilia is the attraction to children, regardless of whether the (person) ever... harms.'

The story may have faded into print oblivion but USA Today promoted the article on Twitter on Tuesday in a thread with the caption: 'We think we know what a pedophile is. There's a lot we're misunderstanding.'

The thread contained other tweets that were captioned with accompanying remarks from the piece.

The tweets drew immediate backlash, especially from right-wing pundits - and even Donald Trump Jr. - claiming the newspaper was trying to 'normalize' pedophilia.

'Ah, yes. Here we go with the liberal media celebrating and trying to normalize pedophilia. That's right, folks. USA Today, trying to destigmatize...grown adults having sex with little kids,' wrote Curtis Houck, a right-wing journalist and self-described conservative millennial with a deep passion for analyzing the daily and long term impact of the news media, according to his LinkedIn page.

The backlash forced the paper to change the title of the article to 'The complicated research behind pedophilia' and take down the original thread and start a new one with the updated article.

The former president's son quickly took aim with his own curse-filled outrage.

'The Internet is forever a**holes good try on the delete tho! USA TODAY TRIES TO UNDERSTAND PEDOPHILES!!! To me (and probably anyone who has been watching) this is nothing more than the first step of trying to normalize this kind of behavior.'

The Gannett-owned flagship paper decided to repost the story under a new thread later that day because important 'context' was missing from the original Twitter thread.

'A previous thread did not include all information and the story it was written about is behind a paywall. We made the decision to delete the thread,' the paper tweeted.

But the damage had already been done.

'USA Today deleted this tweet and the accompanying thread after getting ratioed into oblivion. They are hardly the first to attempt to normalize pedophilia and wont be the last,' Washington Examiner reporter Jeremiah Poff tweeted.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz's ex-girlfriend reportedly on Wednesday appeared before a federal grand jury investigating him for sex crimes.

According to NBC News, his ex, whose name was withheld to protect her privacy, has been in talks with federal prosecutors for months to avoid prosecution for obstruction of justice in return for testifying in an investigation into whether he paid for sex with a 17-year-old.

It suggests the investigation into Gaetz, 39, is entering a new, decisive phase.

NBC also reported that prosecutors were investigating three separate crimes: Sex trafficking; violating the Mann Act, which bans taking prostitutes across state lines; and obstructing justice.

Investigators are reportedly examining a phone call between Gaetz, his ex and another woman - who recorded the call and was cooperating with federal investigators - to establish whether it amounted to obstructing justice.

Gaetz, a conservative firebrand and prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, has not been charged with any crime and has denied all the accusations.

Instead, he has dismissed the investigation as a 'witch hunt.'

Isabelle Kirshner, one of his lawyers, told DailyMail.com on Wednesday: 'We have seen no credible basis for a charge against Congressman Gaetz.

'We remain steadfast in our commitment to challenge any allegations with the facts and law.'

Reports say Rep Matt Gaetz is being investigated for three distinct crimes: Sex trafficking a 17-year-old; violating the Mann Act, which prohibits taking prostitutes across state lines; and obstructing justice

Gaetz with his then girlfriend Ginger Luckey in Doral, Florida. They married in August last year

Gaetz came to attention of investigators through his friend Joel Greenberg, who tweeted this photo of himself (left) with Gaetz at the White House

Previous reporting revealed that investigators believe Gaetz's former girlfriend is key to unraveling transaction records that allegedly reveal payments for sex.

She is a former Capitol Hill staffer who has known the congressman since 2017.

Her attorney Tim Jansen declined to comment on case when he was approached by a reporter as he entered the federal courthouse in Orlando with his client.

Their arrival marked the latest twist in a long running investigation.

It includes lurid allegations made by his friend that the congressman snorted cocaine and had sex with an escort, who was paid taxpayers money for a separate role that involved no work.

But the episode now under scrutiny involves a period when he was in an open relationship with his ex in 2017 and 2018, during which she accompanied him to the Bahamas in a trip that is now under scrutiny by investigators.

The existence of the investigation first became public last March, when The New York Times reported that investigators were examining whether Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old in 2019 and paid for her to travel with him.

The inquiry had been underway for several months before it became public.

Gaetz first came to investigators' attention because of his his friendship with a former Florida tax collector, Joel Greenberg, described as his 'wingman', who last year pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud and sexual offenses.

Greenberg told investigators that Gaetz and at least two other men had sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl.

He has told them that they both gave women cash and gifts in exchange for sex.

Greenberg pleaded guilty to identity theft, stalking, wire fraud, conspiracy to bribe a public official and sex trafficking of a minor.

He also reportedly revealed that Gaetz paid prostitute Megan Zalonka after a cocaine-fueled party at a Trump fundraiser.

Megan Zalonka (right) is pictured with Gaetz, who is said to have snorted cocaine and had sex with her

Gaetz came to the notice of investigators through his friendship with former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud and sexual offenses

The escort and amateur Instagram model was Gaetz's date in October 2019 at the Trump Defender Gala in Orlando.

She is said to have been paid up to $15,000 of taxpayers money by Greenberg after he hired her for a social media manager job in Seminole County, Florida, that did not require Zalonka to do any work, a new report claims.

After the gala, an after-party was held in Gaetz's hotel room, The Daily Beast reported.

Zalonka, 28, chopped up lines of cocaine, which she and Gaetz took together, the news site claimed last year.

Two sources told the site that Zalonka and the Florida congressman had an ongoing financial relationship in exchange for sex.

'She was just one of the many pieces of arm candy he had,' said one source familiar with the encounters between Gaetz and Zalonka.

Gaetz has been one of Trump's most ardent public supporters, appearing around the country with fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green. Last week they held a press conference together marking the one-year anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol

Zalonka had, in 2017, used her relationship with Greenberg to secure a $3,500-a-month social media job at Seminole County in Florida.

She was paid with taxpayer funds, and yet never worked in the office, and did not appear to do any work, it is alleged.

As part of his plea deal, Greenberg admitted he recruited women for commercial sex acts and paid them more than $70,000 from 2016 to 2018, sometimes through online payment services like Venmo. They include at least one underage girl he paid to have sex with him and others, the plea agreement says.

He also admitted using his position as tax collector access a driver and vehicle information database known by the acronym DAVID to 'investigate his sexual partners'.

Greenberg originally faced 33 federal charges, but prosecutors dropped 27 after he agreed to cooperate with the FBI, informing federal prosecutors that he and others had drugged and sexually trafficked a 17-year-old girl across state lines.

Previous reports said the investigation into Gaetz stalled as investigators tried to win the cooperation of his ex-girlfriend.

In April last year, Politico reported that the former girlfriend had told friends she was worried that a 17-year-old who is key to the federal government's sex-crimes investigation tried to get her to incriminate him on a recorded call.

Gaetz was accompanied in the Bahamas by two other Florida Republican political players - Jason Pirozzolo, a former Orlando-area aviation authority member, who has acted as a fundraiser for Governor Ron DeSantis; and Halsey Beshears, a former state representative.
Democrats proposed on Wednesday new sanctions on Russia as a potential alternative to a bill proposed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz that the left fears could undermine unity with European allies.

Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, is leading efforts on the bill and is backed by the White House.

Cruz's bill, supposedly being brought for a vote this week, achieves many of the same goals of Menendez's bill. The Republican's proposal, however, makes its passage a requirement for him stopping the blockage of a slew of ambassador pics.

The Texas senator's proposal would block construction of the Russia-to-Germany natural gas line Nord Stream 2 no matter what, while Menendez's counter proposal only imposes sanctions on its construction if Russia invades Ukraine.

'This legislation makes it absolutely clear that the U.S. Senate will not stand idly by as the Kremlin threatens a re-invasion of Ukraine,' Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement laying out the Democrats' bill.

Critics of the Nord Stream 2 project claim that it would expand Russian President Vladimir Putin's influence and leverage over Western Europe by making the region more reliant on Russian energy resources.

The Democrats' proposal is meant to give them a piece of White House-backed legislation to demonstrate their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and heighten U.S. promises of financial pain for Russia, which has staged tens of thousands of troops along Ukraine's borders.

It is also meant to serve as a counter to Cruz's proposal.

Democratic Senator Bob Menendez (left) proposed on Wednesday a new bill for sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline if Vladimir Putin invades Ukraine. The bill is meant to counter Republican Senator Ted Cruz's proposal which would impose sanctions on the Russia-to-Germany natural gas line regardless if Russian invades

Cruz's legislation would heap new sanctions on operators of the pipeline whether or not Russia invades. Nord Stream 2 has been built but has not yet gone into operation.

The Republican bill is set for a Senate vote this week  Friday at the latest.

Its prospects, however, are uncertain. It would need at least 10 Democratic votes to pass the chamber and it's not clear if it would be brought to a vote in the Democratic-controlled House.

Republicans have portrayed top Democratic opposition to Cruz's bill as President Joe Biden and other Democrats showing weakness against Russian President Vladimir Putin. It's a sharp political point given Democratic criticism that President Donald Trump was too deferential to the Russian leader.

White House and Democratic lobbying of Democratic lawmakers against his bill works 'to the benefit of Putin. While Russian tanks prepare to invade,' Cruz tweeted this week.

The Biden administration argues Cruz's proposal could harm relations with valued ally Germany, which like the rest of Europe is dependent on imported natural gas. Passage of Cruz's legislation would risk splitting what administration officials insist is a united front among the U.S. and its European allies on punishing Russia if it invades. Democrats say the rift would strengthen Putin's hand.

The Democratic measure would target Putin, his civilian and military leaders and leading Russian financial institutions. It is less immediately aggressive against Nord Stream 2 than Cruz's bill, saying that the United States 'should consider all available and appropriate measures to prevent the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from becoming operational.'

The pipeline would double the volume of gas pumped by Russian state-owned gas giant Gazprom directly to Germany. Running under the Baltic Sea, it bypasses existing links through Poland and Ukraine. Gazprom argues it would make long-term supply more reliable.

Nord Stream 2 has been built but has not yet gone into operation. A Russian construction worker pictured above during a ceremony marking the start of Nord Stream pipeline construction in Portovaya Bay 106 miles north-west from St. Petersburg, Russia on April 9, 2010

Pipeline critics say it increases Russia's leverage over Europe, pits member states against one another and deprives Ukraine and Poland of billions earned from transit fees. Europe went into winter with scant gas reserves, which has sent prices soaring to eight times what they were at the start of 2021. Putin has used that supply crunch to help make his push for final German and European approval of the project.

The head of the International Energy Agency on Wednesday blamed Russia for worsening Europes natural gas crisis, saying the high prices and low storage levels largely stem from the behavior of Gazprom.

U.S. and allies have begun to work on contingency plans should Russia move to cut off Ukraine and others from gas supplies, according to a person familiar with planning who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity. Currently, there are above average inventories in Asia. Norway, the Netherlands, Italy and Qatar are other suppliers that could step in to fill the breach.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he believes it extremely unlikely Germany would begin operation of the pipeline if Russia does invade Ukraine, whose government has been eager to ally with the West. Germany's new government has not given a definitive public answer on that point.

National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne argued Wednesday that imposing new sanctions over Nord Stream 2 regardless of whether Russia invades, as Cruz's bill would, removes the leverage that the threat of that sanction provides.

'We support Senator Menendez's legislation, which would trigger severe costs to Russia's economy if Russia further invades Ukraine, just like President Biden and our allies and partners have made clear we will do,' Horne said.
Hunter Biden's ex-wife Kathleen Buhle will release a memoir in the run-up to the midterm elections about the breakdown of their 24-year marriage, his drug addiction and his affair with Beau's wife that could unearth more embarrassing details about the first family.

People magazine reported Wednesday that Buhle has written a book that will hit bookshelves in June entitled, If We Break: A Memoir of Marriage, Addiction and Healing.

The book will discuss the 'heavy toll' drug addiction takes on relationships, as Hunter Biden, fueled by a coke and alcohol habit, spent the couple's money on drugs, alcohol, strippers and prostitutes, and engaged in an affair with his dead brother Beau's wife Hallie.

Buhle accused Hunter of having an affair, being 'emotionally abusive' and using Viagra after she discovered his relationship with his brother's widow, emails obtained by DailyMail.com have shown.

She tried for years to try help him beat his addiction to crack cocaine and booze, before he found out that he was having a relationship with his sister-in-law Hallie.

Hunter Biden's (right) ex-wife Kathleen Buhle (left) will release a memoir in the run-up to the midterm elections about the breakdown of their 24-year marriage

Kathleen Buhle, photographed outside her residence in Washington, D.C., will write about the 'heavy toll' drug addiction took on her marriage to Hunter Biden

The last straw in her marriage with Hunter Biden (left) was when she found out he was having an affair with Hallie Biden (right), the widow of Hunter's late brother Beau

'When my marriage ended, I felt like I'd lost my sense of who I was,' Buhle told People. 'Anyone who has seen addiction ruin a relationship, or been through infidelity and divorce, can tell you how devastating it feels.'

Through those 'crushing experiences,' she continued, 'I needed to find a way to stand on my own.'

'Writing this book has been incredibly healing for me,' Buhle told the magazine. 'And my hope is it will be meaningful to those who have been through addiction or divorce, and especially to women who have felt their entire identity was tied to their spouse.'

'In the end, divorce allowed me to find my strength,' she added.

The book, Buhle's publisher told People, 'tells her own story from her working class roots on the South Side of Chicago to losing her maiden name and a part of herself in becoming Kathleen Biden, to finding a renewed sense of identity, purpose, and joy after the devastating collapse of her marriage.'

Buhle and Biden finalized their divorce by April 2017.

However, six weeks prior, The New York Post reported that Hunter Biden had an ongoing affair with Hallie - with now President Joe Biden only finding out about it when the newspaper's gossip column, Page Six, reached out for comment.

Kathleen Buhle's forthcoming book will detail Hunter Biden's extramarital activities, which in divorce documents Buhle said consisted of him spending money on alcohol, drugs, strippers and prostitutes

Hunter Biden struggled with drug addiction throughout his 24-year marriage with Kathleen Buhle, which ended in divorce in April 2017

Kathleen Buhle emailed Hunter Biden in July 2016 after reportedly discovering romantic texts between her husband and Hallie - the widow of Hunter's brother Beau. 'I'm leaving you because you are having an affair and you have been emotionally abusive,' she wrote

Hunter Biden later said in an interview with The New Yorker that he begged his father to send out a statement giving his blessing.

'I said, "Dad, if people find out, but they think you're not approving of this, it makes it seem wrong. The kids have to know, Dad, that there's nothing wrong with this, and the one person who can tell them that is you,' Hunter Biden said.

For Buhle, however, the affair was the last straw.

'I'm leaving you because you are having an affair and you have been emotionally abusive,' Buhle wrote in an email obtained by DailyMail.com to Hunter Biden in July 2016. 'I forgave you for cheating before, I tried to help you get sober and you made it clear, throughout the past year, that you didn't want to be with me. You didn't want my forgiveness and you didn't want my help with your recovery.'

Buhle called Biden 'cruel' for trying to say it was her fault.

'You say you were surprised by my asking for a separation and needed time to process it. I was surprised when I found your bottles of Viagra and Cialis. I was surprised when I found airline purchases and jewelry purchases,' the email continued.

In Hunter Biden's own memoir, Beautiful Things, he said Buhle learned of the affair when she discovered texts between the two lovers.

A source who talked to The Sun about Hunter Biden's book said Buhle 'tried for years to help him beat his addiction to crack cocaine and booze. But then she found out he was sleeping with his brother's wife. She said he was a sicko.'

The couple have three daughters together, Naomi, Finnegan and Maisy.

Hunter Biden also has an out-of-wedlock child with ex-stripper Lunden Roberts.

After just briefly dating, Hunter Biden married Melissa Cohen in 2019.

The couple had baby Beau Biden in the spring of 2020.

By spring 2019, Buhle was dating again, and leaning heavily on her friend, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Page Six reported.

In a March 2019 text message, Hunter Biden wrote to his father that 'you guys are unreasonably scared of Kathleen.'

'She's done the worst she can do with no push back,' he added in text messages from his abandoned laptop verified by DailyMail.com.
A city in New Mexico will install the state first 'baby box,' for mothers to safely and anonymously surrender their newborns, just days after an 18-year-old woman hurled her hours-old baby boy into a dumpster.

The device, which costs $20,000 to install, could be set up in the firehouse of the city of Espanola as early as March, and would keep babies warm until first responders arrive after being notified by a silent alarm system. It was approved by the city's board earlier this week.

The announcement comes on the heels of Alexis Avila's arrest on attempted murder and child abuse charges after she allegedly tossed her newborn into a dumpster in Hobbs, 300 miles southwest of Espanola.

The baby was found six hours later by three dumpster divers who said he was 'freezing cold,' and was airlifted to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, where he remains stable, authorities said.

Avila reportedly told authorities that she had only found out she was pregnant a day before delivering the baby, named Saul, inside her parents bathroom and 'panicked.'

'We are finally at the point where we're going to install our first baby box in the Espanola Fire Station and we are thrilled about that,' Mayor of Espanola, Javier Sanchez, told local news station KQRE. 'We're getting more awareness about what the reality is out there in the world.'

'They're temperature-regulated, they have alarm systems that go off and notify us when we're not there,' said John Wickersham, Assistant Fire Chief of the Espanola Fire Department. 'We respond within three minutes.'

The City of Espanola in New Mexico will install its first 'baby box,' just days after an 18-year-old woman hurled her baby into a dumpster

The device, which costs $20,000 to install, could be set up in the firehouse of the city of Espanola as early as March, and would keep babies warm until first responders arrive after being notified by a silent alarm system

Alexis Avila, 18, was been arrested and charged with attempted murder and child abuse for allegedly tossing her newborn child into a dumpster

'Our attorneys have finalized the last ticking points that we were concerned with,' Sanchez added. 'I think that we are now really on solid ground to have our city managers sign that in to get it going and we can start going from here.'

The device, manufactured by Indiana-based Safe Haven Baby Boxes, will cost an additional $200 to lease per year.

In a statement to FOX News, a spokesperson said the company was 'thrilled' to partner with the state to make the baby boxes available.

The statement read: 'We are excited to partner with New Mexico to ensure that mothers in crisis have a 100[percent] safe and anonymous option to surrender their newborns...We are grateful that Espanola, New Mexico is leading the way in their state to bring an end to infant abandonment.'

According to the company's website, there are roughly 60 'baby boxes' and 'baby drawers' across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida and Arizona.

The device, manufactured by Indiana-based Safe Haven Baby Boxes, will cost an additional $200 to lease per year

The shocking footage from New Mexico shows Avila tossing her baby in to a dumpster in a trash bag

More cities could soon join Espanola in installing 'baby boxes' at select locations to ensure that babies are safe when their mothers decide to surrender them.

Moms in New Mexico can surrender their infants at designated spots for up to 90 days after the youngsters are born - no questions asked.

'I called the mayor in Hobbs and he was telling me a little bit about the situation and what's going on,' Sanchez told KRQE.

'As we got to talking, we said, we need to put one of these in all of our cities. We decided we'll bring this up at our next mayor's conference so we can talk to all of the mayors who are interested and we can roll this out in more than just one location.'

Sanchez added that it was a pressing issue and just three years ago authorities found a dead baby in a trash bag at a home in Rio Arriba County, near Espanola.

'It happened here, we found a baby in the trash, and to hear it happened again is devastating,' said fire chief Wickersham. 'It broke our hearts.'

Laws in many US states protect mothers who wish to surrender their babies from criminal penalties as long as they drop their babies at 'safe havens' such as fire and police stations or churches where there are adults who can alert authorities.

'We are finally at the point where we're going to install our first baby box in the Espanola Fire Station and we are thrilled about that,' Mayor of Espanola (left) said. 'They're temperature-regulated, they have alarm systems that go off and notify us when we're not there,' added Assistant Fire Chief John Wickersham (right)

The device allows mothers to safely and anonymously surrender their newborns. It then notifies first responders

The device could potentially save the lives of newborns surrendered by their mothers

Alexis Avila delivered her baby in the bathroom of her parents' $104,000 Hobbs home last Friday.

She told cops that she had no idea she was pregnant and only realized something was amiss when she started getting abdominal pains.

After being charged with attempted murder and child abuse, and arrested, she is scheduled to appear in court in Lovington, New Mexico, on Wednesday.

After giving birth, Avila claims she panicked and, hours later, wrapped her infant son in a towel and drove him to the Broadmoor Shopping Mall in downtown Hobbs where she was captured on camera throwing him in a dumpster behind oil industry supply store Rig Outfitters.

The Hobbs High School student was then seen jumping back in her white Volkswagen Jetta and driving off.

The newborn, who has been named Saul by his 16-year-old father, was discovered five hours later by three dumpster divers who initially thought the noise they heard was that of a cat mewing.

After giving birth, Avila said she 'panicked.' She wrapped her son in a towel, placed him in a white plastic bag containing some trash, and a larger black trash bag, and drove around, before throwing the child in the dumpster at the Broadmoor Shopping Center at around 2pm. The baby was found six hours later.

'People can talk and give their opinion. Everybody makes mistakes,' Avila's mother said. The dumpsters where she dumped her son are pictured

One the rescuers, April Meadow, wrapped the baby in her coat  telling a 911 dispatch operator that the baby was 'freezing cold.'

After the baby was found, he was taken to a hospital in Hobbs and then transferred to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, which has a more advanced NICU unit.

When doctors assessed the baby, they found that his body temperate was so low that it did not register, indicating hypothermia. The newborn was also given a blood transfusion, and put on a feeding tube and oxygen.

Police said the baby was in a stable condition at the hospital on Monday.

Baby Saul is currently recovering at a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, and is being cared for by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department.

Avila's mother Martha, 47, broke her silence on Tuesday to defend her daughter and told DailyMail.com that the birth came as 'a shock.'

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, she said: 'People can talk and give their opinion. Everybody makes mistakes. People can preach all they want, they can judge all they want but we only care about the judgment of one.'

She added: 'Yeah it has been a shock.'

Martha told DailyMail.com that she wasn't sure if the family would be handed custody of baby Saul  although that is likely to be contested by the family of the baby's father.

Avila's mother Martha, 47, has broken her silence to defend her daughter and told DailyMail.com that the birth came as 'a shock'

Footage from the same camera caught the moment a heroic woman rescued the child from the dumpster

Oscar Astorga, 50, said his son Stephen, 16, had no idea Avila, his ex-girlfriend, was pregnant until she gave birth last week and was then caught on camera callously chucking their child into a dumpster.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com on Wednesday, Astorga has revealed that the family wants custody of the child.

'Of course we're trying to get custody,' Astorga told DailyMail.com. 'Of course.

'He is my grandson. That's why we can't comment on anything because we're trying to get my grandson.'

He added that his family has received death threats since the video went viral.

Astorga, who runs a company servicing the local oil and gas industry, told DailyMail.com that the news of the baby had come as a huge shock  and told how his family have received death threats on social media.

Telling of the moment he discovered he had become a grandfather, Astorga said: 'When you don't know and then all of a sudden someone calls you? It's like wow.'
Western Australia has banned all domestic travel into the state as it tries to stop an Omicron surge.

An increase in cases in the NT prompted a tightening of border restrictions after the territory recorded 594 infections on Monday, with Western Australia upgrading the state to an 'extreme risk' jurisdiction .

The NT was the only state or territory not yet set to extreme, being only 'high risk', meaning the entire country is now banned except for a few exceptions.

The ban means residents of all other states and territories in Australia have been stopped from visiting Western Australia, even to visit dying family members.

Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) has shut Western Australia's borders to the Northern Territory after deeming it an 'extreme risk'

The new rules will came into effect at 12.01am last night, with only government officials, defence force personnel and diplomats allowed to travel into the state.

An exemption for travel could be granted under 'specialist or extraordinary circumstances' if approved by the state's police commissioner or chief health officer.

Travellers with an exemption must be vaccinated and complete 14 days of quarantine in a state-run facility at their own expense.

An additional two days of quarantine will be required at a 'suitable premises' with Covid testing conducted within 24 hours of arrival and on days five and 13 of isolation.

The NT reported 352 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday bringing the number of active cases in the territory to 3,000.

Covid-19 cases have jumped in the NT with the territory recording 352 new infections on Wednesday follow 594 cases on Monday

There are 28 people hospitalised with Covid-19 and one patient admitted to the intensive care unit.

Premier McGowan said a growing number of interstate travellers were in hotel quarantine alongside overseas arrivals.

'We know the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly around much of the country and unfortunately the Northern Territory is now too seeing an accelerating caseload in the community,' he said.

Western Australia has now deemed all states and territories as an 'extreme risk' shutting out all of the country (pictured, a map indication WAs Covid-19 classification requirements)

'Our controlled border remains a vital tool to protect Western Australia as we work to push our vaccination rates as high as possible towards February 5, including third doses and vaccinations for five to 11-year-olds.'

The premier urged all WA residents in the Northern Territory with an approved G2G Pass to return home immediately otherwise they would be denied entry.

Tighter border controls come as the premier warned life for the unvaccinated population is about to get 'very difficult'.

This comes as Mark McGowan vowed to make the lives of the unvaccinated 'very difficult'

In the lead up to the state re-opening on February 5, Mr McGowan said residents who were unvaccinated wouldn't be able to enjoy the same freedoms as their inoculated counterparts.

Mr McGowan said the state successfully navigated through a Delta cluster and its two latest Omicron outbreaks, but said the virus would continue to find its way into WA.

'With the sheer number of cases in the rest of the country right now, it is placing pressure on supply chains across a number of industries,' he said on Monday.

As the state moves closer to 90 per cent vaccination, Mr McGowan said the eastern states were proof of what would happen if people continue to reject the jab.

'Over east, the intensive care units are filled with the unvaccinated... even though that's a tiny proportion of the population, they are hugely over-represented,' he said.

'[The unvaccinated] will be able to work in some limited industries, they'll be able to go to supermarkets and get essential supplies and the like.

'But a lot of the things we take for granted and the things we enjoy, they won't be able to do and that's because we want to protect them and save their lives, and we want to protect other people from their transmissibility.'
Joe Biden tried to meet with Mitch McConnell at the Capitol on Wednesday after the Senate Republican leader slammed him for giving an 'incorrect, incoherent' speech on voting rights that was 'beneath his office.'

Biden was on Capitol Hill to pay respects to the late Senate Leader Harry Reid, whose remains were lying in state in the Capitol rotunda. On his way out, Biden stopped by McConnell's office.

Democratic Senator Cory Booker, who was with Biden, told reporters on Capitol Hill that the president only talked to the front office staff.

McConnell confirmed the two men didn't met.

'We did not connect,' McConnell told reporters on Capitol Hill. He also stood by his earlier speech on the Senate floor, where he attacked Biden repeatedly for what he called 'deliberately divisive' comments in a speech in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Biden seemed to shrug off the attacks.

'I like Mitch McConnell. He's a friend,' he told reporters in the Capitol when asked about what McConnell remarks.

Republicans ratched up the rhetoric on Wednesday in response to Biden's own fiery address, where he accused the GOP of standing on the wrong side of history when it came to voting rights.

'The president's rant - rant - yesterday was incorrect, incoherent, and beneath his office,' McConnell said in his remarks on the Senate floor, calling Biden's speech 'profoundly, profoundly unpresidential.'

President Joe Biden tried to meet with Mitch McConnell during a stop on Capitol Hill on Wednesday after McConnell slammed him in a speech on Senate floor

Biden was on Capitol Hill to pay his respects to the late Senate leader Harry Reid, whose remains are lying in state in the Capitol rotunda

President Joe Biden speaks with Democratic Sen. Cory Booker on Capitol Hill

The war of words comes as both sides prepare for this November's midterm election, which will determine what political party controls the House and Senate next year. The battle centers on voting rights legislation that Democrats want to pass, saying it will protect the right vote, and Republicans roundly oppose, saying elections are state issues.

Biden made the case for Democrats in a speech in Atlanta on Tuesday, which led to the Senate Republican leader's response.

Biden 'delivered a deliberately divisive speech,' McConnell charged. 'It was designed to pull our country further apart.'

McConnell blasted Biden for comparing those who opposed federal voting laws 'to literal traitors' and said he was demonizing 'Americans who disagreed with him.'

'He called millions of Americans his domestic enemies,' the GOP leader charged.

'Look I've known liked and personally respected Joe Biden for many years. I did not recognize the man at the podium yesterday,' he noted.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell tore into President Joe Biden, calling his Atlanta speech 'incorrect, incoherent, and beneath his office'

In his speech in Atlanta on Tuesday, President Joe Biden repeatedly attacked Republicans for blocking voting rights legislation and accused them of weaponizing the filibuster

McConnell's remarks came ahead of Biden's planned visit to Capitol Hill on Thursday where he plans to personally lobby Senate Democrats to support changing the Senate rules to kill the filibuster on voting rights legislation, allowing it to move forward with a simple majority instead of a 60-vote threshold.

In his speech in Atlanta on Tuesday, Biden repeatedly attacked Republicans for blocking voting rights legislation and accused them of weaponizing the filibuster.

'The filibuster is not used by Republicans to bring the Senate together but to pull it further apart,' he said. 'The filibuster has been weaponized and abused.'

And Biden framed the debate as a political choice - to support or divide the country.

'Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace? Do you want to be on the side of John Lewis or Bull Connor? Do you want to be on the side of Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis?,' Biden asked.

'This is the moment to decide to defend our elections, to defend our democracy,' he said, adding 'Each one of the members of the Senate is going to be judged by history on where they stood before the vote and where they stood after the vote.'

In order to bypass Republicans' united opposition to the legislation, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would have to invoke the 'nuclear option,' which would require a majority of senators to support moving the legislation forward with a simple 51-vote majority instead of the usual 60-vote threshold.

The filibuster is a powerful tool for the minority party and Republicans have warned killing it to make an exception for voting rights legislation could lead to it being killed for other issues, diminishing its power.

The loss of the filibuster's power is behind Democratic Senators Joe Manchin's and Kyrsten Sinema's hesitiation in voting to kill it. Biden needs every Democratic vote to make it happen. Vice President Kamala Harris would act as the tie-breaker in the 50-50 Senate.

So Biden will frame his argument to Democrats that the filibuster is being used to obstruct.

In his meeting with Senate Democrats, the president will 'discuss the urgent need to pass legislation to protect the constitutional right to vote and the integrity of our elections against un-American attacks based on the Big Lie, and to again underline that doing so requires changing the rules of the Senate to make the institution work again,' the White House said.

The comment echoes one Manchin made on Tuesday, where he said he would support changing Senate rules to make 'the place work better.'

'I'm not for breaking the filibuster, but I am for making the place work better by changing the rules,' Manchin said.

The trip to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue comes two days after the president went to Georgia, to deliver a fiery speech calling for federal legislation on voting rights, tying his argument to the January 6th insurrection and invoking a historical call to protect the right to vote.

'The filibuster is not used by Republicans to bring the Senate together but to pull it further apart,' he said in his speech. 'The filibuster has been weaponized and abused.'

Schumer also weighed in with an election warning to his Democrats, telling them they could lose their seats if they don't support the legislation.

'We are working there are constant meetings and not just among the few senators, but just about every senator  every single one of the 50 [other than Manchin and Sinema] is talking individually to Joe Manchin to Kyrsten Sinema  and they're saying things like: 'I'll lose my election if the legislature is allowed to do this in my state,'' Schumer said on MSNBC's Morning Joe.

He continued: 'We lose our majority  but more importantly, we'll lose our democracy. And those speakers yesterday that I mentioned were very powerful,' he said.

Taking part in that meeting were Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Punchbowl News reported.

Schumer has pledged to pass voting rights legislation by January 17th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but has not detailed his plan on how he will do it.

Democrats are urging Sen. Joe to reconsider his opposition to ending the filibuster to deal with voting rights legislation. 'They're saying things like: "I'll lose my election if the legislature is allowed to do this in my state,"' Majority Leader Charles Schumer said

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin opposes changing the filibuster rules

Fact-check: Falsehoods and misleading claims in Biden's Jan. 11 Atlanta, Georgia speech In a fiery speech in Atlanta, Georgia, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made a number of false and/or misleading claims about Georgia's Election Integrity Act of 2021. FALSE CLAIM: Biden said, '[Georgia's law] makes it illegal to bring your neighbors, your fellow voters, food or water while they wait in line to vote.' FALSE CLAM: Harris said, 'There is nothing normal about a law that makes it illegal to pass out water or food to people standing in long voting lines.' TRUTH: The Georgia law explicitly allows election workers to provide water at self-serve stations to people waiting in voting lines. Food and drinks can also be provided to voters outside of 150 feet of a polling place. States commonly pass laws to limit politically-affiliated groups from providing food and drinks to voters at a polling place. MISLEADING CLAIM: Biden said, 'Dropping your ballots off to secure drop boxesit's safe, it's convenient, and you get more people to vote. So they're limiting the number of drop boxes and the hours you can use them.' TRUTH: Ballot drop boxes were introduced in Georgia in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 2021 Georgia law explicitly allows drop boxes in the statute for the first time, but it reduces the number of boxes in the state. Republicans say the new rules ensure that boxes are secure. Critics contend it is an effort to suppress the vote. MISLEADING CLAIM: Biden said, 'voting by mail is a safe and convenient way to get more people to vote, so they're making it harder for you to vote by mail.' TRUTH: Biden is likely referring to the state law that bans mailing unsolicited absentee-ballot applications. Again, unsolicited absentee-ballot mailings were introduced amid the pandemic. The state now requires voters to request an absentee ballot, much like other states, including New York. Georgia also allows no-excuse absentee voting, New York does not. VAGUE CLAIM: Biden said, 'I did not live the struggle of Douglass, Tubman, King, Lewis, Goodman, Chaney, and Schwerner, and countless othersknown and unknown. I did not walk in the shoes of generations of students who walked these grounds [Morehouse College in Atlanta]. But I walked other grounds... It seems like yesterday the first time I got arrested.' CONTEXT: Biden seemed to be suggesting that he was 'arrested' while participating in a civil rights protest. The White House has not responded to requests for clarification, but there is no known reporting indicating Biden was ever arrested at a civil rights protest. Advertisement

It's not just Manchin and Sinema who are resisting changing the Senate rules to kill the filisbuster. So is the 50-strong Republican minority, including senators such as Mitt Romney of Utah who have denounced Trump's election fraud claims.

Romney tore into Biden after his Atlant speech. He said Biden was taking the same 'tragic road' as Trump in undermining the democratic process in a searing speech on the Senate floor.

He also urged Democrats to think about 'what would it mean for them' to abolish the filibuster now and see themselves potentially losing Congress and the White House in the near future -- and chided them for decrying it as racist.

'He also accused a number of my good and principled colleagues in the Senate of having sinister, even racist inclinations,' Romney said. 'So much for unifying the country and working across the aisle.'
Abubaker Deghayes is accused of encouraging terrorism when he addressed worshippers at the Brighton Mosque and Muslim Community Centre in 2020

An alleged extremist has told jurors it is Boris Johnsons turn to cover his face, after the Prime Minister compared Muslim women to 'letterboxes'.

Abubaker Deghayes, 53, is accused of encouraging terrorism when he addressed worshippers at the Brighton Mosque and Muslim Community Centre on Sunday November 1, 2020.

Giving evidence at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, he explained why he had referred to Mr Johnsons comments about face coverings in his speech to around 50 people, including children.

In a newspaper column in 2018, Mr Johnson had said burkas made Muslim women look like 'letterboxes'.

Deghayes said: 'Im talking about how circumstances are ruled by Allah.

'Now he (Mr Johnson) is putting a cloth on his face because of circumstances.'

Defence barrister Tom Wainwright said: 'What cloth was he putting over his face?'

Deghayes replied: 'The face mask. Not only he is wearing the face mask but places the policy and obligation that everybody wears the mask.'

Judge Nigel Lickley asked: 'You are talking about a coronavirus mask covering your face?'

Deghayes responded: 'Yes.'

Deghayes delivered the speech to his congregation at Brighton Mosque, jurors were told

The Old Bailey has previously heard Deghayes was caught on CCTV as he gave a 20-minute speech to a group of around 50 male worshippers at Brighton Mosque and Muslim Community Centre last November.

The congregation included teenagers and young men in their 20s, as well as worshippers in their 30s and 40s, but several began fidgeting as the sermon went on, and others walked out.

Later in his speech at the mosque, Deghayes allegedly said that violent jihad is compulsory, and made a stabbing gesture.

In a video shown to jurors, Deghayes said: 'Jihad is fighting by sword. That means this Jihad is compulsory upon you, not Jihad is the word of mouth but Jihad will remain compulsory until the Day of Resurrection...'

The bearded defendant gave evidence wearing a black hooded top bearing a 'Free Palestine' slogan on it, similar to one he was seen wearing in the video.

Deghayes, of Saltdean in East Sussex, denies a charge of encouraging terrorism.
A Georgia Sheriff's deputy's could soon be booted off the force for commenting on Facebook that 'criminal Arbery still got the death penalty though' in response to a story about his three killers getting sentenced to life in prison.

Houston County Deputy Paul Urhahn has been placed on unpaid leave after reportedly making the comment in a now-deleted Facebook post about the death of the black jogger at the hands of Travis and Gregory McMichael, and William 'Roddie' Bryan in Satilla Shores.

Urhann, who is white, was suspended on Monday after an internal investigation found that he violated company policies, such as conducting himself 'in a manner which does not bring discredit to the department or county' and acting in a 'tendency to destroy public respect for employees and confidence in the department.'

Urhahn will have ten days to appeal the termination decision or he will be fired from January 20 from the department, which is located about 180 miles northwest of where Arbery was murdered.

Houston County Sheriff's Office Deputy Paul Urhahn has been placed on unpaid leave pending termination after he was caught calling Ahmaud Arbery a 'criminal' on Facebook

The deputy was caught commenting 'that criminal Arbery still got the death penalty thought' in the since-deleted Facebook post

The community has supported the department's move to ax Urhahn, with many calling the deputy's actions 'disgusting.'

'That deputy represents that entire department, and for him to say something like that I'm just... it got under my skin,' Eli Porter, an activist for the Poor and Minority Justice Association, told WGXA.

The move shows 'the sheriffs office does not stand with what Paul said,' he added.

While some called Urhann a 'racist' said he got what he had coming, others said it was a violation of the First Amendment and he 'has a right to his opinion.'

The McMichaels and Bryan were sentenced to life in prison last week after being convicted last Novermber for the murder of Arbery, 26, who was running through a neighborhood in Satilla Shores in February 2020 when he was killed.

In a letter to Urhahn, the Sheriff's Office informed the deputy has until January 20 to appeal or his termination will go into effect

The McMichaels' were both sentenced to life without parole, while Bryan - who filmed the murder - and will be eligible for parole in 30 years.

In handing down his sentence, Judge Timothy Walmsley called the murder 'chilling' and 'disturbing.' He talked about the 'terror' Arbery must have felt for the five minutes the men chased him in their pick-up trucks with a shotgun and revolver.

'As we all now know based on the verdict that was handed down in this courtroom, Ahmaud Arbery was murdered. It's a tragedy. It's a tragedy on many, many levels.

'On February 23, 2020...a young man with dreams was gunned down in this community. As we understand it, he went for a run and he ended up running for his life.'

To emphasize how long the five-minute chase must have felt for Arbery, the judge sat silently for a minute in the courtroom.

Arbery's parents spoke at the sentence, with his mother asking for the men to receive the highest sentence.

Arbery's father Marcus spoke first, telling the court: 'The man who killed my son has sat in this courtroom every day next to his father. I'll never get the chance of sitting next to my son ever again. Not at a dinner table, not at a holiday, not at a wedding. I pray that no one in this courtroom has to do what we had - bury their child.'

He also said: 'Not only did they lynch my son in broad daylight but they killed him when he was doing what he loved more than anything - running.

'That's when he felt most alive. Most free. And they took all of that from him.

'When I close my eyes, I see his execution over and over. I'll see that for the rest of my life.

'When I became a father my life became bigger than me, it became bigger than me about my family, protecting him, protecting my boy. I know in my head that there is nothing I could have done that day to have saved my son.

Arbery, 26, was murder in February 2020 after he was chased down by the Travis and Gregory McMichael and William 'Roddie' Bryan

He was chased by the three in their pickup trucks as he ran through the neighborhood

'To save him from this evil and hate. My heart is broken and always will be.

'If I could trade places with Ahmaud, I would in a heartbeat but I can't'. I'm standing here to do what he can't - that is to fight for him. His memory, his legacy and to tell you who he was.'

Arbery's mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, pleaded: 'They were fully committed to their crimes - let them be fully committed for the consequences.'

She also referred to her son's toenails on the day of the murder - something that was brought up during the trial in by a defense attorney who stoked outrage by referring to his 'long, dirty toenails'.

Wanda said: 'I wish he would have cut and cleaned his toenails before he went out for his jog that day. I guess he would have if he knew he would be murdered.'

She then pleaded with the judge: 'Your honor, I am standing here before you today as the mother of Ahmaud Arbery asking you to please give all three defendants who are responsible for the death of my son, the maximum punishment which I do believe is life without bars without the possible chance for parole.'
Actor Jung Woo-sung is the executive producer of Netflix's Korean original series, "The Silent Sea." Courtesy of Netflix



By Lee Gyu-lee



Netflix's latest Korean original series, "The Silent Sea," has created a buzz among K-drama fans not only due to its star-studded cast members, like Gong Yoo and Bae Doo-na, but also because of its executive producer, Jung Woo-sung who is a famous actor.



The series has topped the streaming service's official weekly top 10 charts for non-English series, about a week after its premiere on Dec. 24.



Jung, who made his producer debut with the 2016 romance film, "Remember You," said that leading the sci-fi series, set on the moon, as the executive producer, was a huge challenge for him.



"Producing a series is a very difficult thing to do. For 'Remember You,' I was also the lead actor, so I wasn't really able to have a third-person perspective. However, with 'The Silent Sea,' as I only took part as a producer, I was able to take a step back in overseeing the project and learn a lot," Jung said in an interview with The Korea Times, last week.



"Everything about this film was new. There aren't many films centering on the moon. So I couldn't find many references for the technical aspects of the production Bringing the script to life itself was a challenge, like we were starting from scratch. It was scary but it also had the thrill of doing something new."



Based on director Choi Hang-yong's 2014 short film of the same name, the mystery, sci-fi series follows a group of astronauts  played by Bae, Gong, Lee Joon and Kim Sun-young  in a dystopian future, where resources on Earth have been depleted.



The space explorers go on a perilous mission to an abandoned research facility on the moon to retrieve a sample that might help resolve the water shortage issue on Earth. During their mission, they encounter an unexpected secret that has been kept hidden in the facility.





A scene from the series / Courtesy of Netflix
Australia's peak fuel body is warning of chronic fuel shortages if the government does not remove limits on how long foreign workers can work at the service stations.

Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association chief executive Mark McKenzie told The Australian that the government needs to act now to 'prevent a crisis.'

'We've got a situation at the moment where we have got a latent workforce that has not been used, and is used quite extensively in our industry,' explained Mr McKenzie. 'We have been seeking concessions to international visa holders, particularly those on working and student visas, to remove the cap at least for a period of six to 12 months.

Australia's peak fuel body is warning that the country could face a chronic fuel shortage

He warned Australia could risked a similar fuel crisis to that Britain experienced last year, when panic buying combined with supply chain issues caused petrol stations to run dry, even though there was no fuel shortage.

'Our situation in Australia has all the precursors, all the factors, that establish a potential risk. We need to act now to prevent what happened in the UK.'

His comments come as the government looks to solve widespread supply-chain issues caused by increasing case numbers.

Following talks with industry groups on Tuesday and Wednesday, the federal government is set to expand the number of industries that would allow employees to return to work even if they are a close contact of a positive case.

Transport and logistics workers will be prioritised for less stringent isolation requirements.

A negative rapid antigen test result would still be required for workers to return after an exposure.

Similar arrangements have been flagged for food and grocery workers by the country's top medical advice group, but they may also apply in other sectors.

Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association chief executive Mark McKenzie said the government needs to act now to 'prevent a crisis' (pictured, a worker fills the underground tank at a BP Petrol Station in Canberra)

Experts estimate between 20 and 50 per cent of transport and logistics workers across the country have been out of action due to being Covid-positive or forced to isolate (pictured, a person fills up their car at a Sydney petrol station)

Experts estimate between 20 and 50 per cent of transport and logistics workers across the country have been out of action due to being COVID-positive or forced to isolate.

The government is weighing up expanding the definition of essential services to include road, rail and air transport, mental health, education and schooling services, energy supply, and clinics and laboratories.

The isolation changes for food and grocery workers have largely been welcomed by the sector, following recent meetings with the government.

Ahead of Thursday's national cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to urge state and territory leaders to allow truck drivers to cross borders more easily.

Some states and territories still require interstate arrivals to provide a negative rapid antigen test result in order to move into another jurisdiction.

Transport and logistics workers will be prioritised for less stringent isolation requirements (pictured, people queue for petrol in Queensland in 2017)

As businesses struggle to find staff to fill crucial vacancies, Social Services Minister Anne Ruston flagged the possibility of unemployed people being brought into workforces that are facing shortages.

The government is also set to increase the amount of time international students can work to more than 40 hours a fortnight if they are employed in a sector affected by staff shortages.

Mr Morrison said the rapidly rising number of Covid-19 cases across the country was having an obvious impact on supply networks and distribution chains.

'The challenge of Covid with escalating cases is keeping things moving. That's what riding this wave of Covid means,' Mr Morrison said.

'With so many people getting Covid, that is clearly going to take more and more people out of the workforce.'

The discussions with industry also brought up whether essential services would need to mandate a booster shot for staff.

Senator Ruston said the government was working towards 'unshackling' employment opportunities for cohorts like temporary visa holders and those on unemployment benefits.

'Many older Australians, I am sure, will (also) be happy to do a few extra hours to help out at the moment,' she said.

Mr Morrison said the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country was having an obvious impact on supply networks and distribution chains (pictured, a truck driver delivers fuel to a local petrol station in central Sydney)

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said Australians were already rolling up their sleeves to help cover shortages but they were being undermined by the government.

Mr Albanese said tracing, testing, quarantine and vaccination represented the 'grand slam' of the Morrison government's failures, adding to the staff shortages as cases skyrocket.

He knew of professionals who had come out of retirement to help with the pandemic, he said.

'Working people have made incredible sacrifices and stepped up. They did their part of the bargain, the federal government has not done its part,' Mr Albanese said.

The national cabinet is also expected to receive advice from Treasury about the economic benefits of school reopening as scheduled and remaining safely open.
Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (pictured in 2008) is requesting a dismissal of a lawsuit filed by an alleged Russian escort who accused him of choking her during a sex session in 2016

Disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is requesting a dismissal of a lawsuit filed by an alleged Russian escort who accused him of choking her during a sex session in 2016.

Spitzer's attorney wrote a letter to Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Paul Goetz last month requesting the suit from Svetlana Travis Zakharova, an alleged $5,000-a-night call girl, be thrown out because the 'claim cannot be sustained' and is a 'complete fabrication.'

'[Zakharova] launched this action as part of her effort to extract revenge against Mr. Spitzer, his family and anyone remotely close to him after she was prosecuted and jailed for her extortive scheme against Mr. Spitzer and another victim,' attorney Adam Kaufmann wrote in the letter, which was only made public this week.

'There is nothing new in these allegations. They have been investigated by law enforcement and dismissed as complete fabrications.'

He continued: 'Plaintiff's own filings to the court demonstrate that her single remaining claim cannot be sustained.'

Goetz dismissed all of Zakharova's allegations against Spitzer in October, except for the one in which she accused him of choking her and threatening her life at a suite in The Plaza hotel on February 13, 2016.

The former governor, who was run out of office over his own sex scandal years before sex-pest Andrew Cuomo resigned, has now requested the remaining charge be dismissed.

Spitzer's attorney, last month, requested the suit from Svetlana Travis Zakharova (pictured), an alleged $5,000-a-night call girl, be thrown out because the 'claim cannot be sustained' and is a 'complete fabrication'

The plaintiff's attorney, Joseph Murray, denounced the request for dismissal Tuesday saying: 'It is quite distasteful that I am repeatedly compelled to refute the false and defamatory information about my client being parroted by defense counsel in every writing.'

'To be clear, Eliot Spitzer is not now, nor has he ever been the victim of anything but the consequences of his own criminal acts. Those acts include his disgusting efforts to deceive, coerce, and forcibly compel a beautiful young lady, against her will, into doing whatever he wanted. This also includes, among other things, Spitzer's intimidation, coercion and extortion of plaintiff to help cover up his criminal acts.'

Spitzer, who resigned as governor in 2008 after his use of prostitutes was revealed, sued Zakharova in 2017 accusing her of fraud and extortion, but ended up dropping the case a few months later.

That same year Zakharova served 90 days in jail after she pleaded guilty to attempted petit larceny involving another sexual partner.

Zakharova's suit (pictured above, in part), which was partially unsealed in October and recently made public, claims Spitzer threw her down on a bed and choked her after she made it clear she 'did not want to do engage in sexual activity' with him

According to the suit, Zakharova and Spitzer were together in a 'large, extravagant' suite at The Plaza on February 13, 2016.

She alleges the former governor 'demanded [she] have sex with him by screaming at her,' despite her stating she 'did not want to engage in sexual activity'.

Zakharova claims Spitzer 'became enraged' and threw her down on the bed, choking her. She reportedly escaped his grasp, locked herself in the bathroom and called 911, telling operators she was 'scared for her life.'

When officers responded to the room, Spitzer allegedly answered the door and said: 'Everything is fine. There's no problem.'

Dispatch contacted Zakharova again, at which point she told them 'everything was fine because she was scared of additional physical attacks,' the suit states. The alleged escort then attempted to take her own life and was hospitalized.

The judge dismissed all of Zakharova's (left) allegations against Spitzer (right) in October, except for the one in which she accused him of choking her and threatening her life in a Plaza Hotel suit on February 13, 2016

According to Tuesday's letter from her attorney, Spitzer - under the name George - called the hospital to ask about Zakharova. He is also accused of visiting the facility.



'Spitzer is obviously there to further intimidate, coerce, and prevent plaintiff from reporting Spitzer's criminal assault on plaintiff,' Murray wrote.

'Spitzer apparently knew that merely requesting to see plaintiff, even under the false name of "George," would instill fear in plaintiff obviously in an effort to silence plaintiff. In fact, Spitzer was successful in that plaintiff did not report the full extent of Spitzers assault or the full extent of plaintiffs injuries to hospital staff who encouraged plaintiff to report Spitzer to the police.'

Despite this, Spitzer's attorney argues Zakharova's claims are false and that she even retracted her allegations shortly after making them.

'In fact, [Zakharova] herself sent an email unequivocally apologizing and retracting the allegations the day after she initially made them,' Kaufmann told the New York Post Tuesday.

'We are pleased the court dismissed most of the counts and are confident the rest of the case will follow.'

Spitzer's attorney, in a letter dated Dec. 16, 2021 (pictured above, in part), slammed Zaharova, alleging her claims are false and that she retracted her allegations shortly after making them

The lawyer, in his letter last month, also accused Zakharova of routinely changing her account of the alleged incident.

'The hospital records previously submitted by Plaintiff demonstrate that (a) Plaintiff denied to hospital staff that she was assaulted by Mr. Spitzer and (b) the only injuries she suffered were superficial scratches she inflicted upon herself.

'Thus, Plaintiffs own filings to the Court demonstrate that her single remaining claim cannot be sustained as a matter of law,' he wrote.

'In sum, the contemporaneous evidence precludes a factual finding of injury and Plaintiff cannot create a material issue on injury or causation by contradicting her own version of what she told the hospital in 2016. Additional lies and fantasies do not create an issue of material fact to be tried.'

He continued: 'Given the lack of causation and other incurable shortcomings in Plaintiffs case, this matter appears ripe for a Motion for Summary Judgment. The Court has spent enough time on this matter.'

Zakharova's lawyer responded in a letter (picture above, in part) on Tuesday, claiming the governor 'is not now, nor has he ever been' a victim in this case. He also alleged Spitzer used 'intimidation, coercion and extortion of plaintiff to help cover up his criminal acts'

'We respectfully request a status conference to discuss a briefing schedule for Mr. Spitzers Motion for Summary Judgment so this case can finally be brought to its well-served end.'

Murray disputed these allegations, claiming Zakharova's fear of retaliation kept her from fully cooperating with authorities.

'Without getting into Sptzers repeated death threats and other coercion of my client, including to have her send him an email with a bogus retraction, suffice it to say that any further motion practice before we begin discovery would be frivolous,' he said.

'Spitzer and defense counsel are well aware of these events, and I look forward to both Spitzer and Mr. Kaufmann attempting to refute them at their future depositions. In conclusion, moving for summary judgment now would be frivolous.'

It remains unclear if Goetz will move forward with the dismissal request.

Zakharova previously claimed, in 2018, she and Spitzer first began their relationship in 2010 with him paying her up to $5,000 a night for sex

Zakharova previously claimed, in 2018, she and Spitzer first began their relationship in 2010, when he came into the massage parlor where she worked and asked for oral sex.

She said they began seeing each other four times a week for sex, which would sometimes even include leading the former governor around on a leash in the bedroom.

During the 2018 interview, Zakharova said Spitzer paid her up to $5,000 a night for sex but was inconsistent with his payments, sometimes writing checks for $10,000 and other times paying only $300 at a time.

She alleged Spitzer was a 'control freak' throughout their relationship and would call her 20 times a day and become angry if she dated anyone else.

She also said he broke his now ex-wife's 'family only' rule for their upstate farm, and would take her to the property, making her omelettes or potatoes that he cooked in the microwave.

The presumed escort soon found herself in trouble with the law after she allegedly tried to extort Spitzer for $400,000.

Zakharova accepted a plea deal in October 2017, pleading guilty to petit larceny for stealing money from another ex-lover to pay her rent.

The deal meant that she would not have to serve time for extorting Spitzer but it also stopped her from being able to speak publicly about it.

She then filed her own suit against Spitzer in 2020. It was just made partially public last year.

Spitzer became governor of New York in January 2007. However, his promising political career went off the rails when he was forced to resign in March 2008 after it was reported that he had at least seven meetings with high-end prostitutes over a six-month period and had wired $10,000 to an escort service.

His wife of 26 years, Silda Wall, stood by him until 2013, when his affair with political consultant Liz Smith, then a spokeswoman for Bill de Blasio, was made public. The couple divorced in 2014.

After the divorce Spitzer moved in with Smith, but their relationship ended in 2016 when Spitzer told her he was being extorted by Zakharova.

In 2019, Spitzer announced his engagement to real estate tycoon Roxana Girand. The pair cancelled their lavish New York City wedding in early 2020 due to the coronavirus, promising to reschedule. It is unclear if the pair has yet wed.
The family of a four-year-old boy battling leukemia claim they are being evicted from a Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver because they are refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 - but the charity says it will be offering them alternative accommodations.

Ronald McDonald House's British Columbia and Yukon Branch (RMHBC), which provides temporary housing for families of children undergoing treatment for serious medial conditions, on Monday sent out a letter to all its residents, notifying them that a vaccine mandate was going into effect on January 17, followed by a two-week grace period.

Under the new policy, everyone five years and older must get at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Those who fail to comply will be required to leave the facility on January 31.

Austin Furgason, a father-of-two from Kelowna, British Columbia, shared a video on social media on Tuesday, which shows him confronting an administrator at the Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver, where his family have been staying while his four-year-old son, Jack, is undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

In the recording, Furgason shows the letter announcing the vaccine mandate to the camera, then asks to speak to an administrator.

'I just want to get this straight: by the end of the month, my four-year-old boy with leukemia is getting evicted because we don't have a vaccine? ' he asks.

The administrator replies that the eviction would not apply to his son, who is under five, but rather to his parents if they are unvaccinated.

'This is some kind of crazy evil like I've never seen in my life,' Furgason says.

Austin Furgason, a father from British Columbia, Canada, this week received a letter from the Ronald McDonald House's BC and Yukon Branch, where his family have been staying during his son's cancer treatment, announcing the impending eviction of unvaccinated residents

Furgason's four-year-old son, Jack (pictured), is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

In the letter sent out by Ronald McDonald House, it states: 'RMHBC recognizes and acts upon its responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy environment including taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect the health and safety of individuals attending at an RMHBC Facility, particularly given the vulnerable populations serviced by RMHBC and the significant risk of transmission of communicable disease in our congregate living settings,' the letter read in part.

RMHBC told CityNews that its family services team and social workers will work to find alternative accommodations, such as hotels, for unvaccinated patients and their loved ones.

In the video, posted to social media, Ferguson launches into an argument that even that even those people who have been vaccinated can still contract and transmit COVID. He also accuses the charity of forcing people to choose between their children and getting vaccinated against their beliefs.

Furgason points out that his son, who is seen playing on the floor next to him, has his other required shots, adding: 'we're not anti-vaxxers.'

The RMHBC official presses Furgason on whether his family are vaccinated against COVID, to which he says: 'no.'

Furgason and his family are not vaccinated against COVID, and the dad says he believes it's unnecessary

Under the new policy, everyone five years and older must get at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website states that ' COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing infection, serious illness, and death. Most people who get COVID-19 are unvaccinated.





'However, since vaccines are not 100% effective at preventing infection, some people who are fully vaccinated will still get COVID-19.'

Jack is not required to be vaccinated because he is under the age of 5. All unvaccinated residents of RMHBC will be offered alternative accommodations

Anyone who is unvaccinated against COVID will have to leave the RMHBC in Vancouver (pictured) on January 13

The video of Furgason's confrontation with the RMHBC manager has gone viral on Twitter, having been viewed more than 721,000 times as of Wednesday, and has prompted a response from the charity, which runs more than 685 programs benefiting sick children and their families in 62 countries around the world.

As of Tuesday, the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control has reported a total of over 286,000 COVID-19 cases in the province, with 2,239 new cases.
A couple were caught on shocking Bronx bodega surveillance footage attacking a fellow customer with a hammer before shooting at him.

The pair who reportedly attacked the man, who is in his 50s, after the male suspect accused the victim of staring at his girlfriend.

Security footage shows the male suspect, who walked with a single crutch, and his girlfriend enter the bodega on Morris Park Avenue, in Van Nest, NYC on December 26, and begin arguing with the victim.

It quickly escalated and the suspect be seen pushing the victim, as the older man clutches his attacker's sweatshirt.

Scroll down for video

A female suspect can be seen bludgeoning the 50-year-old victim with a hammer during the frightening altercation, which occurred in the borough's Van Nest neighborhood on Dec. 2

The footage shows the female suspect intervening in a burgeoning scuffle between her male companion and the victim, by brazenly striking the 50-year-old man in the head with a hammer

Police in New York City are on the hunt for a man and woman who brazenly attacked a man with a hammer in a Bronx bodega before shooting at him with a handgun

The suspects are still at-large after fleeing the scene of the attack, police say. Cops released footage of the attack Wednesday in an effort to aid their search. The victim only sustained minor injuries in the assault, police stated Wednesday

The footage then shows the female suspect intervening by striking the victim in the head with a hammer, while her male counterpart brandishes a pistol.

The woman and the victim continue to grapple as her boyfriend holds a gun on the older man until the fight moves outside - at which point the male suspect fires his gun at the victim, narrowly missing him.

The victim ran back into the store while his attackers fled. He later received stitches at a nearby hospital, presumably from the barrage of hammer blows, police said.

Cops are still hunting for the pair.

The scuffle then spilled to outside of the store, security footage taken outside the store shows

Outside the store, the male suspect again pulled his pistol on the victim as he struggled with his female assailant. This time however, the suspect fired off a round at the victim, narrowly missing him

The attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents across New York that is exasperating police and residents.

Violent crimes are already up across the board in The City That Never Sleeps this year, with murders up by 33 percent when compared to the same period last year.

Overall crimes, meanwhile, are up by a similar 30 percent.

The rate of robberies, rapes, and assaults have also increased.

The reasoning behind the increase can be attributed to a combination of lax bail reforms and lack of police.

Yet, the new Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, has vowed to take an even softer touch on criminals.

His office said they will not seek prison or jail time for suspects or offenders unless there is no other option.

He will also downgrade some felonies, like armed robbery to petit larceny.

Since 2020, crime in New York has soared thanks to a combination of laxed bail reforms and lack of police

New York City is currently experiencing soaring crime rates and an increase in shooting incidents not seen since the mid-2000s

The announcement came in a memo from his office last week and spooked police unions, who said he was emboldening criminals.

He defended it afterwards, saying he would not prosecute people for being homeless or addicted to drugs.

On Wednesday, when asked by a DailyMail.com to comment on a recent judgment that saw career criminal William Rolon, 43 - who boasts a 30-year rap sheet - get off with a misdemeanor for threatening a Duane Reade worker and stealing more than $2,000 worth of goods from the Manhattan store, Bragg refused to comment.

When approached, the Manhattan DA refused to discuss the slight ruling - a result of the prosecutor's lenient policies - saying it was 'an open matter.'
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband has said he hopes the release of a British Council employee from an Iranian jail after she was charged with spying is a 'good sign for the rest of us'.

Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife, 44, remains imprisoned in Iran, expressed his hopes of her return after Aras Amiri arrived back in the UK after being released from prison.

Ms Amiri, an Iranian national who resides in Britain, was arrested in March 2018 during a visit to Tehran to see her sick grandmother and sentenced to 10 years in prison the following year by the Iranian judiciary on charges of spying.

Ms Amiri, who was detained for more than three years in Iran, was released after winning her appeal to Iran's Supreme Court

Aras Amiri, an Iranian national who resides in Britain, was arrested in March 2018 during a visit to Tehran to see her sick grandmother and sentenced to 10 years in prison the following year by the Iranian judiciary on charges of spying.

A number of British-Iranian nationals have been jailed in Iran on similar charges to that of Ms Amiri's, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (pictured in March 2020), who was sentenced to an additional year in prison in April 2021, shortly before finishing her five-year sentence

Following the decision to release Ms Amiri, Mr Ratcliffe told the BBC: 'We hope it is a good sign for the rest of us.

'Though across all the British cases the signals are mixed, with some potential new releases alongside some potential new cases.'

Ms Amiri had been arrested and charged with 'cultural infiltration' through the 'arts and her widespread activities' when she visited her sick grandmother in Tehran.

But the British Council, which promotes culture and language in more than 100 countries across the world, had previously stated that the visit was a private one that did not involve her work at the government-founded cultural organisation.

A number of British-Iranian nationals have been jailed in Iran on similar charges to that of Ms Amiri's, including Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was sentenced to an additional year in prison in April 2021, shortly before finishing her five-year sentence.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband Richard Ratcliffe (pictured during his hunger strike last year) expressed his hopes of her return after Aras Amiri arrived back in the UK after being released from prison

'We are very pleased to confirm that British Council employee and Iranian citizen Aras Amiri has been acquitted by the Supreme Court in Iran of all charges previously made against her, following a successful appeal lodged by her lawyer,' the British Council said in a statement.

'We have always refuted the original charges made against Aras. We are very proud of her work in our London office as an arts program officer supporting a greater understanding and appreciation of Iranian culture in the UK,' the Council added.

The British Council has not had staff or offices in Iran since 2009 and in 2019, the Iranian government announced a ban on all collaboration with the organisation.

Ms Amiri was released from Iranian prison

The release of Ms Amiri came as world powers, including the UK, try to revive the the tattered 2015 Iran nuclear deal in Vienna. Iranian and Gulf Arab diplomats also travel this week for meetings in China, a key signatory of the nuclear accord.

There was no official confirmation of Ms Amiri's release from Iranian authorities.

But from Tehren, Ms Amiri's lawyer Hojjat Kermani, confirmed her acquittal, saying that Iran's Supreme Court had determined that her earlier espionage conviction in the country's Revolutionary Court was 'against Shariah,' or Islamic law. He did not elaborate.

Kermani said she flew out of Tehran on Monday but had been free in recent months as she appealed a travel ban.

Ms Amiri's arrest highlighed the dangers faced by those with Western ties in Iran after former President Donald Trump abandoned Iran's landmark nuclear deal with world powers and piled crushing sanctions on the country.

Ms Amiri was held in the same prison as Zaghari-Rathcliffe, a British-Iranian worker for the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been detained in Iran since 2016 on internationally refuted spying charges, with Iran accusing her of plotting to overthrow the government.

She was taking the couple's daughter, Gabriella, to see her family when she was arrested and sentenced to five years in jail, spending four years in Evin Prison and one under house arrest.

But after completing her five-year sentence and walking free, Iranian authorities sentenced her to another year of imprisonment on new propaganda charges, which she strongly denies.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe is now living under house-arrest in Tehran but there are fears she might be sent back to Evin Prison, where political prisoners are often tortured.

Pictured: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who was imprisoned in Iran since April 2016

Her husband Richard last year held a three-week hunger strike outside the UK foreign ministry to encourage the government to reach a deal for her release.

He links her imprisonment to a long-running 400 million $546 million debt dispute owed to Tehran by London for Chieftain tanks that were never delivered.

Her husband Richard last year held a three-week hunger strike outside the UK foreign ministry to encourage the government to reach a deal for her release.

Another British-Iranian dual national, Anoush Ashoori, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the same time as Ms Amiri and remains in detention. A U.N. panel has lambasted what it calls 'an emerging pattern involving the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of dual nationals' in Iran.

Meanwhile, Western negotiators have raised alarm that time is running out to resuscitate Iran's collapsed nuclear deal.

After a five-month hiatus in the talks, Iran under recently elected hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi has presented maximalist demands at the negotiating table even as it accelerates its nuclear program.

Iran now enriches uranium over 60 per cent - a short step from weapon's grade levels - and spins far more advanced centrifuges and more of them than were ever allowed under the accord.
A Michigan teenager accused of a mass shooting at his high school that killed four students has denied charges of murder and terrorism.

Ethan Crumbley, 15, pleaded not guilty in front of Oakland County Circuit Court via video from the jail where he is being held on first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, terrorism and gun charges.

He spoke only to confirm he knew what was going on at the start of the hearing, with his defense attorney Paulette Michel Loftin entering the not guilty pleas on his behalf.

The teenager previously waived a probable cause hearing, meaning his case will now go straight to trial.

Crumbley is charged as an adult in the November 30 shooting at Oxford High School, about 30 miles north of Detroit.

The teen is accused of killing four people  Hana St. Juliana, 14; Tate Myre, 16; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; and Justin Shilling, 17  and injuring seven others, including a teacher.

Ethan Crumbley is pictured in court on Wednesday, when he denied murder charges

Crumbley spoke only to confirm he understood what was happening at the start of the hearing - his defense attorney later entered the not guilty pleas on the teen's behalf

Justin Shilling, 17, (left) died in the hospital after the shooting and Tate Myre (right) died in the school on November 30

Madisyn Baldwin, 17, (left) and Hana St Juliana, 14, (right) died in the shooting rampage at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit

Crumbley's attorneys had waived his preliminary examination, moving the case toward trial.

The defense had also previously asked a lower court judge to transfer the teenager to a youth detention center, but the judge denied the request. Attorney Loftin cited a federal statute, stating juveniles held in adult jails  even those charged as adults  should not be within 'sight' or 'sound' of adults.

The court argued that the Oakland County jail doesn't offer that distinction.

However, that same statute also states that a juvenile's incarceration should be re-evaluated every 30 days, meaning it is likely that the argument for transferring Crumbley to a youth detention center will resurface in court proceedings.

During the hearing, Crumbley said little, except to acknowledge that he could hear the judge and confirm that he was OK with the hearing proceeding via Zoom.

Judge Kwame Rowe set a status conference for January 19.

Today's arraignment came after new details related to Crumbley's actions weeks before the shooting emerged in the lawsuit. The case seeks to hold the school accountable for the shooting, alleging many lapses were made by several school officials who reportedly chose to keep on ignoring multiple red flags that Crumbley was spiraling out of control.

Crumley stands accused of killing four teenagers at Oxford High School in Michigan, pictured, on November 30

One of those red flags involves the teen bringing a bird's head in a Mason jar filled with yellow liquid three weeks before the massacre took place, according to the case, which reported its findings after exclusive access to the revised lawsuit.

Crumbley was also revealed to have allegedly brought bullets to class and put them on display and researched ammunition on his phone only a day before the shooting.

Crumbley allegedly posted on Twitter later on November 29, writing: 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. See you tomorrow Oxford,' the Detroit Free Press reported Friday.

A severed deer's head was also found in the school courtyard only weeks before, on November 4, as well as messages written in red paint found on the pool deck and windows of the property.

Parents also complained to the school that students were receiving threatening messages during this period.

'I know I'm being redundant here, but there is absolutely no threat at the HS [high school]," the principal, Steven Wolf, stated in the email, which was cited in the lawsuit.

'Large assumptions were made from a few social media posts, then the assumptions evolved into exaggerated rumors.'

Crumbley's parents James and Jennifer Crumbley, pictured, went on the run after the shooting, and have now been charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly buying their son the gun used in the killings

Crumbley, pictured after his arrest, is said to have behaved in a disturbing manner in the run-up to the shootings

It remains unclear if Ethan Crumbley was behind these disturbing incidents.

School district attorney Tim Mullins has since defended the district for the way it handled the incident, describing the claims as 'untrue'.

Mullins also said he is attempting to dismiss the lawsuit on immunity grounds, according to court documents.

'My focus is to get this community healed  to get the teachers who love their kids back in the classrooms,' Mullins told the Free Press.

'The prosecutor made it very clear, "I dont want you releasing anything." 'I said, "Agreed." We've given (the prosecution) everything we have.'

Meanwhile, the teenager's parents, James, 45, and Jennifer Crumbley, 43, were also charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting, because prosecutors allege they gave Ethan the gun as an early Christmas present.

They also are accused of breaching their responsibility by refusing to remove him from school two hours before the shooting when counselors confronted them with his distressing drawings of violence.

Mourners are pictured embracing one another at a makeshift shrine set up outside Oxford High School on December 1 - the day after the shooting that killed four students

Prosecutors have said that the couple also ignored numerous warning signs about Ethan, including the teen's fascination with Nazi propaganda and text messages in 2021 in which he told his mother that he thought 'there was a demon or a ghost or someone else inside the home.'

Hours before the school shooting begun, the Crumbleys were called to the school to discuss Ethan's disturbing behavior including drawings depicting a gun, a bullet, blood everywhere, a shooting victim and a laughing emoji.

The note included the words: 'Thoughts won't stop, help me'; 'my life is useless' and 'the world is dead,' Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said. After the meeting, the Crumbleys left their son to finish the day at school when he opened fire on his classmates and teachers.

'They did not intervene. They did not schedule therapy,' Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Marc Keast previously said in court.

'Instead, they bought him what he desperately wanted, a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun.'

James and Jennifer Crumbley were arrested on December 4 after they were found hiding in a Detroit art studio.

Both Crumbleys have pleaded not guilty to all four charges of involuntary manslaughter. Each count is punishable by up to 15 years in prison along with a $7,500 fine and mandatory DNA testing.

Oxford High students returned to classes Tuesday at a different building in the district. The high school is expected to reopen January 24.
Dog owners have been warned against taking their pets for walks along the Yorkshire coastline after a number of animals have fallen ill.

Veterinary nurse Brogan Proud, who runs Yorkshire Coast Pet Care, warned dog walkers to avoid the beaches after noticing a 'high increase' in pets suffering with diarrhoea and vomiting.

It comes after a 'fit and strong' one-year-old Great Dane died after developing a lung infection from swimming in the sea on the Hampshire coast.

David Arthur has been left heartbroken after his 13-month-old dog Odin (pictured) has died after swimming in 'polluted' sea water every day

One such account, Yorkshire Coast Pet Care, shared a post warning pet owners against visiting the area for the time being

Many Facebook posts from concerned and confused owners have detailed the symptoms after going for a stroll on the picturesque Yorkshire beaches.

Ashley Brown-Bolton said she took her nine-month-old beagle spaniel Copper to Fraisthorpe Beach in the East Riding on Sunday, and he started vomiting on Monday.

She said the dog suffered diarrhoea and was unable to keep water for 24 hours and she took him to the vets on Tuesday.

She said: 'The ones who know him know he's normally very lively & always wanting to play so for him to be very sleepy & just not interested isn't like him at all.

'We have taken him to the vets this morning who have given him a anti sickness jab & got to keep a eye on him over the next 24hours. Plenty of rest & snuggles.

'Please just be careful as it has been heart-breaking & very worrying seeing our little pup so unwell. Hopefully he's going to be on the mend now.'

Yorkshire Coast Pet Care shared a post warning pet owners against visiting the area after a spate of incidents started two weeks ago.

They posted on Facebook about the bizarre illness which attracted more than 1,000 responses with many dog owners sharing their experiences.

A number of pet owners responded to the warning on Facebook with examples of their pets falling ill after taking trips to beaches in Yorkshire

Their post said: 'I work within several practices up and down the North East coast and we have recently been inundated with dogs coming off the beaches with vomiting and diarrhoea.'

Aaron Yeates took his French bulldog Ada to Robin Hood's Bay over the New Year and said his dog became ill after they returned home.

The sickness and diarrhoea led to two trips to the vets and Ada is only now starting to recover.

Aaron said: 'She's lost a considerable amount of weight. Her harness barely fits.'

Another dog owner said: 'My six-month-old Lab has had horrendous diarrhoea for the past four days , thankfully he's now almost back to his usual self.'

'I was going to contact the vets today if there was no improvement. We have walked on both the beach at Robin Hoods Bay and the railway line at Bay / Thorpe .'

Yorkshire Coast Pet Care claim animals have fallen ill after trips to Scarborough, Robin Hood's Bay (pictured), Whitby and Marske-by-the-sea

One dog walker added: 'My dog fell ill last weekend after being walked down the gare at Redcar ..five day's he was ill whilst in the vets there was also another dog who had been walked down there and was ill.'

Yorkshire Coast Pet Care claim animals have fallen ill after trips to Scarborough, Robin Hood's Bay, Whitby and Marske-by-the-sea, the Guardian reports.

But it has yet to be confirmed exactly what is causing the dogs to fall ill, whether the ill dogs exhibit similar symptoms, or if the illnesses are linked to the beaches at all.

Following the public outcry over the dogs falling ill, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that it was aware of the incidents and was communicating with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Kirsty Salisbury, coastal general manager for East Riding council, said a team sent to inspect the beaches had not discovered anything out of the ordinary.

She added: 'From reports from local veterinary surgeries, the illness they are seeing within dogs and the tests carried out have not provided any direct links with the use of beaches.'

It comes after a dog owner told how his 'fit and strong' one-year-old Great Dane died after he developed a lung infection from swimming in 'polluted' sea water.

David Arthur's 13-month-old dog Odin went swimming every day at Hayling Island beach near Portsmouth, Hants, but had to be put to sleep after developing a lung infection.

Mr Arthur, 59, from Cowplain, Hants, had already spent 6,000 on treating Odin but vets said the dog's lungs were too badly damaged from pneumonia, with vets pointing to the sea as a likely cause of infection.

Odin's illness in September followed a public outcry about sewage being pumped into the sea off the South coast, while Southern Water were fined 90million last July for pouring sewage into the sea.
A South Dakota elementary school teacher was arrested for making brownies with weed butter after his elderly mother unwittingly gave them to elderly friends who feared they'd been poisoned.

Michael Koranda, 46, of Tabor, was arrested on January 5 for possession of a controlled substance, but has since posted bond.

Koranda, a choir director in the Bon Homme School District, had just returned from a trip to Colorado when he decided to bake brownies with the weed butter he had brought home with him from the state. Recreational and medicinal weed is legal there - but medicinal marijuana was only legalized in South Dakota in July 2021, and recreational use remains illegal.

After the baking session, he reportedly went to sleep, unaware that his mother, 73-year-old Irene Koranda, had decided to take the baked goods with her to a card game at the Tabor Senior Center.

Several senior citizens ate the brownies on January 4. The Bon Homme County dispatch center received medical calls of elderly members of the center reporting they feared they had been poisoned around 8pm that day.

Deputies questioned Koranda's mother and proceeded to arrest him the following day.

Koranda had just returned from a trip to Colorado when he decided to bake brownies with the weed butter he had brought home with him. Her mother later took the brownies to the Tabor Senior Center

'An investigation into the incident lead me to believe that the patients were all under the influence of THC from a batch of brownies that were brought to the Community Center by Irene Koranda,' Deputy Sheriff Joel Neuman wrote in a report, according to local news station KTIV.

Multiple calls were received on January 4 of possible poisoning at the Tabor Senior Center.

After speaking with several of the affected seniors, deputies found out they had all eaten brownies brought by Irene Koranda. They all subsequently recovered without injury.

A couple at the center also told authorities that they eventually learned that Koranda 'had made the brownies and had been in Colorado over the past weekend and brought back products with marijuana.'

Michael Koranda, 46, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. South Dakota elementary school teacher, 46, was arrested, accused of making weed brownies.

The Bon Homme County dispatch center received medical calls of elderly members of the center reporting they feared they had been poisoned on January 4

On the morning of January 5, deputies spoke to Koranda's mother, who told them she had taken the brownies to the community center unaware they were made with a THC product.

Her son had been visiting Colorado over the weekend and had purchased one pound of weed butter, of which he used half to bake the brownies.

Deputies approached Koranda at Tabor Elementary School, where he agreed to hand the remaining half pound of weed butter as evidence and was subsequently arrested.

Weed butter is a combination of cannabis and butter and is commonly used to make baked goods. It may contain CBD, a cannabinoid that is not mind-altering, THC, which is psychoactive, or both.

Koranda has since posted bond and there are no indications that he has been fired from the elementary school he teaches at.

He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 25.
A lawyer representing disgraced former New York governor Andrew Cuomo is demanding the state's ethic watchdog preserve evidence as the ex-lawmaker prepares to sue the body for revoking approval of his $5.1m book deal.

The ousted politician was ordered last month to turn over the proceeds from 'American Crisis: Leadership from the COVID-19 Pandemic' following a probe by a state ethics panel.

Cuomo's attorney penned a letter to the state's Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) Wednesday, demanding that it preserve all communications related to the doomed book deal and efforts to stop Cuomo earning any cash from it.

Cuomo was recently cleared of causing over 15,000 nursing home deaths in New York at the start of COVID, and of sexual harassment.

'The Governor will seek the intercession of the court to protect his rights and prevent further abuses by JCOPE of its authority,' James McGuire said in the letter to commission chair Jose L. Nieves.

'I therefore put JCOPEs commissioners and its staff on notice that they must preserve all records, including emails, texts, and all other written communications, and take all necessary steps to ensure such records are preserved, related to [the decision to rescind book profits.]'

The preservation of records request also hints at legal troubles for the committee, which McGuire said violated Cuomo's privacy and right to due process.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is through his lawyer demanding that the state's ethics commission preserves all evidence related to communications about his Covid book

Cuomo's memoir became the subject of an investigation from the New York attorney general's office and JCOPE last year over claims he'd used state resources to write it.

JCOPE executive director Sanford Berland

During a State Ethics Committee meeting in late august, the commission's executive director Sanford Berland was asked whether the panel was confident in its ability to rescind profits from the book.

Berland responded that the move to claw back the royalties as a penalty would need to be voted on by a full panel of JCOPE commissioners and could face legal challenges.

Commissioners in December voted 12-1 to transfer the proceeds to the Attorney General's office after multiple investigations found Cuomo used state resources to produce and promote the tell-all book.

Cuomo - former New York attorney general - was ordered to fork over the compensation within 30 days of the December 14 resolution, meaning the Thursday due date is fast approaching.

Cuomo's memoir became the subject of an investigation from the New York attorney general's office and JCOPE last year

'JCOPEs actions support, at the very least, the reasonable conclusion that it has acted for improper political reasons,' the letter said

But his lawyer is now contending that the commission's actions violated the law.

'JCOPEs actions in connection with the resolutions are flagrantly in excess of its jurisdiction, are based on determinations it has made in violation of lawful procedure, and are arbitrary and capricious,' McGuire said.

He added the panel's action violated Cuomo's 'protection of due process' and were a 'violation of confidential provisions.'

'JCOPEs actions support, at the very least, the reasonable conclusion that it has acted for improper political reasons,' the letter said.

Cuomo was offered more than $5 million for the manuscript of his book during a time when he was receiving ample attention from the media over his handling of the pandemic in New York, the global epicenter of the outbreak in spring 2020.

However, months after the book's October 2020 release, the then-governor found himself at the center of a scandal suggesting that his office deliberately obscured death toll numbers concerning nursing home residents during the pandemic, in an apparent effort to save face politically.

Critics of the beleaguered Democrat argued that the policy had increased the number of virus-related deaths among those residents - a claim that Cuomo's office dismissed as a political play.

Attorney General Letitia James' discovered in January 2021 that Cuomo's administration had misrepresented the number of nursing home deaths, undercounting them by several thousand

Then, in July 2020, Cuomo's State Health Department released a fabricated report that suggested the policy was not responsible for an increase.

By January, Attorney General Letitia James' office had discerned that Cuomo's administration had misrepresented the number of nursing home deaths, undercounting them by several thousand.

When confronted with the office's findings, Cuomo eventually conceded that there were falsehoods in the state's report, after reports emerged that his aides had altered the July report to hide the true figure, spurring a federal investigation that forced the career politician to resign in disgrace.

Manhattan's district attorney said January 4 that Cuomo would not face charges related to the nursing home scandal.

Separately, Cuomo weathered a sexual harassment scandal during the past year after several women accused him of inappropriate behavior.

During the past month, prosecutors in three counties announced they would not pursue criminal charges that stemmed from the accusations.

Albany County's district attorney said January 5 that the ousted politician not be prosecuted for allegedly groping a woman at his executive mansion despite accuser Brittany Commisso being a 'credible' witness.

And in late December, prosecutors in two districts said Cuomo would not face criminal charges after two women, including a state trooper, alleged that he planted unwanted kisses on their cheeks.
Lawmakers investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol asked Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday to voluntarily answer questions about former President Donald Trump's actions on the day of the violence.

In its request, the House select committee said McCarthy had previously described a 'very heated conversation' with the president as the bloody events unfolded.

And it pointed to media reports that he also told other Republicans that Trump had admitted some degree of responsibility for the attack.

The request seeks information about his conversations with the president 'before, during and after' the riot as lawmakers try to understand Trump's motivations.

The panel has already interviewed about 300 people and issued subpoenas to more than 40 as it seeks to create a comprehensive record of the Jan. 6 attack.

'You have acknowledged speaking directly with the former President while the violence was underway on January 6th,' wrote its chairman Bennie Thompson to McCarthy.

The House Jan 6 committee has asked GOP leader Kevin McCarthy for his cooperation, citing his 'very heated conversation' with President Trump as the violence unfolded

Committee chairman Bennie Thompson wrote to McCarthy on Wednesday asking for help with various topics, including his conversations with the president 'before, during and after' the riot

Thompson told reporters he would consider a subpoena if McCarthy declined his request

He went on to point out that McCarthy himself had said publicly that the president bore responsibility.

'Further, you shared an account of your communications with President Trump with a local news outlet in your district, which reported that you had a very heated conversation with the President as the riot was taking place, and urged the President to get help to the Capitol,' wrote Thompson.

'Many similar reports appear on and after January 6th from a number of other news organizations.

'And, in addition to all of those published accounts  which each appear consistent with your public statements at the time  Politico reported that you shared an even greater degree of detail with your colleagues in a widely attended conference call on January 11th.

'On that call, according to the report, you stated that President Trump had admitted some degree of responsibility for January 6th in his one-on-one conversations with you.'

McCarthy is the third member of Congress the committee has approached for voluntary information.

GOP Reps. Jim Jordan and Scott Perry have rejected the requests. Jordan dismissed the committee as 'illegitimate.'

Thompson told reporters he would consider issuing a subpoena if McCarthy did not comply voluntarily.

The committee has already issued dozens of subpoenas to try to get those close to the former president to testify about the days leading up to the Capitol riot.

The panel has already interviewed about 300 people and issued subpoenas to more than 40 as it seeks to create a comprehensive record of the Jan. 6 attack

On Tuesday, Thompson said that he was also looking to speak to Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani.

'He's an integral part of whatever happens,' he said.

At the same time the House committee subpoenaed Andy Surabian, Arthur Schwartz - both advisers to Donald Trump's son Don Jr - and Ross Worthington, a staffer who the committee said wrote part of the president's speech on Jan 6.

Steve Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist, was indicted on contempt of Congress charges after refusing to comply with the committee's subpoena, and his trial is now set to being July 18.

The House also voted last month to recommend holding former chief of staff Mark Meadows in contempt, but he has not yet been indicted by the Justice Department.

The committee's members have said they will consider passing any evidence of criminal conduct by Trump to the U.S. Justice Department.

Such a move, known as a criminal referral, would be largely symbolic but would increase the political pressure on Attorney General Merrick Garland to charge the former president for his actions last year.
Actors Jin Seon-kyu, from left, Kim So-jin, and Kim Nam-gil pose for pictures during the online press conference for the SBS new crime series "Through the Darkness," Tuesday. Courtesy of SBS





By Lee Gyu-lee







Actor Kim Nam-gill is set to return to the small screen in the role of Korea's first criminal profiler in SBS' new crime series "Through the Darkness," scheduled to premiere this Friday.







"Working on this series has given me an opportunity to look into the work of a criminal profiler as a profession," the actor said during the online press conference for the series, Tuesday. "I've been playing characters that are similar to me. And as I often took part in comedies and action genre flicks, I've actually been longing for roles that require a more delicate portrayal."







Based on the nonfiction novel of the same name by former profiler Kwon Il-yong and former journalist Ko Na-mu, the series revolves around Korea's first profiler Song Ha-young (Kim) who get inside the minds of criminals to solve cases.







It is directed by newcomer, Park Bo-ram, and scripted by writer Seol Yi-Na.







The series' executive producer Park Young-soo noted that the series intends to deliver how profiling became one of the crucial techniques used in the criminal investigation process.







"When I came across the book three years ago, I was drawn to the effort the law enforcement officials put in to try and stop heinous crimes. I wanted to portray in the series how behavioral analysis became an investigation technique and how it's used," he said. "Also, we tried to capture the difficulties the earlier profilers faced that were discussed in the book, and how they overcame those obstacles."







The series will cover criminal cases, based on the actual crimes that happened in the past.







"There's always a dilemma in making series that covers crimes. Because there are victims who still suffer the pain from those crimes. So when producing this series, we took a very serious and careful approach in depicting the crime scenes and the victims," Park said.







A scene from the series / Courtesy of SBS





Kim said he got a lot of help from profiler Kwon, who his character is based on, to create his role.







"Kwon came out to the set many times and helped us to understand what he was going through while working on the cases, what made him upset, and what it was like at the time," he said. "There were a lot of questions from the actors about why that crime happened. And it's hard for profilers to bring up those horrible memories again but he explained them to us and helped us a lot."







The actor expressed that he hopes the series will provide viewers a chance to think about the core questions and issues surrounding horrific crimes.







"As I was playing the character, I constantly questioned whether people are inherently good or evil. And there was no answer to that," he said. "I hope people also ask themselves if this is the issue of the individual or if the society also shares the responsibility (of such crimes) while watching the series."







Actor Jin Seon-kyu plays the leader of the Criminal Behavior Analysis team, Gook Young-soo, who played an important role in the development of profiling.







The actor expressed his excitement about taking his first lead role in a TV series. "It was almost the first time that my face is on a poster for a series, so I'm really satisfied," he said. "It would be a lie if I said I don't feel any pressure (in taking a lead role). But more importantly, I hope the viewers can enjoy this well-made series."


For Prince Andrew the verdict from New York was like the slamming of a door  with the bolts being drawn behind it.

The unflinching optimism with which he had been assuring family and friends of the integrity of his case is in danger of evaporating.

In his 46-page judgement rejecting Andrews motion to have the lawsuit against him thrown out, Judge Lewis Kaplan has changed everything.

Suddenly it is no longer an issue of whether the prince can save himself but rather if he  or the people around him  have the common sense to realise that the main purpose now must be to prevent the reputation and good name of the monarchy being further soiled by this squalid saga.

Only a settlement with his accuser Virginia Roberts it seems, can prevent the prospect of the Queens favourite son facing an unseemly court-room battle in which his most private secrets risk being tastelessly exposed for every prurient observer to enjoy.

Who knows what sordid depths will be plumbed if Andrew is obliged to undergo a brutal cross-examination? It will not just be private correspondence, text messages, emails and diary entries that will be aired in public, but quite likely medical records and other intimate details.

Only a settlement with his accuser Virginia Roberts it seems, can prevent the prospect of the Queens favourite son (pictured together in 2019) facing an unseemly court-room battle

And it is entirely possible that there would be the added humiliation of Princess Beatrice being interrogated about her fathers principal alibi that he could not have been with Miss Roberts the night she alleges the prince had sex with her, because he had been with his then 12-year-old daughter at a school friends birthday party.

Although there is no guarantee that Beatrice would be called  or even be compelled to give evidence  the mere chance of that happening is enough to bring courtiers out in a cold sweat.

As the enormity of yesterdays decision was sinking in last night, the task facing those senior figures at the top of the Royal Household was clear: insulating the Queen from the damaging fall-out.

Even the havoc of the Diana years is dwarfed by the potential risk this case threatens. While the most senior royals continue to remain apparently loyal to the Duke of York, some of those who serve the family wonder why, if he is as blameless as he vehemently insists, he has failed to convince the world of his innocence.

It is this attritional impact of the case on the monarchy that is the centre of their thoughts. This year, the Queens Platinum Jubilee, was meant to be one of celebration and joy, marking Her Majestys 70 years on the throne and her decades of unquestioning service and duty.

Instead it will be overshadowed by Andrew and his unsavoury predicament.

Until yesterday, Andrew had just about got away with a combination of delaying and evasion, though at huge cost to his credibility.

Now his failure to get off a sex trafficking case on a technicality has shredded what little remained of his reputation. But will the royal family finally recognise this too? The Andrew problem, of course, is nothing new.

Pictured: The Duke of York was photographed with his arm around the bare waist of then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts. Ghislaine Maxwell is photographed standing in the background

When he came to the end of his Royal Navy career there was a family conference to discuss what on earth they could do with him. It was that decision to insert Andrew into the role of trade ambassador  previously held by the blameless Duke of Kent  that was the start of all his troubles.

Indeed the appointment almost coincided with him making friends with a then-unknown American financier called Jeffery Epstein.

As a much-loved second son, Andrew was indulged in a way that Prince Charles was not.

Later on, his bravery as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands war, when he flew decoy missions to keep Argentine missiles away from the British fleet, should have been enough to make him a respected figure in recent royal history.

But it is forever besmirched by the grubbiness of his links with the late paedophile Epstein and other unsuitable friendships. Within the family he is seen as someone who has behaved idiotically but he is blood, so they will support him, says a figure close to the prince.

Increasingly, however, the view taking root is that there can be no rehabilitation for the Duke of York. He has made so many bad decisions, from visiting Epstein after his release from prison, to giving his Newsnight interview to Emily Maitlis, says an aide.

Miss Roberts, 38, claims she was 17 when she slept with Andrew under orders from Epstein

But its pretty pointless going over past errors. The question is what to do next and choosing an outcome that minimises damaging the monarchy.

Should Andrew make a settlement  with no admission of liability  with Miss Roberts (who now uses her married name Giuffre) there could be other dangers.

The first is that in the court of public opinion, a financial pay-off could be considered an admission of guilt and it would mean that his very public undertaking to clear his name would have failed.

At the same time, there is no certainty that Miss Roberts, who says she slept with Andrew three times when she was 17, would accept the dukes offer, however generous, and may instead want her day in court.

Then there is the possibility that settling with Miss Roberts might trigger claims from other girls who may allege they too were trafficked by Epstein to have sex with him. For Andrew, this raises the nightmare prospect of years of costly litigation.

Whatever decision he takes will be a presentational quagmire for the prince. But at the moment those may be the least of his problems.

Pictured: Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Queen Elizabeth II depart the Commonwealth Service on Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey on March 11, 2019

For the 95-year-old Queen, none of the options facing her son are palatable. In the nine months since the death of Prince Philip she has leaned heavily on 61-year old Andrew. He makes regular visits to his mother in Windsor Castle, driving himself from nearby Royal Lodge.

Indeed, I understand that because of his proximity to the castle, Andrew was asked by his siblings to be his mothers most frequent family visitor. It means decisions about his future are likely to be made by Prince Charles rather than the Queen.

But while there is no longer any question of the prince returning to royal duties he cannot be fired or dismissed from his role. He is the son of the monarch and the brother of the next one, and that cannot be changed, says a close figure.

Settling the case and then explaining publicly he will have no royal future and that he is doing it for the good of the monarchy might be the only way. Of course, it doesnt answer the question of what he will do for what could be the next 30 years of his life.

Friends say that his focus will also be on protecting his two daughters, both newly married and with young families.

The stakes in this case have always been high but by clearing the way for the civil case to proceed, judge Kaplan has raised them to a new level. The question is: can Andrew find it in himself to do the right thing for the monarchy, while knowing whatever decision he takes will destroy the last remnants of his own reputation?
The Loudoun County teenager known as the 'boy in a skirt' who raped a classmate in the campus girls bathroom has been spared jail after his victim's merciful family asked a judge to send him to a residential treatment center and not prison so that he can become a better person.

The 15-year-old rapist - who DailyMail.com is not naming because he is a minor - was convicted of sexually assaulting two girls in two different schools in May and October last year.

One of the victims was the daughter of Scott and Jessica Smith. Scott was dragged out of a school board meeting where teachers lied about never receiving reports of sex assaults in the girls' toilets.

On Wednesday, Jessica stood up at her daughter's rapist's sentencing hearing and asked Judge Pamela Brooks not to jail him, and help him seek treatment instead.

'I feel that if this boy goes directly to juvenile jail he will not receive any treatment.

'I feel if he is placed in a long term residential he might have a fighting chance of becoming a better human being, she said.

Judge Brooks sentenced him to three years of probation and time in a locked treatment center instead. He will register as a sex offender when he is 18.

Speaking after the hearing, Jessica told DailyMail.com she was 'relieved'.

'Residential treatment is what each of us were pushing for. If he messes up, he will go to jail,' she said.

The victim's mother Jessica Smith asked the judge to give him time in a treatment program instead of jail

The row over transgender policies at Loudoun County, Virginia schools divided parents and teachers for months and came to a head when the father of a girl who was sexually assaulted in the girl's bathroom by a boy dressed in a skirt was beaten up at a school board meeting

MERCIFUL REQUEST OF VICTIM'S FAMILY TO SEND BOY TO TREATMENT PROGRAM AND NOT PRISON The boy was spared jail after the mother of one of his victims stood up in court and asked a judge not to put him behind bars. Jessica Smith, the mother of the girl who was raped, said she felt that if the teenager went straight to a juvenile jail that he would never be rehabilitated. 'Residential treatment is what each of us were pushing for. 'If he messes up, he will go to jail,' she told DailyMail.com after the hearing. She added that she was 'relieved' by Judge Brooks' decision. This is the full victim impact statement that Jessica read in court: 'Almost eight months later and here we are. What I stress to everyone is these horrific sexual assaults should never have occurred. 'I feel there are a lot of people who could have turned this around years ago and chose to ignore the problem. 'I feel that if this boy goes directly to juvenile jail, he will not receive any treatment. 'I feel if he's placed in a long term residential program, he may have a fighting chance of becoming a better human being. 'I know time in treatment go hand in hand, so my hope is [the probation officer] does his due diligence in placing this boy in a faculty that won't fail him as many adults have already done so.' Advertisement

Judge Pamela Brooks ruled that he must join the sex offender's register when he is 18, which the judge said was an unusual step but necessary because of the severity of his crimes.

It was alleged in court that he has a third victim who he is yet to acknowledge. He has not been charged with a third offense.

It's unclear what the maximum sentence that Judge Brooks could impose was.

During Wednesday's hearing, she said his psychological evaluation 'scared' her.

'You scare me. What I read in those reports scared me, should scare families and scare society,' she said.

The victims' families have not yet commented on the sentencing, but the boy's family are outraged by the fact that he must register as a sex offender when he is 18.

Juvenile Court judge Pamela Brooks said the boy 'scared' her

His mother, speaking to DailyMail.com afterwards, said: 'This ruling was gracious in that my son was allowed the opportunity to do better and be better through residential treatment, through counseling, through everything the institution will offer.

'However, Judge Brooks ordering that my son be registered on the sex offender list was political. This is a hard blow for anyone... it binds his hands forevermore.

'Adults who have had the chance to live and thrive today have sacrificed the life of a 15-year-old to further their political careers and for that I am ashamed people in the courtroom today consider that justice.'

'My heart is shattered. I am shattered me, for my own family and for the judicial system.'

The teenager, wearing his hair in a bun and with shackles round his feet, cried as the two girls' victim impact statements were read aloud in court.

He then apologized to both of them in court, saying: 'I sincerely apologize to you and you.

Scott Smith, the victim's father, was pictured with a bloody mouth, being dragged out of a school board meeting on June 22 - a month after the attack - after listening to school officials say no one had been sexually assaulted in the bathrooms when that's what his daughter had reported the previous month

Last year, the boy's mother told DailyMail.com how he had become the posterchild for a hot-button, political issue raging through the town.

'He's a 15-year-old boy that wanted to have sex in the bathroom, with somebody that was willing,' she declared, sitting in an empty kitchen in her townhouse in Loudoun County, Virginia.

'And they're twisting this just enough to make it a political hot button issue,' she said.

The school board, increasingly woke and determined to impose progressive transgender policies, said there was no evidence of a male student taking advantage of the policy to sexually assault an unsuspecting female student - as parents said they feared.

The victim's parents said that what happened to her was exactly that, and that he only got into the bathroom because he was wearing a skirt.

The teenagers had previously had consensual sex before the incident in May, which the girl's family said was not consensual.

That incident took place at Stone Bridge High School in May.

The boy was told to leave, but was sent to Broad Run High School, in the same school district, where he was accused of dragging a girl into the bathroom and groping her breasts.
New South Wales has recorded 92,264 new Covid-19 cases as rapid antigen positive test results are finally reported, while Victoria's infections have climbed by 37,169.

Out of NSW's latest cases, 61,387 have come from RATs which were reported on Wednesday.

Some 50,729 of these tests were completed over the past seven days, the rest from the period since January 1. Victoria's cases include 16,843 rapid antigen test results.

The daily number of Australians who died with the virus also spiked, with 22 people in NSW losing their lives and 25 deaths in Victoria.

There are now 2,383 residents in NSW hospitals, a jump from 2,242 on Wednesday, with 182 in ICU, up from 175.

Hospitalisations in Victoria are at a record high of 953, a slight increase from the 946 a day ago, with 111 in intensive care.

New South Wales has recorded 92,264 new Covid-19 cases as rapid antigen tests are finally reported while Victoria's infections have climbed by 37,169

Out of NSW's latest cases, 61,387 have come from RATs which were reported on Wednesday from the period since January 1, with 50,729 of these tests having been done over the past seven days

An infectious disease expert from the Kirby Institute, Professor Greg Dore, predicted the peak in Omicron cases would be seen on Thursday.

'Lots of Covid uncertainty around, but NSW Omicron wave cases to peak tomorrow a definite,' he tweeted on Wednesday night.

NSW this week introduced $1,000 fines for people who don't report positive RAT results.

That's despite Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello admitting it will be 'almost impossible' to enforce.

'It's almost going to be impossible in many ways to enforce,' he told Nine Network.

'But the majority of the states and territories in the country have gone down the path of issuing a fine or putting a fine in place - Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT - and some have chosen the other path of just saying please do it.'

Mr Dominello said that early on Thursday more than 82,000 rapid test results had been reported.

The positive results not recorded in today's numbers - those reported since 8pm on Wednesday - will be included in Friday's total.

Close contacts of Covid-19 cases in NSW will also no longer have to isolate for seven days if they have left isolation after being diagnosed in the previous 28 days (pictured technicians prepare Pfizer vaccines)

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet made a small tweak to close contact rules earlier this week.

Close contacts will also no longer have to isolate for seven days if they have already been diagnosed with the virus in the previous 28 days.

Meanwhile, dozens of Australia's top academics, doctors and community leaders have called for schools to reopen in an open letter as Omicron cases continue to skyrocket.

Thousands of students will return to the classroom in the coming weeks for the 2022 school year.

NSW and Victorian residents are now required to report their positive rapid test results to alleviate pressure on PCR testing clinics (pictured in Melbourne)

As Queensland delayed its start to term one by two weeks, a group of leading figures have written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory premiers, calling for them to reassure families that schools are safe to return to.

The letter urges governments to follow the principle set by the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children's Fund that in a pandemic 'schools must be the last to close and the first to open'.

The authors describe students as the forgotten voices of the pandemic after thousands had their education disrupted for months at the time during lockdown.

Epidemiologists Catherine Bennett and Fiona Russell, former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry and Professor of Child Health David Issacs are among the 35 academics, doctors and community leaders who have put their name to the open letter sent ahead of Thursday's national cabinet.

'In the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic we now have evidence that it is safe to allow schools to be open for face-to-face learning,' the letter begins.

'The national cabinet commitment to re-open schools is at risk, however, and needs to be reaffirmed by every jurisdiction, with measures taken to reassure Australian families that schools are safe to return.'

'Children are the 'lost voices' of this pandemic,' it states.
A quarter of parents admit to flouting school admissions criteria to get their child into their preferred local school, new Zoopla research suggests.

The survey of parents with school age children comes ahead of the primary school application deadline on January 15.

It revealed the true extent of the lengths that parents are willing to go to in order to secure a place at the best schools.

And this may not be surprising, as they could face paying an average of 82,960 more for a property in a catchment area of a high-performing school, or a premium of 200,000 in London.

A quarter of parents admit to flouting school admissions criteria to get their child into their preferred local school, new research suggests

The research also revealed that 17 per cent of parents of school aged children admit they lied, bent or broke school application rules to get their children into their preferred school, while a further 7 per cent say they 'played the system'.

It means that one in four parents are going to extreme lengths to secure preferred school places for their children.

Bending the rules takes many forms. Among the parents who have, 27 per cent admit to exaggerating their religious affiliation or pretending to be religious in order to get into a faith school.

And 21 per cent say they registered their child at a family member's address that was closer to their preferred school.

Some 10 per cent simply lied about their address, while 8 per cent said they temporarily rented a second home - that they child never lived in - within the catchment area.

Parents are willing to pay an average of 82,960 more for a property in a catchment area of a high-preforming school

Money and school donations also play a key role, with 16 per cent of parents who admit they bent the rules saying that they made a 'voluntary donation' to a particular school ahead of applying,

Others offered their time, with 20 per cent saying they volunteered at or became involved with a school ahead of applying for their child's place, while 14 per cent say they became 'friendly' with senior figures at the school in order to curry favour.

Of course, many parents do not bend the rules - some are simply able to move into the catchment area of the school they want their children to go to.

In total, 28 per cent of parents who currently have school aged children said that they did this.

However, the research found that there is a huge premium attached to doing so, which might be prohibitive to some.

Among those who bought a home in a good catchment area, the average premium they paid was a huge 82,960, with the figure rising to 209,599 in London.

Some 21 per cent said they registered their child at a family member's address that was closer to their preferred school

The majority of parents are against bending or breaking rules to get children into a good school.

A total of 55 per cent said they feel it is an 'unfair practice which should be stopped' and 56 per cent who have done so, admit they feel guilty about it.

A further 6 per cent of parents admit they are so fed up with the practice that they have 'grassed up' another parent and reported them to the school.

However, 11 per cent believe it is acceptable and a further 19 per cent admit it isn't fair but 'everyone does it'.

Daniel Copley, of Zoopla, said: 'We were blown away by the figures showing just how many parents are going to extreme lengths to get their kids into the preferred school, which suggests the practice is endemic to the application process and widespread across the country.

'But even more parents move into the catchment area of the school they want their kids to go to - and we are poised to support them every step of the way.

'While the premium on a property in the catchment area of a popular local school might appear steep, we know that many homeowners have far more equity tied up in their home than they realise, which could make a move into a good catchment area a possibility.'

The Department for Education was approached for a comment about how easy it is to break the rules and the lack of penalties among those who do, but it declined to respond.
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Ancient human fossils discovered in Ethiopia are much older than previously thought, experts claim, saying they could be as much as 230,000 years old.

The remains  known as Omo I  were discovered in Ethiopia in the late 1960s, and are one of the oldest known examples of Homo sapiens fossils, with earlier attempts to date them placing them at just under 200,000 years old.

However, a new study by the University of Cambridge found that the remains have to pre-date a colossal volcanic eruption in the area, which happened 230,000 years ago.

To make the discovery the team dated the chemical fingerprints of volcanic ash layers, found above and below sediment where the fossils were discovered.

The team said that while this pushes the minimum age for Homo sapiens in eastern Africa back by 30,000 years, future studies may extend the age even further.

In 2017, archaeologists announced the discovery of the world's oldest Homo sapiens fossils  a 300,000-year-old skull at Jebel Irhoud in Morocco.

The Omo Kibish Formation in south western Ethiopia, within the East African Rift valley. The oldest human remains in east Africa date back at least 30,000 years earlier than previously thought to around a quarter of a million years ago

The remains  known as Omo I - were discovered in Ethiopia in the late 1960s, and are one of the oldest known examples of Homo sapiens fossils, with earlier attempts to date them placing them at less than 200,000 years old

However, a new study by the University of Cambridge found that the remains have to pre-date a colossal volcanic eruption in the area, which happened 230,000 years ago

HOW DID EXPERTS DATE THE FOSSIL REMAINS? Study author Dr Celine Vidal explained how archaeologists determined the age of the Omo I remains. First it involved the the team collecting pumice rock samples from the volcanic deposits and grinding them down to sub-millimetre size. Dr Vidal said: 'Each eruption has its own fingerprint - its own evolutionary story below the surface, which is determined by the pathway the magma followed. 'Once you've crushed the rock, you free the minerals within, and then you can date them, and identify the chemical signature of the volcanic glass that holds the minerals together.' The researchers carried out new geochemical analysis to link the fingerprint of the thick volcanic ash layer from the Kamoya Hominin Site (KHS ash) with an eruption of Shala volcano, more than 250 miles away. They then dated pumice samples from the volcano to 230,000 years ago. Since the Omo I fossils were found deeper than that ash layer, they must be more than 230,000 years old. Dr Vidal said: 'First I found there was a geochemical match, but we didn't have the age of the Shala eruption. 'I immediately sent the samples of Shala volcano to our colleagues in Glasgow so they could measure the age of the rocks. 'When I received the results and found out that the oldest Homo sapiens from the region was older than previously assumed, I was really excited.' Advertisement

To date the volcanic remains, the team collected pumice rock samples from the volcanic deposits and ground them down to sub-millimetre size.

Scientists have been trying to precisely date the oldest fossils in eastern Africa, widely recognised as representing our species, Homo sapiens, ever since they were discovered in the 1960s.

Earlier attempts to date them suggested they were less than 200,000 years old.

The Omo I remains were found in the Omo Kibish Formation in southwestern Ethiopia, which sits within the East African Rift valley.

The region is an area of high volcanic activity, and a rich source of early human remains and artefacts.

By dating layers of volcanic ash above and below where fossil materials are found, scientists identified Omo I as one of the earliest examples of our species ever found.

'Using these methods, the generally accepted age of the Omo fossils is under 200,000 years, but there's been a lot of uncertainty around this date,' said Dr Celine Vidal from Cambridge's Department of Geography, the paper's lead author.

'The fossils were found in a sequence, below a thick layer of volcanic ash that nobody had managed to date because the ash is too fine-grained.'

The four-year project, led by British volcanologist Professor Clive Oppenheimer. is attempting to date all major volcanic eruptions in the Ethiopian Rift.

'Each eruption has its own fingerprint  its own evolutionary story below the surface, which is determined by the pathway the magma followed,' said Dr Vidal.

'Once you've crushed the rock, you free the minerals within, and then you can date them, and identify the chemical signature of the volcanic glass that holds the minerals together.'

The researchers carried out geochemical analysis on the crushed rock to link the fingerprint of the volcanic ash, from the Kamoya Hominin Site, with an eruption of Shala volcano.

The team then dated pumice samples from the volcano, 250 miles from the site the human remains were discovered, to 230,000 years ago.

Since the Omo I fossils were found deeper than this particular ash layer, they must be more than 230,000 years old, the team explained.

'First I found there was a geochemical match, but we didn't have the age of the Shala eruption,' said Vidal.

'I immediately sent the samples of Shala volcano to our colleagues in Glasgow so they could measure the age of the rocks.

'When I received the results and found out that the oldest Homo sapiens from the region was older than previously assumed, I was really excited.'

Professor Asfawossen Asrat, a co-author of the study from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, said: 'The Omo Kibish Formation is an extensive sedimentary deposit which has been barely accessed and investigated in the past.

To make the discovery the team dated the chemical fingerprints of volcanic ash layers, found above and below sediment where fossils were found

The team said that while this pushes the minimum age for Homo sapiens in eastern Africa back by 30,000 years, future studies may extend the age even further

To date the volcanic remains, the team collected pumice rock samples from the volcanic deposits and ground them down to sub-millimetre size

Scientists have been trying to precisely date the oldest fossils in eastern Africa widely recognised as representing our species, Homo sapiens, ever since they were discovered in the 1960s

STUDYING THE CLIMATE TO TRACE OUR ANCESTORS Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa re-created the spread of Homo sapiens over 125,000 years. The model simulates ice-ages, abrupt climate change and captures the arrival times of Homo sapiens. It appears modern humans first left Africa 100,000 years ago in a series of slow-paced migration waves. They estimate that Homo sapiens first arrived in southern Europe around 80,000-90,000 years ago, far earlier than previously believed. The results challenge traditional models that suggest there was a single exodus out of Africa. Advertisement

'Our closer look into the stratigraphy of the Omo Kibish Formation, particularly the ash layers, allowed us to push the age of the oldest Homo sapiens in the region to at least 230,000 years.'

Unlike other Middle Pleistocene fossils which are thought to belong to the early stages of the Homo sapiens lineage, Omo I possesses unequivocal modern human characteristics, according to co-author Dr Aurelien Mounier, from the Musee de l'Homme in Paris.

He gave the example of a 'tall and globular cranial vault and a chin', before claiming that the new date estimate made the remains 'the oldest unchallenged Homo sapiens in Africa'.

Until the Jebel Irhous discovery four years ago, most researchers believed that all humans living today descended from a population that lived in East Africa around 200,000 years ago.

'We can only date humanity based on the fossils that we have, so it's impossible to say that this is the definitive age of our species,' said Vidal.

'The study of human evolution is always in motion: boundaries and timelines change as our understanding improves.

'But these fossils show just how resilient humans are: that we survived, thrived and migrated in an area that was so prone to natural disasters.'

'It's probably no coincidence that our earliest ancestors lived in such a geologically active rift valley  it collected rainfall in lakes, providing fresh water and attracting animals, and served as a natural migration corridor stretching thousands of kilometres,' said Oppenheimer.

'The volcanoes provided fantastic materials to make stone tools and from time to time we had to develop our cognitive skills when large eruptions transformed the landscape.'

Earlier attempts to date them suggested they were less than 200,000 years old

The Omo I remains were found in the Omo Kibish Formation in southwestern Ethiopia, which sits within the East African Rift valley

The region is an area of high volcanic activity, and a rich source of early human remains and artefacts

'Our forensic approach provides a new minimum age for Homo sapiens in eastern Africa, but the challenge still remains to provide a cap, a maximum age, for their emergence, which is widely believed to have taken place in this region,' said co-author Professor Christine Lane, head of the Cambridge Tephra Laboratory.

'It's possible that new finds and new studies may extend the age of our species even further back in time.'

'There are many other ash layers we are trying to correlate with eruptions of the Ethiopian Rift and ash deposits from other sedimentary formations,' said Vidal. 'In time, we hope to better constrain the age of other fossils in the region.'

The findings have been published in the journal Nature.
Bacteria may have been transferred from Earth to distant worlds after being blown into space on high-speed vertical winds in the atmosphere, a new study has found.

It suggests the space race may not have been won by the US when Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon, but rather tiny micro-organisms that could have beaten the Soviet Union's Yuri Gagarin into space by thousands of years.

Researchers say their theory also opens up the possibility that life could have arrived here from another planet such as Mars or beyond.

University of Edinburgh experts made the observation after creating a model to estimate the impact of wind speed on biologically-sized particles.

They found that tiny bacteria could be carried more than 75 miles above the Earth on high-speed vertical winds, and may reach over 93 miles above the surface.

This is much higher than the 47-mile altitude that bacteria spores have previously been discovered at, and at a point considered 'in space'.

Reaching this point would then allow the bacteria to be captured by extremely high speed particles of space dust, and sent off far beyond the Earth into deep space.

Lead author Arjun Berera told MailOnline that this offers 'yet more scientific evidence for the possibility of life transfer between planetary bodies.'

Bacteria may have been transferred from Earth to distant worlds after being blown into space on high-speed vertical winds in the atmosphere, a new study has revealed

They found that tiny bacteria could be carried more than 75 miles above the Earth on high-speed vertical winds, and may reach over 93 miles above the surface

Researchers responsible for the Japanese Tanpopo experiment on the ISS found evidence of living bacteria on the outside of the station

HOW BACTERIA CAN SURVIVE IN SPACE Bacteria has been shown to survive for up to three years in space, according to scientists who studied colonies of microbes outside the ISS. Researchers responsible for the Japanese Tanpopo experiment say the discovery means alien life could hop between neighbouring planets. Colonies of microbes at least 0.02 inches thick are resistant to the extreme cold and high radiation levels in space, researchers found. Only those at the surface of the colony die  they sacrifice themselves and form a protective layer for the remaining microbes underneath. The discovery means these colonies of microbes could travel between Earth and Mars by gathering into 'aggregates' of particles. Although three years is the length of time researchers discovered bacteria could survive outside the ISS, it is possible that microbes could live for much longer to facilitate long-term space travel. There is also evidence of some bacteria having the ability to enter a stasis like state  where they effectively shut down bodily functions, and can be re-animated when they reach the right environment. Advertisement

They suggest this may have happened in the other direction, adding credence to the 'panspermia theory' that suggests life arrived on Earth from another planet.

Professor Berera told MailOnline: 'Its possible if there were say biological particles in early Mars, they may have been propelled into space and possibly landed on Earth.'

However, this paper looked at whether the conditions on Earth are right to allow for particles to leave our planet.

'We find that there is the possibility of these larger particles being carried from the upper mesosphere into the thermosphere,' the authors wrote.

'By showing that it is possible for large, heavy particles to reach these high altitudes, simply by vertical wind transport, interesting possibilities are opened up.'

The biosphere, the area of the Earth where life exists, was previously thought to only extend up to about 50 miles, but the Scottish researchers suggest it may be higher.

Published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A, they suggest evidence of DNA blown up from Earth has even been found on the ISS, 250 miles above the surface.

Dust samples from outside the space station, taken in 2018, were found to contain 'DNA from several kinds of bacteria,' they write.

Studies of the bacteria suggest it settled while the ISS was in orbit, suggesting they arrived on the station after being blown up from Earth, rather than travelling up to space with the station when it launched in the late 1990s.

Professor Berera says vertical winds blow at 335 miles per hour, especially during geomagnetic storms near the north and south poles  caused by solar wind.

Based on these wind speeds, the team determined that bacteria-sized particles could be lifted, and blown up as far as 90 miles or more.

'The cases in our paper did not show particles could reach quite as high at 150km [90 miles], but we think it present plausible evidence that this is possible, but more data and understanding of vertical winds is still needed,' Prof Berera told MailOnline.

'Our estimates using reported observations of large vertical winds show that it is conceivable for such particles to be projected from near the highest measured altitudes in the mesosphere up to 120 km,' the team wrote in the paper.

At this point the particle 'has enough momentum to facilitate the planetary escape', the authors explain, feeding into the chance life can be transferred.

Professor Berera told the Times that it would only take a few biological particles to leave the Earth in order to seed life on another world.

In the early years of the solar system Mars was a warm, wet world, similar to Earth today, where bacterial life may have evolved, transferred to Earth on solar winds.

'If a biological particle escaped Earth and it landed on something that was conducive to life, biology tends to grow quite easily,' Berera said.

'Even if the probability of an escape event happening is quite low, like once every 50 years, if you think about long geological timescales there are a lot of events of potential life transfer that could happen from this mechanism.'

The paper also explores the possibility of particles leaving the Martian atmosphere, suggesting this would be easier due to lower gravity and atmosphere levels.

Large dust storms, which at times can cover the entire Martian surface, could be sending particles containing bacteria into space, researchers claim

'Future work could consider the atmosphere of Mars, for which this vertical wind mechanism might be more suitable owing to the frequency of dust storms and the size of the dust,' the team wrote.

The weight of a particle on Mars is 38 per cent less than that on Earth and the air density at the surface is only 1 per cent, with strong vertical winds.

'Vertical particle transport in the Martian atmosphere is therefore likely to be strongly impacted by these storms, which can project dust up to around 80 km.'

'Smaller particles could attach to the dust and therefore reach higher altitudes.

'If biological particles are present on Mars, and if such particles can be found at these higher altitudes, then they could be sampled and studied by satellites or probes such as balloons, without having to land on the planet's surface.'

An area the team didn't explore was the possibility of bacteria from Earth reaching the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, that are suspected to have deep water oceans.

'This would be a next question needing planetary dynamics studies,' Prof Berera told MailOnline, adding that the dynamics of the solar system would be a complicated problem in the process of sending bacteria across deep space.

'But in principle the kick that hypervelocity space dust could give to particles in the atmosphere would be enough kinetic energy that in principle it could reach these faraway places,' he explained.

The findings have been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A.
Chinese scientists have built an 'artificial moon' that has lunar-like gravity and is designed to help them prepare astronauts for future exploration missions.

The low-gravity simulated environment was inspired by experiments that made use of magnets to levitate a frog, the South China Morning Post reported.

The simulator is based Xuzhou in the Jiangsu province of China, and has been designed in a way that can 'make gravity disappear,' according to its designers.

Currently, simulating low gravity on Earth requires flying in an aircraft that enters a free fall, then climbs back up, or falling from a drop tower, but that lasts minutes.

The new lunar simulator, which is a small 2ft room sitting in a vacuum chamber, can simulate low or zero gravity 'for as long as you want,' explained its developers.

Inside the 2ft room they have created an artificial lunar landscape, made up of rocks and dust that are as light as those found on the surface of the moon.

Chinese scientists have built an 'artificial moon' that has lunar-like gravity, that will help them prepare astronauts for future exploration of the moon

The low-gravity simulated environment was inspired by experiments that made use of magnets to levitate a frog, the South China Morning Post reported

HOW IT WORKS The artificial moon uses very strong magnetic fields to 'levitate' a two square foot room in a vacuum. The room is placed inside a vacuum chamber where no air is present. Powerful magnets are used to generate a magnetic field inside the chamber that 'lifts' the small room. Inside the room they have simulated lunar soil and moon rocks. The magnetic field can be switched on or off as needed, producing no gravity, lunar gravity or Earth-level gravity. Gravity on the moon is about a sixth the force of that on the Earth. Being able to test devices and processes in a low-gravity environment can help reduce problems during a moon mission. Advertisement

Gravity on the moon is about a sixth as powerful as that on Earth, and inside the artificial gravity room the team make use of a strong magnetic field to simulate the 'levitation effects' of a low gravitational force.

'Some experiments such as an impact test need just a few seconds,' said lead scientist Li Ruilin, from the China University of Mining and Technology, adding that 'others such as creep testing can take several days.'

The concept of using magnetic fields for levitation came from Russian physicist Andre Geim, who won an Ig Nobel prize in 2000 for making a frog float.

Geim works at the University of Manchester and went on to win a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for work he did in the creation of graphene.

He told the South China Morning Post that he was pleased to see his education experiments lead to applications in space exploration, explaining that 'magnetic levitation is not the same as antigravity.'

However, he said there were situations where mimicking microgravity using magnetic fields could be invaluable.

China has set a goal of sending astronauts to the moon by 2030, and set up a base on the moon, in a joint project with Russia by the end of this decade.

It is expected this 'artificial moon' will play an important role in future missions to the moon, allowing scientists to plan exercises and prepare for building in low gravity.

Scientists will be able to test equipment before it leave for the moon, preventing miscalculations that could scupper a real, live project on the lunar surface.

One reason for this is that dust and rocks can behave differently under a low gravity environment than they do under Earth gravity conditions.

There is also no atmosphere on the moon and the temperature can change dramatically and quickly, further adding to complications.

On a prototype of the simulator, scientists tested drill resistance, finding it could be much higher on the moon than predicted by computer models.

Li said it could also be used to determine whether 3D printing is possible on the lunar surface, before expensive and heavy equipment is deployed.

Scientists will be able to test equipment before it leave for the moon, preventing miscalculations that could scupper a real, live project on the lunar surface

These sort of technologies would be essential to build structures making permanent human settlement possible, according to Li.

'Some experiments conducted in the simulated environment can also give us some important clues, such as where to look for water trapped under the surface,' he said.

They had to create a number of new technological innovations to counter the intense magnetic forces required to lift the simulation room.

It was so strong it could tear apart superconducting wires and metallic components needed for the vacuum chamber to operate as expected.

They also had to simulate lunar dust and replace steel with aluminium in some of the key components.

Experts plan to open the facility to researchers around the world, not just in China.
People spent a staggering 4.8 hours a day, or nearly a third of their waking hours, on their mobiles last year, new research shows.

App Annie's newly-released 'State of Mobile' report has found consumers globally spent a record 3.8 trillion hours on mobiles in 2021.

In the UK, the average amount of time spent on phones per day in 2021 was four hours, less than the global average of 4.8 hours for the year.

But UK mobile use has increased from three hours per day in 2019 and 3.7 hours per day in 2020.

Overall, 2021 was 'record-breaking' as consumers continue to embrace a mobile lifestyle and move away from big screens, the firm said.

In particular, the use of Chinese video sharing app TikTok saw an increase of 90 per cent globally excluding China, compared to 2020.

In the UK, the average amount time spent on mobile per day in 2021 was four hours, less than the global average of 4.8 hours for the year

'Mobile is the greatest of all time and the go-to device of the future,' said Theodore Krantz, CEO of App Annie.

'The big screen is slowly dying as mobile continues to break records in virtually every category  time spent, downloads and revenue.'

Company and app rankings reported in App Annies 'State of Mobile 2022' report are based on various download, consumer spend and usage estimates gained from its market insights.

More time than ever before is spent on mobile apps - 4.8 hours per day, or about a third of average waking hours, according to App Annie

Globally, the firm found consumers spent $170 billion (124 billion) on apps, which is up 19 per cent from the year prior, while app downloads have continued growing at 5 per cent year-on-year to reach a total of 230 billion for the year.

Worldwide consumer spending on dating apps, meanwhile, surged past $4.2 billion (3 billion)  marking a 55 per cent increase from 2019.

Food and drink apps hit a new milestone at 194 billion order sessions in 2021, up 50 per cent year over year.

'2021 WAS RECORD BREAKING': KEY FINDINGS FROM APP ANNIE - Publishers released 2 million new apps and games, bringing the cumulative total to 21 million. - Advertising spend topped $295 billion (215 billion), up 23 per cent year over year, and is estimated to top $350 billion (255 billion) within a year. - Mobile gaming grew to $116 billion (84 billion), an increase of 15 per cent, fuelled by preference to 'hyper-casual games' - mobile games that tend to be easy-to-play and free-to-play. - Apps earning more than $100 million (73 billion) in consumer spend grew by 20 per cent. Overall, consumers spent $170 billion (124 billion) on apps, according to the findings - Led by TikTok (increase of 90 per cent globally outside of China), seven of every 10 minutes was spent on either social, photo and/or video apps. - Worldwide consumer spend on dating apps surged past $4.2 billion (3 billion) - a 55 per cent increase from 2019. - Time in shopping apps reached 100 billion hours, up by 18 per cent year over year, led by fast fashion, social shopping and by 'big box' stores like Walmart and Target. - Food and drink apps hit a new milestone at 194 billion sessions in 2021 (up 50 per cent year over year) - Metaverse catapults leading avatar apps forward with 160 per cent year-over-year growth.

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App Annie also found total hours spent watching video streaming apps has grown 16 per cent worldwide since pre-pandemic levels.

In the UK, there was a 17 per cent growth in total hours spent streaming when comparing 2019 with 2021, just above the global average of 16 per cent.

'Despite access to bigger screens, consumers are still watching content on mobile,' the firm says in the report.

'Competition is heating up in the space and exclusive content is a way of drawing in new viewers.'

Interestingly, China's time spent using streaming apps fell 46 per cent during this time period, largely due to consumers increasingly gravitating towards short-form video apps like TikTok and Kwai.

In the UK, there was a 17 per cent growth in total hours spent on video streaming apps such as Netflix when comparing 2019 with 2021, just above the global average of 16 per cent. China and India saw use of streaming apps fall, as citizens in these two countries are turning more towards short-form video apps such as TikTok. (UK use of TikTok is also increasing, but not enough to significantly affect time spent on video streaming apps)

Globally, average monthly hours spent per user on TikTok soared from 13.3 in 2020 to 19.6 in 2021

Worldwide, TikTok was the 'standout winner' in terms of user engagement among the top five social apps  ahead of Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram (all of which happen to be owned by Mark Zuckerberg's company Meta).

TikTok and Facebook both registered 19.6 average monthly hours per user in 2021, but TikTok saw rocketing growth  as this figure was up from 13.3 average monthly hours in 2020.

Elsewhere in the report, App Annie calls avatar apps, which let people create a 3D animation of themselves, 'a growing trend'.

Among the three popular avatar social apps  Litmatch, REALITY by Wright Flyer and ZEPETO  downloads grew 160 per cent year-on-year.

Demand for avatar social apps has grown amidst interest in the 'metaverse'  a collective virtual shared space featuring avatars of real people  in 2021.

Interest in metaverses was particularly strong in the second half of the year, which was when Mark Zuckerberg announced renaming his company from Facebook to Meta as part of a new focus on the concept.
People are better at recalling new names and faces if they are played recorded prompts for them while they enjoy good quality sleep, a study has found.

Northwestern University experts explored how quality of slumber affects 'targeted reactivation'  a process used to enhance memory consolidation during sleep.

In tests involving subjects trying to learn 80 new peoples' names, recorded prompts played during deep sleep improved subsequent recall by 1.5 names on average.

However, the benefits of this memory reactivation process were only seen when the subjects had good quality, undisturbed sleep, the researchers noted.

It is possible reactivation may even be detrimental to recall if used with interrupted sleep, the team added  potentially offering a way to weaken unwanted memories.

People are better at recalling new names and faces if they are played recorded prompts for such while they enjoy good quality sleep, a study has found

The investigation was conducted by neuroscientist Nathan Whitmore of the Northwestern University in Illinois and his colleagues.

'It's a new and exciting finding about sleep, because it tells us that the way information is reactivated during sleep to improve memory storage is linked with high-quality sleep,' explained Mr Whitmore.

In their study, the team recruited 24 participants  each aged 1831  and tasked them with committing to memory the faces and names of 40 pupils from a hypothetical Latin American history class and 40 from a Japanese history class.

As the participants learnt the faces and names, they were also played a background music track  either traditional Japanese music or traditional Latin-American music, corresponding to the particular class they were memorising.

The subjects were then tested on their ability to recall each student's name both before and after they had a nap  during which the researchers measured the participant's electrical brain activity using a electroencephalogram.

And when the participants reached deep sleep  what scientists called the 'N3' stage  some of the students' names were played to them softly on a speaker with music that was associated with one of the classes.

The team found that, if the participants' sleep was disrupted, memory reactivation did not help their recall on waking  and may even have been detrimental.

However, those subjects who enjoyed uninterrupted sleep during the period when the sound recordings were played to them were able to remember and average of 1.5 more names than their counterparts.

According to the researchers, the finding  that memory reactivation and accuracy can be influenced by sleep disruption  is noteworthy for various reasons.

'We already know that some sleep disorders like apnoea can impair memory, Mr Whitmore explained.

'Our research suggests a potential explanation for this  frequent sleep interruptions at night might be degrading memory.'

The team tasked 24 participants with learning the faces and names of 80 pupils from a two hypothetical history classes. The subjects were tested on their ability to recall each student's name before and after they had a nap  during which their brain activity was measured using a electroencephalogram. And when the participants reached deep sleep  what scientists called the 'N3' stage  some of the students' names were played to them softly on a speaker with music that was associated with one of the classes

With their initial experiments complete, the researchers are now in the middle of a follow-up study into the underlying brain mechanisms involving both the reactivation of memories and the deliberate disruption of sleep.

'This new line of research will let us address many interesting questions  like whether sleep disruption is always harmful or whether it could be used to weaken unwanted memories,' said paper author and Northwestern psychologist Ken Paller.

'At any rate, we are increasingly finding good reasons to value high-quality sleep.'

The full findings of the study were published in the journal NPJ Science of Learning.
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Mount Everest stands 29,032 feet high, making it nearly impossible to miss on Earth - but the massive mountain is hard spot 250 miles above the surface.

NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei snapped a stunning image of Mount Everest while aboard the International Space Station (ISS) that was soaring some 250 miles above Earth's surface.

'My New Year's resolution is to get outside as much as possible,' Vande Hei tweeted.

'Well, after I land that is. Can you find Mt. Everest in this photo?'

Many Twitter users shared their guesses in the comments of the image, with several right answers and others who did not even attempt to try due to it being nearly impossible.

Scroll down for video

NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei snapped a stunning image of Mount Everest while aboard the International Space Station (ISS) that was soaring some 250 miles above Earth's surface

Mount Everest stretches across the China and Nepal borders and was first climbed by humans in 1953.

The image shared by Vande Hei shows the massive Himalayas covered in snow and webbing across the landscape.

From aboard the ISS, the Himalayas looks like tree roots spreading out from the ground.

But if you look toward the middle of the image, you will spot Mount Everest.

Vande Hei arrived at the ISS in April, traveling with two Russian cosmonauts, Oleg Novitskly and Pyotr Dubrov.

Vande Hei shared the image on Twitter, asking his followers if they can find Mount Everest in the photo

From aboard the ISS, the Himalayas looks like tree roots spreading out from the ground. But if you look toward the middle of the image, you will spot Mount Everest

Mount Everest stretches across the China and Nepal borders and was first climbed by humans in 1953

The trio launched aboard a Soyuz MS-18 rocket on April 9 and Vande Hei joined Expedition 65.

Many astronauts have spent time on the ship snapping amazing images of Earth, one specifically was the European Space Agency's Thomas Pesquet.

During his second mission on the ISS, which ran from April 2021 to November 2021, Pesquet took nearly 250,000 photos of the Earth, the ISS and surrounding cosmos.

Vande Hei (left) arrived at the ISS in April, traveling with two Russian cosmonauts, Oleg Novitskly (middle) and Pyotr Dubrov (right)

In an interview with NASA on November 15, Pesquet says that he took a lot more photos this time around than his first time in space. He says he captured over 245,000 photos during his trip, and the process to go through them is particularly daunting.

'I think there are too many pictures. I have taken quite a few, but even more so this time than the first time, for my first mission,' he said. 'I still have to go back and look which is going to be a lot of work for me so I don't know if I am able to get to that soon.'

He adds that providing this much information was also personally important to him.

'Also there is a personal aspect. I grew up a fan of space flight and I was starved of information when I was younger,' Pesquet said.

Many astronauts have spent time on the ship snapping amazing images of Earth, one specifically was the European Space Agency's Thomas Pesquet (pictured)

During his second mission on the ISS, which ran from April 2021 to November 2021, Pesquet took nearly 250,000 photos of the Earth, the ISS and surrounding cosmos. Pictured is Earth's 'sodium layer' (orange) made up of neutral atoms of sodium within the upper layers of the atmosphere, that originate from the burning up of meteors

'There was not much to see, the occasional book or magazine. Nowadays, we live in a fantastic time where you can watch things on the internet and follow the missions as closely as possible. I really enjoy sharing it with everybody.'

'I think there is a responsibility to share this point of view because you see the fragility of the Earth.

'All the astronauts who come back to Earth are going to tell you that here it seems limitless and infinite, but when you see the Earth from space, it's very finite with limited resources. So there is a responsibility to share that viewpoint so that people understand the situation we are in.'
KDB Life Insurance headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of KDB Life Insurance



By Park Jae-hyuk



The Korea Development Bank (KDB) has been embroiled in a lawsuit over its plan to sell KDB Life Insurance to JC Partners, according to industry sources, Wednesday.



Sources said Consus Asset Management filed an injunction Tuesday to ask the court to prohibit the state-run bank from selling the life insurer to the local private equity firm (PEF). Consus owns a 2.5-percent stake in a special purpose entity named KDB Consus Value, which holds a 26.9-percent stake in KDB Life.



The plaintiff raised a question about the validity of the deal signed between KDB and JC Partners, as the deadline for the latter's acquisition was Dec. 30. If the court accepts the claim, the contract will be nullified.



Consus is expected to look for another buyer who can acquire KDB Life for a higher price in that case. The asset management company has been reluctant to sell KDB Life for 200 billion won ($168 million), because over 1 trillion won has been injected into the insurer since it was sold to KDB Consus Value in 2010.



However, Consus was unable to stop the sale of KDB Life, because KDB Consus Value changed its articles of association in September 2020 to deprive Consus of its veto right.



The asset manager has eventually been able to protest the deal, since KDB Life's buyer and seller failed to fulfill their promise to complete the sale procedure within a year from when they signed the agreement Dec. 31, 2020.



The failure was mainly caused by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), which has delayed the screening JC Partners' qualifications for being the largest shareholder of KDB Life.



The FSC has remained skeptical about the soundness of JC Partners, given that the capital adequacy of another of the PEF's acquisitions, MG Non-life Insurance, was considered vulnerable by the Financial Supervisory Service.



In response, JC Partners submitted its plan to reform the management of MG by raising an additional 150 billion won, but the FSC has maintained a hawkish stance with the intention of protecting financial consumers.



KDB is attempting to sell KDB Life for the fourth time since 2014. It put the unit up for sale in September 2019 with the intention of selecting a preferred bidder by the end of that year to push forward with the sale in early 2020. However, only a few PEFs applied in the preliminary bidding in November 2019, so the KDB extended the deadline.


A sea lion named Cronutt has been given a second lease on life thanks for a ground-breaking procedure that cured his epilepsy - and the treatment could soon be used to save humans.

Cronutt was found beached in San Luis Obispo County, California in 2017 due to brain damage caused by toxic algal that caused the animal to have seizures.

In 2020, surgeons conducted an experimental therapy that transplanted healthy pig brain cells into Cornutts brain.

Now, more than a year after the surgery, Scott Baraban, a neuroscientist at the University of California, San Francisco, told National Geographic Cronnutt is seizure-free, has regained his appetited and is back to a normal weight - and has not had an episode since.

Researchers are now considering the same treatment on humans, as more than 50 million people suffer from the disorder.

Karen Wilcox, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Utah who wasnt involved in the transplant, told National Geographic: Its a very promising approach.

Wilcox continued to explain that this type of treatment could be a miracle for those who have not seen promising results through drug therapies.

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A sea lion named Cronutt has been given a second lease on life thanks for a ground-breaking procedure that cured his epilepsy - and the treatment could soon be used to save humans

Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that is characterized by recurrent seizures that are sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness and control of bowel or bladder function.

Seizures are a result of excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells and vary from the briefest lapses of attention or muscle jerks to severe and prolonged convulsions.

Seizures can also vary in frequency, from less than one per year to several per day.

Epilepsy is typically diagnosed in older adults and can be related to genetic abnormalities, prior brain infection, prenatal injuries or developmental disorders.

In 2020, surgeons conducted an experimental therapy that transplanted healthy pig brain cells into Cornutts brain

Surgeons gave Cronutt four injections of around 50,000 cells each into his left hippocampus. Five hours later, Cronutt emerged from anesthesia and was on his way home

Nearly 16 months later, Cronutt appears to be happy, healthy and seizure free. Researchers are now considering the same treatment on humans, as more than 50 million people suffer from the disorder.

In Cronutts case, the sea lion suffered from domoic acid poisoning after eating shellfish contaminated with the toxic algal.

On October 6, 2020, a team of 18 veterinarians, researchers, and neurosurgeons gathered outside a veterinary clinic in Redwood City, California prior to the operation.

Baraban and his team had performed this procedure on mice, showing successful results, but never on an animal of this size.

They first located Cornutts seizures in the hippocampus, a complex brain structure deep in the temporal love that plays a role in memory and learning, and there the team saw this region was scarred and shrunken.

Surgeons then gave Cronutt four injections of around 50,000 cells each into his left hippocampus.

During the week of his surgery, the sea lion experienced 11 seizures, but his caretakers at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California say they have not seen a single episode

Five hours later, Cronutt emerged from anesthesia and was on his way home.

During the week of his surgery, the sea lion experienced 11 seizures, but his caretakers at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California say they have not seen a single episode.

The procedure, however, cannot reverse Cronutt's brain damage, but is likely able to stop further damage and prevent seizures.

While transplanting pig brain cells into a human may be months, even years, away, a transplant of a pig heart into a human was just performed this month.

Surgeons used a heart taken from a pig that had undergone gene-editing to make it less likely that his body's immune system would reject the organ.

Experts say it is too soon to know if his body will fully accept the organ and the next few weeks will be critical as he is weaned off the machine.

But, if successful, it would mark a medical breakthrough and could save thousands of lives in the US alone each year. Doctors called the procedure a 'watershed event'.
Saturn's moon Mimas is covered in 20 mile thick ice, but astronomers now believe there is a 'stealth ocean' buried deep beneath its thick frozen surface.

Mimas, the closest of Saturn's 'large' moons, has a diameter of 246 miles, and is the smallest astronomical body known to still be round in shape due to self-gravitation.

There are no hints of any liquid water, when looking at the moon in images and from observations, according to experts, but simulations by the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado, suggest there is one, deep underneath the blanket of ice.

Measurements taken by the NASA Cassini spacecraft in 2014 hinted there might be some water under the surface, but this hasn't been corroborated until now.

In the new study, the team explored the size and formation predictions for the small moon, to determine that its internal heat would be enough to allow for flowing water.

Saturn's moon Mimas is covered in 20 mile thick ice, but astronomers now believe there is an 'stealth ocean' buried deep beneath its thick frozen cover

THE BASICS: MIMAS Mimas was discovered in 1789 by English astronomer William Herschel, using his 40-foot reflector telescope. The Cassini spacecraft made several close approaches and provided detailed images of Mimas. Less than 123 miles in mean radius, crater-covered Mimas is the smallest and innermost of Saturn's moons. It isn't big enough to hold a round shape, so it is somewhat ovoid with dimensions of 129 x 122 x 119 miles. Its low density suggests it consists almost entirely of water ice, which is the only substance ever detected. SOURCE: NASA Advertisement

Also known as Saturn I, due to it being the closest to the ringed world, Mimas has a total surface area slightly less than the land area of Spain.

That surface bears none of the fracturing, or evidence of melting that astronomers and planetary scientists would expect to see from a world with a hidden ocean.

'When we look at a body like Mimas, it is a little, cold, dead rock,' Alyssa Rhoden, lead author of this new study told New Scientist.

'If you put Mimas in a gallery with a bunch of other icy moons, you would never look at it and say "oh, that one has an ocean".'

As well as it baring no signs of having an ocean, none of the accepted theoretical models of moon formation suggest it should have an ocean.

However, observations from 2014, taken by Cassini, show the moon wobbling as it spins, suggesting something strange going on under the ice.

At the time researchers suggesting there was water under the icy shell, and so, since then astronomers have been attempting to see whether that is the case, and how it is possible.

Rhoden told New Scientist that researchers set out to prove that Mimas can't have an ocean  because it seemed so unlikely.

The problem is, the scientist explained, that they did find evidence of an ocean, and findings backed up earlier observations from Cassini.

They performed simulations of how the interior is stretched and heated by Saturn's gravity, and what that would do the an icy outer shell.

The heating was enough to support a global ocean of liquid water, as much as 18 miles below a thick crust of ice, deep enough not to crack the surface.

Cassini measurements of Mimas' physical properties are either explained through a non-hydrostatic core, or a global liquid ocean as much as 20 miles below the ice.

A combination of tidal heating, caused by the pull of Saturn, played a bearing on the inner-world ocean developing, as well as its eccentricity and libration.

There are no hints of any liquid water, when looking at the moon in images and from observations, according to experts, but simulations by the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado, suggest there is one, deep underneath the blanket of ice

Measurements taken by the NASA Cassini spacecraft in 2015 hinted there might be some water under the surface, but this hasn't been confirmed until now

'An ocean within Mimas would be surprising, given the lack of comparable geologic activity to that observed on other ocean-bearing moons like Europa and Enceladus, and thus has important implications for the prevalence and identification of ocean worlds,' the researchers wrote in a paper published in the journal Icarus.

'We find that, using the most reasonable assumptions, Mimas would have the suggested ocean and ice shell thicknesses today.'

This would put it under the category of 'stealth world's'  that is icy moons with an unexpected ocean buried beneath its surface.

'There are a lot of icy satellites in our solar system, and if Mimas could be an ocean world, any of them could be ocean worlds,' Rhoden said.

'The more we understand the pathways by which we can form an ocean, the more we're going to learn about the habitats that are available in our solar system.'
A single tumble dryer in the home can release 120 million microfibres into the air every year, a new study warns.

Scientists have estimated the number of the two most common textile fibres that leak from a household vented tumble dryer into surrounding air  cotton and polyester.

Results suggest tumble dryers release up to 40 times more microfibres into the air than washing machines do into water, when comparing loads of the same size.

Microfibres are microscopic particles that come loose from textiles and clothing, thinner than a human hair and invisible to the naked eye.

Although scientists are still trying to fully determine the health effects of inhaling microfibres, they're thought to cause respiratory problems and even hinder the recovery of our airways following viral infections.

Although its known that washing clothes releases microfibres into wastewater, its unclear how drying impacts the environment. Now, a study reports that a single dryer could discharge up to 120 million microfibres annually - more than from washing machines

Image of blue and yellow microfibres released from polyester textiles, acquired using a Nikon microscope by the researchers of this new study

WHAT ARE MICROFIBRES? Microfibres are microscopic particles that come loose from textiles and clothing, thinner than a human hair and invisible to the naked eye. They come from natural fabrics, such as cotton, or synthetic ones, such as polyester - which are also considered to be microplastics. 'Fast fashion' plays a big role in microfibre pollution of airways and waterways. Advertisement

Microfibres can come from natural fabrics, such as cotton, or synthetic ones, such as polyester  which are also considered to be microplastics.

The study was led by Professor Kenneth Leung at the department of chemistry at City University of Hong Kong.

'Our estimate of airborne microfibres from tumble drier is generally greater than the number of microfibres generated by a washing machine,' Professor Leung told MailOnline.

'Also, the wastewater [from washing machines] would go to sewage treatment plant which further removes the microfibres.'

One estimation of how many microfibres washing machines release, 137,951, is from a 2016 study, although Professor Leung and his team also looked at other prior studies.

It's already known that when we wash our clothing, the washing machine can leach thousands of microfibres into our waterways, rivers and oceans.

These floating microfibres are then eaten by marine life, many of which are caught for human consumption, meaning the fibres enter our system too.

But so far it's largely been unclear how exactly tumble drying impacts the environment.

Illustration shows the journey made by tiny fibres that detach from our clothing during tumble drying

Image of white microfibres released from cotton textiles, acquired using a Nikon microscope

MICROFIBRES CAN HINDER THE RECOVERY OF OUR AIRWAYS FOLLOWING VIRAL INFECTIONS Inhaling microfibres can hinder the recovery of our airways following viral infections, experts have claimed. The Dutch scientists performed experiments to model human breathing with lung 'organoids' - mini-lungs grown using stem cells. 'We observed that the presence of particularly nylon microfibres had a negative impact on the growth and development of airway organoids,' they said in their pre-print paper. Breathing in synthetic fibres may make it more difficult for lungs to recover from diseases such as Covid-19. Advertisement

So, the researchers wanted to count the microfibres generated by cotton and polyester clothing in a dryer to estimate the amount released into the outdoor air from a households laundry each year.

The researchers separately tumble dried clothing items made of polyester and those made of cotton in a dryer that had a vent pipe to the outdoors.

Researchers used the capacity of a common household washing machine  approximately six to seven kilograms.

As the tumble dryer ran for 15 minutes, they collected and counted the airborne particles that exited the vent and transported the samples to the lab to view fibres under microscopes.

The results showed that both types of clothing produced microfibres, which the team suggests comes from the friction of clothes rubbing together as they tumbled around.

For just a 15-minute drying cycle, the estimated number of microfibres produced per dryer was estimated to be 433,128 for 6kg of cotton textiles, and 561,810 for 7kg of polyester textiles, Professor Leung said.

'In contrast, a washing load of polyester-cotton blend has been estimated to release an average of 137,951 microfibres into the drain based on a previous study,' Professor Leung told MailOnline.

For both cotton and polyester, the dryer released between 1.4 and 40 times more microscopic fragments generated by washing machines in previous studies for the same amount of clothing, based on various prior studies.

Illustration of the team's experimental set-up., with air from a tumble dryer passing through a duct and vented directly to the outdoors before being collected by an air sampler

Interestingly, the team also found that the release of polyester microfibres increases with more clothes in the dryer, whereas the release of cotton microfibres remains constant regardless of the load size.

The researchers suggest this is because some cotton microfibres aggregate and cannot stay airborne  a process that doesn't happen for polyester.

Finally, the team estimated that between 90 and 120 million microfibres are produced and released into the air outside by the average single Canadian households dryer every year.

To control the release of these airborne microfibres, additional filtration systems should be adapted for dryer vents, they say.

Air in tumble dryers often passes through a duct and is vented directly to the outdoors, so tumble dryers are an significant source of microfibre contamination in nature, although some emit air directly into the home too, and other don't emit air into the surroundings at all.

'From our observation, most household tumble driers in Hong Kong and in Europe are connected to a venting duct (pipe) leading to outdoors,' Professor Leung told MailOnline.

'However, there are driers for commercial laundry shops that operates in an enclosed system without releasing air nor fibres.'

Releasing microfibres into the environment is also a concern because they can adsorb and transport pollutants long distances. Also, the fibres themselves can be irritants if they are ingested or inhaled.

The study has been published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
A 19-year-old hacker claims to have taken over more than 20 Tesla vehicles in 10 countries through a software vulnerability.

David Colombo, who is based in Germany, shared the feat on Twitter saying the fault does not fall on the Elon Musk-founded company, but on owners of the Teslas.

The flaw is said to have been found in third-party software that allowed Colombo to unlock doors and windows, start the cars without keys and disable security systems.

He also tweeted the vulnerability lets him use the internal Tesla cameras to spy on the driver.

Colombo told DailyMail.com that it is not a vulnerability in Teslas infrastructure but indeed caused by the Tesla owners and a third party, he said, confirming it is a third part software that is at fault.

Im in contact with the Tesla Product Security Team as well as the third party maintainer to coordinate disclosure and get the affected owners notified as well as a mitigation/patch for the vulnerability rolled out.

The issue with the software is how it stores the Tesla owners information that is needed to link the cars to the program.

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A 19-year-old hacker claims to have taken over more than 25 Tesla vehicles in 10 countries through a software vulnerability

In the tweet thread, he states it is possible for him to remotely unlock the doors and start driving the Tesla.

However, he is unable to intervene with someone driving (other than starting music at max volume or flashing lights).

Although Colombo has not provided details of the software, Twitter users are making their own guesses.

Tyler Corsair tweeted: These owners utilized an open-source project called Teslamate and then configured it incorrectly (partially the dev's fault for setting bad default configurations) so that anyone could access it remotely.

Colombo (pictured) told DailyMail.com that it is not a vulnerability in Teslas infrastructure but indeed caused by the Tesla owners and a third party, he said, confirming it is a third part software that is at fault

The flaw is said to have been found in third-party software that allowed Colombo to unlock doors and windows, start the cars without keys and disable security systems

Teslamate is a self-hosted data logger and visualization tool for your Tesla.

Corsair posted several updates from similar third-party software companies, stating they had seen Tesla accounts disconnect from the service - all of which was due to Colombo infiltrating the systems.

These include TezLab, TeslaFi, TeslaTip and keemut.

Corsair tweeted: This seems to not be impacting all installations (seems less likely if authenticated within the last few months) which is great! Many third-party services have been impacted by this in different ways. For most, just reconnecting your Tesla Account will resolve the issue.

He continued to explain in another tweet that Colombos warning is not as dramatic as it may seem.

Tyler Corsair, however, thinks Colombo's warning is just to gain likes and followers. Colombo told Daily Mail: ''I dont think Im trying to make this look worse at it is'

This security researcher (@david_colombo_) appears to be over-hyping the severity of this issue just for follows, so pretty safe to disregard their thread, Corsair tweeted.

Colombo told DailyMail.com in response to Corsair's tweet: 'I dont think Im trying to make this look worse at it is.

'But I fully understand that theres a lot of hype and speculation around this due to the limited details Im able to provide to the public at this point in the disclosure.'

He continued to explain that if it was not an issue than the Tesla Security team would not be investigating it.

'If my reports to the involved parties would not have some kind of severity then the Tesla Security Team would probably not investigate this issue, the third-party maintainer would probably not release patches in connection to this and tech / cyber security reporters with access to my writeup probably would not have reported on this issue in the way they do,' Colombo said in a direct message.
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By the time Harry Kane's goal was wiped-out on video evidence, just past the hour, Tottenham knew this tie was not for turning.

Referee Andre Marriner had tried his best to make it a contest. Twice he awarded penalties to Spurs, twice reversing his decision because both were clearly wrong, and then Kane found the net only to discover he was half a yard offside.

VAR did its job on this occasion, and Antonio Conte fumed in comic fashion on the touchline, his only consolation more evidence to support the frank views he expressed during a recent recruitment meeting with chairman Daniel Levy.

Antonio Rudiger (right) scored the only goal of the second leg against Spurs to book Chelsea's spot in the Carabao Cup final

Rudiger's header from a corner in the 18th minute went in off the underside of the crossbar to give Chelsea the lead

The German didn't know much about it, with the ball hitting the back of Rudiger's head before it went in

Rudiger celebrates with Romelu Lukaku (left) after giving Chelsea the lead during the first half of the second leg

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS TOTTENHAM: (3-4-2-1) Gollini 5; Tanganga 6, Sanchez 6, Davies 6; Royal 6.5, Winks 6 (Skipp 81), Hojbjerg 7, Doherty 5 (Sessegnon 65, 6); Lo Celso 5 (Gil 71) Moura 7; Kane 6.5

Subs not used: Lloris (GK); Rodon, Alli, White, Scarlett, Paskotsi Goals: None Bookings: None Coach: Antonio Conte 6 CHELSEA: (4-2-2-2) Arrizabalaga 7; Azpilicueta 6.5, Christensen 7 (Silva 66, 6.5), Rudiger 8, Sarr 6; Jorginho 6.5, Kovacic 7 (Kante 77); Mount 6 (Ziyech 66, 6), Hudson-Odoi 6.5; Lukaku 6, Werner 6 (Alonso 66, 6) Subs not used: Bettinelli, Kante, Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Havertz Goals: Rudiger (18) Bookings: None Coach: Thomas Tuchel 6.5 Referee: Andre Marriner 6 Man of the Match: Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea) Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Attendance: 45,603 Advertisement

Tottenham have a long, long way to go before they can once again claim to be the equals of Chelsea, who stride into a third major final under Thomas Tuchel, with an aggregate 3-0 win thanks to a first-half header by Antonio Rudiger.

His goal involved an element of fortune but Tuchel's team deserved victory over two legs, and their enviable squad strength was on display as quality substitutes including Thiago Silva and N'Golo Kante were sent on to see it out.

As they pursue more honours, another piece of silverware eludes Spurs, without a trophy since 2008. Out of Europe, albeit on a technicality, off the pace in the Premier League and out of the Carabao Cup.

The FA Cup is all that stands between them and a winless stretch of 15 years, and the Chelsea fans delighted in their misery. 'Tottenham Hotspur, it's happened again,' they sang with delight, as the home fans left early.

Spurs reached the final of this competition last season only to sack Jose Mourinho, the manager identified and employed at great expense to end the long wait, just days before they walked out at Wembley.

Now they have another ex-Chelsea man at the helm, hoping he could be the alchemist Mourinho wasn't but Conte, reared on relentless success at Juventus, knows this will be the ultimate test of his coaching abilities.

The manager is not the key to the trophies to Stamford Bridge, although they have had some very good ones. The key is the investment of Roman Abramovich and the squad of world-class players assembled.

Conte has a very different job on his hands at Tottenham and it may prove the ultimate test of his talents but, on Wednesday night, his attempts to tinker a way back into the tie with a change of goalkeeper did not go to plan.

Pierluigi Gollini, preferred to captain Hugo Lloris, came crashing from his line in an attempt to punch a corner clear in the 18th minute. Gollini missed the ball and it struck Rudiger's head as he faced away from goal, and bounced into the net.

The early goal doused the optimism inside the stadium. Chelsea were in total control and might have scored more.

Spurs came close to equalising shortly after when Japhet Tanganga headed a corner towards the back post to Harry Kane

But Tottenham's stand-in captain could not get a boot to the flick-on, seeing the ball flash wide of the upright

Tottenham were awarded a penalty when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (left) was brought down by Rudiger in the first half

The Danish midfielder tumbles inside the box, leading to referee Andre Marriner pointing to the spot in Spurs' favour

However, with the help and intervention of VAR, Marriner overturned his initial call and awarded Spurs a free-kick instead

Timo Werner lobbed an early chance over the bar when Davinson Sanchez headed the ball to him, just outside the Spurs penalty area. Romelu Lukaku burst onto a long pass out of defence, held Ben Davies at bay and forced a save from Gollini.

Tuchel, with champions Manchester City away on Saturday, started with a back-four rather than his usual back-three with wing-backs and this alternative shape enabled him to play Werner and Lukaku as twin strikers.

In theory, the system ought to suit them both, with Lukaku free to operate in the channel where he can run into space and threaten goal on his left foot but once they were three-up in the tie, Chelsea lost a little of their attacking focus.

Lucas Moura was then played through on goal and went down under Kepa's challenge inside the Chelsea box

Referee Marriner once again pointed to the spot and gave Tottenham a penalty for the challenge from the goalkeeper

However, Mike Dean on VAR instructed Marriner to look at his decision on the screen, where he later changed his mind

Tottenham responded and created opportunities either side of the interval, the closest a glancing header from Sanchez almost turned in by Kane at the back-post. Kepa Arrizabalaga also made saves from Emerson Royal.

Spurs thought they had a route back into the contest, late in the first half, when referee Marriner awarded a penalty for a foul by Rudiger, sliding into a challenge on Hojbjerg as he forged forward.

But the replays showed the initial contact was made outside the penalty area. The officials changed the decision to a free-kick, taken by Giovani Lo Celso and headed away by Rudiger, as he leapt up in the defensive wall.

Tottenham did get a goal back when Kane tucked the ball into the back of the net during the second half

Arrizabalaga raises his arm for the offside flag as Kane smashes the ball into the back of the net in north London

However, Kane's goal was chalked off with VAR stepping in to say that he was in an offside position when he got the ball

Chelsea had Spurs where they wanted them and risked little in the second half, prepared to dig in and defend, although they would require another intervention from VAR when Kane broke clear and slipped a pass to Lucas Moura who was tackled by Arrizabalaga, rushing out.

Again, Marriner pointed to the spot. Again, he was forced to reverse the decision. The Chelsea keeper had won the ball well. Then came Kane's disallowed goal.

Arrizabalaga and his centre-halves were caught trying to play their way out of defence. Kane found the net but the imaginary TV drawn in the air by Marriner's hands signalled the end for them. Their fans groaned and headed for the exit. The wait goes on.

Scroll to re-live the minute-by-minute action with Sportsmail
Jurgen Klopp is convinced Mohamed Salah will play at the highest level for many years and has reiterated his belief that there are no worries about his top scorer's future.

Liverpool tackle Arsenal in the first leg of their rearranged Carabao Cup semi-final and Klopp is 'desperate' to take his team back to Wembley for the first time since they were beaten in the final of the same competition by Manchester City in 2016.

It is a significant assignment for Liverpool, who have lost ground on City in the title race, but has been overshadowed by the latest chapter in the long-running saga of Salah's desire to get a new contract.

Jurgen Klopp has insisted Liverpool fans don't need to worry about Mohamed Salah's future

Talks have dragged between Salah and Anfield chiefs over sorting new terms for the star man

He stressed in an interview with GQ that he is not looking for 'crazy stuff'.

Klopp is aware of the growing interest about whether Liverpool will extend the Egyptian's deal beyond 2023.

Salah will be 31 in summer 2023 but his manager is adamant he can match the longevity of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and play deep into this decade.

Salah has scored 23 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool this season

'It's his character,' said Klopp. 'It is his determination, the way he trains, his attitude, work-rate. It's incredible. First in, last out, doing the right stuff. You can do some not-so-good things when you spend so long in the gym and the training ground, but he knows his body, he knows what to do.

'He listens to the experts here and tries to improve all the time. He tries to improve for the situation he is in now and he will not waste it by doing less.'

Asked why it was taking so long to resolve the impasse - Salah first made noises about a new contract in December 2020 - Klopp replied: 'Things take time. There are so many things you have to do and, by the way, there is a third party. The agent is there as well.

'But there's nothing to worry about. Mo has a contract here until next season. It's just the situation. All fine, not done, but we had talks. He's world class, an unbelievable player who did a lot of great stuff for Liverpool. Of course we want to keep him.'

Klopp emphatically backed Salah, 29, to maintain his current standard well into his 30s

Klopp is considering playing first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker on Thursday. This might be an unloved competition but the manager came alive when he was pressed on his determination to take Liverpool all the way.

This could be the club's best chance of winning a trophy this season, even though Klopp does not see it that way.

'We always wanted to do well in this competition,' said Klopp. 'There is a complete misunderstanding. We are here to win trophies and and we are quite determined to get through, but there is a big hurdle in Arsenal in really good shape. If anyone thinks we don't want to win, I can't help it. We try every day.'
Newcastle have launched a fresh bid for Sevilla centre back Diego Carlos, according to reports.

The Magpies have reportedly seen an opening offer of 25million rejected by the LaLiga side but the club's hierarchy have returned with an improved bid.

Newcastle are now waiting for Sevilla to respond to their latest attempt to sign the defender, according to the Telegraph.

Newcastle have made a fresh bid for Sevilla's Brazilian defender Diego Carlos (pictured)

Eddie Howe is said to be on the hunt for a new centre back in the club's first transfer window since its mega-money Saudi takeover.

The Magpies' backline have conceded 42 goals so far this season and, despite signing full back Kieran Trippier last week, the club are still in desperate need for reinforcements at the heart of defence.

Newcastle have stepped up their efforts in the pursuit of 28-year-old Carlos and hope to have a deal agreed ahead of their relegation six-pointer with Watford on Saturday.

The Magpies are waiting for Sevilla to respond to their latest attempt to sign the 28-year-old

The North East outfit had been linked with a move for Lille's Sven Botman but talks look to have stalled.

Lille, who are eighth in the top-flight in France, are understandably keen to keep hold of the impressive young stalwart.

Instead Newcastle could double their efforts to lure Carlos to St James's Park and the Brazilian is believed to be keen on the move.
5 Seconds of Summer guitarist Michael Clifford has revealed he and partner Crystal Leigh married in secret at their home one year ago.

The pair shared a series of stunning images from their intimate ceremony and reception with People magazine this week as they marked their one-year wedding anniversary.

They also excitedly announced the news on social media, with Michael, 26, saying he 'couldn't wait any longer to make Crystal Mrs Clifford'.

Just married! 5SOS guitarist Michael Clifford revealed to People this week that he secretly tied the knot with longtime partner Crystal Leigh a YEAR ago. Pictured on their wedding day

In one image, the pair pose for a selfie and proudly show off their new wedding bands.

In another, former talent manager Crystal, 32, looked stunning in a white long sleeve gown with a plunging neckline and a diamante and pearl choker.

Speaking to People, the pair said they tied the knot with their bridal party and groomsmen at their home in the US, but will be hosting a bigger wedding for their parents and wider family sometime soon in Bali.

So many celebrations: Speaking to People, the pair revealed they tied the knot with their bridal party and groomsmen by their side at their home in the U.S, but will be hosting a bigger wedding for their parents and wider family sometime soon in Bali

Here comes the bride! Crystal stunned on the day wearing two wedding dresses from the designer Galia Lahav, while Michael wore a suit from Yves Saint Laurent. Crystal is seen wearing a gown by the designer in a dress fitting, but not the wedding dresses she chose

They will also honeymoon in Bali.

They put off their lavish overseas nuptials due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but decided to keep their original January 2021 wedding date by getting married at their home in Los Angeles.

Michael and Crystal hosted a lavish celebration in their backyard, with rows of tables set up underneath fairy lights and adorned with elaborate floral displays.

Guests included Michael's 5SOS bandmates Luke Hemmings, bassist Calum Hood, and drummer Ashton Irwin.

Close: Guests included Michael's 5SOS bandmates Luke Hemmings, bassist Calum Hood, and drummer Ashton Irwin

Crystal stunned on the day in not one, but two wedding dresses from the designer Galia Lahav, while Michael wore a suit from Yves Saint Laurent.

Her first gown featured a bustier neckline and an A-line skirt with semi-sheer detailing and crystal embellishment.

She then changed into a white long sleeve gown, looking every inch the blushing, and modern bride.

'We were most excited to be near our friends all together for the first time in a while due to COVID,' the pair told People.

They added: 'To be officially married, even in secret, was so special for us too  officially Mr. and Mrs.'

'To be officially married, even in secret, was so special for us too  officially Mr. and Mrs,' they told People

For food, Michael revealed they mixed classic Australian dishes with some vegan delights.

'It was definitely a random assortment of meat pies and vegan fried chicken. Turns out they go together pretty nicely,' he joked to the publication.

The pair saved traditional aspects of a wedding for their Bali nuptials, including reciting their wedding vows so Crystal could share some special moments with her mother.

Michael and Crystal, who live in Los Angeles, got engaged in January 2019.

They first went public with their romance in 2017.
Zoe Kravitz stars as a surveillance app snoop in a chilling new trailer for the Steven Soderbergh thriller KIMI.

KIMI is the name of an Alexa-type device that exists in normal people's private homes - and records their every move for the company's use.

One of the people charged with eavesdropping on KIMI owners is Zoe's character Angela, who in a new trailer for the film overhears a shocking murder.

Watcing her back: Zoe Kravitz stars as a surveillance app snoop in a chilling new trailer for the Steven Soderbergh thriller KIMI

Angela's official job title is 'voice stream interpreter' and she works from home, which is an arrangement perfectly suited to her circumstances.

Not only is she an agoraphobe herself, but the coronavirus pandemic is raging and many people are self-isolating anyway.

Angela has a KIMI in her own home and frequently asks the app questions, leaving open the possibility that she herself is being surveilled.

But as she goes through her daily tasks of listening in on other people's home lives what she mostly hears is inane chatter about needing 'more kitchen paper.'

There it is: KIMI is the name of an Alexa-type device that exists in normal people's private homes - and records their every move for the company's use

Uh oh: One of the people charged with eavesdropping on KIMI owners is Zoe's character Angela, who in a new trailer for the film overhears a shocking murder

Staying home: Angela's official job title is 'voice stream interpreter' and she works from home, which is an arrangement perfectly suited to her circumstances

In house: Not only is she an agoraphobe herself, but the coronavirus pandemic is raging and many people are self-isolating anyway

What if?: Angela has a KIMI in her own home and frequently asks the app questions, leaving open the possibility that she herself is being surveilled

Tedium: But as she goes through her daily tasks of listening in on other people's home lives what she mostly hears is inane chatter about needing 'more kitchen paper'

However on one of the voice streams assigned to her she overhears what seems to be a woman being murdered by a man.

Zoe takes the issue to her superiors at the KIMI company - only to discover that none of them wants anything to do with the case.

'The devices pick up lots of things,' one company apparatchik tells her. 'Mark this degraded audio and delete it.'

In a scenario reminiscent of Rear Window she begins peering through her window at her neighbors and people outside, unable to leave home because of her condition.

However: On one of the voice streams assigned to her she overhears what seems to be a woman being murdered by a man

Frustrating: Zoe takes the issue to her superiors at the KIMI company - only to discover that none of them wants anything to do with the case

No progress: 'The devices pick up lots of things,' one company apparatchik tells her, adding: 'Mark this degraded audio and delete it'

Shut in: In a scenario reminiscent of Rear Window she begins peering through her window at her neighbors and people outside, unable to leave home because of her condition

At one point, possibly in response to a suggestion she step out, she says: 'I am not capable and you know it,' adding: 'I think a woman might need help.'

Angela does what she can from home, calling up her friend Darius (Alex Dobrenko) who can procure her the 'device number' and 'admin code' of her victim.

However ultimately her suspicions about the murder grow so intense that she is forced to overcome her agoraphobia and exit her apartment.

With her mask on amid the pandemic, Angela heads to the company offices, which use eye recognition technology to allow her inside.

Fear: At one point, possibly in response to a suggestion she step out, she says: 'I am not capable and you know it,' adding: 'I think a woman might need help'

Helping hand: Angela does what she can from home, calling up her friend Darius (Alex Dobrenko) who can procure her the 'device number' and 'admin code' of her victim

Off she goes: However ultimately her suspicions about the murder grow so intense that she is forced to overcome her agoraphobia and exit her apartment

On the way: With her mask on amid the pandemic, Angela heads to the company offices, which use eye recognition technology to allow her inside

There she meets one of her superiors Kennedy, played by Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson, who becomes yet another obstacle in Angela's path.

'I have to know what we're dealing with,' says Kennedy, to which Angela replies: 'We're dealing with what sounds like a premeditated murder.'

'How do I know that?' asks Kennedy skeptically, noting also: 'I understand that you have taken some mental health leave in the past.'

Not having it: There she meets one of her superiors Kennedy, played by Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson, who becomes yet another obstacle in Angela's path

Saying her piece: 'I have to know what we're dealing with,' says Kennedy, to which Angela replies: 'We're dealing with what sounds like a premeditated murder'

Cynic: 'How do I know that?' asks Kennedy skeptically, noting also: 'I understand that you have taken some mental health leave in the past'

Angela is perplexed that her mental health leave is 'in my file' but her pleas that Kennedy 'call the FBI' fall on deaf ears.

In an eerie moment near the end of the trailer Angela is grabbed by a group of strangers hauled screaming into the back of a black van.

What appear to be the same men ask her if what they are holding is 'the only copy' of the recording that started Angela's trouble.

Taking her meds: Angela is perplexed that her mental health leave is 'in my file' but her pleas that Kennedy 'call the FBI' fall on deaf ears

Terror: In an eerie moment near the end of the trailer Angela is grabbed by a group of strangers hauled screaming into the back of a black van

'I emailed it to everyone I know this morning,' Angela says, in a line that promises to unleash even more mayhem.

The movie also stars Jane The Virgin heartthrob Jaime Camil, comedian Byron Bowers and Mike Tyson's ex-wife Robin Givens.

With a reported running time of nearly two and a half hours, the thriller is slated to be released on HBO Max on February 10.
Amanda Stanton and her entire family have all contracted COVID-19.

The reality star, 31, who shot to stardom on The Bachelor, revealed her family fell ill with the virus 'in the last month.'

Stanton revealed she suffered a 'mild' case of the disease with symptoms ranging from congestion to an achy shoulder. She also said everyone was 'vaccinated and boosted' except for her children, whom were unvaccinated.

'In the last month we have all had COVID': Amanda Stanton and her entire family have all contracted coronavirus

The Bachelor In Paradise alum broke the news on her Instagram Stories where she posted a photo of herself flashing the peace sign with closed eyes as her Golden Retriever lingered in the back.

Amanda revealed she and her fiance Michael Fogel were now 'fine' but her daughter Kinsley, nine, and parents had all tested positive. She also suspected her daughter Charlie, seven, had the disease however she has yet to be tested.

'In the last month we have all had Covid,' she wrote in a text block in the picture. 'Now that Michael & I are fine, Kins (& I'm just assuming Char too. I haven't had her tested yet) and my parents have tested positive.

'Can't wait for the girls to feel better & get back to school because it is chaotic as heck over here with everyone home all day.'

Perplexed: Stanton has no idea how she and her loved ones contracted the virus

'My symptoms were so mild': Stanton fortunately suffered from a mild case of the illness

'Kins is sniffly': Stanton also updated fans on the health of her children, whom are unvaccinated

Amanda has 'no idea' how she and her family contracted the illness.

'We really have no idea how any of us got it,' she said on her IG Stories. 'We don't know if we all got it from each other, if we all got it somewhere else and it's just coincidental that we got it at the same time.'

She also speculated her children may have contracted COVID after coming into contact with school friends who later tested positive.

'The girls' school called me last Tuesday morning saying that both of the kids separately were exposed at school. Two of their friends they hang out with at school had both tested positive that they were around the day before. So it's likely that they got it at school, but we don't really know.'

Taking precautions: Stanton said they were all 'vaccinated and boosted' aside from her children

Family matters: Stanton shares her two children with her ex-husband Nick Buonfiglio

Her youngest daughter got sick last month yet tested negative, however Amanda is beginning to suspect she may have actually had COVID.

Her eldest daughter 'is sniffly and has been sleeping a lot... but is feeling OK for the most part.' She also revealed both of her children were unvaccinated.

Fortunately Amanda suffered a mild case of the disease.

She said yes! Amanda made headlines last month after she became engaged to Michael after one year of dating

She described her symptoms: 'Ok so the crazy part about the lack of tests right now is that I truly wouldn't know I had it if I didn't take a test. Which is exactly why it's spreading so fast because people are out & about and don't even know they have it.

'My symptoms were mild and could have easily been overlooked or blamed on something else. They also came in waves. I'd feel totally normal one day & then the next day feel a little congested. One day my shoulder was achy. I sneezed a few times. I felt more tired in the morning than usual. But that's about it.

'But it is definitely not the same for everyone and I have friends who were extremely sick,' she posted.

Amanda made headlines last month after she became engaged to Michael after one year of dating.

Amanda shot to stardom after attempting to find love on Ben Higgin's season of The Bachelor. She returned for a few more shots at love on subsequent seasons of Bachelor In Paradise.

She shares her two children with her ex-husband Nick Buonfiglio.
A public healthcare worker in Bupyeong District, Incheon, participates in a mock distribution drill of oral COVID-19 pills, Wednesday. Yonhap



By Lee Hyo-jin



Korea will receive its first shipment of COVID-19 antiviral pills on Thursday, which the government plans to use on elderly patients aged 65 and over, along with immunocompromised patients at risk of developing critical health issues.



The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Wednesday that 21,000 courses of Paxlovid, the oral COVID-19 pills developed by Pfizer, will arrive on Thursday and will be dispensed from Friday.



The initial batches are among the 762,000 the government has purchased from the pharmaceutical company. The ministry added that 10,000 more doses are expected to be delivered by the end of January.



As the initial delivery is highly limited, the government has decided to limit eligibility on a priority basis: people aged 65 and older and those with weak immune system, who are experiencing mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.



The authorities noted that eligibility will be adjusted or expanded depending on the supply situation and the number of patients.



Patients undergoing home treatment may be prescribed the drugs through contactless consultation with a physician. The patients' family members may pick up the pills from a designated drug store, or the pills can be delivered to their home by local government officials or pharmacists.



"Using the initial supply, we roughly estimate that over 1,000 patients per day will be administered the oral pills," Vice Health Minister Yoo Geun-hyuk said during a briefing.









Yoo also said the antiviral pills so far appear to be effective against the Omicron variant, with more study results to come.





Vice Health Minister Yoo Geun-hyuk speaks during a briefing on the government's plan to use COVID-19 antiviral pills, at Government Complex Sejong, Wednesday. Yonhap
Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac and his girlfriend Rebecca James recently celebrated their one-year anniversary.

And the couple looked stronger than ever as they went for a stroll near their home in Balmain, Sydney, after working out at the gym on Monday.

They both appeared a bit flushed after their sweat session while taking a walk down busy Darling Street.

Pump: Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac and his girlfriend Rebecca James went for a stroll near their home in Balmain, Sydney, after working out at the gym on Monday

The pair were seen chatting away before Rebecca started texting on her phone.

Affable Sam, 40, showcased his fit frame in a red T-shirt and black workout shorts.

He finished the outfit with blue sneakers and a black cap, which he wore backwards.

Fit: They both appeared a bit flushed after their sweat session walking down Darling Street

Rebecca showed off her slender figure in a printed T-shirt and bicycle shorts, which she teamed with black runners.

She went makeup free and tied her hair back in a no-fuss ponytail.

The couple recently moved in together after their one-year anniversary.

Home time: Affable Sam showcased his fit frame in a red T-shirt and black workout shorts

To mark the occasion, the Seven presenter shared a picture to Instagram of his stylist partner giving him a kiss on the cheek.

'Sure, she closes her eyes when she kisses me and imagines someone else (probz Kochie) but shes always worth it,' he wrote.

'One year since we met IRL [in real life],' he added.

Milestone: Sam and Rebecca celebrated their one-year anniversary in November

Sam's gushing post came after the couple announced they'd purchased their first property together in October.

The funnyman revealed the exciting news on social media.

'We bought a bloody house! In Sydney! Already drinking our way through the pain as we calculate the stamp duty #Pray4Us,' he wrote.
A popular anti-vax influencer is rumoured to have secretly received the Covid-19 shot, despite publicly slamming the vaccine on social media.

An anonymous Instagram user claims a 'very big' personality who is known for being against vaccines and mandates is in fact 'jabbed' but hasn't told their fans.

The rumour surfaced when Instagram watchdog account Influencer Updates recently asked its followers: 'What's something you know about an influencer that not many people know?'

Who could it be? An anti-vax influencer is rumoured to have secretly received the Covid-19 shot, despite publicly slamming the vaccine on social media. An anonymous Instagram user claims a 'very big' personality who is known for being against vaccines and mandates is in fact 'jabbed' but hasn't told their fans. Left: a stock photo; right: the post by the Instagram user

The user replied: 'Can't say who, but I know someone very big who is very anti vax but is jabbed.'

They did not identify the influencer who allegedly got the vaccine in secret.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any of the influencers mentioned in this article are secretly vaccinated against Covid-19, nor that they have lied to their followers about their vaccination status.

The Influencer Updates administrator reposted the response on their Stories, adding the comment: 'I believe that.'

While the secretly vaxxed influencer may never be identified, there is no shortage of outspoken anti-vax personalities in Australia.

Despite none of them being doctors, scientists or epidemiologists, these influencers use their online popularity to add legitimacy to whacko theories that are not only factually bankrupt, but potentially dangerous.

Misinformation: While the secretly vaxxed influencer may never be identified, there is no shortage of outspoken anti-vax personalities in Australia. Pictured: Gold Coast influencer Chloe Szepanowski, who has promoted misinformation about health on social media

Ban: One of the most controversial anti-vaxxer influencers is Anna-Rose Richards (pictured), whose Instagram was shut down in October after she repeatedly shared misinformation

One of the country's most prolific anti-vax influencers is Anna-Rose Richards, whose Instagram was shut down in October after she repeatedly shared Covid misinformation.

Richards has even likened her relentless campaign against the Covid-19 vaccine to Mother Teresa's world-changing battle for the plight of the poor and Nelson Mandela's war against legislated racism.

The triathlete wrongly says the Covid-19 jab is a 'research experiment' designed to ensure the next generation is reliant on pharmaceutical companies, rather than helping to prevent people from ending up fighting for life on ventilators.

Anti-vax poster girl: Footy WAG and influencer Taylor Winterstein became the face of the anti-vaccination movement after she revealed in 2019 she would not immunise the children she shares with former Penrith Panthers player Frank Winterstein (all pictured)

Advocate: Taylor was an ambassador for the anti-vaccination film Vaxxed, and runs workshops about the so-called 'dangers' of vaccinations and scientific medical research

Meanwhile, footy WAG and influencer Taylor Winterstein became the face of the anti-vaccination movement after she revealed in 2019 she would not immunise the children she shares with former Penrith Panthers player Frank Winterstein.

She and Frank are no strangers to promoting misinformation about health on social media, often sharing bizarre posts questioning the existence of Covid-19, the safety of vaccines and slamming lockdown restrictions.

Byron Bay influencer Sally Mustang also lost thousands of followers last year after she uploaded an Instagram essay criticising the recent spate of Covid lockdowns.

Controversial: Byron Bay influencer Sally Mustang (pictured) lost thousands of followers last year after she uploaded an Instagram essay criticising the recent spate of Covid lockdowns

No, it's not: Supporting the recent anti-lockdown rallies, Sally bizarrely wrote that science is just a 'theory'

Supporting the recent anti-lockdown rallies, Sally bizarrely wrote that science is just a 'theory' and encouraged fans to flout the lockdown restrictions.

Sally, who has attended anti-vaxxer protests in the past, also urged her followers to 'optimise their immune system' with herbs, breathing exercises and organic foods.

Gold Coast influencer Kate Szepanowski has also been vocal about her stance on vaccinations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anti-science: Gold Coast influencer Kate Szepanowski has also been vocal about her stance on vaccinations during the Covid-19 pandemic

In August, she was called out for applauding Denmark for lifting Covid lockdowns, without realising the country had opened up because of its high vaccination rate.

Her post, originally uploaded by a Swedish journalist, read: 'HUGE NEWS: Denmark has announced they will be REMOVING all Covid restrictions including the Covid passport.'

Szepanowski wrote beneath the image: 'Smart country.'

Named and shamed: Kate's sister and fellow influencer Chloe Szepanowski (pictured) is also known to peddle misinformation about Covid and follows numerous anti-vaxxer accounts

Kate's sister and fellow influencer Chloe Szepanowski is also known to peddle misinformation about Covid and follows numerous anti-vaxxer accounts.

The dangers of not being vaccinated Immunisation is an effective way of protecting people from harmful, contagious diseases. Before vaccination campaigns in the 1960s and 70s, diseases like tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough killed thousands of children. Immunisation also protects the whole community, preventing the spread of the disease - known as 'herd immunity'. Vaccination can cause a disease to die out altogether - as was the case when smallpox was eradicated in 1980 after a vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organisation. Vaccination rates are at over 93 per cent for five-year-olds in Australia. Source: Australian Department of Health Advertisement

Covid-19 can cause serious illness, ongoing health problems and death.

Being fully vaccinated significantly reduces your chances of ending up in hospital with the virus, and vaccines offer far better protection than prior infection.

Before vaccination campaigns in the 1960s and '70s, diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough killed thousands of children, whereas today in Australia dying from one of these is extremely rare.

Meanwhile, Australia recorded its deadliest day of the Covid pandemic in more than a year on Wednesday, as 42 residents died with the virus overnight amid the country's Omicron surge.

The number of new infections in NSW rose by 34 per cent to 34,759 cases as the state started recording rapid antigen tests conducted at home in daily case numbers for the first time.

Another 21 lives were also lost to the virus in NSW, a pandemic record for Australia's most populated state.

Victoria recorded 40,127 new cases - a slight increase on the 37,994 infections confirmed the day before - and 21 virus-related deaths on Wednesday.

The 42 deaths nationally is the most since September 4, 2020 - when Victoria recorded 59 Covid fatalities as a second wave of cases ripped through an unvaccinated population.

There are 112 Covid patients in intensive care in Victoria (down five from Tuesday) and 175 in NSW (up five from Tuesday).

In NSW, there are 2,242 coronavirus patients in hospital (up from 2,186 on Tuesday) and 946 in Victoria (up from 861 on Tuesday).
Former AFL WAG Nadia Bartel is set to face court in March over alleged driving offences that could land her in jail or with a large fine.

And the 36-year-old looked downcast as she took her Range Rover for a spin around Melbourne on Tuesday - the same day her charges were reported in the press.

Nadia, whose ex-husband is Geelong great Jimmy Bartel, paired a tank top with bicycle shorts and bright green $510 Bottega Veneta slides.

Out and about: Nadia Bartel looked downcast as she took her Range Rover for a spin around Melbourne on Tuesday - the same day her alleged driving offences were reported in the press

The fashion designer, who runs the womenswear label Henne, was seen clearing the mess from the driver's seat while running errands in the city.

She balanced two plastic drink cups and her iPhone in one hand, and carried a $2,460 Louis Vuitton tote in the crook of her other arm.

The mother of two locked her car door and made her way inside a building.

Ensemble: Nadia, whose ex-husband is Geelong great Jimmy Bartel, paired a tank top with bicycle shorts and bright green $510 Bottega Veneta slides

Mess: The fashion designer, who runs the womenswear label Henne, was seen clearing the mess from the driver's seat while running errands in the city

Nadia's outing coincided with media outlets reporting she'd been charged with allegedly driving while her licence was suspended and failing to update her address.

She was intercepted by Prahran Highway Patrol officers on Dandenong Road in the Melbourne suburb of Windsor at about 12.30pm on August 25, 2021.

This was just a week before she was filmed snorting white powder from a Kmart plate at an illegal party during Melbourne's lockdown.

She will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on March 24 and could face up to four months' jail or a fine of up to $4,500 for a first offence.

Plenty of baggage: She balanced two plastic drink cups and her iPhone in one hand, and carried a $2,460 Louis Vuitton tote in the crook of her other arm

Errands: The mother of two locked her car door and made her way inside a building

Nadia said she 'not aware' her driving licence had been suspended.

'In August I was pulled over by the police who advised me that I was driving on a suspended licence,' she told the Herald Sun on Tuesday.

She explained the suspension was because she'd exceeded her demerit point balance.

Bad day: Nadia's outing coincided with media outlets reporting she'd been charged with allegedly driving while her licence was suspended and failing to update her address

Police matter: She was intercepted by Prahran Highway Patrol officers on Dandenong Road in the Melbourne suburb of Windsor at about 12.30pm on August 25, 2021

'I was not aware of the suspension as communication had been sent to my previous residential address which I didn't receive,' she added.

'I would never have driven had I been aware of the suspension and my residential details have now been updated.'

It comes after the now-infamous video of Nadia breaching Covid restrictions was posted to social media by her friend Ellie Pearson during Victoria's sixth Covid-19 lockdown.

In the video, recorded on September 1, Nadia was surrounded by other women who laughed as she leaned over a cheap plate and snorted a line of white powder.

Busted: Nadia's entire world fell apart when she was caught breaking Melbourne's Covid lockdown to attend an illegal party with friends. She was filmed snorting a line of white powder off a $1.50 Kmart plate

Consequences: Nadia, Ellie and two other women were fined $5,452 each for breaching lockdown rules. They did not face criminal charges over the white-powder incident

Nadia, Ellie and two other women were fined $5,452 each for breaching lockdown rules.

After the incident was widely reported, Nadia lost well-paid sponsorship deals.

At the time, she said she was 'embarrassed and remorseful'.

'I have let you all down by my actions,' she said. 'I take full responsibility and I am committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure I make better choices in future.'

Nadia did not face criminal charges over the white-powder incident.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt channels the Bad Boy of Tech - Uber founder and CEO Travis Kalanick in the new trailer for Showtime's Super Pumped.

The 40-year-old actor portrays Kalanick in the first season of this anthology series, with each subsequent season anthology series exploring, 'a story that rocked the business world to its core and changed culture.'

Billions creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien created this new series, which follows the roller coaster ride of Kalanick from being dubbed the Bad Boy of Tech to being ousted from his own company in a boardroom takeover.

Bad boy: Joseph Gordon-Levitt channels the Bad Boy of Tech - Uber founder and CEO Travis Kalanick in the new trailer for Showtime's Super Pumped

Bad boy: Billions creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien created this new series, which follows the roller coaster ride of Kalanick from being dubbed the Bad Boy of Tech to being ousted from his own company in a boardroom takeover

The trailer begins with a smug Travis introducing himself as the founder and CEO of Uber, adding, 'and contrary to what you might have read, I am not a monster.'

Another shot features Uma Thurman as Huffington Post founder Ariana Huffington - also an Uber board member, who calls Travis, 'the notorious bad boy of tech,' as they're later seen meditating outside.

Bill Gurley (Kyle Chandler), one of Uber's board members, is seen asking Travis if he will, 'listen to wise counsel,' as Travis responds, 'I will always listen, but I will never take orders.'

Not a monster: The trailer begins with a smug Travis introducing himself as the founder and CEO of Uber, adding, 'and contrary to what you might have read, I am not a monster'

Ariana: Another shot features Uma Thurman as Huffington Post founder Ariana Huffington - also an Uber board member, who calls Travis, 'the notorious bad boy of tech,' as they're later seen meditating outside

Wise: Bill Gurley (Kyle Chandler), one of Uber's board members, is seen asking Travis if he will, 'listen to wise counsel,' as Travis responds, 'I will always listen, but I will never take orders'

One employee asks in a darkened room if 'this is legal' and the whole room laughs, while Bill talks about Travis.

'The best thing about Travis is he's willing to run through walls to win,' as Travis is seen slamming his hands on a table which frightens Austin Geidt (Kerry Bishe).

'The worst thing about him is he thinks everything is a wall,' Gurley continues.

Best thing: One employee asks in a darkened room if 'this is legal' and the whole room laughs, while Bill talks about Travis

Travis is seen telling someone that, 'if there is something that's going to kill Uber than I have to remove it as Feds are sen moving in.

Geidt tells Travis, 'You're not the one who has to pay the price,' before Travis tells his closest advisors, 'My life is on the line here, and all of you, you'll all bleed for it!'

One of the final shots shows Travis at a conference in a white suit as he tells the crowd, 'Are we super pumped?' as they erupt into applause as the trailer ends.

Price: Geidt tells Travis, 'You're not the one who has to pay the price,' before Travis tells his closest advisors, 'My life is on the line here, and all of you, you'll all bleed for it!'

Life: Geidt tells Travis, 'You're not the one who has to pay the price,' before Travis tells his closest advisors, 'My life is on the line here, and all of you, you'll all bleed for it!'

Super pumped: One of the final shots shows Travis at a conference in a white suit as he tells the crowd, 'Are we super pumped?' as they erupt into applause as the trailer ends

Kalanick founded Uber in 2009 with Garrett Camp and it quickly became one of the biggest 'unicorns' in the world - a privately held startup company valued over $1 billion.

After numerous reports about the corporate culture - including sexual harassment and discrimination - within Uber, Kalanick stepped down as CEO after a boardroom coup in 2017.

The show is based on the 2019 book Super Pumped: The Battle For Uber by New York Times journalist Mike Isaac.
Mishel Karen has been raking in thousands of dollars a month doing porn on OnlyFans.

But the Married At First Sight star's cash flow is now in jeopardy after a crazed fan started leaking her X-rated content online for free.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the distraught 51-year-old said the fan was once an adoring admirer who turned on her after she was unable to respond fast enough to his private messages while she was recovering from Covid-19.

EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight star Mishel Karen (pictured) is being targeted by a deranged fan who has started leaking her OnlyFans content online

'It is likely that the leak is related to an original, long-term fan that got upset, who had recently abused me when I was sick with Covid for not getting back to their messages immediately,' Mishel said.

'I had told my fans I was only staying online a few hours each day whilst I was sick and to be patient while I was recovering but this was not okay for him,' she added.

'The fan abused me and is now blocked. This could just be payback, which is sad. My fans are usually very kind and encouraging, as was this fan until he got very upset.'

Mishel is now having the matter investigated by OnlyFans to put a stop to any future leaks.

Broken: The distraught 51-year-old said the fan turned on her after she was unable to respond fast enough to his private messages while she was recovering from Covid-19

'OnlyFans has reassured me they are working to locate the source of the leak. It is not really fair for the majority that pay for content that someone does leak content,' she said.

As a result of the porn piracy, the grandmother is now seriously considering delaying the release of her first racy lesbian scene.

'It is also upsetting for my fans as I was due to release my first girl-on-girl video this Friday and that is now delayed or maybe cancelled depending on what comes of the investigation,' she explained.

Struggling: Mishel was bedridden with Covid last week, but her health woes weren't enough to deter the fan from wanting constant attention from her

Mishel's Covid diagnosis came just weeks after the mum of two participated in a raunchy 'content shoot' with other porn stars in a warehouse on the Gold Coast.

She shared her horrifying experience with Covid on Saturday night in a lengthy Instagram post.

In a short video, the former reality star lay down on her side and mumbled that her entire body 'aches'.

'Every part of my body aches,' she said, adding: 'My fingers ache, my back aches, my legs ache... I can feel my organs aching.'

She went on to describe the symptoms as 'not pleasant' but said she was able to make it through without having to go to hospital.

This is why we can't have nice things! As a result of the porn piracy, the grandmother is now seriously considering delaying the release of her first racy lesbian scene

Earlier this week, a leading online safety expert warned OnlyFans performers like Mishel to think carefully about the content they post online.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said there are 'downstream risks' associated with using subscription-based adult websites due to online piracy.

Ms Inman Grant told The Advertiser that while many creators feel confident having their intimate photos and videos behind a paywall, their content can easily be downloaded and distributed elsewhere without the creator's permission.

More the merrier! Mishel's Covid diagnosis came just weeks after the mum of two participated in a raunchy 'content shoot' with other porn stars in a warehouse on the Gold Coast

Having 'premium' content uploaded on third-party websites for free not only undermines the creator's business model, but it also presents a problem for adult entertainers when they choose to retire from the industry.

'If you are considering becoming an intimate content creator you need to be aware there are downstream risks,' Ms Inman Grant said.

'If you do share your intimate content, whether for a fee or free, it can be difficult to keep control of its distribution. It may end up being posted far more widely than you agreed.'

Lucrative: Mishel has been working with both OnlyFans and a new Australian version of the adult website called Aussie Fans

She continued: 'This can happen on a small scale with subscribers sharing photos, videos or screenshots with friends who have not paid the creator for them. Or it can happen on a larger scale.

'This wider distribution undermines the creator's business model  who is going to pay for something they can get for free?'

OnlyFans is a subscription-based website where content can range from something as innocent as a suggestive selfie all the way to hardcore pornography.

Leaked: Mishel was recently warned to be careful on OnlyFans because content can easily be leaked online illegally for millions of people to see for free

Mishel, a mother of two and grandmother of one, is older than most of her contemporaries at 51, and is also known for performing hardcore acts other OnlyFans models aren't prepared to do.

She is no stranger to online piracy, after one of her 'self-pleasure' videos from last February was leaked then circulated on Facebook after she posted it on OnlyFans.

Despite the leak, the blue-movie beauty recently revealed she was raking in between $5,000 and $7,000 per month as an adult entertainer.

She told The Daily Telegraph her main motivation for the X-rated career move was to financially support her family.

'Being a single mum, I have never really had extra cash to do much with or to live an extravagant life, but I just don't want my children to have to struggle to pay bills or be in debt,' she said.

No limits: Mishel, a mother of two and grandmother of one, is older than most of her contemporaries at 51, and is also known for performing hardcore acts other OnlyFans models aren't prepared to do

'Whatever I must do so they can get a deposit or loan, so they can move forward, I will do that,' she added.

Mishel, who used to work as a policy trainer in the police force, recently became a grandmother after her son Sam welcomed a baby boy with his girlfriend.

She's also a doting mum to daughter Eva, who featured on a few episodes of Married At First Sight and now works as a curve model in Brisbane.
Love Island star Margarita Smith has revealed she has had Botox injected into her armpits to stop her from sweating.

On Tuesday, the 27-year-old took to Instagram to thank her surgeon for the procedure as she enjoyed a quick jog in the warm weather.

Margarita lifted her arms up to the camera and told her 205,000 followers that she no longer sweats thanks to her injectables.

No sweat! Love Island star Margarita Smith has revealed she has had Botox injected into her armpits to stop her from sweating

'No sweat under my arms and do know why?' she said. 'Because I had a little visit to Cosmetic Avenue and that little issue has been resolved.'

The brunette bombshell added that she hated the look of sweaty armpits.

'Look at that sweat? Nup,' she mused.

Resolved: 'No sweat under my arms and do know why?' she said. 'Because I had a little visit to Cosmetic Avenue and that little issue has been resolved'

According to the Better Health Channel, Botox injections can paralyse the sweat glads and the effect from the injections can last around six to eight months.

The approximate cost for both underarms is $1,000.

Sweating is a natural part of the body.

Pricey: According to the Better Health Channel, Botox injections can paralyse the sweat glads and the effect from the injections can last around six to eight months. The approximate cost for both underarms is $1,000

Sweating is triggered by your nervous system when the temperature of your body rises allowing it to cool down.

It is normal to sweat during physical exercise in warm temperatures.

Margarita became a breakout star on Love Island Australia back in 2019, and has since been open about her use of cosmetic surgery.

At least she's honest! Margarita is not a stranger to disclosing her cosmetic work. She thanked her plastic surgeon for her new 'airbags' in an Instagram post in April of last year

The model and aged care worker gave her Instagram followers a good laugh in April when she thanked her plastic surgeon in a rather busty photo.

She posted a picture of herself posing in a bathroom wearing a purple bikini, and couldn't resist tagging the clinic where she got her breast implants.

Again, Margarita underwent the procedure at Cosmetic Avenue in Melbourne.

Another procedure? It was unclear if Margarita was referring to a recent breast augmentation, or the one she had several years ago before appearing on Love Island

The brunette wrote: '@cosmetic_avenue Thanks for the airbags, but this was no accident! #SafetyFirst.'

It's unclear if Margarita was referring to a recent breast augmentation, or the one she had several years ago, before appearing on Love Island.

She only had a brief stint on the Channel Nine dating show, entering the villa on day 28 and being dumped on day 33.

Remember her? The model and aged care worker, 27, only had a brief stint on the Nine dating show, entering the villa on day 28 and being dumped on day 33

Before and after: During Margarita's appearance on Love Island, Daily Mail Australia uncovered photos of her taken several years earlier, before her plastic surgery transformation
She launched her eponymous swimwear brand in 2013.

And Kimberley Garner continued to be her own best advert for the brand as she shared a stunning bikini snap on Tuesday.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 30, has been holidaying in St Barts and shared two stunning shots from her getaway.

Stunning: She launched her eponymous swimwear brand in 2013. And Kimberley Garner continued to be her own best advert as she shared a stunning bikini snap on Tuesday

Kimberley looked sensational as she modelled a striped black and white bikini top that offered a look at her taut abs.

She teamed the garment with a pair of white thong briefs that highlighted her enviably peachy derriere.

Kimberley captioned the snaps: 'Came here last minute just for a few days - ended up staying 2 weeks.'

Swim-suits you! The former Made In Chelsea star, 30, has been holidaying in St Barts and shared stunning shots from her getaway

She recently shared snaps of herself looking nothing short of sensational as she donned a bright yellow swimsuit.

Kimberley displayed her bronzed hue as she made the most of her post-Christmas sun-soaked getaway.

The influencer styled her blonde locks into a ponytail while she also sported a pair of sunglasses.

Kimberley enjoyed last summer with her boyfriend, and is yet to reveal his identity.

The influencer previously surprised fans when she revealed she cancelled a secret wedding and ended a long-term relationship last summer.

Speaking to MailOnline in September 2019, Kimberley confirmed she had called it quits with her former boyfriend.

The businesswoman said: 'I ended the relationship recently. It was a really wonderful three years and we are still good friends today.'
Bella Hadid flaunted her taut tummy at an ExxonMobil gas station in Los Angeles' trendy Los Feliz neighborhood on Tuesday.

There was not an inch to pinch on the 25-year-old IMG Model, who was wearing a black long-sleeve crop-top accented with fringe while pumping gas into her car.

Bella finished off her belly-baring look with grey baggy pants, white Nike sneakers, and two gold nameplate necklaces reading 'Palestine' and her birth name 'Isabella.'

California-born beauty: Bella Hadid flaunted her taut tummy at an ExxonMobil gas station in Los Angeles' trendy Los Feliz neighborhood on Tuesday

Missing from Hadid's side was her boyfriend since July 2020 - art director Marc Kalman - whom she was last pictured with on January 3 in Manhattan.

The half-Palestinian, half-Dutch socialite - who's having a 'dry January' - previously ended her on/off four-year romance with The Weeknd on August 2019.

Later, Bella shared a tribute to her mother - The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Yolanda Hadid - in honor of her 58th birthday.

Hadid - who boasts 53.2M Instagram followers - captioned the slideshow: 'Happy Birthday Mama!'

Skinny Minnie! There was not an inch to pinch on the 25-year-old IMG Model, who was wearing a black long-sleeve crop-top accented with fringe while pumping gas into her car

Errands: Bella finished off her belly-baring look with grey baggy pants, white Nike sneakers, and two gold nameplate necklaces reading 'Palestine' and her birth name 'Isabella'

Also celebrating Hadid (born van den Herik) was her 26-year-old daughter Gigi, who Instastoried a mother-daughter snap.

And 22-year-old Anwar wrote that he'll love Yolanda 'forever and always' as he reposted one of the photographs during her 15-year career as a Ford Model.

The Lyme Disease advocate is still reeling from the alleged September 29 altercation with Gigi's babydaddy Zayn Malik, which led him to plead no contest to four counts of harassment and received 360-day probation - according to TMZ.

On Tuesday, Bella gushed about being an aunt to Gigi and Zayn's 15-month-old daughter Khai.

Baby love: Later, Hadid shared a tribute to her mother - The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Yolanda Hadid - in honor of her 58th birthday

The half-Palestinian, half-Dutch socialite - who boasts 53.2M Instagram followers - captioned the slideshow: 'Happy Birthday Mama!'

'Happy birthday mamma!' Also celebrating Hadid (born van den Herik) was her 26-year-old daughter Gigi, who Instastoried a mother-daughter snap

'Happy birthday mamma!' And 22-year-old Anwar wrote that he'll love Yolanda 'forever and always' as he reposted one of the photographs during her 15-year career as a Ford Model

'Oh my gosh, she's the best,' Hadid told Daily Pop on E! News.

'I think what's amazing about having a new baby in the family is that she is the center of attention.'

The Kin Euphorics CEO was promoting Victoria's Secret 'Feel The Love' campaign ahead of Valentine's Day.

'Another way that I realized my growth - which was super important for me - was being able to be in a setting that I once felt unempowered, and to now feel so empowered and so reassured,' Bella explained.

The Lyme Disease advocate is still reeling from the alleged September 29 altercation with Gigi's babydaddy Zayn Malik (pictured December 10), which led him to plead no contest to four counts of harassment and received 360-day probation

'Oh my gosh, she's the best!' On Tuesday, Bella gushed about being an aunt to Gigi and Zayn's 15-month-old daughter Khai (2-L, pictured October 5)

Hadid told Daily Pop on E! News: 'I think what's amazing about having a new baby in the family is that she is the center of attention'

'I don't know if people understand that just as much as you would feel that it's uncomfortable to be in your underwear shooting a commercial, it is that uncomfortable. So the thing about Victoria's Secret for me now is that they really, really care about us.'

Hadid famously walked in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows for its final three years - 2016 in Paris, 2017 in Shanghai, and 2018 in Manhattan.

The 45-year-old San Francisco bra brand is attempting a rebrand as the VS Collective after highly-publicized scandals involving VS exec Ed Razek and L Brands CEO Les Wexner.

The troubled lingerie retailer previously only employed tall, thin, long-haired models - which has become tone deaf in an industry that Rihanna's Savage X Fenty has since diversified and innovated.

'I feel so empowered and so reassured now': The Kin Euphorics CEO (R, pictured December 27) was promoting Victoria's Secret 'Feel The Love' campaign ahead of Valentine's Day
She recently returned from Mexico after ringing in the New Year in style with husband Mark Wright.

And Michelle Keegan still had a holiday glow as she shared a stunning selfie on Tuesday.

The actress, 34, looked tanned and radiant in the striking snap as she smouldered down the lens while posing coquettishly with her head in hand.

Gorgeous: Michelle Keegan displayed her holiday glow in a stunning selfie on Tuesday after enjoying a Mexico trip with husband Mark Wright

Back in freezing Britain after her tropical getaway, the Our Girl star ensured she wrapped up in a green zebra print jumper, while she accessorised with gold jewellery.

The post comes after Michelle set temperatures soaring last week when she took to her Instagram stories to share a sizzling bikini-clad snap.

She showcased her incredible figure in a strapless lilac bikini top and ripped denim jeans while enjoying a cocktail- after breaking her Dry January ban.

Beach babe: The post comes after Michelle set temperatures soaring last week when she took to her Instagram stories to share a sizzling bikini-clad snap

Michelle had certainly caught the sun as she showed off her bronzed tan in black ripped denim shorts and the busty bikini top.

The former Coronation Street star donned a pair of sunglasses while her dark hair fell down her back in beachy waves.

Michelle showed she was not afraid to indulge while on holiday as she later uploaded a snap of her lunch as she tucked into a creamy pasta dish with fresh herbs and onion.

Delicious: Michelle showed she was not afraid to indulge while on holiday as she later uploaded a snap of her lunch as she tucked into a creamy pasta dish with fresh herbs

Idyllic break: The screen star jetted to Mexico to ring in the New Year with husband Mark Wright

It comes after Michelle delved into a self-help book Everything Is F*cked by Mark Manson.

In snap shared on Instagram, the former Coronation Street actress leafed through the book, which is a follow-up to The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck, with both books working to tackle anxiety and finding an 'honest version of one's self'.

As well as her self-reflection through literature, Michelle also revealed she ditched Dry January within just a matter days on the trip with her husband Mark as she was seen sipping a cocktail during her reading session.

'It was fun while it lasted!' It comes after Michelle delved into a self-help book Everything Is F*cked by Mark Manson

Michelle relaxed on a sun lounger with a bright blue cocktail and captioned her post: 'Dear New Years Resolution, Well it was fun while it lasted. Sincerely January 4th.'

The star relaxed in a copper tube top and bikini bottoms while wearing a straw hat.

The synopsis of the book is: 'Everything Is F**ked by Mark Manson is a book about hope and how we shouldn't be too dependent on it...

'Rather, we should create a world in which hope is not a means to an end but an end in itself. Hope should stem from appreciating our own insignificance in the grand scale of things however uncomfortable the truth is.

Michelle's post came after she gave her followers a glimpse at her washboard abs on Tuesday as she continued to document her sun-soaked holiday while enjoying a spicy margarita.

The screen star looked sensational in a brown bandeau top and beige shorts as she chilled out at her hotel.

In a short clip shared to her Instagram stories, the Our Girl star penned: 'Not lying my blood is now made up of 80% spicy margarita.'
Nicola Peltz has paid tribute to her late grandmother Gina in a heartbreaking post.

The matriarch passed away two years ago on the same day as Nicola's birthday, and so the model took time out from her celebrations on Tuesday to remember her late nan.

In her post, Nicola, 27, expressed her deep upset that her grandmother didn't get the chance to meet her fiance Brooklyn Beckham before she passed.

Despite having never met Gina, Brooklyn has sweetly honoured her memory with two tattoo tributes.

'Thinking you won't see me walk down the aisle breaks my heart': Nicola Peltz paid tribute to her late grandma Gina in a heartbreaking Instagram post on Tuesday

Alongside a picture with her grandmother, Nicola penned: 'The luckiest 25 years of my life were spent with you by my side and the last two I have missed you more than you will ever know.

'The thought of you not being able to watch me walk down the aisle breaks my heart into a million pieces. I wish so badly you could've met brooklyn and hugged him at least just one time.

'I miss your hugs, your advice, your smell, your everything. You were the most elegant woman I've ever met with the most magical hair and prettiest hands I've ever seen.

'I love you so much gina and there isn't a moment that goes by where I don't think of you. I wish you were here for the bad times to hug me and the good times to tell me how proud you are of me. [sic]'

Heartbreaking: Nicola, 27, expressed her upset that her grandmother didn't get the chance to meet her fiance Brooklyn Beckham before she passed - who has had two tattoos in her honour

She continued: 'I know you're with me everyday I just wish I could see you. This picture was the last time I saw you and I wish I could replay this day over and over for the rest of my life.

'Thank you for teaching me to love so fiercely. I still can't understand why you left on my birthday and I don't know if I ever will. My birthday is your day forever. [sic]'

Nicola added the quote: 'Focused in the present, sincere toward others and trusting in ourself that you cannot fail' this was your prayer and i will carry this on forever. I love you I miss you you will always be my heart [sic]'.

Brooklyn was quick to show his support as he commented: 'I wish I could of met you :( we all love and miss you so much . Focused in the present, sincere toward others and trusting in ourself, know that you cannot fail [sic].'

Tragic: The matriarch passed away two years ago on the same day as Nicola's birthday, and so the model took time out from her celebrations on Tuesday to remember her late nan

Last week, Brooklyn paid tribute in his own way as he debuted a new tattoo in memory of Gina.

The former photographer, 22, celebrated Nicola's 27th birthday with the adorable surprise on Sunday as they cosied up in bed for her Instagram Story.

His 39th inking, which sits on the left of his torso, reads: 'Focused in the present, sincere towards others and trusting in our self, know that you cannot fail.'

An emotional Nicola wrote in her caption: 'He got gina's prayer tattooed [pleading emoji] she passed two years ago today [red heart, broken red heart, praying emoji] @brooklyn beckham you're my soulmate.'

It's the second inking Brooklyn has had in tribute, last year getting Gina's name inked on his arm.

Nicola was left devastated when her grandmother died in January 2020 on her birthday.

She paid tribute to Gina on social media later in the year, 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.'
South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun, second from left, meets with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Bagheri Kani, in Vienna on Jan. 6 to discuss issues of Tehran's frozen assets under U.S. sanctions, in this photo provided by Seoul's foreign ministry. Yonhap



The United States has authorized the South Korean government to send overdue compensation to Iran's Dayyani Group under a 2018 investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.



The U.S. Treasury Department's Office Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a "specific license" on Jan. 6 to allow the Seoul government to pay compensation to the Iranian investor over a failed takeover of Daewoo Electronics dating back to 2010, according to the ministry.



Earlier this week, South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun met with U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley in Vienna on the sidelines of the talks to restore a 2015 Iran nuclear deal.



In June 2018, the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) ordered the Seoul government to pay the Dayyani family about 73 billion won (US$63 million), but the payment has not been made due to U.S. sanctions on Iran.



The ministry said the specific license, which is issued on a case-by-case basis, will allow the Seoul government to use the U.S. financial system to send money to the Dayyani family. The exact amount of money to be sent will likely be decided via follow-up consultations.



"The license is expected to serve as important grounds to promptly wrap up the ISDS case with the Dayyani family, one of the pending issues between South Korea and Iran, and it is expected to help improve bilateral relations," the ministry said in a press release.



Still, the fate of US$7 billion of Iranian assets frozen in South Korean banks depends primarily on the outcome of negotiations between Iran and the world powers, Seoul officials noted.



Though the license lifted some restrictions on Seoul's money transactions with Tehran, it was seen as an effort by Washington to make progress in the ongoing nuclear talks, with sanctions relief known to be at the heart of the discussions.



In his meetings with top negotiators from the U.S. and other nations involved in the Vienna talks, Choi shared the view that the current round of negotiations has reached "a critical juncture" and vowed to play an active role to make progress, the ministry said earlier. (Yonhap)




Brazilian bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio modeled a PatBO bikini beneath a white unbuttoned blouse and palazzo pants at the Fuso Concept Hotel in Florianopolis on Monday.

It's the new swimwear collection designed by PatBO founder and creative director Patricia Bonaldi, which will soon 'launch internationally.'

'So special to work with this talent and tell our stories together out there!' Bonaldi wrote on Instagram.

'I love this place!' Brazilian bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio modeled a PatBO bikini beneath a white unbuttoned blouse and palazzo pants at the Fuso Concept Hotel in Florianopolis on Monday

The 40-year-old CAA Model - who boasts 18.4M social media followers - revealed it was her first modeling gig of 2022 in an Instastory captioned: 'Back to work!'

Alessandra also gave her fans a 'confidential' glimpse behind the scenes as she got primped by her masked glam squad.

Meanwhile in Malibu, Ambrosio's ex-fiance Jamie Mazur Instastoried a snap of their two children - 13-year-old daughter Anja Louise and nine-year-old son Noah Phoenix.

'So special to work with this talent!' It's the new swimwear collection designed by PatBO founder and creative director Patricia Bonaldi (R), which will soon 'launch internationally'

'Love you!' Bonaldi wrote on Instagram, 'So special to work with this talent and tell our stories together out there!'

The 40-year-old CAA Model - who boasts 18.4M social media followers - revealed it was her first modeling gig of 2022 in an Instastory captioned: 'Back to work!'

In the hot seat: Alessandra also gave her fans a 'confidential' glimpse behind the scenes as she got primped by her masked glam squad

The Cut Brazil host and the 40-year-old Re/Done denim co-founder amicably ended their decade-long romance in 2018.

Alessandra rang in the new year with her boyfriend - Wilhelmina Model Richard Lee - whom she was first pictured canoodling in February 2021 at Nobu Malibu.

Richard marks Ambrosio's first public romance since ending her two-year relationship with Alanui co-designer Nicolo Oddi in winter 2020.

Chic portrait: Meanwhile in Malibu, Ambrosio's ex-fiance Jamie Mazur Instastoried a snap of their two children - 13-year-old daughter Anja Louise and nine-year-old son Noah Phoenix

Amicable co-parents: The Cut Brazil host and the 40-year-old Re/Done denim co-founder (L, pictured in 2019) ended their decade-long romance in 2018

'2022!' Alessandra rang in the new year with her boyfriend - Wilhelmina Model Richard Lee - whom she was first pictured canoodling in February 2021 at Nobu Malibu

On November 30, Rome Pays Off published lensman Stewart Shining's $95 230-page coffee table book featuring his 200 photographs of the glamorous globe-trotter spanning two decades.

Alessandra co-founded her second swimwear brand GAL Floripa with her younger sister Aline and best friend Gisele Coria in March 2019.

Ambrosio - who retired her Victoria's Secret 'wings' in 2017 - previously ran her eponymous swimwear line ale by Alessandra from 2014-2018.
Kendall Jenner has been granted a temporary restraining order against a male trespasser after he allegedly tried to get onto her Los Angeles property.

According to TMZ, the 26-year-old model headed to court on Tuesday to make the filing that was, eventually, signed off by a judge.

The court-ordered protection requires a man by the name of Arnold Babcock, 31, to stay away from Jenner until his hearing on February 1.

Granted: Kendall Jenner has been granted a temporary restraining order against a man by the name of Arnold Babcock after he allegedly tried to get onto her Los Angeles property; Kendall pictured in 2020

TMZ reported earlier this week that Babcock was stopped by security inside her gated community asking to see the reality star.

Kendall has been subject to several stalker ordeals and has previously had trespassers try to access her home and enter her land without permission.

The online news outlet claimed that the man was walking around looking for Kendall and it wasn't the first time he had been stopped for doing so.

The security officer detained Babcock until police arrived to arrest him for trespassing, however he was released just a short time later.

Safe distance: The court-ordered protection requires Babcock, 31, to stay away from Jenner until his hearing on February 1

Los Angeles County district attorney George Gascon's office rarely file charges for trespassing, which is proving frustrating to police forces, according to TMZ.

They said that they feel suspects have more of an incentive to commit crimes again.

The district attorney's office told the publication: 'Our office charges trespassing cases when appropriate based on the totality of the circumstances.'

In June, a man allegedly tried to find Kendall at her LA home and presented himself at the gate of the star's exclusive community in an attempt to see her, law enforcement sources told TMZ.

Although the guards didn't allow him to enter, he then allegedly went around them and climbed over the wall guarding the community.

Scary: In June, a man allegedly tried to find Kendall at her LA home and presented himself at the gate of the star's exclusive community in an attempt to see her; seen May 2021 LA

The guards were reportedly familiar with the man because he had made several earlier attempts to see Jenner.

Unlike his previous attempts, he then scaled the wall in order to get past the guards, though he cut his hand seriously enough to require medical attention in the process.

The police were called to the scene and the intruder was apprehended, though it's unclear if the guards got ahold of him first or if the police captured him.

Despite his attempt to scale the wall, he was reported taken into custody before he ever made it to Jenner's house.

After a trip to the hospital to attend to his cut hand, the intruder was booked for misdemeanor trespassing and released from the jail after 10 hours.

Jenner has reportedly been steering clear of the house following an earlier stalking incident, and she traveled to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, over the weekend with her friend Hailey Bieber.

In April, a 27-year-old man named Shaquan King gained entrance to her property and attempted to take a nude swim in her pool, TMZ reported.

During the frightening break-in attempt he began pounding on the doors and windows and calling out for Jenner, who was home but safe from the stalker.

After he gave up on getting her to come out, he tried to get into the pool, though he was subdued by security guards and arrested by police shortly afterward.

The catwalk star was later granted a five-year restraining order against the skinny-dipping enthusiast.

Unsuccessful: The man was subdued before he reached Jenner's house, and he was booked for misdemeanor trespassing and held for 10 hours; seen in February 2020 in London

Sister act: Kendall previously had a man try to swim nude in her pool in April, and the same person tried to terrorize Kylie; seen in February 2020

The stalker also terrorized Jenner's younger sister Kylie Jenner.

He spent only six hours in jail for trespassing on Kendall's property and headed to Kylie's home shortly after being released.

The cosmetics mogul was able to get her own restraining order against the stalker, though a judge only granted a shorter three-year order.

Kendall previously moved out of her last home, located in West Hollywood, in 2017 after she was the victim of a burglary.

She had another stalker scare earlier in April, when she told a judge that a Los Angeles Police Department detective told her that a 24-year-old man named Malik Bowker had traveled across the country with the intention of purchasing an illegal firearm to murder her.

They claimed that he then intended to kill himself.

The catwalk star was swiftly granted a restraining order against him, which required Bowker to stay at least 100 yards from her.

At the time, he was being held in a hospital's psychiatric ward, though she claimed that she feared he would seek her out after being released, TMZ reported.

So far, Jenner hasn't made any moves to sell her current home, though she doesn't appear to have any plans to return to it.
The Bachelor's Bella Varelis has denied accidentally uploading a screenshot of her bank balance on Instagram last week.

The former Bachelor star, 26, made headlines after a post briefly appeared on her Stories showing a bank app with more than $98,000 in a savings account.

But Bella told Pedestrian on Wednesday the screenshot was not of her bank account and also claimed her Instagram profile had been hacked.

Hacked: The Bachelor's Bella Varelis has claimed her Instagram was hacked after bank account details were uploaded on her Stories then swiftly deleted last week

She said: 'My Instagram was hacked. That wasn't a screenshot of my bank account.'

Bella added that she took down the Story as soon as she was able to regain access.

She insisted she did not upload the screenshot and denied any suggestion she'd posted it deliberately to show off her earnings as an influencer.

'I understand it comes with the territory but the hate messages shouldn't be,' she said.

'Didn't anyone think to themselves, "She's obviously been hacked?" Who would actually willingly share their bank details?'

Compromised: Bella told Pedestrian on Wednesday the screenshot was not of her bank account and also claimed her Instagram profile had been hacked

The bank account post was first reported on Sunday's episode of Outspoken the Podcast, hosted by journalist sisters Amy, Kate and Sophie Taeuber.

The presenters described how the bank account in question included an everyday account with $560 and a savings account with more than $98,000.

The Taubers noted that some fans felt Bella's savings did not match the lavish lifestyle she portrays on social media.

Money matters: The bank account in question included an everyday account with $560 and a savings account with more than $98,000. Bella has denied the account was hers

Bella's latest luxury purchase was a Louis Vuitton Loop handbag, valued at $3,250.

She has also shared photos on Instagram of herself in designer outfits, staying at five-star hotels and dining at trendy Sydney hotspots.

One of the Outspoken hosts said Bella's bank balance had caused a stir on Instagram because 'what influencers earn is such a big secret'.

Talking points: The bank account post was first reported on Sunday's episode of Outspoken the Podcast, hosted by journalist sisters Amy, Kate and Sophie Taeuber

Smoke and mirrors? The Taubers noted that some fans felt Bella's savings did not match the lavish lifestyle she portrays on social media. Bella's latest luxury purchase was a Louis Vuitton Loop handbag, valued at $3,250 (pictured)

They added: 'While we might get an insight into their potential earnings  designer goods and flashy lifestyle - it's always hard to determine what they're actually paid for and what they're actually gifted.'

The Taubers were impressed that Bella had managed to save up $98,000 by the age of 26, but they questioned how the screenshot of her bank account was 'accidentally' posted on her Instagram Stories in the first place.

One host noted some fans were sceptical it was even an 'accident' and suspected she had 'purposely' shared the post as a 'flex... to show how much money she has'.

All for show? The Taubers were impressed that Bella had managed to save up $98,000 by the age of 26, but they questioned how the screenshot of her bank account was 'accidentally' posted on her Instagram Stories in the first place

Bella is best known for being the runner-up on season eight of The Bachelor. She had her heart broken by Locky Gilbert, who chose nurse Irena Srbinovska instead.

She had already been working as a lower-tier influencer before joining the show.

As of Tuesday, she has 105,000 followers on Instagram. Most industry experts say an influencer needs at least 100,000 followers to make a good living off social media.
Jennifer Garner was spotted running errands in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday.

The 49-year-old Alias star was joined by her nine-year-old son Samuel, who she shares with ex husband Ben Affleck, 49.

Garner cut a casual figure in a black-and-white striped top with three-quarter sleeves and a flouncy black skirt.

To-do list: Jennifer Garner was spotted running errands in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday

Her brunette hair was noticeably damp and she appeared to be wearing little to no makeup.

The actress completed her ensemble by slipping her feet into a pair of black suede loafers.

With coronavirus cases surging, Jennifer erred on the side of caution by rocking a maroon face mask.

She zoomed around the city in a black SUV.

Youngest: The 49-year-old Alias star was joined by her nine-year-old son Samuel, who she shares with ex husband Ben Affleck, 49

Natural beauty: Her brunette hair was noticeably damp and she appeared to be wearing little to no makeup

Later in the day, Jennifer and Samuel were spotted having a chat on the sidewalk before sharing a sweet hug.

The little boy rocked a pair of patterned shorts and a grey tee and carried his belongings in a backpack.

Along with Samuel, Jennifer and her ex Ben welcomed daughters Violet, 15, and Seraphina, 12, during the span of their rocky 10-year marriage.

Easy going: Garner cut a casual figure in a black-and-white striped top with three-quarter sleeves and a flouncy black skirt

Finishing touches: The actress completed her ensemble by slipping her feet into a pair of black suede loafers

The former couple separated in 2015 just days after celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.

They'd officially file for divorce in 2017 and finalize it the following year.

After a string of relationships, including one with Cuban actress Ana de Armas, 33, Affleck has since rekindled his romance with former fiancee Jennifer Lopez.

He and the 52-year-old superstar reconnected in May 2021 after 17 years apart.

It came shortly after Lopez made the shock decision to split from fiance Alex Rodriguez.

Masked: With coronavirus cases surging, Jennifer erred on the side of caution by rocking a maroon face mask

Chatty: Later in the day, Jennifer and Samuel were spotted having a chat on the sidewalk before sharing a sweet hug

Following her 2015 divorce from Affleck, Garner dated John Miller from 2018 to 2020.

Though they had not publicly addressed their romance they were said to have split before rekindling things in the Spring of 2021.

The Alias star had sparked chatter they may have gotten engaged as she had been pictured with a ring on that finger.

Us Weekly had reported that they were taking it slow and being 'quite old-fashioned' with regards to moving in or marriage but were 'set on a long-term future together.'
Sarah Silverman took her dog for a walk on Tuesday in Los Angeles after paying tribute to late comedian Bob Saget.

The 51-year-old comedian kept it casual in a grey hoodie over a green T-shirt along with denim shorts and black leggings.

Sarah also sported a cap with a tie-dye graphic and accessorized with sunglasses and a red bandana hanging from her back pocket.

Dog duty: Sarah Silverman took her dog for a walk on Tuesday in Los Angeles after paying tribute to late comedian Bob Saget

She completed her outfit with brown hiking shoes.

Sarah held onto a black leash while walking her cute black dog in a Los Feliz park.

The former Saturday Night Live writer and featured player took to Twitter on Monday to pay tribute to Bob who died on Sunday at age 65.

'Usually when you say a comedian was really nice its a nice way of saying he wasnt particularly funny. But Bob was hilarious AND a SuperMench. Kind, silly, funny, sardonic, so special,' Sarah posted for her roughly 12.2 million followers.

Late comic: The 51-year-old comedian is shown with the late Bob Saget in May 2010 in Beverly Hills, California at a fundraiser

Casual style: Sarah kept it casual in a grey hoodie over a green T-shirt along with denim shorts and black leggings

Sarah and Bob both appeared in the 2005 documentary The Aristocrats about the famous dirty joke of the same name.

They both delivered two of the raunchiest versions of the joke in the documentary that featured top comics, including: Jason Alexander, Drew Carey, George Carlin, Phyllis Diller, Whoopi Goldberg, Gilbert Gottfried, Richard Lewis, The Smothers Brothers, Robin Williams and Steven Wright.

Bob was found dead on Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando in Florida with foul play and drug use being ruled out by authorities as a cause of death.

Really nice: The former Saturday Night Live writer and featured player took to Twitter on Monday to pay tribute to Bob who died on Sunday at age 65

His death prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media from his co-stars on Full House and his peers in the comedy world.

Sarah has a role in the Netflix satirical sci-fi film Don't Look Up that was released on December 24 on the streaming service.

She can next be seen in the romantic musical Marry Me also starring Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma and John Bradley.

Marry Me will be released by Universal Pictures on February 11 after being delayed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Love Island Australia star Anna McEvoy is finally free and out of hotel isolation in Thailand after returning Covid positive results.

On Tuesday, she shared a slew of posts to Instagram documenting what she and her boyfriend Michael Staples got up to on their first day out in Phuket.

The 29-year-old shared a spectacular view from the balcony of their hotel suite looking out to a beach.

Out and about! Love Island Australia's Anna McEvoy and her boyfriend Michael Staples finally completed their isolation in a Thailand after testing positive to Covid

She uploaded a video of herself with Michael strolling down a local street enjoying the sights and sounds.

The reality TV star then uploaded a clip of herself flaunt her glamorous makeup look and donning a glamorous black dress with cut-out details on the waist, before heading out for dinner.

She and her beau enjoyed a romantic sunset stroll along the beach on their way to the restaurant.

The blonde beauty the shared a video showing off their incredible traditional Thai meals.

Stunning: On Tuesday, the 29-year-old shared a spectacular view from the balcony of their hotel suite in Phuket that looked out to a beach

Exploring: The couple later enjoyed a stroll down a local street, enjoying the sights and sounds

Anna continued to add more videos to her post, including one from an early morning sunrise she and Michael caught together.

She showed a stunning view of the sunrise on the quiet beach, before her beau added a clip of her in a red swimsuit frolicking by the sea.

At the start of the year, Anna revealed to her Instagram followers that she and Michael had tested positive to Covid, turning her idyllic Thai getaway into a nightmare after they travelled there for the New Year.

Glammed up: The reality TV star then uploaded a clip of herself flaunt her glamorous make-up look and donning a glamorous black dress with cut-out details on the waist, before heading out for dinner

Happy together: She and her beau enjoyed a romantic sunset stroll along the beach on their way to the restaurant

Anna her dream trip dream trip to the popular tourist destination cause 'panic and confusion' for the couple.

Michael initially tested positive for Covid only for authorities to then email him saying he is 'negative,' meaning would be subject to different rules to Anna.

Anna explained the rules would have meant she is to be 'taken to hospital' while Michael would have been forced to quarantine for 14 days after she leaves.

Delicious: The blonde beauty the shared a video showing off their incredible traditional Thai meals

Morning: Anna continued to add more videos to her post, including one from an early morning sunrise she and Michael caught together on Wednesday

Anna said she was having a difficult time emotionally, with her moods 'up and down,' and saying she is trying to remain positive.

'The thing we are most concerned about is if Michael is never going to test positive. If he has to go and do 14 days isolation if he leaves me,' Anna said.

'We are assuming we can be together. But if I at some point get taken to the hospital. If they say that we could be in Thailand for a month.'

What a way to start the day: She showed a stunning view of the sunrise on the quiet beach

Beach babe: Her beau added a clip of her in a red swimsuit frolicking by the sea

Anna said a month in Thailand would be 'very expensive' for the couple - who would need to foot the bill for the hotel and flights.

'If they tell him his 14 days isolations starts we could be in Thailand for like a month, which is very scary and extremely expensive. I can't go there.'

Anna went on to say the language barrier has also been a problem, along with the hospitals being overrun with Covid patients.

Cases: At the start of the year, Anna revealed to her Instagram followers that she and Michael had tested positive to Covid, turning her idyllic Thai getaway into a nightmare after they travelled there for the New Year

'It's difficult when you're in a different country as there's a language barrier. Everyone has been nice...But there has been so miscommunications in regards to what is going on.

'Mainly because I think the hospitals are full and rules are if you have Covid you go to hospital so they don't know what to do with us.'

Anna revealed the night before she had a 'panic attack' and was struggling with her 'mental health' saying they were both 'confused and stressed'.

Together: At one point the couple were at risk of being separated by Anna had not tested positive despite being close to Michael. She eventually tested positive, and the couple quarantined together

As of January 10, Thailand has recorded 7,926 Covid cases, compared to Anna's home state of Victoria which recorded 40,127 cases on January 12.

Meanwhile, NSW continued to be going through a wave of Omicron with 34,759 cases.

Anna rose to fame on season two of Love Island alongside her former boyfriend Josh Packham with the pair pocketing a $50,000 cash prize back in 2019.

The reality TV couple split up in 2020.
She's The Bachelor star who has created a successful business with her own jewellery brand, ToniMay.

And on Wednesday, the bling-loving entrepreneur sent fans into a frenzy as she unveiled a simple hack on how to layer two necklaces at the same time.

The mother-of-two, 35, posted a video of herself to Instagram combining two same-length chains into one, to create the illusion that one is a choker.

Neat trick! On Wednesday, bling-loving entrepreneur Laura Byrne sent fans into a frenzy as she unveiled a simple hack on how to layer two necklaces at the same time

'I feel like a lot of people are going to benefit from this,' she said to her fans.

'If you have two necklaces that you want to wear together, and you want to wear one as a choker and one as a longer length necklace but the necklaces are the same length - this hack is for you.'

She then proceeded to grab two necklaces of the exact same length and flash them towards the camera, before instructing her followers what to do next.

How to: She then proceeded to grab two necklaces of the exact same length and flash them towards the camera, before instructing her followers what to do next

'What you're going to do is attach the lobster clasp one one necklace to the extension chain on the other necklace, and then you're going to have one long continuous necklace,' she said.

'What you're going to do is attach the lobster clasp one one necklace to the extension chain on the other necklace, and then you're going to have one long continuous necklace,' she said.

'You're going to take [it] and wrap it around your neck twice. Make sure you've got your pendants at the front so you can shimmy them around, and then you can easily adjust the length.

'You can pull one of them long, or you can pull the other one short - and there you go!'

'As a jewellery designer Ive picked up a few nifty tricks over the past decade - this is one of my favourites,' she captioned the video.

Life-changing: And Laura was right to think fans would be impressed with the hack, with many taking to the comments section to share their views

'I realised yesterday when I was showing a customer and her eyes almost popped out of her head that maybe a lot of people arent familiar with it.'

And Laura was right to think fans would be impressed with the hack, with many taking to the comments section to share their views.

'Thats a killer hack,' Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk said.

'Shooketh that I am 28 and had no idea about this,' one follower wrote, while another added: 'Life changing!'

'Wow game changer thanks!' one said, while a fifth chimed in: 'Mind blown!'
MasterChef Australia host Melissa Leong has received her booster shot.

Posting to her Instagram on Tuesday, the 40-year-old celebrated getting her third vaccination against Covid-19 with a series of snaps.

'BOOSTED, BABY,' she wrote alongside the gallery of images.

Feeling good: MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong celebrated getting her booster shot in Melbourne on Tuesday

In one image, Melissa cheekily winked while donning a blue and white face mask.

While the TV star's main intention was to stay protected against the virus, Melissa also basked in her beautiful surroundings by sharing additional images from inside Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building.

'When your vax centre issued mask almost matches your outfit, and the interiors are fire. Walk in lines here are short and drama free. Get it done,' she added.

Vaccine views: While the TV star's main intention was to stay protected against the virus, Melissa also basked in her beautiful surroundings by sharing additional images from inside Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building

Melissa's post comes after the hit cooking show suffered a coronavirus scare in May last year.

At the time, Melissa revealed that contestant Brent Draper was forced to forfeit the show's pressure test after he was 'exposed to a COVID hot spot'.

'As a result, he has to quarantine until he returns for Sunday's elimination. That means he will avoid tomorrow's pressure test,' she said of the 31-year-old hopeful.

News: MasterChef experienced a coronavirus scare in May last year after one of last season's contestants visited a COVID hot spot. Pictured: Judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo

'We've all agreed that to make it fair for everyone, Brent must compete in next week's pressure test, no matter what. And if he survives that, he will continue on in the competition as usual.'

Continuing to address the show's stunned contestants, she added solemnly: 'What strange times we live in.'

Melissa is a judge on MasterChef Australia, she joined in 2019, alongside Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen.
ER alum Julianna Margulies announced on Tuesday night that she tested positive for the coronavirus amid the nationwide omicron variant surge.

'I'm fine because I am vaccinated so it just feels like the flu,' the 55-year-old native New Yorker reassured her 423K Instagram/Facebook followers.

'How lucky we are to have the science that made these vaccinations? Please get vaccinated if you are not.'

'I'm fine': ER alum Julianna Margulies announced on Tuesday night that she tested positive for the coronavirus amid the nationwide omicron variant surge (pictured November 16)

Julianna buried the lead, so to speak, while gushing over how much she enjoyed the 'genius' Lin-Manuel Miranda's film Tick Tick Boom starring the 'heartbreakingly talented' Andrew Garfield.

'What a stunning film! Jonathan Larson's story is just remarkable,' Margulies wrote.

'This film and his life make you realize how precious time is and not to waste a minute of it...And thank you to the whole cast and crew of #ticktickboom.'

The Sunshine Girl author then 'loved' comedian Chelsea Handler's comment on her post: 'Feel better soon, J! I will watch that tonight while my baby [Jo Koy] is out of town.'

The 55-year-old native New Yorker wrote: 'I am vaccinated so it just feels like the flu. How lucky we are to have the science that made these vaccinations? Please get vaccinated if you are not' (pictured February 8)

'What a stunning film!' Julianna buried the lead, so to speak, while gushing over how much she enjoyed the 'genius' Lin-Manuel Miranda's film Tick Tick Boom starring the 'heartbreakingly talented' Andrew Garfield

Margulies then 'loved' comedian Chelsea Handler's comment on her post: 'Feel better soon, J! I will watch that tonight while my baby [Jo Koy] is out of town'

No word on whether Julianna is quarantining in isolation from her husband of 14 years Keith Lieberthal as they own a 2,200-square-foot SoHo apartment as well as a country house in upstate New York.

Margulies and the 44-year-old attorney were supposed to celebrate the 14th birthday of their son Kieran Lindsay next Monday.

On Monday, Apple officially renewed The Morning Show for a third season and hired a new showrunner, Charlotte Stoudt.

The MCC Theater Company board member told Variety in October she 'would be back in a jiffy' to reprise her role as UBA News anchor Laura Peterson, who's romancing Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon).

Isolating? No word on whether The Sunshine Girl author is quarantining from her husband of 14 years Keith Lieberthal (L, pictured in 2020) as they own a 2,200-square-foot SoHo apartment as well as a country house in upstate New York

Oh no! Julianna and the 44-year-old attorney were supposed to celebrate the 14th birthday of their son Kieran Lindsay (L, pictured in 2020) next Monday

'I definitely want to see more of Bradley and Laura,' ex-showrunner Kerry Ehrin - now a consultant - told Deadline in November.

'I feel like Alex has come to a place for the first time since the pilot of accepting who she is and facing her worst fears, and I want to see how the phoenix rises from the ashes for her, and learning how to have a full life and be present and loving. I know these don't sound like big, hooky plot points, but this is how I begin a story.

'I begin from what I see inside the character and what I want to experience next with them, and I feel like Alex deserves that at this point. I'm curious where the fate of UBA is going. I love the Cory-Stella relationship. I think they are a great story about sort of the transition of the old world and the new world, and I think they're both just such rich characters, and I'm excited to see how they develop.'

'Good morning!' On Monday, Apple officially renewed The Morning Show for a third season and hired a new showrunner, Charlotte Stoudt

Moving to Montana? The MCC Theater Company board member told Variety in October she 'would be back in a jiffy' to reprise her role as UBA News anchor Laura Peterson, who's romancing Bradley Jackson (L, Reese Witherspoon)
She recently starred in her first Victoria's Secret campaign since rejoining the iconic lingerie brand.

And Bella Hadid gave her 48.3 million Instagram followers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the filming of an upcoming holiday campaign on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old superstar model was pictured flaunting her stunning figure in a set of red lingerie for the outdoor photoshoot.

Red hot: Bella Hadid, 25, set pulses racing on Tuesday as she shared behind-the-scenes images and videos from a Victoria's Secret holiday photoshoot to Instagram

Bella's sizzling look featured a silky red bra with thick white straps featuring the brand's name in black block letters.

She paired it with a matching high-cut thong featuring the same thick straps riding up on her hips.

The sister of Gigi Hadid wore a glittering white belt around her flat tummy with suspender straps for her sheer red stockings, which featured a studded Victoria's Secret logo over the thicker top bands.

She completed her skimpy ensemble with open-toe white heels that strapped around her ankles.

Gorgeous: Bella's sizzling look featured a silky red bra with thick white straps featuring the brand's name in black block letters

On point: She paired it with a matching high-cut thong featuring the same thick straps riding up on her hips

Matching: The sister of Gigi Hadid wore a glittering white belt around her flat tummy with suspender straps for her sheer red stockings,

Sparkler: Her stockings featured a studded Victoria's Secret logo over the thicker top bands

Bella wore her lustrous dark brown hair with a middle part as she lie on her side on a red velvet sofa that had been placed outside in front of a tree.

Later, the sofa was moved to a new location and covered with bits of ivy, while Bella added a massive red bow on top of her head.

She included short videos in her post of workers on set arranging the plants around her body, while other clips showed a camera operator with a large stabilizing rig that hooked around his torso.

Although she showed off a more revealing look on the sofa, the catwalk star also had a playful red, black and white plaid skirt that she wore in some of her behind-the-scenes photos.

She seemed to be having a great time, and she grinned ear-to-ear as she hugged the masked photographer Zoey Grossman in one snap.

Relaxing: Bella wore her lustrous dark brown hair with a middle part as she lie on her side on a red velvet sofa that had been placed outside in front of a tree

Covered up: Although she showed off a more revealing look on the sofa, the catwalk star also had a playful red, black and white plaid skirt that she wore in some of her behind-the-scenes photos

Pals: She seemed to be having a great time, and she grinned ear-to-ear as she hugged the masked photographer Zoey Grossman in one snap

It was essential for Bella's outfit to remain unblemished, and she revealed in one photo that she wore black rain boots and had to sit on a black sheet on the ground to keep herself away from any dirt or grime.

After a successful day of shooting, she unwound with a non-alcoholic drink from Kin Euphorics, which she co-founded and has been promoting for 'dry January.'

'@VictoriasSecret Holiday campaign!' she wrote in her caption while tagging Grossman.

She didn't specify which holiday the photos and video were intended for, but the red color scheme suggested it was another Valentine's Daythemed shoot.

No messes: It was essential for Bella's outfit to remain unblemished, and she revealed in one photo that she wore black rain boots and had to sit on a black sheet on the ground to keep herself away from any dirt or grime

Self-promotion: After a successful day of shooting, she unwound with a non-alcoholic drink from Kin Euphorics, which she co-founded and has been promoting for 'dry January.'

Earlier on Monday, Bella spoke with E! News about rejoining Victoria's Secret on a more positive note after the company rebranded following complaints of sexual harassment.

Victoria Secret's Chief Marketing Officer Edward Razek was the subject of intense scrutiny in 2018 after he told Vogue that the brand's fashion show shouldn't feature transgender or plus-size models 'because the show is a fantasy,' and he stepped down the following year.

'Another way that I realized my growth  which was super important for me  was being able to be in a setting that I once felt unempowered, and to now feel so empowered and so reassured,' Bella explained.

'I don't know if people understand that just as much as you would feel that it's uncomfortable to be in your underwear shooting a commercial, it is that uncomfortable,' she continued. 'So the thing about Victoria's Secret for me now is that they really, really care about us.'

She also said Victoria's Secret would no longer be operating from a man's 'vision of what a woman is supposed to be.'

Family: Monday marked Bella's mother Yolanda Hadid's 58th birthday, and she paid tribute to the model on Instagram. 'Happy Birthday Mama,' she captioned a lovely black-and-white photo of Yolanda cuddling up with Bella and Gigi when they were still little

Sweet: Another picture from a few years earlier showed Yolanda nuzzling up against one of her infant daughters while closing her eyes

Monday marked Bella's mother Yolanda Hadid's 58th birthday, and she paid tribute to the model on Instagram.

'Happy Birthday Mama,' she captioned a lovely black-and-white photo of Yolanda cuddling up with Bella and Gigi when they were still little.

Another picture from a few years earlier showed Yolanda nuzzling up against one of her infant daughters while closing her eyes.




The founder of South Korean budget carrier Eastar Jet Co. was sentenced to six years in prison Wednesday for embezzlement of company funds and breach of trust.







A district court in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul, handed down the sentence to Eastar founder and independent lawmaker Rep. Lee Sang-jik after convicting him on several charges, including embezzlement.







The Jeonju District Court also ordered Lee's immediate detention.







Lee was indicted for causing about 43.9 billion won ($38.8 million) in losses to the airline by underselling company shares to a subsidiary owned by his children in 2015.







He was also charged with embezzling about 5.36 billion won from Eastar and its affiliates. In addition, Lee was accused of causing a loss of about 5.6 billion won to Eastar affiliates by arbitrarily raising or downgrading the value of bonds held by them, or paying off their long-term debts earlier than scheduled from 2016 to 2018.







In the previous court hearing last November, prosecutors demanded a 10-year prison term and forfeiture of 55.4 billion won.







Lee defected from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea in September 2020 amid controversy over unpaid wages, mass layoffs and corruption allegations surrounding his family. He was arrested in April last year but released on bail in October.







In a separate case, Lee was given a suspended sentence of 16 months by the same court in June last year for violating the Election Law by offering alcoholic beverages and books to voters ahead of the 2020 National Assembly elections.







Eastar Jet used to operate 23 chartered planes serving 37 short-haul international routes before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the airline industry in early 2020.







It applied for court receivership in January last year, and local property developer Sung Jung Co. acquired Eastar in November following the debt-laden carrier's stock cancellation. (Yonhap)


Sidney Poitier, who was the first Black person and Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, passed away last week at the age of 94.

And on Tuesday, the trailblazing star's daughter Sydney honored his accomplishments and the 'depth of his goodness' in a touching post shared to Instagram.

'There are no words for this. No real way to prepare for this. No prose beautiful enough, no speech eloquent enough to capture the essence of my dad,' she began.

In his honor: Sidney Poitier's daughter Sydney honored his accomplishments and the 'depth of his goodness' in a touching post shared to Instagram on Tuesday; Sidney and Sydney pictured in 2014

Along with her heartfelt words, Sydney included a snapshot of herself hugging her late father.

She continued: 'We know his accomplishments are many and that he quite literally changed the landscape for everyone who came after him. He blazed a trail through rough and hostile terrain so those coming behind him could have a bit more ease on the journey.

'So the people that claimed that this mountain was theirs and theirs alone would know that we belonged. That it was indeed our mountain too. That we were coming and that we were staying.

'We know how graceful and wise he was. How powerful his strength of character and moral fortitude. But what I really want people to know is how GOOD he was,' Sydney stressed.

She explained that all though she knows that people knew her father was good, she believes that many do not 'now the depth of his goodness' that 'permeated every cell of his being.

Lasting impact: 'There are no words for this. No real way to prepare for this. No prose beautiful enough, no speech eloquent enough to capture the essence of my dad,' she began

'The sort of goodness that prevented him from killing even the tiniest of bugs. NOT A ONE,' Sydney emphasized before adding that she is now 'a wizard at removing a spider with shot glass and a piece of paper because of him.'

She continued: 'He had a true reverence for all life, and a true awareness of our interconnectedness. He knew on a cellular level that if he hurt anyone or anything, he hurt everyone and everything.'

Sydney recalled her father always treating 'anyone who crossed his path as his equal and offered them his full presence.

'He was GOOD.'

Although she's grieving over the loss of her father, Sydney revealed that she is also grieving over the fact that 'the world lost so much goodness.'

Legend: Sidney Poitier, who was the first Black person and Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, passed away last week at the age of 94; Sidney pictured in 2002

Trailblazer: 'We know his accomplishments are many and that he quite literally changed the landscape for everyone who came after him. He blazed a trail through rough and hostile terrain so those coming behind him could have a bit more ease on the journey,' she wrote

She went on to compare Sidney to a lighthouse that is 'warm and bright' and 'no matter the storms whipping around him, he stood unwavering shining his light.

'Those of us who were flailing in the dark waters could always orient towards him and swim for the shores.'

Sydney reflected on the last few years of her father's life and how she watched his 'body [grow] weaker and his ability to communicate [fail] him.'

But despite all the hardships that come with growing older, Sidney's goodness not only remained but 'grew even greater' with time.

She continued: 'It radiated out of him through his eyes, his smile, through the tiniest of gesture.

Pure: 'We know how graceful and wise he was. How powerful his strength of character and moral fortitude. But what I really want people to know is how GOOD he was,' Sydney stressed

Depth: She explained that all though she knows that people knew her father was a genuine good person, she believes that many do not 'now the depth of his goodness' that 'permeated every cell of his being'

Lust for life: 'He had a true reverence for all life, and a true awareness of our interconnectedness. He knew on a cellular level that if he hurt anyone or anything, he hurt everyone and everything,' she wrote of her father

Sydney recalled her and her sister Anika visiting their father 'as often as we could' in order to just 'be in his presence, to hold his hand, to tell him what hilarious thing one of our kids had said to us that day.'

She'd even get her four other sisters, Beverly, Pamela, Gina, and Sherri, on FaceTime since they didn't live in Los Angeles.

Sydney shouted out the 'wonderful women who helped care for him' and how they would '[come] in to see him as often as they could, where even in his weakest physical state he would be as flirtatious and charming as ever.

'We thought we were taking care of him. I see now that the truth is he was still taking care of us. He was reminding us, particularly in these uncertain times, of the power of GOODNESS.

Grief: Although she's grieving over the loss of her father, Sydney revealed that she is also grieving over the fact that 'the world lost so much goodness'; Sydney and Sidney in 2011

'That even when the body is fading and things seem to be falling apart around us, the goodness remains.'

She touched on how the 'pain of losing him seems unbearable at times' and that it breaks her heart to know that 'my daughter can't take a running leap onto his bed and wrap her arms around him. That I can't lay my head on his shoulder and feel the anchoring safety he brought to my life.

'That he will never sit at the head of the table at Thanksgiving or Christmas and FILL the house with healing laughter.'

Though she will mourn his absence in the physical world, Sydney takes comfort in the fact that her father's goodness lives on in his family, films, books, the wisdom he's shared and the tiny creatures he's 'gently placed outside' through the years.

A lighthouse: She went on to compare Sidney to a lighthouse that is 'warm and bright' and 'no matter the storms whipping around him, he stood unwavering shining his light'

Resilient: Sydney reflected on the last few years of her father's life and how she watched his 'body [grow] weaker and his ability to communicate [fail] him.' But despite all the hardships that come with growing older, Sidney's goodness not only remained but 'grew even greater'

Unwavering charm: Sydney shouted out the 'wonderful women who helped care for him' and how they would '[come] in to see him as often as they could, where even in his weakest physical state he would be as flirtatious and charming as ever'

Sydney stressed that it was Sidney's 'goodness that changed the world' and that it will 'live forever.

'I miss you more than words can express dad. I will feel you in the warmth of the sun on my back, I will hear you in the wind in the trees and I will look for you among the stars where you will surely be. I love you,' she concluded.

Sidney shares Sydney, as well as daughter Anika, with his wife of 46 years, Joanna Shimkus.

Poitier passed away at his Los Angeles home on Thursday, January 6.

Pain: She touched on how the 'pain of losing him seems unbearable at times' and that it breaks her heart to know that 'my daughter can't take a running leap onto his bed and wrap her arms around him. That I can't lay my head on his shoulder and feel the anchoring safety he brought to my life'

All love: 'I miss you more than words can express dad. I will feel you in the warmth of the sun on my back, I will hear you in the wind in the trees and I will look for you among the stars where you will surely be. I love you,' she concluded

After the news of his death broke, the family released a statement that revealed how grateful they were that their father was 'able to spend his last day surrounded by his family and friends.'

'To us Sidney Poitier was not only a brilliant actor, activist, and a man of incredible grace and moral fortitude, he was also a devoted and loving husband, a supportive and adoring father, and a man who always put family first,' the statement read.

'He is our guiding light who lit up our lives with infinite love and wonder. His smile was healing, his hugs the warmest refuge, and his laughter was infectious.'

The family added that they were currently experiencing a 'deep sense of loss and sadness' over Poitier's passing, which was confirmed by the Bahama's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fred Mitchell, on Friday morning. The cause of death is not yet known.

Poitier is survived by his wife, Joanna Shimkus, six daughters, eight grand children and a handful of great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Gina, who died in 2018.

RIP: Poitier passed away at his Los Angeles home on Thursday, January 6; Sidney pictured in 1964

'Although he is no longer here with us in this realm, his beautiful soul will continue to guide and inspire us,' his family said.

'He will live on in us, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren  in every belly laugh, every curious inquiry, every act of compassion and kindness.

'His legacy will live on in the world, continuing to inspire not only with his incredible body of work, but even more so with his humanity.

'We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to every single one of you for the outpouring of love from around the world. So many have been touched by our dad's extraordinary life, his unwavering sense of decency and respect for his fellow man. His faith in humanity never faltered, so know that for all the love you've shown him, he loved you back,' the statement concludes.

Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Whoopi Goldberg, Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright, and Anika Noni Rose were just some of the celebrities who took to social media to pen heartfelt tributes to Sidney and to reflect on how he paved the way for their own successes.
James Kennedy revealed that he wouldn't rule out dating his Vanderpump Rules co-star Lala Kent on Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.

The 29-year-old reality star confirmed on Instagram last month that he and Raquel Leviss, 27, made the mutual decision to call off their engagement.

Lala, 31, had a very public break up with fiance Randall Emmett, 50, and ended their engagement in October.

Remote appearance: James Kennedy revealed that he wouldn't rule out dating his Vanderpump Rules co-star Lala Kent on Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live

'Look, I never say never to anything nowadays,' said James, who appeared with Lala remotely on the Bravo talk show.

'Honestly, after everything I have been through, I never say never to anything so yeah,' he added.

'That's a good answer,' said Lala. 'I don't think James Kennedy is ready to be a stepdad.'

She added that 'so much has changed since we got together but he is like one of my best friends.'

Good answer: 'That's a good answer,' said Lala. 'I don't think James Kennedy is ready to be a stepdad'

James said that they both had done so much growing up and that he would love to just continue their beautiful friendship.

Lala revealed that she only speaks to Randall via an app and only for matters concerning their nine-month-old daughter Ocean.

A viewer asked if Randall only cheated on her once or if it was the only time that he got caught.

The host: Andy Cohen interviewed the Vanderpump Rules stars remotely

'No. This has been going on for quite some time. It's been kind of repeated behavior that I have found out about, and it's not just one person it's many. I believe it started after I got sober. And it's just -- I don't know how I didn't see it,' Lala said.

Another fan asked James that since he and Raquel had broken up whether he had paid Tom Sandoval, 38, back for half of the elaborate Palm Springs engagement party bill.

'Yeah, people are obsessed with this,' said James. 'You know, no, I haven't and honestly he said it's a tax write-off for him so really it's nothing. It's no big deal.'

Repeated behavior: 'No. This has been going on for quite some time. It's been kind of repeated behavior that I have found out about, and it's not just one person it's many. I believe it started after I got sober. And it's just -- I don't know how I didn't see it,' Lala said of Randall's infidelity

Andy asked how his engagement party could be a tax write-off for Sandoval. James said it was 'technically' but didn't know exactly how and added 'don't quote me on this guys, bloody hell.'

The host also asked James if there was a housewife that he thought was really hot and would love to hang out with.

'No, not from thinking on top of my head,' said James, who said he was behind on watching the shows.

Good question: Andy also asked James if there was a housewife that he thought was really hot and would love to hang out with

Lala said she knew exactly who she would pick and said it was Melissa Gorga, 42, from The Real Housewives Of New Jersey.

'I will come in hot and swoop her straight out,' said Lala.

Another fan asked Lala if she was still super close with Raquel who called her after the reunion, which was taped in early December, but has not yet aired, to see how she was doing. Lala said she wouldn't say that they were super close but that Raquel was 'hard not to adore.'

Easy answer: Lala said she knew exactly who she would pick and said it was Melissa Gorga, 42, from The Real Housewives Of New Jersey

She said it wasn't just Raquel who reached out but also that her friends had really been there for her. She said having a virtual reunion made it harder. She said she had been looking forward to going to the reunion and being able to be super honest about her life.

'Like the control was finally going to be gone and I could voice what my life is, what it's been and it made it hard,' Lala said.

Andy said because Lala was from Salt Lake City that he wanted to get her thoughts on The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City. He said Lala even knew some of the housewives on the show personally.

Utah native: Andy said because Lala was from Salt Lake City that he wanted to get her thoughts on The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

He asked Lala who's side she took in the Lisa Barlow and Jen Shah feud.

'I really love Lisa Barlow,' said Lala. ' I think she had valid points. That's my girl.'

He asked for her reaction to what Jen is currently going through.

'It's so sticky because I don't know the truth,' said Lala. 'I think a lot of people don't know the truth. But I always say the truth always reveals itself. The universe always makes sure of it and innocent until proven guilty. '

Elusive truth: 'It's so sticky because I don't know the truth,' said Lala of the charges against Jen Shah. 'I think a lot of people don't know the truth. But I always say the truth always reveals itself. The universe always makes sure of it and innocent until proven guilty'

Andy asked her if she believed Mary Cosby or Meredith Marks might have actually had something to do with the feds knowing that Jen was at Beauty Lab the day they came to arrest her.

'I think Mary knew something was going on,' said Lala. ' I'm not a fan of hers at all. And I think she may have had a hand in that.'

He asked her what she thought about Whitney Rose putting her family's entire savings into her beauty line.

Parking lot: Andy asked her if she believed Mary Cosby or Meredith Marks might have actually had something to do with the feds knowing that Jen was at Beauty Lab the day they came to arrest her in the parking lot

'I'm all about females starting a brand,' said Lala. 'That sent me into a full panic for her. '

He asked her if she would be as offended as Jennie Nguyen if Mary gave her a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes that weren't originally meant for her.

'Yes, don't give me a gift that's not thoughtful with the receipt that shows that they were on sale,' said Lala. 'Girl bye.'

Andy asked James where people can hear his music and he said his music is available on Spotify and iTunes and on his Instagram where he said he likes to post remixes.

Thoughtfulness matters: 'Yes, don't give me a gift that's not thoughtful with the receipt that shows that they were on sale,' said Lala. 'Girl bye'

Lala talked about her book and was asked if a second one was coming.

'Yeah, I've already started writing the second book,' said Lala, wearing a one-shoulder snake print outfit. 'So I'm really excited.'

'Good, I'm happy to hear that,' Andy said.

Second book: 'Yeah, I've already started writing the second book,' said Lala, wearing a one-shoulder snake print outfit. 'So I'm really excited'

Alison, a virtual fan from Texas, said that apparently Peter Madrigal was flirting with RHOC alum Vicki Gunvalson on Twitter and asked Lala what she thought of that match up.

'I can't say I'm here for that match up,' said Lala. 'I think Vicki is way too much women for Peter.'

James and Andy both laughed.
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Emmerdale bosses have given fans their first taste of the storylines set to take centre stage in 2022, as the soap prepares to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

Bosses Jane Hudson and Laura Shaw have unveiled a slew of spoilers for scenes that will take centre stage in the coming months, including the downfall of serial killer Meena Jutla, a trio of weddings and a surprise baby.

While the village saw an explosive end to 2021, with the famous Woolpack pub going up in flames, it appears the the upcoming year will be its most dramatic yet...

Coming soon: Emmerdale bosses have given fans their first taste of the storylines set to take centre stage in 2022, including the long-awaited downfall of serial killer Meena Jutla as the soap prepares to celebrate its 50th Anniversary

Killer Meena Jutla's downfall

For weeks fans have been calling for Meena's murderous ways to be exposed, after she was responsible for the deaths of her best friend Nadine teen Leanna Cavanagh, Ben Tucker and Andrea Tate.

After her sister Manpreet (Rebecca Sarker) discovered she killed Nadine, she vowed to expose Meena (Paige Sandhu), but the violent nurse succeeded in taking her hostage, slowly drugging her over the course of seven days until she reaches an untimely end.

In recent days, viewers have also seen Meena take Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) hostage, after he discovered Meena's crimes in his quest to clear Liv Flaherty's name.

Jane and Laura hinted that Meena will get her comeuppance later this year, and it remains to be seen whether she will stoop to a new low, and kill her own sister, or once again succeeds in getting away with murder.

Dramatic: Bosses Jane Hudson and Laura Shaw have unveiled a slew of spoilers for scenes that will take centre stage in the coming months, including the hunt for a new owner of The Woolpack after it went up in flames on Christmas Day

THREE weddings... and a baby!

It wouldn't be a year in Emmerdale without a wedding or two, and Jane and Laura have revealed that fans will be treated to three couples making their way down the aisle in 2022.

Laura also hinted that Billy and Dawn are set to tie the knot on Valentine's Day, but despite it falling on the most romantic day of the year, viewers will have to wait and see whether the big day goes off without a hitch.

The pair also revealed that one village resident will welcome a new baby in time for the soap's 50th Anniversary later this year, but were tight-lipped on the identity of the mother-to-be.

Killer: Jane and Laura hinted that Meena will get her comeuppance later this year, and it remains to be seen whether she will stoop to a new low, and kill her own sister, or once again succeeds in getting away with murder

Jai Sharma's dark side

After facing a hefty fine for the survival day disaster at the HOP, Jai is desperate to find a boost to his struggling finances and goes to drastic measures that will put his relationship with Lauren to the test.

Jai is once again rejected for a loan to cover the fine, and he will stoop to a new low by switching the name on the application to that of his partner's.

Having battled with drug addiction in the past, fans will be on the edge of their seats waiting to see whether he's sent spiralling out of control, and Jai's dark side makes a surprise re-appearance.

Dark side: After facing a hefty fine for the survival day disaster at the HOP, Jai is desperate to find a boost to his struggling finances and goes to drastic measures that will put his relationship with Lauren to the test

Leyla Harding's new struggle

Having been a pillar of support for her husband Liam Cavanagh in 2021 after the death of his daughter Leanna, viewers will see Leyla face a whole new struggle of her own later this year.

While on the surface she appears to be coping well, viewers will see her in the midst of a gradual downward spiral, with fans uncovering the truth in upcoming scenes.

Laura said: ''Is Leyla really coping as well as she seems to on the surface or is there a bit more going on there that we'll uncover?'

Will it happen? Now Vanessa has returned to the village, viewers can hope their romance will be rekindled, sparking a divide among fans between the pair's relationship or her new romance with Mackenzie

Will Vanessa and Charity rekindle their romance?

After becoming one of the soap's most beloved couples, 'Vanity's' romance came to grinding halt when Vanessa discovered Charity had cheated on her with a stranger.

Following a furious video call, she broke off their engagement, setting the stage for her absence while actress Michelle Hardwick kicked off her maternity leave.

But now Vanessa has returned to the village, viewers can hope their romance will be rekindled, sparking a divide among fans between the pair's relationship or her new romance with Mackenzie.

Ryan Stocks' devastating news

Later this winter, Charity's son Ryan receives some heartbreaking news, completing shifting their relationship and setting the stage for some emotional scenes.

Laura said: 'Charity is also going to be affected by some heartbreaking news involving Ryan that is going to see some huge emotional scenes play out between mother and son and this is going to have some influence over Charity's relationship.'

Questions: After it was revealed late last year that Jamie faked his own death, bosses have teased his mother Kim could discover he is alive

Jamie Tate's secret is exposed

Fans were stunned when it was revealed that last year was Jamie Tate was alive after surviving a car crash, as he was reunited with his daughter Millie.

Despite his mother Kim Tate being convinced he'd survived, faking his death to prove himself a worthy member of the Tate clan, eventually she gave up the search for her son.

While it appeared that was the end of Jamie's time on the soap, Laura and Jane having hinted that Kim may soon learn that Jamie is alive and well.

Laura said: 'We know what a tough cookie Kim is but we also know that Jamie is her Achilles heel so we can expect huge fireworks if she ever finds out how much he has betrayed her.'

Rapist Pierce Harris' son Marcus moves to the village

Rhona Goskirk could be set for more turmoil as her abusive ex-husband Pierce Harris' son Marcus makes an unexpected arrival in the village.

In scenes to air next month, Marcus is set to 'ruffle a few feathers' when he moves into Emmerdale in the coming weeks, and it remains to be seen whether he's inherited the same dark traits as his killer father.

Pierce was thrown behind bars in 2020 after it was revealed he was Graham Foster's killer, having previously gone on the run after his abuse of Rhona was exposed.

New face: Rhona Goskirk could be set for more turmoil as her abusive ex-husband Pierce Harris' son Marcus makes an unexpected arrival in the village

Actor Darcy Grey is set to the join the soap as young Marcus, with the heartthrob clearly inheriting his father's dashing looks.

The mention of Pierce (Jonathan Wrather), who is still serving time in prison, is certain to bring back anxiety and trauma for Rhona (Zoe Henry), and she will have to dig deep to overcome the terrible experiences of her past.

It remains to be seen whether Rhona can open herself up to Marcus, or whether the pain of her ordeal will be too much to bear, especially have bosses have also teased that two other characters appearing in her life.

Heartthrob: In scenes to air next month, Marcus, played by Darcy Grey is set to 'ruffle a few feathers' when he moves into Emmerdale in the coming weeks

Dramatic: Pierce was thrown behind bars in 2020 after it was revealed he was Graham Foster's killer, having previously gone on the run after his abuse of Rhona was exposed

Emmerdale producer Kate Brooks said: 'Marcus' arrival will certainly ruffle a few feathers and flutter a few hearts in the village. However, people will soon realise there's more to Marcus than merely being the son of Pierce.

'But will our villagers give him a chance, or will he be forever doomed to live in the shadow of his father's heinous crimes?

'We're delighted to welcome Darcy to the show and we're sure he'll certainly make quite the impression on villagers and viewers alike.'

Actor Darcy added: 'When my agent sent me the character of Marcus Dean, I was quietly smiling inside. We share so many similarities, both the good - and perhaps - some of the bad! I thought 'I know who this kid is'. To then get the call to say that the role was mine was one of those pinch-yourself moments we actors simply dream of.

'For Marcus, the battle of being torn between wanting to forget his relationship with his Dad but also ultimately, wanting to simply be loved is a challenge many of us face, and one that I hope I can bring some truth to.

'He is such an open book, with such an uncertain future that I just can't wait for you all to see where his journey in the village takes him!'

Shocking: He was previously imprisoned for raping his wife Rhona on their wedding day, so seeing his son arrive in the village will no doubt reignite her horrific ordeal

Cain and Al's feud comes to a thrilling climax

Jane and Laura have hinted that Cain's long-running feud with Al Chapman will come to a dramatic conclusion in the show's upcoming 'Special Week,' after it was reported Al could be killed off in a dramatic 'whodunnit.'

'So there's definitely going to be an explosive Cain/Al moment in our special week. I think the audience are really enjoying these two men constantly at war,' Jane said.

More drama for the Dingles

While the Dingle family itself will once again face its fair share of challenges, with two characters in particular facing a more challenging year than most, Chas and Paddy's woes are set to continue after the Woolpack went up in flames on Christmas Day.

Laura said: 'From the ashes of Christmas Day, we're going to see a shiny new Woolpack emerge this year and the fight for who's going to control it will definitely be on.

'Who's going to be victoriously holding their keys at the end of it though? Who's going to have their name over the door? You're going to have to watch to find out.'

Emmerdale turns 50!

As the iconic soap marks a half-century on screens, viewers will be left guessing what to expect from the dramatic scenes, with Laura and Jane hinting they've already been talks with some familiar faces who could make a surprise return.

Despite the anniversary still being nine months away, the pair said there will be mant secrets built up in the preceding weeks, leaving viewers desperate for them to be revealed, including a never-before-seen episode that will allow audiences to view the story from a whole new perspective.

And in typical Emmerdale fashion, it wouldn't be October without an explosive stunt or two, so fans can expect plenty of drama, with many of cast tested in some 'big emotional stories' with a 'huge fallout' that will spill into 2023.
Lisa Wilkinson left her co-hosts speechless when she spoke about her experience with warts during Wednesday's episode of The Project.

The 62-year-old journalist had been talking about a strange side effect of mRNA Covid vaccines, which saw people being cured of warts, when the conversation suddenly turned personal.

Comedian Tom Cashman joked that he was an 'anti-warter', and insisted they didn't exist, 'particularly not on my back or bum'.

Lost for words: Lisa Wilkinson left her co-hosts speechless when she spoke about her experience with warts during Wednesday's episode of The Project. Pictured with co-host Hamish Macdonald

Following his crude comment, Lisa laughed nervously and admitted she didn't 'know where to go with that'.

The awkwardness of the situation prompted fellow journalist Jan Fran to jokingly ask Lisa if she had 'any warts' she wanted to 'talk about on national television'.

Her cheeky response left Jan, 37, stunned, having been seemingly convinced that Lisa would simply shrug off the question.

Warts and all: The awkwardness of the situation prompted fellow journalist Jan Fran (right) to jokingly ask Lisa if she had 'any warts' she wanted to 'talk about on national television'

'No. The last time I talked about warts in my life, I think it was in my 20's. You know?' Lisa responded, giving Jan a knowing look.

After being momentarily lost for words, a sheepish Jan said: 'Fair enough. I'm not going to think about that one too much.'

It was followed by an awkward silence from her co-hosts, during which time fellow host Hamish Macdonald began to blush.

Still processing: Her cheeky response left Jan stunned, having been seemingly convinced that Lisa would simply shrug off the question

After managing to compose himself, Hamish, 40, steered the conversation away from warts, telling his co-hosts: 'How about we move on...'

According to a report by 10play on Wednesday, a Sydney woman claimed warts on her hands had 'completely disappeared', just two weeks after receiving an mRNA Covid vaccine.

Others had reported similar instances of disappearing corns and moles, while some said it had helped clear up psoriasis and eczema.
David Baddiel has said that Jewish roles should be cast 'authentically,' following backlash around Helen Mirren being cast as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir.

In a piece for The Guardian, the comedian, who himself faced backlash for using blackface in a sketch, explained that despite calls for minority actors to be prioritised for relevant roles, there's little reaction when Jewish stars are overlooked.

It comes after actress Maureen Lipman sparked backlash when she stated that a Jewish actress should have been considered ahead of Helen for the role in the upcoming film Golda.

Views: David Baddiel has said that Jewish roles should be cast 'authentically,' following backlash around Helen Mirren being cast as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir (pictured)

David's views on the row come after he was forced to apologise for using blackface in the 90s sketch show Fantasy Football League, where he impersonated footballer Jason Lee.

The sportsman later said the depiction was a 'form of bullying.'

David has since apologised for the depiction multiple times, with his most recent coming in June 2020, when he said on Twitter: 'I wore blackface in TV sketches 25 years ago. I have apologised. I will apologise now again: it was wrong.'

Drama: The comedian, has himself faced backlash for a historic use of blackface in a 1992 sketch for The Fantasy Football League show, for which he has since apologised many times

The writer, who is Jewish himself, explained in his piece that despite many years of campaigning for minority roles being played by the appropriate actors, he feels Jews have been largely ignored.

He referred to the example of the acclaimed animated series BoJack Horseman, which sparked backlash when it was revealed that the Vietnamese-American character Diane Nguyen, is voiced by Alison Brie.

David noted that while the show's creator profusely apologised, the fact that the Jewish character Lenny Turteltaub is voiced by JK Simmons has been largely overlooked.

Speaking out: The comedian explained that despite increased calls for the minority actors to be prioritised for relevant roles, there's little backlash when Jewish actors are overlooked

He wrote: 'Many instinctively see Jewishness as a religion, rather than an ethnicity, and therefore antisemitism as religious intolerance rather than racism, despite, as Ive pointed out many times, my great-uncle being an atheist not getting him any free passes out of the Warsaw ghetto.

'But primarily, its about Jews being assumed, antisemitically, to be successful and privileged and powerful, and therefore not in need of the protections that identity politics affords other minorities.'

David also questioned the assumption that while there are plenty of Jewish actors to choose when casting roles, many recent shows, such as Friday Night Dinner and Ridley Road, still struggled to fill their cast with the appropriate stars.

He added: 'I believe two things at once  that in an ideal world, non-Jews should be allowed to play Jews, but the fact this allowance already exists, and has up to this point received very little pushback is, in the modern casting context, a discrepancy, and one that needs to be deconstructed, because it says a lot about how people see Jews.'

Opinion: David's comments come in the wake of Maureen's own thoughts on Helen's casting as ex-Israeli Prime Minister Meir

David's comments come in the wake of Maureen's own thoughts on Helen's casting as ex-Israeli Prime Minister Meir, stating stars such as Bette Midler and Barbara Streisand, who are Jewish, should have been considered ahead of the Oscar-winner.

Doubling down on her comments on Good Morning Britain earlier this month, the Coronation Street star suggested suggested Scarlett Johansson, whose mother is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, could have played the part.

But she somewhat undermined her own argument by also suggesting Tracey Ullman, who isn't Jewish, as another possible contender, before confessing to 'contradicting' her own comments.

She said she did not want to get to a stage where 'only actors with scoliosis could play Shakespeare's Richard III'.

Asked if she thinks she had upset Dame Helen with her comments, she said: 'I don't know Helen, I have met her once, we had one exchange.

'I was going out with a dangerous man at the time and she said "Ooh I would like to go out with a dangerous man", and that was the conversation.'

Hitting back: Her comments sparked fans to point out that she herself had played a vicar in a 2015 Red Nose Day special of the Vicar of Dibley (pictured centre)

Transformed: A publicity image of the film Golda (L), where Helen portrayed Meir (R) during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, showed her covered in prosthetic to look more like the politician

She also said she believed Dame Helen, 76, would be a good fit for the role as Ms Meir - affectionately labelled 'the grandmother of the Jewish people' - because 'she is sexy'.

Her latest comments were made in an interview with Good Morning Britain, in which she also revealed that she had only met Dame Helen once.

But she said she expects the highly-acclaimed actress will 'understand' the contexts behind her comments and urged her to look beyond the 'headlines'.

It comes after Dame Maureen, who is Jewish, sparked a row by questioning the casting of Dame Helen's as Ms Meir - Israel's first female Prime Minister.

The times that Dame Maureen Lipman has played non-Jewish characters Up the Junction (1968) - Sylvie - A working class girl who befriends a wealthy young heiress The Smashing Bird I Used to Know (1969) - Sarah - A lesbian prisoner who befriends an inmate from a middle-class background On Your Way, Riley (1985) - Kitty McShane - A fictional version of the real-life Irish actress Educating Rita (1983) - Trish - A room mate of the titular character Rita Water (1985) - Margaret Thatcher - A fictional version of the real-life British prime minister Bookmark (1992) - Enid Blyton - A fictional version of the real life English writer Coronation Street (2002) - Lillian Spencer - A relief manager who helps run the Rovers Return Inn Doctor Who (2006) - The Wire - An energy being villain that takes the souls of TV-watching Britons during Queen Elizabeth II's coronation Holby City (2011) - Bonnie Walters - A patient at Holby City Hospital The Vicar of Dibley (2015) - Alicia - A Church of England vicar competing with five other women to become an archbishop Coronation Street (2018 to Present) - Evelyn Plummer - the grandmother of established character Tyrone Dobbs Advertisement

Dame Maureen previously said she felt uncomfortable at the casting of the multi award-winning actress, who is not Jewish, because the 'Jewishness of (Meir's) character is so integral'.

However figures from the UK's Jewish community defend the casting, including Rabbi Jonathan Romain who said: 'You don't have to be Jewish to play a Jew'.

Despite the criticism, Dame Maureen, who once played a Church of England reverend in the Vicar of Dibley, today doubled-down on her view.

In an interview with Good Morning Britain, she said : 'My feeling is, firstly, that Helen Mirren is a fine actress, and will be brilliant in the role and will green-light the film

'And she will be very good because she is sexy and Golda Meir, believe it or not, was very sexy. She didn't look it but read her book.

'And I've seen shows about her before, so I have nothing against Helen playing it.

'My query is should the casting directors looked first, and maybe they did, at Bette Midler, (Barbara) Streisand, Jennifer Connolly, Scarlet Johansson, or indeed, probably I would have gone with, Tracey Ullman, who is a brilliant actress.

'But maybe they wouldn't have green-light a film and maybe they have considered that Helen has Russian in her background and therefore she could play this Jewish women from Milwaukee.'

Dame Maureen also admitted she herself had been questioned for playing an Irish Catholic, a role which was critiqued by the late Canadian film critic Milton Shulman.

'It's a complicated argument, and I will end up contradicting myself, but say for example that, you wanted to cast a film about Ghandi, would it be alright, would there be a fuss, if you cast Salma Hayek say, a Mexican, probably Catholic?

'Once I played an Irish Catholic, and Milton Shulman wrote a review: "Maureen Lipman playing an Irish Catholic is like Barbara Streisand playing mother Theresa".

'Now you might say "why not?".'

Different star? Maureen said Helen should not have been asked to play the Israeli leader Meir, adding that she was uncomfortable with the casting

Asked if acting was about the skill of a person's portrayal of a character, she joked: 'Of course, and that's why I would be arguing against myself, because as globalisation gets bigger, casting gets smaller.

'And we are getting more and more tribal. So in the end, if you were doing the "Maureen Lipman Show" you would only be able to have a 75-year-old woman who was born in Northfield Road, Hull, with an overbite and myopia.

'And it's crazy, it's not what it should be.

'But you've had a lot of things lately, like Javier Bardem has been criticised because he's Spanish, not Cuban, in Being the Ricardos - that's nuts.

'Jake Gyllenhaal has played a Persian when he's American-Swedish, Rooney Mara has been criticised for playing a Native American.

'My point here, and I'm contradicting myself, as I said, if the religion fires the character, then I honestly think you should look at that group that gender, if the character is gay I think you should see the gay actors first, see the Jewish actors first, if it doesn't work out, fair enough, go ahead.

'Clearly there will never be another Lawrence Olivier playing Othello, that's probably right, although he was wonderful, or an Alec Guinness in A Passage to India - that's been and gone - but we don't want to get to a stage where Richard III has to be played by someone with Scoliosis, whose committed insanity.'

Asked if she thinks she had upset Dame Helen with her comments, she added: 'I'm sure that she of all people will understand what the headline was was not necessarily what the context was. So I'm not worried about that.'

Expressing: Rabbi Jonathan Romain, director of Maidenhead Synagogue in Berkshire also took to Twitter to express his view on the row, saying: 'You don't have to be Jewish to play a Jew'

It is not clear if those behind the film, which is being directed by acclaimed Israeli director Guy Nattiv, had considered Jewish actresses for the role prior to Dame Helen's casting. MailOnline has contacted representatives for comment.

Dame Maureen's latest comments come as Rabbi Jonathan Romain, director of Maidenhead Synagogue in Berkshire, yesterday took to Twitter to express his view on the row, saying: 'You don't have to be Jewish to play a Jew'.

Taking to Twitter, Rabbi Romain, 67, wrote: 'We had a discussion on this at Maidenhead Synagogue two weeks ago; the unanimous verdict was that actors should act - that's what is their skill.

Thoughts: Many others have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts, with many noting Jewish roles shouldn't be specifically limited to Jewish actors

The first woman to be the prime minister of Israel who earned the nicknamed the 'strong-willed grandmother of the Jewish people': Who is Golda Meir? Born Golda Mabovitch in Kiev, present-day Ukraine, in 1898, Golda Meir would go on to become on of Israel's most prominent political figures. Her father, Moshe, was a carpenter in the city, then under the control of the Russia empire. She faced a difficult life as a child, later recording in her autobiography that her first memory was of her parents boarding up their home for fear of anti-Semitic violence. Meir grew up with two sisters, Sheyna and Tzipke, as well as five other siblings who died in childhood. In 1903, her father Kiev for New York City, while her family moved to Pinsk in modern-day Belarus. After finding a job and in Milwaukee, Moshe moved his family over the United States, where Meir's mother Blume Mabovitch ran a grocery store. Born Golda Mabovitch in Kiev, present-day Ukraine, in 1898, Golda Meir would go on to become on of Israel's most prominent political figures. Pictured: Golda Meir standing with U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1973 Meir showed leadership skills at a young age, organizing a fundraiser to pay for her classmates' textbooks and forming the American Young Sisters Society. While at high school she joined the Labour Zionist Youth Movement and became a keen Socialist Zionist. She married sign painter Morris Meyerson in 1917 after the pair met in Denver four years earlier. She remained married to him until his death in 1951. The pair had two children together. As part of a pre-condition of their marriage, Meir agreed to settle in Palestine, but the couple were delayed due to the US entering the First World War. The pair made the move in 1921 with her sister Sheyna, living in an international community of Jews known as a kibbutz. They later moved to Tel Aviv before settling in Jerusalem. It was here she became secretary of the Working Women's Council, a job which meant she returned to the US for two years as an emissary. During her time back in America she was the Jewish observer from Palestine at the Evian Conference - where a discussion took place on Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in Germany. Meir continued to rise up the ranks in Jewish politics and was one of 24 signatories of the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. She was selected as Minister Plenipotentiary to Moscow, carrying the first Israeli-issued passport, before being elected to the Knesset and becoming Israel's Labor Minister - a position she held from 1949 until 1956. During Meir's (pictured in 1973) time as premier she faced dealing with the fourth Israel-Arab conflict - which came to be known as the Yom Kippur War. The short 19 day war ended in an Israeli victory Meir later served as Foreign Minister, before stepping back from her role in 1966 after being diagnosed with lymphoma. However she returned to front line politics in 1969 after being elected by her party to succeed leader Levi Eshkol following his sudden death. She became Israel's fourth Prime Minister - and the first female Prime Minister - a role she held until 1974. During her time as premier she faced dealing with the fourth Israel-Arab conflict - which came to be known as the Yom Kippur War. The short 19 day war ended in an Israeli victory. But her government became plagued by infighting and questions over Israel's lack of preparation for conflict. Her party won the next election, but her coalition government lost seats and was unable to form a majority, leading to her resignation. Two years later, in 1975, Meir was awarded the Israel Prize for her special contribution to society and the State of Israel. In 1978, five years after her resignation, Meir died of lymphoma at the age of 80. However her legacy lives on in Israel, where, while her success as a prime minister is debated, she is widely praised for her work as a labour and foreign minister. Today she is described as the 'strong-willed grandmother of the Jewish people', while others have referred to her as the original 'Iron Lady' before British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In the Muslim world however her legacy is one of controversy, having been quoted in 1969 in the Times as saying: 'There were no such thing as Palestinians'. In 2019, the American Muslims for Palestine, a US-based group dedicated to educating the American public about Palestine, said: 'She had no problem with forcibly removing people from their homes and kicking them out of their country in order that Israel may exist.' In the US Meir has several buildings named after her, including a school and a library in Milwaukee, where she lived her early years, while there is a bust of her at Golda Meir Square, New York City. In Israel she has has a road named after her, Golda Meir Boulevard, Jerusalem, and a performing arts centre, Gold Meir Centre for Performing Arts, which is home to the Israeli Opera. Advertisement

'You don't have to be Jewish to play a Jew or orphaned to be an orphan. But it's wise to have an adviser from whatever is the context.'

Meanwhile, Mr Pollard, who was up until last month the editor of the weekly newspaper, Tweeted: 'I adore Maureen Lipman but she couldn't be more wrong on this.

'The logic of her position is that the only character any actor can play is themselves.'

However journalist Nicole Lambert, responded to say the position is 'more nuanced'.

She wrote: 'I think a more nuanced take is that sometimes these roles of brilliant Jewish women should sometimes be played by Jewish women. And they never are.'

The row comes after Dame Maureen spoke to the Jewish Chronicle and gave her view on the casting.

In November a publicity image of the film Golda, where Dame Helen portrayed Ms Meir during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, showed Dame Helen covered in prosthetic to look more like the politician.

Ms Meir was the fourth prime minister of Israel and held the position from 1969 until 1974.

During her time as premier she faced dealing with the fourth Israel-Arab conflict - which came to be known as the Yom Kippur War. The short 19 day war ended in a Israel victory.

But her government became plagued by infighting and questions over Israel's lack of preparation for conflict.

Her party won the next election, but her coalition government lost seats and was unable to form a majority, leading to her resignation.

Two years later, in 1975, Meir was awarded the Israel Prize for her special contribution to society and the State of Israel.

Speaking about the casting of Dame Helen for the role of Golda, Dame Maureen said: 'The Jewishness of the character is so integral.

'I'm sure she will be marvellous, but it would never be allowed for Ben Kingsley to play Nelson Mandela. You just couldn't even go there.'

Dame Maureen's comments sparked fans to point out that she herself had played a vicar in a 2015 Red Nose Day special of the Vicar of Dibley.

In the comedy special, Dame Maureen's character competed with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Emma Watson and Ruth Jones, Annette Crosbie for the job of archbishop.

It is later revealed there are five positions open and Dawn French's character is the only one not to be selected.

She returns to find she has been replaced in her Dibley role by another vicar, played by presenter Fiona Bruce.

It comes after Tamsin Greig told The Daily Telegraph last month she 'probably shouldn't' have played a Jewish mother in Channel 4's Friday Night Dinner.

Ms Greig is a practising Christian, although does have Jewish ancestry.

But Patrick Marber, the playwright who directed Sir Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt, said he did not think 'lived experience' should be taken into consideration when casting for roles.

He said to force actors to have experienced lives similar to the characters they play would deny the actor the challenge and right to impersonate someone else.

Sarah Silverman, the US comedian, has previously slammed the casting of non-Jewish actress Kathryn Hahn as Joan Rivers, calling it 'Jewface'.

Elliot Levey, who is currently playing a German Jew in Cabaret in the West End, called the argument a 'dystopian nightmare' as he criticised the idea of 'people showing their papers to authenticate Jewish ancestry'.

Dame Helen is a supporter of Israel, adding her name to an open letter rejecting a cultural boycott of the country.

While promoting her film The Debt, in which she played a retired Mossad agent, she was asked by The New York Times whether she might be 'a secret Jew'.

She said she 'wouldn't be surprised'.

Last year internet trolls branded Dame Helen 'racist' and described her as a 'well known Zionist and Israel-worshipper' after taking on the role of wartime prime minister Ms Meir.

The film, Golda, is set during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 when Arab states attacked Israel.

Dame Helen described Meir as 'a formidable, intransigent and powerful leader' and said it was 'a great challenge to portray her at the most difficult moment of her extraordinary life'.

But critics on social media described the production as 'fascism', 'sick' and 'tasteless'.

One Twitter user, who said they were 'Palestinian and proud', wrote: 'How sick making a biopic on criminal Golda Meir and yes no surprise Helen Mirren the racist is happy to portray the pure distorted version of a disgusting individual.'

Another wrote: 'Helen Mirren doing a film about the first female prime minister of Israel is a slap in the face to all the people of Palestine, they are literally celebrating taking over Palestine and taking families out of their homes, murdering children, families! Tasteless film!'

One social-media user said it was 'hugely disappointing that Helen Mirren is volunteering for this role', while another wrote: 'More fascism to show how 'wonderful' Israel is.'

Born in Ukraine in 1898 before moving to the US as a child, Meir made history in 1969 as Israel's first female prime minister.

She soon provoked international controversy, saying: 'There were no such thing as Palestinians.'

Meir faced huge criticism in Israel for failing to adequately prepare for the threat of war, despite receiving word that Arab forces were gathering for an attack.

Following the backlash for her handling of the war, Meir announced her resignation in 1974. She died in 1978 aged 80.

Dame Helen has faced criticism in the past for saying that she was a 'believer' in Israel and that she rejected calls to boycott the country.

The film also stars Call My Agent! actress Camille Cottin as Meir's personal assistant and Israeli Lior Ashkenazi as her chief of staff.

Praised: Helen Mirren previously described Golda Meir as 'a formidable, intransigent and powerful leader'
Home and Away star Harley Bonner stepped out with his fiancee Natalie Roser in Sydney on Saturday.

The actor, 30, dressed casually in shorts and a navy T-shirt as he took his dog for a walk with Natalie.

Harley completed his look with a pair of sandals and also wore sunglasses to protect himself from the summer sun.

Stepping out: Home and Away actor Harley Bonner and his fiancee Natalie Roser took their dog for a walk in Sydney on Saturday after his shock exit from the soap

Meanwhile, Natalie showed off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and tiny white shorts for the outing.

She teamed her ensemble with a pair of comfortable white sneakers and a black hat.

Channel Seven confirmed over the weekend Harley wouldn't be returning to Home and Away when filming resumes this year.

A Seven spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'Channel Seven can confirm Harley will not return to Home and Away when filming resumes in the coming weeks.

Casual: The actor dressed casually in shorts, a navy T-shirt, a pair of sandals and sunglasses to protect himself from the summer sun

'Harley leaves with our best wishes and sincere thanks for his work on the show.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Harley Bonner and his management for comment.

Harley made his debut on Home and Away in August as handsome trauma surgeon Dr Logan Bennett.

Dr Bennett was the love interest for Salt restaurant owner Mackenzie Booth, played by Emily Weir.

Looking good! Meanwhile, Natalie showed off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and tiny white shorts for the outing

Harley is the son of actress Carla Bonner, who played Stephanie Scully on Neighbours from 1999 to 2010 and later from 2015 to 2018.

He previously starred on the Channel 10 soap himself as Josh Willis from 2013 until his departure in 2016, when his character was killed off.

Aside from Neighbours and Home and Away, he has starred in House Husbands and True Story with Hamish and Andy.
Danny Dyer has admitted he had wanted to quit EastEnders 'for a while' as he speaks out for the first time since announcing his departure from the soap.

The actor, 44, is leaving his role as Mick Carter on the BBC series after nine years and said he now wants to try other things.

Speaking on his Sorted With The Dyers podcast, he said: 'When you're in a job like a soap your contract comes up for renewal and every time it has they've asked me to stay, and I'm very grateful for that. Because I've seen a lot of people come and go. It's very tough.

Candid: Danny Dyer has admitted he had wanted to quit EastEnders 'for a while' as he speaks out for the first time since announcing his departure from the soap

'I always debate whether I want to sign again and I've been contemplating a while now about whether it's time to roll the dice, take the leap.

'The big news is I've decided not to renew my contract. That's all. That's not because I've fallen out with anybody, I love everybody. That job has been amazing for me. It's an important part of television.'

The soap star insisted there's no 'big story' behind his departure, other than he wants to try other things.

He said he knows some people will be sad to see him leave Albert Square while others might be pleased.

Moving on: The actor, 44, is leaving his role as Mick Carter on the BBC series after nine years and said he now wants to try other things

Danny added that he has played Mick for nine years and now thinks the character needs to be rested.

The actor, who said he has always been ambitious, is still looking for his 'defining role' and wants to have 'another go'.

Danny admitted it feels weird to walk away from a job that has been such a big part of his life, but he thinks the time is right.

The actor promised EastEnders fans that Mick's exit is going to be 'very powerful' and the door will be left open for him to return to Walford.

Speaking to his daughter Dani, he said: 'Let me tell you something - Mick's exit is going to be a very, very powerful thing. I would love the door to be left open, and as far as I know it is.

Danny said: 'I always debate whether I want to sign again and I've been contemplating a while now about whether it's time to roll the dice, take the leap'

'So, who knows. When I go out there and I fail miserably I can come back with my tail between my legs and go: "Will you take me back?"

'But I just want to send out some love to everyone at EastEnders. I love you all very much. It'll be a sad year for me, but I'm also very excited about it.

'So, we're going to attack this year, and we're going to make this year, we're going to craft it, we're going to manipulate it, and we're going to make this year a f***ing special one.'

It comes after Danny reportedly signed up to a new drama series with Sky for a six-figure sum.

Potential return: The actor promised EastEnders fans that Mick's exit is going to be 'very powerful' and the door will be left open for him to return to Walford

A spokesperson for the BBC show confirmed that Danny would be leaving Walford later this year, but insisted that there will still be more drama in store for Mick ahead of his exit.

The spokesperson said: 'Danny will be leaving EastEnders when his contract comes to an end later this year.

'Danny has made Mick Carter an iconic character which we shall always be grateful for, however we won't be saying goodbye just yet as there's still quite some time  and plenty of explosive drama for Mick - to come before he departs Walford. '

A friend of Danny's said: 'Danny loves EastEnders but as an actor he feels the time is right to explore other roles.

'He's incredibly grateful to the show and the opportunities it has given him and it wasn't a decision he took lightly but after playing Mick for nearly nine years he feels it's time to give the character of Mick a rest.'

Long-standing character: The actor has played the character of Mick Carter on the popular BBC soap since 2013

'He's not sure how they are going to write him out yet but he's hoping that they leave the door open for Mick.'

An EastEnders source added: 'Danny made the decision quite some time ago that he would leave the show this year which has given bosses plenty of time to plan a huge storyline for him.

'With Kellie set to return very soon, the Carters are going to be at the heart of some big drama this year.'

While the deal is less than his alleged 1 million 'golden handcuffs' deal with the BBC, it is thought it will open the door to new lucrative opportunities.

Opportunities: While the deal is less than his alleged 1 million 'golden handcuffs' deal with the BBC, it is thought it will open the door to new lucrative opportunities

As well has his alleged new Sky project, Danny is to star in a short film directed by a 17-year-old in a bid to raise money for mental health charities.

Stepping Stone is written, directed and produced by first-time filmmaker Noah Caplan, who was inspired to begin work on the project when his younger sister suffered a life-threatening accident.

The 30-minute film, which has now wrapped, follows four characters from different walks of life suffering issues including domestic abuse, alcoholism and living with anxiety.

Raising awareness: Danny is to star in a short film directed by 17-year-old Noah Caplan in a bid to raise money for mental health charities

It aims to highlight how the first step towards gaining help is speaking to someone.

Alongside EastEnders actor Danny, the film also stars Noah, David 'Sideman' Whitely and Georgia Moncur, while Cush Berlyn plays the role of a counsellor.

Stepping Stone is described as a project aiming 'to break the negative stigmas surrounding mental health and get the world talking about an issue that is so rife'.

It is due for release in early 2022 and has been created in support of Calm and other mental health charities.

Danny said: 'The power of this thing (the mind) is a mad old thing, so we've got look after it.'

Star power: Stepping Stone is written, directed and produced by first-time filmmaker Noah, who worked on the project when his younger sister suffered a life-threatening accident

Speaking about Noah, he added: 'I was very, very impressed. Barely 17 years old. The fact he's got his s**t together the way he has and pulled this all together is pretty amazing. I really enjoyed myself. It was a pleasure.'

Noah said: 'It was an absolute honour to work on this film with Danny Dyer and this fantastic team.

'This is a passion project that I have been working on since my sister was involved in and survived a tragic accident and I saw the effect this had on me and everyone around me.

'I am so grateful that this experience led me to give back to the world, through the power of film.'

He added: 'Mental health is something very close to my heart and I hope this film can help other people.

'As a family, mental health has always been an open discussion, and I want to help bring that conversation into many other households and friendship groups.

'With this film we hope to put the subject matter in the limelight, using familiar faces and extravagant storytelling. My goal is to make mental health an open discussion.'
Cat Deeley has marked the sixth birthday of her and her husband Patrick Kielty's eldest son Milo by sharing a candid Instagram photo of herself holding her firstborn in a hospital bed.

Taken shortly after welcoming Milo into the world, Cat, 45, captioned the sweet photo: 'Happy birthday one of my little loves.'

The presenter beamed from ear to ear in the image and proudly looked down at her son's head.

Sweet: Cat Deeley, 45, has marked the birthday of her and her 50-year-old husband Patrick Kielty's son Milo by sharing an Instagram photo of herself holding him in a hospital bed

Despite having recently given birth, Cat looked flawless and wore her glossy blonde hair loose.

Little Milo wore a tiny hat and was wrapped up in a blanket as he snoozed on his mum's chest.

She looked radiant without so much as a spot of make-up on.

Cat and comedian Patrick, 50, also share three-year-old James.

Family: Cat and comedian Patrick also share three-year-old James (pictured)

Previously pals: Cat and Patrick were friends for 10 years before their relationship turned romantic (pictured in August)

Last year, the television personality, who made a name for herself in the US as the host of So You Think You Can Dance?, revealed she is 'done' with children and has no desire to try for a girl.

'No, I think I'm done. I love my boys. I can't believe how lucky I am to have them,' Cat told Closer magazine. 'I'm good, I think. Ask me again in 12 months' time!'

'Being a working mum of two is kind of like a massive juggle, where you throw all the balls up in the air and you try to keep them all up there.'

Cat and Patrick were friends for 10 years before their relationship turned romantic.

The pair met when they presented Fame Academy together in 2002 and remained pals for almost a decade before making their debut as a couple in March 2012.

They tied the knot just six months later in a traditional Catholic ceremony in Rome, Italy, in September 2012, which was an intimate affair with just six friends and family members in attendance each.
He is one of Britain's most well known fashion designers.

But Julien Macdonald decided not to get dressed on Wednesday as he stepped out in a pair of slippers and a dressing gown while in Notting Hill on Wednesday.

The Britain's Next Top Model judge, 50, opted for a laid back look as he grabbed a coffee while taking his dog for a walk, throwing a padded coat over the top.

Who needs clothes? Fashion designer Julien Macdonald headed out for a coffee wearing his dressing gown and slippers - with a coat over the top - on solo stroll in London on Wednesday

Julien put safety first with a black face mask as he went for a stroll through the trendy neighbourhood.

Julian began his fashion career after graduating with an MA from the Royal College of Art.

He was spotted by Karl Lagerfeld and appointed Chanels head knitwear designer in 1996.

Casual: The Britain's Next Top Model judge, 50, opted for a laid back look as he grabbed a coffee while taking his dog for a walk

Outing: The designer wrapped up in a black padded coat on top of his nightwear

Julien then launched his own label two years later and was made creative director of Givenchy in 2001 and was also named as British Fashion Designer of the Year.

He previously received criticism for using fur in some of his early collections.

Reflecting on changes he has made to his clothing, he told Reuters: 'As a young designer I did use a lot of fur and do you know what, I think you should perhaps try not to.

'You know what? It was my mistake. I was young. I am sorry. I apologise.'

He later added: 'You do not need to kill animals to wear nice clothes.'
Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis has shut down rumours she is pregnant after eagle-eyed fans spotted a suspected 'baby bump' in a recent beach photo.

The influencer, 33, confirmed on Instagram Stories on Wednesday night she was not expecting and was in fact still recovering from Covid-19.

'I am not pregnant! You can stop asking me. I've been offline because I have felt like s**t since Covid,' she said.

Not yet! Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis has shut down rumours she is pregnant after eagle-eyed fans spotted a suspected 'baby bump' in this recent beach photo

'The "dream" you had I was pregnant isn't real, the inkling you had I was pregnant... babe you ain't onto something,' she added.

Martha spoke out after receiving an influx of comments and messages in response to a photo she'd shared earlier in the day that showed her tummy.

The picture in question was a top-down view of her Louis Vuitton beach towel.

Unwell: The influencer, 33, confirmed on Instagram Stories on Wednesday night she was not expecting and was in fact still recovering from Covid-19. Pictured with fiance Michael Brunelli

It was taken at Bondi Beach shortly after her return to Sydney following several weeks in Melbourne, where she was recovering from Covid.

While she denied having a 'bump' in the photo, Martha hinted she hopes to one day have a child with fiance Michael Brunelli.

'Go talk to your crystals for another month and see what happens, who knows maybe your "incline" might come true!' she said.

No baby bump: The picture in question was a top-down view of her Louis Vuitton beach towel. It was taken at Bondi Beach shortly after her return to Sydney following several weeks in Melbourne, where she was recovering from Covid-19

Martha and Michael first met on Married At First Sight in 2019 and announced their engagement late last year.

In September, personal trainer Michael teased baby plans with his stunning fiancee.

Responding to a fan on Instagram who asked where he hopes to be in five years' time, Michael shared a picture of what is traditionally known as a nuclear family.

Family plans: Martha and Michael met on Married At First Sight in 2019 and announced their engagement late last year. In September, Michael teased baby plans with his stunning fiancee

He went one step further by discussing whether the couple would raise their family in Sydney, or return to their home state of Victoria.

'It's something we're undecided about. There are pros and cons to both,' he said. 'When the time comes, we'll make the decision that best suits us at that point.'

The two reside in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Five-year plan: Responding to a fan on Instagram who asked where he hopes to be in five years' time, Michael shared a picture of what is traditionally known as a nuclear family
Man offers free meals to 81 tenants during Xi'an COVID-19 lockdown

Xinhua) 10:08, January 12, 2022

XI'AN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ming Tinggui, 41, a landlord in a community in Yanta District of Xi'an, never expected that he would become famous online because of his beneficence during the COVID-19 lockdown of the city.

Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, imposed a citywide lockdown on Dec. 23, 2021, in an effort to curb the resurgence of COVID-19.

Ming had 81 tenants at that time, about 80 percent of whom were students. They came to Xi'an to attend training classes, begin internships or take China's postgraduate entrance exam, scheduled from Dec. 25 to 27 last year.

Most of them only had simple belongings with them that they could fit inside a suitcase, with no room for pots or pans to cook with. Under lockdown, they were not allowed to go out, making mealtime a major headache.

Having seen his young tenants living on instant noodles and snacks, Ming decided to cook meals for them.

He bought as many vegetables as possible in the community and told his tenants via WeChat that he could provide dinner for them each day.

His idea was warmly welcomed. The tenants made their orders in the WeChat group every day, then Ming would prepare their meals accordingly.

His wife and 65-year-old mother also joined him to wash vegetables and dishes. Although the food supply was lacking at the beginning of the lockdown, Ming still managed to buy some meat for his hungry young tenants.

Ming received as many as 45 orders a day. Some of the tenants wanted to pay him for the dinner but were refused.

Ming said he cooked the meals not for money but to help those in need.

With the tenants' safety in mind, Ming divided the orders into small groups so that they could fetch their dinner one by one while keeping a distance of two meters from each other.

Greatly moved, the tenants reported his good deeds to the local media, shooting him to stardom overnight.

Hearing of his generosity, many people offered to give Ming money to help feed his young tenants, though Ming politely refused.

Ming has decided to continue to prepare meals for his tenants until the lockdown is over, or at least until takeout food is available.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Gwanghwamun Square is under construction in central Seoul, in this April 27 photo. Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



Seoul City has introduced some new policies and changes in its programs for 2022.



Below are some of the changes to affect the capital.



New Gwanghwamun Square



The renovation of Gwanghwamun Square will be completed and will officially open in the first half of this year.



The city government is currently proceeding with the facelift project, which includes expanding the size of the square by 3.7 times by reducing lanes and expanding pedestrian paths.



The new square will have more green space with 7,000 trees and 33,400 flowers. A small water channel will be built on the site of an old drainage channel as part of the square, and a Hangeul-themed fountain will be installed around the King Sejong statue.



The construction of another part of the square, themed with history, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023 by changing the road in front of Gwanghwamun.



Free meals for kindergarteners





A meal provided at a daycare center in Seoul / Korea Times file

A decade after the city government began offering free lunches to students at all public elementary schools in Seoul, the free school meal program has been expanded to middle and high schools, and will include kindergartens starting March.



Earlier on Dec. 8, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) and 25 district offices in the capital signed an agreement to share the meal expenses for about 70,000 children at some 790 kindergartens in the city.



An average of 4,642 won ($3.90) per meal will be spent per child, with the education office covering 50 percent of the budget, the city covering 30 percent and the district offices 20 percent.



Joint daycare centers



The city government will expand the joint childcare system binding several daycare centers in neighborhoods.



The new model is one of Mayor Oh Se-hoon's long-term master plans for childcare in the city, which has been implemented at 58 daycare centers in eight districts since August last year.



Public daycare centers will share their resources with nearby private centers enabling them to offer standardized childcare service, so that parents do not have to be in long waiting lists for admissions into public daycare centers.





The Seoul City Hall building / Korea Times file



Second light rail transit



In May, the new Sillim Line, a light rail transit (LRT) route that will run from Yeouido to Seoul National University in just 16 minutes, will be opened.



The 7.8-kilometer line will connect Saetgang Station on Line 9 with Daebang Station on Line 1, Boramae Station on Line 7 and Sillim Station on Line 2.



For this line, the Korean Radio-based Train Control System (KRTCS), a domestically developed next-generation unmanned driving system, will be introduced for the first time in the country.



Self-driving bus along Cheonggye Stream



The city will operate an urban circulation autonomous driving bus made with domestic technology along Cheonggye Stream in downtown Seoul as early as April.



The operating section is 4.8 kilometers from Cheonggye Square to Cheonggye 5-ga near Dongdaemun Market. The city previously designated the Gangnam area as a pilot zone for self-driving vehicles, and plans to introduce unmanned autonomous driving taxis with a private company.





Senior citizens participate in a digital education class at a community welfare center in Seoul, in this June 1, 2021, photo. Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon
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Steve Coogan returned to work on Wednesday morning as filming resumed for a controversial new drama documenting the life and death of posthumously disgraced TV presenter Jimmy Savile.

The actor takes a starring role as Savile, who died aged 84 in 2011 before his decades of sexual abuse against women and children was exposed, in forthcoming BBC series The Reckoning.

And he was back in character while filming his first scenes of the year outside Leeds General Infirmary in West Yorkshire, where Savile's victims ranged in age from five to 75 and included adults and children of both sexes.

Back on set: Steve Coogan returned to work on Wednesday morning as work resumed on a controversial new drama documenting the life and death of posthumously disgraced TV presenter Jimmy Savile

Coogan will play Savile at key points throughout his life, starting from his humble beginnings as a pirate radio DJ in his native Leeds.

His latest scenes are understood to take place in 1963, during the disgraced star's decade long stint as a disc jockey at Radio Luxembourg and long before his commercial fame on hit TV shows Top Of The Pops and Jim'll Fix It.

Former Leeds General Infirmary porter Terry Pratt previously claimed Savile was handed a key to the nurses' accommodation building at the hospital 'by a lad on the front desk' several times a month during the late 1980s.

Speaking in 2012, he ex-worker told the BBC that Savile would arrive with the girls in the early hours of the morning and then leave before dawn.

He told the BBC: 'He would go up and see the lad on the desk [and he would say] "Here's the key Jim, make sure I get it back".

'He'd take the key and the two of them would look through the doorway... he would walk out and the two women would follow him towards the nurses' home.'

'He was going into a property he had no right to go into. He wasn't a doctor and he wasn't a nurse.'

He added that the celebrity, who was a volunteer and fundraiser for the hospital, would make several late-night visits a month where he would ask for the key to the accommodation block, spend a few hours there and then leave at 5am.

Menace: Savile with a patient at the Yorkshire Infirmary, where he served as a volunteer and fundraiser, in 1968

Quiet on set: Coogan was back in character while filming his first scenes of the year outside Leeds General Infirmary in West Yorkshire, where Savile's victims ranged in age from five to 75 and included adults and children of both sexes

Hiding in plain sight: Savile visits his brother Vince, who was treated at Leeds Infirmary to remove a brain tumour in August 1984. The pair are joined by Sister Margaret Lloyd

Back in time: Coogan's latest scenes are understood to take place in 1963, during the disgraced star's decade long stint as a disc jockey at Radio Luxembourg and long before his commercial fame on hit TV shows Top Of The Pops and Jim'll Fix It

Here we go: A pensive looking Savile, played by Coogan, was seen emerging from his car and making his way into the hospital during Wednesday's location shoot

A damning report detailed Savile's decades of abuse across the NHS and how management turned a blind eye because of his fame and the amount of cash he raised for charity.

Victims included a young girl raped 10 times when she visited the hospital where her parents worked. The investigation found that none of the complaints were 'either taken seriously or escalated to senior management'.

He went onto abuse a total of 177 patients, aged between five and 75, across 41 hospitals. Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire was where his abuse was most prolific.

The decision to chronicle Savile's life has come under fire from many, however BBC has stated that they worked with his victims and will portray a story 'with sensitivity and respect'.

Controversy: Savile was given access to nurses accommodation at the hospital (pictured: Leeds General Infirmary in 2012)

Uncanny: Coogan's prosthetic chin gave him the late presenter's jutting, angular features as he filmed his scenes

Authentic: The actor's look was completed with a blonde wig and period clothes befitting the scene's early '60s setting

Emergency: An old fashion ambulance was seen parked next to the entrance as Coogan pulled a coat on between takes

Coogan, who famously portrays fictional comedic character Alan Partridge, previously explained in a statement the decision to play Savile was not one 'I took lightly'.

He added: 'Neil McKay has written an intelligent script tackling sensitively a horrific story which, however harrowing, needs to be told.'

Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television's biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011.

Well wrapped: On a chilly day the actor stayed warm in a thick winter coat as he waited for his next scene

In his final years, he fought to quell growing speculation about his illegal exploits throughout his illustrious career with the BBC - with victim testimony expected to be brought to life in the new drama.

A BBC-led inquiry into his actions found he had molested at least 72 children, some as young as eight, over a four decade campaign of sexual abuse with his first victim in 1959 and his last in 2006

His horrific reign of abuse could be charted 'in the corridors, canteens, staircases and dressing rooms of every BBC premises', their 2016 report found.

In good company: Coogan was joined by an assistant as work continued on The Reckoning in the north of England

Difficult decision: The actor, who famously portrays fictional comedic character Alan Partridge, previously explained in a statement the decision to play Savile was not one 'I took lightly'

Executive producer, Jeff Pope, said: 'I think this is a story that has to be told. We must understand why a man like Jimmy Savile seemed to remain immune for so long to proper scrutiny and criminal investigation.

'Steve has a unique ability to inhabit complex characters and will approach this role with the greatest care and integrity.'

The BBC also says it will draw on 'extensive and wide-ranging research sources' or the project, examining the lasting impact of Savile's crimes and the 'powerlessness' his victims felt.

Coming soon: A release date has yet to be announced with filming for the series expected to continue taking place in Manchester over the coming months

Double take: Coogan has been seen in a variety of outfits and sporting a number of different hairstyles as he documents Savile at various points throughout his life

Old times: Savile wore the tracksuit during his meeting with the late Diana, Princess of Wales at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 1987

Piers Wenger Controller, of BBC Drama, added: 'The story of Jimmy Savile is one of the most emotive and troubling of our times.

'We do not intend to sensationalise these crimes but to give voice to his victims.

'We will work with survivors to ensure their stories are told with sensitivity and respect and to examine the institutions which Jimmy Savile was associated with and the circumstances in which these crimes took place.

'Drama has the ability to tackle sensitive real life subjects and consider the impact of a crime on its survivors and what lessons can be learnt to stop this ever happening again.'

A release date has yet to be announced with filming for the series expected to continue taking place in Manchester over the coming months.
She's the Married At First Sight star who announced her pregnancy last month.

And on Wednesday evening, Beck Zemek flaunted her growing baby belly in a chic black midi dress as she stepped out to attend the Scream premiere in Perth.

Despite gearing up for a frightful viewing, the 28-year-old was all smiles as she walked down the red carpet in a pair of casual white slides.

So chic! Married At First Sight bride Beck Zemek flaunted her growing baby belly in a chic black ensemble as she stepped out to attend the Scream premiere in Perth on Wednesday

Beck had her caramel-hued locks parted to the side, styled in glamorous waves.

The former reality star added a touch of peachy blush to her cheek bones, filled in her brows and coated her lips with a soft pink lipstick for the occasion.

Beck attended the event with her partner Ben Michell.

He opted for a pair of stonewash denim jeans, teamed with a black and white T-shirt, the the fright-tastic outing.

Casual date night: Beck attended the event with her partner Ben Michell. He opted for a pair of stonewash denim jeans, teamed with a black and white T-shirt, the the fright-tastic outing

The couple appeared to be matching, as they both followed a monochrome-themed look.

At one stage, Beck held onto her burgeoning baby bump as she posed for photos by the media wall.

Beck confirmed her pregnancy in December, showing off her growing baby bump in a selection of stunning images alongside her partner.

Baby bump! At one stage, the former reality TV star held onto her burgeoning baby bump as she posed for photos by the media wall

'The secret is out!' she wrote in the caption at the time.

'Ben and I are over the moon to finally announce we are expecting a bundle of joy in May 2022!'

'Thank you to everyone who has kept this a secret for such a long time! Also for all the wonderful support over the last few months' it truly means the world to us.'

Divine: The couple unveiled the news alongside a photo shoot which saw Beck dressed in a stunning peach gown which showed off her blossoming bump to perfection. Picture credit: Alex Howell. Instagram @who_is_alex

Stunning: The reality star confirmed her pregnancy in December, showing off her growing baby bump in a selection of stunning Instagram images alongside her partner. Picture credit: Alex Howell. Instagram @who_is_alex

'Who knew the best was yet to come, this is such a miracle for us and we are already over filled with love for you little one.'

The couple unveiled the news alongside a photo shoot by photographer Alex Howell - who goes by the Instagram handle @who_is_alex - which saw Beck dressed in a stunning peach gown which showed off her blossoming bump to perfection.

Later in the month, they also had a gender reveal party, announcing they are awaiting the arrival of a little girl.

Beck soared to fame after appearing on MAFS Australia, where she failed to find love with on-screen 'husband' Jake Edwards.

Beck is expected to appear in the upcoming season of Nine's Celebrity Apprentice.
Jessika Power has gushed over TOWIE's Pete Wicks in a new interview and even revealed that he sent her a flirtatious message asking her out on a date.

The Married At First Sight star, 30, gushed of 33-year-old Pete: 'He is very good looking! He actually messaged me and he's like, ''Baby, let's go dating''. And I was like, ''Yeah!'''

She added when speaking to The Sun: 'He holds himself well, but he's also very kind and he's very aware of young women's feelings and emotions.'

Flirty: Jessika Power, 30, has gushed over Pete Wicks, 33, in a new interview and even revealed that he sent her a flirtatious message asking her out (pictured together in November)

The blonde bombshell also shared that despite speculation, Manchester-based podcaster Connor Thompson was never her boyfriend.

Explaining that her relocation from Australia to Manchester eight months ago had nothing to do with Connor, she told the outlet he's 'just a really dear friend' and noted she would only move countries for a partner if they'd been together 'a long time'.

Jessika also noted that Connor had helped her make important work connections and that they became 'super close' while working together.

Jessika and Pete first met last year when they both filmed Celebs Go Dating.

She gushed of Pete: 'He is very good looking! He holds himself well' (pictured together in November)

The TOWIE star was even seen fondly greeting the Down Under stunner with a kiss at Sainsy's Pie And Mash Shop on Brentood High Street as they got to work on shooting.

A month prior, Jessika told Closer magazine: 'I think Pete is cute! We met when I did his podcast recently. We follow each other on Instagram and he and I have a bit of flirty banter

'I would love to move to the UK and I have had a few of the British reality boys flying into my DMs. Scotty T from Geordie Shore and I had a thing a little while ago [while he was in Australia in 2019]...

'It came out in the media recently and he messaged me and I was like, 'Why are you still bringing this up, it was like two years ago, babe!'

'I am definitely happier in a relationship but, since MAFS, I'm struggling to find somebody who can take on my world.'
Fashion family drama House Of Gucci and dark Western The Power of the Dog led the field of film contenders announced Wednesday for Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild awards, landing three nominations each.

House Of Gucci was nominated for the group's top prize of best movie cast. It will compete for that honor against Belfast, CODA, King Richard and Don't Look Up.

The SAG Awards, voted on by members of the SAG-AFTRA acting union, are scheduled to be handed out at a ceremony in Los Angeles on February 27.

Scroll down for a list of nominations...

On top! Fashion family drama House of Gucci and dark Western The Power of the Dog led the field of film contenders announced Wednesday for Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild awards, landing three nominations each

The results are closely watched because actors form the largest voting group in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization that will present the Oscars in March.

Netflix Inc scored the most SAG movie nominations of any film studio, with seven in total.

Will Smith, Lady Gaga and Ben Affleck landed individual nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The nominees were announced Wednesday by actors Vanessa Hudgens and Rosario Dawson on Instagram Live.

While the nominations were conducted virtually due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the streamed announcement still represented one of the most meaningful mornings in an awards season largely snuffed out by the pandemic.

She made it: Will Smith, Lady Gaga (pictured) and Ben Affleck landed individual nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

A standout film for him: Ben Affleck, left, was nominated; seen with his co-stars in the movie

Joining Belfast and CODA for best ensemble were the casts for House of Gucci, Don't Look Up and King Richard.

Notably left out were the casts of Steven Spielberg's West Side Story (which did land a supporting nod for Ariana DeBose) and Jane Campion's The Power of the Dog.

Campion's film, though, landed three individual SAG noms: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

The Golden Globes, usually the kickoff party in the final stretch leading up to the Academy Awards, made barely a peep.

Ace: Will Smith, right, was singled out too; seen with Demi Singleton, left, and Saniyya Sidney in a scene from King Richard

They stood out: Both Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem were nominated for their work in the film Being The Ricardos

They were unceremoniously announced Sunday on Twitter in a private ceremony due to Hollywood's boycott of the beleaguered Hollywood Foreign Press Association over diversity and ethical issues.

The Omicron surge also prompted the Critics Choice Awards to postpone its January 9 in-person gala. For the second year, Oscar season has gone virtual - and struggled to make much noise.

Wednesday's SAG nominations, at least, confirmed that this year's Academy Awards race has plenty of star power.

The nominees for best male lead actor are: Will Smith ('King Richard'), Cumberbatch, Denzel Washington ('The Tragedy of Macbeth'), Andrew Garfield ('Tick, Tick ... Boom!') and Javier Bardem ('Being the Ricardos').

The awards: Finished solid bronze Actor statuettes are displayed during the 25th Annual Casting of the Screen Actors Guild Awards at American Fine Arts Foundry

The TV shows were announced too: The Best Ensemble for a Drama Series went to The Handmaid's Tale, The Morning Show, Squid Game, Succession and Yellowstone

Up for best female lead are: Lady Gaga ('House of Gucci'), Jessica Chastain ('The Eyes of Tammy Faye'), Olivia Colman ('The Lost Daughter'), Nicole Kidman ('Being the Ricardos') and Jennifer Hudson ('Respect').

The SAG Awards, presented by the actors guild SAG-AFTRA, are among the most reliable Oscar bellwethers. Seldom does a movie or performance not nominated by the screen actors end up winning at the Academy Awards.

Actors make up the biggest percentage of the film academy, so their choices have the largest sway.

Somewhat overlooked: Notably left out were the casts of Steven Spielberg's West Side Story (which did land a supporting nod for Ariana DeBose); seen center are Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler

But last year, SAG and the academy diverged more than usual.

Only one of its acting winners - Daniel Kaluuya ('Judas and the Black Messiah') - repeated at the Oscars. (The other SAG winners were Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' and Yuh-Jung Youn in 'Minari.')

The Aaron Sorkin courtroom drama 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' won best ensemble at a virtual SAG Awards while Chloe Zhao's 'Nomadland' - which included many nonprofessional actors and went unnominated for ensemble - triumphed at the Oscars.

The 28th annual SAG Awards are to be held February 27 and will be broadcast on TNT and TBS. The Oscars are scheduled for March 27.

They did a great job: Rosario Dawson, top, and Vanessa Hudgens, bottom, present the nominees for the 28th SAG Awards
Bradley Cooper was New York chic in a black pea coat when he was seen out with his four-year-old daughter this week.

The 47-year-old year old heartthrob held hands with his little girl Lea De Seine as they took in a stroll in the city that never sleeps.

The star cut a fashionable figure in a black pea coat for his latest outing, slipping on a simple pair of dark jeans and a white top.

Quality time: Bradley Cooper was New York chic in a black pea coat when he was seen out with his four-year-old daughter this week

During a recent interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert he shared a sweet story about the Christmas gift he got his daughter.

Bradley noted that 'for those of you who have kids, you know, they really, they really push that Ghostbusters laser on every commercial in between cartoons, so she wanted that so Santa gave her that.'

However when she received her gift 'She's like: "Where's the laser, though?" 'Cause it's just like a little plastic thing.'

'Okay, wow, I thought you were a big star, Dad,' Stephen joked, and Bradley played along quipping that he 'couldn't deliver'

Off they go: The 47-year-old year old heartthrob held hands with his little girl Lea De Seine as they took in a stroll in the city that never sleeps

Legging it: He cut a fashionable figure in a black pea coat for his latest outing, slipping on a simple pair of dark jeans and a white top

Bradley shares his little pride and joy with his amicable ex Irina Shayk, a model who was born in the old Soviet Union.

Irina's dating history includes Cristiano Ronaldo and last year she was briefly linked to Kanye West in the wake of his split from Kim Kardashian.

She and Bradley are such close co-parents that they have made sure to live just blocks apart in Greenwich Village in order to raise their daughter.

'Hes a full-on, hands-on dad - no nanny,' Irina told Highsnobiety last year. 'Lea went on holiday with him for almost two weeks - I didnt call them once.'

Family matters: Bradley shares his little pride and joy with his amicable ex Irina Shayk, a model who was born in the old Soviet Union

The mother of one added: 'Me and her father are very strict. When she finishes eating, she gets up from the table, takes her plate, says "thank you." Without "please" or "thank you" shes not getting anything.'

Irina noted: 'Its hard, because she has so many toys. I had one doll, and I still have this doll. Blonde, blue eyes, big Russian doll.'

The Russian fashionista explained: 'My grandma used to make clothes for her. And I always explain: "Look, this is my doll. I had only one." Or sometimes: "You have this candy. I used to have candy only for Christmas."'

On the professional front Bradley recently fronted the cast of the new Guillermo Del Toro movie adaptation of Nightmare Alley.

Jolly holiday: During a recent interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert he shared a sweet story about the Christmas gift he got his daughter

Note to Santa: Bradley noted that 'for those of you who have kids, you know, they really, they really push that Ghostbusters laser on every commercial in between cartoons'

Rude awakening: However when she received her gift 'She's like: "Where's the laser, though?" 'Cause it's just like a little plastic thing'

The film is based on a 1940s potboiler novel by William Lindsay Gresham, which was previously adapted into an Old Hollywood classic starring Tyrone Power.

In the new film Bradley is part of a star-studded ensemble that includes Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Toni Collette and Willem Dafoe.

He is also starring as the movie producer Jon Peters, who used to be Barbra Streisand's hairdresser, in the Paul Thomas Anderson film Licorice Pizza.

Bradley broke into directing with his 2018 remake of A Star Is Born starring Lady Gaga in a role previously played by Janet Gaynor, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.

Star turn: On the professional front Bradley recently fronted the cast of the new Guillermo Del Toro movie adaptation of Nightmare Alley
Love Island's Liam Reardon played a hilarious prank on his girlfriend Millie Court in a new clip shared by the latter on Instagram.

The loved-up couple, who were crowned winners of 2021's show, were both left in hysterics when Welsh bricklayer Liam, 22, pretended to ask bikini-clad Millie, 24, to marry him while waiting for their camera timer to go off.

Taking to social media from their Maldives getaway, Millie explained: 'I set the timer up and said ''quick do something before it goes off''.' She added: 'He totally was not being serious'.

Hilarious: Love Island's Liam Reardon, 22, played a hilarious prank on his girlfriend Millie Court, 24, in a new clip shared by the latter on Instagram from their Maldives getaway

Millie showcased her rock-hard abs in the playful clip and layered a chic, cream-hued shirt over her black two-piece.

Millie wrote in full: 'This pic cracks me up, I set the timer up and said ''quick do something before it goes off'' - we were cracking up. This is just our humour btw and he was totally not being serious.'

Sharing another sweet photo of herself and Liam embracing on the beautiful shoreline, the media personality wrote: 'What an amazing first holiday with you.'

The couple have openly documented their lavish trip to The Maldives, after previously celebrating the New Year in Dubai.

Cheeky: Liam pretended to ask bikini-clad Millie to marry him while waiting for their camera timer to go off

It comes after Millie took to social media to candidly discuss her struggles with adult acne after bravely posting a makeup-free snap from her holiday.

Captioning the post she penned: 'Stripped back. I feel quite proud of myself for posting these photos today. A completely untouched photo of me.

'A year ago I would never have dreamed of even walking out of the house without makeup on, let alone taking a photo and putting it on the gram for everyone to see.'

Sweet: Millie took to social media to share a gallery of loved-up snaps with beau Liam as they prepared to jet back to the UK

She went on: 'As some of you may know, I've struggled with adult acne and it was the thing I was most insecure and self conscious about.

'I've been through a lot of different skin care and treatments and I thought it would never get better, so it feels amazing to be at this point and look at this picture of myself and how far I've come.

She shared some advice for her fans about how to take care of their skin, adding: 'It wasn't an easy journey, nor a quick one, and what worked for me may not work for you. That's the most annoying thing about skincare, it's not a one size fits all.

Stunning: It comes after Millie took to social media to candidly discuss her struggles with adult acne after bravely posting a makeup-free snap from her holiday

'But all I can say is do your research, speak to professionals, persevere don't give up because one day you will find something that works for you, like I did.

'I think my skin also loves me on holiday, something about it I don't know what, but it always seems to clear up in the sun and sea. No doubt about it, when I get back home my skin will break out again like it did over Christmas but I guess that's just something I have to deal with now - random breakouts every now and then.'

Millie went on to warn her followers not to be taken in by the flawless images of people on Instagram.

She said: 'Don't be fooled by Instagram either, this is my good side - I have a couple of marks, deep scars and 2 spots on my other side, but to see that one side is clear is enough for me and a huge difference to what it was a year ago!'

'There's a lot of photos on my Instagram (especially pre love island and in the year I was struggling with it the most) where I've smoothed out my skin, or edited spots out we're all guilty of it and we all want to post the best versions of ourselves on Instagram.

'So for those who sometimes forget, Instagram is a filtered life and even though it looks like everyone on Instagram may have perfect skin, I bet you they probably don't, and that is perfectly normal.'

'Our flaws are what makes us who we are, nobody is perfect.. and one of my flaws is my skin. But that's what makes me, me.'
Drew Barrymore opened up about her fears over dating as a single mom while promoting a new season of The Drew Barrymore show on CBS Mornings.

The 46-year old actress spoke with host Gayle King and shared a clip from her own show where she breaks down in tears while discussing her dating life with Queer Eye star Bobby Berk.

'I don't know how to date with kids,' the mom-of-two revealed as her voice cracked and her eyes teared up.

Speaking candidly: Drew Barrymore opened up about her fears over dating as a single mom while promoting a new season of The Drew Barrymore show on CBS Mornings

'I'm not there yet. I have two young girls and I'm like...I don't want to bring people home,' she went on as Berk held her hands.

The actress shares daughters Olive, 9, and Frankie, 7, with ex-husband Will Kopelman, whom she was married to from 2012 to 2016.

'I think it would take me a very long time to meet someone and get to know them before I could even ever introduce them to my daughters,' she added.

Barrymore continued to cry as Berk praised her for being so careful in regards to her children's wellbeing and called her an amazing mother.

Afraid to date: The 46-year old star shared a clip from her show where she breaks down in tears saying 'I don't know how to date with kids' while speaking to Queer Eye star Bobby Berk

After sharing the clip King asked Barrymore what made her so emotional during the segment.

'I never said out loud that I don't know how to date with kids,' she replied, then went on to compare her dating process to that of her ex.

'My kids' dad is happily remarried with the most wonderful woman in the world, Allie. My children have this extraordinary stepmom. And our processes have been different, and their side of the street is so functional, and whole, and happening. And I think I've been on the sidelines in a beautiful honoring purgatory,' she said.

Happier times: The actress shares daughters Olive, 9, and Frankie, 7, with ex-husband Will Kopelman, whom she was married to from 2012 to 2016

He's moved on: Barrymore compared her dating life to that of her ex, who is remarried, saying, 'Our processes have been different'; Pictured on October 25, 2015 in New York City

The star was candid about how her worries as a mother impact her love life.

'I've been saying that it's me, it's my choice, I'm not ready, I want to wait. I don't think I've said out loud that it's really because I have these two daughters,' she said.

She added, 'I dont even talk about my kids actually because I think that we probably have to get to know each other first.'

Barrymore then revealed that she's been single for six years. 'I'll go on an occasional date, but that's only in the last two years. It took me four to even step out there.'

Short lived: The actress - who's tied the knot three times - was previously married to Canadian actor Tom Green from 2001 to 2002; Pictured in October 22, 2001 in Los Angeles

First husband: She was also wed to British bartender Jeremy Thomas from 1994 to 1995; Pictured on April 19, 1994 in Los Angeles

The actress - who's been married three times - insisted she will never get married again.

When King asked if she was looking to get married again, Barrymore replied, 'Oh God, never,' adding, 'There's no reason to be. I would maybe live with someone again. Maybe.'

She then insisted on her no marriage rule, repeating, 'There's no way. I will never ever, ever, ever get married again.'

Aside from Kopelman, Barrymore was previously married to Canadian actor Tom Green from 2001 to 2002, and British bartender Jeremy Thomas, from 1994 to 1995.

Ready to date again: Barrymore posted a behind-the-scenes look at her getting ready to go on a date with the Queer Eye crew on her TikTok account

Open to love: While getting her makeup done by Jonathan Van Ness, she shared pictures of a new date she had lined up from a dating app

Barrymore also posted a behind-the-scenes look at her getting ready to go on a date with the Queer Eye crew on her TikTok account.

While getting her makeup done by Jonathan Van Ness, she shared pictures of a potential new date she had lined up from a dating app.

'I met this guy on a dating app and he was the most normal person about the process. Like, "Hi, it's nice to see you,"' she shared while Jonathan quipped, 'He's hot too.'

Hot date: 'I met this guy on a dating app and he was the most normal person about the process,' the actress revealed while showing photos of a potential new beau

This isn't the first time the star is opening up about her dating life.

In December she discussed her dislike for dating apps on her show, saying, 'It makes me feel like such a loser. And you're like you know what? It's just hard out there, it's hard out there for everybody. It's hard in person, it's hard on dating apps, it's vulnerable.'

However, she wasn't dismayed by her lack os success, stating: 'You keep trying, and you fill your life up with so much that it becomes secondary...I think a cherry on top to my life at some convenient, cool, inspiring, unexpected time might be in there - but that's all it is.'
Lala Kent claimed that ex-fiance Randall Emmett had a 'repeated' pattern of cheating which she only learned about recently.

The 31-year-old reality star said his infidelity had been going on for 'quite some time' and that he had cheated with 'many' women.

Kent shared she never saw it coming because she figured, 'Who would creep around with him?'

Spilling the tea: Lala Kent, 31, divulged more details about cheating ex-fiance Randall Emmett, confessing that his infidelity was 'repeated behavior' and had been going on for 'quite some time'

The Vanderpump Rules star dished on the 50-year-old producer's behavior during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live.

Host Andy Cohen asked if Randall had only cheated once or if it was the 'only time he got caught.'

'No, this has been going on for quite some time,' Kent shared. 'It's been kind of repeated behavior that I have found out about and it's not just one person, it's many,' she continued.

In addition, she dated the start of the cheating back to three years ago  around the time she got sober from alcohol.

'I believe it started after I got sober and it's just, I don't know how I didn't see it.'

Ladies man? 'It's been kind of repeated behavior that I have found out about and it's not just one person, it's many,' Kent shared of the 50-year-old Irishman producer; pictured August 2021

Phone in hand: 'The constant phone use, it was glued to him. He couldn't even go into a massage without his phone on him and he was very funny if I would get anywhere near the phone, that should have been a huge red flag to me' she shared; pictured 2019

She continued to detail his suspicious and 'constant' phone behavior and how it should have been a 'red flag.'

'The constant phone use, it was glued to him. He couldn't even go into a massage without his phone on him and he was very funny if I would get anywhere near the phone, that should have been a huge red flag to me.'

Kent continued to discuss her prenuptial agreement with Emmett and how she was 'very concerned' about protecting her assets while ensuring he maintained control of his.

'I was always very concerned about that because I'm only 31, who knows what my future holds and I just didn't want him to be able to have any piece of what I could potentially have in the future.

Sobriety: 'I believe it started after I got sober and it's just, I don't know how I didn't see it,' Kent said dating the cheating back to 2019

'I wanted it to be exactly what I said on the show, what's yours is yours and what's mine is mine and I just want you out of my life,' she added.

The former pair  who share 11-month old daughter Ocean  are only in communication with regards to co-parenting.

She also said there was no 'closure' in the relationship as she promptly shut the door on their partnership following cheating allegations in mid-October.

'There was no closure at all when it came to my relationship and exiting it. Ocean is the main focus and that's how we communicate. If it doesn't have to do with her, I have no desire to communicate with that person.'

Mom mode: The former pair  who share eleven-month old daughter Ocean  are only in communication with regards to co-parenting as she confessed 'If it doesn't have to do with her, I have no desire to communicate with that person'

Emmett had allegedly cheated on Lala during a work trip to Nashville, Tennessee with images and text evidence surfacing on social media.

She moved into the Beverly Hills Hotel temporarily and first addressed the rumors of his infidelity on her Give Them Lala podcast  which she axed him from.

'I had my head in the sand for a really long time, but I'm grateful no matter what. What's five years and some change versus what I would've been in...I saw those pictures and I just knew, "I'm going to do what I need to do to exit this relationship."'

A source told Page Six of the Midnight In The Switchgrass producer: 'Randall always lives a double life. He lives the life of a husband or boyfriend, and then he lives the life of a serial partier and then goes on a bender.'
He played James Bond for an impressive 15 years.

Yet Daniel Craig has revealed he only took on his 007 role after the advice of legendary film director Steven Spielberg, who insisted: 'It's a winner.'

The 53-year-old actor - who bowed out of his role as Bond in 2021's No Time to Die after five movies - has revealed he only agreed to play the iconic spy for Casino Royale back in 2006 after he happened to bump into Steven in a hotel.

Career-changing moment: Daniel Craig, 53, took on his 007 role at the advice of legendary film director Steven Spielberg, who insisted: 'It's a winner'

The pair had worked together the year before on historical drama Munich, which told an account of Operation Wrath of God, the Israeli government's secret retaliation against the Palestine Liberation Organization after the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Daniel told The Sun: 'Steven was in the same hotel by chance. Can you get a more Hollywood moment? And I went, "Would you read this [script] please?" He read it very quickly and said, "You have to do it!"'

The star went on to explain that it was 'very important' for a someone in showbusiness as high up as Steven to be 'inspired' by the role before he chose to accept it.

Friends in high places: The actor revealed he only agreed to play the iconic spy for Casino Royale back in 2006 after he happed to bump into Steven in a hotel

However, despite receiving the confidence of Steven - who has won Oscars for directing films such as Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan - Daniel still found himself to be 'nervous' about taking on the mammoth role, but knew it was 'going to be good'.

He said: 'I was working with incredible directors in some amazing movies. I was nervous. I thought, "I dont want to do Bond and ruin all that." But I read the Casino Royale script. It was like, "OK, this is going to be good."'

Meanwhile, Daniel revealed he was originally told he'd have to star in four James Bond films by boss Barbara Broccoli, leading him to ask if the character could be 'killed off'.

The actor confessed it was 'a lot' being told he'd have to make such a commitment to the part, setting the stage for the agent's surprise death many years later.

Way back: The pair worked together on historical 2005 drama Munich, which told an account of Operation Wrath of God at the 1972 Summer Olympics

Speaking on the Awards Chatter podcast, Daniel said that he felt Bond was 'happy and fulfilled' when he finally met his maker, while detailing the moment he became 'choked up' during his final day of filming.

Daniel explained that after his first Bond outing in Casino Royale in 2006 he had asked Broccoli how many he had to make.

He said: 'I was sitting in the back of a black Mercedes driving away from the Berlin premiere of Casino Royale with Barbara Broccoli in the back - just me and her - everything was good, the movie was doing great, it was like 'we'd done it, it was time for a bit of celebration'.

'I said "how many of these movies do I have to make?" And she was like 'four'. And I was like "oh, really? That's a lot?"

'I said ''OK, if I make four can I kill him off at the end?'' And she paused, and she just went ''yes''.

Open: The actor confessed it was 'a lot' being told he'd have to make such a commitment to the part, setting the stage for the agent's surprise death many years later

'I had a sort of plan in my head, I don't know what the plan was, that if we got it right and if we got it to a place, then they needed to re-set.

'And to properly re-set you need to get rid of one idea of it and start another idea of it. And I just felt like 'get rid of my version and someone else can start, and they can start their version'.

'But it also meant that what I could do is there could be some sort of arc, emotional arc, that I could aim for, and that something he does or has to do means he has to end and that he can't be around any more.

'And that was a really, really difficult story to figure out, but I knew that if we got it right then it would be the ultimate sacrifice, but the ultimate sacrifice for a good reason.'

Speaking out: Daniel also recently explained that after his first Bond outing in Casino Royale in 2006 he had asked movie boss Barbara Broccoli how many he had to make

In No Time To Die, Craig's Bond is tackling baddie Safin and calls in a missile strike from HMS Dragon to destroy Safin's factory where he has technology to kill millions of people.

Bond is eventually killed in the blast, mere seconds after learning that he is the father of love interest Dr. Madeleine Swann's daughter Mathilde.

Discussing his character's eventual ending, Daniel said: 'He didn't commit suicide, there was no choice, and basing it around a love story and a family love story seemed to me to be the obvious thing.

'I and Cary (director Cary Joji Fukunaga) and Phoebe (Waller-Bridge, screenwriter) all had a lot to do with the end. We wrote it. I scribbled stuff down on paper what I thought it was. Phoebe scribbled her magic over it. It came together.

Moving: Speaking on the Awards Chatter podcast, Daniel said that he felt Bond was 'happy and fulfilled' when he finally met his maker

'We just had to get the right reasons. And the right reasons were ones where there was a diabolical villain who did something diabolical that there was no going back from, and the only thing that he could do to keep the people he loved alive was to sacrifice himself.

'And it felt right. And he went out a happy man. He was fulfilled.

'He could never really be with anybody because he couldn't because he was an assassin. He was always a target and in some ways he got rid of the bad guy, the real bad guy that we had from the first movie, because Safin was in the first movie.

'We got rid of him and Madeleine could go on, and his daughter could go on. I felt very satisfied with it.'

Craig also said that after the final day of filming he became far more emotional than on any of the other Bond films.

He continued: 'That last day on a movie set is always a fairly anti-climactic thing. You go ''bye, see you, lovely working with you, see you again soon''.

'I did the last scene. All of the crew, all of the office staff had stayed and I didn't know they had. So suddenly there was two or three hundred people standing around.

'And it was very difficult not to get emotional. It wasn't about the fact that it was over. It was about the people who were standing around me were the reason that I went to work every day.

Praised: Daniel has earned much acclaim for his performance as Bond, despite sparking controversy when he was originally cast in the role (pictured in Casino Royale)

'And I realised that at that point that that was the reason. I just looked around, I went "I come to work for you guys."

'And it never felt more collective. I never felt more like part of a family on a set at that point than I had ever done in my career, and I realised how much I was going to miss that.

'There will always be moments like that on movie making, but on a Bond movie it's particularly special, and particularly on No Time To Die, where the collective effort was so great.

'At that moment, I realised how much it mattered to me. It was release. You never know. To stop and realise what it all meant, it was difficult not to choke up and be emotional about it.'
Kim Cattrall was getting a breath of coastal air on Wednesday as she delighted her fans - particularly UK natives - by sharing a snippet of her time in Blakeney, Norfolk.

The British-born, Canadian-raised actress, 65, posted a black-and-white filtered boomerang (a high-quality mini video that plays forward and backward) to her Instagram profile, where she beamed for the camera before taking in the views.

Dressed cosily in a thick coat, cap and scarf, Kim, who recently gushed about her 'incredible' tour of London, stopped to take the video along a hilly path which led to the national reserve below, which is renowned for its landscape of marshes, sand hills and mud banks.

Embracing nature: High-spirited Kim Cattrall took a road trip to a coastal village in Norfolk on Monday after trading the city for a rural setting during a trip in the UK

The Liverpool-born Samantha Jones actress picked an idyllic location, as Blakeney is listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is considered a prime base to explore the north Norfolk coast.

She penned the refreshing post: 'There and back again.. #roadtrip'.

Fans rushed to the comments, with one penning, 'I love that you love the UK so much ' as a second reply read, 'This looks like England to me! Have a lovely time Kim and pop over to Wales for a cuppa sometime! We love you  '.

Coastal air: The British-born, Canadian-raised actress, 65, posted a black-and-white filtered boomerang to her Instagram profile, where she beamed for the camera before taking in the views

Sneak peek: Dressed cosily in a thick coat, cap and scarf, Kim stopped to take the video along a hilly path which led to the national reserve below

'We love you!': She delighted her fans - particularly UK natives - by sharing a snippet of her time in Blakeney

Last week, the jet-setter was highly complimentary of a private tour she had embarked on of the Big Smoke.

Smiling for a tourist-inspired photograph with the guide, Kim penned the snap: 'A huge thank you to Charley @totally.tailored for our incredible tour of London. What an amazing amount of facts, delicious tastings at Crouchs Shop @boroughmarket and a lot of fun!!

'Ps.Thanks to Graham our trusted black cab driver #totallytailored #privatelondonguide'.

Living her best life: Last week, the jet-setter was highly complimentary of a private tour she had embarked on of the Big Smoke

Elsewhere, Kim's character Samantha Jones famously experienced 'deja-screw' in Sex And The City, claiming that she had 'run out' of men to sleep with after unknowingly dating a man she had already hooked up with 15 years prior.

And her prolific dating life made its mark in the latest episode of the series reboot, as one of her past love interests reappeared in a new role.

Ajay Mehta, who had propositioned Kim character in series two of the hit series, returned to screens for episode six of And Just Like That ... this time recast as Seema's father.

'Samantha could've been Seema's step mumma!': Sex And The City fans went wild as Kim series two love interest Ajay Mehta was recast in And Just Like That...

Throwback: The Indian actor first appeared on the series playing a Pakistani busboy who offered to 'go home' with Samantha after she was stood up on a date

The Indian actor first appeared on the series playing a Pakistani busboy who offered to 'go home' with Samantha after she was stood up on a date.

Although she declined, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) noted in the voiceover at the time: 'Samantha let the Pakistani bus boy kiss her  after all, hed been so sweet and attentive with the bread.'

So eagle-eyed fans were shocked when they noticed Ajay appear in the reboot of the series, this time playing the father of Carrie's realtor, Seema (Sarita Choudhury).

Although viewers questioned if he was playing the same role, the episode revealed that Seema's family are Indian and her father and mother met as a result of an arranged marriage, having been together for decades.

Despite this, fans still went crazy after a fan account made the connection, commenting: 'And just like that Samantha could have been Seema's step momma'; 'IT WAS HIM!!!!'






Hyundai Development Co. / Yonhap



The chief of Hyundai Development apologized Wednesday over the collapse of a facade on a high-rise apartment building under construction, which left six workers missing.



The exterior wall of the apartment building in the southwestern city of Gwangju crumbled and fell at around 3:46 p.m. Tuesday, injuring at least one person and burying 10 vehicles under the rubble.



A total of 394 people were working at the scene of the accident, but six of them were unaccounted for, although their mobile phones received network signals near the scene, according to police.



Hyundai Development is the main contractor for the construction project.





The collapsed wall facade of an apartment under construction at a site in Gwangju, Jan. 11 / Yonhap
Dakota Johnson revealed that she has difficulty when it comes to undressing for the camera.

In a new interview for W Magazine's 2022 Best Performances Portfolio, the 32-year-old actress shared her thoughts on filming scenes in which she was almost nude for her 2021 drama The Lost Daughter.

'It is difficult. Some days, I don't want to take off my clothes on set,' Dakota told the publication.

Uncomfortable: Dakota Johnson revealed that she has difficulty when it comes to undressing for the camera

She continued, 'Just because I look a certain way doesn't mean I don't have feelings.'

'And my character, Nina, is almost bored by her appearance,' the Texas native added.

'She has reached a point in her life where her hotness doesn't match who she is anymore.'

Speaking out: In a new interview for W Magazine's 2022 Best Performances Portfolio, the 32-year-old actress shared her thoughts on filming scenes in which she was almost nude for her 2021 drama The Lost Daughter

The Lost Daughter: The film follows a woman named Leda Caruso, played by Olivia Colman, who finds herself becoming obsessed with a younger woman (Johnson) and her daughter

Trying to cool off: Often Johnson wears a bikini in the movie and she also has a nude scene

Dakota is the daughter of longtime Hollywood stars Don Johnson, 72, and Melanie Griffith, 64, and the granddaughter of Alfred Hitchcock heroine Tippi Hedren, 94.

She made her acting debut at the age of 10 when she co-starred alongside her mother and her sister Stella Banderas in the 1999 comedy-drama Crazy in Alabama.

The former model skyrocketed to fame when she landed the role of Anastasia Steele in the 2015 erotic film Fifty Shades of Grey and its two sequels Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018).

Famous family: Dakota is the daughter of longtime Hollywood stars Don Johnson, 72, and Melanie Griffith, 64, and the granddaughter of Alfred Hitchcock heroine Tippi Hedren, 94. Don and Melanie seen in 2016

The 21 Jump Street star appeared naked in many of the trilogy's racy sex scenes. In 2017, Dakota told The Mirror that she refused to use a body double for her nude scenes.

'No, because it would have felt like a cop-out if I did,' she explained.

'If I was going to do this job, I was going to do it 100 per cent and give it everything. I wanted to be true and honest to the role, and the character.

'I don't have a problem with nudity. I think it is beautiful and so I was OK with that.'

Breakthrough: The former model skyrocketed to fame when she landed the role of Anastasia Steele in the 2015 erotic film Fifty Shades of Grey and its two sequels Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018)

When asked at what age she knew she wanted to be an actress, the How To Be Single actress told W, 'Zero old. Nothing old. I couldn't wait. I grew up on sets.

'My parents were always working with these amazing artists, and I just loved it. I wanted to be a part of it.'

The Cry Cry Cry music video director added that her parents 'discouraged' her from pursuing acting.

'See how well that turned out?' Dakota quipped. 'But I understood. They wanted me to have as much of a childhood as I could.

No doubts: When asked at what age she knew she wanted to be an actress, the How To Be Single actress told W, 'Zero old. Nothing old. I couldn't wait. I grew up on sets. Seen in November 2021

The actress also discussed filming The Lost Daughter in Greece amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

'We did hard-core quarantine,' Dakota told W. 'But we were in Greece, which was not hard-core at all.

'Everyone in the film was in a bubble, on an island, and luckily, we all loved each other. We had all sorts of parties: dance parties, hide-and-go-seek parties, lots of games.'

Last month, Dakota said she had a 'wild time' with Olivia Colman while they were filming movie.

The actress admitted she was initially nervous about meeting the Oscar winner, 47, thinking at the time: 'I was just like s**t, 'I wonder what she's going to be like?'

In a December interview with ELLE, in which Dakota graces the front cover in a striking brown patterned suit, the star talked all about her friendship with Olivia.

Fun: Dakota has spoken of how she had a 'wild time' with Olivia Colman while they were filming The Lost Daughter (pictured in September at the Venice Film Festival)

Dakota told the publication: 'Well, I was just like s**t, 'I wonder what she's going to be like?' But we loved each other, and she's a wild time.

'She's so maternal and embracing and always wants to hang out and drink wine and talk.'

The actress also formed a close bond with Maggie Gyllenhaal. The Lost Daughter is the feature film directorial debut for Maggie who also wrote the screenplay and is a co-producer.

'We went so immediately deep into the experience of being a woman, both in film and in this world. I was like: 'I'll do anything. I really wanted to follow her,' she said.

Dakota spoke of how she saw herself in Maggie- parts she didn't know she had before they met.

She explained how Maggie - who she dubbed a 'truth seeker' - ignited her to see parts of herself she didn't know were there after they delved 'deep into the experience of being a woman, both in film and in this world'.

Hollywood stars: Dakota spoke of how she saw herself in Maggie Gyllenhaal- parts she didn't know she had before they met (pictured in September)

The film follows a woman named Leda Caruso, played by Olivia, who finds herself becoming obsessed with a younger woman Nina (Dakota) and her daughter while on a summer holiday prompting memories of her own early motherhood.

The movie also stars Peter Sarsgaard, Paul Mescal, Ed Harris and Oliver Jackson-Cohen.

The Lost Daughter was released on Netflix on December 17.

Elsewhere in the interview, Dakota discussed her romance with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

The actress and the musician, 44, have largely kept their four-year relationship out of the spotlight yet she has now shed light on their romance.

Dakota explained how she is content keeping their romance private, admitting most of their partying happens 'inside the house.'

Chris is father to Apple, 17, and Moses, 15, with his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow and has been dating Dakota since October 2017.

On their home life, Dakota detailed: 'We've been together for quite a while and we go out sometimes, but we both work so much that it's nice to be at home and be cosy and private. Most of the partying takes place inside of my house'.
Mr Motivator was appointed an MBE by Prince William during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

The 69-year-old fitness guru - real name Derrick Evans - propelled to fame in the 90s after delivering live workout sessions and offering expert advice on breakfast programme GMTV.

And his services to health and fitness over his almost three-decade career have been rightfully recognised, as the instructor proudly exhibited his award while stopping to be photographed on his special day.

Congratulations: Mr Motivator smiled from ear to ear as he proudly accepted his MBE from Prince William on Wednesday

The Jamaican native, who was joined by wife Sandra for the momentous occasion, dipped into his heritage by donning a vibrant African print blazer which was perfectly complemented by a matching kufi cap and fuchsia tie.

When receiving the acclaimed award, The Duke of Cambridge urged him to 'keep what you're doing'  but rejected the offer of taking one of his trademark lycra outfits.

Mr Motivator said: 'I do this because I love what I do, and its been like that since 1993 when my television [break] came along.

Special moment: The 69-year-old fitness guru - real name Derrick Evans - propelled to fame in the 90s after delivering live workout sessions and offering expert advice on breakfast programme GMTV

Go Derrick! His services to health and fitness over his almost three-decade career have been rightfully recognised, as the instructor proudly exhibited his award

Proud: When receiving the acclaimed award, The Duke of Cambridge urged him to 'keep what you're doing'  but rejected the offer of one of his trademark lycra outfits

Success story: Among his most noteworthy work include running online home exercises during lockdown and hosted a week-long workout with actress Linda Lusardi to raise money for Age UKs Emergency Coronavirus Appeal (pictured with wife Sandra)

'So fitness is a way of life for me, more so than ever now because I think there is a real need not just for the physical side of fitness but also the mental side.'

Among his most noteworthy work include running online home exercises during lockdown and hosting a week-long workout with actress Linda Lusardi to raise money for Age UKs Emergency Coronavirus Appeal.

The TV icon returned to television screens amid the pandemic on BBC One programme HealthCheck UK Live.

Acclaimed award: The trainer said of his chat with Prince William: 'You know what he was so great. He was just brilliant'

The trainer said of his chat with Prince William: 'You know what he was so great. He was just brilliant.

'He said to me, "Listen, Ive always admired you, I love what youre doing. Keep what youre doing."

'I said to him theres such a strong relationship between what you have been doing in terms of the mental side and the physical.

'He said "Will I have to get into a unitard?" I said "no, no, no but I have got one made up for you!" He said "no you look better than me!"'

Derrick paid tribute to his wife on Instagram on Wednesday, dubbing her, 'the hottest, brightest, most fabulous colourful escort.'

In full, he wrote: '#palmer the hottest, brightest,most fabulous colourful escort, ready for action. I am honoured to have her on my arm as we get ready to shine as we collect the MBE, I could not have done this without Palmer. wow wow wow she is so hot [sic] #partner #lover #buddy #pal #lucky #honoured #sayyeah'.
Love is in the air for Nicole Martin as she started off 2022 an engaged woman.

The Real Housewives Of Miami newcomer said the proposal was a 'total surprise' on New Year's Eve.

'We've talked about marriage before. I think we both knew it would happen one day. I just didn't know that day was coming so soon,' the 37-year-old anesthesiologist said in an interview with People.

Freshly engaged: Love is in the air and Nicole Martin started off 2022 engaged. The Real Housewives of Miami newcomer said the proposal was a 'total surprise' on New Year's Eve

The trial lawyer popped the question while the couple was on a family vacation with their two-year-old son, Greyson, in Aspen.

'It was simple and private, and nothing short of perfect. It was early morning on New Year's Eve and we just woke up. We were cuddling in bed, watching the sun start to rise and glisten on the snow,' Nicole shared.

Nicole and Anthony have been together for seven years, when fate brought them together when they were separately visiting Las Vegas in 2015.

Family of three: 'We've talked about marriage before. I think we both knew it would happen one day. I just didn't know that day was coming so soon,' the 37-year-old anesthesiologist said in an interview with People

Enjoying Aspen: The trial lawyer popped the question while the couple was on a family vacation with their two-year-old son, Greyson, in Aspen

'Anthony isn't the most emotional person, but out of nowhere he started sharing some really beautiful sentiments about our lives and relationship,' she went on in her interview.

'Honestly he kind of lost me at this point, because my heart started racing as I realized what was coming, and all I could think was, "Oh my god, oh my God  is this really happening right now?!"'

As far as wedding planning, the doctor is not jumping into anything too quickly.

Relaxing before wedding planning: As far as wedding planning, the doctor is not jumping into anything too quickly. 'I'm just getting used to the sparkle on my hand,' she said

'I'm just getting used to the sparkle on my hand,' she said.

'I'm loving every moment of my life with Anthony and Greyson. We are not rushing anything. We are focused on enjoying our engagement right now, but if I know us, it will probably be something very impromptu and spontaneous.'

Nicole is one of three newcomers in season four of the reality show. She will be joined by Guerdy Abraira and Julia Lemigova.

Real Housewives of Miami: A few veterans of RHOM will be making the return, including Alexia Echevarria, Larsa Pippen, and Lisa Hochstein after the show went off the air eight years ago

The former Bravo series is finally making its return after eight years off the air. However, instead of returning to Bravo, the reality series will be making the move to the streaming service Peacock.

A few veterans of RHOM will be making the return, including Alexia Echevarria, Larsa Pippen, and Lisa Hochstein.

Nicole won't be the first doctor in the Real Housewives franchise as she joins Tiffany Moon, who is also an anesthesiologist, and Real Housewives of Orange County newcomer Jennifer Armstrong.
Her mother made a name for herself with her very fiery behavior on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

And it looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree for Teresa Giudice's eldest daughter Gia, who turned 21 last Saturday.

The young star shared her wild antics from her Miami Beach birthday bash on Tuesday, including a picture of her with a lit firecracker hanging out of her mouth.

Wild! Teresa Giudice's daughter Gia poses with a LIT firecracker in her mouth as she sizzles in bikini on wild 21st birthday bash in Miami

In the other shots, Gia sizzled as she donned a white bikini for several snaps she shared to Instagram that were taken during her celebration on a yacht off the coast of Miami Beach.

'shipfaced #21,' the television personality joked in the caption, adding a partying smiley face emoji.

In the first photo that Gia posted, she modeled the skimpy two-piece which featured a bandeau twist-tied top and high-rise bikini bottoms.

The influencer sported a long, sheer dusty pink cover up that she tied loosely around her sculpted tummy.

The beauty swept her golden-streaked brunette locks back from her face she posed on the bow of the yacht in front of the scenic Miami skyline.

Happy Birthday: The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice's eldest daughter Gia turned 21 last Saturday

Gorgeous: On Tuesday, Gia sizzled as she donned a white bikini for several snaps she shared to Instagram that were taken during her celebration on a yacht off the coast of Miami Beach

The aspiring lawyer wore a light palette of makeup including a mauve lipstick and shimmery gold eyeshadow.

Gia accessorized with gold bangle bracelets, a gold chain bracelet, several gold rings and gold stud earrings.

She showed off her tan lines in the low-cut bikini top which had rainbow braided straps.

Fun in the sun: She showed off her tan lines in the low-cut bikini top which had rainbow braided straps

Pals: Gia was seen smiling as she posed on the luxury boat with her friends in two of the images that she shared

Gia was seen smiling as she posed on the luxury boat with her friends in two of the images that she shared.

In her last photo, the reality star knelt on the floor in front of her tiered Cake Lush birthday cake, which was decorated with white, black and gold marbled icing, large glittery '21' toppers and firecrackers.

She beamed while throwing back her head and holding a lit firecracker in her mouth as her pals gathered around her.

Teresa fired up her own Instagram page on Saturday to wish her daughter a happy 21st birthday.

The reality star shares Gia and three other daughters with her amicable ex-husband Joe Giudice.

Gia could be seen on Teresa's Instagram page over the weekend celebrating her birthday with girlfriends on a yacht off Miami Beach.

'You are a rare and wonderful soul': Teresa fired up her own Instagram page on Saturday to wish her daughter a happy 21st birthday

Teresa rang in the special occasion by posting a sweet picture of herself with Gia in which both of them were dressed for a night out.

'To my brilliant and beautiful daughter on her 21st birthday,' gushed Teresa. 'You are a rare and wonderful soul who makes the world a better place.'

She urged Gia: 'Continue to be strong and never stop being YOU!! I am so proud and amazed of the woman you have become. Happy birthday baby.'

In an album Teresa posted to her Instagram the birthday girl was pictured on the yacht preparing to blow out her birthday candles.

Having a ball: Gia could be seen on Teresa's Instagram page over the weekend celebrating her birthday with girlfriends on a yacht off Miami Beach

Details: The Real Housewife Of New Jersey shares Gia and three other daughters with her amicable ex-husband Joe Giudice

Gia could be seen blowing out her birthday candles in one of Teresa's pictures surrounded by gal pals.

She and her friends also got to chow down on a sumptuous spread of food by Miami Grazing Company, as seen in a video Teresa reposted on her page.

Teresa meanwhile recently enjoyed a romantic holiday to Cabo San Lucas with her sizzling fiance Luis 'Louie' Ruelas.

It's today: In an album Teresa posted to her Instagram the birthday girl was pictured on the yacht preparing to blow out her birthday candles

Such fun: Gia was treated to a tiered dessert from Cake Lush and could be see in one of Teresa's pictures surrounded by gal pals

The couple, who became engaged this October, rang in the new year at Cabo San Lucas after Christmas at Teresa's New Jersey mansion.

Louie, who co-founded a company called Digital Media Solutions, presented his bride to be with a brand-new Mercedes for Christmas.

He popped the question in Greece with a $300,000 engagement ring, pulling the stops out for an extravagant proposal.

Luxury: She and her friends also got to chow down on a sumptuous spread of food by Miami Grazing Company, as seen in a video Teresa reposted on her page

Teresa has four daughters with her ex-husband and amicable co-parent Joe Giudice - Gabriella, 18, Milania, 15, and Audriana, 13, as well as Gia.

They broke up at the end of 2019 after Joe moved back to his native Italy ahead of a legal decision on whether he would be deported there.

Teresa and Joe were both convicted of fraud and served back-to-back sentences so that one parent at a time could be at home with the children.

Bride to be: Teresa meanwhile recently enjoyed a romantic holiday to Cabo San Lucas with her sizzling fiance Luis 'Louie' Ruelas
Halle Berry has recounted being left 'speechless' meeting Sidney Poitier for the first time in a touching tribute to the late Hollywood icon.

In an piece written for Variety, Berry, 55, described the impact Sidney had on her life, from the time she was a young girl watching him on Guess Who's Coming To Dinner to the moment she received the Oscar for Best Actress in 2002.

When Berry was finally able to meet him, however, she was so in awe of his presence she 'froze' and was unable to speak for several minutes.

'I froze': Halle Berry has recounted being left 'speechless' meeting Sidney Poitier for the first time in a touching tribute to the late Hollywood icon; pictured 2006

'Years after I admired Sidney from afar, I met my idol in person. I was at work on the 1999 HBO film "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," the story of another trailblazer who made history when she was nominated for an Oscar,' she penned in her homage.

'I'd arranged to interview him, to glean what I could about Sidney's memories of Dorothy, as well as to hear what it was like to be Black in Hollywood during a time when there was little place for us in the industry. I greeted Sidney, eyes dancing, cheeks lifted  and then I froze.

'It is the only time in my life when I have been rendered speechless! I was so overwhelmed by his powerful presence, his regal aura, I could not get my words out. For several minutes, I just sat there and stared at him.'

Halle said Sidney 'took the lead' on the conversation until she had gathered herself together and was able to speak.

'He shared how he and Dorothy felt an instant kinship. He connected to her sense of honesty and vulnerability, said he viewed her as a fawn in need of protection. He also felt she'd been robbed of an Oscar for her lead role in "Carmen Jones."

Paying tribute: In a piece written for Variety, Berry, 55, described the impact Sidney had on her life, from the time she was a young girl watching him on Guess Who's Coming To Dinner to the moment she received the Oscar for Best Actress in 2002; pictured 2002

'"As Black people," he told me, "we must learn to swallow it bitter and spit it sweet"  a phrase I've clenched tightly throughout my career. Sidney understood how often artists of color are overlooked, how our talent is so frequently discounted. He did not let that reality define him.

'At the end of our two-hour meeting, I left with my head held high and my chest poked out because he paid me the highest compliment. "I can't imagine anyone other than you bringing my dear friend Dorothy to the screen," he said. "You embody the essence of who she was." It is a conversation I will forever treasure.'

As a young girl, Berry was deeply moved watching Poitier on Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. It was the first time the future superstar felt 'seen' and 'validated' in her life.

'I grew up idolizing Sidney Poitier. I was around 9 when he flickered into my world on a television replay of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." I was a latchkey kid in Cleveland, daughter of a white, single mother and a Black father  whose union their parents had frowned upon,' Berry wrote.

'The true measure of a man': Berry recalled their first meeting while paying tribute to him after his passing last week

'In the film, Sidney and his co-star, Katharine Houghton, play an interracial couple whose parents also struggle with their children's relationship. There I sat in front of my mom's old console, mesmerized, as I watched my family's dynamic play out. For the first time in my childhood, I felt seen. Understood. Validated.

'The world already knew Sidney, who died last week at 94, as a formidable performer. But I first experienced him as a mirror.'

Berry was also captivated watching Poitier win the Oscar for Best Actor in class. Poitier became the first Black actor to win the Oscar in 1964.

'I wasn't yet born in 1964 when Sidney became the first Black man to win an Academy Award for best actor for his role in "Lilies of the Field." But years later, when I witnessed the moment in a Black History class, I could not look away.

'I first experienced him as a mirror': As a young girl, Berry was deeply moved watching Poitier on Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. It was the first time the future superstar felt 'seen' and 'validated' in her life

'Sidney's grace and poise, the intention with which he spoke, the dignified way he carried himself  all of it resonated with me. Though I hadn't met him, and did not dream that I ever would, I felt strongly connected to him.'

And when she won the Oscar for Best Actress in 2002, becoming the first Black actress to do so, she remembered seeing Sidney 'looking over me as a proud father would' from the balcony.

'As I concluded my rambling speech I looked up and saw dear Sidney, high in the balcony seemingly with a halo surround- ing him, looking over me as a proud father would.'

'History will remember Sidney as a giant of the screen, a legendary actor and director, a performer whose enormous talents were eclipsed only by his kindness. I will recall him as my first mirror, and the true measure of a man  and I will forever see him as the angel in the balcony watching over all of us,' Halle said in the conclusion of her tribute.

'Looking over me like a proud father would': And when she won the Oscar for Best Actress in 2002, becoming the first Black actress to do so, she remembered seeing Sidney during her speech

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge: Berry finally met Poitier as part of her research into the role of Dandridge

Poitier passed away at age 94 at his Los Angeles home on Thursday, January 6.

After Sidney passed, Halle paid tribute to the actor on her Instagram account.

'"A tiny bit of myself is lost when my friends are gone," Sidney Poitier wrote in his book LIFE BEYOND MEASURE. My dear Sidney, an enormous part of my soul weeps at your passing. In your ninety-four years on this planet, you left an indelible mark with your extraordinary talent, paving the way for Black people to be seen and heard in the fullness of who we are.

'You were an iconic trailblazer; yours was a life well lived. I grew up idolizing you and will always remember the day when I first met you. It is the only time in my life when I've been rendered speechless! There I sat, with my words glued together, and you were as gracious and charming then as you would be during our decades of friendship to follow. Rest in peace, beloved Sidney. You are and always will be the true measure of a man.'
With the upcoming season of Married At First Sight just weeks away, Channel Nine unveiled a new teaser trailer on Wednesday.

The promo introduces viewers to fussy bride Tamara Djordjevic, who reveals she likes to wear the pants in a relationship.

'I judge everyone. I just meet people and form an opinion. I am extremely fussy. I know what I want and what I deserve,' Tamara sneers while getting dressed for her wedding day.

Meet Married At First Sight's WORST bride ever: Fussy Gold Coast socialite rejects her groom and declares, 'I am used to getting what I want,' in a dramatic new trailer

'I was very honest with the experts about what I wanted, and I am used to getting what I want,' she explains.

And it seems Tamara is immediately disappointed by her 'husband' Brent Vitiello.

'He does seem like an average kind of guy. Average just isn't for me. I'm not average. I don't do average,' she whinges to producers after meeting Brent at the altar.

Nightmare: 'I judge everyone. I just meet people and form an opinion. I am extremely fussy. I know what I want and what I deserve,' Tamara sneers

Entitled: 'I was very honest with the experts about what I wanted, and I am used to getting what I want,' she explains

A frustrated Tamara is then seen yelling at her groom: 'You don't seem to know much about your cutlery.'

'You might like things one way and I like them the other way, but my way has to be the right way,' she adds.

Tamara later insists: 'You'll learn very quickly that I always wear the pants in a relationship.'

Poor bloke: It seems Tamara is immediately disappointed by her 'husband' Brent Vitiello

Narcissist: 'He does seem like an average kind of guy. Average just isn't for me. I'm not average. I don't do average,' she whinges to producers after meeting Brent at the altar

High expectations: A frustrated Tamara is then seen yelling at her groom: 'You don't seem to know much about your cutlery'

As previously reported by Daily Mail Australia, the Gold Coast socialite will be paired with nightclub promoter Brent Vitiello.

Tamara has been working in real estate for more than six years and recently relocated from Victoria to Queensland to become a business development manager.

She describes herself on Facebook as a 'social butterfly' who doesn't like to 'waste a minute of sunshine'.

Married At First Sight returns Monday, January 31 at 7.30pm on Nine and 9Now
Gabrielle Epstein is certainly a free spirit.

The LA-based Aussie model, 27, unleashed her inner wild child on Wednesday as she stripped down for a late-night beach photo shoot.

She left almost nothing to the imagination as she frolicked on the sand in a tiny micro bikini with barely there G-string bottoms.

She's a free spirit! Gabrielle Epstein unleashed her inner wild child on Wednesday as she stripped down for a late-night beach photo shoot

She captioned the gallery of photos on Instagram: 'Night swim.'

The OnlyFans star's 'less is more' approach to fashion often gets her in trouble with Instagram's anti-nudity police.

And she was censored by the Facebook-owned platform yet again last Tuesday after sharing a photo of herself that was apparently 'too naked'.

Daring: The LA-based Aussie model left almost nothing to the imagination as she frolicked on the sand in a tiny micro bikini with barely there G-string bottoms

She told her followers an image she'd posted to her back-up account - which features more racy content than her main account - was removed because it supposedly violated Instagram's community guidelines.

She posted a comparatively tame gallery of photos of herself in a white lace bra and sweatpants, and wrote in the caption: 'Hi, Instagram removed my pic this morning because I was too naked (what's new?) so here is this instead.'

While it's unclear why Instagram took steps to remove Gabrielle's earlier post, the image may have been reported by a user or alternatively it could have been flagged by an algorithm that detects nudity.

Removed: It comes after the OnlyFans star was censored by Instagram yet again last Tuesday after sharing a photo of herself that was apparently 'too naked'

'What's new?' She said an image she'd posted to her back-up account was removed because it supposedly violated Instagram's community guidelines

Instagram's community guidelines state: 'For a variety of reasons, we don't allow nudity on Instagram. This includes photos, videos and some digitally created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals and close-ups of fully nude buttocks.

'It also includes some photos of female nipples, but photos in the context of breastfeeding, birth giving and after-birth moments, health-related situations (for example, post-mastectomy, breast cancer awareness or gender confirmation surgery) or an act of protest are allowed.

'Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is okay, too.'

Wet T-shirt contest! Earlier this month, Gabrielle turned heads as she hit the beach in a soaking wet crop top and very skimpy bikini bottoms

Earlier this month, Gabrielle turned heads as she hit the beach in a soaking wet crop top and very skimpy bikini bottoms.

She left almost nothing to the imagination in the see-through white T-shirt, which featured a retro Fanta logo from the early '90s.

The drenched top offered a generous glimpse of underboob and drew attention to Gabrielle's impressively lean abs.

Throwback: She left almost nothing to the imagination in the see-through white T-shirt, which featured a retro Fanta logo from the early '90s

She appeared to be one sudden move from a wardrobe malfunction as she struck a series of poses by the ocean.

Meanwhile, her bottoms offered hardly any coverage at all and were pulled up perilously high on her hips.

Gabrielle's Instagram followers were stunned by her raunchy ensemble, with one commenting: 'Why do I all of a sudden have the thirst for Fanta?'

'Unreal,' another added, while a third wrote, 'Geeeee willikers Batman.'

Flawless: The drenched top offered a generous glimpse of underboob and drew attention to Gabrielle's impressively lean abs

Cheeky display: Her bottoms offered hardly any coverage at all and were pulled up perilously high on her hips

In November, Gabrielle fired back at critics who said her photos were 'too explicit'.

Speaking to Maxim, she called out the 'toxic double standard' between how men and women are treated differently on Instagram.

'There are plenty of photos of men without their shirts on showing their nipples but the fact that mine can be covered and a photo still gets removed creates a very toxic double standard,' she said.

Defiant: In November, Gabrielle fired back at critics who said her photos were 'too explicit'

'We are all human, we are all born with bodies and we should not be taught to be ashamed of how they look in a natural state.'

She said she'd turned to OnlyFans to get around Instagram's censorship.

'I also feel like I can be more of myself on OnlyFans,' she explained.

'To me showing my body isnt about me being objectified; its about me feeling confident, powerful and beautiful in my own skin.'

Double standards: 'There are plenty of photos of men without their shirts on showing their nipples but the fact that mine can be covered and a photo still gets removed creates a very toxic double standard,' she told Maxim

Gabrielle's statements come after Instagram removed one of her pictures due to claims of 'sexual solicitation'.

In September, she was frustrated to learn her post breached community guidelines.

She uploaded a screenshot of an alert she'd received telling her a naked photo had been deleted because it breached 'adult sexual solicitation' rules.

Confident: 'To me showing my body isnt about me being objectified, its about me feeling confident, powerful and beautiful in my own skin,' she explained

It wasn't the first time she'd had content removed by Instagram, with the blonde bombshell commenting: '@instagram here we go again.'

'You can't even see ANYTHING what is going on,' she added.

The supposedly offensive photo showed a naked Gabrielle lying on a white sheet while propping herself up on her elbows.

Prior to finding fame as an adult model, Gabrielle was a competitive swimmer and ambassador for fitness brands.
Rosario Dawson, 42, and Vanessa Hudgens, 33, brought their style A-game to present this year's nominees for the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The stars, who were situated in two different locations due to COVID-19, revealed the cream of the acting crop virtually via Instagram Live on Wednesday.

Both beauties embraced complimentary looks with center parted hair, glowing makeup and ensembles of soft hues.

Best dressed! Rosario Dawson, 42, and Vanessa Hudgens, 33, brought their style A-game to present this year's nominees for the Screen Actors Guild Awards

While announcing the 2022 SAG nominees, viewers were only able to see Vanessa and Rosario's faces but they came to play with head-to-toe glamour.

Hudgens stunned in a romantic lacy two-piece gown in a pastel pink tone. The A-line skirt hit just at the Tick, Tick ... Boom star's ankle and was cinched tight on her slim waist.

The waistline of the skirt featured jagged bits of lace that were echoed in the trim of the matching sleeveless crop top with a mock turtleneck.

Vanessa's girly look was offset nicely with her raven locks parted in the center and gently swept back into a low chignon.

Picturesque: While announcing the 2022 SAG nominees, viewers were only able to see Vanessa and Rosario's faces but they came to play with head-to-toe glamour

Pretty in pink: Hudgens stunned in a romantic lacy two-piece gown in a pastel pink tone. The A-line skirt hit just at the Tick, Tick ... Boom star's ankle and was cinched tight on her slim waist

Beautiful: The waistline of the skirt featured jagged bits of lace that were echoed in the trim of the matching sleeveless crop top with a mock turtleneck.

'This morning I got to announce the @sagawards nominations with my dear friend @rosariodawson  Congratulations to all the nominees and see you at the awards Sunday, February 27th at 5 pm pacific/ 8pm eastern on TNT and TBS,' Vanessa wrote on Instagram.

Rosario opted for light tones but went for a more modern bohemian style. The Go-Big Show actress posed for photos in a faux suede camel dress with an asymmetrical gauzy white skirt paired with thigh-high white leather boots.

She topped the dress off with a long duster in the same camel color and accessorized with thick enamel hoop earrings.

Romantic: Vanessa's girly look was offset nicely with her raven locks parted in the center and gently swept back into a low chignon

'This morning I got to announce the @sagawards nominations with my dear friend @rosariodawson  Congratulations to all the nominees and see you at the awards Sunday, February 27th at 5 pm pacific/ 8pm eastern on TNT and TBS,' Vanessa wrote on Instagram

Stunning: Rosario opted for light tones but went for a more modern bohemian style

Dawson's dark tresses were trimmed short, just below her ears and blown out to a sleek shine.

'Was so fun to announce the 28th SAG Awards nominees live on @sagawards IG livetoday with you @vanessahudgens,' Rosario penned on social media following the presentation.

Fashion family drama House Of Gucci and dark Western The Power Of The Dog led the field of film contenders announced for Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild awards, landing three nominations each.

Style star: The Go-Big Show actress posed for photos in a faux suede camel dress with an asymmetrical gauzy white skirt paired with thigh-high white leather boots

Screen siren: Dawson's dark tresses were trimmed short, just below her ears and blown out to a sleek shine

'Was so fun to announce the 28th SAG Awards nominees live on @sagawards IG livetoday with you @vanessahudgens,' Rosario penned on social media following the presentation.

House Of Gucci was nominated for the group's top prize of best movie cast. It will compete for that honor against Belfast, CODA, King Richard and Don't Look Up.

The SAG Awards, voted on by members of the SAG-AFTRA acting union, are scheduled to be handed out at a ceremony in Los Angeles on February 27.

The results are closely watched because actors form the largest voting group in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization that will present the Oscars in March.

Netflix Inc scored the most SAG movie nominations of any film studio, with seven in total.

Whatever it takes: The nominees were announced virtually from separate locations due to the ongoing coronavirus surge

Coming soon: The SAG Awards , voted on by members of the SAG-AFTRA acting union, are scheduled to be handed out at a ceremony in Los Angeles on February 27

Will Smith, Lady Gaga and Ben Affleck landed individual nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Joining Belfast and CODA for best ensemble were the casts for House of Gucci, Don't Look Up and King Richard. Notably left out were the casts of Steven Spielberg's West Side Story (which did land a supporting nod for Ariana DeBose) and Jane Campion's The Power of the Dog.

Campion's film, though, landed three individual SAG noms: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

The 28th annual SAG Awards are to be held February 27 and will be broadcast on TNT and TBS. The Oscars are scheduled for March 27.
Heather Rae Young stepped out for an afternoon of relaxation and pampering in Newport Beach, California, just hours after receiving less than ideal news about her fertility.

After telling her fans about fighting an uphill battle in her embryo freezing journey on Tuesday, the reality star, 34, treated herself to a facial and massage at two separate spas.

For her laid-back outing, she rocked a chic white sweatsuit, black handbag with gold hardware and crossbody Bandolier phone case with a studded strap.

Day of leisure: Heather Rae Young stepped out for an afternoon of relaxation and pampering in Newport Beach just hours after receiving less than ideal news about her fertility

She kept her long platinum blonde tresses in a low ponytail and rocked a pair of black sunglasses.

On Monday, she gave an update about her fertility journey as she looks to freeze her eggs after tying the knot with Tarek El Moussa in October in Santa Barbara, California.

In a new TikTik video, she admitted to doing her best to try 'stay positive' after receiving 'not ideal news' about her low egg reserve.

Pushing through: After confiding in her fans about fighting an uphill battle in her embryo freezing journey on Tuesday, the reality star, 34, treated herself to a facial and massage at two separate spas

Stylish: For her laid-back outing, she rocked a chic white sweatsuit, black handbag with gold hardware and crossbody Bandolier phone case with a studded strap

After revealing to fans she had a total of five eggs, the TV personality explained one of them 'does not look like it's going to be mature enough to extract to freeze.'

She continued, 'I have two that are strong, one that's still growing, and another one that's still growing so I have four that are looking decent.'

The Netflix star said the low count of eggs is 'not the best number' and noted that she planned to ask her doctor if they're worth extracting to create embryos.

Sad news: On Monday, she gave an update about her fertility journey as she looks to freeze her eggs after tying the knot with Tarek El Moussa on October 23rd in Santa Barbara

Trying her best: In a new TikTik video, she admitted to doing her best to try 'stay positive' after receiving 'not ideal news' after learning she had a low egg reserve

Brutal: After revealing to fans she had a total of five eggs, the TV personality explained one of them 'does not look like it's going to be mature enough to extract to freeze'

Mrs. El Moussa wants to avoid 'doing another round' and said she was hoping for some good news when she spoke with her medical professional.

For women less than 35, 'it is ideal to freeze at least 12-15 eggs for a high chance of one child,' according to Fertility Centers of Illinois.

Unfortunately, after leaving another doctor she released grimmer news when she was told 'only two eggs grew' but she will still be moving forward with the retrieval next week.

'Staying positive and I'm lucky I have such a supportive husband,' she captioned the footage of herself sitting in a car after admitting to crying 'a bit.'

'Staying positive and I'm lucky I have such a supportive husband,' she captioned the footage of herself sitting in a car after admitting to crying 'a bit'

Heather and Tarek said 'I do' three months ago at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, and then traveled to the Maldives and Dubai for a lavish honeymoon.

In November, the couple revealed their plans to start a family together.

'We're going to freeze embryos first, go from there and then see what happens,' Heather said during an appearance on E! News Daily Pop.

'We're going to freeze embryos first, go from there and then see what happens,' Heather said during an appearance on E! News Daily Pop in November

While talking about their honeymoon, host Justin Sylvester said, 'There's nothing to do in the Maldives except drink'

'Make a baby?' Heather interjected.

Tarek then went on to say that newlyweds were 'having talks about having babies' and were 'practicing having babies.'

Blended family: The Flip Or Flop star already has daughter Taylor, 11, and son Brayden, six, with ex-wife Christina Haack, 38 (seen in December)

The Flip Or Flop star already has daughter Taylor, 11, and son Brayden, six, with ex-wife Christina Haack, 38.

Heather said, 'I'm more open to it because our life is already crazy.

'We're raising two kids. I'm already a mommy. So I'm like, well, why not have just one more?'

'Whatever she wants,' Tarek said. 'Happy wife, happy life!'
Imogen Anthony revealed the saucy way she moved on from her ex-boyfriend Kyle Sandilands during an Instagram Q&A on Wednesday night.

The Big Brother VIP star, 30, who split from the radio host in 2019 after eight years together, responded to a fan who asked for advice on how to get over a break-up.

The influencer gave some colourful guidance in her reply, including how finding a well-endowed new lover helped her move past her heartache.

That's one way to move on! Imogen Anthony revealed the saucy way she moved on from her ex-boyfriend Kyle Sandilands during an Instagram Q&A on Wednesday night

'I had to heal on my own, and time is literally the only thing that heals that s**t,' she said, before adding: 'Also acknowledging it wasn't all your fault, and a new, nine-inch d**k helps as well.'

The socialite has been dating a tattooed mystery man since at least December 2020, but she is yet to reveal his identity.

Imogen added that the heartbroken fan should 'focus on becoming a better version of yourself' in order to 'create your own silver linings'.

Splitsville: The Big Brother VIP star, 30, who split from radio host Kyle Sandilands in 2019 after eight years together, responded to a fan who asked for advice on how to get over a break-up. The former couple are pictured here on November 26, 2014, in Sydney

Her journey: 'I had to heal on my own, and time is literally the only thing that heals that s**t,' she said, adding: 'Also acknowledging it wasn't all your fault, and a new, nine-inch d**k helps'

She then apologised for not being able to help more, admitting 'separations suck'.

Imogen returned to the question hours later to add: 'Just coming back to this question for a sec. Patient family and friends are everything in a separation as well.

'Don't be afraid to lean on people. This is the true test of friendship.'

She said it was 'sad' that some people go into hiding after a split, before hinting she 'knows the truth' of what happened in her break-up with Kyle.

More advice: Imogen returned to the question hours later to add: 'Just coming back to this question for a sec. Patient family and friends are everything in a separation as well'

Mysterious: The socialite has been dating a tattooed mystery man since at least December 2020, but she is yet to reveal his identity and has only offered glimpses of him on Instagram

Kyle announced his split from Imogen in November 2019 after eight years of dating, revealing they had not been living together for 'quite some time'.

While their break-up appeared to be amicable at the time, Imogen later accused Kyle of sending her mixed messages in a cryptic post on Instagram in May 2020.

The KIIS FM presenter debuted his relationship with Tegan Kynaston, the director of communications for his company, on New Year's Eve 2019.
President Moon Jae-in speaks during a luncheon meeting with the leaders of the country's major religions, Protestantism, Catholicism and Buddhism, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday, to ask for their support towards national unity. Yonhap
Tammin Sursok has quietly joined the cast of Neighbours, 18 years after departing rival soap opera Home And Away.

According to a well-placed industry insider, the Australian actress, 38, is set to join the long-running Channel 10 program in a cameo role, and will begin filming in Melbourne soon.

Tammin will temporarily relocate to Melbourne from her home in Queensland as she completes her six-week filming schedule, which is due to wrap in March.

Welcome to Ramsay Street! Tammin Sursok, 38, (pictured) has quietly joined the cast of Neighbours, 18 years after departing rival soap opera Home And Away

While the star has yet to formally announce her new role, she's made no secret of her travel plans to Melbourne.

This week, Tammin revealed on Instagram that she was preparing to embark upon a 17-hour road trip from Queensland to Melbourne with her film producer husband Sean McEwen, and their daughters Phoenix, eight, and Lennon, two.

Choosing not to explain the reason for their trip, Tammin simply told fans on Instagram: 'We have a road trip soon and I'm pretty excited'.

Back to her roots! Tammin is no stranger to the world of soap acting, having portrayed Dani Sutherland on Home And Away from 2000 to 2004 before moving to the US to make it big in Hollywood. Tammin is pictured on Home And Away

Cameo role: According to a well-placed industry insider, Tammin will temporarily relocate to Melbourne her home in Queensland as she completes her six-week filming schedule, which is due to wrap in March

'We have a road trip soon and I'm pretty excited': While the star has yet to formally announce her new role, she's made no secret of her travel plans to Melbourne

It is believed Tammin will spend some time in Melbourne with her family, before Sean drives back to Queensland with the kids ahead of their first day of school.

Tammin is no stranger to the world of soap acting, having portrayed Dani Sutherland on Home And Away from 2000 to 2004 before moving to the US to make it big in Hollywood.

She has previously credited the beloved Australia series for her big break in the industry.

After relocating to LA, the actress nabbed the role of Colleen Carlton on The Young and The Restless, starring on the soap between 2007 and 2009. She also famously portrayed Jenna Marshall on Pretty Little Liars. Tammin is pictured in Pretty Little Liars

After relocating to LA, the actress nabbed the role of Colleen Carlton on The Young and The Restless, starring on the soap between 2007 and 2009.

She also famously portrayed Jenna Marshall on Pretty Little Liars.

Tammin finally returned to Australia with her family in June last year.

Home: Tammin returned to Australia last year after living in LA with her husband, film producer Sean McEwen, and their daughters, Phoenix, seven, and Lennon, two, for years

In May, the star admitted that she would happily return to Home And Away for a temporary role, telling New Idea magazine: 'I would do a cameo for the fans for sure'.

'It's where I started and what gave me everything in my career  if it wasn't for that show I don't know where my life would've gone,' she said.

'I'm very grateful for the experience and the opportunity and so I would definitely do a cameo.'
Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell are enjoying every minute with their daughter Grace Warrior after welcoming her last March.

And the new parents shared a cute video to Instagram on Wednesday of their nine-month-old trying to help them take a selfie.

The curious little girl kept waving her hand and poking the phone as she attempted to reach the button to take a photo.

Cheeky! New parents Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell shared a cute video to Instagram on Wednesday of their nine-month-old daughter Grace Warrior trying to help them take a selfie

After Grace successfully got the shot, she looked quite pleased with herself as she cheekily smiled with her tongue out.

Bindi, 23, wrote in the caption: 'Grace poking the camera whenever we try to take a picture is my new favourite thing.'

Chandler, 25, commented: 'Grace is the cutest thing on this planet.'

Budding photographer: The curious little girl kept waving her hand and poking the phone as she attempted to reach the button to take a photo

The family video comes after Chandler, a former professional wakeboarder from Florida, shared a throwback photo from their pre-pandemic trip to Scotland.

The young lovebirds cuddled up together on a rock for the photo, which featured the picturesque backdrop of a lake and the Scottish Highlands.

'#Flashback to Scotland. @bindisueirwin and I were recently engaged at this point in time,' he wrote in the caption.

Memories: The family video comes after Chandler, a former professional wakeboarder from Florida, shared a throwback photo from their pre-pandemic trip to Scotland

How it all began: Bindi and Chandler first met in 2013, when the young American went on a guided tour of Australia Zoo in Queensland

'Just over two years ago, who knew how much can change in that time! Grateful to have each other through every chapter,' he added.

Bindi and Chandler first met in 2013, when the young American went on a guided tour of Australia Zoo on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

After getting engaged in July 2019, the couple tied the knot in a pre-lockdown ceremony at Australia Zoo in March 25, 2020.

Exactly one year later, the pair welcomed their first child, daughter Grace Warrior.
Ronnie Spector, the cat-eyed, bee-hived rock 'n' roll siren who sang such 1960s hits as Be My Baby, Baby I Love You, and Walking in the Rain as the leader of the girl group The Ronettes, has died at 78.

The music icon passed away on Wednesday following a brief battle with cancer, according to her family.

Her loved ones released a statement which read: 'Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor and a smile on her face. She was filled with love and gratitude.'

Ronnie Spector married music producer Phil Spector in 1968, a year after The Ronettes disbanded. She would later reveal details of his abusive relationship, saying he kept her locked in their Beverly Hills mansion.

Her 1990 autobiography 'Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts And Madness' tells an unhappy story of abuse.

In her memoir, she wrote that Phil had essentially held her prisoner during their relationship, surrounding her with guard dogs and taking away her shoes, and threatened to hire a hit man to kill her.

He installed chain-link fences and barbed wire around their home, and tied her up and locked her in a closet.

The eccentric and volatile music producer was known for pulling guns on the artists he worked with - among them Blondie and The Beatles - and also threatened his wife with guns.

Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes (seen in December 2018) has died aged 78 after a brief battle with cancer

Veronica Benentt (Ronnie Spector), her sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Talley are seen with Phil Spector - who Ronnie would later marry, having met while he produced their music as The Ronettes

Ronnie Spector (right) is seen with Phil Spector in the recording studio in 1963. They married in 1968 and divorced in 1974 after a tumultuous marriage

On the rare occasions he allowed her out alone, she had to drive with a life-size dummy of her husband.

'I'd get drunk so I could go to rehab, just to get out of the house,' she told The New York Times in a 2000 interview.

Dodai Stewart of The New York Times noted: 'She said that Phil put a gold coffin with a glass top in their basement, promising that he would kill her and display her corpse if she ever left him... She escaped the mansion barefoot and without any belongings...'

The couple divorced in 1974, with Ronnie saying: ''I knew if I didn't leave at that time, I was going to die there.'

In the 1980s, The Ronettes sued Phil Spector, claiming he had only given them $15,000 for their entire royalties.

At the trial, which spanned 15 years, Spector said her former husband had stifled her singing career and threatened her into signing a 1974 divorce settlement that forfeited all future record profits.

'He told me, ''I'll kill you,'' and said, ''I'll have a hit man kill you,'' she testified.

Phil Spector was later sent to prison in 2009 for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, who he had met hours earlier - he claimed that she had died by suicide in his castle-like mansion in California, saying it was an 'accidental suicide' and that she 'kissed the gun'.

The court found that he had shot her in the mouth, and his driver testified that he told him: 'I think I just shot her.'

He died of COVID-19 in prison in January 2021, aged 81.

Phil Spector is seen in court in May 2005, during his trial for the 2003 murder of Clarkson

The Ronettes (seen left to right: Nedra Talley, Estelle Bennett and Veronica Bennett, later Ronnie Spector) were one of the premier girl groups of the 1960s, with their sexy look and powerful voices

Spector's memoir - with a foreword by Keith Richards - was published in 2004

Phil Spector is seen at his 2009 sentencing, when he was handed a 19 years to life term for the 2003 murder

Phil Spector is seen in 2004, during a court hearing. He was convicted for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson and died in prison in January 2021

Clarkson's death stunned the music industry.

Phil Spector met the 40-year-old on the night of February 2, 2003, when she was working at the Los Angeles club House of Blues.

She went home with him, and about an hour later her body was found slumped in a chair with a single gunshot wound to her mouth, with broken teeth scattered over the carpet.

The prosecution said that he had pulled a gun on four other women. In each case, he had been drinking and 'was romantically interested in the woman, but grew angry after the woman spurned him'.

In September 2007, a mistrial was declared due to a hung jury.

In October 2008, a second trial begun, and in April 2009 he was convicted.

Phil Spector was sentenced to 19 years to life, and was due to be eligible for parole in 2024.

The Ronettes won an award of $2.6 million in 2000 in their royalties lawsuit, after a trial lasting 15 years - but the decision was overturned on appeal two years later, and their families later said they wound up earning substantially less.

'I was so controlled by Phil, and now I have my own ideas,' Ronnie Spector said at the time.

'With this lawsuit over, I'm only looking forward: to my future, to singing rock 'n' roll.'

When her ex-husband died in 2021, she was kind.

'Working with Phil Spector was working with the best,' Ronnie said.

'So much to love about those days. Falling in love was like a fairytale. The magical music we made was inspired by our love.

'He was a brilliant producer, but a lousy husband. The music is forever 1939-2021.'

Spector's final tweet was a photo of her with David Bowie, to mark his birthday.

'Remembering Bowie on his birthday. Here we are getting into the car back in the day when we could go outside!,' she said, on January 8.

The Ronettes' sexy look and powerful voices - plus songwriting and producing help from Phil Spector - turned them into one of the premier acts of the girl-group era, touring England with the Rolling Stones and befriending the Beatles.

Spector, alongside her sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley, scored hits with pop masterpieces like Baby, I Love You, Walking in the Rain, I Can Hear Music and Be My Baby, which was co-written by Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.

'We weren't afraid to be hot. That was our gimmick,' Spector said in her memoir.

'When we saw The Shirelles walk on stage with their wide party dresses, we went in the opposite direction and squeezed our bodies into the tightest skirts we could find.

'Then we'd get out on stage and hike them up to show our legs even more.'

The book, published in 2004, detailed her career and her tempestuous marriage to the music producer, telling in graphic detail about the horrors of her relationship with Phil Spector.

Joan Jett tweeted: 'Our dear friend Ronnie Spector, has passed. She was the sweetest person you could ever know. And her mark on rock and roll is indelible.'

Questlove, the DJ and record producer, tweeted simply: 'Legend.'

Al Jardine, who co-founded the Beach Boys with Wilson, said he was 'so sad to hear about Ronnie.'

The Ronettes grew up in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan, and are seen in 1964

Spector, born Veronica Bennett, and her multiracial bandmates grew up in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan.

The Bennett sisters had black, American Indian and Irish blood, while Talley was black, Indian and Puerto Rican.

Estelle Bennett dated both George Harrison and Mick Jagger.

They began singing and dancing in clubs as Ronnie and the Relatives, becoming noteworthy for their liberal use of eyeliner and mascara.

'The louder they applauded, the more mascara we put on the next time,' she wrote in her memoir.

'We didn't have a hit record to grab their attention, so we had to make an impression with our style. None of it was planned out; we just took the look we were born with and extended it.'

In March 1963, Estelle Bennett managed to arrange an audition in front of Phil Spector, known for his big, brass-and-drum style dubbed the 'wall of sound.'

Spector released the album English Heart in 2016 - a covers album that was her fifth studio record

Ronnie Spector is seen with her band mates Nedra Talley and Estelle Bennett

They were signed to Phillies Records in 1963.

After being signed, they sang backup for other acts until Spector had the group record 'Be My Baby' and 'Baby I Love You.'

The group's debut album, 'Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica,' was released in 1964. Five of its 12 tracks had made it to the U.S. Billboard charts.

'Nothing excites me more than just being onstage, having fun and flirting and winking to the guys and stuff like that,' she told People magazine in 2017.

'I just have so much fun. It's just the best feeling when I go out and they say, 'Ladies and gentlemen...' - my heart stops for a minute - '...Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes!'

'Then I just go out there and the crowd reacts the way they react and I can go on singing forever.'

Spector is pictured in the press room after performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 15, 2010, in New York

After touring Germany in 1967, the Ronettes broke up.

Ronnie Spector's influence was felt far and wide.

Brian Wilson became obsessed with 'Be My Baby' and Billy Joel wrote 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood' in Spector's honor.

Amy Winehouse frequently cited Spector as an idol.

Martin Scorsese used 'Be My Baby' to open his 1973 film 'Mean Streets' and the song appears in the title sequence of 'Dirty Dancing' and the closing credits of 'Baby Mama.'

It also appeared on TV in 'Moonlighting' and 'The Wonder Years.'

When the Ronettes were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones remembered opening for the trio in England in the mid-1960s.

'They could sing all their way right through a wall of sound,' Richards said.

'They didn't need anything. They touched my heart right there and then and they touch it still.'

After the Ronettes broke up, Spector continued to tour and make music, including 'Take Me Home Tonight' with Eddie Money, recording Joel's 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood' with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, and recording the 1999 EP 'She Talks to Rainbows'. The song included her first ever recording of 'Don't Worry Baby,' written for her by Brian Wilson.

In 2006, she released 'Last of the Rock Stars,' her first album in 20 years, and it featured appearances by the Raconteurs, Keith Richards, Patti Smith and the Raveonettes.

In 2010 she released a doo-wop Christmas EP called 'Ronnie Spector's Best Christmas Ever' and in 2016 released 'English Heart,' her covers of songs from Britain in the '60s.

She is survived her husband, Jonathan Greenfield, and two sons, Jason and Austin.

Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys led tributes, tweeting: 'I just heard the news about Ronnie Spector and I don't know what to say.

'I loved her voice so much and she was a very special person and a dear friend. This just breaks my heart. Ronnie's music and spirit will live forever. Love & Mercy, Brian.'

Steve Van Zandt, music producer and member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, paid tribute to her career, spanning four decades.

'RIP Ronnie Spector,' he said.

'It was an honor to Produce her and encourage her to get back on stage where she remained for the next 45 years.

'Her record with the E Street Band helped sustain us at a very precarious time (thanks to Steve Popovich). Condolences to her husband and family.'

Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles said: 'Peace and Love, Ronnie Spector'.

Elijah Wood, star of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, said: 'Farewell, legend and music icon Ronnie Spector.

'I imagine Be My Baby will play on repeat across the globe today.'
Georgia Love and husband Lee Elliott have finally moved into their new marital home.

The pair, who purchased the pad in Melbourne's upmarket Hampton East for $1.3million in October, finally got the keys to the townhouse this week.

The newlyweds showed off their new digs on Instagram, with plumber Lee sharing a video of Georgia excitedly walking into the pad.

'It's ours!' Georgia Love and husband Lee Elliott have finally moved into their new $1.3m marital home in Hampton East, Melbourne

'It's ours!' Georgia captioned the clip, which she reshared on her own feed.

They proudly showed off their new doormat, personalised with the words 'The Elliotts, established 2021'.

Georgia then led the pair through the entry way, near some stylish wooden stairs, and into their living and dining area off their kitchen.

New digs! The pair showed off their new digs on Instagram, with plumber Lee sharing a video of Georgia excitedly walking into the pad

Sweet: The pair proudly showed off their new doormat, personalised with the words 'The Elliotts, established 2021'

The pair were greeted by some balloons which read, 'welcome home Lee, Georgia and Pawdrey,' referring to their pet cat.

Inside, their home features high white ceilings, wooden floorboards and a stylish white kitchen.

They purchased the property back in October last year, after the home was listed between $1.3million and $1.35million.

Celebrations: They greeted by some balloons which read 'Welcome home Lee, Georgia and Pawdrey,' referring to their pet cat

It is located in the family-friendly suburb of Hampton East, just 30 minutes away from the Melbourne CBD.

It features a spacious four bedrooms, as well as three bathrooms, and an expansive living-dining area.

The move comes after Georgia revealed on Monday that she's now Covid-free after a battle with coronavirus.

In a toe-curling post, she pretended to magically switch from a nightie from her own sleepwear range to a black dress in a clip.

The former reality TV star captioned the post: 'She's covid-free and leaving the house, baby!'

'While I was really sick the first three days, I'm thankful I got better just with a lot of rest, water, vitamins and some flu meds and didn't need any further care.'
Roddy Ricch on Wednesday withdrew from his scheduled appearance on Saturday Night Live after he was a close contact to a staffer with COVID-19.

'Due to recent Covid exposure on my team and to keep everyone safe I wont be able to perform on SNL this weekend,' the 23-year-old rapper said on Instagram Stories.

The Box performer added that he was 'working with the SNL team to lock in a new date though.'

The latest: Roddy Ricch, 23, on Wednesday withdrew from his scheduled appearance on Saturday Night Live after he was a close contact to a staffer with COVID-19. He was snapped in LA last year

The Compton, California native had been slated to be the musical guest on the NBC comedy staple alongside West Side Story actress Ariana DeBose, who is hosting.

The pop group Bleachers will perform in place of the Late at Night artist, making their SNL debut in support of their album Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night, which was released last summer.

The group said on Instagram, 'The hardest attempt to date of taking the sadness out of saturday night ... bleachers are the first musical guest of 2022 on @nbcsnl !!'

The group's Jack Antonoff had previously appeared on the show during his time with the band Fun.

The rapper explained the course of events on Instagram Stories

The pop group Bleachers will perform in place of the Late at Night artist, making their SNL debut in support of their album Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night

Ricch had been slated to be the musical guest on the NBC comedy staple alongside West Side Story actress Ariana DeBose, who is hosting. He was snapped in November in Texas

According to Deadline, the show is tentatively set to move forward with a full cast, crew and audience amid the ongoing spread of the omicron variant.

Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in New York City last month, the show broadcast with a ramped-down staff and no studio audience, with cast members Kenan Thompson and Michael Che, host Paul Rudd and special guests Tina Fey and Tom Hanks appearing on the December 18 episode.

Musical guest Charli XCXs appearance on the episode was called off with the reduced personnel on hand for the episode, as she had been slated to perform with Caroline Polachek and Christine and the Queens.

'Hi everyone, due to the limited crew at tonights taping of SNL my musical performances will no longer be able to go ahead,' she said on Instagram. 'I am devastated and heartbroken. Myself, Caroline, Christine and all our crews and teams have worked so hard all week alongside the SNL team to bring the most amazing musical performance to life.'

She added: 'It cant happen this time but Ill be back! I am currently safe and healthy but of course very sad. Please look after yourselves out there and make sure you get vaccinated if you havent already. Lots of love, Charli.'

Saturday Night Live airs on NBC and Peacock at 11:30/10:30c.
Amy Schumer and Shirley MacLaine signed on to star in the second season of the hit Hulu show Only Murders in the Building.

Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short play podcast enthusiasts turned amateur detectives as they uncover a murder in their apartment complex.

The unlikely-trio documents the wild twists and turns of hunting down a murderer in an investigation taped for their own crime podcast.

Star power: Amy Schumer signed on to star in the second season of the hit Hulu show Only Murders in the Building

Best in the biz: Shirley MacLaine was also confirmed to join the program; seen in 2019

Cara Delevigne was also recently confirmed to join the program, although its unclear in what role.

'Before Christmas, [I shot scenes with] Shirley MacLaine and Amy Schumer,' Short told Deadline. 'The quality of actor that this show is attracting makes it endlessly fun to go to work.'

Short was 'thrilled and honored' to be recognized after receiving word he was nominated on Tuesday morning for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series, his first SAG nomination.

Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short play podcast enthusiasts turned amateur detectives as they uncover a murder in their apartment complex.

Asking the right questions: The unlikely-trio documents the wild twists and turns of hunting down a murderer in an investigation taped for their own crime podcast

'Steve and I have a long history and Selena is a brilliant addition to the show, but then what fuels it is this compelling whodunit,' he said.

'You have the two going on at the same time and then you add the obsession with podcasts.

Not only did Martin earn a nomination, he'll also compete against Steve in the same category, and the show picked up a nom for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

'I think all the stars lined up in the right direction to make this something that people wanted to see, and enjoyed seeing, and kept wanting to see, for the comedy and also the mystery of it,' he said.

Nathan Lane will portray character Teddy Dimas once again while Tina Fey has also signed to star as Cinda Canning, the beloved host of All is Not OK in Oklahoma.
Passengers on flights can be annoying. Some cause ruckus refusing to wear a mask  a very Covid-19 incident  or some may just go berserk screaming and kicking during the length of the flight. There have been quite some bizarre and out-of-bounds passengers on flights throughout aviation history, which makes some question what made them snap.

Here is one more to add to the list that seems to have set new standards for being the centurys worst airline passenger.

MAN GOES BERSERK ON AA FLIGHT

During the boarding process of an American Airlines (AA) flight from San Pedro Sula, Honduras to Miami in the US, a man went berserk. ABC News reported that he ran up the jetway, broke into the cockpit of the AA flight, damaged the flight controls and even tried to jump out of the window in the cockpit, as a surprised pilot unsuccessfully tried to stop him.

Man broke into the cockpit of an American Airlines flight and damaged the plane. Photo: @SweeneyABC/Twitter

The identity of the man is still unknown. This video filmed by an eye-witness shows the man sticking out his torso from the window of the cockpit.

Fortunately, the flight was still grounded when the incident occurred. The man was apprehended by the local authorities and a replacement flight was arranged by American Airlines for the trip.

It is still unknown what exactly went wrong with the man for him to behave in such a manner. However, in 2021 the US Federal Aviation Administration reported that cases of unruly passengers have increased five-fold since 2020, with increasingly aggressive behaviour. The US FAA received 5,980 complaints of unruly passengers of which 4,290 were mask-related incidents, 2021.

WHAT NETIZENS ARE SAYING

Twitter on the other hand has been getting creative as to what may have gone wrong with the man. Here are some hilarious and sarcastic ones:

Did the pilot have a Lets Go Brandon sticker anywhere in view of the nut job  Kari Hagen ?? (@Carykari) January 12, 2022

This Twitter user brought up the incident where an American Airlines pilot was seen sporting a Lets go Brandon sticker on his luggage. It is a political slogan used as a minced oath for F*ck Joe Biden in the US. AA had responded to the incident back in 2021 saying that appropriate measures were being taken.

Some netizens were not surprised that the incident occurred in Honduras, or on a flight connecting to Miami. We wonder why theres such an image of passengers from the US state of Florida.

Before forming the usual opinions... this is in Honduras, folks.  You Bunch Of Marks (@youbunchofmarks) January 12, 2022

I waited patiently until the word Miami appeared. pic.twitter.com/uuopt3H5SP  Bjoern Michaelsen (@Sweet5hark) January 12, 2022

Others just excused his behaviour saying that everyone has their bad days, or perhaps he wasn't happy being served peanuts instead of pretzels or enough legroom on the flight. We can all understand the frustration.

Had was just having a bad day.  Karina, no longer quiet. (@soggyduck) January 12, 2022

Probably not enough leg room.  Julian Watson (@JulianMWatson) January 12, 2022

may be he wasn't too enthused about the fact that this flight serves peanuts and not pretzels ?  laissez-faire (@laissezfaire_0) January 12, 2022

It is likely that the man is banned by the airlines in the future.

PREVIOUS INCIDENTS

American Airlines has had its fair share of bizarre occurrences and unruly passengers. In 2017, a man tried to break into the cockpit of an AA flight mid-air in Honolulu. He was restrained and later detained upon landing.

In other cases, an AA pilot broke down talking about being sexually abused as a child in the PA system, passengers on a Miami-bound flight were also asked to put their hands up in the air during landing.




An animal rights group reported a man to the police, Monday, for violating the Animal Protection Act. He allegedly yanked aggressively on his dog's leash, lifting the animal off the ground.



The man reportedly insisted that he cannot live without the dog, but the activists convinced him to hand over ownership of the dog to the organization.



Activists say both the physical and psychological aspects of animal abuse, along with its seriousness, must be recognized to prevent animal abuse in the future.




Local

featured

Charles Simpson, once top aide to Charlie Wilson, dies

Contributed photo Charles W. Simpson is seen in his Washington, D.C. office in this undated photo from the press office of U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson.

Charles W. Simpson, the Stephen F. Austin State University political science professor who left academia to become top assistant to two of Texass most influential Democrats in the nations capital, died Oct. 29 at his home in Delaware, his family announced last week. He was 85.

Simpson was the universitys first full-time political science professor when he was wooed away by newly elected Congressman Charlie Wilson, for whom he was an advisor and protector.

He had an uncanny ability to take a complex issue, break it down, get all the [nonsense] out and deliver the heart of it, Simpson told journalist George Crile in the book Charlie Wilsons War.

Peyton Walters served as a district director for Rep. Charlie Wilson and credits Simpson with ensuring Wilsons mission of taking care of the home folks was accomplished.

He ran a good office for Charlie, Walters said. He was an all-around great man.

Simpson leased an RV from Foretravel in Nacogdoches for use as a mobile office. Wilson was the first congressman to deploy a mobile office. Staff traveled the huge congressional district and handled the largest number of constituent services case files of any Representative or Senator, Walters said.

Simpson was also deeply involved in Wilsons effort to create the Big Thicket National Preserve, Walters said. Former U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough had tried establish a national park to protect the unique ecosystem for nine years, but could never put together the necessary acreage.

Wilson was able to pass the enabling legislation in his first term, largely due to his close relationship with Arthur Temple.

Charles William Simpson was born May 1, 1936, in Wichita Falls. After attending college off and on while working at his fathers dirt contracting business, he graduated with a degree in political science in 1963. After earning a doctorate from the University of Texas he became Stephen F. Austin State Universitys first full-time political science professor

While in Nacogdoches he was influential in establish the first desegregated Boy Scout troop and became active in political campaigns.

He became involved with Wilson because a graduate student wanted to do a project on a local politician, he told Simpson told Stephen F. Austin University researchers in 2012.

If I hadnt gotten some people together and if Arthur Temple hadnt come over and set up a meeting to raise a little money for him, (the Wilson campaign) wouldnt have done anything, Simpson told interviewer Dr. Scott Sosebee.

After winning election, Wilson asked Simpson if he would be interested in running his office. Simpson agreed after consulting with his family.

Gradually Simpson became disillusioned with Wilsons hard drinking and philandering that earned him the nickname Good Time Charlie.

There were four or five nights when I was almost afraid to leave him alone, hes quoted as saying in Charlie Wilsons War. He was that low, drinking straight vodka in the office. Just him and me.

Wilsons infamous hit-and-run crash on Key Bridge in Washington on Aug. 13 1983 was the final straw for Simpson. Simpson had put out his last fire for Wilson.

Soon after he left for Lloyd Bentsens staff. He stayed with Bentsen for three years before joining the law and lobbying firm Lipsen, Whitten and Diamond and was later a corporate executive for engineer and construction giant Morrison Knudsen.

Staff Writer Valerie Reddell contributed to this report.
Bill passed for union representation in boards



The National Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that will mandate public institutions to appoint a union representative to their boards of directors. If the bill is signed into law, 131 public firms and institutions such as Korea Electric Power Corp. will be obliged to name a nonexecutive director recommended or picked by the chief of a labor union to their boards, starting from the latter half of the year.



The passage of the bill came after Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), called on the Assembly to deal with it last December. Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential contender of the opposition People Power Party (PPP), backed Lee's stance. The presidential Economic, Social and Labor Council initiated the plan early last year to produce a social consensus. It is designed to enhance the managerial transparency of public firms and institutions by including a union representative on their boards.



Despite a general consensus over the bill, the legislation had been delayed due mainly to opposition from the conservative PPP and the business sector. Though they stopped short of blocking the legislation, PPP lawmakers expressed their dissatisfaction with the bill by abstaining from voting.



The passage of the bill has met mixed reactions. Welcoming the legislation, unions expressed an expectation that the new system will help mitigate labor-management conflicts. They described it as necessary for the nation to better protect the rights of workers. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) said the new system will help speed up much-needed reform of public organizations by improving their transparency and adopting a more democratic management style.



However, the legislation is raising concerns in the business sector that private companies could be affected by the new system. Businesspeople worry that unions might raise their voices for the labor director position to be expanded to private businesses. In that case, the system could have a negative impact on management and worsen the business climate. In 2016, institutions under the Seoul Metropolitan Government introduced a union representative system. Now 82 institutions of 10 municipal and provincial governments have adopted it.



According to a survey conducted by the Korea Labor Institute, more than 50 percent of respondents said the new system has brought about positive changes, enhancing transparency and democratic management of public firms and institutions.



This shows the need for all parties concerned to make concerted efforts to help the new system to firmly take root. With the passage of the bill, enterprises need to forge a more cooperative relationship with unions by enabling more inclusive management. Unions, for their part, should have a more responsible attitude toward management to develop a true partnership and make their companies better workplaces.




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By Shim Jae-yun





The presidential election is supposed to be full of hope as it is a "sacred" process of inaugurating a new head of state who will lead the nation for the next five years. Contrary to the expectation, however, the ongoing race is disappointing at large, having become a battleground among candidates with record displays of antipathy rather than empathy. Another disappointment is the waning of the nation's only progressive party with National Assembly seats  the Justice Party.







For starters, the nation is seeing a rare phenomenon: an increasing number of undecided voters with less than two months left before the March 9 presidential election. People are voicing their distrust of the major presidential contenders. Many around me are wondering whether they can decide who to vote for until the poll day.







Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has been the object of public cynicism for his apparent lack of morality as seen in his criminal record, profanity against his sister-in-law and purported irregularities in a major land development scandal in Daejang-dong, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, plus his alleged extramarital affair with an actress.







Yoon Suk-yeol, presidential contender of the main opposition People Power Party, has already become a target of disparagement regarding his "unsuitability" as a future national leader with his frequent verbal gaffes, and dearth of philosophy and vision on major state agendas, coupled with a package of irrationalities surrounding his wife and mother-in-law which has further deepened the public's distrust.







According to a survey conducted Jan. 3 to 5 by Embrain Public and Korea Research on 1,000 adults across the nation, 65 percent of participants indicated antipathy toward Yoon, followed by Lee and Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party who recorded 56 percent and 54 percent, respectively.







Another poll also conducted by Embrain showed 41.9 percent of the respondents saying they have yet to decide who to vote for. The poll, conducted on Dec. 26 to 27, found that 30.1 percent were ready to change their choice of candidate depending on the shifting situation. Given this, it is safe to say the current support rates are apt to change and lack particular meaning. Many experts share the notion that such swing voters will continue to remain a significant factor in the lead-up to the election.







Another disappointing point is the waning of the Justice Party. On Monday, I had a tea meeting with Sim Sang-jung, presidential candidate of the progressive party, along with several associates at her campaign office in Yeouido. She candidly revealed her opinion on a diverse range of pending issues in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Sim expressed frustration over her party's staggering performance in the ongoing race. Now the iron lady representing the progressive camp is lagging at fourth place behind Ahn.







Sim cited two major factors that she said had dealt severe blows to the party's image as the nation's representative progressive party. First up, the sexual harassment of a female lawmaker by former party head Kim Jong-cheol. "It virtually crushed the party," she said. It was all the more perplexing for Sim as she said she had regarded Kim as her successor. It was fatal to the party's identity as the icon of progressive forces on behalf of social minorities including women.







Yet another major impact has come since the party backed the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in defending former Justice Minister Cho Kuk despite the misdeeds of his daughter and wife. This led the party to be dubbed the "second company" of the DPK, causing droves of its followers to break away, particularly young people who were sick of the Moon Jae-in administration's notoriously hypocritical "naeronambul" (I am right and you are wrong) practices.







Initiating major issues such as labor, welfare, environment, gender and minorities, the Justice Party has been a backbone of the nation's progressive sector. "For instance, it is deplorable that none of the candidates has ever raised the significant issue of climate change," Sim said.







Now it is high time for all candidates, including Sim, to reflect on themselves and shift their stance to engage through in-depth and earnest debate on major points of the national agenda instead of resorting to negative and populist campaigning. This is the only way for them to turn this from an "election of antipathy" to an "election of expectation," and bring a glimmer of hope against the darkness of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.











The author ( jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr ) is an editorial writer of The Korea Times.
KAKINADA: An accused in a boat theft case is missing after he was brought to the Korangi police station of Tallarevu mandal of East Godavari district, police said on Tuesday.

Activists said the incident was akin to one in Jai Bhim film starring the cine hero Surya, in which an innocent person was brought to the police station and he was later killed.

The disappearance of the person came to light when an RTI activist of Gadimoga of Tallarevu Mandal, PV Bhadra Rao brought the incident to the notice of the SP of East Godavari district, the DIG of Eluru and the state DGP through a whatsapp message.

According to sources, Bommidi Raju alias Mahalakshmi of Pedavalasala village of Tallarevu mandal was taken to the police station by Korangi police on the basis of a complaint lodged by Chekka Sathibabu of Turangi village near Kakinada that his fibre boat was stolen at Chollangi Revu on October 16, 2021.

The Korangi police registered a case under section 379 IPC and filed the FIR on January 6.

The police stated in the FIR that the accused committed the theft and they identified a number of the moles and tattoos of the body of the accused. But, on November 7, there was news from the police station to the locals that the accused was missing from the station. Police say they are trying to find out where he went.

RTI activist Rao said some of the persons saw the accused at the police station and that he was being severely tortured there. Rao urged the top police officials to make a thorough probe and find out what went wrong there.

Korangi SI, Ramu, said when the family members of the accused took him to the station and they took him back from the station.
Trident director Yashdeep Sharma's contention was that the forensic audit report did not speak of any adverse effects vis-a-vis their transactions and book accounts and yet the bank unilaterally classified the accounts as fraud accounts without giving any opportunity for the hotel group to submit its contentions.  PTI

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has rejected a plea from Golden Jubilee Hotels (Trident) to set aside the decision of the lenders bank to classify its bank accounts as fraud accounts.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice SC Sharma observed that the petitioners bank accounts were rightly declared as fraudulent, as this was done on the basis of the forensic audit report. There is no illegality or infirmity in the decision-making process warranting court interference in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case. The action has been taken against Golden Jubilee Hotels under due process of law, the bench said.

The petition was filed by Yashdeep Sharma, a promoter and director of Golden Jubilee Hotels. His contention was that the forensic audit report did not speak of any adverse effects vis-a-vis their transactions and book accounts and yet the bank unilaterally classified the accounts as fraud accounts without giving any opportunity for the hotel group to submit its contentions.

The firm had taken hundreds of crores of rupees as credit from a consortium of banks led by Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Jammu Kashmir Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India etc. Around Rs 552 crore was due on this count as on March 31, 2018. Around Rs 397 crore was mentioned as of sundry debtors in the total debts, it was noted in the forensic report.

After going through the forensic report, the bench said that the accounts of the firm were rightly declared as fraud accounts, and in doing so, the bank followed the guidelines of the RBI master circular.
Meanwhile, Delhi reported 21,259 new COVID-19 during the past 24 hours with a positivity rate of 25.65 per cent, informed the state health bulletin on Tuesday. (Representational image: PTI)

New Delhi: Delhi government imposed a total fine of Rs 1,10,88,800 on Tuesday for violation of COVID protocols in the national capital. A total of 63 FIRs were registered by the administration.

Most cases of violation of COVID protocols came from South Delhi and East Delhi among the 11 districts. As many as 782 cases of COVID rules violations were seen in South Delhi while 704 cases came from East Delhi.

In total 5,590 cases including 5,440 for not wearing masks, 108 for not following social distancing norms and 42 for spitting in public places were lodged by the administration.

Meanwhile, Delhi reported 21,259 new COVID-19 during the past 24 hours with a positivity rate of 25.65 per cent, informed the state health bulletin on Tuesday.

With the addition of 21,259 new cases, the active caseload in the city mounted to 74,881 which is the highest in the past eight months, according to the bulletin. So far, a total of 15,90,155 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the national capital.

In the past 24 hours, Delhi also reported 23 deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 25,200 here.

Delhi has reported 546 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus infection so far, out of which 57 patients have been recovered.
"The account @Mib_india has been restored. This is for the information of all the followers," tweeted the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. (ANI Photo)

New Delhi: The Twitter account of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was briefly compromised on Wednesday morning, informed the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

However, the account was restored after a few minutes, confirmed Kanchan Gupta, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

"The account @Mib_india has been restored. This is for the information of all the followers," tweeted the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

"Alert The account @Mib_india was compromised for a brief while. It has been restored," tweeted Gupta.

The hackers renamed the Ministry's account as 'Elon Musk' and posted some tweets which were later deleted.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan speaks during a clarification meeting regarding the state government's K-Rail (SilverLine) project, after protests from the opposition leaders against the project, in Kochi (PTI Photo)

Thiruvanathapuram: Indicating that fund would not be a hurdle for his government to implement its flagship Silver Line Rail Corridor project, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that various global agencies including Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have already offered financial support to the mammoth initiative.

Negotiations have also been completed with institutions like Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and KFW in this regard, he said amidst intense criticism from opposition parties against the implementation of the K-Rail, which is estimated to cost Rs 63,941 crore.

Vijayan also made it clear that the Niti Aayog and the union ministries of Finance and Railway have accorded adequate sanction for the state government to identify the means of funding the project.

The Chief Minister gave detailed description of the government's effort to raise funds for the multi-crore infrastructure project in an article penned in the latest edition of "Chintha", a mouthpiece publication of the ruling CPI(M).

Categorically rejecting as "baseless" the opposition charge that the project would destroy the state's economy, he said there is no government anywhere in the world that does not borrow for infrastructure development projects.

Everyone agrees the fact that infrastructure development can stimulate economic growth as well as increase revenue, the Marxist veteran added.

"Global financial agencies including JICA have come forward offering to provide financial assistance to the project. Negotiations have been completed with financial institutions like AIIB, KFW and ADB....Its detailed project report (DPR) was prepared by SYSTRA," he said in the article.

Noting that eco-friendly and cost-effective high speed transport facilities are indispensable for the growth of the southern state, he said the alignment of the Silver Line rail corridor was fixed through the considerably less populated areas giving priority to the technical, economic and social aspects of the state.

A compensation and relief package-worth Rs 13, 265 crore would be implemented for the affected persons who would lose their houses, buildings, property and other belongings, he said.

Detailing the 'green" aspect about the multi-crore project, connecting the south and north ends of the state, Vijayan said no reserve forest or water bodies would be adversely impacted by the Silver Line.

"A section of people are unleashing propaganda that thousands of families will be left homeless through the land acquisition for the project. The land is intended to be acquired by giving appropriate compensation," he said.

The government is taking steps to address the concerns of people regarding the project and to take into account the views of peoples' representatives, he said adding that public hearing would be held to listen to the concerns and find solutions.

Barring some resistance out of misunderstanding, the people of the state have generally acknowledged the significance of the mega project, he said and requested everyone to stand united for the development of the state.

Meanwhile, the Vijayan government's reported decision to invite tenders for printing 50 lakh handbooks to distribute among public detailing the significance of the implementation of the K-Rail project drew flak from the opposition Congress as senior leaders V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala came out against it.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that over two crore COVID vaccine doses have been administered to beneficiaries in the age group 15-18 years.

"Now the youth is coming forward to make the world's largest vaccine drive a success. We have already vaccinated 2 crore children between 15-18 years of age," PM Modi said after inaugurating the Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry and Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam in Puducherry through video conference.

According to a statement issued by the Union Health Ministry, as many as 2,82,74,847 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to beneficiaries aged between 15-18 year since January 3.

During the event, the Prime Minister also unveiled selected essays on "Mere Sapno ka Bharat" and "Unsung Heroes of Indian Freedom Movement". These essays have been selected from submissions by over 1 lakh youth on the two themes.

The Prime Minister said, "We have had many such fighters in the freedom struggle, whose contribution did not get the recognition that they deserved. The more our youth write, research about such dignitaries, the more awareness will increase in the coming generations of the country."

He also called upon the youth to be vocal and contribute to the drive for cleanliness.

PM Modi inaugurated a Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry and Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam - an auditorium with open-air theatre in Puducherry, through video conference.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry is established at Puducherry with an investment of about Rs 122 crore. With the focus on the Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) Sector, this Technology Centre will be equipped with the latest technology.

"It will contribute towards skilling youth and will be able to train around 6400 trainees per year," the PMO stated.

Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam has been constructed by the Government of Puducherry at a cost of about Rs 23 crores. It would primarily be used for educational purposes, and can accommodate more than 1000 people, the PMO stated.
Dharam Sansad was held at Ved Niketan Dham in Haridwar for three days from December 16 to 19. (Photo: Screengrab/File)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday asked the Centre, Delhi Police and Uttarakhand Police to respond to a plea seeking direction to ensure investigation and action against those who allegedly made hate speeches during two events held recently in Haridwar and the national capital.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, which agreed to hear the plea and issued notice on it, permitted the petitioners to make representation to the concerned local authorities against holding of future Dharam Sansad' events there.

The bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, posted the matter for hearing after 10 days.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by journalist Qurban Ali and former Patna High Court judge and senior advocate Anjana Prakash, who have also sought a direction for an "independent, credible and impartial investigation" by an SIT into the incidents of hate speeches against the Muslim community.

After the bench said it was issuing notice on the plea and listed it for hearing after 10 days, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, said the only problem is that in the meantime a Dharam Sansad' is going to be held on January 23 in Aligarh and they don't want it to happen.

Sibal requested the bench to list the matter for hearing on January 17 and said they would serve all the respondents by then.

We will permit you to make a representation to the concerned authorities. Let them act upon it, the bench said.

The apex court permitted them to bring it to the notice of local authorities about such event, which are going to take place, and which according to the petitioners, are contrary to the penal law.

The plea, which specifically referred to the "hate speeches" delivered between the "17th and 19th of December 2021 at Haridwar and Delhi", has also sought compliance of apex court's guidelines to deal with such speeches.

One event was organised in Haridwar by Yati Narsinghanand and the other in Delhi by 'Hindu Yuva Vahini' allegedly "calling for genocide of members" of a community, it said.

At the outset, Sibal referred to a one-page transcript of what was said in the Dharam Sansad' and said he doesn't want to sensationalise this issue by reading the content.

The bench observed that it would issue notice to the states and let them come before it.

Sibal said notice be issued to the Centre also because as per the apex court's earlier judgement, they have to appoint nodal officers to prevent these kinds of thing.

Mr Sibal, you take notice to all the respondents, the bench observed.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising mentioned an intervention application on behalf of Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

Jaising said it was on Tushar Gandhi's petition that the apex court had rendered a decision in 2019 saying all states must appoint nodal officer to ensure that mob lynching does not take place.

My simple application is, that judgement of the court is not being implemented. Kindly allow the intervention, that's all I am asking for, she said.

The bench observed that for the time being, it is issuing notice to the respondents on the plea listed before it.

Sibal said the events are overtaking us and Dharam Sansad' are being announced on daily basis.

Let the returnable date be as soon as possible because they have announced another Dharam Sansad'. The next one is on January 23 in Aligarh, in the midst of what is happening in Uttar Pradesh today, he said.

During the hearing, the bench asked whether another bench of the apex court is already seized of petition raising similar issue.

Sibal said no similar matter is pending before any other bench of the apex court.

The CJI observed that this is a matter which has to be heard but the point is whether any other bench is already hearing similar plea.

One of the advocates appearing in the matter said there are some matters generally on hate speech which are pending but it is not related to Dharam Sansad'.

You hear this separately. What is being done. No quick steps are being taken. Dharam Sansad' (events) are being held in Kurukshetra, Dasna, Aligarh and in states where process of elections is going on. This attracts several provisions, Sibal said.

What will happen is that atmosphere of entire country will be vitiated. This is all contrary to what this Republic stands for. It is contrary to the ethos and the values which we cherish, he said.

Sibal said the 2019 judgement has not been implemented by the authorities.

If that judgement would have been implemented in letter and spirit, these Dharam Sansad' would not have taken place, Jaising said, adding the 2019 verdict was on the issue of mob lynching on the allegations of cattle smuggling.

Sibal also argued that there is no law with respect to this kind of hate speech.

We are issuing notice. You take notice. List after 10 days. We will see if it is connected to other matter, we will list, otherwise we will hear, the bench said.

The Uttarakhand Police had filed an FIR on December 23 last year under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code against some persons including Sant Dharamdas Maharaj, Sadhvi Annapoorna alias Pooja Shakun Pandey, Yati Narsinghanand and Sagar Sindhu Maharaj.

A similar complaint was filed with the Delhi Police for the second event organised in the national capital.

The plea said that no effective steps have been taken by Uttarakhand and Delhi police.

Till date no FIR has been lodged by Delhi Police despite calls for ethnic cleansing at the event organised here, it said.
New Delhi: The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. M.M. Naravane, said on Wednesday that while there has been partial disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh sector, the threat from China has by no means reduced.

He said that Pakistan continues to wage proxy war against India and currently there are 350-400 terrorists in various launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC). Gen. Naravane said the Indian Army was not averse to the demilitarisation of the Siachen Glacier, if Pakistan accepts the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) as dividing the two countries positions.

Gen. Naravane said the December 4 firing incident in Nagalands Mon district in which 14 civilians were killed was highly regrettable and that appropriate action, as required to uphold the law of the land, would be taken based on the investigation. He said the Armys Court of Inquiry led by an officer of major-general rank was expected to submit its findings in a day or two.

Speaking on the current standoff with China, the Army Chief said that force levels, in areas where the disengagement with Chinese troops was yet to take place, have been adequately enhanced. War or conflict is always an instrument of the last resort, but if resorted to, we will come out victorious, Gen. Naravane said in an online interaction with a group of journalists on the eve of Army Day.

The Army Chief said the Indian Army was well poised all along the border with China and there is no question that any status quo as it exists today will ever be altered by force. He said the threat assessments and internal deliberations have resulted in reorientation of additional forces to the northern borders with China, while retaining punitive strike capability along the western front with Pakistan.

The Army Chief said the situation at the LAC was stable and under control and there was always hope that through dialogue we will be able to resolve our differences.

Gen. Naravanes comments came on the day when India and China held the 14th round of corps commanders meeting at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point on the Chinese side of the LAC to resolve the standoff in the Hot Springs area in Ladakh.

The 14th round of talks are underway and it is a good thing that talks are going on it shows that we can resolve our differences through dialogue and that is why this mechanism is very important, said Gen Naravane. He underlined how through negotiations the two sides were able to disengage in PP-14, Pangong Tso and Gogra Post. He said once all the current friction points are resolved, talks will be held on issues that pre-date the current standoff (Depsang and Demchok).

The Army Chief said the Armys response to the Chinese attempts to unilaterally change the status quo were very robust and we were able to thwart this design. He added: We are in a position to meet whatever is thrown at us in the future, and of that I can assure you very confidently.

He said the crisis with China was used as an opportunity to fast-track infrastructure development, undertake doctrinal reviews and make up operational voids through emergency and fast track procurements. I dare say that in the last year and half our capabilities have increased manifold as far as the northern front is concerned.

The Chief said that ceasefire violations at Line of Control with Pakistan have come down drastically after the two sides last year agreed to adhere to earlier ceasefire agreements. However, he said Pakistan continues to wage a proxy war against India. Combined intelligence inputs suggest as many as 350 to 400 terrorists on the other side, at the launchpads or in various training camps. This threat has in no way receded. We have to remain alert and to that extent a threat from the western front is also very much there and cannot be ignored, said the Army Chief.

On demilitarisation of the Siachen Glacier, Gen. Naravane said that this situation occurred because of unilateral attempts by Pakistan to change the status quo. The LoC had been delineated to a point which is known as NJ 9842 and thereafter there was understanding that it remains unoccupied. But since they made an attempt to occupy it we were also forced to take our countermeasures and now both sides are face to face all along the Siachen Glacier, he added. He said the Army was not against demilitarisation of the Siachen Glacier but a precondition of that was to accept the AGPL, that is the actual ground position line. Pakistan has to accept what are their positions and accept what are our positions. And both of us have to sign on the dotted line before any kind of disengagement takes place, he said.

The Army Chief said preparations are already underway at the National Defence Academy to induct women cadets there from June 2022.
Hyderabad: Animal rescue activists have urged the public to alert law enforcement agencies in case of illegal sale of Chinese manja in the city. This kills birds during the kite-flying season of Sankranti, they said.

Activists aim to spread awareness against nilon and glass-coated manja that would get entangled on the branches of trees during the kite flying season.

Shek Hussain, freelance project scientist associated with the Greater Hyderabad society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (GHSPCA), said the law enforcement agencies  the forest and police departments  seized thousands of kilos of the dangerous manja every year.

Our volunteers brought the issue of illegal sale of manja to the attention of the law-enforcement agencies, he said.

A. Shankaran, a wildlife officer on special duty with the forest department, said a team of officials and others would go around the city to check illegal manja sale. The department will take care of the birds that require rescue, he said.

GHSPCA coordinator Soudharam Bhandari said a team of volunteers on Tuesday helped rescue nine birds  six pigeons, an owl, two eagles. Of these, a pigeon died later. We will be continuing the operation. We will take the rescued ones to veterinary hospitals and ensure treatment before releasing them into the wild, he explained.

Veterinary doctors find most of the birds taking weeks to recover from the glass manja injury as it affects their ability to fly. We request kite-flyers to collect all the wastage of the threads and dump them in trash bins.

Citizens can alert the city police on WhatsApp at 9490616555 about anyone selling Chinese manja. GHSPCA has urged the citizens to inform it about the whereabouts of birds that need rescuing, on mobile numbers 8886743881 or 9949602074.
The bank officials ought not to have sanctioned loan taking mortgages of the government land in the subsequent years, RDO pointed out. (Representational Image/ PTI)

Hyderabad: The Ranga Reddy district revenue authorities on Tuesday asked the police to file criminal cases against State Bank of India (SBI) officials concerned and the Chennai-based construction company JKS Constructions Pvt Ltd with regard to raising loan mortgaging prime government land in Survey No 36 of Gopanapally.

Reacting to news item Government lands mortgaged by Chennai firm published in these columns on Monday, Ranga Reddy collector Amoy Kumar directed the officials concerned to take immediate action to stop the proposed auction of five acres mortgaged by JCPL. Accordingly, Rajendranagar revenue divisional officer (RDO) K. Chandrakala wrote to Gachibowli station house officer to book the firm for mortgaging the government land and SBI officials for sanctioning loan without verification of records and possession.

Sources told this newspaper that the collector would recommend to the government to order a criminal investigation department inquiry into the fraudulent act that resulted not only in mortgaging the government land but also loss of crores of rupees to the premium banker of the country. The collector will also write to the SBI to immediately stop the auction of the land.

Chandrakala gave a detailed report to the collector and police on how the government is the rightful owner of the land. She said as per Sethwar, the entire 460 acres in Survey No 36 was classified as government land. The government subsequently allotted about 125 acres to the landless poor but resumed the same in 2004 when it was noticed that the assignees illegally sold the land and were not in possession of the same.

The RDO maintained that the government took possession of land way back in 2004 besides prohibiting its registration by private parties. The bank officials ought not to have sanctioned loan taking mortgages of the government land in the subsequent years, she pointed out.
Russia's COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V / AP-Newsis



By Kim Bo-eun



Almost a year has passed since the Hankook Korus Pharm-led consortium was assigned to produce Russia's COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, but production continues to be delayed. The consortium is facing uncertainties as its Russian partner is known to have requested the terms of an earlier agreement to be changed.



Hankook Korus Pharm's parent company, GL Rapha, set up a contract with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for the consortium of Korean companies to undertake Sputnik V's production in February last year.



The consortium and the RDIF had initially agreed to produce 500 million of Sputnik V's first doses. Nevertheless industry sources stated that the RDIF requested in November last year that the consortium produce the vaccine's second doses, which has different components from the first. The production yield of Sputnik V's second dose is lower under current production capacities, and therefore less profitable, according to industry officials.



The consortium initially had seven members but it has changed over the past year, and now the group consists of five members: Hankook Korus Pharm, ISU Abxis, Jetema, Quratis and Boryung Biopharma. Chong Kun Dang Bio recently decided to pull out of the consortium, stating it is seeking to focus on its botulinum toxin business. Binex, another firm that was formerly part of the consortium, also left earlier, over differences with the RDIF in the use of production equipment.



The RDIF did not respond to requests from The Korea Times to confirm the changes it is seeking in the contract with the consortium of Korean bio companies.



Hankook Korus Pharm said the departure of member companies would not affect the consortium's capacity to produce Sputnik V. The company is seeking to produce the vaccine's first dose, and for the remaining firms in the consortium to produce the second dose. The remaining firms stated they are willing to produce the second dose, despite chances of lower profitability.



Jetema and ISU Abxis are seeking to reach out to the RDIF individually, to speed up the production process, which has been delayed over the past year.



"Hankook Korus Pharm has played a leading role in the consortium up until now, but we are seeking to negotiate directly with the RDIF, to speed up the process," a spokesperson of one of the consortium's member firms said.



"In order to produce Sputnik V's second dose, we need to receive technological transfers from Russia, and we are currently reaching out to initiate this."



Uncertainty has prevailed over Russia's COVID-19 vaccine, as Sputnik V has yet to receive approval from the World Health Organization, while supply of U.S. vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna has grown.



Yet Hankook Korus Pharm dismissed such concerns, stating it expects there will continue to be sufficient demand for the vaccine, given there is a dire shortage of vaccines in developing countries.



"Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines are pricey and require cold chains that many developing countries do not have the infrastructure for," the company's spokesman said.



"We expect for production of Sputnik V to launch when the details of producing the second dosage is settled, and this could be within the first half of this year, at the earliest."



The Hankook Korus Pharm official said production facilities are ready to manufacture the vaccine. The company began producing Sputnik Light, Russia's single dose COVID-19 vaccine, last year.


According to the HMDA officials, there are 129 locations where the forest blocks have nearly 1,50,000 acres within the HMDA and GHMC limits. (Representational image/Pixabay)

HYDERABAD: The much-touted urban forest parks on the suburbs of the state capital, though completed and ready for inaugurations, are inaccessible for public as officials keep them closed on flimsy grounds.

The state government may restrict entry to the public parks in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, due the surge of Covid-19 cases in the city, but it is just a possibility and cannot be a reason for the civic officials not to open the forest parks as people who are deprived of lung spaces are desperately looking for a recess to breathe some fresh air.

These urban forest parks, each sprawling over at least 1,000 acres, have been awaiting inauguration, despite being completed and ready for use. Out of 16 urban forest blocks, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) opened only one at Amberpet Kalan and put it to public use and the rest of them are waiting for inauguration.

The forest blocks in and around cities in the states are being developed into urban forest parks (UFP) under the flagship programme of Telanganaku Haritha Haram. The municipal authority has been entrusted with the work of developing 16 clusters of urban forest blocks and beautifying the city of Hyderabad and its surrounding areas within a radius of 100 kms. These urban forest parks will not only provide a healthy living environment but also contribute to the growth of smart, clean, green, sustainable and healthy cities in the state.

According to the HMDA officials, there are 129 locations where the forest blocks have nearly 1,50,000 acres within the HMDA and GHMC limits. Of them, the HMDA, in coordination with the forest department, has completed 16 of them in two years.

These parks are a big hit among the local citizens and there is a lot of appreciation from the public. These parks will be mainly used by morning walkers, day visitors, schoolchildren and student community. These parks will provide lung spaces for the city dwellers and have a great recreational facility during the weekends. These parks will not only provide the required oxygen to the denizens but will also play a vital role in the preservation and conservation of local biodiversity and thus help in maintaining the local ecological balance.

A senior HMDA official, requesting anonymity, said despite being completed, urban forest parks were not thrown open to public use as the higher authorities were waiting for them to be inaugurated by some prominent personalities. He said the one inaugurated at Amberpet Kalan was an instant hit as it had facilities such as gazebos, medicinal and flowering plants, walking tracks, yoga centres, and children's play area. The official said if inaugurated, the parks would be of great help for morning walkers, joggers and others as each one of them spread over 1,000 acres and could be used following Covid-19 guidelines. However, he said that a final call had to be taken up by the state government. He said overall 59 urban forest parks were being developed for greenery in urban areas - HMDA 16, GHMC 3, TSIIC 7, HMRL 2, TSFDC 4 and the forest department 27.

Urban forest parks within the HMDA limits are Oxygen Park (Kandlakoya), Bhagyanagar Nandana Vanam (Narepally), Jatayu Urban Park (Medipally) Shanti Vanam (Medipally) Prashanti Vanam (Kandlakoya), Ayush Vanam, Oxy-Zone and Kartika Vanam in Dulapally, Somi Vanam (Somajpalle), Tangedu Vanam (Lakkaram), Smrithi Vanam (Choutuppal), Panchavati (Dominar), Sanjeevani Vanam (Gurramguda), Jungle Camp (Masjidgadda), MHV National Park (Hayathnagar), Arogya Sanjeevani Vanam (Gurramguda), Tejo Vanam (Marpegadda) and Narsapur Urban Forest Park.
HYDERABAD: The Telangana government on Wednesday strongly rejected the Andhra Pradesh government's demand seeking share in Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL). The Telangana government also denied ownership of APHMEL (AP Heavy Machinery Engineering Ltd), a subsidiary of SCCL, located in Kondapalli, Vijayawada, to the Andhra Pradesh government.

In the meeting held by the union home ministry with the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday through video conferencing to resolve pending state bifurcation-related issues between both the states, Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, made it clear that, "as per Schedule XII A Coal (Item 1)of AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, of the total equity of SCCL, 51 per cent shall be with the government of Telangana and 49 per cent with the government of India. As there is a specific provision in the very Act itself, the government of India should not have entertained any request raised by AP government regarding the same. Further, the issue regarding ownership of APHMEL has been strongly contested by the government of Telangana as it is a subsidiary of SCCL, and it should continue to remain so in the future also."

Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and AP Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma attended the meeting in virtual mode. Somesh Kumar, in a press release issued after the meeting, claimed that union home secretary has concurred with the view of Telangana on SCCL and APHMEL. The Telangana government complained that the AP government blocked resolution of pending bifurcation issues amicably through mutual talks by approaching courts and obtaining stay orders.

It held the AP government responsible for the non-resolution of pending state bifurcation related issues even after more than seven-and-a-half years.

Claims on Discoms dues

The Telangana government submitted its arguments before the Centre on payment of power dues to AP Genco by TS Discoms, disputes regarding Schedule IX, X institutions, division of APSFC (AP State Financial Corporation), AP Bhavan in New Delhi, cash balance and bank deposits and apportionment of tax arrears and refunds.

The Telangana government argued that AP Genco owed Rs 12,111 crore to Telangana power utilities while AP argued that Telangana owed Rs 3,442 crore to AP Genco. Further, AP power utilities filed a case in the High Court.

Telangana demanded that the case be withdrawn so that the amounts can be settled.

Legal hassles on Schedule IX institutions

Among other issues raised by Telangana in the meeting, was the total extent of 5,000 acres of land which was allotted to the Deccan Infrastructure Land Holdings Limited (DILL). It was resumed by Telangana government in 2015 as the conditions of allotment were violated. The AP government filed writ petition against the said GO and obtained a stay order.

Similarly, in the case of APSFC, the AP government went to court and obtained a stay against resumption of 250 acres allotted to APSFC for violation of conditions. The whole issue of bifurcation of Schedule IX institutions is pending because of these court cases filed by the AP government. Hence, the Telangana government has taken a stand that unless court cases are withdrawn further progress on the bifurcation of Schedule IX institutions cannot be made.

Schedule X institutions

With regard to disputes over Schedule X institutions, the Telangana government argued that in the case of AP State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), the government of India issued an order in 2017 in pursuance of directions issued by the Supreme Court. The same

principle which is contained in the said order should be made applicable for all the Schedule X Institutions also. However, the AP government questioned this very order issued by the government of India and filed a writ petition in the High Court. Telangana is of the view that unless the writ petition is withdrawn, the disputes regarding Schedule-X institutions cannot be resolved.

Division of AP Bhavan, tax arrears

With regard to dispute over division of AP Bhavan in New Delhi, Telangana suggested that a committee consisting of K. Ramakrishna Rao, special chief secretary, finance and EnC, R&B, besides resident commissioner, Telangana, with their counterparts of Andhra Pradesh may be constituted and the said committee may give a report giving various options for the division of AP Bhavan.

Somesh Kumar claimed that the union home secretary concurred with the same and has said that the committee may give a report in a time-bound manner.

With regard to apportionment of tax arrears and refund- Section 50, 51 & 56 of the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 and apportionment of institutions was not listed anywhere in the Act, the Telangana government expressed its view that there was no need to take up amendment of the Act.

With regard to division of cash balance and bank deposits, the Telangana government made a strong demand that the funds which are due from AP should be settled immediately and payment be made.

In case of Central sector schemes, an amount of Rs 495 crore is due for more than seven years. Similarly, there are dues payable by AP on the funds spent on common institutions such as High Court, Raj Bhavan etc., to a tune of Rs 315 crore. Even the funds which are accepted such as the share of buildings under construction, labour welfare fund of Rs 456 crore and resumption of net credit forward of Rs 208 crore is also not paid.

Union home secretary suggested that two nodal officers be appointed to look into division of cash balances. Telangana has nominated K. Rama Krishna Rao, special chief secretary, finance and AP has nominated S.S.Rawat, special chief secretary, finance as nodal officers.
Last year, none other than the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had directed that a cooling-off period should be mandatorily imposed on all retired government officials before they can take up other jobs in the private sector. (Representational image/ Twitter)

Calls for a mandatory cooling-off period for babus before joining politics have revived after two senior babus in Uttar Pradesh took voluntary retirement (VRS) and decided to join politics, with an eye on the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Hours after the model code of conduct was effected, Asim Arun, the recently named police commissioner of Kanpur, sprung a surprise by announcing that he had applied for the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) from the IPS and that the BJP was considering fielding the 1994-batch officer as its candidate from the Kannauj Sadar constituency.

Almost at the same time, the joint director of Enforcement Directorate (ED), Rajeshwar Singh, has said that his request for VRS has been accepted. It is being hinted that Mr Singh is preparing to jump into the poll fray from the Sahibabad constituency. He joined the ED in 2009 and was absorbed into the ED cadre in 2015. During his stint at ED, he investigated several high-profile cases including the 2G spectrum allocation case, the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam, and cases against prominent politicians such as former finance minister P. Chidambaram and others.

Last year, none other than the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had directed that a cooling-off period should be mandatorily imposed on all retired government officials before they can take up other jobs in the private sector. Clearly, at the time, the CVC did not envision babus joining politics but now should, given the number of babus who are quitting the civil service to join politics, and often the ruling party which they until recently served.

*

PESB chairperson gets her way

The department of personnel and training (DoPT) has accepted the request of Mallika Srinivasan, the first woman chairperson of the Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB), to relieve her of some of her responsibilities as the chief public sector headhunter.

Sources have told DKB that the department has modified the rules on the functioning of the PESB to accommodate her plea. Ms Srinivasan, who runs her own Fortune 500 company, TAFE Ltd, had stated that the PESB role clashed with her other responsibilities, referring to her company.

According to the modified PESB resolution, the chairpersons presence will be required only for the selection of a chairman, CMD, MD and functional directors of Schedule A and B CPSEs. The presence will not be mandatory for other selections.

The DoPTs swift acquiesce to Ms Srinivasans demands has caused some talk in babu circles that perhaps she was planning on quitting the post if the government did not accept her terms. If so, it may have worked.

*

Storm over, Kerala babu is reinstated

The Kerala government has decided to reinstate bureaucrat M. Sivasankar, who was suspended for his alleged role in the high-profile gold smuggling case. An order revoking the suspension was issued by the state chief secretary V.P. Joy after chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan approved an official recommendation.

Mr Sivasankar, who was principal secretary to Mr Vijayan at the time, was suspended from service in July 2020, after investigators alleged that he was involved in the appointment of the prime accused in the gold smuggling case. It was being said that he had flouted rules in government projects. The case had rocked Keralas ruling party CPI(M). He will be back in service now that his suspension is revoked. Sources say that Mr Sivasankars suspension would have ended in July 2021 but was extended for another six months. He was in jail for 98 days and was later released on bail on February 4, 2021. Earlier too, Mr Sivasankar as IT secretary had been absolved of any wrongdoing about the data transfer of Covid patients by a government committee led by former law secretary K. Sashidharan Nair.

Clearly, after having got caught in that maelstrom of controversy and given that attempts to nail it on him havent quite stuck, it looks like he has got a reprieve. But will it hold? No one knows yet. His new posting has not been revealed and he has another one year left in his service.
It further reported that officials of the Ministry of Interior did not provide further details, but said an investigation is underway. (Representational: PTI)

Kabul: Two members of the Taliban were injured in an explosion in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Wednesday, local media reported citing officials as saying.

Aqil Jan Ozam, deputy spokesman of the Interior Ministry, said the explosion targeted a military vehicle in Police District 9 of Kabul city at around 11 am (local time) on Wednesday, Tolo News reported.

It further reported that officials of the Ministry of Interior did not provide further details, but said an investigation is underway.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the explosion.
Boeing said Tuesday that it received 79 new orders for planes in December, capping its best year of sales since 2018 as it tried to move past a prolonged crisis caused by two crashes of the 737 Max jet.

The company sold a net 535 new planes last year after factoring in cancellations, a big turnaround from 2020 when cancellations exceeded new sales by 471 planes and just ahead of its chief rival, Airbus, the European aviation giant. But Boeing delivered 340 aircraft to customers, far fewer than Airbus.

In addition to the Max crisis, the companys performance has also been dented by quality concerns about its 787 Dreamliner that forced Boeing to slow production and suspend deliveries of that plane.

About two-thirds of the planes sold last year were variants of the Max, which regulators around the world grounded for nearly two years after the crashes, which killed a total of 346 people. Boeings December orders included the sale of 50 Max jets to Allegiant Air in what amounted to a big shift by the budget airline, which typically buys used planes.

Since the Federal Aviation Administration allowed the Max to fly again in late 2020, the plane has been used for just over 300,000 flights carrying paying passengers, with about 475 of the planes in circulation, the company said.

Boeing also sold a record 84 freighter planes last year, reflecting strong demand for air cargo. At the start of this year, the company had 4,250 orders in its backlog, about 80% of which are for the Max.

Airbus, which is based in France, said Monday that it sold 507 planes last year and delivered more than 600. It has an order backlog of 7,082 planes.

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After being shut for 25 days, Taiwanese electronics major Foxconn on Wednesday resumed operations at its Sriperumbudur factory that manufactures Apple iPhones with a limited number of employees.

The production at Foxconn has resumed. A total of 365 people returned to their hostels by Tuesday evening, and they are allowed inside the factory after being tested for Covid-19. As many as 166 employees reported for work on Wednesday after testing negative for Covid-19, Selva Perunthagai, MLA from Sriperumbudur and Congress floor leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, told DH.

Foxconn has changed its management team at the Sriperumbudur facility after hundreds of women blocked the busy Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway on the night of December 17 following the hospitalization of 159 of their colleagues due to food poisoning. The employees alleged poor quality of food and poor living conditions at hostels provided to them by Foxconn.

Also Read | Foxconn's Tamil Nadu iPhone plant to reopen gradually from January 12

Selva Perunthagai said the government will ensure that the suggestions made by it to improve the living conditions are followed. The production will resume in a gradual manner. Employees interest will be taken care, he said.

After the protests, the factory was shut on December 18. Following an inspection by independent auditors at the off-shore dormitories, Apple Inc placed the Foxconns Sriperumbudur facility on probation.

Government officials said the dormitories will be cleared for accommodating employees only after certain quality checks. While the government has prescribed certain conditions, Apple Inc has also prescribed a slew of suggestions for improving the living conditions.

Dormitories will be opened up for housing employees one by one, the local source said.

The government urged Foxconn to ensure each employee had access to four litres of drinking water a day, adequate washrooms to avoid infections and inverter facilities. It also asked the company to ensure proper security arrangements and fencing of the premises that house women.

An inspection by a government team found that some of the hostels were lacking in basic amenities, including enough space for the employees to sleep at night.

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A tweet claiming that Gautam Adani and Subhash Chandra have entered into an exclusive agreement, wherein Adani enterprise is set to acquire Zee Media in an all-cash deal at Rs 30 per share is false.

The top management of Zee Media refuted the claims and said that no such deal has taken place with the Adani group. "We completely refute any such rumour being spread by some journalist around talks between Dr. Subhash Chandra and Gautam Adani related to Zee Media. There is no talk between both groups. This is false news," confirmed Ronak Jatwala, official spokesperson of the company is quoted as saying in a report by Zee News, owned by Zee Media.

Earlier, a tweet claiming that Adani Group bought a stake in Zee Media in an all-cash deal went viral.

Gautam Adani and Subhash Chandra enter in to an exclusive agreement . Adani enterprise to acquire Zee media in an all cash deal at Rs 30 per share. Sanjay Pugalia to be CEO of Zee news.  Anurag Chaturvedi (@AnuragC1106) January 12, 2022

The Zee Media management asked people not to believe such rumours.

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Members nominated by the state government and the governor staged a seven-hour-long protest during the meeting of the Bangalore University (BU) syndicate on Tuesday.

Their grouse was certain "illegal" appointments within the university. The protest lasted from 11 am to 6 pm and succeeded in forcing the university authorities to withdraw some of the controversial decisions, including the appointment of guides in some departments.

Giving an example of "illegal" appointments, a senior syndicate member said a science faculty member was appointed the dean of the engineering department in "violation of the rules". The Bangalore University Teachers' Council condemned the appointment and wrote to the vice-chancellor and the registrar demanding that the order be withdrawn, the syndicate member added.

A second example, the member continued, was the appointment of the dean of the education department.

Following the protest, the university authorities have withdrawn both appointments. Senior-most faculty members have been appointed in-charge deans for now.
The Primary and Secondary Education Department extended the ban on offline classes for classes 1 to 9 till January 31, keeping in mind the increasing Covid-19 cases in Bengaluru.

However, online or virtual classes will continue as usual.

Education Minister BC Nagesh held a high-level meeting with the Health Department, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bengaluru Urban district officials and reviewed the Covid scenario in the city.

Also Read | Bengaluru added about 51,000 Covid-19 cases in just a week

"Currently, there is a ban on holding offline classes till January 17th. But keeping in mind the rising coronavirus cases in Bengaluru, we have decided to extend the ban till January 31st. This applies to students from Class 1 to Class 9 of all private and public schools affiliated to various boards. We will again review the scenario in the last week of January and accordingly take a decision," the education minister said.

The minister also said that infections and positivity rate are low in rural areas compared to District headquarters and towns. "After Bengaluru, districts such as Mysuru and Belagavi reported the highest infection rate. The other districts have hitherto reported low infection rate," the minister clarified.

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In yet another setback for the BJP, influential 'Gujjar' leader and party legislator from Muzaffarnagar district Avtar Singh Bhadana on Wednesday resigned from the saffron party and joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).

According to the sources in the RLD, Bhadana had a meeting with RLD president Jayant Chaudhary in Delhi after which he announced his decision to quit the BJP.

Sources said that Bhadana, an MLA from Mirpur assembly seat in Muzaffarnagar, was likely to be offered RLD nomination from the Jewar seat. RLD was part of the Samajwadi Party (SP) led alliance.

Also Read | Battle for UP: Parties make music for campaigning

Bhadana, who was considered to be an influential 'Gujjar' community leader, had been critical of the Centre and the state government over their handling of the farmers' agitation against the now-scrapped farm laws.

Jayant Chaudhary, in a message on his Twitter account, welcomed Bhadana into his party and said that his entry would strengthen the RLD in the western UP region.

Bhadana's exit came at a time when the saffron party was already facing opposition from the powerful 'Jat' community in the western UP districts. The western districts of the state would go to the polls in the first phase of polling for the state assembly on February 10.

Bhadana is the fourth senior BJP leader to have quit the party in the past 24 hours. Senior BJP leader and UP minister Swami Prasad Maurya had on Tuesday resigned from the cabinet. Three other BJP MLAs Roshan Lal Verma, Brijesh Prajapati and Bhagwati Sagar had also left the BJP.

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Seen is the partially collapsed apartment building at HDC's construction site in Gwangju, Wednesday. Yonhap



By Baek Byung-yeul



Seven months after a building collapse incident that killed nine people at HDC Hyundai Development Company's redevelopment project in Gwangju, the company is embroiled in another collapse accident in the southwestern city.



On Tuesday, the exterior walls of a high-rise building under construction collapsed at the company's apartment complex construction site in the southwestern city. Following the accident, six construction workers are still missing as of 5 p.m., Wednesday.



Due to safety concerns, Gwangju City Government ordered HDC temporarily to suspend every construction project underway in the city, Wednesday.



"We've decided to order the suspension of construction at all of HDC's construction sites in Gwangju. We will cooperate with the land ministry and police to investigate the cause of the accident and strictly hold the company accountable for all legal and administrative responsibilities," Park Nam-eon, the head of the city's disaster and safety countermeasures office, said in a media briefing.



Both accidents occurred on the sites of HDC development projects, but the industry view is that it will be difficult to hold the company legally responsible under the newly established Severe Disaster Act that imposes legal responsibility on the CEO or owner of a company that caused accidents at industrial sites.









This difficulty is because lawmakers decided to allow a one-year grace period and the law will only take effect on Jan. 27. The National Assembly passed the law in early 2021, aiming to increase the level of accountability for business owners to prevent workplace fatalities caused by a lack of safety measures.



Under the new law, business owners and CEOs can be imprisoned for over one year or fined up to 1 billion won ($839,984) for industrial accidents caused by poor workplace safety measures.



Even if the Severe Disaster Act can be applied to Tuesday's collapse, it remains to be seen whether HDC's CEO or owner can be held legally responsible, because the law is designed to place legal responsibility on the entity that carries out construction, not the company that places the construction order.



Due to imperfections in this newly created law, labor unions argue that the Severe Disaster Act needs to be revised.



"As seen in the Hak-dong disaster, HDC, which has the largest and heaviest responsibility, was withdrawn and only its subcontractors were arrested," the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' Gwangju branch said in a statement. Hak-dong is where a building under demolition collapsed in the city last year, killing nine.



The union further said that "the Severe Disaster Act should be revised immediately to allow punishment of the company that orders construction."





HDC CEO Yoo Byeong-gyu bows his heads after giving an apology near the construction accident site in Gwangju, Wednesday. Yonhap
Bengali film star Prosenjit Chatterjee and writer-producer Sutapa Sikdar have tested positive for the novel coronavirus virus.

In an Instagram post, the 59-year-old actor said he is currently in home isolation.

Unfortunately, I have tested positive for Covid-19. After consulting with my doctor, Im currently in home isolation and hoping for a speedy recovery, Chatterjee wrote on Wednesday.

Sikdar, wife of late actor Irrfan Khan, shared a health update with her fans and followers via Facebook on Tuesday.

Expressing grief over the demise of a relative, Sikdar shared the news that she was unable to attend the funeral of Irrfan's aunt due to her Covid-19 diagnosis.

When you hear its positive just as you open your eyes, I was rest assured its going to be a negative day. Mumani Saab! She was one of the rare people I always found smiling. She left us for the forward journey today. Irrfan loved her, the most simple uncomplicated beautiful woman I knew. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun, she wrote.

Alvida (goodbye) Mumani Saab, your calling me shutoba will forever ring in my ears. Staying in the same city I could not even go see her one last time as I was tested positive what testing times are these. Please pray for her, she was a good soul Indeed, she said.

Earlier in the day, actor Trisha and Bengali filmmaker Srijit Mukherji took to their respective Twitter profiles to inform their followers that they had tested negative for the virus.

Trisha, who is currently in London, thanked her well-wishers for their love and prayers.

Never been happier to read the word negative on a report. Thank you all for your love and prayers. Now Im ready for you 2022, the 38-year-old actor wrote.

Mukherji, who had shared his Covid-19 diagnosis via social media on January 1, also expressed gratitude to everyone who prayed for his recovery.

I have finally tested negative for Covid. Thank you all for the get-well-soons, worried queries and even the random death wishes (will recommend voodoo dolls next), the director said.

According to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday at 8 am, India added 1,94,720 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 3,60,70,510 which includes 4,868 cases of Omicron variant.

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Thirteen civilians have been killed in separate attacks in northern Burkina Faso, a region battling a six-year-old jihadist insurgency, local sources said on Friday.

Eleven people were killed and one was wounded in an attack on Wednesday at the village of Ankouna, the governor of the Centre-North region, Casimir Segueda, said in a statement.

"This attack... targeted the civilian population," he said, adding that buildings in the local market had been set ablaze.

A local official told AFP that the attack was carried out "by several dozen heavily-armed men" travelling on motorbikes.

In a separate attack, two civilian volunteers working with the army's anti-jihadist campaign were killed at Noaka, also on Wednesday, and stores were put to the torch, the source said.

"The attacks have caused villagers to flee to the town of Kaya," the main town in the Centre-North region, the official said.

Burkina Faso has been struggling with jihadist attacks since 2015, when militants linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group began mounting cross-border raids from Mali.

More than 2,000 people have died, according to a toll compiled by AFP.

The national emergency aid agency says that 1.5 million people, nearly two-thirds of them children, were internally displaced as of November 30.

The country's security forces are poorly equipped to face a ruthless and highly mobile foe, adept at carrying out hit-and-run raids on motorbikes and aboard pickups.

On November 14, a force described as numbering several hundred men attacked a police base at Inata near the Malian border, killing 57 people, including 53 gendarmes.

On December 23, 41 people, including VDP escorts, were killed when a convoy of traders was ambushed near Ouahigouya, also near the Malian frontier.

The fatalities at Noaka were members of the Volunteers for the Defence of the Motherland (VDP), a civilian force set up to support army operations that has lost scores of lives in the past two years.

Volunteers receive 14 days of training and are then sent out on patrols and surveillance missions, equipped with light arms.

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The US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday amended the fact sheet for Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine to include a rare risk of immune thrombocytopenia, a bleeding disorder.

"Reports of adverse events following use of the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine under emergency use authorization suggest an increased risk of immune thrombocytopenia during the 42 days following vaccination," the regulator said in a letter to J&J's arm, Janssen Biotech Inc.

The symptoms include easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin, or unusual or excessive bleeding, the FDA said.

The amendment fact sheet follows similar moves for the vaccine by other regulators, including that of European Medicines Agency in October.

Both the J&J and AstraZeneca vaccines, which are based on a similar platform, have previously been associated with another very rare combination of blood clotting and low platelet counts, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had also last month recommended Americans choose to receive one of two other authorized Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech over J&J's single-dose shot, due to the rare but sometimes fatal risk.

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When Switzerland became one of the last Western European nations to legalise same-sex marriage in 2021, it made waves next door in the tiny Alpine country of Liechtenstein.

Two days after the Swiss vote, lawmakers signalled near-unanimous support for same-sex marriage during a parliamentary session in the principality, one of several European microstates that trail their neighbours on LGBT+ equality laws.

This year, the nation of fewer than 40,000 people is also due to host its first Pride event.

Also Read: Inclusivity in schools

"I guess it's always been like this; we've always waited for bigger countries to take the initiative," Stefan Marxer, a board member at Liechtenstein's only LGBT+ group, Flay, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Catholicism is the official religion in the principality, which advocacy group ILGA-Europe rates 40th of 49 observed European countries when it comes to legal protections for LGBT+ people, just behind Romania and Ukraine.

Only Malta scores highly among Europe's microstates on LGBT+ rights legislation - clinching the top spot in the ILGA rating.

Under Liechtenstein's current laws, same-sex couples can access civil unions granting them some economic and social benefits, but cannot adopt, and there is no specific legislation for transgender people to change their legal name and gender.

Liechtenstein's monarch, Prince Hans-Adam II - who can veto any new legislation passed by parliament - has opposed extending marriage rights to LGBT+ couples if that meant they were granted the same rights to adopt children as heterosexual couples.

"If two homosexuals adopt some boys, that's not unproblematic," he said in a radio interview last February, adding that children have a right to grow up in a "normal family".

Liechtenstein's government declined to comment.

Despite the prince's remarks, Marxer said pressure for change was mounting.

Also Read: Britain extends pardons to all men convicted under scrapped gay sex laws

"All the German-speaking countries except for Liechtenstein have opened marriage for same-sex couples. It's time for Liechtenstein to do the same," he said.

'Winds of change'

Religion and tradition also hold heavy sway in the tiny states of Andorra, San Marino and Monaco, fellow laggards when it comes to LGBT+ rights protections, according to ILGA-Europe.

The governments of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino also declined to comment.

San Marino, which is rated 42nd by ILGA-Europe, only lifted a ban on same-sex sexual relations in 2004 and there are no LGBT+ advocacy organisations in the northern Italian enclave.

Instead, Paolo Rondelli, the republic's only openly gay member of parliament, said he had joined the local chapter of Arcigay, Italy's biggest LGBT+ group, in the neighbouring city of Rimini.

But Rondelli said "winds of change" from bigger countries were starting to sway San Marino's "conservative traditions".

A referendum to enshrine a ban on homophobic discrimination in the constitution gathered 71.46% of the vote in 2019. Last year, San Marino voted to legalise abortion.

It could still take time for politicians to put LGBT+ equality - including same-sex marriage - on their legislative agenda, Rondelli added.

Also Read: Does Victorian morality hold India's legality of same-sex marriage at bay?

"Most MPs come from Catholic parties, so speaking about LGBT+ rights isn't their first priority, even though most of them voted in favour of civil unions in 2018," he said.

In Andorra, a microstate sandwiched between France and Spain in the Pyrenees, the Catholic Church has sought to put limits on pro-LGBT+ reform, campaigners said.

Andorra, which is headed by two co-princes - the French president and the Roman Catholic bishop of Urgell, in the Spanish region of Catalonia - passed a far-reaching gay civil unions law in 2014 but stopped short of using the term marriage.

"The only reason why it isn't called gay marriage is because the bishopric (the bishop of Urgell) won't accept it," said Loan Poulet, a 33-year-old Andorran educator and writer who has written a book for children covering trans issues.

He said large numbers of immigrants to the country had helped change attitudes, and - due partly to the broad civil partnerships law - Andorra is ranked 26th by ILGA-Europe.

Still, LGBT+ rights advocates said the political establishment showed little urgency for deeper reform.

"Andorran institutions are reluctant to acknowledge that our bigger neighbours have an influence on us, because it's a small country that wants to keep its own identity," said Rocio Soler, president of Andorra's only LGBT+ group, DiversAnd.

Low rates of crime, including homophobic or transphobic attacks, in the principality of 77,000 people may also explain the dearth of legislation enshrining LGBT+ rights, she said.

"Because you don't hear about violence against certain groups, people think that we're fine, that we don't need anything else," said Soler, adding that the country's size might partly explain the persistence of conservative attitudes.

"The fact that we all know each other increases the social pressure and makes it harder to come out," she said.

Discretion

LGBT+ people in wealthy Monaco said they also found it hard to be open about their sexuality in the city-state, which lacks anti-discrimination laws and bans same-sex marriage and adoption. Gay civil unions were recently approved.

The principality of some 40,000 people is ranked 45th on LGBT+ equality by ILGA-Europe - the lowest of the microstates. The Vatican, the world's smallest country, was not included in the survey.

More than 40 men living or working in Monaco, where Catholicism is also the official religion, contacted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation through a gay dating app said they felt uncomfortable about coming out.

Wim Prior, a Belgian man who has founded a Gay Lifestyle Association (GLAM) in Monaco with his partner, said a low-key gay scene was taking root.

"The word discretion is a very important word in Monaco," he said, adding that attitudes were starting to change.

"Monaco is really open and safe." he said.

In Liechtenstein, LGBT+ rights advocates hope Switzerland's landmark vote will turn signs of progress into legal guarantees.

Elia Deplazes, a 32-year-old Swiss trans man who lives in Liechtenstein, was able to find legal security under his home country's newly passed pro-LGBT+ laws, which include a trans self-ID regulation which took effect this month.

Deplazes, who married a man and had a child before coming out as trans, has been assured by Liechtenstein's state-run human rights body that both his marriage and parenting rights will be respected due to the Swiss legislation. "It's going be the first time in the history of this country that this happens," he said.

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The US judge hearing the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust case against Facebook said on Tuesday that he would not dismiss a lawsuit in which the government asked the court to demand that Facebook sell two big subsidiaries.

Facebook, which is now owned by Meta Platforms, had asked Judge James Boasberg in Washington, DC federal court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the FTC failed to establish that it had a case.

The FTC's high-profile legal fight with Facebook represents one of the biggest challenges the government has brought against a tech company in decades, and is being closely watched as Washington aims to tackle Big Tech's extensive market power.

"Ultimately, whether the FTC will be able to prove its case and prevail at summary judgment and trial is anyones guess. The Court declines to engage in such speculation and simply concludes that at this motion-to-dismiss stage, where the FTCs allegations are treated as true, the agency has stated a plausible claim for relief," wrote Boasberg.
Pakistan is willing to make peace with immediate neighbours, including India, under its first-ever National Security Policy which leaves doors open for trade with New Delhi even without the settlement of the Kashmir issue provided there is headway in bilateral talks, according to a media report.

The National Security Policy, separately endorsed by the National Security Committee and the Cabinet last month, is scheduled to be formally unveiled by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday.

Peace with immediate neighbours and economic diplomacy will be the central theme of Pakistans foreign policy in the new National Security Policy, the Express Tribune newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Also Read | Ramiz Raja to propose quadrangular series to revive Indo-Pak rivalry

The five-year-policy document covering a period between 2022-26, is being propped up by the Pakistan government as the countrys first-ever strategy paper of its kind that spells out the national security vision and guidelines for the attainment of those goals.

The original 100-page policy, which would be kept under wraps, leaves the door open for trade and business ties with India without the final settlement of the longstanding Kashmir dispute provided there is progress in the talks between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, an official was quoted as saying by the paper.

"We are not seeking hostility with India for the next 100 years. The new policy seeks peace with immediate neighbours, the official said on condition of anonymity.

If there is a dialogue and progress, there would be a possibility of normalising trade and commercial ties with India as it had happened in the past, the official added.

Ties between India and Pakistan nose-dived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in the neighbouring country. Subsequent attacks, including one on an Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship.

The relationship dipped further after Indias war planes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

The relations deteriorated after India announced withdrawing the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two union territories in August, 2019.

India has told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

As the new national security policy seeks a shift in Pakistans approach from geo-strategic to geo-economics, there is a renewed optimism of a possible thaw with India, the report said.

"Economic security will be the central theme of the new national security policy," the official disclosed.

"But geo-economics does not necessarily mean we overlook our geo-strategic and geo-political interests, the official said, adding the long-standing Kashmir dispute with India has been identified as a vital national policy issue for Pakistan.

The official, however, clarified that there were no prospects of rapprochement with India under the current government in New Delhi.

The official said this would be the first-ever codified national security policy that would cover both internal security as well as foreign policy.

"Only a part of the national security policy will be made public, the official clarified, saying in the rest of the world such policies often remained classified.

The official said though Pakistan did have defence, foreign and internal policies, the new policy would act as an umbrella document providing direction for the future.

It took seven years to prepare this policy, which was started by then-national security adviser Sartaj Aziz in 2014.

"Inputs were taken from all the federal, provincial institutions as well as military and other departments, the official said.

The official said the Opposition was not taken on board since policy making was the domain of the executive but for a consensus, "we are ready to sit with the Opposition."

However, the Opposition had boycotted the session when National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf briefed the parliamentary committee on national security a few weeks ago.

When asked to comment on the implementation of the policy, the official said the classified document lays out a complete implementation mechanism and the prime minister will review the progress on a monthly basis.

The policy will be reviewed every year and at the time of change of government, the official said, adding the issue of political stability was also taken care of in it.

Pakistan has a chequered history with no elected prime minister having ever been able to complete his/her five-year term.

The new policy also deals with the issue of militant and dissident groups and advocates dialogue with reconcilable elements.

On the internal front, the new policy identifies five key areas of population/migration, health, climate and water, food security and gender mainstreaming, according to the report.

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The Taliban administration that seized control of Afghanistan proposed a joint body on Wednesday of its officials and international representatives to coordinate billions of dollars in planned aid.

It was not clear whether the United Nations and foreign governments would back any such agreement as it would constitute a stark increase in access to international funding by the Taliban, whose officials have been sidelined due to sanctions.

An abrupt withdrawal of foreign aid last year following the hasty US exit and Taliban victory in August left Afghanistan's fragile economy on the brink of collapse, with food prices rising rapidly and causing widespread hunger.

Also Read | UN seeks $5 billion for stabilising but still suffering Afghanistan

Western sanctions aimed at the Taliban also prevented the passage of basic supplies of food and medicine, although this has since eased after exemptions were passed by the UN Security Council and Washington in December.

On Tuesday, the United Nations asked donors for $4.4 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan in 2022 and the White House announced it would donate an extra $308 million.

"The goal of this committee is coordination on a higher level for facilitating humanitarian aids of the international community and to distribute aid for needy people," Afghanistan's acting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi told a news conference in Kabul also attended by UN envoy Ramiz Alakbarov.

"We ask the international communities that they should use the government capacities for their aid goals."

Foreign governments, facing warnings that millions could starve as the economic crisis intensifies, are ramping up humanitarian aid but are keen for it to remain free from government interference.

An Afghan finance ministry spokesman said that discussions would take place over the next 24 hours with the United Nations on the proposal for the joint body.

The UN Secretary General's deputy special representative for Afghanistan Alakbarov told Reuters that UN agencies were already communicating their requirements to the Taliban over aid.

Their top condition has been access to the entire country, including for female staff members.

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Grave may have been the mistakes of Donald Rumsfeld, but George W. Bushs first defense secretary did have a gift for memorable phrases. One of them  weakness is provocative  explains the predicament we again find ourselves in with Russias belligerence against Ukraine and NATO.

Lets recap how we got here.

 In August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia and took control of two of its provinces. The Bush administration protested but did almost nothing. After Barack Obama won the White House that fall, he pursued a reset with Russia. In 2012, he cut US force levels in Europe to their lowest levels in postwar history and mocked Mitt Romney for calling Russia our principal geopolitical threat.

Also Read: In talks on Ukraine, US and Russia deadlock over NATO expansion

 In September 2013, Obama famously retreated from his red line against Bashar Assads use of nerve gas in Syria, accepting instead a Russian offer of mediation that was supposed to have eliminated Assads chemical arsenal. That arsenal was never fully destroyed, but Vladimir Putin took note of Obamas palpable reluctance to get involved.

 In February 2014, Russia used little green men to seize and then annex Crimea. The Obama administration protested but did almost nothing. Russia then took advantage of unrest in eastern Ukraine to shear off two Ukrainian provinces while sparking a war that has lasted seven years and cost more than 13,000 lives. Obama responded with weak sanctions on Russia and a persistent refusal to arm Ukraine.

 In 2016, Donald Trump ran for office questioning how willing America should be to defend vulnerable NATO members. In 2017 he tried to block new sanctions on Russia but was effectively overruled by Congress. The Trump administration did ultimately take a tougher line on Russia and approved limited arms sales to Ukraine. But Trump also tried to hold hostage military assistance to Ukraine for political favors before he was exposed, leading to his first impeachment.

Which brings us to Joe Biden, who ran for office promising a tougher line on Russia. It has been anything but. In May, his administration waived sanctions against Russias Nord Steam 2 gas pipeline to Germany, which, when operational, will increase Moscows energy leverage on Europe. Since coming to office, the administration has done little to increase the relatively paltry flow of military aid to Ukraine. In the face of a Russian invasion, it will be as effective as trying to put out a forest fire by peeing on it.

Then there was the fiasco of our withdrawal from Afghanistan. In the aftermath of Saigon redux, I wrote at the time, every enemy will draw the lesson that the United States is a feckless power. The current Ukraine crisis is as much the child of Bidens Afghanistan debacle as the last Ukraine crisis was the child of Obamas Syria debacle.

Now the administration is doubling down on a message of weakness by threatening massive consequences for Russia if it invades Ukraine, nearly all in economic sanctions. Thats bringing a knife to the proverbial gunfight.

Imagine this not-so-far-fetched scenario. Russian forces move on a corner of Ukraine. The US responds by cutting off Russia from the global banking system. But the Kremlin (which has built its gold and foreign-currency reserves to record highs) doesnt sit still. It responds to sanctions by cutting off gas supplies in midwinter to the European Union  which gets more than 40 per cent of its gas from Russia. It demands a Russia-Europe security treaty as the price of the resumption of supplies. And it freezes the US out of the bargain, at least until Washington shows goodwill by abandoning financial sanctions.

Also Read: Russia positioning helicopters, in possible sign of Ukraine plans

Such a move would force Washington to either escalate or abase itself  and this administration would almost certainly choose the latter. It would fulfill Putins long-held ambition to break the spine of NATO. It would further entice China into a similar mindset of aggression, probably against Taiwan.

It would be to Americas global standing what the Suez Crisis was to Britains. At least Pax Britannica could, in its twilight, give way to Pax Americana. But to what does Pax Americana give way?

What can the US do instead? We should break off talks with Russia now: No country ought to expect diplomatic rewards from Washington while it threatens the destruction of our friends. We should begin an emergency airlift of military equipment to Ukraine, on the scale of Richard Nixons 1973 airlift to Israel, including small arms useful in a guerrilla war. And we should reinforce US forces in front-line NATO states, particularly Poland and the Baltics.

None of this may be sufficient to stop Russia from invasion, which would be a tragedy for Ukrainians. But Putin is playing for bigger stakes in this crisis  another sliver of Ukrainian territory is merely a secondary prize.

What he really wants to do is end the Western alliance as we have known it since the Atlantic Charter. As for the US, two decades of bipartisan American weakness in the face of his aggression has us skating close to a geopolitical debacle. Biden needs to stand tough on Ukraine in order to save NATO.

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The arrest of seven Social Democratic Party of India activists for the attack on a police station in Kurnool district has put focus on the organisation's activities in Andhra Pradesh.

SDPI is the political outfit of Popular Front of India  an Islamist organisation linked to political murders, extremist activities in the country  more so in Kerala and Karnataka.

The National Investigation Agency had earlier arrested several leaders and members of SDPI-PFI for their involvement in the August 2020 communal riots in Bengaluru and the arson at the Kadugondanahalli police station in the city.

The attack on the Atmakur police station by a mob of which the SDPI members were part of took place on Saturday.

Trouble began in the town after a group of Muslims began construction of a mosque  a shed-like structure, without any permissions from the civic body.

BJP leaders, including Nandyal parliament in-charge Budda Srikanth Reddy, arrived at the spot opposing the structure which led to a clash and stone-pelting between two groups. Several people, including a few policemen, were injured in the violence. A car was damaged by the mob which also resorted to vandalism at the Atmakur police station.

While five FIRs were registered and 60 persons arrested from both sides for the violence, police officials said that seven of them are outsiders, associated with SDPI/PFI activities. Their role in inciting the crowd is being probed.

SDPI is found to be conducting its sessions in several towns of Rayalaseema, which has a sizable population of Muslims.

According to Sudheer Kumar Reddy, superintendent of police, Kurnool, the seven people, who came from nearby Velugodu, had attended the Islamist outfits' orientation sessions recently.

We are probing if there is any objectionable, instigating content propagated in these meetings. There were some attempts earlier to obstruct the police from entering their premises, Reddy told DH.

Holding protests over the Atmakur incident, AP BJP unit leaders have accused the ruling YSRCP leaders of attempts to shield the perpetrators of violence.

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Indian Army Chief Gen M M Naravane on Wednesday said though the threats along the disputed Sino-Indian boundary have not reduced, the force is in a better position to deal with such threats due to additional manpower, improved border infrastructure, connectivity as well as better availability of military hardware.

While there has been partial disengagement (on the Line of Actual Control), the threat (from the Peoples Liberation Army) has by no means reduced. Force levels, in areas where disengagement is yet to take place, have been adequately enhanced," he said.

"We have inducted 25,000 additional troops in that area. We are building roads, tunnels and bridges. We have built a facility for the storage of ammunition and FOL (fuel, oil and lubricants) dumps. Lots of efforts have been made in the last one year because of which we are in a better position to meet any challenge in future, General Naravane said at a press conference ahead of Army Day.

Referring to the 14th round of Corps Commander level talks being held between the PLA and Indian Army, he said mutual dis-engagement took place at several locations at the LAC due to joint efforts and more such developments might happen in future.

But upgradation and development of infrastructure along the northern border continues. This includes roads and tunnels for all weather connectivity, strategic railway lines, additional bridges across the Brahmaputra, upgradation of bridges on critical Indo-China Border Roads, and storage for supplies, fuel and ammunition.

A major effort has been undertaken to identify dual use infrastructure that can be exploited by the civil administration as well as the armed forces.

Asserting that Indian troops continue to keep a close eye on the PLA developments, he said, Threat assessment and internal deliberations, have resulted in re-organisation and re-alignment of forces, in keeping with the Armys mandate, of ensuring territorial integrity, and to cater for the major augmentation of PLA forces, and military infrastructure.

Gen Naravane admitted that force augmentation along the northern border earlier happened on a smaller scale but there has been a major rebalancing in the last few years.

On the December 4 incident of soldiers opening fire on Indian citizens in Nagaland's Mon, the Chief said the Army panel investigating the incident would submit its report in a day or two. The guilty would be punished and the SOP would be modified based on the report.

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Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, left, speaks next to Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) Chairman Son Kyung-shik during a CEO talk event held at the KEF in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



By Kim Hyun-bin



Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung requested top conglomerates to make more jobs for young people through their environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives, Wednesday.



"I don't think it's a bad thing at all that companies strive to maximize profits, but we ask you to pay special attention to employing young people as part of ESG management," Lee said. "It seems that the young people have completely taken on the pain and suffering of our society's low growth. It seems that we have come to the point where the conflict intensifies."



The comments came during talks with executives from the top 10 conglomerates, including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, SK and LG, as well as CJ Group at the Korea Enterprises Federation, in Seoul, Wednesday.



"In the end, it is because of the lack of the total amount of opportunities," he said. "To overcome this problem, we need to structurally recover growth, and for that to happen, massive investment and interest from the government will be essential."



In regard to easing corporate regulations, Lee said, "It is not right to strengthen regulations unilaterally, but it is also not right to ease regulations unilaterally."



To achieve rapid industrial transformation in the new business sector, Lee believes the implementation of new regulations is needed first while tackling problematic regulations along the way.



"The relationship between the market and the state is often described as a conflict relationship, but it's difficult for a government to beat the market or go against the market to exist," he said.



"The role of the government is to ensure that the market works properly, secure fair competition and efficient resource allocation and freely unfold creativity and innovation."




Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti, who is also the Chair of the UNSC Counter-terrorism Committee for 2022, discussed its priorities for the year and shared India's focus and perspective on counter-terrorism.

The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001) had established the CTC as a subsidiary body of the United Nations Security Council.

As Chair of Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) of UN #SecurityCouncil, it was a pleasure to interact with Acting Executive Director of #UN_CTED and his team today to discuss CTC's priorities for 2022 and share India's focus and perspective on #counterterrorism," Tirumurti tweeted on Tuesday.

As Chair of Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) of UN #SecurityCouncil, it was a pleasure to interact with Acting Executive Director of #UN_CTED and his team today to discuss CTC's priorities for 2022 and share India's focus and perspective on #counterterrorism. pic.twitter.com/5QqUvtvgOs  PR/Amb T S Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) January 12, 2022

The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), which supports the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), said in a tweet that Tirumurti highlighted the work priorities for 2022 in addressing emerging threats and challenges.

Tirumurti is the new Chair of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee for 2022.

India is currently a non-permanent member of the 15-nation Security Council and its two-year term will end December 31, 2022.

On the eve of assuming Chair of the CTC, India had in December voted in favour of a resolution to renew the mandate of the CTED.

The UN Security Council, through its written silence procedure, renewed the mandate of the Executive Directorate until December 31, 2025.

As the Chair of CTC for 2022, India will make determined efforts to further enhance the role of CTC in strengthening the multilateral response to counter terrorism, and more importantly, ensuring that global response to the threat of terrorism remains unambiguous, undivided and effective, India had said in its explanation of vote to renew the CTED mandate.

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Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya have reached an agreement to amicably settle disputes in six out of 12 sites on the inter-state borders, which has witnessed tensions since 1972.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K Sangma met in Guwahati on Wednesday and discussed issues including the reports submitted by regional committees, which were earlier constituted to find a solution to the decades-old border conflict.

"We have today reached an agreement regarding the six sites in Kamrup and Goalpara district. Now we will hold discussion with the opposition parties, student bodies and all other civil society organisations on January 18 and share the details of the issues on which we have reached an agreement. Similarly, Meghalaya government will also do similar consultation. If they gives their nod to the agreement or we think that the agreeme we have reached will be beneficial for people on both sides, a final agreement will be signed to settle the disputes for good," Sarma told reporters.

This was the fourth meeting between the two CMs on the issue. The disputed areas witnessed tension since 1972, when Meghalaya was carved out of Assam as a seperate state.

Meghalaya deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong said there will be another round of meeting between the two CMs before they meet union home minister Amit Shah to apprise him about the agreement. He said the government expects the final agreement to be signed by January 21, when Meghalaya celebrate 50th Statehood Day.

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The process to amicably settle the border disputes got a push after six Assam policemen were gunned down by their Mizoram counterparts in a border conflict on July 26 last year. Assam has border conflicts with Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
The military commanders of India and China restarted negotiation on Wednesday, with mutual withdrawal of front-line troops from the Hot Springs and Kongka La areas in eastern Ladakh being high on the agenda.

The commanders of the Indian Army and the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army met on Chinas side of its Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India at Chushul-Moldo point in eastern Ladakh for the 14th round of negotiations to resolve the 21-month-long stand-off. The meeting marked the resumption of the negotiation at the level of the military commanders after a hiatus of three months. The 13th round of negotiations on October 10 last year had ended in a stalemate.

The outcome of the 14th round of negotiations was not officially made public by the two sides till the latest report came in. But a deal on mutual withdrawal of the front-line troops from Hot Springs was being perceived as a low-hanging fruit for the negotiators to yield. A proposed deal on disengagement of troops from another face-off point  Kongka La  was also on the agenda, according to the sources in New Delhi.

Also Read | China says current situation on Sino-India border stable; confirms commander-level talks on Jan 12

Lt Gen. Anindya Sengupta, who recently took over as the commander of the Indian Armys XIV Corps, led the delegation of India. His predecessors Lt Gen. Harinder Singh and Lt Gen. P G K Menon had led the Indian Armys delegations in the earlier rounds of negotiations with China.

Lt Gen. Senguptas counterpart in the South Xinjiang Military District of China, Maj Gen Liu Lin, led the delegation of the PLA. He has been leading the negotiation on behalf of the Chinese Army ever since the stand-off started in April-May 2020.

The Indian Army officials reiterated during the talks that the stand-off had been caused by unilateral attempts by the Chinese PLA to alter the status quo along the LAC in violation of the bilateral agreements. They also stressed that it was necessary for the Chinese PLA to take appropriate steps in the remaining face-off points in order to restore peace and tranquility along the entire stretch of the LAC in the western sector of the disputed boundary, sources in New Delhi said.

India has been emphasizing that end of the stand-off along the LAC would facilitate progress in its bilateral relations with China.

The military commanders of India and China had discussed disengagement in Gogra Post and Hot Springs when they had held the 12th round of talks on July 31 last year. But they had not been able to reach an agreement on disengagement in Hot Springs and had only agreed on disengagement from Gogra Post, where the two sides had later withdrawn troops from. The 13th round of talks on October 10 last year had ended without any result. Beijing had accused New Delhi of insisting on unreasonable and unrealistic demands. India too had accused China of failing to make any forward looking proposal.

The Indian Army and the Chinese PLA had earlier mutually withdrawn troops from both the banks of Pangong Tso (lake) in February 2021.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday alleged that the Congress high command and his Punjab counterpart had conspired to assassinate the prime minister through the security breach on January 5 while Narendra Modi was visiting the northern state. He demanded that Charanjit Singh Channi, the chief minister of Punjab, should be arrested for his role in the alleged conspiracy.

Addressing a press conference here, Sarma said, All evidence makes it clear that Congress high command and Punjab CM conspired to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was referring to a purported sting operation by a television channel in Punjab which claimed that the police there had intelligence report on January two regarding an attempt to kill the prime minister.

Also Read | 'Who in Congress sought to benefit from breach to PM Modi's security?' BJP asks

Sarma also claimed that statements by Congress leaders following the incident indicated that they knew of the "conspiracy".

Modi, who landed in Bathinda in Punjab on January 5 and had to take the road route to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur because of inclement weather on Wednesday, was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes due to a blockade by some farmers, an incident the Union Home Ministry described as a major lapse in his security.

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Rakesh Tajpuriya, a close-aide of dreaded gangster Tillu Tajpuriya, was arrested after a brief encounter in the national capital, an official said on Wednesday.

Rakesh Tajpuriya was involved in supplying arms and ammunition to the assailants in the Rohini Court shootout case. The shootout which seemed like a Bollywood potboiler, took place on September 24, 2021 in which Delhi's most wanted gangster Jitender Singh Mann alias Gogi was shot dead inside a courtroom by two gangsters from the rival 'Tilu' gang, dressed in lawyers' garb.

Sources said the encounter between the Special Cell of Delhi police and accused Rakesh took place on Tuesday night in the Narela area of the city.

"There was a brief exchange of fire when the policemen tried to apprehend Rakesh," the sources said, adding that two rounds of fire were opened during the encounter.

However, no one was injured in the encounter.

Sources further said that Rakesh is considered the right-hand man of Tillu Tajpuriya and carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head.

More details awaited.

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Kashmiri apple growers are up in arms against the import of illegal apples from Iran, which have been selling at cheaper rates than local apples in markets outside the Valley.

The growers appealed to the government of India to ban the import of Iranian apples in the Indian market. The illegal import of Iranian apples in India has severely damaged the rates of Kashmir produce in the market.

Supply of Iranian apples in India has severely damaged the rates of Kashmir produce apples in the market, President, Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Association Bashir Ahmad Bashir told reporters, here.

He said the rates of Kashmiri apples have declined from Rs 1200 per box to Rs 600 in the past few days in the outside markets. The production cost of one apple box is Rs 600, moreover the transport and other charges costs Rs 300 per box, Bashir said.

The GST has increased from 12 per cent to 18 per cent. Now, how can a grower sell his production at such low rates? he asked.

Bashir while seeking the intervention of the Center to help them tide over the losses suffered due to the import of untaxed Iranian apples into the country, said, Despite repeated requests, the Center has not paid any heed to the matter, leaving the apple growers in the lurch.

We met the Union Agriculture Minister but he didn't take any action to stop the supply. Then we wrote to the Prime Minister, LG office, but to no avail, he rued. If (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi cries for Make in India, then why are we importing goods from outside when we have our own production.

Bashir said that untaxed Iranian apples this year are being imported in bulk into the Indian markets, taking away the profits from Kashmir apple growers and traders.

Iranian apples are being imported from the Dubai and Wagah border and are being sold at cheaper rates. Due to this, our apple business is losing out. Our produce is confined to cold stores and godowns in Kashmir, which may spoil soon if the situation doesnt get better, he said.

Bashir demanded that if Iranian apples are still imported, there should be a 100 per cent import duty on these apples so that they do not dent our market share.

With the contribution of Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 12,000 crore to the fragile Kashmiri economy, the local horticulture sector provides livelihood to lakhs of people in the Valley.

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday appointed former top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra as head of an enquiry panel to probe Prime Minister Modi's security breach in Punjab last week.

The top court explained the object is "to avoid any human error, negligence or any willful omission or commission which may hamper and/or expose the safety and security of the Executive Head of the nation while he is traveling in a particular state. Any lapse in this regard can lead to devastating and serious consequences."

A bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli ordered for keeping the inquiry committees set up by the Centre and the Punjab government in abeyance. The court said questions related to sensitive issues on security breach of the PM cannot be left to one-sided inquiry.

"A judicially trained independent mind, duly assisted by officers who are well acquainted with the security considerations and the Registrar General of the High Court who has seized the record pursuant to our earlier order, would be best placed to effectively visit all issues and submit a comprehensive report for the consideration of this court," the bench said.

The bench said it is not necessary for us to elucidate more on facts as the lapse regarding the breach of security of the Prime Minister during his visit to Firozpur on January 5 is not seriously disputed by either party.

"There is, however, a blame game between the State and central government as to who is responsible for such lapses. War of words between them is no solution. It may rather impair the need of a robust mechanism to respond at such a critical juncture," the bench added.

The court passed its order on a writ petition filed by NGO 'Lawyers Voice'.

It nominated Justice Malhotra as chairperson of the enquiry committee. Other members of the inquiry panel would include the Director General of the NIA or his nominee, not below the rank of IG, DGP of Chandigarh UT, ADGP (Security), Punjab and Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana HC.

The court said the inquiry panel would look into the cause of breach, who was responsible for it and suggest remedial measures and safeguards required for such safety of the Prime Minister or such other protectees. The bench asked the panel to give its report at the earliest.

On January 5, on a visit to Hussainiwala, district Firozpur, the convoy of the Prime Minister was stuck on a flyover for around 20 minutes, constituting a "very grave security breach that could have had significant repercussions on the safety of the constitutional functionary".

The court agreed with a contention of senior advocate Maninder Singh, counsel for the petitioner that not only are those responsible for the lapse liable to be identified, but there is also a greater urgency to evolve new measures that may ensure there is no recurrence for such lapses in future.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Punjab Advocate General D S Patwalia agreed for independent probe into the matter.

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The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce order on Wednesday on a panel to probe into the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab last week.

A bench presided over by Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli would take up the writ petition filed by NGO 'Lawyers Voice', according to the Supreme Court's causelist.

On Monday, the top court had orally said it would appoint a retired Supreme Court judge to head the probe panel.

Read more: Supreme Court to form panel to probe PM Modi's security breach

We are taking the PM's security breach very seriously, the bench said.

The court had then also asked both the Centre and the Punjab government not to move ahead with their respective inquires into the matter.

The bench had also indicated other members of the committee would include DGP Chandigarh, IG National Investigating Agency, registrar general (Punjab and Haryana High Court), and ADGP (security) Punjab.

The bench also said that it would ask the committee to submit its report as soon as possible.

On Wednesday, Modi's convoy was stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Ferozepur. The incident forced the PM to cancel his rally and other events planned in poll-bound Punjab.

The plea filed in the top court alleged lapse in the security of the Prime Minister was occasioned clearly in connivance with the Punjab Police.

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Actor Siddharth has issued an apology to Saina Nehwal over his "inappropriate" tweet against the badminton player and said he never intended to attack her as a woman with his "joke".

On Monday, the actor received widespread backlash on Twitter for his reply to the Olympic bronze medallists tweet on the alleged lapse in the security of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Punjab visit.

Also Read: Comment against Saina Nehwal reflects ignoble mentality: Kiren Rijiju

In an open letter published on Twitter late Tuesday evening, the Rang De Basanti star said even though he may disagree with Nehwal's views, his tone of the tweet cannot be justified.

"Dear Saina, I want to apologise to you for my rude joke that I wrote as a response to a tweet of yours, a few days ago. I may disagree with you on many things but even my disappointment or anger when I read your tweet, cannot justify my tone and words. I know I have more grace in me than that.

"As for the joke... If a joke needs to be explained, then it wasn't a very good joke to begin with. Sorry about a joke that didn't land," he said.

The 42-year-old actor wrote he is a "staunch feminist" and would never say anything to a woman with a "malicious intent".

Siddharth hoped that the badminton star would accept his apology.

"I, however, must insist my word play and humour had none of the malicious intent that so many people from all quarters have attributed to it. I am a staunch feminist ally and I assure you there was no gender implied in my tweet and certainly no intent to attack you as a woman.

"I hope we can put this behind us and that you will accept my letter. You will always be my Champion. Honestly, Siddharth," he added.

Also Read | NCW seeks FIR against actor Siddharth for 'outrageous' tweet on Saina Nehwal

Earlier, Nehwal had said she was not sure what the actor meant by his comment but expressed her displeasure over his tweet.

"I used to like him as an actor but this was not nice. He can express himself with better words but I guess it's Twitter and you remain noticed with such words and comments. If the security of the PM of India is an issue then I'm not sure what is secure in the country," she had said.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) had asked Twitter India to immediately block the actors account as it claimed the comment was misogynistic, outraged the modesty of a woman, amounted to disrespect and insulted the dignity of women.

NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma had also written to the Maharashtra DGP to investigate the matter and register an FIR against Siddharth.

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As denial of jobs due to transwoman identify compelled 34-year-old Aneera Kabeer from Palakkad district of Kerala to seek mercy killing, a Kerala minister came to her rescue and offered her a job.

Despite having two master degrees, and clearing the MEd and State Eligibility Test, Kabeer was unable to find a suitable job so far. Though she had worked in many schools and earned the respect of many students, the transwoman identity often remained as a hindrance as she could not continue long in each job. She was even denied appointment to temporary vacancies in some government schools owing to her identity.

Fed up with the discrimination and hindrances in getting suitable placements, Kabeer finally approached the District Legal Services Authority of her home district Palakkad for moving a petition seeking nod for mercy killing.

'I am from a financially weak family. My brother died recently and I have to support his family too. It is impossible to survive without a job. Hence, as an extreme measure, I approached the DLSA with the plea to file application for mercy killing," Kabeer told DH.

Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty came across her plight and intervened. After speaking to Kabeer, he directed the officials concerned to take steps to give suitable posting to Kabeer.

Kabeer said that following the minister's intervention, she would get a job at a block resource centre as cluster coordinator and would be later considered for appointment as teacher. She said that the present generation students were not showing any sort of discrimination towards her as they were well aware of the identity of the transgender persons and respect it. Many of her old students were still keeping in touch with her and give her due respect. The discrimination towards transgender community seems to be mainly coming from vested interest groups, she said.

Kabeer who is a native of Ottapalam in Palakkad will also appear for Kerala Public Service Commission recruitment tests.

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Shoppers walk down Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, in London, Dec. 23, 2021. AP-Yonhap



More than half of people in Europe are on track to contract the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the next two months if infections continue at current rates, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.



Speaking at a press conference, regional director Hans Kluge warned that the Omicron variant represented a "new west-to-east tidal wave sweeping across" the European region.



"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasts that more than 50 percent of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next six to eight weeks," Kluge told reporters.



The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries and territories including several in Central Asia, and Kluge noted that 50 of them had confirmed cases of the Omicron variant.



According to the WHO, 26 of those countries reported that over 1 percent of their populations were "catching COVID-19 each week" as of January 10, and that the region had seen over 7 million new virus cases reported in the first week of 2022 alone.



Kluge said the "unprecedented scale of transmission" now meant countries were seeing rising hospitalizations from COVID-19, but added that mortality rates were still stable.



The wave "is challenging health systems and service delivery in many countries where Omicron has spread at speed, and threatens to overwhelm in many more," Kluge lamented.



Referencing data collected over the last few weeks, Kluge said the variant was confirmed to be more transmissible and "the mutations it has enable it to adhere to human cells more easily, and it can infect even those who have been previously infected or vaccinated."



However, Kluge also stressed that "approved vaccines do continue to provide good protection against severe disease and death, including for Omicron."



Despite reports of a higher degree of asymptomatic cases and lower proportion of hospitalizations for Omicron cases, the WHO said it was too early to treat the disease as endemic  meaning a regularly occurring milder disease like the flu.



"We still have a virus that's evolving quite quickly and posing quite new challenges. So we're certainly not at the point of being able to call it endemic," WHO senior emergencies officer Catherine Smallwood told reporters.



"This virus, as we know, has surprised us more than once... The prime aspirational goal for 2022 is to stabilize the pandemic," Kluge concluded.



Worldwide, 5.5 million deaths have been associated with COVID-19, according to a toll compiled by AFP from official sources.



The WHO says the real toll may be two to three times that figure. (AFP)


Sri Lanka will hand over two Indian prisoners, who have been serving life imprisonment in the island nation, to India on Wednesday and Thursday under the SAARC prisoners exchange agreement, a senior prison official said here.

Prison Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake told PTI that the additional Secretary to the ministry of justice has informed the commissioner general of prisons to release the two Indian nationals.

They will be handed over to the Indian police officials at the Colombo international airport today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday), he said without identifying the two Indians to protect their privacy.

Also Read | A win for India in Sri Lanka

One of the convicts serving life imprisonment has been in jail for over 12 years for possession and Import of narcotics and charged under the Poisons, Opium And Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, Ekanayake said.

The second, charged under the Dangerous Drugs Act, is serving in a jail here over the last 6 years.

The India-Sri Lanka bilateral agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons was signed in June 2010, paving the way for the transfer of prisoners to jails in their home country.

The agreement provides for the conditions under which such transfers can take place and the various obligations of the transferring State and the receiving State.

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After a 12-hour drama where allegations flung from one corner to another, BJP MLA Vinay Shakya has said that he would go with Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned from the council of ministers.

Shortly after Maurya quit the cabinet, a list of legislators who would go with him started doing the rounds on Tuesday and Vinay Shakya's name started doing the rounds.

Later in the night, Shakya's daughter, Riya Shakya put out a video message in which she claimed that her uncle Devesh Shakya had kidnapped her father and had taken him to Lucknow.

Also Read | After OBC leaders, key 'Gujjar' leader quits BJP, joins RLD

She said that her father had suffered a brain stroke some time back and could not speak or think clearly. She also thanked Yogi Adityanath for helping in her father's treatment and urged him to ensure the security of her father.

Hours later, Superintendent of Police Aurraiya, Abhishek Varma released a statement saying that the legislator was in his mother's house in Etawah and other reports were a result of a family dispute.

Meanwhile, Vinay Shakya, on Wednesday issued yet another statement saying that he would go with Swami Prasad Maurya.

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Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech claimed that its Covaxin booster dose can neutralise both the Omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2.

The Hyderabad-based company cited the results from a study conducted at Emory University, Atlanta, USA demonstrating that sera from subjects who received a booster dose of Covaxin six months after getting a primary two-dose neutralised the Omicron and Delta variants.

The central government has recently initiated the administration of Covid-19 vaccine third dose, at a time when the Omicron variant is spreading like wildfire.

According to the study, 100 percent of test serum samples showed neutralisation of the Delta variant while neutralisation of the Omicron variant is more than 90 percent.

As the dominant Covid-19 variant across the globe, Omicron poses a serious public health concern, said Mehul Suthar, assistant professor, Emory Vaccine Center, who led the laboratory analysis.

Also read: Mask up India, Omicron is far from benign

Data from this preliminary analysis show individuals receiving a booster dose of Covaxin have a significant immune response to both the Omicron and Delta variants. The findings suggest that a booster dose has the potential to reduce disease severity and hospitalisations.

The study would be published on the pre-print server, medRXiv, soon. It was sponsored by Ocugen, Inc., Bharat Biotech's USA partner. Bharat Biotech provided sera of the subjects from Phase 2 study.

The new data adds to the body of evidence that the broad-spectrum action mechanism of whole virus inactivated Covid-19 vaccine, like Covaxin, is a viable option in this continuously evolving pandemic, Bharat Biotech said in a statement on Wednesday.

Earlier studies have demonstrated the neutralising potential of Covaxin against SARS-CoV-2 variants of Concern - Alpha, Beta, Delta, Zeta and Kappa, the company said.

Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech said, The positive neutralisation responses against the Omicron and Delta variants validates our hypothesis of a multi-epitope vaccine generating both humoral and cell mediated immune responses. Our goal of developing a global vaccine against Covid-19 has been achieved with Covaxin usage as a universal vaccine for adults and children.

Sera samples from individuals who received a booster of Covaxin (BBV152) were observed to be effective in neutralising Omicron and Delta variants on a live virus neutralisation assay. The neutralisation activity of Covaxin-boosted sera was comparable to what has been observed in mRNA vaccine-boosted sera against the Omicron variant.

More than 90 percent of all individuals boosted with Covaxin showed neutralising antibodies. All participants received an initial two-dose schedule of Covaxin (BBV152) on Day 0 and Day 28.

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As Omicron sweeps through the globe, countries are once again witnessing a record number of cases by the day. Though the new variant seems to have a higher rate of infection rate compared to its predecessors, hospitalisation and death rates have remained stable, offering a slight glimpse of hope.

Demand for oxygen and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds have also gone down significantly since the variant largely affects the upper respiratory tract, rather than the lungs. However, the high infection rate among healthcare workers has put a great burden on hospital manpower. "Manpower is the biggest challenge this time," says Dr Shamsher Dwivedee, head of the Covid task force at New Delhis VIMHANS Niyati Super Speciality hospital.

Can Omicron help in stopping the pandemic?

"It appears that Omicron will assist stop the pandemic," says top infectious diseases specialist Dr Monica Gandhi of California University. According to her, Omicron is very contagious, resulting in a high number of minor breakthrough infections among the vaccinated (even if boosted). Multiple studies, ranging from one by the University of Hong Kong to another by the University of College London, as well as animal studies, have shown that Omicron is milder even among the unvaccinated. This is likely because it can't infect lung cells very well. Omicron infection confers broad immunity to other versions, therefore a minor breakthrough will improve the immunity of the vaccinated (even to other variants) and confer protection to Covid-19 to the unvaccinated if they are exposed.

Also Read: UK scientist says Omicron maybe '1st ray of light' against Covid

So, until a new variant emerges that is more virulent or immune-evading, Omicron appears to be the variant that will take us from pandemic to endemic, she says, according to a News18 report.

However, not everyone is upbeat. The pandemic will not go away, according to Pune-based immunologist Dr Vineeta Bal, until there is a big worldwide population with coronavirus immunity. Children around the world are still unvaccinated. As a result, believing the pandemic will go away soon is a short-sighted prognosis, according to Dr Bal.

"Less severe disease," according to Dr Dwivedee, is a relative word. Covid can induce blood clots and strokes, whether mild or severe. Heart attacks are common during the cold months. As a result, those with high blood pressure or diabetes are at risk.

What is the significance of mask mandates?

Younger people must wear masks even if Omicron is causing minimal symptoms, according to Dr Dwivedee. This is simply to safeguard the elderly and defenceless. Despite the fact that Omicron will continue to infect a huge number of individuals, masks will assist reduce viral load, reducing the severity of the sickness.

Also Read: Masks inadequate while working close to Covid-positive person indoors

Is Omicron vaccine effective, and what about new variants?

Vaccines do work against all variants, according to Dr Gandhi. Our vaccination response (and why we get minor infections even after we've been vaccinated) is most likely due to antibodies vs B and T cell responses. Although antibodies (our main line of defence for upper respiratory symptoms such as mild breakthroughs) can wane over time or be affected by mutations along with the spike protein, we now know that T cells from the vaccine still work against Omicron and B cells (generated by vaccines) adapt the new antibodies they produce to work against variants.

As a result, according to Dr Gandhi, the vaccines' protection against severe disease (but not moderate breakthrough infections, even with the booster) appears to be holding up well. New variants will continue to rise, according to Dr Gandhi, but because T cell immunity is strong and offers an in-breadth response across the spike protein, our current vaccines will suffice. As a result, we won't have to buy new vaccines every time.

Pre-existing immunity, whether acquired by infection or vaccination, will give adequate protection against novel variations, according to Dr. Vineeta Bal.

Are lockdowns effective?

According to Dr Dwivedee, the number of Covid patients admitted to hospitals is growing by the day, and the rapid Omicron rise could soon overwhelm hospitals. He claims that while lockdowns may not have a scientific basis, they do aid the healthcare system by slowing the spread of the disease. According to him, given the extent of the Omicron epidemic, even a tiny fraction of the unvaccinated population being ill and requiring hospitalisation would have a major influence on hospital burden. Lockdowns are beneficial in this situation because they prevent the transmission of infection and thereby lessen the strain on hospitals.

To summarise, as governments around the world scramble to change Covid strategies in order to live with the virus, Dr Gandhi says it's critical to remember that "Covid zero" is not possible due to a variety of factors, including the presence of animal reservoirs, the long infectious period, the failure of vaccines to provide sterilising immunity, and the fact that Covid resembles other respiratory syndromes. We can still control Covid-19 even if we don't eliminate it, and we're getting closer to that goal. The key to this is ensuring that all eligible people are vaccinated, as well as getting children inoculated as soon as possible.

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Under fire from the High Court and its own legislators, the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government on Wednesday banned the Congresss Mekedatu foot march citing the already worsening Covid-19 situation.

Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar signed off on the order late evening following a high-level meeting that Bommai chaired, hours after the High Court pulled up the government for having allowed the padayatra, which entered its fourth day amid spiralling Covid-19 cases.

...all inter-district (within Karnataka) and intra-district (within Ramanagara) movement of vehicles and persons for participating in Namma Neeru Namma Hakku padayatra or whichever name it is called...from Mekedatu to Bengaluru is prohibited with immediate effect and will be in force until further order, Kumar ordered.

Namma Neeru Namma Hakku is the official name of the Congress Mekedatu campaign.

The government was under tremendous pressure to act. Three FIRs against 134 Congress leaders and supporters have been registered since Sunday when the march began. The march was scheduled to end in Bengaluru on January 19.

The government has asked all deputy commissioners, police superintendents, police commissioners and the transport commissioner to ensure strict implementation of the order.

...despite explicit order of banning dharnas and protests...it is observed that certain group of people have organised and mobilised people from various districts to Ramanagara district to participate in padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru named as Namma Neeru Namma Hakku defying government orders, the order stated. The act of defiance is endangering the lives of a large number of people. The protest/padayatra is likely to aggravate the already worsening Covid-19 situation in the state.

Earlier in the day, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah returned to Bengaluru from the march to hold talks with party colleagues on the way forward in the wake of the HC observation.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah initially said the party is ready to face the consequences. Later, he said the Congress will honour the HC order. Lets see what the court orders, he said. Asked if the Congress had taken permission for the march, he said: No protest is done after taking permission."

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are said to have discussed this with KPCC legal cell chief and former additional advocate-general AS Ponnanna, who is likely to argue in court that protest is a fundamental right.

Sources said Congress is even considering a plan where only Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and a few others will continue walking.



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Gerry ONeill, a successful musician originally from Derry, who emigrated to Canada in 1974, sadly passed away on January 8.

Gerry grew up on Ivy Terrace before moving to the Creggan area of the city.

His father, Samuel, owned a bookies in the area and Gerry also worked in a music shop in the city.

Gerry, one of 14 children, moved to Newfoundland in 1976 and joined a band called The Sons of Erin.

His first wife, Susan, moved back to Derry with the family in the 1980s, with a lot of his family still in Derry, and he remarried in 2004 to his wife, Linda.

Whilst in Canada, Gerry was also inducted to the Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame who wrote at the time, "Gerry has shared his Irish musical heritage with the county for over 40 years and is a worthy nominee.

"His finesse and ability on the fiddle drew the attention of many and soon garnered many requests for appearances throughout Quebec, the Maritimes and Ontario."

In 1976, Gerry performed as part of the opening of the Olympic Games ceremonies.

Many have paid tribute to Gerry including his grandson, Steve Kent, who said his grandfather 'had quite a career and was a brilliant performer.'

Steve wrote: "'Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.'

"My family and close friends know about my special relationship with my grandfather.

"Gerry O'Neill was larger than life. He had a profound impact on so many people that he connected with.

"Gerry's warmth, talent, insight and charm were, to use one of his favourite words, magic. Truly magic.

"Gerry taught me lots about humanity and about life. He lived fully. He loved deeply. My memories with him are plentiful and powerful. I am so thankful for that. We will miss you, Granda Gerry."

Canadian Celtic folk band, Bang on the Ear, also paid their respects, "Gerry was a beautiful soul and a true entertainer," they wrote.

"Gerry was our way into Hurley's Irish Pub in Montreal and he helped us establish ourselves there.

"Every Saturday afternoon at the Glengarry Highland Games, we would pull up a seat and grab a drink and say hello.

"He was always so welcoming and amazed at how many instruments Michelle would pick out of her case, referring to it as her 'tickle trunk.'

"We use his classic line every time were on stage, 'Give Me A Roar Glengarry.' We love you Gerry, Rest in Peace."

Derry musician Roy Arbuckle said: "The great Gerry O'neill has left the stage. Rest in Peace Gerry, Rest in Peace."

The Greenfield community where Gerry resided also wrote, "It is with a heavy heart we write about the passing of legendary Greenfield resident, Gerry O'Neill.

"He was a very well known musician. He was sweet, gentle, kind and a comical man who will be dearly missed."

Gerrys remains will leave Canada and return home to Derry.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St Columba's Church, Longtower on Thursday, 20th January, 2022 at 11.00am.
Sinn Fein's Ciara Ferguson has said DUP Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons, and his party need to accept responsibility for the 'huge hole' Brexit has left in the department's budget.

The Foyle MLA was speaking following a meeting of the Economy Committee at Stormont revealed a significant dent in the Department for Economy's (DfE) budget for the next three years.

That dent comes via the loss of 65million per year in EU funding which the North is no longer eligible thanks to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.

Mr Lyons had previously said in a Assembly debate on September 19, 2016 that, the United Kingdom as a whole is better off outside the European Union. We have seen already how the scaremongering from other parties in this House and, indeed, other parties across the UK, has been found to be completely false.

Ms Ferguson reminded the Minister of what he said in relation to what has been revealed by the Economy Committee and has called on the Minister to accept responsibility for the financial shortfall.

She said: Today the Economy Committee was briefed on the Department's budget allocation for 2022 to 2025 and was told the loss of 65 million per year in EU funding has left a 'huge hole in DfE core business'.

In particular this is a huge loss of funding for skills and training and for business development.

The irony won't be lost on anyone that the Economy Minister, who along with his party championed Brexit, is now complaining of a shortfall in his departmental budget.

However that is cold comfort to the community and voluntary organisations and young people who stand to lose out as a result of the loss of funding.

Last year Finance Minister Conor Murphy was able to plug the gap through Covid funding so the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund could be extended for a year.

However I remain unconvinced that the British governments Shared Prosperity Fund will deliver anything near the level of funding the north received from the EU.

The dithering from the British Government in putting this funding in place and its undermining of the Executive and Assembly in the administration of it, means it is near impossible for the department or organisations to plan ahead for the delivery of the vital programmes.

Rather than decrying the 'huge hole' in his budget, the Economy Minister and his party need to accept responsibility for the role they have played in the loss of vital EU funds.
A local stargazer has described how the experience of witnessing a blue fireball above a beauty spot near Draperstown had left him 'starstruck'.

Martin McManus, from Antrim town, spotted the meteor on January 3, after a series of fortunate circumstances meant he was in the right place at the right time; Beaghmore stone circles.

I have, like many people over the years, been very interested in them [meteors], but never got to see them properly until recently, he told the County Derry Post.

In December we usually got our winter sleeping bags to keep us warm to go out and take in a big shower on December 12/13.

But that night, a cloak of fog came down and never left until Christmas, all around the area and Mid Ulster. We saw nothing.

Coming up to January 3 there on Monday night, we weren't too hopeful. I've a friend here, Sean O'Neill who I convinced to give it a go.

That night, Martin had to leave his son-in-law to Ardboe, and after taking a detour through Cookstown on the way home, noticed the conditions were perfect for viewing the sky.

I dropped him off in Ardboe and headed into Cookstown, and when I got to the other side towards Beaghmore, I looked to my right and got the shock of my life, he said.

There was a full Christmas card scene; stars all over the sky. I rang my friend, and he was an hour behind me getting over.

I made my way to Beaghmore and as soon as I got out of the car, I was picking up the peak of the shower. I saw seven meteors in five minutes.

As he settled in to watch the shower, he spotted a meteor he said was around 'the size of the moon'.

I got my bag and my lounger out, saw down at 9.54 and bang. A big blue fireball came right across the Starry Plough. It was like a big teardrop with a tail.

It just takes the breath out of you. I was at the top of the hill, on my own, in the middle of seven ancient stone circles. You couldn't get a spookier place.

My friend eventually arrived, but I was totally starstruck. You have cameras recording these; NASA and the European Space Station have them all over the UK and Ireland.

You can equate it to about the size of the moon. There were flames behind it going right past the Starry Plough.

I was there with the hair on the back of my neck. It appeared to be right above my head, it seemed that close. I was looking at the Starry Plough, and it looked like it came out of it.

Martin contacted the UK Meteor Network, who have a series of cameras around the UK, and was delighted to discover the meteor had been sighted by others at the same time.

Another report on the UK Meteor Network website linked to the same event was received from Scotland, while in Magheraveely, County Fermanagh, another local man reported seeing the fireball.

It was the most incredible thing I've ever seen, I couldn't believe I saw it, said his report.

It moved down to the left. Just appeared from nowhere, a big streak for about 2-3 seconds.

Martin said the area of the Sperrins around Beaghmore is perfect for skygazing, and is close to the Davagh Dark Skies centre purposely built for exactly that.

There is an ancient group of stone circles there, and the funny thing is, that's what they were built for 4,000 years ago; to view the very things we are viewing today, he said.

They're in a glacial valley, and right beside it they built a 1.5 million sky park. The whole area is opening up, hopefully not for the worse because light pollution would kill it.

I was a wee bit spooked, and if it can have that effect on us, what would it have been like thousands of years ago? They saw these things as godly, and they actually look like that, he added.

For more information on astronomy and meteor activity, visit the Davagh Dark Sky website or the UK Meteor Network website.
Lenovo Legion Y90 specs were allegedly leaked via 3C listing and the smartphone could feature up to 68W fast charging

Lenovo Legion Y90 Specifications have leaked thanks to an alleged 3C listing. For the uninitiated, 3C is Chinas certification board for mobile phones. The leaked information suggests that the upcoming Lenovo Gaming smartphone will feature up to 68W fast charging capabilities, for reference, several thin and light laptops cap out at 65W. Lenovo also released a video some time ago revealing the updated design and features of the Legion Y90 gaming smartphones. Heres a quick refresher.

Lenovo Legion Y90 Specs, Features, Launch Date In India

If you think Lenovo Legion Y90 looks cool, then the last-gen Lenovo Legion 2 Pro gaming smartphone was a pretty amazing gaming smartphone as well. It featured a Snapdragon 888 SoC, powerful specs, and a horizontally placed popup selfie camera so the user can show his face while streaming online.

However, the new Lenovo Legion Y90 gaming smartphone ditches that design in favour of a conventional selfie camera placed near the top bezel. Lenovo had to do so in order to effectively cool the brand new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC powering the Legion Y90. At the rear, the smartphone features dual cameras and several air vents, both centrally located.

As per Chinas 3C Certification, the smartphone will support up to 68W fast charging and according to another leak the Lenovo Legion Y90 will have a Samsung E4 AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 720 Hz sampling rate, one of the best in the business.

Gamers can get their hands on the Lenovo Legion Y90 probably next month in February, probably after the Chinese Spring Festival. Lenovos last two gaming phones had a global launch so most probably the Legion Y90 could launch in a similar way.
DPRK top leader attends latest "hypersonic" missile test

Xinhua) 10:11, January 12, 2022

PYONGYANG, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday successfully conducted a "hypersonic gliding warhead" test, which was supervised by top leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Wednesday.

The report said the missile test was conducted by the Academy of Defence Science for the final verification of the hypersonic weapon system's technical specifications.

After its release from the rocket booster, a hypersonic glide vehicle made a 600-km "glide jump flight" and then 240 km of "corkscrew maneuvering" before hitting a target in waters 1,000 km away, the news agency said.

While watching the test, Kim Jong Un encouraged the national defence scientific research sector to continuously bolster the country's war deterrent capabilities.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Chief Executive Carrie Lam takes questions from lawmakers during the first regular meeting of the legislature at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, Jan. 12. Reuters-Yonhap



Hong Kong will create a host of new national security crimes, the city's leader said Wednesday, as she presided over the first session of a new "patriots only" legislature scrubbed of political opposition.



The legislation will add to a sweeping National Security Law imposed directly on Hong Kong by Beijing that has transformed the international finance hub and empowered authorities to carry out a widespread crackdown on dissent.



The current security law defines four crimes  secession, subversion, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces  and offenders can face up to life in prison.



But on Wednesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam confirmed that her government would create new "local legislation" that meets Article 23 of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, which calls for the city to pass its own national security laws.



"Article 23 legislative work is part of Hong Kong's constitutional duty and cannot be further delayed," Lam told lawmakers, adding that the government aimed to publish a draft by June.



Lam did not outline what the new crimes would be.



But the specific offences Article 23 lists are treason, secession, sedition, subversion and theft of state secrets.



It also includes prohibiting any foreign political organizations from conducting activities in Hong Kong or local political organizations establishing ties with similar overseas bodies.





This overhead view shows Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam, top left, speaking to Legislative Council members during the first session of a new "patriots only" legislature in Hong Kong, Jan. 12. AFP-Yonhap



No opposition



China imposed its own security law after huge and sometimes violent democracy protests swept Hong Kong in 2019, saying it was needed to restore order and would only affect a "tiny minority."



It has begun transforming Hong Kong into a mirror of the authoritarian mainland, criminalizing much dissent, setting new legal precedents and sparking sanctions by Western governments who argue it has trashed the city's freedoms and autonomy.



It also empowered China's mainland security apparatus to operate openly in the city, and allows the government to freeze the assets of any company or individual deemed to be a national security threat.



Most of Hong Kong's best-known democracy activists are in jail, have quit politics or have fled overseas.



The vast majority of national security charges revolve around people holding or vocalizing political views now deemed illegal.



In 2003, an attempt by Hong Kong's government to pass its own national security law sparked large protests and was eventually aborted  which is why Beijing imposed a law directly on the city in 2020.



It is unlikely the city government will face much opposition in passing the new law.



Under new "patriots only" political rules also imposed by Beijing, the city's legislature has been cleared of any opposition.



All lawmakers are now vetted for political loyalty before standing, and only 20 seats are directly elected. Just one of the 90 vetted legislators who were selected in polls last month describes himself as "non-establishment."





Stand News acting chief editor Patrick Lam, one of the two journalists from the outlet arrested and charged with sedition, is escorted by police as they leave after a search of his office in Hong Kong, Dec. 29, 2021. Reuters-Yonhap
The central bank had previously banned crypto exchanges in India in 2020. However, that was later lifted by the Supreme Court.

The Reserve Bank of India appears to be taking a softer stance on the crypto industry, as the central bank has reportedly set up a new fintech department to regulate crypto exchanges and more. According to reports, this information comes courtesy of an internal circular dated January 7, 2022.

Operational since January 4, 2022, this new department will now be the point of contact in RBI for all fintech-related activities, including crypto-related issues as well. In the future, this department is also expected to help create regulations for cryptocurrency and even its upcoming central bank digital currency (CBDC).

The new report is interesting as the RBI in the past has advocated for a complete ban on cryptocurrency in India. It had recently done so at last months RBIs 592nd central board of directors meeting held in Lucknow on December 17th, 2021. The central bank had previously banned crypto exchanges in India in 2020. However, that was later lifted by the Supreme Court.

Government's stance on crypto

For its part, the government is still deliberating its approach to tackle cryptos. Reports suggest it is currently thinking of changes to the proposed legislations framework for cryptos, which would mean the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021, will now be tabled in the next session of the parliament.

It is of the opinion that some aspects of the bill need more deliberation, discussions, and comments from the public. These include the government bringing in a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) which will be recognised under the RBI Act. Another reason for this is the government's belief that the new law for cryptocurrencies needs to be in line with a global framework which is still a work in progress.

Also Read: Indian government delays crypto bill, may not be tabled during winter session of Parliament
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SEATTLE  A small apartment building at 6600 Rainier Ave. S. sold last month for over $2.7 million, according to King County records.

The seller was Evergreen Rainier LLC, a family entity that had owned the property for decades.





. . .
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Day two of the third ACRPS Winter School, Variations in Populism, opened with a lecture from Abdelwahab El-Affendi. Professor of Political Science and President of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. The lecture, titled The War against Windmills: Populism and Conspiracy Narratives, dissected common narratives of modern populist discourse, and analyzed how conspiracy narratives of insecurity have been vital to the rise and expansion of some of the major populist movements in the West. El-Affendi also looked briefly at similar populist trends in the Arab World, and the way they deploy similar narratives of grand conspiracy to give meaning to their otherwise pathologically self-destructive conduct. He concluded that, contrary to the opinion of theorists who maintain that populist movements are rational and even equate them with politics, populism is inherently anti-rational, if not outright irrational.

The closing lecture on day two was given by Daniel Stockemer, Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies and Full Professor in the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa, Canada, titled Contagious Politics and COVID-19: Does the Infectious Disease Hit Populist Supporters Harder? Taking Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro as an example of a typical right-wing populist, Stockemer shows, based on a survey, that Bolsonaros communication style and approach to crisis management have consequences for the behavioural patterns of his followers, which, in turn have public health implications: that his supporters are less likely to consider the pandemic as a key challenge for the country, less worried about getting infected, and less likely to wear masks. He concluded that there is a direct causal link between populist communication and the populist followers behaviour, which, in turn, can affect life and death.

The opening lecture for day three was given by Paul Taggart, Professor of Politics at the University of Sussex, titled Foxes in the Chicken Coop? Three Strategies of Populists in Government. Taggart examined recent experiences of populism across the world to develop a typology of populist strategies in office. He argued that the anti-establishment element of populism provides a particular challenge for populists in office: how can they maintain their populist credentials now they are part of the establishment that they have opposed? Taggart argued that there are three basic strategies: populists who have got into government either moderate or abandon their populism, seek to radically reshape the government, or else continue to behave like the opposition.

Later, Cristobal Rovira Kaltwasser, Professor of Political Science at Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago de Chile, gave a lecture titled Riding the Populist Wave: The Mainstream Right in Crisis. Kaltwasser questioned the link between the future of democracy and the willingness of the mainstream right in Europe to adopt the agenda advanced by the populist radical right. Based on a recent edited volume, which combines qualitative case studies with large-N quantitative analysis, Kaltwasser argued that the European mainstream right is squeezed by the need to adapt to both the silent revolution (the spread of postmaterialist, liberal and cosmopolitan values) and the silent counter-revolution that has brought with it the rise of myriad far right parties offering populist and nativist answers to many of the continent's thorniest political problems.

Day four began with a lecture from Abdallah Saaf, Professor at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Social Science at Mohammed V University in Rabat, titled On Populism(s) of the Arab World. Professor Saaf presented the phenomenon of populism in the Arab context, emphasizing that populism is not a fixed term or element, rather, it is a variable term whose meaning depends on its context. Saaf presented the Tunisian case as an example and noted that populism there has special characteristics that distinguishes it from other forms of populism in the Arab Region, especially its similarities with the pervious authoritarian regime.

Day five began with a lecture by Abdelkarim Amengay, Assistant Professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, on Media Content and the Rise of Populism. Using the French Front National as a case study, Amengay discussed the correlation between the salience of radical wing populist parties issues in the media and the votes cast for these parties.

Day six opened with a lecture by Nonna Mayer, CNRS Research Director Emerita at the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics of Sciences Po, titled From Le Pen to Zemmour: Radical Right Populism in France. Mayer described how Marie Le Pen, the leader of the right-wing French party National Rally, is being challenged by a new contender on the right, Eric Zemmour. She showed what these right-wingers have in common, what they stand for, who votes for them, what long and short-term factors explain their success or their failure, and to what extent they are a threat to democracy.

The Winter School also featured a virtual Roundtable titled Forty Years After the Breakthrough of the Third Wave of Populism, chaired by Abdelkarim Amengay. The three main themes of discussion were the state of research on populism, populism and democracy, and the future of populism in the world. The discussion featured four distinguished scholars of populismCristobal Kaltwasser, Nonna Mayer, Daniel Stockemer, and Paul Taggart  alongside the other Winter School participants. Mayer began the discussion by reflecting on recent breakthroughs in scholarly research on populism, claiming that scholars now agree on a minimalist definition of populism and that populism is understood as plural, acknowledging the infinite varieties of populism on the left and right. She further stated that while we now have a better understanding of voters, more research is needed on political parties, their organization and agency, and the relationship between populism and religion, as well as populism and gender. Taggart agreed with Mayer and added that we have a lot of cases that are falsely identified as populism and therefore we should be clear about what we are focusing on given the varieties of populism, as well as apply it historically. Kaltwasser also noted that there has been an increase in research on populism across regions, with scholars attempting to utilize a common definition of populism in order to look into similarities and differences between various populist forces. However, according to Kaltwasser, one of the challenges in the research on populism is that there are few scholars who use a comparative approach. Stockemer concurred with Kaltwasser, stating that what is crucial in the future is to explore comparisons and look into if there are similarities amongst populist voters in different parts of the world.

This day concluded with a lecture by Narendra Subramanian, Professor of Political Science at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, titled Indian Populisms in a Comparative-Theoretical Perspective. Subramanian stated that conceptualizations of populism as a type of movement or party organization, policy or strategic orientation, or ideology are misleading, and the main feature of populist forces in India is that it is based mainly among the middle and lower castes. He concluded that despite its recent growth, Hindu nationalism is not primarily populist as it draws support more from upper and middling strata whose norms it promotes.

The Winter School will continue on Wednesday, 12 January and Thursday, 13 January, when both Angelos Chryssogelos, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the School of Social Sciences in London Metropolitan University will hold a lecture titled Between People Power and State Power: The Ambivalence of Populism in International Relations, and Nina Wiesehomeier, Assistant Professor of Comparative Politics at the School of Global and Public Affairs in IE University in Spain will present her lecture on Measuring Populism with Expert Surveys.


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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Chloe Jo Davis is a vocal advocate for breastfeeding.

The Wilton, Conn.-based writer breastfed her three sons for years to make sure they reaped all of the benefits associated with the practice.

"Breastfeeding helps build up kids' immune system and keeps colds, virus, ear infection and stomach bugs at bay, and this is more important today than ever before with the spread of COVID-19," said Davis, who counsels moms on breastfeeding via an online platform.

Now a new study of close to 1.2 million women shows that Davis and other moms who breastfeed may reap some big time health benefits of their own.

Compared to women who had babies but never breastfed, mothers who breastfed for any period of time were less likely to develop heart disease, have a stroke or die from heart disease during 10 years of follow-up.

Earlier studies have found that women who breastfed are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and some cancers, but less has been known about how breastfeeding affects a woman's heart.

The new study wasn't designed to say exactly how breastfeeding protects the heart, but researchers have some ideas.

"Breastfeeding could facilitate a more rapid weight loss after delivery, and this may be beneficial, as it is known that elevated weight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease," said study author Lena Tschiderer, a postdoctoral researcher at the Medical University of Innsbruck, in Austria.

What's more, breastfeeding may help reset a woman's metabolism.

"This includes resetting factors that are also associated with an increased cardiovascular risk," Tschiderer said.

For the study, her team analyzed information on close to 1.2 million women in eight studies conducted between 1986 and 2009 across several countries. They looked at how long women breastfed, how many children they had, their age at first birth, and whether they had a heart attack or a stroke during follow-up.

Fully 82% breastfed at some point, according to the report. These women were 11% less likely to develop heart disease; 12% less likely to have a stroke; and 17% less likely to die from heart disease during 10 years of follow-up when compared to mothers who never breastfed, the investigators found.

These benefits held for women who breastfed for any length of time and seemed to be even greater for those who breastfed for up to one year. The study can't say whether breastfeeding for even longer periods is more beneficial because there weren't enough women in the study who breastfed for more than two years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for around the first 6 months of life.

The new study was published online Jan. 11 in a special pregnancy issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.

"This study was done in a very scientifically rigorous manner, and that's important as it means we can have pretty good confidence that the results are true," said Dr. Shelley Miyamoto. She is chair of the heart association's Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health. Miyamoto is also director of the cardiomyopathy program at the Children's Hospital Colorado, in Aurora.

"If you breastfed for any period of time, there is some benefit to your heart, and there is progressive risk reduction for up to one year," said Miyamoto, who was not involved in the new study.

It's time to make it easier for women to breastfeed, she said.

"We really need to raise awareness and educate moms and health care providers about the benefits of breastfeeding," Miyamoto said. "New mothers need to think about this before giving birth to help ensure access to a lactation consult where they give birth."

She said it's also important for women to talk to their employers about creating breastfeeding-friendly environments.

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics has more information on the benefits of breastfeeding.

SOURCES: Chloe Jo Davis, founder, GirlieGirlArmy.com, Wilton, Conn.; Lena Tschiderer, PhD, postdoctoral researcher, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria; Shelley Miyamoto, MD, chair, American Heart Association Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young, and director, cardiomyopathy program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora; Journal of the American Heart Association, Jan. 11, 2022, online
Douglas City Administrator Jonathon Teichert has been named one of four finalists for a city administrator position in Oregon.

The Klamath Falls, Oregon, city council announced the four finalists named publicly on Friday and said they are scheduled to meet with the public on the evening of Jan. 19 before the city council conducts interviews with them the following day.

Douglas Mayor Rene Kemper said Teichert had informed her that he was applying for the position so it didnt come as a complete surprise.

From what I have read this sounds like an awesome opportunity (for him), sort of like the one in Gillette, she said. Teichert previously had applied for the Gillette city administrator position and was a finalist for that, as well, but was not hired.

Klamath Fall had hired Strategic Government Resources (SGR) to assist in conducting a search for a new administrator. SGR is an executive recruitment firm based in Keller, Texas.

SGRs processes produced 28 applications from candidates in Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Teichert has been Douglas city administrator since 2018 after serving in the same position in Afton for two years. Prior to that, he was the planner in Lincoln County from 2005-16.

According to background information supplied by Klamath Falls, he holds a masters degree in public administration from the University of Wyoming and a bachelors degree in physical education from Brigham Young University  Hawaii.

The finalists, besides Teichert are, Deidre Andrus of Sacramento County, California; David Strahl, most recently the Interim Village Manager for Schiller Park, Illinois; and Mark Wood, the assistant city manager of Colleyville, Texas.
Duncan, OK (73533)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 70F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 57F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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Dundalk-Carlingford councillor, John Reilly, raised the issue of the lack of electric vehicle (EV) charge points in the Omeath area, at the Dundalk Municipal District January meeting and asked if Omeath Village could be highlighted for a charge point.

Cllr Reilly mentioned the work that Louth County Council and other associate partners are carrying out at the moment in the assessment of sites for the installation of 25 EV Rapid Chargers across the border counties.

Named the FASTER Project, it is a joint initiative by partners in Scotland, Ireland & Northern Ireland to support the transition to low carbon transport systems. The project partnership will install 73 rapid (50 KW capacity) charging points before May 2023.

Cllr Reilly told the meeting that the majority of the sites being selected were in urban areas and that he was going to put his neck out and say that can Omeath village be highlighted for one.

The Fine Gael councillor said that there is just one EV charge point in the whole of the Cooley peninsula, and it was located in Carlingford. He said that Omeath is crying out for one, adding that it would be a long term investment.

Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat after the meeting, Cllr Reilly focused on the impact a lack of charge points in the area could have on tourism. He said that he had spoken to one English tourist during the summer who had been touring the countryside in an EV and got to Carlingford by the skin of his teeth.

There's suppossed to be five chargers going into County Louth, said Cllr Reilly, adding that I think they [The Council] are looking mostly at urban sites,

Don't put them all in the towns, put some in the rural community. Omeath has no charger. It's a site on the Greenway, it's getting 2.8 million spent in it on regeneration. It's going to be a thing of the future and the village definitely needs one.

If we're serious about tourism in the Cooley Peninsula, I think we need an electric charger out there, and I'll be campaigning for that", Cllr Reilly concluded.
A man arrested by Dundalk Gardai on Monday morning in relation to the disappearance of Giedre Raguckaite in May 2018 has been released without charge.

Giedre Raguckaite, a 29 year old Lithuanian National, has been missing for over three years.

She arrived in Ireland in early March 2018 and took up residence in Drogheda before moving to College Heights, Hoey's Lane, Dundalk at the end of April 2018.

She moved out of that accommodation approximately 24th May 2018. Between 24th - 29th May 2018 there were two sightings of her in the Dundalk area.

On 29th May 2018 she made contact with a friend and at approximately 6.30pm she called her father in Lithuania.

She explained that she had been in a hotel/licensed premises that day for dinner and was socialising. The location of this premises is currently unknown.

It is believed she was in the Dundalk area until approximately 8pm that night.

She was last seen being assisted into a house in Laytown that night 29th May 2018 at 11pm by two men.

It is understood she was very intoxicated. It is believed she left that house with these men at approximately 1:45am on 30th May 2018. There has been no sightings or contact with Giedre since that time.

Detectives in Dundalk arrested a man in connection with her disappearance on Monday and he was questioned at a garda station in the midlands.

He was released without charge yesterday, Tuesday January 11th, and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden arrive to speak in support of changing the Senate filibuster rules that have stalled voting rights legislation, at Atlanta University Center Consortium, on the grounds of Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Atlanta.
North Andover, MA (01845)

Today

Rain early. A mix of sun and clouds by afternoon. High 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
THE design team for the proposed Luas Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Cork is currently progressing the appraisal of route options with a view to identifying an emerging preferred route for the scheme, it has been revealed.

Cork city councillors have been briefed on the latest updates for the proposed Luas scheme which is aimed at providing a high-capacity, high-frequency public transport link from the eastern to the western suburbs of Cork.

In a report issued to councillors ahead of Monday nights full council meeting, director of services in the councils infrastructure development directorate, Gerry OBeirne, noted that the establishment of an east to west rapid transit corridor from Mahon to Ballincollig has been a long-standing objective for the city and that it is a key element in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS).

The proposed indicative route establishes connectivity to many of the key locations and attractors in the city including Docklands, Kent Station, St Patrick Street, UCC, CUH, CIT, etc, he said.

He added that CMATS also envisages the LRT being preceded by a high-frequency bus service between Mahon and Ballincollig and that this is to be delivered in the short term to underpin development along the corridor.

The council has received correspondence from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who, in collaboration with the National Transport Authority (NTA), have appointed a design team comprising Jacobs Engineering, SYSTRA and Idiom to progress the feasibility and route selection phases of the project.

As outlined in a briefing note from TII, Mr OBeirne said a Strategic Assessment Report has been prepared for submission to the Department of Transport in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the design team is currently progressing the appraisal of route options with a view to identifying an emerging preferred route for the scheme.

Mr OBeirne added that TII anticipates that the required supporting assessments will be completed in 2022.

He said TII has also confirmed that there will be extensive public consultation in relation to the emerging preferred route as part of the process.

It is anticipated that this will be progressed in Q2 2022 with a view to completing the preferred route concept and stage 2 project appraisal report by the end of 2022.
A Cork woman has been named the Interim CEO of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Siobhan OConnor has been appointed as the Interim CEO by the Board of Directors with immediate effect.

Siobhan, originally from Cork, became The ASIs Head of Operations in June 2019 and has worked closely with her colleagues right across the country and has been fundamental in delivering excellence in the delivery of dementia supports and services during this time.

Prior to joining The ASI, Siobhan has spent over 20 years in the office supplies industry in senior management roles with her most recent role being Managing Director of Codex Office Solutions.

Siobhans experience includes sales, finance, operations, technology, ISO certification and compliance and she also has a track record in Corporate Social Responsibility through activities involving DePaul Ireland, Beaumont Foundation, St Francis Hospice and the Cliona Foundation.

Siobhan said: I am so grateful and honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead this extraordinary organisation and working with all the staff, branches and volunteers to help represent people living with dementia, their family carers and supporters across Ireland. I would like to thank the chairman Eugene McCague and board of directors for this opportunity. I am so aware of how tirelessly our staff and volunteers work across the country to improve the lives of those impacted by dementia in Ireland. I am looking forward to supporting everyone to continue this work in the time ahead.

The ASI Chairman Eugene McCague said: On behalf of the board of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, I would like to express my gratitude to Siobhan for stepping into this role. Siobhan has shown so much commitment to the delivery of supports and services for the people we support over the last number of years and I know that she will bring a great deal of expertise, experience and drive in her new role to help The ASI to continue the work of supporting people with dementia, their family carers and supporters in Ireland. I wish Siobhan the very best in her new role.

It was announced last week that Pat McLoughlin has decided to step down from his role as CEO, following medical advice to receive immediate treatment and take recovery time. Pat became CEO in October 2016, and he will officially retire from his role in March 2022
THE Christmas tree is down, the dregs of the selection boxes are sloshing about the back of the kitchen cupboards, and the new exercise goals are just about being upheld.

It must be mid-January, allegedly the most depressing time of the year.

I am usually quite excited about January, it can be a month of fresh starts, renewal, planning and excitement at the year ahead, but this year I really toyed with the idea of keeping the Christmas tree up, cracking open another box of Ferrero Rocher and hibernating until the clocks go forward (I actually kept up a few fairy lights to add some sparkle to the days).

One reliable fixture of January are stories of weird and wonderful gadgets from the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Its the most influential tech event in the world, where companies go to showcase their new wares to prospective buyers, and technology journalists try to work out what new gadgets will soon become part of our lives .

In normal times, it is an enormous occasion, with more than 180,000 attendees, this year the event is a hybrid version with most presentations happening on virtual stages.

Fifteen years ago, I escaped a dreary January for the open blue skies of Las Vegas to attend CES and got a taste of what some might call gadget heaven.

Back in 2007, the most eagerly awaited gadget unveiled was the Sony PlayStation 3. There was also the worlds biggest LCD TV and the first Skype-based mobile phone.

My favourite gadget at the time was a little green $100 laptop due to be distributed to children living in developing countries. Dubbed One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), its basic and robust design was supposed to be easy to use, survive harsh conditions and give access to learning for children who barely had access to electricity.

In the midst of all the consumerist technology on offer that January, it was an ambitiously noble project. Ive kept an eye on its progress over the years and, while the non-profit OLPC Foundation has distributed three million laptops since its inception - and many of those decade old computers are still running perfectly - the OLPC never took off in the way that was hoped.

Actually building a laptop that cost $100 was impossible, and other low cost technologies like tablets came on the scene.

The organisation is no longer all about building a cheap laptop and is instead on a mission to provide every child in the world with a rugged, low- cost, connected computer that empowers individual learning, it is a good example that, despite marketing hype, the future isnt always realised in the way that companies or designers want.

As technology magazine Wired.com put it: One thing to remember about CES is that its mostly make-believe. Sure, many things unveiled in Las Vegas actually ship, but the expo is also rife with experimental concepts, flights of fancy, and pie-in-the-sky demos.

Technology has advanced so much in 15 years that I could now attend the event from the comfort of my living room and, like most years, manufacturers offered future visions of the latest laptops, mobiles, remote controls, headphones, speakers and gadgets that let you control your household appliances.

The more fanciful concepts this year included BMXs all-electric iX SUV colour changing car. Why would you need to change your car from black to white at the touch of a button?

Tide Infinity laundry detergent was launched for use in space to solve malodor, cleanliness, and stain removal problems This innovative laundry solution will advance cleaning solutions for resource-constrained environments like deep space and water scarce areas on Earth, said the press release.

Poor astronauts, even escaping the Earths atmosphere and enduring the perils of space exploration isnt enough to escape the drudgery of laundry.

To be honest, much of what was on offer left me cold. CES can keep its fancy cars and gaming headsets, I just want technology that will save me from doing mundane household chores.

Samsung launched stackable, AI-powered washer and dryer units, which rely on machine learning to prioritise users favourite washing modes and times, and optimise detergent use and duration of wash.

Interesting, but Im waiting for the the fully automatic laundry bot that will take care of the whole cycle of laundry, from picking up discarded underpants in my kids room, to loading the washing machine, detecting and saving the wool jumper about to be washed at 60 degrees and finding and paring mismatched socks. This is the kind of gadgetry that would change my life!

******

Is it just me, or has the world gone mad swimming in winter seas?

I know it was unseasonably warm over the Christmas break and I get the Christmas Day plunge for charity concept, but it seems that subjecting your body to near hypothermia has become a mainstream hobby!

There is even a radio ad advising people how to cope while swimming in cold temperatures. It says: As water temperatures fall, swimmers and dippers need to stay warm to stay safe. Wear a wetsuit, booties, gloves and a swim cap or two. Shorten your swims. Be prepared, coming out with a dry towel, warm layers and a thermal cap. This is Water Safety Ireland. Better Safe than Sorry.

A swim cap or two! Surely if youre wearing two swim caps the water is just too cold?!

At Roberts Cove on New Years Day there were processions of swimming martyrs baptising themselves in 10 degree water. A blue-hued chattering person asked my strictly-observing-the- antics group of friends were we tempted to join in the fun.

Alas, we didnt bring our togs, retorted one.

I heard one swimmer describe the water as painful, so not today said another.

I didnt bring any grit or willpower, I offered.

The swimmer smiled at our wimpy responses, but in hindsight I think her face was simply frozen into that expression.
Just over 13 months ago, the attempted overthrow of the democratic election of 2020 began.

For those doing math in their heads right now, I am not talking about the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building. I am also not talking about the statements by the former President on Election Night that we should stop counting the ballots because he had already won (he had not).

I am also not talking about the President calling the Wayne County Board of Canvassers Republican members to try to sway their votes OR the fact that the President summoned the Michigan House and Senate Republican Leaders to Washington D.C. to drink champagne in his hotel and plot sedition.

No, I am talking about that other, OTHER, attempted coup.

While the Electoral College was meeting in the Capitol Building in Lansing to adopt the Democratic slate of electors to vote for Joe Biden, who won Michigan, there was another plot afoot.

At the side door to the Capitol, a dozen or so people approached the security guards and demanded to be let in, so that the proceedings of the Electoral College could move forward. Understandably, the security was confused, as the Electoral College meeting was already happening in the Senate Chambers.

These wannabe seditionists were Republican party members, local elected officials, and more seeking to adopt an alternate slate of electors to send to the National Archives and to the Vice President to be read in on January 6th.

If you have been watching the news over the last few months, this might sound like something taken off of a powerpoint somewhere in DC.

Thankfully the security stood their ground that day, but the alternate slate was mailed in as if they had entered the Capitol Building to adopt their electors. The letter has been made public. The list of electors who were there that day were made public as well. There was even video taken of them trying to enter:

It begs the question, was anything ever actually done about this?

Well, this week the January 6th panel is looking into that. But heres what we already know: trying to do this and submitting the documents are crimes. So have any charges been brought against these individuals? Seems like an open and shut case for the state or federal Prosecutor or Attorney General to me.

The aphorism goes: Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. However, it may be more accurate to say that when we do not punish criminals for attempting to subvert democracy, they will do it again.

We cannot wait another year. We cannot wait for the January 6th Committee to do this work for us. We have a vested interest to ensure that our states votes are not stolen away from us. And the best way to ensure that is to punish those that tried to the fullest extent of the law.
The worlds oceans reached record temperatures in 2021, despite a La Nina event that typically has a cooling influence.

The new record was announced in a study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Tuesday. This is the sixth year in a row that the ocean heat record has been broken, The Guardian reported.

The ocean heat content is relentlessly increasing, globally, and this is a primary indicator of human-induced climate change, study co-author and National Center for Atmospheric Research climate scientist Kevin Trenberth told The Guardian.

Ocean heat content is a better indicator of global warming than atmospheric temperature, CNN explained, because natural cycles like La Nina have less of an impact on ocean temperatures than air temperatures. That said, it is notable that the record was broken despite the fact that La Nina encourages cooler temperatures in the Pacific.

The worlds oceans absorb 90 percent of the excess heat trapped in the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels. The researchers measured these impacts in the upper 2,000 meters (approximately 6,562 feet) of the ocean, where the bulk of warming occurs, The Guardian reported. They found that this region absorbed 14 more zettajoules in 2021 than in 2020, which is 145 times greater than all the electricity generated in the world.

The scientists used a network of buoys to record these measurements, The Washington Post reported.

The oceans have been steadily warming over time, with each decade since 1958 recording hotter temperatures. However, the pace of change has picked up since the late 1980s, when the oceans began to warm at a rate eight times faster than before.

When you have this long-term upward trend, youre getting records broken almost every year, and its this monotonous increase, study co-author and University of St. Thomas in Minnesota professor John Abraham told The Washington Post. Weve built up so much greenhouse gas that the oceans have begun to take in an increasing amount of heat, compared to what they previously were.

All of this has real consequences. Warmer oceans fuel more intense tropical storms, such as 2021s Hurricane Ida. They also increase the air temperature, which can lead to extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall or the tornadoes that struck several U.S. states in December.

Finally, warmer water temperatures lead to more sea level rise, because warm water expands. In fact, the warming of ocean temperatures accounts for about a third of 20th century sea level rise, CNN reported. This increases the risk of tidal flooding, saltwater intrusion and storm surges.

The only way to put an end to these negative consequences is to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Acting as soon as possible is essential, because the ocean will continue to warm even after all emissions are stopped.

We want to stress that global warming is actually ocean warming, and ocean warming has serious consequences, study lead author and Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences climate and environmental science professor Lijing Cheng told CNN. Ocean warming keeps breaking records, which is a reminder that the world needs action to combat climate change.
Comparing the 5 Best Solar Companies in Maryland

Lumina Solar

Location: Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; Based in Baltimore

What We Like: Lumina Solar offers fully integrated solar technology to help its customers make a practical leap to new levels of energy efficiency, conservation and independence. Luminas solar panel systems are built with cutting-edge technology, and the company was the first in the state to offer Tesla Powerwall batteries. Though a young company, the team is made up of industry veterans sure to provide an aesthetically pleasing, reliable installation.

What We Dont Like: Lumina Solar is only a 4-year-old company, albeit an impressive one. Given that warranties are only valid if your chosen company stays in business, we typically advise choosing companies with closer to 10 years of experience and that have a proven, sustainable business model.

What Customers Are Saying: Lumina installed my solar system a couple of months ago, and I want everyone to know how fantastic this company is. I urge anyone looking to make the switch to call Lumina Solar. From the very beginning of researching solar companies, I was most impressed with customer reviews and they were absolutely right.  Marsha via Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Lumina Solar at a Glance:

Year Founded: 2018

2018 Services Provided: Solar panels, backup battery installations

Solar panels, backup battery installations Warranty: Product-specific warranties

Product-specific warranties Financing Options: Cash payment, solar loans, power purchase agreements (PPAs)

Solar Energy World

Location: State of Maryland; Based in Elkridge

What We Like: Solar Energy Worlds excellent industry reputation across the East Coast continues to shine each year, making it one of the fastest-growing independently owned and operated solar companies in the region. In fact, Solar Energy World has ranked as the No. 1 residential solar installer by volume in Maryland five years running. Installing Silfab, Longi, Q Cells and REC solar panels (which are some of the best available), Solar Energy World offers high-quality technology backed by a simple and tested process.

What We Dont Like: Relative to some competitors on this list, Solar Energy Worlds size can cause lapses in organizational presence and individualized attention. Those seeking a highly personalized, hands-on experience may be better off with a smaller company.

What Customers Are Saying: Every step of the entire process was great  a low-pressure and knowledgeable consultation, a realistic and well-priced estimate (that turned out to match the design exactly), all steps in the process happened on or before schedule, the installation was quick and easy and neat (with cleanup), county inspection and all of the after-sale steps were taken care of quickly.  Daniel via BBB

Solar Energy World at a Glance:

Year Founded: 2009

2009 Services Provided: Solar panels, backup battery installations, live energy monitoring

Solar panels, backup battery installations, live energy monitoring Warranty: Product-specific warranties ranging from 20-25 years

Product-specific warranties ranging from 20-25 years Financing Options: Cash payments, solar loans

SunPower

Location: State of Maryland

What We Like: SunPower has been an industry leader since 1985, manufacturing some of the best solar panels on the market. With nationwide service, SunPower can connect you with a certified dealer near your home or business to conduct the installation. SunPowers reputation for excellent customer care and all-in-one solar solutions earns it a high spot on our list of the best Maryland solar installers.

What We Dont Like: SunPower is a national company, working with local dealers in Maryland to install its systems. As a result, the quality of your workmanship will be fairly dependent on the SunPower dealer nearest you.

What Customers Are Saying: Very knowledgeable, professional and easy to work with. I was pleasantly surprised that the entire staff has been very helpful and not pushy like other solar companies.  Scott via BBB

SunPower at a Glance:

Year Founded: 1985

1985 Services Provided: Solar panels, backup battery and electric vehicle charger installations

Solar panels, backup battery and electric vehicle charger installations Warranty: 25-year all-inclusive warranty

25-year all-inclusive warranty Financing Options: Cash payments, solar loans, solar leases

Cash payments, solar loans, solar leases Learn More: SunPower Review

Celestial Solar Innovations

Location: Northwest Maryland; Based in Frederick

What We Like: A local company with a passion for solar and exceptional service, Celestial Solar Innovations offers flexible solar financing options and knows the ins and outs of Maryland policies to ensure its customers receive the best possible value for their investment in solar power. Its strong Maryland roots make homeowners feel their experience is valued over profits, and stellar customer reviews back this sentiment.

What We Dont Like: Celestial Solar Innovations only offers services in a small region of Northwest Maryland. This can be advantageous to customers in the area, as it means they receive more attention for their projects, but the majority of Maryland will be left outside Celestial Solar Innovations service area.

What Customers Are Saying: Celestial Solar was a joy to work with. We had numerous estimates before meeting with Jim and CSI. They delivered on every promise. Not a hiccup. The system they installed works very well and is delivering in excess of 100% power. Each month, in addition to a zero-dollar power bill, there is an overage that we are now selling each month as SRECs (they set that up as well).  Nate via Google Reviews

Celestial Solar Innovations at a Glance:

Year Founded: 2013

2013 Services Provided: Solar panels, backup battery installations

Solar panels, backup battery installations Warranty: Product-specific warranties

Product-specific warranties Financing Options: Cash payments, solar loans

Edge Energy

Location: State of Maryland; Based in Beltsville

What We Like: A certified master dealer of SunPower solar panels in Maryland, you can trust that Edge Energy installs some of the highest-quality solar technology on the market. Add a comprehensive service range that includes energy solutions, audits and upgrades, and its no surprise Edge Energy consistently ranks as one of the best solar companies in Maryland.

What We Dont Like: SunPowers solar panels are some of the best in the business, especially when it comes to efficiency. However, this lone offering can be limiting to customers who may not need the most efficient solar panels or who are interested in purchasing a different brand of products.

What Customers Are Saying: Edge Energy used the best quality solar panels and related equipment. They did a great job of installation. Their system provides an online account that keeps track of solar production and energy usage. I have produced more energy than I use and been paid back by the energy companies for the energy I produce.  Bryan via Google Reviews

Edge Energy at a Glance:

Year Founded: 2006

2006 Services Provided: Solar panels, backup battery installations, energy efficiency upgrades

Solar panels, backup battery installations, energy efficiency upgrades Warranty: 25-year all-in-one warranty via SunPower

25-year all-in-one warranty via SunPower Financing Options: Cash payments, solar loans

How We Chose the Best Solar Companies in Maryland

Our company selection process includes researching the product portfolios, solar services, financing options, customer feedback and industry reputations of every major Maryland installer. Looking at metrics in these categories, we rated and ranked each company to narrow down our list of the nine best solar companies in Maryland. See our solar methodology for more information.

Choosing the Best Solar Installer for Your Home

Theres a great deal that goes into determining the best solar installer for your home, including your region, utility company, electric bills, roof space, energy consumption and more. The following factors might help you consider what to prioritize when choosing the best Maryland solar installer for your home or business.

Services Offered

Solar installation companies in Maryland will vary in service offerings and specializations. For instance, Maryland Solar Solutions chooses to focus strictly on solar panels, while companies like Edge Energy prioritize efficiency and home energy upgrades and use panels only to supplement your homes energy system. Think about what makes your home or business unique  then find a company that prioritizes those needs. Other things to consider might be whether you need roofing work, EV chargers or backup power systems.

Installation Process

Before you sign a contract, make sure youre confident in your understanding of the installation process. Here are a few questions youll want the answers to:

How long does permitting take in my area?

What is my utility companys net metering policy?

Will any add-ons be installed along with the solar?

How long will the entire process take?

Permitting and interconnection can vary from city to city, so its best to be sure you have realistic expectations.

Solar Pricing and Financing

Home solar is a great investment  especially in Maryland. Solars payback period can vary anywhere from 5 to 12 years (on average), so think about whether you might need special financing options to fit solar into your budget. Maryland is full of experienced solar installers familiar with the difficulties of high up-front costs, so be sure to ask about flexibility in financing options.

Industry Affiliations

Its a good idea to hire a company that maintains industry credentials, such as membership in the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a B Corp certification or affiliation with other professional associations. Memberships and certifications are a great indicator of the companys professionalism, workmanship, reputation and reliability.

Types of Panels

Some types of solar panels are better than others, and each installer will offer a differing portfolio of products. Small homes in confined areas will likely need high-efficiency solar panels, while commercial projects with more space can prioritize the most affordable solar panels. It can only help to ask what brands of panels your company is certified to sell and install. Certifications from some of the best solar panel brands like Tesla, Panasonic, LG or REC might also be a good indicator of legitimacy.

Incentives, Rebates and Tax Credits

Maryland offers some of the best solar incentives in the country. Though effective, these incentives can be difficult to navigate, and finding a solar installer with experience securing the best value from these incentives may provide the best return on investment in the long run. It pays to think locally. Does the company youre looking at have plenty of experience in your community?

Warranty

Most warranty issues with solar dont stem from the panels themselves, but instead from the workmanship of the installer. As a result, we recommend choosing a solar provider with a robust workmanship or all-in-one warranty to avoid any issues to your roof or home that may emerge months to years after installation. Most reputable solar companies will offer at least a 10-year warranty that covers workmanship.

Cost of Solar in Maryland

As of 2022, our market research and data from solar brands conclude the average cost of solar in Maryland is around $2.77 per watt. This means a 5-kW system would cost around $10,261 after the federal solar tax credit is applied. Keep in mind that a 5-kW system is about the minimum size youll need for your home.

Luckily for those in Maryland, the state offers a number of helpful incentives (in addition to the federal tax credit) to help reward residents who switch to clean energy. Visit the DSIRE database for more information on incentives in your area.

Maryland Solar Incentive Maryland Solar Incentive Overview Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) Maryland rewards its residents with SRECs for contributing to the states renewable portfolio standard. SRECs are certificates earned for every MWh of clean energy generated that can be sold through the SREC market to help offset the cost of solar. Residential Clean Energy Grant Program A much simpler incentive to understand than SRECs, Marylands residential clean energy grant program sends you a direct $1,000 rebate for installing a solar energy system of at least 1 kW. Sales & Property Tax Exemptions Solar installations in the Free State are exempt from paying both the sales and property taxes associated with your solar purchase and added property value. Maryland Net Metering Maryland has a statewide net metering program that allows you to sell excess solar energy back to the grid in exchange for credits that go toward any future utility bills.

How to Find the Best Solar Installer in Maryland

Marylands renewable energy incentive structure makes it unique in the solar market, focusing on SRECs, grants, tax exemptions and more. As stated before, these can be very effective but intimidating and difficult to navigate. This is why we stress the importance of finding a solar company with experience applying for these incentives and with a proven history of maximizing its customers solar investments.

If youre ready to take the first step, we recommend comparing quotes from some of Marylands top solar installers. From there, you can see which company offers the best rates and ask more specific questions about incentives, experience and more.

FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Maryland

Who is the most reputable solar company in Maryland?

The most reputable solar company in Maryland may be SunPower, due to its size and national acclaim. However, there are plenty of reputable local companies as well, including Lumina Solar and Solar Energy World.

Is there a solar tax credit in Maryland?

Though there is no statewide tax credit, Maryland offers direct payments of $1,000 to homeowners that install solar via its residential clean energy grant program. The federal solar tax credit is also available to residents of Maryland, along with SRECs, net metering, and sales and property tax exemptions.

How do I find a reputable solar company?

If youre looking for a reputable solar company in Maryland, youre in the right place. We recommend starting with this list, narrowing in on your region, and gathering free quotes from the providers available to service your energy needs. From there, you can compare quotes to find the best value and speak with representatives to pinpoint which offer seems best for you.
Antarctica is a largely untouched continent with a unique ecosystem, but ships still pass by or stop at this continent for scientists, tourists, and fishing professionals. With all those ships coming to and from the area, experts are now concerned about the growing threat of invasive species.

A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that ships from around 1,500 global ports come to Antarctica. Non-native species can catch a ride by clinging to the ships hull, or the body of the ship. Those that survive the open seas could find a new home in Antarctica, and without natural predators, these species would become invasive. They could then push out the native species in Antarctica.

These ships travel all around the world, Arlie McCarthy, lead researcher for the study from the University of Cambridge, told BBC. It means that almost anywhere could be a potential source for invasive species, which can completely change an ecosystem. They can create entirely new habitats that would make it harder for those amazing Antarctic animals to find their own place to live.

The number of ships traveling to Antarctica has been increasing, particularly in the tourism realm, as eager travelers board small boats and even major cruise ships to see the pristine, icy landscape of Antarctica. The study noted that 67% of ships coming to the continent are for tourism. Researchers make up 21%, and fishing boats make up 7%. Not only do these ships bring a risk of introducing invasive species, but they can also lead to waste pollution, wildlife collisions and noise pollution.

Antarctica is the last place on Earth without invasive marine species, but the risk of non-native mussels, algae, crabs, and other creatures taking over the seabed and local waters is on the rise. According to David Aldridge, professor at the University of Cambridge, the continents native species have survived unbothered for 15 to 30 million years. The rich biodiversity is incredibly vulnerable, and one non-native species introduction could quickly wipe out an Antarctic species.

Specific gateway ports to Antarctica already follow biosecurity measures for incoming ships to minimize impact. But the study authors want stricter procedures to prevent any disturbances to the Antarctic ecosystem, especially because they found that ships are coming from other ports outside of the gateway ports.

In the study, the researchers identify ports outside Antarctica where biosecurity interventions could be most effectively implemented and the most vulnerable Antarctic locations where monitoring programs for high-risk invaders should be established.

The researchers warn that by leaving current procedures as-is, it is all but guaranteed for an invasive species to make its way onto the continent.
A new study finds that installing solar farms could become a two birds, one stone situation, as these areas can also double as thriving pollinator habitats if land owners allow meadows to grow around the solar panels.

The study, from researchers at Lancaster University in the UK that will be presented today at an Ecology Across Borders conference, shows that installing solar farms could be greatly beneficial to nature.

Our findings provide the first quantitative evidence that solar parks could be used as a conservation tool to support and boost pollinator populations. If they are managed in a way that provides resources, solar parks could become [a] valuable bumble bee habitat, said Hollie Blaydes, associate lecturer and doctorate student at the university. In the UK, pollinator habitat has been established on some solar parks, but there is currently little understanding of the effectiveness of these interventions. Our findings provide solar park owners and managers with evidence to suggest that providing floral and nesting resources for bumble bees could be effective.

While theres no doubt that solar farms are helpful in generating clean energy, some critics say that these projects require extensive amounts of land that should instead be left untouched. Blaydes notes that solar parks disturb only about 5% of the ground, and these areas can also create new habitats for vulnerable pollinators, whose numbers are dwindling.

The researchers note that there are benefits for land owners who want to install solar parks, too. These lands could become meadows, rather than turf, cutting down land management costs for maintaining grass and other interventions. Meadows could also support four times more bumblebees compared to land covered in turf grass.

Another interesting point of the study is that these solar farms could further support bee density up to 1 kilometer outside of the solar farms, and the pollinators could then tend to nearby agricultural crops as well.

The UK already has about 14,000 hectares of solar farms, which have gained both praise and grievances. But Lancaster University researchers continue to dispel concerns.

Another 2021 university study, in collaboration with Ludong University in China and University of California Davis in the U.S., found that solar farms produce cool islands, reducing temperatures by about 2.3C (36.14F) 100 meters around the solar farm. Cooling effects on a lesser scale extend up to 700 meters around the solar farm.

Alona Armstrong, senior lecturer of energy and environmental sciences at Lancaster University and co-author of the cool islands study, said, This heightens the importance of understanding the implications of renewable energy technologies on the hosting landscape  we need to ensure that the energy transition does not cause undue damage to ecological systems and ideally has net positive consequences on the places where we build them.
At least 50 tornadoes across eight states, destroyed homes and businesses and likely killed more than 100 people Friday night.

Tornadoes were reported in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee, as well as Kentucky where the devastation was most severe. Ive got towns that are gone  that are just, I mean, gone, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told CNN. I mean you go door-to-door to check on people  There are no doors.

About 75% of Dawson Springs was wiped out, its mayor said. Beshear told NBC the high death toll risked overwhelming available space in morgues.

There is increasing evidence linking climate change to the severe weather that gives rise to tornadoes and emerging research suggests there may be a link between warming and large tornado outbreaks, particularly in the southeast U.S. in the winter months.

Last night was one of the most shocking weather events in my 40 years as a meteorologist  a violent tornado (in December!) drawing comparisons to the deadliest and longest-tracking tornado in U.S. history, tweeted Jeff Masters, a meteorologist and extreme weather expert.

Last night was one of the most shocking weather events in my 40 years as a meteorologista violent tornado (in December!) drawing comparisons to the deadliest and longest-tracking tornado in U.S. history, the 1925 Tri-State Tornado. Hoping this list doesnt need updating: pic.twitter.com/sg0l4hfEdE  Jeff Masters (@DrJeffMasters) December 11, 2021

Additionally, Tornado Alley is shifting east, away from Kansas and Oklahoma toward the states hit Friday night. This is going to be our new normal, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told CNN. The effects we are seeing of climate change are the crisis of our generation.

President Biden approved an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky on Saturday.

For a deeper dive:

Destruction: CNN, The Washington Post, Lexington Herald-Leader, The New York Times, NBC, Black Wall Street Times, Reuters, Axios, Reuters, FT, Gizmodo, Axios, POLITICO; Climate links: AP, explainer, The Washington Post, NBC, Yale Climate Connections; Criswell: CNN; Photos: The Washington Post, Axios; TV: NBC, NBC, ABC, ABC, NBC, CBS, NBC, CBS, NBC, ABC; Climate Signals background: Tornado risk increase

For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook, sign up for daily Hot News, and visit their news site, Nexus Media News.
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Sponsored By: St Anthony's Hospital
Washington, MO (63090)

Today

Rain showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High 64F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 48F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Calls for dogs on leads when using Public Rights of Way

The Department of Infrastructure are calling for residents with dogs to consider sheep during the lambing season.

They say all dogs should be kept under control when walking the Island's public rights of way. Many of the paths run through or are adjacent to farmland.

The end of February and the beginning of March are peak times for lambing.



Manx farmers have reported an increase in the number of sheep worrying incidents in recent years.
Tim Cowin appointed as new Town Clerk

Tim Cowin has been appointed Town Clerk and Chief Executive for Ramsey Town Commissioners following the retirement of Peter Whiteway who had been in the position since 2002.

Mr Cowin was educated at Albert Road School and Ramsey Grammar School before studying Mechanical Engineering at Coventry University. For 14 years he lived and worked in England and Spain in the automotive sector. He returned to the Island in 2006 and lives in Ramsey. Having worked in Ramsey as a Director of a construction project management company, he worked for the Department of Infrastructure for the past 8 years.

Chairman of Ramsey Town Commissioners, Alby Oldham, said On behalf of the Commission I am pleased to welcome Tim as the new Town Clerk and look forward to working alongside him.

I would like to thank Peter for the diligent work he has undertaken and wish him a happy retirement.

Mr Cowin added I am delighted to have taken up this challenging and influential role in Ramsey a town I love, grew up in and together with my wife have brought up my three children.

Peter Whiteway has done a sterling job over the past 19 years, and I look forward to building on the great work that he has done and wish him the very best in his retirement.
Athens, AL (35611)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
With its landmark climate legislation in jeopardy, the Biden administration has announced a series of new executive actions to accelerate the USs transition to a clean power grid. On Wednesday, the White House said it would allocate billions toward projects that lead to the construction of more wind, solar and geothermal energy across the country.

Specifically, the administration announced its moving forward with the lease of six commercial areas off the coasts of New York and New Jersey for use in wind farm projects. On offer is more than 488,000 acres of ocean seafloor for the winning bidders to build an estimated 5.6 and 7 gigawatts of clean power generation. As part of the bidding process, the White House says it will incentivize participants to support labor jobs and to source turbine components from American manufacturers. The New York Bight development is one of the primary pillars of the Biden administrations plan to build out 30 gigawatts of offshore wind production by 2030.

Another significant facet of todays announcement is the Building a Better Grid initiative. Pulling from the $65 billion Congress set aside for power grid upgrades when it passed President Bidens Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the initiative earmarks $2.5 billion toward funding the installation of new transmission lines. Its putting another $3 billion toward an expansion of the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program, which supports projects that increase the capacity and flexibility of existing electrical infrastructure.

The administration notes it will also allocate $10 billion in grants to states, tribes and utility companies to help those groups strengthen their local transmission lines. Taken together, the investments will help modernize the countrys power grid, making it easier to transport renewable energy from remote generation sites to where its needed most. It will also harden the power grid against the kind of extreme weather events that have become more commonplace as the effects of climate change have worsened.

Todays announcement sees the White House putting forward meaningful climate policy, but if the Biden administration is to have a chance of meeting the presidents ambitious goal of decarbonizing the countrys power grid by 2035, it will need to bypass the legislative gridlock that has left the Build Better Back Framework in limbo. Much of that will depend on whether the White House can convince Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia to support the approximately $1.75 trillion climate and social spending bill.
Sidney Poitier, the incredibly inspirational actor known for his work films such as In the Heat of the Night, Lilies of the Field, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, passed away on January 6th, 2022.

As an actor and an activist, the positive impact that Poitier had on the world and the people in it is undeniable. Breakout star Jonathan Majors from the hit Netflix film The Harder They Fall (and soon to be an active part of the Mavel Cinematic Universe,( wrote a letter to the late icon, to pay much deserved tribute to his incredible life.

Majors opened his letter by pointing out how Poitier taught him how to respect himself and, through learning that respect, eventually went on to become the acting superstar he is today.

My name is Jonathan, I am an actor, and there are a few things I'd like to share with you - and whoever else may read these words. When I was 14 years old, a young Black boy in Texas, I found myself in lots of trouble, similar to the children your character dealt with in your 1967 picture To Sir, With Love. I remember one scene in particular: You, Mr. Thackeray, were fed up with your class, and during this particular morning's ruckus, you had finally had enough. You began to lay down the law and did so with such elegance, precision and clarity. The event of the moment was to instill respect in the classroom, but the cheat sheet was to achieve that respect by first encouraging the members of the classroom to develop their own self-respect.

This spoke to Majors, inspiring him to respect himself and look towards the future.

In this future, he carried Poitier with him as an ever present role model. In his dorm room at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, he hung a photocopied black and white headshot of Poitier on the wall. This became a symbol for Majors to stay strong and to power through. He wrote:

"I can't tell you how many times I cried in those early years of school looking up at that taped-up printout of you, wondering how to be me and still do this acting thing, to stay on the mission, to remain brave."

Poitier is not only an icon, but a symbol of bravery.

Majors closed his letter, the entirety of which can be read on The Hollywood Reporter, with warm praise to Poitier for all of the change he affected in the industry.

You forced an entire industry and world to change their hearts, to see past the fear, past the bigotry and box office, and in doing so lifted the stories and the lives of Black America, of the marginalized, and of the unsung, and you did it all with grace, passion, fire, charm and style. For that, we love you. And for all you've built and taught us, we thank you. Bravo, Mr. Poitier. Bravo. We've got your back!

These powerful words perfectly celebrate the incredible life of Sidney Poitier. Our hearts go out to all of his family and friends.
On January 9, hopeful Oscar-nominee Kristen Stewart sat down with ET's Matt Cohen to talk about her performance as Princess Diana in Spencer, but the two also found time to talk about some other things - namely, her upcoming wedding to actress and screenwriter Dylan Meyer, and the fact that the cult classic Twilight is experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity among teens and young adults.

On the first subject, Stewart seemed a little caught off-guard at the question of what she and Meyer were going to wear for the ceremony. She seemed to think about spilling the beans to Cohen:

"I think the whole thing is that you're supposed to be a surprise. You know what I mean? I mean I guess, traditionally speaking - and in this case...I don't know, detail-wise, how many traditions we're gonna follow - I'm gonna wear...um..."

Then, seemingly making the decision right then and there, she said:

"I know what I'm gonna wear. And I can't tell you."

That little teaser clip aside, Stewart was also caught off-guard by something else: The revival of the Twilight fandom after about ten years of relative dormancy, mostly thanks to the release of the films on Netflix (and the release of the new, previously-cancelled retelling of the first book from Edward's POV, Midnight Sun). When Cohen introduced this concept - explaining that even teen sensation Olivia Rodrigo was unironically repping the brand - she seemed genuinely surprised:

"I kinda had no idea. This is great. Like I saw that it was on Netlix - right? It's on Netflix? - yeah...it's weird...on one hand, you're like, 'oh, I'm old, my god. Felt like that was ten minutes ago.'"

Nonetheless, however, Stewart said that if she could go back in time and talk to the version of herself that was doing Twilight ten years ago, she would just tell her to keep on going.

"Every salve I would attempt to offer I would actually probably take right back - because you have to go through it, man. You have to learn every hard lesson...every step that has led me here has been, I think, messy, but the right one."

We hope Stewart gets to continue making those messy-but-right decisions in her career moving forward - and we can't wait to finally see what she chooses to wear in her wedding to Dylan Meyer.

We'll know if Kristen Stewart was nominated for an Oscar with Spencer when the nominations drop on February 8 - stay tuned. In the meantime, watch the full ET Interview here:
Internacional

Reino Unido asegura que un cuarto de los batallones rusos que participan en la guerra estan "inoperativos"
With the new Gilded Age now fully in swing, we are ruled by a class of philosopher kings who bestride the business and political worlds.

Unelected and with few checks on their power, these philosopher kings  who are generally billionaires  wield tremendous influence over our lives. They typically receive hagiographic coverage from the business press.

My New Years resolution is to learn more about our Gilded Age tech and finance overlords by reading their biographies and writings. If I cannot prevent their leadership, at least as a citizen I can attempt to understand it.

In this spirit, I read Max Chafkins biography of one philosopher king, The Contrarian: Peter Thiel and Silicon Valleys Pursuit Of Power, published in 2021. I also read Thiels startup-advice book from 2014, Zero To One, co-authored with Blake Masters.

Thiels entrepreneurial and investing resume is jaw-dropping: He co-founded PayPal and then sold it in 2002. He provided the first outside investment to Facebook in 2004. Since then, he and his funds have invested in numerous successful companies such as Yelp, LinkedIn, Airbnb, Lyft and SpaceX, all while running Palantir Technologies, a multibillion-dollar data-mining company that Thiel founded in 2004.

Thiel also has pursued a political philosophy of extreme libertarianism, which became more openly known when he was one of Silicon Valleys few backers of Donald Trumps 2016 candidacy and presidency.

Bloomberg file photo

His work as a right-wing provocateur predates his capitalist career. Before he was a billionaire, he was a right-wing philosopher.

As an undergraduate and then law student at Stanford in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Thiel was 30 years ahead of his time in identifying, and then attacking, multiculturalism on college campuses as a unifying enemy of the right. Thiel founded the Stanford Review in 1987 and authored Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Intolerance on Campus in 1995  both publications laying the groundwork for todays political fights about overly woke campus cultures and critical race theory.

Agree or disagree with him about politics, he certainly is good at anticipating where things are headed, in both business and politics.

What strikes me as most important to know about Thiel from Chafkins book is the following: Peter Thiel is not a good guy. He used ethically dubious  even devious  methods to cut out his partners in his original successful venture, PayPal. He would continue that pattern of shortchanging early founders numerous times, including encouraging Mark Zuckerberg to undercut his own partners at Facebook.

Defenders may see and justify this behavior as the kind of ruthlessness needed to succeed at the scale at which Thiel has in business. For my part, Chafkins book makes me think Thiel is a philosopher king about whom we should be very, very afraid.

He used his fortune to secretly sue, and ultimately bankrupt, online media company Gawker because of its unflattering coverage of him over the years. He has a 30-year-plus track record of building network ties with right-wing provocateurs who are not just conservative in the traditional sense but anti-democratic in the most dangerous sense.

He repeatedly backs, and associates with, figures on the alt-right fringe like Charles Johnson, Curtis Yarvin and Milo Yiannopoulos. These arent conservative intellectuals and right-of-center public figures as much as they are provocateurs opposed to democratic norms.

Peters not a Nazi, Chafkin quotes Charles Johnson as saying. Nazi-curious, maybe.

Johnson later softened that statement about his friend to imply that Thiel simply has wide-ranging intellectual interests. But the pattern of Thiels philosopher billionaire interests suggests that he has a kind of end-times, blow-up-the-system, anti-democratic approach to government.

Thiel also has a clear preference for monopolies as a business strategy and spends considerable time describing Googles monopoly power in Zero To One.

The rest of Zero To One is fine as business books go, although like many others of its type, its filled with sweeping generalizations stated with supreme confidence, relying on anecdote over data.

One of the clear lessons of Chafkins book is that Thiels life and philosophy are at odds. He is a self-described libertarian whose major tech holding, Palantir, depends on governments national-security contracting. His other major investment, SpaceX, depends on NASA and military spending.

Another weird contradiction between Thiels stated philosophy and life is that he expresses pessimism about the U.S. technology and innovation scene, claiming that the 1950s to 1960s were a golden age of purposeful optimism, now lost. Political correctness and transfer payments have apparently killed the American dream. This is odd, considering the explosion in Silicon Valley power and innovation that he has witnessed and been part of.

Although he professes an anti-government philosophy, he has certainly invested heavily in political campaigns. He became well-known for making timely and crucial donations to Ted Cruzs Senate campaign in 2012 and Donald Trumps presidential election in 2016. Palantirs federal government contracting business soared under Trump, becoming the ultimate contractor in the military-industrial complex.

Blake Masters is not only the co-author of Zero To One, he also is running as a Republican primary candidate for the U.S. Senate in Arizona this year. Another Thiel acolyte, J.D. Vance, is running as a Republican primary candidate in Ohio after working as part of Thiels venture capital firm Mithril. Vance received $10 million in PAC support from Thiel. This all feels like a philosopher king increasing his grip on the U.S. Senate.

As a red-blooded capitalist, I can admire Thiels success as the ultimate builder and investor.

But as an American and supporter of democracy, theres something profoundly troubling about the absolute concentration of power in the hands of the very few. A philosopher billionaire may have in a sense earned our respect through business accomplishments, but that does not mean the result is best for the rest of us.

I hasten to add that if you admire Thiels alt-right philosophy, you may cheer his growing power and influence. Or you may point to the influence of another billionaire philosopher king, such as George Soros, and claim that whats good for the goose is good for the gander. But this would be missing the danger. I dont enjoy being subject to the unchecked power of philosopher kings at all, whatever their politics.

What is to be done? The current movement to curb Big Tech  a movement with equally enthusiastic support from conservative Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley and progressive Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren  could be one way to address this concern.

On ExpressNews.com: Taylor: Antitrust action is not anti-business. Done right, it boosts innovation and helps markets

I should be encouraged by Hawleys interest. But when I read of Thiels $300,000 contribution to Hawleys first run for statewide office in Missouri, I worry that Hawley is a kind of cats paw for Thiels attempt to smash Googles monopoly, to the benefit of Thiels own business interests.

We need a better way to curb the philosopher kings.

Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News, author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates and host of the podcast No Hill For A Climber.

michael@michaelthesmart

money.com | twitter.com/michael_taylor
WASHINGTON - After years of working to block the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Texas Senator Ted Cruz is expected to get his vote this week on legislation sanctioning entities that aid Russia in completing and operating the more than 700-mile long project.

With the natural gas pipeline between Russia and Germany already complete, there is little anyone can do now to stop Nord Stream 2 from going into operation later this year. But that hasnt stopped Cruz from forcing Democrats to hold a vote, after President Joe Biden declined to enforce sanctions on the pipeline project last year.

With the White House in the middle of talks with Russia over amassing troops on the Ukrainian border, Cruz is asking Democrats to choose between their anti-Russian fervor and President Joe Bidens desire to maintain good relations with Germany, say which says the project is necessary to maintain European energy supplies. Natural gas shortages in Europe have sent prices skyrocketing there.

Senate Dems have a choice. Do they: (1) Stand up to Putin, stop Russian aggression, and support Ukraine and "virtually all of Europe and even half the German government OR (2) Put partisan loyalty to the Biden WH above US national security? It should be a simple choice, Cruz tweeted Sunday.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Inside Sen. Ted Cruzs big play to block Vladimir Putins pipeline

The standoff with Democrats follows a deal late last year between Cruz and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in which the Texas senator agreed to stop blocking Democratic nominees from confirmation if his sanctions bill was put to a vote  no later than Jan. 14.

For the conservative Cruz, the situation presents a political opportunity, not only to prove his own anti-Russian bonafides, but also to question the Biden administrations willingness to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin

Cruzs strategy is deliberate, said Kevin Book, managing director at Clearview Energy Partners, a consulting firm in Washington. The issue is no longer about stopping the pipeline because the Biden administration has allowed it. The issue for Republicans is to get political leverage on Russia ahead of the midterm elections.

So far, its unclear if Cruz has enough Democratic support to get the 60 votes necessary to pass the legislation, even if all 50 Republicans in the Senate vote yes.

One of his key Democratic allies on Russia is Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who previously co-authored sanctions legislation against Nord Stream 2. But she indicated recently she is opposed to passing the legislation.

At this point, its very important, as were looking at potential Russian action in Ukraine, for us to work very closely with our allies, and Germany is one of those very important allies, she told Politico last week.. And so, I think the amendment is ill-timed,

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Schumer has not scheduled a specific time for a vote on Cruzs bill, which in addition to placing sanctions on companies and individuals that work on Nord Stream 2, would give Congress the power to review and potentially override Biden, should he choose not to enforce the sanctions.

Complicating the situation is competing legislation by Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., which would place a series of financial sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine.

Democrats, meanwhile, are likely trying to give the Biden administration as much time as possible to work out a deal with Putin, Book said.

It will be harder for Democrats to oppose (the bill) if Russia talks collapse, he said. Cruz might get some of the 10 votes needed to get through the Senate.

james.osborne@chron.com
A 7-year-old boy with severe disabilities died after exposure to black mold and mold spores in the San Antonio apartment where he lived, a lawsuit filed last week alleges.

The family of Ivan A. Gonzalez sued the current and former owners of the Axio Apartments at 8722 Cinnamon Creek Drive in the South Texas Medical Center area. They seek more than $1 million in damages.

By failing to maintain the property in a clean and mold-free manner, and by failing and refusing to remediate the toxic mold contamination and mold spores when put on notice by plaintiffs, the defendants have caused the wrongful death of Ivan Gonzalez, the suit says.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Ivans mother, Jennifer Clyburn, 41, took him to University Hospital after he had trouble breathing in January 2020. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and fluid in the lungs, she said.

Medical staff ultimately decided to put Ivan on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , or ECMO, machine  a type of life support that bypasses the lungs by pumping oxygen directly into the blood and filtering out carbon dioxide.

During the procedure, Clyburn said, a tube inserted in the vein in Ivans groin caused the vein to split. That led to internal bleeding. Doctors unsuccessfully tried to stop the bleeding in surgery.

Ivan died Jan. 7, 2020, after five days in the hospital.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio-area homeowners say homes alleged construction defects have been a nightmare for them

The bleeding was the obvious direct cause of death, said San Antonio attorney Paul Barkhurst, who is representing Ivans family pro bono, or without compensation. But theres underlying causes, which is what took him to the hospital in the first place.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Barkhurst said he elected not to sue University Health, which operates Bexar County-owned University Hospital, for medical malpractice after conducting research and talking to experts in the field.

The suit names Axio Apartments and current owner Austin-based 1901 Equity DE and Shippy Property Management as defendants. David Shippy, 1901 Equitys manager, did not respond to a request for comment.

Axios previous owner, Cronus Cinnamon Holding of Dallas, also was sued. Sean Bukowski, a lawyer for Cronus, said the company had no comment because it had not seen the suit.

Cronus sold the property to 1901 Equity in July 2019 during the familys one-year lease.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Clyburn chose Axio Apartments because it was close to Ivans school for children with special needs and the hospitals where he had regular appointments.

Ivan was born with 47 chromosomes, one more than the typical person. The extra chromosome resulted in problems with Ivans development.

Ivan had a tracheostomy, or trach, tube to assist with his breathing. He also had a gastronomy tube in his stomach because he could not eat by mouth.

He didnt walk or talk, Clyburn said. He barely sat up by himself. He really couldnt do very much.

Ivan enjoyed watching cartoons, she said.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

The family moved into Axio Apartments in February 2019.

It didnt take Clyburn long after moving in to discover the mold, she said.

After the first week, I had started to notice there were areas of mold and it smelled like mildew, she said.

Clyburn said she informed the property managers numerous times about the problem but they ignored her pleas.

I told them, I have my son. Hes on a ventilator. He cant have the mold in the apartment. It will make him sick. It will put him in the hospital, she recalled. They said, OK, were going to ahead and were going to send somebody to come and fix it. Nobody came out.

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Clyburn decided to withhold rent around August 2019 in an effort to get managements attention. A manager came out and Clyburn showed her the mold.

She could smell it as soon as she walked in, Clyburn said. She was upset. She said this is not acceptable.

Management sent someone to the unit to clean out the air ducts so the apartment wouldnt smell like mildew, Clyburn said. But they didnt address the problem causing the mold.

The family came back to the unit after being away for a weekend to discover that water leaked into their apartment and ruined a mattress. The apartment unit above the familys had a leaky toilet, she said.

Another manager asked why the family didnt use the rent money they hadnt paid to find another apartment, Clyburn said. The family lived on a fixed income and it was hard for her to keep a steady job because of all her sons doctors appointments, she explained. She worked in the medical field while Ivan was alive but now performs home staging, preparing houses for sale.

Ivan became sick sick several times while living at Axio, Clyburn said.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Before Ivans final trip to the hospital, Clyburn was at University Hospital where she delivered her third son, Iylian, on Dec. 28, 2019. She recalled being able to barely walk after having a C-section.

Just five days later, she returned to the hospital with Ivan.

Clyburn, her husband and Ivans stepfather, Efrain Morales, 44, and her oldest son Isaac Jimenez, 19, say in their lawsuit that Ivans breathing issues were exacerbated by the mold contamination.

Besides the wrongful-death claim, they allege Axio Apartments and the other defendants were negligent in allowing the mold to contaminate their unit  in violation of the Texas Clean Air Art.

Their injuries resulted from the defendants gross negligence and/or malice, so they seek unspecified punitive damages. They also are suing for intentional inflection of emotional distress.

Its frustrating for these folks to have a child in this condition and theyre making complaints. Barkhurst said. And for it not to be remediated is just disappointing. Its bad management, its bad ownership, and it could have been prevented.

pdanner@express-news.net
Not all historic institutions have founding fathers. The University of the Incarnate Word has a whole sisterhood in its background.

Today, the 154-acre campus at Broadway and Hildebrand is the largest Catholic university in Texas. But in 1900, it was still just a school for elementary through high school on the fourth floor of a newly built motherhouse for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, a religious order that came to the Alamo City in 1869.

One of the earliest photographs of that school is from around 1915. In it, a group of young women stroll down Sacred Heart Avenue, a carriage-lined path that then led straight to the motherhouse.

More than a century later, those surroundings have changed, with more buildings, paving and parking. But the spirit of the women who established Incarnate Word still graces the grounds.

I look at that (photo) and ... I also see the vision of those women and the courage they had and the faith to acquire that much land and to know the city was growing in that direction, said Sister Mary Henry, director of the Heritage Center of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, which preserves the history of the Sisters of Charity and the university they founded, as well as the sisters worldwide ministries.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio sculptor Antonio Medina created local landmarks such as Sea Islands Jolly Jack, Fox Tech buffalo and Karams restaurant warriors

But Donna Guerra, director of archives for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, sees additional aspects in the 1915 photo. Guerra noted the photo also features women of Mexican and American descent, which reflects San Antonios own cultural diversity. And at a time when women still could not vote or access other privileges men had, Guerra said the image also shows the freedom a sisters habit could give the women who took it.

You would think a religious life might be more restrictive, Guerra said. In fact, it was more liberating in many regards.

That did not mean it was easy. These are people that didnt let challenges get in the way of making (Incarnate Word) happen, Henry said.

The story of the universitys founding really started in 1869 when

the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word arrived in San Antonio from Galveston, where the order was founded.

On ExpressNews.com: The oldest living Jefferson High School Lasso shares her memories of a spirited life

By the end of the 1800s, they had established San Antonios first private hospital, Santa Rosa Infirmary, which in turn had led them to build the citys first orphanages and expand their educational ministry in the city, Guerra said.

In 1892, the sisters established the first Incarnate Word School, a coed elementary and secondary school with around 50 students in a rented house on Avenue D near the Sunset Depot by what is now the Alamodome. The following year, the sisters and school moved to a larger space just north of downtown in Government Hill. But once again, a growing order and student body had the sisters in search of a new home.

That growing need took the sisters several miles north to the headwaters of the San Antonio River. In 1897, they purchased the 283-acre former estate of San Antonio banker and philanthropist George Brackenridge.

The parties settled on a staggering price of $100,000 for the land, around $3.3 million today, financed over 25 years at 5 percent interest.

They were incredible fundraisers, Guerra said. And they needed to be in order to make ongoing payments on this purchase. And there were some months when it was extremely challenging.

On ExpressNews.com: A look back at the Brackenridge Park sky rides in San Antonio that soared over the zoo and Japanese Tea Garden for more than 30 years

The sisters converted Brackenridges former mansion, now known as Brackenridge Villa, into their first motherhouse, which also was home to the elementary and secondary school. A new motherhouse was designed by architect Alfred Giles just east of the original and completed in 1900.

Henry noted that up until the early 1900s, colleges and universities were mainly just for men. But that was changing with a trend of more Catholic academies evolving into womens colleges. In 1909, the Sisters of Charity added college courses to Incarnate Word School, which was renamed the College and the Academy of the Incarnate Word.

Incarnate Word joined the Texas Association of Colleges in 1920 as a senior college. Growing enrollment again called for more space, so the school and convent ultimately separated. In 1922, the new focal point of the campus, the Administration Building, was completed. That building also was known as the Columkille Administration Building after the colleges first president, Mother Columkille Colbert, the first religious Texas woman to earn a PhD.

In her roughly 40 years as Incarnate Word president, Colbert strove to make it a leading womens college. Henry noted that if a girls family could not afford tuition, Colbert was willing to accept a cow or produce as payment.

Anything for the young woman to have the opportunity for an education, Henry said.

As Incarnate Word College grew, the high school portion of the campus moved west on Hildebrand to its current home, which opened in 1950. Incarnate Word High School remains an all-girls school, while Incarnate Word College started admitting male students in 1970. The college became the University of the Incarnate Word in 1996.

As for the original 1900 motherhouse on the Incarnate Word campus, the building was renovated in 1989 to serve as a retirement center where older sisters live side-by-side with nonreligious retirees in the area. The building no longer has a fourth floor, though its original facade was preserved.

Henry said she loves what she calls the sacredness of such beautiful buildings and architecture. But when it comes to the University of the Incarnate Word, the real beauty is the campus many young women, in and out of habits, over the generations.

rguzman@express-news.net | Twitter: @reneguz
When Rosenda Rios died at age 62 in 2020, her former colleague felt compelled to celebrate the well-known journalists life and work.

Rosenda was a strong, ethical journalist and a fierce advocate for doing the right thing for her viewers. She will always be part of the San Antonio journalism family, Shari St. Clair, KLRN-TV director of news and production, told San Antonio Colleges news staff.

On ExpressNews.com: Former KSAT anchor, investigative reporter Rosenda Rios has died at the age of 62

KLRN-TV and San Antonio College are honoring Rios memory by establishing a scholarship for aspiring reporters. The Rosenda Rios Memorial Scholarship Fund offers a six-week paid internship at KLRN to a student in the colleges Radio-Television-Broadcasting program.

Senior Gabriel Rene Gonzalez, the inaugural recipient, is due to start work Feb. 1. Over the spring semester, Gonzalez will have the opportunity to hone the skills necessary for a successful career in broadcast journalism. Hell try his hand at producing, filming, video editing, news writing and interviewing.

Writing  specifically, local stories  has just always been really important to me because I love my city, Gonzalez said. This is where I grew up, and this is where I want to stay, too, so its something that really just kind of hits home with me, and I want to be able to inform my community and my hometown about things that are going on.

Gonzalez has known he wanted to be a reporter ever since he shadowed KSATs Leslie Mouton in eighth grade. His academic trajectory is reflective of his interest in and passion for public service. Before enrolling at San Antonio College, he received a bachelors degree in communication from UTSA.

Ultimately, Gonzalez aspires to anchor a KSAT show, just like Rios.

Being able to be in front of the camera in my city that is like 65 percent Hispanic is a really good opportunity for not only myself, but a lot of the kids who look like me, Gonzalez said. So that is also one of the really big aspects that I like reaching for, that I really want to become reality one day  to show that its possible for kids who look like me to be able to do it.

Rios death came a year after she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of uterine cancer, according to her obituary. The mother of two, a KLRN alumna herself, started her TV career in the early 1990s and went on to anchor shows and conduct investigations for KSAT from 2001 to 2010. In 2010, she left journalism to work at United Services Automobile Association.

caroline.tien@hearst.com
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A day after a panel of experts recommended fixes to Texas troubled foster care system, a federal judge ripped into state leaders for continuing to allow children to stay in unsafe facilities.

Tuesdays roughly six-hour hearing before U.S. District Judge Janis Jack was the latest in a class-action lawsuit against the state for its foster care conditions. It also came on the heels of a new court monitors report documenting more overworked and untrained employees, unfurnished and dirty facilities, and violent situations involving children.

The judge addressed both matters, scolding state officials and asking them to commit to the expert panels recommendations. In the end, the state agreed to implement a few immediate changes, but most suggestions will be forwarded to Gov. Greg Abbott.

It looks like were just going from bad to worse, Jack said. Its very discouraging. There are  some bright spots, but this continued, unconstitutional and unsafe treatment of these children is getting to everybody thats deeply involved in this case.

For months, Texas has faced a capacity crisis after shutting down dozens of foster care facilities flagged for unsafe conditions. The state never replaced the beds lost, instead sending hundreds of children without placements to spend weeks temporarily lodged in hotels, leased houses and office buildings.

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With few options, the state assigned untrained CPS caseworkers to supervise the children, creating a dangerous and chaotic situation for all involved. The children, most of whom suffer from mental illness or deep-rooted trauma, have been left in temporary placements with no stability and no access to a specialized caregivers who can de-escalate volatile situations.

The employees, meanwhile, have no authority to enforce rules or discipline the children. Many have been assaulted or watched as the kids destroyed property in the temporary placements, hurting morale and leading to resignations.

Texas is a big state, but the magnitude of the problem here gave us pause, said Judith Meltzer, one of the expert panelists and the president of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for the Study of Social Policy. By setting up these unlicensed facilities across the state and staffing them with CPS workers  I think we found that very unusual and a little startling.

Expert recommendations still in the air

The panel issued roughly two dozen recommendations, covering both short- and long-term goals. State officials agreed to enact some of the more immediate suggestions, including the establishment of an interagency team that will directly oversee efforts to reduce the number of children in temporary facilities.

DFPS Commissioner Jaime Masters said she would also assign a community liaison to the four regions of the state with the highest number of children in temporary placements. And she agreed to rework the departments plans to rely less on group settings, as the experts had advised.

But most of the other suggestions are still in the air, as Masters said she and other agency officials will determine the feasibility of the recommendations. Some require additional funding, like extra support for relatives or close family friends who take in foster children.

IN-DEPTH: Foster care crisis is out of controlin Texas, with both children and staff in danger

Masters said she doesnt object to any of the recommendations but is unsure whether the state has the resources available to enact them.

I think its great information, she said. Im looking forward to seeing what I can do from this report.

During the hearing, members of the expert panel stressed that the children need more individualized attention, saying the state should focus more on hiring specialized caretakers and utilizing as many family placements as possible.

You want a workforce that has empathy for these kids and feels a singular responsibility to solve many of the problems that bring kids to the departments attention, said Paul Vincent, an independent consultant who previously served as director of Alabamas Child Welfare Policy & Practice Group. I couldnt help but think  what a difference it would make if the entire workforce had that view of the children.

Vincent and Meltzer served on the panel with Ann Elizabeth Stanley, a senior director with Casey Family Programs, a nonprofit that conducts child welfare consulting work.

Its pretty stunning

Jack also delved into the monitors report, which detailed ongoing problems in the system.

Among them: Children in temporary placements said that caseworkers didnt regularly give them their prescribed medication. Serious incident reports showed that on-site security officers used force against kids, at times using pepper spray or Taser stun guns on them.

The report described an incident involving an 8-year-old girl who misbehaved after being asked to brush her teeth. She refused to go to bed, spit on staffers, stripped naked and banged her head against a wall before climbing into another childs bed and throwing their belongings.

Staffers called 911 and requested an ambulance, as the eight-year-old began biting herself. Instead, a police officer arrived, spoke with the child and asked to see her bedroom. The officer read her a bedtime story and left.

Its pretty stunning, Jack said of the report. Its pretty sad, isnt it? I had to read it and take breaks because it broke my heart that Texas is treating their children like this.

At other points, Jack requested updates on improvements that state officials have already been working on.

When Masters said DFPS had not yet completed work on an online system tracking childrens placements as well as their school, medical and mental health records, Jack said she didnt understand this incompetence. Masters later said the system would be in place by July.

Sorry I act so angry, Jack said. Its actually because I am angry.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
Three years have passed since a mother and her two daughters were found shot to death at a home in Anaqua Springs Ranch, but the Bexar County Sheriffs Office has yet to announce its conclusions and findings in the case.

The deaths of San Antonio hairstylist Nichol Leila Olsen, 37, and her two daughters  Clark High School cheerleader Alexa Denice Montez, 16, and Leon Springs Elementary fifth grader London Sophia Bribiescas, 10  stunned the community.

Their bodies were discovered on the morning of Jan. 10, 2019, in an upstairs hallway of a $1 million home where they lived with Olsens boyfriend, Charles Edward Wheeler, in the 11300 block of Anaqua Springs.

On ExpressNews.com: Not so picture perfect  how a storybook romance ended in horror

Anaqua Springs Ranch is a gated subdivision near Leon Springs in far Northwest Bexar County.

The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office ruled Olsens death a suicide and the childrens deaths as homicides.

Wheeler, now 34, said he had departed the home the previous night following an argument with Olsen. He returned home the next morning and called 911 to report the shootings.

Wheelers attorneys have always said he had nothing to do with the deaths and have long pressed Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar to publicly clear their clients name.

On ExpressNews.com: Families of children slain at Anaqua Springs grow frustrated with sheriff

Wheeler, a rodeo rider turned businessman, has consistently declined to comment and has asked that his privacy be respected. He sold the home where the shootings occurred and moved to Austin.

A year ago, the sheriff reassigned the investigation to a cold case detective because he found the original investigative work to be insufficient and incomplete.

Quite frankly, I dont think a full-on effort was made, Salazar said at the time. There were some stones left unturned.

Since then, few new details have been disclosed.

Courtesy photo /The Bribiescas family

Three years after the shootings, the sheriffs office still hasnt revealed its findings in the case. The autopsy reports for Olsen and her daughters havent been released. Nor have recordings of the 911 call made by Wheeler that morning.

No criminal charges have been filed.

The sheriffs office didnt respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

The family of 10-year-old London said they havent received any updates from the sheriffs office in the year since the case was reassigned to a new detective.

Courtesy photo /Carlos Montez Jr.

Our concern is that we havent been contacted, we dont have any information, said Emma Bribiescas Mancha-Sumners, the slain girls aunt. After we heard the investigation was botched, we havent been given an update on the process.

She said her family isnt pressing for a specific outcome and just wants an honest investigation. She questioned why a cold case detective was put in charge of the case.

How far away are we from closing it?  Why is it being kept open? Mancha-Sumners said.

Courtesy photo /The Bribiescas family

The fathers of both slain children have filed separate lawsuits against Wheeler. Both of those suits are still pending.

The suit filed by Bribiescas father contends that Wheeler failed to take reasonable measures to protect the girls from their mother, even though Olsen exhibited increasingly erratic behavior during a lengthy argument with Wheeler at the home. The lawsuit also accuses Wheeler of failing to secure a loaded firearm he kept in his bedside table.

The other civil suit, filed by Montezs father, accuses Wheeler of leaving the property without taking action to protect the children or call authorities.

San Antonio attorney Grant E. Tres Adami III, who is defending Wheeler in the lawsuits, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

pohare@express-news.net| Twitter: Peggy_OHare
The past two years have been challenging for the San Antonio community. The impact of the COVID pandemic and the trauma of the February storm had profound consequences for all of us.

Municipally owned CPS Energy  and our almost 3,000 employees  are part of this community. We know from our extended families, friends and neighbors the difficulties so many are facing. Thats one of the reasons CPS Energy suspended disconnections for more than a year and a half. Its also why we have been reluctant to bring forward a rate request.

A rate increase hits the bottom line of everyones budget every month. The last time we asked for a rate increase was in 2013. Since then, weve experienced cost increases and significant growth in the number of customers served, and face much-needed improvements to our infrastructure. For these reasons and others, we are asking for a rate increase.

CPS Energy is a community asset that returns up to 14 percent of its total revenues  about $300 million per year  to the city of San Antonio. These funds do triple duty: Customers receive a service for their payment; the funds are reinvested in valuable services such as police, fire, parks and libraries; and we are an economic engine employing and buying locally those things we can.

We know we have work to do to rebuild trust. That is my focus as the leader of your community asset. It is my commitment to you that we will be a transparent organization that takes a closer look at our culture of accountability while increasing our community conversations.

In 2022, we will launch open, public discussions about rate design and how electricity is generated for our region, including the future of our coal plants. Our team is committed to excelling while keeping rates affordable. And we must be realistic that without this rate increase, we may not be able to meet the reliability needs of our community.

We must accelerate investments in weatherization, alternative fuel sources and managed outage capabilities. We must improve direct communication with customers and provide near real-time, personalized information so our community is better able to respond and recover when an unexpected weather incident happens.

Since our last rate increase, the number of electric customers has increased by 17 percent, and the number of natural gas customers has increased by 12 percent. Our metropolitan area is expected to add more than 1 million residents by 2050.

This tremendous growth, along with aging infrastructure, requires more investment to improve reliability, resiliency and safety. As an example, 63 percent of our wooden utility poles are 40 years or older. By maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure, we decrease the frequency and length of customer outages.

We must also upgrade our technology to meet customer expectations. Our customer service software is more than 22 years old. Updating this technology will give us more flexibility and efficiency in customer service and management.

Hackers never sleep, and we combat thousands of attempts to infiltrate our systems every day. We must stay ahead of bad actors by protecting our digital assets, critical infrastructure and the personal information of our customers.

Finally, like many employers, we are adapting to rising labor costs and remote working. Since 2006, the number of CPS Energy customers has grown by 33 percent while the number of CPS Energy employees has declined by 25 percent. In the next five years, more than one-third of our team is likely to retire. In this competitive labor market, we must retain and recruit the best and brightest in our community to serve our customers.

We are waging a legal battle over $587 million in unfair costs, including charges by some natural gas suppliers that we believe price-gouged CPS Energy customers during the storm. While we continue the fight against some suppliers, there are still $418 million in reasonable, validated fuel costs we have paid and must recover from our customers. We are planning to spread these costs over a 25-year period to reduce the impact on monthly bills.

There is never a good time for a rate increase. We know this is among the worst of times. But this increase is about doing our best to provide our customers with the service they expect and deserve now, and it is needed.

Rudy D. Garza is the interim president and CEO of CPS Energy.
Many who live on the North Side likely will be shifted into a new City Council district as a group of residents begins to draw new boundaries.

A preliminary map moves Woodlawn Lake residents on San Antonios near Northwest Side to a different City Council district. It also splits two neighborhood associations in District 9 on the far North Side between two districts.

But the redistricting process is just beginning, and this is the first time residents will play a direct role in creating a new map for San Antonio City Council districts.

San Antonio City Council members appointed a redistricting advisory committee that will recommend boundary changes for City Council districts to account for growth over the last decade. The newly formed committee  made up of 23 people appointed by Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Council members  met this week to discuss two initial plans and their criteria for proposed new City Council maps.

The U.S. requires redistricting every 10 years to account for population changes seen in new Census data. Districts must be roughly equal in population and cannot discriminate against minority voters. Since San Antonios population has grown over the last decade, that means each district should be around the ideal size of 143,494 people. Legally, the size of each district can deviate no more than 10 percent over or under that ideal size.

William Luther /Staff

An outside team of attorneys with Austin-based Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta drew up the two initial plans, and the city attorneys office joined them for a presentation with the committee.

This is a launching point for the work you all are engaging in, said Iliana Castillo Daily, an assistant city attorney who is leading the offices redistricting work. Just because were proposing these two different paths today doesnt mean at the end (what) were expecting yall to create to look like them identically or even remotely like them.

The committee and the city want to hear from residents about how changes  like shifting Woodlawn Lake from District 7 to District 1  would impact them. Its important for the committee to get public feedback on what communities they feel most connected to and how their neighborhoods have changed in the last decade, Castillo Daily said.

But City Council still holds the authority to give final approval to the new map, per city charter. Nirenberg expects the council to approve or vote down the committees recommendation without making changes to it in hopes of building trust in the independence of the new process.

Moving boundaries

The essential task in redistricting is to balance the population sizes of all the districts, said Syd Falk, an attorney with the Bickerstaff firm.

District 8, on the far Northwest Side, is the largest by population and has to shrink. District 5, on the near West Side, has the smallest population and must expand. The two maps make few changes to Districts 2, 6 and 10 and no changes to Districts 3 and 4.

We are pushing population from the northern districts into the center city districts, Falk said.

On ExpressNews.com: Heres what you need to know as San Antonio begins to remake its City Council districts

While shifting population around, the map proposals also need to consider the impact of moving heavily Hispanic neighborhoods into different districts so as not to dilute their voting power. The city must abide by those rules to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act.

These two plans illustrate both that you can balance fairly minimal changes but also the kinds of changes that have different effects you need to pay attention to, Falk told committee members.

Members will begin to draw new maps themselves in the coming months, using specialized software and working with the outside counsel and the city attorneys office.

When they click and drag a boundary on the map to make a change, a chart below will display how that specific shift changes the population size of a district and how it changes the racial and ethnic makeup of a district.

Aside from population size and racial demographics, some committee members expressed the importance of keeping tight-knit communities together and understanding how a neighborhood views itself, which impacts how people might want to be represented on City Council.

Frances Gonzalez, appointed to represent District 7 on the committee, wanted to access data on how neighborhoods have changed over the last decade.

Over the last 20 years, theres been such a shift in our inner-city neighborhoods because of projects and programs that werent about redistricting, but they were about revitalization, she said. Districts have shifted and changed in terms of ethnicity, race  positive or negative.

Falk said they might not have such detailed data to show those shifts, but thats where public comment and engagement come in  residents need to share what they know about their own communities.

How to participate, submit your own map

City of San Antonio

The meeting was held in a hybrid format that blended in-person and virtual participation because of ongoing concerns about the highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19. Residents and committee members alike may continue to participate remotely or in person at future meetings, depending on how virus surges play out.

Anyone can create their own version of a new City Council map to submit to the committee for consideration.

There are some conditions, though. To have a map officially recognized alongside others, it must:

Be submitted in writing to the Redistricting Advisory Committee Redistrict the entire City of San Antonio, not just one district or area Show the total population and voting age population by race or ethnicity for each proposed City Council district based on 2020 Census data Follow the guidelines and principles the committee will use, which are online at www.sabexarcountmein.org/Community-Impact/Redistricting

If a submitted map meets those requirements, it will be posted online alongside other map proposals for committee consideration and public review. If it doesnt, the committee still will consider the feedback.

The city will keep copies of proposed maps at libraries for in-person review for those who cant easily access the internet.

Officials confirmed maps will be available at Las Palmas Library in District 5 and Igo Library in District 8. They are looking for two more libraries to provide the maps.

The redistricting advisory committee will meet and hear public feedback on a new map through May. City Council is expected to vote on their recommendation later this summer, and the new boundaries will be effective for the 2023 City Council elections.

View a list of committee members and upcoming meetings online at www.sabexarcountmein.org/Committee/Redistricting. Proposed maps will eventually be posted on site.

megan.stringer@express-news.net
Gov. Greg Abbott this week is accusing his foes of playing politics as they criticize him over a series of issues regarding National Guard troops at the southern border, including deep cuts to tuition assistance, reports of pay delays, and a string of suicides in the ranks.

The criticism arose from an Army Times report that revealed four members of the Texas National Guard had died by suicide in an eight-week span from late October to mid-December. The Times reported that all four were tied to Abbotts border initiative, Operation Lone Star. Abbott disputed that on Tuesday without offering any more information about the deaths.

The Texas Military Department, which oversees the National Guard, has also acknowledged there were approximately 150 service members experiencing pay issues, attributing the delays to the magnitude of onboarding thousands of Guardsmen as part of the operation. Compounding the pay issues is a more than 50 percent cut in funding for the Guards tuition assistance program, which Texas Adjutant General Tracy Norris, commander of the Military Department under Abbott, has called vital to retention and longevity.

Two of Abbotts Republican primary opponents, former Texas GOP chair Allen West and former state senator Don Huffines, along with one of Abbotts Democratic challengers, Beto ORourke, had criticized the governor over the problems, with West calling for an investigation. Democrats both in Austin and Washington, D.C., have also called for investigations.

IN-DEPTH: Texas National Guard struggles to pay soldiers, while slashing tuition help by more than half

Abbott, responding to a question during a press conference in San Antonio on Tuesday, said the Texas National Guard suicides were not an isolated incident, noting that the Pentagon last year reported hundreds of service member suicides.

It is offensive for any of these people raising the issues to politicize the issue of a military member losing their life, Abbott said. If they are saying something about whats happening in the National Guard in Texas, why are they not at the very same time saying something about President Biden and  hundreds of members of the United States military losing their lives to suicide?

Why are they silent about that? The answer: theyre just playing politics. The life of a soldier, far more valuable than the words of a politician playing politics.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

The governor has deployed some 10,000 National Guard troops to set up border fencing and help Department of Public Safety troopers carry out his plan to arrest and jail migrants on state charges, which began in July. The governor has touted the plan as necessary to handle a spike in border crossings since President Joe Biden took office last January.

Its unclear how the series of suicide deaths compares to recent years or the first several months of 2021, before thousands more troops were sent to the border. In the 2017 fiscal year, the Texas National Guard recorded nine suicides and 14 attempted suicides, according to a 2018 budget document in which Texas military officials requested extra funding for counseling and behavioral health services.

The Military Department has not responded to open records requests for data on suicides from the last four fiscal years.

On Tuesday, Abbott said the recent suicide reports were being investigated, and he expected to find that only some of the soldiers were tied to his border security initiative known as Operation Lone Star. He added that he views the loss of any life as extraordinary harmful.

Well see how it turns out, but I think youll find not all the suicides  of which I hear there were four that were reported  actually occurred during Operation Lone Star, Abbott said.

ORourke, who previously called on Abbott to send the National Guard soldiers home if he could not justify their deployment, renewed his criticism of the governor Tuesday, accusing him of shrugging off the deaths of the National Guard troops and asking them to perform as the backdrop for his political photo ops.

He hasnt paid them on time, hes slashed their earned benefits, he has many living without necessities as basic as bathrooms, and hes left them without any leadership from the governor, ORourke said in a statement. This is a mess of Abbotts making.

The rapid deployment of National Guard soldiers, particularly in recent months, appeared to strain the Military Departments payroll system. Abbott said Tuesday that all paycheck issues have been addressed.

The paycheck challenge, for the most part, was they were getting their paycheck at the end of the month as opposed to at the beginning of the month, Abbott said. And they just had to go through the paperwork process to get it done.

On Wednesday, state Rep. Alex Dominguez, D-Brownsville, sent a letter to Adjutant General Norris, asking for an investigation into Operation Lone Star and recommendations to the Legislature for how we can address this crisis.

Dominguez, who is running for an open state Senate seat, made the same request in a separate letter to state Rep. Matt Krause, a Fort Worth Republican who chairs the House General Investigating Committee. And he called on Abbott to come up with a plan to address this crisis of morale in the mission that you ordered and stop sending additional troops to the border in the meantime.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, echoed the call for an investigation into Abbotts border operation on Tuesday, when she took to the House floor to slam Abbott over the reported issues and asked the House Armed Services Committee and the Pentagon to look into the matter.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
With just a few days until vote-by mail begins in Texas primary elections, Gov. Greg Abbott is traveling the state showing off endorsements of his get-tough border policies and his backing from key law enforcement groups.

While Abbott is heavily favored to win his primary, hes leaving nothing to chance as he reminds GOP voters where he stands on two of the biggest issues for Republican voters: border security and backing police.

A day after highlighting his support from the National Border Patrol Council in Edinburg, the two-term Republican governor was in San Antonio on Tuesday touting endorsements from a coalition of sheriffs in South Texas. Abbott also rolled out an endorsement from the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, which has 27,000 members. On Wednesday hell continue that push when he meets with the Houston Police Officers Union at their headquarters.

Governor Abbotts commitment to law enforcement issues and to the women and men of law enforcement has allowed us to do our jobs and keep our families and businesses safe, Marvin Ryals, President of CLEAT, said on Tuesday as he endorsed Abbott onstage.

Abbott, a 64-year-old Wichita Falls native, on Tuesday highlighted his public fight against the concept of defunding the police. He said he made it a priority during the legislative session to reduce state funding to any city or county that tries to cut its police budget. Austin has become the poster child for that discussion because of its efforts to move police millions in funding to social service programs to try to counter the root causes of 911 calls.

Abbott said he wanted to send a clear message to law enforcement: They have a governor who has their back.

TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday

But while Abbott touts those endorsements, his primary opponents are also touring the state questioning his commitment to those same issues. Former State Sen. Don Huffines was in Houston on Monday saying voters have given Abbott plenty of time to fix issues like the border, yet the problems persist.

If Abbott really wanted to secure the border, he could have done it seven years ago, Huffines said after hosting a small protest against vaccine mandates near Rice University on Monday.

Abbott has recently deployed more than 10,000 Texas National Guard personnel to help secure the border, a mission he named Operation Lone Star. But Huffines and former Republican Party of Texas chairman Allen West have said it is more a political show than a strategic effort.

Operation Lone Star is a failure. Its a political optic, West told more than 350 GOP activists at a political forum on Monday night in The Woodlands that was organized by an anti-Abbott group called the True Texas Project.

Huffines, a 63-year-old Dallas native, has called for shutting down all 25 of the states bridges with Mexico to put economic pressure on the Mexican government to do more to stop the flow of illegal migration into Texas. West, a Garland resident who is 60, has called for a better organized military presence and declaring drug cartels terrorist organizations so the state can go after them and seize their assets more easily.

IN-DEPTH: Gov. Greg Abbotts primary showing will settle whether hes undisputed leader of Texas GOP

Abbott on Monday pointed out he has not only surged the National Guard and members of the Department of Public Safety to the border, but hes also started building Texass own version of a border wall similar to what former President Donald Trump advocated for along the 1,200 miles of Texas border. Trump ended up building about 20 miles of his wall and refurbished about 30 miles. Abbott last month unveiled the first 900-feet of about 2 miles of wall he is building in Starr County  between Laredo and McAllen.

Abbott on Monday also released his first television commercial of 2022 that includes Brandon Judd, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, lauding Abbotts actions on the Texas border.

No other governor has done more to secure our border than Greg Abbott, Judd says in the ad.

El Paso Democrat Beto ORourke, the leading contender for governor in the Democratic primary, said during a rally in El Paso on Saturday that Abbott is not listening to border communities.

If he would listen to us, we would tell him that we dont need any more walls or militarization, the former congressman said. We need leadership.

The 49-year-old El Paso native has also challenged Abbotts support for law enforcement. Hes pointed out frequently on the campaign trail that Abbott signed the bill to allow unlicensed Texans to carry guns in public. Many law enforcement groups opposed that legislation, but Abbott still signed the bill into law last fall.

The March 1 Texas primary officially kicks off Friday when vote-by-mail ballots for military and overseas Texans must be shipped out to voters who have requested them. In-person early voting starts on Feb. 14.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com


The three national carriers in the former Yugoslavia - Air Serbia, Croatia Airlines and Air Montenegro - will all be renewing or expanding their fleets this year. As reported The three national carriers in the former Yugoslavia - Air Serbia, Croatia Airlines and Air Montenegro - will all be renewing or expanding their fleets this year. As reported earlier this week , Air Serbia has begun the process, with the arrival of its leased ATR72-600 aircraft now planned in the coming weeks. The airline is expected to take up five of the turboprops, which are currently undergoing test flights and painting in Toulouse. Although the carrier has not commented directly on the imminent arrival of the aircraft, it noted, We have big plans when it comes to upgrading our services and offering the best possible user experience. We are planning to boost frequencies to certain destinations, introduce new routes and offer many new exciting experiences for our passengers. It added, Air Serbia is rapidly recovering and aiming to achieve 2019 pre-pandemic levels by 2023. As a result, we plan to embark onto a phase of continuous growth as the leading regional airline.





Croatia Airlines is considering operating a single-type fleet as part of its post-Covid strategy which would include the replacement of both its Airbus and Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Both Airbus, with its A220 jet, and Embraer, with its E2 family (pictured), are courting an order from the Croatian carrier. Croatia Airlines is now waiting for its owner - the Croatian government - to approve its post-Covid strategy, which has been developed in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group, in order to implement the proposed changes over the coming three years. The strategy, which has not been made public, is believed to include the acquisition of up to fifteen aircraft. The carrier has dubbed its upcoming transformation as a strategy for success, which has been driven by the ongoing pandemic.





Air Montenegro, which currently boasts a fleet of two Embraer E195 aircraft, has said it plans to add at least one jet next summer season. The airline recently issued a public call for the lease of one aircraft, either from the Airbus A320 family or the Boeing 737 family, for a period of between three to eight years, starting from April 2022 at the earliest, with the possibility of extending the contract. The aircraft must have the capacity to seat at least 144 passengers. The Montenegrin carrier will select the most economically favourable bid with their public opening scheduled for next Monday at 13.00. The airlines CEO, Predrag Todorovic, recently said, Based on analysis we undertook, a business model centred on the exclusive use of Embraer aircraft is difficult and can almost never be profitable. Therefore, in order to be successful on a market such as Montenegro, especially during the summer, greater capacity is required. We are slowly moving in that direction.




NEWS FLASH





Bulgaria's Ministry for Transport and Communications has said it will assist airlines in the introduction of flights between Sofia and Skopje as soon as possible after holding talks on the matter with several carriers. The Bulgarian Prime Minister, Kiril Petkov, said good progress was being made for the flights to come to fruition. Low cost carrier Wizz Air maintains bases in both the Bulgarian and Macedonian capitals.
GREENWICH  As the Country Table opened its doors Monday, Chef Geoff Lazlo said he plans to take a thoughtful approach to everyday foods with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients at the new shop.

The market dishes up a variety of prepared foods, including gourmet sandwiches and made-to-order salads as well as coffee, ice cream and more.
The doctors call came while my wife and I were shopping in a Walmart in Virginia on Black Friday. The phone rang several times before my wife decided to take it. I watched as she walked over to a quiet spot, listened, shook her head several times and hung up.

I knew I shouldnt have taken that call, my wife said, looking a little wistful and trying to force a smile. Its cancer, but the doctor wasnt rushing me back to Connecticut. Of course, there will be surgery, but the doctor is setting up an oncology appointment for early December. Oh well. Ive survived a brain aneurysm and a mild heart attack. Why not throw this at me to deal with?

When my wife saw that I was kind of staring into space, she touched my arm and asked, Are you all right?

I guess I am, I said. But Im more concerned that youre alright. Right now, Im just trying to process all of this. I honestly think that the word cancer threw me more than the diagnosis. It was just unexpected.

On the way back to our hotel, my wife shared her suspicion that something was wrong right before the routine surgery she went through a week before we traveled. Some things were just not correcting themselves. She said she honestly considered not taking the call from the doctor.

We talked a lot during the remainder of the trip about the what ifs and how the surgery was weighing on our minds. We also wondered if things were still in the early stages or if the cancer had spread, creating a stage 2 or 3 situation.

Meanwhile, the word kept gnawing at me - cancer. I couldnt help thinking of the Neil Simon play, Brighton Beach Memoirs and how the main character Eugene spoke about how people who had the disease or knew someone who had it always spoke in whispers in a familiar Brooklyn dialect  She has cansa!

For the rest of the weekend, my wife wanted to share nothing with our daughters and the rest of the family. She asked that I safeguard this secret because she didnt want to be bombarded with phone calls.

I mustered as much strength as I could to meet her request, but found myself discreetly telling my wifes brother and sister-in-law, who were with us in Virginia and just appreciated knowing, along with my niece who was visiting from Chicago. I also texted our close friend Roberta, because I knew shed want to know. Of course, as the grapevine would have it, the day after we returned, Roberta checked in. She and my wife share information about their various physical conditions anyway, so I did not feel betrayed or saddened by Robertas genuine concern.

While I knew my wife wouldnt be happy that Id told some people, I needed to keep processing this unfamiliar C-word and all its unknowns. Sharing my feelings with family and friends somehow made grappling with this haunting word that much easier. My wife has always been a very private person about illnesses. But In this case, this secret was too much to bear alone.

Our meeting with the oncology surgeon came in early December and it really helped my wife and me feel more comfortable and optimistic. The surgeon was extremely reassuring and patient, explaining that the disease was not aggressive and was in very early stages. She saw no need to rush the surgery and explained that she doubted my wife would need any further treatment after surgery was over. What really impressed me was her offer to speak with either of our daughters if they had questions we couldnt answer.

Next came the real pre-surgery hurdles. Before the procedure would even take place, my wife needed clearances from her cardiologist and a neurosurgeon, based on her brain aneurysm in 1986 and mild heart attack in 2014. My wife jokingly commented that she thought those evaluations would be a piece of cake. We left the surgeons offices with a tentative date of Jan. 14 for the surgery.

I decided not to even think about the surgery over the next five weeks so we could enjoy some peace and quiet over the holidays, but the year just seemed to end too quickly. All too soon my wife was in a whirlwind of tests, x-rays and evaluations. Fortunately, all of her tests and x-rays came back with excellent results. That included the COVID test, especially in this dangerous time of omicron. Thankfully surgery will be as planned this Friday and my only hope is that I will be allowed in the hospital, at least during my wifes prep period.

Maybe it is the reality that this really is the week of surgery, but I still cant help thinking about the C-word and the fact that no matter how optimistic I try to be, it continues to whisper in my ear, reminding me how one diagnosis impacted our lives permanently. After this Friday, if all is well, my wife will move from the category of Cansa patient to Cansa free. Then, I can hope that the dreaded C-word wont haunt me again.

Steven Gaynes is a Fairfield writer, and his In the Suburbs appears each Friday. He can be reached at stevengaynes44@gmail.com.
FARMINGTON  A woman from Windsor was killed and three others were seriously hurt Tuesday evening after a multi-vehicle accident that spanned both sides of Interstate-84, state police said.

State police said the crash occurred near Exit 37 around 7:15 p.m., and remains under investigation.

The woman killed was identified Wednesday morning as 20-year-old Nia Justice Mcdougald. State police said Mcdougald was driving in the left lane of the westbound side of the highway when a pickup truck and another vehicle collided on the opposite side of the highway.

The collision caused the pickup to go over the center median, striking McDougalds Toyota Camry, pushing it into the center lane, where it struck a Jeep.

State police said McDougald died from her injuries after she was transported to Hartford Hospital. Her 22-year-old male passenger was taken to St. Francis Hospital with life-threatening injuries, state police said. Both Mcdougald and her passengers next of kin were notified.

The driver and a front passenger in the pickup truck that struck Mcdougalds car were also seriously injured, according to state police. The driver was taken to Hartford Hospital while the passenger was transported to St. Francis Hospital.

The driver of the car that struck the pickup truck, setting the crash in motion, was hospitalized for minor injuries, according to state police.

About an hour after the crash, state police said a troopers unoccupied vehicle was struck by another driver while the trooper was investigating the scene of the accident. The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries, according to state police. The trooper was not injured.

Police are asking any witnesses to the crash, or anyone passing through the area with a dashcam, to contact Trooper Dos Santos #722, at Troop H, at 860-534-1000 or through e-mail at carlos.dosSantos@ct.gov.
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More than 600 Scottish farming and rural businesses with projects that protect the environment and mitigate the impact of climate change will share a 30m fund.

The Scottish government funding is part of the latest round of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) 2021.

It was launched to promote land management practices which protect Scotlands natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk and mitigate climate change.

In October 2021, the Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced the extension of the scheme up to 2024 with a new round opening in each new calendar year.

Applications for the next round will open on 24 January, and farmers will be able to apply for support for conversion to and maintenance of organic land.

The 2021 round increases the area under conversion or maintenance support to 86,577ha, an increase of 15,482ha or 22% from 2022 onwards compared to 2021 levels.

Meanwhile, a suite of other measures as part of AECS are aimed at promoting low carbon farming and protecting the environment.

The climate scheme has provided almost 3,000 farmer and crofter applicants with around 244 million since it launched.

Ms Gougeon said the fund had helped nature be restored and enhanced through increased biodiversity, as well as improved soils and contributions to mitigating climate change.

Id like to thank those who have applied for the scheme and clearly understand the importance of doing what we can to mitigate climate change," she said.

"We see our land managers and world-class producers thriving, while backing our world-leading climate change agenda and our response to the biodiversity crisis.

"AECS continues to play an important role in meeting these commitments and it also supports the ambition of doubling the amount of land under organic management, set out in the Programme for Government 2021-22.

"I would encourage people to apply for the next round of the scheme to continue this work.

NatureScots chief executive Francesca Osowska added that farmers and crofters played a 'vital role' in helping protect and restore nature in Scotland.

"These valuable projects will help support our vulnerable wildlife and habitats, improve soil health and water quality, reduce flood risks, increase organic farming and help improve public access in rural areas, among other environmental benefits.
A Welsh farming charity which has provided counselling to more than 500 people is highlighting its 'Share the Load' service as it enters its fourth year anniversary.

The DPJ Foundation will be marking the service's anniversary on Saturday 15 January by sharing stories that have been contributed by farmers and farm workers.

The mental health charity's Share The Load is a 24/7 confidential call and text line with a free counselling referral service, specifically for those in Welsh agriculture.

The service is different to many helplines as it gives the option of fully funded professional counselling in English or Welsh to those who want it.

Emma Picton Jones established the DPJ Foundation over five years ago following her husband Daniels death by suicide.

Never did I imagine that 4 years ago, the idea of providing free counselling to those in the agricultural community would have gone as far as it has," she said.

"I am extremely proud of this service: to know that every farmer in Wales has access to free counselling, be that at home, on the farm or in the local area is something that we could have only ever dreamed of.

Share The Load ??

This week is a big one for the DPJ Foundation - it marks 4 years since the Share the Load service started.

Look out on our social media to see the impact this service has made on the Welsh agricultural community.

?? - Kate Allen#STL4 #ShareTheLoad pic.twitter.com/GMlfC9BZRh  The DPJ Foundation (@dpjfoundation) January 11, 2022

"I am so grateful to all of our wonderful volunteers who have provided hours of support on the call line over the last 4 years.

Ms Picton Jones explained she was keen to ensure that farmers and farm workers knew their call was confidential when using the Share the Load service.

"This is why we only ask for your first name and dont ask for your address. I also was aware of the long waiting times so am really proud that we guarantee access to free counselling within a week of someone making that call.

Speaking about the team of around 50 counsellors across Wales, she said: Our counsellors are qualified professionals and can help with a wide range of issues.

"We have specialists who have helped people struggling with bereavement, feeling alone, dealing with health issues or mental health problems as well as those who have been thinking of ending their own life.

"We really have a tremendous team of volunteers, counsellors and staff and I am so proud of them all.

The DPJ Foundation will be marking this anniversary by sharing stories that have been contributed by people they have helped across their social media.

One of these who asked to share their story is Dan, who said when his mental health was at its worst, he could not see a way out.

"Ive had counselling and its been the best spent hours of my life," he said, "Im in such a good place now Im enjoying every bit of my family and work, sleeping well, and eating well.

Farmers or farm workers who have been helped by the DPJ Foundation and would like the charity to use their story can email kate@thedpjfoundation.co.uk or send them a message on social media.
Police Scotland and farmers are seeking to inform the public on the introduction of new livestock worrying legislation which brings with it tougher punishments.

Police Scotland and NFU Scotland have launched the Livestock Attack and Distress campaign centred on the new legislation, which includes fines of up to 40,000 and prison sentences.

The campaign carries the slogan Your Dog  Your Responsibility, and it will educate dog owners about the tougher rules which came into effect last year.

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021, made possible due to a Members Bill brought forward by Emma Harper MSP, was supported by the farming industry after continued attacks on farm animals by out-of-control dogs.

Under the new legislation, camelids such as llamas and alpacas, together with ostriches, game birds and farmed deer are now protected.

The inclusion of the word 'attack' in the legislation was also welcomed by rural organisations, as this clearly reflects the more serious aspect of such an incident.

It also includes provision to fine the owners of dogs that attack livestock up to 40,000 or even send them to prison.

But the need to communicate the new measures to the dog-owning public has been shown by a recent survey commissioned by rural insurer NFU Mutual.

Only 4% of people surveyed knew they could now be fined up to 40,000 if their dog attacked livestock and only 22% knew they could be sent to prison.

NFU Mutual's claims figures show that the cost of dog attacks on livestock rose by 50% in the first quarter of 2021 as the pandemic led to a surge in dog ownership and rural visits.

The Livestock Attack and Distress campaign will run through the lambing season, when sheep and lambs are most vulnerable to attacks and will be then run again in the autumn.

Inspector Alan Dron, Police Scotland's national rural crime co-ordinator said: The aim of the campaign is designed to educate and raise awareness amongst dog owners, whether new or experienced, that their dog is very much their responsibility.

NFU Scotland's rural business policy adviser, Rhianna Montgomery added that with hundreds of incidents across Scotland each year, the protection of livestock was 'paramount' for farmers.

"Educating the public of good practice when taking access in the countryside with dogs, and the penalties now in place for those who are irresponsible, is imperative in reducing the number of livestock attacks.
Two new mental health support services have launched today after a survey found worryingly low levels of mental wellbeing among farmers in the UK.

New in-person mental health counselling and farming-focused mental health training initiatives have been unveiled by RABI.

Both services can be easily and consistently accessed by the farming community, the agricultural charity said.

It follows its Big Farming Survey which identified low levels of mental wellbeing within the industry.

The survey's findings confirmed that over a third of farming people were probably or possibly depressed.

And over half of women in the sector (58%) said they experienced mild, moderate or severe anxiety.

The most common sources of stress recorded were regulation, compliance and inspection, Covid-19, unpredictable weather and loss of subsides.

RABIs head of partnerships, Suzy Deeley said the launch of the two new services would complement the charity's existing schemes.

RABI has committed to developing support services that help address these poor experiences," she explained.

"Collaborating with partners, RABI is introducing essential services that we believe will make a difference to our community.

The free and confidential in-person counselling is delivered by BACP accredited counsellors.

Farmers and farm workers feeling they could benefit from talking to a professional can access via RABIs 24/7 helpline on 0800 188 4444.

Clinical or GP referrals are not necessary, with counsellors responding to initial requests for support within 24 hours.

Ms Deeley said all counsellors providing support had been selected for their clinical expertise and their background and interest in farming and rural communities.

"Its vital they have the right specialist experience and are committed to our community with an understanding of the complex challenges farming people face.

"Ongoing counsellor training will ensure farming people are properly supported when they face issues impacting the sector, Ms Deeley explained.

Counselling sessions can take place face-to-face, by telephone or video conferencing and are tailored and led by each individual.

In addition to in-person counselling, RABI has launched the first suite of accredited/certified mental health training tailored for the farming sector.

The charity said the training provides a valuable tool for the agricultural community to help them feel comfortable talking about how they are feeling.

Ms Deeley explained that the training would equip trainees with the tools to start conversations about wellbeing with confidence.

We are increasingly being approached by organisations and individuals who want to develop the skills to open conversations around mental health with friends, colleagues, customers and clients."

A unique feature of the training is the provision of aftercare for trainees, with those who receive training having access to ongoing support.

Both services are being delivered in partnership with Red Umbrella, a not-for-profit specialist provider of accredited mental health counselling and aftercare support.
Some of the best years of my life  I miss those people.

Good times and memories, but I have moved on.

Not my best days, but I have made peace with them.

Glad to be away from those people  I dont miss the high school experience.

Vote

View Results
Through the Local Nature Recovery and Landscape Recovery schemes the government is keen to encourage farmers to work together to benefit the environment.

Defra has provided more detail on the second and third elements of the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme  the Local Nature Recovery Scheme and Landscape Recovery.

It follows the announcement late last year of the launch of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) in 2022.

David Morley, head of conservation and environment for H&H Land & Estates, discusses what the government's new announcement means for farmers.

Both Landscape Recovery and Local Nature Recovery are exciting new schemes with the potential to help farmers and land managers deliver significant environmental benefits.

"However, the complexity and long-term nature of Landscape Recovery is likely to limit its interest to many land managers," he explained.

"Farmers will need to see the detail of Local Nature Recovery in order to understand what they can do and how much they will be paid to do it before they can factor the new scheme in to their business development plans.

The Local Nature Recovery (LNR) will succeed Countryside Stewardship - both Mid-Tier and Higher Tier - when launched in full in late 2024.

Like Countryside Stewardship, the scheme will pay farmers to undertake a range of options that will meet a variety of environmental objectives.

These include enhancing biodiversity, improving air and water quality, contributing to carbon net zero targets and natural flood management, among others.

Mr Morley added: "At this stage, there is precious little detail, but Defra have said that more detail on management options and payment rates will be published later this year.

"However, they have stated it will be possible to apply for both LNR and SFI on the same land, as long as they are paying for different things.

"It is expected that land management plans will be key in designing agreements that can deliver meaningful environmental gains, but as yet, there is no detail on what form these plans will take or who will undertake them.

"Defra have indicated that the scheme will be more flexible than Countryside Stewardship, in that it will allow more land or options to be added to an agreement over time."

Mr Morley said the government was especially keen to encourage farmers to work together to deliver environmental benefits at a landscape scale.

"We expect that LNR will provide incentives for collaborative working, and payments for local facilitators to bring groups of farmers together.

"They have also said they want the new scheme to dovetail with private finance, such as carbon trading schemes."

More testing and piloting will be undertaken over the next couple of years to inform the design of the scheme and ensure it works in practice for most farmers.

Mr Morley said that the Landscape Recovery scheme was a far more radical, complex, and large-scale approach to delivering environmental gains, focussed on habitat creation and restoration, water quality, and carbon net zero.

A pilot scheme will be open for applications, with at least two application rounds over the next two years. The themes for the first round will be recovering threatened native species and restoring streams and rivers.

It will be open to individual landowners or groups of farmers, working together across areas of at least 500 hectares.

"Land in existing schemes can be included, as long as the proposed new scheme does not pay for the same thing or contradict the requirements of an existing scheme," Mr Morley explained.

"Applications will compete with each other for funding, and it is expected that only about 15 applications will be taken forward nationally in the first round."

Applications will be scored against a number of criteria, including longevity, environmental benefits, carbon and resilience to climate change and costs, among others.

Applications that make it through the initial round will then have a further two years to develop more detailed plans for the implementation of the project.

Mr Morley added: "Defra have said grant funding will be available to cover this development phase, but have not yet provided any detail as to what costs will be covered and to what level.

"Once the development phase is complete, projects will move to the implementation phase, when work on the ground will take place.

"Implementation agreements are likely to be at least 20 years in length and will be completely bespoke to each project.
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SHANGHAI, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 11, 2022, Eoslift announced to change its corporate branding to Enotek in Shanghai, China. Enotek will help customers build efficient supply chain systems with intelligent products and system solutions, and continue to unleash the business value inherent in smart manufacturing logistics. Eoslift, Enotek's predecessor, entered the logistics equipment industry in 2008 with presence in Europe and North America, and established a wholly-owned subsidiary in California, U.S.A in 2012. Today, the company is strategically operating across the entire value chain of "equipment + software + systems + platform services". As a forerunner of logistics technology, Enotek strives to leverage its industry expertise to drive the smart upgrading of logistics for the manufacturing industry.

Smart upgrading of logistics has been an inevitable trend for the manufacturing industry, and embracing a bright prospect. The global automated intralogistics material handling solutions market is set to be valued at US$ 43.83 billion in 2021, with steady long-term projections, according to latest insights by Persistence Market Research. The study estimates that the market will expand at 14% CAGR through 2031. For manufacturers, digital upgrading toward smart manufacturing logistics can help them adopt flexible management. This will be critical in an era of transformation.

According to Andy Jiang, Enotek Chairman and CEO, Enotek, with its new positioning, will focus on the multi-billion-dollar smart manufacturing logistics market and strive to become a leader in innovative technologies for digital and smart logistics. Enotek will focus on its four priorities: "Excellence & Excelsior", "To Envision & Enable", "Innovation", and "Technology". This aligns with its future strategic roadmap.

Innovate first to overcome key technical barriers

Enotek is sparing no effort to innovate using technologies for digital and smart logistics. According to Enotek CTO Wayne Xu, up to 60% of the staff at Enotek are technical personnel, and the company spends 11% of its revenue on R&D. Xu emphasized that Enotek will continuously increase its input in innovation and R&D, to overcome technical barriers in the industry.

Enotek has continuously upgraded application scenarios since its inception to adapt to the upgrading needs of its customers across different industries. Today, Enotek is able to develop products across the value chain from smart equipment, such as pallet stacking machines and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), to software systems, such as the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and the Warehouse Control System (WCS). Enotek products,such as AS/RS and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) ,have been proven to be cost-effective and reliable in the China market, and these products and relevant experience will continuously benefit the global market. Meanwhile, Enotek is preparing to build a megafactory where robots make robots. It will serve as one of Enotek's manufacturing bases, to manufacture highly cost-effective products for global customers.

To better meet the needs for logistics upgrading, Enotek is innovating with the aim of helping customers improve efficiency and cut costs. It's one of the first logistics technology companies in China that is driving the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, such as digital twin, machine vision, and AI algorithms. Digital twin has enabled Enotek to create an accurate representation of logistics processes in the virtual realm, effectively helping customers optimize decision making to improve management effectiveness. Machine vision and AI algorithms allow intralogistics to be better coordinated with production and supply. In addition, Enotek optimizes its technologies and products in a modular manner, to serve customers flexibly with great technical strengths, flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

As a forerunner, Enotek has also achieved much in creating an industry ecosystem. For example, the company entered into a strategic partnership with Siemens on simulated testing systems to explore more application scenarios for technologies and equipment. It is working closely with BYD to help it upgrade across multiple fields, such as digital factory, digital parks, smart logistics, and smart warehousing. And this year, the company officially began to collaborate with Deutsch-Chinesische Institut fur angewandte Forschung und Promotion for R&D on multiple dimensions, to upgrade and innovate with digital and smart technologies. By working with partners across the industry and academics, Enotek is building an open and inclusive ecosystem to overcome the industry's existing technical barriers and to eventually produce synergies and mutually beneficial results.

Create a global footprint of smart manufacturing logistics on multiple dimensions

As an innovator and forerunner, Enotek introduces an Enotek Model for manufacturers to drive the digital and smart upgrading of logistics. This model is built on Enotek's rich experience in helping customers upgrade toward smart logistics across multiple industries, such as chemical fiber, glass fiber, e-commerce, retail, household appliance and new energy. Examples include leading companies like Whirlpool, Ford, Tongkun, Xinfengming, and JD.com. The agreement of the Jushi Egypt project reached in 2021 marked a milestone in Enotek China's overseas business journey.

In fact, the manufacturing industry faces many common pain points in upgrading toward smart logistics. For example, emerging industries cannot copy existing data models, and the accuracy of digital twin is challenging to achieve. The current "one-size-fits-all" upgrading solution cannot meet the non-standard needs of various factories, and the rapid changes in the marketplace raise higher requirements for the flexibility and scalability of smart manufacturing logistics. These serious challenges can be overcome by efficient and customized solutions developed based on the Enotek Model. Enotek will collaborate with overseas partners and use digital and smart technologies to help customers solve real problems.

The upgrading of corporate branding is based on Enotek's understanding of market trends as well as its 13+ years of expertise in the industry. Among the solution providers for upgrading toward smart logistics, few can offer both cutting-edge technology and better value for cost. Enotek jumped at this opportunity. Based on its understanding of global markets and its localized strategies, the company is able to better address the real needs of international customers.

Looking forward, Enotek will strive to explore more cutting-edge solutions for innovative application scenarios, to provide an affordable access for manufacturers to upgrade toward smart logistics.

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BEIJING, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The city of Wuhu in east China'sAnhui Province features an intrinsic value of innovation, which guides it to create a supportive and inclusive environment for the innovative bodies, leading to a self-consistent development path, said Shan Xiangqian, Party chief of Wuhu.

Positioned as the provincial sub-center, Wuhu is the city with the second highest GDP in Anhui Province. In the first three quarters of 2021, the city saw a GDP growth rate of 13.6 percent, highest among cities in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Innovation driven, new-energy and intelligent connected vehicle has become the top industry of Wuhu, with 311 industrial enterprises above designated size gathered in the city, making a total value of nearly 130 billion yuan (about 20.39 billion U.S. dollars). With seven national-level R&D platforms and 77 provincial-level ones, the city has formed a complete industrial chain featuring core firms including Chery Automobile.

As the city of Wuhu strives to cultivate outstanding innovative companies, it is inspired by the innovation efforts made by the enterprises as well, Shan noted. With R&D investment accounting for 3.34 percent of the total, the city is aiming for gathering over 2,000 high-tech enterprises and 2,500 industrial enterprises above designated size by the year 2023.

"Whether a company choose to settle in a city is ultimately related with the potential to make profit," said Shan, explaining why improving corporate profitability is the key focus of Wuhu's effort in optimizing business environment.

In recent years, Wuhu has introduced a series of innovative measures to improve business environment. For instance, the city established nine working groups across different fields to help the companies increase their profit through in-depth research on 300 major local companies.

"Our ultimate goal is to make policy implementation as easy as online shopping," said Shan, noting that the city will try its best to serve local enterprises. "Though there is no one company that can fully represent Wuhu, together they compose the essence of the city," he said.

https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/325892.html

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Millennial Lithium Corp. (TSXV: ML) (FSE: A3N2) (OTCQB: MLNLF) ("Millennial" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has obtained a final order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia approving the previously announced plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), pursuant to which Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC) ("LAC") is to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Millennial at a price of C$4.70 per common share payable in cash and shares of LAC (the "Arrangement").

All of the conditions to the completion of the Arrangement have now been satisfied, excluding certain conditions that are intended to be satisfied or waived on or about the effective date of the Arrangement. Completion of the Arrangement is expected to occur on or about January 25, 2022.

Additional details on the terms and conditions of the Arrangement may be found in the Company's news release of November 17, 2021 available on www.sedar.com.

About Millennial

To find out more about Millennial Lithium Corp. please contact Investor Relations at (604) 662-8184 or email info@millenniallithium.com.

About LAC

Lithium Americas is a development-stage company with projects in Jujuy, Argentina and Nevada, United States. Lithium Americas trades on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol "LAC".

MILLENNIAL LITHIUM CORP.

"Farhad Abasov"

President, CEO and Director

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Arrangement and completion of the Arrangement. The Company's current plans, expectations and intentions may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109811
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - General Motors will launch CarBravo, a shopping platform designed to boost used-vehicle sales through its dealerships, the auto giant said in a statement. The company said it will launch the shopping platform to consumers in this spring. Customers can shop online, at the dealership or a combination of both. GM noted that CarBravo will give customers more choice and access to shop significantly expanded inventories of both the dealer and a national central stock of GM used vehicles. The program features will also be offered on non-GM used vehicle. According to GM, CarBravo will also deliver a seamless customer experience through GM's new digital retail platform. The digital retail platform will provide a simple and transparent shopping interface featuring clear dealer pricing, vehicle history reports and 360-degree views of the vehicle. All CarBravo vehicles will be inspected and reconditioned to meet standards set by GM. Customers can receive guaranteed online offers, from the industry standard Black Book, to buy their vehicles even if they do not purchase a vehicle through CarBravo, GM said. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
MUNICH, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading inverter solution supplier for renewables, announced that it won the prestigious PV Magazine Award 2021 for its flagship 1500V SG350HX PV inverter. As the only inverter company has given the honor this year, Sungrow stands out as a prominent industry leader innovating towards carbon neutrality.

With PV Magazine being one of the most read industry platforms in Europe, this award is widely recognized. Sungrow sees this award assigned by a representative expert jury for the solar industry as an already qualifying appreciation for their next European string inverter product.

"The SG350HX features a maximum output power of 352 kW, unlocking a new era of string inverters surpassing 300 kW. It guarantees an incomparable return on investment for stakeholders while ensuring compatibility with large-format modules and tracking systems, as well as leading in safety," commented an industry peer.

"We're proud to begin a new journey with the internationally acclaimed award from PV Magazine. As the most bankable inverter brand in the world, Sungrow embeds innovation and sustainability across everything we do and applies our wealth of expertise and skills to deliver customers' solutions that are competitive and resilient," said James Wu, Vice President of Sungrow.

The product team behind SG350HX is already looking forward to the PV Magazine Award Virtual Ceremony, taking place on Thursday 3rd February 2022.

Since March 2021, the awarded inverter SG350HX has been available in numerous countries. The first group of PV projects installed with SG350HX has recently been grid-connected in China. The Company's flagship 352kW product is expected to be one of the most popular PV inverters in 2022.

About Sungrow

Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over 182 GW installed worldwide as of June 2021. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters, with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions. With a strong 25-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power installations in over 150 countries. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com.

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World-renowned brand that embraces "Human Centric Lighting" will offer Mila's product installation and consultation services for smart lighting solutions for consumer and commercial customers

Mila, the European leader of on demand technical support announce its partnership with LEDVANCE, a world leader in innovative smart lighting products, luminaires, and lamps for lighting professionals. Mila boasts over 10,000 technicians across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, and the UK, they will provide services to LEDVANCE customers in Germany.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220110006114/en/

LEDVANCE has selected Swiss-based Mila for its installation and consultation brand partner in Germany for residential and commercial customers. Mila has over 10,000 trained technicians across Germany, Switzerland, France, Austria, and the UK. LEDVANCE embraces the concept of Human Centric Lighting and the concept that lighting affects everything, including productivity, health, learning, emotion, and sleep cycles. Their advanced illumination systems mimic natural light in commercial, educational, and residential settings which positively impact mood, and enhance the security and safety of premises. (Photo: Business Wire)

"We are thrilled to partner with LEDVANCE and their smart lighting solutions for consumer and commercial installations," says Chris Viatte, CEO and founder of Mila. "Our trained Mila Pros will ensure that their products are installed and configured for the maximum enjoyment of their customers and the enhancement of their brand."

LEDVANCE embraces the concept of Human Centric Lighting and the concept that lighting affects everything, including productivity, health, learning, emotion, and sleep cycles. Their advanced illumination systems mimic natural light in commercial, educational, and residential settings which positively impact mood, and enhance the security and safety of premises.

"Selecting Mila as our installation and sales consultation partner in Germany will ensure that our brand products will be demonstrated properly and work as designed for the benefit of the user," says Marc Gerster, Head of B2C Sales and Strategic Partnerships for LEDVANCE in Western Europe. "This partnership will allow us to penetrate more of the European market as the evolution of smart lighting continues."

Mila Pros will install smart lighting that operates via Wifi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee technology. LEDVANCE is active in more than 140 countries with offices in more than 50 countries.

About Mila

Since 2016 Mila has been delivering real-time, vetted, on-demand neighborhood tech support. Mila expanded from Switzerland into new markets through a network of strong retail and enterprise partnerships, offering services in Germany, Austria, France, and the UK. With over 35 enterprise partners, Mila is the European leader of on demand, crowdsourced technical support.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220110006114/en/

Contacts:

Kimberly Hathaway

+1 415-994-1097

kimberly@hathawaypr.com
-- ServiceNow, Immediate Media Company, Abcam and Meta Among Top Ten Employers

-- Tech companies dominate the list and half are newcomers for 2022

LONDON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Glassdoor , the worldwide leader on insights about jobs and companies, has announced the winners of its Employees' Choice Awards, honouring the Best Places to Work in 2022 across the UK and four other countries. Unlike other workplace awards, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards are based on the input of employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback on Glassdoor by completing a company review about their job, work environment and employer over the past year.

The Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards feature six distinct categories, including honours for the Best Places to Work across the UK , France , Germany and Canada and recognising both large and small to medium companies in the U.S. Winners are ranked based on their overall rating achieved during the past year. (Ratings are based on a 5-point scale: 1.0=very dissatisfied, 3.0=OK, 5.0=very satisfied; actual calculations extend beyond the thousandth decimal place).

"The world of work is rapidly evolving, fueled by the pandemic and now millions of workers reevaluating their expectations of employers. This year's Best Places to Work winners are leading the way by listening and responding to employee feedback and reimagining the employee experience to truly put their people first," said Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor Chief Executive Officer. "It's inspiring to see these employers step up during the pandemic to expand and grow company cultures where employees feel supported and valued in and out of work. Congratulations to all of this year's Employees' Choice Award winners."

The top ten Best Places to Work in 2022 are:

ServiceNow (4.6 rating) AND Digital (4.6) Salesforce (4.6) Immediate Media Company (4.5) Abcam (4.5) McKinsey & Company (4.5) Adobe (4.5) VMware (4.5) Arm (4.5) Meta (4.5)

Glassdoor's 50 Best Places to Work in 2022 list features winning employers across a range of industries. Tech companies dominate the list with 19 winners, including seven in the top 10. Other industries represented include finance, manufacturing, travel & tourism, construction, media, retail, restaurants and more.

Software company ServiceNow claims the #1 spot with a rating of 4.6. Employees called out the company's fantastic culture, potential for opportunities and excellent training. ServiceNow is one of the 25 newcomers to the UK list, 6 of which are among the top 10. Newcomers include AND Digital (No. 2, 4.6) Dishoom (No 12, 4.5 ), Wise (No. 20, 4.4), The Gym Group (No. 25, 4.3), Oliver Bonas (No. 26, 4.3), Octopus Energy (No. 27, 4.3) and Jet2.com (No. 43, 4.2).

Eight employers absent from the 2021 list are rejoining in 2022, including Barratt Developments (No. 30, 4.3; last recognised in 2020), Schuh Limited (No. 36, 4.3; last recognised in 2020), Procter & Gamble (No.44, 4.2: last recognised in 2018) and Mott MacDonald (No.48, 4.2; last recognised in 2017). Google (No. 18, 4.4) is recognised for the eighth consecutive year and is the only employer to make the UK list every year since launch.

This year, only four employers appear on all five country lists (UK, France, Germany, U.S. large, and Canada): Salesforce (No. 3, 4.6), Microsoft (No. 13, 4.4), Google (No. 18, 4.4) and SAP (No. 19, 4.4).

When employees submit reviews about their employer on Glassdoor, they are asked to share their opinions on some of the best reasons to work for their employer (pros), any downsides (cons) and are encouraged to provide advice to management. In addition, employees are asked to rate how satisfied they are with their employer overall, rate their CEO as well as rate key workplace attributes like career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion1, senior management and work-life balance. Employees are also asked whether they would recommend their employer to a friend and whether they believe their employer's six-month business outlook is positive, negative or if they have no opinion.

Among the nearly two million employers reviewed on Glassdoor, the average company rating is 3.7.

Employees' Choice Award winners for the Best Places to Work in 2022 are determined using Glassdoor's proprietary awards algorithm, and each employer's rating is determined based on the quantity, quality and consistency of Glassdoor-approved company reviews submitted by UK-based employees between 20 October 2020 and 18 October 2021. During the year-long eligibility period, employers considered for the list must have received at least 30 ratings for each of the nine workplace attributes (overall company rating, career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, senior management, work-life balance, recommend to a friend and six-month business outlook) taken into account as part of the awards algorithm. For reporting simplicity, ratings are displayed to the nearest tenth, though calculations extend beyond the thousandth decimal place to determine final rank order. Complete awards methodology can be found and downloaded here: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Award/index.htm

FULL LIST OF 2022 WINNERS: All winning employers across this year's six categories can be found by visiting:

50 Best Places to Work - UK

100 Best Places to Work - U.S .

50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For - U.S.

25 Best Places to Work - Canada

25 Best Places to Work - France

25 Best Places to Work - Germany

VIDEO + EDITORIAL + EMPLOYEE COMMENTARY: Glassdoor is offering video and editorial content - see links below to download and embed the video and source the Glassdoor Blog .

VIDEO: Announcing the Best Places to Work in 2022

EDITORIAL: Glassdoor's Best Places to Work in UK 2022 Revealed: ServiceNow Wins #1

EDITORIAL: 19 Best Tech Companies to Work for in the UK

ECONOMIC RESEARCH: It's the UK's job hunting season - but where are the best places to work?

Employee commentary about winning employers is also available upon request. Please email: pr@glassdoor.com .

1Best Places to Work in 2022 is the first year to include an employer's diversity and inclusion rating. Glassdoor introduced this workplace factor rating in September 2020.

About Glassdoor

Glassdoor is revolutionising how people everywhere find jobs and companies they love by providing deeper workplace transparency. Professionals turn to Glassdoor to research ratings, reviews, salaries and more at millions of employers, and to Fishbowl by Glassdoor to engage in candid workplace conversations. Companies use Glassdoor to post jobs and attract talent through employer branding and employee insights products . Glassdoor is a subsidiary of Recruit Holdings, a leading global technology company, and a part of its fast-growing HR Technology business unit. For more information, visit www.glassdoor.co.uk .



"Glassdoor" and logo are proprietary trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Yorkton Ventures Inc. (TSXV: YVI) (FSE: H49) (the "Company") announces that it has acquired 12 mineral claims in 5 blocks having a total area of 656 hectares, known together as the Sirmac East Project, in the James Bay area of Quebec.

The Sirmac East Lithium Project is located roughly 170 km northwest of Chibougamau, Quebec and is accessible via a network of highways and forestry roads. A. 700kV powerline runs through the area.

The Sirmac East Lithium Project consists of 12 mineral claims with a total area of 656 hectares and is located on NTS map sheet 32J11. The Project is contiguous with Vision Lithium's Sirmac Property, Winsome Resources' Sirmac-Clapier Project and Troilus Gold's Troilus Gold Project.

The Project area is considered highly prospective for lithium hosted in spodumene-bearing pegmatites, with at least two historic lithium occurrences (Sirmac Lithium and Clapier Lithium) mapped in the western part of the region. In the northeast part of the region, at least one lithium-bearing boulder has been found on land with Provincial Park status, however the position of this boulder indicates that the area between the boulder location and the Sirmac lithium deposit (as well as the Clapier lithium showing) has strong potential for further discoveries.

Local area map of Yorkton Venture's Sirmac East Lithium Project - click here to view the map online.

To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8381/109825_a96638fc6478d9f6_001full.jpg

Geologically, the Sirmac East Lithium Project is located in the northeast part of the Superior geological province, in the Frotet-Evans volcano-sedimentary belt. Four lithologies are present in the project area: quartz-biotite-hornblende schists, amphibolitized flows or mafic sills, spodumene-bearing pegmatites, and a syenite pluton measuring about 6 km in diameter. The structural trend is roughly east-west. Numerous granitic pegmatite dykes, with thickness ranging up to one hundred meters have been identified in the area. Lithium mineralization in the region is associated with granitic, rare element-spodumene-bearing pegmatites. Immediately west of the Sirmac East Project is the Sirmac Lithium deposit with an estimated 314,328 tonnes grading 2.04% Li2O (Wrightbar Mines Ltd., 1994).

Terms of the purchase are $25,000 cash and 250,000 Company units on acceptance of the Agreement by the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company units are comprised of 250,000 common shares and 250,000 warrants exercisable at $0.60 for 18 months from the Agreement date. A 2% NSR is retained by the Vendor, of which one-half of the NSR (1%NSR) can be acquired for the cash sum of $1,000,000 at any time .

On behalf of Yorkton Ventures Inc.

Andrew Lee Smith

Chief Executive Officer

investors@yorktonventures.com



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, the uncertainty of the financing, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in preparing such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove imprecise and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109825
Major step forward in terms of production efficiency and scalability

Ghent, BELGIUM, and Milan, ITALY, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Press release

Biotalys and Olon Enter into Long-Term Partnership forthe Productionof Protein-Based Biocontrols

Relying on its leading expertise in microbial fermentation, Olon Group will manufactureBiotalys'biocontrols beginning with Evoca

Major step forward in terms of production efficiencyand scalability

Ghent, BELGIUM,and Milan, ITALY- 12 January 2022, 07:00 CET -Biotalys, an Agricultural Technology, a world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization, today announced a long-term strategic partnership for the manufacturing of Biotalys' biocontrol products. The partnership is driven by the common vision of transforming food protection with unique protein-based biocontrol solutions and secures the global supply of Biotalys' newly developed biofungicide, Evoca*, planned for market introduction in the United States in the second half of 2022 - pending regulatory approval.

Evoca, the first protein-based biocontrol in the Biotalys pipeline, aims to provide fruit and vegetable growers with a new rotation partner in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. It helps control diseases such as Botrytis and powdery mildew, thus reducing the dependency on chemical pesticides with corresponding residues in harvested produce while offering a distinctive new tool to manage pathogen resistance development.

Under the partnership, Olon will produce the active ingredient of Evoca at its world-class biotech manufacturing sites in Capua and Settimo Torinese (Italy), two centers of excellence in the microbial fermentation field meeting the highest quality standards. Relying on experience gained over more than 50 years, Olon's expertise includes extensive know-how of microbial fermentation, one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable technologies capable of significantly reducing the overall environmental impact.

In Capua, Olon's fermentation facility operates a range of bioreactors of up to 35m, while the facility in Settimo Torinese envisages production in batches of up to 112m - far above the capacity reached until now for Biotalys' products. This upscaling therefore signifies a major step forward in terms of production efficiency and scalability of protein-based biocontrols. Olon will both handle the fermentation process of the products developed by Biotalys in its laboratories in Ghent and purify them into the technical intermediate which will then be formulated by an external provider to create the end products.

"Biotalys' protein-based biocontrols are a promising new class of products to help growers protect their crops in an environmentally sustainable way," saidPaolo Tubertini, CEO of Olon. "They perfectly match with our long-term plan that focuses on novel biotech solutions and, consequently, the expansion of our capacity to support innovative biotech companies to accelerate the development of new products in a more sustainable way. According to this strategy we offer one of the biggest platforms of microbial fermentation production globally. It means the application of sustainable biotechnology to industrialization."

Patrice Selles, CEO of Biotalys, stated: "Olon is a world leader in the sustainable production of proteins, so we are very excited to partner with them for the manufacturing of our protein-based solutions, beginning with our first biofungicide Evoca. With its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and processes, Olon will be able to provide us with the quantity of product we need for the planned market calibration, while ensuring it meets all regulatory, quality and safety specifications. Upon formulation, the end product will give growers a new tool to use in integrated pest management programs to fight devastating fungal diseases in many fruits and vegetables."

Biotalys submitted Evoca for registration to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States in December 2020. Following the submission, Biotalys passed both the provided completeness check and the preliminary technical screening. The company expects to receive EPA approval in H2 2022. Biotalys also submitted for approval in California in April 2021, as this State performs its own in-depth review. In the European Union, Biotalys received confirmation from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the College for approval of crop protection products and biocides (Ctgb) that the registration dossier submitted in March 2021 for the active substance of Evoca is admissible for review.

* Evoca: Pending Registration. This product is not currently registered for sale or use in the United States, the European Union,or elsewhere and is not being offered for sale.

About Biotalys

Biotalys is an Agricultural Technology.

About Olon

With a 2020's turnover of USD 530 Mio, Olon supplies 34 Chemical Intermediates and more than 295 APIs for markets as pharma, food and agriculture. Thanks to all the 2,200 employees, and to a highly qualified R&D team of more than 200 people, Olon can offer complete integrated packages and services to support the full development of APIs based on strong knowledge in both chemical and biological processes, all of them under a full cGMP and regulatory coverage. Headquartered in Rodano (Milan, Italy), Olon has 11 manufacturing facilities - 8 located in Italy, 1 in Spain, 1 in USA and 1 in India, designed in compliance with the strictest international requirements - and 3 branch offices in Hamburg (Germany), Florham Park NJ (USA) and Shanghai (China). The group has recently launched "Innovation Initiatives": an internal program to explore new technologies or new applications for existing technologies, with a big focus on biotech.

www.olonspa.com

For further information, please contact

For Biotalys:

Toon Musschoot, Head of IR & Communication

Telephone: +32 (0)9 274 54 00

Email: Toon.Musschoot@biotalys.com

For Olon:

Sabrina Spina

Mobile: +39 338 6674289

Email: sspina@olonspa.it

Important Notice

This announcement contains statements which are "forward-looking statements" or could be considered as such. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words 'aim', 'believe', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'expect', 'intend', 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'continue', 'ongoing', 'possible', 'predict', 'plans', 'target', 'seek', 'would' or 'should', and contain statements made by the company regarding the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are warned that none of these forward-looking statements offers any guarantee of future performance. The Biotalys actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. Biotalys makes no undertaking whatsoever to publish updates or adjustments to these forward-looking statements, unless required to do so by law.

Attachment
Kempen expresses concerns over disappointing mid-term plan and inadequate corporate governance at Fujitec

Today, Kempen Capital Management N.V. (Kempen) issued an open letter to Fujitec's Board of Directors in which we express our concerns over the disappointing mid-term plan and inadequate corporate governance at Fujitec Co., Ltd. (Fujitec). Funds managed and accounts advised by Kempen currently own approximately 3.5% of the outstanding shares of Fujitec.

Kempen started investing in Fujitec in August 2014 through its Global Small-cap strategy and ever since has been in frequent contact with the company. The underperformance versus peers and the structural undervaluation of the company's stock led us to provide numerous suggestions to improve shareholder communications, capital efficiency, corporate governance and the geographical footprint.

Jan Willem Berghuis, Head of Small-Caps at Kempen: 'As a long-term engaged shareholder, we take our role and responsibility very seriously. We consider it our fiduciary duty to share and discuss key observations and make suggestions to drive long-term sustainable value for all Fujitec stakeholders. While steps have been taken to address some of the issues that we raised, the mid-term plan released by Fujitec on 22 December 2021 nevertheless failed to adequately address our main concerns. We continue to believe that Fujitec is an intrinsically good business with an even greater potential, if its leadership team would embrace the opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, capital efficiency and corporate governance. Consequently, we are taking the step of publicly voicing our concerns, and call on the Board of Directors to take action.'

A copy of the open letter can be found here:

English version

Japanese version

-End-

Disclaimer

This document has been prepared by Kempen Capital Management N.V. (Kempen) for the benefit and use of the original recipients. It does not constitute, and should not be construed as, an offer or solicitation to enter into any transaction regarding any financial instrument, nor should it form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any such transaction. This document does not constitute, and should not be construed as, tax, legal, regulatory, accountancy or other specialist or technical advice, or investment advice or personal recommendations, any trading strategy or advice (from an investment perspective) to any person on the suitability of any transaction.

The information in this document is based on information that Kempen considers reliable, but which it did not verify. No representation or warranty is made as to, nor should reliance be placed on, any of that information contained herein being accurate or complete. Neither Kempen, nor any of its parent or subsidiary undertakings, or any such person's directors, officers or employees, accepts any responsibility or liability for any losses or damages that may result from the lack of accuracy or incompleteness of this information. Such persons also do not accept any responsibility or liability for (accounting) calculations and assumptions on which any statements, views, valuations or opinions expressed by Kempen in this document may be based.

This document speaks of its date and opinions and views expressed are Kempen's opinions and views as of such date only. Kempen assumes no obligation to notify or inform any party of any developments or changes occurring after the date of this document that might render its contents untrue or inaccurate in whole or in part.

Any possible transaction or investment referred to herein may involve significant risk. This document has been prepared without regard to the individual circumstances and objectives of persons other than the original recipients who receive it. Other recipients should, without relying on this document, make their own independent decisions regarding to any possible transaction or investment and, if necessary, seek professional advice.

Kempen accepts no liability whatsoever for any reproduction or redistribution, in whole or in part, of this document, by any person other than Kempen.

The distribution of this document in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law, and recipients into whose possession this comes should inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions.

Kempen Capital Management N.V. (Kempen) is licensed as a manager of various UCITS and AIFs and authorised to provide investment services and as such is subject to supervision by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. As asset manager KCM may have investments, generally for the benefit of third parties, in financial instruments, like those mentioned in this document and it may at any time decide to execute buy or sell transactions in these financial instruments. Kempen currently has invested in shares of the company mentioned.

About Kempen Capital Management

Kempen Capital Management is a specialist asset manager with a focused approach and a clear investment philosophy. We believe in long-term stewardship for our clients and other stakeholders. Kempen provides sustainable returns, fiduciary management services, manager selection, portfolio construction and monitoring, alongside a number of actively-managed investment strategies. As of 30 June 2021, Kempen Capital Management had a total of 88.3 billion in client assets under management.

Kempen Capital Management, part of Van Lanschot Kempen NV, is a specialist and independent wealth manager. Kempen Capital Management NV is licensed as a manager of various UCITS and AIFs and authorised to provide investment services and as such is subject to supervision by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Kempen Capital Management (UK) Ltd is licensed as a manager and subject to supervision by the Financial Conduct Authority.

For more information, please visit: kempen.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111006015/en/

Contacts:

Further details

For further details, please contact Van Lanschot Kempen media relations:

Daan Joosen

d.joosen@vanlanschotkempen.com

+31 (6) 13 70 28 47


China's counter-sanctions against US 'fully justified': spokesperson

(People's Daily App) 14:28, January 12, 2022

China on Tuesday said that it has made justified moves to defend its interests responding to US sanctions.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks in response to a question about US top diplomat Antony Blinken's statement on Monday.

Blinken said China's sanctions against commissioners of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom were "without merit" and alleged there was "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang."

"Allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang are lies of the century fabricated by some individuals in the US," Wang said. "The US side has been creating rumors to malign China, tarnish China's image and contain its development, but their conspiracy will not succeed."

Wang said that over the past few years, the US, under the disguise of democracy, human rights and religion, imposed unilateral sanctions on dozens of Chinese officials and several entities pursuant to its domestic legislation on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity such as Xinjiang and Hong Kong, all of which were without merit.

"These acts interfere in China's internal affairs and gravely harm China's interests," the spokesperson said. "The Chinese side has made response in accordance with law, which are completely justified moves to defend sovereignty, security and development interests."

China would continue to take "all necessary measures to safeguard our national sovereignty, dignity and legitimate interests," Wang said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Officially recognized by Portugal's central bank as a virtual asset service provider, CriptoLoja marks 2TM Group's first foray outside of Latin America

Brazil's 2TM Group, the owner of MercadoBitcoin.com, Latin America's largest crypto exchange, today announced the acquisition of a controlling stake in CriptoLoja, the first licensed Lisbon-based crypto exchange. In June 2021, CriptoLoja received Portugal's first official license as a "virtual asset service provider" from Banco de Portugal, the nation's central bank, which still needs to approve this acquisition.

"Crypto is a global business. Our Series A B funding rounds gave us the momentum we needed to expand our international footprint. In addition to an enhanced financial opportunity, the investment provides us with outstanding technology required to compete globally," said Roberto Dagnoni, CEO of 2TM group. "Portugal is a strategic market for us because it requires a specific license, is becoming an important hub for crypto in Europe and opens a gateway into the larger European market."

The Brazilian holding company will start its expansion into Europe with an over-the-counter (OTC) operation. As a second phase, it intends to take the entire MercadoBitcoin.com platform to retail and institutional investors. "We will access the European market using the clear synergies with our presence in Latin America, as we share the same language, a recognized brand, and cross-sell opportunities for customers. There are many Brazilians living in Portugal who would love to invest through our platform," said Dagnoni.

2TM views the EU-regulated environment as a highly beneficial operating space. "It is a path that we are looking for in Brazil, and we see it as the necessary one for the institutionalization of the market. Being in Portugal is an important competitive advantage for large B2B customers and OTC operations," explained Dagnoni. This acquisition establishes 2TM's presence in an emerging fintech and blockchain ecosystem in Europe, as Portugal is considered one of the continent's most crypto-friendly countries.

CriptoLoja's founders, Luis Gomes and Pedro Borges, will remain co-heads of the business while also leading 2TM's expansion on the continent. "There is no doubt that being part of a company backed by SoftBank, as well as funds such as Tribe and 10T, contributes to building our reputation in Portugal. In addition, there is 2TM's expertise in building a strong exchange, the largest in digital assets in Latin America, and in spearheading the transformation of the sector in the region. We aim to do the same with Portugal and Europe," said Luis Gomes.

Pedro Borges explains that the crypto ecosystem is flourishing in Portugal. "Cryptocurrencies are still an emerging topic in the country. All the virtual assets such as Bitcoin, Ether, etc., are generating a revolution and considerable demand." He says the platform also intends to be the place for individuals or companies to go when thinking about investing, trading, exchanging or hedging crypto assets.

*The completion of the acquisition is pending Banco de Portugal approval.

About 2TM Group:

The 2TM Group is a Brazilian holding company managing a range of digital asset services and solutions. Mercado Bitcoin, Latin America's largest cryptocurrency exchange, is the crown jewel in its portfolio. In the first five months of 2021, the exchange processed transactions totaling almost $5 billion in volume. Sister companies include Meubank, a multi-asset wallet and account service currently waiting for a Brazilian Central Bank license, Bitrust, a qualified digital custodian, Clearbook, an equity crowdfunding platform, MBDA, an asset tokenizer, Mezapro, which provides services to institutional investors, and the Blockchain Academy, the group's educational arm. For more information, visit: https://www.2tmgroup.com/

About CriptoLoja

CriptoLoja is a Portuguese cryptocurrency exchange based in Lisbon. In June 2021, the company became the nation's first cryptocurrency exchange to be officially licensed by the Portuguese central bank. Founded by seasoned financial experts, the exchange offers its users access to the most popular coins, including Bitcoin, Ether, and Cardano. For more information, visit: https://criptoloja.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111006074/en/

Contacts:

Agencia Pub



Evando Nogueira

Email: evando.nogueira@agencia.pub

Tel.: (11) 99655-1169



Chico Marcelino

Email: chico.marcelino@agencia.pub

Tel: (+33) 7 69 45 02 75



Valeria Masson

Email: valeria.masson@agencia.pub

Tel.: (11) 95651-7474
For immediate release

iSTAR Medical showsinitialpositiveprogress of US STAR-V trialfor MINIject

Pivotal trialof MINIject, STAR-V, now initiated in 13 sites across the US

Positive feedback from world-leading glaucoma surgeons involved in the trial

MINIjectis the only commercially available MIGS devicetargeting the supraciliary space.Commercial rollout continues following European approval in 2021





WAVRE, Belgium - 12January2022: iSTAR Medical, a medtech company delivering breakthrough eye care solutions to patients, today announced initial positive progress of MINIject in its US STAR-V trial. MINIject is a potentially best-in-class minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) implant and the only commercially available supraciliary MIGS device. The trial is now initiated in 13 sites across the US with positive feedback on initial implantations from world-leading glaucoma surgeons.

MINIject has demonstrated meaningful and enduring intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, combined with a favorable safety profile, in completed and ongoing trials conducted in Europe, the Americas and Asia in over 150 patients so far.

The STAR-Vtrial is a US FDA-approved pivotal study assessing the safety and efficacy of MINIject in over 350 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma across the US, Canada and Europe. Following the trial's FDA IDE approvalin 2021, patient enrollment has been progressing as planned.

Glaucoma specialist Dr Steven D. Vold, from Vold Vision in Fayetteville, AR(USA), a long-standing contributor to ophthalmic device development and STAR-V trial investigator commented: "There is significant untapped potential in targeting the supraciliary space when leveraging MIGS to treat glaucoma, and MINIject enables this to be captured. iSTAR Medical's approach uses its unique silicone micropore tissue friendly STAR material that enables biointegration. The supraciliary space has previously been demonstrated to be one of the most efficacious targets, and I am excited at the prospect of having a new MIGS approach with such strong potential to offer my patients."

Dr Brian E. Flowers, a glaucoma specialist at Ophthalmology Associates at Fort Worth, TX(USA), and one of the investigators in STAR-V, said: "MINIject's highly biocompatible anti-fibrotic technology enables safe and meaningful IOP reduction for patients, without compromising corneal health. Additionally, it doesn't require a bleb, reducing post-implantation patient management and potential complications. Overall, based on my implantations to date, I am encouraged by MINIject's potential to be a game-changing MIGS device in the stand alone setting to improve disease management and quality of life in glaucoma patients."

Dr. William J. Flynn, MD, from Eye Associates Research in San Antonio, TX(USA), expressed:"Due to its promising powerful efficacy and safety, MINIject may open the door to treating a much larger patient population who previously couldn't be treated by other MIGS devices. I am excited to be part of this trial and based on my positive experience thus far, I am optimistic for MINIject to be a valuable addition to our glaucoma treatment armamentarium."

Michel Vanbrabant, CEO of iSTAR Medical, commented:"Following last year's success with the approval of MINIjectin Europe, we are excited to be progressing so positively in our pivotal approval trialin the United States.We remain very encouraged by the strong feedback from clinicians so far, and we are confident that our STAR-V trialwill build on thesafety and powerful efficacyoutcomesdemonstrated byMINIject in the STAR-I to STAR-IVtrials."

- Ends -

For more information

Katherin Awad

Head of Marketing, iSTAR Medical

news@istarmed.com; +32 10 77 16 54

For media

Consilium Strategic Communications

Amber Fennell, Chris Welsh, Kris Lam

iSTAR@consilium-comms.com

About iSTAR Medical

iSTAR Medical is committed to delivering breakthrough eye care solutions. Our most advanced product, MINIject, is approved in Europe for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma - the leading cause of irreversible blindness1 - and we are aiming to seek market approval in the US. We believe MINIject's unique tissue-integrating capabilities unlock a safer, and more effective option for patients. We are building an exceptional team and pipeline of best-in-class products such as MINIject to establish new treatment paradigms in eye care conditions with the highest patient needs. For more information, please visit: www.istarmed.com

About MINIjectTM

MINIjectis iSTAR Medical's innovative MIGS device for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. MINIject combines the unique porous structure of its proprietary STAR material with the power offered by the supraciliary space. As a result, it is designed to enhance natural fluid outflow, reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and the need for medication, while bio-integrating with surrounding tissue, limiting inflammation, fibrosis and subsequent complications.

About Glaucoma

Glaucomais a progressive disease affecting over 100 million people globally, of which primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form.1,2 IOP reduction, through medication or surgery, helps delay disease progression.3 Medication is generally the first line treatment, but the progressive addition of multiple drops can burden patients with side effects, compliance challenges and costs.2,3 Invasive surgery can present risks with irreversible complications and often requires long-term patient management.2,3 MIGS is the most promising and fastest-growing glaucoma therapy due to its enhanced safety profile.2 MINIject is potentially best-in-class for its promising long-term efficacy and safety.

1 Jonas JB, Aung T, Bourne RR et al. "Glaucoma". Lancet 2017; 390: 2083-93

2 Market Scope, "2021 Glaucoma Surgical Device Market Report", July 2021. https://www.market-scope.com/pages/reports/267/2021-glaucoma-surgical-device-market-report

3"European Glaucoma Society Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma", 4th Edition: British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2017;101:1-195 https://bjo.bmj.com/content/101/5/73
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Orosur Mining Inc. (TSX:OMI)(AIM:OMI), is pleased to announce that following its AGM announcement on 23 December 2021, the Company will hold a Shareholder conference call today, 12th January 2022, at 16:30 (UK Local time).

The Company's Chief Executive, Brad George and Chairman Louis Castro, will host the call followed by a question and answer session.

To participate in this conference call, please dial in to the following:

Standard International Access

Tel: +44 (0) 33 0551 0200

UK Toll Free

Tel: 0808 109 0700

Password

Orosur

Shortly following the conference call, a recording will be available to download from the Company website http://www.orosur.cafor seven days.

For further information please contact:

Orosur Mining Inc

Louis Castro, Chairman,

Brad George, CEO

info@orosur.ca

Tel: +1 (778) 373-0100

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP - Nomad & Joint Broker

Jeff Keating / Caroline Rowe

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3 470 0470

Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Ltd - Joint Broker

Andy Thacker/James Pope

Tel: +44 (0)20 3657 0050

Flagstaff Communications and Investor Communications

Tim Thompson

Mark Edwards

Anna Probert

orosur@flagstaffcomms.com

Tel: +44 (0)207 129 1474

About Orosur Mining Inc.

Orosur Mining Inc. (TSX:OMI)(AIM:OMI) is a minerals explorer and developer focused on identifying and advancing projects in South America.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Orosur Mining Inc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683097/Orosur-Mining-Inc-Announces-Notice-of-Shareholder-Conference-Call
Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals plc

("Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals" or the "Company")

Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals Partnership with Selexis SA to Advance CDX Development

Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals and Selexis SA ("Selexis") will leverage Selexis' SUREtechnology Platform of protein expression technologies and modular workflows to advance the Company's acute myeloid leukemia CDX bispecific antibody toward human trials

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals plc (LSE:HEMO), the biopharmaceutical group developing new therapies and treatments for blood diseases, is pleased to announce a further key step in the development of its CDX programme. Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals and Selexis SA, a JSR Life Sciences company, have signed a service agreement to develop the cell line for the Company's CDX bispecific antibody for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Under the agreement, Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals will leverage Selexis' proprietary SUREtechnology Platform, a suite of cell line development tools and technologies that significantly reduces the time, effort, and costs associated with developing high-performance mammalian cell lines.

The CDX bispecific is made using the Hemogenyx's proprietary humanised monoclonal antibody against a target on the surface of AML cells. CDX was co-developed by Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Company ("Lilly"). This cutting-edge application of immune therapy offers a potentially more benign and effective form of treatment that, if successful, could have a significant impact on treatment and survival rates for AML. Following the completion of the co-development phase, Lilly granted the Company an exclusive worldwide licence to certain intellectual property developed by Lilly related to the CDX bispecific antibody for all uses, including the treatment of AML and other blood cancers.

Dr. Vladislav Sandler, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals commented, "We are delighted to partner with Selexis, and access its proprietary protein expression tools and technologies, IP and know-how. The partnership is key to advancing our CDX programme into clinical trials and accelerating the timeline to deliver this innovative therapy to patients in need of a more benign and effective treatment for AML."

Mr Dirk Lange, CEO of Selexis, added, "There's an urgent need for effective treatments for AML, and we at Selexis are pleased to apply our technologies to help Hemogenyx advance the CDX bispecific antibody to the clinic. We've built a reputation for delivering cell lines rapidly and cost-effectively, without compromising safety. This is an exciting milestone for Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals and we welcome the opportunity to join the company on its journey toward delivering a promising and effective therapy for patients with AML."

Selexis' modular SUREtechnology Platform facilitates the rapid, stable, and cost-effective production of recombinant proteins and vaccines, providing seamless integration of the development continuum from discovery to commercialisation.

Enquiries:

Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals plc https://hemogenyx.com Dr Vladislav Sandler, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder headquarters@hemogenyx.com Peter Redmond, Director peter.redmond@hemogenyx.com SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP Tel: +44 (0)20 3470 0470 Matthew Johnson, Vadim Alexandre, Adam Cowl Peterhouse Capital Limited Tel: +44 (0)20 7469 0930 Lucy Williams, Duncan Vasey, Charles Goodfellow Selexis https:// www.selexis.com Company Inquiries Robert Meister, Head, Corporate Communications robert.meister@selexis.com Tel: +1 602-953-1716 Media Inquiries Mike Beyer mikebeyer@sambrown.com Tel: +1 312-961-2502

About Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals plc

Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals is a publicly traded company (LSE: HEMO) headquartered in London, with its US operating subsidiaries, Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals LLC and Immugenyx LLC, located in New York City at its state-of-the-art research facility.

The Company is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical group developing new medicines and treatments to treat blood and autoimmune disease and to bring the curative power of bone marrow transplantation to a greater number of patients suffering from otherwise incurable life-threatening diseases. Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals is developing several distinct and complementary product candidates, as well as a platform technology that it uses as an engine for novel product development.

For more than 50 years, bone marrow transplantation has been used to save the lives of patients suffering from blood diseases. The risks of toxicity and death that are associated with bone marrow transplantation, however, have meant that the procedure is restricted to use only as a last resort. The Company's technology has the potential to enable many more patients suffering from devastating blood diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, as well as severe autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, aplastic anemia and systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus), to benefit from bone marrow transplantation.

About Selexis SA

Selexis SA, a JSR Life Sciences company, is the global leader in cell line development with best-in-class modular technology and highly specialized solutions that enable the life sciences industry to rapidly discover, develop and commercialize innovative medicines and vaccines. Our global partners are utilizing Selexis technologies to advance more than 146 drug candidates in preclinical and clinical development and the manufacture of eight commercial products. As part of a comprehensive drug development process, the Company's technologies shorten development timelines and reduce manufacturing risks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

- Web www.selexis.com

- LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/selexis-sa

- Twitter www.twitter.com/SelexisSA

- Facebook www.facebook.com/SelexisSA

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals PLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683101/Hemogenyx-Pharmaceuticals-Partnership-with-Selexis
ABU DHABI, UAE and LONDON and SINGAPORE, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is partnering with the AirCarbon Exchange (ACX), the world's first fully digital carbon exchange, to promote carbon offsetting via UNFCCC Certified Emission Reductions (CERs).

The partnership will allow ACX clients representing 30 different countries to purchase and retire CERs for their carbon offsetting purposes. ACX will be the second exchange in the world, and the first in Asia, to list CERs held in the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) registry. Through this partnership, ACX will work closely with the UNFCCC to raise awareness and facilitate the use of CERs in the carbon markets.

ACX was launched in 2019 with a vision of bringing transparency, efficiency and liquidity to the carbon markets and in 2021 was recognised as the Best Carbon Exchange in Environmental Finance's prestigious Voluntary Carbon Market Rankings.

James Grabert, Director Mitigation Division at UNFCCC, said:

"This partnership comes at a time of growing commitment to climate action in line with the strong agreements made by countries at the Glasgow climate conference last year. As countries embark on implementing the Paris Agreement carbon markets, this arrangement will enable early movers to reward projects already underway with the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). By offsetting emissions through CDM projects that have ongoing crediting periods, investors can support the successful transition of such projects to the Paris era."

Thomas McMahon, CEO and Co-Founder of AirCarbon Exchange, said:

"We are honoured to partner with the UNFCCC to promote and facilitate the use of CERs for voluntary offsetting. We look forward to working with the UNFCCC to direct much-needed finance to a wide range of carbon projects under the UN Clean Development Mechanism."

About UNFCCC

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the focus of the political process to address climate change. The UNFCCC secretariat supports the Convention, its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement through a range of activities, including substantive and organizational support to meetings of the Parties and the implementation of commitments.

The UNFCCC secretariat serves the Executive Board of the clean development mechanism (CDM), one of the three mechanisms deployed to assist countries with meeting their Kyoto Protocol targets. The CDM allows emission-reduction projects that contribute to sustainable development in developing countries to earn certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2. The CERs can be used to meet a part of countries' obligations or be used for other voluntarily defined targets and purposes.

About AirCarbon Pte. Ltd.

AirCarbon Exchange ("ACX") is a global exchange revolutionising the voluntary carbon market. The Exchange's client base comprises corporate entities, financial traders, carbon project developers and other industry stakeholders. ACX provides its clients with an efficient and transparent trading platform which is easy to use, frictionless and with the lowest commission fees available on the market. Its underlying technology will allow the carbon market to scale efficiently to meet global ambitions of Net Zero.

Launched in 2019, the Exchange is a hybrid platform with a traditional central order book architecture that will be familiar to all experienced traders. The Exchange also utilises the speed and efficiency of the blockchain to achieve atomic T-0 trade execution, clearing and settlement. The Exchange's core matching engine can currently match trades in the order ~10k per second.

As of May 2021, ACX is the world's first carbon negative exchange, having offset its carbon emissions 12 months into the future (to May 2022) through the Onil Stoves Guatemala Uspantan project. ACX is committed to continuing to offset all of its emissions 12 months forward.
Revenues: 163.5m, up 38%;

Adjusted EBITDA margin: 13.2%, up 4.8 percentage points;

Underlying EBIT margin: 11.9%, up 5.1 percentage points;

EBIT: 19.4m, up 150%;

Net income: 14.2m, up 203%;

Cash: 22.8m, up 27%;

New strategic plan for profitable growth rolled out.

12 January 2022. Vente-Unique.com, a European specialist in online furniture and home decor sales, today announces its unaudited results for the 2020-2021 financial year (1 October 2020 to 30 September 2021). The annual financial report will be published on 28 January 2022 after the completion of audit procedures.

Vente-Unique.com CEO Sacha Vigna said: "We are delighted to announce the results for what has been a historic year for Vente-Unique.com. The Company has beaten the targets set at its IPO a year ahead of time and more than doubled revenues in just four years. All this while achieving an exemplary level of operating profitability. This performance reflects our success in attracting ever more consumers and shows that our recent investments in logistics, technology and branding have paid off.

Building on this success, we have set new medium-term ambitions and now expect to double revenues again over the next five years while sustaining our exemplary operating margins. As part of the plan, we are getting ready to launch a new market place to expand our range and working on a new logistics platform in Poland to further optimise our logistics flows."

IFRS (m) - Unaudited data 2019-2020 2020-2021 Change Revenues 118.9 163.5 +38% Gross margin 63.1 93.2 +48% % of revenues 53.1% 57% +3.9 pp Adjusted EBITDA[1] 10.0 21.6 +116% % of revenues 8.4% 13.2% +4.8 pp Underlying EBIT 8.1 19.5 +141% % of revenues 6.8% 11.9% +5.1 pp EBIT 7.7 19.4 +150% Net financial income/(expense) (0.0) (0.0) -15% Income tax (3.0) (5.1) +70% Net income 4.7 14.2 +203%

10th consecutive year of double-digit growth

Vente-Unique.com had an excellent 2020-2021, ending the financial year with revenues of 163.5 million, up 38% on the previous financial year. This means the Company has beaten its annual revenue target, initially set at 150 million and later raised to 160 million. In only four years, the Company has more than doubled its revenues one year ahead of its IPO target.

This excellent sales performance is the result of Vente-Unique.com's unique ability to satisfy increasing numbers of customers and to manage its supplies, thanks to the work of its sourcing and logistics teams who successfully maintained high product availability throughout the year, despite a challenging market in the second half.

All 11 countries served contributed to the excellent sales trend this financial year and all posted double-digit growth. Top performer was Northern and Eastern Europe (sales up 45% to 51.6m), followed by Southern Europe (up 40% to 23.5m) and France (up 33% to 88.5m).

Investments pay off, helping satisfy a growing customer base

Last year's successful roll-out of the new logistics strategy meant that Vente-Unique.com was ready to handle this year's jump in demand thanks to the efficiency of its 55,000m2 logistics platform at Amblainville (France).

Also, in the second half of the year, the Company launched its new brand platform, to strengthen its customer promise, and a new version of its proprietary IT platform, to optimise the user experience.

Vente-Unique.com was thus able to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction throughout the year while mobilising the right human, industrial and technological resources to continue profiting from the vast European furniture and home decor market (worth nearly 250bn[2] in 2021) as it continues its inexorable digital transformation from its current low digitization base of just 10%.

15th consecutive year in profit

By recording its 15th consecutive annual profit, Vente-Unique.com shows it is well able to turn topline growth into profit despite the pressure on international supply chains, which actually worsened in H2 2020-2021.

Gross margin for FY 2020-2021 was 57% of revenues, up 3.9 percentage points on the previous year thanks to the Company's ability to adapt its pricing policy to events (passing on higher supply costs). This means gross margin has widened by 5.9 percentage points in just two years.

Despite slightly higher logistics costs related to the expansion of the Amblainville platform (7.6% of FY revenue against 7.0% the previous year), Vente-Unique.com was able to keep a tight grip on its other operating expenses to post adjusted EBITDA of 21.6 million for FY 2020-2021, an adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.2%, up by an impressive 4.8 points on a year earlier.

After allowing for 1.2 million in depreciation, amortisation & provisions, less than 1% of revenues, underlying EBIT rose sharply, by 141% to 19.5 million, giving an underlying EBIT margin[3] of 11.9%, a 5.1 percentage point jump on the previous year. EBIT followed the same trend, rising 150% or 19.4 million, compared to the previous year.

With no material financial expenses and after a 70% higher tax charge of 5.1 million, Vente-Unique.com posted a threefold year-on-year increase in net income to 14.2 million in FY 2020-2021.

Ample cash pile of 22.8 million after debt repayment



These excellent results generated 15.9 million in gross operating cash flow, a rise of 149% on the previous year. Working capital requirement also increased by 3.1 million due to higher inventories level to maintain a high level of product availability, and investment continued at a controlled level of 1.7 million.

In addition, Vente-Unique.com repaid 2.9 million in financial debt, including the 2 million state-guaranteed loan taken out in 2020. The Company also paid out 2.7 million in dividends in respect of the previous year and conducted a 0.8 million share buyback in 2020-2021.

This left Vente-Unique.com with an ample cash pile of 22.8 million, with equity of 29.9 million and no borrowings (other than lease liabilities) on 30 September 2021.

Return to pre-Covid activity volumes ahead of the roll-out of the new profitable growth plan

Vente-Unique.com expects a slight year-on-year fall in its Q1 2021-2022 revenues (about -15%) compared to the wholly exceptional Q1 2020-2021 comparison base (up by 68%). But such a level of activity in Q1 2021-2022 would still represent strong growth of about 43% compared to Q1 2019-2020 before the Covid crisis hit.

Medium term, Vente-Unique.com plans to sustain a high level of customer satisfaction and continue to profit from the increasing digitisation of the furniture and home decor market through the roll-out of its new strategic plan, announced in October 2021, which should double the Company's size again in 5 years while maintaining high operating margins: adjusted EBITDA margin over 12% and underlying EBIT margin above 10%.

Accordingly, the Company announced in December 2021 that it had selected Mirakl, a global leader in marketplace software solutions, to create its future innovative marketplace which will come onstream in the course of 2022. The new platform will enrich the Company's offering, allow substantially increased margins and thus be a cornerstone of the new development plan.

In addition, the Company plans to expand its European footprint, adding a second logistics platform in Poland to further optimise its management of logistics flows.

Furthermore, Vente-unique.com continues to study the possibility of acquiring Distri Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of its parent company, Cafom Group, which operates the Amblainville (Oise) platform, in order to strengthen its operational independence.

Next publication: Q1 2021-2022 revenues, Wednesday, 9 February 2022

Read more on bourse.vente-unique.com

About Vente-Unique.com

Founded in 2006, Vente-Unique.com (Euronext Growth - ALVU), a subsidiary of the Cafom Group (Euronext - CAFO), is a European specialist in online furniture and home decor sales. The Company covers 11 countries (France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland) and has delivered more than 2 million customers since its inception. Vente-unique.com's revenues for the 2020-2021 financial year were 163 million, up 38%.

ACTUS finance & communication Jerome Fabreguettes-Leib Deborah Schwartz Investor Relations Press Relations vente-unique@actus.fr dschwartz@actus.fr +33 (0)1 53 67 36 78 +33 (0)1 53 67 36 35

[1] Adjusted EBITDA = earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation + valuation of bonus shares

[2] Statista, Technavio, estimated market size 2021.

[3] Underlying EBIT/revenues

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Press release Sainte-Marie, January 12, 2022, 10:45

Good business performance in 2021

heralding a buoyant year 2022

Housing (units): Sharp rise in the performance of the property development business (sales: +12.5% and reserved units: +13.3% due to the success of the Pinel Dom programs) and the next bulk sales of the property company expected in 2022

Company (sq.m.): Strong increase in sales of buildings (x7) and high level of reserved building lots (15,264 sq.m.)

CBo Territoria announced that it had achieved satisfactory commercial activity in 2021, supported in Development by successes in private and social housing, and a significant sale in the tertiary sector. In terms of property company, in accordance with the 2019 framework agreement with SHLMR/Action Logement, the next block sales will take place at the end of 2022.

Residential housing



Residential housing

In figures 2020 2021 Variation Sales Reserved Sales Reserved Sales Reserved Promotion: Intermediate housing development 177 37 184 52 +4,0% +40,5% Of which block sales 122 0 132 0 +8,2% Of which single sales 55 37 52 52 -5,5% +40,5% Promotion: Building plots Housing 104 106 102 110 -1,9% +3,8% S/Total sales Private housing development 281 143 286 162 +1,8% +13,3% Promotion: social housing 0 0 30 0 Total sales

Housing promotion 281 143 316 162 +12,5% +13,3% Property company: Older intermediate housing 89 15 32 9 -64,0% -40,0% Of which block sales * 51 0 0 0 -100,0% Of which single sales 38 15 32 9 -15,8% -40,0%

In 2021, the intermediary housing development business was boosted by the bulk sale of 132 units to SHLMR/Action Logement (compared with 122 in 2020), as well as a new dynamic with private individuals for the Pinel Dom programs.Indeed, 52 units in the Pinel Dom program were sold this year (compared with 55 in 2020) and the company recorded a large number of reservation agreements, up to 52 (compared with 37 in 2020). This performance indicates that 2022 will be a very active year for individuals, given the reduction in the Pinel Dom tax advantage from 2023 onwards. In this context, CBo Territoria plans to launch two new programs in 2022 and 2023.

At the same time, 8,723 sq.m. of land were sold to public and private operators for the construction of social and intermediary programs in CBo Territoria's current development operations.

Thanks to the high quality and the expansion of the supply, sales of Habitat building plots remain at a high level with 102 units (104 units in 2020, an all-time record). Reservations remain high at 110 units, compared with 106 in 2020, which should make a significant contribution to the Group's results in 2022.

The Promotion activity in social housing recorded the sale of 30 units, a level in line with the programs to be carried out in the neighborhoods developed by CBo Territoria.

Together, these performances in Property Development show sales growth of +12.5% and a +13.3% increase in reservations, pointing to growth in this activity in 2022.

At the same time, property company activity in 2021 was limited in terms of disposal of old housing units (32 units vs. 89 units in 2020), given the low number of units available for sale to individuals and the absence of bulk sales to SHLMR/Action Logement, in accordance with the disposal schedule linked to the memorandum of understanding, the next acquisition of which is scheduled for 2022 (118 units).

Service industry



Service industry

In sq.m. 2020 2021 Variation Sales Reserved Sales Reserved Sales Reserved Promotion: housing (SU) 645 283 4 463 0 +591,9% -100,0% Promotion: Building land (saleable area) 32 516 20 570 14 066 15 264 -56,7% -25,8% Arbitration of assets (SU) 737 0 199 69 -73,0%

In 2021, the service industry development activity, an occasional activity, will bounce back in terms of construction with mainly the sale to an institutional investor of a 3,100 sq.m. program in the heart of the La Mare business district and the sale of a 1,100 sq.m. catering facility in Le Port.

It has achieved a satisfactory level of sales of building plots at 14,066 sq.m. The stock of land reservations, which corresponds to the last serviced plots in the Actis and Portail developments, amounts to 15,264 sq.m.

* SHLMR/Action Logement Framework Agreement September 2019

Next financial agenda release

2021 revenues: Wednesday, February 16, 2022, after market close

About CBo Territoria

Leading property developer and planner in Reunion Island and Mayotte, CBo Territoria is a real estate operator listed on Euronext C (FR0010193979, CBOT), and eligible for the PEA PME (Leveraged Share Savings Plan for the SME).

The Group has been in the Top 10 (compartment C) of the Gaia Index for 5 years for its ESG approach and relies on best practices for its governance.

Owner of 2950 hectares, the Group aims mostly to become a multi-regional Tertiary Property company, whose development is co-funded by its promotional activity.

www.cboterritoria.com

Contacts

INVESTOR RELATIONS TEAM

Caroline Clapier

Administrative and Financial Manager

direction@cboterritoria.com PARIS MEDIA RELATIONS TEAM

dmorin@capvalue.fr REUNION MEDIA RELATIONS TEAM

Catherine Galatoire

06 92 65 65 79

cgalatoire@cboterritoria.com

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DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From January 11 to 13, a model of BGI Genomics' Huo-Yan Air Laboratory, was showcased at the China Pavilion of Dubai World Expo.

With the continuing spread of COVID-19 worldwide, the Huo-Yan Air Laboratory, which can be set up anywhere in a very short amount of time, was created by BGI Genomics for dealing with the pandemic. The smart Air Lab can be easily stored, transported, and seamlessly integrated with existing facilities when set up. Furthermore, the design can be scaled to a national level, meeting the current challenge of a worldwide lack of COVID-19 detection facilities.

Chen Yue, Global Manager of Medicine at BGI Genomics, said, "This has provided BGI Genomics with a key opportunity go to the world stage. We develop products and solutions to deal with pandemic, and export China's technology, experience and standards in fighting epidemics worldwide, and empower global health care with engineered, standardized and regulated technology and services."

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, BGI Genomics has been working closely with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health, and established Saudi Huo-Yan Lab to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The Saudi Ministry of Health highly evaluated the Lab.

Mohamed Osama from Egypt said, "This is the first time I have seen such a testing facility that can be set up quickly and without site restrictions. This 'mobile' laboratory makes up for the lack of testing capacity in the Middle East and contributes greatly to the prevention and control of epidemics in the region. I also hope that more countries around the world will learn about this cutting-edge technology and come together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic."

BGI Genomics provided a full set of nucleic acid detection solutions and a virus sequencing platform to Saudi health authorities, helping the country establish a monitoring capability for COVID's mutated strains. The Lab currently handles 50% of Saudi Arabia's countrywide testing needs, operates within the protocols of the most stringent turnaround time (TAT) standards, and has already completed the testing of over 16 million people.

The Huo-Yan Air Laboratory, jointly designed and developed by BGI Genomics, the College of Design and Innovation at Tongji University and Shanghai Etopia Building Technology, has been acclaimed by the world design community. The Air Lab has garnered the Red Dot Winner, the iF Design Award, IAI Best Architecture Award-Architecture Concept Design and the Contemporary Good Design Award, among other international design recognitions.

By June 2021, BGI Genomics has built more than 90 Huo-Yan Laboratories in 30 countries and regions worldwide, providing in the aggregate the results of up to one million COVID tests per day. BGI Genomics continues to export the Huo-Yan Lab solution worldwide, contributing to the battle against the further spread of the disease.

This year's Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Interactive Exhibition was set up as part of the "Guangdong Week" exhibit at the China Pavilion of Dubai World Expo. Themed "Communicating Ideas, Creating the Future", this Expo is the first World Expo held in the Middle East.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1724742/image.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1608027/BGI_Logo.jpg
LONDON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Apollon Formularies plc (AQSE: APOL, "Apollon" or the "Company"), a UK based international medical cannabis pharmaceutical company trading on AQSE Growth Market, is pleased to announce the appointment of Roderick ("Rod") Claude McIllree as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect.

Rod currently owns 217,485,940 ordinary shares in the Company, representing approximately 29.06% of the issued share capital. Rod was instrumental in bringing Apollon to the AQSE Growth Market, via a reverse takeover with admission having taken place in April 2021.

Roderick McIllree (Born: 27 September 1973)

For more than 20 years Rod has advised, funded, and run public companies across multiple global exchanges in several sectors and has specific experience in technology, mining, international logistics and finance. Currently Rod is Charmian of AIM listed Bluejay Mining Plc.

Rod has been a long-time advisor to, and investor in, Apollon and holds a significant interest in the shares of the Company. His appointment strengthens the Board at a time that the Company expects to experience significant growth.

The Company expects to appoint further high-profile directors to the Board in the coming months and will advise the market as and when these take place.

Stephen D. Barnhill, M.D. CEO of Apollon, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Rod to the Board as a Non-Executive Director. Rod, a significant shareholder in the Company, has a long-established career with a demonstrable record of growing small cap companies and creating shareholder value of many business ventures over a long career. He brings a wealth of financial and directorial experience to the team, and I look forward to working with him as we move our business towards the global rollout of Apollon's product range and medical expertise to supportive jurisdictions."

Rod McIllree, Non-Executive Director, stated, "Apollon is an excellent example of utilising research and development to help improve people's lives. The compelling results of Apollon's formulations killing cancer cells in 3D-cell culture and the upcoming opening of the International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute in Jamaica are important milestones for the Company and offers outstanding potential on many fronts. I look forward to working with Dr Barnhill and the wider Apollon team at this exciting time for growth as the Company looks to execute on the various business partnership opportunities becoming available."

Rod currently holds the following directorships:

Bluejay Mining Plc

Greenland Gas & Oil Ltd

Greenland Gas & Oil A/S

RM Corporate Ltd

Finland Investments Ltd

More Acquisitions Ltd

Disko Exploration Ltd

Dundas Titanium A/S

Directorships held in the past five years:

Apollon Formularies Ltd

Except as set out above, there is no further information regarding Rod McIllree, that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 4.9 of the AQSE Growth Market Access Rulebook.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For additional information, please visit www.apollon.org.uk or contact: apollon@blytheweigh.com +44 7875 744 070

About Apollon Formularies plc

Apollon Formularies is an international bio-medical pharmaceutical company specialising in cutting edge research and treatment of patients with cancer and chronic pain.

Apollon is federally legal, licensed in Jamaica, holds a suite of licences which allow the company to work with full spectrum oils inclusive of high levels of THC. Apollon's formulations are available by prescription to any licensed Jamaican doctor for their patients and for export to any country allowing legal import.

Apollon is a publicly traded company listed on the Aquis Growth Market in London (AQSE: APOL)
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.
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / First Hydrogen Corp. ("FIRST HYDROGEN" or the "Company") (TSXV:FHYD)(OTC PINK:FHYDF)(FSE:FIT) has established a new wholly owned subsidiary NetzeroH2 Inc. ("NetZeroH2") for the design, production and roll out of Hydrogen Refueling Stations providing hydrogen distribution for the automotive market. The state-of-the-art refueling stations will be designed and developed in conjunction with FEV Consulting GmbH ("FEV"), combines top management consulting expertise with the technical capabilities and knowhow of the FEV Group. FEV's deep industry knowledge enables FEV to create pragmatic solutions to some of the most pressing and complex issues facing today's enterprises.

First Hydrogen views the development of the Hydrogen Mobility Refueling Station as accretive to its automotive strategy and serve its mobility customers over the lifetime of their ownership of First Hydrogen vehicles. This can also service the hydrogen fuel mobility market as an additional opportunity for selling hydrogen related technology to its customer base and more generally to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a main source of fuel for the light to heavy hydrogen mobility sector. A recent report prepared by McKinsey & Company for the Hydrogen Council states hydrogen is central to reaching net zero emissions and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius because it can abate 80 gigatons of CO2 by 2050.



https://firsthydrogen.com/first-hydrogen-establishes-netzeroh2-subsidiary-to-roll-out-hydrogen-refuelling-stations/



About First Hydrogen Corp.

First Hydrogen Corp. is a Vancouver and London UK based company focused on zero-emission vehicles and supercritical carbon dioxide extractor systems. The company is designing and developing a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light commercial vehicle under two agreements with AVL Powertrain UK Ltd. and Ballard Power Systems Inc. The LCV will have a range of 500+ kilometres. First Hydrogen is developing refueling capability working with FEV Consulting GmbH, the internal automotive consultancy of FEV Group of Aachen Germany.

About FEV Consulting GmbH

FEV Consulting, the strategic consulting arm of FEV group, offers a unique combination of management consulting capabilities with over 40 years of engineering expertise for mobility solutions and energy infrastructures. The company has access to over 6,000 global subject matter experts. FEV Consulting is the first choice of CTOs to address their most pressing and challenging technology and business issues. Through deep technology understanding, FEV Consulting accelerates its client's validated decision making. The company serves clients worldwide from its headquarters in Aachen and from additional offices in Beijing, Bilbao, Cologne, Detroit, Dubai, Munich, and Tokyo.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

FIRST HYDROGEN CORP.

"Balraj Mann"

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Contacts:

North America

Balraj Mann

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

604-601-2018

investors@firsthydrogen.com

Europe

Nicholas Wrigley, Chairman

First Hydrogen Automotive

+44 7917-114434

Nicholas.Wrigley@firsthydrogen.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains information or statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward looking information may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, milestones, strategies and outlook of First Hydrogen, and includes statements about, among other things, future developments and the future operations, strengths and strategies of First Hydrogen. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results.

The forward-looking statements made in this news release are based on management's assumptions and analysis and other factors that may be drawn upon by management to form conclusions and make forecasts or projections, including management's experience and assessments of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Although management believes that these assumptions, analyses and assessments are reasonable at the time the statements contained in this news release are made, actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Examples of risks and factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements may include: the timing and unpredictability of regulatory actions; regulatory, legislative, legal or other developments with respect to its operations or business; limited marketing and sales capabilities; early stage of the industry and product development; limited products; reliance on third parties; unfavourable publicity or consumer perception; general economic conditions and financial markets; the impact of increasing competition; the loss of key management personnel; capital requirements and liquidity; access to capital; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the impact of COVID-19; shifts in the demand for First Hydrogen's products and the size of the market; patent law reform; patent litigation and intellectual property; conflicts of interest; and general market and economic conditions.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of First Hydrogen as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. First Hydrogen undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

SOURCE: First Hydrogen Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683119/First-Hydrogen-Establishes-NetZeroH2-Subsidiary-to-Roll-Out-Hydrogen-Refueling-Stations
~ With 45 million website visits, 306+ million social impressions, 210 million YouTube views and 464 brand collaborations, 2021 was a glorious year ~

MUMBAI, India, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) was established to be an unbiased global authority on natural diamonds. Their consumer facing platform, Only Natural Diamonds (OND), is the digital destination and go-to publisher for innovative content covering all that's new and exciting in the natural diamond industry. From educating consumers about cultural relevance, artistry and legacy of jewellery to the positive socio-economic and environmental impact of the modern diamond industry, NDC has come a long way in the span of a year. Retail partners and collaborators provided the light of support to make this journey memorable.

2021 started on a monumental note by putting a spotlight on the latest diamond trends with the first ever Trend Report. A style collective featuring editors, stylists, designers, celebrities, and industry insiders, added extra spark to the report with their precious insights. In August, a first-of-its-kind 2-day virtual diamond festival in collaboration with Vogue India was presented to the world. Experts, thought leaders from the industry, and connoisseurs united to revel in the brilliant knowledge of natural diamonds. The love for diamonds did not just stop there. These one-of-a-kind initiatives set the stage to collaborate with ace designers such as Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Viren Bhagat, Bibhu Mohapatra, Gaurav Gupta, and Raghavendra Rathore to highlight their inspiring journey with natural diamonds.

NDC's global ambassador, Ana de Armas featured in a campaign 'Love Life' that celebrated the joy of reconnecting with loved ones and living each moment to the fullest. She gracefully adorned natural diamond jewellery, inspired by latest trends, exclusively crafted by EDDI winner and designer Malyia McNaughton. To tell the story of today's expression of natural diamonds and their continuous impact on the world, NDC in November introduced a coffee table book titled 'Diamonds: Diamond Stories' published by Assouline. Featuring stunning images, tall tales and interviews with top designers, tastemakers and enthusiasts alike; the book is a reservoir of knowledge on the world's most sought-after jewel.

Richa Singh, Managing Director - India & The Middle East, Natural Diamond Council, said "For us at Natural Diamond Council India, 2021 has been a benchmark year filled with many firsts. Our marketing efforts through 220 pieces of content, campaigns and partnerships saw us reach 510 million consumers. This is only the beginning and a snapshot of just a few of our initiatives of 2021. I look forward to 2022 being an even more successful year for everyone, as the world opens up and consumers continue to cherish, desire and live the natural diamond dream."

The diamond industry has been actively working towards making the world a better place with its philanthropic initiatives. The 'Thank You, By The Way' campaign in partnership with the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is an initiative which celebrates natural diamond purchases that benefit millions of people around the world. The campaign puts a spotlight on the industry's decades-long commitment to sustainability which have benefitted people, communities and the environment globally.

With 45 million website visits, 306+ million social impressions, 210 million YouTube views and 464 brand collaborations, 2021 was a glorious year. NDC aims to make 2022 more innovative and inspire consumers to live the natural diamond dream.

About The Natural Diamond Council:

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) advances diamonds' desirability by publishing trends and sharing resources and information with consumers on the ultimate timeless and natural luxury good. The NDC also works to support the integrity of the natural diamond industry, providing transparency, and insight on the ethics, sustainability and progress of this sector.

Reference Links:

Website - www.naturaldiamonds.com

Instagram - @onlynaturaldiamonds_in - https://www.instagram.com/onlynaturaldiamonds_in/?hl=en

YT@onlynaturaldiamondsIN - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzPdS4CoBGICsi2oMG7xnQ

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1724917/Natural_Diamond_Council.jpg
ARMONK (dpa-AFX) - Capgemini SE (CGEMY.PK, CAPP), a French IT services and consulting company, Wednesday announced the launch of a Quantum Lab. The company also signed an agreement with IBM to become an IBM Quantum Hub to help clients build and maximize their engagements in the areas of Quantum Computing. Capgemini's agreement with IBM will make it easier for clients to access IBM's licensed technology and provide them with professional services for end-to-end implementation. Capgemini's Quantum Lab or Q-Lab will develop capabilities and coordinate research facilities aimed at the advancement of quantum technologies and exploration of their potential. It comprises quantum technology experts and highly-specialist facilities in the United Kingdom, Portugal and India, to harness the potential of quantum technologies. Q-Lab will coordinate research programs to develop business-driven client propositions for sectors most likely to benefit from quantum technologies in the medium future - life sciences, financial services, automotive and aerospace. Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer at Capgemini and member of the Group Executive Committee, said, 'Quantum technology will disrupt the way we compute, sense, and communicate, and will create new industries and business models along the way. . Our collaboration with IBM will enable us to explore the vast potential of quantum computing, bringing to our clients the top capabilities and skills available in the market today and tomorrow.' Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
UK-based EMEA leadership team expands to support continued global growth

Intradiem, the leading provider of Intelligent Automation solutions for contact centre and back-office teams, announced today that it has recently launched projects with Virgin Media and AXA highlighting the company's ongoing expansion in the EMEA market space.

AXA and Virgin Media will leverage Intradiem's AI-powered Intelligent Automation solutions to boost productivity and improve agent engagement within their contact centre operations.

Intradiem also announced new senior leadership posts to support its expanding business in Europe.

Mat Cornish joins the company as Vice President of Sales. He is responsible for expanding the company's footprint and growth in the EMEA market. Cornish comes to Intradiem after 16 years with Avaya, where he led the Sales Specialist team in Europe, overseeing sales strategy, managing Cloud go-to-market, and driving sales of Avaya's OneCloud suite of Contact Centre, Unified Communications, and CPaaS solutions. Haresh Gangwani, Intradiem's EVP of Global Alliances, will also relocate to the UK in early 2022 to help drive the company's international expansion.

Matt Rumins has been promoted to Head of EMEA Account and Success Management. Cornish and his team will continue to work closely with pan-European customers to help them maximize their results.

David Marshall will continue to lead the company's UK market expansion efforts.

Additionally, Intradiem announced the company's first Research Development hires in the UK as it continues to increase its investment in its global technology and engineering resources.

"Contact centre leaders are increasingly turning to automation to improve performance and help their agents feel more engaged in the process of serving customers," said Kyle Antcliff, Intradiem's Chief Revenue Officer. "The significant and rapid results our UK customers are realizing with Intradiem are indicative of why contact centres view Intelligent Automation as foundational to their operations."

To learn more about Intradiem, visit: www.intradiem.co.uk

About Intradiem

Intradiem provides Intelligent Automation solutions that help customer service teams boost productivity, enhance employee engagement, and improve the end-customer experience. Patented AI-powered technology processes the massive quantity of data generated by contact centres and back offices and takes immediate action to support both in-centre and remote teams. Customers can count on an investment return of at least 2X in the first year and 3-5X in subsequent years. This year, Intradiem's customers will save more than 75 million.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005117/en/

Contacts:

Melissa Spies

Intradiem

mspies@intradiem.com

+1 678.356.3500
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MXR) (OTC Pink: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has been granted 15 additional Mining Concession Contracts ("Concessions") for a total of 19 in 2021, all located along the CESAR North 90-kilometre-long copper-silver belt, within its wholly-owned CESAR project, Northeastern Colombia (refer to Figures 1 and 3).

"The nineteen 'Mining Concession Contracts' are more than any other company received in Colombia for 2021, a significant milestone for Max, forging the way for drill permitting for both the URU and ANM drill targets," commented Max CEO, Brett Matich.

"URU is to be the first significant drilling event on this previously unrecognized copper-silver belt, since the discovery of Cerrejon, the largest coal mine in South America and the reasons for much of the critical infrastructure in the CESAR basin," he continued.

"Located arguably in Colombia's most prolific mining district, Max's 2022 exploration and drilling programs are focused on unlocking the true district-scale potential of its CESAR copper-silver project," he concluded.

Mining Concession Contracts

The 19 Concessions cover 186-km, the largest area for copper in the CESAR basin

Collectively, the 19 Concessions extend for over 45-km of the CESAR North 90-km long belt

Additional Concessions are pending

2022 Drill Program

LiDAR 290-km survey to assist drill design and exploration at URU

Delineate the 5 URU drill targets located along 15-km of strike

Conduct environmental baseline survey and drill permitting

Commence the first drill campaign targeting copper-silver deposits in the CESAR basin

2022 Exploration

Regional exploration of the CESAR North 90-km-long copper-silver belt

Extend the CONEJO high-grade 3.7-km-long zone with an average of 4.9% copper (2% cutoff)

Expand the URU 48-km zone (currently 15-km of strike over vertical elevations of 500m)

Geophysical surveys

Mining Concession Contract Process

Max has completed all the requirements, which include a detailed Social Management Plan, followed by a Public Hearing with the local community. Each Mining Concession Contract has an initial term of 30-years and extension for a further 30-years for a total duration of 60-years.





Figure 1. CESAR project in NE Colombia

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/109795_e349b5c6e4f47b65_001full.jpg



Figure 2. CESAR North 90-km copper-silver belt

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/109795_e349b5c6e4f47b65_002full.jpg



CESAR COPPER-SILVER PROJECT IN COLOMBIA - OVERVIEW

CESAR lies along the copper-silver rich 200-kilometre-long Cesar Basin in northeastern Colombia. This region provides access to major infrastructure (refer to Figure 2) resulting from oil & gas and mining operations, including Cerrejon, the largest coal mine in South America, now held by global miner Glencore.

CESAR North 90-kilometre-long copper-silver belt:

Max discovered AMN in 2020 (previously AM North), collectively spanning over 45-km, highlight values of 34.4% copper and 305 g/t silver. Intervals range 0.5 to 25.0m. Recently granted 15 contagious Concessions.

Max's CONEJO discovery (March 2021) now spans over 3.7-km of strike with average grade of 4.9% copper using 2% cut-off and open in all directions. To date, widths range from 0.5 to 20.0m, with highlight values of 12.5 % copper and 126 g/t silver: 12.5% copper + 84 g/t silver over 5.0m by 5.0m 10.5% copper + 50 g/t silver over 3.0m by 2.0 m 10.4% copper + 95 g/t silver over 5.0m by 5.0m 10.2% copper + 62 g/t silver over 5.0m by 5.0m 10.0% copper + 80 g/t silver over 5.0m by 5.0m 9.9% copper and 50 g/t silver over widths of 2.0m 9.3% copper and 126 g/t silver over widths of 2.0m



- The URU discovery (April 2021) is located 30-km south of CONEJO, now expanded to 48-km and open in all directions. Max identified 5 significant drilling targets over 15-km of strike, widths of 10 to 25-metres over 500m vertical, highlight values of 14.8% copper and 132 g/t silver: 14.8% copper and 132 g/t silver outcrop over 1.5m x 0.8m 6.5% copper and 6 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 1.0m 5.6% copper and 87 g/t silver outcrop over 1.0m by 1.0m 4.3% copper and 8 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m 3.9% copper and 7 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m 3.6% copper and 12 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m 3.0% copper and 6 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m 3.0% copper and 37 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m Recently granted four contagious Concessions covering 70-km of the URU target zone



The SP target is located within the mid portion of the CESAR North 90-km long copper-silver belt, reconnaissance sampling over 25.0m averaged 4.8% copper and 51 g/t silver

QUALIFIED PERSON

The Company's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release was reviewed and approved by Tim Henneberry, P Geo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource Advisory Board, who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43:101.

ABOUT MAX RESOURCE CORP.

Max Resource Corp. (TSXV: MXR) is a mineral exploration company advancing its newly discovered district size CESAR copper-silver project (100% owned) in Colombia.

In addition, the RT Gold project (100% earn-in) in Peru, high-grade and potentially large-scale. Historic drilling program in 2001, returned values ranging 3.1 to 118.1 g/t gold over core lengths ranging from 2.2 to 36.0m.

Source: NI 43:101 Geological Report Rio Tabaconas Gold Project for Golden Alliance Resources Corp. by George Sivertz, Oct.3, 2011

For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/

For additional information contact:

Max Resource Corp.

Tim McNulty

E: info@maxresource.com

T: (604) 290-8100



Hudes Communications International

Nelson Hudes

E: nelson@hudescommunications.com

Phone: (905) 660-9155

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109795
Perceval Sutureless Aortic Heart Valve Received Approval in China to Treat Patients with Aortic Valve Disease

CORCYM, the medical device company dedicated to providing patients and cardiac surgeons with the best solutions to fight structural heart disease, announces today the first Perceval implant in China, after the recent approval from the NMPA National Medical Products Administration.

Perceval is a biological aortic valve with a sutureless and collapsible design that simplifies the surgical implantation, reducing the impact of surgery and facilitating faster patient recovery.1,2

"We at Fuwai Hospital implanted the first patient in China, a 61 years-old male, with a mini-sternotomy approach. Perceval provides cardiac surgeons with a new option to treat aortic valve disease. Thanks to its unique design, Perceval is an optimal technology to facilitate both surgeons even in complex cases and patients with a faster recovery. I'm sure that many other Chinese patients will benefit from it in the future" commented Dr. Shengshou Hu, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, currently director of National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and President of Fuwai Hospital.

Perceval has demonstrated excellent outcomes in clinical use in more than 75,000 patients implanted worldwide with 13 years of successful clinical results.3 Its safety and effectiveness in the Chinese population have been demonstrated by PERFECT (Perceval S Valve Clinical Study for Chinese Registration), the first pre-market, prospective, single-arm trial study enrolling Chinese patients implanted with a surgical sutureless valve.

"Perceval is the only sutureless valve now present in China. Its availability provides Chinese cardiac surgeons and patients with a new advanced solution, based on a robust body of evidence coming from its wide use in other Countries worldwide and from the outcomes of the PERFECT study." Commented Jason Zhang, Country Manager Greater China at CORCYM.

"We at CORCYM are committed to help cardiac surgeons to treat their patients better today and in the future, worldwide. We are pleased to bring our unique sutureless valve as a treatment option available to patients in China", added Christian Mazzi, CORCYM CEO.

About CORCYM

CORCYM is a global medical device company entirely focused on state-of-the-art surgical solutions to fight structural heart disease. CORCYM has a presence in more than 100 countries with approximately 850 employees and ensures strong continuous support to patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems worldwide. For more information, please visit www.corcym.com

___________________________

References:

1) Santarpino et al., "Sutureless aortic valve replacement: first-year single-center experience", Ann Thorac Surg. 2012 Aug;94(2):504-8.

2) Glauber M. et al., "International Expert Consensus on Sutureless and Rapid Deployment Valves in Aortic Valve Replacement Using Minimally Invasive Approaches.", Innovations (Phila). 2016 May-Jun;11(3):165-73.

3) M. Lamberigts Abstract presented at EACTS 2021.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220107005297/en/

Contacts:

For media information:

Marina Curci, CORCYM Corporate Communication

communication@corcym.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Element79 Gold Corp. (CSE:ELEM)(OTC PINK:ELMGF)(FSE:7YS) ("Element79 Gold", the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing progress within the Abitibi Subprovince targeting bulk tonnage style gold mineralization at the Dale Property in Ontario, Canada.

The Company has made all payments required to satisfy the existing agreement on the Dale Property until December 31, 2022 and, following the completion of its Phase 1 Exploration Program, Element79 Gold has increased the size of its existing 1,735 hectare property by staking an additional 245.5 hectares directly adjacent to the Western and North-Western borders of its existing claims, bringing the total land package to 1,980.5 hectares.

"Further interpretation of magnetic surveys and historic prospecting has reinforced the value of these newly-staked claims on the West-Northwest borders of the Dale Property," stated President and CEO of Element79 Gold, James Tworek. "With the completed acquisition of our Nevada gold assets, the Company is on track to meet all short-term and mid-term development goals across our growing portfolio of properties."

Work Program Leadership and Team: A Long History of Mining

Element79 Gold is pleased to have the experienced leadership of its director, Mr. Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc, P.Geo., and his team at Fladgate Exploration Consulting Corporation ("Fladgate") managing the Phase 1 program on the Dale Gold Property. The Fladgate team has historically worked with clients such as Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick Gold") (NYSE listed) and Newmont Corporation ("Newmont") (NYSE listed) and several names which have gone on to be acquired including Goldcorp, Inc. (acquired by Newmont), PC Gold Inc. (acquired by First Mining), and Placer Dome (acquired by Barrick Gold).

2021 Dale Gold Property Phase I Exploration Program Highlights in Ontario

Following up on the high-resolution data obtained from the drone-based magnetic survey completed by Element79 Gold in 2021, Element79 Gold has completed its Phase 1 Exploration Program, consisting of trenching, channel sampling, prospecting, mapping and soil sampling following up on historic prospecting by the vendors of the property which has yielded up to 3.82 g/t gold, including several highly anomalous samples grading greater than 0.1 g/t gold, with assay results pending. The mineralization present on the Dale property is associated with zones of strong silicification and disseminated pyrite, which the Company believes are prospective for bulk tonnage style gold mineralization. The Company intends to pursue the Phase 2 work program (including 1,500m of diamond drilling) as recommended within the 43-101 Technical Report following favourable results from Phase 1.(1)

Surrounding Area Hosts Some of the World's Largest Gold Deposits

The Dale Property is a highly prospective early-stage gold project located in the Swazye greenstone belt, which is turn is part of the Abitibi Subprovince which hosts some of the world's largest gold deposits, e.g. the Timmins camp which has produced over 70 million ounces of gold (Figure 1). The Swazye greenstone belt is best known for hosting IamGold's Cote Lake deposit which contains 10.2 million ounces Measured and Indicated and 3.8 million ounces Inferred(2), and is located 50 km southeast of the Dale Property (Figure 1). The Cote Lake project received a Positive Construction Decision in July 2020(3) and plans to achieve commercial production in 2023.

Figure 1. Simplified Regional Geology of the Dale Project Area, showing nearby significant deposits and producing mines.(4)

Update on Upcoming NI 43-101 Technical Report

Element79 Gold is also pleased to provide an update on the in-progress NI 43-101 Technical Reports (each, a "Technical Report") for the Maverick Springs Project in Nevada and the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project in British Columbia. The Technical Report for the Maverick Springs Project, in progress by SGS Canada Inc., is expected to be completed by the end of January 2022. The Technical Report for the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project, in progress by Axiom Exploration Group Inc., is expected to be completed by the end of February 2022.

Crescita Capital Equity Line Drawdown

In order to ensure adequate working capital on hand, Element79 Gold's board and management have elected to draw down additional capital from its Crescita Capital equity line facility. The funds will be directed towards ongoing development on the Company's growing portfolio of properties.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this release has been reviewed and verified by Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo., Director of Element79 Gold and a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Element79 Gold

Element79 Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mining properties for gold and associated metals within the mining-friendly jurisdictions of Nevada, British Columbia, and Ontario. In Nevada, the Company is closing on its acquisition of the flagship Maverick Springs Project, which consists of 247 unpatented mining claims on the border of Elko County and White Pine County, Nevada, and the Battle Mountain Portfolio, which consists of 2,203 unpatented mining claims in Elko County, Eureka County, Humbolt County, Lander County, and Nye County, Nevada. In British Columbia, the Company has executed a Letter of Intent to acquire a private company which holds the option to 100% interest of the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project, which consists of 10 mineral claims located in Central British Columbia, approximately 20km west of Fort St. James. In Ontario, the Company has an option to acquire 100% interest in the Dale Property which consists of 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, Canada in the Timmins Mining Division, Dale Township. For more information about the Company, please visit www.element79.gold or www.element79gold.com

Contact Information

For corporate matters, please contact:

James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: jt@element79gold.com

For investor relations inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations Department

Phone: +1 (604) 200-3608

E-mail: investors@element79gold.com

Technical Disclaimer

This news release and related maps contain information about adjacent properties and properties with similar characteristics on which the Company has no right to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties or properties that share similar characteristics are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties. Readers are also cautioned that this news release contains historical technical information which is based on prior data prepared by previous property owners. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to confirm such information; significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required to do so.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; exploration activities; the timing and result of exploration activities; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof; acquisition opportunities; and the impact of acquisitions, if any, on the Company. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements".

Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the duration and effects of the coronavirus and COVID-19; risks related to the integration of acquisitions; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the Company's other public disclosure documents, available on www.sedar.com . Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

Sources

Element 79 Gold makes no warranty as to the completeness, accuracy, verifiability, or suitableness of any of the information contained on the following third-party links and expressly undertakes no obligation to update the following links.

(1) Element79 Gold Corp., May 4, 2021, 43-101 Technical report on the Dale Property, Section 9.6, available on SEDAR

(2) IamGold Corp., February 17, 2021, Annual Information Form https://s2.q4cdn.com/610165863/files/doc_downloads/2021/02/FINAL-2020-AIF-Feb-17-2021.pdf

(3) IamGold Corp., July 21 2020, News Release https://www.iamgold.com/English/investors/news-releases/news-releases-details/2020/IAMGOLD-to-Proceed-with-Construction-of-the-Ct-Gold-Project-in-Ontario-Canada/default.aspx

(4) Figure 1.

A. Cote Lake Deposit: IamGold Corp., February 17, 2021, Annual Information Form https://s2.q4cdn.com/610165863/files/doc_downloads/2021/02/FINAL-2020-AIF-Feb-17-2021.pdf

B. Island Gold Deposit: Alamos Gold Inc., March 23, 2021, Annual Information Form, https://s24.q4cdn.com/779615370/files/doc_downloads/2021/AnnualInformationForm2020/991-2020-Annual-Information-Form-March-30-2021-FINAL.pdf

C. Borden Deposit: Probe Mines Ltd., June 10, 2014, 43-101 Technical Report: Mineral Resource Estimate Update, Borden Gold Project, Project No. V1393, available on SEDAR

D. Jerome Deposit: Augen Gold Corp., August 6, 2011, 43-101 Technical Report on a Resource Estimate on the Jerome Mine Property, available on SEDAR

E. Timmins Camp Gold Production: DigiGeoData, June 2021 Map https://digigeodata.com/area/timmins/

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Element79 Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683078/Element79-Gold-Increases-Capital-Position-Stakes-Additional-Claims
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Kingfisher Metals Corp. (TSXV:KFR)(FSE:970)(OTCQB:KGFMF) ("Kingfisher" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from the 2021 Induced Polarization (IP) geophysical survey and geochemical sampling program at the Day Trip Zone within the Goldrange Project. The Day Trip Zone is located approximately 5 km southeast of the Cloud Drifter Trend and was discovered by Kingfisher in 2020. Kingfisher's 100% owned Goldrange project is located approximately 25 km south of the town of Tatla Lake in the Chilcotin region of Southwest British Columbia.

Highlights

Discovery of a very high, at surface IP chargeability and conductivity anomaly that underlies highly Au anomalous geochemistry and veins on surface.

Geochemical sampling in 2021 expanded upon the 2020 talus fines survey increasing the footprint of anomalous (>100 ppb) Au in talus from ~50 m x 100 m to ~100 m x 450 m.

The Day Trip target is fully permitted and ready for track mounted RAB drilling in May 2022.

Dustin Perry, CEO of Kingfisher commented, "I am very excited to see how our mapping, geochemical sampling, and now IP geophysical survey have all validated this attractive target. These results confirm an excellent drill prospect on a brand-new area that we discovered in 2020 through our prospecting program."

Target Overview

The Day Trip Zone covers a rounded to flat mountain top approximately 5 km southeast of the Cloud Drifter Trend (Figure 1). The target is situated between two interpreted fault splays of the regional Ottarasko Fault. High-density intrusive-hosted veins up to 2 m in width occur over an area ~100 m by 400 m. Quartz veins from this area returned grades from below detection limit to 6.7 g/t Au. Adjacent to the intrusion is a ~70 m x 90 m area of arsenopyrite-cement breccia in subcrop. Approximately 20% of the subcrop material in this area consists of arsenopyrite-cement breccia and grades from 3.4 to 20.1 g/t Au. Talus fine sampling in 2020 outlined a broad area of gold anomalism coincident with areas of gold in outcrop and subcrop that graded up to 8.4 g/t Au over the subcrop breccia area. Rock and talus fine geochemistry both yield a strong multi-element signature of As, Ag, Cu, Bi, Te, and Pb associated with Au.

Figure 1: Day Trip Zone Drone Image

2021 Exploration Program

The 2021 exploration program at the Day Trip Zone consisted of 4.2-line km of Induced Polarization (IP) geophysical surveying in addition to 189 talus fine samples (Figures 2 and 3). The program was designed to follow up on an area of arsenopyrite cement breccia subcrop adjacent to an area of intrusive-hosted quartz veins.

Talus fine sampling in 2021 covered an area of ~400 m x 450 m. The 2021 talus fine sampling expanded the anomaly (>100 ppb Au) to cover an area measuring ~100 m x 450 m with talus fines collected in 2021 grading up to 1.0 g/t Au.

Figure 2: Day Trip Zone Geochemistry

The IP geophysical surveying (IP Survey Inversions) delineated three domains with significant high chargeability values (>32 mV/V), the largest of which is broadly coincident with areas of known mineralization and talus fine anomalies. The strongest chargeability values (>60 mV/V) within the survey area are coincident with high conductivity responses on survey lines 3500, 3600, and 3700. The anomaly on survey line 3600 coincides with a 90 x 70 m subcrop of sulfide-cement breccia. The geophysical anomalies are open to the south, north, and southwest as well as at depth. No rock or soil samples have been collected in the western chargeable zones to date.

Figure 3: Day Trip Zone IP Geophysics

2022 Proposed Exploration Program

Track-mounted rotary air blast (RAB) drilling is planned to begin in May 2022. Given the low snowpack in the area of interest, drilling can commence at the Day Trip Zone prior to the Cloud Drifter Trend. Drilling will focus on testing areas of coincident geophysical and geochemical anomalism within the area of sedimentary-hosted arsenopyrite-cement breccia as well as the intrusive-hosted vein domain. Track-mounted RAB drilling will allow for efficient and low-cost initial testing of this at-surface target.

Additional Claim Staking

An additional seven (7) claims (Figure 4) comprising 12,077 Ha have been staked at the Goldrange Project. The majority of claims staked were focused along the northern, road accessible region of the project. Several drainages in the northern claims contain stream sediment anomalies for orogenic pathfinders including As, Sb, Bi, and Te identified in the British Columbia Regional Geochemical Survey (BC RGS).

Figure 4: Goldrange Project Tenure Additions

Qualified Person

Dustin Perry, P.Geo., Kingfisher's CEO, is the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has prepared the technical information presented in this release.

About Kingfisher Metals Corp.

Kingfisher Metals Corp. (https://kingfishermetals.com/) is a Canadian based exploration company focused on underexplored district-scale projects in British Columbia. Kingfisher has three 100% owned district-scale projects that offer potential exposure to high-grade gold, copper, silver, and zinc. The Company currently has 84,673,300 shares outstanding.

For further information, please contact:

Dustin Perry, P.Geo.

CEO and Director

Phone: +1 236 358 0054

E-Mail: info@kingfishermetals.com

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property. This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: formulation of plans for drill testing; and the success related to any future exploration or development programs.

These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include; success of the Company's projects; prices for gold remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Company's projects; capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour- related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic; fluctuations in gold prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mineral exploration; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mineral exploration; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; the availability of additional capital; title matters and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described, or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

SOURCE: Kingfisher Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683086/Kingfisher-Confirms-Drill-Target-at-Day-Trip-Zone-Goldrange-Project
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Getchell Gold Corp. (CSE: GTCH) (OTCQB: GGLDF) ("Getchell" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the results for holes FCG21-11 and FCG21-12 targeting the Colorado SW and Juniper gold zones at the Fondaway Canyon Gold project in Nevada.

Key Highlights

Hole FCG21-11 intersected multiple significant gold intercepts within the Colorado SW zone over a 242 metre down hole distance including 1.4 g/t Au over 14.9m , 1.0 g/t Au over 52.5m and 2.2 g/t Au over 9.1m ;

intersected multiple significant gold intercepts within the Colorado SW zone over a 242 metre down hole distance including , and ; FCG21-11 also encountered the near surface high-grade Juniper zone grading 8.8 g/t Au over 8.2m;

Hole FCG21-12 intersected the Colorado SW zone of gold mineralization over a 92 metre down hole distance that included 6.3 g/t Au over 3.6m , 2.5 g/t Au over 24.5m , and 1.6 g/t Au over 25.5m ;

intersected the Colorado SW zone of gold mineralization over a 92 metre down hole distance that included , , and ; The Colorado SW gold zone, discovered in 2020, has now been tested by Getchell with eight drill holes that confirm its continuity on a 150m wide section along a 300 metre down dip extent;

Including holes drilled by past operators, the Colorado SW zone is modelled to extend for 800 metres down dip from surface and remains open on strike and at depth; and

Assays are pending for holes FCG21-13 through FCG21-16.

"The gold assay results from these latest two drill holes continue to demonstrate the strong continuity and potential scale of the mineralizing system at Fondaway Canyon and provide an excellent start to 2022," states Mike Sieb, President, Getchell Gold Corp.

Fondaway Canyon 2021 Drill Program Update

Ten drill holes, FCG21-07 through FCG21-16, totalling 3,874 metres were drilled last year at the Fondaway Canyon Gold Project. All ten holes are located in the Central Area and followed up on the 2020 discovery of the Colorado SW, the Juniper, and the North Fork gold zones (Figure 1). The two drill holes, FCG21-11 and FCG21-12, reporting results in this news release, primarily targeted the Colorado SW gold zone.

Drill Hole FCG21-11

FCG21-11 was designed to extend the Colorado SW gold zone approximately 30 to 50 metres to the southeast down-dip of hole FCG21-08 and 40 metres to the northwest on-strike from holes FCG20-05 and FCG20-06 (Figure 1 and 2).

FCG21-11, stationed at the Colorado Pit on the same drill pad as FCG21-08 and drilling to the southwest, intersected multiple significant gold intercepts within the Colorado SW zone over a 242 metre down hole distance. Three of the more notable drill intercepts grade:

1.4 g/t Au over 14.9m from 250.3 to 265.2m;

from 250.3 to 265.2m; 1.0 g/t Au over 52.5m from 274.4 to 326.9m;

from 274.4 to 326.9m; 2.2 g/t Au over 9.1m from 333.1 to 342.2m; with additional notable intervals presented in Table 1.





Figure 1: Fondaway Canyon Central Area showing aerial view (above) and current 3D model (below) from the same perspective looking southeast; highlighting the 2020 and 2021 drilling.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/109812_da212693f4ae39ad_001full.jpg





Figure 2: North Fork Gold Zone (NE-SW) 3D Section Highlighting FCG21-11 and FCG21-12 Gold Intervals.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/109812_da212693f4ae39ad_002full.jpg

FCG21-11 was also designed to test the near surface high grade Juniper gold zone down dip from FCG21-08 that reported 4.7 g/t Au over 25.9m. FCG21-11 intersected a substantially higher-grade interval reporting 8.8 g/t Au over 8.2m from 107.8 to 116.0 including one sample that graded 22.9 g/t Au over 1.7m.

Drill Hole FCG21-12

FCG21-12, stationed near the canyon floor and drilling steeply to the northeast, was designed to test the down-dip extent of the Colorado SW gold mineralization encountered in FCG20-05 with a 40-metre step out. FCG21-12 intersected the Colorado SW zone of gold mineralization over a 92 metre down hole distance with three of the more notable drill intercepts grading:

6.3 g/t Au over 3.6m from 224.4 to 228.0m;

from 224.4 to 228.0m; 2.5 g/t Au over 24.5m from 235.5 to 260.0m;

from 235.5 to 260.0m; 1.6 g/t Au over 25.5m from 271.9 to 297.4m; with additional notable intervals presented in Table 1.

There are now 8 holes drilled by the Company (FCG20-02, FCG20-03, FCG20-05 to FCG21-08, FC21-11, and FC21-12) on a 150 metre wide section that have confirmed continuity of the thick Colorado SW gold zone along a 300 metre down dip extent since its discovery in 2020. Including holes drilled by past operators, the Colorado SW zone is modelled to extend for 800 metres down dip from surface and remains open on strike and down dip.

There are four holes, FCG21-13 through FCG21-16, drilled in 2021 with assays pending and expected over the coming weeks.

FCG 21-13 and FCG21-14 , stationed in the Colorado Pit, were designed to infill an area below the pit that had a gap in the historic drill coverage to assist with the modelling of the upper region of the Colorado SW zone.

and , stationed in the Colorado Pit, were designed to infill an area below the pit that had a gap in the historic drill coverage to assist with the modelling of the upper region of the Colorado SW zone. FCG21-15 , stationed near the canyon floor on the same drill pad as FCG21-12 and drilling almost vertical to the northeast, was designed to further extend the Colorado SW gold mineralization 30 metres down dip from FCG21-12.

, stationed near the canyon floor on the same drill pad as FCG21-12 and drilling almost vertical to the northeast, was designed to further extend the Colorado SW gold mineralization 30 metres down dip from FCG21-12. FCG21-16 , stationed on the canyon floor at the junction of the Fondaway Canyon and North Fork drainages and drilled to the northwest, was designed to extend the North Fork gold zone 30 metres off-section to the northwest, from holes FCG20-04, FCG21-09, and FCG21-10.





Table 1: FCG21-11 and FCG21-12 Significant Gold Grade Intervals

To view an enhanced version of Table 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/109812_da212693f4ae39ad_003full.jpg

Scott Frostad, P.Geo., is the Qualified Person (as defined in NI 43-101) who reviewed and approved the content and scientific and technical information in the news release.

The 2021 drill core is being processed using the same methods as the 2020 drill program. The core is cut at Bureau Veritas Laboratories' ("BVL") facilities in Sparks, Nevada, with the samples analyzed for gold and multi-element analysis in BVL's Sparks, Nevada and Vancouver, BC laboratories respectively. Gold values are produced by fire assay with an Atomic Absorption finish on a 30-gram sample (BV code FA430) with over limits re-analyzed using method FA530 (30g Fire Assay with gravimetric finish). The multi-element analyses are performed by ICP-MS following aqua regia digestion on a 30g sample (BV code AQ250). Quality control measures in the field include the systematic insertion of standards and blanks.

Highlighted drill intervals are based on a 0.25 g/t Au cut-off, minimum interval lengths of 3.3 metres (10 feet), and a maximum of 3.3 metres of internal dilution, with no top cut applied. All intervals are reported as downhole drill lengths and additional work is required to determine the true width.

About Getchell Gold Corp.

The Company is a Nevada focused gold and copper exploration company trading on the CSE: GTCH and OTCQB: GGLDF. Getchell Gold is primarily directing its efforts on its most advanced stage asset, Fondaway Canyon, a past gold producer with a significant in-the-ground historic resource estimate. Complementing Getchell's asset portfolio is Dixie Comstock, a past gold producer with a historic resource and two earlier stage exploration projects, Star and Hot Springs Peak. Getchell has the option to acquire 100% of the Fondaway Canyon and Dixie Comstock properties, Churchill County, Nevada.

The Company reiterates that its near-term strategy to advance its assets is not impacted by the COVID-19 Corona virus. The Company continues to monitor the situation and is in compliance with all government guidelines.

***The company invites all interested media and investors to join President Mike Sieb for an online presentation of 2021 drill results at a Live event Thursday, January 13 at 1pm PST. The session will include a live question and answer period. Register here: https://app.livestorm.co/getchell-gold/getchell-gold-drill-results-jan-13-2022?type=detailed

For further information please visit the Company's website at www.getchellgold.com or contact the Company at info@getchellgold.com or at +1 647 249-4798.

Mr. William Wagener, Chairman & CEO

Getchell Gold Corp.



The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States.

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the private placement and the completion thereof and the use of proceeds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, use of proceeds from the financing, capital expenditures and other costs, and financing and additional capital requirements. Although management of Getchell have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109812
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday after a sharply rally in the previous session on supportive U.S. Fed remarks. Benchmark Brent crude futures slipped 0.1 percent to $83.61 a barrel, while WTI crude futures were up 0.1 percent at $81.31. Both contracts rose about 4 percent on Tuesday, with the most active crude futures contract settling at the highest level in about two months after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that he expects the economic impact of the new variant to be short-lived and that upcoming quarters may be positive for the economy. The new Covid variant Omicron might play a key role in determining how crude oil prices move in the coming days. As of now, analysts say that the variant is more transmissible but less severe. The World Health Organization has warned that half of Europe will have caught the Omicron Covid variant within the next six to eight weeks. The United States is approaching the 'threshold' of transitioning to living with the coronavirus as a manageable disease, top American scientist Anthony Fauci said. China is enforcing zero Covid policy to eliminate Covid-19 outbreak before Lunar New Year and the Winter Olympics in Beijing next month. Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute reported a 1.08 million-barrel draw in U.S. crude oil inventories for the previous week, though gasoline and distillate stocks saw large builds. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
DHL Global Forwarding has launched in Zimbabwe to extend its presence across Africa. The leading international air, ocean, and road freight services provider will give local and regional businesses within the greater Southern African Development Community (SADC) instant access to global markets.

As a first step, DHL Global Forwarding has set up a legal entity currently employing eight graduate trainees with an office at 168 Herbert Chitepo Avenue in Harares CBD. The new entity comprises a full suite of innovative technology solutions and exceptional market knowledge to successfully address the challenges faced by the countrys freight forwarding and logistics industry. Its primary purpose is to infuse the sector with international standards synonymous with DHL and show the market the possibilities of conducting business in a compliant manner.

The offering also includes the DHL subsidiary, Saloodo!, a digital road freight platform connecting shippers and transport providers. The platform maps all transport processes digitally, including shipment tracking, freight document management, invoicing and payment.

Shuvai Mugadza, Country Manager, DHL Global Forwarding Zimbabwe, says: Zimbabwe is on the cusp of strong economic growth, and we believe our new offering is well-timed to help the country achieve this. Our deep knowledge of the SADC and other markets on the African continent will be invaluable to our clients as they prepare for global expansion. Against the backdrop of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), which aims to create the worlds largest Free Trade area by connecting 1.3 billion people across 54 countries, we are confident that with DHL Global Forwarding Zimbabwe, logistics will not let Africa down.

Supporting growing imports and exports

DHL Global Forwarding provides the mass network to move heavy machinery by road  mostly imported from China, Germany, and India  for Zimbabwes mining and manufacturing sectors. The logistics providers air freight services will support the export of perishable goods, currently Zimbabwes most significant export commodity, as well as tobacco and hemp.

Mugadza continues: The expansion of DHLs services in Zimbabwe will also accommodate the global export of agricultural products, a season-driven sector, as well as that of gold, the countrys top mineral export. The focus on exports is constantly changing, and meeting these demands requires agile logistics partners on the ground, which is where DHL Global Forwarding can add noticeable value.

Andrew Mutaurwa, Managing Director, Pulse Surgical Care, comments: DHL Global Forwarding is our preferred freight and customs clearing partner because of their ability to shorten our procurement cycle. As a provider of surgical equipment and supplies, we worked closely with them during the COVID-19 pandemic when air and ocean cargo was a challenge, but together we successfully assisted the health sector with saving lives.

Meeting future transportation demand

DHL Global Forwarding shares SADCs vision of a transport sector that supports vibrant industrial and social development. However, facilitating the robust integration of trade and socio-economic ties requires an efficient transport system. Zimbabwes central road and air network provide access to the global market through the ports of Durban and Mozambique and, together with Southern Africas network of roads, railways, ports, and airways, are adequate to meet the current demand of most users. However, pressure on these networks current capacity is mounting.

According to SADC figures, traffic for landlocked countries in the region will increase to 50 million tonnes, swelling nearly three-fold to 148 million tonnes by 2040. Port traffic will expand from 92 million tonnes to 500 million tonnes by 2027. Seeking to be part of this economic growth and development, DHL Global Forwarding aims to help meet future demand by offering an integrated, multimodal logistics solution.

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SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Saramonic officially released its brand new wireless microphone: The Blink900 2.4GHz dual-channel wireless microphone system which has the potential to redefine the industry.

Extraordinary features about the Saramonic Blink900

Built with the new DSP technology, Blink900 delivers incredible crystal clear sound with 6ms ultra-low latency at distances of up to 200m.

Built with dual-channel, it offers users more recording solutions, they can use single or dual transmitters, and can choose mono or stereo mode to record each channel separately for ultimate flexibility in post-production.

The system comes with an impressive vivid color LCD screen which builts in with a light sensor, so the screen brightness can automatically react to the changes in the environment so the user always has an amazing clear viewing experience, or they can manually change the brightness between 1-10 levels.

Comes with multiple useful accessories make the system a one for all solution for different kinds of use case scenarios such as Vlogging, streaming, podcasting, interview, online teaching, and more. And with multiple types of cables in the package, Blink900 can connect to cameras, smartphones, tablets, and computers, etc.

Functions that make the audio recording experience even much better

Battery life: designed with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with up to 6 hours battery life for transmitter and receiver, and the charging box can provide 3 times full charging for 18 hours' use.

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Premium accessories: The included premium SR-DK3G professional omnidirectional clip-on lavalier microphone can provide you with crystal clear sound just like the built-in mic of the transmitter.

To find out more information about the Saramonic Blink900, visit here.

About Saramonic

Saramonic is known as a creative and innovative company with a broad range of quality and valued microphones and audio gears for use with cameras, smartphones, tablets, and other devices. It continuously develops innovative and creative products to support videographers and content creators at every level from amateur to professional to produce content with the best possible audio.

Contact

Diana Wu

Sales Director

info@saramonic.com

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With over $2 billion in assets under management, Owl Ventures is the largest venture capital firm in the world focused on the education technology sector

MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Owl Ventures, the largest venture capital fund in EdTech, announced today that it closed over $1 billion in new funds. The Silicon Valley based firm founded in 2014 closed $640 million for its fifth fund, $270 million for its second Opportunity Fund, and over $100 million in special purpose vehicles. The new funds will further fuel Owl Ventures' strategy of making early, growth, and later stage investments in the world's leading EdTech companies.

Led by Managing Directors Ian Chiu, Tom Costin, Amit Patel, Tory Patterson and Partners Malvika Bhagwat, and Kate Chhabra, Owl Ventures has been a major investor in many of the fastest growing companies in the global EdTech market. These include "unicorn" $1B+ valuation companies such as Apna, BYJU's, Degreed, Greenlight, MasterClass, Newsela, Quizlet and Stash.

The continued growth of Owl Ventures and its global portfolio across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America is in lockstep with the meteoric growth of the $6 trillion+ education and training market, which is undergoing a digital revolution. The growth in blended learning, remote work, rise of direct-to-consumer models, enterprise learning and skilling, emergence of AI-enabled learning, increased 1:1 device programs, and rapid integration of AR/VR have all contributed to the global rise of education technology.

Owl Ventures' unique insights into the global EdTech market opportunity are highlighted by their investment in and relationship with BYJU's, the most valuable EdTech company in the world and the most valuable start-up in India.

According to Byju Raveendran, Founder & CEO of BYJU's, "Owl Ventures has been an invaluable partner to BYJU's as we have scaled over the years. As an EdTech specialist, Owl is a differentiated investor that has provided unique value across many functions including acquisitions, partnerships, talent, and international expansion."

The new funds that Owl Ventures has raised will allow the firm to continue to be a scaled and active lead investor in the next wave of innovative global EdTech companies. As the largest fund in the EdTech sector, Owl is able to finance companies from seed to late stage and be a uniquely valuable partner to visionary entrepreneurs. This hands-on approach helps companies across numerous functions including distribution, partnerships, talent, fundraising, and outcomes measurement.

"Leveraging the strong global network and portfolio of Owl, we've been able to establish multiple key strategic partnerships that have been a tremendous enabler for our rapid company growth and our positive global impact on education," said Michael Bodekaer Jensen, Co-Founder & CEO of Labster.

Owl Ventures has continued to scale with talented team members. Malvika Bhagwat, who leads Owl's Outcomes and Portfolio Services platforms, was promoted to Partner in 2021. Malvika works closely with portfolio companies to advance their efficacy and outcomes measurement efforts as well as establish strategic impact and distribution partnerships with Owl's prestigious institutional global base of limited partners. Malvika also leads the production of Owl's Education Outcomes Report, which is a robust annual report that details the impact Owl portfolio companies have delivered.

According to Jessie Woolley-Wilson, CEO of DreamBox Learning, "Owl Ventures played an instrumental role in guiding DreamBox from its infancy to a scaled global leader in adaptive learning technology serving the K12 math and reading market. Owl brought a consistent and intentional focus on student learning outcomes to our boardroom, which enabled our company to achieve rapid growth while remaining true to our mission to serve all students regardless of zip code. The amazing professionals at Owl were invaluable partners to me and my team and were integral to our growth and impact success over many years. Owl has built a world class organization designed to scale the world's best education technology companies. There is no better VC partner we could have chosen."

About Owl Ventures

Owl Ventures is the largest venture capital fund in the world focused on the EdTech market with over $2 billion in assets under management. The Silicon Valley based firm invests in the world's leading education technology companies across the education spectrum encompassing PreK-12, higher education, future of work (career mobility/professional learning), and "EdTech+" (intersection of EdTech and other major industries such as FinTech and healthcare). Owl Ventures has deep domain expertise and leverages a global network of Limited Partners, investors, and strategic partners to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses into transformative category leading companies. Learn more at www.OwlVC.com. Owl's annual Education Outcomes Report can be viewed at www.OwlVC.com/outcomes.php.

Contact: Tom Costin, tom@owlvc.com

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Electrovaya Inc. (TSX:EFL)(OTCQB:EFLVF), a lithium-ion battery manufacturer with differentiated intellectual property that allows heightened safety and improved longevity enabling industry-leading performance, today announced the receipt of a battery purchase order through its OEM sales channel valued at about US$3.05 million. The batteries will be used by a leading Fortune 100 company to power Materials Handling Electric Vehicles ("MHEVs") in a new distribution centre in the United States.

This purchase order follows the successful deployment of Electrovaya batteries in two of the end user's distribution centers in 2021, which the Company announced on July 20, 2021. The Company expects to deliver the batteries during its fiscal second quarter ending March 31, 2022.

The end user has indicated that it will purchase additional Electrovaya batteries in the first half of calendar 2022 to power MHEVs at other sites. Deliveries, of such potential orders, are expected to be made during Electrovaya's 2022 fiscal year, however there is no certainty for any such orders and deliveries.

"Not only is this an exciting project, but it also demonstrates the Company's ability to make rapid deliveries for large projects. Taking into account the end user's forecasts for additional sites, we expect that this user will become Electrovaya's single largest operator of MHEV batteries by the end of the year," said Dr. Raj DasGupta, COO of Electrovaya.

For more information, please contact:

Investor & Media Contact:

Jason Roy; jroy@electrovaya.com

Tel: 905-855-4618

Web: www.electrovaya.com

About Electrovaya Inc.

Electrovaya Inc. (TSX:EFL) (OTCQB:EFLVF) is a pioneering leader in the global energy transformation, focused on contributing to the prevention of climate change by supplying safe and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries without compromising energy and power.. Electrovaya is a technology-focused company with extensive IP, designs, develops, and manufactures proprietary lithium-ion batteries, battery systems, and battery-related products for energy storage, clean electric transportation, and other specialized applications. To learn more about how Electrovaya is powering mobility and energy storage, please explore www.electrovaya.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the deployment of the Company's products by the Company's customers and the timing for delivery thereof, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "likely", "possible", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "objective" and "continue" (or the negative thereof) and words and expressions of similar import. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors and assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Statements with respect to the purchase and deployment of the Company's products by the Company's customers and users, and the timing for delivery thereof, and levels of expected sales and expected further purchases and demand growth are based on an assumption that the Company's customers and users will deploy its products in accordance with communicated intentions, that the Company will be able to deliver the ordered products on a basis consistent with past deliveries, and that the company's anticipation of additional purchase orders from the user in the first half of calendar 2022 to power Materials Handling Electric Vehicles at other sites and delivered during Company's 2022 fiscal year, and the anticipation of the Company delivering batteries in Q2 FY2022 on the present purchase order are all based on assumptions by the company and its users. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to macroeconomic effects on the Company and its business and on the Company's customers, economic conditions generally and their effect on consumer demand, labour shortages, supply chain constraints, the potential effect of COVID restrictions in Canada and internationally on the Company's ability to produce and deliver products, and on its customers' and end users' demand for and use of products, which effects are not predictable and may be affected by additional regional outbreaks and variants, and other factors which may cause disruptions in the Company's supply chain and Company's capability to deliver the products. Additional information about material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations and about material factors or assumptions applied in making forward-looking statements may be found in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended September 30, 2021 under "Risk Factors", and in the Company's most recent annual Management's Discussion and Analysis under "Qualitative And Quantitative Disclosures about Risk and Uncertainties" as well as in other public disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Electrovaya, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683070/Electrovaya-Receives-US305-million-Battery-Order-for-Materials-Handling-Electric-Vehicles
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Heliostar Metals Limited (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that core drilling re-commenced on January 7th after the year-end holiday break at the 100% owned Cumaro Project in northern Sonora, Mexico.

Highlights

5,000 metre Cumaro drilling program recommenced

Four holes for a total of 428 metres completed in December 2021

Veining intersected at expected depths in each 2021 drill hole, with assays pending

Drilling expected to continue to April with first results anticipated in late February

Heliostar CEO, Charles Funk, commented: "Starting the Cumaro drill program in December last year sets Heliostar up very well for 2022. We start the year in the fortunate position of having both an ongoing drill program on a new discovery in Mexico and a suite of high-grade gold hits across the district at our flagship Unga project in Alaska. Our initial focus in 2022 is the fully funded drill program at Cumaro where we have hit veining as predicted in each of our completed drill holes. The project enjoys great access, the extensions of veins modern mining on the adjacent property and close proximity to mills within the district. Cumaro has the potential to be a significant exploration success story for Heliostar in the short term."

Cumaro Project

The Cumaro project is a five square kilometre claim within the El Picacho district. It hosts the El Salto, Dos Amigos, and Basaitegui Vein Corridors (Figure 1). In addition to those known systems, it holds the recently identified Verde and Palmita Vein Corridors.

The geological model indicates that a north northeast trending fault (white broken line in Figure 1) has divided the Picacho-Cumaro district into western and eastern halves. West of the fault, veining and mineralization come to surface. On the eastern side of the fault, only the weakly altered, upper expression of the structures come to surface. The geologic interpretation is that the eastern side is downthrown relative to the western side, thus suggesting an extension of the mineralized vein system could be preserved at depth on the eastern side. Despite the presence of historical mine workings in the western part of the Cumaro claim, the property has never been drill tested prior to the ongoing program.

Drilling Program

Drilling commenced at the Verde Target in December with four holes totalling 427.5 metres completed prior to the Christmas break (Figure 2). All holes intersected veining and the associated structures as they tested the Verde and Orilla veins. The first hole intersected the Verde vein and structure below the historic tunnel. The second hole intersected the Orilla vein near surface. The third and fourth holes intersected the Verde and Orilla veins near surface where the two veins converge. Assays for all holes are pending and expected to be returned in late February.

Drilling of the 5,000 metre program currently focuses on the Verde Vein Corridor. Once drilling in this corridor is completed the drill will move to test the Basaitegui Vein Corridor in the western block and the Palmita Vein Corridor in the eastern block.





Figure 1: Cumaro Sampling and Mapping. (1 - SilverCrest Metals Inc. news release dated February 24, 2021.)

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/109815_cba57b55247a08a6_003full.jpg

Verde Vein Corridor

The Verde Vein Corridor is over 1.3 kilometres long and comprises three veins which are consistently mineralized over 530 metres of strike and spread over 200 metres of width (Figure 2). The vein zones vary from 0.5 to 5 metres wide and have numerous medium to high grade surface channel samples. The veins returned values including;

12.6 g/t AuEq (10.3 g/t gold and 168 g/t silver) over 5.0 metres

13.1 g/t AuEq (11.5 g/t gold and 125 g/t silver) over 1.75 metres

9.57 g/t AuEq (8.35 g/t gold and 92 g/t silver) over 2.1 metres

5.49 g/t AuEq (4.68 g/t gold and 61 g/t silver) over 3.0 metres

13.6 g/t AuEq (11.9 g/t gold and 130 g/t silver over 1.65 metres

4.05 g/t AuEq (2.65 g/t gold and 105 g/t silver over 5.9 metres

Twenty channel samples returned a grade multiplied by vein thickness greater than 5 g/t metres

(Widths are true thicknesses and gold equivalent is calculated with a gold:silver ratio of 1:75)

Within the Verde Vein Corridor, the Verde and Orilla veins (Figure 2) dip toward each other and intersect, forming a high potential drill target. The veins are epithermal veins with banded green to white quartz and calcite. Similar green quartz occurs within the high-grade areas of many mineralized systems in northern Sonora and this relationship holds true at Cumaro. Select sub-samples from the green quartz at the Verde target return values up to 41.2 g/t gold and 364 g/t silver.

One historic tunnel descends 35 metres below surface on the Verde vein (Figure 2). It shows similar grades and widths to those on surface, thus providing confidence in the depth potential of the surface channel results.





Figure 2: Detailed sampling and mapping from the Verde Vein Corridor with selected samples highlighted

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/109815_cba57b55247a08a6_004full.jpg

Basaitegui Vein Corridor

The Basaitegui Vein Corridor runs parallel to the Verde Vein Corridor, about 600 metres northeast (Figure 1). Vein textures indicate that the level of exposure in the system is higher than at the Verde vein. This may indicate that the productive part of the system remains preserved at depth. Like Verde, small scale workings and gold mineralization at surface indicate the potential for high grades at depth. Drilling will test this target concept by testing the vein at depth below the most productive parts of the system.

Palmita Vein Corridor

The Palmita Vein Corridor stretches 1.7 kilometres in strike. A channel sample returned a grade of 390 g/t silver over 1 metre. This sample came from the Three-ninety vein; a 500 metre long, east-west trending vein, interpreted as a splay off the main vein corridor.

We view the high-grade interval silver as a key result. Surface results and textures indicate that these rocks formed at a higher level in the epithermal system. Typically, this would be above the interpreted precious metals zone. However, this sample suggests leakage from a high-grade mineralized system at depth.

The aim of this first drill program is to track the system at depth and intercept high-grade mineralization. Proving the concept will be a significant development at Cumaro and will open the entire eastern block to systematic exploration for new mineralized bodies.





Figure 3: Location of Heliostar's projects in northern Sonora State, Mexico

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/109815_cba57b55247a08a6_005full.jpg

About Heliostar Metals Ltd.

Heliostar is a well-financed junior exploration and development company with a portfolio of high-grade gold projects in Alaska and Mexico.

The company's flagship asset is the 100% controlled Unga Gold Project on Unga and Popof Islands in Alaska. The project hosts an intermediate sulfidation epithermal gold deposit, located within the district-scale property that encompasses 240 km2 across the two islands. Additional targets on the property include porphyry copper-gold targets, high sulphidation targets and intermediate sulphidation epithermal veins.

On Unga Island, priority targets include: the SH-1 and Aquila, both on the Shumagin Trend, the former Apollo-Sitka mine, which was Alaska's first underground gold mine, and the Zachary Bay porphyry gold-copper prospect.

Gold mineralization at the Centennial Zone is located on neighbouring Popof Island within four kilometres of infrastructure and services at Sand Point.

In Mexico, the company owns 100% of three early-stage epithermal projects in Sonora that are highly prospective for gold and silver. Cumaro forms part of the El Picacho district, while the Oso Negro and La Lola projects are early-stage projects considered prospective for epithermal gold-silver mineralization.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Rock and core samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora for sample preparation and for analysis at the ALS laboratories in North Vancouver and Vientane, Laos. The ALS Hermosillo, Vientane and North Vancouver facilities are ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Silver and base metals were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish and gold was assayed by 30-gram fire assay with atomic absorption ("AA") spectroscopy finish and overlimits were analyzed by 50g fire assay with gravimetric finish.

Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Qualified Person

The Company's disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Stewart Harris, P.Geo., Exploration Manager for the Company. Mr. Harris is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.

For additional information please contact:

Charles Funk

Chief Executive Officer

Heliostar Metals Limited

Email: charles.funk@heliostarmetals.com

Rob Grey

Investor Relations Manager

Heliostar Metals Limited

Phone: +1 778 357 1313

Email: rob.grey@heliostarmetals.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include Our initial focus in 2022 is the fully funded drill program at Cumaro where we have hit veining as predicted in each of our completed drill holes. The project enjoys great access, the extensions of veins with declared resources on the adjacent property and close proximity to mills within the district. Cumaro has the potential to be a significant exploration success story for Heliostar in the short term. Although Heliostar believes that the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, weather, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109815
London, England--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Join the Reuters Event's latest Automotive webinar panel discussion where you will learn from:

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109862
Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, has been named one of America's Most JUST Companies for the fifth consecutive year, and a member of the JUST 100 by JUST Capital. Trane Technologies ranked second among companies in the building materials packaging industry, and moved up 67 spots overall since the previous year for its outstanding commitments to its employees, community and the environment.

JUST Capital is a not-for-profit that does comprehensive analyses to rank companies based on issues the American public cares about most, including investing in workers, supporting communities, respecting customers and reducing environmental impact. The 2022 JUST 100 ranking places Trane Technologies as a sector leader whose performance is beneficial for investors and for the wider American society.

"Every day, Trane Technologies people around the world uplift each other, our communities and our customers, while innovating for the climate," said Paul Camuti, chief technology and sustainability officer for Trane Technologies. "They come to work with the purpose to boldly challenge what's possible for a sustainable world. I'm delighted and proud that the hard work we're doing together to make the world a better place has landed us on the prestigious JUST 100 list."

Trane Technologies also earned a high grade on the 2021 annual CDP Global Climate Change Report in the Climate Change category, signifying management's commitment to carbon reduction actions across the value stream. The company has earned consistently high leader-level scores on the rigorous CDP ranking for five consecutive years. CDP is a not-for-profit global environmental disclosure system that helps companies, cities, states and regions measure and manage their risks and opportunities on climate change.

Trane Technologies 2030 Sustainability Commitments

Trane Technologies, and its leading brands Trane and Thermo King, are solving some of the world's biggest sustainability challenges and inspiring industry and global change with our 2030 Sustainability Commitments. These commitments include the Gigaton Challenge, a pledge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by a billion metric tons (2% of the world's annual emissions) and achieve carbon-neutral operations across its global footprint.

Trane Technologies' 2030 Sustainability Commitments also include its Opportunity for All pledge. The pledge commits to achieving gender parity in leadership, having a workforce that is diverse and reflective of its communities, and community initiatives that support equitable education and pathways to green and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers.

About Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane and Thermo King, and our environmentally responsible portfolio of products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. Learn more at tranetechnologies.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005265/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Jennifer Regina, Trane Technologies

(630) 390-8011

jennifer.regina@tranetechnologies.com

Investors:

Zachary Nagle, Trane Technologies

(704) 990-3913

zachary.nagle@tranetechnologies.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Scotch Creek Ventures Inc. (the "Company") (CSE:SCV) (FSE:7S2) (OTC:SCVFF) ("Scotch Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Robert D. Marvin, P.Geo, has agreed to join its Board of Directors. Mr. Marvin brings over 40 years of mineral exploration experience and was instrumental in the exploration and discovery of Cypress Development Corp's (TSX.V: CYP) lithium deposit. Mr. Marvin will further assist Scotch Creek in both the advancement of its exploration objectives, as well as expanding its portfolio of lithium projects.

Scotch Creek Ventures' CEO, Mr. David Ryan, commented "we are extremely pleased to announce Mr. Marvin's expanded role with Scotch Creek. Mr. Marvin's substantial exploration experience and more specifically his proven track record in identifying lithium in Clayton Valley, could prove to be a huge addition to Scotch Creek's management and its overall success."

Additionally, Mr. Marvin stated "I am excited to take on a more active role with Scotch Creek. I have to mention that the company's promising portfolio of lithium assets has been a driving factor in my decision to take on this increased responsibility."

In connection with the appointment of Mr. Marvin, Scotch Creek Ventures Inc announces the resignation of Donald Archibald as Director effective immediately to focus on other business commitments. "On behalf of Scotch Creek's Board of Directors, I would like to thank Mr. Archibald for his valuable contribution to the Company, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors," said David Ryan, President & CEO of Scotch Creek Ventures in a statement.

About Robert D. Marvin

Mr. Marvin, P.Geo, a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has been involved in mineral exploration as a professional geologist and consultant since 1979. His exploration experience ranges from gold, copper, zinc, lithium to uranium and has spanned throughout the Americas and Asia.

Mr. Marvin has worked for dozens of companies including major mining companies and aggressive junior exploration companies. Discoveries made in gold, base metals, and most recently in identifying the lithium potential of mudstones on the east flank of Clayton Valley, resulted in the discovery of a world-class lithium resource in Nevada.

Robert has also served on several junior company boards as Vice President of Exploration and remains active in the field acquiring properties by staking and conducting drill exploration with a strong focus on cost-effective successes through old school field methods and optimisms.

About Scotch Creek Ventures

Scotch Creek is a mineral exploration company, focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium projects located in tier-one North American mining jurisdictions. Scotch Creek's mission is to become a best-in-class lithium exploration company situated in one of the most promising lithium districts in the world, Clayton Valley, Nevada.

Scotch Creek would like to invite investors and stakeholders to connect with our investor relations team or visit our website to sign-up to receive regular updates and news alerts.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"David K. Ryan"

David Ryan

Chief Executive Officer

Further information about the Company is available on our website at www.scotch-creek.com or under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the CSE website at www.thecse.com.

Public Relations Contact

Scotch Creek Ventures Inc.

Telephone: +1.604.685.4745

Email: info@scotch-creek.com

Website: www.scotch-creek.com

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Forward-looking and cautionary statements

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Scotch Creek Ventures Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683104/Scotch-Creek-Ventures-Inc-Appoints-Lithium-Expert-to-Board-of-Directors
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Moneta Gold Inc. (TSX: ME) (OTCQX: MEAUF) (XETRA: MOP) ("Moneta") is pleased to announce partial assay results confirming the new gold discovery at the Halfway zone from sixteen (16) drill holes, located within the Golden Highway area of the Tower Gold project. The drilling is part of the 2020/2021 72,500 metre ("m") program in 130 drill holes designed to test extensions of the current mineral resource estimate of 4.0 million ("M") ounces indicated gold and 4.4M ounces inferred gold (see February 24, 2021 press release) on the Tower Gold project, located 100 kilometres ("km") east of Timmins, Ontario. Additional holes and assays from this drill program remain pending.

Drilling successfully intersected gold mineralization over a strike length of 700 m and a width of 300 m to the east of the Windjammer South open pit gold resource within the Halfway area. Today's results confirm significant extensions of gold mineralization to the current gold resource at Windjammer South.

Highlights from the drilling include:

MGH21-230 intersected 50.10 m @ 0.72 grams per tonne "g/t" gold "Au", including 0.30 m @ 20.30 g/t Au, and 5.50 m @ 3.36 g/t Au, including 0.80 m @ 16.10 g/t Au

MGH21-220 intersected 24.00 m @ 1.36 g/t Au, including 1.50 m @ 17.60 g/t Au

MGH21-220 intersected 70.26 m @ 0.64 g/t Au, including 25.50 m @ 0.96 g/t Au, including 3.00 m @ 4.28 g/t Au

MGH21-226 intersected 11.00 m @ 1.26 g/t Au, including 2.00 m @ 5.52 g/t Au, including 1.00 m @ 6.68 g/t Au

MGH21-218 intersected 15.00 m @ 0.62 g/t Au, including 1.00 m @ 7.13 g/t Au

MGH21-219 intersected 26.60 m @ 0.54 g/t Au, including 3.00 m @ 2.81 g/t Au, including 1.00 m @ 5.03 g/t Au

MGH21-253 intersected 39.50 m @ 0.40 g/t Au, including 17.00 m @ 0.73 g/t Au, including 2.00 m @ 3.99 and 1.00 m @ 4.73 g/t Au

Gary O'Connor, Moneta's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The latest drill results from our 2021/2022 program testing the new Halfway gold discovery have confirmed the potential to expand the open pit resources in an area not previously drill tested and beyond the current gold resources. The Halfway exploration drilling program was testing for gold mineralization over a large area located east of the current economic open pit at Windjammer South. Drilling has also targeted the South West extensions in the Gap area, the Windjammer area north of the BIF, the 55 mineral resource areas, the Windjammer South resource extensions, extensions to the new Westaway underground deposit, the Garrcon underground potential and Garrcon open pit extensions in the Garrison area. We look forward to releasing these drill results when they become available and updating the mineral resource estimate for the Tower Gold project in the first half of 2022."

The latest assay results from the Halfway zone resource expansion drill program include assay results from sixteen (16) new drill holes, for a total of 8,320.0 m. Additional results from these holes are still pending. The drill program was conducted to test a large area to the east of the Windjammer South economic open pit in an area with little historical drilling. The Windjammer South open pit gold deposit currently hosts 1.10 Moz gold at a grade of 0.84 g/t gold in indicated resources and 1.03 Moz at a grade of 1.10 g/t gold in the inferred category at a cut-off grade of 0.30 g/t gold (see December 10, 2020 press release). Full assays from an additional 50 drill holes for 22,889 m from the drill program remain pending.





Figure 1: Tower Gold Project: General Location Map



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4852/109794_51ed387a34b3aaf2_002full.jpg

To view the complete table of drill results please click below:

https://www.monetagold.com/files/doc_downloads/2022/01/Halfway-Drill-results.xlsx

Table 1: Selected Significant Drill Results

Hole From To Length Au Gram metres (#) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (gxm) MGH21-215 218.45 222.40 3.95 1.86 7.35 includes 220.95 222.40 1.45 3.73 5.41 MGH21-216 83.70 104.00 20.30 0.41 8.32 includes 93.00 104.00 11.00 0.54 5.94 includes 100.00 101.00 1.00 1.95 1.95 MGH21-216 276.00 297.35 21.35 0.40 8.54 MGH21-218 416.00 430.00 14.00 0.53 7.42 includes 425.00 430.00 5.00 1.18 5.90 includes 425.00 426.00 1.00 2.08 2.08 MGH21-218 445.00 460.00 15.00 0.62 9.30 includes 452.00 453.00 1.00 7.13 7.13 MGH21-218 547.50 565.50 18.00 0.43 7.74 includes 547.50 549.00 1.50 2.34 3.51 MGH21-219 246.00 250.00 4.00 1.07 4.28 includes 246.00 247.00 1.00 1.76 1.76 MGH21-219 300.50 327.10 26.60 0.54 14.36 includes 318.00 321.00 3.00 2.81 8.43 includes 320.00 321.00 1.00 5.03 5.03 MGH21-219 433.00 458.00 25.00 0.35 8.75 MGH21-220 67.74 138.00 70.26 0.64 44.97 includes 72.00 97.50 25.50 0.96 24.48 includes 72.00 75.00 3.00 4.28 12.84 includes 72.00 73.50 1.50 5.19 7.79 MGH21-220 147.00 171.00 24.00 1.36 32.64 includes 157.50 159.00 1.50 17.60 26.40 MGH21-220 375.00 401.00 26.00 0.48 12.48 includes 385.50 387.00 1.50 1.45 2.18 MGH21-221 259.00 272.00 13.00 0.42 5.46 includes 263.80 269.00 5.20 0.77 4.00 includes 263.80 265.00 1.20 1.48 1.78 MGH21-223 449.00 457.00 8.00 0.61 4.88 MGH21-225 172.00 193.10 21.10 0.58 12.24 includes 192.00 193.10 1.10 4.12 4.53 MGH21-225 373.00 384.30 11.30 0.64 7.23 including 380.00 381.00 1.00 3.16 3.16 MGH21-226 165.78 176.78 11.00 1.26 13.86 includes 172.78 174.78 2.00 5.52 11.04 includes 172.78 173.78 1.00 6.68 6.68 MGH21-226 309.83 327.10 17.27 0.39 6.74 includes 325.10 326.10 1.00 2.28 2.28 MGH21-216 432.00 437.00 5.00 1.31 6.55 includes 434.00 437.00 3.00 2.04 6.12 MGH21-230 66.60 116.70 50.10 0.72 36.07 includes 82.20 82.50 0.30 20.30 6.09 and 103.00 108.50 5.50 3.36 18.48 includes 103.00 104.50 1.50 9.56 14.34 includes 103.70 104.50 0.80 16.10 12.88 MGH21-230 123.00 128.50 5.50 1.16 6.38 includes 123.00 124.00 1.00 4.31 4.31 MGH21-253 364.50 404.00 39.50 0.40 15.80 includes 375.00 392.00 17.00 0.73 12.41 includes 382.00 384.00 2.00 3.99 7.98 includes 469.00 470.00 1.00 4.73 4.73

Intercepts are calculated using a 0.20 g/t Au cut-off, a maximum of 3m internal dilution and no top cap applied. Drill intercepts are not true widths, are reported as drill widths, and are estimated to be 80% to 95% of true width.





Figure 2: Halfway Exploration Drill Program: Drill Hole Location Map



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4852/109794_51ed387a34b3aaf2_003full.jpg

Discussion of Drill Results

Drilling was targeting Timiskaming age clastic sediment hosted gold mineralized stacked quartz veins east of Windjammer South in the new Halfway discovery area located south of the regional Banded Iron Formation "A" ("BIF A") unit. The drilling was testing a large area outside of the Windjammer South economic open pit in areas not previously drill tested. The Windjammer South area occurs as the largest open pit gold resource within the Golden Highway portion of the Tower Gold project. Previous results from the first drill holes from the Halfway area were released in the February 02, 2021 press release ME PR-03/2021 (see February 02, 2021 press release) and returned the following significant results (see table 2; Previously Released Select Significant Drill Results: Halfway Exploration Drilling);

Intersected 9.00 m @ 3.15 g/t Au, including 1.00 m @ 16.10 g/t Au and 1.00 m @ 10.90 g/t Au in drill hole MGH20-159

Intersected 80.00 m @ 0.88 g/t Au including 7.20 m @ 2.48 g/t Au, including 0.50 m @ 10.70 g/t Au, and 2.10 m @ 5.60 g/t Au including 1.15 m @ 7.24 g/t Au in drill hole MGH20-159

Intersected 83.00 m @ 0.28 g/t Au including 1.50 m @ 2.20 g/t Au in hole MGH20-158

Intersected 53.50 m @ 0.30 g/t Au including 1.00 m @ 2.43 g/t Au and 0.70 m @ 3.26 g/t Au in hole MGH20-159

Drill results from the current program at Halfway confirmed the occurrence of shallow west dipping stacked quartz veins sets and associated ankerite-albite-sericite-pyrite alteration haloes in large step-outs beyond the current gold resource. The latest assay results confirmed gold mineralization over an area 700 m long, 300 m wide, and down to depths of over 500 m. Additional results from the Halfway resource definition drilling program are pending.





Figure 3: Halfway Exploration Drilling- Cross Section



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4852/109794_51ed387a34b3aaf2_004full.jpg

Table 2: Previously Released Select Significant Drill Results: Halfway Exploration Drilling

Hole From To Length Au Gram metres (#) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (gxm) MGH20-158 218.00 234.00 16.00 0.41 6.56 includes 218.00 220.50 2.50 1.35 3.38 MGH20-158 246.00 267.00 21.00 0.30 6.30 includes 261.00 262.00 1.00 1.42 1.42 MGH20-158 327.00 410.00 83.00 0.28 23.24 includes 351.00 352.50 1.50 2.20 3.30 MGH20-159 74.50 128.00 53.50 0.30 16.05 includes 98.00 99.00 1.00 2.43 2.43 and 114.50 118.00 3.50 0.96 3.36 includes 117.30 118.00 0.70 3.26 2.28 MGH20-159 242.00 252.00 10.00 0.41 4.10 MGH20-159 274.00 283.00 9.00 3.15 28.35 includes 275.00 276.00 1.00 16.10 16.10 and 279.00 280.00 1.00 10.90 10.90 MGH20-159 289.00 369.00 80.00 0.88 70.40 includes 331.00 338.20 7.20 2.48 17.86 includes 331.00 331.50 0.50 10.70 5.35 and 336.10 338.20 2.10 5.60 11.76 includes 337.05 338.20 1.15 7.24 8.33 MGH21-161 211.00 230.85 19.85 0.37 7.34 includes 219.00 221.00 2.00 1.38 2.76 MGH21-161 459.00 471.00 12.00 0.56 6.72 includes 464.00 468.00 4.00 1.03 4.12

Intercepts are calculated using a 0.20 g/t Au cut-off, a maximum of 3m internal dilution and no top cap applied. Drill intercepts are not true widths, are reported as drill widths, and are estimated to be 80% to 95% of true width.

Table 3: New Drill Hole Details; Halfway

Hole Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Inclination Depth (#) (mE) (mN) (masl) () () (m) MGH21-215 572894 5370664 358 75 -55 260.0 MGH21-216 572783 5370616 358 75 -55 549.0 MGH21-217 573016 5370694 354 80 -55 216.0 MGH21-218 572806 5370538 366 65 -50 690.0 MGH21-219 572913 5370581 368 66 -50 597.0 MGH21-220 572481 5370504 354 71 -60 435.0 MGH21-221 572536 5370407 358 65 -65 453.0 MGH21-223 572912 5370482 371 65 -55 504.0 MGH21-225 571669 5369851 333 50 -60 705.0 MGH21-226 573114 5370563 345 65 -55 711.0 MGH21-230 572395 5370362 340 70 -56 590.0 MGH21-231 572971 5370398 374 65 -55 609.0 MGH21-245 572816 5370440 357 65 -55 501.0 MGH21-246 572718 5370396 347 65 -55 501.0 MGH21-253 572997 5370517 373 65 -55 522.0 MGH21-260 572675 5370270 368 65 -55 477.0

Assay results for the reported holes are not complete. Additional assay results from drill holes will be released upon receipt. All intercepts are reported as drill widths and not true widths.

QA/QC Procedures

Drill core is oriented and cut with half sent to AGAT Laboratories Inc. (AGAT) for drying and crushing to -2 mm, with a 1.00 kg split pulverized to -75 m (200#). AGAT is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory. A 50 g charge is Fire Assayed and analyzed using an AAS finish for Gold. Samples above 10.00 g/t Au are analyzed by Fire Assay with a gravimetric finish and selected samples with visible gold or high-grade mineralization are assayed by Metallic Screen Fire Assay on a 1.00 kg sample. Moneta inserts independent certified reference material and blanks with the samples and assays routine pulp repeats and coarse reject sample duplicates, as well as completing routine third-party check assays at Activation Laboratories Ltd. Randall Salo, P.Geo. is a qualified person under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this press release.

About Moneta

Moneta is a Canadian based gold exploration company focussed on advancing its 100% wholly owned Tower Gold project, which currently hosts a gold mineral resource estimate of 4.0M ounces indicated and 4.4M ounces inferred. The Company's 2020/2021 drill program was designed to test extensions of mineralization and expand the current mineral resource. An updated mineral resource estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment study encompassing the entire Tower Gold Project will be announced in the first half of 2022. Moneta is committed to creating shareholder value through the strategic allocation of capital and a focus on the current resource expansion drilling program, while conducting all business activities in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gary V. O'Connor, CEO

416-357-3319

Linda Armstrong, Investor Relations

647-456-9223

The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com. For further information on the Company, please visit our website at www.monetagold.com or email us at info@monetagold.com.

This news release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, collectively "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to information with respect to the future performance of the business, its operations and financial performance and condition such as the Company's drilling program and the timing and results thereof; further steps that might be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Corporation's business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders; uncertainties and risk that have arisen and may arise in relation to travel, and other financial market and social impacts from COVID-19 and responses to COVID 19. and the ability of the Company to finance and carry out its anticipated goals and objectives.

Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking-statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109794
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Quantum eMotion Corp. (TSXV: QNC) (OTCQB: QNCCF) (FSE: 34Q0) ("QeM" or the "Company") provides 2021 highlights and expected milestones for 2022.

Francis Bellido, CEO of QeM, commented: "I believe that 2021 was a pivotal year for QeM as the Company laid down the foundation for the achievement of major growth in 2022. Among the many milestones we accomplished last year I see the main highlights as follow:

We redirected our business strategy and refocused on near-term product which led us to develop a portable QRNG USB-type device with the collaboration of Syntronic. This was pivotal for us as this device represents the reference for certification and partnering with strategic player as well as the foundation of our first line of commercial products. Unfortunately, we lost a few months in the development of the device due to the worldwide chip shortages and supply chain bottlenecks that have paralyzed so many industries, but eventually we resolved the issue and moved forward.

Another seminal milestone was the significant expansion of our patent portfolio as QeM filed for a patent application covering a new technology bridging the gap between quantum-level cryptography and consumer electronic. This innovative product will eventually be a plug-and-play ultraportable QRNG module that provides easy-to-use hardware protection for consumer electronics.

We identified domains and verticals of the economy that require cybersecurity as an integral part of their value proposition. One of them are Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies applications as they make extremely high usage of cryptography and require very strong random number generation to ensure inviolability."

Francis Bellido added: "The disruption and havoc created by cybercriminals continues to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis and cybersecurity is now a central focus for headline news. Accordingly, the global cybersecurity market is projected to exceed US$ 300 Billion in the near term. What lies ahead is very exciting for our shareholders. I believe that 2022 will be a transformational year for QeM as the Company prepares itself to accomplish several significant milestones in the following areas:

The near-term completion of our portable QRNG USB-type device will allow us to pass the critical step of NIST certification and engage in business development activities by approaching potential strategic partners and promote B2B initiatives.

The development of the first prototype of our QRNG-embedded CMOS chip will be able to deliver a miniaturized QRNG with reliability, speed, and scalability. Compared to the competition, this unique technology is distinctively micro-sized, very low on energy consumption, easy to integrate with other OEM components and especially low cost for inexpensive high-volume production. This product will allow QeM to target Mobile, 5G and specific IOT applications.

QRNG-embedded CMOS chip will be able to deliver a miniaturized QRNG with reliability, speed, and scalability. Compared to the competition, this unique technology is distinctively micro-sized, very low on energy consumption, easy to integrate with other OEM components and especially low cost for inexpensive high-volume production. This product will allow QeM to target Mobile, 5G and specific IOT applications. The completion of the first prototype of our ultraportable QRNG key to deliver strong hardware protection across any number of IT systems will enable users to communicate uncrackable information across the internet. The first commercial application may take the shape of a quantum-secure messenger application.

In collaboration with institutional technology partners, the development of breakthrough security solutions for blockchain applications may allow us to capitalize on "low-hanging fruit" market opportunities. High quality randomness is at the core of blockchain efficiency and security. Block addresses are generated with random numbers and cryptographic hashing algorithms, and they are key to the trust of the blockchain. Any weakness in the randomness could be exploited by an attacker to predict things and breach the system."

About QeM

The Company's mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware security for connected devices. The patented solution for a Quantum Random Number Generator exploits the built-in unpredictability of quantum mechanics and promises to provide enhanced security for protecting high value assets and critical systems.

The Company intends to target the highly valued Financial Services, Blockchain Applications, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Networks and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography.

For further information, please contact:

Francis Bellido, Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 514.956.2525

Email: info@quantumemotion.com

Website: www.quantumemotion.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in the Corporation's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Quantum from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109863
- EU Business School becomes a member of OMNES Education Group to strengthen its strategic position and consolidate its future

- OMNES Education Group acquires a majority stake in EU Business School with the Craen family maintaining part ownership and key positions on the board of management

- Through this operation, OMNES Education Group strengthens its position as a leading European player while EU Business School consolidates its future by building on the group's structure, synergy and reach

GENEVA, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EU BUSINESS SCHOOL (EU) announced today that it has taken the strategic decision to join OMNES Education Group (formerly INSEEC U. Group), the French leader in private higher education. OMNES Education takes a majority stake in EU BUSINESS SCHOOL with the Craen family retaining part ownership and key positions on the board of management.

By joining forces with the OMNES Education Group, EU BUSINESS SCHOOL will pursue its ambitious growth plans while benefiting from international synergies and the strong position of a renowned actor in the educational world with operations of 12 schools, 17 campuses and 32,000 students to date. Founded 45+ years ago, EU BUSINESS SCHOOL claims a solid community on its European campuses in Barcelona (Spain), Geneva (Switzerland), Montreux (Switzerland) and Munich (Germany), as well as a rich online educational offer.

A family structure that will remain unchanged

Known for its family-oriented values and curricula that enjoy industry recognition, EU BUSINESS SCHOOL will benefit from increased international visibility and enhanced know-how and expertise while expanding its geographical footprint for a stronger and more future.

The Craen family will retain shareholding and will continue to manage EU Business School. Carl Craen has been appointed chairman of the board, and Luc Craen also joins the board and will continue to pursue his strategic role as director of the Geneva, Montreux and Munich campuses. Dr. Dirk Craen will pursue his engagements as honorary president and will bring his vision to EU Business School's high-level activities, of which the exclusive Learning From Leaders series will remain a strong focus under his leadership.

"We are proud to join this prestigious educational group which we are sure will offer us the opportunities and synergies we need to strengthen our institution further. The mindset and vision of OMNES Education are ideally aligned with EU, and we are certain that they will bring immense added value to our academic offerings," says Carl Craen.



"As with its other schools, OMNES Education is looking forward to giving an important place in the Group to EU Business School and reinforcing its leading international position," says Mathias Emmerich, president of the OMNES Education Group.

For more information about EU Business School, please contact the Claire Basterfield, EU Business School's press contact on +34 93 201 81 71 or at communications@euruni.edu. You may also visit our website at www.euruni.edu.

About EU Business School

Established in 1973, EU Business School (EU) is an international, professionally accredited, high-ranking business school with campuses in Barcelona, Geneva, Montreux, Munich and online. Offering English-taught foundation, bachelor's, master's and MBA programs, it is ranked among the top business schools globally and has been awarded four stars overall in business education by QS Stars. Students at EU benefit from an international environment with students and faculty of 100+ nationalities and an alumni network of 27,000+ members. EU programs include state-recognized degrees from the University of Derby and London Metropolitan University, U.K. and Dublin Business School, Ireland, as well as university bachelor's, master's and MBA degrees (titulo propio) awarded by Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) in Spain. https://euruni.edu

About OMNES Education

Created in 1975, OMNES Education is a private multidisciplinary higher education and research group in management, engineering sciences, political sciences, communication and creation. Headquartered in Paris, France, the Group has campuses in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Chambery, Beaune, Lausanne, London, Geneva, Monaco, San Francisco and Abidjan. With a turnover of 300 million, OMNES Education trains 32,000 students and 2,000 executives each year. Thanks to its 10,000 partner companies and 150,000 alumni, the Group offers its students an educational experience with a clear objective: to develop their employability and build their success. https://OMNESeducation.com
Merck Foundation , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany organized their first Merck Foundation Health Media Training via Videoconference on 15th December 2021 in partnership with H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother for The Gambian media.

The objective of the training was to teach the media representatives on how to play a significant role in addressing sensitive social and health issues such as breaking Infertility Stigma, ending Child Marriage, FGM, GBV and support Girl Education. Moreover, in the given unprecedented times, enabling them to raise awareness about coronavirus and the best health prevention practices during this global pandemic explained Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation More than a Mother.

I have always emphasized on the prominent role of media as I strongly believe that media has the capacity and ability to create a culture shift and to break the silence and be the voice of the voiceless through their day-to-day work, Dr. Rasha Kelej added.

The Merck Foundation Health Media Training is a part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother community awareness Program and was chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej and addressed by the stalwarts of the media industry and infertility experts. It was attended by Gambian journalists working for Print, TV, Radio, and Online media and journalism students.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej stated, I recently met my dear sister and our long-term partner, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, to discuss our programs. I am proud that till end of 2021, we have provided 34 scholarships to young Gambian doctors in various medical specialties like Fertility & Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Respiratory, Acute Medicines, Neonatal Medicine and more. Together we are making history by providing specialty training for the first Fertility specialist, Embryologists, oncologists, diabetes, respiratory care, intensive care, and neonatal medicine specialists in the country. This is a huge achievement and history in the making.

Moreover, through Educating Linda program, Merck Foundation work towards empowering girls in education by supporting education of 20 underprivileged but brilliant schoolgirls.

Merck Foundation provides 3,000 sets of essential school items for girls schools. Each of the recipients get a set containing 1 Ruler, 3 Pencils, 2 Erasers, 1 Sharpener, 1 Pen, 6 Color Pencils, 1 Triangular Ruler, 1 Protractor, and 1 Fabric Bag.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia has launched three children storybooks titled: Musas Story to emphasize on the strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and resulted domestic violence in the future, Educating Mariam Story to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education and Make the Right Choice Story to raise awareness about coronavirus prevention amongst children and youth as it provides facts about the pandemic and how to stay safe and healthy during the outbreak. 30,000 copies of the three storybooks have been distributed to young readers, school students of The Gambia.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The Gambia First Lady has also launched an empowering song to break the stigma around infertility in Africa and the rest of the world as part of More than a Mother community awareness campaign. The song urges men to support their wives during the treatment journey of building a family and delivers an important message Fertility is a Shared Responsibility. It has been written and composed by Sunita, a young female artist from The Gambia.

Link to the song: https://bit.ly/3HTLSSl

Moreover, together with The Gambia First Lady, Merck Foundation had launched 6 important Awards for Media, Fashion, Film, and Music fraternity to raise awareness on the important topics of breaking the stigma around infertility, underscoring the importance of girls education & women empowerment at all levels. Two Coronavirus theme-based awards were also announced for Media and Fashion fraternity, with the aim to raise awareness about continuing the best practices and also show support to our frontline workers in the country and the rest of Africa. The winners of the awards will be announced soon.

Earlier, Alieu Ceesay from QTV was announced as the First Position winner from the online category of the Stay at Home Media Recognition Awards 2020 from the West Africa region.

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BEIJING, Jan 12, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - OKLink, the well-known blockchain big-data company, has announced the launch of Chaintelligence Pro 2.0, the world's first blockchain analysis platform combining blockchain big-data technology and technical investigation methods, to assist police in cryptocurrency-related crime investigation and anti-money laundering."By the end of last year, the number of cryptocurrency-related crime cases in China had risen to about 6328, with more than 16.3 million people and over 320 billion yuan involved. Confronted with these cryptocurrency-related crimes, police officers are struggling with difficulties including high learning costs, high tracking difficulty, etc.," said Zhang Chao, vice president of OKLink.Focusing on these sticking points, Chaintelligence Pro 2.0 optimized the blockchain & big data technology framework, and achieved 3 major innovations, i.e. technical innovation, function innovation and investigation innovation:- Technical innovation: As the first-of-its-kind blockchain analysis platform combining blockchain and big-data technology, Chaintelligence Pro 2.0 could provide accurate on-chain data and save much time and human cost with machine learning, data modeling, Similarity algorithm, and Feature Engineering technologies.- Function innovation: With functions like Data Visualization, real-time monitoring, smart researching and judging, Chaintelligence Pro 2.0 Provides integrated services of on-chain data monitoring, analyzing, penetrating and governing, which makes it easier for police officers to investigate cryptocurrency-related cases.- Investigation innovation: Based on the practical experience accumulated by Chaintelligence 1.0, the 2.0 version could track on-chain data with technical investigation methods, letting the data do the research and investigation job."Data security plays a vital role in the coming digital economy age," Zhang Chao said. "Over the last year, Chaintelligence 1.0 has assisted in cracking down over 80 cases and recovering over 30 billion worth of crypto assets. In 2022, OKLink will boost product innovation, deepen service offerings and speed up industry expansion, pushing forward the healthy and sound development of blockchain industry."About OKLinkOKLink is a world-leading blockchain big-data company from China, providing users with accurate on-chain data analysis, high-extensibility information solutions and blockchain science education services based on industry-leading blockchain big-data technology. Currently, OKLink has launched products including OKLink blockchain explorer, Chaintelligence, Chainhub and OKLink Academy.Media Contact:Jin PengchengOukehudong Network Technology (Beijing) Co., LtdEmail: pengcheng.jin@oklink.comWebsite: https://www.oklink.comSource: OKLink Technology Company LtdCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Testing Market Size is driven by increasing prevalence of cancer and the rise in HPV infections. In 2021, the PAP Testing segment accounted for the highest share and the HPV testing segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during 2021-2028.

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Testing Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type (PAP Testing, HPV Testing, Colposcopy, Cervical Biopsies, Cystoscopy, and Others) and Service Provider (Diagnostics and Research Laboratories, Hospitals and Clinics, Specialty Clinics, and Home Care services) and Geography", published by The Insight Partners, the global cervical cancer diagnostic testing market is projected to reach US$ 7,165.92 million by 2028 from US$ 5,141.25 million in 2021; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2028.

Get Exclusive Sample Pages of Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Testing Market Size - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis with Strategic Insights at https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00016639/

Report Coverage Details Market Size Value in US$ 5,141.25 million in 2021 Market Size Value by US$ 7,165.92 million by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2028 Forecast Period 2021-2028 Base Year 2021 No. of Pages 160 No. Tables 57 No. of Charts & Figures 73 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Type, Service Provider, and Geography Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA Country scope US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends

Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Testing Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.; Abbott; Quest Diagnostics Incorporated; QIAGEN; Hologic, Inc.; DYSIS Medical Inc.; Femasys Inc.; Guided Therapeutics, Inc; Cooper Companies, Inc.; and BD are among the key companies operating in the cervical cancer diagnostic testing market. Leading players are adopting various strategies, such as the launch of products, expansion and diversification of their market presence, and acquisition of new customer base, thereby tapping prevailing business opportunities.

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In November 2021, Hologic Inc launched Genius Digital Diagnostics System for screening cervical cancer in Europe. The next generation screening system combines deep earning-based artificial intelligence (AI) with latest volumetric imaging technology to assist the identification of pre-cancerous lesions and cervical cancer cells in women.

North America held the largest share for the Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Testing Market in 2021. The regional market growth is attributed to the high awareness about disease prevention among women in the region and many initiatives launched to prevent cervical cancer, which has increased the reach of insurance coverage for cervical screening tests, especially for low-income women.

Cervical cancer has a significant mortality rate (almost 50%), which can be lowered with early detection and prevention. Precancerous alterations offer opportunities for prevention and treatment because disease progression is often delayed. However, due to a lack of awareness or access to diagnostic services, many cases are detected at later stages of illness progression. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a primary cause of cervical cancer that is typically transmitted through sexual contact. There are over 100 HPV strains, and 13 of which are high-risk or carcinogenic. The active gene - E6 or E7 - determines whether an HPV strain is high or low risk. E6 binds to p53, causing proteolytic destruction. E7, on the other hand, binds to retinoblastoma; the binding displaces previously attached transcription factors, resulting in the cell cycle being stopped and apoptosis regulation being inhibited. The HPV test detects human papillomavirus in cervical cells. Other screening approaches employed in low-resource areas of developing countries are HPV DNA testing and visual inspection. Cervical screening on a regular basis aid in an early detection of cervical cancer, lowering the mortality rate from the disease. Every three years, all women between the ages of 21 and 65 are advised to have a Pap test, and women between the ages of 30 and 65 are advised to have both a Pap and an HPV test. In terms of revenue, this type dominated the cervical cancer screening market in 2021, and it is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period.

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Based on type, the cervical cancer diagnostic testing market is segmented into PAP testing, HPV testing, colposcopy, cervical biopsies, cystoscopy, and others. The PAP testing segment held the largest share of the market in 2021, and the HPV testing segment is expected to register the highest CAGR from 2021 to 2028.

Cancer has emerged as a leading cause death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer was the first leading cause of death in people of age below 70 years in 183 countries and fourth leading cause of death in 123 countries worldwide in 2019. In addition, according to data published by the WHO in March 2021, ~10 million deaths occurred in 2020 due to different cancer type. The market under consideration has shown significant expansion, which can be linked to the rising frequency of cervical cancer among women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer kills more than 270,000 women each year. Cervical cancer mortality rates are greater in poorer nations due to late discovery of the disease. The market is predicted to rise due to the increasing acceptance of cervical cancer diagnostic tests for the early detection of cervical cancer.

The increasing prevalence of cancer has created burden on the healthcare systems across the world. According to International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the global burden of new cancer cases is estimated to reach ~ 27.5 million by 2040, and the disease likely to be a cause of ~163 million deaths by that year. Factors such as lifestyle changes, smoking, reduced physical activities, and uncertain health and climatic conditions are likely to lead to even greater burden of cancer in the world in the coming years. Therefore, it is essential to control and prevent the increasing number of cancers worldwide.

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Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Testing Market: Segmental Overview

Based on the service providers, the cervical cancer diagnostic testing market is segmented into diagnostics and research laboratories, hospitals and clinics, specialty clinics, and home care services. In 2021, the diagnostics and research laboratories segment held the largest share of the market, and the market for the same is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during 2021-2028.

Browse Adjoining Reports:

Cervical Cancer Treatment Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type (Adenocarcinoma, Adenosquamous carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma); Distribution Channel (Online Pharmacies, Hospitals Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies) and Geography

Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Tests Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis - By Type (PAP testing, HPV Testing, Colposcopy, Cervical Biopsies, Cystoscopy); End User (20 - 40 yrs. Old, above 40 yrs. Old)

Breast Cancer Diagnostics Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis - by Screening Type (Laboratory Tests, Biopsy, Imaging, and Other Screening Types), Technology (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH), Immunohistochemical (IHC), and Other Technologies), and Geography

Precision Cancer Diagnostic Tests Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Product Type (Imaging, Molecular, Tumor Marker Immunoassays, POC Colon Cancer Tests); End User (Hospital, Clinic, Other) and Geography

Brain Cancer Diagnostics Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Diagnostic Type (Imaging Test, Lumbar Puncture, Biopsy, Molecular Testing, and Others), Cancer Type (Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma Multiforme, Ependymomas, and Others), and End User (Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Others); and Geography

Cancer Diagnostics Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis - By Technology (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH), Immunohistochemical (IHC) and Others), Application (Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma, Colorectal Cancer and Other Cancers) and Geography

Liver Cancer Diagnostics Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis - by Screening Type (Laboratory Tests, Endoscopy, Biopsy, Imaging, and Other Screening Types), Technology (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH), Immunohistochemical (IHC), and Other Technologies), and Geography

Colorectal Cancer Diagnostics Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Modality (Diagnostics Techniques, Therapeutics); End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Others)

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Global Fashion Icon Embarks on Long Term Digital Strategy

BigCommerce Joins Contentstack Catalysts Programme to Deliver Digital Innovation

LONDON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Contentstack , BigCommerce and Like Digital have joined forces to deliver an agile, global digital platform and ecommerce capabilities to La Perla Beauty , the cosmetics and fragrance subsidiary of iconic Italian lingerie brand La Perla. As part of the project, BigCommerce has joined the Contentstack Catalysts partner program .

Following a thorough review of the market, La Perla Beauty will launch more than 20 storefronts on Contentstack and BigCommerce technology, with build and implementation from Like Digital, the award-winning strategic digital agency.

"As a new haute fragrance house, we are committed to the practical expression of our brand pillars of taking care of our bodies, the planet and each other," said Pamela Reynolds, Vice President of eCommerce for La Perla Beauty. "When it comes to the La Perla Beauty digital experience, we place huge value on education, community and demonstrating our Clean Beauty credentials - and typically these considerations are beyond the capabilities of a traditional CMS."

"As a newly launched subsidiary of a global luxury icon, we took a strategic, long-term view of this investment," continued Reynolds. "Our choices are the first stage of a much longer-term strategy, reflecting not only our immediate needs but the plans for growth two or three years hence. However, with only a small, focused team we looked to the technology to do a great deal of the heavy lifting such as the issues of multiple languages, localisation, and the addition of new technologies, whilst still being easy to use.

"This agility, flexibility and preparedness for the future is what we have found in the headless architecture and MACH approach of Contentstack, Like Digital and BigCommerce. Despite more than six decades of heritage at La Perla we have approached this project with a very exploratory, 'start-up' mindset, asking 'can we do this' and 'what if?'. The result has been a roadmap of consistent innovation to support a series of launches."

"Iconic brands like La Perla, looking to bridge their premium luxury presence with innovative digital expression, are turning to technology that can deliver on this promise," said Neha Sampat, Chief Executive Officer Contentstack. "The breadth and depth of planning that has gone into the technology decisions made by La Perla Beauty are clear; they have developed a strategic roadmap that makes the most of MACH capabilities and we are very excited to play a role as these new digital experiences come to life."

As an Elite BigCommerce partner, Like Digital has over a decade of experience of developing eCommerce capabilities on the platform, including the architecture and user experience for La Perla lingerie.

"It became apparent very early on that this was not simply a case of building a stand-alone, monolithic e-commerce site and leaving it there," said Richard Mogendorff, CDO, Like Digital. "Rather, this is the first stage of La Perla Beauty making a long-term commitment to digital and creating a comprehensive global omnichannel platform that can deliver consistent, premium digital experiences to connect and engage with customers. This mandated a Microservices, API, Cloud and Headless (MACH) led approach to deliver the ability to respond to changing demands from either the market or within La Perla Beauty. It was our shift to MACH principles and this demand for agility, combined with the ease of use that led us to propose Contentstack alongside BigCommerce for this project."

As part of this project, BigCommerce has joined the Contentstack Catalysts partner program. This is an ecosystem of industry-leading technology and service providers that accelerate digital experience innovation. Catalysts advance the use of a microservices-based, API-first, cloud-native SaaS, headless (MACH) architecture, bringing award-winning technology, best practices, and a proven methodology for delivering exceptional digital omnichannel engagement. Matching this technical innovation, Contentstack recently expanded its Care Without Compromise program to Catalysts in order to provide joint customers the highest level of post-purchase support, creating the first cross-vendor support programme in the industry.

"We chose to become a Contentstack Catalyst because of the clear alignment on key geographies such as the UK, Netherlands and the US, a shared mutual focus on the business user and the consistent growth of best-of breed stacks as opposed to monolithic CMS suites," said Russ Klein, Chief Commercial Officer, BigCommerce.

"Just as with La Perla Beauty, we have seen an increased demand for headless content management across the BigCommerce client portfolio. The flexibility and interoperability of the Contentstack platform, as well as specific multi-language functionality, were also key factors in our decision. As brands look to maximise their investment in digital-first thinking, as a Contentstack Catalyst, we will continue to offer powerful innovation to all involved parties."

Peter Fogelsanger, Global Head of Partnerships, Contentstack said: "As a Catalyst, BigCommerce can continue to offer new technology to brands that want to move faster and smarter than the competition. In partnership with us and our other Catalysts, we look forward to announcing more disruptive, innovative deals throughout the Catalysts ecosystem."

Follow Contentstack

Blog: https://www.contentstack.com/blog

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contentstack

Twitter: @Contentstack

About Contentstack

Contentstack - the pioneering Agile Content Management System (CMS) - empowers marketers and developers to collaborate around content like never before. Together, they can orchestrate superior customer journeys and deliver dynamic digital experiences across channels, audiences, brands, and regions. Companies such as Chase, Express, Holiday Inn, Icelandair, Mattel, McDonald's, Mitsubishi, Riot Games, Sephora, and Shell trust Contentstack to power their most critical content experiences. Famous for its Care Without Compromise, Contentstack has the industry's highest customer satisfaction. As a founder of the MACH Alliance, Contentstack advocates for open and composable technology that is Microservices-based, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless. Learn more at www.contentstack.com .

About BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) ecommerce platform that empowers merchants of all sizes to build, innovate and grow their businesses online. As a leading Open SaaS solution, BigCommerce provides merchants sophisticated enterprise-grade functionality, customization and performance with simplicity and ease-of-use. Tens of thousands of B2B and B2C companies across 150 countries and numerous industries use BigCommerce to create beautiful, engaging online stores, including Ben & Jerry's, Molton Brown, S.C. Johnson, Skullcandy, Sony and Vodafone. Headquartered in Austin, BigCommerce has offices in London, Kyiv, San Francisco, and Sydney.

About Like Digital

Like Digital & Partners is an award-winning agency with offices in London and Dubai, offering digital transformation services to the world's leading retail and luxury brands. Globally, Like Digital & Partners provides an enterprise suite of digital services including strategy, design, UX, development, content marketing and digital growth to enterprise clients. With a strong focus on delivering revenue to business, each year Like Digital influences more than $2bn in sales digitally.

Media contact:

Crawford Warnock

Firstname Communications for Contentstack

07834 356 314

crawford@firstnamecommunications.com

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Key updates regarding funding solution, corporate audit and potential acquisition

PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Business Warrior Corp. (OTC PINK:BZWR), the source for small businesses in America to get more customers, announces the addition of $3 million to the balance sheet along with several other key updates showing a strong start to 2022.

The company also announces status updates to several key topics, including:

An update on the company's audit to become fully reporting

The official launch date of the Business Warrior Funding platform

The company in due diligence for an acquisition

EVRGRN Partnership

The recently announced $5 million agreement with EVRGRN has been reworked to allow $3 million to be collected up-front by Business Warrior and the remaining $2M to be held back for additional growth opportunities. This is a win-win for both companies. The $3 million has been received by BZWR, which further strengthens the company's balance sheet while giving EVRGRN the flexibility to pursue additional opportunities to add to the overall project together.

"Renegotiating this agreement is a huge growth accelerator for us as a corporation," explains Business Warrior CEO Rhett Doolittle. "It also provides instant marketing and sales support to bolster the development and growth of our next-generation lending solution, Business Warrior Funding."

Business Warrior Funding Launch

The launch date of Business Warrior Funding is scheduled to go live to the public on February 1, 2022.

"The funding solution is currently in beta as we continue to develop and test this trailblazing product for small businesses," said Doolittle. "We have adjusted our timeline to ensure we deliver a high-quality, robust customer experience."

Update on Financial Audit

The completion of Business Warrior's two-year audit remains in-progress for fiscal years ending in August 31, 2021, and August 31, 2020.

"We understand that this delay is frustrating for our stakeholders and shareholders," explains Dolittle. "It is taking longer than expected as we implement new processes to become a fully reporting entity and make our financial systems scalable with the rest of our organization. Additionally, with the current COVID-19 landscape, there has been increased demand for PCAOB accountants and a lack of qualified professionals. We are pressing to complete the audit as soon as possible and then moving forward immediately with the next steps to uplist to OTCQB."

By adhering to periodic filing requirements, Business Warrior will advance on its plan to uplist to the OTCQB Venture Market in support of its broader growth strategy after completing the two-year audit.

Potential Acquisition enters Letter of Intent

Business Warrior is in the process of completing its due diligence and has executed a Letter of Intent for an acquisition. The acquisition is targeted to be completed in the Spring of 2022 and the company will be sharing more details as it progresses.

About EVRGRN

EVRGRN is a fintech company focused on servicing, technology and distribution for their lending partners. The company was founded in 2019 and had an impressive first year in providing loan servicing solutions during the Paycheck Protection Program, where they processed 1.1 million loans, for a total of $17.4 billion dollars in funding. EVRGRN offers a wide combination of solution sets supporting client-centric models while focusing on providing their partners with leading edge technology. To learn more, visit https://www.goevrgrn.com/.

About Business Warrior

Business Warrior is the source for small businesses in America to enhance their brand and boost marketing results. The Business Warrior software takes a holistic view of a business's online reputation, listings, website search results and social media. Predictive algorithms are utilized to recommend the most imperative actions needed to drive new customers, positively impact daily operations and improve profitability. For more information, please visit BusinessWarrior.com.

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release and the offering materials may contain forward-looking statements and information relating to, among other things, the company, its business plan and strategy, and its industry. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. They are based on the current beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to the company's management regarding the future of the company's business, future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. When used in the offering materials, the words "aim," "estimate," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "envision," "estimate," "expect," "future," "goal," "hope," "likely," "may," "plan," "potential," "seek," "should," "strategy," "will" and similar references to future periods are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which constitute forward looking statements. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict (many of which are outside of the company's control) and could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the company, the offering or other matters, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. The company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Relations:

Jonathan Brooks

Investors@BusinessWarrior.com

(855) 884-5805

SOURCE: Business Warrior Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683094/Business-Warrior-Announces-3M-Addition-to-Balance-Sheet-and-Several-Key-Updates
QUEBEC, QC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTC PINK:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading rural telecommunications company, is pleased to provide the following update on the deployment of the first 32 sites in Cameroon in 2021:

Total population covered 140,757 inhabitants.

An average 45.9% penetration rate including approximately 64,000 users have connected to the NuRAN network (NuRAN's initial projections were based on a 24% penetration rate).

16 of the 32 sites are already generating more revenue than the previously announced minimum guaranteed monthly fee paid by Orange which is on average $1,225 CAD per site.

Based on the average revenue currently generated from these sites, NuRAN is now on a projected run rate of $2,335 CAD per site.

Due to very high traffic on 4 of the sites, NuRAN is already planning to upgrade the capacity of these sites to maximize revenue.

90% of the sites are showing 98.8% quality of service, far exceeding the minimum requirement of 90%.

NuRAN issued its first invoices to Orange Cameroon for sites deployed from September to December.

NuRAN currently has 2,492 Network as a Service ("NaaS") sites under contract with Orange Cameroon, Orange Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and MTN South Sudan. Based on a minimum guaranteed revenue stipulated within the contracts, NuRAN estimates that it would generate approximately $3,000,000 CAD per month once all sites are deployed. The current trend outlined above suggests revenue could reach approximately $5,800,000 CAD per month assuming above mentioned run rate. NuRAN is currently targeting a minimum of 10,000 sites under contract by 2026. NuRAN will continue to provide updates as sites go live and as more usage data becomes available.

"We are extremely pleased by these initial results. They further enhance and confirm our revenue potential and more importantly exceeds our current revenue expectations. As we continue to deploy more sites, our revenues will grow accordingly. This will also serve to validate our overall revenue potential as we continue to add more countries and more sites to our growing list of sites under contract" stated Francis Letourneau, CEO of NuRAN.

NuRAN is also pleased to announce the signing of its Distribution Contract with Orange DRC. Under the terms of the contract, NuRAN will be responsible for the sales and distribution of airtime, sim cards, mobile phones and other products and services offered by Orange in the DRC. This is expected to generate 5 to 6% commissions on the different products and services and to further solidify NuRAN's local presence and increase its potential revenue from installed sites by offering ancillary goods and services.

About NuRAN Wireless:

NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time."

Additional Information:

For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com

Francis Letourneau,

Director and CEO

Francis.letourneau@nuranwireless.com

Tel: (418) 264-1337

Frank Candido

Investor relations

Frank.candido@nuranwireless.com

Tel: (514) 969-5530

Cautionary Statement: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as, "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release include those relating to the Company's revenues and future revenues relating to the Company's NAAS agreement and ongoing site installations, and the potential revenues from ancillary services pursuant to the Company's distribution agreement with Orange DRC. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, such as the uncertainties regarding include risks such as the uncertainties regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and measures to prevent its spread, risks relating to NuRAN's business and the economy generally; NuRAN's ability to adequately restructure its operations with respect to its new model of NAAS service contracts; the capacity of the Company to deliver in a technical capacity and to import inventory to Africa at a reasonable cost; NuRAN's ability to deal with global supply shortages for telecommunication equipment and its ability to find alternate suppliers; NuRAN's ability to obtain project financing for the proposed site build out under its NAAS agreements with Orange, MTN and other telecommunication providers, the loss of one or more significant suppliers or a reduction in significant volume from such suppliers; NuRAN's ability to meet or exceed customers' demand and expectations; significant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in the Company's industry; NuRAN's ability to retain key employees and protect its intellectual property; compliance with local laws and regulations and ability to obtain all required permits for our operations, access to the credit and capital markets, changes in applicable telecommunications laws or regulations or changes in license and regulatory fees, downturns in customers' business cycles; and insurance prices and insurance coverage availability, the Company's ability to effectively maintain or update information and technology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to protect against cyberattacks and comply with applicable privacy and data security requirements; the Company's ability to successfully implement its business strategies or realize expected cost savings and revenue enhancements; business development activities, including acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; the Company's expansion into markets outside of Canada and the operational, competitive and regulatory risks facing the Company's non-Canadian based operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

To the extent any forward-looking information in this press release constitutes "future-oriented financial information" or "financial outlooks" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, such information is being provided to demonstrate the anticipated revenues of the Company from the installation of sites under its NAAS agreements and the reader is cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and the reader should not place undue reliance on such future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with forward-looking information generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to the risks set out above under the heading " Forward-Looking Information". The estimates included in this news release relating to the calculation of the gross revenue of the Company's NAAS Agreements are based on multiplying an average population per site by the expected penetration rate which yields the number of mobile customers. This is then multiplied by the average revenue per customer per month (ARPU) to derive total revenue. Our NAAS partner's direct costs associated with this revenue are deducted and the resulting amount is shared by both parties. The revenue share only applies to revenue in excess of a guaranteed amount which is the minimum paid to NuRAN. A penetration rate reduction factor has been used to mitigate risk. The base data used to calculate the total potential revenue of this agreement was provided by our NAAS partners based on average population, penetration rate and ARPU. Management of the Company believes that the estimates have been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting best estimates and judgments, and based on a number of assumptions management believes are reasonable as well as information provided to the Company by our NAAS partner. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed above, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

SOURCE: NuRAN Wireless Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683085/NuRAN-Reaches-Major-Commercial-Milestone--Generates-Initial-NaaS-Revenues-in-2021
NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Pharma major Pfizer Inc. (PFE) on Wednesday unveiled positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study, describing the safety and immunogenicity of Prevnar 20, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The results were obtained from 570 adults in the U.S., who were 65 years of age or older when administered at the same time as the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine or when each vaccine was given with placebo. The safety profile of co-administering Prevnar 20 with a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine generally reflected that observed with the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine booster dose. Kathrin Jansen, Head of Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer, commented: 'These new safety and immunogenicity data provide further evidence supporting the potential to administer Prevnar 20 and the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the same time, thereby reducing the number of visits adults make to their doctor's office or pharmacy for recommended immunization. As the Covid-19 vaccines and booster doses continue to be administered, we believe that healthcare providers have an opportunity to talk to their adult patients about other recommended vaccines in line with CDC guidance.' Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
COEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. (OTCQB:NJMC) ("IDR", "Idaho Strategic" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Rich Beaven, CFA has joined as an independent board member.

Mr. Beaven is Lead Portfolio Manager and Principal at Signia Capital. Signia is a small-cap value asset manager with a largely institutional (pension fund) client base. Prior to co-founding Signia Capital Management in 2002, Rich was the Assistant Director of Research and a Portfolio Manager for a $2B Pacific Northwest asset management firm. With blue-collar roots, Rich went on to get a BA in business administration from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from Gonzaga University. In addition, he is a CFA charter holder and has served as President of the CFA Society of Spokane.

"I have known Rich professionally for some time and his resiliency and track record within the small-cap arena, and deep-dive analysis of individual companies and various components along the value chain are impressive," said Idaho Strategic President and CEO John Swallow. "Rich's relative background and experience are a complimentary fit in continuing with our "travel light/travel far, value-added" approach to board composition. I believe Rich is the right guy at the right time and I know I can speak for Grant and Kevin when I say that we genuinely look forward to working together."

Rich Beaven added, "I'm very excited to join the board of Idaho Strategic Resources in 2022. John and the team have succeeded in developing a noteworthy gold producer from the ground up. In addition, the company has substantial growth prospects with respect to increasing gold production while continuing to expand the firm's rare earth assets. It's truly an honor to be a member of the Idaho Strategic resources team."

About Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc.

Domiciled in Idaho and headquartered in the Panhandle of northern Idaho, Idaho Strategic Resources (IDR) is one of the few resource-based companies (public or private) possessing the combination of officially recognized U.S. domestic rare earth element properties (in Idaho) and Idaho-based gold production located in an established mining community.

Idaho Strategic Resources produces gold at the Golden Chest Mine located in the Murray Gold Belt (MGB) area of the world-class Coeur d'Alene Mining District, north of the prolific Silver Valley. With over 5,000 acres of patented and un-patented land, the Company has the largest private land position in the area following its consolidation of the Murray Gold Belt for the first time in over 100-years.

In addition to gold and gold production, the Company maintains an important strategic presence in the U.S. Critical Minerals sector, specifically focused on the more "at-risk" Rare Earth Elements (REE's). The Company's Diamond Creek and Roberts REE properties are included the U.S. national REE inventory as listed in USGS, IGS and DOE publications. Both projects are located in central Idaho and participating in the USGS Earth MRI program.

With an impressive mix of experience and dedication, the folks at IDR maintain a long-standing "We Live Here" approach to corporate culture, land management, and historic preservation. Furthermore, it is our belief that successful operations begin with the heightened responsibility that only local oversight and a community mindset can provide. Its "everyone goes home at night" policy would not be possible without the multi-generational base of local exploration, drilling, mining, milling, and business professionals that reside in and near the communities of the Silver Valley and North Idaho.

For more information on Idaho Strategic Resources go to www.idahostrategic.com or call:

Monique Hayes, Corporate Secretary/Investor Relations

Email: monique@idahostrategic.com

(208) 625-9001

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Such statements are based on good faith assumptions that Idaho Strategic Resources believes are reasonable, but which are subject to a wide range of uncertainties and business risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the risk that the Company's Rare Earth Elements projects are not advanced, the impact of supply chain risks and expanding needs of operations as inventory increases; an increased risk associated with production activities occurring without completion of a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability; environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions; changes in the market prices of gold and silver and the potential impact on revenues from changes in the market price of gold and cash costs; a sustained lower price environment; risks relating to widespread epidemics or pandemic outbreaks including the COVID-19 pandemic; the potential impact of COVID-19 on our workforce, suppliers and other essential resources, including our ability to access goods and supplies, the ability to transport our products and maintain employee productivity; the risks in connection with the operations, cash flow and results of the Company relating to the unknown duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; as well as other uncertainties and risk factors. Actual results, developments and timetables could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Idaho Strategic Resources disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE: Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683093/Idaho-Strategic-Resources-Adds-to-its-Board-of-Directors
Press Release

January 12, 2022 - N 1

SCOR and Swedish pension fund Alecta enter a strategic partnership through the Atlas Gotland sidecar

SCOR announces that it has secured a USD 200 Million investment by the Swedish pension fund Alecta into the Atlas Gotland Worldwide Catastrophe Sidecar, a segregated account of the newly created special purpose reinsurer, Atlas Re Limited in Bermuda. With this investment, Alecta will benefit from the performance of SCOR Global P&C's diversified portfolio of property catastrophe reinsurance through a multi-year agreement.

Jean-Paul Conoscente, CEO of SCOR Global P&C, commented on the transaction: "We are very pleased to strengthen our relationship with Alecta through this long-term partnership and to further expand SCOR's strategy of giving access to its underwriting franchise and diversified portfolio to institutional investorsthrough third-party capital transactions. This is another important milestone in the development of SCOR's third-party capital strategy, with an important partnership with a leading pension fund."

Tony Persson, Head of Fixed Income and Strategy at Alecta, commented: "Our focus is on generating solid long-term returns for our customers being 2.6 million people and 35,000 businesses across Sweden. We manage our assets in a cost efficient and sustainable manner, working with few select external partners where we see relevant investment opportunities. We are convinced that insurance-linked securities can generate high-quality and uncorrelated returns benefiting our overall portfolio and are pleased to partner with SCOR given their expertise in this domain. We look forward to a long-lasting collaboration."

*

* *

Contact details

Media Relations

media@scor.com

Investor Relations

akoller@scor.com

www.scor.com

LinkedIn: SCOR| Twitter: @SCOR_SE

SCOR, a Global Tier 1 Reinsurer

SCOR, the world's fourth largest reinsurer, offers its clients a diversified and innovative range of solutions and services to control and manage risk. Applying "The Art & Science of Risk", SCOR uses its industry-recognized expertise and cutting-edge financial solutions to serve its clients and contribute to the welfare and resilience of society.

SCOR offers its clients an optimal level of security with its AA- rating or equivalent from S&P, Moody's, Fitch and AM Best. The Group generated premiums of more than EUR 16 billion in 2020, and serves clients in more than 160 countries from its 36 offices worldwide.

For more information, visit: www.scor.com.

Alecta

Alecta manages occupational pension plans for 2.6 million people and 35,000 businesses across Sweden. Alecta was founded in 1917 and is owned by its customers. The company's most important task is to ensure that its customers occupational pension grows, while working to ensure that more people can benefit from the security which an occupational pension provides. On September 30, 2021 Alecta had SEK 1,153 billion in assets under management.

https://www.alecta.se

Attachment
IRVING, Texas, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) today announced that its Rousselot Health brand, the global leader of collagen-based solutions, has partnered with the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), a California-based research institute focused on regenerative medicine. Through this strategic partnership, Rousselot and TIBI will collaborate on the development of gelatin-based therapies and their translation to the clinic. Rousselot will supply TIBI with X-Pure modified gelatins such as X-Pure GelMA, while exchanging insights on the behavior of gelatin in the institute's research and clinical trials.

With more than 130 years of gelatin and collagen expertise, Rousselot created X-Pure, a full range of biomedical gelatins and modified gelatins, characterized by their unmatched purity (<10EU/g endotoxin) and consistency, as well as full compliance with GMP. Part of this range, Rousselot's X-Pure GelMA modified gelatins have already been tested and recognized for their premium quality by TIBI's researchers.

"We are excited to partner with Rousselot and to be able to use Rousselot's modified gelatins for our research", explains Ali Khademhosseini, CEO of TIBI. "Modified gelatins have proven to be powerful biomaterials in the regenerative medicine field, and we have been using them heavily over the past few years. I am certain that high-quality, purified GelMA will support both our in vitro and in vivo research and development. With X-Pure GelMA, we will be able to make further strides in the clinical translation of our research to accelerate the development of new therapies."

"We are pleased to collaborate with TIBI and its world-renowned team of researchers", said Randall C. Stuewe, Chairman and CEO of Darling Ingredients. "X-Pure modified gelatins have been a successful innovation within Rousselot's biomedical division. Their unique properties make them ideal for biomedical research and subsequent clinical translation. We are proud to be a part of TIBI's efforts to develop viable biomedical solutions that will help patients around the world."

The Partnership is effective from January 1st, 2022 and will have an initial duration of two years, fostering a close collaboration between TIBI's experts on [microneedles, 3D-bioprinting] and Rousselot's experts in collagen- and gelatin-based biomaterials.

About the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation

The TIBI is a non-profit research organization that invents and fosters practical solutions that restore or enhance the health of individuals. The Institute is made possible through an endowment from the late Dr. Paul I. Terasaki, a pioneer in the field of organ transplant technology. www.terasaki.org

About Rousselot Biomedical

As the most recent strategic segment within Rousselot, we have drawn upon Rousselot's 130+ years of worldwide expertise and proven track record of pharmaceutical gelatins and collagens to develop innovative ranges of purified, modified, and non-modified gelatins and collagens for biomedical applications. Offering unique advantages to assure performance, quality and safety from bench to clinic, Rousselot X-Pure and Rousselot Quali-Pure provide consistent quality and are backed by strong scientific data and ongoing research. Rousselot Biomedical is committed to supporting end-to-end partnerships to help "advancing medical science". www.rousselot.com/biomedical

About Darling

Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) is a world leading producer of organic ingredients, generating a wide array of sustainable protein and fat products while being one of the largest producers of renewable clean energy. With operations on five continents, Darling collects waste streams from the agri-food industry, repurposing into specialty ingredients, such as hydrolyzed collagen, edible and feed-grade fats, animal proteins and meals, plasma, pet food ingredients, fuel feedstocks, and green bioenergy. Darling Ingredients named one of the 50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders in 2021, to learn more Darling Ingredients: The greenest Company on the planet - 50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders (50climateleaders.com) . The Company sells its ingredients around the globe and works to strengthen our promise for a better tomorrow, creating product applications for health, nutrients and bioenergy while optimizing our services to the food chain. Darling is a 50% joint venture partner in Diamond Green Diesel (DGD), North America's largest renewable diesel manufacturer, which products reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by up to 85% compared to fossil fuels. For additional information, visit the Company's website at http://www.darlingii.com.

For more information, contact:

Rousselot Biomedical

Catarina Da Silva

Science Communication Manager

[e] catarina.silva@rousselot.com

Sciad Communications

Maria Patey

[e] maria@sciad.com

Investor Relations

Melissa Gaither

VP, Global Communications

[e] mgaither@darlingii.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1722122/Darling_Terasaki_Institute_Logo.jpg
DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Citi has launched its first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Sustainability-linked Supply Chain Finance (SSCF) program in Algeria with the aim of supporting clients as they advance their ESG priorities, improve the resilience of their supply chains and manage their working capital needs.

Supply Chain Finance (SCF) programs benefit companies and their suppliers as they prioritize their working capital positions respectively. In using Citi's SCF program, for example, the bank would provide financing to a client's suppliers from the date of collection of specific goods/provision of services to the date on which payment is owed to these suppliers. The cost of this financing is borne by suppliers at a rate lower than their usual cost of funds. As a result, suppliers benefit from cash flow acceleration, quicker payment, and improved financing costs.

Citi's first MENA SSCF program has been implemented for German chemical and consumer goods company, Henkel. The program has been initially launched with suppliers in Algeria and will be expanded to include additional markets and suppliers in the coming months.

The program is also a first for Henkel in IMEAT and is targeted at existing or new suppliers who demonstrate strong or improving sustainability performance. Qualifying suppliers can access Citi's supply chain financing at preferential rates, improving as a supplier's sustainability score improves. Henkel, with the support of a global leading sustainability assessment agency, will periodically assess the sustainability performance of its suppliers.

Commenting on the collaboration, Bulent Pehlivan, Regional Head of Finance - India, Middle East and Africa said: "With sustainability being at the core of our company's strategy, we are engaging in a range of activities with new ways of growing and innovative solutions to create value. We are delighted to collaborate with Citi Group to introduce a sustainable supply chain financing program for the first time in the region. Launching first in Algeria, we are committed to continue to implement it in other countries of the region in the near future."

Citi's SSCF program in MENA aligns with the bank's ESG commitments. To help accelerate the transition to a global low-carbon economy, Citi launched its updated Sustainable Progress Strategy in July of last year, which includes its global US$500 Billion Environmental Finance Goal. Citi also recently established a commitment to US$1 trillion in sustainable finance by 2030, which includes the environmental finance goal and a US$500 Billion Social Finance Goal.

"We are proud to be collaborating with Henkel in this first SSCF program in the MENA region. It is really pleasing to see that Henkel and Citi share a strategic focus on ESG. At Citi we are looking forward to this partnership and journey with Henkel which will ensure that we continue to adapt and develop our ESG solutions even further" said Dave Aldred. MENA Head, Treasury and Trade Solutions, Citi.

"We are excited to be partnering with Henkel and helping them to achieve their sustainability goals via the launch of the first Sustainable Supply Chain Financing Program for Citi in the MENAPT region. Like Henkel, our ESG commitments are an essential part of our firm's strategy and we are committed to provide innovative ESG-linked solutions to our clients and to expand the use of our Sustainable Supply Chain Financing Program in the region," said Marcel Hanen, Citi Regional Head of the Global Subsidiaries Group - Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Turkey

About Henkel

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is a German chemical and consumer goods company headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany. It is a multinational company active both in the consumer and industrial sector. Founded in 1876, the DAX 30 company is organized into three globally operating business units (Laundry & Home Care, Beauty Care, Adhesive Technologies) and is known for brands such as Loctite, Persil,[2] Fa, Pritt, Dial and Purex, amongst others.

About Citi's Treasury and Trade Solutions

Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) enables our clients' success by providing an integrated suite of innovative and tailored cash management and trade finance services to multinational corporations, financial institutions and public sector organizations across the globe. Based on the foundation of the industry's largest proprietary network with banking licenses in over 90 countries and globally integrated technology platforms, TTS continues to lead the way in offering the industry's most comprehensive range of digitally enabled treasury, trade and liquidity management solutions.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://new.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725036/Citigroup_Inc.jpg
Francoise Brown, a maitre d at Hotel Bethlehem, attends to customers Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Downtown Bethlehem. A variant of COVID-19 made its way through the staff of the hotel and management was forced to close the restaurant for several days. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call)

No one likes uncertainty, least of all business owners. But with COVID-19, its all they see.

Restaurants and retailers trimming hours for lack of staff, closing early or even eliminating whole days of operation. Public bus trips canceled because too many drivers are out sick. Businesses deferring the return to offices from remote work.

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Its been this way for nearly two years. And while none of these things are as dramatic as the wholesale shutdowns in the spring and summer of 2020, they hurt businesses and customers alike.

The resilience of business has been miraculous. Having said that, the persistence, the impact has been truly profound, said Tony Iannelli, president of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and probably the regions most recognizable business cheerleader.

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Even Iannellis innate optimism is being tested like never before as we approach the third year of the pandemic on the crest of the omicron wave  the latest variant of the virus to cause havoc and likely not the last, though no one can predict what COVID has in store.

Were almost at a point where we just wait for the next shoe to drop, Iannelli said. People are now pretty much trained that we havent got past it, were not getting past it. Its relentless and hugely damaging.

The virus has made clear the interconnectedness of things, and their vulnerability. It spread among LANTA bus drivers recently, for instance, and the resulting absenteeism forced the agency to scrub some trips. That was an unhappy decision to have to make, because it meant some number of people had to find other ways to get to work or to the store.

With the omicron variant causing huge spikes in COVID-19 infections, LANTA had to scrub some bus trips early in the week because so many drivers were out sick. School districts were also dealing with driver shortages. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call)

We reviewed the average number of passenger boardings on all scheduled trips and identified the trips with the lowest utilization, LANTA director Owen ONeil said. We cancel trips with the lowest number of riders to minimize the impact on riders overall.

Drivers have also called out sick at school transportation companies, forcing some districts to adjust class schedules or temporarily return to remote learning  another disruption to students who have known little but irregularity for two years.

Restaurateurs typically use social media to tout their menus and draw crowds. These days, they are sometimes forced to use it to warn people of unexpected closures or reversion to takeout services only  either because of staff shortages or, in a phrase that crops up over and over, out of an abundance of caution.

For the Hotel Bethlehem, it was some of each.

Christmas Day is when the new variant showed its face, managing partner Bruce Haines said, recalling how 15 employees  about 10 percent of the hotel staff  tested positive for COVID-19 starting on the holiday.

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We had more positive cases in the past week and a half than in the previous two years, Haines said.

That tracks with larger trends driven by the remarkable contagiousness of omicron. In Pennsylvania, one out of every six COVID-19 infections since the start of the pandemic has been recorded in the past month. Put another way, the state added more cases in the first week of 2022 than in the first seven months of the pandemic.

With other staffers asked to stay home because of their potential exposure, Haines ended up closing the hotel restaurant for eight days. Before the pandemic, when he had 250 employees, he could have made up for the absentees by juggling schedules, but there are only 150 staffers now.

We had a difficult time finding staff to come back to work after last year, when we started to open up again, Haines said. So it magnifies the problem of not being able to re-staff.

A festive window at the Hotel Bethlehem. Staff shortages from COVID-19 forced closure of the hotel restaurant after Christmas, but managing partner Bruce Haines said the bar remained open and New Year's Eve was a success. Haines and other business owners have been coping as the omicron variant causes high absenteeism. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call)

Despite the disrupted holidays and omicron uncertainty, Haines outlook is bright.

Though there was no restaurant service, the hotel bar stayed open, so New Years Eve wasnt a wash. And there is a crucial difference between the pandemic climate now and in the early going, he said. In the run-up to Christmas 2020, Gov. Tom Wolf responded to a winter COVID surge with restrictions that included a prohibition on indoor dining and limits on indoor crowds.

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This year, we still could keep the bar open, as opposed to a year ago when the governor shut us down completely, Haines said. We werent able to make that decision then. Now, businesses are able to make their own decisions based on their own circumstances and do whats in the best interest of the business, the customers and the employees.

With COVID unlikely to go away, Haines expects businesses, and society at large, to adapt to its challenges and make life as normal as possible. That adaptation is already happening at the hotel, he said, noting that it is able to run at full capacity with two-thirds of its pre-pandemic workforce because staff have learned how to streamline the operation.

A larger staff might help, but were not going to lower our standards to hire just anybody, he said. Were in the luxury hospitality world. We have an image expected of us from our customers. Weve discovered how to function and changed our business model. Its forced us to be more nimble.

For a hotel, obviously, the workplace is immovable. That doesnt hold true for many businesses that turned to remote work at the start of the pandemic. If a desk, a computer and a phone line are all some employees need, why drag them to an office?

Mainly because the alternative is empty downtowns that cant support restaurants and retailers. Thats a chamber of commerce nightmare, especially in the Lehigh Valley, where the Easton and Allentown downtowns had been undergoing a resurgence after years of struggle.

With another wave of the virus looming, the latest data present a reminder that the road back to the office will be anything other than short or direct, Bloomberg reported in a December story on the return to offices, which found many companies around the world reining in their plans or changing their deadlines as omicron emerged.

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As the pandemic becomes endemic, the story notes, the hybrid and temporary arrangements that people have become used to are starting to take on an increasing air of permanence.

Olympus Corp. of the Americas in Center Valley was one of the first major Valley companies to invite vaccinated workers back to the office, but has postponed a full return until March 7 because of omicron.

The companys 337,400-square-foot building at 3500 Corporate Parkway has about 860 employees, who handle sales, marketing, management and support services for Olympus in North and South America. In a statement, the company said it is assessing how employees can return and remain safe regardless of COVID-19 variants and spikes in cases.

This will include preparing and modifying our facilities to safely house employees with minimized risk of transmission and is currently a work in progress, the statement said.

In the meantime, sites continue to be open to all designated on-site employees, and are open to any fully vaccinated employees who wish to work on site as well. Unvaccinated employees and employees visiting other sites must continue to fill out facility access forms, and follow any other guidance outlined by their region.

PPL Corp. allows employees to work remotely if they can but keeps offices open to those who want to come back. In a statement, the company said it routinely monitors the recommendations of public health agencies and apply them based on our workplace experiences.

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Business Buzz Daily The daily update for the Lehigh Valley business person. >

ADP, the payroll company that moved hundreds of employees to Five City Center in Allentown in 2019, began a phased reopening at that location and others in June 2021.

In a statement, the company said it continues to follow protocols based on local legislation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Additionally, we are working with leaders and local health experts to ensure we have the most current and accurate information to guide any future decisions, the statement said.

Iannelli said its too soon to judge the long-term effect of COVID-19 on the return to the office generally, though he doesnt expect most companies to abandon centralized workspaces.

Theres a real want to get back, to be with each other and share information, he said. I think the whole world is thinking Let omicron be the last of it.

Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski contributed to this story.

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Morning Call reporter Daniel Patrick Sheehan can be reached at 610-820-6598 or dsheehan@mcall.com
BeyondHQ Diversity Report Assesses how U.S. Cities with the Largest Technology Workforces Reflect Diversity in their Employed Talent; Atlanta, Sacramento, and Baltimore Top the List

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / BeyondHQ, the leader in digitized workforce and workplace planning, today released an in-depth report that measures how U.S. cities with the most significant technology workforce perform concerning diversity in their talent. According to the new report, "Best Cities for Diversity in the Tech Workforce," Atlanta, Sacramento, and Baltimore are the top three cities with the most diverse tech workforces. Conversely, Cleveland, New York City, and Chicago present the least diversity in their respective technology talent groups.

Researchers at BeyondHQ spent several months compiling the report in response to recent social movements and demands for businesses across the country to do more to confront discrimination and promote representation. As a result, more companies now recognize the need to make diversity in the workforce a business imperative to hire and retain the best talent. To help them achieve their diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) goals, BeyondHQ is releasing the report, which offers valuable data about which markets companies should consider for hiring within different segments of the working population. For the purposes of this report, diversity is defined as people of different ethnicities, nationalities, age groups, and genders. (Note: the study does not consider LGBTQ workers as data for this group is inconsistent across cities. BeyondHQ will include this information in upcoming publications and updates.)

"Many technology companies understand the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workforce and are making a concerted effort to apply diversity metrics to their hiring practices. However, until now, HR leaders have not had access to data that shows which markets they should consider that have more diverse talent pools," said Rajeev Thakur, Head of Client Strategy for BeyondHQ and Lead Researcher on the project. "Our new report arms business and HR leaders with valuable insights about where more diverse pools of talent exist which may be untapped, and demonstrates that small and mid-sized markets may be the key to building a more diverse team of workers."

Researchers at BeyondHQ looked at two critical factors across thirty-six U.S. cities to compile the report's findings. First, they looked at Raw Diversity, the overall number of ethnic minorities, women, and mature workers in each city. Next, they compared those numbers with Representative Diversity, which measures how well a particular demographic of the working population is represented in that city's tech industry.

"It's important for companies to understand that cities with a lower ranking in the report are not a suggestion that employers can't hire for diversity in that location. Rather, it's an opportunity for companies to become an employer of choice in their local communities by instituting a deliberate and targeted recruiting program that taps into the area's diverse population," Thakur explained.

Key Findings and Statistics

The BeyondHQ report contains many revealing findings of how various population segments are reflected in the tech industry in different regions across the U.S. For example, the report shows that White workers are fairly represented in the tech workforce while Asian workers are overrepresented in 36 cities. Black and Hispanic workers and women are vastly underrepresented in the tech workforce. Additionally, Silicon Valley, the heartbeat of the tech industry, performs middlingly across the most diverse groups. Among the five largest tech markets, Washington DC outperforms Silicon Valley regarding employee diversity.

Additional points include:

At 21.40% of the tech workforce, Silicon Valley and the Salt Lake City region are tied for the lowest female participation rate in the tech industry. Sacramento tops the list at 29.40%. The lack of women in tech is the most significant deficiency for diversity in the industry.

Technologists aged 55+ years are employed on average at 1.22 times the raw size of that demographic. Seattle and San Francisco are the only locations where experienced workers are underrepresented at an index of less than 0.85.

Hispanics make up just over 41% of Los Angeles and Miami's population. However, Hispanics make up only 16% of the tech workforce in Los Angeles but nearly 28% of the tech workforce in Miami, which is the highest in the country.

The full report is available for download at https://beyondhq.co/diversity-report/.

About BeyondHQ

BeyondHQ created the first real-time, collaborative SaaS platform designed to help companies run unlimited talent and real estate analyses while saving time and money. Insights Pro and Insights Lite, the company's distributed workforce and workplace planning tools, bring transparency, collaboration, and speed to decision-makers tasked with the challenge of building and scaling geographically distributed teams and offices.

As companies think more about hybrid work models and a geographically dispersed footprint, BeyondHQ enables HR, Real Estate, and Finance teams to evaluate where, why, and how to source talent or open offices. Using a single interface to access trusted market data, the proprietary technology informs 'what-if' style scenario planning with customized recommendations based on the organization's specific needs, priorities, and culture.

Founded in 2019, BeyondHQ is committed to a longer-term vision of expanding technology-enabled economic opportunities in the United States while serving as a company-wide platform for empowering people and places decisions. For more information, please visit BeyondHQ at www.beyondhq.co. Or on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contact:

Nancy MacGregor

Trier and Company for BeyondHQ

Email: Nancy@triercompany.com

Phone: 415-309-5185

SOURCE: BeyondHQ

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683088/BeyondHQ-Releases-Report-Best-Cities-for-Diversity-in-the-Tech-Workforce
OLYMPIA, WA / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / MHHC Enterprises Inc.("MHHC") or the "Company") (OTC PINK:MHHC) a diversified holding company is pleased to provide an update to its shareholders.

Throughout 2021, MHHC focused on growing its existing wholly owned subsidiaries while establishing new ones, distributing its stock dividend, preparing for its Reg-A offering, building out its management team and caring for its employees and customers throughout the pandemic.

Frank Hawley, MHHC's CEO commented, "2021 brought about significant changes to MHHC. We hired an experienced CFO, underwent a 2-year audit, distributed our dividend with a record date of 6/30/21, and made significant improvements to the development of ONBLi and warrantyyourworld.com, all while continuing to organically grow our existing operations. I'm very impressed with our accomplishments for 2021 and compelled to continue to add value for shareholders in 2022. We have exciting plans for 2022 and have been working on several joint ventures which we are confident will materialize over the next year, so keep an eye out for continued updates from management."

About MHHC Enterprises, Inc.

MHHC Enterprises Inc. (MHHC) is a diversified holding company, focused on its core businesses: MHHC Warranty and Services Inc., MHHC Reinsurance, Inc. and ONBLi, Inc. Currently MHHC has over 1,000 retail locations selling Extended Service Contracts (ESC) across the United States and online. MHHC is a leading national provider of help desk and warranty insurance administration services for a wide variety of industries and consumers. Additionally, the Company's organization creates and specializes service programs for a variety of manufacturers and commercial construction such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) industries. MHHC is a leader in call center "on-shoring" by creating jobs in the United States for professional phone representatives - both sales and customer service employees. The Company's call center processes claims and service calls offering warranty support solutions for a variety of businesses.

MHHC prides itself in offering troubleshooting solutions over the phone and developing processes to eliminate overhead costs of shipping and timely repairs on approved claims. The highly skilled staff at MHHC consistently provides mission-critical solutions and results that assist industries and manufacturers in driving down warranty support and repair costs for their organization.

Follow MHHC Enterprises on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MhhcEnterprises

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future expansion or financial results) and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's OTC Markets filings. These statements are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, so actual results may vary materially. You can identify these forward- looking statements by words such as "may," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors not within the control of the Company. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Contact:

Investor Relations

Email: Investors@mhhcco.com

SOURCE: MHHC Enterprises Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683064/MHHC-Enterprises-Inc-Provides-Shareholder-Update
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Musk Metals Corp. ("Musk Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:MUSK) (OTC:EMSKF) (FSE:1I30) is pleased to disclose its upcoming work program for 2022 regarding exploration of its Elon property (the "Property). Lithium has been defined as a strategic element for Quebec. The province of Quebec has determined that it wants to play a major role in the electric battery sector, starting from exploration to production and transformation of mineral products. The Company intends to wisely manage an exploration budget by performing a multiphase work program that will focus towards anomalous areas that may lead to a drilling program during 2022.

The Company is currently waiting for final results on its follow-up till survey completed in November 2021 (see news release dated November 11th, 2021). Initial till work indicated multiples sources that could be located at the contact of the expected intrusion. The contact area was defined by an airborne geophysics magnetic survey completed in 2021 (see news release dated April 26th, 2021).

After reception of the follow-up survey results, the Company intends to complete the following four phase work program in order to better define areas of interest for drilling in 2022.

Phase 1 (January-February 2022): A geophysical review will allow a geophysicist to look at the data from previously acquired airborne geophysics and historical geophysics on the Property. This will define structural targets for lithium exploration on the Property. A comparison between those targets and the till results (initial and follow-up) will allow the Company's technical team to define exploration targets for 2022.

Phase 2 (May 2022): The Company intends to complete a trenching survey on its targets. This will allow the Company to obtain multiple rock samples over anomalous areas and could allow it to define mineralization on its Elon Property.

Phase 3 (September 2022): The mineralization found during phase 2 will allow the Company to define which geophysical surveys could help it in defining the localization of lithium mineralization. The Company intends to perform a survey in September 2022 and should also start the drill planning following the geophysical anomalies defined during this phase.

Phase 4 (November 2022): A 2,500m drill program is expected to take place on the best targets defined by geophysics and geochemistry (from till and trenching work). This is expected to cover at least 10 targets for lithium exploration.

Chief Executive Officer, Nader Vatanchi said, Musk Metals aims to discover and define lithium mineralization in Quebec. The Elon Property is a well-located exploration project, neighboring the Quebec Lithium mine. The Company intends to extensively explore the Property through 2022 and spend cash in a very exploration effective manner. The exploration program we're setting up will allow the Company to reduce the area of interest on the Property down to drilling further into this year. The Company aims to keep shareholders updated throughout the various start and completion work phases of the exploration program. We will also disclose all results from the work phases that we go through so we expect the shareholders to receive a lot of information in respect to the Elon Property throughout 2022.

Qualified Person

This press release was prepared by Pierre-Alexandre Pelletier, P.Geo OGQ, and Steven Lauzier, P.Geo OGQ whom are qualified persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101, and who reviewed and approved the geological information provided in this news release.

Make sure to follow the company on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as well as subscribe for company updates at www.muskmetals.ca

About Musk Metals Corp.

Musk Metals is a publicly traded exploration company focused on the development of highly prospective, discovery-stage mineral properties located in some of Canada's top mining jurisdictions. The growing portfolio of mineral properties exhibit favorable geological characteristics in underexplored areas within the prolific "Electric Avenue" pegmatite field of northwestern Ontario, the "Abitibi Lithium Camp" of southwestern Quebec, the "Golden Triangle" district of British Columbia, the Mineral Rich "Red Lake" mining camp of Northwestern Ontario and the "Chapais-Chibougamau" mining camp, the second largest mining camp in Quebec, Canada.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

___Nader Vatanchi___

CEO & Director

For more information on Musk Metals, please contact:

Phone: 604-717-6605

Corporate e-mail: info@muskmetals.ca

Website: www.muskmetals.ca

Corporate Address: 303 - 570 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2P1

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Musk Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683111/Musk-Metals-Announces-2022-Exploration-Program-On-Its-100-Owned-ELON-Lithium-Project-In-Quebec-Canada
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Silver Elephant Mining Corp. ("Silver Elephant" or the "Company") (TSX:ELEF)(OTCQX:SILEF)(Frankfurt:1P2N) announces that it has received final approval of the British Columbia Supreme Court (the "Court") for its previously announced plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement"). Receipt of Court approval follows the near-unanimous approval of the Arrangement by the Company's shareholders at the special meeting held on December 22, 2021 (the "Meeting"). The effective date of the Arrangement is January 14, 2022 (the "Effective Date").

Pursuant to the Arrangement, the common shares of the Company will be consolidated on a 10:1 basis (the "Consolidation") and each holder of common shares of the Company will receive in exchange for every 10 pre-Consolidation common shares held: (i) one post-Consolidation common share of the Company; (ii) one common share of Flying Nickel Mining Corp. ("Flying Nickel"); (iii) one common share of Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp. ("Nevada Vanadium"); and (iv) two common shares of Battery Metals Royalties Corp. ("Battery Metals").

Post-Arrangement, each company will commence its corresponding core business with the following:

Silver Elephant, holding a 100% interest in the Pulacayo silver and El Triunfo gold-silver projects in Bolivia, and minority equity interest in Battery Metals as a long-term investment; Nevada Vanadium, a new Canadian reporting issuer, holding a 100% interest in the Gibellini vanadium project in Nevada; Flying Nickel, a new Canadian reporting issuer, holding a 100% interest in the Minago nickel project in the Thompson nickel belt in Manitoba; and Battery Metals, a new Canadian reporting issuer, holding a 2% royalty in each of the assets referenced above, and minority equity interests in Flying Nickel and Nevada Vanadium as long-term investments.

In order to receive post-Consolidation common shares of the Company and common shares of each of Flying Nickel, Nevada Vanadium and Battery Royalties, registered shareholders should complete the letter of transmittal (which can be completed post-Effective Date) prepared in connection with the Arrangement, copies of which are available at www.sedar.com, www.silverelef.com or by contacting the Company. Beneficial shareholders do not need to complete a letter of transmittal and should contact their broker or intermediary with any questions.

At present, it is expected that the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") will issue its final trading bulletin in respect of the Arrangement as soon as possible on or after the Effective Date. Trading in the Company's common shares will commence on a post-Arrangement and post-Consolidation basis at the opening of the market on the date that is two trading days after issuance of the TSX bulletin. At present, this is expected to occur on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, or such later date as may be determined by the TSX. The Company will issue a further press release to confirm this date.

For more information regarding the Arrangement, readers should refer to the Company's management information circular prepared in connection with the Meeting, a copy of which is available at www.sedar.com and silverelef.com. Further information on Silver Elephant, Flying Nickel, Nevada Vanadium, and Battery Metals can be found at www.silverelef.com, flynickel.com, nevadavanadium.com, and royalbatt.com, respectively.

SILVER ELEPHANT MINING CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"John Lee"

Executive Chairman

For more information about Silver Elephant, please contact Investor Relations:

+1.604.569.3661 ext. 101

info@silverelef.com www.silverelef.com

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding Silver Elephant's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Silver Elephant's forward-looking statements. Silver Elephant believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although Silver Elephant has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Silver Elephant undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Flying Nickel Offering have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issuable in the transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

SOURCE: Silver Elephant Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683146/Silver-Elephant-Receives-Final-Court-Approval-Sets-January-14-as-Effective-Date-for-Plan-of-Arrangement
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Romios Gold Resources Inc. (TSXV: RG) (OTCQB: RMIOF) (FSE: D4R) ("Romios Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has acquired 109 claims over numerous historic gold-silver-copper prospects in the Kinkaid area of Mineral County, Nevada. The Kinkaid claims are 18 km east of the town of Hawthorne and largely accessible by road.

"International focus on Nevada as one of the world's leading gold districts continues, and plans are underway at Romios to develop a significant offering for this investor market and our shareholders," stated Stephen Burega, President. "This property bolsters our existing asset base which includes the former producing Scossa mine (see Press Release November 11, 2020) where high-grade intercepts of 10.6 oz/t Au over 1.8 m, 8.6 oz/t Au over 2 m and 2.0 oz/t Au over 1.5 m were returned (drilled widths)."

Burega continued, "The geological units found at Kinkaid host a variety of mineral showings with historic workings including the Montreal Ag-Au mine workings, several skarn deposits that were reportedly mined for gold and/or tungsten prior to the mid-1940s, and numerous copper-rich zones of unknown extent that do not appear to have been fully evaluated in the past."

Property Highlights:

The claim block is underlain largely by north-trending Late Triassic to Early Cretaceous shale, sandstone and volcanic rocks plus younger Oligocene-Miocene felsic volcanics on the west side and limestone and granitic intrusions on the northern claims.

These diverse geological units host an impressive variety of mineral showings that appear to have potential well beyond the historic workings, including Au-Ag vein systems up to 500 m long at the old Montreal mine sites, several gold-tungsten skarn horizons that extend much farther than the historic workings, numerous high-grade copper zones that are largely unexplored, and a possible VMS style copper-barite horizon that apparently has not been explored as such.

6 major prospects have been identified to date, and several other unnamed prospects occur throughout the claims, often with underground workings and substantial dumps of mined material visibly mineralized with copper, silver, lead, barite, etc. (see descriptions below).

Sampling by the former claim holder, High Desert Gold Corp., in 2008 returned multiple assays between 6 g/t Au and 17 g/t Au from chip and composite grab samples from several dumps and pits along the NW Montreal Gold-Silver Mine vein system (Romios has not verified these results as our sample results are still pending).

vein system (Romios has not verified these results as our sample results are still pending). The Montreal Silver Mine (on a single claim held by a 3 rd party) with its >3 km of underground workings is within the same rock units and is surrounded by, but not included in, the Romios claims (see map below).

party) with its >3 km of underground workings is within the same rock units and is surrounded by, but not included in, the Romios claims (see map below). The claims form a roughly N-S rectangular block 5 km N-S x 1.3-2.6 km E-W and covers approximately 911.2 Hectares (2,252 acres) consisting of 87 claims staked by Romios and 22 claims acquired pursuant to a Vending Agreement with two individuals.

Vending Agreement Highlights:

Romios has agreed to acquire 22 Lode claims in consideration for $10,000 USD and 300,000 shares of Romios. The 300,000 shares will be subject to a 4 month and 1 day resale restriction when issued. The Vendors will retain a 2% Net Smelter Return Royalty (NSR) on the entire amalgamated claim block comprising the 109 claims.

At any time, the Company has the right to purchase from the Vendors a 1% NSR for $500,000 USD leaving the Vendors with a 1% NSR on the entire property. The Company also retains a right of first refusal (ROFR) on the same terms as the Vendors are prepared to sell the ROFR Interest pursuant to a bona fide offer from a third party.

"We spent four days on the ground in November 2021, mapping and sampling many of the old workings and assays are pending at this time," stated John Biczok, VP of Exploration. "I believe that the true potential of many of the historic prospects has not been recognized as many of them have not been explored since the 1920s-1940s - when metal prices were much lower. The impressive surface showings lead me to believe that the property holds significant potential for mineralization across various geological units."

He continued, "We are very excited to have acquired such a large land package in a mining friendly jurisdiction like Nevada, a block of claims that covers literally dozens of old showings and mine workings of varying deposit types, most of which have not been worked for decades in spite of being largely accessible by road. We believe that basic tools like detailed geological mapping and ground geophysical surveys will yield significant drill targets."

Background on Kinkaid Claims

Descriptions of the major prospects below are taken from the USGS database supplemented with information from Romios' field examination.

Major Prospects on the Kinkaid Claims:

NW Montreal Gold-Silver Mine workings :

Located ~250m NW of and parallel to the main Montreal Silver mine along a series of veins stretching over at least 500 m. Numerous underground workings, mine dumps and pits occur along the veins (Photos 1, 2, 3), apparently not worked since the 1940's. The veins are typically developed along the contacts of felsic dykes with the local sediments in strong alteration/fault zones up to 7 m wide in outcrop (Photo 3). Sampling by High Desert Gold Corp. in 2008 returned multiple assays between 6 g/t Au and 17 g/t Au from chip and composite grab samples from several dumps and pits along this vein system (Romios has not verified these results as our sample results are still pending).





Map 1: Romios' Kinkaid claims and mineralized prospects

To view an enhanced version of Map 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5376/109865_fd7b195d64e5290d_002full.jpg.

Dry Gulch Gold-Tungsten Prospect :

Small shafts, adits and pits along a garnet skarn horizon at least 200 m long, reportedly mined for tungsten and gold pre-WWII (Photo 4). The host limestone is exposed for a width of at least 4 m and trends off under thin cover towards a nearby granitic pluton providing an excellent target for larger skarn bodies at the granitic contact.

The PM Gold Skarn Prospect :

Located in the northernmost claims, this is another coarse-grained garnetiferous skarn horizon mined from several adits and shafts, likely pre-WWII. Exposures of the skarn >4 m wide were observed over a length of at least 50 m and are believed to continue for >200 m. Limestone exposures are extensive in this area and appear to be cut by granitic intrusions nearby under thin cover, providing additional large untested targets. Several nearby adits and pits developed on quartz veins were reportedly mined for gold.

Copper-Barite Horizon :

An intriguing prospect on the southern claims that was apparently mined for barite in the past with workings and restored dumps stretching over a length of ~150 m. A thin (~30 cm?) layer of massive barite riddled with secondary copper minerals and minor sulphides is exposed in one of the trenches and a nearby stockpile (Photo 5). The nearest outcrops appear to be felsic volcanics. The association of copper-barite zones with felsic volcanics is suggestive of a Kuroko-style massive sulphide deposit with potential for thicker zones of high-grade mineralization over a central core nearby. There is no indication that any exploration for this type of deposit has been conducted in the area.

Thrust Fault Target :

This target is based on the premise that the older sedimentary and volcanic rocks are thrust over the limestones exposed to the north, and that the near vertical mineralized structures, such as the Montreal Mine veins, would have intersected this shallow-dipping fault and potentially spread mineralization laterally along it, much like the setting of the Isabella-Pearl mine 16 km to the SE. This model is easily testable with a series of short drill holes.

Bismark Mine Area:

Two unnamed and undocumented high-grade copper prospects were found near the old Bismark aluminosilicate workings. Both prospects consist of high-grade chrysocolla, one in a series of trenches and one as mineralized boulders in gravel beds eroded from an unknown, presumably nearby source (Photo 6).

Numerous other old mine workings and prospects occur on the property and have not been examined by Romios personnel as yet, including the Silver King Mine, a small underground mine 1.1 km SE of the Montreal Mines with similar geology that was worked in the 1920's; its size potential is unknown at this point.





Photo 1: View of the old mine workings on the NW Montreal Mine Vein System

To view an enhanced version of Photo 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5376/109865_fd7b195d64e5290d_003full.jpg.





Photo 2 (left): Open stopes along the NW Montreal veins, southern end. Photo 3 (right): Highly altered, mineralized zone at the NW Montreal mine site. One of many such workings.

To view an enhanced version of Photo 2 and 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5376/109865_fd7b195d64e5290d_004full.jpg.





Photo 4: Old mine workings at the Dry Gulch Gold-Tungsten prospect

To view an enhanced version of Photo 4, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5376/109865_fd7b195d64e5290d_005full.jpg.





Photo 5 (left): Massive copper-rich barite zone. Photo 6: (right) Copper rich, chrysocolla stained boulders from unnamed prospect

To view an enhanced version of Photo 5 and 6, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5376/109865_fd7b195d64e5290d_006full.jpg.

2022 Exploration Plans

Romios plans to undertake a program of detailed geological mapping and sampling across the Kinkaid property in the spring of 2022 with emphasis on the numerous mineralized showings. Ground magnetic surveys are expected to be particularly useful in tracing the skarn horizons under cover. Diamond drilling of several showings and the thrust fault target are anticipated.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Biczok, P. Geo., VP-Exploration for Romios Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. In addition to his extensive experience with several major mining companies exploring for a wide variety of ore deposit types across Canada and India, Mr. Biczok spent 12 years conducting exploration and research at the Musselwhite gold mine in NW Ontario.

About Romios Gold Resources Inc.

Romios Gold Resources Inc. is a progressive Canadian mineral exploration company engaged in precious- and base-metal exploration, focused primarily on gold, copper and silver. It has a 100% interest in the Lundmark-Akow Lake gold-copper property in northwestern Ontario and extensive claim holdings covering several significant porphyry copper-gold prospects in the "Golden Triangle" of British Columbia. Additional interests include two former producers, the La Corne molybdenum mine property (Quebec) and a former high-grade gold producer, the Scossa mine property (Nevada). The Company also retains an ongoing interest in several properties including a 20% carried interest in five claim blocks in the Thunder Bay silver district of northwestern Ontario and a 2% NSR on the Hislop gold property in Ontario.

For more information, visit www.romios.com.

This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or include the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements. TSX Venture Exchange or its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact:

Stephen Burega, President - 647-515-3734 or sburega@romios.com

John Biczok, P. Geo., VP of Exploration - 613-410-7877 or jbiczok@romios.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109865
Pandemic pressures inspired company leaders to design a workweek that provides the flexibility to balance work, family and community responsibilities while accommodating aspirations beyond work

Commerce protection provider Signifyd announced today that it will advance the future of work by permanently shifting its operation to a four-day workweek after months of trials that proved beneficial to productivity and employee satisfaction.

The four-day workweek will provide Signifyd's predominantly remote workforce with the flexibility to perform a work/life rebalance and the opportunity to better care for themselves, their communities, and their friends and families. While company leaders had long discussed the move, the unique pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic played a key role in focusing attention on the change.

"When employees are literally working in the same place where they're supposed to play and relax, burnout just becomes a very real possibility," Signifyd Senior Vice President of People Operations Emily Mikailli said. "The data demonstrates that four-day workweeks have proven to help with that. Our business is based on the power of data. It wouldn't make much sense to ignore the data in this case, especially when it concerns an issue that is vital to our employees' well-being."

The nature of work and the workplace have shifted dramatically in the two years of the pandemic. In many companies, working from home is no longer the exception. It's often the rule. Hybrid work arrangements are commonplace. The next wave of change is likely to be dominated by shifts that make those arrangements more pleasant, productive and gratifying for employees.

"We're proud to be among the leaders in this movement to think more deeply about the initiatives we chose to work on so that we are all working fewer, but more meaningful hours. Focusing intelligently on what we choose to prioritize makes us more efficient and more fulfilled as people," CEO Raj Ramanand said. "We believe in the not-so-distant future, the four-day workweek will be table stakes for companies looking to hire the most capable, creative and committed candidates in the market. We're happy to be showing others the way and we'll continue to innovate in the areas of work-life and the workplace."

The keys to a successful four-day workweek program are communication and flexibility, Mikailli said. A policy that means employees aren't expected to work on a given day does not mean employees cannot work on a given day. Some might see the day as a chance to focus more deeply on a work-related project without the interruption of meetings. Some might use a few hours to catch up on work-related tasks that they'd otherwise find themselves catching up on, on a Saturday or Sunday. "The end goal is to alleviate stress and help people be more efficient, and that may look different across employees," Mikailli added.

Signifyd provides mission-critical order automation and fraud and policy abuse protection for ecommerce retailers, including some of the world's largest. The work by its nature is 24 hours, seven days a week, every week.

Teams at Signifyd will structure schedules so that constant support and consultation continue to be available, while still providing every team member with a four-day week.

Productivity did not wane during the company's months-long trial of shorter workweeks and employees expressed broad support for the innovative initiative, both of which were key in adopting the arrangement permanently.

About Signifyd

Signifyd provides an end-to-end Commerce Protection Platform that leverages its Commerce Network to maximize conversion, automate customer experience and eliminate fraud and consumer abuse for retailers. Signifyd's customers appear on the Fortune 1000 and Digital Commerce 360 Top 1000 lists. Digital Commerce 360 also named Signifyd the leading provider of payment security and fraud prevention for the Top 1000 Retailers for 2022. Signifyd is headquartered in San Jose, CA., with locations in Denver, New York, Mexico City, Belfast and London.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005360/en/

Contacts:

Mike Cassidy

Head of PR Storytelling

Signifyd

mike.cassidy@signifyd.com

Amal Ahmed

Head of EMEA Marketing

Signifyd

+44 7960 379091

amal.ahmed@signifyd.com
News Summary:

Waters extends its waters_connect informatics platform to support tandem quad mass spectrometers with new quantitation software application.

MS Quan application reduces quantitative data review time by up to 50% while allowing labs to meet compliance and data integrity requirements.

Aids and accelerates the processing of large sample sets with a workflow to streamline and enhance routine quantitative analyses.

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) today announced it is expanding its waters_connect informatics software platform to support customers analyzing food and environmental samples with Waters' tandem quadrupole mass spectrometers. The new MS Quan application for waters_connect allows laboratories screening large numbers of samples, or those who may be quantifying hundreds of small molecule components and contaminants in a single run, a more efficient means of processing and reviewing data and identifying batch-to-batch variations.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005625/en/

For laboratories using Waters Xevo mass spectrometers, the MS Quan app quickly and accurately converts measurement data on compounds into meaningful results in a traceable, compliant, and secure manner. Featuring a web-based user interface, the MS Quan app includes an Exception Focused Review (XFR) feature that can help cut data review time by up to 50% by allowing users to focus on only those results that fall outside the user-determined ruleset.

"The waters_connect platform provides a backbone for the connected lab of the future where data is no longer siloed but can be securely shared among a community of connected scientists using apps that talk to each other," said Jon Pratt, Senior Vice President, Waters Corporation. "MS Quan is a great example of the new applications and quality improvements we are bringing to our customers via waters_connect and its platform architecture designed for data integrity, compliance, security and accessibility."

Several scientists from Primoris (Zwijnaarde, Belgium), a global contract laboratory, participated in the beta testing of the MS Quan software application. Primoris measures pesticide residues and contaminants in food and animal feed as well as analyzing food additives, supplements, and essential oils.

"We've used MassLynx and TargetLynx from Waters for a very long time so we knew from the beginning the potential that this new app will offer," said Janne Dombrecht, Analysis Lead, Primoris Belgium. "The final product is exactly what we were looking for. Our close relationship with Waters and being able to test this product to make sure it is optimal for our methods has been a win-win situation. We're excited to roll it out across Primoris!"

The waters_connect for quantitation workflow and MS Quan app are now available worldwide as an upgrade for select Waters' tandem quadrupole mass spectrometers.i

Additional Resources

Learn more about the MS Quan app on waters_connect

Read the blog: "Helping Laboratories Embrace New Era of Efficiency"

Download the white paper: "The Benefits of waters_connect MRM Processing Application, MS Quan"

About Waters Corporation (www.waters.com)

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT), a global leader in analytical instruments and software, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials, and food sciences for more than 60 years. With more than 7,400 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 35 countries, including 14 manufacturing facilities, and with products available in more than 100 countries.

Waters, MS Quan, Xevo, MassLynx, TargetLynx, and waters_connect are trademarks of Waters Corporation. Primoris is a trademark of Primoris Belgium.

____________________________

i At this time the MS Quan app is for small molecule quantification studies and compatible with Waters Xevo TQ-XS, a Waters Xevo TQ-S micro and Waters TQ-S cronos tandem quadrupole mass spectrometers with either an ACQUITY I-Class, H-Class System or ACQUITY Premier System front-end. Additionally, waters_connect software is currently available as an "on-premise" only workstation product.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005625/en/

Contacts:

Brian J. Murphy

PR Manager, Corporate Communications

Waters Corporation

brian_j_murphy@waters.com

+1 508-482-2614
Val-d'Or, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - International Prospect Ventures Ltd. (TSXV: IZZ) (the "Company" or "IZZ"), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Uravan Minerals Inc. ("Uravan") to acquire a 1.0% net smelter royalty (the "NSR") that covers five mineral dispositions (17,795 ha) held by Cameco Corporation ("Cameco") and a 100% interest in the West Stewardson Uranium Property (5,251 ha), both located in the Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan (together, the "Property") (Figure 1).

Martin Walter, CEO of IZZ, commented, "As we continue to build a solid uranium property foundation, this is an important project and uranium royalty that IZZ has added to its already impressive Canadian uranium portfolio which contains projects in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, the Elliot Lake Uranium Camp in Ontario, and the Otish Basin in Quebec. Coupled with the Company's Beartooth Island Uranium Project, the Uravan property purchase and royalty expands the Company's presence in the Athabasca Basin."

Four of the five mineral dispositions covered by the NSR (Cameco's Stewardson Property) and the West Stewardson Uranium Property purchased from Uravan are located about 20 north-northeast and along trend of Cameco's Centennial Uranium Deposit which overlies the Dufferin Lake Fault and occurs within the Virgin River structural corridor, south-central portion of the Athabasca Basin. The fifth mineral disposition covered by the NSR (Halliday Property) is located about 20 km northwest of the McArthur River Uranium Mine (70% Cameco and 30% Orano Canada), a large high-grade primary uranium deposit (Figure 1).

In consideration for the Property, IZZ will pay Uravan $35,000 and issue Uravan 500,000 common shares of IZZ (the "Transaction"). The Company will pay, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, a finder's fee to an independent arms-length third party consisting of 21,562 common shares of the Company. The Transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Cameco is the holder of the five mineral dispositions that are subject to the NSR and Cameco has an exclusive option to purchase 100% of the NSR for $500,000.

About the Stewardson Project Area

The Stewardson and West Stewardson concessions are being targeted for unconformity-type uranium mineralization similar to that found at the Centennial Uranium Deposit about 20 km to the south-southwest. The Centennial Uranium Deposit is a high-grade, unconformity-type uranium deposit occurring at a depth of approximately 800 m that is currently in the drill-developed stage by Cameco and its partner Orano Canada (previously AREVA Resources Canada). Drilling has defined the deposit along a northeast-southwest strike length of about 650 m with widths ranging from 10.0 to 52.5 m (Griffiths, 2014; Alexandre et al., 2012). The discovery hole drilled in 2004 by Formation Metals, intersected 6.4 m at an average grade of 5.83% U 3 O 8 , targeting a time domain EM conductor in an overall magnetic gradient low zone where variations in resistivity suggested altered rock. Nearby drill holes intersected chlorite, hematite, and anomalous U concentrations in the sandstone column (Reid et al., 2014).

Note that mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Property.





Figure 1. Location of the West Stewardson property purchase and Stewardson and Halliday dispositions held by Cameco and subject to a 1% NSR, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. The location of the Beartooth Island Uranium Project, about 250 km to the northwest, is shown in the upper left location map (base map: Geological Atlas of Saskatchewan; mineral dispositions: MARS).



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7051/109816_174cb9c8a4077b27_002full.jpg

Qualified Person

Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans, (PhD, PMP, P.Geo.), a Director and Vice-President, Exploration for the Company, is a Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved of the technical content of this news release as it relates to the Property.

For additional information, please contact:

Martin Walter

President/CEO

2864 chemin Sullivan

Val-d'Or, Quebec J9P 0B9

Tel.: 416-389-5692

Email: martin.walter@iprospectventures.ca

Website: www.iprospectventures.ca

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109816
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / KALO GOLD CORP. (TSXV:KALO) ("Kalo," "Kalo Gold," or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that, this week, it has commenced its Phase 2 drill and surface exploration program at its 100% owned, 36,700 hectare Vatu Aurum Gold Project, in Fiji. The program will be focused on the Qiriyaga Zone, which has delivered promising results from its Phase 1 Program, including:

KGD 01: 101m @ 0.94g/t gold from 0-101m including 2m @ 6.00g/t gold from 6m-8m; 2m @ 5.36g/t gold from 69m-71m;

KGD 03: 24m @ 1.01g/t gold from 21m-45m, including 2m @ 6.27g/t gold from 37m-39m; and

KGD 04: 69m @ 0.96g/t gold from 21m-90m including 2m @ 5.11g/t gold from 34m-38m.

Lengths presented are down-hole length and not true width.

In preparation for the exploration program, Kalo Gold has undertaken road upgrades and camp improvements. The Company-owned drill rig is on site and a second drill rig was recently purchased in anticipation of drilling in the Qiriyaga Zone.

Importantly, the Phase 2 program is leveraging the airborne IP and ground magnetic geophysical survey results, in addition to soil geochemistry, trenching, diamond drilling that have shown that the Qiriyaga Zone has the potential to be a much larger system, representing a potential 3.3 km x 1.7 km potential gold mineralized area. Geophysical results also indicate that past drilling was too shallow and missed an extensive IP geophysical anomaly, which has a coincidental surface expression that includes the Qiriyaga Hill and Vuinubu Ridge deposits. Qiriyaga Hill and Vuinubu Ridge may be the tip of the iceberg for the system and host a combined historical Inferred mineral resource of 158,831 gold ounces (see page 4 of report titled, "Independent NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Vatu Aurum Gold Project", amended September 9, 2021 and filed on SEDAR).

Additionally, the results of the recent magnetic survey indicate a potential copper-gold porphyry system underlying the previously defined, large IP chargeability anomalies which is further supported by petrographic analysis of deeper core samples. For more information on the IP/geophysical survey results, please see the Company's news releases dated July 21, 2021 and October 20, 2021.

As a result of the Phase 1 Program, three high priority targets have been identified for testing, with Phase 2 drilling now underway. The Phase 2 Exploration program plans to focus on the following:

Drill the high-priority targets identified by IP/geophysical survey, a precursor to more impactful drilling if results are positive;

Continue to confirm the lateral and vertical mineralization of Qiriyaga Hill and Vuinubu Ridge;

Continue to expand the footprint of Qiriyaga Zone with additional IP/geophysical survey, soil geochemical sampling and mapping; and

Advance Mouta, Coqeloa and other selected prospects with IP/geophysical survey, soil geochemistry, mapping and trenching to develop a pipeline of drill-ready exploration targets.

Health & Safety Update

Kalo Gold is pleased to report that the government of Fiji, effective November 11, 2021, relaxed travel restrictions to Fiji and also to the northern island Vanua Levu, where the Vatu Aurum project is located. For more information, please visit https://www.mcttt.gov.fj/home/traveltofiji/international-travel and https://www.health.gov.fj/movement-outer-islands/.

The Company has implemented additional safety controls to ensure the health and safety of all employees, contractors, and communities. These measures are in line with the Fijian Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Protocols for COVID Safe Business Operations. Such measures include employee temperature checks, the implementation of the CareFiji App, ongoing hygiene training, social distancing, and frequent handwashing.

About Kalo Gold Corp.

Kalo Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on the Vatu Aurum gold project on Fiji's north island, Vanua Levu. Kalo holds two mineral exploration licenses covering 36,700 hectares of land and on trend with many of the largest gold deposits in the world in the Southwest Pacific Ring of Fire. The main target of the Vatu Aurum Gold Project is volcanic-hosted epithermal gold mineralization. Historical work includes over 9,000 meters of diamond drilling, 50% was done by Placer Pacific concentrated in the resource area at Qiriyaga Hill. The Vatu Aurum project has multiple gold and copper-gold prospects with favorable geology.

Qiriyaga Zone, where Kalo Gold plans to initially focus its work is a 3.3 km long northeast trending zone. Drilling on Qiriyaga Hill located on the southern end of this zone confirmed the presence of several high-grade zones with selective drill intersections including 8.75 m @ 36.02 g/t Au (61.25 to 80m) and 10 m @ 27.18 g/t Au (76-86 m) including 120 g/t Au between 80-83 m in drill hole KCD-17.

Mineralization in Qiriyaga Zone is considered to be epithermal type as with the rest of the targets in the property. Outside of Qiriyaga Zone there are at least 14 gold targets that have been identified by the previous operator, some exhibiting copper mineralization. These targets, as with Qiriyaga Zone, are located within or around two calderas that are present in the property.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release was reviewed by Fred Tejada, P.Geo, a director and officer of Kalo Gold, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101).

On behalf of Kalo Gold Corp.

Fred Tejada

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information contact, please contact Kevin Ma, President and Director, at info@kalogoldcorp.com or +1-604-363-0411.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which are statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements relating to the closing of the Offering, the proposed size of the Offering, the proposed drilling timeline and the proposed expansion of the exploration program. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including statements regarding the proposed drilling timeline and the proposed expansion of the exploration program, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the Company's inability to raise the necessary capital to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filing statement dated February 9, 2021 and latest interim Management Discussion and Analysis filed with certain securities commissions in Canada.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements herein may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

SOURCE: Kalo Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683163/Kalo-Gold-Corp-Commences-Phase-2-Drill-Program-At-Vatu-Aurum-Gold-Project
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Silk Road Energy Inc. (TSXV: SLK.H) ("Silk Road") announces its plans to acquire gold exploration properties owned by a private gold exploration company and constitutes a non-arm's length transaction pursuant to mining claim purchase agreement executed on December 20, 2021.

The vendor of the gold exploration properties is Record Gold Corp. ("Record Gold"), an Ontario-based, private gold exploration company. The transaction is a "related party transaction" as defined under MI 61-101 as Mr. Michael C. Judson is a director of Silk Road, a director and the President of Record Gold, a shareholder of Record Gold and a shareholder of Silk Road; Dr. Paul Craig is a director of Silk Road and a shareholder of Record Gold; Vladimir Katic is the President & CEO and a director of Silk Road and a shareholder of Record Gold, Derrick Colling is the CFO of Silk Gold and a shareholder of Record Gold and Mr. David A. Johnson is the Corporate Secretary of Record Gold and Silk Road and a shareholder of Record Gold.

Record Gold has agreed to exchange its 100 percent ownership of two concessions of gold and other precious metals claims located in the Kirkland Lake region of Ontario in return for 9 million shares of Silk Road at a price of $0.05 per share. Following the closing of the transaction, Silk Road would have a total of 27,592,788 issued and outstanding shares.

Record Gold's Amikougami property is a gold exploration concession located 4000 metres from the Macassa Mine owned by Kirkland Lake Gold and is adjacent to and shared with the claim block bordering the Macassa Mine in Ontario ("Amikougami").

The other gold exploration concession owned by Record Gold "Otto" is located approximately nine kilometres to the southwest of Kirkland Lake Gold's Macassa Mine in Ontario. Otto borders the Kirkland Lake Project.

The Amikougami and Otto gold properties consist of 16 patented mining claims including five mining licenses. The combined total for both properties is 192.56 hectares.

Geophysical surveying executed by the previous owner on the property identified several drill targets. According to anecdotal reports, grab samples taken from small pits on Amikougami contained significant gold grades. Similar results were reported from the Otto property as well.

Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

For more information please contact:

Michael C. Judson, Director,

Silk Road Energy Inc.

T. +1-514-865-5496

Website: www.silkroadenergyinc.com

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes", an or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would" , "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: approval of the Private Placement and obtaining a full revocation order. This forward-looking information reflects the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the market acceptance of the Private Placement; the ability of the Company to obtain a full revocation order and the receipt of all required approvals in connection with the foregoing. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market price for securities; and the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder, court or regulatory approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, including the NEX Board, nor the Canadian Securities Exchange have approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

The Units and the securities comprising the Units have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in the Unites States, or any other jurisdiction, in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109868
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday. Here are a few Lehigh Valley events to celebrate the civil rights leaders life, his work and his dream.

Friday

Just Be You Performing Arts Academy will have a virtual event on Zoom 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, 715 Chestnut Lane, Easton.

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Saturday

Just Be You Performing Arts Academy will host a virtual birthday party in Kings honor 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Zoom. The event will feature games and a craft project.

Sunday

The Allentown Art Museum celebrates African American art, history, and culture in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with art making, entertainers, discussions, and speakers 11 a.m.-4 p.m. A virtual event will be held Monday. The museum is located at 31 N. Fifth St. 610-432-4333, allentownartmusuem.org

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Film screening: MLK/FBI, based on newly declassified files, Sam Pollards resonant film explores the US governments surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King Jr. 1 p.m., Theatre514, 514 N. 19th St., Allentown. $8; $6, members. 610-433-8903, civictheatre.com

Just Be You Performing Arts Academy will celebrate the holiday with a virtual event 4:30-5:30 p.m. featuring games, a craft project and virtual birthday party. justbeyouperformingarts.org

Monday

The Bethlehem Branch of the NAACP will hold a Bethlehem parade starting 10 a.m. from Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Carlton Avenue and ending at the Charles Brown Ice House, 56 River St., where there will be a community panel discussion on homelessness.

First Call Daily Leading local stories delivered on weekday mornings >

The National Constitution Center will honor Martin Luther King Jr.s lifelong dedication to justice, equality, and service for the greater good with free online educational programs throughout January, as well as special programming and free admission to the museum 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Special programs include a reading of Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have a Dream speech, Family Concert: Songs of Civil Rights Era, story corner, arts and crafts activity tables and exhibits. The center is at 525 Arch St., Philadelphia. 215-409-6600, constitutioncenter.org

The Allentown Branch of the NAACP will hold its annual Tribute to Dr. King celebration 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. via zoom. The theme for the virtual event is We Tackle Todays Toughest Challenges with keynote speaker Nasheera Brown and introduction by John Stanford, superintendent, Allentown School District. Register by Jan. 15 at https://conta.cc/3FbReXX

The Dr. Martin Luther King Civil Rights Movement March will be held rain or shine in Bethlehem. The procession will begin at 11:30 a.m. in front of the St. Bernards Beneficial Society located, 333 Brodhead Avenue and proceed to Martin Luther King Park on Carlton Avenue, the location of memorials to both Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King. Guest speakers are Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds and Northampton County Councilman Kerry Myers.

The Easton Branch of the NAACP will hold a service day of caring, handing out lunches to residents at Shiloh Manor Apartments, 223 Brother Thomas Bright Ave., Easton, in honor of King.

Eastern State Penitentiary will offer in-person or online hybrid programming 1:30-3:30 p.m. commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King and his Letter from Birmingham Jail. Students, educators, public officials, artists, and activists will read the entirety of Dr. Kings landmark text and reflect on its relevance today. Special guests will provide space for reflection and connection as well as music and art inspired by Dr. Kings legacy. People attending in person can also take part in hands-on activities. The free event will live-stream on Facebook and via Zoom webinar. easternstate.org.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Virtual Celebration: 6 p.m. presented by East Stroudsburg University. The theme is Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. The Keynote speaker is Harrison Mailey III, principal of Liberty High School, Bethlehem. Registration required. Donations accepted to benefit the Mary Gertrude Smith Boddie Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance to undergraduate students of color at ESU. Info: Lyseha Fleming at 570-422-3896 or lfleming@esu.edu.

Just Be You Performing Arts Academy will celebrate the holiday, with a scaled-down recreation of the 1963 March on Washington and recitation of Kings I Have A Dream speech, 2-4 p.m. at Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, 715 Chestnut Lane, Easton.
Agreement to support Lloyd's strategic objective of building the 'most technologically advanced insurance marketplace in the world'

Cloud and automation technologies to radically improve the London market's speed, security and efficiency

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), Lloyd's, the world's leading marketplace for commercial, corporate and specialty risk solutions, and the International Underwriting Association (IUA), have announced the signing of a multi-year agreement to transform the London market. The agreement has also received support from Lloyd's Market Association (LMA).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005594/en/

Lloyd's Underwriting Room, London (Credit: Lloyd's)

As the world's largest insurance center, the London insurance market represents 7.6% of the global commercial (re)insurance market, employs 47,000 people across the UK, and makes up almost a quarter of the City of London's GDP, with its gross written premium worth over US$110 billion.

This agreement is a key milestone in building the Future at Lloyd's, which will see the insurance marketplace transformed from a largely paper-based, analogue set of processes to one that is data-focused, automated, and cost-efficient. DXC will rearchitect the market's entire IT system and develop a cloud-native digital platform running on AWS to replace the legacy mainframes, while automating manual processes.

John Neal, CEO of Lloyd's said: "With the respective commitments of DXC, Lloyd's and the entire London market, we have the capabilities to transition to a single platform solution that will provide automated processing and accounting for the market, a substantial reduction in operating costs, and offer customers a much faster, better service."

"This new digital platform will fundamentally change the operating model of the London market," said Mike Salvino, President and CEO, DXC Technology. "We are proud that DXC has been entrusted with a transformation of such unprecedented scale and importance. It's the definition of 'mission critical' and an opportunity for us to apply our deep industry and technology expertise."

The transformation will increase resilience, security, and speed of new application deployment. It will also give the market the tools to derive more business value through data and analytics. Combined, these capabilities will improve the agility and performance of the London market, increasing its ability to quickly adapt to market conditions.

Dave Matcham, CEO of the IUA, said: "As an association, IUA and its members understand that digital transformation is imperative to their businesses and to remaining competitive in the London market. The new joint venture agreement reinforces the commitment of the company market, DXC and Lloyd's to work together on such an important modernising agenda for central services."

Sheila Cameron, CEO of the LMA, said: "This is a significant step on the journey to digitise the Lloyd's and London market. We look forward to working with our Managing Agent members, DXC, Lloyd's and the wider London market, as we build a faster and more cost-efficient, data driven future for the market and its customers."

About DXC Technology

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) helps global companies run their mission critical systems and operations while modernizing IT, optimizing data architectures, and ensuring security and scalability across public, private and hybrid clouds. The world's largest companies and public sector organizations trust DXC to deploy services across the Enterprise Technology Stack to drive new levels of performance, competitiveness, and customer experience. Learn more about how we deliver excellence for our customers and colleagues at DXC.com.

About Lloyd's

Lloyd's is the world's leading marketplace for commercial, corporate and specialty risk solutions. Through the collective intelligence and expertise of the market's underwriters and brokers, we're sharing risk to create a braver world.

The Lloyd's market offers the resources, capability and insight to develop new and innovative products for customers in any industry, on any scale, in more than 200 territories.

We're made up of more than 50 leading insurance companies, over 200 registered Lloyd's brokers and a global network of over 4,000 local coverholders. Behind the Lloyd's market is the Corporation: an independent organisation and regulator working to maintain the market's successful reputation and operation.

We're working to build solutions for the most current and prevalent threats. As Chair of the Insurance Task Force for HRH The Prince of Wales's Sustainable Markets Initiative, Lloyd's is bringing the industry together to insure the transition to net zero. Our research community is pooling expertise from across the industry to provide cutting edge insight on systemic risks from climate change to cyber security.

And through our digital-led strategy, The Future at Lloyd's, we're making it easier and cheaper to place, price and process cover in the Lloyd's market.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005594/en/

Contacts:

DXC Technology

Jonathan Batty

jonathan.batty@dxc.com

+44 7775548799

Lloyd's

Annie Roberts

annie.roberts@lloyds.com

+44 (0) 20 7327 5391
AI solution will expand Agendia's testing platform in the Brazilian breast cancer market

Digital MammaPrint offers fast turnaround time to molecular diagnostics, delivering actionable information to physicians treating patients with breast cancer

Agendia, Inc., a commercial stage company focused on precision oncology for breast cancer, today announced that it is offering early access to its Digital MammaPrint platform for patients with breast cancer in Brazil, expanding the company's offerings in the country with the goal of bringing essential information from cancer testing to the larger global breast cancer community. Brazil is the first country to have samples analyzed by Digital MammaPrint, allowing physicians and their patients to benefit from genomic insights derived from a digitized image of a breast cancer tumor. Results about individual tumors will now be informed by the new artificial intelligence (AI) platform, also providing better turnaround time for their treatment decisions.

By offering Brazilian physicians and their patients early access to Digital MammaPrint test results, Agendia expects to be able to reach a patient population that includes the over 66,000 women in Brazil newly diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 alone, enabling the possibility for earlier and faster intervention for these women along the entire continuum of care.1

"Incorporating AI into the MammaPrint equation for patients with early-stage breast cancer has the potential to be an unprecedented accelerator for the use of genomic testing and diagnostics in the treatment of this disease, and is potentially transformational for women with breast cancer around the world," said Mark Straley, Chief Executive Officer of Agendia. "Stratifying breast cancer through AI analysis of a tumor tissue image trained by an astounding amount of our proprietary clinical data has the potential to fundamentally change how breast cancer is treated globally. Enabled by Agendia's deep understanding and expertise in the functional genomics of breast cancer, we are proud to bring the robust science and clinical benefit that MammaPrint provides together with new digital capabilities, informed by the incredible power of AI, to Brazilian physicians and the women they seek to treat."

Agendia's Digital MammaPrint is powered by the cloud-based Paige Platform, a partnership that the two companies announced in November 2020. This is the first product of the collaboration, initially focused on the development of digital tests for early treatment planning where genomic testing has played a crucial role in determining recurrence risk and tumor biology as doctors and their patients make decisions about the path ahead.

"Introducing Digital MammaPrint to physicians and their patients in Brazil marks an important step in increasing access to quality, AI-enabled diagnostic tests," said David Klimstra, M.D., Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Paige. "We are excited to partner with Agendia to advance our shared goal of transforming pathology data into clear and actionable clinical insights for better patient outcomes."

On a global scale, access to insights from Digital MammaPrint opens diagnostic care options for women diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide who don't have access to genomic testing or esoteric lab infrastructure.

"For patients with breast cancer throughout the world who do not live in a location with direct access to genomic testing of their cancer, the ability to obtain such information from a slide image could be revolutionary. The introduction of a digital, AI-informed platform to allow interpretation of the genomic profile of their specific tumor can provide great clinical value and carries the added benefit of preserving valuable tumor tissue for further use in the future. We are using an innovative platform and doing revolutionary work with it," said William Audeh, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Agendia. "The ultimate goal is for patients to have access to vital information about their cancer, and this tool has the ability to provide them with that information faster, through digital technology. We believe that the sooner we can get MammaPrint insights into physicians' hands in their decision-making process, the better it is for their patients."

Agendia's MammaPrint is a 70-gene prognostic test that stratifies a specific patient's recurrence risk and provides a prognostic marker to help inform that risk along with other clinicopathologic factors. MammaPrint informs decisions about pre-operative systemic therapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant endocrine therapy, and the digital capabilities of the test are expected to give physicians and their patients clear and actionable information at these and other critical decision points throughout the cancer care continuum.

About Agendia

Agendia is a mission-driven, commercial stage company focused on enabling optimized decision-making by providing physicians with next-generation diagnostic and information solutions that can be used to help improve outcomes for breast cancer patients worldwide. The company currently offers two commercially-available genomic profiling tests that help surgeons, oncologists and pathologists to personalize treatment for women at critical intervention points throughout their patient journey.

MammaPrint is a 70-gene prognostic test that, along with other clinicopathologic factors, determines a specific patient's breast cancer recurrence risk. BluePrint is an 80-gene molecular subtyping test that identifies the underlying biology of an individual breast cancer to provide information about its behavior, long-term prognosis and potential response to systemic therapy. Together, MammaPrint and BluePrint provide a holistic view of an individual patient's breast cancer, enabling physicians to objectively select the best treatment plan.

For more information on Agendia's assays and ongoing trials, please visit www.agendia.com.

1 Silva, J et.al. 25 Jan. 2021. Breast Cancer Mortality in Young Women in Brazil. Front. Oncol. 10:569933. Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2020.569933.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005659/en/

Contacts:

For Media:

Terri Clevenger

Westwicke/ICR Healthcare PR

Tel: 203.856.4326

Terri.Clevenger@icrinc.com



For Agendia Investors:

Mike Cavanaugh

Westwicke/ICR Healthcare IR

Tel: 617.877.9641

Mike.Cavanaugh@westwicke.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Big Ridge Gold Corp. (TSXV: BRAU) (OTCQB: ALVLF) ("Big Ridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has resumed drilling at the past producing Hope Brook Gold Project, located in southwest Newfoundland & Labrador.

The company's drill contractor and operations team have returned to the Hope Brook Gold Project after taking a break in mid-December for the holidays. As stated in the Company's November 3, 2021 press release, Big Ridge will complete a minimum 25,000 meters of core drilling as part of the Phase 1 drill program.

The drill program is designed to test the 1,200-meter gap between the 240 Zone and Main Zone and extensions to the southwest and northeast of the 240 and Main Zones (Figure 1). Drilling will initially focus on the highly prospective ground between the 240 and Main Zones at surface and to depth and move to the Northeast Extension once results from the CSAMT program have been interpreted.

Big Ridge shipped several completed holes to the labs prior to the holiday break and anticipates having first assay results available during the first quarter. This initial drilling focused along strike and southwest of the Main Zone. Shallow historic drilling completed by previous operators across 400 meters of strike southwest of the Main Zone and outside the current resource estimate generated high grade results including 4.69 grams per tonne (g/t) gold across 14.9 meters and 3.11 g/t gold across 18.0 meters.

Hope Brook Gold Project

Michael Bandrowski, President & CEO of Big Ridge commented, "Big Ridge is excited to be back at Hope Brook with two diamond drill rigs turning and our drill core from the first 3,000 meters of drilling in the lab for assaying. We are excited to enter 2022, having assembled a high-quality team and a well financed company to expand the known mineralization at Hope Brook and test some of the highly prospective targets in and around the deposit."

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Nick Tintor, a Qualified Professional Member of the Mining & Metallurgical Society of America and a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.





Figure 1. Hope Brook Drill Plan Map 2021 - 2022

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4910/109870_166e45bc440cb95c_002full.jpg.

About Big Ridge Gold Corp.

Big Ridge Gold Corp. is an exploration and development company managed by a disciplined and experienced team of officers and directors. The Company is committed to the development of advanced stage mining projects using industry best practices combined with strong social license from our local communities. Big Ridge owns 100% interest in the highly prospective Oxford Gold Project located in Manitoba, 100% interest in the Destiny Gold Project in Quebec where Clarity Gold Corp. (CSE: CLAR) is earning up to a 100% interest and is exploring in the Beardmore-Geraldton gold belt in Ontario.

For more details regarding the Company's projects, please visit our website at www.bigridgegold.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Mike Bandrowski,

President & CEO

For Further Information Contact:

Mike Bandrowski,

President & CEO

BIG RIDGE GOLD CORP.

1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801

Toronto, ON, M5E 1W7

Tel: 416-540-5480

Email: Mike@bigridgegold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events, including the expected timing of closing the Earn-In Agreement. All forward-looking statements are based on Big Ridge's and its employees' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Big Ridge, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Big Ridge does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109870
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Black Tusk Resources Inc. ("Black Tusk" or the "Company) (CSE:TUSK) is pleased to announce results of ongoing exploration on their PG Highway and MoGold projects located north of Val d'Or, Quebec.

Black Tusk's MoGold and PG Highway projects are comprised of adjoining claims covering 2,400 hectares. Black Tusk's geologic team headed by Mathieu Piche, PhD, OGQ, conducted reconnaissance level geological surveys with associated rock sampling over the two properties. The objective of this first pass over the claim blocks was to sample historically documented mineralized areas as well as prospect for potentially new mineralized zones. A total of 103 rock samples were obtained and submitted to ALS Laboratory in Val d'Or for analysis.

Sixty-nine samples were obtained from the MoGold Property and twenty-four samples were obtained from the PG Highway Property. Some elements of interest returned elevated values, including a series of channel samples that returned elevated copper of 921 and 959 ppm in an area of sampling on the MoGold claims. The highest gold values were returned from channel samples taken from the PG Highway claims, with 0.035 grams per tonne, 0.019 grams per tonne, and 0.015 grams per tonne from samples that were highly mineralized with pyrite. Samples with elevated copper and/or gold were noted in some cases to contain elevated silver (to 0.65 ppm). The below table summarizes the more significant rock sampling results.

Table 1 - Summary of rock grab and channel sampling

Sample # LithoCode UTM E UTM N Sample Type Auppm Agppm Cuppm B0116796 V3B PY 298689 5353926 Channel <0.001 0.595 921 B0116797 V3B Si+ PY 298688 5353926 Channel <0.001 0.559 959 B0116803 V1B 30% PY SSM 304662 5352430 Channel 0.035 0.647 80.5 B0116806 v1b po qz 10% py 304631 5352423 Channel 0.015 0.498 44.1 B0116810 V1B GOSSAN 304629 5352420 Channel 0.019 0.45 89.5 B0116750 V3B / I2D 297805 5354263 Grab 0.007 0.586 472 B0116759 M8 PY 298682 5353865 Grab <0.001 0.52 788 B0116765 V3B 298705 5353945 Grab <0.001 0.271 278 B0116768 V3B 298804 5354006 Grab <0.001 0.237 433

The Black Tusk geological team continues to assess the results of this preliminary rock sampling program. Dr Mathieu Piche notes that there is a potential for volcanogenic massive sulphide deposition based upon the geology and some of the geochemical characteristics, as well as the presence of near-massive to massive pyrite located on the PG Highway claims. Historic diamond drilling of this mineralized zone returned up to 9.6 metres of near-massive to massive pyrite and pyrrhotite within basaltic rocks (see previous news release). This VMS potential will be further evaluated in the coming weeks, with plans for geophysical surveying (deep penetrating electromagnetics) and diamond drilling as possible future work in 2022.

The ground exploration was guided in part by the results of an airborne magnetic survey completed earlier in 2021. Geophysique TMC completed a total of 153 line kilometres of survey with a Scintrex Cs-Vl Cesium Vapor magnetometer. The results of the survey provided highly detailed geophysical images that indicate elongate magnetic features crossing the PG Highway and MoGold Properties.

The 2021 rock samples were analyzed by ALS Lab ME-MS61L 4-acid digestion super trace analysis that provides results for 48 elements. The samples were also analyzed for gold by ALS Lab AU-ICP21 process using fire assay and ICP-AES analysis. Twelve sample were also analyzed for potential platinum and palladium using ALS Lab process PGM-MS23L super trace analysis using fire assay with ICP-MS analysis.

Black Tusk inserted nine check materials into the sample stream, including blanks, standards, and duplicate samples as part of their QA/QC procedure. A summary of the inserted materials performance is provided in the table below. All of the standards performed within 2 standard deviations (2SD) from the certified values for gold and copper. The duplicates analysis show no variation in values for gold, and less than 2% variation in values for copper. The blank materials that were inserted into the sample stream were taken from drill core that was visually determined to be void of metals, however, the gold and copper values are slightly elevated, suggesting that another choice of material should be considered.

Table 2 - Standard, Duplicate, and Blank performance

OREAS 231 Certified Au AU 2SD low Au 2SD high Certified Cu Cu 2SD Low Cu 2SD High 0.542 0.512 0.573 161 143 178 Check Samples Sample id Type Au Cu Within 2SD B0116725 Oreas 231 0.54 162 B0116775 Oreas 231 0.535 164 B0116795 Oreas 231 0.539 167.5 B0116808 Oreas 231 0.546 165.5 DUPLICATES Acceptable B0116744 Original <0.001 183 B0116745 DUP <0.001 180 B0116789 Original 0.001 248 B0116790 DUP 0.001 256 BLANKS B0116710 Blank 0.002 199 B0116812 Blank 0.003 205

The Black Tusk exploration programs in Quebec are supervised by VD Geo Service based in Val d'Or, including Black Tusk company director Dr. Mathieu Piche, OGQ.

Perry Grunenberg, PGeo, a qualified person as who is defined under National Instrument 43 101, has reviewed and approved the technical data disclosed in the press release.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions as of that date. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; fluctuations in the prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Prospectus dated September 8, 2017 available on www.sedar.com. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions, and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Richard Penn

CEO

(778) 384-8923

Figure 1 - MoGold and PG Highway claims: total field magnetic survey results and rock sample locations.

SOURCE: Black Tusk Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683166/Black-Tusk-Resources-Inc-Receives-Results-from-Rock-Sampling-Program-MoGold-And-PG-Highway-Projects-Quebec
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - OCIM Finance SA is pleased to announce the nomination of his General Secretary, Richard Mogni.

"By bringing his strong international law expertise, Richard will be in charge of OCIM's legal affairs. Richard's risk mitigation focus is fully in line with our drive for growth and investment philosophy," commented Laurent Mathiot, Chairman & CEO of OCIM.

Richard is an excellent lawyer in international business law who has developed a strong expertise of merger and acquisitions in the wide sector of infrastructures: industrials, manufacturing, transportations, metals and mining. His cross-disciplinary knowledge of deal structuring acquired after more than 20 years of experience makes him a knowledgeable advisor.

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2000, Richard began his career as a lawyer in Paris. From 2002 to 2015, Richard worked as Legal Director (Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics) in the Bollore Group, where he was in charge of more than 30 energy and infrastructure projects for which he negotiated public-private partnerships with governments, private companies and financial institutions in more than 47 countries. In 2015, he joined King & Wood Mallesons - Paris as a partner. In 2016, Richard joined Baker & McKenzie - Paris, as a partner where, as Head of the "Infrastructure and Project Finance" Department, he supported companies on the financial structuring of their investments in developing countries. In this context, he negotiated for an asian state-owned company the financing, construction and concession by the State of Guinea of the Souapiti and Kaleta hydro-electric power stations, which supply energy throughout the country.

Richard is a member of the editorial board of the African Business Law Review, which promotes business law research on the african continent. Starting in 2015, he has been recognized several times in the annual ranking of the best lawyers by the french-language magazine, "Jeune Afrique"; and in 2021, he was awarded by Acritas (Thomson Reuters) in its category Stellar Lawyers.

CONTACT



Miranda J.Werstiuk

+1 647 299 1778

miranda.werstiuk@ocim.eu

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109866
Regulatory News:

Spartoo (ISIN: FR00140043Y1 ticker: ALSPT) (Paris:ALSPT), one of the leading online retailers for fashion items in Europe, announces that it is ranked first in the "delivery" category in a benchmark survey carried out by the consultancy and brokerage firm ColisConsult1

This audit analyses the delivery practices of 535 French e-commerce websites classified within 7 business sectors and 70 product categories. These sites had previously been selected by the Capital magazine and the Statista Institute as winners of the 2021 "best sites to buy on the internet" award. The rankings were based on 16 transport-related criteria defined by ColisConsult, such as the clarity of delivery conditions, the competitiveness of prices and the range of delivery solutions.

Spartoo is ranked number one in terms of delivery quality within the "multi-brand footwear" category, with a score of 8.11/10. The Group's score is also above the average score for the "Fashion Accessories" sector, which stands at 7.34.

Boris Saragaglia, co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spartoo, stated: "This study, carried out by an independent expert, is an additional proof of our know-how and the quality of our services. Delivery is a key driver of customer satisfaction and a crucial stage in our business. This expertise, internalized since the creation of Spartoo, has benefited from our full mastery of the value chain and the creation of a network of local partners covering all Europe. This strategy enables Spartoo to fulfil 98% of its deliveries on time in Europe and to achieve one of the highest customer satisfaction rates in the e-commerce industry. Combined with one of the widest selections of fashion items online, Spartoo has all the necessary resources to continue and accelerate its growth, both in its core business and in the range of services developed for professionals

To receive next press releases from SPARTOO, please contact us at spartoo@newcap.eu

Next financial event

2021 Full-year GMV, on Monday February 7, 2021, after market close

About Spartoo

With 10,000 brands and more than 1 million items, Spartoo offers one of the widest selections of fashion items (footwear, ready-to-wear, bags) in more than 30 countries in Europe, thanks to its team of more than 400 employees of nearly 30 different nationalities. In 2020, the Group generated sales of 134 million, corresponding to a GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) of 194 million, 39% of which was generated internationally. With an integrated logistics platform and after-sales service, Spartoo stands out for its customer-centric approach, as evidenced by a very high customer satisfaction rate. The strategy is based on the strong synergies between the online sales model and the advantages of physical stores, which support loyalty and brand awareness. Capitalizing on its e-commerce know-how, Spartoo has also developed a complete range of services for professionals.

Visit the Group's websites:

www.spartoo.com

www.spartoo-finance.com

1 colisconsult.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005730/en/

Contacts:

Spartoo

04 58 00 16 84

investors@spartoo.com

NewCap

Louis-Victor Delouvrier

Nicolas Fossiez

Investor Relations

newcap@spartoo.com

01 44 71 94 94

NewCap

Ambre Delval

Media Relations

newcap@spartoo.com

01 44 71 98 52
Transaction completes company's refocus on video content protection software and security of mobile applications

Regulatory News:

Verimatrix, (Euronext Paris: VMX), the leader in powering the modern connected world with people-centered security, today announced sold its historical portfolio of NFC patents to semiconductor company Infineon Technologies AG for nearly $2 million.

The divestiture puts an end to the participation of Verimatrix patents to the NFC patent licensing program which generated cumulative revenues for Verimatrix in excess of $50 million between 2014 and 2021, including $16.6 million in the second quarter of 2021.

The move comes after France Brevets, which managed the NFC patent license program, signed NFC patent licenses with all major smartphone manufacturers worldwide.

Verimatrix, then known as Inside Secure, had been one of the pioneers of NFC near-field communication technology in the early 2000s. In 2014, initiating a strategic shift, the company transferred its NFC technology and licensed its NFC intellectual property rights to Intel for $19 million, while retaining ownership of its NFC patent portfolio. In 2016, the company sold the remainder of its semiconductor chip business to WiseKey.

Verimatrix is now fully focused on its core business of video content and mobile application protection. As previously announced, the company will present its strategic plan on March 10, 2022.

About Verimatrix

Verimatrix (Euronext Paris: VMX) helps power the modern connected world with security made for people. We protect digital content, applications, and devices with intuitive, people-centered and frictionless security. Leading brands turn to Verimatrix to secure everything from premium movies and live streaming sports, to sensitive financial and healthcare data, to mission-critical mobile applications. We enable the trusted connections our customers depend on to deliver compelling content and experiences to millions of consumers around the world. Verimatrix helps partners get to market faster, scale easily, protect valuable revenue streams, and win new business. Visit www.verimatrix.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005746/en/

Contacts:

Verimatrix Investor Contact:

Jean-Francois Labadie, Chief Financial Officer

finance@verimatrix.com

Verimatrix Media Contact:

Matthew Zintel

matthew.zintel@zintelpr.com
Regulatory News:

SpineGuard (FR0011464452 ALSGD) (Paris:ALSGD), an innovative company that deploys its DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) sensing technology to secure and streamline the placement of bone implants, announced today its schedule for the publication of financial information for 2022 and that it will hold an investors webinar in French on January 27, 2022 at 11:00am CET.

2022 financial calendar

Event Date* 2021 Full-Year Sales January 26, 2022 2021 Full-Year Results April 20, 2022 2022 First-Quarter Sales April 20, 2022 Annual Shareholders Meeting June 8, 2022 2022 First-Half Sales July 12, 2022 2022 First-Half Results September 14, 2022 2022 Third-Quarter Sales October 12, 2022

Note (*): Press releases are published after stock market closes. This information is subject to modification.

Investors webinar in French on January 27, 2022

The Company also announces that a webinar will be held on January 27, 2022 at 11:00am CET. Pierre Jerome, Stephane Bette and Manuel Lanfossi, respectively, Chairman and CEO, Deputy CEO, and CFO, will present SpineGuard's' expectations related to the recently signed agreement with WishBone Medical, the latest advances of the company's innovation pipeline and strategic directions for 2022. This webinar will be held in French and will be followed by a Q&A session. For non-French speakers, please contact us for on-demand meetings. The webinar will be accessible via the following link: registration link

About SpineGuard

Founded in 2009 in France and the USA by Pierre Jerome and Stephane Bette, SpineGuard is an innovative company deploying its proprietary radiation-free real time sensing technology DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) to secure and streamline the placement of implants in the skeleton. SpineGuard designs, develops and markets medical devices that have been used in over 85,000 surgical procedures worldwide. Seventeen studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals have demonstrated the multiple benefits DSG offers to patients, surgeons, surgical staff and hospitals. Building on these solid fundamentals and several strategic partnerships, SpineGuard has expanded its technology platform in a disruptive innovation: the smart pedicle screw launched late 2017 and is broadening the scope of applications in dental implantology and surgical robotics. DSG was co-invented by Maurice Bourlion, Ph.D., Ciaran Bolger, M.D., Ph.D., and Alain Vanquaethem, Biomedical Engineer. SpineGuard has engaged in multiple ESG initiatives.

For further information, visit www.spineguard.com

Disclaimer

The SpineGuard securities may not be offered or sold in the United States as they have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any United States state securities laws, and SpineGuard does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States. This is an announcement and not a prospectus, and the information contained herein does and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or exemption from registration.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005077/en/

Contacts:

SpineGuard

Pierre Jerome

CEO Chairman

Tel: +33 1 45 18 45 19

p.jerome@spineguard.com

SpineGuard

Manuel Lanfossi

CFO

Tel: +33 1 45 18 45 19

m.lanfossi@spineguard.com

NewCap

Investor Relations Financial Communication

Mathilde Bohin Pierre Laurent

Tel.: +33 1 44 71 94 94

spineguard@newcap.eu
The Group's 2021 performance targets will be comfortably achieved

Regulatory News:

The Board of Directors of Sopra Steria (Paris:SOP) (Euronext Paris: SOP), chaired by Pierre Pasquier, met today and decided to appoint Cyril Malarge to succeed Vincent Paris as Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Paris wished to be relieved of his duties as CEO of Sopra Steria for personal and family reasons. The Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Malarge, who currently leads the Group's operations as Chief Operating Officer (COO), to succeed him as of 1 March 2022. Mr. Paris will continue to support the Group as Advisor to the Chairman.

Cyril Malarge, 49, holds a doctorate in science, graduating at the top of his class in 1995 from the Ecole Speciale de Mecanique et d'Electricite, and has had an exemplary career at the company for almost twenty years. He has been Managing Director of the France reporting unit and, for the past 18 months, has served as the Group's Chief Operating Officer. He has been a member of the Executive Committee since 2015. His appointment is in line with the strategy that has enabled Sopra Steria to stake its place as a leader in French and European tech.

Pierre Pasquier commented, "The Board of Directors and I would like to express our sincere thanks to Vincent Paris who, for more than thirty years and in particular in his role as CEO since 2015 has contributed to the success and transformation of our Group. Preliminary estimates of a rebound in results in 2021 confirm this. I can personally attest to his great professional and personal qualities, recognised by all. Mr. Malarge, who succeeds him, has our full confidence in continuing the development of Sopra Steria and adapting it to new challenges. With the management team supporting him, he can count on the commitment of the Board of Directors."

Vincent Paris added, "I would like to thank Pierre Pasquier sincerely for the trust and the constructive and exacting support he has always given me. I am proud to have been able to contribute in my various functions to the development of Sopra Steria, to which I remain committed. I am pleased to hand over to Cyril Malarge, whose talents I have personally appreciated for many years and who, together with the management team, will be able to take our Group to new heights."

Cyril Malarge said, "I am honoured to have been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Sopra Steria and would like to thank Mr. Pasquier and the Board of Directors for their confidence. I would like to pay tribute to Vincent Paris for his decisive contribution to the development of the Group. With the support of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, all the employees and myself are fully mobilised to continue to provide the best service to our clients and pursue the Group's strategy to achieve the objectives we have set ourselves."

The detailed results for the 2021 financial year will be published as planned on 24 February 2022 and presented by Messrs. Paris, Malarge and du Vignaux, the Group's CFO. Current estimates1 confirm a decisive rebound in operating performance in 2021 and the comfortable achievement of full-year targets. Organic revenue growth is estimated at between 6.3% and 6.4% (previous guidance: "greater than or equal to 6%"). The operating margin on business activity is estimated to be up by more than 1 point at 8.1% (previous guidance: "between 7.7% and 8.0%"). Cash performance is expected to be very solid, with free cash flow of more than 250m (previous guidance: "between 150m and 200m").

Next financial release

Thursday, 24 February 2022 (before market open): Publication of FY 2021 results

Disclaimer

This document contains forward-looking information subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may affect the Group's future growth and financial results. Readers are reminded that licence agreements, which often represent investments for clients, are signed in greater numbers in the second half of the year, with varying impacts on end-of-year performance. Actual outcomes and results may differ from those described in this document due to operational risks and uncertainties. More detailed information on the potential risks that may affect the Group's financial results can be found in the 2020 Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) on 18 March 2021 (see pages 35 to 42 in particular). Sopra Steria does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this document beyond what is required by current laws and regulations. The distribution of this document in certain countries may be subject to the laws and regulations in force. Persons physically present in countries where this document is released, published or distributed should enquire as to any applicable restrictions and should comply with those restrictions.

About Sopra Steria

Sopra Steria, a European leader in consulting, digital services and software development, helps its clients drive their digital transformation and obtain tangible and sustainable benefits. It provides end-to-end solutions to make large companies and organisations more competitive by combining in-depth knowledge of a wide range of business sectors and innovative technologies with a fully collaborative approach. Sopra Steria places people at the heart of everything it does and is committed to putting digital to work for its clients in order to build a positive future for all. With 46,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, the Group generated revenue of 4.3 billion in 2020.

The world is how we shape it.

Sopra Steria (SOP) is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment A) ISIN: FR0000050809

For more information, visit us at www.soprasteria.com

1 Estimates before consolidation and audit of the accounts

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005813/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Olivier Psaume

olivier.psaume@soprasteria.com

+33 (0)1 40 67 68 16

Press Relations

Caroline Simon (Image 7)

caroline.simon@image7.fr

+33 (0)1 53 70 74 65
As Pennsylvania is expected to loom large in upcoming midterm elections, its residents who voted in the 2020 election are still sharply divided over how fairly that election was conducted and how trustworthy the process is, according to a recent poll conducted by the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion and Keep Our Republic.

Its very important to get a sense of where voter trust and sentiments are, regarding how we vote and [the accuracy of tallying those votes] a year out from the controversies that developed during and after the 2020 election, said Director Chris Borick of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion.

Advertisement

Its needed when Pennsylvania is more important than ever on the national landscape.

Muhlenberg College and Keep Our Republic released the results of a poll showing, among other things, that a majority of Pennsylvanians who voted in 2020 believe the election was fair.

The survey found Republican voters indicated less trust in all electoral processes and state institutions than Democrats and independents. This lower trust level among GOP members extends to Republican-controlled institutions, such as the state Legislature, and voting processes, such as electronic voting machines used by most Republican voters in 2020.

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According to the poll:

Six in 10 voters said the election was conducted fairly, while 4 in 10 said it wasnt, with 24% not confident at all that it was fair.

A 63% majority disagree that the state legislature should be able to overturn results certified by state and local election officials, with almost 46% strongly disagreeing with this.

About 2 out of 3 voters strongly or somewhat trust county officials to provide safe, secure, accurate elections, while 57% trust the state Supreme Court, 49% trust the Legislature and 45% trust Gov. Tom Wolfs office.

A 57% majority of Democratic voters view voter suppression as the biggest threat to a safe, secure, accurate election in 2022. Among Republicans, 37% said voter fraud is the main threat, and 31% pointed to the use of mail ballots.

About 4 in 10 voters, including 7 in 10 Republicans, are very or somewhat confident of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Only 15% of Democrats believe there was widespread fraud in the election.

About 56% of all voters  and 80% of Democrats  believe the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol building was an insurrection against the government. That number plummets among Republicans, 63% of whom disagreed.

There have been a lot of national surveys that have looked at voter sentiment regarding the 2020 election outcome and process, but not nearly as much in Pennsylvania, Borick said. These findings give an updated picture of the Pennsylvania electorate as we move into a pivotal election year with lots of national attention on Pennsylvania in particular, with open Senate and Governor races in the state.

First Call Daily Leading local stories delivered on weekday mornings >

This is the first poll Muhlenberg has conducted with Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan civic action organization dedicated to protecting a republic of laws and strengthening the checks and balances of the democratic system.

In the broader context of concerns about the fairness of the presidential election process, we are now seeing some new highly controversial issues, such as the asserted veto power of state legislatures, coming into play, Keep Our Republic co-founder Mark Medish said.

What is perhaps most striking about our poll findings is that a clear majority of voters disapprove of the idea of a state legislature trying to overturn election results after certification of those results by the state officials charged with the responsibility, Medish said. This question of a state legislature potentially inserting itself to overrule the vote of the people is quite novel and thus one of the things that distinguishes this poll.

The poll was based on a telephone survey Dec. 1-13 of 506 people who voted in the 2020 general election in Pennsylvania. Its margin of error is +/- 5% at a 95% level of confidence.

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Morning Call reporter Andrew Scott can be reached at 610-820-6508 or ascott@mcall.com.
Ties last year's firm record with 11 investment bankers promoted, fueling additional growth

Lincoln International, a global investment banking advisory firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of eleven professionals to Managing Director (MD), effective January 1, 2022.

"The elevation of these impactful people to MD comes after a year of tremendous activity and growth for Lincoln, which they helped drive," stated Rob Brown, Global Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln International. "Not only do these colleagues embody the values that have been essential to our success, they also represent all of the advisory services of the firm and five different countries around the world. Each personifies the attributes that make Lincoln a truly special place to build a career, and we look forward to their continued contributions as stewards for our clients, our culture and our future."

Eight of the promoted professionals provide mergers acquisition (M&A) advisory services, one each serve in the firm's Capital Advisory and Valuations Opinions Groups and one provides coverage of financial sponsors.

The majority of the promoted professionals started as Associates with the firm. Their promotions demonstrate the ability of Lincoln to develop outstanding junior bankers into successful senior bankers.

Outlined below are further details about Lincoln's newest Managing Directors, in alphabetical order:

Fredrik Bolander Stockholm, Sweden

Fredrik provides advisory services on M&A transactions in the Nordic region. He brings nearly two decades of experience working across industry groups with a particular focus on financial sponsors. Prior to joining Lincoln as a Director in 2019, Fredrik was the Head of the Nordic Region for HNC Advisors AG. He also worked for Deutsche Bank in Stockholm and London as the Head of Nordic Financial Sponsors.

Matthew Buck London, England

Matthew advises industrial clients on M&A in pursuit of their strategic goals and ambitions. He has nearly 15 years of M&A experience and has extensive expertise working with industrial technology, aerospace and defense and automotive companies. Prior to joining Lincoln as an Associate in 2010, Matthew worked in KPMG's transaction services department, focused on industrial clients.

Siebrecht Declerck Brussels, Belgium

Siebrecht founded Lincoln's Brussels office and has been instrumental in growing the Belgium team to become one of the leading mid-market M&A advisors in Belgium. Siebrecht's focus throughout his career has been on originating and executing mid-market M&A transactions in Belgium for a diversified set of clients, including private equity groups, large corporates, entrepreneurs and the public sector. Prior to joining Lincoln as a Director in 2018, Siebrecht worked at Rothschild Co. in Brussels.

Brian Goodwin Chicago, Illinois

Brian has significant experience leading M&A transactions for industrial growth companies benefiting from significant investment in precision engineering, advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0, electrification and energy, sustainability and packaging. Prior to joining Lincoln as an Associate in 2013, having just graduated from Columbia Business School's MBA program, Brian worked in Glenview Capital Management's proprietary research group and at Fitch Ratings' asset-backed securities group.

Neal Hawkins Chicago, Illinois

Neal advises private equity and debt funds on the fair value of illiquid assets for clients, including business development companies, private debt funds, private equity firms, hedge funds and other financial institutions in the valuation of their debt, equity and alternative investments. Prior to joining Lincoln as a Vice President in 2015, Neal was a Vice President at Verit Advisors and started his career at Bank of America.

Angel Juan Madrid, Spain

Angel leads the execution of M&A transactions in business services, consumer and industrial sectors. Angel advises leading private equity funds, infrastructure funds and institutional investors, both Spanish and international, on a variety of M&A, leveraged buyouts, fundraising, incorporation of new shareholders, debt restructuring and independent valuations. Prior to joining Lincoln as a Director in 2017, Angel spent a large part of his professional career at 360 Corporate.

Anant Kapoor London, England

Anant provides M&A advisory services for clients in the technology, media telecom (TMT) sector. Anant has worked with companies across the TMT industry, including companies in the IT services, communications technology, system integration, software and software development sectors. Prior to joining Lincoln as a Vice President in 2017, Anant focused on M&A at Canaccord Genuity and Livingstone Partners.

Eddie Krule Chicago, Illinois

Eddie has significant experience counseling companies within the consumer space, specifically companies within the e-commerce ecosystem, including Amazon native platforms, direct-to-consumer brands, e-commerce marketplaces or omnichannel consumer businesses with disruptive digital-first strategies. Prior to joining Lincoln as an Associate in 2015, Eddie worked within the Consumer Group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Justin May Chicago, Illinois

Justin advises corporate and private equity clients on the structuring and arranging of financing for acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, dividend recapitalizations, refinancings and growth initiatives. Justin's primary focus is arranging financing for businesses in the TMT industry. Prior to joining Lincoln as an Associate in 2014, Justin executed middle market debt investments at Madison Capital Funding.

Scott Molinaro Chicago, Illinois

Scott provides M&A advisory services to owners and operators of assets in the building products industry within the new residential, new nonresidential, repair, remodel and retrofit building product verticals. Prior to joining Lincoln in 2013 as an Associate, having just graduated from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management MBA program, Scott worked as an Equity Research Analyst at Spot Trading LLC.

Michael Piric Los Angeles, California

Michael is responsible for establishing and strengthening Lincoln's relationships with financial sponsors on the West Coast. Michael has significant investment banking experience across a wide array of products and industries. Prior to joining Lincoln as an Associate in 2014, Michael was an Associate in Barclays Capital's TMT Group.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005303/en/

Contacts:

Donna McSorley

+1 (973) 886-1832
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - GoviEx Uranium Inc. (TSXV: GXU) (OTCQX: GVXXF) ("GoviEx" or "Company") today provides a letter to stakeholders from the Executive Chairman, Govind Friedland and the Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Major.

To Our Fellow Stakeholders,

We enter 2022 following yet another unprecedented year. Whilst still adapting to a global pandemic, we are all, more than ever, faced with the reality of climate change and its devastating impact. COP26 has come and gone whilst governments remain unsure how to tackle the climate crisis. With increased energy prices and shortened supply of economically available low carbon energy sources, nuclear energy is coming into increased focus as a key part of the solution.

Despite all of its challenges, 2021 provided GoviEx with increased clarity and opportunity to execute our long-term strategy. With uranium prices improving, we can take greater confidence on our path to become a uranium producer.

Uranium prices rose 39% in 2021, trading at just under $46 per pound today.(1) Higher demand from new market participants has contributed to increases in spot prices, as the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust ("SPUT") alone now owns nearly 43 million pounds of uranium(1), which is approximately a third of the global annual supply. Whilst SPUT and other financial investors have helped to accelerate the increase in spot prices, the long-term fundamentals remain self-evident. Every year, more uranium is consumed than produced, and higher incentive prices are required to support new supply.

The recent crisis in Kazahkstan has highlighted the potential risk to output especially given the concentration of supply and this underlines the need for increased regional diversification that GoviEx's projects can provide.

Demand for uranium is forecast to increase as China looks to reduce its dependency on coal by pledging to build 150 new nuclear reactors by 2060. Nuclear power may be included in the EU's Sustainable Taxonomy Regulation and this could impact the industry by bringing investment towards nuclear, which is already Europe's largest single source of low carbon energy and forecast to grow.

The outlook for uranium has become increasingly positive and we have worked diligently to position ourselves to take full advantage as a new entrant to the market. In April we updated our pre-feasibility study for our flagship Madaouela project in Niger ("Madaouela"), reducing capex by 15% and opex by 20% in the first few years of mining.(2) Madaouela is fully permitted, benefits from well-established local infrastructure in a jurisdiction with a nearly a 50-year history of uranium exports. We are currently on track to finish our feasibility study by mid-2022 with a target to start construction in 2023 with first commercial uranium production in 2025.

In order to develop an optimum financing solution for Madaouela, last September we appointed Endeavour Financial, which is providing us with support on debt advisory, offtake finance and technical and environmental guidance. Endeavour Financial's track record in mine financing speaks for itself and their decision to work with GoviEx underlines the quality of Madaouela.

Whilst the development of Madaouela is our main focus for 2022, we also have two very promising assets which set us apart from other companies. The mine-permitted Mutanga project in Zambia is forecast to start production in 2027 and could be the lowest capital intensive uranium project in Africa.(3) In 2021 the team completed an initial infill drilling campaign at the Dibwe East deposit with positive results as we work towards upgrading mineral resources from an inferred to an indicated category. During 2022 we plan to complete infill drilling of the resource at Dibwe East as well as to upgrade the previously completed process test work to a feasibility study level of confidence.

Our Falea project in Mali remains a fascinating exploration project with great potential. It currently contains an indicated resource of 17.4Mlb U3O8, 24.4 Mlb copper and 16.1 Mlb silver, and an inferred resource of 13.4Mlb U3O8, also with copper and silver mineralization.(4) Work completed in 2021 has highlighted a number of geophysical exploration targets associated with the same structures that control the current mineral resources, but with the addition of gold mineralization. We look forward to drilling these Falea targets in 2022.

In 2021, we further strengthened our Board and management team by bringing in two additional directors; Salma Seetaroo and Erik Kraft, and appointing Chris Lewis as our Chief Uranium Marketing to spearhead our commercial offtake sales.

In 2021 we continued to deliver on our ESG strategy for the benefit of all our stakeholders. As we transition to becoming a producer, expanding our ESG mindset presents us with an opportunity to build an operation that can deliver economically as well as socially and environmentally. As our ESG plans develop, we seek compliance with a number of reporting standards, including IFC and ISO.

In summary, we believe GoviEx is in an excellent position to benefit from a strengthening uranium market. We have two mine permitted projects and an exciting exploration play. We have a plan in place to potentially become a producer in 2025, and a strong Board and management team ready to deliver on that plan. And finally we have you, our stakeholders, to support us on this journey.

We are truly grateful for the work completed by our teams in Niger, Zambia and Mali, and for the continuous support from the neighboring communities and all levels of government in these countries.

On behalf of management and the Board, thank you for your support. We appreciate your confidence in our 2021 accomplishments and our long-term strategy going forward and look to the future with confidence.

Sincerely, Govind Friedland & Daniel Major

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Rob Bowell, a chartered chemist of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a chartered geologist of the Geological Society of London, and a Fellow of the Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Materials, who is an independent Qualified Person under the terms of NI 43-101 for uranium deposits. Mr. Bowell has verified the data disclosed in this news release.

Notes:

(1) As at 11 January 2022

(2) See the technical report titled, "An Updated Integrated Development Plan for the Madaouela Project, Niger" has an effective date of August 11, 2015, and a revision date of August 20, 2015, that is available at GoviEx's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

(3) See the technical report titled, "NI 43-101 Technical Report on a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Mutanga Uranium Project in Zambia", dated November 30, 2017 (the "PEA"). The PEA was prepared by Qualified Persons from SRK Consulting (UK) Limited.

The PEA is considered preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves have not yet demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all, or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource, will be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource as a result of continued exploration or Mineral Reserves once economic considerations are applied; therefore, there is no certainty that the production profile concluded in the PEA will be realized.

(4) See the technical report titled, "Technical Report on the Falea Uranium, Silver and Copper Deposit, Mali, West Africa" prepared by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. for Denison Mines Corp., October 26, 2015.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About GoviEx Uranium Inc.

GoviEx is a mineral resource company focused on the exploration and development of uranium properties in Africa. GoviEx's principal objective is to become a significant uranium producer through the continued exploration and development of its flagship mine-permitted Madaouela Project in Niger, its mine-permitted Mutanga Project in Zambia, and its multi-element Falea Project in Mali.

Contact Information

Isabel Vilela

Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Tel: +1-604-681-5529

Email: info@goviex.com

Web: www.goviex.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All information and statements other than statements of current or historical facts contained in this news release are forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in GoviEx's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information.

Forward-looking statements include those related to: (i) the Company's ability to publish the feasibility study on the Madaouela Project by mid-2022; (ii) the method and timing of any exploration, development and/or mining operations at any of GoviEx's projects; (iii) the potential of upgrading mineral resources at GoviEx's Mutanga project from an inferred to an indicated category; and (iv) GoviEx's ability to benefit from a strengthening uranium market.

Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be achieved. Such assumptions, which may prove incorrect, include the following: (i) that the Company will be successful in its exploration and development plans for all its projects; (ii) that projected low capital expenditures for the mine-permitted projects will remain unchanged or improve; (iii) that the planned exploration and development programs on GoviEx's projects will be completed as planned and meet GoviEx's objectives; (iv) that the Company will be able to complete its planned ESG work as planned ;and (v) that the price of uranium will remain sufficiently high and the costs of advancing the Company's projects will remain sufficiently low so as to permit GoviEx to implement its business plans in a profitable manner.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include (i) the inability of the Company to successfully complete the exploration and development plans; (ii) potential delays due to COVID-19 restrictions; (iii) the failure of the Company's projects, for technical, logistical, labour-relations, or other reasons; (iv) a decrease in the price of uranium below what is necessary to sustain the Company's operations; (v) an increase in the Company's operating costs above what is necessary to sustain its operations; (vi) accidents, labour disputes, or the materialization of similar risks; (vii) a deterioration in capital market conditions that prevents the Company from raising the funds it requires on a timely basis; and (viii) generally, the Company's inability to develop and implement a successful business plan for any reason.

In addition, the factors described or referred to in the section entitled "Risks Factors" in the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2020, of GoviEx, which is available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, should be reviewed in conjunction with the information found in this news release.

Although GoviEx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance, or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances, or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this news release will transpire or occur, or, if any of them do so, what benefits that GoviEx will derive therefrom. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and GoviEx disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109887
Regulatory News:

Europcar Mobility Group (Paris:EUCAR) announces two changes in its executive committee:

Jose Maria Gonzalez, Regional Managing Director Southern Europe and Australia New Zealand, Executive Committee Member, has elected to retire and will leave the Group on 28 February 2022.

Jose Maria Gonzalez worked for the Group in a number of capacities for the past 37 years, such as Managing Director for Spain in 2010, and Managing Director of the Cars Business Unit in 2018. He has been an Executive Committee member since 2015.



The Group warmly thanks him for his unwavering dedication to the Group and his strong contribution to the company's performance, in particular for having established Europcar Mobility Group as an undisputed leader on the Spanish market and on the low-cost segment.

Jose Maria Gonzalez will hand over his responsibilities to Gary Smith who will extend his current scope of responsibility to include all corporate countries and regional clusters, as Group Chief Countries Officer.

With this new role, Gary will continue to report to Olivier Baldassari, Group Chief Operating Officer.

Yvonne Leuschner, Managing Director of the Vans Trucks Business Unit, Executive Committee member, will leave the Group at the end of January to pursue new career interests.

Yvonne Leuschner joined the Group in 2017 to build the Vans Trucks Business Unit. Since then, she has successfully developed, with a dedicated team, a state-of-the-art expertise on light commercial vehicle rental which highly contributed to the performance of the Group over the past years and to its resilience during the Covid crisis.

For all of these strong inputs and contributions, the Group would like to warmly thank her.

Yvonne Leuschner will hand over her responsibilities to Clive Forsythe, who was previously Commercial Director for the UK perimeter and is appointed Managing Director of the Vans Trucks Business Unit, effective as the 1st of February.

The new composition of the Group Executive Committee is as follows:

Caroline Parot, Chief Executive Officer

- Olivier Baldassari, Chief Operating Officer

- Damien Basselier, Chief Product and Technology Officer

- Jose Blanco, Chief Sales Officer

- Aurelia Cheval, Chief Strategy Officer

- Xavier Corouge, Chief Business and Customer Officer

- Malene Korvin, Chief Finance Officer ad interim

- Denis Langlois, Chief Human Resources Officer

- Franck Rohard, Secretary General

- Gary Smith, Chief Countries Officer

About Europcar Mobility Group

Europcar Mobility Group is a major player in mobility markets and listed on Euronext Paris. Europcar Mobility Group's purpose is to offer attractive alternatives to vehicle ownership, in a responsible and sustainable manner. With this in mind, the Group offers a wide range of car and van rental services be it for a few hours, a few days, a week, a month or more with a fleet that is already "C02 light" and equipped with the latest engines, and which will be increasingly "green" in the years to come.

Customers' satisfaction is at the heart of the Group's ambition and that of its employees. It also fuels the ongoing development of new offerings in the Group's three service lines Professional, Leisure and Proximity which respond to the specific needs and use cases of both businesses and individuals. The Group's 4 major brands are: Europcar the European leader of car rental and light commercial vehicle rental, Goldcar the low-cost car-rental Leader in Europe, InterRent 'mid-tier' car rental and Ubeeqo one of the European leaders of round-trip car-sharing (BtoB, BtoC).

Europcar Mobility Group delivers its mobility solutions worldwide through an extensive network in over 140 countries (including wholly owned subsidiaries 18 in Europe, 1 in the USA, 2 in Australia and New Zealand completed by franchises and partners).

Further details on our website: www.europcar-mobility-group.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005899/en/

Contacts:

Europcar Mobility Group Press relations

Valerie Sauteret valerie.sauteret@europcar.com

Vincent Vevaud vincent.vevaud@europcar.com
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seegene Inc. (KQ 096530), South Korea's leading molecular diagnostics (MDx) company, today, unveiled its blueprint for the future during a presentation at the 40th annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare virtual Conference. Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, CEO of Seegene, proposed three strategic solutions that induce the world 'back to normal' against the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with three solutions, he also introduced the company's automated, AI-enabled platform with a standard development tool that will empower users to easily develop their own diagnostic assays.

Three solutions for 'back to normal'

In preparation for returning to normal in 2022, Dr. Chun outlined three solutions. First, it starts with Seegene's on-site screening solution for mass testing with its fully automated MDx system at various facilities including schools, airports, workplaces, and others. It provides a short turnaround time, economic price, and improved accuracy even for asymptomatic cases, which cannot be detected by rapid antigen tests. The second solution is Seegene's centralized screening system, with its newly developed diagnostic test that can multiply the test capacity without additional instrument investments in the laboratories. The third solution is syndromic testing for patients with respiratory symptoms. Seegene had already introduced Allplex RV Master Assay that can simultaneously differentiate ten targets including COVID-19, Flu, and common respiratory viruses. This assay is the key to open a path towards normalcy as it identifies the exact cause of respiratory symptoms.

Strategic shift to a MDx platform company

During the presentation, Dr. Chun unveiled Seegene's strategic shift as a molecular diagnostics platform company, introducing Seegene's MDx platform for assay development. Until now, commercial MDx development has been a labor-intensive manual process requiring highly skilled researchers and significant resources. "Our digitalized open development platform will overcome the limitations of the current paradigm of MDx development processes by allowing users to rapidly design and efficiently develop their own diagnostic assays", said Dr. Chun. "We are pleased to provide our technologies, software and know-how to support rapid and standardized assay development which will eventually help accelerate the use of MDx in our daily lives."

Seegene's MDx platform integrates proprietary technologies and development know-how that Seegene has developed over the last two decades, with artificial intelligence (AI)-based automated design system. This platform allows platform users, regardless of knowledge and experience in MDx, to develop high multiplex real-time PCR assays, which will eventually fulfill unmet testing needs at a local level.

Finally, Dr. Chun stated the vision that Seegene stepped ahead to a new horizon by evolving to MDx platform company. Through all these efforts, Seegene will ultimately bring MDx into our daily life.

The full video of the CEO's remarks will be available after the event at www.seegene.com/ir_event.

About Seegene, Inc.

Founded in Seoul, South Korea in 2000 and with subsidiaries in the U.S.A., Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and the Middle East, Seegene, Inc. is an in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) company that has been turning concepts into products through its pioneering R&D activities. Seegene owns its original patent technology including DPO (Dual Priming Oligonucleotide) for multiple target amplification; TOCE, for multiple target detection in a single channel; MuDT, the world's first real-time PCR technology that provides individual Ct values for multiple targets in a single channel for quantitative assays.; and mTOCE multiplex mutation detection technology. With these cutting-edge molecular diagnostic technologies applied to diagnostic kits and other tools, Seegene has enhanced the sensitivity and specificity of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to unprecedented levels, providing multiplex PCR products that target and detect genes of multiple pathogens simultaneously, saving testing time and cost. Seegene continues to set new standards in MDx providing new, cost-effective innovations.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1357790/Seegene_logo_Logo.jpg
Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Ape Fund, a DAO with its own social token, $APEFUND, announced it will now be launching sub-funds, to focus on specific investment categories going forward.

The 1st sub-fund it will be releasing (scheduled to launch this week) will be a sub-fund focused on presale investments. This sub-fund can be bought into as $PresaleDAO.

The way this sub-fund will work is that 5% in reflections will go to the investment wallet, which will be used each week to invest into community voted projects. The community voted projects for this sub-fund will be projects in their presale stage (projects that are due to launch).







Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8404/109871_babb8f18243c4ace_001full.jpg

Each week the Ape Fund community proposes projects on the Ape Fund Discord that they think have potential, the community then works together to research into each project and understand the values of potentially investing into each.

And finally, they enter the voting stage, where with the knowledge now gathered from the research stage, the community votes on which project they think should be invested into.

The projects which are voted on as good investment opportunities are then decided and announced, and the investment wallet is then used to buy into the selected projects.

All members of PresaleDAO will be working together to identify the most lucrative projects for the community investment wallet to invest into, which will in turn raise the value of their holdings via profits from the investments being reinvested into PresaleDAO.









Figure 2



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8404/109871_babb8f18243c4ace_002full.jpg

Ape Fund is a rapidly growing community that has its own exclusive platform which hosts the investors club which is on their Discord. To access the exclusive Ape Fund community Discord, one must have 10,000 $APEFUND tokens.

Ape Fund plans to roll out more sub-funds over the comings months to focus on other investment areas it deems important.

All holders of the PresaleDAO token also receive 8% reflections in the $APEFUND token, acting as an extra incentive for members to remain in the sub-fund.

Ape Fund is based in Los Angeles, and was launched in November 2021.

The Ape Fund Website: www.apefund.co

Media Contacts

Company Name: Ape Fund

Company Address : Los Angeles, California, USA

Contact Person Name: Bill Buffett

Contact Person Email: Bill@apefund.co

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109871
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Quantum Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: QBAT) (OTC Pink: BRVVF) (FSE: 23B0) ("Quantum" or the "Company") The Company announces that it has started the preliminary steps to acquiring additional Cobalt properties near the town of Cobalt, Ontario. The District of Cobalt is known for its high grades, ethical supply, and historic mining.

The Company plans to expand its profile and increase its presence in the district by acquiring further projects. As several economies push for cutting carbon emissions, a demand for battery materials have increased exponentially leading to a shortage in Lithium and Cobalt.

The Company is expecting positive sample results from their 2021 Cobalt exploration program soon, in which the Company plans to develop an extensive 2022 Cobalt exploration program and rely on the results to determine centralized areas to focus on. Although the Company's primary objective and focus is on their Lithium Projects, Quantum is looking to several Cobalt prospects to further enhance their Battery Metal Portfolio.

"We have chosen the District of Cobalt to search for several new projects to acquire due to the past success we have had in the area. By securing additional projects, we will be able to cement our position as a leading battery metal Company and further open the opportunity to have a more extensive work program in the coming years. Globally there continues to be a significant shortage of "EV metals" with conflict free cobalt leading the charge, if we are able to establish a resource of cobalt our company will be one of the preferred suppliers for many EV companies," states David Greenway, Director.

QUANTUM BATTERY METALS CORP.

"Andrew Sostad"

_______________________

Andrew Sostad, CEO and Director

Contact Information:

400 - 837 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6C 3N6

Phone: 604.629.2936

Email: Info@quantumbatterymetals.com

Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Quantum Battery Metals Corp. (the "Company") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109886


MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Tech giant Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOGL) search engine company Google is using discriminatory policies against its contractors regarding Covid-testing. Reports claim that the company sends high-end and more efficient instant test kits to its full-time employees whereas the contract workers are made to use less-efficient test kits that take longer to deliver the results.



Alphabet Worker's Union tweeted a document that shows that the company sends its employees instant test kits from Cue Health Inc. The employees get one Cue device and 10 tests which cost $949 for customers. These test kits use genetic material present in the sample and deliver accurate results instantly. However, for the contract workers, the company sends PCR test kits by BioIQ which they have to mail to a lab for the results. The PCR tests are also not believed to be the most accurate ones as they depend on a few particular proteins to detect the presence of the virus.



Moreover, the employees of the company are allowed to work from home whereas the contract workers, vendors, and other temporary employees have to come to the office locations. Full-time employees can also request for up to 20 additional tests per month. The non-employees are also not allowed to have an extra computer monitor, unlike the employees. These highly discriminatory rules have made the headlines as Google has as many contract workers as they have permanent employees.



With the rapid spread of the omicron variant, the health infrastructure of the country has been left in shambles as the health sector is struggling to conduct tests on people. President Biden has asked the insurance providers to bear the cost of testing for their insurance holders as the country prepares 500 million free tests.



However, Google has claimed that the company provides multiple free testing options available for everyone working fr the company. 'We have many at-home and in-person viral testing options available free to our employees and members of our extended workforce, including temps and vendors,' a Google spokesperson said.



According to a document intercepted by Bloomberg, all employees, including temps and contract workers have access to Lucira Check It single-use rapid tests which cost $75. The company also claimed that the employees get cue readers at the offices and not at home. Apart from that, there also are many in-person testing options available at major locations like the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, and Seattle.







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TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - New Zealand will on Thursday release November numbers for building permits, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In October, permits were down 2.0 percent on month. Thailand will see December results for its consumer confidence index; in November, the index score was 44.9. Japan will provide December figures for machine tool orders; in November, orders surged 64.0 percent on year. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - 1287401 B.C. Ltd. ("128" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a business combination agreement (the "Agreement") with McFarlane Lake Mining Incorporated ("McFarlane"), a privately held company existing under the laws of Ontario, and 1000034047 Ontario Inc. ("Subco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 128 existing under the laws of Ontario, pursuant to which 128, McFarlane and Subco have agreed to complete a transaction that will result in a reverse-takeover of 128 by the current shareholders of McFarlane and Subco (the "RTO" or "Transaction"). The Agreement was negotiated at arm's length and is dated January 12, 2022. The closing of the Transaction is expected to occur on or about January 14, 2022 and will be subject to a number of terms and conditions including the receipt of all necessary regulatory and third-party consents and approvals. 128 and McFarlane are not related parties.

Mark Trevisiol, chief executive officer of McFarlane, stated, "entering into this Agreement with 128 represents a significant milestone for McFarlane in its ongoing journey to become a publicly traded mineral exploration company in Canada. 128 has been great to work with throughout the course of this journey and we look forward to working hard to complete the business combination in the near future."

About 1287401 B.C. Ltd.

128 was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on February 3, 2021. 128 is a reporting issuer under the securities laws of the jurisdictions of Alberta and British Columbia. None of its securities, are listed or posted for trading on any stock exchange and no public market exists for any securities of 128. Additional information on 128 can be found by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com.

About McFarlane Lake Mining Incorporated

McFarlane is a private mineral exploration company incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on August 21, 2020. McFarlane has entered into a definitive purchase agreement dated effective December 30, 2021 with Canadian Star Minerals Ltd. ("CSM") to purchase all of CSM's right, title and interest in the High Lake mineral property located immediately east of the Ontario-Manitoba border, the West Hawk Lake mineral property located immediately west of the Ontario-Manitoba border and the McMillan mineral property located 13km south of Espanola. In addition, McFarlane holds options to purchase the Michaud/Munro mineral property and the Mongowin mineral property.

About 1000034047 Ontario Inc.

Subco is a private company incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on November 23, 2021, for the purpose of completing the Transaction.

Terms of the Transaction

It is currently anticipated that the Transaction will be completed by way of a three-cornered amalgamation (the "Amalgamation").

There are currently an aggregate of 3,750,000 outstanding common shares in the capital of 128 (each, a "128 Share"), 75,582,313 common shares in the capital of McFarlane (each, a "McFarlane Share") and 65,600 common shares in the capital of Subco. Additionally: (i) McFarlane has 4,173,406 share purchase warrants outstanding (the "McFarlane Warrants"), with each McFarlane Warrant being exercisable into one McFarlane Share at an exercise price of $0.60 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance thereof; and (ii) Subco has 32,750 share purchase warrants outstanding (the "Subco Warrants" and together with the McFarlane Warrants, the "Warrants"), with each Subco Warrant being exercisable into one Subco share (each a "Subco Share") at an exercise price of $0.60 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance thereof. Pursuant to the Definitive Purchase Agreement, McFarlane (or the Resulting Issuer, as defined below) will issue an aggregate of 5,625,000 McFarlane Shares or Resulting Issuer shares, as the case may be, upon transfer of legal title of the leases comprising the High Lake and West Hawk Lake mineral properties.

In connection with the proposed Transaction, among other things: (i) McFarlane and Subco will amalgamate pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and continue operating under the name "McFarlane Lake Mining Incorporated" ("Amalco"); (ii) each Subco Share will be exchanged for one fully-paid and non-assessable 128 Share; (iii) each McFarlane Share will be exchanged for one fully-paid and non-assessable 128 Share; (iv) as consideration for the issuance of the 128 Shares to effect the Amalgamation, 128 will receive one common share of Amalco for each 128 Share issued to holders of McFarlane Shares and Subco Shares; (v) each Subco Share issued to 128 on incorporation will be cancelled; (vi) Amalco will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of 128; and (vi) 128 will change its name to "McFarlane Lake Mining Limited" (the "Resulting Issuer"). In connection with completion of the Transaction, 128 will issue approximately 4,206,156 warrants to existing holders of McFarlane Warrants and Subco Warrants. 128 has obtained the approval of its shareholders to continue to Ontario from British Columbia. Such continuance is subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals, and if completed is expected to occur following completion of the Transaction.

Concurrently with the completion of the Transaction, the Resulting Issuer will: (i) grant an aggregate of 5,500,000 replacement options to the directors and officers of McFarlane, to purchase common shares (the "Option Shares") of the Resulting Issuer, exercisable at a price of $0.10 per Option Share until May 31, 2026; and (ii) issue 834,575 replacement broker warrants and 262,500 replacement advisory warrants to Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord") on the same terms and conditions as the broker warrants and advisory warrants issued to Canaccord for services provided in connection with McFarlane's previously completed brokered and non-brokered offerings of units and flow-through common shares (together, the "Offerings") (see 128's press release dated December 10, 2021 for further information regarding the Offerings).

The proposed Transaction is subject to requisite regulatory approvals and standard closing conditions, as well as the conditions described herein. Upon completion of the Transaction, it is the intention of the parties that the Resulting Issuer will continue to focus on the current business and affairs of McFarlane.

Board of Directors and Executive Management of the Resulting Issuer

It is expected that upon completion of the Transaction, the Resulting Issuer will have a board of seven (7) individuals, all of whom have been nominated by McFarlane. As of the date hereof, and subject to regulatory approval, McFarlane anticipates that the Resulting Issuer will have the following officers and directors:

Name and Municipality of Residence Proposed Position with the Resulting Issuer Biographical Information Mark Trevisiol

Sudbury, Ontario Chief Executive Officer and Director Mr. Trevisiol is a professional engineer with 30 years of experience in mineral processing, mining, capital projects and executive management. Mr. Trevisiol spent over 20 years with Glencore predecessor companies Falconbridge Ltd. and Xstrata Nickel, where he was General Manager of Business Development and Strategy, General Manager of the Sudbury Smelter Business Unit, Manager of Smelter Operations and Superintendent of the Kidd Creek Zinc Plant. More recently, Mark held a number of executive leadership and board positions, including CEO positions at Crow flight Minerals and Silver Bear Resources. During his career, Mr. Trevisiol has had responsibility in mining and mineral processing for teams of up to 300 people, with responsibility for operations, safety & environment, custom feed, engineering, maintenance and technology. He has worked across several commodities, including nickel, cobalt, zinc, copper, lithium, gold, and silver. Mr. Trevisiol holds an Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo. Charles Lilly

Sudbury, Ontario Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director Mr. Lilly is a partner in the public accounting firm of Sostarich, Ross, Wright & Cecutti, LLP. He has a B. Comm from Laurentian University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and an M.B.A. from the University of Toronto. Mr. Lilly has served as an officer or a director of a number of public corporations listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Toronto Venture Stock Exchange. Roger Emdin

Sudbury, Ontario Chief Operating Officer and Director Mr. Emdin is a Professional Mining Engineer with more than 30 years of global experience in Operations, Projects, Engineering and Sustainable Development in both base metal and gold mining environments. Mr. Emdin started out in gold with the Dome and Canamax Resources in Ontario before turning to base metals in Zambia, returning to Canada but working globally as a consultant. Joined Glencore (Falconbridge) filling various roles including, Engineering Superintendent, Mine Manager (Craig & Nickel Rim South) and of Manager Sustainable Development for Sudbury Operations before coming back to gold in 2015 as the Vice President of Operations for Harte Gold. Mr. Emdin served as the Industry Co-Chair for the Mining Legislative Review Committee for 7 years, was active in the Ontario Mining Association and served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI). Mr. Emdin also participated with the Ontario government as a member of the Advisory Group to the Mining Health and Safety Prevention Review and was a member of the Board for Cambrian College for six years including roles of Chair of the Audit Committee and Chair. Perry Dellelce

Toronto, Ontario Director Mr. Dellelce is a founder and the managing partner of Wildeboer Dellelce LLP, one of Canada's leading corporate finance and transactional law firms. Mr. Dellelce practices in the areas of securities, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Dellelce serves on the boards of many of Canada's leading businesses, including but not limited to, Mount Logan Capital Inc. and Lendified Inc. Mr. Dellelce is the past chair and a current member of the board of directors of the Sunnybrook Foundation and the current chair of the NEO Exchange Inc. and Canadian Olympic Foundation. Mr. Dellelce holds a BA from Western University, a LLB from the University of Ottawa and a MBA degree from the University of Notre Dame. Amanda Fullerton

Toronto, Ontario Director Ms. Fullerton has been the Vice-President, Legal & Corporate Secretary of Gran Colombia since March 25, 2019. She has also been the Corporate Secretary at Denarius Silver Corp. since February 2021. She was a Vice President, Legal (and prior thereto, Associate, Legal) of Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. from March 24, 2014, to March 22, 2019. Prior thereto, Ms. Fullerton was an associate with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP from September 2008 to March 2011 and MacLeod Dixon LLP (now Norton Rose Fulbright LLP) from March 2011 to March 2014 and practiced in the areas of corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate/commercial law, focused primarily on the mining industry. Guy Mahaffy

Sudbury, Ontario Director Mr. Mahaffy is the managing director of W.G. Mahaffy Ltd., a financial advisory firm. He holds the professional designations of chartered accountant, chartered professional accountant and chartered financial analyst. He has over 25 years of experience, with the past 15 years focused on the junior resource sector. He has served as an officer and director of mineral resources exploration companies on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange, including previously having served as a director and as the chief financial officer of the Manitou Gold Inc. from June 2009 to June, 2012. Fergus Kerr

Lively, Ontario Director Mr. Kerr is a Professional Mining Engineer and is currently self employed as a consultant. Mr. Fergus Kerr is a graduate of the Royal School of Mines and a mining engineer with over 35 years of experience, including 14 years at Denison Mine's Elliot Lake uranium mine, where he served as General Manager for five years. Subsequent to Denison, Mr. Kerr served as Sector Director at Workplace Safety & Insurance Board, and Mine Manager, Sudbury Operations at Inco LLC Area Manager at Inco's Sudbury operations. Mr. Kerr is sought after health and safety specialist consulting globally with recent assignments in Mongolia, Indonesia and Australia. Robert Kusins

Worthington, Ontario Vice President, Geology Mr. Kusins B.Sc., P Geo has over 35 years of mining, exploration and consulting experience. Mr. Kusins has spent his career involved with exploring, developing, validating and mining of a number of deposits including the Golden Giant Mine (Newmont Canada), Holloway Mine (Newmont Canada), Tundra Project (Noranda), Timmins West Mine Complex (Lake Shore Gold - Pan American Silver) and most recently the Sugar Zone Mine (Harte Gold). Mr. Kusins has worked in the capacity of Chief Geologist, Chief Resource Geologist and Geology Manager at producing mines where he has co-authored several NI 43-101 Technical Reports. Previous to working for Harte, Mr. Kusins was employed by SRK as a Principal Consultant (Geology) in the Sudbury office. Proficient in GEOVIA GEMS with expertise in three-dimensional geological modeling, developing and managing exploration programs, data management and mineral resource estimation.

Conditions to the Transaction

Completion of the Transaction will be subject to a number of conditions of closing that are customary for a transaction of this nature, including, without limitation:

128 shall obtain the requisite approvals in connection with the following matters: (i) the continuance of 128 from British Columbia to Ontario; (ii) a change of name to "McFarlane Lake Mining Limited" or such other name as may be requested by McFarlane and acceptable to applicable regulatory authorities (the "Name Change"); (iii) the split of the outstanding securities of 128 on the basis of 1.20967742 post-split 128 Shares for each one pre-split 128 Share; and (iv) the appointment of the directors of the Resulting Issuer to replace the current directors of 128 immediately following the completion of the proposed Transaction.

The common shares of the Resulting Issuer having been conditionally approved for listing on the NEO Exchange Inc. (the "NEO") (such conditional approval was obtained from the NEO on December 14, 2021).

Further Information

All information contained in this news release with respect to 128, McFarlane and Subco was supplied by the parties respectively for inclusion herein, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party.

For further information regarding the proposed Transaction, please contact:

1287401 B.C. Ltd.

James Ward

james@wardfinancial.ca

McFarlane Lake Mining Incorporated

Mark Trevisiol

mtrevisiol@mcfarlanelakemining.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

Certain statements and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information," respectively, under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "believe", "intends", "forecast", "plans", "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect the current expectations of management of the Company regarding future results or events and are based on information currently available to them. Certain material factors and assumptions were applied in providing these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements discussed in this press release may include, but are not limited to, information concerning the completion of the Transaction and the approval of the listing of the Resulting Issuer common shares on the NEO. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109925
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, is pleased to announce that further to its news release of December 30, 2021, the Company has now received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") to the online marketing agreement ("AGORA Agreement") with AGORA Internet Relations Corp. ("AGORA").

In connection with the services provided by AGORA under the AGORA Agreement, the Company has issued 53,809 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.42 per share to AGORA as the first installment payment of $20,000 plus applicable taxes.

About Plurilock

Plurilock provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely while reducing cybersecurity friction. Plurilock offers world-class IT and cybersecurity solutions through its Solutions Division, paired with proprietary, AI-driven and cloud-friendly security through its Technology Division. Together, the Plurilock family of companies delivers persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use.

For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact:

Ian L. Paterson

Chief Executive Officer

ian@plurilock.com

416.800.1566

Roland Sartorius

Chief Financial Officer

roland.sartorius@plurilock.com

Prit Singh

Investor Relations

prit.singh@plurilock.com

905.510.7636

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, the success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109929
Jose Rosado already knows the core issues for his possible state House campaign  property tax and education funding reform top the list  and now all he has to do is find out whether the district he hopes to represent will actually exist.

Rosado, the former mayor of Fountain Hill, has decided to run as a Democrat for the 22nd House District as portrayed on a preliminary redistricting map, covering Fountain Hill and parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township.

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But there is no guarantee that map will become official.

Rosados home currently is in the 133rd district, which also includes part of the city of Bethlehem, the boroughs of Coplay and Catasauqua and all or part of Hanover, Whitehall and Salisbury townships.

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Should the final decision by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission leave him in the 133rd, Rosado said he will have to speak to my supporters before making a decision to seek election.

His uncertainty is shared by other candidates across the Lehigh Valley and state as the five-member commission continues to work toward new House and Senate maps that reflect demographic changes shown by the 2020 census.

It is unsettling because everybody in Harrisburg is all atwitter about it, said Republican Rep. Milou Mackenzie, who represents the 131st District. It kind of has everyone nervous.

The commission is in the tail end of a 30-day period for public input on proposed House and Senate maps.

It held several hearings late last week that featured plenty of Lehigh Valley testimony, and more are scheduled Friday and Saturday.

The public had submitted to the commission 2,950 comments and map ideas. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday.

A second 30-day window governs the next step of the process.

Leah Mintz, an associate of commission general counsel Robert Byer, said the commissions vote on a final plan could take place as late as Feb. 17.

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The window for candidates to circulate the required nominating petitions is Feb. 15 through March 8, with the primary set for May 17.

Mackenzie, the first-term incumbent of the 131st district, is leaning toward running again. The final decision, she says, will happen when the maps are done.

Kevin Branco, a gym owner and Democrat who lost to Mackenzie by a 54% to 46% margin in 2020, plans to run again in the 131st, regardless of its final outline.

But redistricting uncertainty weighs heavily on his campaign planning.

The current district includes the boroughs of Emmaus, Coopersburg, Pennsburg, Red Hill and East Greenville, as well as all or part of a number of townships. The proposed map for the 131st removes Emmaus, but adds the borough of Hellertown.

Kevin Branco, a Democrat who lost to Republican Milou Mackenzie in 2020, said he plans to run for state House again in 2022. (Chantal Branco)

Without knowing what areas you are covering, it is hard to plan events, kickoff events, signing events, Branco said. Concerning the proposed map, he added, I am kind of excited about it. My business is in Hellertown.

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The House member who currently represents Hellertown, Democratic Rep. Robert Freeman of the 136th District, last week lobbied the commission to keep the borough in that district.

Rosado is 58 and ran an unsuccessful campaign for a House seat in 2006. His status as a potential Latino candidate  his mother is Puerto Rican, as was his late father  is significant.

Commission members have repeatedly expressed a desire to reflect the states growing Latino population via districts that either give that community a greater voice or even a strong chance to field a winning candidate.

Pennsylvania has never had a Latino senator. There are a handful of Latino House members.

Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. >

Enid Santiago, a Latino candidate in Allentown in 2020, lost the Democratic primary in the 22nd District that year to incumbent Peter Schweyer by 55 votes out of 4,339 cast.

Nobody can make a decision right now, she said this week when asked about another run. We are all in the same boat.

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Allentown resident Enid Santiago, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for a state House seat in 2020, is waiting to see the final version of new district maps before making a final decision on a 2022 election bid. (Josie Lopez/Josie Lopez)

Santiago testified before the commission last week that its preliminary map  splitting Allentown among three House districts rather than the current two  was a way of almost guaranteeing that Allentown will not have true representation reflecting its minority communities.

In the preliminary plan approved by the commission, the homes of Santiago and Schweyer both move to the redrawn 134th District.

Schweyer, the incumbent in the 22nd, has said he plans to run for either a House or Senate seat.

The incumbent in the 133rd District, Democrat Jeanne McNeill, has already said she intends to seek re-election.

Morning Call Capitol correspondent Ford Turner can be reached at fturner@mcall.com
eternalHealth, a Boston MA-based health plan company, raised $10M in Series A funding.

The backers in the round, which follows an initial $10m in Seed and Pre-Series A investment by healthcare and tech entrepreneurs last summer, included John Sculley, former Apple CEO.

The company intends to use the funds to support the day-to-day operations, and grow and increase its membership base.

Founded by Pooja Ika, eternalHealth is a Medicare Advantage Health Plan that offers HMO and PPO products in three Massachusetts counties: Worcester, Middlesex, and Suffolk.

Through its technology-driven, innovative platform, eternalHealth is looking to substantially reduce its administrative & operating costs (SG&A) across the entire enterprise. The cost savings will allow for more dollars to be allocated towards the total cost of care, while also passing down the savings to their members through its benefits to lead them in the healthy direction.

Once eternalHealth reaches the critical membership threshold, it will implement value-based contracting with providers, through which they will collaborate with providers and help them manage the overall quality of care for their patients through platform driven intelligence, improve the overall quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs.



FinSMEs

11/01/2022
Web3Auth (formerly known as Torus), a Singapore-based auth infrastructure solution for Web3 apps and wallets, raised $13m in Series A funding.

The round, which follows a $2m seed round, bringing the companys total financing to date to $15m, was led by Sequoia Capital India with participation from Union Square Ventures, Multicoin Capital, FTX, Bitcoin.com, DARMA Capital, Chainstry, Hash, KOSMOS Capital, Kyros Ventures, LD Capital, Minted Labs, P2P Capital, Phoenix VC, Staking Facilities, YBB Capital, Moonwhale Ventures, and Decentralab.

The company plans to use the funds to accelerate expansion into decentralized gaming, NFTs, and social applications.

Led by Zhen Yu Yong, Co-Founder and CEO, Web3Auth is a secure auth infrastructure for Web3 apps and wallets. By aggregating OAuth (Google, Twitter, Discord) logins, different wallets, and existing key management solutions, Web3Auth provides a familiar dApp and wallet login experience suited to every user. The company is also the creator of the Torus Network, an open source, non-custodial, distributed key management network maintained by the Torus Foundation and some of the largest and most secure crypto-companies in the world.

Wallets and applications like Binance Extension Wallet, Keplr, and Skyweaver use Web3Auth in their core flows to boost conversion rates, reduce loss, and support tickets.

FinSMEs

12/01/2022
Contact:

Communications Office

NewsMedia@flhealth.gov

850-245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.  Yesterday, the Florida Department of Health (Department) announced a new appointment to the Departments executive leadership team. Dr. Kenneth A. Scheppke will now serve as the Deputy Secretary for Health.

Prior to being named Deputy Secretary for Health, Dr. Scheppke served as the Departments State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director, the Florida Division of Emergency Managements Chief Medical Officer, and Medical Director for seven fire-rescue agencies across Floridas Palm Beach and Martin counties. He also served as the Associate Medical Director for the Broward Sheriffs Office and Medical Director for one of the largest multi-state public-access defibrillation programs in the country.

The Florida Department of Health is pleased to have Dr. Scheppke assume this new role. Dr. Scheppke has been and will continue to be a great asset to the Department and the State of Florida, said State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. We look forward to his leadership and the vast experience he brings to the table.

Dr. Scheppke is a licensed medical doctor who is also a dual board-certified specialist in emergency medicine and the subspecialty of EMS. Dr. Scheppke received his medical degree from Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He completed his internship and residency at the Medical Center of Delaware where he was elected Chief Resident.

Dr. Scheppke has over 25 years of extensive experience in EMS, and his contributions to the field have earned him nationwide recognition. Notable awards include 2017 EMS Innovator of the Year from the Journal of EMS and 2021 National EMS Medical Director of the Year from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

In addition to his medical expertise, Dr. Scheppke is an instrument-rated private pilot, and he routinely volunteers to fly animals at risk for euthanasia to safe foster homes and non-kill shelters pending adoptions. He also volunteers to fly in times of disasters such as in the post-landfall aftermath of Hurricanes Irma, Michael, and Dorian where he helped to deliver necessary relief supplies when ground transportation was not available.

I am honored to serve as the Florida Department of Healths new Deputy Secretary for Health. I look forward to continuing the Departments efforts in building a healthier state for all Floridians, said Deputy Secretary for Health Kenneth Scheppke.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
Geneva, NY (14456)

Today

Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 56F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
After rumours about Exynos 2200 delayed due to performance issues and Samsung using Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in all the S22 models globally, the company has officially released a statement confirming the delay. However, the company has confirmed that it will introduce the next flagship Exynos chip with AMD GPU with custom AMD RDNA 2 architecture-based graphics along with the Galaxy flagship series.

Samsung also assured that there are no problems with the production and performance of the processor. The GPU is will resolve the concerns found in the Exynos 2100, believes Samsung.

Based on the rumours, the Exynos 2200 is expected at the end of January or early February, along with the Galaxy S22 series. The Galaxy S22 series is expected to go official on February 8th and roll out globally by the end of February.

According to earlier leaks, the chip is said to use Samsungs 4nm LPE process tech, and reportedly faced yield issues, and the company might use Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in North America, China and India and use its own Exynos 2200 SoC in Europe and Korea.

Source
A South Whitehall Township man who scaled the walls of the U.S. Capitol amid the violence and destruction of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection was spared prison time Tuesday, receiving a sentence of probation and house arrest.

Jackson Kostolsky spent only a few seconds in the Capitol before responding to police orders to leave, but prosecutors argued his lack of remorse and effort to hide his involvement in the melee that interrupted the certification of Electoral College votes in the 2020 presidential election warranted time behind bars.

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The U.S. attorneys office in Washington asked Judge Dabney Friedrich to impose a 30-day jail term with fines and restitution. Friedrich said that although Kostolsky did not immediately show remorse like other Capitol breach defendants charged with the same crime, there was no evidence that he was part of the mob that initially broke into the building or that he contributed to the destruction.

Jackson Kostolsky, left, photographed on the day of the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol. His distinctive leopard-print vest and red sneakers helped investigators pick him out of the crowd in images captured at the Capitol. Kostolsky was sentenced Tuesday to probation and house arrest. (U.S. District Court document)

Friedrich sentenced Kostolsky to three years of probation, 30 days of home detention and ordered him to pay $500 toward the $1.4 million in damage to the Capitol. The charge to which Kostolsky pleaded guilty, parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol, carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

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The insurrection followed a rally near the National Mall where then-President Donald Trump and others called the election results fraudulent and told a crowd of thousands to fight like hell to take back our country. Some members of the crowd marched to the Capitol, where they breached fences around the building and pushed past police into the building. Lawmakers convened for a joint session of Congress were forced to take refuge.

Described in sentencing documents by prosecutors as a 32-year-old part-time dog walker who lives with his mother, Kostolsky was charged after he was interviewed by the FBI on Jan. 19, according to court documents. Investigators said Kostolskys distinctive outfit of a leopard-print vest and red sneakers helped to identify him in images from the Capitol during the siege.

Jackson Kostolsky was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington. (Courtesy FBI)

According to court documents, Kostolsky confessed to agents that he had traveled on Jan. 6 from Allentown to Washington with friends whom he would not name. He said that when he got to the Capitol, he saw a man breaking glass so he left and did not go inside. Later in the interview, Kostolsky changed his story and admitted that he did go in the Capitol a short distance before he was forced out by riot police.

Kostolsky also admitted taking video in the Capitol but deleted it from his phone. After his arrest, investigators recovered data from his phone including three videos and text messages to friends claiming that he had been tear-gassed and injured by a rubber bullet. He told a friend he had scaled the wall of the Capitol and that he saw politicians crawling in fear.

When a friend told him what he had been a part of looked bad, he replied, I had fun, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said another text exchange shows Kostolsky knew he was in legal trouble.

Can I borrow the leopard print vest? a friend asked. Kostolsky replied, Yes please I need to get rid of the evidence.

Breaking News Alerts As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Prosecutors said the fact that Kostolsky continued toward the Capitol and went inside despite the clashes between rioters and police and later texted photos of himself, including one that appeared in The New York Times, climbing the Capitol wall, warranted a prison sentence.

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It is also shocking that the blaring alarms, the smell of chemical irritants including tear gas, the breaking of windows, the use of bicycle racks as weapons, and the dispersal of law enforcement were not sufficient signs of the danger that lay ahead, they said in a sentencing memorandum.

Kostolskys lawyer wrote that although Jan. 6 was a horrifying day for those who watched it unfold and Kostolsky was present in the crowd, he was not a malicious actor who engaged in the outrageous conduct for which the day will be remembered.

He did not organize or incite the riot, nor did he physically harm any person or property, federal public defender Danielle Jahn wrote.

While Kostolsky deserves punishment, his lack of a criminal record, his ties with his family and his personal actions Jan. 6 should be taken into account, she said.

Kostolsky is one of 63 people from Pennsylvania charged in connection with the Capitol siege. In the Lehigh Valley, Andrew Wrigley of Jim Thorpe and Kelly OBrien of Schnecksville have been sentenced to probation. Craig Bingert of Washington Township, Lehigh County, is charged with assaulting police officers and other offenses, and awaits trial.

Morning Call reporter Peter Hall can be reached at 610-820-6581 or peter.hall@mcall.com.
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The University of Pittsburgh is prepared to refund tuition to students it disenrolled for failing to obtain a COVID-19 shot and said both the students and employees now barred from campus buildings can be reinstated if they show proof of vaccination.

We continue to work with those who are trying to come into compliance, including those who have lost access to buildings [by having their ID deactivated] or select IT resources, so that they are permitted to re-enroll for classes and/or regain access, with minimal disruption to their Pitt experience, Pitt spokesman David Seldin said late Tuesday.

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To do so, individuals will need to either provide proof of vaccination or apply for and receive an approved exemption.

[ University of Pittsburgh disenrolls unvaccinated students. See what Lehigh Valley colleges are requiring. ]

Tuition refunds for any student who is disenrolled and chooses not to take steps to return to compliance and re-enroll will be managed under the standard tuition adjustment process, he added. Employees who choose not to take steps to return to compliance may be subject to additional disciplinary action in accordance with the universitys disciplinary guidelines.

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His statement linked to a tuition refund policy for students who resign from an academic term.

The move by Pitt intensified what already was a building drama in Pennsylvania about who should get the shot and what institutions of higher education can do to balance individual freedoms and the need to keep campuses safe.

Classes at Pitt began Monday, but a shelter-in-place rule means most instruction will be remote in the semesters early days.

About 34,000 students and 15,500 faculty and staff are enrolled at or work on the main Oakland campus and branches at Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown and Titusville. The university thus far has declined to specify the number of students and employees who are effectively barred from campus classes or buildings.

A campaign through most of 2021 encouraging vaccinations, plus a mandate enacted in December, have yielded a vaccination rate of 96% across Pitts five campuses. In rough numbers, that suggests an unvaccinated population of less than 2,000, although some of those may have been granted exemptions from vaccination for religious or medical reasons. Others could be working toward compliance.

The spike in COVID-19 cases tied to the highly transmissible omicron variant has hit colleges and universities at the start of the spring semester, compounding worries in a nearly 2-year-old pandemic. Vaccinations and policies requiring them have have divided the public, including college campuses.

Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. >

There is precedent for schools requiring that students be vaccinated, but a federal rule covering workers is now before the U.S. Supreme Court.

A number of private universities in the Pittsburgh region, among them Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne universities, require the shot. However, the State System of Higher Education has said it cannot require vaccinations across its 14 state-owned universities without an act of the Republican-controlled state Legislature.

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Pitt, though public, is not state-owned. It is among four state-related universities, a distinct tier within Pennsylvanias Commonwealth system of campuses.

___

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Keep the conversation about local news & events going by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Recent updates from The News-Post and also from News-Post staff members are compiled below.
South Africa: Motshekga visits Randfontein schools

Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, will this morning conduct monitoring and oversight visits to several schools in Randfontein, Gauteng, as the sector welcomes learners for the 2022 academic year.

The Minister will visit three schools in Mohlakeng, namely Matlapaneng Primary School, Mohlakano Primary School and Phahama Secondary School.

The Basic Education Department said on Tuesday that the visits will also include a donation of school shirts and school bags donated by Mr Price and the MTNSA Foundation.

The oversight visits come as the sector is getting ready to welcome back learners for the commencement of the 2022 academic calendar and with the sector having already welcomed back School Management Teams (SMTs) and teachers back to schools, the department said in a statement.

Motshekga will be accompanied by the Acting General Manager of the MTN SA Foundation, Angie Maloka. The department said the foundation has also donated 100 tablets to be handed over to Phahama Secondary School.

These visits provide an opportunity to further support schools while strengthening efforts to mitigate risk within school communities. Schools are still expected to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of both learners and teachers as they prepare to return to school in 2022, the department said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, will also conduct an oversight visit to Khamane High School in Marapyane in the Nkangala District, Mpumalanga.

During her visit to the school, the Deputy Minister will also drive home the message of compliance with COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of both learners and teachers as they return to schools.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Highlights of Xi's Party school lecture

Xinhua) 15:48, January 12, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivered a speech at the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, which was attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials on Tuesday.

In his speech, Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for efforts to deepen the review, study, education and promotion of the CPC's history so as to better understand and make good use of the historical experience of the Party over the past century.

The following are some highlights of his remarks:

-- A nation that wants to advance at the forefront of the times cannot possibly manage without theoretical thinking and correct ideological guidance.

-- China is experiencing the greatest and most unique practical innovation in human history. The formidable tasks of reform, development and stability, as well as the problems, risks, challenges, and tests for the governance of the country, are all unprecedented. It is undergoing unprecedented and momentous changes of a kind unseen in a century in the world. All raise a large number of urgent theoretical and practical questions that need to be answered.

-- Efforts should be made to continue adapting the basic tenets of Marxism to China's specific realities and its fine traditional culture, and usher in a new chapter in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times.

-- A review of the CPC's century-long struggle shows that whether the cause of the Party and the people can advance in the right direction depends on if we can accurately understand and grasp the principal contradiction facing Chinese society and set forth the key tasks.

-- As a major party leading a large country in a great cause, we should be good at strategic thinking and approaching problems through a strategic perspective.

-- On the fundamental issue of governance and exercising power, for whom and in whose interests, we must be especially clearheaded and firm in our stance.

-- There will be no exceptions made for those who have violated Party discipline or the law.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
HARRISBURG   This article is part of a yearlong reporting project focused on redistricting and gerrymandering in Pennsylvania. It is made possible by the support of Spotlight PA members and Votebeat, a project focused on election integrity and voting access.

HARRISBURG  Faced with a proposed new state House map that would diminish their power, GOP lawmakers are pushing to overhaul the process to sideline the current redistricting panel and put the ultimate power in the hands of the Legislature.

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The proposal is the latest in a series of constitutional amendments being pushed by Pennsylvania Republicans as a way to take issues directly to the public, circumventing the veto power of the governors office. The process, however, is a lengthy one.

The redistricting overhaul, introduced by Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, would eliminate the five-member Legislative Reapportionment Commission, composed of the top legislative leader from each party in both chambers as well as a nonpartisan chair who is typically selected by the state Supreme Court.

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Grove has accused the redistricting panel of creating a proposed House map that unfairly benefits Democrats.

While the preliminary map has the potential to significantly shift the balance of power in the chamber, redistricting advocates say thats because it unwinds decades of gerrymandering in favor of the GOP. Nonpartisan analysis of the map shows it still favors Republicans.

The change, advanced Monday by the House State Government Committee along party lines, would empower the legislative branch and ensure greater public input, Grove said during the meeting. Democrats and nonpartisan good-government groups, meanwhile, decried the proposal as an attempted power grab that does nothing to remove lawmaker influence from the process.

The resolution would create an 11-person commission composed of eight registered voters selected by caucus leaders as well as a former judge from Commonwealth Court and two members selected by county governments. A person would be disqualified from membership if they or their spouse has held public office, been a registered lobbyist, or been a political candidate during the preceding five years.

The final decision over the maps would be left to the General Assembly.

The backup mechanism where the legislature regains control is quite worrying, said Adam Podowitz-Thomas of the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, an organization that conducts nonpartisan analyses of district maps across the country. We know, based on our analysis across the country, that when legislatures have control of their own redistricting, they tend to draw partisan gerrymanders.

Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. >

He added, To me, [this] seems like a pretty significant backtracking on the process that we have in Pennsylvania.

Under the changes, the citizens commission would have 60 days to draw legislative maps, a decrease from the 90 days afforded to the current redistricting panel. After at least two-thirds of the panels members approve the maps, they would be sent to their respective chambers for consideration.

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If a map does not earn approval in the House or Senate, it is sent back to the commission, which then has another 21 days to amend it and return it for reconsideration. Should the House or Senate fail to adopt its map after the second round of revisions, the chamber would take over the drawing, a significant shift from the current arrangement, which sends the process to the state Supreme Court.

The maps would pass through the legislative process as a simple resolution, which does not require the approval of the governor or the other chamber.

Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, criticized what he called a lack of transparency and public involvement when forwarding one of the most drastic overhaulings of the districting plan in Pennsylvania.

What were looking at here is another transparency plan that is not really transparent, Conklin said during the meeting. This is something that affects over 12 million people in this state. And I believe that we shouldnt be doing it at 8 a.m. in the morning, that we should actually have hearings on it, actually talk about it before we proceed any further.

WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Windy and becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 59F. Winds SSE at 25 to 35 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 39F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Burley, ID (83318)

Today

Snow will taper off and end during the morning but skies will remain cloudy during the afternoon. High 48F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 80%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 36F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
SUERC contributes to new study dating earliest human remains in eastern Africa

The age of the oldest fossils in eastern Africa widely recognised as representing our species, Homo sapiens, has long been uncertain. Now, dating of a massive volcanic eruption in Ethiopia reveals they are much older than previously thought.



The remains  known as Omo I  were found in Ethiopia in the late 1960s, and scientists have been attempting to date them precisely ever since, by using the chemical fingerprints of volcanic ash layers found above and below the sediments in which the fossils were found.



An international team of scientists, including the University of Cambridge and Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC), University of Glasgow, has reassessed the age of the Omo I remains  and Homo sapiens as a species. Earlier attempts to date the fossils suggested they were less than 200,000 years old, but the new research shows they must be older than a colossal volcanic eruption that took place approximately 230,000 years ago. The results are reported in the journal Nature.



The Omo I remains were found in the Omo Kibish Formation in southwestern Ethiopia, within the East African Rift valley. The region is an area of high volcanic activity, and a rich source of early human remains and artefacts such as stone tools. By dating the layers of volcanic ash above and below where archaeological and fossil materials are found, scientists identified Omo I as the earliest evidence of our species, Homo sapiens.



Using these methods, the generally accepted age of the Omo fossils is under 200,000 years, but theres been a lot of uncertainty around this date, said Dr Celine Vidal from Cambridges Department of Geography, the papers lead author. The fossils were found in a sequence, below a thick layer of volcanic ash that nobody had managed to date with radiometric techniques because the ash is too fine-grained.



As part of a four-year project SUERC have been attempting to date all the major volcanic eruptions in the Ethiopian Rift around the time of the emergence of Homo sapiens, a period known as the late Middle Pleistocene.



The team collected pumice rock samples from the volcanic deposits and ground them down to sub-millimetre size. Each eruption has its own fingerprint  its own evolutionary story below the surface, which is determined by the pathway the magma followed, said Vidal. Once youve crushed the rock, you free the minerals within, and then you can date them, and identify the chemical signature of the volcanic glass that holds the minerals together.



The researchers carried out new geochemical analysis to link the fingerprint of the thick volcanic ash layer from the Kamoya Hominin Site (KHS) with an eruption of Shala volcano, more than 400 kilometres away. The team then dated pumice samples from the volcano to approximately 230,000 years ago. Since the Omo I fossils were found deeper than this particular ash layer, they must be more than 230,000 years old.



Dr Dan Barfod and Professor Darren Mark at SUERC in Glasgow used a technique known as Argon-Argon dating to measure the age of the rocks. When we obtained the results and found out that the oldest Homo sapiens from the region was older than previously assumed, we were really excited, said Barfod.



The Omo Kibish Formation is an extensive sedimentary deposit which has been barely accessed and investigated in the past, said co-author and co-leader of the field investigation Professor Asfawossen Asrat from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, who is currently at BIUST in Botswana. Our closer look into the stratigraphy of the Omo Kibish Formation, particularly the ash layers, allowed us to push the age of the oldest Homo sapiens in the region to at least 230,000 years.



Unlike other Middle Pleistocene fossils which are thought to belong to the early stages of the Homo sapiens lineage, Omo I possesses unequivocal modern human characteristics, such as a tall and globular cranial vault and a chin, said co-author Dr Aurelien Mounier from the Musee de lHomme in Paris. The new date estimate, de facto, makes it the oldest unchallenged Homo sapiens in Africa.



There are many other ash layers the team are trying to correlate with eruptions of the Ethiopian Rift and ash deposits from other sedimentary formations and they hope to better constrain the age of other fossils in the region.



The research was supported in part by the Leverhulme Trust, the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund and the Natural Environment Research Council and the National Environmental Isotope Facility. Celine Vidal is a Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.
New York, Aug. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wind Power Market Overview: According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Wind Power Market Information, by Application, by Installation, by Turbine Capacity and by Region - Forecast till 2028 the market size is projected to reach USD 214.65 Billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 11.37% from 2021 to 2028 with the annual installation expected to cross 120 GW during the forecast period.

Key Players

Eminent players profiled in the global wind power industry report include 

Vestas (Denmark)

General Electric (US)

Senvion SA (Germany)

Wind World Limited (India)

Orient Green Power Company Limited (India)

Indowind (India)

DNV GL (Norway)

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA (Spain)

Goldwind (China)

Bergey Wind Power (US)





Get Free Sample PDF Brochure https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1511





The global wind power market is fragmented and also competitive for the presence of different international & domestic key players. These players have incorporated innovative strategies to remain at the vanguard and also suffice the burgeoning demand of the customers including collaborations, contracts, partnerships, joint ventures, geographic expansions, & new product launches, and more.

Industry Updates

Horisont Energi and St1 Nordic have signed into an agreement for using output from Norwegian farms for producing green ammonia.



COVID-19 Analysis

The global economy faced an unprecedented crisis during the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global wind power market revenues too have suffered. The global shutdown had created a massive shortage of skilled manpower needed for the wind farms to function. This together with the lack of raw materials has delayed most wind farm projects that have moderately slowed down the wind power market growth. Supply chain disruptions, economic situations, fluctuations in demand share, as well as long-term & immediate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic possessed a negative effect on the density meter market growth. The pandemic has slowed down economic activity and pushed the economy into a steep recession. With the roots being in China, the supply chains in the world are facing shutdown and unprecedented disruption. Besides, the initial setback, the industry is likely to return to normalcy during the forecast period and continue growing much beyond also.



Browse In-depth Market Research Report (185 pages) on Wind Power

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/wind-power-market-1511





Drivers



Increasing Demand for Clean Energy to Boost Market Growth



The ever-increasing demand for clean energy will boost market growth over the forecast period. The increasing emphasis to reduce the carbon footprint of humankind is adding market growth. Thus people are investing into technologies that can efficiently and effectively harness the massive wind power potential and reduce and nullify the dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

Opportunities



Government Regulations Emphasizing on Tax Rebates to offer Robust Opportunities



Government regulations and policies emphasizing on tax rebates and other such encouraging policies may offer robust opportunities for the wind farms market in the forecast period.

Restraints



High Installation Cost to act as Market Restraint



The high cost of installing wind farms may impact the global wind power market growth over the forecast period.

Challenges



Unpredictable Weather Conditions to act as Market Challenge



Unpredictable weather conditions may act as market challenge over the forecast period. Besides, the wind turbines create a lot of noise and aesthetic pollution that may also impede the global wind power market value over the forecast period.



Share your Queries https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1511



Market Segmentation



The global wind power market is segmented based on type and application.

By type, the onshore segment will lead the market over the forecast period. The onshore wind power has emerged as a highly appreciated renewable energy source across regions for its low cost over offshore wind power. Reduction in greenhouse gases and easy installation process are also adding to the segmental growth. The offshore wind power generation is also gradually gaining significance in boosting the wind energy installations in the world.

By applications, the industrial segment will dominate the market over the forecast period for increase in demand for renewable energy sources. Wind power has growing need in isolated and rural areas where grid power is not available. The demand and price of wind energy is highly volatile for its high dependency on government incentive schemes.

Regional Analysis



North America to Precede Wind Power Market

North America will precede the market over the forecast period. Rapid technological advances in the region, growing need for sustainable energy technologies, governments introducing strict regulations to curb the carbon footprint, increasing domestic system production, declining component prices, falling component costs, growing expenditure, and strict emission standards are adding to the global wind power market share in the region.

APAC to have Admirable Growth in Wind Power Market

The APAC region will have admirable growth over the forecast period and at a healthy CAGR. Ongoing initiatives & investments undertaken via the government of China, steady increase in the onshore wind power industry especially in China, and the government encouraging the expansion of renewable infrastructure for reducing the stake of thermal power and reduce pollution are adding to the global wind power market growth in the region.

Segmentation of Market covered in the research:

Wind Power Market Research Report: Information, by Application (Residential, Commercial and Industrial), by Installation (Onshore and Offshore), by Turbine Capacity (<100 KW,100 KW to 500 KW,500 KW to 1 MW,1MW to 3 MW and > 3 MW) and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & Africa and South America) - Forecast till 2028



To Buy: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1511



About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.

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BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  Medolife Rx, Inc. ("Medolife"), a global integrated biopharmaceutical company with R&D, manufacturing, and consumer product distribution, which is a majority owned subsidiary of Quanta, Inc. (OTCQB: QNTA), announced today that the Companys venom-to-drug project was presented during an international conference organized by the Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Environment (MOE) for projects that utilize natural resources. The conference focused on projects that seek to use natural resources to improve the lives of humans, such as Medolifes product, Escozine, which is registered as an alternative oncological medicine in the DR, and anticipates seeking approval as a COVID 19 treatment in both the United States, under PIND #150335, and the DR. The peptides obtained from the scorpion venom are used by the Company in combination with their patented polarization technology to create an ever-growing line of drugs and nutraceuticals.

The event was hosted by Vice Minister of Economic and Social Analysis of the DR Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development Alexis Cruz; Vice Minister of Protected Areas and Biodiversity of the DR Ministry of Environment Federico Franco; and Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in the DR Volker Pellet. Other notable attendees at the conference included Director of International Cooperation of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy Saskia Rodriguez, together with Vice Minister of the Environment of the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica Franklin Paniagua.

The first day of the conference was held in Santo Domingo, which is the capital of the DR, while on the second day the international committee visited Medolifes scorpion reservation in the Neyba province, which houses Rhopalurus princeps scorpions endemic to the region, commonly referred to as blue scorpions. The visiting committee observed and noted the high level of training for workers at the reservation, the diligent care for the scorpions, and the positive effects it has for the regions locals. Medolife is also committed to hire and train more female employees in 2022. CEO of Medolife Dr. Arthur Mikaelian led discussions on the Companys projects with various representatives of the international committee during the conference.

Some members of the conference expressed interest in presenting our project to their respective countries, said Dr. Mikaelian. We had a productive conversation with the German ambassador, who would like to present Escozine as a COVID-19 treatment to interested institutions in the German government, with plans to reconnect beginning of 2022 to explore this opportunity. In addition, there was interest in the polarization technology and its capabilities. We are pleased with the reception we received and the outcome of these presentations. We believe the combination of natural resources and technology will be the start of a new generation of drugs and nutraceuticals, which are capable of improving the lives of people - and we believe this conference proves that the venom-to-drug concept is gaining international recognition.

In 2020, Medolife signed a new agreement with the MOE, which enforces exclusive rights to the Company for the use of the Rhopalurus princeps scorpion peptide and has automatically renewing terms every 10 years. This provides the Company confidence to further invest resources and time in its venom-to-drug projects.

We are proud of the joint achievement between the Ministry of Environment and Medolife in these innovative projects, where natural resources are being utilized for the benefit of our country and globally, said Marina Hernandez, who is the Head of the Department of Genetic Resources in the MOE. During this international conference, we also observed a strong interest from visitors to apply Medolifes polarization technology in different countries for the development of drugs and nutraceuticals that utilize natural resources.

By the end of January, the Company expects to receive an export license for Escozine that is produced in the DR, after which the Company intends to begin exporting Escozine to Mexico for further distribution. In the meantime, the Company continues to work towards finalizing its DNA toxicology study on Escozine, in connection with the products PIND application. The Company is also working with FINRA on completing the application to change Quantas name and stock symbol, and expects to receive approval during Q1 2022.

About Medolife Rx

Medolife Rx, Inc. is a global biotechnology company with operations in clinical research, manufacturing, and consumer products. Medolife Rx was created through the merger of Medolife, a private company founded by Dr. Arthur Mikaelian, who pioneered the unlaying polarization technology, and Quanta, Inc., a direct-to-consumer wellness product portfolio company. The Companys lead clinical development programs include Escozine, a proprietary formulation consisting of small molecule peptides derived from Rhopalurus princeps scorpions, which is amplified by the Companys polarization technology and is being researched as a treatment of various indications, including COVID-19 and cancer. The Company intends to pursue product registration and drug approval in multiple countries.

Through its subsidiary AELIA, Medolife manufactures and distributes consumer wellness products in consumer areas such as pain relief, beauty, and general wellness. AELIA products are designed using Dr. Mikaelians polarization technology, which applies advances in quantum biology to increase the potency of active ingredients. Ultimately, Quanta's mission is to deliver better, more effective ingredients to elevate product efficacy, reduce waste, and facilitate healthier, more sustainable consumption.

Beyond its own clinical and consumer applications, the polarization technology used by Medolife and its subsidiaries has many potential applications. From potentiating bio-ingredients, to producing more-effective carbon-trapping plants, to transformative anti-aging solutions, Medolife could have the opportunity to upend how commercial and pharmaceutical products are made and increase their benefits, while decreasing their chemical concentration.

Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature which express the beliefs and expectations of management including statements regarding the Company's expected results of operations or liquidity; statements concerning projections, predictions, expectations, estimates or forecasts as to our business, financial and operational results and future economic performance; and statements of management's goals and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "continuing," "ongoing," "expect," "we believe," "we intend," "may," "will," "should," "could," and similar expressions. Such statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors and additional information are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and statements in this release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Although we believe that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we cannot guarantee future results. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contacts:

ir@medoliferx.com

818-659-8052
TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX) reports that Anna Ladd-Kruger, the Companys Chief Financial Officer, is temporarily on leave for health reasons. She is expected to return to regular duties in the near future. During Mrs. Ladd-Krugers absence, other executive officers of the Company will assume her duties, including Segun Odunuga CPA, CA, MBA, Vice President, Corporate Controller, who will take responsibility for the management of the financial team and who will act as temporary principal financial officer until further notice.



CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information, including "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See McEwen Mining's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption "Risk Factors", for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information regarding the Company. All forward-looking statements and information made in this news release are qualified by this cautionary statement.

The NYSE and TSX have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release, which has been prepared by the management of McEwen Mining Inc.

ABOUT MCEWEN MINING

McEwen Mining is a diversified gold and silver producer and explorer focused in the Americas with operating mines in Nevada, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. It also has a large exposure to copper through its subsidiary McEwen Copper, owner of the giant Los Azules copper deposit in Argentina.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Investor Relations:

(866)-441-0690 Toll-Free

(647)-258-0395



Mihaela Iancu ext. 320



info@mcewenmining.com

Website: www.mcewenmining.com



Facebook: facebook.com/mcewenmining

Facebook: facebook.com/mcewenrob



Twitter: twitter.com/mcewenmining

Twitter: twitter.com/robmcewenmux



Instagram: instagram.com/mcewenmining

150 King Street West

Suite 2800, P.O. Box 24

Toronto, ON, Canada

M5H 1J9



-


Encinitas, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indianapolis based Local Blitz is pleased to announce that they are celebrating their 13th year in business. The agency has been providing quality search engine optimization (SEO) services for over a decade, and their team hopes to continue to build on and grow their reputation for decades to come. Located in the Broad Ripple neighborhood, Co-Founder Nick Bennett heads up the Indianapolis office, which helps clients with a wide variety of Digital Marketing solutions that include SEO, Local SEO, Online Advertising, Email Marketing and Conversion Rate Optimization.



As an Indianapolis SEO company, we are proud to call the circle city home, says Local Blitz. Whether you are a small independent business or a large organization, we have worked with clients of all sizes and many different business niches to get the SEO results that they are looking for. Search marketing and advertising is a moving target, which is why we focus on specific goals with our clients to ensure that we are all rowing in the same direction from the start of every campaign. We have established and grown our SEO agency simply because we have focused on pinning down KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) with our clients and then putting together an SEO strategy that will move the needle for them.



Getting results for clients is considered priority number one for SEO experts like Local Blitz, and the companys dedicated SEO team works tirelessly to produce systems that do exactly this. They are constantly looking to learn new things about SEO and online marketing in order to provide their clients with up-to-date strategies that are tailor made to meet their individual needs rather than providing cookie cutter solutions to everyone.



Local Blitz has been in the industry since 2009, and in all that time they have maintained focus on being fully transparent with their clients and community. They know almost everything there is to know about SEO and online marketing while many clients may be totally unfamiliar with the concept  and this is why Local Blitz makes it a point to educate their clients wherever the opportunity arises. By remaining totally transparent and keeping clients updated throughout the process, Local Blitz ensures that they are fully aware of everything that is happening with their business. As a result, they are better equipped to make decisions regarding future strategies.



The SEO company makes use of a unique but effective SEO process that follows four key steps; discovery, strategy & communication, project launch and implementation. The discovery phase is where the foundations of the rest of the project are set. Local Blitz says, This phase is generally our first point of contact with a new client where we learn about what the SEO need actually looks like. Over the years we have worked in markets in 15+ US states and 4+ different countries, with this in mind, being an Indianapolis based SEO service provider gives us the unique advantage to apply our knowledge of the Indy market directly to your search marketing and advertising campaigns, but our experience in other markets allows for scalability and effective implementation of larger scale campaigns. All these and many other considerations are what is uncovered during the SEO Discovery Phase. We know that every business is different which is why we seek to gain a deep understanding of every unique need from the first interaction.



The next step is strategy and communication where the Local Blitz team puts together a proposal for the client so they know how their SEO strategy might look. Following this is the implementation phase where, after the strategy has been finalized, the SEO plan is put into action. The third stage, project kickoff, is where Local Blitz explains to the client what to expect in the coming months. It serves as a way to get them on the same page regarding their SEO strategy. At Local Blitz, they believe a true SEO campaign is fluid in nature, so the final reporting and review phase has the team monitoring every SEO campaign closely to make sure that everything goes smoothly.



For more information on the top SEO company in Indianapolis, visit Local Blitzs website. Simon White of Local Blitz can be reached for additional details as well.

###

For more information about Local Blitz , contact the company here:



Local Blitz

Simon White

8587712040

simon@localblitzmarketing.com

245 Meadow Vista Way

Suite 101
Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anyone who has been paying attention to the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) will know that people love investing in cartoon-themed initiatives. Whether it be the immensely popular canine-oriented cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), or perhaps even well-known NFT collections like The Bored Ape Yacht Club (TBAYC), the fact remains that as far as investing is concerned nowadays, toons continue to play an important role.

With that being said, 'TooNFT, a blockchain-oriented webtoon platform, recently made it known that it has debuted on the ecosystem of South Korea's leading webtoon company, Toomics. To help with the construction of a fully decentralised webtoon platform, the TooNFT team secured a whopping $1.75 million via a private financing round.

What is TooNFT?





TooNFT is built upon the Toomics ecosystem, which is one of the most sought after webtoon service platforms with about 50 million active web users in addition to more than 10 million app downloads on both Android and iOS, as well as a robust profit-generating business structure. Essentially, TooNFT may best be understood as a blockchain-oriented platform which strives to revolutionize the comics and webtoon industry through the creation of an intuitive next-generation ecosystem built around NFTs.





HG Ventures had thus led the previously mentioned private round of funding, which was supported by notable institutional investors like Adaptive Labs, Alphabit, GBIC, Prestige Fund and Mindfulness Capital. By adhering to high standards and the overall goal of embracing a decentralized future, the TooNFT platform was launched on top of the aforementioned Toomics ecosystem so as to introduce the concept of non-fungible tokens to the webtoon and comics sector.



TooNFT's main objective is to hence enhance the innovative environment by providing a system which enables writers to draw in investments through the P2P (Peer To Peer) format without monopolising the intermediation process. As a result, by generating a sizable amount of support via early-stage investors in the amount of $1.75 million in their private as well as seed rounds, TooNFT can thus begin developing its webtoon NFT infrastructure to successfully integrate with the blockchain distributed ledger technology. Moreover, it is working towards making meaningful improvements regarding the webtoon industry including but not limited to easy-investment access for numerous regular users without the involvement of intermediaries, as well as a secure and dependable service with transparent data and various staking and reinvestment opportunities. TooNFT therefore leverages blockchain to become the world's inaugural worldwide decentralized webtoon platform for mass consumption.

About Toomics

Toomics began in 2015 by garnering up to $15 million in venture capital funding to launch their objective of developing a platform for webtoons and comics. Toomics has since exceeded all initial expectations and has up to 7 million MAU, inked collaborations with AfreecaTV, Tencent, KEB Hana Bank, and GMarket, and is now considered as one of the biggest webtoon platforms in the entire world, having received various accolades from respected institutions. Toomics hence has strong business traction, with up to $60 million made annually from centralized sales of various webtoon subscriptions on its platform.



In layman's terms, it aims to disrupt the webtoon business by using a blockchain-oriented protocol and developing a highly advanced and intuitive NFT ecosystem. TooNFT will therefore do well by working alongside such an innovative and successful platform.

Media Contact -

CEO name: Kim Dongil

Email: social@toonft.com

Company: Toomics

Phone: +82 10 8006 0401

Address: Charles Court, 1st Floor, 189 Main Street, PO Box 4406, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands.





The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency).
English French

ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Radisson Mining Resources Inc. (TSX-V: RDS, OTC: RMRDF): (Radisson or the Company") is pleased to announce significant high-grade gold intercepts from the ongoing 130,000 m exploration drill program at its 100% owned OBrien gold project located along the Larder-Lake-Cadillac Break (see location map 1 and location map 2), halfway between Rouyn-Noranda and Val-dOr in Quebec, Canada.



Key highlights

Significant intercepts from exploration drilling along new high-grade trend #4 OB-21-241: 31.56 g/t Au over 2.00 m including 60.80 g/t Au over 1.00 m OB-21-228: Multiple high-grade intercepts including, 13.83 g/t Au over 2.40 m including 29.30 g/t Au over 1.10 m 9.30 g/t Au over 1.90 m including 17.55 g/t Au over 1.00 m 5.66 g/t Au over 2.00 m including 10.35 g/t Au over 1.00 m OB-21-229: 5.14 g/t Au over 2.00 m and 5.95 g/t Au over 2.20 m OB-21-244: 4.03 g/t Au over 2.15 m and 4.70 g/t Au over 2.00 m New results along with historical drilling suggests a fourth potential high-grade mineralized vector (trend #4) approximately 1,200 m east of the old OBrien Mine This sector does not contribute meaningfully to current resources. Drilling has traced mineralization down to a vertical depth of 330 m in this area which remains open for expansion over 750 m laterally and at depth.

Significant intercepts from resource expansion drilling along high-grade trend #3 OB-21-255: 15.68 g/t Au over 2.00 m including 25.10 g/t Au over 1.00 m OB-21-256: 11.75 g/t Au over 2.50 m including 24.30 g/t Au over 1.00 m Drilling to date has traced mineralization to a depth of 500 m in this sector where current resources are largely limited to a vertical depth of 240 m.

130,000 m drill program underway at OBrien 116,000 m completed thus far with results pending for 34,000 m Cash balance of approx. $11.0 million





In addition to targeting resource expansion along previously defined high-grade trends 1, 2 and 3, we are also stepping out to define additional OBrien-like mineralized trends to the east of trend #3 and to the west of the historic OBrien Mine. We are very pleased to report recent results including 13.83 g/t over 2.40 m (OB-21-228) and 31.56 g/t Au over 2.00 (OB-21-241) that appear to confirm a potential fourth high-grade mineralized vector further east of trend #3 and 1,200 m east of the old OBrien Mine. Current and historical intercepts have now traced mineralization down to a vertical depth of 330 m in this sector that does not meaningfully contribute to current resources. In addition, drilling continues to highlight resource expansion potential along high-grade trend #3, with notable new intercepts including 15.68 g/t Au over 2.00 m (OB-21-255) and 11.75 g/t Au over 2.50 m (OB-21-256).

While results thus far cover only 1.2 km of strike to the east of the OBrien Mine, todays results re-affirm the potential upside from the more than 5 km of prospective strike that we control along the Cadillac Break. Results are pending from 34,000 m of drilling in 74 holes, of which 33 holes have visible gold occurrences. This includes an initial 5,700 m exploration drill program completed to the west of the OBrien Mine and 28,300 additional meters completed on Trend 0, 1, 2 and 3. In addition, we are currently drilling high priority targets below previously encountered mineralization in trend #1 and #2. We expect a significant amount of news flows in the weeks and months ahead as these results become available. commented Rahul Paul, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Notable drill results

Hole Zone From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (g/t) - Uncut Comments OB-21-228 Trend #4 171.10 173.00 1.90 9.30 Pontiac Sediments Including 172.00 173.00 1.00 17.55 AND 394.90 397.30 2.40 13.83 Southern porphyry Including 394.90 396.00 1.10 29.30 AND 442.30 444.30 2.00 5.66 Northern porphyry Including 442.30 443.30 1.00 10.35 OB-21-229 Trend #4 77.00 79.00 2.00 5.14 Pontiac Sediments AND 152.80 155.00 2.20 5.95 Pontiac Sediments *VG OB-21-241 Trend #4 145.00 147.00 2.00 31.56 Southern Porphyry *VG Including 146.00 147.00 1.00 60.80 OB-21-244 Trend #4 36.00 38.15 2.15 4.03 Pontiac Sediments*VG AND 153.80 155.80 2.00 4.70 Pontiac Sediments*VG OB-21-255 Trend #3 352.00 354.00 2.00 15.68 Southern Mafic Volcanic*VG Including 353.00 354.00 1.00 25.10 OB-21-256 Trend #3 416.00 418.50 2.50 11.75 Northern Porphyry Including 417.30 418.50 1.20 24.30

VG denotes the presence of visible gold True widths estimated at 70%to 80% of core length. Unless otherwise relevant, primary intercepts reflect minimum mining width (1.50 m true width) at a 5.00 g/t cut-off grade consistent with assumptions used in the 2019 MRE. Assay grades shown uncapped. A capping factor of 60 g/t Au was used in the 2019 resource estimate Table includes only intercepts that meet 5 g/t Au cut-off and minimum mining width constraints used in the 2019 MRE. For a full listing of drill results from current drilling program click here.

Drilling at OBrien continues to validate the litho-structural model while highlighting resource growth potential laterally and at depth

Drilling to date has continued to define and expand four high-grade mineralized trends, located approximately 300 m, 600 m, 900 m and 1,200 m respectively to the east of the old OBrien Mine. Mineralized trends identified bear similarities with structures previously mined at OBrien down to a depth of 1,100 m (historical production of 587 koz grading 15.25 g/t).

Drilling so far has demonstrated continuity of mineralization well below the boundary of defined resources in all three trends, which remain open for expansion laterally and at depth. In trend #1, drilling has highlighted continuity of mineralization down to a vertical depth of 950 m, while current resources are mostly limited to a vertical depth of approximately 600 m. In trend #2, drilling has highlighted continuity of mineralization down to a vertical depth of over 800 m, while current resources are mostly within 400 m from surface. We are currently drilling a series of deeper holes below 950 m in trend #1 and 800 m in trend #2, in order to test high potential targets at depth in these sectors. In trend #3, drilling has traced mineralization down to 500 m vertical depth from surface. Current resources are mostly confined to within a vertical depth of 240 m. While trend #4 does not materially contribute to current resources, drilling thus far has traced mineralization to a vertical depth of 330 m.

Results released thus far from the ongoing campaign cover a strike length of approximately 1.2 km to the east of the old OBrien mine, representing only a small portion of more than 5.2 km of prospective strike that Radisson controls along the Cadillac Break. Given current geological understanding, the ongoing validation of the litho-structural model, the company estimates there is strong exploration for additional high-grade gold trends along the whole 5.2 km prospective land package on the prolific Larder-Lake Cadillac Break.

116,000 m of drilling completed to date with results pending for approx. 34,000 m

This release represents approximately 5,391 m of drilling in 16 drill holes. Results are pending for approximately 34,000 m in 74 holes including 33 holes with visible gold occurrences. Released results to date (since the commencement of drilling in August 2019) represent approximately 63% of the 130,000 m planned thus far. The company remains well funded with approximately $11.0 m in cash as of December 31, 2021.

Table 1. Breakdown of drilling planned, completed and pending results

Zone Allocated drilling (m) Drilled - Results published (m) Drilled - Results pending (m) To be drilled (m) Trend 0 18,300 6,600 11,700 0 Trend 1 40,700 27,900 6,800 6,000 Trend 2 38,500 25,200 4,300 9,000 Trend 3 15,700 10,200 5,500 0 Trend 4 / Eastern Exploration 11,000 11,000 0 0 O'Brien West 5,700 0 5,700 0 Total 129,900 80,900 34,000 15,000

Figure 1. Au Grade Distribution: OB-21-228, OB-21-229, OB-21-241, OB-21-244, OB-21-255, OB-21-256

Figure 2. OBrien Gold Project: Resource Block Model @ 5.0 g/t cut-off; Longitudinal section looking North

Figure 3. OBrien Gold Project: Trend #3 and #4  Longitudinal section

Figure 4. OBrien Gold Project: Trend #3  Cross section

Figure 5. OBrien Gold Project: Trend #4  Cross section

Figure 6. Visible gold in OB-21-229, OB-21-241, OB-21-244 and OB-21-255

QA/QC

All drill cores in this campaign are NQ in size. Assays were completed on sawn half-cores, with the second half kept for future reference. The samples were analyzed using standard fire assay procedures with Atomic Absorption (AA) finish at ALS Laboratory Ltd, in Val-dOr, Quebec. Samples yielding a grade higher than 5 g/t Au were analyzed a second time by fire assay with gravimetric finish at the same laboratory. Samples containing visible gold were analyzed with metallic sieve procedure. Standard reference materials, blank samples and duplicates were inserted prior to shipment for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program.

Qualified Person

Nicolas Guivarch, M. Sc., P.Geo., Manager, Exploration and Technical Services is the qualified person pursuant to the requirements of NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this press release.

Radisson mining resources Inc.

Radisson is a gold exploration company focused on its 100% owned OBrien project, located in the Bousquet-Cadillac mining camp along the world-renowned Larder-Lake-Cadillac Break in Abitibi, Quebec. The Bousquet-Cadillac mining camp has produced over 21,000,000 ounces of gold over the last 100 years. The project hosts the former OBrien Mine, considered to have been the Quebecs highest-grade gold producer during its production (1,197,147 metric tons at 15.25 g/t Au for 587,121 ounces of gold from 1926 to 1957; Kenneth Williamson 3DGeo-Solution, July 2019). For more information on Radisson, visit our website at www.radissonmining.com or contact:

On behalf of the board of directors

Rahul Paul

President and CEO

For more information on Radisson, visit our website at www.radissonmining.com or contact:

Hubert Parent-Bouchard

Chief Financial Officer

819-763-9969

hpbouchard@radissonmining.com

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to, those relating to the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, the development of the OBrien project and generally, the above About Radisson Mining Resources Inc. paragraph which essentially describes the Corporations outlook, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements and future events, could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. A description of assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward looking information can be found in Radissons disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com .

By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about managements endeavours to develop the OBrien project and, more generally, its expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important risk factors and future events could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.
KATHMANDU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The authorities in Nepal's most populated Kathmandu Valley decided on Tuesday to ban gatherings of more than 25 people as the South Asian country reported surging cases of COVID-19 in recent days.

Under a directive issued after a meeting of senior officials of the Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts in the valley, no large political or social gatherings can be organized until further notice.

In addition, public passenger vehicles cannot be overloaded, and the provision of sanitizers and mask-wearing is mandatory on public vehicles.

Govinda Prasad Rijal, chief district officer of the Kathmandu district, told Xinhua that his office could go for stricter measures if COVID-19 cases continue to rise. "We will review the current measures based on risk analysis in the upcoming days," he said.

As many as 1,981 new infections were reported in Nepal in the past 24 hours, a sharp rise from just 213 on Jan. 2, according to the Ministry of Health and Population. The country registered 841 and 1,357 new cases on Sunday and Monday, respectively, and 27 cases of the Omicron variant have been identified since December.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepal's two former prime ministers, have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to press reports.

On Monday, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology ordered the closure of primary and secondary schools till Jan. 29 starting from Tuesday.

Starting from Jan. 21, people have to present vaccination cards for access to places like hotels, restaurants, cinema halls, stadiums and parks.

"Those defying the directive will be penalized with fines and other measures as per the law," said Rijal. 
Application for Exploitation License expected in Q1/2022



Initiation of feasibility work underway

Initiation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment is pending final approval of the Terms of Reference; baseline studies continue

Drilling to convert Inferred Oxide Resources to the Measured & Indicated Category is substantially complete with assay results anticipated in Q1/2022;

Corporate Social Responsibility programs and reporting accelerating in Q1/2022

Results from 2021 regional mapping and sampling programs continue to be received

Drill-testing of a possible buried copper-gold porphyry target at Montazo to commence in January 2022

Initiation of the Vrify (vrify.com) platform for 3D viewing of work to date at Neita

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unigold Inc. (Unigold or the Company) (TSX-V:UGD; OTCQX: UGDIF; FSE:UGB1) is pleased to provide an update on activities at its 100% owned Neita concession in the Dominican Republic. The objectives for 2022 lead the Company firmly towards a production decision at Candelones.

Joseph Hamilton, CEO, commented, I am excited about the work that we have scheduled for 2022. Our objectives during the year are to deliver a viable, financed oxide project and to have sufficient permits in place that we can have certainty regarding the timing of construction and production. Our focus for the first half of the year will be firmly on the Oxide Project and the associated permitting. In addition, the return to regional exploration gives us the opportunity to demonstrate that the Neita Concession is a mineral district with the potential for multiple deposits in the future.

Our work at the Candelones sulphides will not cease during 2022. We expect to complete further drilling, metallurgical testing and process designs later this year. Our objective would be to schedule a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the sulphide project once we have assembled sufficient technical data. We are looking forward to a transformative year for the Company and expect that we will be able to show how the sulphide project fits into the oxide development by the end of 2022.

The first step in achieving commercial production at the Candelones oxide deposits is to receive an Exploitation Licence over a portion of the Neita Concession. The Company has been diligently assembling the required documentation to support this Licence Application during late November and December of last year. We expect to be in a position to finalize and submit the Application by the end of January 2022. The Company expects to work closely with the Government authorities to expedite the issuance of the Exploitation Licence. While the government reviews this application, the Company intends to work in parallel to deliver a Feasibility Study and advance in the baseline data collection for an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), both of which should be delivered in Q3 of this year.

The Company received and assessed a number of proposals from qualified engineering firms to complete a feasibility study for the oxide portion of the Candelones deposits. This feasibility study will build on the design parameters conceptualized in the May 2021 Technical Report titled Updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Oxide Portion of the Candelones Project, Neita Concession, Dominican Republic (available on the Companys web site as well as www.SEDAR.com).

In early December 2021, the Company announced the expansion of the owners team with the appointment of Mr. Gordon Babcock as COO and Mr. Wes Hanson as VP Exploration. The Company expects to add to this team throughout 2022 with a view to having sufficient in-house expertise to be able to commence construction when all permits have been received.

Detailed topographic surveys of the conceptualized oxide project area will commence in January 2022 to be followed by geotechnical studies to assess the plant and pad placements. Large diameter metallurgical column tests utilizing Run-of-Mine material commenced in the middle of 2021. While the Company is expecting a final report towards the end of January 2022, results to date indicate that recoveries over the first 107 days of leaching will likely exceed the recovery assumptions incorporated into the May 2021 PEA. The Company will report the final leaching results when assays of the residual column material are complete. Further metallurgical work on the oxides is planned to finalize process design for the feasibility study.

The Company has completed a program of 36 holes totalling 1110 meters of drilling (see Figure 1.0) within the oxide resource limits in order to convert the Inferred Oxide Resource to Measured and Indicated Resources. All holes have intersected strongly oxidized dacite breccia from surface and the observed oxide mineralization extends to depths ranging from 5.0 meters to 40.0 meters below surface. Assay results are anticipated in Q1, 2022. In conjunction with the strong results from column testing, the Company is confident that a large portion of the Inferred Oxide Resources may be converted to Measured and Indicated Resources. The Companys objective is to maximize the Measured and Indicated Oxide Resource in sufficient time to incorporate the results into the mine scheduling and ultimately into the feasibility study.

Following completion of the geotechnical and surveying work, the incorporation of completed drilling into the Resource Estimate and the final metallurgical testing, the Company will engage appropriate consultants to finalize a feasibility study with sufficient detail to support project financing discussions. The Company expects this report to be released in Q3 of 2022.

The Company has delivered the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the ESIA to the appropriate government agencies in the Dominican Republic. The ToR is the first step in completing the full ESIA for the oxide development project. Work has commenced on the baseline study utilizing in-country contractors while the Company awaits for final approval of the ToR. Environmental studies will accelerate in Q1 and Q2 of 2022. The Company is targeting Q3 of 2022 to have the final ESIA ready for submission to the appropriate government authorities.

The Companys Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) activities continued throughout the second half of 2021 with education and school support programs, road and bridge rehabilitation, community dental and health clinics, support for local amateur sport teams, water and well rehabilitation and community education programs completed during that time. The efforts of the Company will continue throughout 2022 with numerous infrastructure, forestry, agriculture, river rehabilitation and community health programs planned for the first half of the year. An information office is being developed in the local community in order to provide a central location for community engagement and is expected to be operational in Q2 2022. In addition, the Company expects to release its inaugural ESG report in early 2022.

Throughout 2021, the Company retained a multi-disciplinary team of specialist consultants to review all geochemical, geological and geophysical data available over the concession area. This data reflected approximately C$40 million of direct costs over 18 years of exploration. In conjunction with this data review, the Company initiated a field mapping, sampling and trenching program over select targets in order to set priorities for our future drill programs. A number of these targets will be tested throughout 2022. The Montazo porphyry target was highlighted during detailed review of the topographic, geophysical, geochemical, and geological data.

Dr. Annick Chouinard reviewed the geochemical data and confirmed multiple hydrothermal anomalies are present throughout the Concession. Dr. Chouinard identified a copper-rich center with an arsenic halo at Montazo, approximately 3 kilometres to the east of the Candelones deposits. This geochemical signature is within a footprint measuring 4500 x 3000 meters and is centered over an area of interpreted magnetite destruction. Argillic to advanced argillic alteration and soil anomalies extend locally to merge with several known gold targets, including Guano-Naranjo, Montazo and Rancho Pedro, forming a large prospective area of approximately 7 km by 4 km. The Company views this area as a mineral district with the potential to host several styles of gold-copper deposits.

Further work by Jeremy S. Brett, M.Sc., P.Geo., Senior Geophysical Consultant, Jeremy S. Brett International Consulting Ltd., and Betka Ondercova, M.Sc., GIT, Geophysical Consultant, Unigold, identified a discrete, 500 meter diameter semi-circular magnetic high within the geochemical district. The central magnetic high is interpreted to be the response from a discrete body at about 250 to 300 m below surface that persists for over 2000 meters vertically. The peripheral area to the magnetic high has a much lower response which is interpreted to reflect alteration and magnetite destruction. The Company believes that these interpretations point to a buried porphyry target which is central to many of the gold and copper showings that have been identified in the acid volcanics of the Upper Tireo volcanic rocks.

Two shallow drill holes from 2013 and 2014 exploration programs intersected alteration on the edge of the interpreted porphyry (see Figure 2.0). Drillhole MTZ14-05 was located immediately above the interpreted porphyry center and returned argillic alteration marked by silica and potassium enrichment to about 250m depth. Drillhole MTZ13-05A was located approximately 300m south of the interpreted magnetic core with propylitic alteration noted from surface to about 288m depth. Drilling to test the interpreted porphyry will be initiated in January 2022. Two to three holes totalling 1500 meters are planned. The primary objective of this drilling is to confirm the presence of alteration typical of major porphyry systems.

In order to better display the wealth of exploration and drilling data and to allow investors to understand the geometry of the deposits at Candelones, the Company engaged Vrify Technologies Inc. (vrify.com) in Q4 2021 to import the Companys entire dataset onto the Vrify platform. This information is now available to view in 3D in a simple and effective web-based system. Investors are encouraged to visit the Vrify website or gain access through the Unigold website to get a better understanding of the spatial relationships of the identified mineral deposits within the Neita concession.

Wes Hanson P.Geo., VP Exploration of Unigold has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release.

For further information please visit http://www.unigoldinc.com or contact:

Mr. Joseph Hamilton

Chairman & CEO

T. (416) 866-8157

About Unigold Inc.  Discovering Gold in the Caribbean

Unigold is a Canadian based mineral exploration company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol UGD, the OTCQX exchange under the symbol UGDIF, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol UGB1. The Company is focused primarily on exploring and developing its gold assets in the Dominican Republic. The Candelones oxide gold deposit is within the 100% owned Neita Fase II exploration concession located in Dajabon province, in the northwest part of the Dominican Republic. The Candelones project area is about 20 kilometers south of the town of Restauracion. The oxide deposit occurs at surface as a result of the tropical weathering of underlying mineralization. Unigold has been active in the Dominican Republic since 2002 and remains the most active exploration Company in the country. The Neita Fase II exploration concession is the largest single exploration concession covering volcanic rocks of the Cretaceous Tireo Formation. This island arc terrain is host to Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide deposits, Intermediate and High Sulphidation Epithermal Systems and Copper-gold porphyry systems. Unigold has identified over 20 areas within the concession area that host surface expressions of gold systems. Unigold has been concentrating on the Candelones mineralization and continues to expand the deeper sulphide resources with on-going drilling.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this document, including statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect our future operating results, financial position and cash flows, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on our assumptions and estimates and are subject to risk and uncertainties. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words like strategy, expects, plans, believes, will, estimates, intends, projects, goals, targets, and other words of similar meaning. You can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We wish to caution you that such statements contained are just predictions or opinions and that actual events or results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Where applicable, we claim the protection of the safe harbour for forward- looking statements provided by the (United States) Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For more information, please visit https://www.unigoldinc.com/profile/forward-looking-statement.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Figure 1.0  Candelones Oxide Pit Area showing historic drilling and collars of recent infill drilling is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f8058ab0-80c7-4397-b675-88dd8205634e

Figure 2.0  Drill Hole Locations  Montazo Porphyry Target is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9f09faf-881f-4a0a-8abb-41176d8ad6a0
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIGG Digital Assets Inc. (BIGG or the Company)(CSE: BIGG; OTCQX: BBKCF; WKN: A2PS9W), owner of Netcoins (Netcoins.ca) (Netcoins), the online cryptocurrency brokerage that makes it easy for Canadians to buy, sell, and understand cryptocurrency, and owner of Blockchain Intelligence Group ( blockchaingroup.io ) (BIG), a leading developer of blockchain technology search, risk-scoring and data analytics solutions, is pleased to announce a non-exclusive partnership with BBTV Holdings Inc. (TSX: BBTV; OTCQX: BBTVF; Frankfurt: 64V) to launch Pay To Crypto, a premium solution to pay BBTV creators in cryptocurrencies.



BBTV is a global media and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The Companys mission is to help content creators become more successful. With creators ranging from individuals to global media brands, BBTV provides comprehensive, end-to-end solutions to increase viewership and drive revenue powered by its innovative technology, while allowing creators to focus on their core competency  content creation. In January 2021, BBTV had the second most unique monthly viewers among digital platforms, with more than 600 million globally who consumed more than 50 billion minutes of video content, the most among media companies.

By leveraging Netcoins Restricted Dealer License, as a legal and regulated Crypto Trading Platform in Canada, BBTV will be able to quickly and seamlessly pay their content creators in crypto. This offering uses Netcoins Platform as a Service model, whereby Netcoins enables 3rd party partners to enter the crypto economy for faster and easier payments or trading, with their own customer base.

Mark Binns, BIGG CEO, remarked, We are thrilled to work with BBTV to enable this unique payment system, built on the Netcoins infrastructure and licensed offering. We see this as a first mover opportunity for BBTV, and utilizing our existing scale to offer excellent prices and seamless technology integration, sets BBTV up to be the leader in crypto payments to content creators.

Web3 is a big part of the creator economy already, from social tokens to NFTs and cryptocurrency. This is just one step that BBTV is taking to pioneer Web3 solutions for creators in this fast-emerging segment of the creator economy, commented Shahrzad Rafati, Chairperson and CEO, BBTV. Receiving a portion or all of their monthly earnings in crypto helps creators further diversify their income. Creators have been really vocal about their interest in entering the Web3 revolution, and were very proud to lead the way as their strategic partner. Were very excited to provide Pay to Crypto leveraging Netcoins as a strong platform.

On behalf of the Board

Mark Binns

CEO

ir@biggdigitalassets.com



Investor Relations

Victoria Rutherford

Victoria@adcap.ca

T: 1.480.625.5772

About BIGG Digital Assets Inc.

BIGG Digital Assets Inc. (BIGG) believes the future of crypto is a safe, compliant, and regulated environment. BIGG invests in products and companies to support this vision. BIGG owns two operating companies: Netcoins ( netcoins.ca ) and Blockchain Intelligence Group ( blockchaingroup.io ).

Netcoins develops brokerage and exchange software to make the purchase and sale of cryptocurrency easily accessible to the mass consumer and investor with a focus on compliance and safety. Netcoins utilizes BitRank Verified software at the heart of its platform and facilitates crypto trading via a self-serve crypto brokerage portal at Netcoins.app .

Blockchain Intelligence Group is a global developer of blockchain technology building a secure future. Financial institutions and crypto companies depend on its technology to monitor risk from crypto transactions. Investigators and law enforcement quickly identify and track illicit activity. The crypto forensics technology was designed by investigators for investigators. Blockchain Intelligence Group is trusted globally by leading financial institutions, crypto companies, Fintech, Regtech, law enforcement and regulators.

For more information and to register to BIGGs mailing list, please visit our website at https://www.biggdigitalassets.com. Or visit SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About BBTV

BBTV is a global media and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The Companys mission is to help content creators become more successful. With creators ranging from individuals to global media brands, BBTV provides comprehensive, end-to-end Solutions to increase viewership and drive revenue powered by its innovative technology, while allowing creators to focus on their core competency  content creation. In January 2021, BBTV had the second most unique monthly viewers among digital platforms with more than 600 million globally, who consumed more than 50 billion minutes of video content, the most among media companies [1]. (www.bbtv.com)

[1] Calculations and classifications made by BBTV based on data from Comscores Top 12 Countries = January 2021 comScore Video Metrix Media Trend  Multi-Platform  Top 100 Video Properties Report; Top 12 countries represent ~50% of worlds digital population.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which include completion of the search technology software and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as may, expect, estimate, anticipate, intend, believe and continue or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of BIGG. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because BIGG can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from BIGGs expectations include, consumer sentiment towards BIGGs products and Blockchain technology generally, technology failures, competition, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, BIGG disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, BIGG undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this Press Release.
CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kiwetinohk Energy Corp. provides a corporate update and announces its 2022 capital expenditures budget and production guidance.



This budget is designed to deliver strong baseline cash flow from the upstream business while advancing power projects toward FID, said CEO Pat Carlson. The 2022 budget is a further step toward our goal of being a low-cost supplier of natural gas and reliable, dispatchable, low-emission gas-fired and renewable electricity.

Highlights

Production guidance for 2022 of 13,000 to 15,000 boe/d with 5 of 11 gross wells to be completed in 2023;

2022 capital expenditures budget of $210 to $240 million (subject to commodity prices after hedging) including $10 to $20 million allocated to green energy;

Advancing five solar and gas-fired power projects totaling 1,800 megawatts (MW) of nameplate generation capacity toward Final Investment Decision (FID);

At US$70/bbl WTI and US$3.75/MMBtu Henry Hub, expected to deliver approximately $120 to $150 million of Adjusted Funds Flow ( 1) and 22% - 28% return on average capital employed (2) supported by strong marketing and commodity hedging positions;

and 22% - 28% return on average capital employed supported by strong marketing and commodity hedging positions; The Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) has confirmed that Kiwetinohks common shares will be listed on the TSX on Friday, January 14 with the trading symbol KEC;

The Companys corporate presentation can be found at www.kiwetinohk.com.

Green Energy update and capital expenditures

Kiwetinohk has allocated $10 to $20 million of capital in 2022 for pre-FID planning and approvals and securing financing to advance power projects to FID. The Company expects to spend, depending on the project, $3 to $8 million to bring each project to FID. At FID, the Company expects to retain a carried-partnership interest that reflects the higher risk to which it has been exposed to achieve FID. Although Kiwetinohk is also considering other financial structures, this approach to financing, when it works as planned, will enable Kiwetinohk to participate in projects of this nature with returns aligned with its upstream business.

The five power projects with a total nameplate generation capacity of 1,800 MW in early-stage development include:

one 101 MW Firm Renewable ( 3 ) project in the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) Stage 2;

project in the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) Stage 2; two solar projects in AESO Stage 1 and 2 for a total of 700 MW; and

two natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) projects in AESO Stage 1 and 2 for a total of 1,000 MW.



The Company is targeting to have a 400 MW solar project and the 101 MW Firm Renewable project achieve FID by year-end 2022.

Kiwetinohk made significant progress in 2021 in advancing its diversified, solar and gas-fired development power portfolio including site selection and acquisition, permitting, environmental studies, community engagement, AESO stage advancement and engineering and economic evaluation. In addition to its ongoing greenfield development program, the Company is evaluating acquisition and partnership opportunities for pre-construction solar and wind projects, as well as hydrogen production opportunities, which complement and expand Kiwetinohks existing power portfolio. The Company has updated the target FID and Commercial Operation Date (COD) for its first Firm Renewable and its 400 MW solar project to year-end 2022 and year-end 2024.

The Company's ten-year vision is to generate over 1,500 MW of electricity (over 10% of Alberta grid capacity) from solar, wind and natural gas, with a goal to capture over 90% of the carbon associated with the Company's gas-fired power and hydrogen production operations.

Upstream capital expenditures and guidance

The 2022 upstream capital budget is $200 to $220 million and production guidance is 13,000 to 15,000 boe/d. Expenditures will be subject to commodity prices and will focus in Kiwetinohks Fox Creek core area where the Company plans to drill 11 gross wells. During 2022 Kiwetinohk expects to bring 4 wells drilled in late 2021 onto production in the first half of the year, 6 of the 11 new 2022 drilled wells onto production in the second half of the year and 5 of the 11 new 2022 drilled wells onto production in the first half of 2023. Detailed execution plans will address limited surface access and preservation of protected species requirements in Fox Creek. As a result, Kiwetinohk estimates an average time from start of drilling to production of 8 months for the well pads in this years program.

The Fox Creek core area provides a low decline production base from which to grow but also requires some investment lead-time due to under-investment for the past few years. Kiwetinohk plans to invest in Fox Creek to increase production and cash flow. Future free cash flow can be channeled to fund additional green energy investment and return capital to investors. The plan is to integrate low-cost natural gas production with clean, reliable, dispatchable and low-cost electricity and hydrogen. The Company acquired these assets for ~$10/boe Proved Developed Producing (PDP) Reserves, or ~$4/boe Total Proved (TP) Reserves, and the assets had a operating netback (before financial hedging) of ~$31/boe in the third quarter of 2021, resulting in a >3x recycle ratio(4).

2022 will be an investment year to arrest declines and commence growing production to fill the propertys facilities, which are currently operating at less than half capacity at Fox Creek. A total of $170 to $185 million is budgeted for drilling, completing, equipping and tie-in (DCET) activity during 2022. The production profile will be back-end weighted with 5 of 11 new wells anticipated to come on production in 2023. As a result of the planned drilling schedule, Kiwetinohk expects production to average 20,000 to 21,000 boe/d during the first quarter of 2023 increasing from currently expected production for first quarter of 2022 of 11,000 to 12,000 boe/d. Anticipated production for Q1 2022 reflects:

natural production declines;

typical first quarter weather-related production interruptions;

minimal contribution from the Companys drilling activity launched in late 2021; and

temporary shut-in of producing wells offsetting newly drilled wells to minimize interference during completion activities.

The result is the current decline rate from Q3 2021 to Q1 2022 appears steeper than the established decline rate of the area. The Fox Creek assets have only had a modest amount of capital spent on drilling in recent years by previous operators. As such, the annual production decline rates are relatively shallow in comparison to tight shale gas resource assets that have experienced more consistent allocation of drilling capital. When deploying a significant amount of capital to such upstream assets that have not been drilled for a number of years, the Company expects that the first year of production growth (i.e. 2023 over 2022) will be at a very high rate moderating with time and ongoing drilling.

There are no land expiry issues driving the Companys operating plans in the Fox Creek Duvernay. After the development program is underway, the investments of one year will better align with the production additions from the prior year of investment for accurate annual capital efficiency calculations.

In the Montney, two wells (gross/net) drilled in late 2021 are scheduled for tie-in during the second quarter of 2022. One step-out delineation well (0.65 net) is planned during 2022 with an early 2023 tie-in, therefore not contributing to 2022 production or cash flow.

The Companys producing assets, in the vast majority, are tight shale gas resources. The Company uses horizontal wells with multiple hydraulic fractures along the horizontal lateral. In Kiwetinohks view, this technology is not mature and reliable models based on physics and/or statistics do not exist. Despite the inadequacies of the approach, the Company looks for correlation between well performance and controllable factors (such as well lateral spacing, lateral length, number of fracs, frac slurry volume, frac pump rate) and uncontrollable factors (such as pressure-depth ratio, resource thickness, condensate to gas ratio, original gas in place per square metre). Performance is thereby estimated with reservations about accuracy from judgements made relative to this kind of data analysis. In order to account for unexpected outcomes, the Company includes capital without production for 1 well out of each 10 planned.

Corporate guidance

Contingent payment

As disclosed at the time of a large property acquisition in April 2021, the Company agreed to 2 contingent payments totaling up to $15 million subject to average 2021 and average 2022 WTI prices. As WTI averaged over US$56/bbl during 2021, a $5 million contingent payment will be made to the vendor in January of 2022. Should WTI oil prices average over US$62/bbl during calendar 2022, a final $10 million contingent payment will be made to the vendor in January of 2023.

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO):

Kiwetinohk has ~$30 million of inactive ARO(5) liabilities, which it expects to retire over the next 5 to 7 years. Kiwetinohk maintains an attractive Alberta Energy Regulators (AER) LMR Liability Rating over 5.

Risk management:

Kiwetinohk has a risk management program designed to protect returns on capital deployed. The Company targets to hedge up to 75% of its first 12 months of future production as it is brought onstream. To date, Kiwetinohk has used a combination of fixed price swaps and costless collars. Please see the Companys updated hedging summary below for a full detail of Kiwetinohks current hedging contracts.

As Kiwetinohk advances its green energy projects toward FID it will look to contract power and hydrogen as appropriate.

Marketing activities:

Kiwetinohk has 120 MMcf/d of contracted transportation capacity on Alliance Pipeline, which is approximately 70 MMcf/d more than the Companys consolidated third quarter 2021 production. The Company buys third-party natural gas to fill unused capacity. Future gains or losses on marketing activities are dependent on commodity prices, the price of natural gas in Chicago and Alberta and foreign exchange rates net of the cost of transportation. The Company targets back-to-back contracts to avoid speculative natural gas price exposure. Kiwetinohk estimates break-even marketing revenues at an AECO-Chicago basis of approximately US$0.70/MMBtu at current foreign exchange rates.

2022 Guidance:

The following tables detail and summarize Kiwetinohks full year 2022 operational and financial guidance.

Operational & financial guidance Low High Production (2022 average)1 (Mboe/d) 13.0 15.0 Oil & liquids (Mbbl/d) 6.5 7.5 Natural gas (MMcf/d) 39.0 45.0 Production by market (%) 100% 100% Chicago (%) 87% 97% AECO (%) 3% 13% Royalty rate (Crown) (%) 12% 15% Operating costs1 ($/boe) $7.5 $8.5 Transportation (excluding marketing activities) ($/boe) $5.0 $6.0 Corporate G&A expense2 ($MM) $15.0 $18.0 Cash taxes ($MM) -- -- Capital guidance Low High Capital ($MM) $210 $240 Green Energy ($MM) $10 $20 Upstream ($MM) $200 $220 New Fox Creek wells (gross) (wells) 11 Duvernay (wells) 10 Montney (wells) 1

1 Includes a provision for scheduled plant turnarounds at Fox Creek.

2 Includes all divisions of the Company  Corporate, Upstream, Green Energy (power & hydrogen) and Business Development.

Risk management contracts:

The Company has the following risk management contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2021:

 Unit Q1 2022 Q2 2022 Q3 2022 Q4 2022 Full Year2023 WTI Fixed Price bbl/d 750 750 750 750 900 WTI Buy Put bbl/d 2,367 2,167 2,033 1,883  WTI Sell Call bbl/d 2,367 2,167 2,033 1,883         WTI Swap Average C$/bbl $69.950 $69.950 $69.950 $69.950 $82.600 WTI Buy Put Average C$/bbl $65.000 $65.000 $65.000 $65.000  WTI Sell Call Average C$/bbl $76.715 $76.692 $76.668 $76.650         NYMEX Henry Hub Fixed Price MMBtu/d 18,900 21,167 20,350 15,350 11,375 NYMEX Henry Hub Buy Put MMBtu/d 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,000 NYMEX Henry Hub Sell Call MMBtu/d 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,000 NGI Chicago Basis to NYMEX Henry Hub MMBtu/d 17,400 19,600 18,450 17,950 9,375        NYMEX Henry Hub Fixed Price Average US$/MMBtu $2.806 $2.986 $2.979 $2.697 $3.353 NYMEX Henry Hub Buy Put Average US$/MMBtu $3.000 $3.000 $3.000 $3.000 $3.000 NYMEX Henry Hub Sell Call Average US$/MMBtu $4.750 $4.750 $4.750 $4.750 $3.805 NGI Chicago Basis to NYMEX Henry Hub Average US$/MMBtu $0.194 ($0.145) ($0.170) ($0.064) $0.007        AECO 5A Fixed Price GJ/d 2,250 2,250 2,025 2,025  AECO 5A Average C$/GJ $2.262 $2.262 $2.092 $2.092         Purchase AECO 5A Basis (to NYMEX Henry Hub) MMBtu/d 80,000 30,000 30,000 10,000  Sell GDD Chicago Basis (to NYMEX Henry Hub) MMBtu/d (80,000) (30,000) (30,000) (10,000)         AECO 5A Basis (to NYMEX Henry Hub) Average US$/MMBtu ($0.971) ($1.335) ($1.335) ($1.335)  GDD Chicago Basis (to NYMEX Henry Hub) Average US$/MMBtu $0.200 $0.052 $0.052 $0.052         Sell USD CAD (Monthly Average) US$ $10,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $1,666,667  USD CAD Rate  1.2902 1.2901 1.2901 1.2901 

1  Prices per unit and volumes per day are represented at the average amounts for the period.

2  All basis swap pricing is in $USD / unit relative to NYMEX Henry Hub benchmark pricing.



Notes to the News Release

1 Adjusted Funds Flow is a non-GAAP measure. See disclaimers regarding "Non-GAAP Measures" and "Future-Oriented Financial Information" below.

2 Return on average capital employed is a non-GAAP measure. See disclaimer regarding "Non-GAAP Measures" below.

3 The term "Firm Renewable" is a Kiwetinohk-originated term that describes efficient, flexible-output, fast-responding, gas-fired, internal reciprocating engine-driven power generation that addresses the need for stability that has been revealed as solar and wind renewable grows to become a significant proportion of a grid's power supply. Firm Renewable bridges supply gaps related to intermittency of renewables and system outages while maximizing opportunity to capture power price spikes.

4 Reserves estimates are based upon the report prepared McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. dated July 16, 2021, evaluating the reserves attributable to certain of the assets of Kiwetinohk and its subsidiaries as at July 1, 2021, assuming completion of the business combination of Kiwetinohk and Distinction Energy Corp. and an effective date of July 1, 2021

Operating netback is a non-GAAP measure. See disclaimer regarding "Non-GAAP Measures" below.

Recycle ratio is defined as the operating netback divided by the acquisition cost of the PDP reserves. This is calculated on a boe basis.

5 ARO expenditures are treated as a settlement of a liability and included in cash flow from operating activities. ARO, similar to changes in non-cash working capital, are added back to cash flow from operating activities in Adjusted Funds Flow.

Forward-looking statements

Certain information set forth in this document contains forward-looking information and statements including, without limitation, managements business strategy, managements assessment of future plans and operations. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Forward-looking statements or information typically contain statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "project", "potential" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding future performance and outlook. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

Specifically, this document contains forward-looking statements pertaining to: the Company's 2022 capital expenditures budget and allocations thereof; 2022 production guidance; drilling, advancement and completion of wells in the Fox Creek area and the timing associated with drilling and completion of the wells; the Company's objectives, strategies and competitive strengths and weaknesses; the Company's growth strategy; the Company's plans for developing a low emission power generation business, including development of its natural gas-fired and solar and wind power generation projects and expectations with respect to future opportunities for other renewable energy projects; the Company's ability to achieve its goals, including the Company's ability to: bring its natural gas production into equivalent proportion with its use of natural gas for hydrogen and electricity production; and capture and utilize more than 90% of the carbon dioxide associated with Scope 1 emissions; timing for listing of the Company's shares on the TSX; allocation of future free cash flow to fund additional green energy investment and return of capital to investors; anticipated strong production, revenue and cash flow growth late in 2022 and into 2023 resulting from drilling and completion of wells in 2021 and 2022; the magnitude of the Company's contingent payment obligations arising from the property acquisition in April 2021; and 2022 operational and financial guidance.

In addition to other factors and assumptions that may be identified in this document, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things:

the timing and costs of the Companys capital projects;

the impact of increasing competition;

the general stability of the economic and political environment in which the Company operates;

the ability of the Company to obtain qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner;

the ability of the operator of the projects that the Company has an interest in to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner;

future commodity and power prices;

the Company's ability to realize on expectations regarding low supply cost, reliability and efficiency of its power generation portfolio;

the expected performance of the Companys current drilling activities;

development and completion of the Company's natural gas-fired and solar power generation projects in a timely and cost-efficient manner and the Company's ability to continue to identify and progress projects for its power generation portfolio;

the Company's ability to successfully integrate its upstream business and assets with the Company's power generation portfolio;

the Company's future production levels;

the recoverability of the Company's reserves;

that the Company will have access to solar and other renewable resources in amounts and at the costs consistent with the amounts and costs expected by the Company for the development projects in its power generation portfolio;

future cash flows from production;

geological and engineering estimates in respect of the Company's reserves;

the geography of the areas in which the Company is conducting exploration and development activities and the access, economic, regulatory and physical limitations to which the Company may be subject from time to time;

community and stakeholder commitment to sustainable energy sources, and the Company's positioning within the sustainable energy or energy transition space;

the Company's ability to obtain financing necessary for the advancement of the Company's business plan on acceptable terms;

currency, exchange and interest rates;

the regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes, power, renewable and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates; and

the ability of the Company to successfully market its products.



Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions that have been used. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements as the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking statements or information involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements or information. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things:

the ability of management to execute its business plan;

general economic and business conditions;

the risk of instability affecting the jurisdictions in which the Company operates;

the risks of the power and renewable industries;

the ability of the Company to successfully execute its energy transition strategy;

risks associated with exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas, and drilling for unconventional oil, NGL and natural gas;

the risks and limitations of forecasting reserves data;

risks associated with operating and integrating a newly-combined business;

competition in the crude oil and natural gas industry;

carbon taxes and environmental compliance costs;

operational and construction risks associated with certain projects;

the possibility that government policies or laws may change or governmental approvals may be delayed or withheld;

uncertainty involving the forces that power certain renewable projects;

the Companys ability to enter into or renew leases;

potential delays or changes in plans with respect to power and solar projects or capital expenditures;

fluctuations in commodity and power prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates;

risks inherent in the Companys marketing operations, including credit risk;

health, safety, environmental and construction risks;

risks associated with existing and potential future lawsuits and regulatory actions against the Company;

coronavirus;

market constraints and access to services and equipment;

talent, recruitment and retention of key personnel;

technology risks;

seasonality;

uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing;

and financial risks affecting the value of the Companys investments.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible risks and uncertainties.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as expressly required by applicable securities laws.

Non-GAAP measures

This news release contains measures that do not have a standardized meaning under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. These performance measures presented in this document should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Readers are cautioned that these non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meanings and should not be used to make comparisons between Kiwetinohk and other companies without also taking into account any differences in the method by which the calculations are prepared.

Adjusted funds flow is cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital from operating activities, decommissioning expenditures, restructuring costs, acquisition costs and settlement agreement costs.

Return on average capital employed is calculated as adjusted funds flow divided by the average of opening and closing capital employed for the 12 months preceding the period end. Capital employed includes common shares, contributed surplus, deficit and net debt. Net debt is comprised of loans and borrowings plus adjusted working capital deficit (surplus) and represents the Companys net financing obligations.

Operating netback is calculated on a per boe basis as petroleum and natural gas revenue from production (before hedging) less royalties, operating and transportation expense.

Future-oriented financial information

Financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained in this presentation about prospective financial performance, financial position or cash flows is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management's assessment of the relevant information currently available. In particular, this presentation contains expected adjusted funds flow, return on capital employed, capital costs and power generation capacity of the Company's proposed power generation capital projects, forecast economics of the Company's oil and gas assets and 2022 financial outlook information for the Company, including expected royalty rates, operating costs, transportation expenses, corporate G&A expenses and cash taxes. These projections contain forward-looking statements and are based on a number of material assumptions and factors set out above and are provided to give the reader a better understanding of the potential future performance of the Company in certain areas. Actual results may differ significantly from the projections presented herein. These projections may also be considered to contain future oriented financial information or a financial outlook. The actual results of the Company's operations for any period will likely vary from the amounts set forth in these projections, and such variations may be material. See above and "Risk Factors" in the Company's AIF published on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a further discussion of the risks that could cause actual results to vary. The future oriented financial information and financial outlooks contained in this presentation have been approved by management as of the date of this presentation. Readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein.

Oil and gas disclosure

The term "boe" may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas per barrel of oil (6 mcf:1 bbl) is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and do not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from an energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion ratio of 6:1 may be misleading as an indication of value.

Abbreviations

$/bbl dollars per barrel $/boe dollars per barrel equivalent $/GJ dollars per gigajoule $/mcf dollars per thousand cubic feet bbl(s) barrel(s) bbl/d barrels per day boe barrel of oil equivalent, including crude oil, condensate, natural gas liquids, and natural gas (converted on the basis of one boe per six mcf of natural gas) boe/d barrel of oil equivalent per day GJ gigajoule GJ/d gigajoule per day mcf thousand cubic feet mcf/d thousand cubic standard feet per day MM million MMcf/d million cubic feet per day MMBtu one million British thermal units (Btu) is a measure of the energy content in gas MMBtu/d one million British thermal units per day NGLs natural gas liquids, which includes butane, propane, and ethane WTI West Texas Intermediate, which is an oil benchmark

About Kiwetinohk



We, at Kiwetinohk, are passionate about climate change and the future of energy. Kiwetinohks mission is to build a profitable energy transition business providing clean, reliable, dispatchable, low-cost energy. Kiwetinohk develops and produces natural gas and related products and is in the process of developing renewable, natural gas-fired power, carbon capture and hydrogen clean energy projects. We view climate change with a sense of urgency, and we want to make a difference.

Kiwetinohk is a reporting issuer and additional information is available on Kiwetinohks SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON KIWETINOHK, PLEASE CONTACT:

Mark Friesen, Director, Investor Relations

IR phone: (587) 392-4395

IR email: IR@kiwetinohk.com

Address: Suite 1900, 250 - 2 Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 0C1

Pat Carlson, CEO

Jakub Brogowski, CFO

www.kiwetinohk.com
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Pear Funding (Golden Pear), a national leader in pre-settlement legal funding, announced the closing of a $55.0 million investment-grade rated, Senior Secured Corporate Note financing. The transaction was assigned a BBB rating by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization. Proceeds will be used by the company to restructure existing debt and support additional growth of the business.

Since inception, Golden Pear has funded over $735 million in aggregate to more than 62,000 clients nationwide.

"This transaction gives Golden Pear the financial flexibility to continue building the best independent, specialty finance platform serving the consumer litigation marketplace," stated Gary Amos, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Pear. "It was made possible by the strong performance of our business, driven by industry-leading innovation, our team, and the products we deliver with a continued focus on service for attorneys, providers, and their clients."

Daniel Amsellem, Chief Financial Officer of Golden Pear, added, "Our capital strategy continues to be an important point of competitive differentiation for Golden Pear. We are pleased that this transaction has reduced our cost of capital and attracted a diversified group of institutional capital partners to the company."

Brean Capital, LLC served as the company's exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent in connection with the transaction.

About Golden Pear Funding

Founded in 2008, Golden Pear is one of the largest specialty finance companies in the United States funding legal matters and purchasing medical receivables from physicians and medical centers. The company empowers its clients to navigate the legal system and provides them with financial solutions that work. Golden Pear is backed by a partnership of several private equity firms that allow for the stability and continued institutional growth of the firm. For additional information about the company, visit https://goldenpearfunding.com.

Contact:

Gary Amos

CEO | Golden Pear Funding

investorrelations@gpfco.com

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PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atif Khan joined Stardust as Chief Operating Officer as the company leads the play-to-earn NFT revolution in games. Khan was most recently the Head of Mid-Market and In-App Ads, Global Gaming at Facebook, coming to Stardust with deep industry knowledge.

At Stardust, Khan will lead business growth with market development and revenue as key focal points as the company sees rapid growth. "Post iOS 14.5, it was clear that the business of gaming was going to change," says Khan. "With Canaan [Linder] and Stardust, I found a combination of a visionary founder that was setting the stage for where the industry was headed and a technology that was unparalleled in the market. I'm excited to see how blockchain technology takes gaming into its next big phase," he notes.

The play-to-earn revolution has created an opportunity for players to convert time spent in-game to financial rewards, and Stardust makes it easy for game developers to build on blockchain with a blockchain-free API solution. "Atif brings with him a deep understanding of how indie and mainstream gaming companies build and engage with their audiences, putting Stardust in a unique position to provide both technology as a solution, but also managed services to position games to grow with Stardust," says Canaan Linder, founder and CEO of Stardust.

About Stardust

Stardust powers the metaverse. We enable game developers to build on blockchain via our effortless back-end solution. From a blockchain-free API to provisioned player-wallets using Fireblocks and a built-in NFT marketplace, Stardust provides a seamless solution to build and scale games on blockchain.

Press Contact

Benish Shah

benish@stardust.gg

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Blockhain NFT Gaming API Stardust









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TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With labour shortages hampering industries across the country, a new survey from The Harris Poll, commissioned by Express Employment Professionals, has found that employers are ignoring an effective option to keep some of their most experienced and knowledgeable employees working.

A majority of Canadian employees say they would partake in semi-retirement, but most companies dont offer the option. As a result, employers are losing employees during one of the worst labour shortages the country has faced in a generation.

More specifically, a majority of employees say theyd be likely to partake in semi-retirement by having a flexible work schedule (79%), transitioning to a consulting role (62%) or working reduced hours with reduced benefits (57%).

However, only around 1 in 5 (22%) say their employer offers semi-retirement.

While few employers formally offer the option of semi-retirement, some employees (43%) say their employer has brought retired employees back, either to be a knowledge expert (21%), act as a mentor to current employees (16%) or handle key client relationships (14%).

More than 3 in 5 (63%) employees wish their company offered more help for transitioning to retirement and only half (51%) report their company has an adequate successor in place for their role when they retire.

The survey results reflect what James Norris, an Express franchise owner in London, Ontario, is experiencing in his area.

I have not seen companies do enough to bring people back out of retirement, he said. Companies need to change their ways of thinking and realize that if someone is retirement age they likely do not need to work, and therefore the company has to make it as attractive and stress free as possible.

Hanif Hemani, an Express franchise owner in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, says labour shortages have caused employers to begin to realize the value of boomers and points out that keeping them in the workforce has many benefits for employers.

This generation of workers has a strong work ethic, they have learned through experience, and they have wisdom, said Hemani. They have the ability to answer the question if I knew then what I know now, which is a very powerful question to answer in business.

Norris agrees that there are many benefits to keeping older employees.

Many people who have been in a role for a very long time have found or created efficiencies in their jobs, said Norris. Not having someone train directly under them to transfer this knowledge could result in years of learned efficiencies being lost.

His advice to companies: identify employees close to retirement and develop succession plans.

It is becoming more difficult for companies to hire external employees and business leaders need to ensure they have someone in place to learn as much as they can from their seasoned employee before they leave, added Norris. Not doing so can cause an enormous amount of risk to the business that can be easily mitigated with proper planning, training and development.

In terms of the best way to structure semi-retirement, Hemani and Norris agree that transitioning to consulting roles and offering flexible work schedules are key.

Transitioning an employee to a consulting role gives the most flexibility to the employee as it can be customized very easily and they also feel like they have more control over their pre-retirement, said Hemani. Employees who are retirement age likely want to spend more time with family and friends, pursue hobbies and travel, so a flexible work schedule would certainly be desirable to them.

If someone does not need to work, but the company needs them, then the work schedule has to be on the employees terms and flexible, added Norris. By moving workers into a consulting role, they can help train new employees in a reduced labour-intensive capacity, which is key for many individuals who now have difficulty maintaining the more physical duties of the role.

One day, we will inevitably lose baby boomers entirely from the workforce, but until then, we can all benefit from their talent and skills while offering them the chance to enjoy semi-retirement, Express CEO Bill Stoller said.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between Sept. 28 and Oct. 13, 2021, among 2,065 Canadian adults ages 18+ who are employed full-time, part-time, or self-employed. Data were weighted where necessary by age by gender, education, region, household income, household size, and marital status to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. This sample of employees includes 445 Boomer employees (defined as employees ages 57-75) that were weighted individually.

If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Ana Curic at (613) 858-2622 or email Ana@MapleLeafStrategies.com.

About Bill Stoller

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing company has more than 850 franchises in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Since inception, Express has put more than 9 million people to work worldwide.

About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, were in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 526,000 people globally in 2020. For more information, visit www.ExpressPros.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c1873e43-8209-4e41-8300-0d088611eb26
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Community Development Bankers Association (CDBA) is pleased to announce its participation with FedFis and state community banking associations nationwide to offer access to Bankers Helping Bankers to its CDFI-certified and mission-driven member banks across the United States.

Bankers Helping Bankers is a bankers only platform for collaboration and education. Through data tools and dynamic user groups, Bankers Helping Bankers provides community bankers with a knowledge base focused on bank technology and emerging Fintech companies, as well as current topics such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies, "banking as a service" and direct digital banking.

FedFis partnered with the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) to bring the idea for Bankers Helping Bankers to life.

"We are excited to provide CDFI and mission-driven banks with the resources offered in this platform," said Jeannine Jacokes, CEO of CDBA. "CDBA member-banks work to extend economic prosperity into our Nation's most vulnerable communities. It is essential these banks have access to tools that can help them stay current with the rapid pace of technological change."

"We warmly welcome the CDBA, a national association, particularly because of their focus on the most vulnerable communities. It is the very essence of community banking to help our communities," said Dave Mayo, CEO of FedFis.

Christopher Williston VI, CEO of IBAT, says, "Community banking is a key component in our economic supply chain. Adding the CDFI and mission-driven banks to Bankers Helping Bankers ensures we are adopting a 'no community left behind' approach as we strengthen community banks."

For more information and to register on Bankers Helping Bankers, visit www.bankershelpingbankers.com. For more information on Independent Bankers Association of Texas, visit www.ibat.org. For more information on FedFis, visit www.fedfis.com. For more information on the Community Development Bankers Association, visit www.cdbanks.org.

Questions regarding the program may be directed to Brian Blake, CDBA Public Policy Director, by emailing blakeb@pcgloanfund.org or by calling (202) 689-8935 ext 225.

About Community Development Bankers Association (CDBA)

CDBA is the national voice of the Community Development Bank sector. Community Development Banks (often called CDFI Banks) are FDIC-insured banks or thrifts that are certified as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) because they have demonstrated a primary mission of serving low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. The CDFI certification, administered by the U.S. Treasury Department's CDFI Fund, indicates the bank has devoted at least 60% of its total lending, services, and other activities to benefit LMI communities. CDFI banks build wealth, engage in a wide range of lending, and provide technical assistance in these underinvested urban, rural and native communities that lack access to credit and are not adequately served by the traditional banking industry.

About FedFis

FedFis provides financial institutions fintech data analytics and a strategy system which tracks Financial, M&A, and Vendor data (including technology vendors) on every bank and credit union in the United States. FedFis is committed to "truth in banking" by helping community bankers understand which products and services will best pair with their existing technology to drive the strategic outcomes for which they strive. They are first and foremost, a family business of precisionists. Fifth-generation bankers and technology experts with incredible depth and passion for the banking industry.

About IBAT

Formed in 1974, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) represents Texas community banks. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation, with membership comprised of more than 2,000 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities. Providing safe and responsible financial services to all Texas, IBAT member bank assets range in size from $27 million to $39 billion with combined assets statewide of nearly $256 billion. IBAT member banks are committed to supporting and investing in their local communities.

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Podcast_Turning Banking Concern into Concrete Action.pdf

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Bankers Helping Bankers platform and forum.









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HEBRON, Ky., Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After attending the J.B. Speed Engineering school, Matthew Metzger began his career writing software interfaces and designing hardware solutions for the wood and stone industries. With a passion for bringing custom solutions to manufacturing, he entwined the shop floor and design engineers to create seamless one-off production processes. Wanting to venture into the larger world of milling and turning, Matthew started with Starrag in 2016 as a service technician working on Droop+Rein's large FOGS machines, where he gained in-depth knowledge of advanced kinematics and mechanics, working his way up to a systems engineer position. Through the years of service and dedication to his expertise, and with his company's support, he has become an expert on the Bumotec S191 line of 7-axis machining centers. Today Matthew is taking his mechanical mindset and proficient programming expertise to new heights. Transiting his skills and dedication into the new role of Bumotec Applications Engineer for the S191-RP and S191-PRM.

"There is always a solution for our customer, I'm here to help bring those ideas into the real world," says Matthew Metzger.

Matthew Metzger

Bumotec Applications Engineer

Mobile +1 859 380-9911

Matthew.Metzger@Starrag.com

www.Starrag.com

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New York, NY, and Tel Aviv, ISRAEL, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Todos Medical, Ltd. (OTCQB: TOMDF),a comprehensive medical diagnostics and related solutions company, together with its 3CL biology-focused joint venture partner NLC Pharma, today announced that topline results from the Tollovir Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients will be announced the morning of January 27th, 2022, with a conference call follow-up that will occur after market close. The Company will provide further details regarding the conference call during the week ending January 17, 2022 when it announces the data lock for the trial.



For more information, please visit www.todosmedical.com . For more information on the Companys CLIA/CAP certified lab Provista Diagnostics, Inc. please visit www.provistadx.com .

About Todos Medical Ltd.

Founded in Rehovot, Israel with offices in New York City, Todos Medical Ltd. (OTCQB: TOMDF) engineers life-saving diagnostic solutions for the early detection of a variety of cancers. In 2021, Todos completed the acquisition of U.S.-based medical diagnostics company Provista Diagnostics, Inc. to gain rights to its Alpharetta, Georgia-based CLIA/CAP certified lab currently performing PCR COVID testing and Provista's proprietary commercial-stage Videssa breast cancer blood test. The Company's state-of-the-art and patented Todos Biochemical Infrared Analyses (TBIA) is a proprietary cancer-screening technology using peripheral blood analysis that deploys deep examination into cancer's influence on the immune system, looking for biochemical changes in blood mononuclear cells and plasma. Todos' two internally-developed cancer-screening tests, TMB-1 and TMB-2, have received a CE mark in Europe. Todos is focused on the commercialization of Videssa and will bring the TBIA tests to market thereafter.

Todos has entered into a joint venture with NLC Pharma targeting diagnostic and testing solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Joint-Venture is pursuing the development of diagnostic tests targeting the 3CL protease, as well as 3CL protease inhibitors that target a fundamental reproductive mechanism of coronaviruses. The Companys proprietary therapeutic candidate Tollovir is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Israel, and is preparing to initiate Phase 2/3 clinical trials for both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients in Israel.

Todos is also developing blood tests for the early detection of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The Lymphocyte Proliferation Test (LymPro Test) is a diagnostic blood test that determines the ability of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and monocytes to withstand an exogenous mitogenic stimulation that induces them to enter the cell cycle. It is believed that certain diseases, most notably Alzheimer's disease, are the result of compromised cellular machinery that leads to aberrant cell cycle re-entry by neurons, which then leads to apoptosis. LymPro is unique in the use of peripheral blood lymphocytes as a surrogate for neuronal cell function, suggesting a common relationship between PBLs and neurons in the brain.

Todos is also distributing certain (COVID-19) testing materials and supplies to CLIA-certified labs in the United States. The products cover multiple suppliers of PCR testing kits, extraction kits, automation materials and supplies, as well as COVID-19 antibody and antigen testing kits.

For more information, please visit https://www.todosmedical.com/ .

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. For example, forward-looking statements are used when discussing our expected clinical development programs and clinical trials. These forward-looking statements are based only on current expectations of management, and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including the risks and uncertainties related to the progress, timing, cost, and results of clinical trials and product development programs; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approval or patent protection for product candidates; competition from other biotechnology companies; and our ability to obtain additional funding required to conduct our research, development and commercialization activities. In addition, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: changes in technology and market requirements; delays or obstacles in launching our clinical trials; changes in legislation; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; lack of validation of our technology as we progress further and lack of acceptance of our methods by the scientific community; inability to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of our products; unforeseen scientific difficulties that may develop with our process; greater cost of final product than anticipated; loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition; and laboratory results that do not translate to equally good results in real settings, all of which could cause the actual results or performance to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, Todos Medical does not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Todos Medical, please refer to its reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Todos Corporate and Investor Contact:

Richard Galterio

Todos Medical

732-642-7770

rich.g@todosmedical.com
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonnenblick-Eichner Company announced today that it has arranged $39,000,000 of non-recourse interim leasehold first mortgage financing for Moxy Portland Downtown, a 197-room hotel located in the West End District of downtown Portland, Oregon.



The hotel opened in March of this year and consequently has limited operating history. Proceeds from this financing were used to pay off the construction loan, provide funds for an interest reserve as well as closing costs and fees. The 5-year LIBOR-based floating rate loan was sized to approximately 76% of total project costs. The property was developed and is managed by Graves Hospitality, and is owned in partnership with KCB Real Estate.

Amenities at the hotel include a lobby bar, lounge and a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center. Located in Portlands West End District between the downtown retail core and Portlands iconic Powell's City of Books at the edge of the Pearl District, the West End District has emerged as a vibrant center of creativity, fashion and nightlife. The area is also home to a growing number of local and international design shops, fashion boutiques, restaurants, cafes and hotels. Moxy Hotels (www.MoxyHotels.com) is Marriott Internationals millennial-focused, lifestyle brand that is fresh and innovative, combining stylish design and approachable service at an affordable price point.

Elliot Eichner, a Principal of Sonnenblick-Eichner Company, commented, Despite the fact that the hotel had limited operating history, coupled with the complexities inherent in leasehold financing, we were successful in structuring a loan that will provide time for the hotel to stabilize.

Patrick Brown, also a Principal of Sonnenblick-Eichner Company, added: As our experience dictates with financing hotels coming off of construction loans, this loan was competitively bid for a property with limited operating history. We are currently marketing loan requests, including fixed and floating rate, as well as construction loans, and are seeing tremendous demand within the sector.

About Sonnenblick-Eichner Company

Sonnenblick-Eichner Company (www.sonneich.com ) is a Beverly Hills-based real estate investment banking firm that specializes in arranging structured finance for acquisition, construction and permanent loans, interim and mezzanine financing as well as joint-venture equity transactions. The company is recognized for its expertise in marketing institutional real estate for sale and providing capital for all product types including hospitality, retail, office, industrial, and multifamily properties.

About Graves Hospitality

Graves Hospitality turns ideas into action and Real Estate into enterprise. GH offers a comprehensive range of development and management services adeptly tailored to answer the unique needs of independent and branded hotels, resorts and restaurants as well as residential and commercial projects. The company's development skills and management services, including sales, marketing, distribution, human resources and accounting, are honed by over 40 years of continued success. Consistently recognized as an industry leader, GH has developed and managed more than 100 hotels and restaurants, as well as residential and commercial developments. GH is passionate about providing owners, guests and associates with an unparalleled level of service and expertise. Partnering with smart, creative and sincerely enjoyable people and then fiercely maintaining those relationships, results in a positive synergy that naturally fosters success. GH takes great pride in being able to identify, develop, build and manage projects that create great profits for our investors. To learn more information about Graves Hospitality, visit www.graveshospitality.com .

About KCB Real Estate

KCB Real Estate is a family-owned real estate operating company that provides joint venture equity to acquire and operate a wide range of properties across the country. KCB partners with people who have high integrity and a strong history of successful real estate investments. KCB currently oversees over 70 properties across the United States with an asset value of over $1 billion, including hotels, apartment communities, healthcare facilities, shopping centers, offices and industrial buildings. KCB distinguishes itself by its philosophy of holding properties for the long term and its commitment to projects that serve the needs of the local community. For more information, visit www.kcbrem.com .

Source: Sonnenblick-Eichner Company



Media Contact: Bruce Beck

bruce@dbrpr.com

(805) 777-7971



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6b6f35d-e297-4f4c-8723-e9fdd25e52dd




BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday the doom of "Taiwan independence" is an irreversible historical trend.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press conference that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority is creating an illusion of the reliability of the United States regarding the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

In fact, the people in Taiwan are aware that what really concerns the United States are its own needs and interests, Zhu noted.

The DPP authority's attempt to collude with foreign forces in "seeking independence by force" is bound to fail, said Zhu.

The Taiwan question falls within China's internal affairs and does not brook any external interference, irresponsible remarks or anything done by any country to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhu added. 
REGINA, Saskatchewan, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Protein Industries Canada announced a co-investment into a project to design and deliver a reskilling program for Canadas agrifood sector to increase employment opportunities among under-represented populations and help solve the labour shortage that the industry faces.



Palette Skills and the University of Saskatchewan (USask), along with Enterprise and Machine Learning Initiative (EMILI) and Economic Development Regina, are partnering to develop the program  focusing on potentially marginalized talent pools and under-represented populations. The program will launch as a pilot in Saskatchewan to train 50 workers who will then be placed in high-demand jobs in the agrifood sector. The core focus of the pilot will be to connect companies within the sector to the diverse, well-trained and skilled talent needed to scale their businesses and accelerate Canadas economic recovery. If proven successful, there is potential to scale the program across the Prairies.

The Protein Industries Superclusters investment in this important project aims to respond to Canadas immediate and long-term training needs, particularly for under-represented groups in the labour market. Its a step toward a proven model of successful training in digital skills. This program is a great opportunity to help workers connect with companies while we train a specialized workforce in Canadas agri-food sector, said The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

Labour shortages continue to be a major issue across the agriculture and agri-food sector. At the same time, there are so many exciting career opportunities just waiting for young and new Canadians to discover. Our Government is committed to addressing labour challenges and connecting more people into these jobs. Thanks to this investment, more people will access digital skills, training in the agri-food sector, and gain access to interesting career opportunities, said The Hounourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Palette Skills will leverage its successful skilling model, consulting with industry partners to determine the most pressing skills needed in the industry and develop solutions to meet these needs. As a leader in agricultural research, USasks College of Agriculture and Bioresources will support the programs design and industry engagement  leveraging its strong relationships to help grow the projects employer consortium and contribute its knowledge and experience toward the programs curriculum. Economic Development Regina and EMILI will support the partners industry engagement and integration of digital agriculture skills.

The growth of Canadas plant-based food and ingredient ecosystem is dependent on having the people with the right skills and talents, Protein Industries Canada CEO Bill Greuel said. This program will help engage those not familiar with our sector, including under-represented groups, and provide them with some of the most in-demand skills, so they can become a part of this growing and exciting sector, providing SMEs with the employees they need to scale-up and meet the growing demand for Canadas plant-based food and ingredients.

A total of $1.08 million is being invested in the project, with Protein Industries Canada investing $1.01 million and the partners investing the remaining.

Ensuring that Canada has a secure and sustainable agriculture sector with an adaptable and highly skilled workforce is essential in driving our economic recovery post-pandemic, Palette Skills Executive Director AJ Tibando said. The pandemic forced many companies in the region to change their businesses, modify their supply chains and adopt new technologies. These companies have been leaders in adopting advanced technologies and pivoting during the pandemic, and were excited about the opportunity to help them access the skilled talent needed to adapt and thrive in this new and challenging environment.

The University of Saskatchewan provides a pipeline of research and trained members of the workforce, empowering the agricultural industry to feed the world, USask Vice-President Research Baljit Singh said. This partnership is an example of how our institution is focused on innovation and creating new paths of discovery by working with government and industry partners.

The project marks Protein Industries Canadas sixth project announcement through its capacity building program, and its 30th project overall. Together with industry, Protein Industries Canada has invested more than $451 million to Canadas plant-based food, feed and ingredients ecosystem.

Media may contact:

Celeen George

Protein Industries Canada

Winnipeg, Man.

204-295-7925

celeen@proteinsupercluster.ca

About Palette Skills

Palette Skills is a national nonprofit funded in part by the Government of Canada. Palette Skills helps organizations access untapped labour markets and create pathways to career growth through demand-driven, industry-led accelerated skilling programs. Job placement is our number one metric.

About the University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is located in Saskatoon, Sask., on Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis. Research, teaching and learning at USask are enhanced by its array of world-class centres and facilities. A range of excellent programs, from business, law and public policy to engineering, agriculture, medicine and veterinary medicine, positions USask to bring unique perspectives to key global challenges. With more than 25,700 students from around the globe, our strong community and well-recognized experts will continue to drive USask to be the university the world needs.

An image accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7b2c4ee3-0d40-434d-bdb3-fa1cef72ff46
Dallas, Texas, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Priority Aviation, Inc. (OTC Pink: PJET) (PJET) today announced the companys electric vehicle partnership with Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTC Pink: ALYI) was featured in an ALYI 2022 Strategic Outlook Presentation . ALYIs partnerships with iQSTEL, and Waterpure were also highlighted in ALYIs presentation.

PJET recently announced it will soon be introducing electric motorcycles and scooters produced by ALYI for use on university campuses. PJET plans to start taking orders in the first quarter of 2022. The company is launching a university campus roadshow first in Texas, where it will bring its electric motorcycle and scooter models to campuses for demonstrations and to take orders.

PJET plans to publish its own 2022 strategic overview presentation next week on Wednesday, Jan 19th.

PJET recently introduced a new business focus delivering technology solutions to improve the student living experience.

The PJET student living technology solution is centered on a Student Housing By Owner (SHBO) App. The development of the App is complete, and the App is now undergoing an internal quality review. The App is expected to launch in production imminently.

PJET is also building a brick-and-mortar component of its business to physically trial and prove parameters for its technology solutions. The company has reached terms to fund and build a student housing residential building in Texas that will support a small private university with an enrollment of approximately 1200 students.

PJET recently announced that it would add an EV pilot to its brick-and-mortar pilot. The pilot project initiative has now expanded and has grown into a multi-campus sales program.

21 million U.S. college students are estimated to have over $376 billion in spending power. In 2020, students spent $39 billion on food alone. Annual student spending on clothes and accessories is estimated at $67 billion. Universities themselves spend approximately $1 billion annually advertising to the university student demographic.

See College Student Spending Habits For 2021 to learn more.

PJETs Student Housing App design includes an artificial intelligence engine intended to integrate a network of businesses addressing the student living ecosystem.

Visit the companys new website periodically to look for the latest updates

Company Website  www.pjet-info.com

Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Boston, MA, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Real Leaders is thrilled to announce its 200 Top Impact Companies from around the world. Among thousands of companies considered, Real Leaders has selected SVN International Corp. (SVN), a full-service commercial real estate franchisor of the SVN brand, as a top 200 company in the global impact economy. SVN will be honored at the 2022 Real Leaders Impact Awards global event on February 24th, 2022.

These awards honor companies that exemplify a new vision of capitalism  one that recognizes that doing good and adhering to key international sustainable development goals is also good for profits and growth. Real Leaders has developed the Force for Good score to analyze and rank each companys positive impact, which uses metric data from key social impact assessments as well as company growth and revenue figures to calculate their score.

Business leaders across the globe are rapidly discovering that to be competitive  and to grow and thrive  they must forgo shortsighted thinking in favor of a farsighted vision that takes into account their companys social and environmental impact, said Mark Van Ness, Founder of Real Leaders. We are excited to welcome new and old companies alike to the impact movement, and into the Real Leaders Impact Awards community.

SVN has been leading the industry in seeking more diversity and creating a platform that is inclusive for all. As a result, between 20-30% of SVNs new advisors are women or people of color  nearly double the industry average.

SVN is honored to be recognized by Real Leaders among other exemplary companies driving meaningful social impact, said Kevin Maggiacomo, SVN President & CEO. Operating at the intersection of people and profit serves to elevate all of humanity while delivering economic value to SVNs stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to pursue exponential growth through this vision of capitalism.

The 2022 list features a mix of respected impact brands of all sizes and from a variety of industries. SVN joins powerful global brands such as Tesla, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Etsy, and Patagonia as winners of this prestigious award. Click here to view the Impact Awards Rankings.

A virtual ceremony will be held on February 24, 2022, to honor the winners and will feature a keynote from Peter Diamandis, founder and executive chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation and executive founder of Singularity University.

ABOUT SVN

The SVN organization is a globally recognized commercial real estate entity united by a shared vision of creating value with clients, colleagues, and our communities. The SVN brand comprises over 1,620 Advisors and staff in more than 200 offices across the globe in six countries. Its brand pillars represent the transparency, innovation, and inclusivity that enables its Advisors to collaborate with the entire real estate industry on behalf of their clients. SVNs unique Shared Value Network is just one of the many ways that SVN Advisors create amazing value with their clients, colleagues, and communities. For more information, visit www.svn.com. All SVN offices are independently owned and operated. To learn more about becoming an SVN commercial real estate business owner, visit http://www.svn.com/franchise/.

LinkedIn: SVN International Corp.

Instagram: @svninternationalcorp

Twitter: @SVNic

Facebook: @SVNIC

ABOUT REAL LEADERS

Real Leaders is a membership community for impact leaders with a global media platform dedicated to driving positive change. Its on a mission to unite farsighted leaders to transform our shortsighted world. Founded in 2010, Real Leaders recognized early on that businesses bore a responsibility to be as cognizant of their impact on employees, society, and the planet as they are on their bottom line. Real Leaders is a B Corporation, member of the UN Global Compact, and is independently owned.

LinkedIn: Real Leaders

Instagram: @Real_Leaders

Twitter: @Real_Leaders

Facebook: @RealLeadersMagazine

Hashtag: #RealLeadersImpactAwards

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PHOENIX, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- President Joe Biden signed into law the 1.2 trillion dollar Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) late last year, which will deliver $550 billion of new federal investments in America's infrastructure over a period of five years. The Bill, promising to reach almost every corner of the country, includes key priority areas such as bridges, ports, rail, roads, technology, safety and more. B2Gnow, the industry leader in powerful diversity, procurement and grant management software that supports economic opportunity for small and diverse businesses, released the following statement on the passing of the bipartisan infrastructure deal:



This package is a monumental step in not only improving the infrastructure in thousands of communities across the country, but also creating an unprecedented number of opportunities for small and diverse businesses. The time is now for public sector organizations to get prepared for both the influx in funds and the complex compliance, spend tracking, and reporting requirements related to federal dollars, said Justin Talbot-Stern, CEO of B2Gnow.

Following the Bill, many public sector agencies weve spoken with are now laying the groundwork for building or upgrading their own small, veteran and diverse business programs. Our powerful cloud-based solution empowers these agencies to create a sustainable supplier diversity program, pick and choose which modules work best for them, and accomplish their program objectives while seamlessly automating disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) tracking and mandatory reporting requirements, continued Talbot-Stern.

In order to address public sector agencies' growing interest in how to get prepared for the Infrastructure Bill as well as how to set-up a successful small and /or diverse business participation plan, B2Gnow is offering complimentary access to seminar materials recently delivered at an Association of Counties convention on the topic of: The Four Keys to Designing and Delivering Sustainable Small, Veteran and Diverse Business Programs. Access the seminar materials here .

About B2Gnow

Founded in 1999, B2Gnow is the most comprehensive and widely utilized supplier diversity, procurement and grant management software provider in the United States. B2Gnow is leveraged by hundreds of government, education, and private sector organizations that manage over one million vendors on the platform. The B2Gnow cloud-based solution allows organizations to track the participation, utilization and contracting details of disadvantaged businesses, such as minority business enterprises and women businesses enterprises. B2Gnow maintains the single largest database of disadvantaged business entities in North America, helping the federal government, more than half of state governments, and hundreds of counties, cities, airports, and Fortune 500 companies manage their supplier diversity and compliance programs through technology solutions. The modular platform addresses all aspects of supplier management on the diversity and compliance spectrum. For more information visit http://www.b2gnow.com.
Beverly Hills, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since 2007, Ruth Kuttler has been expertly acquainted with the evolution of the Internet and digital marketing. She and her exceptional team are well-versed with growing trends, compelling content creation, pixel perfect web design, and custom web development designed for conversions and automation. Through comprehensive and innovative digital services, Webpuzzlemaster helps local businesses and entrepreneurs capture market share, increase revenues, strengthen their brand and reputation, promote customer retention, and use technology for automation to enhance productivity and ROI (return on investment).

Listen to the full interview of Ruth Kuttler with Adam Torres on the Mission Matters Business Podcast.

Ruths Life-Changing Career Change From Healthcare to Digital Services

Before shifting to a digital design and marketing career, Ruth faced challenges as a nurse practitioner and in various nursing roles in her healthcare career. Her quest to find her purpose and passion led to participation in a poetry contest. This was the catalyst that ultimately helped Ruth discover her passion and potential for making a creative career change. Ruth knew that the internet would play a dominant role in the future. With her husband's support, Ruth quit nursing and enrolled in a program to acquire skills in graphics and web design, HTML and internet marketing. Initially, she collaborated with a partner for web design and development projects. In 2007, she became a solo entrepreneur, founding Webpuzzlemaster Digital Marketing Agency for providing comprehensive services designed to follow trends and proven online practices.

The Evolution of Digital Content Marketing

When Ruth transitioned her career, technology was much less advanced, and mobile marketing did not exist. Most businesses were skeptical that the internet would replace their reliance on word of mouth, direct mail, and the phonebook. Yet Ruth was able to change clients minds through the results she achieved.

Ruth intuitively created quality content optimized with relevant keywords that produced top Google rankings almost right away. At the time, though, Google and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) were not popular. Nevertheless, SEO combined with compelling written content and images, helped Ruth to achieve outstanding results. One of her clients, formerly totally reliant on pricey paid leads, quickly began to acquire quality leads and customers from his website. This changed his mind about the value of the Internet.

Website and Planning Strategies for Business Owners Seeking to Improve their Results

Today, all businesses require a website for branding and to maximize leads and revenues from a powerful online presence. Ruth explained that the website receives traffic from all sources. This is where the bulk of conversions occur.

Ruth described an effective website as one that speaks to the ideal customer with compelling content that sets the business apart from competitors, and is easy to navigate for mobile as well as desktop and TV users. Impressive audience-specific content is designed to produce conversions that may include lead generation, sales, list-building, event registrations, and social sharing. Besides content, high-converting websites must be fast-loading and provide an optimum user experience on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.

Before creating a website, Ruth spends time with prospective business owners to fully understand their needs, goals, budget, and requirements. Her strategic planning services integrate the clients unique selling proposition (USP), competitor analysis, a thorough understanding of the market that connects to the heart of their ideal audience, and keywords that the target market is searching. Another consideration is that products or services are unique, in demand, and not likely to lose appeal due to changing market conditions.

Where Most Brands Go Wrong With Targeting and Customer Retention

During the interview, Ruth recalled an experience with a client selling upscale products to a high end BTB market. The company had an old, outdated website where messaging attracted a BTC customer and omitted engaging images and content to target ideal customers. A redevelopment of this project based on detailed strategic planning and keyword optimized compelling content, transformed results very quickly as the client rapidly increased inquiries and sales from her targeted BTB market.

Another problem frequently encountered with brands is their failure to use strategies to boost customer loyalty and retain customers. This is where automated marketing via email and SMS text campaigns can be very valuable in retaining customers, increasing profits, and producing a significant ROI.

About the Webpuzzlemaster Digital Marketing Agency

Ruths company excels at digital marketing designed to establish and strengthen a business brand and help them to achieve sustainable business growth. Services focused on local businesses include strategic planning, graphic design, web design and development, copywriting, SEO, video production and marketing, and social media, email, and SMS marketing. While most marketing agencies outsource some or all digital offerings, Webpuzzlemaster defines and manages all services provided. Their culture of teamwork from a skilled and experienced team as well as commitment, is infused in every project.

Strategic planning is an important service provided to maximize efficiency, profits and ROI. Besides creating compelling content, Ruth helps clients and her prospects with strategies that use technology for automation, database development, lead generation, review solicitation, sales and marketing, and communication with CRMs, email and SMS services via APIs and webhooks. She also educates clients about security, additional opportunities for creating residual income streams, and how to be in compliance with sales tax and ADA (American Disabilities Act) requirements.

The success of all online projects demands extensive keyword research for organic SEO and PPC advertising. Ruth says that Identifying buyer keywords that are not highly competitive but are searched in significant numbers, is particularly important for producing targeted traffic as quickly as possible and at the lowest possible cost. The right keywords must be combined with messaging that speaks to the ideal customer, making them feel that the business is their very best choice.

Keyword research is a critical part of every online project in order to benefit from search marketing. Keyword research does not replace the need for initial and ongoing SEO (search engine optimization) services. Whether for a website, video, or social media page, businesses must continually produce keyword optimized content to attract and convert ideal customers.

Webpuzzlemasters Proprietary WordPress Software Creation

Ruths company developed two proprietary WordPress plugins (software), designed to boost profits and retain customers. These include a robust multimedia gallery and an SMS plugin for scheduling and sending bulk SMS to targeted lists.

The gallery called Ultimate WP Multimedia Gallery is a fully responsive plugin for images and embedded YouTube and Vimeo video. What makes it really unique and exciting is its powerhouse of tools for driving engagement, website traffic, link building, content syndication, and YouTube channel subscription - all without losing contact with the website. Its conversion call to action button labels and links for each item in the gallery, make it ideal for lead generation, sales, opt-in list building and appointment conversions. Learn more at https://gallery.webpuzzlemaster.com/

Webpuzzlemaster has also created eZ SMS Blaster, an easy, affordable and robust SMS (Short Message Service) marketing plugin designed to help businesses grow profits from new and existing customers through effective follow-up. eZ SMS Blaster overcomes the biggest challenges in using SMS marketing with user-friendly software designed for building multiple lists, advanced targeting, and the sending of SMS at strategic times. Businesses can import permission-based lists or use the form generator to create customized opt-in forms. They can even create a birthday form and automate the process of giving subscribers a free digital gift on their birthday. All forms offer the option to include a digital incentive that is managed in the plugin. The software includes the ability to make and clone HTML coupons that support clickable actions for immediate results. Learn more at https://ezsmsblaster.com/

How Managed Hosting Works

As Ruth explained, websites are a business owners greatest marketing asset. Typically, digital marketing agencies design websites and post them on their clients chosen host platform. They do what they are paid for and provide no further support. These companies might fail to back up websites and account for potential viruses and hacks. As a result, affected businesses are left to pay costly fees for online recovery and removal of blacklisting by Google. Webpuzzlemaster recognized this shortcoming. They not only host business sites on a fully managed and secure server that scans websites for threats, they also support site management. This includes, updating software and troubleshooting and resolving conflicts, performance issues, malware, and blacklisting - all for one low monthly cost.

The Future of the Digital Revolution and Webpuzzlemaster

Ruth is excited to expand and evolve Webpuzzlemaster Digital Marketing Agency. She believes that the Internet and marketing will continue to evolve. She is committed to following trends that impact the online presence of the businesses she serves. To learn more, visit webpuzzlemaster.com and book a free 30-minute strategy session.

Media Communications

Inquiries: adamtorres@missionmatters.com

Publicist for Adam Torres and Mission Matters Media KISS PR Brand Story PressWire



Brand Publicity Partners KissPR.com - T: 972.437.8942

News provided by KISS PR Press Release Distribution





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Dallas, TX, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associa Cares, the community management industrys leading charitable organization, began the distribution of $150,000 in grants to more than 40 charitable organizations across the United States and Canada during the recent holiday season.

To maximize support for the communities in which Associa team members live and work, Associa Cares offered each branch office $1,000 to donate to a local charity of their choice. With the assistance of Associa employees at branch offices across North America, Associa Cares donated much needed funds to more than 40 charitable organizations in the United States and Canada in December. Beneficiaries included the North Texas Food Bank, KID, Inc., Dell Childrens Foundation, Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative, OneOC, 2 Blondes All Breed Rescue, and many more hunger, youth, animal, and other charitable organizations.

Associa Cares was established in 2007 and our goal is to bring Associas values to life by supporting as many communities and residents as possible, stated Andrew Fortin, Associa Cares president. The holidays are the perfect opportunity to further expand our mission and make a difference, thanks to the generosity of our employees and business partners who help raise funds all year long. This year, we were able to positively impact communities through donations to more than 40 different amazing organizations across North America. As we continue into 2022, we look forward to assisting even more communities.

About Associa Cares

Associa Cares is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created to assist families and communities in crisis as a result of natural and man-made disasters. Through donations raised from Associa employees and at fundraising events across the country, Associa Cares is able to provide aid to the families affected by these types of tragedies.

Associa Cares funds are distributed to families of Associa-managed and non-Associa managed communities. To donate to Associa Cares or apply for assistance, please visit our website at www.associacares.org.

Associa Cares has provided assistance to more than 3,000 families and more than $4.3 million has been distributed since 2007. To view Associa Cares fundraising disclosure statement, visit www.associacares.org/fundraising-disclosure-statement/.

About Associa

With more than 200 branch offices across North America, Associa is building the future of community for nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 10,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise, and trailblazing innovation. For more than 43 years, Associa has brought positive impact and meaningful value to communities. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com

Stay Connected:

Like Associa Cares on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associacares/

Like Associa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associa

Subscribe to the Blog: https://hub.associaonline.com/

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/associa

Join us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/associa

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Riverdale, NJ, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A 2019 study conducted by researchers from the University of Utahs Department of Atmospheric Sciences found a statistically significant correlation between air pollution and school absences.

Over 135 million Americans  more than 40% of the population  are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution on a day-to-day basis in their communities. According to the National Lung Association, exposure to unsafe air and the health threats associated with it disproportionately affects people of color and low-income families.

Schools in low-income communities are often built on the cheapest plots of land available, placing them next to high traffic roads and in other high-risk areas for excessive pollution levels. Since school funding is allocated based on property taxes within the school zone, schools serving low-income families do not have adequate resources to upgrade their HVAC systems to accommodate the high-efficiency air filtration solutions that would protect students.

Utah Study Found Link Between Particulate Matter and School Absences

A 2019 study conducted by researchers from the University of Utahs Department of Atmospheric Sciences found a statistically significant correlation between air pollution and school absences. Even minor increases in levels of PM2.5 in the air in the Salt Lake City School District in Utah were linked to increases in school absences the following day.

While this correlation does not prove a causal relationship, the finding aligns with other research on the topic conducted before and since the University of Utahs study.

What is Particulate Matter?

Often abbreviated to PM1, PM2.5, or PM10, these microscopic particles suspended in the air are known to cause damage to human health as well as industrial equipment and processes. Particulate matter can be made out of anything.

PM is classified by the measurement of their diameter in microns. Different classifications of particulate matter affect different parts of the body in different ways and require different filtration solutions. A micron, or a micrometer, is a unit of measurement equalling one-millionth of a meter, or one-thousandth of a millimeter. For reference, there are 25400 microns in an inch.

PM10 are inhalable particles with a diameter of ten microns or less. PM2.5 are inhalable particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less. This type of particulate matter is often referred to as fine particulate matter. PM1 are inhalable particles with a diameter of 1 micron or less.

To get an idea of just how small particulate matter is:

A strand of human hair averages 70 microns in diameter

A sheet of copy paper is usually 100 microns thick

A grain of pollen typically falls in the range of 10 to 40 microns in diameter



Benefits of using high efficiency air filters in schools

Why Is Air Quality in Schools So Bad?

While the geographical location is responsible for a portion of the airborne pollutants that affect children in schools, school buildings themselves are major sources of indoor air pollution. 2014 survey data by the National Center for Education Statistics found that the average age of schools main buildings was 55 years old. This means that the average school was built in the late 1950s to early 1960s.

Old buildings are prone to radon gas and asbestos fumes, which are both extreme health threats. Additionally, architecture during this period was designed to keep outdoor air outside  thick insulation, tight seals around windows and doors, and vapor barriers. But this also seals indoor pollutants inside.

Indoor air pollution originates from a range of sources, including:

Cleaning chemicals and air fresheners.

Printers, copying machines, or other equipment that uses large quantities of ink.

Furniture, especially inexpensive furniture, emits formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals.

Students, teachers, staff, and visitors, who bring in allergens and particulate matter from outdoor sources on their clothes, as well as shedding tens of thousands of skin cells every minute, which contributes to dust buildup.

Excessive moisture.

Mold, mildew, and other pathogens and microbes.

Studies by the EPA have also shown that areas where lots of people gather, such as cafeterias and gyms in schools, are five times more polluted than other areas.

The Implications of Air Pollution on Education

The impact of air pollution on education as a whole goes beyond a few missed school days at the individual level. In many states, state aid to schools is allocated based on attendance records. Excessive absences due to air pollution can seriously affect childrens education overall due to cut funding, even if they themselves have not missed school due to pollution-related sickness.

In addition to the physical health threats that polluted air poses to developing lungs as well as adult lungs, polluted air is linked to decreased productivity, decreased cognitive ability, moodiness, and irritability. These factors affect students and teachers. Overall, polluted air greatly affects the education of American children.



Media Contact:

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

https://www.camfil.com/en-us/

T: 888.599.6620

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

F: Friend Camfil USA on Facebook

T: Follow Camfil USA on Twitter

Y: Watch Camfil Videos on YouTube

L: Follow our LinkedIn Page

Ref: https://cleanair.camfil.us/2021/09/23/camfil-air-filter-experts-explain-pm-2-5-and-new-research-from-harvard-t-h-chan-school-of-public-health-highlights-the-importance-of-indoor-air-quality-and-proper-ventilation/

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global sales of dust extractors exceeded the revenues worth US$ 1 billion in 2018, which are projected to witness an average Y-o-Y growth of around 6%, in 2019 and ahead. Dust Extractors Market size is projected to total US$ 3.6 Bn by 2028. As envisaged by a new research intelligence outlook of Future Market Insights (FMI), dust extractors will enjoy significant gains in the low dust class, accounting for a substantial incremental opportunity over the course of coming years.



Attribute Details Dust Extractors Market Estimated Size 2022 US$ 2.2 Bn Dust Extractors Market Value-based CAGR (2022-2028) ~8.5% Dust Extractors Market Size in Projected 2028 US$ 3.6 Bn

Request for Report Sample - https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-9500

While adoption of dust extractors in medium dust class will retain a dominant share over that in the low dust class in the long run, the latter is highly likely to outpace former owing to the impressive growth of commercial building sector. Sales are likely to experience a considerable hike in the forthcoming years, as the demand from major end-use sectors, particularly commercial building and offices, is on a constant rise.

Construction sites, though envisaged to remain key demand generator in the dust extractor space, will be closely trailed by the wood working segment. The report positions wood working applications of dust extractors market as an important demand contributor to the market and projects a healthy rate of growth for the dust extractor demand in wood working segment.

DYI Applications Boosting Potential of Online Sales Channels

Growing number of projects in the commercial space construction landscape will remain a significant booster for the demand growth of dust extractors at a global level. Moreover, noteworthy increase in the number of DIY applications, strongly backed by flourishing online retail channels, has been cited in the report as important factors impacting the growth of dust extractor market in years to come. The report has attributed growth of DIY applications segment to the progress of home improvement industry, observed in the recent past.

In the light of success registered by leading online distributors of DIY vacuum cleaners such as Amazon, EBay, Alibaba, and ShopClues among others, a number of organizations are strategizing their entry to the E-commerce space. The report projects that power tools sales are likely to emerge as a popular strategy among players, which are stepping in the online retail world for DYI vacuum cleaner sales. Growing consumer preference for online channels while shopping DIY application tools is instrumenting accelerated online sales of dust extractors, as per the report findings. However, high price point associated with high-capacity vacuum cleaners will continue to restrain the accelerated growth of dust extractor market in the long run.

In line with the potential competitive edge offered by dust extractor models with compact dimensional design and light weight, key manufacturers are following the growing trend of high R&D investments in innovative product launches.

Speak to our Research Expert: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-9500

Scope of Report

Attribute Details Forecast Period 2013-2021 Historical Data Available for 2022-2028 Market Analysis Units for Volume and US$ Bn for Value Key Regions Covered North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Japan, Oceania, the Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific excluding Japan. Key Countries Covered United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Nordic, Russia, Poland, China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, GCC countries, North Africa, South Africa, others. Key Market Segments Covered Capacity, Power, Application, Dust Class, Vacuum Pressure, and Region Key Companies Profiled Milwaukee Tool

Alfred Karcher SE & Co. KG

Makita Corporation

Hilti Group

Robert Bosch GmbH

DeWalt (acquired by Stanley)

Nilfisk Inc.

Panasonic Corporation

Metabowerke GmbH (Parent Organization-Hitachi Koki)

Tennant Company

Numatic International Ltd.

Electrostar GmbH (Starmix)

Bisell Inc.

Fiorentini/Clemas & Co.

Verimark (Pty) Ltd.

C & E Fein GmbH Pricing Available upon Request

Japan to Rise as the Industrys Manufacturing Hub

Europe is envisaged to emerge as a highly profitable region for the prominent consumers of dust extractors, towards the end of the forecast period. Currently, the US and Germany represent the most prominent countries generating significant demand for dust extractors, subsequently benefiting the markets in North America and Western Europe, respectively.

According to the report, the demand for dust extractors in developed regions will continue to be favorably influenced by the stringent regulatory framework of regional governments regarding the usage of vacuum cleaners.

Furthermore, Japan is also anticipated to be a lucrative regional market for dust extractors, in terms of value and volume. FMIs analysis also depicts that Japan is currently reflecting the potential to develop into the new manufacturing hub. MEA is also projected to remain a prominent regional market for dust extractor sales, which has been primarily attributed to the robust growth of key end-use sectors across the region.

We Offer tailor-made Solutions to fit Your Requirements, Request Customization@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-9500

Dust Extractor Market: Vendor Landscape

The dust extractor market is largely fragmented, as a result of the strong presence of a large number of local and established players. The report provides details of some of the key players in the global dust extractor market, such as Milwaukee Tool, Alfred Karcher SE & Co. KG, Makitra Corporation, Hilti Group, Robert Bosch GmbH, DeWalt (acquired by Stanley), Metabowerke GmbH, Panasonic Corporation, Nilfisk Inc., Tennant Company, Numatic International Ltd., Electrostar GmbH (Starmix), Bisell Inc., Fiorentini / Clemas & Co., Verimark (Pty) Ltd., and C & E Fein GmbH.

Find the Previous Research Done on Dust Extractors Market Trends - https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dust-extractor-sales-poised-for-healthy-growth-at-over-6-cagr-during-2019-to-2029--future-market-insights-300845003.html

Find the Previous Research Done on - Industrial Automation Market Trends

Global Dust Control Systems Market: Dust Control Systems Market is expected to surge at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast years of 2020-2030.

Industrial Dust Collector Market: Rising concern towards health issues due to excess in pollution is projected to bolster the sales of industrial dust collector market over the coming years.

Die Cutting Machine Market: Die Cutting Machine market is set to witness steady growth during 2021-2031 and is expected to grow with the CAGR in the range of 2-5% during the forecast period.

Brazing Strips Market: Brazing Strips market is set to witness steady growth during 2021-2031 exhibiting a CAGR of over 3% during the same period.

Pump Feeders Market: Pump Feeders is expected to surge ahead at a CAGR around 5 to 10% from 2021 to 2031.

Cable Racks Market: Cable racks market is set to witness a consistent and a healthy growth during 2021  2031 with a CAGR in range of 7% to 8%.

Integrated Gas System Market: Integrated gas system are used for maintaining the gas flow and its mixtures in manufacturing processes. Such as for mixing, purging, and by configuring discreet components in manufacturing process.

Pump Feeders Market: Pump Feeders is expected to surge ahead at a CAGR around 5 to 10% from 2021 to 2031.

Screw Conveyor Market: Screw Conveyor market is expected to record 6%-8% CAGR from 2021 to 2031.

Crane Motors Market: The market is set to witness steady growth during 2021-2031. Sales of crane motors is expected to expand at CAGR of 5 to 6% during 2021 to 2031.

About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai, and has delivery centers in the UK, U.S. and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.

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Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/dust-extractors-market

Press Release Source: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/press-release/dust-extractors-market
HONOLULU, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Territorial Savings Bank announced that beginning Wednesday, January 12, 2022, it is temporarily closing its Pearl City Branch and Kalihi Branch and suspending Saturday banking hours at its Kahala Branch due to staffing challenges related to COVID. In addition, due to rain damage to its Kapahulu Branch, that branch is closed for repairs. The Bank will announce reopening of these branches as soon as our staffing issues are resolved.



Territorial Savings Bank began in 1921 offering home loans and savings accounts to the people of Hawaii. Today, with 29 branches on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai, Territorial Savings Bank offers a full array of residential mortgage loans and attractive rates on checking and savings accounts. For more information, contact Maureen Lichter, Sales and Products Manager, Banking Services, at (808) 951-1207.

CONTACT: WALTER IDA OR VERNON HIRATA PH. 808-946-1400
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Pacific Mining Corp (CSE: USGD / OTCQB: USGDF / FWB: 1QC) (American Pacific or the Company) is pleased to report drill results from its 2021 drilling programs conducted by Kennecott Exploration Company (Kennecott), a division of the Rio Tinto Group, on the Companys Madison Copper- Gold Project (the Madison Project), in Montana, USA. The Kennecott drilling program consisted of 10 core holes for a total of 3,598 metres (m), which focused on extensions of high-grade gold-copper skarn mineralization as well as new target concepts at Madison.



Highlights:

MADN0033 cut 14.44 g/t gold (Au) and 0.11% copper (Cu) over 6.53 m. Including 39.57 g/t Au and 0.28% Cu over 2.35 m and 146 g/t Au and 0.98% Cu over 0.48 m (third highest gold intercept ever reported at Madison)



MADN0033 assay results demonstrate the significant potential to extend high-grade Au-Cu mineralization down plunge (see Figure 1)



New gold zone identified by drill hole MADN0033 is 55 metres from nearest drill intercept and 100 metres down dip



MADN0026 cut 2.01 g/t Au over 6 m and disseminated lower grade gold over 26 m.



MADN0032 intersected 1.64 g/t Au over 9 m within limestone breccia beyond the skarn, highlighting the potential for additional gold-bearing styles of mineralization at Madison.



An updated 3D model showing holes from this recently completed program can be found at the following link: https://www.americanpacific.ca/projects/madison/madison-mine-3d-model/

American Pacific President, Eric Saderholm, stated: The gold assays reported in MADN0033 represent the highest-grade gold intercepts reported to-date for American Pacific across our portfolio since the inception of the Company, and the third highest ever reported at Madison. The potential down plunge from MADN0033 is evident and the intersection of numerous styles of gold and copper mineralization across multiple rock units and lithologies is also quite encouraging. This speaks to the unique and powerful systems at Madison. We look forward to collaborating with our partner in the coming weeks to complete further modelling, analysis and define future exploration plans.

Figure 1. 2021 Cross Section Highlighting Drill Hole MADN0033 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66128cb0-4c18-40ba-a53c-0fcbb70b45ca

Figure 2. Planimetric View is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/880c8363-92ba-4c4d-a865-2663b14e10af

Table 1. Additional Notable Drill Intercepts from 2021 Drill Program is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3d682fa6-e2ad-47f0-a421-0f69ccd1aa5e

Table 2. 2021 Drilling Program Location, Dip, Azimuth and Total Depth is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cefbc1a5-6558-488e-9c88-b3fbe01904b2

Background and Summary of Interpretation of Results: MADN0024-MADN0033

The 2021 program was the third successful drilling campaign at the Madison Project. Drill hole MADN0033 was the highlight and will be the vector for additional drilling in the currently known mineralized area in 2022. Ten holes were drilled and nine of them encountered mineralization anomalies in a broad array of different rock lithologies. The Madison deposit contains numerous different styles of gold and copper mineralization, all of which can carry substantial metal values as can be seen in Table 1. This is an important point to emphasize. Every drill hole is an essential part of making deposits like Madison become mines. Drill hole MADN0032 is very interesting to the geologists at American Pacific Mining due to the strongly anomalous gold values that were encountered in a limestone rock package that has previously not been known to host mineralization. Hole MADN0033 also shows highly anomalous gold mineralization in iron-rich skarn, and warrants exploration drilling follow-up. Every drill hole from 2019 to 2021 has helped to further define the currently known mineralization and provided ample exploration vectors for additional targets both laterally and down-dip.

The geochemical and geophysical programs in 2021 across the property have identified several strong anomalies well away from the current drilling that are currently under evaluation and these will be presented as they are interpreted and additional targets emerge.

The Companys wholly-owned Madison Project is currently under an earn-in with an option to joint venture agreement, whereby Rio Tinto may spend $30 million USD to earn up to 70% (see news release dated June 26, 2020).

AMERICAN PACIFIC MANAGEMENT TO HOST LIVE WEBINAR EVENT:

DATE: Wednesday, January 12th, 2022

TIME: 1:45pm PST (4:45 EST)

REGISTRATION LINK: Webinar Registration Link

Quality Assurance, Quality Control

The following measures were taken to ensure sample security: samples were submitted to the ALS Global lab by company personnel following the guidelines and procedures of Rio Tinto Exploration (Kennecott). Only authorized personnel have attended the samples.

Analysis Suite

ALS Global ran ALS Supertrace multielement four acid digest ICP-MS multicollector (ME-MS61L); Au by fire assay (Au-ICP21); RTX pXRF Cr, Nb, Si, Ta, Ti, Y, Zr (p-XRF-30 RT/p-XRF-30NDL); and VNIR/SWIR spectra (TRSPEC-20/INTERP-11).

Audits or reviews

The results of any audits or reviews concerning sampling techniques and data were reviewed by Kennecott personnel. Internal review of the core sample results by the Companys management is routinely used through the course of the project.

Standards, Blanks and Duplicates

Several certified reference materials and one local (barren) blank were used as standards for QA/QC. The certified standards used include OREAS-504c, OREAS-254 which were obtained from OREAS based in Australia. Standard SK0500 is an in-house standard obtained from the Bingham Canyon Mine located in Utah. The blank samples consist of Lowe's River rock from Salt Lake City, Utah. These standards, as well as the blanks and duplicates, were inserted into the sample stream by Kennecott Exploration personnel.

Qualified Persons

Technical aspects of this press release have been reviewed and approved by Eric Saderholm, P.Geo. and Philip Mulholland P.Geo, the designated Qualified Persons (QP) under National Instrument 43-101.

About American Pacific Mining Corp.

American Pacific Mining Corp. is a precious metals explorer focused on opportunities in the Western United States. The Company's flagship asset is the high-grade, past-producing Madison Copper-Gold project in Montana which the Company acquired in 2020, and which is under option to joint venture with Kennecott Exploration Company, a division of the Rio Tinto Group. For this transaction, American Pacific was selected as a finalist in the S&P Global Platts Global Metals Awards, an annual program that recognizes exemplary accomplishments in 16 performance categories, including 'Deal of the Year,' the category in which American Pacific Mining competed. The awards program is hosted by S&P Global Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. Also in the American Pacific's asset portfolio are the Gooseberry Silver-Gold project and the Tuscarora Gold-Silver project: two high-grade, precious metals projects located in key mining districts of Nevada, USA. The Companys mission is to grow by the drill bit and by acquisition.

On Behalf of the Board of American Pacific Mining Corp.

Warwick Smith

CEO & Director

Corporate Office: Suite 910  510 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC, V6C 3A8 Canada

Investor Relations Contact:

Kristina Pillon, High Tide Consulting Corp.

T: 604.908.1695

E: Kristina@americanpacific.ca

Media Relations Contact:

Adam Bello, Primoris Group Inc.

T: 416.489.0092

E: media@primorisgroup.com

Notes:

For context and additional historic drilling results, please consult news releases from July 28th, 2020, November 2nd, 2020, January 19th, 2021 and the technical report for the Madison Project dated effective February 22, 2019, which was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects which is available on the Companys website.

https://americanpacific.ca/site/assets/files/3775/2019-03-04_brd_ni_43-101_report.pdf

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
A man wearing a face mask is seen in a shopping center in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, Jan. 11, 2022. New Orleans, the largest city of southern U.S. state of Louisiana, will reinstate its indoor mask mandate starting Wednesday as the city's COVID-19 positivity rate is over 30 percent, New Orleans Health Director Jennifer Avegno said on Tuesday. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua)

HOUSTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- New Orleans, the largest city of southern U.S. state of Louisiana, will reinstate its indoor mask mandate starting Wednesday as the city's COVID-19 positivity rate is over 30 percent, New Orleans Health Director Jennifer Avegno said on Tuesday.

The mask mandate, which will go into place at 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday prior to the Carnival Season, is a simple way to mitigate the spread of the virus, said the official during an update on the city's response to COVID-19.

She also suggests that residents wear a KN95 or N95 mask to avoid the infection of Omicron vibrant.

Avegno said hospital emergency rooms across the city, suffering from staff shortages and rising hospitalizations, have wait times of up to 10 hours.

Many schools in the city have also to move to virtual options due to staff becoming sick from COVID-19, Avegno added.

COVID-19 infections surged by more than 29,000 over the weekend in Louisiana where hospitalizations hit a three-month high, according to the data released by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) on Monday.

Overall, the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 soared 62 percent over the last week. The LDH also reported 19 more deaths on Monday, bringing the state's total deaths related to the coronavirus to 15,073.

The Omicron variant made up an estimated 90 percent of cases in Louisiana. Though it appeared less virulent than the Delta variant, local hospitals were still strained under Omicron's ultra-fast spread, public health officials said. 

A man wearing a face mask is seen in a shopping center in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, Jan. 11, 2022. New Orleans, the largest city of southern U.S. state of Louisiana, will reinstate its indoor mask mandate starting Wednesday as the city's COVID-19 positivity rate is over 30 percent, New Orleans Health Director Jennifer Avegno said on Tuesday. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua)

Signs announcing the indoor mask mandate are seen in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, Jan. 11, 2022. New Orleans, the largest city of southern U.S. state of Louisiana, will reinstate its indoor mask mandate starting Wednesday as the city's COVID-19 positivity rate is over 30 percent, New Orleans Health Director Jennifer Avegno said on Tuesday. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua)

A woman wearing a face mask is seen in a shopping center in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, Jan. 11, 2022. New Orleans, the largest city of southern U.S. state of Louisiana, will reinstate its indoor mask mandate starting Wednesday as the city's COVID-19 positivity rate is over 30 percent, New Orleans Health Director Jennifer Avegno said on Tuesday. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua)
FALLS CHURCH, Va., Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PAE Incorporated (PAE) has announced that it has set February 10, 2022 as the meeting date for the virtual special meeting of stockholders (the Special Meeting) to consider matters related to the proposed acquisition of PAE by an affiliate of Amentum Government Services Holdings LLC (Amentum) in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.9 billion, including the assumption of debt and certain fees (the Merger or the proposed transaction).

At the Special Meeting, PAEs stockholders will be asked to approve and adopt the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 25, 2021 (as may be amended from time to time, the Merger Agreement), and other such proposals as are disclosed in the definitive proxy statement relating to the Merger (the Proxy) filed by PAE with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on January 11, 2022. Holders of PAEs Class A common stock at the close of business on the record date of January 7, 2022 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting.

The Special Meeting will be convened on February 10, 2022 at 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time, in a virtual audio cast format. Stockholders may attend and vote at the Special Meeting by visiting https://www.cstproxy.com/pae/sm2022 and entering the control number found on their proxy card included in their proxy materials.

If the required proposals at the Special Meeting are approved, PAE anticipates that the Merger will close shortly thereafter, subject to the satisfaction or waiver (as applicable) of all other closing conditions.

More information about voting and attending the Special Meeting is included in the Proxy, which is available without charge on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. PAE encourages you to read the Proxy and the other relevant materials carefully. If you have any questions, need assistance voting your shares or need additional copies of the Proxy materials, please contact our proxy solicitor, Okapi Partners LLC, at (877) 279-2311, or banks and brokers can call (212) 297-0720, or by emailing info@okapipartners.com. This notice of Special Meeting and the Proxy are available at https://www.cstproxy.com/pae/sm2022. In addition, copies of the documents filed with the SEC by PAE will also be available free of charge on PAEs investor relations website at www.investors.pae.com.

About PAE

For more than 66 years, PAE has tackled the worlds toughest challenges to deliver agile and steadfast solutions to the U.S. government and host government partners. With a global workforce of about 20,000 on all seven continents and in approximately 60 countries, PAE delivers a broad range of operational support services to meet the critical needs of our clients. Our headquarters is in Falls Church, Virginia. Find us online at pae.com, on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Amentum

Amentum is a premier global technical and engineering services partner supporting critical programs of national significance across defense, security, intelligence, energy, and environment. Amentum draws from a century-old heritage of operational excellence, mission focus, and successful execution underpinned by a strong culture of safety and ethics. Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, Amentum employs more than 37,000 people in all 50 states and performs work in 105 foreign countries and territories. Visit amentum.com to explore how Amentum delivers excellence for its customers most vital missions.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used herein, words such as anticipate, consider, develop, estimate, expect, further, intend, may, plan, potential, seek, will, and variations of such words and similar expressions as they relate to PAE, its management, the Special Meeting or the proposed transaction are often used to identify such statements as forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of PAE and its management with respect to future events, including the Special Meeting and the proposed transaction, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause timing or actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) PAE may be unable to obtain stockholder approval as required for the proposed transaction at the Special Meeting or any subsequent meeting; (ii) other conditions to the closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied; (iii) the proposed transaction may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; (iv) the business of PAE may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed transaction or the Special Meeting; (v) shareholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction may affect the timing or occurrence of the proposed transaction or the Special Meeting or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (vi) PAE may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement or change in the date or occurrence of the Special Meeting; (viii) PAEs ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction; (ix) the risk that the proposed transaction or the Special Meeting disrupts PAEs current plans and operations or diverts managements or employees attention from ongoing business operations; and (x) other risks to consummation of the proposed transaction, including the risk that the proposed transaction will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all. Additional factors that may affect the future results of PAE and the proposed transaction are set forth in filings that PAE makes with the SEC from time to time, including those listed under Risk Factors in PAEs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and filed with the SEC on March 16, 2021, and amended on May 7, 2021, as updated, or supplemented by subsequent reports that PAE has filed or files with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. PAE assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement after it is made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Important Information for Investors and Where to Find It

This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed acquisition of PAE by an affiliate of Amentum. In connection with the proposed transaction, PAE filed the Proxy on January 11, 2022. The Proxy was filed in connection with the solicitation of proxies from PAEs shareholders for the proposed transaction. The Proxy will be mailed to PAEs stockholders seeking approval of the proposed transaction and certain related matters. The Proxy contains important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. BEFORE MAKING A VOTING DECISION, SHAREHOLDERS OF PAE ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PAE, THE SPECIAL MEETING, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Shareholders may obtain free copies of the Proxy and other documents (when available) that PAE files with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by PAE will also be available free of charge on PAEs investor relations website at www.investors.pae.com or by contacting PAEs Investor Relations Department.

Participants in the Solicitation

PAE and certain of its directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from PAEs stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the ownership of PAE securities by PAEs directors and executive officers is included in their SEC filings on Forms 3, 4 and 5, and additional information about PAEs directors and executive officers is also available in PAEs proxy statement for its 2021 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on April 30, 2021, and is supplemented by other filings made, and to be made, with the SEC by PAE. Additional information regarding persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from PAEs stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their respective direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the Proxy. These documents are or will be available free of charge as described above.

For media inquiries regarding PAE, contact:

Celso Puente

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

PAE

240-271-2916

Celso.Puente@pae.com

For investor inquiries regarding PAE, contact:

Mark Zindler

Vice President, Investor Relations

PAE

703-717-6017

Mark.Zindler@pae.com
Gloucester, MA (01930)

Today

Cloudy and damp with rain this morning...then becoming partly cloudy. High 51F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

A steady, heavy rain this morning. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing for the afternoon. High 58F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low around 45F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
The first winter test of 2022 will be held entirely behind closed doors. After it already became clear that film crews are not allowed, the circuit now also reports that no fans are welcome at the circuit.

No fans in Barcelona

From February 23 to 25, the new Formula 1 cars for the 2022 season will be put to the test for the first time. An important moment for all teams, because only then can we see how the competition has handled the new regulations. Who will find the golden egg and who will turn out to have done their homework the worst?

For the fans, however, this will have to wait until the test week from March 11 to 13 in Bahrain. During the first week no journalists are welcome at the circuit and now it also comes out that fans are not welcome. As a result, fans and journalists will be completely dependent on the photographers on the circuit and the images from the teams.

Pre-season tests in Barcelona will happen without public, confirmed pic.twitter.com/KCsvhKMj4A  Alpine F1 updates (@startonpole) January 12, 2022

Read more Verstappen at the start of the virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend
MOSCOW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A new round of security talks between Russia and the United States concluded Monday in Geneva, with the two sides showing no sign of narrowing differences on Ukraine and other security issues.

Analysts believe that Russia is willing to establish a longer-term security cooperation framework with Western countries led by the United States, while America has failed to respond to Russia's security concerns.

They forecast dim prospects for a breakthrough in talks as the two countries' values and strategic goals diverge.

HARD TO REACH CONSENSUS

"The talks were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempts to gloss over some sharp edges," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who headed the Russian delegation, said after the talks.

However, he added that the main questions "are still up in the air, and we don't see an understanding from the American side of the necessity of a decision in a way that satisfies us."

Russia has repeatedly voiced concern over the eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the alliance's deployment of weapons systems near the country's borders.

"We do not trust the other side," he stated. "We need ironclad, waterproof, bulletproof, legally binding guarantees -- not assurances, not safeguards."

During the talks, Ryabkov reiterated that Russia seeks legally binding guarantees of NATO's non-expansion, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who headed the U.S. delegation, said the U.S. side was firm in "pushing back on security proposals that are simply non-starters to the United States."

Sherman said that the United States will not stop NATO's "Open Door" policy and will not forego bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the United States. Russia's demand for Ukraine to be excluded from future NATO membership was also not accepted.

Recently, the conflict between Russia and NATO led by the United States has intensified over Ukraine. In December, Russia sent two draft documents to the United States and NATO, both regarding security guarantees in Europe.

Ivan Timofeev, director of programs at the Russian International Affairs Council, said it is reasonable to expect no breakthrough in the talks.

"Moscow has clearly and concisely expressed its position," he said, adding that the U.S. side, however, is not ready to consider Russia's concerns.

Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs magazine, pointed out that the two sides were at odds during the talks, as the United States wanted to shift the focus from political issues to military technology, while Russia insisted on resolving political matters first.

"The Russian side believes that there should firstly be a new basic agreement reached at the political level, and then it is possible to carry out specific consultations at the military-technical level," Lukyanov said.

PROSPECTS NOT PROMISING

At the end of the year 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden discussed Russia's recent security proposals during their telephone call.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of serious and meaningful dialogue and confirmed that the security talks between Moscow and Washington would be carried out in three formats.

After the first round of negotiations in Geneva, the dialogue would continue within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council and within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

It is generally believed that the first round of security talks between Russia and the United States is of paramount importance, which will set the tone for the next two rounds of negotiations.

Analysts pointed out that the dialogue may help stabilize Russia-U.S. relations, but tensions between Russia and the West are likely to continue escalating as the two sides have never been short of contradictions on chronic problems.

Timofeev said that the positions of the parties involved in the talks remain difficult to coordinate, burdening the negotiation process.

The core of Russia's relations with the West is rooted in its relationship with the United States, said Li Yonghui, senior research fellow in the Institute of Russia, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

If fundamental contradictions between the two countries cannot be resolved through dialogue, tensions in Europe are likely to persist in the foreseeable future, Li said. 
A staff member checks 2G certifications at a bookstore in Vienna, Austria, on Jan. 11, 2022. A series of measures against COVID-19 were taken by Austrian government from Tuesday, including FFP2 mask requirement outdoors and obligatory 2G (vaccinated, recovered) control in non-essential retail establishments. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

People wearing FFP2 masks walk on a street in Vienna, Austria, on Jan. 11, 2022. A series of measures against COVID-19 were taken by Austrian government from Tuesday, including FFP2 mask requirement outdoors and obligatory 2G (vaccinated, recovered) control in non-essential retail establishments. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

A staff member checks 2G certifications at a store in Vienna, Austria, on Jan. 11, 2022. A series of measures against COVID-19 were taken by Austrian government from Tuesday, including FFP2 mask requirement outdoors and obligatory 2G (vaccinated, recovered) control in non-essential retail establishments. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

A man wearing a FFP2 mask walks on a street in Vienna, Austria, on Jan. 11, 2022. A series of measures against COVID-19 were taken by Austrian government from Tuesday, including FFP2 mask requirement outdoors and obligatory 2G (vaccinated, recovered) control in non-essential retail establishments. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

A man wearing a FFP2 mask walks on a street in Vienna, Austria, on Jan. 11, 2022. A series of measures against COVID-19 were taken by Austrian government from Tuesday, including FFP2 mask requirement outdoors and obligatory 2G (vaccinated, recovered) control in non-essential retail establishments. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

A man wearing a FFP2 mask walks on a street in Vienna, Austria, on Jan. 11, 2022. A series of measures against COVID-19 were taken by Austrian government from Tuesday, including FFP2 mask requirement outdoors and obligatory 2G (vaccinated, recovered) control in non-essential retail establishments. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)
Greene County historian Tim Massey is an award-winning writer for Civil War News with more than 40 photos featured on various magazine covers. He has served on various boards and held positions in several historic organizations. He can be reached at horses319@comcast.net.
CANBERRA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Australia has recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus deaths in more than 15 months.

There were 42 COVID-19 deaths reported across Australia on Wednesday -- 21 each in the country's two biggest states, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria.

According to Daily Mail Australia, the number marked the most coronavirus deaths reported in a day since Sept. 4, 2020 when Victoria recorded 59 fatalities, and second-most since the start of the pandemic.

Australia on Wednesday reported more than 100,000 locally-acquired COVID-19 infections, according to the health department figures from states and territories.

Department of Health data published on Tuesday night revealed that there were 3,869 cases being treated in hospitals around the country, including 342 in intensive care units.

Nearly 60 percent of Australia's 1,042,293 total confirmed COVID-19 cases were active as of Tuesday.

With cases surging, Health Minister Greg Hunt said there were 327,415 vaccine doses administered in Australia on Tuesday, the highest figure since Oct. 12.

"We are now at 94.84 percent for first doses for Australians aged 16+ and 92.24 percent second doses," he wrote on social media. "242,629 boosters were administered yesterday (a record - by 10,043 doses). Over 4.1 million Australians have had a booster. Now up to 46.1 percent of those eligible."

Federal government ministers have held crisis talks with industry groups over supply chain issues, with hundreds of thousands of Australian workers in quarantine after either testing positive or being deemed a close contact of a confirmed case.

Sally McManus, secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), said the crisis would be exacerbated as the construction workers return from summer holidays in late January and early February.

"Tied to the construction industry is a massive amount of jobs, so a lot of manufacturing to make, you know, everything you need," she told The Guardian.

"So all of those places have yet to be hit by the same issue. And that's around the same time the peak of the infections are meant to be happening," she said. 
Greensburg, IN (47240)

Today

Becoming windy with showers and thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 73F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 51F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Realme Pad only came out four months ago, but the company has already dealt a massive blow to its shelf life. The first tablet by Realme launched on Android 11 and it was reasonable to expect that it will at least get Android 12 down the road.

Yet in an FAQ on the company's community forum, a representative said that the device won't be getting any major OS updates whatsoever as the company will focus on supporting its smartphones instead.

The post did clarify that security and performance updates will still be delivered to the Realme Pad. Rather disappointing news given that we really liked the tablet when we reviewed it and even in its price range it will be sad to see it fall victim to dated software.

Realme didn't give an explanation either but we suspect the dated Helio G80 chipset may have limited support for Android 12 update, which makes updating the tablet a far bigger ask. But we have no official statement one way or another so it might be a different issue entirely.

Source
The Exynos 2200 was supposed to be unveiled yesterday, but that didnt happen and rumors started circulating of issues behind the scenes. Now a Samsung official has reached out to Business Korea to clarify the reason behind the change of plans  everything is fine, there are no production or performance issues, instead the launch was rescheduled to coincide with that of the Galaxy S22 series.

We are planning to unveil the new application processor at the time of launching a new Samsung smartphone. There are no problems with the APs production and performance, said the official.

As we pointed out yesterday, the Exynos 2100 was announced only two days before the Galaxy S21 series, so unveiling the new chip a month early isnt a big deal. The important thing is to fix the issues experienced by last years chip.

The Samsung official pointed the finger at the ARM Mali-G78 MP14 as the culprit. The new GPU is expected to resolve the problems of the Exynos 2100. We intend to sharpen our competitiveness by loading GPUs for games into mobile devices.

As you have probably heard already, the Exynos 2200 will be the first smartphone chip to use AMDs RDNA 2 architecture and thanks to that it will be the first to have hardware support for ray tracing. Samsung is yet to officially commit to a date for the Galaxy S22 series unveiling, but Korean media reports that it will happen on February 8.

Source | Via
Evelyn Flores describes her poem "The Flame Tree" and the role of poetry on April 26, 2022, in anticipation of Poets.org "Poem-a-Day" focus on Pacific poets this May.
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- In China, a parable about learning how to walk has been told and retold for more than 2,000 years, providing insights into striking a balance between learning from others and being independent and self-reliant.

During the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), a young man in the northern state of Yan was enamored by the walking style of those in the neighboring state of Zhao and went to learn the skill. He never acquired the gait. What's worse, he forgot how he had walked before, and the young man had no choice but to crawl back home.

Independence, the message conveyed by the parable, is the essence of China's national spirit. In modern times, it is recognized as a major principle for building the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the country. "We must follow our own path," the Party said in a landmark resolution adopted in November last year.

This is the historical conclusion the Party has drawn from its endeavors over the past century, stated the Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century.

In today's world, it is sensible to uphold inclusiveness, learn from the strengths of others, imbibe the learnings, and translate it into one's own strength. But any attempt at blindly copying the political systems of other countries would at best lead to poor imitation. It might even ruin the country's future.

Looking back at the Party's history, both Russia's October Revolution and the Chinese revolution were influenced by Marxist principles. However, unlike in Russia, the Chinese communists did not win nationwide victory by taking the cities; they had found a Chinese way -- growing their strength in the countryside and thereafter encircling the cities where counter-revolutionary forces held sway.

Independence has been a reoccurring motif throughout the CPC's history from the revolutionary years to the founding of New China in 1949 and beyond. Despite the influence of the October Revolution, the CPC never became a replica of the former Soviet Union-style political party. After the Cold War, against the collapse of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, the CPC stuck to its path -- socialism with Chinese characteristics. This has made China what it is today and facilitated the Chinese nation's ascension to success.

The CPC holds that a country's development path should only be chosen by its own people. "China's affairs must be decided and run by the Chinese people themselves," the Party has repeatedly stressed.

Throughout human history, no nation or country has ever become strong and prosperous by relying on external forces, indiscriminately copying the models of other countries, or blindly following in others' footsteps, stated the landmark resolution.

"Those who have attempted to do so have either suffered inevitable defeat or been reduced to vassals of others," the resolution added. 
A temporary legal counsel has been sworn in for the 36th Guam Legislature after attorney Ana Won Pat-Borja resigned. Attorney Darleen E. Hiton was sworn in by Speaker Therese Terlaje on Tuesday, a news release from the speakers office stated. Legal counsel is usually sworn in at the inaugural session of a new legislative term, but Hiton will be filling the vacancy left by Won Pat-Borja until a permanent legal counsel is selected, in accordance with the standing rules of the Legislature. Won Pat-Borja left the Legislature effective Dec. 31, 2021, citing family reasons. A permanent legal counsel will be selected by the Legislature in a separate action, the release stated. The Legal Bureau of the Legislature provides services to all senators and gives advice on the potential impact of bills. I am grateful for attorney Hitons willingness to step into this role to assist us as legislative counsel pending the Legislatures selection of a permanent attache legislative counsel, Terlaje stated in the release. Hiton is a graduate of Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College, according to the release, and has has been an active member of the Guam Bar Association since 2003. She has represented government agencies, private businesses, families and individuals in a variety of work, including business transactions, real estate, probates, civil litigation, criminal litigation, procurement and personnel issues. Hitons familiarity with Guam law, ability to draft legislation immediately, review bills and to opine on the organicity of legislation will be a great benefit to the Guam Legislature during the interim, the release stated. Our legal bureau and central staff continue their diligent work to ensure that we are prepared for public hearings and for the upcoming January session. I am looking forward to working with attorney Hiton and a productive first session of 2022, Terlaje stated in the release.

A temporary legal counsel has been sworn in for the 36th Guam Legislature after attorney Ana Won Pat-Borja resigned.

Attorney Darleen E. Hiton was sworn in by Speaker Therese Terlaje on Tuesday, a news release from the speakers office stated. Legal counsel is usually sworn in at the inaugural session of a new legislative term, but Hiton will be filling the vacancy left by Won Pat-Borja until a permanent legal counsel is selected, in accordance with the standing rules of the Legislature.

Won Pat-Borja left the Legislature effective Dec. 31, 2021, citing family reasons.

A permanent legal counsel will be selected by the Legislature in a separate action, the release stated. The Legal Bureau of the Legislature provides services to all senators and gives advice on the potential impact of bills.

I am grateful for attorney Hitons willingness to step into this role to assist us as legislative counsel pending the Legislatures selection of a permanent attache legislative counsel, Terlaje stated in the release.

Hiton is a graduate of Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College, according to the release, and has has been an active member of the Guam Bar Association since 2003.

She has represented government agencies, private businesses, families and individuals in a variety of work, including business transactions, real estate, probates, civil litigation, criminal litigation, procurement and personnel issues.

Hitons familiarity with Guam law, ability to draft legislation immediately, review bills and to opine on the organicity of legislation will be a great benefit to the Guam Legislature during the interim, the release stated.

Our legal bureau and central staff continue their diligent work to ensure that we are prepared for public hearings and for the upcoming January session. I am looking forward to working with attorney Hiton and a productive first session of 2022, Terlaje stated in the release.
"In about six months' time, our library will be transformed into a 21st century library, Guam Public Library System Director Kris Seerengan said Wednesday.

Seerengan addressed lawmakers during a hearing for the reappointment of public library board member William Li.

The Public Library System had been operating for 16 years without a permanent, qualified director, Seerengan said. A former librarian at John F. Kennedy High School, Seerens final day at the school was in June 2021. He began working for the library system the same day.

Making digital resources more accessible for the public was one goal Seerengan plans.

We should be able to get that e-book posted on our website so the patrons can have it in five minutes  not only the e-book, also the audio book, he said.

He said that a $110,000 grant for an e-book platform has been awarded to the library.

Problem-solving

One of the biggest issues, the system in which residents can search for books, has been changed.

The switch will save the library system about $12,000 a year and employees will get better training with it, he said.

The library systems website, which looks like its 100 years old, he said, will remain offline for about two months while a contractor is found to make it compatible with the new system.

In-person

Beyond online services, the library also wants to improve in-person services.

We are also planning to get some new books, you know, which we have not ordered for a long time, he said, and to (get) the village libraries reopened.

More Information Malesso & Yona libraries: From 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Mondays & Wednesdays, closed for lunch from noon - 1:00 p.m. Hagat & Barrigada libraries: From 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays, closed for lunch from noon - 1:00 p.m. Dededo library (effective Jan. 17): From 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed for lunch from noon - 1:00 p.m. Hagatna library: From 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Residents can search for books online at: http://guampls.booksys.net/

Survey

The library sent out a survey to about 3,700 library members via email to find out what services members would like to receive, Sereengan said.

The deadline to submit a response is Jan. 15. Members should double check their junk folders, he said.
Applications for Guam Green Growths second conservation corps cohort will continue until the Feb. 6 deadline, according to a release from the University of Guam.

The five-month workforce development program aims to advance and apply 12 corps members skills in the focus areas of agriculture and aquaculture, circular economy and zero waste, ocean conservation, reforestation, invasive species management, watershed restoration, energy conservation and renewable energy and island beautification.

The green economy is growing on Guam, and we want to help our community prepare for the emerging workforce through this program, said Phillip Cruz, G3 Conservation Corps coordinator.

Criteria

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have reliable transportation and be a U.S. citizen, national or legal resident.

Selected applicants will be required to submit police and court clearances, purified protein derivative skin test results, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, submit to a drug test and undergo a physical examination.

G3 Conservation Corps members will receive a biweekly stipend of $1,300. Members will earn up to 80 continuing education units from the university upon successful completion of the program.

We are looking for individuals who are respectful, reliable, and arent afraid of hard work. If you would benefit from this workforce development program, please apply today, Cruz said.

Previous

The first G3 Conservation Corps collected hundreds of bags of illegally dumped waste from streets and jungles, recycled more than 70,000 aluminum cans, planted 2,890 trees and 2,000 food crops and installed 640 solar rooftop panels, as well as other initiatives.

We are proud of what they contributed during the program and the sustainable actions they continue to make as trained citizens. This year, we look forward to a new group of conservationists who will serve our island and inspire our community, said Austin Shelton, director of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant.

The 2022 program will take place from March to August.

The G3 Conservation Corps program is made possible through FY22 Guam Green Growth appropriation to the University of Guam.
A judge has given a man charged with assault with a firearm another month to find a lawyer.

Dino Chargualaf Cruz, 46, appeared before Magistrate Judge Benjamin Sison on Wednesday at Superior Court to plead to aggravated assault charges from an incident in June 2021.

Cruz was unable to plead to the charges because he did not have an attorney to represent him.

Reason

It was a matter of trying to retain the money to get a lawyer, said Cruz, adding that he did not have the funds since he has been unemployed and on house arrest since June.

Cruz said he contacted several lawyers by phone in August who did not return his calls and that he has not attempted to contact lawyers since that time.

Im going to go ahead and continue this once so that you can have the opportunity to talk to a lawyer about what is going to happen in your arraignment and the future of this case to assist you, said Sison.

His arraignment has been postponed for a final time by Sison for a month.

Case

Cruz was charged with aggravated assault as a second-degree felony and aggravated assault as a third-degree felony, both with the special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony, possession of an unregistered firearm as a third-degree felony and theft of property as a third-degree felony according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court of Guam.

He used a stolen gun in a shooting in Malesso during an argument with a man who is a distant relative, according to the complaint.

According to the Guam Police Department, the 30-year-old man was shot in the leg by Cruz.

The man was taken to Guam Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
Have an idea? Want to praise or comment on something? Submit your letter to the editor.
At-home COVID-19 tests kits. There isnt a ready supply of at-home test kits. Many Guam businesses that sell the kits say they dont have any in stock, though shipments are expected.
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Eugene Field, A Study In Heredity And Contradictions, by Slason Thompson This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Eugene Field, A Study In Heredity And Contradictions Author: Slason Thompson Release Date: July 22, 2004 [EBook #12984] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EUGENE FIELD, VOL. I. *** Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team

EUGENE FIELD

A STUDY IN HEREDITY AND CONTRADICTIONS

By

SLASON THOMPSON

With Portraits, Views and Fac-Simile Illustrations

VOLUME I

Published, December, 1901

Charles Scribner's Sons

New York

1901

BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION

Not as other memoirs are written would Eugene Field, were he alive, have this study of his life. He would think more of making it reflect the odd personality of the man than rehearse the birth, development, daily life, and works of the author. If he had undertaken to write his own life, as was once his intention, it would probably have been the most remarkable work of fiction by an American author that ever masqueraded in the quaker garments of fact. From title-page to colophonon which he would have insistedthe book would have been one studied effort to quiz and queer (a favorite word of his) the innocent and willing-to-be-deluded reader. "Tell your sister for me," I recall his saying, "what a kind, good, and deserving man I am. How I love little children and [with a dry chuckle] elderly spinsters. Relate how I was born of rich yet honest parents, was reared in the 'nurture and admonition of the Lord,' and, according to the bent of a froward youth, have stumbled along to become the cynosure of a ribald age."

Field's idea of a perfect memoir was that it should contain no facts that might interfere with its being novel and interesting reading both to the public and its subject. He set little store by genius, as he tells us in one of his letters, and less by "that nonsense called useful knowledge." His peculiar notions as to the field of biography were once illustrated in one he furnished to a New York firm, which proposed a series of biographies of well-known newspaper writers. It was arranged that Field and William E. Curtis, the noted Washington correspondent, should write each the other's biography for the series. Mr. Curtis executed his sketch of Field in good faith; Field's sketch of Mr. Curtis was a marvel of waggish invention. Through an actor of the same name who some years before made quite a reputation as Samuel of Posen, he traced Mr. Curtis's birth back to Bohemia, and carried him at an early age to Jerusalem, where Curtis was said to have laid the foundations of his fame and fortune peddling suspenders. Later he sold newspapers on the streets, and, by practicing the shrewd and self-denying habits of his race, quickly became the owner of the paper for which he worked, which was called the New Jerusalem Messenger, the recognized organ of the New Jerusalem Church.

Mr. Curtis's progressive tendencies, according to Field, quickly involved him in trouble with the government; his paper was suppressed, and he was banished from Jerusalem. When the special firmin of the Sultan expelling Mr. Curtis from Turkish dominions was published, it caused a great sensation in Chicago, where the Church of the New Jerusalem was very strong, and created an immediate rivalry between William Penn Nixon, editor of the Inter Ocean, and Melville E. Stone, editor of the Morning News, to secure his services. Mr. Nixon sent him a cablegram in Hebrew which was written by a Hebrew gentleman to whom Nixon sold old clothes, while Mr. Stone's cablegram was prepared by his father, the Rev. Mr. Stone, and was expressed in scriptural phraseology which was not understood in Jerusalem as well as it was at Galesburg, where Mr. Stone was then professor of the Hebrew language and literature. Curtis accepted the offer couched in the language of the Hebrew vender of old clothes and became a member of the editorial staff of the Inter Ocean. His first effective work on that newspaper was to convert Jonathan Young Scammon, then its owner, to the New Jerusalem faith (Mr. Scammon, whose real name was John, was the most prominent Swedenborgian in Chicago). Mr. Scammon was so grateful for his conversion from infidelity that in a moment of religious exaltation he raised Mr. Curtis's salary from $18 to $20.

And thus the biography of Mr. Curtis proceeded along lines that gave the truth a wide berth, for Field held, with the old English jurists, that the greater the truth the greater the libel.

At one time in our association Field, as seriously as he could, entertained the thought of furnishing me with materials for an extended sketch of his life, and I still have several envelopes on which the inscription "For My Memoirs" bears witness to that purpose. But after serving as a source of eccentric and roguish humor for several months, the idea was suffered to lapse, only to be revived in suggestive references as he consigned some bit of manuscript to my care or criticism. Any study of Field's life and character based on such materials as he thus furnished would have been absolutely misleading. It would have eliminated fact entirely and substituted the most fantastic fiction in its stead. It would have built up a grotesque caricature of a staid, church-going, circumspect citizen and author instead of the ever-fascinating bundle of contradictions and irresponsibility Field was to his legion of associates and friends.

There were two Fieldsthe author and the manand it is the purpose of this study to reproduce the latter as he appeared to those who knew and loved him for what he was personally for the benefit of those who have only known him through the medium of his writings. In doing this it is far from my intention and farther from my friendship to disturb any of the preconceptions that have been formed from the perusal of his works. These are the creations of something entirely apart from the man whose genius produced them. His fame as an author rests on his printed books, and will endure as surely as the basis of his art was true, his methods severely simple, and his spirit gentle and pure. In his daily work the dominant note was that of fun and conviviality. It was free from the acrimony of controversy. He abominated speech-makers and lampooned political oracles. He was the unsparing satirist of contemporary pretense, which in itself was sufficient to account for the failure of the passing generation of literary critics to accord to him the recognition which he finally won in their despite from the reading public. Neither a sinner nor a saint was the man who went into an old book-store in Chicago and bewildered the matter-of-fact dealer in old editions with the inquiry, "Have you an unexpurgated copy of Hannah More's 'Letters to a Village Maiden'?"

Everything Field wrote in prose or verse reflects his contempt for earth's mighty and his sympathy for earth's million mites. His art, like that of his favorite author and prototype, Father Prout, was "to magnify what is little and fling a dash of the sublime into a two-penny post communication." Sense of earthly grandeur he had little or none. Sense of the minor sympathies of lifethose minor sympathies that are common to all and finally swell into the major song of lifeof this sense he was compact. It was the meat and marrow of his life and mind, of his song and story. With unerring instinct Field, in his study of humanity, went to the one school where the emotions, wishes, and passions of mankind are to be seen unobscured by the veil of consciousness. He was forever scanning whatever lies hidden within the folds of the heart of childhood. He knew children through and through because he studied them from themselves and not from books. He associated with them on terms of the most intimate comradeship and wormed his way into their confidence with assiduous sympathy. Thus he became possessed of the inmost secrets of their childish joys and griefs and so became a literary philosopher of childhood.

"In wit a man, in simplicity a child," nothing gloomy, narrow, or pharisaical entered into the composition of Eugene Field. Like Jack Montesquieu Bellew, the editor of the Cork Chronicle, "his finances, alas! were always miserably low." This followed from his learning how to spend money freely before he was forced to earn it laboriously. He scattered his patrimony gaily and then when the last inherited cent was gone, turned with, equal gayety to earning, not only enough to support himself, but the wife and family that, with the royal and reckless prodigality of genius, he provided himself with at the very outset of his career.

If he set "no store by genius," he at least had that faith in his own ability which "compels the elements and wrings a human music from the indifferent air." From the time he applied himself to the ill-requited work of journalism he never wavered or turned aside in his purpose to make it the ladder to literary recognition. He was over thirty before he realized that in three universities he had slighted the opportunity to acquire a thorough equipment for literary work. But he was undismayed, for did he not read in his beloved "Reliques of Father Prout" how "Loyola, the founder of the most learned and by far the most distinguished literary corporation that ever arose in the world, was an old soldier who took up his 'Latin Grammar' when past the age of thirty"?

It is the contrast and apparent contradiction between the individual and the author that makes the character of Eugene Field interesting to the student. If the man were simply any prosaic person possessed of the gift of telling tales, writing stories, and singing lullabies, this study of his life would have been left unwritten. Many authors have I known who put all there was of them into their work, who were personally a disappointment to the intellect and a trial to the flesh. With Eugene Field the man was always a bundle of delightful surprises, an ever unconventional personality of which only the merest suggestion is given in his works.

In the study I have made of the life of Eugene Field in the following pages I have received assistance from many sources, but none has been of so great value as that from his father's friend, Melvin L. Gray, in whose home Field found the counsel of a father and the loving sympathy of a mother. The letters Mr. Gray placed at my disposal, whether quoted herein or not, have been invaluable in filling in the portrait of his beloved ward.

To Edward D. Cowen, whose intimate friendship with Field covered a period of nearly fifteen years in three cities and under varying circumstances, these pages owe very much. From his brother, Roswell Field, I have had the best sort of sympathetic aid and counsel in filling out biographical detail without in any way committing himself to the views or statements of this study.

Dr. Frank W. Reilly, to whom Field not only owed his vitalized familiarity with Horace, "Prout," and "Kit North," but that superficial knowledge of medical terms of which he made such constant and effective use throughout his writings, has also placed me under many obligations for data and advice.

To these and the others whose names are freely sprinkled through this study I wish to make fitting acknowledgment of my many obligations, and I trust the reader will share my grateful sentiments wherever the faithful quotation marks remind him that such is their due.

SLASON THOMPSON.

CHICAGO, September 30th, 1901.

CONTENTS

Chapter Page I. PEDIGREE 1 II. HIS FATHER'S FIRST LOVE-AFFAIR 13 III. THE DRED SCOTT CASE 36 IV. BIRTH AND EARLY YOUTH 49 V. EDUCATION 73 VI. CHOICE OF A PROFESSION 91 VII. MARRIAGE AND EARLY DOMESTIC LIFE 103 VIII. EARLY EXPERIENCES IN JOURNALISM 126 IX. IN DENVER, 1881-1883 143 X. ANECDOTES OF LIFE IN DENVER 158 XI. COMING TO CHICAGO 183 XII. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS 206 XIII. RELATIONS WITH STAGE FOLK 224 XIV. BEGINNING OF HIS LITERARY EDUCATION 271 XV. METHOD OF WORK 294 XVI. NATURE OF HIS DAILY WORK 314

ILLUSTRATIONS

PORTRAIT OF EUGENE FIELD IN 1885

Photogravure. Frontispiece

DRAWINGS AND FAC-SIMILES

Facing Page

"THE PEAR" IN FIELD'S GREEK TEXT 140 DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL COUNCIL OF WAR

From a drawing by Eugene Field. 213 COMMODORE CRANE

From a drawing by Eugene Field. 236 FIELD WITNESSING MODJESKA AS CAMILLE

From a drawing by Eugene Field. 244 TWO PROFILES OF EUGENE FIELD

The upper one drawn in pencil by Field himself; the lower one drawn by Modjeska. Reproduced from a flyleaf of Mrs. Thompson's volume of autograph verse. 247 A BAR OF MUSIC

Written by Eugene Field. 295 TWO GOOD KNIGHTS AT FEAST

From a drawing by Eugene Field. 297

HALF-TONE PLATES

Facing Page

GENERAL MARTIN FIELD

Eugene Field's Grandfather. 6 ESTHER S. FIELD

Eugene Field's Grandmother. 10 ROSWELL MARTIN FIELD

Eugene Field's Father. 18 CHARLES KELLOGG FIELD 46 EUGENE FIELD'S MOTHER

From a Daguerreotype taken a year or two before his birth. 50 EUGENE FIELD'S COUSINS, MARY FIELD FRENCH AND HER YOUNGER HALF-SISTER, AUGUSTA JONES From a Daguerreotype taken before Eugene and Roswell became members of Miss French's family in Amherst, on the death of their mother. 54 THE FIELD HOMESTEAD AT NEWFANE, VT. 56 THE HOMESTEAD AT AMHERST, MASS.

Now owned by Mr. Hiram Eaton, of New York. 60 A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF MONSON, MASS. 74 THE REV. JAMES TUFTS 78 WILLIAMS COLLEGE BUILDINGS, WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. 82 THE OLD KNOX COLLEGE BUILDINGS, GALESBURG, ILL. 86 STATE UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS AT COLUMBIA, MO. 88 EARLY PORTRAITS OF EUGENE FIELD 92 MELVIN L. GRAY 96 MRS. MELVIN L. GRAY 100 MRS. EUGENE FIELD 110 ROBSON AND CRANE IN "SHARPS AND FLATS" 204 FIELD AT WORK

The caricature from a drawing by Sclanders. 218 FRANCIS WILSON 228 WILLIAM J. FLORENCE 234 MODJESKA 242 DAVIS 256 SOL SMITH RUSSELL 266 DR. FRANK W. REILLY 280 "FATHER PROUT"

Francis Mahony. 288

EUGENE FIELD

CHAPTER I

PEDIGREE

"Sir John Maundeville, Kt.," was his prototype, and Father Prout was his patron saint. The one introduced him to the study of British balladry, the other led him to the classic groves of Horace.

"I am a Yankee by pedigree and education," wrote Eugene Field to Alice Morse Earle, the author of "The Sabbath in Puritan New England," and other books of the same flavor, "but I was born in that ineffably uninteresting city, St. Louis."

How so devoted a child of all that is queer and contradictory in New England character came to be born in "Poor old Mizzoorah," as he so often wrote it, is in itself a rare romance, which I propose to tell as the key to the life and works of Eugene Field. Part of it is told in the reports of the Supreme Court of Vermont, part in the most remarkable special pleas ever permitted in a chancery suit in America, and the best part still lingers in the memory of the good people of Newfane and Brattleboro, Vt., where "them Field boys" are still referred to as unaccountable creatures, full of odd conceits, "an' dredful sot when once they took a notion."

"Them Field boys" were not Eugene and his brother Roswell Martin Field, the joint authors of translations from Horace, known as "Echoes from the Sabine Farm," but their father, Roswell Martin, and their uncle, Charles Kellogg, Field of Newfane aforesaid.

These two Fields were the sons of General Martin Field, who was born in Leverett, Mass., February 12th, 1773, and of his wife, Esther Smith Kellogg, who was the grandmother celebrated in more than one of Eugene Field's stories and poems. Through both sides of the houses of Field and Kellogg the pedigree of Eugene can be traced back to the first settlers of New England. But there is no need to go back of the second generation to find and identify the seed whence sprang the strangely interesting subject of this study.

At the opening of the nineteenth century, as now, Newfane, then Fayetteville, was a typical county seat. This pretty New England village, which celebrated the centennial of its organization as a town in 1874, is situated on the West River, some twelve miles from Brattleboro, at which point that noisy stream joins the more sedate Connecticut River. It nestles under the hills upon which, at a distance of two miles, was the site of the original town of Newfanenot a vestige of which remains to remind the traveller that up to 1825 the shire town of Windham County overlooked as grand a panorama as ever opened up before the eye of man. The reason for abandoning the exposed location on the hills for the sheltered nook by the river may be inferred from the descriptive adjectives. The present town of Newfane clusters about a village square, that would have delighted the heart of Oliver Goldsmith. The county highway bisects it. The Windham County Hotel, with the windows of its northern end grated to prevent the escape of inmatessignifying that its keeper is half boniface and half county jailerbounds it on the east, the Court House and Town Hall, separate buildings, flank it on the west. The Newfane Hotel rambles along half of its northern side, and the Field mansion, with its front garden stretching to the road, does the same for the southern half. In the rear, and facing the opening between the Court House and the Town Hall, stands the Congregational Church, where Eugene Field crunched caraway-seed biscuits when on a visit to his grandmother, and back of this stands another church, spotless in the white paint of Puritan New England meeting-houses, but deserted by its congregation of Baptists, which had dwindled to the vanishing point. In the centre of the village green is a grove of noble elms under whose grateful shade, on the day of my visit to Newfane, I saw a quartette of gray-headed attorneys, playing quoits with horse-shoes. They had come up from Brattleboro to try a case, which had suffered the usual "law's delay" of a continuance, and were whiling away the hours in the bucolic sport of their ancestors, while the idle villagers enjoyed their unpractised awkwardness. They all boasted how they could ring the peg when they were boys.

Hither General Martin Field brought the young, and, as surviving portraits testify, beautiful Mistress Kellogg to be his wife. Here to them were born "them Field boys," Charles K. (April 24th, 1803) and Roswell M. (February 22d, 1807), destined to be thorns in their father's flesh throughout their school-days, his opponents in every justice's court where they could volunteer to match their wits against his, and, in the person of Roswell Martin, to be the distraction and despair of the courts of Windsor County and Vermont, until a decision of the Supreme Court so outraged that son's sense of the sacredness of the marriage vow, that he shook the granite dust of Vermont from his feet, and turned his face to the west, where he became the original counsel in the Dred Scott case, married and had sons of his own.

But before taking up the thread of Roswell Martin Field's strange and unique story, let me give a letter written by his father to his sister, Miss Mary Field, then at the school of Miss Emma Willard in Troy, N.Y., as exhibit number one, that Eugene Field came by his peculiarities, literary and otherwise, by direct lineal descent. Roswell was a phenomenal scholar, as his own eldest son was not. At the age of eleven he was ready for college, and entered Middlebury with his brother Charles, his senior by four years. How they conducted themselves there may be judged from this letter to their sister:

Newfane, March 31st, 1822. Dear Mary: I sit down to write you my last letter while you remain at Troy. Yours by Mr. Read was received, in which I find you allude to the "severe and satyrical language" of mine in a former letter. That letter was written upon the conduct of my children, which is an important subject to me. If children are disobedient, a parent has a right to be severe with them. If I recollect right I expressed to you that your two oldest brothers' conduct was very reprehensible, and I there predicted their ruin. But I then little thought that I should soon witness the sad consequences of their ill-conduct. I received a letter from President Bates about two weeks since and another from Charles the same day, that Charles had been turned away and forever dismissed from the college for his misconduct; Roswell must suffer a public admonition and perhaps more punishment for his evil deeds. Charles was turned out of college the 7th of March, and I wrote on the week after to have him come directly home, but we have heard nothing from him since. Where he is we can form no conjecture. But probably he is five hundred miles distant without money and without friends. I leave you to conjecture the rest. Roswell is left alone at the age of fifteen to get along, if he is permitted to stay through college. These, Mary, are the consequences of dissipation and bad conduct. And seeing as I do the temper and disposition of my children, that they "are inclined to evil and that continually," can you wonder that I write with severity to them? Our hopes are blasted as relates to Charles and Roswell, and you cannot conceive the trouble which they have given us. Your mother is almost crazy about them; nor are we without fears as to you. I say now, as I said in my former letter, that I wish my children were all at home at work. I am convinced that an education will only prove injurious to them. If I had as many sons as had the patriarch Jacob not one should ever again go nigh a college. It is not a good calculation to educate children for destruction. The boys' conduct has already brought a disgrace upon our family which we can never outgrow. They undoubtedly possess respectable talents and genius, but what are talents worth when wholly employed in mischief? I have expended almost two thousand dollars in educating the boys, and now just at the close they are sent off in disgrace and infamy. The money is nothing in comparison to the disgrace and ruin that must succeed. Mary, think of these things often, and especially when you feel inclined to be gay and airy. Let your brother's fate be a striking lesson to you. For you may well suppose that you possess something of the same disposition that he does, but I hope that you will exercise more prudence than he has. You must now return home with a fixed resolution to become a steady, sober, and industrious girl. Give up literary pursuits and quietly and patiently follow that calling which I am convinced is most proper for my children. It does appear to me that if children would consider how much anxiety their parents have for them they would conduct themselves properly, if it was only to gratify their parents. But it is not so. Many of them seem determined not only to wound the feelings of the parents in the most cruel manner but also to ruin themselves. Remember us respectfully to Dr. and Mrs. Willard, and I am your affectionate father MARTIN FIELD.

That Mary did return home to be the mediator between her incensed and stern father and his wayward and mischievous, but not incorrigible sons, is part of the sequel to this letter. What her daughter, Mary Field French, afterwards became to the sons of the younger of the reprehensible pair of youthful collegians will appear later on in this narrative. It is beautifully acknowledged in the dedication of Eugene Field's "Little Book of Western Verse," which I had the honor of publishing for the subscribers in 1889, more than three score years after the date of the foregoing letter. In that dedication, with the characteristic license of a true artist, Field credited the choice of Miss French for the care of his youthful years to his mother:

A dying mother gave to you Her child a many years ago; How in your gracious love he grew, You know dear, patient heart, you know.

To you I dedicate this book, And, as you read it line by line. Upon its faults as kindly look As you have always looked on mine.

In truth, however, it was the living bereaved father who turned in the bewilderment of his grief to the "dear patient heart" of his sister, to find a second mother for his two motherless boys. To Martin Field, Mary was a guardian daughter, to Charles K. and Roswell M. 1st, she was a loyal and mediating sister, and to Eugene and Roswell M. 2d, she was a loving aunt, as her daughter Mary was an indulgent mother and unfailing friend. The last name survived "the love and gratitude" of Eugene's dedication ten years.

As may have been surmised the parental forebodings of the grieved and satirical General Field were not realized in the eternal perdition of his two sons. Education did not prove their destruction. With more than respectable talents Charles was reinstated at Middlebury, and four months later graduated with high honors, while Roswell took his degree when only fifteen years old, the plague and admiration of his preceptors, and, we may well suppose, the pride and joy of the agonized parents, who welcomed the graduates to Newfane with all the profusion of a prodigal father and the love of a distracted but doting mother. They never had any reason to doubt the nature of sister Mary's reception.

Charles and Roswell studied law with their father in the quaint little office detached from the Field homestead at Newfane. The word edifice might fittingly be applied to this building which, though only one room square and one story high, has a front on the public square, with miniature Greek columns to distinguish it from the ordinary outbuildings that are such characteristic appendages of New England houses. The troubles of General Field with his two sons were not to end when he got them away from the temptations of college life, for they were prone to mischief, "and that continually," even under his severe and watchful eye. This took one particular form which is the talk of Windham County even yet. By reason of their presence in General Field's office they were early apprised of actions at law which he was retained to institute; whereupon they sought out the defendant and offered their services to represent him gratis. Thus the elder counsellor frequently found himself pitted in the justice's courts against his keen-witted and graceless sons, who availed themselves of every obsolete technicality, quirk, and precedent of the law to obstruct justice and worry their dignified parent, whom they addressed as "our learned but erring brother in the law." Not infrequently these youthful practitioners triumphed in these legal tilts, to the mortification of their father, who, in his indignation, could not conceal his admiration for the ingenuity of their misdirected professional zeal.

Two years after his graduation, and when only seventeen years of age, Eugene Field's father was sufficiently learned in the law to be admitted to the bar of Vermont. They wasted no time in those good old days. Before he was thirty, Roswell M. Field had represented his native town in the General Assembly, had been elected several times State's Attorney, and in every way seemed destined to play a notable part in the affairs of Vermont, if not on a broader field. He was not only a lawyer of full and exact learning, an ingenious pleader, and a powerful advocate, but an exceptionally accomplished scholar. His knowledge of Greek, Latin, French, and German rendered their literature a perennial source upon which to draw for the illumination and embellishment of the pure and virile English of which he was master. It was from him that Eugene inherited his delight in queer and rare objects of vertu and that "rich, strong, musical and sympathetic voice" which would have been invaluable on the stage, and of which he made such captivating use among his friends. Would that he had also inherited that "strong and athletic" frame which, according to his aged preceptor, enabled Roswell M. Field to graduate at the age of fifteen. It is not, however, for his learning and accomplishments of mind and person that we are interested in Roswell Martin Field, but for the strange incident in his life that uprooted him from the congenial environments of New England and the career opening so temptingly before him, to transplant him to Missouri, there to become the father of a youth, who, by all laws of heredity and by the peculiar tang of his genius, should have been born and nurtured amid the stern scenes and fixed customs of Puritan New England. That story must be told in another chapter.

CHAPTER II

HIS FATHER'S FIRST LOVE-AFFAIR

Many a time and oft in our walks and talks has Eugene Field told me the story I am about to relate, but never with the particularity of detail and the authority of absolute data with which I have "comprehended it," as he would say, in the following pages. It was his wish that it should be told, and I follow his injunction the more readily, as in its relation I am able to demonstrate how clearly the son inherited his peculiar literary mode from the father.

It may be said further that, had the remarkable situation which grew out of Roswell M. Field's first marriage occurred one hundred years earlier, or had it occurred in our own day in a state like Kentucky, it would have provoked a feud that could only have been settled by blood, while it might readily have imbrued whole counties. Even in Vermont it stirred up animosities which occupied the attention of the courts for years, and which the lapse of nearly two generations has not wholly eradicated from the memory of old inhabitants. In the opening remarks of the opinion of the Supreme Court, in one of several cases growing out of it, I find the following statement: "It would be inexpedient to recapitulate the testimony in a transaction which was calculated to call up exasperated feelings, which has apparently taxed ingenuity and genius to criminate and recriminate, where a deep sense of injury is evidently felt and expressed by the parties to the controversy, and where this state of feeling has extended, as it was to be expected, to all the immediate friends of the parties, who from their situation were necessarily compelled to become witnesses and to testify in the case."

In the relation of this story I shall substitute Christian names for the surnames of the parties outside of the Field family, although all have become public property and the principals are dead. The scene is laid in the adjoining counties of Windham and Windsor in the Green Mountain State, and this is how it happened:

There lived at Windsor, in the county of the same name, a widow named Susanna, and she was well-to-do according to the modest standard of the times. She was blest with a goodly family of sons and daughters, among whom was Mary Almira, a maiden fair to look upon and impressionable withal. Now it befell that Mary Almira, while still very young, was sent to school at the Academy in Leicester, Mass., where she met, and, in the language of the law, formed "a natural and virtuous attachment" with a student named Jeremiah, sent thither by his guardian from Oxbridge in the state last before mentioned. They met, vowed eternal devotion and parted, as many school-children have done before and will do again.

After her return to Windsor, Jeremiah seemingly faded from the thoughts of Mary Almira, so that when she subsequently accompanied her mother on a visit to Montreal, she felt free to experience "a sincere and lively affection" for a Canadian youth named Elder. So lively was this affection that when Jeremiah next saw Mary Almira it had completely effaced him from her memory. Nothing daunted, however, being then of the mature age of eighteen years and eight months, and two years Mary's senior, he resumed the siege of her heart, and in short order their engagement was duly "promulgated and even notorious."

Before Mary succumbed to the second suit of Jeremiah, she waited for a pledge of affection from young Mister Elder in the shape of an album in which he was to have forwarded a communication, and it was "in the bitterness of her disappointment at not receiving a letter, message, or remembrance from Mister Elder that she formed the engagement with Jeremiah, in order that she might gratify her resentment by sending the news of the same to Mister Elder." This she did with a peremptory request for the return of her album without the leaves on which he had written. What was her chagrin and unavailing remorse on receiving the album to find that every leaf was cut out but one, a mute witness to her "infidelity to her early lover." Small wonder that "her tenderness revived," and "she cursed the hour in which she had formed the precipitate engagement with Jeremiah, and oftentimes she shed over that album tears of heartfelt sorrow and regret." At least so we are told in the pleadings, from which authentic source I draw my quotations.

Now Mary was nothing if not precipitate, for all this came to pass in the spring or summer of 1831, when she was not quite sweet seventeen. It also happened without the knowledge or concern of Roswell Martin Field, who was a young and handsome bachelor of quick wit and engaging manners, living at Fayetteville in the neighboring county, "knowing nothing at that time of the said Mary Almira, her lovers, suitors, promises, engagements, intimacies, visits or movements whatsoever." He was soon to know.

In the summer of 1832 it happened that Mary Almira was on a visit to Mrs. Jonathan, her cousin german, the wife of Justice Jonathan of Brattleboro, Vt. And now fate began to take a swift and inexplicable interest in the affairs of Mary and Roswell. On August 30th, 1832, in company with Mrs. Jonathan and Mrs. French (the Mary Field of the first chapter of this book), Miss Mary Almira visited Fayetteville, and, we are told, "when the chaise containing the said ladies arrived Roswell advanced to hand them out, and then for the first time saw and was introduced to said Mary Almira, who received him with a nod and a broad good-humored laugh." She remained over night, the guest of Mrs. French, and Roswell saw her only for a few moments in his sister's sitting-room. What occurred is naively told under oath in the following extract from the pleadings:

"Some conversation of a general nature passed between them, and as the said Mary Almira was a young lady of very pleasing face and form and agreeable manners, it is by no means improbable that he (Roswell) manifested to said Mary Almira that in those matters he was not wholly devoid of sensibility and discernment." The next morning Mary returned to Brattleboro with Mrs. Jonathan, and Roswell "did not then expect ever to see her more."

But it was otherwise decreed, for after the lapse of eleven days Justice Jonathan had professional business in Fayetteville, and, lo! Mary Almira attended him. It was Tuesday, September 11th, when for a second time she dawned on the discerning view of Roswell. For eight days she lingered as a guest of Mrs. French, whose brother began to show signs of awakening sensibility, although at this time informed of the unbroken pact between Mary Almira and Jeremiah. How young love took its natural course is told in the pleadings by Roswell with protests "against the manifest breach of delicacy and decorum of calling him into this Honorable Court to render an account of his attentions to a lady," and "more especially when that lady is his lawful wedded wife."

When Mary had been in Fayetteville four days it happened that Justice Jonathan was called to Westminster. When asked if she was inclined to accompany him, Mary turned to Roswell and "inquired with a smile if it was not likely to rain?" and Roswell confesses "that he told her that it would be very imprudent for her to set out."

Still protesting against the manifest indelicacy of the revelation, Roswell has told for us the story of his first advances upon the citadel of Mary's affections in words as cunningly chosen as were ever the best passages in the writings of his son Eugene. It was on the evening of September 13th that these advances first passed the outworks of formal civility. "When bidding the said Mary Almira good-night in the sitting-room of Mrs. French, as he was about to retire into his lodgings, Roswell plucked a leaf from the rosebush in the room, kissed it, and presented it to her; on the next day when he saw the said Mary Almira she took from her bosom a paper, unfolded it, and showed Roswell a leaf (the same, he supposes, that was presented the evening before), neatly stitched on the paper, and which she again carefully folded and replaced in her bosom."

Another evening they played at chess, and with her permission Roswell named the queen Miss Almira, and he bent all his energies to the capture of that particular piece. He sacrificed every point of the game to that object, and when it was triumphantly achieved, "took note of the pleasure and delight manifested by said Mary Almira at the ardor with which he pursued his object and kissed his prize." On still another occasion "Jeremiah was introduced into the game as a black bishop, but very soon was exchanged for a pawn."

On the day when Roswell advised Mary that it would be imprudent for her to accompany Justice Jonathan to Westminster, she was "graciously pleased to make, with her own fair hand, a pocket pin-cushion of blue silk and to put the same into Roswell's hands, at the same time remarking that blue was the emblem of love and constancy," and Roswell "confesses that he received the same with a profound bow."

They were now in the rapids, with Jeremiah forgotten on the bank.

Roswell complimented "the beauty of said Almira's hair, whereupon she graciously consented to present him with a lock of the same, and he humbly confesses that he accepted, kissed, and pressed it to his heart."

Next morning, as they stood side by side, with Roswell holding her hand "and carelessly turning over the leaves of a Bible," his eye accidentally rested on this passage of the book of Jeremiah: "As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you." And "thereupon he pointed out such text to said Mary Almira, and she responded to the same with a blush and a smile." Roswell further confessed, "that with the kind permission of said Mary Almira he did at various times press the hand of said Mary Almira, and with her like gracious permission did kiss her hand, her cheek, and her lips." Who, with such kind and gracious permission, would have confined himself to remarks about the weather?

Such were the only "artifices and persuasions, ways and means" by which Roswell came between Mary Almira and the promise she had made to the absent Jeremiahthe same ways and means that have been employed from the days of Adam, and which will be successful while woman is fair and man is bold. It was Roswell's belief that "his attentions and addresses were from the first agreeable to Mary's feelings and welcome to her heart," and he swore "that they were always permitted and received with great kindness and sweetness of manner."

When Mary left Fayetteville, on Wednesday, September 19th, it was "appointed" that he should call on her at Brattleboro on the following Wednesday, and like a true knight he kept his tryst. That his reception was not frigid may be inferred from the record of the calls that followed in rapid succession, to-wit: Thursday afternoon; Monday, October 2d, evening; Tuesday afternoon and evening; Wednesday afternoon and evening; Wednesday (October 9th) afternoon and evening; Friday evening; Saturday evening, and Sunday forenoon and evening.

No wonder the report of the bombardment reached the ears of widow Susanna at Windsor, fifty miles away, and Justice and Mrs. Jonathan "expostulated with Mary Almira upon the impropriety, as they called it, of her receiving the attentions of Roswell without informing her mother."

Space forbids the recital of the uninterrupted, undisturbed, and agreeable conversations between the young twain that are to be found in the pleadings in this case. They were brought to a sharp conclusion by the receipt of a letter from Susanna ordering her daughter to return to Windsor forthwith. Justice Jonathan remarked that Mrs. Susanna was "undoubtedly right, for this young lady ought not to be receiving the gallantries from one young gentleman when she was under engagement to another."

The mother's letter was received Saturday evening, October 12th, and produced consternation in the breasts of the young lovers, Mary clinging around Roswell's neck "with all the ardor of youthful, passionate love." They resolved to wed without the knowledge, consent, or blessing of Mrs. Susanna or Jeremiah, and on the morning of October 15th, 1832, Roswell went to the house of Justice Jonathan by appointment "to be joined in marriage unto said Mary Almira according to law." Justice and Mrs. Jonathan expostulated against such a marriage without Mrs. Susanna being first consulted, and after a long conference Justice Jonathan flatly declined to tie the civil knot. It was finally decided that the marriage should take place at Putney, a small town of Windham County, some twelve miles on the Post-road to Windsor. Justice Jonathan proceeded with the young lady in his carriage, and in due course arrived at Putney. There he was surprised to find the ardent and impatient Roswell, who, although behind at the start, had passed him on the way, and had already made the necessary preparations with Justice of the Peace Asa to perform the statutory ceremony. This followed "in a solemn, serious, and impressive manner in the front room of the public house, the said Jonathan alone being present besides the parties and the magistrate."

The relations of Roswell and Mary Almira as man and wife began and ended before Justice Asa in that public house in Putney. In the language of the pleadings: "Immediately, within a few minutes after said marriage ceremony, said Mary Almira went with Justice Jonathan toward Windsor, and Roswell in a short time returned to his residence at Fayetteville."

There were deeper consequences involved in that simple parting than could have been imagined by any of the parties or than are concealed in the musty and voluminous court records of Windsor County and the state of Vermont.

Eugene Field had an entirely different conception of the nature of this marriage from that revealed by the record. According to his version, there was an old blue law in Vermont which rendered it necessary, in order to exonerate the groom in a runaway match from any other motive than love and affection, that the bride should be divested of all her earthly goods. So when Mary Almira arrived at Putney he thought that she retired to a closet, removed her clothing, and, thrusting her arm through a hole in the door, was joined in holy wedlock to Roswell, who, with the Justice and the witnesses, remained in the outer room.

Eugene Field undoubtedly derived this version of his father's marriage from the tradition of one that actually took place in the Field mansion on Newfane Hill in 1789. That was the marriage of Major Moses Joy of Putney to Mrs. Hannah Wood of Newfane, and the unique nature of the proceedings followed legal advice in order to avoid any responsibility for the debts of Mrs. Ward's former husband, who had died insolvent. The story which I find in the Centennial history of Newfane is as follows:

"Mrs. Ward placed herself in a closet with a tire-woman, who stripped her of all clothing, and while in a perfectly nude state she thrust her fair round arm through a diamond hole in the door of the closet, and the gallant Major clasped the hand of the nude and buxom widow, and was married in due form by the jolliest parson in Vermont. At the close of the ceremony the tire-woman dressed the bride in a complete wardrobe which the Major had provided and caused to be deposited in the closet at the commencement of the ceremony. She came out elegantly dressed in silk, satin, and lace, and there was kissing all around."

To resume our story. On leaving Putney, accompanied by Justice Jonathan, Mary Almira returned to her mother's residence at Windsor. Nothing was communicated to Mrs. Susanna or to the relatives of the young bride in regard to the ceremony at Putney. But they, being aware of the engagement to Jeremiah, and having heard rumors of the attentions of Roswell, thought propriety demanded an early fulfilment of the prior engagement. On the day of her arrival home, and on October 21st and 31st, Mary wrote to Roswell letters, from which we have the assurance of the Supreme Court of Vermont: "It would appear that she entertained a strong affection for him and probably viewed him as the husband with whom she should thereafter live, although the last letter does not breathe the same affection as the former ones."

But the plot was thickening. On the day after her return home Mary also wrote to Jeremiah in Boston, and a fortnight had not elapsed before she wrote again, "a very pressing letter, urging him to come immediately to Windsor." Roswell learned from Mary's letters that her friends were opposed to her forming any connection, except with Jeremiah, and he made the mistake of replying by letter instead of appearing in person, urging his claims and carrying off his bride.

Some time before the 1st of November the family of Mary had heard of the ceremony at Putney, for on Jeremiah's arrival, in lover-like compliance with her urgent message, he was informed of the situation. After a hurried council of war, and under legal advice, the following letter was drafted and forwarded to Roswell by the hands of Judge Bikens, the family lawyer:

To Mr. Roswell Field: Sir: Moments of deep consideration and much reflection have at length caused me to see in its proper light the whole of my late visit to Brattleboro. That I have been led by you and others to a course of conduct which my own feelings, reason, and sense entirely disapprove, is now very clear to me. I therefore write this to inform you that I am not willing on any account to see you again. Neither will I by any course you can adopt be prevailed upon to view the matter in a different light from what I now do. I leave you the alternative of forever preventing the public avowal of a disgraceful transaction, of which you yourself said you were ashamed. Mary A.

This veiled repudiation of the marriage at Putney was placed in Roswell's hands by Judge Bikens and was instantly "pronounced an impudent forgery." Being in the dark as to how far Mary's family had been informed of their marriage, Roswell avoided any expression that might reveal it to Judge Bikens, and refused to accept the letter as a true expression of his wife's feelings and wishes. He at once wrote to her, urging that their marriage should be made public and that thus an end should be put to the suit of Jeremiah. To this Mary made reply that the above letter "contained her real sentiments." Before this note reached Fayetteville Roswell had started for Windsor. On the way he halted his horse at Putney, where he learned that Mary's family was fully informed of the marriage as performed by Justice Asa.

A very embarrassing interview followed between Roswell and the family of his recalcitrant bride. On entering the room he advanced to Mary, and, extending his hand, "asked her how she did." But she looked at her mother and rejected his hand. A similar advance to Mrs. Susanna met with a like rebuff. Being considerately left alone in the room with Mary Almira by her mother and brother, who, with a sister, stood at the door listening, Roswell had what he was not disposed to regard as a private audience with his legal wife. In answer to his natural inquiry as to what it all meant, Mary said that since she had come home and thought it all over she found that she did love Jeremiah; that Jeremiah had been very kind to her, and she thought she ought to marry Jeremiah.

Roswell inquired how she could do that, as she was already married.

"Why," said the fickle Mary, "you can give up the certificate; let it all go and nobody will know anything about it." After some natural remonstrances, Mary continued: "Come, now, you've got the certificate in your pocket, and you can give it up just as well as not and let me marry Jeremiah," at the same time holding out her hand as if for the document.

The startling effrontery of the proposal provoked Roswell, and he told her that so far as a separation from himself was concerned she should be gratified to her heart's content, and that while she remained as she was he would not divulge the marriage, but he warned her that if she should attempt marriage with another he would publish the marriage at Putney in every parish church and newspaper in New England.

At this point the private interview was interrupted by the hasty entrance of Mistress Susanna, who advanced in great agitation, as the pleadings inform us, and said to Roswell:

"Mister Field, why can't you give up that stiffiket" (meaning, as he supposed, certificate) "and let things be as if they had never been?"

Thereupon "Mister Field" proceeded to point out to the entire family of Mary Almira, which had assembled from the doors and keyholes where they had been eavesdropping, "the wickedness and folly of Mistress Susanna's request." One of Mary's brothers admitted that Roswell's refusal "to connive to the dishonor of his wife" was correct and honorable, and that he should not be asked to make any such arrangement.

Roswell was greatly shocked and disgusted at the appearance, language, and manner of Mary Almira, and he was borne out in his impression of her character by the admission of one brother that she was "a giddy, inconsistent, unprincipled girl," and by that of another that "she was a volatile coquette, who did not know her own mind from day to day."

Roswell remained in Windsor three days, but did not again see Mary Almira; whereupon, feeling that nothing was to be gained by exposing "himself to renewed insults, he returned home for a few days."

It appears that all this time Jeremiah was lurking in the vicinity, holding secret interviews with Mary and her family, and "devising ways and means" for the bigamous marriage which, according to the belief of Roswell, was performed between Jeremiah and Mary Almira somewhere in New Hampshire between the 14th and 27th of November. Roswell M. Field never recognized the legality of any such ceremony or that Mary and Jeremiah had the lawful right to intermarry while the marriage at Putney remained in full force and effect. He had reason to be thankful for his escape from a union for life with a woman of such frivolous nature and easy indifference to the most sacred obligations of human and divine law. But he would not permit himself to become a silent copartner in what, to his strict notion of the inviolability of the marriage contract, was one of the most heinous crimes against society and morals. He, therefore, took every means in his power to bring obloquy and punishment upon the guilty parties. He instituted various proceedings at law to test the validity of the marriage at Putney. He, among other measures, filed a petition in the Probate Court to secure an accounting from Mistress Susanna as guardian of the estate of his wife Mary Almira. But Susanna avoided the issue by a technical plea.

He brought an action of ejectment in the name of himself and Mary Almira to recover possession of a tenement in Windsor of which she was the owner, and secured judgment without any defence being offered.

He secured the indictment of one of her brothers in the United States District Court for having opened one of his letters to his wife.

He presented a statement of the facts of the abduction and bigamous marriage of Mary Almira to the Grand Jury of Windsor County, and procured an indictment against her two brothers and Mary Almira and Jeremiah "for conspiracy to carry her without the state of Vermont" to become the bigamous wife of Jeremiah.

He followed Jeremiah and Mary to Boston in July, 1833, and laid the matter before the Grand Jury there, but before any action could be taken Jeremiah and Mary Almira "withdrew from the city of Boston, left New England, took passage at the city of New York in an outward bound vessel, and retired to the other side of the Atlantic."

Out of one of the actions instituted in the name of Roswell Field and Mary Almira, his wife, grew a libel suit, brought by Mistress Susanna against him, in which the special pleas drawn and filed by Roswell Field were pronounced by Justice Story "to be masterpieces of special pleading." Through all these proceedings Mr. Field disclaimed all intention or wish "to visit legal pains and penalties" upon his wife, whom he regarded "as the victim and scapegoat of a wicked conspiracy."

Finally, and after the birth of a child, Jeremiah and Mary Almira were forced to bring a suit for the nullification of the Putney marriage. Field met the complaint with a plea that set out all the facts. He contended that, as the Putney marriage was between persons of legal discretion and consent, there could be no condition that would render it voidable at the election of either. Every law and precedent was in favor of the inviolability of the Putney marriage, and yet so powerful were the family influences and so distressing would have been the results of a finding in his favor, that the lower court preferred to disregard precedents and law rather than illegitimatize the innocent children of Jeremiah and Mary. The same view was taken by the higher court, which absolved Mary of "being fully acquainted with the legal consequences of a solemnization of marriage." The court itself was forced to regard the ceremony as "a promise or engagement to marry," rather than a completed and sacred contract. The opinion as rendered is one long apology for declaring the Putney marriage invalid, in order to save Mary Almira from the crime of bigamy and her children from being the offspring of an illicit union.

The conclusion of the opinion reflects the spirit in which it was rendered. "It may be proper to add," said the court, "that we are not disposed to animadvert on the conduct of the parties or of their respective friends and connections, nor to pronounce any opinion further than is required to show the grounds of our determination. The immediate parties may find some excuse or palliation in the thoughtlessness of youth, the strength of affection, the pangs of disappointment and blighted hopes, in versatility of feeling to which all are subject, and in constitutional temperament. The conduct of the friends of either is not to be judged of nor censured in consequence of the unfortunate results which have attended this truly unfortunate case. In judging of the past transactions of others, which have terminated either favorably or unfavorably, we are apt to say that a different course was required and would have produced a different effect. But who can say what would have been the inevitable consequences of a different line of conduct by the friends of either party? The infatuation and the determination of the parties to pursue that course which was most agreeable to their own feelings and views, placed their friends and acquaintances in a very unpleasant situation, and it would be wrong for us now to say that they were not actuated by good motives, and did not pursue that line of conduct which they thought at the time duty dictated. We inquire not as to the conduct of others, we censure them not, nor do we say anything as to the parties before us, except what has been thought necessary in deciding the case."

The decree of nullification was affirmed in July, 1839, and before the close of the year Roswell M. Field had shaken the dust of Vermont from his feet and taken up his residence in St. Louis. Thus Vermont lost the most brilliant young advocate of his day, and Missouri gained the lawyer who was to adorn its bar and institute the proceedings for the manumission of Dred Scott, the slave, whose case defined the issues of our Civil War.

CHAPTER III

THE DRED SCOTT CASE

Vermont's loss was Missouri's gain. The young lawyer, who had been admitted to the bar of his native state at the age of eighteen, was fully equipped to match his learning, wit, and persuasive manners against such men as Benton, Gamble, and Bates, who were the leaders of the Missouri bar when, in 1839, Roswell Field took up his residence in St. Louis. Now it was that his familiarity and facility with French, German, and Spanish stood him in good stead and, combined with his solid legal attainments, speedily won for him the rank of the ablest lawyer in his adopted state.

But Roswell Field brought from Vermont something more than an exceptional legal equipment and the familiarity with the languages that is necessary to a mastery of the intricate old Spanish and French claims which were plastered over Missouri in those early days. He had inherited through his mother, from her grim old Puritan ancestors, the positive opinions and unquenchable sense of duty that constitute the far-famed New England conscience. He was born with a repugnance to slavery, whether of the will or of the body, and grew to manhood in the days when the question of the extension of negro slavery to the states and territories was the subject of fierce debate throughout the union. He had fixed convictions on the subject when he left Newfane, and he carried them with him to the farther bank of the Mississippi.

It is to the uncompromising New England conscience of Roswell Field that his countrymen owe the institution of the proceedings that finally developed into the Dred Scott case, in which the question of the legal status of a negro was passed upon by the Supreme Court of the United States. This is very properly regarded as the most celebrated of the many important cases adjudicated by our highest tribunal, for not only did it settle the status of Dred Scott temporarily, but the decision handed down by Chief Justice Taney is the great classic of a great bench. It denied the legal existence of the African race as persons in American society and in constitutional law, and also denied the supremacy of Congress over the territories and the constitutionality of the "Missouri Compromise." Four years of civil war were necessary to overrule this sweeping opinion of Chief Justice Taney's, which is still referred to with awe and veneration by a large minority, if not by a majority, of the legal profession.

To Roswell Field belongs the honor of instituting the original action for Dred Scott, without fee or expectation of compensation. The details of this celebrated case, after it got into the United States courts, are a part of the history of our country. What I am about to relate is scarcely known outside of the old Court House and Hall of Records in St. Louis.

Dred Scott was a negro slave of Dr. Emerson, a surgeon in the United States Army, then stationed in Missouri. Dr. Emerson took Scott with him when, in 1834, he moved to Illinois, a free state, and subsequently to Fort Snelling, Wis. This territory, being north of 36 degrees and 30 minutes, was free soil under the Missouri Compromise of 1820. At Fort Snelling, Scott married a colored woman who had also been taken as a slave from Missouri. When Dr. Emerson returned to Missouri he brought Dred Scott, his wife, and child with him. The case came to the attention of Roswell Field, and at once enlisted all his human sympathy and great legal ability. His first petition to the Circuit Court for the County of St. Louis is too important and unique a human document not to be preserved in full. It reads:

Your petitioner, a man of color, respectfully represents that sometime in the year 1835 your petitioner was purchased as a slave by one John Emerson, since deceased, who afterwards, to wit, about the year 1836 or 1839, conveyed your petitioner from the State of Missouri to Fort Snelling, a fort then occupied by the troops of the United States, and under the jurisdiction of the United States, situated in the territory ceded by France to the United States under the name of Louisiana, lying North of 36 degrees and 30 minutes North latitude, not included within the limits of the State of Missouri; and resided and continued to reside at said Fort Snelling for upwards of one year, and holding your petitioner in slavery at said Fort during all that time; in violation of the act of Congress of March 6th, 1820, entitled "An act to authorize the people of Missouri Territory to form a constitution and State government and for the admission of such state into the Union on an equal footing with the original states and to prohibit slavery in certain territories." Your petitioner avers that said Emerson has since departed this life, leaving a widow, Irene Emerson, and an infant child whose name is unknown to your petitioner, and that one Alexander Sandford has administered upon the estate of said Emerson and that your petitioner is now unlawfully held by said Sandford as said Administrator and said Irene Emerson who claims your petitioner as part of the estate of said Emerson and by one said Samuel Russell. Your petitioner therefore prays your Honorable Court to grant him leave to sue as a free person in order to establish his right to freedom and that the necessary orders may be made in the premises. (Signed) DRED SCOTT. his DRED X SCOTT mark Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day July, 1847,

PETER W. JOHNSTONE, J.P. Upon reading the above petition this day, it being the opinion of the Judge of the Circuit Court that the said petition contains sufficient matter to authorize the commencement of a suit for his freedom, it is hereby ordered that the said petitioner, Dred Scott, be allowed to sue, on giving security satisfactory to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for all costs that may be adjudged against him, and that he have reasonable liberty to attend his counsel and the Court as occasion may require, and that he be not subjected to any severity on account of this application for his freedom and that he be not removed out of the jurisdiction of the Court. A. HAMILTON, Judge of the St. Louis Circuit Court,

8th Judicial Circuit, Mo.

July 2d, 1847.

Having obtained the desired leave to sue from Judge Alexander Hamilton, Roswell Field procured Joseph Charless, one of the leading citizens of St. Louis, to execute the necessary bond for costs. Then he lost no time in filing the following complaint, which I have no doubt Eugene Field would have mortgaged many weeks' salary to number among his most precious possessions. He would have cherished it above the Gladstone axe, for, while that felled mighty oaks, this brief document laid the axe at the root of a deadly upas-tree which threatened the destruction of a free republic. I offer no apology for its insertion here:

STATE OF MISSOURI, ) COUNTY OF ST. LOUIS ) ss. CIRCUIT COURT OF ST. LOUIS,

ST. LOUIS COUNTY.

November Term, 1847. Dred Scott, a man of color, by his attorneys, plaintiff in this suit, complains of Alexander Sandford as administrator of the estate of John Emerson deceased, Irene Emerson and Samuel Russell, defendants of a plea of trespass. For that the said defendants heretofore, to wit on the 1st day of July in the year 1846 at to wit the County of St. Louis aforesaid with force and arms assaulted the said plaintiff and then and there, beat, bruised, and ill-treated him and then and there imprisoned and kept and detained him in prison there without any reasonable or probable cause whatsoever, for a long time, to wit for the space of one year, then next following, contrary to law and against the will of the said plaintiff; and the said plaintiff avers that before and at the time of the committing of the grievances aforesaid, he the said plaintiff was then and there and still is a free person, and that the said defendants held and still hold him in slavery, and other wrongs to the said plaintiff then and there did against the peace of the State of Missouri to the damage of the said plaintiff in the sum of ($300) Three Hundred Dollars, and therefore he sues. FIELD & HALL, Attys. for Plff.

With this brief and bald complaint for trespass to the person and false imprisonment was begun a long and stubbornly fought litigation, extending over ten years, and which was destined to end in Chief Justice Taney declaring:

They [negroes] had for more than a century before [the Declaration of Independence] been regarded as beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations; and so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect; and that the negro might justly and lawfully be reduced to slavery for his benefit. He was bought and sold and treated as an ordinary article of merchandise and traffic whenever a profit could be made by it.

From the beginning of his connection with this case Roswell Field contended for the broad principle enunciated by Lord Mansfield that "Slavery is so odious that nothing can be suffered to support it but positive law." He consented to a discontinuance of the original action because of the variance of the complaint from the subsequently discovered facts. In the second suit Dred Scott and his family were declared free by the local court, but the judgment was reversed on appeal to the Supreme Court of the state. Judge Gamble, in dissenting from the opinion of the majority of the Court, held that "In Missouri it has been recognized from the beginning of the Government as a correct position in law that a master who takes his slave to reside in a state or territory where slavery is prohibited thereby emancipates his slave."

The subsequent sale of Dred Scott to a citizen of New York named Sandford afforded Roswell Field the opportunity to renew the fight for Scott's freedom in the United States Circuit Court at St. Louis. The case was tried in May, 1854, and it was again declared that Scott and his family "were negro slaves, the lawful property of Sandford." Roswell Field immediately appealed by writ of error to the Supreme Court of the United States, where the appeal was first argued early in 1856, and a second time in December of the same year. Mr. Field's connection with the case ended when he prepared the papers on appeal and sent his brief to Montgomery Blair, with whom was associated for Scott on the second hearing George Ticknor Curtis. Both of these eminent lawyers emulated the example of Eugene Field's father, who for nearly nine years had devoted a large share of his time and energy to the fight of a penniless negro slave for liberty.

Looking back now it is almost impossible to realize how the issue in this case stirred the nation to its depth. It was first argued while the country was in the throes of the fierce Fremont-Buchanan campaign, and it was believed that the second hearing was ordered by a pro-slavery court after Buchanan's election, to permit more time in which to formulate the extraordinary decision at which the majority of the court arrived. The decision was political rather than judicial, and challenged the attention of the people beyond any act of the Supreme Court before or since.

The Civil War was virtually an appeal from the judgment of Chief Justice Taney and his associates to the God of Battles.

It must not be thought that a single case, although the most celebrated in the annals of American jurisprudence, was Roswell Field's sole claim to the title of leader of the Missouri bar during his lifetime. The records of the Superior Court of that state bear interesting and convincing testimony to the exceptional brilliancy of Eugene Field's father, while the tributes to his memory, by his brothers at the bar and the judges before whom he appeared, prove that in all the relations of life he fulfilled the promise of ability and genius given in his graduation from college at an age when most boys are entering a preparatory school.

Before dismissing Roswell Field to take up the story of his son's career, I wish to quote a few passages from a brief memoir which is preserved in the history of Newfane, as throwing direct hereditary light on the peculiar character, fascinating personality, and entertaining genius of his son.

As I may hereafter have occasion to refer to Eugene Field's political convictions, let us begin these quotations with one as to his father's politics:

"In the dark days of the Rebellion, during the years 1861 and 1862, when the friends of the Union in St. Louis and Missouri felt that they were in imminent danger of being drawn from their homes and of having their estates confiscated by rebels and traitors, General Lyon, General Blair, and R.M. Field were among the calm, loyal, and patriotic men who influenced public action and saved the city and state."

Those of my readers who knew the son will recognize much that captivated them in this description of the father:

"In his social relations he was a genial and entertaining companion, unsurpassed in conversational powers, delighting in witty and sarcastic observations and epigrammatic sentences. He was elegant in his manners and bland and refined in his deportment. He was a skilful musician and passionately fond of children, and it was his wont in early life to gather them in groups about him and beguile them by the hour with the music of the flute or violin. He was actually devoid of all ambition for power and place, and uniformly declined all offers of advancement to the highest judicial honors of the state."

From the lips of Samuel Knox, of the St. Louis bar, we have this testimony as to the remarkable extent and versatility of Roswell M. Field's talents:

"Uniting great industry and acquirements with the most brilliant wit and genius, well and accurately informed on all subjects, both in science and art; endowed with a memory that retained whatever it received, with quick and clear perceptions, the choicest, most felicitous, and forcible language in which to clothe his thoughts, no one could doubt his meaning or withhold the tribute of wonder at his power."

To clinch the evidence as to the source from which Eugene Field derived pretty nearly everything that won for him such meed of fame as fell to his lot, let me quote from an interview with Melvin L. Gray, his guardian and foster-father, printed in the Helena Independent, September 6th, 1895, shortly before his idol's death:

"If I had never believed in the influence of heredity before, I would now, after having known Eugene Field and his father before him. The father was a lawyer of wonderful ability, but he was particularly distinguished by his keen wit, his intense appreciation of the humorous side of life, and his fondness for rare first editions of literary works. He was a profound student, and found much time to cultivate the fairer qualities that some lawyers neglect in the busy round of their profession. Eugene is not a lawyer, but he has his father's tastes, his father's keen wit, and much of the same fineness of character and literary ability."

"Another point of similarity is found in Eugene's neglect of financial matters. In his youth the father was equally negligent, although he did subsequently grow more thrifty, and when he died left the boys a little patrimony. As executor I apportioned the money as directed. Both the boys spent it freely while it lasted."

I find no trace in the father of what, all through life, was the pre-eminent characteristic of Eugene, the inveterate painstaking, mirth-compelling practical-joker. But in Brattleboro, Newfane, and throughout Vermont everybody says, "That's jest like his uncle Charles Kellogg. There was never such another for jest foolin'. He'd rather play a hoax on the parson that would embarrass him in the face of his congregation than eat." When they were boys, it was Charles that led Roswell into all kinds of mischief. "Uncle Charles Kellogg"they always give him the benefit of the second name in Brattleborohad a reputation for wit and never-ending badinage throughout the neighborhood that still survives and leaves no room to question whence Eugene inherited his unquenchable passion "for jest foolin'."

CHAPTER IV

BIRTH AND EARLY YOUTH

For nine years after moving to St. Louis his profession was the sole mistress of Roswell Field's "laborious days" and bachelor nights. Almost coincident with his becoming interested in the case of the slave, Dred Scott, he met, and more to the purpose of this narrative, became interested in Miss Frances Reed, then of St. Louis, but whose parents hailed from Windham County, Vermont. Whether their common nativity, or the fact that her father was a professional musician, first brought them together, the memory of St. Louis does not disclose. Miss Reed was a young woman of unusual personal charm. All accounts agree that she was quiet and refined in her ways and yet possessed that firmness of mind that is the salt of a quiet nature. They were married in May, 1848, and in the love and domestic happiness of his mature manhood, Roswell Field found the sweet balm for the bitterness that followed from his youthful romance and the nullification of the Putney marriage.

Of this union six children were born in the eight years of Mrs. Field's wedded life, only two of whom, Eugene, the second, and Roswell, survived babyhood. There is some uncertainty as to the exact date and location of Eugene's birth. When his father was married he took his bride home to a house on Collins Street, which, under Time's transmuting and ironical fingers, has since become a noisy boiler-shop. There their first child was born. Subsequently they moved to the house, No. 634 South Fifth Street (now Broadway), which is one in the middle of a block of houses pointed out in St. Louis as the birthplace of Eugene Field. Although Eugene himself went with the photographer and pointed out the house, his brother Roswell strenuously maintains that Eugene was born before the family moved to the Walsh row, so-called, and that to the boiler-shop belongs the honor of having heard the first lullabies that greeted the ears of their greatest master.

Roswell's view receives negative corroboration from the testimony of Mrs. Temperance Moon, of Farmington, Utah, who for a time lived in their father's family. Under date of February 25th, 1901, Mrs. Moon wrote to me:

"I can give you very little information in regard to Mr. Field's place of birth. It was on Third Street. I do not remember the names of the cross streets, I think Cherry was one. Eugene was four months old when I went to live with them. I stayed until the family went east for the summer. Mrs. Field's sister was living with them. Her name was Miss Arabella Reed. When they came back Roswell was a few months old. They went to live on Fifth Street in a three-story house. Mrs. Field sent word for me to come and take care of Eugene. I was twelve years old. She gave me full charge of him. I was very proud of the charge. He was a noble child. I loved him as a dear brother. He took great delight in hearing me read any kind of children's stories and fairy tales. His mother was a lovely woman. I have a book and a picture Eugene sent to me. The picture is of him and his mother when he was only six months old."

Equal and illusive doubt hangs over the date of Eugene Field's birth. Was it September 2d or 3d, 1850? In his "Auto-Analysis," of which we shall hear more further along, Field himself gives preference to the latter figure. But as his preference more than half the time went by the rule of contraries, that would be prima-facie evidence that he was born on the earlier date. There again the testimony of the younger brother is to the effect that in their youth the anniversary of Eugene's birth was held to be September 2d. Their father said he could not reconcile his mind to the thought that one of his children was born on so memorable an anniversary as September 3d, the day of Cromwell's death. I have little doubt that Field himself fostered the irrepressible conflict of dates, on the theory that two birthdays a year afforded a double opportunity to playfully remind his friends of the pleasing duty of an interchange of tokens on such anniversaries. If they forgot September 2d, he could jog their memories that Cromwell's death on September 3d, two centuries before, was no excuse for ignoring his birth on September 3d, 1850.

Whether born on the anniversary of Cromwell's death or in the boiler-shop, no stories of the youthful precocity of Eugene Field survive to entertain us or to suggest that he gave early indication of the possession either of unusual talent or of that unique personality that were to distinguish him from the thousands born every day.

But Eugene and Roswell, Jr., were not long to know the watchful tenderness and ambitious solicitude of that "mother love" of which the elder has so sweetly sung. In November, 1856, when Eugene was six years old, their mother died and their father's thoughts instinctively turned to his sister, hoping to find with her, amid scenes familiar to his own youth, a home and affectionate care for his motherless boys. How the early loss of his mother affected the life of Eugene Field it is impossible to tell. Not until the boy of six whom she left had become a man of forty did he attempt to pay a tribute of filial love to her memory. The following lines, under the simple title, "To My Mother," first appeared in his "Sharps and Flats" column, October 25th, 1890. It was reprinted in his "Second Book of Verse." The opening lines summon up a tender picture of a "grace that is dead":

How fair you are, my mother! Ah, though 'tis many a year Since you were here, Still do I see your beauteous face And with the glow Of your dark eyes cometh a grace Of long ago.

The Mistress French of our earlier acquaintance, who was a widow when we last knew her in Newfane, had married again and, as Mistress Thomas Jones, had moved with her daughter, Mary Field French, to Amherst, Mass. To the home of Mrs. Jones and the loving care of Miss French, Eugene and Roswell, Jr., were entrusted. Miss French was at this time a young woman, a spinsterEugene delighted to call herof about thirty years. His old Munson tutor thus describes her:

"Mary Field French, a daughter of Mrs. Jones by her first husband, was a lady of strong mind, and much culture, with a sound judgment and decision of character and very gracious manners. She was always sociable and agreeable and so admirably adapted to the charge of the two brothers." They retained through manhood the warmest affection for this cousin-mother, and never wearied in showing toward her the grateful devotion of loyal sons.

"Here," continues Dr. Tufts, "in this charming home, under the best of New England influences and religious instruction, with nothing harsh or repulsive, the boys could not have found a more congenial home. Indeed, few mothers are able or even capable of doing so much for their own children as Miss French did for these two brothers, watching over them incessantly, yet not spoiling them by weak indulgence or repelling them by harsh discipline."

Here it was that Eugene was brought up in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord," as he would often declare with a mock severity of tone, that left a mixed impression as to the beneficence of the nurture and the abiding quality of the admonition. Here he spent his school days, not in acquiring a broad or deep basis for future scholarship, but in studying the ways and whims of womankind, in practising the subtile arts whereby the boy of from six to fifteen attains a tyrannous mastery over the hearts of a feminine household, and in securing the leadership among the daring spirits of his own age and sex, for whom he was early able to furnish a continuous programme of entertainment, adventure, and mischief.

Of this period of Eugene Field's life we get the truest glimpse through the eyes of his brother, who has written appreciatively of their boyhood spent in Amherst. "His boyhood," writes Roswell, "was similar to that of other boys brought up with the best surroundings in a Massachusetts village, where the college atmosphere prevailed. He had his boyish pleasures and his trials, his share of that queer mixture of nineteenth century worldliness and almost austere Puritanism, which is yet characteristic of many New England families."

If the reader wishes to know more of the New England atmosphere, in which Eugene Field was permitted to have pretty much his own sweet way by his cousin and aunt, let him have recourse to Mrs. Earle's "The Sabbath in Puritan New England," which I find in my library commended to my perusal, "with Eugene Field's love, December 25th, 1891"and to other books by the same author. In a letter to Mrs. Earle, from which I quoted in the opening paragraph of this narrative, I find the following reference to the period of his life which we are now considering:

"Fourteen years of my life were spent in Newfane, Vt., and Amherst, Mass. My lovely old grandmother was one of the very elect. How many times have I carried her footstove for her and filled it in the vestry-room. I have frozen in the old pew while grandma kept nice and warm and nibbled lozenges and cassia cakes during meeting. I remember the old sounding-board. There was no melodeon in that meeting-house; and the leader of the choir pitched the tune with a tuning-fork. As a boy I used to play hi-spy in the horse-shed. But I am not so very oldno, a man is still a boy at forty, isn't he?"

Eugene Field would have been a boy at fifty and at eighty had he lived, and he was very much of a boy at the period of which he wrote to Mrs. Earle. I have no doubt that he was a very circumspect lad while under the loving yet stern glance of that dear old grandmother, in whose kindly yet dignified presence three generations of Fields moved with varying emotions of love and circumspection. "Her husband" (General Martin Field of our acquaintance), wrote "Uncle Charles Kellogg," "was genial and social, full of humor and mirth, oftentimes filling the house with his jocund laugh." She, however, "true to her refined womanly instinct, her sense of propriety, rarely disturbed by his merry and harmless jests, with great discretion pursued 'the even tenor of her way.' Patiently and with unfaltering devotion to the higher and nobler purposes of life, she always maintained her self-possession, strenuously avoided all levity and frivolity, rarely relaxed the gravity of her deportment, and never failed in the end of controlling both husband and household."

Eugene's own picture of his grandmother is contained in the following passage in an article contributed by him to the Ladies' Home Journal:

"Grandma was a pillar in the Congregational Church. At the decline and disintegration of the Universalist society, she rejoiced cordially as if a temple of Baal or an idol of Ashtaroth had been overturned. Yes, grandma was Puritanicalnot to the extent of persecution, but a Puritan in the severity of her faith and in the exacting nicety of her interpretation of her duties to God and mankind. Grandma's Sunday began at six o'clock Saturday evening; by that hour her house was swept and garnished, and her lamps trimmed, every preparation made for a quiet, reverential observance of the Sabbath Day. There was no cooking on Sunday. At noon Mrs. Deacon Ranney and other old ladies used to come from church with grandma to eat luncheon and discuss the sermon and suggest deeds of piety for the ensuing week. I remember Mrs. Deacon Ranney and her frigid companions very distinctly. They never smiled and they wore austere bombazines that rustled and squeaked dolorously. Mrs. Deacon Ranney seldom noticed me further than to regard me with a look that seemed to stigmatize me as an incipient vessel of wrath that was not to be approved of, and I never liked Mrs. Deacon Ranney after I heard her reminding grandma one day that Solomon had truly said, 'spare the rod and spoil the child.' I still think ill of Mrs. Deacon Ranney for having sought to corrupt dear old grandma's gentle nature with any such incendiary suggestions. The meeting-house was cold and draughty, and the seats, with their straight backs, were oh, so hard. Grandma's pew was near the pulpit. I remember now how ashamed I used to be to carry her footstove all the way up that long aisle for herI was such a foolish little boy thenand now, ah me, how ready and glad and proud I should be to do that service for dear old grandma! "When grandma went to meeting she carried a lovely big black velvet bag; it had a bouquet wrought in beads of subdued color upon it, and it hung by two sombre silk puckering ribbons over grandma's arm. In the bag grandma carried a supply of crackers and peppermint lozenges, and upon these she would nibble in meeting whenever she felt that feeling of goneness in the pit of her stomach, which I was told old ladies sometimes suffer with. It was proper enough, I was assured, for old ladies to nibble at crackers and peppermint lozenges in meeting, but that such a proceeding would be very wicked for a little boy."

From which it might appear that the atmosphere of Newfane, under the grave and serious deportment of his grandmother, must have been a change from the freedom Eugene and his brother enjoyed under the fond rule of Miss French at Amherst. But when I was in Newfane in 1899 I was informed by a dear old lady in bombazine, who remembered their visits distinctly, that "Eugene and Roswell were wild boys. Not bad, but just tew full of old Nick for anything."

It was in Amherst, however, and not in Newfane, from Cousin Mary, and not from his dear Grandmother Esther, that Eugene got the New England "bent" in his Missouri mind. It is hard to separate the fact from the fancy in his story of "My Grandmother." His youth from 1856 to 1865 was lived in Amherst. His only visit to the Field homestead in Newfane was when he was nine years old. And of this he has written, "we stayed there seven months and the old lady got all the grandsons she wanted. She did not invite us to repeat the visit." He also confessed that all his love for nature dated from that visit. As a boy he would never have been permitted to indulge the fondness for animal pets under "the dark penetrating eyes" of his grandmother, that was tolerated and became a life-habit by the "gracious love" of Mary Field French. Of this fondness for pets, Roswell has written that it amounted to a passion. "But unlike other boys he seemed to carry his pets into a higher sphere and to give them personality. For each pet, whether dog, cat, bird, goat, or squirrelhe had the family distrust of a horsehe not only had a name, but it was his delight to fancy that each possessed a peculiar dialect of human speech, and each he addressed in the humorous manner conceived. When in childhood he was conducting a poultry annex to the homestead, each chicken was properly instructed to respond to a peculiar call, and Finniken, Minniken, Winniken, Dump, Poog, Boog seemed to recognize immediately the queer intonations of their master with an intelligence that is not usually accorded to chickens."

I cannot forbear to introduce here a characteristic bit of evidence from Eugene Field's own pen of the survival of the passion for pets to which his brother testifies:

"It is only under stress," said he in his allotted column in the Chicago Record of January 9th, 1892, "nay, under distress, that the mysterious veil of the editorial-room may properly be thrown aside and the secret thereof disclosed. It is under a certain grievous distress that we make this statement now:

"For a number of months the silent partner in the construction of this sporadic column of 'Sharps and Flats' has been a little fox terrier given to the writer hereof by his friend, Mr. Will J. Davis. We named our little companion Jessie, and our attachment to her was wholly reciprocated by Jessie herself, although (and we make this confession very shamefacedly) our enthusiasm for Jessie was by no means shared by the prudent housewife in charge of the writer's domestic affairs. Jessie contributed to and participated in our work in this wise: She would sit and admiringly watch the writer at his work, wagging her abridged tail cordially whenever he bestowed a casual glance upon her, threatening violence to every intruder, warning her master of the approach of every garrulous visitor, and oftentimes, when she felt lonely, insisted on climbing up into her master's lap and slumbering there while he wrote and wrote away. We have tried our poems on Jessie, and she always liked them; leastwise she always wagged her tail approvingly and smiled her flatteries as only a very intelligent little dog can. Some folk think that our poetry drove Jessie away from home, but we know better; Jessie herself would deny that malicious imputation were she here now and could she speak. "To this little companion we became strongly, perhaps foolishly, attached. She walked with us by day, hunting rats and playing famously every variety of intelligent antics. Whither we went she went, and at night she shared our couch with us. Though only nine months old Jessie stole into this life of ours so very far that years seemed hardly to compass the period and honesty of our friendship. "Well, last Tuesday night Jessie disappearedvanished as mysteriously as if the earth had opened up and swallowed her. She had been playing with a discreet dog friend in Fullerton Avenue, and that was the last seen of her! Where can she have gone? It is very lonesome without Jessie. Moreover there are poems to be read for her approval before they can be printed; the great cause of literature waits upon Jessie. She must be found and restored to her proper sphere. "Jessie perhaps was not beautiful, yet she was fair to her master's eyes. She was white with yellow ears and a brownish blaze over her left eye and warty cheek. She weighed perhaps twenty pounds (for Jessie never had dyspepsia), and one mark you surely could tell her by was the absence of a nail from her left forepaw, the honorable penalty of an encounter with an enraged setting hen in our barn last month. "Jessie's master is not rich, for the poetry that fox terriers approve is not remunerative; but that master has accumulated (by means of industrious application to his work and his friends) the sum of $20, which he will cheerfully pay to the man, woman, or child who will bring Jessie back again. For he is a weak human creature, is Jessie's master, in his loneliness, without his faithful, admiring little dumb friend."

Two days later Field printed the following letter and his answer thereto, both written by the same hand in his column:

CHICAGO, January 10th. To the Editor: I am very sorry for the gentleman who writes your Sharps and Flats, for I know what it is to lose a little dog. I had one once and some boy I guess took it off and never brought it back again. I have got a maltese cat and four beautiful kittens, and should like to send the gentleman one of the kittens if he wants one. Maybe he would get to like the kitten as much as he did the little dog. Respectfully, your little friend, EDITH LONG. "Many thanks to our charming little correspondent; she has a gentle heart, we know. What havoc one of those mischievous creatures would make! In the first place it would accomplish the destruction of these little canaries of ours which now flit about this lovely disordered room, perching confidently upon folios and bric-a-brac and hopping blithely over the manuscripts and papers on the table. In the basement against the furnace, three beautiful fleecy little chickens have just hatched out. How long do you suppose it would be before that wicked little kitten discovered and compassed the demolition of those innocent baby fowls? Then again there are rabbits in the stable and very tame pigeons and the tiniest of bantams. It would be very dreadful to introduce a truculent kitten (and all felines are naturally truculent) into such society. And our blood fairly congeals when we think that perhaps (oh, fearful possibility) that kitten might nose out and wantonly destroy the too lovely butterflies stored away in yonder closet, which we have appropriately named the cage of gloom. "Miss Edith must keep her kitten and may she have the pleasure of its pretty antics. However, she must bear this in mind, that sooner or later our pets come to grief. "Very, very many years ago, we read and cried over a little book written by Grace Greenwood and entitled 'The History of My Pets.' Even as a child we wondered why it was that evil invariably befell the pets of youth. "We all know that most little folks are tender-hearted, yet there are some who seem indifferent to pets, to have little sympathy with the pathos of dumb animals. And we have so often wondered whether after all these latter did not get more of pleasure or should we say less of pain out of life than the others. The tender heart seldom hardens; in maturer years its comprehensions and sympathies broaden, and this of course involves pain. Are the delights of sympathy a fair offset to the pains thereof?"

The boy at Amherst was the father of the man at forty-two. It was to the prototype of "The Bench-Legged Fyce," known in Miss French's household as "Dooley," that the boy Eugene attributed his first verse, a parody on the well-known lines, "Oh, had I the wings of a dove!" Dooley's song ran:

Oh, had I wings like a dove I would fly Away from this world of fleas; I'd fly all round Miss Emerson's yard And light on Miss Emerson's trees.

It was rank disloyalty to the memory of "Dooley" to rename the bench-legged fyce "Sooner" and locate the scene of his "chronic repose" in St. Jo rather than under the flea-proof tree of Mrs. Emerson in Amherst. But who regrets the poetic license as he reads:

We all hev our choice, an' you like the rest, Allow that dorg which you've got is the best; I wouldn't give much for the boy 'at grows up With no friendship subsistin' 'tween him and a pup; When a fellow gits oldI tell you it's nice To think of his youth and his bench-legged fyce!

Although Eugene Field never forgot or forgave the terrors of the New England Sabbath, its strict observance, its bad singing, doleful prayers and interminable sermons, the impress of those all-day sessions in church and Sunday-school was never eradicated from his life and writings. Nothing else influenced his work or affected his style as much as the morals and the literature of the Bible and the sacred songs that were lined out week after week from the pulpit under which he literally and figuratively sat when a youth. "If," he has said, "I could be grateful to New England for nothing else I should bless her forevermore for pounding me with the Bible and the Spelling-Book."

There is in the possession of the family the "Notes of a Sermon by E.P. Field," said to have been written by Eugene at the age of nine, when he affected the middle initial of P in honor of Wendell Phillips. It was more probably written when he was twelve or fourteen, as he showed at nine none of the signs of precocity which such a composition indicates. The youthful Channing took for his text the fifteenth verse of the thirteenth chapter of Proverbs: "Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard." Upon this he expounded as follows:

"The life of a Christian is often compared to a race that is hard and to a battle in which a man must fight hard to win, these comparisons have prevented many from becoming Christians. "But the Bible does not compare the Christian's path as one of hard labor. But Solomon says wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness and her paths are peace. Under the word transgressor are included all those that disobey their maker, or, in shorter words, the ungodly. Every person looking around him will see many who are transgressors and whose lot is very hard. "I remark secondly that conscience makes the way of transgressors hard; for every act of pleasure, every act of guilt his conscience smites him. The last of his stay on earth will appear horrible to the beholder. Sometimes, however, he will be stayed in his guilt. A death in a family of some favorite object, or be attacked by some disease himself, is brought to the portals of the grave. Then for a little time, perhaps, he is stayed in his wickedness, but before long he returns to his worldly lusts. Oh, it is indeed hard for a sinner to go down into perhaps perdition over all the obstacles which God has placed in his path. But many, I am afraid, do go down into perdition, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in after it. "Suppose now there was a fearful precipice and to allure you there your enemies should scatter flowers on its dreadful edge, would you if you knew that while you were strolling about on that awful rock that night would settle down on you and that you would fall from that giddy, giddy height, would you, I say, go near that dreadful rock? Just so with the transgressor, he falls from that height just because he wishes to appear good in the sight of the world. But what will a man gain if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul."

Whenever this was written it shows on its face that it is more an effort of memory or the effect of one of the fearful sermons of fifty years ago on the impressionable mind of youth, than the original production of a precocious boy struggling with the insoluble problem of life and judgment to come. Mark how the stock words of the pulpiteer, "transgressor," "worldly lusts," "dreadful," "awful," "perdition" stalk fiercely through the sermon of the youthful saint or sinner!

Roswell Field says that his brother without instruction early acquired the habit of drawing amusing pictures of his playmates and his pets, and that later in life he gave it as his honest opinion that he would have been much more successful as a caricaturist than as a writer. But Eugene's drawings at all periods were never more than grotesque or fanciful illustrations of the whimsical ideas he harbored respecting everything that came to his attention.

In after life Eugene Field gave frequent proof that he cherished contradictory sentiments toward Vermont and New England. One view was tinged, I think, with the recollection of the wrong his father suffered at the hands of the Green Mountain courts, and reflects the general tenor of his comment whenever Vermont men or affairs came under discussion in the public press. It is illustrated in the following paragraph:

The Vermont papers agreed that Colonel Aldace Walker is the very best man in Vermont for the Inter-State Commerce Commission. This may be true. At the same time, however, we fail to see what interest Vermont can possibly take in inter-state commerce. She has no commerce of her own, and she probably never will have. There is a bobbin factory at Williamsville, and a melodeon factory at Brattleboro, but the commerce resulting from them is not worthy of mention. There is talk about the maple-sugar that Vermont exports, but we have noticed that all the "genuine Vermont maple-sugar" in the Western market comes from the South, and is about as succulent as the heel of a gum-boot. In all the State of Vermont there is but one railroad, the Vermont Central; it begins at Grout's Corner, Mass., and runs 
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Wednesday.

Noting Kuwait is one of the countries that are most friendly to China, the first Gulf Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with China, and also the first to sign cooperation documents on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Wang said China appreciates Kuwait's firm adherence to the friendly policy toward China and its strong support to China on safeguarding its own sovereignty, security and development interests.

Wang said China will continue to be a reliable partner of Kuwait and support its legitimate and reasonable concerns, so as to promote the bilateral relations to a new level.

Ahmad said Kuwait supports China's just position on safeguarding its own interests, and opposes the politicization of human rights issues and interference in China's internal affairs.

Ahmad said Kuwait is ready to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state so as to turn the great vision on bilateral relations into reality.

The two sides agreed to strengthen the docking of the BRI with Kuwait's Vision 2035, speed up the formulation of a five-year cooperation plan, and expand cooperation on clean energy, 5G communication, smart cities and other high-tech fields.

Ahmad said Kuwait is looking forward to learning from China's advanced scientific and technological experience and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Kuwait.

The two sides also agreed to make joint efforts to continue fighting the pandemic, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation on health, education, youth, local governments, and sports, and facilitate personnel exchanges.

Ahmad also expressed Kuwait's support for the Beijing Winter Olympics and opposition to the politicization of sports.

The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as well as on regional issues of common concern.

Wang said China is willing to see Kuwait play a unique and positive role in regional hotspot issues. 




Haiti - Politic : 10 new appointments to the Government





Tuesday in the special issue #2 of the official journal "Le Moniteur", the Prime Minister published a decree appointing 2 ministers (2 women) and 8 Directors General (no women).



List of nominations :



The citizen Emmelie PROPHETE-MILCE is appointed Minister of Culture and Communication replaces Ariel Henry who held this position by interim



The citizen Dithny Joan RATON is appointed Special Labor Mediator for the Clothing Industry, with the rank of Minister;



The citizen Paul Harry VOLTAIRE, is appointed Director General of the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES);



The citizen Jean Luc OUANCHE is appointed Director General of the Haitian State Lottery (LEH);



The citizen Azad BELFORT is appointed Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ME);



The citizen Jean Fallieres BAZELAIS is appointed Director General of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP);



The citizen Herve BOURSIQUOT is appointed Director General of the National Office for Partnership in Education (ONAPE);



The citizen Ken LACOSTE is appointed Director General of the National Port Authority (APN);



The citizen Laurent Joseph DUMAS is appointed Director General of the National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC);



The citizen Charles Raymond PIERRE is appointed Director General of the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC).



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35668-icihaiti-politic-8-new-executives-at-mjsac.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35323-haiti-flash-ministerial-reshuffle-8-new-ministers.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Palacios confessed that the final plan was to assassinate the President of Haiti





Former Colombian military officer Mario Palacios extradited to the United States https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35640-haiti-flash-palacio-extradited-to-the-usa-first-official-indictment-in-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html confessed before the American justice, during the indictment against him that the final plan was to assassinate the President of Haiti, Jovenel Moise.



In the Palacios statements made available, Palacios spoke of the original plan to kidnap the President of Haiti on June 18, 2021, which was scrapped when the attempt to secure a private plane to take the President away failed.



Palacios was told by some of the conspirators that the plan was now to assassinate the Haitian President, and indicated that at this time, several of the conspirators in detention in Haiti believed the plan was to assassinate and not to kidnap President Moise."



In addition, new information on the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, published in the "New York Times" reveals that "Joseph Felix Badio, a former official of the Ministry of Justice suspected of having organized the attack which killed the President Moise, not only spoke to Ariel Henry before and after the assassination, but he also visited the Prime Minister's residence twice. The two visits, one of which took place four months after the crime, took place at night and without Joseph Felix Badio being worried by the Prime Minister's security agents, even though he was wanted by the Haitian police."



In addition, The New York Times was able to speak with businessman Rodolphe Jaar (ex drug trafficker turned DEA informant), one of the key suspects in the case of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, arrested in the Dominican Republic on Friday January 7, 2022, at the request of the American authorities (FBI) on the basis of statements by Mario Antonio Palacios.



Jaar said Joseph Felix Badio asked Prime Minister Henry for help in escaping after the assassination and that the Prime Minister had promised him "to make a few calls." Prime Minister Henry continues to deny any contact with Badio.



Reacting to the New York Times publication claiming that Prime Minister Ariel Henry had close ties, before and after, with one of the key suspects in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, Joseph Felix Badio a spokesperson of the Embassy of the United States in Haiti "boot in touch" and declared "We support a full and transparent investigation to ensure the prosecution of this odious crime and we urge all parties to follow the procedure established in accordance with the ruel of right."



Rodolphe Jaar also blames the current Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) Frantz Elbe who was at the time of the assassination advisor to the PNH. According to Jaar, Badio requested unsuccessfully for weapons for the coup in preparation. Note that subsequently although informed of the conspiracy Elbe has nothing to prevent its outcome which ended with the assassination of President Moise on July 7, 2021 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html



Note that 4 months later, Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry appointed Frantz Elbe as head of the PNH...



Finally, the allegations based on the convergence beams of the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH) in its last report dated January 6, 2022, against the former Chief of Police Haiti Leon Charles and current Ambassador of Haiti to the OAS https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/1-Rap-Assassinat-Jovenel-Moise-6Jan2022.pdf where the Organization affirms in its raport that Leon Charles was in contact with Joseph Felix Badio between January and July 2021 were formally denied by Leon Charles who wrote "[...] I categorically reject these allegations. I have not communicated with Badio in the past ten years, at any time during the period January-July 2021, and never during the night of July 6-7, 2021.



As Director General of the National Police, I never hindered the investigation carried out by the DCPJ. [...] I did not hesitate to respond to the invitation of the investigating judge within the framework of the investigation and remains at all times at the disposal of the judicial institution, the only body responsible for clarifying the ins and outs of this crime," adding that he did not wish to open a controversy with organizations which "set themselves up as parallel jurisdictions or which usurp the powers of investigation."



Read also on the assassination of President Moise :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35664-haiti-flash-lawyer-of-colombian-soldiers-detained-in-haiti-says-they-confessed-under-torture.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35618-haiti-assassination-of-the-president-2nd-request-for-extradition-from-haiti-rejected-jamaica-will-deport-palacio-to-colombia.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35588-haiti-flash-haiti-tries-a-second-time-to-extradite-palacios.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35587-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35293-haiti-justice-martine-moise-requests-the-autopsy-of-gilbert-dragon.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35290-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35275-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35247-haiti-flash-the-suspect-1-of-the-murder-of-jovenel-moise-cannot-be-extradited-to-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35121-haiti-flash-haiti-requests-the-extradition-of-one-of-the-presumed-murderers-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35093-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35054-haiti-flash-a-key-suspect-in-the-assassination-of-jovenel-moise-arrested.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34928-haiti-flash-martine-moise-heard-by-examining-magistrate-garry-orelien-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34835-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34739-haiti-flash-the-pm-dismisses-the-minister-of-justice-the-government-commissioner-and-the-sg-of-the-council-of-ministers.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34714-haiti-flash-the-prosecution-wants-to-hear-pm-henry-in-connection-with-the-assassination-of-the-president.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34567-haiti-flash-new-investigating-judge-in-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34351-haiti-flash-all-the-arrested-colombian-ex-soldiers-were-aware-of-a-plan-to-kill-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34339-haiti-flash-official-report-by-dimitri-herard-on-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34331-haiti-flash-arrest-of-the-presidential-security-coordinator-jean-laguel-civil.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34299-haiti-flash-7-of-the-colombians-arrested-had-received-american-military-training.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34296-haiti-flash-the-company-which-participated-in-the-financing-of-the-operation-knew-nothing-about-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34283-haiti-flash-follow-up-of-investigations-into-the-assassination-of-president-moise-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34278-haiti-national-funeral-note-from-the-first-lady-martine-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34265-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34250-haiti-flash-according-to-colombia-in-the-commando-only-a-few-knew-about-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34238-haiti-flash-monitoring-of-investigations-into-the-assassination-of-president-jovenel-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34225-haiti-notice-the-pnh-is-looking-for-3-dangerous-and-armed-individuals-including-a-former-senator.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34223-haiti-justice-the-dg-of-the-colombian-police-wonders-about-the-role-of-the-chief-of-security-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34220-haiti-politic-creation-of-the-organizing-committee-for-the-national-funeral-of-president-moise-text-of-the-decree.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34218-haiti-flash-wanted-notice-for-a-very-dangerous-colombian-mercenary.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34217-haiti-flash-the-white-house-does-not-rule-out-sending-troops-to-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34214-haiti-assassination-of-president-a-colombian-team-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34212-haiti-politic-a-large-american-delegation-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34210-haiti-flash-arrest-of-one-of-the-intellectual-authors-of-the-assassination-of-president-moise-and-an-attempted-coup.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34205-haiti-flash-statements-and-testimony-from-colombia-about-the-commando.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34203-haiti-usa-no-american-military-assistance-for-the-moment.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34201-haiti-flash-authenticated-message-from-the-first-lady-martine-moise-audio.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34199-haiti-assassination-of-the-president-names-of-the-20-members-of-the-commando-arrested-5-others-still-on-the-run.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34193-haiti-flash-the-government-requests-the-sending-of-american-soldiers-to-the-country.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34188-icihaiti-flash-11-mercenaries-arrested-in-the-taiwanese-embassy.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34193-haiti-flash-the-government-requests-the-sending-of-american-soldiers-to-the-country.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34188-icihaiti-flash-11-mercenaries-arrested-in-the-taiwanese-embassy.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34183-haiti-flash-the-commando-that-killed-the-president-included-26-colombians-and-2-haitian-americans-official-video.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34182-icihaiti-assassination-of-president-moise-15-days-of-national-mourning-text-of-the-decree.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34178-haiti-politic-what-measures-contains-the-state-of-siege-text-of-the-decree.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34177-icihaiti-usa-the-pm-met-with-secretary-of-state-anthony-blinken.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34176-haiti-un-the-security-council-condemns-the-assassination-of-president-jovenel-moise.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34174-icihaiti-diplomacythe-assassins-of-moise-were-professional-mercenaries-dixit-bocchit-edmond.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34173-haiti-flash-the-police-intercepts-the-presumed-assassins-of-president-moise-official-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34172-haiti-flash-martine-moise-in-florida-for-treatment.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34170-haiti-flash-the-first-lady-martine-moise-would-still-be-alive-but.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34168-haiti-flash-the-state-of-siege-is-declared-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34165-haiti-assassination-of-jovenel-moise-what-says-the-constitution.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Social : Earthquake of January 12, 2010, the country remembers





On January 12, 2010 at 4:53 p.m. in the space of 35 seconds, more than 250,000 people were killed, 300,000 others injured and more than a million people were affected in the earthquake of magnitude 7.3 on the Richter scale which hard hit Haiti.



Josue Pierre Louis, Secretary General of the Presidency reminds the general population that by decree dated January 6, 2015, January 12 is declared a Day of Commemoration and Reflection dedicated to the memory of the victims of the January 2010 earthquake.



"Consequently, during the day of Wednesday January 12, 2022 marking the twelfth anniversary of this tragedy :



the national flag will be half-masted throughout the territory of the Republic; nightclubs and other similar establishments will remain closed.



Radio and television stations are therefore invited to program occasional broadcasts during the day of January 12."



Message from the United Nations :



"Today, 12 January 2022, the United Nations remembers the hundreds of thousands of Haitians who lost their lives and the many thousands more who sustained permanent injuries in the earthquake that twelve years ago devastated the capital of Haiti and surrounding areas.



We also commemorate the memory of our 102 UN personnel who laid down their lives on that day.



Following one of the darkest days in its history, Haiti has drawn on the resilience of its people, the work of its institutions and the assistance of its many friends and supporters to overcome the ravages caused by that calamity. The same sense of resilience and solidarity allowed the Haitians to promptly respond to the dramatic earthquake that hit the southern regions of the country last August.



Today, we renew our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and our sympathy for all those whose lives continue to be affected by this tragedy. We also renew our commitment to work alongside the Haitian people and with the countrys friends and supporters to help build a sustainable, inclusive, and brighter future for Haiti."



IH/ iciHaiti


















Romney, WV (26757)

Today

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Rain and scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 57F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
China makes steady headway in promoting green energy transition

People's Daily Online) 16:19, January 12, 2022

China has made inspiring progress in advancing its green energy transition, laying a solid foundation for peaking the countrys carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

Starting in mid-October 2021, China began the construction of large wind power and photovoltaic (PV) projects in the sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts of north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and northwest Chinas Gansu Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Qinghai Province. While catalyzing green and low-carbon energy transition, these projects will also help boost the development of relevant industries and the local economy.

Photo taken on June 17, 2021, shows part of the Qinghai-Henan UHV DC power transmission line in Henan Mongolian Autonomous County of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Photo by Xie Lirong/Xinhua)

In recent years, the countrys installed capacity for renewable energy resources, such as wind power and PV power, has continued to expand. As of the end of November 2021, the countrys installed wind power capacity had soared 29 percent year-on-year to about 300 million kilowatts, while its solar power capacity had reached about 290 million kilowatts, up 24.1 percent from a year ago. By comparison, the countrys total installed power generation capacity stood at 2.32 billion kilowatts, up 9 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the countrys utilization level for renewable energy resources has continuously improved. The utilization rates for wind power and PV power generation in 2021 were 96.9 percent and 97.9 percent, respectively, and the water energy utilization rate was 97.8 percent. In 2020, the average levelized cost of onshore wind power and PV power generation in China dropped 10 percent and 18 percent year-on-year, respectively.

In late October last year, Chinas State Council released an action plan to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030. According to the action plan, the country will maintain its commitment to cutting carbon emissions in a safe manner by vigorously promoting the substitution of renewable sources of energy under the condition that energy security is ensured, all while accelerating the development of a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system. China aims to increase the share of non-fossil energy as a proportion of its total energy consumption to around 20 percent by 2025, according to the countrys Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

China has been vigorously promoting the clean and efficient utilization of fossil energy. The country has been ranked among leading countries in terms of the efficiency of coal consumption in its coal-fired power generation units. By the end of 2020, it had approximately 950 million kilowatts of installed capacity in ultra-low emission units, and over 800 million kilowatts of installed capacity in units that had undergone energy-saving transformation. The average coal consumption of thermal power plants has decreased to 305.8 grams of standard coal per kilowatt-hour, down more than 27 grams compared with 2010. The energy saved represents a reduction of 370 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by coal-fired power generation units in 2020 compared with 2010.

The country will promote coal substitution as well as its transformation and upgrading, accelerate energy-saving upgrades and flexibility retrofits on coal-fired generating units that remain in service, and actively advance retrofits in coal-fueled heating facilities.

Going forward, China will improve systems for keeping energy consumption under control in terms of both volume and intensity, with especially strict controls on intensity and reasonable controls on volumes during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, according to the countrys National Energy Administration. In the same period, China will also regulate oil and gas consumption.

The country will also build a new electric power system with the share of new energy resources rising further and will continue to develop energy storage systems to convert the unstable electricity generated by power stations using new energy resources such wind and solar energy into stable electrical energy supplies. By 2025, the installed capacity of new types of energy storage will reach 30 million kilowatts or more. By 2030, the installed pumped-storage hydropower capacity will reach approximately 120 million kilowatts, and provincial-level electrical grids will be equipped with peak load response capacity of 5 percent or more.

At the end of last year, the Fengning pumped storage power station in north Chinas Hebei Province, the worlds biggest pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant, was put into operation. Consisting of 12 pump-turbine units, the station has a designed annual power generation capacity of about 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours and an annual power pumped-storage capacity of about 8.8 billion kilowatt-hours.

In addition, China will make vigorous efforts to enhance the overall adjustable capacity of its electric power system. It will expedite the construction of flexible power sources into the regulation of the countrys power system, incorporating enterprise-affiliated power plants and the load of traditional energy-intensive industries, as well as interruptible industrial and commercial loads, electric vehicle charging grids, and virtual power plants. The country will build resilient smart electrical grids and make grids more secure and reliable.

China will promote the coordination of power source-grid-load-storage, use multiple energy sources to supplement each other, and support the deployment of appropriate energy storage systems for distributed new energy sources.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday, and both sides agreed to deepen all-round cooperation to further advance bilateral ties.

During their talks, held in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Wang said that under the guidance of the two heads of state, China-Turkey relations have maintained their development momentum and anti-pandemic cooperation has become a new highlight of bilateral ties.

Wang suggested that the two countries, as strategic partners, should be committed to enhancing mutual trust and support. The two sides should support each other in safeguarding their respective sovereignty, security and development interests, and abide by non-interference in each other's internal affairs, a basic norm governing international relations.

Wang also expressed the hope that the two countries would not participate in activities against each other on international occasions and would enhance communication and mutual understanding through bilateral channels on differences in historical and national cognition.

Hailing the importance that Turkey attaches to pragmatic cooperation with China, Wang called on the two sides to further synergize their development strategies, advance landmark projects such as nuclear power project, and expand cooperation in such areas as new energy, 5G, cloud computing and big data.

Cavusoglu said Turkey appreciates the positive role of Turkey-China economic, trade and investment cooperation and interconnection in enhancing Turkey's economic strength, and is willing to strengthen the docking of Turkey's "Middle Corridor" plan with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Turkey stands ready to actively promote the cooperation on nuclear power between the two sides and fully tap the great potential of cooperation on new energy, Cavusoglu added.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Cavusoglu said that Beijing will become the only city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics, and he believed that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be as successful as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

They also exchanged views on the situation in Kazakhstan and other international and regional issues of common concern.

Wang said China values Turkey's unique role in regional and international affairs, and is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation, jointly safeguard true multilateralism, promote the democratization of international relations, and safeguard the common interests of emerging market economies, including China and Turkey. 
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LAGOS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- An official with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Water Resources has called for strengthened coordination from all partners to prevent cholera deaths as 3,598 deaths were recorded in 2021 in the country.

Speaking late Tuesday at a stakeholder meeting in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, Emmanuel Awe, director in charge of water quality control in the ministry, said the country reported 107,911 cholera cases as of December 2021, with 3,598 deaths, sharply rising from 1,858 cases and 95 deaths reported in 2020.

"These figures are not acceptable...Waterborne diseases are actually preventable, and all we need to do is to ensure that our people have access to clean and safe potable water at all times," Awe said.

According to the director, cases were reported from 341 local government areas in 29 states and the capital of Abuja, including the conflicted states in the northeast and crisis-affected northwest region.

"These reports of the resurgence of cholera are a worrisome public health crisis," he stressed, noting that the data received from the Cholera Situation Report for 2021 revealed that the age group of five to 14 years was the most affected.

Speaking at the same meeting, Jane Bevan, a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) officer based in Nigeria, said it was shocking that cholera cases were higher than COVID-19 in 2021, calling for renewed coordination from all key stakeholders.

Cholera is a highly virulent disease, characterized in its most severe form by the sudden onset of acute watery diarrhea that can lead to death by severe dehydration.

The outbreak is frequently reported in Nigeria due to the lack of potable water supply, especially in densely populated areas. 
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A new California study says the omicron variant of COVID-19 is an eye-popping 91% less likely to kill those who get infected than the delta strain, federal public health officials announced Wednesday.

The clinical study from the sprawling Kaiser Permanente health system also showed omicron is linked to a 74% reduced chance of the need for intensive care, offering a glimmer of hope as the nation grapples with record caseloads and hospitalizations powered by the super-contagious strain.

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While we are seeing early evidence that omicron is less severe than delta... its important to note that omicron continues to be much more transmissible, said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control. The staggering rise in cases has led to a high number of total hospitalizations.

Walensky said the study of about 70,000 patients in the Los Angles area suggests omicron is 50% less likely to cause symptomatic COVID. The study is preliminary but it was conducted with academic collaboration and funding from CDC.

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Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (SHAWN THEW (pool)/AP)

When patients are hospitalized with omicron, they have much shorter stays in the hospital, with a median stint of just 36 hours compared to five days with delta.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Walensky, who spoke at a White House coronavirus task force briefing on Wednesday, said the study dovetails with clinical reports from South Africa, where omicron was first identified in November, and Britain. The fast-spreading mutation now accounts for 98% of new COVID cases in the U.S.

COVID cases have soared to above 1 million daily cases and even those figures could be a massive undercount due to the widespread use of at-home tests that are not included.

But there are already signs that the omicron wave is peaking in New York City and other places in the U.S. where it struck first, mirroring the pattern seen in Britain and South Africa.

COVID deaths have also been rising quickly but Walensky blamed that increase on delta because most people dying now likely contracted COVID several weeks ago.

Dr. Anthony Fauci outlined the medical treatments for COVID, noting that many more therapies are in the pipeline of Big Pharma companies.

He touted the effectiveness of Pfizers new pill to treat COVID, which is nearly 90% effective at preventing serious disease if taken early enough after infection.

Fauci also said scientists were working to systematically evaluate the potential effectiveness at fighting COVID of drugs used for other purposes, including the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin.
The cast of Wolf Like Me cant tell you much about their show, but they do promise its not like anything youve seen before.

The Peacock series premiering Thursday, part rom-com, part thriller, stars Isla Fisher and Josh Gad as two strangers pulled together who have to overcome a mountain of baggage if they want to make this work.

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We wanted to tell a story about how fricking complicated love can be, Gad, 40, told the Daily News.

It felt very authentic but its told in such a heightened way that you  project your own experiences on it, but there will never be an episode where you arent surprised by the turns the show is taking.

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Josh Gad and Isla Fisher star in Wolf Like Me. Photo credit: Mark Rogers/Peacock (Peacock/Mark Rogers/Peacock)

Gad stars as Gary, a single dad in Australia struggling to get through to his daughter after her mothers death. When Mary (Fisher) blows into their lives unexpectedly, she turns their worlds upside down, a storm cloud of chaos and mysteries, tied up in a bubbly redheaded bow.

Showrunner Abe Forsythe cast Gad and Fisher intentionally, knowing what viewers expect from the two actors. Theres only so many roles for snowmen, Fisher joked, alluding to Gads Frozen role as Olaf the lovable snowman.

[ Winter TV 2022 preview: New shows to watch, try and avoid ]

People will have a certain amount of expectations of preconceived notions about what this show is, and a big part of this show and the journey for these characters is realizing that appearances can be deceiving, Forsythe told The News.

Beyond Frozen, Gad has drawn laughs in the live-action Beauty and the Beast, HBOs Avenue 5 and The Comedians, alongside Billy Crystal, as well as in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. Fisher is typically the messy love interest, popping up in Wedding Crashers, Definitely, Maybe and Confessions of a Shopaholic.

But Forsythe directed Gad and Fisher to play it straight, exploring their dramatic sides. Theres plenty of humor in Wolf Like Me, but it comes from the circumstances and situations, not the characters.

Mary (Fisher) crashes into Garys world with secrets shes desperate to keep hidden. Photo credit: Mark Rogers/Peacock (Peacock/Mark Rogers/Peacock)

The more seriously and dramatically they play the material, he said, the funnier it becomes once you realize what theyre actually dealing with.

What theyre dealing with, though, is being kept under lock and key. Some of it is given away in the trailer, with Garys terrified eyes peering through a tiny window as Mary locks herself behind the door. Viewers get hints about Marys mysteriously missing husband and her frantically running down the street, clutching shoes, either toward or away from something. But its not the specific secrets that matter as much as the existence of them at all.

[ Father and daughter face off in CBS medical drama Good Sam ]

How can you successfully manage and maintain a relationship when youve got baggage or trauma? Forsythe said.

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These characters wouldnt be able to do it unless they met each other. It just so happens that the thing they have to deal with when they come together is the most extreme version.

Gary (Gad) is struggling to connect to his young daughter. Photo credit: Ben King/Peacock (Peacock/Ben King/Peacock)

Its extreme, and bordering on preposterous, by design, Forsythe said  he wanted to tell the story about damaged people finding medicine in each other, but he wanted it to be fun.

The happily ever after, Fisher said, is just half of the story. More important than finding a soul mate is the self-acceptance piece, that you accept your own baggage.

In doing that, she told The News, it releases some of the baggage and makes you more emotionally available for love.
Anderson, IN (46016)

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Uniontown, PA (15401)

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Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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Showers and thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
An online grading and attendance system widely used in New York City public schools has been down for four days after the company that owns the program began investigating a possible security breach the Daily News has learned.

Illuminate Education, the company that owns online gradebook Skedula and its student and parent counterpart PupilPath, has been dealing with major outages since at least Saturday, when the company began probing an attempted security incident, said Illuminates Chief Operating Officer Scott Virkler, who didnt offer any further details.

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Skedula  now called IO Classroom  is used by many city public schools as a way for teachers to track grades and keeps daily attendance, and also stores student and parent contact information.

Illuminate Education officials said they are still looking into whether any of the information stored in the program was compromised, but said there is no confirmed evidence sensitive data was taken. The program also stores students OSIS numbers  the codes used as unique student identifiers by the Education Department.

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(Shutterstock/Shutterstock)

We are focused on quickly restoring systems and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. A full investigation is underway with the help of third-party experts, said Virkler.

DOE officials said theyre in close communication with Illuminate Education as they investigate, and weve been informed that so far, their investigation has not yielded any indication that New York City Department of Education has been impacted by the incident.

On top of the privacy concerns, the outage is causing major headaches for teachers who are already dealing with the chaos of running in-person class during a COVID-19 surge.

It came at a really inconvenient time because its getting close to the end of the marking period, said Bobson Wong, a teacher at a large public high school in Queens. Its really important for teachers to keep grades up to date and keep in touch with parents.

Wong said he regularly uses a feature in Skedula that allows him to send text messages to parents without using his personal phone, to remind families about missing assignments or check in on absences.

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Normally I have 95% completion on online homework, Wong said. But so far this week, I have 80%...and its because I havent been able to get in touch with parents, he added.

The DOE didnt immediately say how many schools use the program, but educators said its used widely.

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Wong said he uses another software to enter his grades but knows a lot of teachers who are completely dependent on Skedula. They have no access to grades.

Schools are required to submit attendance every day to a central DOE database called ATS, and that program is still operational. But many teachers use Skedula to track attendance for internal purposes, and now are without that information during a time when student absences are at record highs.

Wong said hes frustrated that he never got an official notification from the company. The website reported there was still a major outage as of Tuesday.

Its amazing how completely dependent weve become on this piece of tech, said Wong. When it goes down, were all in trouble.
Students across New York City walked out of their schools just before noon Tuesday to protest COVID-19 safety conditions in their classrooms.

Its unclear how many students citywide joined in the social media-fueled protest, but at Brooklyn Technical High School, the citys largest, an estimated 600 kids poured out into18-degree temperatures to call attention to what they described as an unsafe and chaotic environment at their school with the ongoing viral surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant.

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It doesnt feel safe to be in school to be honest, said Danny Mui, a sophomore at the 6,000-student Brooklyn Tech. In my classes, half the classes arent there. Some have COVID, some are afraid of COVID, and the school just isnt doing anything about it.

Danny Mui was one of hundreds of students who walked out of Brooklyn Technical High School in protest on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (Michael Elsen-Rooney/New York Daily News)

The walkout was driven by a series of social media posts that circulated Monday calling on city students to leave class at 11:52 a.m. on Tuesday in protest.

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Social media activity documented scattered participation across boroughs and age groups, but its unclear how many students participated in all.

Some kids reported that administrators discouraged them from staging walkouts. Student attendance has already been far below normal levels, averaging just 69% over the past two weeks.

We understand the concerns of our school communities during this crisis and wholeheartedly support civic engagement among New York City students, said Education Department spokeswoman Sarah Casanovas. Weve doubled in-school testing and deployed 5 million rapid tests to quickly identify cases, stop transmission and safely keep schools open. Student voice is key, and well continue to listen to and work closely with those most impacted by our decisions  our students.

Students take part in a walkout at Brooklyn Technical High School in Fort Greene, Brooklyn on Tuesday. (Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock/Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock)

City Schools Chancellor David Banks tweeted Tuesday afternoon that he would meet with the leaders of the walkout.

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Students outside Brooklyn Tech said the schools massive size and crowding has made it tough to attend in-person classes safely.

Theres no social distancing at all, the stairways are packed. Theres no point coming here if Im going to get sick, said one student who asked not to use her name.

Hundreds of kids walked out of Brooklyn Technical High School in Fort Greene, Brooklyn on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock/Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock)

Mayor Adams and Banks have been forceful about the importance of keeping school buildings open during the pandemic, pointing to past evidence that COVID-19 spread in classrooms has been lower than in other settings and emphasizing that in-person school can be crucial to families without other options for child care and food.

But schools across the city have confronted a wave of challenges in staying open, with teachers and students calling out sick in droves.

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Because of the recent surges, theres a lot of teachers that are out. I had maybe four subs at once; were basically getting nothing done, said Brooklyn Tech student Jacob, who asked that only his first name be used.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (left) and Schools Chancellor David Banks. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

The sheer volume of cases is also straining the school systems ability to track and respond to infections  and some Brooklyn Tech students called for stricter mitigation measures.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Coming to school every day feels like a raffle-type thing where. ... Its like I hope I dont get COVID today, said sophomore Daniel Chen.

Brooklyn Tech sophomore is Daniel Chen. (Michael Elsen-Rooney/New York Daily News)

A new Education Department policy of distributing rapid tests to all students exposed to a COVID-positive classmate in school is good in theory, but has hit some roadblocks in practice, kids said.

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They give some students so much more than what they need, and some kids they dont get it at all, said Raida Hasan, a ninth-grader.

Several of the Brooklyn Tech students acknowledged that they suffered emotionally and academically during extended stretches of remote learning early in the pandemic, but argued that offering kids a temporary virtual option would help alleviate some of the current burden on schools and pupils.

Last year when we had remote learning, my grades were bad, we basically didnt learn anything, said a freshman named Kelly, who asked that only her first name be used. But I think maybe hybrid learning, or two weeks off of school, would be best.
A Jeffrey Epstein accusers sex abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew will be allowed to proceed, a judge ruled Wednesday, rejecting the British royals attempts to have the case tossed.

Manhattan Federal Court Judge Lewis Kaplan did not determine whether Queen Elizabeth IIs second son is liable for allegedly sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre in the early 2000s when she was a teen. But Kaplan wrote that he was not persuaded by Andrews legal arguments that he should be shielded from the suit under a 2009 settlement for $500,000 that resolved a different lawsuit brought by Giuffre against Epstein.

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Prince Andrew (Steve Parsons/Getty Images)

The Duke of York had argued that the broad terms of the deal, which included a provision that protected other potential defendants in the alleged sex abuse scheme, applied to him. Kaplan wrote that such ambiguous language was open to interpretation. Epstein might simply have been trying to protect himself from becoming embroiled in future lawsuits, the judge wrote.

Kaplan also rejected Andrews arguments that the lawsuit was is too vague.

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The allegation that (Giuffre) was forced to sit on (Prince Andrews) lap while he touched her is sufficient to state a battery claim under New York law, regardless of which part of her body (Andrew) ultimately is alleged to have touched, Kaplan wrote.

Giuffres attorney David Boies said she welcomed the decision.

Virginia Giuffre is, of course, pleased that Prince Andrews motion to dismiss has been denied, and that evidence will now be taken concerning her claims against him. She looks forward to a judicial determination of the merits of those claims, Boies said in a statement.

Virginia (Roberts) Giuffree is pictured after a hearing in the case of Jeffrey Epstein in Manhattan Federal Court on August 27, 2019 in New York. (Alec Tabak/for New York Daily News)

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Now 38, Giuffre claims Epstein directed her to sleep with Prince Andrew three times when she was 17 and he was around 41. Her lawsuit describes being forced into sex with the Duke against her will at Ghislaine Maxwells London townhouse. A notorious photo shows Andrew with his arm around a young Giuffre at the townhouse, with Maxwell smiling in the background.

Prince Andrew smiling as he stands with his left arm around the waist of a young Virginia Roberts. It is alleged to have been taken in early 2001. Ghislaine Maxwell stands behind.

Giuffre also alleges Andrew sexually abused her on Epsteins private Caribbean island and in Manhattan at Epstein and Maxwells invitation. She says the couple once made her sit on Andrews lap at the financiers Upper East Side townhouse as he groped her.

Ms. Giuffres complaint is neither unintelligible nor vague nor ambiguous, as Andrews lawyers have asserted, wrote Kaplan.

It alleged discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes the sexual abuse.

From left, Prince Andrew (with white boutonniere flower), Ghislaine Maxwell, Caroline Stanley (in pink) and Jeffrey Epstein (right - with black/grey tie) at the Royal Ascot, Ladies Day, United Kingdom, on June 22, 2000. (Shutterstock/Shutterstock)

Epstein hanged himself in August 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking underage girls. A jury convicted Maxwell of facilitating his abuse on Dec. 29. She faces up to 65 years in prison.

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Andrew stepped back from his royal duties in 2019 after a disastrous BBC interview about his longtime friendship with Epstein. Hes adamantly denied wrongdoing.

A lawyer for Prince Andrew did not respond to a request for comment.
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Wrong place, wrong time, with no way out for a Bronx mother and her young son.

The woman and her little boy, visiting a friend inside the Bronx high-rise where a lethal fire killed 17 victims this past Sunday, were among the dead inside the burning building  both trapped on the smoke-filled top floor of the 19-story residence, the mothers distraught teenage son told the Daily News on Tuesday.

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Fatoumata Tunkara, 42, was one of the people killed in the fire at E. 181st St. in the Bronx on January 9, 2022. She's seen with her children, including Abdullaie Cham on the right. (Obtained by Daily News)

A somber Abdullaie Cham, 19, recounted desperately dialing and redialing his mother Fatoumata Tunkara dozens of times in a failed attempt to reach her after receiving a friends text about the deadly conflagration in the Twin Parks North West building.

I knew she was in that building, but I thought she got out in time, Cham told The News. Calling her, calling her, more than 40 times. She didnt pick up the phone ... I feel like she was not supposed to be there.

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Cham, wearing a red hoodie after attending a prayer service at the Bronxs Islamic Cultural Center Tuesday, recalled the walk from his job to the fire site only to not be able to find his mother and 5-year-old brother Omar.

I didnt see my mom. I didnt see my little sister. . . I asked people, they were giving me wrong information, telling me, Shes good.

The next day, he learned the terrible truth.

I asked about my little brother  and then he was gone, they told me he was gone. And then about my mom, too.

Cham broke down in tears after recounting hearing the horrible news.

Hes now left as the family patriarch, with three younger siblings.

Abdullaie Cham (center, in red), 19, mourns his mother, Fatoumata Tunkara, and little brother at the Islamic Cultural Center in the Bronx on Tuesday. (Brittany Kriegstein/New York Daily News)

He wasnt alone in his heartbreak, as the living learned about the dead across a borough where the grim news spread like the thick black smoke, from a woman sitting in a church pew to another cleaning the ice off her car and a third who lost four relatives after reporting to work her Sunday shift.

Fatima Drammeh, 23, was already on the job when she heard about the fire that killed her mother and three siblings, with only her 16-year-old kid brother able to survive the nightmare scenario  the boroughs deadliest fire since the 1990 Happy Land arson blaze that killed 87 people.

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From left, Fatoumala Drammeh, Fatoumata Drammeh and Fatima Drammeh. (Obtained by Daily News)

Honestly, theres a lot I still dont know, she told The News on Tuesday. Thankfully, at least one person survived, hes stable now. Wed like for everyone to keep us in their prayers.

Her mother Fatoumata, 50, was killed alongside her kid brother Muhammed, 12, and younger sisters Fatoumala, 21, and Aisha, 19. Her younger brother remains hospitalized.

From left, Fatima Drammeh, Fatoumata Drammeh and Muhammed Drammeh. (Obtained by Daily News)

At least a dozen of the victims who have died came from West Africa, with at least eight from Gambia  including seven from Allunhari, a small village of 5,500 people, officials said. According to the city medical examiner, all 17 victims died of smoke inhalation.

In addition to the four victims of the Drammeh family, another family of five  all members of the Dukuray family  perished in the blaze, The News reported Monday.

From left, Aisha Drammeh, Fatima Drammeh and Muhammed Drammeh. (Obtained by Daily News)

It remained unclear why the space heater was in use, with several building residents recounting they sometimes opened the windows because their apartments were too warm.

Vernessa Cunningham, 60, lives with her daughter on the fourth floor of the building. She was listening to the preacher at her church when a phone alert reported the building was on fire. Her daughter was fortunately out of their apartment when the tragic blaze began.

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An unidentified resident removes belongs from the Twin Parks North West building Tuesday morning in the Bronx. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

But she was outraged to learn a space heater two stories beneath her apartment was cited as the cause for all the carnage.

Im so disgusted by that, Cunningham said. It was malfunctioning. I never even knew this. I had no idea.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Joyce Anderson, 75, had already left her 13th-floor apartment to scrape ice off her car when the fire started.

Never did I think it would end like this, said Anderson, an original building occupant since the buildings opening in 1972. Those kids dying, thats really heartbreaking. And not knowing whos alive, you know? Not knowing.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 25 Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

At a Tuesday night candlelight vigil, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson lamented conditions that led to the fire.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson addresses over 100 mourners Tuesday night outside of Twin Parks North, 333 E. 181st St. - the building where 17 residents were killed in a Sunday fire. (Kerry Burke)

Government has failed ... when we allow people to live in conditions like this, when they have to use space heaters just to be warm, she said.

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Tusha Diaz, president of Latino Muslims of New York, said her organization was collaborating with the Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs to secure visas for family members in Gambia who want to attend burial services in the city.

She also confirmed some of the families want the bodies of their deceased relatives returned to Gambia for burial, although the process was slowed by the need to identify bodies found in the building.

With Liam Quigley and Kerry Burke
120-key all-suite and villa resort converts to InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort.

IHG Hotels & Resorts and existing partner, PT Pancaran Kreasi Adiprima, are excited to expand the world's first and largest luxury hotel brand, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, to Bali Indonesia. The 120-key all-suite and villa resort InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort will be a rebrand of the hotel formerly known as Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali, and will relaunch with a fresh identity and ready to welcome guests who want to live the InterContinental Life.

The beachfront resort is located on Sanur Beach which is known for its long stretch of sandy beach with shallow waters and boasts 26 villas, each with a private pool, as well as 94 suites. It is located next to Holiday Inn Bali Sanur which opened in August 2021.

Pre-pandemic, Sanur Beach was growing in popularity with increasing supply of hotels, restaurants and bars and travellers looking to enjoy the laid-back nature of Bali while being easily accessible from the airport and the city.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has become synonymous with bold exploration, travel and cultural discovery, having pioneered luxury travel in emerging and well-loved destinations for the past 75 years. This year, as the brand toasts its diamond anniversary, it invites guests to celebrate the joy of travel and rediscover InterContinental hotels and resorts around the world.

Hotel website
Banyan Tree Group, one of the world's leading independent hospitality groups, debuts HOMM as the newest concept within the Group's global multi-brand ecosystem. HOMM Bliss Southbeach Patong, a 71-room contemporary beachfront property in Phuket, Thailand offering stylish and wallet-friendly accommodations, will serve as the brand's first-ever location.

HOMM is one of five new brands within Banyan Tree Group's growing ecosystem of concepts that provides a sensible lifestyle and globally diverse experiences, while embodying the feeling of home. Ideal for families, couples and business executives alike, guests will find ease in reliable services, signature facilities, communal dining options and well-designed, price-friendly accommodations elevated by the purpose-led, sustainable tourism standards Banyan Tree Group is known for. Through destination-specific, immersive travel experiences and locations in key second-tier cities, travelers can engage in the local culture before heading back to their HOMM-away-from-home.

Blending the essence of Phuket's tropical beach with the signature Banyan Tree Group's standards of service, HOMM Bliss Southbeach Patong sits on the quiet southern end of Patong Bay, with unrivaled views of the Andaman Sea along 1.5 miles of white sand beaches. The newly refurbished guestrooms boast contemporary beach-inspired accommodations bathed in natural light, with 39 rooms featuring sea-facing private balconies and terraces or ground-floor plunge pools. Indulgent bath amenities encourage relaxing mornings, while the property's two outdoor pools, beachfront access and proximity to top tourist attractions provide for exciting afternoons in Phuket. Culinary offerings include quick bites and grab n' go snacks, like HOMM's signature breakfast buns from Seagulls on Southbeach, or all-day dining at Rice Bowl, best known for authentic Thai cuisine.

As part of the Group's larger Stay For Good program*, each HOMM property will advocate for a unique endangered species, centrally displayed in the lobby areas via origami art. For example, at HOMM Bliss Southbeach Patong, an origami creation of the Black Billed Gull can be found upon entering the lobby to raise awareness of the native bird generally found in nearby rivers and coastal areas. Waste-reduction initiatives and educational programs for locals will also be implemented, ensuring the holistic wellbeing of each HOMM community.

Hotel website
Capella Hotel Group is delighted to announce a new era in leadership, with the promotion of Mr. Cristiano Rinaldi as the newly-appointed President of Capella Hotel Group. Previously the Chief Operating Officer of the luxury hospitality management company, Mr. Rinaldi will be taking over the reins from Nicholas M. Clayton, as the group'sformer CEO has decided to reunite with family in North America.

Prior to joining Capella Hotel Group, Cristiano spent the last four years as General Manager leading the pre-opening activities for The Bangkok EDITION and most recently The Tokyo EDITION Ginza and The Tokyo EDITION Toranomon. He has also held the position of Vice President, Operations for One&Only Resorts, where he oversaw the performance of the resorts within the group's portfolio, as well as leading operational plans for future expansion.

Cristiano began his career with Hilton in several Food and Beverage management roles across London and Dubai. In 2001, Cristiano joined the Ritz-Carlton Doha as part of the pre-opening team. Following this, he had the opportunity to join Bulgari Hotels & Resorts in various senior leadership assignments across Milan and Tokyo, including supporting the opening of the Bulgari Hotel in Bali. He then went on to successfully open The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong as Hotel Manager. In 2012, Cristiano was recognised for his valuable contributions with a promotion to Area Director of Operations for Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari and EDITION hotels in Asia Pacific. Throughout his career, Cristiano has opened more than 35 luxury hotels across the globe.
Yas Plaza Hotels has brought in a new cluster executive chef to head up culinary operations for two of its hotels. Oscar Cardenas Diaz now spearheads the restaurants at Crowne Plaza Yas Island and Staybridge Suites Yas Island.

This means he looks after the kitchens for Stills, Barouk, Jing Asia, Views and Sundowner along with external catering operated by the hotels' kitchens. Now heading the division, he leads menu development and is tasked with positioning both hotels as dining destinations among the Yas Plaza Hotels cluster.

From South America to Southeast Asia and through to the Middle East, Diaz has been cooking Mediterranean, Japanese, Asian and Latin American cuisines for over 20 years. During that time, he has also undergone numerous classes in hygiene and kitchen status quo practice courses that include food safety, hazard analysis and on-stage and on-job cooking certificates.

In terms of hospitality, he has been in hotel kitchens for a decade, working as chef de cuisine at the Zhongmao Haiyue Hotel in China from 2012 to 2014. He then moved the Middle East, working with Anantara in Abu Dhabi as chef de cuisine for a year. He then worked across Vietnam and Indonesia as executive chef for Vinpearl and Royal Tulip respectively.

His most recent role was with Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana in Abu Dhabi.
The Merchant House in Bahrain has appointed a new F&B director as the boutique hotel looks to hold its place as a go-to dining spot. Ganesh Chalangodan joins from IHG where he was director of operations in Kochi, India.

Chalangodan's previous roles include restaurant manager for Anantara Digu, South Male Atoll and Maldives; restaurant and bar manager for Holiday Inn Cochin; and F&B manager for IHG in Kochi.

Restaurants at the hotel include Indigo Terrace, The Library and Cafe Gray, all of which Ghalangodan will lead and help with concept and menu development.
The Hardy Group (HARDY), the hospitality industry's premier resource for the execution of development projects, is pleased to announce that it has named Brent Hardy as President of the Company. Brent is an energetic entrepreneur and accomplished business leader, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to HARDY's projects. Brent will assume responsibilities in January 2022. In turn, John Hardy will continue to oversee all aspects of the family business as Chairman and Founder, intensely focusing on investment and development activities. John remains a thought leader in the industry and will continue to extend HARDY's capabilities and core services, offering an even greater value to the Company's clients.

Brent is a creative leader focused on the intersection of hospitality, commercial real estate development and technology. Seeking to undertake all responsibilities for the organization, Brent will continue to provide executive leadership and strategy, including business development, marketing, operational performance, client relations, project management and more.

Prior to the position of President, Brent was the Director of Development and implemented strategic initiatives to expand the organization's geographic footprint in key markets. Brent is responsible for opening HARDY's Los Angeles and Honolulu offices and managing projects on the west coast and Hawaii. Brent joined HARDY in 2008 as a Project Director, initially based in St. Louis, Missouri, focusing on the completion of the Hyatt Regency $63 million renovation. He then transferred to HARDY's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, rising to Senior Project Director responsible for the renovation of The Revere hotel in Boston, MA, renovation of the New York City Palace Hotel, and the Hotel MDR, in Los Angeles, CA. Recently, Brent has overseen the adaptive reuse of the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach, a ground-up TownePlace Suites in Nashville TN, and is in the progress of two new-build ballroom expansions at the Hilton & Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. His development responsibilities also include capital formation, deal identification, feasibility analysis, JV negotiations and financial modeling for HARDY's equity commercial real estate investments.

Prior to HARDY, Brent spent three years with Rosemann & Associates Architects of St. Louis MO, working primarily on historic adaptive reuse projects and multi-family architecture. Brent is the recipient of a Master of Architecture and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is Registered Architect in the State of Georgia and a member of the American Institute of Architects.
London, UK - A new analysis of staff shortages by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), has revealed a significant labour shortfall that could harm the sectors recovery, with 205,000 Travel & Tourism jobs across the UK predicted to remain unfilled by the end of this year.

The worrying figures from WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, shows for the first time the enormous impact that staff shortages could have on the UKs economic recovery.

Data compiled by Oxford Economics for WTTC, analysed staff shortages across the UK and other major Travel & Tourism markets including the U.S., Spain, France, Italy and Portugal, between July - December 2021 and 2022.

All countries showed significant staff shortages, with employment demand starting to outstrip the available labour supply.

As unemployment rates decrease and demand rises, Travel & Tourism businesses have been left struggling to fill available job vacancies.

The UK alone is predicted to see a shortfall of around 12%, with a staggering one in eight job vacancies left unfilled.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO, said: The UKs economic recovery could be jeopardised if we dont have enough people to fill these jobs as travellers return."

If we cannot fill these vacancies, it could threaten the survival of Travel & Tourism businesses up and down the UK. Companies dependent on tourism have been hanging on for the upside, this is just another blow that many may not survive.

The global tourism body also warns reinstating damaging travel restrictions, such as the recent measures aimed at curbing the spread of the new variant, do not stop the virus and only damage livelihoods.

Since the start of the pandemic, the UK job retention scheme paid furloughed workers 80% of their pre-pandemic income, with workers earnings up to a maximum of 2,500 a month.

As a result, the fall in employment was not as sharp as the fall in demand for the sector, leading to a reduction of only 6.5% in direct* Travel & Tourism employment in 2020, which equates to 111,000 job losses.

As the demand for travel began to strengthen during the second half of 2021, in line with easing of restrictions and the recovering domestic market, the squeeze on labour has been unable to match the rising demand.

According to the report, demand for Travel & Tourism jobs is forecast at nearly 1.7 million in the second half of 2021, with labour shortages projected at 205,000, equating to one in eight unfilled vacancies.

Next year, the labour market is expected to remain tight with a forecast shortage of 15,000 workers.

WTTCs report outlines solutions for governments and businesses to tackle the looming crisis of labour shortages, recognising the impact of furlough schemes.

These include facilitating labour mobility and remote working, providing social safety nets, upskilling and reskilling the workforce and retaining talent, and creating and promoting education and apprenticeships.

The global tourism bodys recent report revealed the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on the Travel & Tourism sector with 62 million total jobs lost globally.

However, the proactive measures and action by many governments enabled the sector to save millions of jobs and livelihoods at risk through various job retention schemes.

WTTC says staff shortages represent a key issue for the global Travel & Tourism sector, and while issues around supply and demand are set to gradually adjust during 2022, the problem is likely to remain.

The sectors recovery and economies around the world depend on businesses and governments ability to solve this critical issue to meet the returning demand for travel.

Download the report.

About WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.

According to WTTC's 2021 Economic Impact Report, during 2020, a year in which it was devasted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Travel & Tourism made a 5.5% contribution to global GDP and was responsible for 272 million jobs.

WTTC Press Office

WTTC
London, UK - A new research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed a massive labour shortfall, with 263,000 direct Travel & Tourism jobs in Italy remaining unfilled by the end of 2021.

The research, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, analysed labour shortages across Italy and other major Travel & Tourism destinations, such as the U.S., France, Spain, the UK and Portugal, focussing on the period between the second half of 2021 and 2022.

The comprehensive research reveals staff shortages across all six countries, with employment demand starting to outstrip the available labour supply.

The research shows that of the European countries analysed, Italy is the most impacted, predicted to see a shortfall of a shocking 263,000 jobs with one in seven vacancies left unfilled this year.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: Italys economic recovery could be jeopardised if we dont have enough people to fill these jobs as travellers return.

If we cannot fill these vacancies, it could threaten the survival of Travel & Tourism businesses up and down Italy."

Companies dependent on tourism have been hanging on for the upside; this is just another blow that many may not survive.

The global tourism body also warns reinstating damaging travel restrictions, such as recent measures aimed at curbing the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, do not stop the spread of the virus and only damage livelihoods.

According to WTTCs report, in 2020 the Italian Travel & Tourism sector experienced a 12.4% reduction in direct* employment, equating to 215,000 job losses.

As the travellers wanderlust increased during the second half of 2021, and in line with the easing of restrictions which brought Travel & Tourism to an almost complete standstill, the labour demand is now outstripping the supply.

Next year the labour market is set to adjust, partially linked to the comparatively high unemployment rate in Italy, although staff shortages could remain within specific industries of Travel & Tourism.

WTTCs report outlines solutions for governments and Travel & Tourism stakeholders to tackle the alarming labour shortages, recognising the impact of furlough schemes.

These include facilitating labour mobility and remote working, providing social safety nets, upskilling and reskilling the workforce and retaining talent, and creating and promoting education and apprenticeships.

Before the pandemic struck, Travel & Tourism was one of the largest sectors globally, accounting for one in 10 jobs, while also supporting millions of livelihoods.

In 2020, when COVID-19 brought international travel to a grinding halt, 62 million jobs were lost, representing a drop of 18.5%, leaving just 272 million employed globally across the sector.

According to WTTCs latest projections, the global Travel & Tourism sectors employment is set to rise by 0.7% by the end of 2021, representing an additional 2 million jobs, followed by a year on year increase of 18% in 2022, reaching 324 million jobs  only 10 million below pre-pandemic levels.

Although WTTCs latest research showcases the devastating consequences COVID has had on the Travel & Tourism sectors employment, proactive actions and measures taken by many governments globally have enabled the sector to save millions of jobs and livelihoods through various job retention schemes.

According to the global tourism body, staff shortages represent a key challenge for the global Travel & Tourism, and it is crucial for the sector to solve this issue to be able to meet the returning demand for travel.

Download the report.

About WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.

According to WTTC's 2021 Economic Impact Report, during 2020, a year in which it was devasted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Travel & Tourism made a 5.5% contribution to global GDP and was responsible for 272 million jobs.

WTTC Press Office

WTTC
Travel bookings and inquiries are surging, say travel insiders, in an upward trajectory that, if realized, may both benefit and challenge travelers in the coming year.

People want to make up for lost time

Travel in 2022 will be even busier than before the pandemic, said Brandon Berkson, the founder of the New York-based travel company Hotels Above Par.

People want to make up for lost time, he said, adding that potential customers have stated their desire to travel next year is greater than ever before.

Ben Drew, president of the TripAdvisor-owned travel company Viator, said in December that the demand for upcoming travel is extraordinary.

Travel came roaring back, he said. Even in the face of omicron, travelers are booking more experiences than at this time in pre-pandemic 2019.

Viators 2022 data shows bookings are also increasing from summer to fall, a time when travel typically slows down.

While acknowledging 2022 may come with challenges, Drew said he expects it to be a chapter of resilience, resurgence and growth for the travel industry.

Is the industry ready?

While news of a business boom is likely music to the beleaguered travel industrys ears, it could be problematic if it happens too quickly, said Manoj Chacko, executive vice president of the business management company WNS.

The speed and force of demand could catch some travel industry players off guard, he said. Airlines, for instance, could struggle to re-hire pilots. Moreover, pilots might need additional training and skill refresher programs.

Airlines arent the only part of the travel sector that may struggle to hire staff this year.

Read the full article at cnbc.com
TEL AVIV, Israel - We're excited to share that EasyWay has been named 2022's #1 Contactless Check-in Solution, #2 Guest Messaging Software, #2 Upselling Software, and #3 Live Chat & Chatbot by Hotel Tech Report. This is the second year in a row that EasyWay finished in first place for contactless check-in solution and was a finalist in the most important guest experience categories at HotelTechAwards.

Each month, more than 169,000 hotel industry professionals use HotelTechReport.com to make informed technology purchasing decisions. The HotelTechAwards determine the best hotel software products across every category based on customer feedback and key proprietary data signals such as integration compatibility, organizational health, market share, partner network strength, and customer support quality.

"EasyWay customers rate the platform highly across the board for key attributes such as usability, return on investment and customer support. Hotels looking for a central guest communications platform that facilitates key functionality like upselling, contactless check in and guest requests can find a one stop solution with EasyWay. Customers on Hotel Tech Report specifically rave about the platform's ease of use which is a critical aspect of software being used in a complex fast paced environment like hospitality. It is especially important since our industry suffers from labor shortages and high turnover where new users are constantly being added to the platform at any given hotel," says Hotel Tech Report CEO Jordan Hollander.

Reviews from verified users of EasyWay highlight features like the proactive and automatic omni-channel guest communication via messaging apps, the high level of personalization in every aspect of the system, the constant product development, and their excellent customer support. Customers also gave EasyWay glowing reviews for a significant increase in incremental sales and high conversion rates across all categories - Online Check-in, Upselling, Guest Messaging, and Live Chat & Chatbots.

"We use EasyWay for online check-in, notifications, upgrades, chatbots and food and beverage menus. We have seen a 48% increase in sales in the last year."- from a boutique hotel in Tel-Aviv.

"Choosing EasyWay was the best business decision I have ever made. It is constantly exceeding my expectations. It has boosted our revenue, staff efficiency and guest satisfaction" - Narine Davtyan, GM of Nova Hotel Yerevan.

"It significantly improves the guest journey. The communication with the guest is greater and closer than ever before. This is how it should be and how it will be in the future." - Zeev Rosenberg, Amano Group.

"The authentic voice of the customer decides the winners of the annual HotelTechAwards - ranking hotel software solutions based on users' experience in buying, implementing and using those solutions," said Jordan Hollander, CEO of Hotel Tech Report. "We're thrilled to highlight the value that the world's leading software solutions deliver to their customers. By building a platform around the voice of the people actually using these hotel tech solutions, we're able to deliver actionable, peer-to-peer insights that potential buyers can trust. Winning a HotelTechAward is the highest achievement in the industry because it's based on data."

The HotelTechAwards are often referred to as "the Grammys of Hotel Tech" and winners have been selected from more than 200 of the top technology products around the world. The HotelTechAwards are the industry's only data-driven awards platform with winners determined not by a handful of judges or popularity votes but by product reviews from a global community of verified hotel technology users across more than 120 countries.

About Hotel Tech Report

HotelTechReport.com helps 170k hoteliers each month to understand the changing hotel technology and digital transformation landscape. We help hoteliers make smarter decisions about which technologies to adopt, keeping scalability and adaptability in mind. Hotel Tech Report helps hoteliers uncover the value propositions of emerging technologies and how they align with the needs of your property stakeholders and guests.

About EasyWay



EasyWay is an end-to-end contactless guest journey platform enabling hotels to digitise and personalise the entire guest journey. Hotels can curate innovative, highly convenient, and safe guest experiences while benefiting from new revenue streams, increased operational efficiency, and improved guest engagement.

The Tel Aviv-based hotel technology platform enables hotels to automatically engage with guests via their preferred channel of communication to increase the bottom line. The EasyWay platform instantly connects with guests over WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook Messenger, and more in over 100 languages, providing two-way immediate translation.

Roy Friedman

CEO
Former Governor Eliot Spitzer wants a judge to throw out a Russian womans lawsuit accusing him of assaulting her at Manhattans Plaza Hotel in 2016, according to newly unsealed documents.

The court file in the 2020 lawsuit filed by the ex-govs alleged former lover Svetlana Travis, 31, was only recently unsealed after the Daily News and another outlet petitioned a judge to reverse an unusual order that kept the entire case under wraps.

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While sealed parts of the case were dismissed in October, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Paul Goetz allowed a portion of the suit regarding a Feb. 13, 2016 incident at the Plaza to proceed. Travis says Spitzer choked her in a hotel suite.

The newly unsealed filings reveal Spitzer is fighting to have that aspect of the case also tossed.

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The Court has spent enough time on this matter, Spitzers longtime lawyer Adam Kaufmann wrote in a letter to the judge, arguing that Travis goal in the case was to extract revenge on Spitzer and his family.

Many of the allegations leveled by Plaintiff were previously disclaimed by her, and all have been investigated and rejected by law enforcement. Yet this case persists.

Traviss lawyer responded by blasting the former governor in a new filing Tuesday.

Eliot Spitzer and Svetlana Travis

To be clear, Eliot Spitzer is not now, nor has he ever been the victim of anything but the consequences of his own criminal acts, wrote lawyer Joe Murray in court papers. Those acts include his disgusting efforts to deceive, coerce, and forcibly compel a beautiful young lady, against her will, into doing whatever he wanted.

Spitzer has denied ever assaulting Travis. He was never arrested in the case, and Travis was arrested eight months later for extorting the former governor over a two-year period.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

She pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

The former governors political career imploded in 2008 after he was linked to a prostitution scandal just a year into his first term.

But Murray claims Spitzers actions went beyond the alleged assault and that he coerced Travis into deleting audio recordings thatcontained evidence of Spitzers criminal conduct.

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Svetlana Travis appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on extortion charges in 2017. (Jefferson Siegel/NY Daily News via Getty Images)

Murray also says the former governor made death threats.

For us lesser privileged people, conspiring to destroy evidence of a crime is itself a very serious crime. That he did so, in part, by telephonic death threats from New York to Russia are both State and federal crimes, he wrote.

Neither Murray nor Kaufmann responded to requests for comment Wednesday.
Duetto is now officially the worlds leading provider of revenue management software after being named the highest-rated revenue management system (RMS) in the 2022 HotelTechAwards, announced on January 11, 2022.

Duetto GameChanger was voted the number one RMS in the annual industry awards, organized by Hotel Tech Report. The Awards rank and evaluate more than 200 of the top hotel technology products worldwide to deliver the ultimate list of best-in-class software products, based on customer feedback, integration compatibility, organizational health, partner network strength, and customer support quality.

I continue to be amazed at how fast the system works and the accuracy of the information it provides. Also, the willingness and efficiency of the partners at Duetto, when it comes to questions, advice, or solutions, only amplifies the value of GameChanger. In today's ever-changing pricing environment, GameChanger sets the standard for true, real-time, open pricing. - Regional Director Of Revenue Management (United States)

Gamechanger gives you the information you need for pricing and forecasting in just one place and at a first sight. It saves a lot of time and its very friendly to use. - Cluster Revenue Manager (United States)

Duetto is extremely intuitive, has an easy connection with our PMS, great development capacity, easy configuration, and excellent support. - Global Revenue Management (Netherlands)

This is a huge accolade and coming in our 10th Anniversary Year this award is even more special. We owe a big thanks to every member of the Duetto team, our customers, and our partners who make this type of recognition possible, said David Woolenberg, CEO, Duetto.

Hotel Tech Report is the world's largest online hotel technology community, and its awards program is respected by tech providers the world over. We thank everyone who voted for us and all our users who have left us such amazing reviews over the years. However, this is not the endpoint by any means. We are continually working on innovations and improvements to ensure we remain the revenue management solution of choice for hoteliers worldwide.

About Hotel Tech Report

HotelTechReport.com helps 170k hoteliers each month to understand the changing hotel technology and digital transformation landscape. We help hoteliers make smarter decisions about which technologies to adopt, keeping scalability and adaptability in mind. Hotel Tech Report helps hoteliers uncover the value propositions of emerging technologies and how they align with the needs of your property stakeholders and guests.

About Duetto

Duetto delivers a suite of cloud applications to simplify hospitality revenue decisions and allow hoteliers to work smarter, increasing organizational efficiency, revenue, and profitability. The unique combination of hospitality experience and technology leadership drives Duetto to look for innovative solutions to industry challenges. The software as a service platform allows hotels and casino resorts to leverage real-time dynamic data sources and actionable insights into pricing and demand across the enterprise. More than 4,000 hotel and casino resort properties in more than 60 countries have partnered to use Duetto's applications, which include GameChanger for pricing, ScoreBoard for intelligent reporting, and BlockBuster for contracted-business optimization. Duetto is backed by investors Warburg Pincus, Icon Ventures, Accel Partners, Battery Ventures, and Spectrum 28. In January 2022, Duetto was voted as the Best Revenue Management System in the HotelTechAwards 2022.
Federal officials said they terminated the Medicare contract with United Memorial Medical Center after the Houston hospital system failed yet another inspection.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees the federal health insurance program for the elderly, said it will no longer reimburse United Memorial Medical Center for patients admitted to the small hospital system after Tuesday. The loss of Medicare would likely deal a crippling financial blow to United Memorial, which serves low-income neighborhoods and depends heavily on the federal reimbursements.

Contracts for Medicaid, the federal insurance program for the poor, are typically terminated following the loss of Medicare contracts. About 60 percent of United Memorials patients are covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

Duni Hebron, the hospital spokesperson, said United Memorial is appealing the decision, and has filed for an emergency waiver. The waiver would allow the hospital to receive Medicare reimbursement for inpatient care because of the pandemic, and remain in effect until the appeal was resolved or the COVID-19 public health emergency ended, she said.

Its unclear when the waiver will be processed. In the meantime, the hospital said it will continue to see Medicare patients, even though it will not be reimbursed.

Were operating, and we have our revenues coming in, but yes, were concerned, Hebron said. But again, were humans and were not going to throw people out. For now, were hopeful the waiver will be approved.

On HoustonChronicle.com: UMMC looks to replace governing board after almost losing Medicare contract

Fifth time

United Memorial Medical Center has four locations in Greater Houston and 150 beds. It was on the brink of having its Medicare contract terminated about a month ago after failing four inspections between January and September 2021.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, however, extended the termination deadline into January pending another inspection, which was conducted from Dec. 17-21. The hospital system failed again.

Despite several opportunities to address their non-compliance, UMMC has failed to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of its patients, a CMS spokesperson said in statement. Based on continued serious findings of deficiencies at this (Dec. 17-21) survey representing a failure to meet the minimum required quality standards, CMS issued an involuntary termination letter to UMMC on January 10, 2022, notifying the facility that its Medicare agreement will end on January 11, 2022.

The first four inspections found that staff did not have proper certifications for their jobs, and the hospital failed to screen staff for COVID-19. Inspectors also found rust on the wheels and casters of operating tables and stools and cockroaches in the operating room, among other deficiencies.

In the Jan. 10 termination letter, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the most recent inspection found that the hospitals pharmaceutical services, surgical services, infection control and emergency services were out of compliance with federal standards.

A final inspection report with more details of the deficiencies wont be made available until early February, said a spokesperson for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Hebron said the deficiencies found in the December inspection were mostly administrative issues, but declined to explain further.

United Memorials campus on Houstons Northside is located in a zip code where the median household income is about $36,000, about half the median income for the Houston metropolitan area, according to census data. It also has locations in southwest Houston, Sugar Land and north of Beltway 8.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, has worked with the hospital and federal officials to maintain the Medicare contract. She said she is sending letters to the president and has spoken to his staff regarding the hospital, its role in the community, and the importance of its Medicare and Medicaid contracts.

Medical desert

She emphasized that the hospitals flagship location is in a medical desert where there are few other health care options. The hospitals services, she added, are needed more than ever as the omicron variant drives a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Im hoping CMS can be sensitive and open minded with their own analysis, which had a lot to do with paperwork, signatures and the disposal of old and outdated medicine, Jackson Lee said. All those things, I wholeheartedly believe, are crossing the ts and dotting the is.

Although its agreement with Medicare was terminated, the hospital system may continue to provide services for the community, including COVID testing, vaccinations and outpatient services, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. United Memorial also could contract with other local hospitals to provide them additional beds during the public health emergency.

becca.carballo@chron.com
Texas companies pay construction workers so little, almost half of them end up relying on safety-net programs costing taxpayers $1.9 billion a year, according to a new study.

Low wages, weak state laws and rare federal law enforcement have turned a solidly blue-collar industry into a poverty trap. Voters should ask why nearly half of full-time, skilled laborers rely on food stamps and Medicaid to care for their children.

The data also bolsters the wisdom of granting visas to undocumented workers and only then strictly enforcing immigration laws to boost wages.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Immigration reform should focus on employers, end black market labor

The low wages and exploitative practices in the construction industry, both in Texas and nationally, cause profound hardship for workers and their families. It also costs the public, the University of California professors wrote. When employers misclassify their workers or pay them under the table, they are defunding and defrauding government programs, including workers compensation, Social Security, and Medicare.

Texas has one of the fastest-growing economies in the U.S. The construction boom in San Antonio, Houston and Austin is the envy of any Rust Belt state.

One in 12 Texans work in construction, or about 1.2 million people, the Census Bureau reports. The industry contributes $92.3 billion to Texass GDP or about 5 percent. Personal income from construction totaled $87.3 billion in 2019. But that income is unfairly distributed.

Compared to laborers in other Texas industries, twice as many construction workers rely on Medicaid, the health program for the poor, the Childrens Health Insurance Program, Temporary Aid for Needy Families, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, research by UC Berkeleys Labor Center found as part of a nationwide study.

The most obvious explanation is found in the construction contract bidding process. The lowest bidder typically wins, and managers feel the pressure to squeeze every penny possible out of the workforce. Many bend or skirt rarely-enforced laws to bring in underpaid, undocumented laborers.

Stan Marek, CEO of Houston-based Marek construction, has lost many a contract to unscrupulous competitors over the last 50 years, and hes fought for immigration reform for a decade. He expects construction to expand quickly in 2022, and hes worried the corruption will only get worse.

Were on the verge of the biggest boom construction-wise weve ever seen, he told me. My guys should be making 25 percent more, but I would not be able to get a job if I put 25 percent more in it because Im bidding against people who are not paying payroll taxes, who dont have workmans comp and who arent paying overtime.

Most states impose basic standards to protect workers, but not Texas. State lawmakers have consistently killed bills to guarantee decent wages and benefits. And when cities try to step in, GOP lawmakers make city and county prevailing wage and health insurance requirements illegal.

Gov. Greg Abbott may brag this is good for corporations, but kids still need to eat, and parents still get hurt on the job. Rather than make employers pick up the tab, Abbott and these companies shift the burden onto taxpayers.

Construction companies also misclassify workers as independent contractors rather than employees. A corporation has no obligation to guarantee labor laws are followed with independent contractors, and since onsite enforcement is rare, many developers cheat.

Those people work for you. You set their hours. You tell them what to do. Youre directing them. Marek, who directly employs most of his workers, said. The IRS wont touch it. Ive tried to get them involved in Washington, and they say it doesnt work.

Abbott talks a big game about immigration, but hes resisted state requirements that construction companies use E-Verify to check workers status. Lobbyists for residential construction companies have defeated every bill that would require them to respect labor laws.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Shortages in daycare, elder care and nursing slowing economic recovery

Youve got a lot of contractors like me that if we could access the undocumented worker, just get an ID and background check; we could literally take hundreds of thousands of workers just in Texas and put em on payrolls, Marek said.

For every million people you take out of the underground economy and put them on a W2 payroll adds $4.75 billion per year for Social Security, he added.

The immigration problem facing the Texas economy is not undocumented workers taking jobs from Americans but scumbag contractors using unprotected foreigners to drive wages down to the poverty level for American citizens.

State and federal officials must do more to stop crooked construction companies from cheating those who follow the rules. But we also need all hands on deck to meet the nations construction needs, both citizen and foreign workers.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
Akilah Glaspie was starting to think the worst had passed. She was optimistic in the final months of 2021, as enrollment returned to pre-COVID levels at the Gingerbread School, the academy she founded a year before the pandemic to provide daycare and early childhood education.

Then came the omicron variant. The number of students at school has dipped each day since the end of the holiday break, and she worries that her staff will again start getting get sick, forcing her to pay a premium for workers from a staffing agency and requiring her already exhausted staff to again work overtime.

When is this going to let up? she wondered aloud.

Now Playing: As omicron continues to spread at unprecedented rates, Houston-area businesses are feeling the pinch of staff shortages and bracing for the worst. Breakfast Klub owner Melvinie Davis said the business has relied on out-of-state clientele to keep her businesses running strong after two years of closures and uncertainty. Now, she fears another lockdown could upend that stability. Video: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

The coronavirus, this time in the form of the highly contagious omicron variant, is again upending business operations and plans, dealing another setback just as companies of all sizes prepared  or hoped for  a return to at least near-normal. The surge in COVID-19 infections  hospitalizations have spiked sevenfold in Harris county recently  is exacerbating labor shortages, supply chain problems and uncertainty.

Restaurants and retailers have been forced to cut hours or even close temporarily as employees call in sick. Expansion plans are getting put on hold. Homebuilders are dealing with delayed shipments and higher costs. Companies are again reconsidering back-to-the-office plans.

On HoustonChronicle.com: The Great Resignation wave keeps growing, especially in Texas

Laura Murillo, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said some her member companies have stopped bringing workers back into offices, asking that they keep working from home. Some are canceling events. Many are staggering schedules, so in the event of an outbreak, they wont lose all their workers to quarantine.

Golly, its been horrible - especially for small businesses, said Murillo. People are planning in a very short-term capacity. They cant project very far into the future  theyre not even sure how many workers theyll need.

Darkness is coming back

At The Breakfast Klub, co-owner Melvinie Davis said the famed Midtown brunch spot is operating at about 70 percent of normal staffing levels, which theyve tried to increase through a series of career fairs.

Finding specialty goods used for their coffee drinks has been hard to find, as vendors deal with their own labor shortages, and other restaurants stock up out of fear the supplies wont be available later.

She and her husband Marcus have already pushed back opening plans at two other businesses they own in addition to The Breakfast Klub, and have relied heavily on customers from outside of Houston who want to try the restaurants famous chicken and waffles, or other dishes, while in town.

Of the dozen or so people in line Friday morning, about half said they were not from Texas, with some from as far as Miami, Florida and New Jersey.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Hurricanes. Pandemics. Overwhelming needs. Nonprofits struggle to hold onto workers.

We were just starting to see the light, and now the darkness is coming back, she said. And in full effect.

Among the top worries is that the omicron surge will exacerbate an already dire labor shortage. Last week, the Labor Department reported that 4.5 million American workers quit their jobs in November, tying the record set in September.

November was the sixth consecutive month in which national job openings topped 10 million. That translates into 1.5 available jobs for each of the nations 6.9 million unemployed workers.

Kevan Shelton said his real estate business, K&A Companies, continues to be hampered by supply chain shortages. Materials such as lumber have been increasingly hard to come by since last year, when global manufacturers - many of them also with depleted staffs - were playing catch up on orders delayed in the early days of the pandemic.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston man held on to a Superman comic for years. Then he sold it for a record $2.6 million.

He said the additional costs of materials and labor shortages have driven up the average cost of building a home by tens of thousands of dollars, and added months to the time required to finish building a home.

Sheltons company has absorbed most of those costs, he said. But omicron could further threaten his profit margins.

Local COVID hospitalizations were already ticking up just as the company prepared to show its first $1 million-property, a milestone for which the company spent months and thousands of dollars preparing, hoping it would help draw attention from investors and others in Houstons highly competitive real estate market.

The company almost canceled the showing as a precaution, but went ahead anyway. Ten days later, virtually all the staff was out with omicron. Now, he is reluctant to hold similar events  at least, until COVID cases wane.

Its like youre damned if you do, and damned if you dont, he said.

Glaspie, owner of the Gingerbread School, knows all-too well how exhausting it can be to run a business amid such uncertainty, when full staffs can become skeleton crews in a few days.

Her school was barely open a year when COVID arrived in Texas, and enrollment at the school dropped by about half as people began working from home and parents no longer needed daycare. She worries that the omicron surge might have a similar impact, but, like so many, business owners, Glaspie has given up pretending she can predict what comes next in the pandemic.

We just dont know when its going to end, she said with a resigned sigh. And just when you think it does end, here comes another variant and another wave.

robert.downen@chron.com
A week since temperatures dipped below freezing in Houston  and almost a year after the deadly February 2021 blackout  a spat has erupted again over the ability of the states natural gas operations to withstand severe cold and keep the power grid running.

On one side are environmentalists and other watchdogs who claim that initial data released in the wake of the cold that spread over Texas in the first days of 2022 showed flaws in the states natural gas framework. Bloomberg, for example, first reported that 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas had been flared as operators dealt with the cold. That number was later revised to 1 million cubic feet. S&P Global released a report Jan. 3 indicating that natural gas production in the Permian Basin dropped by 20 percent as temperatures there dipped into the teens the day before.

But as more data became known, natural gas proponents said the numbers painted a different picture. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated that average natural gas production in the Permian that week fell by 800 million cubic feet per day, a 5 percent decline from the previous week. But the Texas Oil and Gas Association said that analytics company RBN Energy found there may have been a 22 percent decrease at the worst of the recent cold.

With the disparate data, natural gas industry proponents claim that environmentalists have overblown the risk of another freeze knocking out much of the natural gas supply, while watchdog groups say the industry has done too little to prepare for another winter storm.

The truth is somewhere in the middle of that, as normally you would expect, said Charles McConnell, executive director of the University of Houstons Center for Carbon Management and Sustainability and a former U.S. assistant energy secretary.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Wholesale electricity prices rose in 2021 thanks, largely, to rising natural gas prices

How gas lines freeze

McConnell said freezing issues with natural gas tend to start at the beginning process. Natural gas is funneled from its source to lines that transport it to compressor stations. In this early stage, the gas still contains water, he said, allowing it to freeze when temperatures dip below 32 degrees. Compressor stations also can freeze because theyre filtering the moisture-laden gas.

Still, he said, chemical engineers are not surprised when raw natural gas moves 20 percent more slowly through pipelines during freezes, and the gas and power scheme in Texas doesnt help. He said Texas natural gas producers arent required to weatherize their equipment to standards that would survive another deep freeze nor are they provided any financial incentives to do so.

All of those decisions are left to the private market to make determinations for whats best for their shareholders, and thats okay for most of the time for most commodity industries, he said. But when were talking about electricity, or keeping peoples houses warm, its something for the good of the public.

About 10,030 megawatts of power, 11.7 percent of the states power generation capacity, were knocked offline from Dec. 31 to Jan. 3, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the states grid manager. About 996 megawatts, less than 10 percent of that lost power, came from natural gas plants that were unable to get the gas they needed to run. One megawatt is enough electricity to power about 200 homes on a hot summer day.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas, which oversees ERCOT and creates rules for its power market, is retooling the states deregulated power market. Among the changes: a reduction in the maximum price for one megawatt hour to $5,000 from $9,000; and fines of up to $1 million per day per violation for electricity generators that cant meet new weatherization requirements. PUC Chairman Peter Lake said those changes, among others, will ensure the lights will stay on, this winter.

No other grid has made so many changes in such a short amount of time as we have, he said at a December news conference.

And during the most recent cold snap, the grid seemed to work. ERCOT did not ask Texans to conserve electricity due to shortages, and it didnt have to dip into its reserve margins to meet the states power demand.

Gas and the grid

Still, natural gas generation plants accounted for more than 51 percent of all forced outages during the New Year cold. Most of those issues lie with the natural gas generators, said Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association. And some of the fuel-led-generation failures, he said, may boil down to the power plants, and not the natural gas providers  but its too early to know.

But, he said, the early numbers from environmental groups and other watchdogs misrepresented the reality on the grid.

Anyone drawing those types of conclusions from this event are creating hysteria based on incorrect facts, and thats a dangerous way to talk about the issues, he said. It affects how policy is decided, how markets react and how individual consumers react. These major exaggerations are just dangerous to all Texans.

Cyrus Reed, conservation director for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, disagreed. He said that while the more recent freeze was not nearly as bad as the February storm, it still exposed shortcomings. The organization said more than a dozen facilities released excessive levels of pollution during the cold spell.

Obviously it did not cause major issues to the grid, but the fact that a relatively small freezing event that lasted one or two days caused that many emission events and several power plants were not able to operate as a result is a major concern, he said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston company hopes to turn pipelines' waste into electricity

Are the changes enough?

Some regulations have changed since the last winter storm, though not nearly as much as power watchdogs would like to see.

Natural gas facilities deemed critical by the Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees the states oil and gas industry, are now required to register with ERCOT so their power is not cut off in emergencies. That regulator is mulling more changes, as mandated by state legislative action, and the PUC has ordered more substantial weatherization practices for power generators. Among those mandated by the PUC are sheltering critical systems from wind, insulation inspections and establishing emergency testing schedules.

Still, McConnell with the University of Houston and Reed with the Sierra Club say more will be needed to ensure that Texas grid will be reliable during extended freezes. McConnell said it will take more wholesale changes to how the states power market  which is under review by the PUC  or legislative changes to ensure that the blackouts of 2021 wont be repeated.

If you dont solve the problem, youre going to keep having the issues, McConnell said. Its just that simple.

shelby.webb@chron.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. governments top infectious disease expert, angrily accused a senator Tuesday of making false accusations that are leading to threats against him  all to raise political cash.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has repeatedly said Fauci lies about the pandemic and in a hearing Tuesday also claimed that he tried to take down some scientists who disagreed with him.

Paul and other conservative critics have focused their ire at how the pandemic is being handled on Fauci, the National Institutes of Health infectious disease chief who also is President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser. Fauci has needed increased security since 2020 because of threats and harassment against him and his family.

Tuesday, Fauci expressed frustration that this far into the pandemic the senator still accuses me of things that are completely untrue and kindles the crazies out there.

FAUCI FIRES BACK: Dr. Anthony Fauci fires back at Sen. Ted Cruz over COVID claims about Chinese lab

He pointed to the arrest last month of a California man who was stopped for speeding in Iowa and told a sheriffs deputy he was on the way to the nations capital to kill a list of people in power  including Fauci. Court documents show the man, Kuachua Brillion Xiong of Sacramento, had an AR-15 style rifle, ammunition and body armor in the car.

Fauci said Pauls website has a fire Dr. Fauci page and includes a call for political contributions ranging from $5 to $100.

He accused Paul of using the pandemic "for your political gain, he said.

The feud overshadowed a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee designed to examine if policy changes are needed while the U.S. is battling the hugely contagious omicron variant.

OMICRON'S IMPACT: As omicron spreads, Houston business owners again find themselves in limbo

Among the chief complaints of Republicans and Democrats alike is a continuing lack of tests to make it easier for people to tell if they have COVID-19 so they can stay home and not spread it.

I just say to all of you right now, testings broken, said an exasperated Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, the committees ranking member.

Still, Burr and several other lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also thanked Fauci for his work to fight the pandemic.

But later in Tuesdays hearing, Fauci lost his temper when Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, accused him of hiding financial disclosure forms required of public officials.

Youre so misinformed that its extraordinary, Fauci responded, saying those documents are publicly available upon request. As the exchange ended, Fauci could be heard muttering off-camera, What a moron.
When am I contagious if infected with omicron? Its not yet clear, but some early data suggests people might become contagious sooner than with earlier variants  possibly within a day after infection.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the few days before and after symptoms develop. But that window of time might happen earlier with omicron, according to some outside experts.

Thats because omicron appears to cause symptoms faster than previous variants  about three days after infection, on average, according to preliminary studies. Based on previous data, that means people with omicron could start becoming contagious as soon as a day after infection.

OMICRON WAVE: Houston hospitals mandating COVID boosters for employees, amid omicron surge

With previous variants, people became contagious two to four days after infection. And people remain contagious a couple days after symptoms subside.

Researchers say its too early to know whether that shorter incubation period for omicron translates into earlier contagiousness. But it would help explain the variant's rapid spread.

Dr. Amy Karger of the University of Minnesota Medical School recommends that people test themselves at three days and five days after exposure if possible.

"A lot of people are turning positive by day three, Karger says, referring to omicron. Theres basically an opportunity here to catch people earlier than you would with the other variants.

ASK THE EXPERTS: How long can you keep using the same N95 respirator mask?

If you only have one test, it's fine to wait until day five, Karger says.

People who have COVID-19 symptoms should get tested immediately if possible.

Lab-developed tests are more sensitive than rapid tests so they should be able to pick up the virus by day three after exposure, if not earlier.

People who dont develop symptoms generally have much lower viral levels, so its far less clear when or if they become infectious.

THE SPREAD: Omicron is on track to shatter Texas' COVID-19 hospitalization records

Still, those who test positive but dont have symptoms should isolate for at least five days, under the latest CDC guidelines. The agency came under criticism for not requiring a negative test before leaving isolation, but even after tweaking the guidelines officials said that step should be optional.

People with symptoms should stay isolated until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.

The AP is answering your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them at: FactCheck@AP.org.
New adventures at Purple Box Theater in Friendswood kick off this weekend with performances of a musical and a comedy, to be followed by an international competition and several spring classes.

The Jan. 14-16 production of Shrek the Musical Jr. will be performed by a team of students who will represent Purple Box at next months Junior Theater Festival West.

We will compete in group adjudication with a 15-minute cutting from Shrek Jr. that includes acting, singing and dancing, said Cathy Holbrook, the groups founding artistic director.

In addition, five students on the team will compete in the festivals Tech Olympics, in which they will be timed while performing quick changes, marking sets and setting props.

Four dancers in the group will audition for the opportunity to travel to New York City and film an instructional DVD featuring choreography for upcoming junior musicals.

Want to go? What: "Shrek the Musical Jr." Where: Purple Box Theater, 1309 W. Parkwood, Friendswood | When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14-15 and 2 p.m. Jan. 16 (sold out) Admission: $15 Information: 818-642-4665; thepurpleboxtheater.com See More Collapse

The dancers will be given choreography at the festival to learn and audition with, said Holbrook.

JTF West will be held Feb. 18-21 in Sacramento, Calif.

Representing Purple Box in selections from Shrek Jr. will be: John George as Shrek, Ryan Hoxie (Donkey), Kate Wilds (Princess Fiona) and Jaxson Carr (Lord Farquaad).

Also representing the theater in the selections will be: Candy Linton, Kate Walker, Carter Payne, Julia Acevedo, Carmen Schultz, Molly Sather, Abbey Pearce, Lyla Morris, Caidyn Jones, Valerie Rodriguez, Andrew Brown, Harmony McGown, Rebecca Gard, Sadie Hamon, Lillian Costello and Mya Ott.

Holbrook directed the show, with TMar Bunch as music director, and they choreographed musical numbers with Victoria Reyes and Sydney Moore.

Dance captains are Schultz, Wilds and Linton.

Purple Box has garnered a number of group and individual honors at previous JTF events.

Also this weekend, the theaters Wednesday acting class will perform a comedy, Witchs Brew, at 4 p.m. Jan. 15 and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 16. Tickets are $15.

This springs teen musical class, for students ages 13-17, will begin Jan. 22 and culminate in performances May 13-15 of Disneys High School Musical 2 Jr.

The same show will be performed May 13-15 by students ages 11-13. Their classes will begin Feb. 7.

Classes for children ages 7-11 will begin Feb. 7 and conclude May 20 with a production of the young actors edition of Cats.

Different from the musical theater classes is a theater production class for students ages 9-17. It will begin Feb. 9 and culminate in performances May 13-15 of a play, Prom-pocalypse.

It is just acting, no music, no dancing, just theater, said Holbrook.

We also have Kids and Adult Improv classes, which are just acting spontaneously through games.

Purple Box is widely known for its Broadway Kids program.

Our Broadway Kids learn a variety of songs and choreography from popular musicals, and they perform in the theater and at several area festivals and Fright Fest at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, said Holbrook. In the summer, they travel to Disney World or New York City to perform and partake in workshops with industry professionals.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be contacted at donmaines@att.net
A Bronx husband and wife have already filed suit against the owners of the Bronx building where a blaze killed 17 people Sunday  demanding $600 million over faulty safety measures they say contributed to the fires stunning destruction.

Rosa Reyes and Felix Martinez filed the action in Bronx Supreme Court Monday  a day after the fatal inferno tore through the 19-story building in Fordham Heights.

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The lawsuit laid out a litany of alleged negligence by owners of the building at 333 E. 181st St., including failing to ensure front doors were self-closing, have functioning smoke detectors throughout the building, and to keep fire escapes functioning.

It also accuses the owners of not providing adequate heat, allowing alarms to sound all the time, and not having an intercom system or a sprinkler system, among other issues.

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Reyes and Martinez lived on the 16th floor of the building. Martinez is hospitalized in critical condition and on a respirator due to severe burns, according to his lawyer.

An FDNY firefighter looks out from a burned apartment at the Twin Parks North West building Monday afternoon. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

Owners named in the suit as defendants are Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, Lich Investment Group, Belveron Partners and Camber Property Group. There were no immediate responses to requests for comment.

While unspecified in the lawsuit, Reyes and Martinez are claiming they suffered pain, shock and mental anguish because of the fire.

A lawyer for the couple said in a separate notice of claim against the city that hes seeking a class action lawsuit on behalf of all the buildings tenants  and $1 billion for the entire group of affected tenants.

We are blaming the city for their failure to ensure that the code was followed and followed up upon, said attorney Robert Vilensky. What good is a violation if you dont follow up on it?

This was a totally, totally, totally preventable fire, he asserted.

The notice of claim blasted former Mayor Bill de Blasio and his buildings commissioner, Melanie LaRocca, for failing to remediate issues like non-functioning self-closing doors in buildings in the Bronx following the December 2017 blaze that killed 13 people on Prospect Ave. in Belmont.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

It is obvious that [the Department of Buildings] and politicians only give lip service to safety issues and fire issues and are responsible for the resulting injuries and deaths, Vilensky wrote in the papers, arguing city agencies failed to do anything after discovering that doors didnt self-close at the E. 181st St. building.

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Jessica Valdez, who escaped her apartment on the 18th floor with her mother and dog as her brother watched from the ground, said she was dismayed it would take a lawsuit to get the building to take basic safety precautions.

This is just not fair, the loss of life. It was just too many people passed away about something as simple as a door being able to slam shut, she told the Daily News.

The Jan. 9 fire is the citys deadliest since the 1990 blaze at the Bronxs Happy Land Social Club. More than 30 people were rushed to area hospitals with life-threatening injuries. Mayor Adams reduced an initial report of 19 dead to 17.

The blaze sent plumes of thick smoke throughout the Twin Parks North West building and every fatality from the fire was due to smoke inhalation, authorities said.

Erupting in a second-floor duplex at the complex, the blaze was sparked by a space heater; FDNY sources told The News several space heaters had been on and running for days at a time before the blaze was ignited.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the apartment door where the fire started was not functioning as it should and didnt close, allowing flames and thick, toxic smoke to spread rapidly.
A Cypress-Fairbanks ISD school board trustee has come under fire this week for his comments, one of which discounted Black teachers, after a public presentation on the school district's equity and culture audit.

Trustee Scott Henry's remarks sparked fury, allegations of racism and calls for his resignation on Wednesday.

Henry linked more Black teachers to lower school district performance at the school board's work session on Monday, Jan, 10, citing Houston ISD, which is predominantly Hispanic and has a large Black student and teacher population, as an example.

"Cy-Fair has, what, 13 percent Black teachers," Henry said.

"Do you know what the statewide percent is for Black teachers? 10 percent. Houston ISD, which I'll use to shine an example, you know what their average percentage of Black teachers is? 36 percent. I looked that up. You know what their dropout rate is? 4 percent. I don't want to be 4 percent. I don't want to be HISD. I want to be a shining example. I want to be the district standard. I want to be the premium place where people go to be."

The comment was made during the reports portion of the agenda after Cy-Fair ISD human resources director, Onica Mayers, presented an oral report with findings from the district's equity and culture audit conducted by Millennium Learning Concepts. Mayers also shared findings from year-long surveys sent to staff and secondary students, interviews and focus groups, and walk-throughs and classroom observations.

Millennium recommended that the district form an equity-focused administrative office to provide support to underserved student populations. A video of the entire meeting is available on YouTube.

Henry took issue with the audit, and he and some other trustees questioned whether the suggested administrative effort to promote diversity and equity would be the best use of district funds. But research suggests otherwise.

Low-income Black students who have at least one Black teacher in elementary school are significantly more likely to graduate high school and consider attending college, according to a 2017 study co-authored by a Johns Hopkins University economist. The study also found that having at least one Black teacher in third through fifth grades reduced a Black students probability of dropping out of school by 29 percent, and for very low-income Black boys, the results were even greater, falling to 39 percent.

Henry opened his remarks claiming that he's a "big data guy" and that it looked like the data was "cherry-picked very poorly."

He called on the district to look beyond the numbers, which he said were "skewed" and find out the "why."

Henry continued to throw jabs at Houston ISD, which was touted in the report as a "glowing example," he said, of something Cy-Fair ISD should model, pointing to the district's poor in-school suspension rate, low performance and diverting to scandals involving the former chief operating officer who was indicted in connection with an alleged bribery scheme over the last decade, and a former HISD trustee who resigned and pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection with the bribery scheme.

A video of Henry's remarks was met with backlash on social media.

"Did you seriously say that Black teachers cause larger dropout rates?" wrote Melanie Ainsworth Nelson on Facebook. "Racist much? I hope you are ready for the storm that is about to rock your world. You need to resign, immediately."

OnHoustonChronicle.com: Critical race theory claims follow new superintendent to Clear Creek ISD, prompt calls for resignation

Local leaders like Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Harris County Democratic Party Chair Odus Evbagharu, who are products of the Cy-Fair school system, also joined the call for Henry's resignation.

"Divisiveness and racism are whats hurting our students," Hidalgo wrote on Twitter. "Not diversity."

Evbagharu, said his "racist rhetoric is absolutely unacceptable."

"His racist attitude and political grandstanding dont reflect the diversity of our community," he said in a statement.

"Mr. Henry is not the type of person who should be on the Cy-Fair  or any  school board. Henrys words of racial inferiority are dangerous and damaging and just a continuation of right-wing ideology saying the quiet part out loud. Its a reflection of the wave of classroom censorship and leaving behind minority students that is sweeping the country in every level of government. We should not be silent. We must demand more from our elected officials to ensure every student is being educated by a diverse coalition of quality teachers."

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner also released a statement on Twitter.

Henry has served on the CFISD Board of Trustees since 2021 and was elected to his first term in November 2021, according to the district's website.

He did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment, but later issued a public statement via Facebook saying that calls for his resignation were "political attacks" and called Millennium, the third party that did the districts equity audit, a "political organization."

"I was defending our school district against attacks from an out-of-state political organization that claimed our schools were failing our students because we did not (meet) one predetermined diversity metric," he said.

"This political organization claimed that one metric-- the percent of Black teachers in our schools- determined the quality of education our students receive. I was simply refuting that by pointing out the fact that there is no one metric that determines education quality -- there are a number of important metrics that should also be taken into account. Diversity is just one of those metrics, its not the only metric."

Some commenters offered support to Henry.

"We are with you Scott!!" wrote Mary Ann Jackson in response to his statement. "We know you are focused on what is good the students and faculty in CFISD. Leftists are angry at the voters in CFISD for pushing back on their hateful indoctrination!!"

"Thanks for your passion during Monday's meeting!" Steve Suddreth wrote on a previous post on Henry's Facebook page. "It was refreshing and about time! Thanks again!"

In the meeting, Henry also took issue with a past speaker who talked to teachers about white privilege, saying that it made them "embarrassed for their own race," and called on Superintendent Mark Henry to investigate and fire whoever was responsible.

Leslie Francis, a spokesperson for the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, said via email Wednesday afternoon that the district does not have a statement.

NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here.

Hannah Dellinger contributed to this report.
Federal appellate judges listened to two attorneys make their cases Wednesday over the question of whether the U.S. government is liable for widespread flooding that occurred downstream of Addicks and Barker reservoirs after Hurricane Harvey hit more than four years ago.

On one side, Russell Post, representing the flooded property owners, argued that they should not be responsible for the damage from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decision to release water from behind the dams as a precautionary  not emergency  measure.

The hurricane did not flood these properties, Post said. They flooded because the government opened the flood gates.

On the other side, Brian Toth, representing the federal government, said the properties would have faced worse damage had the massive reservoirs and dams not been built. He noted that the gates were initially closed to protect them and only opened days later in accordance with an operations manual.

It was the Corps operation of the project during the entire storm that is at issue and that should be looked at, Toth told the panel of three judges.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Hurricane Harvey was Houstons reckoning

Addicks and Barker reservoirs sit on the west side of Houston and are normally dry; people walk and exercise alongside and behind the u-shaped dams. They were built in the 1940s to address flood concerns but were meant to be part of a larger flood control system that was never completed.

The city of Houston continued to develop, and climate change set the stage for stronger hurricanes, with harder rains. Harvey dropped so much water in late August and September 2017 that those reservoirs were put to the test; homeowners who were previously unaware their houses sat in the reservoirs watched them flood, and stormwater flowed around one end of the Addicks dam.

Operators opened the gates before the area had time to drain, sending floodwater pouring into Buffalo Bayou toward already rain-soaked neighborhoods.

Property owners both upstream of the dam and downstream along the bayou sued in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, arguing their damage was the governments fault. A judge ruled the Corps was indeed liable for damage to the upstream homes. A trial is tentatively set for March to determine what is owed them.

But the outcome in that court was different for those downstream of the dams. A separate judge in September 2020 dismissed their lawsuits. He explained in a ruling that the hurricane was to blame and homeowners werent entitled to perfect flood control.

Attorneys appealed that decision, hence the arguments Wednesday. The attorney for the plaintiffs, Post, said they were not claiming they had a right to perfect flood control. Instead, he argued that previous lawsuits showed a right for them to be free of a flowage easement, meaning the government didnt have a right to take and flood their land.

Post said that it made no sense for the upstream and downstream cases to be decided differently: I think thats a conflict that this court cannot tolerate, when you have the same question decided arising out of the same event by two members of the Court of Federal Claims, he said.

Toth, of course, disagreed.

The Court of Federal claims dismissed plaintiffs claims, and for the numerous reasons outlined in our brief, that dismissal was correct, he said.

The intricate arguments moved at a rapid-fire pace, with only about 30 minutes total for both to make their cases by phone. Both attorneys picked apart various pieces of nuanced, earlier court decisions, pointing to what both state and federal law says about property rights and flood control.

The attorneys for the plaintiffs expect to hear an answer in three to six months. The case could be returned to the federal claims court. Or, if they fail on the appeal, they will be forced to decide whether to let the case go or appeal once more, this time to the U.S. Supreme Court.

emily.foxhall@chron.com
One person died and another was injured Tuesday night after a fire broke out at a home in Third Ward, according to the Houston Fire Department.

Firefighters were dispatched around 11:22 p.m. to a reported structure fire in the area of Holman and Nagle. Units found light smoke conditions, district chief Hunter Schappaugh said. There were slightly heavier smoke conditions, but no significant fire in the home, where responders found two people and a pet, who were all removed.
The Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General found that the U visa program, created to protect immigrant crime victims, is not managed effectively and is susceptible to fraud, according to a redacted report made public last week.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services runs the U visa program, which was sharply criticized by the oversight division.

The report found Citizenship and Immigration Services approved paperwork that had been forged, unauthorized, altered or suspicious. The agency also didnt track the outcomes of fraud referrals, which the inspector general argued could discourage the reporting of fraud.

U visas are a critical tool used by law enforcement in Houston and across the country to encourage immigrants to cooperate with police when they are victims of a serious crime. The visas are used to protect immigrants from being deported in exchange for their cooperation in a criminal investigation.

In November 2020, the Harris County Commissioners Court voted to dedicate $500,000 to help immigrants in Houston secure U visas. And last October, commissioners established best practices to guide local law enforcement on how to certify that an immigrant victim of a crime is helpful to an investigation.

U Visas in Houston: Harris County Commissioners approve best practices to help immigrant crime victims

The report also stated that Citizenship and Immigration Services failed to create agency performance goals that could be quantified and measured. It even found that the agency may not be accurately counting the number of U visas granted.

Per federal law established by Congress, the agency can grant only 10,000 visas per fiscal year. The cap has caused a significant backlog of more than 270,000 petitions pending a final adjudication.

A victim petitioning in 2021 will likely wait 10 years or longer to receive a U visa, the report stated.

Though the cap plays a major role in these long delays, Citizenship and Immigration Services officials said they also face a backlog when they are at the beginning of the process, when the cap doesnt apply.

The inspector general recommended that Citizenship and Immigration Services improve fraud mitigation controls and data reporting, start tracking fraud referrals, address the U visa initial petition backlog and improve overall performance metrics.

In their official response, Citizenship and Immigration Services officials argued that they did have adequate fraud controls and that following up on the outcome of fraud referrals is outside the agencys scope. They agreed on the other recommendations and have already taken some steps to address those critiques.

elizabeth.trovall@chron.com
The Houston Independent School District will close a virtual academy that was offered for students who were too young to be vaccinated and met medical condition criteria due to low enrollment, district officials said Tuesday.

The students, believed to be fewer than 600, were younger than 11 and had at least one of eight high-risk medical conditions. The program will end Friday and the students are expected to return to campuses next Wednesday even as the omicron variant continues to surge in Houston.

Meanwhile, it appeared the same variant-driven surge of COVID-19 that has shattered records in the city, state and nation has affected numerous HISD students.

The number of students in HISDs temporary online school, meant for kids affected by COVID-19, stood at 1,326 as of Tuesday. Officials said the number changed regularly as students fulfilled their isolation periods and returned to school, but had increased since the return from winter break.

As of Monday, the online school had 859 recorded students. At one point last week, the school had more than 1,500.

The idea is that they are going in specifically because of COVID-related issues and we know that they would only be in it, for the most part, for a couple of weeks, Superintendent Millard House II said. It is kind of a rolling cycle. We know we are going to have new kids in it, essentially, every week. Those numbers are up right now.

Students who have exceptional needs still could go through a process to receive specific accommodations, he said.

Houses remarks came during a board meeting to administer the oaths of office to newly-elected and re-elected trustees. The two new trustees, Kendall Baker and Bridget Wade, took their spots on the board, a month after unseating incumbents Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca and Anne Sung, respectively.

The district launched the virtual academy just before the start of the school year last Aug. 23, using federal COVID relief money to cover the cost.

On HoustonChronicle.com: HISD fills teacher vacancies, launches virtual academy for students who need to quarantine

The virtual program for students affected by COVID was set up in line with Texas Education Agency guidance permitting up to 20 days of remote instruction for sick students.

To qualify for that program, HISD students must test positive for COVID-19 or display symptoms of a recognized communicable disease; have been identified as a close contact of an individual with confirmed or presumed COVID-19; or have a temporary medical condition documented by a doctor.

Despite the latest surge, HISD has avoided shutting down any campuses due to outbreaks. House said he believed the districts mask mandate has helped.

Whatever we are doing, I think is making a difference, he said. And we want to continue doing it.

Nonetheless, the district has been hampered by staffers becoming sick and teacher vacancies, as have other school systems.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Confusion reigns as Houston schools make last-minute changes to COVID plans amid omicron wave

House said he saw some principals teaching and assistant principals helping when he visited campuses last week. Sam Houston High School, for example, had more than 30 staffers out but remained open.

School administrators in the Houston region have been told by health experts to anticipate the surge to subside by the end of the month.

We are doing everything that we can to make it work, House said. In two to three weeks, this thing could, hopefully, go in the right direction and we can see it decline significantly. For the time being, we just have to be all hands on deck.

alejandro.serrano@chron.com
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A rural sheriff near the Texas border is under criminal investigation for allegedly having his deputies illegally seize money and a truck from undocumented immigrants during traffic stops.

Last month, investigators with the Texas Rangers and the Texas Attorney Generals Office raided four Real County Sheriffs Office locations as part of an investigation into Sheriff Nathan Johnson, according to search warrants obtained this week by The Texas Tribune. The investigating Texas Ranger said Johnson admitted to regularly seizing money from undocumented immigrants during traffic stops, even if they were not accused of any state crime, before handing them over to United States Border Patrol agents.

One sheriff's deputy told investigators that seizing currency from undocumented immigrants and the driver has been standard operating procedure for as long as he has been employed by the Real County Sheriffs Office, Texas Ranger Ricardo Guajardo wrote in the warrant requests.

Guajardo accused Johnson of felony-level theft by a public servant and abuse of official capacity, alleging the sheriffs cash and vehicle seizures were in violation of the states relatively lenient civil asset forfeiture laws.

Johnson did not respond to specific questions Monday, stating that his and county attorneys are reviewing the newly released affidavit. In November, he told investigators money and cars are sometimes held as evidence for potential criminal cases, according to Guajardo. After his offices were raided in December, Johnson said in a Facebook post that he didnt know what prompted the investigation, had not been arrested and would continue to serve his constituents.

Especially in the last year, I have taken a strong stand against human smuggling, drug smuggling, and illegal alien traffic in our community and will continue to do so, Johnson wrote.

Its unclear if any charges have been or will be filed against Johnson. The attorney generals office did not respond to questions Monday, and the Texas Department of Public Safety said it had no information to release.

The search warrants were carried out at two sheriffs offices and two impound lots last month to seek evidence investigators believe will bolster their case against Johnson. The warrants include computers, cellphones, seized evidence regarding money or vehicles, financial statements and other data going back to 2017, when Johnson took office.

The investigation into the Republican sheriff is underway as a political firestorm rages over immigration policy, with the state and country facing record-high levels of U.S.-Mexico border crossings. Blaming the rise on President Joe Biden, Gov. Greg Abbott has sent thousands of state police and military personnel to arrest and jail people suspected of having crossed the border illegally on state criminal charges.

Real County is home to about 3,400 residents and is near but not on the border, sitting about 100 miles northeast of Del Rio, the epicenter of migrant crossings in Texas last year and a focus of Abbotts border security operation.

In Texas, police can take cash and property believed to be related to criminal activity, even if the person involved is never charged with a crime. Such seizures, however, require an already controversial forfeiture process during which prosecutors must file a civil lawsuit against the property for police to keep it.

Johnson, however, told Guajardo in November that he did not initiate such proceedings, the warrant stated. Instead, in two instances when Real County was assisted by neighboring law enforcement agencies, the sheriff classified seized property as abandoned or labeled it as evidence for potential charges, according to the warrant.

Aside from potential criminal charges, avoiding the states forfeiture laws creates constitutional concerns and bad optics, according to Arif Panju, the managing attorney for the Texas office of the Institute for Justice, a legal organization against civil asset forfeiture.

If youre doing it outside the judicial process, you can see the perverse incentive that would exist, Panju said. If you could seize these things, not go to a court, seize it unilaterally and then keep it in your budget  that is again policing for profit with zero oversight.

Guajardo began investigating Johnson in October after discussions with the attorney generals office, the warrant said, focusing on two traffic stops.

Body camera footage of a May 2021 traffic stop taken by a sheriff's deputy from neighboring Edwards County showed Johnson directing his deputies to seize money and a truck from undocumented immigrants. The seized money was to be filed as abandoned cash and deposited into the Real County general fund, Guajardo detailed. Johnson said he would try to find the trucks registered owners, but after 30 days the vehicle would also be considered abandoned.

During another traffic stop in October, more than $2,700 in cash taken from three immigrants wallets was said to be marked as evidence while waiting to see if human smuggling charges against the driver would stick. The other two men were referred to Border Patrol, where they asked what had happened to the money in their wallets. Guajardo said the seizing deputy couldnt say under what authority the money was taken, just that Johnson told him to take it.

When Guajardo questioned Johnson about the October seizure, the sheriff said no legal forfeiture paperwork was filed in money seizures, but that money and vehicles were being held as evidence due to trafficking crimes. Days after the traffic stop, Johnson said he consulted with the local district attorney and was told he needed to initiate forfeiture proceedings after property seizures.

Before then, Guajardo wrote that Johnson said his office was seizing all currency to include currency in possession of undocumented immigrants before being released to the custody of the United States Border Patrol.

Reference

Search warrant affidavit for the Real County Sheriff's Office

(8.4 MB)

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/10/real-county-sheriff-investigation/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Texas has a legal fantasy that it can evade Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 abortion case. State officials claim that its new abortion law  which took effect in September and bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy  is constitutional because the law is enforced only by private citizens, not the state. But such an argument is not new. In fact, it was the same legal justification used by states trying to preserve Jim Crow. The Supreme Court consistently rejected the ploy. The court was not fooled then, offering a road map for handling the current case.

States offered tenuous excuses for Jim Crow because the 14th Amendment, which protects constitutional rights, generally covers only conduct of state and local governments; therefore, those looking for an end run around the Constitution often tried to dress up their bad conduct as private, rather than official.

The most spectacular failure of the no state enforcement gambit came in Texass repeated effort to keep its Democratic Party primary all White, an effort rejected by the Supreme Court four times. The saga began in the 1920s, with a new Texas law that said, in no event shall a negro be eligible to participate in a Democratic primary. Dr. L.A. Nixon, an El Paso dentist, was turned away from the primary, and he sued. A unanimous Supreme Court opinion by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1927 made short work of the Texas statute, saying it violated the 14th Amendment.

That decision rested on the fact that the no-Negro rule was in the state law itself, so Texas immediately went back to the drawing board to privatize the racial ban. Texas removed the no-Negro rule from the statute, but the new statute still specified how a political party was to make its own rules. The Democratic Party promptly adopted its own rule keeping its primary all-White. But now the all-White provision would be enforced by the political party, not the state.

Once again Nixon tried to vote and was turned away, once again he challenged the all-White rule and in 1932 the Supreme Court struck it down once again. Even though he was excluded by the party, not the state, the court said the new state statute still maintained state involvement and the result for him is no different. It added that there might be diversity of method, but there was still identity of result.

The state tried a third time, this time stripping the state law of all provisions about the Democratic Partys organization and rules. All to no avail; in 1944, in the first Supreme Court case argued by Thurgood Marshall, the court ruled against the White primary again. The court said that because state law authorized political parties to hold primary elections to choose candidates for public office, that meant the state had entrusted to the Democratic Party the role of determining voter qualifications in the primary. As a result, the state thereby endorses, adopts and enforces the discrimination against Negroes.

This last decision, Smith v. Allwright, sent seismic shock waves throughout the South. The White primary had been a bedrock institution in every state of the segregationist South, because the Democratic primary was the most important election in Southern states given the partys thorough dominance of the region. Yet, every state except Texas had kept the White-only rule out of the state statutes. The progression that began in 1927 when the court struck down the Texas White primary statute opened ballot boxes for African American voters all across the former Confederacy.

Yet, even Smith v. Allwright was not the end of Texas efforts. Democrats in Fort Bend County tried to maintain their all-White Jaybird Primary. This was a holdover of the 1880s Jaybird-Woodpecker War, a violent clash between rival factions of the Democratic Party. The surviving faction, the Jaybird Democratic Association, for many years conducted a pre-primary selection process that chose candidates for the county Democratic primary. The Jaybirds kept their process all-White even after the Supreme Court struck down the state Democratic Partys White-only rule in 1944. They claimed they could do so because they were simply an informal slating group with no state involvement. In 1953, the Supreme Court rejected this all-White variant, calling it a flagrant abuse of the Constitution.

Texas was not alone in attempts to maintain Jim Crow by saying that unconstitutional practices could persist if they were enforced by private individuals rather than the state. In the early 1900s, when former slave states were determined to keep Black farm laborers shackled to their employment on plantations or farms, the states knew they could not directly force workers to remain on the land because that would amount to involuntary servitude in violation of the 13th Amendment that had banned slavery. Instead, Alabama, like other former slave states, put enforcement into the hands of landowners by creating the offense of leaving employment without justification, to be enforced by the landowner. The result was a pervasive system called debt peonage, in which the laborers debt kept increasing and kept them tied to the land.

In 1911, a case against debt peonage, secretly financed by Booker T. Washington, reached the Supreme Court. In its defense, Alabama claimed that this law was not the same as state-imposed involuntary servitude. Yet, Alabamas pretense of private enforcement fared no better than Texass would. The Supreme Court held the Alabama law unconstitutional with the words: What the state may not do directly, it may not do indirectly.

Later, during the civil rights era, the Supreme Court again gave Alabama the same lesson, this time examining a state law that was used to limit freedom of the press. Knowing the First Amendment would stop a state from directly shutting out the national news media from covering civil rights, Alabama facilitated private libel suits to achieve the same end of silencing the press. State courts upheld huge libel verdicts for Alabamians who claimed they had been libeled by newspaper descriptions of civil rights demonstrations, including a half-million-dollar verdict against the New York Times. When the newspaper appealed, the Supreme Court responded in the famous case of New York Times v. Sullivan. Reversing the verdict, the court declared, What a state may not constitutionally bring about by means of a criminal statute is likewise beyond the reach of its civil law of libel.

All these cases, stretching back over many decades and a half-dozen chief justices, show a Supreme Court vigilant to protect the Constitution from state exercises in tyranny. Todays Supreme Court has the same opportunity and obligation.

The courts initial failure to block the Texas law, based on procedural grounds, should not give Texas state officials much comfort because it is temporary. If the court follows the Constitution and precedent, the decision will be clear, and the Texas abortion law will be no more.

Orville Vernon Burton is the Judge Matthew J. Perry Jr. Distinguished Professor of history at Clemson University. Armand Derfner is a civil rights lawyer who has handled Supreme Court voting rights cases since 1968, and is distinguished scholar in constitutional law at the Charleston School of Law. THey are co-authors Justice Deferred: Race and the Supreme Court.
China on Tuesday unveiled new guidelines to ease pressures on foreign trade companies and keep the country's exports and imports stable.

The country will further open up the economy and carry out cross-cyclical adjustments to support medium, small and micro-sized foreign trade companies, and guarantee their orders and stabilize expectations, according to the guidelines on further stabilizing foreign trade released by the State Council.

The guidelines detailed 15 measures including fiscal and financial support for foreign trade companies as well as incentives for new forms of businesses in foreign trade.

According to the document, the yuan exchange rate will be kept stable at a reasonable and balanced level, and the country will help foreign trade companies hedge against foreign exchange risks.

China will also adopt measures to ease the supply chain risks for foreign trade companies and encourage them to sign long-term deals with shipping firms.

The guidelines stressed efforts on imports of bulk commodities to ensure sufficient domestic supply.

The country will further enhance trade liberalization and facilitation, and take the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as an opportunity to further stabilize foreign trade, the guidelines stated.




The teenage brother of an East Harlem Burger King cashier got the heartbreaking phone call notifying the young victims family that his big sister had been killed in an armed robbery.

There are no words. Her 14-year-old brother got the call, City Council member Diana Ayala said Tuesday at a press conference outside the fast food restaurant on E. 116th St. and Lexington Ave., where Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19, was gunned down early Saturday.

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Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19, who working as a cashier at a Burger King at 154 E. 116th St. when she was fatally shot during a robbery early Saturday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

Can you imagine the trauma behind that? Ayala said. That he was the one who got the call that said that his sister had passed away in the hospital? Thats trauma that stays with us for years. For years.

Police are still looking for the killer, who burst into the fast-food chains 24-hour branch about 12:45 a.m. Saturday, cops said. He pistol-whipped a male customer, punched a female manager in the face and shot Bayron-Nieves in the chest after getting about $100 from the register.

Advertisement

NYPD is identifying the individual who is depicted in this video in connection to the homicide at a Burger King in East Harlem. (NYPD/DCPI)

Ayala said poverty, lack of funding, resources, and jobs in the East Harlem community she represents contributed to this tragedy.

I dont know what happened here. I dont know what motivated this. But I know that it is not new in my community, said Ayala.

Ayala said she didnt know what to say to Bayrons devastated mother.

Bayron-Nieves had feared for her safety on the overnight shift at the Burger King, and her mom, Kristie Nieves, 36, stepped in to get her manager to give her a day shift, but she still had to work that Friday late shift before the new schedule started.

Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19 (Obtained by Daily News)

Mayor Adams, who attended Tuesdays event as a spectator, said he met the victims mom on Monday and promised her hed do everything in his power to catch her daughters killer.

I went to her home. And I saw her, and I saw her pain. And Im not going to rationalize why someone would shoot a 19-year-old  after he got the money and went back and shot her. It is not acceptable, no matter what the condition is, he said, in brief remarks as he stood alongside NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.

The person who did this must be caught. And to those who carry guns in my city: Were going to find you. You have an opportunity to go and get the services and be a part of these organizations and groups, Adams said. You have an opportunity not to bring violence. But you will not use your condition as an excuse to take the life of a 19-year-old. That is unacceptable, and Im not going to tolerate it.
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Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition.

If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.
A guide for influencer marketing for musicians

Learn how to utilize influencer marketing to grow and expand your music career.

A guest post from DITTO MUSIC.

Influencer marketing is one of the biggest trending hypes that independent musicians can implement into their social media marketing strategy right now. In a world where social platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are the main tastemakers for new music, its no wonder that influencers have a big say in whats hot and by default, whats not.

The rise of influencer marketing in the music industry particularly, has seen emerging artists launch to stardom through viral popularity, create hype around new music and reach large fan followings. Sounds like something youre interested in? Then heres your official invitation to hop on the influencer marketing bandwagon. All aboard!

Lets begin by defining what an influencer actually is.



What is an influencer?



By definition, an influencer is someone who can form or shape opinions and possess a certain kind of influence over their audience. Usually this person will have a large social media following of loyal fans who will trust their judgement and opinions on certain products or services.

In the music industry, an influencer is a powerful resource for small and emerging artists who want to get their music heard by a large audience. Influencers can help promote newer artists and their music through a number of ways, including;

 Reviewing and elevating tracks, albums or music video releases

 Creating viral moments or trends using an artists music

 Increasing an artists online following

 Increasing an artists streams, no. of listeners, gig tickets and merch sales



How does influencer marketing work?



For musicians looking to harness the power of influencer marketing to promote their music, its good to remember that this kind of promotion method is a transactional-based one.

What this means is that often both parties (in this case you, the artist & the influencer) will reap the benefits.

Youll benefit from getting your music broadcasted to a large audience of loyal and engaged followers, who could in turn transform into loyal and engaged listeners. Whilst the influencer will benefit by raising their profile and more often now than not, making some money along the way (which well get into a bit later!).

Best social media platforms for music influencer marketing

So now the question you might be asking yourself is  where can I find an influencer? Where is the best place for an influencer to promote my music?

You asked and weve provided.

1. TikTok



Arguably the biggest and best place to get your music to go viral in the current social media landscape, TikTok has seen huge growth over the past couple of years and currently hosts over 1 billion users globally.

When youre sourcing TikTok influencers to work with, as a general rule of thumb its best to target influencers with a 5K  10K follower base. These are the influencers who are still working to grow their following which means theyll probably be more open to working with smaller artists to do just that.

On TikTok, the main way influencers can promote music is through making a TikTok video and using an artists track as the soundtrack. They might even use it to create a new dancing, singing or lip-syncing trend that could help it stand out and even go viral!

Dance Monkey by Tones and I: Industry Case Study



Tones and Iis an Australian upcoming artist who rose to fame last year when her song Dance Monkeysaw viral success after TikTok and YouTube personality Brent Rivera created a funny TikTok using the song as the backing track.







Despite the fact that shes only started releasing music in the past few years, Tones and I has already leveraged loads of publicity from TikTok, most of which has come off the back of the comedic use of her song, which even led to the well known Dance Monkey Challenge.



Watch the original TikTok video here.



2. Instagram



Currently owned by Facebook, Instagram has roughly 1 billion active users and holds huge potential for cross-platform marketing, especially if the influencer youre partnering with has strong followings across various social media platforms.

Stories & Reels are the ultimate powerhouses for Instagram music promo. Like TikTok, when an influencer features a track in their Post, Story or Reel, a link to the track will then be automatically added to the apps in-house music library.

Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo: Industry Case Study



One of the top viral trending songs on Instagram Reels in 2021 was Olivia Rodrigos Drivers License which was released in January of last year and became an instant social media hit.



The songs popularity rose to new heights when social media personality and influencer Kim Kardashian West, posted it as the soundtrack to her Instagram Story just a month after its initial release.















At just 18 years old, with exposure from BIG household influencers like Kim K, Olivia Rodrigo has proven to be a breakout star from her viral success.

3. YouTube



Now this ones probably a given.

Despite being the older of the previous two, YouTube remains a great platform for artists aiming to extend their reach to new audiences. Why? YouTube influencers are some of the biggest major tastemakers for millions of younger music fans.

One of the reasons for YouTubes individual success is its more permanent video quality  compared to the fleeting nature of Instagram & TikToks short lived and often non-ephemeral (such as 24 hour Stories) posts.

A video on YouTube can rank for a long time, meaning any content you have on there about your or your music can help generate views and streams for years to come.

Old Town Road by Lil Nas X (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus): Industry Case Study



Established YouTube music review critic and tastemaker Anthony Fantano, posted a time-lapse of himself listening to Lil Nas Xs (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus) Old Town Roadbefore sharing his positive review to over 678,000 subscribers.





If this wasnt enough to send the song viral, Lil Nas X joined in as well, posting a video of some of the tracks best meme mash-ups to his YouTube channel. Through a more innovative approach to distribution, Lil Nas X is an example of how artists can be active players in the promotion of their songs through different YouTube communities and tastemakers.

4. Snapchat



While Snapchat is less popular in recent years, the platform is still used by over 280 million users. Plus the app is continuing to roll out new features that are geared towards sharing music, such as Snapchat Spotlight and Snapchat Sounds.

5. Twitch



Since the beginning of the Covid-19 era, live stream gaming has seen a massive influx.

An influencer doesnt need to be a social media celebrity. They could be a gamer who plays your music in the background while they live stream. Something as simple as that with a shoutout to their viewers while it plays and a link to your track in the chat could be just as effective as any viral vid hype.

How to get influencers to promote your music



Theres an endless number of content creators across the web. So where do you begin trying to source real world and relevant influencers to promote your music?



1. Get online



Use Google and the discovery feature of some different social media to locate a couple of potential influencers that you would be interested in working with.



2. Check out their content



When finding an influencer to promote your music, performing a quick but necessary screening of their content is one of the very first steps in the process of weeding out the ones you want to work with vs. the ones you dont.

Consider things like: What are they posting about? Whats the overall message theyre using their socials to send out? And more importantly, would you want your music to be associated with this message?



3. Make sure your brands align

Only choose influencers whose branding complements yours.

Maybe the influencer youve found is a huge advocate for world hunger or climate change  thats great! But do either of those things resonate with you and your music personally? If not, its time to move on brother.

Although you might agree with their mission, thats not enough. If your brands dont directly correlate with one another, the partnership could feel a bit mismatched  and risk confusing your followers and/or any new potential listeners.



4. Do a deep-dive into their engagement levels

Follower counts arent everything (and more often than not, theyre bought!).

Having 10 million followers does not necessarily guarantee good engagement levels. So its best to look at parameters which depend on real-life user interaction  such as the no. of likes or comments they receive on their content. This will immediately give you a good insight into the success of their engagement, and whether or not their platform is worth your time and effort for getting a decent return.

5. Consider your budget

Nowadays, content creators and influencers tend to charge fees in return for their work. Around $20  $50 per post is about the going rate for a smaller micro influencer. Bigger influencers will unsurprisingly charge more.

But like a lot of things in the world of social media and fast-moving trends, influencer collaborations are a gamble. Theres no guarantee that youll reap the return youre hoping for.

Thats why its better to spread your budget out across several smaller influencers whore making great content to boost your chances of connecting with multiple different followings, rather than splurging on one single influencer and running the risk of alienating other potential audiences.

Remember  you can negotiate fees with an influencer based on things like



 Their average no. of story views and swipe ups



 Their average no. of website clicks



 Their average engagement over the past 30 days

6. Create a spreadsheet & start pitching

Once youve narrowed down a list of influencers that you know youd like to reach out to, create a spreadsheet to keep record of all the important info.

Make a note of each influencers



 Name



 Social media handle



 Contact no./email address (usually you can find one of these in the bio of their profile)

Start making your way down the list and approaching influencers directly, either by email, their website or through a social media DM.

But a quick tip before you actually contact them  take some time to build a rapport with them. This could be simply liking and commenting on their vids or posts. This means theyll be more familiar with your username when you do message, and it could always work in your favour when it comes to negotiating prices or even getting some work done for free.

How to measure the success of your music influencer campaign



So youve recruited an influencer to promote your music and the campaigns now in full swing  congrats!

But how can you go about actually measuring the success of your campaign and whether or not its worked as well as youd hoped?

The main marker of any successful influencer campaign = conversion.

And in the case of music promotion, conversion translates to the number of social media followers who turn into active listeners or streams.

So thats followers clicking the link from the social media platform to your song and searching for the song themselves on a music streaming platform.

A good way to get insights into this is to measure whether the number of new streams of your track is paralleling the posts and trends your influencer is making.

Remember  the ultimate goal with influencer marketing is to promote your music and find new fans.

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An NYPD captain who alleged a top department commander buried her discrimination complaint before he was caught posting racist messages on an internet bulletin board has settled with the city for $800,000.

Captain Sharon Balli claimed in her 2021 lawsuit that Deputy Inspector James Kobel, then the No. 2 in the NYPDs Equal Employment Opportunity office, promised to investigate her allegations that she experienced frat-house sexism in the Manhattan South Narcotics unit, and suffered retaliation when she complained.

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I just wanted to let you know that my investigators brought me up to speed on your complaint, Kobel wrote, according to Ballis complaint. We will certainly be in touch with you to conduct an interview and to gather additional information.

But Kobel never even formally interviewed her, she alleged. Instead, he tipped off the targets of her complaints, she claimed.

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Captain Sharon Balli (Obtained by Daily News)

Three weeks later, then-Police Commissioner Dermot Shea promoted Kobel to commander of the Equal Employment Opportunity unit.

Kobel, though, was living a secret life. Posing as Clouseau  the name of Peter Sellers Pink Panther detective  he secretly posted hundreds of obscene and racist messages on The Rant, an online bulletin board frequented by current and retired cops.

Kobel was exposed in November 2020 and was fired by Shea in February 2021.

Captain Sharon Balli claimed in her 2021 lawsuit that Deputy Inspector James Kobel (pictured), then the No. 2 in the NYPDs Equal Employment Opportunity office, promised to investigate her allegations that she experienced frat-house sexism in the elite Manhattan South Narcotics unit.

Balli joined the NYPD in 2004, and became its first Guyanese female captain. She served for 23 years active and reserve duty in the U.S. Army, including four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. She earned a Bronze Star and other commendations and retired as a major.

She initially sued in 2020 for $5 million, claiming a captain in Manhattan narcotics, Harlton Marachilian, told her, You need more sex to stay calm. Sex is good for stress.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

She also claimed another captain, Edwin Nuez, boasted about paying for sex during vacations abroad.

When she reported the comments to her boss, Deputy Inspector Andrew Arias, he told her, Stand down and stay in your lane.

After she complained to Arias, her colleagues allegedly broke her computer and phone and filed a complaint against her for installing a small surveillance camera in the office. That complaint sparked an Internal Affairs investigation that nearly led to her arrest before a Daily News story about her case.

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That probe was handled by Internal Affairs Bureau Group 1, which investigates captains and above. That unit referred her case to Julio Cuevas, the deputy chief of the Manhattan DAs Public Corruption Unit. The DAs office declined to prosecute.

Captain Sharon Balli (Obtained by Daily News)

This settlement would not be necessary if the distinguished career of Captain Balli was not senselessly ruined, said lawyer John Scola. We hope that this lawsuit will lead to the punishment of the people responsible and the review of all cases overseen by Kobel while he commanded the NYPDs Equal Employment office.

Balli technically remains on the job until April. I will try to cherish those memories rather than dwell on the negative actions of a few bad actors as I transition into the next stage of my life, she said.

A city Law Department spokesman said the settlement was in the best interests of both parties. The NYPD referred a reporter to the Law Department.
Williamstown Board Names New DIRE Member, Supports Cable Mills Project

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Select Board on Monday appointed an official at the Williams College Museum of Art to fill a vacant seat on the town's diversity committee.

Noah Kane-Smalls joins the Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee after receiving the wholehearted support of the Select Board and the only other candidate to come forward for the vacant spot.

"Noah Smalls is my competitor?" asked Bilal Ansari, a founding member of the DIRE Committee and the first of two candidates to come before the Select Board at Monday's virtual meeting. "If Noah Smalls wants to be on DIRE, let me move out of the way and let him be on DIRE. That's awesome. I just found this out right now. Had I known that, I would have bowed out and made room for a new voice and new energy.

"Noah Smalls is an awesome person to have on DIRE.  He has my vote."

Smalls is the director of exhibitions and collection management at WCMA who has focused on "healing communities through engagement with the arts" according to the application he submitted to the town.

On Monday, he told the Select Board that he and his wife have two sons in the local schools and he is interested in helping address the issues that DIRE has been tackling since it was formed in the summer of 2020.

"I'm from Philadelphia, and I still own and operate an art gallery there," Smalls said. "And I direct another community art gallery that's a non-profit. And the focus of both galleries is community building. That's my focus in my career in the arts.

"I really am hopeful to become a part of this committee to move the ball forward, if you will  just the continual evolution of Williamstown into exactly what it needs to be for everyone, especially for me and my family."

A vacancy on the DIRE Committee opened up when another original member of the group, Kerri Nicoll, decided to step down this winter. Although Ansari's withdrawal made Smalls' appointment a foregone conclusion, several members of the Select Board talked about their reasons for endorsing him before participating in a 5-0 vote to formally appoint Smalls.

"I appreciate your perspective and your willingness to serve," Hugh Daley said. "The town is made better by the active service of residents like you."

The Select Board also took a couple of steps toward providing more documentation for Smalls and his colleagues to consider in their DIRE discussions.

An article passed overwhelmingly by town meeting in 2020 called on all town boards and committees file quarterly reports to DIRE "to address progress toward" goals like structural racism and making the town more accessible

Select Board Chair Andy Hogeland said Monday he knows of just one body, the trustees of the Milne Public Library, which has completed such a report. But in consultation with chairs of other committees, Hogeland drafted a form that those panels can use to produce those reports in the future.

The Select Board also took a first look at the form Hogeland hopes it will approve for use by town boards at its meeting later this month. He also presented a draft three-page report that he proposed the Select Board use for its initial report to DIRE on the diversity, equity inclusion work the Select Board has undertaken in the last 18 months.

"It was surprising to me how many things had been initiated or actually completed," Hogeland said. "Once I pulled them together, it got to be a pretty long list."

Jeffrey Johnson said the reporting process, rather than burden for committees, should be a tool that those bodies can use to think about their own activities.

"It's not like a checklist where we say, 'This is done. This is done,'" Johnson said. "Let's say we did something for accessibility. It doesn't mean we're done with it.

"I think [reports are a way] to keep the continuity as chairs change, board members change, to make sure we don't lose something in the cracks.  When these reports come in, I think it's up to the Select Board to work with those particular committees and their chairs to say, 'You have a recommendation or you have something you want to work on,' and they may need something from us. It's not just documenting what we're doing. Sometimes, we might need help, and it's outside the parameters of our committee."

The Select Board took no action on the reporting question. It did vote to sign on to a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development supporting Mitchell Properties' application for government funding for a 54-unit apartment complex on Water Street where the developer plans 27 units available to residents making 60 percent or less than the area median income.

In light of a pending request to the town's Community Preservation Committee for $400,000 in CPA funds to support that project, Daley suggested that the board's letter include language saying it expects Williamstown residents will have first crack at the income-restricted units.

"I'm very much in favor of a commemoration of our expectation that it's an important thing," Daley said. "We're going to put Williamstown citizens' money in here, so it's our expectation when it's built that the first people who go into the units are people who paid for the units."

Hogeland said he was not sure such a preference could be built into the financing of the project.

In 2014 , town officials pushed for preferential treatment for former residents of the Spruces Mobile Home Park when the Highland Woods senior housing project was in development. The developer was able to negotiate a "weighted lottery" that gave some advantage to those displaced by Tropical Storm Irene when filling the 40-unit complex.

Town Manager Charlie Blanchard pointed out that while a potential $400,000 contribution from the town is significant, it is less than 2 percent of the projected cost of the River Lofts development at Cable Mills.

Jane Patton and Johnson both said they were uncomfortable including language about a preference into the letter of support, and Wade Hasty contributed, "A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet."

In the end, no one supported Daley's suggestion, and the board agreed unanimously to sign the letter of support essentially as drafted.

In other business Monday, the Select Board heard from a resident concerned about a lack of transparency and responsiveness from the North Adams Airport Commission. Hogeland said he has asked Williamstown resident and commission member Dan Caplinger to update the board at a future meeting.

Blanchard told the board that the town expects to have a final draft of proposed human resources policy revisions available for review in the next couple of weeks. The revisions are a product of an HR audit ordered by the Select Board in 2020  one of the action steps listed by Hogeland as a response to the August 2020 passage of Article 37 by town meeting.

Daley said the town's second advertisement in less than a year for a town manager will go live this week with hopes of doing interviews in March.

"Charlie sent a note today noting that at the [upcoming Massachusetts Municipal Association] conference, there are already 10 towns in our region looking for town managers," Daley said. "It is still a tight market. It is still an in-demand service. We're going to have to compete for our person.

"But we feel we're pretty well positioned as a community in terms of size and salary offered. We'll have to see how it goes."

And Hasty and interim Police Chief Mike Ziemba joined the meeting to announce that the public is invited to a daylong conversation about policing at Mount Greylock Regional School on Saturday, March 12. The workshop is the core of the Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships initiative, a program of the Department of Justice that the WPD brought to town.

"The Department of Justice has been working in communities across the country to hold events such as this as an outgrowth of the Civil Rights Act of 1964," Hasty said. "The SPCP program was developed on the premise that everyone desires a safe community. For over 40 years, the Community Relations Service of the United States Department of Justice has recognized the value of utilizing productive dialogue to assist community members in identifying and addressing public safety through problem-solving and police and community partnerships."
Finalists for Lever's Bennington County Intrapreneur Challenge

BENNINGTON, Vt.  Representatives from five Bennington County companies will compete for a $25,000 award as finalists in the Bennington County Intrapreneur Challenge.

"I'm excited to work with these five very different, and very interesting, Bennington companies," said Lever Executive Director Jeffrey Thomas. "By supporting these teams' innovations through Lever's Challenge program, we hope to see business success that leads to jobs, revenue, and economic development for Bennington County."

This new program from Lever is designed to help existing companies use the tools of entrepreneurship to create new, innovative products and services that will grow revenues and create jobs.

Grateful Dog Training, Star Wind Turbines, Old Mill Road Media, Authentic Designs, and MSK Engineers will participate in Lever's program. These companies will be supported by research by Bennington College students, through a series of workshops on applying methods that startups use, and by a group of expert mentors.

Mentors are John Antonucci of LaunchVT; Michael Cushman, formerly at St. Gobain and now retired; Michael Marchinetti of OC&C Strategy Consultants, Shari Siegel of Ranieri Partners; and Jeffrey Thomas, Lever's executive director. The Challenge will culminate with a final pitch event in March 2022.

About the Finalists

Authentic Designs, West Rupert, Vt.

Authentic Designs is a 50+ year-old manufacturing company specializing in the reproduction of 18th- and 19th-century lighting. Authentic Designs is developing a new line of early 20th-century reproduction lighting and developing a method to use solar energy or other renewable energy to power period-specific light fixtures.

Grateful Dog Training, Manchester, Vt.

Grateful Dog provides hands-on dog training services with a focus on positive reinforcement. The company is currently working to develop an online platform with video tutorials to support personalized learning plans for dog/handler teams as well as a "Rescue Dog Detox and Development" program with online support.

MSK Engineers

MSK is a team of civil engineers working on innovations in the identification and replacement of lead drinking water service lines. Through MSK's work with the Town of Bennington, the company implemented a novel approach to identify lead drinking water pipes, which it plans to bring to other municipalities in the region and beyond.

Old Mill Road Media

Old Mill Road is a media company that publishes Vermont Magazine, Vermont News Guide, Berkshire Magazine, Stratton Magazine, and Manchester Life. Old Mill Road is developing a new regional magazine and specialty guide to launch in 2022.

Star Wind Turbines

Star Wind Turbines is developing a new small wind turbine design that would have the capability to power and heat a single home. This product would also be able to connect to single or three-phase power grids or combine with solar panels, creating an energy solution that combines sustainable sources.
State Launches COVID-19 Digital Vaccine Card Tool

BOSTON  The Baker-Polito Administration announced a tool that gives residents a new way to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history.

The new tool, called My Vax Records, allows people who received their vaccination in Massachusetts to access their own vaccination history and generate a COVID-19 digital vaccine card, which would contain similar vaccination information to a paper CDC card.

The COVID-19 digital vaccine cards produced by the system utilize the SMART Health Card platform and generate a QR code that can be used to verify vaccination. The Administration is not requiring residents to show proof of vaccination to enter any venue, but this tool will help residents who would like to access and produce a digital copy of their record.

Access the new tool at MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov

How It Works: a person enters their name, date of birth, and mobile phone number or email associated with their vaccine record. After creating a 4-digit PIN, the user receives a link to their vaccine record that will open upon re-entry of the PIN.

The electronic record shows the same information as a paper CDC vaccine card: name, date of birth, date of vaccinations, and vaccine manufacturer. It also includes a QR code that makes these same details readable by a QR scanner, including smartphone apps. Once the SMART Health Card is received, users are able to save the QR code to their phone, such as the Apple Wallet, screenshot the information and save it to their phones photos, or print out a copy for a paper record. The system follows national standards for security and privacy.

This system provides an optional way that residents can access their vaccination information and a COVID-19 digital vaccine card. This will provide residents with another tool to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, should it be requested by businesses, local governments, or other entities.

The system leverages the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), the official database used by health care providers across the state to record vaccination information. The system relies on hundreds of providers inputting demographic and health information.

Some users may not be able to immediately find their record, or may find an incomplete record. Residents whose record cannot be found or is incomplete can either contact their health care provider or contact the MIIS team to update their records. Learn more about the tool and view frequently-asked-questions at www.mass.gov/myvaxrecord.

Massachusetts has worked with VCI, a voluntary coalition of public and private organizations which developed the open-source SMART Health Card Framework in use by other states. The VCI coalition is dedicated to improving privacy and security of patient information, making medical records portable and reducing healthcare fraud.

My Vax Records is just one way residents can obtain their COVID vaccination record. Pharmacies that administered the COVID vaccine and many health care providers also are making SMART Health Cards available, or are providing additional options.
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A trio of fake cops who kidnapped and robbed a man of three kilos of cocaine and about $160,000 in the Bronx had the bad luck to come across real cops after a witness called 911, federal authorities said Wednesday.

Rashiem Council, Paris Fulton and Terrence McKee face federal narcotics conspiracy and firearms charges in a complaint filed in Manhattan Federal Court. The man they were trying to rob, Michael Garcia, was also charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute.

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Council, Fulton and McKee geared up to look like cops so they could force their way into Garcias Crotona apartment on E. 178th St. near Clinton Ave., where their target lived with his partner and two young children.

But their getup didnt look much like real NYPD gear.

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One of them wore a holster and black vest with buckles similar to the ones found on a bullet-proof vest, while another sorted a jacket with the word Security on the back, according to a federal complaint. At least one of the men carried a Taser and a security badge, the complaint alleges, and at least one had a gun.

The three hoods rushed into Garcias apartment and chased him to his bedroom, demanding at gunpoint that he and his partner get on the floor, the feds allege. They handcuffed Garcia and asked where he hid his drugs ad money, and Garcia gestured to a bedroom closet.

Inside, the crooks found shopping bags filled with drugs and cash, authorities said.

The bogus cops then walked Garica, in cuffs, out of the apartment and into an elevator, the feds allege.

Police apprehended two of the would-be cops and their victim after a brief foot chase, cops said. The victims drugs and weapons were also recovered. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Real NYPD officers responding to a 911 call met the suspects when the elevator reached the ground floor, authorities said.

They tried to avoid the officers and continued walking towards the front door, the Manhattan Federal Court complaint reads. The officers asked the police impersonators what law enforcement unit they were with, and the police impersonators claimed that their sergeant was waiting for them outside, the complaint said.

Once outside, the bogus cops got outside, they made a run for it  as did Garcia, authorities said.

The real cops gave chase, quickly catching up with Garcia, Council, 31, and McKee, 33. One of the men tossed a gun onto the street, and police found two more guns near the apartment building, said officials.

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The "uniforms" of the suspects are pictured Wednesday. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

Police arrested Fulton shortly after, when he returned to the scene to try and retrieve his car.

While the fake cops wore blue tactical uniforms, they werent wearing police shields or anything with the NYPD logo, a police source said.

Police apprehended two of the would-be cops and their victim after a brief foot chase, cops said. The victims drugs and weapons were also recovered. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

The alleged robbers could face up a mandatory minimum of 12 years behind bars, and up to life in prison if theyre convicted, while Garcia could face a mandatory minimum of five years, and a maximum of 40 years.
A new trial is scheduled to begin in April for suspected serial killer Billy Chemirmir, who is accused of murdering at least 18 elderly women in Texas over the course of a two-year time span.

The initial case against Chemirmir was declared a mistrial in November, after jurors revealed they were left hopelessly deadlocked at 11-1. Hed been facing a capital murder charge at the time in the slaying of 81-year-old Lu Thi Harris, who was smothered with a pillow and then robbed of her jewelry.

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Defendant Billy Chemirmir lowers his mask as a state witness is asked to identify him during his murder trial at the Frank Crowley Courts Building in Dallas, Wednesday, November 17, 2021. (Tom Fox/AP)

After the mistrial, Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot vowed he would retry the case. The date has now been set for April 25, according to court records.

Chemirmir was arrested in March 2018, after he allegedly forced his way into the apartment of 91-year-old Mary Bartel at an independent living community for seniors, located in the Dallas suburb of Plano. A preliminary investigation brought officers to Chermirmirs nearby apartment, where they discovered a trove of documents, jewelry and cash.

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Among the recovered evidence, they discovered a large red jewelry box police said led them to a Dallas home, where Harris was found dead in her bedroom. Since then, authorities have linked another 17 murders to the 49-year-old suspect but have noted they believe the actual toll is even higher.

Defense attorney Kobby Warren said after the mistrial that the evidence against Chemirmir was all circumstantial. He has also maintained his innocence in the case.

With News Wire Services
"I've won the Golden Ticket": 'The Book of Boba Fett' star Ming-Na Wen on hitting the Disney-Marvel-'Star Wars' trifecta
Five journalists and their driver died in a ghastly car crash on Tuesday 11 January in Nyamikoma area in Busega district, Simiyu Region in northern Tanzania.

The journalists were traveling in the convoy of the Simiyu Regional Commissioner, David Kafulila, to a public event in Ukerewe, as part of the tour of Mwanza province.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Journalists Workers Union of Tanzania (JOWUTA) in extending its sincere condolences to the families of the journalists who lost their lives and to all the media fraternity in Tanzania.

The vehicle was reportedly involved in a head collision with a minibus coming in the opposite direction which attempted to overtake other cars and crashed in their convoy of local communication officials, television and newspapers journalists.

According to a statement issued by JOWUTA, the media workers who lost their lives in the accident were Mwanza Regional Information officer, Abel Ngapemba, Ukerewe District Information Officer, Steven Msengi, Johari Shani of the Uhuru Media Group, Husna Mlonzi, Anthony Chuwa of ITV and the Driver, Paul Silanga all died on the spot. Vanny Charles of Icon TV and Freelance journalist, Tunu Herman, sustained injuries and are still admitted in hospital. The crash also claimed the lives of eight other passengers.

JOWUTA, who joins victims' families and loved ones in mourning, also paid tribute to all the deceased journalists for their service to the Tanzanian media with professionalism and dedication.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "This is a terrible tragedy that is devastating to the whole profession. These journalists died in the service of their public and their deaths are a huge loss to their families and profession. The IFJ extends its deepest condolences to their families, colleagues in JOWUTA and the entire media fraternity in Tanzania."
Cindy Rimbey launched CR Gutters in Sumner, Washington, almost 40 years ago with a single truck that she drove door-to-door prospecting for customers. Today, the business, which she co-owns with her son Nick, has nine trucks, 28 employees, and a constantly expanding roster of residential and commercial customers throughout the greater Tacoma area. Her customer acquisition strategy has changed just as radically over the years, and search engine optimization (SEO) is now its primary driver.

Rimbey was an early adopter of SEO almost a decade ago, which turned out to be a wise decision. Nowadays, 86 percent of consumers rely on the internet to find local businesses, and 29 percent search for local businesses at least once a week. More and more small and midsize businesses (SMBs) have come to realize that SEO is an effective and affordable way to increase customer engagement, website traffic, and conversions. But getting there is not always easy, as Rimbey can attest.

When we first started with SEO, we hooked up with a provider that made all the promises in the world, she recalls. They got me to the number one spot on Google pretty easily, since SEO was really still in its infancy, but then Google did an algorithm change and everything crashed.

SEO is not set-and-forget

In fact, SEO best practices are constantly being improved and updated. Its important that SMBs keep pace in order to optimize their SEO performance. Since Google now makes many of algorithm changes every year, keeping up can be a challenge. SEO cannot be a set-it-and-forget-it proposition. Achieving maximum results requires specialized skillsets. The most common mistake many SMBs make is failing to find a partner with the right skillsets to meet their specific SEO needs.

An important part of SEO hygiene is conducting regular audits. An SEO audit should focus on the KPIs most important to the individual business. Some common ones are organic traffic, keyword ranking, bounce rate, and sales or lead generation. A comprehensive audit should scrutinize website architecture (which is important for keeping up with algorithmic updates), backlinks, and content.

When CR Gutters SEO performance tanked, Rimbey jumped ship to another provider, but to no avail. He basically did nothing, so I just lost traction there for about six months, she says. She had better luck with her third provider, who got her company to the top of search page rankings in six or seven nearby cities.

That was important to us, because we do a lot of branding, Rimbey explains. CR Gutters trucks boast eye-catching graphics that prominently feature the companys website URL, phone number, and its We do gutters! logo. The company carries that same look through its ads on buses and billboards to reinforce its branding. When prospective customers do a Google search and see our name, theyre reminded that theyve heard of our company before through all our other branding efforts, she says.

Supporting rapid growth

With CR Gutters continuing to grow steadily, top-of-page search rankings in six or seven cities were no longer enough. I wanted to be everywhere, and I wanted it to happen quickly, Rimbey says. The provider I was using was unable to do that, so I met with iLocal. They said they could, and they did.

Since switching to iLocal early in 2021, Rimbey regularly searches gutters, rain gutters, and related terms for about 70 municipalities in her companys extended marketplace. We routinely come up number one on every page, she says. We sit down with the iLocal team every couple of months to go over what were doing, and they send us regular reports. Partnering with them has helped me learn more about how SEO works, whats effective, and whats not.

Rimbey also turned over responsibility for her companys website to iLocal, a move she says complements the SEO initiative. I think Ive always had a pretty good website, but they made it a bit more user-friendly and up-to-date, and they tweaked it on the backend. Its very important that people be able to navigate the site easily.

Rimbey sees lots more growth ahead for CR Gutters, thanks in large part to its SEO strategy. But it has created one problem. The truth is, we are turning down new business now because were so busy, she laments. But as problems go, thats a great one to have.
A 27-year-old Los Angeles police officer looking at houses with his girlfriend was shot and killed during an attempted robbery, according to officials.

Fernando Arroyos, a three-year veteran of the LAPD, was spending his day off Monday on a hunt for a house, a place to live, a place to buy and invest in the city and in the future of this region, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said during a meeting of the Police Commission Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Police responded to a 911 call around 9:15 p.m. Monday in unincorporated Los Angeles and found Arroyos lying unresponsive in an alley with at least one gunshot wound, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital in a patrol car and pronounced dead.

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Five adults  three men and two women  have been detained as part of the ongoing investigation, but no murder charges have been filed, according to the sheriffs office.

Officer Fernando Arroyos (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.)

Arroyos and his girlfriend, who has not been publicly identified, had just gotten out of their car and were walking up to the house when three suspects drove up, Moore said, according to the Times. Arroyos told his girlfriend to run and exchanged gunfire with the other group.

Two weapons were found at the scene, one registered to Arroyos.

We mourn the loss of Officer Fernando Uriel Arroyos who was killed while off-duty in a senseless act of violence, the LAPD said in a statement Tuesday.

God bless his family who lost their loved one, & the men and women of the (department) during this difficult time.

A second man suffered a non-fatal gunshot wound just a few miles away, but officials said its unclear if the two shootings are related.
An updated version of the Covid-19 vaccine that targets the omicron variant is expected to arrive this year -- and it could be a lifeline for some businesses.

The chiefs at both Pfizer and Moderna discussed their work on updating vaccines that fight the coronavirus during J.P. Morgan's Annual HealthCare Conference on Monday. As widely reported, Pfizer's vaccine against the omicron variant could arrive as soon as March.

Meanwhile, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel noted that the Massachusetts-based pharma company is looking to create protection against multiple viruses within a single shot, starting with the flu. "We are working towards adding flu to Covid in the same dose, then adding [respiratory syncytial virus] to Covid and flu, then adding more and more viruses," Bancel said Monday during the conference. "We really want to build the world portfolio in that single shot."

The first combo jab could help take aim at the growing phenomena of "flurona" -- in which a person simultaneously contracts the Covid-19 and the flu.

That could help industries such as food production and airlines that continue to be affected by the omicron variant; and nearly all businesses have to cope with absences tied to seasonal flu. A combo-vaccine is also more time effective -- rather than venturing out for two different shots, certain populations could receive protection in just one annual jab.

But as we move closer to what looks like another vaccine dose this year, there's already a re-evaluation taking place -- especially within health care -- as to what qualifies as "fully vaccinated" and how businesses define that status moving forward. More companies are now requiring workers to get a booster if they want to hang onto their roles. Meta, on Tuesday, became the latest to require employees to get boosted if they want to work on the premises.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
About MatchMove



Finahub Technology Solutions has selected MatchMoves Embedded Banking platform to enable Banks & NBFCs in India to offer wallets & prepaid cards to customers for gold-backed lending, under the brand Akshayous.Akshayous is a gold-backed BNPL product launched by Finahub that enables customers to deposit their gold jewellery with a partner NBFC and get a prepaid card, with an assigned credit limit based on the value of the gold deposited.A recent study from KPMG shows that 97% of Indians use gold as a source of credit. [1] This presents a vast addressable market opportunity for Finahub and Akshayous is initially targeting existing customers of Gold Loan NBFCs who are the most immediate segment in need of credit. The product especially empowers salaried women to unlock the value of their gold jewellery while ensuring the safety of their jewellery in an insured NBFC locker.Using a MatchMove-enabled Rupay General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) Card - both physical and virtual - the customers of Finahubs partner NBFCs will enjoy seamless purchases online and offline. The MatchMove Just-In-Time (M-JIT) funding solution empowers the end-users to unlock the value of their gold jewellery in real-time. The unique advantage of these MatchMove enabled prepaid cards is that customers of NBFCs will be able to use the cards to make BNPL purchases (Buy Now Pay Later) and also withdraw cash against their credits using the MatchMove RupayCards.With MatchMoves full-featured Banking Operating System (MMBOS) solution, Finahub can now offer higher personalisation and efficiencies to their clients including prepaid cards linked to gold-backed credit line services. Matchmove issues co-brand cards for companies like Finahub in partnership with IndusInd Bank.Our initial focus will be to grow the portfolio and customer reach. In later stages, we will target low and medium salaried individuals, daily wage workers who have gold jewellery but do not have access to credit purchase channels. MatchMove with its cutting-edge technology solution supports and advances us in our mission. We value this partnership and believe that this collaboration will further accelerate our growth, said Finahubs Co-founder and CEO, Rajesh Sukumaran.MatchMove is committed to improving digital financial inclusion across the region, for individuals and businesses, and we are excited to partner with Finahub in taking this vision forward. The solution is uniquely tailored for Finahubs clients to decide on the real-time funding requests originating on the MatchMove platform with the convenience of receiving and responding to these requests on their platform. We are confident that this solution will provide convenience and better access to finance for the underserved. said MatchMoves South Asia General Manager, Pranav Barthwal.For more information on MatchMoves services, please visit the company's website at www.matchmove.com MatchMove is a fast-growing and disruptive fintech company in digital payments and banking. The company's proprietary Banking OS enables Embedded Banking and the capabilities of Spend.Send.Lend.Defend.Ascend within our clients existing apps. Envisioning a financially inclusive world, MatchMove's solutions help enterprise clients digitalise payments and give financially underserved segments the power to move their money anytime and anywhere.MatchMove is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and authorised by leading card networks to issue virtual and physical cards along with virtual wallet accounts directly to users in approved jurisdictions, or anywhere else in the world with partner banks. MatchMove is one of the first NFI members of the FAST payments network in Singapore, thus authorised to provide faster and real-time payments to clients. The company is headquartered in Singapore with offices in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the Philippines.

About Finahub

Finahub Technology Solution (FTS) is a software technology solutions company based in Kochi, Kerala that provides technology solutions to financial market players in India. FTS is founded by a team of experts who have several years of experience in the financial software segment.Finahubs full-stack implementation of India stack for Indian enterprises enables their customers to easily integrate Aadhaar enabled services with their existing services. The solutions enable secure Aadhaar data storage and permission granular sharing of data with authorized fintech partners of their customers.Some of their major customers are Federal Bank, South Indian Bank, Dhanalaxmi Bank, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, Muthoot Finance, DMI Finance. For more information, visit www.finahub.com
The Central Government has secured the approval of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the export of Indian mangoes to the USA in the new season. Consumers in the United States (US) would now have access to excellent quality mangoes from India.The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the USA since 2020 as USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facility due to restrictions imposed on international travel because of the Covid-19 pandemic.Recently, according to the 12th India  USA Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting held on November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a framework agreement for implementing the 2 Vs 2 Agri market access issues.Under the agreement, India and the US would follow joint protocol on irradiation for Indias mango exports and pomegranate exports to the US and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from the US.A revised work plan has been worked out, including phase-wise transfer of oversight of preclearance of Irradiation treatment to India as agreed upon between both countries.As part of the mutual agreement, India will be able to export mangoes to the USA in the mango season commencing with the Alphonso variety of mangoes from March onwards. Notably, there is a huge acceptance and consumer preference of Indian mangoes in the USA as India had exported 800 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of mangoes to the USA in 2017-18 and the export value of the fruit was USD 2.75 Million.Similarly, in 2018-19, 951 MT mangoes of USD 3.63 Million were exported to the USA and 1,095 MT of USD 4.35 Million of mangoes were export to the USA in 2019-20.As per estimates received from the exporters, the export of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20.The USDA approval would pave the way for exports from traditional mango production belts such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Supreme Court issued a notice to the Uttarakhand government asking for its response to a petition seeking action against hate speeches at a conclave held in Uttarakhands Haridwar city last month, Bar and Bench reported. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana asked the state government to reply within 10 days.

At a dharam sansad, or religious parliament, held in Haridwar between December 17 and December 19, Hindu religious leaders had called upon their community to buy weapons to commit genocide against Muslims as they gave a clarion call for a Hindu nation.

What petitioners said

The petitioners in the case pointed out that orders had been passed in earlier judgments to appoint nodal officers to take action against such gatherings. In this case, the petitioners said, no nodal officer has been appointed. They said that the Supreme Court's orders were not being followed.

Twitter

What senior lawyer said

Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, also said that more Dharam Sansads have been announced. "Something needs to be done before the next Sansad," he said.

They [dharam sansads] are going to happen in states where the process of elections is going on, Sibal said. No arrests have happened, the countrys atmosphere will be vitiated, its contrary to what this Republic stands for, its ethos and values we cherish. This is a clear incitement to violence.

What court said

The court said that it will not hear the case on January 17, but allowed the petitioners to the police in places where such events are being held. As many as 76 lawyers of the Supreme Court had earlier written to Chief Justice of India NV Ramana to seek suo motu cognisance to be taken of the 'hate speech' and calls for 'ethnic cleansing' at two religious events held recently in Delhi and Haridwar.

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A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli heard the matter as a public interest litigation (PIL), demanding an investigation into the hate speeches targeting Muslims at the Haridwar Dharam Sansad.



Police action so far

Two first information reports have been filed in the case so far. The first FIR was filed on December 23 and had named just former Shia Waqf Board chief Jitendra Narayan Tyagi, who recently converted to Hinduism and changed his name from Wasim Rizvi.

On December 26, the Uttarakhand Police added the names of Annapurna, also known as Pooja Shakun Pandey, and priest Dharamdas Maharaj to the FIR. Annapurna is the general secretary of Hindutva organisation Hindu Mahasabha. On January 1, the names of Saraswati and seer Sagar Sindhu Maharaj were added in the FIR.

AP/Representational image

On January 2, a second first information report was filed against 10 persons, including Giri and Maharaj. The other accused persons named in the FIR are event organisers Dharamdas, Parmananda, Annapurna, Anand Swaroop, Ashwini Upadhyay, Suresh Chahwan and Prabodhanand Giri and Tyagi.



For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


National Youth Day is celebrated every year on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda was arguably the most inspiring person for the younger generation and hence his birthday, January 12, is celebrated as National Youth Day. A monk and a heartened disciple of Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekanand has been an influential personality who inspired by millions of people worldwide. His morals and magnetic aura are being celebrated even after a century of his demise.



wikimedia/ representational image

Swami Vivekananda should always be remembered for his inspiration to mankind. Swami, without a doubt, is the greatest source of achievement, pride and inspiration.

Today, we are celebrating National Youth Day, So here are some little-known facts about Swami Vivekananda you should probably don't know:

1. Pre-monastic name

Swami Vivekananda's pre-monastic name was Narendra Nath Datta. He was born with a temperament of yogis and used to meditate at a very early age.

2. Lived in extreme poverty

Swami Vivekanandas father died suddenly when he was young. This broke the financial backbone of his family and the whole family was pushed into poverty.

After his fathers death, his family was in extreme poverty. Many times Swamiji used to lie in the house where he has been invited to eat somewhere so that the rest of the people can get food properly.

3. Scored 56 per cent in BA exam

Swami Vivekanandas uncontested wisdom and eloquence as an orator and leader were made known to the world during his few years in public life. However, it is known by few that he was an average scorer all through his academic life. It is believed that he could only score 46 per cent at the university entrance level examination and around 56 per cent in his BA examinations. Moreover, he was said to be terrible at English grammar.

4. Iconic speech in Chicago

Swami Vivekanandas iconic speech at the World Religion Conference in Chicago is remembered by one and all. It is on September 11, 1893, when Swami Vivekanand gave a speech full of wisdom. For those unversed, it is in this iconic Chicago Speech that Vivekananda addressed the audience as Brothers and Sisters of America. In the speech that blew everyones mind, Swami Vivekananda had mentioned the basic yet most important things that one should follow in life.

Facts about Swami Vivekananda | Wikipedia

These things included being patriotic, loving all religions, analysing religion, being acquainted with science, knowing the importance and necessity of rituals, being aware of roots of Hinduism, being aware of the goal of science, being aware of the cause of the downfall of India, and being against religious conversations.

On hearing this, all the people present there stood up for him and played applause. The speech impressed the attendees so much that Swami Vivekananda went on to become Indias spiritual ambassador in America, and his teachings spread across the entire world.

5. Unemployed forever

Regardless of holding a BA degree, Vivekananda never secured a job. He even went door to door for work. Swami Vivekanandas faith in God was lost due to no employment and he started saying  God does not exist

6. Sharp memory

Facts about Swami Vivekananda | Twitter

Swamiji used to borrow books from the library and return it the next day. The librarian doubted whether he really read the books or not. So the librarian tested him by asking questions from a random page of the books. Swamiji answered them correctly and also quoted lines from the same page.

7. No entry for women inside the monastery

Though Vivekananda used to respect and worship women, entry for them was strictly prohibited in his monastery. Once when Swamiji was ill his disciples fetched his mother. Seeing his mother he shouted, Why did you allow a woman to come in? I was the one who made the rule and it is for me that the rule is being broken.

8. Became a monk from Narendra

When Swami Vivekananda became a monk from Narendra, his name was Swami Vividishanand, but before moving to Chicago, he changed his name to Vivekananda.

9. Serving humans is more than worshiping God

Facts about Swami Vivekananda | YouTube

After the death of his guru Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda sought to travel the length and breadth of India as a wandering monk. Ramakrishna taught Vivekananda that serving humans is more than worshiping God. It was during these travels that he gained extensive knowledge about the Hindu culture in India and came to understand the sufferings of the common man.

10. Suffered from 31 ailments and illnesses

During the course of his life, Swami Vivekananda suffered from as many as 31 ailments and illnesses. Liver and kidney damage, insomnia, migraine, asthma, diabetes are to name a few. He was rumoured to discern and inflict intense pain on his human body and disregarded its presence throughout his life.

11. Predicted his own death

Swamiji always used to say that he would not live beyond the age of 40 and he went to heaven at the age of 39 years

These little-known facts on Swami Vivekananda's life may surely made you feel that how inspiring life was this young man!

For more from trending, click here.


A shirtless Charlotte man scaled an electrical tower Sunday afternoon, leading to 20,000 people in the region losing power.

The unidentified man was discovered around 2 p.m. at the tower not far from I-77 on Charlottes southwest side, police said in a press release.

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The man was about 70 feet up when the cops got there. He responded to their arrival by climbing to the top of the tower. Because the tower was humming with electricity, police ordered local utility company Duke Energy to cut the power.

That tower was energized with six lines, each carrying about 115,000 volts, police officer Brian Foley told local Fox affiliate WJZY. I dont know what your faith is, but I think God was watching over him today.

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The outage was brief, and Duke Energy rerouted the electricity through different towers, police said.

Cops negotiated with the man for four hours before he climbed down safely.

Police said as the news spread on social media, someone flew a drone near the site and endangered the operation. The drone operator could face charges, cops said.

The tower-scaling man was transported to a local hospital. Police did not speculate on his motives, but said he would receive treatment for his mental and physical condition.
Forney, TX (75126)

Today

Thunderstorms during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Way back when, so the story goes, someone said wed only need five computers for the whole world. Its quite easy to argue that Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and the like are all implementations of a massively scalable compute cluster, with each server and each data center another component that adds up to build a huge, planetary-scale computer. In fact, many of the technologies that power our clouds were originally developed to build and run supercomputers using off-the-shelf commodity hardware.

Why not take advantage of the cloud to build, deploy, and run HPC (high-performance computing) systems that exist for only as long as we need them to solve problems? You can think of clouds in much the same way the filmmakers at Weta Digital thought about their render farms, server rooms of hardware built out to be ready to deliver the CGI effects for films like King Kong and The Hobbit. The equipment doubled as a temporary supercomputer for the New Zealand government while waiting to be used for filmmaking.

The first big case studies of the public clouds focused on this capability, using them for burst capacity that in the past might have gone to on-premises HPC hardware. They showed a considerable cost saving with no need to invest in data center space, storage, and power.

Introducing Azure HPC

HPC capabilities remain an important feature for Azure and other clouds, no longer relying on commodity hardware but now offering HPC-focused compute instances and working with HPC vendors to offer their tools as a service, treating HPC as a dynamic service that can be launched quickly and easily while being able to scale with your requirements.

Azures HPC tools can perhaps best be thought of as a set of architectural principles, focused on delivering what Microsoft describes as big compute. Youre taking advantage of the scale of Azure to perform large-scale mathematical tasks. Some of these tasks might be big data tasks, whereas others might be more focused on compute, using a limited number of inputs to perform a simulation, for instance. These tasks include creating time-based simulations using computational fluid dynamics, or running through multiple Monte Carlo statistical analyses, or putting together and running a render farm for a CGI movie.

Azures HPC features are intended to make HPC available to a wider class of users who may not need a supercomputer but do need a higher level of compute than an engineering workstation or even a small cluster of servers can provide. You wont get a turnkey HPC system; youll still need to build out either a Windows or Linux cluster infrastructure using HPC-focused virtual machines and an appropriate storage platform, as well as interconnects using Azures high-throughput RDMA networking features.

Building an HPC architecture in the cloud

Technologies such as ARM and Bicep are key to building out and maintaining your HPC environment. Its not like Azures platform services, as you are responsible for most of your own maintenance. Having an infrastructure-as-code basis for your deployments should make it easier to treat your HPC infrastructure as something that can be built up and torn down as necessary, with identical infrastructures each time you deploy your HPC service.

Microsoft provides several different VM types for HPC workloads. Most applications will use the H-series VMs which are optimized for CPU-intensive operations, much like those youd expect from computationally demanding workloads focused on simulation and modelling. Theyre hefty VMs, with the HBv3 series giving you as many as 120 AMD cores and 448GB of RAM; a single server costs $9.12 an hour for Windows or $3.60 an hour for Ubuntu. An Nvidia InfiniBand network helps build out a low-latency cluster for scaling. Other options offer older hardware for lower cost, while smaller HC and H-series VMs use Intel processors as an alternative to AMD. If you need to add GPU compute to a cluster, some N-series VMs offer InfiniBand connections to help build out a hybrid CPU and GPU cluster.

Its important to note that not all H-series VMs are available in all Azure regions, so you may need to choose a region away from your location to find the right balance of hardware for your project. Be prepared to budget several thousand dollars a month for large projects, especially when you add storage and networking. On top of VMs and storage, youre likely to need a high-bandwidth link to Azure for data and results.

Once youve chosen your VMs, you need to pick an OS, a scheduler, and a workload manager. There are many different options in the Azure Marketplace, or if you prefer, you can deploy a familiar open source solution. This approach makes it relatively simple to bring existing HPC workloads to Azure or build on existing skill sets and toolchains. You even have the option of working with cutting-edge Azure services like its growing FPGA support. Theres also a partnership with Cray that delivers a managed supercomputer you can spin up as needed, and well-known HPC applications are available from the Azure Marketplace, simplifying installation. Be prepared to bring your own licenses where necessary.

Managing HPC with Azure CycleCloud

You dont have to build an entire architecture from scratch; Azure CycleCloud is a service that helps manage both storage and schedulers, giving you an environment to manage your HPC tools. Its perhaps best compared to tools like ARM, as its a way to build infrastructure templates that focus on a higher level than VMs, treating your infrastructure as a set of compute nodes and then deploying VMs as necessary, using your choice of scheduler and providing automated scaling.

Everything is managed through a single pane of glass, with its own portal to help control your compute and storage resources, integrated with Azures monitoring tools. Theres even an API where you can write your own extensions to add additional automation. CycleCloud isnt part of the Azure portal, it installs as a VM with its own web-based UI.

Big compute with Azure Batch

Although most of the Azure HPC tools are infrastructure as a service, there is a platform option in the shape of Azure Batch. This is designed for intrinsically parallel workloads, like Monte Carlo simulations, where each part of a parallel application is independent of every other part (though they may share data sources). Its a model suitable for rendering frames of a CGI movie or for life sciences work, for example analyzing DNA sequences. You provide software to run your task, built to the Batch APIs. Batch allows you to use spot instances of VMs where youre cost sensitive but not time dependent, running your jobs when capacity is available.

Not every HPC job can be run in Azure Batch, but for the ones that can, you get interesting scalability options that help keep costs to a minimum. A monitor service helps manage Batch jobs, which may run several thousand instances at the same time. Its a good idea to prepare data in advance and use separate pre- and post-processing applications to handle input and output data.

Using Azure as a DIY supercomputer makes sense. H-series VMs are powerful servers that provide plenty of compute capability. With support for familiar tools, you can migrate on-premises workloads to Azure HPC or build new applications without having to learn a whole new set of tools. The only real question is economical: Does the cost of using on-demand high-performance computing justify switching away from your own data center?
Woodbridge, VA (22192)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with showers. Low 58F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Although cloth masks may appear to be more substantial than the paper surgical mask option, surgical masks as well as KN95 and N95 masks are infused with an electrostatic charge that helps filter out particles.
A federal judge has given preliminary approval to a $34 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit against a chemical company over contamination of groundwater and soil in a southern Vermont community.

Notices are going out to hundreds of potential suit participants who can start filing their claims Jan. 18 on the official suit website, attorneys for the plaintiffs said, the Bennington Banner reported Tuesday.

The ChemFab plant in Bennington, owned by France-based Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, used industrial chemicals that spread throughout the town and into the groundwater supply, the newspaper had reported. The plant was closed in 2002, but PFOA, one of a group of contaminants often known as forever chemicals, was discovered in 2016 after a similar situation in a nearby New York town.

PFOA has been known to cause kidney, testicular, and other cancers and diseases. Levels of PFOA in the blood decrease over a number of years, the newspaper said.

Last month, U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford gave preliminary approval to the proposed settlement in the suit against Saint-Gobain over the PFOA contamination in the Bennington area. A final approval hearing is scheduled for April 18.

The proposed settlement sets aside more than $26.2 million for damages to property and owners, and $6 million for continued medical monitoring for those who have higher-than-usual background levels of PFOA in their blood.

This settlement provides significant compensation and medical monitoring to the Bennington community affected by the PFOA contamination, and we strongly support it. We especially want to initiate the medical monitoring program as soon as possible, said James Sullivan, of North Bennington, a spokesperson for the plaintiffs.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Oklahoma Chemicals Vermont
Harvard University is not required to pay legal defense fees for a professor who was found guilty of hiding his ties to a Chinese-run recruitment program, Massachusetts highest court ruled Monday.

In its decision, the Supreme Judicial Court found that Harvard was acting within its broad statutory authority when it refused to provide upfront payment to cover defense costs for Charles Lieber, a former chair of the schools department of chemistry and chemical biology.

Lieber was found guilty in December of filing false tax returns, making false statements and failing to file reports for a foreign bank account in China.

Prosecutors say Lieber lied to U.S. authorities to hide his involvement with Chinas Thousand Talents Plan, a program designed to recruit people with knowledge of foreign technology and intellectual property to China. He was also accused of hiding income, including $50,000 a month from a Chinese university.

Lieber sued Harvard in October 2020 after the Ivy League school denied his request for advance payment to help mount his legal defense.

A Harvard policy offers to pay defense costs for certain workers who face legal action in the course of their work, but it gives university officials flexibility in deciding whether to grant the money.

In Liebers case, Harvard concluded that some of the allegations fell outside the scope of his job. An official also found that Lieber had probably lied about his ties to China, which violated Harvard policies, according to the Supreme Judicial Court decision.

After a Superior Court judge sided with Harvard and denied Liebers request for immediate payment, Lieber appealed to the states highest court. But Mondays decision supported the earlier ruling and concluded that Harvard was within its rights to reject Liebers request.

The court cited a Massachusetts law that says nonprofit organizations are authorized, but not required to cover legal defense fees for workers.

Harvard has taken that authority and adopted an indemnification policy that affords it a fair amount of discretion when it comes to making certain determinations, the court found.

It added Lieber failed altogether to establish that it violates public policy.

Harvard and a lawyer for Lieber did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics China
Specialty insurance broker One80 Intermediaries reported it has acquired PMC Insurance Group, a workers compensation wholesale broker and program manager based in Bedford, Mass. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

PMC offers exclusive and semi-exclusive specialty insurance programs in industries that include healthcare and home health, trucking and transportation, temporary staffing services, construction, maritime, and social service organizations. PMC also offers risk management and loss control services along with a pay-as-you-go technology platform through PMC PayGo, which allows insureds to pay workers compensation premiums based on reported payrolls.

The firm works with thousands of insurance agents nationwide and several leading insurance carriers.

Greg Malloy founded PMC Insurance Group in 1996 and built it to become one of the largest workers compensation specialty insurance brokers in the country. Malloy passed away last February.

David Malloy, president, and Andrew Shaw, executive vice president, along with the rest of the leadership team and entire staff, will remain with the firm, PMC said.

Boston-based One80 Intermediaries is a privately held, national specialty brokerage firm with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company offers placement services and binding authority for property/casualty, financial lines, personal lines, cannabis, life insurance, medical stop loss, alternative risk, warranty, lender-based insurance, travel/accident and health risks. One80 has offices in more than 35 locations in the US and Canada

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Workers' Compensation Talent Massachusetts
West Penn Power of Greensburg, Pennsylvania will pay a $610,000 penalty under a settlement to resolve water discharge violations at two coal ash landfills in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The settlement was announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

According to the settlement, West Penn Power exceeded boron limits in discharges from the Mingo Landfill in Union Township, Washington County, and Springdale Landfill in Frazer Township, Allegheny County.

The settlement was announced just two days after the two agencies filed suit against West Penn Power in federal court in Pittsburgh. The proposed consent decree is subject to approval by the court.

The settlement addresses alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act and Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law that threaten to degrade receiving streams, impact public health, and harm aquatic life.

Along with the penalty, the consent decree with federal and state agencies requires West Penn Power to construct new gravity pipelines to new outfall locations in a new receiving waters for each landfill (Peters Creek for the Mingo pipeline and the Allegheny River for the Springdale pipeline).

West Penn will also be required to collect data on instream boron levels in Peters Creek.

This settlement reaffirms that compliance with the Clean Water Act is an ongoing obligation for all industrial polluters who must ensure that their operations do not cause harm to public health and our nations waterways, said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.

EPA said penalty funds will be distributed evenly between the U.S. and Pennsylvania.

West Penn Power is owned by FirstEnergy Corp.out of Akron, Ohio.

The settlement came just one day after the EPA began taking several actions to clean up the contamination created by decades of coal ash disposal. The agency put several facilities on notice regarding their obligations to comply with regulations and set forth plans for future regulatory actions.

Topics Agencies Pollution
India is pushing for a valuation of about 15 trillion rupees ($203 billion) for a state-owned insurer thats soon expected to file for the nations biggest initial public offering, people familiar with the matter said, even as arrangers awaited a final report on the firms estimated worth.

The so-called embedded value of Life Insurance Corp. of India is likely to be more than 4 trillion rupees, and its market value could be about four times that amount, the people said, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private. Once the final report is in, the valuation the government is seeking could change.

Life Insurance Corp. of Indias IPO Prospectus Could Be Filed in Final Week of January

Embedded value, a key metric for insurers, combines the current value of future profits with the net value of assets. The gauge will be part of LICs IPO prospectus thats likely to be filed in the week starting Jan. 31. Typically, the market value of insurers is between three and five times the embedded value.

If investors agree with those calculations proposed by the government, LIC would join the league of Indias biggest companies  Reliance Industries Ltd. and Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.  which have a market capitalization of 17 trillion rupees and 14.3 trillion rupees, respectively.

The offering has been the talk of the town for the last two years, said Gaurav Garg, head of research at Capitalvia Global Research Ltd. It is a daunting task to pull off such a massive IPO and it will need lot of support from anchor investors, as well as retail.

Given that LIC has millions of policyholders and there could be a discount on the share price for them, there should be good demand for the IPO from retail customers, Garg said. Meanwhile, institutional and anchor investors could show interest given LIC is the market leader in Indias insurance industry, he said.

A finance ministry spokesman didnt answer calls to his mobile phone seeking comment, while LIC declined to comment.

The government may be stretching its expectations a bit too far, two of the people said. The final valuation would be decided based on various parameters, including investor appetite, profitability outlook, and trends in the industry, they said.

The first-time share sale by the insurer is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis efforts to mop up cash and help rein in a budget deficit thats widened in the midst of the pandemic. The government is planning to sell 5% to 10% of the company before the end of March.

A call on the amount of stake to be sold will be taken by a ministerial panel later this month before LIC files the draft prospectus with the market regulator. At the valuation the government wants, a 5% stake will fetch about 750 billion rupees.

With assistance from Baiju Kalesh and Filipe Pacheco.

Photograph: A man pass by a building of LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) in Kolkata, India. Photo credit: Getty Images/NurPhoto.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers India
Prominent indigenous activist Clyde Bellecourt, the last surviving co-founder of the American Indian Movement and a leading civil rights leader, has died.

He was 85.

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The cause was cancer, his wife, Peggy Bellecourt, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune, confirming that he had died at his Minneapolis home Tuesday morning. His death was also confirmed to The Associated Press by AIM co-director Lisa Bellanger.

Clyde Bellecourt, co-founder or the American Indian Movement, speaks on Jan. 26, 2018, at Minneapolis City Hall. (Amy Forliti/AP)

In failing health, Bellecourt scaled down his activities in 2019 as he contended with stage 4 prostate cancer, the Star Tribune reported at the time. But he remained a force, inspiring generations of Indigenous civil rights leaders.

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Clyde was a really good man and influenced a lot of people, Winona LaDuke, Ojibwe and the executive director of Honor the Earth, a group dedicated to raising awareness for Indigenous environmental issues, told the AP. He was very influential in my life.

Along with Dennis Banks, Russell Means and others, Bellecourt founded AIM in 1968 to push back against police brutality and discrimination against Native Americans. They started out by organizing a patrol that would document alleged instances of police brutality against Native people living in Minneapolis, using cameras, collecting officers badge numbers and monitoring radio scanner chatter for references to anyone who might be Indigenous.

The group soon went national, leading several protests during the 1970s. A 1972 march to Washington, the Trail of Broken Treaties, presented U.S. leaders with a position paper of the same name that demanded legal recognition of treaties, restoration of the treaty-making process, the return of 110 million acres of Native land to indigenous communities and the reform of federal-tribal relations, according to the Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

More than 700 Native activists from about 200 tribes and 25 states traveled in the four-mile-long caravan to the nations capital, planning to deliver the 20-point paper to then-President Richard Nixon, but he was not there. Instead they occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs headquarters for a week, the museum said.

AIMs tactics sometimes edged into militarism, which caused divisions. The 71-day 1973 AIM takeover of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota draw attention to alleged corruption and injustices against Natives turned violent, and two people were killed in a shootout.

The group was about much more than protests. It flagged instances of cultural appropriation, provided job training, worked to improve housing and education for Indigenous people, gave legal assistance, highlighted environmental injustice and challenged government policies.

Born and raised on the White Earth Indian Reservation, Bellecourt held the Ojibwe name Nee-gon-we-way-we-dun, meaning Thunder Before the Storm. He was the last surviving AIM co-founder. Means died in 2012 and Banks in 2017.

Bellecourts passing was marked by numerous remembrances and tributes, starting with Crow Bellecourt, one of his and Peggy Bellecourts four children.

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My father my rock is making his journey to that good place, wrote Crow Bellecourt on Facebook. No more hurt no more pain no more cancer. All of u friends and relatives who kept my father in your prayers I say chi megwetch... Thats all I got for now my mind is not here right now just trying to process this all.

My father my rock is making his journey to that good place no more hurt no more pain no more cancer.all of u friends and... Posted by Crow Bellecourt on Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Chi megwetch means thank you.

Rest in power, Neegawnwaywidung, Clyde Bellecourt, tweeted activist and author Nick Estes. You were a real one.

Weve lost one of the few remaining OG leaders of the American Indian Movement, who took back Wounded Knee in 73 & was involved in virtually every other battle weve waged since, tweeted Ruth Hopkins, a Dakota/Lakota Sioux writer and enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. Rest in Power, Clyde Bellecourt. Tell Russell, Carter, Dennis, Deb & the rest that we miss them.

Weve lost one of the few remaining OG leaders of the American Indian Movement, who took back Wounded Knee in 73 & was involved in virtually every other battle weve waged since. Rest in Power, Clyde Bellecourt. Tell Russell, Carter, Dennis, Deb & the rest that we miss them. pic.twitter.com/AnqXH1tDpQ  Ruth H. Hopkins (Red Road Woman) (@Ruth_HHopkins) January 11, 2022

State leaders, including Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, White Earth Band of Ojibwe, bore witness to Bellecourts widespread influence.

Today, we lost a civil rights leader who fought for more than a half century on behalf of Indigenous people in Minnesota and around the world, Flanagan said on Twitter. Indian Country benefited from Clyde Bellecourts activism  he cleared a path for so many of us. Journey well, Neegawnwaywidung.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz paid tribute to Bellecourts powerful legacy that will continue to inspire people across our state and nation for generations to come.

With News Wire Services
Heavy rainfall is disrupting southeastern Brazils giant iron ore industry, with the worlds No. 2 producer Vale SA among companies to halt operations and regulators dispatched to monitor any impact on tailings dams.

Vale partially suspended services on the Estrada de Ferro Vitoria a Minas railway as well as production at its southeastern and southern systems to guarantee the safety of its employees and communities, the Rio de Janeiro-based supplier said in a statement Monday.

Brazils Dams Monitored for Risk of Bursting After Heavy Rains Kill at Least 18

The deluge in Minas Gerais state offers fresh impetus to a recovery in global prices of the steelmaking ingredient after a decline in shipments from Brazil and Australia. Its also sounding alarms for tailings dams given the region was the site of two disasters in the past six years including a 2019 collapse that left 270 dead and cost Vale its title of the worlds No. 1 supplier.

Gerdau SA, Cia. Siderurgica Nacional SA and Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA also suspended operations in Minas Gerais this week. While the region represented 40% of Vales output in the nine months through September, the company reiterated its production guidance of 320 million to 335 million tons of iron ore in 2022.

In December, Brazil had 40 tailings dams on emergency level, 36 of which are in Minas Gerais, according to the countrys mining regulator. Three of those  all owned by Vale  are at the highest alert of level 3.

Authorities preventively evacuated people close to a hydroelectric dam in the municipality of Para de Minas, which is at risk of imminent failure.

Iron ore futures in Singapore advanced as much as 2.8% on Tuesday, bringing the rally to about 50% since November. Shipments from both Brazil and Australia have each declined almost 20% in the latest week, and coupled with mill restocking, thats supporting prices, said Huatai Futures Co. analyst Wang Haitao.

The northern system, where Vale produces high-grade ore, continues to operate in line with the production plan, which the company says considers the impact of the rainy season on operations. Last week, Vale reported a landslide in copper project Salobo III, in Para State, also because of the rain.

CSN Mineracao SA said in a filing that extraction and movement operations at the Casa de Pedra mine were suspended due to the rain. CSN has also started dam emergency protocol, with its B2 dam at level 2.

CSN said it does not involve risks to population because all residents of the Self Rescue Zone have already been relocated and that the impact on production is not relevant.

Minas Gerais was doused by rain over the weekend, blocking highways. A dike owned by Frances Vallourec SA overflowed Saturday near the city of Belo Horizonte, and operations at Usiminass mining subsidiary Musa were temporarily suspended due to rains significantly higher than average.

With assistance from Krystal Chia.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Mining
The credit insurance and surety specialist, Xenia Broking Group Ltd., announced it has acquired the UK whole turnover trade credit and surety business of Tysers Insurance Brokers Ltd.

The transaction completed onJan. 11, 2022 and marks Xenias eighth acquisition to date and fifth in the last nine months. It is also Xenias second acquisition of a trade credit client portfolio from a general broker, reinforcing recognition of Xenias specialist capability and ability to provide exceptional service to trade credit clients.

Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Martyn Locke, client director, will transfer to Xenia with the client portfolio.

2021 was an exciting and productive year for Xenia on the acquisition front and we are delighted to start 2022 by welcoming Martyn Locke to Xenia. In addition to gaining Martyns experience and long-standing trade credit relationships, we look forward to Martyn playing a key role in expanding our London presence, including in support of our Financial and Speciality division and supporting growth of our surety capability, commented Tim Coles, CEO of Xenia.

We are pleased that Xenias position as a market-leading specialist in trade credit has been recognised by Tysers in selection of the right home for Martyn and his portfolio of clients. We look forward to working closely with Tysers beyond this transaction, Coles said.

Ive greatly enjoyed building the portfolio at Tysers, and starting a new chapter as part of Xenia as the leading specialist trade credit & surety broker in the UK is an exciting opportunity, according to Martyn Locke, client director at Tysers. Ensuring a smooth transition for my clients is a key priority and I look forward to being part of Xenias ambitious growth plans.

Our clients are front and centre of all considerations at Tysers. We are delighted to be transferring our trade credit portfolio to a specialist broker where clients will continue to receive an outstanding service, said Bob Pybus, head of Retail, Tysers.

The sale of the portfolio is part of our ongoing strategy to focus on and invest in the businesses where we have the expertise and opportunity to grow, Pybus continued.

We wish Martyn every success in his new role and thank him for his great contribution whilst at Tysers. We are looking forward to seeing the portfolio prosper under Xenias ownership, he said.

Source: Xenia Broking Group

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions
AAdvantage Insurance Group Adds Gracie Diaz as Account Executive

AAdvantage Insurance Group has hired Gracie Diaz as its newest Account Executive. In this position, she will work with new and existing clients to evaluate and generate personalized insurance plans. Diaz is a bilingual insurance specialist who caters to both English and Spanish speaking clients who need assistance with their specific insurance needs.

Prior to joining AAdvantage Insurance Group, Diaz worked for an insurance company based in Edwardsville, Ill. as an insurance specialist and office manager.

Founded in 2009, AAdvantage Insurance Group specializes in auto, home, business, farm, and life insurance. The agency serves clients in the Metro-East area in Illinois and Missouri. AAdvantage Insurance Group is located in Glen Carbon, Illinois.

Alera Group Names Perry Braun as Managing Director of Business Consulting

Alera Group has named Perry Braun as managing director of business consulting. In this new role reporting to Alera Groups chief operating officer, William Corrigan, Braun will counsel Alera Group locations on improving their business performance and profitability through best practices, knowledge sharing, proven growth strategies and enhanced operating efficiencies.

Braun brings more than 35 years of experience in employee benefits and healthcare. He most recently served as executive director of Benefit Advisors Network, a collaborative of independent brokerage firms that employ greater than 3,000 professionals located throughout the United States, Canada and Guam. Braun also previously held the role of executive director of the National Benefit Center, the sister organization to Benefit Advisors Network focused on partnerships and product development.

Braun will be based in Illinois.

Topics Talent Human Resources
Federal cybersecurity officials are again warning of Russian cyber attacks and urging critical infrastructure networks in particular to be on alert.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Security Agency released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) that provides an overview of Russian state-sponsored cyber operations, including commonly observed tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Historically, Russian state-sponsored actors have used spearphishing, brute force, and exploiting known vulnerabilities against accounts and networks with weak security, as well as other common but effective tactics to gain initial access to target networks, according to the advisory.

The agencies did not cite a specific reason for releasing the Russia report at this time. They said only that it was being released to help the cybersecurity community reduce the risk presented by Russian state-sponsored cyber threats.

President Joe Biden has been pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt Russian cyber actions against the U.S. In recent weeks, there has been concern expressed in Washington that Russian may turn to cyber attacks as U.S.-Russia tensions over Ukraine grow. Thats something Russia did in 2015 and 2016, according to the advisory.

The agencies are encouraging the cybersecurity community, especially those involved protecting critical infrastructure, to adopt a heightened state of awareness, conduct proactive threat hunting, and implement the mitigations identified in the joint CSA.



 Patch all systems. Prioritize patching

 Implement

 Use antivirus software.

 Develop internal contact lists and surge support. According to federal cyber officials, these are actions that critical infrastructure organizations should implement immediately: Patch all systems. Prioritize patching known exploited vulnerabilities  Implement multi-factor authentication  Use antivirus software. Develop internal contact lists and surge support.

CISA recommends network defenders review CISAs Russia Cyber Threat Overview and Advisories page for more information on Russian state-sponsored malicious cyber activity. CISA recommends critical infrastructure leaders review CISA Insights: Preparing For and Mitigating Potential Cyber Threats.

In its review of past Russian cyber attacks, the advisory identifies key vulnerabilities that Russian hackers have exploited in systems including Microsoft Exchange, Cisco routers, Oracle servers, Zimbra software and Citrix networks among others.

The advisory says Russian actors have also demonstrated the ability to maintain persistent, undetected, long-term access in compromised environmentsincluding cloud environmentsby using legitimate credentials.

Russian hackers in the past have targeted a variety of U.S. and international critical infrastructure organizations, including those in the defense industry, healthcare, public health, energy, telecommunications, and government facilities. Some of the high-profile cyber activity publicly attributed to Russian state-sponsored actors and cited in the report include:

Russian state-sponsored actors targeted state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and aviation networks in September 2020, through at least December 2020. Russian actors targeted dozens of government and aviation networks. They successfully compromised networks and exfiltrated data from multiple victims.

Russian state-sponsored actors conducted a global energy sector intrusion campaign, 2011 to 2018, in which they gained remote access to U.S. and international energy sector networks, deployed malware, and collected and exfiltrated enterprise data.

Russian state-sponsored actors pursued a campaign against Ukrainian critical infrastructure, 2015 and 2016. They conducted a cyberattack against Ukrainian energy distribution companies, leading to multiple companies experiencing unplanned power outages in December 2015. The actors deployed BlackEnergy malware to steal user credentials and made infected computers inoperable. In 2016, these actors conducted a cyber-intrusion campaign against a Ukrainian electrical transmission company and deployed CrashOverride malware specifically designed to attack power grids.

Topics Cyber USA Agencies Russia Ukraine
Prince Andrew failed to convince a judge to toss a lawsuit accusing him of sexually abusing a teenage girl decades ago.

Virginia Giuffre claims the British royal was one of several powerful men to whom Jeffrey Epstein lent her for abuse as a teenager. Andrew has denied her allegation but also argued to a federal judge in New York that hes shielded from suit by a 2009 settlement between Giuffre and Epstein.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said Wednesday it was too early in the case to determine the meaning of the agreement.

The parties have articulated at least two reasonable interpretations of the critical language, Kaplan said in a 43-page opinion. The agreement therefore is ambiguous. Accordingly, the determination of the meaning of the release language in the 2009 agreement must await further proceedings.

Andrew Brettler, the Los Angeles-based lawyer who argued Andrews motion to dismiss, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Lawyers for Giuffre also didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

In her complaint, Giuffre described an alleged encounter in London during which Epstein, his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and Andrew forced an underage Giuffre to have sex. Maxwell was convicted last month of sex-trafficking teenage girls for Epstein.

Evidence Demanded

The ruling means that Andrew, Queen Elizabeths second son, will have to provide evidence demanded by Giuffres team if he continues to defend the case, a process that could take many months or even years. The prince stepped aside from representing the royal family publicly after a disastrous 2019 interview with the BBC in which he sought unsuccessfully to lay to rest suspicions tied to his friendship with Epstein and Maxwell.

The ruling is not a surprise, as Kaplan had expressed skepticism about Andrews arguments in a Jan. 4 hearing. And he declined to delay the pretrial exchange of evidence, a sign he was thinking about allowing the suit to go forward.

Giuffre signed a $500,000 settlement with Epstein in November 2009 after suing him earlier that year. The release covers Epstein, his lawyers, employees and any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant in her suit.

In the hearing, Kaplan questioned how Epstein could have intended that the agreement, which was to remain secret, would be used by Andrew to protect himself. In his decision, the judge further pointed out that Giuffre, the other party to the agreement, may have had very different goals than Epstein in reaching a deal.

Other Wrongdoers

The goals of one in Ms. Giuffres position hypothetically could have included getting as much money as she could for settling the case and keeping as much of her freedom to go after other alleged wrongdoers as she could while still getting an acceptable sum of money, Kaplan wrote.

Read more: Prince Andrew Banks on 2009 Epstein Deal to End Sex Assault Suit

The nine-page agreement, made public on Jan. 3, includes a requirement that the settlement amount remain confidential. The parties also agreed that the deal should not in any way be construed as an admission by Jeffrey Epstein that he violated any federal or state laws.

Kaplan rejected Andrews other arguments to throw out the case, including that Giuffres claims were insufficiently clear. The judge had mocked that argument during the Jan. 4 hearing.

It was sexual intercourse. Involuntary sexual intercourse, Kaplan said. Theres no doubt about what that means, at least since somebody else was in the White House, an apparent reference to Bill Clinton, who appointed him to the federal bench.

The case is Giuffre v. Prince Andrew, 21-cv-06702, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

With assistance from Patricia Hurtado.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation
More than four months after Hurricane Ida destroyed or did major damage to their houses, some Louisiana residents are just now moving from tent camps to government-supplied mobile homes and RV trailers.

Shantell Campbell of Houma and her three school-aged children moved last week from a camp to one of dozens of RV trailers provided through a state test program and paid for by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at a field in Schriever, about 11 miles (18 kilometers) away.

Im grateful, Campbell told The Courier. Theres still people trying just to get here.

Tent camps in Dulac and Montegut have closed, and occupants have moved from camps under single huge tents to one in Chauvin, featuring multiple small tents, said Terrebonne planning and zoning director Chris Pulaski.

Its better in the event anybody tests positive for COVID, Pulaski said.

The state test program is starting to reduce the backlog, the newspaper reported.

FEMA suggested the program because regulations for state-run shelters are less restrictive than those for mobile homes provided by the federal agency, Mike Steele, spokesman for the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Protection, said Monday.

In addition, he noted, the RV trailers are easier to haul onto property.

Hurricane Ida left many of the residents homes unlivable. The storm roared ashore Aug. 29, 2021, at Port Fourchon, 47 miles (75 kilometers) southeast of Houma, as a strong Category 4 hurricane with 150-mph (240-kph) winds.

As of Monday, Steele said, the state has deployed 3,101 RV trailers across south Louisiana, including 1,272 in Terrebonne Parish and 580 in Lafourche Parish. Nearly 7,500 people from more than 2,600 households are living in them, he said.

Steele said the program started in some of the worst-hit coastal areas and moved inland. The first RV trailers were set out in mid-October, two weeks after FEMAs approval, he said.

Kentucky officials have talked to their counterparts in Louisiana about emulating the program to house people whose homes were hit by Decembers deadly tornadoes, and Louisiana is considering the purchase of more trailers, Steele added.

Were talking to FEMA about having this as a regular option after disasters, he said.

Pulaski said FEMA had approved nearly 1,500 households for housing but had only 70 mobile homes occupied.

The move to trailers frees up needed space in the tent camps, Terrebonne Parish Councilman Carl Harding said.

Alexis Amacker lived for a while in a tent camp near his home in Houma. He has now moved into an RV trailer.

It took a while, but its a blessing, Amacker said.

Parish officials have repeatedly criticized the slow response by FEMA at getting mobile homes set up across the two parishes.

Harding said residents living in the RV trailers told him last week that their needs include getting a school bus stop and Wi-Fi access.

Those housed in the campers are chosen at random from residents who have applied for temporary housing after the storm. In addition to tent camps, some lived in hotel rooms paid for by FEMA.

Two tent camps in Terrebonne Parish are still full, according to Pulaski, who said hes also worried that COVID-19 is delaying progress. He said he tested positive over the holidays. Hes feeling better, and has been staggering shifts and letting staffers work from home to cause as little disruption as possible.

We cant afford to have the permit office go down because of a COVID outbreak, he said. Theres too much at stake.

In Chauvin, Carolyn Marcel and Kenneth Scott Jr. have had a FEMA mobile home on their property since Dec. 12, but couldnt move in because inspection and licensing werent complete. Marcel and Scott said they havent been given a timeline. For now, they are staying in a small camper that theyve parked in their sons driveway.

Both have heart problems and joked that once they move into the FEMA trailer with all of their equipment, itll look like a hospital unit. Both have been responsible for taking care of family members and say they need their own space after being stretched thinly.

We need rest, Marcel said. ___

Associated Press writer Janet McConnaughey in New Orleans contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana
Insurers would no longer need to hire expensive expert witnesses in some claims disputes, but could rely on Google maps and images to show the age of property damage, if a Florida Senate bill becomes law and is endorsed by the state Supreme Court.

The Florida Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday unanimously approved Senate Bill 634, which would allow courts to accept, through the practice of judicial notice, some web sites and web images as evidence, as long as a date stamp is visible. The opposing side could object and a judge could disallow the electronic media if it can be shown that the image is not accurate, reads the bill, authored by Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Orange Park.

A quick check of Google shows that Google Maps Street View gives the image capture date at the bottom of the photo. Google Earth gives a multi-year date range if zoomed out far enough, but only on some locales.

If the homeowner says the storm caused the damage, and the Google Earth view shows it wasnt there beforehand, we know it happened, said Curry Pajcic, a Jacksonville plaintiffs lawyer who testified in favor of the bill. Instead of a battle of the experts and having to bring in experts to say, this was new or this was old, its common sense.

For most people nowadays, web-based mapping and imaging services have become almost second nature, and its time courts utilize them more fully, proponents of the bill said.

The law has not caught up with the internet, yet, Pajcic said. He noted that the idea has been approved by the Florida Bars Rules of Evidence Committee.

This is a good bill, said Bradley, an attorney. It promotes judicial economy and will make the process a lot smoother for trials.

No one spoke against the measure at the Senate committee meeting.

A legislative analysis of the bill points out that the doctrine of judicial notice lets courts allow evidence as true and accurate, without a formal finding of fact. And Florida statutes have long contained procedural and substantive rules for the courts to follow.

But that doesnt mean the court system will agree to Legislatures instructions.

Statutes that are procedural in nature, even those passed by the Legislature, must be approved by Supreme Court. Occasionally, the Court rejects the legislative changes, the bill analysis reads.

The document notes that courts have said that judicial notice should be used with great caution, and that appeals courts have sometimes rejected trial courts use of the practice. In an Ohio case, for example, the lower court took judicial notice and accepted that Bud Lite was to be considered a beer, as sold to a minor, and no testing of its alcohol content was needed.

But the Ohio Supreme Court overruled that, and found that state law requires that beverages known as beer must contain a certain level of alcohol.

The bill analysis and the Florida Senate committee meeting did not delve into how the use of Google images in court could affect claims adjusters and appraisers who are sometimes asked to testify on the age of property damages.

SB 634 is now awaiting action in the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. If passed by the full Legislature and signed by the governor, the measure would take effect July 1, 2022.

Photo: Google Earth view of Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, with potential roof damage.

Topics Lawsuits Florida Claims
King Insurance announced it has added two more Florida insurance agencies to its rapidly growing stable of firms in the Southeast.

Don Martin Insurance, known as DMI agency, has offices in Orlando, Fanning Springs and Cross City. Michael Michaelis has managed the agency since he acquired it 2000, King said in a news release. The agency provides commercial and personal lines. Employees will continue working at the DMI offices.

Insurance Den is based in Homosassa and was founded by Dennis Dewees. ID focuses on commercial and personal lines business on Floridas west coast.

The purchases mark Kings 13th acquisition for 2021 and the sixth since the company signed an agreement with BHMS Investments. The company said it plans to continue expanding in the southeastern U.S.

Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, King notes that it is a full-service insurance brokerage firm, providing property and casualty and employee benefits products.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Florida
Gov. Doug Ducey has proposed setting aside $1 billion to remove the salt from sea water and bring it to Arizona, a major legacy project as he enters his eighth and final year in office.

The Republican governor previewed the plan but offered few details in his annual state of the state address, delivered to a joint session of the House and Senate.

Instead of just talking about desalination  the technology that made Israel the worlds water superpower  how about we pave the way to make it actually happen? Ducey said in his nearly hourlong address.

Ducey enters his final year with the state seeing a big budget surplus, a major turnaround from his first speech to lawmakers in 2015 when he faced a $1 billion deficit. Lawmakers also set aside $200 million last year for future water infrastructure.

The western United States is in the midst of a prolonged drought. Cutbacks in Arizonas allocation of Colorado River water have already forced some farmers to let their fields go fallow, and more cuts are likely down the road absent a major weather turnaround.

Ducey said he has been working on the plan with House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann, both Republicans. He didnt say where hed like to build a desalination plant, but water policy experts have long discussed the possibility of using water from the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, the nearest sea to Arizona.

Some environmentalists opposed desalination because its energy intensive and can be harmful to sea creatures.

Even if lawmakers approve, the project would still be years in the making, but Bowers said Ducey and legislative leaders want to get started while the state has the money available.

The plan is comprehensive and its broad, but all the details legally are going to need a lot of work, he said. Thats going to be our focus this year.

Bowers is looking even bigger than a desalination plant, mentioning other potential out-of-state water sources such as capturing midwestern flood waters and saying hell introduce a bill that could support spending in the billions.

Ducey delivered his speech virtually last year as the state was in the midst of spiking coronavirus infections. This year, he celebrated a return to the traditional live delivery even as the omicron variant is spreading rapidly.

He did not reveal any new plans to combat COVID-19 but repeated his admonition that schools will not close. He has resisted mask or vaccine mandates and restrictions on public gatherings, saying vaccination is the key to getting past the pandemic.

He said the state will create a summer school to help children catch up on math, reading and civics.

Theres been too much attention put on masks and not nearly enough placed on math; a focus on restrictions rather than reading and writing, Ducey said.

The political divide on masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus was on display in the packed House chamber, with few Republicans wearing one and many Democrats donning them.

Duceys wife, Angela, watched from the front row and wore a mask.

The governor also called on lawmakers to expand school choice any way we can and said lawmakers should ban the teaching of critical race theory, an collegiate-level academic concept not taught in public schools. Lawmakers banned it last year in the budget, but the state Supreme Court found several budget bills unconstitutional, including the one with the ban. He said schools should be required to post all curriculum and academic materials online.

Ducey took aim at Democrats around the country, including President Joe Biden and his administration over border security and the tax policies in liberal states like California. He called on Arizonas Democratic U.S. senators, Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, to demand that his border priorities be passed at the federal level.

Instead of being the voice of reason, he chose to take a partisan approach and thats unfortunate for the state, said House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, D-Laveen.

Bolding said the governors water proposal could be an area of promise if he involves Democrats in discussions, but said it would be difficult to get Democrats on board if theyre not consulted.

At the state level, he said hell seek money to expand the state police unit focused on the border and drug trafficking along with sections of a state-funded border wall and tougher penalties for smugglers. He also said Arizona law enforcement officials will work with counterparts in Texas on border security.

He also proposed increasing the stipend paid to grandparents or other relatives who are caring for children who would otherwise be placed with a stranger in foster care. The state has historically paid much less to relatives than to unrelated caregivers.

These loving extended family members should have the same resources as any other foster family, he said.

Ducey took office in 2015 with a pledge to cut taxes every year and get income taxes as close to zero as possible. Hes largely succeeded, culminating with his signing last year of a bill cutting taxes to 2.5% for everyone, a small cut for people with low incomes and a big boon for the wealthiest taxpayers.

That nearly $2 billion tax cut is on hold after critics collected enough signatures to give voters a chance to eliminate it later this year. To get around that, lawmakers are considering repealing it and replacing it with a new, potentially larger tax cut.

Ducey has declined to weigh in on that proposal, but pledged Monday that we will cut taxes.

The governors annual address as usual drew a whos who of current and former officeholders, including former Gov. Jan Brewer and numerous former lawmakers.

Of the five well-known Republicans running to replace Ducey, at least three were spotted in the House watching the speech, Treasurer Kimberly Yee, former Congressman Matt Salmon and former television news anchor Kari Lake.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Arizona
Irish pig farmers losing tens of thousands of euros every week warn they are facing ruin unless urgent action is taken to provide a rescue package for the industry.

Farmers who spoke to the Irish Examiner said soaring input costs and disruption to supply chains caused by Covid and Brexit mean a 1,000-sow unit would lose almost 70,000 a month.

If we dont have something in place by the end of the week that we can take back to our millers [to pay them], we are going to have no pig industry in six weeks, one said.

With almost 1.7m pigs in Ireland, according to the latest Central Statistics Office figures, pork accounts for almost 8% of Irelands agricultural output, worth around 543m to the economy annually.

However, the industry has come under pressure over the last year, as prices have fallen at a time when input prices are hitting new highs.

A series of challenges have plagued the islands pig industry over the last few months, including carbon dioxide shortages, Covid-related plant closures, staffing issues in the North because of Brexit, and surging electricity and gas prices.

The result has been a significant gap between the cost of production and what farmers are paid.

Pig keepers estimate total costs of around 1.85/kg, made up of non-feed costs (such as staffing and insurance) of around 45c/kg and feed costs of 1.40/kg (up around 40% compared to last year).

However, farmers are being paid just 1.40/kg, meaning a loss of around 30 for every pig sold.

However, other inputs have also begun to soar, with one farmer saying his gas bill for heating his pig sheds had gone from 40,000 a year to an expected 110,000 this year. While at the same time, pork prices have continued to slide.

A pause on state levies, weekend shifts at processing plant, and more space for pork in Irish shops were among the ideas put forward at an emergency meeting for the pig sector hosted by the Irish Farmers Association held on Monday.

Frank Brady, incoming IFA Ulster/North Leinster chairman, who keeps around 550 sows on his farm in Co Cavan, explained that prices had fallen from 1.95/kg in January 2020 to 1.42/kg this month, while feed costs have also increased around 100 a tonne.

Its absolutely horrendous, he said.

There is a backlog of pigs which cant be killed, the price of meal has gone up by one-third in the last eight months, and the price of pigs in the last two years has come down by over a third.

There is a Brexit fund there, but it must be given out by the banks.

That money is lying there and the government has to make sure that the banks are willing and able to talk to farmers about their pressing need  we are going to have welfare issues in the next four to five weeks if nothing happens.

The mills havent many places to go either  they cant continuously give out more credit to farmers, and animals are losing anything up to 30 per head at the moment.

Mr Brady explained Brexit had been a major issue contributor to the situation in Ireland with Irish pork exports to Britain down by 14% since Brexit in 2020.

He called for government Covid and Brexit support loans to be made available to farmers to help them through the next few weeks.

Were not looking for money for nothing; we are looking for help, he said.

Its feared that a lack of action on the issue could force some Irish farmers out of the industry.

I spoke to one farmer today who is within a fortnight or less of having no money whatsoever to buy feed for his pigs, unless theres action then the current pig price crisis will develop into a serious animal welfare crisis, Kerry pig farmer Shane McAuliffe explained.

Christopher Brady, a pig farmer from Monaghan with 650 sows, is one of those feeling the pressure.

This week, the space between the rise in feed prices and drop in pig prices was worth 4,000 a week to me. The cost of meal went up 2,500 and Im now losing another 1,000 out of my cash flow.

This time last year, I was buying fattener for 288 per tonne, and this year thats now is 378, he said.

Its no small consideration when the farm goes through 95 tonnes of meal a week.

You know the saying, when it rains it pours  it really is pouring down now for pig farmers, Mr Brady added.

As well as prices below the cost of production, it is even difficult for farmers to get processors to take their pigs at the moment.

We are having to beg them to take them, one farmer said.

Over the last three weeks I sold 220 pigs a week, but Ive also weaned 450 pigs.

So theres another 230 pigs on the unit that I should have sold to make space for these pigs.

We desperately need government assistance to keep alive the third biggest farming enterprise in the country.

We need a bailout fund; an interest-free loan or something. Just something to keep us afloat for the next six to eight months. I think 200m would be needed  a payment of 1,000 per sow.

This has been a problem over the last 20 years, where pigs are very good, pigs are very bad, but this time this is very, very bad.

I have been lucky that my miller has stood by me, but I dont know for how much longer he can.

If I could sell all the pigs just this week that are due to go the factory, I would be able to pay some of that down, but we are struggling to sell them.

Every pig farm in the country is struggling.

However, its a complicated issue, with a difficult market even outside of Ireland.

On Monday, it was announced a further 680,000 would be made available to support Scottish pig producers affected by the closure of a processing plant during Covid.

Poland has also announced a PLN 240m (53m) aid package for pig farmers.

Closer to home, Brexit has also contributed to the situation. Factories in Northern Ireland were left with staffing problems after the UK left the EU.

As a result, processing capacity was reduced, with farmers in the Republic saying fewer of their pigs are now being accepted north of the border.

Prices were stronger in 2020 as China, which is home to almost half of the worlds pigs, culled millions of pigs in a bid to halt the spread of African Swine Fever.

However, numbers have since recovered.

At this time, one of Irelands biggest pork processing plants was delisted for Chinese exports after a cluster broke out at the factory, leaving producers locked out from reaping the full benefits.

One Cork pig farmer explained: Our sales to the UK have dropped 14% [in 2020] after Brexit, and that was a relatively good market for us  getting prime cuts into the UK at good prices.

The impact of Brexit on the pig industry was masked by China, but the China boat has now sailed.

The tide has gone out on China and the bones of the Brexit situation have been left.
The U.S. Mint recently began shipping out a new series of quarters, including ones featuring writer Maya Angelou, making her the first Black woman to ever appear on a quarter.

The new coin is part of the American Women Quarters Program, which will later have coins bearing the likeness of Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee Nations first female chief, Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American movie star, Adelina Otero-Warren, a suffrage movement leader and Sally Ride, the first American woman to go to space.

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FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2008, file photo, poet Maya Angelou smiles at an event in Washington. On Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, the United States Mint said it has begun shipping quarters featuring the image of poet Maya Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

The Angelou coin has George Washington on one side and shows Angelou with her arms raising up in front of a bird and beams of sunshine. Angelou was a prominent civil rights activist.

The image is inspired by her poetry and symbolic of the way she lived, the Mint said.

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It is my honor to present our Nations first circulating coins dedicated to celebrating American women and their contributions to American history, Mint deputy director Ventris C. Gibson said. Each 2022 quarter is designed to reflect the breadth and depth of accomplishments being celebrated throughout this historic coin program. Maya Angelou, featured on the reverse of this first coin in the series, used words to inspire and uplift.

The United States Mint has begun shipping the first circulating quarters in the American Women Quarters Program honoring Maya Angelou. (Burwell and Burwell Photography; United States Mint; Department of Treasury)

Angelou, who gained worldwide fame after the release of her memoir I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, died in 2014 at the age of 86. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 during Barack Obamas first term.

The new series of coins came about after a 2020 bill co-signed by California Rep. Barbara Lee, Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez and Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer.

As a leader in the civil rights movement, poet laureate, college professor, Broadway actress, dancer, and the first female African American cable car conductor in San Francisco, Maya Angelous brilliance and artistry inspired generations of Americans, Congresswoman Lee said. If you find yourself holding a Maya Angelou quarter, may you be reminded of her words, be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity.

Angelou joins Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea, both dollars, and Helen Keller, Alabamas quarter, to appear on a U.S. coin. The Treasury is also planning a $20 bill featuring Harriet Tubman in place of Andrew Jackson, but the process was delayed by then-President Trump and it is unclear when the new bills will be printed and circulated.
Car dealers have accused the Government of steering the used car market to a point where prices are now 56% higher than the start of the pandemic.

That figure is quoted in the latest DoneDeal car price index which says Covid restrictions and Brexit disruption have contributed to the surge. Its data shows used car prices have risen by 7.7% since last October alone.

That final quarter increase was the second-highest quarterly price rise observed since 2011, only less than the third quarter of last year which saw a 10.6% increase.

The used car price inflation rate here has outstripped the rate in the UK, which is running at 33% for the same period, and the US rate, which has topped 47%.

Three examples illustrate the trends The report provides three examples of used cars which have all seen their value increase since early 2020, including: A 2009 VW Polo, which was valued at 2,890 in January 2020 but which is now valued at almost 4,000;

A 2013 Audi A3 which was 10,250 two years ago which is now valued 12,400;

A 2015 BMW 5-Series, which was 19,450 this time two years ago, but which is now valued at 20,150.

Tom Gillespie, an environmental economist and author of DoneDeal's Motor Price Index, said supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic and Brexit combined to create a perfect storm for used car price inflation.

He said consumer demand for both new and used cars from car dealerships is also at an all-time high  up 80% on January 2020.

Last year's persistent undersupply of semiconductors, a crucial component in new cars, forced car manufacturers to cut back production. With soaring demand boosted by pandemic savings, consumers turned to the used car market, where supply was also under strain.

The index shows that the price gap between new and used cars is not just tightening  in some rare cases, a second-hand version of the same model is being listed at a higher price than its new counterpart.

However, Denis Murphy, managing director and joint owner of Blackwater Motors in Cork, said he hadnt seen any evidence of that. He blamed the government for the surging prices, and said policy decisions, combined with the supply shortage, have led to the current situation:

We expect the supply issue to be resolved by July but the industry warned Government about all of this and still they went ahead and made certain decisions.

"Until they reduce VRT to make cars affordable, things will continue like this.

The flow of used cars from the UK has dropped from 108,000 in 2019 to 47,034 last year. There has been a surge in the number of imported used cars from Japan, from 3,243 in 2019 to 9,805 in 2021.

In early 2019, only 2.4% of all car registrations were fully electric, but that quadrupled to 10.5% by the end of last year.

Mr Gillespie said: 70% of people surveyed as part of a study accompanying the price index said they plan to buy electric within the next five years. As the motor industry adapts to these fundamental changes, so too should government policy.
Reports that Boris Johnson and his then fiance Carrie Symonds attended a bring your own booze party in the garden of 10 Downing Street during lockdown have reignited uproar for a British prime minister familiar with scandal.

On Monday, an email in which Mr Johnsons principal private secretary Martin Reynolds invited Downing Street staff to the gathering in May 2020 was leaked .

It is the latest of a string of leaks and reports about lockdown parties occurring in No 10. Up until now they have focused on the period surrounding Christmas 2020, when the country was under its second lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being hounded about potential lockdown breaches (Kirsty OConnor/PA Wire)

Anger has come from many directions, including within the Tory Party. Backbencher Nigel Mills has warned that any senior figure who willingly attended the event could not have a position where they were responsible for setting Covid-19 policy.

It is utterly untenable, we have seen people resign for far less than that. If the Prime Minister knowingly attended a party, I cant see how he can survive, he told BBC News.

Here are some of the events and controversies during Mr Johnsons time in the public eye.

 Sleaze scandals

Boris Johnson has faced scrutiny since early 2021 over how some 112,000 worth of renovations of his Downing Street flat were paid for, while a sleaze row broke out over the suspension of a Tory MP.

An initial ministerial sleaze watchdog concluded in 2021 that Mr Johnson unwisely allowed the work on the apartment to go ahead without more rigorous regard for how this would be funded, but cleared him of breaking the rules.

But on January 6 of this year, Mr Johnson issued a humble and sincere apology to his standards adviser for not disclosing an exchange of messages with a Tory peer where he discussed the funding of the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat.

The original judgement was upheld despite the missing texts.

Owen Patersons lobbying prompted calls for him to be immediately suspended from the Commons (Dave Thomson/PA)

Another sleaze row broke out in November when Conservative MP Owen Paterson was found to have repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials for two companies paying him more than 100,000 per year.

Mr Johnson initially moved to prevent Mr Patersons immediate suspension by launching a review of the entire disciplinary system, but backed down when it was blocked by opposition parties.

The North Shropshire by-election triggered by Mr Patersons resignation saw the Conservative Party lose one of its historically safest seats to the Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan secured victory in the North Shropshire by-election (Jacob King/PA)

 Brexit

In December 2020, the Government finally secured an 11th hour UK-EU trade deal.

But post-Brexit woes have continued in ongoing clashes with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol as well as supply chain issues that have been at least partly exacerbated by the effects of leaving the common market.

The latter hit a worrying peak in September when the countrys fuel supply was severely disrupted by a shortage of lorry drivers.

Former Brexit minister Lord Frost has told Boris Johnson that he must commit to a low-tax free market economy or risk losing the next general election (Peter Byrne/PA)

And in December, Mr Johnsons Brexit Minister David Frost resigned. In his resignation letter, Mr Frost thanked Mr Johnson and said Brexit is now secure, but he also said: The challenge for the Government now is to deliver on the opportunities it gives us.

You know my concerns about the current direction of travel.

 Dominic Cummings

In November 2020, Mr Johnson lost his controversial chief adviser Dominic Cummings, who he had to defend over his apparent breaking of lockdown rules in March 2020.

The exit of Vote Leave duo Mr Cummings and Lee Cain, Boris Johnsons former spin doctor, was widely blamed on the influence of Mr Johnsons wife, Carrie Symonds, within No 10.

Dominic Cummings has weighed in to public debate frequently since leaving Downing Street (House of Commons)

Mr Cummings came back to haunt Mr Johnson in May 2021 when he appeared before MPs for seven hours to lacerate the British government over its handling of the Covid pandemic.

He said Mr Johnson was unfit for office and suggested that Government failings led to tens of thousands of people dying unnecessarily.

Ms Symonds had been desperate to get rid of Mr Cummings, he told MPs.

 Private life

Mr Johnson married Ms Symonds  his third wife  in May 2021. They exchanged vows in a secret ceremony at Westminster Cathedral which, according to reports, even Downing Street aides were unaware of in advance.

The pair announced their engagement and that they were expecting their first child in February 2020, three weeks before the country entered its first Covid lockdown.

On April 29, Ms Symonds gave birth to the couples first child, Wilfred, who became the third baby born to a serving prime minister in recent history. The couple had a second child, a girl named Romy, on December 9, 2021.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie have attracted headlines since before becoming No 10 residents (Stefan Roussea/PA)

Mr Johnson met his first wife, Allegra Mostyn-Owen, while they were students at Oxford, and they wed in 1987 but the marriage was annulled in 1993.

His second marriage, to Marina Wheeler, ended after 25 years, during which they had four children.

The marriage was turbulent. In 2004 he was sacked from the Tory front bench over a reported affair with journalist Petronella Wyatt, and the Appeal Court ruled in 2013 that the public had a right to know that he had fathered a

daughter during an adulterous liaison while mayor of London in 2009.

Claims that Mr Johnson squeezed the thigh of journalist Charlotte Edwardes, at a private lunch at The Spectator magazines HQ shortly after he became editor in 1999, overshadowed his first Conservative Party conference as leader.

Allegations about his relationship with American entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri, and whether she enjoyed preferential treatment while he was mayor, also dominated the headlines in September 2019.

American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri, shown giving evidence via video link to the London assemblys oversight committee on UK, had a relationship with Mr Johnson (Victoria Jones/PA)

On March 27 2020, shortly after announcing his engagement to Ms Symonds, Mr Johnson tested positive for Covid-19 and on April 5 he was admitted to St Thomas Hospital in London. A day later he was moved to intensive care after his condition worsened.

He was discharged on April 12  just weeks before the birth of his child Wilfred  to continue his recovery at Chequers and thanked NHS staff for saving his life.

 Before becoming Prime Minister

Mr Johnson entered Number 10 despite a string of gaffes and scandals that might have ended the careers of other politicians.

Instead, he has been able to survive and prosper despite  or possibly because of  his capacity for attracting attention.

A row with Ms Symonds that saw police called to their home in the early stages of the Conservative leadership race was a glimpse into the complicated private life about which Mr Johnson tries desperately to avoid answering questions.

His previous provocative columns have prompted much scrutiny and he has been repeatedly criticised for using racially charged or offensive language.

In May 2021 an independent review into alleged Islamophobia and discrimination in the Conservative Party said Mr Johnsons comments about women wearing the burka have given an impression that the Tories are insensitive to Muslim communities.

Boris Johnson has managed to appeal to non-traditional Tory voters (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Johnson was also previously criticised for his blunder as foreign secretary

in the case of jailed British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who he

mistakenly said had been training journalists  comments which were seized on by the authorities in Tehran.

Mr Johnsons ability to reach out to voters who traditionally shun the Conservatives was demonstrated by his election as mayor of London in 2008, and retention of the powerful position four years later.

And his status as a favourite of the Conservative grassroots was confirmed in the leadership election, which saw him trounce rival Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Johnsons decision to back Brexit in the referendum was a significant boost for the campaign, giving Vote Leave the high-profile frontman it needed.

Boris Johnson has made his mark in Brussels and London (Gareth Fuller/PA)

After taking office as prime minister, Theresa May made him her foreign secretary  although he resigned in July 2018 over the direction she was taking on Brexit.

An old Etonian, Mr Johnson was a member of the notorious elite dining society the Bullingdon Club at Oxford.

Although he has had his sights set on Number 10 throughout his political career, as a child he held even loftier ambitions.

According to his sister Rachel, the young Boriss goal was to be world king.
Burma Junta Chief to Preside Over Myanmars First Grand Military Review in Seven Years

Then-Myanmar President Thein Sein inspects troops during the 67th Myanmar Independence Day Grand Military Review parade in Naypyitaw on Jan. 4, 2015. / AFP

Myanmar military coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is planning to hold a grand military review next month, when the country marks its 75th annual Union Day, becoming the first military dictator to preside over such a ceremony, which has previously been held only by civilian presidents.

In the past, the ceremony, known as Boshu Thabin in Burmese, was normally an occasion on which the countrys civilian presidents were saluted by honor guards, parade columns of military and police personnel, as well as members of social organizations. It is usually held on an important day on the countrys calendar, like Independence Day.

The last one was held under former President U Thein Sein on Jan. 4Independence dayin 2015. At that event, Min Aung Hlaing, as the military chief, saluted then-President Thein Sein in a pavilion on 20-lane Yazahtarni Road near the Parliament complex in the countrys capital Naypyitaw.

Under the National League for Democracy government, the ceremony wasnt held.

This year Boshu Thabin will again be held on Yazahtarni Road near the Parliament buildings, as it was in 2015, sources in Naypyitaw said.

The parade was held at least three times under democratic governments between 1952 and 1962, when General Ne Win seized power.Under the dictatorships of Gen. Ne Win and Than Shwe, the ceremony wasnt held. Min Aung Hlaing will be the first military ruler to hold the parade.

The official reason for holding the ceremony this year is to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Union Day, when the countrys independence hero General Aung San and representatives from the Shan, Kachin and Chin states reached an agreement on Feb. 12, 1947 to demand the British government restore independence to all of Myanmar.

However, many believe that Min Aung Hlaing is using the big day as an excuse to show himself off as the ruler of the country, which has been devastated by his coup in February last year.

U Pyi Thway Naing, chief editor of online Khit Ye Nant media, said, I think he is still crazy about being president and wants to show his power.

Another looming question is the cost of the ceremony. When U Thein Sein was planning for the 2015 event, he was questioned by Parliament about the events more than 60-billion-kyat cost.

With no parliament in session since the coup, preparations for this years ceremony were made without public scrutiny and its not clear how the regime will foot the bill, especially as the countrys economy has been in a downward spiral due to the takeover.

A retired Army captain said, It is a sheer waste of money in a time of pandemic and economic downturn.



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Burma Myanmar Air Force Chief Forced to Retire

Myanmar Air Force Chief General Maung Maung Kyaw (C) seen during the 'Sin Phyu Shin' joint military exercise in Ayeyarwady Region in February 2018. / AFP

Myanmars air force chief General Maung Maung Kyaw, who oversaw airstrikes that killed dozens of civilians while businesses owned by his family enriched themselves, has been forced to retire.

The military regime did not give a reason for its unexpected decision to replace him with Chief of Staff (Air Force) Lieutenant General Tun Aung. General Maung Maung Kyaw, who was once regarded as being close to coup leader Senior General Ming Aung Hlaing, is 58 and still two years short of the official retirement age in Myanmar.

But junta sources said that the decision was in accordance with military retirement policy because General Maung Maung Kyaw had already served as head of the air force for four years.

Striking military captain Nyi Thuta said: There have been previous cases in which the military extended the retirement age for people it wanted to keep. Perhaps the coup leader thinks the general does not listen to him, and therefore he doesnt want to keep him.

But General Maung Maung Kyaw will remain a member of the State Administration Council (SAC), the military regimes governing body.

The general was sanctioned by the United States in February 2021, for being a senior member of the military and the SAC responsible for lethal crackdowns on peaceful anti-coup protestors.

General Maung Maung Kyaw is the youngest son of General Thura Kyaw Htin, who served as the air force chief during the military dictatorship of the 1980s. The general was rapidly promoted through the ranks before becoming head of the air force in January 2018.

At that time, General Maung Maung Kyaw was seen as close to Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and was widely tipped by Myanmar defense analysts as likely to move into a more senior role eventually.

His promotion to air force chief saw his relatives establishing companies which were later involved in deals to supply the armed forces and the countrys aviation sector, according to an investigation by Reuters last year.

The junta has also recently forced Lieutenant General Aung Lin Dwe to step down as Judge Advocate General and transferred him to the reserve force. He did, however, retain his position as the SACs secretary.

Since last years coup, Myanmars air force has launched airstrikes against resistance groups and ethnic armed groups fighting the military regime. Dozens of civilians were killed and thousands displaced by junta airstrikes in 2021.

The Karen National Union said that at least 31 civilians were killed by airstrikes in its territory in Karen State last year, while more than 50,000 people were displaced by the fighting. Many more are feared to have been affected in Sagaing Region and, most recently, thousands of civilians were displaced by airstrikes in Loikaw, the Kayah State capital.

Myanmars military has stepped up its use of aerial attacks, despite demands from ethnic armed groups that it ceases using them because they do more harm to the civilian population than resistance fighters.



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Burma Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Continue in Kayah State

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in a fighter at the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the air force in 2019. / A regime website

Myanmars military regime airstrikes have continued against Kayah States capital Loikaw as its ground troops appear to have been defeated by resistance forces.

Tuesdays airstrike was the second targeting the city in four days.

On Tuesday morning, a fierce clash between regime forces and the peoples defense forces, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and Karenni Army, the armed wing of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), continue in Loikaw.

Two regimes jets bombarded the city nine times on Tuesday evening. A video showed a plane firing rockets into Loikaw.

During fighting on Tuesday, an estimated 20 regime troops and a resistance fighter were killed and many junta firearms and ammunition seized, according to the KNDF.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

Three Battalion 108 soldiers were captured while trying to flee the fighting, the armed group said.

The regime forces torched houses in Minelone ward in Loikaw on Tuesday, the KNDF said.

The group said regime forces are committing war crimes by bombarding residential areas, burning houses and conducting indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets.

Fighting began in the capital last Friday following heavy clashes in neighboring Demoso Township. Last Friday, four junta troops, a resistance fighter and six civilians were reportedly killed.

Junta airstrikes using a helicopter and two fighters were recorded on Saturday after an estimated 30 troops, including an army captain, were reportedly killed and an armored vehicle was destroyed by resistance fighters.

A helicopter was shot down, the KNDF claimed.

Around 40,000 Loikaw residents have fled since Saturday, according to the Karenni Human Rights Group.

Since the end of December, fierce clashes have been reported in Loikaw, Demoso and Hpruso townships in Kayah State, leading to regime airstrikes.

Several thousand Kayah civilians have fled their homes and some have abandoned displacement camps.

On Sunday, the KNPP urged the international community to act to stop the airstrikes and protect civilians.

Exception for Rakhine State, the junta has faced intense attacks from peoples defense forces and many ethnic armed groups.

Airstrikes have been conducted in Kachin, Chin, Shan, Karen and Kayah states and Sagaing and Magwe regions, where most resistance attacks have taken place.

Myanmars parallel National Unity Government claimed the military regime is breaching the Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law by repeatedly using its air force to attack civilians.



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Burma Myanmar Junta Raises SIM and Internet Taxes to Silence Opposition

Myanmars military regime has largely failed to control the online space. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars military regime has increased taxes on internet usage in the latest effort to restrict the flow of information since the coup last year.

On Saturday the regime introduced changes to the Union Taxation Law, increasing tax on SIM cards and internet services. There is now a 20,000 kyat (US$11) commercial tax on SIMs and a 15 percent tax on internet service providers income.

The juntas Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that the charges would reduce the effects triggered by extreme use of internet services on the employment of the people and mental sufferings of new generation students.

Telecoms sources said the regime wants to limit internet access and restrict the flow of information to limit anti-regime activities and open discussion on social media.

The main intention is to get taxes and restrict internet use by increasing prices, said a telecoms insider who asked for anonymity.

If internet costs increase, online activity will fall. This is another way of restricting internet use without imposing an internet blackout, he added.

In December, the regime forced telecom operators to double the cost of mobile data while Wi-Fi is only available in major cities. Previously, 1,000 kyats bought 900MB of data but now only 500MB.

On Facebook, I used to be able to watch any video that popped up. But now I cant afford to watch videos. I only read posts and look at photos to save data. And I havent been using Twitter and Instagram lately, a young man from Yangon told The Irrawaddy.

Wi-Fi charges are due to rise with the tax rises. Minimum Wi-Fi prices were previously between 25,000 and 30,000 kyats per month for 10 to 15 megabits per second. Telecoms sources estimate the minimum prices may increase to 45,000 kyats per month.

It might mean more people cant afford the internet, said an online trader.

Education will also be affected as COVID-19 and military rule have forced many classes online.

The spyware the military regime reportedly forces telecoms operators to use cannot track customers mobile data. Perhaps, the regime wants people to use phone calls and SMS, said a telecoms source.

Mobile internet services have been cut since August last year in much of Kachin and Chin states and Magwe, Sagaing and Mandalay regions amid regular resistance attacks.

According to the recent Freedom on the Net 2021, an annual internet freedom study by Freedom House, Myanmar only ranks above China and Iran for internet freedom.



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Burma Myanmar Prison Camp Head Killed With Wife, 11 Police in Resistance Raid

The Oh Poe Kan Baung labor camp in Tamu, Sagaing Region. Google Earth

The Peoples Defense Force (PDF) raided a labor camp in Sagaing Regions Tamu Township on Monday, killing the prison governor, his wife and 11 police officers, commanding officer Bo Ba Hman of Tamu PDF Battalion 1 told The Irrawaddy.

Two PDF fighters died and four others were also injured in the early Monday morning raid, which ended in a shootout, he added.

We raided the camp and had gained the upper hand. Some of [the prison guards had been incapacitated]. But then, the prison governor ordered [the guards] not to surrender even if he died. He switched off the electricity, which led to confusion. Then [prison guards] from the guard tower opened fire with a machine gun and both sides were hit in the hail of machine gun fire, said Bo Ba Hman.

One of the four injured PDF fighters suffered serious injuries, but was not in critical condition, and only one of the bodies of the killed PDF fighters could be retrieved, he said.

We didnt have a plan to go this far. We only intended to take control of them and seize their weapons. But things happened unexpectedly and resulted in casualties, he said.

The labor camp is located some 3.2 km to the east of Wut Shu Village in Tamu. It was established in 1991, and was the first labor camp to be built in Kabaw Valley.

The camp housed a number of political prisoners detained by the military regime after last years coup. The attack on a labor camp is believed to be the first of its kind since the coup in Myanmar, though other junta targets are often attacked by resistance groups.

Tamu, a town on the Myanmar-India border, was one of the first towns to take up arms against the military regime. The Tamu PDF Battalion 1 said it would also attack government departments operating under the juntas administration.

We will have no more mercy for departmental employees working for the regime as well as military informants and Pyu Saw Htee [militia groups trained and armed by the regime], said Bo Ba Hman.

We had invited them to join the civil disobedience movement. But they didnt join no matter how much we requested, and they have gotten worse. If we still treat them with consideration, our revolution will never reach its goal.



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Burma Regime Airstrike Destroys Hospital in Lower Myanmar

The hospital in Karen State's Papun District destroyed by a junta airstrike on 12 January 2022. / KNU_Mutraw

A Myanmar junta airstrike destroyed a hospital run by the Karen National Union (KNU) in Karen State on early Wednesday morning.

Two regime aircraft bombed the hospital in Papun, a township and district in Karen State in southeast Myanmar that is known as Mutraw in the Karen language. The hospital is operated by the Karen National Liberation Armys (KNLA) Brigade Five and is in territory controlled by the ethnic armed group. The KNLA is the armed wing of the KNU.

It is the second time this month that the hospital has been hit by junta bombs. On 3 January, an airstrike destroyed part of the hospital in the Wakadae community. Wednesdays airstrike, launched at 1am in the morning, destroyed the whole building, according to Padoh Mahn Mahn, the KNUs Papun district spokesperson.

Padoh Mahn Mahn said there were no fatalities as they had moved the patients and medical equipment out of the hospital last week.

He said the junta deliberately targeted the hospital, which provides healthcare to the local community. It is a vicious assault against a public hospital by the junta, he added.

Regime air raids are frequent in KNLA-controlled territory. In the area controlled by the KNLAs Brigade Five alone, regime airstrikes and aerial surveillance missions occur at least two to three times a week, said Padoh Mahn Mahn. The spokesperson added that they are designed as an attempt to intimidate the people.

In other parts of Karen State controlled by the KNU, including the new town of Lay Kaw Kyaw, Palu and surrounding villages and Kawkareik Township, there have been consistent air attacks for nearly a month.

Some 80,000 people have been internally displaced by air and artillery strikes targeting the KNLAs Brigade Five, according to the KNU and relief workers.

All of the residents of Papun district are now internally displaced, said Naw Wah Khu Shee, the spokesperson for the Karen Peace Support Network.

Last March, a school in the district was destroyed and a civilian killed by a regime airstrike. Local children are now forced to study in makeshift camps set up by the internally displaced.

The airstrikes are targeting civilian structures and not affecting the KNLA. It seems that the military have fewer reinforcements on the ground, but they still want to control the territory here, said Naw Wah Khu Shee.

Since early 2018, the Myanmar militarys road development scheme  an attempt to take control of territory in KNLA Brigade Five areas  has sparked fighting.

The clashes have continued in the wake of last years coup. The regime has also accused the KNLA of assisting the Civil Disobedience Movement and of providing military training to the civilian resistance movement.

However, the KNLA believes the junta is primarily motivated by a desire to take control of KNLA territory.

It is not because the KNLA is sheltering striking civil servants, but because the Myanmar military wants to take control of the KNLA Brigade Five territory and so the KNLA has to fight to protect its land, said Naw Wah Khu Shee.

There has been intense fighting in Papun over the last year. The KNLAs Brigade Five has clashes almost 2,700 times with the Myanmar military, while the KNU/KNLA overall clashed with junta forces on 3,152 occasions in 2021.

Those battles inflicted heavy casualties on regime troops, while civilians have also suffered.

As long as the military attacks and bombs its own civilians, not only in Karen State but also in Kayah and Chin states, our defensive actions will persist, said Padoh Mahn Mahn.



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Burma Resistance Fighters and KIA Clash With Junta Forces in Northern Myanmar

Resistance fighters from PDF Putao. / PDF Putao

Fighters from Putaos Peoples Defense Force (PDF-Putao) and ethnic armed group the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) clashed with junta troops in northern Myanmar on Sunday. It was the second battle in the remote far north of Kachin State in the last two weeks.

The resistance group said it engaged some 60 junta troops on Sunday morning in Sumprabum Town. The regime soldiers were from the Putao-based Light Infantry Battalions 137 and 138.

Soldiers from the KIAs Brigade 1 also fought alongside PDF-Putao. Some junta soldiers are thought to have been injured in the clash, but PDF-Putao and the KIA did not suffer any casualties, said PDF-Putao.

The Irrawaddy was unable to reach the resistance group for a comment. However, KIA information officer Colonel Naw Bu said the battle was short as the regime forces soon retreated.

The clash was not fierce. It was just a confrontation between KIA troops at the frontline and junta troops who were marching. It was neither a raid nor an attack. The clash happened because they marched into our area, said Col. Naw Bu.

Although there are no military tensions on the ground at present, fighting can break out anytime the military regime conducts operations in Kachin, he added.

On 29 December, a combined force of the KIA and PDF-Putao ambushed a military convoy in Putao Township.

PDF-Putao is a resistance group operating under the parallel National Unity Government (NUG). The resistance group has said it will fully cooperate with the KIA as agreed between the NUG and the Kachin Political Interim Coordination Team, a body formed in March last year by Kachin organizations in Myanmar and abroad to advocate on behalf of Kachin people living under military rule.



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Myanmar Junta Raises SIM and Internet Taxes to Silence Opposition

Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Continue in Kayah State

Myanmar Air Force Chief Forced to Retire
Analysis China Backs Cambodias Much Criticized Diplomatic Bid in Myanmar

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (left) greets Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing during a meeting in Naypyitaw on Jan. 7, 2022. / AFP

China has expressed support for Cambodias divisive diplomatic initiative on Myanmar. Days after Prime Minister Hun Sen made his controversial visit to the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations efforts to resolve issues related to its neighboring country in accordance with the ASEAN way, and to successfully implement the blocs Five-Point Consensus. Myanmar and Cambodia are members of ASEAN.

He said, China appreciates Myanmars readiness to create favorable conditions for ASEANs special envoy to fulfill his duty, and works toward effective alignment between Myanmars five-point roadmap and ASEANs Five-Point Consensus. China will fully support Cambodia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, in playing an active role and making [an] important contribution to properly managing the differences among parties of Myanmar through political dialogue and restoring stability and achieving development at an early date.

Analysts believe China is eager to restart its infrastructure projects in Myanmar.

Faced with record low foreign direct investment, Myanmars military regime is pushing China to restart several stalled infrastructure projects, including railways, ports and power projects, and to accelerate bilateral cooperation over the coming months.

In December, the juntas Ministry of Information and Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations claimed that normalcy is returning to Myanmar. The junta ministers said in a statement that the implementation of several joint projects with China is a major priority, following the disruptions caused by the pandemic and recent social unrest.

However, Beijing remains wary about resuming full cooperation with Myanmar after the widespread anti-China protests that followed the regimes Feb. 1 coup, and subsequent attacks on Chinese-owned factories in Yangon.

With Hun Sen breaking the international isolation of conflict-ridden Myanmar, China is looking for ways to restart its projects including the Kyaukphyu deep sea port and Special Economic Zone in Rakhine State.

During his two-day visit on Friday and Saturday last week, Hun Sen met with coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and other leaders of the military junta for talks aimed at resolving the countrys tangle of political, economic and humanitarian crises.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who accompanied Hun Sen on the trip, said talks between Hun Sen and Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing achieved a very good, positive result with a progressive step forward on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus agreed to by ASEAN.

Hun Sens trip to Myanmar provoked a storm of criticism both in Myanmar and abroad, however, for bestowing legitimacy on an illegitimate regime.

Sokhonn, who also serves as ASEANs Special Envoy to Myanmar, defended the trip, saying: If there is anyone who opposes progressing these negotiations and the agreements like this, it is only those people who love war, those people who do not want to see Myanmar return to stability and peace.

Since taking over Aseans rotating chairmanship late last year, Cambodias government has made clear its intention to adopt a policy of pragmatic engagement with the regime in Myanmar. Last year, ASEAN, whose rotating chair was then held by Brunei, made a collective decision to exclude the junta leader from the blocs summit meetings for failing to implement the five-point consensus.

Coup leader Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing also promised that Prak Sokhonn would be permitted to meet all parties involved in the countrys political turmoil, including the armed ethnic minority groups. Both leaders also promised to push for a meeting aimed at coordinating deliveries of humanitarian aid.

Ong Keng Yong, a Singaporean diplomat and former ASEAN Secretary General, told Kyodo News that the effective purpose of Hun Sens trip was to produce a pretext for Myanmars foreign minister to be invited to ASEANs upcoming foreign ministers meeting on Jan. 18 and 19. The statement they issued is full of words but nothing substantive to resolve the current political crisis regarding Myanmar, he said.

With Chinas backing, Hun Sen is likely to invite Myanmar back into the ASEAN fold.

Informed ASEAN sources also said that Brunei, Cambodia and Indonesiathe latter will hold the rotating chair of ASEAN in 2023will coordinate on the Myanmar issue.

Indonesias President Joko Jokowi Widodo talked with Hun Sen before the latters Myanmar trip.

Soon after the phone conversation, the Indonesian leader wrote on his official Twitter account, I reiterated clearly Indonesias position on the importance of implementation of 5-Point Consensus to bring democracy back in Myanmar through inclusive dialogue.

Should there be no significant progress on the implementation of 5PCs, Myanmar should only be represented by non-political level at Asean meetings, he added.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen reportedly plans to invite the chairman of Japans Nippon Foundation to assist in a peace plan for Myanmar.

Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the philanthropic Nippon Foundation and Japans special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar, mediated peace talks between the military and armed ethnic minority groups in Myanmar for many years.

Known to be close to Min Aung Hlaing and seen as a godfather figure to the senior general, Sasakawa made a personal visit to Myanmar late last year to meet with the coup leader.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi also welcomed Hun Sens visit to Myanmar.

In a phone call with his counterpart Sokhonn on Tuesday, Hayashi said he remained concerned about the violence in Myanmar, and welcomed Cambodias positive efforts to resolve the situation, according to an emailed statement from the Foreign Ministry. Hun Sens trip resulted in progress toward a ceasefire with ethnic minority groups and enabling humanitarian support, Hayashi added.

Meanwhile, India said it will coordinate with Cambodia over the Myanmar issue.

The pledge was made during a telephone conversation between Prak Sokhonn and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Jan. 10.

Following the conversation, Jaishankar tweeted: We discussed Indian-ASEAN relations, Mekong-Ganges Cooperation and the situation in Myanmar, upon which I will be working closely with Cambodia in its capacity as ASEAN Chair.



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Myanmar Prison Camp Head Killed With Wife, 11 Police in Resistance Raid

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Myanmar Regime Orders Mid-Ranking Officers Wives to Undergo Military Training
Authorities in North Carolina are investigating a weekend shooting an off-duty police officer said was triggered by a pedestrian running into the middle of the road, and then jumping onto the hood of his vehicle.

In a 911 call released by the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office on Tuesday, the deputy, Lt. Jeffrey Hash, detailed for dispatchers the moments leading up to the death of 37-year-old Jason Walker, who was Black. The officer claimed he was driving his wife and daughter when Walker came flying across Bingham Drive running at his pickup truck on Saturday around 2 p.m.

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Then I stopped so I wouldnt hit him, and he jumped on my car and started screaming, pulled my windshield wipers off and started beating my windshield and broke my windshield, Hash told dispatchers.

Jeffrey Hash

He said he was trying to protect his family when he fired at Walker, who was ultimately pronounced dead on the scene.

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During a press conference on Sunday, Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins said the black box computer in Hashs truck, which logs speed, braking and impact, did not record any impact with a person. She also said that no shots went through the windshield, noting the gun used was not Hashs service weapon.

Jason Walker

Hawkins did not confirm how many times Walker was shot nor where he was struck.

Elizabeth Ricks, who claims she witnessed the incident, offered an alternative version of events in an interview with the News & Observer. She said Walker was attempting to cross the street to get to his home when he was hit by Hashs truck.

Pandora Harrington, right, cries as she holds a sign with an image of Jason Walker during a demonstration in front of the Fayetteville Police Department, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Fayetteville, N.C. (Andrew Craft/AP)

Walkers family has repeatedly said the 37-year-old father was not violent or erratic.

The deadly incident sparked days of protests this week in Fayetteville, with many calling for the deputys arrest.

Elizabeth Ricks, center, cries as she recounts rendering aid to Jason Walker during a demonstration in front of the Fayetteville Police Department, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Fayetteville, N.C. (Andrew Craft/AP)

On Monday, the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office said Hash, who has been with the department since 2005, would be placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been tasked with leading the probe into Walkers death. The agency has requested anyone who saw the incident or may have video of what happened to contact the agency as soon as possible.
With their meager belongings, ethnic Karen internally displaced people who fled fighting in Karen States Myawaddy live in makeshift huts on the silty soil that lines the bank of the Moei River, which marks the Myanmar-Thailand border. It has been nearly a month since they had to leave their homes to avoid being hit by the bullets, artillery shells and bombs fired at and dropped on them by Myanmar junta troops and aircraft.

Some 20,000 locals in Lay Kay Kaw new town and surrounding areas in Karen States Myawaddy Township have been displaced by fighting between the Myanmar military and the combined forces of the Karen National Liberation Army and the Peoples Defense Force since mid-December. The fighting erupted after the junta forces conducted raids in the town, alleging that democracy activists and striking civil servants were sheltering in the area, and arresting dozens of them.

Since Dec. 15, a few thousand people have sought refuge over the Thai border, where the Thai government and volunteers help them with food, shelter and medicine. At least these refugees have some shelter, however inadequate, in large cow barns in Thailands Mae Sot and Phop Phra districts.

Some tried returning to their homes during breaks in the fighting, but many ended up being displaced again along the border on the Myanmar side.

We went back to our home in Palu Village a few days ago, but only stayed for one night. We had to flee as the shooting was near our home. We have five children and we took only our children, a member of an IDP family told The Irrawaddy in the first week of January.

There are thousands of IDPs living on the bank of the Moei River on the Myanmar side. Some use tarpaulins as makeshift huts and mats, while others live on mats on the ground.

They rely on donated food and clean drinking water provided by Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand and Thai well-wishers. Migrant workers on the Thai side cook between 2,000 and 3,000 meals for lunch and again for dinner every day using donations from well-wishers, and distribute them on a daily basis, according to relief workers.

The IDPs near the Thailand-Myanmar border are among the many displaced people across Myanmar who have borne the greatest burden in areas where armed resistance against the military junta is growing, most notably in Kayah and Chin states and Sagaing and Magwe regions. The Irrawaddy recently captured in images the situation facing the IDPs on the border.

Almost a year after the Feb. 1, 2021 coup, an estimated 300,000 IDPs have been forced to flee their homes across the country, according to UNOCHA, the UNs humanitarian affairs agency. UNOCHA estimates 3 million people across Myanmar are in need of humanitarian support. The overall situation across the country has deteriorated since the military coup, resulting in a lack of security for civilians.
Trinity, TX (77320)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High 86F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable.
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COMPANY NEWS: Kicking off the new year, ActiveCampaign, the leader in customer experience automation, celebrates the addition of several new Growth Accelerator apps, which promise to help customers better automate events, surveys, data storage, direct mail, and more.

Since launching in the second half of 2021, the program has resulted in a pipeline of new best-in-class apps that promise to fuel the growth of ActiveCampaigns 150,000 customers. This is great news for customers already using these marketing automation platforms. By combining the power of these apps with the ActiveCampaign CXA platform, businesses can accelerate their growth in 2022.

From automating gifting to new customers through Sendoso through ActiveCampaign CRM to creating 1:1 experiences with prospects by triggering feedback surveys through Delighted and updating ActiveCampaign Deals and Contacts, the possibilities are endless.

Legacy all-in-one solutions just dont work for most companies. This is why ActiveCampaign has invested heavily in integrations with highly-rated solutions, like Growth Accelerator Apps, incentivising these partners to create automated versions of their solutions for ActiveCampaigns global customer base.

The latest Growth Accelerator apps include:

 Sendoso  sending and direct mail automation

 Delighted  customer feedback survey automation

 Snowflake  marketing data automation platform

 Magento  ecommerce automation

We are hyper-focused on accelerating the growth of businesses through customer experiences. Thats why we offer services like free migration and 1:1 strategy meetings with our customers, and also best-in-class apps like Growth Accelerator apps, said ActiveCampaign founder and CEO Jason VandeBoom. Were already seeing customers succeed with the integrations from this program, and Im confident that more customers will benefit from these new apps as we kick off 2022.

Heading into 2022 with the ongoing global challenges, were prepared to best serve our customers, and ActiveCampaign is a significant part of that, said BlossomCo manager David Pritchard. With its integration with our store platform, marketing, and resources for better customer engagement, we feel in control of as much as we can be to ensure this year will be successful for our business.

Partnering with ActiveCampaign just makes sense for our customers. Between their industry-leading customer experience automation capabilities and our best-of-breed customer feedback platform, our mutual customers are having more effective conversations with their customers, which then yields longer-term relationships and, ultimately, more revenue. This is a direct result of our participation in ActiveCampaigns Growth Accelerator Apps Program, said Delighted partnerships manager Taylor Klein.
Microsoft has released 97 CVEs on its first patch Tuesday of 2022, including four zero-days that have been publicly disclosed but not yet exploited in the wild; one of these is wormable.

Nine of the vulnerabilities disclosed were classified as critical and 88 as important. Also included among the patches were two for open-source libraries.

Nearly a third of the vulnerabilities allowed for remote code execution, while a shade over two-fifths permitted elevation of privilege.

Commenting on the flaws, Tenable staff research engineer Satnam Narang said: "Microsoft patched CVE-2022-21907, a critical remote code execution flaw in the HTTP Protocol Stack.

"To exploit this vulnerability, a remote, unauthenticated attacker could send a specially crafted request to a vulnerable server using the HTTP Protocol Stack.

"Microsoft warns that this vulnerability is wormable, meaning no human interaction would be required for an attack to spread from system to system. As such, organisations that utilise the HTTP Protocol Stack should prioritise patching this vulnerability as soon as possible.

"Additionally, Microsoft patched three remote code execution vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server (CVE-2022-21846, CVE-2022-21969, CVE-2022-21855).

"All three are rated as 'exploitation more likely'. One of the flaws, CVE-2022-21846, was disclosed to Microsoft by the NSA.

"Despite the rating, Microsoft notes the attack vector is adjacent, meaning exploitation will require more legwork for an attacker, unlike the ProxyLogon and ProxyShell vulnerabilities which were remotely exploitable."

One of the remotely exploitable vulnerabilities, in the Remote Desktop Protocol, was disclosed to Microsoft by CyberArk.

Commenting on this vulnerability, researcher Gabriel Sztejnworcel said: "This vulnerability enables any standard unprivileged user connected to a remote machine via remote desktop to gain file system access to the client machines of other connected users, to view and modify clipboard data of other connected users, and to impersonate the identity of other users logged on to the machine using smart cards.

"This could lead to data privacy issues, lateral movement and privilege escalation.

"The latest versions of Windows (client and server editions) are affected by this vulnerability, and it goes back at least to Windows Server 2012 R2, so we can say that the majority of Windows versions in use today are affected."
People are dying, but capitalism isnt.

Rolls-Royces CEO said the COVID-19 death toll helped push the luxury automaker to a massive sales increase in 2021.

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Many people witnessed people in their community dying from COVID and that made them think life can be short and youd better live now rather than postpone until a later date, CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos said Monday, according to the Guardian. That has helped Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos is pictured in January 2020. (Aaron Chown/AP)

The iconic British car brand saw sales jump by 49% to a record high, Reuters reported. Orders came in so fast that Rolls-Royce is currently unable to meet demand.

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If you order a Rolls-Royce today, you will expect to take delivery of it about a year from now, Muller-Otvos said, according to Reuters.

In 2021, the average Rolls-Royce customer was 43 years old, Muller-Otvos said.

Other luxury auto brands, including Bentley and Lamborghini, also reported sales increases in 2021.

Rolls-Royce has a bizarre legal business history and is currently owned by BMW. The German auto conglomerate was one of many car manufacturers to lay off workers during the pandemic.
In honor of National Space Day on May 6, Stacker has compiled a list of key astronomy and astrophysics terms that are out of this world! Click for more.
ATLANTA  Protecting voting rights in America is important enough to abolish the U.S. Senates filibuster rule to get it done, President Joe Biden said Tuesday during a speech in Atlanta.
This bird eye view shows the coral reefs in China's Xisha Islands, South China Sea. [Photo/Xinhua]

By Shen Dingli

The joint statement issued after the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting on Jan 7 indicates the two sides' resolve to respond jointly to the rapidly changing security environment in the region, so as to "maintain peace and stability" in East Asia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

This year's US-Japan security committee meeting, attended by both countries' heads of foreign and defense departments, repeated the rhetoric that certain countries in the region are sharpening their military and strategic edge and thus threatening the rule-based world order.

In particular, the joint statement reiterated that they will build deterrence to the threats to "Senkaku Islands" (as the Japanese call China's Diaoyu Islands). They also claimed the developments in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Hong Kong threaten human rights, so forces from outside the Asia-Pacific need to get involved in the region to uphold peace and human rights.

It is essential indeed to protect the rule-based world order. And all members of the international community should listen to each other and help preserve peace and stability in Asia-Pacific and beyond.

But who is challenging the rules-based world order?

The world order since the end of the World War II has been defined by the United Nations Charter. And yet, going against the order, the US invaded a sovereign country, Iraq, in 2003, toppling its government and devastating the country, without any endorsement from the UN and despite Iraq not doing any harm to the US.

Such military actions have been directly responsible for the turmoil in the Middle East and beyond over the past two decades, but the US has not held those responsible for launching such offensives, or paid any reparation to any war victim.

As for China, in 1971 the United Nations restored the legal seat of the People's Republic of China in the UN system. In 1979, the US established diplomatic relations with the PRC, recognizing the PRC government as the sole legal government of China, and acknowledging the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. And in the joint communique of Aug 17, 1982, Washington said it will gradually reduce its arms sale to Taiwan.

However, violating those commitments, the US has been developing high-level official relations with Taiwan, and committing to defend Taiwan through legal and political means.

Also, some countries' actions in the South China Sea have generated controversy. China has been listening to the opinions from all corners, and working with all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to finalize a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea.

However, the US has been the major source of instability in Asia-Pacific over the past two decades becauselike its invasion of Iraq and fueling of chaos in the Middle Eastit has meddled in the Taiwan question. In fact, the US has been the single most serious threat to a rule-based Asia-Pacific order over the past four decades.

It is important for the US to put its words into practice and make up for its failure to follow international rules in the first place.

China is interested in working with the US and all other countries on regional and global governance issues, such an anti-terrorism, cross-border drug smuggling, proliferation of small arms and weapons, nuclear security, as well as climate change.

Tokyo might feel more assured after the US-Japan meeting stressed that Article V of their bilateral security agreement is applicable to "Senkaku Islands". But Tokyo should be cautioned that such assurance is read by Beijing as a threat.

The Diaoyu Islands returned to China with Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II in 1945. The US position on this question threatens China's security. While Washington and Tokyo are calling for a rule-based order, their actions and remarks are actually stirring up tensions leading to more instability.

Washington and Tokyo should not be myopic and pursue just short-term interests. If they help build a resilient defensive alliance, they will benefit other Asia-Pacific countries, including China. But if they strengthen their military alliance for offensive purposes, they will destabilize the region and eventually inflict injuries on themselves.

The author is a professor at, and former executive dean of, the Institute of International Studies, Fudan University.
Two men have been charged with gunning down beloved Memphis rapper Young Dolph.

Justin Johnson, 23, and Cornelius Smith, 32, were detained in separate states.

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Justin Johnson (left) and Cornelius Smith have been accused of murdering Young Dolph. (Handout)

Johnson was arrested Tuesday by U.S. Marshals in Indiana, according to Memphis Fox affiliate WHBQ.

Johnson had posted on Instagram on Sunday that he would turn himself in, according to Vibe magazine. In the post, he proclaimed his innocence and said hed be back sooner than you can blink. A warrant had been issued for Johnsons arrest last week on a first-degree murder charge.

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Smith was booked into Shelby County jail Tuesday and charged with a first-degree murder that occurred Nov. 17, 2021, according to online jail records. Young Dolph was killed Nov. 17.

Smith had been arrested Dec. 9 in Desoto County, Miss., and remained behind bars until his transfer to Shelby County jail on Tuesday. Smith had been charged with auto theft in Mississippi.

Police said he stole the white Mercedes that was spotted at the scene of Young Dolphs murder, local NBC affiliate WMC reported. Desoto County is just across the state border from Memphis. The Mercedes was found abandoned Nov. 20.

Young Dolph performs in 2019 in Houston. (SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Dolph, whose legal name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., was walking into a Memphis cookie store when two men rolled up in the Mercedes and shot him dead. Surveillance cameras captured the shooting, and police released screenshots of the footage as the investigation unfolded.

Dolph often visited the store, Makedas Homemade Butter Cookies, while he was home in Memphis. His 2016 debut album, King of Memphis, rubbed some people the wrong way in the city. Memphis municipal government named a street after Young Dolph shortly after he was killed.




Donate Now As a public service during this pandemic, the Jewish News is providing free, unlimited access to all articles. Jewish News is a nonprofit publication that is owned by the community and relies on community support.
Johnson City, TN (37604)

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Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
ALBANY  With the end of New Yorks COVID eviction moratorium days away, a group of New York lawmakers are trying to convince Gov. Hochul to do some good.

Dozens of Democrats in the Senate and Assembly, as well as members of the City Council and other local leaders, sent a letter to the governor Wednesday calling on her to back a long-stalled piece of legislation that would guarantee tenants the right to renew a lease and essentially place a cap on how much landlords can increase rent.

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People gather at the Manhattan office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul calling for a stop to evictions. (Michael M Santiago/GettyImages/Getty Images)

The push for the Good Cause Eviction bill comes as Hochul admitted theres little chance of the state extending the states pandemic-prompted hold on evictions, which expires on Jan. 15.

After over a year of temporary, pandemic-era protections New Yorkers need permanent solutions, the lawmakers write. We believe that Good Cause Eviction is the best way to prevent hundreds of thousands of households from displacement as pandemic-era interventions lapse.

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul (Don Pollard/Office of the Governor)

Good Cause, first proposed in 2019 but ultimately left out of a sweeping package of tenant-friendly reforms, has faced intense opposition from landlord groups who argue it will make evictions near impossible and severely limit profits.

The bill would give all tenants the automatic right to lease renewals and prevent landlords from evicting a renter without a good reason. Under the measure, a judge would have to decide if an eviction is for good cause, such as breaking the terms of a lease or failure to pay rent.

Tenants would also be protected from eviction for nonpayment if a landlord increases rent by an unreasonable amount, essentially anything exceeding 3% of the annual rent or 1.5% of the regions Consumer Price Index, whichever is higher.

Four upstate cities, Kingston, Hudson, Poughkeepsie and Albany, recently approved versions of good cause and several other states, including New Jersey, already have similar laws on the books.

Hochul has signaled support for some policies endorsed by housing groups and tenant advocates, such as the repeal of the states 421-a tax break, which in theory incentivizes the inclusion of affordable units in buildings.

Housing activists march across town towards New York Gov. Kathy Hochul office in Manhattan, New York calling for an extension of pandemic era eviction protections (Mary Altaffer/AP)

However, the governor has remained mum on good cause and has so far made no move to extend the eviction moratorium.

We talked about giving people a little more breathing room, giving them a little more relief on a short-term basis and that went all the way until Jan. 15, Hochul said during a COVID briefing in Manhattan on Tuesday. And what we want to do is let people know that that is concluding very shortly. Im having conversations with the Legislature on what to do on this issue.

The lawmakers who signed the letter, including 11 Dem senators and two dozen Assembly members as well as City Council members and city Comptroller Brad Lander, would like to see a stronger commitment from the administration as they warn of a wave of evictions should no action be taken.

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If nothing is done, and after the eviction moratorium eventually expires, it is only a matter of months before New York grapples with an unprecedented eviction crisis, they wrote to Hochul.

Activists rally during a demonstration and march in Manhattan to call on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Speaker Carl Heastie, and and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousin to extend pandemic era eviction protections in wake of Supreme Court decision lifting the moratorium. (Mary Altaffer/AP)

Tenant advocates have planned multiple rallies and major disruptions this week in an attempt to ramp up pressure on Hochul and the Legislature. Protesters blocked traffic and piled furniture and moving boxes outside of the state Capitol on Tuesday.

Pass Good Cause was scrawled across a headboard and a couch used to block an entrance to the building.

A Hochul representative touted the governors past record on housing, including extending the eviction ban after first taking office, and said only that she will continue working with the legislature to protect tenants and keep New Yorkers in their homes.

#BREAKING: Our movement is taking over and blocking the entrance to the NYS Capital. We will not be moved. We will not be evicted. Pass #GoodCause and #HouseNY. pic.twitter.com/5OU39vIeAr  Housing Justice For All (@housing4allNY) January 11, 2022

Landlord groups, meanwhile, continue to push back on the bill.

Last week, Joseph Strasburg, president of the Rent Stabilization Association, which represents building owners in the city, panned the legislation during a Senate hearing.

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It may as well be called the lease for life bill because it would render the most basic provisions of rental apartment leases legally insignificant, Strasburg wrote in submitted testimony. It would strip landlords of their ownership rights and provide permanent tenancy at controlled, minimal rent increases to tenants of unregulated apartments for as long as they want to live there.

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Delegate Lisa Zukoff said she supported the West Virginia Industrial Advancement Act, but she was concerned about some of the claims made about its effect.
An obscure city law requiring self-closing doors in residential buildings is garnering attention in light of this past weekends horrific fire in a Bronx apartment tower.

Passed by the City Council in 2018, the law mandated that building owners in the five boroughs ensure that all doors in their properties are self-closing if they provide access to corridors or stairwells.

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The legislation, which imposed a July 31, 2021, deadline for the citywide requirement, came to fruition a few months after an apartment building fire in the Bronx killed 12 people. That fire spread throughout the building after a door to the unit where it started was left open  a scenario similar to this past Sundays blaze that killed 17 residents in another Bronx apartment building.

Twin Parks has a history of malfunctioning self-closing doors, according to city records. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

Most of the victims in Sundays inferno died from suffocation as thick black smoke billowed out from a second-floor apartment whose self-closing front door stayed open after a fire erupted from a malfunctioning space heater in the units bedroom, according to FDNY investigators. Making matters worse, another self-closing door to a 15th-floor stairwell in the building also stayed ajar, creating a flue-like effect for the smoke to spread.

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Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island), who introduced the 2018 bill, said his measure was designed to prevent the type of fire that devastated residents of the Twin Parks North West building at 333 E. 181st St. on Sunday morning.

The point of this bill was to make buildings as safe as possible and have the self-closing mechanism on every door, Borelli said in an interview in his City Hall office Tuesday.

But Borelli stopped short of pointing fingers at the owner of Twin Parks for the malfunctioning doors that exacerbated Sundays tragedy.

I dont want to blame the landlord. It sounds like they had the self-closing doors in the building. That part is not in question, the other apartments had them, Borelli said. Why they malfunctioned or why they were broken is a question that needs to get answered by the fire marshals.

The Twin Parks North West building in the Bronx, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

Twin Parks, which is currently owned by a consortium of real estate companies called Bronx Park Phase III Preservation, has a history of malfunctioning self-closing doors, according to city records.

Just last month, the owner  whose head manager, Rick Gropper, is a member of Mayor Adams transition team committee on housing  received a complaint from a sixth-floor tenant whose apartment door was not self-closing, records show. Between 2013 and 2019, city Department of Housing Preservation and Development inspectors dinged the building six times for issues with self-closing doors, according to a database maintained by the agency.

Kelly Magee, a spokeswoman for Twin Parks owner, said all complaints about self-closing doors in the building had been rectified before Sunday.

It remains unclear why the self-closing doors malfunctioned during the fire, and an FDNY investigation is ongoing.

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On Monday, Jan. 10, New York City Mayor Eric Adams surveys the damage in an apartment building where there was a fatal fire a day earlier. (Office of the Mayor)

Borellis bill can result in a $150 fine for every malfunctioning self-closing door if a building owner is at fault, with an additional $125 for every day a violation remains outstanding.

Adams, who has not commented on his connection to Gropper since Sundays fire, suggested in a Monday press conference that tenants can learn a lesson from the tragedy.

Close the door, close the door. ... Were going to double down on that message, he said. Muscle memory is everything and if we can drill that in, we can save lives by closing the doors, not only in the city but across the entire globe. This painful moment can turn into a purposeful moment as we send the right message of something as simple as closing the door.

In an appearance on La Mega radio Tuesday morning, though, Adams said appropriate action will be taken if the owner of Twin Parks is found at fault for any of the malfunctioning doors. He did not specify what shape that action would take.
Opinion Columnist

Chris Powell has worked for the Journal Inquirer since 1967, first as a reporter, then as an editor, and now as a columnist. He was managing editor from 1974 until retiring from that position in 2018.
DISPUTE OVER POLICY CHANGE

THE ISSUE: The Board of Education will consider a policy and bylaw change that would not allow public comments criticizing any member of the school community.

REACTION: Windsor Locks Teachers Association says the proposed change is an attempt to censor teachers and voters voices.

MEETING: 6 p.m. Thursday. Only board members can attend in person. Members of the public may attend via Zoom; register to get the link at https://tinyurl.com/2p89bwbf
Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Campaigning Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege is urging his countrys government to do more to bring war criminals to justice, alleging that many offenders hold positions of power and are blocking investigations.

Mukwege, who co-won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, is the Democratic Republic of Congos best-known human rights campaigner.

He made his name treating rape victims at the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu in the countrys war-torn east.

The 66-year-old gynaecologist and author, who has faced multiple assassination attempts, has long supported the idea of an international tribunal for Congo to try the people responsible for nearly three decades of atrocities and war.

I have to be frank: I think we can do better, he told AFP in Paris when asked if President Felix Tshisekedis government was doing enough to pursue militia leaders or military commanders responsible for massacres and rape.

I do not see how we can build peace without justice, he added.

There have been so many crimes, and unfortunately the criminals are in senior positions in the army, in the police. They also hold political positions. And the fact that they are in these roles means they do everything to hush up the truth, he said.

Tshisekedi came to power in 2019 after disputed elections, vowing to root out corruption and tackle militia groups.

He succeeded Joseph Kabila, whose 18-year rule saw a bid to end fighting in the east by inviting militiamen to join the army in exchange for laying down their weapons.

A landmark investigation published in 2010 by the United Nations, known as the Mapping Exercise Report, found evidence of abuses that could amount to crimes against humanity over the period of 1993 to 2003.

It pointed the finger at local armed groups, the Congolese army, as well as the soldiers of Congos neighbours, above all Rwandas, which played a key role in the Congo Wars of the late 1990s.

In an interview with AFP in May, Tshisekedi urged the international community to build on the Mapping Report, because we need justice to be delivered to our victims.

Violence has ravaged the country since the middle of the 1990s, fuelled by competition for the countrys mineral, forest and precious metal wealth, according to Mukwege and other human rights campaigners.

The DRC and Ugandan armed forces are currently engaged in a fight against one of the deadliest armed groups currently, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

The group is blamed for thousands of killings in North Kivu province and for recent bomb attacks in Uganda.

 French help? 

Mukwege, who met French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Tuesday, called on Paris to help in the fight against the impunity of war criminals in his country, a former Belgian colony.

We think that Frances involvement can make a difference: we are counting on France to help advance the issue of transitional justice, he said.

France knows the Congo the best out of all countries except for Belgium, which is not on the UN Security Council, Mukwege added.

Several Congolese warlords have been tried and convicted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, but Mukweges campaign for a special tribunal for his country has failed so far to gain traction internationally.

Rwandan leader Paul Kagame, a close Western ally with whom French President Emmanuel Macron has sought to forge a relationship, denies war crimes were committed by his soldiers in Congo.

Mukweges efforts to push for justice and his outspoken condemnation of Congolese authorities, militias, as well as Rwandan authorities, means he lives under UN protection at his hospital in South Kivu province.
On Tuesday, a union sued DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care and Satellite Healthcare, saying Latino and Asian patients were more likely to experience adverse symptoms while undergoing hemodialysis at the companies California centers.

The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West and the National Health Law Program claim that nearly one in five Asian patients is treated and one in seven Latino patients is treated at a rate of more than 13 milliliters per hour. That rate was higher than for white patients, according to the teams analysis of kidney data submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In general, higher ultrafiltration rates were associated with higher rates of hospitalization and die rate, longer recovery time, and severe symptoms such as permanent heart damage and loss of cognitive function.

Several patients included in the complaint said that due to high-speed hemodialysis and high ultrafiltration rates of more than 10 to 13 milliliters per hour, peers and family members were receiving the same treatment.

No one should experience high ultrafiltration rates, said Jane Perkins, legal director of the National Health Law Project. But the fact that the data show that Asian American and Latino patients experience it more frequently than white patients is startling, and really unacceptable.

Dialysis providers receive federal funding through Medicaid and Medicare, leading these groups to claim that treatment disparities violate the Civil Rights Act and the Affordable Care Act.

The allegations contradict Fresenius track record of improving quality and outcomes for all patients, regardless of race or ethnicity, Fresenius Medical Care North America spokesman Brad Pfer said in a statement. .

The ultrafiltration rate is not prescribed by dialysis providers because each dialysis treatment is based on each patients doctors prescription, Puffer said. We continue to drive new product innovations to improve fluid management and personalize therapy. We strongly question the motivation for this complaint.

Californias dialysis industry has been the subject of regulation and regulatory battles business practice In recent years, including a ballot proposal To be defeated in 2020, it will require a trained physician at each of the states 600 dialysis clinics to improve patient care.

DaVita and Fresenius oppose SEIU-UHWs measure to increase regulations because it could reduce access to care, especially for high-risk dialysis patients of color.

More than 65,000 patients in California receive regular dialysis to remove waste and fluid from their blood after their kidneys stop working, the complaint said. Approximately 43% of dialysis patients in California are Latino and 18% are Asian.

Currently, Davita and Fresenius According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 70 percent of centers in California operate about 83 percent of dialysis facilities in the United States.

The lawsuit from SEIU-UHW and the National Health Law Program asks the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights to ask dialysis centers to stop providing dialysis treatment at ultrafiltration rates above 10 milliliters per hour.
For two years, the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations has been widely used as a barometer of the spread of the global epidemic.

But the omicron wave is messing up the usual statistics, forcing news organizations to rethink how they report them.

Its just a data disaster, said Katherine Wu, a staff writer covering COVID-19 for The Atlantic.

Cases spiked during the holiday season, an expected development given the emergence of a more contagious variant than its predecessor.

However, these figures only reflect what health authorities have reported. They do not include most people who self-test at home or who are unknowingly infected. Holidays and weekends can also cause lag in reporting cases.

If you could add up all those numbers  which you cant  the number of cases could go up considerably.

For this reason, the Associated Press recently told its editors and reporters to avoid highlighting case numbers in its coverage of the disease. This means, for example, that there are no more single-day record numbers of cases that focus solely on a particular country or state, because that claim has become unreliable.

Looking at the media, more caution is being used when using official case numbers.

On Monday, NBC News report on the surge in COVID cases relied on the weekly average of cases. A story on Tuesday briefly referred to a wave of cases.

In reporting from Tuesdays Senate hearing with health experts, the number of cases CNN flashed on the screen was a two-week average. MSNBC used a variety of measurements, including listing the five states with the most reports over the past three days.

In its Pandemic Guidance on its website, The Washington Post used a seven-day average of cases and compared that number to last Tuesdays data, which showed a 56 percent increase. The New York Times used daily counts in the online chart, but also included two-week trends in cases and deaths.

An Associated Press report by Jennifer Sinco Kelleher and Terry Tang on Saturday said the Omicron explosion caused services to collapse across the country filled with statistics from across the United States on hospitalization rates or employee sick leave. The case count metric is not used.

We definitely want people to report more deeply, to report more concretely, said Josh Hoffner, a news editor who helped oversee the APs virus coverage.

During the omicron surge, Wu said, many news organizations were discussing how best to use statistics. But there is no easy answer.

Thats how journalism works, Wu said. We need the data. We need to show the reader the receipt. But Ill try to do that as carefully as possible.

Some argue that hospitalizations and mortality are more reliable descriptions of the current impact of COVID-19 on society. In recent days, however, even the usefulness of these numbers has been called into question. In many cases, hospitalizations are accidental: Some people are admitted for other reasons and are surprised to learn they have tested positive for the coronavirus, said Tanya Lewis, senior editor of health and medicine at Scientific American.

Despite the flaws, the number of cases should not be ignored, said Gary Schwitzer, a lecturer at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and publisher of HealthNewsReview.org, which monitors health coverage in the media.

The figures, he said, illustrate trends and paint a picture of which parts of the country have been hit particularly hard, or where the surge may have peaked. They can predict wider societal impacts, such as where hospitals are about to be incarcerated or where there will be worker shortages.

These stories may not be told adequately if only hospitalizations and deaths are emphasized, Schwitzer said.

This is also a point highlighted in the APs internal guidelines.

They do have value, Hoffner said. We dont want people to stop mentioning the number of cases.

Some in public health and the press believe that the current surge  as painful as it is  could portend good news. The New York Times David Leonhardt and Ashley Wu wrote that this may indicate that rather than a devastating epidemic, COVID-19 is becoming an endemic disease that people learn to live with.

But if the past two years have taught anything, its the dangers of forecasting, Lewis said.

Weve been surprised time and time again, she said. We dont know anything about the course of the pandemic. We still need to be humble and open to where things are going.
Mayor Adams directed top officials in his administration this week to develop plans for slashing city government spending by 3% across the board  but some pandemic-burdened agencies, including the Health Department, will be exempt from the cost-cutting, the Daily News has learned.

Adams, who campaigned on a promise to root out dysfunctional spending across the municipal bureaucracy, conveyed the 3% target in a letter issued by his City Hall budget czar, Jacques Jiha, to all executive agency heads on Monday.

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Jiha said the spending decrease cannot be based on layoffs, but acknowledged the mayors demand is nonetheless not an easy one as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the city.

I appreciate that this is a difficult request, and I have instructed my team to take every step they can to help, Jiha wrote in the letter, which was obtained exclusively by The News.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams (center) (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

The budget trimming will be carried out via so-called programs to eliminate the gap, or PEGs, which former Mayor de Blasio was reluctant to use while in office.

Under Adams plan, all agencies will need to submit PEG blueprints by Jan. 21 with the Mayors Office of Management and Budget spelling out how they will decrease spending by 3% for both the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. He also said Adams envisions similar PEGs for each year beyond that.

While de Blasio left office with the 2022 fiscal year budget balanced  in large part thanks to a massive influx of federal pandemic relief funds  Jiha noted that the 2023 preliminary spending plan has a $2.9 billion hole in it that could grow because of a slowing economy from the omicron variant of COVID-19.

Exempt from Adams belt-tightening directive are the Department of Correction, the public Health + Hospitals system, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner  all of which face unique challenges due to the coronavirus, Jiha said.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Manhattan, New York. (Mark Lennihan/AP)

Jiha informed heads of the impacted agencies they will be barred from hiring any new staff until they submit their cost-saving plans, though exceptions can be given for positions that have an immediate and direct impact on public health and public safety.

As layoffs are not on the table, Jiha said agencies could tighten the purse strings by, for instance, restructuring the delivery of programs or services, improving revenue collection, reducing administrative and overhead costs, and funding underused programs at the appropriate levels.

Jiha also urged agencies to reduce staff headcount by identifying posts that do not need to be filled once vacated, indicating Adams is of the belief that there are plenty of superfluous municipal workers.

Andrew Rein, president of the nonpartisan Citizens Budget Commission and a former city Health Department deputy commissioner, was encouraged by Adams announcement, but said he has his work cut out for him.

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This will be a challenge, because the muscle memory of developing PEGs has to some degree been lost as it hasnt been a feature of the past eight years, Rein said, referring to de Blasios administration. This is going to be hard work.

New York City Budget Director Jacques Jiha (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

City spending ballooned under de Blasio, whose final budget clocked in at a record $102.8 billion, while the municipal workforce reached 325,000 employees, the highest level ever.

Fiscal watchdogs have for years worried that such vast spending spikes could spell trouble for the citys long-term financial health and cause abrupt service cuts during economic recessions.

Rein suggested Adams 3% spending reduction target may need to increase down the road  and urged the mayor to also eventually make the Department of Correction part of the PEG effort, though he voiced sympathy with the fact that the agency remains in a staffing crisis.

Its a good to start, but it should not be the end, said Rein. DOC is in crisis and there are a variety of steps that needs to be taken to make sure that its managed better, but I understand this is not the time.

A teacher at Yung Wing School P.S. 124, goes over a lesson on a monitor with in-person Summer program students in Manhattan, New York. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Jihas missive comes as Adams is expected to in coming days unveil his first budget proposal as mayor, kicking off a negotiation process with the City Council, which must approve his administrations spending.

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The 3% shave is not unexpected, as Adams vowed on the campaign trail last year that he would institute PEGs, charging that city taxpayers arent getting a bang for their buck.

An agency Adams has targeted in particular for potential cuts is the Department of Education, which had an unprecedented $38 billion budget this fiscal year.

Lamenting that 65% of Black and brown students do not reach proficiency despite the exorbitant budget, Adams said last month that hes keeping a close eye on DOE bureaucrats who collect paychecks without stepping a foot in classrooms.

If youre there because you enjoy going to conferences, if youre there because you use taxpayer dollars to extend your educational criteria to pad your resume, if youre there for anything other than educating our children, then you should be concerned, Adams said.
Jung In Sun, seasoned actress who is currently starring in "Let Me Be Your Knight," dishes out honest feelings in an exclusive interview. She spoke about her current drama, her career goals and more.

Jung In Sun on 'Let Me Be Your Knight' Acting Role

"Let Me Be Your Knight" stars actress Jung In Sun as twins In Yoon Joo and Kang Soon Joo. The drama depicts the story of a popular idol band named LUNA, and stars U-KISS Lee Jun Young, NU'EST JR, AB6IX Kim Dong Hyun, Yoon Ji Sung and Jang Dong Joo.

In Yoon Joo pretends to be the bands' doctor and moves into their dorm to treat a member who sleepwalks.

When asked about her thoughts on taking on two roles, she answered, "I focused on In Yoon Joo's character first, since she's the main character. She has a complex personality and no one knows what she's thinking about."

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: 'Through the Darkness' Unveils Highlight Video Teaser Featuring Kim Nam Gil, Jin Sun Kyu and Kim So Jin as Criminal Profilers

"With the help of the director, I easily differentiated Yoon Joo and Sun Joo. The latter is a person who is the exact opposite of Yoon Joo," the actress added.

When she is asked to describe her character, Jung In Sun said, "Yoon Joo is nosy at first, but soon, viewers will realize she's a warm person. She's very optimistic. Because of her, I receive and give a lot of energy to other people. Since then, I started to think in her shoes."

Jung In Sun Dishes Out How She Differs From Her Character

Jung In Sun compared herself to her on-screen character. Unlike Yoon Joo who says whatever she wants so blatantly, Jung In Sun tends to keep things to herself as she's not brave enough to say things to other people.

"I'm jealous of Yoon Joo's ability to talk to others about what she's currently feeling," the actress said. "She doesn't burden other people, instead she even gives warmth and comfort."

Because of her character, Jung In Sun learned a lot with regards to her self-esteem, trust and outlook in life. Through Yoon Joo, she became more enthusiastic and a little less of a pessimist.

Diversifying Acting Roles, Jung In Sun's Nicknames and More

The actress also talked about wanting to try different styles and concepts for her roles. She wants to do something different, and through "Let Me Be Your Knight," she was able to play a character who is full of life that also enables her to show many different kinds of emotions.

Jung In Sun honestly shared, "I restrained myself a lot in the past. But I realized that I shouldn't be scared to try new things."

The actress concluded about the nicknames she's earned so far. Some of her nicknames were "that girl from the "Alley Restaurant" show" and "that person from "Han Gong Ju." Jung In Sun honestly said she didn't want the nicknames at first, but she now wants more of these nicknames.

Moreover, "Let Me Be Your Knight" airs every Sunday at 11:05 p.m. KST on KBS. It is also available for online streaming on iQIYI.

Follow KDramaStars for more KMovie, KDrama, and celebrity updates!



KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
The main ingredients to an amazing series and pleasurable watching experience are well-written plot, brilliant actors, amazing character developments and last but not the least, villains!

The year 2021 served many memorable dramas that left a huge impact on its viewers. In this list are the most unforgettable K-Drama villains you'll ever meet.

1. Ok Taecyeon as Jang Joon Woo

:Song Joong Ki's titular drama "Vincenzo Cassano" follows the story of an Italian lawyer and Mafia consigliere who was adopted and raised in Italy. He returns to South Korea to fix certain things, referring to some gold that is kept underground in Geumga Plaza. Vincenzo plans to avenge his family from the Babel Group.

Jang Joon Woo, played by 2PM Ok Taecyeon, is the head of the Babel Group. Unbeknownst to everyone, he's much worse than he appears. Behind his geeky persona is a bone-chilling villainous side. He's a conniving sociopath who will never hesitate to harm other people as he gains satisfaction seeing other people in pain.

He killed people, not only once nor twice. He showed no remorse, and just laughed about it, making him the epitome of evil.

2. Yoo Ah In as Jung Jin Soo

Netflix's "Hellbound" became one of the most buzzworthy series, topping charts in several countries. The series stars Yoo Ah In, Kim Hyun Joo, Park Jung Min, Won Jin Ah and Yang Ik June.

"Hellbound" generated a lot of buzz with its unconventional plot. It has an occult touch that depicts the otherworldly scenario where three enormous supernatural monsters appear to sentence people to hell.

In the drama, Yoo Ah In played the role of Jung Jin Soo, the cult leader of New Truth Society. Jung Jin Soo perfectly embodied his antiheroine role, where he obviously sided with the people at first, reminding his fellow citizens of what could happen to them.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: ChaCenzo, IkSong, SikHye and More: 7 KDrama Ships That Sailed This 2021

However, as the story progresses, Jin Soo changes into a self-absorbed cult leader, who condemns people because "God is angry with humanity for their sins." He believes he is sin-free, but the truth is, he hides a dark secret under his sleeves.

3. Han So Hee as Yoon Ji Woo/Oh Hye Jin

What would you do if you lost your father to the people whom you thought trustworthy? For Yoon Ji Woo, played by Han So Hee, the only way to get justice is to seek revenge. So when she gathers up all her courage, she joins the police force as officer Oh Hye Jin to seek revenge for her father's murder.

Although she landed the main role, she also serves as one of the villains in the drama. Not only did she infiltrate the realm of law enforcers but she also put herself in danger, throwing away her beliefs and principles for revenge.

4. Heo Sung Tae as Jang Deok Su

Perhaps Heo Sung Tae is the most hated villain in this list, not only in South Korea but in all parts of the world. Hwang Dong Hyuk's Netflix series "Squid Game" single handedly became the most watched series on Netflix. It even topped the global Netflix charts in Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and more.

The drama depicts the stories of 456 players, who are all in knee-deep financial debt, who risk their lives to play a deadly survival game for the chance to win billions of money.

The drama stars Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, Wi Ha Joon, Jung Ho Yeon, Heo Sung Tae, Kim Joo Ryung and more.

Apart from the top notch performances of the main cast, actor Heo Sung Tae's acting is what hooked many viewers in the drama. He instantaneously became the most hated character in "Squid Game."

READ MORE: 6 Best Actresses Who Shone Brightly This 2021 According to Experts

Unlike other players who followed the rules, wits and even formed alliances, Jang Deok Su is definitely a one-man island. As long as he survives, nothing matters to him. With that said, he even used his strength to take advantage of other players.

Fans and viewers swore that if it was only legal to kill, they would've taken "Squid Game" Jang Deok Su first.

Who's the most terrifying villain for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Follow KDramaStars for more KMovie, KDrama, and celebrity updates!



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Written by Elijah Mully.
Oh Young Soo is unfazed by his popularity and has a simple reason why he couldn't have interviews following his record-breaking achievement at the Golden Globes 2022.

The veteran actor took the world by storm after playing the role of player number 001, Oh Il Nam, in the mega-hit Kdrama "Squid Game."

He made the audience laugh, cry and be stunned with the series' revelation about his character.

Due to his stellar performance, he earned a nod at the 79th Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Acting and eventually took home the trophy for the said category, making him the first South Korean actor to win such a prestigious award at the annual ceremony.

Why Oh Young Soo Politely Dismissed Interviews After Winning his Golden Globe Award?

Despite his massive fame and making a historic achievement in the industry, Oh Young Spp remained humble and politely refused to appear in interviews because of one reason.

In a report cited by The JoongAng, the 77-year-old actor has a simple reason for turning down interviews.

"I can't because I have a play (theater) tomorrow," he said.

Because of his response, several netizens lauded how he remained his feet on the ground despite winning Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes 2022 and surpassing some of the biggest names in Hollywood such as Kieran Culkin of "Succession," Brett Goldstein of "Ted Lasso" and Billy Crudup and Mark Duplass both from "The Morning Show."

Interestingly, after the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the winners, Oh Young Soo made his acceptance speech through Netflix, noting that he was speechless and expressed his deep gratitude to his family and everyone who supported "Squid Game."

"After hearing the news of the award, I told myself, 'I'm a decent guy,' for the first time in my life." he said, adding, "Now, it's no longer 'us within the world,' but it's 'the world within us.' While embracing the scent of our culture and while embracing the love for my family deep in my heart, I give thanks to everyone in the world. I hope you all live beautiful lives. Thank you."

'Squid Game' Co-Stars and South Korean President Congratulates Oh Young Soo for Winning a Golden Globes Awards

After his monumental win at the prestigious award-giving body, his "Squid Game" co-stars took to social media and congratulated the actor for winning Best Supporting Actor.

Lee Byung Hun posted a photo of the veteran actor and "Squid Game" director Hwang Dong Hyuk alongside a caption that says, "This is Front Man Speaking, bravo!"

The same goes for Lee Jung Jae, who shared a candid snap of him and Oh Young Soo during their episode 6 scene.

Over his Instagram, he referred to the actor as his "teacher," and it was an "honor" to work with him.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Moon Jae In talked about the success of "Squid Game" and lauded the veteran actor for bringing home a Golden Globe Award.

"His journey of acting for more than half a century eventually overcame borders and cultural differences, creating great emotional and lingering impressions on the world stage. I would like to express my respect and gratitude to actor Oh Young-soo, also known as 'Gganbu Grandpa,'" the President said.

KDramastars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Disney+ introduces Kang Daniel's upcoming character in the newly released "Rookie Cops'' stills, released ahead of the drama's premiere on January 26. The idol-actor exhibited his charisma while clad in his police uniform.

Read on to see the cuts!

Kang Daniel as Wi Seung Hyun in 'Rookie Cops'

Kang Daniel takes the role of Wi Seung Hyun, a freshman university student and a consistent honor who wants to follow the footsteps of his beloved father. His peaceful life starts to change when he finally meets Go Eun Gang, to be portrayed by Chae Soo Bin.

In the three drama stills released, Kang Daniel immediately earned the viewers' attention through his firm gazes and strong character presence.

Wi Seung Hyun has a unique sense of justice and a brilliant mind. He is also a passionate youth whose dream is to become a great police officer.

Wi Seung Hyun always takes the test seriously like an elite who entered the top school. His perfect body proportions are evident while he wears the uniform and it creates anticipation from the viewers. His reliable figure of saluting with hands as a representative of freshmen also stimulates curiosity among the audience.

Kang Daniel Shares His First Acting Experience

Kang Daniel's fans are looking forward to his first step of becoming an actor. He showed a strong persona through his on stage performances as an idol, and now he is ready to level up and challenge himself to make a name in the acting field.

According to Kang Daniel, he feels like he is entering someone's life in doing the drama since it's a new experience for him. He added, "There is another magic behind acting that is different from the stage."

As it was his first time acting, Kang Daniel got nervous but eventually enjoyed the filming process with the help of his co-stars and the drama's production staff.

In regards to his role, he said that Wi Seung Hyun may be strict and cannot stand injustices, but he also has his soft sides that the viewers should look forward to in the series.

Furthermore, one of the production officials said that Kang Daniel was very serious and full of enthusiasm when acting.

In addition, it will be a great opportunity to discover the idol-actor's new charm on cam. Kang Daniel's chemistry with Chae Soo Bin and the rest of the cast were also perfect and in sync.

For more Korean drama and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Written by Shai Collins.
A grade six class room is shown at Hunter's Glen Junior Public School which is part of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto, Ont., Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. A statement today from groups representing principals and vice-principals in Ontario schools says they want learning to resume in-person on Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
ALBANY  The looming end of New Yorks eviction moratorium will adversely impact low-income and minority residents and compound economic disparities already amplified by the COVID crisis, according to a new study.

A new analysis from the Robin Hood Foundation and Columbia University found that the majority of New Yorkers who lost income during the pandemic, 55%, were low-income workers and those already living in poverty, predominately New Yorkers of color.

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The study found that 25% of Black and Latino New Yorkers reported owing back rent or being unable to make a rent payment, compared to 1-in-10 white city residents.

Make no mistake: a wave of evictions is coming that will put hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers at risk, said Robin Hood CEO Richard Buery Jr. This report shows exactly who will be crushed by this crisis  overwhelmingly New Yorkers of color and our lower-income neighbors who were already facing housing instability before the pandemic.

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Eviction notice (Shutterstock/Shutterstock)

New Yorkers who lost their jobs during the pandemic, more likely to be Black or Latino, were more than 2.5 times more likely to be behind on rent than those who worked uninterrupted.

Those who lost jobs during the pandemic were already in worse shape financially, with 22% behind on rent before COVID. That number skyrocketed to 41%, nearly double, being behind on rent during over the past two and a half years.

The study found that those who didnt lose jobs actually fared better during the pandemic than before. Only 15% of those who remain employed throughout the crisis said they fell behind on rent, compared to 17% before.

Hochul said that while the states pandemic eviction moratorium will be lifted on Jan. 15, she is working with the Legislature on other solutions.

We are very cognizant of the anxiety surrounding this, she said during a Manhattan press conference on Tuesday. But it has been foreseen for a long time.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

Hochul and state lawmakers have pleaded with federal partners for more money to cover New Yorks rent relief program.

Robin Hood and others are proposing updates to the citys housing voucher program, including eliminating requirements that families must have either lived in a shelter for three months or received an eviction notice and previously lived in a shelter to qualify, to help stem the tide of evictions and prevent worsening economic divides.

The eviction moratorium was a band-aid solution for chronic housing instability in New York City  our tenants need more sustainable fixes that address the root causes of homelessness that existed long before the pandemic, said Scott Short, CEO of RiseBoro Community Partnership. Common sense proposals, like rental vouchers that reflect the true cost of living in New York, can combat entrenched economic and racial inequality.
PLEASANT PRAIRIE  Trifinity Specialized Distribution announced Monday it has signed a multiple-year lease with Link Logistics Real Estate to occupy more than 150,000 square feet at 8505 100th Place in the village.

This new site, which will be operational this month, is located in the Pleasant Prairies LakeView Corporate Park and is in addition to its 250,000 square foot facility at 5312 104th Ave. In December of 2020 Trifinity relocated all operations from Waukegan, Ill. Trifinity is a privately-held distribution and secondary display manufacturer.

The new industrial facility features institutional-quality pre-cast concrete construction, ample on-site car and trailer parking, 24 dock doors and two drive in doors with strategic access to 1-94. The facility will be FDA Registered, ASI Compliant and is expected to employ 34 full-time employees.

We are pleased to announce this planned expansion in Wisconsin. As our 3PL and e-commerce business grows, we will continue to increase our footprint to meet current customer needs and entertain new customers as well, said James V. Merlo, Trifinitys founder and CEO.

l am pleased to welcome Trifinity to the Pleasant Prairie business community; it is exciting to see the company grow and expand into LakeView Corporate Park, said Nathan Thiel, Pleasant Prairie Village administrator. I wish Trifinity great success in the new space and appreciate the new employment opportunities the company is bringing to our area.

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Hopkinsville, KY (42240)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 78F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 51F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Severe storms ripped through communities throughout western Kentucky in the early hours of the morning on Dec. 11. Several local businesses along the 31-W By-Pass in Bowling Green, KY, sustained severe damage. (Photo by Morgan Bass)
Senate President Robert Stivers talks about the repayment of $15 million from Unity Aluminum by the end of the year.
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Despite health professionals efforts at conveying the effectiveness of immunization, many African Americans remain skeptical about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Getting to the root of this distrust is critical as the Delta and Omicron variants stoke up the number of positive COVID-19 cases across the United States. And the spread of the virus is not uniform. According to the National Vital Statistics System, Black Americans incur the highest COVID-19 death rate. Understanding the root of vaccine hesitancy may prove beneficial in the fight to reduce numbers on a large scale, as we may be able to close racial gaps.

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is often cited as the main reason African Americans do not trust the vaccine. Efforts to increase vaccination rates among African Americans often focus on misconceptions surrounding the study as a result.

Conducted between 1932 and 1972 under the direction of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Tuskegee Syphilis Study aimed to examine the natural course of syphilis in African Americans. Researchers misled the participants on the state of their health by telling them they were being treated for bad blood, and withheld treatment even as penicillin became widely available.

Several efforts focus on this last piecethe withholding of treatmentto stress the importance of preventive measures in the fight against COVID-19. Despite attempts at underscoring the significance of treatment, we continue to see vaccine hesitancy among African Americans.

Changing attitudes surrounding an injustice etched in the public memory of Americans is a great place to start. However, the study alone does not explain African Americans distrust of medicine. To discover why, we must dig deeper. Addressing vaccine hesitancy will require an analysis of the widespread history of anti-Black racism in medicine. It is not the study itself, but the conditions surrounding the study that get to the root of this distrust, as they speak to the legacy of oppression that has permeated biomedicine long before Tuskegee.

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is widely acknowledged as a violation of ethics today, but the social conditions of the time allowed the grave injustices to happen in plain sight. In the 1930s, social Darwinism emerged as justification for racist practices. The perceived inevitability of African Americans natural extinction was used to justify many unethical practices within the study, including the decision to withhold known treatment from participants. The USPHS earned the approval of the United States government after making the case that African Americans would not seek out treatment of their own volition, a harmful preconception linked to the theory of social Darwinism.

In addition to understanding the conditions surrounding the study, we must consider the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in the context of biomedical research in the United States. Science backed the categorization of racial groups in the US, fueling widespread beliefs in inherent differences between Black and White bodies. Several initiatives played on this belief, including the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

This reflects the tendency of biomedical research to justify existing thought patterns surrounding race, which dates back to colonialism. In South Africa, biomedical research emerged to back ideological justifications of colonization. Researchers conducted studies in search of evidence to reinforce beliefs about Africas inherently damaged condition. White settlers relied on this evidence to present colonization as a logical product of encounter. The interplay between biomedical research and the personal goals of dominant groups is thus longstanding.

In the United States, researchers fixated on the supposed sexual nature of African Americans to uphold the idea of inherent differences between races. Health professionals asserted that African Americans possessed excessive sexual desire, a belief which researchers and the general public blindly accepted. In addition to the larger move to confirm the inferiority of African Americans, such notions set the stage for medical experimentation, like that of Tuskegee, to occur.

Understanding the role of health professionals at the time is equally as important for our understanding of the full scope of the harm. The ability to name disease gave health professionals great credibility in the sphere of biomedicine. Because of their authority, health professionals decision to obey racial classifications of the time legitimized these practices. The credibility of medical professionals was not only among the factors that allowed the experimentation to occur, but it also aided in establishing science as a seemingly neutral practice, even as it upheld racist ideals.

In our contemporary moment, the long history of anti-Black racism in biomedicine casts a long shadow. Anti-vaccination is not a uniform ideological position. To better address its specific manifestation in the Black community, we must grapple with the complicated histories of medicine that underpin this specific communal mistrust.

Increasing vaccination rates among African Americans requires an approach that goes beyond the surface to address communal trauma. Heightening trust means acknowledging the legacies that create distrust. In shedding light on these histories, we may at the very least affirm the warranted wariness of medical treatment and the medical establishment. Unless we unveil the troubled histories of anti-Black medical racism that are routinely obscured, our efforts at earning the trust of Black Americans will not produce desired results.

Bintou Diarra is a premedical student.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The White House hopes New Yorkers will be big fans of some big fans.

The Biden administration said Wednesday that it would launch its first offshore wind lease sale, targeting the coasts of New York and New Jersey for the renewable energy push.

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More than 480,000 watery acres will go on auction on Feb. 23, according to the Interior Department, which said the sales could set the stage for developments that would power almost 2 million homes.

It was not clear how quickly the auction could lead to independent entities constructing wind energy infrastructure in the New York Bight, a shallow swath of the Atlantic that stretches from Long Islands Montauk Point to New Jerseys Cape May.

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The White House aims to transition offshore energy leases toward renewables like wind, but it has drawn criticism from environmentalists for extending oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico.

President Bidens posture toward wind energy marks a pivot from former President Donald Trump, who falsely said windmills kill all the birds.

In moving to build up offshore wind energy supply in the coastal northeast waters, the federal government also touted the opportunity to generate thousands of jobs. Wind turbines are bulky and challenging to transport.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland detailed the auction in a call with reporters featuring Gov. Hochul of New York and Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

This is an opportunity that has been untapped because of how this industry was suppressed under the Trump administration, Hochul said in the call. Now, its being unleashed.

A Bureau of Ocean Energy Management environmental assessment for the planned leases found the sales would not cause any significant impacts.

The sales could lead to the creation of up to 7 gigawatts of energy, according to the government, a significant step toward the White Houses stated goal of permitting 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy within a decade.

It may take years before new wind turbines pop up in the area.

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But Murphy described the news as a real turning of the page in terms of the center of gravity of the wind industry over the next number of decades.
Two weeks after the death of Harry Reid, the tough Nevada Democrat was remembered Wednesday as a lover of Netflix, a hater of pomp and a compassionate steward of the Senate, as lawmakers honored him in a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol.

Reid, the former Senate majority leader and Nevadas longest-serving senator, died at 82 last month following a battle with pancreatic cancer and a life that produced lasting legislative accomplishments in Washington.

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President Joe Biden pays his respects to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol as Reid lies in state, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Bill Clark/AP)

As Reid lay in state in the Capitol rotunda, an American flag cast over his casket, his longtime friend Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) recalled the moderate Democrats quirks.

Whenever he called you, he would hang up the phone so quickly that youd think he was allergic to telecommunications, said Schumer, now the majority leader. But what Harry was really allergic to was the artifice of politics that he considered a distraction from his true passion: getting good things done in this Capitol.

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Reid shepherded the Affordable Care Act, orchestrated the passage of recession-era financial regulations in the Dodd-Frank law and rammed Obamas judicial nominees into courts by reducing the required majority vote threshold.

People pay respects at the flag-draped casket of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol as he lies in state, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Tom Williams/AP)

But after Reid retired in 2017, he found other ways to occupy his time. Schumer recalled an odd call from a few years ago.

Harry called up my wife, Iris, and told her: Ive sent you and Chuck a special gift. Its the greatest thing, youre going to love it: its a months subscription to Netflix! Schumer said. Iris didnt have the heart to tell him we had subscribed for four years already.

Soft-spoken and gruff, Reid was an unusual political animal. He hated becoming the center of attention, according to his colleagues, and spurned praise.

He was so modest, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Needless to say, his humility made him  some would say  unique in the political arena. It also made him truly beloved by so many who worked in these halls.

Landra Reid (center) greets House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. (right) during a memorial service for her husband, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol as Reid lies in state, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/AP)

Lying in state in the Capitol is a rare honor.

A note on the website of the Architect of the Capitol, a government office that oversees the building, said the Capitol has been considered the most suitable place for the nation to pay final tribute to its most eminent citizens by having their remains lay in state.

Lawmakers were provided a 3-hour window on Wednesday afternoon to drop into the rotunda and offer their respects. Some Republicans, including a maskless Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), joined the solemn parade of visitors.

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The casket of former Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., arrives in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, where he will lie in state, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

At one point late in the afternoon, President Biden entered the rotunda and walked before the casket. He clasped his hands and bowed his head for about 25 seconds.

The president, who wore a black mask, then crossed himself and briefly placed his right hand on the casket.

A U.S. Joint Forces bearer team carries the flag-draped casket of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., into the U.S. Capitol where he will lie in state, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Washington. (Brendan Smialowski/AP)

In a memorial service on Saturday, Biden recalled a rare text Reid had sent him after he won the White House.

Ive saved it, Biden said. He said, Im so proud. Joe, youre my brother. We won. Well, it made a big deal to me  it was a big deal to me that he felt that way. I know Harry never wrote what he didnt believe.

Harry would always have your back like the guys I grew up with, Biden added. Harry had mine, and he knew I had his.

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada) in 2004. (J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP)

An amateur lightweight boxer enshrined in the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, Reid rose from humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nev., and was elected to the House in 1982 and the Senate in 1986.

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From 2007 to 2015, he served as majority leader, and he encouraged President Barack Obama to run for the White House before playing a pivotal role in his presidency.

Harry Reid made the world a better place, Pelosi said. History will remember him as one of the most consequential Senate majority leaders of all time. But those of us fortunate enough to know him and love him will remember also his character and compassion [and] his goodness.
Sen. Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday that the feds are giving the MTA a $6.19 billion lump sum grant to help the transit system recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The record-setting grant from the Federal Transit Authority completes the $14 billion in relief allocated to the cash-strapped Metropolitan Transportation Authority through three COVID relief bills passed by Congress in 2020 and 2021.

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Despite rabid GOP opposition to helping transit systems like New Yorks recover amid the worst of the pandemic, I never backed down in the fight for New York, said the Senate Majority Leader. This marks the largest grant in the history of the Federal Transit Administration and a lump sum payment that will keep the subway going and improving.

The federal funding is a much-needed infusion for the the MTAs finances, which were decimated by the pandemic. Before COVID, the agency relied on fares and tolls to cover roughly 40% of its $17 billion annual budget. But revenue from fares dried up in 2020 as mass transit ridership dropped by more than 70%. Subway ridership in 2022 is hovering around 60% of pre-pandemic levels.

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A subway train above ground in Brooklyn, New York. (Bebeto Matthews/AP)

The cash windfall allows the MTA to keep trains and buses running in the near future, but the agency still faces a $1.4 billion operating deficit in 2025 if lawmakers do not find new revenue streams to pay for mass transit operations. Last year, MTA officials warned that without new revenues, sharp fare hikes or service reductions could be imposed.

Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he would push for more money for the MTA in the upcoming federal budget  and argued the agency should not rely so much on riders to balance its books. Acting MTA chairman Janno Lieber has made a similar argument in recent months.

We always know the farebox pays some of the MTAs expenses, but I believe it is a public service and the higher percentage we get from city, state and federal help the better, Schumer said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) (Susan Walsh/AP)

Lieber in a statement said the funding would help stave off fare increases in the near term.

We are grateful to Senate Majority Leader Schumer, the New York delegation and Gov. Hochul for their consistent support of mass transit, said Lieber. Our subways, buses and railroads are the secret sauce that keeps the region moving, helping to rebuild New Yorks dynamic economy while battling climate change.

The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan signed by President Biden in November will separately help fund MTA capital improvements by increasing the amount of federal construction subsidies guaranteed to the MTA  and increasing competitive funds available for projects like the Second Ave. subway extension to East Harlem.
(Clarinda) -- A Red Oak man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in the death of a Shenandoah man.
Senate Democrats met with moderate holdout lawmakers Wednesday to push for a deal that could allow passage of voting rights legislation before a self-imposed deadline, but there was little sign of a breakthrough.

Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and nine colleagues met for an hour with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and others met for even longer with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) in hopes of finding a way to pass the sweeping measures with a simple majority vote.

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Were trying to come to a place where 50 senators can support two bills, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the John Lewis Act, and with a change in the rules ... pass them into law, Schumer said.

Flanked by his top lieutenant Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Schumer called the meetings serious, long, and intense. But he conceded there was no deal in sight.

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Were not there yet, he said. I wouldnt wanna delude anybody into thinking this is easy.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. (left) and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V. (right) (Getty Images)

The push comes as Schumer vows to bring the measures up for votes in the Senate this week ahead of Mondays national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also says he will also hold a vote or votes on tweaking the Senate rules, even if it puts Manchin and Sinema in a tough political spot.

President Biden raised the political heat on fellow Democrats Tuesday when he for the first time called for changing the Senates filibuster rule to allow voting rights bills to pass with a simple majority.

The president plans to attend a Democratic caucus meeting Thursday to step up the pressure for a deal, Democratic aide said.

Along with Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden said the new measures are needed to safeguard American democracy after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and former President Trumps campaign to overturn the results of the 2020 elections.

Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) denounced the speech as profoundly unpresidential and claimed it was beneath the dignity of Biden, an old Senate colleague.

Both Manchin and Sinema have repeatedly said they will not back eliminating the filibuster. But they have not 100% ruled out some kind of carve-out for expanding rights or a one-time exception to the rule, keeping some hope alive that a deal is possible.

Republicans are united in lockstep opposition against any change in the Senate rules and mostly also oppose the new voting laws. They scoff at Democratic rhetoric, accusing their rivals of seeking to win a partisan edge and rile up their base of support.
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The search is on for a 7-year-old Canadian girl whose mom says the childs father absconded with the child to keep her from being vaccinated against COVID-19.

Educational assistant Mariecar Jackson tells the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that her ex-husband, Michael Jackson, is keeping their unvaccinated daughter in an undisclosed location so she cant be inoculated.

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Shes only seven, the worried mom said. She needs to be home.

Michael Jackson (Handout)

Jackson said her ex-husband, who has joint custody of the girl, was supposed to have returned the second-grader to her mothers custody nearly two months ago and did not. She last spoke to the girl by phone on Nov. 21. Saskatchewan judges have issued court orders demanding the child be returned to her mother, to no avail so far. Authorities went to the girls fathers home in Carievale, in Saskatchewan, but no one was there.

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The CBC reported that Michael Jackson appeared on a web program called Live with Laura-Lynn, where host Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson, formerly of The 700 Club Canada, supported the disappearing dads decision. The little girl was put in front of the camera to deliver a statement.

It can change your DNA, the child said. I dont believe God wants me to. And it can make you sick and kill you.

Tyler-Thompson praised the girl for knowing a little bit about whats going on and called her So cute!

The Western Standard reports the childs name is Sarah.

[ Judge orders anti-vaxx dad not to speak to his kids about COVID ]

A lawyer for the missing girls mom said, Weve never seen anything quite like this.

A tearful Jackson told the CBC she has a message for her little girl.

Mommy will never stop looking for you, she said. Every day, I pray that someday youll be home. I love you so much. Mommy is standing strong and someday we will be together.
BEIJING, Jan.12  Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed at the Regular Press Conference on January 11 that, as agreed by both sides, China and India will hold the 14th round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting on the Chinese side of the Moldo meeting point on January 12.

According to Wang Wenbin, the China-India border situation is generally stable at the moment. The two countries are maintaining dialogue and communication through diplomatic and military channels. He stressed that China hopes the Indian side can work with China and strive to switch from emergency response to normalized management and control in the border area as soon as possible.
Courts are forcing people to risk their health

Forest Hills: The state Office of Court Administration (OCA) has thus far refused to consider a return to virtual arraignments despite the highly infectious omicron variant causing an increasing number of positive cases among our staff and clients who must appear in person. Among my Queens Defenders staff  despite ongoing office closures and stringent safety protocols  we have seen three times the positive tests in the past four weeks than we have in the last 18 months.

A sticker reminding court personnel and spectators to social distance at least 6 feet apart is shown in a courtroom outfitted for Covid-19 prevention in Brooklyn Supreme Criminal Court. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

The lack of adequate response from OCA in the face of this new variants transmissibility is outrageous. Last week, a dozen court staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Omicron is causing a positivity rate of 35%  thats 11 times higher than the danger range of 3% we were concerned with during last summers delta variant surge. OCA is right about one thing: It is not March 2020. The number of daily infections were seeing is worse.

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There is a solution to this problem: Conduct arraignments virtually. The courtrooms assigned to arraignments are some of the highest-trafficked areas of the courthouse. Efficiency is not a good enough reason to continuously expose our staff and clients to the clearly highly transmissible environments in our court facilities. Yes, the wheels of justice must continue spinning, but they will undoubtedly grind to a halt if we are all sick at home with COVID-19 or quarantining from exposure.

Our clients, attorneys, support staff and their families deserve better than this. Lori Zeno, founder and executive director, Queens Defenders

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A legacy of tribute

Brooklyn: I dont think its possible to overstate the enormity of Sidney Poitiers gifts as an actor that he brought to his legions of fans throughout the world. Of particular mention is how many of my colleagues were played the theme of To Sir, with Love by students to pay homage to the invaluable impact their teachers made upon their lives. Listen to the lyrics. No song ever touched so many with words that rang true, then and now. Ron Goldman

Buried the leading man

Flushing: Dont you know any better? Sidney Poitier was too important to report his death on page 14. It would be like reporting the death of Jackie Robinson on page 14. Bernard Caine

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 28 Legendary actor, film director, and diplomat Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE, had a historic career in Hollywood, yet his work goes far beyond the big screen. Poitier won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Lilies of the Field" in 1964, the first African-American to be nominated and win the award. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, by President Obama. At 70-years-old, while still a working director and actor, Poitier became the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan in 1997, for a tenure spanning 10 years. (Mark Von Holden/Getty Images)

An angel got his wings

Bronx: My favorite Sydney Poitier movie is a little gem called Brother John. Probably wont make it into any of the obituaries or retrospectives. Gene Roman

Perpetual productions

Brooklyn: Brian Papworth (NYC needs to get back in the movies, op-ed, Jan. 8), youre an idiot! Parking in NYC is impossible and these film companies come over and over to the same areas. Neighbors physically fight each other for a parking spot because film companies take at least a three-block radius  not to mention disrupting our sleep. Have you also noticed how the same areas backgrounds are used over and over? Duh! So, no  go to Atlanta, Chicago or Indiana, etc. and give us a break here in NYC. Or go to the Village, where Mr. Papworth resides, and see how his neighbors react! Maria Ocello

Ad blitzed

Forest Hills: Again, were inundated with Medicare commercials (about six different versions), ads with Dave Chokshi, various NYC Department of Health commercials and Colonial Penn  it seems like every 10 minutes! I thought we were done with the Medicare ads. I pay for more commercial time than programming time. Enough is enough. Where is the FCC? Oh, I forgot, it stands for Forget Consumers Completely. They just collect the fees from your cell phone and cable bills to do nothing. Sherri Rosen

Coulda been worse

Staten Island: Re the appointment of Phil Banks as deputy mayor for public safety: Look at the bright side  at least he wasnt appointed chief of internal affairs. Brian OLeary

Explanation needed

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Howell, N.J.: Seems like the braying ass cant find the nerve to admit theres nobody to save NYC from the Democrats, who have their heads up their own asses. Perhaps Andy Cohen can share a few thoughts on the matter? Peter Klymasz

Hard-charging

Syosset, L.I.: Back in the day, a Democrat wag, echoing similar sentiments from other Democratic acolytes, said that to him, Its chilling that Donald Trump thinks that the presidency is like some banana republic dictatorship where you can lock up your political opponents. And now here we are with purported criminal investigations of Trump and his family in D.C. and N.Y. Trumps stuff was in the nature of hyperbolic words; the Democrats are actually trying to take real action. I guess well see if the lefts utterly transparent duplicity will indeed contribute to some deep regret come November 2022 and 2024. Be careful what you wish for, Team Left! Drew Oringer

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Pied Piper

San Francisco: I can only imagine how foolish some of the Jan. 6 terrorists must feel after being played so hard by the former guy. He used them to do exactly what he wanted, enjoyed what they did and then left them hanging. No thanks. No loyalty. No pardons. Only betrayal. Jimmy Layton

Domestic enemies

Westport, Conn.: Vice President Kamala Harris likened the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to Pearl Harbor and 9/11. I am disappointed with the fact that she doesnt know what the real issue is here. The Pearl Harbor attack was a war declared by a foreign country. 9/11 was a terrorist attack made on U.S. soil by foreign terrorists. But the insurrection was done by the Trump-incited American citizens against their own U.S. Congress  democratically-elected senators and representatives. The issue is that U.S. democracy is being threatened by its own people, not by foreign countries or nationals. I thought she was a good lawyer but now I realize I overestimated her. She should study historical events and facts more thoroughly before making analogies. Hiroshi Asada

Pouting POTUS

Little Neck: In response to Voicer John Cheveddens question about who, next to Trump, was the sorest presidential loser: I would have to say Andrew Jackson (a Trump favorite). He was outmaneuvered by John Quincy Adams in 1824 when the election was thrown into the House. To Jacksonians, this became the corrupt bargain when Speaker of the House Henry Clay supported Adams and was then named secretary of state. After Jackson beat Adams in 1828, he didnt invite Adams to his inauguration. Of course, John Quincys dad, John, could be considered as well, as he didnt attend Jeffersons inauguration. Tony Smolenski

Aiding and abetting

Bayonne: I believe it is against the law to contribute resources to a criminal enterprise or act. Yet it is perfectly acceptable for individuals and corporations to give funds to political campaigns that look to elect or re-elect people who knowingly support a criminal act. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), the independent watchdog group, lists 717 corporations and industry groups that have contributed more than $18 million to congressional Republicans who voted against confirming the 2020 election results. This is not to say that there are no Democratic campaigns that have accepted money under questionable circumstances, but it is to say that if a politician is supporting a crime against the very fabric of our democracy, their financial resources should be restricted. The problem remains that a group of career politicians and a deceitful megalomaniac are able to saturate the media and remain influential with illegal funds. Henry Woodack

Disadvantaged

Old Bridge, N.J.: To all retirees in the NYC Education Retirement System: Rest assured that the word Advantage in the plans name applies to the insurance provider, not the retiree. Medicare allows retirees to choose their own independent doctors and specialists. These plans do not. Also, you may not be completely covered by the plan should you become ill and/or hospitalized in any state other than where you reside. Dont base any decision on cost alone. As my dear, departed mother always said, Cheap can be expensive  as weve found out since Made in China was touted as a cost-saving program by Richard Nixon. Janet Cecin
With Covid-19 tests hard to find in many parts of the country, health experts are advising those with symptoms to isolate themselves if they even only suspect they have the virus, and pictured, a healthcare worker administers a Covid-19 test in Miami, on January 6.
This photo carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, Wednesday, shows what the North says was a test launch of a hypersonic missile a day earlier. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo





North Korea's consecutive missile tests in the new year have shifted attention to how the bellicose actions across the border will influence the March 9 presidential election in South Korea.



South Korean President Moon Jae-in expressed his concern on Tuesday over the North's missile launches taking place "before the presidential election" and debate is raging over the so-called "North Wind," which is a South Korean political term referring to Pyongyang's provocations ending up affecting the sense of security people in the South feel, thus enticing them to choose a conservative candidate.



The North's Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday that the regime successfully tested a hypersonic missile a day earlier, and the test was overseen by its leader Kim Jong-un.



The launch came just six days after Pyongyang tested what it claims was a hypersonic missile, showing that the Kim regime is pursuing its missile program regardless of external pressure from the U.S., South Korea and other countries.



Hours after the North's missile launch, Tuesday, President Moon expressed his concern, noting that the recent missile test launches took place before South Korea's presidential election.



The remark was unusual, because Moon has been striving to refrain from comments or actions that could be interpreted as having an influence on the presidential election. His mention of the election along with the North Korea issue is being interpreted as an attempt to prevent the "North Wind" from swaying voter sentiment ahead of the election and warning the conservative opposition bloc against exploiting a heightened sense of fear to stoke anti-North Korea sentiment.



The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is now attempting to use North Korea's threats to rally support.



"If the North loads a nuclear warhead on its hypersonic missile, it is impossible to intercept the missile," PPP presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol said during a press conference on Tuesday. "The only way to deter this threat is a pre-emptive strike using the Kill Chain."



Kill Chain refers to a South Korea-U.S. pre-emptive strike system of identifying North Korean launch sites, nuclear facilities and manufacturing capability and destroy them pre-emptively if a conflict seems imminent.



Yoon added that North Korea's escalating missile threat is attributable to the Moon Jae-in administration's negligence.









"The Moon government is obsessed with a favorable evaluation of North Korea's peace show, urging the United Nations to pre-emptively lift nuclear-related sanctions. So is the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) candidate," Yoon said. "In the meantime, the North is upgrading its missiles and poses critical threats to our security."



PPP Rep. Tae Yong-ho, a former North Korean diplomat who defected to South Korea, shared a similar view.



"The North's consecutive missile provocations are attributable to the Moon administration, which has been tiptoeing around the provocations and responding negligently," Tae wrote on his Facebook.





This photo carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, Wednesday, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, looking at the monitors upon a test launch of what the regime claims to be a hypersonic missile a day earlier. AP-Yonhap
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Heavy rain to start, then showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 62F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low near 45F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Thundershowers this afternoon following a period of morning rain. High 59F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low near 45F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Candidates for Indiana local school boards soon may be required to run for office with a political party label next to their names.

House Bill 1182, sponsored by state Rep. J.D. Prescott, R-Union City, would end the state's longstanding practice of nonpartisan school board elections by mandating every school board candidate identify as a Republican, a Democrat or an independent.

Prescott said attaching a party label would promote "transparency" by giving voters more information about school board candidates, who he said often are not personally well known by the voters, let alone their positions on important issues.

"School boards handle one of the largest budgets with our local elected offices," Prescott said. "When I look at Republicans or Democrats I think you can tell the difference between financial responsibility and moral character in some cases."

The House Elections Committee heard nearly two hours of testimony unanimously opposed to Prescott's proposal Tuesday.

The Republican-controlled panel will decide in coming weeks whether to advance the measure to the full House.

John Doherty, past board president at the School Town of Munster and a self-described conservative Republican, told the committee partisanship has no place in school board meetings.

"When my fellow school board members and I meet, we leave our party affiliation at the door," Doherty said. "We have been elected by Democrats, independents and Republicans, but our core constituents  the students  are none of these."

Brandon Kroft, of Chesterton, a seven-year school board member at the Duneland School Corp., said recent attempts by national parties and interest groups to inject partisan politics in school board meetings only has led to unnecessary conflicts, worrisome threats and occasionally violent confrontations.

"It's extremely hard to recruit school board members, as well as superintendents, and I think forcing a school member to either put an R or a D in front of their name and run on that label is going to further shallow the pool," Kroft said.
The biggest hint that somethings a lie is that Mitch McConnell supports it. If that man told me my own name, Id begin to doubt it.

This week, McConnell called the filibuster a core identity feature of the Senate. Hes said that getting rid of the filibuster would break it as an institution, and that Democrats are looking to silence millions of Americans and take over the Senate, so they can take over elections, so that they can take over America.

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How are the Democrats looking to do this? Evidently by protecting voting rights, promoting a bill that would ensure fair voting practices  and looking to overcome opposition to doing so by getting rid of a Senate rule that is not part of the Constitution and that serves mainly to gum up the works of government so that progress is stymied at every turn.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Despite McConnells misrepresentations, the filibuster was not part of the vision of the Founders. It occurred by accident and wasnt used until 1837. Though Ive never been much inclined to put a whole lot of stock in the views of slave-owners when it comes to good government, the notion that James Madison would have supported McConnells position is little more than laughable: Madison wanted the government to be deliberative, but still functional.

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Theres also the myth, unfortunately even accepted by some Democrats, that the filibuster somehow makes us freer and less subject to the whims of government, unlike in that foolish House of Representatives thats just so darn emotional. Of course, this is nonsense as well. While the filibuster has been useful in preventing some poor legislation, its been much more useful in terms of preventing progress, and the sum total is surely a great negative.

It was the filibuster, remember, that stopped anti-lynching legislation and kept civil rights laws off the books for many years. The filibuster has also served to keep millions of Americans from getting proper health care. And now the filibuster is threatening to undermine our entire election system by allowing Republicans to continue to disenfranchise millions upon millions of voters through the closing of polling stations, voter caging, voter ID laws, the elimination of minority votes through ex-con voting restrictions, and the virtual abolishment of absentee voting in many areas.

Lets not forget, by the way, that the Senate itself is already a disproportionate body, wherein half the countrys population  concentrated in nine states  gets 18 senators, and the other half gets 82. Giving more rural states like Wyoming and Mississippi, which overwhelmingly lean conservative, the same numbers of senators as more urban states like New York and California, already gives the Republicans a huge advantage, as does the Electoral College system, since it bases winner-take-all electoral votes on the number of congressional representatives.

McConnell called the filibuster the sole feature that gives millions of Americans any voice at all. This is beyond preposterous, because McConnell knows it does the exact opposite: it eliminates millions of voices by canceling out their wishes through a ridiculously unfair procedural rule. It eliminates the voices of those who want to see fair wages, sensible gun laws and an effective climate change policy.

McConnell is very clever, of course. At times, he has difficulty hiding a little sly smile when hes perpetuating a lie or some especially devious bit of sophistry. Watch for that look. We saw it when he failed to live up to his constitutional duty to give Merrick Garland a hearing, then saw it again when he proved himself a complete hypocrite by reversing himself and pushing the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett. If the Democrats dont kill the filibuster and pass voting rights legislation, we may just see that proud little smirk again.

Rosenfeld lives on Long Island.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Rain. Thunderstorms possible...mainly in the afternoon. High 62F. ESE winds shifting to SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 46F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Almost every worker in New York City has to be vaccinated to keep their job. City workers, from sanitation workers to firefighters to police officers, have been under a vaccine mandate since October 2021. As of this month, every private company in New York City has to ensure their employees are vaccinated to come back to the office. Vaccine mandates are undeniably the right thing to do in a pandemic.

On Jan. 3, Gov. Hochul mandated vaccines for CUNY faculty, but there is still one critical place in New York City where a no vaccine, no problem policy exists for workers: subways and buses. Its long past time for Gov. Hochul to follow the science and the policies that protect all other workers in New York City by mandating vaccines for MTA workers.

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Right now New York City has more COVID cases than at any point since the pandemic began. Our embrace of vaccines is the only reason our hospitals arent even more overrun right now. Over 70% of New Yorkers are vaccinated and over 2.2 million New Yorkers are boosted. Except for the far reaches of the anti-vax fringe, everyone agrees that vaccines protect each of us individually and our society as a whole.

This June 15, 2019 photo provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority shows workers during the L Project subway tunnel rehabilitation, in New York. (Trent Reeves/AP)

Yet every day, millions of New Yorkers who rely on the subway to get to work are entering the only part of our city that openly allows unvaccinated workers. It would be hard to think of a worse place in New York for that to be, especially as the omicron variant has dramatically increased the rate of transmission. With what we know today about COVID, we should be doing everything in our power to encourage workers to get vaccinated and boosted  for their health and everyone around them.

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When the pandemic began, our states leaders didnt have the foresight to act. Two years later the Hochul administration has far more information  but they arent acting on it. Last month, Hochul defended the decision to permit the unvaccinated to run New York Citys subways by saying Our concern, as you mention shortages of crews, is the individuals who will not want to participate in a mandatory vaccination program will be individuals who would exacerbate that problem. While we know that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can get COVID, unvaccinated people are far more likely to miss extended periods from work due to severe illness. The real tragedy is that more MTA workers have died from COVID than any other city or state agency since the pandemic began. Most of those deaths came before the vaccine was available; now that a vaccine is here, the governor should step in to keep workers safe and prevent more unnecessary deaths.

For months, the Hochul administration has also defended its inaction by claiming a survey of MTA workers found 80% are already vaccinated. But a survey asking workers to self attest if they are vaccinated isnt definitive  if the administration really wanted to know the true percentage they would just ask all workers to register their vaccine cards. The experience of city agencies clearly showed that mandates work and that employees will overwhelmingly get vaccinated.

Gov. Hochul inherited a state government crippled by the toxic dysfunction of her predecessor in the midst of a pandemic. From her first day, she changed the tone from one of fear and retribution to one of respect, civility and a desire to work collaboratively with her fellow elected officials. Im heartened by the decision to require vaccines for CUNY students and faculty, and I hope that approach continues and that the governor changes her tune when it comes to MTA workers. COVID doesnt care about politics, it has no nuance, its shown us no mercy. Time has proven that vaccine mandates arent debatable  they are simply the right thing to do. I hope she will do the right thing.

Restler represents Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights and other neighborhoods in the City Council.
More than 40 years after it became one of his most well-known songs, Elvis Costellos Olivers Army may be gone from the radio  if the iconic musician has his way.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Costello said the racial slur the song contains about people from Northern Ireland has made it unplayable in todays climate, and said that radio stations would do [him] a favor if they would stop playing it.

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He said he would stop playing it on tour.

Elvis Costello attends the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Jan. 26, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording A)

Costello, 67, wrote the song in 1978 soon after visiting Belfast for the first time, inspired by the conflicts in Northern Ireland during that decade. It soared to No. 2 on British charts in 1979 and has been a stalwart on both sides of the Pond ever since.

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The anti-war song makes historical reference to Northern Irishmen using a term that today is rife with racism against people of color. Although its what the British called their then-adversaries, that may not be apparent to the present-day listener, Costello implied. His grandfather, an orphan who ended up in the British Army in the second battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, endured the epithet.

If I wrote that song today, maybe Id think twice about it, he told The Telegraph. Thats what my grandfather was called in the British army  its historically a fact  but people hear that word go off like a bell and accuse me of something that I didnt intend.

He joins a list of musicians and bands that have taken longtime hits out of circulation of late, as the Rolling Stones did when dropping Brown Sugar from their No Filter tour in October.

BBC Radio started bleeping out the term in 2013, but Costello said that only drew attention to the epithet.

Theyre making it worse by bleeping it, for sure, he told The Telegraph. Because theyre highlighting it then. Just dont play the record!
(The Center Square)  President Joe Biden stepped into the national debate over a flurry of voter legislation in a speech Tuesday where he chided Republicans over the violent protests of Jan. 6, 2021, and called for a federal takeover of state elections.

Biden spoke from Atlanta, Georgia, which has been at the forefront of the fight over election integrity legislation. The president called for changes to U.S. Senate rules to push through federal election legislation, including getting rid of the filibuster, which currently requires 60 votes to end blocking tactics in the evenly divided 100-member chamber.

They want chaos to reign, Biden said of Republicans. We want the people to rule. The battle for the soul of America is not over.

Critics pushed back on this, pointing out that Biden opposed efforts to remove the filibuster in the past, calling it a "power grab."

"Joe Biden said eliminating the filibuster would 'throw the entire Congress into chaos,'" Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. said after the speech. "Chuck Schumer said it would make the Senate a 'rubber stamp of dictatorship.'"

"Now that their agenda has stalled, theyre all in on throwing the rule book out the window to get their way," Scott added.

After scrutiny over the integrity of the 2020 presidential election, Republican legislatures around the country passed laws to reduce the possibility of voter fraud. In Georgia, lawmakers enacted voter ID requirements for absentee ballots, extra security for ballot drop-off locations, and other measures.

The votes for nearly 5 million Georgians will be up for grabs if that law holds, Biden said.

Democrats have pushed back sharply on that law with legal challenges and new federal legislation to allow a takeover of state elections.

Democratic leadership has threatened to oust the filibuster, which allows the minority party to block votes on certain legislation, to pass the voting law. Even some Democrats, though, have expressed reservations about changing the filibuster.

On Tuesday, Biden defended the effort, called for action, and claimed his opponents want to disenfranchise minority voters.

Their end game is to turn the will of the voters into a mere suggestion Biden said. The facts wont matter. Your vote wont matter. Theyll just decide what they want, and do it. Thats the kind of power they have in totalitarian states, not democracies.

Critics pushed back on the speech, arguing Democrats are using accusations of racism to disguise their political motives.

Democrats proposals have nothing to do with the right to vote, and everything to do with the kinds of rules they think will keep them in power, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said Tuesday.
Pennsylvania stands to gain at least $100 million to improve broadband access from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, established last month, will help coordinate the expansion of high-speed internet access throughout the state, by managing the influx of federal funds to support the construction of new towers, lines and broadband equipment.

Bill Johnston-Walsh, Pennsylvania state director for AARP, said nearly two years into the pandemic, expanding internet access across the state is critical, as it helped older adults better access medical care and contact family during COVID-19.

"They really want to stay connected to their families, especially their grandchildren," Johnston-Walsh pointed out. "And utilizing this $100 million is really going to go a long way to ensure that we have the health benefits we need through telehealth and that we really reduce social isolation."

More than 800,000 Pennsylvanians lack access to high-speed internet, with more than 500,000 of those residents living in rural areas.

Sheri Collins, executive director of corporate relations for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, said increasing internet bandwidth could help students who struggled to connect to virtual class during the pandemic.

"And in some cases, it was not even an opportunity for some of our students," Collins explained. "So if you think about the disconnect, and you think about learning opportunities that may have been missed as a result of that lack of broadband infrastructure, it's significant."

Collins noted the department is currently working on identifying state lawmakers to serve on the Broadband Development Authority. From there, the team will begin to pinpoint regions in the state most in need of infrastructure for high-speed internet access.
(The Center Square)  Georgia Republicans reaffirmed their stance behind the state's election reforms in response Tuesday to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to rally for federal voting rights legislation.

Gov. Brian Kemp touted the benefits of the Georgia Election Integrity Act and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger made his recommendations for federal election laws ahead of the Biden and Harris Atlanta tour.

The Biden administration has called Georgia "ground zero" for voter suppression because of its election reforms. Kemp said the administration and other critics created a false narrative about the measure.

"Ignoring facts and evidence, this administration has lied about Georgia's Election Integrity Act from the beginning, in an effort to force their unconstitutional federal takeover of elections on American people," Kemp said.

The measure was signed into law by Kemp in March. It requires absentee voters have to write their driver's license number, identification card number, voter registration number or the last four digits of their Social Security number with their birthdate on ballots. It requires ballot drop boxes to be inside of early voting locations except for during a declared emergency and shortens the time for absentee ballot requests, among other things. It is facing a slew of legal challenges.

Biden and Harris are pushing Congress to vote on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement acts. The measures would preempt state laws.

The pair started their tour Tuesday at the Atlanta University Center, the grounds of the state's top historically black colleges and universities. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King attended Morehouse College, one of the schools on the grounds.

"As Dr. King said, the battle is in our hands, and today the battle is in the hands of the leaders of the American people," Harris said.

Harris said the federal measures would protect the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will restore all of the protections under the 1965 act, which protects voting from discrimination.

The Freedom to Vote Act would create a national standard for voting access, including early voting periods, mail-in voting and accommodations for people with disabilities. The measure also expands the guidelines for what identification would be sufficient to vote. The bill would allow same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration. It also would restore felons' voting rights and includes redistricting and campaign financing reforms.

Biden slammed parts of Georgia's bill that give the state the right to take over local election offices and gives the General Assembly the power to elect a chair of the State Election Board. He also criticized a provision prohibiting giveaways of food and drink within 150 feet of a polling place or 25 feet of voters standing in line.

The president also urged the Senate to change its filibuster rules to push forward the bill.

Raffensperger said the federal government should implement a national voter identification requirement and ballot harvesting ban. He also is calling for a federal constitutional amendment to block noncitizen voting and for the federal government to shorten the blackout period for elections officials to conduct voter roll maintenance before an election.

"I am calling on Congress to take steps to strengthen our elections systems and restore the confidence that decades of stolen election claims have stolen from our elections infrastructure," Raffensperger said during a Tuesday morning press conference.
Former New York State judge Jeanine Pirro is leaving her weekend gig Justice with Jeanine Pirro to join the cast of the Fox News afternoon program The Five.

The 70-year-old spitfire, who has appeared on The Five as a guest, will be accompanied there by Fox News personalities including Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino and Jesse Watters, beginning Jan. 24.

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According to the right-wing cable channel, Harold Ford Jr., Jessica Tarlov and Geraldo Rivera  a Republican  will take turns occupying the shows liberal seat. Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott on Wednesday called the shows new combination insightful with diverse opinions and terrific chemistry.

Pirro has been with Fox News for more than 15 years. She will surely bring spirited conversation to the networks late-day gabfest.

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Jeanine Pirro attends the new All-American Christmas Tree lighting outside News Corporation at Fox Square on Dec, 9, 2021 in New York City. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Pirro confessed she was briefly suspended from the network in March 2019 after suggesting Minnesota congresswoman Rep. Ilhan Omars observance of Islam may put her beliefs at odds with those expressed in the United States Constitution. The network condemned that comment.

[ The new right wants division, cruelty, ratings ]

While speaking to The Faith and Freedom Coalition in Waco, Texas, in October 2020, she encouraged Christians to aggressively wish people a Merry Christmas.

I stare them down and so should you, Pirro declared, adding that she now spreads her unique brand of holiday cheer a decibel louder.

In March, Pirro accused immigrants coming through Mexico of having all kinds of diseases and complained that a lower level of human being was being introduced to the United States.
Have a news tip or would like to report a typo? Email Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@kvoa.com.
This is why Donald Trump sticks to Fox News.

The former president cut short a phone interview with National Public Radio Tuesday after host Steve Inskeep challenged Trumps bogus claims that he was the winner of the 2020 election that President Biden won by more than 7 million votes.

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FILE - Former President Donald Trump (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Among the claims Trump made, was that because Biden didnt pack large crowds into stadiums during the pandemic, it doesnt stand to reason that millions of people voted for him. In reality, Biden got more than 81.2 million votes, while just over 74.2 million ballots were cast for Trump.

He also pushed the debunked conspiracy theory that some cities voter rolls and election results didnt add up.

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Go into Detroit and just ask yourself, is it true that there are more votes than there are voters? Trump said. Look at Pennsylvania. Look at Philadelphia. Is it true that there were far more votes than there were voters?

Steve Inskeep, Host, NPR's Morning Edition, appears on Meet the Press" in Washington, D.C., Sunday, January 12, 2020. (NBC NewsWire/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Inskeep correctly responded that in both cases, It is not true that there were far more votes than voters.

Citing sources including a lot of people and they, the former president continually interrupted the NPR host who cordially, but firmly conceded nothing. Trump also continued his insistence that in Arizona, where election reviews have repeatedly confirmed a Biden win, the actual results are devastating like no one has seen before and other states are just as bad.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Trump also took issue with Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who said on Sundays The Week on ABC that the presidential voting was fair and the GOP simply did not win the election.

The former president called Rounds wrong and urged smart Republican candidates in 2022 to stand by his fabricated story about the election being rigged.

[ Jan. 6 committee wants FOX News host Sean Hannity to testify  and Pence too ]

The only way its not gonna happen again is you have to solve the problem of the rigged election of 2020, Trump said. So Steve, thank you very much, I appreciate it.

When Inskeep tried to ask Trump about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol  which resulted from the lie that the election was rigged  the line was dead.

Hes gone, okay, Inskeep said.

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According to NPR, its interview with Trump had been in the works for six years.

The former president was scheduled to remain on the phone for 15 minutes, but hung up after only nine minutes. Trump famously prefers giving interviews to media outlets that promote his messaging, such as Fox News, OAN and Newsmax, which are all facing lawsuits over seemingly baseless reporting that questioned the legitimacy of voting systems technology companies used in the 2020 election.
A conservative law firm has questioned the legality of a mortgage assistance program announced last year by Gov. Tony Evers  challenging the programs intention to steer federal funds toward people of color as discriminatory.

The Democratic governor announced the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program in August. Its set to provide about $92.7 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to eligible homeowners across the state. The program is intended to help mitigate financial hardships associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by preventing mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and loss of utilities and energy services.

The federal government directs states to provide the grants to homeowners with incomes equal to or less than 100% of the area median income for their household size. However, states can increase the income eligibility pool to those earning 150% of the area median income if funding is allocated to socially disadvantaged individuals, which is defined by the federal government as Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Other individuals would be ineligible.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, a nonprofit conservative law firm founded in 2011, sent a letter to Evers Wednesday claiming that the states plan to follow federal guidelines would be illegal under the U.S. and state constitutions.

WILL has previously challenged the federal governments reasoning for allocating federal funds based on race to help end systemic racism.

The government cannot condition benefits and assistance based on race, WILL president and general counsel Rick Esenberg said in a statement. Governor Evers should make clear that Wisconsins housing assistance grants will not discriminate on the basis of skin color.

The state Department of Administration estimated there are more than 914,000 Wisconsin households earning between 100% and 150% of the area median income, according to the letter from WILL. Almost 60,900 of those households meet the federal governments definition of socially disadvantaged, while the remaining more than 850,000 households are white.

Esenberg has urged Evers to postpone the implementation of the housing assistance program to review and remove any racial classifications. Evers office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

The latest challenge by WILL follows two previous efforts by the group to prevent the state from allocating federal coronavirus funds based on race.

A handful of business owners last year successfully challenged the U.S. Small Business Administrations prioritization of businesses owned by women, veterans and socially disadvantaged individuals when allocating $28.6 billion in Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants.

The business owners alleged in the lawsuits, one of which was filed by WILL, that the policy pushed white men to the back of the line for aid.

A federal appeals court ultimately ruled in favor of WILL, issuing a 2-1 opinion that said the government cannot allocate limited coronavirus relief funds based on race and sex. As a result, SBA notified 2,965 business owners who had originally been approved for grants that those funds would now be denied and the application process shifted to a first-come, first-serve basis.

Another lawsuit brought forward last year by WILL on behalf of a handful of residents in several states including Wisconsin challenged President Joe Bidens plans to allocate $4 billion to more than 20,000 Wisconsin farmers.

The lawsuit alleged the Biden administration was engaging in unconstitutional race discrimination through a provision in the American Rescue Plan to provide debt relief to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. A temporary restraining order was granted last June.
Wisconsinites tend to be fiscally conservative and socially liberal, favor less government regulation yet more government action to combat climate change, and think state and national health care systems need restructuring, according to a new UW-Madison poll.

In other words: Theyre not buying wholesale what either major political party is selling.

The UWMadison La Follette School of Public Affairs inaugural La Follette Policy Poll was conducted between July and September 2021 among almost 1,600 Wisconsin residents from all but one county. The polls margin of error is +/-2.5 percentage points.

Heading into another consequential election cycle, the poll found the top issues among residents who identify as independents are health care, wealth distribution and the federal budget deficit. Capturing where independents stand will be critical in the 2022 statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate, La Follette School of Public Affairs director and professor Susan Webb Yackee said.

Turning out independents and talking to independents about the issues that they care about will be important ... for our political candidates and races, Yackee said.

The poll also found Wisconsinites consider almost every issue more problematic at the national level than at the state level.

For example, 35% of respondents said race relations is an extremely big problem nationally, while 24% said thats the case in Wisconsin. Similarly for health care, those percentages were 35% and 25%, respectively.

This suggests that a national lens on public policy issues like health care, climate change, the budget deficit and government regulation might get folks more engaged and make them more likely to vote, Yackee said.

About 46% of respondents said climate change was an extremely big or quite a problem at the state level, while 32% said it was not a problem or a small problem, with 20% somewhere in between. Similarly, a larger share of respondents supported strategies to address climate change but otherwise were largely against government regulation.

The other extremely big concerns for Wisconsinites at the national level are the budget deficit, wealth distribution and race relations. At the state level, too much government regulation was a top concern rather than the budget deficit as one of the five most important issues.

Notably, 10.3% of respondents said the state budget deficit is an extremely big problem, 22.5% said it is quite a problem, 36.7% said it is somewhat of a problem and 19.5% said it is a small problem. Only 8.6% said it is not a problem. By law, the state cant run a budget deficit and currently it has the largest surplus in its history.

Men and women showed some of the biggest divides on issues such as climate change, health care, race issues and income and wealth distribution. For example, 43% of women call health care an extremely big national problem compared with 27% of men, while 26% of men consider too much government regulation an extremely big problem compared with 17% of women.

A majority of Wisconsinites think race affects someones ability to get ahead in life. But they dont support certain policies meant to address racial disparities. About 69% of Wisconsinites are against paying cash reparations to the descendants of slaves, and 61% are against taking race into account in college admission decisions.

Overall, Wisconsinites trust local government officials the most and federal officials the least, with state government officials in between. About 90% of respondents had at least a little confidence in local government officials, while about 70% said the same about federal government officials.
On Nov. 21, the nation looked on in horror to see a man drive through the Waukesha parade, killing six people and injuring dozens more.

Then, not long after, it was revealed that he was out on a $1,000 cash bail after allegedly running over the mother of his child.

Time and time again this story plays out, not just with Darrell Brooks, who has been charged in the Waukesha deaths.

Time and time again, someone who is out on bail commits another crime. In many cases, even then they are able to get out again, on another bond.

Legislation has been introduced in Madison to address this issue.

The Republican-authored bills would require a $10,000 minimum bond for defendants who have previously committed a felony or violent misdemeanor, bar judges from setting an unsecured bond or releasing without bail someone previously convicted of bail jumping, and require the Wisconsin Department of Justice to create a bond transparency report detailing crime and bond conditions.

To be clear, the bail system is an important part of our criminal justice system. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. All individuals charged with a crime need the opportunity to prove their innocence  not just those who can afford it.

With that said, there needs to be a real system in place to protect the public particularly in cases involving a violent offender charged with a new crime.

Following the Waukesha tragedy, a group of Milwaukee taxpayers filed a complaint with Gov. Tony Evers against Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, triggering a process that could end with Evers removing Chisholm from office. That complaint was filed because the $1,000 bail came from an attorney in Chisholms office. Ultimately, Attorney General Josh Kaul said the voters should choose whether to remove Chisholm from office.

While the governor and attorney general want to leave the election up to voters, the attorney general should still take a lead on evaluating bail bond discretion throughout the state.

Minor nonviolent offenses dont need to be treated like violent offenses. But there needs to be consequences for crimes committed.

The Waukesha tragedy may be what is behind the urgent push for bail reform. But its just the case that has gotten the most publicity. Hopefully the magnitude of that tragedy can help garner bipartisan support for change.

The Regional News editorial board consists of General Manager Robert Ireland, Editor Stephanie Jones and community members Patrick Quinn and Elizabeth Lupo DiVito.
After months of training and caring for their livestock, it can be difficult for junior presenters to move on after the auction at Pennsylvania Farm Show.
Dr. Matthew Edson was announced as founding dean of the Rowan University School of Veterinary Medicine during an event on Dec. 29. Pending approval from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, the school plans to welcome its inaugural class in fall 2025.
Produce from Pennsylvania and New York could soon be banned from being marketed as local in New Jersey.
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The BJP is considering fielding Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from Ayodhya as its senior leaders meet to finalise candidates for the assembly polls starting from February 10.

Adityanath, currently a member of the legislative council, had recently said that he is willing to contest the assembly polls from wherever the party's top brass decides.

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Sources said the Ayodhya seat has been discussed within the party as the constituency from where he may be fielded but added that a final decision will be taken by the party's top brass.

The BJP's Central Election Committee, whose members include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is likely to meet soon to finalise its candidates for a large number of seats, including in those going to the polls in the first two phases on February 10 and 14.

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Ayodhya, Mathura and his traditional constituency Gorakhpur, which he has represented in Lok Sabha a number of times, have been seen as the most likely seat of choice for Adityanath, a key Hindutva face of the party who is also the head priest of the Goraknath Math.

Ayodhya, the sources said, ticks many boxes as the ongoing construction of the Ram temple has boosted its political profile for the BJP. The town falls in the Awadh region, where Samajwadi Party has been traditionally strong, and if Adityanath is fielded from there, then it may boost the Hindutva plan in the area, including parts of the neighbouring Poorvanchal.

The chief minister and other senior party leaders from the state, including two deputy chief ministers and its state unit chief Swatantra Dev Singh, have been holding consultations with the central leadership in the national capital for the last two days.

Ayodhya seat is currently represented by BJP's Ved Prakash Gupta in the assembly.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Amritsar, Jan 12 (PTI) The BSF on Wednesday seized heroin and arms and ammunition along the Indo-Pak border in Punjab, allegedly being pushed in by the Pakistani-based smugglers, officials said.

An official statement issued here said the BSF troops observed suspicious movement ahead of the border fence in the Ferozepur Sector early in the morning.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Assures Support of Over Rs 3,000 Crore in Next 5 Years to Tamil Nadu for Developing Health Infrastructure.

A search was launched in the suspected area during which six packets of heroin weighing nearly 6.3 kilograms and tied in yellow wrapping, one pistol, one magazine and 50 rounds were recovered, it said.

In another incident in the same sector, one packet of heroin weighing over 1 kilogram was seized during a search operation, the statement said.

Also Read | COVID-19 in Maharashtra: Current Coronavirus Wave in Pune May Peak by January-End or February First Week, Says Official.

In the third incident, one pistol, one magazine and five rounds were recovered in the Amritsar Sector along the border, it said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a petition seeking an independent inquiry into the Haridwar Dharma Sansad speeches allegedly inciting violence against the minority community.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana will hear the matter today.

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Earlier on Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, mentioned the matter for urgent hearing before the Bench. The petition was filed by former High Court judge and senior advocate Anjana Prakash and journalist Qurban Ali.

The plea sought the arrest and trial of people who made hate speeches, inciting violence towards Muslims, at the Haridwar Dharma Sansad conclave.

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Sibal has said that the slogan of the country seems to be changed from 'Satyameva Jayate' to 'Shastrameva Jayate'.

"We are living in very dangerous times where slogans in the country have changed from Satyamev Jayate to Shashtramev Jayate," Sibal has told the apex court during the mentioning of the case.

Sibal has said that the FIRs have been filed in the case but no arrests have been made. The hate speeches were allegedly delivered between December 17 and 19, 2021, in Haridwar by Yati Narsinghanand and in Delhi by 'Hindu Yuva Vahini'.

The plea said that the alleged hate speeches consisted of open calls for genocide of Muslims in order to achieve ethnic cleansing.

"It is pertinent to note that the said speeches are not mere hate speeches but amount to an open call for the murder of an entire community. The said speeches thus, pose a grave threat not just to the unity and integrity of our country but also endanger the lives of millions of Muslim citizens," the plea added.

It further said that it is relevant to note that no action has been taken by the Uttarakhand and Delhi Police in relation to the event held there despite the fact that open calls for genocide, that are available on the internet, were made therein. The plea also highlighted a video that had gone viral where a police officer was seen acknowledging his allegiance to the offenders.

"Not only the inaction of the Police allows delivery of hate speeches with impunity but also shows that the Police authorities are in fact hand in glove with the perpetrators of communal hate," it added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Universal Orlando has updated its company vaccination policy in accordance with federal guidelines, and under the new requirements employees who have not been fully vaccinated by Feb. 9 will have to undergo weekly COVID testing and mask up.

In a message sent to Universal workers Monday evening, Universal Parks & Resorts Executive Vice President John Sprouls said the policy was in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations Emergency Temporary Standard.

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In the message, Sprouls said 93% of Universal employees have shared their vaccination status with the company, and an unspecified majority of the resorts workers are fully vaccinated.

Universal began requiring employees to disclose their vaccination status with the company in August but has not mandated the vaccine.

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The federal standard took effect Monday and requires companies with 100 or more employees to mandate worker COVID-19 vaccination or require unvaccinated employees to undergo weekly COVID testing and wear masks. It has been delayed in 25 states, not including Florida, by federal court orders and challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court.

OSHA will start issuing citations for companies not in compliance on Feb. 9.

Universals updated policy mirrors the federal standard. Employees must disclose their vaccination status and proof of vaccination, if applicable, to the company immediately. Workers who are not vaccinated by Feb. 9 have to follow a strict weekly COVID-19 testing schedule and continue wearing face coverings, Sprouls said.

Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder said the company will initially offer free, on-site COVID testing for employees.

[We will] evaluate this as we move forward, he said in a statement.

The company will also monitor potential changes to the regulations and adapt accordingly, Schroder said.

Universal is encouraging employees to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot, Sprouls wrote.

We strongly believe that vaccinations are the most powerful step we can all take to move us out of the pandemic, he wrote. ... We will continue to take a balanced and thoughtful approach to our decisions. That is why we have made the initial decision to allow for the testing option as we feel this aligns to our Team Member First approach by allowing our Team Members to make an informed personal decision.

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The resort started allowing fully vaccinated employees to go without face coverings at its parks in November but reinstated an indoor mask policy for staff and visitors last month.

Disney paused its employee vaccine mandate in November in response to state legislation limiting employers abilities to carry out vaccine mandates.

A bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis Nov. 18 requires employers to allow workers to forgo vaccination if they agree to regular testing and wearing protective gear. Employees who have recovered from COVID-19 are also exempt from vaccine mandates.

Universal employees seeking vaccination can schedule it at Walgreens through Universals TeamCare center, Sprouls wrote. The resort is also hosting an employee vaccination and booster event Jan. 18 through 20.

krice@orlandosentinel.com and @katievrice on Twitter
New Delhi, January 12: India recorded as many as 1,94,720 fresh COVID-19 infections and 442 fatalities in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Wednesday. With this, the total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 3,60,70,510 including 9,55,319 active cases. The daily positivity rate due to this virus in the country is at 11.05 per cent. Active cases account for 2.65 per cent of the total cases.

As many as 69.52 crore total tests were conducted so far wherein a weekly positivity rate of 9.82 per cent was observed. Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 34,424 new COVID-19 cases, Delhi added 21, 259 fresh cases, West Bengal added 21,098 fresh COVID-19 cases, Karnataka reported 14,473 new cases and the rest of the cases were reported from other states.

Of the fresh infections logged in today in the country, 4,868 infections are of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Maharashtra reported 1,281 cases, Rajasthan reported 645 cases, Delhi reported 546 cases, Karnataka reported 479 cases and Kerala reported 350 cases of the Omicron variant.

Following up, as many as 60,405 new recoveries from this virus were reported in the country. With this, the total recoveries who were infected with COVID-19 moved up to 3,46,30,536. Moreover, the recovery rate is currently at 96.01 per cent.

As far as the COVID-19 vaccination status is concerned, the health ministry informed that 153.80 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Jan 12 (PTI) A court here on Wednesday granted bail to Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik in a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by local BJP leader Mohit Bharatiya. The NCP leader tried to link Bharatiya with the NCB's drug raid on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast last year, the complaint alleges.

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In December 2021, the Mazgaon metropolitan magistrate had issued a summons to Malik, asking him to appear before it.

Also Read | COVID-19 in Maharashtra: Current Coronavirus Wave in Pune May Peak by January-End or February First Week, Says Official.

On Wednesday, Malik remained present in the court, following which the magistrate granted him bail on a surety of Rs 15,000.

The accused (Malik) is directed not to indulge in similar kind of offences alleged by the complainant against the complainant in future, otherwise the bail bond would be canceled, the court said in its order.

Further hearing on the complaint would be held on January 29, it added.

Bharatiya's complaint claimed that Malik misused his position to defame the BJP leader and his family by making highly speculative and malicious statements without providing any evidence.

This is the second defamation complaint filed by Bharatiya against the minister.

Malik, at press conferences on the Narcotics Control Bureau's alleged drug bust on a cruise ship during which actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan and others were arrested, slandered Bharatiya and his brother-in-law Rishab Sachdev, the present complaint alleged.

Malik tried to connect Bharatiya to the drug raid and also falsely claimed that Bharatiya had met NCB's then zonal director Sameer Wankhede, it said.

Bharatiya had issued two legal notices to Malik in October last year, asking him to stop making allegations, before moving the court.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 12 (ANI): Outrightly denying the rumours that UP cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from the Bharatiya Janta Party as he failed to get ticket for his children from the BJP to contest in the ensuing Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, said Utkrisht Maurya Ashok, son of former BJP leader.

Speaking to ANI over his father's resignation from the party and the ministerial post, Ashok said, "There is no such issue that my father wants a ticket for me or my sister."

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"My father and the party will decide if I have to contest the election or they want me as a party worker for the upcoming Assembly polls," Ashok said.

He also rejected the allegations levelled by his father that Dalits and backward class people were neglected by the BJP.

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He further added that the party has always worked for the Dalits and backward class people but if they will be ignored, then the BJP will face changes.

Labour Minister and the BJP's OBC face Swami Prasad Maurya tendered his resignation from the Yogi Adityanath government giving a jolt to the BJP ahead of the assembly polls in the state.

"I have resigned from the Yogi Cabinet keeping in mind the government's attitude towards Dalits, backward classes, farmers, youth, and traders. I have sent the letter to the Governor. I will consult with my supporters for a day or two, I will tell the number of people joining along with me after two days," Maurya had said.

Maurya, a prominent leader from the OBC (Other Backward Class) community, had joined the BJP from Bahujan Samaj Party in 2016. Elections for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases. The polling will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. The polling in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa will be held on February 14 and in Manipur in two phases on February 27 and March 6. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gurugram, Jan 12 (PTI) Gurugram will not be imposing lockdown any time soon in the district, Deputy Commissioner Yash Garg said on Wednesday.

He said the workers in the district were not leaving for their hometowns and there was no need to panic.

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The DC said production units and industries were running regularly in the district and the rumours being spread about workers going to their homes were baseless.

Daulatabad Industrial Area Association Patron Vinay Gupta said that industrial units are being operated regularly in his area and workers are also coming on duty.

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He also said rumours of workers returning to their states are false and misleading.

Deepak Maini, state secretary, Federation of Indian Industry, said industries are running properly in their area and there is no problem of workers.

He said he has not received any information about workers returning to their homes and appealed to them to keep doing their work smoothly.

Similarly, IMT Manesar Industrial Association Secretary Manoj Tyagi also said the industrial units in Manesar are running regularly and there is no labour problem anywhere.

Garg said situation of COVID infection in Gurugram district is still under control and though the number of corona patients has increased, most of them have shown mild symptoms.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, January 12: Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday said that as far as the western front is concerned, there is an increase in the concentration of terrorists in various launch pads and there have been repeated attempts of infiltration across the Line of Control.

The army chief said, "On the western front, there is an increase in the concentration of terrorists in various launch pads and there have been repeated attempts of infiltration across the LAC. This once exposes the nefarious designs of our western neighbour."

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Addressing the media persons on Tuesday, Gen Naravane said, "If you recall the situation as it existed last January, there have been positive developments both along our northern and western borders. On the northern borders, we have continued to maintain the highest levels of operational preparedness while at the same time, engaging with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) through dialogue."

"After persistent joint efforts, mutual disengagement has occurred at many locations of which I have been telling you from time to time. So, that definitely is a positive development that has happened over the last one year. As we speak, the 14th round of the Core Commander talks are underway and I am hopeful that you should see further development in the days ahead," he added.

Also Read | Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel Tests Positive for COVID-19 with Mild Symptoms.

"While there has been a partial disengagement, the threat has by no means reduced and the host level are more or less the same. From our side, it has been enhanced. The threat assessment and internal deliberations that we have carried out from time to time have resulted in some reorganisation and realignment of the same in keeping with our army's mandate of ensuring our territorial integrity," the army chief said.

Gen Naravane said, "This also caters to the major augmentation that has taken in the PLA forces and their infrastructure. While we will continue to deal with PLA in a firm and resolute manner, necessary safeguards are in place to take care of any contingency."

The 14th round of Corps Commander-level talks between India and China are currently underway.

The 14th round of Senior Highest Military Commander Level (SHMCL) talks between India and China is taking place on January 12 at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point, on the Chinese side at 09:30 AM (IST). The Indian side is looking forward to constructive dialogue for resolving the remaining friction areas, said Indian Army officials.

New Delhi and Beijing have been engaged in holding talks on the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Ladakh area to resolve the standoff. So far, 13 rounds of talks have been held.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ferozepur (Punjab) [India], January 12 (ANI): Border Security Force (BSF) foiled smuggling of drugs and seized 7.4 Kg of suspected Heroin and arms and ammunitions from Ferozepur and Amritsar on Wednesday.

In continuing the fight against weapons and drugs, BSF troops foiled three attempts to smuggle contraband items and seized approximate 7.4 Kg of suspected Heroin. The BSF also seized two pistols and 55 rounds in Ferozepur and Amritsar sectors, informed BSF in a tweet.

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Further details awaited. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Jan 12 (PTI) The BSE Sensex zoomed nearly 400 points to reclaim the key 61,000-level in opening deals on Wednesday, buoyed by expectations of a good quarterly earnings season.

Starting off on a positive note, the BSE gauge was trading 397.48 points or 0.66 per cent higher at 61,014.37 in opening trade.

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Similarly, the NSE benchmark Nifty rose 96.50 points or 0.53 per cent to trade at 18,152.25 in early session.

On the Sensex chart, UltraTech Cement, RIL, IndusInd Bank, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Bank and Tata Steel were among the major gainers.

Also Read | Nitin Gadkari Tests Positive for COVID-19, Union Minister Under Home Quarantine.

In contrast, TCS, Dr Reddy's, Titan, Maruti and Wipro were among the major laggards.

In the previous session, the 30-share benchmark ended 221.26 points or 0.37 per cent higher at 60,616.89 and the NSE Nifty gained 52.45 points or 0.29 per cent to finish at 18,055.75.

"The short-term momentum reflects that the market is in complete control of the bulls. The expected good results from the three IT majors today are likely to impart resilience to the market," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

Results from the leading banks, starting Saturday, also will be good thanks to declining provisioning and rising net interest margins, he added.

Elsewhere in Asia, markets were trading in the green following higher closing at Wall Street.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the capital market, as they bought shares worth Rs 111.91 crore on Tuesday, according to stock exchange data.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hyderabad Police on Wednesday booked actor Siddharth for allegedly making derogatory comments against Olympic bronze medalist Saina Nehwal on Twitter. In a telephonic conversation, KVM Prasad, Additional DCP, Cyber Crime Wing, Detective Department, Hyderabad said, " A woman named Prerna approached Cyber Crime Wing and lodged a complaint against actor Sidharth for his sexist remarks against shuttler Saina Nehwal on Twitter." PM Narendra Modi Assures Support of Over Rs 3,000 Crore in Next 5 Years to Tamil Nadu for Developing Health Infrastructure.

The police official said that the basis of the complaint a case has been registered under Sections 509 of the Indian Penal Code and 67 of Information Technology Act and an investigation has been taken up. Notice will be served to Sidharth, the additional DCP added. Siddharth had been engulfed in a controversy that erupted after the actor in a Twitter post on January 6, retweeted a post by Nehwal in which she had expressed her concern over the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Punjab visit on January 5. Various activists slammed Siddharth over his comments, calling it "sexist, misogynistic" and demanded that he should apologise to Nehwal. COVID-19 in Maharashtra: Current Coronavirus Wave in Pune May Peak by January-End or February First Week, Says Official.

The NCW also said that the comment by the actor was "misogynist and outrageous to the modesty of a woman amounting to disrespect and insult to the dignity of women on social media platforms." Subesequently, the actor apologized to Nehwal on Tuesday night, after receiving criticism for his "rude joke" directed towards the badminton player. In an open letter, Siddharth asserted that his 'word play' and 'humour' had no malicious intent.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 12 (ANI): As Congress launched its 11-day padayatra seeking early implementation of the Mekedatu drinking water project on Sunday, Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar stirred troubled waters for himself as three FIRs have been filed against him on allegations of flouting COVID-19 norms.

On Wednesday morning, Shivakumar and 63 other Congressmen were booked in Ramanagara for violating COVID-19 norms during the party's Mekedatu padayatra.

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On January 11, the second case has been filed against Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar for violating COVID-19 norms during his 'Mekedatu Padayatra', informed local police.

"Around 41 persons including Shivakumar and MP D K Suresh have been named in an FIR that has been filed Sathanur police station of Ramanagara district on Monday for violating COVID-19 norms," said a police officer.

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Earlier on Sunday, the first FIR was registered against 30 people for violating COVID-19 norms in the 'Padayatra'.

The Congress in Karnataka on Sunday began its 11 days padayatra, despite the government's COVID-19 restrictions, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai slammed Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who reportedly refused to take a COVID test after the padayatra.

In response, Shivakumar accused the government of trying to "infect" him with COVID-19 by exposing him to an official who tested positive for Coronavirus.

"Additional District Commissioner who came to test me last night has tested COVID-19 positive. He was sent to make sure that I get infected and test positive. The Government wants to make me a primary contact of the COVID positive person and that is why the official had been sent," alleged Shivakumar on Monday.

"This may not be the idea of Chief Minister. But the Health Minister (K. Sudhakar) is capable of doing it," he further said.

Further alleging mishandling of COVID-19 testing data, the Congress leader demanded a judicial enquiry on COVID-19 numbers."I have around dozen of doctors in my family, many kids in my family are studying medicine. I know how they are testing people who are coming from abroad in airports. It's all BJP positive, BJP Covid, BJP omicron. I demand a judicial enquiry on these COVID-19 numbers," he said.

The Karnataka government has imposed a curfew on weekends and restricted public gatherings to fight the third wave of COVID-19, till January 19. It has also imposed a night curfew and has prohibited all rallies, dharnas, protests, among others.

The Mekedatu balancing reservoir-cum drinking water project, to be constructed across the Cauvery river basin, has been at the centre of controversy between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Earlier too on July 12, 2021, Bommai had said that the Centre will have to give clearance to the project as per law and there is no reason the state government will stop the project. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): The Congress Screening Committee for Uttarakhand Assembly elections will meet in the national capital on Thursday, as per party sources.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Harish Rawat had said that the party will release its first list of candidates for Uttarakhand Assembly polls within the next seven days.

Also Read | Cryptocurrency Prices Moving in Sync With Stocks, Posing Systemic Risks: IMF Research.

Several rounds of meetings have been held by the AICC screening committee to decide the names of candidates who will contest the polls.

Meanwhile, speaking on the BJP's list of candidates for the polls, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that "the process of finalizing tickets is going on."

Also Read | Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel Tests Positive for COVID-19 with Mild Symptoms.

"There will be a meeting of the State Election Committee and after that central parliamentary board will select the candidate based on merit, work, circumstances," Dhami told ANI.

Polls to elect the 70-member state legislative assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting will take place on March 10. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Protesters display placards while calling for support for tenants and homeowners at risk of eviction during a demonstration, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, on the Boston Common, in Boston, as the state weathers the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The event was part of a series of actions across the commonwealth in support of the Guaranteed Housing Stability bill leading up to the expiration Massachusetts' eviction and foreclosure moratorium, which is set to end on Oct. 17. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)

Some Orange County families still face homelessness because of economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to county officials who reported Tuesday that nearly 600 rental households were six months behind on rent when they received relief from an emergency rental assistance program.

The county program has paid about $16.5 million in back rent to landlords for about 2,900 families. Another 700 applications are under review.

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About 1,000 applicants who got help from the program were a month or two delinquent in rent, said program manager Dianne Arnold, who updated Orange County commissioners on the status of the relief effort created with about $33.4 million in federal aid to assist beleaguered renters.

But about 600 families who received aid were half a year behind in rent, including 95 families who were 12 months in arrears.

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Arnold said about 560 families have applied for the second round of assistance, applying 60 days after the first award because they still qualify.

Program guidelines limit awards to 12 months for back rent and up to three months of prospective rent  with the total not to exceed $30,000, a cap which was raised by $10,000 about six weeks ago. The county still has more than $13 million available to distribute by Sept. 30, 2022.

If theyre county residents, behind in their rent and theyve had a COVID impact, they should apply, Arnold said. Its possible for somebody to have a COVID impact now that didnt have one before depending on their situation as there are more and more people who are contracting the virus.

The countys 14-day rolling positivity rate has been as high as 40% in recent days.

She said the program also allows for somebody currently impacted by COVID-19 that wasnt previously affected to participate, depending on the situation as there are now more people contracting the virus.

Details about the emergency program can be found online by searching for COVID rental assistance and Orange County Florida.

[ Rental assistance programs in Central Florida ]

The county program is for renters only though Florida homeowners struggling to pay a mortgage were supposed to benefit from $676 million allocated to the state through the Homeowner Assistance Fund, part of the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus plan signed into law in March by President Joe Biden.

According to Floridas Department of Economic Opportunity website, the state is awaiting approval of its plan by the U.S. Treasury.

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The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

The DEO encourages homeowners needing help to reach out to your mortgage lender or servicer to inquire about resources available...

Arnold, who keeps tabs on the state effort, said homeowners can sign up to be notified when assistance is available.

I know we have a lot of people that are wanting to know about mortgage [relief], she said.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said mortgage relief is critical if we want to keep people in their homes...

I do get calls from time to time in my office from residents who are behind on mortgage payments and facing foreclosure, he said.

Demings said the county will help spread the word when the state program launches.

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shudak@orlandosentinel.com
New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): Congress is likely to give preference to sitting MLAs while selecting candidates for the Uttarakhand Assembly polls that are due next month, according to the party's screening committee chief Avinash Pandey.

"Chances of sitting MLAs are strong. Last time those who fought elections and did well, it is quite natural that preference will be given to them. The process of choosing candidates is on. Tomorrow is our screening committee meeting. Very soon we will take this list of candidates to Central Election Committee (CEC). Many candidates have been shortlisted," Pandey told ANI.

Also Read | COVID-19 Vaccine COVAXIN Booster Dose Can Neutralise Omicron, Says Bharat Biotech.

Asked whether Harish Rawat will be the party's chief ministerial candidate, Pandey said, "Harish Rawat is our senior leader. He has been CM two times. It has been a tradition that MLAs hold discussions and the High Command decide the Chief Minister. Harish Rawat is heading the Campaign committee. Party has given him vital responsibility. I do not think Congress will face any problem in choosing the CM candidate."

On digital campaigns, the Congress leader said that the party is working hard on making digital campaigning more effective.

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The Congress Screening Committee for Uttarakhand Assembly elections will meet in the national capital on Thursday, as per party sources.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Harish Rawat had said that the party will release its first list of candidates for Uttarakhand Assembly polls within the next seven days.

Several rounds of meetings have been held by the AICC screening committee to decide the names of candidates who will contest the polls.

Polls to elect the 70-member state legislative assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting will take place on March 10. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Wipro on Wednesday said it expects to hire about 30,000 freshers in FY23, as the IT services major strives to ensure that supply is not a constraint in managing the robust demand environment.

Amid the fast-spreading Omicron variant of the COVID virus, the company remains "very vigilant", CEO and Managing Director Thierry Delaporte said, adding that as a proactive measure, the company has decided to close its offices globally for the next four weeks.

Also Read | SBI CBO Admit Card 2022 Released on sbi.co.in; Here Are Steps To Download The Hall Ticket.

"It is of some relief to us that about 90 per cent of our employees globally are now vaccinated with one dose of the vaccine, and over 65 per cent are fully vaccinated with the recommended two doses.

Our plans to return to the office, even in a hybrid model, for our fully vaccinated employees, will be calibrated in the context of the evolving situation, keeping both our employees' safety and client preferences in mind," Delaporte said during Wipro's Q3 earnings calls.

Also Read | Infosys Net Profit Rises 12% to Rs 5,809 Crore in Q3.

Wipro's net profit came in almost flat at Rs 2,969 crore for Q3 FY22, as compared to the same period the previous year.

The company informed that it is on course to onboard over 70 per cent more fresh talent from the campus in FY22 against the previous year.

"Attrition is a reality across almost all industries. It has been no different for us. I had shared with you last quarter that we expect attrition to slow down only after a few more quarters. However, we now feel more confident of having stabilised our attrition rates in Q3, and expect it to moderate next quarter," Delaporte said.

Wipro is looking to hire 30,000 freshers in FY23, Saurabh Govil, President and CHRO of Wipro said, adding that the fresher hiring numbers were pegged at about 17,500 for FY22.

The company is working continuously to make sure that supply is not a constraint in managing the demand environment, he observed.

"...we are doing whatever it takes. We have had a second round of salary increases for 80 per cent of our employee base in this current quarter. We have done three rounds of promotions for 80 per cent of our employees in the last 12 months.

So every four months, we have actually given them promotions...we could do it because we are growing fast...there are a plethora of things which we are working towards and the outcome of that you are seeing is that we feel more confident of much more moderated attrition in the coming quarter," Govil said.

Wipro on Wednesday posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 2,969 crore for the December 2021 quarter and said it has logged strong performance in revenues and order bookings. The net profit attributable to shareholders in the year-ago period had stood at Rs 2,968 crore, according to a regulatory filing.

On a sequential basis, Wipro's net profit was up 1.3 per cent.

Revenue from operations grew 29.6 per cent to Rs 20,313.6 crore, from Rs 15,670 crore in the quarter ended December 2020. Sequentially, it rose 3.2 per cent from Rs 19,667.4 crore in September 2021 quarter.

Wipro, which gets a bulk of its top line (revenue) from IT services, said it expects revenues from that business to be in the range of USD 2,692 million to USD 2,745 million in the March 2022 quarter.

This translates into a sequential growth of 2 per cent to 4 per cent for the March quarter.

"We have guided for a revenue growth of 2 per cent to 4 per cent, which will translate into a full-year growth of 27 per cent to 28 per cent. The demand environment continues to be robust, and our growth path over the last few quarters, reflects this," Delaporte said.

Wipro will stay on course with its strategic priorities, Delaporte said while exuding confidence about the company "sustaining the growth momentum".

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The World Values Network's Executive Director, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, announced today that the world-famous organization will celebrate the 10th Annual Champions of Jewish Values International Awards Gala, at Carnegie Hall on January 20, 2022 starting at 5:00 p.m.

ALSO READ: Hispanic Federation Gala 2014: Celebrities Mario Lopez, Ana Ortiz Help Support the Generations of The Future

Global Philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson will accept the Light of the Jewish People Award on behalf of her late husband, Sheldon Adelson, whose yahrzeit falls shortly before the gala. A highlight of the evening will be a virtual appearance from Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. The Gala will feature several speakers and nominees, including co-founder of The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, Marion Wiesel and son Elisha Wiesel, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, renowned physician and TV Host, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York, Hon. Adrian Kubicki, CEO of the Israel-based humanitarian organization IsraAid, Yotam Polizer, Fmr. Chief Strategist to Vice President Mike Pence, Tom Rose, Vice Chair of Research for Columbia University's Department of Medicine, Ira Tabas, Fmr. Chief Spokesperson for the Department of Defense and Hyundai's CCO, Dana White and Kramer Levin Partner, Tzvi Rokeach.

Esteemed honorees and speakers will address, before a global audience, the significance of the 80th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference and its genocidal designs for European Jewry, in particular, the consensus that the only solution to the 'Jewish question' was that of ethnic-cleansing and murder at a scale unprecedented in world history. Additionally, the evening will bring together experts in the fields of policy and humanitarianism, who will address many of the barriers to genocide prevention in our current international system, as well as touching upon the many lessons from our collective failure during WW2 that may contribute towards best practices to genocide prevention moving forward.

For the 10th year, the World Values Network will bring together world leaders who have taken bold, values-driven action to tackle humanity's most pressing issues and positively affect society. This year's focus will be on how Jews are experiencing levels of global anti-Semitism not seen since World War II. Each honoree has made and continues to make significant contributions toward repairing the world.

This year's gala falls shortly after the release of Rabbi Boteach's 35th book, Kosher Hate. The surge in Anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, Rabbi Boteach believes, can be combated once society stops embracing leaders who openly espouse these values, one of the central methods of "kosher hate." To quote Rabbi Boteach "Kosher hate is detesting evil and deciding to fight it and neutralize it. Un-Kosher hate is where we hate without reason, because of the color of someone's skin, or because their religion is different, or their nationality is different- and those are the ideologies that Kosher hate is designed to stop."

"The Jewish Values International Awards Gala is a time where we can recognize the best practices pioneered by leaders from around the world to combat hate, and appreciate how they can make a difference at a global scale." Boteach said. "We must also highlight the key role these leaders have played in championing social cohesion and peace building efforts. The World Values Network affirms that we are all entitled to justice, inclusion at all levels of society, and access to equal opportunities. The Jewish community is of critical importance in establishing a true values-based global society."

For more information and to order tickets, visit www.thisworldgala.com

RELATED ARTICLE: A Jewish Charity Is Striving to Make a Difference in the Future of Brazil
For the second time, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced Monday evening that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Despite experiencing mild symptoms, the president indicated in a tweet that he will remain in isolation and will conduct office work and interact online until he recovers, Washington Post reported.

AMLO Says Omicron is 'Not Very Damaging'

Lopez Obrador also suggested that he had the Omicron variant, saying that this new variant of COVID isn't very damaging.

An increase in coronavirus cases in Mexico coincided with the president's re-infection, which appears to be linked to the highly contagious Omicron variant's spreading. Although there has been no increase in new hospitalizations or deaths to date, many Mexicans have expressed fear and uneasiness.

For the time being, the president will be replaced by Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez during his regular morning press conferences and other official acts.

Lopez Obrador looked noticeably unwell and spoke to reporters without a mask at a Monday morning news conference before admitting he had tested positive. Lopez Obrador, better known by his initials, AMLO, said he "woke up hoarse" in response to a reporter's query about his apparent symptoms.

ALSO READ: Moderna Donates Vaccines to Mexico as COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise

Media Outraged After Mexican President Appeared Maskless While Having Symptoms

AMLO'S choice to go out in public without a face mask while displaying symptoms of illness sparked outrage in Mexico's media.

If you have flu-like symptoms, do not do an AMLO and self-isolate, according to a headline in the El Financiero newspaper.

Members of the Mexican press expressed their dissatisfaction with the possibility of being quarantined as a result of the president's actions.

In January 2021, Lopez Obrador tested positive for the first time and stated that he had just light symptoms. Following the positive test last year, Aeromexico quarantined its staff who had been traveling by the president, who takes pride in flying in economy rather than in a presidential plane.

The populist and leftist leader has been criticized for not wearing a mask when meeting and taking photographs with followers across the country. He had previously stated that the virus might be warded off using religious amulets during the epidemic.

When Lopez Obrador was present, many government personnel who would ordinarily wear masks took them off. Political analyst Carlos Bravo Regidor speculated at the time of the president's positive test, "perhaps as a really screwed-up symbol of discipline or deference."

AMLO's Administration has always opposed mass testing, calling it a waste of money. Employers should not be required to take COVID tests, he said.

Mexico is also one of the few countries that have avoided imposing lockdowns, airline bans, or obligatory face masks.

Last Monday, Mexico recorded 300,000 test-confirmed coronavirus deaths, but a government review of death certificates puts the real toll at almost 460,000, owing to the lack of testing.

READ MORE: California Allows Hospitals to Force COVID-Positive Asymptomatic Staff to Work to Address Staff Shortage

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Mexico President AMLO Says He Has Covid For the Second Time in a Year - Bloomberg Quicktake: Now


New evidence suggests that Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry maintained communications with the prime suspect in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

Henry and the suspect were said to be in close contact even after the murder, according to The New York Times report.

Phone records seen by the news outlet, including interviews with Haitian officials and a prime suspect in the crime, showed incriminating details about the two men's connection to one another.

Joseph Felix Badio is a former justice ministry official wanted by the Haitian authorities on claims of organizing the attack that killed Moise.

The evidence showed that Badio spoke to Henry before the killing and after the deed. It also includes two calls for a total of seven minutes after the assassination.

Badio was also reported to have visited Henry's official residence twice at night, about four months later while he was being wanted by police. However, a spokesman for the prime minister said that he did not speak to Badio after Moise's assassination, according to The Telegraph report.

READ NEXT: Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Asked to Testify in Pres. Jovenel Moise's Assassination Hearing, Rejects the Invite

Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry's Connection to The Assassination

Haitian officials involved in the investigation noted that Henry would currently be a suspect if he was not the head of government.

A suspect in the investigation, Rodolphe Jaar, who is a Haitian businessman, said that Badio had described Henry as his "good friend" who he had "full control of."

Phone calls between Henry and Badio were first released publicly in September by a Haitian prosecutor. The prosecutor was later fired from the case.

Prosecutor Bed-Ford Claude noted at the time that phone records showed Henry had communicated with the prime suspect twice.

Claude wrote to the judge overseeing the investigation into Moise's assassination and asked him to charge Henry as a suspect, according to a Reuters report.

He also wrote to Haitian migration services, ordering the agency not to let the prime minister leave the country due to "serious presumption" relative to the killing of the president.

Claude wrote in the official request that there are enough compromising elements to prosecute Henry and ask for his outright indictment, according to The Guardian report.

A letter dated September 13 noted that Henry was firing Claude for grave "administrative error" without going into further detail.

Frantz Lous Juste was named the replacement of Claude to the post.

Haiti President Jovenel Moise's Assassination

Moise was shot dead in his home in the Pelerin 5 neighborhood. He was shot 12 times and had bullet wounds to his forehead and several to his torso, according to a BBC News report.

One of the judges conducting the investigation noted that his left eye had been gouged out, and bones in his arms had been broken.

Martine Moise, who was the president's First Lady, was also shot but survived.

Haitian police noted that the group responsible for Moise's assassination was mainly composed of foreign mercenaries, with 26 Colombians and two Haitian-Americans.

The Colombians were former soldiers, with its group having a lieutenant colonel.

READ MORE: 4 of Haiti President Jovenel Moise's 'Presumed Assassins' Killed, 2 Arrested by Police

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Haiti | PM Ariel Henry: Suspect in President's Jovenel Moise killing | Latest World English News - from WION






At least 57 protesters from Cuba that were apprehended over the unprecedented demonstrations in the country since last year are scheduled to go on trial this week.

Al Jazeera noted that the information on Tuesday was confirmed by the relatives of the demonstrators who were placed under the custody of the law enforcement authorities in the country.

According to the relatives of the protesters, the three collective trials are already scheduled, Associated Press reported.

Reports noted that 21 will be charged in the eastern city of Holguin, 20 will take place in Havana, and 16 will happen in Santa Clara.

READ NEXT: Rapper Pitbull Calls on World Leaders to 'Stand Up, Step up' Amid Cuba Protests

Sentences for Cuba Protesters

The relatives of the protesters also provided an update regarding some of the possible sentences their family members will have to face.

Yaquelin Cruz from Havana shared that her son Dariel Cruz faced a prosecution request for a 15-year sentence for sedition - attempting to overthrow a legitimate government. Cruz added that her son was also stabbed in prison.

Meanwhile, Justice 11J, a group that tracks the detainees in Cuba, revealed that some of the protesters in Holguin face 30-year sentences for the same charge.

Several relatives also noted that they were informed about only one family member of each defendant will be allowed in the courtroom.

Cuban authorities have never released an official number of detained protesters. However, their court officials said in August that there had been 23 quick trials for 67 defendants that faced lesser charges, including public disorder.

Salome Garcia from Justice 11J said that since then, the government of Cuba has arranged more serious charges against the protesters such as sedition.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that at least 600 protesters from Cuba remain in detention, including those who have seen their health deteriorating due to the lack of access to proper food and medicine.

However, Justice 11J confirmed around 1,334 detentions, 223 convictions for various charges, and 231 others facing charges. The organization also noted that at least 98 people were fined.

Cuba Protests

The demonstration in Cuba happened in July, marking the biggest one in decades against the country's Communist regime.

Thousands of Cuban rallied on the streets as Cuba's economy collapse alongside the country's shortages of food, medicine, and price hikes amid the pandemic. However, the Cuban government accused the United States of being the "real force" behind the demonstrations.

The U.S. Government has denied playing a role in the protests that happened in the country, but its sanctions on the Cuban officials, they believe, played a role in cracking down the demonstrations.

It can be recalled that on Thursday, the Biden administration issued a travel ban on eight Cuban officials accused of repression of peaceful protests in Cuba since July.

During the first series of sanctions imposed by the Biden administration to the Cuban officials in July last year, President Joe Biden underscored that the U.S. government will hold the Cuban regime "accountable" and that their support for the people of Cuba is "unwavering."

READ NEXT: 3 More Cuban Officials Sanctioned by U.S., DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Says

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Cuban Government Cracks Down On Activists Ahead Of Protest - From NBC News
United Airlines CEO said that the company has not had a weekly employee death toll among its approximately 70,000 employees in eight weeks.

CEO Scott Kirby claimed that it was due to the airline's COVID vaccine mandate, according to a CNBC report.

United Airlines had issued a COVID vaccine mandate in August, being the strictest among U.S. carriers. They ruled that staff must be vaccinated against COVID or face termination.

More than 96 percent of its employees were vaccinated, according to the airline company.

Kirby added that zero of their vaccinated employees are currently hospitalized, with 3,000 United workers now infected with the virus.

Kirby acknowledged that the COVID vaccine mandate is not popular in some circles of his company. However, he noted that it was the right thing to do, according to an NBC News report.

Kirby told employees that zero is the word that matters when it comes to dealing with COVID.

The United CEO said that although some people still disagree with their policy, the COVID vaccine mandate is the right thing to do as it saves lives.

Kirby had also defended United's COVID vaccine mandate from Republican criticism during a recent Senate hearing in December. Kirby noted that the company puts safety at the forefront, according to a Fortune report.

READ NEXT: Passengers Who Filmed Themselves Partying Without Masks Face Being Stranded in Mexico After Airlines Refused to Fly Them Back to Canada

Airline Companies' COVID Vaccine Mandate

United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines confirmed in October that they will follow U.S. President Joe Biden's executive order requiring workers to get the vaccines.

Under Biden's federal vaccine plan, airlines are considered government contractors, according to a CBS News report.

Biden earlier thanked United for being the first of at least six carriers to impose a COVID vaccine mandate.

Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said that they have not done the vaccination with a mandate. Bastian noted that they have done it working collaboratively with their people, trusting them to make their own decisions, while respecting those decisions.

In August last year, Delta announced its plans to raise health insurance premiums by $200 a month for staff not fully vaccinated by November 1, according to a CNBC report.

The Allied Pilots Association wrote to the White House at the time, asking for exemptions for pilots.

Southwest's pilots' union asked a court in Texas to block its implementation last year.

COVID Vaccine Mandate for Travelers

White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the nation should consider a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel as COVID cases spike.

Fauci said that a mandate might trigger the nation's lagging vaccination rate while offering stronger protection on flights, according to a USA Today report.

Fauci said that making vaccination a requirement is another incentive to get more people to get vaccinated.

Biden promised full sport of the federal government to states seeing a surge in their COVID cases during the president's virtual meeting with governors.

Biden told governors that if they need something, "say something, and we're going to have your back any way we can."

READ MORE: Dr. Anthony Fauci Says COVID Variant Omicron Might Evade Protections Gained by Vaccination, Previous Infection

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by Mary Webber

WATCH: United Airlines CEO On Vaccine Requirements: 'Mandates Work' - from MSNBC






The Justice Department is forming a unit that would be focused on domestic terrorism to help fight rising threats that that has increased significantly in recent years.

Matthew G. Olsen of DOJ announced the plans to create the new unit in his opening remarks before the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to a Washington Post report.

The head of the Justice Department's national security division noted that the number of Federal Bureau of Investigation investigations of suspected domestic violent extremists had more than doubled since the spring of 2020.

Olsen said that the DOJ had already imposed counterterrorism measures for both domestic and international causes.

He further noted that the threats they saw stemmed from racial, extremist anti-government, and anti-authority ideologies.

READ NEXT: FBI Whistleblower Reveals Agency's Tracking Threats Against School Board Members, Other School Officials

Justice Department's Domestic Terrorism Unit

The creation of the new unit highlights the extent of domestic violent extremism, which has attracted urgent attention inside the federal government and at the White House, according to an ABC News Go report.

Jill Sanborn testified alongside Olsen. The FBI official is the executive assistant director of the agency's national security unit.

Sanborn noted that the greatest threat comes from lone extremists or small cells who look forward to carrying out the attacks.

Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois played a video of the January 6 riot at the start of the hearing.

Meanwhile, several Republican senators had tried to shift the focus away from January 6 and asserted that the insurrection had taken away attention from the 2020 riot that erupted in states.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa showed a video of anti-police riots to counter the January 6 footage showed.

Grassley said that the anti-police riots had "rocked our nation for seven full months."

The Biden administration has sought to put priority on an effort to combat domestic terrorism.

The White House released the country's first national strategy to fight domestic terrorism, according to an NPR report.

Attorney General Merrick Garland described the January 6 probe as one of the biggest and most resource-intensive in U.S. history.

Domestic Terrorism in The U.S.

The FBI director, Christopher Wray, told Congress that the January 6 incident was not an isolated event, adding that the problem of domestic terrorism has been growing across the country for a number of years, according to The Guardian report.

Wray said that white supremacists create the biggest chunk of the domestic terrorism portfolio overall.

The FBI director said that they have been responsible for the most lethal attacks over the last decade.

Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Union national security project, said that it is undeniable that federal law enforcement has underplayed and misunderstood the level of white supremacist violence.

The New America think tank in Washington D.C. reported that the far-right extremists killed 114 people after analyzing the 251 killings perpetrated by U.S. domestic terrorists since 9/11.

READ MORE: Hate Crimes Against Latinos Peaked Highest in Over a Decade, FBI Reports

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Justice Department Creates Domestic Terrorism Unit as Threat Grows - from Bloomberg Quicktake: Now






Former President Donald Trump mocked President Joe Biden over Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams' absence from his voting rights speech in Atlanta on Tuesday.

In a statement, Donald Trump claimed that Abrams' nonattendance was a sign that she wants nothing to do with the president but noted that the voting rights activist helped Biden steal the 2020 election in Georgia.

The former president also claimed, without any basis, that Abrams knew that "Biden actually lost BIG in Georgia, and in the 2020 Presidential Election as a whole," Daily Mail reported.

Donald Trump went on to say that Joe Biden has been so terrible that Stacey Abrams "now wants nothing to do with him."

"Even the woke, radical left realizes that Joe Biden's Administration is an embarrassment!" he added.

Abrams is running for the gubernatorial race again this year. She lost the previous gubernatorial race to Governor Brian Kemp. Abrams was notably absent from Joe Biden's visit to Atlanta to talk about voting rights.

READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Avoided Naming Donald Trump in Speech Marking Capitol Riot Anniversary, Here's Why

Stacey Abrams Skipping Joe Biden's Voting Rights Speech

Stacey Abrams reportedly skipped the president's voting rights speech due to a scheduling issue, according to New York Post.

Abrams refused to concede when she lost the governor position to Kemp, just like Donald Trump. She also claimed that she was cheated.

Biden chose Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate last year and not Abrams, who openly lobbied for the role. Harris joined the president in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Biden told reporters that everything was fine between him and Abrams, saying he spoke to her that morning and they are on the same page.

"We have a great relationship. We got our scheduling mixed up... I talked with her at length this morning," the president noted.

In the 2018 gubernatorial election, Abrams lost by 1.4 percentage points and blamed it on Kemp's purge of 1.4 million registered voters in his role as Georgia's secretary of state.

Abrams said in 2018 that she would not concede because "the erosion of our democracy is not right."

James Woodall, the president of the Georgia NAACP, an organization that failed to attend Biden's speech, said that Abrams could not participate in the event as the trip was scheduled last minute, and she had an entire state to cover while running for governor, KTVZ reported.

In a Twitter thread, Abrams confirmed that she and Biden talked over the phone, and they reaffirmed their "shared commitment to the American project of freedom and democracy."

She also thanked Biden and Harris for returning to Georgia "to continue their steadfast advocacy for the passage of federal legislation to protect the freedom to vote."

"They made clear again today that they are committed to restoring the Senate to safeguard our democracy," she added.

President Joe Biden's Speech in Georgia

In his speech in Atlanta, Joe Biden endorsed changing Senate rules to pass new voting rights legislation while warning of a grave threat to American democracy if lawmakers did not act to "protect the heart and soul" of the nation, New York Times reported.

Biden said he supported "getting rid of" the filibuster in the case of voting rights legislation. The president noted that such Senate traditions had been "abused."

The filibuster is a 19th-century procedural rule in the Senate that allows one senator to block or delay action on a bill or other matter by extending debate. A supermajority, or 60 votes, is needed to start or end a debate on legislation so it can proceed to a final vote.

Meanwhile, voting rights groups in Georgia have already filed a federal lawsuit alleging legislators of redrawing a congressional district to gain Republican candidates benefits while denying representation to Black voters.

READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden's Impeachment 'On the Table' Once Republicans Overtake the House, GOP Lawmaker Says

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Biden Set To Give Georgia Voting Rights Speech; Stacey Abrams Won't Be In Attendance - From MSNBC










Ethan Crumbley, who is accused of killing four students at Oxford High School in Michigan, showed multiple red flags that school officials ignored, a lawsuit claims.

The new version of the lawsuit filed last Friday claimed that Crumbley was found to have brought a severed bird head in a mason jar with a yellow liquid to school weeks before the shooting and left the jar on a toilet paper dispenser in the boy's bathroom.

The bird's head was allegedly reported to school administration officials and principal Steven Wolf, in particular, according to Law and Crime.

School Officials Allegedly Failed to Take Action on Concerns About Ethan Crumbley

The school administration sent an email to parents saying they had reviewed every concern and investigated all information provided. The school administration added that they wanted the parents and students to know that there has been no threat "to our building nor our students."

Despite assurances, many parents were not comforted by the emails from school administrators. One parent allegedly told Wolf on November 16 that their kid does not feel safe at school, noting that the child did not even want to go back to school.

Wolf allegedly told the parents the same day via email that "there is absolutely no threat" at the school, adding that large assumptions posted on social media only evolved into exaggerated rumors.

The lawsuit noted that Wolf and Superintendent Timothy Throne knew that Ethan Crumbley brought a severed bird head to school and left it in the boys' bathroom.

The filing added that the two school officials had actual knowledge of Crumbley's violent tendencies and ideations.

The lawsuit also alleged that Crumbley brought live ammunition to school the day before the mass shooting. However, he was allowed to return to class by some figures of authority, New York Post report.

The lawsuit's new version contained myriad new facts to support 11 additional causes of action against the Oxford Community School District, Throne, Wolf, Dean of Students Ryan Moore, two unnamed teachers, two unnamed counselors, and one unnamed staff member.

READ NEXT: Michigan School Mass Shooting: Parents of Ethan Crumbley, Who Killed 4 Fellow Students and Injured 7 Others, May Face Charges

Michigan School Shooting

The lawsuit also alleged that school officials were aware of a tweet that Ethan Crumbley posted the day before the shooting, saying, "Now I become Death, the destroyer of worlds."

The filing said the school officials should have reported Crumbley to Child Protective Services after learning about the social media post and the bullets.

The lawsuit further noted that the 15-year-old gunman had brought bullets to class and displayed those, and the school knew about it. He was also researching ammunition on his cellphone.

Nora Hanna, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told the Detroit Free Press that the school was on alert about Ethan Crumbley, adding that there are a million things that they could have done to prevent the mass shooting.

The lawsuit claimed that the school's alleged missteps "accelerated" the November 30, 2021 massacre.

The suit alleged that the principal "excited" Crumbley to accelerate his timetable for murder after he pulled the teen out of class and warned him that Child Protective Services might be called. The teen had also drawn a gun's picture on his math homework.

Ethan Crumbley is facing terrorism and first-degree murder charges for allegedly opening fire in a school hallway with a handgun.

The semi-automatic 9-millimeter Sig Sauer handgun used in the shooting was reportedly an early Christmas gift to the teen from his parents.

Police earlier said that Crumbley had fired at least 30 rounds in those five minutes of shooting, with 18 rounds remaining in his handgun when he surrendered.

Tate Myre, 16; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; and Hana St. Juliana, 14, were pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Justin Shilling died in a hospital the next day. Six more students and a teacher were injured.

Crumbley's parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, have been charged with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter due to the issue of access to weapons.

READ MORE: Michigan School Mass Shooting: Parents of Ethan Crumbley, Who Killed 4 Fellow Students and Injured 7 Others, May Face Charges

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Crumbley Parents Plead Not Guilty to Oxford School Shooting Charges - From Eyewitness News ABC7NY
Border Patrol agents retrieved the body of a man who drowned in a water-filled gravel pit after he ran from Texas National Guard soldiers along the U.S.-Mexico border last week.

In a news release on Tuesday, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the man was part of a larger group observed running away from the soldiers near Eagle Pass Friday night.

The CBP noted that the man and another individual dived into a gravel pit that was full of water. The Texas National Guard soldiers then called the Eagle Pass South Station for help. Del Rio Border Patrol agents and the Eagle Pass Fire Department immediately responded to assist with the rescue.

Body of a Honduran Man Recovered by Border Patrol Agents in Texas

The CBP said one man was found on the edge of the gravel pit in need of help and taken to the hospital. Agents said the other man did not resurface.

The Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) dive team was called to assist, and they recovered the man's body from the gravel pit Saturday morning.

The CBP did not disclose the man's age, name, or nationality, but the Houston Chronicle reported that he was from Honduras.

For migrants in the region, drowning is a common cause of death. Since 2014, the International Organization for Migration has recorded 1,810 drowning deaths among migrants in the Americas.

READ NEXT: More Than 170 Haitian Migrants Arrived in the Florida Keys in Overloaded Sailboat, Coast Guard Says

Migrant Dies After Falling Off Border Wall

Back in December, a migrant died after falling from a border wall and suffering severe head injuries. A National Guardsman using an infrared camera at Sunland Park, New Mexico, witnessed a group of alleged migrants climbing over a border barrier approximately seven miles from the Santa Teresa Port of Entry.

The migrant, a Mexican citizen, remained motionless after he fell. He was eventually found by a border agent stationed at the Border Patrol station in Santa Teresa. He was treated for two days while being watched by CBP officers, but he was later declared dead.

The International Agency for Migration of the United Nations reported in December that at least 650 deaths of migrants attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico were recorded last year, a new high since the organization began collecting data in 2014.

In 2020, the CBP confirmed 247 deaths at the southwest border, the majority of which happened in Texas. In 2021, CBP conducted about 13,000 search and rescue missions along the southwest border.

President Joe Biden has maintained a Trump-era policy that forces migrants who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border and seek asylum to wait in Mexico while processing their claims.

Biden suspended the Migration Protection Protocols, or "Remain in Mexico" program on his first day in office. But a federal judge in Texas ordered it reinstated in August.

READ MORE: Police Operations Lead to Arrest of Three Suspects Behind Santa Rosa Drug Trafficking; Authorities Recover Meth, Cocaine, Cash, and Weapons including a 'Ghost' Gun

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Human Smuggling Continues to Be on the Rise in South Texas - From KENS 5
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A 49-year-old Orlando man suspected of murder and arson case was arrested Saturday in Tallahassee by Florida Highway Patrol after a brief chase, the Orlando Police Department said Wednesday morning.

Steven Clary faces charges of first-degree murder and arson, according to OPD.

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On Saturday morning, OPD officers were directing traffic as the Orlando Fire Department extinguished flames consuming a home on the 200 block of South Forest Avenue, OPD said. One victim was found inside the dwelling, 24-year-old Kevin Boeren, OPD said. Investigators determined the death as a homicide and began looking for Clary as a suspect.

Steven Clary, 49-year-old Orlando man was arrested Saturday in Tallahassee and faces charges of first degree murder and arson. (Orlando Police Department)

Clary was later spotted by troopers driving a black Infiniti on Interstate 10 Saturday afternoon when he failed to move over as a trooper was conducting a traffic stop, according to FHP spokesperson Lt. Kim Montes.

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One of the troopers recognized the cars license plate from a bulletin by the Orlando Police Department and tried to pull Clary over, Montes said.

Clary fled and troopers eventually arrested him after a short chase, according to an affidavit.

Online records show Clary is currently being held in Leon County Jail on charges that include fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. Montes said he will be transferred to Orange County Jail.

lgarza@orlandosentinel.com
A prominent and award winning midlands businessman has announced his retirement.

Albert FitzGerald is stepping down as Group Managing Director of Tindle CI Broadcasting which owns the Laois, Offaly Kildare radio station Midlands 103.

A statement said Mr Fitzgerald joined the station when it was ailing in 1995 and was subsequently bought by the Tindle family in 2003.

It said that, under his leadership, the service has consistently grown its reach and revenue to become one of the most successful radio franchises in the country. The company expanded to new studios and offices in Tullamore in 2008, later becoming headquarters for the Tindle Radio Division.

It is claimed that the Cork native suppoted of many industry innovations including the training body Learning Waves, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and IRS Plus in Dublin, where he remains an Executive Director.

He holds multiple awards including a PPI National Radio Award for documentary broadcasting and commercial production accolades, notably the prestigious National Love Radio Award for Best Creative Scriptwriting. He was voted Business Person of

the Year by Tullamore Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and was subsequently named Business Person of the Year for Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford in 2013.

He reflected on his career.

We are so lucky to have such high quality radio in Ireland and Im especially proud of Midlands 103, operating in the most competitive part of the country but delivering the biggest weekly audience of any local station outside of Dublin and Cork. Its a real credit to the dedication and skill of its management and staff, he said.

He will continue as a non-executive director of the company, while pursuing other personal projects.

Station Manager Will Faulkner, who joined the station in 2005, assumes the role of Managing Director with immediate effect.

Becoming Alberts successor is a daunting honour. He has been a fantastic leader and mentor, and his contribution to the wider industry has been immense. We wish him every happiness and he will always remain a part of the Midlands 103 family," he said.
More than 400 prisoners have contracted Covid-19 at jails in Portlaoise and elsewhere in Ireland according to the Irish Prison Services which has had to suspend family visits to jail as outbreaks continue to be battled in Laois and other parts of Ireland.

In its latest update the service said the pressure continues to present challenges though there has been some progress.

"The total number of prisoners that have tested positive for Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic is 413. Given the current level of prevalence of the virus in the community the Irish Prison Service now faces an unprecedented challenge in continuing to keep prisoners safe from infection.

"The Prison Service has managed 12 Covid-19 Outbreaks within a prison setting since November 2021, of which, 9 have been successfully stood down," said the statement.

The IPS said it is managing three active outbreaks of Covid-19 in Cloverhill, Midlands and Limerick Prisons. It confirmed that staff and prisoners have tested positive for Covid-19.

Due to the impact, the IPS confirmed on January 10 has had to stop visits.

"The Irish Prison Service is aware of the importance of visits to prisoners and their families however, due to the widespread community transmission of Covid-19 all physical (family) visits to prisons will be suspended for a period of 14 days from Monday 10th January.

"All prisoners will continue to have access to video visits and will be entitled to receive 1 family video visit per week. Where there is an active outbreak of Covid-19, a restricted regime is implemented until mass testing is complete. Cloverhill, Midlands and Limerick Outbreak Control Teams and prison management have implemented additional infection control measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 to the wider prison population," it said.

The IPS said it would continue to work closely with HSE's Pubic Health teams to manage of the current outbreaks including testing arrangements for staff and prisoners if required. At all points, it said Outbreak Control Teams (OCT) are guided by advice from local Public Health clinicians and meetings with Public Health are convened at regular intervals throughout the course of each outbreak.

A statement said a total of (16) prisoners from G Division in Midlands Prison in Portlaoise have tested positive for Covid-19. It said a second round of testing was completed and no further positive prisoners were detected and it was agreed that this Outbreak could be stood down.

However, the Midlands Outbreak Control Team has recently identified a positive prisoner on the B Division. The Outbreak Control Team has been reconvened and the B Division is operating on a restricted regime until mass testing is complete.

The IPS said a total of 27 prisoners from C Division in Portlaoise Prison tested positive for Covid-19. A second round of testing was completed and no further positive prisoners were detected. As a result Public Health and the Outbreak Control Team agreed to stand down the Outbreak in Portlaoise Prison. The IPS said the Senior Management Team will continue to implement strict infection control measures and restore the C Division to a normal prison regime.

Two prisoners from C Division and the Female Unit in Limerick Prison have tested positive for Covid-19. An Outbreak Control Team has been established, the C Division and the Female Unit is operating on a restricted regime until mass testing of staff and prisoners is complete.

One prisoner from B Division in Cloverhill Prison has tested positive for Covid-19. An Outbreak Control Team has been established, the B Division is operating on a restricted regime until mass testing is complete.

A total of 41 prisoners from C & D Division in Mountjoy Prison tested positive for Covid-19. Second round of testing was completed and Public Health and the Outbreak Control Team are in agreement to stand down the Outbreak in Mountjoy Prison. The Senior Management Team will continue to implement strict infection control measures and restore the C & D Division to a normal prison regime.
A judge erred by failing to jail a man for devastating one-punch attack that left his victim in coma and suffering from a potentially fatal bleed on the brain, the State has argued before the Court of Appeal today (Jan 11).

Stephen Duffy (28) of Homelawn Road, Tallaght, had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm to Darren Darley (50) after the two men crossed paths for the first time at Belgard Road, Tallaght, Dublin on August 29, 2016.

Although Judge Melanie Greally said Mr Darley had been fortunate to escape with his life following the assault, she handed down a wholly suspended sentence of four years to his attacker at a hearing last July.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later appealed the sentence on the grounds that it was unduly lenient.

At the Court of Appeal on Januay 11, Garnet Orange SC, for the DPP, said a single blow struck between strangers can often have devastating consequences for the parties concerned.

In this case, which he said was a classic one-strike assault case, the immediate impact on the victim had been an extended stay in hospital where he had been treated for a traumatic brain injury.

In the longer term, he said Mr Darley has had to close his recruitment business after he began to suffer from deficits in his memory.

Mr Garnet also said the fact that Duffy returned to the scene to put his victim into the recovery position was not a significant mitigating factor given that the defendant then fled for a second time almost immediately and was only later traced by gardai as a result of unusual clothing he was wearing that night.

He said the DPP had no objection to the headline sentence of six-and-a-half years which Judge Greally had identified, or the post-mitigation term of four years, both of which were appropriate terms for the offence.

However, counsel said the sentencing judge had erred by failing to impose a custodial term on Duffy in a manner that was consistent with sentences imposed in other cases.

Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, for Duffy, told the court that Judge Greally had given a comprehensive and careful explanation as to why the sentence should have been wholly suspended.

He said there had been no element of prior planning or sustained violence to the assault and the single blow was struck after a brief verbal exchange between the men took place.

Mr O Lideadha said his client was now a father and that he was extremely remorseful for his actions.

Duffy, counsel continued, has transformed his life in the intervening period since the assault and was trying to do his best as a human being, a worker, a father, and a partner to make a positive contribution to society.

Judgment has been reserved.

CCTV footage played in court during the original trial had displayed a distinctively dressed person later identified as Duffy approach Mr Darley.

Duffy is then seen striking Mr Darley, who falls to the ground.

Detective Garda Cian Stears told Fergal Foley BL, prosecuting that Mr Darley sustained a bleed on his brain, was in a coma for a period of time, and had required life-saving surgery.

When Mr Darley awoke from his coma he had no memory of the incident, the garda said.

The court was also told the victim agreed to accept 5,000 from Duffy earlier this year.

Judge Greally said she had suspended the entirety of the four-year sentence on strict conditions including that Duffy pay an additional 10,000 to the victim within a two-year period.
A sum of 40,000 could be the key to unlocking a near two decade problem which has left Ballybrittas in limbo and held back growth in the village according to public representatives.

It is emerged that Laois County Council is paying for the operation of sewerage pumping station in the village while most of the homes in the older part of Ballybrittas rely on dysfunctional septic tanks.

The pumping station, which was built at the request of the council, is operating below capacity but also now in need of a 40,000 repair which would allow Irish Water to assume ownership.

So it emerged at a recent meeting between public representatives and Laois County Council officials where that latest episode in the villages sewerage situation was played out.

Cllr PJ Kelly, Fine Gael, tabled a motion at the recent Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting.

He called on the Council to make funds available to carry out repair works on the Graigavern Lodge sewage pumping station, Ballybrittas to facilitate the taking in charge of the asset by Irish Water.

The pumping station was built for the estate nearly 20 years ago when an agreement was reached that it would also serve the older parts of the village that relies on septic tanks.

While the developer held delivered a bigger pumping station that was needed for Graigavern, an agreement was never sealed with Laois County Council and subsequently Irish Water. This left the village in limbo and led to the pumping station falling into disrepair.

Mr Trevor Hennessy, Acting / Senior Engineer in the councils Water Services section, gave an update in a written reply to Cllr Kelly.

The pump station is currently operated and maintained by this Council. That arrangement will continue until the pump station is transferred to Irish Water. It is one of a number of pump

stations that the Water Services Department is engaged with Irish Water on. Funding of upgrades to existing pump stations, as required by Irish Water, forms part of the ongoing

engagement between Laois County Council and Irish Water, he said.

Cllr Kelly welcomed the reply but said the situation facing residents has been ongoing for a number of years. However, he believed that a solution could be reached if money can be found.

For it to transfer over to Irish Water repairs have to be done to the tune of 40,000. Until these repairs are carried out Irish Water will not take it over, he said.

Cllr Kelly said there is capacity in the pumping station for 300 dwellings but there are just 77 houses in the Graigavern. He added that there are 52 homes and businesses in Ballybrittas village waiting to be connected.

He said that if the Ballybrittas properties were connected as was originally planned, there is still capacity in the station for some 160 homes.

It is a great asset to have for any future development that might take place in Ballybrittas, he said.

He said former councillor Tom Mulhall had fought to have the station connected to the village and he pledged to take on the mantle.

Cllr Paschal McEvoy, Fianna Fail, said the source of the 40,000 is going to present a problem but he said it is a relatively small sum. He said it could open the way for the village to grow.

There are a number of sites in the village that people want to build on but cant because of the lack of sewage, he said.

Cllr McEvoy added that efforts to solve the problem have been going around in circles for several years.

We were all involved over the years. It is time it was sorted, he said.

Cllr Aidan Mullins, Sinn Fein, backed his colleagues.

It is a running sore for years, he said.

Cllr Mullins said he met with the developer with Mr Mulhall in an effort to find a solution.

When that pumping station was being constructed it was built for a greater number of houses than planned for Graigavern for the future development of Ballybrittas, he said.

He added that the developer should have been compensated. He also said that 40,000 is a small price to pay considering it is going to service the village and future development.

He added that there was ongoing development.

Cllr Ben Brennan, Independent, also backed the call to invest the 40,000 which he said was a sum confirmed to him by the councils Water Section.

It is up to the council to step up to the mark now for the people of Ballybrittas, he said.

Cllr Padraig Fleming, Fianna Fail, backed his colleagues.

The issue was raised at the Municipal District December meeting.
Independent TD for Laois-Offaly Carol Nolan has described the anticipated connection date for high-speed fibre broadband for parts of Offaly and Laois as utterly unacceptable and an insult to the families and businesses that will be impacted by the delays.

Deputy Nolan was speaking after National Broadband Ireland (NBI) confirmed to her that while areas in Offaly such as those in and around Cloneygowan are within its Intervention Area, the anticipated connection date is January 2025 - December 2026:

My office is being contacted every single week by frustrated and annoyed parents, workers, students and business owners who are rightly baffled at the apparent inability of the State to deliver broadband infrastructure in a timelier fashion, the Independent TD stated.

This is to say nothing of all those people who, while technically connected to broadband, still have to endure the regular dropping of their signal or low speed connectivity.

In many cases this is the functional equivalent of having no broadband at all.

National Broadband Ireland informs me that a significant number of areas within the constituency are currently stuck at the Pending Survey stage. This is simply incredible given the fact that the NBI are the recipients of the largest single contract in the history of the state-2.9 billon.

I and my colleagues in the Rural Independent Group have requested an urgent briefing from NBI on the reasons for these delays and why it is that many thousands of rural homes are to be left waiting until Christmas 2026 before they can access high-speed broadband despite the billions being pumped into the project, concluded Deputy Nolan.
Laois County Council has invited bids from companies for the contract to put an all weather covering over a square in Portlaoise.

The local authority has earmarked Hynds Square off Main Street for the new canopy project. The council have outlined a summary of the contract in a the tender invite.

"This tender is for the provision of a weatherproof canopy at Hynds Square, Portlaoise for the purpose of outdoor dining. The works include design and installation of the canopy and frame," says the council.

The council requires that the canopy will be made of fabric supported by steel frame and cables that will be bolted down. A central translucent covering will allow natural light to flow into the Square. The local authority wants to award the contract for the project by the end of January, 2022.

The council does outline the spend on the canopy but it did received nearly 130,000 for work on the square in 2021. MORE BELOW IMAGE.

Hynds Square was one of two places in Laois earmarked for the development of permanent outdoor dining facilities in a tranche of funding announced last September by Failte Ireland.

Hynds Square was allocated 129,446 while a project on the Dublin Road in Durrow received 32,348. The grants were award under Part 2 of Failte Irelands Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme which opened for applications in March 2021 and comprises two parts. MORE BELOW IMAGE.

All Local Authorities were invited to apply for Part Two grants which was a weatherproofing and outdoor dining enhancement Scheme. It aimed to develop streets and public spaces to facilitate outdoor dining in urban tourism centres, enabling access to outdoor seating for extended periods throughout the year. A total of 38 locations benefited under the Scheme with almost 9 million allocated.

Paul Kelly CEO of Failte Ireland explained that the grants are linked to the pandemic.

''We have learned during COVID-19 that people want the option of dining outdoors; this scheme will make dining areas suitable in a wider range of weather conditions so that they can be used for longer periods of the year, helping businesses towards sustainable recovery, he said. MORE BELOW IMAGE.

Part One of the Scheme - Outdoor Seating and Accessories - supported individual hospitality businesses with grants of up to 4,000 for seating, tables and outdoor accessories.
Ireland is administering its ten millionth dose of Covid-19 vaccine this morning.

That's according to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, who called the news a "huge milestone".

Commenting on Twitter, he said, "Huge milestone being reached in our Covid-19 vaccination programme this morning. The [ten] millionth dose of a vaccine is being administered! A huge thank you to all the staff and volunteers, GP practices and pharmacies for their work."

The news comes as Ireland surpasses one million positive Covid-19 cases.

According to the Covid-19 Data Hub, 7,512,535 first and second doses have been administered (as well as 237,398 single dose vaccines) since the beginning of the pandemic, along with 2,416,945 booster vaccines.

Cabinet is expected to meet this morning (January 12) to discuss the possibility of reducing restrictions for boosted individuals, despite what the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called a "tidal wave" of Omicron.

Vaccines alone do not prevent the spread of #COVID19.

Please keep:

Wearing well-fitted masks

 Safe distancing

Avoiding crowds

 Cleaning your hands

Opening windows



Do it all to lower your risk! pic.twitter.com/dLRN9kY5sJ  World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 11, 2022

The WHO warned this week that half of Europe's population may be infected with Covid-19 within weeks due to the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant.

The group is encouraging people to continue taking primary precautions to prevent Covid-19 spread, stating: "Vaccines alone do not prevent the spread of Covid-19. Please keep wearing well-fitted masks, safe distancing, avoiding crowds, cleaning your hands, opening windows. Do it all to lower your risk!"

As of 8am this morning (January 12), 1055 people with Covid-19 are currently in Irish hospitals, seven fewer than yesterday.

Ninety two people with Covid-19 are in ICU (as of yesterday morning).
A Celtic Tiger 'ghost estate' that was partially destroyed by fire is set to be sparked back into life following a decision by Laois County Council which is set to buy half of the new homes for people on its social housing waiting list.

The Local Authority's Chief Executive has signed on the development which will see 26 new houses built at a site at Townparks off the Rathdowney Road in Borris-in-Ossory.

Mr John Mulholland signed off on the application on January 3 Longford based developers M&M Prime Holdings Ltd. The developers applied in November 2021 for permission to develop a site which was previously partially developed.

They sought permission to build a mixture of semi-detached homes on the site which which located across the road from Slieve Bloom Terrace.

The builders have told the council that site clearance will include demolition and removal of derelict non-habitable incomplete and fire-damaged shell of duplex block. Work started on that project in 2007.

Planning documents lodged with the council state that 23 houses were previously given the goahead in 2001 to a previous developer. This plan was revised and construction began in 2007 on 12 houses and the duplex apartments.

"However, the banking crisis and subsequent recession meant that the development ground to a halt over 10 years ago, leaving the scheme as a ghost estate for much of the past decade," the developers told planners.

The documents also state that 12 houses were eventually completed by the original owner and road layout constructed. However, the apartments were destroyed by arson according to M &M Prime who add that they will now have to be demolished.

The Council was told that the new developers envisage the completion of the development on the site which they describe as 'an eyesore' for too long.

The application also stated that it is intended that some of the new homes will be sold directly to Laois County Council for social housing on a turkey basis. The application says that "agreement as already been reached in principle with the council's housing section" for 12 two bedroom and six one bedroom homes to be sold to the local authority.
By Huang He and Deng Xianlai

Russia and the US started a new round of strategic stability dialogue in Geneva, Switzerland on January 10. It can be seen that there is no substantial progress based on the information released by the two sides after the meeting.

Analysts believe that the hosting of this dialogue indicates that Russia is willing to establish a longer-term security cooperation architecture with Western countries led by the US. The reason why it is difficult to make progress in the dialogue is that the US has failed to respond positively to a series of security concerns raised by Russia. The prospects for the future Russia-US dialogue can hardly be optimistic if these problems cannot be effectively resolved.

Hard to reach consensus

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said after the dialogue that Russia's core security concerns lay in NATO's promise not to expand further East, not to deploy strike weapons on the Russian border, and to restore NATO's military deployment to the state when Russia and NATO signed the NATO-Russia Founding Act in 1997. However, Russia didn't think the US is willing to make satisfactory decisions on these key issues.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman, head of the US delegation, said after the dialogue that the US rejected a series of security proposals put forward by Russia, including the requirement that NATO not admit Ukraine as a member state and terminate security cooperation with Ukraine as the relevant proposals are contrary to NATO's "Open Door" policy. She also pointed out that the US welcomes a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian issue, but only when Russia takes concrete steps to reduce tensions on the Russian-Ukrainian border can the Ukrainian issue make real progress.

Fyodor A. Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs magazine, said that no breakthrough has been made in the Russia-US security dialogue because there are fundamental differences in the negotiation thinking between the two sides. The US wants to shift the focus of security talks from political issues to military technologies while Russia insists on keeping dialogues at the political level, including discussions on security principles and the post-Cold War European security architecture. Russia believes that a new basic agreement should be reached in the political field first, and then specific consultations at the military and technical level can be carried out.

Prospects not promising

According to the plan, Russia will hold talks with the US, NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) respectively this week. Public opinions generally believe that the Russia-US security dialogue is the most critical one and will set the tone for the next two dialogues. The Russia-NATO dialogue can be regarded as an expanded version of the Russia-US security dialogue, while the Russia-OSCE dialogue aims to discuss the future security prospects of Europe on a larger scale.

Analysts pointed out that this dialogue will help stabilize Russia-US relations. However, due to the lack of strategic mutual trust between Russia and Western countries, as well as multiple factors, it is difficult to fundamentally improve the conflict between Russia and Western countries. Although the parties are conducting intensive dialogues, it is difficult to solve the contradictions in the short term, and the political game between them will continue.

On the one hand, Western countries have different attitudes towards Russia. Ivan Timofeev, director of programs at the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), said that the positions of the parties involved in the dialogue are different and difficult to coordinate, and the dialogue process may be very difficult. Negotiations on European security issues will be a long process and cannot be done overnight.

On the other hand, domestic political differences in the US also make it difficult for the US to reach an agreement with Russia on security issues. Alan Cafruny, professor at Hamilton College in the US, said that the unstable political situation in the US actually leaves very limited space for its diplomatic activities. Even if a US government delegation agrees to a security deal with Russia and persuades its allies to get involved, the document could not be approved by the US Senate.

Li Yonghui, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes that the core of Russia-West relations is still Russia-US relations. If the fundamental contradiction between Russia and the US cannot be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, it will be difficult to improve the relations substantially.

Alexey Mukhin, director general of the Centre for Political Information of Russia, said that the US needs to reach a security agreement with Russia, but it will not give a clear answer as soon as the Russian side hopes, because that means the US needs to give up the transition period of public opinion and immediately "succumb to" Russia's request openly.
John Kuczwanski, the Legislative Affairs Director for the State Board of Administration, was killed last week in what appeared to be a shootout during a road rage incident near Tallahassee.

A spokesman for Floridas State Board of Administration was shot and killed in an apparent road-rage incident last week near Tallahassee, according to law enforcement and news reports.

The driver of a Prius fatally shot John Kuczwanski, 52, outside a Circle K on Thursday after the two had pulled over following a collision, according to the Leon County Sheriffs Office and accounts by Florida Politics, the Tallahassee Democrat and other news organizations.

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Florida Politics cited unnamed sources who said the incident began when Kuczwanskis BMW veered out of its lane and hit the Prius, after which both drivers pulled into a parking lot.

The driver of the Prius confronted Kuczwanski, and then got back into his car to wait for law enforcement to investigate the accident, the sources told Florida Politics.

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The exchange then escalated dramatically as Kuczwanski rammed his BMW into the Prius on the drivers door, and began pushing the car sideways in the parking lot, according to the account. Kuczwanski then shot a gun at the white Prius, according to the sources.

The Prius driver, who also had a gun, shot and fired back into Kuczwanskis windshield, striking him, the sources told Florida Politics.

The incident took place shortly after 5 p.m. in the area of 6700 Thomasville Road, near Bannerman Road.

Deputies and EMS attempted life saving measures for Kuczwanski on the scene. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. >

Court records show Kuczwanski had been arrested for a confrontation with another driver at the same intersection in December 2014, WCTV reported Tuesday.

His wife, Rebekah Kuczwanski, posted on Twitter on Sunday that John was the victim and lost his life. His family deserves time to heal and privacy. Why not report the shooters name? The man who assassinated him?

Our whole lives are shattered, she continued. The children and I, his friends and family, so many who adored this wonderful, kind, loving man who would do anything for anyone. We are all devastated. The whole world lost a great man!

The Sheriffs Office has not released the Prius drivers name. The department said in a statement Tuesday that it is still investigating, interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance video footage.

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The Prius driver was taken into custody and released. No charges had been filed as of Tuesday, LCSO said.

The agency Kuczwanski worked for, the SBA, is responsible for investing the Florida Retirement Systems pension plan and administering its investment plan, the Democrat reported.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the LCSO Violent Crimes Unit at (850) 606-3300 or to remain anonymous contact Big Bend Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS (8477).
A TD from Kildare has welcomed the news that a record number of jobs were created by Enterprise Ireland (EI) firms last year.

Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North, Deputy James Lawless, welcomed news that the number of staff employed by EI supported companies rose by 11,911 last year, in spite of the impact of the pandemic.



This is the highest annual increase in net employment reported by EI.



Employment increased across all economic sectors, with particularly strong jobs growth reported in Life Sciences (14 per cent), Business Services (12 percent) and Digital Technology (10 per cent).

Commenting on the announcement, Deputy Lawless said: "The positive job creation results announced today are a testament to the talent, resilience and innovation of businesses operating in Ireland today."





"EI has been a stalwart in sustaining enterprise throughout a very difficult year for business: together we managed to overcome these barriers by commencing once again a number of important physical trade missions throughout 2021 to the Eurozone area, the Gulf region and the U.K. and reignited our transatlantic relationships with Canada and the U.S.

He continued: "Despite the great challenges I am delighted that nearly 1,400 new overseas contracts were completed in 2021 and 184 Enterprise Ireland assisted companies have entered new markets.



"In collaboration with the Local Enterprise Offices, great strides have also been made in accelerating the pace of innovation, digitalisation, and transition to a low carbon economy.''



The total employment by companies supported by EI in 2021 was 207,894.



Other key achievements which were highlighted in the End of Year Statement issued by EI included:
Towns, businesses and households across Kildare are being urged to immerse the county in white light to mark this years annual celebrations for Saint Brigids Day.

Into Kildare, which is the official tourism body for the county, has confirmed that they plan to illuminate the Hill of Allen again as part of this years festivities to honour Kildares patron saint.

Speaking ahead of this years festival, Into Kildare's CEO, Aine Mangan, said: "Kildare has a deep-rooted connection with St Brigid which dates back many centuries, so it is fitting that we mark and honour the great work she did for the people of Kildare and indeed, Ireland and its a wonderful opportunity for people to get out and explore the countys rich cultural history."

"We are hosting several events that we hope will educate and illustrate the breadth of our offering here in Kildare  whether its history, the outdoors, food or the arts  there is something for everyone and our celebrations for St Brigids Day is a great opportunity for us to highlight this.

'An air of hope and positivity':

She continued: "We are very excited this year to instill an air of hope and positivity to the people of Kildare lighting up of the Hill of Allen once again to mark the resilience and comradery of the people of our county after what has been a difficult couple of years for us all.

"We hope people will watch the illumination virtually and join us by lighting their own candle as a beacon of hope for the year ahead", Ms Mangan concluded.

The historic landmark will emit a bright white light from Monday evening, January 31, on the eve of St Brigids Day for a number of hours and will remain lit until midnight and will once again light up from 6pm on February 1st until midnight.



Due to current restrictions, there is no access on the evening to ensure public safety.



Members of the public will also be able to view the lighting up from their own homes or by logging onto Into Kildares Facebook page or visiting the website - www.intokildare.ie .

In addition to this, the group has confirmed that candles will be available to the public from libraries all across the county as they have called on local communities and businesses to come together and shine their own lights to honour St Brigid on the eve of February 1st.

Family events:

A series of family and child friendly orientated events will also take place, including a childrens colouring competition.

Feile Bride, a week-long festival organised by Solas Bride, will also be taking place across the week, with a candlelight pilgrimage taking place to St Brigids Well on January 31st.

Plans are also in place for a guided walk on the Curragh Plains, and, subject to public health guidelines, both in-person and online workshops on the Traditions and Customs associated with Brigid and Annual Celtic Lecture, as well as a number of musical and cultural events.

History:

St Brigids Day traditionally marks the first day of spring in the Northern hemisphere and has been celebrated by Christians all over the world for many centuries.

The much-adored Kildare patron saint was born in the fifth century, and is best known for building a monastery for men and women in Kildare around 470 AD, pioneering monastic life in ancient Ireland.

Irish missionaries and migrants carried her name and spirit across the world : to this day, pilgrims and visitors come to Kildare from all over the world seeking to walk in Brigids footsteps.

Previously, in 2019, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced a worldwide festival to mark St Brigids anniversary and celebrate the creativity and talents of Irish women, this is now in its fifth successive year and has received an enthusiastic international response, with over 30 countries around the world participating in 2021.

Meanwhile, Into Kildare has said that preparations are already well underway to mark the 1500-year anniversary of St Brigids death in 2024.
The Government has signed off on plans to relax the rules for close contacts of Covid cases, the Health Minister has confirmed.

Stephen Donnelly presented advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) to Cabinet today (January 12), and the changes to isolation rules will now take effect from midnight on Thursday.

Nphet had recommended that people who are deemed close contacts but have received a booster vaccination and have no symptoms should no longer have to isolate for five days.

Those who have not received a booster should restrict their movements for seven days.

Minister Donnelly said following the Cabinet meeting: We got Government agreement.

There is a lot of support for the changes to the isolation rules. I think its going to make a big difference to people.

What we have agreed (takes effect) from midnight tomorrow.

From midnight Thursday they will be in place. It will really ease the burden on people right across the country.

Its one of the things the public health team considered is if we are relaxing the rules, there is a chance of more spread, however I think that has been more balanced against the fact the country is doing so well in terms of dealing with Omicron.

The booster campaign has been pivotal in making sure that the critical care numbers stay down.

Its too early to make definitive statements but in the round when the risk was assessed against how well Ireland was doing, it was felt that was an appropriate move at this time.

I know it will come as a relief to a lot of people who really want to get back about their lives.

We still need to do the antigen testing and still wear the higher grade masks as well.

Minister Donnelly said an online portal to allow people to upload positive antigen test results and close contact details will be put in place in the next few days.

He said the Health Service Executive (HSE) is working through the final logistics and the technical requirements before it can go live.
The following deaths have occurred in the wider Leitrim area:

Margaret Bohan, Treanmore, Mohill, Co Leitrim

The death has occurred of Margaret Bohan, Treanmore, Mohill, Co Leitrim, 11th of January 2022, peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff at Aras Carolan Nursing Home, Mohill.Co Leitrim.Predeceased by her husband Paddy and her daughter Eleanor.Margaret will be sadly missed by her daughters Mairead, Trudy, Tina, son Padraig, sons-in-law John, Dermot, Tommy, Paul and daughter-in-law Gillian, her adored grandchildren and great grand children, sister-in-law Celine (UK), nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Reposing at her home on Thursday 13th of January 2022 from 3pm to 7pm. Arriving for Funeral Mass in St. Patricks Church, Mohill, Co Leitrim on Friday 14th of January 2022 at 12 noon, followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Margaret's Funeral Mass may be viewed on www.churchtv.ie/mohill. Please continue to comply with Covid 19 Government guidelines with regard to social distancing, hand shaking and face-coverings. Margaret's's family wish to thank you for your understanding at this enormously difficult time.

Harriett Killoran, Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon

The death has occurred of Harriett Killoran, Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon, (late Bank of Ireland) 10th January 2022, peacefully, in the tender care of the staff at Abbey Haven Nursing Home, Boyle. Predeceased by parents John and Eleanor and her sister-in-law Dympna. Harriett will be greatly missed by her sister Ursula Feely, brothers Micheal and Damian, (Ballyfarnon), Kieran (Ratoath),Tony (Rathfarnham), brother-in-law Barry, sisters-in-law Ann and Margaret, aunt-in-law Winnie Martin,her cherished nieces, nephews, grand- nieces, grand- nephews and her wide circle of friends and neighbours.

Reposing at Shivnans Funeral Home, Ballyfarnon on Wednesday evening (January 12th) from 6pm, concluding with prayers at 8pm. Removal from the residence of her brother Damian on Thursday morning, arriving to St. Patricks Church, Ballyfarnon for Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon, Interment afterwards in Ballindoon Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, to charity of your choice or Ballyfarnon Tidy Town Fund. Funeral Mass can be viewed live on Kilronan Parish Facebook page.

In compliance with current guidelines, you are requested to please follow rules regarding church number (Church capacity is restricted) wearing of face masks, sanitising hands is essential, refrain from hand shaking, also adhere strictly to Social Distancing on all occasions, in Funeral Home and outside, on route to Church and cemetery, vicinity of Church and cemetery. Anyone displaying Covid symptoms please do not attend, due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Please keep everyone safe. The family thank you for your cooperation, sympathy, support and understanding at this difficult time.

Kathleen (Kay) Duffy Drumcondra, Dublin / Boyle, Roscommon

Duffy, Kathleen (Kay) (late of Drumcondra and formerly of Boyle, Co. Roscommon and the Revenue Commissioners)  January 3rd, 2022. Daughter of the late Michael James and Bridget and sister of the late Bridgeen and Margaret. Very sadly missed by her sisters Maura and Una, brother-in-law Jackie, her nieces, nephews and their partners, grandnieces and nephews, her cousins, extended family, neighbours, friends, former colleagues and carers.

Removal to Corpus Christi Church, Homefarm Road, Drumcondra, on Friday morning (January 14th), arriving for 10 o'clock Requiem Mass, thence Funeral to Glasnevin Cemetery. For live-streaming, please visit the following link: Click here.Kay's Funeral Cortege will pause at her residence after her Requiem Mass, en-route to Glasnevin Cemetery, at approx. 11.30 o'clock. Family flowers only, please. Donations, in lieu, to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Kathleen Forde (nee Keaney), Corlisbannon, Dowra, Cavan

The death has occurred of Kathleen Forde (nee Keaney), Corlisbannon, Dowra, Co. Cavan peacefully at St. Patrick's Hospital, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Deeply regretted by her loving son Thomas and his fiancee Pauline, brothers Benny and Hugh, sisters Annie and Ellen, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in Kilbride Cemetery. Please adhere to Government guidelines regarding handshaking, wearing face masks and social distancing. Walkthrough only in the church.

Peter Flannery, Bellspark, Boyle, Roscommon

The death has occurred of Peter Flannery. Grove House, Bellspark, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Peacefully, at Sligo University Hospital on the 10th January 2022. Pre-deceased by his parents Bernard and Margaret Flannery. Sadly missed by his brothers, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbours and friends. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Wednesday, 12th January, at 11.00 am. Interment afterwards in Assylinn Cemetery. House private at all times, please. In keeping with the current restrictions and guidelines, mask wearing and social distancing to be observed at all times, please. Mass cards or condolence by traditional manner can be forwarded to Sweeney Funeral Directors, Boyle. Private messages of condolence & shared memories can be forwarded to sweeneyfuneraldirectors@gmail.com. Peter's family wish to thank you for your understanding at this very difficult time.

Jim (James) Brennan, Hampton Cove, Balbriggan, Dublin / Drumlish, Longford

(Ex Garda Siochana) Peacefully, in St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown following a short illness. Late of Hampton Cove, Balbriggan and formerly of Drumlish, Co. Longford. Jim will be sadly missed by his wife and best friend Nora, daughter Karen and her husband Paul, sons Paul, James and John and their partners MaryJo and Claire, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Funeral Mass will take place in S.S. Peter & Pauls Church Balbriggan on Thursday morning at 11am which may be viewed live on the following link - https://churchmedia.tv/camera/church-of-st-peter-st-paul Burial afterwards in Balrothery Cemetery. Please observe and respect social distancing guidelines and masks must be worn. House private by request please. No flowers please, donations in lieu, if desired to St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown.

Bernard Rock, Rhinaboll, Ballinameen, Boyle, Roscommon

Bernard (Bernie) Rock, Rhinaboll, Ballinameen, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. 9th January, 2022, at Sligo University Hospital and previously in the loving care of the staff at Drumderrig Nursing Home, Boyle. Predeceased by his parents Patrick and Nora, sister Bridgie (Meehan), brothers Jim, Johnny and Paddy. Sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving sisters Myra McCoy (Gurteen), Nora Beattie (Cork) and Kathleen Rowley (London), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Removal on Wednesday morning to St. Attractas Church, Ballinameen, arriving for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in Caldra Cemetery. Please adhere to current Covid-19 restrictions, including the wearing of face masks and no handshaking. The Rock Family are grateful for your sympathy and support at this sad time.

May they all Rest in Peace.
THE Data Protection Commission (DPC) has fined Limerick City and County Council 110,000 after it identified multiple breaches of GDPR and data protection regulations relating to its use of CCTV cameras across the city and county.

The findings of a three-year-investigation into the use, monitoring and processing of footage from more 400 cameras has been published this Wednesday.

The council, which has been formally reprimanded, was informed of the findings before Christmas and it was given an opportunity to respond before their publication today.

The local authority has been strongly criticised by the DPC which found that a large number of CCTV cameras, across the city and county, have been installed "without any legal basis" and that others are being used for a purpose other than for which they were installed.

Some of the cameras were first erected more than a decade ago.

The 100-page report found there were issues relating to the monitoring of the cameras, the storing and sharing of personal data and that the provision of a "live-feed" from 26 'traffic management' cameras to Henry Street garda station was unlawful.

The DPC has also found that, on occasion, members of An Garda Siochana were also given access to camera footage without supervision or proper records being retained.

On other occasions, the 'surveillance' of individuals was facilitated following informal verbal requests.

The council's use of drones was also found to have breached data protection regulations and it the DPC found it failed to carry out proper Data Protection Impact Assessments relating to the installation of cameras at several locations.

In a statement, published on its website, Limerick City and Council said it is "examining the decision in detail and reviewing its implications with a view to taking all necessary and corrective actions."

In addition to the fine, the DPC has ordered the council to take corrective action including the switching off of more than 200 cameras unless a legal basis for their continued use is identified.

The use of ANPR technology is to cease in 14 towns and villages and formal written agreements are to be put in place with An Garda Siochana regarding access to live or downloaded footage where appropriate.

Signage is to be erected in the city centre informing members of the public as to the precise location and the function of 26 cameras which are used primarily for traffic management.

The council has also been directed to update its website and to streamline the process regarding personal data requests.

"The Council is taking all appropriate steps mandated and analysing the recommendations made in the decision. The Decision by the Data Protection Commissioner is a lengthy and complex one and we are studying it carefully to ensure that we continue to protect the personal data of the people of Limerick," reads the statement published online.

We are working closely with the Data Protection Commissioner's office and An Garda Siochana to resolve the matters raised in the decision" it adds.
The UK Government is focused on passing Irish language legislation before the end of the current Stormont Assembly mandate, Brandon Lewis has said.

The Northern Ireland Secretary said he had been talking to parties in Northern Ireland about the laws, and that there were some small details to be worked through.

The Government pledged to step in last year after the Stormont parties were unable to agree to introduce the legislation in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Their decision to break a Stormont impasse on the stalled laws, which includes legal protections for both Irish and Ulster Scots, was a key factor in the demise of short-lived DUP leader Edwin Poots last summer.

Mr Lewis had originally indicated that the legislation would be introduced last October.

The Government previously faced calls from the DUP not to press ahead with the legislation while unionist concerns about Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol remain unaddressed.

During a visit to Kilkeel, Co Down, Mr Lewis was asked what was the timescale on the package of culture laws, which were a key plank of the 2020 New Decade, New Approach deal that restored devolution.

He said: We have been working through the Irish language legislation at the moment, we have been talking to the parties about it.

There are a couple of small details we need to work through with the parties, but I am keen to see that go forward.

I think people who want to learn and understand and celebrate their heritage should have the space to do so, that is what I said last summer I still believe that.

Mr Lewis added: As I said at the time if the parties at Stormont were not able to bring that forward, then we will do that as the UK Government.

I always said we wanted to deliver it within the (Assembly) mandate, that is what NDNA (New Decade, New Approach) is about and that is what our focus is on.
The Duke of York can be tried over allegations he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre when she was underage after a US judge ruled her civil lawsuit can proceed.

Judge Lewis A Kaplans decision is a huge blow for Andrew, whose lawyer argued earlier this month the case should be thrown out as Ms Giuffre had waived her right to pursue the duke by signing a confidential settlement with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The Queens second son could pursue an out of court, and potentially multimillion-pound, settlement, but there have been suggestions Ms Giuffre may not be prepared to accept a deal.

Media lawyer Mark Stephens said: Andrew has got no good options now. He cant make things better.

He told the BBC: Essentially, I think hes either going to have to engage in the trial process or hes going to have to settle and that may well be his least worst option.

Andrew could ignore the case, meaning by default there would be a finding against him, or he could fight it out, meaning he would have to give a deposition under oath and the sexual assault allegations would be explored in open court.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment, saying: We would not comment on what is an ongoing legal matter.

The development comes just two days after the Palace unveiled the full programme of events for the Queens historic Platinum Jubilee.

2022 is meant to be a period of celebration for the royal family, but the monarch and senior royals face the prospect of the dukes accuser giving a detailed account of her allegations in court this autumn.

The institution of the monarchy is likely to be damaged by Ms Giuffres case, which will be heard in New York and make headlines across the globe.

But the reputational damage in the publics eyes of a member of the royal family financially settling such a lawsuit could also be monumental.

Andrews reputation has already been irreparably tarnished by his friendship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and he withdrew from public duties soon after his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview failed to draw a line under his relationship with the disgraced financier.

In the conclusion of his written ruling, Judge Kaplan said: For the foregoing reasons, defendants motion to dismiss the complaint or for a more definite statement is denied in all respects.

Given the courts limited task of ruling on this motion, nothing in this opinion or previously in these proceedings properly may be construed as indicating a view with respect to the truth of the charges or counter-charges or as to the intention of the parties in entering into the 2009 Agreement.

Outlining his reasons for denying the motion, Judge Kaplan said the court was not able at this stage to consider the dukes efforts to cast doubt on Ms Giuffres claims or whether he was covered by the settlement agreement, suggesting these were issues for a trial.

He said: The 2009 Agreement cannot be said to demonstrate, clearly and unambiguously, the parties intended the instrument directly, primarily, or substantially, to benefit Prince Andrew.

Ms Giuffre is suing the Queens son for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager.

She is seeking unspecified damages, but there is speculation the sum could be in the millions of dollars.

Ms Giuffre claims she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was aged 17 and a minor under US law.

The duke has vehemently denied the allegations and his legal team has argued from the lawsuits first hearing that the case is baseless.

The settlement between Ms Giuffre and Epstein, made public earlier this month, detailed how Andrews accuser had received a 500,000 US dollar (370,000) payout in 2009 and agreed to release, acquit, satisfy, and forever discharge the disgraced financier and any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant.

Andrew B Brettler, the dukes lawyer, had argued during a virtual hearing his client was a potential defendant as defined by the agreement and so the case should be dismissed.

The lawyer said a potential defendant would be someone Ms Giuffre knew she had claims against at the time that she filed the lawsuit in 2009 against Epstein, whose former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on December 29 of procuring teenage girls for him.

In his counter-argument David Boies, Ms Giuffres lawyer, said only the parties of the settlement agreement  Epstein and Ms Giuffre and their associates  could benefit from it, and not a third party such as Andrew.

He added the duke would not be a potential defendant as referred to in the settlement, as the 2009 lawsuit made no allegation the duke had trafficked individuals for illegal sexual activity.

The lawyer told the hearing, held to hear arguments about dismissing the case: He was somebody to whom the girls were trafficked  thats a different criteria.
East Orange County property owned by Wayne Harrod, on Thursday, February 8, 2018. The undeveloped piece of land -- about 30 acres -- straddles the Little Econlockhatchee River. He is now asking Orange County to purchase the property to save it from development and for future generations to use to go kayaking and hiking. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County commissioners honored remains of an 18th-century bridge on 30 acres of forested conservation land by naming a future park on the site for the historic crossing rather than for the former owner who said the propertys jaw-dropping beauty kept him from developing it.

The board Tuesday unanimously chose the name Timber Bridge Preserve, a nod to a wooden structure over the Little Econ River that early settlers built in the mid-1700s using cypress timber harvested from the riverside. The original bridge pilings still stand near the rivers edge.

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The name was one of three recommended by the Parks Advisory Board and the top choice of about 700 residents surveyed by Commissioner Emily Bonilla, whose east Orange district includes the property near the Orange-Seminole county line, a little more than a mile west of the UCF campus.

Bonilla said some people suggested naming the proposed park for former owner Wayne Harrod, who once planned to build homes there.

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Harrod acquired the property in the early 1990s for $30,000 and later estimated he could build 27 homes on the 30 acres, 18 with a riverfront view that would each fetch a million-plus. In 2019, he said a private appraisal had pegged the value of the richly wooded acres at about $7 million.

[ "I have cared for it like a mama hen over her chicks." ]

But the developer said he made the mistake of falling in love with the land.

If you see it, you will understand. Everyone I have ever taken out there has fallen in love with it, head over heels, Harrod said in a 2018 interview with the Orlando Sentinel, proposing the county buy and preserve it. Its probably the biggest treasure of land in a natural old Florida setting left in this area.

He recalled the first time he walked the property.

As I walked through it my bottom jaw just dropped further and further and further, Harrod said. It is certainly one of ... if not the most beautiful, most irreplaceable treasures we have left in Orange County.

He abandoned development plans, lowered his asking price and sold the land in 2020 to Orange County for $5 million.

The state of Florida paid $3 million, the county paid the rest, intending to create a passive park for hiking, picnics and perhaps kayaking.

The property also was the site of the first iron bridge built in Orange County, also over the river in 1890.

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The land is sandwiched between neighborhoods on Rocking Horse Road to the west and Rouse Road to the east.

Descendants of Willis Rouse also lobbied the board to name the park for the patriarch of the pioneer family, who owns a cemetery nearby.

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Charles Drake, a fifth-generation descendant, outlined the familys contributions of land and service to the community over more than 150 years, including a donation of 110 acres from Minnie Rouse in 1968 that is now the site of the Edgewood Childrens Ranch for at-risk youths and their families.

Drake said soldiers from every war since the Civil War are buried at the Drawdy Rouse cemetery.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said naming the property for the historic feature was the right thing.

He noted Harrod was compensated significantly compared to investment for the land.

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The mayor also thanked the Rouse family for contributions that improved the county.

Perhaps there may be another opportunity at some point in the future to look at [naming] something else, Demings said.

shudak@orlandosentinel.com
SEOUL : North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for boosting the country's strategic military forces as he observed the test of a hypersonic missile, state media said on Wednesday, officially attending a missile launch for the first time in nearly two years.

On Tuesday authorities in South Korea and Japan detected the suspected launch, which drew condemnation by authorities around the world and prompted an expression of concern from the U.N. secretary-general.

The second test of a "hypersonic missile" in less than a week underscored Kim's New Year's vow to bolster the military with cutting-edge technology at a time when talks with South Korea and the United States have stalled.

After watching the test, Kim urged military scientists to "further accelerate the efforts to steadily build up the country's strategic military muscle both in quality and quantity and further modernize the army," KCNA news agency reported.

It was the first time since March 2020 that Kim had officially attended a missile test.

"His presence here would suggest particular attention on this programme," Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, posted on Twitter.

Unlike some other recent tests, ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun published photos of Kim attending the launch on its front page.

"While Kim probably unofficially attended other tests in the interim, this appearance and its Page One feature on Rodong Sinmun is important," said Chad O'Carroll, chief executive of Korea Risk Group, which monitors North Korea. "It means Kim is not concerned about being personally associated (with) tests of major new tech. And doesn't care how the U.S. sees this."

U.N. Security Council resolutions ban all North Korean ballistic missile and nuclear tests and have imposed sanctions over the programs.

Talks aimed at persuading North Korea to surrender or limit its arsenal of nuclear weapons and missiles have stalled, with Pyongyang saying it is open to diplomacy but only if the United States and its allies stop "hostile policies" such as sanctions or military drills.

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland called the launches dangerous and destabilising.

"It obviously takes us in the wrong direction," she said at a regular briefing in Washington on Tuesday. "As you know, the United States has been saying since this administration came in that we are open to dialogue with North Korea, that we are open to talking about COVID and humanitarian support, and instead they're firing off missiles."

The European Union on Tuesday condemned the latest North Korean missile launch as a "threat to international peace and security" and called on Pyongyang to resume diplomacy.

'SUPERIOR MANOEUVERABILITY'

Despite their name, analysts say the main feature of hypersonic weapons is not speed - which can sometimes be matched or exceeded by traditional ballistic missile warheads - but their manoeuvrability, which makes them an acute threat to missile defence systems.

Photos released by state media appeared to show the same type of missile and warhead that was first tested last week, analysts said.

"The test-fire was aimed at the final verification of overall technical specifications of the developed hypersonic weapon system," KCNA reported.

After its release from the rocket booster, a hypersonic glide vehicle made a 600 km (375 mile) "glide jump flight" and then 240 km of "corkscrew manoeuvering" before hitting a target in the sea 1,000 km away, the report said.

South Korean officials had questioned https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/skorea-casts-doubts-north-koreas-hypersonic-missile-claims-2022-01-07 the capabilities of the missile after the first test last week, saying it did not appear to demonstrate the range and manoeuverability claimed in a state media report and featured a manoeuverable warhead rather than an actual glide vehicle.

On Tuesday, however, South Korea said the second test appeared to show improved performance, with the missile reaching top speeds up to 10 times the speed of sound (12,348 km per hour / 7,673 miles per hour), although they did not comment on its manoeuverability.

"The superior manoeuverability of the hypersonic glide vehicle was more strikingly verified through the final test-fire," KCNA said.

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The spread of the Omicron variant is pushing Covid towards being an endemic disease that humanity can live with, although it remains a pandemic for now, the EU's drug watchdog said Tuesday.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) also expressed doubts about giving a fourth vaccine shot to the general population, saying repeated boosters were not a "sustainable" strategy.

"Nobody knows exactly when we will be at the end of the tunnel but we will be there," Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccine strategy at the Amsterdam-based regulator, told journalists.

"With the increase of immunity in population -- and with Omicron, there will be a lot of natural immunity taking place on top of vaccination -- we will be fast moving towards a scenario that will be closer to endemicity," he added.

But he stressed that "we should not forget we are still in a pandemic", noting the huge burden on healthcare from the surge in Omicron.

The World Health Organization said earlier Tuesday that more than half of people in Europe were on track to catch the variant in the next two months.

The WHO also warned that repeated Covid boosters were not a viable strategy, comments the EU's medicines regulator echoed.

"If we have a strategy in which we give boosters every four months, we will end up potentially having problems with immune response," the EMA's Cavaleri said.

"And secondly of course there is the risk of fatigue in the population with continuous administration of boosters."

Countries should instead start thinking about spacing out boosters at longer intervals, and synchronising them with the start of the cold season in the way that flu vaccines are currently administered, Cavaleri said.

The EMA separately said that studies had confirmed that despite being more infectious, the risk of hospitalisation from the Omicron variant was between one third and one half of that posed by the Delta strain.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
By any indicator, the state of COVID-19 has never been more severe in Laredo.

READ MORE: Laredo sets record of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations in single day

In the last six days alone, 2,906 new cases have been confirmed in Webb County. Assuming that each person who tested positive for the virus took only one test to confirm it, these cases represent over 1% of the countys entire population.

On Tuesday, 577 new cases were reported, the most confirmed in a single day in Webb County; although 100 of these cases reflect backlogged results from tests taken in late December, according to the City of Laredo. It was the sixth straight day of above 400 cases reported after the area had only three previously, all from December.

Laredo has also already broken its weekly record for new COVID cases with 1,871  surpassing the former mark of 1,763  and it still has three days to go. The area must be judged on a Saturday through Friday basis to accurately account for the time it previously stopped providing updates over weekends.

Seven new deaths were reported Tuesday, and a record number of 231 patients remain hospitalized, with 79 in intensive care.

And perhaps most concerning, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported a 46.1% COVID-19 hospitalization rate  the overall percentage of the areas total resources being used to treat COVID cases  on Monday corresponding to the prior day of Sunday, which is seemingly the highest accurate figure the state has ever reported for any area. With the DSHS reporting currently a day behind, Mondays totals dropped slightly to 45.2%, but it likely will hit new record highs Wednesday when Tuesdays figures are reported due to the days heavy increase in hospitalizations reported.

Overall, Laredo has led the state in COVID-19 hospitalization rate since Dec. 10. This rate is considered the key metric for how an area is faring with COVID, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott previously calling anything above 15% a red flag.

In order to accommodate the recent local surge, Laredo Medical Center expanded their first and second floor intensive care units to be all COVID ICU beds.

This was necessary but its dangerous, Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino noted, because it leaves no room for any other kind of ICU patient to come into the hospital. If there is a bad car wreck, for example, there may not be a bed for a patient who would typically need that level of care.

Trevino said the state needs to see that the hospitals have utilized every available resource before it sets up an alternate care site that would accept some of the hospitalized patients. But Trevino believes theyve already done everything they can.

In my opinion, we have already used all our resources here, and we need an alternate care center, he said. ... It is very, very dangerous to be functioning at this capacity.

Mayor Pete Saenz said the hospitals are doing everything they can to expand and create more ICU spaces. Theres always more room for patients, including cafeterias and hallways, if it comes to it, Saenz said.

Theyve done it every time  we get in a bind and they expand. The question for the hospital is how much more do you foresee expanding given potential higher numbers in days to come, he said.

City Council is due to discuss making changes to the citys emergency order at their meeting next week. But Saenz said short of going against the governors orders, he isnt sure what else they can do.

He noted that when the City of Austin enacted a curfew for restaurants and bars around New Years Eve, the Texas Attorney Generals Office sued the city, and the Supreme Court sided with the state.

Its been tested. The governor just doesnt want to move on any of the businesses, restaurants in particular, Saenz said.

Trevino said it will continue to get worse for Laredo, with this New Years surge likely to last through the end of the month and into February.

READ MORE: Laredo reports COVID-19 vaccine appointments for week booked nine minutes after opening

Its like a hurricane that never stops, he said.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com
A Texas Game Wardens investigation helped bust an organized crime ring and recover over $275,000 worth of stolen watercraft and other vehicles, according to a news release from the department. The investigation seized 27 stolen vessels and trailers, as well as filed charges and arrested three suspects for theft and engaging in organized crime.

The two-year, multi-agency effort began when Sergeant Game Warden Jonathan Griffin of the Marine Theft Investigation Unit received a tip from the La Marque Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Office regarding an individual titling numerous Jet Skis skis in their name at very low purchase prices.

Eventually, a Florida county tax office notified Griffin that the suspect and a second individual were also titling a number of personal watercraft in Florida in the same manner, according to the release.

Over the following months, the Marine Theft Investigation Unit worked to trace the Jet Skis as they were bought and sold by the suspects. The investigators discovered that the Jet Skis being titled were actually stolen in Texas and then sold across multiple Gulf states with false titles and identification numbers. During the investigation, a third suspect was identified as a participant in the scheme.

While the charges are pending, the agencies are working to locate and recover more stolen Jet Skis and boats that may have been sold using the same technique. The ones recovered have been given back to the rightful owners, according to the Texas Game Wardens.

Following the investigation, Griffin was nominated for the Investigator of the Year Award by the International Association of Marine Investigators.

"Considering that this is an international award, I am really humbled to have been nominated," Griffin stated in the release. "I am very grateful to the Galveston County Auto Crimes Task Force and the other agencies across Texas, Alabama, and Florida who assisted with the resources necessary to build a strong case to hand over to the district attorney's office for prosecution."
Former Secretary of State George Shultz once said, Americans, being a moral people, want their foreign policy to reflect the values we espouse as a nation. But, being a practical people, we also want our foreign policy to be effective.

Americans certainly support improved political and economic rights for the Cuban people. But we cannot overlook the hard fact that six decades of our ever-tightening sanctions have contributed to the hardships of the Cuban people and done nothing to alter Cubas internal politics.

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There is no other communist country in the world where we prohibit U.S. citizens from traveling, trading or investing. Shaping our Cuban policy to please one part of the Cuban American community does not serve our broad national interest, and it limits our presence and influence, and strengthens the leverage of countries whose ideals run contrary to our own.

Paul Johnson is chair of the United States Agriculture Coalition for Cuba and partner at FocusCuba Consulting. - Original Credit: Courtesy photo (Courtesy photo)

One attainable goal of President Joe Bidens policy should be to focus on solving the food crisis in Cuba. This can help not only the nearly 20% of Cubas workforce employed in agriculture, but each of the more than 11 million Cubans who depend on a healthy and sufficient food supply.

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Biden should empower the Department of Agriculture to work with U.S. farmers, private organizations, nongovernmental organizations and universities to engage with Cuban counterparts to increase local production and reduce post-harvest loss. This collaboration could also address shared concerns of climate change, plant and animal health, and natural disaster preparedness. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack should meet his Cuban counterparts, as he did during the Obama administration, to encourage the Cuban reforms that are essential to any improvement in production.

And with Cuba now allowing its private sector to import and export and also inviting foreign investment in private farm cooperatives, Washington should ensure that our policies facilitate American engagement to help this private sector grow.

Even during the Trump administration, the U.S. potato industry led the way in creating a program to promote U.S. exports and to improve Cubas potato production. Once health and safety standards for seed potato exports were agreed, U.S. seed was shipped to Cuba. A second year of trials was about to begin. The process encouraged dialogue and built confidence that can serve to advance other agricultural projects.

Throughout history, agricultural trade has been a bridge to foster cooperation, and to improve the lives of people. It is no different today where improving U.S. agricultural relations with Cuba is supported across the country from Republicans and Democrats, in rural and urban America.

As difficult as the political landscape is between the U.S. and Cuba, it is easy to find broad support for a new policy that focuses on helping reduce the pain of average Cubans and resolving their present food crisis. Its a policy that Americans can support not only because it is morally right but will prove to be effective as well.

Paul Johnson is chair of the United States Agriculture Coalition for Cuba and partner at FocusCuba Consulting.
As greater numbers of Texas voters sour on harsh punishment for marijuana offenses, Austin voters will likely decide in November whether to effectively decriminalize the drug.

The ballot measure, pushed by the group Ground Game Texas, would forbid Austin police officers in most cases from ticketing or arresting people on low-level pot charges like possessing small amounts of the drug or related paraphernalia  unless the offenses are tied to more severe crimes. The city also would not pay to test substances suspected to be marijuana  a key step in substantiating drug charges.

Both practices have already been informally adopted in Austin, but advocates want to solidify them at the November ballot box.

The primary effect is that it would make the decriminalization that exists in Austin today actually long term and would put the force of law behind it, said Chris Harris, policy director at Austin Justice Coalition.

Austin law enforcement has met the idea with varying degrees of hostility and indifference in recent years. After the Austin City Council informally asked the Police Department in 2020 to halt citations and arrests for misdemeanor marijuana charges, then-Chief Brian Manley said the council doesnt have the authority to tell him not to enforce state law. And officers still have latitude to decide whether to make arrests and write citations.

Chief Joseph Chacon has been mum on the current proposal. A representative for the Austin Police Department did not return a request for comment Monday.

And the Austin Police Association, the union that represents Austin officers, is staying out of the ballot fight  but not because its happy with the idea.

We don't support it just because we feel like you should follow state law, said Ken Casaday, head of the union. They're skirting state law. But the thing is if this makes people in Austin happy, so be it.

Austins city clerk verified Monday that the campaign collected enough signatures  at least 20,000  to appear on the November ballot. The City Council still must vote to put the measure, which also would formally ban no-knock warrants, on the ballot.

But the measure faces one big obstacle: Although marijuana laws in Texas have loosened somewhat in recent years, the drug remains illegal at the state level.

Public support for harsh marijuana laws and prosecutors willingness to bring charges for minor offenses has waned in recent years.

The number of new charges for misdemeanor marijuana possession fell by 59% from 2016 to 2020, according to figures from the Texas Office of Court Administration, as prosecutors in the states major urban areas have increasingly deprioritized marijuana prosecutions.

Most Texas voters support decriminalizing marijuana in some form. Three-fifths of Texas voters say at least a small amount of marijuana should be legal, according to a University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll last year.

That support cuts across partisan lines. Nearly three-fourths of Democrats and independents think marijuana should be legal. So do 43% of Republicans, a plurality of that group.

Its against that backdrop that Ground Game Texas  a progressive group focused on issues of workers, wages and weed  plans to mount decriminalization campaigns in Killeen and Harker Heights. In San Marcos, another organization is gathering signatures for a similar ballot measure.

This is a very popular issue, even among a lot of Republicans, said Mike Siegel, political director for Ground Game Texas.

In the past, Gov. Greg Abbott and Republican leaders have sought to punish Austin for adopting left-leaning measures like cutting the citys police spending or allowing homeless encampments in public.

But Abbott has signaled openness to some forms of marijuana decriminalization. In May, he signed an expansion of the states medical marijuana program to include people with cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. And on Monday, he said he has little appetite for severe punishment for low-level marijuana offenses.

One thing that I believe in, and I believe the state Legislature believes in, and that is prison and jail is a place for dangerous criminals who may harm others, Abbott said Monday during a campaign stop in Edinburg. Small possession of marijuana is not the type of violation that we want to stockpile jails with.

Despite Abbotts assertion about lawmakers positions, bills aiming to decriminalize or legalize marijuana havent gotten through the Legislature in recent years. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a fellow Republican who heads the state Senate, has previously said hes strongly opposed to loosening punishment for pot possession.

Part of Abbotts play is not to alienate moderate voters in the November general election who believe in some degree of marijuana decriminalization, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. His Democratic opponent, former Congressman Beto ORourke, has regularly backed marijuana legalization on the campaign trail.

The governor doesn't want to be on the wrong side of public opinion on what is otherwise a popular issue towards decriminalizing and, for some, outright legalization for recreational use, Rottinghaus said.

Disclosure: University of Houston has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
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Becoming cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High 64F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Rain. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
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Leo Varadkar has confirmed plans for two new Bank Holidays in Ireland next year.

Speaking on RTE news yesterday (Tuesday 11) the Tanaiste said the double bank holiday is being considered around St. Patrick's Day 2023 on March 17 and 18, and another is being discussed around St Brigid's Day February 1.

Longford schools continuing to scramble for staffing cover as Covid cases mount Longford schools are facing into a second week of Covid-related staffing shortages in the midst of a continued spike in Covid-19 cases.

"What we're working on is a proposal to have a double Bank Holiday for St. Patrick's Day, so that would be the 17th and 18th of March, and a new permanent Bank Holiday for St Brigid's Day, which would come into effect in 2021.

"We just haven't pushed the button on that yet. We're still fighting this pandemic, it's not over yet.

"The purpose of the day would be a day to remember those who have been lost and to recognise all of the people who have done phenomenal work during this period. It just seems it's too early to make the decision on that given that this (the pandemic) is not yet over."

Varadkar first made the suggestion of the double bank holiday last year, which was originally planned for this year, 2022.




A Longford parent has joined the growing clamour for a return of last year's 'hybrid' style Leaving Cert as high levels of Covid-related teacher and student absences take hold.

Mary McKeon, who is a parent of a Leaving Cert student attending Moyne Community School, issued the plea this week.

I feel it is now time for the Minister for Education to make a decision regarding arrangements for the 2022 Leaving Cert, she said.

Students (and parents) need early communication in order to alleviate additional stress.

Those views are ones which were shared this week by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) who, like, Ms McKeon want students to given a choice of exams and accredited grades, or both.

The calls come amid fears high levels of student and teacher absences may continue for some weeks, until the surge of the Omicron variant of Covid passes.

It is true that students have been able to attend actual classes this year rather than virtual classes as happened for last years students, but bearing in mind that the majority of the Leaving Cert course is covered in 5th year the current Leaving Cert students missed out on the traditional classroom learning environment in 2021, added Ms McKeon.

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) offered up a different view this week, however.

It said it will not support a 2021-style Leaving Cert given schools have remained open throughout the academic year.
A recent increase in the minimum wage has led to some employees experiencing a reduction in hours, with others seeing the average take-home pay rise.

Following recommendations from the Low Pay Commission, the Irish minimum wage has increased on a yearly basis from 2016 onwards.

Longford man pleads guilty to endangering the lives of two gardai A man has pleaded guilty to endangering the lives of two gardai by driving head on at a garda patrol car in Edgeworthstown four years ago.

An ESRI study, funded by the Low Pay Commission, examined the cumulative effect of three recent minimum wage increases on the hours worked of minimum wage employees.

From 2016 to 2018, the minimum wage increased on three occasions, rising from 8.65 to 9.55 per hour.

The findings of the study show that, over the same period, the hours worked of minimum wage employees fell by almost one hour per week.

However, the minimum wage increases were large enough to offset any earnings loss due to reduced hours, leaving the average minimum wage worker financially better off.

The effect on hours worked was greater for employees in certain sectors.

Minimum wage employees in the industry sector, which consists mainly of manufacturing workers, saw a reduction of three hours per week over the 2016 to 2018 period.

Likewise, those working in accommodation and food saw a reduction of 2.5 hours per week.

Again, for the average minimum wage worker in these sectors, the wage increases were large enough to offset any earnings loss due to working fewer hours.

For many minimum wage employees, such as young part-time workers, the minimum wage is a temporary stepping stone to higher pay.

However, for some employees, minimum-wage employment may represent a longer-term arrangement.

Minimum wage workers in manufacturing are older and more likely to work full time compared to other minimum wage workers.

Therefore, declines in hours worked among this group may be of some concern as they may be more dependent on minimum wage employment to meet financial commitments.

Dr Paul Redmond, an author of the report, said: As the minimum wage increases, it is important that we monitor the impacts on employment.

Our research has found a small reduction in hours worked among all minimum wage employees following three recent minimum wage increases.

However, those working in manufacturing and in accommodation and food experienced a larger reduction in hours.

Despite this, the minimum wage increases appear to be large enough to offset any decline in earnings due to working fewer hours.

Ultan Courtney, chairperson of the Low Pay Commission, said: The Low Pay Commission has an evidence-based approach to making its recommendations.

The report published today increases our knowledge and understanding of the impact and effects of increases in the National Minimum Wage.

I am pleased to note that the report finds that the average minimum wage worker was financially better off as a result of increases in the National Minimum Wage, with the increases recommended by the Low Pay Commission large enough to offset any effects of reduced hours.
Florida House Bill 1055 would allow school districts to force teachers to wear microphones and be videotaped anytime they interact with students. Legislators have rejected similar demands of police officers  and shown no interest in cameras that record their own interactions with lobbyists. (Mark Lennihan/AP)

In the Florida Legislatures latest effort to target public school teachers, two House Republicans want to video-record and place microphones on teachers whenever theyre around students.

I have a better idea:

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Lets force legislators to strap on body-cams and mics on themselves every time theyre around lobbyists.

Im serious. I cant think of a transparency measure that would better serve the public interest.

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Lawmakers in this state are generally viewed as errand boys and girls for special interests who cut them checks and then give them orders. Citizens of this state have a right to watch and hear that happen.

And if that pay-for-play back-scratching doesnt actually take place  if money-hungry lawmakers gleefully accept $10,000 checks and then tell their sugar daddies they wont be getting any favors  what a wonderful way to prove thats the case.

I emailed the two House sponsors of the lets-record-teachers bill  Republicans Bob Rommel of Naples and Mike Beltran of Tampa  to ask if theyd be willing to live by the same standard they want to apply to others.

You may be shocked to learn that neither lawmaker responded.

Thats probably for two reasons:

1) These guys would rather be boiled in oil than allow the public to see the transactional way Florida legislators conduct themselves.

2) Their proposal isnt really about anything more than gaslighting constituents, part of Republican lawmakers crusade against teachers and public education.

They have been demonizing both for years. Instead of going after special interests, theyve decided to target kindergarten teachers. And instead of working to improve public education  per pupil funding in Florida ranks near the bottom of the nations barrel  they disparage those on the front lines and steer money toward vouchers for private schools.

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Lawmakers have pushed to raise starting salaries. But average teacher pay in Florida still ranked 49th according to a report last year by the National Education Association. And the bad-mouthing continued.

As a result, teachers have fled the state, leading to a shortage so severe that Florida schools cant even find enough substitutes to cover the classrooms.

But in recent years, GOP lawmakers have upped the ante by layering on culture wars, trying to convince gullible citizens that evil teachers are trying to spread racist ideas by simply teaching American history, some of which is undeniably ugly.

Thats the idea behind the cameras; try to catch a teacher sharing information that might upset fragile minds ... like maybe the basic, fact-based history of voter suppression in Florida. The fragile minds dont want those truths told.

Really, this is all boogeyman stuff. If you think critical race theory  which isnt taught here or in most districts in America  is the biggest issue facing public education, youve been played for a fool.

I want my kids to learn the truth about this country, good and bad. I also want them hearing varied perspectives.

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When one of my sons teachers once encouraged him to read a book that Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck were pushing on their listeners, I didnt freak out. I didnt storm a school board meeting and demand lawmakers pass new policies to shield my children from ideas with which I might disagree. I said: Sure, son, check out the book. And if you have any questions, let me know.

Im apparently less afraid of varied perspectives, unpolished truths and critical thinking than Gov. Ron DeSantis and some others. Earlier this week, DeSantis took his war on teachers to Fox News, claiming they were trying to smuggle in more scary ideas and history lessons. More boogeymen.

Ron Desantis tonight says that liberal educators are teaching kids to hate this country, so he is pushing for a new law so parents can inspect curriculum, and sue schools if they catch teachers who smuggle in any inappropriate content. pic.twitter.com/PTc3EZXskv  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 10, 2022

The bill itself is a hot mess. The title alone is a 240-word run-on sentence that drones on for more than a page. (If it passes, I suggest the sponsors use some of the classroom video they crave to view an English class on sentence structure.)

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

The legislation doesnt explicitly mandate recording of every classroom. Instead, it would force every school board to take a vote on the issue  creating a divisive, wedge issue in districts around the state  and then force every teacher in a surveilled district to wear a microphone.

The bill then goes on for six more pages about how long districts must keep video footage, where cameras must be placed, how schools must use some kind of technology to blur the faces of certain students and of course provides no funding to pay for any of that.

Worth noting: The same Legislature now pushing for cameras on teachers wouldnt even consider a bill last session to put cameras on cops. So to recap: Cameras on those empowered to shoot people? Bad idea. Cameras on those empowered to teach? Direly needed.

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Florida legislators want teachers to wear microphones and be video-recorded whenever they're with students.



I'd rather put mics and cameras on legislators whenever they're around lobbyists.https://t.co/Z55E7kevjz  Scott Maxwell (@Scott_Maxwell) January 12, 2022

Honestly, if we could get cameras on legislators and in classrooms, there could be some real benefits. In fact, after I shared my proposal on Twitter, several teachers said theyd love for Florida legislators, who normally just demonize them from afar, to see what they actually do and deal with every day.

But if were going to start recording state employees, lets start with the politicians who claim to think its a good idea. Lets strap body cameras on them and ban them from ever turning them off when a lobbyist comes calling.

I mean, if these politicians truly believe citizens are entitled to see what normally happens behind closed doors with public officials and employees, then great. You guys go first.

smaxwell@orlanodsentinel.com
A judge erred by failing to jail a man for devastating one-punch attack that left his victim in coma and suffering from a potentially fatal bleed on the brain, the State has argued before the Court of Appeal yesterday (Tuesday, January 11).

Stephen Duffy (28) of Homelawn Road, Tallaght, had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm to Darren Darley (50) after the two men crossed paths for the first time at Belgard Road, Tallaght, Dublin on August 29, 2016.

Longford parent makes case for hybrid Leaving Cert model amid Covid surge A Longford parent has joined the growing clamour for a return of last year's 'hybrid' style Leaving Cert as high levels of Covid-related teacher and student absences take hold.

BREAKING: Man charged after gardai seize 12,500 in drugs in Longford town A man is to appear in court after gardai seized approximately 12,500 worth of drugs in Longford town earlier today.

Although Judge Melanie Greally said Mr Darley had been fortunate to escape with his life following the assault, she handed down a wholly suspended sentence of four years to his attacker at a hearing last July.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later appealed the sentence on the grounds that it was unduly lenient.

At the Court of Appeal on Januay 11, Garnet Orange SC, for the DPP, said a single blow struck between strangers can often have devastating consequences for the parties concerned.

In this case, which he said was a classic one-strike assault case, the immediate impact on the victim had been an extended stay in hospital where he had been treated for a traumatic brain injury.

In the longer term, he said Mr Darley has had to close his recruitment business after he began to suffer from deficits in his memory.

Mr Garnet also said the fact that Duffy returned to the scene to put his victim into the recovery position was not a significant mitigating factor given that the defendant then fled for a second time almost immediately and was only later traced by gardai as a result of unusual clothing he was wearing that night.

He said the DPP had no objection to the headline sentence of six-and-a-half years which Judge Greally had identified, or the post-mitigation term of four years, both of which were appropriate terms for the offence.

However, counsel said the sentencing judge had erred by failing to impose a custodial term on Duffy in a manner that was consistent with sentences imposed in other cases.

Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, for Duffy, told the court that Judge Greally had given a comprehensive and careful explanation as to why the sentence should have been wholly suspended.

He said there had been no element of prior planning or sustained violence to the assault and the single blow was struck after a brief verbal exchange between the men took place.

Mr O Lideadha said his client was now a father and that he was extremely remorseful for his actions.

Duffy, counsel continued, has transformed his life in the intervening period since the assault and was trying to do his best as a human being, a worker, a father, and a partner to make a positive contribution to society.

Judgment has been reserved.

CCTV footage played in court during the original trial had displayed a distinctively dressed person later identified as Duffy approach Mr Darley.

Duffy is then seen striking Mr Darley, who falls to the ground.

Detective Garda Cian Stears told Fergal Foley BL, prosecuting that Mr Darley sustained a bleed on his brain, was in a coma for a period of time, and had required life-saving surgery.

When Mr Darley awoke from his coma he had no memory of the incident, the garda said.

The court was also told the victim agreed to accept 5,000 from Duffy earlier this year.

Judge Greally said she had suspended the entirety of the four-year sentence on strict conditions including that Duffy pay an additional 10,000 to the victim within a two-year period.
The parents of two small children who were sexually abused by their uncle while he was babysitting them have described the attacks as a parent's worst nightmare.

The 26 year old Cavan man, who cannot be named to protect the anonymity of the child victims, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sexually exploiting a four year old girl and raping her older brother during the summer of 2014 at their home in the county.

The defendant is the half-brother of the children's mother and was aged 19 when he was left babysitting the children on a number of occasions.

Justice Paul McDermott said the offences were a deep betrayal of the trust understandably placed in the defendant by the children and their mother. He said the disparity in age, the fact the offending took place in their own home and the fact that he told the victims to keep it a secret were all aggravating factors.

He noted the mitigating factors included the man's genuine expressions of remorse, his early pleas of guilty, and the difficulties in his own childhood and his continuing difficulties.

Justice McDermott imposed a sentence of four a half years with the last year suspended for three years on condition the defendant not commit any further offences and that he engage with future assessments for sex offender treatment programmes.

He also ordered that he not be in the company of any child unless another adult was present and that he make no contact with the victims in this case.

Detective Sharon Walsh told Dominic McGinn SC, prosecuting, that in August 2014 the youngest child told her mother she was worried about telling something in case her mother became angry. She then told her that the man had sexually assaulted her.

The boy's mother contacted her father and he confronted the defendant who said he had watched porn with the girl. The child's mother agreed not to go to authorities after the defendant agreed to go to therapy and she ended his babysitting access.

In 2018 the woman's son was aged 11 when he told his mother that his uncle had also sexually assaulted him four years earlier. The court heard the boy had somehow suppressed the memory and only realised in later years that what his uncle had done was inappropriate.

He said that his uncle had told him to get into his bed and his uncle had then taken his own clothes off and got into bed with the child. He said his uncle then orally raped him.

He said that he felt silly and humiliated and felt he had let himself down.

Gardai were called in and child specialist interviewers spoke to both children. The younger child told gardai that her uncle got her to touch his penis and told her to keep it a secret.

Longford man pleads guilty to endangering the lives of two gardai A man has pleaded guilty to endangering the lives of two gardai by driving head on at a garda patrol car in Edgeworthstown four years ago.

The court heard there was a delay in prosecuting the case as the defendant had moved to the UK but returned to Ireland in March 2020 and was arrested. He told gardai that his mental health was drastic at the time and said I wasn't wise to mental health.

In a victim impact report the older child stated that he was shocked at the age of 11 when he suddenly remembered the assault.

He said that it took him a long time to move on from the attack and said he was in a much better place now.

The children's mother told the court that the abuse was a parents' worst nightmare.

As parents we try to protect our children. We trusted [defendant] to protect and look after the children. He did the complete opposite, she said.

She said her son found it very hard to cope for a while and said it was so upsetting to see my child suffering.

Roisin Lacey SC, defending, said that her client's mother was an alcoholic and that he was born with foetal alcohol syndrome which left him considerable physical and cognitive deficits.

She said his early childhood was marked by violence, including one incident of his mother chasing him with a knife and another of her banging his head against a wall.

Counsel said the defendant had written a letter to the court in which he expressed remorse for the pain and damage caused by him.

Every time I think of what I did, I feel sick. I broke the hearts of those who trusted me, he stated.

In a testimonial his father described a loving and caring son and confirmed that he was born with foetal alcohol syndrome.

The court heard the man had a working history including employment as a factory operative and in a supermarket and that he was a volunteer with some charities.

Ms Lacey outlined a psychological report which detailed hyper sexual thoughts during his late childhood, anxiety and confusion over his sexual orientation, and a feeling that he is unable to develop intimate relationships.

Counsel said the report also detailed that her client's childhood abuse had left him with phobias and trauma and that he has had suicidal ideation. She said her client is highly motivated to accept his guilt and to deal with his issues.

She said after the abuse incidents came to light her client was immediately ostracised from members of his family.
Food, Wine, & Dining

By Ls Cohen Published: January 12 2022

East Meadow location is the fourth in North America for the famous Italian gelato shop.

If youve been to Italy then you know good gelato. The owners of a new gelato spot in East Meadow have brought the tastes of La Carraia Gelateria - famous in Florence, city of Michelgenlos David among other invaluable works of art and culture - to Long Island.

According to an article in Newsday, East Meadow is the fourth location for the Italian gelato cafe in North America.

Owner, Naveed Haroon, a partner in the North American franchise said that they import everything from Italy.

"The ingredients, the machinery, the coffee," he told Newsday.

Photo: La Carraia Gelateria Facebook page.

On Yelp, Davina A, gave La Carraia five stars.

Awesome new small business, she said. Owners are very friendly and accommodating and will give you samples. The gelato was creamy and delicious and atmosphere was nice to hang out

Z P, from New York City, said they read about La Carraia in Newsday.

...was in the neighborhood decided to stop by, had the three scoop cup, one flavor was called Symphony, fig and cheese, & latte, Z P wrote. Wow. All three flavors were incredible, creamy, flavorful,. Plan on going back for more, and trying more flavors. Spoke with the owner, very friendly.

Location: 2326 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, (516) 226-3580.
Health & Wellness

By Chris Boyle Published: January 12 2022

The average wait time to receive a package of tests was 15 minutes.

(L to R): Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and volunteers distribute test kits to residents at Tobay Beach on Saturday, 1/8/22.

This weekend 160,000 at-home tests were successfully distributed to tens of thousands Nassau County residents at Tobay Beach and Eisenhower park. County Executive Bruce Blakeman worked together with Nassau University Medical Center, the NCPD and other County agencies to secure additional test kits following the high demand seen last week.

The average wait time to receive a package of tests was 15 minutes.

A vaccination pod was also held at Nassau Community college. Over 200 residents signed up to get either their booster shot, or first or second shot.

Here in Nassau County, we are taking action to provide resources like free at-home test kits, and vaccinations to residents to help keep them safe. Blakeman said. Thank you to Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, our first responders, county health department, and volunteers for making these events a huge success.
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Senators revived a proposal Wednesday to create a $1 billion fund that Gov. Ron DeSantis could use at his discretion during emergencies he declares.

The Senate Appropriations Committee backed a pair of bills (SB 96 and SB 98), sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, to set up an Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund so the governor wouldnt have to wait for the Joint Legislative Budget Commission to convene to approve spending.

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The proposals are ready to go to the full Senate. Lawmakers approved a similar proposal last year, but it was vetoed after questions were raised about using federal stimulus dollars for the fund. In this years proposal, Burgess would shift the money from the state general revenue fund.

Governors have declared states of emergencies because of issues such as hurricanes, wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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[ RELATED: Florida may give $1 billion emergency fund to governor ]

This pandemic showed us that the way we were doing business was probably not the appropriate way, Burgess said of his proposals. Thankfully, we have a governor in a governors office that is incredibly responsible when it comes to funds and has shown good oversight.

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, asked about possibly putting $200 million into the fund and keeping the other $800 million in reserves to maintain legislative oversight.

Put your banker hat on for a minute and think about how you would responsibly deploy this type of resource, Brandes said. If it was your kids that were coming to you for a loan, youd say, Let me know where the money is being spent after you spent a little bit of it. This is not your kids. This is the government. Dont you think in that scenario you would want a little more control, a little more oversight, and a little bit more of the great Appropriations Committee staff that we have to dig into the numbers to make sure that the money is being spent appropriately?

Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-North Miami Beach, called the proposal scary and suggested limiting the use of the money to within Florida. He also questioned if money could be used for something like immigration enforcement, a priority of DeSantis.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

This is not fiscally responsible at all, Pizzo said. And until someone tells me where its going and what its for, and what the cost is, you have to be a no. Youre spending a billion dollars of your constituents money. We dont know where its going or what its for.

The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, made up of House and Senate members, can make mid-year budget changes, though it does not meet frequently.

The proposed pool of money for emergencies would be separate from the states Budget Stabilization Fund, which is considered a rainy day fund, with an anticipation that any money spent during an emergency would be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

DeSantis initially pitched the emergency fund last year when outlining how hed like to see legislators allocate billions of dollars received through the American Rescue Plan Act federal stimulus law.

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DeSantis said the fund would eliminate the need to seek general revenue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and future emergencies. But he ended up vetoing the fund because of federal guidelines that said the stimulus money couldnt be set aside to address future needs and could only be used through normal procurement.

If we were to go forward with it, we were going to run into [the] risk of having the feds come after us for it, DeSantis said in June.

In his veto letter to Secretary of State Laurel Lee, DeSantis suggested the Legislature readdress creation of the fund in 2022 as one of the many options available to the state to provide predictable and reliable resources for Floridas emergency management system. Under the proposal, the fund would expire in four years.
12th January 2022

Runtime 20:06





Brad George, CEO at Orosur Mining (OMI), the South American gold and tin explorer/developer is in London. London South East took the opportunity to catch up with him for an in-depth conversation updating investors on all aspects of the business.

Orosur is best known for the Anza gold project near Medellin in Colombia. This is a prospective Tier One Gold mine, and Brad told us responsibility for drilling operations at Anza has now been handed over to the Agnico/Newmont joint venture partnership.

100% ownership of the project remains with Orosur. Brad tells us the handover was harder than anticipated because they had over 100 people and five drill rigs operational on the ground at one point last year. The joint venture runs through an exploratory phase for a further 8.5 years as Monte Aquila (Agnico/Newmont) earn up to 75% participation, leaving Orosur with a free carry on the balance. Everything is more or less paid for in other words, 'giving Orosur a 25% share of a large project'.

Brad also explained the proposed tin joint venture isn't quite signed but 'we are just dotting the i's and crossing the t's'. He is keen on the tin project in Brazil because demand for tin is high, tin is currently priced at $40,000 per ton and there is less interest from other juniors. He hopes to do a first site visit in a couple of weeks time.
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Louisiana... Mississippi River At Red River Landing affecting West Feliciana, East Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee Parishes. For the Lower Mississippi River...including Red River Landing, Baton Rouge, Donaldsonville, Reserve, New Orleans...Minor flooding is forecast. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/lix. Click on the Rivers and Lakes menu for forecasts and observations. The next statement will be issued when updates are needed. && ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY FRIDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Mississippi River At Red River Landing. * WHEN...Until early Friday morning. * IMPACTS...At 51.0 feet, All river islands along the reach from Red River Landing to Baton Rouge will be inundated. Recreational camps and river bottom farm land will be under water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 6:00 PM CDT Monday the stage was 50.2 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 6:00 PM CDT Monday was 50.3 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage late Thursday evening and continue falling to 41.1 feet Monday, May 30. - Flood stage is 48.0 feet. - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 48.8 feet on 04/22/2014. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Rain showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High 61F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
An ex-girlfriend of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz appeared Wednesday at the federal courthouse in downtown Orlando, reportedly to testify before a grand jury weighing potential sex trafficking charges against the Panhandle congressman.

Reports by CNN and NBC News indicated the grand jury has been meeting in Orlando to consider potential charges against Gaetz as part of a long-running investigation that emerged from the prosecution of his onetime friend and ally, Joel Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector.

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The NBC report said the participation of his ex-girlfriend, long described as a potential key witness, represented a major development that suggests the Department of Justice may be moving closer to indicting the third-term GOP congressman.

Timothy Jansen, an attorney representing Gaetzs ex, emerged from the courthouse just before 4 p.m. but declined to confirm his client was there to testify or comment on what she may have told grand jurors.

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We are here at the courthouse with my client. We have no comment, he said. My client has no comment about the proceedings or whats happening today.

Gaetz, a conservative firebrand and prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigation a politically motivated witch hunt.

Greenberg was indicted and resigned from office in June 2020. He has since pleaded guilty to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a child, and is cooperating with federal authorities in a sprawling investigation.

In his plea agreement, Greenberg admitted to paying more than $70,000 over two years to women  and a 17-year-old girl  for sex.

The agreement said Greenberg first found the teen through a website for so-called sugar babies, paying her $400 for an initial meeting on his boat, then another $400 to meet at an area hotel where they had sex.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

After that, Greenberg admitted he would invite the minor and others to have sex at hotels around Central Florida, often supplying the girl and other attendees with ecstasy. Greenberg also admitted that he introduced the girl to adult men who had sex with her.

The men werent identified in the plea agreement, but reports have long indicated that Gaetz is among those suspected by authorities to have had sex with the teenager. He has denied that allegation, insisting he has never paid for sex or had sex with anyone underage as an adult.

When I became aware of some of Greenbergs misdeeds, I deeply regretted my friendship with him, Gaetz said in an October interview with ABC 3 News in Pensacola.

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Citing sources familiar with the case, NBC News reported Wednesday that Gaetz is being investigated for three crimes: sex trafficking, obstructing justice and violating the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting people across state lines for the purposes of prostitution.

According to an April report by Politico, Gaetzs ex-girlfriend, who reportedly is a former congressional staffer, was present on a September 2018 trip to The Bahamas that is being scrutinized by federal investigators for potential Mann Act violations.

The sex trafficking victim, who by that time was legally an adult, was also reportedly on the trip, as were then-state Rep. Halsey Beshears and Jason Pirozzolo, an Orlando hand doctor and medical marijuana investor who allegedly paid for travel expenses and female escorts.

jeweiner@orlandosentinel.com
MANISTEE COUNTY  For students, snow days provide a welcome chance to sleep in, stay in their pajamas and maybe go sledding or build a snowman. For school administrators, however, too many can be a cause for concern.

Thanks to the winter storms, snow and ice Manistee County has seen of late, local school districts are already hovering around the six snow day mark allowed by state.

"It happened quick after break," said Shelly VanVoorst, director of CASMAN Academy. "A lot of the weather has come in and it's been cold and icy. It's really hard to control a bus on ice."

CASMAN has already used five snow days this school year, and has applied for a waiver with the Michigan Department of Education which would allow for three additional days. VanVoorst said she anticipates the application being approved.

"Generally, the state has been very good in the past with approving them as long as they're submitted correctly," she said. "I don't foresee that being an issue. Any (days) beyond that, they're just not there. We'll have to start making up."

Onekama Consolidated Schools has used seven snow days and has also applied for the waiver. Superintendent Gina Hagen said there is a good chance the district could end up having more than nine snow days this year.

"We're in the second week of January and we have a long winter ahead of us," she said. "Being out of snow days is probably something that will happen. We're still going to have to deal with COVID, shortages of staff and all those kinds of things."

Hagen said the issue is not limited to schools in the county.

"I was in the legislative meeting (Monday) and a lot of schools are complaining already. The southern schools haven't blown through their snow days like we have, but there are some southern schools that have closed for COVID, and they have no way to do anything remotely like (we did) in the past," she said. "When we've closed for COVID, we could be remote. They've burned through their snow days already. They're saying this is difficult on us, so we're trying to get some more legislative backing on maybe going with our 1,098 hours instead of 180 days.

"There are some things in the works. I'll keep an eye on that, but it's a big deal right now."

Michigan requires schools to provide 1,098 hours and 180 days of pupil instruction. Manistee Area Public Schools superintendent Ron Stoneman said there is talk of schools being provided some flexibility with those requirements this year, but with the learning disruptions students have already suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is not a cut and dry issue.

"There's a sensitivity to it because of the learning loss that has occurred over the last couple of years, but there also is the reality that our students being in school too long in the summer really could potentially hurt the workforce and servicing tourism and service industries in our community, also," Stoneman said. "I kind of have split feelings on that myself, but I know that it's a priority among our group of superintendents for legislators to maybe consider some flexibility."

Stoneman expects no determinations to be made until the springtime.

"I don't think we'll hear any movement on that until the winter has come and gone  maybe April," he said. "Then I think the legislators may pick up this topic for consideration depending on where we all are related to COVID absences  the lack of staff is usually the concern  and the combination of snow days. Those are factors that we're working with."

Hagen said Onekama would consider going remote on snow days should the district reach nine, in order to avoid having to make those days up in the summer.

"The reality of coming back after our last day in the summer is summer camps start immediately the next week  parents have paid for that. There's a lot going on immediately," she said. "We also have a lot of kids with jobs that start that very next week, so I think we need to be cognizant and thinking about this at all times. ... Staff seem to be very on board with doing that. If we get closer to that, we will put it out to parents that this is how we would like to proceed."

Jakob Veith, superintendent of Bear Lake and Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools, said both of his districts have used six snow days this school year. He said his districts would also look to get creative to avoid exceeding nine snow days if necessary.

"We will definitely be exploring our options," he said. "Going fully remote is difficult due to our remote area and internet capabilities. At this time we have not ruled anything out."

CASMAN utilizes Flex Fridays, which allows students who complete their work in four days to take Friday off or use it as a day for studying or to receive tutoring. VanVoorst said those Fridays could be used to make up days if necessary.

"If it gets to that point, we would start changing around our Flex Fridays after spring break, whether we take away one or two or three  whatever we would need," she said. "We try not to mess with them if we don't have to, simply because they are tutoring days for the students, but we would for sure start with the Flex Fridays. Depending on how things went, if we had to add days, our calendar is set up so we can, but hopefully, we don't have to."
Jan. 11 was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and several Michigan leaders shared resources on the work being done against trafficking and how to recognize if a person is impacted by trafficking.

"I am grateful to the attorney general and law enforcement agencies in Michigan and nationwide working diligently to ensure survivors have the resources they need and bring traffickers to justice," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a news release about the awareness day. "Michiganders should review the available resources, report trafficking, and support those who feel helpless. Together, we can save lives.

One educational tool available on the initiatives website at michigan.gov is red flags to watch out for, which summarize behaviors that a victim of trafficking often exhibits.

The following are questions to think about if you suspect someone is being trafficked:

 Are there bruises or other signs of physical abuse?

 Are there signs of psychological abuse?

 Is the person submissive or fearful?

 Is the person being controlled?

 Is the person being deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care or other life necessities?

 Is the person allowed to be in public alone?

 Can the person freely contact friends or family?

 Is the person a minor engaged in commercial sex?

 Does a minor appear to be in a relationship with a much older person?

 Does the person fear his or her employer?

 Can the person leave their job situation if they want?

 Has someone threatened the person's family?

Nessels Human Trafficking Initiative prosecutes traffickers and provides training throughout the state. Since its inception, 34 people have been arrested on human trafficking charges. There have been 25 convictions so far.

Those victimized by traffickers face sexual, physical and emotional abuse  all for the purpose of control and submission, Attorney General Dana Nessel said in the news release. That is why it remains incumbent upon all of us to report trafficking and support those who feel helpless. I encourage everyone to take some time to review the resources available to better identify these instances of abuse.

Since 2019, in over 30 presentations, the initiative provided human trafficking training to approximately 200 law enforcement professionals, 350 legal professionals, 300 victim service providers, 800 medical professionals, as many as 1,000 various other professionals and about 300 members of the general public.

More information on the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission can be found online at michigan.gov.

If you are a victim of human trafficking or have identified someone you think may need help, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888, or text 233733.

The national, toll-free hotline is available to answer calls, texts and chats from anywhere in the country. All calls are confidential.
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Marysville, KS (66508)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High near 60F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 44F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed Wednesday that the FDA has approved a state request to extend the expiration date to the end of March for 1 million COVID-19 tests being held in a state warehouse.

Orange County was still waiting on a request for 100,000 tests as of Wednesday, spokesperson Kelly Finkelstein said.

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At a news conference in Bonita Springs, DeSantis also defended the state not sending out the tests to local governments before their initial extended expiration date of late December, saying for those three months [there was] almost zero demand in Florida for testing.

As for when the newly valid tests would be distributed, DeSantis said it would be all contingent on demand.

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If there wasnt a lot of them [going] out, it was because people werent asking for them before, DeSantis said. So I cant say that theres a guarantee. But I think that you have a lot higher demand for testing right now. And so my sense is, is that theres going to be enough requests to at least get a lot of those out the door very, very quickly.

The tests first gained attention on Dec. 30 when state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, whos running for governor, said she was told a substantial amount of tests were about to expire. Department of Health spokesperson Jeremy Redfern had initially tweeted in response, Nikki Fried needs to turn on that blinker and get back in her lane.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

But the Florida Department of Emergency Management confirmed on Jan. 6 that 1 million tests had not been distributed because there was no demand for it, director Kevin Guthrie said.

On Tuesday, the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times reported that the state had asked for another three-month extension from the federal Food and Drug Administration, and it had been approved on Jan. 7.

The FDA was able to extend the expiration date of the test kits by updating their emergency use authorization, the Times and Herald reported, with its manufacturer able to prove that they would remain stable for 15 months if stored at room temperature.

I am glad that we were able to bring the truth to light and help facilitate the extension thats been granted so these tests wont go to waste to the detriment of the people of Florida, Fried said in a statement.

I urge the DeSantis Administration to distribute these tests immediately to counties, nursing homes, and our schools, Fried said. I again call for the Governor to stand up state-sponsored testing sites and partner with the federal government to provide critical resources to address Floridians needs during this public health crisis.

In Orange County, where positivity rates reached 42%, the three-hour waits for coronavirus tests at county-run sites are forcing officials to consider opening additional drive-through sites.

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Raul Pino, the state health officer in Orange County, defended testing for people who may have been exposed to the virus, even as DeSantis and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo have decried what they call a testing psychology. They argue that only people who become ill should be tested, even though the virus can be spread by people without symptoms.
McAlester, OK (74501)

Today

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 68F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
McAlester, OK (74501)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 68F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - Senegal has recorded 604 new cases of coronavirus, composed of 25 monitored contact cases, one imported case and 578 cases resulting from community transmission
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Presidential Council on Wednesday, held a meeting at the Council's office in Tripoli, devoted to discussing the activation of the creation of the national security apparatus, which will contribute to the consideration of a number of sovereign and important issues
Meadville, PA (16335)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Showers and thundershowers this evening will give way to steady rain overnight. Low near 55F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
South actor Siddharth, who is also known for his performance in Aamir Khan's 2006 hit Rang De Basanti, has been receiving backlash on social media ever since he posted an alleged sexist tweet targeting ace badminton player Saina Nehwal. However, he has now issued a public apology for his "rude joke" in response to Nehwal's tweet condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab.

In the apology posted on Twitter, the actor has cleared that his intention was not malicious and the controversial tweet was just his "word play and humour".

Siddharth's apology letter reads, "Dear Saina, I want to apologise to you for my rude joke that I wrote as a response to a tweet of yours, a few days ago. I may disagree with you on many things but even my disappointment or anger when I read your tweet, cannot justify my tone and words. I know I have more grace in me than that. As for the joke... If a joke needs to be explained, then it wasn't a very good joke to begin with. Sorry about a joke that didn't land".

He added, "I, however, must insist my word play and humour had none of the malicious intent that so many people from all quarters have attributed to it. I am a staunch feminist ally and I assure you there was no gender implied in my tweet and certainly no intent to attack you as a woman".



He ended the letter with the hope that they can put this behind and added that Saina will always be her champion. Check out his post here:

The Bommarillu stars apology has been receiving mixed reactions from netizens. While a section of social media users appreciated Siddharth for his public apology, others expressed that it is just a "cover up". Reacting to the actor's post, a user wrote, "Atleast show some courage in accepting the wrong doing. This looks more like a cover up than an apology. An apology should be unconditional. Do you really think you can act smart even now ? Period".

Another wrote, "This does not look like a genuine apology. You are still adamant to admit that it was a sexist comment targetting women. Just because it has double meanings it does not become correct. Face the legal consequences". "I respect you for this. It takes a lot of courage and maturity to be able to apologize," reads another tweet.

Here are a few reactions:

Atleast show some courage in accepting the wrong doing. This looks more like a cover up than an apology. An apology should be unconditional. Do you really think you can act smart even now ? Period.  Nilesh Gode (@gode_nilesh) January 11, 2022

Wow that's not even an apology . He has just put it back on her, telling her that she lacks a sense of humour and how disappointed HE is with her opinion. So full of himself      Murlee (@Covi1979749381) January 12, 2022

This does not look like a genuine apology. You are still adamant to admit that it was a sexist comment targetting women. Just because it has double meanings it does not become correct. Face the legal consequences.  Indian Citizen (@ibelong2india) January 12, 2022

Instead of this bakwaas , a plain simple SORRY would have aptly represented your intent...But then again, your intent itself is questionable   Shephalika Gokhale (@shephalikag) January 11, 2022

I dont understand your anger towards her post. Her post showed concern towards the countrys PMs security. Why should you be angry or try to make a joke out of it. Shouldnt you be to equally concerned about his safety ?? If you think Indian, then you sure would be concerned.  Proudindian (@umamaheshwari56) January 11, 2022

If a joke needs to be explained, then it wasn't a very good joke to begin

with.



Same for apology also . If an apology needs to be explained, then it wasn't an apology at all .



If u wanna apologise, do it unconditionally without explanation.  N (@rajini_mano) January 12, 2022

Maafi maangne se koi chota nahi ho jata

Kangana tum bhi kuch seekho Siddharth se  Bharti (@_bharti_0901) January 11, 2022

I just don't get what people want, if an actor apologises to a mistake he is still wrong in people's opinions, and if he doesn't apologise and yet he is still wrong because he didn't apologise. Like what more do you want from a person. Don't turn this into a bigger mess it is.  simarpreet singh basra (@BasraSimarpreet) January 11, 2022

I respect you for this. It takes a lot of courage and maturity to be able to apologize.  KS (@kanchisrini) January 11, 2022

Are you satisfied with Siddharth's apology? Let us know in the comment section.



For the unversed, Siddharth had taken a dig at Nehwal in his controversial tweet (now deleted). He had written, "Subtle cock champion of the world Thank God we have protectors of India. Shame on you #Rihanna".

Since then, he has been at the receiving end with several well-known names criticising him for his choice of words. The National Commission for Women (NCW) too slammed the actor and issued a notice to Twitter India demanding a ban on his account.
A Memorial Service of Christian Burial will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Mrs. Cobb, 68, of Meridian, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022, at Bedford Care Ce
LONDON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Britain on Wednesday expressed strong indignation and condemnation of the "despicable action" of a handful of "Hong Kong independence" rioters in Manchester.

According to a spokesperson of the embassy, the rioters on Sunday blatantly threatened and violently attacked a Chinese citizen. They later subjected the victim's workplace to online trolling, exposed the victim's personal information and even issued death threats.

"This incident has further revealed the ugly nature and violent perpetration of the 'Hong Kong independence' elements," the spokesperson said.

The Chinese Consulate General in Manchester has contacted and expressed sympathy for the victim, and lodged a representation with the British side.

The consulate general has also urged the British police to apprehend the perpetrators as soon as possible and ensure the safety and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the victim, the spokesperson added.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Authorities in Tunisia are being urged to immediately release - or properly charge - former justice minister Noureddine Bhiri, and another man, who have been detained under suspected terrorism offences, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday
DETROIT  For the second year in a row, vehicles from Ford Motor Co. took two of the three North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year awards.

The companys Maverick compact pickup won truck of the year, while its Bronco off-road SUV earned the utility of the year. Hondas redesigned Civic compact car won the car of the year.

Fifty automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada are judges for the three awards, which are announced every January. Theyre chosen from dozens of candidates and must be new or substantially changed for the current model year. Automakers often use the awards in advertising.

The judges evaluate finalists on value, innovation, design, performance, safety, technology and driver satisfaction. The selection process started last summer.

In addition to the Bronco, Utility of the Year finalists included the GV70 from Hyundais Genesis luxury brand, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric SUV.

EPA moves to crack down on dangerous coal ash storage ponds

WASHINGTON  The Environmental Protection Agency is taking its first major action to address toxic wastewater from coal-burning power plants, ordering utilities to stop dumping waste into unlined storage ponds and speed up plans to close leaking or otherwise dangerous coal ash sites.

Plants in four states will have to close the coal ash ponds months or years ahead of schedule, the EPA said Tuesday, citing deficiencies with groundwater monitoring, cleanup or other problems.

Coal ash, the substance that remains when coal is burned to generate electricity, contains a toxic mix of mercury, cadmium, arsenic and other heavy metals. It can pollute waterways, poison wildlife and cause respiratory illness among those living near massive ponds where the waste is stored.

The actions mark the first time the EPA has enforced a 2015 rule aimed at reducing groundwater pollution from coal-fired power plants that has contaminated streams, lakes and underground aquifers.

Supreme Court denies appeal of regretful Islamic State bride

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal of a woman who left home in Alabama to join the Islamic State terror group, but then decided she wanted to return to the United States.

The justices declined without comment on Monday to consider the appeal of Hoda Muthana, who was born in New Jersey in October 1994 to a diplomat from Yemen and grew up in Alabama near Birmingham.

Muthana left the U.S. to join the Islamic State in 2014, apparently after becoming radicalized online.

While she was overseas the government determined she was not a U.S. citizen and revoked her passport, citing her fathers status as a diplomat at the time of her birth. Her family sued to enable her return to the United States.

A federal judge ruled in 2019 that the U.S. government correctly determined Muthana wasnt a U.S. citizen despite her birth in the country. Children of diplomats arent entitled to birthright citizenship. The familys lawyers appealed, arguing that her fathers status as a diplomat assigned to the U.N. had ended before her birth, making her automatically a citizen.

Muthana surrendered to U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces as Islamic State fighters were losing the last of their self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria and going to refugee camps.

Muthana said she regretted her decision to join the group and wanted to return to the U.S. with her toddler child, the son of a man she met while living with the group. The man later died.

Her current whereabouts arent clear. Family attorney Christina Jump of the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America did not immediately return an email seeking comment Tuesday.

The decision to revoke her passport was made under former President Barack Obama. The case gained widespread attention as former President Donald Trump tweeted about it, saying he had directed the secretary of state not to allow her back into the country.
Owensboro pushes bluegrass, bourbon and barbecue, not manufacturing, among the things it is known for.

But a new study of 294 cities by AdvisorSmith, a company that provides information resources for small business owners, ranks Owensboro at No. 16 among the Top 50 Cities with Strong Manufacturing Economies.

And it ranks the city at No. 10 among smaller cities.

The study included the metropolitan statistical area, which for Owensboro includes Hancock and McLean counties.

Brittaney Johnson, president of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp., said this is the first ranking shes seen of the citys manufacturing prowess.

But she said after the last two years of labor shortages and supply chain issues, the news is especially good.

Johnson said the communitys 106 manufacturing facilities employ 6,330 people who earn an average of $62,648 a year, as of last summer.

She said manufacturing contributed $1.03 billion to the countys gross domestic product  the total value of goods and services produced by a region  in 2020.

The AdvisorSmith study found that the citys manufacturing output grew by 3.5% between 2015 and 2019 and the per capita manufacturing output came to $16,126.

The growth rate for manufacturing jobs was 4.4% between 2015 and 2019, the report said.

Owensboro ranked between Dalton, Georgia, and Decatur, Alabama, in the Top 50 category.

Elkhart, Indiana, was No. 1.

Columbus, Indiana, was No. 1 among the small cities.

The report from AdvisorSmith said, In 2019, there were 12.8 million manufacturing jobs in the United States, up from 12.3 million in 2015. Manufacturing jobs accounted for 8.2% of total employment, and manufacturing output was $2.4 trillion in 2019.

It added, Manufacturing accounted for approximately 11% of GDP. Nationwide, we found that manufacturing output per capita was approximately $7,221, while the manufacturing output growth rate on a compounded annual growth rate basis was 2.9% during the study period. Manufacturing employment grew by a compounded annual growth rate of 0.9% during the study period.

The report said, The majority of the top cities for manufacturing in our study  43 in the top 50, and 9 in the top 10  were small and midsize cities. Small cities with a powerful hold on significant manufacturing industries dominated our list, and Indiana, with three out of the top 10 spots, had a particularly strong showing at the top of our ranking.

Keith Lawrence, 270-691-7301, klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com.
In 1922, Warren G. Harding was president of the United States, the average annual income was $3,143 and a gallon of gas cost 25 cents. It was also the year Owensboro resident and World War II veteran Clarence Redfern was born.

A native of Island, Redfern will celebrate his 100th birthday on Jan. 19.

I was in the draft in 1942, Redfern said from his home Tuesday. They drafted me in the Army.

Serving as a corporal throughout the war, Redfern said the experiences taught him some lessons that he has remembered throughout his life.

Well, what stands out is the way you had to live, he said. I was all through Germany, went through France, Belgium, Holland

Redfern said he operated a heavy artillery gun during the war. He remembers having to sleep in foxholes that usually had water in them.

It will make you learn what life is all about, for one thing, Redfern said. You didnt know whether you were going to be here the next day. I never had too bad of luck.

After returning home from the war, Redfern was dropped off in Sacramento, Kentucky. He hitchhiked the roughly 5 miles to his home.

He then went to barber school and owned a barber shop at several locations in Owensboro before cutting back to two days a week while also inspecting barbershops. Redfern did not completely retire until he was 85 years old.

I enjoyed it, Ill put it that way, said Redfern about his barbering career. I cut my own hair; that can probably tell you something.

Redfern also married and started a family after returning from the war.

My life lived until two years ago in March, he said. We were married 73 years. She was 93 when she died.

Redfern said he is not aware of anyone else in his family that has matched his longevity, as he looks toward his 100th year.

My mother died when I was 2 years old, my dad died at 72, he said.

Jessica Powell, Redferns caregiver who works with him five days a week, said she has learned that age doesnt always define ability.

You can do anything if you put your mind to it, no matter how old you get, you can do anything, she said.

While Redfern played music for several years with a few fellow veterans, he has had to hang up his guitar. But a few harmonicas can still be found on the side table next to his chair.

I sold my guitar and quit here a while back because I got to where I couldnt even make a chord anymore and cant get out; these old knees have me stopped, he said. If I go anywhere, somebody has to take me.

Redfern said he has always loved the harmonica, and at one time it was a favorite Christmas gift to receive.

I learned to play when I was a kid, he said. I remember I was crazy about them, and my Dad would get me one every Christmas. They cost a quarter, and they cost about $30 now.

As for the secret to his longevity, Redfern attributes it partly to his belief in God.

I can tell you one little thing here, about 50 years ago I started tithing, and I am still doing it, he said, and I think probably that has one reason why the good Lord let me live this long.

As for his service during World War II, Redfern said that while it was not the easiest thing hes ever done, he would do it again.

I have never been sorry that I went, Redfern said. It was hard, and I thought it was rough going. I didnt know whether I would make it home or not. Anyhow, I have never been sorry that I went.

In celebration of his 100th birthday, V.F.W. Post 696 will be conducting a drive-by celebration in front of Redferns home on Jan. 19. Those who would like to wish Redfern a happy birthday can do so by mailing a card to 4312 Yewells Landing West, Owensboro KY, 42303.

Nathan Havenner, Messenger-Inquirer, nhavenner@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-228-2837
The East Carolinian has created a forum that centers around topics within the community where readers can express their experiences and concerns. With Valentine's Day coming up, do you think the ECU community and the City of Greenville is doing all they can to make people feel loved and supported?

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With both the Kentucky House and Gov. Andy Beshear announcing proposed budgets for the next biennium, area educators are excited, but thinking realistically, about some of the historic investments in education in each plan.

On Monday, the governor announced his two-year budget proposal, which includes almost $2 billion in additional funding for public education, from preschool through 12th grade. He will present this spending plan Thursday to lawmakers.

Specifically, the governors proposal calls for offering free preschool to all 4-year-olds and fully funding professional development. It also includes a significant increase of 12.5% in the Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) funding per pupil for districts.

SEEK is the states primary K-12 funding formula, and it is set at $4,000 per pupil. Beshears plan calls for that to increase to $4,300 in the first year and $4,500 in the second year of the two-year budget. The House GOP budget calls for the amount to increase to $4,100 in the first year and $4,200 in the second year.

A 5% raise for school personnel, as well as restoring funding for textbooks and classroom materials, is also in Beshears plan.

Both budget plans call for the state to fully fund all-day kindergarten. Districts provide all-day kindergarten, but are only funded at about 50% of the cost to do so. Both plans also call for increasing funding for student transportation. The state now funds about half the cost of transportation for students, and Beshears plan proposes to fully fund districts transportation costs. The House GOP plan proposes to increase transportation funding to 70%.

School leaders all agree that while this is the early stages of the budgets legislative process, both plans are encouraging.

Matthew Constant, Owensboro Public Schools superintendent, said both budgets are education friendly and education forward and that both plans  or a compromise among both  will move K-12 education forward in terms of offering more resources for students.

I know that in the legislative process, neither proposal will be the final version, but they are both good places to start from, he said. I am impressed that both the legislature and the governor see the value and are putting the value behind early education. We have needed and lobbied for full-day kindergarten for years.

He said that is a welcome relief.

Daviess County Public Schools Superintendent Matt Robbins agreed, and he said that the district has been offering full-day kindergarten services for at least two decades. He said having funding from the state for this program is long overdue.

Im very pleased that seems to be a hallmark of both budgets, he said.

Robbins also said he knows the budget proposals are in the beginning stages of a long process and that a lot of changes are likely to occur before the final budget is adopted. However, both budgets appear to be a move forward.

We have been dealing with flat-lined budgets for at least two bienniums now, he said. To see positive traction there of any kind in both of them .... it looks like there are opportunities for compromise, so we can reach some key goals and objectives.

He and Constant both said the governors proposal for universal preschool is attractive because statistics strongly suggest the benefits of early education for all.

Ohio County Schools Superintendent Seth Southard said he is encouraged about the governors support for public education, but that he is also a realist. Thinking about what this added support could mean for students is exciting, but not feasible.

I dont see the revenue will be there to support (the governors) budget, Southard said. I am very cautious.

He said its great to have a governor that is pro-education, and he commends Beshear for that. He also said he would be happy with either budget because both mean a step forward for public education, and whatever compromise the two entities come to still gives districts more resources and freedoms.

Muhlenberg County Schools Superintendent Robby Davis also said seeing possible added investments in public education at the state level is very encouraging.

Our kids deserve it, and we all benefit when our students have added opportunities to succeed, Davis said.

Tommy Burrough, McLean County Public Schools superintendent, said its hard to get hopeful when it comes to early budget proposals because they often change so much throughout the legislative process. However, he said what he has seen from both the House GOP and the governors plans will benefit students.

As long as we dont go backward and we are moving forward, that is a plus, he said. Anything extra we can get above and beyond what we have is a plus for the district and the kids, but its a waiting game at this point.

Phone calls and emails were not immediately returned from representatives of the Hancock County Schools district.

Bobbie Hayse, bhayse@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-691-7315
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When I was growing up, words like courage, integrity, honesty and public service meant something. After four years of President Trump, it appears that lying, cheating, stealing, cowardice and insurrection against the U.S. democracy have absolutely no consequence to being a Republican leader.
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Applications are now being accepted for the Porcupine Mountains Artist-in-Residence Program for 2022 spring, summer and fall and winter 2022-2023 residencies. The program is open to artists and artisans whose work can be influenced by the unique northern wilderness setting of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - also known as "the Porkies." Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the park encompasses 25 miles of wave-washed shores, four inland lakes, entire river systems, countless waterfalls, enchanting wooded peaks and an escarpment that rises slowly from the edge of Lake Superior until it plummets abruptly into the Carp River valley. Still, the park's most impressive feature - and the reason for its creation - is its virgin forest of eastern hemlock and northern hardwoods and the variety of flora and fauna that it supports. Because of these attributes, the park is an ideal location to inspire creativity. The Artist-in-Residence Program offers writers, composers and all visual and performing artists an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the Porkies and to express it through their art form. Each year, artists are selected for residencies lasting a minimum of two weeks. They are given the use of a rustic cabin located on the Little Union River and, if requested, a three-night backcountry permit so that each may live in and explore the park's 60,000 acres of natural beauty, ranging from stunning vistas to 90 miles of rugged backcountry trails. The program is open to all art forms except those that may be inconsistent with the mission of the park. Selection is based on artistic integrity, ability to reside in a wilderness environment, the artist's ability to relate to and interpret the park through their art medium and a willingness to donate an original, finished piece of art inspired by their stay in the Porkies. Artists will also be asked to share their experiences with the public through a demonstration or talk during their residencies. Application materials for the Porcupine Mountains Artist-in-Residence Program can be found at the Friends of the Porkies webpage at Porkies.org/Artist-in-Residence. Applications for the 2022-2023 season must be received by Feb. 14, 2022. Selected artists will be notified by phone in mid-April, and by will be posted by April 22 on the Friends webpage and on Facebook at Friends of the Porkies.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2022

Contact: Kathleen Achtenberg, achtenbergk@michigan.org

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Announces Welch Foods Expansion Creating Up to 57 Jobs in Southwest Michigan

Global manufacturer of jams, jellies, and beverages investing more than $26 million, adding up to 57 jobs in Van Buren County

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today to announce that Welch Foods is expanding its operations in the village of Lawton, where it will create up to 57 jobs for Michigan workers.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $26.2 million, supported by $588,725 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds awarded to Van Buren County. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in several other states.

"Michigan's business climate and highly skilled workforce provide an environment where businesses like Welch's can grow and thrive, creating good-paying jobs for Michiganders,"?said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "We're pleased that this iconic brand has chosen to expand in Michigan, helping to continue to grow our state's vital agribusiness industry. With the help of companies like Welch Foods, we can build back our state's economy stronger than ever."?

Welch Foods Inc. has produced grape juices, jams, and jellies since 1869 and has had operations in Michigan since 1919. The company is experiencing increasing demand for single-serve beverages, and after reviewing its options for potential sites in different states, has made the decision to locate its new bottling line at its facility in Lawton. At least 30 of the 57 new jobs will be held by low-to moderate-income individuals in order to meet national CDBG objectives. The CDBG funds will assist with the acquisition of machinery and equipment needed for the expansion.

"Welch's is pleased that our close partnership with UFCW Local 825 has enabled us to commit to this investment, which will support our growth, continue to bring living-wage jobs to the community, and help us make Welch's an employer of choice in Van Buren County," said Welch Foods Inc., A Cooperative Chief Supply Chain Officer Merrell Bennett. "The State of Michigan is a great place to grow, and we are grateful for the efforts of state and local officials that are helping us make this project a reality."

The project will have a large impact in a rural community and reflects the company's long-term commitment to the area and to the state of Michigan. In addition, the project will revitalize underutilized property into food-grade production space that will allow for future growth. The investment is also important for continued relationships with Michigan growers and suppliers and to strengthen the regionally significant agribusiness industry.

"Congratulations to the entire Welch's team on your tremendous growth and success in Southwest Michigan! We appreciate your continued vote of confidence in our state and in our agricultural and manufacturing workforce," said?Quentin Messer, Jr.,?CEO of the MEDC and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. "This project is an economic win for Van Buren County and for the entire state. We're proud to join our local partners as we celebrate Welch's expansion in Michigan and look forward to continuing to work together to grow and add jobs for Michigan residents."

"The village of Lawton is excited by Welch's decision to expand in our community," said Lawton Village Manager Lisa Imus. "We look forward to the new job opportunities and growth that this investment will bring to our residents and neighbors."

"We're thankful for our partners at the village of Lawton, Van Buren County and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation who made securing this grant for Welch Foods Cooperative possible," said Market Van Buren Executive Director Zach Morris. "Welch's decision to invest in Southwest Michigan is a testament to our region's competitive advantages and local leadership's collaborative spirit."

Van Buren County will also contribute staff time and resources in support of the project. For information on careers with Welch Foods, visit https://www.welchs.com/careers/.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy.?For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit?www.MichiganBusiness.org.?For Pure Michigan tourism information, your trip begins at?www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on:?Facebook,?Instagram,?LinkedIn, and?Twitter.

# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2022

Contact: Ron Leix, LeixR@michigan.gov

Governor Whitmer Supports Local Communities by Distributing Funding to More Than 1,650 Cities, Villages and Townships Across the State

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced that the Michigan Department of Treasury has distributed more than $319 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to more than 1,650 communities in Michigan.

These ARPA dollars provided to cities, villages and townships across the state can be used to respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, bring back jobs, provide premium pay to essential workers, make up for lost revenue or invest in water, sewer or high-speed interest infrastructure. Local units of government have until 2024 to identify projects and obligate funds.

"This funding represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Michigan's communities to make investments in local economies, services, infrastructure, and so much more," Governor Whitmer said. "I encourage our dedicated local officials to look at how they can effectively utilize these dollars to invest in aging roads and bridges, replace lead-service lines or provide broadband to underserved communities. We can use this funding to put Michiganders first and make investments today that will benefit generations to come."

"These ARPA funds will facilitate transformative growth in Saginaw and provide opportunities to build our economy, uplift our residents, and strengthen our community," said Brenda Moore, Mayor of Saginaw.

"The American Rescue funds will allow Marquette County to address some of its local challenges and priorities such as affordable housing, homelessness, childcare challenges, as well as the opportunity to partner with others to address County wide matters," said Marquette County Commission Board Chair Gerry Corkin. "It will also provide an opportunity to focus on long term facility infrastructure challenges that the County has not been able to fund. These dollars will be spent in many different ways that will benefit Marquette County, its business, and residents."

In total, ARPA will allocate more than $644 million in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to Michigan's smaller communities. The U.S. Department of Treasury will release the second half of the award to Michigan in mid-2022, providing communities a second payment once the funds are received from federal government and appropriated by the legislature.

The U.S. Treasury Department is responsible for directly distributing $1.80 billion to 49 Michigan metropolitan cities and townships and $1.93 billion to all 83 Michigan counties. The state of Michigan is responsible for distributing federal ARPA dollars to smaller cities, villages and townships, known as Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) of Local Government.

The Michigan Department of Treasury worked with local government partners and NEUs through webinars, phone calls and certified letters to ensure local officials wouldn't miss the opportunity to claim their allotted federal funds. This summer, the Michigan Legislature passed and Governor Whitmer signed into law the bill that appropriated the funds.

Local units of government that have yet to claim their funds still have time to do so. A completed, error-free application must be received by 4 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2022.

"I am pleased by the efforts taken by my staff and our local government partners to get these federal dollars into the pockets of our local communities," State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. "Local units of government should take their time to plan to use these dollars in a viable and sustainable manner that will have a lasting impact. The Michigan Department of Treasury continues to be a resource for helping local officials navigate through the ARPA process."

The U.S. Treasury Department is responsible for providing rules on how local units of government can spend their ARPA dollars.

Details about the state Treasury Department disbursements to NEUs is available. To learn more about the program, go to Michigan.gov/ARPA.

###
Courtesy photo

Organizations in northwest Lower Michigan can now apply for grants to provide training for local employers and individuals.

The State of Michigan has allocated over $135,000 to implement the Michigan Workforce Training Center Equipment Grant Program in northwest Lower Michigan, according to a news release. Networks Northwest in one of 15 agencies in the state that will be awarding the grants.
MIDDLETOWN  Teachers and other public schools staff wore black on Wednesday as part of a state-wide effort by educators to raise concerns about safety in schools as COVID-19 cases continue to reach new highs.

Members belonging to a coalition of unions representing over 60,000 public school employees in the state participated in the event. Many shared photos to social media accompanied by the hashtag #Blackout4SafeSchools.

The move is a form of protest over safety concerns in schools amid the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. Participants desire more support and resources from the state, as well as flexibility in allowing the option of remote learning, they said.

Members of three local unions, representing the majority of the Middletown Public Schools staff, joined the cause: the Middletown Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1381; Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals, AFT Local 3161; and AFSCME Local 466.

Cindy Culp, a paraeducator at Middletown High School and president of the local paraprofessionals union, said that 90 percent of members were outfitted in black Wednesday.

Our hope is to bring awareness to the need for safer protocols to protect us and our students during this unprecedented time, she said.

Brooke Carta, a Middletown Public Schools secretary and vice president of AFSCME Local 466, said that this issue isnt about Middletown schools in particular.

Its about school district employees across Connecticut coming together to ask the governor and the state Department of Education to help us better protect the health and safety of our students and staff, Carta said.

Jessica B. Lavorgna, director of communications for Middletown Public Schools, said the district shares the desire for a safe working and learning environment.

Middletown Public Schools supports its teachers and staffs right to voice their concerns, she said. When students, faculty, and staff feel safe and supported, they are able to learn, teach, and work to their highest potential.

Concerns are shared by parents of school children as well. Heather Duguay has two kids enrolled in the district. She is also one of the organizers of the Rally for Virtual Learning in CT movement, a group advocating for remote learning as an option for parents.

So far, Duguay said the governors office and state education officials have not listened. I dont understand why theyre so against it, she said.

She said its especially confusing during this recent spike in cases, adding that classes arent operating as they should anyway. Keeping kids in school isnt benefiting them. Theres too many kids and staff out.

Recently, Middletown High School had to dismiss students early due to staff shortages caused by COVID-19. As of Tuesday, there were 163 students out with confirmed positive cases, and an additional 149 quarantining due to close contact, according to the district tracker.

Lavorgna agreed that the recent spike in COVID-19 cases is concerning.

This spike has disrupted not only student learning due to faculty and staff needing to be out for COVID-related reasons, but also has affected the comfort with which we are simply able to be in our schools, Lavorgna said.

She added that as of right now, remote learning is not an option, which has increased the burden on an already strained system.

Needing to adhere to the Connecticut State Department of Educations and governors guidance, school districts do not have the authority to pivot to remote learning, Lavorgna said.

Duguay said she hopes the blackout brings more awareness to the issue. She and her kids also wore the color to show their support.

I feel for them, Duguay said about the teachers. Theyre the ones that are suffering the most.

Duguays group started an online petition to make distance learning an option at least until the spike in positive cases subsides. It has already gained over 10,000 signatures.
STAMFORD  A 77-year-old New Canaan man accused of fatally shooting his wife in 2021 is expected to plead not guilty by way of insanity, according to his attorney.

Attorney Mark Sherman said during a remote court hearing Tuesday morning that he expects his client Albert Kokoth to proceed with an insanity defense once an expert concludes her evaluation of his client.

Kokoth was charged with murder in July after evidence from New Canaan Police allegedly showed he had fired his shotgun, emptied the cartridges, reloaded and fired again in the fatal shooting of his wife, 75-year-old Margaret Kokoth, which he told police was an accident.

Kokoth was previously charged with second-degree assault, second-degree assault with a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm for the fatal shooting.

Sherman said he believes the report will show that Kokoth is dealing with a very serious mental health problem when it is completed over the next three to four weeks.

This tragedy was the result of a mental health condition that we are currently investigating, Sherman said.

Once the evaluation is completed, Sherman would need to formally request a trial by a three-judge panel. The panel would then decide if the defendant is guilty, not guilty, or not guilty by way of insanity.

If Kokoth is found not guilty by reason of insanity, the court would then order him committed to confinement at the Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown for an evaluation of his mental condition. Following that evaluation, the court would then hold a hearing to determine whether he should be indefinitely confined, conditionally released, or discharged.

Cases that center around the insanity defense are relatively rare around the courthouse. In fact, only two defendants have been found not guilty by reason of insanity since 2017.

The latest instance was in 2019 when Judge John Blawie found Imani Monique Brown, then 26, not guilty by way of mental disease or defect of slashing the throat of a sleeping bagel worker at a Stamford bakery. Following the verdict, Brown was committed to Whiting until she is no longer a danger to herself or others.

Assistant States Attorney Danie Cummings said the state will need to review the experts evaluation before deciding how it will proceed on Kokoths case.

Kokoth is accused of slaying his wife and trying to cover up the homicide as an accident, according to his arrest affidavit.

The 77-year-old told police he was showing his wife a shotgun before a trip to a local gun range when he accidentally shot her, the report said. When officers asked if she was still breathing, the report said, Kokoth allegedly chuckled and said he didnt believe so.

A neighbor told investigators they heard two shots from the Kokoth home about 15 minutes apart.

The Kokoths daughter told police that Margaret Kokoth knew he owned the shotgun for years, the report said. Their daughters husband told authorities, according to the report, that his wife told him recently, if they dont do something, theyre going to find (Margaret Kokoth) shot dead.

Kokoth has been held on $2 million bond since his arrest in May.

He is next expected to appear at state Superior Court in Stamford on March 7.
East Hartford Police / Contributed Photo

EAST HARTFORD  A 15-year-old boy from Hartford was charged in connection with a 17-year-old who was fatally shot Sunday afternoon, police said.

The juvenile, who police did not identify, was charged with first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and is in state custody, the East Hartford Police Department said Tuesday.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
The man in charge of the Navy's surface forces has rolled out a new plan to ready the fleet for a possible conflict with China and Russia and announced that he knows how many ships he needs to fend off the two nations.

But Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener is not saying what that number is, at least not publicly.

Instead of total ships, Kitchener and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said the Navy's new strategy, unveiled Tuesday, is focused on bold action to face foreign adversaries as it struggles with ship maintenance, delivering new technologies and institutional learning across the service.

Read Next: Service Chiefs Warn PCSs, Bonuses and Training Are Under Threat Without Spending Bill from Congress

"While some of the press reports out there about the technological wizardry of China and Russia are overdone, the progress they are making is substantial and the threat they pose is real," Kitchener told a crowd at the annual Surface Navy Association's symposium Tuesday in Alexandria, Virginia.

"We must align and accelerate our efforts to maintain our warfighting advantage," he said.

The commander of naval surface forces said the Navy now has "a really good idea of how many ready ships we need at any given time." He even referred to that number as his "North Star."

However, during a conversation with reporters after the speech, he said that he would not release it publicly.

Since the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, which requires the Navy to expand to 355 ships, the service has been aiming to meet that goal. The service currently has about 297 battle force ships, including logistics and supply vessels. The target number has been subject to partisan wrangling over the years, but it has also been complicated by the Navy's recent issues in fielding both the Littoral Combat Ships and Zumwalt-class destroyers.

Meanwhile, Kitchener said the new 10-year plan revolves around five points of effort, with each assigned a responsible flag officer. It includes improving sailor training and development, producing more ready-to-deploy ships, smoother introduction of new types of ships to the fleet, forming "clear and innovative" operational concepts, and creating new infrastructure that the future fleet can use for coordination and combat.

According to Kitchener, the single most important factor in getting more ready ships is maintenance -- an area that has been a weakness for the Navy in recent years. A U.S. government watchdog report found that the service has generally struggled with completing repair work on time and incurred more than 38,600 days of maintenance delays between 2014 and 2020.

Kitchener said that the Navy is tackling the problem, but "we're by no means done with this work, or satisfied with our results." The admiral said that the branch is "applying an analytic approach to maintenance."

Gilday, the Navy's top uniformed leader, offered a similarly sober assessment of the challenges before the sea service at the conference.

The Navy has seen "instances of unsatisfactory human performance ... depletion of shipyard maintenance availability, and failure to deliver game-changing, innovative technologies," Gilday said.

He said two factors are holding the Navy back: too large a gap between the most and least capable performers, and an outdated approach to institutional learning and problem solving.

"This is the critical decade -- our decade to get real and to get better," Gilday said.

Kitchener said the surface fleet "must better align in order to get in front of the challenges we face  challenges stemming from serious strategic competition and the complexity of the force we are becoming."

"The threat is real, the challenge is considerable, and what brought us here isn't going to take us forward," he said.

The Navy plan released Tuesday said it aims to take the challenges and the service's strategy and translate them "into bold action."

The "call to action is urgent," and Navy leaders will need to move forward "with strategic discipline and make hard choices amidst scarce resources," according to the plan.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: 11 Days from Outbreak to Recovery: Milwaukee's Vaccinated Crew Back at Sea
A Navy MH-60S "Seahawk" helicopter was forced down in a field and crashed into trees Wednesday northwest of Norfolk, Virginia, causing injuries to a passenger, Navy and state officials confirmed.

Virginia State Police said in an emailed statement to Military.com that the helicopter was making an emergency landing in an open field, and "the momentum of the craft caused it to slide into the wood line" in Isle of Wight County.

Released photos show the aircraft tangled in the woods with its rotor blades twisted and broken, tree limbs lying over its roof, and its nose smashed.

A Navy helicopter crashed into a forest while making an emergency landing January 12, 2022, in Virginia. (Credit: Virginia State Police)

Read Next: Navy Blasted as Ineffective on Capitol Hill as Budget Crisis Looms

"The craft struck several trees sustaining damage to the front cockpit area and both sides of the landing skids," the police statement said.

Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Robert Myers confirmed the crash and said that the aircraft was part of Norfolk-based Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26.

State police said that the two pilots were not injured, but "the back passenger was transported to the hospital with minor injuries." Myers said the injuries were non-life threatening.

A Navy helicopter crashed into a forest while making an emergency landing January 12, 2022, in Virginia. (Credit: Virginia State Police)

The Navy did not release the identity of the three crew members.

"The care and well-being of our crew remains our top priority and we will investigate the cause of this incident," Myers said in his statement.

Virginia State Police confirmed that the Navy has taken over the investigation and noted that the FAA is not involved.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Navy Blasted as Ineffective on Capitol Hill as Budget Crisis Looms
Are you wondering what to wear for your first civilian interview? If you are a man, I've got you covered with what to wear for your interview. If you are a woman -- a female service member, a female veteran or a female spouse? Well, then you have my heartfelt sympathy. Because for you, the whole story of what to wear to your interview is a landmine of judginess.

The What-Not-To-Wear Blues

I learned this when I was teaching a course on how to get your first job after the military. When the class did presentations about what to wear for interviews for men, it was always about what they should wear. Suit. Tie. Good shoes. Dark socks. They always reminded each other to wear socks.

When it came to what women should wear, the class did what we always do with women. We did not talk about what women should wear. We talked about what women should NOT wear. Not too tight. Not too short. Not too low cut. Not too shiny. Not too glittery. Not too, too much of any of that stuff that comes with the female form. Ridiculous.

Female Veterans Already Knew What Not to Wear

For female veterans, their biggest concern was how to choose from the huge variety of women's clothing out there. They did not want to look like they could only wear a uniform. They did not want to look had missed some secret signal every other civilian woman their age learned on the job.

The thing is, these female veterans actually did know how to dress for work -- in a uniform. Just like there is a uniform of the day in the military, there is already a uniform for the job interview, depending on your job level and the prospective company. Your location can play a part in what to wear, too. (Hawaii, you know I'm talking to you.)

Go Ahead and Ask What to Wear

While it is always smart to ask the recruiter, the HR person or the hiring manager for the company's dress code before the interview, it is likely that you either will forget to do this or you will skip this step because you don't want to look needy. So I put together this Uniform Code of Interview Awesomeness just for you.

Uniform Code of Interview Awesomeness

Some what-to-wear rules go with every job level and every company. Keep these rules in mind, whether you are shopping for interview clothes or you have to go to an interview today.

1. Solid colors read as more sophisticated.

Your clothes are the frame for your accomplishments. Florals, stripes, polka dots, plaids, ikats, etc. can show some personality, but they also can distract the interviewer from listening to what you say instead of thinking about what you are wearing.

2. Neutrals look more expensive.

Even among solid colors, neutrals like black, gray, navy, ivory, white and camel are usually what we think of for an interview. I'm also a fan of other solid colors that make your eyes bright and your skin glow, but I don't know whether you can fully trust me on this. I'm a big believer that when in doubt, wear red.

3. Choose simple before complicated.

If you are choosing between two things to wear to an interview, always go for the simple choice because the look will read as classic. (This is how I always avoid anything requiring a bow. Or a ruffle.)

4. Closed-toe shoes are more professional.

For whatever reason, open-toed shoes are not welcome at a job interview for women or men. Toes are, apparently, the symbol of wanting to frolic on the beach, not go to work.

5. Pantyhose have not been cool since 1995.

Feel free to skip the pantyhose even at an interview with a conservative company. Unless you are the duchess of Cambridge. Or you are over 50. Then if you wanna wear hose, you go ahead and wear them. Make yourself happy. You earned it.

Interview Uniform of the Day Based On Type of Business

No matter where you are interviewing, keep in mind that the purpose of an interview is to help the hiring manager see who you are and what you could contribute to their team. Wearing the expected thing lets the interviewer remember you, not your clothes. Here are some guidelines based on where you are looking for work.

1. Informational interview

You might not be thinking that an informational interview has a dress code. If you are meeting people on the phone, it does not. If you are meeting people in person, it does. You show your respect for the person taking time out of their day for you by dressing the part. If they are coming from work, you wear business casual. This usually means dress pants with a nice blouse or sweater. I'm also a fan of the blazer/jeans/boots outfit.

2. Conservative company interview

Very few interviews require a full-on business suit. If you are interviewing for a job in law, finance, government or anything else that is going to make someone trust you with millions of dollars, go with a dark interview suit with pale blouse. Or you can do a shift dress with a jacket. Dress shoes. Classy handbag. Tasteful necklace.

Go to a store like Ann Taylor or Banana Republic or Talbots so you can buy suit separates in person. If you know the brand and the sizes well, you can get extremely good prices on workwear through the online marketplace Poshmark, especially if the item is marked New With Tags (NWT) or New Without Tags (NWOT).

3. School, health-care or retail interview

Schools, hospitals and retailers can be a little less structured, but they still want to see a professional you. If you like dresses, go with a shift or a fit-and-flare dress. You could wear a dressy blouse and pencil skirt. Or dress pants with a blouse or nice sweater.

If you are young and your money for new clothes is very limited, buy one new blouse or a new sweater in black or navy. The style should make you think "professional." Keep it only for your interviews, and it will always look nice.

4. Sales or IT interview

Even if what you would be doing for work is at home on the phone or the computer, there is still a convention that you dress up for an interview with a nice shirt, sweater or jacket.

If you really hate shopping for clothes, you can get around this with one of the try-before-you-buy subscription services like Wantable, Stitch Fix or Nordstrom Trunk Club. Be really specific when you fill out your profile. Tell your stylist you are looking for tops for work that will look great for a Zoom interview. It is amazing what those stylists can find for you.

5. Creative power interview

If you are going to an interview with a creative company, anything goes. Show your personality. In Silicon Valley, the HR department of companies like Google, Apple and Facebook send you a note, telling you not to worry about dressing up for the interview; they want to know you as you are. Which is nice. For other creative interviews with media or fashion, you can always go with head-to-toe black. As Coco Chanel said, "When I find a color darker than black, I'll wear it."

Whether you are a female veteran or a spouse, when it comes to the interview, we all hate being judged by how we dress or how we look. Follow these guidelines, and you can let yourself stop worrying about your clothes during the interview. Instead, you can spend that time preparing for that new job with your certifications, strengths and stories about how you can take the skills you learned in the military and apply them to a whole new world.

Learn More About the Veteran Employment Project

To get more tips on how to make a successful military transition, sign up for one of our FREE Military Transition Master Classes today. You can view previous classes in our video library. Questions for Jacey? Visit our Facebook page.

Jacey Eckhart is Military.com's transition master coach. She is a certified professional career coach and military sociologist who helps military members get their first civilian job by offering career-level Master Classes through our Veteran Employment Project and on her website SeniorMilitaryTransition.com. Reach her at Jacey.Eckhart@Monster.com.

I
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11.01.2022 LISTEN

The case of Okechukwu Nweke, accused of harmful magic and tortured to death in Ezza North in Ebonyi state, has once again demonstrated the incompetence and lack of diligence in the Nigeria police force. This sordid reality is once again manifesting itself. Mr. Nweke was last seen on August 28, 2021. On this day, a lynch mob abducted him, dragged him to the village square where he was severely beaten. Nweke's was later thrown into the Akadoro river. His body has yet to be recovered. His alleged murderers went through his phone and transferred five million naira. The case was reported to the state police command in Abakiliki and a police investigative officer (IPO) was assigned to handle the matter. Unfortunately, almost six months since the alleged killing and disappearance of this young man, nothing has come out of the investigation. It has been one excuse after another. A source in Abakiliki told the Advocacy for Alleged Witches, that Nweke's family members 'mobilized' the police to go and carry out an arrest of the suspects.

But the police were unable to arrest the suspects. The IPO claimed that the road that led to the village, Inyere, was impassable. So he, along with his team, had to turn back and return to their station in Abakiliki. However, some locals who know the Inyere community very well said that this was not the case; that the police officers made this claim to kill the matter. Some community leaders were among the suspects and must have bribed the IPO and the police command in Abakiliki.

AfAW contacted the commissioner of police who pledged to look into the matter. After meeting with the CP, the IPO sent letters inviting the suspects for questioning, which was in December last year. The IPO sent the letter through Mrs. Rose Nwankwo, who is the coordinator, Imoha Development Center, Ezza North. She is also from Inyere community and is also aware of the case of Mr. Nweke. Incidentally, none of the suspects has reported at the police station. Local sources have confirmed that the suspects received the letters because some of them had called relatives of Mr. Nweke asking to know who included their names in the list of suspects.

Some of the suspects and their allies have invited Nweke's relatives to the village for a meeting. But the relatives have declined to attend any meeting. At the moment, no measure is being taken to facilitate the arrest of these suspects. There is no movement on the investigation of the alleged murder and disappearance of Mr. Nweke. As in other cases of witch bloodletting, if the police refused to take further action, the matter would fizzle out. The alleged murder and disappearance of Nweke would not be accounted for. The torture of Mr. Nweke did not happen in some dark corner in Ezza North. It happened in the open, in the public, and was captured in a photo.

The state, zonal, and federal police commands should understand that they must ensure that the suspected killers of Mr. Nweke are arrested, investigated, and eventually prosecuted. The police should not allow the matter to die. They should stop giving flimsy excuses for delaying and compromising the investigation of this case. The family of Mr. Nweke needs justice. They want to know what happened to their son and brother since he was last seen in August last year. They need answers and closure to many questions: Is he still alive? Is he dead? If he is dead, what killed him? Who killed him? When? where? and how?

Police in Ebonyi, please do your duty!
Nineteen people have been killed in drone strikes in Ethiopia's Tigray over the past two days, aid workers and hospital officials told AFP on Tuesday, the latest reported attacks in the war-stricken region.

In the deadliest strike on Monday in the southern Tigray town of Mai Tsebri, 17 people working at a flour mill lost their lives, said one of the humanitarian workers, citing witness accounts.

The aid worker said dozens of people were also injured and 16 donkeys killed.

"A witness told me that the drones came and hovered a bit before dropping bombs. Then people panicked but after some minutes everyone heard huge shouting and they went to the scene to see that women and donkeys died."

In another strike on Tuesday, two people were killed and dozens injured in Hiwane, south of Tigray's capital Mekele, according to an official and a doctor from the city's main hospital.

The attacks came after dozens of people were reported killed and many more injured in a drone strike Friday on a camp in northwestern Tigray for people displaced by Ethiopia's brutal 14-month-old conflict.

It was not possible to independently verify the reports because access to Tigray is restricted and it remains under a communications blackout.

An Ethiopian government spokeswoman said Tuesday she had no information on the alleged strikes.

'Ongoing hostilities'

Rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) say government forces are continuing to wage air strikes despite them retreating to their Tigray stronghold in December.

Their withdrawal followed a government offensive that led to the recapture of a string of strategic towns, and had raised hopes of a possible opening towards a ceasefire.

On Friday, the government announced an amnesty for several senior TPLF figures and other high-profile opposition leaders in what it said was a bid to pave the way for national dialogue and "unity".

Map of Ethiopia and the region of Tigray. By Aude GENET AFP

The fighting between forces loyal to Abiy and the TPLF and their allies has killed thousands of people and forced several million from their homes since it erupted in November 2020.

Tigray itself is under what the UN calls a de facto blockade that is preventing life-saving food and medicine from reaching its six million people, including hundreds of thousands in famine-like conditions.

Monday's reported strike came on the same day that US President Joe Biden voiced concern about the continuing violence in a phone call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Biden expressed concern that "ongoing hostilities, including recent air strikes, continue to cause civilian casualties and suffering," according to a White House statement.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, himself a Tigrayan, said on Twitter he was "deeply concerned about reports of another drone strike in #Tigray, resulting in injuries and death of too many civilians".

"I echo (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for an end to the conflict in Ethiopia and for humanitarian aid to be urgently allowed in."

The aid workers who spoke to AFP Tuesday also said the attack on the displaced persons camp in Dedebit in northwestern Tigray had killed 59 people, with one reporting 138 wounded.

In the wake of that strike, aid agencies suspended their operations in the area, according to the UN's emergency response agency OCHA.
The Teshie Mantse Palace has debunked allegation on various social media platforms that His Royal Majesty Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, Teshie Mantse and a Member of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs is under 'house arrest."

The Palace in a statement signed by the Teshie Dzasetse, Nii Ashikwei Kwaobotswe II described the allegations as a wicked lie calculated at tarnishing the hard won reputation of the Teshie Mantse.

The statement challenged the faceless 'coward and pathological liar' hiding behind a purported Akro Concerned Youth Group, to show his face and true identity and show proof of the allegation.

The statement further challenged the 'faceless liar' to come out with documents to show that Teshie Mantse has been detained and therefore cannot travel because his purported date of installation is defective.

"Let all men know by these presents that Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra III was installed as Teshie Mantse on 14th December, 2014 which has been captured and confirmed by the National Register of Chiefs Serial Entry No. 933 and same advertised on page 4 of the Daily Graphic of Thursday, October, 17, 2019."

According to the statement, Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra II since his installation as Teshie Mantse has never been detained by any person and that he has at all material times lived and worked in the ancient Teshie Mantse Palace on his own free will and volition without any let or hindrance.

The statement revealed that, since the failed assassination attempt on Nii Akomfra II in August 2021, he has travelled in and out of the country on two occasions and has been attending regular meetings of the GARHCS and State functions at the Jubilee House, Parliament, LEKMA and several other engagements.

"Therefore, the allegation that he has been prevented from travelling or is running away from his royal duties is also a blatant lie," the statement noted.
Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has extended the temporary travel restriction on non-Ghanaians travellers from South Korea.

The Ministry in December 2021 placed a travel ban on travellers from Malta, South Korea, and Israel in the wake of the threat posed by COVID-19 infections.

That of South Korea was to be in effect for 14 days.

However, in its latest communique, that has changed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana wishes to inform the general public that the government of Ghana has extended the temporary travel restriction on all non-Ghanaian travelers arriving from South Korea, until 3rd February 2022.

To this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to state that the general public should take note of the above and adhere to it accordingly, the statement added.

Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has justified the government's decision to place travel restrictions on some countries in the wake of the threat posed by COVID-19 infections.

Dr. Nsiah-Asare maintains that the ban falls in line with the government's efforts to avert a fresh wave of the virus in the country.

He said it was not out of place for the government to resort to a travel ban, as other countries had taken similar steps.

If you go to some countries, they have put some people on red alert. Some countries are on lockdown. All we are saying is that if you want to come to Ghana from outside Ghana make sure you are vaccinated.

citinewsroom
Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, says the Akufo-Addo government may sometimes be forced to make some 'unpalatable' decisions, in the interest of Ghanaians.

He bemoaned that the posture on what revenue mobilization measure is acceptable or not has become dependent on which side a politician is on.

He expects politicians, especially those in opposition parties, to 'stop the hypocrisy' and be truthful to the masses on how critical such decisions are to development.

The Ofoase-Ayirebi Member of Parliament, in an interview on Face to Face on Citi TV cited decisions bordering on revenue generation as one of such initiatives.

The revenue question is bigger than whether or not we are making some money from road tolls. The challenge we have in this country is that, legitimately, Ghanaians are demanding things from the government. The government has only two ways of responding to those demands. You either borrow or raise revenue. We are at a point where our debt to GDP ratio is close to about 80%. It is not healthy for us to go further. We intend to raise some more revenue while plugging out the excess expenditure.

The revenue generation measures since I started politics have never been exciting for Ghanaians. We always find the political class being hypocritical while the government defends it. The moment power switches hands, postures change.

I think the political class should stop the hypocrisy because we all know that without confronting the revenue question, neither of us can fully develop the country to its full potential. We have got to stop the hypocrisy, confront the real issues and tell Ghanaians the truth, he added.

He suggested that the opposition parties rather channel their energies into holding the government of the day accountable.

What we must do is to ensure that when the revenues are raised, people are held accountable for it. I have heard people advise that we earmark the usage of revenue from E-Levy, label every road that is done, and publish such information on an annual basis. I think those are rather brilliant suggestions.

Government intends to charge a 1.75% levy on electronic transactions such as mobile money, bank transfers, and inward remittances in 2022.

The government says portions of revenue collected from the levy will be used to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cybersecurity, digital, and road infrastructure, among others.

Despite reasons given by the government for its implementation, it remains contentious, as Minority Members of Parliament (MP) have tried various means to have it thrown out.

The Minority maintains that the imposition of the levy will inflict more hardship on Ghanaians.

citinewsroom
The Concerned Residents of Aboadi in the Ahanta West Municipal Assembly in the Western Region has accused President Nana Akufo- Addo and his government of laying claim to a project that was financed and built by a private company.

The group wonders whether the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has a research team, for which reason such blunder will be caused, adding that perhaps the NPP wants to cause mischief.

The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo on 23rd December, 2021 posted on his official Facebook wall that his government had constructed this solar powered mechanized water system for about 3,500 for the good people of Ahanta West and captured this water project that was commissioned on Monday, 20th December, 2021 as his evidence.

Convener of the group and former assembly member for the area Ebenezer Essien, at a press conference, said the concerned citizens of Aboadi and Ahanta West are not happy at all about this attitude of the President wanting to 'steal' this project from the private organization that really constructed this water project for us.

He narrated that the project saw the light of day after the Chief of Aboadi had series of engagement with GOS Limited, a Schlumberger JV Company, insisting that at no point in the engagement was President Akufo-Addo and his government mentioned as having played any role.

The Chief of Aboadi, Nana Etsin Kofi II, had some engagements with the management of a private company and lobbied for the project. The private company obliged to put up this very nice solar mechanized water project. When the company was ready to start the project, it was our Chief who gave the company this piece of land for the project. The private organization that decided to give the good people of Aboadi this water project is GOS LIMITED COMPANY (A SCHLUMBERGER JV COMPANY). They agreed with our Chief to undertake this project because it was part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and to see to it that the people of Aboadi have clean and potable drinking water.

Ebenezer Essien believes that the concerned citizens of Aboadi and Ahanta need an unqualified apology from H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo , the President of Ghana for peddling falsehoods and knowingly deceiving the public and wants to reap where he has not planted at all.

---3news.com
12.01.2022 LISTEN

George Opare Offei, a father of a 7-year-old school boy broke down in tears on Tuesday when he received news that his son had drowned in a septic tank.

Raymond Opare-Ansah Offei, a class three pupil of High Mowing International School fell in open septic tank filled with water at the back of the school yesterday.

He was rushed to the Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua but was pronounced dead on arrival.

From the fathers narration, management of the private school informed him on phone that his son accidentally fell into a septic tank in the school and was rushed to the Regional Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

Mr. George Opare Offei after receiving the news reported the incident to the Adweso District Police command. He was then assigned to some detectives who accompanied him to the school located at Okorase.

The Police detectives after meeting with Daniel Mantey who is the Proprietor of the School proceeded to the scene of the septic tank where investigations into the death of the school boy commenced.

Sources tell Modernghana News that after examining the body of the seven-year-old, there were no visible marks of violence on the body.

The Police are continuing with the investigations to ascertain what led to Raymond Opare-Ansah Offei falling into the open septic tank.
A delegation from the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), led by their Chairperson, Nana Akosua Frimpomaa, on Tuesday, paid a courtesy call on Madam Olga Syradin, Guinea's Ambassador to Ghana to mark the 100th birthday of Sekou Toure.

A press statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the courtesy call was on the occasion of the "100th birthday of Comrade Sekou Toure, one of the remarkable leaders of the African Liberation Struggle in Guinea, who led it to independence from France in 1958."

The CPP delegation was made up of the National Women Organizer, Hajia Aisha Futa, the National Treasurer, Opare Addo, Director of Elections, Yakubu Alhasan, the Welfare Officer, Joyce Larbie and Mr. Dickson Mensah, an external visual director for media at the office of the Chairperson of the Party.

Nana Frimpomaa, said Sekou Toure's great contributions to "revolutionary Pan Africanism" in general and Guinean independence, in particular, embraced the African spirit of brotherhood.

"I stand in the same seat of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah before he passed on. We, the new leadership of the Convention Peoples Party believe that the glory of our founding fathers and their hard work must continue.

"I believe that the love exhibited by Sekou Toure and Dr. Nkrumah is worth emulating and that their good intention of uniting Africa must continue," she said.

The statement said the Chairperson re-ignited the Party's relationship with "brothers and sisters in Guinea and say 'Ayikoo' to the departed soul of Comrade Sekou Toure who came to the rescue of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and invited him to Guinea."

"It is remarkable to know from history that when Dr. Nkrumah arrived in Guinea on March 2, 1966, together with his bodyguards and a few civil servants who had remained with him, Nkrumah was received by Sekou Toure as Head of State and given a 21-Gun Salute.

"At the airport, Comrade Sekou Toure declared that Kwame Nkrumah would be with him as the Head of State of and Secretary-General of the Guinean Democratic Party, she said in the statement.

The Chairperson said: "After the death of Nkrumah on April 27, 1972, in Romania, where he had travelled for treatment, Sekou Toure declared three days of national mourning throughout Guinea. Toure concluded with the words Nkrumah is not Ghanaian, he is an African, Nkrumah will never die.

The statement said Nana Frimpomaa announced the Party's plans to visit Guinea and learn of where Dr. Nkrumah lived, show appreciation to the people of Guinea to bond friendship, love and mutual understanding for the common good of Africa.

It said the Chairperson presented four plaques and Party paraphernalia to Madam Syradin to initiate a new friendship with the people of Guinea.

Madam Syradin expressed gratitude on behalf of the President of the Republic of Guinea, staff of the Embassy and the Guinean community in Ghana for the visit by the CPP and its leadership and recounted healthy relationship with Ghanaians back in her youthful days in Guinea.

She said Guinea's President Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, would be pleased to learn of the visit by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's CPP and would be willing to connect with his forefather's routes.

Madam Syradin said: " This visit is in the framework of the centenary celebration of Sekou Toure and I am so excited because CPP, the Party of Kwame Nkrumah played a crucial role in securing African Political Liberation."

She said: "The brotherly relationship between Ghana and Guinea is a seal for eternity," and added that Africans were supposed to defend the interest of Africa and develop together and that was what Toure and Nkrumah achieved together.

GNA
Police in the Ashanti Region have debunked claims that two dead bodies have been discovered at the abandoned Kumasi Childrens Park every month.

The Assemblymember for the Afful Nkwanta electoral area, Daniel Otuo Acheampong, in an interview with the media in a bid to call on authorities to redevelop the Kumasi Childrens Park, lamented that the area has become a den for criminals and as such they collect two dead bodies there every month.

At least we pick dead bodies here every month. We are even tired. Students and traders, particularly women, are at times attacked. They usually come here at night, the Assembly member lamented in a Citi News interview.

However, speaking to Citi News, the police commander for B District, popularly known as the Zongo Police Command, Chief Supt. Ameyaw Afriyie said their records show that only one body was discovered in 2021.

What we have in the record is that on July 11, 2021, one unknown dead body, a male, was picked up from the childrens Park getting closer to where the Total filling station is situated. So far, in the year 2021, that was the only dead body that we have picked from that place. So as to the claim that two dead bodies are picked per month, we dont have evidence to that effect.

As residents have reiterated calls for authorities to redevelop the Kumasi Childrens Park, the Manhyia Palace, which directly oversees the facility, says measures have been put in place for phase one of the project to begin, which would be known as the Ashanti World of Wonder.

Chief of Amoaman, Nana Agyenim Boateng disclosed to Citi News the plans the Manhyia Palace has for the project.

We now have come to realisation that it will be very difficult to do that whole twenty-five million dollars at a go, so we now want to build it in phases. Phase one will be the first step. Then we will incorporate the library because already, theyve got the funding. This year 2022, we will start our phases and then join forces with anybody who is also prepared to support the vision of the Ashanti world of wonder, and also, the Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem foundation.
A group calling itself Concerned Ghanaian Doctors has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to halt the ongoing vaccination against COVID-19 across the country.

The group is of the opinion that there is no need for vaccination against COVID-19 if there is early treatment available since countries with very high rates of vaccinated persons such as the UK and Israel are still battling the virus.

The doctors questioned the economic ability of the government to keep up with the booster shots being taken by those countries leading the way in the vaccination against COVID-19.

In a petition dated Monday, 10 January 2022, the group, comprising eleven doctors, noted: These countries have very high vaccination rates, currently deploying booster programmes, yet they are struggling to get the virus under control especially with these new variants.

The petition further noted: Assuming as a country we are to vaccinate more than 50 per cent of our population, are we going to continue with perpetual boosters every 3 to 6 months in an attempt to maintain vaccine-induced immunity for this disease?

Where then is the endpoint when these vaccines do not stop infection or the spread of COVID-19? Is this financially feasible for us as a nation?

The group indicated: If there is safe, effective, affordable, freely available early treatment for Covid-19, vaccines are no longer a priority.

It doesnt take a genius to recognise the financial benefit of pharmaceutical companies in demonising potential early, effective treatments.

If these medications do work, thats wonderful in the human races fight against Covid-19. However, they are practicably placebos if they dont work. Why the suppression and demonising of these early treatments then, if the concern is health.

The group continued: Considering all these, wouldnt it be prudent to pause and ask ourselves whether these novel vaccines are necessary in the first place.

It added: All the relevant metrics show that Ghana and Africa at large have done better than most of the world with respect to the pandemic even before the advent of these vaccines.

It is possible the rest of the world are rather to learn from us.

---classfmonline.com
The CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), Senyo Hosi has lauded Nigerias Matrix Energy Group for constructing a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage depot in Tema.

The newly-built facility, which is known as Matrix Terminals, comprises two gas tanks with a total storage capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes.

The Terminal commenced operations in December 2021 and has been fully licensed as a Storage Depot by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).

During a working visit to the depot, Mr. Hosi tipped the depot to make a positive impact on the Ghanaian petroleum downstream industry in 2022. According to Mr. Hosi, the depot will help boost Ghanas LPG supply security nationwide.

Matrix Terminals hopes to contribute immensely to Ghanas gas industry through a sustained supply of LPG to meet local demand.

Terminal Manager at the depot, Mr. Anthony Olorioke observed that the main aim of this facility is to ensure a safe and efficient delivery of LPG across the country.

Managing Director, Saeed Ahmed Lakho told Mr. Hosi that the company is confident enough about operating within the remits of the local gas industry and is looking forward to playing its part in improving service delivery in the industry.

Satisfied with the depot's state of the art equipment, Mr. Hosi congratulated them on the commencement of operations and wished them well.
12.01.2022 LISTEN

President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Nene Sakite II, has lauded President Nana Akufo-Addos government for making sure that the region gets a fair share of developmental projects in spite of prevailing challenges.

The projects, among a lot more others, significantly include the commencement of the new Regional Hospital in Koforidua, the phase lift of roads in the Eastern region and the extension of the railway network.

According to Nene Sakite II, who is also the Paramount Chief of Manya Krobo, he is giving full testimony to this because almost 70 km of the newly-constructed railway line passes through my territory.

He also expressed profound appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for opening the University of Environment and Development in Kroboland.

Nene Sakite II made this known on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, when he led a delegation of members of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to pay a courtesy call on the President at the Jubilee House in Accra.

While urging President Akufo-Addo to continue effecting this needed facelift to the region, he said you are on the right track, and we want you to leave a legacy in the Eastern Region so that someday, the sons and daughters of the region will say these are all the benedictions of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He also stressed that it is his prayer that we find a more potent cure to this pandemic so that our economy picks up again for us to experience massive development in your second term in office.

Believe me, this pandemic is an emerging, rapidly-evolving situation. We started with Alpha, then Delta, now the world is experiencing Omicron. We must continue to enforce COVID-19 prevention protocols. We cannot relax, he stated.

For his part, President Akufo-Addo, based on the successes chalked in bringing lasting peace to Dagbon, pledged to support efforts toward finding lasting solutions to the several chieftaincy disputes in the Eastern Region.

He touched on the numerous appeals he continues to make to his fathers kinsmen in Akropong that its completely unacceptable that in my time as President, there should be disputes in Akwapim (his hometown) and, indeed, also in the Akyem State of Kotoku, which is part of Akyemansa, for which I am a part.

Asking for participation and inclusion to these issues, he indicated further that these are all areas where these disputes ought to be by now finding a conclusion. But we are going to work hard at it and there, too, we will need your support.
The Damongo Police Command in the West Gonja Municipal of the Savannah Region has intercepted a Sprinter Bus carrying suspected foreigners from neighbouring Togo.

The bus with registration number AS-9399-12 was intercepted at the Busunu barrier in the evening hours of Monday January 10.

The bus was carrying about 30 passengers believed to be citizens of Togo.

They were subsequently referred to the Divisional Police Headquarters for further interrogation.

DSP Johnson Hessey, the Divisional Police Commander for Damongo, who disclosed the information to this reporter said the suspects were restrained from entering the town after the driver of the bus failed to furnish the police with accurate information regarding the destination of the bus.

Preliminary investigations reveal that, six (6) of the passengers on board the vehicle were minors, with 24 adults comprising two (2) women.

What was gravely frightening was the fact that, all the passengers on board the vehicle could not speak any of the native Ghanaian languages when queried except french, which suggests that they were not Ghanaians.

Police interrogations further revealed that, most of the passengers when probed admitted traveling from Togo with some claiming to be of Baasari and Kokomba tribes, who are believed to have migrated into the country.

The leader of the group, Jawien Tien Tinakpatien however explained that they were heading towards Sawla in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District to engage in some hired labour activities, including farming.

He disclosed that he has been a regular visitor to Sawla every year.

The suspects are currently at the Damongo Police Command to assist with investigations.

Details soon...
A group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Aboadi are calling President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo a thief over claim that the government did not construct the solar-powered mechanized water system for the people of Ahanta West.

This is in reference to a Facebook post by the President on December 23, 2021, where he captured the solar-powered mechanized water system for the good people of Ahanta West as his evidence.

Unhappy about the Presidents post, the concerned citizens of Aboadi have this week organised a press conference to according to them, expose the lies of President Akufo-Addo.

Addressing the media, former Assembly Member for Aboadi/Fasin Electoral Area and convener of concerned citizens, Mr. Ebenezer Essien dared the President to provide evidence for the cost of the project in any budget used by his government for the past five years.

He explained to journalists that the Chief of Aboadi, Nana Etsin Kofi II held several meetings with management of a private company and lobbied for the project.

He said after the engagement, the private company obliged to put up the solar mechanized water project as part of their corporate social responsibility.

The President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo cannot and will not be able to provide appropriate answers to the begging questions I asked earlier because he only sought to throw dust into the eyes of the unsuspecting public but he has been caught pants down, Mr. Ebenezer Essien told journalists.

Confident there is no way the President can prove the project was done by his government, the concerned citizens of Aboadi are demanding an apology for the attempt to 'steal the project.'

We, the concerned citizens of Aboadi and Ahanta need an unqualified apology from H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, the President of Ghana for peddling falsehoods and knowingly deceiving the public and wants to reap where he has not planted at all. We need not remind our leaders, especially, our president that truthfulness is a very important virtue in every leadership position, Mr. Ebenezer Essien.

Below is the speech read by the former Assembly Member on behalf of the concerned citizens:

STATEMENT DELIVERED BY HON. EBENEZER ESSIEN, FORMER ASSEMBLYMEMBER FOR ABOADI/FASIN ELECTORAL AREA AND CONVENER OF CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ABOADI, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT ABOADI IN THE AHANTA WEST DISTRICT TO EXPOSE THE LIES AND DECEPTION BY H.E. NANA ADDO DANQUAH AKUFO-ADDO, THE PRESIDENT OF GHANA ON THE ABOADI WATER PROJECT.

TUESDAY, 11TH JANUARY, 2022

Good morning to you gallant concerned citizens of Aboadi Ahanta and Ahanta West in general. Let me also extend my felicitations to our distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the media.

I would like to first of all wish all of you a prosperous new year and ask God for His blessings, guidance and protection.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the media, we are extremely excited that we are having this presser here on site so that you will see factual things for yourselves.

The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo on 23rd December, 2021 posted on his official Facebook wall that his government had constructed this solar powered mechanized water system for about 3,500 for the good people of Ahanta West and captured this water project that was commissioned on Monday, 20th December, 2021 as his evidence. He said, Government is committed to providing the necessary social amenities for the benefit of all Ghanaians and we the concerned citizens of Aboadi and Ahanta West are not happy at all about this attitude of the President wanting to steal this project from the private organization that really constructed this water project for us.

We, the concerned citizens of this community (Aboadi-Ahanta) were exceedingly and extremely shocked when we saw this coming from no less a person but the President, H.E. Nana Addo, appropriating unto himself a project that he or his government has no clue whatsoever about it.

We share the opinion that good governance and leadership should be truthful to the people but what we are seeing from the President is directly opposite as far as this water project is concerned.

Ladies and gentlemen from the media, kindly permit me to ask our President these begging questions below:

1. In which years budget statement of his five(5) year administration was this water project captured?

2. How much was budgeted for this project?

3. Who was the consultant to the project?

4. What was the duration for the completion of the project?

5. What is the name of the contractor?

6. Which government representative(s) came to our chief and his elders to get a piece of land for the project?

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, please permit me to present some undeniable facts about this solar mechanized water project in our community today.

I. The Chief of Aboadi, Nana Etsin Kofi II had some engagements with the management of a private company and lobbied for the project. The private company obliged to put up this very nice solar mechanized water project. When the company was ready to start the project, it was our Chief who gave the company this piece of land for the project.

II. The private organisation that decided to give the good people of Aboadi this water project is GOS LIMITED COMPANY (A SCHLUMBERGER JV COMPANY). They agreed with our Chief to undertake this project because it was part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and to see to it that the people of Aboadi have clean and potable drinking water.

III. On the 20th of December, 2021, this water project was inaugurated by SOPS IDERIAH (Nigeria and West Africa Managing Director of the Company) who travelled from Nigeria to this place for the inauguration (You can even see the plaque embossed on the project for yourselves).

IV. At the inauguration ceremony, Nana Etsin Kofi II and Sops Ideriah spoke to Adomba TV (an online tv in the district).

Nana Etsin Kofi II, the Divisional Chief of Aboadi said, I am very happy that this project has come during my time. I led and lobbied for the project. It is neither Assembly nor government project. It is a project for the community. What I am even happy about is that if the Assembly or government puts up an income generating project, it becomes partisan but this project cannot be part of those projects.

The Nigeria and West Africa Director of the company, Sops Ideriah, also said, In Schlumberger, what we do is basically, we unlock access to resources wherever we see value and in the process of doing that, we make sure that we do that sustainably and to the impact of everyone, what we call the benefit of all. We work here and we go pass this community regularly. About six months ago, we reached out to the community to find out what are the some of the things that are lacking within this community and we were told that portable water, clean drinking water has been a perennial challenge within this community. So, with that we felt that we as company in the spirit of the benefit for all and more so the communities where we are working, we felt that we should put in what we call a solar mechanized water borehole here that can bring sustainable, continuous water to the community here and it is clean and fresh. The intent is that this is something that will be lasting for the legacy within this community. So, it is basically we in Schlumberger headed by JV GOS Limited here. It is a pleasure for us to leave an impact, not just within the community here but also in Ghana. I will share with you some pictures and videos during the inauguration of this project.

So, with all these incontrovertible evidences, how can Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo claim glory for this project? I dare say that, Mr. President, this is a vain-glory.

In conclusion, The President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo cannot and will not be able to provide appropriate answers to the begging questions I asked earlier because he only sought to throw dust into the eyes of the unsuspecting public but he has been caught pants down.

We, the concerned citizens of Aboadi and Ahanta need an unqualified apology from H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, the President of Ghana for peddling falsehoods and knowingly deceiving the public and wants to reap where he has not planted at all. We need not remind our leaders, especially, our president that truthfulness is a very important virtue in every leadership position.

Ladies and gentlemen from the media, I am very grateful for your coming and may the good Lord bless our homeland Ghana.

Thank you for your attention.

Signed

Hon. Ebenezer Essien

0242670954/0542908030
The Managing Editor of ArtCraft Media Consult, Jeorge Wilson Kingson, on Saturday emerged Media Entrepreneur of the Year 2021.

He beats strong competition from four other media entrepreneurs who were also nominated in same category of the maiden edition of the Ghana Young Achievers Awards (GYAA) held at the National Theatre in Accra.

ArtCraft Media Consult is the mother company of GhanaNewsOnline.com.gh, GhanaNews.TV, BusinessweekGhana.com and TheKings Radio.

Mr Wilson Kingson who incidentally is marking his 20th year milestone as a journalist this year dedicated the awards to staff of the company, his immediate family members and all who have supported him in diverse ways to come thus far in his journalism career.

The Ghana Young Achievers Awards is organized by Star Ghana Limited in collaboration with Star Technology Ghana and HypeMan. It is meant to reward self-motivated young people who have played defining roles in moving their industry forward and have displayed demonstrable achievements across wide variety of domains including sustainability, operational excellence, innovation and others.

It is also to identify and project individual achievements that have enabled the Youth to set themselves apart from their competitors and have produced clear and compelling value and relevant results. The GYAA also aims to bring together players among the youth industry and recognize achievements from the local and international companies involved in promoting Ghana.

About Jeorge Wilson Kingson

Kingson is currently the Chairman of the Media Alliance in Tobacco Control and Health (MATCOH) - a union of over 120 journalists and media practitioners committed to advocating tobacco control legislation for Ghana. He is a senior member of Ghanas Parliamentary Press Corps and the National Coordinator of the International Standards Journalism Association (ISJA).

In 2011, Kingson was appointed by the American Cancer Society (ACS) as the Global Cancer Ambassador for Ghana. In April 2015, the Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL); an international movement championing religious peace and tolerance across the world conferred on Kingson the title of HWPL Publicity Ambassador for Ghana. This was based on his acclaimed advocacy for world peace.

Kingson set up the ArtCraft Media Consult (AMC) in 2009 out of which 4 media brands have so far emerged.

These include GhanaNewsOnline.com.gh, GhanaNews.TV, BusinessweekGhana.com and TheKings Radio.

Kingson is a graduate of the African University College of Communications (AUCC), where he studied Development Communications. He consults for leading institutions such as Distinguished Scholars Africa (DistinSa) and the Ghana Chapter of the United Nations Commission for Women and Children (UNCWAC).

He is also the General Secretary of the Ghana Chapter of the African Parliamentary Network (APPN Ghana).

ABOUT THE GYAA

The Ghana Young Achievers Awards is a prestigious awards program that recognize and rewards excellence amongst all youth in Ghana. The Awards provides a platform for the recognition of individuals that have played significant roles in the growth and development of their business sectors while recognizing the key functions within the sector that promote growth and sustainability. The premier event in Ghana seeks to celebrate achievements, innovation and brilliance.

The Award is the benchmark of excellence for company performance despite the recurring challenges. The benchmarks for company performance are based on some key performance indicators to derive the standards of excellence. The scheme has a range of categories suited for any successful youth to tell their story; from large private and public sectors through to thriving entrepreneurial businesses, promising start-ups and established SMEs, the organizers have stated.
The National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) who is against the mandatory vaccination being done by the Government of Ghana has noted that it is only Ghana that is championing mandatory vaccination.

He said on the Sunrise show on 3FM hosted by Alfred Ocansey on Wednesday January 12 that one can enter the United States and other parts of the world today, without vaccination.

You can enter USA today without vaccination. Its only Ghana that is championing mandatory vaccination, Sammy Gyamfi who is also a private legal practitioner said.

He further stated that We have been doing so well without this mandatory vaccination. Look at the countries with the highest vaccination rate, they are still battling with the virus.

Health advisor says when youre suffering from complications it means the vaccine is working so some people keep these problems to themselves. If you take the vaccine and something happens to you, you cant hold anyone responsible.

Sammy Gyamfi had sued the Attorney General (AG) and the Ghana Heath Service (GHS) over the mandatory vaccination exercise.

He wants A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents breach or threaten to breach the Applicants' fundamental human rights as enshrined under Article 21(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents violated Section 2(1) of the Imposition of Restrictions Act , 2020 (ACT 1012) and Sections 21, 22 and 30 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851) and therefore illegal.

A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene the guidelines of the Food and Drugs Authority , Ghana on the administration of Emergency Use Authorized medical products and same are unreasonable.

A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene the guidelines of the World Health Organization regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travelers, and that same is unreasonable.

A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene medical ethics and best practices that govern COVID-19 vaccine administration. Revision-8-KIA-Covid-Guidelines-Dec11-2021-1 Download

The government introduced the mandatory vaccination exercise as part of efforts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

This move formed part of efforts to ensure that the rate of infection does not rise during the Christmas season.

Among the measures, Airlines who board passengers without proof of payment for the COVID -19 test and would/ could not pay for the test in Ghana will be fined US$3500 per passenger.

Also, non-Ghanaian passengers may be refused entry and be returned to the point of embarkation at cost to the Airline.

The month of December has been declared by the GHS had as the vaccination month.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Sunday November 28, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye said vaccination was the surest way to deal with the virus.

He further assured that the authorities are going to scale up surveillance measures at the Kotoka International Airport during the Christmas season to ensure that Covid infections do not increase.

He further said that the mistakes that were made in December last year which occasioned the escalation of infections in January this year, will not be repeated.

There is going to be a strict enforcement of the protocols at the KIA. We are going to increase surveillance. We are expecting increased number of people to arrive in the country.

we are going to ensure that our logistics are prepared, we will continue our surveillance to be able to look at that, we are going to look at isolation centres, he said.

He added Our contact tracing will be strengthened.

We are going to engage with religious organizations to ensure that activities in done in Christmas are in accordance with Covid protocols.

Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsia Asare, allayed fears of persons who are worried about the potential reaction from taking the covid vaccine.

He stated that it is normal to experience headache, body pains and other reactions. These are indications that the vaccine is functioning properly in the body, he said.

If you are vaccinated and you feel slight headache it means the vaccine is working very well, he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday December 4 with Dzifa Bampoh.

Dr Nsia Asare further urged all persons who are yet to receive their vaccines to do so in order to save their lives and the lives of others.

In his view, Ghana cannot afford to go through fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic hence the government, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has taken the vaccination exercise a step higher in order to get as many as possible inoculated.

Vaccination centres, he stated, are being created closed to the people in the communities including market areas to make it easier for them to go through the exercise.

We cannot afford a fourth wave, he said, adding that we can all do this together if you are vaccinated, he said.

The GHS) this week issued new guidelines to deal with the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana ahead of the Christmas season.

The guidelines include measures to vaccinate as many as possible before the Christmas on December 25.

In a press releases issued on Thursday December 9, the GHS said All persons, 18 years and above arriving in Ghana will be required to provide evidence of full vaccination for Covid-19 vaccines.

All unvaccinated Ghanaians and residents of Ghana who are currently outside the country and intend to return within 14 days from the midnight of 12 December 2021 are exempted. However, they would be vaccinated on arrival at the airport.

It added all Ghanaians traveling out of the country are to be fully vaccinated effectively 12th midnight 2021.

Meanwhile, some 11 doctors have written to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo to issue a directive for the nationwide vaccine rollout in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic to be paused.

The doctors say the risks associated with these vaccines, per the data studied so far, outweigh the potential benefits, if any.

In their petition dated Monday, January 10, 2022, the doctors, who call themselves as Concerned Ghanaian Doctors, cited how the UK and Israel are still battling with the virus despite a high vaccination rate of their respective populations.

These countries have very high vaccination rates, currently deploying booster programmes, yet they are struggling to get the virus under control especially with these new variants, the doctors observed in the jointly-signed petition.

Assuming as a country we are to vaccinate more than 50% of our population, are we going to continue with perpetual boosters every 3 to 6 months in an attempt to maintain vaccine induced immunity for this disease?

Where then is the end point when these vaccines do not stop infection or the spread of Covid-19? Is this financially feasible for us as a nation?

They contended that the case fatality rate is not as high as anticipated especially given the fact that not many citizens are testing.

For them, the vaccines becoming a mandate is only a ploy by some pharmaceutical companies to rake in profits.

If there is safe, effective, affordable, freely available early treatment for Covid-19, vaccines are no longer a priority.

It doesn't take a genius to recognise the financial benefit of pharmaceutical companies in demonising potential early, effective treatments.

If these medications do work, that's wonderful in the human race's fight against Covid-19. However, they are practicably placebos if they don't work. Why the suppression and demonising of these early treatments then, if the concern is health.

Considering all these, wouldn't it be prudent to pause and ask ourselves whether these novel vaccines are necessary in the first place, they quizzed.

For them, Ghana, and for that matter Africa, must lead the way in the fight against Covid-19.

All the relevant metrics show that Ghana and Africa at large have done better than most of the world with respect to the pandemic even before the advent of these vaccines.

It is possible the rest of the world are rather to learn from us.

The doctors are Dr Timothy Oblijah Armah, Dr Bismark Opoku-Asare, Dr Faisal Adjei, Dr William Ghunney and Dr Bernard Boateng Adjei.

The others are Dr Doreen Oye Agyei, Dr Michael Agyemang-Wiredu, Dr Richard Fayah and Dr Sedem Cyril Klinogoh.

The rest are Dr Phil Dowuona and Dr Emmanuel Awuttey.

---3news.com
Accommodation crises in several universities in the country has been a teething problem to students as it leaves most of them stranded and unattended to, making it difficult to have sound minds for academic activities.

Speaking in an interview with Berla Mundi on TV3 New Day on TV3 Wednesday January 12, some student leaders at the University of Ghana revealed that some freshers and continuing students who happen to be victims of the accommodation crises on campus have opted to defer their courses for a year to save them the struggle of getting rooms on campus.

We have students who even want to defer their courses due to the accommodation cruses on campus.

They further revealed that freshers and continuing students who are unable to access accommodation explained that they lack the financial capacity to rent rooms outside prices as well as unable to afford to commute to campus daily for lectures and other academic activities.

Acting SRC President, Naadu Antwi said the student leadership has made conscious efforts to help solve the issue but to no avail.

She further stated that What I did with my team was, I instructed them to go to places around like Okponglo, Shiashie, Bawuleshie, Mariana, UPSA and look for hostels that are close and also negotiate with owners to reduce prices to accommodate students for the meantime while we try solve the accommodation crises on campus.

She said despite the negotiations with owners of hostels outside campus, prices were still exorbitant and most students could not afford.

We came to a subsidized fee but it's still more expensive than the hostels we have on campus. There were still students who could not afford.

I had a lot of students calling me here and there, telling me about the problems they facing with regards to accommodation. This is something that is beyond the SRC. We cannot do much about it, she reiterated.

Members of the student leadership called on government to facilitate the building of the University if Ghana SRC hostel to accommodate more students and help solve the persistent accommodation crises on campus.

---3news.com
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
The perennial accommodation crisis at the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, has gotten worse in the wake of the reopening of school this month.

Despite fears of the strike action by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the 2022 academic year for tertiary institutions is going ahead as planned with the admission of new students for level 100.

With thousands of students being admitted, the mad rush for accommodation has been intense with many students unable to pay for rooms due to the cost involved.

As a result of the situation, there are fears that some students may have to defer course this year.

Meanwhile, acting SRC President, Naadu Antwi has told TV3 that efforts are being made to help resolve the problem.

What I did with my team was, I instructed them to go to places around like Okponglo, shiashie, Bawuleshie, Mariana, UPSA and look for hostels that are close and also negotiate with owners to reduce prices to accommodate students for the meantime while we try solve the accommodation crises on campus.

Touching up on the cries of some students who have contacted her, she said unfortunately, it is beyond the control of the SRC.

We came to a subsidized fee but its still more expensive than the hostels we have on campus. There were still students who could not afford.

I had a lot of students calling me here and there, telling me about the problems they facing with regards to accommodation. This is something that is beyond the SRC. We cannot do much about it, Naadu Antwi shared.
Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has disclosed that the government's ambitious Agenda 111 project has made progress of 35 percent amid some challenges.

Speaking on Ghana Television, Mr. Agyeman-Manu, explained what had held some of the projects back.

On average, we have done close to about 35 percent works on all the 101 facilities There were a lot of pre-contract arrangements, things that we needed to do; siting, topography surveys to ensure that there are places where contractors can move into.

Out of the 101 district hospitals, 55 sites are progressing. Forty-six have various challenges and will be held back a little bit, he added.

Mr. Agyeman-Manu noted that there are land dispositions in some locations.

In some districts, we do not even have the land yet. In places in the cities like Accra, the whole place is littered, and you don't know where to put your facility.

He further indicated that for the five regional hospitals, we are about 25 percent completed with arrangements. For those ones, we are not using direct government money. We are going outside [for funds].

We are anticipating that between now and the two years ahead of us, we will get closer to completion, if not fully completed, he added. About Agenda 111

The Agenda 111 project is part of a plan by the Akufo-Addo administration to ensure that 101 outstanding districts will be provided with hospitals in addition to 10 selected regional and specialised hospitals.

In August 2021, President Akufo-Addo cut sod in the Ashanti Region to signal the beginning of hospital projects across the country.

There will also be the construction of two new psychiatric hospitals for the Middle Belt and Northern Belt, respectively, and the rehabilitation of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in the Western Region.

So far, the government has said sites have been identified for 88 of the 111 hospitals, with over 200 contractors expected to work on the grounds.

It is expected to take 18 months to complete from the commencement of each unit, with a funding of $100 million from the government through the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).

Each of the hospitals will cost $16.88 million, with $12.88 million being used for the construction of the hospitals and $4 million for medical equipment.

By Citi Newsroom
Fetching water is usually a  women's affair , as has been documented all over the world. The consequences of spending time and energy to get safe water are felt in women's health and emotional wellbeing , as well as incomes.

Existing research on water access by women in informal settlements tends to focus on their gender role, how they collect water and the consequences of this. They don't adequately document the everyday practices in which women manoeuvre to acquire water.

In a recent study in Kenya, I looked at how women struggle to fetch, store and save water in informal settlements. My research focused on Mathare, a large informal settlement in Nairobi. About 206,000 people live there, but around 90% of the households don't have piped water.

Residents buy water from community stand-pipes supplied by the government utility, informal water vendors and water ATMS. These provide users with cheap, clean water on demand. In dire circumstances, residents use water from the Mathare and Gitathuru rivers.

Through interviews, surveys and focus group discussions with 258 households in Mathare during 2016 and 2017, I found that women faced huge challenges and trauma in collecting water. Besides the woes of finding a running tap and wasting valuable time waiting in queues, procuring water entails physical hardship that often leads to mental agony that sometimes even threatens the women's safety.

Needless to say women in other Nairobi informal settlements, with similar socio-economic settings, will have similar stories to tell.

It's mainly women who collect water

In 45% of the households , women fetched water alone and women and girls fetched water together 25.6% of the time. Boys did so in only 2.3% of households . Men collected water in 7%.

Even if men were free or better equipped (physically), they would only fetch water when there were no women in their families, women were sick, or they were not at home. Fetching water is widely considered a socially unacceptable behaviour for men. Women I spoke to said that fetching water is one of their basic tasks, and that good women are those who perform it well.

In households headed by women (where men were unemployed or were dead or absent), and in families where parents couldn't afford to lose paid labour, girls were sent to collect water. Sometimes even at night.

These children were often bullied by adults while waiting in the queue. If they're collecting water in the morning, they might be late for school, or not go in at all. The girls were socialised to fetch water for their families.

Read more: A deep data dive reveals extent of unequal water provision in Nairobi

Time, effort and danger

Water collection can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours . Though the water standpipes are fairly well distributed across Mathare (on average 53 metres from each household), Mathare is built on steep slopes and has precarious paths. Even a small distance can be a danger for women and girls to navigate carrying water.

The standpipes are also few in number  one standpipe serves about 315 people. The universal international guideline is 250 people . This means long queues. When water is supplied (twice to three times a week) there are on average 80 people waiting in the queue that day.

Mathare often suffers from water scarcity. This can be due to poor or old water infrastructure and the illegal cutting of water pipes by cartels and water vendors to create an artificial demand to sell water at high price. Water supply can therefore be unpredictable or happen at inconvenient hours. This means that women spend extra time on water-related tasks  waiting in the queue, walking long distances to wash in the river or searching for a water vendor. Sometimes they are forced to collect water at the cost of missing work (forgoing daily wages), skipping meals, not tending to children, and even losing sleep and leisure.

Women in my study reported instances of violence, theft and assault when they fetched water at night. Inebriated standpipe managers were unable to keep proper account of the water sold, and disagreements led to tension. Many women also lamented that even though water supply at inconvenient hours was not under their control, their men did not approve of them spending much time in the queue at night. My research found that wife beating is common at the standpipes at night.

Health and mental wellbeing

Often poverty compels women to push hard to carry water, even at the cost of their health, to save on paid water labour (water vendors that carry water), while also working to contribute to family income.

Water prices varied according to the source. For 20 litres of water, water ATMs charge 50 cents (US$.005), standpipes charge between 2KSH and 10KSH (US$0.02 to US$0.10) and water vendors charge between 2KSH to 50KSH (US$0.02 to US$0.50). This may not seem like much, but the average household income in Mathare is about 8500Ksh (USD$85) a month. These costs add up. Some residents said the cost of buying water was sometimes more than buying food.

General fatigue is common. Many women in my study complained of headaches, breathlessness, and pains in the chest, neck, back and waist. Some said they got so tired carrying water that they fell sick and missed work.

The daily engagement in negotiations and arguments  with other customers in the queue and water sellers  to procure water adds to the distress.

What can be done

There are steps being taken which could improve the situation for women.

The Nairobi City Water and Sewage Company has initiated several projects in partnership with various NGOs and other development partners to provide safe water to urban poor. It has recently constructed 24 water kiosks and extended 18km water pipeline in Mathare valley to serve a population of 200,000.

The World Bank has also given a grant of US$3,000,000 under the water and sanitation improvement programme to improve water services. This involves construction of 18.5 km of water pipeline extension to serve the residents of low income settlements.

To address the water deficit, private vendors are gradually being regulated in Mathare. Kenyan municipalities have asked authorised private water providers to make supply arrangements in informal settlements a compulsory prerequisite for licence renewals.

Read more: What it's really worth to pipe water to homes in rural Zambia

These are positive steps, but more must be done to increase the number of shared taps (particularly as the urban population grows ) and prevent corruption from driving up water prices.

Anindita Sarkar receives funding from University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India .

By Anindita Sarkar, Associate professor, University of Delhi
During an official visit to Washington DC in 1962, Cameroon's founding President Ahmadou Ahidjo informed President John F. Kennedy of his displeasure over anti-black racism in the US . Ahidjo met and praised the leadership of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) , the oldest African American civil rights organisation, for its willingness to unite with Africa in a world-wide movement to fight against the evils of racial discrimination, injustice, racial prejudices, and hatred.

He later wrote that :

Each time a black man [and woman] is humiliated anywhere in the world, all Negroes the world over are hurt.

President Ahidjo called for a united front between Africans and African-Americans to confront anti-black racism.

He was not the first postcolonial African leader to make such a request. Ghana's founding President Kwame Nkrumah's Pan-Africanism was a message about black upliftment and unity, and his close ally, Sekou Toure of Guinea, advocated similar objectives .

Those calls for a crusade against anti-black racism were deeply rooted in the best of African nationalism.

On the other side of the Atlantic, calls for collaboration to end racism were also taking place. A leading proponent of that message was the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr . He and many in his generation rejected the negative proscriptions of Africa, and called for Africans and African Americans to join forces in the anti-racism crusade.

They spoke fondly of their roots in Africa:

we are descendants of the Africansour heritage is Africa. We should never seek to break the ties, nor should the Africans.

Africans and African-Americans must rekindle the spirit of collaboration and cooperation which existed among black nationalists over half a century ago to counter the rising tide of anti-black racism in the US. It was a relationship which came with mutual political, economic, and cultural benefits.

I am a scholar of modern African history with particular emphasis on Africa-US relations and have published extensively in the field . My latest publication , on Cameroon-US relations, among other things, addresses the importance of the collaboration between Africans and African Americans to uplift Black people.

King's eyeopening visit to Ghana

King's knowledge of Africa evolved slowly, and was initially peppered with the usual beliefs of African backwardness. But a trip to Ghana was transformative. In 1957, President Kwame Nkrumah invited him to his country's independence ceremony .

King honoured the invitation. During the ceremony King  started weeping crying for joy  when the British flag was replaced with the Ghanaian flag. He spoke endlessly about the endurance, determination, and courage of the African people. The anti-colonial struggle in Ghana mirrored what was taking place all over Africa.

Later, King noted that Ghana's independence

will have worldwide implication and repercussions  not only for Asia and Africa, but also for America.

This gave African Americans new insights about the anti-colonial struggle.

Increasingly, King saw parallels between the anti-colonial movement in Africa and the civil rights struggle in the US. In his sermon,  The Birth of a new nation , he stated that the Ghana example reinforced his belief that an

oppressor never voluntarily gives freedom to the oppressed.

He added that nonviolence was an effective tactic against oppression. European colonialism of Africa and segregation in America were both "systems of evil, he wrote, and summoned all to work to defeat them .

African nationalism meets US civil rights movement

While racial segregation remained entrenched in America, the tide of independence was changing quickly in Africa. In 1960, 17 African nations gained independence . They took their anti-racism message to the United Nations, where they chastised the US for its failure to stop anti-black racism. The murder of George Floyd by policeman Derek Chauvin angered the African Union. EPA-EFE/ Craig Lassig

African representatives in the US were often victims of American racism. Given the Cold War , US Secretary of State Dean Rusk stated that one of America's major Cold War problems was the continuous anti-black racism in the country.

After Nigeria, King increasingly spoke of a sense of urgency. In his article,  The Time for Freedom has Come , he praised the independence movement in Africa while blasting the slow pace of change in the US. He referred to the independence movement in Africa as the

greatest single international influence on American Negro students.

African nationalists such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tom Mboya, Hastings Banda were popular heroes on most Negro college campuses, King stated. He urged African governments to do more to support the civil rights struggle of their brothers [and sisters] in the US.

In addition, newspapers in several African nations used the treatment of African Americans to question the role of America as the leader of the free world .

Ebb and flow

King and his contemporaries took seriously the partnership with Africa. African American leaders, activists, and scholars alike turned to Africa for inspiration. For example, WEB Du Bois , whose credentials included being co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Pan-African movement, relocated to Ghana. Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture), who introduced the Black Power concept in the civil rights movement settled in Guinea. Many others immigrated to Africa.

Poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou was transformed by the African experience. She wrote :

For it is Africa that struts around in our rounded calves, wiggles around in our protruding butts, and crackles in our wide and frank laugh.

The 1960s and 1970s were decades of remarkable collaboration and cooperation between Africans and African-Americans.

American political leaders took note of the collaboration between Africans and African-Americans. President John F. Kennedy, the first American president to treat Africa with respect, created a more informed US foreign policy towards African nations  in part to woo the support of African-Americans in elections .

Kennedy's policy was later abandoned by his successors  some of whom reverted to referring to Africans as  cannibals  and  genetically inferior .

Those new policies coincided with a deep level of ignorance about Africans by African-Americans and vice-versa. And little effort was made by each side to bridge the gap. African Americans increasingly saw Africans through a stereotypical lens invented by the western society to justify colonialism and slavery.

In turn, Africans accepted uncritically America's mainstream society's labels of African Americans . The type of relations and advocacy forged by King's generation had evaporated.

Looking ahead

But the tide may be changing. There was renewed interest following the release of the movie Black Panther which showed blacks as capable, determined, and possessed civilisation . Following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the African Union publicly condemned America for its continuous racism against blacks.

The spokesperson Ebba Kalondo issued a strong condemnation of

the continuing discriminatory practices against Black citizens of the United States of America.

Kalondo demanded a full investigation of the killing.

This new position may rekindle the spirit of cooperation and collaboration which characterised the King era. A major part of ending anti-black racism in the US is to learn about the role Africa played in shaping the idea of the west and Africa's contributions to global civilizations .

That knowledge will implode centuries-old myths of Africa's backwardness and incapability. It is up to African Americans to champion that conversation in university classrooms and many other public spaces.

Finally, what King said about Africa as full of rich opportunities, inviting African Americans to lend their technical assistance to a rising continent remains as true today as it was when he said it nearly 60 years ago.

The failure to do so has increasingly ceded the ground to other actors who continue to exploit the continent .

Julius A. Amin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Julius A. Amin, Professor, Department of History, University of Dayton
It is heartening to listen to the commentary of economic pundits on how India is going to be an economic superpower by 2050. India is expected to become the worlds third-largest economy just behind the United State of America and China, cornering almost 7% of the world economy.

As per the first advance estimates by NSO (National Statistical Office release, India's economy is expected to grow 9.2% in the current financial year, aided by the base effect of 7.3% contraction last year.

Economists see a downward bias to the growth estimates, as the data may not fully capture the impact of the ongoing third wave, a possibility acknowledged by the statistics office.

The estimates are likely to undergo revisions as more data become available, the statistics office said, adding that these are early estimates.

As per estimates of even renowned economists, India needs to grow at over 9% for many years to come, to cross the immediate milestone of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025 and USD 10 trillion economies by 2030.

There are optimists and there are pessimists.

With Indias huge population, the increasing buying power of its massive middle class, there is no stopping India from becoming a USD 5 trillion economy in the next 3-5 years.

However, I wonder, why are we so obsessed with GDP growth. Is the measure of GDP a correct assessment of a countrys growth, the well-being of its people?

Does it put an end to poverty? Does it ensure the basic needs of people are being met? Is every child being educated?

Here comes the role of what is called HDI (Human Development Index). Human Development Index takes into account many parameters for measuring and ranking countries according to their social and economic development.

Some of these parameters include Gross National Income per capita, the life expectancy at birth, expected year of schooling and mean years of schooling.

The Human Development Index (HDI) is an index that measures key dimensions of human development. The three key dimensions include firstly, a long and healthy life that is measured by life expectancy. Second is the access to education which can be measured by expected years of schooling of children at school-entry age.

And finally, the mean years of schooling of the adult population and a decent standard of living  measured by Gross National Income per capita adjusted for the price level of the country.

Even as we aspire to become fifth, fourth of eve third-largest economy in the world, we rank dismally low 131, globally a couple of ranks lower than previous years.

One of the major causes of such poor raking is the huge disparity among various states in India. Whereas India had an HDI score of 0.504. Among Indian states, Kerala (0.625) has the highest HDI in the country, followed by Punjab (0.569). The states at the lowest rung include Orissa (0.442), Bihar (0.447) and Chhattisgarh (0.449).

It is ironic that Indian states with the most abundant natural resources like Odisha, Bihar and Chhattisgarh fare so poorly  is it the curse of natural resources. Globally it is believed that countries with maximum natural resources tend to grow much slower than those with the least natural resources.

This may be a forced rationale. How can one justify it even three-quarters of a century after the country achieved its Independence? The disparity gap needs to be addressed. If the curse of natural resources is indeed true for Indian states, there is a strong case for addressing this misfortune.

Fortunately, there was a positive statement by the concerned minister in Lok Sabha, when he said, Efforts are on to improve Indias rank in key global indices.

The key ministries which were referred to and are being closely watched include the ministry of health and family welfare, the ministry of education, the ministry of finance, the ministry of women & child development and the ministry of skill development & entrepreneurship.

India can learn from examples of other countries like Norway, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and closer home, even Hong Kong. We can aspire to aim for comprehensive growth, wherein we do not only grow financially, but we also grow on all human development parameters including life expectancy, education, and per capita income so that we can ensure inclusive growth.

Evolved countries are moving on from HDI to Happiness Index. I feel both are inter-linked. An all-around growth will help enhance the Human Development Index as well as the happiness Index of the Indian populace.

About the Author

Rusen Kumar is the founder and CEO of India CSR  The CSR Informer of India. He regularly writes on CSR, Sustainability and Environmental affairs. He brings an understanding of governance, leadership development, social development, human development, and strategic focus by serving boards. His leadership accomplishments in social enterprise, planning, and governance range from viable achievements in knowledge forum initiatives to advancement of corporate social responsibility issues in India. He can be reached at [email protected]
12.01.2022 LISTEN

MOGADISHU. SOMALIA: MOhamed Abdullahi Mohamed's televised national address to the nation at midnight last night focuses on security, foreign policy and long-delayed elections. Long-awaited televised address which was broadcasted live to the state media as well as privately owned media outlets at late Monday rigorously welcomed a new election deal struck over the weekend by prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and regional leaders in the capital Mogadishu and called for its urgent implementation..

The country's political leaders and stakeholders unanimously concurred to conclude the controversial and long-delayed elections by February 25 which is the stipulated deadline.

The president's speech, which appeared to stike a conciliatory and rapprochement tone was focused on the country's elections stalemate, security and foreign policy.

Brothers and sisters. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to congratulate the recent consultative forum meetings in Mogadishu, which has yielded fruitful and positive outcomes that will strengthen the completion of the country's elections. She said impassionately.

He said the leaders issued communique which contained eighteen articles in response to the grievances, concern and trepidations marred the electoral process and how to overcome obstacles and conundrums lies overhead.

The communique also reaffirmed and reinvigorated the electoral accord that were key to the electoral direction agreement struck on 17 September, 2020 and ratified both chambers of the federal parliament. He said.

In a bid to defuse, ease and de-escalate the interminable political turmoil that ensued and emerged after he announced the suspension of the prime Minister and curtailed his constitutional authority for alleged corruption. Mohamed siad.

It is a time of turmoil, dissensus, conflict and schism and we all have the responsibility to uphold the dignity and sovereignty of our country.

Also dissidents candidates welcomed the president's speech and urged him to implement seriously, not words concrete actions is seriously required. They said in their statement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

MOHAMED HUSSEIN MENTALIST. Author, blogger, prominent researcher, Horn of Africa Affairs analyst and senior lecturer at Mogadishu University.

AUTHOR. Holds BA in English Language and literature at Mogadishu University and BA in Business administration at Simad University. As well as Master of arts in applied Linguistics at Kisii University in Nairobi and Master of peace and conflict studies at Uppsala University in Sweden.
MOGADISHU. SOMALIA. The uncompromising tactics and dubious strategies exercised by the political stakeholders who were running the helm of the country for the last three decades. Somalia's regional and global allies expressed grave concern and trepidation about the intensifying spat between the country's president and caretaker prime Minister as heavily armed troops were amassed in the capital and keeping eyeball to eyeball in close vicinity and confrontation could spark at anytime.

Troops loyal to the premier took up positions near the presidential palace and excavated huge trenches and planning to launch an incursion at certain destinations including the state house; the military maneuvering and sabre-rattling come day after President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo announced the suspension of the prime Minister and utterly deposed him and should no longer perform any public duty, while the premier accused the president of an attempted coup. Relations between the pair have long been frosty but latest trend has sparked concerns for Somalia's stability as the country grapples with protracted droughts, resurgence of the new variant omicron of covid_19 pandemic and how to hold the long-delayed elections and to fight the Jihadist insurgency and to pursue the deradicalization program.

On Tuesday, Pro-Roble troops paraded the streets, fuelling fear among Mogadishu dwellers weary of bloody armed confrontation. The Premier Mohamed Hussein Roble defied the executive order to step down as tensions continued over amorphous and long-delayed elections and no one knows or even prognosticate what the outcome of tit-for-tat game and nihilistic ideology will be as Somalia's president suspended the country's prime Minister and marine force commander on Monday, a sharp escalation in political wrangling that threatens and jeopardize and further destabilize the already fragile and tumultuous nation of the Horn of Africa.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed AKA Farmajo suspended the prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble over allegations of corruption, embezzlement, and misuse of public lands. Mr Mohamed's office had earlier accused Mr Roble of posing a serious and pernicious threat to the election process and carrying out activities that breached or violated his mandate. Mr Roble rebuffed and repudiated to accept the order and accused the lameduck president of deploying troops to attack his office and these of the cabinet to prevent them from carrying out their official and assigned duties the move, he said in a televised address were " a blatant attempt to dethrone the government, the constitution and laws of the land" on Monday foreign governments and international observers expressed grave concern and alarm that the rift and dispute could set off yet another cycle of violence in a nation battered or wracked by decades of brutal fighting.

The simmering political impasse blew up into violence in the streets in April, after after Mr Mohamed signed a law extending his tenure for two years. Dissidents of Mr Mohamed former American citizen and bureaucrats along with Western allies denounced the move and many Somalis worried that it could reverse and undermine the modest democratic gains the country has achieved after decades of Civil War, the show down eventually led Mr Mohamed to ask parliament to nullify the extension and request that Mr Roble help organize the delayed elections. Calling Mr Mohamed " The former president " the premier on Monday instructed armed forces to report directly to his office and promised to take action against anyone who defies those orders. He also said Mr Mohamed whose mandate technically lapsed in February of last year, intends to disrupt and sabotage the long-awaited elections so he can illegally remain in office. Somalia is driven by clan politics and analysts say tge rift between the president and the prime Minister who hails from divergent clans threatens to escalate into full-on violence not just among their adherents but also among their clansmen inside the Somali military and security apparatus. On Monday evening armed forces loyal to the opposition of presidential contenders amassed in certain neighborhoods in the capital Mogadishu witnesses said, while Somali military forces fortified the roads leading to the presidential palace.

The process of orchestrating Universal suffrage or one person one vote had ended in vain and futile and the long-delayed indirect polls has not been smooth, with legislative polls encountering plethora of delays, massive fraudulent and irregularities and multiple corruption allegations from candidates and observers. So far only 26 candidates out of the 275 lawmakers for the lower house of the parliament have been elected; with 53 of 54 seats in the upper house or senate being selected through vote-rigging, ballot-stuffing and gerrymandering... Somalia's electoral process is diametrically complex and cumbersome with traditional elders choosing special delegates who select lawmakers, who then choose the country's president. Mr Farmajo has said he wants to move to a more traditional one-person-one vote process which is similar to one occurred in 1968 but his plan soon drew pervasive condemnation from his vitriolic critics describing implausible ambition driven by deranged and too ambitious man who is merely had a desire to grip the authority forever.

The provisional federal constitution gives the president the power to appoint a premier but the power to dismiss or vote no confidence in the prime Minister and his cabinet lies with parliament. A perpetual conflict and squabbling between the president and the prime Minister is not something new to Somali politics it happened as soon as Somalia gained its independence and in late 2000 and 2008 during the late president Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and his prime minister Nour Adde and plunged the entire country into unprecedented , cataclysmic and total disarray. It resurfaced once again in 2012 during the tenure of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and his premier Dr.Abdiwali Mohamed Ali better known as Gas and polarized the political landscape and the country was on the brink of war of attrition. And it happened once again in 20014-2015 during president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his prime minister Omar Abdirashid and preluded political turmoil and uncertainty and currently it is happening between Farmajo and Roble. Abdirahman Yusuf Omar AKA ( Alcadaala) deputy Minister of information loyal to the caretaker prime Minister called the president's decision a callous, flagrant, or blatant coup.

Writing on his Facebook account, Mr Omar said the deployment of security forces in and around the prime Minister's office would not curtail and prevent Mr Roble from carrying out his duties. The political tussle comes as more than 90 percent of the country faces drought conditions and looming apocalyptic humanitarian catastrophe according to the United nation with almost four million people estimated to be at risk of acute food insecurity. Somalia is also confronting increasing threats from Al-Shebab extremist groups, covid_19 pandemic's negative economic impacts and clashes between rival forces in various parts of the country that have left dozens dead and thousands displaced from their homes. On Monday Mogadishu's denizens said there was heavy presence of troops in the streets with many worrying that the political feud could turn bloody yet again. Farhan Issack Yusuf, an independent political Pundit and deputy executive director of Somali public agenda which is leading local Think-tank in Mogadishu, said the latest suspension " Spirals Somalia into another rocky political crisis "

The international community. Mr Farhan said, should exert colossal pressure on the political actors and elites in Somalia to comply with the existing election covenants, provide stern notice to spoilers with possible serious repercussions and support the prime Minister to deliver his mandate regarding the management of the electoral process. Said Mr Farhan.

On Sunday, the United States, Britain, and other Western countries said they were concerned about the delay in the elections and urged political leaders to attend a Monday meeting convened by the prime Minister to hammer out loggerheads marred the electoral process and speed up elections. But ahead of the meeting, President Mohamed's office on Sunday launched scathing attack and accused the prime Minister of posing a serious threat to the electoral process; and carrying out activities that infringes or violates his mandate which is to organize and hold elections. The prime Minister also mired and encounters investigation on corruption charges. The commander of Somali navy. Brig.general Abdihamid Mohamed Dirir, recently; publicly accused top government officials including Mr.Robke of planning to grab and expropriate public land belonging to the coast guard near Mogadishu's port...

In statement released by the presidency. Mr Farmajo accused Mr Roble not only misappropriating the land but also exerting pressure on the defense Minister, which amounts to tampering with the investigation, pending the conclusion of the inquiry. "The duties and powers of the prime Minister remain suspended " Mr Farmajo Siad. The lameduck president also suspended General Dirir, saying the move was crucial for completing the ongoing investigation of the prime Minister. As political turmoil intensified and escalated on Monday, the United nation. The European union and almost two dozen other nations worldwide issued a joint statement urging restraint and dialogue on Somali political leaders also asked officials to take urgent steps to de-escalate tension. " we are deeply saddened the resurgence of political turbulence. The council of presidential candidates also described the dismissal of the prime Minister as a " coup attempt" The presidential candidates council also demanded the president to step down immediately and put an end to the current political stalemate. And unanimously concurred and acknowledged that the root causes of the crisis is how to hold the election. In Somalia parliamentary and presidential elections are held one after another. Elections are held according to the clan-based electoral system called 4.5 formula which offers four major clans an equal share in parliament and cabinet and half share to the minority groups.

The 275 members of the lower house, also known as the "house of the people " are elected for four years by 14, 000 delegates representing different clans in Somalia. Moreover, state councils choose members of upper house the elected members of the upper house elect both the speaker of the assembly and the president. The month-long acrimony has seen President Mohamed Abdullahi and prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble reciprocated allegations over the holding up of parliamentary polls and is widely seen as distracting the government from fighting the Alshebab armed group. It will also raise concern about the prospect of renewed clashes and skirmishes between factions in the security forces allied to each side. In Twitter post later on Monday, the United states embassy in Somalia called for calm saying it" strongly urged Somalia's leaders to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions in Mogadishu, refrain from provocative actions and avoid brutal violence " in a separate statement. The US state department Afriacna affairs bureau called the attempted suspension of Roble alarming and said it supported his efforts for rapid and credible elections.

It added that US was also prepared to act against those obstructing Somalia's path to peace and democracy. The UK embassy in Somalia also urged both side to defuse and de-escalate and to refrain from violence, the president had repeatedly accused the prime Minister of posing a serious threat to the electoral process and overstepping his mandate. Roble's office later. On Sunday released its own press statement, saying the president had spent so much time, energy and finances infiltrating the national election and was derailing the electoral process in the statement. Roble said he would hold meetings to find ways to speed up the election and agree on a capable leadership to spearhead timely and transparent elections without elaborating further or without offering more details on how long the process might take. Matt Bryden, political analyst at Sahan Think-tank focusing on the Horn of Africa said Somalia has been in a constitutional crisis since February when the president's mandate expired. The country has been held together by political agreement between stakeholders of the federal government, federal member states and stakeholders in the election; Bryden said.

That was supposed to postpone the elections until today, December 27 that has not happened and that is why we are facing this crisis. He added that Farmajo's intervention has created a situation of real uncertainty and danger. Bryden argued the electoral model was modified by Farmajo to favor his re-election and this will change the current status quo and will contribute to the impasse in the electoral process. The entire process has come down almost to cherry picking, where seat by seat we are seeing riggjng, we are seeing appointees of the president being given seats, and these are the people who will choose the next president. Somalia's nearly year-long constitutional crisis escalated toward outright conflict on Monday as the president attempted to sideline his main rival, the country's prime Minister by suspending his powers. Farmajo was seen as a reformer who would prioritize security and building state institutions in Somalia. But the president had diverted entirely from that trajectory. In one widely shared video that went viral in the digital platforms showing the vice president of Hirshabelle state Yusuf Dabaged told reporters that his administration would pay bribes to traditional elders to handpick their favorite candidates and declared them to be the winners this should be strategic elections in the regional elections. Candidates and traditional elders involved in the selection process jointly held press conference and told the local media that the business is usual while the independent candidates expressed doubt and skepticism towards the electoral body.

Mohamed Osman Jawari, 76, prominent advocate, and two-time speaker of the federal parliament said in an interview that when he had approached the president of the country's South-west state to declare his candidacy and intentions to run, he was told that clan leaders would be instructed to quash his candidature. When he submitted all his papers at the state election implementation team which is meant to be independent body organizing the election fairly and freely. His application was repudiated. The chairperson of Seit told the media that he is unable to accept my application without the approval of the regional president Jawari said furiously. Ahmed Aden Safina Seit Spokesman said the body remains independent and that regional presidents may oversee the approval of candidates but not interfere with the process. He said Jawari' s complaint I'd being reviewed. Before president's move on Monday the US state department issued statement reiterating that it was deeply concerned by the continuing delays and by the procedural irregularities that have undermined the credibility of the election process.

The caretaker prime Minister had officially demanded to assume the entire control or the chain of the command in armed forces until the controversial elections are concluded. The national consultative assembly leaders are reportedly at odds over who should be in charge of the Somalia's security, according to the sources the PM and presidents of Somalia's federal member states and governor of Benadir authority as well as the mayor of Mogadishu met for the fourth day in Mogadishu to discuss and deliberate the best strategy to hold elections and concluding elections on available timeline. Prime Minister Roble has reportedly push for more direct control of Somalia's security apparatus, requesting that the national army be placed under his command during the electoral process. According to the sources, Roble argued that it would be challenging to resolve electoral security as long as the military commander took order from Villa Somalia.

Relations between the PM and president have been strained considerably since Farmajo attempted to suspend Roble in late December over unfounded corruption allegations the move sounds to backfire, as Somalia's cabinet and the international community rallied behind the PM. The reaction by FMS leaders was deeply polarized as some regional presidents. Deni of Puntland and Madobe of Jubbaland have reportedly backed the PM's plan, while remaining three state presidents Qoorqoor of Galmudug Guudlawe of Hirshabelle, Lafta gareen of South-west state and the Benadir governor Omar Finish all of whom have strong ties with Villa Somalia. While the presidency office vehemently lambasted and argued that president Farmajo is the commander of the armed forces and responsible for the entire security of the country.

The PM's security demands have hampered or obstructed the conference's progress and reports suggest that some presidents have threatened to storm out or walk out of the meeting which could lead to highly anticipated meeting ending in failure.the meeting ended inconclusively with the leaders scheduling to resume the conference on Saturday. Dissident presidential candidates had issued fresh demands amid the ongoing national consultative council. (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu which seeks to solve a host of issues overshadowing elections in the Horn of Africa nation. On Tuesday tge opposition maintained that only 135 registered elders must choose delegates, publish names before the election day to avoid current confusion and turmoil which led to the cancellation of number of controversial seats in the lower chamber of the federal parliament and eventually call for nullification of all disputed parliamentary seats.

Further the opposition said electoral committee must verify delegates, publish their names and identity before the election day the opposition of presidential aspirants urged PM Roble to take charge of full control of the security in Somalia adding that outgoing president Mohamed Farmajo should stay out and remain only as a candidate. International community had appealed all political stakeholders to mitigate tensions and crisis, show restraints, de-escalate, and defuse hostile confrontations, refrain from taking unilateral decisions without consultation and avoid all forms of violence including the use of excessive and disproportionate force against innocent civilians and admonished the national army to step aside and not to mingle with the politics, otherwise they would defund. And exhorted (NCC) To use the ongoing consultative talks in Mogadishu to rectify and redress those deficiencies and make the process more transparent and credible. The national consultative council (Fgs-Fms) should set a timeline for the accomplishment of the elections in Somalia that is realistic, achievable and to which all the federal member states leaders genuinely committed international partners strongly emphasized.

In the latest twist and turn tge lameduck president had ordered central bank governor not to release $9.6M in which UAE money. While the caretaker prime Minister pledges to refund back to Emirates. The perpetual squabbling between the top echelons is evolving minute by minute. Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi authorized the central bank governor not to release approximately $10M in illicit money on Friday that was seized and impounded from United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2018 at Aden Adde international Airport in Mogadishu.

H.E @ M- Farmajo lameduck president of the federal Republic of Somalia authorized Governor of central bank @CBs Somalia again releasing illicit money $9.6M USD which was seized and confiscated by our gallant Somali security forces monitoring on eagle eye on the airport's activities.to any entity which seeks claim, due to its illegal entry to our nation.

The presidential palace communications director Abdirashid Mohamed Hashi said on Twitter. It came hours after Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble publicly apologized to the UAE for the seizure and openly declared his government will give the money back.

A new dawn of Normalizing relations based on mutual benefit, respect, and support after period of frosty relations. Somalia and UAE are now on progressive path to iron out their dissension and resume the bilateral and brotherly based diplomatic ties between the two countries.

PM Mohamed Hussein Roble said that Somalia will give back to UAE the seized cash in 2018 said government spokesman

Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimu; the announcement had coincided with offering ceremony in which Mr Roble received 55 tons of aid from the UAE at the Mogadishu Airport the money has been at the central bank and it led Somalia's diplomatic relations with the UAE closed a huge military facility and hospital they have been running in Mogadishu after the diplomatic spat. Somalia accused the UAE several times of inciting violence, insurrection and intentionally instigated chaos in the African Country. UAE had categorically refuted these allegations.

In March, 2018 the lower chamber of Somalia's federal parliament banned or proscribed a UAE state-owned ports operator, DP world, from the Horn of Africa country declaring it a serious threat to Somalia's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. Somalia is a toddler country which is recovering from the legacy and scourge of the Civil war.and currently encountering an uncertainty due to the long-delayed parliamentary polls. The country was already grappling with the protracted droughts, floods, famine and locust infestation which jeopardized the development.

The constitutional mandate of the executive and legislative branches terminated. Article 91of the Somali provisional constitution states that the president of the federal Republic of Somalia shall hold office for a term of four years; starting from the day he takes the oath of the president in accordance with article 96 of the constitution. According to the sitting president was elected and performed the oath of the president of the federal Republic of Somalia in February 2017. And international community are dithering and vacillating to act seriously and become a good mediator for this political deadlock among top officials But, if the Somalia's partners remain hesitant to this quagmire, then the conflict may take it longer. Somalia is one of African countries where democracy did not last too long the two leaders are orchestrating propaganda and smear campaign against each other, this chronic conflict may trigger a full-blown armed confrontation s because all sides seem to be lacking the political maturity, will and commitment that this country currently needs, and clannish mentality can usher a bloody and deadly hostility among the clans.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mohamed Hussein Mentalist. Author, blogger, prominent researcher, Horn of Africa Affairs analyst, and senior lecturer at Mogadishu University.

Author: holds BA in English Language and literature at Mogadishu University and BA in Business administration at Simad University. Master of arts in applied Linguistics at Kisii University in Nairobi. As well as Master of peace and conflict studies at Uppsala University in Sweden.
The Ranking Member on Parliament's Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, is demanding a full-scale parliamentary probe into circumstances that led to the death of a pregnant woman, allegedly due to the cost associated with the use of a public ambulance.

The deceased, Augustina Awortwe, lost her life earlier this month allegedly due to a delay in the movement of the ambulance to Accra after doctors referred her from the Holy Child Clinic at Fijai in Takoradi, to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

According to the family of the deceased, the delay was occasioned by their inability to readily come up with a sum of GH600 to cover the cost of fuel for the ambulance.

Speaking to the media after a visit to the family and the Holy Child Clinic, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh also called for the immediate interdiction of all officials involved in the incident.

I don't want to pre-empt any investigation, but it is not the best. I don't think that anybody deserves to lose their lives when they are going to give birth. The story is bizarre, and so we have to get back into Parliament and commence a probe of the whole issue. They are not supposed to pay anything [to ambulance drivers] so if as a country we want to make ambulance cash and carry, we should say so, so that before anybody calls the ambulance service, he or she knows that you must pay for the services of the ambulance.

I assured the husband and the family that we will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion. We've spoken to the husband and the facility that did the referral and there are more questions. [I think] The ambulance driver and crew could be interdicted pending investigation.

Meanwhile, the husband of the deceased, John Obiri Yeboah, says he is devastated by the turn of events.

I gave GH50 demanded of me to the ambulance driver to buy fuel, and after they bought the fuel, one of the officials told me we had to return to Fijai. When we got to Fijai there was an altercation between the officials and the hospital and all along my wife was helpless in the hospital. It was while we stood at the Cape Coast hospital entrance that one of the men came to tell me I have lost my wife. When I checked the time they said she died, it was the same time one of the officials told the driver to go and stake lotto. Later they told me the ambulance is not used to convey dead bodies, he said.

---citinewsroom
The host of Drive Time on Accra FM, Kwesi Owusu Acquah, has condemned the rambo-style invasion of the company's premises by some 20 armed police personnel, to arrest journalists of the station.

Mr. Owusu Aquah, popularly known as Doctor Kay, described the actions of the officers as unprofessional.

Some police personnel accompanied by staff of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), stormed the premises of Class Media Group, the mother company of Accra FM, to demand a permit the company was using to broadcast the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) games.

But things quickly escalated when journalists working for the station demanded that the police provide identification.

Narrating the incident to Citi News, Host of Drive Time at Accra FM, Kwesi Owusu Acquah, said the officers took offense and called for reinforcement to have the journalists arrested for daring to question them.

One of our news anchors, Nana Ama Agyarko, saw the need to question the regalia of the police officer. The guy brought out an ID card. Showing the ID card, he covered his face and name on the ID card. My colleague Nana Ama was surprised and questioned his actions.

The Police officer got furious at the ladys actions and called for reinforcement. The policemen who came in were more than 20, some of them even tried to break into our studio.

He bemoaned the violence meted out to the journalists by the police.

It's about time they put a stop to it, he added.

By Citi Newsroom
President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs , Nene Sakite II has lauded President Akufo-Addo's government for making sure that the region gets its fair share of developmental projects in spite of prevailing challenges.

The projects, amongst a lot more others, significantly include the commencement of the new Regional Hospital in Koforidua, the phase lift of roads in the Eastern region and the extension of railway network.

According to Nene Sakite II who is also the Paramount Chief of Manya Krobo, he is offering full testimony to this because almost 70km of the newly constructed railway line passes through my territory.

He also expressed profound appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for commissioning the University of Environment and Development in Kroboland.

Nene Sakite II made this known on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, when he led a delegation of members of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to pay a courtesy call on the President at the Jubilee House in Accra.

Whilst urging President Akufo-Addo to continue effecting this needed facelift to the region, he said you are on the right track, and we want you to leave a legacy in the Eastern Region so that someday, the sons and daughters of the region will say these are all the benedictions of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo .

He also stressed that it is his prayer that we find a more potent cure to this pandemic so that our economy picks up again for us to experience massive development in your second-term in office.

Believe me, this pandemic is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. We started with Alpha, then Delta, now the world is experiencing Omicron. We must continue to enforce COVID-19 prevention protocols. We cannot relax, he stated.

On his part, President Akufo-Addo, based on the successes chalked in bringing lasting peace to Dagbon, pledged to support efforts towards finding lasting solutions to the several chieftaincy disputes in the Eastern Region.

He touched on the numerous appeals he continues to make to his father's Kingsmen in Akropong that it's completely unacceptable that in my time as President, there should be disputes in Akwapim (his hometown) and indeed also in the Akyem State of Kotoku, which is part of Akyemansa for which I am a part.

Asking for participation and inclusion to these issues, he indicated further that these are all areas where these disputes ought to be by now finding a conclusion. But we are going to work hard at it and there too we will need your support.

---3news.com
Some residents of Bontefuo-Ahwerewa and other adjoining communities in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti region have expressed their disappointment in the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party, Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako, for abandoning their roads.

According to them, the road has been awarded to Mr Boasiako, popularly called Chairman Wontumi but he has abandoned the project.

Some of the residents who spoke to Class News regional correspondent Elisha Adarkwa said the bad nature of the road network makes it unmotorable during the rainy season.

They said not only has armed robbers been terrorising them due to the bad nature of the road but drivers have also taken advantage of it to charge exorbitant fares.

They argued that Chairman Wontumi should be blamed if the NPP loses votes in the area during the 2024 general elections as a consequence of the bad road network.

They, therefore, want President Akufo-Addo to force Chairman Wontumi to get back to the site and fix the road.

For this part, the chief of Bontefuo-Ahwerewa, Nana Osei Owusu Kuffour Ababio, expressed his disappointment with the state of affairs, adding that they have been deceived by the government.

He said the abandoned road network has brought hardship to his subjects and, so, must be fixed.

---Classfmonline.com
Pregnant women walking from Kpatuli community to Savelugu for antenatal

12.01.2022 LISTEN

Pregnant women in the Kpatuli Electoral Area in the Savelugu Municipality of the Northern Region have been compelled to walk in excruciating pain from the community to the Savelugu municipal hospital to seek medical care.

The Kpatuli Electoral Area which has three communities with over 4,000 people does not have a health facility.

A pregnant woman, Asana Issahaku told DGN Online that they walk a long distance from the Kpatuli community to the Savelugu hospital for antenatal and other medical care services.

According to her, sometimes by the time they arrive at the hospital due to the long distance from their community the health workers send them back home because they would have exhausted the number of patients they attend to.

Our community to the Savelugu hospital is very far and as a pregnant woman, I will have to walk to the place in this condition. We are appealing to the government and anybody who can help to come to our aid and build a health facility in our community here for us so that we can go for antenatal services in this community.

Another pregnant woman, Yussif Samata told DGN Online that the stress they go through from walking to the Savelugu hospital and the treatment at the hospital discourages some pregnant women from going to the hospital and have resorted to traditional birth attendants.

She indicated that some pregnant women in the community visit traditional birth attendants whenever they have any medical condition during their pregnancy and also give birth at home due to the lack of health facilities in the community.

 Sometimes you can walk to the hospital and on your way, you get tired and cannot continue the journey and these are the reasons some women prefer to rather go to traditional birth attendants in the community for their services even though medically we know it's not safe but we do not have a choice so we are begging that we badly need a health facility in our community.

When DGN Online contacted the Assembly Member of the Kpatuli Electoral Area, Yakubu Issah, he said the lack of a health facility in the area has been a concern among the residents for so many years adding that he has reported the issue to the Savelugu Municipal Assembly on countless occasions but to no avail.

 I have discussed this issue with the MCE and stakeholders at the assembly level severally but the only response I get is that the assembly is broke and we are told that our municipality takes the lowest common fund from central government.

He, however, lamented about the rate at which pregnant women resort to traditional birth attendants in the community.

 The most worrying aspect is that the women go to the traditional birth attendants and after they give birth at home the newly born babies start to experience complications simply because they don't go to the hospital for checkups regularly.

He called on the government, NGOs, philanthropists, and individuals to come to their aid and build a health facility to enhance health care in the electoral area.

Meanwhile, the chief of Kpatuli, Seidu Mahama has allocated some acres of land should any organization or individual wish to construct a health facility for the area.

SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goal three (SDG-3), of which Ghana is a signatory, is about ensuring healthy lives and the promotion of the well-being of all at all ages.

The SDG-3 estimates that by 2030, the global maternal mortality ratio should reduce to less than 70 per 100,000 live births, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality to as low as 25 per 1,000 live births and achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

---DGN online
12.01.2022 LISTEN

As the year 2022 begins, I share some basic accounting and tax issues as a reminder to management of companies, Finance Managers, business owners etc. in order to avoid tax penalties, interests, loses and ensure the smooth running of businesses devoid of statutory burdens. This is necessitated by the fact that a number of businesses I came across in the 2021 accounting year fell short in some of these areas and incurred tax liabilities that could have been avoided. The issues are as follows;

Quarterly corporate income tax payments

A company on self-assessment must file their estimated chargeable income and tax thereon with Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) by the end of the 1st quarter i.e., 31st March, 2022 and make their 1st quarter tax payment. You may subsequently revise the estimate based on prevailing business conditions. Note that the estimated chargeable income should not be less than 90% of the actual chargeable income for the year, hence the need to make revisions when necessary.

For a company on provisional assessment, pay quarterly installments by the end of each quarter. You could negotiate for a favorable assessment based on certain conditions in order not to overpay tax which could lead to cash flow challenges or payment of tax with part of working capital.

These quarterly payments are provisional corporate taxes paid in advance to be set off against any future corporate tax liabilities and hence should be recognized as such in the companys financial statement.

Personal income tax of employees (PAYE)

The company should deduct income tax from the salaries of employees and pay same to GRA on behalf of the employee. The return must be filed on or before the 15th day of the month following the month for which the deduction was made. That is January 2022 deductions must be filed and paid by 15th February, 2022.

Be minded to apply the revised graduated rates which took effect from 1st January 2022. Companies should assist employees to apply for tax reliefs for which they qualify in order to reduce their income taxes.

Employers must pay Social Security Tiers 1 and 2 on or before the 14th day of the month following the month for which the payment relates.

Withholding taxes

Tax should be withheld from suppliers when making payments for the supply of goods, works and services based on the relevant withholding tax rates (unless the supplier is exempted). Withholding tax returns must be filed within fifteen days after the end of the month in which the deduction was made. For example, taxes withheld in the month of January 2022 should be paid on or before 15th February 2022. File a Nil return if there was no deduction for the month.

Make sure to obtain withholding tax certificates from customers/clients who withhold tax from the business. Also confirm the right rates are applied. Use these certificates as tax credits to reduce the businesss corporate income taxes.

Withholding VAT

For companies that are authorized to withhold VAT from suppliers, withhold 7% of the taxable output value of standard rated supplies and remit same to GRA within fifteen (15) days after the end of the month in which the deduction was made.

VAT, NHIL, GETFUND & COVID LEVY

Once the business is VAT registered, it ought to file return and pay VAT, NHIL, GETFUND & Covid levy by the last working day of the month immediately following the month to which the return relates. For example, taxable supplies made in January 2022 should be filed and paid by 28th February, 2022. File nil, in case there are no taxable supplies for the month.

Note that the standard VAT rate of 12.5% applies to service providers and manufacturers and those are the businesses mandated to charge NHIL (2.5%), GETFUND (2.5%) and Covid (1%) levies. The flat rate of 3% and additional 1% Covid levy (i.e., 4%) applies to wholesalers and retailers of goods.

Annual financial statement

The companys audited financial statement for year ended 2021 and the income tax return of directors should be filed with the GRA by 30th April 2022. Be reminded that auditors who have served for more than six (6) years must be changed in accordance with section 139 (11) of the Companies Act 2019 (Act 992).

The first step to prudent tax planning is compliance. Failure to adhere to each of the issues discussed will come with liabilities for your business. Complying will save the business from a lot of tax stress in 2022 so you focus more on core business activities. Have a fruitful business year.

About the writer:

Samuel Osae-Ansah, CA, MBA, B.Sc. is a Chartered Accountant and an Audit Practitioner, licensed to issue audit opinions on company financial statements. He is an entrepreneurship enthusiast who takes keen interest in the growth trajectory of businesses and provides consultancy services in that regard.

Contact: 0249129198

E-mail: [email protected]
The Adweso Police Command in Koforidua has begun probe into the death of a seven-year-old pupil of High Mowing International School who drowned in a septic tank during school hours on Tuesday.

The septic tank in which the deceased, Raymond Opare-Ansah Offei drowned, is located behind the school building.

Speaking to Citi News, Eastern Regional Police PRO, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, said the school authorities are assisting the police with investigations.

He further stated that no individual would be left off the hook if found culpable.

No marks of violence were seen on the body. Investigations have also been extended to the crime scene, DSP Tetteh noted.

The place was also carefully examined. We have begun questioning the school authorities and investigations are ongoing.

The body has been deposited at the morgue and awaiting autopsy. That is also going to inform us as to the direction to go, he added.

The father of the deceased, George Opare Ansah, who is not suspecting any foul play regarding the death of his son, wants school authorities not to shirk their responsibilities when children are entrusted in their care.

What I know is that their negligence has made this thing happen. I want it to set an example to all schoolswhenever someone comes to you, the person needs maximum security, he said to Citi News.

By Citi Newsroom
On Tuesday, the Covid-disrupted Paris terror trial resumed with evidence from Mohamed Abrini, one of the accused, on his religious convictions and his decision to join the ranks of Islamic State in Syria.

Mohamed Abrini is a contradictory individual.

He told the special criminal court in Paris that, if he had the choice, he would prefer to live in Saudi Arabia, "where one can be a proper Muslim," adding that "Islam and western democracy are incompatible".

He defended rape, genocide and decapitation. He said he was proud of his younger brother, Souleymane, who died fighting for Islamic State. He refused to condemn the Paris killers. He said he was sorry for the victims and their families.

In five hours of questioning, Mohamed Abrini, who is suspected of having driven some of the Paris killers to the French capital just before the November 2015 attacks in which 131 people lost their lives, variously showed cooperation, commiseration and exasperation.

Generally polite, he angrily told one lawyer that she "disgusted" him because of her remarks to the "media hyenas" about the prisoners' "impermeability to human feelings".

He refused to answer her remaining questions. She asked them anyway.

Abrini defended Sharia law and jihad. "You think it's weird that a man can have three wives. That a man can take up weapons to defend his religion. But that's Islamic culture. You even have trouble with the halal food we choose to eat.

"In Europe, Islam is a problem."

Slow approach to the central facts

Because of the huge volume of evidence, estimated at more than one million printed pages, the Paris terror trial is approaching the tragic events of November 2015 in concentric stages.

Earlier evidence outlined Mohamed Abrini's family background in Belgium, his career as a petty criminal, his relationships with others of the accused.

The current focus is on the suspect's religious convictions, his rapid shift from non-practicing Muslim to Islamic warrior.

Mohamed Abrini rejected the very idea of "radicalisation".

"There is no such thing as what you call radical Islam," he assured the court. "There is just being a Muslim. That's all."

He rejected the suggestion that Muslim prisoners are systematically recruited and brainwashed by radical elements in prison. "My return to Islam was a complex process. Jail is certainly a good place for internal reflection," he wryly observed.

Brother's death in Syria a major blow

Clearly, the death in combat of his teenage brother had a huge impact on Abrini.

"When I saw the photographs of my brother with a bullet in his head . . . I thought about his commitment, about the other young people who went out to fight for what they believed. Obviously that makes you think about your own life and behaviour.

"I am proud of my brother . . . I am not capable of blowing myself up to kill other people. I know that. I could fight on a battlefield. I understand the Paris killers, but I could never do what they did."

A message for the bereaved?

Asked if he had anything to say to the families of the victims present in court or listening to the webradio retransmission of the trial, Mohamed Abrini hesitated for a long time.

"It's a difficult question. Listen . . . What I can say is this . . . What happened is really sad. They were the victims of French foreign policy and the war in Syria. It's not us in this prisoners' box who created the France in which we live.

"Instead of going on strike for more money, maybe they should protest against foreign policy . . ."

"You want them to demonstrate?"

"I share their sorrow as I share the sorrow of the Palestinians. I have nothing else to say."

The trial continues.
Campaigning Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege is urging his country's government to do more to bring war criminals to justice, alleging that many offenders hold positions of power and are blocking investigations.

Mukwege, who co-won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, is the Democratic Republic of Congo's best-known human rights campaigner.

He made his name treating rape victims at the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu in the country's war-torn east.

The 66-year-old gynaecologist and author, who has faced multiple assassination attempts, has long supported the idea of an international tribunal for Congo to try the people responsible for nearly three decades of atrocities and war.

"I have to be frank: I think we can do better," he told AFP in Paris when asked if President Felix Tshisekedi's government was doing enough to pursue militia leaders or military commanders responsible for massacres and rape.

"I do not see how we can build peace without justice," he added.

"There have been so many crimes, and unfortunately the criminals are in senior positions in the army, in the police. They also hold political positions. And the fact that they are in these roles means they do everything to hush up the truth," he said.

Tshisekedi came to power in 2019 after disputed elections, vowing to root out corruption and tackle militia groups.

He succeeded Joseph Kabila, whose 18-year rule saw a bid to end fighting in the east by inviting militiamen to join the army in exchange for laying down their weapons.

A landmark investigation published in 2010 by the United Nations, known as the Mapping Exercise Report, found evidence of abuses that could amount to crimes against humanity over the period of 1993 to 2003.

It pointed the finger at local armed groups, the Congolese army, as well as the soldiers of Congo's neighbours, above all Rwanda's, which played a key role in the Congo Wars of the late 1990s.

In an interview with AFP in May, Tshisekedi urged the international community to build on the Mapping Report, "because we need justice to be delivered to our victims."

Violence has ravaged the country since the middle of the 1990s, fuelled by competition for the country's mineral, forest and precious metal wealth, according to Mukwege and other human rights campaigners.

The DRC and Ugandan armed forces are currently engaged in a fight against one of the deadliest armed groups currently, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

The group is blamed for thousands of killings in North Kivu province and for recent bomb attacks in Uganda.

French help?

Mukwege, who met French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Tuesday, called on Paris to help in the fight against the "impunity" of war criminals in his country, a former Belgian colony.

DR Congo's troubled eastern provinces. By Sophie RAMIS AFP

"We think that France's involvement can make a difference: we are counting on France to help advance the issue of transitional justice," he said.

"France knows the Congo the best out of all countries except for Belgium, which is not on the UN Security Council," Mukwege added.

Several Congolese warlords have been tried and convicted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, but Mukwege's campaign for a special tribunal for his country has failed so far to gain traction internationally.

Rwandan leader Paul Kagame, a close Western ally with whom French President Emmanuel Macron has sought to forge a relationship, denies war crimes were committed by his soldiers in Congo.

Mukwege's efforts to push for justice and his outspoken condemnation of Congolese authorities, militias, as well as Rwandan authorities, means he lives under UN protection at his hospital in South Kivu province.
The Coalition of Aggrieved Customers of defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited, says managers of the defunct firm have only honoured payment obligations to two customers out of the 181 scheduled to be paid.

The company on December 19, 2021, published the names of some validated customers who were to be the first batch of clients to be paid between the period of December 2021 to June 2022.

But more than 20 days after the announcement, the customers say the two who were owed just GHS 4,000 each have received their locked up cash.

A spokesperson for the customers, Frederick Forson, spoke to Citi News,

Ever since we put out the list of 181 names, so far only two people have confirmed that they have been paid since the list was released last month. Each of them was paid GHS 4,000, and that is the amount they are owed by Menzgold. So the rest do not know what is happening, nobody has called and told them anything regarding how to get their monies.

Menzgold had announced a new roadmap for settling its aggrieved customers

These payments will run till June 30, 2022, according to a statement from Menzgold.

The statement also said the company was almost done with an audit that revealed some questionable claims from customers.

We note that a great number (about 45%) of claimants/transactions supporting documents are either incomplete, fraudulent, the statement noted, adding that some claims had dates that reflect periods when our company was not in operations and so on.

Menzgold also claims some customers transacted through unethical Menzgold and Brew Marketing Consult staff members and in other instances via referrals, mostly close relations, who took delivery of their funds under the pretext of signing them unto the Menzgold Gold Vault Market but ended up engaging in the many cryptocurrency products on sale on the Ghanaian market instead.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has described the contents of a petition against the vaccine rollout by some doctors as misleading.

GMA added that their claims are also not based on available local and international scientific data.

The GMA in a statement issued on Wednesday January 12 said The GMA finds the contents of the petition misleading, unfortunate and not based on available local and international Scientific data.

Some 11 doctors have written to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo to issue a directive for the nationwide vaccine rollout in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic to be paused.

The doctors say the risks associated with these vaccines, per the data studied so far, outweigh the potential benefits, if any.

In their petition dated Monday, January 10, 2022, the doctors, who call themselves as Concerned Ghanaian Doctors, cited how the UK and Israel are still battling with the virus despite a high vaccination rate of their respective populations.

These countries have very high vaccination rates, currently deploying booster programmes, yet they are struggling to get the virus under control especially with these new variants, the doctors observed in the jointly-signed petition.

Assuming as a country we are to vaccinate more than 50% of our population, are we going to continue with perpetual boosters every 3 to 6 months in an attempt to maintain vaccine induced immunity for this disease?

Where then is the end point when these vaccines do not stop infection or the spread of Covid-19? Is this financially feasible for us as a nation?

They contended that the case fatality rate is not as high as anticipated especially given the fact that not many citizens are testing.

For them, the vaccines becoming a mandate is only a ploy by some pharmaceutical companies to rake in profits.

If there is safe, effective, affordable, freely available early treatment for Covid-19, vaccines are no longer a priority.

It doesn't take a genius to recognise the financial benefit of pharmaceutical companies in demonising potential early, effective treatments.

If these medications do work, that's wonderful in the human race's fight against Covid-19. However, they are practicably placebos if they don't work. Why the suppression and demonising of these early treatments then, if the concern is health.

Considering all these, wouldn't it be prudent to pause and ask ourselves whether these novel vaccines are necessary in the first place, they quizzed.

For them, Ghana, and for that matter Africa, must lead the way in the fight against Covid-19.

All the relevant metrics show that Ghana and Africa at large have done better than most of the world with respect to the pandemic even before the advent of these vaccines.

It is possible the rest of the world are rather to learn from us.

The doctors are Dr Timothy Oblijah Armah, Dr Bismark Opoku-Asare, Dr Faisal Adjei, Dr William Ghunney and Dr Bernard Boateng Adjei.

The others are Dr Doreen Oye Agyei, Dr Michael Agyemang-Wiredu, Dr Richard Fayah and Dr Sedem Cyril Klinogoh.

The rest are Dr Phil Dowuona and Dr Emmanuel Awuttey.
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, 12th January 2022, cut the sod for the construction of the Accra STEM Academy, a school, dedicated, principally, to the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The Academy, which will be constructed within the next twenty-four (24) months, will be completed from kindergarten to high school, with an expected population of some two thousand (2,000) students.

It will have a number of state-of-the-art facilities, including a four-storey classroom block, science laboratories, a sickbay, administrative area, staff common room, library, washrooms, canteen, and a one thousand, five hundred (1,500) capacity multi-purpose hall.

According to President Akufo-Addo, the Accra STEM Academy, being constructed at a cost of thirty-two million cedis (GH32 million), will equip learners from kindergarten to senior high school with 21st century skills in problem solving, creativity, communication, collaboration, data literacy, digital literacy, and computer science.

In addition, the Accra STEM Academy will be a place where learners in junior high school will be provided with the options of learning basic engineering, manufacturing, and global studies to help them make informed decisions on their preferred programmes of choice at senior high school level, he said.

Delivering a speech at the event, the President explained that Government attaches importance to the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at all levels of the nations educational system, in recognition of the centrality of STEM capability in the employment of science and technology towards Ghanas nations development.

Indeed, our world is essentially driven by technology. Energy, industry, agriculture, medicine and health, clean air and water, transportation, sanitation, the use, management and conservation of natural resources  the successful exploitation of all these sectors depends, ultimately, on the application of science and technology. So, it is obvious that, to be a part of this modern world, science and technology must be present at every stage of the development process, he added.

Despite being one of the leading countries in guaranteeing access to quality education on the continent, President Akufo-Addo noted that Ghanas education sector still requires some significant transformation to compete with the best in the world.

For example, he explained that Ghana must increase her Gross Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (GTER) from the current 18.84% to 40% by 2030, adding that in accordance with Governments Education Strategic Plan (ESP), targeted at increasing our science to humanities ratio from the current one of forty to sixty (40:60) to the desired sixty to forty (60:40) in favour of science, Government is repositioning our education system, anchored on STEM Education.

As part of Governments commitment to the advancement of STEM education in the country, President Akufo-Addo stated that his administration has commenced the development of twenty (20) STEM Centres and ten (10) model STEM Senior High schools across the country, which are at various stages of completion.

Some of these schools will be operationalized this year. These institutions and centres will be fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories to facilitate teaching and learning in all areas of study, including artificial intelligence and robotics, he added.

Describing the Accra STEM Academy as a Ghana project, the President was confident that Ghanas young people are going to acquire skills that would put them at par with their peers anywhere in the world.

I expect parents and students to take advantage of this facilitys opportunities, and enroll in this STEM Academy. Government is committed to accelerating STEM education in Ghana, to train students with cutting-edge 21st-century skills. God-willing, within the next twenty-four (24) months, we will all be back here to witness the commissioning of the Accra STEM Academy, he added.
The United States on Wednesday brandished the threat of sanctions if troubled Somalia misses its latest deadline for elections.

Somali leaders on Sunday announced that elections that were due to be concluded last year will take place by February 25.

"Somalia's elections are more than a year behind schedule. The US is prepared to take measures against spoilers if the new National Consultative Council timeline is not met," the State Department's Africa bureau said in a Twitter post.

The mandate of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known as Farmajo, expired in February 2021 and was controversially extended in April, triggering deadly gun battles in the streets of Mogadishu.

World powers have voiced fear that election delays, as well as the ongoing feud between Farmajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, could set off new troubles for a country that has lacked stable governance for three decades.

Somalia is battling a deadly insurgency by Al-Shabaab jihadists and is in the grip of a drought that has left one in four people facing acute hunger, according to UN estimates.

Several people were killed on Wednesday in a suicide car bomb blast in Mogadishu, which was claimed by Al-Shabaab.

The government said in a statement on Twitter that the blast killed four people and injured six others, while a local government security officer had earlier told AFP that at least six people were killed.
The Bulli Bai app controversy, the latest in a series of such attempts over the last few months at shaming and objectifying outspoken Muslim women in the public sphere, has brought to the fore again the need for reform in the legal mechanism to deal with the harassment of women online in India through foreign-based platforms.

On 1st January 1, the Mumbai Police registered a case against the developers of an app, Bulli Bai, hosted on GitHub, which used photos of approximately 100 Muslim women, obtained and doctored without their permission, to mock-auction them to other users on the app. First information reports (FIRs) were also registered against Twitter handles that promoted the app. Based on a complaint by social activist Khalida Parveen, an FIR against the now-deleted app has also been registered in Hyderabad. The National Commission for Women too, wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner, to immediately register an FIR.

This is not the first time something like this has happened. In May 2021, a YouTube account, under the name  Liberal Doge , mock-auctioned off Muslim women from India and Pakistan to its 87,000 strong audience. Then in July 2021, an app called Sulli Deals, also hosted on GitHub, generated profiles of more than 80 Muslim women, using images from their social media, and described them as deals of the day. The police had registered an FIR against unknown persons at the time, but no arrests were made.

Thereafter, in November 2021, accounts on the popular social audio app, Clubhouse, were also created to mock-auction Muslim women using the Sulli Deals tag.

In all instances, outspoken women from mostly Muslim backgrounds have been listed, and their pictures morphed. These include Ismat Ara  an investigative journalist, Sayema  a radio jockey, Shabana Azmi, Swara Bhasker  actors, Fatima Nafees  the 65-year-old mother of Jawaharlal Nehru University student Najeeb Ahmad, who disappeared from his campus in 2016, and Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, among many others. Some of the profiles that have been generated on the app are of teenage girls. Both Sulli and Bulli are derogatory slangs used to refer to women belonging to the Muslim community.

Repeated incidents of womens photographs being uploaded and auctioned on Github directly points towards a disturbing trend for online safety.

The attention Bulli Bai has garnered has, fortunately, resulted in some action, the fourth time around. This time, a 21 year old engineering student named Vishal Kumar Jha and an 18 year old engineering aspirant named Shweta Singh, who is the main accused, have been arrested from Bengaluru and Uttarakhand respectively. Vishal has been remanded by a metropolitan court till January 10, while the woman has been placed under arrest.

They have been charged under Sections 153 (wantonly provoking with intent to cause riot), 153B (publishing any imputation that any class of persons cannot, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), 354 (assault or use of criminal force to any woman with intention to outrage modesty), 500 (punishment for defamation), and 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 67 (publish any material which is lascivious) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 198 6 may also be applied, in his opinion, as the content is derogatory, denigrates women and is against public morality. Nikhil Narendran, a Partner at Trilegal in its telecom, media, and technology practice, believes that an argument can be made that the content amounts to obscenity, and that it can be argued to be lascivious or appealing to prurient interests. However, new precedent would have to be established in order to obtain a conviction. On this front, provisions on obscenity in the IPC (Sections 292 293 , and 294 ) and the IT Act (Section 67) could be applied. Provisions of the6 may also be applied, in his opinion, as the content is derogatory, denigrates women and is against public morality.

Union Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the Indian Computer Emergency Response System, the nodal agency for monitoring cyber security incidents, has been asked to form a high-level committee to investigate the case.

What is GitHub? Is the platform liable?

GitHub is a cloud-based open-source software repository service that allows developers to store and manage their code, and keep track of any changes made to it. Git is an open-source version control software that allows for the codebase and history to be available on every developers computer, and GitHub enables coding participants or team members to collaborate better with ease through a user-friendly interface.

The MLAT process is a long and tedious process and this is in dire need of reform.  [Such reform] must concentrate on building consensus on the standards that will govern law enforcement access to data in a timely manner.

This platform was used to build and host the two mock-auction apps which stole pictures from the social media accounts of women without their permission, and invited users of the app to bid on them. GitHub has taken down the app without divulging the identity of the people involved and issued a statement saying, GitHub requires content to be respectful and civil and threats of violence are forbidden and speech that attacks a person or a group on the basis of their identity is not allowed.

Karthik Venkatesh, a Programme Manager at the Delhi-based think tank, The Dialogue, while speaking to The Leaflet, said, Under the intermediary rules, a platform acts as a passive conduit when it comes to content that is hosted on it. They are bound by their community guidelines that are published on the website, which categorically states that bullying and/or harassment content or pornographic content is disallowed on the platform. Repeated incidents of womens photographs being uploaded and auctioned on Github directly points towards a disturbing trend for online safety.

As to GitHubs liability under the Intermediary Rules , Narendran says that if GitHub takes down the content, it will not be liable, provided that it complies with the due diligence requirements.

Information collection under the MLAT process

Since GitHub is headquartered overseas, any information collection by Indian law enforcement will have to go through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) process . An MLAT is an agreement between two or more countries to facilitate the gathering and exchanging of information to enforce criminal or public laws. Requests for assistance can involve the examination and identification of people, places, or things, questioning, transfer of custody, or other assistance from law enforcement agencies in the receiving country, when the object of investigation is within its territory. GitHub is based out of the United States, a country with which India has entered into a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters

In this instance, there are four major stakeholders- the women, the platform (GitHub), Law Enforcement, and the owners of the app/developers. To conduct an investigation and to ensure that they gather the requisite evidence on the complaints by the women against the perpetrators of the obscene content, the police must go to the platform and request data. Since GitHub is a foreign company, the regular route that is followed for data sharing requests involves going through the MLAT process. The MLAT process is a long and tedious process and this is in dire need of reform, Venkatesh said.

In his view, such reform must concentrate on building consensus on the standards that will govern law enforcement access to data in a timely manner. Given the nature of the internet, building cooperation on matters such as this will be beneficial for all parties. Towards this, a data protection framework that lays down institutional mechanisms and obligations of data fiduciaries that are at par with global standards will allow for swifter data sharing. As far as legislative reforms go, legal mandates on performing audits on practices of platforms, enforcement of the community guidelines when it comes to illegal content/ pertains to a crime will help in demystifying the black box that platforms operate in.

The Delhi Police had, last year, sought approval for MLAT when FIRs were registered against the Sulli Deals app. They received permission from the Union Government earlier this week, and have sought information from GitHub regarding the developer of the Bulli Bai app. Twitter has also been asked to block and remove related offensive content from its platform.

Womens safety online

There has been a worrying increase in the number of instances of harassment of women online. While this is often shrugged off as men being men, much of this online locker room talk has the potential to manifest into real world violence against women. Discouragingly, very little is done by law enforcement to curb the phenomenon of cyber offences.

According to Venkatesh, [t]he prosecution rates for cyber offences have remained low, despite the enactment of the IT Act and the IT rules. One could allude to the lack of resources for law enforcement, lack of manpower and the technical expertise, and financial resources that are allocated for fighting cyber crimes remain low. Despite thousands of complaints to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on Child Sexual Abuse Material, conversion of these complaints to FIRs remains abysmal.

Cyberviolence, especially that with sexual overtones such as the Bulli Bai app, is a symptom of a bigger problem  a society that deprives women of their right to equally participate in political, social, and cultural life; one that is misogynistic and Islamophobic.

Online gender-based violence is just as harmful as offline violence, and is rooted in the gender equalities persistent in society. Not only will continued online violence such as this have a chilling effect and lead to self-censorship by women, it will also have long-term mental health consequences if left unaddressed. Cyberviolence, especially that with sexual overtones such as the Bulli Bai app, is a symptom of a bigger problem  a society that deprives women of their right to equally participate in political, social, and cultural life; one that is misogynistic and Islamophobic. In this case, the targeting of vocal women, largely belonging to a minority community, is an express assertion of power. This power imbalance must be addressed with awareness programmes and complaint and protection mechanisms, accompanied by strong punishments that will deter such behaviour in the future.

(Gauri Anand is an environmental lawyer and part of the research and editorial team at The Leaflet. Hinduja Verma is a political science student from Ramjas College, Delhi University. The views expressed are personal.)
The Future group on Tuesday submitted before the Supreme Court (SC) that Future Retail Ltd will sink with its 30,000 employees, if its over Rs24,000-crore deal with Reliance Retail fails to reach fruition.

The Future group also sought permission from a bench, headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana to proceed with the deal to sell its retail assets to Reliance Retail.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing Future Retail, submitted that company is in a precious financial situation due to the COVID pandemic and if its deal with Reliance Retail is obstructed, then 30,000 employees may lose their jobs. He added that his client should be allowed to secure shareholder approval and seek nod from the CCI (competition commission of India) and the NCLT (national company law tribunal).

"Let us get to that final stage... Amazon's interests aren't hurt," he argued.

Senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, representing Amazon, submitted that his client has been offering to help the Future group.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Future Coupons, submitted the assets of the promoters of the Future group are hypothecated, and if the deal with Reliance fails to go through, then everybody will sink, pointing at thousands of employees.

Citing Indian laws, Mr Salve said Amazon cannot give money to his client, as the law does not permit them to invest in multi-brand retail.

After a detailed hearing in the matter, the bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli reserved the judgment in the matter.

The Future Coupons and Future Retail have moved the top court challenging the Delhi High Court's single bench March 2021 order, directing attachment of assets of Future group companies and its promoters for breach of Emergency Award by Singapore Tribunal. Both sides have so far filed several cases at various forums, which include the apex court, Delhi High Court, and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC).

In 2020, Amazon invoked arbitration after Future Retail announced its asset sale deal with Reliance Industries Ltd's wholly-owned subsidiary, Reliance Retail.

In December last year, the CCI had imposed a penalty of Rs202 crore on Amazon and suspended its approval for the e-tailer's deal with Future Coupons, a promoter firm of the group's public listed company Future Retail Ltd, seeking more information. The US e-commerce giant has challenged the CCI order at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
On Wednesday, the indices opened higher and ended with gain. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 1,105 stocks advanced, 942 declined, and 43 remained unchanged with advance decline ratio of 1.17.

The trend of the major indices on Wednesdays trading are given in the table below:

Infosyss Q3FY21-22 net profit increased by 12% to Rs 5,807 crore and revenue grew 23% to Rs 31,867 crore. The company has revised its revenue guidance upwards to 20% as compared 17% earlier. The stock closed 1% higher.

Wipros Q3FY21-22 net profit was flat and revenue from operations increased by 30% to Rs 20,313 crore. It has declared a dividend of Rs1 per share.

Delta Corps Q3FY21-22 revenue more than doubled to Rs 284 crore and profit also increased multi fold to Rs 70 crore against Rs 1 crore on a year-on-year basis. It has announced IPO of its online gaming subsidiary Gaussian Networks Ltd in the next financial year.

Ashok Leyland has signed MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Aidrivers, a global specialist in AI-enabled autonomous solutions. They will work together to develop autonomous solutions for industrial applications. The stock closed 2% higher.

Ease My Trips board has approved issuance of bonus share in the ratio of 1:1. Leading edtech companies have formed a self-regulatory body named India EdTech Consortium.

Federal Bank is set to raise Rs 700 crore by issuing bonds on a private placement basis. The stock closed 2% higher.

Tech Mahindra has partnered with Nokia to proved 5G solutions for business organisations.

Vodafone Idea share closed 9% higher after the management clarified that the government has no intent to run the company and no nominees of government will be on the board.

The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below:

The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below:
Aga Popeda here with even more poetrybased on all the emails I received yesterday, we have quite a few poetry lovers here in the county. With our hospitals filling up with more Covid patients, and our health service staff as overwhelmed as a year ago, we are all looking for good news and words of inspiration.

So heres some good news: Monterey County has named its first poet laureate. The announcement was made by the Board of Supervisors today with a resolution honoring Daniel B. Summerhill as the first recipient of the Monterey County Poet Laureate by the Arts Council for Monterey County.

The mission of the Poet Laureate is to elevate poetry in the awareness of Monterey County residents and to help celebrate the literary arts, serve as an advocate for poetry, literature, and the arts, lead a community project that makes poetry more accessible; and contribute to Monterey Countys poetry and literary legacy, the resolution states.

Summerhill is a poet, spoken word artist and Assistant Professor of Poetry/Social Action and Composition at California State University Monterey Bay. He graduated from Pine Manor College in Boston with a major in creative writing and attended the New York State Writers Institute Scholar at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. He has a grant from the Community Foundation for Monterey County to pursue a literary arts endeavor with the objectives of preserving Black history in the Monterey area, fostering youth research and creative writing skills and leveraging art as a means of building community.

The author of two books of poetry, Divine, Divine, Divine, (Nomadic Press, 2021) and the upcoming Mausoleum of Flowers (CavanKerry Press, 2022you can preorder now; it will be published April 5), Summerhill moved to Monterey in 2019. Originally from the Bay Area, he is happy to be back in California. I have two homes now, he says. Summerhill chose CSUMB when applying for professorship because its creative writing program includes a civic action component (and is the only department in the nation to do so).

You make our work happen. The article youre about to read is from our reporters doing their important work  investigating, researching, and writing their stories. We want to provide informative and inspirational stories that connect you to the people, issues and opportunities within our community. Journalism takes a lot of resources. Today, our business model has been interrupted by the pandemic; the vast majority of our advertisers businesses have been impacted. Thats why the Weekly is now turning to you for financial support. Learn more about our new Insiders program here. Thank you. JOIN NOW

Summerhills job as Poet Laureate will be to elevate the exposure, participation and celebration of poetry in Monterey County through the lens of the people; his term will last two years. Its a very ambitious outlook, he says of the mission he is entrusted with. I know that people here already have poetry and stories. I dont need to expose them to poetry, but to help provide a platform for their voices to be heard. In terms of concrete plans, the countys first poet laureate is thinking of making an anthology of local poetry to be published in print, but also to be recorded as oral poetry.

I think of poetry as chronicling and an inspiration for social action, Summerhill says. His favorite writer is James Baldwin and he quotes Baldwin during our conversation, emphasizing the diversity of Monterey County. The legendary quote goes like this: Every white person in this countryand I do not care what he or she saysknows one thing. They may not know, as they put, what I want, but they know they would not like to be black here. If they know that, then they know everything they need to know, and whatever else they say is a lie.

Read the full newsletter here.
January 12, 2022 With No Progress In Talks Russia Will Have To React Monday's negotiations over Russian security demands between the U.S. and Russia were, as predicted, a failure. Russia's core demand, to end the NATO drive to its borders by excluding membership for the Ukraine and Georgia, was rejected. A for once realistic NYT piece did not even try to hide the disaster: In Talks on Ukraine, U.S. and Russia Deadlock Over NATO Expansion Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei A. Ryabkov, Russias lead negotiator, insisted after the meeting that it was absolutely mandatory that Ukraine never, never, ever become a NATO member. His American counterpart, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, reiterated that the United States could never make such a pledge because we will not allow anyone to slam closed NATOs open door policy, and she said that the United States and its allies would not stand by if Russia sought to change international borders by force." Today's talk between all NATO members and Russia in Brussels had similar results. Russia's core requests were rejected and a bunch of stuff with which NATO would like to restrict Russian advantages was thrown up to divert the attention from the core issues. As NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg summarized it: Today Russia raised the proposals that they published in December, aimed at addressing their security concerns. These include demands to stop admitting any new members to NATO. And to withdraw forces from eastern Allies. Allies on their side reaffirmed NATOs Open Door policy. And the right for each nation to choose its own security arrangements. Okay then. Russia will certainly choose its own security arrangements. And NATO will not like to see them. The NATO wishlist for future talk includes these items: Allies would like to discuss concrete ways to increase the transparency of military exercises, to prevent dangerous military incidents, and reduce space and cyber threats. Allies have also offered to look at arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. Including to address reciprocal limitations on missiles, and to address nuclear policies. On lines of communications, NATO Allies are interested in looking at ways to improve civil and military communications channels, and the possibility of re-establishing our respective offices in Moscow and Brussels. None of those have any priority for Russia and, as it will surely point out, it was NATO which in October initiated the breaking off of civil and military communications channels by expelling 8 members of Russia's NATO mission in Brussels The alliance has also halved the size of the Russian mission to NATO, headquartered in Brussels, from twenty to ten accredited positions -- the eight expelled Russian officials plus two other positions that will now be abolished. Russia reacted to that outrageous behavior by closing its outpost in Brussels. After the meeting today Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman added a new U.S. demand to her list: Sherman, the number two State Department official who is leading the U.S. delegation in separate meetings in Europe this week, said the NATO-Russia meeting ended with "a sober challenge" for Russia "to de escalate tensions, choose the path of diplomacy, to continue to engage in honest and reciprocal dialogue so that together we can identify solutions that enhance the security of all." The deputy secretary said that the Russian delegation did not commit, nor reject, NATO offers for follow-up discussions. The delegation further made no commitment to de-escalate, Sherman said, but added that they did not reject de-escalation. "Russia's actions have caused this crisis and it is on Russia to de-escalate tensions and give diplomacy the chance to succeed... There was no commitment to de-escalate. Nor was there a statement that there would not be." There is nothing to de-escalate. A number of Russian troops stationed within Russia are training to guard Russian borders. They have always done so and will continue to do that. It is the U.S., not Russia, which is exaggerating their number, today with 'additional helicopters' which no one has seen: While troop movements have slowed, there are still 100,000 military personnel near the border and now the Russians have positioned additional attack aircraft there, American officials said. Attack and transport helicopters, along with ground attack fighter jets, would be a critical Russian advantage, should Mr. Putin decide to invade Ukraine. Alexander Mercouris points out (vid) that the U.S. started the current affair when it, in March 2021, pushed the Ukraine to restart a war against it rebellious eastern Donbas provinces. Russia responded by quickly building up and showing off a force large enough to destroy the Ukrainian army. That calmed down the Ukrainian issue for a while but the U.S. and NATO continued to pressure Russia with bomber flights near Russia's borders and warships in the Black Sea. What did they expect but a Russian response? There is nothing the U.S. can do about troop positioning within Russia. Exaggerating their numbers only builds more pressure. The constant false lamenting about 'Russian military build-ups' don't help to calm things down. The 'de-escalation' has to happen on the U.S. side. Otherwise it will be Russia which has to escalate. That is the warning Russia's President Vladimir Putin has given to U.S. President Joe Biden. But it does not seem that the U.S. has come to understand that. The talks will fail as the 'western' side is rejecting the main requests Russia has. The promised 'military-technical measures' will be implemented in Europe, Asia and probably also in Latin America. Given that Russia has throughout the last decade presented a number of revolutionary weapon designs we can expect some new surprises which the U.S. will be unable to match. Fact is that Russia is capable to defend itself and its allies from military attacks and U.S. instigated color revolution attempts like in Belarus and Kazakhstan. That the U.S. does not like that is not Russia's problem. Posted by b on January 12, 2022 at 17:52 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
BEIJING, Jan. 12  The militaries of China and the United Kingdom held the eighth China-UK Defense Strategy Consultation via video link on January 12. The consultation was co-chaired by Lieutenant General Shao Yuanming, vice chief of the Joint Staff Department under China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and Dominic Wilson, director general of security policy of the UK Ministry of Defense. The two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views on issues including international and regional security situation, as well as relations between the two countries and the two militaries.

Shao said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reached in their phone conversation last October important consensus on promoting the bilateral relations, offering a comprehensive blueprint for the future China-UK cooperation in various fields.

The Chinese side views positively the relationship between the two militaries by saying that the present military relations between the two countries remain generally stable, and both sides have maintained contacts and exchanges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shao expressed that the Chinese military is willing to work with the British military to strengthen high-level strategic communication, maintain institutionalized exchanges and expand pragmatic cooperation, so as to constantly promote the development of bilateral military relations.

Wilson said that the UK and China are witnessing sound development of bilateral relations, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial diplomatic relations between the two countries, the UK looks forward to new progress in bilateral relations.

The UK side holds positive attitude towards bilateral military cooperation, and is willing to maintain communication and contact with the Chinese military at all levels, continue strategic consultations and maintain exchanges on the multilateral security dialogue platforms, Wilson said.
Moultrie, GA (31768)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
Sun Valley, ID (83353)

Today

Rain and snow showers this morning changing to rain showers for the afternoon. High 46F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 30F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tamil Nadu college teachers have urged the state government to allow them to come to the institution on a rotational basis as Covid-19 cases are surging in the state.

The college teachers said that several teachers are getting infected with the disease and a teacher had passed away on Tuesday, due to the virus.

The colleges in the state are closed for students but the teachers have to go to the campus daily.

The teachers are worried about their health as many of them have tested positive for the virus.

A teacher at Madurai Government Arts College told IANS: "Teachers are now forced to come to colleges even though there are no classes for students. Most of the teachers have taken both the vaccines but despite that, they are contracting Covid-19. Several teachers have comorbidities and they are being admitted to hospitals once they are affected by the virus. The government must think of our safety and should take some measures to relieve us."

The teachers said that online classes have also been discontinued but they have to go to the colleges just for the sake of duty and because the government is asking them to do so.

Most of the teachers are travelling in crowded public transport like buses and suburban trains exposing themselves to the virus.

In Chennai, the teachers are worried about the high rate of Covid-19 infection in the city. Chennai on Tuesday recorded a 18.1 per cent test positivity rate which is much higher than the 10.3 per cent in Tamil Nadu.

A teacher at the Government Arts College, Chennai told IANS: "The government seems to be careless about the teachers' health as most of them have comorbidities and have to travel in public transport where they can be exposed to the virus. I request the government to at least give the liberty to reach school on a rotational basis."

The Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers Association, however, said that with all the government office staff reaching their offices, the association cannot urge the government to provide relief to the teachers from going to college.

However, the position taken by the Association was rejected by the teachers.

A teacher, working in a government college in Chennai, on condition on anonymity told IANS: "The Teachers association is a useless body. They should have intervened in this matter. Instead, this organisation is trying to belittle teachers. We are not like government office staff, if there are no classes for students, why should teachers come to college. Our profession is to teach students and if it is not happening, then why waste our time and get exposed to the virus."
Reverend Terry Garrett, in his 64th year, Surrendered his Soul Tuesday from Tulsa. His Sacred Farewell, 10:00 AM, April 30, 2022, Worship Community Center, and until then, he will rest in Oak Hill Cemetery, Talladega, Alabama. biglowfunerals.com
The Sultanpur MP-MLA court has issued an arrest warrant against former BJP minister Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned from the UP cabinet on Tuesday.

He had been accused of stoking communal feelings when he was in the BSP, seven years ago.

Maurya has been asked to appear in court on January 24.

When asked, Maurya laughed off the development saying, "All this and much more will happen now."
When Lisa Fuda began looking for a place to open her Italian restaurant and market, she focused on Carolina Forest.

The New York transplant found the area had many people with similar backgrounds, and she thought her business, Nonnas Taste of Italy, would thrive there.

A lot of them are from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, she said. Theyre looking for something like this, an Italian eatery, somewhere where you can go with a girlfriend for a glass of wine and have a little charcuterie board or you can go with the family as well.  Thats why we named it Nonnas (Nonna means grandmother in Italian). This is going to be a family place.

Nonnas is one of four businesses slated to open in the Forest Marketplace by the end of the year. The planned strip mall in the heart of Carolina Forest has been in the works for more than three years, but construction is finally underway.

The project has received a stormwater permit from Horry County Government, and committed tenants are ready to see a finished product, said Robbie Leopard of Match Property Managers.

Its coming, he said. Were closer than what we were.

The three-acre site sits along Carolina Forest Boulevard near the Summerlyn neighborhood. The property is directly across from the Carolina Forest Library, and its one of the few business centers in whats primarily a residential corridor.

Carolina Forest Boulevard is bookended by commercial nodes near the intersections with U.S. 501 and River Oaks Drive. There are churches along the central section of the road, but few commercial tracts.

In fact, Forest Marketplace has faced criticism from nearby residents who dont want strip mall traffic beside their neighborhoods.

Leopard, the property manager, said hes sensitive to those concerns and hes tried to find businesses that wouldnt be objectionable to the neighbors. So far, hes lined up Nonnas, a Shell gas station, the Chinese restaurant Lucky Panda and a Sky Nails salon.
Surfside Beach leaders were disappointed last year when they realized the town's new pier would not be ready in time for the traditional Fourth of July fireworks display this summer.

But it now looks like they will get their wish, sort of.

For years, thousands have crowded the beach and roads in Surfside Beach to watch the massive display launched from the end of the towns pier. That tradition was wiped out in 2016 by Hurricane Matthew when the pier was completely destroyed.

On Tuesday, Surfside Beach Town Manager William Shanahan said the pier would not actually be completed until early fall, probably October. But, he said, the construction company said the pier will have progressed far enough by July for the town to use it for the return of the Fourth of July pyrotechnics event.

We will be shooting fireworks off the pier this July 4, Shanahan said. They said we could use it and we will.

Shanahan told the town council Tuesday that the large concrete platform on the beach side of the pier has been poured and now work is moving toward the water line. He said changing the pilings from steel to concrete caused part of the delay from the original timeline, but the change would add to the strength of the pier.

Mayor Bob Hellyer chimed in, That pier is not going anywhere.

In other action, the council voted to take away the expense of paying for special street lighting from the Harbor Lights HOA.

In 2013, the Harbor Lights HOA wanted something more for their neighborhood than the standard street lights and agreed to pay $3,400 a year for special decorative street lights. The decorative lights are monthly rentals from Santee Cooper.

Since that time, Harbor Lights has given the streets back to the town.

The town has put up decorative lights on other streets such as Ocean Boulevard, Upper Surfside Drive, 3rd Avenue South Promenade and 14th South at no cost to nearby residents. Shanahan said these areas have underground wiring and the standard street light poles would not work there.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday outlined the terms of reference for the enquiry committee, headed by retired top court judge Justice Indu Malhotra, to investigate the Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's security breach in Punjab.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli outlined five terms of reference for the committee.

"What were the causes for the security breach for the incident on 5th January 2022? Who are responsible for such a breach, and to what extent? What should be the remedial measures or safeguards necessary for the security of the Prime Minister or other protectees?" it outlined.

"Any suggestions or recommendations for improving the safety and security of other constitutional functionaries. Any other incidental issue that the committee may deem fit and proper," it added.

The top court asked the committee to submit its report at the earliest, and directed all records seized, in connection with the PM's visit, to be handed over to the Chairperson of the committee within three days.

"The Union of India and State Government are directed to provide full assistance to the Enquiry Committee for completion of the assigned task," it sai. The top court also stayed the enquiries ordered by the state government and the Centre, into the PM's security breach, till the conclusion of the enquiry committee.

The other members on the committee are Director General, or his nominee not below the rank of Inspector General of Police, of the National Investigation Agency, Director General of Police, Union Territory of Chandigarh, Additional Director General of Police, Security, Punjab, and the Registrar General, Punjab and Haryana High Court-Member-cum-Coordinator.

The top court order came on a petition by NGO Lawyer's Voice, which was represented by senior advocate Maninder Singh. The petitioner had emphasised on the importance of protection to the PM of the country and urged the court to constitute an independent committee to probe the matter.

During the hearing, Advocate General D.S. Patwalia, representing the Punjab government, complained against show-cause notices to its Chief Secretary and the DGP. He urged the top court to form an independent committee to probe the matter. "Hang me if I am guilty... but don't condemn me unheard," submitted Patwalia.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, defended the show-cause notices issued by the Central government. However, the top court expressed its displeasure at Centre's stand, questioning what is the point of asking the court to examine the matter if the Centre wanted to go ahead on its own.
Tuolumne and Calaveras, and Mariposa Public Health report numbers View Photos

Tuolumne County Public Health reports 82 new Covid-19 positive cases identified since yesterday, 78 are community cases and 4 are Sierra Conservation Center inmate cases. The newly reported community cases include 19 cases age 17 or younger and 12 cases age 60 or older. Tuolumne Countys active community cases increased 54 to 501 including 10 people who are hospitalized.

Tuolumne Public Health Officials restate, Due to the large number of cases we are experiencing, as well as changing definitions of vaccination status, we are discontinuing the reporting of vaccination status of cases on a daily basis. They encourage the public to review vaccination and other COVID-related data on the State website. If you receive a positive test result, you will likely receive a text or email from a Virtual Agent that will provide information on what to do next. Health Officials say, You can help slow the spread of Covid-19 by responding to texts, calls, or emails, and self-isolating when you have symptoms or a positive test result. Also notify any close contacts youve had from 2 days before you became ill or got tested. Any close contacts should follow current quarantine guidance and get tested 3-5 days after exposure. If you are at high risk of severe disease or hospitalization, you can contact your doctor to discuss potential treatment options. If you are not symptomatic, have not tested positive for COVID-19 recently, and are not in quarantine, get vaccinated or boosted. Updated to the most recent Isolation & Quarantine guidelines the Tuolumne health order is here.

The state reports the 14-day average for Covid-19 hospitalized patients is 14 down 6.7% from the prior days 14-day average. The state also reports two ICU beds available in Tuolumne County out of six.

The new Covid cases by gender and age: three girls and three boys age 11 or younger, six girls and seven boys age 12 to 17, seven women and seven men age 18 to 29, 11 women and four men in their 30s, five women and six men in their 40s, six women and one man in their 50s, two women and five men in their 60s, one woman and three men in their 70s, and one woman over 90.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports 83 currently active inmate cases. There have been 1,688 inmate cases at the Sierra Conservation Center, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports the SCC manages 3,213 inmates with 82% vaccinated including all the southern fire conservation camps and has tested 52% of the prisons population in the past 14 days. There are 70 staff members with Covid an increase of 16 out of 1,170. There is a 56% vaccination rate reported among the staff.

The total current case rate, a 14-day average for Tuolumne County increased to 104.9 from 98.4 per 100,000 population. The case rate reached a low of 15.1 on December 17th. A total of 22 individuals were released from isolation, in all 6,811 have been released from isolation. The lowest number of active cases since July was 62 on November 29th. The county sends samples from residents for sequencing which takes time, so far the Omicron Covid-19 variant has not been detected yet. A total of 59% of the population eligible to get vaccinated has been vaccinated.

Calaveras County Public Health reports 43 new cases since yesterday. There are 22 more active cases for a total of 90 active cases including two Covid hospitalizations. Seven of the new cases are age 17 or younger and four are age 65 and older, in total 874 under age 17 and 825 over 65 have been identified with Covid. There are 21 more counted as recovered for a total of 4,709 cases and 55.97% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated in the county. According to the state, Calaveras 14-day average for Covid hospitalized patients is two with no increase or decrease and there remain five ICU beds available.

Stanislaus had a large jump in reported cases with 1,031 new cases since yesterday reported, see chart below.

Mariposa Health officials report they may not be contacting all cases due to the large number who have tested positive. They request those with symptoms or a positive test stay home to reduce the spread. Mariposa shares that people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms can appear from 2-14 days, and with the Omicron variant seem to most often appear 2-4 days. Here is what they recommend to do if you have any symptoms or feel sick:

Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care.

Do not visit public areas.

Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.

Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency. Details are at cdc.gov.

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning people of fraudulent coronavirus home tests/rapid tests as detailed there.

COVID-19 Testing Public health recommends scheduling an appointment to get tested 5 days after possible exposure and if you are having any symptoms, to get tested right away. The Tuolumne County State testing site schedule is 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Appointments can be made at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Testing is also available at pharmacies, at Rapid Care, and the hospital emergency department if you are experiencing any symptoms, or contact your healthcare provider. More details are here.

COVID-19 Vaccine appointments and booster vaccine shots are recommended. The CDC is recommending that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5 to 11-year-olds receive a Covid vaccine booster 28 days after their second shot. The CDC also now recommends people receive a booster shot if they completed a Pfizer series at least five months ago, or the Moderna series at least six months ago, or a J&J vaccine at least two months ago. Vaccine appointments for children ages 5 to 11 can be made through myturn.ca.gov, or by calling 833-422-4255, or through local pharmacies, more details are here. For ways to manage a fear of needles or a phobia and help others with it, view the CDCs information guide here. Learn more about self-care strategies by visiting namica.org

County

Date

New

Active (Hospital)

Total 2022 All Cases (All Deaths) Amador 1/7 11 168 (9) 130 4,104

(62) Calaveras 1/11 43 92 (2) 260 4,895

(94) Mariposa 1/11 25 62 (12) 237 2,000

(18) Mono 1/11 2 195 229 2,204

(5) Stanislaus 1/11 1,031 7,041 (161) 6,684 91,657

(1,499) Tuolumne 1/11 82 501 (10) 865 9,151 (151) Reported cases at end of 2021 and 2020
Sacramento, CA  With the Omicron variant driving up COVID infections across the state Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order giving school districts more latitude to keep students in person for the remainder of the year.

Newsom signed the order on Tuesday which allows schools more flexibility in staffing decisions like giving additional hours to substitute teachers and rehiring recent retirees for short stints. Omicron is sidelining school personnel statewide a week after some 6 million K-12 students returned to classrooms following the winter break. The order expires at the end of March.

These are short-term challenges that require short-term and targeted solutions, said Newsom. He added this will expedite a hiring process thats typically time-consuming and allow school districts to keep our kids safely in person for the remainder of the year and get through this next three to six or so weeks.

Newsom also said the state was working on getting more COVID-19 tests to schools after his administration was criticized last week for not having enough tests available. Tuolumne County Interim Public Health Officer Dr. Eric Sergienko tells Clarke Broadcasting that the county received around 6,000 COVID test kits, which he says is plenty, and added that more have already been ordered to make sure the schools are covered. Serienko also detailed that more than just students can use these tests, If a family member of a student needed to get tested and there was a test available at a school that it would be okay for the school to test the family member. That is another option for testing.

The California Teachers Association has not yet remarked on the order.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has chosen to relaunch its Texas State Parks Ambassador Program after a two-year hiatus.

The program is currently accepting applications for parks in West Texas and Central Texas.

Ambassadors are a group of conservation-minded volunteers who will be paired with a state park with the purpose to foster a new generation of outdoor stewards, according to a news release from TPWD.

Applicants must be between 18 to 30 years old and must have a high school diploma.

Visits to state parks have increased substantially, according to Samantha Toback, ambassador program coordinator.

Texas State Parks will also celebrate its centennial in 2023 which makes the relaunch of the ambassador program even more important, Toback noted.

Those interested in joining can fill out an application and note which park they want to work with. The top candidates will be selected for interviews. The final group selected will then be required to attend Ambassador Leadership Training prior to the start of their six-month ambassadorship. This five-day training includes 40 hours of hands-on service, community outreach and social media projects. The group will also get to go kayaking, backpacking, mountain biking and more.

The training will happen in March.

Applications for ambassadors for Central and West Texas will close Jan. 26 and must be submitted online at https://tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/programs/state_parks_ambassador/#schedule. The application period for the Panhandle and North Texas regions will open in February. Ambassador program applications for South and East Texas will open in August.
MERIDEN  Hartford HealthCare opened two new COVID-19 testing trailers Tuesday to help meet the demand for testing amid the omicron spike.

Testing trailers at MidState Medical Center and the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to people who make appointments. While the Hospital of Central Connecticut is open seven days a week, the trailer at MidState is open the same hours Monday through Friday.

The procedures are supervised nasal swab PCR tests and results can be expected in about 48 to 93 hours.

Its pretty obvious, there is a community need for increased testing, said Dr. Jeff Finkelstein, vice president of medical affairs at MidState Medical Center and the Hospital of Central Connecticut. The omicron spike is larger than we expected and has overwhelmed community resources.

To make an appointment at one of HHCs seven testing trailers visit https://hartfordhealthcare.org/health.../coronavirus/testing.

HHC officials have said the testing trailers are equipped to handle about 200 daily visits and will increase testing capability overall by more than 1,000 tests per day to 5,000 daily tests..

The demand for COVID-19 testing has inundated the 19 urgent care Go-Health centers throughout the network leading to upwards of 1,800 to 2,000 tests per day.

Our MediQuik (urgent care center) is seeing record numbers of patients, and 75 to 80 percent are having testing, Finkelstein said. We are maxing our capacity and adding more resources.

Testing has also spiked at Meridens testing center on Orange Street with cars lining up at 7 a.m. for a saliva test processed at Wren Laboratories. The center, as with other state PCR testing sites, was canceled Tuesday due to extreme cold temperatures. The center is typically open Tuesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Results are within 2-5 days.

Hartford HealthCare is sending its tests to Quest Laboratories but the increased testing has challenged the workforce. Finkelstein said. Health care workers from other departments are working the test centers to keep the trailers open seven days a week. There is also the need for follow up care for those testing positive.

We are redeploying from other jobs to meet this very important need, Finkelstein said. This is all hands on deck.

People who should be tested include those who have symptoms or a recent exposure, are traveling or need to return to work or school. Symptomatic patients should be tested as early as possible in the event they require monoclonal antibody or other COVID fighting treatments. This is especially important for people over age 75 or those over age 55 with comorbidities. Those who test positive through an at-home test kit, should assume they have COVID-19 and isolate. There is no need for a PCR test unless they require treatment, Finkelstein said.

Meriden city officials expressed gratitude to Hartford HealthCare for opening the testing trailer at MidState.

I'd like to thank our partners at Hartford HealthCare and MidState Medical Center for expanding access to testing in our community at this critical point in the pandemic, Mayor Kevin Scarpati stated on social media. Please do not use the hospital Emergency Department for testing.

In a note of optimism, Hartford HealthCare officials told reporters Tuesday that about 30 percent of the 534 hospitalizations systemwide are for patients who came to the hospital for conditions not related to COVID but tested positive for the virus. They also said most of the patients in the ICU or on ventilators have not received a booster vaccine, and they continue to encourage boosters.

Health experts also said that based upon data in the United Kingdom and New York City, both the positivity rate and subsequent hospitalizations are expected to decrease after Jan. 15 or Jan. 21.

mgodin@record-journal.com203-317-2255Twitter: @Cconnbiz
In another jolt to the ruling BJP, UP minister Dara Singh Chauhan also submitted his resignation from the Yogi Adityanath government on Wednesday.

His resignation comes a day after Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from the council of ministers.

In his terse resignation letter to the Governor, Chauhan said that the Yogi government had failed to address the aspirations of Dalits, OBCs and weaker sections of society and was apathetic towards the problems of the youth. He further said that the government was mishandling reservation for Dalits.

Chauhan, who held the Environment and Forest portfolio, is a former BSP MP who joined the BJP in 2015. He was elected from Mau and belongs to the OBCs.

Chauhan's resignation is yet another in the growing list of resignations in the UP BJP. So far, six MLAs, including Maurya, have stepped down from the party and if reports are to be believed, there are more in the line.

While the BJP officially refused to react to the development, a party functionary said that those leaders who knew that their performance was below average and could be denied ticket, are taking this step.
A professional percussionist who has played with a number of well-known classical arts ensembles is part of an ensemble nominated for a Grammy Award.

Jonny Allen, a 32-year-old Cheshire native and 2007 graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall, performed the Grammy-nominated piece Seven Pillars with Sandbox Percussion.

The nomination category is Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance. Andy Akiho, the composer, was nominated for Best Contemporary Classical Composition.

Once the Grammy nomination was announced, the ensemble was profiled in the New York Times and the Seattle Times.

Sandbox Percussion is the ensemble-in-residence at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for the 2021-22 academic year. Allen and the other three members, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum and Terry Sweeney, are percussion faculty at the school as well.

Allen was not immediately available for comment. According to the Sandbox Percussion website, hes based in Brooklyn, New York and has performed and won prizes in music competitions all over the world.

Outside of Sandbox, Allen performs with his jazz trio, Triplepoint, the Percussion Collective and is a founding Core Member of the American Modern Opera Company. He previously played with the Volta Trio.

He also co-directs the NYU Sandbox Percussion Seminar each summer, holds a position as percussion instructor at Choate, as well as gives workshops and master classes worldwide.

He earned a bachelors degree and performers certificate from the Eastman School of Music and a masters degree and artist diploma from the Yale School of Music.

According to his mother, Peggy Allen, Jonny Allens first drum lessons were with First Falls Fife and Drum in Wallingford. He played with the Cheshire Community Band when he was in middle school. His mentors included Ray Mancinelli and the music staff in the Cheshire public schools, as well as the staff at Neighborhood Music School in New Haven.

As a high school freshman in 2004, Jonny Allen participated in a three-day jazz festival for students from area high schools hosted by Cheshire High School, receiving instruction from Grammy-nominated jazz trombonist John Fedchock.

Jonny Allen would be among good local company if his ensemble wins a Grammy.

In 2019, Anthony Rossomando, along with Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, won a Grammy Award for co-writing "Shallow," the signature song from the blockbuster movie "A Star Is Born."

Rossomando is a Hamden native and the son of Fred Rossomando, longtime Moran Middle School music teacher in Wallingford.

The 64th annual Grammy Awards presentation show was scheduled for Jan. 31, but postponed last week due to uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant of COVID-19, according to a statement from CBS and the Recording Academy, the nonprofit organization of musical professionals that presents the Grammy Awards.

LTakores@record-journal.com203-317-2212Twitter: @LCTakores
In a matter of weeks, local restaurateur Michael Sohocki fully re-imagined his long-time businesses. On the morning of Tuesday, January 11, a new iteration of Kimura officially began cooking. The ramen restaurant now operates out of a spacious brick building on North Flores Street, perhaps familiar to you for previously hosting the health-conscious eatery, 5 Points Local.

Sohocki announced the news of Kimura's second-coming in an Instagram post on Monday, just days after shuttering the former location on December 23. If it seems sudden, Sohocki set out to make a quick turn-around to ensure his staff sooner receive their paychecks. With the help of project foreman Patrick Bearman, an original lead server at Gwendolyn, Sohocki and friends were able to pull the operation together.

Gwendolyn, Sohocki's now-defunct upscale eatery, will also be reborn in the new space. In its second-act, the Old World-inspired European restaurant will adopt the 5 Points name. Bundled into the revamped veteran concepts, a bar called Dash occupying the buildings loft space will make its scene debut. Through this three-part constellation, a new San Antonio watering hole has quickly emerged.

The two restaurants will share a kitchen space, under the direction of former Gwendolyn chef Andreas Imhof. Each concept will have its own distinct dining areas and menus.

Gwendolyn Group, Blonde Creative

Previously, Kimura and Gwendolyn rented a smaller and clumsier space on the busy corner of North St. Mary's and East Pecan Streets. Sohocki says he welcomes the change and is eager to develop his concepts in a more residential area. The new building just north of downtown boasts stainless steel appliances and more indoor and outdoor dining space. Where Kimura and Gwendolyn previously sat around 60 individuals total, the new space easily caters to almost 200 patrons under one roof.

In his tenure, Sohocki has run the gambit of food service industry jobs, from waiting tables in his hometown of Corpus Christi, gaining inspiration in Japan, and chefing at Lisa Asvestas' The Cove and Andrew Weissman's La Reve and Il Sogno.

Sohocki, who also owns Il Forno, has been a chef and a restaurant owner in San Antonio for 11 years now. With his latest endeavor, he hopes to fully establish his projects as familiar and permanent fixtures in the city.

"I want the restaurants to be somewhere that everybody goes and that everybody knows," he tells MySA. Ditching the tablecloths and frills of traditional fine dining inherent to Gwendolyn, Sohocki wants the new 5 Points to be accessible to all.

"I don't want it to be Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn was exclusive," says Sohocki. Though the new 5 Points menu will serve many of the eateries "greatest hits" including a Spanish albondiga soup and a house salad hearkening back to a classic European recipe.

Kimura will serve much of its previous menu, including three different types of ramen and gyoza.

The new restaurants will be at 1017 N Flores Street open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Big Bend National Park is often heralded as Texas' gift to the nation. Named after the way the Rio Grande curves as it cuts through the Mars-like Chisos Mountains, the mythic enclave is a world famous hiker's destination, chock-full of prickly flora and fauna. After years spent contemplating a trip, I finally ventured to the West Texas outpost for the first time as a San Antonian.

The urge to romanticize the natural area, which is saddled between Texas and Mexico's western border, predates its official beginnings as a national park in the 1930s. Since then, its landscapes have been featured in films by famous Texas directors ranging from Richard Linklater to Robert Rodriguez. In nearby towns, some businesses today even mine the park's fame for commercial kitsch. (The visual pun of a person bent in a 40 degree angle at Big Bend Yoga Center in Alpine, Texas, is permanently etched in my mind.)

While at no point did I endeavor to see all 801,000 acres of the park, I did enjoy a suggested low impact course known as the Santa Elena Canyon trail, which spans only 1.4 miles and is near the border town of Terlingua. It goes without saying that the hike was beautiful, however not everything about it was intuitive. For the curious fellow beginners, here are my suggestions for how to do Big Bend right.

Camille Sauers/MySA

Bring water-safe shoes

My mother's old chocolate brown Sketchers sneakers may have complimented my jacket, but they were in no position to cross the high waters that greeted me at the mouth of the path. Only my friend in hiking boots was spared the soggy humiliation of removing socks and shoes, tying them to a belt loop, and wading through frigid and rocky water to the rest of the trail. If you don't have waterproof hiking boots, perhaps bring a pair of water shoes or sandals to change into just in case the waters prove to be intrusive.

Wear sunscreen

A pillar of outdoor recreation, sunscreen is always a helpful hiking aid. While I applied some before the onset of my journey, I do regret not bringing it along and I'm not afraid to admit that I got a little pink. If this is a risk you do not want to take  keep an adequate SPF within your reach.

Camille Sauers/MySA

Practice patient parking

Patient parking is a term I just made up to describe the practice of not getting stressed out when waiting for a parking space. Parking at the popular trail head is available, but limited. In other words, you may have to do some laps before you secure your spot. This should be no problem for you if you approach your trip with a spirit of quiet cool. Be sure to have a baseline appreciation for the nature that abounds all around you and your favorite West Texas country album at the ready (may I suggest Terry Allen's Lubbock (on everything) ?) Rest assured, in short order, a parking space will be yours.

Prepare to take pictures

If you're like most people, you'll likely find yourself snapping a picture of the dramatic scenery even though your phone camera hardly does it justice. Even if you decide to leave your phone in the truck and let memory do its thing, you may still have to take photos. Be mindful of this. Families travel for miles to see Big Bend in the flesh. You may encounter them on the trail looking sheepish and waiting in a photogenic nook. Spare them the trouble of asking a stranger for a photo and offer to take a picture of them, for them. You'll see a wave of relief pass over their faces as you capture a moment they will never forget.

Camille Sauers/MySA

Secure a case of Lone Stars and celebrate the sublime nature all around you

By the end of the short hike, you will be brimming with love for our great state. Even if you're a bit of a city-slicking rhinestone cowboy who wears Luccheses for fashion reasons, you'll be possessed by the spirit of the west as you watch a hawk fly over the life-affirming terrain. When you get back to the parking area, you're gonna want to enjoy an ice-cold Lone Star with your pals because you're in Texas, and Texas is beautiful. Make sure to keep a spare case in your trunk so you can each take a moment to crack "the National Beer of Texas" open in the picnic area. You may bring a snack, too, whatever your gas station snack of choice may be. When you're done soaking up the sun, be sure to throw your trash away when you're through with it. Protecting and celebrating the abundance of life and nature is the most important thing you will do on your journey through Big Bend.
Hispanic Elvis, the celebrated San Antonio icon often seen mingling with Market Square strollers, is hospitalized. The San Antonio man, with an obvious penchant for Elvis-inspired threads, has been a local icon for years. Online fans were stunned to see a social media photo circulating over the weekend showing the man, who maintains his anonymity under his Hispanic Elvis moniker, laying on a sidewalk.

His family was hurt and revolted by the lack of privacy for their loved one, they tell MySA.

George Cisneros, the younger brother of Hispanic Elvis, says his family found out about his brother's condition through social media. He says his 84-year-old sister nearly suffered a heart attack when she was shown the photo of her brother in an alarming state. The family has since worked to have the original photo removed, yet copies of the picture continue to circulate, as do rumors about the local legend's health.

JERRY LARA, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Cisneros says he doesn't have much information to share, but confirms to MySA that his brother is hospitalized with an infection affecting his esophagus and is "very sick." He says Hispanic Elvis, 76, also tested positive for COVID-19, but is not on a ventilator. There is some confusion as to when the photo was taken, but the family says Hispanic Elvis was admitted on Monday, January 10.

Doctors are running tests on his brother and Cisneros is waiting by the phone for updates from the hospital, he says.

"My brother is very private, he doesn't like anyone to know anything and he's always been that way," he says, adding that Hispanic Elvis does not own a cellphone and only contacts the family through pay phones or borrowed phones.

Hispanic Elvis is largely beloved by the San Antonio community. In September, artist Colton Valentine dedicated a mural to him. It's an unspoken San Antonio badge of honor to get a photo with him or witness one of his dance moves. Still, onlookers do have questions and pass judgement on the man only known by his flashy outfits and homemade guitar, Cisneros notes.

Courtesy, Colton Valentine

Cisneros says his brother is "living his dream." He says he used to be a musician in the 1960s before working for an autobody shop and then taking on the Hispanic Elvis persona more than 20 years ago.

The brother says he usually only sees Hispanic Elvis when he finds him at Market Square. He shares that his brother lives in an assisted living facility and was generally healthy before this week.

"Some people don't understand him because of what he does," Cisneros adds. "My brother's living his dream, even though it's later in life, but he was always been a performer. He's not out to hurt anyone."

There is not a GoFundMe or any other online fundraisers to support Hispanic Elvis at this time.
By Brett Wilkins. Originally published at Common Dreams

Human rights defenders marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba under the administration of former President George W. Bush by noting that three American presidents have come and gone without anyone being held accountable for the horrific crimes that have occurred there, while calling on the fourthJoe Bidento finally close what one advocate called an indelible stain on the nation.

Four American presidents have overseen the facility and three have promised to close it, the ACLU tweeted Tuesday. Every day Guantanamo remains open is an affront to human rights, justice, and the rule of law.

Since 2002, 779 Muslim men and boys have been held at Guantanamo, nearly all without charge or trial, the ACLU continued.

According to retired U.S. Army Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, who served as chief of staff to Bush-era Secretary of State Colin Powell, Bush, along with his vice president and defense secretary, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, knew that most of the prisoners were innocent, but kept them locked up for political reasons.

Many of the remaining men are torture survivors. The CIA formerly disappeared some of them to black sites before they were sent to Guantanamo. All of them have been exposed to the physical and psychological trauma associated with prolonged indefinite detention.  ACLU (@ACLU) January 11, 2022

Today, 39 men remain indefinitely detained, noted the ACLU. Twenty-seven have never been charged with a crime, and 14 of those prisoners have been cleared for transfer or release, some for years.

In July 2021, the administration of Bidenwho has signaled his intention to close Guantanamoreleased 56-year-old Abdul Latif Nasser after 19 years of detention and repatriated him to his native Morocco. No other Gitmo prisoners have been transferred during Bidens tenure.

Our legal team at @BaluchiGitmo created this illustration of the Past, Present, and Future of Guantanamo. @POTUS can prevent that future by closing GTMO now. Pls share and check out interactive version at the following link: https://t.co/7LbJ0qgDfY#CloseGuantanamo #GITMO20 pic.twitter.com/4NzPiM2Asw  Alka Pradhan (@PradhanAlka) January 11, 2022

Bidens former boss, President Barack Obama, signed executive orders after entering the White House in 2009 that were meant to end torture and close Gitmo. Obamawho was blocked by Congress from implementing the prisons closurebroke a campaign promise and the law by actively shielding Bush-era officials from accountability while torture continued at Gitmo.

Obamas successor, former President Donald Trump, vowed to load up Gitmo with bad dudes and bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding while signing an executive order to keep the facility open. However, the prisons population did not increase under his tenure and in 2019 he said his administration would search for alternatives to Guantanamo.

Today 20yrs ago I watched in horror as I saw images of men kneeling in orange jumpsuits with their eyes, ears and mouths forcibly covered. I couldnt have imagined that I would soon be among them. Ive endured kidnap, torture, imprisonment without trial and I saw a man murdered.  Moazzam Begg (@Moazzam_Begg) January 11, 2022

Connecting the four presidents of the Guantanamo era is a military commission regimen under which detainees accused of the most serious crimesincluding planning and supporting the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United Statesare slated to be tried. Numerous military officers have resigned from what former lead prosecutor Col. Morris Davis called the rigged commission.

As the U.S. military slowly moves ahead with the commission proceedings, human rights advocates urge Biden to succeed where his predecessors failed and finally close Guantanamo once and for all.

President Biden, keep your campaign promise to put the brutal legacytorture, detention without charges or trialof Guantanamo Bay detention center behind us, Marcy Winograd of the women-led peace group CodePink tweeted, while calling on the president to appoint a special State Department envoy to close this hellhole.

President Biden needs to fulfill his pledge to finally end this shameful chapter of American history, the ACLU asserted. He can do this by ending indefinite military detention and the unconstitutional military commissions system.

Established during the War on Terror and in the wake of 9/11, the notorious Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) is a major breach of civil liberties that exists in the shadow of the US empire. #CloseGITMO pic.twitter.com/prQcpJd6f2  CODEPINK (@codepink) January 11, 2022

]

Agnes Callamard, the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, wrote Tuesday that it is not only about closing Guantanamo. It is also about delivering accountability for the violations committed within its settings.

Guantanamo is an indelible stain on the United States history, a chapter it must now close and never repeat, she stressed.
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Congratulations to Starbucks workers who are now organizing union shops across the country in NY, AZ, MA, WA, TN, CO, OR and OH. Good luck!  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 11, 2022



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By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans.

This week has seen an uptick in mainstream media reports of empty supermarket shelves, as the Omicron wave rolls on.

U.S. shoppers have faced sporadic shortages of fresh food, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies, since lockdowns commenced in March 2021.

Fox compares c\the urrent state of play to thatwhch once prevailed in the Soviet Union in Shoppers astounded by thinning grocery store supplies: Its just empty shelves:

Empty shelves and thinning groceries and drug supplies are reminiscent of March 2020, Washington, D.C., shoppers told Fox News Digital. Its like a Soviet store during 1981. Its horrible, one man said. Honestly, it looks like March of 2020, when everybody was stockpiling and the shelves were bare, another man, Dominic, told Fox News Digital.

This is certainly hyperbole, as those who ever visited the Soviet Union  as I did in December 1983  well know.

Here in Brooklyn, Ive yet to see any shortages firsthand, although Ive not myself been inside any supermarket recently. Instead, Ive relied on deliveries from my local supermarket, Lincoln Market, from which I ordered most recently on Tuesday,. My order included plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and some dairy. Just before Christmas, Id ordered meat from my butcher, some of which remains stockpiled in my freezer, and cheese from Murrays Cheese.

I occasionally cross the street to a good specialty food shop. It also delivers but I usually order on-line and pick up the food myself, enmasked with an N95. I cant resist their cookies: big, but not too big, and not too sweet. When Im very busy or unusually lazy or I just fancy a change, a couple of restaurants also supply reasonably-priced take-away.

I try to eat local food and during the clement months, most of our fruit and vegetables come via the New York City Greenmarket system. I also shop at a nearby greengrocer that offers a better selection, at lower prices, than the supermarket. But a combination of wishing to avoid exposure to the virus and some (minor) health issues have left me relying on grocery deliveries.

Im lucky in that Ive not seeing widely-reported supermarket shortages firsthand. CNN reports on the general problem in Heres why grocery stores are struggling to stock their empty shelves. Omicrons the immediate proximate cause of these shortages, not only due to the toll its taking on grocery store employees, but also as a result of its related impact on transportation and other food logistics. Per CNN:

As the highly contagious variant of the Covid-19 virus continues to sicken workers, its creating staffing shortages for critical functions like transportation and logistics, which in turn are affecting delivery of products and restocking of store shelves across the country. Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran acknowledged that products are in tight supply during the companys earnings call with analysts Tuesday. I think as a business, weve all learned to manage it. Weve all learned to make sure that the stores are still very presentable, give the consumers as much choice as we can get, Sankaran said during the call. Even so, he added, Omicron has put a bit of a dent on efforts to improve supply chain gaps. We would expect more supply challenges over the next four to six weeks, Sankaran said. [Jerri-Lynn here: my emphasis.]

Supermarket labor issues predated the rise of Omicron and are not likely to ease any time soon. Over to CNN:

Grocery stores are operating with less than their normal workforces, according to the National Grocers Association, and many of its members have less than 50% of their normal workforce. While there is plenty of food in the supply chain, we anticipate consumers will continue to experience sporadic disruptions in certain product categories as we have seen over the past year and half due to the continued supply and labor challenges, said Greg Ferrara, the groups president and CEO. In fact, labor shortages continue to pressure all areas of the food industry, said Phil Lempert, an industry analyst and editor of SuperMarketGuru.com. From farms to food makers to grocery stores, its across the board, said Lempert. During the pandemic, these operations have had to implement social distancing protocols and theyre not really built for that and it has impacted production. And as the pandemic continues, many food industry workers are opting not to return to their low-wage jobs at all. [Jerri-Lynn here: my emphasis.]

So, no one should expect the supermarket industrys labor woes to improve anytime assign  especially as it looks like the obvious solution  paying higher wages  is not on the cards.

In addition to labor issues, transportation difficulties have also affected food supplies (and some of these, too, are at root labor issues as well). According to CNN:

An ongoing shortage of truckers continues to slow down the supply chain and the ability of grocery stores to replenish their shelves quickly. The trucking industry has an aging workforce on top of a shortage, Lempert said. Its really been a problem for the last several years. Layered atop widespread domestic transportation issues is the ongoing record-high level of congestion at the nations ports. Both of these challenges are working in tandem to create shortages, he said.

Weather is also a concern, both seasonal and longer-term trends arising out of climate change. Over to CNN:

Much of the Midwest and Northeast has recently been grappling with severe weather and hazardous commuting conditions. Not only are people stocking up on more groceries, that level of high demand coupled with transportation challenges is making it more difficult to transport goods in inclement weather, thus resulting in more shortages, said Lempert. Not to mention climate change, which is an ongoing serious and longer term threat to food supply. Fires and droughts are damaging crops such as wheat, corn and soybean in the US and coffee crops in Brazil, he said. We cant ignore it.

CNN recognizes that the pandemic has changed personal eating habits, with more people eschewing restaurants in favour of preparing food and eating at home. The extent to which this trend will continue depends on how quickly and to what degree the pandemic is brought under control. According to CNN:

More and more of us have taken to cooking and eating at home through the pandemic thats contributing to the grocery supply crunch, too, said Lempert. We dont want to keep eating the same thing and are trying to vary home cooking. As we do that, were buying even more food products, he said. The shortages have also made buying food increasingly more expensive going into 2022. Grocery stores certainly are aware of the empty shelves, Lempert said, and they are trying to mitigate panic buying, which only worsens it the situation. One strategy: Fanning out products. Theyre doing this by putting out both limited varieties and limited quantities of each product in an attempt to prevent hoarding and stretch out their supplies between deliveries.

Pre-pandemic you might have seen five different varieties of milk across the front row and 10 cartons deep. Now it will be five across and maybe two rows deep, said Lempert.

In this post, Ive relied on summarizing CNNs details. Yet I could easily instead have relied on different sources to elicit similar facts. Major outlets are more or less reporting the same thing, nationwide: Fox (as above); Bloomberg: Cant Find Pasta or Cat Food? Empty Store Shelves Are Here to Stay; USA Today: Grocery stores still have empty shelves amid supply chain disruptions, omicron and winter storms; or ABC News: Heres why grocery stores are struggling to stock their empty shelves.

Readers: what are you seeing? Are food supply issues getting better or worse?
My Nashville Post role has evolved since 2000 when I joined the now-defunct The City Paper. TCP became a Post sister publication in 2008 (when I began doing some Post work) and folded in 2013. I have been managing editor of the Post since late 2011.

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Those who are unable to handle the affairs of the party, cant's run the affairs of the state, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in an exclusive conversation with IANS, referring to the state of the Congress in the Himalayan state.

Here are excerpts from the exclusive interview.

Q. Are you coming back to power in Uttarakhand?

A. Absolutely, there is no problem anywhere. This time we have given the slogan '60 paar'.

Q. Do you think you have a tough fight with Harish Rawat of the Congress?

A. There is no fight at all. We are not competing with anyone this time. Those who are unable to handle the affairs of their party, i.e, Congress, how will they handle Uttarakhand? The people will not allow them to do that.

Q. So who are you considering as the biggest challenge?

A. There is no challenge from any quarter. The Congress is divided into different factions - so many groups vying for supremacy. Rawat ji has won only one election since 1999. He was defeated twice. Now, where is the fight with the man who lost two elections while being the Chief Minister? And the Aam Aadmi Party has no mass base here. That's why we said, we will cross 60 seats this time.

Q. So there is no anti incumbency factor?

A. Our party works in the interest of the people. Our aim is the welfare of the last person of the state. Work more, talk less is our mantra. So when everyone is happy with the government then where is the anti incumbency factor. You can check the latest survey, we are ahead.

Q. Are you under pressure so far as ticket distribution is concerned?

A. Well there is a process. Whatever fits right with the circumstances, will happen. Everyone plays his part with full faith in the organizational structure of our party. So there is no pressure of any kind.

Q. On which issues are you contesting the election?

A. The issues are of development, and they have only misled people. With the help from the Centre, public welfare schemes worth Rs 1 lakh crore are going on in the state -- from the Char Dham project to the development of rail network in the mountains. I have visited all parts of the state, and I have seen, people are giving us lot of support and the work Modi ji has done -- these are our issues.

Q. Are you ready for the digital campaign that has been asked by the Election Commission?

A. Yes, we are ready. Our campaign is going on. We had two Vijay Sankalp Yatras. Modi ji has had four programs here, Home Minister ji has had two programs, Nadda ji has had four, Rajnath ji has had four, all the leaders have visited Uttarakhand. I myself have visited all assembly constituencies. All festivals have been communicated. As for digital campaigning is concerned, we have always been ready for that.

Q. Will Dhami become the next Chief Minister?

A. How can I tell about myself, our party works in a democratic way, here there is no family rule.

Q. Is it Dhami vs Rawat or BJP vs Congress?

A. At this point in time, there is only BJP, we have no competition with anyone.

Q. In between, the rebels keep troubling the party, what about them?

A. That is not a problem, all are united. The BJP family is big, small things keep happening. You must have seen, a few days ago, many Congress leaders were resigning. We don't have that situation in our party..

Q. Ddo you really BJP will cross sixty this time?

A. Yes absolutely.

Q. Your tenure has been short, what have been your achievements during this period?

A. There have been many achievements. We have taken more than 500 decisions -- we started Mukhyamantri Vatsalya Yojana, launched Chief Minister Mahalaxmi Yojana, Chief Minister Self Employment Scheme, relief packages to all the people, laid foundation stones for various projects, in tourism, in cultural sector. Apart from that, the the honorarium of the Mangal Dal, the village head, anganwadi workers has been increased.

Q. Do you think the people of Uttarakhand are satisfied with your work?

A. Absolutely, you should find out yourself. About 90 per cent people want BJP back.

Q. Goverment keeps changing here -- BJP, Congress every five years...

A. After Modi ji became the Prime Minister, the history of the whole country has been changing. This time history will change here also.
(Natural News) Even though Dr. Anthony Fauci denies involvement in gain-of-function research, newly uncovered email correspondence between Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci reveal government malfeasance and a laboratory leak coverup. These two were the leading public health officials in the United States at the time the WHO declared a global pandemic; these two officials directed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), respectively. In January of 2020, Fauci was warned about genetically engineered coronaviruses coming from the Wuhan lab, and he was one of the men who originally helped EcoHealth Alliance subvert the moratorium on gain-of-function coronavirus research in China. This information was kept hidden, but is now revealed in email correspondence.

Fauci and Collins were warned about lab leak of a genetically manipulated virus, but suppressed the information

After reviewing Faucis emails, James Comer, a ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Jim Jordan, a ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary, sent a serious inquiry to Xavier Becerra, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The two men asked for a transcribed interview with Anthony Fauci to find out if the information Fauci received about the lab leak was also conveyed to the rest of the government, and whether this information would have changed the U.S. response if it was properly relayed in a transparent manner.

The emails reveal that Fauci absolutely knew about coronavirus gain-of-function virology research taking place in China through a grant awarded to EcoHealth Alliance in New York. Not only did he know and approve grants for this kind of research, but also, he was warned about a potential laboratory leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the possibility that the escaping virus was genetically manipulated to exploit human immune systems.

As the emails reveal, Drs. Francis Collins and Anthony Fauci spent tremendous effort to debunk the lab leak theory for SARS-CoV-2. From the very beginning, the two officials oversaw the proofreading of a Nature Medicine article that was published with the sole intent to debunk the lab leak theory. The article was titled, The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2 and it came out four days after Fauci got on a conference call to discuss the origins of the virus. From the early days of the WHO declaring a global pandemic, both of the doctors were adamant about one thing: making sure that the public did not discuss the lab origin of a new coronavirus. Their adamant bias and persistent coordination are revealed in private email communications during the early months of the covid-19 scandal. Collins and Fauci sought a published takedown of scientists from Harvard, Oxford and Stanford and labeled them fringe.

Fauci and Collins coordinate lab leak coverup, knew about EcoHealths coronavirus gain-of-function experiments

On September 30, 2019, EcoHealth Alliance was required to submit an annual progress report to NIAID, but failed to do so. Dr. Fauci knew that EcoHealth Alliance was not in compliance with the terms of the grant they funded and approved; Fauci and the NIAID were well aware that this grant had serious implications for gain-of-function coronavirus research. Its now clear: EcoHealth was hiding gain-of-function experiments for novel bat coronaviruses on the eve of the first recorded outbreaks in Wuhan, China. Dr. Fauci was not forthcoming about the experiments, the grants, the research, the funding, the subversion of the moratorium, and the likelihood of the lab leak. He used his position in government to take down anyone who questioned him.

In the emails, Dr. Fauci knew that his agency was working with Peter Daszak and the EcoHealth Alliance to craft a grant policy that subverted the moratorium on gain-of-function coronavirus research. This new policy, designed by EcoHealth and agreed to by Faucis NIAID, openly permitted EcoHealth to conduct dangerous experiments on novel bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, circumventing any oversight. Why were Collins and Fauci so dead-set on using propaganda to squelch any conversation or investigation into the origins of covid-19? Its more obvious than ever that these public health officials are directly implicated in the origins of covid-19 and all subsequent experiments with the engineered spike protein, as well as the results thereof.

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com

NaturalNews.com

Republicans.Oversight.House.gov

Foxnews.com
(Natural News) A magistrate has turned down the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) request to hide the Pfizer Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine data for 75 years. The ruling by a federal judge in Texas ordered the regulator to publish the vaccine data at a rate far greater than the agencys initial request.

U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman mandated the FDA in his Jan. 6 order to publish an initial batch of more than 12,000 pages of documents about Pfizers COVID-19 shot. He gave the agency a deadline of Jan. 31 to publish the first batch.

Pittman added that after the first batch, the FDA must publish the remaining documents at a rate of 55,000 pages every 30 days. He set March 1, 2022 as the first deadline for this subsequent batch. The magistrate also ordered a joint status report detailing the endeavors progress by April 1, 2022 and every 90 days thereafter.

Initially, the FDA asked for a lower rate of 500 pages per month  which amounted to 75 years  to release the documents. It cited unduly burdensome logistical and personnel hurdles for the request. Pittman however rejected the request, arguing that assuring the American public that the vaccine was not rushed on behalf of the U.S. was a more pressing issue. (Related: FDA should need only 12 weeks to release Pfizer data, not 75 years, plaintiff calculates.)

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made by the non-profit Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency prompted the release of the FDA documents. According to its website, the collective exists solely to obtain and disseminate the data relied upon by the FDA to license COVID-19 vaccines.

Pittman wrote in his Jan. 6 order: The court recognizes the unduly burdensome challenges that this FOIA request may present to the FDA. [However,] the court concludes that this FOIA request is of paramount public importance  [and] that the expeditious completion of plaintiffs request is not only practicable, but necessary.

Ruling removes secrecy surrounding vaccines

The federal judge noted in his ruling that the basic purpose of FOIA is to ensure an informed citizenry  vital to the functioning of a democratic society. He added that the act was legislated to pierce the veil of administrative secrecy and to open agency action to the light of public scrutiny.

Congress has long recognized that information is often useful only if it is timely and that excessive delay by the agency in its response is often tantamount to denial.'

Pittman continued that a court of law may use its equitable powers to require an agency to process documents according to a court-imposed timeline  something he did, in this case, with the FDA.

The magistrate quoted former President John F. Kennedy, who said: A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. Pittman also borrowed a statement from the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who claimed that excessive administrative secrecy feeds conspiracy theories and reduces the publics confidence in the government.

Attorney Aaron Siri, counsel for the plaintiffs, said: This is a great win for transparency and removes one of the strangleholds federal health authorities have had on the data needed for independent scientists to offer solutions and address serious issues with the current vaccine program.

No person should ever be coerced to engage in an unwanted medical procedure. And while it is bad enough the government violated this basic liberty right by mandating the COVID-19 vaccine, [it] also wanted to hide the data by waiting to fully produce what it relied upon to license this product until almost every American alive today is dead. That form of governance is destructive to liberty and antithetical to the openness required in a democratic society, he continued. (Related: Pfizer, FDA know the COVID vaccine is dangerous, but they push it anyway.)

Watch the video below of Siri explaining to Glenn Beck why Pfizer and the FDA need 75 years to release vaccine documents.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

Visit Truth.news to read more about the real deal behind the lethal Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

SiriLLP.com [PDF]

PHMPT.org

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Three countries in Europe have intensified Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions amid the spread of the B11529 omicron variant in the continent. However, it is pretty obvious that the new measures are targeting unvaccinated people.

France

The French National Assembly approved a new bill on Jan. 6 amending the countrys existing vaccine pass. In a 214-93 vote, French lawmakers at the lower house gave their thumbs-up to the proposal titled On strengthening the tools of management of the health crisis and amending the code of public health. The bill superseded the health passes currently in use in the country.

Prior to the bills approval, health passes are issued to both vaccinated French citizens and those who recovered from COVID-19 infection within the past six months. Those who present a negative COVID-19 test result may likewise be given a health pass, albeit only valid for 24 hours.

The Jan. 6 proposal overrode the health pass with a new vaccine pass system, issued only to fully vaccinated French citizens and those who present a certificate of recent COVID-19 recovery. All citizens aged 12 and above are subject to the vaccine pass system, but those with medical exemptions are not.

Citizens must present the vaccine pass as a condition of entry to different public venues and events. These include cafes, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas, museums, fairs, public seminars and trade shows. The vaccine pass is also required to board inter-regional public transport. (Related: Macron says French citizens who want to shop, dine, travel or worship must get vaccinated for covid.)

The new vaccine pass system is set to become effective when the French Senate approves it on Jan. 11 and French President Emmanuel Macron passes it into law by Jan. 15.

Italy

The Italian Council of Ministers mandated COVID-19 vaccination for people 50 years and older. Those who continue turning down the vaccine are set to face monthly fines. The measure announced on Jan. 5 is set to be effective on Feb. 15, 2022 and will last until at least June 15.

According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Italians who stubbornly refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine will be slapped a monthly fine of 100 ($113) on a recurring basis. This fine is on top of the penalties ranging from 600 ($681) to 1,500 ($1,703) for unvaccinated workers imposed in 2021.

Prior to the announcement, Italian workers were given an option to submit a negative COVID-19 test before entering their workplaces. The mandate by the council nullified that option for workers aged 50 years and up. However, those with a confirmed medical exemption and those who recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection are exempted from the Jan. 5 mandate.

Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza defended the mandate during the cabinets meeting, saying that the decision was taken to reduce hospitalizations from COVID-19. He also pointed out that two-thirds of COVID patients admitted to hospitals were unvaccinated.

Ministers from the right-wing Lega Nord issued a statement in opposition to the mandatory vaccination for those aged 50 and up, Reuters reported. They said the measure was without scientific foundation, noting that an absolute majority of COVID patients in hospitals are well over 60.

Austria

Austrias government announced a new mandatory vaccination bill on Dec. 9 that seeks to penalize those still rejecting the COVID-19 vaccine. Under this proposal set to last until 2024, unvaccinated people will face monthly fines unless they get injected with the COVID-19 shot. Viennas move follows the country having one of the lowest vaccination rates in the continent.

The new bill states that all citizens 14 years old and above who remain unvaccinated will face fines of up to 3,600 ($4,089) every three months. This equates to a monthly penalty of 1,200 ($1,363)  which will be dropped in case they show proof of vaccination or a medical exemption. (Related: Austrians who refuse COVID vaccines to face MONTHLY fines under new law.)

Austrian authorities will check a central vaccination database to see who are yet to be vaccinated. They will write to these people every three months to remind them to get vaccinated or secure an exemption before the next cutoff. The fines will then be imposed in case the unvaccinated people refuse to comply.

As an alternative, the authorities have the option to impose a [smaller] fine in shorter proceedings immediately after the vaccination deadline, Austrian Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein said. He added that peoples income and financial obligations would be taken into account in calculating the total fines they will pay.

The proposal must still receive approval from the Austrian Parliament before it becomes a law. If approved, it will take effect in February 2022 and last until January 2024.

Watch the video below of InfoWars Europes Dan Lyman telling Owen Shroyer about Europe locking down the unvaccinated.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

MedicalMartialLaw.com has more about the unvaccinated being locked down in Europe and other parts of the world.

Sources include:

TheNewAmerican.com

Reuters.com

DailyMail.co.uk

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The new fact sheets released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guiding health practitioners in the administration of monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) contain certain discriminatory provisions against white people.

Non-white people apparently bear systemic health and social inequities that require them to be bumped to the front of the line for Paxlovid, Pfizers new antiviral pill, according to the FDA. And for Sotrovimab, the only monoclonal antibody treatment that supposedly works against the Omicron (Moronic) variant, it can only be selectively administered based on race or ethnicity.

While clinicians are not required to follow these provisions, those who wish to do so now have a powerful government agency on their side should they decide to selectively ration care based on skin color.

The FDA has acknowledged that in addition to certain underlying health conditions, race and ethnicity may also place individual patients at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19,' reads a plan out of Minnesota, where health officials have decided to adopt a new ethical framework that prioritizes black 18-year-olds over white 64-year-olds, even though the latter demographic is far more at risk of developing severe disease.

FDAs acknowledgment means that race and ethnicity alone, apart from other underlying health conditions, may be considered in determining eligibility for [monoclonal antibodies].

FDA is making decisions based on politics, not science

MacArthur Medical Center (MMC) in Irving, Tex., has adopted a similar stance, prioritizing non-whites for care unless a white person is over the age of 65.

White people under 65 can be placed at the back of the line for monoclonal antibodies behind younger black people.

Utah also prioritizes Latinx ethnicity above someone with congestive heart failure simply due to race and skin color. This is nothing short of medical discrimination and it appears to be gaining traction in some areas.

In the Utah plans Ethical Justification for Using Race / Ethnicity in Patient Selection, it is noted based on FDA guidance that race and ethnicity may be considered when identifying patients most likely to benefit from this lifesaving treatment.

The FDA has not specifically commented on either Utah or Minnesotas plan, however the agency did reveal that there are no limitations on the authorizations that would restrict their use in individuals based on race.

Much of this seems to stem from the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor incidents from 2020, which dovetailed with the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) plandemic. It would appear as though this was a strategic psychological operation to justify a push for antiracism in medicine.

Last March, Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston outlined its own antiracist agenda for medicine that explicitly offers preferential care based on race. This is no accident, having been timed as a response to the race riots that were stoked in mid-2020.

Roger Severino, the former civil rights director at the Department of Health and Human Services, says that the idea of race-based medicine is corrosive and grossly unfair.

Our civil rights laws are not suspended during a public health emergency, he is quoted as saying. We should never deny someone life-saving health care because of the color of their skin.

Another former senior HHS official added that the FDA is clearly injecting politics into science with this latest guidance.

Thats something the Trump administration was pilloried for allegedly doing.

Evidence of this is the fact that men in the United States are about 60 percent more likely than women to die after testing positive for the Fauci Flu, and yet the FDA has said nothing about how they should be placed ahead of other demographics that are less at risk.

The latest news about covid can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

FreeBeacon.com

NaturalNews.com
In an attempt to ease down continued tensions with its neighbours, especially with India, Pakistan's Imran Khan-led government is gearing up to unveil its new National Security Policy with an aim to normalise tensions with New Delhi and work towards opening gateways of economic diplomacy.

The National Security Policy, a 100-page document carries with it a new change of policy Islamabad will be looking to adopt towards India, shifting its principal stance over the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir from primary to a secondary pending dispute.

As per the new security policy details, Pakistan will be looking forward to having more deliberations and engagements with New Delhi over trade and economic opportunities.

"We are not seeking hostility with India for the next 100 years. The new policy seeks peace with immediate neighbours. If there was a dialogue and progress in it, there would be a possibility of normalising trade and commercial ties with India as it had happened in the past," said an official with knowledge of details of the new security policy.

While the country's new security policy showcases a clear shift in its approach from geo-strategic to geo-economics; the change is being seen with optimism over the relationship between the two nuclear powered arch-rivals.

"Economic security will be the central theme of the new security policy," said the government official.

Pakistan and India have been eyeball-to-eyeball over their issues against each other, which have been on a consistent rise in the past.

However, some hopes of normalcy or de-escalation were witnessed when both sides agreed to reinforce a ceasefire understanding along the Line of Control (LoC) during February last year. But the process could not make any further progress and reflect onto other bilateral understandings.

Pakistan and India relations came to a complete standstill in August 2019, when the Modi-led government abrogated Article 370 and 35A, changing the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

In reaction to the decision, Pakistan suspended all diplomatic ties and stopped bilateral trade with India.

While the new policy will be focused on economic diplomacy with immediate neighbours, the official emphasised that geo-strategic importance will not be ignored.

"Geo-economics does not necessarily mean we overlook our geo-strategic and geo-political interests. The longstanding Kashmir dispute with India has been identified as a vital national policy issue for Pakistan," he said.

It was also revealed that all details of the national security policy will not be made public and will be kept classified.
(Natural News) Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has declared a state of emergency and called in the Maryland National Guard due to the massive surge on post-vaccine Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and hospitalizations in the state.

Hogan claimed that the 30-day state of emergency will help prevent further hospitalizations and deaths in the state after it hit a record-high of 3,057 concurrent COVID-related hospitalizations. This represents a more than 500 percent increase from the states number of coronavirus hospitalizations last year.

The truth is that the next four to six weeks will be the most challenging time of the entire pandemic, said Hogan during a briefing with reporters. He pointed to projections that suggest the state will experience more than 5,000 COVID-related hospitalizations in the coming days. This is 250 percent more hospitalizations compared to the previous peak.

Dr. Ted Delbridge, executive director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services, said that many hospitals in the state are already postponing non-urgent surgeries and therapies, and nine hospitals so far are already operating under crisis standards of care.

While we cant manufacture doctors and nurses who dont exist, we have continued to do everything we possibly can do at the state level in order to help our hospitals withstand this surge and to save lives, said Hogan. (Related: Maryland governor expands snitch line, says there is no constitutional right to refuse wearing masks.)

The surge comes despite the fact that Maryland is one of the countrys most fully vaccinated states. According to the latest data, around 93 percent of all adults and 33 percent of children between the ages of five to 11 in Maryland are fully vaccinated.

Despite this clear fact, Maryland health officials continue to claim that most people requiring hospital care for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. They are also continuing to encourage everybody in the state to get the experimental and dangerous vaccine, asserting that it is the best way to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

1,000 Maryland National Guardsmen to be sent to healthcare facilities all over the state

Along with the declaration of a state of emergency, Hogan signed two new executive orders along with it. The first order authorizes the secretary of Maryland Department of Health to direct and expedite the transfer of patients between hospitals and establish additional alternate care facilities to deal with the influx of COVID-19 cases.

This executive order also allows out-of-state healthcare practitioners to work in the state and inactive practitioners to return to work without needing to reinstate their expired licenses. Furthermore, the order allows graduate nurses to work at any healthcare facility and provide full nursing services and allows practitioners to do work outside the scope of their license.

The second executive order expands the states Emergency Medical Service workforce by providing it with 1,000 members of the Maryland National Guard. They will be assigned to healthcare facilities around the state to help state and local health officials with various COVID-19 efforts, including assisting at coronavirus testing facilities and helping transport patients to hospitals and clinics.

Our Guard members are always ready to help their neighbors, families and friends in their communities where we live and work, said Major Gen. Timothy Gowen, Marylands adjutant general.

All of the emergency actions that were taking today are to keep our hospitals from overflowing, keep our kids in school and to keep Maryland open for business, said Hogan.

In line with these executive orders, Hogan and his Health Department have also authorized injecting COVID-19 booster vaccine doses for children ages 12 to 15.

The governor has also called on the administration of President Joe Biden to increase the distribution of monoclonal antibodies, which he described as a very effective and life-saving clinical treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. He also wants the federal government to expedite the production of new COVID-19 antiviral medication.

Finally, Hogan urged Marylanders to get back to taking stronger precautions against COVID-19 due to the emergence of the post-vaccine omicron variant by avoiding crowds, keeping your distance, washing your hands and, yes, wearing the damn masks.

Watch this short clip from the Health Ranger Report by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as a nurse from Maryland talks about how the states mass vaccination program has caused a catastrophic surge in adverse effects and deaths.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Learn more about the tyrannical policies implemented by authorities to deal with post-vaccine COVID-19 outbreaks at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

WUSA9.com

Newsweek.com
(Natural News) The government claims that the unvaccinated are responsible for continuing to spread the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) because they refuse to get shot, but the latest data shows that the opposite is true.

In Ontario, Can., at least, hospital beds are filling up with people who took the jabs, believing they would provide protection against infection. The reality is that the shots are spreading more infection, as well as the new covid variants.

Publicly available data from the Ontario government suggests that the vast majority of hospital admissions throughout the region are fully vaccinated.

As per the information, there seem to be 1,327 Fully vaccinated cases in hospitals as of January 7, contrasting to only 441 Unvaccinated cases,' reported Great Game India. There were 100 patients inside the hospital for partially vaccinated cases.'

There are 119 unvaccinated cases, 17 partially vaccinated cases, and 106 fully vaccinated cases in Ontarios ICU  The great proportion of patients who screened positive for COVID in Ontario originate from fully vaccinated individuals, according to the data.

Throughout the province, there were 9,515 cases of the Fauci Flu among the fully vaccinated as of January 7. This is compared to just 1,543 cases among the unvaccinated and 375 cases among the partially vaccinated.

Getting vaccinated will result in the collapse of our health system, warns expert

The situation is much the same in Alberta and Quebec where the vast majority of hospitalizations are occurring in the fully vaccinated.

In Albert, there were 258 patients in the hospital for covid despite a complete immunization record, along with 19 cases among those with partial vaccination status.

In Quebec, there were 1,948 fully vaccinated patients in the hospital and 1,046 hospitalizations among the unvaccinated.

Overall, the vast majority of sickness and death is on the fully vaccinated side of the spectrum with very few unvaccinated illnesses and deaths. And truth be told, even these are likely a factor of shedding caused by the fully and partially vaccinated.

Despite all this, the Canadian government is obsessed with the vaccines and still claims that they provide some kind of protection. At best, the shots supposedly reduce the risk of hospitalization, we are told. But even this is a baseless claim without any scientific backing.

According to Dr. Robert Malone, the inventor of the mRNA technology used in the injections, people who take the jabs are the true super spreaders, not the unvaccinated.

This fact is not stopping Canadian Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos from insisting that everyone get vaccinated regardless of the outcome. In his view, all Canadians should be forced to take the jabs even if many of them later end up having to be hospitalized.

Duclos announced that Fauci Flu shots will probably soon be mandatory throughout Canada, though not everyone agrees. Premier Jason Kenney of Alberta tweeted that at no point will the jabs be required in his province.

Albertas Legislature removed the power of mandatory vaccination from the Public Health Act last year and will not revisit that decision, period, Kenney wrote emphatically.

While we strongly encourage those who are eligible to get vaccinated, it is ultimately a personal choice that individuals must make.

In India, there is a similar uptick in cases of the Wuhan Virus wherever the injections are being widely administered. In Chandigarh, for instance, 77 percent of all new cases are occurring in the fully vaccinated.

A world-renowned virologist and former senior officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has repeatedly warned about the risks of getting injected. He says that the vaccinated are becoming a breeding ground for the virus, and that the fallout from this will be the collapse of our health system.

More of the latest WuFlu news can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

GreatGameIndia.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Count Brazilian reporter Rafael Silva in the growing list of people who suffered life-threatening side effects after getting injected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. Just days after boasting on Twitter that he got his third COVID-19 vaccine dose, the 36-year-old Silva collapsed during a live news presentation.

Silva was rescued by the Mobile Emergency Care Service and taken to Humanitas Hospital where he and is now at the intensive care unit. While on the ambulance, Silva suffered five more cardiac arrests. (Related: CDC reports 8 cases of myocarditis in young students who received Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine.)

According to his colleague Kadu Lopez, the presenter of Jornal das 7 was extubated but conscious. He talked to his mother, his brother, even asked to go to the bathroom, reported Lopes during the Alterosa Alerta show on Jan. 4. We are very happy with this news.

Despite what happened, so-called experts said COVID-19 vaccine has nothing to do with his cardiac arrests.

CDC misled public: myocarditis not rare and mild

Sara Middleton, a staff writer for Natural Health 365, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) misled the public regarding the severity of side effects of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines under the emergency use authorization. One of the side effects is myocarditis, a type of heart inflammation.

The CDC said cases of myocarditis are mild, but a mother told Childrens Health Defense that his son, who was vaccinated with Pfizer, struggled with myocarditis. The distraught mother, who witnessed his son gasping for breath due to heart inflammation, lamented the lack of education regarding the true effects of vaccine.

Middleton wrote about the case of 14-year-old Aiden Jo. Previously healthy but had asthma as pre-existing condition, the boy was vaccinated with Pfizer. A few weeks later, he complained of chest pain and difficult breathing.

Aidens mother Emily rushed his son to the hospital where he was ultimately treated for heart inflammation. (Related: Tragic: Double-vaxxed 13-year-old dies from unexplained cardiac arrest.)

Emily was aware of the possible effects of the vaccine, but she was made to believe that the adverse effect was rare and mild. What they didnt explain is that mild means hospital care and follow-up care indefinitely. Aidens cardiologist told us no case of myocarditis is mild.

The boy is now facing life-long problems with his heart and no longer able to play with his friends because he easily gets tired. Due to Aidens condition, Emily said her family incurred thousands of dollars in medical bills despite having insurance. Myocarditis is not covered by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program only covers if youre incapacitated, wheelchair-bound or dead, said Emily.

Meanwhile, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla alleged that the people who spread misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine are criminals who have costed millions of lives.

Bourla also said that people are going to need a fourth shot sooner than expected. The Pfizer CEO told CNBC that his company is further studying the omicron variant to prepare for a fourth vaccine shot that will further boost the profit of the pharmaceutical company.

Originally, Bourla said it will take a year after getting the third shot before people should have the fourth jab but the timeline now must be moved closer due to omicron. Experts remain unconvinced that booster doses are needed, noting that Pfizer and other Big Pharma companies are set to make huge earnings with the boosters.

Watch the video below to learn more about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Follow Pandemic.news for more news and information related to the coronavirus vaccines.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

NaturalHealth365.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

DailyExpose.uk

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Authorities in the United Kingdom have started deploying members of the countrys armed forces to hospitals in London to support the National Health Service (NHS) due to glaring staffing shortages caused by the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

London is currently the epicenter of the countrys post-vaccine omicron variant outbreak, which led to a huge surge in cases  especially among the fully vaccinated. Among the many infected by the variant are dozens of nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers who were left unable to work as they recover from COVID-19.

The U.K.s Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced that it will provide 40 army medics and 160 general duty personnel to NHS hospitals in London for the next three weeks. They will be deployed in 40 teams of five, comprising one medic and four general duty personnel. The location they will be deployed will depend on where the need is greatest.

The 40 army medics the MoD is sending are doctors who will help other NHS staff look after patients. The 160 general duty personnel have no medical experience and will be checking in on patients, ensuring hospital stocks are maintained and conducting basic checks, according to the MoD.

In addition, the MoD is also deploying 32 military co-responders who will support the beleaguered paramedics working for the South Central Ambulance Service, which provides emergency medical services to four counties in southern England.

The men and women of our armed forces are once again stepping up to support their dedicated colleagues in the NHS as they work hand-in-hand to protect the nation from COVID-19, said Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace in a statement. They have shown their worth time and again throughout this pandemic, whether driving ambulances, administering vaccines or supporting patients in hospital, and they should be proud of their contribution to this truly national effort. (Related: COMPLIANCE MIND GAMES: United Kingdom to change the definition of fully vaccinated to require COVID-19 booster shots.)

Undersecretary of the Armed Forces James Heappey said the government recognizes that hospitals in London are experiencing extraordinary pressure.

This is a time of year that is busy even if there werent COVID-19. And so put a surge of COVID-19 on top of winter pressures and you have an extraordinary situation that has put the NHS on a war footing, said Heappey.

The over 200 members of the military will supplement the 1,800 service personnel who were already deployed across the U.K. to support civil authorities in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes 313 personnel lent to the Welsh Ambulance Service, 96 to the Scottish Ambulance Service and more than 1,000 service personnel helping the governments mass vaccination program.

Members of the military to help extreme staffing shortage in NHS

The announcement regarding the deployment of soldiers comes just two days after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he wants England to ride out the current post-vaccine outbreak of COVID-19 without implementing any further restrictions. But he acknowledged many parts of the fully vaccinated NHS will feel temporarily overwhelmed by the surge in cases among Londons fully vaccinated population.

Pressure on London hospitals has increased over the past month, as more than 4,000 patients are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 at the moment compared to the around 1,000 that were confined in early December.

Patricia Marquis, the director for Englands Royal College of Nursing, said the deployment of members of the armed forces showed that the government could no longer deny that the NHS was experiencing a staffing crisis.

The prime minister and others can no longer be dismissive of questions about the ability of NHS staff to deliver safe care, she said. Nursing staff might welcome any extra help at work right now, but we need to know that the government isnt compromising patient and professional standards in any way.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, a group of hospitals in London, welcomed the assistance from the armed forces but noted that their arrival shows how dire the staffing situation is in the NHS.

Trust leaders will welcome the support of colleagues from the armed forces during what continues to be an incredibly challenging time for the NHS in London, said Hopson.

The fact that we need to call upon army medics and general duty personnel at all underlines the sheer scale of the workforce challenges the NHS is facing. The experience of the pandemic makes plain underlying issues which need resolution  the need for a national long-term plan for the health and care workforce, ongoing challenges with vacancies and recruitment predating the pandemic by a number of years.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, another group of hospitals, also welcomed the arrival of over 200 servicemembers, but said that the help they will be able to give will be only a very small part of what will continue to be a very difficult situation.

Data from NHS England shows that Londons NHS trusts have seen a significant surge in staff absences. On Nov. 29, 1,046 NHS personnel were absent from work. On Jan. 2, that number multiplied to 4,765. This represents approximately four to five percent of all staff employed by the NHS.

In the week leading up to Christmas, the number of NHS staff in London who were absent from work almost reached 6,000 a day.

Watch this episode of Hugo Talks as the host talks about how British Health Secretary Sajid Javid is forcing all 100,000 employees of the NHS to be fully vaccinated and boosted by April 1.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brigthteon.com.

Learn more about the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

TheGuardian.com

BBC.com

ITV.com

NursingTimes.net

Brighteon.com
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 by: News Editors Tags: coronavirus , covid-19 , lockdown , Tyranny , vaccine , vaccine mandate This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

People receiving the experimental injections appear to be much worse off than those who remain unvaccinated.

(Natural News) (Article by Amy Mek republished from RairFoundation.com)

The number of Americans who have suffered serious side effects or died after receiving the mRNA injection billed as a vaccine is exploding. Furthermore, injected people seem to be much worse off than those who refuse the experimental jab. Yet, despite the vaccine and boosters not protecting people from Covid, and increasing the chances of infection from Omicron, left-wing governments worldwide continue to pressure and mandate citizens to receive them.

Terrifying Vaccine Side Effects

One American News (OAN) reports that as of January 4, 2022, nine hundred and forty-six thousand Americans have experienced serious side effects or died after being injected. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health states that more than 100,000 Americans have been hospitalized after receiving the jab.

Those suffering from the injections side effects are not just nameless figures on a page, reports OAN. For example, Angelia Desselle from Louisiana could barely stand after her shot and suffers from a neurological disorder that, according to doctors, is the result of the vaccine. Likewise, Shawn Skelton from Indiana has been debilitated and lost control of her body since the Pfizer shot.

Fully vaccinated Jummai Nache from Minnesota had to amputate her legs and hands after being vaccinated. 13-year-old Maddie de Garay from Ohio is paralyzed from the waist down, tube fed, and lost complete control of her bodily functions.

Health officials in Vietnam suspended the use of the Pfizer vaccine after over 120 children were hospitalized for severe reactions to the injections. In another nearby district, three children even died.

Safer To Be Unvaccinated?

According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just over 20,000 deaths have occurred following the injections.

However, Columbia University researchers report that the actual number of people who have died due to getting one of the experimental injections is significantly higher than the official figures. Columbias underreporting factor estimates that 20 times that number, or around 400,000 deaths, is far more accurate.

Futhermore, former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson, reports the mRNA shots are now showing a strong negative efficacy. The injections are actually increasing individuals chances of infection from Omicron.

Children Dying

According to OAN, tens of thousands of people, including children, have also died following the vaccination. Thirteen-year-old Jacob Clynick of Michigan died in his sleep shortly after getting his second Pfizer shot. An 11-year-old girl from Georgia died shortly after her Pfizer vaccine. Also, a 5-year-old girl died four days after getting her first Pfizer shot. In addition, an 8-year-old girl suffered a stroke and a brain hemorrhage seven days after the Pfizer shot.

We are now seeing the ramifications of this untested, unproven, and hastily developed vaccine, and it is much worse than we feared, said OANs Pearson Sharp, and this is just the beginning. He continued, unless Americans and parents stand up to these unscientific mandates, we could be looking at hundreds of thousands more dead and permanently injured victims from the biggest experiment on human beings in history.

Watch a recent report by One America News:

Read more at: RairFoundation.com
(Natural News) E-tailer and streaming behemoth Amazon has come under fire for allowing viewers to have access to more than 30 Nazi propaganda films, even as the platform takes down truth-based research films regarding the COVID-19 pandemic that dont comport with the globalist vaccine depopulation agenda.

According to info provided to the Washington Free Beacon by a watchdog organization, Americans Against Anti-Semitism, a group that combats bigotry and hate, researchers found 30 Nazi-era propaganda films that could be bought and streamed in their entirety on the platform without any editorial explanation or disclaimers.

Amazon is presently the worlds largest purveyor of original Nazi propaganda filmssomething Hitler and Goebbels would surely have been grateful for, the group noted in a statement, going on to demand that Amazon take down the films immediately from the platform.

The Free Beacon adds:

The group released an open letter online, which includes a full list of the Nazi titles available. They include Der ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew), The Rothschilds Shares in Waterloo, and Jud Suss (Suss the Jew), among many others. The films are either on sale in Amazons online portal or available for streaming on its Amazon Prime video network.

The platform, which has banned the sale of Confederate flags but allows fascist anti-fascist Antifa emblems and flags to be sold online, has been slapped with allegations of anti-Semitism in the past.

For example, in 2019 the platform was busted selling Christmas ornaments that contained photos of Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi death camp where millions of Jews were systematically murdered. And in 2020, the e-tailer giant made the decision to stop selling items and works by Ku Klux Klan leaders, Adolph Hitler and other notable anti-Semites after originally committing to do so. Amazon reversed its stance amid a flurry of criticism that it was helping to spread anti-Jewish sentiment, The Free Beacon added.

Former New York City Democratic lawmaker Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Anti-Semitism, demanded that Amazon clarify its policy regarding such films. And though the First Amendment protects even hateful speech, he added that Amazon ought to be ashamed that it allows itself and others to profit from the materials.

Its beyond unacceptable, Hikind said. I dont believe this is an issue that needs debating, its so clear-cut, so indefensible that we expect Amazon to correct this horrifying hate-for-profit scheme immediately.

Frankly, they should be ashamed of themselves for allowing so much hate to literally stream through their platforms. There is no excuse for it, I dont care what they say, he added.

The discovery of the Nazi propaganda films comes amid a global rise in violence directed against Jews, the outlet reported. In an October report, the American Jewish Committee, which keeps track of anti-Semitic violence and incidents, said that almost one-in-four American Jews reported that they had experienced an anti-Semitic incident at some point in 2021. That report followed the largest study ever of Jewish Americans as well as U.S. public opinion regarding anti-Semitism.

Antisemitism has remained a constant in the lives of many American Jews, the American Jewish Committee noted in a summary of findings. Jews have been beaten in city streets, subjected to hateful vitriol, and intimidated on social media.

In addition, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has also documented a notable rise in anti-Jewish sentiment.

Anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. doubled compared to 2020, the commission reported in June. The Anti-Defamation League recorded 251 incidents, including assault, vandalism, and harassment, from May 11 to May 31, which is a 115 percent increase from the same time period in 2020.

The increase in incidents also includes a major increase in anti-Semitic language online including on major platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

These incidents of hate and fearmongering undermine freedom of religion guaranteed within the United States Constitution, the commission reported. The spike in anti-Semitism cannot be normalized as political rhetoric.

Sources include:

FreeBeacon.com

AJC.org
(Natural News) The hashtag #BareShelvesBiden became trending as more reports of empty grocery stores emerged on social media. Despite the Biden administrations commitment to solving these issues late last year, it seems that the problem has only made a turn for the worse.

President Joe Biden announced in December 2021 that his administration had addressed the supply chain crisis. The much-predicted crisis didnt occur. Packages are moving, gifts are being delivered [and] shelves are not empty, Biden said at the time. He added that groceries and pharmacies were stocked at 90 percent of their full capacity and deliveries were happening at a faster rate.

According to the White House, Bidens Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force (SCDTF)  established in June 2021  had made significant progress to alleviate bottlenecks that are rooted in the global pandemic. The task force, made up of Biden administration officials and company CEOs, managed to reduce waiting time for shipping containers by half.

However, social media posts appeared to disprove Bidens claim. Human Events Senior Editor Jack Posobiec shared footage of empty shelves at a grocery store in Falls Church, Virginia. NewsBusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck also shared pictures of empty shelves at an Oakton, Virginia grocery.

Some supermarkets resorted to rearranging their remaining stocks to conceal supply shortages, such as a Safeway grocery store. Daily Wire Senior Editor Ashe Short pointed this out in a tweet, saying that the establishment appears to be trying to hide the supply shortage by using single lines of products to fill shelves.

There were stores that used print-outs of well-stocked shelves and fresh produce to conceal the truth of supply shortages from patrons. (Related: Groceries, supermarkets get creative concealing empty shelves, supply gaps.)

Biden says all is well, but its actually not

During a Dec. 22 meeting of the SCDTF, Biden spoke with the CEOs of Walmart, Target, UPS and FedEx on how to relieve the supply-chain backlog. A number of officials  including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo  were also in attendance.

Biden cited his administrations push for round-the-clock port operations and new transport rules at some of the countrys major ports as instrumental in relieving the supply chain crunch. While thousands of loaded import containers had been cleared ever since the task forces establishment in June 2021, there are still many ships docked offshore waiting to unload their cargo. (Related: Global supply chain crisis expected to last another TWO YEARS.)

Congestion at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in California contributed to the supply chain issue. However, the issue at the West Coast has also emerged in the East Coast  with the Port of New York and New Jersey facing the same predicament. Stevedores falling ill to COVID-19 and a bottleneck of container vessels off Long Island have been cited as the primary causes of the supply chain crunch in the eastern port.

International Longshoremens Association spokesman Jim McNamara said about 350 dock workers daily are becoming unavailable to work due to COVID-19. Sam Ruda, port department director of the Port Authority of NY and NJ, acknowledged this issue. We have seen a spike in the number of labor going out into quarantine, he said.

Ruda added that the average waiting time for ships to dock and unload became longer by three times than normal. Anchorage time for vessels during the final week of 2021 was 4.75 days, compared to a lower 1.6 days for the entire 2020.

Watch the video below of Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) saying how the Biden administration is out of touch with the supply chain issues.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

SupplyChainWarning.com has more about the ongoing supply chain crunch.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Twitter.com 1

Twitter.com 2

Twitter.com 3

BNNBloomberg.ca

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Two financial analysts were suspended and forced to retract their truthful research report which questioned totalitarian lock downs, vaccine efficacy and vaccine mandates. Nordea Bank Abp suspended Chief Analyst Martin Enlund and Global Chief Strategist Andreas Steno Larsen, banishing them from their website. We have initiated an internal review, and the two analysts will not write or publish during the review, Nordea Bank wrote.

The Helsinki-based bank is the largest in the region. The two analysts caused quite the stir online when they questioned vaccine efficacy and referred to European officials as lockdownistas. Even after forcing multiple vaccines on a majority of the population, European officials are still dealing with sick, vaccinated people and debating the next best ways to lock people down.

When a Finnish government official (Mikko Karna) heard about the report, he lashed out and the bank was instructed to take down any dissent toward the government. The banks executive management team said it is not the banks right to question vaccines, lockdowns and other actions taken by the government. This is the totalitarian world we now live in.

Bankers forced to retract the truth and follow government tyranny

The CEOs of banks and other major corporations are the easiest to control because they have much to lose. Most of the time, bankers and corporate leaders refuse to speak out because they have prestigious positions and six-to-seven figure salaries to protect. But even the most well-connected, highest paid people can see right through the medical tyranny, and after two years of taking orders, they too are tired of going along with the narrative, the controls, the physical and psychological abuse. Some, like Martin Enlund and Andreas Steno Larsen, are willing to speak out, and risk it alluntil they get threatened to get back in line.

The analysts were forced to retract this very truthful statement: It used to be two weeks to flatten the curve, but somehow it has developed to imprison the unvaccinated (or worse). Lockdownistas have been on parade also over the past week, with papers please  systems being implemented in many countries to try to boost the injection rate. Ireland has implemented a semi-lockdown with a midnight curfew. Austria has not only decided to imprison the unvaccinated (albeit so far only in their homes), the entire country is now going back into a lockdown and nationwide vaccine mandate is launched. The vaccine is apparently so good you need to force people in to taking it. This is unlikely to work wonders for the lack of trust in the system.

The elite live in a world of subjugation and abuse because they lack the courage to stand against medical tyranny

The elite are often times the most enslaved because they dont have the right to think or speak. Their positions of prestige and wealth are anything but that, because they now live in a world that is dictated to them. They have no body autonomy rights. Their civil liberties are vanquished. They cant speak up about it, or they risk losing everything. Their children are now subjugated by vaccines that dont work, that injure and kill. They have to show papers wherever they go, and wear masks when their corporate bosses tell them to. They have to continue relinquishing their bodies to new injection requirements every year, and pay their dues to government officials that find new ways to lock them down and threathen their livelihoods.

In the end, Martin Persson, head of Large Corporates & Institutions at Nordea, decided to shut his mouth and accept his chains. After being threatened, he apologized for the research report. He said he will continue to publish credible analysis and research with integrity. (Whatever that means now).

As a bank, our expertise is banking  supporting and advising our customers on their financial situation, Persson said in a statement. We leave medical advice to the experts and therefore, as a company, we follow the authorities guidance on vaccines against COVID. Enlund, who worked his way up the ranks over the past ten years, ultimately followed suit with the governments demands. He apologized and promised to keep his mouth shut, to please his masters. Their willingness to please government officials is one of the main reasons why CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY continue, unabated.

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com

Twitter.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The communist Chinese city of Xian is currently oppressed under yet another Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown, and reports indicate that many locals there are now starving to death as a result.

Express (U.K.) reports that Chinas zero-covid policy is making it prohibitively difficult for many Chinese people, especially in Xian, to continue putting food on the table.

The city, which is home to the famous Terracotta Warriors, is said to be ground zero for the latest outbreak of the Fauci Flu. The final week of 2021 reportedly saw case numbers climb to their highest levels since the beginning of the plandemic back in March 2020.

Roughly 13 million people live in Xian, and most of them are presumably fully vaccinated. Despite this, the latest variant of the Chinese Virus is spreading like wildfire, according to the government, which decided that the best response is to lock everyone inside their homes.

Residents are not allowed to leave for any reason, which means they are relying on government officials to bring them food. As you might expect, this setup is not turning out well for those strictly confined to their homes with no escape.

Under previous measures, one person from every household would be allowed out of their home to buy groceries every two days, Express reports. This was then tightened in response to rising cases.

Starving people to save lives? It doesnt make any sense

All of this is being done, by the way, for a mere 1,600 cases that supposedly emerged throughout the city. Since the lockdowns were imposed, that daily case count is said to have been on the decline.

Areas of the city that reach the governments thresholds for low risk will slowly be able to come back outside to buy essentials, just so long as they can procure a negative test result. Those stuck in high risk areas, however, are being left to starve.

All over Weibo, which is Chinas social media equivalent to Facebook or Twitter, Xian residents shared stories about themselves or loved ones who are struggling to eat and crying out for help.

Im about to be starved to death, one of them wrote.

Theres no food, my housing compound wont let me out, and Im about to run out of instant noodles  please help! wrote another.

A few braver Xian residents took aim at the government for its corrupt and nonsensical lockdown policies, which are ending far more lives than they are supposedly saving.

Many of these same people got the hashtag Grocery shopping in Xian is difficult trending on the Weibo platform. As of Monday, according to CNN, that hashtag has been viewed more than 380 million times.

Keep in mind that just prior to the lockdown, the Chinese government was urging residents to not stockpile food and other essentials. This set the stage for the mass starvation crisis that is now unfolding.

Xian officials also promised area residents that there would be no shortage of supplies and that they would have everything they needed. This turned out to be a lie.

I dont want to hear any more about how everything is fine, wrote one person on Weibo in opposition to the governments claims.

So what if supplies are so abundant  theyre useless if you dont actually give them to people.

Another person wrote that had he known what was coming down the pike, he would have stocked up on the things he and his family need in order to survive.

Previously I thought those panic-buying folks were stupid, this person wrote. Now Ive realized I am the stupid one.

The latest news about Chinese Virus lockdowns can be found at Fascism.news.

Sources for this article include:

Express.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) A group of German doctors and researchers have become the latest to find substantial impurities in COVID-19 vaccines as well as the blood of vaccinated individuals.

As reported by the RAIR Foundation, the pathologists presented an analysis complete with video and photos of the vaccine during a shocking but little-publicized press conference in September, a clip of which has been translated for the organization.

According to the video and presentation, foreign objects were discovered in the vaccines along with the blood of some people who were given the jabs.

Some of the foreign objects were described as accurately constructed and also  shockingly  worms that were hatched from eggs, the foundation said in a report.

The live-streamed press conference was organized by the Stiftung Corona-Ausschuss, which can be loosely described as Germanys equivalent of Americas Frontline Doctors. As expected, their remarkable presentation was slammed by the German legacy media, the foundations report continued.

The presentation was led by Dr. Arne Burkhardt, who was the head of the Institute of Pathology in Reutlingen for 18 years and then worked as a pathologist in private practice, as well as Dr. Walter Lang, who worked as a pathologist at the Hannover Medical School from 1968 to 1985 before he founded a private pathological institute in Hanover, and Dr. Werner Birkholz, a one-time professor of electrical engineering that focused on risk management and quality at Jacobs University in Bremen.

Dr. Ute Langer, a surgeon, made the introductions.

As part of the presentation, the researchers conducted an analysis of leftover vaccines from the company BioNTech-Pfizer, some of which revealed what appears to be an accurately constructed object.

(Credit: RAIR Foundation)

In addition, the researchers found worms that appear to have been hatched within the vaccine serum:

(Credit: RAIR Foundation)

The German physicians and researchers are not the only ones to have discovered foreign objects within COVID-19 vaccines, per the foundation:

In August, Japan suspended the Moderna vaccine after foreign materials were found in their coronavirus vaccine. According to Nikkei Asia, the substance was found to react to magnets. As reported at RAIR Foundation USA, Japan has been exceptionally transparent with their handling of the coronavirus vaccine, while respecting the autonomy of their citizens.

Dr. Carrie Madej, an internist, also discovered foreign objects after studying the injections, including graphene-like objects and a tentacled, moving organism-like creature in the Moderna jab.

Also, according to a Twitter thread posted in October, particles, particle aggregations, and Fiber-like structures, some containing branches and a ring-like structure, were found in vaccines.

(1/n) A microscopy analysis of a Pfizer-BioNTech #Covidvaccine sample.

The analysis was performed with bright field and phase contrast microscopy and applying rigorous scientific and hygiene standards.

Two samples were analyzed from the same vial.

These are the results: pic.twitter.com/FoHDS3p5rE  Dr John B. (@DrJohnB2) October 3, 2021

(2/n) Focusing on the border of the drop (yellow arrow) reveals tiny particles of different sizes and light refraction properties: pic.twitter.com/PX4O2X3Jpe  Dr John B. (@DrJohnB2) October 3, 2021

(3/n) Zooming in, the larger particles were found to have a diameter of about 1 m.

For comparsion: Diameter of a human hair: 70-90 m (https://t.co/bq7CFLOgOW), human red blood cell: 8 m (https://t.co/4Vn1Y6c3jE), SARS-CoV-2: 90-100 nm (https://t.co/3fi2zFf4EE) pic.twitter.com/Q0lopJCZxF  Dr John B. (@DrJohnB2) October 3, 2021

(4/n) The smaller particles are about 0.5 m (= 500 nm) in diameter: pic.twitter.com/DvFV36oEXu  Dr John B. (@DrJohnB2) October 3, 2021

(5/n) Some particle aggregations were also visible in the liquid: pic.twitter.com/3YlUXx0NX2  Dr John B. (@DrJohnB2) October 3, 2021

(7/n) More fiber-like structures. A ring-like structure was seen once (d). pic.twitter.com/7Q4YXq0EPN  Dr John B. (@DrJohnB2) October 3, 2021

The findings were based on a microscopy analysis of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine sample, the RAIR Foundation reported, adding that, according to a scientist who spoke on condition of anonymity and who claimed to have been published more than 100 times in peer-reviewed journals like the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet, the analysis was done with a bright field and phase-contrast microscopy while applying rigorous scientific and hygiene standards.

(See full conference transcript here)

What have these people put in these vaccines? It seems clear they arent pure, by any means.

Sources include:

RAIRFoundation.com

NaturalNews.com
Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/12/2022 -- The recent developments in the Automotive Fuel Cell Market include Direct Borohydrate fuel cells, non-precious metal-based fuel cells, increasing lifespan of fuel cells, packaged fuel cell system modules, etc. These advancements in charging technologies are expected to increase the demand for fuel cell vehicles. The lower charging availability of hydrogen fuel and growth of BEV's are some of the most important reasons that users are still a bit hesitant to prefer FCEV's. However, government bodies are working with manufacturers to provide the necessary hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Because of all these benefits and the government initiatives taken around the world to reduce emissions from vehicles, the automotive fuel cell market is considered to be a fast-growing industry in the next few decades.



The Global Automotive Fuel Cell Market size is projected to grow from 20,168 units in 2021 to 596,225 units by 2028, at a CAGR of 62.2%.



Opportunity: Rising demand for fuel cell vehicles in automotive and transportation



FCEVs offer a high driving range, fast refuelling, noiseless operation, and zero emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Hence, the use of fuel cells is ideal for transportation and automotive applications. Fuel cells are versatile and easily scalable sources of electricity that can be used for large applications in transportation such as material handling vehicles, buses, trains, cars, defence vehicles, and LCVs. Fuel cells are also used as stationary fuel sources in commercial applications. Fuel cells can be used as primary power, backup power, and to generate heat and power in combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Moreover, governments are taking initiatives and promoting fuel cells for transportation, which can further boost the demand for fuel cells in the automotive and transportation sectors.



The Automotive Fuel Cell Market is dominated by established players such as Ballard Power Systems (Canada), Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan), Hyundai Group (South Korea), Hyster Yale (US) and Cummins (US).



Request FREE Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=14859789



North America to have the fastest-growing number of hydrogen fuel stations during the forecast period



North America is a fast-growing market for hydrogen fuel stations. The US has a large number of hydrogen fuel stations catering to the market. Both US and Canada have been encouraging the demand for low emission vehicles. Fuel cell vehicles are in high demand in some states like California in US and BC in Canada. They have encouraged the growth of FCEV's by their emission regulations and laws which support the growth of zero-emission vehicles. Some states in both countries provide subsidies for such vehicles including FCEV's. US has more than 25,000 hydrogen fuel cell-based forklifts and a considerable number of FC buses across its states. US and Canada have some of the world's top fuel cell manufacturers like Ballard, Plug Power, BorgWarner etc. which has increased demand for FCEV in the country.



Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing market during the forecast



The European automotive fuel cell market is projected to grow at a high rate. Germany is projected to be the largest automotive fuel cell market in Europe. The German market is projected to grow due to increasing investments by the government to develop hydrogen infrastructure and the growing adoption of fuel cell buses in public transportation. Until the end of 2020, Germany had 90 operational hydrogen fuel stations. France, the Netherlands, and the UK also have a considerable market for fuel cell vehicles. Their governments have supported the growth of zero-emission vehicles in their countries. These countries have set up hydrogen related infrastructure and are on their way to move towards a zero-emission future. Italy will grow at the fastest rate due to its government supporting fuel cell vehicles in the country, along with various European OEMs catering to this market.



Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=14859789



Asia Oceania is expected to be the largest market in the forecast



In this report, the countries considered in the Asia Oceania region are China, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, and Indonesia. The region is home to some of the fastest-developing economies of the world, such as China and India. The governments of these emerging economies have recognized the growth potential of the global automotive fuel cell market and, hence, have adopted various initiatives to attract major OEMs for the development of FCEV's and required hydrogen infrastructure in their domestic markets. Japanese OEMs like Toyota and Honda and South Korean OEMs like Hyundai are increasingly investing in boosting production capacities. For instance, Toyota is doubling its investments in fuel cell vehicles to expand production, thereby decreasing the cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Japan is projected to be the fastest-growing market in Asia Oceania. India and Australia will also have significant growth. Currently, the commercialization of hydrogen vehicles has just started in these countries. However, they will showcase huge opportunities in the coming time. Australia is working with countries like Japan to develop its hydrogen capabilities at a rapid scale.
(Natural News) By now, anyone who has access to the internet has seen one or more instances of people getting into shouting matches, fights and other confrontations over various coronavirus restrictions and mandates.

The ubiquitous mask has become a focal point of conflict: A very large number of people have been convinced that unless they and everyone around them are wearing one, regardless of whether or not they are vaccinated, they are at risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19. And to that point, vaccines and now boosters have led people to become equally hysterical.

What in the world is going on? How did civilized societies become so manic over a virus that, for all intents and purposes, is not nearly as lethal or dangerous as weve been led to believe?

That is the point: Our societies have purposely been manipulated to view COVID very differently than previous viral outbreaks or even the flu, the latter of which has been killing us for centuries. And now, governments have admitted as much.

Renowned research scientist Dr. Robert Malone, who invented the mRNA technology that is being utilized in some of the top COVID-19 vaccines, said in a recent interview with top podcaster Joe Rogan that governments are using a manipulative concept known as mass formation psychosis on their populations as a means of coercing them into accepting even the most draconian of coronavirus mandates and measures.

According to Summit News, governments in the UK and Canada have both admitted to using totalitarian methods of mind control in order to force compliance. In his interview with Rogan after being banned from Twitter, he explained the mass hysteria, in part by comparing what we are seeing now with COVID to Germany in the Hitler era.

What the heck happened to Germany in the 20s and 30s? Very intelligent, highly educated population, and they went barking mad. And how did that happen? asked Malone. The answer is mass formation psychosis.

When you have a society that has become decoupled from each other and has free-floating anxiety in a sense that things dont make sense, we cant understand it, and then their attention gets focused by a leader or series of events on one small point just like hypnosis, they literally become hypnotized and can be led anywhere, he added.

On Joe Rogan, Dr Robert Malone suggests we are living through a mass formation psychosis. He explains how and why this could happen, and its effects. He draws analogy to 1920s/30s Germany they had a highly intelligent, highly educated population, and they went barking mad pic.twitter.com/wZpfMsyEZZ  Mythinformed MKE (@MythinformedMKE) January 1, 2022

And one of the aspects of that phenomenon is that the people that they identify as their leaders, the ones typically that come in and say you have this pain and I can solve it for you. I and I alone, Malone noted further. Then they will follow that person. It doesnt matter whether they lied to them or whatever. The data is irrelevant.

We had all those conditions. If you remember back before 2019 everyone was complaining, the world doesnt make sense and we are all isolated from each other, he added.

Then this thing happened, and everyone focused on it, he continued. That is how mass formation psychosis happens and that is what has happened here.

There is no question that the globalist powers that be saw an opportunity, in the age of Donald Trump, to use the China virus against him. But those same leaders also realized they could apply the same mass hysteria techniques writ large  on all first-world societies around the globe, because remember, the objective is total control of the population.

There is also proof of this, as Summit News adds:

As first revealed by author and journalist Laura Dodsworth, scientists in the UK working as advisors for the government admitted using what they now admit to be unethical and totalitarian methods of instilling fear in the population in order to control behavior during the pandemic.

The London Telegraph reported the comments made by Members of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviour (SPI-B), a sub-committee of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) the governments chief scientific advisory group.

Use of fear to control behaviour in Covid pandemic was totalitarian, admit scientists ?From A State of Fear: how the UK government weaponised fear during the Covid-19 pandemic https://t.co/gD6HFUkQqW  Laura Dodsworth (@BareReality) May 14, 2021

The report quotes from a March 2020 briefing, just as the first lockdown was ordered, which said that the government should drastically increase the perceived level of personal threat that the virus poses because a substantial number of people still do not feel sufficiently personally threatened.

One scientist on the SPI-B panel noted: In March [2020] the Government was very worried about compliance and they thought people wouldnt want to be locked down. There were discussions about fear being needed to encourage compliance, and decisions were made about how to ramp up the fear.

The unnamed scientist went on to say something very telling: The way we have used fear is dystopian.

The use of fear has definitely been ethically questionable. Its been like a weird experiment, the same scientist added. Ultimately, it backfired because people became too scared.

A different scientist warned, You could call psychology mind control. Thats what we do clearly we try and go about it in a positive way, but it has been used nefariously in the past.

Yet a third added: We have to be very careful about the authoritarianism that is creeping inpeople use the pandemic to grab power and drive through things that wouldnt happen otherwise.

Its clear that our societies were manipulated by some very evil, undemocratic, power-mad people who have no business being in control of us.

Sources include:

Summit.news

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Harrison Smith slammed the racist monoclonal antibodies treatment being promoted in United States during a recent episode of Brighteon Conversations with Mike Adams.

Smith, host of the American Journal on the InfoWars network, tweeted on Nov. 14 last year that he was denied receiving monoclonal antibody treatment for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) because he was White and the said treatment was only available for Blacks and Hispanics. He was also able to produce a video clearly showing a medical staff telling him that only reason for his rejection is his ethnicity.

According to Smith, he tried to avail of the monoclonal antibodies treatment after he and his family came down with COVID. He added that his parents in Houston got the treatment and it worked like a charm.

I give them a call. And on the first call, they told me Well, you know, if youre white, you probably wont be able to get this. And it just sort of threw me off. And I didnt really know what to think about it. So I just I tweeted it out, Smith said. (Related: Texas health systems discriminating against white people, denying them access to monoclonal antibodies.)

I said, I think I just got denied medical service, because Im White. Racially profiling to determine whether you get potentially life-saving treatment is a horrific thing.

Smith also lamented the fact that his exclusive InfoWars breaking true story was branded as a false and made up story by leftwing media. Its very annoying when youre telling the truth. And you have people claiming that youre lying. Even when you have literal video evidence, he said.

People need to know the truth

The American Journal host said the people need to know the truth.

I want people to learn from this lesson. Send us the video of something like this happening, [and] well spread it around. Theres so much corruption and sickness going around everywhere. And people just need to expose it, you need to get your phone out, film it, take a picture, expose whats going on. And you know, even if people call you all sorts of names, get the truth out there because its very troubling where were going in this country, Smith said.

Smith also hit the elites whom he said are putting underlings in a position to come up with some sort of justification for doing what is really unjustifiable. He also denounced the critical race theory being taught in schools, which he said has infiltrated people that didnt take it seriously.

They thought it was just sort of something to laugh at  this is life and death. And this isnt just speculation anymore. This isnt just silly people having weird racial philosophies, Smith pointed out. If we dont put a stop to this, reverse it right now, only God knows where this ends. Its a little genocide. (Related: Now New York is refusing monoclonal antibodies for white people.)

Smith added that if this continues its only going to make everything worse and that the problems are not with the race in the country but with government intervention. He also took note of the problems brought by hatred and the lack of personal responsibility.

Watch the video below to know more Harrisons first-hand experience regarding the racism involved in monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Visit RaceWar.news to read more about Whites being discriminated solely on the basis of their ethnicity.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

NationalFile.com
(Natural News) The Los Angeles Times published an article by columnist Michael Hiltzik which says mocking the deaths of anti-vaxxers is necessary.

(Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Summit.news)

Yes, really.

As Chris Menahan notes, the URL of the original article suggests the first headline was even worse and that it was subsequently changed by an editor.

The first incarnation was called Why Shouldnt We Dance On The Graves of Anti-Vaxxers?

Lovely.

The headline was changed to Mocking anti-vaxxers deaths is ghoulish, yes  but necessary.

Its final incarnation is now published as Mocking anti-vaxxers COVID deaths is ghoulish, yes  but may be necessary.

The constant watering down of the headline clearly suggests the newspaper was trying to minimize the inevitable backlash that would ensue.

The bulk of the piece focuses on mocking the death of conservative activist Kelly Ernby, who campaigned against mandatory COVID vaccines for children as a condition of going to school, but subsequently died from COVID complications.

Kelly Ernbys friends and family ask us to remember her for her career as a public servant and as a devoted spouse and mother. But lets not mince words: Her campaigns against public health measures negated whatever good she may have done in her other endeavors, writes Hiltzik.

Column: Mocking anti-vaxxers deaths is ghoulish, yes  but necessary https://t.co/ge7NveMjVq  Michael Hiltzik (@hiltzikm) January 10, 2022

The policies Ernby advocated may well have contributed to the spread of COVID and to the damaging of the public health infrastructure in her own community. Even before this pandemic, she spoke out for measures that would threaten California schoolchildren with exposure to deadly childhood diseases. There were no scientific or medical grounds for her opposition to mandates; there was only political ideology.

The columnist goes on to assert that the media should shine a spotlight on the deaths of people who ask questions about COVID vaccines and other lockdown measures, as if they dont relentlessly do that anyway.

But mockery is not necessarily the wrong reaction to those who publicly mocked anti-COVID measures and encouraged others to follow suit, before they perished of the disease the dangers of which they belittled, he adds.

Imagine if people who campaigned against mandatory vaccinations mocked the deaths of people who died from vaccine side-effects?

Theyd be treated as monsters by the media, as should Michael Hiltzik for his disgusting diatribe.

Read more at: Summit.news
(Natural News) Project Veritas has done it again, this time blowing the lid on the medical deep states lies about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

We now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Tony Fauci lied under oath about dangerous gain of function coronavirus research, which was, in fact, taking place in Wuhan, China, just prior to the unleashing of the plandemic.

Never-before-seen military documents obtained by James OKeefe and his team show that the Fauci Flu was, in fact, concocted in a laboratory through gain of function experiments. This same research was apparently also used to develop the vaccines under Operation Warp Speed.

The documents in question, which were never supposed to be publicly released, stem from a report compiled by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). These documents contain admissions about gain of function experiments that prove Fauci to be a liar for denying that they occurred.

These documents were discovered in a top-secret shared drive and corroborate with a report to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (DoD) that was written by U.S. Marine Corp Major Joseph Murphy, a former DARPA Fellow, and later obtained by Project Veritas.

The report states that EcoHealth Alliance approached DARPA in March 2018, seeking funding to conduct gain of function research of bat borne coronaviruses, reports explain.

The proposal, named Project Defuse, was rejected by DARPA over safety concerns and the notion that it violates the basis gain of function research moratorium.

Fauci is guilty of committing crimes against humanity and needs to be held accountable

According to these same documents, the NIAID, under the direction of Fauci, directly funded the very gain of function research on bat coronaviruses that Fauci claimed never occurred. This research took place in Wuhan, as well as at several sites in the United States.

Keep in mind that Fauci has repeatedly stated under oath that neither the NIAID nor the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has ever been involved with gain of function research even though the proposal rejection letter sent by DARPA to EcoHealth Alliance, which initially petitioned it for funding, mentions it directly.

The proposal does not mention or assess potential risks of Gain of Function (GoF) research, reads a direct quote from the DARPA rejection letter, suggesting that EcoHealths request directly mentioned it as well.

Maj. Murphys report goes on in great detail to outline other concerns about the Covid-19 gain of function program, the concealment of documents, the suppression of potential curatives like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, and the mRNA vaccines that are now being pushed on the world.

When Project Veritas reached out to DARPA for comment about the hidden documents, Jared Adams, its Chief of Communications, said it doesnt sound normal to me.

If something resides in a classified setting, then it should be appropriately marked, Adams said. Im not at all familiar with unmarked documents that reside in a classified space, no, he added.

Fauci et al need to be charged with crimes against humanity and mass murder, wrote a commenter in response to the news.

It turns out that the NIH also showed intent to create the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), and that it was not just an accidental lab leak.

He has committed clear treason! wrote another about Faucis actions in all this.

Marxists are now in control, added another in skepticism about whether Fauci will actually be held accountable.

Fauci will skate free. The FBI will continue to knock down doors. Illegals will vote. The only way to respond is to assemble: when you march on Vienna you take Vienna.

The latest news about Fauci can be found at Treason.news.

Sources for this article include:

YouTu.be

ProjectVeritas.com

CitizenFreePress.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The group Save Us Now (SUN), based out of the United Kingdom, has compiled a list of all the studies that demonstrate the lethality of Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines.

It turns out that more than 1,000 studies published in scientific journals show that Fauci Flu jabs are dangerous and ineffective at preventing disease and saving lives. Basically everything the world is being told about how great they supposedly are is a lie.

The safe and effective false propaganda, put out by public officials who now are continuing to push this vaccine, is a clear breach of duty, SUN reports.

A public office holder is subject to, and aware of, a duty to prevent death or serious injury that arises only by virtue of the functions of the public office.

Because many in positions of power have breached this duty, there is now a rash of illnesses and deaths spreading all over the world.

Some of the post-jab health conditions being observed include blood clotting myocarditis, pericarditis, thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, anaphylaxis, Bells palsy, Guillain-Barre Syndrome and cancer.

All of these are confirmed in the following science-and-government-gathered data from the UK Health and Security agency on COVID 19 regarding vaccine damage, SUN further adds.

Covid jabs are part of a global depopulation plan dating back many years

To continue calling these things vaccines is something of a misnomer, it is important to point out. True vaccines provide actual immunity to disease, while these things supposedly just lessen symptoms (in a best-case scenario).

In a worst-case scenario, these injections are spreading disease while perpetuating the plandemic when it already would have been long over had they never been introduced under Operation Warp Speed.

The term vaccine was changed recently to incorporate this illegal, unlawful medical experiment to facilitate usage of mRNA technology that is demonstrably not a vaccine, and which contains biologically toxic nano-metamaterials associated with 5G urban data gathering capability, SUN further explains.

Metal nanoparticulates are known in science to be genotoxic  a poison that can also cause sterilization. The dangers posed to the victims in the near term from this medical battery are now known. However, the long-term lethality of this weapon is not as yet realized due to the debilitating effects it has on the immune system, causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

SUN claims to have obtained 2017 depopulation defense-intelligence documents outlined in the future planned murder of 55 million people across the United Kingdom by 2025 using a biological weapon. It would appear as though that biological weapon is the vaccines.

The U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency had also warned prior to their release about an expected large number of adverse reactions to the jabs. This, SUN says, confirms the premeditated nature of the crime and public conduct offences then and now.

Take some time to peruse the list of studies provided by SUN. They address the many, many health conditions such as cerebral venous thrombosis and fatal cerebral hemorrhage that are emerging all over the place as a reaction to the jabs.

A Natural News reader pointed out that the prion disease phenomenon seemingly stemming from the jabs may have actually been planned as far back as the 1960s.

Dr. Leonard Horowitz gives the facts and documented sources where Deep State was working on developing a prion weapon back in the 60s and later in his book, 2001  Death is in the Air  its still available, this person wrote.

Another wrote that the monsters thrusting this mass genocide on the world have a lot of blood on their hands and will certainly receive the eternal damnation they deserve very soon.

The latest news about the damage being caused by Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

SaveUsNow.org.uk

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Jeffrey Prather revealed the role played by the Deep State in the January 6, 2021 Capitol Hill incident during the Jan. 7 episode of the The Prather Point on Brighteon.TV.

The Deep State has learned their lessons and is trying to avoid rally points. So theyre trying to hide all this. They are trying to hide the [Wuhan coronavirus] COVID-19 holocaust in the statistics, but they are not able to do that. They are also trying to hide January 6. Thats why the patriot prisoners are still locked up, Prather said. (Related: Unmistakable signs January 6th was orchestrated by the Deep State to cover up the Democrats election steal  Sure looks like the Clinton Cabal is still running Washington DC!)

So this is tragic. And we have become a communist state where we are torturing political prisoners.

The Prather Point host also pointed out that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Black Lives Matter Antifa (Blantifa) were involved in the violence that happened during the event.

It was certainly an ambush. The FBI, Blantifa were certainly on it. They are setting all this up. When you fly planes into buildings, its not to kill the people in the planes. Its [also] not to kill the people in the buildings. Its to inspire terror in everybody who watches that. That was not at all what Jan. 6 was about, it was an ambush by the Deep State of naive patriots, Prather explained.

And I warned people not to go to that. I still get emails of people thanking me for them not going to that and being ambushed. But the key point here is that they will not be able to torture and kill all of these patriots, all of these new martyrs in the new fourth generation insurgent war to restore our republic.

The former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agent turned whistleblower added that despite the lies of the Deep State, none of the hundreds of arrestees have been charged with insurrection for the Jan. 6 incident.

He also took note that the FBI has admitted it was not an insurrection.

The [former President Donald] Trump supporters, the Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters were of course arrested, and the Blantifa supporters with the guns were of course released because again Blantifa still goes today to White House because Antifa is the covert militia arm, the violent arm of the Democratic Party supported through Act Blue, Prather said.

Deep State covered up death of four Trump supporters

Prather also recalled the four Trump, MAGA and constitutional supporters who died January 6 last year.

He looked back most notably on Ashley Babbitt, the Air Force veteran whom he said was shot, murdered, assassinated and sniped by Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd when there was no threat to life.

The former intelligence collector added that the murder case of Babbitt has been covered up by the Deep State with Byrd not facing any charges. Prather decried that the Capitol Police officer was even praised and interviewed because he was a Black Lives Matter supporter.

Kevin Greeson, Benjamin Phillips and Roseanne Boylan also died during the Capitol Hill incident.

The 55-year-old Greeson and 50-year-old Phillips both died from a heart attack according to a medical examiner report, which Prather claimed is controlled by the Deep State.

The 34-year-old Boylan, on the other hand, had a separate medical emergency and the Deep State claimed she died from injuries sustained in the rush of people going to the Capitol Hill.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden on Thursday, Jan. 6, criticized Trump during the first anniversary of the Capitol Hill incident.

For the first time in our history, a president not just lost an election. He tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power as a violent mob breached the Capitol. But they failed, Biden stated at the Capitol. I will stand in this breach. Democracy was attacked. We the people endure. We the people prevailed.

Biden and congressional Democrats began the day in Statuary Hall, one of various spots where rioters flocked a year ago and disrupted the electoral count.

You and I and the whole world saw with our own eyes. Here is the Gods truth about Jan. 6, 2021. They were looking to subvert the Constitution, Biden said. We must be absolutely clear about what is true and what is a lie. Heres the truth. The former president of the United States of America has spread a web of lies about the 2020 election.

Trump answered Bidens speech by calling it a political theater and a drive to further divide America.

Watch the full Jan. 7 episode of The Prather Point with Jeffrey Prather below. Catch new episodes of The Prather Point every Friday at 10-11 a.m. on Brighteon.TV.

Follow DeepState.news to know more about the Deep State.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

WBALTV11.com
(Natural News) After getting rejected by DARPA over safety concerns and for violating a gain of function research moratorium, the EcoHealth Alliance grant proposal that ultimately led to the creation of the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) was approved by Tony Fauci instead, making him the plandemic culprit.

Leaked military documents obtained by Project Veritas and compiled for the world to see show that in 2018, Fauci green-lighted the project and delivered the funding needed to make it happen.

Thanks to Fauci, bat coronaviruses were tampered with at laboratories in Wuhan, China, and the United States, resulting in the eventual release of what the world has now been plagued with for going on two years. (Related: Fauci also funds the abuse and torture of beagle dogs as part of his evil experiments.)

The documents James OKeefe and his team obtained came from a top-secret shared drive that was hidden on a server somewhere. They show that Fauci committed treason, essentially, by sidestepping the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and funding the EcoHealth project that it had rejected for being too dangerous.

The report states that EcoHealth Alliance approached DARPA in March 2018, seeking funding to conduct gain of function research of bat borne coronaviruses, Project Veritas announced. The proposal, named Project Defuse, was rejected by DARPA over safety concerns and the notion that it violates the basis gain of function research moratorium.

According to the documents, NIAID, under the direction of Dr. Fauci, went ahead with the research in Wuhan, China and at several sites across the U.S.

Did Fauci violate a government moratorium on gain of function research?

It was 2014 when the U.S. government placed a moratorium on gain of function research due to the serious risks involved. The fact that Fauci went ahead and funded it in defiance of this adds another layer of criminality to this whole saga.

This research funding pause will be effective until a robust and broad deliberative process is completed that results in the adoption of a new USG (U.S. government) gain-of-function- research policy, the 2014 guidance explains.

Restrictions on new funding will apply as follows:

New USG funding will not be released for gain-of-function research projects that may be reasonably anticipated to confer attributes to influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses such that the virus would have enhanced pathogenicity and / or transmissibility in mammals via the respiratory route. The research funding pause would not apply to characterization or testing of naturally occurring influenza, MERS, and SARS viruses, unless the tests are reasonably anticipated to increase transmissibility and / or pathogenicity.

As you can see, what Fauci did was strictly prohibited by this ban. He never should have sent a single penny of American taxpayer money to these projects, and yet that is exactly what he did under the cover of darkness.

Then, Fauci had the gall to lie about it multiple times under oath before Congress, falsely claiming that his agency has never been involved with gain of function research.

It is important to note that just before Barack Hussein Obama left the White House in early 2017, the moratorium on SARS biological weapons was lifted for certain life science research that could enhance a pathogens virulence and / or transmissibility to produce a potential pandemic pathogen (an enhanced PPP).

It could be argued that what Fauci proceeded to do after that date was allowed since the research was taking place in Wuhan at that point rather than here in the United States.

Given the workarounds, exceptions and plausible deniability for the consequences, built into the original moratorium guidance in 2014, the defense department was operationally permitted to keep funding the biological weapons research in Wuhan, China, reports The Conservative Treehouse.

The 2014 ban was a funding moratorium in name only; however, it appears the funding for U.S. research in North Carolina was stopped.

The latest news about Fauci can be found at Treason.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheConservativeTreehouse.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Real-life sisters and Headline News hosts Michelle and Leah Svensson called the Capitol Hill incident in January 6 last year a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) entrapment.

This was entrapment. This was a setup and they executed it beautifully. And as theyre saying that January 6 is going to go down in infamy because as the truth comes out, its going to show you unlike with JFK, we have the internet and we will show you it was a conspiracy, said Leah during the January 7 episode of their program on Brighteon.TV. It was a conspiracy. It was entrapment so that the results of the election could not be known.

Michelle agreed with Leah, saying that it was indeed a Fed entrapment.

Jan. 6 event breach team

The sisters popularly known as the Resistance Chicks took note of the alleged three men who instigated the riot on the Jan. 6 event that were on the FBI watchlist but were later taken off. One of the three men was identified as Ray Epps, who was seen on video, telling people to go into Capitol Hill.

Revolver News investigative reporting team also revealed that Epps was among the main instigators of the very first breach of the Capitol Police barricades on Jan. 6. Epps led the breach team that committed the early illegal acts that day and that he and his team did all the dirty works with 20 minutes left in President Donald Trumps National Mall speech.

Leah also mentioned Harley Jacket Baton Man, who was filmed beating police officers with the baton, and Scaffolding Commander, who was leading and telling people where to go and what to do during the so-called Jan. 6 insurrection.

She said these people along with Epps were never arrested by the Feds and theyre still living as free men in the country.

Michelle noted that the Feds have infiltrated the Black Lives Matter Antifa (Blantifa) who were seen going into the Capitol and instigating all these stuff that they were known for during the event. She added that the FBI needs to be disbanded for manipulating the society and creating situations to instigate people.

Leah said that Trump tried to get protection on Jan. 6 by sending 20,000 National Guardsmen to support the Capitol Police, but Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said no to the idea  which Michelle said was done on purpose so that the Feds could do their job. (Related: Democrats to blame Trump for inciting Capitol riot but pipe bombs planted BEFORE Jan. 6 prove otherwise.)

According to Leah, the Democrats were also waiting for the Capitol breach so that they could shut down the House. She pointed out that it was an orchestrated play and that we got played, but added its gonna turn around for our good.

Supreme Court, Macron, Trudeau on vaccine mandates

The Resistance Chicks also tackled the Supreme Court hearing on the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandates, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on their respective countrys vaccine mandates.

Michelle said that the unconstitutional vaccine mandate is turning Americans into a bifurcated world, with people being separated through a medical and political apartheid.

Leah, on the other hand, took a shot at Macron and Trudeau for their harsh words on their unvaccinated people. She added that the two world leaders have turned themselves into a Nazi dictator.

Macron has called the unvaccinated people in France as non citizens while Trudeau said that the anti-vaxxers are racist, misogynist and horrible people.

The sisters also played clips of Fox News host Tucker Carlsons interviews with Washington State House Republican candidate Joe Kent and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. The sisters slammed Cruzs speech about the violent terrorist attack of Jan. 6, which they said were rehearsed and written down for the whole world to see. They also hit the Texas senator for calling the peaceful protesters supporting Trump terrorists during the said incident.

Watch the full Jan. 7 episode of Headline News in the video below. Catch new episodes of the program every Friday at 6-7 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

Follow DeepState.news know more about politics and conspiracies in the United States.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Revolver.news
(Natural News) The shortage of semiconductors is worsening and the affected companies are compounding the situation by stockpiling their inventory  further depleting the already thinning supply. The dire situation is happening due to the prevailing global supply chain disruptions, which the Biden administration fails to solve.

Trading and technology firm Susquehanna Financial Group noted that the shortage will continue this year after its research proved that delivery times for chips jumped to an average of 25.78 weeks in December from just six days in November.

This is the longest wait time since Susquehanna started monitoring the data in 2017.

Susquehanna analyst Chris Rolland said the rate of lead time expansion for nearly every product category, with power management and microcontrollers on top of the list, reached all-time highs. (Related: Biden is not doing anything to resolve the supply chain crisis.)

The rate of lead time has been choppy, but picked up again in December, said Rolland. Lead time is the gap between when a semiconductor is ordered and delivered. An increase would suggest chip shortages are persisting while a decrease would indicate easing.

The present situation poses a big problem for automakers as a longer wait for microcontrollers being used in cars will hamper production. Also affected are industries related to electronics, heavy equipment, appliances and other consumer durables that rely on automated applications.

Shortages due to global supply chain crisis

With shortages happening because of the global supply chain crisis, people are finding it hard to find microchips, gas, steel, metals, chicken, lumber and even chlorine and ketchup packets.

Those buying a new car, smartphone or washing machine, for example, face long waits plus high prices due to the shortage of computer chips.

Its an entirely different situation for chips manufacturers as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index is up more than 200 percent since early 2020. (Related: Top selling vehicles are being held back, made without computers as semiconductor shortage sweeps the globe.)

Production and delivery problems initially only happened in the car industry, but upending supply chains and changing consumer shopping patterns plus the global economic recession due to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic eventually resulted to shortages in other products as well.

Car manufacturers cut back orders for chips, while tech companies, whose product sales were boosted by the lockdown needed to snap up as many as they could.

From cars to consumer electronics

Analysts believe that the shortage will spread from cars to consumer electronics and the crunch will continue since a handful of suppliers control chip production.

Its a good thing electronic giant Samsung intends to build a $17 billion semiconductor factory outside of Austin, Texas, amid a global shortage of chips used in phones, cars and other electronic devices.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stressed that Samsungs project is the largest foreign direct investment in the state of Texas.

The construction will start this year and operations are expected to begin in the second half of 2024. The new facility will boost Samsung production of high-tech chips used for 5G mobile communications, advanced computing and artificial intelligence, and also improve supply chain resilience.

According to Samsung Vice Chairman Kinam Kim, the electronics giant chose the site based on government incentives and local infrastructure.

US faces national security concerns

Due to the shortage of chips, the U.S. faces national security concerns and problems in doing business. The inadequate supply of semiconductors is affecting the production of new vehicles and electronic devices.

Many American companies depend on chips produced in Taiwan and China, which are locked in dispute as China regards Taiwan as a runaway province.

Research analyst Nina Turner said its a risk for the U.S. to rely too much on Taiwan.

Its a concentration risk, a geopolitical risk to be so reliant on Taiwan for the chips, said Turner, adding that the current shortages will likely subside but there will be a long-term demand for chips as more and more daily products rely on them.

Many chipmakers are spreading out their manufacturing operations in response to the shortages, which have taken a toll on sectors ranging from automakers to the video gaming industry. The U.S., being the worlds richest economy, is feeling the brunt of the impact.

Watch the video below about the ongoing shortage of microchips.

This video is from Truth and Freedom channel on Brighteon.com.

Follow SupplyChainWarning.com to find out more about the semiconductor shortage.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

StrangeSounds.org

MBTMag.com

Brighteon.com
Wednesday, January 12, 2022 by: News Editors Tags: bombshell , Censorship , Fauci , gain-of-function , Project Veritas , Twitter This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

(Natural News) Twitter has banned @ExposeFauci, an account set up by Project Veritas to promote the organizations latest bombshell, a drop of documents regarding U.S. government involvement in gain of function research on bat-borne coronaviruses in China.

(Article by Allum Bokhari republished from Breitbart.com)

Project Veritas main account on Twitter was banned in February 2021. Twitter claimed that the journalistic outfits attempts to interview Facebook VP Guy Rosen at his home violated the platforms policies on posting private information.

Twitter has not yet given an excuse for banning the ExposeFauci account.

The account was set up to promote Project Veritas latest scoop, a leak of military documents about gain of function research.

Via Project Veritas:

The report states that EcoHealth Alliance approached DARPA in March 2018, seeking funding to conduct gain of function research of bat borne coronaviruses. The proposal, named Project Defuse, was rejected by DARPA over safety concerns and the notion that it violates the basis gain of function research moratorium. According to the documents, NIAID, under the direction of Dr. Fauci, went ahead with the research in Wuhan, China and at several sites across the U.S. Dr. Fauci has repeatedly maintained, under oath, that the NIH and NAIAD have not been involved in gain of function research with the EcoHealth Alliance program. But according to the documents obtained by Project Veritas which outline why EcoHealth Alliances proposal was rejected, DARPA certainly classified the research as gain of function.

You can read the full documents here.

The documents were released a day before NIAID director Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate for another hearing. At the hearing, Fauci complained that Sen. Rand Paul  who has consistently maintained that the NIAID director is trying to cover up his agencys involvement in gain of function research  has called for him to be fired.

Twitter has also suspended the account of Eric Spracklen, who is associated with Project Veritas and posts the organizations content on the platform.

BREAKING: Project Veritas @EricSpracklen suspended by Twitter on day after DARPA video pic.twitter.com/d6RaAD3el2  Jack Posobiec ? (@JackPosobiec) January 11, 2022

Read more at: Breitbart.com
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/12/2022 -- The Latest research study released by HTF MI "Global and Regional Meal Replacement Products Market" with 100+ pages of analysis on business Strategy taken up by key and emerging industry players and delivers know how of the current market development, landscape, technologies, drivers, opportunities, market viewpoint and status. Understanding the segments helps in identifying the importance of different factors that aid the market growth. Some of the Major Companies covered in this Research are Abbott, Herbalife, Kellogg, Nestle, Glanbia, Natures Bounty, Nutiva, Onnit Labs, Orgain etc.



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Browse market information, tables and figures extent in-depth TOC on "Meal Replacement Products Market by Application (Retail Stores & Online Sales), by Product Type (, Powder, Bars & Beverages), Business scope, Manufacturing and Outlook  Estimate to 2025".



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At last, all parts of the Global and Regional Meal Replacement Products Market are quantitatively also subjectively valued to think about the Global just as regional market equally. This market study presents basic data and true figures about the market giving a deep analysis of this market based on market trends, market drivers, constraints and its future prospects. The report supplies the worldwide monetary challenge with the help of Porter's Five Forces Analysis and SWOT Analysis.



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On the basis of report- titled segments and sub-segment of the market are highlighted below:

Global and Regional Meal Replacement Products Market By Application/End-User (Value and Volume from 2021 to 2026) : Retail Stores & Online Sales



Market By Type (Value and Volume from 2021 to 2026) : , Powder, Bars & Beverages



Global and Regional Meal Replacement Products Market by Key Players: Abbott, Herbalife, Kellogg, Nestle, Glanbia, Natures Bounty, Nutiva, Onnit Labs, Orgain



Geographically, this report is segmented into some key Regions, with manufacture, depletion, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Meal Replacement Products in these regions, from 2015 to 2026 (forecast), covering China, USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia & South America and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2021 to 2026.



Informational Takeaways from the Market Study: The report Meal Replacement Products matches the completely examined and evaluated data of the noticeable companies and their situation in the market considering impact of Coronavirus. The measured tools including SWOT analysis, Porter's five powers analysis, and assumption return debt were utilized while separating the improvement of the key players performing in the market.



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Q 1. Which Region offers the most rewarding open doors for the market Ahead of 2021?

Q 2. What are the business threats and Impact of latest scenario Over the market Growth and Estimation?

Q 3. What are probably the most encouraging, high-development scenarios for Meal Replacement Products movement showcase by applications, types and regions?

Q 4.What segments grab most noteworthy attention in Meal Replacement Products Market in 2020 and beyond?

Q 5. Who are the significant players confronting and developing in Meal Replacement Products Market?



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Key poles of the TOC:

Chapter 1 Global and Regional Meal Replacement Products Market Business Overview

Chapter 2 Major Breakdown by Type [, Powder, Bars & Beverages]

Chapter 3 Major Application Wise Breakdown (Revenue & Volume)

Chapter 4 Manufacture Market Breakdown

Chapter 5 Sales & Estimates Market Study

Chapter 6 Key Manufacturers Production and Sales Market Comparison Breakdown

..

Chapter 8 Manufacturers, Deals and Closings Market Evaluation & Aggressiveness

Chapter 9 Key Companies Breakdown by Overall Market Size & Revenue by Type

..

Chapter 11 Business / Industry Chain (Value & Supply Chain Analysis)

Chapter 12 Conclusions & Appendix



Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, LATAM, Europe or Southeast Asia.



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(Natural News) The automobile industry is being burdened by a national tire shortage brought about by problems in the global supply chain. Already burdened by truck and chassis shortages, lack of drivers and other issues, the tire shortage is proving to be a big problem for the rubber industry.

David Hays, president of Hay Tires Pros based in California, told News Nation that American-made tires have no problem sourcing and the problem lies on getting top Asian brands, which remained stuck on the ships.

The supply chain crisis means tire shipments from Asia are delayed and will take weeks or even a month before being delivered to American stores due to port congestion at the West Coast. (Related: Global supply chain crisis expected to last another TWO YEARS.)

Consumers find it hard to find winter tires

With the limited stocks, consumers are also finding it hard to find the needed winter tires in order to try to continue their normal lives. Those who purchase winter tires at the last minute will also need to pay a hefty premium due to lack of supplies.

Tire shops in Lansing, Michigan are having difficulty getting winter tires. Michigan resident Shawn Foxworth said the shortage is causing a big headache as he had to shop around for different brands. It took a while to get one, Foxworth said, adding that tires prices were much higher than last year.

The U.S. automotive industry has been plagued with plant shutdowns due to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and a global semiconductor chip shortage. Problems with raw supply for runner due to climate change plus shipping container shortages and port congestions are contributing to the dire situation. Rubber production in Asia is also affected by flooding and leaf disease, and replacing the trees will take years.

In 2020, the global natural rubber market was valued at $40 billion with demand expected to increase. Asia accounts for 90 percent of the natural supply of rubber. The United States imported $140 million worth of natural rubber alone and analysts predict that the rubber market could be worth $68.5 billion by 2026 due to higher demand for car tires.

Increasing demand and short supply are forcing manufacturers to raise the cost of their tires, which affected consumers. Tire prices had actually been increasing even before reports of the shortage because Americans are buying more trucks and SUVs, which have larger tires than cars.

Pirelli General Manager Andrea Casaluci said: Our prices in general grew 6.2 percent compared with the previous year.

Car tires, personal protective equipment like masks and gloves and 40,000 other commercial everyday products rely on rubber.

Thailand and Indonesia are home to the Para rubber trees, which grow only in humid countries. Natural rubber is a white sap that bleeds from rubber trees. It has unique properties that make it critical for tires and car parts.

No end to supply chain crisis

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently said that the supply chain crisis will continue for months. A lot of the challenges that we have been experiencing this year will continue into next year, Buttigieg said on CNNs State of the Union. But there are both short-term and long-term steps that we can take to do something about it.

Despite the persistent problems in global supply, Buttigieg said some of the trouble is a positive sign of the countrys economic recovery.

Demand is off the charts, he said. Retail sales are through the roof. Now the issue is, even though our ports are handling more than they ever have  record amounts of goods coming through  our supply chains cant keep up.

Meanwhile, integrated transport and logistics company Maersk said delays continue to hit the West Coast where its taking four weeks for ship to unload their cargo due to lack of workers.

A Maersk spokesman said the supply chain will get stretched further as workers, truckers and terminals are on vacations. The result is a ripple effect around the world with ships locked into tight deadlines and a glut of containers in some ports in the United States and Europe. There are also not enough ports in Asia.

Normally we can absorb these seasonal impacts fairly quickly, but when already stretched, it just becomes a multiplier, said the spokesman, who stressed theres no major improvement expected in 2022. Very likely that it continues thereafter and for North America even longer.

The onset of omicron is also adding to the problem as the new variant could lead to new shutdowns, sending another disruptive spasm through the global system. This happened in the Chinese manufacturing hub of Zhejiang, which was hit recently by COVID outbreak. Zhejiang is home to the worlds largest cargo port, Ningbo-Zhoushan. Due to the outbreak, thousands are in quarantine under Chinas strict zero-COVID policy, affecting works in the port.

Further supply chain disruption is a significant possibility, economic analysts at Capital Economics said.

In Felixstowe, the biggest container port in United Kingdom, containers remain in the clogged docksides. Empty containers coming back on trucks from inland warehouses have to be diverted to other ports. COVID was an ongoing problem, said Robert Keen of the British International Freight Association.

Watch the video below about the supply chain crisis impact on local businesses.

This video is from the Signposts channel on Brighteon.com.

SupplyChainWarning.com has more about the supply chain issues affecting the tire market.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

Newsweek.com

Politico.com

TheGuardian.com
TOPSHOT - Kane Tanaka, a 116-year-old Japanese woman, celebrates with the official recognition of Guinness World Records' world's oldest verified living person in Fukuoka on March 9, 2019. (Photo : Photo credit: JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images)

The world's longest living woman just turned 119 years of age. This commendable woman is no other than Kane Tanaka from Japan, whom recently celebrated her 119th birthday on Sunday.

On her personal twitter account her great-granddaughter, Junko Tanaka, greeted her for her special day.

In Junko's post she greeted her great-grandmother and stated, "Fantastic accomplishment. (Kane Tanaka) surpassed 119 years of age."

Kane Tanaka, The World's Oldest Living Woman

"I wish all the best of good fortune in your future endeavors."

This was quickly followed by a set of pictures of her loving and wonderful great-grandmother, whom she last visited in the month of December.

Tanaka, who was born in 1903, wedded a grain merchant at the age of 19 and remained in the business venture until she came to the age of 103.

Her post also included a series of pictures on Twitter of two ceremonial Coca-Cola plastic containers presented to Tanaka for her birthday anniversary, with the lids engraved with her name and age.

Kane Tanaka received her first birthday present which reveals the gifts given for Mrs. Kane's birth anniversary. While she expresses her genuine love for their generosity. Coca-Cola business prepared a special birthday container.

"It appears (Kane) is still consuming Coca-Cola as normal," Junko said on Twitter.

Kane Tanaka's great-granddaughter, Junko Tanaka also spoke to some of trusted media outlets during the month of March year 2021, as her great-grandmother prepared to wield the Olympic flame thrower preparatory of the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

In January 2020, she launched the Twitter feed to memorialize Tanaka's existence.

"I may be prejudiced since she's my great-grandmother, but I suppose it's somewhat kind of fantastic, so, I wished to express throughout the global economy and for others to be encouraged and to perceive her excitement," Junko explained.

Tanaka has witnessed several momentous occasions, including the two world wars and the 1918 Flu pandemic. Her life has included participation in 49 Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

On the other hand, Kane Tanaka's grandchild, Eiji Tanaka, told the media the year before that he do not really recollect their grandmother discussing much more regarding her earlier days, as she's extremely future oriented.

Eiji Tanaka further said that their great-grandmother truly appreciates existing and living in the modern era.

Tanaka is a resident at a senior facility in the Fukuoka province, wherein her family claims that she maintains her physical and mental health active by performing math and being interested.

In the year 2019, Kane Tanaka was named as the world's longest living woman by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Also read: Mysterious 'Brain Tsunamis' Occuring Moments Before Death Observed in Humans

The World's Longest Living Man From Spain

As Kane Tanaka is the longest living woman in the world, the record for the longest living man aged 112 years old from Spain, whose name is Saturnino de la Fuente Garca, who was birthed in 1909 and worked as a shoemaker throughout the Spanish Civil War

The title of longest living man will be given to him in the month of September of year 2021.

As per the public statement from the Guinness World Records, he claimed the trick to a long and healthy life is a tranquil existence and therefore do not damage anyone.

On her birthday, Tanaka got warm wishes from People on twitter.

"It's amazing that she can stare directly at the image sensor and raise a hand gesture at 119 years old," commented by social media user @TuNatoron.

"Congratulations!! Please remain well," Mee-san, another Twitter account, added.

Also read: Paddleboarders Discovered Bizarre-Looking Giant Sunfish Washed Ashore in California
A quarry in the east of England has been reclaimed by nature and is being turned into a massive wildlife refuge.

The Return of Endangered Birds

Recently, the UK's most endangered species, the secretive bittern, found refuge in the boggy plain of the Fens outside Cambridge, thanks to its reedbed wetlands.

The RSPB's Ouse Fen Nature Reserve located about 120 kilometers north of London has been reclaimed by nature and transformed into a refuge for critically endangered birds in the United Kingdom, according to Phys.org.

With its brown streaked plumage and booming springtime cry that sounds like someone blowing over the top of a bottle, the thick-billed heron is now on the Amber list, where it is less critical but still vulnerable.

Ouse Fen Nature Reserve senior site manager Chris Hudson says it's a proof of how large-scale decisive action at large scale can move species off the Red list.

The elusive bird was nowhere to be seen when AFP arrived on a cold and wet January morning, but Ouse Fen currently hosts 5% of the UK's bittern nests.

Hudson, noted that the reserve's bittern population is now bigger than it was when the RSPB's list of endangered species was initially released in the mid-1990s.

Also Read: Birds in Amazon Rainforest Are 'Shrinking', Experts Blame Climate Change

Decline in Insect Populations

About a third of the 245 bird species found in the British Isles are currently in danger.

The house martin and the rapid, migratory birds that travel thousands of miles (kilometers) from central and southern Africa each spring to nest in Europe are among the new species included on the list.

Conservation scientist Richard Gregory of the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science blames declining bird populations mostly on shifting land use in the UK, Europe, and beyond.

Birds' declining numbers may indicate a drop in insect biomass, which has been a major worry for conservationists throughout Europe in recent years, and it's probably a far larger problem, said the researcher.

The "magnificent" white-tailed eagle, which was extinct in the British Isles in the early 20th century, is an example of how birds may return to their natural habitats if they are properly managed and protected.

After years of conservation efforts, the majestic sea eagle has been removed off the endangered species list and may now be found in the wild in the United Kingdom in at least 123 pairs.

Setting the Stage For Success

A heron family member, the great white egret, and the marsh harrier, a vulnerable bird of prey, were seen in the Ouse Fen nature reserve in early January.

Opened in 2010, the reedbed, open water, and grassland mix was restored from land that was Europe's largest sand and gravel quarry. Around 28 million metric tons of aggregate will be excavated from the earth over the course of the project, leaving behind holes that are presently brimming with water and reeds, much to the joy of the birds.

"Our job here was to recreate the right habitat conditions that would bring the bittern back," said Hudson. These include "lots of feeding opportunities to get their prey sources like fish, and particularly eels".

The birds will return as soon as the parameters laid down are met.

Humans change the landscape, creating bodies of water and planting reeds, "and then nature will look after the rest and come back quite naturally if given that opportunity, and that's the really key thing," he said.

Related Article: England's New Hunting Law Allows the Killing of Wild Birds to Protect Game Birds

For more news, updates about birds and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
According to a leaked internal memo, England's Environment Agency has directed its personnel to "shut down" and disregard allegations of low-impact pollution occurrences because it lacks the funds to examine them.

Categorization

The judgment on so-called category 3 and 4 accidents means that situations such as agricultural contamination or hazardous wastes may not be thoroughly examined. River organizations and NGOs have been outraged by the decision.

"No response to underfunded low- and no-impact environmental events," also known as category 3 and 4, according to an Environment Agency briefing to staff published in November and reviewed by the Guardian and the Ends Report.

Dissatisfaction

The agency's dissatisfaction with ministers and the money set aside for its operations is also revealed in the leaked paper. According to the report, the EA's leadership team has "made it clear to the government that you get what you pay for."

According to the briefing, pollution events produced by a regulated site or a water business would be exceptions to the rule. Still, it does not explain how it will establish the source or severity of an incident if it is not attended to or examined.

Related Article: Rewilding Wildlands: Farmers in England are Given Incentives to Participate in Nature Recovery Programs



Reasoning

It will have benefits, according to the agency's briefing, such as "reduced overall effort spent on the incidents that present the lowest risk to the environment," increased effort on "charge-funded regulation," more space to prioritize higher-risk incidents, "increased consistency of response and service for customers," and reduced disruption to officers during the day and after hours, among others.

According to a presentation on what is known internally as the incident triage project, the Environment Agency maintains that it presently reacts to more than 70,000 cases each year.

The agency's National Incident Recording System, on the other hand, indicates that while 116,000 possible occurrences were reported to the agency in 2021, only 8,000 were attended, down from 12,000 in 2016, when 74,000 were notified.

The presentation deck adds, "We cannot keep attempting to achieve what we are not funded to do; we do not have the money or resources." "We're in a non-sustainable situation." Staff resilience and well-being are being harmed as our incident responders are under increasing strain."

Least Priority

Employees are urged not to establish category 3 or 4 events that do not include a water firm or a regulated site: "Don't call site, don't provide any details. In anticipation of complaints, template reply letters have been produced for agency workers.

"A lot of category two occurrences start as 3s until they are attended," said one Environment Agency officer, who did not want to be identified since employees had been cautioned against speaking to the media. An example of category three might be a "2km spill of oil or sewage in a river."

A second officer, who requested anonymity, said it would be "difficult" to determine the event's severity without going inside. They said that the EA's reaction to pollution had been declining for some time and that an incident would not be handled by the agency "until dead fish were floating around."

According to the agency's customer service pledge, the regulator's funding for reacting to environmental accidents was halved last year, and it would no longer offer feedback on any action taken to address pollution occurrences, in addition to decreasing replies.

Budget Decrease

It comes after the agency's grant-in-aid budget has been slashed for several years. In the last expenditure review in October 2021, the government awarded the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its agencies an additional 4.3 billion. This year, an overview of the Environment Agency's settlement is required.

The Rivers Trust's chief executive, Mark Lloyd, described the move as an "appalling disgrace." "Pollution occurrences in Category 1 and 2 have a significant environmental impact, yet they are only the tip of the iceberg." They are what cause rivers to die by a thousand cuts," he added. "The great majority of cases are in lesser categories."

"If our rivers are not to continue suffering endemic pollution and an ongoing decline in quality," Lloyd said, the agency needs "resources and political backing to take robust action in all cases of pollution... There must be a credible threat of enforcement for all pollution incidents if we are to restore our rivers to good health for the next generation."

According to Fish Legal's head of practice, Penny Gane, ignoring pollution events risks people giving up on reporting them in the first place.

"We focus our incident response effort on those pollution occurrences that pose the greatest damage to the environment," stated an Environment Agency official.

Also Read: Environmental Justice: How and Why Environmental Activism Became Mainstream

For more news update about Environmental Action, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Relatives of a victim wait outside the Legal Medicine Institute of Passos, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, on January 9, 2022, a day after a large rock fragment broke off a ravine and plunged onto several tourist boats leaving ten people dead at the nearby canyons of Furnas Lake. - Ten people died when a cliff collapsed onto tourist boats on a lake in Brazil, officials said Sunday after the bodies of two missing people were found. (Photo by DOUGLAS MAGNO / AFP) (Photo by DOUGLAS MAGNO/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo : Photo by DOUGLAS MAGNO/AFP via Getty Images)

On Saturday, a tourist destination in southeastern Brazil was hit by disaster due to wet weather, killing at least ten people and injuring more than 30 others.

An Unfortunate Incident

A massive block of granite fell loose from the surrounding canyon and crashed into the lake below while dozens of boaters relaxed on Furnas Lake in the Capitolio district of the state of Minas Gerais.

According to the state governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema, heavy rains were the source of the dislodged rock at Furnas Lake. According to state broadcaster Agencia Brasil, Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology issued red flag warnings across the state, indicating the possibility for more than 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rainfall per day for four days.

Immediate Action

According to Zema, officials are also making preparations in other areas of the state that may be vulnerable to harm.

Furnas Lake is a peaceful stream encircled by a rock canyon and a stunning waterfall.

Related Article: Volcano That Wiped Out Entire Colombian Town Now Active Once Again



What Lead to the Incident

According to videos, nearby sailors were seen trying to warn vessels closer to the cliff of the unstable rock moments before it crashed.

He has "never seen something like that happen in the region," according to Rovilson Teixeira, who has dealt with speedboat transportation for six years. Teixeira stated, "We're all astonished."

The Brazilian Navy arrived quickly to assist with rescue attempts.

Search and Rescue

As search and rescue activities resumed Sunday, the original death toll grew to ten. In the event, at least 32 persons were hurt, according to Pedro Aihara, of the Minas Gerais Fire Department. All of them were evacuated to surrounding hospitals. Since then, several have been released.

Zema expressed her sympathy to the families of the victims.

Zema remarked on Twitter, "I stand in sympathy with the families at this difficult moment." To give the required safety and assistance, "we will continue to act."

Flooding

Since late December, flooding has been a concern over most of Brazil. At least 20 people have died due to flooding in Brazil's northeastern region, forcing the government to deploy 200 million reais ($35.5 million) in disaster assistance funding to the area. According to Reuters, villages in Para in northern Brazil were also inundated, forcing inhabitants to go by boat.

Cliff Erosions

Bad weather can damage a cliff's foundations and lead it to fall. Rainfall changes the composition of the cliff, which is one of the most prevalent types of weathering.

Storms and other natural phenomena that induce erosion affect all near-water locations; the most devastating circumstances are created when intense weather is combined with additional effects from diverse environmental factors often associated with landfalling tropical storms. The problem's scope and severity are increasing, but it varies across the country, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Also Read: 'Ghost Ship' Sunken During World War II Resurfaced from the Depths Due to Volcanic Activities

For similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
RICE LAKE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 21: A racer loses control and crashes into a snow bank during a race on an oval track carved onto the ice at Rice Lake on February 21, 2021 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Races are held weekly on the lake during the winter months when the ice is thick enough to support the weight of the cars. (Photo : Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

An unanticipated occurrence transpired shortly after the beginning of the weekend, early Saturday in Wisconsin, causing a stir in the mainstream press.

Emergency responders aided and evacuated a number of 27 people from a drifting ice block in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

27 People Rescued in a Ice Chunk Stranded in Green Bay

As per the Brown County Sheriff, most of those stuck were ice angling in the northwestern of Green Bay that is a section of Lake Michigan.

Thankfully, no injuries have been reported in the event that occurred Saturday morning north of Green Bay in the arm that is part of Lake Michigan. Just at moment of the tragedy, several of the 27 persons saved were ice fishing.

The people were retrieved by clusters of eight by sheriff's deputies, firefighters' authorities, and the US Marine Corps.

During the operation, the block of ice moved nearly three-quarters of a mile and was about a mile from the beach by the time all were taken to stable footing.

Officials have said that all 27 trapped persons were on different ice shoves and drifted for roughly 90 minutes, as reported by the media.

While the reason of the separation is still being investigated, the administration stated that a ship going across the harbor may have prompted the ice piece to split off the beach.

For the success of the operation the Green Bay Metro Fire Department along with the Brown County Sheriff's Office, the United States the Coast Guard, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the New Franken Fire Department, collaborated with the ice rescue.

By midday, everyone's been transported to shelter.

Furthermore, the block of ice floated roughly three-quarters of a mile during the rescue and was about a mile from the beach by the time everyone was rescued.

Also read: Scientists Claim Whales Have Previously Walked In North America Coastline

Floating Chunk of Ice Causes Trouble

Per the leaked document, whilst ice continued in relatively solid shape, it was worsening fast and breaking as seawater beat against the edges.

"The Brown County Sheriff's Office airboat and the US Coast Guard's airboat from Sturgeon Bay were invaluable tools throughout this operation," the statement read.

"Their capacity to transport up to eight extra people in extra to rescuing professionals, as well as navigate frost territory, dramatically shortened the time and danger this mission required."

Even during glacier evacuation, the Brown State Police command appropriate authorization on Facebook and Twitter.

One of those stuck, Shane Nelson, started telling Fox station WLUK-TV that it appeared like someone shot a rifle as the ice cracked.

"We initially assumed that was intriguing, came out of our shack, looked, and started shouting on the ice, 'We're splitting,'" Mr. Nelson explained.

In its official statement issued the country's police departments stated that, "Everyone outside on the frozen ground have always been reminded to retain alert of possible worsening in their circumstances and carry a smartphone or some method of communication with them in case there is a need to contact for support."

Also read: Chinese City With 1.2 Million Residents Locked Down After 3 Positive Cases Emerged
The largest and most complete fossil of a sea dragon ever discovered in Britain has been unearthed by a wetland conservationist at work.

Researchers believe the fossil belongs to ichthyosaurus, an ancient marine reptile that was found in Earth's prehistoric oceans when dinosaurs roamed on land.

According to Science Alert, scientists have been collecting ichthyosaurs for more than 200 years, and the Rutland Ichthyosaur, sometimes known as the Rutland Sea Dragon, is the largest example recovered so far.

During normal landscaping work at the Rutland Water Nature Reserve in the English Midlands, Joe Davis, a conservator with the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, discovered an exposed jawbone of the fossil in February 2021.

In a painstaking procedure lasting three weeks, the fossilized remains were retrieved from their murky tomb using plaster and splints to safeguard the enormous yet fragile specimen.

The 10-meter-long dinosaur and its 150-vertebrae-strong backbone were securely unearthed and extracted by a team of paleontologists, environmentalists, and volunteers despite the challenges of bird dung and bad weather.

According to visiting scientist Lomax at the University of Manchester, it is an unprecedented discovery and one of the greatest finds in British paleontology history.

Also Read: Ruby Seadragon Makes its Debut as a New Species

Extracting the Giant Fossil

About 250 million years ago, an animal called an ichthyosaur originally appeared and then went extinct, with sizes ranging from 1 meter (3.3 feet) to over 25 meters (85 feet).

The clay-rich rocks that encased the Rutland Sea Dragon were thought to have been deposited some 180 million years ago during the early Jurassic period, according to the researchers.

Local scientists had previously discovered two smaller, incomplete ichthyosaur skeletons in the same wetland area, so the discovery of a third was not a total surprise.

The discovery of the skeleton was only the first stage in the process of removing the enormous fossil: The skull alone weighed less than a tonne when it was covered in plaster.

Understanding the Environment Where the Ichthyosaur Inhabited

Despite its stunning appearance, the item is still protected by a plaster cast and is kept in a secure place where it cannot be examined in detail. After the discovery is cleaned up and preserved, the researchers hope to write academic articles about it.

"Despite the thousands of ichthyosaurs discovered in Britain, none of them are quite as large as this specimen, and few examples of this genus have been found in the UK that are this complete," said Paleontologist Nigel Larkin said.

The team obtained a 3D scan of the specimen before any bones were removed. Besides the main ichthyosaur specimen, researchers also collected fossils from the surrounding area, such as ammonites and belemnites, to better understand the ecosystem in which the ichthyosaur lived and died and to date the animal is approximately 182 million years old.

University of Leicester Mark Evans said, "If our identification of the ichthyosaur is correct, as a species called Temnodontosaurus trigonodon, this will provide new details on the geographic range of the species, as it hasn't been confirmed from the UK before"

The team seek to secure financing for the next stage of conservation, which involves cleaning and preparing the fossil, and then displaying the creature's skeleton in its natural habitat close to where it was discovered.

Related Article: Not Exactly Drogon: 'Sea Dragon' Fossil Found in U.K. is 'New to Science'

For more news, updates about sea dragons and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/12/2022 -- The Latest research study released by HTF MI "Telecom Equipment Market" with 100+ pages of analysis on business Strategy taken up by key and emerging industry players and delivers know how of the current market development, landscape, technologies, drivers, opportunities, market viewpoint and status. Understanding the segments helps in identifying the importance of different factors that aid the market growth. Some of the Major Companies covered in this Research are Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco Systems, ZTE, Samsung, Ciena, Fujitsu, Juniper Networks, FiberHome Technologies etc.



Click here for free sample + related graphs of the report @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/3775937-telecom-equipment-market-3



Browse market information, tables and figures extent in-depth TOC on "Telecom Equipment Market by Application (Consumer Electronics, Banking, Retail, Media, Defense, Other), by Product Type (Mobile Communication Device, Optical Communication Equipment, Network Communication Equipment), Business scope, Manufacturing and Outlook  Estimate to 2025".



for more information or any query mail at sales@htfmarketreport.com



At last, all parts of the Telecom Equipment Market are quantitatively also subjectively valued to think about the Global just as regional market equally. This market study presents basic data and true figures about the market giving a deep analysis of this market based on market trends, market drivers, constraints and its future prospects. The report supplies the worldwide monetary challenge with the help of Porter's Five Forces Analysis and SWOT Analysis.



If you have any Enquiry please click here @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/3775937-telecom-equipment-market-3



Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per your needs for added data up to 3 businesses or countries or 2 analyst hours.

On the basis of report- titled segments and sub-segment of the market are highlighted below:

Telecom Equipment Market By Application/End-User (Value and Volume from 2021 to 2026) : Consumer Electronics, Banking, Retail, Media, Defense, Other



Market By Type (Value and Volume from 2021 to 2026) : Mobile Communication Device, Optical Communication Equipment, Network Communication Equipment



Telecom Equipment Market by Key Players: Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco Systems, ZTE, Samsung, Ciena, Fujitsu, Juniper Networks, FiberHome Technologies



Geographically, this report is segmented into some key Regions, with manufacture, depletion, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Telecom Equipment in these regions, from 2015 to 2026 (forecast), covering China, USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia & South America and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2021 to 2026.



Informational Takeaways from the Market Study: The report Telecom Equipment matches the completely examined and evaluated data of the noticeable companies and their situation in the market considering impact of Coronavirus. The measured tools including SWOT analysis, Porter's five powers analysis, and assumption return debt were utilized while separating the improvement of the key players performing in the market.



Key Development's in the Market: This segment of the Telecom Equipment report fuses the major developments of the market that contains confirmations, composed endeavors, R&D, new thing dispatch, joint endeavours, and relationship of driving members working in the market.



To get this report buy full copy @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=3775937



Some of the important question for stakeholders and business professional for expanding their position in the Telecom Equipment Market:

Q 1. Which Region offers the most rewarding open doors for the market Ahead of 2021?

Q 2. What are the business threats and Impact of latest scenario Over the market Growth and Estimation?

Q 3. What are probably the most encouraging, high-development scenarios for Telecom Equipment movement showcase by applications, types and regions?

Q 4.What segments grab most noteworthy attention in Telecom Equipment Market in 2020 and beyond?

Q 5. Who are the significant players confronting and developing in Telecom Equipment Market?



For More Information Read Table of Content @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/3775937-telecom-equipment-market-3



Key poles of the TOC:

Chapter 1 Telecom Equipment Market Business Overview

Chapter 2 Major Breakdown by Type [Mobile Communication Device, Optical Communication Equipment, Network Communication Equipment]

Chapter 3 Major Application Wise Breakdown (Revenue & Volume)

Chapter 4 Manufacture Market Breakdown

Chapter 5 Sales & Estimates Market Study

Chapter 6 Key Manufacturers Production and Sales Market Comparison Breakdown

..

Chapter 8 Manufacturers, Deals and Closings Market Evaluation & Aggressiveness

Chapter 9 Key Companies Breakdown by Overall Market Size & Revenue by Type

..

Chapter 11 Business / Industry Chain (Value & Supply Chain Analysis)

Chapter 12 Conclusions & Appendix



Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, LATAM, Europe or Southeast Asia.



Contact US :

Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)

HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited

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New Castle, PA (16103)

Today

A few showers early becoming a steady rain for the afternoon. High around 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening will give way to steady rain overnight. Low 57F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Harry Woods, Community Manager at Great Yarmouth Salvation Army has taken part in a skydive to raise fund for the centre, and its not too late to sponsor him.

Harry Woods, Community Manager at Great Yarmouth Salvation Army has taken part in a skydive to raise fund for the centre, and its not too late to sponsor him.

Volunteers success at N Norfolk Christian centre A team of volunteer gardeners have been making a big difference at The Pleasaunce Holiday Centre in Overstrand, and invite more to join them for their next work-party day later this month. Read more

Barrie's love affair with Norfolk's big blue sky Norfolk church leader and ex-dentist Barrie Lawrence has six daughters and 20 grand-children living in five different continents, but his favourite place is his life-long home under those famous big blue skies. Read more

Author Patrick is just crazy about horses The varied strands of Patrick Coghlans life as a minister, counsellor, author and former riding school owner have come together in his most recent book Crazy about Horses. Sandie Shirley reports. Read more

70 years of loving care at Christian ethos home Staff and residents at Corton House, a not-for-profit care home situated on City Road, Norwich, recently enjoyed a 70th birthday tea attended by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Norwich, Cllr. Caroline Ackroyd and guest, Mr Gareth Phillips. Read more

Sustainable fashion on Cathedral catwalk Sustainable fashion will be taking centre stage at Norwich Cathedral at a special event on May 6 encouraging everyone to be kinder to the planet. Read more

Jamie says 'thanks for being With us' as Ditchingham community closes The innovative With Community at the former All Hallows Convent at Ditchingham is set to close its doors, with staff made redundant after a lack of bookings. Read more

Dorothy dedicated 95 years to Salvation Army A Thetford Salvation Army member, who dedicated more than 95 years to the church, has died just weeks before her 100th birthday. Read more

Norwich Franciscans say farewell to a lively brother The Norwich Pax et Bonum Franciscan Fraternity held a farewell celebration this week for Brother Robert Hardie. Read more

Fuel the Fire leaders day in South Norfolk Fuel the Fire leaders day is an opportunity for Christian leaders in churches to meet one another in an atmosphere of worship and prayer and for relevant prophetic preaching or teaching. Read more

Job vacancies at Norfolk Christian holiday centre The Pleasaunce Christian holiday centre at Overstrand in North Norfolk is looking for a Cook, a Kitchen Assistant and a General Assistant. Read more

Children and Families Worker vacancy Are you excited by the prospect of sharing the gospel with children and with families? St Andrews Church, Eaton are looking for a person for this role as part time maternity cover. Read more

Christian Aid pilgrimage to Walsingham A group of Christians will be leading an informal pilgrimage from Norwich to Walsingham next month to raise funds for Christian Aid. Read more

East Anglia domestic abuse charity needs trustees Christian-based charity Alumah, which supports and educates victims and survivors who have experienced relationship abuse across West Suffolk and South Norfolk, is looking to strengthen its Board of Trustees. Read more

Cost of living hits families says Norwich foodbank The increasing cost of living and cuts in Universal Credit payments meant that 8,437 food parcels were provided to local people in food need by Norwich foodbank in the last 12 months, alongside provision by other food charities set up during the pandemic. Read more

We are created for a purpose Regular contributor Ruth Lilley encourages us to discover and pursue the purpose that God has for our lives. Read more

Fundraiser puts young people in the front seat On April 29 2022, Norwich Youth for Christ will attempt a sponsored 24 hour Gameathon, a gaming live stream across Facebook, YouTube and Twitch. Read more

Music Outreach Worker for South Norfolk church St Marys Attleborough seeks an enthusiastic and experienced musician to develop a new music outreach programme for children in the local community, in partnership with the Norfolk Music Hub. Read more
Newburyport, MA (01950)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 52F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Newburyport, MA (01950)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 51F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The United States announced Tuesday $308 million in new humanitarian aid for Afghanistan.

It came as the United Nations launched a record appeal for the people of Afghanistan, warning that half the country's population is facing acute hunger.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement that the aid would go directly from the U.S. Agency for International Development to "independent humanitarian organizations."

USAID said in its own statement Tuesday that the funding would specifically go toward food and nutrition aid, supporting health care facilities and mobile health efforts, making sure aid workers and supplies can reach difficult areas, and programs to help people get through the winter such as shelter kits, heaters, blankets and warm clothing.


The nearly complete humerus  or upper arm bone  of a pangolin from the paleontological site of Graunceanu in Romania definitively demonstrates that these animals were present in Europe during the Pleistocene epoch.

Pangolins are mammals of the order Pholidota known from Asia and Africa. The one living family of pangolins, the Manidae, has three genera: Manis, Phataginus, and Smutsia.

Often referred to as scaly anteaters, they look somewhat like the armadillos that roam the southern United States.

Pangolins are also among the most illegally trafficked animals in the world. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the eight species of living pangolins range from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.

The newly-discovered pangolin fossil belongs a previously unknown species of the genus Smutsia, which is currently found only in Africa.

Smutsia has previously been thought to be an African genus, with the oldest specimen from South Africa at 5 million years ago and living species found across Africa, said Dr. Claire Terhune, a researcher at the University of Arkansas, and her colleagues.

This specimen now demonstrates that Smutsia previously had a far larger biogeographic range.

Named Smutsia olteniensis, the new species lived between about 1.9 and 2.2 million years ago (Pleistocene epoch).

Its nearly complete humerus was found at the site of Graunceanu in Romania.

Its not a fancy fossil. Its just a single bone, but it is a new species of a kind of a weird animal, Dr. Terhune said.

Were proud of it because the fossil record for pangolins is extremely sparse.

This one happens to be the youngest pangolin ever discovered from Europe and the only pangolin fossil from Pleistocene Europe.

According to the team, the identification of this fossil as a pangolin is significant because previous research suggested that pangolins disappeared from the European paleontological record during the middle-Miocene, closer to 10 million years ago.

Previous work hypothesized that pangolins were pushed toward more tropical and sub-tropical equatorial environments due to global cooling trends.

The site of Graunceanu has been reconstructed to have consisted of relatively open grasslands and woodlands, which is an unusual habitat for most pangolins, the paleontologists said.

The teams paper was published December 21, 2021 in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

_____

Claire E. Terhune et al. The youngest pangolin (Mammalia, Pholidota) from Europe. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, published online December 21, 2021; doi: 10.1080/02724634.2021.1990075
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File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media

KENT  The Kent Library Association will kick off the celebration of its 100th birthday with a staged reading of Bricks and Books: A Dramatized History of the Kent Memorial Library at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at St. Andrews Parish Hall, Kent.

The presentation, which traces the beginnings of the Kent Library from the 1880s to the dedication of the library building on Nov. 11, 1925, includes diary excerpts and personal reminiscences from early members of the library association, minutes from early meetings, and letters from the period, including one from a President of the United States.
NEW MILFORD  The towns health department is officially joining a regional health district following a public hearing and Town Council vote this week.

New Milford Health Department will join forces with the Pomperaug District Department of Health  serving Southbury, Oxford and Woodbury  to become the Housatonic Valley Health District at the start of February. The merger includes cost savings for New Milford, increased staffing and sanitarians, and expanded health services and offerings, officials said.

Washington will hold a vote to join the new consolidated district this month, and anticipates starting services by Feb. 1, according to a press release from the newly formed district. The district would then serve all five towns.

New Milford Mayor Pete Bass said he was very excited about the finalized merger.

Its a win-win for New Milford, he said.

Once the Town Councils meeting minutes are finalized, they will be submitted to the state, along with other requisite paperwork, New Milford Health Director Lisa Morrissey said.

Morrissey will stay on as director for the district. She has already been serving as Pomperaugs interim health director since former director, Neal Lustig, was ousted last summer.

The district had some prior issues and they asked for help, said Bass. Obviously, being a good neighbor, we said Lisa can definitely help if she so chose.

Bass and Morrissey have previously stated they are confident in Pomperaug and have said that the department is back on track after an investigation this summer cited wide-ranging, systemic and cultural problems within the organization.

With the state encouraging regionalization of smaller local health departments, Bass said that this would be an opportunity to consolidate on the towns own terms.

Officials have also said that the merger will save New Milford around $94,000 each year thanks to state dollars that are used to incentivize districts to regionalize. It will also allow for expanded health services and offerings between towns.

Honestly, Im just so excited for the future, Morrissey said. I really do believe that this initial year really was a taste of whats to come as far as being able to demonstrate to the community the value of a full service department of health.

Anne Neumann, chairman of Pomperaugs board of directors, said she was thrilled that the merger is finalized, and thanked local staff and leaders for their hard work.

We look forward to serving all of our five communities with expanded public health and environmental services, she said.

Questions raised

While some council members initially voiced concern over the possibility of diminished quality of service when the idea was first presented, they all voted in favor of the merger during Monday nights council meeting.

Hilary Ram, a council member, called the cost savings incredible during the vote, but asked if the council could talk about how the savings get re-allocated. The question wasnt answered at the meeting.

Council member Mike Nahom asked if it was a permanent merger, to which Bass responded that the town has the ability to opt out.

Towns that join health districts can vote to leave the district after 24 months, according to state statute.

In Southbury, First Selectman Jeffrey Manville said he has been told the merger will bring better health services to his residents and cost savings to the town, but was not a part of the decision that was up to Pomperaug Healths board of directors.

Deal details

The full merger will not change Morrisseys day-to-day duties. She plans to split her time between New Milford and Southbury each week. Eventually, the goal is to set up two brick-and-mortar offices in each town, with office hours held in each of the five towns.

While Southbury is already home to Pomperaug Healths condo offices, Manville said the new regional district may want more space.

Since August, Morrissey has split her duties and the health departments have been sharing resources. Other staff in both districts will remain in their positions, too, with the addition of a new sanitarian.

The salary for her expanded role has not yet been finalized.

Morrissey told residents during the public hearing that the cost savings were just one part of the equation.

While sharing resources these past few months, the town has been able to double its environmental health services thanks to an additional sanitarian. New Milford, which does not have budgeted nursing staff, would be able to take advantage of the health districts nursing team.

That has really been instrumental to help us here in New Milford, not just with COVID-19 but also with expanded services for diabetes for pain management for disease management, she said during the meeting.

The new regional health district will be overseen by a board of directors made up of representatives from each of the five towns. New Milford is expected to get three seats based on its population size, which allows for one representative per 10,000 residents.

Im just really looking forward to  with this merger  being able to continue to expand and provide more services to the residents, Morrissey said. I feel like weve just gotten started on the work that were doing.

Moving quickly to regionalize

Less than a month after the vote, the town will officially be under the auspices of the Housatonic Valley Health District.

Morrissey said the next few weeks will be dedicated to filing paperwork and ensuring a smooth transition.

In recent years, the state has made it much easier easy for districts to regionalize, according to Bass.

He called it a pretty comprehensive but easy process.

Its not as complex as you would think, he said. The state has really cleared a lot of barriers because obviously they want the districting.

In the next few weeks, Bass plans to bring together the first selectmen from the five towns to get to know each other better.

Bass said that as health directors in smaller towns begin to retire, and the state continues to push toward consolidating health districts, he wouldnt be surprised if more towns began to regionalize their services.

Obviously each town has its own thoughts about how it wants to move forward, he added, with a caveat.
A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota, MIT, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology and Pusan National University has demonstrated a multimodal printing methodology that results in fully 3D-printed flexible organic light-emitting diode displays.

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays are competitive alternatives to liquid crystal displays (LCDs) due to their characteristics of self-emission, high contrast ratio, full viewing angle, power efficiency, and mechanical flexibility.

Typically, in commercial OLED displays, the active layers (or emitting layers) are thermally evaporated to achieve high uniformity and resolution.

Printing methods are being actively investigated because of the potential for scaling up to large panel displays and reduction of material waste

OLED displays are usually produced in big, expensive, ultra-clean fabrication facilities, said senior author Professor Michael McAlpine, a researcher in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota.

We wanted to see if we could basically condense all of that down and print an OLED display on our table-top 3D printer, which was custom built and costs about the same as a Tesla Model S.

Professor McAlpine and colleagues had previously tried 3D printing OLED displays, but they struggled with the uniformity of the light-emitting layers.

Other groups partially printed displays but also relied on spin-coating or thermal evaporation to deposit certain components and create functional devices.

In the new research, the authors combined two different modes of printing to print the six device layers that resulted in a fully 3D-printed, flexible organic light-emitting diode display.

The electrodes, interconnects, insulation, and encapsulation were all extrusion printed, while the active layers were spray printed using the same 3D printer at room temperature.

The display prototype was about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) on each side and had 64 pixels. Every pixel worked and displayed light.

I thought I would get something, but maybe not a fully working display, said first author Dr. Ruitao Su, a postdoctoral researcher at MIT.

But then it turns out all the pixels were working, and I can display the text I designed. My first reaction was It is real! I was not able to sleep, the whole night.

The 3D-printed display was also flexible and could be packaged in an encapsulating material, which could make it useful for a wide variety of applications.

The device exhibited a relatively stable emission over the 2,000 bending cycles, suggesting that fully 3D printed OLEDs can potentially be used for important applications in soft electronics and wearable devices.

The work was published in the journal Science Advances.

_____

Ruitao Su et al. 2022. 3D-printed flexible organic light-emitting diode displays. Science Advances 8 (1); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abl8798
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Georgia-grown tree graces Vice President Kamala Harris' home for Christmas

Special Photos Lori and Chuck Berry of Berrys Tree Farm are shown delivering a Leyland cypress tree to Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff. The Berrys were recently honored by Newton County for having been selected to provide the tree for the vice presidents home. Special Photo This is the decorated Leyland cypress tree inside the home of Vice President Kamala Harris. Special Photo Chuck and Lori Berry were recently presented Newton Countys certificate of excellence after one of their Leyland cypress trees was selected to be displayed in the home of Vice President Kamala Harris.

COVINGTON  If you think the most beautiful Christmas trees come only from more northern climes, think again.

Chuck and Lori Berry of Berrys Tree Farm in Newton County were honored by Newton County recently after one of their locally-grown Leyland cypress trees was selected for display at the Washington, D.C., home of Vice President Kamala Harris. The tree was chosen for this honor after being named Reserve Grand Champion in the 2021 National Christmas Tree Contest conducted by the National Christmas Tree Association.

The Berrys were honored again last week when Newton Board of Commissioners Chairman Marcello Banes presented them with a certificate of excellence.

Chuck Berry, whose family has farmed in Newton County since 1894, growing everything from cows to corn to Christmas trees, said the selection of a Georgia-grown tree was a point of pride for growers in the Deep South.

It was quite an honor, not only for the family, for the county, even for the state, and for Christmas tree growers across the South because everything is based on the Fraser fir out of North Carolina, Berry told commissioners. Thats what most people think of when they think of a real Christmas tree, and that is the Cadillac. Were not fortunate enough to grow Fraser fir Christmas trees here. We rely on cypress trees, pine trees and cedar trees. Most of those Fraser fir growers in North Carolina think of our cypress tree as a landscape tree. They dont think you can grow a landscape tree into a Christmas tree, let alone be awarded Reserve Grand Champion and get to pull your truck and trailer up into the front yard of the vice presidents house in Washington, D.C., and show her what Newton County can do.

Berry represents the fifth generation of his family to run their 206-acre farm just west of Covington. The land was initially cultivated for row crops and used for a dairy operation. With the demise of the dairy operation in 1969, the Berrys turned to other farming endeavors. The first Christmas tree crop was planted in 1977, and the family has been expanding its choose-and-cut operation since then.

The Berrys have also expanded into agri-tourism, offering train rides, a petting zoo, a concession stand and pictures with Santa during the holiday season.

In 2020 Chuck Berry was appointed to the national Christmas Tree Promotion Board for a three-year term. The purpose of the board is to expand the market and uses of fresh-cut Christmas trees.

Berrys Tree Farm, located at 70 Mt Tabor Road, Covington, offers fresh cut trees, including Leyland cypress, cedars and pines. Berry said the farm sold about 4,000 Christmas trees this year.

It was another good year, he said.
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Emanuel Chris Welch holds his first news conference after being sworn in Jan. 13, 2021, as the first new Illinois House speaker in more than 30 years and the first Black person to lead either chamber of the General Assembly.
New Zealand diagnostic biotech company Pictors world-leading COVID-19 antibody testing regime has completed validation trials at two separate sites the United States.

The Pictor test simultaneously detects the presence of both anti-Spike Antigen (SP) antibody and anti-Nucleocapsid antigen (NP) antibody in a single test.

The company now aims to fast-track adoption of its low-cost, high-performance, high-throughput tests by obtaining FDA Emergency Use Authorisation.

Clinical trials conducted by Florida-based Boca Biolistics, showed sensitivity for SP, 99.1%. and for NP, 97.3%. Corresponding specificities were 95.2% for SP and 98.6% for NP.

Were delighted with these results because they show the high accuracy of our testing regime. This is an important step in the ongoing fight against the global pandemic, says Pictor Chief Technology Officer Dr Richard Janeczko.

In late 2021 the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) specified both Spike Protein and Nucleocapsid Protein antibodies be tested as part of a serological program. China has announced it will soon require all international arrivals to be tested before departure to China for antibodies of the two proteins Pictor assay tests for.

Pictors PictArrayTMSARS-CoV2 assay is unique in its ability to detect the SP and NP antibodies in one test. This differentiates people who have antibodies from a previous infection (SP and NP antibodies) from those who have been vaccinated (SP antibodies only).

Immunity towards COVID-19 by either vaccination or natural infection can help reduce reinfection by between 82-96%, says Dr Janeczko. The CDC states it is now important to observe and document the antibody levels in communities to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Dr Janeczko says seroprevalence studies are useful to assess vaccination and actual infection rates in communities. This type of testing is most efficiently carried out through detection of antibodies to both the main viral antigens, SP and NP.

The latest advice on serology testing and interpretation of results posted on the CDC website identifies the importance of testing for both SP and NP antibodies. To accurately test antibody levels, it is crucial to be able to detect not only the SP used as a target for almost all vaccines due to the neutralising nature of the antibodies which develop but also the NP, which denotes natural infection. Our duplex test uniquely negates the need for two tests to be done for each patient sample so is likely to attract increased interest from US testing laboratories.

Primex Laboratories of Van Nuys, California has also conducted clinical testing to evaluate Pictors serology test and those results are currently being analysed.

In New Zealand, the company has been approached by the laboratory testing company likely to be charged with carrying out tests of travellers wanting to visit China. Pictor has the capacity to supply tests to meet this emerging need.

The companys manufacturing capabilities are being significantly increased at its Auckland facility and a manufacturing agreement is in place with South Pacific Sera in Timaru, in New Zealands South Island.

Pictor has launched an equity fundraising round to enable it to continue to expand its manufacturing capability in New Zealand and in market resources in key international markets including the US, India and Europe. Pictor CEO

Howard Moore believes the positive clinical trial results and the novelty of Pictors COVID-19 test will contribute to a successful funding round.

An Auckland testing laboratory will be making the Pictor test available to interested companies and employers of frontline workers.

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the rapid outbreak of severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has claimed more than 5.5 million lives worldwide. Scientists have estimated that herd immunity could be reached if 70%-80% of the world population is vaccinated. Still, according to the latest report, to date, only 59.2% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. However, only 8.9% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.

The vaccination process has been slowed down owing to multiple factors that include vaccine hesitancy, shortage of essential components required to develop vaccines, and resource-poor settings for vaccine development or vaccination, which is common in low-income countries. Also, the requirement of cold chain storage for vaccine distribution has delayed vaccination activities.

As vaccinating the entire world's population is time-consuming, scientists expressed the urgency in developing effective, safe, easy-to-produce, and economical prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in the unvaccinated population.

Additionally, several SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as the Delta and Omicron strain, are more contagious than the original strain and can evade vaccine-induced immune protection. Also, among the approved or authorized therapeutics, seven out of eight monoclonal antibodies could not neutralize the Omicron variant.

These facts indicate the urgent need for an alternative approach that could aid in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study: Egg-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin Y (IgY) with broad variant activity as intranasal prophylaxis against COVID-19: preclinical studies and randomized controlled phase 1 clinical trial. Image Credit: NIAID

Intranasal Antibody Prophylaxis and SARS-CoV-2

The main entry route of SARS-CoV-2 is the nasal mucosa, which has increased levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds with host ACE2 to establish infection. Hence, the nasal mucosa could act as a critical barrier and reduce viral entry.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies introduced to nasal epithelial surfaces could also block the lateral viral motility and agglutinate viral particles. Therefore, intranasally administered antibodies could play an essential role in preventing and transmitting SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In the past, intranasal antibody prophylaxis has proved to be effective against multiple respiratory tract viruses and other pathogens in humans and veterinary applications. Hence, researchers believe that introduction of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the nasal mucosa could effectively protect unvaccinated individuals and reduce viral transmission.

Egg-Derived Intranasal Prophylaxis against COVID-19

A new study, posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, has focussed on the development of intranasal prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In this study, researchers used the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 as the immunogen. They immunized egg-laying hens to raise anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal antibodies. This method of raising antibodies has been reported to be rapid, low cost, and yielding a high volume of antibodies. Scientists have also analyzed the neutralization efficacy of the antibodies against currently circulating viral variants.

RBD and IgY preparation. (A) Workflow of the study. IgY preparation for intranasal drops as antiviral prophylaxis. (B) Cell-free expressed RBD derived from the Spike protein on the viral envelope of SARS-CoV-2. (C) Characterization of the recombinant protein RBD by ELISA and HPLC. (D) Determination of the affinity of the cell-free expressed RBD (amino acids 328-533) and mammalian-expressed full-length S1 to the hACE2 using Biacore.

A phase 1 study revealed that these antibodies are safe and tolerated well when introduced to healthy humans as an intranasal drop. Additionally, researchers also studied the pharmacokinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD immunoglobulin Y (IgY).

The authors have reported that the IgY antibody is concentrated in commercial hens' eggs within 2-3 weeks of vaccination. The levels of antibodies were estimated to be 50-100 mg/egg. This yield was enhanced fivefold when scientists used specific pathogen-free (SPF) hens.

Initially, researchers analyzed the safety profile of IgY, raised in SPF hen, by intranasally administering drops (4 mg/day) of antibodies in rats for 28 days.

This good laboratory practice (GLP) study found no evidence of any toxicity or innate inflammatory response upon systemic exposure to IgY. Similarly, anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgY was intranasally given to healthy adult participants at a single ascending dose for fourteen days, and all participants revealed a highly safe and tolerable profile.

IgY purification and characterization. (A) Western blot analysis of the IgY preparation. (B) HPLC profile of the IgY preparation. (C) Western blot analysis of anti-SARS- CoV-2 IgY against RBD fragment and full S1 recombinant protein. (D) IgY yield for various batches derived from 100 eggs each. (E) Western blot data of different lots of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgY (Y0120-Y0199). Pools of 100 eggs laid by 9 hens over 2 weeks were used for each pool of IgY preparation between May 2020 and March 2021. IgY lot samples were diluted 1:500 followed by a 1:3000 dilution of rabbit anti-IgY HRP conjugate. First left lane shows the Coomassie stain of the same gels. (F) Time-dependent ELISA titers of sera from 3 individual hens following continual immunization (left); arrows indicate immunization timing. Time-dependent ELISA titer of 3 hens after immunization was stopped for up to 12 weeks (right). (H) Neutralization of pseudovirus SARS-CoV-2 by various lots of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgY (conducted at RetroVirox). (I) Neutralization of live index SARS-CoV-2 virus by anti-SARS- CoV-2 RBD IgY (Y0180, conducted at USAMRIID).

Also, none of the participants who received intranasal anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgY in the multiple-dose phase showed measurable levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgY in their sera. This suggests the lack of systemic absorption after the internasal introduction of IgY.

Importantly, no evidence of systemic inflammatory immune response was triggered by this internasal treatment with anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgY in humans. Additionally, researchers found no detectable elevation of cytokines in human sera.

Scientists designed the anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgY in such a manner that it is capable of capturing and immobilizing the SARS-CoV-2 virus present in the nasal mucosa. This can restrict the virus from binding to and spreading across the nasal mucosa and prevent the transmission of the virus from one individual to another.

Common variants of SARS-CoV-2 and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgY interaction with them. (A) A scheme depicting locations of mutated amino acids in Alpha through Mu variants of SARS-CoV-2, focusing on the RBD domain only. Each color bar indicates the amino acid in the index virus that was mutated in the variant. (B) Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron are shown from left to right. Molecular Operating Environment was used to create the figure [31]. The location of mutations in the structure of the S protein trimer of SARS-CoV-2 (PDB ID: 7A98) for 4 of the common variants are indicated in red and glycosylation sites are indicated in pink throughout the S protein. Blue ribbon indicates RBD (amino acids 328-533) and the orange ribbon indicates receptor binding motif (amino acids 437- 508). (C) Binding of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgY to recombinant S1 full length (FL) of the index virus, the RBD of the Alpha and Beta variants, and the immunizing RBD of the index virus by ELISA. (D) Binding of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgY to the index virus and Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) RBD domain using ELISA. (E) Neutralization of pseudovirus (VSV-S) SARS-CoV-2 carrying S protein of index pseudovirus, Alpha, or Beta variants by anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgY. (F) Neutralization of pseudoviruses listed in (E) by Human anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD. (G) Neutralization of live index or Delta viruses by anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgY against the RBD. (H) Neutralization of live D614G vs. Delta variants by human serum of immunized individual or by anti-SARS CoV-2 IgY. Microscopic evaluation of monolayers of Vero E6 cells after 96 hours infection with the indicated authentic (live) SARS-CoV-2 variant. Images from infected cells are shown after 4 days of infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants in the absence or presence of test items. Top three panels: Infection in the presence of MEX-BC2/2020 and bottom three panels: infection with the Delta variant each in the presence of vehicle alone, serum of a person immunized twice with the Moderna (mRNA-1273) vaccine or anti-SARS CoV-2 RBD IgY, as indicated, all at the indicated concentration (neutralization experiments in panels E-H were conducted by RetroVirox using pseudovirus or live virus, as indicated). Except when indicated, the studies were done over several months; therefore, the absolute titers in the ELISA and neutralization studies were not identical. However, each experiment included the same positive control; index RBD for ELISA and index virus for neutralization assays.

Conclusion

One of the advantages of hen-derived IgY antibodies is that it has a reduced risk of severe immune responses. This is because these antibodies do not bind with the Fc receptor and rheumatoid factor or activate the human complement cascade. This characteristic feature widens its applicability to a broad range of persons, including immunocompromised, elderly, and children.

However, scientists have not described what would happen if these egg-derived immunoglobulins, containing potentially antigenic residual chicken proteins, were given to those who are allergic to egg yolks.

The authors suggested that until vaccination or herd immunity is achieved, intranasal delivery of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgY could provide passive immunization or short-term protection against COVID-19 infection. These antibodies were found to be effective against all the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
What if it were possible to decode the internal language of individuals deprived of the ability to express themselves? This is the objective of a team of neuroscientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG). After more than four years of research, this team has managed to identify promising neural signals to capture our internal monologues. It was also able to identify the brain areas to be observed in priority to try to decipher them in the future. These results open new perspectives for the development of interfaces for people suffering from aphasia. They can be found in the journal Nature Communications.

When human beings speak, different areas of their brain must be activated. However, the function of these regions can be seriously impaired after damage to the nervous system. For example, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or Charcot's disease) can completely paralyze the muscles used to speak. In other cases, following a stroke for example, areas of the brain responsible for language can be affected: this is called aphasia. However, in many of those cases, the ability of patients to imagine words and sentences remains partly functional.

Decoding our internal speech is therefore of great interest to neuroscience researchers. But the task is far from easy, as Timothee Proix, scientist in the Department of Basic Neuroscience at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, explains: "Several studies have been conducted on the decoding of spoken language, but much less on the decoding of imagined speech. This is because, in the latter case, the associated neural signals are weak and variable compared to explicit speech. They are therefore difficult to decode by learning algorithms." That is, through computer programs.

A well-hidden speech

When a person speaks aloud, he or she produces sounds that are emitted at certain precise moments. Researchers can thus relate these tangible elements to the brain regions involved. In the case of imagined speech, the process is much less easy. Scientists have no obvious information on the sequencing and tempo of the words or sentences formulated internally by the individual. The areas recruited in the brain are also less numerous and less active.

In order to perceive the neural signals of this very particular type of speech, the UNIGE team used a panel of thirteen hospitalized patients, in collaboration with two American hospitals. They collected data through electrodes implanted directly into patients' brains in order to assess their epileptic disorders.

We asked these people to say words and then to imagine them. Each time, we reviewed several frequency bands of brain activity known to be involved in language." Anne-Lise Giraud, Professor, Department of Basic Neuroscience, UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, and newly appointed director of the Institut de l'Audition in Paris

Tapping into the right frequency

The researchers observed several types of frequencies produced by different brain areas when these patients spoke, either orally or internally. "First of all, the oscillations called theta (4-8Hz), which correspond to the average rhythm of syllable elocution. Then the gamma frequencies (25-35Hz), observed in the areas of the brain where speech sounds are formed. Thirdly, beta waves (12-18Hz) related to the cognitively more efficient regions solicited, for example to anticipate and predict the evolution of a conversation. Finally, the high frequencies (80-150Hz) that are observed when a person speaks out" explains Pierre Megevand, assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Faculty of Medicine of the UNIGE and associate physician at the HUG.

Thanks to these observations, the scientists were able to show that the low frequencies and the coupling between certain frequencies (beta and gamma in particular) contain essential information for the decoding of imagined speech. Their research also reveals that the temporal cortex is an important area for the eventual decoding of internal speech. Located in the left lateral part of the brain, this specific cerebral region is involved in the processing of information related to hearing and memory, but it also houses a part of Wernicke's area, responsible for the perception of words and language symbols.

These results are a major advance in the reconstruction of speech from neural activity. "But we are still a long way from being able to decode imagined language", concludes the research team.
Kids have struggled throughout the pandemicfrom attending school by Zoom video conferencing to quarantining from family and friendsbut surprisingly having children at home may help adults feel less distressed.

According to a new University of Michigan study, adults in households with children have fewer mental health problems than other adults living without kids. Child carebeyond the effect of larger household sizemay actually reduce depression during pandemic social isolation, the findings show.

In other words, parents/caregivers may be struggling, but not more so than everyone else. Shawna Lee, study lead author, associate professor at the U-M School of Social Work and director of the Parenting in Context Research Lab

Lee and colleagues say they believe its possible that caring for children may provide increased social connections or an increased sense of purpose, both of which may contribute to improved mental health. These questions, while not specifically addressed in the current study, may need to be explored in future research.

The study, published in the current issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine, used data from mid-2020 that included answers to health questions about the respondents anxiety and depression. Adults aged 18-64 were included in the sample of nearly 600,000 respondents.

During the 12-week study, about 35% of the respondents reported having anxiety, while 24% felt depressed. These rates were much higher than pre-pandemic levels. While women were more likely to feel anxious than men, the household-with-children status had no effect on anxiety.

Male caregivers may be vulnerable to pandemic worries, such as employment loss, which health care professionals should monitor, the researchers say. The study also found that adults who are not married and have low household income are more at-risk for anxiety and depression.
A new international study offers a clearer picture of the impact of COVID-19 infection and the risk of severe outcomes on young people around the world.

The study was co-led by a team of researchers from the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and University of California-Davis Medical Center. It followed more than 10,300 children at 41 emergency departments in 10 countries including Canada and the United States, Italy, Spain and Australia.

Researchers followed more than 3,200 children who visited hospital emergency departments and tested positive for COVID-19. Approximately three percent (107 total) of those diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced severe outcomes within two weeks of their visit to an emergency room. In addition, 23 percent (735 total), were hospitalized for treatment. Severe outcomes included cardiac or cardiovascular complications, such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), as well as neurologic, respiratory, or infectious problems. Four children died. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

The study sought to quantify the frequency of and risk factors for severe outcomes in children with COVID-19. We found that older age, having a pre-existing chronic condition and symptom duration were important risk factors for severe outcomes." Dr. Stephen Freedman, MD, study co-lead, pediatrician and professor at the CSM

Researchers also found children deemed healthy at an initial emergency department visit rarely deteriorated significantly after the first visit.

"Fortunately, the risk of developing severe disease in children with COVID-19 discharged from the emergency department is very low," says study co-lead Dr. Todd Florin, MD, MSCE, director of Research in Emergency Medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and associate professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Our findings can provide reassurance to parents and clinicians for children well enough to be managed in the community, while also providing important insights on which children may be at particular risk for severe outcomes."

Although asthma has previously been suggested as a risk factor for severe outcome, this study was not able to confirm a link. It also did not find that very young infants were at a higher risk for severe outcomes.

"With emergency departments across the world seeing an influx of patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic and stressing capacity, this study will help address the surge by providing an estimate of the risk among pediatric COVID-19 patients screened in an emergency department," said Dr. Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, chair of Emergency Medicine at University of California Davis Medical Center and co-lead of the study. "It will support emergency physicians triage of pediatric patients more efficiently by knowing who has risk factors for severe outcomes and focus advanced level care to those who do."

The study occurred within the Pediatric Emergency Research Network, a global consortium of the world's major pediatric emergency care research networks. It received support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Alberta Innovates, Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary. It also received COVID grant funding from the University of California Davis, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Anna Funk, PhD, an epidemiologist and UCalgary postdoctoral fellow, was lead author of the study.

"There are no specific evidence-based treatments and therapies for children at this time and detailed research data describing outcomes in young people with COVID-19 has been lacking, so this study offers important insights that we believe will be helpful into front-line care providers treating children with COVID-19," adds Freedman.
To monitor the presence of enteric pathogens in imported seafood, the authors of this paper collected a total of 140 seafood samples imported from eight overseas countries from Beijing, Dalian, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Wuhan seafood markets from June to November 2019.

Additionally, 116 viral, environmental swab samples were also collected from the Wuhan and Guangzhou seafood markets. Five typical enteric bacterial pathogens (Aeromonasspp., Shigellaspp., Salmonellaspp., Vibriospp., and Listeria monocytogenes) and four viruses (Rotavirus, Norovirus, Astrovirus, and Sapovirus) were detected.

Results showed that eight Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates appeared in seafood imported to Dalian, Wuhan, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing. In contrast, Vibrio fluvialis and Aeromonas were isolated in another two samples. Norovirus was detected in one oyster sample imported from France and an environmental surface in Guangzhou. The remaining pathogens were negative in all the samples being tested. With 120V. parahaemolyticus isolates from the above countries, the genomic analysis revealed that sequence type ST1152 isolates imported from Canada were clustered with two V. parahaemolyticus isolates from Canada.

This study presents a microbiological analysis of the Wuhan seafood market before the outbreak of COVID-19, which demonstrated that supervision should be strengthened to prevent enteric pathogens via imported seafood.
An estimated 370,000 Californians rely on drinking water that may contain high levels of the chemicals arsenic, nitrate or hexavalent chromium, and contaminated drinking water disproportionately impacts communities of color in the state, according to a new analysis led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Because this study is limited to three common contaminants, the results likely underestimate the actual number of Californians impacted by unsafe drinking water from other chemicals. The at-risk populations are found across the state, but are concentrated, not surprisingly, in poor, mostly rural areas in the San Joaquin Valley that rely heavily on privately-owned wells for domestic water." Dr. Lara Cushing, the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health's Jonathan and Karin Fielding Presidential Chair in Health Equity and an assistant professor of environmental health sciences

This study, available in the current edition of the peer-reviewed American Journal of Public Health, itself published by the American Public Health Association, is the first to quantify the average concentrations of multiple chemical contaminants in both community water systems and domestic well areas statewide, and to systematically analyze demographic disparities in drinking water quality.

"California's Human Right to Water Law articulates the right to clean and affordable drinking water for people served by both community water systems and domestic wells," said Dr. Rachel Morello-Frosch, University of California Berkeley School of Public Health professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management and a lead-author with Cushing of the research. "Implementing this right is a significant challenge for people who rely on domestic wells because of the lack of regulatory infrastructure."

Addressing inequities in access to safe, clean drinking water will only become more urgent as climate change brings prolonged droughts and limits water availability in the state, Morello-Frosch added.

"Our data strongly indicate that a large number of people who rely on domestic wells are likely drinking water with high levels of contaminants, and suggest locations where we should begin targeted assessments to ensure that the human right to water is fully implemented," she said.

Since 2012, access to safe, clean and affordable drinking water has been recognized as a human right in the state of California. Community water systems are required by federal regulations to undergo regular testing for contaminants that are harmful to human health. However, many California community water systems do not meet regulatory standards. In addition, many largely rural households receive their tap water from private domestic wells that remain largely unregulated.

The study focused on three chemical contaminants -; arsenic, nitrate and hexavalent chromium -; based on their prevalence in the state, as well as their known toxicity. Arsenic is found naturally in groundwater, and can be concentrated by depletion of the water table. Nitrate contamination of groundwater is common in agricultural regions due to fertilizer runoff and industrial animal farming. Hexavalent chromium is produced by industrial and manufacturing activities.

According to the analysis, approximately 1.3 million Californians -; nearly three and a half percent -; rely on domestic wells for their water supply. Of the estimated 370,000 Californians whose water supply was found to likely contain high concentrations of arsenic, nitrate or hexavalent chromium more than 150,000 are served by domestic wells. Domestic well water quality continues to be a prevalent data gap and is crucial to ensuring all Californians know what is in their water and if it is safe to drink.

"I think a lot of people might be surprised to learn that, given how wealthy the state of California is, we still don't have universal access to clean drinking water," Cushing said. "For the three chemical contaminants that we looked at, we found that places with a higher proportion of people of color experienced greater levels of drinking water contamination. This pattern has already been documented in community water systems, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley, but our work is one of the first to examine the question statewide and among domestic well communities not served by public water systems."

The study was carried out by UC Berkeley and UCLA scientists in collaboration with researchers at the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Community Water Center. The team has released an online Drinking Water Tool where policy makers and members of the public can look up where their water comes from, as well as map areas of the state where groundwater sources are likely contaminated with unsafe levels of arsenic, nitrate, hexavalent chromium and 1,2,3-Trichrolopropane.

"The goal of the Drinking Water Tool is to provide timely access to data that can inform efforts to protect the state's drinking water and groundwater supplies, particularly in disadvantaged communities where the threats are greatest," said study co-author Clare Pace, a postdoctoral scientist at UC Berkeley. "We'd like to continue to refine the drinking water tool in collaboration with the Community Water Center and in response to feedback from other organizations and decision-makers who can help ground-truth the data."

The tool also allows users to compare drinking and groundwater quality information with data on community demographics across the state, and models how drought conditions may impact water availability for small community water systems (serving fewer than 10,000 people) and domestic wells. Overall, the San Joaquin Valley had the highest number of people estimated to drink water with elevated arsenic and nitrate. For hexavalent chromium, the San Joaquin Valley and the Imperial County/Mohave Desert regions had the higher populations.

"In this era of climate change, our groundwater is becoming an increasingly precious resource, and we're facing historic levels of drought and well failures," Cushing said. "Even if a well doesn't fail, drawdown of the water table can impact water quality by concentrating contaminants, making these problems even worse."

Methods: To conduct the study, the researchers combined data on the state's community water systems, domestic well permits, residential tax parcels, building footprints, and census data to locate California households likely to be served by unregulated domestic wells. They then used measurements of drinking water and groundwater contamination throughout the state to estimate contaminant levels for those served by both community water systems and domestic wells.
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A new study from the United States (US) investigates the persistence (lifetime) of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) under different ambient conditions within wastewater infrastructure to understand how it impacts RNA measurements and the related wastewater epidemiology.

The results showed a limited decay of the endogenous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) RNA in wastewater and primary settled solids at the different tested temperatures for 10 days.

While both SARS-CoV-2 and PMMoV RNA are found to be persistent in solids, the current study showed that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA decayed slower in primary settled solids compared to the previously reported decay in wastewater influent. The paper is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server while it undergoes peer review.

Study: Persistence of endogenous SARS-CoV-2 and pepper mild mottle virus RNA in wastewater settled solids. Image Credit: NIAID

Introduction

Evidence suggests a significant correlation between the SARS-CoV-2 RNA isolated from primary settled solids samples from wastewater treatment plants and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases. Due to this, the solids are explored for wastewater-based epidemiology.

Data from wastewater-based epidemiology may reflect the true incidence of COVID-19 cases compared to the lab-based results due to other factors such as lack of testing availability, asymptomatic infections, and severity. Many studies have designed models to predict the actual COVID-19 incident cases from wastewater concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

However, this is highly challenging as it depends on many parameters that include fecal loads, viral shedding rates, rate of wastewater flow to the treatment plant, decay rate constant and partition coefficient of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, degree of sorption to solids, and the average residence time of wastewater prior to sample collection. While research is underway to improve the models, the decay rate of the RNA is key to the implementation of the method.

In this context, a research group from the US, led by Prof. Alexandria B. Boehm from Stanford University, aimed to document the decay of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater primary settled solids.

The scientists also measured the decay of the PMMoV RNA since it is in wastewater monitoring programs to normalize SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations. The PMMoV is a non-enveloped single-stranded RNA virus, highly abundant in human feces and wastewater. It is also remarkably stable and exhibits no seasonal variation.

Therefore, studying its persistence relative to SARS-CoV-2 targets is important. The scientists added that to date, there has been no study reporting the persistence of PMMoV RNA in wastewater or primary settled solids.

Although previous studies have investigated the persistence of endogenous PMMoV RNA in constructed wetlands and found the limited decay at three temperatures (4 C, 22 C, and 37 C) for 21 days, it is found to be highly persistent.

Main findings

In the present study, the scientists measured the first-order decay rate constant of SARS-CoV-2 (N1 and N2 targets) and PMMoV RNA in primary settled solids. They collected the primary settled solids samples from two wastewater treatment plants (1. San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (POTW A) and Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (POTW B)) in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Decay curves of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (N1 and N2) and PMMoV RNA over time (days) in primary settled solids samples stored at 4, 22, and 37 C. Left column: results from the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (POTW A). Right column: results from the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (POTW B). Error bars represent the standard deviation across biological replicates (n = 2).

The collected samples were transported on ice to the laboratory, thoroughly mixed, and aliquoted into subsamples. They were stored at 4C, 22C, and 37 C for 10 days. Then, using an RT-ddPCR (reverse transcriptase digital droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction), the scientists measured the concentration of the SARS-CoV-2 (N1 and N2 targets) and the PMMoV RNA.

They observed limited decay (<1 x log 10 reduction over 10 days) in the detection of the viral RNA targets at all the tested temperature conditions. This suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 and the PMMoV RNA can be highly persistent in the solids. Furthermore, the decay rate constants of all RNA targets increased with temperature.

This study reported the first-order decay rate constants that ranged from 0.011 - 0.098 day-1 for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and 0.010 - 0.091 day-1 for PMMoV RNA, depending on temperature conditions. The T 90 (the time needed to achieve a 90% reduction in concentration) values for SARS-CoV-2 RNA ranged from 24 - 214 days.

Notably, slower decay was observed for the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in primary settled solids compared to previously reported decay in wastewater influent. The study also observed different decay rates in the two treatment plants from where the samples were collected. This may be explained due to a more significant percentage of solids or a higher concentration of fecal matter or RNA.

However, the factors that influence the decay of the genomic RNA in these environments need to be further investigated,

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study reports that the SARS-CoV-2 and the PMMoV genomic RNA are highly stable in wastewater settled solids over 10 days at several environmentally relevant temperatures. These may be highly persistent in primary settled solids for several weeks and even months. This study suggests limited decay of viral RNAs in the sewer network.

Further, this is the first study that estimates the decay rate of PMMoV RNA in primary settled solids from wastewater sources.

The k values reported herein will be particularly useful in models that link SARS-CoV-2 RNA in settled solids to COVID-19 incidence rates in sewer sheds, and aid in the interpretation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in settled solids for applications in wastewater-based epidemiology, said the scientists. They call for further research to understand if the solid content and the wastewater characteristics might influence the persistence of viral RNA targets.
A growing body of research suggests that early-life infection, inflammation, and metabolic changes could contribute to psychiatric disorders  perhaps via effects during critical periods of brain development. New evidence on how "immunometabolic" risk factors in childhood may affect the development of depression and psychotic disorders in adulthood is presented in the January/February special issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

If confirmed, this line of research might lead to new approaches to treating depression and psychosis in adults  and possibly efforts to prevent these disorders by targeting early-life immunometabolic risk factors in childhood, according to the report by Nils Kappelmann, PhD, of Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, and colleagues. The study is one of seven special issue papers exploring possible links between inflammation and mental health disorders.

Complex connections between early-life stress, inflammation, and brain development

Previous research has suggested that maternal and childhood infections may be related to the later development of psychiatric diagnoses  particularly psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Other studies have linked markers of inflammation during childhood and adolescence to increased rates of depression and psychosis in adulthood. However, these associations appear highly complex, with specific inflammatory markers linked to later development of specific types of symptoms.

Research has also suggested links between metabolic alterations and psychiatric disorders. In particular, increased body mass index (BMI) and body fat seem to be associated with an increased risk of depression, while lower BMI may be linked to increased risk of psychotic disorders. Other studies suggest that young people with disrupted glucose-insulin balance may be at increased risk of later psychosis, whereas depression may lead to later glucose-insulin dysregulation.

Inflammatory and metabolic changes might interact with other factors affecting the development of psychiatric disorders  particularly genetic predispositions and adverse experiences or maltreatment during early life. "Together, these findings suggest that higher levels of infection, inflammation, and metabolic alterations commonly seen in people with depression and psychosis could be a cause for, rather than simply a consequence of, these disorders," Dr. Kappelmann and coauthors write.

They call for innovative research approaches to evaluate the causal nature and mechanisms of these associations. "Interventional studies are also needed to test the potential usefulness of targeting early-life immuno-metabolic alterations for preventing adult depression and psychosis," the researchers add. Some groups of patients might benefit from treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs  although so far, clinical trials of this approach have yielded mixed results.

"This special issue of the Harvard Review of Psychiatry tackles this intriguing topic of psychoimmunology from various perspectives reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the problem at hand," according to an introduction by guest editor Paulo Lizano, MD, PhD, of Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The topics "summarize the complexity of the inflammatory-brain connection while establishing that inflammation can be causal in a subset of psychiatric disorders and does not follow categorization outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

Despite these many advances, much still remains unknown, and further research is needed to enhance the clinical applicability of these findings." Paulo Lizano, MD, PhD, guest editor, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Key topics for future research include identifying different "inflammatory subtypes" of psychiatric disorders to help in developing specific treatment strategies, and potentially using early recognition and treatment to prevent low-grade brain inflammation during development.
Tranisha Rockmore and her daughter Karisma waited at an Atlanta children's hospital in July for their ride home.

Karisma had been at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to have her gastrostomy tube fixed, Rockmore said. The 4-year-old, who has several severe medical conditions, has insurance coverage from Medicaid, which provides transportation to and from nonemergency medical appointments through private vendors.

After being told that a ride would not be available for hours, Rockmore said, she finally gave up and called her sister to drive them home to the South Georgia town of Ashburn, more than 160 miles away.

She said it wasn't the first time she had run into trouble with the Medicaid transportation service.

"Sometimes they don't ever come," said Rockmore, who doesn't own a car. Many rides have been canceled recently, she said; the company told her it couldn't find drivers. "Sometimes they make me feel like they don't care if my child gets to the doctor or not."

Rockmore's remarks would no doubt resonate with the Medicaid beneficiaries, relatives and advocacy groups across the country upset about problems patients have getting transportation for medical appointments. Not only are some shuttle drivers no-shows, but some patients have been injured during rides because their wheelchairs were not properly secured, according to lawsuits filed in Georgia and other states.

States are required to set up transportation to medical appointments for adults, children and people with disabilities in the Medicaid health insurance program. Transportation brokers  such as Modivcare, which Rockmore used  have subcontracts with local providers, often small "mom and pop" operations, to shuttle patients to and from needed appointments, including for dialysis, adult day care, and mental health and treatment for substance use disorders.

It's a lucrative business, with transportation management contracts that can be worth tens of millions of dollars for companies. The two companies that have contracts in Georgia have given extensively to political campaigns of elected officials in the state. The firms, Modivcare and Southeastrans, have also faced complaints, lawsuits and state government fines in Georgia and elsewhere. The two companies maintain, though, that the complaints relate to a tiny percentage of rides provided.

Medicaid nonemergency transportation "is absolutely a national challenge,'' said Matt Salo, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. "This is something practically all the states we talk to are dealing with. I don't think anyone has figured this out."

Beth Holloway, 47, of Wharton, New Jersey, said she has had multiple problems with rides. "Sometimes they arrive late, other times not at all," said Holloway, who has cerebral palsy and lives independently. "I've been stranded at doctors offices for hours, sometimes out in the elements."

In Los Angeles, Rose Ratcliff and several other patients filed a lawsuit in 2017 against Modivcare, then known as LogistiCare; other local transportation brokers; and the insurers that run the state Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal in California.

The pending suit alleges that Ratcliff and other patients like her missed crucial dialysis appointments and faced unsafe conditions during transport. It calls Modivcare the "broken link" in the Medicaid transportation chain and claims the company did not adequately respond to complaints from clients like Ratcliff.

Katherine Zerone, a spokesperson for Modivcare, said the company does not comment on pending litigation. In an initial legal response, it said the problems were linked to the independent transportation vendors and their employees, not Modivcare/LogistiCare.

After complaints were made about Southeastrans' service across Indiana, the state appointed a special legislative commission to review the company's performance. Indiana now publishes detailed complaint data for the Atlanta-based company each month.

In August, James Mills, a Bloomington man who uses a wheelchair, filed a lawsuit alleging that the company had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and other civil rights laws by not providing a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to transport him to and from his appointments. The lawsuit alleges that because of the lack of wheelchair accommodation, Mills missed needed medical care and was even kicked off the patient lists of some of his local doctors.

"While we're unable to comment on pending litigation, we're aware of the matter and strongly disagree with the allegations,'' said Christopher Lee, an attorney for Southeastrans, which operates in seven states and Washington, D.C.

Two decades ago, Georgia was one of the first states to start using transportation brokers to manage its Medicaid transportation program. The two longtime providers in the state  Modivcare and Southeastrans  will receive a total of $127.6 million from the state this fiscal year. They are paid a per-member monthly rate that averages $5.60 in Georgia, regardless of how many rides, if any, a Medicaid user takes. The state was expected to announce new contracts for Medicaid transportation this month.

Georgia assessed a total of $4.4 million in penalties to the two companies over the period from January 2018 to December 2020 for failing to pick up patients on time and other problems. However, the state Medicaid agency essentially gave them discounts, charging the two companies only $1.2 million during that period, according to state Department of Community Health letters obtained through an open records request. In extending the brokers' contracts in the 2018 fiscal year, the state Medicaid agency agreed to cap damages at 25% of the assessed amount, Department of Community Health spokesperson Fiona Roberts said.

Modivcare said it's the largest transportation broker nationally, controlling about 40% of the market. The publicly traded company based in Colorado provides Medicaid transportation in more than 20 states.

Modivcare and other companies say only a tiny fraction of the rides they provide lead to complaints. "Our first priority is safe and reliable transportation," Zerone said. In Georgia, 99.8% of its trips are complaint-free, she said.

Andrew Tomys, Georgia state director for Southeastrans, said 99.9% of the trips his company services in the state are "free of valid complaints."

Both Modivcare and Southeastrans say they investigate each complaint to determine whether it's valid. In Georgia, Modivcare reported to the Department of Community Health more than 3,200 late rides or no-shows over a year out of around 2.3 million rides. Southeastrans reported just over 900 such problems out of around 1.4 million rides.

But patients and their advocates say that in many cases problems aren't reported, or complaints are ignored.

Georgia should peg any new contracts to timely rides, ease of use for beneficiaries and the overall ride experience, said Melissa Haberlen DeWolf, policy director of the advocacy group Voices for Georgia's Children.

In recent election cycles, Southeastrans and Modivcare  through its former corporate name LogistiCare  have been generous donors to Georgia Republicans, who have controlled state offices in the state for nearly two decades.

Southeastrans, as a company, has donated $126,000 to Georgia Republican campaigns and committees since 2017, according to documents on the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission website.

Additionally, Southeastrans' co-founder and CEO, Steve Adams, has given at least $86,000 to Georgia Republican candidates for state office and to the state Republican Party since 2017, according to state filings. During that same period, Adams donated $3,800 to two state Democratic candidates.

"As a minority-owned business headquartered in Georgia for over 20 years, Southeastrans and its owner have contributed to a diverse mix of local causes and organizations," Lee said.

Modivcare, through LogistiCare, has given $48,350 to Georgia Republican candidates in state races since 2017, according to the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission. It gave $750 to former Democratic state Rep. Pat Gardner, also according to the commission. Modivcare's Zerone did not answer questions about the company's political giving because she said it would be "competitive information."

Such contributions can help companies buy access to government officials, said Paul S. Ryan, a vice president at the government watchdog group Common Cause.

"Anytime a special interest doing business with the government can make big contributions to public officials handing out contracts or making other government decisions, its a cause for concern," he said. "Average, everyday Americans cant buy the same influence."

Tranisha Rockmore said she's so fed up that she wants to get a car so she can avoid the transportation problems. Im to the point where I feel like they dont care about my daughter," she said. "You dont just do peoples kids like that.
New kidney research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine is raising concerns that long-term use of drugs commonly prescribed to treat high-blood pressure and heart failure could be contributing to kidney damage.

Patients should continue taking the medications, which include the well-known and widely used ACE inhibitors, the researchers say. But the scientists are urging studies to better understand the drugs' long-term effects.

Our studies show that renin-producing cells are responsible for the damage. We are now focusing on understanding how these cells, which are so important to defend us from drops in blood pressure and maintain our well-being, undergo such transformation and induce kidney damage. What is needed is to identify what substances these cells make that lead to uncontrolled vessel growth." Maria Luisa Sequeira Lopez MD, UVA's Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Research Center

The causes of kidney damage

Chronic high blood pressure affects a billion people around the world. The UVA researchers wanted to better understand why severe forms of the condition are often accompanied by thickening of the arteries and small blood vessels in the kidney, leading to organ damage.

They found that specialized kidney cells called renin cells play an important role. These cells normally produce renin, a vital hormone that helps the body regulate blood pressure. But harmful changes in the renin cells can cause the cells to invade the walls of the kidney's blood vessels. The renin cells then trigger a buildup of another cell type, smooth muscle cells, that cause the vessels to thicken and stiffen. The result: Blood can't flow through the kidney as it should.

Further, the researchers found, long-term use of drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin system, such as ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers, have a similar effect. These drugs are widely used for many purposes, including treating high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and heart attacks, as well as to prevent major heart problems. But long-term use of the drugs was associated with hardened kidney vessels in both lab mice and humans, the scientists found.

The researchers note that the medications can be lifesaving for patients, so they stress the importance of continuing to take them. But they say additional studies are needed to better understand the drugs' long-term effects on the kidneys.

"It would be important to conduct prospective, randomized controlled studies to determine the extent of functional and tissue damage in patients taking medications for blood pressure control," said Ariel Gomez, MD, of UVA's Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Research Center. "It is imperative to find out what molecules these cells make so that we can counteract them to prevent the damage while the hypertension is treated with the current drugs available today."

Reninnull cells have different transcriptomic profiles. (A) Pathological findings of Ren1c-KO mice. Immunohistochemistry for -SMA showed hypertrophic arterioles in Ren1c-KO mouse kidneys. Scale bars: 20 m. Kidney sections from Ren1c-KO Ren1c-Cre Confetti mice showed multiple colors in the hypertrophic arterioles, suggesting the multiclonality of Reninnull cells. Scale bars: 20 m. Left: WT mice showed normal architecture of periglomerular arterioles with a single layer of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Right: Ren1c-KO mice showed concentric hypertrophy of arteriolar smooth muscle. Scale bars: 10 m. (B) Schematic of scRNA-Seq of WT renin cells and Reninnull cells. Ren1c-YFP mice have a transgene consisting of the YFP genes driven by the Ren1c gene regulatory region. YFP-positive kidney cells from Ren1c+/+ Ren1c-YFP mice and Ren1c/ Ren1c-YFP mice were isolated by FACS. Single cells were captured with the Fluidigm C1 System, and scRNA-Seq was performed. Scale bars: 50 m. (C) The UMAP with all the cells after normalization. (D) Volcano plot showing the differentially expressed genes between WT renin cells and Reninnull cells. (E) Heatmap analysis with differentially expressed genes showed a clear separation of WT renin cells and Reninnull cells. (F) The 10 most enriched categories identified by GO analysis on genes higher in WT renin cells (red) and genes higher in Reninnull cells (blue). (G) Venn diagram showing differentially expressed genes. -SMA, smooth muscle actin; EM, electron microscopy; FACS, fluorescence-activated cell sorting; GO, Gene Ontology; Ren1c-KO, Ren1c gene knockout; scRNA-Seq, single-cell RNA sequencing; UMAP, uniform manifold approximation and projection; WT, wild-type.

Findings published

The researchers have published their findings in the scientific journal JCI Insight. The article was selected as a cover story. The research team consisted of Hirofumi Watanabe, Alexandre G. Martini, Evan A. Brown, Xiuyin Liang, Silvia Medrano, Shin Goto, Ichiei Narita, Lois J. Arend, Sequeira-Lopez and Gomez.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, grants P50 DK 096373, R01 DK 116718, R01 DK 116196, R01 DK 096373 and R01 HL 148044; and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Overseas Research Fellowships.
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Showers and a few thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 52F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Homestead, FL (33030)

Today

Overcast with rain showers at times. Thunder possible. High around 85F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
(Newser)  Update: A former Oklahoma police officer has been tried and convicted, again, in the 2014 killing of his daughter's Black boyfriend. Shannon Kepler, who was tried four times in state court, was convicted (this time in his first trial in federal court) of second-degree murder, the AP reports. He was sentenced Friday to 25 years behind bars, three years of supervised release, and restitution to cover the cost of Jeremey Lake's headstone. Kepler's lawyer has previously indicated the conviction will be appealed. Meanwhile, his manslaughter conviction in state court was overturned in March, KJRH reports. Our original story from Oct. 19, 2017, follows:

A white former Oklahoma police officer was convicted of first-degree manslaughter in the off-duty fatal shooting of his daughter's Black boyfriend after jurors in three previous trials couldn't decide whether to find him guilty of murder. Jurors deliberated about six hours Wednesday night before finding ex-Tulsa officer Shannon Kepler, 57, guilty of the lesser charge in the August 2014 killing of 19-year-old Jeremey Lake, who had just started dating Kepler's then-18-year-old daughter, reports the AP. Kepler's attorneys said the 24-year-police veteran was trying to protect Lisa Kepler because she had run away from home and was living in a crime-ridden neighborhood after her father forbade her from bringing men into the house.

Kepler told investigators Lake was armed and that he was acting in self-defense. "He's bringing it, I'm bringing it," Kepler said from the witness stand. "It was either him or me. I'm not going to stand there and get shot." However, police didn't find a weapon on Lake or at the scene. Prosecutors said Kepler first watched his daughter and Lake from his SUV before approaching them on the street. Lake's aunt disputed Kepler's self-defense account and has said her nephew was reaching out to shake Kepler's hand to introduce himself when Kepler fired. The jury recommended a sentence of 15 years in prison for Kepler, who retired from the force after he was charged. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 20. (Read more Oklahoma stories.)
(Newser)  Three nurses in Canada who saw repercussions after voicing conspiracy theories online about COVID have now filed a $1 million libel lawsuit. Per the CBC, the complaint by Kristen Nagle, Kristal Pitter, and Sara Choujounianregistered Dec. 13 against the Canadian Nurses Association, CNA executives, and Together News Inc., a British Columbia news groupalleges that the defendants made defamatory remarks about the nurses, who have slammed lockdown measures and posted such debunked claims on social media as the pandemic is a hoax, coronavirus vaccines aren't safe, and surgical face masks boost cancer risks.

Ontario's Nagle, Pitter, and Choujounian are members of Canadian Frontline Nurses, which branched off from Global Frontline Nurses, a group that calls for, among other things, whistleblowers to "go undercover to expose the corruption plaguing the world today." After being charged in November 2020 with not following Ontario's COVID restrictions, Nagle was sacked from her job in January 2021 as a London neonatal ICU nurse; she faced charges again in April. Choujounianwho used to be a practical nurse for a home care agency in Toronto before airing various debunked theories on COVID and imploring others not to comply with health and safety protocolswill be subject in June to a disciplinary hearing in front of the College of Nurses of Ontario. Nurse practitioner Pitter, meanwhile, has also been warned by the CNO.

In their suit, the women reference two opinion pieces in particular about them that they say are defamatory. The first one was posted with no byline on the CNA website in September, declaring "enough is enough" and blasting "the reckless views of a handful of discredited people who identify as nurses." The piece doesn't name Nagle, Pitter, and Choujounian specifically, but their suit says it "could be understood to refer to them." Meanwhile, an anonymous op-ed on one of Together News' sites does name the "unhinged" and "disgraced" nurses, calling them out for "stoking fear, division, and conspiracy."

That piece also claims Nagle and Choujounian were at the Jan. 6 riot at the US Capitol. In their complaint, the nurses say they've suffered "personal embarrassment and humiliation," as well as seen their professional reputations and careers smeared. They're asking for $750,000 in general damages, plus another $250,000 in punitive damages. A spokesperson for the nurses' association contacted by the CBC on Friday said it had no idea about the suit, while Together News said it wouldn't be commenting as it similarly hadn't yet seen any court documents. (Read more nurses stories.)
(Newser)  Two Florida women are facing felony charges ... over glitter. Police say Kaitlin ODonovan, 27, and Sarah Franks, 29, went to a man's Clearwater apartment around 3am Monday and got into an argument with him as he stood on a fenced patio. That's when the women allegedly threw containers of glitter at him, hitting him in the head and torso, WFLA reports. Franks is then accused of jumping the fence, entering the apartment, and throwing more containers of glitter at him, Fox 13 reports.

She then allegedly let ODonovan in through the front door and both continued throwing the containers of glitter, police say. Authorities found, yes, glitter in the car when they traced it to the women. They are charged with felony burglary with assault or battery, and Franks is also charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief for allegedly kicking a window until it broke. (Read more Florida stories.)
(Newser)  Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Tuesday that she had tested for positive for COVID-19a day after a deal was reached for students to return to the city's public schools. "I am experiencing cold-like symptoms but otherwise feel fine which I credit to being vaccinated and boosted," the mayor tweeted Tuesday afternoon. "I will continue to work from home while following the CDC guidelines for isolation." She called the infection an "urgent reminder for folks to get vaccinated and boosted as it's the only way to beat this pandemic," per the Hill. The mayor's most recent public appearance was a press conference Monday night.

Lightfoot, 59, is one of nearly 250,000 Illinois residents to have tested positive in the last week, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Chicago currently has a daily case average of nearly 5,000, down slightly from a week earlier. The mayor is the latest of numerous lawmakers to test positive in the state, including Reps. Sean Casten and Bobby Rush. Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has also tested positive, while Gov. JB Pritzker worked remotely last week after a close contact tested positive. "Take good care of yourself, Mayor!" Stratton tweeted Tuesday. "May you recover swiftly and completely. Everyone, please get vaccinated!" (Read more Lori Lightfoot stories.)
(Newser)  Pounding his fist for emphasis, President Biden challenged senators on Tuesday to stand against voter suppression," urging them to change Senate rules in order to pass voting rights legislation that Republicans are blocking from debate and votes. Biden told a crowd in Atlanta that he'd been having quiet conversations with senators for months over the two billsa lack of progress that has brought his criticism from activists in his own party, the AP reports. "Im tired of being quiet!" he shouted. "I will not yield. I will not flinch." Biden on Tuesday also paid tribute to civil rights battles pastvisiting Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once held forth from the pulpit. He stood quietly as Martin Luther King III placed a wreath outside at the crypt of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

With Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer setting next Mondays Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a deadline to either pass voting legislation or consider revising the rules around the chambers filibuster blocking device, Biden is expected to evoke the memories of the Capitol riot in more forcefully aligning himself with the voting rights effort. Biden told his audience Tuesday: "The next few days, when these bills come to a vote, will mark a turning point in this nation. Will we choose democracy over autocracy, light over shadow, justice over injustice? I know where I stand."

Biden promised: "I will defend your right to vote and our democracy against all enemies foreign, yes and domestic! And so the question is where will the institution of the United States Senate stand?"Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, known for her untiring voting rights work, was not at the event. Aides said Abrams had a conflict but didnt explain further, though she tweeted support for the president.

Current rules require 60 votes to advance most legislationa threshold that Senate Democrats cant meet alone because they only have a 50-50 majority with Vice President Kamala Harris to break ties. Republicans unanimously oppose the voting rights measures. Not all Democrats are on board with changing the filibuster rules. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin threw cold water on the idea Tuesday, saying he believes any changes should be made with substantial Republican buy-in. And even if Democrats clear the obstacles to passage of the voting rights laws, it could be too late to counter widespread voting restrictions passed in 19 states following former Donald Trumps 2020 loss and false claims that the election was stolen through voter fraud. (Read more President Biden stories.)
(Newser)  Hours after clashing with Sen. Rand Paul during a Senate health committee hearing on the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci was overheard calling another Republican senator a "moron." The remark was picked up on a hot mic after Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas told the top White House medical adviser he should disclose his personal finances, the Hill reports. Fauci told Marshall he didn't understand why the question was being asked, because his "financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so for the last 37 years." Marshall told Fauci that "big tech giants are doing an incredible job of keeping it from being public" and asked where the disclosure could be found.

"All you have to do is ask for it," Fauci said. "You're so misinformed, it's extraordinary." In a tweet, Center for Public Integrity reporter Liz Essley Whyte shared Fauci's disclosure and confirmed that she had received it after a request to the National Institutes of Health last year, the Washington Post reports. In a video clip tweeted by Mediaite after the exchange with Marshall, Fauci could be heard saying "Jesus Christ" and "What a moron." In a statement, Marshall said calling him a moron "may have alleviated the stress of the least-trusted bureaucrat in America, but it didnt take away from the facts." Other Republicans, including Sen. Richard Burr, thanked Fauci for his work fighting the pandemic, though they slammed the Biden administration's handling of issues including a test shortage, the AP reports.

At the hearing, Fauci and other officials defended the administration's handling of the pandemic, though they acknowledged that tough times lie ahead, the New York Times reports. Fauci said the country is facing a "massive, unprecedented surge" of omicron cases. Acting FDA commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock told the panel, "Its hard to process whats actually happening right now, which is, most people are going to get COVID." Woodcock said, "What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function, transportation, you know, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens." (Read more Anthony Fauci stories.)
(Newser)  For the second time in less than a week, North Korea says it has launched a hypersonic missile. After launching one last Wednesday, Pyongyang said it did so again Tuesday, the BBC reports. This one "precisely hit" a target 621 miles away, the country says. The US, South Korea, and Japan had said on Tuesday that they detected a ballistic missile launch, the AP reports. This is North Korea's third hypersonic missile launch; its first came in September. This type of missile will increase the country's nuclear "war deterrent," according to leader Kim Jong Un.

Kim himself was photographed watching the launch alongside his sister, Kim Yo Jong, and other officials; it's the first time he's been reported to have attended a launch since March 2020. He says the country must expand its "strategic military muscle both in quality and quantity and further modernize the army," and Pyongyang has implied in the past that the hypersonic missile system is being developed to deliver nuclear weapons. Hypersonic missiles hit speeds more than five times the speed of sound, and are difficult to defend against due to their speed and maneuverability. But experts say it would take years for North Korea to have a credible hypersonic missile system. (Read more North Korea stories.)
Amateur radio emergency communications in Malaysia Following the recent Selangor flood the Malay Mail looks at what can be done to improve disaster management, Amateur Radio gets a mention



The newspaper says:



Malay Mail spoke to two disaster management experts who listed various things Malaysia needs to improve on, including harnessing real-time data, tapping into the wisdom of local residents and locally-based agencies in the disaster-prone or disaster-hit area itself, and investing to reduce the impact from floods itself.



... As for multi-tier communications, Khamarrul noted that there cannot be a break in the communications of disaster risks  when a flood situation is being communicated between federal and state governments and the districts or between government agencies, or when the district office informs the local community organisations like Village Community Management Councils (MPKK) and Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) and which should then alert the local communities in their area.



So if you send a message at 2am, it must be properly received at the local level, he said, noting the need to prepare a list of actions in advance for such a scenario and the establishing of platforms or tools to communicate and pass along orders.



He said the need to provide backup for communication during disasters between the local communities, district offices and state disaster operations command centre, such as for situations where social media app WhatsApp cannot be relied on when electricity supply is cut off and mobile phone batteries are dying.



At Hulu Langat in Selangor which Khamarrul had visited during the floods, he noted for example that the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters Society had briefly stepped in to help re-establish communications in the area when there was no electricity and the usual mobile networks were down.



Read the full story at

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/01/05/how-malaysia-can-handle-massive-floods-better-heres-a-checklist/2033013



Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters Society

http://marts.org.my/

https://www.facebook.com/MalaysianAmatuer

RadioTransmittersSociety
(Newser)  The maestro of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra resigned abruptly on Jan. 3 in an email sent from his home in Denmark. The Seattle Times reported last week that now-former music director Thomas Dausgaard said in a Symphony news release that his decision was "a result of these pandemic times, which centers the question for us all: how do we value our lives?" Now, the New York Times has more on the drama between the orchestra and Dausgaard, which intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dausgaard, who started appearing as a guest with the symphony in 2010 before becoming principal guest conductor in 2014, gave his first public comments since his resignation in an interview with the newspaper.

He says he felt the symphony's culture had become "ruled by fear," and that he "felt personally not safe. I felt threatened." He did not give many details, but said he had problems he expressed to the orchestra's managers and that they were not taken seriously; he claims the administration tried to silence and intimidate him. The chairman of the orchestra's board says there's "no accuracy" to any of his claims, and anonymous sources tell the Times it was actually the board that was unhappy with Dausgaard and that it had decided in November not to renew his contract, which went through the 2022-23 season. His exit more than a year before the contract's end left the orchestra "blindsided" and "scrambling" for replacements, per the Times. The full story, which also goes into how Dausgaard getting stuck abroad during the pandemic contributed to the problems, is here. (Read more Seattle stories.)
(Newser)  Benjamin Whitely headed to a Safeway supermarket in Washington, DC, on Tuesday to grab some items for dinner. But he was disappointed to find the vegetable bins barren and a sparse selection of turkey, chicken, and milk. Seems like I missed out on everything, Whitely, 67, said. Im going to have to hunt around for stuff now. Shortages at US grocery stores have grown more acute in recent weeks as new problemslike the fast-spreading omicron variant and severe weatherhave piled on to the supply chain struggles and labor shortages that have plagued retailers since the coronavirus pandemic began, the AP reports. The shortages are widespread, impacting produce and meat as well as packaged goods such as cereal.

And theyre being reported nationwide. US groceries typically have 5% to 10% of their items out of stock at any given time; right now, that unavailability rate is hovering around 15%, according to Consumer Brands Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. Part of the scarcity consumers are seeing on store shelves is due to pandemic trends that never abatedand are exacerbated by omicron. Americans are eating at home more than they used to, especially since offices and some schools remain closed, and are thus buying more at the grocery store. A historically high deficit of truck drivers that started building before the pandemic also remains a problem. And shipping remains delayed, impacting everything from imported foods to packaging that is printed overseas.

The omicron variant has also taken a toll on food production lines. Sean Connolly, the president and CEO of Conagra Brands, which makes Birds Eye frozen vegetables, Slim Jim meat snacks and other products, told investors last week that supplies from the company's US plants will be constrained for at least the next month due to omicron-related absences. Worker illness is also impacting grocery stores. Stew Leonard Jr. is president and CEO of Stew Leonard's, a supermarket chain that operates stores in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Last week, 8% of his workersaround 200 peoplewere either out sick or in quarantine. Usually, the level of absenteeism is more like 2%. And weather-related events, from snowstorms in the Northeast to wildfires in Colorado, also have impacted product availability and caused some shoppers to stock up more than usual. (Full story, which indicates it's not time to panic buy, here.)
(Newser)  The pandemic has wreaked havoc on North Korea's food supply, the result of a domino effect of sorts: With the nation's borders closed, it can't import the manure it needs for its crops from China. The hunt for that stinky commodity has now reached "crisis level," and desperate times are apparently leading to desperate measures: There's now a call for what state-run media calls "homemade" manure, which the Daily Beast describes as "manure made from excrement of any kind, human or animal, together with weeds, garbage, and even ash rich in chemical."

In other words, it appears that Kim Jong Un wants citizens to poop as much as possible in order to help salvage this year's crops and eliminate the widespread food shortages. In certain regions, it even seems there are quotas, with the Daily NK reporting individuals and families are being squeezed for money if they don't produce a satisfactory amount of excrement. In North Hamgyong province, for example, where the "battle for manure" challenge was said to have taken place from Dec. 3 through Jan. 10, each household in a regular neighborhood was expected to come up with about 440 pounds of manure over that period.

Making things more stressful, the Daily NK reports that as of Jan. 11, markets in Yanggang province are only allowing in people who have a "manure pass," which shows they've fulfilled their manure quota. Although the pandemic is getting much of the blame for this poop push, a 2019 report from Radio Free Asia shows this manure quota isn't new, and that at that time, the demands seemed especially onerous, with the government ordering individuals to produce 220 pounds of human manure per dayor 3 tons a month. "How on earth can it be possible for one person to make 3 tons of human feces and deliver it?" a source noted. (Read more North Korea stories.)
(Newser)  NPR Morning Edition host Steven Inskeep nabbed an interview with former President Trump on Tuesdayafter six years of trying. "It was scheduled for 15 minutes, but lasted just over nine," NPR reports, noting Trumpwho hurled insults at Republican senators, including Mitch McConnellended the conversation abruptly after Inskeep pressed him about his false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Trump was asked about comments from Republican Sen. Mike Rounds, who told ABC News on Sunday that the election was "as fair as we have seen." "We simply did not win the election, as Republicans, for the presidency," said Rounds of South Dakota.

"While there were some irregularities, there were none of the irregularities which would have risen to the point where they would have changed the vote outcome in a single state," Rounds continued. "And if we simply look back and tell our people don't vote because there's cheating going on, then we're going to put ourselves in a huge disadvantage." Trumpwho in an earlier statement referred to Rounds as "weak," "ineffective," a "jerk," a Republican in name only, and questioned whether he was "crazy or just stupid"told NPR that his false claims were "an advantage, because otherwise they're going to do it again in '22 and '24, and Rounds is wrong on that. Totally wrong."

He added Republican senators felt they could speak out against Trump's claims "because Mitch McConnell is a loser." Pressed on his lack of evidence of fraud, Trump claimed "findings in Arizona" and other states did show fraud, only to be told that a GOP-led review in Arizona's Maricopa County reaffirmed President Biden's victory. That's "because they're RINOs, and frankly, a lot of people are questioning that," Trump said. But not at that point or any other did he present evidence. "It was excuse after excuseit was 'too early' to claim fraud, his attorney was no good, things just seem suspicious," per NPR. Trump then thanked Inskeep and hung up as the interviewer was trying to ask a question. AFP shares more from the interview here. (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
(Newser)  In China, more than 20 million people in several cities are under strict lockdown ordersand while some people are having trouble getting enough food, the tight controls have also created some more amusing situations. In Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan province, a woman started a video diary after a swiftly introduced neighborhood lockdown left her stuck in the house of a man she had met for a blind date, CBS reports. The woman said on social media that when she returned to Zhengzhou from Guangzhou for a visit ahead of Lunar New Year, her family set her up on a series of blind dates, per the BBC.

"I'm getting old now, my family introduced me to ten matches," the woman said. "The fifth date wanted to show off his cooking skills and invited me over to his house for dinner." She said she ended up stuck with the man and his family for at least four days after a lockdown was announced just as she was getting ready to leave, the Global Times reports. Her videos show the man cooking and doing chores, though romance might not be in store: In an interview with Shanghai-based news outlet the Paper, the woman described the man as "mute as a wooden mannequin" and said she would prefer someone a bit more talkative. But "despite his food being mediocre, he's still willing to cook, which I think is great," she added.

The woman said she took down videos of her lockdown experience after they went viral. "Friends have been calling him and I think this has definitely affected his life, so I have taken them down for now," she said Tuesday, per CBS. "Thanks everyone for your attention... I hope the outbreak ends soon and that my single sisters also find a relationship soon." As in Tianjin, where omicron cases were detected Sunday, only parts of Zhengzhou are locked down. Full lockdowns are in place in Xi'an, Yuzhou, and Anyang, around 100 miles north of Zhengzhou. (Read more China stories.)
(Newser)  Chainsaws and machetes might be useful in the event of a zombie apocalypse, but the TSA would like to remind people that they are absolutely not allowed in carry-on luggage. The agency released its list of the most unusual items seized in 2021 in a tweet Monday, and it also includes a "meth burrito"a breakfast burrito filled with methamphetamineconfiscated at a Texas airport. Firearms, apart from an antique pistol, were far too common to be considered unusual items, CBS News reports. The TSA says it seized a record 5,674 guns at checkpoints in 2021, 85% of them loaded. The list of unusual items:

A chainsaw confiscated at New Orleans International Airport. A gun-shaped wine holder seized at Sacramento International Airport. A box of fireworks seized at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. A machete seized at Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC, along with ammunition and a fuel canister. Bear spray taken from a passenger at Florida's Destin/Fort Walton Beach airport. A cleaver seized at Harrisburg International Airport. A gun belt buckle. The 22-caliber Derringer was found in the carry-on baggage of a passenger in Honolulu in April, KHON2 reports. A meth-filled burrito seized at Hobby International Airport in Texas. An antique pistol confiscated at Newark International Airport. Bullets found in deodorant at Atlantic City International Airport. "This passenger must have been sweating bullets," the TSA quipped.

(Read more TSA stories.)
(Newser)  An abandoned baby likely owes its survival to a group of teens in Siberia who decided to take a walk together on Orthodox Christmas Day. The Mirror reports the group of boys came upon a box along a remote road Friday in temps that got as low as 4 degrees. As one of their parents tells Russian media, "It was already dark, they were shining their phones, looking at what was in the box." Inside, per the BBC: a newborn left with only a tattered blanket (a "piece of fabric," per the Mirror) and a bottle.

After one teen summoned his parents, the child was taken to an area hospital, where it was feared she might have suffered frostbite. But the baby girl, thought to be about three days old, was warmed by a doctor who rubbed her extremities and deemed healthy. Authorities are looking for the child's mother as part of a criminal investigation into the attempted murder of a minor. The parents who took her to the hospital say they'll adopt her if no family is identified, noting, "We are parents to three sons, so having a daughter was our long-term dream. We are hoping well be given a chance to adopt her." (Read more Siberia stories.)
(Newser)  Britain's Prince Andrew has almost run out of possibilities for keeping Virginia Giuffre's sexual abuse lawsuit against him from going to trial. US District Judge Lewis Kaplan in New York on Wednesday turned down Andrew's request to dismiss the case because of the terms of a 2009 settlement she reached in 2009 with Jeffrey Epstein. That deal didn't have anything to do with Andrew, Kaplan said, and didn't protect him from being sued, as the royal's lawyers had argued, the AP reports. Depositions of the prince and Giuffre, whose lawyer praised the ruling, would take place before the trial, which the judge said wouldn't begin before late this year.

Andrew's team can raise doubts about the allegations against him when the case reaches trial, but Kaplan said Wednesday that at this point in the process, he has to treat Giuffre's allegations as credible. Having the prince on the stand answering accusations of sexual abuse and being questioned about his personal life would be a horror for the royal family, says an analysis in the Guardian; it would, of course, also be traumatic for Giuffre. He and Queen Elizabeth II face limited options for avoiding more damage to the royal family. Andrew's military appointments and remaining patronages could be taken from him. He probably could be officially retired as a working member of the family, but there's no accepted, customary means of removing a prince from the royal picture.

For Andrew, the most obvious solution for avoiding a trial is a settlement. But money is an issue for him, and his mother apparently isn't interested in footing the bill. Even if he finds the money, David McClure writes in an opinion piece in the Guardian, it's probably too late. The accusations and his friendships with convicted sex criminalsEpstein and Ghislaine Maxwellmake it hard to imagine how Andrew could restore his reputation globally or among his mother's subjects. Still, he'll have to try, one London analyst said. "The practical realities of this position have stuck a noose around Prince Andrews neck," Mark Stephens said. "He's got to settle." (Read more Prince Andrew stories.)
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Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day. High 56F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 34F. Winds light and variable.
Eight US schools moved forward in ARISS selection process

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the schools/host organizations selected for the July 1 through December 31, 2022, time period. A total of eight of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS.

The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities.

The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for the eight US host organizations during the July 1 through December 31, 2022, time period. They are now at work completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS Technical Mentors, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA.

The schools and host organizations are:

Buehler Challenger & Science Center,Paramus, NJ

Eaton Public Library, Eaton, CO

Davis Aerospace Technical High School, Detroit, MI

St. Stephens Episcopal School Houston Houston, TX

Harris Middle School, Spruce Pine, NC

Kopernik Observatory & Science, Vestal, NY

Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt Nashville, TN

Canterbury School of Fort Myers, Ft Myers, FL

About ARISS:

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASAs Space communications and Navigation program. The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org

Media Contact:

Dave Jordan, AA4KN

ARISS PR
The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Following approval by the Government Executive Committee, and based on the latest international data and developments, the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19), has announced that the booster shot has been made available by choice for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, starting Wednesday, 12 January 2022.

Adolescents in this age group who have received two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine will be offered the Sinopharm or Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots, approved for use from six months after the second dose. However, adolescents who have received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot only, also six months after the second dose.

The Taskforce also noted that the green shield will not change to yellow on the BeAware application for this age group if they do not receive a booster shot.

The Taskforce noted that updating vaccination protocols are in line with steps taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to address the global pandemic, and maintain public health.
Bahrain and China discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation in various fields

TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain is committed to bolstering bilateral relations and cooperation with China, particularly in economic, commercial and investment fields, for the benefit of both countries and people. This came as Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani met the State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, yesterday in Wuxi, a city near Shanghai. Dr Al Zayani conveyed the greetings of His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to the President of China, Xi Jinping, and their wishes to the friendly Chinese people for further development and prosperity.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Many supermarkets, small shops and other businesses have remained shut since the beginning of the New Year owing to their inability to update Value Added Tax (VAT) requirements.

The owners of these outlets, mostly expatriates, said they are in their best efforts to update their sales systems with the latest VAT rules, hoping to reopen their businesses soon.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, a shop owner, who doesnt want to be named, said: I initially relied on some individuals, who claimed to know about VAT updating, for the process.

Now they have failed and I have approached a VAT firm to update the procedures.

The VAT updating charges are high considering the daily business I have now.

Our daily sales have plummeted since the beginning of the pandemic season.

How could we hire expensive VAT consultants to update the procedure?

Another trader said supermarket and small shop owners are being exploited by individual VAT consultants as well as firms.

We, small traders are being exploited by many so-called VAT consultants.

They lock our audit system during the year-end, compelling us to pay again.

I want the Finance Ministry to take action against these consultants.

On the flip side, Sivadas Vettath, General Manager at Green Effects Tally Bahrain, said fake VAT consultants are compounding the problem.

Fake/unauthorised and individual VAT consultants are a big menace.

They mainly target smaller shops and supermarkets, who have hired Company Registrations (CRs), Vettath said.

Hired CRs are a common illegal practice, according to which businesses are managed by expatriates under a CR belonging to a sponsor.

Most of these businessmen dont even have business bank accounts and they still rely on personal accounts to carry out the business.

A particular sponsor can have many businesses and VAT calculation would take into account the net revenues from all these businesses, while an ex-pat using a hired CR wants VAT to be calculated exclusively for his outlet.

This strange situation makes the ex-pat businessman easy prey to fake VAT consultants.

These fake VAT consultants charge between BD10 and BD15 from small shop owners and install an excel sheet in their system, which would be misleading.

As per the Kingdoms new law, an expatriate can start a trading business (WLL) with even one per cent Bahraini partnership.

This move aims to give more flexibility and encouragement to foreign investors.

To overcome these issues, authorities concerned should implement the concept of government-certified VAT consultants.

But, again, well before this, all these small businesses must have a basic audit system in place.

Even the Decree highlights the need to have a self-audited system for even small businesses.

There are many authorised VAT services firms offering support with a low rate.

It is important to have VAT consultants who are legally accountable and responsible.

Now it is not there and all responsibilities are being shouldered by the businessmen alone.

Vettath also highlighted a manipulative act on the part of many VAT consultancy firms.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce offers two specific CRs in the field of accounting  one for accounts consulting and the other for accounts services.

The firms possessing accounts consulting CR should only advise on VAT compliance and strictly should not provide accounting services, which is not the case now.

We suggest authorities concerned to implement a norm where business firms have a proper agreement with VAT consultants, who are legally eligible to carry out accounting services, Vettath said.

He said there were nearly 160 VAT consultancy firms during the beginning of 2020, but most of them have vanished now.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The High Commercial Court rejected a case filed by a woman against her husband, demanding the custodianship of their children and pocket money.

Despite the continuation of the marriage and the absence of divorce, the Arab woman filed a lawsuit in which she demanded from her Bahraini husband to get custody of her two children and pay alimony for her and child support.

She claims that he did not pay alimony, but the expert commissioned by the court confirmed that the defendant had fulfilled his commitment to the plaintiffs expenses and housing in proportion to his source of income.

The expert confirmed that the married couples apartment fulfils its purpose, even if it is at its lowest level; therefore, the court ruled to reject the case.

The husbands lawyer, Nafeesa Daabal, said that he was surprised by his wife, who still lives with him in an apartment at his fathers house when she filed a lawsuit against him demanding the custody of their two children and a provision for alimony for her and financial support for the two children.

This is because the divorce did not occur, and she was residing in the marital home during the handling of the lawsuit.

The wife claimed that her husband refused to support her and her two children and that he did not provide her with housing except for a room in his fathers house.

She demanded custody of the boy and girl because they are of nursery age and wanted to oblige her husband to pay her a monthly allowance of BD300 and the same amount for clothing for the two Eids.

The lawyer clarified that her client is a government employee and has been married to the plaintiff since 2013, and they had a daughter in 2015 and a son in 2017.
Too soon to treat COVID-19 like flu as Omicron spreads, says WHO

Too soon to treat COVID-19 like flu as Omicron spreads, says WHO

Agencies | Copenhagen

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is on track to infect more than half of Europeans, but it should not yet be seen as a flu-like endemic illness, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

Europe saw more than 7 million newly-reported cases in the first week of 2022, more than doubling over two weeks, WHO's Europe director Hans Kluge told a news briefing.

"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecasts that more than 50% of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6-8 weeks," Kluge said, referring to a research centre at the University of Washington, Reuters reported.

Fifty out of 53 countries in Europe and central Asia have logged cases of the more infectious variant, Kluge said.

Evidence, however, is emerging that Omicron is affecting the upper respiratory tract more than the lungs, causing milder symptoms than previous variants.

But the WHO has cautioned more studies are still needed to prove this.

On Monday, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said it may be time to change how it tracks COVID-19's evolution to instead use a method similar to flu because its lethality has fallen.

That would imply treating the virus as an endemic illness, rather than a pandemic, without recording every case and without testing all people presenting symptoms.

But that is "a way off", WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, said at the briefing, adding that endemicity requires a stable and predictable transmission.

"We still have a huge amount of uncertainty and a virus that is evolving quite quickly, imposing new challenges. We are certainly not at the point where we can call it endemic," Smallwood said.

"It may become endemic in due course, but pinning that down to 2022 is a little bit difficult at this stage."

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is on track to infect more than half of Europeans, but it should not yet be seen as a flu-like endemic illness, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

Europe saw more than 7 million newly-reported cases in the first week of 2022, more than doubling over two weeks, WHO's Europe director Hans Kluge told a news briefing.

"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecasts that more than 50% of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6-8 weeks," Kluge said, referring to a research centre at the University of Washington, Reuters reported.

Fifty out of 53 countries in Europe and central Asia have logged cases of the more infectious variant, Kluge said.

Evidence, however, is emerging that Omicron is affecting the upper respiratory tract more than the lungs, causing milder symptoms than previous variants.

But the WHO has cautioned more studies are still needed to prove this.

On Monday, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said it may be time to change how it tracks COVID-19's evolution to instead use a method similar to flu because its lethality has fallen.

That would imply treating the virus as an endemic illness, rather than a pandemic, without recording every case and without testing all people presenting symptoms.

But that is "a way off", WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, said at the briefing, adding that endemicity requires a stable and predictable transmission.

"We still have a huge amount of uncertainty and a virus that is evolving quite quickly, imposing new challenges. We are certainly not at the point where we can call it endemic," Smallwood said.

"It may become endemic in due course, but pinning that down to 2022 is a little bit difficult at this stage."
Germany's DARC talks to members about ham radio's future On Monday, January 3, the board of directors of Germany's DARC were joined by 140 members online for a discussion about the 'future of amateur radio'



A translation of the DARC post reads:



On Monday, January 3rd, the board of directors invited members to a discussion about the "future of amateur radio" on DARC's own server treff.darc.de



140 members gladly accepted this offer and from 7 pm got in direct contact with DARC Chair Christian Entsfellner, DL3MBG; Ernst Steinhauser, DL3GBE, and Ronny Jerke, DG2RON. We have clearly shown how the board of directors envisions the future of amateur radio and have received a lot of positive feedback. We consider it a great success that so many members accepted our invitation, said DL3GBE, pleased with the positive response.



DARC chair Christian Entsfellner, DL3MBG, started with the question How secure is our future?. In the context of this presentation, the main focus was on looking at the changes in amateur radio over time, highlighting the problems and opportunities of digitization and working out the strategic goals for 2030+. The results of the IARU survey (SWOT analysis) on the strengths, weaknesses, risks and opportunities of amateur radio in Germany and the IARU were also presented by the IARU liaison officer Jorg Jahresig, DJ3HW. Together with DL3MBG, he compared the eight strategic goals of the IARU with the existing DARC statutes. You could already see that the DARC statutes already cover many aspects. With the help of concrete, practice-oriented examples, the strategic considerations could be filled with content and made tangible for the audience.



In the meantime, the participants exchanged their own experiences and ideas as well as the practice in the local chapters in the chat. In particular, the topics of recruiting young talent, maintaining members and public image / public relations were lively discussed. Members also talked about some interesting and promising approaches, such as more social media involvement and easier access to amateur radio. The newly introduced ham groups in particular - and thus the focus on other target groups - met with broad approval. From the participants z. B. a ham group "Maker" stimulated.



At the meetings, we are primarily concerned with intensifying communication with the members and enabling them to participate in the future planning of the DARC. We not only want to provide information about our work, but also work together on setting the course for the future, explains Christian Entsfellner, DL3MBG.



The numerous positive comments from the group of participants show how successful the evening was. In conclusion, many thanked for the work of the Board of Directors and praised its systematic analysis



Source DARC https://darc.de/
Thirty-four organizations in the Danbury area will receive $893,700 in state grants toward helping with pandemic-related recovery and supporting their community-serving work.

They are among the 624 museums and cultural, humanities and arts organizations across the state approved to receive $16 million in CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant money.

The grants are part of a $30.7 million support allocation to Connecticut Humanities  an independent nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities  over the next two years by the state General Assembly, with funding provided by the state Department of Economic and Community Developments Office of the Arts.

Danbury-area organizations were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 up to $266,200  the latter of which was received by the Ridgefield Playhouse.

Danbury

More than $76,000 in grant funding was awarded to six Danbury organizations, with the highest allocation of $25,300 going to the Danbury Music Centre at 256 Main St.

The Danbury Museum & Historical Society will receive a $19,700 grant, which executive director Brigid Guertin said will be critically useful in retaining the staff and programmatic endeavors of the museum during these difficult financial times.

Having the support of Danburys legislative team, working in partnership with our city museum, to bring these monies back to our community is very much appreciated, she said. The Danbury Museum Board of Trustees, volunteers and staff are so very grateful.

The citys other grant recipients are the Danbury Railway Museum ($11,600), Musicals at Richter ($8,600), the Society for Preservation & Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing ($5,900) and Richter Arts ($5,600).

New Fairfield

Preserve New Fairfield  a local volunteer group that works to preserve historic structures and artifacts in town  has been awarded a $5,700 grant, and the New Fairfield Historical Society is receiving a $5,100 grant.

The historical society plans to use its grant money to continue maintaining the Little Red Schoolhouse, provide educational opportunities, maintain historical photos and documents, and provide more events for residents.

COVID has deeply impacted our ability to hold events that support our mission, historical society member Karen Keeler wrote on the organizations Facebook page.

Sherman

The Jewish Community Center in Sherman was awarded a $10,200 grant, and The Sherman Playhouse will receive $8,100.

New Milford

New Milfords Sherman Chamber Ensemble is receiving a $9,800 grant, which executive director Liba Furhman said will go toward programming costs associated with the organizations concerts for the upcoming season.

Its our 40th anniversary year, she said, and were very grateful to Connecticut Humanities for supporting not only the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, but organizations across the state.

Bethel

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut will receive $6,700 to support the Bethel-based FilmFest52 organization and $5,500 for Bethel Jazz.

Circus Moves  a mobile circus arts education company on Greenwood Avenue  will receive $6,400, and the community-based volunteer group Bethel Arts will get $5,300 in funding.

Ridgefield

In addition to the $266,200 grant awarded to the Ridgefield Playhouse, the following 12 Ridgefield organizations will receive funding:

 Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum  $112,300

 ACT of CT  $106,800

 Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center  $42,900

 Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra  $22,600

 Ridgefield Theater Barn  $19,500

 Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra  $13,000

 Ridgefield Historical Society  $12,800

 Ridgefield Guild of Artists  $11,000

 Thrown Stone Theatre Company  $10,700

 The Ridgefield Chorale  $9,000

 Camerata DAmici  $6,200

 Town of Ridgefield  $5,100

Brookfield

The Brookfield Craft Center was awarded a $28,100 grant and the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts will receive $9,100. Both organizations are located on Whisconier Road in the towns historic district.

Newtown

The following five Newtown-based organizations will receive $73,000 in CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant funding:

 Edmond Town Hall  $39,400

 NewArts  $15,200

 Newtown Cultural Arts Commission  $7,400

 Newtown Historical Society  $6,000

 EverWonder Childrens Museum  $5,000

Redding

The Redding Historical Society on Lonetown Road will receive a $5,900 grant.
DANBURY  Facing staff absences and rising COVID-19 cases, teachers in the Danbury area joined others across the state on Wednesday to demand safer and healthier schools.

Educators wore black to call for improved mitigation strategies to prevent the spread of COVID and for districts to be given the flexibility to offer temporary remote learning.

Lets be honest, wearing black is really not going to change anything, said Erin Daly, a third-grade teacher at Pembroke Elementary School and the head of NEA Danbury, the teachers union. Its really to send a message to our governor and to let the public know these are the things we need to make our schools safe and make the school community safer, and continue to function and keep schools open.

A coalition unions representing more than 60,000 Connecticut public school employees organized the #Blackout4SafeSchools demonstration. Teachers in school local districts like Newtown and Brookfield participated, while others, such as New Fairfield, did not.

The demonstration came the day after the Connecticut Education Association, the largest union representing teachers in Danbury and across the state, released a survey indicating educators are concerned about school health and safety.

To keep students and staff safe, the Connecticut Education Association has developed a nine-point plan that includes access to COVID testing, requiring N95 masks, prohibiting the combining of classes due to staff shortages and other mitigation measures.

Remote learning?

For Danbury, a continued supply of N95 masks and the option to move to remote learning when needed are the most important, Daly said.

The governor has argued in-person learning is better for students academically and socially, declining to budge on state legislation that prevents remote learning days from counting as part of the required 180 school days.

This has been a particular problem for Danbury, where the schools closed two days in a row last week because there werent enough staff to keep the buildings open.

We had so many teachers out sick and so many kids out sick, said Tom Ross, an English teacher at Danbury High School and vice president of the union.

The teachers dont want to be on remote learning for an extended period, but they want schools to have the option in cases like last Thursday and Friday, when Danbury was forced to close due to staff shortages.

When you compare remote learning to no learning, the choice is pretty clear, Daly said. Remote learning is better than having a closed school.

Newtown High School teacher Trent Harrison said remote learning should be used on a limited basis to calm things down, but its not a long-term solution.

The children last year tried their best and the faculty tried their best, but it doesnt replace that in class, hands-on learning, added Harrison, head of the Newtown teachers union. And unfortunately, there are too many distractions at home.

New Fairfield Superintendent Pat Cosentino said she wants to keep students in school, but would appreciate if districts were permitted perhaps three remote days for staffing issues or COVID surges.

I wouldnt give carte blanche to whenever because I think its really important to have kids in school for their social-emotional well being and their academic well being, she said.

Wearing black

In Brookfield, teachers wore black to show solidarity for their colleagues across the state, Superintendent John Barile said.

New Fairfield teachers didnt participate. Cosentino said the union president told her they appreciated how administrators have communicated with them.

Daly said she saw 99 percent of staff members  from teachers, to nurses, to paraprofessionals, to secretaries, to tutors  wearing black.

Daly said administrators have listened to teachers concerns and worked collaboratively with them on most issues. Educators with COVID symptoms and exposures received test kits last week, with other kits available in the schools.

While teachers received one N95 mask each, they were promised four more, and its unclear who has the additional masks and when theyll be distributed, Daly said.

Although Newtown teachers have access to test kits and N95 masks, theyre worried about colleagues in the state who may not, Harrison said.

He said hed like to see weekly COVID testing of students and staff because many teachers are worried they may bring the virus home to their families but not have symptoms. Harrison said he often visits his 81-year-old mom and 84-year-old aunt.

I have to worry about Did I pick something up and take it to them? Harrison said.

Challenges in schools

School closures and delays in Danbury took students out of their routines, so teachers couldnt jump right in and start teaching our regular content, Daly said.

All teachers had to pause at the beginning of the week just to check in with their kids, she said.

Both students and staff are struggling due to the disruption and the surge, Ross said.

We all try to keep plugging away and stay up beat with our kids and keep the expectations high, and at the same time, make sure theyre doing all right emotionally because this is affecting them, he said.

In New Milford, absences have been felt perhaps most strongly among bus drivers throughout the year. All-Star Transportation is experiencing staffing shortages and daily call outs, Superintendent Alisha DiCorpo said in a Wednesday message to families.

This has led to last-minute bus cancellations. On Tuesday, the school district didnt have time to notify parents that an afternoon bus wouldnt run, she said.

In Danbury, staff have been pulled into different roles, although absences have declined this week, Daly said. There 296 staff members who were absent Jan. 3, and 322 employees were out Jan. 4, the superintendent has said.

Pretty much there has been at least one person on every grade level in my building that has had COVID in the past two weeks, Daly said.

Classroom teachers must pick up the slack for those who are out sick by making sure their lesson plans and classrooms are ready for whoever is filling in, she said.

Other employees filling in for classroom teachers cannot complete their regular duties, she said. Nor are they prepared to be classroom teachers.

You cant really put out quality instruction when youre covering a class youre not supposed to be covering, Daly said.

Some classes have needed to be combined and meet in the gymnasium or media center, preventing those spaces from being used as intended, she said.

Bethel hasnt been affected as severely by staff absences as Danbury, but saw a large increase in students and employees test positive for COVID-19 after the holiday break, Superintendent Christine Carver said. Student absences declined this week compared to last week, she said.

Employees have been able to fill in for their absent colleagues, Carver said. She said districts should only be permitted to consider remote learning if they cant safely staff their building.

But shed do everything she could to prevent Bethel from getting to that point.

I would go in and teach, Carver said. I told my principals that if they need me because Im that passionate. We know the effects that remote learning has had on kids, both academically and social emotionally. We cant go back to that place.
Bribing people with their own money is a standard technique of politics, and with a state election coming up, Connecticut's Democratic and Republican leaders are already at it.

Gov. Lamont, who will be nominated by the Democrats for a second term, says he is likely to propose increasing the property tax credit on the state income tax. The Republican minority in the state Senate proposes cutting sales taxes a little.

Both sides assume that these tax cuts are possible without cutting spending because state government is rolling in money at the moment, as a booming stock market has produced lots of capital-gains tax revenue and the federal government has bestowed on the state hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency epidemic aid. In recent days the governor has seemed eager to give away tens of millions as fast as he can, first with bonuses to recipients of the earned income tax credit, then to a job-training program, since so many young people graduate from Connecticut's high schools without job skills and without mastery of math and English.

While state government has a lot of cash in the bank at the moment, its bonded debt and unfunded pension obligations remain overwhelming, beyond $100 billion. This money is borrowed from the future. Tax cuts without spending cuts disregard this debt and will make it more burdensome.

But few politicians care about the future beyond the election in November. Indeed, Connecticut's political history suggests that whatever taxes are credited or cut to honor election promises will be reimposed when state government's financial position worsens. The tax credits and cuts under discussion may not last even two years.

Tax cuts built on spending cuts would be something else, a gift that might keep on giving. But in joining the governor in proposing tax cuts without spending cuts, even the Republicans are declaring that no efficiencies in state government can be found and that there is nothing in state government spending even worth auditing  not in education policy, though social promotion produces ignoramuses; not in welfare policy, though it produces dependence instead of self-sufficiency; and not in urban policy, though living conditions in the cities have been declining for more than 50 years.

Last week, an arbiter of state government employee union contracts ruled that state employees have the right to challenge in arbitration any order that they must work in their office more than one day per week, rather than from home most of the time. This ruling was another diminishing of management in state government, completely contrary to the public interest and sure to impair efficiency and accountability.

But the arbiter's ruling passed without comment from Democrats and Republicans alike at the state Capitol, where serving the government employee unions comes far ahead of serving the public.

The Capitol crew is confident that most people will never notice that any tax relief they get will be brief and financed by money already taken from them.

Trump or victory?

The prodigy of Connecticut politics, state Sen. Will Haskell, D-Westport, who was elected in 2018 at age 22, defeating a long-time Republican incumbent, and re-elected in 2020, announced last week that he won't run again but instead will go to law school.

Haskell bravely has advocated imposing highway tolls and raising gas taxes, so he might have been vulnerable this year. While he would not have been elected twice if he was not a good campaigner, he also probably would not have been elected either time without the taint brought to the Republicans by then-President Donald Trump, whose demeanor has especially alienated voters in Fairfield County suburbs that ordinarily lean Republican.

Haskell's retirement presents a great opportunity for Republicans to recover his seat, as they recovered the Greenwich-Stamford Senate seat in a special election last year after Democratic Sen. Alex Kasser resigned. But Democrats in Connecticut will keep running against Trump this year and will try to tie him to all Republican candidates. That strategy has worked well twice and might work again.

So how will Connecticut Republicans choose  for Trump or a chance to win?

Chris Powell is a columnist for the Journal Inquirer in Manchester.
Ham radio station in Antarctica back on QO-100 AMSAT-DL report the new antennas for the QO-100 geostationary satellite transponders have arrived in Antarctica and the DP0GVN ground station is now back on the air



On December 29, 2021, our new QO-100 SatCom ground station antenna for DP0GVN arrived intact in Antarctica at Neumayer Station III, and as of January 9, 2022, DP0GVN is again reachable via QO-100. This should continue to ensure future radio operations for the upcoming 2022/2023 wintering crew after the old antenna was rendered unusable by an exceptionally strong storm in August 2021.



Since the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 over-wintering team, radio contacts with Antarctica via the first amateur geostationary radio satellite Qatar-OSCAR 100 / QO-100 (Eshail-2) enjoy the greatest popularity. AMSAT-DL provided the appropriate radio equipment for DP0GVN at Neumayer Station III, covering all costs for setup and provision of the required radio equipment and antenna.



We would like to take this opportunity to thank our members and friends of AMSAT who have made this possible through their membership fees and donations. Also, this would not have been possible without our team of volunteers. Please continue to support our charitable work through your membership or donations.



While amateur radio operations mostly take place during free time, contacts with schools have also been arranged on a regular basis. Similar to ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station), such contacts in Antarctica are also something very special for the students. This will certainly also arouse interest in scientific or technical professions and, last but not least, amateur radio.



Read the full story at

https://amsat-dl.org/en/new-qo-100-satellite-antenna-for-dp0gvn/
Kiran Sidhu, Halo's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Nootropic nutraceuticals is a relatively new health category that we believe is poised for robust growth. Our strategic acquisition of H2C Beverages will bolster Halo's growth opportunities, even as the recreational cannabis industry faces over-supply issues in our California and Oregon markets. Elegance Brands is the perfect partner to manage and distribute H2C and our functional mushroom brand Hushrooms to mainstream consumers."

Added Raj Beri, Elegance's CEO and Founder, "Elegance has successfully established a distribution network with a potential reach to tens of thousands of outlets nationwide that uniquely positions for the significant growth expected in the beverages and functional mushroom markets. We believe that Halo's innovative line of products will be strong sellers alongside our portfolio of brands all built around innovation, and we are excited to offer them to our expanding distribution customers."

Acquisition of H2C Beverages

Halo has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 1285826 B.C. Ltd. (dba H2C Beverages), a company focused on cannabinoids and non-psychotropic mushroom functional beverages (the "H2C Acquisition"). The H2C Acquisition is expected to provide Halo with a toehold in one of the fastest growing sectors of the cannabidiol market, estimated to account for $16 billion in U.S. sales by 2025, according to Brightfield Research1, as well as to directly participate in rising consumer consciousness toward the health benefits of consuming small doses of cannabinoids and functional mushroom extracts paired with adaptogens. H2C's product portfolio includes a line of premium flavored waters that are nano emulsified to maximize absorption and other plant-based beverages infused with cannabinoids, functional mushroom extracts with fulvic and humic minerals from the Rocky Mountains.

In consideration for all the issued and outstanding shares of H2C, Halo has agreed to issue 7,538,462 common shares in the capital of Halo ("Common Shares"). Closing of the H2C Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including, among others, the approval of the Neo Exchange Inc. (the "NEO"). The Company expects the H2C Acquisition to close in January 2022. Halo has also agreed to issue 603,077 Common Shares to an arm's length finder in connection with the H2C Acquisition.

Distribution and Manufacturing Agreement with Elegance Brands

Halo has also expanded its collaborative relationship with Elegance by entering into the Distribution Agreement to propel the national distribution of beverages, capsules, and topical supplements under H2C and Halo's functional mushroom brand, Hushrooms. This new category of functional supplements, nootropic nutraceuticals, will be marketed under three subcategories: active, relax and focus.

Under the Distribution Agreement, Elegance has agreed to purchase $30 million of H2C and Hushrooms branded products during the 24-month Launch Period and to distribute these products to retail outlets in respective legal states across the United States. Elegance shall purchase the products at a price of up to 130% of manufactured costs (including all direct costs, both third party and internal) incurred by the Company. All prices are exclusive of applicable taxes, including without limitation, sales, excise, use and property taxes, which shall be paid by Elegance. The Distribution Agreement is expected to deliver up to $9 million of profit (before tax) during the 24-month Launch Period.

During the period from the effective date of the Distribution Agreement until the Launch Period, which is expected to last up to six months, Elegance will provide certain consulting services to Halo including with respect to the development of branding, marketing, and manufacturing best practices, product development, and sales strategies through to launch. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, Halo has agreed to issue $2.5 million of Common Shares (the "Elegance Shares") to Elegance in consideration for the consulting services to be provided by Elegance in connection with the branding, development, manufacturing, and distribution of the H2C and Hushrooms product lines. The Elegance Shares will be issuable in four equal monthly tranches of $625,000 per tranche. The number of Elegance Shares to be issuable under each tranche will be equal to the quotient of $625,000 (converted into Canadian dollars using the prevailing Bank of Canada exchange rate), divided by the greater of: (i) the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the NEO (or such other exchange on which the Common Shares are principally traded) for the twenty (20) trading days prior to the issuance of such Elegance Shares; and (ii) the minimum price permitted by the NEO. The issuance of such Elegance Shares is subject to, among other things, the approval of the NEO.

About Halo Collective Inc.

Halo is a leading, vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, extracts, manufactures, and distributes quality cannabis flower, oils, and concentrates and has sold approximately eleven million grams of oils and concentrates since inception. The Company continues to expand its business and scale efficiently, partnering with trustworthy leaders in the industry who value Halo's operational expertise in bringing top-tier products to market.

Halo currently operates in the United States in Oregon and California. The Company sells cannabis products principally to dispensaries in the U.S. under its brands Hush, Mojave, and Exhale, and under license agreements with Papa's Herb, DNA Genetics, Terphogz, and FlowerShop*, a cannabis lifestyle and conceptual wellness brand that includes G-Eazy as a partner and key member.

As part of continued expansion and vertical integration in the U.S., Halo boasts several grow operations throughout Oregon and two planned in California. In Oregon, the Company has a combined 11 acres of owned and contracted outdoor and green house cultivation, including East Evans Creek, a six-acre grow site in Jackson County with four licenses owned and operated by Halo and two third-party licenses under contract to sell all of their product to Halo; Winberry Farms, a one-acre grow site located 30 miles outside of Eugene in Lane County with a license owned and operated by Halo; and William's Wonder Farms, a three-acre grow site in Applegate Valley, under contract to sell all of its product to Halo pending the closing of Halo's acquisition of its licenses and business assets. Halo has recently acquired Food Concepts LLC, a master tenant of a 55,000 square foot indoor cannabis cultivation, processing, and wholesaling facility in Portland, Oregon operated by the Pistil Point entities.

In California, the Company is building out Ukiah Ventures, a planned 30,000 square foot indoor cannabis grow and processing facility, which aims to include up to an additional five acres of industrial land to expand the site. Recently, Halo partnered with Green Matter in California to purchase the Farm in Lake County, developing up to 63 acres of cultivation, comprising one of the largest licensed single site grows in California. Halo also plans to expand its operations in California by opening three dispensaries under the Budega brand in North Hollywood, Hollywood, and Westwood.

In Canada, Halo acquired three KushBar retail cannabis stores located in Alberta as a first in its planned entry into the Canadian market, leveraging its Oregon and California brands. With the KushBar retail stores as a foundation, the Company plans to expand its foothold in Canada.

Halo has also acquired a range of software development assets, including CannPOS, Cannalift, and, more recently, CannaFeels. In addition, Halo owns the discrete sublingual dosing technology, Accudab. The Company intends to spin-off these assets and its intellectual property and patent applications into its subsidiary Halo Tek Inc. and expects to complete a distribution to shareholders on a record date to be determined by Halo.

Halo recently completed the sale of certain of its non-U.S. operations to Akanda Corp., whose mission is to provide high-quality and ethically sourced medical cannabis products to patients worldwide. As an independent company, Akanda is seeking to deliver on this promise while driving positive change in wellness, empowering individuals in Lesotho, and uplifting the quality of the lives of employees and the local communities where it operates, all while limiting its carbon footprint. Akanda combines the scaled production capabilities of Bophelo Bioscience & Wellness Pty. Ltd., a Lesotho-based cultivation and processing campus located in the world's first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) containing a cannabis cultivation operation, with distribution and route-to-market efficiency of CanMart Ltd., UK-based fully approved pharmaceutical importer, and distributor that supplies pharmacies and clinics within the UK. With a potential maximum licensed canopy area of 200 hectares (495 acres), Bophelo has scalability that is arguably unmatched in the world today. Following the sale, Halo is Akanda's largest shareholder.

For further information regarding Halo, see Halo's disclosure documents on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Connect with Halo Collective: Email | Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

About H2C Beverages Inc.

H2C Beverages Inc. is a brand that specializes in non-psychoactive cannabinoids and functional mushroom beverages by fusing the holistic benefits of adaptogens in a refreshing drink. H2C sources its water from fresh rocky mountain sources and infuses it into proprietary formulations using purified nanonized non-psychoactive cannabinoids and functional mushrooms. Learn more at www.h2crevolution.com.

About Elegance Brands Inc.

Elegance Brands, Inc. is a global beverage company that develops, markets, and distributes products with a focus on innovation. In addition to its flagship brand, SWAY Energy + Immunity Drink, Elegance offers a range of functional beverages, plus super-premium spirits and alcohol brands, including Elegance Vodka across a network of best-in-class distributors in the U.S. as well as direct to consumer via its various brands' websites. For more information about the Elegance story, visit www.elegance-brands.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements [NTD: To be updated once finalized]

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only Halo's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Halo's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results including, but not limited to the expected benefits of the H2C Acquisition and the Distribution Agreement, the expected closing of the H2C Acquisition, the expected growth of the nootropic nutraceutical market, the distribution of the Company's proposed H2C and Hushrooms branded products and the anticipated profit therefrom, management's plans regarding its portfolio of cannabis businesses, the Company's expansion plans regarding Canada, the expected size and capabilities of the final facility planned at Ukiah Ventures, the size of Halo's planned cultivation facility in Northern California, and the ability of Bophelo and Canmart to serve the UK market and the proposed spin-off by Halo Tek Inc.

By identifying such information and statements in this manner, Halo is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Halo has made certain assumptions. Although Halo believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Among others, the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements are the following: inability of management to successfully integrate the operations of acquired businesses, changes in the consumer market for cannabis products, changes in the expected outcomes of the proposed changes to Halo's operations, delays in obtaining required licenses or approvals necessary for the build-out of Oregon operations, dispensaries or Canadian operations, the proposed spin-out with Halo Tek Inc., delays or unforeseen costs incurred in connection with construction, the ability of competitors to scale operations in Northern California, delays or unforeseen difficulties in connection with the cultivation and harvest of Halo's raw material, changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; and the other risks disclosed in the Company's annual information form dated March 31, 2021 and other disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Halo does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to Halo or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.

Non-Solicitation

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

SOURCE Halo Collective Inc.

For further information: Contact Information, Halo Collective Inc., Investor Relations, [email protected], www.haloco.com/investors
COVID-19 pressed the gas pedal on the job market. As a result, the most sought-after skills, the most in-demand jobs, and the most rewarding jobs of the past are no longer necessarily today

MONTREAL, Jan. 12, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Randstad Canada, a leader in the HR services industry  has released its annual career forecast for 2022. While the goal of this past year has been to get Canadian businesses back up and running to full capacity, the impacts of Covid-19 on the Canadian economy and workforces have created some permanent changes that are here to stay. Randstad Canada has focused its career forecast for 2022 on three key areas: the most in-demand skills, the top 10 remote roles and the highest paying roles for 2022. The lists reflect the changes Canadians have experienced in their professional and personal worlds since March 2021.

"Adaptability, efficiency and responsiveness are the key themes that will permeate throughout 2022 and will be important for organizations to adopt if they want to stand out from their competitors and retain their competing edge", said Patrick Poulin, Group President, Randstad Canada. "Again, this year, we anticipate that the job seekers will be spoilt for choice if they have the skills so sought after by employers".

Supply chain issues continue to have a negative ricochet effect on goods and services. Companies have been forced to become more efficient and reevaluate their business models, keeping a closer eye on bottom lines and their spending habits. Skills such as budgeting, accounting and quality control have become of paramount importance to running a successful organization.

The most in-demands skills for 2022

Job markets are always evolving, but the COVID-19 pandemic pressed the gas pedal on many of those changes. As a result, employers are looking for candidates with both hard and soft skills that weren't as relevant prior to 2020. But the coronavirus isn't the only change agent impacting employer priorities. Economic pressures, evolving customer preferences, highly competitive markets and regulatory requirements also play a core role in the shift we're seeing.

The most in demand skills in 2022:

1. Customer service 6. Budgeting 2. Scheduling 7. Project management 3. Sales 8. Quality control 4. Cleaning 9. Administrative support 5. Repair 10. Accounting

While last year, retail workers and cashiers were in high demand, customer service is now more important than ever for businesses. Consumers have plentiful options  online and off  and if they have just a single bad experience with a brand, they're likely to go elsewhere. This is why job seekers with customer service and administrative support skills will have no difficulty finding a job in 2022.

Scheduling is a new role added to this year's list due to the need for businesses to address safety and wellness factors. Companies need to adhere to health regulations and ensure that their work environment is safe and they're turning to intelligent scheduling software and other solutions to ensure an even, distanced flow of people while also serving everyone.

"Initially, organizations were focused on making sure their workforce had the technology and security they needed to remain operational, now the focus is on the long-term need to push sales, provide best in class customer service, provide a safe environment for their employees and customers and effectively manage their budgets. As a result, customer service representatives, salespeople, scheduling and budgeting specialists and accounting positions will be among the most sought-after professionals in the years ahead," Poulin adds. "From an employee perspective, this provides Canadians with the opportunity to level up, refine and repurpose skills that they may have used in previous roles."

Work from home no longer an optional perk: The top 10 remote work roles

Canadians have now adapted to and expect certain flexibility from their employers. For some, working from home has become their permanent reality, while others have adopted a more hybrid approach of going into their place of work a few days a week and working from home the rest.

"Before the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work and flexible hybrid approaches tended to be perks employers included to sweeten job offers or make up for salaries that didn't quite compete in the market. But the pandemic changed how everyone looks at remote jobs," says Poulin. "We've seen that companies can make these environments work. During the pandemic, businesses poured resources into developing processes and systems to enable and enhance remote work. Workers and business leaders alike want the ability to work from home to stay in some capacity."

For jobseekers who want to continue working from the comfort and safety of home, the top 10 remote work roles to look for in 2022 demand a range of different skill sets, from sales and marketing to software development, call centre representatives, IT and administrative support, project management and accounting.

The top 10 remote work roles in 2022:









1. Call centre representative 6. Social media manager 2. Senior software developer 7. Data analyst 3. Accountant 8. Project manager 4. Bookkeeper 9. Administrative assistant 5. Digital marketer 10. IT support

Digital marketing and social media management continue to be of utmost importance to businesses. The ability to attract foot traffic slowed to a crawl (or disappeared completely) for many businesses during the height of the pandemic, forcing businesses without a strong digital presence to learn to compete online. Even after things begin to open, online marketing plays a critical role in the success of all types of businesses.

"While companies continue to adapt to working remotely and invest in tools such as Microsoft Teams to enhance communication for employees working outside of the office, it's easy to see how so many of the roles such as software developers, call centre representatives, project managers, and data analysts are transitioning to a remote or work from home setting," Poulin says. Employers need to continue to put serious thought and effort into ensuring their employees have the tools and support they need to authentically connect with their colleagues and work from home effectively and efficiently," says Poulin.

Show me the money: the top 10 highest paying jobs

This year Randstad added a new and exciting category to their report. A recent Randstad study indicated that almost half of Canadians are considering leaving their job to find a new opportunity (impart to "the Great Resignation"), you can be sure that a higher salary will be on many job seekers wish lists. Salaries are trending up across numerous industries due to factors such as skills shortages, rapid growth following openings after the COVID-19 shutdowns and now more than ever, confident job seekers that aren't afraid to negotiate for better pay.

The highest paying jobs in Canada in 2022:

1. Software developer & engineers 6. Business development 2. Financial controller 7. Cloud architect 3. Plant manager 8. IT operations manager 4. Applications programming manager 9. Electrical engineer 5. Marketing director 10. Construction project manager

"With so many organizations relying on cloud computing systems software and seamless IT integrations to help run their businesses remotely, it's no surprise that there is a great need for technology-based roles like cloud architects, IT operations managers, application program managers and software developers and software engineers," says Poulin. "This demand will only continue to grow in the future, my advice to young Canadians searching for a meaningful and profitable career path would be to pursue technology focused jobs".

Pressures on the housing market and a need for different types of business structures means high demand for construction project managers. Canada is facing a general STEM shortage which often drives higher compensation for technical jobs like electrical engineering and management focused jobs like plant manager.

About Randstad Canada

Randstad Canada is a leader in the HR services industry and specializes in flexible work solutions. As a trusted partner in the digital world of talent, we combine the expertise and passion of our people with the most innovative HR technologies to support talent and organizations in realizing their true potential.

SOURCE Randstad Interim Inc. dba Randstad Canada.

For further information: or to book an interview with Patrick Poulin, please contact: In Quebec, Patricia Archambault, [email protected]; In Center and Western Canada, Karen Nussbaum; [email protected]
New Delhi and Beijing have been engaged in holding talks on the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Ladakh area to resolve the standoff.

The 14th round of Senior Highest Military Commander Level (SHMCL) talks between India and China will take place today (January 12) at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point, on the Chinese side at 09:30 AM (IST). The Indian side is looking forward to constructive dialogue for resolving the remaining friction areas, said Indian Army officials.

New Delhi and Beijing have been engaged in holding talks on the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Ladakh area to resolve the standoff. So far, 13 rounds of talks have been held. Both sides are looking at the resolution of the Hot Springs friction point which emerged after the Chinese aggression last year. The friction points on the banks of the Pangong lake and Gogra heights have been resolved. However, Hot Springs needs to be addressed, the sources said.

India has also been demanding the resolution of the DBO area and CNN junction area which have been there before the April-May timeframe last year and are considered to be legacy issues. India responded very aggressively to Chinese aggression and checked their actions at multiple locations. The 2020 Galwan clash also took place in June there in which both sides suffered casualties.

While working towards establishing peace in the area New Delhi has also maintained a high level of preparedness to thwart any misadventure by the enemy troops. Rapid developments have been made in terms of roads and habitats for troops. Sources estimated that India can easily manage over 2 lakh soldiers in the area in extreme winters in case such a large number of troops are required to be there.
As per sources, the caller from Canada stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy will also be halted on January 26 and warned of the repercussions.

Few minutes before the key hearing on Prime Minister Narendra Modis security breach began on Wednesday, Supreme Court attorneys got yet another threat call, this time from Ontario, Canada. The call included a pre-recorded message warning them not to appear on behalf of the Central Government. Notably, this was the third such call to attorneys. As per sources, the caller from Canada stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modis convoy will also be halted on January 26 and warned of the repercussions.

During todays hearing, the Supreme Court formed a four-member committee led by Justice (ret.) Indu Malhotra to probe security failures in Punjab involving the Prime Minister. PM Modis convoy was exposed for 20 minutes on a flyover in Hussainwala on Wednesday (January 5) as protestors blocked the road to Ferozpur, where he planned to launch projects and attend a combined political rally. Earlier on Monday, many lawyers got an anonymous automated pre-recorded call from +447418365564, one at 10.40 a.m. and another at 12.36 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA) has written to the Supreme Court Secretary-General in response to the anonymous phone calls. According to the letters content, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) claimed responsibility for obstructing PM Modis cavalcade at the Hussaininwala bridge in Punjab. The caller advised the Supreme Court justices not to consider the PIL filed by the NGO Lawyers Voice requesting an investigation into the security breach, citing the Supreme Courts inability to prosecute the perpetrators of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

In addition, Deepak Prakash, a Supreme Court counsel on record, wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, claiming that there was an attempt to instill panic in the advocate community by bringing up the PM security breach issue.
The SC bench while setting up the independent Committee said such an issue of relating to breach of security of Prime Minister cannot be decided by "one-sided inquiry" of Centre or the State government and it has to be by a "judicially trained mind."

The Supreme Court on Wednesday set up a committee headed by a retired top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra to probe into the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modis Punjab visit on January 5. A bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli while setting up the independent Committee said such an issue of relating to breach of security of Prime Minister cannot be decided by one-sided inquiry of Centre or the State government and it has to be by a judicially trained mind. The other members of the Committee are the Director-General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or his nominee not below the rank of IG, DGP Union Territory of Chandigarh, ADGP of Punjab (Security) and Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The Bench said the Committee will inquire into causes of the security breach, persons responsible for the breach and the future measures to be taken for preventing such security breaches of VVIPs. The top court asked the Committee to submit a report at the earliest. It also asked the Registrar General of the High Court to submit all records and documents collected by him on orders of the apex court to the inquiry panel.

The five-member committee will inquire into the issue of breach of PM Mondis security and the Court stayed all existing inquiries into the matter. We are of the considered opinion that this cant be left to one-sided inquiries. A judicially trained independent mind assisted by officers, well acquainted with security considerations, and High Court Register Gener, who seized records on our orders, would inquire into the incident, the Bench said.

The top courts order came on a PIL seeking a judicial probe into the breach of the Prime Ministers security while on a visit to Punjab. The apex court, earlier on Monday, while hearing a plea over the Prime Ministers security lapse issue had decided to constitute an independent committee headed by a retired top court judge to investigate the matter.

The plea in the top court was filed by Lawyers Voice alleging that PMs security breach was a deliberate lapse on part of the State and sought the preservation of evidence on security arrangements and action against erring officials of the Punjab government. It also sought direction from the district judge, Bhatinda to collect all official documents and materials from all possible sources pertaining to the movements and deployment of Punjab Police in connection with the visit at the earliest and produce the same before this court.

Issue a writ of mandamus or any other writ, order or direction fixing responsibility of Respondent No. 2 (chief secretary) and Respondent No.3 (DGP) and place them under suspension and further direct the Respondent No. 4 (Centre) to initiate departmental action against the same, it added.

The Prime Minister was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozpur, Punjab earlier this month due to the road being blocked by some protesters. The Ministry of Home Affairs termed it as a major lapse in his security.
The worldhas produced fewer instances of truly great judges, than he was of a great man inalmost every other department of civil life.

by Anwar A. Khan

Syed MahbubMurshed (11 January 1911  3 April 1979) was a Bangladeshs giant star lawyer and jurist. He served as the Chief Justice of the-then East Pakistan High Court during 19641967.

This year, on January 11, will be his112th birth anniversary. He was an eminent jurist and one of the greatest constitutional lawyers of the Southeast Asia. What a good man. Sometimes, when one person is absent, the whole world seems depopulated. - Allphonse de Lamartine

Between law and politics, his first love was law. His passing away will be very sadly missed, in and out of courts. But his struggle for justice will continue because he has led the way to fearless struggle towards the path of truth and fairness in justice.

Nothing is so strong as gentlenessand nothing is so gentle as real strength.ChiefJustice SM Murshed dedicated his life to love and to justice between fellow human beings. Poet Aeschylusonce wrote:

Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget

falls drop by drop upon the heart,

until, in our own despair,

against our will,

comes wisdom

through the awful grace of a just man.

The worldhas produced fewer instances of truly great judges, than he was of a great man inalmost every other department of civil life.

His life was one of the many versions of the Bengalis dream.Love and death are the two uninvited guests, when they will come nobody knows. But both do the same work, one takes heart and the other takes its beats- Joseph Buluran

For less than 70 years of his life could not defend him anymore. Though death has separated him from us, Justice Murshed are together with us by the eternal love and by all those treasured memories we dearly hold of him.

Life has not been that easy after he left us. Our days have become the gloomiest ever and nights have been the scariest of all. Our flowers do not bloom these days and our sun barely disperses its rays. Only the wind jolts, to and forth. Nothing breaks the heart like the void in our lives. But our fate was destined to walk through these sorrows and thrones on the way. All we could do now is to accept this law of nature and move on. We miss him every day.

Reminiscing him living a peaceful life, I have understood the power of positivity and kindness. He has taught us that life is all about learning and exploring the dimensions of conscience.

Someone rightly said, Those we love dont go away/They walk beside us every day/Unseen, unheard, but always near, /Still loved, still missed and very dear. I think of him in the same way. I remember these lines from Baz Luhrmanns song too, Get to know your parents, you never know when they will be gone for good.

Life is unpredictable, cherish the things that we own today. He has always exuded high standard of professionalism in his legal career and maintained an exemplary decorum and remarkable modesty in court.

Murshed has always shown high respect to the bench. His immense contribution to the development of the law in Pakistan times in Bangladesh is undisputable and his never-ending quest for justice will be eternally remembered and will continue to inspire legal practitioners.

Judiciary has lost a political figure who coloured the nation's political history, in line with the practice of parliamentary democracy.

Murshed was born to his parents Syed AbdusSalek, a member of the Bengal Civil Service and Afzalunnessa Begum, a sister of Sher-e-Bangla A. K. FazlulHuq, a giant politician of the Indian sub-continent.

Murshed obtained his bachelors in economics from Presidency College, Kolkata in 1931, masters from Kolkata University in 1932, and L.L.B degree in 1933. In 1939, he became a barrister from Lincoln's Inn in London.

He became a member of the Kolkata High Court Bar in 1934. Returning from England in 1939, he started practicing as a senior advocate of the Federal Court of India. In 1951, he migrated to the-then East Pakistan and joined the Dhaka High Court Bar in 1951. He was elevated to a judge of the Dhaka High Court bench in 1955. He served as an ad hoc judge of the Pakistan Supreme Court during 19621963. He was appointed Chief Justice of East Pakistan High Court in May 1964.He resigned from the position in November 1967, because of his truehearted difference of opinion with former Pakistans military ruler presidentAyub Khan.

According to the former Chief Justice of Bangladesh Latifur Rahman, some of the notable judgments delivered by Murshed was Abdul Haque's case, the Pan case, the Basic Democracies case and the case of Lt Colonel GL Bhattacharya. Murshed joined the mass movement against Ayub in late 1968. A contemporary report in Time magazine stated, The opposition cause was also boosted by widely respected Syed MahbubMurshed, former Chief Justice of the East Pakistan High Court, who told the nation that We are not destined to perish in ignominy if we put up a determined and united resistance to evil.

During the Bengal famine of 1943 and later during the communal riots of 1946, Murshed worked with the welfare organization AnjumanMufidul Islam.

Murshed was married to Lyla ArzumandBanu, a daughter of Mohammed Zakariah, an Indian Nationalist and Mayor of Kolkata in 1939. Together they had three sons  Syed MarghubMurshed, a former civil servant (CSP), Syed MamnunMurshed, an academic and diplomat, and Syed MansoodMurshed, an educationalist, and one daughter, SyedaShaidaMurshed.

In 1990, Government of Bangladesh released a stamp commemorating Justice Murshed.

Justice Murshed is a living history. We can only reason by saying about him the same passage he said about his maternal uncle the Sher-a-Bangla AK FazlulHuq, "In life and in death, he was a king without the trappings of a monarch, for he had built an empire in the hearts of his fellowmen.

A luminary in the judicial field in south Asia and a respected figure in the political arena Justice Murshed has been described by intellectuals as a Keeper of National Conscience.

Noteworthy to state that Syed MahoobMurshed was the first Muslim Chief Justice of this subcontinent and is considered as a prominent thinker, patron to instate rule of law and spearhead of human rights movement in Bangladesh

He was kind. He was loving. He was deeply caring. Justice Murshed was about the kind of man he was, "a wonderful person."

He was altogether improvisatory about it right down to the last, open to the leading from God that he wouldand people receive in the very events he lived through, and in that, he marked out a way for us too, as individuals and for those parishioners in the parish.

Let eulogy pass to elegy in the prayer of Justice SM Murshed:

Let nothing disturb you,

Nothing affrights you.

All things pass,

equitably is unchanging.

Patience obtains all:

Whoever has morality

Needs nothing else.

morals alone suffice.

He was of that special and rare breed of men who commanded respect for his leadership and courage in the values and causes he stood and fought for.He will be very much missed by Bangladeshs people.

We have lost an indefatigable fighter for justice; the legendary SM Murshed.The nation has lost one of her most dedicated servants. The people have lost a selfless, courageous and noble defender of their fundamental liberties.

The legal fraternity has lost one of its sharpest minds and we have lost a true friend kind in words, noble in deed.

He was larger than life: a man who never took a backward step whatever the cost to him personally. His life reflected the modernjudicatory of Bangladesh and the events that have shaped it as a nation since Independence for 50 years ago. Murshed was very much an integral part of that history. He was every bit the Tiger of Judiciary.

The country has lost an exemplary and courageous son. A giant in court, never once flinching in his belief in the principles of democracy, justice and the rule of law which had been costly to his person and career, and yet he stood firm.

He will take his place in history as one of the finest patriots that this country has ever met.

He has been a voice for the oppressed and he was fearless in his defence for truth, justice, fairness and equality. His reflections and actions will continue to be remembered as a legacy for nation-building. Inuit Legends words are significant here:

Perhaps they are not the stars,

But rather openings in heaven where

The love of our lost ones pours through

And shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

His death is not the extinguishing of a light, but the putting out of the lamp, because the dawn has come. Life is given to us; we earn it by giving it. Let the dead have the immortality of fame,but the living the immortality of love. Life's errors cry for the merciful beauty that can modulate their isolation into a harmony with the whole. Life, like a child, laughs, shaking its rattle of death as it runs.  Rabi Thakur.

At the rising of the sun and at its going down, we remember him.At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of Winter, we remember him.At the opening of buds and in the rebirth of Spring,we remember him.At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of Summer, we remember him. At the rustling of leaves and the beauty of Autumn, we remember him. At the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember him.

As long as we live, he too will live; for he is now a part of us, as we remember him.When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember him. When we have joys, we yearn to share,we remember him. When we have decisions that are difficult to make, we remember him.When we have achievements that are based on his, we remember him.

His ideals have reminded us that his was the original Bengali hollering  passionate, formidable and indomitable.Above all, Justice Murshed was a fighter. In crises, when all seemed hopeless, he was ferocious, endlessly resourceful, firm in his resolve, and steadfast in advancing his cause.

I borrow some towering words of Barrister M Tamijuddin Ahmed about Justice Murshed, When our country was under Pakistan rule, when those who governed our country from a thousand miles away were determined to impose their culture upon us and erase ours, it was Murshed from the Bengali intellectuals who stood up to fight for our age-old traditions and cultural identity.

It will always be remembered that in 1961, he was one of those who organised the Tagore centennial celebrations and this was in defiance of the then Pakistani rulers. When the great tide of nationalism which swept the country in the 1970s, originated from ripples that were noticeable in the fifties and sixties the distinguished person who figured prominently in this process was Murshed. The stirrings of a nation in the making in the late 1950s and 60s found eloquent expression and these were reflected in the manifold speeches, judgments' and writing of Justice Murshed. He became among the most articulate spokesmen of Bengali nationalism.

Death is not an occasion for sorrow but rejoice, and judging by SM Mursheds deeds, yes RIP is appropriate... but Blessing is anyone should ask for:

Death is an ending to the son of

The earth, but to the soul is

The start, the triumph of life

Rejoice! The Faithful do not die; they become translated from this perishable world to the world of eternal existence.

The grave is the first stage of the journey into eternity. A fervent wish for Blessings to this good Man, and leader of courage and tenacity.

His legacy will certainly live on.Through the example of his life, he has now passed it on to us. May we find ourselves worthy of that precious and extraordinary gift, as long as our lives endure. May grace now lead Murshed home. May God continue to shed His grace on Justice SM Murshed.It is perhaps appropriate that today the heavens opened and cried for him.Be in peace, wherever he is. And we love him so much!

-The End 

The writer is an independent political analyst based in Dhaka, Bangladesh who writes on politics, political and human-centred figures, current and international affairs
North Korea claimed to have successfully conducted a hypersonic missile test on January 5, 2022, whereas a form of armament was initially tested in September of 2021.

North Korea successfully performed a hypersonic missile test in the presence of Kim Jong-Un, the countrys supreme commander and head of the Central Military Commission on Tuesday. The missile, according to the state news agency KCNA, was fired on January 11 and precisely struck a target 1,000 kilometers away, according to BBC. This is North Koreas third hypersonic missile test, which may travel faster than ballistic missiles and remain undiscovered for extended periods of time.

Officials in South Korea and Japan had identified the suspected launch, drawing condemnation from Washington and Tokyo. Furthermore, North Korea claimed to have successfully conducted a hypersonic missile test on January 5, 2022, whereas a form of armament was initially tested in September of 2021.

Since last fall, North Korea has increased its nuclear tests in what many believe is an attempt to put greater pressure on rivals Washington and Seoul to recognize it as a nuclear state in exchange for respite from economic sanctions. According to the KCNA, Kim commended the achievements of his military scientists and officials engaged in creating the hypersonic missile system, which he regarded as the most important aspect of a new five-year plan to strengthen the Norths military power launched in early 2021.

The new missile is being developed as part of its strategic weaponry, suggesting that it would be used to deliver nuclear bombs. Because of their speed and mobility, hypersonic weapons, which travel at speeds more than Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, might represent a significant threat to missile defense systems. Multi-warhead missiles, spy satellites, solid-fuel long-range missiles, and submarine-launched nuclear missiles were all on Kims wish list of advanced military assets released early last year.

President Moon Jae-in voiced concern on Tuesday over North Koreas frequent missile launches ahead of the March presidential election in South Korea, ordering authorities to devise steps to ensure no more strain in inter-Korean relations. North Koreas latest launch was also criticized by the White House, which encouraged the North to engage in talks.
3 1 of 3 Ginny Apple / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Paul Fusco / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





FALLS VILLAGE  The Mighty Moose Of Connecticut With Master Wildlife Conservationist Ginny Apple will be presented on Zoom at the David M. Hunt Library, at 2 p.m. Jan. 22.

Apple, a Master Wildlife Conservationist with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, will discuss this mighty beasts lifecycle and habitat, share photos and artifacts, and answer questions.
Move over hamburger history, its time to talk about New Haven and hot dogs.

For a long time, New Haven has proudly proclaimed itself the birthplace of the hamburger. However, last January this column raised serious questions about the legitimacy of the claim that Louis Lunch served the first hamburger sandwich at the turn of the century. Soon afterward, a dedicated reader directed us to a newspaper account with definitive proof of hamburgers being served outside of Connecticut several years prior.

But fans of unhealthy meats and Connecticut history shouldnt despair. It appears New Haven played an important early role in hot dog history, or at least in the etymology of the famous food.

Hot dogs are sausages, which have been eaten for thousands of years. In the late 18th and early 19th century, German immigrants brought their love of sausages to the U.S. Two varieties  wieners (Vienna sausages) and frankfurters (franks)  ultimately were dubbed hot dogs.

Though the first time the term hot dog was used is unclear, a famous early use comes from Yale University magazines in 1895. Lexicographer David Shulman thought there was a connection between hot dog as a sharp dresser or good athlete, or show-off (still one use of the phrase) and sausages sold by lunch wagons, writes historian Bruce Kraig in Hot Dog: A Global History. This was later demonstrated by Barry Popik using Yale University college magazines from 1895. In them a new lunch wagon called The Kennel Club appears (the name also applies to a well-known Yale clothier) giving rise to the phrase Dog Wagon, followed closely by hot dog. 

Several earlier references to hot dogs can be found. The earliest Kraig is aware of is a mention in the Paterson Daily Press of New Jersey from Dec. 31, 1892. But even though the term wasnt coined in New Haven, Billy the Dog Man, who owned The Kennel Club dog wagon in New Haven, seems to have helped popularize the term. Kraig, a professor emeritus in history at Roosevelt University in Chicago, writes that the term spread to Eastern colleges and then seeped into popular culture.

A well-read story published in The Sun in New York City in 1899 about New Haven hot dogs may have also contributed to the terms rise in use. Dog wagons are indigenous to New Haven and are the result of the appetites of Yale men who appreciate the fact that the hot wienerwursts snugly imbedded in rolls and covered in mustard are ready to bark at any time, the article states, noting the pioneer of these famous dog wagons was Billy the Dog Man.

The association of this type of sausage with dogs grew out of a longstanding joke that the inexpensive and often-hard-to-recognize meat in sausages came from dogs. Its a sardonic sense of humor, Kraig says.

Though the joke likely appealed to young Yale students, the linkage of sausages and dog meat predates the emergence of dog wagons in New Haven by many decades. This goes back to the 1840s, at least, Kraig says. In 1864, Septimus Winner, a noted songwriter of the era, released a song set to a traditional German folk tune known popularly as Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? The highly tongue-in-cheek song is sung in an exaggerated German accent and written from the perspective of a mournful dog owner whose dog has been put through the sausage machine of a local butcher.

Of course, German immigrants didnt use dog meat in their sausage, and the joke, at least initially, was inspired by nativism and mistrust of immigrants, Kraig says. Eventually, however, it seems that hot dog purveyors such as Billy chose to own the joke by referring to their product as hot dogs. As the 1899 article in The Sun notes, the wagon owners were not offended by the joke that their sausages contained dog meat: Billy has met the college element more than half way by inscribing on his wagons the following sign: YALE KENNEL CLUB LUNCH WAGON.
HAMDEN  As the town weighs whether to move forward with the project or seek a new developer, the Legislative Council has granted another contract extension to the Mutual Housing Association of South Central Connecticut, the local nonprofit slated to build 87 units on the site of Hamdens abandoned middle school.

Approved in 2015, the original agreement set aside the large swath of town-owned land at 560 Newhall St. for Mutual Housing, which operates under the moniker NeighborWorks New Horizons.

But the contracts expiration in July put the future of the site, abandoned years ago due to contamination, in limbo. In order to reevaluate the plan, the council granted Mutual Housing two three-month extensions, one in July and one in October.

Then, on Monday, the council granted its third extension in six months, postponing a decision until April.

The council is still weighing whether or not the Mutual proposal is the direction that they want to move forward, said Town Planner Erik Johnson.

A request for comment was left Tuesday with NeighborWorks president and CEO Tom Cruess.

As Johnson sees it, officials must answer two primary questions in the coming months. The first concerns whether Mutual Housings plan represents the best use for the site. The second concerns the abandoned gymnasium that is part of the complex.

When it brought the project to the town, Mutual Housing proposed repurposing the gymnasium into a community center. But as officials have reconsidered the agreement, Mutual Housing has put forward two new options.

Mutual has put forward a proposal that said they would tear the gymnasium down and replace it with a smaller community center, Johnson said in describing one of those options.

Under the other proposal mutual would buy the entire property from the town and then ground lease the gymnasium back to the town for it to renovate and then operate, he said, adding that the cost of the property transfer would be $1.

The history of contamination on the site decreases its market value, according to Johnson, who said transferring the property to another entity will minimize potential liability for the town.

In that scenario, the town does not have any ongoing environmental liabilities associated with the property. All those liabilities get transferred to Mutual Housing, he said. The contaminations been remediated, but the town is trying to protect itself from having any contingent liabilities.

If the town strikes a new agreement with the nonprofit, the development will look slightly different than first planned, according to a terms sheet provided to the Legislative Council in October.

The property would include 87 housing units instead of 99, the document shows, and 69 of them would be affordable.

Over half of those units would be in the middle school, which Mutual Housing would repurpose, Johnson said.

The new terms also include a more specific timeline for construction. Johnson said that timeline has been adjusted since October.

At the end of April therell be a vote to either continue to move forward with Mutual Housing or not, he said.

If the council approves the project, it will likely need one more extension and use the time to draft a new land use disposition agreement reflecting the modified terms, Johnson said.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
WEST HAVEN  How is the city going to pay for about $400,000 in infrastructure upgrades and repairs to the police station? It has yet to be determined.

City Council members said they did not want to authorize payment for HVAC and alarm system repairs without knowing what the funding source would be.

You have to excuse my reluctance, because weve been bitten once and I need to make sure what we do is consistent with our policies, said Councilman Ron Quagliani, D-At Large.

Nine of the 13 council members were on the council last year when the city was rocked by a scandal in which two city employees, including former Democratic state Rep. Michael DiMassa, were arrested and charged with the alleged theft of $636,000 in federal pandemic relief money from the city.

Council members had reacted to the news with surprise  Finance Committee Chairwoman Bridgette Hoskie, D-1, said she will carry the guilt for not implementing more oversight, and subsequently vowed that it would not happen again. Hoskie and Quagliani led the council in passing a resolution that no amount of the American Rescue Plan Act funding would be spent without council approval.

City Grants Manager Doug Colter presented the police station upgrades to the council Monday with some news: the parts have been ordered and they are expected to arrive in the city any day now.

Colter said the contractor has been patient with the city, but West Haven is already delinquent one payment.

Colter said the decision came from the Public Works Department, which determined that four rooftop heating and cooling units needed to be replaced sooner rather than later because of the rising costs of doing repairs to the aging equipment, as well as supply chain concerns  the equipment is manufactured in Sweden with parts that are becoming more difficult to obtain.

We were told if we didnt order the parts now that we wouldnt see them for two years, he said.

Colter said the expenses are accounted for in the citys five-year capital plan; however, the Energy Services Companies project that would cover the costs is still being negotiated with a contractor.

We were told the best course of action is to order the machines now and put them in ESCO project when it happens. Here we are six months later, the ESCO project is still under negotiations, and the machine parts are on a truck headed to us, he said.

Colter said the citys recommendation to the council was to charge the expense  $341,500 of the total upgrade expenses  to the local capital improvement fund budget. He said the city expects the project to be fully reimbursable under the ARPA, should the city care to charge the upgrades elsewhere.

Colter said the city should expect to receive $680,000 in capital improvement funds this month.

Quagliani said he wanted to understand the urgency: if the city is to receive funds later this month, why would the council approve an expenditure before receiving the money? Colter said that a $125,000 check is due to the vendor, but Finance Director Frank Cieplinski could not sign the check unless the council approves the expenditure; if they do not, Cieplinski would take personal liability for approving the expense.

When Hoskie expressed a reluctance to act on the item before seeing a budget sheet proving the city has the funds to pay for the machines, she was backed up by other members of the Finance Committee.

I think we have to dot our Is and cross our Ts in this, said Councilwoman Sarah Ackbarali, D-3.

Councilwoman Colleen OConnor, R-At Large, said she personally would not spend money that she doesnt know she has, so neither should the city.

Hoskie held the item on the agenda for the councils next meeting.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
Six workers were missing and another injured after the facade of a high-rise apartment building under construction collapsed in Gwangju on Tuesday.

Around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, Gwangju fire services received an emergency call of the accident at the construction site of a Hyundai I-Park apartment complex.

A worker in his 20s was injured and taken to a nearby hospital. Two, who were in a makeshift container office on the ground, were rescued and three others took shelter on their own. About a dozen vehicles parked nearby were damaged by falling masonry.

Residents in some 100 houses nearby were evacuated immediately for fear of the a tower crane falling on them and further collapse of the building.

A fire officer said, "Six of the 394 workers from a total of 22 subcontractors are still unaccounted for."

The accident was attributed to the frame and formwork failing to withstand the weight of the tower crane in strong winds before the concrete had fully set in the freezing weather, according to police.
RAB was working to bring the surrendered militants back to normalcy. In very few countries in the world, law enforcement agencies like RAB have shown humanity.

by Hafizur Talukdar

On December 10, 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on seven former and current RAB officers for alleged human rights abuses in Bangladesh. It is a burning issue in Bangladesh now. The Bangladesh government is continuing its efforts to lift the ban. At the same time, it is being seen as a major diplomatic pressure from the United States.

It is pertinent to say that Rapid Action Battalion, abbreviated RAB is a specialized police unit in Bangladesh. RAB was formed in 2004 to maintain peace, harmony, the law in the country. RAB was formed mainly to suppress militancy and terrorism in the country and to improve law and order. After the inauguration, RAB officers were sent to the United States for training. Several RAB officers have received training at the FBI in the United States. A few discussed. The RAB also sought the cooperation of intelligence agencies in the United States to investigate the killings.

The US Ambassador visited the RAB headquarters in Dhaka. The United States has trained RAB to fight militants. The United States has also provided some weapons to the RAB. Apart from suppressing terrorism and extremism, the success of RAB in suppressing militancy is also enviable.

Earlier, on July 26, 2004, Hannan, one of the country's iconic terrorists and one of the 23 top terrorists, was killed in a RAB crossfire in Uttara. The latest RAB has been praised for cracking down on bandits in coastal areas of the country, especially in the Sundarbans. RAB has been playing an important role in preventing all kinds of drugs including the dangerous drug Yaba.

Bangladesh has declared a Zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. Bangladesh maintains a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism and violent extremism. The RAB is implementing that policy. The role of RAB in controlling terrorism in Bangladesh is positive. The role of RAB has reduced terrorism in Bangladesh. Even, this was stated in a report released by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken from the US State Department on Thursday night, almost a week after the imposition of sanctions on RAB and its seven former and current top officials.

Regarding Bangladesh, the report said, "Investigations and arrests of terrorism-related incidents in Bangladesh have increased in 2020, while terrorist activities have decreased."

Another report states that "throughout 2020, the RAB and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTCU) launched community policing activities and arrests of suspected foreign terrorist fighters, as well as counter-terrorism and rehabilitation programs."

According to the report, there were three specific terrorist attacks in Bangladesh in 2020. No one was killed in those attacks. In recent years, the Bangladeshi government has denied reports of significant links between local terrorists and international terrorist groups such as IS.

According to the report, Bangladesh has cooperated with the United States in tightening controls at borders and entrances. It further said that the international community is concerned about the security process at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. US-trained explosives detector K9 team is ready for security at Dhaka International Airport.

The report mentions Bangladesh's close cooperation with the International Police Organization. However, it is mentioned that there is no precautionary measure against terrorism in Bangladesh.

After the formation of RAB, the role of this force is huge in suppressing various crimes including terrorism, militancy, piracy and drug eradication. This reliable force has brought one success after another.

Not only the suppression of terrorism but also the protection of human rights, including the reorganization of these forces from the path of terrorism has an important role to play.

According to the media reports, in January this year, nine militant members surrendered at a ceremony at the RAB headquarters in Kurmitola, entitled "On the Path to the New Horizons." Through de-radicalization and rehabilitation, RAB brought the 9 surrendered militants back to the path of peace and light by giving up the life of terror and extremism. This groundbreaking initiative was implemented after 9 months under the leadership of RAB DG. And through this initiative, RAB wants to change the mentality of the militants. Therefore, the RAB headquarters thinks that it is not possible to eradicate militancy just by bringing it under the law. That is why RAB is applying the theory of 'de-radicalization' and 'rehabilitation'. Concerned people say that RAB's DT took this initiative to build Bangladesh as a peaceful state. Which is a groundbreaking initiative.

Meanwhile, in the last 18 years since its establishment, the overall capacity of RAB has increased a lot. Apart from suppressing extremist militancy, this police agency has become essential in maintaining law and order in the country. RAB is also conducting effective operations to curb the activities of unscrupulous traders, smuggling, preparation of counterfeit currency and passports and illegal VoIP business. RAB is also successful in suppressing extremists and bandits who destroy peace and order. Following the success of the de-escalation of the Sundarbans, the process of surrendering pirates has been extended to other coastal areas. Following this, 34 bandits of 12 bandits surrendered in the Chittagong coastal region on 12 November last year at Banshkhali, Maheshkhali and Kutubdia in Chittagong with 94 bandits, 94 weapons and more than two thousand rounds of ammunition. RAB has also become a symbol of confidence of the common man in playing its role in the prevention of human trafficking, terrorism and drugs. Assessing the expectations and confidence of the common people, RAB is moving forward at a breakneck pace.

More than a thousand members have been maimed in maintaining law and order and protecting human rights. At different times, more than two thousand members were injured while trying to maintain law and order. The sacrifices made by the RAB to maintain law and order or to protect human rights were in doubt whether any other forces were involved.

RAB has been established as an elite force in the light of some mandates. RAB has been established to suppress militancy, drugs and terrorism. Today, due to the success of RAB's campaign, militancy and terrorism have come down to zero in the whole country including the North or the South. The Sundarbans has been freed from piracy due to the RAB's campaign. Bangladesh has celebrated the third anniversary of the Sundarbans free of pirates this time. No other country in the world has been free of such pirates?

327 members of the 32 bandits had surrendered in the Sundarbans. RAB has also played a humanitarian role in their rehabilitation. In addition to government grants, RAB has provided houses and cows and goats to bring them back to normal life. The pirates of Banshkhali have also been brought back to normal life. During the restriction period in the Covid-19 pandemic, this force worked successfully providing food and medical aid from door to door, facial masks, increasing public awareness etc.

RAB was working to bring the surrendered militants back to normalcy. In very few countries in the world, law enforcement agencies like RAB have shown humanity. RAB has not violated or looted human rights but has been defending them. There are some issues. There might have been some separate incidents. But having despite various challenges and criticism, the force has been working successfully in countering terrorism, illegal drug smuggling, human trafficking, suppressing traditional crimes, etc. But RAB has to do their duty more carefully. They have to remember that any allegations against them can harm their prestige at the international level.

RAB is the first force in the country to conduct dope tests for its members. Dope tests have now been made mandatory in government jobs. In recent times, RAB has been conducting successful activities on various issues including stopping the violence of teenage gangs. In the Corona epidemic the child left his father, the father left his child. In such a situation, the RAB used helicopters to treat the victims and admitted them to the hospital, according to media reports.

According to media reports and RAB officials, Regarding the role of RAB in the crossfire issue, in various operations, people have been killed in RAB firing. When they go on a drug or anti-militant campaign, when they are resisted or after the shooting, the RAB also fires in self-defense. As a result, more than one thousand members of RAB have been maimed. The RAB exchanged fire in self-defense. An executive investigation was launched after the exchange of fire. After proper investigation, it was checked whether the exchange of fire was proper or not. As a human being, you can make mistakes. Strict legal action is taken if not appropriate.

The United States has banned seven former and current RAB officials for alleged human rights abuses. The ban was imposed separately by the US Treasury Department and the State Department on December 10, International Human Rights Day. Former RAB director general Benazir Ahmed is among the officials who came under the ban. He is currently the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh. The United States also aims to curb terrorism, illegal human trafficking and criminal activity. In fact, RAB is implementing the US policy in Bangladesh. RAB is working professionally to fight militancy and the decision by the US will encourage militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh. When Bangladesh is working to ensure the security for the region from terrorism, extremism, separatism etc. a recent inappropriate decision by the US can hamper the situation. When Bangladeshs law enforcement and security agencies are working to curb extremism, terrorism and separatism to bring peace in the region, the US has imposed sanctions on high officials of security and law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh at this time which is very inappropriate. Thus, we can say that US Sanctions on Bangladeshs RAB will Impact the Zero-Tolerance Policy of BD Against Counter-terrorism.
NEW HAVEN  Mark Colville served 18 months in jail for his 2018 protest of the U.S. nuclear weapons program, and hes still battling what he considers an idolatrous government.

Because he refuses to submit to drug tests or consent to disclosing his finances, Colville faces a hearing that could end up with his being put back in jail for violating the terms of his supervised release.

Colville was one of the Kings Bay Plowshares 7, who entered the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia on April 4, 2018. Colville poured blood, hammered and wrote biblical texts on the monuments to the Trident D5 nuclear missile and was arrested, tried and convicted.

Since his release from the jail in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Sept. 10, 2021, however, he and his family also have been dealing with a more personal issue: his son Isaiahs Hodgkins lymphoma.

It was diagnosed right about the time I was getting out of prison, so it was a big shock, Colville said. Isaiah Colville, 19, will have his last chemotherapy treatment Monday, and the journey his family has taken has been complicated by the elder Colvilles legal issues.

Its a very aggressive form of cancer, Mark Colville said. You get tumors that grow very quickly, but the treatments, the chemotherapy regimen, is also very effective. According to Luz Catarineau, Isaiahs mother, the treatment gives her son an 80 percent chance of a cure. But its still a very aggressive form of cancer. Hes not out of the woods yet, Colville said.

Colvilles hearing originally was scheduled for early December. We asked for a postponement until my sons treatments were done  and the court wouldnt give me that, the government wouldnt agree to a postponement that long. He was given until this past Monday.

Then the COVID-19 pandemics latest surge gave Colville some legal breathing room. The federal court moved its hearings to video conferencing, and Colville would have to consent not to meet U.S. District Judge Michael Shea in person.

He wouldnt do that, forcing another extension to Feb. 4, past his sons final treatment.

Under any circumstances  this looks like its a process that could end up sending me back to prison, Colville said. So I have an apprehension about not speaking to this person in the flesh, partly because Ive never met him before. But the fact is that everybody has a constitutional right to appear in person before the judge. And in order for me to do the hearing by video conference, I have to give up that right.

He would have to sign a form and answer questions before the hearing began to make sure that I agree to give up my constitutional rights to be seen in person. I simply decided that I wasnt going to give up that right.  The exercising of this right gives me a delay, at least until his son finishes chemotherapy.

Even so, Isaiah Colville will undergo a bone scan and a bunch of other tests that are scheduled now for the same day that Im appearing in court, Feb. 4, Colville said.

Im particularly concerned about the prognosis for my son, Colville said. Thats going to be followed by a whole bunch of medical tests and screenings which will indicate what, if any, further treatment he needs. And so our future is very uncertain. As is his own future, and so this is a horrible time to risk being separated from family again.

A man who strictly follows his Roman Catholic faith, Mark Colville knows that his actions to protest the United States nuclear weapons program, which he says is both immoral and illegal under international law, will complicate life for his family. He and Catarineau already open the Amistad Catholic Worker house on Rosette Street to the needy  or they did before the pandemic.

Now, a warming tent is being prepared in the back yard with a fire pit, and the house is being renovated to better serve people. Colville said they are trying to discern what hospitality means in the era of COVID.

Its not unusual that our personal life, our family life, gets wrapped up in our neighborhood life or our ministry life, and of course the legal problems that we have based on trying to resist violence and war, Colville said. Thats familiar, but this is a scary situation for us. Its particularly frustrating for me because Ive tried to act responsibly with regard to the government right from the beginning.

During Colvilles trial, the judge affirmed repeatedly that  my actions were religiously motivated by sincerely held religious beliefs, Colville said. But the jury was told not to consider his beliefs. Also, the question of whether nuclear weapons are legal was ruled to be irrelevant. He said he could prove they are illegal based on a United Nations treaty and the Constitution.

But even though he was sentenced to 21 months in prison (18 months served before his conviction), three years of supervised release and $33,000 in restitution (which the group can share), the only requirements hes refused have been the drug tests, which he said at least one co-defendant was not asked to submit, and the giving up of his financial records, because he said that would make him complicit in the nations idolatry of nuclear weapons.

During the long delays before trial, during his time in prison and the 11/2-year delay in sentencing, over the past close to four years  I have never once violated any of the directives that have been imposed by the Probation Department, he said.

He even revoked his own bail at one point. After the court refused to loosen restrictions on him, including an ankle bracelet, limits on travel and a curfew, I decided just to go back to jail to await trial in jail in Georgia. The reason was the bail was very exorbitant, and it had been put up by friends and supporters and I wasnt comfortable in the situation where other peoples money was at stake based on my compliance with these things.

Colville said he does not take refusing to comply with the government lightly. But the things he is being asked to do are punitive, he said. The purpose of supervised release is twofold. Its supposed to help the offender whos coming out of prison, help them reintegrate into the community.  And then secondly to protect the community, into which the person is reintegrating from any potential harm because of his freedom.

He wants to ask the judge why he must adhere to the rules despite clearly meeting the goals of probation. But despite the fact that there are very good people running the Probation Department in New Haven, theyre pursuing a regimen of intimidation against me, whether intentionally or not.

Forget about my sob story. People get out of prison every day and are subjected to these things. And most of the time, it seems like the logical thing for people to do is just to do whatever they tell you to do. Because otherwise, theyre gonna throw you back in jail, you know, and theyll get away with it. Im in a position where I could say, Hold on a second. This isnt right, this is punitive.

He said his motivations give him a platform to point to the governments wrong in punishing him after his sentence was complete. Partly because what I did was an act of faith and conscience, he said. Im not ashamed of it.  Im not sitting here with the word guilty tattooed on my forehead, OK. Whereas most people, most convicted felons certainly do carry that around with them. Most are terrified of going back to prison. And Im not Im not encumbered by either of those things. And so I feel a certain sense of responsibility to call attention to the fact that these probation departments are acting capriciously and arbitrarily impugn punitively and its not right.

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382
The federal government says Joseph Regensburger has some explaining to do.

As Regensburger, the former president of a Milford strip club, asks an appeals court to set aside a judgment ordering him to pay $113,650 to former employees, a Department of Justice lawyer has accused Regensburger of cashing more than $100,000 in checks, with at least some of those checks connected to Gus Curcio Sr., a reputed mobster.

Regensburger declined to comment Wednesday when reached by phone, as did a lawyer who represents Curcio.

The revelation comes in federal court filings concerning Regensburger, who ran Keepers Gentlemens Club on Woodmont Road when it lost a lawsuit from six exotic dancers saying they were not paid a minimum wage or for overtime.

The defendants had argued the dancers were independent contractors, like hairdressers, and werent entitled to the benefits enjoyed by full-time employees.

The club and Regensburger appealed the case. Arguments are scheduled for Thursday in Hartford before the states Appellate Court.

While that process has been playing out, Regensburger also filed for bankruptcy protection in federal court, where he has said in filings he cant afford a lawyer to represent him.

But according to Kenneth Krayeske, the dancers lawyer, bank documents he subpoenaed appear to show Regensburger has cashed thousands of dollars in checks signed by Curcio, a former reputed mobster involved with the club, from a limited liability company he controls.

In a filing Monday in that case, Holley L. Claiborne, a Department of Justice trial attorney who represents the United States Trustee in Regensburgers bankruptcy case, drew attention to the cashed checks  and the fact that Regensburger didnt declare any of the money in his bankruptcy documents.

These checks and the use of the cash need to be explained by the Debtor, Claiborne wrote in the filing, which asked a judge for an extension in the case to gather more evidence in the case and to conduct further investigation.

During a hearing Tuesday in the bankruptcy case, Krayeske cited the checks while asking Judge Julie Manning to let him question the lawyers representing Keepers and Curcio. In objecting to Krayeskes request, the lawyers  Stephen Bellis and Jonathan Klein  said that Krayeske is conducting a legal fishing expedition for information protected by attorney-client privilege.

The judge asked the lawyers to file more papers outlining their positions and continued the hearing to March 8.

The Appellate Court arguments are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain this afternoon. High 62F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Rain. Low 49F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, says God spoke to him about declaring his intention to run for president in the 2023 general election. ...

Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, says God spoke to him about declaring his intention to run for president in the 2023 general election.

On Tuesday, Umahi disclosed that he had informed Buhari of his intention to contest the presidency.

The Ebonyi governors announcement came about 24 hours after Bola Tinubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he had informed Buhari that he was interested in running for president.

Speaking on Tuesday in an interview on Channels Television on if he had always nurtured a presidential ambition, the Ebonyi governor said he made his intention public after God spoke to him.

Life is very dynamic and God speaks to me. So, it is progressive and I think that I spoke when God asked me to speak. This is what I believe, he said.

You know naturally, based on what God is doing for us in our state  the economic indices we have achieved by Gods special grace  a lot of people believe that we can have a kind of the same feat accomplished at the federal level if given the opportunity.

Of course, you talk to God, God talks to you and this is prayer and then you listen to God. I think that Im at peace with this decision.

It is not about God telling you you will win or not win. When you have prayed and made certain decisions and you are at peace with that, then you can be sure God is with you.

The outcome of it also depends on God. God has His own programmes for everybody. I think that Gods programme for me as far as this matter is concerned will be made manifest. So, I put my trust in him as far as this is concerned. Dont forget God owns this life and that sleeping and waking up is a miracle.

ONLY GOD KNOWS IF I WILL BE BUHARIS PREFERRED CANDIDATE

Last week, Buhari, in an interview, had said he would prefer to keep the name of his preferred successor secret.

Speaking on the development, Umahi said he hopes that God will make it possible for him to become the presidents favoured candidate.

Im not a mind reader and Im not God. There is no way I will know what is in the mind of Mr President, he said.

My bible tells me the heart of the king is at the palm of the Lord. He turns it anywhere he willeth. If it pleases God, he will put me in the heart of Mr President and I could become that favoured candidate. For now, he has not told me and I cant read his mind.
A popular Nigerian cleric, Pastor Adewale Giwa has asked Nigerians to look beyond the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC,...





A popular Nigerian cleric, Pastor Adewale Giwa has asked Nigerians to look beyond the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Lagos State Government, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ahead of 2023.





Pastor Giwa who is the Senior Pastor of the Awaiting the Second Coming of Jesus Christ Ministry, Akure, Ondo State, emphasised that Tinubu cannot make a good leader for the country over what he described as an error on his part to package President Muhammadu Buhari for Nigerians in 2015.





While calling on Nigerians to be determined ahead of 2023 on who becomes the President, Pastor Giwa maintained that none of those vying for the countrys plum job will make it if there is no restructuring.





Tinubu brought a bad product in 2015, and there is no how he can be a good product Nigerians can rely on.





Someone who doesnt see anything wrong with President Buharis administration cannot be a good leader.





Nobody out of those aspiring can be a good leader unless they reorganise the whole system of Nigeria, beginning with the 1999 constitution. Let them give us true federalism.





The electorate has lost confidence in politicians, so Tinubu cannot be a good President.





Ahead of 2023, Nigerians should be determined, focused and prayerful because it is God that can choose a good leader. From 1999 to date, Nigeria has not produced a good leader we can vouch for.





So, Nigerians should be prayerful, they should cry to God to give the country good leader like the Israelites who cried to God and He gave them Samuel, and Samuel was a successful leader during his time.





We need a leader that can feel the pain of the masses. We need a leader that can be able to listen to the cries of the people not a leader who doesnt care about the feelings of the people.
Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, a former Governor of Oyo State, is dead. Details of his death are sketchy but sources close to the po...

Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, a former Governor of Oyo State, is dead.

Details of his death are sketchy but sources close to the politician confirmed the tragic incident to our correspondent, on Tuesday.





The politician had been battling terminal ailment for a while, according to sources.





Akala, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was a former governor of the state, between 2007 and 2011.

He was also a deputy governor under former governor, Rashidi Ladoja between 2003 and 2006, when Chief Ladoja was impeached and consequently became the acting governor for eleven months.





Born on June 3, 1950, at Ogbomoso in the Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Alao-Akala had his elementary school at Osupa Baptist Day School, Ogbomoso before proceeding to Kamina Barracks Middle School, 5th Battalion of Infantry in Tamale, Ghana.

This is the third known death of a prominent Ogbomosho native in a month.

On December 12, 2021, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, the Soun of Ogbomoso, passed on.

On January 8, 2022, Prof Taibat Danmole, his daughter who was a lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), also died.

The deceased, who was a professor of education was married to another university don, Prof. Hakeem Danmole, who is the Dean College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.

Details later:
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has said that Nigerians are patiently waiting to get rid of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC ...

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has said that Nigerians are patiently waiting to get rid of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in 2023 general elections, adding that the country needed positive change.

He, similarly, called for unity, within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP fold in order to forge ahead in the coming elections.

Wike, who spoke in Ibadan, when he led top hierarchy of the PDP and government functionaries to meet with Governor Seyi Makinde, in his office, yesterday, said Nigerians needed a change because the present leadership has failed woefully, noting that APC could not pose any threat to the emergence of PDP in 2023.

He said: You can see the mood of Nigerians. They want a change because APC has failed them. So, if Nigerins have said APC has failed them, so why would they pose any challenge?

So, they cant pose any challenge to PDP and thats why Ive come here for all of us to work together to make sure that the party is united to produce somebody that Nigerians would accept and make sure that we win the election come 2023.

We cant afford to disappoint Nigerians. You can see what is happening in the Country. What else can we say? You know that the Country is almost on the brink of collapse?

So, we are happy that Nigerians are still interested in PDPs unity and PDP is ready to deliver the mantle of leadership come 2023.

Of course, you should understand that when it comes to the issue of Presidency, we have divergent views. By the end of the day, PDP would sit down and look at what is the mood of Nigerians, what are Nigerians talking about? How do we win this election? So that is what is important to us?

Im not interested to say Yes! We have already canvassed our position, but that does not mean that we would not also listen to our own brothers on the other side.

But, at the end of the day, we would take a decision that would help the party to move forward.

Governor Wike also emphasized that governors are key in making sure that the party got it right in picking the partys flag bearers, noting that the party must support whoever emerged as its presidential candidate.

The governor who admitted that the southern part of the country had canvassed for presidential candidate to come from the zone, maintained that the party must produce a candidate that would be acceptable to Nigerians.

He, however, warned that Nigerians would not forgive its political leadership if best candidates do not emerge to move the nation forward in the coming political dispensation.
Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, on Wednesday, asked Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, to perish...

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, on Wednesday, asked Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, to perish his dream of becoming Nigerias next President.

According to the group, Umahi had in the last six years as governor repressed press freedom and arrested journalists for reporting factual but negative developments in Ebonyi.

National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, made this known in a statement titled, HURIWA to Umahi: You lack the temperament to be Nigerias President.

Umahi visited the President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday in Aso Rock and informed him of his decision to run for President in 2023.

But reacting, HURIWA said Umahi has demonstrated a dictatorial disposition against the press and should perish his dreams of becoming President of Nigeria or to resign as governor to enable his deputy complete his remaining one year in office.

HURIWA said Umahi recently banned two journalists (Chijioke Agwu of Sun Newspaper and Peter Okutu of Vanguard Newspaper) from the Government House. The group also said the governor ordered the arrest of the two reporters over their reports on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state and the alleged military invasion of Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo community in the state.

The group, therefore, described the presidential ambition of Umahi as a pipe dream which must never be allowed to materialize into the worst nightmares for Nigerians.

Umahi defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in November 2020.
Yes. Gov. Hochul chose Mr. Benjamin, and she's stuck with him through the election.

No. The state should have the option to remove someone under criminal indictment.

Vote

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EQS-Ad-hoc: Relief Therapeutics Holding AG / Key word(s): Legal Matter

Relief Comments on Lawsuit Filed Against It by NeuroRx



12-Jan-2022 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Relief Comments on Lawsuit Filed Against It by NeuroRx

Geneva, Switzerland, January 12, 2022 - RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA (SIX: RLF, OTCQB: RLFTF, RLFTY) ("Relief"), a biopharmaceutical company seeking to provide patients therapeutic relief from serious diseases with high unmet need, reported today that its collaboration partner with respect to aviptadil, NeuroRx, Inc. ("NeuroRx"), has filed a lawsuit against Relief in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. NeuroRx's complaint alleges claims against Relief for breach of the collaboration agreement between the parties, for a declaration that the collaboration agreement has been cancelled, and for defamation. Relief believes that the collaboration agreement between the parties with respect to aviptadil remains in full force and effect, and that it is NeuroRx, and not Relief, that is in breach of that agreement.

Relief notes that NeuroRx's complaint includes numerous factual statements that Relief believes to be materially inaccurate. Relief also believes that the damages calculation alleged in NeuroRx's complaint is completely Illogical and unsupported. Relief reports that the allegations in NeuroRx's complaint will be responded to in an appropriate filing with the court after NeuroRx's complaint is served on Relief. While there can be no assurance, Relief remains confident in the validity of its claims against NeuroRx and Jonathan Javitt.

Finally, Relief reports that its previously announced mediation with NeuroRx, seeking to amicably resolve the litigation between the parties, remains scheduled for late February 2022 and that, notwithstanding the filing of the new complaint, Relief intends to participate in the upcoming mediation.



ABOUT RELIEF

Relief focuses primarily on clinical-stage programs based on molecules with a history of clinical testing and use in human patients or a strong scientific rationale. Relief's lead drug candidate, RLF-100(TM) (aviptadil), a synthetic form of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), is in late-stage clinical testing in the U.S. for the treatment of respiratory deficiency due to COVID-19. As part of its pipeline diversification strategy, in March 2021, Relief entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement with Acer Therapeutics for the worldwide development and commercialization of ACER-001. ACER-001 is a taste-masked and immediate release proprietary powder formulation of sodium phenylbutyrate (NaPB) for the treatment of Urea Cycle Disorders and Maple Syrup Urine Disease. In addition, Relief's recently completed acquisitions of APR Applied Pharma Research SA and AdVita Lifescience GmbH, bring to Relief a diverse pipeline of marketed and development-stage programs.

RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol RLF and quoted in the U.S. on OTCQB under the symbols RLFTF and RLFTY. For more information, visit www.relieftherapeutics.com.

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CONTACT:

RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA

Jack Weinstein

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

contact@relieftherapeutics.com

FOR MEDIA/INVESTOR INQUIRIES:

Rx Communications Group

Michael Miller

+1-917-633-6086

mmiller@rxir.com

Disclaimer: This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including (i) whether RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA will be successful in its breach of contract action against NRx's subsidiary, NeuroRx, and NeuroRx's CEO, Jonathan Javitt, and in defending NeuroRx's recently filed lawsuit, (ii) whether the mediation will be successful, and (iii) those risks discussed in RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA's press releases and filings with the SIX, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Slight and lively, Valda Harris looks out over a sprawling kitchen imbued with history.

It isnt just the vintage drugstore counter or the decor that seems to stop sometime in the 1960s.

Sixty-one years ago as an eighth grader, Harris watched dozens of Freedom Riders, many recently assaulted by a local mob, fill this room. Her familys Montgomery, Alabama, home became a safe house for demonstrators like future U.S. Rep. John Lewis and a home base for strategists like Martin Luther King Jr. during a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.

I was standing right here at the age of 13. These were students. They were bloody, battered, beaten and exhausted, said Harris, who recently began giving by-appointment tours of the Centennial Hill home accompanied by firsthand stories of growing up among icons. King lived three doors down. This was the beginning.

Marches, bombings, boycotts, heroes and hardships: Montgomery has emerged as a destination that not only spotlights Black Americans fight for human rights  both midcentury and today  but gives visitors a unique opportunity to walk through those experiences in real-time.

About a dozen noteworthy museums and historic sites mark the contributions of residents like King and Rosa Parks, the latter of whom helped spark Americas first large-scale civil rights protest in 1955. The city, in fact, boasts the most stops of any on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.

Add to that internationally renowned draws like the Equal Justice Institutes recently expanded Legacy Museum and a five-hour drive from New Orleans  and Montgomery makes for a road trip-worthy weekend for Crescent City residents.

On a recent Thursday afternoon, three candy-colored vintage cars cruised through the rolling hills, pulling to a stop before an audience perched on risers and seated on picnic blankets spread on the grass.

An extended family  actors in '50s-era garb  piled out and offered viewers a glimpse of life for Black travelers back then.

Shoebox Picnic Roadside opened the Alabama Shakespeare Festivals 50th season, marking a shift at the Deep Souths largest professional theater. Tiffany Nichole Greene, of Broadway's "Hamilton" fame, directed the work by up-and-coming Black playwright Deneen Reynolds-Knott.

Amplifying underrepresented voices and exploring the regions history has been a priority for artistic director Rick Dildine since he joined the regional production house four years ago.

We are in a city thats seeing this renaissance of who it is and what it stands for, Dildine said. People come here for education and enlightenment. Its a thriving place to learn about our history and challenge ourselves as to what were going to do next.

In April, the play Freedom Rider will celebrate the young demonstrators journey to end segregation in interstate travel, and Until the Flood will explore the social uprising that followed the death of teenager Michael Brown at the hands of a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer.

Like many attractions, the theater recently returned after a COVID-induced hiatus. Some other marquee Montgomery stops remain shuttered, however.

The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. preached while he lived in Montgomery, has suspended tours to protect its elderly congregation members. Likewise, the Dexter Parsonage Museum, King's former home, is temporarily closed.

Still, weekenders will find plenty in Montgomerys historic downtown to fill their itineraries.

Visit the recently refurbished Kress Building. Once home to a double-sided department store that linked the citys White and Black commercial districts, the space now houses a story booth where guests can record personal reflections on race and galleries displaying artwork on social justice themes. The pocket park next door stands where Rosa Parks once worked as a seamstress.

The Civil Rights Memorial welcomes visitors a few blocks away. The related center remains closed.

Stand on the spot where Parks caught her fateful bus and ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Nearby, the Troy University-administered Rosa Parks Museum explores those events and the trailblazers life.

Like many Southern cities, Montgomerys hero stories grew out of a bloody history. The citys iconic Court Square fountain, which flows in the shadow of the State Capitol, sits on the site where enslaved people once stood for auction, for example.

The Legacy Museum, run by a local legal advocacy group, recounts the mark slavery and racial inequality has left on the country.

World-class exhibits document lynchings throughout the region, giving names and stories to victims where possible.

A gallery-long timeline links slavery to convict leasing to the war on drugs to a modern-day prison system where Black people are statistically overrepresented.

In a series of intimate theaters, storytellers recount their first-hand experiences with the subjects.

The museum pulls no punches, as evidenced by the dramatic entrance that confronts guests to its new 11,000-square-foot exhibition space.

Blue lights ripple across the floor. The sounds of water bubbling and crashing fill the small room. Waves wash uncomfortably close on a ceiling-high screen. The perspective is that of an enslaved person drowning at sea.

+3 In the National Civil Rights Museum, hushed tones and hard-hitting lessons Trying to see Memphis in a single day is impossible. But when its all the time you have, go for it.
The chef Goffredo Fraccaro embraced life with a joy he just could not keep to himself.

He wove it into his food, especially at his best-known and influential restaurant, La Riviera in Metairie. He expressed it through his favorite cause, Chefs' Charity for Children. And he shared it through stories of life from his native Italy to his adopted New Orleans home, all told in a gregarious tone and heavy Italian accent.

He could always tell a story youd never heard before, hed done so much, said his grandson Michael Jagot. He was a life force, and he inspired so many people to start cooking."

Fraccaro died Tuesday, Jan. 11, at age 96. Jagot said Fraccaro had been contending with several health issues before succumbing to illness at Ochsner Medical Center in Kenner.

Born in Genoa, Italy, in 1926, Fraccaro always said he had been cooking his entire life, including a stint in the Italian navy during World War II and later in the merchant marine. He was working on an Italian vessel when he first laid eyes on New Orleans, and decided he wanted to make the city his home.

The way New Orleans is put together, the tight-knit communities, it felt like home to him, his grandson said. He enjoyed the life here.

He arrived in Louisiana in 1960, and by 1964 he was chef at the Baton Rouge Italian restaurant The Little Village.

He later moved to New Orleans, where he opened an ambitious French Quarter restaurant called Il Ristorante Tre Fontane, which was described as the citys first big-deal Italian restaurant in the book Lost Restaurants of New Orleans by Tom Fitzmorris and Peggy Scott Laborde. This closed after a few years, but his next restaurant, La Riviera, would achieve lasting success.

Here, Fraccaro introduced many traditional Italian dishes to New Orleans, serving them next to an upscale version of Creole-Italian fare that would set a standard for years to come. His crabmeat ravioli was a signature dish.

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It was during this time that the government of Italy made him a knight, or cavaliere, in recognition of his culinary achievements, one of Fraccaros proudest achievements.

La Riviera was ruined by flooding from Hurricane Katrina, and it never reopened.

But Fraccaro maintained strong ties with others in the field, especially those he joined each year at Chefs' Charity for Children, a fundraiser for St. Michaels Special School.

Everything I do is for love, and thats what it was always about, Fraccaro once said of his commitment to the event.

From its early days, the event gathered culinary luminaries, and Fraccaro reveled in the community and purpose they shared.

We have  in Italian we say, cameratismo  camaraderie, that good feeling of being together, Fraccaro said in a 2017 interview. All us chefs, we have that feeling.

Fraccaro was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Maria, and by his granddaughter, Donna Jagot. He is survived by his daughter Maura and his grandson.

Visitation will be held at the Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal St., on Jan. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., with a funeral service to immediately follow.

+31 Ian McNulty: Meet the people behind uplifting New Orleans food stories of 2021 Following the story of New Orleans food means rolling into a lot of great meals and tracking changes in a field thats constantly in flux. It 

+22 Alzina's Kitchen, a legend of Cajun cooking, will return with the next generation Alzina Toups, 94, sat at the head of a long lunch table at her great-grandsons restaurant, Kajun Twist & Grill in Lockport. It was filled

+56 Ian McNulty: A year of New Orleans dining in 52 dishes, and a few drinks There are many ways to sum up a year in the New Orleans dining scene. Below, I'm giving you 52 of them, snapshot style, with tastes that contr
Days after St. Tammany Parish voters rejected another sales tax to fund criminal justice agencies, north shore District Attorney Warren Montgomery said he would seek his own tax, and this week, he took the first steps to put 1/7th-cent sales tax proposition on the April 30 ballot.

State law allows district attorneys to create judicial enforcement districts or sub-districts to levy taxes, which Montgomery did in December. The sub-district, which covers St. Tammany Parish, approved seeking a 10-year, 1/7th-cent sales tax for services and prosecution of crime in St. Tammany Parish on Monday.

If approved, the tax would generate an estimated $7.9 million annually to cover the cost of criminal prosecution in St. Tammany. In 2020, the criminal side of the office had a $10.6 million budget.

The 22nd Judicial District also covers Washington Parish, but it is not part of the sub-district. Washington Parish already levies a sales tax, part of which is used to pay the DA's costs there, Montgomery said.

The state Bond Commission's approval is needed before the proposition goes on the ballot.

Montgomery said that funding for his office has been shrinking for a number of years with pressure to eliminate fines and forfeitures as a source of revenue from the criminal justice system.

But the more immediate issue is a loss of revenue from St. Tammany Parish government following voter's rejection in November of a 4/10th-cent sales tax. The original tax expired in 2018, and the election marked the fourth time that voters turned down a sales tax for the jail and courthouse. It was also the largest margin of defeat as 65% of voters said "no."

Montgomery said that he has done polling, and results have shown sufficient support to go forward with the tax.

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"None of this money will go to the parish, that's the biggest distinction," he said. "All of the money will be administered by the District Attorney's Office."

Montgomery said that while his office has managed to continue operating, its ability to do so is diminishing as revenue sources dry up. "And now the parish is saying that we don't have the money to pay you," he said.

The 2022 parish budget provides only $3.1 million of the $6.4 million the DA's Office had sought.

"That leads to either litigation or seeking an independent source," Montgomery said.

Montgomery could sue the parish, he said, but if the tax is adopted, he won't need to. "One of the purposes of this is to avoid having to sue the parish."

It's not clear what other agencies that would have received funding from the failed tax will do to make up the shortfall in revenue from the parish. Besides the DA and the jail, the parish also funds the 22nd Judicial District Court. Overall, the $112 million budget that the Parish Council adopted last month provides $14 million for those costs, less than half the $32 million that had been requested.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith had no comment on his plans. But at the Parish Council meeting last month, he said that the $7.3 million provided in the 2020 budget to run the jail is $5.2 million less than what is needed. While he's made up the difference from his general fund over the last two years, he said, that's meant less more for law enforcement needs.

Immediately after that meeting, he said was not considering seeking a tax.
Whenever Taylor Pittman walked up to Kane Sanders in the hallways of McDonogh 35 Senior High School in New Orleans, she knew she would get a laugh out of him.

Pittman, president of the Class of 2021, called her 18-year-old classmate a genuinely great person who will be remembered by his intelligence and hustle, even as his loved ones grieve that he was shot and killed Saturday in Little Woods.

Sanders' best friend, Ellion Foster, said he was constantly thinking about what was next for him and how to make and save money, starting at his job at Winn Dixie, from where he often called her. Now she wishes she had picked up each one of those calls, even when she was busy working as a makeup artist.

I never met somebody like this ever, Foster said.

Sanders wasn't interested in attending college, Foster said. Instead, he was bent on getting a credit card right when he turned 18, in July, to start building his credit. He had saved up enough money to buy himself a silver Honda, which Foster said she saw only when she visited his house. He was never one to brag about it on social media, she said.

Next, Sanders wanted to buy a house. If only he had more time, Foster said she thinks he would have had it this year.

Sanders' drive for success went back to his time at McDonogh 35, Pittman said. At school, he was known for selling fresh brownies with bits of Oreos and chocolate chip cookies baked inside.

You knew if you went to Kane, he would have the brownies ready, Pittman said.

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Foster said Sanders was so focused that shed gripe on him, saying stop talking about money all the time. She said hed be on her to fix her credit so she could buy her own car.

He played a lot, but he was serious, Foster said.

Foster and Sanders sometimes visited Chuck E. Cheeses to play around, and they used to take long walks on the lakefront. But Foster said what shell miss more than anything are Sanders phone calls and hugs.

He knew how to talk to me, Foster said. He knew how to calm me down.

More than anything, she'll remember his smile.

I have so many pictures in my phone of him just smiling all the time, she said.

Sanders was shot dead, and a 23-year-old man was wounded, at Curran Road and Benson Street. The Police Department has not publicly identified a motive or suspect.
A man is in custody after police found a dismembered body in a freezer at a New Orleans home, authorities said Wednesday.

They believe it is the body of a woman who went missing in December.

Update: New details from police outline discovery of body, power saw

Benjamin Beale, 34, was arrested Tuesday and faces several charges, including obstruction of justice of a death investigation.

Police said they arrived around noon Tuesday to execute a search warrant at Beale's home at 2327 Pauline Street (map) in the Florida area of the city. They were investigating the disappearance of a woman named Julia Dardar, who was reported missing in December, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

Officers found a headless human torso in a freezer in a bus in the backyard of Beale's home, the sources said. Authorities couldn't immediately confirm the identity of the person whose torso it was and were awaiting an autopsy to determine how the person had been killed.

Beale was taken to police headquarters for questioning, authorities said, and refused to provide a statement.

Beale was booked Tuesday into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on several charges, including creating/operating a clandestine drug lab, illegal carrying of weapons, distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, according to online jail records.

Two buses had reportedly been parked at the house on Pauline Street. The blue bus where police reportedly found the body was in the backyard.

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Another bus was parked Wednesday next to the tan house. The vehicle was backed into the driveway and had a red, reptilian-like eye painted above the windshield.

Missing person report filed Dec. 23

A GoFundMe page that generated $500 in donations under Dardars name described how she had helped a friend repair a bus that the friend had inherited, and now she was stuck on the West Coast with no funds to get home to New Orleans, where she hoped to see her daughter receive a diploma.

I am 1,800 miles from home in California, said the plea on the GoFundMe page. I need fuel, food and shelter. Although I have been sleeping in my car and hitting up food banks in order to get by, my back is screwed up from failed epidurals so its not the most comfortable place to sleep.

She was reported missing to the New Orleans Police Department on Dec. 23, 2021, authorities said.

A Facebook user on the morning of Christmas Eve wrote a post about how Dardar's children had reported her missing and asked anyone who had seen her to call the NOPD.

Staff writer John Simerman contributed to this story.

Check back for more details as they develop.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct address where the body was found.
Jaren Lockhart, 22, a mother of one, disappeared after finishing a shift dancing at Temptations Gentleman's Club on Bourbon Street on June 6, 2012. Her dismembered remains were discovered along the Mississippi Gulf Coast one day later. A jury found Terry Speaks guilty of second-degree murder in June 2015. His co-defendant, Margaret Sanchez, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in her death on Monday (June 20).

In the days, months and years since Jaren Lockhart's dismembered remains floated ashore along the Mississippi coast, the narrative of her murder almost always made mention of her job as a dancer at Temptations Gentlemen's Club on Bourbon Street - much to the frustration and anger of those who knew and loved her.

So on the day that authorities completed the quest for justice by securing a guilty plea from the second suspect accused in Lockhart's death, her close friends wanted others know the young mother of one was more than just a salacious headline.

"She was more than just a Bourbon Street stripper," said Alice Bacque, 50, who was like a second mother to Lockhart. "She was a bubbly person who never met a stranger."

Defendant Margaret Sanchez, 32, of Metairie, pleaded guilty Monday (June 20) to manslaughter, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice in the 2012 killing. Judge Stephen Grefer of the 24th Judicial District Court sentenced her to a total of 40 years in prison.

Her co-defendant, Terry Speaks, 43, was sentenced to life in prison last year after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder in the case on June 19, 2015. Sanchez's plea comes before she was scheduled to stand trial for second-degree murder on July 11.

"After consulting with Ms. Lockhart's family, it was decided that the negotiated plea agreement was in the best interests of all parties involved," Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul D. Connick, Jr. said. "Out of respect for Ms. Lockhart and her family, I will not comment further on the case or the evidence."

Death and dismemberment

Witnesses last saw Lockhart alive around 2 a.m. on June 6, 2012, when she left Temptations with Speaks and Sanchez following a shift dancing. Authorities accused the couple of luring her away with an offer to earn extra money for rent by dancing at a private party.

But investigators said Speaks and Sanchez, instead, took her to a Connecticut Avenue home in Kenner owned by Sanchez's relatives. Two days later, Lockhart's torso washed ashore, followed by her head and pieces of her legs along a 33-mile stretch of the Mississippi coastline between Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs. Lockhart died of a stab wound to the chest that pierced her heart.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi initially handled the investigation into Lockhart's murder because of the location of her remains. Detectives quickly identified Sanchez and Speaks as suspects.

Investigators arrested the pair on June 13, 2012, in Tangipahoa Parish on unrelated charges. But detectives didn't have enough evidence to hold them in connection to Lockhart's murder.

Authorities released Sanchez while Speaks was extradited to North Carolina where a judge sentenced him to two years and eight months in New York federal prison for failure to register as a sex offender.

Detectives with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office spent thousands of hours investigating Lockhart's death. But authorities in Mississippi decided to turn the case over to Kenner police and the Jefferson Parish district attorney's office in April 2014.

"It was the district attorney's opinion, and ours, too, that she wasn't killed here," Hancock Country Sheriff Ricky Adams said at the time.

A Jefferson Parish grand jury indicted Speaks and Sanchez on Aug. 14, 2014. During Speaks' five-day trial a year later, prosecutors acknowledged that authorities found no DNA evidence in the Kenner home where investigators suspected Lockhart was killed or in the vehicle they believe was used to transport her remains to Mississippi.

But authorities argued the complete lack of evidence - including a faint bleach smell - in a residence that was normally a mess, was telling. They also constructed a timeline complete with surveillance video and license-plate recognition cameras that tracked the couple's vehicle from Kenner to the Mississippi state line around the time authorities believe Lockhart's remains were discarded off the Bay St. Louis Bridge.

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The jury convicted Speaks in two hours.

Painful trial

Sanchez's plea agreement will spare Lockhart's relatives and friends the ordeal of another heart-wrenching trial. "It's the best thing that could happen to avoid having another trial like we had with Terry," Bacque said.

Donna Kulick, grandmother of Lockhart's 8-year-old daughter, Rylie, gave victim impact testimony Monday before Sanchez's sentencing, telling the court the little girl still cries about her mother's death.

"Words cannot express the pain her family and friends have endured since the murder," Kulick said. Of Rylie, she added, "This will have a huge impact on her for the rest of her life."

There are some who believe Sanchez should spend the rest of her life behind bars. The 40-year sentence is the maximum allowed for a manslaughter conviction. Grefer also sentenced Sanchez to 40 years for obstruction of justice and 20 years for the conspiracy charge, all served concurrently.

Close friend Benny Hayes said there's no sentence that could bring Lockhart back.

"There's nothing the court system could do that could even the score. There's nothing the court could do to make it right," said Hayes, who is Rylie's step-uncle.

Beautiful soul

For Steve Saucier, Sanchez's guilty plea is bittersweet. Formerly a detective with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, he was the lead investigator in Lockhart's death until the department turned the case over to Jefferson Parish authorities.

"We poured our hearts and souls into it," he said. "It was a very heinous act. It was one of those types of case that consumes all of your time, all of your energy."

Despite the case's resolution, Lockhart is still gone, and relatives are left with only memories.

"When Jaren walked into a room, she lit the entire room up," Hayes said. "She was a beautiful, captivating person. Her outside beauty and her inside beauty matched each other."

Both Hayes and Bacque bristled at the characterization that Lockhart was just a stripper. Dancing was something she did, Hayes said.

"That was her job," Bacque said. "That's not what her life was or who she was."

Lockhart was a daughter, sister, loving mother and devoted friend. Rylie grows more like her mother every day. The little girl is almost a mirror image of Lockhart, with the outgoing personality to match, according to Bacque

"It's like looking at a little Jaren," she said.

When asked to describe Lockhart to those who did now have to pleasure of knowing her, Bacque pointed out a Facebook post that Lockhart published not long before her death:

"I am working every day toward my legacy. It has its errors, but each mistake has been priceless to the journey. I wouldn't exchange my past experiences for the world. They are what have shaped me into me. Every trial, every struggle, every heartbreak, every broken dream, every crushed hope, every loss has helped me grow mentally and spiritually. Were it not for my crazy, messed-up life, I would not have all the life experience that I have and would be naive, unprepared to face the world. But I have become strong, independent, and more determined than I ever would have been with a 'perfect' life. It is the hardship I have faced and the pain I have been subjected to over the years that makes me strive harder to beat the odds and break free from the chains society says I am bound by. I will never fall into those same footsteps. I am my own person. I am not the product of anyone else's doings. If you think you can judge me, think again, because I am nothing you have ever seen before. I AM ME."
Louisianas nearly final plan for reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 focuses on three pillars  a dramatic shift to electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar; using that electricity to power the states huge industrial base; and requiring industries using high-intensity heat processes to switch from carbon-based fuels to hydrogen.

The final draft of the plan was unveiled Tuesday morning during an online Zoom meeting of Gov. John Bel Edwards Climate Initiatives Task Force. Task force members will be allowed to append objections to the plan through Jan. 31, the date of the task forces last meeting. The plan will be delivered to Edwards Feb. 1.

The task force and its advisory committees will meet again in March to be briefed on Edwards priorities for moving forward with the plans eight broad areas of focus, which contain 28 major carbon reduction strategies and recommend 84 specific actions.

Policy pillars The proposed carbon reduction plan focuses on three major strategies: switching electricity generation to renewable energy, having industrial 

The focus on the three pillars aims to highlight that, unlike other states, Louisianas greatest producers of carbon emissions are industry and electric generation. And the industrial sector is responsible for 66% of the states total, according to the latest survey by LSU researchers.

The 90-page draft outlines a complex plan to reshape the state's economy at all levels, from the use of cars and trucks to land-use decision-making, to the complexities of how electric generation can be switched to zero-carbon fuels like solar and wind, to methods for permanently storing carbon underground.

At the request of several task force members, task force chairman Harry Vorhoff said his staff would develop a two-page summary of the plan.

The governor would have to take a series of actions to implement the plan's pieces.

For instance, the plan requires the creation of a "Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard" for electricity generation that would aim to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by generating plants to zero by 2050 or earlier. The proposal calls for the state standard to align with proposed federal requirements that 100% of electricity generation be derived from renewable or clean resources by 2035, with at least 80% coming from renewable resources by 2050.

Moving forward with that or the myriad of other recommendations is likely to require:

One or more executive orders from the governor requiring specific actions to reduce emissions ;

Assignments of strategies to reduce emissions  through rule changes or grant programs or other strategies  to state agencies, including the Departments of Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, Economic Development, Agriculture and Forestry; and Transportation and Development.

Submitting requests for action to the independent Public Service Commission, including efforts to reduce emissions by utilities and shippers.

Requests to the federal government or Congress for changes in law or money to assist in carbon reductions.

Requests to private industry for assistance in meeting carbon goals.

And submitting bills to the Legislature to change state laws governing industry, housing, land use, electricity generation, among other things.

In releasing the final version of the plan, state officials also addressed concerns raised by several task force members during a December meeting that the proposals would not bring the state to net zero by 2050, as required by Edwards 2020 executive order.

Allison DeJong, a researcher with the Water Institute of the Gulf, which is in charge of modeling used to determine whether the plan will work, said the modeling was adjusted to take into account two segments of potential carbon reductions that are not captured by models.

Modeling to net zero This graphic shows the various economic sectors that would be required to reduce carbon emissions to meet Gov. John Bel Edwards' net zero goal

One is carbon that officials believe will be captured by land  such as farmland and forests  and wetlands within the state. That has yet to be modeled.

The other involves expected federal actions, such as President Joe Bidens proposed Build Back Better legislation, that would fund major efforts to reduce carbon emissions nationwide, including in Louisiana. That category also includes expected regional cooperative agreements to reduce emissions, and the expected adoption of a national carbon pricing system that would reduce emissions by taxing them.

However, DeJong confirmed that the net-zero level is based on estimates of 2018 carbon emissions of 217 million tons by the state's industrial sector. Task force members have pointed out that proposed and permitted but not yet built industrial plants are expected to emit another 100 million tons.

This version of the plan includes tweaks to a lengthy introduction to the proposed actions that outlines the risks of inaction. An earlier version of the full climate action plan is on the task force's website.

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The report says failure to reduce carbon emissions will result in a variety of health threats, with rising temperatures potentially being the most deadly. The report points out that most Louisiana cities have seen significant increases in the number of days with temperatures over 95 degrees since 1970.

Air quality will continue to decline, the report said, including increased dates with high ozone or high particulate matter levels, and more days with wildfires.

Transmission of various diseases also will increase, in part because warmer temperatures will make their spread more likely.

And increased mental health impacts also will be likely, because of all the other health issues and because of threats from natural disasters.

Days above 95 since 1970 A key health threat of climate change is rising temperatures. This graphic shows the number of days since 1970 that Louisiana cities have seen

Louisianas indigenous residents also will be disproportionately impacted by climate change, as many will be directly impacted by changes to the ecosystems, species and lands that are culturally, economically, and historically significant to them. The report cites the significant impacts to Louisiana tribes from Hurricane Ida as an example.

Climate changes effects on the environment include well-known impacts like the expected increase in sea level along the states coastline; the increased impacts of hurricanes, including higher storm surges and greater rainfall totals; impacts to fisheries harvests caused by both wetlands loss and warming Gulf waters; increased bouts of inland flooding; more exposure to periods of drought; and a variety of related impacts to both crops and livestock.

Extreme weather events represent the most significant economic effects expected to result from climate change, the report said, pointing out that many such events do not result in federal disaster declarations that can help residents recoup their losses.

But climate change also holds the threat of risks to the states economy from the transitions that are already in play around the globe to reduce its effects, the report said: changing demand for oil and gas produced by Louisiana; shifts by companies from gas-fired to electric vehicles; and risks resulting from decisions made by banks and insurance companies and related policymakers that could harm Louisiana residents.

On the plus side, according to the plan, the proposals for reducing greenhouse gases could have significant health, economic and lifestyle benefits to Louisiana residents: Many of the recommendations for reducing greenhouse gases would also lead to reductions in other pollutants. There would be fewer asthma attacks and premature deaths linked to air pollution.

Increased emphasis on land use changes that promote biking and walking are also likely to promote health and quality of life. The same is true for increased access to public transit and broadband services, both aimed at reducing emissions through less travel using carbon fuels.

+9 After Ida left millions in the dark, advocates turn to solar power. How much can it help? When Hurricane Ida knocked out all eight of the transmission lines that bring power to New Orleans, it highlighted a vulnerability in the way 

And energy-efficiency improvements can save money on fuel.

The plan focuses on creating a more equitable society by emphasizing equity in decisions involving climate, by requiring data to be collected and progress tracked on policy decisions.

The plan also is to have the state government emphasize opportunities to utilize minority-owned businesses and employ disadvantaged workers in building solar power distribution systems and alternative vehicle fueling stations.

The states economy also will be improved by the states business community participating in the transition to a low-carbon economy, the plan said, which will help maintain competitiveness.

Economic investments are also likely in major renewable energy projects, such as offshore wind platforms, manufacturing of low-carbon fuels, and implementation of carbon-reducing industry processes, the plan said.

If the states carbon reduction actions are met both nationwide and in other countries, it could assist in the states coastal restoration efforts through reduced rates of sea level rise, reduce heat island effects in cities and towns, and reduce potential damage to agricultural production.

The planning document stresses the need for immediate action, which must be accompanied by mitigation of the already present climate effects. Examples are combining energy efficiency programs, like local solar power cooperatives with energy storage capacity that could be used by participants if power goes out during a hurricane.
Mary Ptak inside her funky Fort Lauderdale gift shop, Jezebel, on Tuesday. The store located in the Gateway Shopping Center for 33 years will be closing by the end of February. (Susan Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

After 33 years as a beloved hub of funky style and community-building klatches in the Gateway Shopping Center in east Fort Lauderdale, kitschy shop Jezebel is set to close by the end of February.

Shopkeeper Mary Ptak says a new owner has taken over her section of the center on East Sunrise Boulevard and she believes renovations are coming that will lead to an inevitable rent increase she cant afford.

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So the 72-year-old Ptak has put everything on sale in the packed store  from cards and candles to snarky posters and furniture, even the sections of a nearly 100-year-old carousel that have hung on the wall for years.

Soon to follow will be her Coral Ridge home. Without Jezebel, she cant afford it, Ptak said.

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Everybody is freaking out. Theres crying in here. This morning this girl started to cry and I said, Please dont cry because Im trying not to. Im really trying not to cry every minute of the day, she said this week.

Rose Davidson looks at napkins at Jezebel, the upper section of the wall lined with sections from a nearly 100-year-old carousel. (Susan Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Over the years Jezebel developed a legion of fans, mostly women, who were drawn to the unique discoveries lining the shelves as well as its indefatigably upbeat proprietor.

The demise of the shop will leave a social and emotional hole in this community.

Im sad, said Heather De Paolis, 51, of Fort Lauderdale. She has the best cards, the funniest cards. But its Mary, too. Shes fantastic. Shes fun to come in and talk to. Wed talk about politics and religion and all that fun stuff. Shes just a good person. Every time I leave here, Im smiling and happy.

Sock monkeys for sale at Jezebel in the Gateway Shopping Center in Fort Lauderdale. (Susan Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Plantation resident Erin Mastery, 60, acknowledged that the shopping center, which borders the 70-year-old Gateway Theater, could use some fixing up  but she hopes it retains its authenticity.

Quirky places like Jezebel are  genuine. The place is full of surprises, things you arent going to find on Amazon or anyplace else, really. We cant lose that, she said.

Ptak agrees that her shop could use renovations. (She stopped selling expensive gowns and costumes in 2005 after rain from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma found its way inside the store.)

She also acknowledges that selling Jezebel was a move she was probably going to make in the next couple of years. (Family back in New York have been pushing her to retire for a decade.)

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Pia Lokrantz looks for hidden treasure at Jezebel in Fort Lauderdale's Gateway Shopping Center. (Susan Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

And she understands that Fort Lauderdale is changing, retail is changing and people are changing. (The name-calling and door-slamming she has endured due to her mask policy has been horrific.)

But Ptak believes a lack of transparency by the new owners is a signal that her history in the center isnt respected. She said she first learned of the new ownership in December when representatives of Native Realty Co. started measuring her front windows.

I didnt want to go out like this. I wanted to go out on my own terms. I would have gone out over a six-month period, Ptak said.

Native Realty Co. recently moved offices into a corner of the Gateway Shopping Center in Fort Lauderdale. (Susan Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Native Realty, whose signs are sprinkled throughout hot corners in Flagler Village and downtown Fort Lauderdale, recently moved its offices into the southwest corner of Gateway Shopping Center.

I know so many people that have been under the gun with them in other parts of town, Ptak said. Its not like they are going to kick you out right away, but they are gonna raise the rents.

Native Realty founder and CEO Jaime Sturgis said he will be an owner of the Jezebel space; he declined to say what other storefronts might be involved in the deal. The sale is not yet final, which has limited his ability to speak about it, he said.

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Sturgis said he was contractually unable to speak with Ptak in a formal way until Tuesday, when he tried to convince her that she was making unfounded assumptions about the future.

They agreed basic improvements were needed on the property, Sturgis said, including hurricane-impact windows and doors, and roof repairs.

We havent even had a conversation about rent, Sturgis said. The premise of the call was, like, Lets see what you need and want. And the response was, Ive already made a decision. 

Jezebel is located at 1980 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday. Call 954-761-7881 or visit Facebook.com/ilovejezebel.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com.
Several months after learning that Jefferson Parish would get about $84 million in federal funds to help mitigate the costs of the coronavirus pandemic, a task force appointed by the Parish Council is inching closer to making recommendations on how to spend the money.

The task force, which includes appointments from the the council and Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng's administration as well as representatives from parish business and community organizations, is expected to wrap up several months of meetings with recommendations to the council later this month. Recently, Mike Quigley, a staffer for Council member Dominick Impastato and the chair of the task force, circulated a draft report that could be presented to the council.

That draft highlighted a number of guidelines that task force members could urge the council to follow when making any allocations from the American Rescue Plan fund dollars.

"The American Rescue Plan funding needs to be utilized to build the future, it needs to be transformative, a game changer," the first guideline in the draft says.

But just two lines later, the guidelines illustrate some of the fault lines in the parish's political firmament, especially when it comes to spending the federal windfall.

"Funds should not establish new departments or programs that will require reoccurring funding," it says. That seems directed at one of Lee Sheng's key wish-list items: startup funding for a new parish health department similar to the one that exists in New Orleans.

Should Jefferson Parish have a health department like New Orleans? Cynthia Lee Sheng thinks so With the threat of an omicron-fueled coronavirus surge looming, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng said she will renew her push to c

In a letter to the council, Lee Sheng urged them to consider using some of the APR funds to hire staff for a health department which would be headed by Sarah Babcock, a current Lee Sheng aide who has a public health background.

Funding such a department would help address a number of parish needs, including things not tied to the pandemic, Lee Sheng has argued. But council members have been skeptical of the idea.

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Lee Sheng pitched several other ideas to the task force, including a natatorium to lure sporting events and a ferry-style link between Lafitte and Grand Isle that she says would boost the latter's tourism-appeal.

Another guideline under consideration by the task force notes the way the parish doled out some of the funds from the BP settlement over the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Jefferson Parish got $53 million in BP settlement funds.

"Funds should not be divided between council districts similar to the allocation of the BP funds," it reads. Another says the funds should be used for projects that benefit the entire parish, "not just parochial interests."

The remaining guidelines urge the council not to allocate funds where there is already a dedicated source, to avoid choosing studies with no foreseeable construction funding and to select projects that can be completed by the end of 2024.

Attached to the list of guidelines with the draft report is a spreadsheet of potential projects or concepts that could be recommended to the council. Included on that list are things such as studying and expanding broadband access -- something Lee Sheng also identified -- improving housing stock, adding senior living, workforce development and hardening infrastructure, something Hurricane Ida highlighted as a parish need.

Other projects under consideration include integrating the City of Westwego water system into the parish's, improving drainage in Lafitte and countering food deserts. Under Quigley's proposed plan, the task force will prioritize the projects before it presents them to the council for consideration.

Council member Jennifer Van Vrancken, who has suggested a number of Fat City upgrades, including the creation of a transit hub in the Metairie District, said the windfall is an opportunity to take some bold actions.

"These should be transformational projects," she said. "There's an opportunity to do some 'wow' kind of things."
Wind-whipped flames are marching across more of New Mexicos tinder-dry mountainsides, forcing the evacuation of area residents and dozens of patients from the state's psychiatric hospital as firefighters scramble to keep new wildfires from growing. The big blaze burning near the community of Las Vegas has charred more than 217 square miles. Residents in neighborhoods on the edge of Las Vegas were told to be ready to leave their homes. It's the biggest wildfire in the U.S. and is moving quickly through groves of ponderosa pine because of hot, dry and windy conditions that make for extreme wildfire danger. Forecasters are warning of extreme fire danger across New Mexico and in western Texas.
In March, Ryan Hayslip will embark on a 50-mile trek to give back to the veteran community. He wants to support veterans who are strugglingwhich is an experience he knows all too well.

Hayslip, a current resident of Avis, Pa., served in the military for 8.5 years, including two tours in Iraq. When he returned, he suffered through severe depression and anxiety, both of which began to restrict his everyday life.

"I didn't seem like myself," said Hayslip. "So my wife started letting me know that I really need to talk to someone."

At first, Hayslip wasn't fully aware of his struggle because, he admitted, "for most people, or most guys, it's hard to admit when you got problems. I have found that especially [applies to] military men."

Hayslip started sessions with the Veteran Affairs psychiatrist, who then directed him to weekly sessions with the Vet Center. To this day, Hayslip continues to attend monthly sessions.

As Hayslip now reflects upon his therapy experiences, he advocates for emotional expression. He attends shared therapy group sessions with other veterans, many of whom share in similar struggles.

"Our counselors are like 'all you guys have got so much in common," began Hayslip. "I think it would be beneficial if you all start meeting up, and show that there's more people in this community that are your age, having the same problems, and you don't even realize it."

Unexpectedly, Hayslip found another therapy connection through his work in the oil and gas industrya difficult place to share mental health experiences, according to Hayslip. "It's very similar to the military when it comes to the camaraderie. It would be hard for me to mention, on the rigs, about some of the anxiety issues," he said.

"But I come to find out that my counselor is seeing a guy that I work with; neither one of us knew that we were both seeing the same counselor," said Hayslip.

That realization led Hayslip to consider how widespread mental health struggles can be. "A lot of times we don't even realize people that we're working right next to are having some of the same issues that we are."

One of those shared struggles, right now, across many communities, is financial insecurity. Many veterans are facing this issue, according to Hayslip, which has guided his selection of a donation cause.

The Clinton County Veterans Affairs Emergency Fund offers financial support for veterans, as well as a food distribution program. All donations raised through Hayslip's fundraising will be directed to the emergency fund.

Hayslip is promoting the fundraiser on a gofundme page. Just three days after starting the page on January 3, Hayslip hit his $1000 goal; so he set a new goal of $5000, to be reached by the time his walk begins on March 25.

"I'm pretty excited by all the support. I started out with wanting to do something small. Give back a little bit," said Hayslip. "I didn't realize how big it was going to get."

Hayslip has already reached more people than he expected. His plans for the walk will continue that reachdirectly from the streets of our communities. His walk will cross over two countiesLycoming to Clintonwhile stopping at several, notable checkpoints.

Hayslip is breaking the journey into a series of legs, in the following order: Picture Rocks to Montoursville Fire Department (13 miles); Fire department to Downtown Williamsport to the VFW in South Williamsport (8 miles); Route 654 to Route 44 in Jersey Shore to the American Legion in Avis (22 miles); Avis to Lock Haven (7 miles).

The veteran is in the process of organizing the journey, which includes coordinating permits with local municipalities, and hopefully, featuring a live feed of the walk on an app so the public can follow along.

Hayslip may be a "big runner," he said, but he's still training consistently to take on the 50 miles. Just like mental health, performing well takes commitment.

More Coverage The Veteran's Mental Health Awareness Walk now has branded t-shirts for sale online. Participants can join in on segments of the walk. More information is available at this link.

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Lewisburg -- The DAISY award recognizes a deserving nurse who exemplifies clinical expertise and compassionate care and is recognized as a role model in the nursing community. Hannah Sauers, RN, BSN, received the honor on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

Sauers was surrounded by her fellow coworkers and mentors, as well as Hospital and Nursing leadership, as she was presented with the award. She was nominated for the award by a colleague, Barb Jordan.

In the nomination, Jordan shared, I want to tell you about one of your amazing CCU nurses. Her name is Hannah. I have watched her care for so many people including patients, family members and colleagues. She is flexible with her assignments. She is always smiling and the first to lend a helping hand. She is the co-worker we all want to be. Hannah is such a DAISY. Her compassion for her vulnerable patients shows through her every action.

Jordan continued, We recently had a COVID-19 patient who Hannah cared for, for many days. She kept him and his family informed so they knew what was happening and what to expect next. She made sure he was comfortable every time she was in his room. Her technical skills and clinical assessment are always strong. She spent time with this patient. She talked to him. She listened to him. She prayed with him. She didnt just take care of this gentleman, she cared for him in his entirety.

Sauers began her work at Evangelical in June 2017 as a Nursing Assistant in the float pool. Continuing her commitment to nursing and her career, she participated in the Hospitals student nurse externship program in 2018.

In 2019, following her graduation from nursing school at Bloomsburg University, she accepted a fulltime RN position in what was then the ICU/Stepdown Department. She has been a vital member of the Hospitals Critical Care Unit team of professionals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 in California by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 from complications of an auto-immune disease. During his eight-week hospital stay, his family was impressed by the care and compassion his nurses provided, not only to him but to everyone in the family. They created the DAISY Award in his memory to recognize those nurses who make a big difference in the lives of so many people.

Evangelical is proud to be a DAISY Award partner. Nurses are nominated by patients, family members of patients, as well as other healthcare professionals. Nominations are presented for consideration through a process of anonymity. The winner is then selected by a board of healthcare workers.

Each DAISY Award Honoree is given a DAISY Award pin, a certificate of honor, a gift card from Service First Federal Credit Union, and a stone sculpture entitled, A Healers Touch, handcrafted by a tribe in Zimbabwe.

Nominations for the DAISY award can be made by patients, patient family members, colleagues, and providers. If an Evangelical Community Hospital nurse has displayed extraordinary clinical expertise and compassion, visit www.DAISYnomination.org/ECH and fill out a nomination form.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox.
As area universities respond to COVID-19, they are issuing updated plans for the spring semester. Bloomsburg University will shift online temporarily, while Mansfield will begin in-person for all students, assuming testing requirements are met.

Bloomsburg University

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's Spring 2022 semester will begin on Monday, Jan. 24, with the first week of classes to be delivered online. The University will continue all classes the week of Jan. 31, as planned (meaning in-person, hybrid, or online), according to the student's schedule.

By starting the semester with just the one week online, Bloomsburg University can stagger the move-in process and provide a robust testing protocol for students living on campus. All students residing on campus will be required to have a negative COVID test before being permitted to complete the move-in process. Testing will take place at Monty's on the Upper Campus. A negative COVID test result within 48 hours of move-in will also be accepted.

"We are excited for the start of the Spring 2022 semester and the return of our students to campus," said BU President Bashar Hanna. "Our campus community has been diligently following the safety protocols, and I know they will continue to do what is necessary to ensure a healthy and safe semester of learning."

In addition, masks will continue to be required to be worn inside all campus buildings by all students, faculty, staff, and guests.

For more information on the start of the Spring 2022 semester, visit bloomu.edu/spring.

Mansfield University

Mansfield University will return to in-person instruction with health and wellness protocols in place for the Spring 2022 semester, which begins on Monday, Jan. 24.

All students living on campus, regardless of vaccination status, are required to test negative for COVID-19 with a University-provided rapid antigen test prior to moving into the residence halls. Free testing is available for all students and employees upon request. Open testing clinics for students and employees will also be held throughout the semester.

Masking will continue to be required for all indoor campus spaces and while using University transportation. The University will provide KN95 and surgical masks to the campus community.

"We are excited for the start of the Spring 2022 semester and the return of our students to our campus," said Mansfield University Interim President Dr. Bashar Hanna. "Our campus community has been very diligently following the safety protocols, and I know they will continue to do what is necessary to have ensure a healthy and safe semester of learning."

Mansfield University encourages all students and employees to receive their COVID-19 vaccine and booster. The University will host additional, optional on-campus vaccination clinics during the spring semester.

The Mansfield University Health and Safety Plan is available at mansfield.edu/health.

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Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Harrisburg, Pa.  In May, GOP lawmakers who control the state House and Senate hired the chair of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania to represent them in legal matters at $575 an hour.

Within three weeks, Lawrence Tabas  one of the states top election lawyers  and his law firm had charged the chambers more than $36,000 for 78 hours of work, records show.

What Tabas did for the legislature, however, is a mystery.

Republican leaders redacted all details about his work from his contract and other public records, continuing into 2021 a stubborn pattern of secrecy surrounding the legislatures agreements with private lawyers, an ongoing review by The Caucus and Spotlight PA shows.

In eight cases that began in 2021, or continued to be billed that year, the House and Senate wholly blacked out the reasons for hiring the private law firm, records obtained through a Right-to-Know request show. In other cases, lawmakers drafted the contract with the outside law firms using language so vague that it is impossible to tell what the case was about.

In doing so, those leaders have continued to flout a 2013 decision by the states highest court that ruled general descriptions of legal services, and the identity of who is being represented, are public information. The Caucus and Spotlight PA are appealing the redactions.

Where  the taxpayers are footing the bill for the legal services, they are entitled to know the general nature of the services provided for the fees charged, a panel of Commonwealth Court judges wrote following the state Supreme Courts decision.

Legislative leaders spend millions in taxpayer dollars each year to hire private law firms through a closed-door process that, unlike other state contracts, is made with virtually no public oversight. These contracts are regularly awarded to law firms that pour cash into legislators campaign coffers, a previous investigation found.

Not only do taxpayers pick up the cost for those legal battles  sometimes twice if the cases involve both political parties or separate branches of the government  but they are also paying for legislative leaders to keep details of those fights under wraps.

In 2021, the House and Senate GOP spent $34,659 to fight attempts by The Caucus and Spotlight PA, under the states open records law, to make public critical details in legal bills from prior years.

The top-paid firm fighting the news organizations appeal: Philadelphia-based Kleinbard LLC. The company also happens to be one of the eight firms whose reason for being hired is completely redacted.

In the first nine months of 2021, the legislatures legal bills totaled $3.5 million, on par with the roughly $5 million the two chambers have spent annually on lawyers in recent years.

Some of that money covered continuing costs for litigation in cases that stretch back years, such as the landmark school funding case now playing out in Commonwealth Court. New legal matters in 2021 included a fight over a state Senate race, a federal investigation into the states teacher pension fund, the drawing of new political districts, Gov. Tom Wolfs mask mandate for schools, and the controversial review of the 2020 presidential election championed by Senate Republicans.

The redacted cases represent nearly 10% of the total spending, with the attorneys involved in the secret work receiving up to $775 an hour.

Spokespersons for House and Senate Republican leaders declined to answer questions about the newly redacted cases. They have previously defended redactions in legal documents in general by saying the blacked-out information, if revealed, would jeopardize legal strategy or reveal private legal matters that arent on a public court docket.

Kleinbard lawyers hired by the Senate to fight an appeal brought by The Caucus and Spotlight PA recently defended the redactions as limited and focused.

All of the redactions involved legal advice outside of the realm of public knowledge, the lawyers wrote of the cases paid for by taxpayer dollars.

Another year of redactions

The Senate paid out nearly $2 million on new legal bills between Jan. 1 and Oct. 15, according to information provided to The Caucus and Spotlight PA through a public records request.

Of that total, $232,042 went toward cases in which the Senate, in public records, redacted the explanation for the legal services.

Almost all of that was signed off on by Senate Republicans. The biggest chunk  $119,471  went to Kleinbard, one of their go-to firms on issues like elections and constitutional fights. Matt Haverstick, one of the firms lead lawyers, declined to comment.

Billing records and engagement letters show that Kleinbard was first hired by the Senate GOP for one mystery case in January 2020, charging between $225 and $775 per hour for its work. In the engagement letter that Senate leaders signed with Kleinbard, they redacted the reason for the firms representation. They also blacked out details in billing records.

The records do give some glimpses into how Kleinbard charges for its work. Just under two hours of research cost taxpayers $531. An 18-minute phone call between two of the firms lawyers on the case racked up $115.50 in February.

Such granular details are also left unredacted in records involving other firms, such as Saxton & Stump; Dilworth Paxson; and McNees, Wallace & Nurick  even as the Senate blacked out the reasons they were hired.

Senate Democrats also redacted the purpose of cases handled by two law firms: Myers, Brier & Kelly, who they paid $2,000, and Greenberg Traurig, who they paid $1,140.

In the House, leaders redacted fewer cases. And in one case, they revealed details they had wholly obscured in years prior.

A previous Caucus and Spotlight PA investigation into the legislatures legal bills in 2019 and 2020 showed that the House blacked out 140 pages of bills they paid to Dilworth Paxson. Through other records, the news organizations found the firm was hired to represent the House GOP in the high-profile education funding case now being heard in Commonwealth Court.

The case, brought by several low-income and rural school districts that contend they have been underfunded by the state for decades, could have a monumental impact on future public school funding.

When the news organizations requested bills for the same case in 2021, the House turned over 60 new pages of invoices that did not redact the purpose, revealing that the chamber had previously obscured this simple phrase: education funding litigation.

Advice and counsel but no details

The most glaring redaction in the new legal records provided by the legislature involves Tabas, one of the most prominent figures in state politics, and his firm, Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel.

Records show Tabas represented both House and Senate Republicans in a matter that is blacked out in public records provided by the two chambers.

An engagement letter dated May 12, 2021, explains the firm will represent each of the Republican legislative leaders  Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman of Centre County, Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward of Westmoreland County, House Speaker Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County, and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff of Centre County  and the members of their caucuses to provide advice and counsel.

But all details about what that advice is in regards to are labeled redacted.

Invoices show three lawyers handled the matter starting May 7, with Tabas as the lead lawyer racking up 27.4 hours over three weeks at his $575 per hour rate. Those invoices refer to the lawyers work reviewing case law in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, strategizing, and making calls  though many details are also heavily redacted.

One week after that May 12 letter, Senate Democrats hired the same firm to represent state Sen. Katie Muth (D., Montgomery) in her role as a board member on the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System. But the letter, in that case, was not redacted, revealing the firm was hired to represent Muth as PSERS was under federal investigation.

Senate Republicans also had not obscured details when they hired the Obermayer firm and paid it $348,000 in 2020 for election matters, according to unredacted documents The Caucus and Spotlight PA previously obtained.

Tabas is one of the states preeminent election lawyers. Since 2019, hes also headed the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, which raises campaign money and crafts strategies to elect more Republicans to the legislature and other statewide offices. The party also typically endorses candidates in statewide primary contests, support that carries significant weight in races such as that for governor  which in 2022 is shaping up to be a crowded field.

Among those represented by Tabas in the mystery case is Corman, a leading candidate in a group of more than a dozen people who have announced they will run for governor.

Tabas did not respond to email and telephone requests for comment.

Election costs climb

While it is unclear whether Tabas representation involves an election case, records show the legislature continued to spend thousands of dollars in 2021 on election-related matters.

In 2020, the Senate spent at least $1.2 million on election matters in the lead-up to and aftermath of the presidential contest. Between January and October 2021, the legislature continued to pay bills related to those same cases, adding $319,111 to that total.

For instance, Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate lawyered up in early 2021 after GOP leaders threatened not to seat state Sen. Jim Brewster (D., Allegheny). Brewsters narrow edge over his Republican opponent in the 2020 election was being challenged in the courts, and he eventually prevailed.

That fight cost taxpayers more than $48,000, records show.

Separately, the two chambers spent at least $241,506 on legal advice and work regarding the decennial process of drawing legislative and congressional districts, which is ongoing and could likely cost taxpayers thousands of dollars more.

Redistricting is a hotly contested process  and in decades past has led to years-long legal fights  because it helps determine the balance of power in Harrisburg as well as in Pennsylvanias congressional delegation for the next decade.

Lawmakers are also expected to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a controversial review of the 2020 election spurred by falsehoods that the presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. Corman has said the review is necessary to restore public faith in the electoral process.

In September, Senate Democrats challenged a subpoena issued by their Republican counterparts to gather detailed voter information, such as partial Social Security numbers.

Democrats are paying $450 per hour to the firm Dentons, Cohen & Grigsby, while Republicans pushing for the subpoena are paying Kleinbard up to $775 per hour in ongoing litigation, records show. In the end, however, taxpayers are picking up the entire tab.

Invoices for that work are not yet available, so it is not known how much has been spent on lawyers. The legal expenses are separate from the cost of the review itself, which GOP leaders have pegged at $270,000. The spending comes despite numerous other audits confirming the results of the election and finding no widespread fraud.

WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.

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The relatively quiet, albeit very cold, weather pattern setting into much of the Midwest and Northeast during the second week of January will be short-lived, AccuWeather forecasters caution, as they monitor for more weather trouble and any storms lurking in the long-range forecast.

A storm originating from western Canada will track southeastward to bring a broad zone of accumulating snow that will result in slippery travel conditions from parts of the Plains and Midwest late this week to portions of the South and interior Northeast this weekend, AccuWeather meteorologists say.

"The storm will operate within and move along a temperature contrast zone," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. Even though the frigid air gripping the Midwest and Northeast will ease up by midweek, another shot of cold air will follow later this week and this weekend. By Friday, high temperatures will be in the single digits F across northern New England. Meanwhile, on the other side of the jet stream, temperatures will climb well into the 40s across parts of the central Plains.

"By the time this storm arrives at the end of the week, there will still be cold air to its north and east and mild air to its south and west, and that should keep the storm going and might even allow it to strengthen," Rayno said.

The storm will be an Alberta clipper that moves southeastward late this week as a new wave of cold air advances.

Clipper storms that originate over western Canada tend to bring only light to moderate snow along a narrow zone as they move swiftly along. But, if circumstances allow, snow can fall over a broad zone, and heavy snow could fall if the storm manages to strengthen and/or come in contact with moisture.

"Given the expected track of the storm, a swath of several inches of snow is likely from parts of Minnesota to Iowa from Friday to early Saturday," Rayno said.

Not only does it appear that Minneapolis and Des Moines, Iowa, are in the path of accumulating snow, but major cites farther to the east, such as Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville, Kentucky, in the Midwest may have flakes flying for a time this weekend.

There are some different scenarios forecasters are considering about how the storm might behave once it approaches the Appalachians later this weekend with the biggest question being: How soon might the system make a more eastward and northward turn? Cold, dry air may come in so forcefully that it would limit the storm's ability to cause snow to spread over the Northeast states.

Dry air in place is likely to be a factor against heavy snow from falling too far to the north in the Northeastern states -- at least initially. "It is possible that snow from the storm around much of the Great Lakes on Saturday and parts of the central Appalachians on Sunday may only be in the neighborhood of a dusting to an inch or so," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr said.

A small accumulation of snow over a broad area that overlaps major airport hubs in the Midwest and Northeast and long stretches of major highways can trigger substantial airline delays and dangerous travel conditions for motorists.

It does appear that the storm will allow snow to dip into parts of the southern Appalachians later Saturday to Sunday. Some sort of wintry mix or a rain-to-snow situation may unfold in eastern, more lower-elevation areas of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia as well on Sunday. A wintry mix could occur in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia, by Sunday with a chance of some snow spreading to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and even New York City Sunday night.

With the storm being several days away, adjustments to the forecast are likely, once a definitive track and overlay of moisture can be ascertained.

After that, there is the potential for the clipper system to strengthen quickly upon reaching the mid-Atlantic coast early next week.

This coastal evolution would be a way for heavy snow and major travel disruptions to develop along the Interstate 95 corridor. However, the heavy snow risk would be contingent on the track of the storm.

"A lot can happen a week away, and changes to plans and travel are not warranted at this point," Anderson said, explaining that there is just as much chance for the storm on Monday to swing well out to sea before making a northward turn.

One such storm will do just that several days earlier. A storm that forms well off the mid-Atlantic coast is projected to swing northward and produce heavy snow and strong winds over part of Atlantic Canada from later Friday to Saturday. AccuWeather meteorologists will monitor this storm for any westward jog that might bring snow to Boston and coastal areas of New Hampshire and Maine.

"For now, it appears the greatest impacts in eastern New England from the Atlantic Canada storm late this week and early this weekend will be increasing winds and rough seas," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Courtney Travis said.

AccuWeather's long-range meteorologists have a storm on their radar for later next week, and they say it may bring wintry trouble to the East.

"The weather pattern during the period from Jan. 20-22 supports heavy snow and disruptions to school and commerce from the central Appalachians to the interior Northeast if a storm takes the track we believe occurs," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said.

A southward displacement of the polar vortex for January was predicted many weeks in advance and will continue to bring waves of cold air to the Midwest and the Northeast over the next week or two.

Pastelok pointed to a continuance of the southward displacement of the polar vortex, as well as weather factors occurring in the Pacific Ocean and jet stream patterns along the Atlantic seaboard later next week that suggest such a storm may come about.

Regardless of the potential for changing details in the days ahead, the overall weather pattern will continue to operate in a fairly typical January mode for the Midwest and Eastern states and that means that multiple storms are likely to evolve through the end of the month with opportunities for accumulating snow and accompanying travel disruptions, despite a lull during the early part of this week.

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Lock Haven, Pa.  A Lock Haven man was sentenced to 47 years in State Prison Monday in Clinton County Court.

Edgar John Willits, 63, was found guilty on charges of rape of a child and related offenses after authorities discovered he sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl.

The prosecution called multiple witnesses throughout the one-day trail in August that included the victim, who delivered powerful testimony detailing the assault for the jury. The victims parents testified about her emotional decline and what ultimately led to the disclosure of the assault.

All were present during the Jan. 10 sentencing when Lock Haven District Attorney Dave Strouse called for a maximum sentence of 20 to 40 years for the rape conviction.

Willits, who has been wheelchair bound since incarceration due to medical issues, apologized to the victim for any inconvenience he had caused her. Prior to handing down the sentence, Judge Michael Salisbury told Willits he was appalled by the defendants description of the rape as an inconvenience.

Willits was ultimately given 47 years in prison followed by a mandatory three years of probation.

Willits will be considered parole eligible after serving 21 years and four months of his sentence. According to the release, Willits will be a lifetime Megans Law Registrant.

Willits was found guilty on felony charges that included first-degree rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault, second-degree sexual assault, third-degree indecent assault of a person less than 13, and corruption of minors during his August trial.

Docket sheet

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Fort Lauderdale  Two tall and slender towers with an edgy modern look could be coming to Flagler Village, adding a touch of skyline drama to the trendy Fort Lauderdale neighborhood.

The twin towers would stand 45 stories tall and bring 612 new units to the east side of Andrews Avenue, just a few blocks north of Broward Boulevard. The developer, BH3 Management, has reserved nearly 75,000 square feet for shops, restaurants and offices and will build 890 parking spaces.

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The high-rise project, currently dubbed the DNA, would take up half a city block and tower over nearby buildings  but thats exactly what city planners have been courting for that section of downtown.

Flagler Village did not just create itself out of magic, said Commissioner Steve Glassman, whose district includes the neighborhood. It was a plan. Theres an incredible vibe happening in Flagler Village right now. This is just another piece in that puzzle of what weve created.

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Skyline drama

Nothing wrong with a little bit of skyline drama in New York.

But what will folks in Flagler Village have to say?

It might be too soon to say, but at least one resident thinks the towers are way too tall.

These towers are just gigantic, said Leann Barber, president of the Flagler Village Civic Association. Its a monstrous building. Its going to cast shadows over the entire neighborhood. Pretty soon well be in total darkness.

A developer plans to build twin towers in the trendy Flagler Village neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale. The towers, at 300 and 330 Andrews Avenue in downtown, would have 612 apartments along with 75,000 square feet reserved for restaurants, shops and office space. (Sieger Suarez Architects/Courtesy)

But one activist who works in Flagler Village says the towers might just be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

I think the neighborhood will embrace it, said Shawn Williams, a local blogger who lives in nearby Sailboat Bend and handles social media for the Flagler Village Civic Association.

I love the design

I love the design, Williams added. Its different for our city. A friend of mine called it brutalist modern. Everyone in Flagler Village is expecting construction. Most people move to Flagler Village for the energy of living in a downtown.

BH3 bought the property for $23 million in 2019.

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The towers will sit at 300 and 330 Andrews Avenue, close to downtowns Brightline station and across the street from the city-owned One Stop Shop parcel, where a developer has proposed an arts park.

Some older buildings will be torn down to make way for DNAs twin towers. That includes the building thats home to a locksmith shop at 300 Andrews Avenue.

They told us last week we have to get out of here, said Armando Reyes, who runs the shop. Weve been here 10, 15 years. We have to be out by Feb. 15.

The development, standing 45 stories high, will tower over nearby buildings in Fort Lauderdale's Flagler Village neighborhood. Commissioner Steve Glassman says the new towers will fit right in: Flagler Village is really a city within a city and thats what these towers are part of. (Sieger Suarez Architects/Courtesy)

The news was no surprise, Reyes said.

We expected it, he said. The word on the street is theyre building high-rise apartments. I live in Miami. Its just as bad there. All high-rises.

New design, new name

Another developer proposed a project on the same site in 2017, but never got around to building it.

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The project, called FATcity, proposed two 30-story towers with 612 apartments. Plans also called for 185,000 square feet of office space along with 87,000 square feet for shops and restaurants.

This is a new name and a new design, less intense, said Robert Lochrie, attorney for the developer. The new project is more slender, to add light and space.

[ RELATED: Sick of downtown gridlock? Wait until busy corner gets 11,000 more cars a day, mayor warns ]

The DNA project isnt scheduled to come up for a commission vote, but that could happen if a majority of the five-member board agrees it needs scrutiny.

The development team plans to reach out to neighbors in the coming months to let them know more about the project, Lochrie said.

There is no requirement [to do that] because it doesnt go to planning and zoning, he said. But we will certainly reach out to neighbors.

Glassman says the new towers will fit right in.

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Flagler Village is really a city within a city and thats what these towers are part of, he said. Developers are assembling parcels so they can build something larger. Thats exactly whats happening  and its going to continue to happen. Folks are moving here in droves. People want to live in Fort Lauderdale. Its not just people. Companies are moving here too.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan
Williamsport, Pa.  An inmate at Federal Correctional Institution at Allenwood pleaded guilty last week in federal court to possessing a cell phone while in prison.

On Nov. 16, 2020, staff at FCI Allenwood found Jason White, 27, to be in possession of a bundle containing an L8star mini cell phone and several scraps of paper soaked in synthetic cannabinoid, according to the United States Attorney John C. Gurganus. Federal law prohibits inmates from possessing cell phones due to the institutional security risks posed by their use, according to a press release.

Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle sentenced White to four months imprisonment to run consecutively to his current prison sentence.

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Tillamook, OR (97141)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High near 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. Low around 40F. Winds light and variable.
Napoleon, OH (43545)

Today

Rain this morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 68F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
NEW YORK  A judge has  for now  refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Britains Prince Andrew by an American woman who says he sexually abused her when she was 17.

Stressing Wednesday that he wasnt ruling on the truth of the allegations, U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan rejected an argument by Andrews lawyers that Virginia Giuffres lawsuit should be thrown out at an early stage because of an old legal settlement she had with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier she claims set up sexual encounters with the prince.

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Kaplan said the $500,000 settlement between Epstein and Giuffre didnt involve the prince and didnt bar a suit against him now.

Giuffre sued the 61-year-old Andrew in August, saying she was coerced into sexual encounters with him in 2001 by Epstein and his longtime companion, Ghislaine Maxwell. Giuffre said she was sexually abused by Andrew at Maxwells London home, at Epsteins New York mansion and his estate in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Andrews lawyers had said the lawsuit lacked specificity and was disqualified by the deal she reached in 2009 with lawyers for Epstein. They also attacked Giuffres credibility and motives, saying in October that the lawsuit was aimed at achieving another payday at his expense and at the expense of those closest to him.

Kaplan said Giuffres complaint is neither unintelligible nor vague nor ambiguous.

It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse, he wrote.

The judge included in his ruling facts alleged by Giuffre, including that Epstein and Maxwell were guests at the princes 40th birthday party in 2000 and that Andrew invited Epstein to his daughters 18th birthday party in 2006, a month after Florida state prosecutors charged Epstein with procuring a minor for prostitution.

The princes lawyers have said that Andrew never sexually abused or assaulted Giuffre and that he unequivocally denies Giuffres false allegations against him.

The prince himself has strenuously denied Giuffres allegations. In late 2019, Prince Andrew told BBC Newsnight that sex with Giuffre didnt happen and he has no recollection of ever meeting her. His statements led critics to say he seemed insensitive to Epsteins victims. Afterward, the prince stepped back from royal duties.

His lawyers did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Wednesday. Buckingham Palace told The Associated Press that it would not comment on the ongoing legal matter.

Sigrid McCawley, an attorney for Giuffre, said in a statement that Kaplans ruling is another important step in Virginias heroic and determined pursuit of justice as a survivor of sex trafficking.

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While Andrew denies the allegations, Buckingham Palace will want him to settle the case so Queen Elizabeth II can move on without more sordid headlines that weaken the monarchy and taint every member of the royal family, said Mark Stephens, a specialist in international law at Howard Kennedy in London.

Stephens said Wednesdays ruling means the process of delaying every technical point open to them as a matter of law has effectively played itself out. Even though Andrew is likely to appeal, the case will move forward, and he will face the embarrassment of having to testify about his alleged activities with a 17-year-old.

The practical realities of this position have stuck a noose around Prince Andrews neck, Stephens said. Hes got to settle. Hes got to get out. Or hes a dead man walking.

Kaplan noted that he was required by law, at this stage of the litigation, to assume Giuffres allegations are true, though the princes lawyers could cast doubt on the truth of the claims at trial. The judge has said a trial would not occur until late this year, at the earliest. Depositions of the prince and Giuffre would take place before then.

Giuffres settlement with Epstein was reached a decade before the 66-year-old financier killed himself at a Manhattan federal lockup as he awaited a sex trafficking trial in 2019, over a decade after Florida federal prosecutors struck a deal with his lawyers not to prosecute him. His lawyers claimed the Florida deal prevented the New York charges.

Similarly, Andrews attorneys cited language in the recently unsealed $500,000 settlement by Epstein with Giuffre that said her claims against potential defendants were also disallowed by the deal.

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But Kaplan wrote that there were substantial indications in the settlement that Epstein and Giuffre did not clearly intend to directly, primarily, or substantially benefit someone such as the prince. He noted that the prince was not a party to the agreement.

He also said the agreement was far from a model of clear and precise drafting.

The judges findings mirrored comments he made during oral arguments by both sides when he was particularly dismissive of the arguments made on the princes behalf.

Epsteins death came more than two years before his former girlfriend, Maxwell, 60, was convicted of sex trafficking and conspiracy charges in Manhattan federal court. Giuffres allegations against Andrew were not part of the criminal cases against Epstein or Maxwell.

Giuffre asserted that she met Andrew while she traveled frequently with Epstein between 2000 and 2002, when her lawyers maintain she was on call for Epstein for sexual purposes and was lent out to other powerful men, including Andrew. Her lawsuit said she still suffers significant emotional and psychological distress and harm.

The AP does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they choose to come forward publicly, as Giuffre has.

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___

AP reporter Danica Kirka contributed from London.
On Tuesday, the Taiwanese government announced a credit program of $1 billion to fund projects between Lithuanian and Taiwanese companies.

Thats a big help for Lithuanian companies, which are facing Chinas economic retaliation after Taiwan set up an office in Lithuania.
President Joe Biden signs the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh / AP)

At a Nov. 15 White House ceremony attended by both Republicans and Democrats, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law the most significant federal transportation infrastructure investment since creation of the Interstate Highway System in 1956.

Its a moment worthy of celebration. Sadly, political cudgels are being swung at the 13 House Republicans who dared to vote for the bills final passage.

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These members have been accused of abandoning their party, subjected to primary challenges, and threatened with the possible loss of future chairmanships if Republicans take control of the House in 2022. Its a disturbing illustration of the current state of American politics.

Dave Bauer is president and CEO of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, based in Washington, D.C.

Lost in this theater of the political absurd is that the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) represents truly sound public policy that will benefit all Americans.

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For the construction industry, the cornerstone of the $1 trillion IIJA is $450 billion in surface transportation investments and a five-year reauthorization of these critical programs. In year one, highway and public transit investment will increase 38% and 73%, respectively.

Nearly 90% of the laws federal highway funds will be distributed annually to states via existing formulas. The remaining resources will largely be controlled by the U.S. Department of Transportation for specific federal responsibilities and a series of discretionary grant programs.

In Florida, the IIJA will provide $16.3 billion in state formula funds for highway, bridge and transit investment over the next five years, beginning with a 27% funding increase in FY 2022, according to a September 2021 report by global forecasting leader IHS Markit.

Ill make one other contextual observation. From fiscal year 2016 to fiscal year 2026 (the last year of the IIJA), federal highway investment will have increased from $42 billion to $72 billion annually, or 70%. Thats an extraordinary investment in transportation and construction.

The IIJA also features industry-championed reforms to speed up project delivery, offers new opportunities for private sector project financing where appropriate, enhances worker safety, and bolsters investment in research and education programs.

But arguably more important is what the IIJA means for transportation system users. The IHS Markit study also finds:

The combined $153.7 billion in new highway, bridge, and public transit investment under the IIJA will add $488 billion to U.S. GDP by 2027.

As federal highway and public transit investment spurs economic growth, the additional funding mandated by the law will support more than 250,000 new jobs by 2025. Over half of these positions will be outside of the construction sector.

More economic activity means federal, state and local tax revenues will increase more than $160 billion.

Personal disposable income will increase by $69 billion by 2027, or an average of more than $500 per household.

These findings herald a boom of infrastructure projects that will improve personal mobility, strengthen U.S. global competitiveness, increase the movement of goods and services, and make our roads, bridges and public transit systems safer for everyone.

So, the IIJA is finally the law of the land. Now what?

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The answer: There is plenty to do. Its the collective responsibility of transportation construction professionals and national organizations like the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, where I serve as president and CEO, to help ensure Congress appropriates the laws annual investment levels in each of the next five years, and that these positive policy reforms are implemented as intended.

Politics today is rife with distortions and broadsides that masquerade as solutions. Anyone looking for public policy perfection will simply not find it.

Yet in making the IIJA a reality, members of both political parties and President Biden have given America a major catalyst for economic growth and renaissance. Whether we realize that promise is now up to us.

Where the transportation construction industry is concerned, I know we are up to the challenge.

Dave Bauer is president and CEO of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, based in Washington, D.C.
The Sibley Fire Department received a matching grant from the Iowa DNR to be used for wildland fire suppression efforts. The $1,650 in funding will be used toward the purchase of four additional Motorola radios identical to these models that were provided to county entities through 911 funds.
Kohls, which has stores across the Region, donated $100,000 to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana through its "A Community with Heart" program.

The Wisconsin-based department store chain, which has locations in Highland, Merrillville and Valparaiso, gave $8 million to nonprofits across the country, including the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

Receiving this grant is the fruit of a strong collaborative effort of several members of our Food Bank team working together to advance our mission and engage companies like Kohls in our hunger relief efforts," said Victor Garcia, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

Kohl's managers and employees picked community causes from 49 states as part of the retailer's push to advance family health and wellness.

Ive really enjoyed seeing the growth and impact the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has made over the years in our community. I am so incredibly thankful to work for a company who also noticed this impact and decided they wanted to be a part of continuing that growth," said Lea Glines, Kohls assistant store manager.

Kohl's donated the grant money to the Region's largest food bank through its Kohl's Cares program that donates 100% of the profit of children's books and toys to charity. Local Kohl's employees also volunteer at the food bank, which has fought against hunger in the Calumet Region with mobile markets, supplemental food for seniors and other programs since 1982.

Lea Glines has been a true champion, constantly connecting the Food Bank and Kohls employees, with the result being an incredible amount of volunteer labor, and now this historical grant award," said Amy Briseno, resource development manager for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

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The state of Indiana has named LaPorte County a Broadband Ready Community, a designation meant to encourage the development of more high-speed internet there.

The Indiana Broadband Office granted the county's request for the designation as evidence the community has paved the way for investment in new broadband infrastructure investment.

Congratulations to the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners on this significant milestone and for taking the steps to prioritize broadband investment, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said in Tuesday's announcement of the designation. This past year proved great success for the Broadband Ready Community Program and we anticipate another great year in 2022.

The LaPorte County Commissioners voted to approve Broadband Ready Community ordinance in the hope of spurring more private-sector investment and increasing access to high-speed internet, particularly in rural areas.

We are thankful for the vision and commitment that the state of Indiana and Lt. Governor Crouch has demonstrated by creating this designation. This designation sends a clear message about LaPorte Countys focus on addressing this complex issue which affects quality of life and our growth potential, said Sheila Matias, president of the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners. Our volunteers on the LaPorte County Rural Broadband Task Force are all pulling in the same direction and have contributed countless hours to move our communitys broadband analysis forward.

LaPorte County is the first Broadband Ready Community the state certified this year.

Congratulations to LaPorte County for starting the year off strong and for setting your community and our state up for further broadband access, Indiana Broadband Office Project Manager Earnie Holtrey said.

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U.S. Steel will continue to invest in mini-mills in the South after electing to build "the most advanced steelmaking facility in North America" in Arkansas.

The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker, one of Northwest Indiana's largest employers, will build the state-of-the-art steel mill in Osceola next to its recently acquired Big River Steel mill.

The new mill will be LEED certified with two electric arc furnaces with 3 million tons of steelmaking capacity, the company said. It also will have an endless casting and rolling line, as well as advanced finishing capabilities.

With this location selected and shovels ready, we are reshaping the future of steelmaking, U. S. Steel President and CEODavidBurritt said in Tuesday's announcement. We had numerous competitive site options, but Osceola offers our customers incomparable advantages.

U.S. Steel will end up with 6.3 million tons a year of steelmaking capacity in Arkansas, where it has electrical steel, galvalume and galvanizing lines at the Big River Steel mill it acquired last year.

The state of Arkansas, Mississippi County, the City of Osceola, Entergy, BNSF, and other parties have all worked to make this the clear choice for a path to the future without roadblocks," Burritt said.

He said the company intends to break ground this quarter and begin construction on the $3 billion project as soon as permits are in hand.

Our nation and our customers need a robust and resilient supply chain to meet consumers needs, and that starts with U. S. Steels advanced, sustainable steels," Burritt said. "Steel is critical to so much of what the world builds, so how we make our products contributes directly to a better, more sustainable world for all. This new facility will build that future. Stay tuned. As we add this to our world-class Big River Steel facility, youre going to be seeing great things as we advance the Best for All future of steel.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2024.

The investment and high-paying jobs that will result from this announcement will make a real difference in the lives of many families in Northeast Arkansas," Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said. "I am grateful for the support of the legislature which was critical in winning this expansion. Now, U. S. Steel is an important part of our future and we look forward to continued success in the coming years.

Integrated steel production has been heavily concentrated in the Great Lakes region since the domestic steel industry consolidated during the 1970s. But the newer, more technologically advanced minimills have been springing up across the south.

U.S. Steel said its site selection process was competitive and logistics played a role in its ultimate pick.

Mississippi County has become a national leader in steel production, and U. S. Steels decision to create the steel mill of the future in this community continues to underscore why, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston said. Not only does Arkansas have a trained workforce, a reliable electrical grid, and easy access to river, rail, and highways, but it also has a governor, a General Assembly, and numerous community partners and stakeholders who recognize the importance of broadening economic opportunities for Arkansans and who will go the extra mile to compete for those opportunities. U. S. Steel is a highly regarded member of the states business community, and we are excited to continue our partnership with them as they establish the most advanced steelmaking facility in North Americaright here in Arkansas.

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HAMMOND  Two more men were arrested Tuesday in connection with a double homicide during an alleged gun sale turned robbery Oct. 7 in Hammond, authorities said.

Javier Galvan, 27, and Gerardo Gudino, 27, each were wanted on two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of two men in the 700 block of Locust Street, according to the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.

A third defendant, Jorge A. Garza Jr., 24, has been held without bond since early December at the Lake County Jail. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder.

Hammond police found Danniel Gamez, 26, of East Chicago, and Diandre Easter, 27, of Calumet City, dead about 3:30 a.m. Oct. 7, according to Lake Criminal Court records.

Easter had been shot in the head and was seated in the passenger side of a Honda Civic. Gamez was found dead on the ground, with gunshot wounds to his stomach and chest and money in his right hand.

According to charging documents in Garza's case, Garza was at The Anchor Inn bar in Hammond early Oct. 7 when he had a conversation with Gamez, who was also in the bar.

Police later obtained Snapchat records, which showed someone believed to be Garza talking about someone from a rival gang trying to sell him a gun and his intention to rob that person, according to court documents.

Detectives also located surveillance video, which showed Garza, Gamez and others walking from behind the bar down Locust Street where the homicides occurred.

Minutes later, Garza and his friends ran back to the parking lot and left in a white Chrysler, documents state.

Police entered the Chrysler into a law enforcement application, which led to a police pursuit Oct. 14 in Posen, Illinois, authorities said. A 14-year-old was taken into custody, but others in the car got away.

Gudino was arrested about 8:40 a.m. Tuesday in the 14900 block of Blaine Avenue in Posen, Illinois, the Marshals Service said.

Galvan was arrested about 6:45 a.m. in the 600 block of Freeland Avenue in Calumet City, officials said.

The two were taken into custody without incident after an investigation by Hammond detectives and the Marshals Service, a spokesman said.

There were expected to face extradition proceedings in Illinois before appearing on charges in Lake Criminal Court.

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MICHIGAN CITY  A Michigan City man was charged after officers investigated gunfire that broke out outside of a Family Express in Michigan City.

Floyd Doshie, 39, has been charged with criminal recklessness and possession of a handgun without a license, according to online LaPorte County court records.

At 2:30 p.m. Monday police responded to shots fired in the 5800 block of Franklin Street, said Michigan City Police Department Sgt. Steve Forker.

The area where the shots were fired was outside of a Family Express near a Super 8. Forker said the businesses were not involved or damaged.

Michigan City and LaPorte County Sheriffs officers immediately searched the area, working to gather evidence and talk to witnesses. Several people in the area were interviewed, and police learned the suspect was a Black male wearing a red, white and blue jacket.

Witnesses also said he possibly fled on foot toward Super 8 at 5724 Franklin St. After further investigation, police found Doshie, who matched the suspect description, and also evidence relating to the shots fired.

Charges were filed and accepted by the LaPorte County prosecutors office in LaPorte County Superior Court 1, and authorities continue to interview witnesses, search for video surveillance, collect evidence, as well as attempt to identify any other suspects involved.

LaPorte County Sheriffs Department, Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS aided Michigan City police in the response.

Forker said to protect the ongoing investigation, no other information can be released at this time.

Anyone who has information, footage or images relating to this incident is asked to contact Michigan City Officer Christopher Alexander 219-874-3221, extension 1001, or email him at calexander@emichigancity.com.

Information can also be provided to the Michigan City Police Department Crime Tip Hotline at 219-873-1488 or by messaging the departmental Facebook page. 

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HIGHLAND  Three small fires inside the local Meijer store Monday night appear to have been deliberately set as a distraction for shoplifters, Highland police said.

"It appears that the three fires were set as a distraction in order for a few suspects to then shoplift items from the store when all the focus of employees was on the three fires," Highland Police Department Cmdr. John Banasiak said.

"Nobody was injured in this incident, and the damages were minimal," he said.

The Highland Meijer fires follow a similar incident Friday night where two fires were intentionally set inside a Walmart store in Lansing, Illinois, which is located about 8 miles northwest of the Meijer store.

At 6:34 p.m. Friday, Lansing Fire Department trucks and Lansing Police Department vehicles, aided by surrounding agencies, converged at the Walmart at 17625 Torrence Ave.

Firefighters said the Walmart was considerably damaged by the two fire sites inside the store. No injuries were reported in the incident. Those fires are being investigated as arson, officials said.

The Highland Meijer store, located 10138 Indianapolis Blvd., was evacuated shortly after 9 p.m. Monday after the fires were discovered and quickly extinguished.

"Our detectives are following up with Lansing police to further compare this incident to theirs," Banasiak said.

A store representative referred all questions about the fires to Meijer's corporate headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Approximately 25 firefighters still were working around 11 p.m. Monday investigating the fires and ventilating the Meijer to clear out smoke from the fires.

Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact Highland police Detective Darren Conley at 219-838-3184.

Times Staff writer Anna Ortiz contributed to this story.

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Bob Kasarda Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident. Follow Bob Kasarda Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Indiana once again is halfway to becoming the 22nd state to allow handgun owners to carry their weapons in public without needing to obtain a state license.

The Republican-controlled House voted 63-29 Tuesday to advance to the Senate House Bill 1077.

It repeals the state's existing licensing requirement to carry a handgun in public, allows Hoosiers wanting a license for out-of-state reciprocity purposes to continue to get one at no cost, and makes firearm theft a Level 5 felony punishable by up to six years in prison, instead of a Level 6 felony.

State Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, the sponsor, said he believes it's wrong for Indiana to condition the constitutional right to keep and bear arms on an "incredibly burdensome" requirement that lawful gun owners get permission from the state before carrying a handgun in public.

He said criminals, by their very nature, are not taking the time to get a carry license, so why should "Mr. and Mrs. Hoosier" have to jump through a bunch of hoops to be able to defend themselves from those criminals?

"Indiana isn't the first to go in this direction in siding with the law-abiding. Twenty-one states have already done this," Smaltz said.

If enacted into law, public carry of a handgun still would be denied to convicted felons; fugitives; some non-citizens; a person convicted of domestic violence, domestic battery or criminal stalking; a person under a restraining order; a person under indictment; a person formally deemed dangerous or mentally defective; or a person dishonorably discharged from military service.

Handguns also would continue to be prohibited at school buildings. In addition, businesses and homeowners would retain the right to bar customers or guests from bringing a handgun onto their property.

State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City, said during House debate she's concerned there's no centralized database of "bad guys," or individuals not permitted to carry handgun in public, and eliminating the permit system for vetted gun owners will leave police unable to know whether a person they pull over in a car or encounter on the street is legally entitled to be carrying a handgun.

In response, Smaltz said: "A presumption of innocence is the foundation of our justice system."

Major Rob Simpson, Indiana State Police assistant chief of staff, is unenthusiastic about taking that chance. He said the state police is opposed to the legislation.

Simpson said some 10,000 handgun carry permits were rejected by the state police in the past two years, primarily due to prior felony convictions, and another 2,000 permits were suspended or revoked after the license holder committed a crime or otherwise was disqualified from carrying a handgun in public.

"We have a system that works," Simpson said.

State police opposition last year was enough to spur Senate President Rod Bray, R-Martinsville, into stopping a similar House-approved proposal, House Bill 1369, from advancing through the Senate.

Bray so far has yet to comment on whether this year's measure will meet a similar fate, or if he'll be overruled by more strident gun rights activists in the Senate Republican caucus.

It's also not known if Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, who oversees the state police, would sign the permitless carry plan into law if it reaches his desk.

Though it takes only a simple majority vote in each chamber  the same needed to approve legislation in the first place  to override a gubernatorial veto and enact a new law notwithstanding his opposition.

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The Griffith, Highland and Munster police officers who gathered last fall for wellness training likely expected another presentation about preventing officer suicide.

Many were surprised to learn the presenter had a personal story of survival to share with them, Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance said.

Chris Prochut, a law enforcement suicide prevention trainer, served as a press information officer for the Bolingbrook Police Department in fall 2007, when former Sgt. Drew Peterson first became the target of an investigation into the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.

Drew Peterson later was convicted of the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and a murder-for-hire plot in 2015 targeting Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow.

"I felt it was my job to protect our department from the onslaught of national media attention," Prochut said. "I was under a lot of stress."

That stress, along with a misdiagnosis during an initial attempt to seek mental health treatment, led Prochut to consider ending his life May 1, 2008.

Fortunately, Prochut's wife noticed a change in his behavior and called his fellow officers, who took him to a hospital in Illinois to get treatment.

At the time, Illinois had a law that resulted in Prochut losing his right to carry a firearm, because he had been admitted to an inpatient mental health facility. He was brought up on disciplinary charges because he couldn't carry a gun and resigned in 2009 after about 13 years in law enforcement, he said.

"This was not my plan," Prochut said during a recent phone interview. "Life took a hard left, but hopefully I'm helping more officers now than I could have ever done on the street by simply having an open and honest conversation."

A paradigm shift

There's been a paradigm shift in law enforcement during the past 10 years regarding mental health treatment for officers, according to Prochut, Mance, Highland police Cmdr. John Banasiak and Munster Police Chief Steve Scheckel.

"When I started on the job, it was like, 'You wanted the job, you deal with it,'" said Scheckel, who has been a police officer for 32 years. "You almost forced yourself, really compressed yourself, to just push it down and move on, push it down and move on, because that's what cops do."

Police officers simply didn't talk about their feelings after experiencing traumatic events, said Banasiak, an officer for 33 years. Those who did talk about emotions risked becoming someone other officers avoided.

"In our careers, we probably all can talk about three, four, five cases that really stand out. Whether you go to a horrific accident or a suicide ... there's those images in your mind, and its like you can close your eyes and remember that," Banasiak said. "We're in the front row, the center ring, but there's some things you wish you never saw in your life."

Scheckel said some of the officers he worked with all those years ago probably could have benefited from the more holistic approach adopted by law enforcement in recent years.

The Griffith, Highland and Munster police departments came together in October for officer wellness training, which was attended by all of the departments' officers.

The agencies also offer employee assistance programs, which allow officers to privately seek out mental health treatment. During critical incident debriefings, a specialist is brought in to talk to officers about feelings they may be having and options for addressing them.

Mance said his department is launching a peer support program, which will allow current officers to talk privately with retired officers. Financial wellness training also is in the works.

'That critical point'

The number of officers who die by suicide each year now exceeds the number killed in crashes or by suspects, Mance said.

"We've reached that critical point now where you have to do this," he said. "It's not a matter of, 'Oh, you're a progressive police department.'

"We train the officers how to drive a car, we train the officers how to arrest a suspect as safely as possible. We even train them how to put a tourniquet on if they're shot or wounded," Mance said. "But we really do very little to teach them how to recognize their own internal mental trauma that they're experiencing. So this was really just the beginning of what I hope to be many more conversations."

Eric Rios, a police social worker at the Griffith Police Department, organized the training with Prochut.

Research has shown police officers see up to 30 times more traumatic events during their careers than someone on a different career path sees in a lifetime, she said.

"We're not wired to deal with that," Rios said. "We're not wired to just constantly have trauma thrown at us. And as human beings, if you don't even learn how to process it, it becomes something you don't really think about until it hits you."

Mance said police officers typically can "hold it together" while they're at work.

"But when they go home, the shield's going to come off," he said. "I'm going to go escape to my room or escape to a bar. I'm going to find an escape."

That's why the spouses and significant others of the officers were invited to the training session, which also featured Prochut's wife.

Family members often see warning signs before an officer's co-workers notice something's not right. When police officers have stronger, more supportive families, they're healthier people overall, Rios said.

The strain of workplace stress on police officers' families is evident in divorce rates, Scheckel said.

"It was almost laughed at in law enforcement," he said.

Officers would joke, "Oh, you've only been married three times? Ive been married six," he said.

"I've know several officers who have been married five times," he said. "Well, you can't be a poor judge of a spouse five times over. Eventually, you've got to look in the mirror and say, 'I think you're the problem.'"

Rios said people often think police have it made after retirement because of their pensions, but officers who have divorced multiple times face hurdles.

"How many times can you split a retirement and still take care of yourself after you retire?" Rios said. "It's not just mental health, it's managing your money. It's understanding when to say no and when to stop working overtime. And if you need 17 side jobs to pay the bills, there's a problem."

'It starts at the top'

Griffith last lost an officer to suicide in the 1970s, but suicide is only one issue the departments are attempting to address through officer wellness training, Mance said.

"Every officer, before they're hired, they go through a battery of tests, including a very invasive psychological and polygraph test and background check," he said. "These are very healthy young men and women coming into this field. And then after 20 years, 10 years, five years, you can start to see some officers having difficulties, and it's treated as a disciplinary issue, as it sometimes should be."

Similar to changes in the criminal justice system aimed at addressing defendants' underlying issues, law enforcement agencies owe it to their staff to drill down and more fully address the root cause of disciplinary issues, Mance said.

"Yes, we're treating the officer, but by treating the officer, theyre going to be treating the public better," he said. "They're not going to be having the outbursts. They're going to be better able to handle the emotions they've been stockpiling."

The goal is to train officers from Day 1 how to deal with their emotions properly, so they can have a successful career and enjoy a healthy retirement, "not a life of anger and frustration," he said.

The last couple of years have been challenging for police, many of whom have gone from feeling like their communities' superheroes to being mistrusted because of some "terrible mistakes" by police in other communities nationwide, Banasiak said.

Officers were isolated from each other during the coronavirus shutdown. As the pandemic has continued, they often find themselves facing a rising tide of incivility from an angry and frustrated public, officials said.

Scheckel said he and other chiefs owe it to their departments to offer the best support and resources available.

"It starts at the top, and ultimately the officer has to know the department supports them and truly cares about them," he said. "In a small department, there's no divorcing the fact that you are part of this family for the next 20 or 30 years of your life. We watch their children being born and going through sports. It's very close-knit, and it's almost like looking after your family."

When he retires, he wants to be sure "the family is a much better place to address these things," he said.

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GARY  A 6-year-old boy from North Chicago, Illinois, died from hypothermia before authorities found his body early Saturday wrapped in a plastic trash bag outside an abandoned home, a coroner's release said.

Damari Perry's body was naked and partially charred, Lake County Coroner David Pastrick said. The death was ruled a homicide.

An autopsy showed Damari had a bruise on his right leg, an extremely cold core temperature and partially frozen internal organs. The boy also suffered thermal injuries and charring all over his body after his death, Pastrick said.

Jannie Perry, 38, Davari's mother, remained in a hospital in Illinois on Tuesday after complaining she was ill, the Lake County (Illinois) state's attorney's office said.

Jannie Perry is facing charges of first-degree murder, concealment of homicidal death and obstruction of justice in her son Damari's death and disappearance.

She was expected to remain under guard by North Chicago police until she is brought to the 19th Judicial Circuit's bond court, state's attorney's spokesman Jim Newton said.

Damari's older brother, Jeremiah Perry, appeared Sunday in bond court in Lake County, Illinois, on charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death and obstruction of justice. His bail was set at $3 million, Newton said.

One of Damari's siblings also is facing undisclosed charges in juvenile court, the state's attorney's office said.

Damari's body was found about 2:30 a.m. Saturday by North Chicago police and FBI agents next to an abandoned home in an alley between the 700 blocks of Van Buren and Harrison streets in Gary, authorities said.

Lake County (Illinois) Assistant State's Attorney Kyle Doyle told a judge during Jeremiah Perry's hearing Sunday that the family became upset with Damari on Dec. 29 and forced him to take a cold shower for an undetermined amount of time Dec. 30, Newton said.

Damari was removed from the shower after he became unresponsive, but his family didn't seek medical care for him, the state's attorney's office said.

After he died, Jannie Perry planned to dispose of his body in Gary and worked with others to leave him near the abandoned home on Van Buren Street, prosecutors said.

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Voters in Broward and Palm Beach elected a new member of Congress, (top, left to right) Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and Fort Lauderdale-area voters will send Daryl Campbell to Tallahassee. Rosalind Osgood (lower left) won a Democratic primary for a Broward Senate seat and Jervonte Tae Edmonds won a Democratic House primary in Palm Beach County. (Courtesy)

After inexcusable delays, residents of Broward and Palm Beach counties finally have new voices in Tallahassee and Washington.

Voters in both counties made definitive choices in Tuesdays special election by sending Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to Congress in the 20th District, where she will complete the year left in the term of Alcee Hastings, who died last April. In Fort Lauderdale and surrounding cities, voters in House District 94 elected Democrat Daryl Campbell to replace Rep. Bobby DuBose, who resigned to seek Hastings seat.

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The anemic voter turnout of about 12% was disappointing but hardly surprising considering that most candidates were not well-known to voters and the election was scheduled over the holidays amid a surging omicron variant. To make things worse, early voting began on New Years Day, and that was no accident.

Gov. Ron DeSantis delayed the election and disenfranchised Floridians to weaken House Speaker Nancy Pelosis slim Democratic majority, which will now be 10 votes, 222 to 212, with one seat vacant.

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In two other races, Broward School Board member Rosalind Osgood won the Democratic nomination in central Browards Senate District 33 and Jervonte Tae Edmonds won the Democratic primary in House District 88 in Palm Beach. Both winners face Republican opponents in safe Democratic seats on March 8, which means those seats will remain vacant for the rest of the 2022 legislative session, scheduled to end March 11. When critical votes are cast in the coming weeks on abortion, education and state spending, no one will be there to speak for voters in either district.

Cherfilus-McCormick, 42, of Miramar, will be the first Haitian-American Democrat in Congress. She got 79% of the vote, and like Hastings before her, she could be in Congress for many years. The Black majority district is sure to remain overwhelmingly Democratic, regardless of how its redrawn. The voters have spoken, and Cherfilus-McCormick was their clear choice after she won a crowded Democratic primary by five votes.

In a victory speech at Smittys Wings, a popular restaurant on Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Cherfilus-McCormick promised to be an advocate for the neediest, like the homeless woman with four kids who called her for help. That would be a good start and not one moment too soon in an area that disproportionately suffers from high poverty, income inequality and too few good-paying jobs.

The CEO of a home health care company, Cherfilus-McCormick spent $6 million of her own money and ran on a progressive platform that included support for direct payments of $1,000 a month for life to most adults. Thats a promise she cant possibly keep without an act of Congress, which is extremely unlikely. A bill to create the program known as universal basic income is going nowhere in the House.

Members of Congress serve two-year terms, so she must run for reelection quickly. Her literature flooded the district promising $1,000 a month for you, so it would be no surprise if voters start asking, Wheres my check?

Like the congresswoman-elect, Campbell, 35, the second new face on the political scene, has deep roots in Broward. He won convincingly with 40% of the vote in a four-person race. No Republican or write-in candidate filed to run, so Campbell can take office as soon as the results are certified in less than two weeks (state law allows a 10-day period after the election for overseas and military ballots). Theres no need to wait until March to seat Campbell because no general election for the seat is necessary.

A spokeswoman for House Speaker Chris Sprowls, Jenna Sarkissian, told the Sun Sentinel: When the Secretary of State sends the House the certification letter identifying the winner of the election, then the speaker will swear that person in as a member of the Florida House.

A spokesman for Secretary of State Laurel Lee, a DeSantis appointee, has not responded to requests for specifics on certifying the results.

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Campbell is a clinical social worker and mental health professional who said he works daily to help young men struggling with depression and other issues. He lives in the Lauderdale Manors neighborhood and was a campaign manager and legislative aide to DuBose, the man he will replace. The new lawmaker, whos studying for a Ph.D. in social work, opposes abortion restrictions and capital punishment and supports legalizing recreational marijuana use.

I am focused wholeheartedly on representing my community and making sure their voices get heard, Campbell told the Sun Sentinel editorial board last month.

After nine months with no representation, that alone is progress.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney, and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson. Editorials are the opinion of the Board and written by one of its members or a designee. To contact us, email at letters@sun-sentinel.com.
MICHIGAN CITY  New guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Indiana State Department of Health prompted changes in the COVID-19 policy for Michigan City Area Schools.

Under the revised policy, if a student exposed to COVID-19 is asymptomatic, the student may remain in school because masks are required. The student should be tested on the fifth day if possible.

If the test is negative, the student should return when symptoms have cleared up.

If a student tests positive, the student should stay at home for five days. The student may return on the sixth day if symptomatic or if the symptoms are resolving. If unable to mask properly, the student must remain isolated at home for 10 days.

A student with symptoms should stay home.

Associate Superintendent Wendell McCollum outlined the policy for the School Board at a special meeting Tuesday night. The board unanimously approved the plan.

In July, McCollum noted, there was a lot of debate about whether masks should be optional. The mask mandate means students are more likely to stay in school. Our students were receiving in-person instruction that all our parents and students wanted them to receive, he said.

We have seen and heard and read all the research on the dangers of students not being able to receive in-person instruction, he said. Its very clear that our parents want our students in-person. Just over 200 students are still using virtual instruction.

Some classrooms have had to go virtual, but the district and individual schools havent had to shut down this academic year because of COVID-19.

With the new omicron variant, COVID-19 numbers have spiked nationally and in Indiana. The state set a new record this week for hospitalizations due to COVID. Nevertheless, we have still been able to keep operations going at all of our buildings, McCollum said. That wasnt the case two years ago.

Before the new guidance from the CDC and the state, longer quarantines were required. This year and last year, our students lost a lot of instruction for having to go home, McCollum said. That affects parents who need support for students who have to stay home.

Nurses recommended using at-home tests as a guide for whether a student is positive or negative. Some health care providers are handing them out now; theyre basically the same as rapid tests used at health care facilities, he said.

We still expect and want our parents to screen for all the symptoms, McCollum said. Parents are expected to communicate with school staff if symptoms develop.

He encourages the community and families to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccine. Doses will be available 3:15 to 6:15 p.m. Jan. 20 at Joy Elementary School.

If a student isnt vaccinated, they have to stay out of school longer.

In other business, the board elected Marty Corley president and Jenilee Haynes-Peterson vice president.

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CROWN POINT  More Hoosiers currently are hospitalized with COVID-19 than at any time in the 22-month history of the coronavirus pandemic in Indiana.

Data released by the Indiana Department of Health show a record 3,467 individuals were hospitalized Monday because of COVID-19, topping the prior peak tally of 3,460 COVID-19 hospital patients on Nov. 30, 2020.

"The hospitals are full. There's no doubt about it," said Dr. Chandana Vavilala, the Lake County health officer.

Vavilala told the Lake County Council on Tuesday there seldom are any available beds in Northwest Indiana hospitals, even fewer intensive care unit (ICU) beds, and emergency room patients often are awaiting care in hallways because there's simply nowhere to put them.

Just 13 ICU beds in all of Northwest Indiana were classified as vacant Monday by the Indiana Department of Health.

Statewide, only 10.1% of the 2,021 total ICU beds in Indiana were unoccupied.

Vavilala said the omicron surge of COVID-19 infections, and the corresponding increase in hospitalizations, is affecting not just COVID-19 patients, but anyone who might need hospital care for things like a heart attack, fractured bone or non-emergency surgery.

"There's only so many beds in the hospital," Vavilala said. "If a hospital deems that a patient will require an ICU bed after the surgery they are saying, "Sorry, we cannot do it now because we do not have ICU beds.'"

Brian Tabor, president of the Indiana Hospital Association, concurred. He said Tuesday that Indiana hospitals are "overwhelmed" and in "a state of crisis" with "dwindling capacity left to care for patients."

"Our emergency departments are seeing 8,500 to 10,000 visits per day, and at any given point there are several hundred patients boarding in emergency departments around the state awaiting open beds," Tabor said.

He said Hoosiers can help alleviate the crisis by going to urgent care centers or physicians offices for COVID-19 testing, instead of showing up at a hospital emergency room.

"We need your help now more than ever to manage through this," Tabor said. "Hospitals are required by law to conduct medical screens for every patient that walks into the emergency room."

"Consequently, individuals seeking COVID-19 testing in the emergency room take much needed staff and resources away from those in need of emergency medical care during this surge."

According to the Indiana Department of Health, an incredible 110,683 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in the first 10 days of this year.

That equates to 1.6% of Indiana's entire population and doesn't include cases confirmed by at-home COVID-19 tests.

"This is a real virus. It's not politically generated. People are really getting sick," said Lake County Council President Ted Bilski, D-Hobart.

Deaths due to COVID-19 also are surging in Indiana with 110 new COVID-19 deaths reported to the state health agency Monday.

Since the start of the pandemic, Indiana has seen 19,194 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, along with 714 probable COVID-19 deaths, for a total of 19,908 Hoosiers killed by the coronavirus.

Vavilala said individuals can reduce their chances of contracting COVID-19 by avoiding large gatherings, wearing a face mask in public places, and getting vaccinated against COVID-19 along with a booster shot when they are eligible.

The free vaccine is available at more than 1,400 retail pharmacies, health clinics and hospitals across the state  often without an appointment. A full list of vaccine sites is online at ourshot.in.gov.

According to the Indiana Department of Health, unvaccinated individuals have accounted for 96.3% of Indiana's nearly 1.4 million total COVID-19 infections, 99.94% of COVID-19 hospitalizations and 99.97% of the state's COVID-19 deaths since the first coronavirus case was confirmed in the state on March 6, 2020.

Vavilala also urged the county council to reconsider its opposition to a countywide mask mandate in schools and businesses, and instead adopt something similar to the mask order she issued in 2020 before the Republican-controlled General Assembly insisted on county council consent for such orders.

"It would be good for people to wear masks in all indoor gatherings. That would include all the indoor businesses," Vavilala said.

Bilski said in lieu of government mandates people simply should practice "common sense" by washing their hands and taking other measures that will keep them safe from COVID-19.

"It doesn't matter what this council says, it's up to each and every individual," Bilski said.

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A soul-crushing pandemic going on nearly two years with no end in sight is not diminishing Gov. Eric Holcomb's optimism about the current state of Indiana, or its future.

The Republican chief executive proclaimed Tuesday night in an address to the General Assembly that the state of the state is strong like Indiana steel  notwithstanding record-breaking COVID-19 hospitalizations and nearly 20,000 Hoosier deaths from the coronavirus.

"Even as we're contending with the challenges of a global pandemic, we're simultaneously strengthening our economy, reskilling our workforce, building out our infrastructure, and enhancing our quality of life," Holcomb said.

"And now, because were ready and able, we're revitalizing and connecting our communities across the state like never before."

Specifically, the governor pointed to the two-year state budget adopted in 2021 that makes unprecedented investments in elementary and high school education, local quality of place through the READI program and cash-funded infrastructure projects, including the the $400 million rebuild of the Westville Correctional Center in LaPorte County and the South Shore Line commuter rail expansions.

"When the South Shore double-track and West Lake Corridor projects are completed, they wont just reduce travel times, they'll fuel an explosion of new investment and opportunity in Northwest Indiana," Holcomb said.

In that same vein, Holcomb promised to continue deploying some $60 billion over 20 years to expand and enhance state and local roads and bridges, allocate $420 million for water and wastewater system improvements, bring high-speed broadband internet to every community in the state, and even deliver on his pledge to plant 1 million new trees by 2024  just 600,000 to go.

"Despite our challenges, this is a time of unprecedented growth, connections, momentum, and opportunity for all Hoosiers," he said. "This is our time Indiana, not just for today, but for decades to come. And that my friends is what were doing!"

The governor did not make many asks of the Republican-controlled General Assembly during his 30-minute address in a packed House chamber.

He urged lawmakers to spur greater business investment by beginning to phase out a property tax paid on business and manufacturing equipment, requested more early learning opportunities from birth to age 5, encouraged further alignment of the state's education and workforce development systems, and preemptively sought support for his 2023 goal of reshaping Indiana's public health systems.

In fact, Holcomb's most direct ask was to Hoosiers watching at home, particularly those who so far have not gotten the free COVID-19 vaccine that's available at more than 1,400 locations across the state, including pharmacies and health clinics, and often without an appointment.

"We know that people who are getting vaccinated and boosted overwhelmingly stay out of the hospital, stay out of the ICU, and dont die," Holcomb said.

"If you havent been vaccinated, I encourage  I plead  I even beg you to speak to your doctor and do so. I say this, even if youve disagreed with every position Ive taken. I just want us both to be around to continue to have those disagreements."

The governor and state legislators also applauded Hoosier health care workers for staying on the job amid exhaustion, crowded hospitals, and unprecedented death.

"Youve all been operating in overdrive for two years," Holcomb said. "No words, salary, or earthly awards will ever be enough to repay you for the lives youve cared for and saved. The ultimate judge will be kind to you for living your love for your neighbor."

At the same time, Holcomb said he believes "it's when were facing the toughest challenges that we can be at our best," and he's confident Indiana is on its way.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, said Holcomb's optimism is a welcome respite from the fierce partisanship and social issue games currently being played by his Republican allies in the House and Senate.

"I'm proud of Indianas resiliency and better than expected economic position given the challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic," GiaQuinta said.

But GiaQuinta also noted many of the accomplishments Holcomb touted, including money for READI grants for local improvements, broadband internet, and water infrastructure, only are possible thanks to federal COVID-19 relief funding approved by the Democratic-controlled Congress, enacted by Democratic President Joe Biden, and opposed by every Republican representing Indiana in Congress.

"Our state was given unique opportunities for critical quality-of-life investments thanks to the 'Biden Boom,'" GiaQuinta said. "There is still work to be done."

"While billions remain in the state surplus, the household debt of average Hoosiers ballooned by over $8 billion (and) Indiana is often in the national spotlight for poor public health outcomes, environment and other quality-of-life rankings," he added. "It would be a mistake to take our foot off the gas while Hoosiers continue to struggle."

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Even now, perimenopause is described in medical research as an ill-defined time period primarily marked when the ovarian reserve is depleted and by irregular periods (but if one has a history of irregular periods, as 14 percent to 25 percent of women do, it may be tougher to tell when the transition has begun). This time period is still often referred to as menopause in common parlance, but the medical definition of menopause is just one day  the last day of your final period  though it is only diagnosed when a whole year has gone by without menstruation.

Because hormones fluctuate wildly during perimenopause, it can be difficult to test for. The average age of the beginning of perimenopause is 47, and the average age of menopause is 51, but again, the length of the transitional period may be much longer, and the onset of symptoms can happen earlier or later.

There are four symptoms of perimenopause that are most common: hot flashes, sleep disruption, depression and vaginal dryness, known as the core four among menopause experts. But the full panoply of symptoms related to the perimenopause transition is not yet known with any great degree of certainty, said Dr. Nanette Santoro, the chair of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. At this point, the perimenopausal period is associated with as many as 34 different maladies ranging from hair loss to burning mouth syndrome, which is a tingling or numb feeling in your lips, gums and tongue.

Theres also what Dr. Faubion refers to as the menopause management vacuum. As she explained to Lisa Selin Davis, a Times contributor, no one medical specialty really owns treatment of perimenopausal and menopausal women, because the symptoms affect so many different systems and parts of the body. Furthermore, less than 7 percent of medical residents surveyed said they felt adequately prepared to manage women going through menopause.

Though images of midlife women have definitely improved  a popular meme compares Jennifer Lopez, who at 50 was pole dancing at the Super Bowl, to Rue McClanahan, who at 51 in 1985 was on Golden Girls drinking coffee on the lanai  there is still much progress to be made. It was only this year that an online Arabic dictionary changed the description of menopause from age of despair to age of renewal.

With so much negative cultural baggage, so much still unknown around symptoms and timing, and so few doctors confident in the treatment of midlife women, no wonder people are confused, Dr. Nachtigall said. And it helps explain why so many companies and writers are jumping into the morass.

Having a Moment

What Angie McKaig is trying to do on a micro level by freely sharing her perimenopause travails with colleagues, health care start-ups, beauty companies and writers are trying to do on a macro level: raising awareness about the experience of this period of a womans life (and sometimes selling them products and services along the way).
Two people have been arrested in the killing of the rapper Young Dolph, who was shot by two people while buying cookies at a bakery in Memphis in November, according to the authorities.

The U.S. Marshals Service announced on Tuesday that one of the suspects, Justin Johnson, 23, had been captured that day in Indiana. Last week, the police in Memphis obtained a first-degree murder warrant for Mr. Johnson and law enforcement agencies offered a reward of $15,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Also on Tuesday, the other suspect in the killing, Cornelius Smith, was indicted by a grand jury in Tennessee on charges including first-degree murder and property theft in connection with the killing, the Shelby County district attorney general, Amy Weirich, said in a news release. Mr. Smith, 32, was also charged with the attempted murder of Young Dolphs brother, who was also at the bakery during the shooting.

Mr. Smith was arrested on Dec. 9 in Southaven, Miss., a Memphis suburb, on a warrant charging him with auto theft in connection with the getaway car used in the killing, Ms. Weirich said.
Well have to watch to see if the trend continues, and if its replicated in other places. Currently, most places in the U.S. are in an entirely different place.

Most of the country is in the explosive growth phase, Mitch said. Cases are rising pretty much everywhere. Were seeing case levels that are way above anything weve ever seen before  every day.

The wave also seems to be acting on a delay as it surges across the country. The Western half of the country seems to be a week or two behind the Eastern half in terms of case rates.

Were continuing to see crazy, several-hundred-percent two-week rates of growth in some of those states, Mitch said. And I dont think were nearly as close to a peak in some of those places, just because the heat of their outbreak arrived later than New England and even the urban Midwest.

While the shape of the case curve may help tell us when virus activity is subsiding, the more important measure of the pandemics strength is the hospitalization rate, which has jumped in recent days. Today the number of people in the U.S. hospitalized with Covid-19 exceeded last winters peak, underscoring that while Omicron may cause less severe illness, it still poses a serious threat.
Of the thousands of cancellations and delays of airline flights in the past month, most have been caused by Covid-19 outbreaks or perilous weather. But a flight from Honduras to Miami on Tuesday was delayed for a more novel reason  a passenger stormed the cockpit and apparently tried to climb out a window.

While an American Airlines flight was boarding at Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, the passenger rushed into the open cockpit and caused damage to the aircraft, the airline said in a statement on Tuesday night.

A video posted on Twitter by a man who appeared to have been at the airport showed that the passenger may have been trying to exit the plane through a cockpit window.

Crew members intervened before the local authorities apprehended the man, American said.

We applaud our outstanding crew members for their professionalism in handling a difficult situation, the statement said.
The hearing came as the Omicron variant, coupled with the Delta variant, has strained hospital systems and caused businesses to struggle to stay open because of staff shortages. An average of more than 761,000 infections are being reported in the United States each day, according to a New York Times database.

On average over the last seven days, more than 135,000 people were hospitalized with the virus, an 83 percent increase from two weeks ago. The hospitalization totals include people who test positive for the virus incidentally after being admitted for conditions unrelated to Covid-19, but there is no national data showing how many people are in that category.

Modeling scenarios cited in an internal government document dated Jan. 5 and obtained by The New York Times suggest there will be more than a million confirmed infections per day by the end of the month.

That number is widely viewed as a vast undercount because of the scarcity of tests and the widespread failure of people to report positive results from at-home tests to government authorities. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, an independent health research center at the University of Washington, estimated last week that daily infections had already risen to six million, and it predicted that more than half of Americans would be infected by the Omicron variant over the next six weeks. Public health experts have said that many cases will be mild or asymptomatic.

Senior Biden administration officials said in interviews on Monday that infections and hospitalizations were expected to peak nationwide by the end of January and then plummet sharply. But Dr. Fauci warned on Tuesday that peaks and valleys would not look the same across the United States.

The hearing took a detour early on with a fierce back-and-forth between Dr. Fauci and Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky. The senator accused Dr. Fauci of working to undermine scientists with opposing views on the virus, something Dr. Fauci strongly denied.
City officials have not yet said precisely why the apartment door failed to close. Kelly Magee, a spokeswoman for the property owners, said the door had been working properly as of last July, when maintenance workers who came to fix a lock inspected it, and there were no outstanding complaints.

Investigators said the door had not been obstructed, but one official did note that some of the doors to other apartments did not automatically close when marshals tested them after the fire.

There could be several reasons.

Springs or pistons in the closing mechanism can malfunction if they become dirty, worn out or disabled, said Rick Chandler, who was the city buildings commissioner from 2015 to 2019.

Some of the mechanisms are designed to function up to a certain angle, after which the doors may fail to close on their own. For example, a sample of hinges sold online are designed to close when doors are opened up to 94 degrees for one model and 120 for another.

How do I decide whether to flee or stay put?

Deciding whether to stay or go comes down to two critical factors: how close the fire is to your apartment, and whether your building is fireproof.

If the fire is in your apartment, the fire safety rules are unambiguous, regardless of what type of building you live in: Get out of the building, fast, and make sure to close all doors behind you. The New York Fire Department suggests you knock on the doors of your neighbors as you leave, warning them of the blaze.

If the fire isnt in your apartment, deciding whether to stay or go comes down to what type of building you live in. In more modern and legally fireproofed buildings, fires are more likely to be contained, thanks to fireproof building materials and doors that automatically close, sealing off the fire in smaller spaces.
From the perspective of Craig Spencer, an emergency room doctor in New York City, the Omicron surge is not like the first Covid wave of March 2020: With vaccines, treatments and a seemingly less lethal variant, fewer of his patients now need life support. Yet the sheer number of infections has produced a rapid influx of patients, as well as record levels of employee infections and staff shortages.

Fewer providers means fewer available beds because there are only so many patients a team can treat at a time, he writes. This also means treatment is slower and people will spend more time in the E.R. And the longer these patients stay in the E.R., the longer others remain in the waiting room. The domino effect will affect all levels of the health care system, from short-staffed nursing homes to ambulances taking longer to respond to 911 calls.

[Hospitals Are in Serious Trouble]

The third option is to pick a middle path, one that aims to save the hospital system from being overwhelmed while minimizing public disruption.

In Wens view, this approach would entail boosting all nursing home residents and staff; mandating proof of vaccination and boosters for indoor dining, gyms, movie theaters and sporting events; requiring high-quality masks in all indoor public spaces; and expediting vaccine approval for children under 5.

To increase vaccine uptake, Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, recommended that the federal government seriously consider a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel.

At the same time, to alleviate staff shortages, Wen suggests that the Centers for Disease Control could reduce or even waive isolation and quarantine requirements for people working in critical jobs while still mandating high-quality masks.
Grave may have been the mistakes of Donald Rumsfeld, but George W. Bushs first defense secretary did have a gift for memorable phrases. One of them  weakness is provocative  explains the predicament we again find ourselves in with Russias belligerence against Ukraine and NATO.

Lets recap how we got here.

 In August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia and took control of two of its provinces. The Bush administration protested but did almost nothing. After Barack Obama won the White House that fall, he pursued a reset with Russia. In 2012, he cut U.S. force levels in Europe to their lowest levels in postwar history and mocked Mitt Romney for calling Russia our principal geopolitical threat.

 In September 2013, Obama famously retreated from his red line against Bashar al-Assads use of nerve gas in Syria, accepting instead a Russian offer of mediation that was supposed to have eliminated al-Assads chemical arsenal. That arsenal was never fully destroyed, but Vladimir Putin took note of Obamas palpable reluctance to get involved.

 In February 2014, Russia used little green men to seize and then annex Crimea. The Obama administration protested but did almost nothing. Russia then took advantage of unrest in eastern Ukraine to shear off two Ukrainian provinces while sparking a war that has lasted seven years and cost more than 13,000 lives. Obama responded with weak sanctions on Russia and a persistent refusal to arm Ukraine.
As I see it, none of whats wrong with West Side Story justifies parsing it as a retrogressive or carpetbagging affair best consigned to the artistic filing cabinet. That imposes a too-rigid level of identity politics on something that deserves a more nuanced approach. We should understand its weaknesses while enjoying its strengths rather than turning away from them.

Gonzalez-Ramirez writes that almost nothing in the film is sonically Puerto Rican and that theres a lack of imagination in what the score could be. Perhaps shes right to point out that theres no plena, bomba, salsa, aguinaldos. But the music in West Side Story in no way lacks imagination. Lets take a stroll on over to the piano.

To play just the introduction to A Boy Like That (the admonition-indictment sung by Anita, Marias would-be sister-in-law) is to savor the foreboding gloom of the chromatic dissonance Bernstein used in the harmony. This thundercloud rumble perfectly communicates Anitas fury. Here, Bernstein made use of a chordal texture that harkens to the Romantic and especially Impressionist traditions in classical music unavailable to, for example, Mozart in his scoring of the Commendatores music in Don Giovanni.

How do you render a furious lament as lush harmony? You score A Boy Like That, as Bernstein did, not just for clarinet but with the more cynical-sounding bass clarinet and not just one of them but three, croaking out the bile in harmony pitched low. Bass clarinet choiring of this kind was not only imaginative but also profound in its ability to tell us, the listeners, just how Anita felt.

During Marias idealistic reply, I Have a Love, she sings I have a love / and its all that I need / right or wrong, and under the word wrong Bernstein used a chord with a shard of dissonance in it. That chord, even subconsciously, conveys Marias bundle of conflicting emotions, despite the straightforwardness of her phraseology. Shes sad, reeling, still frantically in love, with no resolution to her plight anywhere to be found, and Bernstein gets it across with his use of tritones, unresolved musical intervals found throughout the score possessing a tortuousness that can convey as many sumptuous dimensions as marjoram.

These particular musical approaches may not be the ones an artist would use in scoring this scene if they sought to portray Anita through musical genres of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. And we certainly must, and want to, hear how New Yorkers of Caribbean descent portray themselves. In that vein, Lin-Manuel Miranda has given us a sense (yes, just a Broadway- and Hollywood-ized sense) of New York Dominican musical expression in his and Quiara Alegria Hudess In the Heights. It should be said that that musicals film adaptation, too, faced criticisms about its authenticity.

All that said, I contest any idea that making or remaking West Side Story was a misstep. Rather, the West Side Story score is a kind of reaching across, an attempt at rendering the sensibility of others. An effort to walk, musically, in someone elses shoes.
That was always a bit twee, but today its also troublesome. The self-consciously cute Trudy, who claims to be chaperoning a bunch of aliens as they explore the byways of human society, may no longer be such a laughable figure, despite the umbrella hat she wears as a kind of interstellar satellite dish. Homelessness, which in Reagan-era New York City seemed to be a temporary aberration, has since curdled into something more like a structural disaster, making a permanent underclass of economic and mental health victims.

Tomlin got around the problem, if it was one then, by taking a breezy approach, preserving the rhythms of the punch lines at all costs. She had, after all, become famous on Rowan & Martins Laugh-In, a loosey-goosey, mile-a-minute variety show.

But Strongs ability to create and sustain outre characters who nevertheless remain fundamentally believable  a skill developed over 10 seasons on Saturday Night Live  works against our comfort in her New York stage debut. Its harder to laugh at her Trudy, a figure of pathos with a squinty tic and a hunched gait that never lets you forget she is shadowed by danger.

That commitment to at least a nub of naturalism keeps stepping on the jokes; the night I saw the play, a majority of the laughter seemed to come in response to the uncannily timed sounds of zippers zipping, bottle tops popping and water beds sloshing. (The sound design is by Elisheba Ittoop.) Otherwise Silvermans staging seems to suggest we are in a liminal, performative space, with no set to speak of and with Strong (like Tomlin in the original play, but not the awkward 1991 movie) changing costumes only minimally. And though the lighting (by Stacey Derosier) helps separate the emotions, Strongs voices are not yet ideally distinct.

But just as I began to wonder whether I had misremembered what Trudy calls the goosebump experience  the feeling you get when moved by art  Intelligent Life pulled itself together. Dispensing with the variety format, and giving Trudy a 30-minute rest, the second half is mostly devoted to the story of three friends living through second-wave feminism, from the founding of the National Organization for Women to the failure of the Equal Rights Amendment. Edie is the militant one, with Spanish moss under her arms. Marge is the cynic: Honey, you couldnt be more antiwar, she tells Edie. But if it werent for Army surplus, youd have nothing to wear.

And Lyn is the one caught in between, trying to be both Edie and Marge while also being a wife, a mother of boys, a rape hotline operator and a power-dressing P.R. executive. As the quick-take grievances of the earlier characters, however funny, give way to the ordinary wear-and-tear on women trying to function honorably in a sexist society, the play achieves, and Strong fulfills, the promise of the premise.

That promise is paradoxical: In offering a pull-no-punches satire of self-involved humans, it is nevertheless filled with pity for their disappointments. But instead of seeing that as a fault, perhaps its better to say that by finally realizing the need to be more specific, Intelligent Life eventually replaces the cheap kind of uplift with the real deal. Trudy calls the emotional workout of human life awerobics. By the time you get to the plays killer last line, you may call it a true goosebump experience.
WASHINGTON  President Bidens decision to call for changing the Senates rules to pass voting rights protections was a long time coming. Perhaps  in the view of his most disaffected supporters  too long.

A self-proclaimed institutionalist who spent more than three decades abiding by those rules as a senator, Mr. Biden repeatedly defended the often-arcane procedures of the Senate, even as Republicans used them to block his agenda and he came under increasing pressure from liberal activists in his party to rethink his position.

Those rules, he said with admiration more than a decade ago, were about compromise and moderation, a core part of his political identity. To support changing them would be to admit that the principles he so cherished had withered in a city now consumed by partisan rancor.

On Tuesday, he made that admission.

The threat to our democracy is so great that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills, he said in an impassioned speech in Atlanta on the grounds of Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Debate them. Vote. Let the majority prevail. And if that bare minimum is blocked, we have no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster.
That makes Johnson a top target for Democrats, who are hoping that defeating him will help them hang onto their Senate majority. Republican primaries are still sorting themselves out in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona  which means that Johnson will be the Democratic Partys chief villain for the next few months, too.

Multiple Democrats are vying to take on Johnson, though they all entered the race before they knew he was running again. Among them are Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, along with Alex Lasry, an executive with the Milwaukee Bucks, and Tom Nelson, a county executive.

Did Trump change the game?

Johnson isnt the only candidate who has repeated misinformation on the pandemic. In Pennsylvania, Mehmet Oz, a celebrity doctor who has advocated for using unproven drugs to treat Covid-19, could become the Senate nominee for Republicans. Will Democrats attack him for that, or would they go after him as a wealthy carpetbagger who has been living for years in New Jersey?

In the pre-Trump world, Democrats actively rooted for opponents known for making outlandish or false statements, because they made for easier targets. Take Todd Akin, a Missouri Senate candidate who was ostracized from the Republican Party in 2012 for saying: If its a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. Claire McCaskill, the Democrat who defeated Akin, later confessed to shotgunning a beer when Akin won the G.O.P. primary.

Now, however, many Democrats doubt that comments like Akins would register with voters in the same way.

The difference would be that as soon as it happened, there would just be a chorus on the right that would just say, Oh, yeah, yeah, thats true. A womans body can just shut that down, said Jason Kander, a Democrat who fell short in the 2016 Missouri Senate race.

Candidates, taking their cues from Trump, have also learned to recast their gaffes as bold truth-telling. As Johnson wrote in his announcement in The Wall Street Journal, Countless people have encouraged me to run, saying they rely on me to be their voice, to speak plain and obvious truths other elected leaders shirk from expressing  truths the elite in government, mainstream media and Big Tech dont want you to hear.
WASHINGTON  A U.S. government review panel has approved the release of five men who have been held for years without charge at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to a flurry of decisions released by the Pentagon on Tuesday, but they are unlikely to be freed soon as the Biden administration works to find nations to take them.

The disclosure came on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the wartime prison, and President Barack Obamas last special envoy on the task, Lee Wolosky, used the occasion to urge the White House to shut down the operation.

Our longest war has ended, yet Guantanamo endures, Mr. Wolosky wrote in a guest column in Politico. If these detainees had been white and not brown or Black, is there any realistic chance the United States  a country committed to the rule of law  would imprison them without charge for decades? I dont think so.

Those recommended for transfer included three Yemenis, Moath al-Alwi, Zuhail al-Sharabi and Omar al-Rammah, and a Kenyan, Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu. All are in their 40s. None of them were ever charged with war crimes and instead were held as law of war detainees, the U.S. term for prisoners of the war on terrorism.
The Republican chairman of the redistricting committee in the State Senate, Warren Daniel, called the decision a sign that the people of our state should be able to move on with the 2022 electoral process. The states primary elections were pushed back from March to May to make time for legal challenges to the maps.

Mr. Daniel charged that any Supreme Court reversal would be suspect because one of the Democratic justices, Anita Earls, was elected with the help of a donation from a Democratic Party redistricting group. An affiliate of that group, the National Redistricting Foundation, is funding legal action by one of the plaintiffs in the gerrymander case.

In their ruling, in Wake County Superior Court in Raleigh, N.C., the three judges agreed that both the legislative and congressional maps were a result of intentional, pro-Republican partisan redistricting. They also alluded to the political harm that caused, citing their disdain for having to deal with issues that potentially lead to results incompatible with democratic principles and subject our state to ridicule.

But the judges dismissed the plaintiffs claims that the maps violated the state Constitution, that they were deliberately created to disenfranchise Black voters and that they broke longstanding rules for drawing political districts.

The case involves new political districts approved in December by the Republican-dominated State Legislature that would give Republicans an overwhelming political advantage in a state balanced almost evenly between Republican and Democratic voters.
Mr. Ryabkov, for instance, told reporters that he was making no ultimatums and foresaw no deal breaker. But he added that it was absolutely mandatory that the United States guarantee that Ukraine would never join NATO.

He said Russia was imposing no specific timeline, but that it needed a fast response to its demands. And while he said there was no reason to fear an escalation scenario in Ukraine, he warned that the West still failed to grasp how dangerous it would be to rebuff Russias demands.

The contradictory messaging continued on Tuesday when the Kremlins spokesman, Mr. Peskov, countered any positive assessments Mr. Ryabkov might have offered the day before. For now, we do not see any substantive reason for optimism, he said in his daily conference call with reporters.

The problem with Mr. Putins approach is that it gives his diplomats next to no flexibility to negotiate on Russias behalf, and sometimes leaves them struggling to maintain a coherent message. Ms. Stanovaya warned that even if diplomats did reach some kind of deal, hawks in Moscow who have more of Mr. Putins ear could soon help derail it.

Analysts noted that Mr. Ryabkov, from the diplomatic side, most likely did not even know what military options the Kremlin was considering. The virus-free cocoon Mr. Putin has tried to establish around himself has meant that even confidants are forced to spend days in quarantine before being allowed into the same room with him, further reducing his connections with the outside world.
Blackshear, GA (31516)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 91F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
The return of the items is part of a global Cambodian effort to recover many hundreds of Khmer-era works that once adorned the nations remote temples and shrines. Most of the items were looted during the years of civil war and national upheaval that ravaged the country from the 1970s to the early 2000s.

A year ago, about six months after Mr. Latchfords death, his daughter, Nawapan Kriangsak, decided to hand back 125 objects he personally owned. In September, the Denver Museum of Art deaccessioned four Cambodian items obtained through Mr. Latchford and agreed to hand them back, while an anonymous private New York collector gave back one item that was considered a national treasure. Cambodia has also been pressing the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the provenance behind at least 45 items in its Southeast Asian collection that it suspects were looted.

Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodias minister of culture and fine arts, said she was thrilled that Mr. Clark had cooperated with the return and that the items might one day fill a whole wing of a new national museum. The lawyer representing Cambodia, Bradley J. Gordon, added: We are thankful for Mr. Clarks exemplary behavior in deciding to do the right thing and to return these masterpieces. We hope this becomes an example to follow.

Mr. Clark was philosophical about the monetary loss. Im very pleased that they are going to be shown in a museum now where people can really appreciate them, he said.

In their complaint, officials laid out several methods used by Mr. Latchford to dupe Mr. Clark into believing the artifacts were legitimate. In several cases, they said, he concocted paperwork stating that certain items  among them a bronze seated Buddha and a standing statue of the Hindu deity Vishnu  had left Cambodia legally in the 1960s or had been owned for decades by legitimate overseas buyers.

In the case of the massive statue of an elephant god, or Ganesha, Mr. Latchford claimed he was selling a near-twin of a statue that Cambodian officials say is actually one-of-a-kind: a 4,000-pound masterwork that was photographed and publicized by French researchers in 1934.
What testing shortage?

As the Omicron variant of the coronavirus surges across the country, tests are in short supply. But for a select group of employees at corporate Americas largest firms, tests are free and often readily available. These companies have been buying tests in bulk, some as part of their return-to-office protocols and others as a perk to offer workers peace of mind  even for those not yet coming into the office.

Unlike other company perks, like free snacks, virus tests are a vital public health tool. Some large corporations are sending out free weekly shipments to employees, while other businesses, like small restaurants, are struggling to safely stay open. Tests, like personal protective equipment and vaccines, have become the latest example of how a means to manage the coronavirus crisis can aggravate social and economic inequality.

The federal government has been slow to authorize rapid antigen tests, because it has held them to a high standard. (Other places, like Britain, were quicker to approve rapid tests as a public health tool, leading to faster production.) And unlike Washingtons approach to vaccines, the development of rapid tests has mostly been financed by private companies like Abbott. These companies, naturally, base manufacturing on projected profits. Abbotts C.E.O. said last year that the company underestimated demand.

The result is a testing shortage, and a decentralized system in which schools, hospitals  and companies  are competing to get tests. It doesnt surprise me that many organizations who were recognizing they need these tests to stay in business were buying them, said Joseph Allen, an associate professor at Harvard. A smart testing strategy would have flooded the market with these, so they dont have to be hoarded. With testing kits scarce, some health experts are questioning the distribution of tests to white-collar employees who work from home.
Our job is not to incrementally cover the news, Ms. McGann said in an interview. We think that lots of places do that well. Were watching the news and thinking, OK, how can we freeze-frame and help people see a fuller picture?

The digital publications magic bullet is a story format that Ms. McGann calls a 360, which examines a single topic from a variety of viewpoints. An article published Wednesday, for instance, looks at the issue of Covid-19 vaccination refusals by pregnant people with contributions from reporters who specialize in science, misinformation, politics and race.

We can give you a story that shows you what you need to know from different angles and prioritizes what really matters, not necessarily whats new or what just happened, Ms. McGann said.

She added that she encouraged her reporters from different beats to join forces on their stories, creating an interdisciplinary approach that is meant to set Grid apart from other sites, along with an emphasis on infographics.

There is no shortage of competition. In addition to the big news organizations and seasoned online publications, media start-ups of recent vintage include Axios, the quick-hit Washington news site founded by the Politico alumni Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen and Roy Schwartz; Air Mail, a general interest weekly led by the former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter; Puck, co-founded by the editor Jon Kelly, who worked under Mr. Carter at Vanity Fair; Punchbowl News, an insider-y Washington publication started by three former Politico journalists; Lookout Local, a local news company backed in part by the Knight Foundation and led by the media analyst Ken Doctor; and Substack, the digital newsletter platform that is home to Glenn Greenwald, Heather Cox Richardson and Bari Weiss.
On Tuesday, Jaime Castaneda, the executive director of the Consortium for Common Food Names and the executive vice president of strategy for the National Milk Producers Federation, said he was ecstatic about the court ruling.

For us this decision is not just about gruyere, he said. This goes to the bigger fight that we have with Europe in which they are trying to confiscate all these names, he said, adding that the European Union adopts rules that benefit its own producers at the expense of producers elsewhere.

In Europe, countries are staunchly protective over their culinary heritage. The European Union says it aims to protect the names of specific products to promote the unique characteristics that are linked to their geographical origin. Among cheeses, Roquefort must be from Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, France; Parmesan must come from the Italian regions around the cities of Parma and Reggio; and feta must be from certain regions of Greece.

But the same rules do not apply in the United States, where cheeses labeled feta, Munster or Parmesan can be produced anywhere. (Roquefort, however, must be produced in France.) And the European Union cannot prevent European countries other than Switzerland and France from selling cheese called gruyere in the United States. In fact, from 2010 to 2020, the United States imported more cheese called gruyere from the Netherlands and Germany than from Switzerland and France, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For at least 30 years, American cheese producers have applied the label gruyere to cheese from countries including Denmark, Egypt and Tunisia.

A spokesman for Switzerlands agriculture department, Jonathan Fisch, said in a statement that the Swiss government was disappointed by the court ruling. Using the term gruyere for a cheese produced in the United States threatens the reputation of the original product and its place in the foreign market and can only harm the entire sector, he said.

Margo A. Bagley, a professor at Emory University School of Law who focuses on patent law and intellectual property, said she agreed with the courts decision.
Those factors led to a horrendous filing season in 2021 from the standpoint of taxpayers, Ms. Collins wrote in her report, which was sent to Congress on Wednesday. Last year, the vast majority of taxpayers  77 percent  received refunds on their 2020 tax returns, but tens of millions of them experienced delays.

Paper is the I.R.S.s kryptonite, and the agency is still buried in it, Ms. Collins said in a statement, referring to the millions of paper returns that account for most of the backlog. The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, which Ms. Collins leads, is an independent entity within the I.R.S. that focuses on issues of taxpayer rights and services.

The I.R.S. itself warned taxpayers this week that staffing shortages and backlogs would translate into another frustrating filing season, which begins on Jan. 24 and runs through April 18 (in most states).

In a briefing on Monday, Treasury Department officials highlighted the lack of resources at the I.R.S. and said a lower level of service should be expected  including the time it will take staff to answer phone calls from taxpayers with questions. Treasury officials noted that in the first half of 2021, fewer than 15,000 employees were available to handle more than 240 million calls  one person for every 16,000 calls.

Officials blamed Republican legislators, who have blocked efforts to increase funding at the agency, for the budgetary constraints.
Evan Smith, a longtime force in Texas journalism, said on Wednesday that he would step down as the chief executive of The Texas Tribune, the nonprofit news organization he has led for 13 years.

Mr. Smith, 55, said he would leave by years end and stay on as an adviser into 2023. He has no firm plans for what he will do next, he said, adding, I dont think Im done wanting to make the world better through journalism.

A native New Yorker, Mr. Smith started his career at Texas Monthly in 1991. He became the magazines top editor in 2000 and led it to two National Magazine Awards in the general excellence category.

He left that publication in 2009 to start The Tribune with John Thornton, a venture capitalist, and Ross Ramsey, a journalist and media entrepreneur. The idea was to build a reliable nonpartisan news outlet known for its deep reporting on policy, politics and social issues.
It is a neurotoxin 100 times more deadly than cyanide and the cause of the food-borne illness known as botulism. During World War II and for some years after, the Department of Defense hoped to develop it as a chemical weapon. But it wasnt until the 1970s that Alan Scott, an ophthalmologist, turned the botulinum toxin into a pharmaceutical, when he began to investigate it as a medical treatment for serious eye impairments.

Little did he know at the time that the therapeutic drug he developed would become the basis of a billion-dollar industry famous for its cosmetic use as a temporary wrinkle eraser.

Dr. Scott, who came to be called the Father of Botox, died on Dec. 16 at a hospital in Greenbrae, Calif. He was 89. The cause was complications of sepsis, his daughter Alison Ferguson said.

When, in 1978, Dr. Scott first injected the powerful paralytic into the eye muscles of a patient who had undergone retinal detachment surgery that had left his eye pulled to one side, he didnt know who was more nervous, himself or the patient, he told Scientific American magazine in 2016.
The Miss America Competition, which celebrated its 100th birthday this year, has now outlived key parties and manned missions to the moon, the VHS tape and the subway token, the Soviet Union and nitrate film. It outlives even itself, seeming to hang on more because the infrastructure remains in place than from anyones active desire to see it. And as last months streaming-only broadcast of the centennial pageant indicates, even inertia can get you only so far. People once watched Miss America on broadcast television, tens of millions of them; it was an institution of enough consequence to be worth protesting, as many did. But who needs a pageant these days? If you want to watch women strain to meet an ideal of femininity no person actually desires, you watch The Bachelor.

The reason to compete, on the other hand, hasnt changed since 1945: Its money, from scholarships and brand deals, and a platform from which to begin a career or initiative. This was certainly the case for Miss New York, Sydney Park, who, as Ej Dickson reported in Rolling Stone, entered the competition after seeing an ad on Instagram to earn money for school. And it was Parks performance in the talent segment that highlighted, for me, the essential weirdness and bad faith at the heart of Miss America: No matter how much it might like to rebrand itself for the 21st century, it cannot escape the ideas of womanhood it was founded on.

Park performed a poem  her own poem  which begins: When I was a little girl, I was told to sit like a lady. But of course (the poem goes on) one can do many things like a lady: advocate for justice, or become vice president, and so on. Park performed this poem in a white pantsuit, which, if not a deliberate nod toward Hillary Clinton in 2016, was at least a visual rhyme. Her critique of ladylike behavior was delivered while modeling it at the same time  back straight, chin up, just as the poem describes, and shod in Louboutins. There was nothing unladylike to be found here, which was the point, but also the problem.

Miss America is not a beauty pageant, at least not to Miss America. It has insisted this since the late 1940s, when its executive director, Lenora Slaughter, told the New Yorker journalist Lillian Ross that this is not a leg show and we dont call the beauties bathing beauties any more. The bathing part went out in 1945, when we started giving big scholarships. This was at a time when Miss America published every contestants physical measurements. (It was also segregated, but Slaughters apparent concern was that it might seem shallow, not bigoted.) As of 2018, Miss America claims not to judge participants by their appearances at all  it is only by happy accident that its participants are willowy and symmetrical.
After the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, slabs of the barrier made their way around the world. In the experimental documentary The American Sector  shown at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival but overlooked amid the vagaries of pandemic movie releasing  the filmmakers Courtney Stephens and Pacho Velez travel to roughly 40 sites around the United States in an effort to shoot footage of all the pieces that have wound up here.

Some locations (the State Department, the United Nations, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library) make sense as final resting places for the remnants of a historic Cold War symbol. Other sites are far stranger. One piece has made its way to East Berlin, Pa., which was incorporated in the 19th century. Another chunk stands at an El stop in Chicago, ostensibly as a tribute to that neighborhoods German roots (although as a onetime Chicago resident who lived near that train line, I can attest that many passers-by never notice it). Then there are spots that are outright surreal. What on Earth did a Hilton in Dallas, a restaurant in Georgia or Universal Orlando Resort do to deserve their monuments?

Stephens and Velez interview people about what the fragments mean to them. A private homeowner with his own segment in the Hollywood Hills regards the graffiti-covered wall as a sort of work of art: the greatest canvas in modern history. In some places, the concrete wedges have acquired new metaphorical freight. An immigrant in Los Angeles likens the wall  which she points out is a migrant in its own right  to the barriers she had to cross to build a life in the United States. A man in Cincinnati, noting that the Berlin Wall memorial is across the river from the former slave state of Kentucky, says the risks East Berliners took to cross to the West have a parallel in experiences of Black Americans. Two students at the University of Virginia discuss whether that campuss wall slice constitutes a way for the university to nod toward someone elses history while avoiding discussion of its own.

At 67 minutes, The American Sector is minimalist yet breezy. Like the appropriated stone, it invites viewers to make their own interpretations.

Lost Course (2021)

Stream it on Apple TV and Ovid.
That same day, Philip Banks III, an unindicted co-conspirator in a public corruption case, announced his own hiring as Mr. Adamss deputy mayor for public safety in an opinion piece in The Daily News.

This does appear to be a serious problem, said Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School and the former chair of the Conflicts of Interest Board. A public servant, which includes the mayor, cant use his position as mayor to obtain a financial gain for a sibling.

City Hall officials have yet to determine their course of action, should the conflicts board deny their request for approval. It is not unheard-of for mayors to flout the boards advice.

Initial reports said that Bernard Adams would serve as a deputy commissioner, a role that typically comes with a salary of about $240,000. Mayor Adams said on Sunday that his brother would be responsible for other elected officials security, too.

But city officials on Tuesday said that Bernard Adamss actual title will be executive director of mayoral security. They could not say whether the title had existed before. Mr. Adams will oversee only his brothers security, officials said. They did not explain why the position had apparently been downgraded, but added that his salary was $210,000.

Mr. Adams will not receive any pension payments from his prior service while serving in his new role; for that to happen, the administration would have to show that no one else was qualified to serve in the position, City Hall officials said. Nor, they said, will he oversee other officials police details.

It remains unclear what experience Mr. Adams has that would make him particularly well equipped to protect the mayor  beyond the fact that they are brothers  during a time that Mayor Adams and his aides describe as particularly perilous for public officials.
South Africa: President Ramaphosa: Terrorism cannot be permitted to continue to thrive

President Cyril Ramaphosa says acts of terrorism and violent extremism that have led to loss of lives, property and displacement of people, especially women and children, cannot be allowed to continue without a proportionate response.

The President was delivering opening remarks at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit, held together with Personnel Contributing Countries plus the Republic of Mozambique on Tuesday, in Malawi.

President Ramaphosa is convening the summit in his capacity as Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

The summit is meant to review progress of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which was deployed by SADC until 15 January 2022, to support Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in the Cabo Delgado Province.

Since the deployment of SAMIM in Mozambique, significant progress has been made. The security situation in Cabo Delgado is improving, which has allowed for some internally displaced persons to return to their homes and resume their normal lives, Ramaphosa said.

He said that efforts of the Mission, working in collaboration with the Mozambican Defence Force, has created safe passage to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance to the population affected by terrorist activities.

I wish to express appreciation and commend the work of SAMIM on the ground. I equally appreciate and commend Member States who have supported this work financially and through the deployment of personnel and equipment, he said.



The President noted that while there were gains by the missions, there have also been challenges. He said they were saddened by the casualties suffered by SAMIM and the Mozambican Defence Force.

I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Governments of Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, the United Republic of Tanzania, and my Government, South Africa, for the demise of our brave sons, who were lost in the line of duty.

SADC will forever cherish their service and contribution to peace and security in the region. We also extend our best wishes for the speedy recovery of those who were wounded in action, he said.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that terrorism cannot be permitted to continue to thrive in any part of our region as its presence will reverse the stability and progress SADC has achieved in its four decades of existence.

As we consider the agenda before us, we are cognisant of the magnitude of ground that still needs to be covered in the work of SAMIM. Therefore, we cannot let our guard down.

Our meeting must indicate a strengthened commitment to defeat and uproot terrorism from our region, he said.

Today, the President will participate in the SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
BEIRUT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's state security announced on Tuesday that it has arrested five members of a human smuggling and trafficking network in the northern city of Tripoli, the National News Agency reported.

The arrested network, which consists of Lebanese and Syrian nationals, confessed to having facilitated the smuggling of people by sea to Cyprus in return for 3,000 U.S. dollars per person.

It also admitted to have been involved in human trafficking activities between Lebanon and Syria.

The network was referred to judicial bodies while security forces continued to track the rest of the network. 
Blackshear, GA (31516)

Today

Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High 91F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Gerald Stern, who for three decades set the bar for courtroom ethical standards in New York State as the first administrator of its Commission on Judicial Conduct, died on Jan. 6 in the Bronx. He was 86.

His death, in a hospital, resulted from complications of cancer, for which he had been treated for 19 years, his son, Marc, said.

Mr. Stern led the commission from its inception in 1974 through 2003, a period in which it sacked, censured or admonished some 600 judges for offenses including corruption, conflicts of interest, favoritism (like nepotism or ticket-fixing), improper demeanor (including sexual misconduct) and proscribed political activity.

As the administrator, or chief prosecutor, he gained the respect of jurists who originally bristled at any outside oversight, much less discipline, and of disgruntled litigants who were disappointed that the commissions jurisdiction did not extend to the legal merits of an individual judges decision.
Two years into the pandemic, as Omicron sends cases soaring, more health care workers are at the breaking point. One in five health care workers left the field during the pandemic, and those who remain talk about an excess of stress, a lack of fair compensation, and a dearth of hope.

As hospitals across the United States confront another surge, wed like to check in with our readers who work in health care  or those who recently quit  and ask how theyre feeling. If youd like to share your thoughts, you can fill out the questionnaire below. We may use your response in an upcoming Coronavirus Briefing newsletter.
[MUSIC PLAYING]

jane coaston

Today on The Argument, two conservatives on whats next for the GOP. [MUSIC PLAYING] Im Jane Coaston. Ive been reporting for years on conservatism and the American right, and thinking about it for even longer. I can tell you, theres always been division and discord within the Republican Party. You should see the mail that William F. Buckley got. The 2016 election just revealed where some of the deepest rifts lie. And then came January 6. Probably like a lot of you, Im wondering, where does the Republican Party go from here? I dont know, and I dont think the GOP is sure, either. For me, the Republican Party can be summed up in one word  no. They exist to push back on everything Democrats want to do because its easier to be against things than to be for them. But with midterms coming up, and, more importantly, with the 2024 election, theyre going to have to figure out what they want. And theyre going to have to figure out what the shadow of Trump means for them moving forward. [MUSIC PLAYING] Neither of my guests today like Trump, but they each see a different future for the GOP left in his wake.

charlie sykes

It is a party that, right now, at the moment, is held hostage by Trumps Big Lie about the election.

jane coaston

Our pessimist is Charlie Sykes, founder and editor at large of The Bulwark, a never Trump conservative publication, and author of How the Right Lost Its Mind. And here with the silver lining is Rich Lowry. Hes editor in chief of National Review, a conservative magazine, and author of The Case for Nationalism.

rich lowry

Obviously, Trump looms incredibly large. I think you can squint one way and say theres a lot of positive developments. Theres a chance the GOP can forge a workable electoral majority. And then theres a chance its going to follow Trump down another rabbit hole in 2024. [MUSIC PLAYING]

jane coaston

Neither of you are huge Trump fans, and you both dont want to see him on the Republican ticket in 2024. But I think you both have different ideas about what he did for the party and to the party, and where it goes next. According to an October Quinnipiac University poll, nearly 8 in 10 Republicans want Trump to run again as president in 2024. Why dont you want Trump to run again? Rich, do you want to go first?

rich lowry

So I dont want him to run again because I think hes spouting falsehoods. He engaged in one of the most reckless and graceless acts in American history, in what he did post-election in 2020. And all thats profoundly wrong. And I want the party to turn its back on him. And of course, it hasnt. I still hold out some hope it might. Theres a chance that hes kind of sort of imperceptibly, day by day, losing a little bit of his grip. But to believe that at the moment, you sort of have to have faith in things that are unseen. And I also think that he pointed the way towards a new Republican Party that was positive, in some respects, and that can be taken up by more responsible figures who could come up with a synthesis that would be quite powerful and appealing. And a lot of people argued, 2016, he won. I thought at times, well, maybe we overemphasize the importance of character in presidents. Maybe were going to kind of dance through the raindrops of his various personal flaws. And at times through the four years, even though it was really rocky, it seemed like that was happening. And there were some important advances for the right, and then it all collapsed after the election.

charlie sykes

First of all, I agree with what Rich just said, except that heres part of the problem, is that, with Trump, you get the whole package. And a lot of Republicans and conservatives made the Faustian bargain at some point, saying, OK, were going to look the other way at his lack of character, at his boorishness, at his authoritarianism, at his chronic lying and the fact that he has the emotional maturity of a nine-year-old, but you know, were willing to give him control over the federal government because we get things that we want. We get certain things that are, quote unquote, conservative. You got the judges. You got Supreme Court judges. You got tax cuts. I understand that. But this is the thing about the Faustian bargain  it turns out to be too much. And I think the real test here is not just whether he runs and wins, but whether or not Republicans and conservatives will finally muster the ability to say were drawing the line on this. Now, Rich and National Review were absolutely right when they published the edition against Trump back in 2016. And then, like so many other conservatives, they decided, OK, we can go along with this. So you did the cover story, the case for Donald Trump, maybe Donald Trump. So Ive always been never Trump. Now Im never again Trump. I think that theres a large group of people who also understand that Trump is dangerous, but they decided theyre more comfortable in the conservative tribe taking the anti anti-Trump position, which is, OK, so Trump is terrible, but let me give you this dose of whataboutism. Let me give you this dose of rationalization.

rich lowry

To Charlies criticism, I mean, we were foursquare against him in the primaries, and then once he was president of the United States, there was nothing we can do to stop him being president of the United States, and there was no lie he told or idiocy he perpetrated that we didnt squarely criticize. At least, no major one. I mean, its hard keeping up at times. But the choice in front of us was, OK, he cut taxes in a way that weve supported for 40 years, or whatever it is. So are we going to say thats bad or shouldnt have happened or we regret it because Donald Trump did it? No. He appoints three great Supreme Court justices. Are we going to just turn our backs and say, gosh, this is nothing, lets minimize it, even though this has been a cause of our movement for 50 years? No. And once he was president, we praised him for doing things that we liked and supported, and always have supported for sincere and good reasons. And were going to criticize him quite harshly when he lies or conducts himself in an appalling way or goes down policy avenues that we oppose. Im not sure anyone wrote anything harsher about the idea of having the Taliban to Camp David to negotiate a drawdown in Afghanistan than we did. And there are many instances of that sort of thing.

jane coaston

National Review covers aside, Charlie, I also want to ask you about the cultural aspect of Trumps presidency. I think some people saw Donald Trump as a stopgap to cultural change, but that seems impossible to me. Trump didnt stop Pride parades. And if you voted for Trump because you thought he might stick it to people who want to share their pronouns, it didnt work, and it couldnt work. Why did people think that was something Trump could do or solve?

charlie sykes

Well, I dont think that anybody expected hes going to solve the problem because thats not the point, because this is not about policies or about actually accomplishing anything. Its about making a statement. Its about striking a pose. Let me quote Rich Lowry. Rich, you had a great column right before the election 

rich lowry

I know this isnt going to be good. Whatever it is, Charlie 

charlie sykes

No, no 

rich lowry

 if youre quoting me back to myself, its never good.

charlie sykes

 no, no, this was the one where you said basically that voting for Donald Trump was the way for a lot of voters to give a big middle finger to the political world, you know? And thats what it was. It was this sort of bark of outrage and dissent. And I think its very important to understand that. I mean, one of the things that I think weve learned about our politics is that some of us had been under the impression that this was about principles and about policies, and we hung around with think tanks and we read journals and we thought it was about fiscal conservatism. And then we really realized that, after 2016, and I think its accelerated, that that part of the movement was really kind of paper-thin. It was like this thin crust over this molten lava of what the conservative movement was. And Donald Trump understood that at a visceral level. So there is this divorce from actually solving problems or policy, and simply basically saying  and I apologize for this  fuck you to the elites and to all the people that we dont like. And I think there is a lot of all of that. And I also think that youre starting to see a little bit of a separation between Donald Trump and Trumpism. And you saw this with the vaccines, when he said he had the vaccines and he got booed, that hes given birth to or permission to certain attitudes and styles of politics that are not really in his control anymore. And it may be part of the personality cult, but he also is kind of a prisoner of things that hes let loose. Theres a little bit of the sorcerers apprentice thing going on here. It takes on a life of its own. And I think this is the real concern, is that even if Donald Trump disappeared from the political stage tomorrow, things would not go back to normal. Im not sure there ever was a normal, but clearly theres something thats been let loose in our body politic.

jane coaston

I think that gets to something else Ive been thinking about, which is whether or not Trump was an attitude or a policy, because if you go back to 2015, 2016, theres this idea of, if Trump really is how he talks during the 2016 campaign, then hes this populist who wants, quote unquote, health care for everyone. And hes not conservative, hes like this different person. Hes an isolationist. Hes all these other things. And theres Donald Trump as a policy, as Trumpism, as this thing that is supposed to be this version of conservatism, and then there is Trump the attitude, which is just being a Republican whos really mean all the time. Do you think, Charlie, that Trump gave the Republican Party a directional change or an attitudinal change?

charlie sykes

I think both. I think, first of all, you have to understand that Donald Trump is a man without any fixed principles whatsoever. But in terms of policy, Rich is running through the various things that conservatives got from him. And I would point out, number one, that the reason that he got the tax cuts and a variety of other things, he owes that to people like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, both of whom he has decided to excommunicate. He hates the people that have actually accomplished the conservative agenda. But also, Republicans had to  you think back on pre-Trump Republicans and conservatives, the reversal on the whole concept of free markets and free trade, the positions on the deficit, the complete flip-flop on attitude towards Russia or American exceptionalism. It would have been inconceivable to imagine Republicans looking the other way when you had a president who was basically saying, yeah, Im not sure that I want to be part of NATO. Also on immigration. This was a Republican Party that had been trending toward, at least rhetorically toward, inclusion, being open to the idea of legal immigration, drawing a bright line between legal and illegal immigration. That was changed. And also, fundamentally, a party that said that character matters had to abandon all of that. So the question was, which policies were they willing to jettison to get which policies? I mean, right now, if you dont accept Donald Trumps big lie about the election or his bizarre attempts to overturn it, youre committing political suicide in Donald Trumps political party. And this didnt just happen overnight. This is what happens when the lie becomes acceptable and everybody decides, looks at each other and go, are you going to call it out? Are you going to call it out? No, were not. And here we are.

jane coaston

I would say, though, that what I think, in some parts, Donald Trumps victory in 2016, not his victory in the general election, but his victory in the primary over people who people would think of as being conservative stalwarts, you wind up there because, in my view, the Republican Party had been missing something. Rich, what do you think that Trump taught you about what the Republican Party was missing and where it should go forward?

rich lowry

Well, its clearly a sign that the social conservatism was much stronger than the fiscal conservatism. And at NR, weve kind of tried to make this point for a long time, that after every election loss, it used to be conventional wisdom, oh, its because of pro-lifers, its because of the pro-life position that Republicans lost, which I say, no, among working class people, thats more appealing than our economics. And Trump really brought that home in a big way. And just in terms of his consistency, China is ripping us off, were getting ripped off by trade, and these foreign interventions are bad and a debacle. Hes been completely consistent about those. And those ended up kind of overlapping with the concerns of more Republican voters than I would have thought when we started out in 2015. Trade, I think Trump was too comprehensively anti-trade, but on China, I think he was right. And I think folks like me were wrong. And then on immigration, I just think the elite consensus on that in the Republican Party I think was wrong for a very long time. I thought it was wrong. I was in vain against it. And then final point, this has been a tension within the party going back  Matt Continetti of the American Enterprise Institute has a book making this case that comes out in a couple of months  for 100 years, literally, between the populace, kind of more elemental conservatism, and a more classical liberal approach. And you need both. You need both of those to have a winning Republican majority in this country, but for most of the time, that classical liberal element of it has been in the ascendancy. And what weve seen over the last four or five years is the populist element being in the ascendancy. And thats something new. And its been very hard for a lot of people to take.

jane coaston

And how do you hold together a party where the rallying cry is that elections that you lose arent real? You see all this in down-ballot races. If youre running in a local election, right now it seems like, if youre a Republican running in a primary, you cannot lose. Any loss is actually a win, because you didnt lose because you cant lose. How do you hold together a party where thats how it works, Charlie?

charlie sykes

Well, thats the real danger. The real dystopian scenario is weve completely delegitimized elections, which means weve delegitimized democracy. Look, Ill be honest  and I might get some pushback on this, but I wonder whether or not this sets off a spiral where lets imagine, in 2024, Donald Trump is reelected, gets a second term. Will Democrats simply accept the legitimacy of that result, or have we created a spiral where no one will accept defeat? Well 

rich lowry

They didnt the first time around, Charlie.

charlie sykes

Well, I 

rich lowry

It was all Russia.

charlie sykes

Well, look, Rich, I understand the equivalence youre trying to draw, but what happened post-2020 seems to me to be categorically different than the normal griping.

rich lowry

No, thats not what I was saying. But if they didnt accept it the first time around, why would they accept it the second time around? I mean, they thought it was a vast conspiracy. And there wasnt a Capitol riot, and a unique disgrace. Whats that?

charlie sykes

Well, I mean, thats a small detail, that we didnt have the insurrection and the coup and the riot and 

rich lowry

Yeah, but Im just saying they didnt accept it the first time around.

charlie sykes

No.

rich lowry

It wasnt as extreme and stark as what happened in 2020, so of course theyre not going to accept it. And I do think not to be alarmist  if Trump actually wins, I think therell be serious political violence. And its not going to be from the alt right. [MUSIC PLAYING]

jane coaston

What about you? If youre a Republican, tell me what you think of the party right now, and where it should go next. Unlike Rich and Charlie, would you be excited to vote for Trump in 2024? Why or why not? Or if youre a former Republican, I want to know why you left the party. What was the nail in the coffin, and who would you rather vote for instead? And either way, whats the one big issue you want the GOP to focus on next? Leave me a voicemail by calling 347-915-4324, and well share some of your responses later this month. [MUSIC PLAYING] So weve done a sort of autopsy of the GOP after the 2016 election. Looking ahead now, if were thinking about the goal of the Republican Party being to expand the Republican electorate, does Trump help that effort or hurt that effort?

rich lowry

I think it hurts. You know, the obvious play  this doesnt mean that this is going to happen, and what youd write down on paper if you want Republicans to win  is you hold the Trump voters, you hold this kind of new working class voters that have come to the party  and not just through Trump, this has been kind of a long-term trend, youve had the separation of the two party coalitions by education going on for a long time  but you hold those working class, non-college-educated voters, and you make yourself less repellent to the suburbs. And this is exactly what Glenn Youngkin did in the Virginia gubernatorial race, overperforming in the suburbs and then winning in a purplish, bluish state. Youngkin shows how you do this, right? Youre not afraid of the cultural issues. You lean into CRT unapologetically, but you also say, hey, lets pay teachers more, and heres my cost of living agenda. So on the one hand, youre showing the conservatives and the right youre willing to fight. On the other hand, youre showing the center that youre acceptable to them. And if you could replicate that in the national level in 2024, Republicans are going to look really, really good. But Trump cant do that. Hes too repellent in the suburbs. Maybe he can gin up the base enough to squeak through again, the way he did in 2016. Maybe it would help if Bidens running again. If Biden still in the low 40s, it becomes more plausible. But its an extremely narrow path.

jane coaston

If youre a Republican candidate running in a local election right now, Charlie, do you want Trump to endorse you?

charlie sykes

Well, it depends where you are. I mean, this is part of the problem of America as a whole doesnt actually exist. You know, I live in a suburb in Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee called Mequon. We used to be very, very heavily Republican. There was a big anti-CRT recall campaign against the school board here, and it was defeated 60-40. So would you want Donald Trump to come in here right now? No, I dont think you would. But to Richs point about the electorate, I agree with everything that he said there, but I think that a lot of us have to be very humble, and this is a time for humility about some of these demographic changes. I think if you want to expand the Republican vote, alienating in a fundamental way young people, women, Hispanics, African-Americans, and Asian-Americans and others is not the formula. After the 2012 election, you remember that Reince Priebus presided over that autopsy that said we have to grow the party. Obviously, the Republican Party looked at that and said were going to go do the exact opposite to all of this. So I do think that theres a demographic time bomb in all of this. Beyond that, though, I just dont sense that the Trumpist Republican Party is interested in persuasion. I think we are living through this period where the formula has generally been to gin up your own base, maximize the return of the turnout of white, rural Wisconsinites, and thats how were going to counter Democrats in the rest of the state. So were not in an era of persuasion. And I would also say that one of the great triumphs of Trumpism is also its Achilles heel, the creation of an alternative reality media ecosystem that insulates them from the influence of the rest of the media and the population. This, of course, makes them bulletproof, in many ways, or they think of it, but it also, I think, cuts them off from the electorate that perhaps is going to be determining elections in the future. Now, weve been focusing on the Republicans. I dont think you can have this discussion without also just at least mentioning the problems the Democrats have. One of the reasons a lot of this has been happening is because  and Im looking at a state like Wisconsin  how Democrats really did abandon much of their own constituency. There are areas in this state that used to be overwhelmingly Democratic, and they are non-college-educated, working class, rural areas that now are overwhelmingly Republican. And its not that Republicans were so brilliant that they seized it. They walked into a constituency that had really been alienated by Democrats. So again, this is a push-pull that youre seeing, as well. And if Democrats continue to alienate those parts of the electorate, it might counter some of the things that Rich was talking about about the alienation of the voters that Trump alienates.

rich lowry

Now, let me disagree with Charlie, though, on one thing. And thats Latino voters. Ive gotten a lot of things wrong the last five years. This was one thing I was right about. Ive been saying for years now, actually, despite Trump, how radioactive some of the stuff he says is, the kind of Trump-style populist Republican Party has more potential for cross-racial appeal than a stereotypical Mitt Romney Republican Party. And thats because, if youre appealing to working class people, you know what? There are a lot of Black and Latino working class people. And we saw this in 2020. And it wasnt just in Florida. It wasnt just among Cubans. It was in the Rio Grande Valley. And now, were seeing it all over the place, showing up in polling. And I take Charlies point, you know, Trump is not a master of persuasion, but that doesnt mean that the Republican Party overall is not interested in trying to sway voters. The effort that was put into winning Hispanics in Florida was massive. It was really intelligent and shrewd. And it opened a door that I hope the party keeps going down.

jane coaston

I want to jump in here because I do want to note one thing, that when were talking about African-Americans and Latinos within the working class, we are largely, to be clear, talking about African-Americans and Latino men. Exit polling from the 2016 election shows that 13 percent of Black men voted for Donald Trump. 4 percent of Black women did. And in Pennsylvania, that number dropped to 1 percent, which I think, in Pennsylvania, if youre talking about 1 percent of Black women, you are talking about what, like, 15 people. Weve been talking a lot about how its not just Trump reshaping the GOP, but in some ways, its continuing to be him. So theres someone like Marjorie Taylor Greene, which I think its important to note that she has no power whatsoever. Shes not on any committee, but she brings in a ton of money. Is that what the future of the GOP, especially kind of House GOP, looks like, someone whos more of a social media influencer than someone who wants to do things or write bills?

rich lowry

Well, its definitely a model. And when we talk about Marjorie Taylor Greene and the rest of that clack, there have always been fringe members of Congress. And whats different now is the guardrails are down. There are really no limits on what anyone can say or do. And its very hard for any institution to impose such limits. I cite this example a lot. If you remember Milo Yiannopoulos, this guy that came out of Breitbart who was the hottest thing in right wing politics for a period. And National Review, we denounced him. We published him zero times. And it didnt matter, right. And it turned out that the guy who had the most influence on the trajectory of Milos career was Jack Dorsey. And he was banned from Twitter, and basically he never heard of them again. Social media has just been a hugely empowering factor for these fringe politicians. It not only empowers a certain crude form of expression, it positively encourages it and rewards it. So Marjorie Taylor Greenes have more impact than they did in the past. Theyve always existed. But they have more of an imprint than they do now. And we hope voters in her district will actually say, wed really like to have a congresswoman instead of a symbol and a fundraising machine. But I wouldnt bet on it.

jane coaston

Part of the thing that gets me about the social media era of Republicans is that, yes, it drives a lot of ire. And they get the response that they want. They trigger the libs. But my question is, once you have ginned up the people who see this so much and then you become a member of the Senate where you do not have the power to do any of the things that you talk about  its basically like getting on Twitter and promising that youre going to give everyone in America a pizza party and then youre elected to be a House Representative, and it turns out you cant do the thing you promised. And you have all these people being like, where is our, I dont know, Reichstag fire or our day of judgment?

rich lowry

You just keep ginning people up as a House member or as a member of the Senate  the line between being a pundit and being a senator, I think, is fuzzier than its ever been. So the thing that I think about Twitter  I get how irked conservatives are by the arbitrariness of the anti-so-called-misinformation enforcement of social media. I think its totally arbitrary and totally one-sided. But even given that, I think its been an enormous boon for right-wing opinion. There are all sorts of people we never would have heard of before that we discuss, that we argue about, whose views have an impact on us solely because of Twitter. And this will be something interesting. Well get a road test of this in the Ohio Republican Senate primary. We have Josh Mandel and J.D. Vance. Theyre the most famous candidates. There are a couple of others that I wouldnt count out. But Twitters a huge part of their game. But how much does that matter when rubber hits the road with actual primary voters in Ohio will be interesting to see.

jane coaston

Charlie, I am curious thinking about the future of the Republican Party  the people who arent just tweeting. Kevin McCarthy, Elise Stefanik  all Trump supporters. How deeply do you think that their allegiance to Trump runs, and do you think that they could exist in a post-Trump Republican Party?

charlie sykes

Yes, they could. I mean, I keep coming back to the fact that Liz Cheney was in Republican leadership. A solid conservative. Remains a solid conservative. Voted with Trump 90 percent of the time. Broke with him on the attempted coup and his lies about the election. She has been cast into outer darkness. She is a complete pariah within the Republican Party. And Marjorie Taylor Greene and Madison Cawthorn and Paul Gosar and Louie Gohmert and folks like this are rock stars. And people like Kevin McCarthy are OK with this. I mean, Kevin McCarthy wants more than anything in the world to be the Speaker. And yet, you wonder how strong a Speaker he will be when the man is terrified of somebody like Marjorie Taylor Greene and her power, though.

jane coaston

Why? Why would you want that job?

charlie sykes

This is the longer term trend here. It is the dominance of the entertainment wing of the Republican Party over the policy wing. The fact that Madison Cawthorn and Marjorie Taylor Greene have no interest in legislating is irrelevant to their power in the media universe. And the entire incentive structure of the Republican Party has changed. The power is no longer where it used to be in the party. So all of this, I think, gets worse before it gets better, because people are looking at the model. And theyre seeing who is rising and who is being cast. I mean, think of the people who are leaving right now. The people like Representative Gonzalez from home state of Ohio. These used to be the rising stars. And yet, lets be honest about it, you know that if Republicans take control, the Matt Gaetzs of the world and the Marjorie Taylor Greenes will be holding some gavels, perhaps.

jane coaston

Rich, what do you think of the future of the Republican Party? Because I think that you see promise in people on the state level. People like Ron DeSantis, who is not afraid of putting forward legislation thats clearly red meat to the base, particularly on social media. But does actual political things. Does political things Im not a huge fan of, but he does things.

rich lowry

Yeah, so let me back into DeSantis, responding a little bit, bouncing off what Charlie was just saying. One, this is not a phenomenon that you have a fringe that is running out of control. The leadership thats just exclusive to the Republican Party. You see it among the Democrats as well. And Kevin McCarthy  Kevins always been a political operative, basically. And theres a role for political operatives. The practical politician whos my model and I think has gotten it right. I think Mitch McConnell has played the whole thing pretty well throughout the Trump era. He got what he wanted out of Trump. He didnt want Trump to win the nomination. Wasnt his ideal. But once he was president, he had the option of totally blowing up their relationship and getting nothing done, or actually achieving important goals. He did that. Once the post-election happened, he had nothing to do with it. He gave Trump some leeway to pursue these court challenges. And then finally, pull the plug and said it was wrong. Didnt actually vote to impeach, because that might have been the end of his career. But severely denounced the president. Doesnt obsess over it, but whenever it comes up, its clear that he wants nothing to do with the guy and he thinks the party should go into a different direction. Now DeSantis  an example. Practical politician. A lot of people cringed the way he pandered to Trump in the Florida gubernatorial primary. Theres some people that just want that endorsement because theyre genuine Trumpists, or they want the endorsement out of just sheer ambition, have no idea what theyre going to do with it. He knew what he was going to do with it. He was going to become governor of Florida and pursue a very substantive conservative agenda, which is what hes done. He obviously plays symbolic based politics. He has an eye on the potential of 2024. But I think this key dividing line  where are you on DeSantis? If youre anti-Trump, I totally get that. Im in the same place. But if youre anti-DeSantis, I think you have a deeper problem with the Republican Party.

charlie sykes

Well then, I have obviously a much deeper problem with the Republican Party. And I think this, again, is part of what Donald Trump has done, that you have people like Ron DeSantis, who  lets talk about conservative ideas. How its not surprising that Republicans would be against government mandates of something. Yeah, true. But Ron DeSantis has turned it around. Hes passing legislation that would ban private companies from having these policies. Telling cruise lines that they cant do these things. This is, in fact, a reversal of most conservative principle, that you allow businesses to make these decisions. That you allow local governments to make these decisions. Not to mention the fact that he is an unusually, I think, crude culture warrior. The problem with Ron DeSantis is that hes one of those figures  you wonder like, what would he have been like had the Republican Party not insisted that you be this Trumpy? And I think that Ron DeSantiss heavy-handed bullying of local government and private individuals who are trying to save lives is not something that we should be applauding. So I know that you think that they all deserve apologies. And maybe its a fact that I have a much deeper problem with the Republican Party, because not coming from me.

jane coaston

Rich, you talked about Mitch McConnell, and you said that he had played this perfectly. And that he gave Trump the time to do his court challenges  court challenges that were flagrantly stupid. And then when it was clear those werent going to work, he pulled the plug on them. He didnt vote to impeach, because that would have ended his political career. I do have to ask, whats the point of all of that? What is it that Mitch McConnell wants to do? Whats the end game? When 

rich lowry

Conservative governance.

jane coaston

Thats it? Just no matter how that has to happen?

rich lowry

I mean, hes a conservative, and he thinks that these policies and ideas are good for the country. So thats whats behind it. And as a politician, you have to be aware of where your voters are. Doesnt mean that you pander to them or play to their worst instincts or always say yes to anything they want. But to live is to maneuver. Especially if youre a politician. So if I said perfect, thats overstating it. But I think he played it about right. And look, Liz Cheney, I admire her integrity. She is a woman of principle. And shes headed on a one-way road to a CNN contract. And thats a price shes willing to pay, and I respect that. But Im not sure in terms of getting the Republican Party in a better place, whether that course actually helps.

jane coaston

Charlie, do you want to respond?

charlie sykes

I think it helps. Yeah, I do. The suggestion that she should have done what other Republicans have done, which is to go silent to appease Donald Trump in order to keep their position  this is how we got to where we are. This is why the Republican Party is now a cult of personality and why its a wholly owned subsidiary of Donald Trump. Its because people say, OK, you know what? I know that its wrong. I know that what happened was wrong. But if you speak out about it, you will lose your number three position in the House caucus. Well at a certain point, who gives a fuck whether youre in number three position in the House caucus? In the larger scope of history, it is important for people to speak the truth, to stand up for something. And I think this is the danger of getting caught up in that inside game where, well if you do this, you might lose your position. Well, OK, so you might have to go on and do something else with your life. But the fact that the right wing punditocracy is saying, you know, it would have been better for Liz Cheney to have kept her mouth shut. Because then, she would have been able to be on this one committee. I understand it, but there does come a time when you hope that people ignore that advice.

jane coaston

Me in 2007 is very surprised at where the Cheney discourse has gone. It is a strange time in America. And I dont get it. But you both have been very helpful in helping me to maybe almost understand. Rich, Charlie, thank you so much for doing this conversation with me. I appreciate your time so much.

charlie sykes

Thank you.

rich lowry

Thank you. Really enjoyed it. Thanks, Charlie.

charlie sykes

Thank you. [MUSIC PLAYING]

jane coaston
Republicans in state legislatures are busy on all three fronts to change rules and procedures so they dont lose future elections. The first two factors constitute voting rights, so Mr. Levin is wrong to claim that these rights arent the problem. But he is right to focus on the third factor. What happens after an election is crucial.

It is in the Democrats interest to work hard on the third front even though they argue, correctly, that vote stealing in recent elections has been repeatedly shown to be a non-problem. This is because Republicans, the very people screaming falsely about past stolen elections, are now doing their best to steal the next one.

Republicans rhetoric can and should be used against them, building a wall against their own schemes, by instituting the measures Mr. Levin recommends. I would add expanding use of the paper ballot so recounting is easy and the results difficult politically to reject. And ensuring that representatives of both parties are present at all stages of vote counting and able to publicize any effort by the other side to manipulate the outcome.

An added advantage of focusing on the third front is that each party, for different reasons, can feel compelled to cooperate with the other one. So we could actually get democracy-saving legislation passed with support from both sides of the aisle.

David B. Abernethy

Portola Valley, Calif.

The writer is professor emeritus of political science at Stanford University.
Their finances are strained

Ive heard from many parents that their children who go to day care frequently have had to quarantine for stretches of 10 to 14 days as a result of Covid exposures. For hourly workers and single parents especially, this is untenable, and can even lead to financial catastrophe  you still have to pay for day care, even if your kid isnt attending, and you wont get paid if you cant work. Many child care facilities are in a bind as well: Theyve struggled to stay open during the pandemic, and the need for care outstrips availability.

Tiara Johnson, who works with special needs children at an early childhood education center in New York City and is a single mother of a 2-year-old son, experiences both sides of this bind. If enough parents take their children out of the center where she works because of the Covid surge, she explained, it could lose funding and be at risk of shutting down. Meanwhile, as of my conversation with her last Wednesday, the day care where she sends her son had not yet reopened after the Christmas break. Right now Im in search of another day care that is open and close to home, because his day care closed due to Covid and I have to worry about paying it, and Im not being paid while Im out, she said. You have to think about the parents as well, because if we dont have work, we cant provide.

She has to worry about her sons health, and also the health and daily routines of the children she cares for. They thrive on having a set schedule, she said, and the latest pandemic surge has been a huge disruption for her, her son, the kids and their parents.

Their employers are unsympathetic

Lauren Smith, who works in public relations for a health care company in Washington, D.C., and is a divorced mom of twin 2-year-olds, said that while some employers are trying to accommodate employees, there are limits. Were now two years into this, and their patience and flexibility is tried. They cant bend over backward when employees continue to ask for more understanding, she said of what shes seeing in her own work situation and those of her friends. This puts employees in a tough spot, though she acknowledges that some employers are in a tough spot, too: Businesses cant give endless slack and still deliver results. When we spoke, her sons day care had shut down for the week because of staffing issues, and she was only able to get her work done because her ex-husband took vacation from his job to watch the children.

They feel betrayed

Over and over, parents tell me they feel that childrens needs havent been prioritized during the pandemic, that their own health and well-being as parents hasnt been given enough consideration, and that in many instances theyve been left with no good options for safe school or child care. While some parents think that continuing with in-person school or day care is the most important thing for their children and others say staying at home  and hopefully Covid-free  is their priority, almost no one felt that the country had put kids first when making policy decisions. Repeatedly, I heard about how hard PCR testing is to come by, and the parents who could get PCRs told me about delayed results keeping them from work and their kids from schools. A set of two rapid tests is currently running them (at least) around $20, and equipping children in quality masks is expensive.
The early jockeying in the Republican field has been characterized by most candidates efforts to win the support of grass-roots voters who backed former President Donald J. Trump. They include Kathy Barnette, a conservative commentator who has fanned the false conspiracy that Mr. Trump won Pennsylvania in 2020, and Carla Sands, a wealthy former ambassador to Denmark under Mr. Trump, who has promised to stand up to woke culture, censorship, and critical race theory. Dr. Mehmet Oz, the heart surgeon and longtime television host, has framed his candidacy as a conservative response to the pandemic, criticizing mandates, shutdowns and actions by elites that restricted our freedom.

Mr. McCormick has his own personal tie to Mr. Trump: His wife, Dina Powell McCormick, served on the National Security Council during the first year of the Trump Administration. The two were married in 2019. Hope Hicks, a former Trump aide, has been advising Mr. McCormicks team, and other former Trump staffers, including Stephen Miller, are expected to do so, according to Politico.

Five months ahead of the May primary, the field is wide open, especially since the withdrawal in November of Sean Parnell, who was endorsed by Mr. Trump. Mr. Parnell suspended his campaign after losing a custody fight with his estranged wife, who accused him of spousal and child abuse.

In a sign of what is sure to be a highly competitive G.O.P. race with several wealthy contenders, Mr. McCormick drew attacks even before he joined the race. A super PAC supporting Dr. Oz unveiled a digital ad this week criticizing Mr. McCormick as a friend of China with a long record of selling us out. Bridgewater manages some $1.5 billion for Chinese investors, and its only other office outside of Connecticut is in Shanghai. And Jeff Bartos, a real estate developer who is also seeking the Senate nomination as a Republican, accused Mr. McCormick of sending Pennsylvania jobs to India in 2003.

The McCormick campaign disputed the characterization made by Mr. Bartos, and, on China, pointed to his record while a senior trade official in the Commerce Department in the George W. Bush administration. These attacks from the Oz camp are a desperate attempt of a candidate whose failure to launch has stalled his campaign, said Jim Shultz, a former aide to Pennsylvanias last Republican governor, Tom Corbett, and a supporter of Mr. McCormick.
The House has previously approved both of the measures in separate votes but will still have to go through the mechanics of doing so again to set up the Senate debate, making the timing of the Senate action somewhat uncertain.

One of them contains an array of proposals to establish nationwide standards for ballot access, aiming to nullify the wave of new restrictions in Republican-led states. It would require that states allow at minimum 15 consecutive days of early voting and that all voters can request to vote by mail, establish new automatic voter registration programs and make Election Day a national holiday.

The other one, named for Representative John Lewis, the civil rights icon and former congressman who died in 2020, would restore parts of the landmark Voting Rights Act weakened by Supreme Court rulings. Among them was one mandating that jurisdictions with a history of discrimination win prior approval  or preclearance  from the Justice Department or federal courts in Washington before changing their voting rules.

The new plan to advance both measures came as Democrats stepped up their efforts to persuade holdouts to join them in forcing through a change in Senate rules, but so far they have reported no success in converting them.

Mr. Bidens speech on Tuesday in Atlanta, in which he compared opponents of the legislation to notorious Southern racists of the Jim Crow era and the president of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, drew a stinging rebuke on Wednesday from Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader.

Ive known, liked and personally respected Joe Biden for many years, said Mr. McConnell, who said the president had reneged on his inaugural vow to try to unite the country. I did not recognize the man at the podium yesterday.

The partisan tension over the measure has been growing as Democrats have intensified their efforts to reach a floor showdown over legislation that Republicans portray as a power grab. Mr. McConnells comments were particularly tough given his extensive past working relationship with the president.
HAYNEVILLE, Ala.  What babbles behind Marilyn Rudolphs house in the rural countryside is no brook.

A stained PVC pipe juts out of the ground 30 feet behind her modest, well-maintained house, spewing raw wastewater whenever someone flushes the toilet or runs the washing machine. It is what is known as a straight pipe  a rudimentary, unsanitary and notorious homemade sewage system used by thousands of poor people in rural Alabama, most of them Black, who cannot afford a basic septic tank that will work in the regions dense soil.

Ive never seen anything like it. Its kind of like living with an outhouse, and I can never, ever get used to it, said Ms. Rudolphs boyfriend Lee Thomas, who moved in with her three years ago from Cleveland.

Ive lived with it all my life, said Ms. Rudolph, 60.

If any part of the country stands to see transformational benefits from the $1 trillion infrastructure act that President Biden signed in November, it is Alabamas Black Belt, named for the loamy soil that once made it a center of slave-labor cotton production. It is an expanse of 17 counties stretching from Georgia to Mississippi where Black people make up three-quarters of the population.
NAIROBI, Kenya  A large explosion killed at least eight people and injured nine others in Mogadishu on Wednesday, according to the head of an ambulance service, the latest attack to hit Somalias capital as the country grapples with political infighting and a growing humanitarian crisis.

The car explosion occurred just before noon on a road leading to Mogadishus international airport, according to Abdulkadir Adan, the founder of the ambulance service, Aamin Ambulance, Mogadishus only free ambulance service. The road also services a major police academy and a compound where United Nations and foreign government staff members and officials live.

The bombing, part of a string of attacks blamed on the Qaeda-linked Al Shabab extremist group that have gripped Somalia in recent months, comes as the countrys leaders struggle to resolve a political crisis that has distracted the government from the deteriorating security situation.

Somali Memo, a news website affiliated with Al Shabab, said the militants claimed responsibility for the attack on Wednesday. It said the group had targeted a convoy of vehicles carrying white security officers.
Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:55 - 0:00 transcript NATO and Russia Say Significant Differences Remain After Talks During the four-hour meeting, NATO had hoped to ease tensions between Moscow and the West and avert a further Russian invasion of Ukraine. We had the very serious and direct exchange on the situation in and around Ukraine, and the implications for European security. There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on these issues. Our differences will not be easy to bridge, but it is a positive sign that all NATO allies and Russia sat down around the same table and engaged on substantive topics. Allies on their side reaffirmed NATOs open door policy, and the right for each nation to choose its own security arrangements. Allies made clear that they will not renounce their ability to protect and defend each other. They expressed serious concern about the Russian military buildup in and around Ukraine, and called on Russia to immediately de-escalate the situation and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors. During the four-hour meeting, NATO had hoped to ease tensions between Moscow and the West and avert a further Russian invasion of Ukraine. Credit Credit... Pool photo by Olivier Hoslet

BRUSSELS  Russian and NATO officials said that they remained far from agreement after four hours of talks on Wednesday that the United States and its allies hoped would hold off a further Russian invasion of Ukraine and calm tensions between Moscow and the West.

Our differences will not be easy to bridge, the NATO secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, told a news conference after the talks at the blocs headquarters in Brussels.

At a separate news conference, Alexander V. Grushko, a Russian deputy foreign minister, said: I want to say that the discussion was rather honest, direct, deep and comprehensive. But at the same time it showed a great amount of divergence on fundamental questions.

Mr. Stoltenberg said that NATO allies urged Russia to immediately de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, where close to 100,000 Russian troops have massed near the borders, and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors. Russian representatives did not commit to pulling back the troops, nor did they reject the demand, officials said.

Russia is demanding that NATO not expand to include Ukraine or Georgia, both former Soviet Republics, and withdraw all allied troops from current NATO members bordering Russia.

NATO allies reaffirmed on Wednesday that they reject such commitments. Wendy R. Sherman, the deputy secretary of state who led the U.S. delegation to the talks, called some of Russias demands simply non-starters.

This wasnt an easy discussion, but that is exactly why this meeting was so important, Mr. Stoltenberg said, adding that NATO allies and Russia had a very serious and direct exchange on the situation in and around Ukraine, and implications for European security.

In 2014, Russia seized the Ukrainian region of Crimea, and Russian-backed separatists took control of an eastern slice of Ukraine, where fighting continues at a low level.

Russian officials insist there is no plan to expand the war in Ukraine, while at the same time repeatedly making vague threats of ominous consequences, including military means, if the Kremlins demands are not met.

The meeting at NATOs Brussels headquarters was the second stop in a diplomatic roadshow focused on the Kremlin, after talks in Geneva on Monday between Russian and American officials. Looming over the high-level diplomacy is whether the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, will invade Ukraine as he seeks to pressure the West to roll back NATOs presence in Eastern Europe, or de-escalate.

Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:41 - 0:00 transcript U.S. Says Progress With Russia Hinges on Ukraine De-Escalation Wendy R. Sherman, the U.S. deputy secretary of state, said there was potential for agreements with Russia in areas such as arms control and communication, but only if Russia pulled back its threats against Ukraine. In todays meeting, the NATO allies offered their views on areas where NATO and Russia could make progress together in a way that strengthens security for all of us, and indeed for the world. These include reciprocal actions around risk reduction and transparency, improved communication and arms control. We told the Russian delegation that we are united in our position. That escalation does not create optimum conditions for diplomacy, to say the least. That is now the situation we face. As we speak, Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops along Ukraines borders in an unprovoked military buildup. Secretary General Stoltenberg opened todays meeting by expressing his hope that the NATO-Russia council could convene again soon to have deeper discussions on the areas where we can make progress together to strengthen security for all. That is a position shared by all the NATO allies. If Russia walks away, however, it will be quite apparent they were never serious about pursuing diplomacy at all. Its very hard to have dialogue, to have diplomacy, that is conducive to success when in fact, you have 100,000 troops, live fire exercises, propaganda, disinformation, other efforts to subvert that environment, makes it quite difficult. So if Russia wants to reach success through diplomacy, and I certainly hope they do because the consequences for them will be quite severe if they dont, then they should de-escalate. Wendy R. Sherman, the U.S. deputy secretary of state, said there was potential for agreements with Russia in areas such as arms control and communication, but only if Russia pulled back its threats against Ukraine. Credit Credit... John Thys/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images

The United States and its NATO allies hope that Mr. Putin will decide to negotiate, as he is now confronted with threats of punishing economic sanctions and even of new deployments in NATO allies bordering Russia.

If NATO moves on to a policy of containment, then there will be a policy of counter-containment from our side, Mr. Grushko said. If there is deterrence, there will be counter-deterrence.

Mr. Stoltenberg and Ms. Sherman said that NATO allies had offered Russia a series of further meetings on wider issues of European security, including arms control and missile deployments.

Western officials said the Russian response was generally positive, but the Russians did not commit to more talks after this week. Mr. Grushkos indicated that for now, Russia was not closing the door to further diplomacy.

Ms. Sherman said, if Russia walks away, it would be quite apparent that they were never serious about pursuing diplomacy at all.

She reiterated the U.S. position that before any discussion of other issues, Russia must first pull back from threatening Ukraine. She added that the fate of the Moscow-backed Nord Stream 2 pipeline, intended to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany, would depend on Russian de-escalation.

NATO has 30 members and so, in a sense, the meeting on Wednesday was 30 against one. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, though the alliance promised in 2008 that it would be someday.

NATO officials emphasized that they wanted to keep the focus on Russias large and continuing military buildup surrounding Ukraine, rather than on Russian desires to force a renegotiation of the post-Cold War security architecture in Europe.

After Mondays talks, Sergei A. Ryabkov, who led the Russian side, denied that Russia had any intention of a new military invasion of Ukraine. But he warned that if the West did not agree to Russias demands to pull back NATOs footprint in Eastern Europe and reject any future membership for Ukraine, it would face unspecified consequences that would put the security of the whole European continent at risk.
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Senate Democrats unveiled legislation on Wednesday that would impose sanctions on top Russian officials if Moscow invaded Ukraine, in an effort to squash a competing Republican-led bill that would impose sanctions on a Russian natural-gas pipeline that bypasses Ukraine.

The Senate is expected to vote later this week on a measure led by Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, that would impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2, a Russian undersea pipeline to Germany viewed as a means of exerting influence over Europe. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has both privately and publicly urged senators to support the bill, casting Nord Stream 2 as an existential threat. The pipeline would give Russia enormous leverage over Europe and would render Ukraines own pipeline to Poland obsolete, depriving Ukraine of substantial revenue.

But the Biden administration and its allies in Congress have lobbied against Mr. Cruzs measure, which would go into effect 15 days after being signed into law, whether or not Russia attacks. They argue that quick passage would undermine unity among the nations European allies, including Germany, which has championed the pipeline as vital to its industrial success. They also argue that the sanctions would have little effect on the construction of the pipeline, because it is nearly completed.

They have instead encouraged Democrats wishing to penalize Russia for massing troops at Ukraines border to support legislation by Senator Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat.
LONDON  A British cultural organization said on Wednesday that one of its employees from Iran had been acquitted of espionage charges by that countrys Supreme Court and was back in Britain after spending more than three years in prison.

While visiting her grandmother in Iran, the woman, Aras Amiri, was arrested in March 2018 along with other Iranians with British connections, in what was thought to be an attempt by the authorities to gain leverage in an old dispute with Britain over more than $400 million in undelivered weaponry.

Ms. Amiri, an art student employed for five years by the British Council to facilitate greater appreciation of Iranian culture in the U.K., is an Iranian citizen who had lived in Britain for about 10 years before she was detained. Irans Supreme Court acquitted her in August, the council said, and she returned to Britain this week after the travel ban associated with her original detention was lifted.

Image Aras Amiri was employed by the British Council for five years in London prior to being arrested in Iran. Credit... Photo provided by Mohsen Omrani

She had been sentenced to 10 years in prison in April 2019, a punishment announced on state TV before she or her lawyer had been informed, according to a letter Ms. Amiri wrote in June 2019 from prison, which her cousin, Mohsen Omrani, sent to the Center for Human Rights in Iran, a New York-based advocacy group.
A court in Spain has ordered a regional government to compensate doctors who worked on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic without adequate protective gear like masks, gowns or surgical gloves.

The ruling by a regional court in Valencia, in eastern Spain, was the first to be issued in a raft of lawsuits brought by doctors and nurses, who have said that when they confronted the coronavirus in early 2020, they were sometimes not supplied with protective equipment, or had to make their own basic gear. Some medical professionals in Spain have described the working conditions during the first wave of virus infections as kamikaze.

By the end of March 2020, at least 12,000 Spanish health care workers were infected with Covid-19, and the government had declared a state of emergency.

The judge in Valencia ordered the regional authorities to pay amounts ranging from 5,000 euros (about $5,700) to 49,000 euros (about $56,000) to the 153 doctors represented in the lawsuit, all of whom were working in the province of Alicante. The largest awards are for doctors who had to be hospitalized after becoming infected while working without proper protective equipment. The ruling, dated Jan. 7, was made public this week.
The World Health Organization admonished countries not to relax their guard against the coronavirus pandemic, just because the Omicron variant tends not to cause hospitalizations and deaths as often as earlier variants did.

We must not allow this virus a free ride, or wave the white flag, especially when so many people around the world remain unvaccinated, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, said Wednesday at a news conference in Geneva.

Since Omicron was first detected in late November, it raced across the planet, outpacing even some of the best tracking efforts. The daily average for new, known global cases has set records every day since the start of the year, as much of the world remains unvaccinated. Over the past week, a staggering average of 2.6 million new cases a day has been reported and the world surpassed 300 million known cases, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Those figures are surely an undercount, given lack of access to testing and that the results of home tests often are not always reported officially. In addition, some public health experts  like Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the U.S. governments top infectious disease expert  are encouraging less of an emphasis on case counts and more focus on hospitalization numbers.
Centuripe, a small town tucked in the hills of Sicily, is known as the balcony of Sicily for the stunning views it offers across to Mount Etna, but few know that, from the air, the town itself is quite the sight.

Pio Andrea Peri, a 32-year-old local photographer, recently used his drone to capture the unique shape of Centuripe from high up in the sky. After first discovering the unusual shape of his town while looking at it on Google Earth, Peri decided to take his drone and check it out for himself. He was so surprised by what he saw on his monitor that he snapped a few photos and shared them on social media, where they went viral almost instantly. From the right angle, Centuripe looks like the silhouette of a person with their arms and legs stretched out.

Photos: Pio Andrea Peri

The whole world was incredulous at the bizarre shape of this town, many did not believe it was true, and they thought that I had drawn the photo on the PC, the young Italian photographer told Mail Online. But when they realized the truth by searching on Google Earth many of them personally apologized for what they said to me.

After Pios aerial photographs of Centuripe started receiving international attention, the towns mayor invited the young artist to stage an exhibition and showcase his work.

It was a hard shot to create, and I had to use multiple shots because of the height limit of the drone, Pio said about his most popular photo. I overlaid about 18 shots manually in post-production and it took two hours of editing, Im very happy with the result.

Built on a hill, approximately 2,400 feet above sea level, Centuripe offers amazing views of the countryside of Enna province, as well as of the famous mount Etna, about 40 miles away.
Karne Garibaldi, a popular restaurant in Guadalajara, holds the Guinness record for the worlds fastest food service: 13.5 seconds from order time until the food hits the table.

Usually, when visiting a popular award-winning restaurant, you expect waiting times to be on the long side, but thats definitely not the case at Karne Garibaldi, a restaurant best known for its carne en su jugo dish and for having the worlds fastest order time. After patrons finish giving their orders to the waiters, it takes just over a dozen seconds before the plates hit their tables, which, as those who have eaten there at least once will tell you, is downright impressive. Karne Garibaldi has held the world record for the worlds fastest food service (13.5 seconds) since 1996.

Photo: El Souvenir

So how does the staff at Karne Garibaldi do it? Well, it should be said that the traditional Mexican dishes served at this popular restaurant require hours of slow cooking, so they are ready by the time it opens. Now, plating the food and getting it from the kitchen and to the diners tables in under 15 seconds actually requires speed and coordination.

It began as a game between the waiters to see who could bring the food to each table the fastest, Daniel Flores, the manager of the largest of Karne Garibaldis six branches, told VICE Magazine. That competition led to us attempting the Guinness Record.

Only it didnt end with the place getting a mention in the Guinness Book of Records. Over 25 years later, waiters at Karne Garibaldi still take pride in being the fastest in the world, sometimes bringing orders to peoples tables than the official 13.5 seconds, or at the most, within one minute of taking them.

Waiters, captains, cooks and all of our Karne Garibaldi staff are the soul of our kitchen, Laura Mariaud, head of digital communications at Karne Garibaldi, told Yahoo. Therefore, the speediness of our waiters is not all that matters to make our service the fastest of all. Of course, we train our staff to learn how to be efficient, but theres a whole process behind the preparation of the food that allows the workflow to be fast and effective. This is how our service turns into a production chain that makes the waiter serve in the fastest way possible to our customers.



Several restaurants have tried snatching the Guinness record from Karne Garibaldi over the years, but, until now, none have succeeded.
Nick Puleo

Its no exaggeration to claim that brands are increasingly coming under fake news attacks. In fact, an entire industry has emerged in recent years solely focused on producing bogus information. And make no mistake: Falsehoods are bad for business, sometimes causing damage that lasts for years.

Such damage can be significant. Lets say the first page of a web search about your company shows just one negative story. According to Internet research firm MOZ, a company could risk losing as much as 22 percent of its revenues. More than one such story sends that number soaring even higher.

Last year, for example, home goods retailer Wayfair confronted charges that it conspired in a child trafficking network, prompting national media coverage and a full-blown company crisis. Russian-sponsored TV segments even targeted an entire sector, falsely alleging that 5G technology could be hazardous to your health, thus sparking public concern and even opposition to advances in new technology.

This article is featured in O'Dwyer's Jan. '22 Crisis Communications & PR Buyer's Guide Magazine

(view PDF version)

The risks that youll face such a frontal assault are real. As Ive witnessed myself, they typically take the shape of information designed to mislead consumers, investors and other stakeholders into believing falsehoods about your product, service or overall organization.

This so-called information can be categorized as misinformation, disinformation or malinformation. Each is defined drastically differently from the others, and those differences matter.

How can you counter campaigns that directly target you, and do so either pre-emptively, while its happening or after the fact? For starters, its vitally important to know how to identify immediately which of these three culprits youre confronting, and whether theyre merely mischievous or outright malicious. Only then can you tailor an approach likely to bring about the right solution for meeting the moment.

In my experiences with clients threatened by errant information, Ive found that the following strategies work:

Misinformation: This is factually incorrect information that often results from accidental oversight rather than hostile intent. Rumors might circulate about a facility closure or poor product performance. Companies suffer the worst consequences from misinformation if its allowed to spread unnoticed. But some organizations act too late to stop it. A technology company hired me after allowing (false) rumors of sales force layoffs to persist, but by then more than half of those employees had already responded by resigning. A brand with a less-than-robust presence and weak corporate narrative is particularly vulnerable to such inaccuracies. A void in its storytelling can readily be filled with erroneous details.

The good news is that misinformation from outside actors attempting to hijack your reputation is the easiest of the three kinds of fraudulent information to defend against and neutralize. The best strategy is to communicate often, clearly and accurately to your key audiences, highlighting what your brand stands for and how your company operates. Deliver your messages through emails to employees, corporate blogs and social media channels.

We recently partnered with a university falsely accused of promoting anti-gay policies. The challenge was to defend against criticism without losing the confidence of students, faculty and donors. To achieve this objective, we developed a campaign that showcased the universitys long history of proactive community engagement along with pro-gay public statements and content.

Disinformation: This version of an alternate realitydefined more or less as lies or factoids intended to discredit or tarnish the reputation of a competitor or adversaryis considerably harder to crack. A World Economic Forum study found that tweets containing disinformation consistently reached more peopleand more quicklythan those containing the truth. Recent research from Kroll, a corporate investigation specialist and risk consultancy, showed that 84 percent of businesses felt threatened by market manipulation caused by disinformation. For example, Twitter and Avon products suffered from disinformation campaigns that manipulated market pricing.

Companies should always take these mistruths seriously. Deploy clear, concise statements on your website, social media channels and other assets to counter quickly. Consider issuing a press release to bluntly call out false information. Companies that hesitate or equivocate rather than act forcefully and to the point run the risk of appearing to falter, the worst possible signal to send.

Malinformation: This nasty bug carries a germ of truth thats distorted expressly to hurt your brand. Malinformation is the hardest of the three to retaliate against because it reflects a certain truth about your company.

Maybe you recall how Starbucks was once blindsided by a deceptive marketing ploy that promised coffee at a discount to all undocumented immigrants. This con job evidently intended to lure such immigrants to Starbucks so they could be reported to immigration authorities and perhaps deported. Luckily, Starbucks is widely known to be politically progressive, so addressing this dubious distortion turned out to be manageable.

Then again, most cases of malinformation are less clear-cut. Some companies flail around with responses that are roughly equivalent to Well, thats technically true, but lets drill down a little here. Thats what happened when Dominion Voting Systems was accused of rigging the 2020 presidential election. A senior executive was forced to explain why hed authored social media posts about Donald Trump. Generally, getting painted into a corner to explain your actions means youve probably already lost your opportunity to satisfactorily correct the record and recover.

Whichever species of fake news you encounter, your best bet is to be preventive rather than reactive. Again, make sure your audiences understandand appreciatethe values that your brand represents and how its operations adhere to the highest legal and ethical standards. Fortify your brand against dishonesty with a story thats recognizably honest. Leverage data that tracks conversations about your brand. Above all, prepare a crisis communication plan that addresses all variables and contingencies and keep it in place 24/7, the better to confront fake news head-on in the moment.

Bottom line: If you ever expect to drown out the stories coming from others, you have to raise the volume on your own.

***

Nick Puleo is the President and Founder of Comsint.
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry is selected as US PR agency of record for DanAds, a customizable and scalable self-serve ad tech infrastructure for publishers. The agency will work to raise the profile of DanAds software, which empowers publishers and brands to democratically monetize quality content while opening new demand channels and driving AdOps transparency. Led from the lorries Boston and Los Angeles offices, the PR program will focus on media relations and content creation. The agency will also work to boost DanAds industry recognition by providing strategic communications support around key conferences, trade shows and awards programs. It will work closely with its Nordics Convoy PR Group partner, King Street PR, who works with DanAds in its native Sweden. The lorries established martech practice meant they immediately stood out to us as a potential strategic partner, said DanAds chief marketing officer Lisen Zethraeus, CMO at DanAds.

Ink & Roses has been retained to launch MyEllevate by Cynosure, a facial rejuvenation solution to define and enhance the jawline, which can be performed in an hour. In this role, Ink & Roses will provide support with MyEllevate brand positioning and messaging, as well as leading earned consumer and trade media relations to drive brand awareness. Invented and developed by Dr. Gregory Mueller, MyEllevate was acquired by Cynosure, a global leader in medical aesthetics, in August 2021.

RMD Advertising lands digital and social media services for Dailys Premium Meats to its roster. RMD will leverage its digital and social media expertise to bring increased awareness and expanded reach to the brand. Founded in 1893, Dailys Premium Meats has been known as the Bacon Specialists for many years, and now also offers hickory smoked hams, sausage links and patties, and other value-added pork products.

Local Search Group wins Texas Blockchain Council account. Local Search Group will direct all public-facing marketing efforts for the council, providing digital support and creating customized designs and strategies as the councils networking events in Houston, Austin and Dallas expand to other cities in the state. Local Search Groups effective marketing strategies and advertising have connected us to B2B and B2C networks in an unprecedented way, sais Texas Blockchain Council president Lee Bratcher.
Anthony Fauci

As the light at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic tunnel shines a bit brighter each day, Anthony Fauci, Americas indispensable man during the pandemic, should begin to think of a new career: PR crisis counselor.

Its a job that would be far less taxing for the 81-year-old than his current gig as Joe Bidens chief medical advisor on COVID-19.

As PR counselor, Fauci would not be hauled in before Congress to deal with attacks from nitwits such as the Kentucky/Kansas Republican duo: Rand Paul and Roger Marshall.

Pauls repeated attacks on Fauci (e.g, part of a conspiracy that led to the creation of COVID-19 in a Chinese lab) has triggered death threats against the good doctor.

A man traveling to DC with an AR-15 rifle and multiple magazines of ammunition was arrested in Iowa in December. He had a hit list with Faucis name on it.

When Fauci accused Paul of riling up the crazies, the Senator said he was disappointed that the doctor suggested that people who dare to question you are responsible for violent threats. Did you hear about the AR-15, Rand?

The Kentuckian, meanwhile, is raising money via a campaign with a Fire Dr. Fauci theme. He accepts donations of $5, $10, $20 and $100.

Marshall has accused Fauci of ginning up fear of COVID to a craven bid to line his own pockets.

On Jan. 11, he demanded that Fauci make full disclosure of his compensation, though he has done so for each of his 37 years in government service.

Marshall held up an oversized check as a prop. It showed that Fauci was paid $434K during 2020, which was Trumps last year in office.

The Kansas City Star noted that Paul and Marshall are trying much harder to fire up the noise machine to make voters angry about modest and necessary efforts to fight the pandemic than they are to convince them to end it.

The paper noted that every Kansan who refuses a vaccine or forgoes a mask in a crowded public space just increases the number of people getting sick and dying. That's on you, Rand and Marshall.

Did Fauci really think he was off mic when he called Marshall a moron? Probably not.

He certainly knew that he was on mic when he said Pauls fundraising off COVID is using a catastrophic epidemic for political gain.

Backlash against ESG. Unilever, a leader in corporate sustainability, is under attack by one of its top stockholders for putting climate and social responsibility ahead of dollars and cents.

Terry Smith, founder of Fundsmith, a top 10 stockholder in Unilever, wrote in his firm's annual report:

A company which feels it has to define the purpose of Hellmanns mayonnaise has in our view clearly lost the plot. The Hellmanns brand has existed since 1913 so we would guess that by now consumers have figured out its purpose (spoiler alertsalads and sandwiches)."

Despite Smiths attack on Unilever, his firm is maintaining its holdings in the company because its strong brands and distribution will triumph in the end."

Unleash the hounds Rich Azzopardi, who was Gov. Andrew Cuomo's long-time spokesperson, launched Bulldog Strategies on Jan. 10.

Ive never shied away from the tough challenges as few battles worth waging are easy, he said in announcing the firm. Experience and expertise matter and if you hire Bulldog Strategies, you get a battle-tested, and relentless advocate who will fight tooth and nail for you.

Azzopardis firm may be in it until the bitter end but he could not convince his No. 1 client to fight for his job as leader of the Empire State.
A number of food businesses were served with closure and prohibition orders before Christmas for a variety of reasons, including rat and cockroach infestations.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland reported that two Closure Orders and three Prohibition Orders were served on food businesses during the month of December 2021 for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI.

One Closure Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on Express Fish and Chips, 39 Abbey Road, Kill of the Grange, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.

Another Closure Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on DFC Take Away, 82b Dorset Street Lower, Dublin 1.

A Prohibition Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on Ballinwillin House, a small meat manufacturing Plant in Mitchelstown, Cork.

Two Prohibition Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on Pinoy Sari, Sari Store Limited, 25/26 Mary Street Little, Dublin 7 and Healing with Hemp, T/A Kama Hemp, Burdautien, Clones, Monaghan.

According to the FSAI, the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in December include inadequate pest control system in place; food and waste storage rooms had not been adequately cleaned; significant rodent infestation; the carcass of an unknown dead animal was found on the floor of the waste and food storage room; live cockroaches found in the premises; rat droppings observed under waste bins; encrusted food and grease on cooking equipment surfaces, handles and shelving; uncovered and overflowing bin full of dirty food packaging and food waste; premises not in a clean condition; no appropriate traceability information; operation of an unapproved food business.

The FSAI is also published details of a Closure Order served in November 2021 under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Closure Order had been subject to an appeal to the District Court, which was subsequently withdrawn. The Closure Order was served on Healing with Hemp, Trading as Kama Hemp (Closed activities: All activities of the food business, its establishments, holdings or other premises and the internet sites and social media sites operated by food business be ceased for the purpose of placing food on the market), Burdautien, Clones, Monaghan.

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAIs website at www.fsai.ie. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.

Looking at last year, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has stated that 59 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses for breaches in food safety legislation in 2021, an increase of 40% in comparison to 42 Enforcement Orders served in 2020.

"The increase in numbers largely reflects the reopening of many food businesses following long periods of temporary closures in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19," The FSAI said.

The FSAI reiterated the importance of robust food safety management systems and stressed that the legal responsibility lies with food businesses to ensure that the food they sell is compliant with food safety legislation and is safe to eat.

Commenting on the annual figures, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI stressed the serious nature of a food business being served an Enforcement Order.

Unfortunately, many of the reasons cited for Enforcement Orders concern the basic requirements for food safety and hygiene and should not be happening in any food business. There is absolutely no excuse for negligent food practices at any time. Enforcement Orders are served on food businesses only when a serious risk to consumer health has been established or where there are a number of ongoing serious breaches of food legislation. All food businesses must recognise that they are legally bound to ensure that the food they produce is safe to eat and that they implement and support a strong food safety culture, within the business. Consumers have a right to safe food. Non-compliance by food businesses will not be tolerated and all breaches of food safety legislation will be dealt with the full extent of the law, said Dr Byrne.
Note: Special one-year subscription at a reduced price for first-time subscribers or for subscriptions that have been expired for at least one year  those living in Jackson County and the Cherokee Indian Reservation (28719) addresses qualify. Offer good through Friday, Aug. 2, 2019.

We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover; we do not accept AMEX.
THERE are 1,000 staff unable to work due to Covid-19 across the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group which includes Tullamore Hospital.

The figures from the HSE are as of January 6 and changes on an ongoing basis.

Hospitals in the group include Tullamore Hospital, Portlaoise Hospital, St. Jamess Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Naas General Hospital, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, St. Lukes Radiation Oncology Network.

The hospitals serve a population of 800,000 people with over 10,000 staff.

A statement from the group said: "All hospitals are impacted and have staff who are unable to work due to Covid-19 and this has been the case since the beginning of the pandemic. The number of staff available at any one time is a day to day management consideration."

Tullamore hospital has reported that it is experiencing a very busy period as more people present with Covid and other illnesses which require admission.

The HSE is reminding people not to attend the hospital for a PCR test as this is only possible following a clinical assessment and a decision to admit a patient for treatment to the ward.

The statement said, "the hospital management is implementing contingency plans which are informed by the national guidance which provide for reduced activity, redeployment, overtime and derogations as agreed nationally in order to manage patient care at this time."

The Hospital is asking members of the public to consider their care options before presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).

"We advise that the public only attend our emergency services if absolutely essential. If you are unwell, please go to your GP or pharmacy in the first instance. It is essential that we protect our emergency services for those who require emergency care. Do not delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency.

"Please follow the latest public health guidance announced by the Government to help us protect and maintain essential services in these challenging times.

If you have to attend the ED in emergency situation please;

* ensure you wear a mask,

* practice social distancing and

* ensure you tell the triage personnel if you have any signs/symptoms of Covid.
There has been a controversy reminiscent of the Offaly v Clare early whistle in 1998 at the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Mali defeated Tunisia in their opening game of the tournament on Wednesday but the referee twice blew the final whistle early, drawing the ire of the Tunisian management team and supporters at the stadium.

Security officials created a human chain around the referee as officials entered the pitch after the final whistle. The referee blew the final whistle with 23 seconds of normal time remaining according to the TV screen clock.

The referee had earlier blown what appeared to be the final whistle on 86 minutes, a full four minutes out from normal time. He then beckoned the players to continue play before sending Mali's El Bilal Toure off with a straight red card in the 88th minute.

The incident is likely to result in further appeals from Tunisia as to the reason for an apparent early whistle and no injury time beyond the 90.

The incident reminded us here at the Offaly Express of our own early whistle incident back in the 'sheep in a heap' summer of 1998.

On that occasion when Offaly faced Clare in an All-Ireland Hurling semi-final, referee Jimmy Cooney blew the whistle with two minutes remaining and set in train a series of events that ultimately ended with Offaly winning another All Ireland title.

In protest at the early whistle, Offaly supporters emptied the stands and took to the pitch and refused to move for 90 minutes. The All-Ireland under-21 B final between Kerry and Kildare had to be abandoned as a result.

Offaly got a replay which they won by three points in Thurles and the rest, as they say, is history.
amilies of students most in need in Offaly DEIS schools will receive nutritious food packages with potatoes, carrots, onions and apples to support them in preparing healthy meals

Last week, Tesco Ireland announced a new pilot programme Stronger Starts that will give thousands of meals to feed children and families across Ireland.

Stronger Starts, in partnership with the Good Grub Initiative, will provide 1,000 families per week with free nutritious food packages containing potatoes, carrots, onions, and apples, to support them in preparing healthy meals at home.

Good Grub is a not-for-profit initiative that has, since the start of the Covid pandemic, delivered nutritious fruit & veg parcels directly to the families of a number of DEIS school children around Ireland. During the pilot, home school community liaison officers in over 40 DEIS schools will identify families who may need supplemental support at home this winter.

Tesco began partnering with the Good Grub Initiative as a pilot programme in November 2021 and the pilot campaign which will run until February will see Tesco provide the equivalent of over 120,000 thousand meals to families most in need in communities around Ireland.

As part of the campaign, Tesco has teamed up with GAA star Philly McMahon and Local Hero Katie to launch the campaign. Tesco will also release a compelling video content series to demonstrate how healthy and nutritious food is the best ingredient in any recipe.

Speaking about swapping his Dublin jersey for a different type of All Ireland campaign, Philly McMahon said that giving back to his community has always been a top priority for him, Im delighted to support Tesco on this initiative to give back to local communities all over Ireland. Ive seen first-hand how giving children and their families a strong start can make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of others.

The new partnership with Tesco has been warmly welcomed by the Good Grub Initiative co-founder, Denis OReilly who said it would help their work in supplying food to many families around the country. He said: Were delighted that Tesco has come on board to help us provide nutritious packs of healthy food going into the homes that need them, complementing the Government and food provision programmes already in place in schools. This will make a huge difference to so many people that have been affected by increased food insecurity because of the pandemic.

Kari Daniels, Tesco Ireland, CEO, said: Through our Tesco stores nationwide we wanted to help children and their families who need it to have access to healthy and nutritious food and help them have a stronger start in life. We are delighted to partner with the team at the Good Grub Initiative on the Stronger Starts programme to do this and we hope together we can make a real difference.

Stronger Starts is the latest community support programme from Tesco, all of which are helping to build thriving communities across Ireland. Tesco Ireland was the first national retail partner of FoodCloud in 2014, and working with them has, to date, redistributed the equivalent of 15 million meals to nearly 400 charitable groups in communities all over Ireland  from breakfast clubs, to Meals on Wheels, to community kitchens and food banks.

Once the pilot is complete in February, Tesco and the Good Grub Initiative will review and refine the programme with the aim of reaching more children and families across Ireland.

For more information on Tesco Irelands commitment to communities nationwide, visit TescoIreland.ie
Met Eireann is forecasting that high pressure will continue to dominate the weather in Ireland for the foreseeable future bringing settled weather for an extended period of time

In its monthly forecast, Met Eireann is forecasting that high pressure will continue to dominate the weather in Ireland up to and into the start of February.

However, Met Eireann does state with its monthly forecast that while monthly forecasts can at times provide an insight into weather patterns in the month ahead, they should not be used for specific planning purposes as they have generally low skill compared with the 10-day forecast.

The Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland from January 14 to January 20 says there is a strong signal that high pressure will dominate our weather during this period, bringing settled conditions nationwide through the week. It will be drier than normal across the country. Temperatures will range between normal over the southern half of the country and a degree above normal further north. Hazardous weather is unlikely in this period.

The Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland from January 21 to January 27 says high pressure is set to continue its dominance into this week, keeping conditions largely settled over Ireland. It will remain drier than normal in all areas and temperatures will be slightly above average across the country also. Once again, hazardous weather is unlikely.

The Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland from January 28 to February 3 says that during this week, high pressure is signalled to remain the dominant driver of our weather but it will slip slightly further south, putting Ireland in a predominantly westerly airflow. This airflow will feed in more showers and rain at times and, as a result, conditions will be slightly wetter than normal in the north and west. However, it will stay drier than normal in the south and east. Temperatures will fall back closer to average but will still be slightly above the normal. Despite the increased rainfall, high pressure close by will likely keep any hazardous weather at bay.

The Met Eireann monthly weather forecast for Ireland from February 4 to February 10 says that high pressure once again will be the main feature of the weather for Ireland in this period but indications suggest that it will begin to weaken. This will allow further showers and spells of rain to make their way across Ireland from the Atlantic. As a result, rainfall will be normal or slightly above across the country for the period. Temperatures will also decline a little further, falling back to around normal in all areas.
AIR quality in parts of Offaly over the past number of years has reached levels that can be hazardous to health.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has four air quality monitors in the county located in Birr, Edenderry, Banagher and Tullamore. These are nationally linked and measure the air quality on an hourly basis.

While the EPA has deemed the air quality in Offaly to be generally good and urged caution with regard to peaks, the fact that these peaks are occurring around the same times during winter months is a cause of concern.

For example on December 13 at 7pm 2021, Edenderry was the worst location in the country for fine particulates with a maximum of 444 micrograms per cubic metre. Very high is classed at 71 micrograms per cubic metre or higher.

The cause of these high fine particulates in the air is the burning of solid fuel in residential homes especially during still cold nights, according to a study conducted by UCC.

There are two main types of particulate matter (PM) that are concerning. These are PM10 and PM2.5. The numbers refer to the size of the particles. PM10 has particles that are 10 micrometers or smaller and PM2.5 refers to particles that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller. PM10 is also known as coarse particulate matter and PM2.5 as fine particulate matter.

Of the two types, the smaller 2.5 is considered the most toxic, as its smaller size means it can damage the most sensitive regions of the lungs. The World Health Organisation has classed these particulates as Group 1 carcinogens. Group 1 refers to substances that definitely cause cancer.

Fine particulate matter is especially carcinogenic. A large study of over 300,000 participants from European countries found that there are no safe levels of particulates.

There are a number of diseases associated with particulate matter including cardiovascular, asthma, lung cancer, infertility, cognitive decline, premature brain ageing and Alzheimers.

Alan Bell is a software engineer and he has been keeping a keen eye on the EPA monitoring site and the air quality in Offaly over the last number of years. He regularly creates graphs containing the latest information from the EPA.

Alan points out that Ireland has some of the cleanest air in Europe but adds that "sometimes we have shockingly bad smog, especially in the evenings.

He says that this can get hidden when you do an average over the day.

"The problem is in the evenings there is a distinctive curve," says Alan.

There is a ban on burning smoky fuel in Tullamore, however, Alan says it doesnt make much of a difference.

"In low smoke zones, you are not allowed to use the worst form of coal which stops a lot of sulphur dioxide getting into the air, but doesn't do a massive amount for the particles and things we are measuring."

He is also not a fan of burning blocks adding that these too can produce harmful particulates that are carcinogenic.

"Timber can be considered carbon-neutral because it releases the carbon that was stored when it was growing, however, it still produces air pollution, so on a public health basis, its not great. Oil and gas don't produce many particulates so people can lean on their central heating a bit more or use an electric heater in one room."

Alans advice is not to use a fire on cold and still winter nights. "If there is a storm brewing outside thats not a problem as it will get blown away across the fields. We really dont see accumulations during storms," reiterates Alan.

A ban on smoky fuel is to be introduced across Ireland this year.
Community enhancement and town centre regeneration are among the successes in the Midlands over the past year, says Minister Pippa Hackett.

This Government has made a tangible investment in Laois Offaly in 2021. In Just Transition and transport, in regeneration of our town centres and community enhancement; Laois Offaly is benefitting said Hackett, the only Laois Offaly based Minister with a seat at the Cabinet Table.

Noting that the challenges faced in the Midlands were specifically recognised in the Climate Action Plan, Minister Hackett said that this Government was clearly committed to ensuring a Just Transition;

We committed to retrofit 345 Social houses in Laois Offaly, we increased social protection measures for those experiencing fuel poverty and we made significant investment in green energy innovation and integration

On rural transport and active travel, Minister Hackett said With the Connecting Ireland plan, 70% of us living outside of cities will have more access to a public transport services and with 5 schools in Laois Offaly accepted to round 1 of the safe routes to school programme, children will be able to walk and cycle safely to school. In March, 3.4 Million was secured for County Offaly for Active Travel Scheme and just last week, a further 1.3 million for Greenway funding.

Additionally, our town centres have benefitted from this Government. Over 11 million was secured for Laois Offaly under the URDF which will enhance urban areas to make them more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest said the Minister. Clara and Rathdowney will receive 100,000 to develop their Town Centres and, in early 2022, this Government will announce the first ever Town Centre First Policy.

Im delighted to be in a position to work for the people of Laois and Offaly and I will continue to work with my Cabinet Colleagues to ensure that this Government continues to deliver for my constituency in 2022 the Minister concluded.
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Newsy 30 Jan 2022

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New York's senior senator said the money will also be used to help the Long Island Rail Road and Metro North recover from losses during the pandemic.
The rules were partly eased last week to allow some business travel to take place.
The Ministry of Defence is considering a request to send up to 150 personnel to Northern Ireland.

BBC News 12 Jan 2022
Rumble 05 Feb 2022

Welcome to the Becoming Your Own Banker (BYOB) Book Review Series by Wealth Without Wall Street! This is Part 1.
Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia:

Madison Realty Capital, a vertically integrated real estate private equity firm focused on bond and equity strategies, announced the final close of Madison Realty Capital Debt Fund V, raising $2.08bn in equity commitments, exceeding the fund's $1.75bn target.

Fund V received significant support from existing investors as approximately 70% of the institutional LPs in Madison's prior fund re-upped into Fund V, said a press release from the New York-based nonbank lender that manages approximately $8 billion in total assets on behalf of a global institutional investor base.

Additionally, 52% of the capital committed for Fund V came from new limited partners, both domestically and abroad.

Madison's global, institutional investor base has historically included public and corporate pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations, insurance companies, family offices, and high net worth individuals located in the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Madison has now expanded its investor presence to include Australia, Latin America, and Canada, as well as new regions within the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Fund V expands on Madison's investment strategy to serve as a single source of customized flexible financing solutions for borrowers' unique needs providing them with speed and certainty of execution. Fund V originates and acquires loans across asset classes including multifamily, mixed-use, retail, office......................

To view our full article Click here


Dr. Patrick Welton B. G., Opalesque Geneva: In this interview, Dr Patrick Welton, founder and CIO of Welton Investment Partners, an alternative asset manager, offers his observations on the major macro themes expected to affect the markets in 2022. Welton Investment Partners specialises in global macro and ESG; it has $1.3bn in AuM and is based in New York and California. The firm has recently sold a minority stake to Nile Capital Group Holdings, LLC, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. In part 1, Dr Welton says supply chain issues and their market consequences will continue into 2022, with second, third and fourth waves that won't necessarily be identical to previous waves, and might show in different places. He also expects a continuation of commodity prices' ebbing and flowing.

Opalesque: You say that the pandemic has shifted consumption from services to goods in the first wave, and that snarled supply chains will cause secondary and tertiary waves with various delayed propagations. Could you explain? Pat Welton: The whole world is familiar with the first set of pandemic challenges with respect to the supply chain. These inefficiencies were reflected into the markets in a similar way. The supply chain problem is not just the one dominant difficulty such as purchasing a chip for an automobile for example. As demand and supply imbalances occur, so do the prices of things such as energy that has to be shipped or commodity raw materials like base metals that have to go to a factory but cannot be used efficiently or are in the wrong location. We have seen this all year long as a result of the pandemic. Supply chain forces will not dissipate in just one wave. The behaviour of all the participants in the global economy mirrors the imperfect information they get. Participants will attempt to speed up production when resolving a fixed supply chain problem. Then new information comes in, or other constraints reveal themselves, and they have to slow down. One of the most common mathematical analogues of this is a traffic jam on a freeway that alternates between speeding up and slowing back down in waves. It is also similar to ocean waves where you have peaks and troughs separating into sets. It is not just one supply chain problem that will be fixed by one series of global actors. It takes time to unsnarl these problems, and as they unsnarl, secondary and tertiary problems occur and propagate through the economy differently. Supply chain issues and their market consequences will continue into 2022. We will be seeing second and third and fourth waves, and they won't necessarily be identical to previous waves. They might show in different places. Opalesque: How does that link to your portfolio? Pat Welton: This is a source of opportunity for our portfolio. The fluctuating impacts on economic growth will show up in the investment reactions to growth rates, debt, interest rates and central bank policies. This affects our global commodity trading across all sectors, and there is an echoing effect on interest rates and currency trading. It also affects our equity trading depending on how global capital market participants will anticipate either government fiscal changes, central bank policy delay or acceleration changes. These all manifest at varying rates as market participants allocate in anticipation of how policymakers will react to these ensnarlments and to the flow of raw data, or consequential data such as producer price inflation, consumer price inflation, or more specifically asset price inflation. Opalesque: So you see a continuation of commodity pricing ebbing and flowing. Pat Welton: Yes. There will be few straight lines. For instance, there was a substantial rise in base metals early on, with the resumption of potential growth forecasts This subsequently changed with different sets of policies and reactions. For example, as a global manufacturing hub and infrastructure builder, China's strong stance of taking public health first with a zero-Covid policy goal and shutting down cities if needed can change demand. The impact on commodity depends on which city is involved as they each have different manufacturing capabilities. Similarly, you end up having downstream issues with energy usage; even with a decline of such, that affects something like aluminium. A large tonnage of aluminium is smelted in high energy facilities in China that reacted to coal pricing and emission policy reactions. As a result, aluminium had a very strong rally from scarcity, even though the earth's supply of aluminium had not changed. It is part of these waves. Opalesque: What about volatility? Pat Welton: Volatility is a bit different. That's the dispersion of price. I think it is easier to say prices will be moving up and down in cycles. The ebb and flow will result from positive economic actors trying to compensate in the economy. As suppliers and transporters try to fix things, other constraints show up. The mini-cycles will definitely affect commodities. Opalesque: What is your fund's commodity positioning? Pat Welton: Our commodity positions are mixed. We are both long and short in different commodities and different sectors. For example, we are long in some parts of the energy spectrum and short in others. It is the same in agricultural commodities and soft commodities. We are mixed. We are variably long in industrial metals but short precious metals.

Welton Global, the firm's flagship multi-strategy macro program, seeks to deliver returns that are uncorrelated to the major equity and credit market indices. The strategy uses a broad set of proprietary models that trade directional, diversifying, and equity sell-off strategies. The $877m fund has annualised 10% since the strategy's October 2013 inception thru year-end 2021. CY2021 returns were up 15%. The HFRI Macro Systematic Diversified Index returned 6% in 2021.

Part 2 will be published tomorrow.

Past Big Picture articles:
London, January 12,2022 - Last year, Facebook rebranded to Meta, signalling the company's new focus on the metaverse, a vision for a virtual world accessible via headsets or smartphones where people can work, play, and socialise. Though the metaverse is still largely theoretical, the possibilities are limitless, with the idea being that there could be many different types of virtual worlds that could revolutionise how people interact. While Facebook is 
The International Youth Festival of Theatrical Productions Russian Proscene 2021 was organized on the initiative and with the financial support of the Russian Federation Ministry of Education with the participation of theater groups from 10 countries of the CIS and Europe. The competition stages were held online with the aim of Russian language usage developing, dissemination and promotion as a basis for international dialogue. The main prize of the competition in 
Oregon School District administrators are recommending the district keep its mask mandate until transmission drops back to moderate transmission, as cases diagnosed in students and staff increased over winter break.

During the Oregon School Boards Monday, Jan. 10, meeting, district superintendent Leslie Bergstrom proposed waiting to peel back mitigation strategies such as universal masking until local data from around the districts attendance area and the county reaches medium transmission for a minimum of seven days. Doing so will allow the district to remove measures while still focusing on keeping students attending in-person school and creating more stability with teacher and staff availability, she said.

The board ultimately approved a plan that would extend the districts mask mandate into March, with a stipulation that it would only move to mask-optional if cases were in the moderate category, by a vote of 4-3, with board members Kevin Mehring, Tim LeBrun and Heather Garrison voting against. The board took action to extend the districts mask mandate until March 7 for middle and high school students and March 28 for younger students, as the state Supreme Court plans to take up a lawsuit against Public Health Madison and Dane County over the renewal of its mask mandate orders. Should the mask mandate be eliminated by the Supreme Court, board president Krista Flanagan explained, the board had a policy on the books that stated older students could be mask-optional as of Jan. 10.

Currently, the state Department of Health Services website lists moderate transmission as between 10 and 49 newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases in the past seven days. For the greater Oregon area, that would mean the districts attendance area would need to have less than 10 cases total in a single week  a rate of transmission last seen in July 2021, just as cases of Delta started to rise.

This is different  we havent spoken about a designation or a category in the past, Bergstrom said. So this is something to consider, but is slightly more concrete than what we have used as an indicator in the past.

Previous attempts at loosening COVID-19 mitigation strategies in the past few months have failed, as plans to go mask-optional starting in January were up-ended by Public Health Madison and Dane County the day after they were approved by the school board. At the beginning of November, the health agency had signaled it wasnt planning to renew its mask mandate after it expired on Nov. 27, but significant increases in confirmed case loads due to the Omicron variant prompted them to reconsider and extend the mask order out twice since.

Now, even with the mask mandate still in place and extended into February  and high vaccination rates among residents, Dane County is still seeing record-breaking counts of daily diagnosed COVID-19 cases, with the latest record of 2,115 being set on Friday, Jan. 7. Case counts are nearly 80% higher than they were two weeks ago and hospitalizations have surpassed last winters peak, according to the Public Health Madison and Dane County dashboard, and December 2021 was the fourth-deadliest month out of the last two years of the pandemic in Dane County, where 27 people died.

Within the districts population, three out of every 10 cases identified in its students occurred over winter break, with 170 new cases in the last week out of the 570 confirmed, Bergstrom said. The increase in cases isnt the result of transmission during in-person schooling, but instead outside activities that occurred over winter break that students and staff participated in, Bergstrom added.

Needless to say, there are a lot of absent children, and there are a lot of absent staff members, she said. Winter break, for both students and staff, led to a really big increase, because it was winter break, and we were able for the first time for many of us to see family members  and it led to some increased case numbers.

Board member Kevin Mehring asked fellow board member Troy Pankratz, who proposed the plan to allow for mask-optional starting in March pending numbers being in the right area, if he was taking into consideration instances of severe illness or death, if he was just taking case counts as the main metric.

When students test positive with COVID-19, they need to quarantine, and I want to keep kids in school, Pankratz said, agreeing with Mehrings assumption.

Board member Mary Lokuta said that if the board and the districts goal really is to keep students doing in-person learning, then she felt it was unreasonable to peel back the masking requirement with how the quarantine requirements change for mask-optional school environments.

Im not sure we need to set dates, because youre throwing darts at a dart board, and youre blindfolded, she said. I think we really need to consider when our staffing levels are stable  Id hate for us to push forward and make it worse.

Oregon School District will keep mask requirements into January in phased approach to mask-optional Oregon School District staff and students can expect to continue wearing masks into January, with the expectation that they will be phased out
If youre a Town of Oregon resident, therell be a decent number of choices for you to vote on this spring.

Living anywhere else in the greater Oregon area, though, youll see fewer contested races, or none at all.

There will be four contested races throughout Oregon: two for the Town of Oregon board, and another two for the Dane County Board of Supervisors districts that cover the village and town of Oregon and the Town of Rutland. Other governing bodies, such as Village of Oregon Board of Trustees and the Oregon School Board, will have the exact number of people running for them as there are seats up for re-election.

Only one municipality, the Town of Dunn, wont have an election for its town board this year. Dunn voters will be able to vote for both the school board and their county supervisor, but neither of those races will be contested.

The spring election will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. A primary election in February wont be needed for any Oregon-area races, as there are no seats with more than two people running for them. Prospective candidates had to turn in their nomination papers by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, to be placed on the ballot.

For the town of Oregon, the top two vote-getters will receive seats on the board this April, with one new person guaranteed to join the body.

Incumbent Arlen Christensen filed non-candidacy paperwork in December. The four candidates for Town of Oregon board include the other incumbent, Jason Marshall, and three others: Carl Walser, Steve Root and Arlan Kay.

For the Dane County Board of Supervisors, two out of three of the seats covering the greater Oregon area will be contested. District 31 will see a rematch of the 2020 race, as longtime incumbent Jerry Bollig will run against challenger Todd Kleuver. And in District 37, which covers the Town of Rutland and the rural areas on the southern and eastern edges of Dane County, incumbent and Cambridge resident Kate McGinnity will run for her second term on the board against newcomer Steve Schulz, who lives in the Town of Medina about halfway between Marshall and Deerfield.

Incumbent Patrick Miles, who represents county District 34 in the Village of McFarland and the Town of Dunn, has no challenger.

All other seats in the greater Oregon area have the same number of people running for them that are up for re-election. Both the villages of Oregon and Brooklyn will have three seats apiece; in the Village of Oregon, two outgoing incumbents will likely be replaced by two people familiar with local government  Phil Van Kampen, who was on the Town of Oregon board for years before moving into the village, and Jenna Jacobson, who left the board for one year after losing the race for village president to Randy Glysch. For the Village of Brooklyn, none of the three candidates filed non-candidacy paperwork by the end of December, the villages website states.

In the Town of Rutland, its voting will look a bit different from years past. The board voted in the last two years to end its traditional caucus nomination procedure and increase its board size from four to five members.

So this April, Rutland will have three candidates for three supervisor positions  incumbents Nancy Nedveck and Robert Postel, and newcomer Kevin Hahn.

There wont be any contested races for the Oregon School Board this spring, but there will be one person joining the governing body.

Area II incumbent Kevin Mehring will decline to seek re-election, leaving his seat open to newcomer Leslie Wright, a fellow City of Fitchburg resident. Mehring had been undecided as to whether he was going to run at the last board meeting in December.

For Area I, both board president Krista Flanagan and Ahna Bizjak are up for re-election and will see the last impacts of the reapportionment of board seats a few years back. The highest vote-getter of the two will receive a three-year term, while the second-most vote getter will receive a one-year term.

Rep. Dianne Hesselbein to vie for state Senate as Erpenbach declines to run State Rep. Dianne Hesselbein plans to run for the 27th State Senate District this fall, as the longtime holder of the seat is declining to run
Dorothy Denney, 98, of Oskaloosa, passed away Sunday morning, May 1, 2022, at the Mahaska Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Dorothy Ione Denney, daughter of Elmer and Mary (Passalia) Shipley, was born September 26, 1923, in Sigourney, Iowa. She attended Tioga Country School and then Delta
Ottumwa, IA (52501)

Today

Cloudy with rain ending for the afternoon. High 51F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 39F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
MANISTEE  The Manistee Area Racial Justice and Diversity Initiative has found a way to make Monday, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day of service to the Manistee area and allow the community members to enjoy the day at the same time.

A free showing of the award-winning film "Selma" will be offered at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday at the Vogue Theater. The event also includes free popcorn.

According to a news release a table will be set up in the lobby for people to make donations to four organizations that provide daily services to the community.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make our communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. Kings dream. While Dr. King believed the Beloved Community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action.

"Observed each year on the third Monday in January, MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. AmeriCorps has been charged with leading this effort for the past quarter century," according to the AmericCorps website. Find more information at americorps.gov/newsroom/events/mlk-day.

Donations on Monday's Day of Service will go to the following organizations:

 The Friendship Society has been a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Manistee County since 2002. It provides a safe place for socialization, support, education and activities for adults living with various degrees of mental disabilities. The Friendship Society has also provided the means for the Feeding America Food Truck, which comes to Manistee monthly to supply food for several households.

 Safe Harbor is a collaborative program of local faith communities and individuals that provides overnight shelter to homeless individuals during the coldest months of the year, operating from mid-November through March. Safe Harbor houses people overnight at ECHO His Love on Michael Street in Manistee. The program provides warm meals in the evening and the morning. Six volunteers serve overnight shifts every night of the week. The program serves five to 10 homeless individuals each night.

 Since 2020, the Manistee County Council on Aging has taken ownership of the county's Meals on Wheels program. There are 100 participants, and this program provides services to the whole county. For homebound seniors, Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious meals directly to their doorstep. The program not only provides necessary nutrition but also socialization for seniors who may be isolated at home. Meals on Wheels, nationwide, is delivering 77% more meals to 47% more seniors than they did prior to the pandemic.

 Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that builds and rehabilitates homes along with partner families. New houses are sold to partner families with affordable interest mortgages. It takes planning, fundraising and loads of hard work to build a house. Habitat's mission is to put Gods love into action by building homes, communities and hope.

On Monday's Day of Service, the racial diversity group is asking community members to "please give to one, or give to all of the aforementioned organizations."

The news release said that "participation in this event will add to the necessary funding needed for these organizations to continue working for the betterment of our community. "

After the showing of the film, attendees can remain in the audience to hear the reading of the essays by the winners of the Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest. The winners will also receive their awards at that time.
KALEVA  Its been over a decade since the last students stepped foot in Kaleva Elementary, and since then the building has sat largely vacant and gone unused. All that is starting to change, however, now that the property, located at 9208 Kauko St. in Kaleva, has changed hands.

The school was recently purchased by Maple Grove Township for $100,000 with $50,000 coming from an anonymous private donor, to turn the vacant school into a new local hub, called the Maple Grove Township Community Center.

Kaleva Elementary was closed along with several other local schools in a region-wide consolidation in 2009. Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools officials made the decision to close the buildings due to shrinking enrollment and a lack of funds.

KND schools has maintained the building for many years in hopes that a local organization would be able to utilize the space, said Jakob Veith, superintendent of KND Schools. We are thankful that the township had the vision to utilize the space and provide opportunities for Kaleva.

Utilizing the school for the Kaleva community has long been a goal of residents and local officials, according to Wayne Beldo, Maple Grove Township superintendent.

We wanted to be able to use the buildings but the school had restrictions as far as what they could do. They also had liability concerns so nothing really got off the ground, Beldo said.

Several groups had been formed over the past decade in the hopes of putting the building -- one of Kalevas largest -- to good use, Beldo said.

There have been three or four different groups that have gotten together and tried to figure it out, and I decided that the only way this is going to get off the ground was if the township got involved, he said.

The school first opened in the early 1960s and with additions in the 1990s and early 2000s. Because Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools owed a bond on the property, it was necessary to purchase the building at fair market value. It has been estimated that the community would finish paying off bonds used for the latest expansion in around a decade.

Thank goodness the township decided that waiting was not going to keep going on and they stepped in, said Cynthia Asiala, chair of the Maple Grove Township Community Center Committee. The school has taken out what they wanted and finished their business here, so it is now the property of the Maple Grove Township community.

Asiala and the community center committee has partnered with the township to reopen the building for public use.

The 20,000 square foot facility has reopened on a limited basis for walking, but Asiala said that volunteer committee members are preparing its ample space for a myriad of other purposes.

Everybody is really excited about the possibilities of what can be here, Asiala said. We have had more people join us each week who are wanting to help and who have ideas.

With the community center opening, several individuals and organizations have expressed interest in moving their operations to the new central location in Kaleva.

These include the government offices for Maple Grove Township and the Village of Kaleva, which have adjoining space set aside at the community center. The village office is located at 9219 Aura St. and the township office is at 9213 Aura St.

No official date has been set aside for the move, but Beldo said that space in the new building is much better suited for voting and public meetings.

Bethany Lutheran Church in Kaleva is also moving its food pantry to the community center, and is set to hold its first distribution there from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 4.

John Makinen, the Kaleva Food Pantry chairman, said that refrigerators and other equipment are being moved to the pantrys new permanent location at the former school. The food pantry takes place on the first Friday of each month.

The facility has opened to allow walkers a warm place for exercising, starting Jan. 11, and is available from 10 a.m. to noon on weekdays.

Plans are also moving forward to restore and reopen the school gymnasium and to potentially open an exercise room at the center, Beldo said.

Committee members hope the former school can also be used for its original purpose of education.

Tricia Boucha, an artist and instructor living in Kaleva, is looking to provide art and cooking courses in one of the classrooms.

My mosaic studio is getting moved over here, Boucha said. There's two big cabinets  that are going to be for whoever else wants to work in here or teach in here. So basically, I'm setting it up and inspiring people to go.

One of the centers most important functions is as an emergency shelter. Paul Petrovich, who has worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Defense, is heading up efforts to ready the facility to serve the region during a potential disaster.

We're in the initial stages of communicating with some of the regional and state disaster coordinators, Petrovich said. We're going to have a room that's going to have storage with the blankets and the emergency equipment that we need to plan on getting the generator down the line.

We can at least set it up for them to be safe and warm until hopefully a crisis has been averted, he continued.

Petrovich said that as a former school, the new community center is a suitable option to serve as an emergency relief shelter.

We can have food for them, independent power, a safe place to sleep and take care of things, he said. We plan on keeping the lockers here, maybe if it gets tough, it's an extended period. They can secure their personal belongings in a locker as well. Its one of the best ways I think that this secondary (or) tertiary use for this building.

Beldo said he hopes that by leasing and renting out space, applying for grants and private donation collections can help fund operation of the center.

The committee plans to host an open house for those interested in learning more about the community center, from 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 12. Attendees should use the north parking lot and entrance.

The committee is also looking for volunteers for work sessions. For a complete schedule of upcoming events or to learn more, visit the Maple Grove Township Community Center Facebook page.
imaginima/Getty Images

Of the approximately 5,000 hospitals that reported data to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday, nearly 1,200 or 24% said they are currently experiencing a critical staffing shortage, the largest share during the pandemic. More than 100 other hospitals nationwide said they expect a staffing shortage within the next week.

In Michigan, 42 hospitals reported a critical staffing shortage on Saturday and 47 said they expect one within the next week. According to the most recent data from the HHS on Tuesday, 42 Michigan hospitals reported a critical staffing shortage and another 51 anticipated one within the next week.
A member of the white nationalist group The Base was sentenced in Tuscola County Circuit Court Jan. 11 on charges that stem from breaking into two former Michigan Department of Corrections properties last October.

Thomas Francis Denton, 32, was sentenced to a maximum of 48 months on two felony charges that were issued by Tuscola County Prosector Mark Reene in cooperation with Michigan Assistant Attorney General Sonita Doddamani. Denton had pleaded no contest to the charges of conspiracy to commit teaching use of firearms for a civil disorder and the felony firearm charge for committing larceny while in possession of a weapon Nov. 4. As a result of his plea, prosecution dismissed his charges of larceny of a building and gang membership.
Local health officials are welcoming new COVID-19 recommendations, but there are concerns about whether Midland area residents will follow guidance issued by national or local health experts.

State and Midland County health officials recently announced that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will now be required to isolate or quarantine for only five days, not 10. This guideline aligns with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in late December.

However, Midland County Medical Director Cathy Bodnar said the new guided precautions come with some caveats and a need for multiple layers for protection. She said individuals must be fever-free, without fever-lowering medication(s), and with an improvement of symptoms before days six through 10.

On days six through 10, the CDC guidance includes strict, proper and appropriate mask use.

"People welcome the less stringent requirements, but I do have concerns that residents won't follow masking (guides for) days six through 10," Bodnar said. "Our area has not been as compliant with mask use as other regions in the country."

Bodnar said people who've tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, are still contagious from days six through 10. But, she said individuals are likely to be less contagious on days six through 10 than on the first few days following an infection.

"What we need to do is reduce our risk, and we do that with layers of protection," Bodnar said, adding that becoming fully vaccinated is the most important measure for individuals.

She also noted that the current transmission rates are exceedingly high.

"We've never seen it this high," Bodnar said. "It's over one thousand cases per 100,000 population (each) week. Back in December, we were like 250 to 450, in that range, for most of December. Now, it's a multiple of what we were."

Midland Public Schools confers with state, local health organizations

In a special communique on Tuesday, Superintendent Michael Sharrow announced that MPS will follow the updated guidance outlined by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Midland County Department of Public Health.

MDHHS recommends universal masking in all schools. It also recommends staff, teachers and students age 5 and up to get vaccinated, and for individuals ages 12 and up to receive a booster as soon as theyre eligible.

MDHHSs guidance for isolation and quarantine was updated on Monday to allow for rigorous testing, monitoring and shorter periods away from school.

Quarantine is for people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Close contacts dont need to quarantine if they have contracted confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days or are up to date on all COVID vaccines. Close contacts who dont fill those requirements should follow one of the following procedures:

Quarantine at home for five days, test on day 5 and mask for five additional days;

Test to Stay for the first six days and Mask to Stay for 10 days (Test to Stay entails testing every other day for six days following the exposure and consistent and correct use of a well-fitted mask. Mask to Stay is the consistent and correct use of a well-fitted mask when around others and in school and public settings.);

Quarantine at home for 10 days if unable or unwilling to wear a mask.

Regarding isolation, all individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate, regardless of vaccination status. Those who are asymptomatic should monitor for symptoms for 10 days following close contact and isolate for five days after symptoms begin or a test was taken. If symptoms improve or no symptoms have developed, students and staff may return to school while wearing a mask for five days. Those who are unable or unwilling to wear a mask should stay home for 10 days after symptoms begin or a positive test is received.

The new school guidance was long awaited by Sharrow. At the MPS Board of Education meeting on Monday night, he announced that MPS will follow the five-day reduced quarantine guidelines. Students will need to mask according to the guidelines, though Sharrow acknowledged the challenge of enforcing mask wearing, stating that the district will do the best they can while keeping student information confidential. He added that these new procedures will help relieve administrators and keep students and staff in school.

Our administrators are exhausted. Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, they think theyre testing 865 (individuals) and we expect them to test maybe half, maybe less by the new protocols, Sharrow said at Monday's meeting.

Sharrow also touched on the strain that the pandemic has had on staff and administration. He hopes that the four-day weekends on Jan. 14-17 as well as Feb. 18-21 will give a much-needed pause to staff members.

Im really more concerned about transportation than I am classrooms. There are so many of us that can still go into classrooms. It does pull us from other duties, but we can do that...But we do have to get (students) to school, and we are very limited on busing. Not anyone can quickly get certified and be able to drive a bus, Sharrow stated.

Hospital eager to implement new guidelines

Dr. Lydia Watson, senior vice president and chief medical officer of MyMichigan Health, said the healthcare system will implement modified work restrictions based on the CDCs updated quarantine and isolation guidelines.

We believe were in the grip of the Omicron wave and its been impacting our hospitalizations and staff shortages. Weve had more employees off than we have (at any other time) in the pandemic, Watson said.

Watson reported that at the end of December, the highest number of employees who were unable to work either because they had COVID-19 or were at high risk of exposure and not vaccinated was 48 system-wide. That number jumped to 72 on Jan. 3 and then to 154 on Jan. 11.

The CDC has a separate set of work restrictions for healthcare personnel who are infected with COVID-19. The three categories  conventional, contingency and crisis  are based on a hospitals number of inpatients, bed capacity, acuity and number of staffing shortages.

Watson explained that MyMichigan Health is currently in the contingency category, meaning it has a moderate amount in each of those factors. In the contingency category, any employees who have COVID-19 will be able to come back to work after five days as long as their symptoms have improved significantly or they have no symptoms (no fever for 24 hours and they receive a negative antigen test).

Regarding masks, Watson has seen how studies reveal that the medical-grade and N95 masks are superior to others being used. She reported that the health system is in a much better position with masks and personal protection equipment than it was at the start of the pandemic. MyMichigan is currently stocked up on N95 masks and administrative staff are watching supplies closely.

Now being able to get them back sooner, the COVID-19 positive employees (quarantine and isolation timelines) have been staggered. If we can cut five days off, I think we can get a significant portion of them back, Watson said. Many of the employees do want to get back to work and help because they know the shortages make it tougher on everyone.

Employees of Midland County

The Midland County Board of Commissioners will be following the five-day quarantine guideline, which requires a subsequent five-day period of strict mask use.

Midland Co. 24/7 entities deemed as congregate care facilities, which include the Midland County Jail and Pinecrest, have not yet switched to the new recommendations.
Midland High School (MHS) is still testing for COVID-19, according to Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael Sharrow.

The clarification comes after some Midland residents had concerns on Wednesday about the possible lack of testing at the school. This concern stems from an image of a sign inside of the high school, which reads "COVID testing unavailable, if you are symptomatic, go home."

However, Sharrow said the whiteboard sign has been misinterpreted and there have been no changes in COVID-19 testing as a precaution.

"We were trying to convey to that we weren't a walk-in clinic," said Eric Albright, MHS's athletic director.

Albright said he's addressed some concerns with parents who have asked administrators about testing options.

"The tests provided to us from (the state) are for the 'Test To Stay' protocols and not for walk-in testing," Sharrow said earlier on Wednesday. "We had students and citizens walking in to be tested and they (school administrators) were attempting to stop that from occurring."

MPS has been testing staff and student individuals for COVID-19 in lieu of mask and vaccine mandates.

Sharrow said the tests are from the state Department of Health and Human Services, which has developed Test to Stay protocols for Michigan schools. As defined by the department, the protocol reads: (individuals) must test every other day for six days with consistent and correct use of a well-fitted mask following an exposure.

Photo Provided MPS

During Monday's board meeting, Sharrow said MPS had 218 staff and students who currently tested positive  26 of whom were staff members  and a total of 865 close contacts.

Last week, the close contacts in local schools increased. As of Friday, MPS reported 534 staff/students were close contacts to an individual who was confirmed COVID-19 positive, and 161 staff/students tested positive for the virus.

MPS schools with one or more positive cases on Friday were largely made up of the high schools, Dow High with 42 and Midland High with 37.

In addition, these schools reported one or more positive cases Friday: Jefferson Middle (9), Northeast Middle (7), Adams Elementary (11), Central Park Elementary (18), Chestnut Hill Elementary (10), Plymouth Elementary (12), Siebert Elementary (1), Woodcrest (12) and Carpenter Pre-Primary (1).

In a Monday message to the MPS community, administrators discussed how the recent high numbers of COVID are now causing staffing and sub issues for schools across the country.

"Unfortunately, higher COVID numbers could lead to similar staffing issues for Midland Public Schools for the next several weeks," the communique reads. "We urge families to take MPS's strong recommendation for masking and vaccination very seriously. Send your child(ren) to school with a mask and encourage them to wear their mask during the school day. Seriously consider having your child roll up their sleeve if they are not yet vaccinated."

This is a developing story; the Midland Daily News will update this article as information becomes available.

Related Content

COVID, classroom supplies discussed at MPS Board of Education meeting
One of Bob Saget's most famous friendships originated in Michigan and remained strong up until his death on Sunday.

A chance encounter at a Motor City comedy club led to Saget meeting fellow comedian Dave Coulier, long before they would co-star on the hit comedy "Full House."

Saget described meeting Coulier on his podcast "Bob Sagets Here For You," which gave fans an open mic to comment and ask him questions and launched in early 2020.

Saget was 22 and already on his way in comedy upon meeting 18-year-old Coulier, a newcomer to the comedy scene from St. Clair Shores, at a Ferndale club named Delta Lady, according to reporting by the Detroit Free Press.

Coulier said on the podcast that meeting Saget and watching him perform was a pivotal moment in his life. The two exchanged phone numbers and Saget told Coulier to call if he ever came out to Los Angeles.

Not long after meeting Coulier, in 1980, Saget made his first appearance at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle in Detroit.

In those days, Saget often would stay in the basement of Coulier's parents' home, according to the podcast interview.

Saget and Coulier would go on to star on "Full House" together from 1987 through 1995 and again on "Fuller House" from 2016 through 2020.

Jordan Strauss/AP

Saget's death at 65 shocked peers and fans and tributes came flooding in on Twitter, praising the veteran comedian for his talent and kindness, according to reporting by The Associated Press.

Heartbroken Coulier posted to Twitter his thoughts on his friend's passing.

Saget also had family ties to Michigan. His father grew up in Detroit. While Saget never lived in the city, he said he spent a lot of time in the area over the years and has friends in the state, according to reporting by MLive.
Director of Content and Operations

Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half.
Paducah, KY (42003)

Today

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Ann Brown, age 67, of Palestine, Texas, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022 in Palestine, Texas. Funeral service will be held at 10AM on Friday, May 6, 2022 at Evangelistic Temple. Burial will follow at Tennessee Colony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6PM to 8PM on Thursday, May 5, 2022 a
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Manfi, reaffirmed in a phone call on Wednesday with the US ambassador and special envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, the need to maintain the popular momentum for parliamentary and presidential elections, calling on the House of Representatives (Parliament) and the High State Council to put the nation's interest above any consideration, away from any political conflict
New York, US (PANA) - A decade after civil conflict erupted in Mali, hopes for an early resolution to insurgency and strife have not materialised, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the country, El-Ghassim Wane, told the Security Council on Tuesday
Photo: (Photo : ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

A Texas mom, who works as a teacher, is facing prison time after she was charged for locking up her COVID-positive son inside a car trunk when they drove for additional tests, for fear she would contract the virus as well.

Witnesses at the testing site saw the 13-year-old boy inside the trunk, and they reported Sarah Beam, 41, to the Houston police. She was subsequently arrested and charged with endangering a child. The mom was able to post a bond, but she will still have to face the courts at a later date.

According to Click2Houston, Beam arrived at a drive-thru testing site in Harris County and then unlatched the trunk where her boy was lying inside. However, the healthcare worker said they would not administer any tests until the mom allowed her son at the backseat of her car.

Beam allegedly said her son was COVID positive, and they drove for additional tests. To protect herself, she thought that putting the boy in the trunk was the best option.

Read Also: Teacher Goes to Jail for Injecting Teenager With COVID-19 Vaccine Without Authorization

Putting Her Son in Harm's Way

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Richard Standifer said that, while the boy was not hurt, his mother should have made him ride inside the car and protected him with a seatbelt, which is the law. In case the car crashes, Standifer said that the 13-year-old would never be secure inside the trunk.

The officer added that car trunks have "crumple zones" designed to absorb the impact of a car crash at the front and the rear. Thus, the boy would be at greater risk in case of a collision.

Beam is an English teacher with Cypress Falls High School and has worked at the Cy-Fair school district since 2011. Following her arrest, the school issued a statement to confirm that she had been placed on administrative leave.

If she's guilty of child endangerment, Beam could be in prison for two to 20 years and fined up to 10,000, depending on the nature of the felony.

What Parents Should do if Their Child Tested Positive

Meanwhile, pediatrician Dr. Dean Blumberg and epidemiologist George Rutherford said that masking is a good preventive measure against contracting the virus. Rutherford told Buzzfeed that there is "really good evidence" for using face masks to protect against COVID spread. Blumberg said that individuals using surgical masks are protected 70 percent of the time.

The experts also recommend getting face masks with three or four-ply protection, such as the KN95 or N95 mask, which have kids' sizes. Blumberg said that the children should be wearing the masks comfortably. Otherwise, they will not wear the mask at all.

COVID testing provides an extra layer of protection, but Rutherford said even if the child has a negative result, parents should be "extra sensitive" to the symptoms of a respiratory condition. These days, it's not comfortable for people to be around someone sneezing and coughing.

If a child is showing symptoms, it's best to stay at home and isolate for at least 10 days. COVID symptoms in kids vary as some can manifest in a matter of days, while it takes others to feel better for more than a week.

Related Article: How Parents May Keep Kids Safe From Omicron Amid CDC's New 'Test and Stay' Policy for Schools
Photo: (Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Soon, children dining with their parents at restaurants in New Orleans may be served with water, milk, or juice but not Coke or Pepsi, following the signing of the soft drinks ban ordinance.

The new rule, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, is an effort to help curb childhood obesity, a growing endemic in the U.S.

New Orleans city council member Cyndi Nguyen, who introduced the ordinance, said this would nudge families to choose healthier options for their kids.

The ordinance will be implemented with the help of the city health department, which will be tasked to review restaurant menus and respond to reports of violation, per the New Orleans Public Radio. Restaurants could be penalized $200 or more for failing to follow the law.

Read Also: Sleep Deprivation in Teens Raises Their Sugar Consumption, Study Reveals

The Worst Drink for Kids, Study Says

New Orleans joins many other places in the U.S. with some form of soft drinks ban for school-aged kids. Nguyen advocated for this ban because about 14 percent of children between the ages of two to four in New Orleans are categorized as "obese," and the official wants to lower this number.

In mid-December 2021, Mayor Lori Lightfoot in Chicago agreed to ban the marketing of soft drinks for kids. Under the new legislation, restaurants should only pair unsweetened beverages or water in their kids' menu offerings.

Chicago city officials believe that this measure can decrease sugar consumption and reduce cases of obesity in children. However, the new legislation may honor the parents' preference when they order meals at restaurants to protect consumer choices.

But obesity is not the only problem with children having much access to sugary soft drinks. A study in the Nutrients journal showed that soft drinks could be the worst drink for kids as it impacts their brain function.

The analysis from the experts ties consumption of soft drinks, regularly and in large quantities, to the kids' dwindling executive function. This involves their cognitive abilities and the control of emotions and behavior.

The findings support earlier research from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) that found that kids who drink more sugary drinks have poorer memory, smaller brain volume, and a smaller hippocampus, a part of the brain that helps with learning.

The Only Drink of Choice for Kids

Dr. Michelle Babb, author of "Anti-Inflammatory Eating for a Happy, Healthy Brain and Mastering Mindful Eating," said "water should be the drink of choice" at home or when dining out. If the kids prefer to drink something more flavorful, then water could be infused with cucumbers, berries, and citrus fruits to taste more appealing.

Babb also said that parents should dilute fruit juices or Gatorade in 70 percent water to lessen the sugar content. While this drink is healthier than soft drinks, too much serving of fruit juices may also be packed with calories.

Meanwhile, restaurant owners in New Orleans are pushing back on the ban's consequences. They said they agree with upholding children's health but not at the cost of their businesses, which continue to be badly affected by the pandemic.

Related Article: Study Reveals Significant Rise in Preventable Diabetes in Kids
Photo: (Photo : Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Do you keep a budget of your household expenses? The simple balancing act of knowing where every penny goes is not just a wise move but a practical solution for not plunging into debts, especially in an economic crisis.

Below are five other important reasons why everyone should start and keep a budget:

1. A budget ensures that you only spend within your means.

Did you know that an average American household has over $6,000 in credit card debts a year? Far too many parents spend more than they earn because credit cards could easily prompt anyone to live beyond their means.

Read Also: 3 Reasons Why Borrowing Money From Family Members Is Not a Good Idea

Most consumers don't realize that maxing out on their credit cards can drown them in debts that will be harder to pay off as it accumulates. However, wise spenders will less likely find themselves in this position by sticking to a budget.

A budget gives parents an idea of how much money they can spend or save each week or month. It stops them from shamelessly shopping and swiping their purchases via credit because they know their exact spending power.

2. A budget can help achieve goals of saving for major expenses.

Having a budget puts long-term goals firmly into place. It prevents parents from spending aimlessly and tossing money on items they likely don't need because they know they are saving up for the bigger expenses, such as a dream house, quality appliances, or a new car.

It's easier to push back on buying those gorgeous new shoes when a mom has plenty of other footwear, so that money goes into her savings instead. A budget keeps dads focused on spending for the more important stuff. It may also help discussions with family members on why some expenses have to be held off because it doesn't fit with the budget.

3. A budget helps streamline your tax returns.

Financial planner Logan Murray understands the headache of going through one's financial records every tax season. In an interview with The Balance, he said that tax season means "going through the entire year of transactions" for whatever needs reporting with the IRS.

However, if the parents maintain a budget, then reconciling what to report should be streamlined because they already have the data from their budget. These days, it's easier and more efficient to keep track of a budget with the help of software, which will be very handy during tax season.

4. A budget allows room for emergency expenses.

Parents can't put off emergency expenses, such as hospitalization or home repairs, so they need to prepare for this in their regular budget calendar. Otherwise, these expenses will quickly derail finances.

Wells Fargo recommends a budget of "at least three to six months' worth of expense" for emergencies. Ideally, put this budget in a separate bank account every week and then adjust the amount to save accordingly based on financial stability, family needs, and financial obligations.

Make sure to use the emergency budget only as a last resort or for unexpected spending. Replenish this budget when used so there will always be something for the rainy days.

5. A budget helps you sleep better at night.

Money problems can make anyone anxious and worried, especially if bills pile up. Even before the pandemic crisis, money woes have kept more Americans up all night thinking of ways to earn more money to pay their obligations.

Financial stress affects people's overall physical wellness. However, a budget will likely keep you from tossing and turning in bed at night because you know you have this under control.

Tracking money that goes in and gets out gives the consumer the power. A budget creates a financial map that helps the brain make better decisions.

Related Article: Money Troubles: How to Tell Your Kids That Money is Tight
Photo: (Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Two dogs detecting COVID-19 will be making the rounds at some Massachusetts schools to help curb the spread of the virus among the students and staff. The one-year-old Labradors, Huntah and Duke, handled by the Bristol County Sheriff's office, will be working at Norton, Lakeville, and Freetown school districts.

Bristol County Capt. Paul Douglas told CBS Boston that the dogs can smell any COVID-19 variant, whether Delta or Omicron and whatever variant could still develop during the pandemic. If the dogs detect COVID in the classrooms, they will sit down next to it to alert the teachers and staff to clean the area with disinfectant. The school will also check to see who among the students have been nearby and inform their parents if they want to get tested.

Read Also: Teacher Goes to Jail for Injecting Teenager With COVID-19 Vaccine Without Authorization

An Extra Mitigation Measure

Fairhaven School Superintendent Tara Kohler said that the working dogs show the kids and their parents that the school is committed to mitigating the risks of the virus. Kohler noted that having the dogs detect COVID-19 in the premises also reduces the anxiety of the kids about their surroundings.

Experts at the Florida International University devised the training for the working dogs, which was modeled after the training for dogs that could detect fungus wiping out avocado trees in the Sunshine State. According to DeEtta Mills, the first dogs they trained had 97 percent accuracy in detecting the virus.

"We wanted to make sure to put the science behind it," Mills said, adding that they also made sure that the odor of the coronavirus "was different than somebody else that was sick with something else."

Norton Superintendent Joseph Baeta said that some children might be scared to see dogs sniffing humans. Fortunately, Labradors are friendly and approachable breeds that could appease their fears. When they are not working, the children love to pet the dogs.

K9s Huntah and Duke visited Norton Middle School today for some Covid-detection work. Thanks to Supt. Baeta and everyone from @NortonSchools and @FIU_Forensics for the help. pic.twitter.com/5NdOgIQP2W  Bristol County Sheriff's Office (@BristolSheriff) January 5, 2022

Huntah and Duke are half-siblings with the same father and different mothers. They were introduced to the sheriff's office in May 2021. Dr. David and Jane Askew of the Dartmouth community donated the dogs to service the community.

How Dogs Sniff COVID-19

According to National Geographic, dogs can smell the volatile organic compounds of COVID-19 excreted through saliva and sweat. To a dog's sensitive nose, these compounds are like "fingerprints of the disease."

Some experts believe that dogs detecting COVID-19 could replace PCR tests. The animals bring minimal risks since there are no known cases of COVID-19 transmission between animals and humans through the sweat.

The program, however, needs to employ the right sniffer dogs who are reliable and won't quickly get bored on the job. Aside from Labradors, other dogs trained for this job are Beagles, German Shepherd, Husky, and Border Collie.

Related Article: What Parents Should Know About the COVID-19 Omicron Variant as Schools Remain Open
Photo: (Photo : LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)

An undertaker had the shock of his life. He was preparing to bury a premature stillborn baby when he noticed that the infant had a faint heartbeat.

Baby Augustus, the stillborn baby, was born at seven months to his 18-year-old mother at a hospital in Ariquemes in Brazil in late December 2021. The doctors declared that the child was dead upon birth.

Reports cited that the hospital turned away the mother when she sought help for bleeding and severe pain. She went home and gave birth to her son, who weighed 2 lbs., 3 oz, without any medical assistance. Hours later, the mother returned to the hospital with her baby, and the doctors declared he was stillborn.

Read Also: Friend Asks Mom with Stillborn Baby For a Refund of Her Baby Shower Gifts

Outrage at the Doctors

The hospital then called an undertaker to take care of the baby's body for burial, and he picked up the body at dawn. A few hours later, as he was working on the presumed lifeless body of the baby, the undertaker noticed the "dead baby" stirring and breathing, so he checked for a heartbeat.

Stunned with the discovery of a heartbeat, the undertaker immediately returned the baby to the hospital so Augustus could be treated at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. According to reports, the baby has responded well to the treatment, and his condition has stabilized.

Meanwhile, the baby's mother has been discharged and recovering at home. The grandmother, on the other hand, has been visiting the hospital to watch over her grandson, whose health has been progressing and he's been "moving a lot."

She is outraged at the doctors for not making an effort to save her grandson's life; thus, the family filed for a medical malpractice report with the local police. However, officials of the hospital insisted that Augustus was dead when the doctors delivered him, and it was likely a miracle that he "somehow" started breathing.

The hospital and its doctors will be subjected to an investigation with the Civil Police and the Public Ministry.

Stillborn Baby Cries Moments Before Burial

The Brazil incident is the second bizarre case involving stillborn babies in a matter of a week. In Turkey, the grieving father of a newborn child was also shocked to hear his son crying just moments before being lowered to the ground for his burial.

Doctors at the Yuregir State Hospital told Melek Sert, 32, and Hasan Sert, 34, that their son, born five months into the pregnancy on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, was a stillborn baby. The dad decided to immediately take his body to the cemetery for burial. He has returned to the hospital, where his boy has been fighting for his life.

As with the mom from Brazil, Melek was experiencing bleeding and severe pain. She was treated and discharged from the hospital after three days. However, Melek's condition deteriorated, so the couple rushed back to the hospital, where doctors said she was likely experiencing a miscarriage.

The authorities are also investigating the hospital and the doctors for negligence.

Related Article: Delivery Room Stories: Dads Share Weird, Scary and Touching Experiences Watching Their Wives Give Birth
Photo: (Photo : JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

A new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has learned that kids with COVID-19 are more likely to be diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes later.

In research of over 2.6 million children's healthcare records from HealthVerity and IQVIA, culled between March 2020 to June 2021, the experts noted that kids who have had the infection are 2.66 times more likely to develop diabetes within 30 days of recovery compared to those who never got COVID-19 at all.

According to the CDC, cases of type 1 diabetes among kids with COVID-19 in Europe have had an uptick during the pandemic. It comes as other experts also found that thousands of COVID-19 patients have increased blood sugar levels after contracting the virus in a smaller study among European children.

Read Also: Study Reveals Significant Rise in Preventable Diabetes in Kids

Why a Diabetes Risk?

The CDC took cues from European research and checked the health insurance records of American kids. They also learned that while both non-COVID and COVID-19 infected children are at risk for diabetes, as the pandemic forced a sedentary lifestyle, there has been an alarming increase of diabetes diagnoses among kids with the virus.

The experts said they are still finding the connection between diabetes and COVID-19 and predicted that this could be a complex study given that the virus may also cause long-COVID conditions. However, a possible connection could be linked to the virus attacking the pancreatic cells that regulate the body's insulin production.

Endocrinologist Dr. Michelle Cordoba said that it's also highly likely COVID-19 is causing the pancreases to overproduce antibodies that attack healthy tissues since it's building a defense against the virus.

"Type 1 diabetes being an autoimmune disease means that our own body mistakes our pancreas and starts making antibodies to attack our own tissue," she said.

Dr. Sharon Saydah, the study's lead author, said that they still don't know if diabetes will become a growing chronic condition in kids or if the health issues will disappear in due time. She also stressed the importance of vaccinating children amid the Omicron variant surge that, while mild, could still cause side effects for the long term.

Hospitalization Increasing in Kids Too Young for Vaccine

Meanwhile, the CDC also reported that hospitalization among children under five years old, too young to get the vaccine, is rising in the U.S.

CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky noted that the current rates of hospital admission in children had been the highest compared to other times during this pandemic.

The health agency cites California, Connecticut, Georgia, Oregon, and Tennessee as the states with the highest number of kids in the hospital for COVID. However, the severity of illness caused by the Omicron variant is lower than the other variants.

Pfizer said their vaccine studies for children under five have failed to produce the desired outcome. Hence, they have yet to file for emergency authorization use with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Related Article: How This Teen With Type 2 Diabetes Achieved Remission Through a Lifestyle Change
Paris, TN (38242)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 77F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

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Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 52F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
A new Korean report today states that the domestic parts industry has started a war to enter the supply chain management (SCM) of Apple's self-driving electric vehicle 'Apple Car. Apple is expected to complete the selection of an Apple Car supplier within this year, and start its full-scale development. Apple is highly interested in South Korean companies in the field of its core parts.

According to the parts industry, Apple staff members visited South Korea last month and met with several domestic parts manufacturers. This is the second visit since last summer. Apple discussed batteries for electric vehicles with LG and SK.

It is understood that Apple is looking for several South Korean electronics manufacturers to plan the final lineup of supplying Apple cars. It is reported that Apple is showing great interest in electronic parts companies that have experience in mass production.

According to the industry, Apple showed a genuine attention to the point of proposing an equity investment in one of the domestic electronic parts manufacturers. It also demanded the company's electronic parts production capacity to increase by two-fold. It is unknown whether the company that received the offer accepted Apple's offer.

An official from the parts industry said, "The business related to Apple Car is being done under the surface. If the information is leaked a company, then the company may be removed from the supplier candidate. It is being handled very carefully."

It is reported that Apple has set up a policy to develop and manage Apple car battery materials directly. Apple is considering collaborating with a South Korean company in the midst of U.S.-China trade dispute. For more on this, read the full Korea IT News report.
In the holy month of Ramadan, president Joe Biden of the United States offered the Taliban Pashtun Muslims of Afghanistan something they were long fighting for -- an unconditional withdrawal of foreign forces from their land.

To add insult to the injury of thousands of Americans who laid down their lives following the twin tower attacks of 2001 and subsequently for fighting the forces of Osama bin Ladens Al-Qaeda, the Biden administration set the painful Sept-11 as the day of completion. Later, it was revised.

The withdrawal proposal was brewing for quite some time in the US foreign policy circles. In fact, the news of having a negotiated settlement with the Talibans had leaked out during the first term of the Obama administration when Mrs. Hillary Clinton was the Secretary of State. Then the Trump administration took it forward, also to win over the White votes. Overcoming the hesitation that it might appear as a surrender to the Taliban, Trump announced the troop withdrawal before the Christmas of 2020. Now, president Biden, the political opponent of Donald Trump, put a stamp of approval on his rivals policies and decided to execute it.

In the global geo-strategic planning of the United States, it might make sense for them to exit Afghanistan where they see threat from Al-Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) diminished, although their rivals like Iran, Russia, Turkey and China would be on the lookout to dig their heels deeper. Pakistan will continue to play a double-faced deceitful role. The US didnt want to stay bogged down in the mountainous terrain fighting the Talibans forever. Joe Bidens national security adviser said Americans would like to prepare for the fight of 2021 rather than of 2001.

Whatever Biden and his security team might say, it was an unconditional retreat already decided before the Afghan government and its security forces collapsed. The Talibans strategy to wait it out succeeded because they knew the watch could be on the US side but the time was on theirs.

In addition to affecting the geo-politics of the region, the US withdrawal will give the Talibans a green light to come back with a vengeance. Their animosity against the minorities like the Taziks, Hajaras, Uzbekis and the Shia Muslims would keep the civil war in Afghanistan going.

The Talibans, with upper hand in man and fire power, will not cooperate in establishing a democratic form of government sharing reasonable power with all other ethnic groups or sects. The Talibans have also never concealed their intentions. As one senior Taliban commander told The Washington Post in the Spring of 2021, This fight is not to share power. This war is for religious purposes in order to bring an Islamic government and implement Islamic law.

Ms Farahnaz Forotan, a former Afghani TV journalist who escaped to the United States for fear of reprisal in her own country wrote in the New York Times around the same time, "The Talibans notions of religion, politics and governance are based on a combination of a very orthodox interpretation of Islam, Shariah law and tribal values. The Emirate they established in Afghanistan in the 1990s, which they are now seeking to establish again, barred women and girls from most jobs and forbade us to continue our education at schools and colleges, turning us into prisoners in our homes."

The Talibans considered it was the sacred duty of their Islamic government to safeguard Muslim society from corruption and moral decadence that was caused by the presence of women in public space. They want to reduce us to bearing children," said Farahnaz.

It didnt need an international relations expert to prophesy that the return of the Talibans in Afghanistan would adversely influence the Hindu-Muslim relations in India, unless both the Hindu and the Muslim communities worked hard to distance themselves from the Taliban and their ideology. They will have to assert and proclaim their Hindustani identity and thwart attempts on the part of the extremist Islamists to hold any influence on them..

Theres a pattern of religious persecution in Afghanistan-Pakistan region. In early 2001, the Taliban almost eliminated the Bamiyans Buddhist population, bombed the gigantic pre-Islamic statues and destroyed their artefacts. A year ago, in the month of March, Islamist suicide bombers armed with guns attacked a Sikh Gurdwara (Har Rai Sahib) in Kabul and killed 25 attendees. Next day, the cremation procession of the Sikhs was also attacked. The Hindus who once constituted a sizable population of Afghanistan had already migrated out of the country en masse. After the Talibans re-occupation, all the Counsel offices and Embassy are closed.

As Afghanistan comes once again under the Taliban control, it should be incumbent on the Islamic and Muslim majority countries to put pressure and keep the Taliban in check. Muslims, non-Muslims and women are all their victims.

India and the Hindus will have genuine reasons to be extra alert as the Talibans and their allied terrorist organizations export terrorists across the border too.

Dr. Binoy Shanker Prasad hails from Darbhanga and currently resides with his family in Dundas, Ontario (Canada). A former UGC teacher fellow (at JNU) in India and Fulbright scholar in the USA, he has taught politics and authored conference papers, articles and chapters on Bihar in previously published books in the United States, India, and Canada.

Dr. Prasad administers a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OverseasBihari and has sponsored Aware Citizenship Campaign at a micro-level in his home-town.
Ever since Indian government scrapped Section 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, political leaders in Pakistan lost their mindfulness by making senseless public statements in media. Imran Khan has come under fire from his own people and Pakistani media for his immature statements and giving frequent threats to India.

Almost every day, Imran Khan and his faceless ministers have been threatening India with nuclear war. Does Imran Khan understand that if nuclear war takes place, there will not be any Pakistan in the world map and it will be converted into a desert where no human civilization and plantation will take place for next 1,000 years?

It looks that Imran Khan has gone into depression, losing mental balance and he is suffering from a serious incurable disease. What was his previous image, a 'Playboy'? And now by his actions and irresponsible statements, he lost his all goodwill and image. Does any one accept him as the Prime Minister of Pakistan?

Imran Khan went from China to USA to gain support for Kashmir but he returned Pakistan with empty hands after being insulted from all corners. He goes to various countries and international financial institutions for financial support like a beggar but no one is interested to give Pakistan any dollar amount because they know that Pakistan has gone bankrupt and where will they use that money.

A country which harvests terrorism in every part of that country, has been internationally exposed on several occasions. They lost their countrys image and now is earning the label of the poorest country of the world.

Mr. Imran Khan, there is a sincere advice for you and your people. Leave or stop dreaming about Kashmir because it was, it is, and it will remain an integral part of an integrated India. Better pay attention how to save the rest parts of your country from disintegration because the way people have been reacting in POK, Baluchistan and Sind, very soon Pakistan will likely split into another 2-3 countries.

Look at the state of your economy which is in bad shape. Almost all financial indicators have seen a downward trend. The growth rate fell by almost 50 percent from 6.2 percent to 3.3 percent. Prices of commodities are touching sky; your people are dying of hunger and Imran Khan every day makes stupid statements about Kashmir. Pakistan media has been making mockery of Imran Khan. This man does not feel the shame for what he has been doing for Pakistan.



To conclude, today, social, economic and political situation in Pakistan is worst ever since Pakistan was created. Pakistans international reputation is at the lowest ebb, it is labelled a terrorist country and one of the poorest countries of the world. Ever since, Imran Khan became Prime Minister of Pakistan, he gave only insult and 'badnaami' to Pakistan. The man should resign immediately because he is becoming a risk factor for achieving stability in South East Asia.

Lekin Besharmon ko kya farak padta hai. His arguments may be that Pakistan Badnaam hua to kyaa hua, Duniya mein naam to hua.

Imran Khan is to be blamed for Pakistans current agony and the bankrupt economy.
Although, Uttarakhand has given India a number of personalities whose contributions are well noted, yet among them, four highly notable, daring personalities and jewels from contemporary Uttarakhand State have been playing key roles in shaping the new India under Modi's leadership. General Rawat, CM Yogi, NSA Doval and former RAW Chief Dhasmana are those personalities. In fact, they are really international personalities.

General Bipin Rawat, the highest ranked military professional Commander of India (Chief of Defence Staff of India and former Army Chief), is known for devising intelligent strategies to protect Indian borders from enemy aggressions and to modernize arms forces. He has experiences in high altitude warfare, and counter-insurgency operations. It is also noted that General Rawat had played a key and significant role in reshaping army. He has been instrumental in restructuring the army by cutting or eliminating administrative unproductive expenditures and increase its combat potential (Economic Times). He also holds a Doctorate degree in Military Media Strategic Studies.

Ajit Doval who currently holds the key position of National Security Advisor (NSA) of India, is known for devising crafty and long-term strategies for handling internal and national security issues, external threats and opportunities to India. He has been widely hailed for his significant contributions in the national security domain during his last five-year tenure. His tactful handling of the grave situation in J&K, after removing section 370, has been highly appreciated. His intelligent brain helped the government in bringing peace and normalcy in the state.

While, CM Yogi Adityanath, a Monk, is known for demonstrating high level of political and administrative leadership in transforming India's largest state Uttar Pradesh. It is claimed that so far, the state has received Rs. 2 trillion investment during his tenure. He has been very successful in restoring law and order situation the state. Additionally, it is claimed that his government has taken measures to make basic facilities available to the common people while working towards infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh. He is taking Uttar Pradesh in the right direction, in order to change the shape of Uttar Pradesh to a modern state.

Another daring personality and jewel of Uttarakhand is Anil Dhasmana, an inspiring police officer for many young Indians, who was till recently Head of RAW and now is retired. An IPS officer of 1981 batch, there are so many stories online available about his bravery and courageous actions while working as a senior police officer at various levels at home and abroad. He is known for dealing with Pakistan, Baluchistan and Afghanistan affairs in security matters.

These four personalities share certain common characteristics such as sharpness of mind, strategic thinkers, humbleness, honesty, highly committed professionals, planners and leaders, risk taker, bold and sound decision makers with quick results etc. Not only people from Uttarakhand but also all Indians are very proud of them.



Uttarakhand State is situated in the foothills of Himalayas, known as Devbhoomi (land of God), is one of the fastest growing states in India. Once the state was a backward and life was very tough for people. Due to massive increase in capital investments, infrastructure development and centre for school and higher education, the state has been rapidly progressing towards greater heights.
World Health Organization (WHO) has declared coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic as it has spread in more than 170 countries and it is affecting every sector and individuals.

People are afraid, as the market getting panicky and experts expecting that in the absence of any vaccine available so far to cure this disease, it will continue to create havoc for months to come.

Global stock markets are becoming very volatile indicating an impending crash with a threat of a deep global recession. Almost all Asian stock markets are down. Indian stock market has fallen by more than 3,000 points in last one week. Panic is spreading among short term investors in India. Most of the investors are trying to sell their shares but no buyer for them. It is becoming a bearish market. Additionally, oil prices are down. Therefore, it is clearly a trend moving towards economic recession.

It will add further panic among people because this epidemic is not just destroying demand from the economy but also it is affecting supply. So, supply-chain disruptions are increasing very fast. It is claimed that the epidemic has already created severe shortages of consumer good, drugs and medicines and medical equipment etc.

There is a high possibility of a liquidity crunch in the world market in which case cash-strapped consumers will not buy properties, other automobile and electronic products. Airlines are expected to experience a drop in their revenues of $113 billion in 2020. The recession may cause a severe drop in asset prices around the world as earnings projections are going to fall.

Additionally, because of the severe disruptions caused by coronavirus, various business stalwarts, economists and others fear that there may be 25 million jobs loss in next 12 months on a global level. The worst affected industries would be airlines, hotels, restaurants, bars, retail, consumer, automobile, construction, sports, offshore and mobile payments industries.

It is claimed that due to this unprecedented health crisis, businesses are disrupted in the tourism industry very badly, employment will freeze which means hiring is likely to come to a halt. Most of the economies of the world may experience only 3-4 percent growth in GDP. World poverty level will further increase. Coronavirus health crisis may even unsettle governments in few countries. These will be the main negative economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese government claims that the virus is now under control as the number of death cases are reduced and new cases identified are slow down. Workers have started going to work, and closed factories and other enterprises are now back to business. However, confronting this rising threat will not be easy for weak economies and even for India.

World leaders including from India should meet urgently to find practical and immediate solutions to overcome the current rising crises. World health, research and development organizations should accelerate research and innovation for the new coronavirus and develop vaccine for its cure.
China is a unique country of the world where freedom of speech of its people is taken away. Someone has rightly stated freedom of expression in China is a privilege, not a right.

According to Qianfan Zhang (The constitution of China: a analysis-2012), Chinese constitution states that its citizens have freedom of speech and also freedom of press. Strangely, the same is not institutionally protected.

It is also argued that even language used is vague. This gives government to use arbitrary and unilateral judgments. Citizens giving public speeches of wider impact on forbidden subjects are liable to severe punishments and warning. Furthermore, Benjamin Carlson (Global Post -2013) posited that Chinese people cannot talk 7 things in China. These are: judicial independence, crony capitalism, the historical errors of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), civil rights, civil society, freedom of speech, and universal values.

Experts on Chinese affairs argued that Chinese government has made technology central to its repression. In fact, China uses a combination of growing economical means technical capacity for mass surveillance on its people. When Chinese people step out from their houses, their actions and moves are recorded into the central control room. Through powerful videos which are placed in streets and all over the cities, government officials collect tremendous amount of data. If any citizen commits any type of crime, it uses recognition algorithms and match video footage of criminals with photo in a national identification database system.

Additionally, Chinese government is also known for scrutinizing individual citizens as evidence of disloyalty to the government. Now it started developing a powerful and comprehensive database on its citizens. It is also reported in media that China's government has been evolving algorithmic surveillance system on citizens. They are developing Artificial Intelligence to monitor control the activities of it citizens. This has been severely criticized by several scholars.

The situation has been worst ever since Coronavirus started in Wuhan. During February 2020 (Zhong, R., NYT, 6 Feb, 2020) when the case of Coronavirus infections continued to surge, the Chinese government clamped down on news and controlled the Internet. It is also widely reported that China suppressed coverage of Coronavirus cases and thousands of deaths.

Additionally, Chinese authorities have strictly censored what its people read and say online about the virus. It was also reported that local officials were cracked down for online rumours about Coronavirus. Chinese government has been accused for human abuses when Coronavirus situation deepened.

Therefore, it looks that in their public life, Chinese people are forced to remain by and large in silence mode.
Patna: A 57-year-old man suffering from Coronavirus allegedly died by suicide after he jumped from the window of a bathroom on the 5th floor of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the police report, Ramchandra Shah, a resident of Begusarai, was brought to the Patna hospital on May 18 when he was admitted in the COVID-19 ward. Employed at a rice mill in Bangalore, Shah returned to Bihar during the first nationwide lockdown last year. Since then, he had been at his house in Begusarai. He, however, became sick on May 12 with symptoms akin to coronavirus. When his condition continued to worsen despite initial home-made treatments, his family brought him to Patna where he managed to find a bed at the AIIMS.

Frustrated by his worsening condition, Shah went to the toilet on the 5th floor and jumped from there ending his life, family members said.

Talking to the reporters, Shahs son said that his father was not happy with his condition at the hospital and wanted him to take him back to his home where he thought he could recover quickly.

This is the fifth suicide directly related to COVID-19 at the AIIMS, hospital officials said.
Mr Wallace Akundor, a Customs Tax Administration expert, has asked the Government to use hardcore data to resolve issues that have been raised about the implementation of the benchmark policy.



He noted that the challenge of implementing the 50 percent discount on 43 selected imported items and its reversal after two years, was because the decision was not backed by the needed data.



Already, the Government has met with both the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), leading to the suspension of the reversal of the implementation of the policy.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he said, technically, its [the benchmark policy] a wrong instrument to start with, because so far, in all the arguments that were making; the Government, AGI, and importers, all of them are not based on hardcore data.



It means that you have to make a value judgment between the interest of your local industries and the interest of your importers and if you use assumption, youll get some right and you will get some wrong, he explained.



Mr Akundor, noted that for the Government to satisfy the interest of all parties, and generate the needed revenue, it ought to critically analyze data from both sides and come up with short, medium and long-term measures that would address all concerns.



The tax policy should satisfy all, because all the interest groups are under government. Therefore, the government would need to confront them with the hardcore data, he emphasized.



He recommended that tax measures should see to it that the statistical department comes up with assimilation and demonstration with both the importers and AGI, how the various tax scenarios will turn up, and allow them to challenge those assimilations...







Source: GNA









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Tuesday commissioned two projects and launched a GHC6.1 million Police Emergency Medical Intervention Fund to improve service delivery at the Police Hospital.



The interventions are also to increase medical access for personnel of the Ghana Police Service.



The two projects, both situated at the Police Hospital in Accra, are; a new Out-Patient Department and a Virtual Medical Centre.



The new Out-Patient Department, valued at GHC-180,000, will enable the Hospital decongest the existing facility and be dedicated solely to the treatment of emergency cases.



The GHC 50,000 Virtual Medical Centre, an end-to-end video hospital management system, will allow patients and officers of the Service irrespective of their location across the country, undertake virtual consultation with healthcare professionals at the Police Hospital in Accra.



With a guaranteed protected platform, the facility will offer a seamless medical consultation with a doctor beginning with virtual OPD attendance, through diagnosis, laboratory referrals, prescription of drugs and subsequent reviews, all through virtual means.



If the medical situation of a patient demands a higher level of attention, the medical doctor will make the necessary arrangement for the patient to be evacuated to the nearest medical facility for attention.



The Emergency Medical Intervention Fund will cater for police officers who sustain injuries in the line of duty.



At a short ceremony at the Police Hospital in Accra, President Akufo-Addo said the establishment of the Virtual Medical Centre was in line with his Governments agenda to fully digitalise all aspects of the countrys economy.



Underlining the digitisation agenda of my government, which comprises of a robust National Identification System, digitised property address system, paperless port system, the e-justice system, pensions and insurance data, a digitised land registry and mobile money interoperability system is the overarching objective to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in the delivery of public services. 



Noting that the wealth of the nation depended on the health of its people, he said his administration since assumption of office had taken the needed steps to improve the health infrastructure and healthcare delivery systems across the country.



President Akufo-Addo said the new facilities were timely and would help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which had to a large extent limited person-to-person contact.



Touching on the Emergency Medical Fund, he said he had been assured that beneficiaries would not have to go through the usual bureaucratic and associated delays, which had in the past resulted in some personnel losing their lives whiles awaiting treatment.



Three initial beneficiaries of the Fund, including Chief Inspector Victor Anako, Inspector Theresa Ohene and Corporal Isaac AsumanOpoku, would have their medical treatment in Ghana and abroad covered by the facility.



I am hopeful that all police officers who require medical treatment will receive the best of care without recourse to the cost of treatment, the President said.



He made a personal donation of GHC 100,000 to the Fund.



The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, expressed the appreciation of the Service to Government for efforts at re-tooling the security agencies, particularly, the Police, to enable them carry out their duty of protecting life and property.





Source: GNA









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Some 11 doctors have written to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to issue a directive for the nationwide vaccine rollout in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic to be paused.



The doctors say the risks associated with these vaccines, per the data studied so far, outweigh the potential benefits, if any.



In their petition dated Monday, January 10, 2022, the doctors, who call themselves as Concerned Ghanaian Doctors, cited how the UK and Israel are still battling with the virus despite a high vaccination rate of their respective populations.



These countries have very high vaccination rates, currently deploying booster programmes, yet they are struggling to get the virus under control especially with these new variants, the doctors observed in the jointly-signed petition.



Assuming as a country we are to vaccinate more than 50% of our population, are we going to continue with perpetual boosters every 3 to 6 months in an attempt to maintain vaccine induced immunity for this disease?



Where then is the end point when these vaccines do not stop infection or the spread of Covid-19? Is this financially feasible for us as a nation?



They contended that the case fatality rate is not as high as anticipated especially given the fact that not many citizens are testing.



For them, the vaccines becoming a mandate is only a ploy by some pharmaceutical companies to rake in profits.



If there is safe, effective, affordable, freely available early treatment for Covid-19, vaccines are no longer a priority.



It doesnt take a genius to recognise the financial benefit of pharmaceutical companies in demonising potential early, effective treatments.



If these medications do work, thats wonderful in the human races fight against Covid-19. However, they are practicably placebos if they dont work. Why the suppression and demonising of these early treatments then, if the concern is health.



Considering all these, wouldnt it be prudent to pause and ask ourselves whether these novel vaccines are necessary in the first place, they quizzed.



For them, Ghana, and for that matter Africa, must lead the way in the fight against Covid-19.



All the relevant metrics show that Ghana and Africa at large have done better than most of the world with respect to the pandemic even before the advent of these vaccines.



It is possible the rest of the world are rather to learn from us.



The doctors are Dr Timothy Oblijah Armah, Dr Bismark Opoku-Asare, Dr Faisal Adjei, Dr William Ghunney and Dr Bernard Boateng Adjei.



The others are Dr Doreen Oye Agyei, Dr Michael Agyemang-Wiredu, Dr Richard Fayah and Dr Sedem Cyril Klinogoh.



The rest are Dr Phil Dowuona and Dr Emmanuel Awuttey.





Source: 3 news









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The government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has extended the temporary travel ban on non-Ghanaians travellers from South Korea.



In December 2021, the Ministry placed a travel restriction on travellers from Malta, South Korea, and Israel in the wake of the threat posed by COVID-19 infections.



The ban on South Korea was to last for 14 days.



However, in its latest communique, the restriction duration has been increased for almost a month.



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana wishes to inform the general public that the government of Ghana has extended the temporary travel restriction on all non-Ghanaian travelers arriving from South Korea, until 3rd February 2022.



To this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to state that the general public should take note of the above and adhere to it accordingly, the statement added.



Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has justified the governments decision to place travel restrictions on some countries in the wake of the threat posed by COVID-19 infections.



Dr. Nsiah-Asare maintains that the ban falls in line with the governments efforts to avert a fresh wave of the virus in the country.



He said it was not out of place for the government to resort to a travel ban, as other countries had taken similar steps.



If you go to some countries, they have put some people on red alert. Some countries are on lockdown. All we are saying is that if you want to come to Ghana from outside Ghana make sure you are vaccinated.

Source: Daily Guide









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The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is to hand over a Nigerian businessman, Martins Eze Obina, to International Police (INTERPOL) to face United States District Court over fraud-related charges.



Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI) Adolf Abogye Asenso, said the GIS had also received an FBI alert indicating that suspect was a member of a transnational cyber syndicate and a hacker.



The court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Essandoh, obliged GISs request and offered the Service one week so that Obina could go through the extradition processes to the US.



It held that the court should be updated of the accuseds extradition process, after one week.



Obinas extradition came to light after the court had ordered the GIS to produce Obina in court.



Obina through his lawyers had filed an application for bail after the GIS arrested him for obtaining Ghanas Residence permit through false declaration.



According to CSI Asenso, Obina had been put before a Kaneshie District Court for acquiring Ghanas Resident permit through false declaration.



The District Court preserved Obinas plea andhis lawyer, Mr Paul Abarigah, said the Circuit Court had granted Obina bail hence the district court did not set out any bail condition.



CSI Asenso produced the USA District Court arrest warrant to the court, saying Obina had been indicted in the USA in the year 2021.



According to him, the suspect resided in a rented apartment at Teshie and, therefore, he could abscond.



Additionally, CSI Asenso said Obina was a shareholder in a company in Ghana, but checks at the Registrar Generals Department indicated that the company was a sole proprietor firm and Obina could not be a shareholder in sole proprietorship.



CSI Asenso opposed bail application for suspect because of the existence of an arrest warrant, adding that Obina was flight risk and when granted bail, he would abscond.







Source: graphiconline.com









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Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament Mr. Patrick Yaw Boamah, has advised the House to repair the negative image Ghanaians currently have about parliamentarians.



The legislator who represents the people of Okaikwei Central believes the House must do its best to bring back sanity to the House.



Appearing on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he posited that the House disgraced itself on January 6-7, 2021 during the inauguration of the 8th parliament and further disgraced itself last year when it rose on December 21, 2021.



Mr. Boamah told host Kwabena Agyapong that Ghanaians currently have a negative image of the House and they (Parliamentarians) have a responsibility to repair that tainted image.



He asserted that some incidents occurred in parliament that was unfortunate. On January 6, 2021, we disgraced ourselves, and on the last day of parliament, we did not behave ourselves well. When you analyze the issues today, you will realize that Ghanaians currently have a negative perception of the House. We have to correct it immediately.



He further averred that in a democratic society, you do not get everything you want. When government presents its policies, you have the opportunity to register your displeasure. That is enough. After you do that, you tell your constituents of your position, then you and the court of public opinion make your own decisions.



He noted that the opposition should not frustrate government business because they want to score political points.



When asked if the Minority was making things difficult for the government, he disagreed saying, the Minority will always engage in politics and try to hold the government to account but in doing so, they have to be circumspect and have the interest of the nation at heart.





Source: rainbow radio









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XINING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Sinohydro Bureau 4 Co., Ltd., an engineering company based in China's Qinghai, has signed a construction contract to build a gas-fired power plant in Bolivia.

The contract to build the power plant, which is part of a steel mill in Santa Cruz, is worth approximately 53.4 million yuan (8.4 million U.S. dollars), according to the commerce department of Qinghai.

The steel mill is designed with an annual steel output of about 194,000 tonnes, which is expected to help save about half of the country's foreign exchange expenses for steel imports and bring significant changes to Bolivia's centuries-long history of relying on imported steel to build projects and its cities, according to the department. 
Securrency Capital has announced that Dr Ryan Lemand has joined as a board advisor to the institutional DeFi (decentralised finance) brokerage.

Dr Lemand brings decades of financial services experience and a proven track record of leading innovative and diverse investment teams around the world.

Dr Lemand will share his extensive knowledge and unique experience in financial services to advise the board of directors in setting the strategic direction for Securrency Capital.

Securrency Capital is a blockchain-enabled brokerage focused on being a regional and international leader in providing access to trading in traditional and digital assets.

"I've long agreed with Securrency Capital and its leaders that Blockchain technology has the potential to improve lives and build a more trustworthy and secure financial system," Dr Lemand stated. "It's an honour to join Securrency Capital as board advisor and to be a part of a values-driven firm that is constantly innovating to enable and enhance the way we invest."

"Dr Lemand has long been a visionary leader in the financial services, asset management, and brokerage industries, applying his extraordinary insight, experience, and passion for capital markets to the cause of improving lives and fostering a more secure financial system," added Amir Tabch, Chairman and Senior Executive Officer of Securrency Capital.

"We're delighted to welcome him as a board advisor to Securrency Capital, and I'm confident that we will all benefit from his leadership and knowledge."

Dr Lemand is the former senior executive officer and board director of ADS Investment Solutions (ADSI), the ADS Securities group's wealth and asset management company, which he founded on behalf of the group and grew to become one of the largest companies in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

Until 2015, Dr Lemand was the senior advisor and head of risk management at the UAE Securities & Commodities Authority, the UAE's federal securities regulator. In this capacity, Dr Ryan led and contributed to initiatives which gave way to the development of several fundamental financial regulations in the UAE including the collective investment scheme regulations as well as regulations on financial analysis and consultancy services, market making and others. He was principally responsible for leading the funds and investment management team that handled the licensing and approvals for local and foreign mutual funds and investment managers. Additionally, he helped develop a risk management framework for UAE licensed brokers.

Prior to that, Dr Lemand served as the lead portfolio manager at Fortis Investments in Europe, where he was responsible for managing a 14.6-billion-euro portfolio of assets, namely in the space of credit derivatives.

Dr Lemand is a sought-after speaker and contributor to major financial market discussions and events in the UAE and the wider Mena region.

Dr Lemand holds a PhD (summa cum laude) in Financial Econometrics from the Ecole Normale Superieure, France, and is the author of two books on financial contagion, as well as several research articles on financial correlation. Dr Lemand also taught financial econometrics courses at Paris II-Assas University and Paris IX-Dauphine University in Paris, France.-- TradeArabia News Service
Britain's Minister for the Middle East James Cleverly, center, arrives for the NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Senior NATO and Russian officials are meeting Wednesday to try to bridge seemingly irreconcilable differences over the future of Ukraine, amid deep skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin's security proposals for easing tensions are genuine. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP)
Dr. Ania Kielar, vice-president of the Canadian Association of Radiologists, speaks with a colleague in this undated handout photo. Radiologists are warning that Canadian hospitals are in serious need of more equipment and staff to deal with medical imaging backlogs that the country was already facing before the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Canadian Association of Radiologists *MANDATORY CREDIT*
B.C. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside attends the official opening of the relocated New Westminster Secondary School in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. Two British Columbia schools have stopped in-person classes, less than two days after most students returned to classrooms following an extended holiday break due to the surging COVID-19 Omicron variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Saudi Water Partnerships Company (SWPC) has issued request for qualifications (RFQs) for two independent strategic water reservoir projects - Al Ahsa and Eastern Province - in the kingdom with a total ultimate treatment capacity of 4.9 million cu m/day.

The Eastern Province Independent Strategic Water Reservoir will be constructed with an indicative water storage capacity of 3.51 million cu m, while the Al Ahsa Independent Strategic Water Reservoir will boast a water storage capacity of 1.4 million cu m, said a statement from SWPC.

The project will include water reservoirs and all the associated infrastructure and facilities, it stated.

According to SWPC, a total of 21 utility project developers, including 10 Saudi companies, had expressed their interests in the Al Ahsa and Eastern Province project.

Several global firms including European majors - Swiss waterproofing contractor Carpi Tech and Dutch utility specialist Arkoil Technologies - and Japan's Marubeni Corporation in addition to China Harbour Engineering Company are eyeing the project.

The locals in the race include Ajlan & Bros; Alfanar; Nesma; Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies; Al Rajhi Holding; Mowah and Tecton Engineering & Construction, while the regional heavyweights' list comprises UAE's Metito and Contrax International DMCC; Kuwait's Gulf Investment Corporation and Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting; and Egypt's Orascom Construction and AAW & Partners.

SWPC said it will be conducting a competitive process to select a private sector developer (or developer consortium) for the funding, procurement, implementation, operation, maintenance and transfer (Boot) of the project.

The successful bidder, through a project company to be incorporated, will provide the required storage capacity to SWPC under a 30-year water storage agreement.

SWPCs obligations under the WSA will be supported by a credit support agreement from the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it added.

For the Al-Ahsa and Eastern Province projects, Synergy Consulting IFA is the lead and financial advisor; Amer Al Amr Law Firm the legal advisor and WSP Middle East Limited the technical advisor.

The last date for submitting the bids has been set at February 10.-TradeArabia News Service
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Kanoo Industrial and Energy, the leading provider of services to the industrial sector in the Kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia (KSA) and also the GCC region, has announced its partnership with CleanMax, the leading renewable energy company in Asia, to provide sustainable solar solutions to customers within both kingdoms.

These solutions aim to encourage commercial and industrial businesses to rely on clean energy sources, reducing carbon emissions and supporting environmental sustainability which align with national directives and global trends, said a statement from Kanoo Industrial and Energy.

The introduction of Kanoo-CleanMax solutions for sustainable energy, is part of Kanoo Industrial and Energy's efforts to encourage the adoption of solar energy throughout both Kingdoms at affordable prices.

These solutions have a product lifetime of 25 years and will help reduce electric bills, with costs of solar energy investment being gradually recovered over a period of four to six years, it stated.

Customers will be able to save by reducing grid power consumption during peak hours and contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions, the statement added.

On the partnership, President Ali Abdulla Kanoo said: "We are pleased to collaborate with CleanMax to provide our Bahraini and Saudi Arabian commercial and industrial customers with innovative solar energy solutions."

"We take pride in our extensive experience, which spans across two decades, in providing energy services to the Bahraini Electricity & Water Authority (EWA) and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), government institutions and private companies. We recognize the importance of solar energy growth and expansion through our collaboration with Asia's most prominent commercial and industrial renewable energy provider. We look forward to contributing to and supporting both of the Kingdoms aspirations to achieve net-zero carbon emissions," he added.

Kanoo-CleanMax advanced solutions consist of solar grid-related systems, which customers can obtain with or without the feature of exporting surplus energy to Bahraini and Saudi electricity service providers.

They also include hybrid solar systems synchronized to the customers captive power plants, providing maximum power during the day and regulating high-efficiency energy supply. All available systems are reliable, easy to maintain and noise-free.

Vice President Ahmed Fawzi Kanoo said: "The YBA Kanoo Group has always been dedicated to contributing towards the economic aspirations and objectives of GCC countries. As part of our commitment to our belief in corporate environmental responsibility and sustainability, we are pleased to be collaborating with CleanMax, a leading renewable energy player, to offer customers sustainable solar energy solutions across both kingdoms."

"This collaboration also supports both of the Kingdoms visions of reducing carbon emissions and supports its shift towards clean energy sources, particularly within the industrial sector," he observed.

CleanMax Co-founder and Mena CEO Sushant Arora said: "We are excited to partner with the Kanoo Group to bring solar solutions to leading companies in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. This partnership will leverage CleanMax strengths of building, operating and financing high-performance renewable energy assets and Kanoos considerable presence in both kingdoms."

"I am confident that together we will be the sustainability partners of choice for commercial and industrial customers in Bahrain and KSA," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Dimov Demolishes Winter Series High Main Event Final Table

January 12, 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

All three Winter Series Main Events crowned their champions at PokerStars on January 11 and there were some familiar names among them. Ognyan "cocojamb0" Dimov dominated the $5,200 High Main Event from start to finish to become a worthy recipient of $384,447.

Gleb "Ti0373" Tremzin and Jamie "Ship It 2020" O'Connor chopped the $530 Medium Main Event before Tremzin came out on top, while "skol555" was crowned the $55 Low Main Event, a result worth $129,067.

Dimov sat down at the final table of the $5,200 High Main Event with 42 million chips when all but one of his eight opponents had less than 10 million each. The final table was a star-studded affair, as you would expect, because only the best players manage to navigate their way through most of a 429-strong high-stakes field.

Guillaume Nolet

Fahredin "FeriBo" Mustafov was the first finalist out of the door. Mustafov padded his bankroll with $38,929. Brazilian Pedro "gusmaa" Gusma and Guillaume "Nolet20" Nolet were the next players relieved of their stacks. The talented duo took home $48,183 and $64,826 respectively.

Austria's Jens "Fresh_oO_D" Lakemeier busted in sixth and netted $87,218, which was the tournament's last five-figure award. Sergei "Futti18" Koliakov ($117,343), Peter "twirlpro" Turmezy ($157,874), and the 2019 Winter Series Main Event champion "ArtHouse2011" ($212,405) saw their tournament's end abruptly, and the Main Event progressed to the heads-up stage.

ere, Dimov battled with Argentinian Alejandro "KKruchitAAs" Rodriguez. The final hand saw both players flop top pair, but the ace-jack of Rodriguez was far stronger than the jack-deuce. That only remained true until both the turn and river were deuces. Dimov expertly extracted all of Rodriguez's chips with his full house, and he got his hands on the $384,447 top prize.

Winter Series $5,200 High Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Ognyan "cocojamb0" Dimov Bulgaria $384,447 2 Alejandro "KKruchitAAs" Rodriguez Argentina $285,771 3 ArtHouse2011 Ireland $212,405 4 Peter "twirlpro" Turmezy Hungary $157,874 5 Sergei "Futti18" Koliakov Russia $117,343 6 Jens "Fresh_oO_D" Lakemeier Austria $87,218 7 Guillaume "Nolet20" Nolet Canada $64,826 8 Pedro "gusmaa" Gusma Brazil $48,183 9 Fahredin "FeriBo" Mustafov Bulgaria $38,929

Tremzin Triumphs in the Medium Main Event

Gleb Tremzin

A field of 3,936 players created a $1,968,000 prize pool in the Winter Series $530 Medium Main Event, and Russia's Gleb "Ti0373" Tremzin walked away with the largest slice of the pie.

The final table was an eclectic mix of seasoned professionals and relative unknowns, each guaranteed $18,758 for their efforts, but who knew a top four finish would turn their $530 investment into six figures.

One-by-one the players fell by the wayside. "HappyBustDay" was the first player eliminated; they scooped $18,758. Scott "stpauli111" Hall and Ivan "zufo16" Zufic followed suit but with $26,315 and $36,917 to show for their efforts.

Austrian grinder "kobyy" crashed out in sixth for $51,788 with "mau5trapp1" bowing out in fifth for the tournament's last five-figure prize, namely $72,652.

With $100,000+ scores now on the line, things were definitely serious. Each wrong decision would ultimately prove extremely costly. "Alavirien," the first of two Maltese players to bust in the top four, collected $101,919 before fellow Malta resident "JManana" headed to the cashier to find $142,978 in their.

Tremzin and British pro Jamie "Ship It 2020" O'Connor struck a deal that saw them both receive $233,479, but that left $15,000 more for the eventual champion. Tremzin ousted his final opponent to become the event's champion and its biggest prize winner.

Winter Series $530 Medium Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Gleb "Ti0373" Tremzin Russia $248,479* 2 Jamie "Ship It 2020" O'Connor United Kingdom $233,479* 3 JManana Malta $142,978 4 Alavirien Malta $101,919 5 mau5trapp1 Moldova $72,652 6 kobyy Austria $51,788 7 Ivan "zufo16" Zufic Mexico $36,917 8 Scott "stpauli111" Hall Mexico $26,315 9 HappyBustDay Morocco $18,758

*reflects a heads-up deal

skol555 Scoops Low Main Event

The Winter Series Low Main Event paid out an impressive $1,270,700 despite costing only $55 to enter. This was possible because 25,414 players bought in with re-entries included.

All but one of the nine finalists saw their $55 investment swell to at least five figures. "Vatal" of Greece being that player; their demise in ninth came with an $8,603 shot in the arm.

When the dust had settled at the end of a frantic final table, it was Lithuania's "skol555" who had left all their opponents in their wake. Their prize? A most impressive $129,067. The Lithuanian had fired four bullets in total, but that $220 outlast was now worth almost $130,000. Runner-up "FrankieFishGab" of Norway cannot be too down with finishing second because their bankroll now has an extra $91,992 in it.

Winter Series $55 Low Main Event Final Table Results
Five Italian Poker Players to Watch in 2022

January 12, 2022 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Luciano Del Frate

With a return of live poker hopefully on the cards, PokerNews wants to make sure that you are up to date on what players could be making a splash in events and tours during 2022. Over the next couple of months, we'll be taking a close look at which poker players we should be looking out for!

Italian poker fans have been spoilt for choice over the years, with the likes of Dario Sammartino, Mustapha Kanit and Max Pescatori all flying the Tricolore. All of won prestigious international tournaments, made deep runs in major festivals or crushed the High Roller scene.

This year promises to bring similar, not just from these stalwarts, but from the talent of various young guns making their way into the poker scene. We spoke with Assopoker's Luciano Del Frate to find out his best bets for top Italian poker players of 2022.

Andrea Ricci

"He is the present and future of Italian poker"

An emerging star of Italian live poker, Andrea Ricci certainly had a 2021 to remember. After winning the WSOP Circuit Main Event in Rozvadov for 246,839, he also added four cashes at the 2021 World Series of Poker. With the Italian Poker Open the most important national circuit for Italians, he naturally triumphed there also, winning the San Marino IPO for 125,535.

His first major victory came back in 2018, winning the Premiere Million in Nova Gorica, Slovenia for 230,000. These results all show the talent of this young grinder. According to Del Frate, he is the "present and future" of Italian poker.

Read More: Andrea Ricci Wins 2021 WSOPC 1,700 Main Event at King's Resort (236,489)

Matteo sgrillex Sarais

Moving from the live felt to the online streets, Matteo "sgrillex" Sarais is among the top Italian online MTT players. Having won over 100,000 in 2021, Sarais is as much a tournament grinder as a cash game crusher.

The 27-year-old, originally from Milan, is Del Frate's biggest bet for 2022. Although he hasn't played much live poker, like Ricci he also bagged an Italian Poker Open title, winning a 1,100-entry festival in Liechtenstein for $124,023.

Enrico Camosci

Another Italian online player tipped for more success is Enrico Camosci. Having excelled on PokerStars and GGPoker in 2021, he is a highly respected regular on the online felt. Having already won a bracelet during the 2020 WSOP Online, and coming close to winning another in the same year, Camosci already has a lot of experience despite his young age, and is ready for another shot at a major title.

Sam Grafton Discusses Nationally-Televised PSPC $25K Slow Roll of Enrico Camosci

Gianluca Speranza

Already an Italian poker veteran, Gianluca Speranza sits fourth in the country's All-Time Money List with over $3.5 million in career earnings. Unsurprisingly, Del Frate tipped him for more success in 2022 having cashed in five events at the 2021 WSOP and finished the year with a flourish, witha third place in the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic at the Bellagio.

Gianluca Tankanza Speranza Does The Unthinkable and Wins Back-to-Back SCOOP Main Events!

In 2022, Speranza could be one of the main Italian players at the WSOP again. Could a first bracelet be on the horizon at the 2022 World Series of Poker?

Luigi Andrea Shehadeh

Don't take our word for it when it comes to Luigi Andrea Shehadeh, listen to Dario Sammartino who believes in the talent displayed by Shehadeh. Last year he grabbed 11 WSOP cashes, three of which were live, and is ready to return to the levels of 2017-18 when he was especially dominant.

During that period he won the Italian Poker Open, the 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event and a side event at EPT Barcelona for combined cashes of over $800,000.

Del Frate says that Shehadeh appears ready to take a massive leap back into the international field.

Sharelines Will the Tricolore be flying high in 2022? Check out these five players we expect to shine for Italy this year

Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Follow on:
Miscikowski Leads the WSOP Winter Online Circuit Series Main Event

January 11, 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

The $525 buy-in WSOP Winter Online Circuit Series Main Event has reached the business end of the tournament after the 14,235 players who bought in were whittled down to a final table of nine. Those nine finalists return to the action at 6:00 p.m. GMT on January 15 where they fight it out for the bulk of the guarantee-busting $7,117,500 prize pool.

All but two of the nine players at the final table will walk away with six-figure hauls for their $525 investment. The least anyone can now take home is $66,472, but nobody wants that sum because a coveted WSOPC gold ring and a cool $664,725 is waiting for the eventual champion.

WSOP Winter Online Circuit Series Main Event Final Table

Place Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 David Miscikowski Mexico 144,593,391 90.4 2 Georgi Sandev Poland 91,184,776 57 3 Nikita "FatGerry" Kupchin Russia 78,553,389 49.1 4 Chunyang "NanaPS" Hao China 77,442,740 48.4 5 Jifeng "Snakey" Huang Hong Kong 76,844,016 48 6 Rodrigo "SePico77" Presutti Uruguay 69,449,391 43.4 7 Giriri7 Japan 58,330,909 36.5 8 hamzes Austria 57,633,470 36 9 Vu "Taicu" Tai Vietnam 53,939,838 33.7

Watch This Star-Studded Final Table Unfold Who will win this massive Main Event? Watch the final table action here! Head to GGPoker's Awesome YouTube channel

Mexico-based David Miscikowski is the man to catch when the cards are back in the air, and there is quite some distance between the Californian and the chasing pack. Miscikowski sits down with 144,593,391 chips, the equivalent of 90.4 big blinds, which means it is safe to say this is his tournament to lose.

Miscikowski already has a WSOP bracelet on his resume. He took down Event #49: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em at the 2014 World Series of Poker. Miscikowski is now on course to add a circuit ring to his many poker-related accomplishments.

Georgi Sandev, a Bulgarian playing from Poland, sits down at this final table in second place courtesy of his 91,184,776 chips, or 57 big blinds. Sandev is a regular in the WSOP online tournaments GGPoker hosts, but this is the first time he has navigated his way to a WSOP final table. previously, Sandev finished 25th in a $10,000 Super MILLION$ High Roller event for $45,582. Now he has a chance to win almost 15-times that sum!

Nikita "FatGerry" Kupchin, like Sandev, frequents the WSOP online events at GGPoker. Some 14 of his 16 cashes on his Hendon mob profile stem from these events. A 39th place finish, worth $4,691, in the 2020 The Closer event is the closest Kupchin has come to striking some poker gold. Is this the night the Russia gets his hands on some poker jewellery.

Four Players Representing Asian Countries

There is definitely an Asian flavor to this final table with four players hailing from the region. Chunyang "NanaPS" Hao of China is the best-placed of this trio thanks to amassing 77,442,740 chips (48.4 big blinds). Hao cashed in both the $400 COLOSSUS Online and $1,050 Pot-Limit Omaha events at GGPoker in 2021.

Hong Kong's Jifeng "Snakey" Huang is another player with a brace of online WSOP cashes to their name, although both their results came in $100 and $500 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em events in 2020. Huang's 76,844,016 chips (48 big blinds) are enough for fifth-place at the restart.

"Giriri7" of Japan is something of an unknown quantity, but has every chance of changing that in this tournament. The Japanese grinder returns in seventh-place with a 58,330,909 stack (36.5 big blinds), so has some work ahead of them, but they reached this stage on merit.

Look at the bottom of the chip counts and you find Vu "Taicu" Tai of Vietnam. Tai cashed in the $400 COLOSSUS in 2021 and has repeated that feat in this $525 Main Event. Their 53,939,838 stack is worth 33.7, which places them ninth from nine, but they are not in any immediate danger when play resumes.

Sandwiched between the leaders and the shortest stacks are Rodrigo "SePico77" Presutti and Austria's "hamzes." Presutti returns to the battlefield armed with 69,449,391chips (43.4 big blinds), enough for sixth place. hamzes is the second-shortest stack with 57,633,470 chips (36 big blinds).

GGPoker is broadcasting the entire final table with cards-up coverage on January 15. Head to the online poker giant's YouTube channel from 6:00 p.m. GMT for live and exclusive coverage of the WSOP Winter Online Circuit Series Main Event final table.
A defamation lawsuit filed against the Savannah River Site paramilitary security contractor has been dismissed, after about a year of back-and-forth in court.

The lawsuit against Centerra was initially filed in December 2020, and was dismissed Jan. 6, state and federal court records show.

The allegations of defamation were made by Thomas Dominick Chappell, a Greenwood County man and ex-employee.

After more than 10 years with Centerra, Chappell was fired in July 2020 following an accident that creased a helicopter rotor blade  what was described as minor damage in his complaint. The contractor accused Chappell, the complaint continues, of misconduct, interference with security and gross negligence involving a government vehicle.

Centerra laid out its defense and asked the court to dismiss the matter in January 2021.

Mediation was required to wrap before March 21, a schedule filed with the court shows. A trial could have started in early May.

As the Savannah River Site security team, Centerra is tasked with protecting the site, its boundaries, its nuclear materials and its employees, as well as conducting law enforcement work and related investigations.

Centerra in late 2020 earned an excellent evaluation from the Department of Energy, the Savannah River Site landlord. The contractor performed to 98% success, according to a public scorecard.
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Leading international consulting firm Roland Berger is partnering with Start-Up Nation Central, the independent non-profit organisation connecting global corporations, investors, and governments to the Israeli tech innovation ecosystem.

Together, the two organisations will advance commercial opportunities for Israeli technological innovation companies interested in operating within the GCC.

The cooperation is expected to help fulfil the promise of the Abraham Accords that were signed 15 months ago and to further deepen the ties between the signatory states.

Based on a recently signed MoU, the duo will collaborate on a series of strategic initiatives. The parties will also carry out joint research and analysis, marketing, and promotional activities.

Start-Up Nation Central has already taken substantial steps to build bridges between the member states' innovation ecosystems. In December 2020, it officially launched the UAE-IL Tech Zone, an exclusive platform aimed at bridging technological, entrepreneurial, business, venture capital, and government collaborations between the UAE and Israel.

The growing community, already connecting more than 2,000 business, innovation, and technology leaders from both countries, is gradually evolving to become a GCC regional community.

Start-Up Nation Central recently initiated the UAE-Israel Business Forum with UAE Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al Khaja to further promote the countries business-to-business ties in an effort to create a joint regional hub of entrepreneurship.

Stefan Schaible, Global Managing Partner of Roland Berger: "At Roland Berger, we are deeply committed to entrepreneurship, which is one of our firm's fundamental values. We are actively exploring unconventional ideas, taking risks, and blazing new trails, but are also willing to assume responsibility."

"Therefore, we are excited to collaborate with Start-Up Nation Central, one of the most developed global start-up ecosystem facilitators. As partners we will craft innovative and sustainable solutions for clients from the private and public sectors alike," he stated.

Jeremie Kletzkine, Start-Up Nation Central VP Business Development: "The region is transforming quickly. As a leading one-stop gateway to Israeli innovation, it is more than natural for Start-Up Nation Central to collaborate with a world-class organization such as Roland Berger, which understands and advises the UAE and GCC government and business leadership."

"We aim to leverage the complementary characteristics of the UAE and Israeli tech industries to establish a robust Middle East innovation hub that will create an innovation powerhouse to address regional and global challenges. As the leading business strategy consulting firm in the GCC, Roland Berger is the best possible partner for this mission," he added.
Through prayers and reading through the Bible, Twyla Tuten and the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity decided to take action on a social initiative.

A forum to discuss human trafficking will be held Jan. 25 at the church located at 160 Merovan Drive in North Augusta. The forum coincides with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, which is acknowledged annually in January.

At our church we have been praying over Matthew 25, that is where Jesus exhorts us to care for those and visit those in prison, to help the homeless, to feed the poor, she said. ...We were just sort of realizing that we ... have never really addressed the area of human trafficking.

Tuten, the chairman of the missions committee at the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, wanted to help provide educational resources to parents in the CSRA about the dangers and warning signs of human trafficking.

Ive learned a lot of shocking details and a lot of things that I would rather not know as I've researched this topic and talked to folks, Tuten said. It is a multibillion-dollar business.

Our community, particularly our families, need to be aware..., Tuten said. Its a very prevalent, very big risk to our children, especially since we increasingly encourage people to be online and on laptops when they have to do school work and play on them. You just have to be so vigilant about what goes into your childrens minds; and we are encouraging parents especially to be aware of this, and they need to be aware and they need to be educated on the dangers and certain signs to look for and Im hopeful that my speakers can do that and provide that for us.

Several law enforcement officers will be in attendance to share their knowledge on the topic.

From Georgias Richmond County Sheriffs Office, Investigator Terry Gore will speak about his experience related to crimes against children. He has over 36 years of law enforcement experience, and has worked alongside the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and with the FBI.

Deputy James Kemfort from Lexington County will also be speaking at the forum. Kemfort is currently a representative to the South Carolina Human Trafficking Taskforce and has previously served as a school resource officer, patrol supervisor, Major Crimes investigator, homicide detective, Special Victims Unit detective and field training officer.

In addition, the Columbia nonprofit Lighthouse for Life, will be sharing resources related human trafficking.

Tuten hopes the knowledge helps others and impacts the community.

We realized a number of years ago that you need to put your money, your prayers, your hands to the work, Tuten said. .... We have become aware of it and what an insidious issue it is in our society and what a threat it is to our families.

The free event will have a light supper and childcare upon request. Registration is requested and can be found via an Eventbrite signup. Participants can also call the church prior to the event to register at 803-426-1196.
WASHINGTON  The Environmental Protection Agency is taking its first major action to address toxic wastewater from coal-burning power plants, ordering utilities to stop dumping waste into unlined storage ponds and speed up plans to close leaking or otherwise dangerous coal ash sites.

Plants in four states will have to close the coal ash ponds months or years ahead of schedule, the EPA said Tuesday, citing deficiencies with groundwater monitoring, cleanup or other problems.

Coal ash, the substance that remains when coal is burned to generate electricity, contains a toxic mix of mercury, cadmium, arsenic and other heavy metals. It can pollute waterways, poison wildlife and cause respiratory illness among those living near massive ponds where the waste is stored.

The actions mark the first time the EPA has enforced a 2015 rule aimed at reducing groundwater pollution from coal-fired power plants that has contaminated streams, lakes and underground aquifers.

U.S. coal plants produce about 100 million tons annually of ash and other waste.

The Obama administration regulated the storage and disposal of toxic coal ash for the first time, including a requirement to close coal-ash dumping ponds that were unstable or contaminated groundwater. The Trump administration weakened the Obama-era rule in 2020, allowing utilities to use cheaper technologies and take longer to comply with pollution reduction guidelines that are less stringent than what the agency originally adopted.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the actions announced Tuesday will ensure that coal ash ponds meet strong environmental and safety standards and that operators of industrial facilities are held accountable.

"I've seen firsthand how coal ash contamination can hurt people and communities,'' said Regan, a former North Carolina environmental regulator who negotiated with Duke Energy what state officials say was the largest cleanup agreement for toxic coal ash.

"For too long, communities already disproportionately impacted by high levels of pollution have been burdened by improper coal ash disposal,'' Regan said. "Today's actions will help us protect communities and hold facilities accountable. We look forward to working with our state partners to reverse damage that has already occurred.''

In separate letters sent Tuesday, EPA denied requests for extensions of coal ash permits by the Clifty Creek power plant in Madison, Indiana; James M. Gavin plant in Cheshire, Ohio; and the Ottumwa plant in Ottumwa, Iowa.

The Greenidge Generation plant in Dresden, New York, was ruled ineligible for an extension. The former coal plant now uses natural gas.

The H.L. Spurlock plant in Maysville, Kentucky, will be required to fix groundwater monitoring as a condition for continued operation of its coal ash pond, the EPA said.

Lisa Evans, a senior attorney for the environmental group Earthjustice, said the enforcement action "sends a strong message to industry that (compliance with the EPA rule) is not a paperwork exercise. It requires them to clean up these toxic sites.''

Frank Holleman, a lawyer for the Southern Environmental Law Center who has battled Duke Energy and utilities over coal ash disposal, said the enforcement action offers significant protections for clean water nationwide.

"The EPA has sent a clear message that (power plant operators) cannot leave coal ash sitting in primitive, polluting ponds across the country,'' he said.

Utilities in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and other states that are still storing coal ash in leaking, unlined pits sitting in groundwater and next to waterways are among those affected by the decision, Holleman said.

Coal ash disposal ponds date back decades. Data released by utilities in 2018 showed widespread evidence of contamination at coal plants from Virginia to Alaska.

Coal ash storage and disposal went largely unregulated until a 2008 spill at a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant in Kingston, Tennessee. A containment dike burst and flooding covered more than 300 acres (121 million hectares), dumped waste into two nearby rivers, destroyed homes and brought national attention to the issue.

In 2014, an estimated 39,000 tons of coal ash spewed into the Dan River after a drainage pipe running below a waste dump collapsed at a Duke Energy plant in Eden, North Carolina. The toxic sludge turned the river gray for more than 70 miles.

The EPA on Tuesday reiterated its "consistently held position that surface impoundments or landfills cannot be closed with coal ash in contact with groundwater.'' Limiting contact between coal ash and groundwater after closure is critical to minimizing contaminants released into the environment and will help ensure communities near the sites have access to safe water for drinking and recreation, the EPA said.
A former barbecue restaurant in northern Mount Pleasant is being transformed into a new dining venture.

Workers are upfitting the former Mama Brown's BBQ site at 2840 U.S. Highway 17 near S.C. Highway 41 for a new Dunkin' Donuts eatery.

An opening date has not been announced.

Cheers and farewell

A West Ashley self-described fun neighborhood joint is set to close after a 16-year run.

The d.d. Peckers Wing Shack at 1660 Savannah Highway will be going off the air Jan. 23, co-owner Derek Harris said in a Facebook post that he later confirmed.

Come by. Say hi, he added, likening the upcoming closing to the last episode of the classic TV sitcom Cheers.

We are very happy to go out on our terms, Harris said in a Jan. 12 email to The Post and Courier. The property has been sold and thus our lease. Everyone is happy!

He added that he and business partner Brian Lawson have been casually trying to sell for years because we are both ready to try something different.  I was a teacher for 12 years, a bar owner for 20, and now...it is still a mystery to me!

The restaurant took over a space that formerly housed Capt. Don's Seafood, and "the first couple years were really really tough. Then we hit the sweet spot," Harris said.

He extended a hearty thanks to customers and employees, some whom have been with D.D. Peckers since day one.

Unheard of! he wrote.

In sight

An eyewear chain will make its Charleston-area debut at 9 a.m. on Jan. 17.

Texas-based Eyemart Express will open at 7818 Rivers Ave. in a new outparcel building at Promenade at Northwoods Shopping Center across from Northwoods Mall in North Charleston.

It's the first store in the Lowcountry for the retailer. It touts shorter wait times since the shop has an on-site lens lab and technicians who can make glasses the same day they are ordered. Some, the company said, can be ready in as little as 30 minutes. Melissa Bryant is the store manager.

The shop will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. It's closed on Sunday.

Eyemart Express now has nine stores in South Carolina.

Branching out

A downtown Charleston art venue has unveiled a second location in the Lowcountry.

Meyer Vogl Gallery recently opened in a 2,000-square-foot shop at 250 River Landing Drive on Daniel Island.

It represents more than 20 artists from across the U.S. and Spain. It's open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and by appointment on Sunday and Monday.

The original gallery is at 122 Meeting St. on the peninsula.

In store

A Charleston-based company that grows lettuce indoors hydroponically can now be found on the shelves of a Southeastern grocery store chain.

Vertical Roots' leafy greens are now in 303 Food Lion supermarkets across the Southeast.

"Our new retail partnership with Food Lion is evidence of both our strong retail partnerships and the significant demand for regionally grown hydroponic produce among consumers, which is expanding to value shoppers," said Andre Hare, co-founder and general manager of Vertical Roots.

The company operates its headquarters and research and development center off Clements Ferry Road in Cainhoy. It also has farm sites in Charleston, Columbia and Atlanta, with plans to add more operations in other locations this year.

The company's produce, grown without soil, is now available in more than 2,000 grocery stores in 13 states across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

North Carolina-based Food Lion, part of Belgium-based conglomerate Ahold Delhaize, operates 19 supermarkets in the Charleston area.

Vertical Roots' lettuce also can be found in some other Charleston-area stores such as Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods and Publix, according to the grower's website.

New hours

A North Carolina-based grocery chain has adopted new hours.

Harris Teeter began closing its stores at 9 p.m. on Jan. 10 until further notice to allow workers to restock shelves, clean stores and process online orders ahead of time.

The company, which is owned by the Kroger Corp. and headquartered near Charlotte, said the decision was not made because of staffing shortages.

Harris Teeter operates 18 stores in the Charleston area. They generally open at 6 a.m.

Military memorabilia

An antique artifact exhibit and sale with 200 display tables of military relics from the Revolutionary War to World War II is returning to the Charleston area for its 29th time.

The Lowcountry Antique Militaria & Americana Show & Sale will take place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 15 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 16 at Omar Shrine Auditorium at 176 Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant.

The event will feature historical displays, appraisers and buyers and sellers of many types of historical memorabilia, such as coins, bottles, arrowheads and fossils.

American Digger Magazine, an Atlanta-area publication, is sponsoring the event.

"Our purpose is to show the public that it is fun and important to learn our nations past," said Butch Holcombe, publisher.

"Artifacts themselves transcend the rhetoric sometimes heard today; artifacts have no agenda," Holcombe said. "A Civil War relic, Native American arrowhead, or old bottle is a direct link with the past and offers no judgments. It is what it is. This also offers the public a chance to learn more about items that they might have."

In recent years, the sponsor has made the show more appealing to the general public, with awards for historical displays, numerous door prizes for the public, and free artifacts and admission to kids 12 and under. The admission is $10 per person for all others.
LEXINGTON COUNTY  Bentley Pontoons in Lexington County is the latest South Carolina boat maker to expand.

The company is investing nearly $6 million to build a 50,000-square-foot addition onto its Two Notch Road facility. The new space will be used to house the company's furniture and service departments, according to a Lexington County memo discussing the project.

The additional space will allow the company to up its capacity to meet the continually increasing demand for boats nationwide. Bentley also is expected to hire 50 new workers, the memo said.

Sen. Katrina Shealy, whose district includes Bentley Pontoons' facility, praised the expansion, saying South Carolina's boating industry is strong and the state boasts a multitude of locations for recreation on the water, including nearby Lake Murray.

In exchange for its investment, Bentley is in discussions with the county about potential tax incentives. A draft of the proposal was not available Jan. 11 after Lexington County Council took its first step to enter into an an agreement.

The company was not available for comment.

Bentley joins a host of other boat manufacturers in the Palmetto State that have grown operations in recent years.

Scout Boats announced in December it would construct a $3 million product development and engineering building at its Summerville facility. The company, which employs 435 people, plans to add 100 more workers by the end of 2022. Scout already broke ground in 2020 on a $11 million expansion.

Also in 2020, Xplor Boatworks in Columbia and Sportsman Boats in Dorchester County expanded and Sea Pro Boats opened a second location in Winnsboro.

New boat sales in the United States hit a 13-year high in 2020, with 318,550 boats sold, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Those sales trends continued into 2021, with an average of 31,000 boats sold monthly the organization reported early in the year.
COLUMBIA  In a year state coffers are awash with money, the University of South Carolina is asking lawmakers to approve funding for the full cost of a proposed new $300 million health care campus.

"We need more doctors, we need more nurses, we need more pharmacists, we need more respiratory therapists, we need more allied health workers in South Carolina and we're seeking support for our new medical school campus," Interim President Harris Pastides told a House budget committee Jan. 11.

Legislators already gave USC $55 million to put toward the proposed 16-acre site in the BullStreet District that would house a new 130,000-square-foot medical school and a separate 162,000-square-foot research and laboratory building.

Now, the state's largest university is asking lawmakers to fund the remainder in the state budget rather than the school turning to bonds to finance the project.

"You've helped us with it before" Pastides said. "But we're now asking you for additional help so that we don't have to borrow the money and therefore ask our own students to be paying down the debt on the medical school."

The request comes as the legislature has an extra $6 billion in funding to dole out in the coming fiscal year, a combination of budgetary surplus from better-than-expected tax collections, $2.5 billion in federal COVID-19 aid and other sources.

The new USC medical campus is believed to be the largest high-dollar project undertaken at any South Carolina public college, topping Clemson Universitys $212 million Douthit Hills housing project and $106.5 million spent on USCs own Darla Moore School of Business building.

The move to BullStreet also is of particular importance because the USC School of Medicines lease with the Department of Veteran Affairs for its current Garners Ferry Road site ends in 2030.

The Garners Ferry building, which dates to the 1930s, needs $75 million in improvements, university officials previously estimated. And the rent is expected to increase to between $7 million and $8 million a year under a new rental agreement, up from the $1 the school currently pays. The VA hospital also needs the space for its own expanding operations, Gruner said.

But the conversation around the medical school quickly turned tense with questions challenging the college's financial health and high maintenance costs.

On its Columbia campus, USC currently has a maintenance backlog of $273 million.

The school has been chipping away at that cost at the behest of its Board of Trustees, spending about $25 million annually on maintenance over the past five years, and with help from the legislature this past budget cycle, putting $43 million toward that number.

"Many people would argue that your cash flow out exceeds your cash flow in because you can't take care of your deferred maintenance," Rep. Kirkman Finlay, R-Columbia, said. "I don't think if you can't take care of your maintenance you're as financially sound as you presented to us."

Gov. Henry McMaster, in his budget proposal to lawmakers, did not recommend any money for new construction at any state college. He suggested funding for a tuition freeze and deferred maintenance on existing buildings, both things USC is also asking for, with that money divided among state schools according to the number of in-state students enrolled.

McMaster's plan would give USC's main Columbia campus $25.9 million in one-time money for deferred maintenance. The seven satellite campuses would additionally get $18.5 million combined. His argument was colleges shouldn't build more if they can't maintain what they have.

Finlay continued to question Pastides about the school's enrollment numbers and how a focus on recruiting students from within South Carolina rather than students from out of state who pay more in tuition would affect USC's bottom line.

He also asked about donor relations, given the school's recent falling out with two of its largest donors  financier Darla Moore and Nephron Pharmaceuticals CEO Lou Kennedy, and whether USC had met its fundraising goal for the new law school that opened in 2017.

"If you can't raise the money for the law school, how do you plan to raise significant dollars for the medical school?" Finlay asked.

When Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter interrupted to ask how USC would promote diversity at the new medical school, the Orangeburg Democrat welcomed the interim president back into the presidential role he held for 11 years prior to the hiring of former President Bob Caslen.

"I know you feel right at home," she said.

"Just like being inside Five Points on a Saturday night," Pastides joked over the rough and rowdy tone the hearing had taken.
This three-day itinerary is the culmination of the curated lists I've sent to friends and family (and friends, coworkers, and acquaintances of my friends and family), meaning its based on where I spend my time eating and drinking in and around Charleston.

Charleston is a sprawling city with high-quality cuisine throughout, but this list assumes that visitors want to spend most of their weekend near downtown Charleston.

For those making their second or third trip, consider checking out my Folly Beach favorite Jack of Cups Saloon; Istanbul Shish Kabob and Daddys Girls Bakery in North Charleston; or Estuary Beans & Barley on Johns Island, conveniently located next to Charleston Distilling Co.

A couple items to note while reading my three-day itinerary. The busy schedule starts Thursday evening and concludes midday Sunday. Most importantly, it assumes youre here to eat.

This itinerary is in no way an all-encompassing guide to dining in the Charleston area, but its a great place to start.

Thursday

DRINKS (Option 1): Little Palm Bar

Many want to escape to a Charleston rooftop the second they arrive. Little Palm Bar, anchored by a long indoor-outdoor poolside bar overlooking Meeting Street, has been my first choice since the consulting arm of Death & Co., a popular New York City-based cocktail bar, helped design and open it inside the renovated Ryder Hotel in 2021. Refreshing cocktails like the gin and coconut Talking Bird will instantly put you in vacation mode.

DRINKS (Option 2): The Tippling House

Experienced sommelier Matthew Conway brought his wine knowledge to Charleston in October 2021 when he opened The Tippling House with fiance Carissa Hernandez. Tucked inside a 151-year-old Charleston single in the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood downtown, the quaint wine bar is steps away from some of downtowns top restaurants, including Bistronomy by Nico, Chez Nous and Chubby Fish.

Most of the wine bottles are under $50, making this an affordable pre-dinner stop that doesnt feel like one  especially if you order chef Alex Yellans Tarvin shrimp toast or Carolina Gold Rice arancini to nibble on.

DINNER: Chubby Fish

Witnessing the skill it takes to transform quality ingredients into well-manicured plates makes dining in elite Charleston restaurants dinner and the show. Chubby Fish offers that theatrical flair, but in a different way; the fleeting favorites on chef James Londons menu can completely change guests understanding of seafood.

Sustainable, rarely seen types of fish are a nightly standard, and London uses the whole fish. Come ready to share so you dont miss out on silky mackerel curry; bright, citrusy octopus and avocado salad; shrimp tempura-topped bone marrow; and crab tagliatelle.

The name may read Fish, but dont let that dissuade you from ordering the fall-off-the-bone lamb ribs with romesco sauce. Finish off with some locally made Life Raft Treats from Cynthia Wong.

Friday

BREAKFAST: The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery (and sister shop Harken Cafe) is filled with wholesome house-made treats, quiche and loaded toasts in the morning, seven days a week. Set up shop inside the cozy cafe that will be filled with locals working on their laptops or socializing over cortados and turmeric chai tea lattes. At least once a week I stop in for a Cha Cha Cha Chia Bar (cinnamon, ginger and apricot-spiced oat bar) and iced maple latte.

LUNCH (Option 1): Hannibals Kitchen

Descendants of enslaved Africans who brought their cooking techniques to coastal plantations continue to pay homage to their ancestors cuisine at Gullah-Geechee restaurants like Hannibals Kitchen, which opened in 1985.

No trip to Charleston is complete without trying fresh fried whiting, okra soup, red rice and other essential Gullah dishes. Hannibals Kitchen is an exceptional place to do just that.

The downtown Charleston restaurant was named one of the Top 50 restaurants to visit in the United States by The New York Times, and for good reason. Start with the famous crab and shrimp rice before diving into pork chops, ribs and oxtails with rice.

LUNCH (Option 2): Rodney Scott's BBQ, Home Team BBQ, Lewis Barbecue

Charlestons pitmaster prowess is well documented, with names like Rodney Scott and John Lewis bringing national attention to South Carolina barbecue. One size does not fit all, however, when it comes to barbecue flavors, meats and cooking techniques.

Barbecue must earn a spot on your itinerary, but the place you choose depends on what youre after.

For famous whole hog cooked over live coal direct-heat, Rodney Scotts BBQ is the place to be.

Those in search of Texas-style beef barbecue will want to sample Lewis Barbecues famous brisket.

Home Team BBQ, a block away from Lewis, has all the chef-inspired spins on traditional barbecue, along with pulled pork nachos, smoked chicken wings and boozy frozen drinks (Home Team also has locations in West Ashley and Sullivans Island if you find yourself outside of downtown Charleston).

COFFEE: Babas

Its time for an afternoon pick-me-up, and Babas is the spot to go for espresso, matcha (perhaps with Babas house-made peanut milk) and strong iced coffee. With one location on Cannon Street and another north on Meeting Street, this European-style cafe puts time and effort into every aspect of its menu, from steeped-to-order chai tea lattes to very tall quiche and pickled shrimp salad. If the afternoon calls for cocktails, check out Babas espresso martini, which takes 24 hours to make.

DINNER (Seafood): The Ordinary

Meals at the steakhouses big city business moguls frequent are worth cherishing. The wine is flowing, and sizzling steaks cut tableside are met with a celebratory response. Conversation echoes throughout what tends to be a buzzing environment. The Ordinary offers these elements, but Charlestons seafood is the star carrying the festivities.

Sky-high seafood towers arrive with local oysters, clams, pate, shrimp and caviar, while the rest of the menu is made up of cold and hot plates from executive chef Tori Schumacher. King mackerel with Carolina Gold Rice, okra gumbo with blue crab and, of course, the crispy oyster sliders are just a few of my favorites.

DINNER (Seafood Option 2): Bowens Island Restaurant

Its hard to argue with an evening at Bowens Island Restaurant, five minutes from Folly Beach. Enjoy cold beer and fresh oysters picked from the waters surrounding the 13-acre island daily while watching the sunset.

The 75-year-old James Beard Foundation American Classic is an essential introduction to steamed oysters, but don't expect white tablecloth service. At Bowens, piles of oysters are dumped onto half or full trays, and guests are handed oyster knives for self-shucking. This and the unmatched setting makes a meal here an immersive experience and prerequisite to a classic Lowcountry oyster roast.

DINNER (Land): Maison

It took me far too long to visit Maison for dinner. Its possible I was distracted by the Brooks Reitz empire (Melfis, Leons and Little Jacks) surrounding Maisons unassuming Upper King Street building, or maybe I just missed the mark. Either way, I eventually made it in for composed plates of roasted chicken, rabbit and steak frites.

Ive spent a mere four hours in France after missing a train to Brussels, but Maisons atmosphere is what I imagine a Parisian bistro would feel like inside. At Maison, moderately loud chatter can be heard at roundabout booths and tables where enthusiastic servers spill dish details before dipping out at just the right moment.

French onion soup croquettes and escargot laced with garlic, parsley and Dijon mustard-infused butter warm up your palate for whats to come with the main course; roasted chicken with Brussels sprout farci and black truffle, steak frites au poivre or a gorgeously plated daily special.

Finish off your elegant meal with chocolate mousse or powdered sugar-dusted honey orange madeleines, served fresh out of the oven.

Saturday

BREAKFAST: Daps Breakfast & Imbibe

Saturday brunch is less common than you might assume, even downtown, but Daps Breakfast & Imbibe brings the breakfast noise six days a week. From whimsical Fruity Pebbles pancakes to hearty egg sandwiches and burritos, there's something for everyone at Daps, which also cans and distributes the mimosas sold in the West Side restaurant. Be sure to check out the chickpea sandwich, served with sweet sorghum Duke's Mayonnaise inside a fluffy English muffin.

LUNCH (Option 1): Berthas Kitchen

Albertha Grants legacy lives on at Berthas Kitchen, where youll find some of the best soul food in Charleston. Fried pork chops, lima beans, okra soup and cornbread are just a few Bertha's staples.

Bertha's was named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2017, 11 years after Bowens Island earned the same honor. But thats not why you must eat here. Go for the inviting, energetic atmosphere and affordable homestyle cooking thats served Charlestons Neck Area for four decades.

LUNCH (Option 2): Xiao Bao Biscuit

Spring Street in downtown Charleston has become a hub for varying types of cuisine. Heading southwest, starting at Pink Bellies (Vietnamese) at the corner of Spring and King streets, youll run into Malagon (Spanish), Bistronomy by Nico (French Asian fusion), Pink Cactus (Oaxacan), Estadio (Spanish) and Bon Banh Mi (Southeast Asian).

Each of these eateries earn my stamp of approval, but Im sending you to Xiao Bao Biscuit, located in a repurposed gas station, for food from China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and other Asian countries owner Josh Walker and his wife Doulan Walker-Li have visited together in the past 12 years.

Xiao Bao Biscuits okonomiyaki (savory Japanese cabbage pancake) might earn a spot on the Mount Rushmore of top dishes in Charleston. Order one for the table before diving into Sichuan pork and tofu-laced Mapo Dou Fu, Sri Lankan crab curry or, my personal favorite, lamb kofta with roti.

HAPPY HOUR (Beer): Revelry Brewing Co.

Revelry Brewing Co. opened in 2014 when breweries were still relatively new to downtown Charleston. Setting itself apart with a dog-friendly rooftop and drinkable craft beers has made the brewery a staple among locals.

While downtown development starts to crowd Revelry, its still one of the top spots in the city for a picturesque sunset view.

HAPPY HOUR (Cheap Beer): The Royal American

Weekends away can get expensive. Stop by The Royal American for $6 pitchers of Miller High Life while sitting on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge-facing patio.

DINNER (Option 1): Jackrabbit Filly

Jackrabbit Filly is my go-to gift card purchase for food lovers, the place my family requests when visiting, the Chinese American cuisine thats unlike anything else Ive experienced in the South.

Spawned from Shuai and Corrie Wangs wildly popular Short Grain food truck-turned-pop-up, Jackrabbit Filly is more than worth the drive to the Park Circle neighborhood of North Charleston.

Shuais genius daily specials  a recent Zapps Voodoo potato chip-topped smoked Miss Paulas shrimp salad with buttermilk wasabi and ikura comes to mind  are a reason to visit with an open mind, but there are a couple must-haves. Karaage, Japanese fried chicken doused in lemon-scented Dukes Mayonnaise aioli and dusted with togarashi, should be shared with the table alongside the market fish tartare or corn fritters. Youll also want a plate all to yourself; I suggest the special, Dan Dan noodles or perhaps the spicy stir-fried gnocchi.

Go hungry, leave happy.

DINNER (Option 2): Chasing Sage

When people ask where to take their vegetarian companion to dinner in Charleston, I send them to Chasing Sage. But that doesn't mean the downtown restaurant doesn't excel in the meat department.

Juicy whole young chicken is served with paprika sauce, and a 48-hour short rib factors into the large plate portion of a frequently changing menu that features items ranging in price from $12-$21.

Those plates are fantastic, but I suggest sampling a vegetable-forward dish that might stray from your comfort zone, like the smoked butterbean cassoulet that gets an umami punch from roasted tomatoes and a foraged Lion's Mane mushroom conserva.

Chef's Walter Edward and Forest Brunton's heirloom squash and carrot terrine with apple sage mustard offers a refreshing take on a classic meat-based terrine, while the baby beets with pistachio and goats cheesecake are downright delicious, whether ordered as a starter or grand finale to your meal.

With impeccable service, a creative cocktail program and cozy, lively ambiance, Chasing Sage is fit for any occasion.

AFTER DINNER DRINKS: Vintage Lounge

If youre dining downtown, you might want to venture over to King Street for cocktails. My pick for a place with an energetic atmosphere thats not overbearing is Vintage Lounge. While Vintage is known for its wine selection, the cocktails are fantastic  check out the New York Sour, French 75 or rotating cocktail of the week.

If you want to stay out in Park Circle post-dinner, Stems & Skins offers a lengthy natural wine list, and Paddock & Whisky is the place to go for bourbon and craft cocktails, including one inspired by Notorious B.I.G.

Sunday

BRUNCH: Post House

At least once a month youll find me in Mount Pleasant at Post House tucking into chef Nathan Hoods fish sandwich. The convivial feel inside the recently renovated seven-room Post House Inn makes brunch here a Sunday morning slam dunk (brunch is also served on Saturdays).

Fish might not come to mind when you envision brunch, but Hoods tempura-fried daily catch with shredded lettuce and green tomato tartar sauce is an all-hours delicacy. The morning menu also features quiche, shakshuka and a bodega-style egg sandwich, among other options.

After brunch, take a stroll through the Old Village to the Pitt Street Bridge for views of Sullivans Island and downtown Charleston.

FAREWELL DRINKS: Graft Wine Shop

I almost kept this Sunday spot a secret, but I just couldnt leave one of my favorite places to spend a weekend afternoon in Charleston off the itinerary.

Good Neighbor Sunday at Graft Wine Shop (3-6 p.m.) is the coolest parking lot party youve ever attended. Its the place to try a new and exciting wine from Femi Oyediran and Miles Whites expansive list. Its the place to have one last meal from a local pop-up, like Dough Boyz Pizza.

I know its been a busy weekend of eating and drinking, but you wont regret making this your last stop.

Want to stay in the loop with all of our latest food and dining news? Charleston's Menu is a newsletter dedicated to telling the stories of our local chefs, exploring food trends and more. Subscribe to receive it today.
Jessica Francis Fichter envisioned her theater career revolving around the epicenter of the art form  New York City. There, in the glitz and prestige of Broadway and off-Broadway productions, she began to find her footing.

Fichter and her sister wrote and staged a musical called Dandelion"while in New York City. She had lined up to go to a theater festival in Romania and had theaters express interest in bringing "Dandelion" to their stages. Her graduate school also had a repertory season off-Broadway in the city, as well.

Then, like so much of the last two years, the pandemic came and disrupted all of those things. Fichter returned home to Columbia.

It was just a lot of things that didnt come to fruition, Fichter said. But life happens and changes and evolves. My home is here, my parents are here. I have two children. So I think everything in the universe was just telling me it was time to come back.

On Jan. 4, Fichter was named the new executive director at Trustus Theatre, the citys most prominent theater. Her appointment comes after a monthslong search that happened amid a turbulent time for Trustus and arts organizations throughout the city.

Yet, the theaters remaining staff got to work on finding avenues for money when performances  which typically make up about 50%-60% of the theaters revenue, according to interim artistic director Dewey Scott-Wiley  were defunct or virtual.

Sumner Bender, the president of the theaters board, wept when the theater received a Shuttered Venues Operating Grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration for $160,000.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the theater battled lengthy shutdowns and a cautious reopening with equally cautious theatergoers.

But things were complicated further, its longtime employee Chad Henderson, who had been executive director most recently, left for a new job. Then in September, the theaters cofounder Kay Thigpen died. She started Trustus with her husband Jim, who died in 2017.

The theater has managed to field a season that is currently ongoing and gearing up to debut tick, tick BOOM! on Jan. 21, behind interim artistic director Dewey Scott-Wiley. All the while, the theater was undergoing a search for what would eventually be Fichter.

Maintaining what Jim and Kay did  it adds a whole other level of pressure, Bender said. You have to keep the memory alive.

Ultimately, the theaters budget ended in the black for the first time in years, behind the litany of grants that were available for arts organizations during the pandemic. Bender joked that it proved the only way to make money in theater was to not do theater.

The famous quote with theater is that the wolf is at the door  we never have enough money and were always worried about that, she said. I dont want to put the perception out there that we have money, because we dont  but we were able to sustain ourselves without someone there to ask people for money.

Fichters now tasked with handling a return to more traditional revenue streams  fundraising  as the theaters board turns its attention to Scott-Wileys possible replacement as artistic director.

She said her goal is to help Trustus find its footing again before she begins addressing other topics.

The key is to get the organization, you know, back to where it was, Fichter said. As of now, I think its just getting back to creating  and getting people in the seats.

Before taking the role at Trustus, Fichter had imagined staying in New York City to pursue directing in her career.

She grew up in the Columbia area and worked as a local theater teacher from 2015-2018 and as the artistic director at the Chapin Theater Company from 2016-2017.

She then moved to New York City to pursue her masters in fine arts in directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University and freelance directing gigs.

With the pandemic's disruption, she returned to Columbia and has remained busy.

Before she assumed her new role at Trustus, she started the Evolving Door Theatre Company. That company straddled both Columbia and New York City, with hopes to find ways to integrate professionals from both.

That was shaping up for success as well, as the theater brought Pouf to New York City in collaboration with local talent and theaters. Now, she's taken a backseat in that organization to focus on her role at Trustus, she said.

If theres one thing I learned in New York, it's that theres a ton of talent here that is the same caliber, Fichter said. You dont have to be at the epicenter of making something happen and Trustus is a great example of that.

Fichter steps into the leading role at what is perhaps the citys most prominent theater. Since its inception in 1985, the theater has developed a reputation for staging progressive and, at times, serious and edgy work.

The pandemics upheaval complicates that ideal some, as those productions arent necessarily theater packers, but she said shes committed to honor the legacy. Largely, she deferred questions on the theaters artistic direction to interim artistic director Scott-Wiley.

And Scott-Wiley said that she doesnt envision the script selection to veer away from Trustuss reputation under Fichter.

She asserted even the run of repeats theyve had lately  a common thread in local theater as they rely on old favorites to draw theatergoers  maintain that ideal and teased that the future programming is shaping up to fit in the theaters typical traditions.

I dont think that Trustuss vision has changed, she said. We still want to bring some of the best, newest, most cutting edge theater to Columbia, to help start conversations and enrich people lives.

Fichters immediate goal is to ensure that grants, donors and other financial avenues are in place as they emerge out of the pandemic, she said. She doesnt come with a large amount of fundraising experience, but has done it before with Evolving Door.

Both Bender and Scott-Wiley were quick to point to her other experience as making up for that, particularly her production experience which Bender said was akin to managing.

Ultimately her ties to the area, her experience and investment in theater, and the boards pre-existing strength in and willingness to train her fundraising and other business aspects trumped it.

At first we were like, we want a business person in there, money is tough, we need someone with the business expertise, Bender said. But we were like what are we talking about?  you cant run a theater if you dont have a background (in theater.)

The boards personnel committee is now turning its attention to a permanent artistic director and what is feasible in that position. Bender emphasized a variety of outcomes is possible  from a part-time position to full-time to Fichter taking it all on  and didnt commit to one or the other.

As for Fichter, shes content managing the theaters administrative duties. The pandemic, she said, helped her realize that the arts needs someone dedicated to that role to function well.

And despite her background being in the artistic side of theater as a director, writer and actor; she said it was freeing to help support those roles: The artist in me is not upset about it.

What Im doing is allowing great art to be made, she concluded. I am trying to make sure that the organization is running and the funding is in place to make all of these things happen.
Todd Horne has been named the new president of Spartanburg-based Clayton Construction Company.

In Hornes previous role, he served as vice president of business development. He moved into his new position on Jan. 1.

Horne serves on the boards of OneSpartanburg, Inc., United Way of the Piedmont, Ten at the Top, and the USC Upstate Foundation Board, according to a news release.

He has been an integral part of our companys evolution and growth, and I am confident that he will lead with the same integrity and enthusiasm that he has shown over the last decade, former president Harry Clayton said in a news release.

The more than 40-year-old company is a commercial general contractor that specializes in projects around the Southeast, including commercial properties, church buildings, healthcare facilities, industrial construction, retail and restaurant spaces, schools and campus.

Hartness restaurant plans fall opening

Hartness  a planned and growing development on the east side of Greenville consisting of residences, a farm and a hotel  will soon have a fine-dining restaurant.

To be located inside the under construction hotel, the restaurant, Patterson, will include locally and regionally inspired menu items, according to a news release. Executive Chef Tanner Marino, who also oversees the fast-casual restaurant Village Kitchen on the property, will use some produce from Hartness farm. Before arriving at the development in 2021, Marino served as the executive chef at the Westin Chattanooga.

The restaurant is set to open in fall 2022.

Hartness broke ground on its hotel in December 2020. It will include 69 rooms, a spa, a 20,000-square-foot indoor event space and outdoor event spaces. The hotel and restaurant are both part of the larger 444-acre development situated on the Hartness family estate.

In other news 

Spartanburg-based Mobile Communications America, Inc. acquired four companies: Michigan-based ComSource, Georgia-based Dalton SMR, Virginia-based Lord and Company Technologies, and Texas-based All Points Communications of Austin and Now Supply. These acquisitions of other communication providers expanded the company's footprint.

acquired four companies: Michigan-based ComSource, Georgia-based Dalton SMR, Virginia-based Lord and Company Technologies, and Texas-based All Points Communications of Austin and Now Supply. These acquisitions of other communication providers expanded the company's footprint. Washington, D.C.-originated Mediterranean restaurant Cava is opening a new location in the former Zoes Kitchen location on Augusta Road in Greenville. Texas-based Mediterranean restaurant Zoes Kitchen, Inc. was acquired by Cava Group, Inc. in 2018.

is opening a new location in the former Zoes Kitchen location on Augusta Road in Greenville. Texas-based Mediterranean restaurant Zoes Kitchen, Inc. was acquired by Cava Group, Inc. in 2018. FishHawk Capital invested in its first South Carolina property in Greenville. The firm, which typically invests in multifamily real estate, purchased an office condo in the West End of downtown Greenville for $3.25 million. The property at 116 N. Markley St., located within the Markley Station development, is the headquarters of the private transportation services company Fortis. FishHawks core focus is on multifamily but the firm saw immense value in the long-term lease to Fortis and the future of the West End of Downtown Greenville. Additionally, they strongly believe in the flight to quality (Class A) that is occurring in the office market post-pandemic, Colliers brokerage associate Bailey Tollison said in a statement.

Cocobowlz , a smoothies and acai bowls restaurant in the Upstate, is adding a sixth location in Greer across from Riverside High School. According to a social media post, the restaurant is aiming to open the new location in early to mid spring. The Greer spot will join the other locations on Fairview Road, in Clemson, Five Forks, Haywood Mall and Gather GVL in the West End of downtown Greenville.

, a smoothies and acai bowls restaurant in the Upstate, is adding a sixth location in Greer across from Riverside High School. According to a social media post, the restaurant is aiming to open the new location in early to mid spring. The Greer spot will join the other locations on Fairview Road, in Clemson, Five Forks, Haywood Mall and Gather GVL in the West End of downtown Greenville. Greenville electronics manufacturer Clear Touch Technologies leased 80,000 square feet of industrial space at 961 Berry Shoals Rd. The interactive touch panel provider started with a 5,600-square-foot space when it launched the company in 2012, but its expansion has required more space. The building off of Highway 101 near Interstate 85 was purchased in September 2021 by a Chicago-based investment group.

Thats all for this week. Email your thoughts, tips, releases and newsy bits to smirah@postandcourier.com.
Tu Bishvat or Jewish Earth day, a Jewish holiday, will be celebrated on January 17, 2022 at the Israel pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai.

Celebrations will include tribute images from Israel, nature and dried fruit on the LED gates of the pavilion and the distribution of traditional dried fruits to pavilion visitors.

Tu Bishvat is one of the four new year celebrations in the Jewish calendar, dedicated specifically to trees and nature. Traditionally, Tu Bishvat, which translates as the 15th of the Hebrew month Shevat (the 5th month in the Jewish calendar), was an important date for the people of Israel.

In modern times, Jews consider the festival to be an attachment to the land of Israel, and a symbol of renewed growth of the Jewish people returning to their ancestral homeland. On Tu Bishvat, Jews will eat fruits associated with the Holy Land, especially the seven species the land of Israel was blessed with such as; pomegranates, dates, figs, grapes and olives.

It is customary for Israelis to try a new fruit which they have not yet eaten that year. Most people in Israel will plant a tree on this day, that's why Tu Bishvat is seen as Jewish Earth Day.

For the occasion the Israel pavilion is having an exhibition entitled World Leaders Honour KKL-JNF'' from January 9, 2022 until the January 18, 2022. The exhibition showcases photographs of world leaders in their respective fields, planting trees. Among said leaders are Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas, Sharon Stone and Albert Einstein.

Tu BiShvat is an environmental holiday. Jews consider this day a way to remind themselves of their duty to care for the natural world. Themes such as sustainability and preserving nature have been part of the Jewish calendar for many centuries, and continue to be.-- TradeArabia News Service
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. High 89F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Steve Garrison covers breaking news and public safety. He's a native of Chicago who previously covered courts and crime in Wisconsin, New Mexico and Indiana. He studied journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Missouri.
Boyd Gregg led the competition for the Charleston City Council District 1 race late Jan. 11. The next two vote-getters were only separated by three votes.

The second and third place candidates, Shaw Pinkston and Jen Gibson, have not conceded and are awaiting official results.

The district, which covers Daniel Island and a portion of the French Quarter, has gone without a council representative since October. Former Councilwoman Marie Delcioppo announced her resignation Oct. 13, citing health concerns.

No candidate had received more than 50 percent of the vote when unofficial results were reported from the single polling location in Charleston County and all three in Berkeley County. The top two vote-getters will go to a runoff Jan. 25.

Gregg received 35.5 percent of the reported Charleston County and Berkeley County votes as of press time. Pinkston followed him with 22.9 percent of the votes. Gibson received 22.8 percent, David Winkler had 14.4 percent and Tony Fogle 4.4 percent.

Vote totals Following are the candidates and the number of votes each received: Boyd Gregg 650* Shawn Pinkston 420* Jen Gibson 417 David Winkler 263 Tony Fogle 81 *Indicates likely runoff candidate

Gregg, a civil engineer, ran in June 2020 against incumbent Josh Whitley for Berkeley County Council District 2. Whitley won reelection. Gregg describes himself as a strong fiscal conservative in his campaign materials. Through his professional experience, Gregg has worked with municipal governments across the U.S. on infrastructure improvements, Gregg told The Post and Courier. Infrastructure, including flood mitigation projects and limiting the impact of the I-526 expansion, will be the focus of his campaign, he said.

Pinkston was the first candidate to file. He has never held public office, but previously ran as a Republican for South Carolinas 1st Congressional District seat in 2013 and for the Charleston-area Statehouse seat, House District 99, in 2017. He also ran for Charleston City Council District 1 in 2015.

He is a 10-year resident of Daniel Island, a veteran and attorney. According to his campaign announcement, Pinkston is running on a platform that opposes government overreach through promotion of critical race theory and enforcement of the citys ongoing COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its employees.

Gibson is the only candidate in the District 1 race with a history of running as a Democrat in a partisan race. Gibson ran on the Democratic ticket for the South Carolina House District 100 seat in 2018.

Gibson, who volunteers full time with the Trident Literacy Association and is a member of the Coastal Conservation League, ran on a conservation-focused platform. She said she wants to see development pursued more responsibly on Daniel Island to mitigate flood concerns and environmental impacts.
Charleston County's population grew significantly during the past decade, but the number of Black residents dropped more than in any other South Carolina county.

Those factors are together playing a large role as County Council districts are redrawn in advance of the 2022 election, and the process could also set down district lines for Charleston County School District candidates.

Under a 2020 state law, unless the legislative delegation decides otherwise, the County Council districts would also be used for the Charleston County School Board election this year, when all nine school board seats will be on the ballot. Instead of voting for every school board seat on the ballot, as in prior years, residents would vote for one school board member to represent the area where they live following the legislatively mandated switch to single-member districts.

"The (county's legislative) delegation decided more than a year ago that school board members would run in the council district they live in," Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor said. We have nothing to do with that."

In other words, the county isn't redrawing council districts with the school board in mind, but those same districts could be used for school board elections. The county has taken care to make sure current County Council members would still reside in their newly drawn districts, but the same maps could put more than one school board member in a single district, or create districts with no incumbent.

Governments with legislative districts, from the U.S. House of Representatives to local councils and boards, redraw those geographic boundaries each decade after the census so that each district has about the same number of residents. In this case, the nine Charleston County Council districts will each have close to 45,359 residents, up from 38,912 after the 2010 census.

Redistricting can be a fraught process because whichever political party is in power can potentially draw up maps that make it more likely for its candidates to win. For example, the state Legislature's plan for U.S. House seats is facing a lawsuit, and opponents, including the League of Women Voters, allege that the maps were drawn not to serve voters but to protect 1st District Republican Rep. Nancy Mace.

I think we did a hell of a better job than the state with redistricting," said Pryor, a Democrat. "Talk about gerrymandering. Its just ridiculous what people do to hold on to power."

Republicans and Democrats seem to agree that the county's proposed district maps are fair. The county has proposed three similar options for new district boundaries, and the first public comment opportunity will be at the Jan. 13 council meeting.

Theres been no bickering, no fighting, no horse-trading," said Councilman Brantley Moody, a Republican. I dont think anyones really up in arms about anything."

When it's all done, some voters will end up in different council districts than before and the political and racial makeup of the council could potentially shift. Currently, four of nine council members are Black, five are White, and Democrats hold a 5-4 majority.

The county's non-Hispanic population in 2020 was 65 percent White and 22 percent Black. Hispanic county residents (who can be any race) were the next largest racial or ethnic group, about 7 percent of the population, followed by multiracial and Asian residents. From 2010 to 2020, Charleston County gained 58,026 residents, for a total population of 408,235, but the county's Black population declined by 11,700.

In areas where the county's population grew the most  Mount Pleasant, Johns Island and West Ashley  some council districts currently have thousands more residents than in other districts, and that's what redistricting is meant to correct. The ones with too many residents will get a bit smaller to balance the numbers, and the ones with too few will get larger, through redistricting.

Charleston County Republican Party Chairman Maurice Washington said he's heard no concerns about the proposed maps from Republican council members. Charleston County Democratic Party Chairman Greg Perry said the maps appear to have been drawn fairly.

This is how its supposed to work," Perry said. We got three options that are all good options."

Three maps of new districts are all similar and have these things in common:

No current member of council would be drawn out of their district. That means all the current council members would still live in the districts they represent, regardless of which map is chosen.

Of the nine council districts, seven would have a non-Hispanic White majority, as was the case when districts were redrawn a decade ago.

Just one district, District 4, currently represented by Councilman Henry Darby, would continue to have a non-Hispanic Black majority. In District 5, now represented by Pryor, Black residents would still be the single largest racial or ethnic group but would no longer account for more than half the population.

In each proposed map, the districts now represented by Pryor and Darby would shift north, and would mostly serve North Charleston.

In each proposed map, District 6, now represented by Kylon Middleton, would be shifted almost entirely into West Ashley, no longer including much of North Charleston and Lincolnville.

And in each, District 3, now represented by Rob Wehrman, would lose much of the North Area above Park Circle, but add a swath of the Charleston peninsula.

The current district map and the three options for new districts are attached to the online version of this article, and the three map options are also on the county's website at charlestoncounty.org. Public comments about the different options may be emailed to redistricting@charlestoncounty.org. County Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and first reading on the redistricting ordinance Jan. 13, and the final vote is scheduled for Feb. 1.

Pryor, Darby, Middleton, Wehrman and Anna Johnson comprise a 5-4 Democrat majority on the council now. Among the four Republicans  Jenny HoneyCutt, Moody, Herb Sass and Dickie Schweers  Moody's current district in West Ashley would see the most change.

Moody said any of the three map options would make it all but certain that West Ashley residents will fill two of the seats on council, which is the case now and "which you should have."

The question of whether the county's final map will also apply to the Charleston County School Board election remains unsettled with no firm timeline for a decision.

We need to make sure they make sense for CCSD and the county as a whole," said state Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston, a former County Council member. "We need to see what the final product is from the county, and then evaluate."

If the legislative delegation takes no action, the county's eventual new map will set the districts for both the school board and County Council until the next redistricting after the 2030 census.
GOOSE CREEK  Authorities are searching for a suspect after a man was shot and wounded during a home invasion early Jan. 11 at an apartment complex.

Goose Creek police were dispatched at approximately 1:20 a.m. to Etiwan Place Apartments on Etiwan Drive near St. James Avenue, after reports of a shooting, according to an incident report.

A woman told police she heard a knock on the door but initially ignored it. After a second, louder knock, she opened the latched door a crack and the suspect pointed a gun at her, the report states.

The woman told police she tried to shut the door and lock the deadbolt, but the suspect kicked in the door and was able to get inside the apartment.

The suspect walked past the woman to the bedroom, where she heard the gunman tell a 27-year-old man asleep inside not to move, the report states. She heard two gunshots before the suspect ran from the apartment.

The man suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and a cut to his face, the report said.

The woman described the suspect as a black male, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 220 pounds. He wore a black zip-up sweatshirt, black pants and a black ski mask, she said.
Only three votes separated second and third place in the special election for Charleston City Council's District 1, helping decide who would make it into the runoff.

The top vote-getter was Boyd Gregg. By late in the evening Jan. 11, Shawn Pinkston led Jen Gibson for second place to face off again with Gregg on Jan. 25. The close margin triggered an automatic recount, per state election law, but Gibson conceded on Jan. 12.

"Even though it is incredibly close, it is in the best interest of our city to focus on the runoff election," Gibson said in a statement. "Congratulations to Boyd Gregg and Shawn Pinkston. I wish them the best of luck as they begin their campaigns for the final phase."

She called Pinkston as well.

"It was a very pleasant phone call and that's never an easy call to make," Pinkston said.

The district, which covers Daniel Island and parts of the French Quarter, spans both Charleston and Berkeley counties. The seat has been open since Marie Delcioppo announced her resignation Oct. 13.

Each county has one provisional ballot to count during the certification hearing to be held Jan. 13, meaning the three-vote separation between Pinkston and Gibson isn't likely to alter the election results.

Gibson does have the option to waive her right to a recount, said Isaac D. Cramer, the executive director of the Charleston Board of Elections and Voter Registration.

In the unofficial results, Gregg, Pinkston and Gibson led their other two opponents, David Winkler and Tony Fogle.

Gregg received 35.5 percent of the reported Charleston County and Berkeley County votes after election night. Pinkston followed him with 22.9 percent of the votes. Gibson received 22.8 percent, Winkler had 14.4 percent and Fogle 4.4 percent.

Both candidates Gregg and Pinkston said they are looking forward to the Jan. 25 runoff.

"I have focused on what is important to the people of our district, which is making an immediate impact on the infrastructure in our community," Gregg said. "That's been the focus of my campaign and that will continue to be the focus over the next two weeks."

Pinkston, who among other candidates noted that the election has so far struck a friendly tone between opponents, said he believes that trend will continue.

"I'm excited about the runoff," he said. "The election is in two weeks, which never seems to leave enough time, but I will be continuing outreach efforts and mobilizing the residents of District One."

Gibson has so far declined to endorse a candidate in the runoff.
North Augusta, SC (29801)

Today

Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. High 87F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
Goose Creek, SC (29445)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
As many as 62% of Mena employees working in digital fields are actively job hunting for better career opportunities in other roles (72%), says a survey by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and The Network, a global alliance of recruitment website.



New challenge (66%), feeling undervalued in current positions (40%) and a company more aligned with personal beliefs (32%) form the main motivations for people looking for a new role, as per the survey, part of BCGs Decoding Global Talent series.



For digital employees, good relationships with colleagues and learning and skills training are among the most valued aspects of their jobs, while diversity, inclusion, and environmental issues have also increased in importance over the latest year.



Of the digital employees surveyed across the region, 78% revealed that diversity and inclusion have become more important to them in the last 12 months, and 55% added they would not consider potential employers that did not share the same views in this area. Moreover, 66% revealed that employers environmental responsibility has become more important to them since the same period a year ago, with 47% unwilling to consider companies that do not share their environmental views.



Much like other markets around the world, the Mena region boasts a vibrant and opportunistic landscape for digital employees. The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and increased reliance on related technologies, creating supplementary positions, said Leila Hoteit, Managing Director and Partner, BCG Middle East.



However, the evolving digital climate has also seen employee preferences and perspectives manifest and multiply. Rather than money being the primary influencer behind personal motivation and professional decisions, other factors including diversity, inclusion, and the environment have become key forces for work-related happiness or dissatisfaction, as have options to work abroad and remote working.



On the subject of relocation, the number of digital field employees willing to move to another country for work is considerable from a regional standpoint  standing at 83%. Canada is the most preferred destination where digital workers would like to relocate (16%), followed by the UAE (12%), and Germany (10%).



In terms of the UAE, its appeal among digital talent also ranks among the leading nations worldwide, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi ranked sixth and ninth, respectively, as the most attractive cities for digital workers. Furthermore, remote working possibilities are similarly attractive.



The survey found that 66% of Mena talent are willing to work for remote employers with no physical presence in their country. Canada, France, Germany, and the UAE top the list where digital workers would look for remote jobs, while the convergence of fixed and flexible working would be a popular proposition.



Although the Covid-19 crisis did not impact technology employees working patterns to the same extent as the general workforce, manoeuvrability here would be welcomed, nonetheless. Of the respondents, 54% would like to work remotely for 2-3 days per week, with 52% listing their desired flexibility as a combination of fixed and flexible working hours.



Looking ahead, its clear that recruiting and retaining digital talent rests with employers introducing a comprehensive strategy for the same, one that presents employees with the benefits they seek and ensures their most cherished values are adopted and upheld, added Christopher Daniel, Managing Director and Partner, BCG Middle East.



In due course, the digital marketplace will become even more competitive, driven in part by employee curiosity, expectations, and demands. And as such, employers can take note of these findings and apply lessons learned to support the goals and aspirations of themselves and their people.  TradeArabia News Service
COLUMBIA  Two South Carolina law enforcement agencies urged state lawmakers to outlaw a controversial truck modification known as the "Carolina Squat," calling it a safety concern tied to severe traffic incidents across the region.

Representatives from the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the S.C. Department of Public Safety shared numerous stories of serious incidents involving the modified trucks as they asked state senators to make the transformations illegal.

"In the collisions we've observed, the primary factor has been the sightline of the vehicle," Cpl. George Johnson, a traffic officer with the Myrtle Beach Police Department, told a Senate transportation subcommittee Jan. 12.

The "Carolina Squat" refers to an after-market vehicle modification that lifts vehicles so that the front end is significantly higher than the back. Critics of the modification say it presents a hazard to other drivers not only due to vehicles' reduced lines of sight, but the orientation of the vehicles' headlights, which can blind other drivers.

While statewide data on collisions involving the modified trucks is not available, police say the potential for serious traffic incidents involving the modified versions is significantly heightened compared to factory vehicles.

In one incident covered by Myrtle Beach cops in late June 2021, the driver of a lifted Chevrolet was adjusting his radio and failed to see a pedestrian in the crosswalk, according to a copy of the police report obtained by The Post and Courier. The pedestrian later died from their injuries.

While originally designed for off-road racing, the modification has since inspired a widespread following in car culture, with versions of the modification popular in all corners of the country.

Because of the nature of the modification, the bumpers of the lifted trucks fail to function as designed, creating scenarios where the trucks can drive over smaller vehicles as if they were a ramp, or causing the vehicles to collide with the car in front of them without the driver realizing they were there.

Some at the hearing Jan. 12 expressed concerns an incident similar to what was seen in Myrtle Beach could happen to them.

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"When we're at an intersection with these vehicles, we basically get out of the way," Ralph Bell, legislative coordinator for motorcycle safety organization Abate SC, told the subcommittee members.

"We already ride feeling that we're invisible," he added. "And the minute one of these trucks is behind us  I'm not saying we're running red lights  but you've got to get you out the way. Because we just don't know what these guys are going to do."

The legislation to ban the modification on South Carolina roads, sponsored by Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, is one of several bills that had been pre-filed to outlaw the vehicles following a successful effort in North Carolina last year.

It is already illegal to lift or lower a vehicle by more than 6 inches in South Carolina. However, the law currently on the books specifically exempts pickup trucks, and carries a minimal $25 to $50 fine.

Rankin's bill proposes a graduated offense system, with a $100 ticket for the first offense and $200 for the second offense. A third offense will cost the driver $300 and cause them to have their license suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles for 12 months.

A pair of amendments introduced by Sen. Ronnie Sabb, D-Greeleyville, during the Jan. 12 meeting would allow a six-month "warning" period from the time the law goes into effect, with penalties resetting after three years.

Rankin's Senate Bill 908 was voted out of subcommittee. The full Senate Transportation Committee will debate the bill at a later meeting.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero joined seven of her stateside counterparts in a plea for the federal government to approve more visas for foreign workers in a joint letter.

We recognize there are many causes of the labor shortage, including some that are outside our control. However, that fact only highlights the importance of the policy solutions we can control. One such solution is to increase the number of temporary foreign workers coming into the United States under a variety of exchange or worker visas, she wrote, along with the governors of Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Utah and Vermont to President Joe Biden.

The governors noted in their joint letter that labor shortages are increasingly becoming a serious challenge for states, territories and the country.

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Locally, the lack of skilled workers in the construction industry has been cited as a cause for delays and cost increases. Guam is also reliant on some H-2B visa applications receiving concurrence from military officials that a civilian project is related to the ongoing military buildup before they are approved.

Many of these visa programs were curtailed at the beginning of the pandemic as U.S. unemployment rose. As our economy recovers and we learn more about the unique nature of this recovery, any such justifications for limiting worker visas are long since gone, at least in our states and territories, the governors wrote.

While recognizing the Biden administrations efforts to remove barriers to get more foreign workers to fill health care jobs, they are now strongly encouraging the president expand his focus to a broader swath of skill sets.

We want to be clear that we make this request even as we do all within our power to create an economic environment conducive to economic growth. We are investing in programs to reskill our workforce for the jobs currently in demand, were considering various changes to our tax codes that might make work more attractive, were supporting impacted businesses, and were doing everything else possible to reduce barriers to workforce participation, according to the letter.

No tax reform for Guam

But while some have been asking Adelup and the Legislature repeatedly for a reduction in the local business privilege tax, Leon Guerrero herself is not proposing any change to taxes on Guam.

Krystal Paco-San Agustin, the governors director of communications confirmed with The Guam Daily Post that the joint letter doesnt necessarily reflect Leon Guerreros position on taxes.

It was a collective letter. This issue is not specific to Guam, she said, in response to questions on what changes to Guams tax codes the governor was considering.

Guam unemployment high

Paco San Agustin said she believes the portion of the letter regarding taxation represents the main part of the joint communication that doesnt align with the governors policy preferences and did not mention any other examples of contradictions it may contain.

The letter, however, also paints a rosier picture of the islands unemployment.

Expressing that they were proud of recovering economies following the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the governors wrote: In many of our states and territories we are experiencing extraordinarily low unemployment.

Thats not the case for Guam, which recorded an 11.4% unemployment rate in June 2021, compared to the 6.1% level recorded in Dec. 2020, before the pandemic reached Guam.

Again, we request your help to increase the flow of work-based visas as an additional tool to help address our workforce shortages and the cascading economic consequences of those shortages, the governors wrote to the president.
I was awake ridiculously early this morning (like 4 am), and was caught short by the news of the FAA ground stop and landing order for air traffic in the western U.S. yesterday in hair trigger response to a North Korean test launch of a hypersonic missile. The FAAs statement left things pretty vague as to why. I note the mainstream media caught up with this unusual story today, but as usual offer superficial accounts.

The ground stop and landing order (similar to the landing order of 9/11) only lasted a few minutes and was quickly cancelled, but I am wondering about the linkages and protocols between NORAD and the FAAs air traffic control system. It doesnt seem there was much time lapse. Maybe this is just part of the post-9/11 world. But I also wonder if there is something we arent being told. Why would the government order a total ground stop and landing order for the west coast in response to a single missile launch? I can think of a few plausible reasons, but I can also think of some others that are less reassuring.

The greatest threat to the U.S. from a pipsqueak country like North Korea (or Iran) is not a substantial nuclear attack, but an EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) explosion in high altitude over or near the U.S., which would incapacitate civilian aircraft along with much else. (Anyone think Californias antiquated and poorly maintained electricity grid, which keeps setting the state on fire, is protected against an EMP blast?) Hypersonic missile technology makes this threat more menacing. Accuracy is not much of a problem with an EMP attack. Is our government worried about this possibility to the extent that they order air traffic ground stops on a single launch warning?

Of course, if the government were candid about this risk, there would be pressure for higher defense spending, and less for solar panels and windmills while we harden our electricity and communications grid. Cant have that.

(Much of this is speculation on my part. I suspect some of our excellent readers may have some insight or knowledge about this question. Thats what the comment thread is for.)
Of course not. Yet Democrats and their media allies insist that it is.

Take for example, the lead article in the Washington Posts Sunday Outlook section. Its by Sam Rosenfeld, an associate professor at Colgate University. Rosenfeld claims that democracy is on the brink of disaster in America. As evidence, he moans that in 2021, Republican state legislatures passed new restrictions on voting access.

But these restrictions tend to ensure election integrity, a sine qua non of a well-functioning democracy. Rosenfeld fails to show otherwise. He doesnt even address the measures in question.

In an article for Imprimis, published by Hilldale College, John Lott shows what should be obvious  that ensuring election integrity is pro-democratic. He begins by noting that, until recently, this view was not controversial:

Sixteen years ago, in 2005, the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform issued a report that proposed a uniform system of requiring a photo ID in order to vote in U.S. elections. The report also pointed out that widespread absentee voting makes vote fraud more likely. Voter files contain ineligible, duplicate, fictional, and deceased voters, a fact easily exploited using absentee ballots to commit fraud. Citizens who vote absentee are more susceptible to pressure and intimidation. And vote-buying schemes are far easier when citizens vote by mail.

The Carter on this commission was Jimmy, the former president. Others Democrats on the commission were former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and former Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton.

Far from viewing photo ID requirements and concerns about absentee ballots as anti-democratic, these leading Democrats understood that they promote democracy and that its anti-democratic to hold elections without safeguards against fraud.

Jimmy Carter has since renounced the common sense views he held in 2005. And Joe Biden has gone so far as to suggest that requiring voter IDs would mean returning people to slavery.

But Lott points out that, according to a recent Rasmussen survey, 80 percent of Americans support a voter ID requirement. In a sense, its anti-democratic not to have a requirement for something as fundamental voting that 80 percent of the democracy favors.

Lott also looks at European voting requirements. He finds:

Of the 47 countries in Europe today, 46 of them currently require government-issued photo IDs to vote. The odd man out is the United Kingdom, in which Northern Ireland and many localities require voter IDs, but the requirement is not nationwide. The British Parliament, however, is considering a nationwide requirement, so very soon all 47 European countries will likely have adopted this common-sense policy.

Is all of Europe anti-democratic? Of course not.

Lott goes on to show that most of Europe does not permit absentee voting for citizens living in the country. England used to have absentee voting rules similar to ours, but changed them after uncovering massive fraud and ballot harvesting in 2004. At that point, it ended the practice of mailing out absentee ballots, and required voters to pick up their ballots in person with a photo ID.

Something very similar occurred in France, except that, as a result of the fraud uncovered there, it ended absentee voting altogether. My wife exercises her right to vote in French elections by appearing in person at polling stations in the U.S.

Canada also requires a photo ID to vote. According to Lott, if a voter shows up at the polls without an ID, he is allowed to vote only if he declares who he is in writing and if there is someone working at the polling station who can personally verify his identity.

Mexico too has adopted strict voter ID measures and banned absentee voting even for citizens living outside the country. It did so, says Lott, partly because its leaders were concerned about a drop in foreign investment due to the perception that, as a result of voting fraud, Mexico wasnt a legitimate democracy. Voter participation in Mexico has increased since the nation adopted measures to combat election fraud.

Meanwhile, Democrats push in the opposite direction. In effect, they want America to trade places with Mexico as it was before it cracked down on corruption and fraud.

A key element in this anti-democratic agenda is mail-in voting. As Lott points out:

Mail-in voting. . .is even worse, in terms of vote fraud, than absentee voting. With absentee voting, a person at least has to request a ballot. With mail-in votingas we saw in too many places in the 2020 electionballots are simply mailed out to everyone. With loose absentee voting rules, a country is making itself vulnerable to vote fraud. With mail-in voting, a country is almost begging for vote fraud.

(Emphasis added)

The U.S. isnt bound by the voting practices of Europe and our two closest neighbors. But its ridiculous to claim that voting restrictions that prevail in nearly all of these countries are anti-democratic.

These common sense restrictions are intended to, and do, promote election integrity. Promoting election integrity cant anti-democratic.

Therefore, Lott is spot on when he concludes:
When Joe Biden ran for president, he blamed Donald Trump for the high number of deaths in the U.S. attributed to the Wuhan coronavirus. He also claimed that U.S. deaths per capita were abnormally high compared to those elsewhere in comparable parts of the world.

That claim was false. As I showed at the time, per capita U.S. deaths from the virus here were in line with those in the countries it made most sense to compare us to  the UK, Spain, France, and Italy. The only exception was Germany, an outlier that, for some reason, has had a very low death count, comparatively speaking.

Under Biden, however, U.S. per capita deaths now outstrip those in all of the above-mentioned nations. Our current death count, per capita, is much higher than the UKs, Frances, and Spains (and, of course, Germanys). Only Italys count is in the same neighborhood as ours, but its appreciably lower. Were at 2,584. Italy is at 2,313.

Another way of looking at the situation is to compare how the U.S. has fared against the new variant that emerged a month or two ago  omicron  with how Europe has fared. This article in Intelligencer makes the comparison.

It finds that the U.S. seems to be faring considerably worse than Europe, as well as South Africa, where omicron first emerged with a vengeance:

From abroad, where COVID-conscious Americans now look for portents of our near-term Omicron future, nearly all the signs have been positive over the last few weeks. In fact, case numbers aside, the U.K. and continental surges and new research from labs in Japan and Liverpool and Cambridge and Hong Kong (among other places) have made Omicron look almost like a best-case scenario or at least what wouldve qualified as one just a few weeks ago, once we knew how quickly the wave was spreading but not yet how quickly the wave would subside or how much severe disease would be left in its wake. In all of these places, initial case growth was dizzying  if earlier surges were defined by exponential growth, with Omicron it seemed practically stratospheric. But the waves turned quickly  in South Africa, cases peaked just four weeks after the wave began, and in London, the wave has turned now too. In South Africa, the picture of severity was even more encouraging, since COVID fatalities there reached only a fraction of the level reached at the height of the countrys previous wave (in some charts you couldnt even see a rise in excess mortality).

But in the U.S., there are already early signs in hospitalization and ICU data that the experience of Omicron in America may be harsher than has been observed so far in Europe. The author presents an array of data that substantiates this observation. For example:

In London, ICU demand is not just way down from last winter, it is already declining. In New York, it is not just approaching last winters peak but clearly on the rise. . .A look at the country as a whole shows the same troubling pattern.

The author concludes:

The ultimate outcome is not yet clear, but if the early course of Omicron through Europe suggested a decoupling of cases from hospitalizations and deaths, the early course of the variant through the U.S. suggests a decoupling from that encouraging European path.

Why are we faring worse than Europe now? Vaccination rates probably have something to do with it. According to this source, our full vaccination rate is much lower than Italys, Frances, and Spains, and somewhat lower than the UKs. But South Africas full vaccination rate is less than half of ours.

Maybe the mix of variants producing the new cases here differs from the mix in Europe. The more deadly delta variant may represent a larger part of our mix.

Possibly, theres something about our population that makes us more susceptible to becoming severely ill from the new variant than European populations, but that didnt make us more susceptible to severe illness from previous versions of the virus.

Or maybe the Biden administration is doing an especially bad job on the covid front.

I would be disinclined to adopt that explanation had Joe Biden not blamed Donald Trump for the number of covid deaths that occurred here during Trumps presidency. But Biden did blame Trump. Therefore, it seems only fair to blame Biden for his failure to meet the Europe test he applied to his predecessor.
On January 7, I was at Neni at the invitation of the Martina Chinyere Enidom Foundation. The foundation, led by Paul Enidom, Chairman of Paul B Construction Ltd, organised its 3rd lecture series, and I chaired the occasion. The lecture titled Government and Community Partnership in Development Initiative: The Neni Example was eye-opening.

Neni community, like most communities in Anambra, boast of eminent business people, scholars and entrepreneurs. My back of the envelope calculation shows a combined net worth of between 700 million to 1 billion dollars of Neni indigenes. It is the town of the owner of the Young Shall Grow Transport and Rockview Hotels, the owner of Chelsea Hotels and the late owner of Tonimas Group, amongst others.

Some years ago, Paul B approached some of the towns rich men and proposed an internal road drainage and asphalt construction at cost using his expertise. He started with a road paid for by him. After initial scepticism, Chief Anthony Enukeme (Tonimas) joined the initiative with others.

Today, Ndi Neni have constructed 24km, and the Anambra State government, in a rare show of support, constructed 2.7km of asphalt road. These are internal roads within Neni town. To understand the impact of 24km of asphalt road, consider that Anambra State is the second smallest state in Nigeria after Lagos; most towns in Anambra are no more than 25sq KM. Neni is probably the town with the best stock of internal roads in Nigeria.

To ensure sustainability, the Neni community, under the umbrella of the Neni Town Union, approved the setting up of its road maintenance agency; Neni Road maintenance Agency, NERMA. The Agencys mandate is not limited to the roads constructed by the town but includes other state roads crossing the town.

In what I consider a significant departure from typical attitudes in our environment, the town documented a maintenance protocol articulating standards. The road maintenance handbook contains guidelines, which they plan to harmonise with State and LGA standards, if they exist.

Success begets success; now, the town is focused on rebuilding and retooling the schools in the community. There are seven primary schools and a secondary school in Neni. The state government had handed over six primary schools to both the Catholic and Anglican churches, with only one primary school and the secondary school under state control. Initial studies reveal a sad state of affairs at the schools. The schools are crying for upgrades, and the quality of instruction has declined progressively.

The Neni community, from its experience with the roads, is set to intervene. The community has set up the Neni Development Initiative Group(NDIG) to raise funds for the immediate reconstruction of all the schools. Already, about N25million was raised this Christmas towards this plan.

The NDIG is also handling the upgrade of the three health care centres in Neni. The plan is to provide quality health care for residents at affordable rates while sustaining infrastructure and operations cost through the NDIG.

Last December, Dr Christopher & Mrs Victoria Anago, under their NGO, Lifecare Coalition Outreach in California, deployed over 100 medical personnel to Neni for free medical outreach valued at over 500 million Naira. Dr and Mrs Anago plan to intervene in their community Neni to provide health care services to the underprivileged and people from neighbouring communities.

The story of the Neni community is a profound expression of the idea of Unlock Naija. It is an example of community-based governance that Igbo communities and Nigeria should emulate.

The idea of coming together to delink from the moribund Nigerian state where the government has become the obstacle to unlocking our potentials is the path to the future.

For Ndi Igbo and Nigerians in general, I have preached the message of applying Uche, Uchu na Egwu Chukwu as the triple virtues that will unlock our capabilities and lead us on a sustainable path to development.

Speaking at Neni, I called on those who want to move to Naija Nation, that space where we do not wait for restructuring, secession or constitutional amendment to unlock our potentials, to come together now. We, in Unlock Naija Movement, believe in the fierce urgency of now, like the Neni community.

To achieve this pivoting from the gridlock of Nigeria, we must eschew the triple evil rearing its head in our society. The first is Nkali, the superiority syndrome where we all want to display our superiority over others through flaunting our wealth and the emerging income discrimination in our society.

The second is Nkpali, a disrespectful and abusive disorder growing like a stage four cancerous tumour. To disrespect and abuse elders and those we consider beneath us is now described as courage; we must excise it now.

The last is Mmegbu, that urge to oppress and suppress. Oppressing the poor and those beneath us is now a sign of success. The powerful and noveau rich identified by our convoys and retinue of hangers-on do not obey traffic or any rules. We have figured how to use state apparatus for our personal end. I will describe these vices in another post soon.

For our communities to thrive and our society renewed, we must eschew Nkali, Nkpali na Mmegbu. To shun these vices is critical in the effort to make the wealthy come together and deploy their resources for communal benefit and not impose their will on the community using their unfettered powers made possible by a corrupt and moribund Nigerian state.

Neni is an example to follow.

Osita Chidoka is a former Minister of Aviation
An Australian-based Nigerian gynaecologist, Uche Menakaya, has urged women to jettison the belief that fibroid is a spiritual problem or death sentence.

Mr Menakaya said this while speaking with reporters on the sideline of the ongoing Coastal/Junic Gynaecologic Ultrasound Training Programme in Warri.

He described fibroid as a denied growth of the muscles of the uterus, which could sometimes be caused by hormonal imbalance in women.

The Australian trained specialist said the complication was more prevalent in the African-American clime, noting that not all fibroids are problematic.

Fibroid is very common in our population. My advice is that no spirit thing is attached to it. It is just an imbalance of hormones. It can be managed and not a death sentence.

What the women need to do is to get their ultrasound scan done to see if they have fibroid or not.

If they have, know where they are, the size and choose a system of monitoring it, over time.

If it is getting too big, the doctor can offer treatment options to manage it before it gets so big, he said.

Mr Menakaya said most fibroid patients could conceive a child, except when complications from surgery affected the line of the uterus where conception takes place.

He advised patients to always do a rescanning after their surgery had been concluded.

Speaking on the training programme, Mr Menakaya said the goal was to build the capacity of womens health specialists with the required skill to provide ultrasound services at the point of care for patients.

I have had the experience in providing ultrasound services at the point of care for women and with that, I want to contribute those skills to my colleagues in Nigeria.

Before I moved to Australia, I was in Nigeria and I have had experience back here in Nigeria and out there. I know what is lacking here and what we can do to improve on it.

One of the key advantages of this training is that patients will have less visits to doctors. They will have the diagnosis and treatment options of their problem made at the first visit.

In Nigeria, healthcare is a problem, therefore, reducing the frequency of your visit will also help to reduce the cost of healthcare.

To the patients perspective, it is to their advantage and to the doctors. It will help them (doctors) to streamline the workload as well rather than bringing the patient back over and over again.

Doing everything in one visit can help them streamline their workload. It will also help them to improve the way they counsel the patients appropriately.

Above all, the patients are more likely to contribute to the decision-making process because they are seeing what the doctor is seeing in the ultrasound, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that issues relating to gynaecology, handling of ultrasound equipment, among others, were treated by a team of experts at the three-day training.

Some of the participants who spoke with NAN, commended the organisers and called for more training to move the nations health sector forward.

(NAN)
Saudi energy giant Aramco has joined hands with China Building Materials Academy (CBMA) for the launch of Nexcel, a new nonmetallic excellence and innovation center, to further advance the use of nonmetallic materials in the building and construction sector.

The centre was launched today (January 11) at an event in Beijing, where the centre will be located.

Nexcel will leverage CBMAs expertise and resources to promote the development and application of nonmetallic technologies that offer superior lifecycle cost, efficiency and environmental advantages over their metal alternatives, said senior Aramco officials at the event.

The new centre of excellence joins the Aramco-launched NIC: Nonmetallic Innovation Centre at The Welding Institute (TWI) in Cambridge, UK; and, NEx: A Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials at the American Concrete Institute (ACI) headquartered in Michigan, US.

Aramco's Senior VP (Technical Services) Ahmad A Al-Saadi, said: "We are excited to be part of this important initiative with the China Building Materials Academy, to jointly advance the use of nonmetallics in building and construction in China. At Aramco, we have been developing and deploying nonmetallic solutions within our own operations for more than 20 years as they offer superior lifecycle cost, efficiency and environmental advantages over their metal alternatives."

"Given the advantages of nonmetallics, we believe that this new Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials will catalyse a wide range of exciting new opportunities," he added.

China National Building Material Group VP Zhan Yanjing said the partnership represents its long-term collaboration and mutual trust, and it is also an important measure to build green, low carbon solutions.

"As an important platform for the group's technological innovation, CBMA is the largest and strongest research center in the field of nonmetallic in China. It will provide great support to Nexcel, and create an open and innovative environment, helping Nexcel make greater contributions to global sustainable development," he added.

For more than two decades, Aramco has been leveraging its technology leadership to develop and adopt nonmetallic solutions in its oil and gas operations and Aramco is driving the development of a suite of nonmetallic solutions through global collaborations with prominent academic institutions, research and technology organisations, manufacturers, and industry leaders such as the China Building Materials Academy.-TradeArabia News Service
A Liberian diplomat, Nat Bayjay, has lamented the treatment meted to his seven-year-old daughter who was sexually abused by two underaged Liberian brothers at the countrys embassy in Abuja.

Mr Bayjay is the minister counsellor for press and public affairs at the Liberian embassy in Abuja.

My biggest disappointment on this issue is that the Liberian government has refused to take responsibility for the girls ailing health despite informing them several times. It is unfair that the family of the victim is left to bear the financial burden especially in an expensive city like Abuja.

She is still disturbed; on and off, healthwise and this is as a result of what happened, Mr Bayjay told PREMIUM TIMES.

The Liberian diplomat who was posted to Nigeria in 2015, narrated how his seven-year-old daughter was sexually abused by two under-aged boys (13 and 14) at the embassy premises in Abuja.

According to Mr Bayjay, the boys molested his daughter for eight months, unknown to them, until the seven-year-old spoke up.

My daughter said it started in September 2020 till April 2021.

Documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES show that an investigation panel set up at the embassy and another sent to Nigeria by the Liberian ministry of foreign affairs found the boys culpable.

According to the documents, the first incident happened after a certain birthday party in the embassys premises.

After the party, it began to rain and the 13-year-old was returning the chairs in the Banquet Hall among other children from the staff quarters. She decided to come home, and when she got near the hall, he (13 year old) called her. When she got to him, he told her to take off her clothes. She asked him why, but he said, just take off your clothes. According to her, he succeeded in taking off her clothes and abusing her, she narrated to the investigation panel.

The seven-year-old was asked to describe what was done to her but she said she didnt know how he did it but something was done behind her, and the result is painful.

On another occasion, he ran behind her for a similar act but she escaped. The seven-year-old told the investigation panel that she confided in two of her sisters when the incidents occurred.

When the panel questioned the 13-year-old, he corroborated the girls story until the point where she claimed he had molested her. He insisted he did not touch her until the panel told him the sassy woodman would be in the embassy the next day to help find the truth.

On hearing the sassy woodman was coming, he finally broke down and narrated that he only remembered one-day last year in his parents apartment, he was resting on the sofa, when she (seven year old) came into the apartment without a top on, only her skirt. He touched her closely and got turned on, but something said to him, This is a child, so he changed his mind, but he had never done anything.

Both sisters confirmed that the younger one confided in them but they did not think to tell their parents about it.

One told the panel that she confronted the 13-year-old who begged her and said he was very sorry, and would not repeat it asking her not to let their parents know.

When asked why she did not inform her parents, she said, the two families are very close, she said she did not want confusion to come between them, so she kept it a secret.

The other said one-day last year while coming downstairs, she met her sister (the seven-year-old) running up the stairs out of breath and asked her what was the problem. She said the 13-year-old was running behind her to rape her (the exact words she used). She went running down the stairs to look for him but did not find him.

According to her, she kept to herself because her mother is very temperamental and she did not want any problem between the two families.

Although the investigation team set up by the ambassador, from the document seen by PREMIUM TIMES, did not feature the testimony of the main culprit (14-year-old), it noted that he was also found guilty.

This panel recommended that both boys be sent back to Monrovia to reduce the psychological effect their presence may cause the little girl or her family as the relationship between both families who live adjacent to each other was already strained. This, Mr Bayjay corroborated.

The only thing the Liberian government has done is to send the boys to court in Monrovia after I insisted. They can only be prosecuted by a Liberian court according to international law.

In the report produced by the delegation sent by the Liberian minister of foreign affairs, the guardians of the accused boys acknowledged their wards had committed the hideous act and apologised to Mr Bayjay whose acceptance the report noted was mere cosmetic.

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It recommended that since the interviewed parties all confirmed that the incident took place, it is recommended that the alleged perpetrator. who is a juvenile, be brought before the justice system of the Republic of Liberia.

It also recommended that the two diplomatic staff and their families be re-deployed for other assignments, noting that this will calm the acrimonious atmosphere of distrust, fear, and divisiveness observed at the embassy.

I asked the Liberian ministry of the information who is responsible for me to have my family and I reassigned due to the uncomfortable situation and also in line with the recommendation of the investigation report but they have yet to do that, Mr Bayjay told PREMIUM TIMES, corroborating the claims of the report.

Alleged bias

Mr Bayjay also accused the Liberian ambassador of taking sides with the family of the boys who abused his daughter. He said he moved out of the embassys premises with his family on account of the ambassadors bias and how traumatic the environment had become for his daughter.

He said at the time, the ambassador refused to send the boys away because, according to him (the ambassador), he needed a detailed investigation.

However, Mr Bayjay said he informed the ambassador about his intention to leave if the boys were not taken off the premises.

According to Mr Bayjay, when he invited the Nigerian police to question the boys, the ambassador intimidated the police by involving the Inspector General of Police who in turn intervened. The ambassador initially told Mr Bayjay he had no police contacts in Nigeria, the latter said.

The police, however, forwarded a medical report confirming the assault of the seven-year-old.

Mr Bayjay added that the ambassador continued to insist that the second boy was not culpable even when the boy admitted he attempted to have the seven-year-old.

The ambassador never bothered to check on my child who was abused to see how she was faring, he said.

Recounting how deeply hurt he was, he said, I was so hurt, I wanted to beat up the boys and the security held me back. I did not want to speak to anyone because I was in a state of temporal insanity.

The ambassador was blaming my wife for pampering those boys and allowing them access.

The ambassador did not send the boys back to Liberia until I filed a petition to the Liberian government.

The Liberian government needs to take full responsibility for this child whose health is declining in the aftermath of the event. She has had to miss out on school since the incident, he said.

Liberian Embassy Abuja responds

The Liberian Ambassador to Nigeria, Al-Hassan Conteh, told PREMIUM TIMES, he could not comment on the case because the case was already in court (sub judice) and he would not want to prejudice the case.

However, he said Mr Bayjays allegations were untrue.

It is untrue that the embassy and government of Liberia did nothing about the welfare of the child. That will be inhumane; my only regret is that he has taken this matter to the media because we are diplomats and the whole aspect of diplomacy is conflict prevention.

Although I can understand as a father, I have three daughters and you know what that entails, adding that to make those allegations, I will say it is unfortunate but I would out of deference to the court at this particular time, not like to address the details.

We recommended in our report to the ministry, psychological support for the child, for her to be taken to a safe home, the ambassador said.

Mr Conteh added that he had sent an officer to the new residence of the Bayjays to find out where they live and follow up with certain things but Mr Bayjay engaged in very acrimonious language, saying I was biased and did not want anything from me.

The incident did not come to our attention until May this year. As soon as it came to our attention, we immediately held an administrative hearing on the matter involving all sides for three days and the report of that hearing was transmitted to the ministry of foreign affairs, Liberia,

According to Mr Conteh, after transmitting the outcome of their investigation to the ministry of foreign affairs in Liberia, the ministry conducted a separate investigation into the matter itself.

The ministry forwarded the matter to the ministry of justice, Liberia who then forwarded the case to the women and child support unit of the Liberian National Police who in turn dispatched the case to the juvenile court of Liberia where the case is currently.

He also said that he did not prevent the Nigerian police from speaking with the boys.

He said two police officers were at the embassy one evening to serve a letter of invitation to the guardian of the boys when he (ambassador) invited them (police officers) to his office, reminding them that diplomats in their residence under international laws are inviolable.

After conversing with the officers and letting them know that the letter would have come through the office of the ambassador, they agreed on a time for the diplomat to come to the station the next day.

I have never met the Inspector General of Police, I have never met him, Mr Conteh said.

Seeking justice for his seven-year-old

Mr Bayjay in the last two months left his posting to return to Liberia to see that his child gets justice.

The case is now in court after my insistence but Im restricted financially to follow the case up.

He said the case is before a juvenile court in Monrovia, and he wants to hire a lawyer that will be able to convince the court that this is a real adult trial because, in my mind, these boys showed proof of emancipated minors (behaving like adults and should be tried as such).

He was displeased that the boys were still allowed to roam freely instead of being remanded in a juvenile home, but the court in Monrovia says it has no juvenile homes to keep the boys.

If I had money, those boys will be behind bars while the case is going on.

My major concern is that the government takes responsibility for my daughters health. You and I know that litigation takes two to three years, so my daughters health has to remain the same until two to three years?

He lamented how he is unable to pay for her routine medical check-up amongst other things.

Mr Bayjay likened his familys ordeal to that of a soldier fighting for their country.

Its like a soldier got wounded fighting for his country on the battlefield and is abandoned, he said.
Suspected bandits on Wednesday abducted unspecified numbers of traders travelling to Kano from Birnin Gwari Local Government of Kaduna State.

A driver who witnessed the incident told PREMIUM TIMES that the gunmen blocked the highway between Birnin Gwari and Kaduna at Unguwar Yako forest where they abducted the traders.

The source said the abducted persons were among dozens of travellers going from Birnin Gwari and neighboring communities in Niger State to Kano on routine business trips.

We were travelling in a convoy with security escorts but they (bandits) abducted those who moved ahead of the convoy, which made them easy preys for the bandits.

We came and met about four empty vehicles, while seeing the bandits moving into the forest with the captives. The soldiers are tracing them, we are stranded at a dangerous spot in the forest (Unguwar Yako) while the security escorts are chasing to rescue the abducted traders, the source said.

The latest incident occurred less than a month after over 70 travellers were abducted along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road in Kaduna State.

That incident on December 23, 2021 happened around Udawa village after Buruku in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson in Kaduna, Mohammed Jalige, did not respond to phone calls Wednesday afternoon to comment on the incident.

Locals in the adjoining states ply the Birnin Gwari highway daily with heavy security escort but that does not deter bandits from routinely abducting travellers.
After serving as a referee for Nigerias electoral process for over four years, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Nentawe Yilwatda, has resigned from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and immediately joined partisan politics, PREMIUM TIMES can exclusively report.

Mr Yilwatda, a former engineering lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, was appointed REC in July 2017 and posted to Benue State. During his four-year stay in office, he participated in the conduct of elections in Benue, Anambra, Osun, Rivers and Cross River states.

But in December 2021, the 53-year-old electrical/electronics engineer suddenly resigned from his post and relocated to his native Plateau State, north-central Nigeria, where he immediately began romancing the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

When contacted Wednesday, the former REC said he stepped down from INEC for personal reasons. He also confirmed that he had joined partisan politics.

He, however, said he was yet to formally join the APC but that he would be doing so very soon.

INEC also confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the former lecturer had since left the electoral body.

It is true that he resigned, Festus Okoye, the INEC commissioner for information and voter education, said. He has disengaged from the Commission.

Mr Okoye said he is unaware of the real reason for Mr Yilwatdas departure from the Commission before the expiration of his five-year tenure. But this newspaper can report that the official resigned to enable him to join the governorship race in Plateau State.

He has since commenced a spirited campaign to clinch the gubernatorial ticket of the APC later this year ahead of the 2023 Nigeria general elections.

On January 9, the former REC announced the commencement of his campaign via his Facebook Page saying his Generation Next Philosophy is predicated on

harnessing the potentials, creativities and capacities of this generation to consolidate on the efforts of our leaders past devoid of political, ethnic or religious bias to deliver a secured, united and prosperous plateau to the next generation.

Mr Yilwatda also recently unveiled a campaign website where he described himself as a 2023 governorship candidate.

INEC and a pattern

The resignation of the Benue REC and his immediate embrace of politics came 29 months after another INEC official took a similar path.

Frankland Briyai, then a REC in Cross River State, had in August 2019 resigned from his post in a bid to run for that years governorship election in Bayelsa, which was only three months away at the time.

He announced his governorship bid right inside INECs premises in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, an act that angered the electoral body.

Mr Okoye later issued a statement saying Mr Briyai had been relieved of his duties for using INECs premises to make a political announcement.

When the Bayelsa governorship election held on November 16, 2019, the former INEC REC was not on the ballot because the APC, the political party he joined, eventually did not nominate him as its candidate.

Mr Yilwatdas action morally wrong  Lawyer

Abdul Mahmud, an Abuja-based lawyer and rights activist, said it is morally wrong for INEC commissioners to resign and immediately run for elective offices.

Such an official understands the internal operation of INEC and will most likely explore and exploit such knowledge to his advantage in any election, Mr Mahmud said.

The lawyer urged the National Assembly to take note of the lacuna in Nigerias electoral law which does not forbid top officials of INEC from contesting election for any period of time after leaving office.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (Establishment, Etc.,) Decree 17 of 1998 clearly envisaged what is currently unfolding when it barred INEC commissioners from elective office for five years after their tenures.

Section 17 of that Decree stated, Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law, a person who holds or has held office as a member of the Commission under this Decree shall not, after a period of 5 years immediately thereafter, be qualified for any elective office provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979, as amended or any enactment or law.

That provision was later expunged from Nigerias electoral laws.

With what is going on, we may have to restore that provision to our laws, Mr Mahmud said.

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Lawmaker tries to help

A member of the House of Representatives, Olawale Raji (APC-Lagos), had also in 2019 proposed a bill to amend Nigerias Electoral Act to prohibit members of the National Electoral Commission and Resident Electoral Commissioners from engaging in partisan politics within five (5) years of retirement, resignation and official relief of duties.

The bill reads as follows:
The Nigerian government has lifted the suspension of Twitters operations in the country, an official has announced.

The government announced the suspension of the social media platform in June 2021, after it deleted a controversial tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari. The government also accused Twitter of working against Nigerias interest.

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, announced the lifting of the suspension in a statement.

Mr Abdullahi was also involved in the Nigerian governments negotiation with Twitter.

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12am tonight, 13th January 2022.

The approval was given following a memo written to the President by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim.

In the Memo, the Minister updated and requested the Presidents approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagements recommendation, the official said.

Since the suspension, millions of Twitter users have been unable to use the social media platform in Nigeria unless they use a Virtual Private Network.

The federal government, on June 4, 2021, announced the suspension of the platform in Nigeria through the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

Despite criticisms from many Nigerians and the international community, the government said there was no going back on the suspension until Twitter met some of its conditions.

According to Mr Abdullahi, the President constituted a seven-man Presidential Committee to engage Twitter Inc. Subsequently, in its wisdom, the Presidential Committee set a 20-member Technical Committee comprising all relevant government agencies. The Technical Committee engaged and worked directly with the Twitter team.

The immediate and remote cause of the suspension was the unceasing use of the platform by some unscrupulous elements for subversive purposes and criminal activities, propagating fake news, and polarising Nigerians along tribal and religious lines, among others, he said.

He noted that digital platforms and their operators wield enormous influence over the fabric of society, social interaction and economic choices and could be used either as a tool or a weapon.

Every nation is grappling with how to balance its usage efficiently. Without balancing, every citizens security, privacy, social well-being, and development are at stake, he said.

Mr Abdullahi added that the suspension of Twitter was a deliberate attempt to recalibrate Nigerias relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits, without jeopardising the justified interests of the Company.

Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful, he remarked.

He noted that Twitter is a platform of choice for many Nigerians ranging from young innovators to public sector officials who find it helpful to engage their audience.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how small businesses on the platform suffered losses due to the suspension.

Read Mr Abdullahis full statement below.

FGN LIFTS SUSPENSION OF TWITTER OPERATIONS

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12am tonight, 13th January 2022. The approval was given following a memo written to the President by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim. In the Memo, the Minister updates and requests the Presidents approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagements recommendation.

2. You may recall that on 5th June 2021, the FGN suspended the operation of Twitter through an announcement made by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed. Thereafter, the President constituted a seven-man Presidential Committee to engage Twitter Inc. Subsequently, in its wisdom, the Presidential Committee set a 20-member Technical Committee comprising all relevant government agencies. The Technical Committee engaged and worked directly with the Twitter team.

3. The immediate and remote cause of the suspension was the unceasing use of the platform by some unscrupulous elements for subversive purposes and criminal activities, propagating fake news, and polarising Nigerians along tribal and religious lines, among others. These issues bordering on National Security, Cohesion and the effects of the abuse of the Twitter platform forced the FGN to suspend the operation of Twitter to address the direct and collateral issues around its operations in Nigeria.

4. The new global reality is that digital platforms and their operators wield enormous influence over the fabric of our society, social interaction and economic choices. These platforms can be used as either a tool or a weapon. Every nation is grappling with how to balance its usage efficiently. Without balancing, every citizens security, privacy, social well-being, and development are at stake. Therefore, our action is a deliberate attempt to recalibrate our relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits for our nation without jeopardising the justified interests of the Company. Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful.

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5. The process of resolving this impasse between the FGN and Twitter Inc. has helped lay a foundation for a mutually beneficial future with endless possibilities. Twitter is a platform of choice for many Nigerians ranging from young innovators to public sector officials who find it helpful to engage their audience. Therefore, our engagement will help Twitter improve and develop more business models to cover a broader area in Nigeria. Furthermore, the FGN looks forward to providing a conducive environment for Twitter and other global tech companies to achieve their potential and be sustainably profitable in Nigeria.

6. While appreciating all Nigerians, especially the vibrant Nigerian youths who have borne with the long wait to resolve this impasse, the FGN is happy to say that the gains made from this shared national sacrifice are immeasurable. Some of the gains include:

a) Ongoing economic and training opportunities as the Company continues to consider expanding its presence in Nigeria;

b) Getting a better understanding of how to use the Twitter platform effectively to improve businesses;

c) Revenue generation from the operation of Twitter in Nigeria;

d) Smooth and coordinated relationship between Nigerian Government and Twitter leading to mutual trust;

e) Reduction of cybercriminal activities such as terrorism, cyberstalking, hate speech, etc.; and

f) Working with Twitter and other global companies to build an acceptable code of conduct following the global best practice.

7. The FGN has asked Twitter to fulfil some conditions before restoring its services. These conditions addressed legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws. Twitter has agreed to meet all the conditions set by the FGN. Consequently, the FGN and Twitter have decided on an execution timeline, which has started this week. Our engagement with Twitter opens a new chapter in global digital diplomacy and sets a new operational template for Twitter to come back stronger for the benefit of Nigerians.

The following are the resolutions agreed with Twitter. Inc.:

i. Twitter has committed to establishing a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022. The legal entity will register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The establishment of the entity is Twitters first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria.

ii. Twitter has agreed to appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities. The Global Public Policy team is also directly available through a dedicated communication channel.

iii. Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.

iv. Twitter has agreed to enrol Nigeria in its Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals. The Partner Support Portal provides a direct channel for government officials and Twitter staff to manage prohibited content that violates Twitter community rules. At the same time, the Law Enforcement Portal provides a channel for the law enforcement agencies to submit a report with a legal justification where it suspects that content violates Nigerian Laws. Taken together, these represent a comprehensive compliance apparatus.

v. Twitter has agreed to act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built and work with the FGN and the broader industry to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries.

8. Therefore, the FGN lifts the suspension of the Twitter operations in Nigeria from midnight of 13th January 2022. We encourage all users of the Twitter platform to maintain ethical behaviour and refrain from promoting divisive, dangerous, and distasteful information on the platform. As patriotic citizens, we need to be mindful that anything illegal offline is also illegal online and that committing a crime using a Nigerian Internet Protocol (IP) is synonymous with committing a crime within our jurisdiction.

9. Considering Twitters influence on our democracy, our economy, and the very fabric of our corporate existence as a Nation, our priority is to adapt, not ban, Twitter. The FGN is committed to working with Twitter to do anything possible to help Nigerians align and navigate Twitter algorithmic design to realise its potentials while avoiding its perils.

10. In his approval, the President appreciates the Presidential Committee led by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed, for the supervisory role and guidance given to the Technical Committee during the engagement. Similarly, the Presidential Committee commends the Technical Committee for a professional, robust and productive engagement with Twitter Inc. It also appreciates Government Regulatory Agencies and Internet Service Providers who implemented the FGNs directives during the suspension.

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE

Chairman Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement and

Director-General

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
A man, Auwalu Abdulrashid, alias Lauje, has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and murdering a 13-year-old girl in Kano.

The police spokesperson in Kano, Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Mr Kiyawa said the suspect kidnapped the girl and took her to an uncompleted building where he strangled her, cut her throat and buried her remains in a shallow grave.

The police said after committing the heinous acts, the suspect then demanded a ransom of one million naira from her parents.

On the 21/06/2021 at about 1000hrs, a report was received from a resident of Tofa Town, Tofa LGA, Kano State that his daughter, Zuwaira, f, 13 years old, was kidnapped and a ransom of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) was demanded and later settled at Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000.00).

While negotiating for the ransom, the body of the victim was discovered in an uncompleted building, slaughtered and buried in a shallow grave.

On receipt of the ugly report, scene visited, the body was exhumed, examined and confirmed dead by a Medical Doctor and released to the relatives for burial according to Islamic rites, the police said.

The police said Mr Abdulrashid confessed that he had earlier kidnapped a three-year old brother of the victim and demanded a ransom of two million naira.

After a series of negotiation, he allegedly collected one hundred thousand naira and dropped the child at Dawanau Special Primary School in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area.

Mr Kiyawa said the suspect will be prosecuted after police investigations.
A total of 30 people died in 716 fire incidents recorded in Kaduna State in 2021, the Director of the State Fire Service, Paul Aboi, has said.

Mr Aboi who said on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, said the outbreaks were recorded in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan.

He said the fire outbreaks were caused mainly by carelessness in the use of electrical appliances and ignorance about the handling of naked fires.

Mr Aboi said January recorded the highest number of incidence with 112 outbreaks, while 94 cases were recorded in March, 91 cases in December and 76 in April during the year under review.

The high rate of the fire outbreak is usually recorded from December till April because the period is the core dry season, he said.

He said in the course of responding to fire distress calls, the office rescued 44 persons, 110 injured while 30 persons died.

Mr Aboi said the service was doing its best to bring fire disasters in the state to the barest minimum.

We believe that the advocacy being embarked upon by the state government will help correct the anomaly and ultimately reduce fire incidents to the barest minimum, he said.

He also said the state lost more than N3.7 billion to the fire outbreaks while properties worth N139 billion were saved.

When there is fire, we want the people to call us in good time and motorists should give way for our fire engines to get to those emergencies in good time, he said.

The director said there was a need for residents to switch off all electrical appliances when not in use and to keep flammable materials away from their homes. (NAN)
The Sokoto Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has dissolved its volunteer personnel.

The agency announced this in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES by the commands spokesperson, Hamza Illela. It said the ban was due to the unwanted attitudes of some of the volunteers.

Mr Illela said the commandant ordered the dissolution of the volunteer personnel following the arrest of some of them in some black spots during a raid by a joint task force.

The Sokoto Command of NSCDC under the leadership of Commandant Muhammad Saleh Dada has noticed with dismay the unholy and unwanted attitude of some volunteers which are also aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Corps in Sokoto following the recent arrest of some volunteers during a joint operation in all the black spots areas of Sokoto south local government of Sokoto State.

The command wishes to inform the general public that the arrested volunteers are not duly registered by the Sokoto command of NSCDC and therefore remain disowned and that all volunteer related operational activities are suspended pending a thorough investigation and profiling.

The commandant appeals to the members of the public that any illegal operation of volunteer personnel should be reported to the command through the Public Relations Officer, the statement noted.

Raid of black spots in Sokoto metropolis

Investigations made by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that a joint task force was led on an operation to raid black spots where criminals were suspected to be hiding in the metropolis.

The raids were carried out in Rijiyar Doruwa and Gobirawa areas of the metropolis where teenage prostitutes, including students, and suspected criminals were apprehended.

Some of those arrested during the raids argued that they were officers of the NSCDC.

The Chairman of Sokoto South Local Government Area, Abdurahman Suyudi, confirmed that he led the raids.

He told PREMIUM TIMES that many criminals were arrested and handed over to security operatives during the raids.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Dubai-based internet celebrity, Ismailia Mustapha, aka Mompha, and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, for allegedly laundering over N6 billion.

They were arraigned before a judge, Mojisola Dada, of an Ikeja Special Offences Court on eight counts bordering on the alleged offences.

The defendants were accused of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of such funds, transfer of funds for a suspect Olayinka Jimoh a.k.a Nappy Boy, and unlawful transfer of funds for a record label, among others.

The sums named in the charge are N5.9 billion, N32m, N120m and N15.9 totalling over 6 billion.

Offence

The EFCC also alleged that Mr Mompha concealed his interest in expensive wristwatches and other movable assets valued at over N70m.

Mompha pleaded not guilty to the eight counts while Islamob Limited (represented by Mompha) pleaded not guilty to the first six counts.

Mompha is also standing trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos alongside Ismalob Global Investment Limited on an amended 22-count charge bordering on cyber fraud and money laundering to the tune of N32.9 billion brought against him by the EFCC.

He also pleaded not guilty to each of the counts.

After the arraignment, Mrs Dada adjourned to January 18, 2022, to hear arguments on the bail applications of the defendants.

Background

The EFCC, in a statement on Monday, said Mompha was re-arrested for laundering funds obtained through unlawful activities and retention of alleged proceeds of crime.

Mompha was arrested on Monday. He announced his trip to Nigeria with an Instagram photo captioned, About to make some billions in Lagos.

It will be recalled that Mompha had earlier been arrested on October 18, 2019, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while boarding an Emirates Airline Flight to Dubai by the staff of the Nigeria Immigration Service, following a watchlist by the EFCC.
The vice-chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has explained how, under his watch, and specifically in four years, the institution was able to generate research grants worth N17 billion to carry out 267 researches.

Mr Ogundipe, a professor of Botany, who doubles as the chairman of the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), said this during the 52nd convocation press conference of the university which was held on Tuesday at the institutions senate chambers.

He added that the university was also the highest recipient of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) grant in 2019 with 14 staffers receiving a grant sum of N419.6 million.

He added that in 2020, 16 staffers of the university also received N419.4 million as a total grant sum from the 2020 TETFund NRF.

Strategy

The VC explained that the wins were made possible because the university organised training and workshops to build the capacity of staff in the areas of research and innovations, saying the strategy paved the way for cutting-edge multidisciplinary research activities on the campus.

He said: A number of these research activities are geared towards changing society and providing solutions to some of the problems we are faced with as a nation. One of such instances is the development of the portable and easily deployable ventilator during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

I am glad to inform you that the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) has provided additional funds for the clinical trials of the ventilators.

Mr Ogundipe thanked the Lagos State Government for committing to the project, promising that the product will be a game-changer.

Mr Ogundipe noted that since he came into office in 2018, research has become a major currency for all academic staff which he said was demonstrated with submissions to different international organisations and the TETfund National Research Fund.

We believe that this steady growth in research activities is precipitated by the approaches we are adopting to encourage our staff to showcase their talents. It is, therefore, no surprise that the University of Lagos was adjudged as the best tertiary institution in the Southwest on TETfund research grant utilisation, Mr Ogundipe said.

The VC further noted that the university has created the much-needed environment to support the ingenuity of her staff to enable them to develop patents and commercialise the products of their research works.

The success we have recorded in this regard is that for the first time in the history of the university, we have been granted 18 patents in four years, the VC added.
Some residents of Opukushi, Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have disrupted oil exploration at an oilfield operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the communities hosting SPDCs EA fields took the action to protest alleged exclusion from contracts in the ongoing oil drilling.

The Chairman of Opukushi Community Development Committee, Preye Simon, told NAN that the people took the action to draw attention to their plight.

He alleged that rather than engaging the people in the ongoing activities at the field, SPDC and its servicing contractors neglected their social obligations to the communities.

According to him, the exclusion of the people from the drilling contracts was in violation of the Community Content Guidelines.

Reacting to the development, Bamidele Odugbesan, Media Relations Manager, SPDC, confirmed that exploration activities have been grounded at the oilfield.

Mr Odugbesan, however, said that personnel of its contractors were safe and unharmed during the invasion and shutdown of the oil rig.

The media relations manager said the development had been reported to the appropriate government agencies.

A large number of men and women invaded a contractor-owned and operated rig working for the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited Joint Venture in Opukushi in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in the early hours of Monday.

The invaders forcibly shut down the facility and occupied the safe muster area. Nobody was hurt in the process and the incident was promptly reported to government authorities, Mr Odugbesan stated.

(NAN)
Dana Gas, the leading publicly-listed regional natural gas company in the Middle East, and its partner, Crescent Petroleum, the oldest private oil and gas company in the region, have reported record sales and gas production from its operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), which surged to hit 452 million cu ft of gas per day (MMscf/d) at the end of 2021.

The production milestone is the culmination of numerous process improvements at the Khor Mor gas plant, including a bypass project completed in 2020 as well as a debottlenecking programme earlier in 2018.

Together, the process improvements have grown the production by 50% from 305 MMscf/d in 2018, it added.

Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum jointly operate the Khor Mor and Chemchemal gas fields on behalf of the Pearl Petroleum consortium, supplying the gas which enables much needed electricity generation in the KRI, and also producing close to 16,000 barrels of condensate and 1,000 tonnes of LPG per day.

The successful process improvements will be reinforced by the KM250 expansion project at the plant which is currently under implementation, and will increase total capacity by an additional 55% to 700 MMscf/d by April 2023.

On its key achievements for 2021, Dana Gas said major works for its $630 million KM250 expansion project resumed in April last year after a delay of one year due to the Covid pandemic and it is now on track for the new target start date of April 2023.

The KM250 Gas Expansion Project is supported by a $250 million financing agreement for 7 years with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) which was announced in September 2021.

After completion of the KM250 project, the partners also plan a further KM500 train that would raise production to almost 1 billion cubic feet per day to meet rising demand for cleaner burning natural gas and electricity generation in the Kurdistan Region and all of Iraq.

As part of the expansion works, the company is also preparing to drill up to five development wells, which are scheduled to commence production in March 2022, it added.

Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum and Board Managing Director of Dana Gas, said: "The achievement of this production milestone underscores the progress we continue to make at Khor Mor to meet the rapidly growing demand for natural gas in the KRI."

"Despite the challenges the whole world has faced over the past two years, we are proud to have continued delivering uninterrupted supply of clean-burning natural gas to support the KRI economy and enable a healthy recovery. Meanwhile our major expansion plans at the Khor Mor and Chemchemal fields to target 1 billion cubic feet per day in the coming few years will enable improved services across the region for years to come," he added.

Dana Gas CEO Dr Patrick Allman-Ward said: "This milestone is testament to our people and their hard work making consistent production growth possible at our Khor Mor gas plant. Our continued investments since 2018, notably the Khor Mor de-bottlenecking and bypass projects, have allowed us to deliver reliable supplies of clean energy to support the KRI economy and its people, with enhanced economic and environmental benefits which will increase as we further grow production.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that the upper chamber will work with revenue-generating agencies towards reducing the level of the nations borrowing.

Mr Lawan made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, at an event to mark his 63rd birthday.

Many Nigerians have, in recent times, criticised the Buhari administration for frequently taking loans. They also condemned the National Assembly for approving the loan requests.

He said that the Senate would support and supervise the agencies and keep them on their toes for us to have more revenues, in order to reduce the level of borrowing.

The upper chamber, in the first quarter of this year, will focus on addressing the challenges of revenue generation, collection and remittance to shore up earnings by the federal government.

An improvement to the countrys revenue figures will reduce Nigerias dependence on external borrowings for the execution of capital projects captured in the national budget.

We still have a huge responsibility, and in fact, it is something that we wanted to do last year, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we couldnt do so.

This year, by the grace of God, we are going to resuscitate that plan and it is to keep and maintain focus on revenue generation, collection and remittance.

Our revenue to GDP ratio is very low and the economists will tell you Nigerias problem is not debt, but revenue.

So, if that is the case, it means those of us in government must focus on dealing with the challenges of revenue generation, revenue collection and remittance.

This year, we are going to have engagements with the revenue-generating agencies such as Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Customs, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and so on, on a quarterly basis, to have their targets set for them, and we want them to come and brief us on their performance every quarter.

We hope to start the first meeting, which is an exploratory kind of meeting with them either this month or early February.

We want to see how we can make a positive difference in the area of revenue generation.

Nobody likes taking loans, borrowing or accumulating debts, whether as an individual, a family, a community or as a country.

But what can you do when youre not able to generate enough? We are as concerned as anybody else about our level of borrowing, even though we have not saturated, but if we can do better why not reduce, and the best way to reduce is to get more revenues from especially independent sources.

The government-owned enterprises are supposed to give us more money. In 2022, we are expecting maybe about a trillion, Im not an economist, but I believe that we should be expecting maybe double or triple from them.

Mr Lawan further said that the National Assembly, this year, would also focus on security through oversight of funds appropriated in the budget to the armed forces and security agencies.

He explained that doing so would guarantee transparency in the procurement process and ensure the welfare of military and security personnel tasked with restoring security across the country.

Today, the security situation still begs for more attention. We will give a lot of attention to the security situation.

We have appropriated about a trillion naira for our security agencies and armed forces, now it is for members of the National Assembly to ensure that the procurement process by the armed forces are transparent and everybody there is accountable.

Of course, we should do oversight as much as possible for the welfare of our soldiers and security personnel. They need to continuously be motivated, he said.

(NAN)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Plateau State University chapter, has rebuffed the call for it to end the ongoing industrial action, saying until its members owed allowances are fully paid, the classrooms would remain shut.

After a meeting with the university management on Tuesday, the unions secretary, Samson Deme, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview that only N37 million of N142 million earned academic allowances of its members have been paid.

He said it was at Tuesdays meeting that the union realised that the N100 million released was not for ASUU alone, but for all the striking unions including the institutions chapters of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), among others.

They begged us to call off the strike so that they can negotiate with other striking unions, only for us to have a meeting with the university management today (Tuesday) and realised that the N100 million that was released was for all unions, Mr Deme told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone conversation.

ASUU said the total earned academic allowances owed its members by the state government was N142 million.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the Plateau State government had at a meeting with ASUU representatives on Monday urged the striking lecturers to go back to classes, saying it had released N100 million and promised to release the remaining N42 million at the end of January. But ASUU demanded that the funds be paid before calling off the strike, saying it is done working on promises.

Demands

The latest strike embarked upon by the union on December 20, 2021, was a result of the alleged non-implementation of the March 2, 2021 agreement signed with the government by the union.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the unions demands include capital projects in the school, improved security, as well as payment of earned academic allowances.

ASUU said the Plateau State Government was supposed to pay the first tranche of N70 million immediately after the agreement was signed in March, 2021, and the second tranche of N72 million by October 2021. But the government has only paid N100 million in December 2021.

Unending strike

Just a year ago, on January 15, 2021, the union embarked on a strike that lasted about three months. It was only called off in March when it signed an agreement with the government. Now, ASUU is accusing the government of not fulfilling the agreement.
Fact-checkers around the globe have accused the video and social media platform, YouTube, of laxity in curbing the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

The fact-checkers, under the aegis of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), said the platform has lent itself as one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation worldwide.

In an open letter to YouTubes Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Susan Wojcicki, IFCN signatories, including Nigerias leading fact-checking platform, Dubawa, noted that Youtube has been exploited by spreaders of false information.

As an international network of fact-checking organisations, we monitor how lies spread online and everyday, we see that YouTube is one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation worldwide. This is a significant concern among our global fact-checking community,  the letter reads.

What we do not see is much effort by YouTube to implement policies that address the problem. On the contrary, YouTube is allowing its platform to be weaponized by unscrupulous actors to manipulate and exploit others, and to organize and fundraise themselves. Current measures are proving insufficient, it added.

Following the spike in the spread of misinformation triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, social media platforms have joined the fight against misinformation. Facebook, which has long been in the fight against misinformation, said in 2021 that it removed about 18 million COVID related misinformation published on its platform.

YouTube has also made efforts to curb the spread of misinformation using its 4Rs principles but IFCN still believes this is not enough as conspiracy groups have in the last year been thriving and collaborating on the platform across borders.

In the last year we have seen conspiracy groups thriving and collaborating across borders, including an international movement that started in Germany, jumped to Spain and spread through Latin America, all on YouTube. Meanwhile, millions of other users were watching videos in Greek and Arabic that encouraged them to boycott vaccinations or treat their COVID-19 infections with bogus cures. Beyond COVID-19, YouTube videos have been promoting false cures for cancer for years.

In Brazil, the platform has been used to amplify hate speech against vulnerable groups, reaching tens of thousands of users. Elections are not safe either. In the Philippines, false content with over 2 million views denying human rights abuses and corruption during the Martial law years are being used to burnish the reputation of the late dictators son, one of the candidates in the 2022 elections.

In Taiwan, the last election was marred by unsubstantiated accusations of fraud. The whole world witnessed the consequences of disinformation when a violent mob assaulted the U.S. Capitol last year. From the eve of the U.S. presidential election to the day after, YouTube videos supporting the fraud narrative were watched more than 33 million times.

The network believes surfacing fact-checked information is more effective than deleting false content as it preserves freedom of expression while acknowledging the need for the spread of the right information.

Seeing a large proportion of views on YouTube come from its own recommendation algorithm, IFCN says YouTube should make sure it does not actively promote disinformation to its users or recommend content coming from unreliable channels.

IFCN signatories note that YouTube is avoiding the possibility of doing what has been proven to work.

Our experience as fact-checkers together with academic evidence tells us that surfacing fact-checked information is more effective than deleting content. It also preserves freedom of expression while acknowledging the need for additional information to mitigate the risks of harm to life, health, safety and democratic processes.

Proposing a 4-point solution, the network wants YouTube to commit to meaningful and transparent efforts about disinformation on its platform, provide context and offer debunks, act against repeat offenders and extend current and future efforts against disinformation and misinformation in languages other than English.

The network said it is ready and able to help YouTubeto discuss these matters and find ways forward on a collaboration and look forward to your response to this offer.
The police in Delta State said 18 persons have been rescued from a collapsed church building belonging to the Salvation Ministries in Asaba, Delta State, Nigerias South-south.

The rescued have been taken to yet-to-be identified hospitals in the state capital.

Rescue efforts were still going on at the time of this report, PREMIUM TIMES gathered. It is believed that many more were still trapped under the collapsed structure.

The spokesperson of the police in Delta State, Bright Edafe, confirmed the rescue of the 18 persons.

Mr Edafe said no death has been recorded so far, and that children and adults are among those rescued.

The church building had collapsed on Tuesday evening during a church service as part of the activities marking the churchs 21-day fasting and prayer.

The building was said to have caved in through the children section, trapping scores of worshippers, including children, who were attending the service.

The rescue operation is led by the officials of the Delta State Emergency Management Agency, fire service and the police.
A State High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, has fixed January 19 for delivering of judgement on the fundamental rights suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), challenging his arrest in Kenya by Nigerian security agents and expulsion to Nigeria.

Aloy Ejimakor, Mr Kanus special counsel, who filed the suit on August 27, last year, on behalf of the IPOB leader, disclosed this in a statement, Tuesday.

Mr Kanu is being held by Nigerias secret police in Abuja where he is standing trial for alleged treason.

The IPOB leader is asking the Abia court to declare his arrest, detention and prosecution illegal.

He wants the court to compel the Nigerian government to release and repatriate him to Britain, his country of domicile and citizenship.

Mr Kanu told the court that his arrest in Kenya and subsequent trial in Nigeria was an infringement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

He is also asking the court to declare as unlawful the military invasion of his home in Abia State in September 2017, and to compel the Nigerian government to tender a public apology to him for the infringement of his fundamental rights.

The respondents in the suit include, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Army Staff, Brigade Commander,14 Brigade Ohafia, and the Inspector General of Police.

Others are the Commissioner of Police, Abia State, the Director General of the SSS, and the Abia State Director of the SSS.

IPOB, which is leading the agitation for an independent republic, Biafra, which they want carved out from Nigerias South-east and parts of South-south, has been accused of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the South-east and South-south.

Mr Kanu was previously arrested and released on bail. He had jumped bail in 2017.

He was intercepted in Kenya in June, last year, by Nigerian security agents and brought back to Abuja.
The governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, on Tuesday, said God spoke to him to run for president in 2023.

Mr Umahi stated this when he appeared on Politics Today a programme on Channels Television.

He appeared on the programme few hours after he declared his ambition to jostle for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket at the State House, Abuja, where he had met with President Muhammadu Buhari to intimate him of his plan.

Mr Umahi declared his intention 24 hours after the National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, informed Mr Buhari of his decision to throw his hat into the ring.

The Ebonyi governor said it was God that directed him to declare his intention when he did, but that God did not tell him if he will win the presidential election or not.

God spoke to me so it is progressive. So, I spoke when he asked me to speak. Based on what God is doing for us in our state, the economic indicesby Gods grace what we have achieved, lots of people believe that the same feat we can achieve at the federal level if given the opportunity.

You talk to God, God talks to you, that is prayer and you listen to God, and I think I am at peace with this decision. It is not about God telling you that you will win or not, it is about Gods programme. I think that the programme of God will be made manifest, he said.

When asked about his chances against other heavyweights in the APC, Mr Umahi, who in November 2020 defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he was elected as governor twice, said Power belongs to God. God gives power to whomever he wishes. God brought a man from prison and made him president.

Nigerian politicians are notorious for invoking the name of God whenever they are running for office, particularly the office of the president.

In 2018, the founder of a Lagos-based church, Latter Rain Assembly (now called Citadel Community Church), Tunde Bakare, disclosed to his congregation that God told him to run for president.

Mr Bakare, who was the running mate to Mr Buhari in the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), said God told him you cannot bring your political career to an end.

He added, Joseph (in the Bible) did not contest an election; yet, he became the prime minister of Egypt. Why must I worry myself about where to get the resources for the task? Your own duty in this assignment is to pray along with me. When it is the appointed time, He (God) will do it. When He tells me the time, you will hear about it.

Seven months after the revelation by Mr Bakare, another pastor, Chris Okotie, the general overseer of the Household of God Church, said God directed him to write a letter to the National Chairmen of the PDP and APC to adopt him as their candidate in the 2019 election.

However, despite the directive from God, neither of the two parties adopted him as their candidate.

Mr Okotie, on two previous occasions, said God asked him to run for president.

God spoke to me about my participation in the political process, which was why I took the step in the first place. He has not said anything contrary, the clergyman one said.

Despite running for the position in 2003 under the Justice Party and in 2007 on the platform of the Fresh Democratic Party, he did not win.

Umahi on Igbo Presidency

Speaking further during the interview, Mr Umahi said the Igbo presidency will not be an issue of force but dialogue just as he frowned at the idea of a consensus candidate from the South-east.

According to him It is not the Igbos that will decide who will rule this country, it is Nigerians that will decide. When people say Igbos should come together, that is even a minus. The project in view is Nigeria, whether it is 20 people from the South-east, should not undermine the chances of getting someone from Nigeria. Coming together is like a conspiracy.

He added that We (Igbo) have been in PDP as a region, casting all our votes and of course putting all our eggs inside one basket. The South-east under PDP should be given the opportunity to fly the ticket for the presidency. I did not by any means see that the gladiators, the owners of PDP were ready to give the Igbo a chance.

There is a lot of sentiment among our people. It is to be by dialogue not by force. I believe strongly that South-east people are builders, they have invested in other regions of this country.

It depends on who becomes the president, we must see the past antecedent of the person. We must see how inclusive the person is  is he somebody that is divisive in his attitude? If we get the best from the South-east that will be a plus for us.

When asked about Mr Buharis response to his declaration, Mr Umahi said the president asked him to consult widely.

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He stressed that Mr President believes in giving everyone opportunity to run. He told me people must consult widely. 
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has written to the United States Ambassador in Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, urging her to send representatives to observe proceedings in his ongoing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Mr Kanu, who is standing trial in a seven-count amended charge before Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, also wrote the United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, requesting the presence of British envoys in court next week.

The IPOB leaders trial bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism, is expected to resume on January 18.

Mr Kanu is being held by the SSS at its headquarters in Abuja, after the Nigerian government brought him from Kenya last June, an action his lawyers termed abduction.

We, gratefully, please, request His Excellency to send representative(s) of the United States Embassy to observe the proceedings of the court on those adjourned dates and on any other date to which further proceedings in the cause may be adjourned until the matter is disposed of, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Mr Kanus lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, wrote in the letters dated January 11 and separately addressed to the American and British diplomats in Nigeria.

Mr Ejiofor predicated the letters on the need to ensure that our client (Mr Kanu) is given a fair trial.

The lawyer noted that Mr Kanus trial has a political undercurrent, adding, the instant request is compelling in the circumstance, to ensure that the whole process of our clients trial is fair and just in all circumstances.

Stop possible harrassment

He appealed to the U.S. government to prevail on the Nigerian government concerning harassment, intimidating and arrest of Nigerians who may throng the court premises next Tuesday to witness the trial.

Journalists and lawyers have been having a hell of a time accessing the Federal High Court in Abuja during hearings in the IPOB leaders trial.

Armed security operatives, comprising State Security Service (SSS) agents and the police, often flood the court premises, blocking vehicular and human traffic from adjoining streets to the court.

Notwithstanding the fact that these civilians have always been peaceful in their conduct and show of solidarity, the security agents have continued to harass intimidate and arrest them, Mr Ejiofor said, of the usually tensed atmosphere that pervades the court.

He added, Many of these persons so arrested are still languishing in various detention facilities in Nigeria.

Buhari taunted Nnamdi Kanu in interview

Describing a recent interview by President Muhammadu Buhari where he said he would not intervene to secure Mr Kanus freedom, the lawyer said the comment approximates to a taunt.

In an interview aired on Channels Television on January 5, Mr Buhari had said, There is one institution in the country I would not interfere (with), which is the judiciary.

We are giving him (Mr Kanu) the opportunity to defend himself in Nigeria, the president said, not abusing us far away in Europe.

Mr Ejiofor explained that the Presidents extrajudicial comment necessitated the letters to the envoys, to forestall any undesirable consequence that may eventuate on it.

We consider it expedient that truly democratic sovereign nations of the world send representatives to observe proceedings of the trial of our client.

We firmly believe that the presence of those representatives in court would make all parties tow the path of honour and rectitude and assure the fair trial of our client, the letter read in part.

British govt owes Kanu a duty to ensure fair trial

In the letter to the UK High Commissioner, Mr Kanus lawyer reminded the British government of its responsibility in ensuring a fair trial for the IPOB leader, who is also a Briton.

The British Government owes our client, a British citizen, a sacred duty to ensure that the whole process of his trial is fair and just in all circumstances, Mr Ejiofor said in the letter dated 11 January.

Referring to the seven-count charge as having political undercurrent, the IPOB lawyer said Britain must keep a close, watchful and attentive eye on the whole judicial process that has intervened to determine his (Mr Kanus) culpability.

The Nigerian Government, clearly, has a profound interest in the criminal charge pending against our client and the outcome of his trial.

READ ALSO: 67 IPOB members regain freedom after five months in detention

The said Government overreached itself by ensuring that our client was brought back to Nigeria by every means possible. Some leading members of the Government have also made certain unsavoury comments about our client. For this reason, we view as compelling the need to invite representatives of true democratic nations of the world to observe court proceedings in relation to his trial, the letter revealed.

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Meanwhile, the British High Commission has dispatched a letter of request to the trial judge, Mrs Nyako, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

A source who pleaded anonymity, told this reporter that a request letter bearing the name of a British envoy has been sent to the judge for the Tuesday court session.

The British High Commissioner has sent a letter requesting the permission of Justice Binta Nyako, to allow a representative of the UK government to observe next Tuesdays proceedings, the source said.

Background

At Tuesdays court sitting, Mrs Nyako will hear pending applications challenging the competence of the charges instituted against Mr Kanu.

At the last sitting in Mr Kanus trial on December 2, 2021, the trial judge, Mrs Nyako, adjusted the hearing date in the suit to January 18, 2022. Mr Kanus defence team had staged a walk-out on the judge at the previous sitting on November 10, 2021.

Mr Ejiofor, who led other defence lawyers on the walk-out on the judge, had applied for an abridgement of time in the trial for an urgent hearing of his pending applications.

But, the prosecuting lawyer, Shuaibu Labaran, opposed the request for abridgement of time, informing the judge he had filed a counter-application.

After listening to arguments by the two opposing lawyers, the judge said the courts diary was already congested due to her busy schedule, and adjourned the suit till January 18, bringing the date forward by two days.
The majority of Nigerians are happy with the federal lawmakers and by extension, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has said.

He said many citizens would, after their tenure, say and write good commentaries about the National Assembly and what they achieved.

Mr Lawan made these comments at the event of his 63rd birthday celebration in Abuja on Wednesday.

His statement comes amid criticisms from many Nigerians to the lawmakers for major faults like failing to check the excesses of the Executive arm and always doing the bidding of the president.

Many have also accused the lawmakers of chasing personal interests and breaking several laws than looking out for Nigerians. Over the years, aggrieved Nigerians have described the ninth assembly as a rubber stamp for the president.

But this name, Mr Lawan said, will not deter the lawmakers from considering and passing pro-people legislations needed for the development and advancement of the country.

We believe that there is a price to pay for anything, but we are patriotic. Let us be called any name, what we want to do and achieve is for our country to be better.

Tomorrow, some of these people that are calling us all types of names will be writing very good commentaries about what we have been able to achieve in this ninth National Assembly.

Majority of Nigerians are happy with what we are doing, we are not perfect, we make our errors, and we will correct them.

We identify with our citizens, but we will always do what is in the best interest of our country.

On insecurity, the Senate President said Nigerians are tired of stories on killings  a situation he said is not too good for the country.

While referring to the recent killings of over 200 people in different communities in Zamfara State, Mr Lawan, said the government is concerned.

He also expressed optimism that things will turn around for the better within the remaining one and half years left for this administration. This is even as he commended the armed forces for their efforts so far.

In supporting the security agencies for more potent war against the killers in the land, the National Assembly has appropriated over a trillion for security in the 2022 budget, which will be monitored very well for desired results.

In achieving this, our relevant committees will ensure that procurement process is transparent and what and what projected to be bought or acquired, are bought.

The security situation in the country is begging for more attention and it shall be given because that is the primary purpose of governance,  he said.

NASS concerned about borrowings

Despite the consistent borrowings by the federal government and the Senates speedy approval of loan requests, Mr Lawan said the National Assembly is concerned.

The borrowings, he said, will continue if expected revenues are not generated by agencies saddled with that purposes.

Nobody likes taking loans, borrowing or accumulating debts, whether as an individual, a family, a community or as a country.

But what can you do when youre not able to generate enough? We are as concerned as anybody else about our level of borrowing, even though we have not saturated, but if we can do better, why not reduce, and the best way to reduce is to get more revenues from especially independent sources.

The government-owned enterprises are supposed to give us more money. In 2022, we are expecting maybe about a trillion, Im not an economist, but I believe that we should be expecting maybe double or triple from them.

We must support them, we must supervise them, and we must keep them on their toes for us to have more revenues in other to reduce the level of borrowing, he said.

He further disclosed that the Senate would, in the first quarter of 2022, focus on addressing the challenges of revenue generation, collection and remittance to shore up earnings by the federal government.

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Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has said insecurity in the North-west of Nigeria has become an existential threat and urged the federal government to put more effort into fighting it.

Mr Matawalle said this when he received a federal government delegation, which paid him a condolence visit over the recent massacre of over 200 people by bandits in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how people were killed by bandits in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas last week.

Members of the delegation included Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar-Faruk, National Security Adviser, Babagana Mungono, the Inspector-General Of Police, Usman Alkali and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Need for more effort

Mr Matawalle urged that special forces be sent to some parts of the state and the region to tackle the activities of bandits.

As part of this strategy, special forces should be deployed to some blackspots, particularly identified to be more dangerous centres of activities of the bandits.

These blackspots are Gando, in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, Munhaye of Tsafe Local Government Area, Bayan Ruwa, in Maradun Local Government Area, Kabaro- Sangeku, of Dansadau and Magami axis. The special forces could help dislodge the bandits and block exits to the fleeing ones.

The governor said his administration has made effort to tackle the menace but the security challenge is unprecedented.

The security challenge in Zamfara and other states in the North-west is unprecedented. It has become an existential threat for the subregion.

We have virtually explored and tried all workable options in our relentless effort to address this challenge. We tried the dialogue mechanism, which has worked for some time before deliberate efforts by some misguided politicians to scuttle the process.

We employed the service of hunters and provided them with motorcycles and allowances. Only recently we paid the service hunters the sum of N53 million, in addition to their full upkeep.

In the aftermath of the recent attacks in Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas, we expended the sum of N250 million to provide vehicles, and allowances for both the Civilian JTF and the conventional security outfits, Governor Matawalle added.

Earlier, the Leader of the federal govt delegation, Mr Magashi, told the governor that his team was in Gusau to extend the message of President Muhammadu Buhari, over the recent unfortunate attacks on some communities in the state.

Mr Magashi, the minister of defence, said the president was saddened by the development and promised that stringer actions would be taken to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future.
The police in Enugu State, Nigerias South-east, have arrested a man for allegedly killing three of his female children.

The oldest of the children was 11 years old, while the youngest was four. The other was eight years old, according to the police.

The man, Ifeanyi Amadikwa, 52, dumped the bodies of the children in a fridge, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Amadikwa, who lives at 74 Nkwubor Road, Emene, near Enugu, was arrested on January 4, around 7:30 p.m.

Preliminary investigation showed that the suspects wife and mother of the children went to the market with her only male child on January 4, leaving the others in the suspects custody.

She, however, came back in the evening hours of the said date and could not find any of the three children.

But while searching for them, the suspect drew her attention to the said fridge he had brought back home from his shop on January 2 and kept in their apartments veranda.

And on a closer observation, the lifeless bodies of the children were found in the fridge with bruises, suggesting that they might have been murdered and dumped in the fridge, Mr Ndukwe, an assistant superintendent of police, said in the statement.

Mr Ndukwe said the bodies of the children were immediately moved to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead by medical doctors on duty and deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Lawal Abubakar, commiserated with the mother, relatives and friends of the deceased children.

The police spokesperson said the commissioner has assured the public of a thorough investigation and justice in the case.

In view of this, the commissioner has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department to conduct a conclusive investigation into the case and ensure everyone found culpable is brought to book, the police spokesperson added.

(NAN)
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has elected to locate the headquarters of its Americas' office in Brazil.

The decision was made at the UNWTOs 24th General Assembly held last month, and the subsequent announcement revealed at the conclusion of the 114th Meeting of the Executive Council of the UNWTO, the following day.

The new office is tasked with attracting investments; carrying out commission studies on the tourism sector; developing a Tourist Support Portal; fostering startups operating in tourism; and supporting the activities and projects developed by the UNWTO worldwide. The office is intended to start operations this year.

Headquartering the Americas office in Brazil was a natural choice for the UNWTO  largely owing to the nations status as an economic powerhouse in the Latam region, and its thriving tourism sector supported by Embratur, its International Tourism Promotion Agency.

Through Embratur, Brazil continues to promote itself as a friendly destination to UAE-based travellers, focusing on its diverse eco-tourism attractions as well as its gastronomic, luxury, business, leisure, and well-Being offerings. The location of the office will therefore continue to strengthen ties between the UAE and Brazil opening up more opportunities for Emiratis to explore and visit the countrys tropical beaches, historical sites, and the Amazon rainforest.

To attract more visitors from the Gulf, UAE, Asia and Europe, Brazil is also expanding its halal-tourism in a bid to cater more to the needs of Muslim tourists. This shift to accommodate the preference of more diverse holidaymakers will see the introduction of halal-certified hotels as well as signed spaces aimed at Mecca and copies of the Quran in accommodations.

We have just approved a new UNWTO office in Brazil. I congratulate the Minister of Tourism, Gilson Machado Neto; the President of Embratur, Carlos Brito; and everyone who, along with them, took part in this momentous win. I want to also thank President Jair Bolsonaro for his support and for pursuing the idea of opening this office in Brazil, said the Secretary General of the UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili  who was re-elected as Secretary General during the 24th General Assembly.

The minister of Tourism and President of Embratur's Deliberative Council, Gilson Machado Neto, celebrated the victory of the Brazilian candidacy and highlighted that Nature Tourism is being increasingly sought after worldwide: The confirmation of an UNWTO office in Brazil is a great achievement for this government and for Brazil. Thanks to the commitment and credibility of the current government, we were able to prove our potential to the world and commemorate what is one of the biggest advertisements for Brazilian tourism in decades.

The president of Embratur, Carlos Brito, who actively participated, along with the Embratur team and the Ministry of Tourism, in the entire campaign that culminated in Brazil's victory, also commented: We are extremely honored to have been elected to host the UNWTO in Brazil and we are certain that we will be able, together with the world's leading authority in the tourism sector, to carry out even more promotional actions so that international tourists can visit the spectacular wonders of Brazil.

According to Minister Gilson Machado, despite the sector having been heavily affected during the pandemic, the recovery of tourism in Brazil is already being reflected in the statistics: "Brazil is the country that has some of the greatest potential in the post-pandemic period. Today, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism, we have already recovered 88% of our internal tourist flow. Few countries in the world can say that. Our airlines are back to approximately 80% of their operations, and some hubs are already at 100%, such as Recife airport, which has already surpassed 2019 numbers."
Barely seven days after they burnt down five villages in horrifying attacks, killing at least 200 people, bandits have again abducted 12 residents in two fresh attacks in Zamfara State.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the terror groups, operating as bandits, killed 200 people in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas of Zamfara last week.

The UN Secretary-General and President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attacks in separate statements.

Yar Kuka attack

Details of the attack in Yar Kuka are still sketchy, but a resident of Anka told PREMIUM TIMES that the village head, his wife and his brother, Sarki Musa, Hadiza Musa and Bawa Musa respectively, were abducted.

The bandits were said to have stormed the village Monday night and went straight to the monarchs house.

Other people reportedly abducted were two Burkina Faso nationals who were engaged in mining activities in the village and another resident named Dahiru Ummaru.

Kadauri attack

Three women and three teenage girls were abducted in Kuzawa community of Kadauri village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Muhammadu Tasiu, a local trader, said his two wives and three daughters were abducted by the bandits.

Mr Tasiu, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on phone Tuesday evening, said the attackers stormed his house around 2:30 a.m.

I was around but in my own part of the house when they came. They didnt fire a single shot. Apart from my wives and daughters, they also took away all my money. The names of my wives are Zainab and Asmau, he said.

The other woman, according to him, was a neighbour.

He added that the bandits had called twice but did not make any meaningful negotiations with me.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the police in Zamfara, Mohammed Shehu, said he did not have such information.

To be honest with you, I dont have any information on such attacks in the areas you mentioned, he said.

Kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling and incessant killings have become commonplace in Zamfara and other North west Nigerian states.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted the mother of Kano State House of Assembly minority leader, Isyaku Ali, in Gezawa town.

The old woman, Hajia Zainab, lives with some family members and house staff.

Her son, Mr Ali, is a former Speaker of the house.

Saminu Ali, a son of the lawmaker, told BBC Hausa as monitored by PREMIUM TIMES that the gunmen stormed the house at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

He said the gunmen, carrying sophisticated weapons, forced some of the family members to take them to the lawmakers mothers side in the House.

A Daily Nigerian report quoted the lawmaker saying the gunmen broke the door when she refused to open it for them.

He said it was one of the old womans staff that raised an alarm after which the police were informed of the attack.

Even before I went to Gezawa, the Divisional Police Officers had called me and told me that he deployed his officers to the scene. He said they have already launched investigation into the matter, the lawmaker said.

Mr Ali also said the gunmen were yet to contact him or other members of his family.

There is no contact from them so far. We are just praying to Almighty to save her life, he added.
A private secondary school in Akwa Ibom State has reacted to an allegation of child abuse made against one of its officials.

The allegation was made in a Facebook post by a resident of Abuja, Celestine Mel, who posted photos of a girl, Udeme, said to have been caned by an official of the school, King Solomon Secondary School, Uyo.

The photos showed bruises on the girls body.

Mr Mel said the SS3 girl is his relations daughter.

The charge was that her school uniform was too short, and goes against the Bible, which forms the moral pillar of the school.

She wanted to strip the child down. The child tried to run away. Ndifreke (the official) descended on her, using every weapon within her reach: cane, stick, planks. From the head to her back, shoulder, thighs, legs, etc.

There were bumps, blood and bruises. She looked like a lucky survivor, out from a bombed-out rubble in a war zone. The head bulged out. The eyes blood-shot. Her skin peeled here and there, lacerated and bleeding. She left the school by foot and in pain, and walked home by foot, several kilometers away. Alone. With no mercy. Or money. Or pity, Mr Mel said in the Facebook post.

Story exaggerated, says school

The management of King Solomon Secondary School has, however, said that Mr Mels story was an exaggeration of what really happened.

On Monday, January 10, 2022, the resumption day of (the) second term for the 2021/22 session, a female student in SS3 was spotted coming to school with (an) inappropriate dress, a skirt with (an) edge above the knees.

One of our staff, Mrs Ndifreke Etim, who is a member of the Management Board, accosted her on grounds of the wrong dressing, but the said girl rebuffed, muttering offensive words to the staff, a behaviour that prompted the use of cane on her, Ubong Akpan said in a statement on Tuesday.

The school said the girls parents were not pleased with the incident, but that its management was already on the matter before it was overblown and taken to social media.

While it is obvious that the version of the story circulated by Mr Mel is an exaggeration of the true state of things, we acknowledge the established grievances of (the) girls parents who have remained reliable stakeholders in our school and have taken steps to resolve the issue amicably, the school said.

It should also be known that our school has never condoned child abuse of any kind, or harbour abusers. Our staff are well cultured and our students are bred in line with accepted standards of school administration. The staff in question is one of our best and does not deserve the unpleasant tags on her personality.
A magistrate court in Yaba has remanded two teenagers for the alleged murder of Babatunde Dada, a Lagos-based pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

The court remanded Farouq Muhammed, 16, and Jamiu Kasali, 19, for 30 days.

Another two suspects, Mumuni Toheeb, 21, Mubarak Soliu, 20, were charged for receiving the deceased phone valued at N60,000.

The incident happened on December 2,2021 at the Chapel of Resurrection, 6th Avenue, Festac Town, where the deceased was the admin/account officer.

Mr Dada was stabbed to death inside the church by two teenagers who visited the church the Sunday before the incident for the first time and had given their lives to Christ.

They also dispossessed him of his personal belongings.

Remand

The magistrate, Linda Balogun, said that Mr Muhammed should be remanded at the special correctional centre for boys at Oregun while Mr Kasali be taken to the Ikoyi correctional centre.

However, Mr Toheeb and Mubarak who pleaded not guilty were granted bail in the sum of N200,000 with a surety each.

According to the magistrate, the sureties must be responsible, show proof of employment, source of income, and evidence of tax payment to the Lagos state, and have their addresses verified.

READ ALSO:

Ms Balogun adjourned the matter till February 14.

Back story

The teenagers met with the head pastor after the church service and told him that they were stranded and needed a place to stay. The deceased was then assigned to them to take care of their welfare and they were allowed to stay within the church premises.

According to the Punch newspaper, a family member, who is also a security expert, Abolarinwa Olatunbosun, said the deceased was killed after withdrawing money from a bank.

He said: The pastor went to a bank to withdraw some money and went to rest on the first floor of the church. Two persons said to be new converts went to meet him upstairs, broke his head, and killed him.
Budding trees and blooming flowers.

The return of robins, loons and other migrating birds.

The return of bees, butterflies and frogs.

Melting snow and lake ice.

Longer days and light in the evening.

Shedding the winter garments.

The myriad scents of flowering trees and plants.

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GERD BUCERIUS HISTORY SCHOLARSHIP



Call for Applications



ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius has partnered with Central

European University to fund joint scholarships offered to high-achieving

students who wish to pursue a one-year or two-year Masters degree at

CEUs Department of History.



More information on the scholarship program. [1]



The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, and living costs. All

students applying for financial aid in the History MA Program will be

eligible for this scholarship. If you are interested in the Gerd

Bucerius History Scholarship, you should indicate this in the Statement

of Purpose that you will be asked to submit as part of your application.





More information about the application process can be found on the

departmental website: https://history.ceu.edu/howtoapply [2]



The deadline for applications with financial aid is February 1, 2022, at

23:59 CET.



If you have further questions please contact Dr. Anna Hofmann, Director,

Head of Research and Scholarship, E-Mail: hofmann@zeit-stiftung.de,

twitter: @ZSwissenschaft [3].



Please help us to spread the information and pass this message on or use

our twitter link [4] to inform anybody who might be interested.



All the best,



Petra



Petra Borchard

Program Director Alumni Relations

ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius

Feldbrunnenstrasse 56

20148 Hamburg

Germany

Tel.: 0049 40 41336791

Fax: 0049 40 41336740



Mobile: 0049 152 08 66 86 19

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LONDON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Apollon Formularies plc (AQSE: APOL, "Apollon" or the "Company"), a UK based international medical cannabis pharmaceutical company trading on AQSE Growth Market, is pleased to announce the appointment of Roderick ("Rod") Claude McIllree as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect.

Rod currently owns 217,485,940 ordinary shares in the Company, representing approximately 29.06% of the issued share capital. Rod was instrumental in bringing Apollon to the AQSE Growth Market, via a reverse takeover with admission having taken place in April 2021.

Roderick McIllree (Born: 27 September 1973)

For more than 20 years Rod has advised, funded, and run public companies across multiple global exchanges in several sectors and has specific experience in technology, mining, international logistics and finance. Currently Rod is Charmian of AIM listed Bluejay Mining Plc.

Rod has been a long-time advisor to, and investor in, Apollon and holds a significant interest in the shares of the Company. His appointment strengthens the Board at a time that the Company expects to experience significant growth.

The Company expects to appoint further high-profile directors to the Board in the coming months and will advise the market as and when these take place.

Stephen D. Barnhill, M.D. CEO of Apollon, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Rod to the Board as a Non-Executive Director. Rod, a significant shareholder in the Company, has a long-established career with a demonstrable record of growing small cap companies and creating shareholder value of many business ventures over a long career. He brings a wealth of financial and directorial experience to the team, and I look forward to working with him as we move our business towards the global rollout of Apollon's product range and medical expertise to supportive jurisdictions."

Rod McIllree, Non-Executive Director, stated, "Apollon is an excellent example of utilising research and development to help improve people's lives. The compelling results of Apollon's formulations killing cancer cells in 3D-cell culture and the upcoming opening of the International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute in Jamaica are important milestones for the Company and offers outstanding potential on many fronts. I look forward to working with Dr Barnhill and the wider Apollon team at this exciting time for growth as the Company looks to execute on the various business partnership opportunities becoming available."

Rod currently holds the following directorships:

Bluejay Mining Plc

Greenland Gas & Oil Ltd

Greenland Gas & Oil A/S

RM Corporate Ltd

Finland Investments Ltd

More Acquisitions Ltd

Disko Exploration Ltd

Dundas Titanium A/S

Directorships held in the past five years:

Apollon Formularies Ltd

Except as set out above, there is no further information regarding Rod McIllree, that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 4.9 of the AQSE Growth Market Access Rulebook.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For additional information, please visit www.apollon.org.uk or contact: apollon@blytheweigh.com +44 7875 744 070

About Apollon Formularies plc

Apollon Formularies is an international bio-medical pharmaceutical company specialising in cutting edge research and treatment of patients with cancer and chronic pain.

Apollon is federally legal, licensed in Jamaica, holds a suite of licences which allow the company to work with full spectrum oils inclusive of high levels of THC. Apollon's formulations are available by prescription to any licensed Jamaican doctor for their patients and for export to any country allowing legal import.

Apollon is a publicly traded company listed on the Aquis Growth Market in London (AQSE: APOL)

SOURCE Apollon Formularies Plc
Together Pharma is the only cultivator of medical cannabis in Uganda. Its Ugandan farm extends over some approx. 30,000 sqm Greenhouses and has full production capacity of more than 15 tons annually, including a range of innovative cultivars which will be introduced to the European medical markets over the next months.

As of today, Cantourage has signed contracts with 18 leading cultivators from 13 different countries. Together Pharma is the first company that will launch products grown in Africa via Cantourage's Fast Track Access Platform.

Philip Schetter, CEO of Cantourage, said: "With Together Pharma we are adding Uganda's leading cultivator to Cantourage's platform, supplying wholesalers and pharmacies throughout Europe. By bringing the first medical cannabis from Uganda to Germany we are adding even more treatment choice to patients and pharmacies, expanding our global network and highlighting our excellence at scouting the best growers globally. We feel privileged to be pioneers in bringing the best medical cannabis products from around the world into Germany at affordable prices for the benefit of patients."

Nir Sosinsky, Managing Director of Together Pharma, added: "The partnership with Cantourage is extremely exciting for Together Pharma and a new stage in the expansion of our global reach and at the same time strengthens our commitment to Uganda's cannabis industry, which holds great future potential for the country. Germany is an extremely important market for us and we are very glad to have launched our unique medical-grade cannabis buds for patients in Germany and, in the long term, the rest of Europe".

About Cantourage GmbH

Cantourage is a leading European medical cannabis company. The Berlin-based company was founded in 2019 by industry pioneers Dr Florian Holzapfel, Norman Ruchholtz and Patrick Hoffman. Cantourage enables producers from across the world to bring their product into the growing and profitable European market more quickly and cheaply, while guaranteeing and further developing highest European quality standards. It offers products in all relevant market segments: dried flowers, extracts, Dronabinol, and pharma-grade Cannabidiol.

About Together Pharma Holdings Inc.

Together Pharma is a public company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE). The company has a subsidiary Globus Pharma Ltd., which holds the franchise, (both directly and through subsidiaries), to grow, produce, and distribute medical cannabis products.

The company holds 2 farms of the world's most advanced agricultural cultivation systems, one in Israel and the second in Uganda , which allow the control and supervision of cannabis plants using the latest technologies, developing them into quality plants suitable for supervised medical use according to the strict IMC-GAP and GACP standards. The company has also a pharmaceutical factory, which meet all the required strict conditions for manufacturing medical products according to the IMC-GMP standard.

Learn more: https://togetherpharma.de.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1724469/Cantourage.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1724470/Cantourage_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Cantourage
LONDON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Brandessence Market Research, the Nitrile Gloves Market size reached USD 5.51 Billion in 2021. The Nitrile Gloves market is likely to grow at robust CAGR of 14.34%, and reach size of USD 14.08 Billion by 2028 end. The growing number of accidents, including hand and finger injuries in the oil and gas industry has prompted companies to focus more on hand injury prevention gear, which is driving the growth of the Nitrile Gloves

Global Key Players for Nitrile Gloves Market Report

Ansell Ltd.,

Cardinal Health

Hartalega Holdings Bhd

Honeywell International Inc.

Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd

Latexx Partners Berhad

3M

MCR Safety

Medline Industries Inc.

Superior Gloves

Top Glove Corp. Bhd

Many others are contributing in the Market Growth. The nitrile gloves market remains a competitive, innovative, and fragmented landscape. The market remains home to new opportunities, as growing end-use, increased innovation, and efficacy of nitrile gloves remain promising drivers of growth. The growing demand for nitrile gloves in medical settings remains a short-term key growth trend, which may show potential in the long-run as well. The growing awareness of chemical safety in industrial settings, and availability of promising products remain key opportunities for growth.

Get Sample Copy of This Premium [email protected] https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/1815

Nitrile rubber, also known as NBR, Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, and Buna-N is a variety of synthetic rubber. It is known by a variety of other names in the industry including Europrene, Krynac, Perbunan, and Nipon, among others. The rubber is essential for use in medical, automotive, and various other industrial applications, thanks to its resistance to fuel, chemicals, and oil. Due to the its strong resistance, it is commonly used in oil, and fuel handling hoses, grommets, seals, and fuel tanks in the automotive sector. Conventionally, the automotive sector remained the largest sector for end-application for nitrile gloves. Moreover, the advancements in nitrile gloves with introduction of varieties like hydrogenated nitrile rubber, carboxylate nitrile rubber have advanced its application. For example, earlier nitrile gloves remained limited in its use in relation to chemicals, as these were susceptible to chemical degradation. However, the new varieties offer high chemical, thermal, abrasion resistance making them far more promising in end-applications.

The Global Nitrile Gloves Market is segmented on the basis of fabric type, grade, texture, end-use

By Type:

Powdered

Powder-free

By Grade:

Medical Grade

Industrial Grade

Food Grade

By Texture:

Smooth

Micro roughened

Aggressively Textured

By End-Use:

Medical & Healthcare

Food & Beverage

Automotive

Oil & Gas

Construction

Chemical

Pharmaceutical

Metals & Machinery

Others

The covid-19 pandemic provided a major boost to growth of nitrile gloves globally. The nitrile gloves, widely used in both medical and laboratory settings witnessed growing use of single-use nitrile gloves. The pandemic also provided boost to various other nitrile-based apparels including medical gowns, masks, and respirators. The covid-19 period between 2019-2020 also witnessed a major increase in costs, as supply chain derailment led to increased costs of raw materials. The increased support from governments around the world to manufacture PPE equipment like nitrile gloves, and premium pricing enjoyed by manufacturers in many places remained promising driver of the increased valuation of the nitrile gloves market. The pricing incentives and increased demand led to major new investment in the nitrile gloves market. For example, VIP gloves Ltd installed additional production lines, boosting their capacity by as much as 60%, while promising more investments in additional capacity in the near future.

Get Methodology @ https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestMethodology/PostId/1815

News: Yanimed Announced Joint Venture with Guangdong Guyun Medical Technology Co. Ltd.

On April, 29th 2021; Yanimed announced the formation of a joint venture with Guangdong Guyun Medical Technology Co., Ltd, a Chinese manufacturing business specializing in R&D, production, and manufacturing of disposable medical items, including nitrile gloves. Blokkx Ltd. has made a big step toward becoming a major player in the medical consumables sector in the United States by partnering with Guyun Medical. Yanimed and Guyun Medical have formed a joint venture to create Yanimed, YaniPure, a new brand that will operate exclusively in the United States. As a result of this partnership, the two organizations will collaborate to create a distribution network that will serve hospital groups across the United States, supplying high-quality gloves both now and after the epidemic. In both the American and European markets, Guyun Medical is in high demand. In the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak, the company has been working nonstop to expand its production capacity. Guyun Medical has over 100 international certifications, including EN455, EN374, CE, and ISO9001, and is on the cusp of getting FDA 510k approval.

Nitrile gloves market doubled its growth amidst the pandemic, as demand for medical gloves skyrocketed in 2020. In 2019, global exports for nitrile gloves reached USD 8,264,965 in valuation. In 2020, this figure reached USD 17,067,220. The growing demand for nitrile gloves in medical applications amidst the global pandemic, and its key benefits like resistance to infection spread, highly puncture resistant nature make them ideal grade solution. Growing research in medical gloves also points to significant penetration of latex allergies among healthcare workers. This makes it essential to replace latex rubbers with nitrile gloves, especially during an infectious global pandemic. Advanced varieties like hydrogenated nitrile rubber, carboxylate nitrile rubber promise robust innovation with increased functionalities, and efficacy. The slowdown in automotive sector remains an immediate concern in the nitrile gloves market.

Nitrile Gloves Market: Key Trends

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommend wearing nitrile gloves as part of its standard for the automotive industry. The nitrile gloves offer the much-needed protection from solvents, oils, acids, greases, esters, bases, alcohols, and caustics. Gloves in the industry are also known to decrease rate of hand injuries by over 60%. Despite the promising application in the automotive sector, the slowdown in auto industry has presented new challenges for nitrile glove makers around the world. The covid-19 pandemic resulted in a decline of auto production by over 5% in 2019. Moreover, the decline further amplified in 2020, wiping out nearly 10 years of growth in the last decade. Apart from notable trends like growing demand for electric cars, the global vehicle production took a major hit during the pandemic for many reasons. Despite the major challenges in the automotive sector, there are some new opportunities emerging as well. For example, according to the International Energy Agency, more than 10 million electric vehicles hit the road in 2020, with new sales, and forecast reaching new peaks year-on-year. Hence, despite a forgettable period of growth in the automotive sector, the effects of it are likely to be temporary, and new opportunities like electric vehicles are already on their way.

The ACD or Allergic Contact Dermatitis remains a major concern among health workers. There are reportedly 4,000 chemicals that cause allergens. Furthermore, it remains a major concern among health workers working in various roles. For example, empirical evidence has established that rubber gloves are primary cause of allergies among healthcare workers, with incident rates as high as 5-17% among healthcare workers, as opposed to 1% for average citizens. Furthermore, accelerators like thiurams, carbamates, 3-diphenylguanidine (DPG), and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) are known perpetrators of such ACD. This has pushed the use of non-latex gloves, mainly nitrile gloves among healthcare workers. Today, dental facilities also widely use the nitrile gloves for both simple extractions, and surgical application. While demand for latex rubber still exists for applications like prophylactic polishing cups, orthodontic bands, and dental dams, the majority has shifted to use of non-latex rubber.

While awareness about conditions like ACD remains high in healthcare sector, the condition has become prevalent in other sectors like manufacturing industry. The industrial workers in industries like rubber manufacturing remain increasingly exposed to increased risk of developing cancer. Growing research shows that workers in this industry remain susceptible to bladder, lung, skin, and lymphohaematopoietic system. Furthermore, new research also points to increased risk of urinary bladder cancer among rubber manufacturing workers. This has led to development of low-protein rubber gloves, and specialty gloves. New Nitrile products, without the use of powder, promise nearly undetectable level of accelerators, making them an ideal alternative to traditional latex, and non-latex gloves. The growing awareness about cancer accelerators like DIPG, and their often fatal outcome are likely to drive more industries to adapt to new nitrile glove products in the near future.

On Special Requirement Nitrile Gloves Market Report is also available for below region:

North America

U.S, Canada

Europe

Germany , France,U.K., Italy , Spain , Sweden , Netherland, Turkey , Switzerland , Belgium , Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

SouthKorea, Japan , China , India , Australia , Philippines , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand , Indonesia , Rest Of APAC

Latin America

Mexico , Colombia , Brazil , Argentina , Peru , Rest of Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia , UAE, Egypt , South Africa , Rest Of MEA

Get Full Access of all Report: https://brandessenceresearch.com/chemical-and-materials/nitrile-gloves-market

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HATBORO, Pa., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To support rapid company growth and best meet the demands of the business, Azzur Group today announces new executive leadership appointments. Originally founded in Philadelphia in 2010, Azzur is a market-leading provider of GxP services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and healthcare industries with offices and on-demand cleanrooms locations throughout the United States. Today, the organization provides comprehensive GxP solutions through its on-demand cleanrooms, consulting and advisory services, microbiology labs, and aseptic and GxP training.

Ryan Ott has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Azzur Group. A long-time partner at Azzur, Ryan most recently served as Chief Administrative Officer. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in the overall strategic development of Azzur Group, initially in the Greater Philadelphia Region, while taking on additional responsibility with ongoing national expansion. In his new role, he collaborates with corporate and service-line leaders throughout the organization to execute on Azzur Group's strategic business plan. This includes Shaleen Parekh , who has been appointed to Sr. Vice President of Professional Services, with continuing oversight for Azzur Consulting, Azzur Labs, and Azzur Training Center; and Molly McGlaughlin , who has been appointed Sr. Vice President of Facilities Services, with continuing oversight for Azzur Cleanrooms on Demand as its Chief Operating Officer .

Appointed to the new role of Chief Innovation Officer is Ravi Samavedam . In this role, he will focus on bringing forward new business concepts and service areas for Azzur's continued expansion. Ravi's extensive life sciences industry experience and dynamic leadership of Azzur Cleanrooms on Demand from its creation in 2018 through its national expansion, ideally position him to proactively identify novel service offerings for the enterprise. Most recently, Ravi served as President and COO of Azzur Cleanrooms on Demand. He has been a member of Azzur Group since 2014.

Ilya Vasserman has been promoted to Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Azzur Group and is responsible for overseeing the management and scale-out of Azzur's corporate information technology infrastructure while forming and leading a new corporate-wide procurement group. Ilya will also continue to spearhead technology adoption and internal tool development, furthering our business insights capabilities. Ilya most recently served as Senior Director of Financial Services and has been a member of Azzur Group since 2016.

After nearly two years with Azzur Group, David Frank has been promoted to Vice President of Client Development, furthering the growth and maturation of Azzur's business development and marketing capabilities. As part of his expanded responsibilities, David will work closely with the executive leadership team to develop client-centric strategies across the organization to meet customer needs. Since joining Azzur Group in 2020, David has served as the Senior Director, Sales and Marketing.

"I'm incredibly thrilled to announce the changes to the Azzur Group executive leadership team," said Michael Khavinson , Azzur's Chief Executive Officer. "Not only have these individuals proven to be excellent strategic partners for our enterprise, but each embodies Azzur Group's core values in their daily leadership. I offer my sincerest congratulations to Ryan, Ravi, Shaleen, Molly, Ilya, and David, and wish them much success in their new roles."

For more information about Azzur Group, visit Azzur.com .

About Azzur Group

Azzur Group provides the life science community with full lifecycle solutions for all their GxP needs. From Azzur Cleanrooms on Demand facilities, to labs, training centers, and consulting and advisory offices across the nation, Azzur helps organizations start, scale, and sustain their enterprises. With four decades of service to the industry, we've become a trusted partner to leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and healthcare companies, as well as their supply chain. For more information, visit Azzur.com .

SOURCE Azzur Group, LLC
New Delhi, Jan 12 (UNI) As many as 350 to 400 terrorists were across the border in Pakistan waiting to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Army chief Gen M.M. Naravane said on Wednesday, adding "it once again exposes the nefarious designs of our western neighbour."

The Army chief was speaking in a virtual interaction with defence correspondents ahead of Army Day on January 15.

He said the "threat on our western front cannot be ignored" despite a renewed ceasefire with Pakistan in February last year.

"The combined intelligence inputs suggest that as many as 350 to 400 terrorists are there on the other side on launch pads and in various terrorist camps," he said. The "threat in no way has receded, we have to remain alert, to that extent, the threat from the western front cannot be ignored".

The Army chief said that "there is an increase in concentration in various launch pads and there have been repeated attempts to infiltrate across the LoC".

He, however, said the understanding reached between the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries last year was aimed at achieving a mutually beneficial and sustainable peace. "The situation has seen a marked improvement."

"In February last year we reached a ceasefire understanding (with Pakistan). Post this understanding, ceasefire violation incidents have come down drastically. That understanding has helped in bringing a little bit of normalcy on the western front but the proxy war continues," said Gen Naravane.

Talking about Jammu and Kashmir, Gen Naravane said the government approach has led to a progressive improvement in the security situation and efforts to give an indigenous face to terrorism have failed miserably.

"Various other inimical elements have re-energised their attempts at disrupting peace in the Kashmir Valley manly by trying to target minorities, non-locals, migrant labourers and so on. However, this also has not succeeded much and we will be able to counter these challenges also," he said.

UNI ASU MR
Jim Bernhard, Founder and Partner at Bernhard Capital Partners, commented: "We are very pleased to congratulate Mark, Catherine, Bryan, Chris and Jason on their well-deserved promotions. Each of these individuals has made a meaningful contribution to our firm's success and we appreciate their continued commitment. We are proud to have such a skilled team with diverse backgrounds across the energy, infrastructure and finance sectors, and look forward to continuing to support the growth of all of our colleagues."

Mark Spender

Mark Spender has been promoted to Partner at Bernhard Capital, where he is a member of the Investment and Portfolio committees and is involved in all areas of the firm's investment activities. Mark currently serves on the Board of Directors for several of BCP's investment platforms, including Allied Power, Charah Solutions (NYSE: CHRA), RailWorks and United Utility Services. Prior to joining BCP in 2015, he served as Managing Director in the Global Industrials Group of Credit Suisse. During his more than 15 years in investment banking, Mark focused on a variety of industrial sub-sectors, including engineering and construction, building products and construction materials and industrial distribution. He advised a variety of clients on more than 100 transactions, including corporate sales, mergers and acquisitions, equity issuance and monetizations, leveraged finance and other corporate finance assignments. Mark received his B.B.A. with Highest Distinction from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.

Catherine Cusimano

Catherine Cusimano has been promoted to Principal at Bernhard Capital, where she is involved in all areas of the firm's investment activities and is active in the sourcing and execution of several of the firm's proprietary opportunities. Prior to joining BCP, Catherine was a Vice President at HPS Investment Partners, LLC in New York. While at HPS, she was a member of the Energy & Power team where she focused on investments ranging from senior debt to mezzanine, subordinated debt and preferred equity. Earlier in her career, Catherine was an Associate on the E&P Equity Research team at Capital One Securities, Inc. She received her B.S.M. in Finance and Economics from Tulane University and a Master of Management in Energy from Tulane University's A.B. Freeman School of Business.

Bryan Poppler

Bryan Poppler has been promoted to Principal at Bernhard Capital, where he is involved in all areas of the firm's investment activities. Prior to joining Bernhard Capital, Bryan served as a Senior Analyst at Stephens Inc. in Dallas, TX. While at Stephens, Bryan was a member of the Industrials Group where he worked on various mergers and acquisitions and capital raises for clients in the Engineering & Construction, Building Products and Transportation sectors. He received his B.B.A. in Finance and B.S. in Economics with Financial Applications from Southern Methodist University.

Chris Ringswald

Chris Ringswald has been promoted to Principal at Bernhard Capital, where he is involved in all areas of the firm's investment activities. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of RailWorks. Prior to joining BCP, Chris was an Associate at Stellus Capital Management, LLC. in Houston, TX. While at Stellus, he was a member of the investment team for the middle market energy platform and the middle market direct lending platform. Additionally, Chris was previously an Associate in the Strategic Planning group at Seneca Resources Corporation and an Analyst in the Global Energy Investment Banking group at RBC Capital Markets. Chris holds a B.S. in Finance from Louisiana State University.

Jason Badeaux

Jason Badeaux has been promoted to Senior Associate at Bernhard Capital, where he is involved in all areas of the firm's investment activities and is also involved in several of the firm's philanthropic activities. Prior to joining BCP, Jason served as an Analyst at Simmons & Company International, the Energy and Power investment banking group of Piper Sandler, in Houston, TX. While at Simmons, Jason focused on M&A and capital markets advisory for the natural resources industry. Jason received his B.S. in Economics from Louisiana State University.

About Bernhard Capital Partners

Bernhard Capital Partners is a services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm established in 2013. Bernhard Capital Partners has deployed capital in three funds across several strategies, has approximately $2.5 billion of gross assets under management and is ranked as one of Private Equity International's 300 largest private equity firms worldwide. Bernhard Capital Partners seeks to create sustainable value by leveraging its experience in acquiring, operating and growing services and infrastructure businesses. For more information, visit www.BernhardCapital.com.

Media Contacts

Longacre Square Partners

Joe Germani / Ashley Areopagita

[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP
Branch Energy both sells electricity with an easy-to-use platform and leverages data and artificial intelligence (AI) to determine which smart devices will help reduce a consumer's energy bill the most and helps to coordinate the installation and financing of the devices. This combination of green energy and energy-monitoring smart devices not only saves consumers money but also reduces their carbon footprint.

"ENGIE has one of the fastest growing portfolios of renewable generation assets in North America which makes it the perfect partner to help us grow," said Daniel MacDonald, Branch Energy President. "We are thrilled with the far-reaching impact this will allow Branch to have."

Earlier this year, Branch Energy launched its first market in Texas. The new facility will enable the company to accelerate its growth in the state and to expand into markets across North America.

"ENGIE has made some of the most aggressive commitments in the industry to cutting carbon emissions and expanding renewable generation," said Ken Robinson, ENGIE Energy Marketing President. "Partnering with retailers who have committed to 100% carbon-free power is directly aligned with these commitments, and we are delighted to be partnering with Branch Energy."

About ENGIE

Our group is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. Together with our 170,000 employees, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose ("raison d'etre"), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. Turnover in 2020: 55.8 billion Euros. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe) and nonfinancial indices (DJSI World, DJSI Europe, Euronext Vigeo Eiris - Eurozone 120/ Europe 120/ France 20, MSCI EMU ESG, MSCI Europe ESG, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG, and Stoxx Global 1800 ESG).

About Branch Energy

Branch Energy is a green energy provider dedicated to helping consumers lower their monthly bills and carbon footprint through the use of smart technology. Through data analysis and the use of AI, the company pinpoints which smart devices will offer the most help to reduce a consumer's bill, and then helps them finance and install those devices. Learn more at www.branchenergy.com .

Media Contacts:

ENGIE North America: Michael Clingan, [email protected], (832) 745-6057

IDPR: Amanda Withers, [email protected] , (702) 412-8286

SOURCE ENGIE North America
LEHI, Utah, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Consensus, the Intelligent Demo Automation Platform scaling Presales teams instantly with interactive video demos, has raised $15 million in a Series B funding round to drive additional growth. The round is being led by longtime Consensus investors Riverside Acceleration Capital and The Frazier Group, bringing their total funding to $20+ million.

Consensus has raised $15 million in a Series B funding round to drive additional growth.

Presales is now in demand across the revenue funnel. But there's a gap between that demand and the scarcity of talent to support technical sales and guide complex purchases. That gap delays, and can even kill, deals. To compound the issue, there are more people involved. Today, according to Gartner, "An average of 11 individual stakeholders are involved in a B2B purchase; that number can occasionally flex up to nearly 20." Their individual buying journeys are asynchronous and buyers simply expect better experiences  guided, on-demand, interactive. The problem is most sellers still hold their buyers hostage to their own calendars because they think they close deals. But as Garin Hess, Founder and CEO of Consensus, says, "Sellers can't close deals, only buyers can." A buyer-enabled approach is the only way forward.

Consensus is central to Buyer Enablement not only because it aligns the highest impact interactions to buyer's preferences, but also because it gives sellers the insights they need to effectively guide their buyers through a purchase. "When technical sales teams focus energy, planning and resources on enabling buyers, those buyers make decisions faster and close more often." With its patented digital demo and stakeholder insights engine, Consensus helps its Presales customers scale instantly to close bottlenecks while delivering a better buying experience. Sales Engineers and Solution Consultants are able to automate repetitive product demos with an on-demand and personalized experience that uncovers and qualifies stakeholders organically, eliminates unqualified demos and demo lag time, and helps Account Executives accelerate revenue.

This is why the recent announcement from Aragon Research about the rise of Demo Automation is so important: software that equips sales engineering, an often overlooked but critical function in enterprise software sales, is disrupting B2B and drawing the attention of investors. "Technologies that help scale technical sales teams while simultaneously making B2B buying easier and more pleasant are no longer a nice-to-have, they're absolutely essential," said Jim Toth, Managing Partner at Riverside Acceleration Capital. "Customers that employ the Consensus platform see an immediate impact, and we believe Intelligent Demo Automation is now a requirement for any enterprise software team that needs to shorten sales cycles and close more deals more often."

Key facts showcasing the growth and market leadership Consensus has achieved this past year include:

137% ARR YOY growth

growth 128% net revenue retention in fiscal 2021

55% increase in customer base in fiscal 2021

41,597 stakeholders discovered organically in fiscal 2021

"When we narrowed our go-to-market strategy to focus on scaling Presales teams, our objective was not to eliminate sales engineers, but to unlock time tied up in repetitive demos and help them spend that time on high-impact activities." said Garin Hess. "This also makes buying easier. What we're seeing is so much more than what we ever anticipated. Our clients' cut sales cycles on average 29%, close rates increase by as much as 44% and prospects that view interactive video demos are 34% more likely to become opportunities. Measurable customer impact is the most satisfying thing. Consensus has become critical to their success. It fuels our passion to continue to innovate on their behalf."

Additional Resources:

Hear directly from customers about the impact Consensus is having on their businesses

See the power of the Consensus Intelligent Demo Automation Platform first-hand

Read our blog post for more information about the Series B funding

Consensus is hiring in all positions in a completely remote work environment. Email our team if you're interested in helping our customers scale: [email protected]

*Source on buying team size: Gartner: https://blogs.gartner.com/tad-travis/2020/09/14/the-future-of-sales-in-2025-a-gartner-trend-insight-report/

About The Riverside Company

RAC invests in high-growth B2B software companies and provides funding and resources to support companies across their entire lifecycle. The organization is a part of The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm focused on the smaller end of the middle market, founded in 1988.

About The Frazier Group

The Frazier Group specializes in Seed, Bridge and Series A financing in the Technology and Healthcare sectors. Since 1995 they have provided funding to over 120 companies in Utah and surrounding states.

Media Contact:

Aaron Janmohamed

[email protected]

940-231-1856

SOURCE Consensus
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sezzle Inc. (ASX: SZL) (Sezzle or Company) // - Sezzle , a leader in the Buy Now, Pay Later industry, today announces its partnership with Cotopaxi  a leader in the global outdoor industry. This partnership further strengthens Sezzle's expertise in the Outdoor industry, adding to an impressive roster of clients that includes merchants such as Keen, Orca, Klymit, Rumpl, Grand Trunk, Altitude Sports, Dragon Alliance, Hobie Eyewear, and Optic Nerve.

Sezzle's mission is to 'financially empower the next generation' and going beyond by creating a better world for the next generation through ethical initiatives. As members of the B Corp community, Sezzle and Cotopaxi meet the highest verified social and environmental performance standards to people and the planet, using business as a force for good. Sezzle places purpose alongside profitability and aligns itself with like-minded companies such as Cotopaxi.

"We're thrilled to partner with Sezzle as a fellow B Corp and Climate Neutral organization, to enable flexible payment options for our valued customers," said Cotopaxi CEO Davis Smith. "These strategic partnerships are not only beneficial to the customer experience, but also align with our own company values and missions as an impact-driven brand."

"In proactively partnering with Cotopaxi, we are honoring our pledge to support social good and environmental sustainability while providing shoppers with a responsible way to budget," said Veronica Katz , Sezzle Chief Revenue Officer. "Our company is committed to a purpose-driven approach to financing, guiding our hand in creating meaningful ways to improve the world around us. We are thrilled with the opportunity to partner with such an incredible, mission-driven company like Cotopaxi."

Cotopaxi joins Sezzle's growing base of over 44,000 online and in-store retailers .

Are you a retailer interested in how Sezzle can increase basket sizes and average order value? Learn more here.

Sezzle US Media Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Sezzle Australia Media Contact:

Email: [email protected]

About Sezzle Inc.

Sezzle is a rapidly growing fintech company on a mission to financially empower the next generation. Sezzle's payment platform increases the purchasing power for millions of consumers by offering interest-free installment plans at online stores and select in-store locations. When consumers apply, approval is instant, and their credit scores are not impacted, unless the consumer elects to opt-in to a credit building feature, called Sezzle Up.

Follow Sezzle on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

About Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is an outdoor gear brand founded to create sustainably designed products that fight extreme poverty, inspire adventure, and move people to do good. As a certified B Corporation, we believe in using the power of business as a force for social, environmental, and economic good. Our creed, Gear for Good, touches every aspect of our company. Cotopaxi is committed to making all of our gear using recycled, repurposed, or responsible materials by 2025.

We allocate 1% of our annual revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation which awards grants to outstanding nonprofit partners carefully selected for their track records at improving the human condition and alleviating poverty. In 2020, Cotopaxi aided 822,000 people through poverty alleviation programs, and in 2021, we hope to assist 1 million people experiencing extreme poverty. For more information please visit Cotopaxi.com.

SOURCE Sezzle
BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CRIO, a Boston-based technology firm streamlining clinical trials for sponsors, sites and patients, announced it has closed a $9M in Series B financing.

The round was led by Abbhi Capital with participation from Rally Ventures and NXT Ventures, lead investors in the company's first round. The company intends to use the funds to expand its product, engineering and business development teams to develop and market the next wave of products.

CRIO is a health tech company helping pharma, biotech, research sites, and academic research centers streamline regulatory workflows with one system, one source of clinical data capture. The company's modules allow sites to capture data electronically in real-time, providing data managers and monitors with enhanced transparency, and enabling remote monitoring by sponsors and CROs.

This is CRIO's second round of funding in 9 months, bringing total capital raised to $15.7 million. The rapid investment has validated the company's fast growth and market presence as a leader in holistic paperless platforms for conducting clinical trials that reduce data errors, streamline regulatory workflows and accelerate timelines.

"No other company has the domain experience, vision and commitment to support sites, sponsors and patient needs in a seamless, easy to deploy technology for clinical trials. We listened to our sites, the key users of clinical data capture systems, and developed a robust solution that revolutionizes the experience for sponsors," says Raymond Nomizu, CEO and co-founder at CRIO.

CRIO has now deployed its eSource platform at more than 1000 clinical research sites in over 15 countries globally. CRIO has over 250,000 subjects in its database, representing over 6,000 studies.

"Companies that make clinical trials, more efficient and accessible, while supporting the ever-changing requirements for data security, remote access and monitoring, is what makes CRIO an ideal company to invest in. Raymond and his team have developed an innovative approach to the way clinical trials are conducted by allowing data to be captured once by the sites and then shared directly with sponsors, avoiding the need for time consuming, inefficient, and expensive transcription. I'm particularly impressed with their plan to integrate EMR/EHR data into their eSource. This allows investigators the ability to triage this data before automatically integrating it into CRIO eSource," said Sankesh Abbhi, Principal of Abbhi Capital.

As part of the fundraising round, Mr. Abbhi will be joining the CRIO Board of Directors.

About CRIO

Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to streamline clinical research to bring new medications to market faster. We have created a holistic paperless platform for conducting clinical trials that will reduce data errors, streamline regulatory workflows and accelerate timelines. Today, CRIO supports more than 1000 medical research sites worldwide.

For more information about CRIO, visit www.clinicalresearch.io

Media Contact:

Stephen Boccardo

Sr. VP Sales

857-957-5376

[email protected]

SOURCE Clinical Research IO (CRIO)
DENVER, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Everside Health, LLC ("Everside"), a leading national direct primary care provider, today announced a partnership with Matrix Clinical Labs ("Matrix"), a Matrix Medical Network business, to provide clients with at least 100 employees affordable, convenient and self-administered Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) lab-based COVID-19 tests, as well as at-home antigen tests, in compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s Emergency Temporary Standard.

The self-administered tests offer an affordable, safe, accessible, at-work/at-home option with PCR results available as quickly as 24-to-48 hours. The Solution  which saves employers approximately 66% compared to competing testing services  is available nationwide, and a growing number of companies, non-profits and labor organizations have already signed up.

"At Everside, our goal is to keep workforces healthy and active while reducing the total cost of care for patients and employers alike," said Everside Health Chief Product Officer, Wes Donohoe. "Our partnership with Matrix furthers that mission by making workplace COVID-19 surveillance testing and OSHA compliance quick, easy and convenient for our clients, and at a fraction of the cost of other testing services."

Everside's COVID-19 testing Solution is designed to help large companies, school districts, labor organizations and beyond keep all of their employees safe, regardless of physical location, while maintaining compliance with OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard. It is built to accommodate around-the-clock shifts, multiple job sites and other unique needs of workforces. Details of the Solution include:

Safe, accessible and convenient : No waiting in line  test kits are shipped direct to the workplace or home and can be delivered anywhere in the United Sates.

: No waiting in line  test kits are shipped direct to the workplace or home and can be delivered anywhere in the United Sates. Easy and efficient : Employees register and self-administer the test, then either ship it back to Matrix's lab with the pre-paid shipping label or report their result on Matrix's lab platform. All employer reporting to regulatory bodies is also handled by the Solution.

: Employees register and self-administer the test, then either ship it back to Matrix's lab with the pre-paid shipping label or report their result on Matrix's lab platform. All employer reporting to regulatory bodies is also handled by the Solution. Timely results : Employees can obtain PCR results as quickly as 24-to-48 hours post-test through Matrix's easy-to-use, self-service portal. All test results are guaranteed to be available within 48 hours.

: Employees can obtain PCR results as quickly as 24-to-48 hours post-test through Matrix's easy-to-use, self-service portal. All test results are guaranteed to be available within 48 hours. Competitively priced testing: Everside's Solution is a cost-effective solution that saves employers approximately 66% compared to competing testing services.

As part of Everside's direct primary care model, the Company offers preventive health services including mental health, onsite or nearsite employer workforces, as well as virtually. This approach has been successful in helping employees better manage a wide array of costly, chronic health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. On average, employers on the Everside program save 17% on claims costs by year three and 31% by year five, based on retrospective savings analysis. The Company, which operates more than 350 health centers in over 140 U.S. markets across 34 states, recently announced that it opened 52 health centers in 2021  an increase of 42% from the prior year  underscoring its commitment to providing affordable, accessible direct primary care to labor unions, school systems, municipalities and other employers.

For companies looking to learn more about Everside's COVID-19 testing Solution and get in touch with a representative, visit www.eversidehealth.com/workplace-covid-19-testing.

About Everside Health

Everside Health is one of the largest direct primary care providers in the U.S., operating 350+ health centers in 34 states located at or near the facilities of its employer, union and other benefit sponsor clients. Everside's patient-focused, care-obsessed, technology-driven healthcare delivery model aligns incentives to benefit the patient, the physician and the benefit provider, all while reducing the total cost of care. Patients receive convenient, low- or no-cost access to physicians and 24/7 virtual care, reducing the need for costly ER use. Everside Health is based in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit www.eversidehealth.com.

About Matrix Clinical Labs

Matrix Clinical Labs is a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory that provides state-of-the-art diagnostic services and clinical testing support. In 2020, Matrix expanded its clinical diagnostic and testing services to improve patient safety and quality of care, bringing needed preventative and diagnostic testing into homes and workplaces. For more information, visit https://matrixmedicalnetwork.com/clinical-labs .

Business Development Contact

[email protected]

Press Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE Everside Health
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Exadel (www.exadel.com), a software engineering company that delivers digital platforms and products, today announced its strongest annual growth ever, achieving an organic 35% YoY revenue increase in 2021. In addition, the company acquired digital business consultant Coppei, added new offices in Uzbekistan and Georgia, and added 31 new clients.

To support this unprecedented growth, Exadel grew headcount 45% organically53% including the Coppei acquisitionand brought on board new CEO Darren Oberst in November, as founder Fima Katz transitioned to Executive Chairman of the Board.

Exadel also made great strides in refining its internal systems and processes, while introducing new service offerings. Recent developments include:

Launch of a new engagement model, Team as a Service (TaaS), which provides full teams of specialists that independently execute deliverables based on requirements from customers. With TaaS, customers receive a team that has the right balance of technical ability and team cohesion, together with a simplified management requirement.

Formal establishment of a new Client Engagement team  a group of professionals that seek to bring value to clients through proactively finding innovative technical solutions to address their business needs.

A doubling of the recruitment team and expansion of the recruitment marketing department.

Another successful year for Exadel Practices including AI and Machine Learning, DevOps and Cloud, Marketing Technology, Content Marketing, QA and QA Automation, and others. The technical solutions developed by Exadel Practices benefitted not only Exadel clients but a broader developer community with 10 new open source projects backed by Exadel.

Blending strategic advice and advanced data insight expertise, Coppei broadens Exadel's service offering and brings years of consulting experience to help clients gain a clear vision of innovation and transformation.

"It has been a great honor to lead Exadel for more than two decades," said Katz. "To wrap up my tenure as CEO at the end of our most successful year on record is bittersweet. I am so proud of this team, how we have grown, adapted and out-innovated the competition through a global pandemic and other hardships along the way. I look forward to more great things to come in 2022."

"I am incredibly proud to see the continued growth and innovation within Exadel," said Oberst. "I am thankful to be a part of the leadership team and help our clients take on their toughest innovation projects. We are also grateful for our long-term partners who continue to rely on us to help solve their biggest challenges."

Tweet this: NEWS: @exadel has a strong 2021 with 35% YoY revenue growth, and dozens of new marquis clients

Exadel is actively hiring. Learn more about open opportunities: https://exadel.com/careers/ .

About Exadel



Exadel is a software engineering company that delivers the digital platforms, products, and applications our clients need to run and grow their businesses. For more than 20 years we have developed solutions that accelerate the speed, quality, and efficiency of our delivery while adding value to our customers. Since the advent of the cloud, Exadel has helped companies get the most out of their data, reducing expenditure and increasing scalability and access. A Forrester-recognized market leader in distributed Agile, we are proud of our long history of partnering with the largest brands across all industries. For more information on Exadel services and areas of expertise, visit exadel.com and follow us on Linkedin and Twitter @exadel .

Media Contact:

Olivia Heel

Catapult PR-IR

303-581-7760

[email protected]

SOURCE Exadel
OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Employment Professionals, the leading global staffing provider franchise, announced today that 2021 was the most successful year in the company's 39-year history. Express achieved its first-ever $1-billion quarter in Q3 while also awarding a total of 66 franchise development agreements, including 41 resales, and selling out the Florida market. Additionally, the brand awarded 23 new offices in new and existing markets, including Detroit, Michigan; Rockford, Illinois; White Plains, New York; and Toronto, Ontario.

Express' significant franchise growth in 2021 was driven by the brand's longstanding reputation as a leading staffing provider, putting more than nine million people to work worldwide since its inception in 1983. Coupled with strong unit-level economics, unparalleled franchisee support, and an unprecedented demand for staffing experts amid the ongoing global labor shortage, Express welcomed 34 new franchisees to its system in 2021.

"2021 was a banner year for Express' franchise development and the success we've achieved over the last 12 months has positioned us for exponential growth in 2022. We're leveraging this momentum as we move into the new year, zeroing in on key markets throughout our international footprint where our professional workforce solutions are needed most," said Vinny Provenzano, Vice President of Franchising. "As our client companies and businesses across the world continue to navigate labor challenges presented by the pandemic, we are more grateful than ever for our network of dedicated franchisees who continue to serve as vital resources in their respective communities, and we remain committed to helping good people and good jobs find each other."

This year, Express has aggressive expansion plans for the U.S., targeting growth in markets such as San Francisco; Queens, New York; Long Island; Boston; Houston; Providence, Rhode Island; and College Park, Maryland, among others. Express will also continue to focus on franchise opportunities in Australia and New Zealand following its acquisition of Frontline Recruitment Group in February 2020. The company awarded its first Australian office in Canberra in May 2021 and its first office in New Zealand in July 2021, and is targeting Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for future development.

"Express has been a respected leader of providing workforce solutions in the U.S. for nearly four decades, so I was energized to take my 20+ years of staffing experience and become the brand's first franchisee in Australia," said Sylvia Elix, owner and operator of the Express Employment Professionals office in Canberra, Australia. "Since joining Express, I've had the opportunity to experience the brand's excellence firsthand and be a part of a supportive community that is committed to helping me succeed. I'm looking forward to growing my business and spreading awareness of Express as the leader in staffing throughout Canberra and beyond."

Throughout the year, Express continued to be recognized as a leading global staffing provider and standout franchise concept. Most recently, the brand ranked #25 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2022 Franchise 500 ranking, jumping 31 spots from last year's list, and remains the staffing category leader for the 11th consecutive year. Additionally, Staffing Industry Analysts, the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions, named Express the fourth-largest staffing firm in the U.S. because of the company's record 2021 sales. Express was also awarded a Franchise Innovation Award by Franchise Update Media in the Most Innovative Employee Hiring category for its drive-thru job fairs, which at the onset of the pandemic provided immeasurable value to communities by assisting job-seekers and businesses with finding and filling open positions, and was a supporting factor in the company placing 526,000 employees at client companies in 2020.

Express Employment Professionals is the number-one flexible staffing franchise for people, communities, and businesses. The company works with job seekers to help them find the right job for their skills and experience, and annually employs over 552,000 people across 850+ franchise locations worldwide. Express franchisees have average annual sales per territory of over $5.4* million in the U.S.

Express's long-term goal of putting a million people to work annually is at the heart of its company's vision: to help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Express Employment Professionals, contact Vinny Provenzano at [email protected] or www.expressfranchising.com.

*For territories open more than 60 months, average sales in 2020 were $5,417,303.86 according to Item 19 in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

ABOUT EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS

At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 526,000 people globally in 2020. For more information, visit www.ExpressPros.com.

Contact:

Nate Rubinstein

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Express Employment Professionals
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Financial Protection Market by Type (Long-Term Financial Protection and Short-Term Financial Protection), Policy Coverage (Payment Protection and Mortgage Payment Protection), and End User (Men and Women): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030." According to the report, the global financial protection industry generated $53.34 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $77.43 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.9% from 2021 to 2030.

Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

Customization options for income protection insurance and mental peace offered to the insured during the recovery phase drive the growth of the global financial protection market. However, long waiting periods for certain insurance policies and pre-existing medical conditions impacting the premiums hinder the market growth. On the other hand, instability of the employment rate creates new opportunities in the coming years.

Download Sample PDF (239+ Pages PDF with Insights): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5023

Covid-19 Scenario

The demand for financial protection policies increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic as there was huge surge in ratios of bad debts with inability to pay loans with job losses, salary cuts, and disruptions in business operations.

As the number of claims increased during the pandemic, the premiums for financial protection policies rose. Moreover, the trend of digitization arrived in the global financial protection industry to streamline and accelerate the processes.

The long-term financial protection segment to continue its lead position during the forecast period

Based on type, the long-term financial protection segment accounted for the highest share in 2020, contributing to nearly three-fifths of the global financial protection market, and is expected to continue its lead position during the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2030. As this type provides peace of mind to the insured people by allowing them to keep up with all their essential monthly expenditures such as rent, mortgage, groceries, and utility bills, this segment will offer lucrative opportunities during the forecast period. The report also analyzes the short-term financial protection segment.

Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the Financial Protection Market @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/5023?reqfor=covid

The payment protection segment to maintain its lead in terms of revenue during the forecast period

Based on policy coverage, the payment protection segment contributed to the largest share in 2020, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the global financial protection market, and is projected to maintain its lead in terms of revenue during the forecast period. This is attributed to the regular flow of salary or payments in the case of unfortunate events and offering of opportunity to live a financially stable life. However, the mortgage payment protection segment is projected to manifest the largest CAGR of 5.6% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to ability of the insured to continue paying off the mortgage even when they are not receiving a secure income.

Europe, followed by North America, to continue its dominance in terms of revenue by 2030

Based on region, Europe, followed by North America, held the highest market share in 2020, contributing to around one-third of the global financial protection market, and is expected to continue its dominance in terms of revenue by 2030. This is due to surge in adoption of financial protection plans amid the pandemic and supportive minimum income protection (MIP) schemes for able-bodied people during the first five years of working. However, Asia-Pacific is estimated to portray the highest CAGR of 6.1% from 2021 to 2030, owing to rise in inequality and the need to build resilience to crises such as economic & financial crises and natural disasters.

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Leading Market Players

AXA

ABI

American International Group, Inc.

Aviva

Aon

Citizens Advice

Marsh Ltd.

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

Zurich

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation on pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Get a free sample report for more information

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Spices market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Spices pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives.

For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/spices-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors.

Identify favorable opportunities in Spices TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

Some of the top Spices suppliers listed in this report:

This Spices procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

 McCormick & Co. Inc

 Ajinomoto Co. Inc

 Associated British Foods Plc

To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment.

Subscribe Now for Free

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

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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.

Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
New Delhi, Jan 12 (UNI) Army Chief General MM Naravane on Wednesday said report of the inquiry in the incident in Nagaland's Oting, in which 14 civilians were killed, will come soon, adding that the 'law of the land' will be supreme, and Army remains committed to protecting civilians.

"The regrettable incident of December 4 during operations in Nagaland is being thoroughly investigated. We remain committed to the security of our countrymen, even in the conduct of operations," the Army Chief said.

"We have SOPs that encapsulate our operational experience, which have stood the test of time. Appropriate action will be taken and corrective measures instituted to further refine our SOPs, based on the outcome of the investigation," he said.

He also said the report of an inquiry in the incident set by the Eastern Command will come soon, and Army is also cooperating with the probe ordered by the state government.

"In the aftermath of the incident (in Oting, Nagaland) Eastern Command was quick in ordering an inquiry, it is in its final stages. Findings will come in a day or two. An SIT has also been constituted and we have been cooperating fully with the SIT. I would clarify that the law of land is paramount. We will always uphold that," he said.

14 civilians were killed near Oting village in Mon district of Nagaland on December 4, after security forces fired on a truck carrying coal miners, and also at local villagers who came out in protest. A soldier was also killed as villagers attacked the convoy and set some vehicles on fire.

The Army Chief also said the overall security situation in the North Eastern states has improved.

"The overall security situation, in the North-Eastern Region remained under control. A robust security posture, has significantly curtailed the operational space for terrorists. There has been a graduated deinduction, of Army units, from areas where the security situation has improved," he said.

General Naravane said the Indo-Myanmar Border, being an important facet of the security calculus, due impetus to border guarding is being given, by the Assam Rifles.

"We intend to progressively increase, the number of AR Battalions deployed for border guarding in times to come," he said.

UNI AO SY 1743
TROY, Mich., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC , the premier learn-to-swim franchise concept, was recognized as no. 1 in the swimming lessons category and no. 53 overall on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. This marks the brand's fifth consecutive year earning the no. 1 spot in the category and sixth consecutive year on the prestigious list overall. The 43rd annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. Goldfish Swim School solidifies its premier standing for its tremendous performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

2021 proved to be a remarkable year for the brand, awarding 26 schools alongside 13 new school openings. The leading swim school kicked off 2022 with its 125th school opening and is achieving high performance marks, now exceeding its pre-COVID enrollment numbers  teaching more than 150,000 children each week how to be safer in and around the water.

To build off this successful momentum, Goldfish Swim School has set an aggressive expansion goal to open 17 schools in 2022 as it continues to seek franchise partners throughout the United States and Canada. Goldfish Swim School's proven performance coupled with its exceptional leadership team and world-class franchise office support has resulted in eager and sophisticated entrepreneurs flocking to the franchise opportunity .

"We are excited to embark on our next chapter of growth in 2022, and this ranking is a strong validation of the growth and success we've achieved and where we are headed," said Chris McCuiston, CEO & Co-Founder of Goldfish Swim School. "On behalf of the entire network and team, we're grateful to be recognized as a stand-out brand. Between our devoted existing franchisees expanding their portfolios and adding new entrepreneurial-minded individuals to our system, we're confident for the year ahead. By prioritizing results, support and innovation, we're ready for this next era of growth as we expand our North American footprint."

In Entrepreneur's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company's 43-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.

"The past year has been one of the most challenging for businesses in recent memory, which made putting together our 43rd annual Franchise 500 list more enlightening than ever," says Entrepreneur Editor in Chief Jason Feifer. "The companies named to this year's list showed us how being resilient, supportive, and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship."

Over its 43 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Goldfish Swim School's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

Consistently outranking its competition, Goldfish Swim School continues to prove itself as a top-rated and most established swim school franchise in the space. Riding this wave of success, Goldfish is looking to bring on qualified and engaged individuals seeking single and multi-unit opportunities who are involved with their community, have a passion for water safety and are hungry to dive into the world of franchising. Today, with 125-plus locations open and more than 130 in development, the brand is on track for strategic franchise expansion across North America  with the most opportunities available in California and the southern region of the United States.

Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years, teaching children how to be safer in and around the water. Each school offers swim lessons and programs using a proprietary philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment. Each school's number one focus and main priority is always the same  educating children on water safety while teaching them how to swim and respect the water.

For more information on Goldfish Swim School and its franchise opportunity, please visit https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/franchise-opportunities/ or call 248-801-1850.

To view Goldfish Swim School in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500 . Results can also be seen in the January/February 2022 issue of Entrepreneur.

About Goldfish Swim School

Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years. Classes are offered by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment using their research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006, and opened its first franchise location in 2009. Recently, the brand was recognized by Entrepreneur in its Franchise 500 ranking, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious List, and Inc. Magazine's Top 5000. Goldfish Swim School is currently in the process of expanding franchise opportunities throughout North America, with more than 125 schools open, and an additional 130+ in development in more than 30 states and Canada.

###

Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300, [email protected]

SOURCE Goldfish Swim School
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman urges Bright Health Group, Inc. (NYSE: BHG) investors with significant losses to submit your losses now.

Class Period: June 21, 2021  Nov. 10, 2021

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Mar. 7, 2022

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/BHG

Contact An Attorney Now: [email protected]

844-916-0895

Bright Health Group, Inc. (BHG) Securities Class Action:

The complaint alleges that Bright Health, senior executives and other responsible parties made false and misleading statements during and after the company's June 2021 initial public offering about the adaptability of the company's so-called "alignment" business model to continue to deliver improved medical cost ratios ("MCR"), a key metric dependent on capturing certain premium revenues.

Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and failed to disclose that Bright Health (1) overstated the company's post-IPO financial prospects in its offering documents, (2) was ill-equipped to handle the impact of COVID-19-related costs, (3) was experiencing a decline in premium revenues because of a failure to capture risk adjustment on newly added lives, and (4) all of the foregoing was reasonably likely to have a material negative impact on Bright Health's business and financial condition.

The truth emerged on Nov. 11, 2021, when Bright Health reported a whopping Q3 2021 $296.7 million net loss, or roughly $237.5 million higher than the prior year's period, and blamed the results on a sharp increase in its MCR, COVID-19, and reduced premium revenues due to an inability to capture risk adjustment on newly added lives.

This news drove the price of Bright Health shares 32% lower to close at $4.94 on Nov. 11, 2021, and over 70% below the company's $18/share IPO price.

"We're focused on investors' losses and proving the defendants misled investors about the adaptability of Bright Health's business model in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Bright Health, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Bright Health should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected] .

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a national law firm with eight offices in eight cities around the country and over eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers, and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw .

Contact:

Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
This intervention eventually led to long term programs in the region including Youth for Haiti, Orphan Support, In Kind Gifts, Emergency Relief and Seasonal Foods. Karim Hakim, HHRD Southern California Regional Manager, took part in HHRD's 2010 Youth for Haiti trip. "I had visited developing countries before and witnessed people in dire situations but none of it compared to the scale of devastation I saw in Haiti. You basically couldn't go 10 feet without seeing a destroyed building," shared Hakim.

"HHRD never left Haiti and continues to make it an important campaign to this day. It's become a well known and loved organization over this decade. And the reality is that HHRD is a necessity in Haiti," shares Hakim. Since 2010, Haiti has been through countless natural disasters including hurricanes and earthquakes. HHRD has focused its efforts in Miragoane, Port au Prince, Port-de-Paix, Les Cayes and Jeremie while working with local team members to assist where needed.

To learn more visit: www.hhrd.org/Haiti

ABOUT HELPING HAND FOR RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT

Ranking in the top 3% of 9,000+ NGOs, HHRD has received a perfect four-star rating from Charity Navigator for the past 10 years. HHRD is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, is a Combined Federal Campaign charity, and is a proud member of InterAction. To donate, please visit www.hhrd.org or call 1-888-808-4357 (HELP). HHRD is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization. Tax ID# 31-1628040

Media Contact:

Ilyas Choudry

313-279-5378

[email protected]

SOURCE Helping Hand for Relief and Development
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) issued the following statement in response to the letter and nomination notice the Company received from Starboard Value LP today:

At Huntsman's Investor Day in November, we announced financial targets building on the strongest profit and margin performance the Company has ever achieved with its current portfolio of businesses. The Huntsman Board of Directors actively oversaw that performance and it continues to oversee the Company's announced comprehensive initiatives, all of which enhance accountability and alignment with our shareholders, including:

Initiating a strategic review process for the Textile Effects Division to continue advancing our focus on portfolio enhancement;

Authorizing new share repurchases of $1 billion over the next three years, building on the $682 million of share repurchases Huntsman has completed since 2018;

over the next three years, building on the of share repurchases Huntsman has completed since 2018; Implementing a multi-year incentive compensation program for all Huntsman officers and vice presidents that ties the vast majority of their incentive compensation to the achievement of the Investor Day targets, thereby promoting transparency, ensuring objective accountability and fostering execution; and

Substantially completing the Board refreshment process that began in 2018 by adding David B. Sewell , Jose Munoz and Curtis E. Espeland , highly-qualified and independent Directors who were identified by a leading international search firm, to a group of diverse and experienced independent Directors including four recent additions: U.S. Navy (retired) Vice Admiral Jan Tighe , who joined the Board in 2019 and chairs the Board's Sustainability Committee; Sonia Dula , who joined the Board in 2020 and is Chair Apparent of the Compensation Committee; Jeanne McGovern , who joined the Board in 2021 and chairs the Audit Committee; and Cynthia Egan , who joined the Board in 2020, chairs the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and serves as Non-Executive Vice Chair and Lead Independent Director.

Importantly, these recent initiatives are the latest steps in the strategy we began executing in 2017. Since that time, the Board has overseen a significant repositioning of the Huntsman portfolio that has generated meaningful shareholder value. The Company has divested ~40% of its businesses, including the sale of its commodity portfolio to Indorama in 2020 for ~$2 billion. The Indorama announcement intensified Huntsman's focus on differentiated, high-margin and downstream product lines, which led to 105.8% of total shareholder return (TSR) through January 11, 2022, 42.4 percentage points better than the performance of the S&P 500 over the same period.

Huntsman values the views of all of our shareholders, including Starboard, and maintains an open dialogue with them. Although our normal policy is not to comment on individual conversations, members of our Board and the executive management team have held numerous discussions with Starboard over the past several months.

Huntsman's engagement with Starboard has been frequent and extensive since the outset. Soon after Starboard disclosed their stake, we invited Starboard to our headquarters to understand their perspectives. We previewed our Investor Day presentation with Starboard and incorporated input from them. There was, and continued to be, no misalignment with Starboard on the Company's objectives and strategic initiatives.

Huntsman has continued to keep lines of communication with Starboard open and promptly responded to every outreach they made. In particular, Huntsman repeatedly told Starboard that its ongoing Board refreshment was moving forward:

When Starboard told us that they had specific director candidates ready more than a month ago, on December 9, 2021 , Huntsman immediately asked for those candidates' names so that our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee could consider them alongside the candidates previously identified by the independent search firm;

, Huntsman immediately asked for those candidates' names so that our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee could consider them alongside the candidates previously identified by the independent search firm; Between December 9, 2021 and January 5, 2022 Huntsman repeatedly sought those names and none were given;

and Huntsman repeatedly sought those names and none were given; Instead, Starboard insisted that Huntsman's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee surrender its duties, appoint Starboard's three unidentified candidates and remove two Huntsman Directors;

On December 23, 2021 , instead of providing the requested names, Starboard asked for the Huntsman D&O questionnaires, a required step towards making nominations and a clear indication of Starboard's readiness to engage in a proxy contest;

, instead of providing the requested names, Starboard asked for the Huntsman D&O questionnaires, a required step towards making nominations and a clear indication of Starboard's readiness to engage in a proxy contest; Given these unconstructive responses from Starboard, Huntsman's Board determined that the continuation of our active board refreshment and the expeditious holding of the upcoming annual meeting was in the best interests of our shareholders and appointed three highly-qualified, independent directors (Messrs. Sewell, Munoz and Espeland) and announced the date of our annual meeting;

Only after these announcements, on the evening of January 5, 2022 , did Starboard finally share the names of three candidates ( Jeff Smith , James L. Gallogly and Sandra Beach Lin ). Within 48 hours, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee had interviewed Starboard's two outside candidates, James and Sandra; and

, did Starboard finally share the names of three candidates ( , and ). Within 48 hours, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee had interviewed Starboard's two outside candidates, James and Sandra; and Following these interviews, the Company attempted to work constructively with Starboard to reach an agreement and avoid a proxy contest. Despite Huntsman's multiple good faith attempts to reach an amicable outcome in the best interests of all Huntsman shareholders, an agreement could not be reached.

We are deeply disappointed that Starboard is forcing Huntsman and its shareholders through the cost and distraction of an unnecessary proxy contest. Starboard is more concerned with installing their handpicked candidates on Huntsman's Board than allowing the Board and management team to create shareholder value, through our multiple initiatives that Starboard supports. The Board expects shareholders will appreciate the independence, experience and expertise of Huntsman's refreshed Board of Directors, and they will benefit from a relentless and undistracted focus on clear financial targets designed to generate transparency and accountability for three successive years of record improved performance. Huntsman's Board has determined that it is in the best interests of shareholders to let them resolve this situation expeditiously.

Huntsman continues to welcome constructive insights from our shareholders and remains committed to taking decisive actions to drive sustainable value creation.

Shareholders are not required to take any action at this time. The Board will review the nomination notice pursuant to established policies and present its recommendations with respect to the election of directors in the Company's definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and mailed to all shareholders eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. As previously disclosed, the Annual Meeting will take place on March 25, 2022.

Advisors:

BofA Securities and Moelis & Company LLC are serving as financial advisors to Huntsman. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor to Huntsman.

About Huntsman:

Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals with 2020 revenues of approximately $6 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 70 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 9,000 associates within our four distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.

Social Media:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Huntsman_Corp

Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorp

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsman

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenue or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, divestitures or strategic transactions, including the review of the Textile Effects Division, business trends and any other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "likely," "projects," "outlook," "plans," "intends," "believes," "forecasts," or future or conditional verbs, such as "will," "should," "could" or "may," and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends and data, are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions and beliefs. In particular, such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, prices and other factors as discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). In addition, there can be no assurance that the review of the Textile Effects Division will result in one or more transactions or other strategic change or outcome. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, ongoing impact of COVID-19 on our operations and financial results, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, timing of proposed transactions, reorganization or restructuring of the Company's operations, including any delay of, or other negative developments affecting the ability to implement cost reductions and manufacturing optimization improvements in the Company's businesses and to realize anticipated cost savings, and other financial, operational, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. Any forward-looking statement should be considered in light of the risks set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which may be supplemented by other risks and uncertainties disclosed in any subsequent reports filed or furnished by the Company from time to time. All forward-looking statements apply only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Additional Information and Where to Find It:

The Company intends to file a proxy statement and accompanying WHITE proxy card with the SEC with respect to the Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2022 Annual Meeting"). The Company's shareholders are strongly encouraged to read such proxy statement, the accompanying WHITE proxy card and other documents filed with the SEC carefully in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information. The Company's shareholders will be able to obtain any proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available free of charge at the Company's website at www.huntsman.com.

Certain Information Regarding Participants:

The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers will be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Information about the Company's directors and executive officers is available in the Company's (a) annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on February 12, 2021 and (b) proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 18, 2021 with respect to the Company's 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. To the extent holdings of the Company's securities by such directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts printed in the proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the 2022 Annual Meeting.

SOURCE Huntsman Corporation
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the new drug application (NDA) for an investigational oral formulation of edaravone (MT-1186) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The FDA has accepted the application for priority review with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of May 12, 2022. The FDA grants Priority Review for medicines that, if approved, would be significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of serious conditions when compared to standard applications.1

Investigational oral edaravone has been developed to have a similar clinical profile compared to the intravenous (IV) formulation of RADICAVA (edaravone), which was approved by the FDA for the treatment of ALS in May 2017.2

"At MTPA, we thrive on tackling the toughest challenges and are focused on addressing the unmet needs of the ALS community, which is illustrated by our ongoing development program for edaravone," said Atsushi Fujimoto, President, MTPA. "Our top priority is to help ensure ALS patients have flexibility with treatment and formulation options that are right for their specific needs. We look forward to working with the FDA in the coming months to bring this new formulation to patients as soon as possible."

The comprehensive clinical development program for edaravone in ALS has spanned over a decade and included multiple clinical trials for the IV and the investigational oral formulation. The NDA is supported by data from the RADICAVA IV pivotal trial and upwards of seven Phase 1 clinical pharmacology studies examining the pharmacokinetics, safety, drug-drug interactions, dosing, bioavailability and bioequivalence of the oral suspension in healthy individuals and ALS patients with and without PEG/NGT, along with a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of the investigational oral suspension over the course of 24 weeks in patients with ALS. There is an ongoing study evaluating the safety and tolerability of the oral suspension at 48 and 96 weeks.

"Oral edaravone may provide another formulation option for ALS patients looking for an alternate mode of administration," said Terry Heiman-Patterson, M.D., Professor, Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Director, Temple MDA/ALS Center of Hope. "We know that every patient living with ALS has their own unique needs, and I'm hopeful that an oral suspension formulation will offer a new and much needed option."

About Oral Edaravone (MT-1186)

Oral edaravone is an investigational oral formulation of edaravone being developed by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Development America, Inc (MTDA).

In 2019, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma group companies completed a series of Phase 1 studies comparing the oral formulation and intravenous formulations of edaravone and have started a global, multi-center, open-label, Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating safety and tolerability of oral edaravone in 185 patients with ALS across approximately 50 sites in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. More information on the clinical trials is available at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04165824 and NCT04577404).

About RADICAVA (edaravone) IV

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved RADICAVA (edaravone) IV on May 5, 2017 as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).2 Edaravone was discovered and developed for ALS by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Development America, Inc (MTDA), commercialized in the U.S. by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. The MTPC group companies began researching ALS in 2001 through an iterative clinical platform over a 13-year period. In 2015, edaravone IV was approved for the treatment of ALS in Japan and South Korea. Marketing authorizations were subsequently granted in Canada (October 2018), Switzerland (January 2019), China (July 2019), Indonesia (July 2020), and Thailand (April 2021).

INDICATION

RADICAVA is indicated for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Before you receive RADICAVA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have asthma.

are allergic to other medicines.

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if RADICAVA will harm your unborn baby.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if RADICAVA passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will receive RADICAVA or breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of RADICAVA?

RADICAVA may cause serious side effects including hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions and sulfite allergic reactions.

Hypersensitivity reactions have happened in people receiving RADICAVA and can happen after your infusion is finished.

RADICAVA contains sodium bisulfite, a sulfite that may cause a type of allergic reaction that can be serious and life-threatening. Sodium bisulfite can also cause less severe asthma episodes in certain people. Sulfite sensitivity can happen more often in people who have asthma than in people who do not have asthma.

Tell your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms: hives; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; fainting; breathing problems; wheezing; trouble swallowing; dizziness; itching; or an asthma attack (in people with asthma).

Your healthcare provider will monitor you during treatment to watch for signs and symptoms of all the serious side effects.

The most common side effects of RADICAVA include bruising (contusion), problems walking (gait disturbance), and headache.

These are not all the possible side effects of RADICAVA. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. at 1-888-292-0058 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

For more information, including full Prescribing Information and Patient Information, please visit www.RADICAVA.com.

About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.

Based in Jersey City, N.J., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation's (MTPC) 100 percent owned U.S. holding company, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Holdings America, Inc. It was established by MTPC to commercialize approved pharmaceutical products in North America. For more information, please visit www.mt-pharma-america.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Development America, Inc.

The U.S. headquarters of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Development America, Inc. (MTDA) is located in Jersey City, New Jersey. MTDA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation's 100 percent-owned U.S. holding company, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Holdings America, Inc. For more information, please visit https://mt-pharma-development-america.com/

About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC), founded in 1678, is one of the oldest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Focused on ethical pharmaceuticals, MTPC is headquartered in Doshomachi, Osaka, the birthplace of Japan's pharmaceutical industry. In light of the anticipated changes in healthcare needs in the future, MTPC is advancing business activities under the mission of "Creating hope for all facing illness," and has set the corporate vision for 2030 (VISION 30) to "Be a healthcare company that delivers optimal therapy to each individual." As part of the vision for 2030, MTPC is prioritizing work on "precision medicine" to create effective therapies and preventive methods by identifying patient populations with high potential for efficacy and safety, focusing on the disease areas of central nervous system and immuno-inflammation. In addition, MTPC is working to develop "around the pill solutions" to address specific patient concerns based on therapeutic medicine, including prevention of diseases, pre-symptomatic disease care, prevention of aggravation and prognosis. MTPC is a member of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group. For more information, go to https://www.mt-pharma.co.jp/e/.

Media inquiries:

[email protected]

1 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Priority Review. FDA website. Accessed November 2021. https://www.fda.gov/patients/fast-track-breakthrough-therapy-accelerated-approval-priority-review/priority-review.

2 RADICAVA (edaravone) U.S. Prescribing Information. March 2021.

SOURCE Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.
"On behalf of the entire board, I am delighted to welcome these five distinguished leaders to the National Geographic Society's board of trustees," said board chair Jean Case. "Collectively, their global expertise and knowledge will prove invaluable as we continue our ambitious mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world by using the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling."

This announcement marks two milestones for the 134-year-old organization.

For the first time, the board has reached gender parity, building on the Society's continued commitment to advance its work around diversity, equity, and inclusion, including improving representation of women in leadership positions. In 2016, Case became the Society's first woman to serve as chair, and in August 2020, the organization appointed Jill Tiefenthaler as the first woman to serve as its CEO.

The organization also created the new role of Explorer Trustee, a position to be held by a National Geographic Explorer. The organization invests in a global community of Explorers composed of scientists, conservationists, educators, storytellers, and technologists. Wildlife conservationist and National Geographic Explorer Paula Kahumbu, who has dedicated her career to protecting threatened wildlife and habitats in Kenya, will become the first Explorer to hold the role. Kahumbu has been part of the National Geographic community for 12 years; in June 2021 she was named the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year.

"To illuminate and protect the wonder of our world, we greatly benefit from having diverse perspectives in the boardroom and across our organization. I am thrilled to welcome Ash, Claudia, Deborah, Dina, and Paula, whose range of perspectives, deep expertise, and wisdom will strengthen our mission and vision," said Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. "Together, we have a clear vision to drive significant impactand Explorers are the key. Paula is an extraordinary ambassador for our Explorer community, and her insights add a critical new voice to our board to ensure we remain at the forefront of exploration and discovery."

Madrazo, Lehr, McCormick, and Kahumbu assumed their roles on January 1, 2022. Carter will join the board in January 2023.

More About Ash Carter

Carter is the director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School, where he leads the Technology and Public Purpose project. Previously, he served as the 25th Secretary of Defense after serving as the COO and weapons czar in the Pentagon. For more than three decades, Carter has leveraged his experience in national security, technology, and innovation to spearhead and enhance technological capabilities for the U.S. government and investment firms. He launched the "Force of the Future" initiatives that improved the DOD's recruitment, training, and retention of staff, which included the mandate that all military positions be opened to women. Currently, Carter is a member of The MIT Corporation and Delta Air Line's Board of Directors, and he also advises the MITRE Corporation and Lincoln Laboratories on technology matters. Carter earned his bachelor's degree at Yale University and his doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

More About Claudia Madrazo

Madrazo has been interested in learning and exploring the world since her childhood. She founded La Vaca Independiente, a social enterprise focused on innovative education and the promotion of human development through art. She also developed the education methodology dia (development of intelligence through art), which has trained more than 25,000 teachers and benefited more than 500,000 students in Mexico. Madrazo serves on the boards of The Nature Conservancy and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the National Geographic Society's Hubbard Council. Madrazo is the author of nine books as well as many essays and articles. She received her bachelor's degree from Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, and her master's degree from Essex University.

More About Deborah Lehr

Lehr is the chief executive officer of Edelman Global Advisory, a strategic business consulting firm. In addition, she is the executive director of the Paulson Institute, a think tank founded by former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. Lehr previously supported leading Western and Chinese organizations to grow their presence in the world's most complex markets. In addition, she is the founder and chairman of the Antiquities Coalition, which works with governments across the world to fight against antiquities trafficking. Lehr serves on the International Advisory Board of the London School of Economics, the World Monuments Fund Board, and the Middle East Institute Board. Lehr is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She received her bachelor's from Trinity University and her master's from George Washington University.

More About Dina Powell McCormick

McCormick is a member of the management committee at Goldman Sachs, where she serves as global head of Sovereign Institution Coverage and as Global Head of Sustainability and Inclusive Growth. McCormick held various roles with the firm from 2007 to 2017 before she served as the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy from 2017 to 2018. McCormick has also served in the United States government across two administrations. Most recently, as the deputy national security advisor and previously as assistant secretary of state and as a senior White House advisor to the President. McCormick is currently a nonresident Senior Fellow at the Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas.

More About Paula Kahumbu

Kahumbu is a National Geographic Explorer and the chief executive officer of WildlifeDirect, a Kenyan conservation NGO. She spearheaded the Hands Off Our Elephants campaign, which is widely recognized for its singular successes in advocacy and the engagement of the people of Kenya to support the protection of elephants. Through her work, Kahumbu has reduced elephant poaching by 80 percent over five years. Kahumbu is the winner of many awards and accolades, including the 2021 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year and the 2021 Whitley Gold Award. She is a trustee of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Maun Science Park Botswana. Kahumbu received her Ph.D. in ecology from Princeton University. Kahumbu will become the first National Geographic Explorer to join the Society's board of trustees.

Media Note: Headshots available here .

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook .

SOURCE National Geographic Society
MENASHA, Wis., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Network Health, the Wisconsin-based health insurance plan, announces the retirement and promotion of two key executives. Effective January 1, 2022, Gregory Buran, MD will retire as chief medical officer at Network Health and Mushir Hassan, MD will assume leadership of clinical operations as chief medical officer.

During his time at Network Health, Buran's leadership paved the way for Network Health to become a 5-Star Medicare Advantage PPO plan. In addition, Buran remained a strong and steady leader navigating Network Health and its members through a global health pandemic. Prior to joining Network Health, Buran served as vice president and senior medical director of Health Alliance Plan in Detroit, Michigan.

"All of us at Network Health are grateful for Greg's steady leadership, especially during the pandemic. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he will be equally missed for his integrity and quick wit," Network Health President and Chief Executive Officer Coreen Dicus-Johnson said.

Prior to joining Network Health as medical director, Dr. Hassan spent more than two decades in primary care/internal medicine in Brookfield. This expansive background gives him the unique insight to demonstrate a truly wholistic member advocacy approach to his role leading Network Health's clinical teams. "I appreciate our provider-owned culture to engage providers early in the coordination of care for our members," said Hassan.

"I have worked with Mushir for several years and I am confident is his ability to create stability and do the right thing for our members. After many years in primary care and internal medicine, Mushir leads with science and gets the job done," Dicus-Johnson said.

Dr. Hassan uses self-reflection, integrity and transparency for an objective approach to leadership. He has a deep history of community involvement, leading both a hospital and school district through the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Hassan, a Northwestern UniversityFeinberg School of Medicine graduate, resides in Brookfield with his wife and four daughters.

About Network Health

Founded in 1982, Network Health offers customized commercial and Medicare health insurance services to employers, individuals and families in more than 23 counties throughout Wisconsin. Through its strong reputation for quality health care coverage and superior customer service, Network Health has grown to serve more than 111,000 members. Network Health has a 5 out of 5 Star Rating for Medicare Advantage PPO plans from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, outperforming the national average of 4.5 Stars. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Network Health has a 4.5 out of 5 rating for both Medicare and commercial products for 2021-2022 from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Network Health is one of only four health plans in Wisconsin receiving this NCQA score for Medicare and commercial plans, and no other plans in Wisconsin are rated higher. Network Health is ranked in the top 32 commercial plans and top 25 Medicare plans, and was also named one of the "Best Medicare Advantage plans for 2020" by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more at networkhealth.com. Visit our blog at networkhealth.com/grow-in-the-know/

https://www.facebook.com/networkhealthwi

https://twitter.com/NetworkHealthWI

https://www.linkedin.com/company/network-health-wi/

https://www.youtube.com/user/NetworkHealthWI

SOURCE Network Health
GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New Western, a national real estate investment company that provides much-needed, off-market residential properties for real estate investors, announced today the opening of its first office in South Carolina. This latest expansion brings the total number of New Western offices nationwide to 41, across 17 states.

Realtor.com released its list of the Top 10 Housing Markets Positioned for Growth in 2022. Greenville was listed as number seven.

"South Carolina is a strategic move for us. Currently, there are nearly 428,000 properties that are 20 years old or older in the Greenville area that could be ideal for renovating," said Kurt Carlton, co-founder and president of New Western. "Our company buys distressed properties that are ideal to fix and flip and matches them with local real estate investors who will purchase and complete the repairs for the project. This helps bring more affordable housing to the market."

Timothy Malley will be the General Manager of the Greenville office. Originally from the Florida market, Malley has been with New Western since 2018, where the company facilitated the revitalization of more than $366 million in properties in the past four years. In his new role, Malley will be responsible for leading the team to accomplish the goal of facilitating the revitalization of more than $475 million in residential properties in Greenville over the next five years.

"Steady employment opportunities and an affordable housing market have created investor demand and competition for properties," commented Malley. "As the largest private source of distressed investment properties nationwide, we offer real estate investors easy access to opportunities they wouldn't have otherwise. We are excited to offer our exclusive inventory to investors in the Palmetto State so they can purchase an investment property in a matter of days instead of weeks or months."

The new office is centrally located in downtown Greenville at 355 South Main Street. The company is actively recruiting people to join its team and will provide training and mentorship.

New Western brings market insight, an exclusive platform and extensive distressed investment property inventory to help real estate investors acquire fixer-upper properties. New Western delivers a property to a real estate investor every 13 minutes and works with nearly 100,000 active investors. The company has bought and sold more than $5.5 billion in residential real estate since 2008.

About New Western

New Western is a national real estate investment company that provides solutions for both homeowners and real estate investors through our exclusive marketplace. Our portfolio of companies helps homeowners move on from difficult properties while providing opportunities for local real estate investors to invest in their communities. New Western operates in most major metropolitan areas across the nation. Our brands include New Western, HomeGo and Sherman Bridge Lending. Each of these divisions focuses on helping to solve a specific need. For more information, visit www.newwestern.com.

SOURCE New Western
As Ambassadors for Oatey in the field, program participants champion the Oatey family of brands (including Oatey, Dearborn, Hercules, Cherne and more), creating unique multimedia content to be shared across social media and other digital platforms. Each Ambassador receives curated kits of Oatey branded gear, including Ambassador-exclusive swag. They are provided with a range of products to support their day-to-day work, are among the first to know about new product launches and have the chance to try new products firsthand. Ambassadors also have the opportunity to travel to Oatey's headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, for a two-day Ambassador event.

"Over the past year, Oatey's Social Media Ambassador Program has been such a rewarding opportunity for us to connect with some of the most talented tradespeople in our network and amplify their unique perspectives and exceptional work," said Katherine Lehtinen, Senior Vice President, Brand and Digital Marketing at Oatey. "Now, we are honored to welcome our second class of world-class Ambassadors, whose talent and expertise will certainly speak for itself as they champion Oatey's products in the field and online."

A new class of Ambassadors will be selected each year. Individuals interested in becoming a future Oatey Ambassador can submit their information on the Oatey website for consideration.

For additional information about Oatey's Social Media Ambassador Program, visit oatey.com.

ABOUT OATEY CO.

Since 1916, Oatey has provided reliable, high-quality products for the residential and commercial plumbing industries, with a commitment to delivering quality, building trust and improving lives. Today, Oatey operates a comprehensive manufacturing and distribution network to supply thousands of products for professional builders, contractors, engineers and do-it-yourself consumers around the world.

Oatey is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. For more information, visit www.oatey.com, call (800) 321-9532 or follow Oatey on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

SOURCE Oatey Co
TEL AVIV, Israel and MUNICH, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading international consulting firm Roland Berger is partnering with Start-Up Nation Central , the independent non-profit organization connecting global corporations, investors, and governments to the Israeli tech innovation ecosystem. Together, the two organizations will advance commercial opportunities for Israeli technological innovation companies interested in operating within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Based on a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Roland Berger will collaborate with Tel Aviv-based Start-Up Nation Central on a series of strategic initiatives. The parties will also carry out joint research and analysis, marketing, and promotional activities. The cooperation is expected to help fulfill the promise of the Abraham Accords that were signed 15 months ago and to further deepen the ties between the signatory states.

Start-Up Nation Central has already taken substantial steps to build bridges between the member states' innovation ecosystems. In December 2020, it officially launched the UAE-IL Tech Zone, an exclusive platform aimed at bridging technological, entrepreneurial, business, venture capital, and government collaborations between the UAE and Israel. The growing community, already connecting more than 2,000 business, innovation, and technology leaders from both countries, is gradually evolving to become a GCC regional community. Start-Up Nation Central recently initiated the UAE-Israel Business Forum with UAE Ambassador to Israel H.E. Mohamed Al Khaja to further promote the countries' business-to-business ties in an effort to create a joint regional hub of entrepreneurship.

In July, Start-Up Nation Central signed an agreement with The UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security, to set up a framework for addressing shared food and water security challenges. Under the terms of the framework, Start-Up Nation Central will scout and map Israeli innovative solutions and the Minister will connect them with the relevant Emirati companies and government initiatives that can benefit from these solutions.

Together, Start-Up Nation Central and Roland Berger are now looking forward to further driving innovation and cross-national cooperation in the Middle East.

Stefan Schaible, Global Managing Partner of Roland Berger: "At Roland Berger, we are deeply committed to entrepreneurship, which is one of our firm's fundamental values. We are actively exploring unconventional ideas, taking risks, and blazing new trails, but are also willing to assume responsibility. Therefore, we are excited to collaborate with Start-Up Nation Central, one of the most developed global start-up ecosystem facilitators. As partners we will craft innovative and sustainable solutions for clients from the private and public sectors alike."

Jeremie Kletzkine, Start-Up Nation Central VP Business Development: "The region is transforming quickly. As a leading one-stop gateway to Israeli innovation, it is more than natural for Start-Up Nation Central to collaborate with a world-class organization such as Roland Berger, which understands and advises the UAE and GCC government and business leadership. We aim to leverage the complementary characteristics of the UAE and Israeli tech industries to establish a robust Middle East innovation hub that will create an innovation powerhouse to address regional and global challenges. As the leading business strategy consulting firm in the GCC, Roland Berger is the best possible partner for this mission."

About Roland Berger

Roland Berger is the only management consultancy of European heritage with a strong international footprint. As an independent firm, solely owned by our Partners, we operate 50 offices in all major markets. Our 2400 employees offer a unique combination of an analytical approach and an empathic attitude. Driven by our values of entrepreneurship, excellence and empathy, we at Roland Berger are convinced that the world needs a new sustainable paradigm that takes the entire value cycle into account. Working in cross-competence teams across all relevant industries and business functions, we provide the best expertise to meet the profound challenges of today and tomorrow.

About Start-Up Nation Central Start-Up Nation Central is the address for corporations, governments, and investors to connect with the Israeli tech ecosystem. Start-Up Nation Central catalyzes growth opportunities by bringing Israeli tech innovation to global business and societal challenges. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, Start-Up Nation Central is a not-for-profit organization funded by philanthropy.

SOURCE Start-Up Nation Central (SNC)
RattanIndia to invest Rs 350 crore in Cocoblu Retail

Mumbai, Jan 12 (UNI) Diversified firm RattanIndia Enterprises (REL) on Wednesday said it will invest Rs 350 crore in its wholly owned subsidiary Cocoblu Retail, to give a fillip to its retail business.

REL, which has presence in new-age sectors including electric motorcycles, drone solutions and fintech, had announced its foray into the retail segment through the acquisition of 100 per cent stake in Cocoblu Retail in November last year.

In a regulatory filing, the company said that it has "operationalized its e-commerce foray by approving an investment of Rs 350 crore in its wholly owned subsidiary Cocoblu Retail."

This funding will be utilized by Cocoblu to develop its business including creation of tech-enabled access to consumers for select brand owners/sellers on the platforms of leading e-commerce sites in India.

Cocoblu will be partnering with several big and small brands in India to offer end-to-end solutions to them by bringing them onto leading online platforms in the country and help them achieve a highly-efficient and rapidly scalable model, it said.

Cocoblu envisages working with upcoming brands/ventures by giving them the right positioning in a highly competitive sector through its solution.

"Cocoblu is committed to scale up local micro, small and medium manufacturers and help them build their brands and reach their true potential through digital channels. This provides a great opportunity for online retail in India devoid of complexities and capex of physical retail. Cocoblu seeks to be a dominant seller in multiple categories on these online retail platforms in the country," the company said.

The company further said that digital e-commerce remains a core pillar of growth for REL, holding strategic relevance in its growth vision.

Commenting on the development, RattanIndia Enterprises Business Chairperson Anjali Rattan Nashier said, "Cocoblu will be well-positioned to provide value to salient brand owners/sellers in Indias ever-expanding e-commerce landscape. Our investment of Rs 350 crore is intended to give fillip towards creation of an all-digital approach to selling lifestyle offerings via leading e-commerce platforms. Through in-built solutioning we believe we have the right arsenal to facilitate a robust scale-up of their business while making accessible a vast consumption opportunity.

The investment in Cocoblu will further REL's interests in Indias high-potential e-commerce industry, the company said.

Indias e-commerce sales are projected to rapidly grow from Rs 2.8 trillion in 2021 to reach Rs. 8.8 trillion in 2025. This will be underlined by Indias burgeoning base of internet users which will stand at 900 million in 2025. Leveraging its rich demographic advantage India offers access to one the largest pools of Gen Z and millennials globally. By 2025 Indias e-tail industry is expected to include 300-350 million shoppers with a corresponding Gross Merchandise Value of USD 100-120 billion in 2025.

"India is home to the second largest internet enabled population and third largest e-commerce consumer base in the country with e-commerce penetration of less than 5 per cent, leaving tremendous headroom for growth in the sector. Access to the internet, rising affluence, awareness, reach and sheer convenience are key drivers of online retail growth in India. The recent pandemic has further accelerated this shift towards online retail in the country.

REL seeks to nurture a strong presence in the e-commerce domain through its focused e-commerce subsidiary," the company added.

UNI PSK ACL1156
HELSINKI, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command and Sako Ltd signed a contract for the procurement of the new Rifle System M23 on 12 January 2022. The procurement was preceded by collaboration on the development of the rifle system between Sako Ltd and the Finnish Defence Forces in 2020-2021 in accordance with the letter of intent between the Finnish Defence Forces and Sako Ltd.

The total value of the procurement including the value added tax is approximately EUR 10 million. The contract also includes an additional procurement option for possible subsequent procurements.

"Sako Ltd's roots are deeply set in the Finnish Defence Industry. Last year Sako celebrated its hundredth anniversary, and we have collaborated closely with the Finnish Defence Forces for decades. We value greatly the trust that the Defence Forces has shown us, and this procurement contract deepens our collaboration, creates new jobs in Finland, and also improves Finland's security of supply," states Sako's General Manager, Mr. Raimo Karjalainen.

The new Rifle System M23 includes two separate rifle configurations: the Sniper Rifle 23 for sniper use and the Designated Marksman Rifle 23 for use as an infantry section support weapon by designated marksmen. In addition, the contract includes accessories, spare parts, maintenance equipment, as well as user and maintenance training provided by Sako. Sako has designed the rifles, which are based on the widely used AR10 construction. The rifles are semi-automatic and their calibre is 7.62 NATO.

"The contract represents an initiative of utmost commercial and strategic significance for Sako's Defence and Law Enforcement business. During the development of the rifle system, we have conducted multiple extensive tests in different conditions together with the Finnish Defence Forces. We believe that the Rifle System M23 provides a solution that caters extremely well for the operational needs of the Finnish Defence Forces," says Mr. Arto Kaikkola, Business Unit Director at Sako's Defence and Law Enforcement Business Unit.

"The contract announced today is the first supply contract in relation to Sako's new product family of self-loading rifles, and the first rifles will be delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces later this year. As a whole, this new product family is a momentous business opportunity for Sako in Finland and the Nordic countries as well as globally. We are very happy that this contract also enables the implementation of joint rifle procurements between Finland and Sweden," Kaikkola continues.

One of the guiding principles in the development of the Rifle System M23 was the ability to produce the weapons in Finland. The rifles will be manufactured in Sako's factory in Riihimaki - thus, the project improves Finland's security of supply and promotes retaining skills and technology as well as the ability to manufacture and repair weapon systems in Finland.

"In recent years, we have made significant investments in our production and product development, and we will continue investing in the rifle and cartridge business in the coming years as well. We are committed to the continuous development of our expertise in Finland. The procurement contract deepens the collaboration between Sako and the Finnish Defence Forces, creates new jobs in Finland, and also improves Finland's security of supply," notes General Manager Karjalainen.

The signing of the procurement contract took place at the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command Headquarters in Tampere on 12 January 2022.

For more information:

General Manager, Raimo Karjalainen, Sako Ltd, tel. +358 10 830 5200

Link to photos

About Sako

Established in 1921, Sako has an eventful history. Sako was first created to refurbish and service firearms for the Civil Guard in Finland. The workshop was initially called Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Osakeyhtio (Civil Guard Firearm and Engineering Co Ltd) and in 1927 became a limited company with its name abbreviated to the acronym, Sako. The company has played a key role in Finland's defence and has been a trusted supplier to dozens of defence departments around the world.

For 100 years Sako has developed world-class military, target, and hunting rifles, as well as cartridges. Our reputation, high-quality products, and credibility are rooted in the unique skills of our employees and in their professional pride. Over a period of 100 years, the company has grown by focusing on internationalisation, the excellence of its products, honoring its dedicated craftsmen and personnel, and providing innovative solutions for the needs of its customers.

In 2000, Sako joined Beretta Group, a company with unique firearms traditions reaching all the way back to 1526. This cooperation provides Sako with the unique capability to offer comprehensive, all-encompassing solutions and systems for our customers.

Now Sako looks ahead more confidently than ever. We proudly carry on the rifle manufacturing knowledge and skills, with the utmost respect towards the surrounding nature.

About Beretta Defense Technologies

Beretta Defense Technologies is an alliance of four market leading companies: Beretta, Benelli, Sako and Steiner. These founding companies of Beretta Defense Technologies have been globally well known through decades of leadership, innovation and investment and now form a single source contact for the high tech military & law enforcement hardware the are renowned for.

Beretta Defense Technologies is a concept that has grown from the needs of governments and agencies to cover a wide range of complicated scenarios, by providing with the unique combination of services, weaponry and equipment - from firearms, ammunition, optronics to tactical clothing - in order to match every operational needs.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/sako-ltd/r/sako-ltd-and-finnish-defence-forces-sign-a-contract-for-the-procurement-of-a-new-rifle-system,c3484851

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/21254/3484851/1519505.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/sako-ltd/i/sako-m23-rifle,c2999367 Sako M23 rifle

SOURCE Sako Ltd
CHERRY HILL, N.J., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank , ranks highest in small business banking in the South Region, according to the J.D. Power 2021 Small Business Banking Satisfaction StudySM. TD Bank's overall small business customer satisfaction score reached 865 points on a 1,000-point scale for 2021.

This is the third time TD Bank captured this award.

J.D. Power measures customer satisfaction in 7 categories including channel activities, relationship with account manager, convenience, products and fees, problem resolution, new account opening and communication and advice to determine rankings. According to the study, TD Bank placed first in two categories: Convenience and Channel Activities.

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. Throughout the pandemic and economic headwinds in recent years, TD Bank continued its dedication to helping small businesses realize their financial goals by being a trusted advisor and implementing critical programs," said Chris Giamo, Head of Commercial Banking, TD Bank. "We are proud of our small business colleagues who worked so hard to help us earn this honor."

The J.D. Power 2021 Small Business Banking Satisfaction StudySM surveyed 7,327 small business owners or financial decision makers who use business banking services, including 2,237 in the South.

The independent research firm's study for the South Region comprises 9 award-eligible banks that operate in 16 states from Delaware to Texas and D.C., an area that includes geographies within TD's footprint: Florida, the Carolinas, Virginia, D.C., Maryland and Delaware.

About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank

TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9.7 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,100 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.td.com/us . Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US and www.twitter.com/TDNews_US .

TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com/us .

SOURCE TD Bank
Michael Carvajal presided over a particularly turbulent period in the BOP's history. Tweet this

The full text of the letter follows:

Mr. President,

The National Council and our extensive membership of currently and formerly incarcerated women and girls welcome Michael Carvajal's resignation as director of the Bureau of Prisons.

The complimentary Department of Justice press statements following Carjaval's announcement obscure the fact that he presided over a particularly turbulent period in the BOP's history. We struggled to support our incarcerated membership during the following hallmarks of his tenure:

Two hundred seventy-five admitted deaths from COVID and an infection rate that is much higher than the general population due to failure to provide PPE and cleaning supplies and refusal to decarcerate to allow meaningful social distancing despite Attorney General Barr's directives

Deliberate exposure of healthy incarcerated individuals to those with positive COVID tests and active illness

Lockdowns for weeks and months with as many as four women in an 8 x 12-foot cell

Bagged meals with rotten food for months at a time, as is currently happening at FCI Aliceville, which is suffering through a COVID outbreak.

Little to no medical care for those with COVID, who are left to fend for themselves in visiting rooms, segregated housing units, and even the kitchen; and

Refusal to implement relief measures, such as free phone calls and pointless restrictions, such as suspending crafting privileges that exacerbate the burden of incarceration during the pandemic

In addition, Michael Carvajal failed to curb other atrocities at multiple facilities, including but not limited to:

Burst sewage pipe at FMC Carswell, a hospital facility that women incarcerated there were forced to clean up without protective gear, proper equipment, or Hepatitis C vaccines

Sexual abuse by Warden at FCI Dublin of numerous women in his custody;

A reported rape at FCI Aliceville with the victim put in solitary confinement to keep her quiet; and

Psychological torture by staff telling people they would be released to home confinement and then canceling the transfer a day or two before the scheduled departure

We call upon the Biden Administration to make sure the next Director is not someone who has spent their career within the BOP and will therefore not carry forward the distinction of decades of mismanagement that has become part of the agency's culture. Instead, the next Director should have a deep understanding of the causes of mass incarceration and a track record of combating institutional racism in keeping with this Administration's oft-stated -- but rarely seen -- commitment to racial justice. In addition, the Director should be committed to decarceration of people who should not be in prison: the elderly, ill, survivors of domestic violence, and long-timers.

The Administration's record on criminal justice has so far been deeply disappointing. It has not granted a single clemency petition. It initially endorsed the Trump Administration's position that people on home detention would have to return to prison at the end of the COVID-19 emergency and its "reversal" of that opinion after a year of protests leaves the door wide open for the BOP to reincarcerate people at its whim. The nomination of a new BOP Director is another test of whether the President really believes in racial justice. We call upon him to consult with all impacted people and to choose wisely.

Our only hope for Michael Carvajal's future is that he stays retired; and does not follow in the steps of former director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Harley Lappin, who came out of retirement and went on to lead the largest private prison corporation globally, recruiting states across the country to sign contracts that committed them to keep the state prisons 90% full to guarantee profits. Naturally leading to increased police activity, harsher and unjust sentencing laws, and incarceration of citizens in predominantly black and brown communities so that states could meet their incarceration quotas.

About The National Council

The National Council was founded in 2010 by a group of women while incarcerated in the federal prison in Danbury, CT.

Our mission is to end the incarceration of women and girls. In 2015 the work that began in a prison yard led to the establishment of The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, which has a nationwide reach.

For more information or to view the FreeHer campaign, please visit www.nationalcouncil.us.

Media Contact: Ariel Goode, [email protected]

SOURCE The National Council for Incarcerated and Formally Incarcerated Women and Girls
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Acute Hospital Care Market Research Report by Medical Condition, by Facility Type, by Service, by Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Acute Hospital Care Market size was estimated at USD 229.12 billion in 2020, is expected to reach USD 246.47 billion in 2021, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.93% to reach USD 391.05 billion by 2027.



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2018 and 2019 are considered historical years, 2020 as the base year, 2021 as the estimated year, and years from 2022 to 2027 are considered the forecast period.

Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Acute Hospital Care Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Market Share Analysis:

The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market, including 3M Company, Asklepios Kliniken GmbH & Co. KGaA, bioMerieux SA, CareCentrix, Inc., Community Health Systems, Inc., Emerus Holdings, Inc., Ernest Health, Inc., Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co, HCA Healthcare, Inc., IHH Healthcare Berhad, Legacy Lifepoint Health, Inc., McKesson Corporation, Mediclinic International PLC, Medline Industries, Inc., National HealthCare Corporation, PruittHealth Corporation, Ramsay Health Care Ltd, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Universal Health Services, Inc., and Vibra Healthcare, LLC.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Acute Hospital Care Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?



Key Topics Covered:



1. Preface



2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary



4. Market Overview



5. Market Insights

5.1. Market Dynamics

5.1.1. Drivers

5.1.1.1. Increasing inpatient volume at hospitals for Acute Care

5.1.1.2. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases

5.1.1.3. Availability of medicaid and medicare reimbursement

5.1.2. Restraints

5.1.2.1. Limited availability of skilled professionals, facilities and equipment

5.1.3. Opportunities

5.1.3.1. Increasing number of hospital and unmet medical needs in emerging economies

5.1.4. Challenges

5.1.4.1. Dearth in infrastructure

5.2. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19



6. Acute Hospital Care Market, by Medical Condition

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Acute Care Surgery

6.3. Emergency Care

6.4. Short-Term Stabilization

6.5. Trauma Care



7. Acute Hospital Care Market, by Facility Type

7.1. Introduction

7.2. General Acute Care Hospitals

7.3. Long Term Acute Care

7.4. Psychiatric Hospitals

7.5. Rehabilitation Hospitals

7.6. Specialized Hospitals



8. Acute Hospital Care Market, by Service

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Coronary Care Unit

8.3. Intensive Care Unit

8.4. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit



9. Americas Acute Hospital Care Market

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Argentina

9.3. Brazil

9.4. Canada

9.5. Mexico

9.6. United States



10. Asia-Pacific Acute Hospital Care Market

10.1. Introduction

10.2. Australia

10.3. China

10.4. India

10.5. Indonesia

10.6. Japan

10.7. Malaysia

10.8. Philippines

10.9. Singapore

10.10. South Korea

10.11. Taiwan

10.12. Thailand



11. Europe, Middle East & Africa Acute Hospital Care Market

11.1. Introduction

11.2. France

11.3. Germany

11.4. Italy

11.5. Netherlands

11.6. Qatar

11.7. Russia

11.8. Saudi Arabia

11.9. South Africa

11.10. Spain

11.11. United Arab Emirates

11.12. United Kingdom



12. Competitive Landscape

12.1. FPNV Positioning Matrix

12.1.1. Quadrants

12.1.2. Business Strategy

12.1.3. Product Satisfaction

12.2. Market Ranking Analysis

12.3. Market Share Analysis, By Key Player

12.4. Competitive Scenario

12.4.1. Merger & Acquisition

12.4.2. Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership

12.4.3. New Product Launch & Enhancement

12.4.4. Investment & Funding

12.4.5. Award, Recognition, & Expansion



13. Company Usability Profiles

13.1. 3M Company

13.2. Asklepios Kliniken GmbH & Co. KGaA

13.3. bioMerieux SA

13.4. CareCentrix, Inc.

13.5. Community Health Systems, Inc.

13.6. Emerus Holdings, Inc.

13.7. Ernest Health, Inc.

13.8. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co

13.9. HCA Healthcare, Inc.

13.10. IHH Healthcare Berhad

13.11. Legacy Lifepoint Health, Inc.

13.12. McKesson Corporation

13.13. Mediclinic International PLC

13.14. Medline Industries, Inc.

13.15. National HealthCare Corporation

13.16. PruittHealth Corporation

13.17. Ramsay Health Care Ltd

13.18. Tenet Healthcare Corporation

13.19. Universal Health Services, Inc.

13.20. Vibra Healthcare, LLC



14. Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cury97

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Identifinders International, in conjunction with the Houston Institute of Forensic Sciences and audiochuck, announces the identification of 1981 Harris County murder victims as then 21 year-old Harold Dean Clouse and spouse 17 year-old Tina Gail (Linn) Clouse.

Family photo of Tina Gail Linn, Hollie Marie Clouse, and Harold Dean Clouse. Murdered in 1980 and discovered in early 1981, Hollie's body was never found and it is possible she is still alive.

The newlywed couple, who married in June 1979, was found together in a wooded area in Houston, Texas. They had been deceased approximately two months prior to their discovery on January 12, 1981, when a dog led searchers to their remains. Mr. Clouse was found beaten, bound and gagged. Ms. Clouse had been strangled.

The couple left their home in Volusia County, Florida in 1981 with their one year-old baby for Mr. Clouse to pursue carpentry work in Texas. Soon after, the couple's car was returned to the family who was led them to believe the couple had joined a religious group and no longer wanted contact.

In July 2011, Dr. Jennifer Love, Forensic Anthropology Director of the Identification Unit-Harris County Medical Examiner's office, exhumed the bodies to extract DNA to determine if the two were related.

In 2021, Indianapolis-based media company audiochuck, who produces true crime podcasts, funded the genealogy research. Working with forensic anthropologist Deborrah Pinto of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the case was solved by Identifinders Senior Forensic Genealogist Misty Gillis and former colleague Allison Peacock. Gillis identified Clouse within 10 days of taking the case. When his family mentioned his wife, Tina Gail Linn was identified as the other victim. "I'm very thankful to have been given the opportunity to work on this case. It was a difficult case emotionally." commented Gillis.

Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, President of Identifinders International added "We are pleased the Forensic Science Institute placed its confidence in us and we could bring closure to the Clouse and Linn families. We thank audiochuck for their generous support in funding the work on this case."

But closure of these cases has led to another mystery: the whereabouts of baby Hollie Marie. No baby was found with the couple's bodies and no Baby Doe cases have been found that match her description. Work is continuing to list Hollie Marie Clouse with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Identifinders International is a fee-based forensic service that works with law enforcement agencies and medical examiners to apply genetic genealogy to violent crime cold cases and unidentified remains cases. For more information, please visit www.identifinders.com.

Media contact:

Lori Jonasson

[email protected]

760-408-7434

SOURCE Identifinders International
For Digital PR Guru of 2021 were awarded Stuart Bruce (UK) as Gold Winner , Marie Alexander (Singapore) as Silver Winner and Bianca Boucault (Brazil) as Bronze Winner .

In the category of Best Digital PR Company were recognized the achievements of BPRESS (Italy) with the Gold Award, Alexander PR Group (Sinagpore) with the Silver Award and Caltrackr OU (Estonia) with the Bronze Award.

In Best Digital PR Project were announced Spring PR (Armenia) as Gold Winner, Sherlock Communications (Brazil) as Silver Winner and AtitudeCom (Brazil) as Bronze Winner.

"I am happy that our Davos Digital PR Awards turned into a powerful motivator inspiring our PR colleagues to keep up the great work, enhance their brand reputation and boost their digital presence during the pandemic. This is one of our great contributions to the PR industry globally and I am confident that WCFA will build an even larger strong community of professionals in 2022," said Maxim Behar, President of WCFA.

The winners were announced by the World Communications Forum Association (WCFA) at a special virtual Awarding Ceremony on Zoom. High-profile professionals from all over the world joined the event to celebrate the year's top digital communications leaders and their outstanding work during the challenges of the pandemic.

The ceremony kicked off with a keynote presentation from the WCFA President Maxim Behar and the Jury Chair Rui Martins, who revealed the winners of the total three categories. The creative digital efforts of PR experts and professional teams were recognized by 12 highly professional PR practitioners and senior industry leaders from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.

Among the international judges were are the European Commission National Campaigns Coordinator for Portugal Rui Martins, the PRophet Founder and CEO Aaron Kwittken, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Chief Digital Business Officer Aiza Azreen, the Dejan Marketing Owner and Managing Director Dan Petrovic, the Apriori World CEO Danijel Koletic, the Genetikomm consultancy Co-Founder Eva Snijders, the Peterson Integrated Communications CEO Peter Mutie, the Communication and Marketing Strategist Rosanne Bourque, the BOD Consulting Managing Partner Saurabh Uboweja, the SPRING PR- Company Co-Founder Tatevik Simonyan, the IPAG Business School Paris Professor Vincent Dutot, the SEC Newgate CEE Founding Partner Zofia Bugajna.

The Davos Digital PR Awards celebrate the very best in digital excellence across the globe, recognizing innovation, creative thinking, engagement and success in pioneering digital tools and virtual platforms in the development of game changing projects.

Read below the full list of corporations, agencies and experts whose teams and campaigns took home a win for 2021.

1. Best Digital PR Company

Gold Winner: BPRESS (Italy)

Silver Winner: Alexander PR Group (Singapore)

Bronze Winner: Caltrackr OU (Estonia)

2. Best Digital PR Project

Gold Winner: SPRING PR (Armenia)

Silver Winner: Sherlock Communications (Brazil)

Bronze Winner: AtitudeCom (Brazil)

3. Digital PR Guru of 2021

Gold Winner: Mr. Stuart Bruce (United Kingdom)

Silver Winner: Mrs. Marie Alexander (Singapore)

Bronze Winner: Mrs. Bianca Boucault (Brazil)

Partners of the Awards were PR Newswire  a part of Cision Group Ltd. and DHL.

The President Maxim Behar also announced the Association's upcoming second edition of Davos Communications Awards 2022, the WCFA Annual General Assembly on January 20, and the Asian Communications Summit 2022, which will be announced soon on www.wcfaglobal.com.

For more information, visit www.davosawards.com or contact Maxim Behar, WCFA President, at [email protected] or +359 888 50 31 13.

About World Communications Forum Association:

The World Communications Forum was founded in 2010 in Davos, Switzerland, where the Association was registered in 2014. The WCFA is a n organization committed to active global discussions and exchanges focused on the development of communications expertise of its members and be an active voice in its key role in business, society and politics. Every year the forum gathers prominent representatives of the communication and public relations sector from around the world, who, through dialogue and discussion, exchange experiences and ideas to shape the art of global communications. In 2021, the WCFA organized its 'Global Communications Summit' on Zoom, bringing together more than 450 top communications experts globally. In 2021, WCFA also launched the first Davos Communications Awards 2021 - one of the most prestigious awards in the global marketing communications business with participants from 18 countries.

World Communications Forum Association

Promenade 85, 7270 Davos Platz, Davos, Switzerland

Email : [email protected], Mobile : +359 888 503113

www.wcfaglobal.com

SOURCE World Communications Forum Association
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ACON Investments, L.L.C. and its affiliates ("ACON") announced today that it has completed the sale of its equity interests in iiMED Medical Solutions, L.L.C. ("iiMED" or the "Company") to TEAM Technologies, Inc. ("TEAM"). TEAM is backed by affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Amherst, New York, with manufacturing facilities in Mexico, iiMED is a nearshore specialty manufacturer of Class I and Class II consumable medical devices. The Company's target end-markets include patient monitoring, wound care, and compression therapy devices with core capabilities of flame lamination, converting, sewing and clean room assembly.

During ACON's three-year ownership, iiMED had strong performance and grew approximately 25% year-over-year. "This investment is a great example of ACON's deep industry expertise and nimbleness, which allowed us to unlock value through a unique carve out strategy," said Anjali Jolly, a Partner of ACON. "This exit validates our thesis of the strong tailwinds in the medical specialty manufacturing space that are increasingly driven by OEM interest in nearshore partners," added John Roush, advisor to ACON and Chairman of iiMED's Board.

Together with ACON's sale of IIMAK's industrial business on September 30, 2021, ACON has successfully exited its investment entirely.

"ACON's experience and resources were instrumental in fueling iiMED's accelerated organic growth over the past three years. Our partnership with ACON was highly collaborative and critical to our success. We are excited to partner with TEAM to further build upon our exciting growth trajectory," said Bill Flaherty, CEO of iiMED.

TEAM is a growth-oriented North American engineering solutions and specialty manufacturer serving healthcare end-markets. "We are excited to welcome iiMED to the TEAM family as we continue expanding our specialty healthcare manufacturing capabilities," said Marshall White, President and CEO of TEAM. "The acquisition of iiMED enables us to continue to scale our platform and enhance our portfolio of solutions to serve our OEM customers. We look forward to working with iiMED's talented employees to grow our combined businesses."

About ACON Investments

ACON Investments, L.L.C. is a Washington, DC-based international private equity investment firm that manages private equity funds and special purpose partnerships that make investments in the United States, Latin America and Europe. Founded in 1996, ACON has responsibility for managing approximately $6.2 billion of capital. ACON has professionals in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Madrid, Sao Paulo and Bogota. For more information, visit www.aconinvestments.com.

About iiMED

Founded in 2003, iiMED is headquartered in Amherst, New York, and has more than 1,000 team members that service a global customer base. iiMED provides medical device OEMs with world-class manufacturing services for Class I and II consumable medical devices. The Company provides logistical advantages and cost savings because its nearshore location, just across the US border in Mexico, offers lower labor costs than domestic manufacturers, convenient access, and domestic shipping. For more information, visit www.iimed.com.

About TEAM

Headquartered in Morristown, TN with 14 facilities throughout the United States, TEAM Technologies is an innovative solutions provider supporting the foremost global healthcare products companies. With its 'ONE TEAM, MANY TECHNOLOGIES' philosophy, TEAM boasts an extensive lineup of manufacturing and design processes tailored to provide advanced solutions in medical, oral & dental care, infection prevention and control, and other healthcare use cases. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a management team with deep industry experience, TEAM Technologies leverages seamless, turnkey processes and innovation to positively impact the success of TEAM's customer partners. For more information, visit www.teamtech.com.

CONTACTS:

For ACON

Meena Thever

ACON Investments, L.L.C.

[email protected]

(202) 454-1100

For TEAM

Jennifer Hurson

Lambert & Co.

[email protected]

(845) 507-0571

SOURCE ACON Investments, L.L.C.
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA), a national affinity-based membership and marketing insurance agency, today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Mercer's Associations business. This acquisition is an important milestone in fueling AMBA's next chapter of growth and will expand the company's ability to serve associations and clients across the country. Mercer's Associations business is a leading provider of end-to-end insurance marketing, distribution, and administration services to association groups such as retired teachers, educators, credit unions and public employees across the US. The acquisition is expected to close Q2 2022.

Commenting on the acquisition, Steve Cardinal, CEO of AMBA, said: "This planned agreement represents another key milestone for AMBA  further enhancing our geographic footprint and ability to serve associations and clients across the US. By attracting high-quality organizations like Mercer, AMBA over the last five years has grown to become the partner-of-choice in the affinity marketing space. We successfully led and completed five previous acquisitions, each with their own unique story but one that is focused on creating value for all stakeholders."

This agreement will broaden product offerings, enhance carrier relationships and strengthen the ability for associations to thrive and gain relevancy in the industry by adding valued benefits, increasing membership and retaining members. Both organizations have created an attractive portfolio of products to access a variety of coverages and substantial claim support. AMBA's clients will have access to key products including long-term care, short-term care, supplemental health, emergency medical transportation, dental, vision, Medicare, annuities, life, disability, AD&D professional liability, and personal home and auto.

"We will work collaboratively with AMBA to ensure the ongoing delivery of high-quality service to our clients and growth opportunity for colleagues," said Ed Lehman, Mercer US Health Business Leader. "Joining forces with AMBA, a dominant player in affinity-based marketing and an essential partner to its association clients, will allow both our clients and our colleagues to reach their full potential."

AMBA and all its employees, benefits specialists and subsidiaries are proud of the incredible partnerships and support provided for these associations and their members. Cardinal added, "as a fast-paced, rapidly-growing company, we have been effective by working together with our associations, carriers and communities where we serve. Being part of AMBA means our partners will have access to more resources and innovative solutions, and our colleagues will see continued opportunities for growth and development."

AMBA is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit www.amba.info.

About Mercer

Mercer believes in building brighter futures by redefining the world of work, reshaping retirement and investment outcomes, and unlocking real health and well-being. Mercer's approximately 25,000 employees are based in 43 countries and the firm operates in 130 countries. Mercer is a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), the world's leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people, with 81,000 colleagues and annual revenue of over $19 billion. Through its market-leading businesses including Marsh , Guy Carpenter and Oliver Wyman , Marsh McLennan helps clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. For more information, visit mercer.com . Follow Mercer on LinkedIn and Twitter .

SOURCE Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA)
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.S., National Airlines is airlifting testing kits to different states in the country. During this month-long mission, in a series of N8 B747-400F flights, around 4,000,000 testing kits will be delivered to the respective state authorities for distribution across hospitals and COVID-19 testing centers. Flights originating from Chinese regions like Shanghai (PVG), Zhengzhou (CGO), Wuhan (WUH), and Tianjin (TSN) are headed to New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Texas (IAH), and Chicago (ORD) with the testing kits. Later this month, National Airlines is also shipping COVID-19 testing kits to Canada and the U.K. from South Korea and China. Lately, new variants of the COVID-19 virus are triggering a sudden spike in cases and there is an immediate requirement for multiple batches of testing kits, as early detection is vital to controlling the virus spread especially among children and those going back to work. "This is yet another mission by our teams to support governments in mitigating the recurring COVID-19 spread. Our aircraft, crew, and teams will continue to ensure the timely delivery of emergency medical supplies and equipment to support the various nations fight against COVID-19.", Mr. Christopher J. Alf, Chairman, National Airlines. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, National Airlines, with its B747-400 Freighter fleet of six aircraft, has been at the forefront partnering with International Governments and Aid Agencies, coordinating missions, and delivering immediate medical supplies such as protective masks, PPE kits, oxygen cylinders, COVID-19 vaccines, and other equipment to crisis-hit regions.
CINCINNATI, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) released an analysis, Kroger Stores Benefit Western Communities: An Assessment of the Enterprise's Compensation Packages and the Economic Impacts in the West that documents the organization's compensation of its nearly 85,000 hourly associates in four Western states: California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.

The ndp | analytics report, commissioned by The Kroger Family of Companies, highlights the robust economic and social contributions Kroger makes to these four states, including noteworthy employment of  and opportunities for  communities of color and lower-income populations.

"Our study underscores the fact that The Kroger Family of Companies puts its associates first," said Dr. Nam Pham, Managing Partner at ndp | analytics and co-author of the report. "Based on the organization's actual data and official government data, our findings show the organization pays hourly associates higher wages and benefits compared to its peers in the overall retail industry."

"At The Kroger Family of Companies, we are proud to provide our associates not only industry-leading pay and benefits, including health care and pensions, but to also be offering upward mobility to all of our valued associates," said Tim Massa, Kroger's senior vice president and chief people officer. "We are proud of our role as a leading employer in the U.S. and remain committed to serving our communities with reliable access to affordable, fresh groceries and other essentials."

Misleading Report from Economic Roundtable & UFCW

The Economic Roundtable published a "survey"  paid for by the UFCW  that was conducted with limited data of select communities to mischaracterize The Kroger Family of Companies workers and their compensation packages in the four Western states, according to Dr. Pham.

When asked about the disappointing claims made by the UFCW and Economic Roundtable, Dr. Pham said, "These critics have unfairly selected partial information, incomplete data, and anecdotes to spread negative and inaccurate details about the compensation and benefits The Kroger Family of Companies provides. Unlike the Economic Roundtable study, our report uses the organization's comprehensive dataset of nearly 85,000 workers at stores in four Western states, which shows the organization's hourly associates have higher compensation rates than their peers."

"Any argument that The Kroger Family of Companies does not pay its workers fairly and top market rate is not supported by actual evidence," Dr. Pham concluded.

"The implication by the Economic Roundtable that The Kroger Family of Companies does not care about the wellbeing of our associates and their families is patently untrue," continued Massa. "I am disappointed the UFCW has chosen to pull together such a misleading and untrue report  which leads me to believe they no longer have our associates' best interests at heart."

Key highlights of the Kroger Stores Benefit Western Communities report are:

Kroger pays hourly associates more than their peers in the retail industry overall. Currently, Kroger pays an average of $18.27 per hour and spends an additional $5.61 per hour for healthcare and retirement benefits, totaling $23.89 per hour for hourly associates in Western states. Kroger's hourly wages and benefits were higher than the average hourly wages and benefits of all workers in the U.S. retail industry and comparable job functions of the majority of Kroger associates. The wage premiums across Kroger's stores are more recognizable at lower earning groups. In addition to competitive wages and high-quality benefits, Kroger offers a broad range of employment opportunities for workers of all ages and aspirations. Kroger offers job and career opportunities to underserved populations at its Western stores. The enterprise's values of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) are reflected in its workforce. Indeed, Kroger associates are more diverse than state workforces overall. Kroger's impact extends beyond its stores. Its operations and investments create a ripple effect that generates economic and social benefits for local communities in the West. In total, Kroger's Western stores support 127,374 direct, indirect, and induced jobs and $4.7 billion in wages. These stores generate $62.3 billion in direct, indirect, and induced sales and $8.8 billion in value added to local economies. The enterprise's state and local tax contributions amount to nearly $1.2 billion . A snapshot of Kroger's support to local communities includes $57.5 million in community giving and 26 million donated meals to those in need.

To read the full report, please visit here.

About ndp | analytics

Dr. Nam Pham is Managing Partner and Mary Donovan is Principal at ndp | analytics, an economic research firm based in Washington, DC. The Kroger Company provided financial support to conduct the study. The opinions and views expressed are solely those of the authors.

Founded in 2000, ndp | analytics is a strategic economic and communications research firm. Through the rigor of quantitative analyses, the firm produces reports, creative content, and other research for a diverse group of clients, including trade associations, corporations, law firms, multi-lateral organizations, and government agencies. By uniting this rigorous analysis with clear communication, ndp | analytics turns data into action.

About The Kroger Co.

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience under a variety of banner names. We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
Colombo, Jan 12 (UNI) Sri Lanka will hand over two Indian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment to Indian authorities under the SAARC Prisoner Transfer agreement.

The Ministry of Justice has directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to hand over the two Indian prisoners to the Government of India.

Prisons Commissioner and Spokesperson, Chandana Ekanayake said the Additional Secretary (Legal) of the Ministry of Justice had informed the Commissioner-General of Prisons to hand over the two Indian prisoners to the Indian government, under the SAARC exchange agreement.

Ekanayake said that one of the two prisoners was convicted of possession, smuggling and importation of toxic narcotics under the Poisons and Drugs (Amendment) Act and was sentenced to three life terms by the Negombo High Court on each charge, dailymirror.lk said.

He has been incarcerated for 12 years.

The second prisoner was convicted of a number of offences under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. He was sentenced to three life terms on each charge and currently serving a prison sentence of nearly six years.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to take the two prisoners to the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport on January 12 and 13 under the special protection of the prison authorities.

Then they will be handed over to the Indian Police, the spokesperson said.

UNI/RN
MELBOURNE, Fla., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Apis Cor (https://www.apis-cor.com/) announced it had received official Regulation A+ qualification by the SEC to begin offering shares to both accredited and non-accredited investors. Apis Cor is an industry disruptor that has developed a wide range of advanced technologies and materials for the 3D-printed home industry, and is backed by both the premier accelerator for enterprise startups, Alchemist Accelerator, and At One Ventures  a funder of companies that contribute positively to nature. As the first company to develop specialized equipment capable of printing whole buildings completely on site, Apis Cor originally made international news when it secured the Guinness World Record in Dubai for the largest 3D printed building on Earth. The company has since gone on to refine that technology for practical construction applications and tested it on several pilot projects in the USA.

Apis Cor Apis Cor

"We are so pleased to reach this milestone in our journey to revolutionize the construction industry," said Anna Cheniuntai, CEO and Co-Founder of Apis Cor. "We have dedicated a lot of time and effort to not only developing this tech but also to provide people with the opportunity to join us in reimaging how construction works. We're doing that through education, awareness, accessibility to 3D-printing knowledge, and investment opportunities. 3D-printing the walls of a building is only the beginning. We are now poised to lead the way in an estimated $16.6-trillion-dollar industry."

The Future of Home Construction, Printed One House at a Time

Apis Cor offers a variety of products and services related to the 3D-printed building industry, including:

Equipment: 3D-printing robotic equipment and hardware available for leasing to construction companies.

3D-printing robotic equipment and hardware available for leasing to construction companies. Completed Homes: Fully finished 3D-printed homes available within the United States . The company is currently taking reservations with construction to begin in 2023.

Fully finished 3D-printed homes available within . The company is currently taking reservations with construction to begin in 2023. Apis Cor University: Online courses centered on emerging technology along with in-house seminars and training workshops developed to help engineers and construction workers get familiar with the equipment and learn the process of 3D-printing a structure.

"We are passionate about developing more technologies and solutions to expedite the entire construction process  just like Henry Ford did by automating the car manufacturing business," said Anna Cheniuntai. "We've been refining the process, fighting to reclaim seconds, then minutes from the overall construction time  leading to increasing gains. We're working to shave months and years from typical construction times to help people who are most at-need for housing  people who can't afford to wait. And we're creating fully autonomous equipment that can print buildings on Earth and beyond. The Construction Revolution has begun"

For the latest company updates, 3D-printing educational and training opportunities, or to view some of the 3D-printing technology, visit the world's first showroom for 3D-printed homes online. Or follow Apis Cor on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter.

About Apis Cor

Founded in 2016 by Nikita and Anna Cheniuntai, Apis Cor is an American technology corporation headquartered in Melbourne, Florida that develops advanced technologies and materials for construction 3D-printing. The company holds the Guinness Book World Record for the Largest 3D-Printed Building on Earth and is proud to be a resident of the Autodesk Technology Centers Outsight Network. A successful participant in NASA's "3D Printed Habitat Challenge"  Apis Cor was awarded top honors in several categories. Apis Cor is backed by Alchemist Accelerator, the premier accelerator for Enterprise startups, and At One Ventures, a VC and private equity firm which supports deep tech ventures that are a net positive to nature and the planet. Learn more about 3D-printing construction technology at: www.Apis-Cor.com.

Media Contact:

Jennifer McKinney

Business Operations Manager

(321) 473-4523

[email protected]

SOURCE Apis Cor
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As schools grapple with yet another fast-spreading COVID-19 variant in the wake of the holidays, a new survey administered by Clever  the most widely used digital learning platform in U.S. K-12 schools  examines educators' perspectives on education technology in the midst of this period of profound change. Eight in 10 teachers say their (or their students') use of ed tech has increased compared to before the pandemic.

When asked about continued use of digital tools in the classroom, in the absence of virtual or remote learning, 57% of teachers say they will continue using most or all of the new tools they've since adopted  and over 90% of teachers say they will continue using at least some of these tools. At the same time, over 88% of administrators and 81% of educators somewhat agree or strongly agree that, if needed, virtual learning should be used in response to contagious pandemics, including new strains of COVID-19. And, as districts consider new test-to-stay and quarantine policies in the wake of new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, 77% of teachers and 91% of administrators say they agree with using virtual learning for asymptomatic students in quarantine.

"There's been lots of speculation about what aspects of digital learning will stay once students return to school. Educators are telling us they plan to keep using the digital tools they've picked up in the pandemic in their classroom, and that virtual learning has a role in some cases," said Dan Carroll, a former teacher and co-founder of Clever. "But, ed tech has often made lofty claims when it comes to student outcomes and teachers' experience. This is the time to prove it. More than ever, technology must make teachers' jobs easier, not harder. And students need technology to meet them where they are."

Among the key findings:

A role for virtual remains. In certain situations  including quarantine periods for asymptomatic students, new contagious pandemics, snow days, and other calamity days (e.g. poor air quality), both teachers and administrators support a return to virtual learning.

In certain situations  including quarantine periods for asymptomatic students, new contagious pandemics, snow days, and other calamity days (e.g. poor air quality), both teachers and administrators support a return to virtual learning. Teachers and administrators also find technology compelling for use in the classroom. For teachers, allowing students to work at their own pace was the most exciting reason for using technology, followed by supporting student engagement (e.g. through gamification). Using data from students to understand progress rounded out the top 3 reasons for teachers. For administrators, supporting student engagement was the most exciting reason, followed by providing new modalities for covering content (e.g. supporting students with different learning preferences). Allowing students to work at their own pace came in third, followed by using data to understand progress or mastery.

For teachers, allowing students to work at their own pace was the most exciting reason for using technology, followed by supporting student engagement (e.g. through gamification). Using data from students to understand progress rounded out the top 3 reasons for teachers. For administrators, supporting student engagement was the most exciting reason, followed by providing new modalities for covering content (e.g. supporting students with different learning preferences). Allowing students to work at their own pace came in third, followed by using data to understand progress or mastery. Teachers are satisfied with their school's tech options, but they also bring their own. Overall, nearly 3 in 4 teachers were satisfied with the ed tech tools offered by their school or district  but despite this, nearly half of teachers (46%) say they frequently bring in other tools. Administrators were more likely than teachers to say that the district has high-quality ed tech tools and a wide enough array of them. 84% of administrators agreed or strongly agreed that their district has a sufficient range of high-quality ed tech tools for teachers, compared to 68% of teachers who said the same.

Overall, nearly 3 in 4 teachers were satisfied with the ed tech tools offered by their school or district  but despite this, nearly half of teachers (46%) say they frequently bring in other tools. Administrators were more likely than teachers to say that the district has high-quality ed tech tools and a wide enough array of them. 84% of administrators agreed or strongly agreed that their district has a sufficient range of high-quality ed tech tools for teachers, compared to 68% of teachers who said the same. When it comes to finding new resources, teachers trust teachers. Nearly half (44%) of teachers said that other teachers in the district are their most trusted source for identifying new digital tools to use. This was more than double the second place answer, school or district leadership, which was the most trusted source for 18% of teachers.

The survey, administered throughout November using Clever's user database, asked about 900 teachers and 600 administrators a series of questions about their use of education technology tools and how it has changed over the past two years. More than 90% of the 1,500 respondents represented public school educators, and teacher respondents skewed toward lower grades (nearly half were elementary educators).

About Clever

Clever is on a mission to unlock new ways to learn for all students. More than 65% of U.S. K-12 schools now use Clever to simplify access and improve engagement with digital learning. With our free platform for schools and a network of leading application providers, we're committed to advancing educational equity. Clever, a Kahoot! company, has offices in San Francisco, CA and Durham, NC but you can visit us at clever.com anytime.

SOURCE Clever
SUZHOU, China and ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK), a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel therapies for cancers, chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and age-related diseases, today announced that Dr. Dajun Yang, the company's Chairman and CEO, delivered a presentation at the virtually-held 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in the evening of January 10, 2022 (Beijing Time), showcasing the company's recent milestone achievements and progress with its transformation from a biotech to a full-fledged biopharmaceutical company.

During the presentation, Dr. Yang first summarized key milestones the company achieved in 2021, including:

The approval for the company's lead asset olverembatinib (HQP1351) in China marked a big step forward in the company's transition from a biotech to a biopharmaceutical company with commercialized products. Being the only third-generation BCR-ABL inhibitor approved for the treatment of drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China , olverembatinib addresses an important treatment gap in China , offering a clinical breakthrough that significantly improves the survival of patients with drug-resistant CML harboring the T315I mutation.

marked a big step forward in the company's transition from a biotech to a biopharmaceutical company with commercialized products. Being the only third-generation BCR-ABL inhibitor approved for the treatment of drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in , olverembatinib addresses an important treatment gap in , offering a clinical breakthrough that significantly improves the survival of patients with drug-resistant CML harboring the T315I mutation. The company also saw great progress with its apoptosis-targeted pipeline. Lisaftoclax (APG-2575), a Bcl-2-selective inhibitor and a lead candidate of this pipeline, was approved to enter a Phase II pivotal study in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (R/R CLL/SLL) in China , thus became the world's second Bcl-2 inhibitor entering registrational studies.

, thus became the world's second Bcl-2 inhibitor entering registrational studies. The company continued to forge ahead with its global innovation and clinical development. As of the end of 2021, lisaftoclax was being investigated in 18 clinical trials globally for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Moreover, the company was granted a total of 16 Orphan Drugs designations (ODDs) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission, and 2 Fast Track designations by the US FDA, further validating the company's capabilities in global innovation.

The company successfully entered into multiple global strategic collaborations with a number of leading biopharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Innovent Biologics to further advance its pipeline development.

The official inauguration of the company's global headquarters and R&D center, creating a strong base supporting the company's accelerating global expansion and its ongoing integration of internal and external resources, has extended Ascentage Pharma's competitive-edge in the innovative drug arena.

A 0-to-1 transformation that effectively addressed treatment gaps in China and officially opened the chapter on commercialization

As a pioneer in developing novel innovative drugs in China, Ascentage Pharma has built a rich and high-potential pipeline comprising a range of assets with first-in-class or best-in-class potential globally (Figure 1). At present, Ascentage Pharma is steadily advancing over 50 clinical trials globally.

Olverembatinib, the company's lead product, was approved in China in November 2021 and became the first approved third-generation BCR-ABL inhibitor in the country. This approval for olverembatinib effectively ended the lack of treatment options for Chinese patients with drug-resistant CML harboring the T315I mutation, a clinical gap that has long devastated families and communities in China. Meanwhile, the approval also officially opened an exciting chapter on commercialization for the company.

In July 2021, Ascentage Pharma and Innovent Biologics announced a multifaceted strategic collaboration including the joint development and commercialization of olverembatinib in China. In addition, the company has also entered into agreements with multiple well-established partners to advance the commercialization and maximize the accessibility of olverembatinib in a coordinated manner.

Progress in clinical development frequently featured at global scientific events, further demonstrating the best-in-class and first-in-class potential of the company's assets

Looking back at 2021, Ascentage Pharma achieved notable progress with many of its clinical trials. Results from these trials were featured at multiple international scientific events, further elevating the company's status in research communities in China and globally.

Results from three clinical studies of olverembatinib were selected as abstracts, including one oral presentation, at the 2021 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. This is the fourth consecutive year in which data of olverembatinib were selected for oral presentation at the ASH Annual Meeting, an indication of the widespread interest in the drug's efficacy and safety from the international hematology community. Results of olverembatinib reported in the oral presentation included the long-term follow-up data (at a median follow-up duration of 39 months) further demonstrated a favorable tolerability, potent and durable efficacy, and clear best-in-class potential in the treatment of patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistant CML. In his presentation at the JPM Conference, Dr. Yang provided a deep dive on the encouraging data from two studies of olverembatinib in patients with T315I-mutant CML.

The clinical data of lisaftoclax, another key candidate of the company's apoptosis-targeted pipeline, were also presented at the 2021 ASH Annual Meeting. These results included the first data readout on lisaftoclax in Chinese patients with hematologic malignances, which demonstrated favorable tolerability and great therapeutic potential, in absence of any tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). The six patients with CLL who received lisaftoclax at 200 mg or higher doses achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 100% and one complete response. Prior to the ASH Annual Meeting, Ascentage Pharma had released the most updated data from the first-in-human study of lisaftoclax in patients with R/R CLL/SLL and other hematologic malignancies at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, including preliminary data demonstrating an objective response rate (ORR) of 80% and a manageable safety profile, in absence of any TLS despite daily dose ramp-up. All these data collectively further validated lisaftoclax as a drug candidate with global best-in-class potential.

In another oral presentation at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting, Ascentage Pharma reported the latest results from the Phase II study of alrizomadlin (APG-115), a MDM2-p53 inhibitor and another key candidate of the company's apoptosis-targeted pipeline, in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma or advanced solid tumors that have progressed on prior immuno-oncologic drugs. These results provided the clinical evidence supporting the synergy between a MDM2-p53 inhibitor and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and the first-in-class potential of alrizomadlin.

Furthermore, Dr. Yang highlighted the latest progress in the clinical development of the company's other apoptosis-targeted candidates that had already been reported at multiple international congresses in 2021.

"It is a great pleasure to present at this year's JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, and to provide global healthcare investors with a recap of what we achieved in 2021," said Dajun Yang, Chairman & CEO of Ascentage Pharma. "Ascentage Pharma is steadfastly committed to global innovation and have dedicate tremendous efforts to this vision, with 2021 marking the beginning of a new era of growth and development for the company. Moving forward, we will continue to advance our clinical development programs globally, seek to further solidify our leadership in the development of apoptosis-targeted therapies, and bring more urgently-needed novel therapeutics to patients around the world as soon as possible."

About Ascentage Pharma

Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK) is a globally focused biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel therapies for cancers, chronic hepatitis B, and age-related diseases. On October 28, 2019, Ascentage Pharma was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with the stock code 6855.HK.

Ascentage Pharma focuses on developing therapeutics that inhibit protein-protein interactions to restore apoptosis, or programmed cell death. The company has built a pipeline of eight clinical drug candidates, including novel, highly potent Bcl-2, and dual Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitors, as well as candidates aimed at IAP and MDM2-p53 pathways, and next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Ascentage Pharma is also the only company in the world with active clinical programs targeting all three known classes of key apoptosis regulators. The company is conducting more than 40 Phase I/II clinical trials in the US, Australia, Europe, and China. Olverembatinib, the company's core drug candidate developed for the treatment of drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), was granted Priority Review status and a Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and is already approved for the indication. In addition, the olverembatinib was also granted an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and a Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the US FDA, and an Orphan Designation by the EU. To date, Ascentage Pharma has obtained a total of 12 ODDs from the US FDA and 1 ODD from the EU for four of the company's investigational drug candidates. Ascentage Pharma has been designated for multiple Major National R&D Projects, including five National Major New Drug Discovery and Manufacturing projects, one New Drug Incubator status, four Innovative Drug Programs, and one Major Project for the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases.

Leveraging its robust R&D capabilities, Ascentage Pharma has built a portfolio of global intellectual property rights and entered into global partnerships with numerous renowned biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and research institutes such as UNITY Biotechnology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, MSD, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer. The company has built a talented team with global experience in the discovery and development of innovative drugs and is setting up its world-class commercial manufacturing and Sales & Marketing teams. One pivotal aim of Ascentage Pharma is to continuously strengthen its R&D capabilities and accelerate its clinical development programs, in order to fulfil its mission of addressing unmet clinical needs in China and around the world for the benefit of more patients.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, Ascentage Pharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development.

SOURCE Ascentage Pharma
Agreement marks the first commercial shipment of CBD hemp seeds to Asia by a North American company and kicks off AUDACIOUS' revenue generating initiatives in the region.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - AUDACIOUS CEO Terry Booth is proud to announce that AUDACIOUS has entered into a definitive agreement with Golden Triangle Health (GTH) on a strategic partnership that marks the company's first foray into the Asian market. GTH is a majority owned subsidiary of Thai public company NRF instant PCL with a market capitalization of C$440 million.

Ultimately, the partners intend to supply major CPG companies with B2B white label and branded products. In the meantime, the two companies are working towards completing the transaction and setting in motion a broader commercial program to expand throughout Asia and beyond.

"We continue to execute and deliver growth, as will be materially shown by this agreement," said Booth. "Through the distribution channels that GTH and their parent company bring, we anticipate being able to rapidly expand in this very promising market with a broad portfolio of products. The market in Thailand is anticipated to take off in the coming year, while other countries in the region are considering various degrees of legalization as well. Through our early mover advantage and our partner's deep connections, AUDACIOUS is positioned very well to pursue rapid expansion in this region with enormous potential."

Tom Kruesopon, a co-founder of GTH, added, "The partnership with AUDACIOUS further strengthens our operational capabilities in the cannabis space, adding very valuable equity to our brand positioning. We have many opportunities and are leveraging our network of international distribution contacts to execute rapidly and build the leader in the Asia-Pacific cannabis market."

AUDACIOUS has sold a first shipment of CBD hemp seeds to GTH, which helps it expand its product portfolio. The hemp seeds will be cultivated and used for food products as well as CBD isolate extraction.

Max Weinberg, Director of International Regulatory Affairs for AUDACIOUS, stated, "We are proud of being the first North American firm to ship seeds for CBD production to Asia, marking a milestone that kicks off our revenue generating initiatives in the region. We anticipate engaging in more such transactions in the near future."

About AUDACIOUS

Led by industry pioneer Terry Booth and a seasoned and accomplished management team with proven industry track records, AUDACIOUS is an emerging global MSO based on a difficult to imitate strategy. Secure access to low-cost but high-quality cannabis will enable AUDACIOUS to fuel expansion of its footprint across the United States and abroad. Award winning brands and cultivars create strong resonance with the end consumer, thereby driving growth in each market and as AUDACIOUS expands its footprint. AUDACIOUS brands include Tsunami, Provisions, Loos, Wreck Relief, and Mr. Natural.

AUDACIOUS's common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "AUSA" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "AUSAF."

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Terry Booth"

________________________________

Terry Booth

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein is forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information in relation to: the ability of ALPS to convert its pipeline into contracts; the impact of the changes to U.S. federal and state statutory developments with respect to the cannabis industry and the opportunities this may present for the Company; and the Company's current liquidity. This forward-looking information reflects the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. These assumptions include but are not limited to the ability of the Company to successfully satisfy the conditions to closing the proposed transaction; the ability of the Company to successfully execute on its plans for the Company and GT; legal changes relating to the cannabis industry proceeding as anticipated.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; the actual results of the Company's future operations; competition; changes in legislation affecting the Company; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures, service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, economic activity, financing, supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions that could limit the Company's ability to obtain external financing.

A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Company's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

Forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. However, the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Australis Capital Inc.
PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aulisa Medical USA, Inc., the Wearable Wireless Continuous Patient Vital Monitoring System company, today announced the close of a $13 million Preferred Series A financing round, and also welcomes Mr. Kenneth Abriola to join the Company as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Aulisa Medical USA specializes in wireless, wearable, vital-signs measuring devices with continuous, cloud-based, patient monitoring and alarm systems that use pulse oximetry to track heart rate and oxygen levels. Aulisa's Guardian Angel device is the only FDA cleared wireless vitals monitoring and alarm system on the market and provides early detection of health incidents for adults, pediatrics and infants to improve opportunities for intervention.

"Due to serious nursing staff shortages world-wide and absence of devices for continuous monitoring of patients, there is a huge market need for Aulisa's technology in the healthcare industry", said Augustine (Augie) Lien, founder and CEO of Aulisa Medical USA, Inc.

"The standard of patient care in hospitals defaults to infrequent spot-checking. Caretakers can only visit patients every 3-4 hours to take measurements of their vital signs which leads to patients often being unattended for hours. This makes it difficult to detect conditions and vitals trends, thus adverse events occur before effective medical intervention can be taken, causing many unnecessary deaths in hospitals and at home", said Lien. Mr. Lien adds "Aulisa's wireless continuous monitoring and automatic alarm system is the answer to these unmet medical needs."

"We are very grateful for the support of our investors", said Lien. He continues: "This new round of funding provides Aulisa with the backing to meet the rapidly increase market demand and support its high-speed business growth to empower consumers and healthcare providers with smart medical and IT technologies that can detect adverse events and potentially save lives".

Aulisa's patient monitoring systems are designed to be used on patients of any age, including infant, pediatrics, and adults. Their Guardian Angel products are independently developed by the company supported by ten different patents, manufactured by the company's own GMP Certified (Good Manufacturing Practices) factory, market cleared by the US FDA in 6 different 510(K) and continues to receive CE marks for EU markets and approval by the Taiwan FDA, demonstrating its global footprint.

Accompanied with this big milestone, the company is also pleased to announce that medical sales veteran, Kenneth Abriola, joins as Aulisa's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Effective January 3, Abriola's responsibilities will encompass sales team leadership, marketing plans execution, accelerating Aulisa's revenue through expanding Aulisa's presence in the US and internationally, development of new channels, and contributing to the company's business strategies.

Abriola has more than 30 years of medical device sales experience, most recently at O2 Concepts, the world's most efficient and reliable portable oxygen concentrator. Throughout his career, Abriola has held several executive sales positions, including positions with Drager, Toshiba, Fukuda Denshi and Spacelabs, and as such offers specialized experience selling complex capital solutions for medical services providers on a regional and national scale.

"Hiring Abriola demonstrates our commitment to exponentially growing our business reach and impact by prioritizing consumer and patient health with our medical device solutions", said Lien.

Abriola concludes: "Aulisa is a pioneer in the smart vital sign monitoring space and I am excited to make the company's big vision and mission possible to ensure a safer and healthier world for consumers and patients worldwide".

About Aulisa Medical USA

Aulisa Medical USA, Inc., located in Palo Alto, integrates medical device science and information communication technologies to provide smart medical solutions for the evolving patient care landscape. The company specializes in wireless, wearable, FDA-cleared vital-signs measuring devices with continuous, cloud-based, patient monitoring and alarm systems. Through the development of new products, Aulisa continues to focus on growing the application of Digital Health, collecting large amounts of patient data for big data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to medical applications. The company is a subsidiary of Taiwan Aulisa Medical Devices Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, where a Research & Development center and operational headquarters was established in 2013.

Contact

For further information, please visit aulisa.com or contact Kenneth Abriola, VP of Marketing & Sales at [email protected].

SOURCE Aulisa Medical USA, Inc.
COLUMBIA, Md., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Authority Brands announced today the purchase of Color World Housepainting. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition marks the ninth brand addition for Authority Brands since October 2018, with Color World Housepainting representing the company's eleventh brand in its home service portfolio.

Founded by Tom Hodgson in 1997, Color World Housepainting has grown exponentially since its early days serving the Midwest and now has 20 franchise locations throughout the United States. Color World's team of professional painters is highly experienced in both interior and exterior projects, using top-quality products to deliver outstanding results for residential and commercial clients. They also offer add-on services such as holiday lighting design and installation, power washing, gutter installation and repair, and minor drywall and carpentry work, allowing customers to check one more thing off their to-do list while streamlining their home improvement projects.

Companies under the Authority Brands umbrella include leading home service brands The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, America's Swimming Pool Company, Mosquito Squad, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Monster Tree Service, DoodyCalls and STOP Restoration. They operate across the residential cleaning, at-home care, swimming pool repair and maintenance, pest control services, plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning ("HVAC"), tree care, pet waste removal and restoration sectors, respectively. Authority Brands supports individual franchisee growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational tools and resources.

"Color World Housepainting is an excellent addition to the Authority Brands portfolio, complementing the suite of professional home services our brands provide," said Rob Weddle, CEO of Authority Brands. "This year mark's Color World's 25th anniversary and over that time, Tom and his team have achieved impressive growth, responding to the increased demand for home improvement by expanding their offerings and investing in high-quality workmanship. We are thrilled to support Color World as the business expands into new markets and provides resources to help current franchisees achieve their growth goals."

"When considering new brands to join the Authority Brands family, we look for growing market leaders like Color World that demonstrate a commitment to being the best in their industry and provide their franchise owners an opportunity to build a large business. We look forward to Color World scaling with the resources Authority Brands can provide," said Ashish Karandikar, Board of Directors member of Authority Brands' parent company and Partner at Apax.

"Building this business from scratch and being able to mentor the franchisees who have joined us in our growth has been very rewarding. Joining forces with the Authority Brands network and having their vast resources and support behind us now presents an entirely new level of opportunity for this brand," said Tom Hodgson, Founder and CEO of Color World Housepainting.

Boxwood Partners represented Color World Housepainting and acted as their financial advisor for the transaction.

About Authority Brands

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands' companies include 11 leading home service franchisors: America's Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Housepainting, DoodyCalls, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, and STOP Restoration. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 1,900 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See www.authoritybrands.com for more information.

CONTACT:

Jami Baker

Fish Consulting

954-893-7339

[email protected]

SOURCE Authority Brands, LLC
Demand for completely autonomous agricultural equipment has increased as it helps to solve the rising concerns of labor shortages while simultaneously enhancing productivity and efficiency, resulting in higher yields. The technology enables stable operations and farmers can regulate their activities remotely. Innovative path-generating techniques determine the most efficient area coverage design for a field based on the kind of task, vehicle, implement size & volume of vehicles in the field, and implement turn radius. It is outfitted with a vehicle control unit that manages functions and transmits real-time status & health information to the remote user.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2230

The increasing availability of autonomous harvesters to pick fresh produce is helping the market growth. It features a decentralized arms architecture that allows it to establish and maintain an optimum level of accuracy. To collect all information, harvesters utilize real-time AI and onboard short-range integrated color & infrared depth sensors. This cutting-edge visual processing system aids in determining the ripeness of fruits and vegetables. The device is outfitted with LiDAR sensors to protect the safety of field workers. Market players are undertaking strategic partnerships to design innovative products.

The growing focus on R&D activities in Latin America will fuel the demand for autonomous farm equipment market. The industry players are forming strategic partnerships to boost the development of new autonomous products and develop agricultural farming practices in the region. For instance, in July 2020, Small Robot Company partnered with Space Time Labs to jointly develop autonomous aerial & ground robots for offering advanced per plant farming solutions in Latin America. The technology will support the farmers in nutrition management & disease management activities. The companies are planning to work with Argentina & Brazil for protype testing & scaling procedures.

Some major findings of the autonomous farm equipment market report are:

The use of artificial intelligence in agriculture will drive up the demand for autonomous farm equipment. The various advantages of artificial intelligence include precision farming capabilities, enhanced solutions for timely harvesting, efficient cultivation, soil management, and the use of advanced analytics to improve agricultural output.

The demand for autonomous equipment is increasing due to the limited availability of labor that impacts agricultural heavy-duty applications. Furthermore, fewer individuals are joining this industry, creating a challenge to acquire skilled labor. Autonomous technology allows farmers to perform various tasks efficiently with limited workers required to operate the machines.

The autonomous farm equipment market is witnessing the emergence of UGVs with high scalability and varied operation modes for precise crop protection and field surveying. It also aids in the optimization of spray efficacy by combining robotics technology with meteorological data and spray parameters to increase autonomous productivity.

The growing need for UAVs capable of performing various tasks including crop monitoring, spraying, and health & irrigation valuation of crops will boost the market growth. Users can easily obtain necessary plant-specific metrics and characteristics based on acquired multispectral data. They can evaluate plant health in real-time, identify insects & weeds instantly, and employ crop protection measures to ensure precision agriculture management.

Request for customization of this research report at https://www.gminsights.com/roc/2230

Due to technical advancements in the region's manufacturing units, prominent market players from all over the world are planning to expand in the MEA. Increasing government investments and development strategies targeted at boosting the agricultural sector will promote regional autonomous farm equipment market revenue. Digitalization in the agriculture sector has substantially boosted the profitability of autonomous farm equipment in the region.

Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC):

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Autonomous farm equipment 360 synopsis, 2016 - 2027

2.1.1 Business trends

2.1.2 Regional trends

2.1.3 Type trends

2.1.4 Application trends

2.1.5 End-use trends

Chapter 3 Autonomous Farm Equipment Market Insights

3.1 Industry segmentation

3.2 Impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

3.2.1 Global outlook

3.2.2 Regional outlook

3.2.3 Industry value chain

3.2.4 Competitive landscape

3.3 Industry ecosystem analysis

3.4 Technology & innovation landscape

3.5 Regulatory landscape

3.6 Industry impact forces

3.6.1 Growth drivers

3.6.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.7 Growth potential analysis

3.8 Porter's analysis

3.9 PESTEL analysis

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.

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Corporate Sales, USA

Global Market Insights Inc.

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SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.
PROVO, Utah, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Awardco , the employee recognition and rewards company that builds culture through value-driven recognition, announced today that it has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award in the U.S. small and medium company category recognizing the Best Places to Work in 2022. The Employees' Choice Award, now in its 14th year, is based solely on the input of employees, who elect to provide anonymous feedback by completing a company review about their job, work environment and employer on Glassdoor .

"We are beyond thrilled to get this recognition. We value our team more than I can even articulate, and this Glassdoor award simply confirms that. The Awardco platform was designed to put power in the hands of employees, and it was inspired by a simple question: how would we want to treat our own employees?" said Steve Sonnenberg, Awardco founder and CEO. "We are nothing without our talented, dedicated, fun, and creative team members. They motivate us to be better, to be boldand we couldn't ask for a better team as we move forward in 2022 with ambitious plans to change the way rewards, compensation, and behavior-building impact organizations worldwide."

This recognition sets the stage for an exciting 2022 at Awardco and builds on a successful 2021 that included achieving over 100% growth and securing the largest Series A funding in HR SaaS history. Awardco has an ambitious year ahead. The organization will focus on how recognition and rewards are part of the holistic employee experience and how this area can build employee behavior. And, Awardco will continue to evolve its industry-leading rewards marketplace. These initiatives reflect its investment in employees, especially its own.

"Awardco's mission is to reimagine the way recognition has been done in the past. Recognition is so much more than a plaque, a timepiece, or a certificateit's celebrating everyone every day for their accomplishments and successes. Working for Awardco and being a part of its mission is enabling and powerful and has left a lasting impact on me," said Bree Schmitt-Falder, account executive at Awardco.

Glassdoor's Best Places to Work were determined using company reviews shared by U.S.-based employees between October 20, 2020 and October 18, 2021. To be considered for the U.S. small and medium company category, a company must have had fewer than 1,000 employees and have received at least 30 ratings across each of the nine workplace attributes (overall company rating, career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, senior management, work-life balance, recommend to a friend and six-month business outlook) taken into account as part of the awards algorithm. The final list is compiled using Glassdoor's proprietary algorithm, led by its Economic Research Team , and takes into account quantity, quality and consistency of reviews. Complete awards methodology can be found here .

About Awardco

Awardco incentivizes behavior and builds workplace culture through value-driven recognition and rewards. It is the only employee recognition and total rewards platform to partner with Amazon Business to offer the power of Amazon for any size organization's incentive programs. Offering millions of products, hotels through Priceline, event tickets, gift cards, swag, and custom catalogs, Awardco is the largest reward network on the planet  all with zero markups. Coupled with the flexibility to build any number of recognition, incentive, milestone, or behaviorally driven programs, Awardco's platform drives employee loyalty. For more information, visit us online at award.co .

About Glassdoor

Glassdoor is revolutionizing how people everywhere find jobs and companies they love by providing deeper workplace transparency. Professionals turn to Glassdoor to research ratings, reviews, salaries and more at millions of employers, and to Fishbowl by Glassdoor to engage in candid workplace conversations. Companies use Glassdoor to post jobs and attract talent through employer branding and employee insights products . Glassdoor is a subsidiary of Recruit Holdings, a leading global technology company, and a part of its fast-growing HR Technology business unit. For more information, visit www.glassdoor.com .

SOURCE Awardco
TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Bedford Group/TRANSEARCH today announced publication of the 2021 Executive Compensation Report for the mining industry. Compensation data and insights from 276 mining companies were analyzed for this report, including over 1,000 named executive officers and 1,700 board members.

"Despite being negatively impacted by supply chain issues, health & safety related disruptions, and other pandemic-related market implications, mining is one of the few industries that came out of COVID-19 in excellent financial and operational shape," said Frank Galati, Managing Partner and Compensation Practice Leader at The Bedford Group TRANSEARCH."

"Throughout 2021, we observed significant upward pressure on mining executive compensation driven by the commodity bull market and the associated increase in demand for senior leadership and operational talent, combined with a shrinking labour pool," said Galati.

Pandemic-related travel restrictions and apprehensions surrounding moving overseas has made an already-shrinking mining talent pool even smaller. This intensified upward pressure on compensation throughout the sector and forced companies to get creative in their approach to executive compensation.

Diversity and inclusion have long been strategic priorities for mining organizations because the industry lags peers in meeting these key challenges. Women remain significantly underrepresented at all levels within mining companies and mining has one of the highest median gender pay gaps of any industry, according to recent research.

The commitment to greater diversity for board composition was evidenced in 2021. Females now represent 20.0% (compared to 16.3% in the prior year) of mining company boards and 10.0% of C-suite executive composition (compared to 8.2% in the prior year). This is a significant year over year increase in female representation, and a significant increase in representation since this report's inception. There is still work that needs to be done in the areas of diversity, but as the report reveals, that we are heading in the right direction.

The 2021 Executive Compensation Report  Mining can be accessed on the Company's website at Compensation Reports | The Bedford Group TRANSEARCH

About Bedford Group/TRANSEARCH

Bedford Group/TRANSEARCH is one of the Top 10 largest retained executive search firms in the world, with 60 offices in 40 countries. With North American offices based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Toronto, Canada, Bedford Group provides premium executive search, compensation strategy, and talent management solutions to a diverse group of mining clients of all sizes across the world. In addition to retained executive search and compensation strategy, Bedford provides services in succession planning, culture, organizational strategy, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and virtual onboarding.

SOURCE Bedford Group/TRANSEARCH
MILAN, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Berlin Packaging, the world's largest hybrid packaging supplier, announced today the acquisition of Premi S.p.A., a global packaging supplier that specializes in dynamic and innovative solutions for the beauty and cosmetic industries.

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, with over 150 employees throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia, Premi supplies a wide range of packaging products and services to leading cosmetic companies. With research and development centers on three continents, Premi helps its customers from initial conception to product launch and is a recognized leader in the beauty packaging industry.

In addition to its design and innovation capabilities, Premi also boasts a variety of other value-added services that allow it to deliver turnkey solutions for its customers, including formulation services, compatibility and stability testing, sustainability solutions, branding services, digital marketing, and more. Premi also offers customizable packaging solutions with no minimum order requirements through its online store, Stocksmetic.

"This is a key acquisition for Berlin Packaging. Premi is a market leader in the beauty packaging industry with incredible know-how for the design and production processes. By leveraging our combined footprint and capabilities, we will deliver unparalleled solutions to our customers," said Paolo Recrosio, CEO of Berlin Packaging EMEA.

"We are proud to join Berlin Packaging," said Alessandro Prestini, CEO of Premi. "We have a very talented organization. With its global scale and resources, Berlin Packaging will provide our people with more opportunities and help our company reach its full potential around the world."

"Not only does the addition of Premi rapidly expand our product portfolio in the important beauty and cosmetic sectors, but its emphasis on being a one-stop shop for customers is the perfect match for our hybrid packaging business model. Combined with our already formidable innovation capabilities and services, we will create even more value for our customers," said Bill Hayes, Berlin Packaging's Global CEO and President.

Premi is the 19th acquisition by Berlin Packaging in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) since 2016.

All employees and locations for this acquisition will be retained.

Berlin Packaging

Berlin Packaging is the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier of glass, plastic, and metal containers and closures. The company supplies billions of items annually along with package design, financing, consulting, warehousing, and logistics services for customers across all industries. Berlin Packaging brings together the best of manufacturing, distribution, and income-adding service providers. Its mission is to increase the net income of its customers through packaging products and services.

For more information:

Press Office  Omnicom PR Group Italy

Barbara Papini, [email protected], +39 335 6113555

Ilaria Sala, [email protected], +39 335 8112968

Berlin Packaging

Elena Franzetti, [email protected], +39 02 48436611, +39 3401204145 for EMEA

Celeste Osborne, [email protected], +1 708 272 7046 for North America

BerlinPackaging.com

BerlinPackaging.eu

SOURCE Berlin Packaging
CLAREMONT, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A pilot study using the Hall BioProcess, an advanced treatment method that employs naturally occurring bacteria to remove nitrate from contaminated groundwater, secured another approval of its effectiveness from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

The validation stems from a recent pilot study of the Hall BioProcess by MIH Water Treatment, Inc. (MIH) and the Fontana Water Company (FWC) in Fontana, California. The reduction of nitrate to near non-detect levels will allow FWC to put decommissioned groundwater wells back into service, expanding water supply options.

The simple, eco-friendly process uses a three-chamber system and naturally occurring bacteria that essentially consume nitrate, perchlorate and other contaminants. When compared to traditional treatment systems, the patented Hall BioReactor costs less to operate, is more efficient and does not create contaminated waste or byproducts.

"This successful project further demonstrates the advantages of the Hall BioProcess, which harnesses naturally occurring microorganisms to safely and reliably treat a range of contaminants," said Peter Hall, Chief Technical Officer at MIH. "The Hall BioProcess has proven its effectiveness and reliability in groundwater remediation applications for industry clients. Having the Hall BioProcess available to drinking water agencies will help them address worsening water supply shortages brought on by reoccurring droughts."

MIH completed similar projects for San Antonio Water Company in Upland, California, and West Valley Water District in Rialto, California, both also approved by the SWRCB. State regulations require a separate approval when treatment projects are proposed on different groundwater sources.

The water treated at FWC exceeded water quality requirements for nitrate levels and the pilot study was cleared by the SWRCB's Division of Drinking Water.

"The Hall BioProcess performed flawlessly in all levels of challenge testing," said Josh Swift, FWC's Vice President and General Manager. "Our water production operators were included in the pilot study and found the system highly intuitive to operate. The Hall BioProcess will restore lost production capacity from wells with elevated nitrate contamination."

Nitrate groundwater contamination, common throughout California and other agricultural areas throughout the United States and globally, is largely associated with historical farming practices and the use of fertilizer in agricultural fields which has migrated over time into aquifers. Nitrate pollution in groundwater can pose serious health risks to pregnant women and infants if consumed at concentrations above the State's Maximum Contaminant Level.

About MIH Water Treatment, Inc.

MIH provides advanced biological water treatment technology and services, which enhance the availability of scarce groundwater supplies for drinking water and improve the quality of regional aquifers. MIH utilizes the Hall BioProcess, a patented, revolutionary and environmentally friendly biological water treatment solution for the removal of nitrate, perchlorate, and other hazardous contaminants from groundwater. The Hall BioProcess has proven to exceed the efficiencies of conventional technologies with lower cost and smaller footprint, without hazardous waste stream or byproducts. www.mihwater.com.

SOURCE MIH Water Treatment

Related Links

http://www.mihwater.com


Chidichimo has an extensive multifamily resume and most recently served as a partner and executive vice president of operations at Wehner Multifamily. In his new role, he will oversee all regional and onsite operations for Birchstone, which is the in-house property management company of Ashcroft Capital and continues to assume management responsibilities of Ashcroft communities throughout Texas and the Southeast. Birchstone currently manages 28 communities totaling approximately 9,800 apartment homes for Ashcroft. The company's growing contingent of regional managers will report directly to Chidichimo, as will David Gingras, Birchstone's senior maintenance director.

"Sergio's 15 years of industry experience and results-driven approach made him the perfect candidate for this key role, and I believe his depth of knowledge will be critical as he and I partner together to further advance the Birchstone platform into a world-class entity," said David Deitz, president of Birchstone Residential. "We look forward to adding Sergio's vast leadership skills to the mix and are eager to have him on our side as we continue to grow at an accelerated but strategic pace."

At Wehner Multifamily, Chidichimo led a team of more than 800 associates and oversaw the operations of more than 28,000 Class B and C communities across Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. He previously served as director of property management at Lantower Residential, the management arm of H&R REIT, where he built the vertical integration and helped more than triple the Class A platform to 8,300 apartment homes across 12 markets. Chidichimo also held roles as vice president of property management at Seldin Company and vice president of operations at Bigelow Management, where he began his multifamily career in 2006. He also recently began a term on the Board of Directors for the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas.

"I'm eager for the opportunity to join a Birchstone team that has grown so extensively and elegantly in such a short time," Chidichimo said. "The portfolio built by the company since late 2020 already rivals some of the heavy hitters in the industry, and I'm excited to be a part of that continued growth as Birchstone burnishes its reputation as an emerging and entrusted brand. There are definitely many good things to come."

About Birchstone Residential

Birchstone Residential is the in-house property management company of Ashcroft Capital. It has a comprehensive property management platform that provides all essential services, including leasing, maintenance and construction management. Birchstone was purpose-built to execute the value-add business plan for each Ashcroft property, optimize financial returns and deliver high resident satisfaction. Committed to a people-centric culture and employee development through job training, job enrichment and accelerated development, Birchstone seeks to provide best-in-class service that attracts new residents and enriches the lifestyles of current residents.

About Ashcroft Capital

Founded in 2015, Ashcroft Capital is a vertically integrated multifamily investment firm that has acquired 45 communities comprising 14,000 units since its inception and now has $1.8 billion in assets under management throughout several high-growth metros of the Sun Belt. The firm focuses on capital preservation while striving to return strong, risk-adjusted cash-on-cash to investors. Ashcroft is capitalized with high net worth, family office and institutional capital. Ashcroft specializes in value-add multifamily real estate and exhibits an expertise in extracting maximum value from every asset it acquires. Rather than attempting to play cycle timing, the firm strives to acquire excellent apartment communities within well-located submarkets of large and growing U.S. metros.

Media Contact

Stephen Ursery

LinnellTaylor Marketing

[email protected]

303.682.3945

SOURCE Birchstone Residential
Bosch has in recent years enhanced its research and investment in autonomous driving. Prior to this investment, Bosch has made investments in key players along the value chain of Chinese autonomous driving industry, including software platform vendor Momenta, LiDAR provider Hesai Technology, and commercial vehicle vendors UISEE and Trunk Tek. The investment in Black Sesame will further complete Bosch's autonomous driving investment portfolio as the first autonomous driving chip maker. For Black Sesame Technologies, Bosch's investment represents strong endorsement from the industry leader.

As early as 2018, Black Sesame Technologies, a two-year-old startup at the time, has signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation framework agreement with Bosch, under which two companies formed partnership across multiple sectors including smart city, smart home, connected vehicle and autonomous driving.

"Autonomous driving sector has entered an era of rapid growth of computing power, during which high-level autonomous driving technologies will become the core capability of smart vehicles in the future," said Jiang Hongquan, Managing Partner and Chairman of Boyuan Capital, "L3/L4 autonomous driving demands high-performance, low power consumption, safe and reliable chips with high computing power as a core component. With the rapid growth of China's smart vehicle industry over the past years, as well as the steadily increasing demand due to the automotive industry's shortage of chips, high-performance automotive AI chips have great growth opportunities. Black Sesame Technologies provides an automotive-grade self-driving high performance computing platform. With its proprietary architecture, a flexible toolchain and an open ecosystem, Black Sesame Technologies is at a leading position in the industry. I'm very pleased to join the exciting journey as an investor of Black Sesame."

"Black Sesame Technologies has always been committed to empowering the implementation of autonomous driving applications with its high-performance autonomous driving chips, for which an open ecosystem and cooperation are essential," said Wilson Liu, co-founder and COO of Black Sesame Technologies. "Bosch has seasoned manufacturing experience and deep know-how in the automotive sector. The strategic investment by Bosch's Boyuan Capital in Black Sesame Technologies marks a further step in our partnership. Looking forward, we plan to join force to create intelligent driving solutions, accelerate the application of intelligent driving technologies, and realize the vision of making autonomous driving a widely adopted mobility solution and making driving easier and smarter as early as possible."

Boyuan Capital, founded in 2021, is an investment arm of Bosch focusing on China's deep technology sector. The firm mainly invests in the sustainable transportation, smart manufacturing and IoT, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and carbon neutrality sectors, with the current focus on companies in the growth stage.

Black Sesame Technologies specializes in the development of high-tech solutions for chips and platforms with high computing power. The company has independently developed two core IPs, an auto-grade safety system, and auto-grade self-driving chips with high computing power for mass production. These products and solutions form the firm's technology leadership.

In 2021, Black Sesame Technologies completed its Strategic and C rounds of financing, raising hundreds of millions of dollars, increasing and the company's market value to nearly US$2 billion. Meanwhile, Black Sesame Technologies was ranked in recently released Hurun Global Unicorn List 2021. The success of latest funding round indicates that Black Sesame's leading position in technology and product, and its high growth potential are widely recognized by industry leaders.

Leveraging Bosch's global business network and R&D resources, Boyuan Capital aims to bring strategic value and industrial resources to China's local high-tech sector, while Black Sesame Technologies, in its role as a leading developer of computing chips and platforms for autonomous driving, is committed to facilitating universal adoption of the new form of mobility. The two companies share the same vision of using their own advantages to empower relevant industries.

With the booming development of smart mobility, Black Sesame Technologies' next step is to become a key player in the development and implementation of high-performance chips for autonomous driving. With the investment from Boyuan Capital, Black Sesame Technologies will work more closely with Bosch to create a safer, smarter and more comfortable travel experience for all.

About Black Sesame Technologies

Black Sesame Technologies is a leading provider of autonomous driving computing chip, specializing in advanced R&D of high computing power chips and platforms. We provide full solutions in autonomous driving and V2X scenarios, including autonomous driving SoC design, image processing, autonomous driving computing chips with low power consumption and accurate perception as well as autonomous driving computing platforms, which enables the fast production of autonomous driving industrial-related solutions.

About Boyuan Capital

Founded in 2021, Boyuan Capital is an investment platform established by Bosch group focusing on China's deep science and technology sector. The main investment focus of Boyuan Capital includes sustainable transportation, intelligent manufacturing, Internet of things, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and carbon neutral technologies. At present, Boyuan focuses on growth stage investment opportunities.

Leveraging Bosch's global business network and R&D resources, Boyuan Capital is positioned to bring crucial strategic value to China's local high-tech industry.

Led by Dr. Jiang Hongquan and Michael Zhu, Boyuan Capital is composed of a group of experienced investment professionals.

SOURCE Boyuan Capital
Bloomz was selected by a panel of esteemed superintendent judges from across the nation and was assessed based on Bloomz' commitment to student outcomes, innovation, ingenuity, client support, interactivity, and overall engagement. The Supes' Choice Awards are the only industry awards judged exclusively by school district superintendents.

"We are honored to be recognized by the Supes' Choice Awards as the inaugural winner in Communications and Family Engagement for our commitment to provide the best-unified communication platform for schools and districts," said Chaks Appalabattula, CEO & Founder of Bloomz. "This recognition by district leaders serves as a testament to our dedication in supporting the schools and districts we serve."

Parents are overwhelmed with the number of informational sources they need to navigate, often leading to even further disengagement. Websites, portals, mobile apps, calendars, invitations, access codes, and a host of logins all to stay up to date on school communication. And the frustration is amplified with multiple children in the family, often in different buildings with another set of classes and teachers to stay in contact. This is where Bloomz comes in, the ONLY centralized, all-in-one solution for district to classroom communication and everything in between!

With an extensive array of integrations for rostering, single-sign-on, auto notices and secure document delivery, Bloomz is really simple to set up, and connects securely with your Student Information and/or Learning Management Systems. Bloomz imports all the relevant information, keeps it in sync, and delivers communications in the user's preferred language and modality (email, SMS, app, voice).

"At IEI, we are committed to improving students' outcomes and supporting effective, sustainable solutions to age-old problems in education," said Doug Roberts, founder, and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation. "The Supes' Choice Awards provide a unique opportunity for companies to not only get their products and solutions in front of district decision makers, but also to pursue recognition for their work with a prestigious new industry award."

"Like never before, communication is critical, parents are expecting it and there's no longer an excuse for communication not to be digital, available, actionable and quick. And it is as important as it is a textbook," said Dr. Daisy Morales, Superintendent at Live Oak School District in Santa Cruz. "Bloomz supports our goal of promoting family engagement and community partnerships, providing opportunities for communication and participation holistically."

Recipients of the Supes' Choice Award were recognized at a hybrid gala held on December 9, 2021, where the judges gathered in New York City and the event was live-streamed for all award applicants.

The full list of winners and finalists can be found on the Supes Choice website .

About Bloomz

Bloomz is the unified school-home communications platform that connects districts, schools, and classrooms with parents and students in a secure, social, and private environment. With Bloomz, parents feel more connected than ever to their children's education. By using one easy tool, Bloomz educators and administrators save time and resources while increasing parent engagement and staff efficiency! Learn more at Bloomz.com .

About the Institute for Education Innovation

Superintendents are defenders of our children's right to high-quality public education and lead their teams toward effective, sustainable solutions to age-old problems. They must be at the center of discussions around when, where, and how innovation will affect teaching and learning. Many education solution providers, funders, researchers, and thought leaders are mission-driven: they do what they do to improve student outcomes. The Institute for Education Innovation bridges gaps between the individuals and organizations committed to seeing students succeed in school and life, creating a safe space for constructive problem-solving and innovative thinking.

SOURCE Bloomz Inc
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brand safety starts with dedicated experts, and the companies that see the most success from their efforts are those that have an enterprise commitment to brand safety education and execution. From the executive suite to the brand safety team to the teams that support brand safety outcomes in other departmentsfinance, compliance, procurement, product development, legal, account management, and many morea corporate commitment to brand safety education leads to better planning, execution, and measurement.

The Brand Safety Institute's (BSI) Brand Safe Workforce certification empowers highly specialized Brand Safety Officers (BSO) to focus on critical issues to the company such as ad fraud, negative ad adjacencies, and misinformation/hate speech. In addition to these front-line efforts, each company will designate personnel across all major business units to undergo training to become familiar with brand safety issues that may impact the company, their business partners, and consumers. Organizations that have completed the training requirements will be recognized as leaders in this space and will join the growing BSI.

"The Kroger Co. is actively involved across the breadth of the digital-advertising ecosystem," declares Kim Vidler, Strategic Media Partnerships Lead at The Kroger Co. "It's imperative that our team members are up-to-date on the brand safety challenges the entire industry faces. Being a certified Brand Safe Workforce means our teams from both the internal marketing organization and agency sides understand how brand safety practices differ across roles in the marketplace, and are better able to keep our brand safety concerns front and center."

"Building knowledge and capability across the enterprise in this way will help Brand Safe Workforce companies be better able to work cross-functionally to head off brand safety issues before they happen, identify them as they do arise, and bring the right expertise to solutions as necessary," says Neal Thurman, co-founder of the BSI.

"With a myriad of providers in the marketplace, finding differentiation is key to any successful engagement," says Jay Pinho, Senior Manager, Product Management for Brand Safety, Oracle Advertising. "Partnering with industry associations such as BSI and participating in programs such as the Brand Safe Workforce initiative provides both an opportunity for further education for our teams and also an opportunity for us to differentiate ourselves in the market as we continue our commitment and leadership in brand safety."

Brand Safe Workforce-certified organizations are among the leaders breaking new ground in the efforts to fight the harms that plague the digital advertising industry, and several other prominent companies are already taking the steps necessary to join Oracle Advertising and Kroger in having certified Brand Safe Workforces.

The impetus for the Brand Safe Workforce certification came from industry itself, explains Thurman, "Companies have come to us and asked how we can help strengthen their commitment to brand safety. The Brand Safe Workforce certification represents a commitment to depth of expertise in the form of Brand Safety Officers and a breadth of knowledge throughout the organization."

To learn more about the Brand Safe Workforce and Brand Safety Officer certifications and join these top companies in the fight to improve the digital landscape for everyone, visit the Brand Safety Officer and Brand Safety Business Partner pages or contact Neal Thurman at [email protected].

Media contact:

Andrew Weinstein

[email protected]

202-667-4967

SOURCE Brand Safety Institute
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightflag, the AI-powered legal operations platform, today announced the launch of its Legal Service Requests module. This latest innovation offers corporate legal departments a powerful new way to centralize intake, triage requests, and understand demand for legal services across the business.

Corporate legal departments can now customize and standardize a web-based intake form via Brightflag, ensuring business colleagues have an easy and efficient way to submit the necessary context with every request. From there, they can quickly convert accepted requests into legal matters, define priority levels, and assign next steps.

"Legal service requests within most companies are still communicated through a combination of emails, phone calls, and informal conversations," said Barry O'Melia, VP of Product at Brightflag. "That lack of centralization will always create confusion and inefficiency, but the even bigger concern for corporate legal leaders should be that none of those channels are conducive to analyzing requests at a global level."

In addition to accelerating the workflows around each individual request, Brightflag customers can now identify and respond to collective trends. Standard reports within the platform include:



Requests by type

Requests by business unit

Requests by business region

Average response time

Average resolution time

"I'm thrilled to begin 2022 by releasing another elegant solution to a legal operations challenge our customers are eager to solve," said Brightflag CEO & co-founder Ian Nolan. "Our Legal Service Requests module continues our commitment to providing corporate legal departments with the insights they need to understand and underscore the value they deliver to their businesses."

The Legal Service Requests module is a fully integrated part of the Brightflag Legal Operations Platform and is available immediately to all Brightflag customers at no additional cost through March 2022.



On Thursday, January 20, Brightflag will host a live demonstration of these new product capabilities and discuss the critical roles they play in shaping corporate legal strategies. For more information, please visit: brightflag.com/legal-service-requests-launch/

About Brightflag

The Brightflag Legal Operations Platform is where corporate legal departments gain visibility into operations, maximize productivity, and engage with outside counsel strategically. Brightflag is a recognized leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning and has invested more than 100,000 hours in the development of its patented solution. The company serves a global community of legal professionals from offices in California, New York, Ireland, and Australia.

Media contact:

Taryn Francissen

BLASTmedia for Brightflag

[email protected]

317-806-1900 ext. 176

SOURCE Brightflag
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Peachtree Corners  one of the nation's first smart city environments powered by real-world connected infrastructure and 5G  today announced Curiosity Lab partner Brodmann17 has joined the 5G Open Innovation Lab (5GOILab) after several months of successful tests of its state-of-the-art Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology in the city. In June 2021, Israeli-based Brodmann17, added their technology to Curiosity Lab's Level 3 autonomous test vehicle to further develop and prove its software-only perception technology for assisted driving in real world conditions.

"Our partnership with the City of Peachtree Corners and our ability to test and develop our technologies in a real-world environment, along with real connected infrastructure and data analysis, has been invaluable. In addition, being part of 5GOIL and Peachtree Corners has helped us forge valuable relationships with partners like T-Mobile that benefit our long-term business objectives. 5G-enabled technologies open the door to a wide variety of new use cases, and we feel strongly that hybrid cloud-edge solutions play a critical role in the future of the automotive industry."  Brodmann17 Co-Founder and CEO, Adi Pinhas

In October 2021, the company joined the Seattle-based 5GOILab, bringing its technology to corporate partners Accenture, Dell, Intel, Microsoft and T-Mobile. The 5GOILab is an ecosystem designed to make it easier for innovators, global platforms and enterprises to collaborate using open platforms and markets to develop, test and deploy new use cases and innovations for 5G and 5G-enabled technologies.

"Brodmann17 is a perfect example of our commitment in working with talented deep learning engineers to prove out and scale technologies in a real-world smart city. The work Brodmann17 did here is making a global impact, with North American manufacturers now looking to leverage advanced ADAS for their future vehicles. Their addition to the 5G Open Innovation Lab clearly reflects their rising prominence. We're proud that this level of new collaboration with major technology names was fostered right here in our ecosystem  reflecting why so many international companies have been flocking to the heart of Silicon Orchard."  Brandon Branham, chief technology officer and assistant city manager of Peachtree Corners

The success of Brodmann17 is another example of numerous Israel-born technology startups that have worked with Peachtree Corners to leverage their differentiated, city-owned smart connected infrastructure and overall technology ecosystem to develop and scale technologies, while creating critical new partnerships and scaling their efforts in the U.S. market.

Earlier in 2021, Brodmann17 also partnered with professional camera design house Rhonda Software to launch a new ADAS camera platform using the Ambarella CV25 edge AI vision processor. The new solution combines a camera feature set with the unprecedented levels of accuracy and performance which addresses the needs of the video telematics sector for increased driver safety and fleet efficiency.

For more information or to schedule a briefing with city leaders and Adi Pinhas, CEO, Brodmann17, contact [email protected].

About Brodmann17

Brodmann17 develops AI that is revolutionizing safety in mobility. The company's computer-vision-centered technology saves 95% of compute power. This huge saving in cost has brought AI for the very first time to new verticals including mass-market passenger vehicles, video telematics and micro mobility. Brodmann17's AI is based on deep learning neural networks that extract all possible information from a video to make the entire ADAS software smarter. Brodmann17's patented perception software is hardware agnostic and highly scalable. It is easy to integrate and deploy as it can work on any processor from low-power edge to the cloud. Brodmann17 is growing fast and has attracted high-profile technology and automotive industry players - it is backed by Silicon Valley, European and Israeli VCs as well as Samsung, Sony, and Xilinx. The company was founded in 2016 by a group of deep learning, computer vision and edge AI experts who wanted to bring uncompromising AI to the edge and everyday applications. For more information please visit: www.brodmann17.com

About the City of Peachtree Corners, Georgia

As the heart of what is being called #SiliconOrchard in the metro-Atlanta region, Peachtree Corners is a vibrant municipality that's home to more than 45,000 residents and an innovation hub that houses some of the world's most disruptive technology companies. As the United States' premier smart city powered by real-world connected infrastructure and 5G, Peachtree Corners serves as the model for how government and private industry can better collaborate to create a better future for society and business. From the world's first deployment of teleoperated e-scooters to fully autonomous shuttles being utilized by actual residents, and from a solar roadway to the largest electric vehicle charging hub in the region, Peachtree Corners is where the most future-forward Internet of Things (IoT) and sustainable technologies come to life for the benefit of its people, and the world.

For more information, visit http://www.peachtreecornersga.gov .

About Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners

Curiosity Lab is a 5G-enabled autonomous vehicle and smart city living laboratory located in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta. The centerpiece of the lab is a three-mile test and demo track which provides a real-world environment to explore emerging technologies. Additional infrastructure includes a network operations center, smart poles, DSRC units, dedicated fiber and a 25,000 square foot tech incubator. Additional information can be found at www.curiositylabptc.com

SOURCE Peachtree Corners
LONDON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BT today announced it is working with ABB to elevate its internationally managed communications infrastructure to new levels of performance, choice and agility to support the company's new operating model. It follows the signing of a new contract between the two companies.

BT transforms ABB's network infrastructure to create a sustainable, resilient and secure core platform featuring a highly automated and data-driven managed service.

The new contract builds on an existing agreement, signed in 2014, under which BT consolidated and optimised the leading global technology company's international communications infrastructure. Working with ABB's Information Systems team, BT will now transform the network infrastructure to create a sustainable, resilient and secure core platform featuring a highly automated and data-driven managed service.

Security is a top priority for ABB as it executes its cloud strategy, which includes consolidating data centres and moving more applications and data into the cloud. BT will enable ABB's cloud-first ambitions with an end-to-end, compliant, multi-layered cyber security environment. It will deploy, manage and monitor over 1,100 end-point devices, continuously verifying every device, user and application accessing the network.

The communications infrastructure will reliably and securely connect people, devices and machines at over 600 facilities in 60 countries. Using the latest software-defined networking technology, it will offer ABB a choice of connectivity options for each site, including 5G access.

It will also provide ABB with a new software-driven platform delivered over Wifi 6 to enable mobility and digital manufacturing concepts, such as robotics, Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data technologies at production sites. Both companies have committed to a co-innovation fund as part of the contract.

By choosing BT, ABB is ensuring its network is delivered by a provider using 100 per cent renewable electricity globally with a commitment to achieving net zero emissions across all its operations by 2030.

"ABB's world-class technology and digital capabilities are deeply embedded in our DNA. Maintaining and improving our innovation, technology and digital leadership is a strategic priority across the company," said Alec Joannou, Group CIO, ABB. "BT is a great fit for our Information Systems function. As our trusted partner, it has helped us keep pace with a dynamic digital landscape and is now evolving our communications infrastructure to support our digital ambitions."

"The cloud-first network and digital managed services we're delivering will further enhance agility across ABB's businesses," said Bas Burger, CEO, Global, BT. "The unique trust between our two companies empowers us to push ahead as we connect ABB's people, devices and machines in a sustainable and responsible way."

About BT

BT Group is the UK's leading telecommunications and network provider and a leading provider of global communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities in the UK include the provision of fixed voice, mobile, broadband and TV (including Sport) and a range of products and services over converged fixed and mobile networks to consumer, business and public sector customers. For its global customers, BT provides managed services, security and network and IT infrastructure services to support their operations all over the world. BT consists of four customer-facing units: Consumer, Enterprise, Global and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Openreach, which provides access network services to over 650 communications provider customers who sell phone, broadband and Ethernet services to homes and businesses across the UK.

For the year ended 31 March 2021, BT Group's reported revenue was 21,331m with reported profit before taxation of 1,804m.

British Telecommunications plc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/about

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE BT
SHANGHAI, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cango Inc. (NYSE: CANG) ("Cango" or the "Company"), a leading automotive transaction service platform in China, today announced that "Cango Haoche," its B2B WeChat mini program providing automobile dealers with one-stop transaction, logistics, finance, and insurance services, is gaining traction with dealers and driving sales thanks to its new vehicle display function. Cango Haoche is the cornerstone of Cango's automobile trading transaction business, an important growth engine for the Company as it evolves into a comprehensive automotive transaction service platform.

Cango Haoche's new vehicle display service offers dealers a wide variety of display vehicles at low prices with free shipping to help them increase sales volume, improve efficiency and better attract and retain customers. Since the new function's launch, Cango Haoche has received applications from a total of 350 dealers, nearly 100 of which are already displaying their vehicles on the platform. As of today, Cango Haoche has a total of 6,000-plus dealer partners covering 283 cities in 31 provinces, featuring 74 self-operated car models from 12 brands and 27 car series. Cango Haoche has amassed over 2 million clicks since its debut in May 2021, and the proportion of active car dealers has reached 20%, significantly boosting Cango's reputation as an automotive trading transaction services platform.

Mr. Qin from Kunming Yunchejie Auto Sales Services Co., Ltd., Cango's long-time dealer partner, is one of Cango Haoche's first registered users. He frequently utilizes Cango Haoche's vehicle search and display functions to gain valuable market insights and diversify his vehicle displays.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, customer visits to Mr. Qin's offline vehicle display rooms dwindled due to reduced local demand. Because offline communication was no longer possible, last April Mr. Qin commenced efforts to connect consumers to his offline stores using online tools.

Mr. Qin introduced short-form video and live streaming in his online interactions with buyers, but soon realized that display vehicles from a single brand were not enough to meet his audience's diverse needs. He collected feedback from his live streaming audience regarding brands and models of interest and attempted to display them one by one. However, he was plagued by a string of problems, such as limited information sources, huge investment requirements and complicated procedures.

Cango Haoche's new vehicle display function was the perfect solution for Mr. Qin. He simply submitted an application for display vehicles online, which was immediately processed by Cango's specialists online and offline. The display vehicles he requested were promptly delivered to his stores within two days.

Mr. Qin was impressed by the efficiency of the service. "Low price is just one part of the equation," he explained. "Cango Haoche's platform provides such a broad array of car models that I can easily find those I need to meet local car buyers' demands at the right price and have them delivered directly to my stores. It's an exceptionally efficient and convenient service."

As of the end of the third quarter, we had cooperated with infrastructure service providers to establish a total of 108 warehouses covering 89 cities across the country, which greatly shortens Cango's logistics radius in lower-tier markets. Cango's standardized back-end work model also enables an efficient review process, facilitating fast delivery of display models.

Mr. Qin has bought out two display vehicles since his adoption of the display function and renewed his car displays three times. He has experienced substantial efficiency improvements in customer retention from his live streaming sessions, a wider range of personal information left by potential customers and a notable increase in the number of orders placed. Mr. Qin's story is not unique  Cango has received overwhelmingly positive dealer feedback on Cango Haoche's vehicle display function and expects the feature's popularity to continue to increase dealer adoption and stickiness.

Cango has been dedicated to the lower-tier automotive market for more than a decade. Its expansive channel network boasts nationwide coverage and deep roots in lower-tier markets, benefiting a total of 50,000 medium- and small-sized dealers. Cango Haoche is a critical tool for helping lower-tier market dealers stand out from the competition. By forging a connection between information, trading, logistics, finance and insurance, Cango Haoche drives sales and elevates dealers' efficiency and service quality, empowering them to build an excellent brand reputation.

About Cango Inc.

Cango Inc. (NYSE: CANG) is a leading automotive transaction service platform in China connecting dealers, financial institutions, car buyers, and other industry participants. Founded in 2010 by a group of pioneers in China's automotive finance industry, the Company is headquartered in Shanghai and engages car buyers through a nationwide dealer network. The Company's services primarily consist of automotive financing facilitation, car trading transactions, and after-market services facilitation. By utilizing its competitive advantages in technology, data insights, and cloud-based infrastructure, Cango is able to connect its platform participants while bringing them a premium user experience. Cango's platform model puts it in a unique position to add value for its platform participants and business partners as the automotive and mobility markets in China continue to grow and evolve. For more information, please visit: www.cangoonline.com.

Media Contact:

Juliet Ye

Cango Inc.

Tel: +86 21 3183 5088 ext.5581

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cango_Group

SOURCE Cango Inc.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to address California's growing housing affordability crisis and racial homeownership divide, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS' (C.A.R.) Housing Affordability Fund is partnering with three regional nonprofit housing organizations to provide closing cost grants up to $10,000 for eligible first-time home buyers from an underserved community, C.A.R. announced today.

The Inland Empire's Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS), Neighborhood Housing Services LA County, and the Bay Area's Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services are partnering with C.A.R.'s Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) to administer funds of up to $250,000 within each of their regions in 2022 under C.A.R.'s Closing Cost Assistance grant program.

"Homeownership is a key element to building generational wealth and economic security for working families while stabilizing communities across our state," said C.A.R. President Otto Catrina. "We're pleased to partner with these nonprofit organizations to help create true housing equity for all Californians, so they have an opportunity to realize the economic and societal benefits that homeownership provides."

C.A.R. released a report last year showing that less than half of Black households earned the minimum income needed to purchase a home as compared to whites, illustrating the homeownership gap and wealth disparity for people of color, women, people with disabilities, indigenous people and members of the LGBTQ community. Also, according to most recent data, homeownership rates for Black (37%) and Latino (44%) households were far below overall rates (55%).

Visit C.A.R.'s Housing Affordability Fund website to apply: https://www.car.org/difference/haf/hafclosingcostgrantprogram

Program Criteria :

Recipient must be a first-time homebuyer.

Recipient must be a member of an underserved community, including LGBTQ+ and veterans.

The property being purchased by recipient must be a single-family residence.

The purchased property must not have an affordable housing deed restriction.

Recipient's income must be no more than 120% of the Area Median Income ("AMI").

Recipient must be represented by a REALTOR in the transaction.

Recipient must certify they intend occupy within 60 days of escrow close for a minimum of 3 years.

Recipient must use either government or conventional GSE financing.

Recipient must be left with no more than $20,000 in savings after the purchase.

C.A.R. established its Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) in November 2002 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) to address California's growing housing affordability crisis.

The nonprofit partners selected have experience creating and administering home buyer assistance programs and have long-standing presence within underserved communities. The partners also offer HUD-approved first-time home buyer counseling and can help program recipients increase their buying power by layering C.A.R.'s Housing Affordability Fund Closing Cost Grant Program with other forms of buyer assistance that their organizations may be offering or administering.

Leading the way in California real estate for more than 110 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States with more than 200,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

SOURCE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. (CBMG or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cellular immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, today announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted C-CAR039, a novel autologous bi-specific CAR-T therapy targeting both CD19 and CD20 antigens, both Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) Designation and Fast Track Designation for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL).

"This is great news for CBMG that the FDA has granted C-CAR039 both RMAT and fast track designations based on its potential to increase objective and complete response rates in r/r DLBCL. The clinical data based on our clinical trials in China continue to support the hypothesis that C-CAR039 is the best-in-class CAR-T asset for patients in this indication. We are working towards initiating 1b/2 trials for C-CAR039 in the US soon. And we will work closely with the FDA to seek the best path forward to deliver the drug to patients in the US and EU," said Tony (Bizuo) Liu, Chairman and CEO.

About C-CAR039

Early clinical results of C-CAR039 from an investigator-initiated trial (IIT) conducted across multiple sites in China demonstrate exciting efficacy and favorable safety data of C-CAR039 in r/r B-cell NHL. As of April 20, 2021, a total of 34 patients received C-CAR039 cell therapies, with 28 patients evaluable for safety analyses and 27 patients evaluable for efficacy analyses. Patients' median age was 55.5 years, and 75% had cancer of Ann Arbor stage III/IV. Patients had a median of three prior lines of therapy. Bridging therapy had been given to 17.9% of patients. The best overall response rate (ORR) was reported to be 92.6%, with a complete response rate (CRR) of 85.2%. Patients had a median time to response of 1.0 month, and at a median follow-up of 7 months, 74.1% of patients continued to be in complete remission. The 6-month estimated progression-free survival rate was 83.2% (95% CI, 69.1%-100.0%). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 96% of patients. 92% of CRS was of grade 1/2 and only 1 patient had grade 3 CSR. Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome occurred at grade 1 in 2 patients and no grade 2 neurologic events reported in the study. CBMG will continue to evaluate patients with longer follow-up (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT04317885, NCT04655677, NCT04696432, NCT04693676).

Separately, in June 2021, the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development granted CBMG an Orphan Drug Designation to C-CAR039 for the treatment of Follicular Lymphoma, an indolent form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The FDA cleared the IND for C-CAR039 on December 10th, 2021.

About CBMG

Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. (CBMG) is a wholly owned subsidiary of CBMG Holdings. CBMG Holdings ("Holdings") develops proprietary cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and degenerative diseases. CBMG operates a state-of-the-art facility in Rockville, Maryland with five GMP rooms in order to augment its global research and development capabilities and to support clinical development of multiple cell therapy platform technologies in the United States. Holdings conducts immuno-oncology and stem cell clinical trials in China using products from its integrated GMP laboratory. Holdings' GMP facilities in China, consisting of twelve independent cell production lines, are designed and managed according to both China and U.S. GMP standards. Holdings currently conducts ongoing studies in China, for CAR-T therapies targeting blood cancers, including C-CAR039, an anti-CD19, CD20 BiCAR treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and CAR088, an anti-BCMA treatment for Multiple Myeloma, in addition to T cell receptor (TCR-T) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) therapies targeting solid tumors. Holdings has completed patient treatment in a Phase II trial for AlloJoin, its "Off-the-Shelf" allogenic haMPC therapy for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), and a Phase II trial for ReJoin autologous haMPC therapy for the treatment of KOA.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this communication relating to plans, strategies, specific activities, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include any risks detailed from time to time in CBMG Holding's reports, including risks relating to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations, including risks associated with the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken in response to it. Such statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the management of the Company and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties outside of the Company's control. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by law, CBMG Holdings does not undertake any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company Contact:

Sarah Kelly

Communications & Investor Relations

CBMG Holdings

Phone: +1 240 552 5870

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE CBMG Holdings
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CD Healthcare Infrastructure Partners, LLC (CDHIP), a real estate infrastructure fund dedicated to facilitating consumer-centric healthcare delivery, has acquired a community-oriented medical property in Paoli, Pennsylvania (Nemours Children's Health, Paoli). The property is leased to Nemours Foundation (dba as Nemours Children's Health), one of the nation's largest, non-profit health systems dedicated exclusively to kids with a vision to create the healthiest generations of children. Operating with 75 locations across four states, Nemours Children's cares for nearly 500,000 children annually and has an "AA+" investment-grade credit rating from Fitch.

CD Healthcare Infrastructure Partners - Modernizing healthcare infrastructure to advance consumer-centric care. Nemours Children's Health at 1676 Lancaster Ave, Paoli, PA

As the only freestanding Nemours primary care facility within 12 miles, Nemours Children's Health, Paoli is located on the Philadelphia Main Line, one of the most historic residential and retail corridors in the United States. Nemours Children's Health, Paoli provides primary care for children from birth to age 17. Located just minutes away is the Main Line Paoli Hospital, with whom Nemours Children's Health, Paoli partners to provide care for newborn babies upon discharge.

"Nemours Children's Health, Paoli embodies our vision of investing in assets that are transforming how healthcare and health are delivered in the United States and partnering with organizations on the frontline of that evolution," said Curt Greer, Chairman of CDHIP. "Nemours Children's Health has been an innovator in providing pediatric care and pediatric health, combined with deep community engagement, and the location of this facility places us at the crossroads of densely populated and prosperous communities."

"Located in Chester County, Nemours Children's Health, Paoli is minutes away from award-winning schools, a rail network serving a million passengers per year, and major employers including Vanguard and Siemens Healthcare. Nemours Children's Health, Paoli brings convenience and accessibility to healthcare consumers," said Clare Duan, Founder and CEO of CDHIP. "The combination of soaring demand for healthcare services and a crisis of affordability is leading the industry to embrace a new community-based, consumer-centric model. It is our mission to provide modern infrastructure to support services that are accessible, affordable, and highly convenient to support industry innovators."

About CD Healthcare Infrastructure Partners LLC

CD Healthcare Infrastructure Partners is a vertically integrated real asset investment platform focused on executing a roll-up strategy of core medical office buildings that facilitate consumer-centric healthcare delivery.

As an infrastructure investment firm, CDHIP offers risk-adjusted returns to its investors with uncompromising principles. Investments follow a risk control process of identifying risk, quantifying risk, and mitigating risk. Beyond traditional real estate investing techniques, CDHIP deploys massive data and tools to support physician credit underwriting and healthcare subsector analysis, involving demand drivers, reimbursement risks, competitive physician landscape, and supply and demand assessment.

About Nemours Children's Health

Nemours Children's Health is one of the nation's largest multistate pediatric health systems, including two free-standing children's hospitals and a network of nearly 75 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children's seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high-quality care, while also caring for the health of the whole child beyond medicine. Nemours Children's also powers the world's most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org.

The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves.

Media Contact:

Clare Duan

(646) 883-1939

[email protected]

SOURCE CD Healthcare Infrastructure Partners LLC
BEL AIR, Md., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles A. Berko, MD, MPH, FACP, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Physician in the Medical field and in acknowledgment of his work at Omninoct Medics, LLC.

Charles A. Berko

As an independent contractor, Charles A. Berko, MD, MPH, FACP, provides rapid-response medical care for critically ill patients. Working closely with hospital physicians, he acts as a surgical clearance consultant and rapid response physician. He has now been practicing Medicine for 15 years. Through his private practice, he is affiliated with Chambersburg Hospital, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, St. Agnes Hospital, and the University of Maryland Rehab and Orthopaedic Institute.

Dr. Berko began his college education at the University of Ghana Medical School, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and a Medical degree. He then relocated to the United States and took on a residency at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital. Dr. Berko also attended Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, graduating with a Master of Public Health degree and a Health Finance and Management certificate. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).

Dr. Berko is also the Owner and an Independent Contractor at Omnioct Medics LLC, a subsidiary of Omnioct Holdings founded in 2018. At Omnioct Medics LLC, Dr. Berko provides short-term staffing to healthcare companies across 22 US states. The highly qualified physicians work in both inpatient and outpatient care in order to meet the demands of evolving hospital care. Omnioct Medics LLC also provides telehealth visits to create easy access to physicians for all patients.

Omnioct Holdings LLC is an organization focused on providing financial, managerial, and logistical support for Omnioct subsidiaries. Dr. Berko acquires startups and preexisting organizations, and then partners with them to create exceptional services.

In order to give back to his community, Dr. Berko is the Founder and Director of the Berko Foundation, which donates money to high school students in Ghana for their college educations. He founded the organization in 2016, and has since given scholarship grants to outstanding students in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is also active in his field as a member of the AMA and the American Public Health Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

He would like to dedicate this honorable recognition In Loving Memory of his Aunt and adoptive Mother, Victoria Adrokwa.

For more information, visit www.omninoct.org, https://omninoctmedics.org/,

and www.berkofoundation.org.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who
ATLANTA, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gresham Smith, a top-ranked national architecture and engineering firm with more than $200 million in annual gross revenue, is proud to announce that Christian Dunaway, P.E., has joined the firm as the Market Vice President (MVP) of the Water + Environment market, which encompasses nearly 100 professionals across seven states. As MVP, Dunaway will lead the market's day-to-day operations and provide professional growth and development opportunities for staff.

"We're excited to announce Christian as our Water + Environment market's MVP," said CEO Rodney Chester. "His deep industry experience, combined with his proven leadership skills, make him a tremendous asset. I look forward to the ways he will further develop our Water + Environment team's collaborative, client-centric culture and help us hone and develop our roster of talent."

A registered professional engineer, Dunaway brings 24 years of experience leading people, managing projects and overseeing business operations. He joins Gresham Smith from Tetra Tech, where he established the company's infrastructure business in the Metro Atlanta area in 2012. Dunaway has been heavily involved with a number of clients in the Atlanta area including Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, and City of Atlanta. Most recently he managed Tetra Tech's Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure operations across the United States, encompassing approximately 38 offices and 750 employees.

An active community and industry leader, he is a member of the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, the American Water Works Association, the Water Environmental Federation, and the Design Build Institute of America. He is a graduate of Auburn University where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Civil Engineering.

Learn more about Dunaway on Gresham Smith's blog.

About Gresham Smith:

Gresham Smith is an architecture, engineering and design firm that provides full-service solutions for the built environment with a focus on aviation, building engineering, corporate and urban design, healthcare, industrial, land planning, transportation, and water and environment. Our team of diligent designers, creative problem-solvers, insightful planners and seasoned collaborators work closely with our clients to improve the cities and towns we call home. Consistently ranked as a "best place to work," we are committed to creating a culture that fosters diversity of experience combined with a common goal of genuine care for each other, our partners and the outcome of our work. Learn more at GreshamSmith.com.

SOURCE Gresham Smith
ZURICH, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) today announced that Shekar Pannala has been appointed Vice President, Chubb Group and Global Chief Information Officer. Formerly Executive Vice President, Global Technology, Mr. Pannala in his new role is responsible for the strategic direction and execution leadership of Chubb's global technology function across applications, operations and architecture as well as furthering the company's digital technology capabilities.

Shekar Pannala (PRNewsfoto/Chubb Limited)

The new role was effective January 1, 2022. Mr. Pannala reports to Thomas Kropp, Senior Vice President, Chubb Group and Global Head of Operations and Technology.

"Over the past four years, Shekar has led many of the technology initiatives underway to prepare Chubb for the future," said Julie Dillman, Executive Vice President, Chubb Group and Digital Transformation Officer. "He is a strong executive with broad and deep technical knowledge and experience, from foundational systems to emerging digital technologies. We are pleased to elevate Shekar to this important global position as we continue to transform Chubb to a company built to thrive in the digital age."

Mr. Pannala has more than 25 years of technology experience. As Executive Vice President, Global Technology, he was responsible for application development, architecture and digital technology globally. Earlier in his career at Chubb, Mr. Pannala was Chief Technology Officer and Global Digital CIO. Prior to joining the company in 2017, he was Chief Technology Officer at S&P Global. Mr. Pannala also held senior management roles at BNY Mellon, where he was Executive Vice President and Divisional Chief Information Officer responsible for asset servicing technology. Before joining BNY Mellon, he was Senior Vice President at State Street Corp. Mr. Pannala also worked at IBM in the company's advanced technologies group.

Mr. Pannala holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electronics and Communications from Acharya Nagarjuna University, a certificate in software technology, computer sciences from the C-DAC Centre in Mumbai (formerly the National Centre for Software Technology) and has completed the Advanced Management Program from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com

SOURCE Chubb Limited
BEIJING, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Huang Haizhou, Managing Director, a member of the Management Committee and Head of the Equity Business Department of CICC, together with Patrick Bolton, Professor of Economics and Finance at Columbia University, have received the 19th Sun Yefang Prize for Economic Science at a ceremony held at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The award was conferred for their publication "The Capital Structure of Nations"[1].

The paper applies the theory of corporate finance to analyze nations' capital structures. Comparing the capital structures of China, the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom, the paper argues that state-issued currency and treasury bonds issued in local currency are considered equity in the capital structure of the state, whereas treasury bonds issued in foreign currency are debt.

The jury of the Sun Yefang Economic Science Award commended the publication for providing a fresh perspective to understanding the monetary and fiscal policies in major economies. This paper also won the Pagano/Zechner Best Paper Award of the European Finance Association 2018.

The Sun Yefang Economic Science Award, named in memory of the eponymous Chinese economist, is one of the most prestigious awards in the economic field in China. Founded in 1984, the award is given out biennially to honor economists who have made significant contributions.

This year, the committee evaluated 115 books and 195 papers, ultimately awarding three of the books and four of the papers. More about the Sun Yefang Award for Economic Sciences can be found at: http://sunyefang.cssn.cn/english/foundation/

About China International Capital Corporation (CICC)

China International Capital Corporation Limited (CICC, 03908.HK, 601995.SH) is a top tier investment bank, founded in China in 1995, providing first-class financial services to corporates, institutions and individuals worldwide. As the first international joint-venture investment bank in China, CICC plays a unique role in supporting China's economic reforms and liberalization through the provision of comprehensive one-stop domestic, overseas and cross-border financial services including investment banking, equities, FICC, wealth management, asset management, private equity investment, and research. As a China expert, CICC provides in-depth and insightful interpretation and analysis on the Chinese economy and markets. With sustainability at the core of CICC's values, we seek to create long-term value for society and actively practice corporate social responsibility at the highest industry standard. Headquartered in Beijing, CICC has over 200 branches in Mainland China and offices in Hong Kong SAR, New York, Singapore, London, San Francisco, Frankfurt and Tokyo. For more information about CICC, please visit www.cicc.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

[1] . The full paper can be found in Review of Finance, Volume 22, Issue 1, February 2018, Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Finance Association.

SOURCE China International Capital Corporation Limited
SINGAPORE, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cosmos Group Holdings, Inc. (OTC: COSG) is pleased to announce the public filing of an investment agreement signed with an investor for the purchase of up to US$30million of Cosmos Group Holdings, Inc (OTC: COSG) stock. This investment into Coinllectibles will go towards funding a number of areas of strategic importance including the technological capability of the company to increase the scale of business operations in 2022 and beyond.

In 2021 Coinllectibles achieved a number of milestones based around the Fusion NFT denoting authentication and ownership of physical art pieces. In the second half of the year Coinllectibles had several successful launches of ceramic pieces and minted NFTs with globally prominent artists. The company also opened a gallery in Hong Kong, made two acquisitions and launched its MetaMall site.

Commenting on the progress to date, Toby O'Connor, CEO of Coinllectibles said, "2021 was our first year of operations and we made great progress across the business in a number of areas. The foundation work done earlier in 2021 paid off with several successful launches later in the year and promising interest seen in increasing primary and secondary market turnover of Fusion NFTs. We are pleased to start the New Year with this positive news as we look to execute on our business plan and our opportunities in a robust NFT market. Technology development is an area of strong focus, and we are committed to being at the forefront of responsible innovation in this exciting and evolving market of art and collectible ownership."

More details on Coinllectibles MetaMall and its offerings of Fusion NFTs can be found on https://coinllectibles.art.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "look forward to," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future business activities including the expansion into the decentralized financing space. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include uncertainties associated with operating a business in Singapore and Hong Kong, risk of interference by the PRC government, ability to compete, that financial resources do not last for as long as anticipated, and that COSG is a holding company that may not realize the expected benefits of NFT's offered by Coinllectibles. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in COSG's regulatory filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in its current report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2021. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. COSG undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

For media queries, please contact:

Ms Rachel Lim

Director, Marketing & PR

[email protected]

About Cosmos Group Holdings Inc

Cosmos is a business group that operates in two business segments:

Arts and Collectibles

Financing

Through CoinllectiblesTM, the group provides authentication, valuation and certification (AVC) service, sale and purchase, hire purchase, financing, custody, security and exhibition (CSE) services to art buyers through traditional channels, as well as through leveraging blockchain technology through the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

With subsidiaries licensed under Hong Kong's Money Lenders Ordinance, the group currently primarily provides unsecured personal loan to private individuals, with a small portfolio of mortgage loans.

The group is integrating the two business segments by offering secured financing services to prospective art and collectibles purchasers to provide a one-stop arts and collectibles purchasing and financing experience.

About the Company  Coinllectibles

Coinllectibles is an ACT (Arts and Collectibles Technology) company, which is redefining how the world thinks about art and collectible ownership in the digital age.

Their minted curated Fusion NFTs, capture all the rights and independent valuation and ownership of physical arts and collectibles securely underpinned by smart contracts stored on the blockchain.

Coinllectibles Fusion NFTs bridge the physical and virtual dimensions of the arts and collectibles market, providing a pleasurable, transparent, and frictionless experience to customers from all walks of life.

Website: www.coinllectibles.art

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coinllectibles

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coinllectibles/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/coinllectibles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coinllectibles

Telegram: https://t.me/Coinllectibles

About Coinllectibles Fusion NFT

Coinllectibles prides the Fusion NFT as the industry "Gold Standard". Being a Gold Standard, a Fusion NFT contains the following on the Inter Planetary File System (IPFS)  (1) a sale and purchase agreement reflecting the purchase, by the person minting the Fusion NFT, of the underlying asset at a fair value with all rights and restrictions clearly detailed, (2) bailment terms governing the rights to possession whilst the underlying asset remains with Coinllectibles, (3) a transfer deed reflecting the transfer of the ownership of the underlying asset (together with all rights and restrictions) by the transferor to the holder of the Fusion NFT, (4) ownership title deed written into the description of the Fusion NFT and (5) the unequivocal identification file of the underlying asset, whose ownership is reflected in the title deed represented by the Fusion NFT.

SOURCE Cosmos Group Holdings Inc.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- College Track , a national nonprofit organization that equips students confronting systemic barriers to earn a bachelor's degree in pursuit of a life of opportunity, choice, and power, today announced the opening of its third center in Los Angeles.

Located in the city's historic Crenshaw District, College Track Crenshaw welcomed its first cohort of 60 students from Dorsey, LA Promise Charter, and Crenshaw high schools this Fall, setting the stage for students to thrive in careers where people of color have been historically underrepresented. In the Crenshaw District today, less than half of residents older than 25 have a high school diploma, and only 24% of those residents go on to earn bachelor's degrees, which is far below both the national and Los Angeles county averages. Yet, 40% of jobs in California will require at least a bachelor's degree by 2030.[1]

College Track's expansion from Boyle Heights and Watts to Crenshaw was made possible by a generous seed investment from the Len Hill Charitable Trust. This new partnership inspired additional support from the College Track Los Angeles Local Advisory Board, including the newest member, Allyson Felix. A Crenshaw native and an alumna of the University of Southern California, Felix is the most decorated American track and field Olympian in history and a passionate advocate for educational justice.

"At College Track, we know a bachelor's degree remains the best predictor of professional mobility, civic engagement, lifelong wellness, and self-agency," said John Lee, College Track's Executive Director for the Los Angeles region. "And yet, today, it is out of reach for far too many young people. By bringing our program to the Crenshaw District, we will see more students from this historic community realize their dreams of college degrees and social mobility."

"There is no greater accelerator of opportunity than education," said Allyson Felix. "Particularly for students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college, a degree opens up a life of choice, power, and self-agency. I am thrilled to be part of expanding College Track's work to democratize potential in my home community of Crenshaw."

College Track first expanded to Los Angeles in 2012, partnering with will.i.am to open its doors in the East Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights. Three years later, they opened a second center on the campus of Jordan High School in Watts. Of the 800 students College Track has served in Los Angeles, 98% matriculated to a two or four-year college, 100% identify as students of color, and 96% will be the first in their families to graduate from college. College Track students nationwide graduate from college at a rate that is double the national average for first-generation students from low-income communities.

The success of College Track Los Angeles students is also made possible by partnerships with leading universities in the region, including the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). A valued College Track partner since 2014, UCLA provides college application guidance to College Track's high school students, as well as on-campus academic advising, peer mentorship, and research opportunities to College Track's UCLA students through its Academic Advancement Program .

"UCLA, through its Academic Advancement Program (AAP), has a long and rich history of working with College Track students," said Dr. Charles Alexander, Associate Vice Provost for Student Diversity and Director of UCLA's Academic Advancement Program. "As the nation's largest student academic enrichment program, AAP provides College Track students academic support services to succeed academically, and guidance to prepare them for graduate or professional school and the world of work."

"Advancing educational opportunity and equity is at the core of USC's mission," said Samuel Garrison, Senior Vice President of USC University Relations. "The University continues to deepen partnerships that expand higher education access for families in South Los Angeles and the Eastside. USC offers over 100 community-serving educational access programs, including the landmark Neighborhood Academic Initiative , which supports thousands of local students annually. College Track is an important partner in expanding efforts to ensure that every child can achieve a college education."

The College Track Crenshaw center, located at 3626 11th Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90018, will grow to serve 250 students by Spring 2024. Founding community partners include B.A.R.E. Truth Inc., EmpowHer Institute, Glow Girls, LA Audubon Society, and The Cooking Project.

About College Track

College Track is a comprehensive college completion program that equips students confronting systemic barriers to earn a bachelor's degree in pursuit of a life of opportunity, choice, and power. From ninth grade through college graduation, its 10-year program systematically removes the academic, financial, and social-emotional barriers that keep first-generation students from low-income communities from completing college and thriving in the workforce. Today, College Track serves more than 3,600 students across 12 communities in California, Colorado, Louisiana, and the D.C. Metro Area, with 900+ alumni leading a movement to democratize potential.

www.collegetrack.org

SOURCE College Track
Two limited-edition nail polish strips, Precious Gift and Hold Me Close , will help start the conversation and raise awareness for the cause. Through its $1 million pledge, Color Street is serving as the National Signature Partner for March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement and supporting the nonprofit's research, programs, education and advocacy aimed at improving health and outcomes for moms and babies. In January and the months ahead, the Color Street community will come together to support the health of moms and babies and help every family get the best possible start.

"Through the Color Street Foundation, I am proud of what we do as a company to support so many important causes," said Fa Park, Color Street Founder and CEO. "At Color Street, our Stylists encourage each other, lift each other up, and support others. This is a key to our success. We will now come together as a Color Street community to make a big difference in the lives of families, moms, and babies. Along with our largest financial pledge to date, I am proud to announce our partnership with March of Dimes and support the work they do."

About The Color Street Foundation

Established in 2018, The Color Street Foundation benefits a variety of charitable causes at the national and local level. As a national brand, with a dedicated team of 130,000 Stylists, Color Street takes pride in raising awareness and moving the conversation forward for important causes. Over the past 3 years, the Color Street Foundation has donated over $4.3 million dollars to 54 charity partners through 24 awareness campaigns.

About Color Street Nail Strips

Color Street nail strips are made of 100% real nail polish and created from start to finish in a manufacturing facility in Clifton, NJ. Color Street is revolutionizing how people do their nails by taking the hassle, dry time, and mess out of the application process. Chip-resistant strips are created with globally patented technology and a formula that contains a base coat, color coat, and top coat all in one. The result: a salon-quality manicure in minutes.

About Color Street

The technology behind Color Street was created in 1988 by Fa Park, who observed how much time women wasted waiting for nail polish to set and the difficulty of obtaining a perfect manicure. Determined to make this process faster and flawless, Mr. Park, after years of research and refinement, created patented Nail Strips made with real nail polish that apply in seconds, don't require tools, and are immediately dry to the touch.

About March Of Dimes

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy, we support every pregnant person and every family.

Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support.

For press inquiries, please contact Tractenberg & Co.

Dana Kaynes, [email protected] | Deborah Kerner, [email protected]

https://www.colorstreet.com/home/

@colorstreet | #colorstreet

SOURCE Color Street
The global conveyor belt market will witness considerable growth owing to rising end user industries. Conveyor belt systems are prominently used in general manufacturing industry as well as mining industry. The product is generally manufactured from type of polymers as well as metals and rubber. Different applications, loading factor and working environment demand different materials to be used in the product. In recent years e-commerce industry witnessed rapid growth owing to growing popularity of online showing. These businesses requires number of warehouses and distribution centers to perform efficiently. Thus, in near future considerable product demand will be driven by supply chain and logistic industry.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/3267

Various materials are used in manufacturing the products such as polymers, metals, cotton, leather, fiberglass, etc. Metals, cotton, leather, etc. are covered under others segment. Rising growth of food & beverage industry and paper industry will augment product demand. Others material segment will grow with more than 3% CAGR during forecast years.

Cleated belt segment is estimated to capture above 10% of the market share by 2027. Cleated belts have vertical cleats or barriers in their design to hold carrying load during incline or declines. These type of belts are suited for light weight materials and light duty jobs.

Heavy weight belts segment is predicted to reach around USD 2,015 million by 2027. These are used for heavy duty applications and generally are reinforced with textiles (EP/NN) or metal cords. These belts have high impact and tensile strength and used in rock mining and surface & underground mining, where high tonnage of abrasive materials needs to be transported. Growth in global mining industry will augment product demand.

Stationary conveyor belt industry is poised to grow with more than 3.5% CAGR in terms of revenue through 2027. Stationary installations are most commonly preferred type of systems across end user industry. Growing number of manufacturing plants in Asian countries and rising adoption of conveyor systems will drive stationary installations in coming years.

The North America conveyor belt market is a matured market with high concentration of end user industries particularly mining and general manufacturing. The U.S. and Canada have become major mining countries of the world with rising investment in regional mining sector. Growth in mining industry as well as manufacturing will drive market growth. North America held around 10% volume share in 2020.

Prominent conveyor belt market participants involved in the industry are The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Fenner Dunlop, Bando chemicals Limited, Bridgestone Corporation, Double Arrow Rubber Co., Contitech AG, Zhejiang Ltd., Sempertrans Conveyor Belt Solutions GmbH.

Some of the major findings in the global conveyor belt market report include:

Increasing investment in mining sector and mining exploration in Asia , North America and Europe will augment product demand.

, and will augment product demand. The rising manufacturing sector across the world will augment business growth in coming years.

Increasing construction activity in Asia Pacific countries will boost the industry growth over projected timeframe.

countries will boost the industry growth over projected timeframe. Product innovations and new product launches will create new market opportunities for manufacturers.

Key industry players are investing in product innovations, new product lines and capacity expansion to ensure strong market presence.

Request for customization of this research report at https://www.gminsights.com/roc/3267

Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC):

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Conveyor belt industry 3600 synopsis, 2017 - 2027

2.1.1 Business trends

2.1.2 Material trends

2.1.3 Product trends

2.1.4 Installation trends

2.1.5 Application trends

2.1.6 End-use trends

2.1.7 Regional trends

Chapter 3 Conveyor Belt Industry Insights

3.1 Industry segmentation

3.2 Industry size and forecast, 2017 - 2027

3.3 Industry ecosystem analysis

3.3.1 Value addition at each stage

3.3.2 Distributor channel analysis

3.3.3 Vendor matrix

3.4 Innovation & sustainability

3.5 Industry impact forces

3.5.1 Growth drivers

3.5.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.6 Regulatory landscape

3.7 Growth potential analysis

3.8 Competitive landscape, 2020

3.9 Porter's analysis

3.10 Regional price trends

3.10.1 Cost structure analysis

3.10.2 Price by product

3.11 PESTEL analysis

3.12 COVID-19 impact on conveyor belt demand by end-use industry

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.

Contact Us:

Arun Hegde

Corporate Sales, USA

Global Market Insights Inc.

Phone: 1-302-846-7766

Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Corcoran Group, LLC today announced its continued expansion in Florida by welcoming its newest affiliate in Sarasota and St. Petersburg, Corcoran Dwellings, led by Liane Jamason and Marc Rasmussen. The announcement, made by Pamela Liebman, President and CEO of The Corcoran Group, is the firm's first affiliate launch of the new year.

From the broad beaches of its barrier islands to the vibrant cultural landscape of its downtown core, Sarasota offers an unparalleled array of opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Just recently, U.S. News and World Report named Sarasota as the best place to retire in 2022. Comparably, St. Petersburg is the 5th largest city in Florida known for its youthful atmosphere, historic homes, and a strong focus on community. 'St. Pete', as it's called among locals, has also been nicknamed the Sunshine City  thanks in part to a Guinness World Record it holds for the longest stretch of sunshine in the country. For all of this and more, both areas are an ideal fit for Corcoran's ever-expanding Florida presence, one of the firm's two home states through brokerage-owned operations.

"I couldn't be happier to kick off this year by welcoming another fantastic firm to grow our presence in Florida  a place near and dear to so many of us at Corcoran," said Liebman. "Sarasota and St. Pete have so much to offer, and now we get to offer our inimitable brand and expertise to clients in the region. Liane and Marc have built something really special together, and I'm pleased that they're continuing that work as Corcoran Dwellings."

Established in 2011, the firm formerly known as Dwell Real Estate was founded in Sarasota by Marc Rasmussen, a veteran Realtor who had a goal of building a boutique experience for buyers and sellers alike. After successfully recruiting numerous top-of-the-line agents, the firm later opened its second office in late 2016, in St. Petersburg. Three years later, Marc then joined forces with Liane Jamason, who to date has had more than $147 million in lifetime sales. Together, they've crafted an environment based around the utmost agent support and professionalism  one that has resulted in them setting several sales price records in the region. And just last March, Liane closed on the sale of former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell's home.

"We prioritize each client by making them feel like they're our only client with a focus on superior market knowledge, thorough client communication and ethical client advocacy," said Marc Rasmussen, founder and co-owner of Corcoran Dwellings. "We also always want to give our affiliated agents the best resources to take their business to the next level and we prioritize working with like-minded individuals. With a focus on lead generation and technology, our goals align perfectly with the Corcoran brand, and we look forward to being part of the broader Corcoran family."

About The Corcoran Group

The Corcoran Group has been a leading residential real estate brand for nearly 50 years. Through its New York City, Hamptons, and South Florida brokerages, along with its rapidly growing affiliate network, the firm is home to more than 150 offices and more than 5,500 independent salespersons in key urban, suburban, and resort markets nationwide. Corcoran agents earn and keep their clients' trust with an unwavering commitment to white-glove service, expertise, and integrity. In every market served, Corcoran helps you find the home that's just right for you. The Corcoran brand comprises both offices owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices, which are independently owned and operated. For more information about The Corcoran Group, please visit www.corcoran.com.

SOURCE The Corcoran Group
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystal View Capital Fund III ("Fund III") has announced that it has officially expanded its offering by an additional $30 million. This comes less than one week after fully subscribing its $95 million offering which was opened for accredited investors in November of 2020. The Fund's managing partner, Matthew Ricciardella, announced the need for the $30 million expansion to its investors in the Firm's 2021 Annual Meeting, discussing its robust pipeline of assets targeted for the Fund in 2022.

To date, Fund III has fully deployed its $95 million in equity capital since its inception into a portfolio comprised of approximately 67% self-storage and 33% manufactured housing assets, including a recent 10 location self-storage acquisition which Crystal View Capital ("the Firm") disclosed to its investors earlier this month. The Fund has paid over $2.4 million in preferred return payments since inception. In the meeting, Matthew also announced its recent closing on a $75 million revolving line of credit with KeyBank, which provides the Fund with a flexible and cost efficient source of capital.

As the Firm continues to grow its Assets Under Management, it also continues to grow its staff, more than doubling its talent in the last year to support its now over $200 million in AUM. When asked about the growth Matthew expressed excitement, stating "We have more talented individuals on our team than ever before to execute on our strategy. Our culture creates an alignment with our investors and these people behind the scenes get excited to impact our tenant's lives, our investor's lives, and their own legacies."

Crystal View Capital is a private equity real estate firm that specializes in the acquisition and management of self-storage facilities and manufactured housing communities across the United States. Known for their in-house acquisitions and management team and unique company culture, Crystal View Capital is vertically integrated, disciplined to their investment strategy, and has a proven track record since the Firm's launch in 2014.

Matthew Ricciardella, Principal and Managing Partner

Crystal View Capital

Allie Hunsaker, Investor Relations Manager

Crystal View Capital

T: (702) 541-6379

[email protected]

SOURCE Crystal View Capital
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CTIA today announced the launch of its 5G Security Test Bed (STB), a security testing and validation initiative dedicated to commercial 5G networks. CTIA created the STB in partnership with organizations across wireless, tech, and academia to test 5G security recommendations across real-world conditions using commercial-grade equipment and facilities. The 5G Security Test Bed's founding membersAT&T, Ericsson, T-Mobile, UScellular, MITRE, and the University of Maryland (UMD)contribute invaluable industry expertise that strengthens the STB's ability to enhance the wireless security ecosystem and ensure strong protections on 5G networks.

5G is the most secure generation of wireless technology, with enhanced protections built into it from the ground-up. The STB was created to build on this foundation, testing use cases, making recommendations, and further bolstering 5G's security to benefit consumers, enterprises, and government.

Governed by industry leaders, guided by government priorities, and managed by CTIA, the test bed is the latest in a series of steps the industry has taken to make 5G the most secure network ever. Its founding members developed the initiative through their participation in CTIA's Cybersecurity Working Group, which convenes the world's leading telecom and tech companies to assess and address the present and future of cybersecurity.

The STB primarily focuses on verifying the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Communications Security Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) VII recommendations for 5G networks. The STB will also serve as a valuable industry resource for CSRIC VIII, focused on 5G security, which launched in June, and includes CTIA SVP and CTO Tom Sawanobori among its members.

"This initiative will complement and bolster the FCC's 5G security efforts, validate its recommendations, and demonstrate 5G security features, with cross-industry groups working collaboratively to test use cases and products on an actual 5G network using real-world hardware and software," said Sawanobori.

The test bed's first configuration, built with Ericsson equipment, mirrors the initial setup for most 5G networksa 5G radio access network is connected to a 4G core to create a 5G non-standalone (NSA) network. In 2022, the STB's configuration will shift to a 5G standalone (SA) network using a 5G core, which will enable testing of 5G SA use cases.

The STB is located at a secure lab facility at the University of Maryland, leveraging personnel with extensive experience in wireless security. The wireless core network is hosted in Northern Virginia by MITRE, a not-for-profit research and development company.

The 5G Security Test Bed's evaluations and recommendations cover issue areas that will help transform cities, government, and industries. Applications include autonomous vehicles, immersive augmented reality and virtual reality, automated factory operations, private 5G networks for enterprises, and much more.

5G STB Member Quotes

"We are excited to have a network dedicated to testing security, which is paramount for the success of 5G. This effort builds on the work underway in standards setting bodies, such as 3GPP, and will enable the industry to demonstrate 5G security in a real-word setting for consumers, enterprise businesses and government."  Chris Boyer, VP, Global Security and Technology Policy, AT&T

"Ericsson has worked closely with operators to provide the latest equipment to expand secure 5G networks and devices across the nation. We are pleased to play a major role in this next critical step in ensuring robust 5G security for all users. Critical Infrastructure, in particular, must have secure and resilient communication end to end, while maintaining the trust and integrity of its supply chain. Ericsson is proud to be such a trusted supplier, as we provide much of that next-gen equipment from our 5G Smart Factory in Lewisville, TX and services from across the U.S." Jason Boswell, VP and Head of End-to-End Security, Ericsson North America

"5G is the most secure generation of wireless networks to date, and we are dedicated to enhancing those protections even further. We're thrilled that the 5G Security Test Bed will provide an environment to assess potential threats to 5G security raised by security researchers."  Drew Morin, Director, Federal Cyber Security Technology and Engineering Programs, T-Mobile

"The work being done by this collaborative group to evaluate and validate assumptions is important for protecting the integrity and security of 5G data. We're looking forward to contributing to the security of 5G for consumers, business and government, now and as the technology continues to evolve."  Narothum Saxena, Vice President of Technology Strategy & Architecture, UScellular

"Securing 5G networks is whole-of-nation problem with significant implications for our economic and national security that requires collaboration across industry and government. Ensuring the next generation of wireless networks is secure and reflective of democratic values will provide an invaluable foundation for further innovation."  Charles Clancy, Senior Vice President, General Manager, and Chief Futurist, MITRE Labs

"At UMD, we pride ourselves on training the next generation of engineering leaders and conducting research that advances network and device performance and security. This industry collaboration greatly enhances our ability to meet those objectives."  Wayne Phoel, Ph.D., Visiting Research Engineer, Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland

Additional information about the 5G Security Test Bed and how to participate is available at www.5GSecurityTestBed.com.

About CTIA

CTIA (www.ctia.org) represents the U.S. wireless communications industry and the companies throughout the mobile ecosystem that enable Americans to lead a 21st century connected life. The association's members include wireless carriers, device manufacturers, suppliers as well as apps and content companies. CTIA vigorously advocates at all levels of government for policies that foster continued wireless innovation and investment. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices, hosts educational events that promote the wireless industry and co-produces the industry's leading wireless tradeshow. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ALM is pleased to announce that Dan Abrams, Chief Legal Affairs Anchor for ABC News, and CEO & Founder of Abrams Media, has been added to the keynote lineup for Legalweek 2022.

Mr. Abrams will join Don Lemon on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 8:30 AM for a fireside chat titled Amplified, Polarized & Digitized: Navigating the Current State of Communication, led by the award-winning ALM editorial team.

Perhaps best known as the Chief Legal Affairs Anchor for ABC News, Dan Abrams is also the CEO and Founder of Abrams Media, co-host of the new "Grace and Abrams" and the host of top-rated cable series "Live PD " both on A&E Network. Dan previously was the co-anchor of ABC's Nightline, host of "The Abrams Report" and the acclaimed "Verdict with Dan Abrams" on MSNBC, as well as the long time Chief Legal Correspondent for NBC News.

"ALM is very excited to welcome Dan Abrams as part of the Legalweek 2022 keynote lineup. Dan's vast experience with both the legal and journalism industries make him an outstanding addition to this year's program, which will address the changing legal landscape and new roles that legal leaders are taking on in a post-COVID world. Mr. Abrams joins a speaker lineup full of the top legal professionals from the most groundbreaking corporate legal departments, law firms, and legal technology enterprises." said Mark Fried, Chief Financial Officer and President, Events at ALM Media.

From March 8-11, 8,000+ legal professionals will gather in person in New York City to network with their peers, dive deeper into their professional development, explore topics and strategies tailored specifically to their role, and gain the tools to get legal business done. Legalweek will continue to be the premier place for the legal community to tackle the changing legal landscape and learn actionable insights that will help legal leaders restructure, rebuild and reinvigorate today's law firms and legal departments.

For more information, including the full agenda, speaker list and to register for Legalweek 2022, please visit: http://legalweekshow.com/ or follow @Legalweekshow and engage with #Legalweek22 and #Legalweek for updates.

About ALM

ALM, an information and intelligence company, provides customers with critical news, data, analysis, marketing solutions and events to successfully manage the business of business. ALM serves a community of over 6 million business professionals seeking to discover, connect and compete in highly complex industries. Please visit www.alm.com for more information, and visit www.alm.com/events/ to learn about our upcoming events. Please follow us on Twitter at @ALMMedia .

ALM Media Contact:

Abbegayle Morrow

[email protected]

SOURCE ALM
DeFi Technologies, a technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance, is co-leading the round with an investment of CHF25 million and will also receive a seat on SEBA Bank's Board of Directors.

and will also receive a seat on SEBA Bank's Board of Directors. Successful financing round is over-subscribed at CHF110 mln and is co-led by a consortium of specialized blockchain and fintech investors, including Altive, Ordway Selections, and Summer Capital. Alameda Research, a leading quantitative trading firm and core partner of FTX, also participated in the round.

and is co-led by a consortium of specialized blockchain and fintech investors, including Altive, Ordway Selections, and Summer Capital. Alameda Research, a leading quantitative trading firm and core partner of FTX, also participated in the round. SEBA funding to fuel expansion in APAC and the Middle East and to drive institutional business growth through investment in product offering and technology

and to drive institutional business growth through investment in product offering and technology Round was significantly oversubscribed, with existing investors, including Julius Baer , increasing their investment, reinforcing the future-proof business model of SEBA as bank of the new economy

ZUG, Switzerland, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SEBA Bank, a fully integrated, FINMA licensed digital assets banking platform, today announced that it has closed a successful Series C funding round, raising CHF 110 million. The round was comprised of a consortium of specialized blockchain and fintech investors, co-led by DeFi Technologies (NEO: DEFI) (GR: RMJR) (OTC: DEFTF), a technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance, with an investment of CHF25 million. As part of the investment, DeFi Technologies will also receive a seat on SEBA Bank's Board of Directors. Other funding partners included Altive, Ordway Selections, and Summer Capital. Alameda Research, a leading quantitative trading firm and core partner of FTX, also participated in the round. The round was significantly oversubscribed, with demand far exceeding the initial funding target. Existing investors, including Julius Baer, increased their positions in the funding round.

This funding round will further accelerate the considerable growth that SEBA Bank has achieved over the past year. SEBA Bank is currently supporting 25 markets globally, having strengthened its presence in APAC earlier this year by appointing an APAC CEO to solidify its presence in Hong Kong and Singapore; along with other priority markets in the Middle East including a dedicated office in Abu Dhabi. The company also deepened its executive talent with a number of appointments to the senior leadership team, and will further grow its headcount and expand into new markets.

"DeFi Technologies' relationship with SEBA Bank is one of the first of its kind between a private crypto bank and a public technology company. Synergies exist in various areas which will benefit both parties, our respective shareholders, and serve to provide greater institutional access for custodial services and regulated investment opportunities in the growing decentralised finance and Web 3.0 space," said Russell Starr, CEO of DeFi Technologies. "SEBA Bank has one of only two FINMA licenses and in working with DeFi Technologies, both parties will be able to create value for each other  whether it be new product launches in the ETP space, potential co-launching of ETFs, staking, custody, and other unrealized possibilities. We are absolutely thrilled to continue building institutional grade products across this vastly expanding landscape of DeFi, in partnership with SEBA Bank."

Guido Buehler, CEO at SEBA Bank, said, "This funding represents a significant milestone for SEBA Bank, is a testament to our foundations, and confirms our vision of being a global leader in new generation finance, enabled by blockchain technology and our comprehensive banking license. With the support of such a strong group of investors, offering depth and breadth across the domains of finance, fintech, and blockchain, SEBA Bank is privileged to access a wide range of new skills and capabilities to fast-forward our growth plans. This funding will allow us to further develop our digital asset banking platform and strengthen our presence in markets across the globe by attracting new talent."

This funding round solidifies SEBA Bank's position as the best-in-class regulated digital asset banking services provider. With strategic backing from DeFi Technologies, a technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance. Other participants in the round included specialist fintech and blockchain investors, including, Altive, a renowned alternative asset management company for technology, consumer and healthcare sectors, and part of a leading Asia-based private investment group with a successful track record of investment in blockchain companies; Ordway Selections GmbH, the private investment firm of an established and highly-successful family office in Zug which deploys capital into blockchain and digital assets, health and wellness, and food and agricultural technology; and Summer Capital, a multi-strategy investment management company focused on fintech, healthcare, and technology. By leveraging the strategic expertise of these specialist partners, SEBA Bank will maintain its commitment to innovation and excellence in its digital asset banking and investment services.

Cheney Cheng, Managing Partner of Altive, said, "Given the global regulatory trend of digital assets, we envision that regulated crypto financial institutions like Swiss licensed SEBA Bank would become the cornerstone of the future finance. We are honored to have joined the company's mission to make digital assets more accessible to the general public."

Jonathan Ordway Fackelmayer, Chairman of Ordway Selections, said, "Ordway Selections identifies and invests into best-in-class digital assets and core blockchain infrastructure, such as SEBA Bank. We are delighted to be part of the "lead-investor" consortium alongside Altive and Summer Capital, who both hold a deep knowledge of financial services and technology applications. Our consortium believes SEBA bank is uniquely positioned to respond to the needs of the ever growing and demanding pool of cryptocurrency investors worldwide."

Guido Buehler, CEO of SEBA Bank is available for interview.

About SEBA Bank - The Future of Digital Banking, Investing & Financing

Founded in April 2018 and headquartered in Zug, SEBA Bank is a pioneer in the financial industry and is the only global smart bank providing a fully universal suite of regulated banking services in the emerging digital economy. In August 2019, SEBA Bank received a Swiss banking and securities dealers license, and in September 2021 the CISA licence  the first time a reputed, regulatory authority such as FINMA has granted such licenses to a financial services provider with a core capability in digital assets. The broad, vertically integrated spectrum of services combined with the highest security standards, make SEBA Bank's value proposition unique - this is why Banque de France selected SEBA Bank to test the integration of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). CVVC Global Report and CB Insights name SEBA Bank as Top 50 Companies within the blockchain ecosystem. Aite Group awarded SEBA Bank with their 2021 Digital Wealth Management Impact Innovation Award in the category "Digital Startup of the Year", and LinkedIn list SEBA Bank as one of the Top Startups 2021 in Switzerland.

For more information about SEBA Bank, please visit our website .

About DeFi Technologies

DeFi Technologies Inc. is a technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralised finance. Our mission is to expand investor access to industry-leading decentralised technologies which we believe lie at the heart of the future of finance. On behalf of our shareholders and investors, we identify opportunities and areas of innovation, and build and invest in new technologies and ventures in order to provide trusted, diversified exposure across the decentralized finance ecosystem. For more information or to subscribe to receive company updates and financial information, visit https://defi.tech/.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the the closing of the Series C funding round and DeFi Technologies' participation; a seat on SEBA Bank's Board of Directors; potential synergies between DeFi Technologies and SEBA; the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by DeFi Technologies and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited to rules and regulations in Switzerland with respect to financial institutions; investor demand for DeFi Technologies', its subsidiaries and SEBA Bank's products; the growth and development of DeFi and cryptocurrency sector; rules and regulations with respect to DeFi and cryptocurrency; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

All information contained in this press release with respect to DeFi Technologies, SEBA Bank, Altive and Ordway Selections was supplied by the parties respectively for inclusion herein, and each party and its directors and officers have relied entirely on the other parties for any information concerning the other party. DeFi Technologies has not conducted due diligence on the information provided by SEBA Bank and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information.

THE NEO STOCK EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

SOURCE DeFi Technologies, Inc.
ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysts at Transparency Market Research (TMR) project the global district heating market to register growth at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period of 2021 to 2031.

Presently, majority of district heating systems use specific types of fuels. With the rise in technological advancements in the district heating vertical, next-gen district heating systems available today hold an ability to use manifold fuel sources simultaneously in order to generate energy.

When using advanced district heating systems, end users can decide which sources to be utilized based on several parameters such as cost, efficiency, and availability of sources. This facility can help companies in cost reduction and prevention of fuel risks in specific geographies. Furthermore, latest hybrid systems can be used as new schemes as well as can be revamped in order to be utilized with existent district heating systems.

Get PDF Brochure for More Insights  https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=62421

District Heating Market: Key Findings

Several nations around the world are increasing the adoption of renewable-based district heating systems, owing to several advantages including their ability to help in decreasing air pollution levels. Moreover, large-scale projects can assist in reducing greenhouse gas emission at rapid pace and in a cost-effective manner.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a considerable number of organizations from varied industry verticals are encouraging their employees to adopt work-from-home settings. Hence, there is a substantial increase in the residential energy consumption, which, in turn, is estimated to fuel the business prospects in the global district heating market during the forecast period.

Companies operating in the district heating market are mainly focusing on the incorporation of varied advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart grid technology, and software architecture in their products. Of these, the use of artificial intelligence and software architecture in these systems is enabling market enterprises to offer services such as fault detection, remote monitoring of operations, and demand-based supply. These technologies are also helping in cost reduction and energy saving for consumers.

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District Heating Market: Growth Boosters

Increase in the use of renewable-based district heating system to reduce air pollution levels in urban areas is stimulating sales in the district heating market

Governments of several nations from across the globe are initiating different district heating projects in order to achieve zero emissions. As part of these initiatives, district heating service providers are being offered several benefits in the form of tax exemptions, incentives, and subsidies. This factor is anticipated to help in market expansion.

District Heating Market: Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific is a dominating region in the market, owing to increase in the need for water heating and space heating in several nations such as Japan , South Korea , and China . Furthermore, rising investments by governments of many regional nations for district heating projects, which include transmission & distribution systems and district heating plants, are likely to play a key role in the market growth.

is a dominating region in the market, owing to increase in the need for water heating and space heating in several nations such as , , and . Furthermore, rising investments by governments of many regional nations for district heating projects, which include transmission & distribution systems and district heating plants, are likely to play a key role in the market growth. The district heating market is estimated to gain lucrative prospects in Europe , owing to increase in the use of renewable energy in the region and focus of regional governments on the implementation of supportive policies, which are intended for business sustainability programs. Besides, Russia is a dominating country in the Europe market.

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District Heating Market: Key Players

Some of the key players profiled in the report are:

Vattenfall AB

Fortum

Danfoss

Engie

Statkraft

Clearway Energy Inc.

LOGSTOR A/S

SHINRYO CORPORATION

Kelag

Vital Energi Ltd.

FVB Energy Inc.

Goteborg Energi

Ramboll Group A/S

ALFA LAVAL

Helen Ltd

District Heating Market Segmentation

Source

Geothermal

Coal

Natural Gas

Solar Energy

Others (including Biomass, Electricity, Wind Energy, etc.)

Plant Type

Combined Heat & Power

Boiler

Others (including Heat Pumps, etc.)

Component

Boiler

Insulated Pipeline

Pumps

Centrifugal Pump



Heat Pum

Heat Exchangers

Heat Meter

Others (includes Mechanical Capital Cost, Civil Capital Cost, Preliminary Capital Cost, etc.)

End-user

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Rest of World

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Energy & Natural Resources Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Energy & Natural Resources:

Underfloor Heating Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/underfloor-heating-market.html

Solar Pontoon Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/solar-pontoon-market.html

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
Toronto's leading Plastic Surgery Centre, the Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute, is making it easier for medical students to focus on their studies and promote innovative thinking by offering a $1,000 scholarship towards post secondary studies.

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Jugenburg is known for supporting students in the medical field. From posting Instagram stories of proper suture techniques, to ensuring his followers know the anatomy of the superficial muscular aponeurotic system, he uses social media to share insight into the world of plastic surgery. In recent years, he has also allowed medical students to shadow him in the operating room, where he quizzes them on their medical knowledge and shares his methods for success. So it comes as no surprise that the

has put their money where their mouth is with a scholarship for students pursuing medicine.

The SixSurgery Scholarship is a seasonal $1,000 bursary for students in a field related to medicine (nursing, premed, biology, even psychology students are all considered). To apply, eligible students must submit a 500 word essay or 2 minute video on the topic provided. These topics typically relate to the future of surgery.

The very first scholarship, in Fall 2020, had students answer the question "how will technology disrupt surgery?" Hundreds of applicants sent in thoughtful essays and videos, but one stood out among the rest. University of British Columbia Medical School student Sahil Chawla submitted a spectacular video outlining his ideas. It begins with a quote from Charles Darwin, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change." Throughout the video, Chawla discusses the fact that in recent years technology has allowed surgeons to perform specialized surgical procedures in remote areas that would not normally have access to the same resources. He concludes by stating that these advancements in medicine are a big part of why he is so excited to enter this field. Chawla isn't new to video creation, he also has a YouTube channel where he chronicles his life as a medical student. He recently shared his video submission on his YouTube channel, for those interested in learning more about technology in medicine, as well as the SixSurgery Scholarship.

The current scholarship asks the question, "how is social media impacting cosmetic surgery?" As a clinic that uses social media to keep patients informed and involved, this question is particularly relevant to the SixSurgery Clinic. According to their website, "all applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges" and winners are selected "not only based on merit, but also of the originality and creativity of content". Applications are now being accepted online with a deadline of April 15th, 2022. More information can be found on the SixSurgery website.

Crafted using Craftly.AI  AI Copywriter

About SixSurgery

Dr. Martin Jugenburg a.k.a. 'Dr. Six' has been a household name in the plastic surgery industry for over a decade as one of Canada's most renowned Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Dr. Jugenburg and his distinguished team have the education, surgical finesse, and experience to ensure you get world-class surgical care with the best possible aesthetic result.

Press Contact:

Iman Bashir,

6473838667,

https://torontosurgery.com

SOURCE SixSurgery
HERNDON, Va., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EdgeConneX, the pioneer in global Hyperlocal to Hyperscale Data Center Solutions, named three industry veterans to its executive leadership team. This announcement coincides with the company's continued focus on global expansion, having announced market entry into India and China and expanded footprint in Europe in 2021.

Jonathan Schildkraut joins EdgeConneX as Chief Strategy Officer. As CSO of EdgeConneX, Jonathan will be instrumental in helping guide the next chapter of the company's significant growth. Before joining EdgeConneX, Jonathan served as EVP and Chief Strategy Officer at CyrusOne, where he was responsible for strategic direction, leading global expansion efforts, identifying, and researching market opportunities, oversaw M&A, JVs, and strategic partnerships, among other executive-level duties.

Anand Ramesh has been named Senior Vice President of Advanced Technology. Before joining EdgeConneX, Anand served as Technical Lead, Advanced Technology & Innovation for Google Data Centers. In this role, Anand was responsible for Google's data center architecture and technology roadmap and delivered infrastructure solutions that improved total cost of ownership and capacity delivery lead-times. At EdgeConneX, Anand's portfolio includes the development and deployment of next-generation technologies throughout its global data center footprint. Anand will also help develop and implement the company's global sustainability initiatives.

Sam Lee has been named Managing Director, Market and Commercial Development, Asia-Pacific. Sam will help EdgeConneX achieve financial targets, maximize asset utilization, and ensure development plans are aligned with the company's growth strategy in APAC. Prior to joining EdgeConneX, Sam served as Managing Director for Lendlease and Global Switch. Sam also served as Asset Management Director for Digital Realty, where he was responsible for the direct oversight and general management of Digital Realty's portfolio of data centers in Singapore.

"EdgeConneX is a trusted provider of data center solutions to many of the most vital and demanding service providers and hyperscalers in the world," said Randy Brouckman, CEO of EdgeConneX. "This is a big responsibility and one that requires constant consideration, from both a solution and leadership standpoint. Our executive bench is strong and made up of some of the world's leading industry authorities and innovators. These new executive leadership hires signal commitment to our current and future customers. They also signal our continued commitment to the technologies, companies, and people we support and the environment that supports us all."

About EdgeConneX

Backed by EQT, a Swedish-based infrastructure fund, EdgeConneX provides a full range of sustainable data center solutions worldwide. We work closely with our customers to offer choice in location, scale and type of facility, from Hyperlocal to Hyperscale. EdgeConneX is a global leader in anytime, anywhere and any scale data center services for a diverse portfolio of industries, including Content, Cloud, Networks, Gaming, Automotive, SaaS, IoT, HPC, Security and more. With a mission predicated on taking care of our customers, our people, and our planet, EdgeConneX strives to Empower Your Edge. EdgeConneX was recognized by Frost & Sullivan with the 2021 Frost & Sullivan Competitive Strategy Leadership Award for building pioneering and effective data centers that support next-generation technology For more information, please visit edgeconnex.com.

SOURCE EdgeConneX
Under the terms of the partnership, Aernnova acquires Embraer industrial plants in Evora, Portugal , and a long-term supply agreement is signed between both companies

Agreement aims to increase production and diversify client base

Embraer reinforces and consolidates its commitment to Portugal and to the Portuguese aeronautical cluster

EVORA, Portugal, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer (B3: EMBR3,NYSE: ERJ) and Aernnova, an international reference company in the supply of aerostructures, today announced a strategic partnership for Embraer Metalicas and Embraer Compositos industrial units, located in the Aeronautical Industry Park of Evora, Portugal. The transaction contemplates the sale of all shares of company's wholly owned subsidiaries to Aernnova for the reference price of US$ 172 million, subject to adjustments on the closing date. The agreement aims to increase the production of the centers of excellence, which operation has a strategic importance for the current and future products of Embraer.

With 37,100 and 31,800-square meters respectively, and employing around 500 people, these facilities combine the most advanced technologies in both metallic and composite airframe construction with a high level of digitalization and automation of plant production processes.

Among other activities both factories produce parts for wings, vertical and horizontal stabilizers for programs such as the Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 business jets, the two generations of the E-Jets family of commercial jets and the multi-mission aircraft KC-390 Millennium. Evora industrial units will constitute Aernnova's largest production center in the world.

Under the terms of the partnership, Aernnova assumes the operation of the industrial plants in Evora at the same time as it signs a supply agreement to secure current production packages for Embraer aircraft.

This agreement strengthens the Aernnova's position as a tier 1 supplier for single aisle aircraft and improves its presence in the executive and defense aerospace markets. Evora facilities activity will add around US$170 million to Aernnova's revenues figure. The industrial capacity at Evora plants will also allow Aernnova to further expand Evora current activities with new contracts either from Embraer or other aircrafts manufacturers.

"We are pleased to announce this partnership with Aernnova, a world renowned supplier in the aerostructures segment, which will allow for increasing the occupation level of the factories in Evora, to diversify its client base and to bring new business opportunities," said Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer. "This agreement is an important step towards the footprint optimization strategic initiative, which aims to better use of our assets and improve the company's profitability."

Mr. Ricardo Chocarro, CEO of Aernnova, said: "This deal is another step forward in Aernnova's growth strategy, further underlining the company's status as a global leader in the design and manufacturing of aerostructures. We plan to further develop the operations of the facilities, and establish Evora as a global aerostructure manufacturing benchmark, with the technical and commercial support of Aernnova group, and with the continuous commitment of the company to a digital and sustainable aeronautical industry"

With this strategic movement, Embraer reinforces and consolidates its commitment with Portugal, the country where the company invests the most in its industrial capacity outside of Brazil and which is a strategic location for Embraer's presence in Europe.

The closing of the transaction is subject to the completion of certain conditions which the parties expect to accomplish in the first quarter of 2022.

Follow us on Twitter: @Embraer

About Embraer

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales.

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

About Aernnova

Aernnova is a leading aerostructure company specialized in the design and manufacturing of composite and metallic structures for very demanding programmes.

Headquartered in Spain, with over 4,500 employees and a global footprint including operations in Brazil, Mexico, U.K. and USA, Aernnova works with world-class aerospace customers such as: Embraer, Airbus, Bell Helicopters, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Sikorsky, and Space X, among others.

Aernnova is recognized by its customers for its performance and competitiveness as well as for its know-how, capacities and capabilities in engineering and manufacturing.

The company is fully committed to play a leading role towards a net zero aviation industry. Technological Development and Innovation is one of Aernnova's strategic growth vectors to meet this ambitious goal.

SOURCE Embraer S.A.
Spring Festival Logo Competition

Gibraltar Cultural Services is holding a competition to select a Logo for the Gibraltar Spring Festival 2022.

The competition is open to all ages. Entrants may submit up to two original works. Entries must be submitted in an A4 size on paper or card, indicating whether the orientation is portrait or landscape.

Logos should be simple in design and suitable for printing on posters, flyers, tickets or other promotional material and must contain the wording:

GIBRALTAR SPRING FESTIVAL 2022

The prize for the winning entry is 500.

On announcing the competition, Minister for Culture John Cortes said, Last year at this time I said that I would like to see last Spring as a Spring of Hope and Healing. I think it was, as we emerged from the last lockdown, but the trials of Covid are sadly not over yet. I look once again to our talented artistic community to come up with imaginative and inspirational designs as ever.

Entry forms and full conditions are available online on www.culture.gi or by contacting the GCS Events Department on 20067236 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Works can be handed in at the City Hall reception. The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 4th March 2022.
"A record number of greenfield capital projects indicates that the momentum of our industry is set to remain strong," said Katherine Dei Cas, Head of the Delivery Systems & Services business unit within the Electronics business sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "The opening of our new factory shows our commitment to further support our customers' ambitious growth plans. We are proud to expand our production capacity and innovation footprint in Arizona and to contribute to the state's development as a major Semiconductor hub in the US."

"Arizona is excited to welcome EMD Electronics' new factory," said Governor Doug Ducey. "EMD Electronics' Delivery Systems and Services expansion is a valuable addition to our state's thriving semiconductor ecosystem, increasing manufacturing and transportation capabilities critical to the semiconductor production process. We look forward to continuing to grow Arizona's unrivaled semiconductor supply chain."

"EMD Electronics' investment in Chandler advances its position as a global semiconductor materials leader," said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. "The company's enhanced presence will bolster Chandler's position as a technology hub, creating quality jobs and supporting existing semiconductor leaders in the state."

"The Chandler Airpark Area employment corridor's infrastructure, central location and highly skilled workforce has a track record of attracting renowned companies like EMD Electronics," stated Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. "EMD Electronics is a respected leader in the semiconductor industry and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with them and advancing Chandler's leadership position as the premier destination for semiconductor investment in the world."

"There's a ripple effect occurring as the semiconductor industry has its sights set on Greater Phoenix, and EMD Electronics' expansion to Chandler shows that trend in action," said Greater Phoenix Economic Council President & CEO Chris Camacho. "With the increased presence of this international innovator in our region, the local semiconductor ecosystem continues its upward trajectory as a global leader."

The new factory will be designed to meet forecast business needs by providing additional capacity, primarily for GASGUARD and CHEMGUARD systems.

The investment is an essential part of the business sector's Level Up growth program which seeks to capture growth opportunities that come along with the significantly accelerating global demand for innovative semiconductor and display materials. The new factory will supplement the company's ability to support customers' investments in the US and boost its overall global footprint of manufacturing facilities around the globe.

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group Website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register for your online subscription of this service as our geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service.

About EMD Electronics

EMD Electronics is the North American electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. EMD Electronics' portfolio covers a broad range of products and solutions, including high-tech materials and solutions for the semiconductor industry as well as liquid crystals and OLED materials for displays and effect pigments for coatings and cosmetics. Today, EMD Electronics has approximately 2,000 employees around the country, with regional offices in Tempe (AZ) and Philadelphia (PA). For more information, please visit www.emd-electronics.com.

About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics. Around 58,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices  the company is everywhere. In 2020, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of  17.5 billion in 66 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company.

Your Contact

[email protected]

+49 151 1454 2625

SOURCE EMD Electronics
GENEVA, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EU BUSINESS SCHOOL (EU) announced today that it has taken the strategic decision to join OMNES Education Group (formerly INSEEC U. Group), the French leader in private higher education. OMNES Education takes a majority stake in EU BUSINESS SCHOOL with the Craen family retaining part ownership and key positions on the board of management.

By joining forces with the OMNES Education Group, EU BUSINESS SCHOOL will pursue its ambitious growth plans while benefiting from international synergies and the strong position of a renowned actor in the educational world with operations of 12 schools, 17 campuses and 32,000 students to date. Founded 45+ years ago, EU BUSINESS SCHOOL claims a solid community on its European campuses in Barcelona (Spain), Geneva (Switzerland), Montreux (Switzerland) and Munich (Germany), as well as a rich online educational offer.

A family structure that will remain unchanged

Known for its family-oriented values and curricula that enjoy industry recognition, EU BUSINESS SCHOOL will benefit from increased international visibility and enhanced know-how and expertise while expanding its geographical footprint for a stronger and more future.

The Craen family will retain shareholding and will continue to manage EU Business School. Carl Craen has been appointed chairman of the board, and Luc Craen also joins the board and will continue to pursue his strategic role as director of the Geneva, Montreux and Munich campuses. Dr. Dirk Craen will pursue his engagements as honorary president and will bring his vision to EU Business School's high-level activities, of which the exclusive Learning From Leaders series will remain a strong focus under his leadership.

"We are proud to join this prestigious educational group which we are sure will offer us the opportunities and synergies we need to strengthen our institution further. The mindset and vision of OMNES Education are ideally aligned with EU, and we are certain that they will bring immense added value to our academic offerings," says Carl Craen.



"As with its other schools, OMNES Education is looking forward to giving an important place in the Group to EU Business School and reinforcing its leading international position," says Mathias Emmerich, president of the OMNES Education Group.

For more information about EU Business School, please contact the Claire Basterfield, EU Business School's press contact on +34 93 201 81 71 or at [email protected]. You may also visit our website at www.euruni.edu.

About EU Business School

Established in 1973, EU Business School (EU) is an international, professionally accredited, high-ranking business school with campuses in Barcelona, Geneva, Montreux, Munich and online. Offering English-taught foundation, bachelor's, master's and MBA programs, it is ranked among the top business schools globally and has been awarded four stars overall in business education by QS Stars. Students at EU benefit from an international environment with students and faculty of 100+ nationalities and an alumni network of 27,000+ members. EU programs include state-recognized degrees from the University of Derby and London Metropolitan University, U.K. and Dublin Business School, Ireland, as well as university bachelor's, master's and MBA degrees (titulo propio) awarded by Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) in Spain. https://euruni.edu

About OMNES Education

Created in 1975, OMNES Education is a private multidisciplinary higher education and research group in management, engineering sciences, political sciences, communication and creation. Headquartered in Paris, France, the Group has campuses in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Chambery, Beaune, Lausanne, London, Geneva, Monaco, San Francisco and Abidjan. With a turnover of 300 million, OMNES Education trains 32,000 students and 2,000 executives each year. Thanks to its 10,000 partner companies and 150,000 alumni, the Group offers its students an educational experience with a clear objective: to develop their employability and build their success. https://OMNESeducation.com

SOURCE EU Business School
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BizVibe has made available 1,000+ company profiles for the 3D printing category on its B2B platform. Companies listed in this product category are primarily engaged in manufacturing or supplying various types of 3D printers and related products (such as industrial 3D printers, 3D printing ink, 3D printing pens, etc.). Companies which provide 3D printing services are also included in the category.

Get Free Access to These 1,000+ Profiles

Snapshot of BizVibe's 3D printing supplier profiles and categories.

Each profile is free to view and packed with high-quality insights, providing businesses with detailed company information. Users can take advantage of these insights to identify, target, and connect with the right 3D printer manufacturers and suppliers. This company information includes employee insights, company competitors, the impact of emerging trends and challenges, the latest news, and more.

Free Insights Included for all 3D Printer Manufacturer and Supplier Profiles:

List of product and service category offerings and primary operating industries

Risk of doing business score across four different metrics

List of key executives and their roles within the company

Company financials and general organizational information

Global, national, and regional competitors

List of key clients

Top trends and challenges within operating industry and expected influence on business impact

Latest company news with the ability to sign up for timely news alerts

Get Started to View Free Company Insights

3D Printing Companies on BizVibe

BizVibe's platform contains 30M+ company profiles, spanning across 200+ countries, categorized into 40,000+ products and services. There are 1,000+ company profiles related to 3D printing on BizVibe, covering 10+ product and service categories. Each company profile contains detailed insights dedicated to helping procurement and sales teams find trusted suppliers and target sales prospects.

Examples of 3D printing company profiles that can be discovered on BizVibe include:

Industrial 3D printer manufacturers

3D printing ink manufacturers

3D printing pen manufacturers

Laser sintering 3D printer manufacturers

Custom 3D printing services

Get Free Company Profile Access for all Categories

Company Profiles for Buyers and Sellers

BizVibe's modern B2B platform is designed to help both global buyers and sellers. Powered by the latest best-in-class solutions, BizVibe provides outstanding product features for both category managers and sales professionals.

Features for Buyers:

Quickly discover the right suppliers

Create short lists and custom alerts

Mitigate supplier risk and evaluate suppliers

Send RFIs/RFPs

Learn how BizVibe helps buyers: https://www.bizvibe.com/find-suppliers

Features for Sellers:

Target the right sales prospects

Qualify leads

Analyze buyer potential

API integration and data enrichment

Learn how BizVibe helps sellers: https://www.bizvibe.com/sellers

About BizVibe

BizVibe has been conceptualized and built by a team based out of Toronto, Bangalore, and London. We are a branch of Infiniti Research and have dedicated units in all three locations. BizVibe helps buyers find the most relevant suppliers from around the world and help sellers target prospects who need their products and/or services. For more information, please visit www.bizvibe.com and start for free today.

Contact

BizVibe

Jesse Maida

Email: [email protected]

+1 855-897-5880

Website: https://www.bizvibe.com/

SOURCE BizVibe
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast, the world's fastest online checkout experience, today announced a partnership with Marquee Brands, bringing one-click checkout to online customers worldwide.

Headquartered in New York City, Marquee Brands manages a successful portfolio of some of the world's most recognizable brands, including Martha Stewart, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Ben Sherman, Body Glove & Motherhood Maternity.

Jonathan Greller, Marquee Brands, President of Digital Ventures, said of the announcement, "As technology rapidly evolves, we'll continue to introduce best-in-class, forward-thinking companies to our portfolio's digital ecosystem. We've designed our digital channels with a focus on being consumer-centric, and one-click checkout represents the ultimate convenience in a seamless experience."

Through this partnership with Marquee Brands' portfolio, online customers will be able to use a checkout button that completes online orders in just a few seconds with just a single click.

First-time Fast users simply enter their contact information and payment details as they normally would for their first purchase on a retailer's site. After that, they can use Fast's one-click checkout at any online store that uses Fast Checkout without having to enter information again.

The company's signature one-click checkout technology has proven to reduce cart abandonment rates and increase conversion, two of the major pain points for online retailers globally.

"Marquee Brands is home to some of the world's most iconic brands, whose customers expect the very best at every touchpoint," said Fast CEO and Co-Founder Domm Holland. "A frictionless checkout process is crucial for a truly outstanding customer journey. Marquee Brands has been at the forefront of implementing technology that enables customers to have the best online experience possible, and we are proud to partner with them."

The partnership marks another milestone in Fast's rapid expansion into the U.K. market after launching in November 2021.

To learn more about Fast, visit fast.co .

About Marquee Brands:

Marquee Brands is a leading global brand owner, marketer, and media company. Owned by investor funds managed by Neuberger Berman, one of the world's leading employee-owned investment managers, Marquee Brands targets high-quality brands with strong consumer awareness and long-term growth potential. Marquee Brands seeks to identify brands in various consumer product segments with the goal of expanding their reach across retail channel, geography, and product category while preserving the brand heritage and enhancing the ultimate consumer experience. The portfolio includes Martha Stewart, The BCBG Group, Ben Sherman, Dakine, Sur La Table, Body Glove, Emeril Lagasse, Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in a Pod, and Bruno Magli. Through its global team of professionals and partners, Marquee Brands monitors trends and markets in order to grow and manage brands in partnership with retailers, licensees, and manufacturers through engaging, impactful strategic planning, marketing, and e-commerce. www.marqueebrands.com

ABOUT FAST

Fast's mission is to make buying online faster, safer, and easier for everyone. Its Fast Login and Fast Checkout product enable a one-click sign-in and purchasing experience that makes it easier for people to buy and merchants to sell. The company's products work on any browser, device, or platform for consistent, stress-free purchasing, either on a merchant's own domain or through headless checkout on any other website. Fast invests heavily in its user privacy and security, with a Zero Fraud Guarantee on chargebacks for sellers. Headquartered in San Francisco, Fast is a privately held company founded by Domm Holland and Allison Barr Allen and funded by Stripe, Addition, Index Ventures, Susa Ventures, and Sugar Capital.

Press Contact:

Nele Heinemann

[email protected]

SOURCE Fast
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Healthy Homes Collaborative (NYHHC) today announced the launch of an innovative $4.75 million home-based asthma reduction project that will help hundreds of children and adults throughout New York City. This project will focus on addressing the underlying causes of asthma. This first of its kind project will use private sector investment to fund services through Affinity by Molina Healthcare. Medicaid savings will be used to provide full repayment to the transaction lenders, Northern Trust and the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI).

"Investment in this historic transaction will catalyze the healthcare sector by demonstrating that outcomes-based financing solutions can be a critical tool in addressing health disparities in this country," said Ruth Ann Norton, President and CEO of GHHI. "This project captures the vision that funding health-based housing interventions to lower the incidence of asthma is critical to addressing the social determinants of health and equity. By taking these actions, we will not only show that healthy housing is healthcare, but that creating healthier home environments delivers significant and important healthcare cost savings."

The project aims to reduce serious asthma episodes among 850 children and adults who have chronic asthma. The goal is to lower preventable healthcare usage and costs among participants, who all use Medicaid. Treating these issues early will not only improve the patients' health and quality of life but will also increase school and work attendance.

"Asthma-related ER and hospital visits are often preventable," said Jack Stephenson, Plan President at Molina Healthcare of New York. "Molina is excited to be a part of this innovative model designed to address and help remedy preventable hospitalizations while greatly improving our members' quality of life."

Helping people with asthma manage these issues earlier will reduce costs by preventing avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Estimates indicate that the project will result in $6.5 million in healthcare savings  which more than compensates for the initial investment.

"Northern Trust is committed to a social impact strategy designed to break down barriers and create more equitable opportunities and outcomes," said Kimberly Evans, head of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion, and Social Impact at Northern Trust. "We are pleased to support GHHI and NYHHC through our community investments as an innovative, sustainable way to improve the quality of life of children and adults suffering from asthma."

The project's goal is to establish sustainable Medicaid funding for preventive asthma services that address the social determinants of health through a model that is scalable and replicable. Northern Trust and GHHI, with funding support from The JPB Foundation, will provide $4.75 million in financing to pay for four years of project services. Using value-based payment contracts, Affinity by Molina Healthcare will repay the investment from cost savings that accrue to its Medicaid program from improvements in participants' asthma outcomes.

GHHI led the development of the project in partnership with Affinity by Molina Healthcare, AIRnyc, the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA), and Primary Care Development Corporation, with support from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Dorsey and Whitney LLP provided counsel for the transaction. Funding for the project development came from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The JPB Foundation.

As COVID-19 continues to overwhelm our healthcare system and expose our nation's glaring health and racial inequities, the NYHHC project aims to ease the burden on hospitals while providing relief to communities most impacted by the pandemic as well as by asthma. Black and Hispanic New Yorkers have up to six times more hospitalizations for asthma than their white peers. Most of this disparity is due to lack of access to high-quality, affordable care, including asthma self-management tools, remediation services to address asthma triggers in the home, and stable, healthy housing. In addition to increased asthma complications, poor housing conditions, food insecurity, and poverty have also been linked to higher incidence and mortality of COVID-19.

"Addressing social determinantssuch as physical environment and external stressorsalong with access to high-quality primary care, is essential to ensuring wellness, especially for communities fighting decades of disinvestment," said Louise Cohen, CEO of Primary Care Development Corporation. "Reducing the frequency and severity of asthma episodes in high-incidence communities moves us one critical step closer to health equity for all New Yorkers. PCDC is happy to partner with the organizations and families involved to make the New York Healthy Homes Collaborative a success."

AIRnyc and AEA will conduct project service delivery, which will include in-person and virtual home visits, asthma self-management education, and a range of evidenced-based environmental interventions to reduce in-home asthma triggers. The full range of the intervention services, which have shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of asthma, are currently not reimbursed by New York Medicaid.

"No child should ever be hospitalized for asthma," said Shoshanah Brown, founder and CEO of AIRnyc. "It's a common condition that we know how to manage when basic resources are in place, including but not limited to healthy housing, food security, and quality primary care. We are thrilled that this project will allow us to take a value-based, multi-sectoral approach to demonstrating what is possible when we invest in community-based programs that advance health equity."

"Health and safety have always been a critical component of AEA's energy efficiency services to low-income households, but this collaborative enables us to engage more deeply with building occupants to address asthma triggers in their homes," said David Hepinstall, executive director of AEA. "This can enable households to better manage their health, reducing the need for emergency hospital care and improving educational and economic outcomes for families most in need."

Please see the Project Summary for additional details.

About the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative

GHHI is dedicated to addressing the social determinants of health and the advancement of racial and health equity through the creation of healthy, safe, and energy efficient homes. By delivering a standard of excellence in its work, GHHI aims to eradicate the negative health impacts of unhealthy housing and unjust policies for children, seniors, and families to ensure better health, economic, and social outcomes for low-income communities of color. As the nation's leading healthy housing organization, GHHI provides evidence-based direct services, policy support, and technical assistance to partners across the country on innovative financing and integrated health, housing and energy models. www.ghhi.org.

About Affinity by Molina Healthcare

Affinity by Molina Healthcare's mission is to improve the health and lives of its members by delivering high-quality health care. Affinity was acquired by Molina Healthcare, Inc. in 2021 and serves members in New York City as well as Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties. Molina is a FORTUNE 500 company that provides managed care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare served approximately 4.8 million members as of September 30, 2021. For more information about Molina Healthcare, please visit molinahealthcare.com.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families, and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has a global presence with offices in 22 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and across 23 locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. As of September 30, 2021, Northern Trust had assets under custody/administration of US$15.8 trillion, and assets under management of US$1.5 trillion. For more than 130 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity, and innovation. www.northerntrust.com.

About AIRnyc

AIRnyc's Community Health Workers meet people where they live to improve health, connect families to social care, and build health equity at the community level. The organization has roots in a community based participatory research (CBPR) initiative addressing pediatric asthma in Harlem, and now operates community health programs in partnership with payers, health systems, health technology companies and other community based organizations citywide. AIRnyc stands for "At-home Integrated Relief of NYC." With an evidence-based, data-driven, community- rooted model, AIRnyc serves children and adults with high social needs who have been diagnosed with or are at risk of chronic conditions, and who live in New York City. www.air-nyc.org.

About the Association for Energy Affordability

Association for Energy Affordability, Inc. (AEA) advances energy efficient housing to foster and maintain affordable, healthy housing and communities. With offices in New York and California, AEA implements government and utility energy efficiency programs, conducts energy audits and healthy home assessments and related technical services, and directly installs energy efficiency measures. AEA and its nonprofit member agencies provide weatherization services for low-income households throughout downstate New York, including a range of health and safety measures. Specializing in multifamily and affordable housing, AEA also offers energy efficiency and passive house consulting services for owners and developers of existing buildings and new construction. www.aea.us.org.

About Primary Care Development Corporation

Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) is a national nonprofit organization and a U.S. Treasury-certified community development finance organization founded in 1993. Its mission is to catalyze excellence in primary care through strategic community investment, capacity building, and policy initiatives to achieve health equity. PCDC has worked in 43 states, helped more than 3,500 primary care practices to improve delivery of care, and has provided affordable financing to more than 145 projects with over $1.2 billion of investments to build additional primary care capacity in low-income communities. www.pcdc.org.

CONTACTS:

Ruth Ann Norton Rachel Cain

410-534-6477 410-990-0284, ext. 301

[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FM:Systems , provider of the most scalable and intuitive all-in-one digital workplace platform, today announced a successful end to a year in which the company increased year over year bookings by more than 40%. After creating significant momentum in 2020 by helping organizations around the globe adapt to the COVID-19 workplace norms, FM:Systems delivered on key customer, technology and internal initiatives in 2021 that are helping them navigate the future of work.

"I'm incredibly grateful and proud of our team for achieving such impressive revenue growth in 2021, of course, but also for their commitment to ensuring our customers have access to a uniquely integrated suite of products, services and support that make it possible to adapt to whatever new challenges come their way," said Kurt von Koch, CEO of FM:Systems. "As we look ahead to 2022 and beyond, I know that we have the people, products, relationships and strategies in place to confidently help our customers navigate the new nature of work ahead."

In support of its effort to make its all-in-one digital workplace platform even more valuable to customers, FM:Systems acquired South African visitor management solution WizzPass in June. Now called FMS:Visitor, this complementary solution helps simplify some of the most pressing questions regarding return-to-office ranging from health and safety protocol tracking and enforcement to streamlining the entire check-in process for guests, package deliveries and employees alike.

The company's impressive growth and the deep value of its product innovation also led to a series of high-visibility awards in 2021. FM:Systems appeared for the first time on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 , a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology companies in North America. It was also listed at number 1,490 on the annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. Locally, it was named to the Triangle Business Journal Fast 50 for the third consecutive year. And, in celebration of the company's data expertise, it took home a PropTech Breakthrough Award for its workplace analytics solution, FMS Analytics.

FM:Systems plans to continue expanding its customer base across industries including healthcare, financial services, insurance, and technology by relying on its proven customer value-first strategy. To reinforce and expand transparent collaboration with users in 2021, FM:Systems launched its Customer Advisory Board and its FMS:Champions Platform which enables real-time virtual networking among clients and provides them access to internal teams. Together, these initiatives allow all customers to have influence over product direction and access information and guidance to help them achieve their short- and long-term goals. To further celebrate and support its customer community, FM:Systems also hosted its annual Building Insights user conference virtually for the second time in 2021, drawing its largest attendance on record.

FM:Systems also strengthened and expanded its partner network in 2021 to drive product adoption and source market feedback to inform its ongoing strategy. For example, through its relationship with long standing partner JLL, FM:Systems also became the only third-party reseller of JLL Jet , an intuitive, mobile-first application that helps keep workers safe and productive as they return to the office and transition to a hybrid workplace.

To help support its ambitious initiatives and growth, FM:Systems welcomed new experts to the company's leadership team. Chief Financial Officer Tim Taylor joined the company in January, Chief Revenue Officer Josh Langford was introduced in August, Chief Technology Officer Chris Peacock , and VP Global Partnerships Michael Hines came on board in November.

To learn more about how the FM:Systems all-in-one digital workplace platform provides the most complete range of truly scalable and intuitive solutions, visit www.fmsystems.com/ .

About FM:Systems

More than 1,500 organizations worldwide trust FM:Systems to transform their workplace experience and bring employees together in exceptional, healthy workplaces that enhance productivity and delight occupants. Recognized as a market leader by industry analysts, our suite of digital workplace solutions provides actionable insights to optimize every facet of your real estate portfolio and ensure your ever-ready workplace is prepared for the unexpected. With customers representing half of the Fortune 50,  of top 25 US banks, 150+ government institutions, 350+ universities, over 200 hospital and healthcare organizations and 50% of the leading pharmaceutical firms, our market leading solutions manage over 3 billion square feet across 80 countries. FM:Systems is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina and conducts business globally. For more information about FM:Systems, please visit www.fmsystems.com .

Media Contact:

Andrea Oliveira

(458) 206-6478

[email protected]

SOURCE FM:Systems
MONROVIA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- At their January meeting today, Claremont Mayor Pro Tem Ed Reece and La Verne Council Member Robin Carder were sworn in as the incoming Chair and Vice Chair of the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (Construction Authority) Board of Directors, after being unanimously elected last month. The two local elected representatives will lead the agency at a critical time. The westernmost 9.1-mile, four-station project segment from Glendora to Pomona is currently undergoing major construction; while the Construction Authority seeks the additional funding needed to complete the final three miles of the project that include stations in Claremont and Montclair.

"This year we will be laser focused on securing the funding needed to complete the project to Claremont and Montclair and bring the full benefit of this much-needed infrastructure project to fruition," stated Chair Reece. "I know I speak for Vice Chair Carder as I thank our colleagues for their confidence in us. It is a tremendous honor to serve on this board."

Chair Reece and Vice Chair Carder have both been on the board for several years. During their tenure, the project segment from Glendora to Pomona has advanced from final design into major construction. And despite being underway in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project segment is on budget and on time to be completed in 2025. Simultaneously, the agency is seeking funding from the State of California to fund the remainder of the project; allowing the line to connect to important regional destinations, including the Montclair TransCenter and the Claremont Colleges.

"Completing this project is critical to the future of the corridor cities and the entire region," added Chair Reece. "It will dramatically increase mobility opportunities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of life for our residents, workers, students and visitors; and I am ready to serve in this new capacity and support getting this important project over the finish line."

The Foothill Gold Line board is made up of elected and appointed representatives from throughout the project corridor. In addition to the Chair and Vice Chair, the board currently includes Pomona Mayor and Metro Board Member Tim Sandoval, Glendora Council Member Mendell Thompson, Los Angeles city representative Melchor Ilomin, Ontario Council Member Alan Wapner (non-voting), Pasadena Council Member Gene Masuda (non-voting), and South Pasadena representative Dan Evans (non-voting). The Governor also has a non-voting appointee, Caltrans District 7 Director Tony F. Tavares.

About the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority  The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority is an independent transportation planning and construction agency created in 1998 by the California State Legislature to plan, design and build the Metro Gold Line (currently referred to as the L Line) light rail system from Union Station to Montclair. The agency completed the first segment from Union Station to Pasadena in 2003 and the Pasadena to Azusa segment in 2015; both on time and under budget. The agency began work on the Glendora to Montclair segment in 2003. The Glendora to Montclair segment was environmentally cleared in March 2013 under CEQA and again in 2019 to allow the potential for phased construction. When completed, the project will add new light rail stations in the cities of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair. The project may be built in phases due to funding constraints. Major construction on the project segment from Glendora to Pomona began in July 2020 and is anticipated to be completed in 2025. The segment from Pomona to Montclair, including the Claremont and Montclair stations, is currently not funded. The Construction Authority is seeking the additional funding needed to complete the project to Claremont and Montclair.

The portion of the project in Los Angeles County is funded mostly by Measure M, along with residual funds from Measure R not used to complete the Pasadena to Azusa segment. San Bernardino County is responsible to fund their portion of the project to Montclair (in San Bernardino County). The State of California has provided $300 million in funding through a TIRCP grant awarded in 2018 to both counties.

SOURCE Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The County of San Diego Behavioral Health Department announced that it has awarded Fred Finch Youth & Family Services (FF) a multi-year contract to provide care for at risk children and youth throughout the county. Facing challenges of self-sufficiency, mental illness, substance abuse or significant mental impairment, along with family disruption, chronic poverty and violence, this target group represents children with the highest need of support in San Diego County. The program is slated to help over 300 youth in 2022 and increase through the duration of the contract as staffing levels increase.

The program, known as Wrap Connections, targets children ages 5  18. Wraparound is a family centered, community-based program designed to support youth and families. Utilizing a strength based, comprehensive approach, the Wrap team works with families to learn effective tools and strategies to help create sustainable stability and progress in the home, school, and community. Wraparound offers a myriad of services and support including behavioral and mental health assessment and interventions as well as medication and psychiatric support.

"This is a highly individualized program," said Tom Alexander, President & CEO. "The goal is to provide youth with wraparound supportive services while giving the maximum amount of support for the child and the primary caregivers. By bringing the care to the client, we see better outcomes  more stability and better resolutions for children and their caregivers and family." This model includes highly specialized case management to provide intensive services and supports, strong connections with ethnicity specific community organizations and an emphasis on the development of each participant and their family while allowing easy access to community resources.

Specifically, the program is designed to help children in various stages of crisis, including self -destructive or violent behaviors, behavioral issues that lead to learning difficulties and socialization as a condition of trauma and mental health issues. It is also designed to assist caregivers on ways to help children cope with the root issues causing the behaviors.

"Fred Finch is very excited to provide these critical resources and services to the children, youth and families and key stakeholders across San Diego Countyimplementing a proven approach that improves their quality of life" said Dr. Teresa Chapa, Regional Vice President. "Our approach is both trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically responsive" with deep community roots."

The new contract will begin in January of 2022 and run until June of 2026.

Contact:

Marcus Young

415-505-2524

[email protected]

SOURCE Fred Finch Youth & Family Services
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Glassdoor , the worldwide leader on insights about jobs and companies, has announced the winners of its 14th annual Employees' Choice Awards, honoring the Best Places to Work in 2022 across the U.S. and four other countries. Unlike other workplace awards, the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards are based on the input of employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback on Glassdoor by completing a company review about their job, work environment and employer over the past year.

The Glassdoor Employees' Choice Awards feature six distinct categories, including honors for the Best Places to Work across the U.S. , Canada , UK , France and Germany . In the U.S., Glassdoor has revealed the 100 Best Places to Work (honoring employers with 1,000 or more employees) and 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For (honoring employers with fewer than 1,000 employees). Winners are ranked based on their overall rating achieved during the past year. (Ratings are based on a 5-point scale: 1.0=very dissatisfied, 3.0=OK, 5.0=very satisfied; actual calculations extend beyond the thousandth decimal place).

"The world of work is rapidly evolving, fueled by the pandemic and now millions of workers reevaluating their expectations of employers. This year's Best Places to Work winners are leading the way by listening and responding to employee feedback and reimagining the employee experience to truly put their people first," said Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor Chief Executive Officer. "It's inspiring to see these employers step up during the pandemic to expand and grow company cultures where employees feel supported and valued in and out of work. Congratulations to all of this year's Employees' Choice Award winners."

The top ten Best Places to Work in 2022 are:

The top five Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For in 2022 are:

Glassdoor's 100 Best Places to Work in 2022 list features winning employers across a range of industries, including technology, retail, finance, biotech and pharmaceuticals, health care, consulting, travel and tourism and more. NVIDIA claims the top spot for the first time with a 4.6 rating. This is the eighth time the company has been a Best Places to Work winner. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are six biotech and pharmaceutical employers on this year's list, including Johnson & Johnson (No. 75, 4.3) and Pfizer (No. 94, 4.2). Thirty-six employers are newcomers to the 100 Best Places to Work in 2022, including NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (No. 12, 4.5), Rivian (No. 20, 4.4), Visa Inc. (No. 71, 4.3) and Universal Studios (No. 97, 4.2). Nineteen employers absent from the 2021 list are rejoining in 2022, including SAP (No. 42, 4.3; last recognized in 2020), eBay (No. 55, 4.3; last recognized in 2014) and Medtronic (No. 83, 4.2; last recognized in 2010). Only three employers have made the list every year for the past 14 years: Bain & Company (No. 3, 4.6), Google (No. 7, 4.5) and Apple (No. 56, 4.3).

Among the 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For in 2022, 37 employers are newcomers and five are rejoining the list this year.

This year, only four employers appear on all five country lists (U.S. large, Canada, UK, France, Germany): Google (No. 7, 4.5), Salesforce (No. 10, 4.5), Microsoft (No. 28, 4.4) and SAP (No. 42, 4.3).

When employees submit reviews about their employer on Glassdoor, they are asked to share their opinions on some of the best reasons to work for their employer (pros), any downsides (cons) and are encouraged to provide advice to management. In addition, employees are asked to rate how satisfied they are with their employer overall, rate their CEO as well as rate key workplace attributes like career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion1, senior management and work-life balance. Employees are also asked whether they would recommend their employer to a friend and whether they believe their employer's six-month business outlook is positive, negative or if they have no opinion.

Among the nearly two million employers reviewed on Glassdoor, the average company rating is 3.7.

Employees' Choice Award winners for the Best Places to Work and Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For in 2022 are determined using Glassdoor's proprietary awards algorithm, and each employer's rating is determined based on the quantity, quality and consistency of Glassdoor-approved company reviews submitted by U.S.-based employees between October 20, 2020 and October 18, 2021. During the year-long eligibility period, employers considered for the large list must have received at least 75 ratings and employers considered for the small & medium list must have received at least 30 ratings, respectively, for each of the nine workplace attributes (overall company rating, career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, senior management, work-life balance, recommend to a friend and six-month business outlook) taken into account as part of the awards algorithm. For reporting simplicity, ratings are displayed to the nearest tenth, though calculations extend beyond the thousandth decimal place to determine final rank order. Complete awards methodology can be found and downloaded here: https://www.glassdoor.com/Award/index.htm

FULL LIST OF 2022 WINNERS: All winning employers across this year's six categories can be found by visiting:

100 Best Places to Work  U.S .

50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For  U.S.

25 Best Places to Work  Canada

50 Best Places to Work  UK

25 Best Places to Work  France

25 Best Places to Work  Germany

VIDEO + EDITORIAL + EMPLOYEE COMMENTARY: Glassdoor is offering video and editorial content  see links below to download and embed the video and source the Glassdoor Blog .

VIDEO: Announcing the Best Places to Work in 2022

EDITORIAL: Glassdoor's Best Places To Work 2022 Revealed

EDITORIAL: Inside the Top 3 Businesses Ranked Best Places to Work in 2022

ECONOMIC RESEARCH: Job Search Season is Here: These are the Best Places to Work in 2022

Employee commentary about winning employers is also available upon request. Please email: [email protected] .

1Best Places to Work in 2022 is the first year to include an employer's diversity and inclusion rating. Glassdoor introduced this workplace factor rating in September 2020.

About Glassdoor

Glassdoor is revolutionizing how people everywhere find jobs and companies they love by providing deeper workplace transparency. Professionals turn to Glassdoor to research ratings, reviews, salaries and more at millions of employers, and to Fishbowl by Glassdoor to engage in candid workplace conversations. Companies use Glassdoor to post jobs and attract talent through employer branding and employee insights products . Glassdoor is a subsidiary of Recruit Holdings, a leading global technology company, and a part of its fast-growing HR Technology business unit. For more information, visit www.glassdoor.com .





"Glassdoor" and logo are proprietary trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc.

SOURCE Glassdoor
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global and China Hydraulic Industry Report, 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

In 2020, the global hydraulic parts market was worth EUR32.9 billion, sustaining AAGR of 3.9% from 2016 to 2020. In future, the global market will show a fluctuant uptrend up to 2026 affected by the prosperity of the construction machinery industry, expectedly being valued at EUR36.1 billion in 2026, with CAGR of 1.6% during the period.

Hydraulic components are key parts for mobile machineries including construction machinery, agricultural and forestry machinery, material handling equipment and commercial vehicle. The global construction machinery industry has regained growth since 2015. The rapid urbanization of the emerging markets and the infrastructure improvement in rich world have driven up the demand for mobile machineries and also given a big boost to the global hydraulic and pneumatic power machinery and component manufacturing industry.

The scale of the hydraulic power machinery and parts manufacturing industry hinges on a country's economic strength and level of industrialization. The US, China, Germany, Japan and Italy are the top five consumers of hydraulic power machineries and components in the world.

As the world's second largest economy and the biggest manufacturing power, China has a hydraulic power machinery and parts manufacturing industry taking up 30.6% of the global market by scale, just a bit lower than the US (32%), and far higher than other developed countries like Japan and Germany.

Players at the upstream end of the hydraulic parts industry chain are suppliers of raw materials, precision castings and accessories including steel, pump/valve castings, seals and auxiliary materials; the midstream provides hydraulic parts; the wide range of downstream applications covers construction machinery, aviation & aerospace, metallurgical machinery, ship and offshore engineering, and new energy. In China's case, among the downstream application sectors, construction machinery accounted for 44% in 2020, higher than the rest.

American and Japanese brands prevail in the global hydraulic market. It is too hard to shake up multinationals typically like Parker Hannifin, Eaton Vickers, Bosch Rexroth and Kawasaki Heavy Industries as they have great competitive edges in history, technology and scale. As well as the full range of hydraulic products, these world-renowned giants also make extensive deployments in downstream application fields for an extension in the industry chain.

Global and China Hydraulic Industry Report, 2021-2026 highlights the following:

Hydraulic products (definition and classification, technology trends, etc.);

Global hydraulic industry (market size, regional structure, competitive pattern, etc.);

Chinese hydraulic industry (policies, status quo, existing problems, competitive pattern, etc.);

Chinese hydraulic parts industry (production, sales, import and export, and prices), and construction machinery hydraulic parts market (status quo, technology trends, etc.);

Development of China's hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic pump/valve and hydraulic motor markets;

hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic pump/valve and hydraulic motor markets; 7 global and 21 Chinese hydraulic companies (operation, products, technology, development trends, etc.).

Key Topics Covered:



1. Overview of Hydraulic Industry

1.1 Definition

1.2 Industry Chain

1.3 Structure

1.4 Development Trends of China Hydraulic System Industry



2. Development of Global Hydraulic Industry

2.1 Market Size

2.2 Regional Structure

2.2.1 United States

2.2.2 Germany

2.3 Key Players



3. Development of China Hydraulic Industry

3.1 Related Policies

3.2 Market Scale and Structure

3.2.1 Market Scale

3.2.2 Market Structure

3.2.3 Production

3.3 Main Products

3.3.1 Hydraulic Cylinder

3.3.2 Hydraulic Pump Valve

3.3.3 Hydraulic Motor

3.4 Corporate Pattern

3.5 Hydraulic Parts Aftermarket



4. China Construction Machinery Industry

4.1 Status Quo

4.1.1 Market Size

4.1.2 Main Products

4.1.3 Key Enterprises

4.2 Hydraulic System

4.2.1 Status Quo

4.2.2 Localization

4.2.3 Development Trend



5. Major Foreign Companies

5.1 Bosch-Rexroth

5.1.1 Profile

5.1.2 Operation

5.1.3 Revenue Structure

5.1.4 R&D

5.1.5 Development in China

5.1.6 Bosch Rexroth (Changzhou) Co., Ltd

5.2 Danfoss

5.3 Parker Hannifin

5.4 Kawasaki Precision Machinery

5.5 KYB

5.6 YUKEN

5.7 Nabtesco



6. Key Chinese Companies

6.1 Hengli Hydraulic (601100)

6.1.1 Profile

6.1.2 Operation

6.1.3 Gross Margin

6.1.4 Production Bases

6.1.5 Main Products

6.1.6 R&D and Projects under Construction

6.1.7 Customers

6.1.8 Development in Recent Years

6.2 Shandong Taifeng Intelligent Control Co., Ltd.

6.3 Yantai Eddie Precision Machinery

6.4 Changling Hydraulic

6.5 Shaoyang Victor Hydraulics Co., Ltd.

6.6 Shandong CCHC Hydraulics Co., Ltd.

6.7 Beijing Huade Hydraulic Industrial Group Co., Ltd.

6.8 Taiyuan Heavy Machinery Group Yuci Hydraulics Co., Ltd.

6.9 Yuci Hydraulics Group Corporation

6.10 Xiamen Yinhua Machinery Co., Ltd.

6.11 Xuzhou XuGong Hydraulic Component Co., Ltd.

6.12 AVIC Liyuan Hydraulic Co., Ltd.

6.13 Shanghai Norma Hydraulic System Co., Ltd.

6.14 Hefei Changyuan Hydraulic Co., Ltd.

6.15 Sichuan Changjiang Hydraulic Parts Co., Ltd.

6.16 Shandong Longyuan Hydraulic Technology Co., Ltd.

6.17 Jiangsu Guori Hydraulic Machinery Co., Ltd.

6.18 Haihong Hydraulic Technology Stock Co., Ltd.

6.19 Sunbun Hydraulic Co., Ltd

6.20 Haimen Hydraulic Component Plant Co., Ltd.

6.21 Zhejiang Stronger Hydraulic Co., Ltd.



7. Summary and Prediction

7.1 Market

7.2 Enterprises

7.2.1 Overseas Companies

7.2.2 Chinese Companies

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/avmx0z

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
Government Allocates Former St Martins School Site to PossAbilities

HM Government of Gibraltar has said it is very pleased to welcome PossAbilities and to have allocated the former St Martins School site for this purpose.

Government says it believes that it is important to work closely with NGOs in developing the provision for Special Needs in Gibraltar, and to work alongside and complement existing services and has been in discussion with PossAbilities for some months.

'Government has invested heavily in providing for special needs children. This has included the recent completion and opening of the new St Martins School and Early Birds Nursery, and the continuing development of the Learning Support Facilities (LSFs) in both Primary and Secondary schools. Separately, the continued investment in the services provided by the Care Agency at Dr Giraldi Home, St Bernadettes Resource Centre and community support is unprecedented. The Government also supports NGOs who work in this field such as Special Olympics.'

'Recognising the need to coordinate between departments and agencies, the Government, again very recently, opened a Special Needs and Disability co-ordination office at No 6 Convent Place.

Government said it has always recognised the need for more support in general, including for children below Nursery age. 'In this and other areas the Little Smiles Charity was worked, closely with Government in recent months. This collaboration with an NGO has proved highly successful, not least seen by the activities provided by Little Smiles both during times when educational facilities have been closed for reasons of COVID-19, and during the transition to the new St Martins as was the support provided by the Care Agency.'

'The work of this new Charity will complement the work already being done by several Government Departments and Agencies, much as Clubhouse Gibraltar and Cancer Relief, who also receive grants from the Government, work closely with Government in other areas of care.'

'PossAbilities will be able to efficiently and enhance and complement the provision already being given and will no doubt make a significant difference to the lives of many individuals with Special Educational Needs and their families.'

Government continues in discussion with other NGOs, including the Special Needs Action Group (SNAG), in exploring further ways in which to support special needs provision throughout the community.

While there were other plans for the old St Martins site, the Government believes that there can be few better causes that this one to justify a change of proposed use.

Minister with Responsibility for Disabilities, the Hon Samantha Sacramento, said: I am very excited with this new project. I have been meeting with PossAbilities Directors Nicole Stewart and Hannah Pilcher over the last few months, and they in turn have been working closely with the CEO of the Care Agency and the Head of the Ministry for Equality who have been providing support so that the introduction of this new initiative is successful and is complementary to those services that already exist. The energy and enthusiasm with which this project was presented to us and the collaboration that we have had means that we look forward to another development in the enhancement of facilities available to those with learning disabilities.
ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global microarray scanners market was valued at US$ 689.6 Mn in 2019 and is estimated to expand at CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period, from 2020 to 2030. The global market is expected to surpass US$ 1.5 Bn by the end of 2030. The global microarray scanners market is predicted to be driven by the development and implementation of technologically improved instruments in life science, as well as an increase in demand for preventative healthcare. In addition, revenue prospects in the global market are expected to be driven by the existence of well-established healthcare facilities and rising per capita healthcare spending.

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North America is likely to have a considerable share of the global microarray scanners market during the forecast period. The market growth of the region can be ascribed to the region's well-established healthcare and life sciences industries. Early acceptance of technologically advanced products and high per capita healthcare spending are expected to drive expansion of the global microarray scanners market. High awareness about different infectious and chronic illnesses is also projected to play a key role in the market's growth.

Due to the expansion of the healthcare sector in countries such as India, Japan, and China, the market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a high CAGR from 2021 to 2031. Furthermore, growth in drug R&D in these countries is expected to boost the regional market in the forthcoming years.

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Key Findings of Market Report

High-density peptide arrays have the ability to identify pathogen epitopes, host-pathogen interactions, and patient immune responses, all of which are important for the invention of novel and preventative treatment methods such as vaccines and medicines

Research and development advancements in fluorescent microarray scanners show promise in the study of protein biomarkers for Dengue, Zika, and SARS-CoV-2, amongst many other viruses. In scanners, proprietary gold-coated slides based on nanotechnology are employed. For the identification of sera antibodies produced by infected individuals, this method provides exceptional sensitivity and accuracy.

There is a huge increase in the demand for personalized medicines. Personalized medicine is described as the process of tailoring a person's requirements based on genetic analysis. The effectiveness and target-specific character of medications with superior patient outcomes can be attributed to the trend toward personalized medicines. Microarrays are being utilized in the development of customized treatment for a variety of disorders, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cell renal carcinoma, and pulmonary ailments.

By 2030, fluorescent microarray scanners are likely to dominate the global microarray scanners market. Microarray detection systems such as fluorescence microarray scanners are quite prevalent and frequently utilized. This factor is likely to boost the growth of the segment.

The global microarray scanners market has been divided into gene expression, drug discovery, and other applications based on application. The gene expression segment is expected to dominate the global market. Use of gene expression for disease profiling, such as atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and myocardial infarction is likely to drive the segment during the forecast period.

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Global Microarray Scanners Market: Growth Drivers

Due to their low power consumption and low cost, CMOS imaging sensors are becoming a viable alternative to CCD imaging sensors. As a result, stakeholders in the global microarray scanners market are considering comparing the advantages and disadvantages of CCD against CMOS, as well as determining how CCD is employed in demanding applications with the aid of microarray scanners.

In order to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, firms in the microarray scanners market are focusing more on gene expression and medication discovery. Antigen microarrays, which aid in the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, are becoming more widely available

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Global Microarray Scanners Market: Key Players

Some of the key market players are

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Molecular Devices, LLC

Berthold Technologies GmbH & Co. KG.

GE Healthcare (General Electric Company)

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Global Microarray Scanners Market: Segmentation

Product Type

Fluorescence Microarray Scanners

Charge-coupled Devices Microarray Scanners

Colorimetric Microarray Scanners

Others

Application

Gene Expression

Drug Discovery

Others

End User

Hospitals

Diagnostic Laboratories

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

Academic & Research Institutes

Modernization of healthcare in terms of both infrastructure and services have pushed the healthcare industry to new heights, Stay Updated with Latest Healthcare Industry Research Reports by Transparency Market Research:

Dermatome Devices Market: Dermatome devices market was valued at ~US$ 138 Mn in 2018 and is projected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period. Dermatome devices are medical devices used for slicing specific parts of skin during grafting and transplant procedures.

Surgical Robots Market: Growing demand for minimally invasive surgeries has triggered the adoption of surgical robots. Equipment manufacturers are tapping into opportunities in robotic arms, systems, and devices to capitalize on the trend. As such, the systems component segment of the surgical robots market is expected to reach a value of ~US$ 4.1 Bn by the end of 2022.

Ultrasound Gels Market: Ultrasound gels market was valued at ~US$ 310 Mn in 2018 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of ~7% from 2019 to 2027. Medical gels are consumables used for various therapeutic and diagnostic purposes in healthcare. Ultrasound gels, ECG gels, surgical lubricant gels & catheter gels, obstetric gels, and soothing gels are various types of medical gels.

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The World Nonwovens Industry: Part 1 - The Leading Ten Producers, November 2021" report from Textiles Intelligence Ltd. has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report features world's top 40 nonwovens producers are profiled, Karen Bitz provides the latest information and analysis about the activities of the world's leading ten producers of nonwovens.

For many of the top ten players, sales were up in 2020 - reflecting, primarily, a surge in demand for nonwovens for medical applications, and face masks in particular, following the outbreak of COVID-19. In addition, further increases in sales are expected in the future as a number of the companies have invested in new lines in a bid to satisfy demand.

Berry Global is adding melt blowing lines in different parts of the world and has purchased nine machines for making face masks. Freudenberg has added a melt blowing line in Germany and lines based on other technologies in China, Slovakia and Taiwan, and Fitesa is installing Reifenhauser Reicofil melt blowing lines at sites in Brazil, Germany, Italy and the USA.

Lydall - now part of Unifrax - is adding melt blowing capacity in the USA and France, and Johns Manville has started producing meltblown filtration media with high bacterial filtration efficiency. DuPont has expanded its capacity for producing Tyvek flashspun nonwoven material at its facility in Luxembourg while Glatfelter has acquired Jacob Holm Industries and Georgia-Pacific's US air-laid operations.

Ahlstrom-Munksjo is investing heavily in its filtration business through the addition of a number of lines while Kimberly-Clark has announced a major investment in nonwovens manufacturing at its site in Corinth, Mississippi, USA. Toray, meanwhile, has added a new spunbonding line in China and a new facility in India which will include spunbonding equipment.

Key Topics Covered:



Summary



Introduction



The Leading Ten Players



1 Berry Global, USA

Products and Markets

Medical

Hygiene

Industrial and Speciality

Capacity Expansion

Latin America

North America

Europe

China

Plant Consolidation

2 Freudenberg Group, Germany

Manufacturing Facilities

Spunlaid Operations

Industrial Nonwovens Operations

Interlinings Operations

Filtration Operations

Novolon

Comfortemp

Acquisitions, Divestments and Joint Ventures

International Strategy

3 Ahlstrom-Munksjo, Finland

Product Areas

Filtration & Performance

Specialties

4 Kimberly-Clark, USA

Corporate Structure

Personal Care

Consumer Tissue

Business-To-Business

Products and Markets

Filtration

Delivery Systems (Including Wipes)

Sorbents

Building Products

Personal Care

Acoustics

Other Developments

5 Fitesa, Brazil



6 Dupont, USA

Internationalisation Strategy

Tyvek

Construction

Personal Protective Apparel

Envelopes and Packaging

7 Glatfelter, USA

Advanced Airlaid Materials

Composite Fibers

8 Toray Industries, Japan

Manufacturing Facilities

South Korea

China

India

Indonesia

Japan

Products and Markets

9 Lydall, USA

Company Structure

Thermal/Acoustical

Automotive

Industrial

Performance Materials

Technical Nonwovens

Manufacturing Facilities and Geographical Markets

10 Johns Manville, USA

Corporate Structure

Products and Markets

High Performance Nonwovens

Roofing Materials

Manufacturing Facilities

USA

Germany

Slovakia

China

Companies Mentioned

Ahlstrom-Munksjo

Berry Global

DuPont

Fitesa

Freudenberg

Georgia -Pacific

-Pacific Glatfelter

Jacob Holm Industries

Johns Manville

Kimberly-Clark

Lydall

Unifrax

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ylexhg

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
"We are very pleased with these results at Mololoa, as we continue our aggressive resource expansion drilling program at Los Ricos North. This is in addition to the initial Mineral Resource Estimate released in December," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "We've also commenced drilling at the Gran Cabrera zone, which is our newest target for Los Ricos North, where we see an exploration potential that may be similar to the El Favor deposit."

Table 1: Drill Hole Intersections

Hole ID Area/Vein From To Length1 Au Ag AuEq2 AgEq2



(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) LRGM-21-066 Mololoa - Tamara 138.8 150.1 11.3 1.21 242.3 4.44 333.0

including 147.5 149.0 1.4 5.20 1,143.1 20.44 1,533.2 LRGM-21-067 Mololoa 33.5 35.0 1.6 0.67 89.0 1.86 139.3 LRGM-21-068 Mololoa - Tamara 143.1 156.0 12.9 0.60 155.3 2.68 200.6

including 148.6 149.3 0.7 3.56 872.0 15.19 1,139.0 LRGM-21-072 Mololoa 151.0 151.9 1.0 0.68 128.0 2.39 179.0 LRGM-21-073 Mololoa 128.6 137.8 9.2 0.49 107.2 1.92 144.1

including 135.8 136.8 1.0 2.84 435.0 8.64 648.0 LRGM-21-074 Mololoa 156.9 174.4 17.5 0.09 94.2 1.35 101.1

including 163.8 166.3 2.5 0.10 469.5 6.36 477.0 LRGM-21-077 Mololoa - Tamara 147.7 184.0 36.3 1.51 375.7 6.52 489.1

including 147.7 154.2 6.5 6.94 1,683.0 29.38 2,203.6

including 152.0 153.0 1.0 21.80 5,040.0 89.00 6,675.0

also including 175.9 177.4 1.6 5.02 1,385.1 23.49 1,761.9 LRGM-21-078 Mololoa 130.3 131.8 1.5 0.44 97.6 1.74 130.2 LRGM-21-079 Mololoa 117.4 118.3 0.9 0.78 155.0 2.85 213.5 LRGM-21-083 Mololoa - Tamara 311.3 324.8 13.6 0.26 82.1 1.35 101.3

including 311.3 313.3 2.1 0.89 352.1 5.59 419.1 LRGM-21-085 Mololoa - Tamara 174.8 194.6 19.9 0.35 77.1 1.38 103.4

including 183.0 184.5 1.5 1.26 375.9 6.28 470.8 LRGM-21-086 Mololoa - Tamara 159.0 160.6 1.7 1.53 345.3 6.13 459.7 LRGM-21-089 Mololoa3 125.6 151.0 24.1 0.81 150.9 2.82 211.7

including 142.3 146.4 4.2 2.87 426.4 8.55 641.4

including 144.7 145.4 0.7 4.18 748.0 14.15 1,061.5

1. Not true width 2. AqEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1 at recoveries of 100% 3. Excludes 1.3m of historically mined void 4. Holes LRGM-21-70,71,75,76,80,81,82,84 all intersected mineralization over 60 g/t AgEq with an average length of 1.0m. Full details of those drill holes are included on the Company's website 5. Holes LRGM-21-87 and 88 are pending assays.

The Mololoa deposit is located approximately 1 km north of the El Favor deposit and may be an eastward extension of the Casados deposit. The deposit consists of multiple veins with a total strike length exceeding 1,000m to date and numerous historical workings have been encountered in the drilling to date.

Table 2: Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length LRGM-21-066 584695 2338414 980 240 -75 201.0 LRGM-21-067 584836 2337825 1004 240 -60 80.0 LRGM-21-068 584692 2338431 992 240 -75 211.2 LRGM-21-069 584997 2337804 1049 240 -55 155.0 LRGM-21-070 584452 2338468 1030 180 -45 232.0 LRGM-21-071 584581 2338482 1006 180 -45 207.0 LRGM-21-072 584997 2337805 1049 240 -60 190.0 LRGM-21-073 584976 2338054 1022 240 -50 203.5 LRGM-21-074 584452 2338468 1030 180 -60 241.5 LRGM-21-075 584553 2338485 1008 180 -50 234.0 LRGM-21-076 584898 2338060 1007 240 -50 170.5 LRGM-21-077 584452 2338468 1030 180 -75 201.0 LRGM-21-078 584554 2338486 1009 180 -70 211.5 LRGM-21-079 584946 2338056 1019 240 -50 179.5 LRGM-21-080 585068 2337939 1085 240 -55 304.4 LRGM-21-081 584507 2338410 1018 0 -90 184.5 LRGM-21-082 584531 2338429 1016 180 -45 204.0 LRGM-21-083 584535 2338657 1113 180 -58 404.5 LRGM-21-084 584531 2338430 1016 180 -75 180.0 LRGM-21-085 584431 2338490 1035 180 -45 231.4 LRGM-21-086 584484 2338432 1024 180 -82 231.0 LRGM-21-089 584972 2337847 1028 240 -50 199.5

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for GoGold can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/decks/10437 and on the Company's website at: www.gogoldresources.com.

Los Ricos District Exploration Projects

The Company's two exploration projects at its Los Ricos Property are in Jalisco state, Mexico. The Los Ricos South Project began in March 2019 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on July 29, 2020 which disclosed a Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 63.7 million ounces AgEq grading 199 g/t AgEq contained in 10.0 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 19.9 million ounces AgEq grading 190 g/t AgEq contained in 3.3 million tonnes. An initial PEA on the project was announced on January 20, 2021, indicating an NPV 5% of US$295M.

The Los Ricos North Project was launched in March 2020 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on December 7, 2021, which disclosed an Indicated Mineral Resource of 87.8 million ounces AgEq grading 122 g/t AgEq contained in 22.3 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 73.2 million ounces AgEq grading 111 g/t AgEq contained in 20.5 million tonnes. The Company has a drill program for an additional 100,000 metres of drilling for 2022 in place.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed, and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the ALS Chemex facility in Zacatecas, Mexico. ALS Chemex crushes the samples and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 150 mesh (106m). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 30-gram charge by fire assay (Code AA23) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code ME-GRAV21). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code ME-ICP61 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (ME-GRA21).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed GoGold's QA/QC protocols.

Mr. David Duncan, P. Geo. is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information of this release.

About GoGold Resources

GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring, and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States.

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Los Ricos South and North projects, and future plans and objectives of GoGold, including the intention to undertake further exploration at Los Ricos North, and the prospect of further discoveries there, constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions in connection with the continuance of GoGold and its subsidiaries as a going concern, general economic and market conditions, mineral prices, the accuracy of mineral resource estimates, and the performance of the Parral project. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from GoGold's expectations include exploration and development risks associated with GoGold's projects, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves, volatility of commodity prices, variations of recovery rates, and global economic conditions. For additional information with respect to risk factors applicable to GoGold, reference should be made to GoGold's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with securities regulators, including, but not limited to, GoGold's Annual Information Form. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date of this release.

SOURCE GoGold Resources Inc.
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, announced today that Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Scott Clifford will retire on June 1, 2022, after 28 years with the company. Clifford is a member of the company's Board of Directors and serves on several board committees. Upon his retirement, he will step down from Graybar's Board of Directors and his committee responsibilities.

Graybar also announced that David Meyer has been appointed to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective April 1, 2022. Meyer was recently named Vice President  North American Subsidiaries, following six years as Graybar's Vice President and Chief Information Officer. To facilitate a seamless transition, Clifford will remain with the company from April 1 until his retirement.

"On behalf of Graybar's employees, shareholders and Board of Directors, I thank Scott Clifford for his many contributions to the company and wish him all the best in his retirement," said Kathleen M. Mazzarella, Graybar's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "I also congratulate Dave Meyer on his promotion. Dave has proven himself as a highly effective leader, and I look forward to working with him as he takes on his new responsibilities."

Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, communications and data networking products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of more than 300 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR.

Media Contact:

Tim Sommer

(314) 578-7672

[email protected]

SOURCE Graybar
A high school senior or high school graduate or a current post-secondary undergraduate at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational school or a trade school student; or

Planning to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year

A qualified applicant must be one of the following:

An active-duty Service Member, National Guard or Reservist of one of the five branches of the United States Armed Services (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard) and with current military identification provided to HHF if selected as a recipient; or

A dependent of a Service Member (spouse, or child), prepared to provide documentation of dependent status to HHF if selected as a recipient by providing (a) birth certificate; (b) custody or guardianship order from a court with authority; and/or (c) marriage certificate; and be

Dependent children are defined as natural and legally adopted children or stepchildren living in the employee's household or primarily supported by the employee.

"We understand the challenges many families face when trying to afford a secondary education and are happy to be able to support military members and their families," stated Brian Stann, Hunt Military Communities President, and Chief Executive Officer. "Due to the generous donations we received this past year, we will be able to recognize 18 recipients and award $50,000 total in scholarship grants in 2022. With the support of our generous donors, Hunt Heroes Foundation will continue to provide resources and programs to our military, veterans, and their families."

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Up to 18 awards will be granted as follows:

Five- $5,000 awards for 2-year associates program or 4-year undergraduate studies.

awards for 2-year associates program or 4-year undergraduate studies. Eight- $2,500 awards for vocational-technical programs or certificates, 2-year associates program or 4-year undergraduate studies program, and

awards for vocational-technical programs or certificates, 2-year associates program or 4-year undergraduate studies program, and Five- $1,000 awards for vocational-technical programs or certificates, 2-year associates program, or 4-year undergraduate studies program.

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on community involvement, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, statement of goals and aspirations, unusual personal or family circumstances, an outside appraisal, and two (300 words or less) essays responding to the following questions:

How has being a part of the military or part of a military family affected your life? What would you like to change in your community, and how would you do it?

Scholarship America, a third-party independent consultant, will coordinate, evaluate, and select the scholarship recipients. All scholarship applications must be filled out online at: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/huntheroesscholarship

The deadline to submit a nomination is February 22, 2022, at 3 pm CST, or until 50 applications are received, whichever comes first. For questions or issues with the scholarship process, nominees are encouraged to email: [email protected]

About Hunt Heroes Foundation

Formed in 2018, the Hunt Heroes Foundation proudly serves military families, partners, and communities through opportunities and ideas generated by our people and partnerships. Together, the HHF will discover new ways to ensure we help bring a positive change to the communities in which we live and work

About Hunt Military Communities

Hunt Military Communities, the largest military housing owner, offers unsurpassed quality and service to more than 165,000 residents in approximately 52,000 homes on Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Army installations across the USA. We do this through our core values: safety, kindness, efficiency, enthusiasm, and selflessness, and our 5-Star Service commitment. With a 50-year legacy and a partnership with the Department of Defense, Hunt strives to ensure the integrity of our military communities and the families who live there. For more information, visit www.huntmilitarycommunities.com .

SOURCE Hunt Military Communities; Hunt Heroes Foundation
DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Iowa is the first state to recognize employers with family-friendly policies, such as workplace flexibility and child care assistance, with a "Best Place for Working Parents" designation, the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced today. The designation is now available to employers of all sizes in Iowa who qualify through an online assessment.

"Iowa faces an ongoing workforce shortage like most states, and we are committed to providing the necessary support our families, businesses and economy need to prosper," Governor Kim Reynolds said. "This new program recognizes employers for their investments in child care, helps them attract and retain working parents, and encourages competition and continued investment in Iowa's families."

Iowa's participation in the national Best Place for Working Parents initiative delivers on a key recommendation from Governor Reynolds' Child Care Task Force. The task force convened last year after the Governor's Economic Recovery Advisory Board made confronting Iowa's shortage of quality, affordable child care its top priority.

Iowa is a national leader in the share of households with all parents working. Family-friendly workplace policies benefit both working parents and businesses' bottom line, research shows. For example, child care-related absences and employee turnover cost Iowa employers an estimated $781 million per year, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

"This new designation provides an economic development lever as today's workforce needs continue to evolve and Iowa works to attract the talent we need for our businesses to grow and our communities to thrive," said Debi Durham, executive director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority.

Iowa employers can quickly determine whether they qualify for the Best Place for Working Parents designation through a confidential online self-assessment. The assessment also helps businesses understand how they compare to others of similar size and industry across each of the program's top 10 family-friendly policies.

More information about The Best Place for Working Parents Iowa program can be found at iowaeda.com/best-place-for-working-parents-iowa/.

About The Best Place for Working Parents

The Best Place for Working Parents is a growing national network of business leaders proving that family-friendly is business-friendly. Originating in Fort Worth, Texas, The Best Place for Working Parents seeks to support businesses with research-backed strategies that benefit working parents and businesses' bottom line. Learn more at www.bestplace4workingparents.com.

SOURCE Iowa Economic Development Authority
HONG KONG, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to growing demand for its world-class technology offerings, IQAX Limited (IQAX), a leading innovator of digital solutions for the supply chain industry, has expanded its footprint in mainland China and Asia with the launch of its fully owned subsidiary Shanghai IQAX Information Technology Limited. (Shanghai IQAX).

The growing importance of China and Asia in global trade and supply chains has led to a significant rise in demand for the intelligent and digital transformation solutions IQAX provides to the shipping and supply chain industry. The expansion is in line with IQAX's growth strategy and will allow the company to operate closer to the market, its clients, parent company and partners, making it possible to continue providing unparalleled support to the industry.

The continuous growth of Shanghai as a global financial centre, as enshrined in the 14th Five-Year-Plan for Developing an International Financial Center[1], and efforts to build a world-class international shipping center[2] have led to a significant increase in demand for IQAX's technology offerings.

The launch of Shanghai IQAX is a direct response to this increased demand and will bring the company's world-class technology offerings closer to the heart of the key international shipping center of Shanghai. As a part of COSCO SHIPPING Group, this expansion will facilitate better cooperation between IQAX and the group which is headquartered in Shanghai.

The choice to set up IQAX Limited in Shanghai reflects an understanding of the importance of Shanghai to the development of China's economy, trade and supply chain sector and its significance to global logistics.

"The launch of IQAX Information Technology Limited in Shanghai is yet another important milestone for our company. Our new subsidiary will allow us to better serve our clients and partners, support the continuous development of Shanghai as an international financial and shipping center and contribute to the growth of China as a whole," said Romney Wong, the Chief Executive Officer for IQAX. "The launch of our new Shanghai subsidiary underscores our commitment to developing and providing technology that is safe and effective for our clients in the supply chain industry and beyond."

Shanghai IQAX will act as the company's new headquarters in mainland China and drive business development, sales, marketing, customer success and corporate functions. The expansion will also strengthen the company's revenue generating function and act as a hub to extend partnerships.

Since its inception in November 2020, IQAX has been growing rapidly. The establishing of Shanghai IQAX Information Technology Ltd. underscores the company's aspiration to spearhead the digitalization of shipping and create a harmonized global trade environment.

ABOUT IQAX

IQAX is a global information technology company that provides intelligent and digital transformation solutions using blockchain for enterprises in the logistics ecosystem. Backed by a strong heritage in container shipping, IQAX strives to foster a harmonized and connected global trade environment. As an industry leader, IQAX connect with shippers, freight forwarders, carriers, terminals, and financial institutions, and empowers them with digitized solutions to meet emerging business challenges throughout the supply chain.

IQAX is an independent technology company wholly owned by Orient Overseas International Ltd. (HKEX:0316), one of the largest integrated international transport and logistics companies in the world.

SOURCE IQAX Limited
MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Correlating research and data on spirituality around the world, and how trends are changing, a new report from Nomadrs.com has found more people are embracing spirituality.

Tiffany McGee, founder of Nomadrs.com, says even as beliefs shift, faith is still a strong cornerstone of society:

"Spirituality can be tricky to describe, and can significantly overlap with religion.

Whilst religion has a more organized set of beliefs and practices, spirituality is more of a personal and individual practice.

"What's certain is that the overwhelming majority of the world does have some form of faith in a higher power."

Statistics point to spirituality being on the rise, with the increase of spirituality potentially coming at the expense of organized religion.

From 2012 to 2017 research shows there was an 8% increase in people in the US who say they are spiritual. Over the same period of time, the number of U.S. adults who identify as religious dropped by 11%.

Spirituality seems to be more popular in the US (where 75% identify as spiritual) in comparison to Western Europe (where only 35% do).

However, as Tiffany McGee explains, there is evidence some of those differences being down to how one defines it:

"Interestingly, even within countries where many people do not identify as either religious or spiritual  such as Norway, Finland, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands  the vast majority of people do still believe they have a soul (on average, 65% of people)."

"It seems to suggest that even if people do not consider themselves as spiritual, they still have some beliefs that could be certainly classed as spiritual. For example, even though only 21% of Norwegians say they are spiritual, 70% still said they believe they have a soul."

Other notable key findings include:

Canada , Italy , and India are the three most spiritual countries in the world

, , and are the three most spiritual countries in the world 75% of Americans are spiritual and Americans are becoming more spiritual over time

28% of Americans claim the pandemic has boosted their religious faith, compared to 14% of people worldwide

58% of people worldwide are interested in living a more spiritual life

The health benefits of being spiritual

The benefits of embracing spirituality have been clearly documented by science.

"Analysis of 42 independent studies reported that religious involvement is linked to living longer. Spirituality has also been scientifically linked to lower instances of depression, lower blood pressure, and higher levels of psychological resilience and positive emotions."

Ultimately research suggests that an individual's spiritual practices can influence physical as well as mental wellbeing.

To view the full findings of the Nomadrs report, which they have summarized in their infographic 'Is the World Becoming More Spiritual?' visit: https://nomadrs.com/is-the-world-becoming-more-spiritual/

For further questions or comments on this story, please feel free to contact Tiffany McGee at [email protected] or +61399997272.

SOURCE Nomadrs
SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IXL, the personalized learning platform used by more than 13 million students, announced its eighth annual Elite 100 list, which recognizes remarkable teachers who devoted the previous year to serving students and prioritizing personalized learning. IXL selected the list of 100 from 800,000 teachers worldwide who use the program in their classrooms, based on usage during the 2020-2021 academic year. The Elite 100 reside in 33 U.S. states and territories, as well as in Mexico. To view the full list of this year's Elite 100 winners, visit https://www.ixl.com/resources/elite-100.

"The past few school years have been some of the most challenging, but they are also clear reminders that nothing is more important to a child's education than support from great teachers. Dedicated educators have engaged, encouraged and empowered students so that they receive the best education possible," said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning. "This year's Elite 100 is an outstanding example of how educators can combine the powers of empathy and personalized instruction to make a lasting, positive impact in learners' lives."

How Elite 100 teachers used IXL to support students

Following a year of disrupted learning, schools anticipated that student knowledge levels would vary widely when class began. In anticipation of these changes, Elite 100 educators integrated IXL into their classrooms to identify where students stood, personalize instruction and recover unfinished learning.

The Elite 100 used IXL's adaptive assessment, the Real-Time Diagnostic, to determine students' grade-level proficiency in math and language arts, and quickly identify knowledge gaps throughout the year. Then, teachers used personalized action plans generated by the diagnostic to direct students to the IXL skills that would help them grow.

Teachers also leveraged skills from IXL's comprehensive curriculum to supplement classroom instruction, provide support for students struggling with specific concepts and help learners catch up. Using IXL Analytics, Elite 100 teachers gained insights that informed their learning recovery efforts: The easy-to-use reports helped teachers pinpoint student trouble spots, monitor performance on skills and track progress.

"Even though my district had an IXL subscription for years, the 2020-2021 school year was the first time that I utilized it within my classroom. I soon realized that I could use it to fill in my students' knowledge gaps and learning misconceptions from previous years through the Real-Time Diagnostic," said Sydney Kauten from Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary in Reinbeck, Iowa. "Most of my class started school below grade level last year, so it was reassuring to learn that the interventions I implemented with IXL resulted in most of my students ending the year above grade level!"

"One of the many things that I love about IXL is that it allows students to build foundational math skills before they jump into deeper learning with word problems," said Melissa Massingale from Sallisaw Public School in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. "I have used multiple online platforms in my classroom over the years, but IXL is by far one of the most user-friendly skill building programs that I've ever implemented."

IXL's personalized learning platform

IXL is designed to meet the needs of any classroom and is proven to accelerate student learning. The platform's interactive skills are highly targeted and adjust to each student's level of understanding. IXL's adaptive assessment, the Real-Time Diagnostic, evaluates students across every concept in the K-12 curriculum, generating an accurate portrait of knowledge levels in math and language arts. Personalized guidance gives students specific skill recommendations based on their work in the curriculum and diagnostic to help them fill knowledge gaps and grow. In addition, IXL Analytics provides real-time insight into student progress and helps teachers make better instructional decisions in the classroom. The IXL app provides a fun, immersive experience for students of all levels, and is available on all major mobile devices.

Media, please note: Screenshots of IXL may be downloaded at www.ixl.com/press. For demos and access to IXL, contact [email protected].

About IXL Learning

Currently used by 13 million students and in all of the top 100 U.S. school districts, IXL is an integrated learning platform that supports personalized learning in math, English language arts, science, social studies and Spanish. With more than 100 billion questions asked and answered around the world, IXL is helping schools and parents successfully boost student achievement. The IXL family of products also includes Rosetta Stone, Wyzant, Education.com, ABCya and Vocabulary.com. To learn more about IXL, visit www.ixl.com, facebook.com/IXL and twitter.com/IXLLearning.

Press Contact

Eric Bates

IXL Learning

[email protected]

SOURCE IXL Learning
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jackson Hewitt Tax Services today announced it will be offering all DIY filers, regardless of their tax return's complexity or number of state returns, a $25 flat price for filing, including federal and state returns with Jackson Hewitt Online.

Today, a large percentage of American taxpayers use online programs to file their taxes. However, the pricing varies across providers. Jackson Hewitt Online offers a $25 flat price because hardworking Americans should not have to break the bank to file their own taxes.

Jackson Hewitt Online also provides a $25 price lock guarantee for the next three years for all customers who file their 2021 tax return. Jackson Hewitt Online customers don't need to worry about price increases and can rest assured the $25 will be the price next year and the year after.

Federal + 1 State Return Pricing:



Deluxe Premier/Premium Self-Employed Jackson Hewitt Online $25 $25 $25 H&R Block $66.98 $86.98 $121.98 TurboTax $78 $108 $128

Competitor prices for paid online tax prep as reported on turbotax.intuit.com and hrblock.com, as of 1/6/22.

"People of all tax situations should be able to pay a low and transparent price to access accurate tax prep software and get their maximum refund, guaranteed. That's why Jackson Hewitt Online is taking a stand and offering one flat $25 price for all tax returns, no matter what," said Zachary Cohen, Head of Digital Products at Jackson Hewitt.

Jackson Hewitt Online offers a no-frills, effective DIY tax filing experience with a simple, intuitive interface. Jackson Hewitt Online is easy to use with step-by-step guidance while offering key features like on-the-go refund calculation, a fully guided option, live chat customer support, and auto importation of W-2 information from eligible employers.

Jackson Hewitt Online users can feel confident knowing their returns are backed by Jackson Hewitt Online's 100% Accuracy Guarantee(1), Maximum Refund Guarantee(2), and Satisfaction Guarantee(3). For more information visit www.jacksonhewitt.com/file-taxes-online.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is an innovator in the tax industry, with a mission to provide its hard-working clients access to simple, low-cost solutions to manage their taxes and tax refunds. Jackson Hewitt is devoted to helping clients get ahead and stands behind its work with its Maximum Refund Guarantee and Lifetime Accuracy Guarantee (restrictions apply, see Jackson Hewitt's website for more details). Jackson Hewitt has more than 5,500 franchise and company-owned locations nationwide, including nearly 3,000 in Walmart stores as well as online tax prep services, making it easy and convenient for clients to file their taxes. For more information about products, services, and offers, or to locate a Jackson Hewitt office, visit www.jacksonhewitt.com or call 1 (800) 234-1040.

Terms and Conditions

Jackson Hewitt Online Transparent Pricing Guarantee You'll pay tax prep fees of no more than $25 when you file with Jackson Hewitt Online, or we'll refund the difference.

Regardless of the complexity of your tax return or the number of states in which you must file, you are guaranteed to pay no more than $25 total tax prep fees ($25 federal, $0 states) when you file your own taxes with Jackson Hewitt Online or your tax prep fees back. Guarantee applies only to tax prep fees and does not include additional add-on services such as eCollect or Protection Plus fees.

3-Year Price Lock Guarantee: When you file your taxes with Jackson Hewitt Online this year, you'll be able to pay this year's price again next year and the year after that.

Applies to all clients filing taxes with Jackson Hewitt Online in the 2021 tax season. Locks in federal and state tax preparation fees at time of a client's tax season 2021 checkout for tax season's 2022 and 2023. Applies to tax preparation fees with Jackson Hewitt Online only and to no other product or service. Clients must use the same Jackson Hewitt Online account to file each year. Does not apply at retail locations or with Online Tax Pro. Coupon code may be required to redeem.

100% Accuracy Guarantee If you have to pay interest or penalty charges to the IRS due to an error in Jackson Hewitt Online's software, we'll pay it for you.

Jackson Hewitt warrants only to its registered users the accuracy of every form prepared using the Service. Jackson Hewitt guarantees its tax calculations as described in this Agreement. The term "Calculations" is defined to mean the numerical addition, subtraction or multiplication of numbers, and related automatic features that select numbers from tax tables. Calculations do not include any instance where a taxpayer can make a decision to substitute a number for the one automatically computed by the program, and Jackson Hewitt is not responsible for changes in tax law made by the Congress during tax season. We will pay any IRS penalties and/or interest resulting from an error in Jackson Hewitt's Online software program's calculations. You are responsible for notifying Jackson Hewitt promptly of any change in your email so that notices of necessary updates or corrections to remedy any errors can be provided by Jackson Hewitt. You are responsible to notify Jackson Hewitt within 10 days of receipt of any notice of errors and/or interests and penalties from any tax authority resulting from your use of the Service. If the tax return can be amended to avoid or reduce your penalties and/or interests, you must file it on your own to limit further penalties and interest. We are not responsible for any interests and penalties resulting from your failure to enter all required information accurately, your willful or fraudulent omission or inclusion of information on your tax return, your misclassification of information on your tax return, your failure to notify Jackson Hewitt of your change of email address, or your failure to file an amended return to avoid or reduce your penalties and/or interests after receipt of such notice. If you believe such a calculation error occurred and you have complied with the above conditions, please notify Jackson Hewitt in writing at Jackson Hewitt Inc., Attention - Client Care, 501 N. Cattlemen Road, Suite 300, Sarasota, FL 34232 as soon as you are aware of the error. You must include a copy of the IRS notice, a hard copy of the tax return, and your online username. The filing of such a claim shall constitute your authorization for Jackson Hewitt to obtain and review any copy and/or transcript of your tax return and any data files that may be in Jackson Hewitt's possession or control in order to evaluate your claim. You are responsible for paying any additional tax liability you may owe, and providing assistance and additional information as reasonably requested by Jackson Hewitt.

Maximum Refund Guarantee If you get a larger refund or smaller tax bill somewhere else, we'll refund your federal return fees with Jackson Hewitt Online.

If you are entitled to a larger refund amount or must pay a smaller tax due amount using another tax preparation method other than Jackson Hewitt Online, then we will refund to you the applicable tax preparation fees paid by you for the Jackson Hewitt Online product/package you filed with (other product and service fees excluded). To qualify, the larger refund or smaller tax due cannot be attributed to variations in data you provided for tax preparation or for positions taken by you that are contrary to the law. Federal returns only. Same tax facts must apply. You must file an amended return with another paid tax preparation company and/or online provider by April 15, 2022 and submit your claim no later than October 15, 2022 with proof that the IRS accepted the positions taken on the amended return. This guarantee cannot be combined with the Satisfaction Guarantee.

Satisfaction Guarantee If you are not 100% satisfied with Jackson Hewitt Online, we'll refund your tax preparation fees.

If you are not 100% satisfied with Jackson Hewitt Online, we will refund your tax preparation fees. Printing or electronically filing your return reflects your satisfaction with Jackson Hewitt Online.

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
On 11 January 2022, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, met with the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Fumio Kishida, in Tokyo to discuss the WCOs future activities.

The Prime Minister showed great interest in the WCOs wide-ranging activities and acknowledged the significant contribution by Customs in securing and facilitating global trade, including the cross-border movement of medicines and vaccines along the supply chain. As Japans former Minister of Foreign Affairs, he is well versed in the work of and challenges faced by Customs administrations at borders, as well as in their critical role of maintaining global stability and prosperity. Prime Minister Kishida concluded the meeting by expressing his strong support for the WCO in its endeavours to build the capacity of Member Customs administrations and equip them with the tools and instruments required to improve their performance.

Secretary General Mikuriya also had meetings with Japans Minister of Finance, H.E. Shunichi Suzuki, and its Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Yoshimasa Hayashi. They all acknowledged the WCOs leadership role and were very much in favour of consolidating the position of Customs administrations around the world.
Prior to this role, Mr. Mityas has held various executive positions in consulting and the retail-restaurant industry sectors most notably as the Chief Experience Officer for TGI FRIDAYS and as the Chief Executive Officer for Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery. In 2020, he was named as one of the Top-10 Innovators in the restaurant industry by Nation's Restaurant News in their annual Power List rankings. Mr. Mityas holds numerous academic degrees, including a BS in aerospace engineering from Boston University, a MS in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.

John Antioco, Founder, Managing Member of JAMCO, said, "When we expanded the JAMCO portfolio at the end of 2020, our vision was to first integrate our new acquisitions into our system of restaurant expertise, while also laying the foundation to build each of our brands. This expansion of Sherif's role is important to our success as we continue to bring a successful portfolio of attractive franchised restaurant concepts to market. In his dual role, he will not only help support our acquisition strategies for new brands, but drive the growth of both existing and future concepts for the benefit of our shareholders and franchise partners. We are confident his expanded leadership responsibilities will deliver outstanding growth in our portfolio moving forward.

Craig Erlich, Friendly's President and CEO, who has led BRIX Holdings for the past five years, has been instrumental in helping us navigate through unprecedented challenges over the past couple years and will continue to focus his efforts on building our largest brand, Friendly's restaurants. Craig will also remain as an advisor to the BRIX Holdings board."

"I'm thrilled to be able to add the BRIX brand portfolio to my responsibilities," said Sherif Mityas. "We have an exceptional group of brands, corporate team members and franchisees that will help drive our growth and success as we re-imagine our brands for today's consumer."

About JAMCO:

JAMCO Interests LLC is based in Dallas, Texas. JAMCO is the majority stakeholder of BRIX Holdings, a Dallas-based multi-brand franchising company specializing in chains with superior products and attractive growth prospects and Amici Partners Group, LLC, an experienced investor group with a national and international franchisor background specializing in the restaurant industry, which acquired Friendly's Restaurants in December 2020. JAMCO is also a member of TriArtisan TGIF Partners LLC, majority owner of TGIF Holdings LLC which owns and operates TGI Friday's, the iconic American casual dining bar restaurant chain with over 900 restaurants in 60 countries worldwide.

SOURCE JAMCO Interests LLC
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington, D.C. Auto Show would like to cordially invite members of the media to the Washington, D.C. Auto Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for their Public Policy Day (January 20) and Consumer days (Friday, January 21 through Sunday, January 30).

This is the region's largest indoor event and one of the top auto shows in the United States, featuring hundreds of new vehicles from the world's top manufacturers. Displays from Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Hyundai, Subaru, Stellantis, Kia, and more will fill the convention center. Notable displays include the all-new EV pavilion showcasing the growing electric mobility market with featured models from Bentley and Karma, the regional reveal of McLaren's Artura, the 2023 Subaru Soltera, and the latest from Polestar. Additional features include indoor and outdoor test drives, press events, and other consumer attractions.

The Public Policy Day will feature the MobilityTalks International conference and includes special auto industry-focused events and announcements by government officials and industry representatives. The event will kick off with a keynote by Gina McCarthy, the White House National Climate Advisor See the full list of speakers here .

Please feel free to reach out to Michaela Watkins ( [email protected] ) if you wish to schedule a live remote or pre-recorded interview. Or, simply register for a media credential to either the Public Policy Day (January 20) or consumer days (January 21-30).

SOURCE Washington Auto Show
DENVER, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, King Soopers and City Market called the decision by UFCW Local 7 to strike reckless and self-serving, without regard for the implications to associates and Coloradans.

"Local 7 is putting politics before people and preventing us from putting more money in our associates' pockets," said Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers and City Market. "It's time for Kim Cordova to put our associates, her members, first instead of denying them the opportunity to vote on this unprecedented investment. Creating more disruption for our associates, their families, and Coloradans rather than negotiating for a peaceful resolution is irresponsible and undemocratic."

King Soopers also announced their stores will remain open to continue delivering on their commitment to provide fresh food and other essentials to the communities they serve.

More details on King Soopers and City Market's Last Best and Final Offer can be found here.

Learn more at kingsooperscba.com.

About King Soopers/City Market

At King Soopers/City Market, a company of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are 22,502 associates who serve customers daily through a seamless shopping experience throughout Colorado. We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
"A new year is always a chance to try new things, so what better way to start than by releasing new KIT KAT flavors?" said Dan Williard, Brand Manager of KIT KAT. "There's nothing more classic than KIT KAT wafers and chocolate, but KIT KAT Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate and KIT KAT THiNS Chocolate Hazelnut bring fresh takes."

KIT KAT Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate flavor combines the sweet, fresh taste of strawberry with the rich, decadent flavor of dark chocolate in the KIT KAT Duos third generation bar. This fruit-inspired KIT KAT bar tastes like a chocolate covered strawberry and will be available in both standard and king size.

KIT KAT THiNS Chocolate Hazelnut also joins the existing KIT KAT THiNS lineup which slims down the classic KIT KAT wafer into a thinner treat. KIT KAT THiNS Chocolate Hazelnut adds a hazelnut flavor to a light, crispy version of a fan favorite, KIT KAT THiNS, that launched last year. Be on the lookout for this new item in both 3.1 oz. and 7.37 oz. bags.

Both new items are available at retailers nationwide and are permanent additions to KIT KAT's lineup. Start the new year off right by trying these new KIT KAT flavors that are sure to be your new favorites.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 17,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 90 brands around the world that drive more than $8.1 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop, and Pirate's Booty.

For more than 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com

Follow:

Twitter

LinkedIn

Facebook

YouTube

Instagram

SOURCE The Hershey Company
Lucent Spray Shine is a versatile formula that delivers stunning results on any color paintwork. It's developed with Premium Synthetic Paint Gloss Intensifiers to give your vehicle's paint unparalleled protection and a show car finish in seconds without any streaks or wax residues left behind. It's also blended with specialty lubricants and slickening agents that help reduce static caused by surface friction, keeping customers' cars cleaner for longer by repelling water, dust, dirt, and other contaminants, unlike other traditional quick detail sprays that create static electricity which can attract airborne dust, dirt, and pollen.

"We are excited to start the year with the launch of Lucent Spray Shine, an amazing new product, that has been requested by many - a product that adds instant shine to any color paintwork while also providing a surface that stays cleaner longer," says Jennifer Olvera, Chemical Guys Brand Director. "Lucent Spray Shine will be the perfect product to add to your maintenance car wash routine for not only a brilliant shine, but also added protection."

To use, mist a thin coat on any color paintwork, working one area at a time. Wipe off with a clean microfiber towel, flip the towel to the clean side and buff off to achieve a streak-free shine. As an added bonus, Lucent Spray Shine can also be used on wet and dry surfaces. Apply it after a wash as a perfect drying aid or on a slightly dusty vehicle to remove dust while enhancing shine and protection.

You can find Lucent Spray Shine Synthetic Spray Wax available for $19.99 on Chemical Guys' website or at the Detail Garage nearest you.

ABOUT CHEMICAL GUYS

Driven by adventure, a passion for shine, and a love for the road ahead, Chemical Guys is a worldwide leader in automotive detailing products for car care enthusiasts and professionals. From exclusive small-batch waxes to cutting edge ceramic coatings, and specialty cleaners for exteriors and interiors, Chemical Guys sets the industry standard when it comes to product innovation, technological advancement and education. Based in Southern California, Chemical Guys has evolved from a handful of passionate car fanatics to a global lifestyle brand with the largest digital library of automotive detailing "how to" content available. Learn more and join the Chemical Guys family at ChemicalGuys.com.

ABOUT DETAIL GARAGE

Detail Garage is the country's fastest-growing car care superstore. The nationwide retail franchise is the ultimate destination for auto detailing supplies, equipment, car care accessories and training. By combining the highest-quality products with educational detailing classes, Detail Garage has become the country's go-to retail store for car care enthusiasts, passionate car owners, and detailing professionals. After launching its initial location in Southern California, the brand has quickly expanded to over 80 locations over the last 6 years throughout the US and Canada. To find a Detail Garage near you or for more information on products, training or franchising opportunities visit www.detailgarage.com.

SOURCE Chemical Guys
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal Tech startup HyperDraft has announced the hiring of its latest legal industry veteran, Sean Greaney, a technology partner from Goodwin Procter LLP as its first General Counsel. This comes on the heels of adding legal industry titan, Michael Roster, to its advisory board at the end of 2021 and during a period of hypergrowth for the company.

Prior to joining HyperDraft, Greaney was a technology partner in the Santa Monica office of Goodwin as well as a partner at Southern California regional powerhouse Stubbs, Alderton & Markiles, representing startups, venture capital firms, and some of the largest technology and CPG companies.

Greaney previously practiced in-house at Beats by Dr. Dre where he helped the company scale and finalize its acquisition by Apple in 2014. He has been selected three times as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star and was named Most Distinguished Volunteer by Public Counsel in 2020.

"When my co-founder and I set out to build HyperDraft, we agreed to only work with the best minds and the best people. Sean is an exceptional attorney and someone that I frequently refer to as the consummate lawyer's lawyer. He's the guy you go to when you're in a bind," said CEO and Chief Engineer, Tony Thai. "Sean's experience spans the entirety of our target user base, having been both in-house counsel and in private practice at large and mid-sized law firms. I'm honored for Sean to join us on our journey and for him to be in the foxhole with us."

Greaney will serve as the company's first General Counsel and will join the company's executive leadership team as it continues to service its fervently growing user base and community and prepares to launch new patent-pending products later this year.

"The modernization of law is happening now and the technology that HyperDraft has developed will change the legal industry for the better," said Greaney. "As a law firm partner, I searched high and low for solutions to ease the pain of the contracting process. I've been promised solutions which were never delivered or was told that what I was looking for was impossible. When Tony first told me about HyperDraft and its product offerings, I was skeptical. However, the team at HyperDraft has proved its ability to deliver next-gen solutions and to knock out features faster than anyone else on the market."

About HyperDraft

HyperDraft creates AI-powered, custom software tools to help legal professionals draft, edit, and analyze legal documents easier, better, and faster  with the goal of modernizing the legal industry and making the practice of law more enjoyable. For more information, please visit  hyperdraft.ai.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ashley Carlisle

[email protected]

SOURCE HyperDraft AI
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is partnering with San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) and Crafton Hills College (CHC) to increase COVID-19 vaccine awareness, education, and utilization rates among students through student-led vaccine education.

Trained by IEHPs Community Health Teams and the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, student ambassadors aim to increase on campus vaccine rates by distributing vaccine information at booths located in the main areas of each campus, peer presentations, pop-up clinic promotions, and helping schedule vaccine appointments.

"I am participating in this COVID-19 Student Ambassador Program to educate and inform my community about COVID-19 vaccinations," said Jasmine Mejia, CHC Student Ambassador. "Many lives have been lost and my community needs to know the truth about the importance of being vaccinated. If I can get the facts out about the COVID 19 vaccine, then I will play a small part in saving lives in my community."

Trained by IEHP's Community Health Teams and the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, the eight student ambassadors  four at each campus  aim to increase on-campus vaccine rates by distributing vaccine information at booths located in the main areas of each campus, peer presentations, pop-up clinic promotions, and helping schedule vaccine appointments.

"With vaccine mandates on campus, we want to make sure our local college students have all they need to continue their education safely," said Marci Coffey, IEHP Community Partnerships Director. "We're excited to work with students in this capacity and empower them to effectively inform and engage with their peers."

IEHP will provide students with vaccine education resources, health plan materials, and promotional items to share during the program's duration. In addition, the health plan will provide a stipend to the students committed to participate in the program four days (16 hours) a week.

"Education is key and, if provided, I feel that each person will make an informed decision. As an ambassador, I hope to spread the word that lack of insurance, immigration status, or having permanent housing doesn't disqualify anyone from receiving vaccinations and boosters," said Sophia Zamora, SBVC Student Ambassador.

The project is set to run from January 4 to March 31 on both campuses.

"We understand there are concerns and fears associated with the COVID-19 vaccine," said Dr. Takashi Wada, IEHP's Chief Medical Officer. "Learning from a qualified, well-informed peer can help drive positive influences and healthy decision making. We hope to increase those opportunities for students by empowering student ambassadors with all they need to spark conversations that will ultimately lead to healthier students and communities."

About IEHP

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans and the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country. In its 25th year, IEHP is supporting more than 1.4 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medicaid or Cal MediConnect Plans and has a growing network of over 7,300 providers and nearly 2,500 Team Members. Through dynamic partnerships with Providers and Community Organizations, paired with award-winning service and a tradition of quality care, IEHP is fully committed to their vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. For more information, visit iehp.org.

SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)
DALLAS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trial law firm Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann has promoted attorneys Jervonne Newsome and Pat Disbennett to the firm's partnership. Both attorneys have been with the Dallas-based firm since 2015.

"Jervonne and Pat are committed to resolving matters in a positive manner for their clients," said Chris Schwegmann, the firm's new managing partner. "Both attorneys are excellent lawyers and detailed, empathetic and fierce advocates for the individuals and companies they represent. We are proud to see their careers thrive and lead into this next phase as partners."

Ms. Newsome represents Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, executives, and individuals in complex commercial and business litigation, including oil and gas disputes. Her unique legal strategies and storytelling techniques have led to rewarding resolutions for the clients she represents. A top-rated business litigation attorney, her work has been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars and Best Lawyers in America. She also leads the firm's diversity initiatives.

Mr. Disbennett is also a top-rated business litigation attorney with a successful record representing clients in an array of commercial litigation disputes, including breach of contract, trade secrets, commercial real estate, and oil and gas. He was a part of the trial team that won a $145 million jury verdict in a high-profile energy sector dispute in 2016, the 12th largest verdict in Texas that year. Mr. Disbennett's work has earned high honors from peers in legal industry listings, such as Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars edition and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann is a nationally recognized commercial litigation firm and has been ranked among the top five commercial litigation firms in Texas by the highly respected Chambers USA Guide to the Legal Profession for the past three years. The firm has received accolades from The Best Lawyers in America, Texas Super Lawyers, D Magazine and Texas Lawyer and was twice awarded "Defense Win of the Year" in the U.S. by the National Law Journal, the only firm to receive that recognition twice.

Media Contact:

Barry Pound

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann LLP
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Among the 10 most popular moving companies, Mayflower is the most trusted brand in the America's Most Trusted Study released today. According to the Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Study, trust is an essential decision criterion for consumers in selecting a moving company.

In the Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Study, 36,888 people were surveyed and asked their opinions about moving companies. In the Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted study, consumers evaluate several brand equity metrics to understand the role of brand trust in selecting a moving company.

Mayflower captured the highest Net Trust Quotient score (98.8) among people actively searching for a moving company and earned the #1 ranking in the 2022 Lifestory Research America's Most Trusted study. United Van Lines (98.3) ranked second, and North American Van Lines (98.2) ranked third among the 10 nationally recognized moving companies in the study.

To be included in the national ranking, a brand needed to be known by shoppers throughout the United States and be among the most prominent brands based on business volume within the industry. The moving companies included in the study were Mayflower, United Van Lines, North American Van Lines, ABF U-Pack, Arpin Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, Wheaton Van Lines, Atlas Van Lines, Graebel Van Lines, and Bekins Van Lines.

For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Moving Company study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-moving-company

To view the online press release, please visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/press-release/2022-national-moving-company-study

About Lifestory Research

Leaders, companies, and brands know that great ideas are only useful if they move people toward action. Lifestory Research is an independent, science-driven consumer insights and strategy consulting firm that ignites relationships between companies and audiences. We are passionate about customers, employees, brands, and the science of influence. We use quantitative and qualitative research to create customer insights, drive innovation, deliver brand strategy, and move people forward.

America's Most Trusted is a consumer-based research program based on thousands of people's opinions actively shopping for products. To identify America's Most Trusted, Lifestory Research conducts an ongoing annual survey in which people anonymously assess the trust they have in brands they encounter during their active search for specific products. The study uses well-established social science research practices that seek to adhere to the highest quality standards of consumer insight.

For more information, please visit www.lifestoryresearch.com

About Lifestory Research and America's Most Trusted Advertising/Promotional Rules:

www.lifestoryresearch.com/press-release-info-rules

America's Most Trusted is a registered trademark of Lifestory Corporation.

SOURCE Lifestory Research
3 1 of 3 Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3





WEST HARTFORD  Police say they are seeking several thieves who filled garbage bags with merchandise at two stores in the area of the Westfarms mall on Tuesday.

Police said they were first called to the mall at around 3:50 p.m. for a report of a theft at the Macys store. Store employees reported that four suspects began filling large black garbage bags with merchandise, police said.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global medical device contract research organization market size is expected to reach USD 12.1 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 8.6% from 2021 to 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. During the second half of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the market witnessed a surge in demand for CRO services as compared to the first half, where the growth was stagnant.

Key Insights & Findings from the report:

The clinical segment dominated the market in 2020 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecasted period

The clinical monitoring segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2020 due to an increasing number of clinical trials, which require a large amount of monitoring

Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing regional market over the forecast period

North America was the second-largest regional market in 2020 and is estimated to maintain the leading position over the forecast period

The government support for R&D activities through grants & funds to research institutes & companies has driven the market growth in this region

Read 120 page market research report, "Medical Device Contract Research Organization Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Phase (Preclinical, Clinical), By Service (Regulatory/Medical Affairs, Clinical Monitoring), By Region (APAC, North America), And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research

The main driver of the market includes time-saving, cost efficiency, and expertise in the area, which accelerates the process of devices reaching the market. In addition, outsourcing to a CRO with precise expertise in a medical device helps in meeting the complex regulatory requirements and audits as they work on it on a daily basis.

They also have access to the most advanced technological resources, such as all the latest and most advanced hardware, software, and internet-based applications, to make the process fast and maintain quality. The presence of well-established players, mid-size firms, and a number of new start-ups offering great opportunities are also contributing to the medical device CRO market growth. Moreover, the focus of the regulatory authority towards the treatment of the disease and funding in the medical device market has increased for the rapid testing, production, and manufacturing of medical devices required for the treatment of COVID-19 infected patients.

Market Segmentation:

Grand View Research has segmented the global medical device contract research organization market on the basis of phase, service, and region:

Medical Device CRO Phase Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Preclinical



Clinical

Medical Device CRO Service Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Project Management/Clinical Supply Management



Data Management



Regulatory/Medical Affairs



Medical Writing



Clinical Monitoring



Quality Management/Assurance



Bio-statistics



Investigator Payments



Laboratory



Patient & Site Recruitment



Technology



Others

Medical Device CRO Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



Germany





U.K.





France





Italy





Spain



Asia Pacific



India





Japan





China





Australia





South Korea



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico





Argentina



Middle East & Africa

&

South Africa





Saudi Arabia





UAE

List of Key Players of Medical Device Contract Research Organization Market

Icon Plc

IQVIA

Covance

Charles River Laboratories

Syneos Health

MedPace

Promedica International

Wuxi AppTec

Eurofins

Qserve Group

Check out more studies related to medical and healthcare CRO, published by Grand View Research:

Healthcare Contract Research Organization Market  The global healthcare contract research organization market size was valued at USD 40.9 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing investment in R&D programs, preference for outsourcing activities due to time and cost constraints, and patent expiration in the healthcare sector are the key factors anticipated to drive the market.

 The global healthcare contract research organization market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing investment in R&D programs, preference for outsourcing activities due to time and cost constraints, and patent expiration in the healthcare sector are the key factors anticipated to drive the market. Contract Research Organization Market  The global contract research organization market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. Any organization that provides support to the medical device industries, pharmaceutical firms, etc. in the form of outsourced research services on a contractual basis is called contract research organizations (CRO).

 The global contract research organization market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. Any organization that provides support to the medical device industries, pharmaceutical firms, etc. in the form of outsourced research services on a contractual basis is called contract research organizations (CRO). Contract Research Organization Market Procurement Intelligence  The reason behind the increasing demand for CROs in the pharmaceutical industry is their diversified expertise as compared to pharma companies in terms of conducting clinical trials across multiple geographies and developing drugs in specific therapeutic areas. To efficiently cater to the rising demand, CROs are focusing on innovative sourcing and procurement methods for optimizing the cost of clinical trials and improving profitability.

Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Medical Devices Industry.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Moms for America, a nonprofit educational organization, and concerned parents of students enrolled in the Farmington Michigan Public School District, hosted a press conference and peaceful rally today prior to testifying at the Board of Education's first public meeting since the disclosure of their "21-Day Equity Challenge" last month.

The parents expressed their displeasure with the district-sponsored program that promotes racial division and a partisan political agenda in the public schools.

"This 'Equity Challenge' cultivates a false narrative about America that encourages students to view themselves as either victims or oppressors. Not only is this wrong it is damaging to kids and their relationships with one another in school and in their future careers," said Tamra Farah, Executive Director of MomForce, Moms for America's education and school board initiative. "Public schools were not founded to indoctrinate but to educate kids in reading, writing, arithmetic and accurate history," said Tamra Farah."

Debbie Kraulidis with Moms for America, Executive Director of Production and Events, and Host of the Moms for America Podcast, added, "At Moms for America we stand for the fundamental and supreme rights of parents in their children's lives. Parents have historically trusted schools to do the job they are paid to do. Not anymore."

The Farmington Board of Education sparked outrage when they promoted their "21-Day Equity Challenge, which includes "white privilege checklists," a list of "microaggressions to avoid" such as calling America the "land of opportunity," and suggested actions to "join a BLM or affiliated protest" and donate to bail funds for violent rioters. Parents say this program inflames racial divisions, promotes anti-American concepts, and detracts from the educational mission of the school district. They also object to the use of public resources to promote contentious ideologies that families strongly oppose.

To join other concerned parents in Farmington on Tuesday, go to: https://familychoicematters.com/.

About Moms for America

Founded in 2004, Moms for America is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational corporation rooted on the principles of liberty and virtue our nation was founded on, and focused on promoting these principles, values, and virtues in the home and family, particularly through the women and mothers of America. Learn more at: https://momsforamerica.us/get-to-know-us/our-team/.

SOURCE Moms for America
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mill Creek Residential, a leading developer and operator specializing in premier rental communities across the U.S., today announced the start of preleasing at Modera New Rochelle, a luxury apartment community located approximately 20 miles northeast of Manhattan.

The midrise community features 334 apartment homes, a superb Walk Score of 96 and is situated just off of New Rochelle's vibrant Main Street, home to a wide variety of dining, shopping and nightlife options. The community also includes select live/work homes for the ever-increasing remote worker. Move-ins will begin in the spring.

"New Rochelle is quickly becoming one of the most desired submarkets surrounding New York City and we're excited to join the neighborhood," said Russell Tepper, senior managing director of development in the Northeast region for Mill Creek Residential. "Main Street has a distinct charm and being located in the heart of downtown will provide residents with a multitude of options within a short walk. We believe the sophisticated modern design and deluxe suite of amenities will make Modera New Rochelle one of the most attractive living options in the area, and we look forward to offering a first-class resident experience."

Situated at 111 Centre Avenue, Modera New Rochelle is within a one-minute walk of Main Street and within a five-minute walk of the New Rochelle Station, which provides 30-minute train commutes to New York City. The community also sits within a short drive of Interstate 95, the gateway to New York and several key locales along the New England Coast. The surrounding area features award-winning schools along with prime access to an abundance of recreational outlets, including beaches, bike paths and hiking trails.

Modera New Rochelle is built to NAHB Green Building Standards and offers studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes with select den layouts. Community amenities include a spacious indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge and deck that can be accessed year-round and features views of New York City and the Long Island Sound. The community also features three courtyards that include an outdoor swimming pool, seating areas, dog park with an adjacent pet spa, barbecue area and an outdoor theater.

Additional common-area amenities include a resident clubhouse, demonstration kitchen, game room, conference room, coffee bar, and a club-quality fitness center with group fitness area and TRX system. The community also includes a lobby cafe open to the public that is accompanied by an art alley featuring a substantial array of public art murals. Additionally, residents will have access to controlled-access parking, dedicated bike storage and additional storage space.

Apartment interiors at Modera New Rochelle include wood-plank flooring, nine- and 10-foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, custom 42-inch cabinetry, pendant lighting, high-end fixtures, tile backsplashes, in-home full-size washers and dryers, programmable thermostats, walk-in closets and breakfast bars. Bathrooms feature tile surrounds, soaking tubs and double vanities.

About Mill Creek Residential

Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC is a national rental housing company focused on the development, acquisition and operation of rental communities in targeted markets nationwide. The national company, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida proactively develops, acquires, constructs and operates communities through its seasoned team of real estate professionals in offices across the United States. Mill Creek is building its portfolio in many of the nation's most desirable markets in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Southern California, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. As of September 30, 2021, the company's portfolio is comprised of 111 communities representing over 30,500 rental homes that are operating and/or under construction. For more information, please visit www.MillCreekPlaces.com.

Media Contact

Stephen Ursery

LinnellTaylor Marketing

[email protected]

303.682.3945

SOURCE Mill Creek Residential
Request a Free Sample Report to Know More

Leading global suppliers can assist buyers in realizing high-cost savings through their efforts on areas such as forward integration, reducing total ownership cost, manage ad hoc spend, negotiate on pricing and contractual terms, conference participation, managing labor price volatility, level of automation, quality management, and reduction in ad-hoc spend. Collaborations with global suppliers will also help buyers in cost-saving and ensure high-quality procurement in the dynamic market.

Mortgage Processing Services Market in India: Key Price Trends

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the Moderate bargaining power of suppliers. This makes it extremely important to get the pricing and pricing model right. Buyers should align their preferred pricing models for mortgage processing services with the wider industry and identify the cost-saving potential.

Flat-fee pricing model, hourly pricing model, and transaction-based pricing model are the most widely adopted pricing models in the mortgage processing services. Each pricing model offers optimum benefits and fitment in specific situations. Buyers should identify the model that suits their operations in the best manner and link supplier performance to the pricing models.

The report also offers information on the upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth.

www.spendedge.com/report/mortgage-processing-services-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report

Insights Offered in this Mortgage Processing Services Market Report

Top Mortgage Processing Services suppliers and their cost structures

Top Mortgage Processing Services suppliers in the US and their cost structures

Mortgage Processing Services market spend analysis in the US

Mortgage Processing Services price trends, and forecasts

Cost drivers influencing the Mortgage Processing Services prices

Some of the Top Mortgage Processing Services suppliers listed in this report:

This Mortgage Processing Services procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

Rely Services Inc.

OURS GLOBAL

Suma Soft Pvt. Ltd.

Regional Analysis

Further breakdown of the market segmentation at requested regions.

Market Player Information

Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players, vendor segmentation, and vendor offerings.

Know the strategies adopted by vendors during the COVID-19 Recovery Phase.

View Free Sample Report

Best Selling Procurement Research Report :

Fruits and Vegetable Processing Equipment - Forecast and Analysis : The fruits and vegetable processing equipment will grow at a CAGR of 5.52% during 2021-2025 . Click the above link for a free sample report.

The fruits and vegetable processing equipment will grow at a . Click the above link for a free sample report. Amusement Park Construction Services Sourcing and Procurement Report : This report evaluates suppliers based on quality of services to ensure safety of drugs and medical devices, therapeutic expertise, reputation and level of experience, and global reach and capacity.

This report evaluates suppliers based on quality of services to ensure safety of drugs and medical devices, therapeutic expertise, reputation and level of experience, and global reach and capacity. Waste Management Equipment- Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence Report: This report evaluates suppliers based on warranties, low lifecycle costs, proximity to the buyers location, and manufacturing performance. The pressure from substitutes and a high level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the moderate bargaining power of suppliers.

To access the definite purchasing guide on the Mortgage Processing Services that answers all your key questions on price trends and analysis:

Am I paying/getting the right prices? Is my Mortgage Processing Services TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable?

How is the price forecast expected to change? What is driving the current and future price changes?

Which pricing models offer the most rewarding opportunities?

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

Contact

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA and the Department of Education are collaborating to enhance the federal Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholar Recognition Program using NASA entrepreneurial expertise.

Beginning in 2022, a NASA pitch competition for students at higher education institutions will officially become part of the HBCU Scholar Recognition Program, part of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity. The competition will be a small-scale version of NASA's Minority University Education and Research Program (MUREP) Innovation and Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC).

"NASA is excited to formalize our participation and see the innovated ideas HBCU scholars will bring to the competition." said MUREP manager Torry Johnson. "Since 2018, MITTIC has provided students at Minority Serving Institutions a glimpse into NASA's Technology Transfer Program and a unique opportunity to explore their entrepreneurial interests using NASA's technology portfolio."

Through this "mini MITTIC" pitch competition, teams of HBCU scholars will investigate selected NASA intellectual properties for potential uses in the commercial sector. The teams will work closely with NASA's MITTIC team and subject matter experts while creating "Space Tank" pitches to explain the commercial viability of their proposed ideas.

NASA has a long history of facilitating the transformation of its technologies into commercial products and services. NASA's Technology Transfer Program, managed by the Space Technology Mission Directorate, the agency's headquarters in Washington, ensures that the innovations developed for exploration and discovery are broadly available to the public, maximizing the benefit to the nation.

Through the HBCU Scholar Recognition Program, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity annually recognizes students from HBCUs for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and civic engagement. Over the course of an academic school year, HBCU scholars participate in professional development through monthly classes and have access to a network of public and private partners.

Partnerships, such as the White House initiative's work with NASA, have helped increase participation in and awareness of the HBCU Scholar Recognition Program.

Since the inception of the initiative's student programming in 2014, NASA has helped it engage with cohorts of HBCU scholars and provided access to NASA networks, training, resources, and partners.

"Our relationship with NASA validates the Biden-Harris Administration's and the initiative's commitment to enhancing STEM in the HBCU space," said Arthur McMahan, senior associate director for the Initiative. "This opportunity provides our outstanding HBCU Scholars with the tools and experiences needed to succeed in the 21st Century economy and beyond."

Through their relationships with NASA, community-based organizations, and other public and private partners, HBCU scholars will also share promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential.

The 2022 HBCU scholar application is expected to be released Jan. 11, 2022. The initiative will provide more information about the activities of the HBCU scholars on its website. HBCU scholars will begin working with NASA as soon as they are accepted into the recognition program and present their team pitches during the Annual National HBCU Week Conference in September.

For more on the Space Technology Mission Directorate and NASA's Technology Transfer Program, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/home/index.html

SOURCE NASA
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National Hispanic Institute (NHI), a nonprofit organization that fosters leaders in the expanding Latino community, and Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) today announced a progressive leadership training program for Latino high school students in Las Vegas made possible by a cumulative three-year $150,000 commitment from Sands Cares. Funding enables NHI to build a volunteer alliance to lead NHI's leadership development curriculum, along with scholarships for 38 students to participate in the program's initial year.

The first stage of the NHI program is built around communications-oriented training and development for rising high school sophomores, culminating in their participation at the California Sol Great Debate on July 12-17 at the University of San Diego. NHI also will accept a small cohort of eight sophomore students to serve as a mentor group in San Diego, as well as have their own eight-day immersive leadership and governance experience at NHI's Colorado Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session in June at Colorado State University.

NHI will accept the first round of applicants for ninth and tenth grade students who apply by January 31, 2022. Eligible ninth grade students must have an 85/100 or 3.0/4.0 grade point average (GPA), and tenth grade students must have an 88/100 or 3.2/4.0 GPA. Students from all backgrounds may apply. Las Vegas students who are selected to join NHI by March 31 will receive tuition support from Sands Cares, and additional students can join as the partnership enters its second and third years. Interested students and school officials may contact Chris Nieto at [email protected] or 512-357-6137, or apply directly at www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org.

"With Sands Cares' support to kick-start our efforts, NHI aims to open doors for high school students by expanding their opportunities to develop leadership skills, create networks and increase their college prospects," said Nicole Nieto, NHI's executive vice president. "Students who are intellectually curious and enjoy community involvement often don't know where to access growth opportunities. The experiences we organize feel like home for students who want to make a difference in society."

Founded in 1979, NHI provides a series of immersive leadership programs for high-performing, high-potential Latino high school students. Its three core programs prepare students for leadership and include the Great Debate, which emphasizes command of language as a tool for self-advancement and community change; the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session, which exposes students to governance, organization development and policy design; and the Collegiate World Series, which has a dual focus on tackling college admissions and preparing for the call to community leadership. All three programs work to build communication, organizational and leadership skills, as well as prepare students for college and active community engagement.

The launch of the Las Vegas program represents a significant step in the relationship NHI has been building with the community. In 2017, Rancho High School in Las Vegas was named NHI's High School of the Year in part to honor the region's developing relationship with NHI. Separately, Sands had identified NHI as a model program at the national level with success in communities across the country and began discussions with NHI to bring the program to Las Vegas.

"We saw that NHI's 40-year track record in helping students reach their highest potential and becoming vital community advocates could provide valuable experiences to develop future Latino leaders in Las Vegas," said Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, who spearheads corporate responsibility for the company. "Sands is committed to cultivating tomorrow's leaders by providing opportunities for youth from diverse groups through education and mentorship initiatives such as NHI's program. Our partnership was a natural fit with a mutual goal of empowering the next generation of Latino leaders."

Over the past two years, Sands has accelerated partnerships and programming with organizations serving diverse communities, working to empower and ensure civic representation among all groups. The company also has supported youth development and mentorship programs with 100 Black Men Las Vegas and Mastering Mindsets Las Vegas.

About National Hispanic Institute

The National Hispanic Institute was established in 1979 for the purpose of expanding the leadership base of the emerging Latino community through well-designed leadership programs aimed at high-potential, college-bound high school students. Today, the organization consists of various community-based partnerships that include schools, colleges, alumni volunteers, local sponsors and alliance groups that support NHI community and national training initiatives for youth. To learn more, please visit www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org .

About Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS)

Las Vegas Sands is the world's preeminent developer and operator of world-class Integrated Resorts. We deliver unrivaled economic benefits to the communities in which we operate.

Sands created the meetings, incentives, convention and exhibition (MICE)-based Integrated Resort. Our industry-leading Integrated Resorts provide substantial contributions to our host communities including growth in leisure and business tourism, sustained job creation and ongoing financial opportunities for local small and medium-sized businesses.

Our properties include The Venetian Resort and Sands Expo in Las Vegas, the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd., we have developed the largest portfolio of properties on the Cotai Strip in Macao, including The Venetian Macao , The Plaza and Four Seasons Hotel Macao , The Londoner Macao and The Parisian Macao , as well as the Sands Macao on the Macao Peninsula.

Sands is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen, anchored by the core tenets of serving people, communities and planet. We deliver a great working environment for our team members worldwide, drive social impact through the Sands Cares community engagement and charitable giving program and lead in environmental performance through the award-winning Sands ECO360 global sustainability program. To learn more, please visit www.sands.com .

Contacts:

Nicole Nieto

National Hispanic Institute

[email protected]

512-740-3918

Kristin Koca

Las Vegas Sands

[email protected]

702-414-3218

SOURCE Las Vegas Sands
PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New Charter Technologies, a portfolio company of Palo Alto-based private equity firm Oval Partners, announced the partnership of Exbabylon. Located in Newport, Washington, Exbabylon is one of the Northwest's most experienced, forward-thinking and fastest growing IT firms. The team thrives on finding and delivering simple solutions to complex problems and is passionate about digital transformation and next-generation services.

New Charter Technologies CEO, Mitch Morgan is excited to have the company join the growing roster of North American MSPs. "At New Charter we pride ourselves in having best-in-class companies in our platform. Exbabylon is the perfect example. Alex, Tina, and the team at Exbabylon have created an extraordinary company. Their culture, capabilities, and performance level exemplifies what it means to be best-in-class," Mitch explained.

Exbabylon's Founder CEO, Alex Stanton, and co-CEO Tina Stanton are passionate about helping their clients and communities by leveraging the power of digital transformation. By partnering with New Charter, Exbabylon is accelerating its mission and service capabilities while also providing New Charter with enhanced knowledge and resources to drive innovation across the entire platform. This dual acceleration improves the ability to serve clients with advanced security offerings, Microsoft tools, and emerging technologies that align to customers strategic and operational initiativesempowering their operations as we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Alex explains, "As clients adopt digital transformation and move into the Industry 4.0 world, it's so multifaceted, complicated, and expensive that even a small IT service delivery model requires a ton of complexity and expertise to do it right. We saw a lot of companies not doing it well." The partnership with Exbabylon is pivotal in widening the lead on digital transformation strategies and serving clients with a best-in-class service experience across the New Charter platform.

Exbabylon will remain headquartered in Newport, WA and continues to be led by the same Executive Team, with no structural changes to staffing, the Leadership Team, service delivery or business direction. As a growth minded company with average employee tenure of over five years, Exbabylon is launching a 2022 campaign actively recruiting additional IT and cybersecurity talent in the Newport, Sandpoint, Coeur D'Alene and Spokane markets with multiple new positions now open.

"If you listen to what our customers are telling us and thinking about, this partnership with New Charter gives them access to the scale and scope of IT services that just doesn't exist within a single MSP. This partnership makes us stronger so we can continue taking on these complicated initiatives while giving customers confidence knowing there's a team of experts that know how to do it right," said Alex.

READ FULL RELEASE

Media Contact:

Dan Escovitz

Oval Partners

[email protected]

312.375.0050

SOURCE New Charter Technologies
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The civil rights attorneys at Manning Law, APC secured summary judgment in federal district court for the Central District of California in an important civil rights law enforcement action. The civil law enforcement action was filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and the California Unruh Civil Rights Act ("Unruh Act").

The ADA and Unruh Act lawsuit challenged the excessive slopes encountered by Manning Law, APC client Anthony Bouyer in the parking space provided for persons with disabilities at a JOANN fabric and craft store where he was a customer. In the litigation, Mr. Bouyer described the difficulty posed by the excessive slopes in the access aisle provided as part of the accessible parking for the JOANN store. He also described how the access aisle required for persons with disabilities in connection with the accessible parking space was on the wrong side of the space, also causing him difficulty when accessing the store.

"The Department of Justice has identified an accessible approach and entrance to public accommodations as its first priority under Title 3 of the ADA and that was our focus here" according to firm founder and lead counsel Joseph R. Manning, Jr. Manning continued, "as is common, the defendant here reflexively denied the existence of any violation of the ADA and we were required to go through the expensive and time consuming process of seeking summary judgment."

On January 4, 2022, United States District Court Judge Percy Anderson granted the Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Mr. Bouyer in the matter of Anthony Bouyer v. Santa Susana GRF2, LLC, et al. filed in the Central District of California as Case No. 2:21-cv-00576-PA-JC. In the detailed Court Order issued prior to issuance of the Judgment, the court found that Bouyer had proven the existence of architectural barriers prohibited under the ADA. In the Judgment issued, the Court held that "Defendant is ordered to provide an accessible parking space at the property located at 2242 Tapo St., Simi Valley, California, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards."

"These small, seemingly mundane cases are where the rubber meets the road in ADA enforcement  and we are proud of our contribution to improving access for Mr. Bouyer and all persons with disabilities that may benefit" said Craig G. Cote, senior counsel for Manning Law, APC. Babak (Bobby) Hashemi, who also represents Mr. Bouyer and other disabled persons in accessibility litigation, said "this ruling is significant in validating efforts to make public accommodations more accessible as required by the ADA."

"We take great pride in the service we render to the community of persons with disabilities in California and throughout the United States  from this case to our precedent setting litigation making websites and mobile applications accessible to the visually impaired  we are driven to obtain results for our clients" said Manning Law, APC co-founder Michael J. Manning.

Related Links

https://www.manninglawapc.com/video-center/firm-videos/jan-thomass-story/

SOURCE Manning Law APC
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fact.MR  A Market Research and Competitive Intelligence Provider: The global contactless biometrics market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 16.4 percent from 2022 to 2032, from USD 17.1 billion in 2022 to USD 78.6 billion in 2032.

Face recognition is improved when artificial intelligence and biometric methods are combined. As a result, the demand for such capability in determining most notable attributes such as gender, ethnicity, facial hair, and glasses to propel the contactless biometrics market growth at a rate of 4.5X between 2022 and 2032.

The demand for end-to-end solutions is increasing, necessitating the integration of various software and middleware services. According to the above-mentioned trend, the contactless biometric industry is expected to account for roughly 43% of the worldwide biometrics market by the end of 2022.

For Critical Insights On This Market, Request For More Info

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=5756

The integration of behavioral biometrics with biometric solutions, which aids in ensuring authentication in financial institutions, businesses, government facilities, and retail point of sale, is increasing the product's industrial demand.

Fintech companies, telecom operators, retailers, banks, and other industries have begun to use contactless biometrics technology for client identification. Furthermore, it is anticipated that it will become a required process for authenticating and identifying clients when opening a new or current account.

However, unlike passwords, biometric data is impossible to replace, which is a major market limitation. Because biometric data is physically irreplaceable, an alternative solution must be employed to replace biometric authentication.

Key Takeaways:

Facial recognition is the fastest-growing technological category. During the forecast period, the segment is expected to rise 5.6X.

The software segment is expected to provide the most revenue by component. By the end of the forecast period, the market is expected to generate an absolute dollar opportunity of USD 34.1 billion .

. During the forecast period, identity verification under the application is expected to rise 5.3X. By the end of 2031, the segment is expected to have a market value of USD 52.9 billion .

. The segment that generates the most revenue is North America . In 2021, the region will have a market share of over 30%, with a growth rate of 16.0% from 2021 to 2031.

Growth Drivers:

With the emerging internet of things lead to global contactless biometrics market growth.

Integration of behavioral biometrics help in securing authentication to propel the demand for contactless biometrics.

To learn more about Contactless Biometrics Market, you can get in touch with our Analyst at

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=5756

Competitive Landscape

The majority of manufacturers are concentrating their efforts on creating subsidiaries in developing countries. Product launches, collaborations with major players, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions are all examples of strategies. The following are some of the most significant developments:

In May 2020 , Finger Cards AB increased their touch sensor line with the introduction of the FPC2025 sensor. The goal was to develop a biometric system that was both high-performing and low-power.

, Finger Cards AB increased their touch sensor line with the introduction of the FPC2025 sensor. The goal was to develop a biometric system that was both high-performing and low-power. In May 2020 , NEC Corporation, a market leader, released NeoFace Thermal Express, a touchless screening system. NeoFace Thermal Express was created to detect high body temperatures as well as protective clothing such as a face mask.

Key Players in the Contactless Biometrics Market Include:

Touchless Biometric Systems AG

IDEMIA SAS

NViaSoft

Fujitsu Limited

NEC Corporation

Gemalto N.V

Aware Inc.

HID Global

M2SYS Technology

Neurotechnology

Assa Abloy AB

Blue Biometrics

More Valuable Insights on Contactless Biometrics Market

Fact.MR provides an unbiased analysis of the contactless biometrics market, presenting historical demand data (2016-2021) and forecast statistics for the period from 2022-2032. The study divulges compelling insights on the global contactless biometrics market with a detailed segmentation on the basis of:

By Technology :

Contactless Fingerprint Recognition



Facial Recognition



Iris Recognition



Palm Vein Recognition



Voice Recognition



Contactless Cards

By Component :

Hardware



Contactless Fingerprint Scanners





Facial Recognition Scanners





Iris Recognition Scanners





Palm Vein Scanners





Others (Voice Recognition Devices, Contactless Smart Cards & Readers



Software



Integrated Biometrics Software





Standalone Software/Middleware





Facial Recognition Software







Vein Recognition Software







Iris Recognition Software







Others



Services



Professional Services





System Integration & Deployment







Security Consulting







Support & Maintenance





Managed Services

By Application :

Identity Verification



Payments & Transactions



Access Control

By Industry :

BFSI



Government & Law Enforcement



Healthcare



Military & Defense



Retail



Others

Key Questions Covered in Contactless Biometrics Market Report

The report offers insight into the contactless biometrics market demand outlook for 2022-2032.

The market study also highlights projected sales growth for contactless biometrics market between 2022 and 2032.

Contactless biometrics market survey identifies key growth drivers, restraints, and other forces impacting prevailing trends and evaluation of current market size and forecast and technological advancements within the industry.

Contactless biometrics market share analysis of the key companies within the industry and coverage of strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations or partnerships, and others.

Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Technology Domain 

Biometric Authentication Solution Market Analysis - Biometric authentication solutions are being more widely used as the demand for improved security and identification systems grow. The growing reliance on digital technologies and automation is likely to fuel the expansion.

IRIS Biometrics Market Forecast - The extensive use of IRIS biometrics for physical access security is propelling the IRIS biometrics industry forward. In addition, since the number of customers migrating to mobile banking grows at an exponential rate, numerous firms are implementing IRIS biometrics as security measures.

Vein Recognition Biometrics Market Insights  Efficiency and accuracy is expected to propel the demand for Vein recognition biometrics. Vein recognition biometrics are being used by banks and financial institutions in emerging countries such as India, China, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and South Africa to verify customer identities.

Facial Recognition Access Control Solution Market Scope - The market for facial recognition access control solutions is growing as people become more reliant on digital technology and automation. Furthermore, as the demand for improved security and identity systems grows, facial recognition access control solutions are becoming more popular.

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Fact.MR is a market research and consulting agency with deep expertise in emerging market intelligence. Spanning a wide range  from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare, technology to even the most niche categories. 80% of Fortune 1000's trust us in critical decision making.

MarketNgage is powered by Fact.MR  our Unified Intelligence Engine, a revolutionary Market Research Subscription platform with a flexible pricing to suit your needs.





You can access all our technology research reports by signing up with MarketNgage's Market Research Subscription with FREE credits. MarketNgage is powered by Fact.MR  A Fully integrated research solution for seamless single-window access Widest coverage on emerging markets, nascent products, and disruptive technologies.



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BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Northwest Arkansas Council today announced it will begin offering $10,000 in bitcoin to tech professionals and other entrepreneurs looking to relocate to the region. This incentive embraces the need for talent within the region's growing tech sector, specifically within blockchain-enabled technologies, and in doing so, Northwest Arkansas becomes the first region to offer cryptocurrency to potential transplants.

"Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and we're now seeing more explosive growth in our tech sector," said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. "This expanded incentive offer  Bitcoin and a Bike  not only embraces the growing trend toward the use of cryptocurrency as a payment option by employers, but also helps increase our pipeline of talent to benefit tech employers, startups, cities, local businesses and the region overall."

The bitcoin offer is focused on tech professionals and entrepreneurs with an expertise in blockchain-related technologies but is open to a diverse pool of potential applicants looking to call Northwest Arkansas home. Those interested in the incentive can apply online at Findingnwa.com/incentive, and applications will be reviewed by the Northwest Arkansas Council with support from The Center for Blockchain Excellence at the University of Arkansas.

In addition to the $10,000 worth of bitcoin, recipients will receive a street or mountain bike to take advantage of the region's incredible mountain biking trails and paved paths. Alternately, recipients can choose a free membership to world-class arts and cultural facilities including Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, TheatreSquared and Walton Arts Center.

This announcement is the next installment of the successful Life Works Here initiative, which aims to attract top talent to the region. The initial incentive, $10,000 and a Bike, remains open to remote STEAM professionals. Since the November 2020 launch, the initiative has generated over 35,000 applications from people in more than 115 countries and 50 states who are eager to move to Northwest Arkansas.

"Northwest Arkansas is an emerging tech hub in the heartland, with incubator opportunities for startups and an entrepreneurial mindset," said Peacock. "The recent announcement by EV company Canoo to relocate its headquarters to the region is a testament to the burgeoning innovation in the area."

The use and popularity of bitcoin and cryptocurrency has grown significantly in the past few years and is now accepted by many financial institutions and retail. Central to the emergence of cryptocurrency systems and other sectors is the role blockchains play in helping maintain the security and storage of the data by users.

The region touts the Blockchain Center of Excellence at the University of Arkansas  a critical asset for Northwest Arkansas' growth as a leading tech hub. The Center, which is partnering with the Northwest Arkansas Council to provide technical expertise and counsel related to specific needs for blockchain-related offerings, was established in May 2018 with the mission to make the Sam M. Walton College of Business a premier academic leader in research and education of blockchain-enabled technologies and digital ecosystems.

"We believe next-generation talent is essential to further transform our region into a hub for up-and-coming tech innovators and businesses," said Mary Lacity, director of the Blockchain Center of Excellence at the University of Arkansas. "We're excited to see our region leading the way with Bitcoin and a Bike to not only bring in new talent, but also generate interest in the important blockchain-focused work taking place in our region."

The initiative is made possible by philanthropic support from Steuart Walton and Tom Walton through the Walton Family Foundation.

More information on the incentive, including qualifications and how to apply, can be found at: FindingNWA.com/incentive.

About Northwest Arkansas Council

Founded in 1990 by Sam Walton, J.B. Hunt, Don Tyson and several other business leaders, the Northwest Arkansas Council serves as a regional convener for economic and community initiatives. The Council excels at identifying challenges and championing solutions to enhance the prosperity of the Northwest Arkansas region. Key initiatives include work to advance quality of life, attract talent, improve the region's workforce, create job opportunities, upgrade infrastructure and keep up with the region's impressive growth. For more information, visit www.nwacouncil.org.

SOURCE Northwest Arkansas Council
Franklin, TN (37064)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, then cloudy skies overnight. Low 58F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NovoEd , the leading social and collaborative learning platform for deep capability building, has been included in the GSV EdTech 150, a list of the world's most transformative growth companies in digital learning curated by female-led, multi-stage venture capital firm GSV Ventures.

NovoEd was chosen from more than 3,000 venture capital and private equity-backed private companies revolutionizing the world of education technology. GSV estimates that together these 150 companies reach roughly 3 billion people  almost half of the global population  and generate approximately $20 billion in revenue.



GSV launched the list of education technology leaders in 2020 with the EdTech 50. Due to rapid growth in the sector, necessitated by a global pandemic and continued remarkable technological evolutions, the list increased to 150 in 2021. In 2022, the sector shows no signs of slowing down with the 150 companies selected for this year's list collectively experiencing revenue growth in the high double digits.



Learn more about the GSV EdTech 150 and the selection process here .

"For the second year in a row, NovoEd is proud to be counted among the few North American enterprise providers on GSV Ventures' list," said NovoEd CEO and Chairman of the Board Scott Kinney. "This recognition underscores our company's continued commitment to innovation and excellence as a social and collaborative learning platform. GSV Ventures, with an expertise in the $7 trillion global education market, has a unique insight into the digital learning sector and which companies are driving digital disruption."



"Today, we announce the annual GSV EdTech 150," said Luben Pampoulov, Partner at GSV Ventures. "As the global pandemic continues to drive learners online, more and more companies are innovating in the digital learning space  making it increasingly competitive for companies to make the top 150. We evaluated over 3,000 companies globally this year. The way GSV sees it, Ed is on The Edge, and increasingly more companies have the ideas, know-how, and talent to transform the world and provide all people equal access to the future. We know these companies are well-equipped to help us achieve that goal, and we look forward to watching them do so."



To arrive at its listing, GSV evaluated more than 3,000 venture capital and private equity-backed private for-profit companies that met the following criteria:

VC or PE-backed companies in Digital Learning, excluding public and nonprofit companies

Companies that have achieved meaningful scale, and primarily, but not exclusively, those that are post-Series A in their development

Companies experiencing strong, organic top-line growth

The final selection is determined by GSV's proprietary scoring system, which applies scores across several KPIs such as revenue scale, revenue growth, active learner reach, international reach, and margin profile.

The GSV EdTech 150 is distributed across three major sectors: Life-Long Learning, Higher Ed, and K-12. Life-Long Learning (inclusive of Workforce Learning and Adult Consumer Learning) is the leading sector with 42% of the GSV EdTech 150 falling within the category, with an additional 5% of companies serving the Life-Long Learning and Higher Ed blend and another 3% serving both K-12 and Life-Long Learning. Together K-12 and Early Childhood account for 27% of the list, while companies in the Higher Ed sector account for just 5% and 9% of the GSV EdTech 150 serve a blend of the two. Excitingly, more companies are serving all sectors than ever before, with 9% of the GSV EdTech 150 serving all three major sectors.



North America  specifically the United States  is the most represented region accounting for 56% of the GSV EdTech 150. 11% of the GSV EdTech 150 hail from India, whose market is experiencing explosive growth with five EdTech unicorns that include BYJU's, Eruditus, Unacademy, Upgrad, and Vedantu. Europe, Africa, and the Middle East represent 17% of the listing, with several high-quality, fast-growing companies such as OpenClassrooms, Multiverse, and Photomath. Asia, Australia, and New Zealand account for 11% of the list, while China experienced a significant decline in representation due to increased government regulation. Latin America represents 5% of the list and shows strong growth trends, with companies like Hotmart, Descomplica, and UOL EdTech leading the way.

See the full GSV EdTech 150 at www.asugsvsummit.com/edtech-150 .



About GSV Ventures

GSV Ventures is a female-led, multi-stage venture capital firm focused on the $7+ trillion education sector. The fund is currently investing out of GSV Ventures Fund III and backs innovative entrepreneurs around the world in the "Pre-K to Gray" Arc of Learning. GSV manages over $675 million in global EdTech investments. Portfolio holdings include Andela, Class Technologies, ClassDojo, Coursera, Course Hero, Degreed, Guild, MasterClass, Outlier, Photomath, Quizizz, Lead School, Brightchamps, and ClassPlus, among others.

About NovoEd

Founded at Stanford's Social Algorithms Lab in 2012, NovoEd is a capability-building platform that combines social and collaborative learning to unlock performance readiness at scale. Through cohort-based experiences, NovoEd taps into collective wisdom, placing each learner at the intersection of perspective, application, and expertise. Large enterprises such as 3M, GE, and Nestle partner with NovoEd to accelerate their critical initiatives, reconnect teams, and achieve rapid alignment through learning that is deeply felt and experienced and swiftly transformed into impact. Visit https://www.novoed.com/ to learn more.

Media Contact:

Christina Yu

Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE NovoEd
Cooper's new role follows 25 years as a founding executive of OMG where his leadership roles included CEO of PHD WW and CEO of both EMEA and APAC, where he led the original formation of OMD. In his new role as Vice-Chairman Europe, he will support Omnicom's international client strategy. In addition, he will be actively involved in Omnicom University, Omnicom's renowned Talent Development Program working with Karen Van Bergen, Dean of Omnicom University.

In terms of Guy Mark's new role, Omnicom Media Group global CEO Florian Adamski has defined OMG's mission: to live in service of our markets by enabling transformational product and client service. For the OMG Regional leaders, that means creating and deploying product that equips our agencies to quickly identify, adapt and be responsive in real time to the challenges of a dramatically changing consumer marketplace.

This is a mission for which Marks, whose career began in the digital, mobile and AdTech worlds, is uniquely qualified. Marks joined OMG in 2014 following Omnicom's acquisition of a UX, design and tech consultancy service that he co-founded. Named CEO of OMD EMEA in 2018, his entrepreneurial approach to reinvigorating OMD in the EMEA region propelled it to the top of the global new business leaderboards. As he steps into his new role, Marks leaves OMD EMEA as the clear leader in the region by multiple measures, including EMEA's best performing media network, as per RECMA.

"Guy has proven time and again that he knows how to build the teams, capabilities, tools and products that elevate the agency/client relationship from transactional to transformational," says Adamski. "Together with his fellow regional OMG CEOs across the globe - Scott Hagedorn in North America, Tony Harradine in APAC, and Julian Porras in LATAM - he will make Omnicom Media Group more agile in bringing best of breed skills, knowledge and technology to our agencies and clients."

Commenting on his new role, Marks says, "My career to date  whether in the start-up space or as part of the world's biggest media agency  can be summed up in one word: collaboration. Whether you're 10 people around a kitchen table, or 10,000 people around the EMEA region, collaboration elevates our thinking and accelerates the pace of change. As the CEO of Omnicom Media Group EMEA, my priority will be assuring our agencies have the talent, technology and behaviours required to drive collaboration, fuel innovation and deliver better outcomes for our clients."

Marks, whose appointment is effective immediately, will be headquartered in London, reporting to Adamski. His successor as leader of OMD EMEA is expected to be named in the coming weeks.

About Omnicom Media Group

Omnicom Media Group (OMG) is the media services division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), a leading global marketing and corporate communications company, providing services to more than 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries. Omnicom Media Group includes full-service media agencies OMD, PHD and Hearts & Science as well as the Annalect data and analytics division that developed and manages Omni, the open architecture operating system underpinning all Omnicom agencies.

SOURCE OMD
FARMINGTON, Conn., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS) will now deliver its 2022 Investor Day as a live virtual webcast on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Otis President & CEO Judy Marks and members of the leadership team will discuss the company's strategic initiatives and multi-year financial outlook.

The meeting will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. EST and will be broadcast live at www.otis.com. The corresponding presentation will be available on the site prior to the meeting.

About Otis

Otis is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.1 million customer units worldwide, the industry's largest Service portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 69,000 people strong, including 40,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook and Twitter @OtisElevatorCo.

Media Contact:

Ray Hernandez

+1-860-674-3029

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Michael Rednor

+1-860-676-6011

[email protected]

SOURCE Otis Worldwide Corporation
DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Document Camera Market (2021-2026) by Product, Connection, End User, and Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Document Camera Market is estimated to be USD 410 Mn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 575 Mn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7%.

A document camera, also known as a visual presenter, visualizer, digital overhead, or docucam, is a real-time image capturing device used to show an object to a large group of people.

The document camera market is influenced by increased demand for sophisticated document cameras, the popularity of portable document cameras, and the widespread usage of projectors among end-user organizations. The growing need for digitized information for classroom and corporate solutions and improvements in educational facilities in schools and colleges with digital platforms are boosting the document camera market. The increase in business investment to improve the quality of conference rooms with sophisticated digital solutions and provide such as full solutions with numerous supporting hardware supplied by document camera solution suppliers is accelerating the expansion of the document camera market. Furthermore, increased digitization in the education sector, increasing penetration of wireless connectivity document cameras, and the expanding popularity of portable document cameras all positively impact the document camera market.

However, unreliable infrastructure in underdeveloped nations is projected to hinder the expansion of the document camera industry. Also, a lack of understanding of document cameras is expected to provide a barrier to the document camera business.

However, the expensive cost of GTIM devices limits market expansion. This factor's influence is strong now, but it may decrease throughout the projection period as service provider competition grows.

The global document camera market is segmented further based on Product, Connection, End User, and Geography.

Company Profiles

Some of the companies covered in this report are Czur, Eloam, HoverCam, Kinghun, Longjoy, Okiolabs, VIISAN, etc.



Competitive Quadrant

The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Document Camera Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's Proprietary competitive positioning tool.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Description



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Market Influencers

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Rising Call for Advanced Interactive Whiteboards for Presentations

4.1.2 Growing Digitalization in Education Sector

4.1.3 Increasing Popularity of Portable Document Cameras

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 Unreliable infrastructure in developing countries

4.2.2 Growing Use of Advance Projector is Hampering Document Camera Sales

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 Increasing Penetration of Wireless Connectivity Document Cameras

4.3.2 Rising Demand from Developing Markets

4.3.3 Growing Demand for Classroom and Business Solutions

4.4 Challenges

4.4.1 Lack Of Awareness About Document Cameras



5 Market Analysis

5.1 Regulatory Scenario

5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis



6 Global Document Camera Market, By Product Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Portable

6.3 Non-Portable



7 Global Document Camera Market, By Connection Type

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Wired

7.3 Wireless



8 Global Document Camera Market, By Type

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Portable Document Camera

8.3 Laptop Document Camera

8.4 Ceiling Document Camera



9 Global Document Camera Market, By End-Use Industry

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Education

9.3 Corporate

9.4 Others



10 Global Document Camera Market, By Geography

11 Competitive Landscape

11.1 Competitive Quadrant

11.2 Market Share Analysis

11.3 Strategic Initiatives

11.3.1 M&A and Investments

11.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations

11.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements



12 Company Profiles

12.1 Ansauct

12.2 Aver Information

12.3 Czur

12.4 ELMO Company

12.5 Eloam

12.6 Epson

12.7 Hangzhou Gaoke

12.8 HoverCam

12.9 Hue

12.10 iCODIS

12.11 Inswan

12.12 Kinghun

12.13 KODAK

12.14 IPEVO

12.15 Longjoy

12.16 Lumens Digital Optics

12.17 NetumScan

12.18 Okiolabs

12.19 Pathway Innovations & Technologies

12.20 QOMO

12.21 SMART Technologies

12.22 VIISAN

12.23 WolfVision

12.24 Zseecam



13 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/85xoju

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix American Financial Services and its subsidiary PAFS Ireland, Ltd. (together "Phoenix American"), announces robust growth and business line development for 2021. The company continues to be the leading provider of its services to the aviation asset-backed securitization (ABS) industry for commercial aircraft leasing with an expanding service offering to additional structured finance vehicles.

PAFS Ireland, Ltd.

Managing Agent Services for Aviation ABS

In January, Phoenix American was appointed as Managing Agent to CLAS 2021-1, which was the first aviation ABS deal to come to market since the pandemic shutdown of March 2020. Following that, Phoenix American was also appointed as Managing Agent to the MAPS 2021-1, CLAS 2017-1R, SALT 2021-1 and SOLRR 2021-1 deals. The SALT 2021-1 transaction is the first asset-backed securitization comprised entirely of aviation loans.

"We were delighted to see the aviation ABS market rebound with such conviction in 2021 and honored that Phoenix American was entrusted to serve as the Managing Agent on many new transactions including a brand new product line in the SALT 2021-1 transaction," said Joseph Horgan, Senior Vice President at Phoenix American. "We look forward to an equally robust 2022."

Phoenix American was also appointed Corporate Services Provider for a number of leasing platforms, warehouses and other financial structures sponsored by major aircraft leasing companies. With the onboarding of these new clients in 2021, Phoenix American now provides Managing Agent services for ABS transactions, leasing platforms and other structured finance vehicles representing over 1800 aircraft with an initial appraised valuation of over $41 billion. Accordingly, the PAFS Ireland office in Shannon, Ireland has grown by over 15% in 2021 and is now staffed by over 60 professionals.

"Expanding our team in Ireland to support our strong flow of new business has been very gratifying," said John McInerney, Managing Director at PAFS Ireland. "Our continued investment in exceptional people ensures high-quality outputs for our clients."

Over the course of 2021, the company launched a new Aviation Fund Accounting offering and PAFS Ireland rebranded its corporate image to include a new redesigned website at www.pafsi.com and a new rebranded LinkedIn presence.

Industry Thought Leadership

In September, Phoenix American published the white paper 2021 Trend Report for the Aviation Asset-Backed Securitization Industry: A Portrait of Resilience, Stability, and Future Growth. The paper examines the history of the aviation ABS industry, the series of seminal world events that drove its evolution and the dramatic re-emergence of the structure in 2021 following the initial economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The paper includes extensive perspective contributed by a number of industry leaders.

Phoenix engages with the international aviation industry throughout the year at various conferences in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Phoenix American was delighted to moderate panel discussions on aviation ABS issues at the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers conferences in London in September and in New York in October. The company looks forward to similar participation in 2022.

Phoenix American Financial Services, Inc.

Phoenix American provides managing agent, administrative agent and fund accounting services for aviation asset-backed securitizations and other structured finance in the commercial aviation leasing industry. The company also provides fund administration, fund accounting, investor services and reporting to private equity and venture capital funds. The company is an affiliate of Phoenix American Incorporated along with Phoenix American SalesFocus Solutions. Phoenix American was founded in 1972, has five offices worldwide and is headquartered in San Rafael, CA.

Contact:

David Fisher

(310) 621-7822

[email protected]

SOURCE Phoenix American
NIJMEGEN, Netherlands, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Planon, the market-leading Smart Building Management software company, today announced the completion of its acquisition of COOR GmbH, an international group specialised in the development and implementation of software solutions for real estate owners and developers. COOR was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Salzburg, Austria. With the acquisition, Planon is completing its cost-control and financial optimisation offering in the European markets.

COOR's smart project controlling software for the real estate (RE) industry is designed to plan, control and forecast the development of costs and revenues for all related stakeholders across all phases - at contract level, as well as at project and portfolio level. COOR offers mobility, cross-company collaboration, networking with enterprise solutions such as ERP, EDM or BI, and centralised information management.

Pierre Guelen, CEO and founder of the Planon Group stated, 'We are very pleased to welcome COOR to Planon. COOR will be a valuable addition, both to the Reasult RE portfolio and project management software suite we acquired in January 2021 and to our comprehensive Planon property management solutions. The combination will provide solid, best-in-class opportunities for customers to solve their real estate challenges in every phase of the building lifecycle and at every level of maturity and complexity. We will continue developing COOR's functionalities, as we have done with previously acquired solutions such as Reasult, SamFM and conjectFM.'

Gerhard Sendlhofer, CEO and founder of COOR, expressed his excitement on the agreement. 'Joining the fast-growing global Planon Group will provide a firm basis for further growth and development for our company and software suite. Our solutions complement the current Reasult and Planon offering, driving synergy and allowing us to continue delivering innovative products, services and value to real estate owners and developers. It will support them in realising their ambitious projects while maintaining a full, timely overview of the project status and decision-relevant information at all times.'

SOURCE Planon
BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherry Creek Mortgage, the parent company for Premier Mortgage Group (PMG), announced today that PMG is now Cherry Creek Mortgage. By adopting its parent company's branding, PMG will have even greater resources and offer financing in even more states across the country, enhancing service for their customers and partners.

Premier Mortgage Group has been part of the Cherry Creek Mortgage family of brands since 2006. With the name change, existing and new customers can expect to have access to the same great service, wide catalog of products, and local team. Additionally, the Premier Community Program will continue under Cherry Creek Mortgage branding, and the team remains dedicated to investing back into local non-profit organizations to support the community.

"Our number one commitment has always been to our community and the home owners we serve," said Nick Peterson, PMG Area Manager. "While PMG's name is changing, our team's commitment to creating a premier mortgage experience is only growing stronger."

"Premier Mortgage Group has been a leading division of Cherry Creek Mortgage for more than 15 years," said Jeff May, Cherry Creek Mortgage Chairman and CEO. "We are excited for the team to bring the same level of exceptional service to their clients under the Cherry Creek Mortgage name."

Cherry Creek Mortgage is a nationwide, full-service mortgage lender and has been helping homeowners find home financing solutions for more than 35 years. The company has helped thousands of homeowners and home buyers reach their mortgage goals by providing top-level customer service, personalized expertise, and a wide portfolio of home loan options to meet each client's unique needs.

About Cherry Creek Mortgage

Cherry Creek Mortgage, LLC, NMLS #3001 has a 35-year tradition of serving the needs of home buyers across the country. With a reputation built on a passion for responsible lending and dedication to personal relationships, Cherry Creek Mortgage has helped thousands of customers realize their goal of home ownership. Cherry Creek Mortgage's specialized internal processes and proprietary technology deliver a digital mortgage experience with a personal touch. The company is headquartered in Colorado and is licensed in 41 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Learn more at cherrycreekmortgage.com.

Media Contact:

Kim Holliday

[email protected]

303-331-4468

SOURCE Cherry Creek Mortgage
The company was one of six winners of the publication's 18th Annual Innovations in Diversity Awards , which honor corporations, organizations, and institutions that have developed innovative solutions in the areas of workforce diversity, inclusion, and human equity. New American Funding was recognized for its New American Dream initiative, which works to help the Black community realize the dream of homeownership.

In addition, Profiles in Diversity Journal also honored five of New American Funding's leaders as Black Leaders Worth Watching. Of the 42 total honorees, five are New American Funding team members. In fact, New American Funding has more winners this year than any other company.

Charles Lowery, Director of Legislative Policy and External Affairs; Michael Moseby, Sales Manager & Co-Chair, New American Dream; John Drumgoole Jr., Vice President of Community Lending; Kim Arrington, Diversity & Community Engagement Director; and Nisaa El-Hasan, Senior Loan Consultant; were all honored as Black Leaders Worth Watching for 2021.

The award program honors individuals "who, through their advocacy, perseverance, legacy, or professional achievements, has addressed racism and bias."

Each of the honorees play key roles in the company's New American Dream initiative, which aims to provide racial equity and build consumer confidence through home buying education, accessibility to credit, and mortgage industry career opportunity awareness to Black communities.

The initiative, which was established in 2016, has helped New American Funding become a leader in lending to the Black community. In 2020, the company's percentage of purchase lending to Black borrowers was 85% more than the industry's percentage, based on the 2020 HMDA data.

New American Funding's Anthony Holt, Branch Manager & Chair, New American Dream; and Dwayne Graham, Branch Manager; were recognized in 2020 as Black Leaders Worth Watching.

"We are proud of what we have achieved with New American Dream, but we know there is much more work to be done," New American Funding Co-Founder and President Patty Arvielo said. "Together, we are working to help deserving individuals secure their financial future and build generational wealth that will uplift families for years to come."

About New American Funding

New American Funding is an independent mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of over 219,000 loans for approximately $57 billion, 170 nationwide locations, and about 4,500 employees. The company is a 2021 Mortgage Professional America 5-Star Retail Lender and has made Inc. 5000's list of Fastest-Growing Companies in America seven times. It offers state-of-the-art career training and provides its branch Loan Officers with innovative technologies to streamline the mortgage process.

SOURCE New American Funding
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Saudi Arabia-based company Quara Holding has announced a ground-breaking partnership with leading Ethereum software firm ConsenSys, a blockchain infrastructure company supporting innovative solutions for developers, enterprises, and people worldwide to build next-generation applications, launch modern financial infrastructure, and access the decentralised web.

Quara Blockchain is part of the ConsenSys Partner Programme and the partnership sees Quara Blockchain and ConsenSys supporting each other with activities in Saudi Arabia.

ConsenSys enables companies to issue, distribute and manage the lifecycle of any form of digital assets on a decentralised network. The company is one of the first operators within the real estate industry to enable its clients to use blockchain technology for property investments. This partnership allows the implementation of blockchain, which will be used to move traditional non-digital real estate securities to a digital form using blockchain technology.

Ziad El Chaar, CEO, Quara Holding, said: "Partnering with ConsenSys brings new and innovative blockchain solutions to our clients while providing Quara Holding with unrivalled development and continuous support in a whole new decentralised landscape. We are always looking to innovate and bring our clients the best service possible, illustrated by this exciting collaboration. It is a huge milestone in the history of our company."

Philip Matov, ConsenSys Business Development lead in the Middle East, said: "At ConsenSys we are looking forward to our partnership with Quara Holding as their commitment to innovation and digital transformation is truly inspiring. Together we will push the boundaries of modern financial infrastructure. We are confident that we will be able to serve as an example and carve a path forward for progressive companies in the region to follow."

Matov added: "The potential of this partnership is enormous as it gives clients in various sectors across Saudi Arabia the chance to use blockchain technology for applications and transactions, which were previously done in a very outdated fashion. We're delighted to be working with a forward-thinking company that puts its clients first and has a strong vision for the future."

The blockchain technology will be used across Quara Holding's ecosystem of companies in various sectors, including finance, real estate, supply chain, government, healthcare, oil & gas, e-commerce, and education.

SOURCE Quara Holding
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- QUODD Financial Information Services ("QUODD"), a business unit of Financeware, a NewSpring Holdings platform company, announces a key data provider partnership in the online trading space. This partnership combines QUODD's comprehensive offering of real-time full OPRA and corporate actions market data with DAS Trader's innovative trading software to provide the trading community and brokers a full end-to-end trading experience.

The market for online trading software is growing and traders are choosing providers who can give them the best experience at the greatest value. "We chose QUODD as our data partner for full OPRA data because of their ability to deliver the full OPRA universe with low latency through their flexible API technology," says Karen Gentile, CEO of DASTrader.com. "The comprehensive and timely corporate actions data sets from QUODD allows us to maintain complete and accurate security master data for our customers."

"The continued growth of the online trading space aligns itself nicely with QUODD's mission of providing market data fuel that is easy to access and cost effective," says Bob Ward, CEO of QUODD and Financeware. "We are very excited to partner with an innovative software provider like DAS Trader and look forward to playing a part in their growth."

About QUODD

QUODD Financial Information Services provides streaming data solutions as well as comprehensive end-of-day pricing, reference and corporate actions solutions to the global fintech, wealth, investment management, and retirement market. These solutions include seamlessly integrated global listed pricing, dividends and corporate actions content. QUODD is a portfolio company of Financeware, an industry-leading fintech platform company focused on delivering a robust suite of innovative solutions to the financial services market. Learn more at www.quodd.com

About NewSpring Holdings

NewSpring Holdings, NewSpring's dedicated holding company with a strategy focused on control buyouts and platform builds, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources to take profitable, growing companies to the next level through acquisitions and proven organic methodologies. Founded in 1999, NewSpring partners with the innovators, makers, and operators of high-performing companies in dynamic industries to catalyze new growth and seize compelling opportunities. The Firm manages over $2 billion across five distinct strategies covering the spectrum from growth equity and control buyouts to mezzanine debt. Partnering with management teams to help develop their businesses into market leaders, NewSpring identifies opportunities and builds relationships using its network of industry leaders and influencers across a wide array of operational areas and industries. Visit NewSpring at www.newspringcapital.com .

About DAS Trader

DAS Trader is one of the leading direct access trading technology firms to provide electronic trading solutions to private online broker dealers, clearing firms and financial firms globally. DAS Trader is integrated with the key US financial centers as a service bureau, Risk Gateway, OMS provider and frontend trading platforms for retail and institutional clients. The technology was founded in 2003 and has been hosted in the Nasdaq's colocation facilities at NY11 since 2004. For more information, please visit www.dastrader.com

SOURCE Financeware
BISHKEK, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- China and Kyrgyzstan have reached a very high level of cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, Kyrgyz expert Sheradil Baktygulov has said.

By adhering to the principle of equality and mutual benefit and focusing on practical results, the two countries have achieved a high level of interaction in a very short period of time, the expert told Xinhua on Thursday.

On cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Baktygulov said, "this initiative is much broader in its meaning and content, and differs from the strategies and initiatives of other states, primarily because it lacks the monocentrism of a superpower."

"The Belt and Road Initiative breaks the usual stereotypes," he said, adding the initiative has become the driving force of good-neighborly relations between China and Kyrgyzstan. 
"We are thrilled to bring TXR Homes' renowned team into the Reali family as we launch today in San Diego. Their deep understanding of local market dynamics and long track record of proven success paired with Reali's innovative products -- Reali Buy Before You Sell and Reali Cash Offer -- will provide home buyers and sellers in Southern California a distinct advantage in winning their dream home," said Tyler Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer of Reali.

According to Burke Smith, founder and former CEO of TXR Homes, the two companies are a perfect match for today's consumers and real estate professionals. "By combining our strengths, we can serve our customers better and offer a complete solution. With 65% of homeowners buying and selling simultaneously, our agents have an exciting opportunity to offer Reali Buy Before You Sell to their clients. And given that 97% of home sellers are more inclined to accept an all-cash offer, Reali Cash Offer will enhance our agents' ability to get their buyers the homes they want, when they want, and close faster. These products are game-changers for the Southern California market."

"Both companies share a customer-centric approach to real estate. By harnessing our unique capabilities, we are excited to see how our partnership will boost our clients' success in buying and selling their homes," adds Baldwin.

After raising $250 million in Series B funding in August, Reali has identified San Diego as a critical market for its Southern California growth strategy with ambitious California and national growth plans. The acquisition rapidly increases Reali's regional footprint and market share. The company plans to continue to expand strategically to make the homeownership journey simple, accessible and stress-free for every customer.

"We are honored to be Reali's first brokerage acquisition as the company expands nationally. San Diego serves as the perfect pilot market, as the region provides the opportunity to experience different price points, socioeconomics, and geographies," said Spencer Lugash, COO, Broker of Record and General Counsel of TXR Homes. "In addition, we are excited to tap into Reali's operational efficiencies, technology, and range of innovative products, which will let us offer more enhanced services to our clients."

About Reali

Reali is a real estate and fintech company creating a one-stop-shop to make homeownership streamlined, accessible and stress-free every step of the way. We leverage first-in-kind technology and trusted real estate experts to serve home buyers, borrowers, and sellers in a single, integrated platform. Our wide range of alternative financing solutions makes a complicated process like buying and selling at the same time much less complicated. Customers can buy and sell in one coordinated transaction, eliminating resale contingencies, moving twice, and paying two mortgages at once. Whether it's buying, selling, financing, or owning a home, our high-tech, high-touch offering meets the unique and individual needs of our customers. Keep in touch at www.reali.com , join our team at www.reali.com/careers , or download the Reali app for iOS and Android.

SOURCE Reali
RICHARDSON, Texas, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The January 15, 2022 retail Open Enrollment deadline is fast approaching, but there's still time to choose a plan that's right for you or your family's healthcare needs. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is offering multiple health plan options  some with $0 co-pays  as part of its continuing commitment to provide quality, cost-effective health care to Texans.

Selecting a health plan is about the security of knowing you're protecting you or your family's health during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. BCBSTX is offering affordable, quality health plan options in every ZIP code in Texas' 254 counties. These plans can be accessed through a robust and unrivaled network of providers and facilities. But choosing the right plan is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. In selecting the health plan that's right for you, think of the five P's:

Premiums: Take the time to explore your options and understand the benefits and costs of each plan so you can find the coverage that works best for you and your family members. In the Dallas and Houston regions, BCBSTX is offering plans where nearly half of the on-exchange population may qualify for a $0 monthly payment after subsidies are applied. In fact, subsidies helped 92% of Texans lower their monthly bill in 2020 for plans purchased on the exchange.

Pocket: Determine if the plan is a good fit for your budget and pay attention to more than just the monthly premium. You should also understand the other out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, copays and coinsurance.

Provider: Primary care physicians (PCP) are key to optimal health. So, after selecting a health plan, make sure to identify a PCP to help navigate your healthcare journey. For example: BCBSTX is collaborating with the Sanitas Medical Centers in the Houston and Dallas regions in the MyBlue Health HMO network. This option allows members to enjoy a $0 copay for primary care in-person and primary care telehealth appointments with their Sanitas primary care physician. The MyBlue HealthSM plan is also available also available in the Austin and San Antonio areas. Even if you don't make any changes to your health insurance, it's still a good idea to ensure that any doctor you see regularly  or plan to visit this year  is in your benefit plan's care provider network. As well, members and guests can search for doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, urgent care and more using BCBSTX's Provider Finder tool.

Prescriptions: Make sure your medications are covered. Even if you don't expect to change plans, it's important to ensure your drugs will still be covered.

Phone: It's important to check if your plan includes 24/7 telehealth services. In a pre-COVID-19 world, telehealth was an underutilized tool. However, the pandemic sparked a significant increase in the use of telehealth and will remain a healthcare delivery option even as people feel more comfortable again scheduling office visits.

In recognition of the access challenges caused by the pandemic, BCBSTX has established multiple resources that Texans can use to find out more information about health plan options:

BCBSTX is hosting virtual open enrollment seminars across Texas with Think Blue representatives who can provide guidance in English and Spanish.

with who can provide guidance in English and Spanish. Customers can schedule a virtual one-on-one appointment or register for a virtual educational seminar.

or register for a Phone help is offered at 866-427-7497

Monday  Friday: 8 a.m.  8 p.m. CT



Saturday: 8 a.m.  6 p.m. CT



Sunday: 10 a.m.  2 p.m. CT

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX)  the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas  is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve more than 6 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer, and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

BCBSTX.com | Twitter.com/BCBSTX | Facebook.com/BlueCrossBlueShieldOfTexas | YouTube.com/BCBSTX BCBSTX Community Highlights

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
6 River Systems' software solutions and Chuck robots empower warehouse associates to work faster and more efficiently. RICOH Service Advantage provides an extensive technical and customer support infrastructure. With the scalability and flexibility required to fulfill service needs directly to customer sites that employ Chucks across the country, Ricoh will provide a high level of experience and expertise that enables 6 River Systems to continue to scale up and expand quickly, as automated fulfillment needs continue to surge.

According to Statista, the global warehouse automation market is predicted to increase from $15 billion in 2019 to $30 billion by 2026, with more and more retailers looking for solutions to quicken the pace of fulfillment.

RICOH Service Advantage will support 6 River Systems in the company's mission to further meet customer demand for uptime and efficiency in its retail and warehouse operations. Ricoh's certified technicians work alongside 6 River Systems' engineers to support Chucks, from calibration and floor mapping, to routine maintenance, preventative maintenance and retrofits. Ricoh also provides end-user operator training for Chucks, including use of the device charging dock and facility re-mapping procedure, helping to ensure optimal Chuck usage.

"The demand for our automated retail solution is significant, especially with retailers continually looking for ways to get their products into consumers' hands faster via seamless experiences," said Eran Frenkel, Vice President of Technical Operations, 6 River Systems. "By partnering with Ricoh, we're able to focus on making our solutions more widely available, which ultimately helps our customers quickly and efficiently meet their fulfillment goals."

"Our collaboration with 6 River Systems is a prime example of how our stable and trusted infrastructure  coupled with a team of more than 10,000 service delivery professionals supporting and maintaining more than one million devices across the U.S.  helps solve our customers' problems," said Jim Kirby, Vice President, Service Advantage, Ricoh USA, Inc. "Together, we are addressing some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in retail today including supply chain operational efficiency such as retail and warehouse automation. By expertly assisting with service and support for companies like 6 River Systems, we are helping them maintain focus on what matters most  innovation that solves supply chain hurdles and moves business forward."

Read more on modern automation from Ricoh in this whitepaper or by viewing the webinar, "How automation and robotics companies are meeting increased customer service and support demand." For more information on Ricoh, visit www.ricoh-usa.com or follow along and engage on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

About 6 River Systems

Founded in Waltham, Mass. in 2015, 6 River Systems is a leading collaborative mobile robotics fulfillment solution provider and part of global commerce company Shopify Inc. Founders Jerome Dubois and Rylan Hamilton were previously executives at Kiva Systems (now Amazon Robotics). The 6 River Systems solution is operating in more than 20 facilities in the U.S., Canada and Europe, fulfilling millions of units each week for companies including Lockheed Martin, CSAT Solutions, ACT Fulfillment, DHL, XPO Logistics, and Office Depot. To learn about 6 River Systems and its wall-to-wall fulfillment solution, please visit www.6river.com .

| About Ricoh |

Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services that enable individuals to work smarter from anywhere.

With cultivated knowledge and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-years history, Ricoh is a leading provider of digital services and information management, and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation and optimize business performance.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group has major operations throughout the world and its products and services now reach customers in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2021, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,682 billion yen (approx. 15.1 billion USD).

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

 2022 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronaldo B. Supena is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Disease Specialist for his excellent work in the Medical field and in recognition of his work at Detroit Community Health Connection Inc.

Ronaldo Supena MD

Helping countless patients, Dr. Supena has been practicing medicine for 50 years. Many of his patients come to his office with HIV infections, sexually transmitted infections, COVID-19, or other infectious diseases. He currently has admitting privileges at Detroit Medical Center, Harper Hospital, Detroit VA Healthcare System, and Detroit Receiving Hospital. He is the Clinic Director for HIV Infections at Detroit Community Health Connection Inc.



In previous job roles, Dr. Supena worked as a member of the University of Michigan Medical School faculty for 15 years, as well as working as a faculty member of Wayne State University School of Medicine. He joined Detroit Community Health Connection Inc. in 2008, where he currently cares for about 200 patients.



While he initially worked with patients with HIV infection and STIs, the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed his work, bringing in many more patients seeking infectious disease expertise. He says that the majority of his patients are faring well in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, although he estimates that about 80% of his patients carry an undetectable viral load that could make them contagious to others.



Dr. Supena received his Medical Degree in 1965 from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in Manila, the Philippines. He relocated to the United States, and subsequently completed an internship, a residency, and a Fellowship in Infectious Disease at Westland Medical Center in Michigan (formerly Wayne County General Hospital, a teaching hospital of the University of Michigan Medical School). He then earned his board-certification in Internal Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM upholds rigorous standards for physicians in the field and awards board certifications to doctors who meet the criteria for excellent patient care.



To remain abreast of developments in the field, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, he is a member of the Infectious Disease Society of America. For his five decades of exceptional work, he has been recognized with profile features on IssueWire and SpinDigit.



On a personal note, he enjoys reading in his spare time. He likes to stay up to date with his favorite publications, the New England Journal of Medicine, Clinical Infectious Disease, Annals of Internal Medicine, and Lancet HIV.

He would like to dedicate this honorable recognition to Robert F. Fekety, MD.



For more information, visit dchcquality.org.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Instadose Pharma Corp. f/k/a Mikrocoze, Inc. (OTCMKTS: INSD; MZKR) between December 8, 2020 and November 24, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important February 28, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Instadose securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Instadose class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2217.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 28, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Instadose had performed inadequate due diligence into the Business Combination and/or ignored significant red flags associated with Instadose Canada; (2) Instadose's internal controls and policies were inadequate to detect and/or prevent impermissible trading activity by control persons of the Company; (3) the foregoing subjected Instadose to a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action; and (4) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Instadose class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2217.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
LYNDHURST, N.J., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scarinci Hollenbeck Partner Ramon E. Rivera and Counsel Jorge R. de Armas were both recognized as 2021 Top Latino Lawyers by Latino Leaders Magazine. The pair are recognized among lawyers across the country honored for their involvement in the community, reputation for successful outcomes, and impressive career track. The firm congratulates both attorneys for their well-deserved recognition.

You can read Latino Leaders Magazine's 2021 Top Latino Lawyers list at: https://issuu.com/latinoleadersmagazine/docs/v22n6-nov-dec_21

Scarinci Hollenbeck Partner Ramon E. Rivera and Counsel Jorge R. de Armas were both recognized as 2021 Top Latino Lawyers by Latino Leaders Magazine.

About the Attorneys

Ramon E. Rivera serves as Partner and Chair of Scarinci Hollenbeck's Labor and Employment practice group. He focuses much of his practice on Labor and Employment matters in both the public and private sector on behalf of management, with a focus on the resolution of employment disputes, collective bargaining, employee grievances, EEOC complaints, and other workplace issues. In addition, Mr. Rivera also represents public entities as general, special and labor counsel providing guidance on a myriad of issues.

You can learn more about Mr. Rivera at: https://scarincihollenbeck.com/attorney/ramon-e-rivera

Jorge R. de Armas , Counsel, is a member of Scarinci Hollenbeck's Public Law group. He has over seventeen years of experience and demonstrated ability in the representation of individual, corporate, and public sector clients, with a focus on the representation of municipalities, counties, authorities and school boards.

You can learn more about Mr. de Armas at: https://scarincihollenbeck.com/attorney/jorge-r-de-armas

About Scarinci Hollenbeck

With a growing practice of more than 60 experienced attorneys, Scarinci Hollenbeck is a regional alternative to a National 250 law firm. We serve the niche practice areas most often required by the owners and leaders of corporations. We offer a full range of services and have developed our business law practice with the expertise and specialization necessary to serve our clients as they adapt to the shifting economic landscape.

More information on our firm's expertise and range of practice can be found on our website: www.sh-law.com .

Contact: Peter Moeller

Telephone: 201-896-4100

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill" or the "Company") (OSE: SDRL) (OTCPK: SDRLF) and the Issuer today announce that the Issuer has successfully received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the "Court") for its "one-day" chapter 11 restructuring. The Court confirmed the Issuer's chapter 11 plan of reorganization (the "Plan"), which received nearly unanimous support from existing stakeholders. The Plan provides the Issuer with financial and strategic flexibility and stability by amending and extending the Issuer's secured notes, effectuating a transfer of majority ownership of the Issuer from the wider Seadrill group to the secured noteholders, and facilitating the entry into management agreements with Seadrill for the continued provision of management services and operational support to the Issuer and its subsidiaries. The Plan also provides for the satisfaction of all trade, customer, and other non-funded debt claims in full in the ordinary course of business. Benefitting from both the new ownership structure and the continuity provided by the Seadrill group, the Issuer expects to continue to focus on maximizing value for all stakeholders from its portfolio of investments including the Seabras Sapura JV and the SeaMex group.

The key terms of the Plan include:

the release by the holders of the Issuer's 12.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the " Noteholders " and the " Notes ", respectively) of all existing guarantees and security and claims (if any) with respect to Seadrill and its subsidiaries (excluding the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries);

" and the " ", respectively) of all existing guarantees and security and claims (if any) with respect to Seadrill and its subsidiaries (excluding the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries); the Noteholders receiving 65% of pro forma equity in the Issuer, with Seadrill Investment Holding Company (a subsidiary of Seadrill) retaining the remaining 35% of pro forma equity in the Issuer, which shall effect a separation of the Issuer and its subsidiaries (including the Seabras Sapura assets and the SeaMex group) from the consolidated Seadrill group;

the Noteholders will have appointment rights in respect of 4 out of 5 of the Issuer's directors on the board of the restructured Issuer's group, with the remaining director to be appointed by Seadrill;

new notes will be issued pro rata to Noteholders on amended terms including:

maturity date: July 15, 2026

interest: either (a) 9.0%, consisting of (i) 3.00% cash interest plus (ii) 6.00% PIK interest, or (b) 10.0% PIK, in each case payable quarterly

call protection: redemption price:

prior to July 15, 2022 : 105%

: 105%

on or after July 15, 2022 : 102%

: 102%

on July 15, 2023 and thereafter: 100%;

and thereafter: 100%; the Noteholders will have a first priority right to fund any additional liquidity needs of the Issuer or its affiliates; and

Seadrill will continue to provide certain management services to the Issuer's group.

Confirmation of the Issuer's Plan brings the Seadrill group one step closer to finalizing the comprehensive restructuring of the Seadrill group. The Issuer expects to emerge from chapter 11 in the near term. Seadrill's chapter 11 plan of reorganization was confirmed by the Court in October 2021 and is anticipated to go effective in the first quarter of 2022.

Copies of the Plan and Disclosure statement are available at the following website: https://cases.primeclerk.com/SeadrillNewFinance/.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Slaughter and May are serving as legal advisors to the Issuer in connection with the restructuring. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld are serving as legal advisors to an ad hoc group of the Noteholders (the "Ad Hoc Group"), and Ducera Partners LLC are serving as the Ad Hoc Group's financial adviser.

This announcement relates to Seadrill New Finance Limited and is not expected to impact the recoveries existing shareholders of Seadrill Limited will receive under the Seadrill Limited Plan. Consummation of the Seadrill Limited Plan is subject to a number of customary terms and conditions, including court approval, which was obtained on October 26, 2021.

About Seadrill

Seadrill is a leading offshore drilling contractor utilizing advanced technology to unlock oil and gas resources for clients across harsh and benign locations across the globe. Seadrill's high quality, technologically advanced fleet spans all asset classes allowing its experienced crews to conduct its operations from shallow to ultra-deep-water environments. The Company operates 37 rigs, which includes drillships, jack-ups and semi-submersibles.

Seadrill is listed on the Oslo Brs and OTC Pink markets. For more information, visit https://www.seadrill.com/.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes forward looking statements. Such statements are generally not historical in nature, and specifically include statements about the Company's plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in its business, the markets in which it operates and its restructuring efforts. These statements are made based upon management's current plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks described from time to time in the Company's regulatory filings and periodical reporting. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the impact of each such factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward looking statement.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

CONTACT:

For further information, please contact:

Media questions should be directed to:

Sara Dunne

Director of Communications

[email protected]

+ 1 281 630 7064

Analyst questions should be directed to:

Hawthorn Advisors

[email protected]

+44 (0) 203 7454960

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Seadrill Limited
This is perfect for adult learners who want to work in a growing field, but have busy schedules. Tweet this

"Combined with our MBA in Healthcare, this program is a great next step for growing our online portfolio and fits perfectly into SNU's strategic plans going forward," said Vice President of Academic Affairs Mark Winslow. "With this launch, adult learners from around the country will be able to fit learning into their busy lives, attend a university infused with Christian values, and earn a valuable degree."

The new undergraduate offering is a degree completion program designed to prepare individuals to work in the healthcare industry, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics. This degree program will teach students how to apply applicable skills in healthcare jobs, including those related to care management systems, finances, legal issues, leadership, ethical-decision making and information technology. Students in this program take one class at a time, each lasting five weeks, so they can master one subject before moving onto the next.

"Flexibility is a key component of this and all of our online degree programs," said Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing and Student Services Johnna Vanover. "With the Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration, students take 100 percent of courses online and can finish their degree in as few as 18 months. This is perfect for adult learners who want to work in a growing field, but have busy schedules filled with work and family commitments."

To learn more about this degree program and to begin the application process, visit SNU's healthcare program and " What to Expect from Online Adult Education " pages.

ABOUT SNU

Founded in 1899, Southern Nazarene University (SNU) seeks to make Christlike disciples through higher education in Christ-centered community. Its College of Professional and Graduate Studies is designed for working adults, offering degree-completion and graduate programs to prepare them to succeed in their individual career paths. All classes take place completely online or one evening a week, so students can accomplish their goals while working full-time and caring for a family. With campuses in Bethany and Tulsa, as well as classrooms in Del City, various satellite classrooms, and online options, there are opportunities to learn from any location.

For more information, visit https://pgs.snu.edu/ .

SOURCE Southern Nazarene University (SNU)
OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After recently rebranding as the Sodoro Law Group, Patrick J. Sodoro has quickly gotten to work growing the Firm to ensure their Clients receive exceptional service. Specializing in workers' compensation and insurance defense cases, attorney Eric W. Wells brings 14-plus years of trial experience to the Firm.

The son of an attorney, Wells recognized the importance of the law at an early age. Growing up, he dreamed of following in his father's footsteps; now, he has gone on to make his own mark. After graduating from Creighton University's School of Law, Eric joined the Douglas County Attorney's office. He started his career as a law clerk and rapidly worked his way through the juvenile and felony divisions. That experience working directly with victims and their families, managing juries, preparing witnesses, and successfully arguing appeals to the Nebraska Court of Appeals and the Nebraska Supreme Court, gives Wells a unique legal perspective as he tackles both workers' compensation and insurance defense. Wells is licensed in Nebraska and Missouri and a member of the Nebraska Bar Association.

"Eric will be an incredible asset to our Firm," says Sodoro. "His wide-ranging experience and tenacious work ethic will help us maintain high standards and consistency. His extensive track record in the courtroom will translate to successful verdicts for our Clients."

When he's not in the courtroom or working on discovery, Wells enjoys giving back to his community. The attorney has been heavily involved with CRCC for the last eleven years, most recently as the Board's Chairman from 2018-2020. He now serves as the Past Chairman and Advisor.

Aside from being an outstanding attorney, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife Emilie, doing his best to raise their two daughters as future Hawkeyes, and sneaking away to Colorado as often as he can.

Sodoro Law Group is a full-service law Firm answering to the legal needs of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota.

For more information, or to contact the team at Sodoro Law Group, go to smllawoffice.com or email Kelsey Sievers at (402) 504-9346 / [email protected].

SOURCE Sodoro Law Group
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartStop Asset Management ("SmartStop") as sponsor of Strategic Student & Senior Housing Trust, Inc. (the "REIT"), announced today the sale of [email protected], the REIT's Class A student housing property located next to the Florida State University campus. SmartStop, through its affiliate, served as asset manager and facilitated the sale of the property on behalf of the REIT.

"The sale of the [email protected] property will improve our balance sheet," said John Strockis, President and Chief Investment Officer of the REIT. "Our strategy of acquiring Class A, purpose-built and pedestrian-to-campus student housing communities augmented by our trademarked YOUnion Student Living brand and hands-on asset management proved invaluable. We purchased the property for the REIT in 2017 and rebranded the community in 2018 to [email protected] resulting in average property occupancies of 98% over the hold period."

The 125-unit, 434-bed [email protected] property is located at 700 W. Virginia St., just two blocks from the Florida State University campus. The community consists of a mix of student apartments, study rooms, a fitness center, a pool and a clubhouse. The community is already 98% pre-leased for academic year 2022-2023.

The property was marketed for sale by Raymond James Investment Banking Group, and was sold to an institutional investor.

About SmartStop Asset Management, LLC

SmartStop is a diversified real estate company focused on student housing and senior housing, and has a managed portfolio of approximately $400 million of assets.

Contact

Julie Leber

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949.427.1391

[email protected]

SOURCE SmartStop Asset Management, LLC
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to members of the press before departing the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2022. U.S. President Joe Biden in a speech Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, said he supports changing the Senate filibuster rule so as to make it easier for the chamber to pass legislation upholding Americans' right to vote. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden in a speech Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, said he supports changing the Senate filibuster rule so as to make it easier for the chamber to pass legislation upholding Americans' right to vote.

The filibuster is a rule in the U.S. Senate that requires 60 votes for virtually every piece of legislation to advance.

Biden, a veteran U.S. senator who during his 36 years serving in the chamber has been a stalwart supporter of its traditions, gave what was perhaps his clearest affirmation of support for a change in the filibuster, making clear his inclination toward abandoning the rule in the legislative process of voting rights bills.

Claiming that the filibuster has been "weaponized and abused," the president said: "I support changing the Senate rules whichever way they need to be changed to prevent a minority of senators from blocking action on voting rights. When it comes to protecting majority rule in America, the majority should rule in the United States Senate."

To underscore the urgency of protecting Americans' right to vote, Biden said at least 19 states have enacted a total of 34 pieces of legislation that would make it harder for people to cast their ballot.

Biden's speech came at a time when two major pieces of voting rights legislation were stalled in the Senate, where 50 Republicans acted in lockstep to oppose them, making it impossible for the bills to overcome the 60-vote threshold for passage.

The bills at issue are the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore the federal government's authority to scrutinize state voting laws to prevent discrimination, and the Freedom to Vote Act, which would regulate mail-in voting, early voting and other election-related procedures on the national level. Biden in his speech urged the Senate to pass the two bills.

Democratic senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona have been adamant in their opposition to changing the filibuster, making the prospect of a shift in the rule - which requires all 50 Democratic senators to get onboard - uncertain at best.

A full elimination of the filibuster is not what's sought by the majority of Democrats, who instead are mulling more limited measures such as a "carveout" that would exempt voting rights legislation from needing 60 votes, or moving to what's known as the talking filibuster, where opponents may delay the vote on a bill for as long as they can hold the floor but the legislation would still pass by a simple majority in the end.

Manchin has yet to endorse any change proposed so far by his colleagues regarding the filibuster. "We need some good rules changes to make the place work better. But getting rid of the filibuster doesn't make it work better," Manchin told reporters Tuesday ahead of Biden's speech.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, has vowed to take up the voting rights legislation this week and bring up a rules change vote by Jan. 17 in the event that Republicans block the election bills.

In response, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday warned of retaliation from the GOP if Democrats were to force the rules change. 

U.S. President Joe Biden walks out from the South Portico of the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2022. U.S. President Joe Biden in a speech Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, said he supports changing the Senate filibuster rule so as to make it easier for the chamber to pass legislation upholding Americans' right to vote. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to members of the press before departing the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2022. U.S. President Joe Biden in a speech Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, said he supports changing the Senate filibuster rule so as to make it easier for the chamber to pass legislation upholding Americans' right to vote. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

U.S. President Joe Biden walks out from the South Portico of the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2022. U.S. President Joe Biden in a speech Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, said he supports changing the Senate filibuster rule so as to make it easier for the chamber to pass legislation upholding Americans' right to vote. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

U.S. President Joe Biden walks out from the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2022. U.S. President Joe Biden in a speech Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, said he supports changing the Senate filibuster rule so as to make it easier for the chamber to pass legislation upholding Americans' right to vote. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)
MILL VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SupplyHound, an order management platform for professional contractors and their suppliers, today announced $2.5M in seed funding. The investment round was led by Point72 Ventures and included new investments from Basecamp Fund and several SupplyHound customers. Existing investors also participated.

The funding enables SupplyHound to accelerate its SaaS-based product build after receiving positive customer feedback from initial beta launches. With minimal dollar investment, SupplyHound has established itself as a brand with contractor and supplier customers in its two markets  San Francisco and Phoenix  by providing an online materials acquisition platform.

Jim Margolis, payments entrepreneur and amateur builder, founded SupplyHound after experiencing the inefficiency of materials acquisition firsthand. "Building a successful technology platform for the trillion-dollar yet notoriously analog construction industry requires having a meaningful relationship with both sides of the market," said Margolis. "Using tightly controlled logistics as an entry point gives us a true end-to-end offering and allows us to maintain a daily dialogue with our customers. They know us as a trusted partner on the journey to modernize the industry."

Pete Casella, Partner at Point72 Ventures, said, "SupplyHound is creating an innovative, end-to-end solution to address the supply and demand bottlenecks between contractors and suppliers. The company already has gained early notable traction with revenue, suppliers, and contractors on the platform. Its core products  order management and logistics  are highly sticky and its position as a central connection point between supplier and contractors can unlock multiple paths to expand into financial products and services. We believe SupplyHound can become an essential business for hundreds of thousands of contractors and suppliers."

Margolis added, "Construction materials delivery is a durable customer acquisition tool, but the vision for SupplyHound extends well beyond the movement of supplies. Point72 and our investor group understand our goals and have the knowledge and experience to help us capitalize on the opportunity ahead, which is why we are thrilled to partner with them."

About SupplyHound:

SupplyHound is an order management and workflow platform enabling professional contractors to digitally purchase and physically obtain materials from their preferred suppliers. Customers use SupplyHound's order origination, last mile delivery and value-added software tools to improve productivity. With SupplyHound, contractors stay on-site and on-schedule, completing more projects per year and thereby increasing supplier sales. Furthermore, orders received via SupplyHound improve supplier sales efficiency, ensure order accuracy, and create an important marketing channel for the supplier. For more information, visit supplyhound.com.

About Point72 Ventures:

Point72 Ventures is a global venture capital strategy led by a diverse set of domain experts with the capital and mandate to lead rounds through all stages of a company's growth, from idea to IPO. The team invests in founders with bold ideas who use the latest technologies to drive transformational change across industries. Point72 Ventures offers entrepreneurs access to expertise and insights, executive and technical talent, and hands-on support. With offices in the U.S. and Europe, Point72 Ventures is an affiliate of Point72, the global asset manager founded by Steven A. Cohen. For more information, visit p72.vc .

SOURCE SupplyHound
OSLO, Norway, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Targovax ASA (OSE: TRVX) a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing immune activators to target hard-to-treat solid tumors, today announces that Innovation Norway has awarded Targovax an NOK 8.2m grant to accelerate product development activities related to the company's TG mutant RAS vaccine program and planned clinical trials.

Awarded by: Innovation Norway

Granted amount: NOK 8.2m

Time frame: 2022-2024

Kristin Willoch Haugen, Director of Innovation Norway Oslo Viken, commented: "Through this project Targovax and their partners aim to solve an important part of the great, international societal challenge that cancer represents. Innovation Norway has awarded a significant grant to reduce the development risk in the project, which we believe has a high level of innovation and a great potential for value creation in Norway. The Research Council of Norway has also contributed with funding to this exciting project. "

Dr. Erik Digman Wiklund, CEO of Targovax, added: "We are very pleased to be awarded yet another prestigious grant towards our mutant RAS vaccines, this time from Innovation Norway. Targovax's TG program is set up to develop innovative novel immunotherapies that target critical mutations in KRAS, a key driver of around 30% of all cancers. With the support from Innovation Norway, we have now secured a total of up to NOK 18m in grant funding, which will allow us to move the TG program forward faster and more broadly, and thus bring benefit to a patient group with poor prognosis and few available treatment options."

For further information, please contact:

Erik Digman Wiklund, CEO

Phone: +47 413 33 536

Email: [email protected]

Renate Birkeli, Investor Relations

Phone: +47 922 61 624

Email: [email protected]

Media enquires:

Andreas Tinglum - Corporate Communications (Norway)

Phone: +47 9300 1773

Email: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/targovax/r/targovax-asa--targovax-awarded-nok-8-2m-grant-by-innovation-norway,c3484747

SOURCE Targovax
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bedrock Care Group , a healthcare and nursing facility operator, has teamed up with DailyPay to enable healthcare professionals to access their earned income instantly.

The partnership gives Bedrock Care Group employees more financial flexibility during this challenging time for healthcare workers amid the global pandemic. With this impactful benefit, Bedrock Care Group will leverage DailyPay to hire quicker and retain employees longer .

Sheena Walter, Corporate Director of Human Resources at Bedrock Care believes DailyPay will have a huge impact on the lives of employees at Bedrock Care. "In a perfect world, income and expenditures would perfectly align. We at Bedrock Care want to do what we can to meet the needs of our employees. By partnering with DailyPay, our employees will have more stability at work, and I expect to see less turnover and an increase in our recruitment efforts."

"Most working people would agree life doesn't fit neatly into a weekly or bi-weekly timeline of bills and expenses," said Brett Boyer, Vice President of Labor Management at Bedrock Care. "We owe it to our employees to make accessing their funds as easy as possible wherever possible."

Headquartered in Royersford, Pennsylvania, Bedrock Care operates 14 locations in Pennsylvania. With DailyPay, Bedrock Care employees have access to the money they've earned immediately after working a shift, providing the ability to pay bills, save, invest, or make purchases on their own schedule. In a study commissioned by DailyPay, 74% of DailyPay users say having access to their earned income has helped reduce their financial stress, making them more productive at work. 95% of DailyPay users stopped using payday loans when they started using the popular on-demand pay benefit.

About The Bedrock Care Group

Headquartered in Royersford, PA, with more than 2,300 employees dedicated to customer service and genuine care, The Bedrock Care Group is a team of accomplished professionals in management, planning, and healthcare administration. With eight skilled rehabilitation and nursing facilities, Bedrock Care prides itself on servicing the residents of Philadelphia, Montgomery County, and Central, PA. Bedrock Care helps achieve the professional results required of health care providers in today's market as an outcome-focused organization centered around patient care. Find more information about how The Bedrock Care Group is shaping the future of long-term care and skilled rehabilitation at https://bedrockcare.com.

About DailyPay

DailyPay, Inc., powered by its industry-leading technology platform, is on a mission to build a new financial system. Partnering with America's best-in-class employers, including Dollar Tree, Berkshire Hathaway and Adecco. DailyPay is the recognized gold standard in on-demand pay. Through its massive data network, proprietary funding model, and connections into over 6,000 endpoints in the banking system, DailyPay works to ensure that money is always in the right place at the right time for employers, merchants, and financial institutions. DailyPay is building technology and the mindset to reimagine the way money moves, from the moment work starts. DailyPay is headquartered in New York City, with operations based in Minneapolis. For more information, visit www.dailypay.com/press .

Media Contacts

David Schwarz

Email: [email protected]

Adriana Ball

Email: [email protected]

Leah C. Callaway

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE DailyPay
BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With COVID-19 hospitalizations once again rising, many elective procedures have recently been delayed or canceled. Many elective surgeries are eligible for outpatient care, allowing ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) like Carillon Point Surgery Center to serve these patients and surgeons alike by removing the demand for elective surgeries from local hospitals.

As one of the top ASCs in Washington State, Carillon Point Surgery center caters to plastic, cosmetic, and gender affirming surgeons, offering the newest and most advanced surgical equipment on-site such as CO2 lasers, ultrasonic liposuction, and helium plasma devices. The Medicare-accredited surgical suite is available to surgeons to host their surgeries.

The team at Carillon Point Surgery Center is highly trained, familiar with plastic and cosmetic surgery, and patient focused. Your patients can expect a friendly and professional environment every step of the way. As the best Bellevue ASC, Carillon Point Surgery Center continues to do its part in relieving the stress COVID-19 has put on our community by accommodating elective surgeries in their facilities.

A surgeon who has operated at Carillon Point Surgery Center before says, "The surgery center is very clean and organized leadership is very accommodating to my feedback the team is welcoming and professional most importantly, my patients report positive experiences."

Carillon Point Surgical Center takes a surgeon's entire skillset and experience into account along with their education and accreditations, making our surgeons some of the best and top rated. From new to experienced surgeons alike, the best ASC in Seattle accommodates surgeons from all specialties and experiences. Patients are COVID tested using on-site testing equipment before coming into the building on the day of surgery. Strict protocols are in place to protect patients, surgeons, and staff.

About Carillon Point Surgery Center: Carillon Point Surgery Center is the top ambulatory surgery center in Washington State. Specifically catering to plastic and cosmetic surgeons, Carillon Point Surgery Center is one of the few outpatient surgery centers accredited to host visiting surgeons. With a 30-year history and premier location on Lake Washington, Carillon Point Surgery Center is the best ASC Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland offer.

Contact: Jessica, Director of Clinical Services

Phone: 425-576-1700

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Carillon Point Surgery Center
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- COVID has put a serious damper on many couples' wedding plans. According to a report released by ZenWeds, the wedding industry experienced a $25 billion decline over the past two years and New York was one of the hardest hit states. But romance is not dead and Vogue reports that weddings are back with themed parties a top trend for 2022. As the pandemic lingers, a trip across the pond may not be in the cards, but a fromage-themed wedding definitely is.

Some tips for creating a French themed affair include using wine labels as invitations, tucking lavender into a French blue bouquet, and of course, featuring lavish cheese boards overflowing with Bries, Camemberts, Comtes, Mimolettes, Epoisses, Beaufortswith over 1200 French cheeses, the choices are endless.

Helping to make wedding dreams come true on Valentine's Day, the French Cheese Board is offering one engaged couple the opportunity to wed deliciously and say Oui at New York City's chic French Cheese Board's So Ho location.

"So many couples have put their plans on hold in the past 20 months or so and no longer want to wait to say I do," says Charles Duque, GM, The French Cheese Board. "Since the French literally invented romance, we decided to make a couple's dream come true by hosting their reception," he added. The lucky couple will receive a Valentine's Day wedding ceremony and a reception for 10 guests, complete with licensed wedding officiant, Yolanda Shoshana.

Couples can compete for the prize by creating a video no longer than 4 minutes in length telling the judges why they want to get married on Valentine's Day at The French Cheese Board and email it to [email protected]. Entries must be uploaded by February 4, 2021.

Contest is open to residents of CT, NY, or NJ. Ends on 2/4/2022. Void where prohibited.

For Official Rules,visit https://contestrules.lndg.page/N2TT90. Sponsor: The French Cheese Board.

About the French Cheese Board:

The French Cheese Board is a fab lab of ideas, where people can participate in cooking lessons, wine and cheese pairings sessions and interactive presentations dedicated to the art and craft of cheese. It serves as an ambassador of the French cheese experience and a platform for conversations and debates about fromage and culture.

For more information, visit https://frenchcheeseboard.com/ or follow French Cheese Board on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Yolanda Shoshana:

Yolanda Shoshana is a licensed officiant known as the "Bridal Bruja" who helps people have a magical wedding day. She performs interfaith, multicultural, spiritual, same-sex, and faith-based weddings in New York City, New York, and New Jersey. She incorporates traditions and rituals from all religions and beliefs. She tailors ceremonies to the bride and groom's needs for the ceremony of their dreams.

SOURCE The French Cheese Board
Mr. Olea has been with The Howard Hughes Corporation since 2017 and has served as the company's Chief Accounting Officer since 2019, overseeing the financial accounting strategy for the nation's largest portfolio of MPCs during a time of outstanding growth. Prior to joining HHC, Mr. Olea served as Chief Accounting Officer at Carr Properties, a Washington, D.C.-based owner-operator and developer. Previously, he was a Senior Manager with the Advisory Services practice of Ernst and Young and a Director of Technical Accounting and Financial Reporting with AvalonBay Communities in Arlington, Virginia.

Mr. Olea has a Master's in Real Estate degree with a concentration in finance from Georgetown University, and a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from ITESM, in Mexico.



"Carlos has been an integral part of HHC's senior team for the past four years, and we are fortunate to have him as our Chief Financial Officer," said David O'Reilly, Chief Executive Officer of The Howard Hughes Corporation. "What Carlos brings to the table goes far beyond his vast knowledge of our company and of our industryhis collaborative spirit and inspirational leadership style are invaluable assets for the entire HHC team."



Mr. Olea succeeds Correne Loeffler, who assumed the company's CFO role in 2021 after HHC's then-CFO, David O'Reilly, was appointed as Chief Executive Officer.



"We are grateful for the expertise and dedication that Correne brought to HHC as she helped lead us through a time of transition," said O'Reilly. "Correne helped drive the outstanding results that we have experienced and has positioned HHC for continued growth ahead. We are fortunate to have had Correne's leadership, and we wish her continued success going forward."



The Howard Hughes Corporation's development pipeline is the largest in company history, with last year's announcement of over 2,000,000 square feet of new development across the portfolioincluding in Downtown Columbia, Maryland; Ward Village in Honolulu; Summerlin in Las Vegas; and Bridgeland in the Greater Houston regionfollowed by HHC's recent acquisition of Douglas Ranch, its new 37,000-acre MPC in Phoenix's West Valley.



"I am excited for the opportunity to serve as HHC's Chief Financial Officer and help drive the company's success as we continue to accelerate growth across our portfolio," said Mr. Olea. "With HHC's world-class assets and incredibly robust balance sheet, we are poised to continue to propel the momentum we have been experiencing as we create long-term value in our MPCs and mixed-use developments, and deliver outsized, risk-adjusted returns to our investors."

About The Howard Hughes Corporation

The Howard Hughes Corporation owns, manages, and develops commercial, residential, and mixed-use real estate throughout the U.S. Its award-winning assets include the country's preeminent portfolio of master planned communities, as well as operating properties and development opportunities including: the Seaport in New York City; Downtown Columbia, Maryland; The Woodlands, The Woodlands Hills, and Bridgeland in the Greater Houston, Texas area; Summerlin, Las Vegas; Ward Village in Honolulu, Hawaii; and Douglas Ranch in Phoenix. The Howard Hughes Corporation's portfolio is strategically positioned to meet and accelerate development based on market demand, resulting in one of the strongest real estate platforms in the country. Dedicated to innovative placemaking, the company is recognized for its ongoing commitment to design excellence and to the cultural life of its communities. The Howard Hughes Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as HHC. For additional information, visit www.howardhughes.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as "will," "believe," "expect," "enables," "realize," "plan," "intend," "assume," "transform" and other words of similar expression, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's expectations, estimates, assumptions, and projections as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are set forth as risk factors in The Howard Hughes Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly and Annual Reports. The Howard Hughes Corporation cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. The Howard Hughes Corporation does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

Contacts

The Howard Hughes Corporation

Cristina Carlson, 646-822-6910

Senior Vice President, Head of Corporate Communications

[email protected]

For HHC Investor Relations

John Saxon, 281-929-7808

Investor Relations Associate

[email protected]

SOURCE The Howard Hughes Corporation
He joins The Wonderful Company from United Talent Agency (UTA), one of the world's biggest talent, entertainment, and sports representation companies where he was a partner and Global Chief Communications Officer. Oster begins his post at TWC on February 7 reporting to Michael Perdigao, president of advertising and corporate communications.

"The Wonderful Company continues to grow and evolve, and remains committed to delivering healthy brands, while continuing to drive positive change for the neighborhoods in which we operate," said Lynda Resnick, Vice Chair and Co-Owner, The Wonderful Company. "We are a company that does well by doing good. Seth's appointment to this newly created role is central to further strengthen and accelerate the connection we have with our customers, communities, business partners, and employees around the globe."

Previously, Oster was Managing Director and Chief Communications Officer at global consulting and accounting conglomerate KPMG, overseeing all of its corporate communications strategies across its multibillion-dollar businesses. Oster was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the top public affairs official at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the first term of his administration. He also was Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for Paul Allen's Vulcan, Inc. and held senior executive roles at the Motion Picture Association of America, the Screen Actors Guild, Napster, and Stamps.com. Oster served earlier in his career as an aide to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California on Capitol Hill.

"This is a deeply meaningful opportunity to be part of a team committed to continually proving the thesis that smart, dedicated people can build, grow, and transform businesses at the same time they improve the lives of the people and communities where that business is done," said Oster. "The Wonderful Company has long been a leader and a role model in demonstrating that business and community success can go hand-in-hand. I am excited to take on this new role and be part of advancing this work, in partnership with the company's customers, employees, partners, and communities."

Oster served as Chairman of the Board of Bright Star Schools, one of Los Angeles' most successful charter school organizations. He was a board member of Jewish Big Brothers of L.A., and an adjunct professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. He is also a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy and the Arthur W. Page Society.

A graduate of The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Oster lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children, and their dog, Lola.

About The Wonderful Company

The Wonderful Company is a privately held global company dedicated to harvesting health and happiness around the world. Its iconic brands include FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, Wonderful Pistachios, Wonderful Halos, Wonderful Seedless Lemons, Teleflora, JUSTIN Wines, JNSQ Wines, and Landmark Wines.

The Wonderful Company's connection to consumers has health at its heart and giving back in its DNA. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products, and its core values, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To view the current Corporate Social Responsibility report, visit https://csr.wonderful.com/view/901661/.

SOURCE The Wonderful Company
BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Public sector procurement activities are directly or indirectly responsible for 15% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, seven times the amount emitted by the entire aviation industry, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Around the world, the study finds, governments currently spend $11 trillionor 15% of global GDPon procurement every year, making the transition to green public procurement crucial for reaching net zero. The report, titled "Green Public Procurement: Catalyzing the Net-Zero Economy," is being released today.

As of November 2021, 92 countries, which collectively account for about 85% of global greenhouse gas emissions, have pledged to meet net-zero emissions targets. The new analysis indicates that greener public procurement practices can significantly reduce CO 2 emissions across government supply chains and operations. Most of the emissions associated with public procurementup to 75% of the totalstem from the activities of six industries: defense and security, transportation, waste management services, construction, industrial products, and utilities.

Joerg Hildebrandt, a BCG managing director and senior partner, and a coauthor of the report, said: "Government spending power is often overlooked in discussions of paths to net zero. But public procurement's sheer scale and spending power can exert considerable influence in combating global warming. There is a short-term green premium for governments when transitioning to more sustainable products and services. The increased cost will decline over time, however, as new technologies are scaled up, making the production of net-zero products more efficient."

The private investment and new jobs triggered by greener public procurement, in aggregate, will boost global GDP by around $6 trillion through 2050a significant proportion of the green economy's total GDP of $70 trillion.

Public Procurement Emissions Can Be Abated at Low Cost

The study finds that approximately 40% of all emissions related to public procurement can be abated for less than $15 per ton of CO 2 emissions, although this amount varies by industry. And greener public procurement should increase costs to governments by no more than 3% to 6%.

The added cost of green procurement could spur governments to work cooperatively to encourage suppliers to invest in the technological innovation needed to make the transition to net zero. This, in turn, would help suppliers decarbonize the goods and services they sell to governments.

Borge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, concluded: "Achieving net zero will require collaboration between governments and companies. Importantly, this report shows that the transition to green public procurement benefits all stakeholders. The transition to green procurement practices shouldn't be perceived as a cost burden for industries and the public sector, but rather as something that creates long-term sustainable economic growth."

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or [email protected].

About Boston Consulting Group

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholdersempowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.

Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.

SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
DENVER, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New numbers show the impact of Upcycled Certified on food waste prevention is much higher than originally anticipated. The 141 products and ingredients that have achieved the rigorous certification project to prevent more than 703 million pounds of food waste annually.

"Upcycled Certified has been even more successful than we imagined," said Turner Wyatt, CEO of Upcycled Food Association. "The products and ingredients that have gone through the certification thus far span food, cosmetics, personal care, pet food, and are created by both small startups and global legacy brands. This represents a major shift in our consumer product and retail environments because for the first time, consumers can help to prevent food waste every time they walk into a grocery store." According to Project Drawdown, preventing food waste is the most effective solution to global warming.

Upcycled products contain food that would have otherwise not gone to human consumption, according to a formal definition of the term co-authored by Harvard Law School, World Wildlife Fund, UFA and others in 2020. The growth of the upcycled food movement parallels an uptick in consumer interest in sustainability and more eco-conscious food brands. According to a 2021 Study on Food Waste by Mattson, over half of consumers are more likely to buy after seeing the Upcycled Certified mark on pack.

"Not only is Upcycled Certified a critical way for this burgeoning industry to track it's impact," said Eva Goulbourne, food waste expert and Board President of Upcycled Food Foundation, "it's also an effective way to educate an increasingly values-driven consumer base about the solvable problem of wasted food. Even better, it offers them an immediate and tangible solution when they purchase Upcycled Certified products." UFA is launching a series of commercials to promote Upcycled Certified products in 2022, and the first products with the Upcycled Certified mark on packaging can be found on store shelves now.

Upcycled Certified is administered by a third party certification body, Where Food Comes From, which ensures that every Upcycled Certified product and ingredient meets the rigorous Upcycled Certification Standard. A full list of products can be found here: https://www.upcycledfood.org/upcycled-certified-products

Media Inquiries:

Turner Wyatt

+1 -720-838-4243

[email protected]

www.upcycledfood.org

SOURCE Upcycled Food Association
Urban Plates Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of Plate Pass Subscription Program Tweet this

"Where else can you get our quality food for $11 per meal?" said Saad Nadhir, Co-Founder of Urban Plates. "Plate Pass is a massive commitment to our mission to make craveable, wholesome and clean food accessible to all. It is a partnership with our biggest fans to provide our best possible prices to those motivated to eat with us a lot."

Plate Pass memberships are exclusively available on the Urban Plates app (download for iPhone and Android ) and can be used for to-go and dine-in orders. It costs only $10 per month and makes the entire menu of individual entrees that span four menu sections: plates, salads, sandwiches, and bowls, $11 (or less). Entrees that cost $11 on the menu are available to Plate Pass members for $10. Plate Pass is not valid for delivery or catering orders. When ordering, the initial prices reflected on the app will be the regular menu price, but will be adjusted to the promotional price of $11 (or less) at checkout.

For more information on the Urban Plates Plate Pass program and how to get started visit, https://urbanplates.com/plate-pass/ .

About Urban Plates

Urban Plates began in 2011 with a single restaurant in Del Mar, California; there are currently 16 locations, with more to come in 2022. Headquartered in Solana Beach, CA, the brand has locations throughout San Diego, Orange County, the greater Los Angeles area, and Northern California. Urban Plates' expansive menu items are made fresh in-house, from scratch, every day using clean (organic whenever and as much as possible) ingredients. Recipes feature exclusively GMO-, antibiotic-, and hormone-free, grass-fed, and finished steak; line-caught tuna; sustainably sourced seafood; and humanely raised and sourced, cage-free, hormone-free chicken. Urban Plates partners with farmers and purveyors that meet its ethical and environmental standards. With menus that include gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, pescatarian, low-carb, or any combination of the above, Urban Plates is committed to bringing variety and honest value to its guests. Follow Urban Plates on Instagram at @urbanplates , visit the brand online at www.urbanplates.com , or on Facebook .

Contact:

Audrey Doherty

[email protected]

SOURCE Urban Plates
HAIKOU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The southern Chinese island province of Hainan reported 49.5 billion yuan (about 7.78 billion U.S. dollars) of offshore duty-free shopping in 2021, up 80 percent year on year, with more than 70 million items bought by 6.72 million shoppers.

The per capita shopping amount registered in the offshore duty-free shops (DFS) of Hainan logged 7,368 yuan, an increase of 20.2 percent compared to 2020. Cosmetics, watches, and jewelry were among the top three best-sellers for the shops.

Notably, the island's number of DFS customers last year increased by approximately 50 percent year on year and the number of the items they bought soared by 107 percent, according to the customs.

Three more duty-free shops opened last year in Hainan, raising the total number to 10. These shops host more than 720 brands in a total shopping area of 220,000 square meters.

Since July 1, 2020, Hainan has raised its annual tax-free shopping quota from 30,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan per person. The duty-free purchase limit for cosmetics has been raised from 12 items to 30.

The province has also rolled out a range of policies such as flexible pick-up services to provide a better experience for customers.

China released a master plan in June 2020 to build the island province into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. As international travel is made difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hainan has grown into an attractive shopping destination for domestic consumers. 
KINGSTON, Wash., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Refining Concepts, LLC ("ARC") announced today the positive results from customer trials of its proprietary GDiesel fuel in Germany. The trials were undertaken by GDiesel Technologies, GmbH, ARC's German licensee, and Spedition Uwe Ludwig, GmbH, a third-party trucking company located near Leipzig, Germany. During an eight-month trial, from April through November 2021, three on-road trucks, powered by Volvo and Mercedes Benz heavy-duty diesel engines, demonstrated fuel consumption savings when using GDiesel compared to conventional diesel of 9.36%, 9.40% and 11.66%. Additional trials of Summer and Winter formulations of GDiesel demonstrated fuel savings of up to 12.99% and emissions reductions of up to 36.5% respectively. Other noted benefits of GDiesel included reductions of visible smoke, improved cold weather operability, improved engine responsiveness, and a reduction in Diesel Exhaust Fluid usage.

GDiesel Fuel (left) Standard Diesel (right) One of three heavy duty diesel trucks used in the GDiesel trials

GDiesel is a 100% drop-in, liquid alternative fuel. GDiesel is produced using ARC's patented ClearRefining technology that combines molecular components of biogas and liquid hydrocarbons in a unique low-temperature, low-pressure and cost-effective process.

Max Lier, Managing Director of Spedition Uwe Ludwig GmbH said, "We were impressed with the GDiesel fuel product and look forward to its commercial introduction in Germany."

"The European trial results are consistent with those from our extensive GDiesel customer trials in the United States," said Peter Gunnerman, ARC's Managing Partner. "The ability to use bio-derived feedstocks in our production process, coupled with significant consumption and emission reductions, combine to make GDiesel a compelling Greenhouse gas reduction solution for the worldwide diesel industry," Gunnerman added.

Advanced Refining Concepts, LLC ("ARC") is a fuel technology development and licensing company based in Kingston, WA. ARC owns patented technology rights in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and in other select international jurisdictions. To date, ARC has produced and successfully tested more than 40 million gallons of its GDiesel fuel in US customer trials. The Company was founded in 2008.

For Further Information please contact:

Advanced Refining Concepts, LLC

Ms. Kylee Bozarth

(360) 881-0195

[email protected]

Company website: www.clearrefining.com

SOURCE Advanced Refining Concepts, LLC
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veris Residential, Inc. (NYSE: VRE), a forward-thinking, environmentally- and socially-conscious REIT that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops Class A multifamily properties, today announced a transition plan for its financial leadership team designed to position the company to continue to generate long-term value for shareholders.

Pursuant to the plan, Veris Residential has appointed Amanda Lombard Chief Accounting Officer, effective January 18. Ms. Lombard, who most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of Seritage Growth Properties, succeeds Giovanni DeBari, who is leaving Veris Residential. Mr. DeBari will be closely coordinating with Ms. Lombard to ensure an orderly transition.

Mahbod Nia, Chief Executive Officer, said, "Amanda is a proven leader whose broad experience and publicly-traded REIT expertise will serve us well as we continue to streamline and enhance our operations. We are thrilled to welcome her to Veris Residential and are confident that her skills will complement those of our existing team and help to drive continued value creation for our stakeholders. We are grateful to Giovanni for his commitment to the company over the past 25 years and wish him well in his future endeavors."

Ms. Lombard will transition to the role of Chief Financial Officer in connection with David Smetana's decision to leave the company to pursue other opportunities upon the completion of his contract. Mr. Smetana and Ms. Lombard will work closely to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities by year-end 2022.

Mr. Nia continued, "Dave has been a tremendous asset to Veris Residential and our stakeholders during a period of significant transformation for our company and the real estate industry at large. We are thankful for his tireless efforts and are fortunate that he will be working hand-in-glove with Amanda over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition."

Ms. Lombard brings over a decade of publicly-traded real estate investment trust experience to Veris Residential. Prior to serving as Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Lombard was Chief Accounting Officer at Seritage Growth Properties. Previously, Ms. Lombard held the position of Chief Accounting Officer at Gramercy Property Trust. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Lombard is a C.P.A. and earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan and a Master in Accounting from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

About Veris Residential, Inc.

Veris Residential, Inc. is a forward-thinking, environmentally- and socially-conscious real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops holistically-inspired, Class A multifamily properties that meet the sustainability-conscious lifestyle needs of today's residents while seeking to positively impact the communities it serves and the planet at large. The company is guided by an experienced management team and Board of Directors and is underpinned by leading corporate governance principles, a best-in-class and sustainable approach to operations, and an inclusive culture based on equality and meritocratic empowerment.

Contact:

Investors

[email protected]

Media

Amanda Shpiner/Grace Cartwright

Gasthalter & Co.

212-257-4170

[email protected]

SOURCE Veris Residential, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global veterinary point of care diagnostics market size is expected to reach USD 2.69 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2021 to 2028. The key factors driving the market include rising demand for easy-to-use and rapid diagnostic products, strategic initiatives by market players, and growing animal health concerns.

Key Insights & Findings from the report:

By product, instruments and devices are expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period as these are easily available, offer a wider test menu, and are affordable in the long term. The growing R&D initiatives to improve point of care diagnostic products are anticipated to propel the market growth in the coming years

By sample type, the blood/plasma/serum segment dominated the market in 2020. This was owing to the growing number of blood tests recommended as part of routine testing, annual checkups, and as a preliminary test before recommending further testing in animals

The general ailments indication segment is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period as pets live longer and the demand for improving the pet's quality of life rises over time

The veterinary hospitals and clinics end-use segment held the largest revenue share of over 50.0% in 2020 as these are the first point of care facilities for treating pets. In addition, pet owners having pet insurance can receive reimbursements for vet visits, diagnostic services, and treatment, thus contributing to the growth of the segment

Read 150 page market research report, "Veterinary Point Of Care Diagnostics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Animal Type (Companion, Livestock), By Sample Type, By Product, By Testing Category, By Indication, By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research

The COVID-19 pandemic led to several challenges for the animal health industry including point of care diagnostics. These include reduced visits to vet clinics and hospitals, dampened sales for several market participants, supply chain hurdles, and low consumer demand. Market participants gradually adapted to the changing scenario by adopting various strategies such as optimizing production, implementing work from home, and adopting curbside services. As governments eased the movement restrictions, the market saw a gradual recovery in demand and footfalls. The uncertainty of the pandemic and changing government regulations however continue to challenge the market.

Several key animal health companies also registered increased profits during 2020. This was owing to the deployment of various strategic initiatives such as diverting their resources to profitable segments to ensure business continuity, acquisitions, and the launch of new products. Heska, for instance, reported 97.4% of growth in its revenue during the first quarter of 2021. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. reported a 12% increase in year-on-year revenue, driven by the Companion Animal Group (CAG) diagnostics segment, during 2020. However, the company reported that CAG diagnostics revenue was constrained by 10% due to a decline in IDEXX VetLab instrument revenues. This was a result of restricted access to veterinary practices because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has accelerated awareness and concerns over zoonotic diseases. This is anticipated to propel the demand for accurate, fast, and reliable point of care diagnostic products to detect a range of diseases in animals. In fact, the AVMA recommends that if an animal shows symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, lethargy, nasal discharge, vomiting, and/ or diarrhea, veterinarians are advised to first rule out common causes of these clinical signs before considering testing the animal for SARS-CoV-2. Point of care testing devices ensure easy and rapid diagnosis thus enabling the timely treatment, this is estimated to increase the demand for point of care devices over time.

Market Segmentation:

Grand View Research has segmented the global veterinary point of care diagnostics market on the basis of animal type, product, sample type, testing category, indication, end use, and region:

Veterinary Point Of Care Diagnostics Animal Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Companion Animals



Dogs





Cats





Horses





Others



Livestock Animals



Cattle





Swine





Poultry





Others

Veterinary Point Of Care Diagnostics Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Consumables, Reagents & Kits



Instruments & Devices

Veterinary Point Of Care Diagnostics Sample Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Blood/Plasma/Serum



Urine



Fecal



Others

Veterinary Point Of Care Diagnostics Testing Category Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Hematology



Diagnostic Imaging



Bacteriology



Virology



Cytology



Clinical Chemistry



Parasitology



Serology



Others

Veterinary Point Of Care Diagnostics Indication Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Infectious Disease



General Ailments



Others

Veterinary Point Of Care Diagnostics End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Veterinary Hospitals & Clinics



Home Care Settings



Others

Veterinary Point Of Care Diagnostics Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



Germany





U.K.





France





Italy





Spain



Asia Pacific



China





India





Japan





Australia





South Korea



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico





Argentina



MEA



South Africa





Saudi Arabia





Israel

List of Key Players of Veterinary Point Of Care Diagnostics Market

IDEXX Laboratories

Zoetis

Virbac

Heska Corporation

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Neogen Corporation

Mindray

Esaote SpA

FUJIFILM Corporation

Woodley Equipment Company Ltd.

Check out more studies related to veterinary care, medicine, and treatment, published by Grand View Research:

Veterinary Care Market  The global veterinary care market size was valued at USD 74.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing cases of chronic diseases in pets and livestock animals are fueling the demand for better veterinary care.

 The global veterinary care market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing cases of chronic diseases in pets and livestock animals are fueling the demand for better veterinary care. Veterinary Medicine Market  The global veterinary medicine market size was estimated at USD 29.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2021 to 2028. The increasing cases of zoonotic and chronic diseases are the key factors driving the market for veterinary medicine.

 The global veterinary medicine market size was estimated at in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2021 to 2028. The increasing cases of zoonotic and chronic diseases are the key factors driving the market for veterinary medicine. Veterinary Dermatology Drugs Market  The global veterinary dermatology drugs market size was valued at USD 7.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3% from 2021 to 2028. The rising prevalence of skin diseases in animals, as well as high investments by market players in the segment, are the factors expected to drive the market growth.

Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Animal Health Industry.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
BEIJING, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The following article was published today by China Daily.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is expected to be built into a world-class city cluster with enhanced connectivity and improved green development, speakers said at the latest Vision China event.

The GBA Development Forum (Guangzhou) & Vision China was held virtually on Wednesday under the theme "Greater Bay Area in the New Era: Toward a Green Future Built on Connectivity and Sharing".

The event, jointly held by China Daily and the information office of the Guangzhou city government, brought together officials, experts and entrepreneurs to discuss topics related to the Greater Bay Area such as its development prospects and provide advice on the construction of the area in the new era. Seminars themed "Low-Carbon Sustainable Development" and "Connectivity for Shared Prosperity" were held during the event.

Erik Solheim, former executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, said in the opening remarks that the Greater Bay Area is expected to play a significant role in the global green transition.

Citing the world's recent green efforts, Solheim said the Greater Bay Area, which is home to some prominent high-tech companies driving the green economy, is at the forefront of this green transformation.

"I also encourage the Greater Bay Area to take an interest in the fair transition for China, because Guangdong for sure will benefit fantastically from the green shift," he said. "There will be millions of new jobs, a better environment for people and you will contribute to the great global cause of fighting climate problems."

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, highlighted the considerable achievements the Greater Bay Area has made during the past few years, saying that Hong Kong will make more efforts to boost connectivity and foster low-carbon and green development.

She said the government of the SAR hopes to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other cities in the development of low-carbon communities, and the development of carbon reduction technologies and talent training, to jointly contribute to achieving the country's carbon neutrality goals.

Zhou Shuchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said the Greater Bay Area is one of the regions with the highest degree of openness and the strongest economic vitality in the country, playing a significant strategic role in the overall development of the country.

He said that Hong Kong, Macao and the nine cities in the Pearl River Delta region have significant economic strength, incomparable geographical advantages and solid foundations for cooperation, giving strong impetus to the development of the Pearl River Delta and even the whole country.

Zhou's views were echoed by Guo Yonghang, acting mayor of Guangzhou. Guo said the Greater Bay Area, despite the impact of COVID-19, has made steady progress in systems and mechanisms, infrastructure connectivity, technological innovation, industrial development and exchanges, showcasing that cooperation between Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macao enjoys a solid foundation and broad prospects.

Zhang Xiaoqiang, executive vice-chairman and CEO of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said the Greater Bay Area is a template for high-quality development, as well as a strategic pillar supporting the new paradigm of high-level opening-up.

Zhang said the area should fully implement the development concepts of innovation, coordination, green, openness and sharing to realize high-quality development.

Looking ahead, Zhang expected more creative integrated policies, measures and rules will be formulated and implemented in cities in the Greater Bay Area. He said the area needs to focus on rule and mechanism connectivity among the cities and further upgrade the level of market integration.

More efforts should also be made to boost technological innovation, and promote upgrading of the industrial structure and green and low-carbon development, Zhang added.

"I firmly believe that with the support of the central government and the engagement of all circles of society, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao can build the Greater Bay Area into a leading landmark worldwide and a world-class city cluster," he said.

In February 2019, the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council jointly released the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, marking a new phase in the construction of the Greater Bay Area.

According to the plan, the main focus will be building the area into a vibrant world-class city cluster, a globally influential international innovation and technology hub, a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative and a showcase for in-depth cooperation between the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. It will also become an ideal place to live, work and visit, the document said.

Having lived in the Greater Bay Area for almost two decades, Peter Helis, chief adviser of the Guangzhou Huangpu District, said he believed it is one of the most vibrant areas and possibly the fastest developing one in the world.

"I remember the slogan quite well, which was 'from made in Guangdong to create in Guangdong'. The drive gained such momentum that the GBA now not only accounts for half of the annual patent registrations of China but is also internationally recognized as an innovative powerhouse," he said.

Going forward, Helis said more efforts are needed to increase the area's global recognition, build an environment suitable for working and living and attract more talent.

Reaping the benefits of China's reform and opening-up over the past 40 years, the Greater Bay Area has attracted talent, capital and other essential resources from all over the world, which has helped the area create a comprehensive industrial chain, and an experimental, devoted and inclusive vibe, said Lionel M. Ni, president designate of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou).

"By providing novel technologies that help entrepreneurs grow their business", he said that HKUST (Guangzhou) "will become a powerful engine in driving the GBA's development through innovation".

He added that the GBA also possesses "favorable factors" that help HKUST (Guangzhou) in its "mission in driving a paradigm shift in higher education and nurturing out-of-the-box talent".

Citing the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Sio Chi Wai, chairman of the Macao Development Strategy Research Center, said that there is a chapter about development of ecological civilization, which clearly states the requirements for environmental protection and governance.

Noting some systematic discrepancies among the cities in the region, Sio said the area should build a more consistent, closer and efficient mechanism to improve environmental governance, which will help improve the efficiency of making the related policies and laws.

Nathan Keith Williams, a video producer at China Daily, said that the Greater Bay Area stands out due to its great economic strength, booming manufacturing and new technology sectors, modern and comprehensive transport system and high level of internationalization.

Citing a recent 12-day tour of the area, Williams said he had seen tremendous changes and distinctive development models in the Greater Bay Area in terms of technological manufacturing and innovation.

"During my travels I have seen a vibrant and internationally competitive first-class bay area, with distinctive geographical advantages, robust economic strength, a high concentration of key factors of innovation, advanced level of internationalization and solid cooperation foundations," he added.

By Ouyang Shijia

SOURCE China Daily
A graduate of Niagara University and accredited by Boston's School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Spremulli is best known for her colorful interpretations of architectural landmarks. She is a member of the Northern Ohio Illustrator's Society, Visual Arts of Chautauqua Institution and Chagrin Falls Arts Commission. Her Paint the District submission, "SilverLining," is an illustration of a seagull exploring the Lake Erie shoreline.

"During the height of the pandemic, I experimented a lot with natural landscapes. Stepping away from my normal architectural topics, I found creating imagery with mother nature to be therapeutic," Spremulli said. "Discovering the shores of Lake Erie again brought something new, valuing what is in front of me after years of taking it for granted."

In advancing to the grand-prize round, Spremulli will join Cleveland artist Scott Goss, winner of Round 1, and two additional artists to be selected in rounds 3 and 4. Three finalists in each round receive a $1,500 award from CCM, while the grand-prize winner will receive $5,000 as well as funds to cover materials and installation of their work in CCM's new headquarters in the Superior Arts District. CCM will move to the new, 168,000-square-foot campus later this year.

"This competition is just one of the many ways CCM will be a great corporate citizen and valued contributor to the revitalization of this historic neighborhood," said Laura Soave, the company's chief brand officer. "We are thrilled by the response to Paint the District, not only by local artists but the growing number of area citizens who are following the competition and casting their votes."

Round 3 Now Underway

Voting is now open through March 31 in Round 3 of the competition. Round 3 finalists are Eileen Dorsey ("Wild Woods"), Garrett Weider ("More Alike Than Different") and April Bleakney ("The Fortunes"). To view these works and cast a vote, please visit www.PaintTheDistrict.com.

Call for Entries for Round 4

Additionally, CCM is now accepting artist submissions for Round 4. Program details and a convenient portal for entries can be found at www.PaintTheDistrict.com. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, March 1.

ABOUT CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE

CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC is a top 10 retail mortgage lender in America, founded in 2003 by CEO Ronald J. Leonhardt, Jr. The company has more than 6,000 employees and licenses in all 50 states. A direct lender and approved seller and servicer by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae, CCM offers a broad portfolio of home purchase and refinance programs ranging from conventional and jumbo mortgages to government-insured programs for Veterans and rural homebuyers. Additional options include down payment assistance, home equity products, and expedited closing programs. CrossCountry Mortgage is on the Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies and a recipient of several other local and national awards for sales and growth. For more information, please visit crosscountrymortgage.com.

SOURCE CrossCountry Mortgage
MEXICO CITY, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V. ("Aeromexico" or the "Company") (BMV: AEROMEX) informed on December 10, 2021, that the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving (i) the Disclosure Statement with respect to the Joint Plan of Reorganization for Aeromexico and its subsidiaries that are debtors in the Company's Chapter 11 restructuring process (the "Plan"), and (ii) the solicitation of votes on the Plan. The solicitation process concluded on January 7, 2022, with strong creditor support throughout the Company's and such subsidiaries' debt structure. Votes on account of claims totaling approximately $2.68 billion were submitted, of which approximately 86% (or the equivalent of approximately $2.3 billion) in votes were submitted in favor the Plan. Today, a formal certification of the votes was filed with the Court, by the Court-approved solicitation and claims agent, which provided that the Company and each of its subsidiaries, except Aerovias Empresa de Cargo, S.A. de C.V ("Cargo")a subsidiary with less than $2 million in claims in the aggregate, obtained the required affirmative votes in favor of the Plan. The Debtors believe that certain votes were improperly cast at Cargo, and the outcome of that vote will ultimately be determined at an upcoming hearing before the Bankruptcy Court on the Company's motion to enforce certain court-approved Plan support provisions.

As resolved by the Board of Directors, at a Meeting held on December 21, 2021, a Shareholders Meeting of the Company will be held on January 14, 2022, to discuss and adopt the corporate resolutions required to effectuate the Plan, which would be subject to the occurrence of the "Effective Date" under the Plan.

The Court hearing to consider confirmation of the Plan is scheduled to begin on January 27, 2022.

The conclusion of voting and the strong support from the Company's creditors represents a key milestone in Aeromexico's restructuring process and well-positions the Company to obtain Court approval of the Plan. Aeromexico will continue working with all of its key stakeholders to obtain Court approval of the Plan and emerge from Chapter 11 as expeditiously as possible, following the Effective Date under the Plan.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of the Company and its management with respect to its performance, business and future events. We use words such as "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect,", "intend," "target," "estimate," "project," "predict," "forecast," "guideline," "should" and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, but they are not the only way we identify such statements. Such statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in this release. The Company is under no obligation and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Grupo Aeromexico: Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V. is a holding company whose subsidiaries are engaged in commercial aviation in Mexico and the promotion of passenger loyalty programs. Aeromexico, Mexico's global airline, has its main operations center in Terminal 2 of the Mexico City International Airport. Its destination network has reach in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Central America, South America, Asia and Europe. The Group's current operating fleet includes Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft, as well as the latest generation Embraer 190. Aeromexico is a founding partner of SkyTeam, an alliance that celebrates 20 years and offers connectivity in more than 170 countries, through the 19 partner airlines. Aeromexico created and implemented a Health and Hygiene Management System (SGSH) to protect its clients and collaborators at all stages of its operation.

www.aeromexico.com www.skyteam.com

SOURCE Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. de C.V.
AMSTERDAM, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Winc Academy announced a $3 million funding round led by Rubio Impact Ventures and Dutch Founders Fund to increase the steep growth of its education platform and meet the surging demand for online upskilling and reskilling courses. Within a year, the Amsterdam-based scale up 8-folded its active student base, driven by the digitization of work and accelerated by Covid.

The funding enables Winc Academy to educate 20,000 learners within a few years, to gain skills that enable a career in tech. The self-paced courses with personal mentoring are designed to be combined with work or private life, and prepare learners for a career as developer, data analyst, and other in-demand tech jobs. This significantly grows the talent pool and enables employers to attract the professionals they need.

"Winc Academy aims to achieve lifelong learning & a secure job for all. They essentially offer careers, not courses, and enable everyone who has the ambition and grit an opportunity at a future-proof career in tech. Impact drive is strongly anchored in their DNA," says Willemijn Verloop, founder of Rubio Impact Ventures .

"In just 3 years this team has built a scalable edtech platform with graduation rates far higher than others. By bringing together industry experts, mentors, and learners, Winc Academy is building a much-needed international marketplace in education," adds Patrick Kerssemakers from Dutch Founders Fund .

The news follows the appointment of Joran van Aart as CEO in May 2021, who then joined the founding team consisting of Marijn Pijnenborg and Carla Snepvangers. Winc Academy will further expand the leadership team with a COO and are also recruiting for senior roles in education, marketing, financial strategy, and tech.

Vivid Ventures, an early-stage fund that led Winc Academy's angel round in 2019, also participates in the current seed round.

"We are thrilled to bring Rubio and Dutch Founders Fund on board, and to have the continued support of our angel investors. They bring a mix of expertise in digital products, international marketplaces, and social entrepreneurship. A strong combination that will help us achieve our purpose of giving everyone the chance at a better future by learning in-demand skills," concluded Joran van Aart, CEO of Winc Academy .

About Winc Academy

Winc Academy is an Amsterdam-based online education platform founded in 2018, in response to the skills gap and digitization of work. Learners follow the online courses at their own pace from the comfort of their own home and are engaged through an active community and personal mentoring. Average student age is 35 years. Course duration ranges from several weeks to 6 months full time, with an average tuition fee of 2,500. The scale up is accredited by the Dutch NRTO and CRKBO and prides itself in its accessibility to a large audience: while courses are at academic skill level, a previous degree is not required.

Winc Academy now employs 35 people and its founding team consists of Marijn Pijnenborg (founder of Funda and auto.nl), Carla Snepvangers (Endemol, SAIL Amsterdam), and Joran van Aart (Studyportals).

About Rubio Impact Ventures

Rubio Impact Ventures is a leading impact venture capital fund with 150 million euro in assets under management. Rubio invests in young, fast-growing companies that make a substantial global impact and realise this in a commercially scalable way; a future-proof form of entrepreneurship that Rubio calls 'the new normal'. Rubio offers entrepreneurs the capital to grow and at the same time the expertise, network and support they seek to realise their plans and accelerate results.

About Dutch Founders Fund

Dutch Founders Fund is an early-stage venture capital fund from Amsterdam, started by a group of successful Dutch entrepreneurs: Laurens Groenendijk (Just Eat, Treatwell, Miinto, Hiber), Patrick Kerssemakers (fonQ), Bas Beerens (WeTransfer), Hidde Hoogcarspel (Spacebuzz) and Remco van Zanten (ex Booking, Zalando, BCG). The fund specialises in marketplaces and companies with strong network effects. Since its launch in 2018, the fund has successfully invested in 16 companies. This includes: YourCampus, Shypple, Vintage Cash Cow, Lumaly, Blanco, Nostics, Reveall, Veylinx, Wonderkind, Voicebooking, Fleks, Minimum, Caya, Tracedock (exited to CM.com), Winc Academy, and Buildstream. The total fund has almost 100 million assets under management.

SOURCE Winc Academy BV
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Prince of Travel, a website dedicated to helping Canadian consumers raise their travel game, has released its second annual "2021 Prince of Travel Awards" .

Prince of Travel Logo

For years, Prince of Travel has been the website of choice for Canadians looking to leverage travel bonuses and points as they explore the world. But because identifying the ideal travel credit cards for an individual consumers' needs is typically time-consuming and often confusing, far too many travelers are missing out on these valuable benefits. The reader-voted Prince of Travel Awards aim to solve that problem by offering visitors a centralized resource to access detailed information on the absolute best credit cards and rewards & loyalty programs of 2021 in three distinct categories:

Best Credit Cards

Best Premium Travel Credit Card

Best Travel Credit Card

Best Small Business Travel Credit Card

Best Credit Card Signup Bonus

Best Visa Card

Best Mastercard

Best Credit Card Perk

Best Cash Back Credit Card

Best No-Fee Credit Card

Best No FX Fee Credit Card

Best New Financial Product

Best Amex Offer

Best Loyalty & Points Programs

Best Transferable Points Currency

Best Fixed-Value Points Currency

Best Airline Loyalty Program

Best Hotel Loyalty Program

Best Hotel Elite Status

Best International Award Sweet Spot

Best Domestic Award Sweet Spot

Best Promotion

Best Positive Change

Best Airlines & Hotels

Best Domestic Business Class

Best Domestic Economy Class

Best International Business Class

Best International First Class

Best Airport Lounge in Canada

Best Hotel in Canada

Best Resort in Canada

The Prince of Travel team has also compiled their thoughts and impression about the voting results. Visitors to the website will also find expert advice on selecting the perfect travel rewards cards, guidance on an optimal strategy for getting the most out of their cash back cards, and answers to their most frequently asked questions.

About Prince of Travel

Some of the most satisfying and luxurious travel experiences can be virtually free, simply by maximizing travel rewards. Prince of Travel's website was founded to help Canadian consumers raise their travel game and inspire them to head out into the world and learn more about all it has to offer.

Visitors to PrinceofTravel.com are invited to subscribe to Prince of Travel's founder, Ricky Zhang, complimentary newsletter and have weekly travel updates delivered straight to their inboxes.

Media Contact:

Sam Carter

541-829-0058

[email protected]

SOURCE Prince of Travel
CARMEL, Ind., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolverine Power Cooperative (Wolverine) located in Cadillac, Michigan became a Member of ACES, effective January 1, 2022. Wolverine has been a Customer of ACES since 2017, utilizing a variety of ACES' market, load forecasting, and risk management services. As a Member, Wolverine will expand the services it receives from ACES.

As a Member of ACES, Wolverine owns an equity share in the company and holds two seats on the ACES Board of Directors, allowing it to have input into the operations and strategic direction of the company.

"Wolverine is pleased to join ACES and grow our relationship with ACES staff and our fellow cooperatives from across the country. ACES Membership provides several key advantages for Wolverine, including broader market perspectives, enhanced portfolio modeling tools, and additional bench strength to support Wolverine and our members," stated Eric Baker, President and CEO of Wolverine.

President and CEO of ACES, Mike Steffes, commented, "ACES has developed a strong relationship with Wolverine's staff over the past few years and we look forward to continuing our partnership. Wolverine is committed to service excellence for its members and helping them provide reliable and affordable power. We share that commitment and know we will be stronger with Wolverine as a Member."

About ACES

ACES is owned by twenty-one generation and transmission cooperatives and one independent distribution cooperative. The company assists its Members and Customers in the management of their energy risk. The Members and Customers served by ACES operate in all of the major electricity markets in the United States and have a collective portfolio of over 50,000 MW of both load and resources. Because ACES does not buy or sell energy on its own behalf, it avoids conflicts of interest and ensures alignment with the best interests of the organizations it serves.

About Wolverine Power Cooperative

Wolverine Power Cooperative is a generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Cadillac, Michigan. It owns and operates approximately 1,000 MW of generation and 1,600 miles of transmission in Michigan. Wolverine provides wholesale power supply and transmission services for seven member-owners: Cherryland Electric Cooperative (Grawn); Great Lakes Energy (Boyne City); HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative (Portland); Midwest Energy & Communications (Cassopolis); Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op (Onaway); Spartan Renewable Energy (Cadillac); and Wolverine Power Marketing Cooperative (Cadillac). Learn more by visiting www.wolverinepowercooperative.com.

Media Contact:

Leah Smith

[email protected]

SOURCE ACES
Innovation driven, new-energy and intelligent connected vehicle has become the top industry of Wuhu, with 311 industrial enterprises above designated size gathered in the city, making a total value of nearly 130 billion yuan (about 20.39 billion U.S. dollars). With seven national-level R&D platforms and 77 provincial-level ones, the city has formed a complete industrial chain featuring core firms including Chery Automobile.

As the city of Wuhu strives to cultivate outstanding innovative companies, it is inspired by the innovation efforts made by the enterprises as well, Shan noted. With R&D investment accounting for 3.34 percent of the total, the city is aiming for gathering over 2,000 high-tech enterprises and 2,500 industrial enterprises above designated size by the year 2023.

"Whether a company choose to settle in a city is ultimately related with the potential to make profit," said Shan, explaining why improving corporate profitability is the key focus of Wuhu's effort in optimizing business environment.

In recent years, Wuhu has introduced a series of innovative measures to improve business environment. For instance, the city established nine working groups across different fields to help the companies increase their profit through in-depth research on 300 major local companies.

"Our ultimate goal is to make policy implementation as easy as online shopping," said Shan, noting that the city will try its best to serve local enterprises. "Though there is no one company that can fully represent Wuhu, together they compose the essence of the city," he said.

https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/325892.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Xtension Envy, the nation's first hair extension salon offering an exclusive membership model, has expanded its leadership team in time for the launch of its new franchise offering that will grow its footprint nationally and build upon the successful brand founded in 2018.

Xtension Envy--The Hair Extension Salon is the first-of-its-kind franchise model offering the complete hair extensions experience: premium extension installation and maintenance services, all under one roof. Combined with a monthly hair extension maintenance program, the concept is disrupting an entire industry. Gone are the days of having hair extensions installed in one salon and then having to find another to adeptly color, blend, and style the new hair. Founded by serial entrepreneur Scott Lewandowski and his wife Christine in 2018, Xtension Envy is experiencing rapid growth. Leveraging Scott's background in operating multi-unit businesses including martial arts centers and chiropractic centers and Christine's time in the beauty industry as a corporate trainer and stylist, the couple seized an opportunity to take a fragmented segment of the beauty market and bring it all together. After four years of operating the first Xtension Envy salon in Scottsdale, they have decided to bring the business opportunity to other entrepreneurs as a turnkey franchise offering.

"Xtension Envy was the first hair extension membership salon in the United States, so it makes sense that we are the one to now offer the full continuum of franchise offerings," said Scott Lewandowski, CEO and co-founder of Xtension Envy. "We are the most experienced hair extension franchise company with a leadership team that is beyond compare."

Area Representative

The company recently signed an Area Representative with 25 years' experience in franchising sales/operations in multiple franchises. Xtension Envy awarded the father/daughter team of Chad and Makenzie Everts with 40 units in three states: Arizona, Utah and Colorado.

"My daughter Makenzie has been a long-time consumer of hair extension services," said Chad Everts. "When she experienced the unique and superior services provided by Xtension Envy, she was convinced that the model would change the way hair extension services would be delivered. Makenzie approached me with the opportunity of investing and partnering with her on this new venture. As a 25-year veteran in the franchise space, I was immediately sold on this game-changing, ground floor opportunity to be a part of the billion dollar, rapidly growing segment of the hair extension industry."

Chad Everts added, "The deciding factor for us to get involved was the Xtension Envy team itself. We were impressed by the comprehensive infrastructure already developed by Scott and Christine, to the depth of industry knowledge, expertise, and franchise experience of the corporate support team. We were blown away with what the model has accomplished in such a short period of time. We feel lucky and proud to be a part of this emerging national brand."

The global hair extension market is valued at $5.8 billion and is expected to reach $13 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 13% between 2021 and 2026 (Source: Arizton.com). Fueling the demand are increasing consumer adoption of newer hairstyles, the rising prevalence of hair loss and alopecia, and an aging population.

Experienced Leadership Team

Xtension Envy is positioned for rapid growth and financial success with a management team that boasts more than 40 years of combined industry experience.

Scott Lewandowski, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer

Over the course of 25 years, Lewandowski has built a successful career as an investor, manager, salesperson, and business developer. As a serial entrepreneur, he has tackled dozens of professional projects across a variety of industries, helping to prepare him for the challenge of managing a franchise operation.

Christine Lewandowski, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer

Lewandowski got her start in the beauty industry in 1987 and opened her first salon in 1995. Throughout her career, Lewandowski has accumulated expertise in a wide range of hairstyling techniques and services, including training in all methods of hair extensions.

Stewart Newman, Chief Financial Officer

Newman worked in the banking and finance industry for more than 20 years before transitioning into venture capital and investments in 2017. He has successfully invested in and built multiple franchise companies in a variety of spaces including technology, fitness, food service, and health and wellness.

Josh Reed, Chief Operating Officer

As a veteran operations and management professional, Reed has spent more than 16 years directing operations for franchise companies with unit counts as high as 300+, including highly successful brands in the health, wellness, fitness, and beauty industries including Massage Envy, European Wax Center, The Joint Chiropractic and others.

For more information about becoming a franchisee or area representative, visit https://www.franchise.xtensionenvy.com/opportunity or contact [email protected].

About Xtension Envy LLC

Xtension Envy carries premium human hair extensions and offers multiple installation options. We carry Itips, tape in, wefts, and clip-in extensions, along with other accessories. All of our stylists are certified and focus on customer service. We also offer a variety of hair care, styling products, and much more. For more information, visit https://www.franchise.xtensionenvy.com or call 602-755-3707.

Media contact: Jodi Amendola / [email protected]

SOURCE Xtension Envy
Zendure is leaning heavily on the outdoor market for their new products, as evidenced by the artificial grass floor and woodsy backdrop of their booth. The design of their exhibit was influenced by a unique aspect of their SuperBase Pro power station. The power station's companion app has a feature called "ZenForest", which is a semi-virtual garden that grows when the user employs green energy. As the user's ZenForest grows in the cloud, real trees are planted around the world on the user's behalf, with the help of One Tree Planted.

Many visitors to Zendure's booth were already familiar with SuperBase Pro from the enthusiastic media coverage and the success of its recent crowdfunding campaign, but Zendure had a couple surprises in store. Passport III is the brand's new travel adapter that's smaller and has more output ports than its predecessors. Equipped with GaN technology, the new travel adapter can output up to 65W and charge up to six devices with its universal AC output, four USB-C ports, and a USB-A port. Passport III's self-resetting fuse and press-and-slide controls are familiar features of the Passport product line, but this latest installment comes in three fun colors, sporting a metallic ombre faceplate and semi-transparent enclosure.

SuperBase Pro wasn't the only power station exhibited by Zendure at the show. The brand took the opportunity to announce and demonstrate the M Series. The forthcoming power stations are smaller and lighter than SuperBase Pro 2000, and are poised to become the quietest power stations on the market, thanks to their fanless design. The M Series stations rely on efficient energy conversion technology and a metal exterior to manage heat without the need for active heat dissipation. In early testing, the new power station's noise output was measured below 30Db while in operation. This is about the same amplitude as a whisper. Other brands typically put out about 60Db of noise at the same distance. As the decibel scale is logarithmic, 30Db is essentially a thousand times quieter than 60Db.

Zendure is an outdoor consumer electronics company located in Silicon Valley in the United States and the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area in China. Since its establishment, Zendure has continuously launched innovative products, made rapid breakthroughs in the core technologies of outdoor energy storage and power supplies, and continues to bring pleasant surprises to the user experience. The company recently received a multi-million dollar series-A round of funding from a joint investment from Shanghai GP Capital and YOTRIO group.

SOURCE Zendure
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zurich North America has shared key concerns of businesses on risks likely to impact U.S. and Canada over the next two years. The findings were released this week as part of the 17th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual Global Risks Report 2022 (GRR). Zurich is a strategic partner in the development of the annual report, which identifies key global risks emanating from current economic, societal, environmental and technological tensions.

This year the GRR includes an international roundup, gathered through WEF's Executive Opinion Survey of 12,000 businesses from 124 countries who identified five risks that pose critical threats to their countries over the next two years.

For the United States, the most concerning, short-term risks are reported as: 1) potential for asset bubble bursts; 2) failure of climate-mitigation actions; 3) extreme weather events; 4) debt crises; and 5) employment and livelihood crises. Canada shares most of the same, short-term risks: 1) debt crises in large economies; 2) failure of action on climate; 3) extreme weather events; 4) employment and livelihood crises; and 5) infectious disease.

While prioritization of the five top, short-term risks varies from country to country, climate and environmental factors were a common theme revealed by most of the participating countries and thus dominate the key risks identified in the Global Risks Report overall in terms of likelihood and severity.

"There is broad agreement among the survey respondents that the growing climate crisis remains the biggest long-term threat facing the world," said Colleen Zitt, Chief Risk Officer, Zurich North America. "Leading economists warn that international failure to act on climate change could significantly shrink global GDP in the years ahead, with serious collateral impacts on the economy and social cohesion among other effects. If there is one overriding message of this year's Global Risks Report, it is that the time for committed, substantive action on climate is now."

Now in its 17th edition, the Global Risks Report encourages leaders to view risks with a broad perspective measured in years. This year's edition raises alarm bells for threats that can no longer be eclipsed by COVID-19. A climate crisis and growing social upheaval are two of the dominant risks explored in this year's report, which, like its predecessors, examines risks confronting the world over the next 10 years.

As a leader in understanding the world's emerging and evolving risks, Zurich is committed to helping its customers, and the communities it serves around the world, build a sustainable future with foresight and innovation.

"We are proud to be a strategic partner of the World Economic Forum in the development of The Global Risks Report. Zurich knows that building resilient communities and businesses starts with first understanding the challenges we face," added Zitt.

For additional information on The Global Risks Report 2022 and to download PDFs of the full report and executive summary, visit https://insights.zurichna.com/The-Global-Risks-Report-2022 .

About Zurich North America

Zurich North America is one of the largest providers of insurance solutions and services to businesses and individuals. Our customers represent industries ranging from agriculture to technology and include more than 90 percent of the Fortune 500. We've backed the building of some of the most recognizable structures in North America  from the Hoover Dam to the Confederation Bridge. Our North American, LEED Platinum headquarters is located in the Chicago area. We employ approximately 9,000 people in North America and have offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. Further information is available at www.zurichna.com.

Zurich North America is part of Zurich Insurance Group, a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With approximately 55,000 employees, Zurich provides a wide range of property and casualty, and life insurance products and services in more than 215 countries and territories. Zurich's customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, as well as multinational corporations. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at www.zurich.com.

SOURCE Zurich North America
Goodbody Health Inc is a wellness company, focusing on the health and wellness of its customers through the local community by the introduction and use of cutting edge diagnostic equipment.

The company is disrupting the old model of courier to laboratory style testing.

Goodbody Health has distribution which, when combined with its marketing expertise, digitisation skills and commercialisation with 3rd party science and diagnostic technologies is a powerful combination.
The world is changing, and the technology that mines, builds and powers the globe is under the spotlight.

Mining, infrastructure and energy companies are increasingly finding themselves in a new world  one thats going green and triggering innovation across the sector.

Last year, multinational accounting firm Deloitte released its annual Tracking the Trends report  a paper that reports on 10 themes set to impact the mining industry.

Of those 10 in 2021, three centred on environmental, social and governance considerations  a trend that is sure to stay in centre stage in the year ahead.

The trends piqued to define mining in 2021. Source: Deloitte.

Now, engineering firm Hatch is on the lookout for developments in this space in 2022  and managing director of Australia and Asia and chair of the Green Hydrogen Consortium Jan Kwak already has some trends to watch.

He believes these are the emerging movements that will define the new year:

Hydrogen will start replacing diesel in heavy industry;

Global metals supply chains will reorganise;

Renewable energy projects will grow exponentially, including projects owned and operated by First Nations companies;

Post-industrial land use will fuel clean energy production;

A balance of focus in social, environmental and financial value in infrastructure will emerge; and

The pandemic will influence city shape.

Shaping Australia on the path to net-zero

Speaking to the year ahead, Kwak explained: Following the governments commitment to net-zero, the energy transition to renewables and reducing the carbon footprint of heavy industry will be the key focus of 2022 and beyond.

The challenge for Australia, and the mining industry, is that to supply the materials to support the transition to electrification, mining will need to increase.

Paradoxically, to construct this greener future, electricity consumption will also need to increase so that we can produce the green materials to build renewable energy projects.

The decisions we make now will shape whether Australia can meet its net-zero targets.

Six industry forecasts to watch

Hydrogen will take off as a diesel replacement in heavy industry

A leaner, greener energy source is needed to power the shift to net-zero  and hydrogen is the up-and-comer on everyones lips.

Australia is in a unique position to become a hydrogen world-leader, but a baseload domestic economy is needed before we can export it, Kwak explained.

He believes Australia will begin to build its domestic market by replacing diesel with green hydrogen.

Other markets, such as Europe, are already outpacing Australia, thanks to governments levelling the cost.

Involving First Nations in clean energy projects

Looking ahead, Kwak believes First Nations people will be fundamental when it comes to developing renewable energy projects.

The failures of the mining industry, particularly Rio Tintos destruction at Juukan Gorge, exposed the need for better inclusion of First Nations peoples in managing the land, he stated.

The switch to renewables in Australia, particularly solar, is a massive change in the way we use land, often traditional lands.

Right now, Australias listed renewable utilities segment is a small but mighty corner of the market.

Theres just 11 stocks in this part of the Utilities sector  which in itself is the smallest in terms of company volume on the ASX  but the segment hosts a combined $30.7 billion in market capitalisation.

Major players in the renewables segment include Meridian Energy Ltd and Mercury NZ Ltd  both NZ-based renewable electricity generators and traders  and Australian electricity and gas retailer AGL Ltd.

A balance of focus in social, environmental and financial value in infrastructure will emerge

In the past, weve seen social value and the environment take a back seat to a company or projects bottom line.

But the balance in power has started to shift  and its a movement thats poised to advance in the new year.

Kwak predicts that in 2022, social and environmental values will begin to emerge as key elements in infrastructure design and measurement.

Currently, there are ways of measuring environmental value; for example, through proxies such as carbon footprint or similar, but no clear agreed measure of the ultimate variables that matter  diversity and lifecycle vibrancy.

Similarly with social value, the ability to measure and quantify the value infrastructure brings to society, such as improved health and education, reduced crime or as a platform for enterprise is an invaluable way to inform design and make the business case for our future infrastructure.

Post-industrial land use to fuel production

What happens to industrial land after its served its purpose?

We could see these areas get a new lease on life in 2022.

As the lifecycle of a mine comes to an end and industries close, the changed typography of the land presents an opportunity for renewable energy projects, Kwak noted.

Looking ahead, he predicts that Australia will see more of its industrial land reshaped for clean energy.

Tailings dams offer flat ground perfect for solar farms, while disused open-pit mines provide the elevation needed for hydropower.

For a picture of what this could look like down the track, look no further than the decommissioned Kidston gold mine, northeast of Townsville in Queensland.

Its soon to get a second life as a pumped hydroelectric plant  and its just one example of what this kind of second-hand industrial space can do.

Pandemic will continue to influence city shape

COVID-19 dominated the discourse in 2020 and 2021, and its unlikely to go anywhere in the new year  especially as we learn to live with infections.

Kwak believes the COVID-19 pandemic will influence medical resilience in cities and shape neighbourhoods.

He forecasts people will return to the cities, and, as a way to draw them back, new technologies will aid in transforming ventilation, particularly in public transport, offices, shopping centres and residential buildings.

While suburbs were created during the 1918 pandemic to escape dense urban areas, this time the urban design will focus on walkable, accessible 20-minute neighbourhoods closer to the city, he explained.

Shifting supply chains will drive decarbonisation

Finally, Kwak believes the Morrison Governments focus on technological breakthroughs will not be the key driver of decarbonisation.

The federal roadmap lauds future innovations as the key to curbing our carbon emissions on the path to net-zero.

Instead, the Hatch managing director predicts that the mining industry will reshape its supply chains to achieve net-zero.

Currently, the most carbon-intensive processing of coal, LNG and iron ore are undertaken offshore, Kwak noted.

However, with abundant natural resources, Australia is able to bring these processes back onshore, such as the metallurgical work in steel production, using renewable energy.
Airnow PLC has acquired mobile growth services provider Lab Cave, which specialises in portfolio management, App Store optimisation and launches for the global mobile gaming industry.

Based in Madrid, Lab Cave has 30 staff and Airnow said it will grow its specialist, multidisciplinary team to handle increased, larger scale publishing projects in the mobile gaming industry.

Airnow will work with Lab Cave boss Luis Berto to define and drive the new direction of the business in line with Airnow goals, it said.

The acquisition will enable Lab Cave to further extend its own expertise in the mobile gaming market, Airnow said, with plans to invest in new tools, training and people.

The deal follows Airnow's acquisition of MightySignal last July, and purchases of Priori Data, Airpush and Abilott in the last five years.

James Eggleston, co-founder and chief operating officer at the UK company, said: Lab Cave has used the Airnow Data tool for several years now, and this is the next natural step between two businesses that are passionate about the incredibly creative and rapidly growing mobile app industry.

Lab Cave is a leading light in the mobile gaming market, and is set to bring fresh content into Airnows rapidly expanding ecosystem, which exists to enable global publishers to understand their competition, acquire users, increase revenue and maximise security in a single place. In turn, Lab Cave will make full use of Airnows extensive technology, data data, stronger toolsets, funding and structure to strengthen its own capabilities.

Berto said: "Airnow wants to invest and grow alongside us, while allowing Lab Cave the space to use our knowledge to drive the business forward to achieve our shared goals. This will allow our publishing division to focus on external titles, get more games into the mobile market with proper support, and help the hundreds of talented studios who are so close to having a hit but just need some assistance. Ultimately, we want to become the key hub for worldwide developers, and with Airnow by our side, we know we can achieve this goal.
Moviecoin.com, a new crowdfunding platform, has opened its initial DEX offering, giving investors an opportunity to get in early on a site that will revolutionize the financing of films. The site will tokenize movie investment into NFTs that it claims will be rich in utility, with potential profit rights attached for mid to long term investors. The first launch is expected in March, where the public will have the opportunity to invest in Prizefighter, a film that will feature Ray Winstone and Russell Crowe.

Digital asset bank Seba has raised around $120 million in a Series C funding round. The Swiss bank, which offers regulated banking services to the digital economy, is currently supporting 25 markets globally. CEO Guido Buehler said the funding will allow it to further develop its digital asset banking platform and strengthen its presence in markets across the globe by attracting new talent.
Were taking whats happening in artificial intelligence and applying it to mining, says Richard Taylor, chief executive of Sensore.

Were borrowing whats happening in the oil and gas sector.

Oil and mining are very different, of course.

But the principle is the same: advanced learning and AI is capable of picking up patterns that the human eye or the human brain might very well fail to notice.

In this case the operative patterns are inside rock formations, and ideally will contain mineralisation.

But can this approach really add value?

One way of answering that question is to take a before and after approach.

The success rate for greenfields exploration is terrible, says Taylor.

Oil and gas has a 20-30% success rate. In mining its down at less than 5%.

Another way is to consider just how widely the enhanced capabilities of AI can be deployed.

In offering its targeting and prospectivity mapping services to clients, Sensore aims to analyse data from as much ground in and around any given prospect or district as possible. And this is no idle boast, because it goes up to and including a whole continent.

Were making a big digital twin of the Australian continent, explains Taylor.

Companies that just do work with their own data are myopic, says Taylor.

The difference with us is that other companies dont spend any time analysing their neighours data. But where you have a mineralising event, you often have multiple mineralised events.

So any given tenement of any given mining company can be put into the broadest possible geological context, and the prospectivity of specific bits of ground can be zeroed in on from there.

Companies have never seen their tenement in the way we show it to them, says Taylor.

And, while theres never going to be an X marks the spot moment, even with artificial intelligence and machine learning, the argument is that it will at least lift exploration success rates up towards that oil and gas industry level.

Already, Sensore is enjoying significant demand for its products and services.

And why wouldnt it? The exploration sector is awash with companies competing with each other for the attention of investors and, as a whole, the sector has to compete with a range of other sectors where its much easier to model expected returns.

Anything which narrows the uncertainties involved in mining exploration ought to be hugely popular.

But within mining itself there are specific areas in which Sensores approach really shines.

The base metals space is the sweet spot, says Taylor.

Base metals leave big footprints, so theyre easier to find.

But as far as feeding existing data into the AI goes, precious metals has the edge. And thats because everyone always assays for gold.

Which explains the diverse nature of the of blue-chip mining and investment partners Sensore has been able to attract. BHPs a shareholder, and it has joint ventures with Chalice, one of the big exploration success stories of recent years, among other partners.

Now, though, Sensore is looking to step it up a gear.

The company is in the final stretch of a A$10mlm fundraising thats been put together to allow it to move much of its offering onto the Cloud, and to roll out a new data platform.

And how significant could demand be for Sensores new platform?

Given all that it can offer, the answer has to be: pretty significant.

Put that alongside Sensores own exploration projects, from which newsflow will is expected in due course, and what youre presented with is a compelling vision of the future of mining.
The Critical Materials Institute is led by the Ames Laboratory in the US. Source: CMI.

American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR)s subsidiary has become a team member of the Critical Materials Institute (CMI), a consortium backed by the United States Department of Energy.

Western Rare Earths Corp is the latest member of the US-funded innovation hub, designed to unite universities, national laboratories and private companies in the search for tech solutions to buoy the rare earth supply chain.

Under the initiative, CMI team members can drive research and development, have the option to license their technology for deployment and provide input to CMI research programs.

As Westerns parent company, ARR is focused on developing its own scandium and rare earth assets in North America  projects with the potential to become some of the US largest rare earth deposits.

Some of the brightest minds in the world

CEO and president for the US Business Unit of American Rare Earths, Marty Weems, said: We are delighted to be admitted as a member of the Critical Minerals Institute and to be working with some of the brightest minds in the world leading the innovation efforts to assure the supply chain for materials critical to the United States.

American Rare Earths managing director and CEO Chris Gibbs continued: Marty and the US team have been working diligently with various research and development partners to establish our presence with a number of the rare earth innovation efforts.

Its our vision to be more than just a mining company but rather a technology leader in this space: vertically integrated and one day producing the rare earth metals that are critical to our future.

Its our strategy to not only focus on developing our rare earth mining projects that have some of the cleanest ore in the world but to work collaboratively with R&D leaders building processing and refining capability, using new, disruptive, green and clean technologies that will provide critical minerals for future generations.

Becoming a member of the Critical Minerals Institute is one important step in the pursuit of our vision and the journey that lays ahead.

New recruit

Western Rare Earths joins a consortium of leading thinkers, researchers and industry players to envision new solutions for the rare earth industry.

The subsidiary is teaming with a couple of famous faces, with other recruits listed on the CMI website including:

Industry : BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA), First Solar, Lixivia, Marshallton Research Laboratories, Rio Tinto, Solvay and Western Rare Earths;

: BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA), First Solar, Lixivia, Marshallton Research Laboratories, Rio Tinto, Solvay and Western Rare Earths; Universities : Arizona State University, Case Western Reserve University, Colorado School of Mines, FIPR Institute, Idaho State University, Iowa State University, Missouri S&T, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers, University of Arizona, University of California-Davis, University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Worcester Polytechnic University; and

: Arizona State University, Case Western Reserve University, Colorado School of Mines, FIPR Institute, Idaho State University, Iowa State University, Missouri S&T, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers, University of Arizona, University of California-Davis, University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Worcester Polytechnic University; and National Laboratories: Ames Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Western Rare Earths invitation to become a CMI Team Member comes after it became a cost-sharing co-applicant to a recently approved CMI research and development project, expected to be announced in early 2022.

The project includes other CMI team members in the national lab and university categories as the primary researchers, while Western Rare Earths will provide feedstock, beneficiated rare earth mineralised ore and industry guidance.

About CMI

The Critical Materials Institute is a multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary consortium led by the Ames Laboratory. It's an Energy Innovation Hub fuelled by the US Department of Energy.

Its focus is on innovation to assure supply chains for those materials critical to clean energy technologies, with a special focus on the rare earth supply chain in the United States.

CMI described these critical materials as essential for American competitiveness in clean energy, including wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient lighting.

The departments Critical Materials Strategy reported that supply challenges for five rare earth metals may affect clean energy technology deployment in the coming years.

As a result, CMI team members' shared goal is to find innovative technology solutions that will help avoid a supply shortage that would threaten the US clean energy industry, as well as security interests.
Palestinian farmer displays a pink dragon fruits or pitayas inside his farm, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, Sept. 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Rizek Abdeljawad)



by Sanaa Kamal

RAMALLAH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Dragon fruit, also known as "pitaya," is not typical to the West Bank, but it does not prevent Munir Daraghma, a Palestinian farmer, from growing it.

The 40-year-old father of four told Xinhua that he came up with the idea five years ago when he saw it for the first time.

"It was a strange fruit and so expensive, but I bought it out of curiosity to get to know this exotic fruit," the middle-aged man said, adding "it was delicious and I had never tasted anything like this in my life."

Palestinian farmer Munir Daraghma works at his Dragon fruit farm in the West Bank city of Tubas, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Daraghma dreamed of having his own farm planting dragon fruit, and it has been the main reason that pushed him to research about it.

Dragon fruit is characterized by its attractive pink color, deliciously sweet taste, and oval shape. It belongs to the family of cactus, with its origins in Mexico, South and Central America, East Asian countries, and other countries with hot climates.

"At the beginning, I thought I would not be able to grow this unique fruit in the West Bank, as it has a temperate climate. And I prepared myself for failure," the man recalled.

A farmer picks dragon fruits at an orchard in Dongfang, a city of South China's Hainan Province, March 6, 2020. (Xinhua)

He asked a local merchant who frequently travels to China to buy him about 200 seedlings of fruit with 3,000 U.S. dollars, and cultivated them on his 100-hectare farm. He also set up a water network for them.

After years of hard work, the farmer has successfully produced his favorite fruit and sold them in local markets.

"Every month, my farm produces dozens of kilograms of dragon fruit and I gain hundreds of dollars that help me to keep my family afloat," the man said as he flashed a smile.

Usually, Daraghma markets his fruits in the central vegetable markets or through social media platforms like Facebook. Each kilo of the fruit costs about 10 dollars.

The farmer expressed his hope to expand his farm in the near future to become more than 500-hectare.

Palestinian farmer displays a pink dragon fruits or pitayas inside his farm, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, Sept. 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Rizek Abdeljawad)



Khaled Abu Mutawa, a merchant from Tubas, told Xinhua that the locally grown dragon fruits have become very popular among citizens, and there is a great demand for them.

"Despite the existence of different types of fruits and the citizens' lack of knowledge about them, the dragon fruit grown by Daraghma is of high quality in terms of taste, shape, and color, which makes it popular," the merchant said.

Abu Mutawa expects that if the cultivation of dragon fruit expands, its prices may drop respectively, which will make them more affordable.

Meanwhile, Daraghma's project has been praised by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Agriculture Ministry.

Abdullah Lahluh, the undersecretary of the ministry, told Xinhua that his institution encourages all individual agriculture projects to introduce new varieties of fruits and vegetables, and expand the production circle for tropical plants.

"The ministry is adopting a new strategy in changing traditional farming patterns to modern ones, expanding the production circle, and introducing new varieties to the agricultural production process," he said.

He added that diversity in production is one of the most important issues that the ministry is working on within its new strategy, as it witnessed success in planting some tropical plants in the Palestinian territories, which bears two goals of achieving self-sufficiency and exporting abroad. 
Global Energy Ventures Ltd (ASX:GEV) has hit the ground running in the new year with the 2022 development program underway for its 2.8 GW green hydrogen export project on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.

The initial focus for the year is environmental permitting which determines the overall timing of the project with key appointments made in this regard.

Consultants engaged

Darwin-based EcOz Environmental Services has been engaged to prepare the environmental Referral submission for lodgement with the NT Environment Protection Authority in the first half of 2022.

GEV has also engaged consulting firms ILF and Jacobs to prepare engineering studies supporting the Referral submission, covering the key areas of solar generation, power transmission and water desalination.

GEVs executive director and chief development officer Garry Triglavcanin said: The company is delighted with the engagement of Darwin-based EcOz to prepare the environmental Referral submission on behalf of GEV.

"EcOz has extensive experience in Referral submissions for renewable energy projects both in the NT and the Tiwi Islands.

Referral submission

"The Referral submission is an important step forward as the environmental process is likely to drive the project schedule. There are a number of key environmental studies that can only be conducted during the current wet season, he said.

"Further to our previously announced MOU with ILF Consulting Engineers in Germany, GEV is delighted to commence work with ILF to assist with solar generation and transmission engineering work for the Tiwi Hydrogen Project.

"Additional engineering will also focus on water desalination requirements to supply pure water to the electrolysis plant.

The company continues to work with key stakeholders to progress the project, including the Tiwi Land Council, the Munupi Landowners, Tiwi Plantation Corporation, NT Port and Marine and the Northern Territory Government.

READ: Global Energy Ventures takes capital raising to $10.54 million on completing SPP

The 2022 development program is fully funded following the companys November 2021 capital raising which resulted in proceeds of almost $10.54 million.

Low environmental footprint

GEV continues to pursue a low environmental footprint for the Tiwi Hydrogen Project, with the proposed solar site planned to be constructed on existing plantation land and the hydrogen production, compression and loading facilities proposed to be built on existing industrial precinct/existing port area.

For the Referral submission to reflect this view, consultants have been engaged to undertake engineering studies for the key components - the transmission line route and water desalination.

The purpose of the Referral submission is to provide sufficient information to the NT Environment Protection Authority so that a decision can be made on the level of assessment required for the project. GEV expects to lodge its Referral submission in the first half of 2022.

Studies support Referral submission

The engagements of Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (water desalination) and ILF (transmission line) are especially important, as they address two key environmental impact areas of the project.

These are the brine discharge from the proposed desalination plant and the environmental impact of clearing the ~30 kilometre transmission line corridor.

The engineering study to be undertaken by Jacobs will include near and far field modelling of the brine discharge.

These studies will assist GEV in demonstrating to the NT EPA and the Tiwi people that the brine discharge and transmission line corridor maintains a low environmental impact, being a material advantage of the project.

What comes next?

The company continues to work closely with the Tiwi Land Council, Munupi Landowners and the Tiwi Plantation Corporation for land access requirements to support the project, including the solar site and transmission corridor.

The NT Government has also appointed a case manager to the Tiwi Hydrogen Project to support GEVs interface and requirements with relevant government agencies.

GEV will advance discussions with suitable groups to support the detailed engineering of the solar generation and electrolysis for the production of green hydrogen.

Appointments will be made during the March and June quarters to commence detailed engineering, including experienced renewable project resources, to support the target of financial close (of the initial phase) by mid-2023.

The company will also get underway with preliminary marketing activities of green hydrogen from the project in the March quarter, with a number of strategies to identify rel

GEV acknowledges that its proposed Tiwi Green Hydrogen Export Project is located on the traditional lands of the Munupi people. The company says it is a privilege to have the support and such a close working relationship with the Tiwi Land Council and Munupi Landowners.
Zelira Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ZLD, OTCQB:ZLDAF) has received a cash refund of A$1.292 million under the Australian Federal Governments Research and Development Tax Incentive Scheme.

The funds received will be used to support Zeliras portfolio of products recently launched in global markets and to advance its ongoing clinical development programs.

Tax incentive scheme

The R&D Tax Incentive Scheme is an Australian Government program under which companies receive cash refunds for 43.5% of eligible expenditure on research and development.

Ongoing programs

The funds will be used to support the growth in recently launched products including Zenivol for insomnia, HOPE for autism and a new CBD-toothpaste into global markets.

They will also go towards advancing Zeliras ongoing clinical and product development programs.

DRCN Licensing fee

Earlier this week, Zelira reported that it had received $250,000 of its upfront non-refundable, non-contingent licensing fee of US$1 million from DRCN Holdings LLC, with the remaining US$750,000 expected to be received in the first quarter of 2022.

The company had successfully demonstrated enhanced dissolution of cannabinoids using its enhanced distillate capture and dissolution matrix (EDCDM) and signed a foundation licensing deal for this proprietary technology.

Zelira

The global biopharmaceutical company owns a portfolio of proprietary revenue-generating products and a pipeline of candidates undergoing clinical development that are positioned to access the worlds largest and fastest-growing markets.

Zelira is focused on developing and clinically validating branded cannabinoid-based medicines for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions in its prescription business, including insomnia, autism and chronic non-cancer pain as well as offering over-the-counter (OTC) products.

The company has two proprietary formulations under the HOPE brand that are generating revenues in Australia, Louisiana and Washington D.C. with other states in the US expected to follow.
Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd (ASX:SUV) has secured an extended agreement with major supply partner Norske Skoge Boyer until December 2024, covering up to and above 25,500 tonnes of high-quality paper kaolin over the next three years.

The kaolin product will be supplied from Suvos Victorian-based Pittong Hydrous Kaolin operations, with pricing commercial in confidence but in line with global rates.

This new agreement will begin this month.

Competing in global marketplace

We welcome the contract extension with Norske Skog at Boyer which shows not only Suvos ability to supply large quantities of quality product but also our ability to compete in what is affectively a global marketplace," Suvo Strategic Minerals executive chair Robert Martin said.

The wholly-owned Pittong operations,40 kilometres west of Ballarat in Victoria, is the sole wet kaolin mine and processing plant in Australia and has been in operation since 1972.

Suvo acquired Pittong from Imerys S.A, one of the largest kaolin miners in the world. Pittong netted earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA) numbers of $2.5 million in the first nine months, returning the price of its purchase with interest.

At Pittong mining contractors deliver crude kaolin ore to stockpiles from the two operating mines, Pittong and Lal Lal.

The plant takes its feedstock from the run of mine (ROM) and it is processed into four separate products for end users.

These products are 10% moisture lump, high solids slurry, 1% moisture powder and 1% moisture pulverised powder.

The solids slurry is used in paper and board manufacturing. The other products are used in paper, coatings, paint and specialist industries including rubber and pharmaceutical applications. Around 20-25,000 tonnes per annum is supplied to various end users.

About Suvo Strategic Minerals

Suvo Strategic Minerals is a dual commodity Australian mining company focused on the development of its 100%-owned White Knight Kaolin Project in the Yilgarn Craton in the central wheat belt and its 100% owned Nova Silica Project in the Gin Gin Scarp near the township of Eneabba, both in Western Australia.

Suvo catapulted into producer status when it acquired the Pittong Kaolin operations from an Imerys subsidiary, becoming the only hydrous kaolin producer in the country.
The ASX jumped out of the blocks this morning led by the materials and technology sectors.

The S&P/ASX200 has so far gained 60.60 points or 0.82% to 7,450.70, despite crossing below its 125-day moving average. The index has lost 1.52% for the last five days, but sits 2.39% below its 52-week high.

Top-performing stocks in this index currently are Nickel Mines Ltd up 6.53% and TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX:TPM) up 5.98%.

Other stocks to watch have included Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) Ltd which surged 7.1% to $1.66 after signing a binding offtake agreement with South Korean-based LG Energy Solutions for the development of its $473 million Kathleen Valley Lithium Project in WA.

The agreement starts with the supply of 100,000 DMT (plus or minus 10%) in the first year, increasing to 150,000 DMT in years 2-5 and is based on market prices.

Afterpay was 5.1% higher to $77.28 after the Bank of Spain approved Blocks takeover.

Rival Zip Co was 4.1% better off to $4.08.

Mesoblast rose 4.9% to $1.38 and Pilbara Minerals gained 3.1%.

Fortescue Metals dropped 0.7% to $20.96 after it was downgraded to Sellby Citi.

Retail sales highlight improving outlook

The retail sales report for November was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday and showed a strong gain of 7.3% to a new record of $33.4 billion. Amongst the drivers of the gain were clothing, footwear and personal accessories which rose 38.2%.

Yesterdays report follows consecutive rises of 4.9% in October 2021 and 1.3% in September 2021 after a 1.7% fall in August 2021, pointing to a measured economic recovery.

According to Ben James, director of Quarterly Economy Wide Statistics, retail sales are now at their highest level ever recorded, up 5.8% on the previous record set in November 2020.

Further easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the South-Eastern states and territories has seen the retail industry recover all lost momentum caused by the Delta outbreak, James said. Victoria recorded the largest state rise, up 20.0%, reaching its highest level of the series. This follows the states lockdown ending in late October.

Continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions, including less strict density and capacity limits, in New South Wales (5.1%) and the Australian Capital Territory (19.2%) led to rises in turnover to record levels.

While the Northern Territory was the odd one out, all remaining jurisdictions recorded retail sales rises to record levels. Turnover in the Northern Territory fell 2.7% as lockdown restrictions introduced throughout the month negatively impacted sales.

Discretionary spending was strong in November, with five retail industries seeing rises for the second consecutive month.

Food retailing was the only industry to fall, down 2.5%, continuing the post-lockdown pattern where food retailing, including supermarkets, liquor etc. falls, while cafes, restaurants and takeaways rise (9.3%) as households venture out again.

Offset accounts get a boost

Holders of mortgages are pouring money into their offset accounts.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has reported that around $50 billion has been deposited to offset accounts, yet another record and showing mortgage holders are generally sensible and can see the potential for tighter monetary conditions ahead.

It looks like Australians are approximately 45 months ahead of principal and interest payments.

Minister for Housing and Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said these figures show that Australians are well placed to pay down and get ahead on their home loans as the Australian economy is recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"On top of strong jobs growth and unemployment at 4.6%, household savings throughout the pandemic are ensuring people can get ahead and stay ahead of their mortgage," Minister Sukkar told Savings.com.au.

"Housing programs, from HomeBuilder to the Home Guarantee Schemes, have seen more Australians achieve the goal of owning their own home.

"The economic support provided to households during the pandemic has backed in Australian homeowners and we remain committed to supporting more people buying a home of their own."

No chicken tonight ... or tomorrow night

KFC has downgraded its chicken outlook.

The fast-food giant has had to reduce its menu as chicken shortages take hold.

Highlighting this issue and the broader issue of general product shortage is Inghams.

Inghams has warned that chicken supplies are at risk as the spread of Omicron greatly affects supply chains.

Many Inghams employees (are) being forced to isolate at home due to contracting COVID in the community or as a result of being close contacts, Ingham's chief executive Andrew Reeves said.

The operational and trading difficulties have resulted in significant operational inefficiency, additional costs and the temporary suspension of a number of Inghams products. Inghams is working closely with our customers and we are focused on supplying as much product as possible to customers while the current disruption continues.

Along with Steggles and Golden Farms, Inghams is a key KFC supplier.

Inghams shares fell 6% to $3.32 on Tuesday.

The company continues to manage the cumulative impacts associated with COVID issues which have arisen through FY22, Reeves said.

We will continue to closely manage our working capital and inventory and seek to implement initiatives to minimise the financial and other impacts of COVID through the second half (of the financial year).

We are currently maintaining our Australian processing operations while seeking to ensure the safety and engagement of our employees, many of who are demonstrating outstanding levels of commitment to work through the current challenges, he said.

As for KFC.

KFC is currently experiencing intermittent supply chain disruptions nationally due to COVID-19 related absenteeism at our chicken suppliers, meaning some of our restaurants are unable to offer our full menu, which relies on fresh chicken, a KFC spokesman said.

On the small cap front

ClearVue Technologies Ltd (ASX:CPV, OTCQB:CVUEF) is 19.64% higher. CPV said its completed archetype model building demonstrated how its product could achieve a net-zero or near-zero energy-use building.

PVW Resources NL (ASX:PVW) is up 8.49% following further success during a follow-up field program at the Tanami rare earth element (REE) and gold camp in Western Australia.

CuFe Ltd (ASX:CUF) has gained 5% this morning after noting it has made strong operational progress via its subsidiary Wiluna Fe Pty Ltd at the JWD Iron Ore Project in Western Australia.

Global Energy Ventures Ltd (ASX:GEV) has gained 4.76%. GEV has hit the ground running in the new year with the 2022 development program underway for its 2.8 GW green hydrogen export project on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.

Zelira Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ZLD, OTCQB:ZLDAF) is 3.12% higher. ZLD has received a cash refund of A$1.292 million under the Australian Federal Governments Research and Development Tax Incentive Scheme.

Lithium Power International Ltd (ASX:LPI) is 0.86% better off at time of writing. LPI has begun the process of divesting its Western Australian Greenbushes and Pilgangoora hard rock lithium assets into a subsidiary over the next six months, which will then seek to list on the ASX.
Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX:YRL) has hit the ground running in 2022 with diamond drilling campaigns underway at three priority targets within the Gordons Gold Project in Western Australia.

Drilling is underway at Bradman prospect with the Star of Gordon and Gordons Dam prospect also in the company's sights with the campaign to follow-up encouraging previous reverse circulation (RC) results.

A three-hole diamond drilling program began at Bradman last week to follow up a significant RC intersection of 11 metres at 2.0 g/t gold from 257 metres, including 1-metre at 9.9 g/t from 260 metres.

At Star of Gordon, a five-hole diamond drilling program is planned to begin in mid-January to follow up encouraging new mineralisation discovered in 2021 RC programs including:

1-metre at 19.8 g/t gold from 159 metres; and

10 metres at 8.4 g/t from 43 metres including 1-metre at 52.5 g/t.

Yandal has received encouraging assay results from shallow infill RC drilling at Gordons Dam ahead of the initial mineral resource compilation and mine approval activities:

5 metres at 3.7 g/t gold from 28 metres including 1-metre at 16.6 g/t;

23 metres at 1.2 g/t from 52 metres including 2 metres at 8.4 g/t; and

43 metres at 0.7 g/t from 42 metres including 8 metres at 2.0 g/t.

New RC drilling to infill and extend mineralisation envelopes and geotechnical diamond drilling to support open pit mine design parameters is planned to begin later this month.

Highly encouraging

Yandal managing director Lorry Hughes said: The exploration team is very excited to hit the ground running and commence exploration in the first week of January.

Our results throughout 2021 from multiple prospects were highly encouraging and with the number and quality of targets planned for testing, 2022 could well be a pivotal year for the company.

The strongly supported entitlement issue and shortfall placement we launched in November 2021 ensures the company is well funded and allows us to continue thorough exploration programs at all high-priority prospects.

Yandal is targeting 100,000-120,000 metres of drilling in 2022 and I look forward to building on the successes of last year to rapidly expand the mineral resource base

Yandal Resources gold project locations.

Drilling update

At Bradman, results from two earlier RC holes completed within 200 metres of YRLRC646 and a further 25 RC holes completed along around 2.5 kilometres strike to the north at the adjoining Malone prospect are pending.

At Gordons Dam, individual 1-metre fire-assay results have been received from 29 RC holes and 4-metre composite results have been received from four RC holes, other strong results include:

6 metres at 1.5 g/t gold from 37 metres including 1-metre at 7.2 g/t;

2 metres at 3.0 g/t from 38 metres including 1-metre at 5.7 g/t; and

7 metres at 1.0 g/t from 30 metres including 1-metre at 5.9g/t.

Moving forward results from a further 20 RC holes are pending and when returned an initial mineral resource estimate will be compiled for evaluation and mining study purposes.

At Star of Gordon, the aim of the program is to provide high quality geological and structural data to assist with the compilation of a robust geological model of the known mineralisation to aid future exploration targeting.

New extensional RC drilling is also planned to recommence at the prospect in February after some pending RC results are received and initial observations of available drill core have been made.

Plan view drilling collar map coloured by maximum gold grade projected to the drill collar with interpreted geology for the Gordons Dam prospect

Next steps

Key exploration activities planned during the March quarter include:
Vejii Holdings (CSE:VEJI) Ltd has announced that Actual Veggies, a healthy plant-based burger brand, has launched on its digital marketplace ShopVejii.com.

The Kelowna, British Columbia-based company noted that Actual Veggies creates its burger patties to offer a healthier alternative to traditional burgers.

Additionally, it said the company works directly with farmers to source the freshest and sustainable crops, and all research and development happens in the company's kitchen, not in a lab. Actual Veggies' in-house chef strives to create products that are clean, tasty, and filling, Vejii added.

"As we continue to scale our brand and marketplace, it is especially important to us to remain committed to the community we've created by partnering with companies that have also committed to sustainability," Vejii CEO Kory Zelickson said in a statement.

"This partnership with Actual Veggies' will allow us to expand our selection for our customers with a unique and innovative plant-based burger option that is unlike many brands that are currently on the market."

Vejii said Actual Veggies patties are  pound, thick-cut, and filled with wholesome, plant-only ingredients. There are no fillers, preservatives or ingredients that can't be pronounced, it added.

The company said the Vejii marketplace was built to make it easy for brands like Actual Veggies to rapidly scale sales and distribution nationally and internationally. It said it will be supporting the company by helping it to gain national exposure across the US.

"At Actual Veggies' we are committed to simple, clean ingredients and no science projects or processing. Everything starts from the ground. We're reducing environmental strain while also making tasty food options that are convenient and healthy too," Actual Veggies CEO Jason Rosenbaum said.

"Vejii's company ethos and mission align with what we are trying to accomplish as a company. To be able to grow our brand while working with a company that is equally as committed to sustainability is something that we are proud to be able to do."

Vejii is a unified digital marketplace and fulfillment platform featuring thousands of plant-based and sustainable-living products from a growing list of hundreds of vendors.

The platform offers an easy-to-use, omnichannel experience for both vendors and buyers, leveraging big data and artificial intelligence to elegantly connect brands with a targeted consumer base, both organically and through specialized marketing programs.

Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com
Organic Garage (TSX-V:OG) Ltd has announced that its plant-based food company, Future of Cheese Inc, is preparing to launch its own e-commerce store within the first quarter of 2022, where its complete line of dairy alternative products will be offered for sale across Canada.

The Toronto-based company said Future of Cheeses recent plant-based product launches in physical retail locations were met with tremendous demand and positive reviews from consumers, critics, chefs and the media. Its Ripened Brie was named the Worlds most realistic vegan brie by US-based VegNews, it added.

Since our launch, we have been inundated with requests for orders from customers across Canada and the US, asking if they can buy direct, Future of Cheese president Jen Wojtaszek said in a statement.

The plant-based food trend combined with the necessity of online grocery shopping has accelerated our plans to launch our e-commerce retail platform in order to meet the growing demand from the click-to-table digital shopper, she added.

With online grocery sales in the US reaching nearly $100 billion in 2021 and over 70% of households having placed at least one online grocery order during the year, the company said it strongly believes that accelerating the plans to roll out its online shopping platform will quickly expand its reach to new customers and add direct-to-consumer sales.

Future of Cheese also plans to highly curate the shopping experience, providing customers with a detailed walk-through of each product from its nutritional values to the unique processes used to produce each item, something that is challenging to do through traditional retail, it added.

We want the customer to be educated and inspired when they choose to purchase our products, the same way I visit a table in my restaurants to personally walk a diner through the process of creating the food that they will experience, and leave them with the satisfaction that we care deeply about the food and products we are providing, Craig Harding, co-founder and culinary director of Future of Cheese concluded.

Organic Garage (TSX-V:OG) is one of Canadas leading independent organic grocers and is committed to offering its customers a wide selection of healthy and natural products at everyday affordable prices. The companys stores are in prime retail locations designed to give customers an inclusive, unique and value-focused grocery shopping experience.

Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com
The Amarillo Grande project is set to be a supplier of uranium and vanadium across Argentina

Blue Sky Uranium Corp. (TSX-V:BSK, OTCQB:BKUCF) has announced that the lawsuit introduced before the Supreme Court of the Province of Rio Negro in Argentina and a subsequent appeal filed before the same court against the company have been dismissed.

The company said the plaintiffs have not filed any further appeals, making the ruling final.

Blue Sky referred to an announcement made on September 16, 2021, in which it said that its wholly-owned Argentinian subsidiary Minera Cielo Azul (MCA) had received notice that it had been named in a lawsuit by anti-mining, environmental activists in Argentina against its Amarillo Grande project. The defendants in this action were MCA and the Government of the Province of Rio Negro.

"As initially stated by the company, the lawsuit proved to be without merit, Blue Sky said in a statement.

The company and MCA have obtained the relevant permits for all its exploration activities and operate in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Throughout this process, Blue Sky said exploration operations proceeded unimpeded and it is continuing with its drilling plans, surface exploration initiatives, advanced metallurgical studies, and environmental baseline studies as previously announced.

"We are pleased to have this matter behind us and give our full attention to our ongoing exploration programs in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations," the companys president and CEO Nikolaos Cacos said.

"On behalf of the board, I thank our legal team and the support of our shareholders."

Blue Sky Uranium is on the verge of becoming a South American leader in uranium production. The energy metal discovery firm has exclusive rights to properties in two provinces in Argentina and is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management collective that has pioneered Argentinian exploration since 1993.

Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com
The primary piece of processing equipment is a submerged electric arc furnace that generates heat up to 1,600 degrees Celsius sufficient to melt the quartzite

MGX Minerals Inc has announced the engagement of global mining equipment supplier Metso-Outotec for its British Columbia silicon project.

Vancouver-based MGX said Metso has been tasked with providing design, equipment, and mechanical engineering for the processing of high-grade silica from the companys wholly owned Gibraltar silica deposit into silicon metal 3303# grade.

The primary piece of processing equipment is a submerged electric arc furnace (SAF) that generates heat up to 1,600 degrees Celsius sufficient to melt the quartzite. The liquid metal is then tapped and poured into bricks and rough crushed into 3-4 inch pieces for shipment.

MGX noted that the demand for silicon metal continues to grow and recent supply chain bottlenecks have limited overall supply, creating an opportunity for the distribution of silicon in Asia from North America.

Increased demand for solar panels, microprocessors, and silicon alloys, due to their semi-conductor and structural properties, continues to create large-scale shortages for silicon. The company said Silicon metal 3303# grade is currently quoted at US$3,500 per tonne in East China.

MGX recently entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) for business development and distribution partnership with Dong Bang Metal Co. Ltd of Korea for metallurgical grade silicon 3303#. Dong Bang will receive exclusive distribution rights for Asia, inclusive of Korea and Japan.

Meanwhile, the company noted that metallurgical testing on a one-ton sample from its Gibraltar Silica deposit, located 95 kilometers northeast of Cranbrook, British Columbia, has indicated that the material is chemically suitable, as medium quality feedstock, for metallurgical-grade silicon.

The sample was crushed and screened into fractions between 20120 millimeters (mm) for evaluation of the applicability of these fractions as feedstock for metallurgical-grade silicon production. Results indicate that the material, after comminution and classification fraction, is of high initial purity (99.5 wt%), making the fraction chemically suitable as medium quality feedstock material for metallurgical-grade silicon metal production.

MGX said it has completed five drill holes at Gibraltar. The objective of the drill program was to test subsurface dimensions of high purity quartzite. The Gibraltar North Zone has been sampled, mapped and the area located about 400 meters north of the south zone, represents the continuation of the Mount Wilson Formation quartzite.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
Starton Therapeutics Inc CEO Pedro Lichtinger talks to Proactive about achievements the Paramus, New Jersey-based company made in 2021.

Lichtinger also talked through the significance of receiving its first Clinical Trial Authorization in the Netherlands to start a Phase 1 study on its STAR-LLD continuous delivery lenalidomide.
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) will hold its annual conference this Spring in Boao, a coastal town in China's southernmost province of Hainan, the secretariat of the forum said Wednesday.

Due to the COVID-19 impacts, exact dates for the conference are yet to be decided after consultation, said BFA Secretary General Li Baodong.

This year's conference will focus on six areas, including the COVID-19 pandemic, green recovery and sustainable development as well as the progress of Asian regional cooperation, according to Li.

The conference is expected to be held both online and offline. Government officials and heads of international organizations, guests from business and academia will gather and discuss the post-pandemic development agenda for Asia and the world.

Li said that the secretariat is confident of hosting a successful conference and highlighted the importance of a forward-looking approach in promoting post-pandemic global development.

The BFA annual conference hosted its 20th edition last year after being canceled in 2020 due to the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals. 
Assay results for the remaining nine holes of the 2021 drill program are expected during coming weeks and will be reported after they are received

Nevada Silver Corporation (TSX-V:NSC) said that it has received results from its 2021 diamond drill program at its wholly-owned Corcoran silver-gold project in Nevada, USA.

The Toronto-based company shared the highlights from five additional diamond drill holes, including a bonanza-grade silver interval of 3,470 grams per ton (g/t) silver and 0.96 g/t gold in a drill hole (between 117.41 meters and 118.55 meters) - the highest-grade silver result received to date for the 2021 drilling program, the company said.

"All holes cut thick zones of near-surface silver and gold and have confirmed the continuity of mineralization over a trend extending for many hundreds of meters, Gary Lewis, Nevada Silver CEO, said in a statement.

He added: The exceptional high silver grades in both CC21-02 and CC21-17 indicate widespread high values of silver with appreciable gold, relatively close to the surface. As geochemical results from the remaining holes are returned from the laboratory, we will have a much better idea of the orientation and continuity of structures which appear to host these bonanza grades."

One hole reported 62.29 meters (m) from 87.56m at 94 g/t silver equivalent (AgEq), 75 g/t silver, 0.25 g/t gold (Au).

Another contained 3.45m from 73.00m at 163 g/t AgEq (98 g/t Ag, 0.87 g/t Au). The others were 65.82m from 8.18 meters at 27 g/t AgEq (10g/t Ag, 0.23 g/t Au); and 42.97m from 59.55m at 56 g/t AgEq (30g/t Ag, 0.35g/t Au), respectively.

Drill hole location map of the Corcoran Ag-Au deposit showing completed NSC drill holes. New assay data for drill holes are highlighted in red.

The company said that the results are from finalized assay data in NSC's recently completed 3,040-meter drilling program at the outcropping epithermal Corcoran Silver-Gold deposit located 80 miles north of Tonapah in southern Nevada.

Assay results for the remaining nine holes of the 2021 drill program are expected during coming weeks and will be reported after they are received, the company said.

Contact Ritika at ritika@proactiveinvestors.com
United Nations, Jan 12 : A UN envoy has said that Mali's partners should help lay the foundations for lasting stability in the worn-torn landlocked country in west Africa.

Mali's partners should build on the aspirations of the Malian people for peace "to help lay the foundations for lasting stability," the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the country, El-Ghassim Wane, told the Security Council's meeting on the situation in Mali on Tuesday.

A decade after civil conflict erupted in Mali, hopes for an early resolution to insurgency and strife have not materialised, said Wane.

Instead, the UN top envoy added, "insecurity has expanded, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated, more children are out of school and the country has been affected by an endless cycle of instability." In fact, more than 1.8 million people are expected to need food assistance in 2022 compared to 1.3 million in 2021, the highest level of food insecurity recorded since 2014, Xinhua news agency reported.

And more than half a million children have been affected by school closures, which the envoy believes puts "the future of the country in jeopardy." Despite these challenges, Wane argued that the situation "would have been far worse" without the engagement of the international community, including the deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, in 2013.

The Malian government has been seeking to restore stability following a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a failed military coup d'etat, renewed fighting between government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical extremists.

The special representative also briefed the Council on the current stand-off between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Malian transitional leadership, controlled by the military.

Over the weekend, ECOWAS held an extraordinary summit and decided that the proposed timetable for the transition, lasting up to five and a half years, was "totally unacceptable." Urging Malian authorities to focus on a speedy return to constitutional order, they decided to uphold individual sanctions put in place on December 12 and imposed additional ones.

The new sanctions include the recall of ambassadors from Bamako, capital and largest city of Mali, the closing of land and air borders, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions (with some exemptions), and the suspension of financial assistance, among others.

Mali reciprocated by recalling its ambassadors and closing its borders with ECOWAS member states.

In an address to the nation on Monday evening, however, Malian transition President Colonel Assimi Goita called for unity and calm, sying that Mali remains open to dialogue.

Wane explained that supporting the transition is a key aspect of the MINUSMA mandate, so the mission will try to find a consensual way out to overcome the impasse.

"A protracted impasse will make it much harder to find a consensual way out, while increasing hardship for the population and further weakening state capacity," he argued, warning that such scenario would "have far-reaching consequences for Mali and its neighbours." The conflict has also had a devastating impact on civilians and the humanitarian situation.

In such difficult circumstances, the UN envoy described the response to the humanitarian appeal as "lukewarm," with only 38 per cent of funding received.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : There is a short story 'Conchology' in her book 'The High Priestess Never Marries', which was the first time she had attempted to bring the mystery of Kallady's musical lagoon into her work. For author Sharanya Manivannan the tale took years to write as she would keep glimpsing what it was supposed to be, but wasnt able to gather the complete look until near the end of finishing that manuscript.

"I went to Sri Lanka immediately after the book was published; in fact, 'The High Priestess Never Marries' was launched in Colombo first. It was during this trip that something was seeded in my heart about the 'meen magal' as a personal and creative motif. A few months later I began returning to Batticaloa, too, where I had only been once before. These trips had as their overt intention researching the meen magal or singing fish phenomenon, but the deeper draw was to be in the place that my family is from, the place I did not get to grow up in or even visit because of the civil war in Sri Lanka," says the author whose graphic novel 'Incantations Over Water' (Westland Publications) that hit the stands recently.

The book is part of a duology on 'Ila of the Kallady' lagoon, and is accompanied by a picture book for children, 'Mermaids in the Moonlight'.

This author of seven books who writes and illustrates fiction, poetry, children's literature and non-fiction says that she has been drawing and painting since her teens, and writing since she was a child.

"It did not seem unusual to me to bring these two together. It seemed so natural in fact that while I know when I began thinking about mermaids as a creative motif, I don't know exactly why I chose the visual medium. The mermaids themselves are very visual in Batticaloa, of course: the symbol is across public facades everywhere." Recipient of the South Asian Laadli Award for 'The High Priestess Never Marries', Manivannan's books --- 'Mermaids in the Moonlight' and 'Incantations Over Water' were created during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Together, the books form my Ila duology. 'Moonlight...' is about a woman from the diaspora taking her child (Nilavoli) to the island and to the lagoon for the first time. During their boat ride, Nilavoli receives an inheritance of stories, which also gently help her to understand her culture and the civil war. The child and mother create a mermaid named Ila, and play with the possibility that she lives in the lagoon. In 'Incantations..', it is Ila who is the narrator. As a book for adults, it is a darker and deliberately complex work, going deeper into the region's realities." Adding that when it comes to revealing herself through her characters, it is something that just happens sometimes, and is not really important for her.

"I write and draw primarily for my own solace or pleasure, so anything I feel or think about enters the work." Hailing from a country that witnessed one of the longest and bloodiest civil wars in the world, the author feels that it's vital just not to forget, but also to have nuanced narratives -- as well as to understand that the civil war is only over officially, but that scars and tribulations persist in different forms.

"Perhaps I'm aware of the literature and cinema out there because of my personal investment in the topic. Authors like Anuk Arudpragasam, Nayomi Munaweera, Sharmila Seyyid, Rajith Savanadasa, Michael Ondaatje and Shyam Selvadurai have written remarkable texts. One of my favourite novels is Shankari Chandran's 'Song Of The Sun God', which is not about the conflict per se, but Tamil lives over decades. Tamil creatives and activists from India have a long history of appropriating the pain of communities from and of the island, and I would caution against most work by them. Exceptions would be Rohini Mohan, Meera Srinivasan, Swarna Rajagopalan and Samanth Subramanian, who work in different non-fiction disciplines." Recalling the emotions she felt while visiting Batticaloa for the first time a decade back, she remembers being ill and sprawled out asleep in one row of the van for 10 hours on the highway from Colombo.

"I can never forget sitting up just in time to see the mermaid arch at the entrance of the town. It was drizzling, and electric lights had been turned on in the late dusk. I saw the mermaid arch -- it appears in both the books; it has three mermaids sitting atop it, greeting those who enter or leave the town -- and my ancestral temple which is right beside it, for the first time." She also recalls that during that trip she sat on the front porch of the house that her grandmother had yearned for deeply and in the final year of her life kept saying that she wanted to see that porch one more time.

"She died without fulfilling that yearning. Still, that trip was difficult for me for various reasons, and I know that the only thing that gave me the courage to attempt to go back there was the pursuit of the mermaids. Being able to tell myself that I was going there out of curiosity about why the mermaid symbol is everywhere in Batticaloa except in the folklore gave me emotional scaffolding for a journey that all and exiles can undertake only at great risk to their hearts. I am profoundly fortunate and grateful -- each time I went back, filled my heart, and the overflow of those feelings are what fill my pages." Stressing that she thoroughly enjoyed illustrating these books, and this aspect of creating them gave her much peace, the author adds that almost half of the art in 'Incantations Over Water' was created during the weeks of her father's hospitalisation due to Covid-19 during the second wave.

"And in the one month after his demise -- my family formally mourned for 31 days, as per Batticaloa customs -- the book was finished just before this period ended. Immersing myself in the art buoyed me."
San Francisco, Jan 12 : To keep the app eligible for download via the App Store, microblogging and social networking platform Tumblr has rolled out a new feature "Sensitive Content toggle" for iOS users.

The new feature allows users to choose whether to opt-in or opt-out of potentially sensitive content on the iOS app.

"These latest updates provide more control to our community on the iOS app to build the experience that fits them best, and to explore the content that they find interesting," the platform said in a blog post.

"While the experience for our community is a top priority, we must also comply with Apple's App Store Guidelines and our own guidelines," it added.

Users can now choose to enable or disable a 'Hide Sensitive Content' toggle. By default this setting will be enabled, affecting the filtering only on the iOS app.

When the "Hide Sensitive Content" toggle is enabled: posts with sensitive tags will be filtered from recommendations, explicit blogs will continue to be blocked on iOS, search results with sensitive tags will be blocked.

By disabling the toggle, users will be able to: Search for tags that may contain posts of a sensitive nature, but do not violate our guidelines. They will be able to tap through an overlay on blogs that have been flagged as explicit but will still not be able to access any posts that have been flagged as explicit.

These changes will only impact those who are accessing Tumblr through the latest version of the iOS app (version 22.5.2).

People with this latest version will be able to visit their settings on desktop or mobile web to disable the Hide Sensitive Content toggle.

Once that is done and they quit and restart their iOS app, sensitive content that doesn't violate Tumblra's guidelines will once again appear in the iOS app.

For Android app users, accessing Tumblr through mobile web or online through www.tumblr.com, the mentioned web toggle will still appear but will have no impact on sensitive content displayed.

Last month, Tumblr, which faced a year-long struggle with approval on the iOS App Store, had said that they have made fresh changes to remain on the Apple App Store.

The platform had said that to remain available within Apple's App Store, the company had to extend the definition of what sensitive content is as well as the way its users access it to comply with Apple guidelines.
Seoul : This photo, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 12, 2022, shows what the North claims to be a new hypersonic missile being launched the previous day.(Yonhap/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Seoul : This photo, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 12, 2022, shows what the North claims to be a new hypersonic missile being launched the previous day. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who watched the firing, " Image Source: IANS News

Seoul, Jan 12 : North Korea said Wednesday it has successfully conducted the "final" test-firing of a new hypersonic missile a day earlier as its leader Kim Jong-un called for the strengthening of the country's "strategic military muscle both in quality and quantity" during an on-site inspection.

"The superior maneuverability of the hypersonic glide vehicle was more strikingly verified through the final test-fire," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. "The test-fire was aimed at the final verification of overall technical specifications of the developed hypersonic weapon system," reported Yonhap News Agency.

The hypersonic glide vehicle demonstrated "glide jump flight", "corkscrew maneuvering" and hit "the set target in waters 1,000 km off," it added with regard to Tuesday's launch. It marked the third known test-firing of what the secretive North claims to be a hypersonic missile, with the second one conducted last week.

Kim attended the firing in an activity which Pyongyang usually describes as field guidance. He previously oversaw such a major missile test in March 2020.

A photo released by the country's tightly controlled state media showed Kim's influential sister, Kim Yo-jong, accompanying him.

The North's latest saber-rattling came as nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang remain stalled since the no-deal Hanoi summit in February 2019.

Kim urged officials in the missile research sector to "bolster the war deterrent of the country with their continued ultra-modern scientific research achievements" and stressed the need to build up "strategic military muscle both in quality and quantity." South Korea's military initially downplayed the North's hypersonic missile claims as "exaggeration" but stated later the latest launch demonstrated "improvement" from the previous tests.

The North announced the first test-firing of a "hypersonic" missile Hwasong-8 in September last year. The missile reportedly flew at a top speed of around Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday's projectile flew over 700 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 60 km and a maximum speed of Mach 10.

Some experts here are still cautious about making a conclusion on the North's hypersonic missile capability.

Speed alone is not a definitive element for the categorisation of hypersonic missiles, as ordinary medium-range projectiles also typically fly at such a speed during boost phases after liftoff. It is the hypersonic missile's speed coupled with its maneuverability at a low altitude that makes it harder to intercept, they say.

Developing a hypersonic weapon was one of the North's "five core tasks" under a five-year plan to strengthen its defense capabilities unveiled at its eighth party congress held a year ago.

"North Korea is likely to continue with testing other strategic weapons it vowed to develop down the road," Prof. Lim Eul-chul at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies said.

On Tuesday, President Moon Jae-in expressed concern over North Korea's repeated missile launches ahead of South Korea's presidential election slated for March and ordered officials to come up with measures to ensure "no further tension in inter-Korean relations." The White House also condemned North Korea's latest launch and urged the North to engage in dialogue.
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : The Karnataka Police have arrested a college student here for blackmailing aspiring women models by morphing their pictures and threatening to upload them on social media, police said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Prapanch Nachappa (23) from Kodagu, is studying at a private college in Bengaluru.

According to police, accused Prapanch Nachappa had opened a fake Instagram account in the name of a woman. He claimed himself to be Prateeksha Bora, a model, and posted about the opportunities for aspiring models.

The gullible girls who looked up for an opportunity, responded to his announcements and contacted him over phone. He had given his cellphone number as contact.

He also targeted good looking girls. He sent them pleasantries in the morning and evenings. After chatting and gaining leniency he advised them to join modeling.

The accused, after being contacted, asked the girls to send their bold photographs. He also promised them to pay Rs 2,000 per photograph. He also told them that a bikini photograph would fetch them Rs 10,000.

Once he got bikini photographs the accused asked the girls to send nude photographs. When girls refused, he threatened them that their bikini photos would be made viral on social media. Further he morphed their snaps to make them look vulgar and resent them to victims and demanded money.

He blackmailed them that if they did not give money, their photographs would be made viral on social media. He also threatened that their careers would end.

The accused blackmailed over 20 modeling women. He extorted between Rs 10,000 to Rs 2 lakh from them. Some of the models and gullible victims went into depression and even attempted to commit suicide not able to take the pressure, police said.

The case came to light when one of the victim girls approached the Halasuru police station after being threatened by the accused with the help of a social activist. She gave all details of the accused along with the modus operandi to the police.

The police, after collecting information, took up the investigation and arrested the accused. The police have found hundreds of photographs of aspiring models on his phone. Investigation is on.
Moradabad : , Jan 12 (IANS) Six women, including five college girls, suffered pellet injuries after the gun of a bank guard accidentally went off when it fell on the ground.

The incident took place on Tuesday in the Mughalpura area when the guard was trying to control the crowd at the bank on Tuesday.

Families of the injured girls gathered outside the bank to protest.

The guard has been detained and his gun seized, said police.

According to reports, around 60 customers, including a few college girls, had come to withdraw scholarship money. They had gathered outside the bank branch and were waiting for the gates to open.

Only 10 people are allowed in at a time as per the Covid guidelines. When the gate was opened, several people attempted to rush in and there was a scuffle with the guard.

In the ensuing melee, the guard's 12 bore gun fell on the ground and went off.

The injured have been identified as Ruby Khan, 35, Rani, 18, Meera, 21, Rakhi Rastogi,20, Megha Saini, 20, and Jwala, 22. They were taken to the district hospital for treatment.

Kathghar circle officer Ashutosh Tiwari later carried out an inspection and secured the CCTV footage of the incident.

He said, "We have recorded the statement of the bank manager, who said the guard was following instructions. We have not collected any evidence to suggest it was a deliberate act. The CCTV footage shows that the gun fell on the ground while he was trying to control the crowd and it went off. Fortunately, no one was grievously injured. No complaint has been filed by any of the victims yet. We will lodge an FIR against the guard for negligence."
Beijing, Jan 12 : Elon Musk-owned electric vehicle company Tesla has sold a record 70,847 China-made vehicles in December, says a new report.

According to the auto-tech website Electrek, the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) released its numbers this week and showed that Tesla sold 70,847 China-made vehicles in December -- a new record.

The vast majority were sold in China and only 245 units were exported to other markets.

Gigafactory Shanghai has become Tesla's exportation hub and early in the quarter -- in this case, October and November -- the automaker produced vehicles for international markets, especially Europe and Asia and focused on producing vehicles for the Chinese market later in the quarter.

These new 70,847 units add up to a total of 473,078 vehicles coming from China or sold in China for Tesla in 2021, the report said.

As per the report, that is roughly half of the 936,000 electric vehicles delivered by Tesla last year.

About 160,000 of those 473,000 vehicles were exported to markets outside of China.
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : Amid Covid third wave, Karnataka is gearing up to celebrate Sankranti festival, which is celebrated in rural as well as urban areas with equal fervour as it is harvest festival for farmers of the state. It marks the first day of Sun's transit from Makar Rashi (Capricorn).

This year the festival falls on January 15, Saturday. As the state government has imposed curfew orders on the weekends, the people are most likely to welcome the new-year on a low key.

Due to restrictions during the weekend, people have started shopping for the festival during weekdays. Loads of sugarcane have arrived in Bengaluru and other urban centres as people distribute it to friends and neighbours along with white sesame seeds, neem leaf, jaggery and fried grams.

According to traditions, this custom symbolises welcoming joy and grief equally in the coming days. The sale of ground nuts, flat beans, and sweet potatoes are also on rise as people shop them to make special dishes.

The shopping spree has already begun in the capital Bengaluru. The localities of KR Market, Malleshwaram, Gandhi Bazar, Yelahanka, Yeshwanthpur, Basavanagudi, Jayanagar, Dasarahalli, Madivala and other areas are abuzz with festival shopping.

On the auspicious day of Sankranti, girls wear new clothes to visit near and dear ones with a Sankranthi offering on a plate and exchange the same with other families. The ritual is called 'ellu birodu'.

The plate would normally contain white sesame seeds mixed with ground nuts, dry coconut, jaggery and neem leaf. The plate would also have sugar candy moulds popularly known as 'sakkare achchu' in Karnataka.

Kite flying, drawing rangolis, decorating cows, bulls and bullock carts are also intrinsic parts of the festival. In rural areas, bulls are made to cross fire.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Heavy snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir has led to many far-flung areas getting cut off from the mainland. But the security forces, including Army and Border Security Force, are lending a helping hand to the people in distress.

The soldiers carrying pregnant women and other terminally ill people to hospitals on foot has been a common practice in J&K during winter months for the past many years. In distress residents of far-flung areas have only one hope, i.e., the Army soldiers or the jawans of other security forces, who are deployed in their areas all throughout the year.

Recently a video clip showing the Indian Army soldiers carrying a pregnant woman to a hospital on their shoulders amid heavy snowfall in north Kashmir's Uri sector went viral on social media. The locals from Ghagar Hill village along Line of Control in Boniyar had sought the help of an Army unit in their area to carry a pregnant woman to the hospital. The jawans amidst heavy snowfall carried the woman on their shoulders over a distance of 6.5 Kms to the primary health centre.

In south Kashmir's Shopian district, an Army evacuation team carried another pregnant woman on a stretcher from snowbound Ramnagri village to the district hospital.

The BSF jawans airlifted three patients for medical attention from the snow-bound Tangdhar sector to Kupwara. Tangdhar remains cut off for days altogether during winter due to snowfall and mud slides that block the road.

Always at forefront Security forces deployed in Jammu and Kashmir besides fighting Pakistan sponsored insurgency have always remained at forefront to help the local people. During winter months civil administration usually seeks help from the Army to reach out to the people living in mountainous areas. Army and other security forces have never said no. Even if the locals approach the security forces directly for any assistance, it's provided to them without any recommendation from the local authorities as the local commanders don't want people to get caught in wrangles during crisis time. Their only aim is to solve the problem.

The people friendly approach of the security forces has helped them win the hearts of masses. Denizens of Jammu and Kashmir rely heavily upon the security forces in difficult situations.

The local Army units deployed in far-flung areas keep on organizing medical and other camps for the local population. These units also provide ration, clothes, blankets and quilts to the people in winter so that they are equipped to fight the inclement weather conditions.

People's Army During the past thirty years, Pakistan and its advocates in Jammu and Kashmir have tried their best to project the Indian Army and other Central armed forces as "occupational forces" but their propaganda based on lies and deceit has fallen flat. The security forces have built a strong relation with the local populace in J&K. Officers and jawans despite facing all the odds have always remained available for the common man. They have protected him from the militants and have ensured that whenever a civilian is in need the armed forces reach out to him without any delay.

There have been instances where the Army has rescued the people from accident sites, and has prevented the fire from gutting the entire village. The soldiers have built a strong bond with a common man. The residents of J&K reposing faith in the security forces have hurt the militants and their bosses sitting across the Line of Control. Many civilians during the past 30-years have been labeled as informers of security forces and killed by the ultras.

There was a time when militant groups used to issue diktats to people, asking them not to visit the camps of security forces and attend their programmes. But the common people didn't succumb under pressure and maintained a cordial relationship with the security forces. By doing so they sent a clear message that the Indian Army is People's Army and it's not an "occupational force".

By helping security forces to fight the militancy, a common man in J&K has made it clear that ultras are not their friends as their only aim is to disrupt their lives and kill people to fight the proxy war of Pakistan.

Human face, big heart Till August 5, 2019 -- when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate J&K's special status and divided it into two Union Territories -- a common man in J&K was unable to give vent to his feelings in an explicit way but during the past two years nationalist voices have become vocal. They are calling spade a spade and are openly acknowledging who is their friend and who is their enemy.

The human face and big heart of the security forces has always been visible. In 2005 when an earthquake devastated villages, hamlets and towns in Kashmir, the security forces provided shelter to people in their camps and helped them in rebuilding their homes.

When Kashmir witnessed the worst floods of the century in 2014, central armed forces, including the Indian Air Force, were the first ones to reach out to the marooned people. The security forces pressed their boats and manpower into service to pull the people out of the inundated areas in Kashmir. The IAF helicopters airlifted thousands of people and took them to safer places.

Security forces in J&K by their actions have on every occasion proven the adversary wrong. Their presence in Jammu and Kashmir has helped a common man to carry out his daily chores without any fear. The soldiers put their lives at stake to ensure that a civilian remains safe and the enemies of peace, prosperity and development don't succeed in their nefarious designs.

Security forces have always been there to serve the people of J&K and ensure their well being. Besides protecting a common man from the enemy and the elements inimical to peace, jawans of Army, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and others have always extended a helping hand. Whenever a common Kashmiri has been in distress he has always looked towards the armed forces and they have never let him down.
Aerial photo taken on Jan. 8, 2022 shows a test bullet train running on the new Chengdu-Kunming railway in Dechang County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

A new railway operating schedule introduced on Monday will help increase passenger and freight capacity for the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush.

The travel rush is projected to last 40 days from Jan 17 to Feb 25, with about 280 million train trips expected to be made.

China State Railway Group, the national railway operator, said the network will operate 10,462 passenger train routes and more than twice that number of freight train services under the new schedule.

The capacity of high-speed trains from central and eastern provinces to the southern province of Guangdong will be improved, with travel times shortened, it said.

For example, it takes only three and a half hours to travel from Nanchang, Jiangxi's provincial capital, to Shenzhen in Guangdong by bullet train under the new schedule, compared to four to seven hours before.

The railway operator said the new schedule will also optimize freight transport capacity to meet the nation's coal shipping needs.

Thirty-eight additional freight train services will be offered along lines including the one from Beijing to Shanghai and the line from Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, to Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Another four heavy-load freight train services are available on the line from Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, to Ji'an, Jiangxi, according to the new schedule, in addition to the existing 120 freight train services.

The railway operator said that it has also improved policies on refunding and changing train tickets to better facilitate travel during the Spring Festival rush.

Ticket services on 12306, a mobile application and website it runs, will be extended to 1 am from the previous 11:30 pm, except for Tuesdays. The services open to the public at 5 am each day.

Ticket refund services will be available up to the time the train departs from the station. Previously, travelers were only allowed to get ticket refunds up to 25 minutes before the train departed.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : Exhibiting his extraordinary weaving skills, a young handloom weaver in Telangana has woven a saree which can be kept in a matchbox.

Nalla Vijay, a resident of Rajanna Sircilla district, has woven the silk saree. It takes two weeks for him to weave the saree with hands and it costs Rs 12,000. If weaved on machines, it takes three days and costs Rs 8,000.

The talented weaver is continuing the family tradition, drawing inspiration from his father Nalla Parandhamulu. He has been weaving sarees on handloom.

Vijay displayed his hand woven saree before state ministers K. Taraka Rama Rao, P. Sabitha Indrareddy, V. Srinivas Goud and Errabelli Dayakar Rao. The ministers were all praise for the talented young weaver and enquired about the material used and the process of weaving.

The ministers said while they heard about the saree which can fit into a matchbox but were personally seeing it for the first time. They assured all help to the weaver for his innovations. Vijay gifted a saree to Sabitha Indrareddy.

The weaver told the ministers that the handloom sector in Sircilla has seen many changes in recent times thanks to the support provided by the state government. He said the weavers from Sircilla were adopting the latest techniques and modern tools.

The saree woven by Vijay was earlier displayed at World Telugu Conference in 2017. He had also gifted a saree made with super fine silk to then US president Barack Obama's wife Michelle Obama, when the couple had come to India in 2015.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Fintech platform Refyne on Wednesday said it has raised $82 million in its Series B funding led by Tiger Global.

The platform enables employees to withdraw their earned salary in real time before the payment is due, thus reducing debt traps by providing instant access to earned salary.

The Earned Wage Access (EWA) solution provider said the since its inception (December 2020), it has raised a total of $106 million.

Earned Wage Access provides access to a portion of their accrued (but unpaid) salary any time before payday.

EWA is not a loan, therefore does not involve borrowing on the part of the employee and carries no cost to the employer.

"We built Refyne on the notion that everyone should be able to manage their personal finances without the threat of falling into debt traps due to liquidity shortfalls between pay cycles," said Chitresh Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder, Refyne.

The latest funding round was joined by existing investors QED and partners of DST Global, among others.

The company has partnered with more than 150 organizations, catering to over 700,000 employees. It expects to reach more than 3 million employees in 12 months.

In less than a year, Refyne's transacting user base has grown 68x and the platform recorded 165x increase in the number of transactions over the period, underscoring the liquidity gap being addressed by EWA.

The Series B funding will propel Refyne's position as an innovative product in India's fiercely competitive fintech space that is simplifying personal finance for the masses on a mega scale.

The funds will be used for product development, expansion of the team, and to ramp up various business functions, said the company.

"We believe Refyne will be the preferred partner for large employers that want to offer Earned Wage Access," said Alex Cook, Partner, Tiger Global.

Refyne's partner companies include Practo, TeamLease, CARS24, Tenon, Shadowfax, Rebel Foods, Acko, BlackBuck, Arti Group, Cafe Coffee Day, among several others.
New Delhi, Jan 12: The first ever face to face talk between the Taliban and their archrival Ahmad Massoud was a non-starter. According to close confidants of Massoud, the Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Mutaqqi rejected demands by the National Resistance Front (NRF) by saying that the Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani who is also the chief of Haqqani Network has already rejected these demands of decentralising the power and inclusive government.

According to the spokesperson of Ahmad Massoud led Afghan National Resistance Front, Sebghatullah Ahmadi, the Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Mutaqqi made this clear to Massoud during their talks that, "Haqqani Network has the upper hand and that the Haqqani Network is not in favour of meeting these demands. Hence, they cannot accept these demands till they marginalise the Haqqani Network in future," Sebghatullah Ahmadi told BBC Persian.

He said in his interview to the channel that the Taliban minister admitted that there were internal differences in the Taliban regime on several issues but was hopeful "it will be solved in the future." According to Sebghatullah Ahmadi, Ahmad Massoud told Mutaqqi that "the issues of women's rights, children's rights, establishing a lawful govt through a fair election, eliminating tyranny, freedom of expression and changing the system to de-centralized, are our red lines and we will never cross these red lines".

According to the NRF spokesperson, the reason for taking part in these talks was to test Taliban's false claims for peace.

"Many countries in the region believed that the Taliban had changed. These talks were a test and now it has been proven that the Taliban have not changed and that their false claims that "we want peace" have been nothing but a lie," he told BBC.

Interestingly, the confirmation about the meeting came first from the Taliban when on Monday the chief spokesperson of the group, Zabiullah Mujahid said in a Twitter post that, "Ismail Khan and Ahmad Massoud met with a delegation from the Islamic Emirate in Tehran. We assured all of them that they can come back to live freely and safely in Afghanistan. We (the Taliban) don't intend to cause any security or other problems for anyone." The meeting took place in Tehran, where the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had invited the Taliban Minister to hold talks with the Panjshir leader & NRF supremo Massoud and "Lion of Herat" Ismail Khan. According to the NRF, the meetings were held in three sessions.

The development gains significance as Iran is actively trying to normalise the degrading situation in Afghanistan as it is "close" to the Taliban and leaders of the anti -Taliban front. After the Taliban's capture of Power in Afghanistan in August last year, many of anti-Taliban leaders are in Iran.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, Jan 12 : Director Prasad Kadam expresses his joy as actors Vivek Anand Oberoi and Rohit Roy are coming together after 15 years for his short film 'Verses Of War'. Both actors were last seen together in 2007's 'Shootout at Lokhandwala'.

Director Prasad Kadam says: "Both Vivek and Rohit are seasoned and terrific actors. I had a great time directing them, and both enjoyed their characters too. I am sure audiences will enjoy their chemistry." He is known for short films like 'Chuha Billi' and has several projects in the pipeline including Anupam Kher and Aahana Kumra's short 'Happy Birthday'.

In 'Verses Of War', Vivek plays the role of an Indian soldier and Rohit will be seen as a Pakistani Army official. The entire story revolves around them and deals with the issues related to the two nations.

Shivaanii Rai will make her debut with this short film which is produced by Vikaas Gutgutia and Girish Johar.

Vivek was recently seen in the third season of the web series 'Inside Edge', while Rohit Roy was last seen in Sanjay Gupta's 'Mumbai Saga'.

'Verses of War' will be released on FNP Media's YouTube channel on January 26.
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : The Karnataka High Court has rapped the BJP government and Congress party over the Mekedatu padayatra and issued notices. The court has also directed both the parties to issue clarification by Jan 14.

Notices wwre issued on a petition filedf by social activist Nagendra Prasad.

The High Court issued notices to the state government, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Ramanagar District Commissioner and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday.

The petition was taken up by the divisional bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi. The bench taking the government to task, questioned if the government is incapable of taking action in this regard.

The bench also directed the government to clarify by Jan 14 what action it has taken to prevent the rally. It also questioned the helplessness of the government.

The bench has also questioned how the Congress violated Covid guidelines and took up the rally. The court questioned the timing of padayatra and directed it to respond on Jan 14.

The counsel for the state government submitted to the court that FIRs have been lodged against Congress leaders. The bench expressed concern over the issue and observed that the state is already affected by the Covid crisis and how such a thing which is against the interest of the public could take place.

Siddaramaiah, reacting to the court's observations, stated that their advocate would represent them in the court. "The Covid is not spreading because of Congress padayatra. It is spreading because of the negligence of the government. We will wait and see the order by the court in this regard," he said.

The Congress has taken up a 10-day padayatra demanding speedy implementation of the Mekedatu project for providing drinking water to Bengaluru and surrounding areas. Tamil Nadu has objected to the project and the matter is before the Supreme Court.
Chennai, Jan 12 : After 58 students of the Rajah Muthiah Medical College at Annamalai university campus and 17 at IIT Madras tested Covid-19 positive, both the campuses have now been turned into clusters.

According to information available, 22 boys and 33 girls from the three hostels of the college, tested positive. The students, according to the state health department, are admitted to the Rajah Muthiah Medical College hospital and the college campus has turned into a containment zone.

The health department officials said that the Annamalai university conducted a test as a precautionary measure on Monday and all the 58 students tested positive. On Tuesday 500 samples were tested and results are awaited.

The first-year MBBS students, who tested negative, were asked by the college to vacate the campus and the University in a circular issued on Wednesday said that the college will resume classes only on January 23. The students have been also directed to immediately vacate their hostel rooms.

In a related development students of IIT Madras also tested Covid-19 positive. Seventeen students and other staff and administrative members of the premier institution have tested positive. The Tamil Nadu health department officials said that 58 people, including 17 students, were tested positive at IIT Madras and that they have been sent to the government institutional quarantine/ home quarantine as advised by the government testing facility. The family members of those tested positive are placed under home quarantine.

IIT Madras said that it had informed all students, who had reached the college campus after January 1, that they would be allowed inside classrooms and laboratories after they quarantine themselves for a week or produce Covid-19 negative test results.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, Jan 12 : Actor Dulquer Salmaan on Wednesday said that a life lived in fear isn't a life lived at all.

The actor, who plays the lead in choreographer-turned-director Brindha Gopal's film 'Hey Sinamika', made the observation while announcing that the song 'Achamillai' from the film will release on January 14.

Dulquer took to Instagram to make the announcement. He wrote, "A life lived in FEAR isn't a life lived at all... it's time to be Fearless! 'Achamillai' song out on January 14. Stay tuned!" The film, which has been produced by Jio Studios, features Dulquer Salmaan, Aditi Rao Hydari and Kajal Aggarwal in the lead and will hit screens on February 25.

Dulquer Salmaan plays a character called Yaazhan, a Radio Jockey, in 'Hey Sinamika', which has a number of women techinicians working on it.

Preetha Jayaraman is the cinematographer of the film, which has editing by Radha Sridhar.
Rae Bareli, Jan 12 : A manager of the Bank of Baroda was gunned down in Shyam Nagar in the Mill area in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli district.

The incident came to light on Wednesday morning when his body was found.

Jai Prakash Pal, resident of Bhavani Nagar in Kanpur, was posted as manager in the Bank of Baroda.

On Tuesday, at around 8.30 p.m., he returned in his car to Shyam Nagar where he was staying on rent.

As he got out of his car, he was fired upon.

When the manager fell on the ground on his back, the assailant pumped five bullets into his chest. Despite the firing, none of the other residents heard the gunshots in the night.

In the morning when the people saw the body, the police were informed.

Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar reached the spot along with the forensic team and conducted an investigation. Police have found five bullet shells from the spot.

In the CCTV camera installed in the house next to Pal's house, a lame man is seen coming just before the incident.

A team has been formed to nab the accused.
Lucknow, Jan 12 : Former UP BJP minister Swami Prasad Maurya, who had resigned on Tuesday, setting off a political storm, has said that though he had not yet quit the BJP or joined Samajwadi Party, there was no question of his return.

"I have rejected the BJP and there is no question of going back," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"I have only quit as a minister. I will quit the BJP soon. For now, I am not joining the Samajwadi Party," he stated.

Maurya said that his resignation had set off a storm in the BJP and had shaken the party.

He further said, "I will speak to my people today and tomorrow. I will reveal my next political move on Friday. I will also tell you my decision and who will come with me." According to reports, the BJP had made efforts to convince Maurya to change his decision and some senior leaders had even spoken to him on phone after his resignation.
Lucknow, Jan 12 : The 2022 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are more than just about forming a government.

This is a 'do-or-die' battle for those leaders whose political future depends on the outcome of the elections.

Interestingly, most of these leaders belong to the new generation and this is the first time that they are in full command of the party they are heading.

The leader who faces the biggest challenge of his political career in this election is Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav.

Having positioned himself as the main challenger to the ruling BJP, Akhilesh has single-handedly led the campaign, stitched up alliances and even selected candidates.

In 2017 and 2019, leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Prof Ram Gopal Yadav had helped Akhilesh. Mulayam in 2019, had openly expressed his dissent on the alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party.

This time, Mulayam Singh Yadav has stayed away from election-related activities though he does make an occasional appearance at the party office.

The credit - or the blame - of the SP performance in the 2022 elections will, therefore, fall squarely on the fragile shoulders of Akhilesh Yadav. The outcome could make or mar his career, as most senior party leaders claim.

Another leader in the same league is Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who is in total charge of the party's state unit.

Priyanka is finalising the poll strategy, selection of candidates and also the mood of the campaign. While she has focussed on the election strategy, she has failed to check the health of the party's state unit which is witnessing an unprecedented exodus of leaders.

Her campaign for women and 40 per cent reservation for them in party tickets may have created a buzz in state politics but whether it will reap benefits for the Congress remains to be seen.

The Congress has also been losing leader after leader to other parties and this has left the cadres rather demoralised.

Since this is Priyanka's first independent political outing, the result will decide her future in the Congress.

What makes her task even more daunting is the fact that this time, Priyanka's mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi will not be campaigning due to health issues and her brother Rahul Gandhi has also kept himself away for unexplained reasons.

If the Congress fails to achieve the desired results in these elections, it will be Priyanka's second failure after 2019 when she had taken charge of UP and Rahul Gandhi lost his Amethi seat.

Her failure this time could bring out the knives and also create hurdles in her elevation to national politics.

Jayant Chaudhary, president of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), is also facing a make-or-break battle in the UP elections.

This is the first time that he is independently leading his party into elections after the demise of his father Chaudhary Ajit Singh.

Jayant has the advantage of being the sole political beneficiary of the year-long farmers' agitation and his political handling of the election scenario could revive his party that has been languishing in the sidelines for long.

If the RLD performs as per expectation in these elections, Jayant will be able to establish himself as the undisputed political leader of the Jats.

These elections are extremely crucial for Mayawati, president of the Bahujan Samaj Party. The BSP is at its lowest ebb and Mayawati's unexplained absence from the campaign has demoralised the cadres.

If the BSP fails to get a decent number of seats, it could further isolate the party in Uttar Pradesh and put Mayawati in an uncomfortable position.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Robotic arms assemble engines on an assembly line at a workshop of the Weichai Power Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong province, April 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China will endeavor to provide more convenient and smarter public services in the field of intellectual property rights (IPR) during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to a plan issued by the National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA).

By 2025, China is expected to create a more convenient public services system, build more smart information infrastructure, and provide diversified public services for IPR work, per the NIPA plan.

IPR public services institutions will reach all provincial-level regions by 2025, according to the plan. The country will then have approximately 200 technology and innovation support centers, 150 college-based national IPR information services centers, and 200 national IPR public services stations nationwide.

Intellectual property authorities are committed to supporting the construction of an IPR information platform, the further opening-up of basic IPR data, and the construction of high-level and specialized IPR databases, the NIPA said. 
Ramanagar, Jan 12 : Karnataka police on Wednesday lodged FIRs against 63 Congressmen, including KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, for defying curfew orders by taking part in Mekedatu padayatra.

According to Ramanagar SP Girish, the complaint has been lodged as per the complaint by the Tehsildar in Kanakapura police station.

This is the third FIR on Congress leaders who are going ahead with the 'padayatra' amid the Covid third wave and curfew orders.

On the first day, an FIR was lodged at Sathanur police station against 31 people which rose to 38 on day 2 of the 'padayatra'.

Reacting to the FIRs, Siddaramaiah questioned the ground on which the complaint was filed saying there is zero ground to lodge complaints. "There should be an action and reaction as well as omission and commission, there is nothing here," he opined.

"The government cannot threaten us by lodging FIR's This act will not deter us from our decision to complete the padayatra," he maintained.

The case has been lodged under IPC Sections 141 (by means of criminal force or show of criminal force to compel any person to do what he is legally bound to do), 143 (unlawful assembly), 290 (public nuisance) and 336 (whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or personal safety of others). They have also been booked under the Disaster Management Act.

Taking a dig at the 10-day padayatra organized by Congress party demanding speedy implementation of Mekedatu project by ruling BJP in Karnataka, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated that hundreds of participants in padayatra are Covid positive.

"I have information regarding hundreds of people who are taking part in the padayatra are Covid positive. Some of the leaders who participated have already tested positive and under treatment. As per my information many of the leaders are participating even after testing positive," he said.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has rapped the ruling BJP government and Congress in the state over the Mekedatu padayatra and issued notices. The court has also directed both to issue clarification by January 14.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin, who started his career with negative roles, had his share of doubts if the audience would readily accept him as a romantic hero in mainstream films.

The fear of being typast played on his mind in the initial phase of his career.

Recollecting his earlier days in the industry, the actor says, "When I started my career with negative roles and they became immensely talked about, I used to wonder if people would ever see me as a hero in romantic films." He continues, "I wanted to have cool romantic projects in my filmography that are complex, unique and layered. I think I prayed hard those days because, coincidentally, now I have three back to back romantic films and each one of them are extremely different from each other." Talking about his upcoming projects 'Ranjish Hi Sahi' and 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen', he says, "Not only this, in two of them, 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen' and 'Ranjish Hi Sahi', my character is in a love triangle! When these projects came to me, I could only say to myself 'be careful what you wish for' because I think I manifested these romantic films." "I think the powers above wanted me to feel satiated by doing powerful and novel romantic projects and I honestly can't complain. This is who I wanted to be growing up, a quintessential romantic film hero on the screen", he concludes.

Apart from the aforementioned projects, the actor also has 'Looop Lapeta' coming up this year where he will be seen opposite Taapsee Pannu.
Chennai, Jan 12 : Tamil Nadu college teachers have urged the state government to allow them to come to the institution on a rotational basis as Covid-19 cases are surging in the state.

The college teachers said that several teachers are getting infected with the disease and a teacher had passed away on Tuesday, due to the virus.

The colleges in the state are closed for students but the teachers have to go to the campus daily.

The teachers are worried about their health as many of them have tested positive for the virus.

A teacher at Madurai Government Arts College told IANS: "Teachers are now forced to come to colleges even though there are no classes for students. Most of the teachers have taken both the vaccines but despite that, they are contracting Covid-19. Several teachers have comorbidities and they are being admitted to hospitals once they are affected by the virus. The government must think of our safety and should take some measures to relieve us." The teachers said that online classes have also been discontinued but they have to go to the colleges just for the sake of duty and because the government is asking them to do so.

Most of the teachers are travelling in crowded public transport like buses and suburban trains exposing themselves to the virus.

In Chennai, the teachers are worried about the high rate of Covid-19 infection in the city. Chennai on Tuesday recorded a 18.1 per cent test positivity rate which is much higher than the 10.3 per cent in Tamil Nadu.

A teacher at the Government Arts College, Chennai told IANS: "The government seems to be careless about the teachers' health as most of them have comorbidities and have to travel in public transport where they can be exposed to the virus. I request the government to at least give the liberty to reach school on a rotational basis." The Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers Association, however, said that with all the government office staff reaching their offices, the association cannot urge the government to provide relief to the teachers from going to college.

However, the position taken by the Association was rejected by the teachers.

A teacher, working in a government college in Chennai, on condition on anonymity told IANS: "The Teachers association is a useless body. They should have intervened in this matter. Instead, this organisation is trying to belittle teachers. We are not like government office staff, if there are no classes for students, why should teachers come to college. Our profession is to teach students and if it is not happening, then why waste our time and get exposed to the virus."
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 : The Kerala unit of the BJP on Wednesday took potshots at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his upcoming trip to the US for seeking medical treatment.

Ever since the news surfaced that Vijayan will be leaving to the US on January 15 and will return only on January 29 for seeking expert treatment for his still 'unknown' ailment, the social media is full of trolls exposing the 'double standards' of the CPI-M.

And on Wednesday State BJP president K. Surendran in a jocular vein took on Vijayan and said, was it not the CPI-M here which was accusing the US of trying to pull down the Communist government here.

"If that be the case, then why is Vijayan running to the US for his medical treatment," asked Surendran while addressing a party meeting on Wednesday.

Incidentally the predecessors of Vijayan, be it E.K. Nayanar or V.S. Achuthanadan also used to visit western countries for medical treatments, but at that time with the social media practically absent, the political opponents used to rely on bringing out posters to highlight the double standards of the CPI-M, here, especially during election times.

But now with a hugely active social media, the posters have all disappeared and instead it's the trolls that has come out in good numbers, to take on the CPI-M here.
Kochi, Jan 12 : The Kerala High Court on Wednesday spoke tough on the state government's K-Rail project and made it clear that the court 'should not be kept in the dark' about the details of the project, and directed the authorities to stop laying the stones.

Justice Devan Ramachandran made this remark while hearing a bunch of petitions about the land being taken over for the project.

The court made it amply clear that the present exercise of laying stones in the name of K-Rail was against the rules of Survey and Boundaries Act and asked the authorities that 'they cannot lay stones embossed with K-Rail on it to demarcate the alignment of K-Rail'.

The court was told that by now over 2,800 such stones have been laid and in all there are close to 13,000 stones that will be laid.

But the court made it clear that this was against the rules and asked the state government to reply to this violation and posted the case for January 20.

The court then asked the Assistant Solicitor General of India to appear in person and give the response to this project by the Centre.

It also pointed out that it's the same counsel which is appearing for the Centre and also the Indian Railways.

The court also had a piece of advice and pointed out that such mega projects cannot be taken forward by putting people in jeopardy.

Apparently this fresh development came hours after the article of Vijayan appeared in the CPI-M party's magazine wherein he says that the project has the concurrence of the Centre. He also points out in the article that by now Kerala has by and large accepted this project barring a few stray opposition.

He also goes on to point out that funds (around Rs 33,000 crore) for the major project will be available and that major international funding agencies, including Asian Development Bank have expressed their willingness to fund the project.

Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said they were not aware about this project getting the sanctions. "Merely writing in a party magazine makes no sense. The Assembly has no clue of this project," said Satheesan.

State BJP president K.Surendran said this project has got no sanction and if anyone comes to take away the land of the ordinary people, 'it will have to be done after trampling over their bodies'.

In a related development an advertisement appeared in the newspapers on Wednesday which has invited an e-tender to print five million copies of handbook pertaining to K-Rail and meant to be distributed in the state.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Acting Minister of Defence of Afghanistan Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid has asked Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to bring back Afghanistan's planes and choppers lest they will react forcefully, Khaama Press reported.

Speaking at a gathering of Afghan pilots and personnel of the Afghan Air Force, Yakoob Mujahid said that the planes and choppers that were flown out to the neighbouring countries by Afghan pilots after August 15 are the possession of Afghanistan thus they should be returned.

"We may relatively be weaker than those of our neighbour country but we are not cowardly and will take into account every single spare part of our planes and helicopters. I ask them respectfully to return our planes and helicopters and do not question our patience any further," said the Defence Minister.

Son of the founder of Taliban, Mullah Omar, Yakoob Mujahid thanked all engineers, staff, and pilots of the Afghanistan Air Force for not leaving their country and having reactivated the Force and asked the Afghan pilots who have left Afghanistan to return to the country.

Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob further said that they are working for having an independent Air Force that is reliable to no foreign aid and will be used to protect people and the borders of Afghanistan.

Like other officials of IEA, Yaqoob also asked those Afghans who have left Afghanistan to return to the country and collaborate with them in developing the country, the report said.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : Registering his strong protest against the Central government as decision to increase the price of fertilisers, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday called up on people across the country to root out BJP government saying it was weakening the rural economy and playing havoc with the farm sector.

He said the increase in the prices of fertilisers will put the agriculture sector into a crisis and break the backbone of farming in the country.

KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, said he will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi registering his protest against the increase of fertiliser prices.

He alleged that the BJP government is weakening the rural economy, hereditary trades and playing havoc with the farm sector only to hand over the sector to the corporates.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief expressed anguish that the BJP government at the Centre removed subsidies on fertilisers, which were in vogue for several decades, and the situation came to such a pass that the farmers had no option but to take up their ploughs and revolt against the Central government.

The CM expressed his anger that the Central government which made tall promises that it would double 'the farmers' income by 2022, has now increased the prices of fertilisers at an all time high to break the farming community's back.

"It is highly reprehensible that the Central government which promised to double the income of farmers took a U-turn and increased the agriculture expenses. This shows that the BJP government is totally against the farmers and it is proved right beyond any doubt," he said.

KCR said there was a deep rooted conspiracy behind the Central government's policies and actions to make the lives of farmers miserable. Decisions like installing metres to motors to collect the power charges, not linking NREGP with the farm sector, increasing the fertilisers prices to all time high, not purchasing the paddy cultivated by the farmers, all these draconian decisions of the BJP government at the Centre have made farmers' life miserable. He said everyone should oppose the actions that would make a farmer a labourer in his own land.

The CM urged the people to confront the BJP on the matter at every opportunity. He made it clear that if the central government fails to withdraw the increased prices of fertilisers, there will be statewide and countrywide agitations against the Central government. He also urged the farming community in the state to expose the BJP's conspiracy and join the struggle to make the Centre withdraw the fertiliser price hike.
New York, Jan 12 : A protest was organised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), California in front of the Pakistan Consulate in Los Angeles.

The protest held on Monday highlighted the human rights violations perpetrated against the Pashtuns in Pakistan.

The protesters plastered the walls of the Consulate building with 24 handmade posters, saying: "Pakistan is the mother of terrorists", "Stop Pashtun Genocide", "Stop Enforced Disappearances", "With the advancement of Taliban, Democracy, Human, Women and children Rights are at stake", etc.

The Pashtuns, numbering around 200 and carrying flags and placards, led a peaceful march to the Consulate. All the while they were chanting: "Yeh jo dehshatgardi hai, uske peechey vardi hai (Behind the terrorism is the Uniform"; "Yeh jo namaloom hai, woh humein maloom hai (those who are unnamed, we know the names)" and other pro-PTM slogans.

At the Consulate, speeches were delivered highlighting Pakistan's support and funding to terrorist organisations; and illegal disappearances and killing of Pashtuns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In the afternoon, about 30 protesters forcibly entered the Consulate premises. Following this, the police arrived and requested them to leave the premises.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : To propagate the message of Investor Education and Awareness among a large group of present and prospective stakeholders, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through a virtual event here.

The objective for signing the MoU is to achieve the mandate of Investor Education, Awareness and Protection by utilising the tele-lecturing facility of Gyan Darshan Channel.

The panel of resource persons for the lecture series would include experts from professional institutions such as ICAI, ICSI & Senior officials from IEPFA, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and other regulators. The proposed lecture series of 75 episodes will be a live tele-lecturing series on 24x7 Gyan Darshan TV channel.

"All of us are here with the common goal of educating people. The entire nation is celebrating 75 years of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' to celebrate the spirit of a self-reliant, progressive nation India has become. This day is also celebrated as National Youth Day to commemorate the birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the youth ICON and influencer of global stature.

"With all these noble events falling together, today's event has become even more apt and relevant. Both IEPFA & IGNOU have the common objective of imparting education and making people aware about subjects affecting their lives. IEPFA intends to create awareness among all the stakeholder groups and specially among the youths," said Rajesh Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and ex-officio Chairperson of IEPFA in his keynote address.

Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, in his remark stated that IGNOU and IEPFA with this initiative shall reach out to youth and other stakeholders at large which would be productive in fulfilling the vision and mission of both the organisations.

Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) has been established under Section 125 of the Companies Act 2013 for administration of the IEPF fund as per section 125 (3) of Companies Act 2013. The main objective of the authority includes to promote Investor Education, Awareness & Protection, refund unclaimed shares, dividends and other amounts transferred to it under sections 124 and 125 of the Companies Act 2013 to the rightful claimants. IEPFA works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Following the recent blocking of border ports by Chinese authorities and stranding of Vietnamese trucks carrying perishable agricultural goods, social media in Vietnam is full of anti-China comments. Recently there was a video (Jan 3) on twitter account of one Lee Ann Quann (https://twitter.com/AnnQuann/status/14779717776705085491) showing Chinese soldier throwing stones on Vietnamese construction workers and hurling abuses on the unarmed workers in Ha Giang province.

A popular blog (https://www.nguoi-viet-com/viet-nam/linh-trung-quoc-nem-da- vao-cong-nhan-viet-nam-o-ha-giang/) in vernacular language, which is otherwise banned by Vietnamese government for its anti-China posts, posted (Jan 4) an article quoting the tweet and recalling 1979 China-Vietnam War.

Google translation of the article is placed below: Author Lee Ann Quann on January 3, 2022, released a video clip of a group of Chinese soldiers hurling stones towards Vietnam, where China has built a barbed wire fence to separate the border. The Vietnamese side did not see any soldiers, but only a few workers carrying stones, being transported by trucks, to work as embankments against erosion at the riverbank in northern Ha Qiang province bordering China. "The Chinese soldiers shouted and threw stones at the Vietnamese digging along the Vietnam-China border. Civilian workers guarded the riverbanks on the Vietnamese side to prevent erosion when the river water was tight," author Lee Ann Quann wrote a caption on the video clip.

British journalist Bill Hayton commented that: "Obviously something is happening along the border between Vietnam and China. (Thousands) of trucks got stuck (at the border) and now this is happening to the world...". Hayton also commented: "I guess the Chinese side is rehearsing for confrontation with shields".

Last year, China built a solid barbed wire fence with security cameras along the border with many countries, including Vietnam and Myanmar. Last February, there was also news that China was building an airport for military helicopters and the location of anti-aircraft missiles was only about 20 km from the border with Vietnam in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region.

The Vietnamese side did not act to cause any damage in terms of security or economy. The Chinese side is even trying to encroach on territory to the North, after signing an agreement on demarcation of the land border in late 1999.

While the leaders of the two countries always say nice things when they meet, Ha Giang province used to have battles with China and people are clueless about the relationship when Chinese soldiers act like this towards the Vietnamese side.

Ha Giang province experienced bloody battles in Vi Xuyen, Dong Van, Lung Cu, when by order of Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese troops overran the country "to teach Vietnam lessons" in February 1979. After that, there were still sporadic gunfights, but it was not completely quiet until the signing of a land border agreement.

On January 2, 2022, the website of the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam reported: "The delegation of the Ministry of Public Security led by Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Son, Deputy Minister of Public Security came to offer flowers and incense to commemorate heroic martyrs at Vi Xuyen National Martyrs Cemetery in Ha Giang province." According to the source, this "is the resting place of 1,850 martyrs and a mass grave of martyrs, of which more than 1,600 martyrs from all over the country have heroically fought and died in the war to protect the northern border.

Over the past month, more than 6,000 trucks, most of them carrying Vietnamese agricultural products were stuck at the border gates of Lang Son and Quang Ninh provinces because of China's strict anti-COVID-19 measures along with a four-week Tet holiday notice. The Communist Party of Vietnam has continuously negotiated with China to help solve it before damaged agricultural products have to be destroyed, but to no avail.

Anti-China sentiments are currently running very high as till date thousands of truck carrying fruits is still stranded at various land ports. In addition as per a report in VN Express of January 9, Chinese side business partners have informed Vietnamese exporters not to send shipments by sea until a new decision is made. This embargo like situation on entry of Vietnamese fruit products is causing serious economic losses to the lowest strata of Vietnamese society as these exports are the major source of revenue for many of the local villages. The trucks which have returned from border areas are selling their products at a throw away prices.

Especially coming before the Lunar new year or Tet festival, this action by China is criticised strongly. The Facebook page of the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi is also filled with negative comments. There is a strong feeling amongst the scholars here that the banning of imports is not just related to covid-19, there is some other strategic motive of China. The government, however, is staying away from directly criticising or blaming China. They are making efforts for some kind of rapprochement with the Chinese to restart the imports.
Rescuers work at the building of a power station in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 12, 2022. (Xinhua)

CHENGDU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- One was confirmed dead and eight were still trapped after a flooding occurred in the building of a power station in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Wednesday.

The flooding that took place at around 1:40 p.m. trapped 11 maintenance personnel in the power station. By 9 p.m., two of them were rescued and one was confirmed dead.

Some buildings and vehicles around the power station were also flooded, and a section of a nearby national highway was cut off.

More than 400 people have been dispatched to rescue the trapped personnel, and 150 residents have been evacuated.

Rescue work is still underway.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched a working group to guide the rescue efforts and investigate the cause of the accident.

Huang Ming, minister of emergency management, has called for efforts to determine the exact number of people missing and urged all-out rescue efforts.

Efforts should also be made to assess the safety of the power station and surrounding areas to prevent secondary accidents, Huang said. 

Rescuers work at the building of a power station in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 12, 2022.(Xinhua)
New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MLA from Sirsaganj (Firozabad) MLA Hari Om Yadav and Congress MLA from Behat (Saharanpur) Naresh Saini join BJP in presence of senior Uttar Pradesh BJP leaders KP Maurya, Swatantra Dev singh and others in New Delhi on Wedne Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MLA Hari joins BJP in presence of senior Uttar Pradesh BJP leaders KP Maurya, Swatantra Dev singh and others in New Delhi on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo: Qamar Sibtain/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Congress MLA from Behat (Saharanpur) Naresh Saini joins BJP in New Delhi on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo: Qamar Sibtain/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 12 : Congress MLA Naresh Saini and SP MLA Hari Om Yadav on Wednesday joined the BJP, a day after Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from the Yogi Adityanath cabinet.

Along with them, another SP leader and former MLA Dharampal Singh also joined the saffron party.

Uttar Pradesh BJP in-charge Swatantra Dev Singh, state deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma and the party's national media head Anil Baluni welcomed the Congress and SP leaders to the party fold.

Welcoming the leaders, Swatantra Deo Singh said that the BJP's popularity has been continuously increasing. Talking about the welfare schemes of the Modi and Yogi Adityanath governments, he said these three leaders decided to join the saffron party after witnessing the BJP's popularity.

He expressed the hope that all these leaders will dedicate themselves to the BJP and work for its ideology, making the party stronger.

All political parties are busy in finalising their candidates for the state Assembly polls. The first lists of all the parties are likely to be announced in the coming days and that is the reason the leaders have started switching to other parties in search of a ticket.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General M.M. Naravane said on Wednesday that the armys response to Chinese attempts to change status quo was very robust.

He also said that the killing of civilians by security forces in Nagaland last month is under investigation.

"Army's response to Chinese attempts to change status quo was very robust; we were able to thwart the Chinese designs," said Naravane The COAS added: "The regrettable incident that occurred in Oting, Nagaland, on December 4 is being thoroughly investigated. We remain committed to the security of our countrymen, even during the conduct of operations." He said while the last two years have been challenging because of the Covid pandemic and the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Army responded robustly to both.

"We have not only augmented the forces, but also infrastructure and weapons in the last two years. Roads, tunnels, storage facilities have been set up. We are in a much better position than a year-and-a-half ago. We are ready for any challenge," Naravane said.
Brussels, Jan 12 : The European Commission will "swiftly" react to Poland's reply to the letter of a formal notice it sent to Warsaw in December 2020, Commission spokesman Christian Wigand said.

In its letter dated December 22, the European Union's executive arm had called on the Polish government to comply with the European Court of Justice's July 2021 and October 2021 rulings and liquidate the controversial Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court and reinstate dismissed judges. Poland had, until Monday midnight, to reply to the letter.

The Disciplinary Chamber has the power to discipline judges. Some Polish judges consider it a tool to pressure judges to rule in favor of the governing authorities, Xinhua news agency reported.

In July last year, the ECJ ordered the suspension of the chamber as an interim measure pending a final decision on the matter. However, this was ignored by Warsaw, so the Commission sent another letter, notifying it of the ECJ's decision that imposed a one-million-euro ($1.14 million) daily fine until it complies with the July ruling.

Should the Polish authorities' reply prove unsatisfactory, the Commission will proceed to send the first request for payment, Wigand said.

The fines imposed by the ECJ are collected by the Commission and integrated into the EU budget, according to Wigand. He warned that, if necessary, the Commission will simply deduct the money from the EU funds that flow to Poland.
Lucknow, Jan 12 : Five years ago, the BJP had welcomed turncoats from other parties and flaunted it as an achievement.

The same turncoats are now living up to their reputation and changing loyalties when elections are round the corner.

Whether it is Swami Prasad Maurya, Dara Singh Chauhan, Bhagwati Sharan Sagar or Avatar Singh Bhadana, all these leaders had hitched on to the saffron bandwagon to enter the Vidhan Sabha.

Their exit in a series may not impact the BJP so much on the ground but it will definitely mount psychological pressure on the party managers and demoralise the cadres.

What is even more worrisome is the fact that almost all the deserters belong to various OBC groups and have levelled similar-sounding allegations against the party leadership.

These MLAs are not from one particular areas - Bhadana is from west UP and Maurya from eastern UP while the others are from central UP.

This will undoubtedly damage the BJP which has been strengthening its OBC outreach and trying to counter the resentment of Brahmins by consolidating the OBC votes.

When Om Prakash Rajbhar was dismissed from the Yogi government in 2019, political analysts said that his ouster would not have any impact on the BJP's fortune. The BJP, on its part, propped up Anil Rajbhar in the ministry and tried to promote him as a leader of the Rajbhar community.

However, Om Prakash Rajbhar, who heads the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), launched a campaign against the BJP, worked his way into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party and became a rallying point for other smaller parties.

According to sources, what has actually triggered this crisis in the BJP is a statement made by a top leader in UP that new faces would be brought in for the Assembly elections.

As reports went around that almost 100 legislators would be replaced to counter the anti-incumbency factor, the sitting MLAs turned restive and started looking for greener pastures.

These resignations have spoilt the picture perfect that the BJP had been painting for the Assembly elections.

If sources are to be believed, the next batch of legislators - who are waiting for talks to finalise with other parties - will quit by levelling allegations of poor governance, caste dominance, bureaucratic indiscipline and apathy against the Yogi government.

"The resentment had been brewing since the past two years but none of the leaders bothered to address the situation. When 150 MLAs had staged a dharna inside the Assembly in 2019, instead of resolving issues, many were actually threatened by the Chief Minister. The fear of actin made these MLAs remain quiet but there is no stopping now," said one of the disgruntled legislators.
Mumbai, Jan 12 : The makers of 'Death On The Nile' released the character posters from the film. The posters reflect a sharp contrast in the warm and cool colour tones.

The film, which features an ensemble cast of Gal Gadot, Emma Mackey, Ali Fazal, Sophie Okonedo, Rose Leslie, Letita Wright, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French and Kenneth Branagh, is based on Agatha Christie's novel of the same name.

While Ali who is part of the prominent cast in the film will be seen essaying the character of cousin Andrew Katchadourian, one of the suspects, Gal Gadot will essay the role of Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle in this classic whodunnit murder mystery.

Actor Kenneth Branagh has also directed the murder mystery.

'Death On The Nile', produced by 20th Century Fox, is slated to release on February 11.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The chargesheet of the Special Cell of the Delhi Police against Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Asraf, who was nabbed from Laxmi Nagar area of Delhi last year, is ready. The Special Cell officials can file it any day before the concerned court.

The ISI trained Mohammed Asraf alias Ali Ahmad Noori, a Pakistani national, was held for allegedly planning terrorist attacks across India.

The Special Cell had recently got an extension of 90 days to file the chargesheet on the grounds that a few things were pending.

A source close to the investigation said that they are taking legal opinion on the draft chargesheet to file it before the court.

According to the source, they have mentioned in the draft chargesheet that Mohammed Asraf travelled to Thailand and the UAE which has proved that he was not only in touch with the ISI but was also constantly in touch with others who wanted to create a riot like situation in India.

As many as six sketches of the associates of Asraf will be filed along with the chargesheet.

The cell conducted raids at their premises but didn't find anyone.

The ISI trained Asraf was held in October last year from Delhi's Laxmi Nagar and since then he has been behind the bars. The Special Cell found that he had been illegally residing in India since 2004 and was involved in espionage and supplying arms.

Asraf was working at the behest of Pakistan's Inter Service Intelligence to spread terrorism across India.

He was in constant touch with his Pakistani handler Nasir who was giving him directions for spying and other anti national activities.

Asraf confessed to the Special Cell that he had been involved in terror activities including transporting illegal weapons for several terror attacks.

The Special Cell had said that the accused was in an advanced stage of procuring arms and explosives to carry out terrorist attacks in Delhi and several states. It has so far recorded the statement of seven persons against Mohammed Asraf.

The Special Cell personnel had recovered a hand grenade, one AK-47 assault rifle with 2 loaded magazine, two pistols and a bag containing 50 live cartridges. It took the help of the National Security Guards (NSG) Gurugram to defuse the hand grenade. It was then sent to the CFSL, CBI for expert opinion.

Special Cell personnel also conducted Asraf's polygraph test at CBI's CFSL, narco test and brain mapping test at FSL Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat.

The cell has said that they have identified a lot of suspects and are in process of busting a ISI sponsored terror module.
Seoul, Jan 12 : Senior diplomats of South Korea and the US held talks over the phone on Wednesday and discussed the bilateral alliance and other issues on the Korean Peninsula, according to officials.

Yeo Seung-bae, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, and his US counterpart Daniel Kritenbrink had comprehensive discussions on regional and global issues, a foreign ministry official said without elaborating, Yonhap news agency reported.

"I had a great conversation with Deputy Foreign Minister Yeo on the US-ROK relationship and our close collaboration on shared regional and global challenges," Kritenbrink tweeted, using the acronym for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

As for whether North Korea was discussed during the talks, the official said the allies are in close consultations over various matters, including the Korean Peninsula issue. Earlier this week, the North once again test-fired what it claims to be a hypersonic missile.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED), on Wednesday, said that it has arrested Anup Nagaral, Director of a Hong Kong-based company, in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) case.

The case pertains to alleged fraud of USD 249.572 million committed on banks under the guise of Merchant Trade.

Initially, a case against the accused was lodged by Bengaluru police at High Ground Police Station in 2009. They found the accused was also involved in money laundering and informed the concerned agencies.

An ED official said that they initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the High Ground Police Station, Bengaluru City.

The probe agency's investigation revealed that FMPL and FEIPL did not honour the tripartite agreements that they had entered with Spice trading corporation Ltd. (STCL) and overseas buyers and sellers.

FMPL and FEIPL had guaranteed the payments to be made by the overseas buyers. Naveen Sriram, Chairman of FMPL & FEIPL and Sudheer Sriram, Managing Director of FMPL & FEIPL had executed deed of Personal and Corporate Guarantee in favour of STCL against the latter agreeing to provide finance for the Merchandise trade transactions and this corporate guarantee could be invoked by MSTCL in the event of any default in repayment of amount due to STCL.

STCL established irrevocable LCs for the Usance period of 90 days.

However, the LCs were devolved due to non-payment by overseas buyers which was guaranteed by M/s FMPL & M/s FEIPL causing wrongful loss of US$ 249.572 Million to M/s STCL. Assets worth Rs 185.67 crore have already been attached under PMLA.

The attached proceeds of crime are immovable properties located in Maharashtra, Punjab, New Delhi, Gujarat, Bangalore and Bellary.

In 2019, they had filed a Prosecution Complaint (charge sheet), before a Special Court under PMLA in Bangalore.

The ED official said that Anup Nagaral, is Director of one of the entities i.e. M/s. Hoewelai Jinsu, Hong Kong, SAR, China Ltd. in the buyer leg of tripartite merchandise trade. He is one of the accused in the Prosecution Complaint filed by ED. LR dated 28.07.2021 was issued for serving of summons to Anup Nagaral, Director of M/s. Hoewelai Jinsu, Hong Kong, SAR, China Ltd.

Further, Anup Nagaral returned to India and appeared before CBI. The CBI arrested Anup Nagaral in the month of December, 2021 and produced him before CBI Court where he was enlarged on bail.

As Anup Nagaral was not appearing before the PMLA court for trial, the Spl PMLA Court issued Warrant of Arrest on December 31.

"The Warrant has been executed and Anup Nagaral has been produced before the Hon'ble Court. The Hon'ble Special Court has ordered for Judicial custody of the accused till January 17," said the ED official.

Further probe in the matter is on.
Seoul, Jan 12 : President Moon Jae-in will use his trip to the Middle East later this week to explore opportunities for South Korean businesses in hydrogen, defence and other industries, a Cheong Wa Dae official said on Wednesday.

Moon is set to depart on Saturday for an eight-day trip to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Yonhap news agency reported.

"The three nations are our traditional friendly states in the Middle East and Arab world and strategically important countries that play a key role for stable global energy supply chains and maritime logistics," the senior official told reporters.

On the first leg of the trip, Moon will visit the UAE from Sunday and attend a bilateral business roundtable on cooperation in the hydrogen industry before meeting with the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, according to the official.

During the talks, Moon plans to discuss cooperation in hydrogen, climate change and space.

The same day, the president is scheduled to attend a "Day of Korea" ceremony at the Expo 2020 Dubai and campaign to bring the international event to South Korea's southeastern city of Busan in 2030.

On Monday, Moon plans to deliver a keynote address on carbon neutrality at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and hold a summit meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on ways to deepen bilateral cooperation on climate change, national security, defence and public health.

South Korea has previously said it is pushing to sell its mid-range surface-to-air missiles known as M-SAM to the UAE.

After the UAE, Moon will visit Saudi Arabia on January 18-19 to hold talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and to attend a business forum.

In Riyadh, Moon plans to announce the start of free trade agreement negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The six countries that comprise the GCC supply 68 per cent of South Korea's crude oil imports.

On January 20-21, Moon will visit Egypt for summit talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and attend a roundtable on eco-friendly businesses.

The two sides plan to agree to launch joint research into a bilateral free trade agreement, South Korea's first with an African state.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will definitely go to jail for corruption. He alleged that Rao was resorting to gimmicks like 'third front' to gain sympathy.

Stating that action against the chief minister is inevitable, Sanjay said his efforts to form a 'third front' at the national level was aimed at gaining sympathy. Sanjay, who is also a member of Parliament, claimed that the central government was readying to take action against KCR.

Sanjay said that even if KCR escapes to some other country with his family, he will be brought back and put behind bars.

The BJP leader was speaking at a free medical camp organised by BJP Yuva Morcha at the party office here on Wednesday to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Sanjay said the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader was holding meetings with leaders of Communist and other parties to project himself as a national figure and gain sympathy after the central government sent him to jail.

Referring to KCR's meeting with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday and earlier meetings with leaders of CPI and CPI-M, the BJP leader said KCR was resorting to gimmicks to save himself.

Sanjay remarked that KCR will not be able to save himself even if he takes the support of sons of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Communists or even 'Taliban, Bangladesh or Al-Qaeda'.

The BJP leader also alleged that the corrupt are coming together on one platform. "They made thousands of crores but KCR made lakhs of crores. I think he is running a training camp for them here," he said.

Sanjay, who was arrested and sent to jail early this month for staging a protest in Karimnagar without police permission, has stepped up his attacks on KCR after his release from jail. The BJP has been bringing its national leaders here to target the TRS.

BJP national president J.P. Nadda, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were among the leaders who attended BJP meetings during the last few days to condemn Sanjay's arrest.

The BJP leaders have been describing TRS government as the most corrupt and claiming that the central government has all the record of corruption indulged in by KCR.
JUBA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan is revamping its necessary aviation infrastructure across the country in order to fully manage and control its airspace thanks to the contractor, China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) Limited, who is about to complete the construction of the country's Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) project.

Athuai Deng Akok, a local employee working with CHEC) Limited, said that upon completion of the project, Juba will be able to manage domestic and international civil aviation aircraft for the first time.

Deng said the ATMS project that commenced in June 2020 is a cooperation project between the South Sudan and Chinese government that includes training of South Sudanese technicians to prepare them for management of the air space by 2023.

"In the initial stage of operation, Chinese and South Sudanese personnel will work together, and Chinese personnel will provide on-job training for South Sudanese employees during the process," Deng told Xinhua in Juba on Tuesday.

The project also consists of the construction of Juba ATMS center, new Air Traffic control tower and operation building, surveillance system, navigation system, communication system and the civil engineering and supporting facilities required by the equipment such as meteorological facilities, calibration flight test and personnel training.

"All types of equipment are consistent with the civil aviation management equipment of all countries in the world. The goal of interconnection with all countries will be achieved after completion," Deng said.

Wu Ge, the CHEC chief engineer of ATMS project, said that they have managed to complete half of the work despite pandemic-related hitches.

"Every part of the project has been progressing steadily and around half of the work has been completed. The concrete structure of the Juba ATMS center was completed last year," said Wu. The ATMS equipment was being manufactured and will be shipped to South Sudan later this year.

Wu added that the ATMS project will also boost non-oil revenue collection, in addition to contributing to the economic and social development of the world's youngest country.

Xie Naisi, the marketing officer of CHEC in South Sudan, said they have been involved in social responsibility activities that have seen them support local communities. He revealed the donation of some 20,000 sandbags and three water pumps to Panyagor community for flood prevention and five tons of rice including three tons of cornmeal.

Xie added that they also drilled two wells in Wau communities.

"We will keep on making contributions to better the lives of local people," he said. 
Chennai, Jan 12 : Actor and music director G.V. Prakash will be scoring the music for director Adhik Ravichandran's gangster flick 'Mark Antony', featuring Vishal in the lead.

Taking to social media, Adhik Ravichandran said, "Very happy to welcome the 'Isai asuran' on board, the most wanted musical gangster G V Prakash sir for actor Vishal's Mark Antony. Super happy to work with you again sir." Music director Prakash too expressed his happiness at the association. He said, "Super excited to be scoring for a gangster flick after 'Gangs of Wasseypur'. Super excited for this album and score and to join with dear Adhik Ravichandran." Actor S.J. Suryah, whose performance in the critically acclaimed hit 'Maanaadu' came in for much appreciation, is playing an important role in this film that is being bankrolled by producer Vinod Kumar.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : While the process of finalisation of candidates has started, the BJP's minority wing has requested the party leadership to give tickets to Muslim candidates in the assembly polls in all the states. The BJP minority morcha is urging the party to field around 15 Muslim candidates in Uttar Pradesh, about five in Uttarakhand and Punjab, and one in Manipur.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's minority morcha national president Jamal Siddiqui told IANS that it is time to increase the representation of Muslims in electoral politics and the BJP is working on it.

"There are many seats with a sizeable Muslim population in all the poll bound five states. We request the party leadership to consider fielding Muslim candidates in at least 15 seats in Uttar Pradesh, five in Uttarakhand and Punjab, and one in Manipur. In Goa, Christians have adequate representation in the party and we request the leadership to consider giving one ticket to a Muslim," Siddiqui said.

According to Siddiqui, the BJP can field Muslim candidates in Sambhal, Moradabad, Meerut districts of western Uttar Pradesh and some seats in Awadh and Braj region of the state.

"We have identified 40 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh having 60-70 per cent minority population. There are 100 assembly seats having 30 per cent minority population," he said. He mentioned that in last year's West Bengal assembly poll, the BJP had fielded Muslim candidates and they had performed well. "We are also recommending names of Muslim candidates for assembly polls in five states also. People blame the BJP for not giving tickets to Muslims, which is not true as tickets are given on the winnability of a particular candidate based on other electoral factors. We have started working to improve or increase Muslim presence in electoral politics," Siddiqui said.

He pointed out that the representation of Muslims in electoral politics has declined over a period of time and that needs to be corrected. "We are preparing Muslim workers of the party as potential candidates. The work also helps in strengthening the organisation in the future and increase the representation of Muslims in electoral politics from 'Panchayat to Parliament'. It will also silence the opposition who always says that the BJP does not give tickets to Muslims," Siddiqui added.
Chennai, Jan 12 : Marine conservationists and nature lovers of Tamil Nadu are worried over the large number of deaths of endangered Olive Ridley turtles across the shores of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu.

Sunil Chandrashekaran, marine biologist and Director, Centre for Environmental Studies research group based out of Thoothukudi told IANS: "Olive Ridley turtles are an endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and efforts are on to conserve these species across the globe. In South India, a lot of conservation efforts are taking place in Kerala and Tamil Nadu but the deaths of large number of Olive Ridley turtles across the shores of Nagapattinam is a disturbing trend." In the past four weeks, carcasses of 150 Olive Ridley turtles have washed ashore in Nagapattinam area. This according to Sunil Chandrashker was five times more than the number of carcasses found during the same period last year as 30 were found between January 4 and 26.

The Olive Ridley turtles are in the Red List of endangered species marked by the IUCN and the forest department and the state fisheries department, along with the environment department, are creating awareness among the fishermen of Nagapattinam on the importance of this species.

Nirmala Benoy, marine biologist and researcher on Olive Ridley turtles and their breeding seasons, who is travelling across the South Indian coasts where the turtles are found, said: "There are destructive fishing practices in some areas and poor awareness among fishermen on the need of conserving this highly endangered species." She said that the Olive Ridley turtles are air-breathing and most die due to asphyxiation when caught in the fishing nets and most will not be able to get air leading to their deaths.

However, forest department officials said that dredging that is taking place at Arukatuthurai fishing harbour has led to the displacement of sand leading to the Olive Ridley turtles getting blocked in their swimming paths to the shore.

Marine Conservationist and Chairman of Tree Foundation, Dr. Supraja Dharani told IANS: "Olive Ridley turtles are an endangered species and is very important for the ecological balance and biodiversity in the ocean. The fisheries department must ensure that the fishermen are getting proper training in fishing habits and that they are in no way endangering the species. The fishermen are in direct contact with these animals and the onus is on the fisheries department to put a brake on this. We cannot afford to lose this highly endangered species and necessary action has to be taken by the authorities concerned to conserve the Olive Ridley Turtles." She also said that the marine enforcement agencies like the Coast guard and the marine police must be roped in to check about the destructive fishing practices deployed by the fishermen of the area.

Fisheries department officials told IANS that they have already commenced creating awareness among the fishermen community on the turtles and how important it was for humankind to conserve the highly endangered species that maintains the ecological balance in the sea.

Yogesh Kumar Meena, Nagapattinam district Forest officer, said: "We are closely monitoring the situation and if the fishermen are not listening to what we are telling them strict action would be taken against those who are not abiding by the conservation and environmental rules."
Kabul, Jan 12 : An explosion in Kabul on Wednesday left two members of the Islamic Emirate forces injured, officials said.

Deputy spokesman of the Interior Ministry, Aqil Jan Ozam, said that the blast happened at around 11 a.m.

Although, no group has claimed responsibility for the explosion so far, Ozam claimed that it targeted a military vehicle in Kabul's Police District 9, Tolo news reported.

However, the officials of the Interior Ministry refrained from providing further information.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday warned real estate company Supertech of "consequences" over the non-payment of refund to home buyers, who had paid for flats in two 40-storey towers which are being demolished on the court's order.

A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and A.S. Bopanna told counsel appearing for Supertech to keep their house in order and not make deductions, which have not been ordered by the top court.

Senior advocate Ravindra Kumar, representing the Noida authority, informed the top court that the authority has almost finalised the agency, which would conduct the demolition of twin towers of the Supertech Emerald Court housing project.

A contempt plea was filed by home buyers, who had paid for the flats in two 40-storey towers. Home buyers have alleged that Supertech called them to collect the refund, however, they were later told that payment would be made in instalments, including certain deductions. Counsel, representing the home buyers, said the home buyers are aggrieved with the delay in the refund and also added that the court order did not mention about any deduction.

In its August 31 judgment, the Supreme Court, besides ordering demolition of Supertech twin towers in Noida and refund for the flat purchasers, ordered prosecution of errant NOIDA and real estate company officials under Section 49 of Uttar Pradesh Urban Development (UPUD) Act for their "nefarious complicity", which resulted in the construction of towers.

Justice Chandrachud orally told the counsel appearing for Supertech that if court order is not implemented, then the persons concerned will have to face consequences of it. The bench made it clear that Supertech cannot make any deduction, which has not been ordered by the court, and scheduled the matter for further hearing on January 17.

The top court also asked the Noida authority to finalise the name of the agency to conduct demolition and directed to respond on this aspect on January 17.

On October 4, last year, the Supreme Court on Monday junked an application by Supertech Ltd seeking modification in the court's direction to demolish its twin 40-storey towers in Noida.

A bench of Justices Chandrachud and B.V. Nagarathna noted that grant of such a relief is in the nature of a review of the judgement passed by the top court, as it held that its judgment directing demolition of twin towers specifically affirmed the directions which were issued by the Allahabad High Court for the demolition of the towers - T 16 and T 17.
Seoul, Jan 12 : Second Vice Foreign Minister of South Korea Choi Jong-moon tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, leading to 16 Cabinet members taking virus tests and cancelling their schedules as they attended the same Cabinet meeting with Choi the previous day.

Choi attended Tuesday's meeting on behalf of Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong. The 16 other Cabinet members also in attendance included Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol, Defence Minister Suh Wook, Unification Minister Lee In-young, Land Minister Noh Hyeong-ouk and Culture Minister Hwang Hee, Yonhap news agency reported.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, meanwhile, did not take a virus test as he attended the Cabinet meeting via video conference from the central city of Sejong.
Chandigarh, Jan 12 : In less than 24 hours after recovering 22 kg of heroin in Punjab, the Border Security Force on Wednesday seized another haul of the drug along with arms and ammunition close to the Pakistan border in three operations in Amritsar and Ferozepur sectors, officials said.

In its continuing fight against weapon and drugs, the BSF foiled three attempts to smuggle contraband items and seized approximately 7.4 kg of suspected heroin, two pistols and 55 rounds in Ferozepur and Amritsar sectors, said the paramilitary force.

A day earlier, the BSF recovered 22 kg heroin smuggled from Pakistan in the Khemkaran sector in three search operations.

Punjab shares a 553 km long international border with Pakistan.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday said any lapse regarding the breach in security of Prime Minister Narendra Modi could have led to "devastating and serious consequences", and made it crystal clear that one-sided enquiries, either by state government or Centre, will not be sufficient to resolve questions associated with security considerations.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli constituted an enquiry committee headed by former top court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to probe the PM's security breach in Punjab on January 5.

"A judicially trained independent mind, duly assisted by officers who are well acquainted with the security considerations and the Registrar General of the High Court who has seized the record pursuant to our earlier order, would be best placed to effectively visit all issues and submit a comprehensive report for the consideration of this Court," it said.

"The additional object is to avoid any human error, negligence or any wilful omission or commission which may hamper and/or expose the safety and security of the executive head of the nation while he is travelling in a particular state. Any lapse in this regard can lead to devastating and serious consequences," the court added.

Deprecating the blame game between the state government and the Centre, for pinning the responsibility of the lapse in PM's security, the court said: "War of words between them is no solution. It may rather impair the need of a robust mechanism to respond at such a critical juncture." Advocate General D.S. Patwalia, representing the Punjab government, had submitted that the Ministry of Home Affairs, in a way, already held the officers of Punjab government 'guilty' of the alleged negligence and/or breach of security of the PM. He maintained that none of the agencies of the state government had committed a dereliction of their responsibility for the security and safety of the PM, yet there is a smear campaign to discredit the government.

The Punjab government had constituted a committee - comprising a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Principal Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice -- to carry out a thorough probe into the lapses that occurred during the Firozpur visit of the PM.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the petitioner Lawyers Voice NGO, however, said the constitution of an enquiry committee by the state government was nothing but an abortive attempt to become a judge in its own cause.

The top court studied the provisions of the Special Protection Group Act, 1988, along with the relevant contents of the 'Blue Book'. It said: "The Blue Book contains an unambiguous and detailed procedure to be observed by the State Authorities and the Special Protection Group to ensure full safety and security of the Prime Minister while he is touring a state." The bench said it finds merit in Singh's that not only are the officer(s)/authority responsible for the above stated lapse liable to be identified, but there is also a greater urgency to evolve new measures that may ensure there is no recurrence of such lapses in the future.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, supported Singh's submission and prayed for a detailed independent inquiry.

The other members on the court-appointed committee are Director General, or his nominee not below the rank of Inspector General of Police, of the National Investigation Agency, Director General of Police, Union Territory of Chandigarh, Additional Director General of Police, Security, Punjab, and the Registrar General, Punjab and Haryana High Court as member-cum-coordinator.
Patna, Jan 12 : Janata Dal-United (JD-U) is making all efforts for poll tie-up with the BJP in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, but so far, it is yet to achieve any success, say party leaders.

JD-U Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha has said that the party has authorised Union Minister R.C.P. Singh to hold alliance talks with BJP and bag some seats, but so far nothing has happened.

"The election schedule has been announced in Uttar Pradesh and the party has authorised R.C.P. Singh to do the job for the party. He is interacting with leaders of the BJP but positive results in favour of our party are not coming out," Kushwaha said.

"K.C. Tyagi, the national General Secretary of the party and incharge of Uttar Pradesh, rightly pointed out that BJP should address the issue in two days. He has to look after the organisation in Uttar Pradesh and accordingly make plans for the elections. The time is running out. So, the BJP should make a decision as early as possible. We are still waiting for the decision of the BJP," Kushwaha said.

The JD-U demand sees tied to its wish for a sizeable number of the 24 MLC seats in Bihar where elections are scheduled soon. The JD-U, in spite of having less seats in the Assembly, wants to contest on 12 MLC seats.
Saudi Arabia, Jan 12 : Monster Energy Honda Team riders will be in contention for the final overall Dakar Rally 2022 victory.

Although the first week did not go quite according to plan, the team has, nevertheless, given their maximum to stand a chance in the rally's grand finale. Jose Ignacio Cornejo won the ninth stage.

Fewer and fewer stages are left to decide the outcome of the 2022 Dakar Rally. On Wednesday, in the ninth stage, the 287-kilometre special stage around Wadi Ad-Dawasir began to mark out which riders will be in the final contention for the win.

A total of 491 kilometres, through the Arabian Peninsula's Empty Quarter, featured less sand than on previous days, but more mountain tracks running between canyons that demanded precise, mistake-free navigation.

On Tuesday, Cornejo had been left with a bittersweet taste after the eighth stage. A slight mistake towards the end of the special, had left the rider without the prize he had been ultimately seeking: that of minimising any markings for his pursuers to follow while opening the track throughout the day.

On Wednesday, he returned to the Wadi Ad-Dawasir bivouac with a smile beneath his helmet after a second win in this Dakar, taking the young Chilean's total tally to five.

Monster Energy Honda Team's American rider Ricky Brabec rode a fine special, pushing hard and posting third place on the day. Joan Barreda also completed the day's stage with a certain degree of normality, a mere 2'10 behind his team-mate. Barreda, fifth on the stage, holds sixth in the general standings, less than 11 minutes behind the race leader.

Lastly, Pablo Quintanilla did a commendable job today to set himself up nicely for the final victory battle of this 2022 Dakar.

He finished eighth on the day and lies in fourth place overall just 4'41 behind the new race leader.
MAPUTO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) decided to extend its force mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) for three months to provide military support in fighting terrorism in the country's northern region, Mozambique's state radio RM has reported.

The decision was announced by the Chairperson of the SADC's Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cyril Ramaphosa, on Wednesday in Lilongwe, Malawi, where the regional bloc held an extraordinary summit and reviewed its mission's progress in Mozambique, according to the report.

"I would like to express my appreciation and commend SAMIM for its work on the ground, as well as recognize the member states that have supported this work financially and in the deployment of personnel and equipment," the report quoted Ramaphosa as addressing the summit.

SADC cannot allow terrorism to spread to other provinces in Mozambique and to the region, and it is imperative to promote a spirit of unity among member countries as terrorism and violent extremism threaten the stability and development that the region has achieved over the past four decades, says the report.

The RM report says that a plan for socio-economic restoration of the affected region and humanitarian support to the population has also been discussed at the summit. 
New Delhi, Jan 12: The last few days witnessed unprecedented violence, bloodshed and frenzy on the streets of many cities of Kazakhstan including the capital Nur-Sultan and the largest city and former capital Almaty. According to reports from the Kazakh Health Ministry, 164 people were killed out of which more than 100 were killed in Almaty. As per initial accounts, the peaceful protests against increase in price of car fuel were quickly hijacked by "criminals and murderers... armed and trained bandits, both local and foreign" resulting in chaos and total breakdown of law and order in all parts of the country.

The involvement and presence of such large numbers of "terrorists, sleeper cells and militants" (almost 20,000 attacked Almaty) is bad news for all countries in the region, particularly India, which has been at the receiving end of terrorist attacks from across the border from Pakistan. The forcible seizure of power by the Taliban in Afghanistan in August, 2021 and the departure of US and NATO forces soon thereafter, has imbued a sense of triumphalism in Pakistan and anxiety in the neighbouring countries, particularly Central Asia and India that terrorist forces will feel emboldened to launch strikes in these countries. It is imperative for all countries in the region to cooperate by sharing real-time intelligence on terrorist activities and movements so that action can be taken against them before they are able to perpetrate such heinous carnage.

The initial trigger appears to have been the uncapping on New Year's Day of the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which is used as car fuel by the common people because it is cheap. This resulted in overnight doubling of the LPG price.

The protests started in Zhanaozen, a small town in the oil rich western province of Mangystau from where they quickly spread to Almaty and other regions of the country on January 4. Many cities in the South like Almaty, Taraz and Shymkent descended into such anarchy, chaos and turmoil as the country has never witnessed before.

The iconic building of the Akimat (Mayor's Office) and the President's residence (which used to be the President's Secretariat till the capital was shifted to Almaty in 1997) were stormed, set on fire and badly damaged. The airport in Almaty was taken over by the rebellious forces.

Kazakhstan is a rich and prosperous country. Notwithstanding its huge ethnic and religious diversity with 135 different nationalities, peace and stability prevails. Since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan has emerged as a role model of cohesion, tranquillity and peaceful development.

Initially it appeared that the agenda of the protest had expanded from just the issue of LPG price increase to include other fundamental grievances and demands like the endemic corruption, lack of economic opportunities, poverty, unemployment, stranglehold of the elites, pervasive inequity and inequality, denial of political freedoms among others. Soon, however, it became clear that these were not the usual protests as the dissidents went about systematically destroying public property and killing security personnel.

As per an earlier report on January 7, 26 "armed criminals" were killed and 16 security officers died, with two of them having their heads severed from their bodies. Such brutality was unthinkable and gave rise to growing suspicion that large squads of violent terrorist gangs had seized control of what had initially started as peaceful protests.

According to reports, Russia's security establishment, which has been closely monitoring developments in Kazakhstan appears to have come to the initial conclusion that Pakistan's Tablighi Jamaat in connivance with Afghanistan-trained radicals have carried out these terror attacks in Kazakhstan. Pakistan's Tablighi Jamaat, which has been trying to make inroads in Central Asia is alleged to have played a role in creating a terror-type atmosphere in Kazakhstan.

It was thought that if the protesters were demonstrating for reversal of the decision on LPG and for addressing political demands, they would have been mollified by President Tokayev's decision to restore the cap on LPG prices for the next 6 months and by dismissing Prime Minister Askar Mamin on 5th January. However, rather than these actions having any salutary effect on the protesters, the violence, bloodshed and destruction continued to grow rapidly.

It was at this juncture that President Tokayev decided to wrest the Chairmanship of the National Security Council (NSC) from his predecessor and first President Nursultan Nazarbayev to personally direct the efforts to bring the situation under control. Although Nazarbayev had voluntarily relinquished his office in March 2019, after having occupied that position for around 30 years, and handed over the reins of Presidency to Tokayev, he kept significant control with himself by continuing as the President of the ruling Nur Otan Party and retaining the Chairmanship of the powerful NSC.

The government took immediate action by cutting off internet services in the whole country and declaring an emergency for two weeks. Internet has since been slowly restored in some parts of the country including Almaty but the services remain patchy and intermittent. Tokayev gave orders to his security personnel to "shoot without warning" to quell disturbances in the country. He also summarily rejected the suggestion to negotiate with the protesters as he said that it is not possible to discuss with criminals and murderers. He claimed that Kazakhstan was dealing with armed and trained bandits, both local and foreign and that they must be eliminated.

It appears from the slogan shouting on the streets of Almaty and other cities that much of the wrath of the rioters was directed against the first President Nazarbayev and not so much against Tokayev who has served as President for less than three years. There were chants of "Shal ket!" (Old Man, Go!) in the streets and a huge statue of Nazarbayev in Taldy Korgan, the capital of Almaty province was unceremoniously pulled down. There were reports that Nazarbayev and his family had fled to Moscow but later reports surfaced that Nazarbayev was in Nur-Sultan, coordinating efforts with Tokayev to restore peace in the country.

In addition to taking over as Chairman of the NSC and dismissing the government, Tokayev ordered the removal of Karim Masimov, the Secretary of the National Security Committee on January 5 and had him arrested for treason. Masimov is an ethnic Uyghur Kazakh politician considered to be close to Nazarbayev and has served twice as Prime Minister.

The first deputy of NSC Samat Abish, who is Nazarbayev's nephew has also been fired. No details of the treason charges against Masimov have been announced but it is clear that Tokayev thinks that there has been a massive failure of intelligence and possibly also involvement of officials at the top of the intelligence structure in attempting a coup against the President.

Tokayev spoke to Russian President, Vladimir Putin for dispatching forces from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) as "peace-keepers" for a limited period of time to secure the main strategic installations and important government buildings so that Kazakh security could deal with the "terrorist elements". This request was immediately acceded to.

Some doubts have been raised whether such deployment is covered by the mandate of the CSTO. Thus far it has been asserted that CSTO forces will be deputed only when there is threat from foreign forces. In the present case, however, it has been mentioned that fighting Islamic terrorism is also covered by the provisions of the CSTO. About 2,500 troops from Russia and other CSTO members viz Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia landed in Kazakhstan on January 6 and took up their positions.

This is the first time that CSTO forces have been deployed in any country. In the past, requests by Kyrgyzstan in 2010 and more recently by Armenia in 2020 during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan for troops were turned down. The troops are being deployed not to counter the protesters but to protect the state and strategic facilities in Kazakhstan like water works, power plants, government buildings, and maintain law and order so that people feel safe.

The quick decision appears to be an assertion by President Putin that Russia is the prime security-provider in the former Soviet space and will not hesitate in taking tough decisions to protect its interests and security in its periphery. Kazakhstan is an important, strategic partner of Russia. It will also make Kazakhstan beholden to Russia for a long time and ensure that China, notwithstanding its expanding economic and security foot print in the region in general, and in Kazakhstan in particular, will not be able to wean it away from Russia's influence.

It will be necessary to wait for full details of the hoary episode to become available to make some conclusive assessments. It has been mentioned that the terrorists were well armed, well prepared and spoke in a foreign language, possibly Arabic. It is obvious that a lot of ground work was done to launch this coordinated and concerted attack. While the intelligence structure was either incompetent or complicit, President Tokayev has emerged as a bold and decisive leader who is strong, steady and unflinching and can take tough decisions to protecting the lives and welfare of his people.

After this shocking episode, Kazakhstan will not be the same. It could move towards even greater authoritarianism and control, or introduce some political liberalization. Much will depend on the results of investigation into the origin and antecedents of the ''bandits and terrorists'' who perpetrated such unimaginable and gruesome carnage in the country.

This horrific incident has an important message for other countries of Central Asia as well as India. They need to significantly expand their vigilance against such radical and fundamentalist terrorist elements. They need to carefully monitor all platforms on social media to ensure that they are not used to disseminate terrorist material, literature or ideology. They also need to actively collaborate with each other for sharing intelligence on a real time basis. Only then will it be possible to bring peace, stability and prosperity in the region. India can play an important role in this endeavour.

(Amb. Ashok Sajjanhar, is a former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia. He is an Executive Council Member at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and President, Institute of Global Studies) (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Dhaka, Jan 12 : The Bangladesh government has formulated a new export policy with a target to facilitate receipts of $80 billion annually by 2024.

A host of incentives including low interest loans under the new export policy has been planned to facilitate receipts of $80 billion annually by the 2023-24 fiscal year (July 2023-June 2024).

The new export policy was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The draft of Export Policy for fiscal 2021-22 to fiscal 2023-24 has been approved in light of the current world trade situation," Kamal said after the meeting.

In line with the new policy, he said all required measures will be taken to bolster potential export sectors for further development.

Priority sectors and special development sectors will be given special benefits including subsidies and tax benefits, the minister added.

Bangladesh's previous export policy for fiscal 2018-19 to fiscal 2020-21 set an export target of $60 billion.

Bangladesh's total exports in the first half of the current 2021-22 fiscal year (July 2021-June 2022) reached nearly $25 billion, up 28.41 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest official data.

Bangladesh set its export target in 2021-22 fiscal year to $43.5 billion, including $35.14 from readymade garment products, which usually account for about 85 per cent of the country's annual shipments.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Wednesday resumed ratings for news channels.

The Ministry asked the Broadcasting Audience Research Council (BARC) to release news ratings with immediate effect along with last three months' data in a monthly format.

The BARC had suspended the ratings system in October 2020.

The Ministry said in a statement, "In the spirit of the TRP committee report and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) recommendation dated April 28, BARC has undertaken revision in its processes, protocols, oversight mechanism and initiated changes in governance structure etc.

"The reconstitution of the board and the technical committee to allow for the induction of independent members has also been initiated by BARC. A permanent oversight committee has also been formed. The access protocols for data have been revamped and tightened." The Ministry mentioned that BARC has indicated that in view of the changes undertaken by it, it is reaching out to related constituencies to explain the new proposals and is in readiness to actually commence the release as per the new protocols.

"Taking note of the above, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked BARC to release news ratings with immediate effect and also to release the last three months' data for the genre in a monthly format, for fair and equitable representation of true trends. As per the revised system, the reporting of news and niche genres shall be on a 'four-week rolling average concept'," the Ministry said.

The Ministry has also set up a 'Working Group' under the chairmanship of the CEO, Prasar Bharti, for the consideration of leveraging the Return Path Data (RPD) capabilities for the use of TRP services, as also recommended by TRAI and the TRP committee report. The panel shall submit its report in four months' time.
Chennai, Jan 12 : Director Badri Venkatesh, who is known for having made films like 'Baana Kaathadi', 'Semma Botha Aagathey' and 'Plan Panni Pannanum', on Wednesday released the teaser of his next film, in which he himself plays the lead.

The director chose to make the announcement on Twitter.

He said, "Souls seldom die nor lie! Announcing Director Badri Venkatesh's next with a teaser shot before the actual shoot! Badri Venkatesh directs and acts in this psychological horror along with a plethora of actors. Music is by Simon K King." The teaser gives the impression that the film will be about a paranormal psychological experiment deeply rooted in Indian ethos.

The film has Badri Venkatesh playing the lead as a film director with a number of popular film actors.

Interestingly, Badri himself is producing this film as well.
New Delhi, Jan 12: The Taliban's Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob has warned Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to immediately return Afghan planes and choppers, which were flown away by the defence personnel of the ousted Ghani government to the two neighbouring states.

In an open threat, Yaqoob said: "We may relatively be weaker than those of our neighbour country but we are not cowardly and will take into account every single spare part of our planes and helicopters. I ask them respectfully to return our planes and helicopters and not question our patience any further and not to force us to take all possible retaliatory steps." Yaqoob did not elaborate further but said that the Taliban regime has been asking these two countries to return these planes which they have kept illegally.

"These planes were taken out illegally. They belong to the Afghanistan air force," Yaqoob asserted. He added that the Taliban are working to reactivate the Afghan Air Force, which is reliable and will be used to protect people and the borders of Afghanistan.

More than 100 US trained Afghan air force pilots flew themselves and their families to safety in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan aboard more than 60 aircraft, including A-29 light attack planes and Black Hawk helicopters, just days before the Taliban takeover of the country on August 15.

While most of the pilots and their families were reportedly transferred to a US military base in the United Arab Emirates under an arrangement Washington negotiated with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, the fate of these "seized" aircraft is still unknown.

According to Afghan media Khama Press, more than 40 percent of the Afghan Air Force's aircraft were flown out. Before the fall of the government in August, Afghanistan had more than 164 active aircraft, and only 70 were left behind. The Taliban have no trained pilots and skilled engineers to handle these planes.

Mullah Yaqoob said that his regime has been asking these pilots and engineers to return to their countries.

"We will respect you more than the previous government. You are the capital of Afghanistan. Come back, work here," said Yaqoob.

That offer rings hollow to Afghan pilots. Even before the Taliban takeover, they had become their prime targets. Taliban fighters tracked them down and assassinated a few of them.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Mumbai/Thane, Jan 12 : On the occasion of the 424th birth anniversary of Rajmata Jijabai Shahaji Bhosale on Wednesday -- the mother of warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj -- the Maharashtra government has ordered expeditious development of the historic Raigad Fort, located 166 km from Mumbai in Raigad district.

One of the most imposing hill-top forts in the country, the Raigad Fort was declared as the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1674, where he was crowned on June 6 that year.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday took a review of the ongoing Raigad Fort and premises development planning authority's works.

He said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will soon complete the refurbishing of the fort, develop the 21 villages in its vicinity and help provide employment opportunities to the locals through tourism.

"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established 'Swarajya' with inspiration from Rajmata Jijabai and the history they created together is inspiring for all," Pawar noted.

He assured the officials that funds would not be a constraint for the development projects and would be routed through the Raigad District Planning Committee to ensure no hiccups for the functioning of the (Raigad Fort development) authority.

The works will also include refurbishing the Rajmata's palace in the Fort, the conservation of her 'samadhi', preservation works, and erection of the Shiv Shrishti which would be done in a scientific manner at this heritage precinct.

Also present at the review meeting were Cultural Affairs Minister Amit Deshmukh, Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray, Minister of State for Tourism Aditi Tatkare, Rajya Sabha MP and descendent of the royal family, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, MP Sunil Tatkare, top officials Valsa Nair-Singh, Vilas Patil, and Mahendra Kalyankar, among others.

On December 6 last year, President Ram Nath Kovind visited the fort -- only the second presidential visit after then President Giani Zail Singh had gone there in 1985 to inaugurate the 'Meghadambari' erected in the fort.

Earlier in 1980, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had visited the fort, and later Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee too went there in 1999.

Perched 820 metres (21,700 feet) atop a steep hill, the fort was earlier accessible only by a gruelling climb on a single pathway of 1,737 steps, taking several hours.

Now, visitors and tourists zoom to the top in barely five minutes, thanks to the Raigad Ropeway that was built in 1996, while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding green Sahyadri mountains, deep valleys, rivers, and tiny villages dotting the rugged scape.

The fort encompassed gates like the Mena Darwaja for the royal women, the main entrance Nagarkhana Darwaja, Palkhi Darwaja, and the main entry from the pathway to the structure known as Maha Darwaja -- flanked by two massive bastions -- which was shut daily at sunset.
Panaji, Jan 12 : The BJP parliamentary board will finalise the names of candidates for the upcoming Goa assembly polls on January 16, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday.

"Parliamentary Board meeting is scheduled on January 16 in Delhi. I will be going to Delhi along with the state president on January 15. By January 16 evening the names will be declared," Sawant told reporters here.

The Chief Minister also said that the names of prospective candidates are in the process of being shortlisted by the ruling party's state unit.

Elections to 40 seats in the state legislative assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The BJP is heading into the polls on its own and its leaders have stated that the party would win 22 plus seats in 2022.
Srinagar, Jan 12 : Lt. General Yogesh Kumar Joshi, GoC-in-C northern command on Wednesday boarded a passenger train in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district to interact with the civilians on-board.

"Lt. General Yogesh Kumar Joshi, Army Commander, Northern Command paid an impromptu and surprise visit to Anantnag Railway Station at 11.15 a.m. today and interacted with local populace, commuters and the railway staff," the army said in a statement.

He was accompanied by Lt General D.P. Pandey, Chinar Corps Commander.

"The Army Commander's affection and love for the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir is well acknowledged, and he is known to meet people on all occasions," the statement said.

It may be recollected that he led a motor bike rally from Udhampur to Kargil to commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas, through the Kashmir Valley in July 2021.

"Prior to embarking the train, the Army Commander interacted with commuters at the Railway Station. The Army Commander and the Chinar Corps Commander travelled by the train from Anantnag to Qazigund, where their co-passengers were surprised to see the senior army officers travelling with them."
Patna, Jan 12 : Amid the tough stand of the RJD, the Congress party wants to contest 6 to 7 seats in the MLC polls in Bihar.

Congress state president Madan Mohan Jha told IANS that the party had contested 4 seats last time. Now, we are expecting at least two to three more seats in the 2022 MLC elections.

"I had a meeting with Tejashwi Yadav a few weeks ago on this issue though the discussions on particular candidates did not take place that time. Then I got infected with Covid and was in home isolation. Hence, the names of candidates were not discussed after that," Jha told IANS.

"The Congress party has strong candidates for the MLC election. We will give tickets to only those candidates with the ability to win," Jha said.

"I want an official meeting with RJD to discuss the seat sharing formula for MLC election 2022. We are expecting an official meeting with RJD. The outcome of the meeting will then be discussed by our central leadership and the decisions of party chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will be final from our side," Jha said.

Meanwhile, the RJD said that the Congress should give the list of candidates.

"The Congress party should provide the names of its candidates. The RJD will evaluate their strength before offering them seats. Tickets of MLC election are not a "Prasad of Satyanarayan Bhagwan" (Lord Vishnu) which could be given to anyone. If any candidate of the Congress party has potential, the RJD may consider it," said Mritunjay Tiwari, national spokesperson of the RJD.

The political parties of Bihar have started working on the equations with alliance partners for the 24 seats of the MLC poll.

The election commission has cleared the decks after the completion of the Panchayat elections on December 15.

According to a top RJD official, Tejashwi Yadav knew that the Congress party had lost ground in Bihar. It was proven in the Bihar by-elections when its candidates could not even save their deposits.

"Tejashwi Yadav and the party president had taken a tough stand at that time and they will repeat the same in the MLC elections for 24 seats as well. Tejashwi Yadav has already sent the probable candidates to establish contact with the elected members of Panchayats and urban local bodies," the official said, requesting anonymity.

He added that the names of the candidates will be shortlisted by Tejashwi Yadav.

Out of the 24, 13 of the BJP, 8 of the JDU, 2 of the RJD and 1 of the Congress are sitting MLCs at present.

These MLCs were elected after the 2015 assembly election in Bihar. At that time the RJD, JDU and the Congress were part of the Mahagathbandhan. Now, the JDU has separated from the Mahagathbandhan, hence the RJD wants to contest on all 24 seats.

The RJD had 81 seats in the 2015 assembly election and the Congress had 27 seats. Now, in the 2020 assembly election, the RJD has 75 MLAs and the Congress has 19 MLAs.
Panaji, Jan 12 : Accusing the party's now former MLA and Ports Minister Michael Lobo of blackmail, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary CT Ravi on Wednesday said Lobo quit the party because he was trying to blackmail the BJP into allotting an assembly election ticket for his wife.

"Some people tried to blackmail... Blackmail politics will not work in BJP. Some people tried to work in the interest of family expansion. Expansion politics will not work too. That is why they left BJP," Ravi told reporters here.

Lobo, who quit the party last week, joined the Congress party along with his wife Delilah on Tuesday, while accusing the BJP of ignoring party workers.

"He demanded a ticket for his wife. The BJP refused. He tried to field his candidates in two other constituencies, but the BJP refused. That is why he left," Ravi maintained.

The BJP national general secretary also said that the Congress in Goa may not even win three to four seats in the upcoming polls.

"Surveys say that the Congress will win three to four seats. They will not even get three-four seats," Ravi said.

The Congress won 17 seats in the 2017 state assembly polls, but the BJP outmanoeuvred the single-largest party, by stringing together an alliance and forming a government in the coastal state.
El-Ghassim Wane (on the screen), special representative of the secretary-general for Mali, briefs a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 11, 2022. El-Ghassim Wane said on Tuesday that Mali's partners should help lay the foundations for lasting stability in the worn-torn landlocked country in West Africa. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A UN envoy said on Tuesday that Mali's partners should help lay the foundations for lasting stability in the worn-torn landlocked country in West Africa.

Mali's partners should build on the aspirations of the Malian people for peace "to help lay the foundations for lasting stability," the special representative of the secretary-general for the country, El-Ghassim Wane, told the Security Council's meeting on the situation in Mali.

A decade after civil conflict erupted in Mali, hopes for an early resolution to insurgency and strife have not materialized, said Wane.

Instead, the UN top envoy explained, "insecurity has expanded, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated, more children are out of school and the country has been affected by an endless cycle of instability."

In fact, more than 1.8 million people are expected to need food assistance in 2022 compared to 1.3 million in 2021, the highest level of food insecurity recorded since 2014.

And more than half a million children have been affected by school closures, which the envoy believes puts "the future of the country in jeopardy."

Despite these challenges, Wane argued that the situation "would have been far worse" without the engagement of the international community, including the deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, in 2013.

The Malian government has been seeking to restore stability following a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a failed military coup d'etat, renewed fighting between government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical extremists.

The special representative also briefed the council on the current stand-off between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Malian transitional leadership, controlled by the military.

Over the weekend, ECOWAS held an extraordinary summit and decided that the proposed timetable for the transition, lasting up to five and a half years, was "totally unacceptable."

Urging Malian authorities to focus on a speedy return to constitutional order, they decided to uphold individual sanctions put in place on Dec. 12 and imposed additional ones.

The new sanctions include the recall of ambassadors from Bamako, capital and largest city of Mali, the closing of land and air borders, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions (with some exemptions), and the suspension of financial assistance, among others.

Mali reciprocated by recalling its ambassadors and closing its borders with ECOWAS member states.

In an address to the nation on Monday evening, however, Malian transition President Colonel Assimi Goita called for unity and calm, stating that Mali remains open to dialogue.

Wane explained that supporting the transition is a key aspect of the MINUSMA mandate, so the mission will try to find a consensual way out to overcome the impasse.

"A protracted impasse will make it much harder to find a consensual way out, while increasing hardship for the population and further weakening state capacity," he argued, warning that such scenario would "have far-reaching consequences for Mali and its neighbors."

The conflict has also had a devastating impact on civilians and the humanitarian situation.

In such difficult circumstances, Wane described the response to the humanitarian appeal as "lukewarm," with only 38 percent of funding received. 

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2022 shows a view of a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali at the UN headquarters in New York. El-Ghassim Wane, special representative of the secretary-general for Mali, said on Tuesday that Mali's partners should help lay the foundations for lasting stability in the worn-torn landlocked country in West Africa. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
New Delhi, Jan 12 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday greeted his fellow citizens on Lohri (falling on January 13), Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan and Paush Parva (all falling on January 14).

Stating that a majority of the festivals celebrated in our country depict our integral relationship with nature and agriculture, he, in his message said: "On the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan and Paush Parva, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens living in India and abroad." "A majority of the festivals celebrated in our country depict our integral relationship with nature and agriculture. The festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan and Paush Parva, mark the harvesting season of crops as the winter season ends and ushers in the spring. People enjoy the fruits of good harvest and celebrate these festivals which also underline the need to preserve our environment. It is not only an example of Indian diversity but also that of unity in diversity of our country," he said, as per a communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

President Kovind also said that he prays to God that these festivals develop the spirit of fraternity among the people while prosperity and happiness prevail in our country.
Chennai, Jan 12 : The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday confirmed the death sentence awarded to a youth for sexually assaulting and murdering a seven-year-old girl at Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu.

The division bench comprising of Justices S Vaidyanathan and G. Jayachandran said that there was no infirmity in the sentence awarded by the Pudukottai Mahila court to M. Samivel alias Raja. The Mahila court in Pudukottai had ordered that Raja be hanged for what he had done to the seven-year-old girl.

The Court said that the prosecution charge that Raja was seen with the girl on June 20, 2020, and his clothes were stained with the blood of the girl, and his failure to prove his innocence was all clear evidence against him.

Referring to the postmortem report of the girl, the judges observed, "The external injuries on the child included three deep wounds on the head and similar wounds on several parts of the face, neck, chest, multiple abrasions on the abdomen, thighs and private parts of the child." The judges underlined the pain undergone by the child and said," After fulfilling his carnal desires he had brutally attacked the child with a stick and dashed her head on a tree thereby piercing her face and neck. The brutal act reveals his mind and he needs a fitting punishment of the highest order." The division bench of the Madras High Court observed that no one should be judged by their external appearance and cited the example of Adolph Hitler. The court said, "Adolph Hitler despite killing millions of people hated cruelty to animals and was a pure vegetarian." The judges also said, "If a person like the accused is allowed to survive in this world, he will pollute the minds of the co-prisoners. When the attitude of a person turns into that of a beast with no mercy for others, he should be punished and sent to the eternal world." The court observed, "The barbaric manner in which the child was killed and the mental agony undergone by the child's parents, except death sentence nothing is enough for the culprit." The prosecution had charged that Raja had kidnapped and taken the 7-year-old child to a secluded place, sexually assaulted her and later murdered her brutally. After the parents of the child lodged a missing person complaint on June 20, 2020 police found her body in a dried pond covered with bushes and arrested Raja.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : Telugu OTT platform Aha is coming up with a web original movie - 'Bhamakalapam' - starring Priyamani. The movie's first-look poster was launched on Wednesday.

The film marks the Telugu OTT debut of the popular actress who shot to fame in the digital space with 'The Family Man'.

Captioned 'a delicious home-cooked thriller', 'Bhamakalapam' is directed by Abhimanyu Tadimeti, of 'Dear Comrade' fame, with filmmaker Bharat Kamma as the showrunner.

The first-look poster has Priyamani as a homemaker in an avatar resembling Goddess Durga and her various dimensions in a typical household. She's simultaneously holding a knife, a basket, a plate of biryani, a broom, an egg and a pooja-room bell while peeping into something as if she's holding binoculars in her hand.

The poster, highlighted with different hues across the kitchen, hints that the lead character is a woman of many shades and can tackle any crisis that comes her way. What does destiny have in store for her? Justin Prabhakaran, the composer of films like 'Radhe Shyam', and 'Dear Comrade', is scoring the music for this film. Sudheer Edara and Bogavalli Bapineedu have bankrolled the project under SVCC Digital. Cinematographer Deepak Kumar has cranked the camera, while Viplav is the editor.

The streaming platform Aha also has an impressive line up of movies and shows, including 'The American Dream' which is releasing on January 14. Aha's talk show, 'Unstoppable', hosted by actor Nandamuri Balakrishna has been rated the No. 1 talk show on IMDB as well.

Other recent releases on Aha include 'Lakshya', 'Senapathi', '3 Roses', 'Laabham', 'Manchi Rojuloachaie', 'Romantic', 'Most Eligible Bachelor', 'Anubhavinchu Raja', 'Sarkaar', 'Chef Mantra', Alludu Garu', and 'Christmas Thatha'.
Chennai, Jan 12 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday again urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider the request made by the state for exemption from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Examination (NEET) for medical education.

He made the demand at a function in which 11 new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu were virtually inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

In his speech, Stalin said: " The admission policy of Tamil Nadu plays a very important role in our health infrastructure. It is to protect this that we have been continuously demanding NEET exemption for students of Tamil Nadu. I appeal to the Union government to consider our request favourably." He said that the student admission policy of the Tamil Nadu government was the basis for the medical students to serve in the rural areas and in government service in an excellent manner. He said that Tamil Nadu has been a role model in the health sector with a high number of seats in UG and PG courses in the government medical colleges.

He said that the principle of the Tamil Nadu government was to ensure that rural and poor students get the opportunities and the success and improvement of Tamil Nadu's health sector was an example of that.

Stalin also made a slew of representations to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat including opposition to NEET. He also requested him to expedite the construction and establishment of AIIMS in Madurai.
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday dashed off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the Central government has burdened the farmers by raising fertiliser prices, hiking fuel prices and through faulty fixation of Minimum Support Price (MSP).

He said that the government of India is not only contributing to the increase in the cost of cultivation for the farmers, but also defaulting on the promise of doubling farmers' income.

These policies coupled with the threat of proposed reforms in the agriculture electricity distribution sector by fixing power consumption meters are causing great deal of anxiety to the hardworking farmers of our country, wrote KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known.

He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the prices of fertilisers are maintained at the present level and additional cost, if any, be absorbed by the government of India so that the farmers are not burdened.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief wrote to the PM hours after issuing a statement, in which he urged the people of the country to uproot the BJP government at the Centre, saying it is weakening the rural economy and playing havoc with the farm sector.

KCR reminded Modi that in February 2016, the Centre had announced that it will double farmers' income in six years by 2022. He said that despite the passage of over five years, no specific or structured programme has been initiated towards this direction.

"Contrary to your policy of doubling farmers' income, to the dismay of one and all, input costs have doubled in the last five years and the income of the farming community is declined, causing distress to the farmers. The government of India has turned a blind eye to the increasing prices of fertilisers in the last six years, while encouraging states to take up campaigns to reduce urea and DAP consumption.

"It is sad to note that the prices of two most consumed fertilisers -- 28.28.0 and MoP (Muriate of Potash) -- have increased by more than 50 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively, in the last 90 days itself," read the letter.

KCR noted that the government of India, instead of bearing the increasing import costs of raw materials and maintaining the prices of fertilisers at an affordable level, has chosen to pass on the burden to the farmers.

"You are also aware that fuel consumption in the agriculture sector has increased manifold due to promotion of farm mechanisation by the states. Even in the case of petrol/diesel pricing, indiscriminate imposition of cess across the board despite no increase in import price of crude oil has added great distress to the farmers," KCR said.

"Due to the faulty policies of the government of India in both the cases of petrol/diesel pricing and fertiliser pricing, the farmers are bearing the brunt. It is pertinent to highlight that these steps are causing great deal of anxiety to the farmers as the seven-decade-old fertiliser subsidy regime under the purview of the government of India is being modified against the interest of the farming community," he added.

He recalled that the Telangana state legislature had passed a unanimous resolution to integrate MNREGA with agricultural activity so that cost of labour is partially borne by the government along with farmers, but the government of India choose not to respond.

The Chief Minister said that while accepting the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission to peg MSP for farm produce at 50 percent more than the weighted average cost of production, essential costs of farm rentals and cost of fixed capital assets were deliberately excluded while calculating cost of crop to farmers.

"Hence, the claim that MSP is pegged at 150 per cent of the cost of crop is misleading. Further, apart from announcing MSP and procuring small quantities of crops, the government of India has no reliable mechanism of ensuring price guarantee to the farmers for their crops. It is also noticed that under the guise of pegging FAQ standards at global levels, the farmers are denied MSP and are compelled to sell their produce at lower prices, thereby making agriculture non-remunerative," the Chief Minister wrote.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The National Commission for Women (NCW) has expressed displeasure over the trailer of filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar's Marathi cinema "Nay Varan Bhat Loncha Kon Koncha".

The commission has received a complaint from an organisation in Maharashtra over the trailer of the film.

NCW chief Rekha Sharma has written a letter to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to censor the bold and sexually explicit scenes in the film's trailer.

A copy of the letter has also been sent to the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Prasoon Joshi.

A complaint was made to the NCW on behalf of the Bharatiya Stree Shakti regarding the trailer of this film.

In the complaint, it was alleged that the trailer of the film, which was released on January 10, 2022, showed objectionable scenes and obscenity related to women.

Rekha Sharma has urged the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to intervene immediately and censor the explicit sex scenes in the trailer and the film.

The NCW has also expressed displeasure over the fact that the trailer is being circulated to the viewers on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter etc., without any age restrictions.

Also, the NCW has urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the CBFC to provide updates on the action being taken on the issue.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Amid a rise in the Covid cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to discuss the situation with the chief ministers on Thursday evening, sources said on Wednesday.

During the interaction with the chief ministers, Modi will review the Covid situation in the country and steps implemented to control the spread of the virus.

"In the meeting, the Prime Minister will discuss state-specific scenarios, best-practices and the public health response," sources said.

On Sunday, Modi had chaired a high-level meeting to assess the Covid situation in the country, ongoing preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, status of the vaccination campaign in the country and the emergence of new Covid-19 variant Omicron and its public health implications for the country.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister had said that a meeting with the chief ministers would be convened to discuss state-specific scenarios, best-practices and the public health response.

The Prime Minister had directed the officials to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level.

After a detailed discussion, the Prime Minister had directed that intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases and required technical support be provided to states which are currently reporting higher number of cases.

He highlighted the need to ensure effective usage of masks and physical distancing measures as a new normal to control the spread of the virus.

The Prime Minister further exhorted the need for effective implementation of home isolation for mild/asymptomatic cases and to disseminate the factual information to the community at large.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Imphal, Jan 12 : As the pre-poll violence continued in Manipur, two powerful bombs, including an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated remotely, went off in front of the residences of two Congress leaders in two districts on Wednesday damaging the properties, police said.

No one was, however, injured in the blasts in Imphal West district and Imphal East district.

According to the police, the IED exploded in front of the residence of Congress leader Kh Ratankumar at Kangla Sangomshang in Imphal East district. The vehicles parked at his house were badly damaged.

The second blast, which took place near the residence of former MLA Salam Joy at Samurou in Imphal West district, also damaged the gate and front portion of the Congress leader's residence. Both Ratankumar and Joy are Congress ticket aspirants from the Khurai and Wangoi Assembly constituencies respectively.

The security forces reached both the sites and launched search operations to nab the attackers. People in both areas protested against the bomb blasts in front of the residences of the Congress leaders.

Wednesday's blasts are the second pre-poll violent incidents after the Election Commission on Saturday announced the schedule of the two-phase elections -- February 27 and March 3 -- to the 60-seat Manipur assembly. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Earlier on January 9, two people, including a police commando, were shot dead by unknown assailants at Wangoi in Imphal West district. Wednesday's violence was the sixth violent incident in less than two months in Manipur, though no one has been arrested so far in connection with these attacks, nor has any outfit claimed responsibility.

An Assam Rifles jawan was killed and another injured after a powerful IED was detonated at Lilong Usoipokpi Sangomsang in Thoubal district on January 5. Earlier in November and December, three powerful IEDs were detonated in different places in Imphal and its outskirts though no one was injured as the blasts took place in the wee hours.

On November 13, an Assam Rifles Colonel, his wife and son, and four jawans of the paramilitary force were gunned down by the militants in Churachandpur district bordering Myanmar.
Chandigarh, Jan 12 : Just a month away from the Assembly polls in Punjab, the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM), a group of farm organisations, in its maiden electoral foray after getting the Central agricultural laws revoked, on Wednesday released its first list of 10 candidates out of 117 seats.

SSM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal will contest from Samrala, and Prem Singh Bhangu from Ghanair.

The SSM has ruled out alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party.

In a setback to the SSM, its prominent partner at the year-long farm agitation on the national capital borders, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), announced this week that it would neither contest the Assembly elections nor support the SSM.

However, it clarified that it would not oppose the SSM in any constituency.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Omicron variant of coronavirus is not a common cold and should not be underestimated, NITI Aayog's Member, Health, Dr V.K. Paul said on Wednesday, noting it is the reseaon behind the collapse of health infrastructure in several countries.

"Omicron is not a common cold, it is society's responsibility to slow it down with vaccination and masks," he said.

If we are seeing less hospitalisation, it is because of mass vaccination, he added.

"Vaccination is a critical pillar of India's Covid-19 response. Let's Mask Up and get vaccinated, whoever is due. It's fact that the vaccines are helpful to an extent," he said.

Dr Paul also said that the government is concerned about 'overuse and misuse' of drugs in home isolation. "There should be a rational approach for medicine use. We are concerned about the overuse & misuse of drugs. Don't overuse, it will have aftermath. Have warm water, do gargles in home care," he underlined.

About the new ICMR guidelines on Covid testing, Indian Council of Medical Research Director General, Dr Balram Bhargava, said that all symptomatic individuals need to be tested including all high-risk case contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases. Asymptomatic cases are not required to get tested unless they are at high risk.

Meanwhile, Joint Secretary, Health, Lav Agarwal, said that a sharp rise in Covid infections has been noted with the case positivity climbing to 11.05 per cent on Wednesday from 1.1 per cent on December 30.

Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat have emerged as states of concern, he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
CAIRO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi urged on Wednesday donor states to support the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) that provides services to millions of Palestinian refugees, the Egyptian state TV reported.

Sisi's remarks came during a panel discussion at the World Youth Forum (WYF), currently being held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The Egyptian president spoke of the huge amounts of money needed for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, noting that Egypt has already allocated 500 million U.S. dollars to rebuild Gaza.

"Our role will continue by calling on donor states to advance and not to give up on UNRWA to be able to meet its commitments," said Sisi.

Egypt will act side by side with donor states for "greater resumption and greater support" for UNRWA to assume its role, Sisi added.

During the session, UNRWA Chief Representative in Cairo Sahar Al-Jobury expressed her appreciation of Egypt's role in backing UNRWA and urging international partners to continue their financial support for the agency to help the Gaza Strip recover from its crisis.

Egypt brokered in May last year a cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian armed groups led by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which rules the Gaza Strip, reaching a truce after 11 days of deadly exchanged strikes that claimed the lives of at least 260 Palestinians and 13 Israelis. 
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : The Karnataka government has decided to close schools from Class 1 to 9 in Bengaluru till the end of January following the recent surge in the Covid cases in the city.

Minister for Education B.C. Nagesh confirmed this on Wednesday. He said that since the number of infections have crossed the 10,000 mark in Bengaluru, the decision has been made in the interest of children.

He also said that it is left to the discretion of the District Commissioners of respective districts in the rest of the state to take a call on opening or closure of schools.

There is, however, no spike in the number of cases at schools.

Single classes were split into two sections and other precautions are being taken. However, the decisions will be taken at taluk levels to run the schools based on the ground situation, the Minister explained.

A decision would be taken after the recommendations of the technical committee in this regard, he stated. Though the cases are rising in Bengaluru, the students of class 10, 11 and 12 have not caught infection, he added.

Twelve taluks in the state have zero positivity. The schools have been closed in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi districts. Due to Covid-19, in the last one and a half years, education has been hit, he stated.

As many as 16 students have tested positive for Covid in the Central University of Karnataka in Kalaburagi on Wednesday. 18 students have tested positive for Covid on Tuesday. A total of 45 people have been affected with Covid-19 so far. An isolation centre has been opened on the premises.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dhaka, Jan 12 : Leaders and members of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) attacked party leader Sarwar Jamal Nizam, who was allegedly involved in the killing of BNP leader and businessman Jamaluddin Chowdhury in 2003, during a rally in Chattogram. No one has been arrested in the incident so far.

After the attack on Sarwar Jamal Nizam at a rally in Chattogram, some other leaders of the party staged a protest on Wednesday, the police and BNP members confirmed to IANS.

Although no one was injured, the stage at the rally collapsed with the leaders on it during the commotion.

The BNP's Chattogram South unit had organised the rally at the CDA residential ground in Karnafuli demanding the release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and her improved medical treatment abroad.

Officer-in-charge of Karnafuli police station, Dulal Mahmud, told IANS that some BNP leaders and workers started gathering at the venue since morning. Shortly after the event started, some of them attacked on Sarwar Jamal Nizam. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the incident.

Later, during the speech of BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the leaders and workers once again got engaged in a scuffle.

At one point, the stage suddenly collapsed. The warring factions hurled chairs at each other, with some clashing with sticks, the police told IANS.

BNP members from Karnafuli upazilas, including Anwara, Patiya, Boalkhali, Banshkhali, Satkania, Lohagara and Chandnaish, had joined the rally.

Sarwar Jamal Nizam was arrested in June 2007 by members of Rapid Action Battalion over the death of Jamaluddin Chowdhury. In July 2003, Jamaluddin was abducted from Chittagong. The kidnappers demanded 10 million taka in ransom. His remains were discovered on July 24, 2003.
New York, Jan 12 : The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved the nomination of Eric Garcetti to be the US Ambassador to India, a position that has been vacant for almost a year.

The nomination will now go to the full Senate where a vote is likely soon as Republican Senator Ted Cruz has lifted his procedural hold on nominations that he placed because of his differences with President Joe Biden on a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.

The committee also approved the nomination of Donald Armin Blome to be the envoy to Pakistan.

Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, and Blome had appeared before the Committee in December for a hearing at which they outlined their agendas as ambassadors and answered questions from Senators.

But they were not included in the group of about 30 nominations of Ambassadors approved by the full Senate with a voice vote last month.

The Senate Committee had to approve the nominations of Garcetti, Blome and others, including Amy Guttman as Ambassador to Germany, once again on Wednesday as the earlier vote lapsed when the Senate session ended at the end of the year.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez said: "I believe they are all well qualified and deserving of their nominations. I will be voting for them and look forward to their swift confirmation." Even as India's relations with the US has advanced during Biden's first year in office, the Ambassador's position has been vacant since January last year when Ken Juster resigned following the defeat of Donald Trump who had appointed him.

Faced with growing aggressive behaviour by China, Biden has focused on the Indo-Pacific region, where New Delhi has a key role, advancing the Quad, the four-member group of India, the US, Japan and Australia, and convening its first summit.

Menendez said: "Prolonged vacancies are not in our interest. They undermine our national security, hinder our leadership role abroad and benefit only are at the service training to the nominees we are considering today." Cruz had been blocking most Ambassador nominations using procedural manoeuvres because of a dispute with Biden over sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that Russia is building to Germany, but relaxed the hold last month.

Cruz wants Biden to place sanctions on those involved with the pipeline.

Unlike Garcetti, Guttman, who is the President of the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, did not get unanimous approval from the panel.

The Republican leader on the committee, Ben Cardin, was among those opposing her nomination citing the university's connections to China.

He said that under her leadership, the university is "really is a poster child for the ongoing in growing malign influence of China and at our institutions of higher learning. The University of Pennsylvania has accepted millions, millions and millions of dollars in donation (and) in contracts from China".

China has used "lucrative contracts, grants, exchanges, and other incentives to coopt networks and institutions promote PRC interest and manipulate public discourse", he added.

When he appeared before the committee last month, Garcetti declared that he would "double-down on our efforts to strengthen India's capacity to secure its borders, defend its sovereignty, and deter aggression" and pointed out that "India is situated in a tough neighbourhood", "Few nations are more vital to the future of American security and prosperity than India," he added.

On issues given greater weight by Biden, he asserted that he would "engage closely and regularly with the Indian government" on human rights and matters relating to democratic institutions.

Garcetti is close to Biden, having been the co-chair of his election campaign committee, and had been expected to join his cabinet, but the Mayor said that he withdrew from consideration for such positions citing the city's need for his leadership.

He is a former Navy intelligence officer and has taught international affairs at the University of Southern California, and diplomacy and world affairs at Occidental College.

Blome, who is the Ambassador to Tunisia, is a career foreign service officer.

He has experience in the region, having been a political counsellor in the Kabul embassy and an Iran desk officer at the State Department.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis)
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that the well-being and welfare of the child must get precedence over the personal rights of the parents.

A bench comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi and Abhay S. Oka said: "The principle that the welfare of the minor shall be the predominant consideration and that the rights of the parties to a custody dispute are irrelevant has been consistently followed by this court." The top court made these observations in custody litigation between a US resident and his wife for their minor boy. The woman's counsel argued that to compel the primary caregiver to return to the US under the rule of "best interest of child" will amount to an invasion of her fundamental right of autonomy which is a part of the right of privacy guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Counsel added that citizenship of a child has nothing to do with the welfare principle and a child may be a citizen of any country, but if the competent court finds that it is in the best interest of the child that he is brought up in India, the child should be permitted to stay in India.

The woman added that if the child is placed in the custody of her husband on the grounds that she is not interested in going to the US, the child will be reduced to a chattel.

Holding "the consideration of the well-being and welfare of the child must get precedence over the individual or personal rights of the parents", the bench noted that when a court decides that it is in the best interest of the minor to remain in the custody of one of the parents, the rights of the other parent are bound to be affected.

"If interest of the minor, which is the paramount consideration, requires that the custody of a minor child should not be with the mother, the court will be justified in disturbing the custody of the mother even if the age of the minor is less than five years. In such cases, the rights of the father or the mother, as the case may be, conferred by clause (a) of Section 6 are bound to be affected," it said.

Stating the welfare of the child depends on several factors, the bench said: "A custody dispute involves human issues which are always complex and complicated. There can never be a straight jacket formula to decide the issue of custody of a minor child as what is in the paramount interest of a minor is always a question of fact." The top court passed a few directions in the custody case. It said if the mother intends to travel to the US, then she would communicate her willingness to the husband within 15 days from Wednesday and then the husband will make proper arrangements for her separate stay after consulting her.

"In the event the appellant no.1 (woman) agrees to travel to US along with the minor son, it will be the responsibility of the respondent no.1 (husband) to pay a sufficient amount per month to the appellant no.1 for maintenance of herself and the minor son," it said.

The bench added that if the woman is not willing to visit the US along with her minor son and fails to communicate her willingness to visit the US within a period of 15 days from Wednesday, it will be open for the husband to take custody of the child.
Guwahati, Jan 12 : Dhani Ram Baruah, a Guwahati based heart specialist and transplant surgeon, became very cheerful after getting to know that the US doctors at University of Maryland School of Medicine successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into a 57-year-old patient -- a similar transplant he had done 25 years ago but unfortunately, his patient died after a week.

Doctors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who transplanted a pig heart into a patient David Bennett in a last-ditch effort to save his life, claimed that the transplant showed that a heart from a genetically modified animal can function in the human body without immediate rejection.

Baruah, who had been running the Dhani Ram Baruah Heart Institute and Institute of Applied Human Genetic Engineering at Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, lost the ability to speak normally after a surgery following a brain stroke in 2016.

According to Baruah's close associate, the septuagenarian surgeon along with Hong Kong based doctor Dr Jonathan Ho Kei-Shing, had conducted a 15-hours long surgery for pig-to-human heart transplant into a 32-year-old patient Purno Saikia in 1997.

However, Saikia, who had a ventricular septal defect or hole in the heart had died after a week, leading to his and his associate's arrest and harassment besides arsoning and damage to his institute.

The Assam government had conducted an inquiry into the incident and found that the procedure was medically and ethically wrong as his institute neither applied and nor obtained registration as required under the transplant laws.

Both Baruah and his Hong Kong based surgeon were charged with culpable homicide and various provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, and imprisoned for 40 days.

Baruah was eventually released from jail and returned to his institute but found it to be fully smashed. According to the media report, Baruah spent the next 18 months under virtual house arrest, but continued his study on numerous matters.

Baruah in 2008 had claimed that he had developed a 'genetically engineered' vaccine that would cure congenital heart defects.

In 2015, the surgeon once again hit the headlines when he presented some patients claiming that he "cured" 86 HIV/AIDS patients in seven-eight years.

According to his close associate, Baruah had written to the UNAIDS, WHO and an US base institute claiming his 'success' and saying that he was ready for scrutiny of his works. But Baruah's theories were never really taken into consideration by any authority.

Baruah had been invited by the Abu Dhabi government to set up an open heart surgery hospital. He went there on October 5, 1985, and in the next month he conducted the first open heart surgery in that country.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Centre has revised the discharge policy on Covid patients to align it with the Covid-19 clinical management protocol, guidelines for home isolation of mild cases, and advisory on testing strategy, it was announced on Wednesday.

"After a review meeting chaired by the Prime Minister over Covid situation, we have revised our discharge policy with severity categorised into mild and moderate cases," Joint Secretary, Health, Lav Agrawal, said at a press briefing.

The policy is in accordance with the guidelines for home isolation of mild Covid-19 cases, he added.

The mild cases admitted to a health care facility or under home isolation will undergo regular health monitoring. The patient shall be discharged after at least seven days have passed from testing positive and with no fever for three consecutive days, said Agrawal, adding that there is no need for testing prior to discharge.

In moderate category, patient with saturation above 93 per cent for three successive days without oxygen support and stable comorbidities can be discharged as per the doctors' recommendation without further testing.

Agrawal said that such patients who are on oxygen therapy with continue demands can be discharged after resolution of clinical symptoms, ability to maintain prescribed oxygen saturation for three successive days without oxygen support and post stable comorbidities.

However, the discharge policy for severe cases including immunocompromised will depend on clinical recovery, the report mentioned, added Agrawal.

As per the Health Ministry, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Gujarat are emerging states of concern on the basis of surge in cases.

"Omicron has a substantial growth advantage over Delta as per WHO. The data from South Africa, UK, Canada, Denmark suggests a reduced risk of hospitalisation for Omicron compared to Delta," said Agrawal.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Kolkata, Jan 12 : A day after the Calcutta High Court -- accepting the plea of the state government -- removed the name of Suvendu Adhikari from the expert committee formed to monitor the preparedness for Gangasagar Mela, the BJP Leader of the Opposition on Wednesday hit back at the state government, alleging that it is afraid of him.

The annual Makar Sankranti festivity is being held from January 8-16.

"Mamata Banerjee has a single point agenda, which is to stop Suvendu Adhiakri. But she should understand that it is a question of the Leader of the Opposition and the ruling party should give due honour to the Chair. The state government is scared of the BJP. They are scared of the Leader of the Opposition," Adhikari said after offering floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his 159th birth anniversary here on Wednesday.

Few days back, the Calcutta High Court had formed a three-member committee to motor the preparedness for Gangasagar Mela, in which Adhikari was included. But the state government objected to the inclusion of Adhikari, pleading that the presence of a political personality would defeat the purpose of the panel. Accepting the state government's plea, the high court removed Adhikari from the committee.

Reacting to the move, the BJP MLA from Nandigram said, "The question is not removing Adhikari from the committee. The entire committee was changed. In fact, I didn't want to be in the committee but it was the high court's decision and the state government should have respected it." Throwing a challenge to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Adhikari said, "It is not possible to ignore the Leader of the Opposition in a parliamentary democracy. The LOP holds a place of importance. She (Banerjee) should remember that names proposed by the state government for the Information Commissioner, Lokayukta and Chairperson of State Human Rights Commission were withheld because the decisions were taken unilaterally without taking the Leader of the Opposition into confidence."
Mumbai, Jan 12 : Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra catapulted to a new peak of 46,000-plus while deaths and Omicron cases also jumped, with the states tally crossing a staggering 7 million-mark, health officials said here on Wednesday.

After recording the previous high of 44,388 Covid cases on January 9, the state's figures mounted to a new record 46,723 on Wednesday -- a spike of nearly 12,000 cases compared to Tuesday's count of 34,424.

Covid fatalities also shot up from 22 on Tuesday to 32 on Wednesday, with the mortality rate dropping marginally from 2.02 per cent to 2.01 per cent.

From the peak of 207 Omicron cases reported on Sunday, the state's single-day figures of the new variant came down to 86 on Wednesday, with Mumbai remaining at the top with an overall tally of 627.

While Omicron has spread extensively across several districts in the state, out of the 1,367 cases detected till date, 734 have recovered.

Mumbai accounts for the bulk of Omicron cases at 627, followed by 445 in Pune, 76 in Thane, 59 in Sangli, 51 in Nagpur, 19 in Raigad, 18 in Kolhapur, 13 in Satara, 11 in Osmanabad, 9 in Amravati, 6 each in Palghar and Buldhana, 5 in Akola, 3 each in Nanded, Aurangabad and Gondiya, 2 each in Ahmednagar, Gadchiroli, Latur, Nandurbar, Nashik and Solapur, and 1 in Jalna.

The health authorities are continuing intensive surveillance of passengers arriving at the three international airports - Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur - since December 1.

A total of 40,026 travellers have landed here from the 'high risk' countries of which 484 have tested positive along with 556 from other countries, with all their reports sent for genomic sequencing to confirm if they are afflicted by Omicron.

Besides, another 4,259 positive samples from field surveys conducted since November 1 have been sent for genomic sequencing with the results of 77 awaited, the officials said.

Of the 46,723 new Covid-19 cases detected on Wednesday, Mumbai Metropolitan Region alone accounted for 30,107 infections, while Mumbai city remained at a high with 16,420 fresh cases.

The next is Pune Circle's 9,277 infectees, followed by Nashik Circle at 2,230, Nagpur Circle at 2,044, Kolhapur Circle at 1,056, Latur Circle at 1,006, Aurangabad Circle at 511 and Akola Circle at 492.

The number of people sent to home quarantine shot up - from 14,64,987 on Tuesday to 15,29,452 on Wednesday - while another 6,951 have been shunted to institutional quarantine.

Mumbai, Pune and Thane remain at the top with the highest number of active cases currently in the state, with the afflictions shooting up from 221,477 a day before to 240,122 now, while the state's recovery rate stood at 94.52 per cent.

The state's cumulative figures of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 now stand at 70,34,661 cases and 141,701 deaths, while a total of 66,49,111 patients have fully recovered till date.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hyderabad, Jan 12 : Telangana and Andhra Pradesh stuck to their stands on pending bilateral issues under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 at a meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Wednesday.

The Chief Secretaries of the Telugu states reiterated their stand during the meeting, held by video conferencing, on various issues arising out of the bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh in 2014.

Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Sameer Sharma and some other officials of both the states attended the meeting.

Telangana wanted Andhra Pradesh to withdraw court cases filed by the latter so that issues related to the bifurcation of Schedule IX and X institutions and payment of electricity dues can be settled.

On Andhra Pradesh's claim of electricity dues by Telangana distribution companies to the tune of Rs 3,442 crore, Telangana officials maintained that the total dues which are receivable from Andhra Pradesh are Rs 12,111 crore.

Telangana argued that if all the dues are considered such as debt servicing of Ananthapur and Kurnool districts and costs incurred due to purchase of thermal power by Telangana after it was deprived of low-cost hydel power from Sileru Hydro Project, the Telangana utilities have to receive a net amount of Rs 12,111 crore and not the other way round. Further, AP utilities filed a case in the High Court. Telangana has demanded that the case be withdrawn so that the amounts can be settled.

Somesh Kumar said 5,000 acres of land which was allotted to The Deccan Infrastructure Land Holdings Ltd (DILL) was resumed by the Telangana government in 2015 as the conditions of allotment were violated. The Andhra Pradesh government has filed a writ petition against the said GO and obtained a stay order.

Similarly in the case of the division of Andhra Pradesh State Financial Corporation (APSFC), the Andhra Pradesh government has gone to court and obtained a stay against resumption of 250 acres allotted to the State Finance Corporation for violation of conditions.

Somesh Kumar said the whole issue of bifurcation of Schedule IX institutions is pending because of these court cases filed by Andhra Pradesh, the Telangana government took the stand that unless the court cases are withdrawn, further progress on the bifurcation of Schedule IX institutions cannot be made.

On Andhra Pradesh's demand for division of Singareni Colllieries Company Ltd (SCCL) and its subsidiary Andhra Pradesh Heavy Machinery Engineering Ltd (APHMEL), he pointed out that as per Schedule XII, Coal (Item 1) of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, of the total equity of SCCL, 51 per cent shall be with the government of Telangana and 49 per cent with the Centre. He said that as there is a specific provision in the very Act itself, the Centre should not have entertained any request raised by Andhra Pradesh regarding the same.

Bhalla concurred with the view of Telangana.

Telangana strongly contested the issue regarding ownership of the APHMEL as it is subsidiary of the SCCL and it should continue to remain in the future also.

On the dispute regarding allocation of the AP Bhawan in New Delhi, Telangana suggested that a committee consisting of state's Special Chief Secretary, Finance, Ramakrishna Rao, Engineer-in-Chief, R&B, and Resident Commissioner, Telangana with their counterparts of Andhra Pradesh may be constituted and the said committee may give a report giving various options for the division of the Andhra Bhawan. The Union Home Secretary agreed and said that the committee may give a report in a time-bound manner.

On apportionment of tax arrears and refund under Sections 50, 51 & 56 of the Reorganisation Act and apportionment of institutions not listed anywhere in the Act, Telangana was of the firm view that there is no need to amend the act after over seven years as this would open endless litigations and further complicate the settled matters. Andhra Pradesh officials said that in case the amendment is not feasible, alternatively, the Centre may compensate the amount of loss.

On division of cash balance and bank deposits, Telangana made a strong demand that the monies which are due from Andhra Pradesh should be settled immediately and payment be made. In case of central sector schemes, an amount of Rs 495 crore is due for more than 7 years. Similarly, there are dues payable by Andhra Pradesh on the monies spent on common institutions such as High Court, Raj Bhawan, etc., to the tune of Rs.315 crore. Even the monies which are accepted such as the share of buildings under construction, welfare fund of Rs 456 crore, and resumption of net credit forward of Rs 208 crore are also not paid.

At this, the Union Home Secretary suggested that two nodal officers be appointed to look into division of cash balances and both states nominated their representatives.

According to Andhra Pradesh officials, 10 bilateral issues, eight projects, and other issues were discussed in the meeting.

While Sharma drew the Home Secretary's attention towards resource gap funding for 2014-15, Andhra Pradesh officials also raised the issues like funds for Polavaram project, greenfield crude oil refinery, petrochemical complex, Kadapa steel plant, need to upgrade Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati airports as international airports, development of Ramayapatnam port instead of Duggirajupatnam port, the Visakhapatnam-Chennai industrial corridor and tax rebates receivable from the Centre.

Bhalla said that the Central government is taking all steps to ensure that the two states amicably settle the issues.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Delhi High Court has questioned the delay in an incident in which a 23-year-old man was forced to sing Vande Mataram and the national anthem during the 2020 Delhi riots. The youth had later succumbed to the injuries sustained during the violence.

In a viral video of the incident, it was seen that the youth, identified as Faizan, was seen lying on the ground with injuries as some uniformed men forced him to sing Vande Mataram and the national anthem.

As the court was told that the police have identified and questioned a head constable in the case, the single-judge bench of Justice Mukta Gupta on Tuesday pulled up the Delhi police over the nearly two year's delay in the investigation of the incident.

The court also sought a detailed status report of the probe.

The court was hearing Faizan's mother Kismatun's plea seeking an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team.

Her plea contended that the police had illegally detained her son and denied him critical health care due to which he succumbed to his injuries.

The Court also questioned the delay in tracing the video which went viral during the riots.

The riots broke out in northeast Delhi in February 2020 after clashes between anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and pro-CAA protesters took a violent turn.

The time of the mayhem coincided with then US President Donald Trump's maiden trip to India.

Over 50 people had died in the riots. Several posts had then gone viral on social media, mainly on Facebook, adding fuel to the fire.
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Zanzibar on Wednesday marked 58 years of its revolution that overthrew the Sultan of Zanzibar and his mainly Arab government by local African revolutionaries on Jan. 12, 1964.

Tanzania's Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi led tens of hundreds of Zanzibaris to mark the anniversary at the Amaan Stadium on Unguja Island.

President Mwinyi was joined by Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and other current and retired leaders to watch a grand parade mounted by the country's armed forces.

Themed with Blue Economy for the Sustainable Development, the 58th Anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution was also colored by military demonstrations mounted by the Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF) and traditional dances performed by various tribes.

On Tuesday night, President Mwinyi addressed the nation, saying Zanzibar registered 120 investment projects worth 787 million U.S. dollars between Nov. 2020 and Dec. 2021 and the 120 projects, which were registered through the state-run Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA), were expected to create 7,000 jobs for Zanzibaris.

Mwinyi added Zanzibar had received prospective investors on the 10 islets, which the government had opened up for high earned but environmental conscious tourism investments under the national drive to transform the country economically. 
Chennai, Jan 12 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday called for unity among the global Tamil diaspora and urged them to overlook all the divisions among them. He said the Tamil diaspora should consider the Tamil Nadu government as their own government.

Stalin was addressing the Tamil diaspora during the World Tamil Diaspora Day celebrations organised by the Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils and Rehabilitation Department on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister invited the diaspora to visit Tamil Nadu with their children and show them the rich Tamil cultural heritage that has been in existence for the past 3,000 years.

"Many of you may not have voting right in Tamil Nadu, but you have the right to call this government your own government. This was why I had made several announcements in September last year for the welfare of the Tamil diaspora," the Chief Minister said in his address.

Stalin called upon the diaspora not to abandon Tamil Nadu and to be rooted in Tamil culture and legacy.

He also called upon the diaspora not to have divisions with other Tamil people and to live united as brothers and sisters in foreign countries and to make maximum use of the situation prevailing in those countries for academic and industrial growth.

Citing the rich heritage of Keeladi and Adichannalur, Stalin said that these are glowing examples of the existence of a rich Tamil culture even 3,000 years ago. He said that people from Tamil Nadu are spread in several countries across the globe.

He said the late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, wanted to set up a welfare board for non-resident Tamils as early as in March 2011, but the government that had succeeded the Karunanidhi government did not pursue the issue further.

Stalin said that within five months of coming to power, he had announced the setting up of the board in the state Assembly.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also said that the state government is implementing schemes worth Rs 317 crore for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils who came to Tamil Nadu.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Delhi Police have registered an FIR in connection with the threat calls received by the lawyers of the Supreme Court, warning the judges to refrain from hearing the case related to the recent security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab.

The FIR has been registered by the Special Cell of Delhi Police under Sections 153, 153-A, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code read with Sections 13, 16, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The complaint in this regard was lodged by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Jain.

"Today I received two threatening calls on the same pattern as was received by other advocates a day ago," Jain said.

Sharing the contents of the calls, Jain said the caller challenged the sovereignty and integrity of India.

Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record (SCAORA) Association wrote to the Secretary General of the apex court seeking action against anonymous callers, who took responsibility for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab last week.

In a communication, Joseph Aristotle S, Secretary, SCAORA, said that several advocates-on-record of the top court received anonymous automated pre-recorded calls from +447418365564, one at 10:40 am and another call at about 12:36 pm on Monday.

The caller warned the top court judges to refrain from hearing the PIL seeking probe into the security breach on the ground that the Supreme Court has not been able to punish the culprits of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court directed that retired top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra, will head a committee to investigate the security breach matter.

The top court said the panel will inquire the causes of the security breach, persons responsible for the breach, and also measures to be taken in future to prevent security breach of the Prime Minister and other constitutional functionaries.

The other members of the panel are Director General of Police, Chandigarh; Inspector General, National Investigation Agency (NIA) or his nominee not below the rank of IG; Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court; and Additional DGP, Security, Punjab.
New Delhi/New York, Jan 12 : India took part in the discussion on the hijacked UAE vessel 'Rawabi' in the UN Security Council on Wednesday and called for the immediate release of its crew members, which include seven Indians.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti expressed grave concern over the seizure of the UAE vessel and expressed deep concern about the safety and well-being of its crew members, including 7 Indian nationals.

The UAE has formally complained to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday about the hijacking of the UAE-flagged vessel by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

In her letter to the UN, the UAE's Ambassador to the UN, Lana Nusseibeh said that this act of piracy is contrary to fundamental provisions of international law and it also poses a serious threat to the freedom and safety of navigation as well as international trade in the Red Sea, and to regional security and stability.

Rawabi is a civilian cargo vessel, leased by a Saudi Arabian firm and was carrying equipment for a field hospital when hijacked earlier this month. It was transiting an international route, and had crew members from India, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : Indian Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday discussed with French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain issues related to the 'One Ocean Summit', cooperation on plastic pollution, 'Global Treaty on Plastics', High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and COP15.

In the virtual meeting, Yadav stated that the 'One Ocean Summit' will be an opportunity to gather political leaders and all stakeholders ready to make a decisive contribution with bold, tangible and actionable initiatives and commitments. "However, India is fully determined to protect its maritime interests, while it supports the maintenance of rule-based maritime systems, as mandated under UN Convention on the Law of Seas (UNCLOS), 1982," he emphasised.

The Minister also underlined the urgent need for action to prevent and reduce marine litter, but stressed voluntary domestic action by countries, a release from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said.

Yadav also mentioned an announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during World Environment Day 2018 for elimination of single-use plastics in India by 2022.

In the meeting, both sides also discussed in detail the issues concerning the High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), and how it should not undermine existing relevant legal instruments, frameworks, and relevant global, regional, and sectoral bodies.

Both sides further discussed how COP15 will help in developing a holistic Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) taking into account poverty eradication, means of implementation and resource mobilization, etc.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen activities in 2022 under the Indo-French Year of Environment.
New Delhi, Jan 12 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said that they have issued a Provisional Attachment Order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), attaching Rs 72,32,42,045 lying in various bank accounts and payment gateway accounts of Indian NBFC company Kudos Finance and Investments Private Ltd and its various fintech partner companies.

The ED official said that the agency was conducting money laundering investigations against a number of Indian NBFC companies and their fintech partner Mobile Applications (APPs).

Initially, Telangana Police lodged FIRs against them for illegal lending and for using extortionist means to recover exorbitant rates of interest from their customers, and the ED started its PMLA probe on the basis of the Telangana Police's FIRs.

Its investigation revealed that various Indian companies which were flush with investments from China, and Hong Kong created MoUs with defunct NBFCs and gave security deposits in the name of 'performance guarantees'.

The NBFCs opened separate Merchant IDs (MIDs) with Payment Gateways like Paytm, Razorpay, etc, and against RBI guidelines, allowed these fintech companies to piggyback on their license and do full-scale lending in their names.

Mobile APPs of the fintech companies were providing unsecured instant micro personal loans for terms ranging from 7 days to 14 days. They used to deduct 15-25 per cent of the loan at the time of disbursement itself in the name of processing fee. The rate of interest charged was also exorbitant. Their APPs would also capture customers' mobile data by getting various access privileges etc. In order to obtain more profits, they resorted to harsh recovery measures via call centres.

Personal data of the customers was misused and calls were made to their friends and relatives of the customers and abusive language was used. Even social media posts were made against the defaulters to shame them. Unable to bear the level of harassment, certain people have committed suicide.

These APPs managed to have a recovery rate of more than 90 per cent and earned huge profits.

Kudos Finance and Investment Private Ltd was one such NBFC company that signed MOUs with 39 fintech companies, illegally accepted 'security deposits' from them and allowed them to do lending activity.

Despite not having net-owned funds of more than Rs 10 crore, in complete violation of RBI guidelines, this NBFC, or actually its partner Mobile APPs, did lending of Rs 2,224 crore in a short span of time.

With the help of "extortionist type" call centres, they collectively generated profits of Rs 544 crore for the APPs and also earned a commission of Rs 24 crore.

These amounts are nothing but illegal proceeds of crime and are liable for attachment by the ED, the agency said.

"ED has attached available bank balances in their accounts totalling Rs 72.32 crore. Earlier in this case, Pavitra Pradip Walvekar, Director-cum-CEO of Kudos was arrested on December 17 for the offence of money laundering and is in judicial custody," said the ED official.

He said that further investigation in the matter is going on.
Bengaluru, Jan 12 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is "under pressure" to initiate action against the Congress leaders and stop the Mekedatu padayatra from entering Bengaluru.

The Karnataka High Court has questioned the ruling BJP that why is it incapable of initiate action against the Congress leaders who took out the padayatra despite curfew orders.

The BJP in the state has taken soft stand so far by not initiating strict action to stop the padayatra when the Covid crisis is reaching its peak in the state.

After the High Court rap, BJP legislators from Bengaluru convened a press conference on Wednesday, urging Bommai to act tough on Congress leaders, and prevent the rally from entering Karnataka's capital city.

Following the issuance of notice by the High Court, the government now has to make its stand clear by January 14. Home Minister Araga Jnanendra held a meeting with top bureaucrats and senior police officers and spoke to CM Bommai over phone about the court's dissatisfaction over the government's handling of the Mekedatu padayatra issue.

Meanwhile, BJP legislators Garudachar, Ravi Subramanya, Aravind Limbavali and Satish Reddy have held a press conference and urged their own government to act tough against Congress leaders.

Aravind Limbavali, former minister and BJP MLA from Mahadevapura constituency sai that the ruling BJP government should initiate stringent measures on Congress leaders and if there need be, the government should not hesitate to arrest Congress leaders, he added.

Satish Reddy, three-time BJP MLA from Bommanahalli constituency from Bengaluru stated that Bengaluru has a population of 1.25 crore. "If the Covid infection spreads, it will affect the entire state. The World Health Organization and the Central government have given guidelines to follow." "Covid cases have gone past the 15,000 mark. The numbers are doubling. The infections would double if padayatra enters Bengaluru. We will also start a movement against padayatra peacefully," he said.

Ravisubramanya, a BJP MLA who has represented Basavanagudi constituency three times, stated that the state government will have to take appropriate measures to prevent Mekedatu padayatra from entering Bengaluru. "It is inevitable to take a decision and initiate strict measures," he said.

Garudhachar, also a three-time BJP MLA, said: "The government should not allow padayatra to enter the constituency. Thousands of labourers, workers are managing to work amid Covid crisis. If the infection spreads they are not in a position to cope up with the consequences. The padayatra should not enter Bengaluru city." The Padayatra over Mekedatu project has entered its fourth day. Thousands of people are marching towards Bengaluru amid curfew orders.

The Congress has been openly challenging the ruling BJP government over the padayatra, stating "come what may, they are not stopping it".

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has interacted with the leaders of the major industry bodies to seek their suggestions and inputs to ensure continuation of fast rebound of economic activities, and high growth rates, officials said on Wednesday.

He congratulated the Indian industry for bouncing back after taking a hit due to the pandemic and for the resilience displayed while grappling with the pandemic, especially in the field of exports.

The Minister said that the growth in services exports, in-spite of travel and tourism restrictions was truly commendable and said that we must aim to reach $250 billion services exports.

He added that Indian professionals had demonstrated great success in working from home and therefore the nation had succeeded in meeting every single one of its international commitments, even during the pandemic, earning it the title of being a trusted partner to the world.

The Minister said that there was an imminent need for upgradation of testing facilities and labs to improve quality and called upon Indian Industry to extend its support in this regard. He also asks the industry to lend guidance for transformational exports growth beyond $400 billion and to invest more and place greater emphasis upon Research and Development activities as a business and growth strategy.

Underscoring the government's commitment towards infrastructure development and capital expenditure, Goyal said that the Centre would always support businesses activities.

He also asked the industry leaders to use initiatives like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and India Industrial Land Bank to the best possible extent to expand and grow.

The Minister observed that by and large economic activities had not been impacted by the current Covid surge.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Indian scientists, for the first time, have proposed an efficient way to induce a property called piezoelectric delta phase in polymer nanoparticles, making it useful for applications in touch sensors, acoustic sensor, and piezoelectric nanogenerators.

The piezoelectric effect is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress. The delta phase of such a piezoelectric effect, crucial for polymers, and called delta polymer (PVDF), is less studied so far due to processing difficulties. In available methodology, piezoelectric delta phase is induced in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film by application of very high electric field, that limits its commercialisation.

In the work carried out by a team from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, led by Dr Dipankar Mandal, a device with PVDF nanoparticles has been made which exhibits much superior piezoelectric response in comparison to the film counterpart. The team have shown that by a simple approach, the effect can be experimentally induced.

"Our intention was to fabricate nanofibres by a typical electrospinning process. Then, one day, we observed a powder-like deposition over the collector instead of fibre formation. We explored the deposited materials and surprisingly found the nanoparticles formations along with piezoelectric-phase. Thus, in the systematic study, we found out that the delta phase in PVDF could be induced at lower electric field by our methodology," Dr Mandal said.

The scientists have achieved the delta phase in PVDF nanoparticles at the lowest possible electric field till date - 10 cubic times lesser electric field than the conventional method. This makes the finding more convenient for application-based commercial technologies. This work has been published recently in the journal Applied Physical Letters, a release from the Ministry of Science & Technology said.

As a proof of concept, a piezoelectric nanogenerator was fabricated by the INST team to demonstrate the application of piezoelectric properties of these nanoparticles, and its practical applications as pressure mapping sensor, acoustic sensor, and energy harvesting studies were performed.
Bengaluru, Jan 13 : After the high court wrap, the ruling BJP in Karnataka on Wednesday night issued prohibitory orders on the Mekedatu padayatra being taken out by the Congress in the state.

Chief Secretary P. Ravikumar issued the order and directed the Congress leaders and the authorities concerned to stop the padayatra with immediate effect.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has also stated that his government would initiate all possible measures in the interest of public health.

Meanwhile, Ramnagar district has turned a police fortress as about 4,000 police personnel have landed there in the backdrop of the government's order to stop the padayatra.

In his order, Ravikumar stated, "In the exercise of the powers conferred under the Disaster Management Act, I here by direct that all inter-district (within Karnataka) and intra-district (within Ramanagar district) movement of vehicles and persons for participating in the 'namma neeru namma hakku' (our water our right) padayatra or whichever name it is called with a similar purpose from Mekedatu to Bengaluru is prohibited with immediate effect," the order said.

"The order will be in force till further orders are issued for strict implementation by all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police and Police Commissioners of the state. The Transport Commissioner is directed to take adequate measures to implement the order and aid the DCs and the police department," the order read.

It further warned that any person violating the order will be liable to face action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, relevant sections of the IPC and other legal provisions.

Meanwhile, without talking the name of the Congress or its leaders, Bommai gave a clear hint that his government is going to initiate the required steps to ensure the safety of the people amid the ongoing Covid crisis.

"All political parties have worked together in the interest of the state when it comes to the question of rights over our land, water and people. Our government is committed to complete the Mekedatu project by taking all political parties into confidence. Presently, the Covid pandemic has hit the state, especially Bengaluru.

"In this background, it is our first priority to safeguard the health of the people of state and Bengaluru during the third wave of Covid. I ask everyone to respect the protocols in place to control the Covid menace. The government is ready to take all possible measures to safeguard the interests of the people of the state," Bommai said.

Sources said the state government has given a green signal to the police department to not allow the padayatra on Thursday, and if there is any resistance, directions have been issued to arrest the leaders.

With the Congress and its senior leaders sticking to their stand of going ahead with the padayatra, the situation might get tensed on the fifth day of the yatra on Thursday.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Two startups supported by DBT-BIRAC have received the World Bank Group and the Consumer Technology Association's Global Women's Health Tech Awards, which recognises innovative startups that leverage technology to improve women's health and safety in emerging markets.

The two startups supported by the Department of Biotechnology's Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (DBT-BIRAC) are NIRAMAI Health Analytix Pvt. Ltd. and Inn Accel Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

As per a statement by the World Bank, this year the Awards attracted more than 70 companies from 35 countries, which submitted their innovative products and services under three categories: reproductive health and pregnancy, general women's and adolescent health, and women safety and security.

NIRAMAI Health Analytix Pvt. Ltd, a recipient of BIRAC's Women in Entrepreneurial Research Award 2019, was selected for its novel software-based medical device that in a simple and private way on women of all age groups, detects early-stage breast cancer and breast densities addressing a critical unmet need in cancer screening.

The solution developed is a low-cost, accurate, automated, portable, contactless, radiation-free and painless cancer screening tool with no known side effects.

The core innovation is a machine learning and AI-based computer diagnostic engine called Thermalytix that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to interpret thermal images and generates a quantitative report for breast health and likely abnormalities.

So far, more than 45,000 women have been screened through the startup's tie-ups with more than 30 hospitals and diagnostic centres across India.

"The product can help two billion women in the world to regularly screen for cancer and can potentially save 90,000 lives every year in India alone," said a release from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Inn Accel Technologies Pvt Ltd., a recipient of DBT and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's (BMGF) Grand Challenges Exploration--India 2019, was adjudged a winner of the Global Women's Health Tech Awards for Fetal Lite, a next-generation, AI-powered fetal heart rate (FHR) monitor based on fetal ECG signal extraction technology for mothers in labour or post 37 weeks of gestation.

Fetal Lite has next-gen ECG signal processing and is more accurate, reliable and easier to use than the conventional doppler-based devices. It is European CE certified and has completed two clinical trials of 60 plus patients with excellent results and completed the demo in 30 plus Hospitals. The device can be used for both active and remote monitoring in the in-hospital and in-home settings.

"So far the device has helped doctors to monitor 5,000 cases, including in tribal areas, and has the potential to save 1.2 million lives per year across the world," the release added.

"We are pleased to receive this recognition from the World Bank. It's a validation of the applicability of our Indian innovation to the world," said Geeta Manjunath, Founder, NIRAMAI.

"The support from BIRAC has been crucial for our journey of idea to benefitting the patients with European regulatory approval. It is not just funding but mentoring and handholding that has helped us mitigate risks," said Nitesh Jangir, Co-Founder, Inn Accel.

DBT Secretary, Rajesh Gokhale, said, "I am delighted to hear about this global recognition to two of the startups supported by the department. As a funding agency, these success stories are a validation about the impact we have created by nurturing a vibrant startup ecosystem for solving the pressing challenges being faced by humanity."
VIENTIANE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Laos reported 916 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, including 908 community cases, according to the Lao Ministry of Health.

Among the newly recorded community cases, 309 were detected in Lao capital Vientiane, Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under the Lao Ministry of Health Sisavath Soutthaniraxay told a press conference on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, eight imported cases were recorded, with four in Vientiane, three in Champasak, and one in Savannakhet province.

The country also registered seven new deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, raising the national death toll to 464. The new deaths included four in Vientiane and one each in Savannakhet, Bolikhamxay and Sekong province.

Laos reported its first two confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 24, 2020. 
Brussels, Jan 13 : Talks between representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Russia concluded without a clear outcome, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg describing the differences between the two sides as "significant" and "will not be easy to bridge".

"This was not an easy discussion," he told journalists after the four-hour meeting on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"But that is exactly why this meeting was so important. We had a very serious and direct exchange on the situation in and around Ukraine. And the implications for European security. There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on these issues. Our differences will not be easy to bridge." He said that the silver lining was that "all NATO allies and Russia sat down around the same table and engaged on substantive topics".

"NATO allies are ready to meet again with Russia to have discussions in greater detail, to put concrete proposals on the table and seek constructive outcomes," Stoltenberg added.

"We are clear-eyed about the challenges we face when we now sit down with Russia and try to find a political way forward. But the meeting was useful. And I think that, especially when tensions are high, it is even more important that we meet, and that all allies and Russia meet and sit around the same table and address the issues that are of concern," he said.

Asked about Russia's request for Ukraine not to become a member of NATO, Stoltenberg said, "Allies totally agree that it is only Ukraine and 30 allies that can decide when the former is ready to become a NATO member. No one else has anything to say and of course, Russia doesn't have a veto on whether Ukraine can become a NATO member."
Geneva, Jan 13 : The World Health Organisation (WHO) has cautioned and urged for preparedness against concurrent outbreaks of Covid-19 and other respiratory diseases during the coming spring.

Maria van Kerkhove from the WHO's Health Emergencies program, on Wednesday said at a press briefing that this could happen as population mixing increases, and as other respiratory pathogens such as influenza circulate in spring.

More than 15 million new Covid-19 cases were reported to WHO from around the world last week, by far the most cases reported in a single week. This has been driven by "the Omicron variant rapidly replacing Delta in almost all countries," according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Meanwhile, the number of weekly reported deaths has remained stable since October 2021, at an average of 48,000, Xinhua news agency reported.

While the number of patients being hospitalised is increasing in most countries, it is not at the level seen in previous waves. That is possibly due to the reduced severity of Omicron and widespread immunity from vaccination or previous infection, he said.

"Let's be clear: while Omicron causes less severe disease than Delta, it remains a dangerous virus, particularly for those who are unvaccinated," said the WHO Chief.

The organisation has constantly warned that the sheer volume of cases is putting a heavy burden on healthcare systems.

"We will have to see what happens as this virus evolves," said Van Kerkhove, warning of future outbreaks among those who are unvaccinated and not well protected.

Severe disease and death can be reduced by vaccination, as well as by improving clinical care, she added. However, this does depend on the nature of the interventions.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Cairo, Jan 13 : Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has urged donor states to support the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) that provides services to millions of Palestinian refugees, the Egyptian state TV reported.

Sisi's remarks came on Wednesday during a panel discussion at the World Youth Forum (WYF), currently being held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The Egyptian President spoke of the huge amounts of money needed for the reconstruction of the Gaza strip, noting that Egypt has already allocated $500 million to rebuild Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Our role will continue by calling on donor states to advance and not to give up on UNRWA to be able to meet its commitments," said Sisi.

Egypt will act side by side with donor states for "greater resumption and greater support" for UNRWA to assume its role, he added.

During the session, UNRWA Chief Representative in Cairo, Sahar Al-Jobury expressed her appreciation of Egypt's role in backing UNRWA and urging international partners to continue their financial support for the agency to help the Gaza strip recover from its crisis.

Egypt brokered in May 2021 a cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian armed groups led by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which rules the Gaza strip, reaching a truce after 11 days of deadly exchanged strikes that claimed the lives of at least 260 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.
Phnom Penh, Jan 13 : Cambodia has said that a US private collector has agreed to return 28 looted Cambodian cultural artifacts and the antiquities will be repatriated to the kingdom at an appropriate time.

One of the antiquities is a large Ganesha believed to be from Prasat Bak temple at Koh Ker Temple, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts said on Wednesday in a press statement, adding that this statue was looted from Cambodia about two decades ago.

In 2020, it was listed by the Antiquities Coalition as one of the top 10 most wanted looted statues in the world, the statement said.

"This sculpture of Ganesha is another astonishing example of the brilliance of our ancestors. Ganesha, the Hindu god with an elephant's head, is widely known for its wisdom and power to overcome obstacles and its return home will be a momentous occasion for Cambodia," Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, said in the statement.

Other artifacts include a sandstone Buddha sculpture from seventh-eighth century, a 10th century Hindu god Vishnu, and a 10th century bronze image of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, Xinhua news agency reported.

"This repatriation shows Cambodia's continuing commitment to finding and bringing back our ancestors' souls that departed from their motherland over a number of years, including during a period of war," she added.

"We encourage other private collectors and museums to follow this private collector's decision and to contact us now to discuss repatriation to the rightful owner," the Minister said.
At Mars Hill, our goal is to create and maintain the financial success of our clients investments while freeing them from day-to-day management tasks that cost them time and money. With our unique guarantees, we are able to offer enhanced risk mitigation for our clients, giving them peace of mind.

Mars Hill Realty Group, a full service Northern Virginia and Texas property management company, has announced new guarantees that reduce financial risk to property owners, investors, and landlords. Besides mitigating client risk, the guarantees are highly unique in the property management industry.

According to founder and president, Edward Lui, At Mars Hill, our goal is to create and maintain the financial success of our clients investments while freeing them from day-to-day management tasks that cost them time and money. With our unique guarantees, we are able to offer enhanced risk mitigation for our clients, giving them peace of mind.

Risk-reduction is one of the most important tasks for a property manager. This is one of the main reasons clients seek out Mars Hill Realty Groups services. The leadership at Mars Hill Realty Group has developed strategic processes that reduce risk and result in a hassle-free investment, so much so, that they share the risk with clients with their unique and uncommon guarantees, which include:



Tenant Replacement Guarantee - If Mars Hill Realty Group puts a tenant in a property and they need to terminate the lease early, for a reason not allowed in the lease, Mars Hill will replace that tenant with another qualified tenant and waive their leasing fees.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee  Contract cancellation is allowed with 60 days notice.

Rented in 60 Days Guarantee  Mars Hill Realty Group will find a tenant within 60 days from when a home is vacant and in move-in ready condition or credit the first month management fee.

Property Peace of Mind Guarantee  Mars Hill Realty Group will offer a $500 credit for any property damage that they cannot collect from the tenant.

Eviction Free Guarantee  If Mars Hill Realty Group puts a tenant in a property and then needs to obtain a judgement for non-payment of rent, the company will cover the cost of the eviction process up to $1000.

Mars Hill Realty Group is a veteran owned business that operates out of Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Virginia, Fairfax, Virginia, and all surrounding areas of Northern Virginia, Metropolitan Washington, D.C. (DMV), and Austin, Texas.

About Mars Hill Realty Group

Mars Hill Realty Group is a full-service property management company serving Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., and the Austin, Texas area. Based in Centreville, Virginia, the company is committed to the belief that real estate investment should be hassle-free. Their expertise is in making sure real estate investments are being properly managed and leveraged so that they are making clients money. To accomplish this, they provide full-service property management services. Their strategy revolves around building strong professional relationships within their own teams as well as the service providers that they use to ensure that their clients' experience is a positive one. Their family of agents, vendors and community of owners all benefit from their passion for fair business practices.

Whether it is managing a rental property, buying or selling a new home, or assisting with finding a new investment property, Mars Hill Realty Group provides a locally owned, full service real estate company to help their clients achieve their optimal goals. Their 30 years of experience in this industry, along with also being investment owners themselves, gives them the unique position to fully understand what it takes to create a positive property management experience.

For more information, please visit their website at: https://www.marshillpropertymanagement.com/ or call the company directly at 703-776-9223.
While its good to be cautious, its also important to understand the breadth of solutions and resources available to protect you and your family. Americans have everything from monitored home security systems to 911 at their fingertips to keep their minds at ease.

A new crime study by Batten, a security product curator, reveals the top cities in the U.S. where citizens are more concerned about crime than the actual crime rates their communities have. Based on cities with the highest concern for crime but lowest actual crime rates, Batten developed a unique Crime vs Concern ranking system that pinpoints the U.S. cities that are overly concerned about crime when they dont need to be.

The ten cities in the U.S. that top the Crime vs Concern ranking include:



Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

Richmond-Petersburg, V.a.

Washington D.C. (Hagerstown, Md.)

Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek, Mich.

Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

Green Bay-Appleton, Wis.

Boston, Mass., -Manchester, N.H.

Tampa, St. Petersburg (Sarasota), Fla.

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Boise, Idaho

In actuality, none of the above cities were close in terms of topping the list of actual crime rates. The crime data is a cumulative score based on a citys combination of violent crimes and property crimes. Battens unique scoring system accounts for the volumes and weight of each crime, making it as accurate as possible. When it came to overall crime rankings, the following cities ranked higher for crime rates than the rest:



St. Louis, Mo.: 186.5

Albuquerque-Santa Fe, N.M.: 182

Anchorage, Alaska: 180

South Bend-Elkhart, Ind.: 179

Alexandria, La.: 179

Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C, Asheville, N.C., Anderson, S.C.:177

Memphis, Tenn.: 175

Fairbanks, Alaska: 175

Juneau, Alaska: 174.5

Eureka, Calif.: 174.5

With how dedicated Americans are to home security, its no surprise that there are so many citizens concerned about crime rates that just arent there, said Jake Johnson, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder at Batten. While its good to be cautious, its also important to understand the breadth of solutions and resources available to protect you and your family. Americans have everything from monitored home security systems to 911 at their fingertips to keep their minds at ease.

Visit battensafe.com to read the full study.

Methodology

Batten extracted crime data from the 2019 FBI UCR database by MSA and compiled search information from Google Trends using the most searched keywords based on local crime from the past 12 months. The two data sets were combined together, and Batten analyzed the crime rate and concern rankings to create the composite score. Though the Google Trends data and FBI UCR data were not from the same year, the 2019 data remained relevant enough to give a strong reading on the current crime rates in a city.
We were surprised by the size and makeup of this group of workers, said Christine LePottier, Artemis Strategy Group Partner. The fact that they have chosen to be more self-directed in their approach to work in this time of change is both an encouraging indicator and a potential trend to watch.

Today, Artemis Strategy Group released How the Pandemic Changed Us: Americans Choosing to Live and Work Differently, a study that identifies how a pandemic-infused environment has influenced the way Americans think about their lives, what they value, and how that affects the way they live, work and manage their health and money. A fascinating, large group of workers appears  those who didnt just change jobs but who moved to more self-directed employment during the pandemic.

This has been a time of incredible job turmoil. Often by necessity but also based on opportunity, many workers have chosen to seek out new employers and better jobs. Nearly three in ten (28%) of the pre-pandemic labor force decided to go in a new direction by starting a new business, switching to freelance or gig work or shifting to self-employment.

Who are these workers?

Reflecting the range of self-driven opportunities pursued, this is a demographically diverse group. Compared to other workers, they are somewhat younger and better educated, but also more racially and ethnically diverse.

These newly self-directed workers are more likely than other workers to have suffered the negative consequences of the pandemic, such as experiencing a decrease in household income or an increase in time spent caregiving for family members. Despite losses, many used the opportunity to reflect and evaluate their lives.

They matched their reflection with shifted priorities. Since the pandemic began, these workers are more likely than other workers to hold back on something previously planned. Simultaneously, they are more likely to engage in new outside-of-work activities.

Typical comments from this group of workers include:

This time during lockdown gave me the break I needed to clear my mind and truly focus on the route my life has to take.

It has made me realize how self-sustainable and confident in my abilities I am. It has taught me to be myself and do what is right for ME.

The outcome for this group  again, much more so than among other workers  has been greater personal satisfaction and greater attention to self-care, work/life balance and life purpose.

We were surprised by the size and makeup of this group of workers, said Christine LePottier, Partner of Artemis Strategy Group. The fact that they have chosen to be more self-directed in their approach to work in this time of change is both an encouraging indicator and a potential evolving trend to watch.

The national study was conducted online by Artemis Strategy Group in August 2021 with over 1,500 Americans. To learn more about the survey and review additional findings click here.

--

About Artemis Strategy Group:

Artemis Strategy Group is a communications strategy research firm specializing in brand positioning and policy issues. The firm, headquartered in Washington D.C., provides communications research and consulting to a range of public and private sector clients.
Karen Norheim, President & CEO of American Crane & Equipment Corporation I am honored to serve on the MHI Board of Governors and be a part of advancing our industry.

American Crane & Equipment Corporation is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, our President & CEO, Karen Norheim, was named as one of the Board of Governors for MHI.

The Board of Governors consists of the Officers and Board Governors of MHI plus the Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of the corporation. The Board of Governors serves as the Board of Directors for MHI.

MHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI offers education, standards development, networking and solution sourcing for their members, their customers, and the industry through programming and events.

ABOUT AMERICAN CRANE:

American Crane & Equipment Corporation (ACECO) is a privately held international material handling company with locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania, USA. They are the leading manufacturer of cranes, hoists and other material handling equipment, with powerful innovation, proven experience and are a government approved supplier.


Robert Morrison speaks at the Governors awards for Arts Education. Bob is a visionary leader in arts education in our state and throughout the nation. On behalf of the members of the Arts Ed NJ Board, I express our gratitude and appreciation for Bobs many years of service and dedication on behalf of arts educators and education.

Arts Ed NJ, the statewide voice for arts education, today announced that its co-founder, former board chair, and current Executive Director, Robert Morrison, will be stepping down effective June 30, 2022, following nearly two decades at the helm.

Morrison, an acclaimed music and arts education advocate, social entrepreneur and businessman, participated in the launch of Arts Ed NJ as the New Jersey Arts Education Partnership in 2006 following years of planning and input by arts and education leaders statewide to create the proper conditions for arts learning to take place for the 1.4 million students attending more than 2,400 schools in the state.

Through his leadership and with the help of strategic partnerships throughout the arts community, New Jersey has emerged as a leading state for arts education in the country. In 2019, Governor Phil Murphy announced that New Jersey became the first state to provide universal access to arts education for all public-school students.

Morrison previously served as managing partner for the groundbreaking 2006 NJ Arts Education Census Project, completing the first statewide census for arts education in every school building in the nation. As a leader of Arts Ed NJ, Morrison implemented the reports recommendations to improve the status of arts education in New Jersey, now hailed as a model for statewide arts education research.

Most recently, Morrison and Arts Ed NJ released groundbreaking reports and support materials, including the September Ready: Fall 2020 Guidance for Arts Education Report, which is used by states across the nation to assist in the safe return of visual and performing arts in schools during the COVID pandemic.

In January 2021, Arts Ed NJ was designated as the official performing arts affiliate for the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), In March 2021, the organization launched the Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning as the national resource for this critical topic.

Bob is a visionary leader in arts education in our state and throughout the nation, said Dr. Mary Reece, Arts Ed NJ board chair. Together with key stakeholders, Bob initiated the design and implementation of the NJ Arts Education Partnership - now Arts Ed NJ. Our field is much stronger as a result of Bobs stewardship of important initiatives in arts education over the past two decades. On behalf of the members of the Arts Ed NJ Board, I express our gratitude and appreciation for Bobs many years of service and dedication on behalf of arts educators and education.

Morrison has a long history as a supporter of music and arts education and is widely recognized as one of the nations leading researchers and advocates for arts education. He is also the founder of Music for All, was the founding CEO of the Save The Music Foundation, served as the Director of Market Development for the NAMM, where he helped create the Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation and was recognized for his work adding the arts as a core subject to the nations education goals.

Concurrent with his Executive Director role of Arts Ed NJ, Morrison is the founder and CEO of Quadrant Research, the nations preeminent arts education data analytics and market research firm. Morrison and Quadrant Research are recognized as pioneers in state arts education data reporting including the creation of the national Arts Education Data Project, which provides arts education data for 30 states covering 74 percent of the student population nationwide.

Ive had a very successful run with Arts Ed NJ, and I will be forever grateful to the New Jersey arts education community, which has come together in unprecedented ways to collectively impact arts education in our state, said Morrison. At the same time, the field will benefit from a fresh voice and a new perspective. The Arts Education Data Project is growing exponentially and needs my full time and complete attention. After successfully navigating the most challenging aspects of the COVID19 pandemic, and with a fantastic staff and board in place, this is a good time for new leadership of Arts Ed NJ as it continues to successfully move into the future.

The Arts Ed NJ Board of Directors has begun an active search for a new Executive Director. Qualified candidates who wish to apply for the position may submit a letter of application and resume to jaclyn@gruninfoundation.org. The deadline for submission is February 11, 2022. The job description may be found at: https://www.artsednj.org/executive-director-search/

###

About Arts Ed NJ

Arts Ed NJ is the unified voice for arts education in New Jersey. The mission of Arts Ed NJ is to create the proper conditions for arts learning to take place in New Jersey. Formerly the New Jersey Arts Education Partnership, Arts Ed NJ was founded in 2007 by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Department of Education and Music for All Foundation. Additional support has been provided by the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional information is available at https://www.artsednj.org/.
Bureau Veritas has adopted the ISASecure automation controls certification scheme as part of their cybersecurity protection program, addressing the cybersecurity of automation and control systems.

The ISASecure Program announced today that Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Technology Products Taiwan has signed an agreement to conduct cybersecurity assessments as an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited ISASecure certification body.

The ISASecure certification program, developed within the International Society of Automation, certifies conformance to the ISA/IEC 62443 series of internationally adopted industrial cybersecurity standards. ISASecure assesses automation and control products and systems to ensure they are robust against network attacks, free from known vulnerabilities, and meet the security capabilities defined in the ISA/IEC 62443 standards.

All ISASecure certifications are conducted by globally recognized ISO/IEC 17065 accredited certification bodies.

As a global leader, Bureau Veritas supports its clients in protecting their systems, assets, products and supply chains from cyber risk. Bureau Veritas provides a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity assessment services covering the electronics, automotive and wireless industries.

Bureau Veritas has adopted the ISASecure automation controls certification scheme as part of their cybersecurity protection program, addressing the cybersecurity of automation and control systems. We are excited to be part of the ISASecure Conformity Assessment (CA) scheme as it further supports the work we are doing with our clients to ensure their systems are both safe and secure. Said by Pascal Le-Ray, General Manager at Bureau Veritas CPS Technology Products Taiwan.

The ISASecure programwhich currently has ISO/IEC 17065 accredited certification bodies in the US, Japan, Germany, Canada, and soon, Spain and Italyis rapidly expanding its global reach through additional agreements with certification bodies around the globe who are in the accreditation process.

"Bureau Veritas will soon receive independent accreditation by the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation, an ISO 17011 accreditation body, as an ISASecure chartered lab in accordance with the ISASecure ISO 17065 conformance scheme.

Bureau Veritas is a globally recognized certification body with over 78,000 employees in 140 countries and a stellar reputation. We look forward to working with Bureau Veritas as an ISASecure certification body (CB)," said Andre Ristaino, ISCI Managing Director.

About the ISASecure Program

Founded in 2007, the ISASecure Programs mission is to provide the highest level of assurance possible for the cyber security of industrial automation control systems.

The Program was established by thought leaders from major organizations in the industrial automation controls community seeking to improve the cyber security posture of Critical Infrastructure for generations to come. Founders and key supporters of ISASecure include BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Saudi Aramco, Shell, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Schneider Electric, Yokogawa, Siemens, exida, TUV Rheinland, CSSC, FM Approvals, Synopsys, DNV-GL, Applied Risk, Trust CB, Security Compass, SGS Espanola de Control, BYHON, TUV SUD, WisePlant HQ, and Bureau Veritas.

The Programs goals are realized through industry standards compliance programs, education, technical support, and improvements in suppliers development processes and users life cycle management practices. The Programs ISASecure designation ensures that industrial automation control products conform to industry consensus cyber security standards, providing confidence to users of ISASecure products and systems and creating product differentiation for suppliers conforming to the ISASecure specification. http://www.isasecure.org.

About Bureau Veritas, Consumer Products Services Division, Technology Products Business Line

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in conformity assessment and certification services. Founded in 1828, the group has 78,000 employees in more than 1400 offices and laboratories located in 140 countries. Uniquely in the TIC industry, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Division, Technology Products Business Line is the only partner who has integrated the full suite of capabilities for the electronics, automotive and wireless segments, covering more wireless technologies than any company else in the TIC business. Bureau Veritas is well versed in providing the latest cybersecurity solution, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GCF/PTCRB, Thread, DSRC, CBRS, LoRa, Sigfox, 2G/3G/4G and 5G, Moreover, the "total solution" covering all testing and certification services in order to help its clients shorten the time to market for their products as well as increase the competitiveness

https://group.bureauveritas.com/

For news inquiry, please contact:

Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services

Technology Products Taiwan

Vicky CHEN

Email: vicky.chen@tw.bureauveritas.com
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export of information and communications technology (ICT) products hit a record high last year due to global demand recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, a government report showed Wednesday.

The ICT products shipment advanced 24 percent over the year to 227.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. It was the highest since relevant data began to be compiled in 1996.

Import in the ICT sector amounted to 135 billion dollars, sending the trade surplus to 92.6 billion dollars.

Semiconductor export jumped 28.4 percent to 128.7 billion dollars last year, and those for display panels and mobile phones increased in double digits to 24.7 billion dollars and 14 billion dollars respectively.

The ICT export to China, South Korea's biggest trading partner, advanced 23.8 percent over the year to 107.5 billion dollars in 2021, and those to the United States and the European Union gained in double figures to 28 billion dollars and 12.8 billion dollars respectively. 
Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Rod J. Rohrich Patients should always do their research and choose their surgeon carefully. Make sure he or she is board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, and has the expertise and the experience to deliver a safe and satisfactory outcome.

Dallas plastic surgeon and rhinoplasty specialist, Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, has been honored by peers as one of the best plastic surgeons in the country by Castle Connolly's Top Doctor program. Every year, the program, which is designed to help patients find the best healthcare professionals in established medical specialties such as plastic surgery, carefully screens and selects physicians through a rigorous peer review process.

During the nomination process, Castle Connolly contacts more than 50,000 licensed healthcare professionals nationwide to obtain nominations and feedback about the best doctors practicing in the United States today. They are asked to identify and nominate the most outstanding doctors in their medical specialty which they consider to be top doctors in their region, or nationwide. In this program, self-nominations are strictly forbidden.

A physician-led team of researchers reviews each nominee and checks the candidate's background, medical education, board certification status, hospital and educational appointments, and professional recognitions and achievements. The group also reviews malpractice and disciplinary history to further screen the candidates. The final award recipients are selected by Castle Connolly editors together with the research team.

"This award is especially significant, in part, because it is primarily driven by peer nomination," says Dr. Rohrich. "The peer review process is an important component of reliable medical information."

A well-known advocate for patient safety, Dr. Rohrich lectures frequently around the world at surgical conferences and educational meetings promoting safe and effective as well as innovative plastic surgery practices. Dr. Rohrich serves as chairman for the Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting and its partner conference, the Dallas Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine Meeting. He has been ranked as the best plastic surgeon in the United States for both rhinoplasty and facelifts by Newsweek magazine.

"I am honored to have been selected as a Top Doctor," says Dr. Rohrich. "These types of awards are valuable tools that can help patients find well qualified physicians within a given medical specialty all around the world. Patients should always do their research and choose their surgeon carefully. Make sure he or she is board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, and has the expertise and the experience to deliver a safe and satisfactory outcome."

About Rod J. Rohrich, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Rod J. Rohrich is a board certified plastic surgeon in Dallas, Texas. He is considered one of the most influential surgeons in this century. He was named the top plastic surgeon in America by Newsweek in both rhinoplasty and facelift surgery in 2021 Dr. Rohrich is a Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. He was the first Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery as well as the first plastic surgeon selected as a Distinguished Teaching Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He graduated from Baylor College of Medicine with high honors, and completed his plastic surgery training at the University of Michigan Medical Center and fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard (hand/microsurgery) and Oxford University (pediatric plastic surgery). He is Chair of the Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting, Founding Chair of the Dallas Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine Meeting, Founding Member of the Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery, and a Founding Partner of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute.

He is the immediate past (after serving for 18 years) Editor-in-Chief of the most respected global peer reviewed plastic surgery journal  the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal. He is Founding Editor-in-Chief/Editor Emeritus of the first open access peer reviewed plastic surgery journal, PRS Global Open. Dr. Rohrich has published over 1000 peer reviewed articles and seven textbooks in plastic surgery including a best-selling medical book entitled The Facial Danger Zones. Dr Rohrich recently published an innovative cosmetic surgery video atlas- Cosmetic Surgery by the Masters

Dr. Rohrich also served as president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the largest organization of board certified plastic surgeons in the world. He repeatedly has been selected by his peers as one of America's best doctors. He received the ASPS Special Achievement Award and on three occasions has received one of his profession's highest honors, the Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF) Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes his contributions to education in plastic surgery. In addition, he has also been recognized by the PSF with the Plastic Surgery Foundation Distinguished Career Researcher Award for his contributions to plastic surgery research and innovations.
Joao Del Valle, co-founder and CEO at EBANX The launch of these local solutions and the opening of the new office are part of our strategy for continuous growth in Mexico, a country where e-commerce is one of the most dynamic and relevant sectors," said Joao Del Valle, co-founder and CEO of EBANX.

EBANX, a Latin American payments fintech company, announced the expansion of its presence and portfolio in Mexico with the launch of solutions focused on Mexican e-merchants. In addition to offering services to help national companies and global giants to expand their sales in Latin America, EBANX now offers new ways for Mexican companies to expand their operations within the national territory, and offer the best payment experiences to Mexican consumers. These new local solutions will allow international companies to enter the Mexican market with much greater ease and consolidate their presence.

With this new expansion, Mexican companies will have access to EBANX's comprehensive portfolio of local-payment solutions in the country, with payment methods such as credit and debit cards  including those of national brands  installments, OXXO and OXXOPay, SPEI, and digital wallets such as Mercado Pago. These new offerings for merchants operating within Mexico are launched together with the opening of EBANX's new office in Mexico City.

The launch of these local solutions and the opening of the new office are part of our strategy for continuous growth in Mexico, a country where e-commerce is one of the most dynamic and relevant sectors. With these new initiatives, we become the ideal strategic ally to help e-merchants grow their operations in Mexico or other LatAm markets, said Joao Del Valle, co-founder and CEO of EBANX. "We are very excited to witness Mexico's digital market growth and to help Mexican companies in their efforts at the local and regional level."

At the same time that e-commerce grows exponentially in Mexico, one of the main challenges has been the level of Mexicans access to financial and banking services. According to the Association of Mexican Banks (ABM), 53 percent of adults did not have a bank account in 2020. In this context, the possibility of offering various payment methods that are adapted to the needs of Mexican consumers, including those that allow the use of cash, is a key factor to enable faster growth of companies in this market.

The ability to process cash-based transactions, as well as domestic-only cards and other local payment methods in Mexico is still a key factor in reaching and onboarding more consumers. According to Beyond Borders 2021/2022, EBANX's annual study on the digital market in Latin America based on data from Americas Market Intelligence (AMI), more than half (60%) of the digital commerce in Mexico is transacted with these types of payment methods, such as digital wallets, cash vouchers, or debit and domestic credit cards. Merchants that accept them can double their reach and sales potential, and more quickly increase their total addressable market.

EBANX is one of the few payment processors in LatAm connected to digital wallets such as Mercado Pago, which allows global companies to reach the large numbers of unbanked people in Latin America by providing them with a payment method adapted to their needs.

Mexico is a priority country for EBANX. It is the fintech's second-largest market in LatAm, and where EBANX first began its expansion outside of Brazil. It started its operations in Mexico in 2015, with cross-border payment services, so that global companies could accept local payment methods in the country. EBANX has grown the number of transactions it processed in Mexico 115 percent last year, and its major customers in Mexico include Hibobi, SHEIN, Shopee and Wish.

ABOUT EBANX:

EBANX is the leading payments platform in Latin America, connecting more than 35,000 global and regional companies with customers from one of the fastest-growing digital markets in the world. The company was founded in 2012 with the mission of giving access for Latin Americans to purchase from international e-commerce merchants. With powerful proprietary technology and infrastructure, combined with the deepest knowledge in Latin American markets, EBANX allows companies with local or international operations to connect with hundreds of payment methods in different countries. EBANX goes beyond payments, increasing sales and fueling seamless purchase experiences for companies and consumers. For more information, visit https://business.ebanx.com/en/.

###

Media Contacts:

United States:

Chris Knight

U.S. PR director for EBANX

chris@divinogroup.net

(415) 786-9226 c. (on WhatsApp)

Brazil:

Thiago Romariz

Head of PR, content and market intelligence

thiago.romariz@ebanx.com

+55 (11) 98571-1751 (on WhatsApp)
In Defense of Christians (IDC), the nations leading advocacy organization for Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East and Africa, applauds the release of Coptic rights and religious freedom activist Ramy Kamel from Egyptian prison.

Mr. Kamel was taken into custody in November 2019 by Egyptian authorities, just one day prior to traveling to Geneva to speak before the UN Human Rights Council about abuses endured by Egypt's Coptic Christian community. For over two years, Mr. Kamel was held in Egyptian prison, without trial.

IDC has advocated in the U.S. Congress and U.S. State Department for the application of pressure on the Egyptian government for Mr. Kamel's release. IDC has worked closely with Senate Human Rights Caucus co-chairs Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), who sent a letter to the Egyptian government in October 2020 urging for Ramy Kamel's release.

The Senators urged the Egyptian government to "honor Mr. Kamel's right to a fair trial or to release him entirely of the charges held against him." The Senators further expressed their "fear [that] his detention is a result of [his] activism."

"We applaud the Egyptian government for the release for Ramy Kamel," said IDC Executive Director Richard Ghazal. "While the Egyptian government of President Sisi, in recent years, has demonstrated incremental progress through constitutional reforms, there is still much more work to be done to afford Coptic Christians equal citizenship in their native homeland," Ghazal continued.
Kalitta Air inspectors use dentCHECK at the companys MRO facility in Oscoda, Michigan. With the implementation of 8trees dentCHECK technology, Kalitta Airs dent mapping program will be elevated to the next level., said Zoltan Kocis, Vice President of Maintenance, Engineering and Procurement, Kalitta Air.

Kalitta Air, a leading US cargo and special-missions airline has begun using 8trees dentCHECK to enhance the efficiency and quality of its dent-mapping activities. dentCHECK is the world's only handheld-portable, completely wireless 3D scanner tool with integrated AR that is purpose-built for the aviation maintenance industry. It is now used by the worlds leading commercial, cargo and defense MROs. Delivering real-time go/no-go answers at the push of a single-button, the tool significantly reduces damage-mapping and reporting times, compared to traditional manual methods that use depth-gauges and straight-edges.

With the implementation of 8trees dentCHECK technology, Kalitta Airs dent mapping program will be elevated to the next level. We look forward to working with 8tree in implementing this state-of-the-art technology, said Zoltan Kocis, Vice President of Maintenance, Engineering and Procurement, Kalitta Air.

We are delighted to welcome Kalitta Air to the rapidly growing global community of dentCHECK users, said Arun Chhabra, CEO, 8tree. Kalitta Air joins the ranks of more than three dozen MROs, airlines and OEMs that use dentCHECK daily to disposition dent-damage on aircraft across the cargo, commercial, business and defense aviation sectors. We look forward to supporting Kalitta Airs maintenance operations and having them experience 8trees exceptional customer service.

dentCHECK is approved and recognized by all major aerospace OEMs (Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer) and used by the world's leading airlines/MROs for fast and accurate damage-mapping and SRM-compliant multi-dent reporting. When compared to traditional inspection methods, dentCHECK delivers a 90% gain in efficiency and 37x better measurement consistency.

OEM-acceptance has led to widespread adoption of dentCHECK amongst airlines/MROs. Detailed case-studies from easyJet, Delta TechOps and TAP-M&E, as well as news from Aeromexico, Airbus Flightline, DHL-Express and Zeppelin, demonstrate that dentCHECK drastically reduces inspection and reporting times by up to 90%. This shortens aircraft Turn-around-Time (TaT), which further reduces lost revenues and very directly improves operational efficiency for airlines. dentCHECK enhances safety through an improved understanding of airframe reliability.

About 8tree

We make precision 3D measurement as simple as taking a photo

With this vision in mind, 8tree makes 3D optical surface inspection tools that solve chronic problems for multiple industries. 8trees products empower every operator  from mechanics on the floor, to engineers in the lab  with instantly actionable precise measurements, portability and performance. With its patented user-centric product design, instant go/no-go answers and zero-learning curve, 8tree is committed to making precision 3D scanning more broadly accessible  technically and commercially.

For more information, visit http://www.8-tree.com/.

For recent news follow 8tree on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/8tree

About Kalitta Air

Kalitta Air is an FAR Part 121 Air Carrier and a leading provider of air cargo transportation, scheduled and on-demand charter service for customers in the United States and around the world. The company operates an all-Boeing fleet of 38 aircraft comprising the 747, 767 and 777 aircraft types. Kalitta Maintenance operates a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport in Michigan. Kalitta Air makes it happen  on time, anytime, anywhere.


With the new Fast-Track Program, customers quickly and easily transition from older legacy systems to 12th Techs innovative, flexible, and robust Real-Time Auditing System.

12th Tech, Inc. today announces their new Fast-Track Upgrade Program to address the issues faced by wholesale finance companies suffering from auditing service failures. Companies utilizing antiquated systems are increasingly finding they may be subject to system outages  some lasting multiple days  or non-availability of auditors during the pandemic. 12th Techs Fast-Track Program helps companies swiftly transition to 12th Techs industry-leading cloud-based Real-Time Intelligent Auditing System. Recognizing that transition costs can be a barrier to entry, 12th Tech is waiving set-up and installation fees for companies who sign up for the Fast-Track Program by May 31, 2022. Wholesale finance companies can migrate their systems now to support their existing auditing processes and also take advantage of 12th Techs innovative Dealer Self Audit and Clearing Audit capabilities which may help reduce their auditing costs 30% or more.

Clients can continue using their existing auditing service firm while utilizing the 12th Tech platform or engage with Collateral Specialists Inc.s team of highly trained employee auditors who have been able to safely continue auditing during the pandemic. As part of the Fast-Track initiative, CSI has also waived any set-up fees for new accounts transitioning to 12th Techs system and CSI for their auditing services. 12th Techs powerful cloud-based RTI Auditing System will give finance companies the scalability and reliability they need while simultaneously providing innovative capabilities to more effectively manage risk.

2022 Fast-Track Upgrade Program Elements



12th Techs Real-Time Intelligent Auditing System including scalable cloud-based auditing

Set-up fees waived, potentially saving tens of thousands in switching costs

Dealer Self Audits available at less than half of the cost of what clients have been paying for physical audits

Clearing Audits conducted by dealers at 50 percent off for first year

Fast-Track Program available to new customers signing contracts by May 31, 2022

Todays customers need a robust high-available system for business continuity that are highly secure from both cyber-attacks and network failures. Legacy systems are just overly vulnerable to modern cyber-attacks and combined with backend/network systems built ten or twenty years ago are often unable to provide reliable service or the innovative capabilities that wholesale finance companies need.

12th Techs innovative RTI Auditing System provides industry leading capabilities built upon a high-availability cloud-based platform that has redundancy in multiple regions to ensure even a critical outage in a region of a country can still be handled to ensure the system is up and available.

12th Techs new globally scalable system combines exceptional capabilities for real-time auditing and field communication through mobile networks which seamlessly support traditional third-party audits or in-house teams, dealer self-audits, or electronic asset identification. The RTI Auditing System enables dealer self-audits and Dealer Clearing Audits to complement physical audits leading to enhanced audit frequency, more effective risk mitigation, and decreased average per audit costs.

Were excited to be partnering with 12th Tech to offer the Fast-Track Program. CSI and our all-employee audit team have successfully delivered the highest quality auditing services to the market for more than 25 years, and now we are enhancing our capabilities by helping customers quickly and easily transition from older legacy systems to 12th Techs innovative, flexible, and robust Real-Time Auditing System, states Brian Jennings, Owner and President of Collateral Specialists Inc. The combination of CSI and 12th Tech provides our clients new flexibility to deploy a combination of physical site audits with dealer self-audits or clearing audits to enhance risk mitigation efforts while lowering average per audit costs. We have no doubt that new clients will be excited to take advantage of the Fast-Track Program which waives all installation and set-up fees and provides a more innovative and reliable cloud based solution  at lower cost.

The 12th Tech Fast-Track Program for transitioning to 12th Tech Real-Time Auditing system is now available through 12th Tech and CSI throughout the United States and Canada.

About 12th Tech

12th Tech (http://www.12thtech.com) is revolutionizing risk management and mitigation with its Real-Time Intelligent (RTI) Auditing system, providing innovative technology to support traditional in-house or third-party audits and enable dealer self-audits, automated Dealer Clearing Audits, electronic asset identification, and enhanced real-time auditing and reporting. 12th Techs RTI Auditing System dramatically reduces auditing costs and intelligently helps mitigate risk - allowing Finance Companies to finally have the choice to utilize the best auditing methods across their portfolio. Our robust, scalable, and adaptive solution leverages the latest technological advances and builds on a foundation of more than 20 years of experience providing auditing technology solutions to the financing industry. The 12th Tech team is dedicated to delivering the worlds best auditing system--both now and the future--to ensure our clients success.

About Collateral Specialists Inc. (CSI)

Collateral Specialists Inc. (http://www.csina.com/) has over 25 years of experience providing banks, financial companies, manufacturers and other captive groups the inspection and reporting expertise required to verify their collateral. Founded in 1995 by James Jennings, the company is now led by Brian Jennings. With over 500 employees in all 50 states backed by 5 offices across the country, CSI has one of the largest and most experienced auditing teams across the country. CSI is available to assist lenders across multiple industries including automobiles, agricultural equipment, construction machinery, recreational vehicles, marine products, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
Vincent Printing Company Logo While the company may have a change in ownership, it does not represent any change in our commitment to deliver large-format printing solutions that bring big brand ideas to life while providing exceptional customer service to our clients, something Vincent Printing has done continuously since 1940.

Vincent Printing, which has been providing large-format printing solutions to customers in the outdoor advertising industry across the nation and throughout the world since 1940, announced today that FutureTech Holding Company, Beau Wells, and MLJB Holdings have officially acquired the company from longtime owners, Doug and Charlie Casey. The acquisition was finalized on December 29, 2021, and the terms of the sale were not disclosed.

As part of the acquisition, the ownership group has named a management team to lead Vincent Printing going forward. Effective immediately, Beau Wells will become President and Chief Executive Officer, Glen Brooks will be the Chief Financial Officer, and Alison Henry will be Vice President of Customer Engagement. The company plans to expand the management team over the next few months.

Today is an exciting day for the future of Vincent Printing, our employees, and the customers we passionately serve every day, said Beau Wells, CEO of Vincent Printing. While the company may have a change in ownership, it does not represent any change in our commitment to deliver large-format printing solutions that bring big brand ideas to life while providing exceptional customer service to our clients, something Vincent Printing has done continuously since 1940.

Wells continued, This change marks an important next step for Vincent Printing. It will create broader opportunities where we can make needed investments in technology, equipment, facilities and our employees  investments that will ensure our company has the ability to expand its product offerings, serve new vertical markets to drive future business opportunities, and write the next chapter in our rich history.

Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tenn., Vincent Printing is a full-service printing company that specializes in large-format printing solutions for the outdoor, retail, sports, and transit industries. With employees based in many cities throughout the country, the company has established a legacy of providing premier printing solutions for some of the most recognizable brands throughout the world. Today, Vincent Printing helps customers tailor their brand campaigns to push the limits of what a print medium can be.

Another important endeavor at Vincent Printing is giving back and supporting causes important to its employees. The new ownership group is committed to this core value.

Wells added, Vincent Printing is one of Chattanoogas best kept secrets. We have been a part of the Chattanooga community for more than 80 years, and due to the hard work and efforts of our employees, we are recognized nationally as a leader in the large format printing industry. Going forward, we will strive to identify ways we can raise our presence and support important causes within the industry and in the communities where our employees live, work and play.

# # #

About FTH.

FTH established in 2005 is a conglomerate holding company, employing a buy-hold-and-grow strategy across various industries and geographies. FTH relies on existing operating management to execute the day-to-day business and assist them with strategic decisions and support such strategic objectives with adequate capital as needed. To learn more, visit https://fthco.com.

About Vincent Printing.

Vincent Printing Company is a wide-format printer for the retail, outdoor and transit industries. Our state-of-the-art technology, with digital and super-wide capabilities, enables the company to produce the highest quality products and provide premier printing services tailored to fit the needs of our customers. We service clients and advertising agencies across the nation and around the world. To learn more, visit http://vincentprinting.com.
Planet Technologies is pleased to name 12-year company veteran, Jennifer Dodd, as its Vice President, US West Region. Prior to her new role, Dodd led services delivery and supported sales strategy efforts in the region as Director.

While at Planet, Jennifer co-founded the Colorado Women in SharePoint group and led efforts for Planets State of Colorado business. This success served as a catalyst for Planets business growth in key states such as California, Washington, and Alaska. With some of her earliest career experience in technical training and education, Dodd leverages that background as a foundation to lead and simplify transformational enterprise initiatives for government.

Jen is a passionate and results-driven leader with a keen ability to lead and motivate teams. I am excited that in her new role, Jen will be in a position to have even greater strategic and positive impact for both Planet and our clients, said Scott Tucker, President of Planet Technologies.

About Planet Technologies

Founded in 1998, Planet Technologies is the leading provider of Microsoft 365 and hybrid cloud consulting services to the public sector. Planet supports all areas of the federal government, state and local agencies, and educational institutions across the country. We are in the business of trust and most of our clients are repeat customers  our greatest achievement. Planet has been awarded Microsoft Cloud Partner of the Year, Microsoft Security Partner of the Year, Microsoft Federal Partner of the Year, Microsoft State and Local Government Partner of the Year, and Microsoft Windows Partner of the Year.
Dairy Distillery uses Pleoras Visual Inspection System to help maintain brand quality standards and reduce errors that increase operating costs and slow production. Packaging errors translate into downtime, slower production, and higher costs. Pleoras system is simple and easy to use, and helps removes ambiguity and stress for employees.

Pleora Technologies today announced that Dairy Distillery, a spirits producer that combines artisanal distilling techniques with a scientific process to transform milk into vodka, is using its Visual Inspection System to help maintain brand quality standards and reduce errors that increase operating costs and slow production.

Dairy Distillery has pioneered a unique process that uses milk permeate, a byproduct left over after cream, fat, and proteins have been removed from whole milk for use in products such as butter, ice cream, and yogurt, to create a clean and pure spirit. Previously, milk permeate was considered a waste product that had to be disposed of at a cost to the farmer. Founded in 2018, the Almonte, Ontario based business now ships over 100,000 bottles of its flagship Vodkow Vodka and cream liquors to global customers. In 2020, the distillery became a major supplier of hand sanitizer to Ottawa hospitals and vaccination clinics as part of the fight against coronavirus.

Operating in a highly competitive market, brand appearance is a key factor in ensuring consumer shelf appeal. The distillerys Vodkow bottle integrates machine-placed labels with a distinctive emblem that is hand-placed by a human operator. The operator needs to accurately align the emblem with brand elements on the main label to ensure a consistent and appealing shelf display.

Were a world-class product, and our packaging needs to look perfect every time, said Neal McCarten, co-founder and Director of Marketing, Dairy Distillery. When you say youre making vodka from milk, it can be a leap of faith for a consumer until they taste the product. Our packaging fashioned after a traditional milk bottle and eye-catching labelling is a real shelf talker that helps a consumer connect with the story behind the product. Consumers often judge whats inside a bottle based on its appearance.

To help ensure brand consistency, the distillery uses Pleoras AI-based Visual Inspection System to add decision-support for manual labelling processes. The camera-based system integrates pre-packaged AI plug-ins that are easily trained on a customers unique requirements to visually highlight product differences and deviations for operators and inspectors on a display. The distillery trained the Image Compare plug-in to identify key brand elements on the bottle, with a real-time on-screen image overlay then guiding operators as they manually place the emblem. In addition, the system can be used as a training tool to teach new employees on brand quality standards.

The Visual Inspection System helps the distillery reduce costs and avoid production downtime, as labelling errors can be avoided or detected earlier in the process. As Dairy Distillery seeks to further automate production processes to keep pace with growing consumer demand for its products, it is now investigating ways to use Pleoras system for quality control (QC) checks for in-production and finished goods.

As a premium brand, theres an important human element to our processes  from the distilling to packaging  but technology helps ensure high-quality products consistently go out the door, said David Geros, Chief Operating Officer, Dairy Distillery. Packaging errors translate into downtime, slower production, and higher costs. Pleoras system is simple and easy to use, and helps removes ambiguity and stress for employees. We can check a product and know immediately if the labelling is within tolerance. As a QC tool, the inspection system helps increase our confidence in both our manual and automated processes.

Leading manufacturers are deploying our Visual Inspection System and realizing immediate cost and process advantages, said John Butler, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Pleora Technologies. For companies like Dairy Distillery, where brand and packaging play a significant role in consumer choice, our system ensures manual processes are consistent, reliable and repeatable so good products are always on the shelf.

Pleoras Visual Inspection System and AI expertise is also being deployed in electronics assembly, packaging, print and consumer goods applications to help ensure end-to-end quality. The company will be demonstrating its AI portfolio, including the Visual Inspection System, no code algorithm development platform, and edge processing, at Photonics West 2022, January 22-27 in San Francisco, CA (booth 4322). Pleora will also be hosting a live webinar  Protect Your Business with AI for Visual Inspectio n  on Wednesday, February 2 at 11 am EST.

About Pleora Technologies

Global manufacturers rely on Pleoras expertise in AI, real-time sensor connectivity, and rugged networking to shorten time-to-market, reduce risk, and lower costs. Established in 2000, the company serves over 1500 active customers in the industrial automation, medical imaging, and security and defense markets. The companys latest AI solutions include an intuitive no code software platform, edge processing, and camera-based visual inspection system to help manufacturers reduce quality errors. Learn more at pleora.com.

About Dairy Distillery

Dairy Distillery was founded in 2018 with the idea to turn unused milk sugars into world-class spirits. Look for their exceptionally smooth, carbon-neutral Vodkow vodka, and their Vodkow Cream, North America's first lactose-free cream liqueur. Learn more at http://www.dairydistillery.com/.
Beach Happy Magazine Beach Happy is for everyone who loves the beach

Bob Guccione Jr., who founded SPIN  the enormously successful magazine that usurped Rolling Stone as the dominant music and pop culture publication  as well as other high-profile magazines, is partnering with 30A, the Florida-based publisher of Beach Happy magazine.

I think we all need more happiness in our lives, especially right now, said Guccione. The world is too divided and extraordinarily anxious. We could all use a bit more of the serenity and fun that beach life inspires.

Beach Happy magazine is a coastal lifestyle publication founded during the pandemic in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida by The 30A Company. 30A has 1.5 million social media followers, making it one of the largest communities of beach lovers in the world. While 30As current Beach Happy magazine largely covers beach life along Floridas Gulf Coast, Guccione will lead the expansion of the brand into other coastal regions, including a new Northeast Edition, which will launch in June 2022 and will cover beach culture from New York to Maine, with more editions to follow.

We will ultimately launch up to a half dozen new editions in America, and simultaneously look for opportunities around the world, especially in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, said Guccione.

Beach Happy presents a global opportunity, said Mike Ragsdale, 30As Founder and CEO. Bob is a legend in the publishing industry, and he knows how to build brands with international reach and appeal.

Guccione sold SPIN magazine in 1997. Gucciones other prior publications, including GEAR and science magazine DISCOVER, won numerous awards and accolades for editorial features, including SPINs famous exposes of Live Aids tragic missteps in Ethiopia, the Atlanta child murders cover-up, and embedding a reporter inside the IRA, as well as a controversial but internationally lauded monthly column devoted to AIDS.

Now, Guccione has set his sights on a new editorial mission: bringing more happiness into the world.

Beach Happy is for everyone who loves the beach, said Guccione. Its a celebration of beach culture, from coastal cuisine to beach bars, from tropical music to lesser-known destinations. Its also, very meaningfully, about the people and organizations worldwide who are working so hard to protect our coastal habitats.

Beach Happy magazine is currently available on over 1,000 newsstands nationwide, including every Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble in the U.S., as well as major grocery chains such as Publix, Kroger, HEB, Ingles, Harris Teeter, and more. Every issue features colorful personalities, coastal cuisine, lesser-known destinations, beach homes, eco-adventures, and articles about protecting our oceans and our precious coastal habitats. To subscribe to the print edition or to view the free digital edition, visit http://www.beachhappymag.com.

The 30A brand is inspired by small-town life along Floridas Gulf Coast. 30A has raised $3 million for coastal charities, and has given away over 3 million of its world-famous blue 30A stickers, generating $400,000 for Alaqua Animal Refuge in Walton County, Florida. Available in 400 stores nationwide, 30A apparel is made from recycled plastic water bottles, preventing over 6 million plastic bottles from going into our landfills and oceans so far. To learn more, visit http://www.30A.com.
WELLINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Latest research into New Zealand's premium ice cream industry suggests that exporters could find new buyers in valuable overseas markets including China as consumers increasingly look for tip-top quality in food.

The new research finds scope to expand ice cream exports to Australia, Asia and Britain. It suggests premium ice cream could potentially follow the global success of premium wine and honey exports, Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash said on Wednesday when releasing a report for the Food and Beverage Information Project, run by government agencies.

"Ice cream is produced in almost every region in New Zealand and there are around 48 local manufacturers," Nash said, adding the challenge is translating New Zealand's strong global position in dairy exports into a lucrative global market for ice cream and other frozen treats.

"Our first local ice cream makers started with some of the best milk and cream in the world more than 100 years ago and are still causing ripples," Nash said.

New Zealand already enjoys tariff-free access for ice cream under a number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the Asia-Pacific region. This includes tariff-free access to China, New Zealand's largest ice cream export market, under the New Zealand-China FTA, according to the report.

Consumers are interested in ice cream made of milk from sheep, deer, buffalo or goats. Plant-based ice cream from oat milk, coconut milk or soy milk has a growing global market. Gelato and sorbet utilize the best of New Zealand's abundant horticultural produce, he said.

"The humble hokey pokey in a cone is a Kiwi icon and an essential part of summer. But artisan producers have innovated with organic, seasonal and rich ingredients or flavors such as A2 milk, sea salt, peanut butter, hemp, and turmeric," the minister said.

The free trade deal between New Zealand and Britain agreed in principle in 2021 holds great potential for ice cream and other dairy exports, he said.

Ice cream exporters can also respond to new consumer demands arising from the global COVID-19 pandemic. There is growing interest in healthy, sustainable, low-carbon or vegan food, and premium products bought directly from supermarkets for consumption at home, according to the report.

New Zealand has quality raw ingredients and low production costs; a skilled workforce and processing industry trusted by consumers; and close proximity or open access to key markets which are set to grow further with new trade agreements, the minister said.

The report suggests ice cream producers build on existing strengths in the dairy export supply chain; target the premium market and formulate "unique Kiwi flavors"; and focus on a few developed countries where there is already high consumption of ice cream. 
RBmedia, the largest audiobook producer in the world, today announced record-breaking 2021 performance, including entering new markets, publishing more titles than ever before, and producing audiobooks for numerous bestsellers and award winners.

RBmedia Expansion Highlights

In 2021, RBmedia drove rapid business growth in key strategic business areas, including:

Established additional exclusive audiobook partnerships



Asmodee, Entangled, and McGraw Hill

Childrens publishers Levine Querido and Astra

Christian publishers InterVarsity Press, Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing, and 1517 Media

Expanded into the Spanish and German-language markets



Acquired Bookas audiobook publishing business and catalog of Spanish-language titles

Launched a new Spanish-language audio brand, BookaVivo

Purchased leading German audio publisher ABOD

Entered the self-published audiobook distribution market



Acquired Authors Republic, the only independent, open audiobook system that enables audiobooks from emerging authors to be distributed everywhere

Strengthened its top position as the leading business audiobook producer



Launched a new dedicated business audio brand, Ascent Audio

Acquired McGraw Hill Professionals audiobook publishing business

RBmedia Publishing Highlights

RBmedia remained the undisputed leader in the spoken audio market with a catalog of nearly 60,000 audiobooks, the largest in the industry. In 2021, the company produced a record number of new titles across its 10 publishing brandsdominating bestseller lists and major industry awards. Highlights of the year include:

Released more than 7,500 new titles across its 10 audio brandsthe most audiobooks the company has ever produced in a year

Experienced a dramatic surge in sales for its longtime bestselling Bridgerton series audiobooks following the hit Netflix adaptation

Published the audio for a record-breaking 65 New York Times bestsellers

Produced numerous highly anticipated audiobooks



Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, the latest in Diana Gabaldons bestselling Outlander series

A new audiobook edition of J.R.R. Tolkiens The Lord of the Rings series, narrated by Andy Serkis

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas, the fourth book in the ACOTAR series, which is currently being adapted for screen by Hulu

Produced audio titles for numerous literary award winners in 2021



Three Pulitzer Prize winners

One Academy Award winner

One Audie Award winner and four finalists

Six Hugo Award winners and four finalists

Reese Witherspoons October Book Club Pick

Four Audible and one Apple Books Best of 2021 selections

RBmedia International Highlights

In 2021, RBmedia international brands W.F. Howes (WFH) and Wavesound also experienced record growth.

Produced top-selling audiobooks, including:



The Missing Sister by Lucinda Riley

Powers and Thrones by Dan Jones

1979 by Val McDermid

Launched the WFH Originals imprint for audio exclusives

Signed a landmark audio deal for Gallant by V. E. Schwab, author of the blockbuster The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

###

About RBmedia

RBmedia is the largest audiobook producer in the world. With nearly 60,000 exclusive titles, our audiobooks continually dominate key literary awards and bestseller lists. The companys powerful digital retail and library distribution network reaches millions of listeners around the globeat home, in the car, and everywhere their mobile devices go. Our titles are available on leading audio platforms, including Audible, iTunes, Google Play, Audiobooks.com, OverDrive, Hoopla, and many more. RBmedia is owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. Find out more at rbmediaglobal.com.
"Many of the problems in policing today are due to just a few issues. Correcting those would lead to better departments. Although they may be simple to understand, they are not easy to correct without responsible citizens holding their elected officials accountable." Chief Robert McNeilly

There has always been some level of turmoil when police interact with some communities. Since 2020, the level dramatically increased as evidenced by attacks on officers, rioting, calls to defund police departments, and laws to limit police actions. These actions have had an unintended impact that has led to increased crime rates, officers leaving their departments in larger numbers than usual, a shortage of people beginning a career in law enforcement, and possibly reduced officer effectiveness without support from those they serve. Many of the problems in policing today are due to just a few issues. Correcting those would lead to better departments. Although they may be simple to understand, they are not easy to correct without responsible citizens holding their elected officials accountable. Chief Robert McNeilly

In The Blue Continuum: A Police Chiefs Perspective on Whats Wrong with Policing Today and How to Fix It, http://www.thebluecontinuumpolice.com, Robert W. McNeilly, Jr., vividly portrays his rise from police officer to respected chief of the Pittsburgh police bureau, a major city police agency  a journey that placed him in command just as the city confronted the first U.S. Department of Justice pattern-or-practice consent decree in history.

The Blue Continuum demonstrates how to fix policing problems. McNeilly was involved in negotiations with the Department of Justice and led the first policing pattern or practice consent decree case, utilizing his own accountability and training blueprint.

The lessons presented in The Blue Continuum resonate forcefully in the 2020s, as a discordant national dialog echoes with protests of abusive policing and calls for strict law-and-order policies.

Background

In 1996, the Department of Justice, under the Clinton Administration, offered the city of Pittsburgh a chance to avoid a high-stakes federal civil-rights suit by agreeing to make dramatic changes dictated in a formal consent decree. Rather than resist, a newly appointed Chief McNeilly was ready to seize an opportunity.

When the D.O.J. came in, I pulled out my list and said, These are the things I would doethics training, diversity training, communications training for every officer, he told The New York Times in 2017. By 2002, when the Pittsburgh decree expired, The Times said, the department was considered a model of progressive policing.

Chief McNeilly was chief of the Pittsburgh bureau from 1996 until he retired in 2006. He successfully led the department into compliance with the historic federal decree between 1997 and 2002. During that time, he introduced a sweeping accountability-and-training program, including an innovative early-intervention system for troubled officers, thats been called the gold standard in policing.

About the Book

Much more than a biography or a case study, The Blue Continuum is an operators manual for developing and managing effective police forces on any scale. Designed for aspiring or serving chiefs, officers on patrol, and mayors or other elected officials concerned with the almost 18,000 state and local law-enforcement bureaus across the United States, it presents chapter-by-chapter road maps for better, more sustainable law enforcement and public safety.

The books title refers to a color-coded grouping that Chief McNeilly developed for assessing his employees. Officers fall into one of six groups, he writes. The police agency providing the proper policy, training, supervision, and discipline will improve the performance of five of the groups and weed out those in the sixth.

His continuum ranges from sky blue (excellent, steady, reliable self-starters, the 20 percent responsible for 80 percent of the good police work being done) to midnight blue (officers who should never have been hired, a sinister one-to-two percent).

Without encouragement for high-performing officers and corrective action for laggards, he writes, a department will be rife with citizens dissatisfaction and complaints, lawsuits, improper use of force, excessive vehicle collisions, corruption, and other issues that may result in outside agencies taking some control of the department, disbanding the agency, and terminating personnel, including the chief.

The Blue Continuum can be purchased on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Continuum-Police-Perspective-Policing/dp/1633854248/ref=sr_1_1?crid=153K9FT1F4LL1&keywords=the+blue+continuum&qid=1641757812&s=books&sprefix=The+blue+con%2Cstripbooks%2C59&sr=1-1

or on Chief McNeillys web site: http://www.thebluecontinuumpolice.com

About the Author

Robert McNeilly, Jr., is a respected metropolitan police chief. He served as the chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police from 1996 until his retirement in 2006. Sworn in as a Pittsburgh police officer in 1977, he served as a patrol officer, plainclothes officer, sergeant, lieutenant and commander before being promoted to chief. In his 37-year law-enforcement career, Bob gained experience and expertise in a wide range of police work, including patrol, investigations, special operations, traffic, communications, support, and training.

Bob has been a consultant to the United Stated Department of Justice during pattern or practice civil rights investigations of a number of police departments nationwide, and to various municipalities regarding firearms training, searches and seizures, supervision, and use of force.

Upon his retirement from the Pittsburgh Police force, Bob served as chief of a suburban Pennsylvania police department from 2006 until 2014. During those years, he also provided police management training through The McNeilly Group, LLC.

Since 2013, he has served as a consent-decree monitor to the New Orleans Police Department.

With Chief McNeilly as part of the monitoring team, the New Orleans Police Department has developed into one of the leading agencies in best practices in policing.

Bob lives in Florida with his wife of 30 years, former Pittsburgh Police Commander Catherine McNeilly who is the co-founder of The McNeilly Group LLC, a police management consulting firm.
SGF physicians Drs. Connell, Hutchinson, and Roeca bring hope to the new year with free, virtual fertility events throughout January. SGF physicians invite attendees to learn more about featured topics including egg freezing, weight and fertility, and PCOS.

Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) is celebrating the new year with free virtual events covering health, wellness, and fertility treatments for information seekers looking to kick off 2022 with rejuvenated hopes and goals. Through virtual events, SGF physicians empower the community by providing firsthand access to important information concerning fertility treatments.

SGF has seen a 50% increase in patients freezing their eggs since 2019. Many factors contribute to the rise in fertility preservation, including social changes induced by the pandemic, more job flexibility to attend appointments, and growing awareness about the advantages of egg freezing. Join Cassandra Roeca, M.D., from SGF Colorados Denver, office, as she explores SGFs Egg Freezing Program during the Egg Freezing webinar on January 15 at 5 p.m. ET. During the live event Dr. Roeca will review the following need-to-know information, and conclude with a Q&A:



SGFs simplified egg freezing program

How to determine if egg freezing is right for you

What to expect during the egg freezing process

Success rates associated with egg freezing

SGFs unique financial programs.

Egg freezing can empower patients through providing a proactive way to plan for the future, shares Dr. Roeca. As we see an increasing number of patients freezing their eggs, we are ready to provide all the needed information to patients.

There are many factors that can impact ones ability to conceive, including weight. Join Matthew Connell, D.O., who sees patients at SGFs Mechanicsburg and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offices, for the Weight and Fertility webinar on January 20 at noon. During the live event, Dr. Connell will review how weight, whether its over or under, can impact a persons ability to conceive as well as tips for maintaining and achieving a healthy body mass index (BMI).

Rounding out SGFs free virtual events this January, Anne Hutchinson, M.D., of SGFs Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, office will host the Getting Pregnant with PCOS webinar on January 26 at noon. During the live event, she will discuss the evaluation and diagnosis of PCOS, possible causes, treatment options, and treatment success.

January 2022 virtual fertility events at-a-glance



While SGF fertility webinars are complimentary, interested parties must register to attend by visiting the SGF calendar of events. For more information, visit SGFs growing resource library for free, on-demand webinars, E-books, and other education resources on topics such as endometriosis, PCOS, low-tech treatment options, weight and infertility, and much more. Follow SGF on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and events.

The new year marks new beginnings, and for people struggling to conceive, it may be time to consult a fertility specialist. Contact the SGF New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or complete a brief online request form to schedule a virtual fertility consult with an SGF physician. A virtual physician consult is the first step toward pursuing a pregnancy with the help of SGF.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)

SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 100,000 babies born. With 47 locations, including new locations in Colorado and Norfolk, VA, as well as throughout CO, FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, SGF offers patients virtual physician consults, delivers individualized care, accepts most insurance plans, and makes treatment more affordable through innovative financial options, including 100% refund guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. SGF is among the founding partner practices of US Fertility, the largest physician-owned, physician-led partnership of top-tier fertility practices in the U.S. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.
SIUE School of Business Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Janice Joplin, PhD. This recognition, along with our AACSB accreditation, assures students that we are providing a high-quality education that can serve as a foundation to a successful career and positive community contributions.

Princeton Review has named Southern Illinois University Edwardsvilles School of Business as one of the best on-campus MBA programs in the country for the 16th consecutive year. The education services company included SIUE on its list of Best Business Schools for 2022.

We are pleased with our continued recognition by Princeton Review as a Best Business School, said School of Business Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Janice Joplin, PhD. This recognition, along with our AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation, assures students that we are providing a high-quality education that can serve as a foundation to a successful career and positive community contributions.

Princeton Review compiled this years list of 241 schools based on survey responses from more than 18,900 students enrolled at the schools during the 2020-21, 2019-20 and 2018-19 academic years, and from the schools administrators during the 2020-21 academic year. Students responded to more than 90 questions about their school's academics, student body and campus life, as well as their own career plans. The administrator survey contained more than 300 questions about the MBA programs.

We commend these schools for their outstanding MBA programs," said Rob Franek, Princeton Review's editor-in-chief. "Each programon-campus as well as onlineoffers stellar academics as well as robust experiential components.

The Best Business Schools for 2022 has profiles of the schools, with sections on their academics, student life, admissions information and graduates employment data. View SIUEs profile at princetonreview.com.

Princeton Review is a leading tutoring, test prep and college admission services company. Every year, it helps millions of college- and graduate school-bound students achieve their education and career goals through online and in-person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors, online resources, and more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House. The Princeton Review is headquartered in New York, N.Y. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.

The SIUE School of Business is among an elite 5% of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). This accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Less than 25% of AACSB accredited schools also hold the accounting accreditation. For the 16th consecutive year, the School of Business is named an outstanding business school by The Princeton Review: The Best Business Schools: 2022 Edition. The Princeton Review recommends the School as one of the best institutions in the U.S. from which students can earn an MBA. Nearly 29,000 alumni have earned degrees from the SIUE School of Business.
The true test of a companys culture is how it holds up during hard times. Im incredibly proud of the way our team has pulled together to deliver smiles - supporting our patients, our communities, and each other since the start of the pandemic.

Smile Brands, one of the nations leading providers of business support services to dental groups in the United States, is proud to have been named a Real Leaders Top Impact Companies winner for 2022. This years list features a mix of respected brands of all sizes from a variety of industries across the globe. View the full list of Impact Award winners here.

Since 2010, Real Leaders has been the premier source for recognizing leaders and organizations that are making a positive social or environmental impact around the globe. Smile Brands has built an award-winning culture around its mission of delivering Smiles for Everyone, and measures success based on the positive impact the organization has on patients, communities, and employees. In 2021, Smile Brands was named Best Company for Culture, Diversity, and Women by Comparably.

Despite the global pandemic, in 2021, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation continued to provide free dental care across the globe, treating over ten thousand individuals both domestically and through its partnerships with NGOs in Thailand, Laos, Paraguay, Ghana, Nicaragua, and Mexico.

We are thrilled to have again been recognized for our positive social impact by Real Leaders, said Smile Brands CEO, Steven C. Bilt. The true test of a companys culture is how it holds up during hard times. Im incredibly proud of the way our team has pulled together to deliver smiles - supporting our patients, our communities, and each other since the start of the pandemic.

A virtual ceremony will be held on February 24, 2022, to honor the winners and will feature a keynote from Peter Diamandis, founder and executive chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, and executive founder of Singularity University.

About Smile Brands

Smile Brands, based in Irvine, California, is one of the largest providers of dental support services in the United States. The company supports nearly 700 affiliated practices, with more than 7,500 dedicated team members across 30 states. Smile Brands supports a portfolio of over 75 brands including well-known regional brands: Bright Now! Dental, Castle Dental, Merit Dental, Midwest Dental, Monarch Dental, and Mondovi Dental. The company provides comprehensive business support services through exclusive long-term agreements with affiliate dental groups, allowing affiliated practices to spend more time caring for patients and less time on the administrative, marketing, and financial aspects of operating a dental office. The organization receives frequent recognition for its award-winning culture and has been recognized as a Best Place to Work by Glassdoor, Comparably, Stevie Awards, and more. Smile Brands is a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm based in San Francisco, CA. Visit smilebrands.com for more information.

About Real Leaders

Real Leaders is a membership community for impact leaders with a global media platform dedicated to driving positive change. Its on a mission to unite farsighted leaders to transform our shortsighted world. Founded in 2010, Real Leaders recognized early on that businesses bore a responsibility to be as cognizant of their impact on employees, society, and the planet as they are on their bottom line. Real Leaders is a B Corporation, member of the UN Global Compact, and is independently owned.

LinkedIn: Real Leaders

Instagram: @Real_Leaders

Twitter: @Real_Leaders

Facebook: @RealLeadersMagazine

Hashtag: #RealLeadersImpactAwards
Stash Tea celebrates Hot Tea Month this January (and every month) by finally settling the tea vs coffee debate. Spoiler alert: Tea wins. While many people have lively debates about tea vs. coffee, the reality is that tea is the second most-consumed beverage worldwide, following water. Tea allows for the detecting of various flavor notes that just arent found in a cup of coffee.

January is Hot Tea Month and January 12th is Hot Tea Day making it the perfect time to finally settle the debate of tea vs. coffee. Spoiler alert: Tea wins! Stash Tea has put together the following guide and tips for people to make the move from coffee to tea.

While many people have lively debates about tea vs. coffee, the reality is that tea is the second most-consumed beverage worldwide, following water. In fact, tea and coffee are two of the most popular sources of caffeine. About 80% of the worlds population enjoys a caffeinated product daily. And, lovers of each can get quite heated debating their favorite caffeine sources virtues. Many coffee drinkers mistakenly overlook tea for their caffeine fix because they associate it with self-care, relaxing, and winding down, rather than looking at the virtues and taste profiles of caffeinated tea blends.

Tea vs Coffee: 9 Reasons Why Tea Is Better than Coffee

1. Its easier to avoid the negative side effects of caffeine overconsumption. This is because a cup of tea will most likely have less caffeine on average than a cup of coffee. Its a built-in way to better monitor caffeine intake.

2. There are so many flavors of tea to choose from! Stash Tea has over 150 different teas to choose from, you're sure to find your next favorite!

3. Theres no need to add sugary flavored syrups to get a flavorful cuppa since Stashs teas have bold and bright tastes and use only all-natural ingredients and flavors.

4. Want to kick-start your New Years Resolutions? Stash has loose leaf teas like Chocolate Dandelion Detox tea, and Ginger Digestive Balance.

5. Matcha is thought to give the caffeine buzz without the crash. For those susceptible to caffeine crashes, this would be reason numero uno to make a switch from coffee to matcha. Stash has several fun flavors with matcha that you can try including Ginger Peach Green and Pomegranate Raspberry Green.

6. Want a warm and tasty cup of something, but dont want a big caffeine boost? Tea is the choice and Stash has an amazing variety of decaf teas to try.

7. Certain types of herbal teas include ingredients that are known to help Type A people relax. Try a fun chamomile tea or an herbal tea with lavender or mint.

8. You will never find the bold tangy and spicy flavor of Stashs Lemon Ginger herbal tea in a cup of coffee. Tea allows for the detecting of various flavor notes that just arent found in a cup of coffee.

9. Sensitive to caffeine but want the benefits of tea? Stash offers a huge variety of naturally caffeine-free herbal teas.

Stash Tea Answers Common Questions About Tea Varietals and Caffeine:

How Much Caffeine Does Tea Have? The short answer: the amount will vary. Lots of factors go into making a cup tea, including the ingredients, the brewing temperature, how long it brews, the type of tea, other ingredients, and serving size. Even if tea is brewed with precise measurements, the growing conditions of tea plants can affect caffeine levels. So there is no way to tell you the exact amount of caffeine in a cup of tea. Thats why Stash doesnt put the mg of caffeine on its tea packaging.

Does Green Tea Have Caffeine? Contrary to popular belief, caffeine content cannot be categorized based on tea type, for example, the idea that black tea contains more caffeine than green tea. Generally speaking, Black teas may have more caffeine than green tea, but at times the opposite is true. There are green teas that have as much or even more caffeine than some black teas due to how they are grown and made.

Stash even offers Decaf Premium Green Tea which is naturally decaffeinated using an advanced CO2 method, which takes out almost all the caffeine but leaves the flavor and other benefits. Currently, decaffeination cannot remove all caffeine, but all Stash teas marked with Decaf Tea are under the 0.4% limit for decaffeinated labeling.

How Much Caffeine is in Black Tea? There are a lot of variables that can affect the amount of caffeine in a cup of tea. In some cases, green tea has more caffeine than black tea. When comparing Stashs black tea blends, Breakfast teas like Super Irish Breakfast or Earl Grey teas like Double Bergamot Earl Grey have more caffeine kick to them, while blends like Orange Spice, Sweet Cinnamon and Root Beer Iced Tea have less per serving from being blended with other ingredients.

Stash decaf black teas are made using an advanced CO2 process which removes 99.6% of the caffeine while retaining all the flavor, color, and aroma of the tea. Stashs decaf black teas include Decaf English Breakfast and Decaf Earl Grey. Like Stashs decaf green teas, the decaffeination process does not remove all the caffeine and contains 0.4% or less of caffeine per cup. Stashs decaffeination process is natural and the CO2 is recycled afterwards.

Does Chai Tea Have Caffeine? Chai tea caffeine levels depend on what tea type is used for the base. Since Stash is all about breaking rules, Stash has chai teas available with the traditional black tea as a base, as well as chai green tea and chai herbal tea options. Mixed teas like chai also have less caffeine than an all-black or green tea since they have other ingredients included in the tea bag and less of the actual tea. For a chai with more caffeine, try Stashs Double Spice Chai Black Tea and Chai Green Tea. Stashs herbal teas like Ginger Fire Chai also provide a much-needed pick-me-up thanks to ingredients like guayusa, yerba mate.

Some chai herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free like Stash's rooibos based, sweet and spicy Spice Dragon Red Chai Herbal Tea or the turmeric-based version that has a smoother and milder taste than traditional chai, Organic Gold Cup Chai Tea. Stash decaf chais include Decaf Vanilla Chai Black Tea and Decaf Chai Spice Black Tea. As with Stashs other decaf teas, the CO2 decaf method does not remove all the caffeine and can contain 0.4% or less of caffeine per cup, allowing the tea leaves to remain as high quality as possible.

Caffeine Consumption

Caffeine drinkers laud the benefits of caffeine and generally consider caffeine to be helpful. Many caffeine drinkers claim that caffeine has assisted them in losing weight, being more focused, feeling more energized or adopting a healthier lifestyle. Conversely, overconsumption of caffeine is marked by side effects including anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and irritability.

Drinking tea instead of coffee is a great way to get a caffeine boost, without the high risk of experiencing the downsides of too much caffeine.

Herbal Infusions and Caffeine

All real tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, which contains caffeine. However, herbal infusions, often referred to as herbal teas or tisanes, are not true teas. While herbal teas or infusions are packaged like tea, infused like tea and enjoyed like tea, they do not actually contain any tea leaves. Typically, herbal infusions are simply the combination of boiling water and botanicals like fruits, flowers, barks, herbs, mints, spices, roots, berries and seeds. Herbal infusions are naturally caffeine-free, with a few notable exceptions such as Yerba Mate and Guayusa.

What Determines Caffeine Levels?

Contrary to the popular belief that caffeine content can be categorized based on tea type, such as the idea that black tea has more caffeine than green tea or white tea and other similar comparisons, recent studies have shown that caffeine content can and does varysometimes quite significantlyamong even one type of tea. Stash has developed a primer called Tea 101 that provides more information.

Studies also show that the amount of caffeine in tea depends on numerous factors:

 Variety or cultivar of tea leaves  known as C. sinensis var. sinensis and C. sinensis var.assamica

 Cultivating age such as the bud and the two youngest leaves versus the fifth to seventh leaves

 Growing environment

 Growing methods

 Manufacturing conditions

 Preparation of infusion  examples include the ratio between tea and water used, brewing time, water temperature and the amount of agitation

P.S. This isn't even all of Stashs flavors!

Use Stash's Flavor Wheel and This Guide To Select Your Ideal Tea When Switching from Coffee to Tea:

Considering making the switch from coffee to tea? Stash has created the following guide to best teas options to replace various kinds of coffee beverages.

Large Dark Roast, Black Coffee. Your beverage style: Youre a purist. You like bitter, bold flavor. Drink this: English Breakfast black tea. Its a no-fuss tea version of your coffee order. Prefer loose leaf tea? Want something more complex? Try Stashs Darjeeling blends.

Cold Brew with Sweet Cream. Your beverage style: Rich, creamy and caffeinated. Drink this: Super Irish Breakfast (the espresso of teas) and add a creamer of your choice! Maybe you want to continue your morning routine of a cold, creamy beverage. Make it iced! Be sure to double up or even triple the amount of tea bags you use. As an added bonus, youll get even more caffeine when you do that.

Peppermint White Mocha. Your beverage style: Sweet, minty...and sweet. Drink this: This recipe, Stashs White Chocolate Mint Tea Latte is a spot-on substitute. Be prepared for your whole life to change. Thats the power of tea lattes. If you prefer regular chocolate or are too short on time to make yourself a latte, give our Chocolate Mint oolong tea bags a try.

Dirty Chai. Your beverage style: Chai is a specific taste! And lucky for you, chai is already tea. Drink this: Make yourself a regular Chai latte, obviously. Trying to cut down caffeine? Try Stashs Decaf Vanilla Chai. Want a Chai latte extra spicy? Stash has a Double Spice Chai. Prefer green tea? Try Chai Green. Need it caffeine-free? Spice Dragon Red Chai

Flat White. Your beverage style: No fuss, keep it simple but bold. Drink this: You probably like the smooth and creamy taste of coffee if you order flat whites. Kopili Assam is in a class by itself and has inherent natural flavor and body which cannot be replicated anywhere else. It is an excellent afternoon tea and goes well with milk. A citrus flavored alternative is Stashs Double Bergamot Earl Grey tea.

Sugar-Free Vanilla Soy Latte. Your beverage style: Indulgent and comforting but make it healthy. Drink this: Get vanilla flavor without any sugary additions to your tea. Options are endless, heres a start: Creme Brulee black tea, Cinnamon Vanilla herbal tea, Breakfast in Paris black tea.

Iced Coffee Extra Ice. Your beverage style: Give it to you cold. Whatever the flavor may be. Drink this: Stash has quite a few teas that are as delicious as iced teas. Two favorites are Asian Pear Harmony and White Peach oolong tea.

Now that you know what kind of tea can replace your coffee, if you want to try switching from your daily coffee to a daily cup of tea, Stash Tea is here to help. Reach out to one of Stashs Tea Professionals or get in touch via social media. Stash can suggest tea options specifically for you, and answer any questions you might come up with!

With over 150 different teas to choose from, you're sure to find your next favorite! For a store location near you where Stash Tea is sold, please visit: https://bit.ly/3jFaUKs.

ABOUT STASH TEA:

Stash was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1972 by two hippies seeking a tea euphoria. Since then, Stash Teas mission has been to surprise and delight your taste buds with best-in-class ingredients and diverse flavors that brew bold and bright. With over 150 different teas to choose from, you're sure to find your next favorite!

Stash Tea is a certified B Corp, making a public commitment to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. We are part of a global community redefining success as balancing profit and purpose, acting in the best interest of our people, our partnerships and our planet. Please visit https://www.stashtea.com to purchase and/or for more information.
SUBTA logo Our Cube Awards and Pitch Competition are built to highlight the best in the business and are fan-favorite programs each year. - Chris George, co-founder and chairman of SUBTA

Today, SUBTA, the Subscription Trade Association serving the direct-to-consumer subscription space, announced the details for the 2022 SUBTA Cube Awards and the SubSummit 2022 Pitch Competition Presented by Pitney Bowes and Praella. As the organizer of the worlds largest conference dedicated to DTC subscriptions, SUBTA celebrates the industrys best businesses while connecting the community at its annual event.

As reported in our annual report, over 80% of U.S. consumers are active subscribers, making this industry one of massive growth across all verticals, said Chris George, co-founder and chairman of SUBTA. Our Cube Awards and Pitch Competition are built to highlight the best in the business and are fan-favorite programs each year. We expect fierce competition as all businesses continue to pivot, evolve and adapt to our ever-changing economy. From food delivery boxes to automotive memberships, subscriptions have become part of our everyday life. Its never been a more exciting time to be involved with recurring revenue businesses than right now.

The Cube Awards ceremony recognizes promising businesses across 15 categories such as Best Pet Subscription, Best Subscribe and Save and Best Streaming Subscription. Previous winners include brands such as The New York Times (Best Media Subscription), Netflix (Best Streaming Subscription), BattlBox (Best Marketing Campaign) and BoxyCharm (Best Subscription Box). Applicants may enter up to three categories as well as the Community Choice Award, a brand new category dedicated to acknowledge the subscription businesses that have the biggest impact on the community. The winner of the Community Choice Award will be determined through two rounds: first, nominations from the subscription community to identify the final nominees followed by crowdsourced voting to determine the overall winner. The deadline for all nominations is March 24, 2022.

The popular Pitch Competition Presented by Pitney Bowes and Praella, is an opportunity for startup brands to showcase their subscriptions potential and to win the largest grand prize in SubSummits history, $10,000 in cash and $40,000 worth of in-kind services, including a full website rebuild. The runner-up will receive $3,500 in cash, third place will win $1,000, and fourth place will get $500. To enter, applicants must be in business for two years or less. Applications for the first round are due Jan. 21, 2022. Applications for the second round are due March 25, 2022. After two rounds of virtual pitching in February and April, this years competition will culminate with four finalists pitching live on the SubSummit 2022 stage in Orlando, FL on June 1. The winner will be announced at the conference on June 2, 2022. The 2021 Pitch Competition winner was Susan Black, founder of Wowzitude. 2021 finalists included Kent Scholla, founder of Sushify; Jon Wanderaas, founder of Alaskan Seafood Guys; Brittany Rhodes, founder of Black Girl MATHgic; and Jacob Jordan, founder of The Equal Opportunity Book Box.

Were thrilled to once again welcome startups for this compelling pitch competition that helps shape the leaders in the subscription industry year-after-year, said Paul Chambers, co-founder and CEO of SUBTA. Last years finalists were beyond impressive, and were honored to support these promising companies with capital to amplify and expand their services and offerings.

For more information on SUBTA, visit SUBTA.com. To apply to the Cube Awards, visit SubSummit.com/Cube-awards. To enter the Pitch Competition, visit SubSummit.com/pitch-competition. Tickets to 2022 SubSummit are now available and can be purchased at SubSummit.com/get-tickets. For questions or comments, email letstalk@subta.com.

###

About SUBTA

The Subscription Trade Association (SUBTA) is the first and only trade association serving the subscription commerce economy. SUBTA offers expert resources and support for the ever-growing community of innovators, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and dedicated teams that are eager to scale their businesses and catalyze the subscription industry. Based in Troy, Mich., SUBTA's mission is to provide a comprehensive and reputable library of news, knowledge, and resources. For more information, including industry research and upcoming events, visit SUBTA.com.
...We believe the potential of remote work has yet to be fully realized, and we are excited for the positive impacts that the remote work revolution will bring to both businesses and engineers.

Terminal, the hiring and employment platform for building remote engineering teams, today announced the findings of The State of Remote Engineering: 2022 Edition. As the remote work revolution has transformed the workforce, the findings highlight seven out of ten engineers still want to work remotely at least three out of five days of the week.

Engineers cite benefits including more autonomy, higher productivity, and better work-life balance as benefits of working remotely. The report indicates a possible gap between engineers' preferences and the expectations of their managers: Despite the benefits that remote work brings, nearly half (48%) of hybrid-remote engineers and 34% of fully remote engineers say they anticipate theyll be required to come into the office in the next year.

Some key findings on the state of remote engineering include:

Salary transparency is key to engineers considering jobs. Seventy-four percent of respondents say the remote salary market would be easier to navigate if recruiters were upfront about location-based salaries.

Engineers dont have to move to find opportunities. Nearly 35% of non-US engineers are uninterested in moving to the United States. Engineers feel that their local regions offer ample opportunities for their careers. Cost of living is a key factor to engineers considering a move to the US. Latin American engineers who dont want to move to the US cited not wanting to be too far from family (62%) and the high cost of living (61%) in the States. Twenty-nine percent of overall respondents and 18% of Canadian respondents said high cost of living was a reason to not move to the US. Specifically, US health-related costs were a concern for some respondents, with one front-end developer based in Colombia saying, Unexpected health issues can bankrupt you.

Remote engineers dont want to relocate. They expect Silicon Valley compensation to come to them. Eighty-nine percent of those surveyed said equity compensation was important to them  22% said it was extremely important  yet a full 46% of remote engineers receive no stock compensation at their places of work. Fifty-seven percent of Latin American engineers and 46% of Canadian engineers said equity wasnt part of their compensation packages, revealing an important opportunity for global engineers to open conversations with hiring managers about this valuable piece of overall compensation.

Additional top findings on the state of remote engineering include:



More engineers are feeling the effects of the talent shortage. Seventy-three percent of engineers say theres a shortage of software engineers in their current company compared to 64% last year.

Burnout improved modestly among engineers: 24% of engineers say they suffered from burnout in 2021, down 13% from 2020. 60% report that flexibility in schedules helps them manage burnout.

Time zone alignment is a productivity booster: Eighty-percent of engineers say they are more productive when working with teams that operate in similar time zones because it allows team members to work together seamlessly.

Technology enablement and flexibility are top remote benefits: Engineers want practical benefits like technology and productivity tools, home office stipends, and flexible work hours to balance work and home life on their own terms. Engineers also cited learning and development opportunities and mental health benefits as some of their most sought-after benefits.

"It's clear that the majority of engineers are happier working remotely and feel remote enables them to be more productive and effective in their roles," said Clay Kellogg, CEO, Terminal. "We believe the potential of remote work has yet to be fully realized, and we are excited for the positive impacts that the remote work revolution will bring to both businesses and engineers."

As we head into the third year of the new normal, employers are at a crossroads: adapt to the new needs of engineers or lose their top talent to other businesses that do. Businesses need to think holistically about benefits, adapt their interview process for remote work, and ensure each engineer's preferred working style is provided for.

Get the full report: https://terminal.io/state-of-remote-engineering

Methodology:

Terminal conducted this study among n=1,048 engineers, developers, and programmers sourced from Terminals database of contacts and partner organizations. These respondents were primarily from Canada, Latin America, and the US, with representation from Europe, Africa and Asia as well. Responses were collected from October 27, 2021, to November 17, 2021.

About Terminal

Terminal is the leading platform used by companies to build full-time, remote engineering teams faster than any other solution on the market. The company provides tech-enabled hiring, employment and people-management solutions to build and run world-class remote engineering teams. Terminal has hired more than 700 engineers and built teams for top tech companies such as Hims and Hers, Chime, Everly Health and Skillz. Learn more about remote scaling at Terminal.io.
Sophie Burrowss graphic novel debut, Crushing, follows two solitary twentysomethings around London, leading readers to wonder when, or if, the lonesome duo will recognize each other as kindred spirits. Burrows completed the first draft of Crushing while earning her masters degree in childrens book illustration at Cambridge School of Art, and her original sequence of wordless, colored-pencil images earned her the 2019 Victoria & Albert Museum Award for student illustrator of the year. Her 2020 picture book Ig Pig and Og Frog! is available in the U.K., and her portfolio ranges from wildly colorful childrens fare to tales told in subtler hues. Crushing, a sensitive and drily humorous narrative, marks Burrowss first U.S. publication. We spoke with Burrows about the pleasures of drawing by hand, the open spaces in wordless narratives, and whether her socially awkward characters have a future together.

You created Crushing using a limited palette of brilliant reds and neutral blues. The reds pop into the foreground while the blues do the work of grayscale. How did you develop this color balance?

Color is always in the forefront of my mind, and with Crushing I wanted to use color symbolically. Because it was quite an emotional story, I was thinking about all the emotions you can portray. Red can mean different things, like passion and love and embarrassment, and I picked the blues as almost a background to the reds. As I began to find my way with the story, I was thinking how overwhelming the blues could be, especially with subject matter like loneliness or anxiety. Thats how I chose those colors.

You drew Crushing by hand on paper rather than on a tablet. Why did you choose this time-consuming illustration process?

I love working by hand so much. With my picture book I hand-painted the elements but there was a lot of assembling on Photoshop, putting things together. I did not get quite as absorbed in the process. With Crushing I was drawing on huge sheets of paper, with some final Photoshop tweaking to adjust colors. I felt like I was getting lost in it, which was just lovely. It made me feel closer to the story, taking away the screen and concentrating on making it by hand. I did go through a lot of colored pencils! And it was just three colors in the end. Since I was making it during the first wave of the pandemic, I was worried that they were going to go out of stock. I ordered boxes of them to get me through the 160 pages.

How did you develop your original manuscript into the finished book?

It started as a 24-page comic that followed the female character as she went about her day, looking for connection. It ended with the two characters in a kebab shop [sitting a few stools apart along a counter], seen through the window. It was the first time someone had interacted with her, and the scene is still in the book. The way I expanded it was just to think, What would happen next?

After establishing the female character, the story tracks the male characters misadventureshe takes a humiliating temp job and copes poorly with everyday rudeness. How did you decide to alternate between these two individuals?

Id been thinking of a few ways to lengthen the comicperhaps an anthology, with lots of different peoplebut I was captivated by the male character.

I feel like the female character is always hopeful. That was the seed for this book: this idea of somebody who keeps getting taken down by life but constantly believes theyre going to meet people they can connect with. And I decided it would be interesting to find someone whos the opposite of that. The characters have similarities, but hes not comfortable with reaching out. The negative things that happen stop him from putting himself out there. It was interesting to separate them into two characters and see how those characters might differ in the way they moved about their city and experienced being alone.

Your sequences are nearly wordless, with characters communicating through gestures and glances. As you revised, did you consider adding spoken conversations?

In the development of the final book, silence absolutely was integral. I was pleased my editor wanted to keep it wordless. Because it was about these themes of loneliness and solitude, it felt like such a good fit. Another reason was that I was selling [the short manuscript] in comic shops and stalls at markets, and I got feedback that people were finding things in the pictures that I maybe hadnt intended, definitely not consciously. It was almost as though the wordlessness was creating a space for them to be able to put themselves in the situations. They were projecting a level of connection to the characters because there werent words dictating each specific situation. When I went to development, I was treading a fine line between making sure there was a story and anchor the whole way through, but leaving moments for people to sit with their feelings and think of how they felt in crowds or on their own.

Who is your ideal audience? For instance, the heroine has a dating app on her phone and the young man visits a pub. But your readership may be younger.

When I was creating it, I wasnt so much considering this is a teen book or this is a book for adults. Its marketed as an adult book in the U.K., but I dont think its a question of suitability for YA. Id like to think it would appeal to both teen and adult audiences, because of the universality.

All of us experience these emotions. Mental health issues, feelings of loneliness, feelings of exclusionthese things happen to all of us. I approached the narrative as moments that are stitched together, and I suppose both of the characters [pull from] autobiographical [elements]not just memories from my 20s, but feelings from when I was a teenager. The characters are both influenced by the way I feel sometimes, and we can all feel a bit for both of them.

At the end, your characters laugh together at a store self-checkout. As you say, theyre such different personalities. Hows it going to work out with these two?

Well. Its interesting. Even Im not 100% sure if they get together. I know they definitely connect, for sure. They share a moment, in that they dont feel as alone as they did before. But you dont ever have a close-up of them talking.

I was thinking mostly about those days where you walk around and dont speak to anyone. Especially if you live alone, you can go weeks without interacting with someone, with modern life the way it is. You can buy all your shopping from a self-service till, you can get coffee from a machine that makes it for you and pay by card. You dont have to talk to people if you dont want to. When you have those days, and you do talk to somebody, it can completely change how youre feeling and completely change the course of that day.

They meet and they interact. Whether or not they take that further I want my reader to decide for themselves. I know there is a connection that happens, and that was the most important thing for me. I really liked that there was ambiguity to it.

Crushing by Sophie Burrows. Algonquin Young Readers, $22.95 Jan. 11 ISBN 978-1-64375-239-6
The 2022 Childrens Book Week will include the first annual Floyd Cooper Day, in recognition of the late childrens book author-illustrator who is credited with portraying African American experiences through his storytelling. Teachers, librarians, and booksellers across the country will be encouraged to hold readings of his books on Friday, May 6, and to display his works throughout the week-long initiative. The event will celebrate Cooper, who died last July after illustrating more than 100 childrens books in more than 30 years.

The grassroots effort came together when several industry organizations and fellow authorsincluding The Brown Bookshelf, Highlights Foundation, and African American Childrens Book Project, along with Patti Gauch, Traci Sorell, Wade and Cheryl Willis Hudson, and Torrey Maldonadoreached out to the Childrens Book Council about honoring Cooper. A brainstorming group headed by [author] Kelly Starling-Lyons suggested a Floyd Cooper Day, and I said wed be honored, explained Carl Lennertz, executive director of the Childrens Book Council. Well hold it every year on the Friday of Childrens Book Week.

Recreating History

Cooper was known for his pastel-drawn illustrations that depicted Black lives with historical accuracy. His works garnered numerous industry accolades, including three Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Citations and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award in 2009. In an informal poll conducted by Lennertz last month, Coopers friends listed these five books as their favorites: Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre (2021), Juneteeth for Mazie (2016), A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story (2020), Max and the Tag-Along Moon (2013), and Ruth and the Green Book (2010).

A brilliantly gifted artist and storyteller, Floyd Coopers greatest legacy beyond the incredible body of work he leaves behind is how he made [readers] feel in his presence and how encouraging he was, Sorell said.

Floyd was music and magic, charm and cool, brilliance and benevolence. His name has power. We have to keep saying it, remembering and sharing what he means to us, Starling Lyons said.

To help promote Floyd Cooper Day, the CBC is compiling a complete in-print bibliography to post on the Every Child a Reader website. In February, an announcement page will be part of a larger email blast, and testimonials from librarians, educators, and booksellers will also be gathered. As this celebration evolves, well post downloadable themed lists and activities based on Floyds work, as well as compile links to his many talks posted online, Lennertz added.

Ideas for display themes of Coopers work or personal recommendations for favorite books can be submitted to the CBC.
KABUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Five people were shot dead in two separate incidents in Afghanistan on Tuesday, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

In eastern Laghman province, four members of a family were killed and one person from the same family wounded in a shooting attack in Surkhakan locality, 90 km east of Kabul, deputy spokesman for Ministry of Interior, Haqel Jan Azam, told Xinhua.

The assailant fled the scene and local security officials have conducted an investigation into the case.

The motive behind the shooting might be personnel enmity, according to the source.

In northern Baghlan province, an engineer of a local cement factory was shot and killed on the outskirts of provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri. Officials from provincial government confirmed the incident.

The security situation in Afghanistan has remained generally calm since the Taliban's takeover of power in mid-August last year, however, uncertainty remains as the economic situation has worsened with a higher unemployment rate and rising poverty.

The security personnel of Taliban-led caretaker government have arrested scores of criminals and members of armed theft gangs across the country within the past couple of months. 
In her impressive new story collection, Observations by Gaslight, Edgar finalist Lyndsay Faye depicts Sherlock Holmes from perspectives other than Watsons. Drawing on canonical supporting characters (Mrs. Hudson) as well as lesser-known ones (Henry Wiggins), Faye pushes the envelope judiciously, providing depth to the iconic sleuth without transforming him beyond recognition. For example, The Adventure of the Stopped Clocks, narrated by Irene Adler, the one woman who bested Holmes, fleshes out his admiration for her intellect, and explores the impact on the sleuth of Watsons marriage and move out of Baker Street, all within the context of an ingenious take on an untold case centered on why all the clocks in a mans home have stopped.

There are three kinds of people in the world: those who havent read Sherlock Holmes; those who read Sherlock Holmes, nodded affably, and walked away; and those who, having already read Sherlock Holmes, simply forgot to stop reading Sherlock Holmes. Im of the last variety, those who didnt get the memo saying Okay, youve read them all, you can move onto something else! There is something to adore about each and every story.

But as with all foods that nourish us, body or soul, we have our likes and dislikes, and no one would be foolish enough to argue over whether some snacks are tastier than others. A flavorful Thai curry for supper is always going to trounce saloon floor wood shavings. So goes it with the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and countless Best Of lists have been compiled with childlike enthusiasm. (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle even made one himself, the cheeky little scamp.) Repeat offenders in the excellence department include The Red-Headed League, The Blue Carbuncle, and The Speckled Band.

A far more intriguing query, to my mind, is which of the 56 short stories and four novels are the most consistently underrated? Which slide under the radar, becoming the canonical equivalent of WWII fighter pilots? And if they ought to be recognized more often, then why? I invite you to peruse my personal list of Sherlock Holmes stories worthy of greater admiration than theyre generally afforded. They might not pack a knockout punch, but as the great detective himself might put it, they deliver a straight left against a slogging ruffian.

10. The Golden Pince-Nez

Its not the most exciting case in the canon, I admitthe entire premise is that of an old woman hiding in a wardrobe. But Holmes plays a plucky trick in scattering cigarette ash to pick up footmarks, and the backstory is a poignant one. Anna, the murderess (manslaughter, in fact, as it was unintentional) has just finished a long stint in Siberia for Nihilism, and her heartless betrayer is the professor whose home she has broken into. Bonus for our dear Inspector Stanley Hopkins appearance!

9. The Valley of Fear

The shining star of the four Sherlock Holmes novels is also one of the most famous works of English literature: The Hound of the Baskervilles. Following on its heels are A Study in Scarlet simply for its iconic introduction of our heroes, and The Sign of Four for its rip-roaring treasure hunt, Watsons introduction to his bride Mary Morstan, our first poignant glimpse into Holmess drug use, and hey, we get a boat chase.

Still, The Valley of Fear is not at all without merit. Theres Holmes cracking a cipher message in the cozy Baker Street sitting room intro. Birlstone House, where the murder investigation takes place, aint no cottagetheres a moat. Add the old switcheroo where the corpse isnt very dead at all, the nefarious Prof. Moriartys involvement, and an engaging backstory featuring the Pinkertons, and you have yourself a very solid Sherlockian entry.

8. The Lions Mane

I know exactly why this one is underrated, even by me: Sherlock Holmes is not as compelling a narrator as John Watson is, nor can he be. The Sherlock Holmes stories at their heart arent about the crime at all; theyre about Watson watching Holmes, munching popcorn and being utterly fascinated.

Still, this glimpse at Holmess post-retirement life in Sussex fleshes out his biography beautifully, sketching a portrait of a solitary man living a peaceful existence following his life of well, lets face it, both crime and crime-solving. If thats not enough, I have two words for you: killer jellyfish.

7. The Beryl Coronet

Alexander Holder is a banker who has issued a gargantuan loan. His prominent client, in what Id term a moment of not-so-brightness, offers the invaluable beryl coronet as collateral. In a second shining instance of not-quite-brilliance, Holder decides its more secure in his private safe and trots it off homeward. Key problems arise when Holder discovers his son Arthur violently wrestling with the priceless diadem, which is now missing a hunk containing three gems.

Arthur promptly clams up. Holder is convinced Arthur did the deed. Holmes is convinced he didnt. Cue tangled skeins of love and loyalty, plus Holmes doing footprint magic and holding villains at gunpoint. Its all very tightly written, highly satisfying, and most importantly, vastly underestimated.

6. The Sussex Vampire

This one would make the list based solely on Holmess stern line to Watson regarding the existence of vampires: The world is big enough for us. No ghosts need apply. It also contains Watsons offhand mention of the case of the Giant Rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world is not yet prepared, which has spawned frillions of pastiches and enough salivating speculation to fill an Olympic pool.

Apparently, Robert Ferguson has discovered his exotic Peruvian second wife suckling blood from their babys neck; this is admittedly troubling. She refuses to explain, locks herself in, and assiduously avoids Fergusons 15-year-old son Jack from a previous marriage, who lacks full use of his legs.

Holmes has this situation clocked quickly, and it turns out that the insanely jealous one is actually young Jacky, who loathes the healthy new baby and was attempting to poison him before his stepmother orally extracted the toxin. Its a simple enough premise, but tumultuous emotions are involved, Holmes gets in some real zingers, and this case has atmosphere.

5. The Creeping Man

I have a deep affinity for things that are really, truly, genuinely bad. Bad movies, cheesy music, and in this instance, a story I think Doyle must have written during an opium-fueled fever dream. Or maybe Sir Arthur was just off licking poisonous tree frogs again. I really dont know what mental state could have produced itLSD hadnt been invented yet.

Prof. Presbury, 61, is engaged to a fine upstanding younger woman. But suddenly hes doing rather eccentric things like crawling on all fours and climbing walls without the use of ladders. Whats up with that?

Ill tell you what: monkey serum. Maybe Doyle was on monkey serum during this writing process? Lord, it all makes so much more sense now.

4. The Adventure of Black Peter

This case has some truly great features, including your classic Holmes-style entrance into the Baker Street sitting room, whistling Dixie with a giant harpoon slung over his shoulder. Why, Watson asks?

Because harpoon murder, Watson. Please. Where have you been all these years?

3. The Reigate Squires

Im aware Im putting this too far up the list, but Holmess shenanigans are off the mapits a delight. First, we learn that Holmes isnt actually superhuman; hes prostrate with nerves after an exhausting case, laid up in France, and Watson is off arrow-quick to carry his buddy back to London like a sack of potatoes. To speed his recovery, Watson convinces the detective to take a wee springtime vacay, and the pair end up at the bachelor pad of his friend Col. Hayter.

A sick Holmes is sure still a frisky one. The case itself is negligible, but we are treated to pure Sherlockian mayhem. Witness Watson practically sitting on Holmess chest trying to keep him out of a local murder mystery (Watson fails). Shudder as Holmes fakes a seizure (is our hero still so very ill?). Gape as he shoves over an end table with a bowl of oranges on it (does Holmes hate oranges?). Marvel as Holmes apologizes to his doctor over the whole seizure thing (does Holmes perchance care?). Its a lighthearted romp I thoroughly enjoy.

2. The Boscombe Valley Mystery

This is one of the most genuinely touching stories to ever be underrated. A pair of expat Australians, John Turner and Charles McCarthy, live in separate homes on a large estate. Their children, Alice and James, grew up together. When McCarthy is murdered near a pool, it quickly develops that he was there to meet with his son James, who was armed when they fell into a vicious argument. James wont talk (I sense a theme here) and is already incarcerated for what everyone thinks is going to be the most open-and-shut homicide investigation of all time.

Sherlock Holmes, as ever, thinks differently. James admits to the quarrel but claims he is innocent. Holmes talks with Alice, who suggests she was the cause of the tiff; McCarthy wanted James and Alice to marry, a stance to which Turner was adamantly opposed. A star-crossed love story is revealed. James is in fact besotted with Alice but is already married to a barmaid. All Holmes must do now is spring James from the clink.

Which our hero does, of course. The true tragedy of this case is that McCarthy has slowly been bleeding Turner dry. Turner, a broken man, confesses the murder to Holmes. Before the Australians emigrated, Turner was part of a gang that robbed a gold convoy; McCarthy was the driver. Turner bought property with his ill-gotten ore, married, and fathered his beloved Alice. Then McCarthy turned up demanding a house, plenty of pocket money, and finally, the hand of Alice for James. And thats where Turner drew the line.

Holmes practically gives Turner a medal for offing a blackmailer. Obviously moved, he says quietly after Turner leaves that he cant see a story like this without thinking there, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes. Our great detective sure makes for one lousy cold-blooded reasoning machine.

1. The Bruce-Partington Plans

I dont know how, if I even wanted to, I could overstate it: this is my favorite tale in the entire canon. It has absolutely everything, and I cannot understand why people dont realize this more often. A body dumped on the roof of a train! Rarely glimpsed affectionate moments between the doctor and his detective over dining tables! Holmes and Watson breaking and entering by night! Top secret documents! The fate of the British government at stake!

And the cameos, oh the cameos. Lestrade is here. Mycroft is here. Id not have been surprised if Irene Adler suddenly swanned in to lend a hand. And that, friends, is why I count it as the most underrated adventure of all.
The London Book Fair, scheduled for April 5-7, is now open for registration, affirming its intention to run an in person show. The fair sent an email to potential attendees announcing Yes, were back, and outlined a variety of safety protocols for potential attendees, including proof of vaccination or a negative test before entering The Olympia, where the fair takes place.

The fair has non announced any official programming, but is being launched under the motto The story is you. The email touted that they expect 20,000 professional attendeesdown slightly, as the fair typically has about 25,000 attendeesto reunite the publishing community for the first time in two years. The fair was canceled outright at the last minute in 2020 and offered virtual events in 2021. This will be a defining moment for the publishing community. We look forward to welcoming you.

Regarding safety protocols, the fair is unclear exactly what will be required of Americans to attend. The fair notes it is requiring everyone to abide by the U.K.s test and trace protocols and noted that Attendees will also be asked to check-in each day via the venue NHS Test & Trace QR code. Please note neither physical lateral flow test strips nor physical vaccination cards will be accepted as a valid proof of status. The site goes on to say that international attendees can show their equivalent of the NHS Covid Pass from their country of origin. Proof of vaccination status and test results can also be shown via the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

Sharjah is scheduled as the Market Focus country.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Having found virtual reality learning to be successful for its students, the Purdue University Global School of Nursing now is making its immersive learning technology available to other organizations.

Clinic Immersives by Purdue University Global is a joint venture between the Purdue Global School of Nursing and inciteVR, a company that specializes in the production of immersive learning products for higher education and professional training.

Representatives of Purdue Global and inciteVR will present Clinic Immersives at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare, scheduled for Jan. 15-19 in Los Angeles.

The innovative technology is designed for health care students in higher education as well as those practitioners in clinical practice.

This dynamic shift in learning is a game changer for both learners and providers across the globe, affording access to cutting-edge technology from the comfort of ones own learning environment, while allowing users to practice skills with real-time feedback, said Melissa Burdi, Purdue Global vice president and dean of the School of Nursing.

The virtual reality modules, augmented by artificial intelligence, allow health care students and providers to acquire greater confidence and enhanced precision with hands-on skills  using an Oculus Quest headset with unlimited access anywhere, anytime. Labs are accessed through a Cloud-based system that provides application control, headset control, learner progress monitoring and rich analytics reporting of learning outcomes.

inciteVR is proud to join Purdue University Global in this publishing partnership to bring immersive clinical skills training to nursing education, inciteVR CEO Jim Kiggens said. It has been an exciting opportunity to work alongside Purdue Global in their ascension as the innovation leader in immersive clinical skills training. Their full commitment to the design, development, implementation, support and evaluation process has resulted in award-winning successes and significant efficacy data that is informing the immersive learning transformation in their programs.

Engaging in immersive learning through the use of VR increases learner confidence and skill acquisition through a specific learning sequence and fosters patient safety in the clinical environment by reducing errors at the point of care.

Using virtual reality for skill competency also allows for a standardized approach to best practice of skill acquisition, said Abbey Elliott, national senior manager of simulation for the Purdue Global School of Nursing.

Features of Clinic Immersives include:

* Guided Mode  ghosted hints show step-by-step positions; learner can see through the patient to verify placement.

* Oculus Quest Hand Tracking  learner uses natural hand movements to interact; it is not necessary to memorize buttons and controls.

* Oculus Quest Affordability and Ease of Use  next-generation game development processes allow the untethered, mobile VR to present effective visual and interaction fidelity at one-fourth the cost of desktop VR.

* Physiology Engine  real-world patient and case data informs the simulation.

* Feedback  Cloud-based enterprise incorporates real-time data acquisition that allows learner to track progress and mastery, and provides detailed insights for debrief with faculty.

* Support  enterprise incorporates knowledge base (with tutorial videos and FAQs), combined with help desk support staff for learners and staff.

Immersive training (virtual reality) is a paradigm shift that is underway in health care, where leading research shows that learners acquire clinical skills more rapidly, with fewer errors, and retain learned skills longer through immersive learning experiences.

Over the last two years, Purdue Global School of Nursing has emerged as an industry leader in using virtual reality and immersive learning technologies to help students develop skills in virtual settings, preparing them for real-world clinical practice.

The use of VR offers expanded access to critical education, focusing on the hard and soft skills necessary in health care practice with increased flexibility for students to learn on their own schedule. In this way, incorporating VR in clinical education helps to combat the shortage and constraints felt across numerous disciplines within healthcare.

About Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global delivers personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals. It offers personalized paths for students to earn an associate, bachelors, masters or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, desired pace, military service, previous college credits and other considerations  no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is affiliated with Purdue Universitys flagship institution, a highly ranked public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue University also operates regional campuses in Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana, as well as serving science, engineering and technology students at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. For more information, visit purdueglobal.edu.

About inciteVR

With offices in California and Portugal, inciteVR is an award-winning learning company that publishes immersive learning experiences for higher education and professional education. We are passionate about our core mission of meeting the individualized needs of the learner through our immersive learning experience solutions.

Media Contact: Tom Schott, 765-427-1721, tschott@purdue.edu

Sources: Melissa Burdi

Abbey Elliott

Jim Kiggens
Tesfaye Mengiste, professor of botany and plant pathology at Purdue University, looks at sorghum infected with anthracnose. Mengiste led a team of researchers that identified a single gene that confers broad resistance to the fungal disease. (Purdue University photo/Tom Campbell)

Faster, stronger sorghum will feed millions in the face of climate change

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Scientists are honing the traits of speed, strength and near invulnerability in an important food crop that, much like a superhero, will help protect the vulnerable.

Achieving a milestone in their pursuit of the Superman of sorghum plants, scientists identified a single gene that confers broad protection from the fungal diseases anthracnose, rust and target spot.

Looking closer at the plants genome, they also discovered what might have been kryptonite to this super power and unusual snips of mobile DNA involved in the disease resistance.

The newly discovered gene, named Anthracnose Resistance Gene1, or ARG1, is unusual in several ways, Tesfaye Mengiste, a professor and interim head of Purdues Department of Botany and Plant Pathology said.

Although some natural resistance to fungal disease was known in sorghum, genes that confer such widespread resistance had not been identified, he said. It is remarkable that a single gene leads to resistance across a broad spectrum of fungi and multiple strains of the anthracnose fungus.

A team of Purdue University researchers, including 2009 World Food Prize laureate Gebisa Ejeta, made the discoveries through a project supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sorghum and Millet.

Climate change is predicted to increase the number and severity of plant diseases, said Mengiste, who led the research.

We need more robust disease control to sustain the world food supply, and these remarkable plants are one step ahead of us, Mengiste said. Different varieties of sorghum have evolved with different strengths and resistance to disease. Through genetics and plant science we are trying to help them along in this process of adapting to a changing environment.

By finding the gene responsible for a desired trait, scientists can create biomarker tags that allow breeders to test for its presence quickly and incorporate it into a sorghum cultivar that has other beneficial traits. The teams work is detailed in a paper in the journal The Plant Cell.

The importance of this work cannot be overestimated, said Ejeta, a distinguished professor of agronomy at Purdue and executive director of the Purdue Center for Global Food Security. This is a significant scientific breakthrough and a culmination of decades of collaborative sorghum improvement research at Purdue along with partners in developing countries.

Sorghum is a key cereal crop for food security around the world, said Mengiste, who is part of Purdue's Next Moves in plant sciences and Purdues Center for Plant Biology.

It is a very resilient plant in many ways, but fungal diseases can wipe it out, he said. Anthracnose is one of the most significant of these pathogens and attacks all parts of the plant: leaves, stalk and head. It leaves nothing that can be used for food, its primary use in Africa; or biofuels and animal feed, its uses in the United States.

Successful steps to feed the future

In 2014, USAID through the Kansas State University-administered Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sorghum and Millet, made an initial investment in the search for host-plant resistance against anthracnose in Ethiopia.

Our objective is to increase the resiliency and food security of sorghum farmers and consumers in Ethiopia and West Africa, said Timothy J. Dalton, director of the lab and professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State. 

Mengiste and an earlier team of scientists affiliated with the Feed the Future Innovation Lab and from Ethiopia already successfully developed a cultivar called Merera, a sorghum variety that has enhanced disease and bird resistance and produces a better yield.

As climate change events shift or necessitate the production of dryland crops such as sorghum into higher rainfall or irrigated regions, leaf diseases become even more significant, Ejeta said. It is precisely in those situations where powerful genes become so crucially important.

Chemical control is often ineffective, not economically feasible, and poses environmental concerns, he said. The most effective, economically sustainable and environmentally friendly disease control strategies involve the use of plant genotypes that are resistant to diseases. This is what the farmers want, and they are embracing new lines of sorghum.

An unusual gene influenced by parasitic DNA

The regulation of ARG1 is unusual; it is embedded in a second gene, and both genes appear to have been altered by small stretches of mobile DNA called transposable elements.

Transposable elements are like molecular viruses or parasites that live in the genome and are passed down from generation to generation, said Damon Lisch, an associate professor of botany and plant pathology who was involved in the research.

The gene in which ARG1 is embedded is an antisense RNA. Its expression is opposite to ARG1, which results in a situation where the two could interfere with each other, he said.

All sorghum plants have some version of these two genes, but susceptible varieties of sorghum express a lot of the antisense RNA and very little of ARG1, which also appears to encode a nonfunctional protein, he said. The disease-resistant version of ARG1 is expressed at a much higher level, encodes a functional protein, and is associated with an antisense RNA gene that is turned down, resulting in less interference.

This is where the transposable elements seem to come into play, Lisch said.

Insertion of transposable elements is often harmful, he said. However, in this case, it appears that the transposable elements have been beneficial by reprogramming both genes to optimize resistance to fungal pathogens. In a way, it has fixed a broken system in the plants.

Lisch discovered the transposable elements related to ARG1 when he examined the genome of disease-resistant and susceptible sorghum lines. He studies transposable elements and other mobile DNA, and he enjoys looking for them for fun in genomes shared by colleagues.

Transposable elements are known to be involved in some human and plant diseases, but their involvement in disease resistance is considered uncommon  for now, he said. With technological advancements we are able to spot these parasitic strands of DNA within a gene sequence, and we are finding them everywhere.

Combining applied and basic research

The findings may inform other genetic research into sorghum and other plant species, as well as ways to fine-tune gene expression, Mengiste said. The combination of basic and applied research provides rich information. Some will be used now, and some may lead to a future innovation.

We could have stopped after identifying the ARG1 gene, but we drilled deeper, he said. If we hadnt, we might have thought we could simply fix the protein involved in resistance. Now we have a much greater understanding of the genes regulation and additional insight into an emerging field that could become revolutionary to plant science.

In addition to Mengiste, Ejeta, and Lisch, Purdue research associates Sanghun Lee and Fuyou Fu; postdoctoral research assistants Chao-Jan Liao and Adedayo Adeyanju; and Demeke B. Mewa, a graduate research assistant at the time who is now a postdoctoral researcher at Washington State University, were part of the project team and co-authored the paper.



Writer: Elizabeth K. Gardner; 765-441-2024; ekgardner@purdue.edu

Sources: Tesfaye Mengiste, tmengist@purdue.edu

Gebisa Ejeta, gejeta@purdue.edu

Damon Lisch, dlisch@purdue.edu

Tim Dalton, tdalton@k-state.edu

Videos:

Official Release of Merera Sorghum Seed in Ethiopia (Amharic/English)

Official Release of Merera Sorghum Seed in Ethiopia (Oromo/English)

Related stories:

Purdue scientists identify genetic immune system for junk DNA  News & Stories

'Master regulator' protein controls flowering, disease resistance in plants - Purdue University

Newly identified gene may halt fuzzy, moldy fruit (purdue.edu)

Gene thwarts some pathogens, gives access to others, could save crops (purdue.edu)

Genetic Improvement of Sorghum for Resistance to Fungal Pathogens

ABSTRACT

Broad spectrum and complete fungal resistance in sorghum is conferred through a complex regulation of an immune receptor embedded in a natural antisense transcript

Sanghun Lee, Fuyou Fu, Chao-Jan Liao, Demeke B. Mewa, Adedayo Adeyanju, Gebisa Ejeta, Damon Lisch and Tesfaye Mengiste

DOI:

Sorghum is the fifth most widely grown cereal crop globally and provides food security for millions of people. Anthracnose caused by the fungus Colletotrichum sublineola is a major disease of sorghum worldwide. We discovered a major fungal resistance locus in sorghum composed of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptor, ANTHRACNOSE RESISTANCE GENE1 (ARG1), completely nested in an intron of a unique cis-natural antisense transcript, designated CARRIER OF ARG1 (CARG). Susceptible genotypes express CARG and two alternatively spliced ARG1 transcripts, both of which encode truncated proteins that lack the LRR domains. In resistant genotypes, elevated expression of an intact allele of ARG1, attributed to loss of CARG transcription and the presence of Miniature Inverted-repeat Transposable Element (MITE) sequences, resulted in broad-spectrum resistance to fungal pathogens with distinct virulence strategies. Increased ARG1 expression in resistant genotypes is also associated with higher histone H3K4 and H3K36 methylations. In contrast, in susceptible genotypes, a lower level of ARG1 expression is associated with reduced H3K4 and H3K36 methylation and increased CARG NAT expression. The repressive chromatin state associated with H3K9me2 is low in CARG expressing genotypes within the CARG exon and is increased in genotypes with low CARG expression. Our findings demonstrate a uniquely organized NLR gene that is regulated by multiple mechanisms and confers broad-spectrum and strong resistance to most damaging sorghum pathogens.

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page
The Indiana Department of Health Executive Board met for the first time in 2022 on Wednesday, January 12.
COLOMBO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka on Wednesday commended China for its donation of medical equipment to Sri Lanka's health sector in the fight against COVID-19.

Senior Sri Lankan officials conveyed appreciation to the Chinese Foreign Ministry for its good-will gesture, which further consolidated close cooperation between the two countries, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry added that China has extended generous assistance to Sri Lanka to help it battle COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The latest Chinese donation includes multipara monitors, high flow oxygen nasal therapy machines, oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders and other items.

The donation is valued at about 635,000 U.S. dollars, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said on its Twitter account.

Sri Lanka has detected 593,072 positive patients since March last year. 
Last year, it became public knowledge that the state college system in Pennsylvania, where I live, had dropped to its lowest enrollment in over 30 years. I participated in a November phone survey on this issue, and the questions sounded like a student recruitment office pleading for affirmation.

Are you aware how much value to local communities is provided by Pennsylvanias state colleges? Very aware or only somewhat aware?

A statement from the state systems spokesperson, Cody Jones, called the historic tumble the COVID effect on enrollment. If so, COVIDs effect on enrollment is consistent with its other effects  that is, it mostly reveals and exacerbates a larger, preexisting crisis. In this case, the crisis is trust: prospective students and their families dont trust college administrators to make good on higher educations promises.

This so-called COVID effect isnt limited to Pennsylvania; its happening across the country. A recent report on college enrollment by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center identified the fall of 2021 as bringing the largest two-year decline in 50 years. This trend is most acute in public college systems such as those in the largest states, California and Texas. Despite a weak economy, when young people should be concerned about finding well-paying jobs without a degree, college demand is waning.

Thats because todays students are realizing that when it comes to college, what they see when they visit a campus isnt what they get in reality. Every secondary institution should, at minimum, offer instruction that cant be obtained elsewhere, an atmosphere of intellectual openness, and social opportunities. This is how college is advertised: its how prospective students have heard it described by parents and older siblings. But colleges have abandoned these selling points, offering instead stifling conformity, trite classes that can often be outmatched by self-study, far-left politics  and now the drudgery of mask mandates, dorm quarantines, vaccine requirements, and other arbitrary COVID measures.

The structural rot underlying higher educations problems has been decades in the making, and reforming the system is daunting. But a narrow focus on public institutions under the legal control of state legislatures could restore some sanity, at least in red and purple states. Last year, in The American Conservative, I argued that local legislators may be the last hope of average Americans. They can be powerful when they work together to push the boundaries of precedent. Legislators can help states reclaim public colleges role as jobs-focused engines of upward mobility for the middle class. But this will require a more aggressive legislative approach.

Academic administrators have long resisted legislative attempts to hold them accountable to taxpayers. In 2002, North Carolina and Missouri launched legislative proposals in numerous states seeking to prevent objectionable curriculum, sanction far-left politics among faculty, and curtail financial mismanagement. Administrators often responded by citing academic freedom as a catch-all for complete independence from oversight.

Despite its more recent championing by campus conservatives, academic freedom has long been used on the left as a tactic for avoiding basic accountability. James Burnham included the term in his list of liberal sentences in his 1964 book, Suicide of the West. Academic freedom, so-called, has allowed universities to take stances much further to the left than the taxpayers who fund them. Conspicuously, there are no such calls for faculty freedom in our mind-numbingly conformist and politically correct public elementary or high schools.

State legislators must not be dissuaded by disingenuous appeals to freedom  they must grab the reins and give a hard yank before its too late. They should use the law to protect students free speech in and out of the classroom. They should arrogate the authority to appoint top university officials and install chancellors and presidents  preferably without degrees from todays stultified departments of education  who are responsive to voters. They should use the power of the purse to limit hardline Maoism in curriculum and campus ordinances. They should make it possible for students themselves to decide how they protect themselves from COVID. In states where the legislature is constitutionally limited as to how it can intervene in college governance, legislators should exercise their rightful authority to amend the state constitution  and then reform higher education. They should stop at nothing.

Declaring war on the higher education bureaucracy will revive enrollment and boost student satisfaction (as evidenced by alumni donations and other metrics). During the pandemic, a few scrappy private colleges showed that this is the way to make colleges attractive again. Catholic liberal arts college The University of Dallas (UD), for example, refused to enact vaccine mandates and curtailed other COVID restrictions while affirming a commitment to viewpoint diversity, individual freedom, and a tight-knight campus community. In response, applicants flocked to enroll in 2021, resulting in the largest freshman class in UDs 65-year history. A surge in alumni donations, moreover, pushed the schools endowment to a record $100 million.

State colleges can still prove their value to local communities. Their plummeting popularity isnt some mystery that requires a focus group. Students want to know that state colleges will provide the basics; right now, theyre not. Legislatures in red and purple states can easily change course by putting public servants in charge once more. By March 2021, lawmakers had already offered more than 1,450 bills affecting higher education. Would it be so difficult in 2022 to aim such legislation toward ending the madness on campus? Unless special interests get in the way, Republicans will almost certainly start picking this low-hanging, populist fruit.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/11/2022



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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.

couple Riley Christian and Maurissa Gunn have sparked speculation they've split and ended their engagement.Riley and Maurissa, who fell in love and got engaged on 's seventh season in Summer 2021, weren't shy to post adorable photos of each other and gush about their feelings on Instagram once they had taken their relationship from Mexico to the real world.The couple celebrated Christmas together and uploaded images of them posing in front of the giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, but now there is a lull when it comes to displaying PDA -- and Maurissa has gone as far as to delete photos of her fiance!Maurissa wrote late last year, "All I want for Christmas is you," before deleting the photo with Riley on her Instagram, according to Us Weekly.And there are more signs pointing to a breakup.Earlier this month, Maurissa deleted additional photos of Riley.The only pictures that remain of the couple on Maurissa's Instagram account are from their post- finale photo shoot with People, which included a close-up photo of Maurissa's engagement ring.The patient care coordinator also chose to keep a September 22 photo from the set of , when the bachelorette and Riley were photographed cuddling and smiling.Maurissa and Riley have also both posted cryptic and inspirational content suggesting they're no longer together.On Friday, for example, Maurissa posted photos of herself making funny faces and captioned the slideshow, "Don't worry, be happy."Maurissa also received chocolate-covered fruit from her friend Martha amid the breakup rumors, Us reported.Martha wrote on the card, "If you haven't heard this today, I'm proud [of you]. You're an amazing person."Maurissa reportedly replied on Friday, "Don't know what I would do without you sister."And on that same day, Maurissa reportedly shared a quote that read, "All that glitters is not gold."In addition, Maurissa posted a selfie video on her Instagram Story and she was noticeably not wearing her big engagement ring.For Riley's part, he uploaded a video of himself working out last week with a cryptic caption about getting "knocked down," which may have been a reference to there having been trouble in paradise with his fiancee."We ain't come this far just to come this far. Work hard, stay humble, but still let 'em know that you got it. No matter how many times we get knocked down we get back up. Giving it everything we got all 2022," Riley wrote.Riley also tweeted on Thursday, "Try not be stagnant when facing obstacles that are beyond your control. Just do what you can. That way, when things finally do fall into place, you'll be able to hit the ground running."While Maurissa's Instagram page fuels split speculation and suggests she's single, Riley apparently chose to keep most -- if not all -- of his pictures with Maurissa on his account.On December 31, Riley posted a video montage of special moments from 2021, including many pictures and video clips featuring Maurissa."I learned a lot in 2021. At the end of the day, I'm one of the luckiest guys on the planet. Bring on 2022," Riley captioned the video.On December 28, Riley also shared a photo featuring two pairs of matching boots, one pair larger than the other, allowing fans to assume they had been worn by Maurissa and himself.Maurissa also commented on the post, "You always wanna dress like me," to which Riley replied, "'Cause you kinda fly."And before that, the attorney and fitness enthusiast had posted a December 25 photo of the couple sitting on the floor in front of their little Christmas tree."Merry Christmas to you and yours!" he captioned the image.Back in October 2021, Maurissa told People that she planned to move to New York City to be with Riley and then have a "wedding and then some babies."When Maurissa accepted a pear-shaped diamond engagement ring from Riley on the beach in Mexico earlier this summer, the pair became the franchise's first-ever Black couple to get engaged.Riley and Maurissa fell head over heels in love with each other in Paradise, but Riley was still a little unsure as to whether he was going to pop the question after the pair's overnight Fantasy Suite date.Riley assured the magazine last year that it "was never a thought" to leave the resort alone but he had to take a moment or two to reflect on the idea of potentially making Maurissa his fiancee."[I thought to myself], 'This is everything that you've ever wanted -- having a fiancee and being able to start a family.' I knew where I was already leaning towards," Riley explained at the time."It's just like, 'This is a big decision, take some time to think about it. Okay, you thought about it.' It didn't take that long. 'And now, go propose and get your lady.'"Maurissa said being honest and vulnerable with Riley and vice versa resulted in their "successful" partnership."We were 1000 percent ourselves going into it and there were no questions about anything," Maurissa noted.And Riley added, "I wanted to come in and just really be my authentic self because I know if you reach the goal and you get engaged, when this is over, this person who they fell in love with, that has to be the same person when you leave the show. Otherwise, it's not going to work."Prior to appearing on , Maurissa competed on Season 24 of The Bachelor starring Peter Weber and Riley competed on Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams ' edition of The Bachelorette in 2020.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Jacob Elordi discussed his character Nate from HBO's Euphoria while appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

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Fallon mentioned to Elordi on Tuesday how his antagonistic character Nate got beat up at the end of Euphoria's Season 2 premiere and how fans enjoyed the scene.

"They were stoked. They were so happy about it," Elordi said about fans' reactions to Nate getting attacked before Fallon asked Elordi if he would agree with that sentiment.

"I think me as Jacob, I would love to beat him up. Like, I would love to give him a clip around the ears. But as Nate you know, I feel very bad for him," Elordi said.

Elordi's parents were in the audience at The Tonight Show with the actor explaining how his parents took him to New York City at a young age. Elordi said it was a special experience going to a New York Knicks game despite sitting in the nosebleeds.

"We're going to the Knicks tomorrow, but way closer," Elordi told his parents.

Euphoria Season 2 airs Sundays on HBO at 9 p.m. EST.
Rupert Friend and Richard Ayoade join Benedict Cumberbatch in Wes Anderson's adaptation of Roald Dahl's short story collection The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More for Netflix.

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The project starts in London next week and also includes Dev Patel Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley

Andersen wrote the script and is directing the project, which will be divided into three chapters with Cumberbatch as a connective thread through each one.

Cumberbatch will play multiple roles, including Sugar.

It's unclear what roles Patel, Fiennes and Kingsley are playing.

The book which was published in 1982 featured both fiction and nonfiction stories.

It's centered on Henry Sugar, a man who steals a book that shows him how to see through objects and predict the future.

His new powers spark a series of misadventures that include Mafia henchmen, setting up orphanages around the world, and working with a makeup artist to craft new identities.

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Netflix acquired the full Dahl story catalog in September and said that it planned to create a universe of projects.

Sugar is the third Anderson film Friend has appeared in.
TRAVERSE CITY  It should be crunch time for large U.S. companies and hospitals.

In November, President Joe Biden ordered hospitals that receive federal aid to ensure employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4. A parallel rule requires companies with more than 100 employees to either require vaccination or weekly testing for COVID-19.

The latest on COVID-19 Continuing coverage of COVID-19 and its impact. If you have a question about the novel coronavirus pandemic and haven't been able to find an a

But compliance in Michigan has been pockmarked by exemption waivers, delayed by court rulings, and overshadowed by the rise of the Omnicron variant.

Still, officials at Munson Healthcare, which operates a network of hospitals in northwest Michigan, said the system reached full compliance with the presidential mandate ahead of its original deadline, which came and went Monday.

Thats a significant change from September, when the hospital reported a 70 percent rate of vaccination. Since then, that percentage jumped to 90 percent, according to Brian Lawson, a spokesperson for Munson Medical Center.

Currently, 100 percent of our employees are compliant with the CMS regulations, Lawson said. Ninety percent of them have been vaccinated with the remaining 10 percent compliant through an approved exemption.

Munson Healthcare had 5,002 employees as of June 2020, according to the nonprofits publicly available tax filings  which means up to 500 have received waivers from the vaccine requirement. Those employees are spread across the health care systems eight hospitals and satellite medical facilities.

The hospital is one of several large area employers contacted by the Record-Eagle, which include McLaren Healthcare, Traverse City Area Public Schools, Northwestern Michigan College, Hagerty, and Go-Go Squeez, a food company which operates a large production site in Grawn.

Many said they were waiting for the resolution of an ongoing legal challenge to the mandate now before the U.S. Supreme Court. In an emergency hearing, the court has been asked by the Biden administration to rule on the order after it was challenged in appeals courts across the country, including in Michigan. The U.S. Department of Labor, which operates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is being sued by Ohio and 26 other states.

As a result, Michigan regulators say they were allowed by OSHA to extend the compliance date to Jan. 24.

The agency is closely monitoring the legal challenges while preparing for the deadline to adopt ETS2 to align with federal standards, according to guidance issued by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case Friday, and is expected to rule by mid-January.

If the mandate takes effect, its not clear how state OSHA agencies will enforce the mandate. Erica Quealy, Deputy Communications Director for the Michigan LEO, said the agency does not determine compliance rates for in-state companies under the criteria.

Nor is LEO tracking the number of employees who receive a waiver by way of a religious exemption, Quealy said. Religious exemptions can be written by religious officials, such as pastors, and are subject to approval by employers, according to federal guidance. Hospitals and employers decide whether employees have sincerely-held beliefs that conflict with the mandate.

Compliance with the hospital portion of the mandate has been a challenge for health care systems across Michigan, largely because of fear that mandate-ordered suspensions and terminations would leave hospitals shorthanded.

In October, Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System announced that 400 employees had left because of the requirement, with another 1,900  6 percent of the systems workforce  requesting exemption, according to Bob Riney, the hospitals chief operations officer.

McLaren Northern Michigan declined to share numbers regarding its compliance with the mandate.

Like all healthcare providers across the country, we are awaiting the ruling from the Supreme Court to determine next steps, said Todd Birch, president of McLaren Northern Michigan, in a statement.

McLaren Health Care intends to fully comply with CMS and/or OSHAs COVID-19 vaccine requirements that are appropriate to our health system. Until these challenges to the federal government mandates for COVID-19 vaccine and testing are resolved, McLaren Health Care will continue to work towards meeting the CMS and OSHA vaccine requirements.

Companies also are waiting on the courts.

In Grand Traverse County that includes Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS), the regions largest school district. On Monday, TCAPS trustees briefly visited the issue to announce that they, too, would await a decision from the Supreme Court.

At TCAPS, staff would be asked to comply with weekly testing if unvaccinated unless able to provide a waiver, said Ginger Smith, the districts executive director of marketing and communications. When we did an original anonymous survey of employees a few months ago, we were at 90 percent vaccine compliance.

We have not sought out additional information since the mandate is not yet required for us yet (we are a different bracket than hospitals, etc), Smith said. We will continue to monitor the status and comply as required.

Superintendent John VanWagoner said the school district had been slowly preparing to comply with the mandate, should it be upheld by the Supreme Court.

Diana Fairbanks, a spokesperson for Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), said the college had also been preparing for the mandates implementation.

NMC has been working with legal counsel to ensure the college remains in compliance with state and federal requirements as the situation evolves, Fairbanks said. NMC is developing a system to obtain employee vaccination status so we will be ready to proceed when the requirements are confirmed. The college has been committed to employee and student health, and limiting the disruption to learning since the start of the pandemic.

Fairbanks said the college has about 600 employees.

A spokesperson for Go-Go Squeez, Monica Whitehurst, declined comment.

Reached on Wednesday, Kevin Fisher, a spokesperson for Hagerty, said the company did not have enough time to gather information on employee vaccination levels.

The mandate has also been overshadowed by the recent arrival of Omnicron. The new variant has barraged hospitals already reeling from the highly-contagious Delta, and in many cases reversed the slow migration of employees back to the workplace.

The CDC has said it is waiting on more data to determine whether Omnicron is more likely to cause breakthrough infections. Early studies have shown that Omnicron is more contagious, and that it may cause milder severity of sickness.

Regardless, Linda Vail, health officer for Ingham County, said the newest wave only reiterates the importance of the vaccine and the federal mandate.

Those mandates are incredibly value, Vail said. They are still going to protect people who are at high risk for hospitalization and death.

Unvaccinated people on the other hand  its a roll of the dice, Vail said. A very risky roll of the dice.
People wearing face masks are seen on a tram in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 11, 2022. Hungary's cumulative COVID-19 death toll has exceeded 40,000, while the number of severe cases requiring hospitalization or mechanical ventilation was slightly down, the government's coronavirus information website reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's cumulative COVID-19 death toll has exceeded 40,000, while the number of severe cases requiring hospitalization or mechanical ventilation was slightly down, the government's coronavirus information website reported on Tuesday.

On Tuesday alone, the country reported 3,382 new daily COVID-19 cases, raising the national total to 1,300,994.

Over the past 24 hours, 69 people have died from the disease, taking the cumulative death toll to 40,016 in the country, while 1,147,818 people have recovered. Currently, 2,932 patients are being treated in hospitals, including 274 on ventilators, the government's website said.

Hungary's COVID-19 death toll stood at 30,000 at the beginning of July 2021.

Miklos Kasler, minister of human resources responsible for healthcare, said that during the ongoing fifth wave of the pandemic the number of daily infections could reach 13,000, the number of hospitalizations could be between 8,000 and 9,000, and around 200 people could die per day.

Kasler told Info radio that he was "absolutely certain" of the need for a fourth vaccine dose and that the government was ready for that eventuality.

The recommended wait between the third and the fourth vaccine doses may be longer, but more tests are needed to determine when a fourth vaccine dose could be administered, the minister said.

As of Tuesday, 6,294,707 people have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 6,033,675 people had both jabs and 3,292,175 people also had their booster shot, the government's website said.

Hungary has also started the vaccination of children aged between five and 11 years. 

People wearing face masks wait at a tram stop in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 11, 2022. Hungary's cumulative COVID-19 death toll has exceeded 40,000, while the number of severe cases requiring hospitalization or mechanical ventilation was slightly down, the government's coronavirus information website reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
SOFIA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Clashes between Bulgarian police and COVID-19 Green Pass opponents near the National Assembly building here on Wednesday left at least four policemen injured.

The protest was organized by the ultra-nationalist Revival party, the smallest party in Parliament with 13 deputies. It is not part of the recently formed ruling coalition.

The injured police officers were taken to hospital for treatment, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

A man carrying a weapon was detained before the protest began, it also said.

"The police call on the protesters to express their opinion peacefully and without disturbing public order," the statement said.

In an interview with Bulgarian National Television, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said his country was on the eve of another huge COVID-19 wave.

He said he understood that people were frustrated, but reiterated that the authorities worked round the clock to manage this next wave.

Petkov said he wanted to meet the protesters in person but could not because he was quarantined. However, once his isolation is over, he said he was ready to meet with the expert representatives of the protesters.

On Wednesday, Bulgaria reported a record 7,062 new daily COVID-19 cases. The first case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus was detected ten days ago in the country.

Since Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Nikola Minchev has been in self-isolation after he tested positive for COVID-19 the day before. On Monday, he attended a meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security (CCNS) together with President Rumen Radev, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and other ranking state officials.

Bulgaria made the COVID-19 Green Pass mandatory for all adults in October 2021. The pass is required to access a range of services, places and activities. 
People gathered in Harmony Parking lot in Brattleboro on Friday, April 22nd for a street festival and parade in celebration of Earth Day. According to Nancy Braus of 350 Brattleboro, the goal was to celebrate the ways in which the community is working towards climate justice and to empower 
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy. High 62F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.
Beckley, WV (25801)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 61F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
NEW MILFORD  Due to statewide redistricting, hundreds of residents may soon have to travel up to 13 miles, or over 30 minutes, to vote, said John Gaiser, the towns Republican registrar of voters.

The new redistricting plan pertains to state law, which requires congressional and legislative district lines be redrawn every 10 years.

At Mondays Town Council meeting, Marcel Grenier, the Democratic registrar, said that in the past, all of Gaylordsville and part of New Milford voted in District 4, which is at the Gaylordsville Fire Department on Kent Road.

However, due to the new redistricting plan, part of that area would no longer be able to do so.

There is now a new voting district in town  District 8, which was formed from portions of Districts 7, 2 and 1.

Everything west of the Housatonic River, down to the Rocky River (Hydro-Electric) Plant, and then from there it follows Candlewood Lake to the end, is now the 108th New Milford House District, Gaiser said. We had to add an eighth (voting) district in town because we now have taken on a portion of the 69th House District.

The town is considering a voting place for District 8 at Walnut Hill Community Church on Dorwin Hill Road.

Gaiser estimates 600 to 700 people are going to be affected by the redistricting change, which would take effect at the first general election, in November.

Our biggest issue is the distance the people up in the northwest corner of the town have to travel. The polling place for District 3 is in the Odd Fellows Hall on Route 7, on Danbury Road. According to the state, we can still use that, which is fine for the state but its not fine for the voters in that district, Gaiser said. When people start traveling 11, 12, 13 miles to come and vote, I think its just outrageous. Its a nightmare for the voters.

As a test, Gaiser and Grenier recently took a drive to see how long it would take to get to Odd Fellows.

From going down Route 7 from the bridge near the firehouse, it was about a half an hour, Gaiser said.

Traveling Route 7 can be stressful and inconvenient due to traffic or accidents, he added. Weather may also play a factor in travel time.

Many seniors live in the Gaylordsville area, Grenier said.

I think thats egregious, I think its a joke, New Milford Mayor Pete Bass said, in regard to the drive time. And I think its wrong.

Town Council member Katy Francis said if the state committee overseeing legislative redistricting wanted to even out the district size, if theyd asked, our registrars could potentially have found a way to give the area that they wanted without impacting the districts that way, so that we wouldnt have people traveling miles and miles and miles to get to a polling place.

Grenier also said the state officials should have let the registers or the towns have input when making the decision as to how to redistrict. Yet, no town official was consulted on the change, they said.

Letter, petition

Gaiser is trying to get state oficials to give the town permission to redraw the district lines.

At the Monday meeting, council members unanimously approved to authorize Town Council members and Bass to write a letter to the legislature, governor and Secretary of State Denise Merrill to talk about their displeasure of the redistricting and how its going to affect our residents, especially in Gaylordsville, Bass said.

On Tuesday, Francis also suggested residents create a petition to send to Merrill on their own.

If we can get a bunch of people to say something to the state office that oversees it, is one way to at least get some attention, she said.

To encourage voting, in past years, the political parties in town have offered free rides to those who are unable to drive. This practice will most likely be continued, Francis said.

Additionally, residents can contact the town clerk to see if they meet the requirements for submitting an absentee ballot.

Francis said shes remaining hopeful that residents can make a difference.

Lets see if the power of the people can affect some change here. Im a believer in that. If somethings not going right, make a call, write a letter, send an email. Lets see if it works.

sfox@milfordmirror.com 203-948-9802
Heading into the new year, European economies are in for a rough ride as they attempt to bounce back from the economic enormity of the coronavirus pandemic. Xinhua correspondents in London, Rome, Berlin and Paris have more insights to share.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Gov. Ned Lamont is easing into the reelection campaign, investing $210,000 of his own money in the final quarter of 2021, according to his late-night filing Monday with Connecticut regulators, the first since announcing his plans to run for a second term.

Much of the payments totaling $103,703 went to the New York-based Democrat-connected Global Strategies Group Inc., a consulting firm that billed more than $66,000 to conduct statewide polling of the governor, according to the filing with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Governor Ned Lamont is laser focused on governing  not on politics  and delivering strong, steady leadership to keep our state moving forward, said Dan Morrocco, manager for the Lamont campaign. Governor Lamonts focus is on continuing his best-in-the-nation COVID response  securing millions of COVID tests, encouraging vaccines and booster shots for Connecticut families, keeping our schools open and safe, and ensuring our economy remains strong.

During an unrelated news conference Tuesday afternoon, Lamont was asked about the expenditures, but declined comment.

Ive got the political guys, theyre out there doing their own thing, he said. Ive really got to focus on the state right now. Thats going to be 100-percent of my focus. Weve got a legislative session coming up. Weve got a lot of infrastructure money. Weve got a lot on our plate. Thats going to be my focus.

During the 2018 campaign, Lamont  whose family wealth dates back to a great grandfather who was a top aide to the New York banking legends J.P. Morgan and his son  spent $15.9 million of his personal funds to win the governors race by 44,372 votes over Bob Stefanowski, a former business executive. Lamont has not taken a salary while in office.

Lamonts filing, which beat the midnight deadline, came hours after Themis Klarides, the Republican former state House of Representatives minority leader, filed financial documents indicating she has invested about $400,000 of her own money in the first months of the campaign, including about $200,000 between Oct. 1 and the end of 2021, the quarter covered in the mandatory filing.

Klarides has spent $198,085, with an additional $12,429 in unpaid expenses, according to the filing.

While most of her consultants, like Lamonts, are out of state, Klarides campaign paid $10,000 to the Garber Group of Hartford. Led by Ross Garber, a lawyer and CNN commentator who has represented governors in at least four states, is best known for being the attorney for John G. Rowland in the months before he resigned the governors office during the historic impeachment investigation in 2004.

In other filings that were due before midnight Monday, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz raised more than $111,000, nearly all of which came from individuals under the states public-financing guidelines limiting contributions to $250. Bysiewicz, who has spent $12,618, is the only lieutenant governor candidate who has filed for the 2022 race.

The Republican and Democratic conventions will likely be scheduled for May. In 2018, Mark Boughton, then the longtime mayor of Danbury, won the Republican convention nomination for governor, but Stefanowski, who front-loaded his campaign with $2 million in early spending, won the primary along with running mate Joe Markley, who was then a Republican state senator.

In the competition to fill the vacancy of departing Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, two Democrats and two Republicans are on track to seek the nomination.

First-term state Rep. Stephanie Thomas, D-Norwalk, has raised $32,336 and spent $2,007, while Rep. Hilda Santiago, D-Meriden, reported $13,980 in contributions and no expenditures. Among Republicans, Brock Weber, of New Britain, reported a total of $52,445 in contributions, while spending $31,477. Dominic Rapini, of Branford, has raised $47,311 and spent $24,889.

No potential candidates have filed for state treasurer, although Treasurer Shawn Wooden is widely expected to seek reelection. The same is true for attorney general, although Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat like the other constitutional officers elected in 2018, is also expected to announce for reelection.

In the wake of the sudden resignation of State Comptroller Kevin Lembo last month amid health concerns, only Mary M. Fay, a West Hartford Republican who serves on the town council there, filed initial documents on Jan. 4, with no further financial details.

Among those exploring the possibility of campaigning for a spot in the 2022 under ticket, state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, has raised $42,275 and spent $788. State Rep. Josh Elliott, D-Hamden, has raised $21,588 and spent $5,609, according to the filings for exploratory committees.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
WEST HAVEN  Residents of West Haven Housing Authority properties say they are being barred from taking the initiative when it comes to added security measures, but housing authority officials say those tenants have brought about privacy concerns for other tenants.

In December, residents of Morrissey Manor  a public housing complex controlled by Savin Rock Communities  received a letter advising them that they are not permitted to install Ring brand doorbell cameras and other equivalent video surveillance equipment to their exterior apartment doors or anywhere else adjacent to common areas of Savin Rock Communities properties.

Residents were told to remove any surveillance equipment within 30 days of the Dec. 13 notice.

Failure to comply with the provisions of this Ring Doorbell Policy may result in the initiation of a summary process (eviction) action against the non-complying Resident, the letter said.

Ring is a brand of smart doorbells created by Amazon which have the ability to record both video and audio; owners can access the live footage from an app downloaded on their cellphone as well as preserve a recording of that footage.

At least one resident of the complex, an advocate for the smart doorbells, said the housing authoritys existing security provisions are lacking and cumbersome.

We dont have any security here  theres no physical security, said Morrissey Manor resident Robert Friedman.

Friedman said the population served by the public housing largely is elderly, and therefore vulnerable to attacks. In the Surfside apartment complex, another Savin Rock Communities building, a 74-year-old tenant allegedly was attacked and sexually assaulted in April 2021 by a stranger with no connection to any residents of the building.

They have cameras, but if you say something happened you have to know exactly what time and what day and its a whole big production. Its pulling teeth to get video out of the camera, and the cameras dont film the whole area, only certain parts of the complex, Friedman said.

John Counter, executive director of Savin Rock Communities, disputed the characterization: the campus has more than $150,000 worth of security camera equipment, he said, funded primarily by a competitive federal security grant obtained by the local housing authority.

Other Savin Rock Communities buildings, such as Surfside, are high-rise apartment buildings with two major entrances that serve as chokepoints. The townhouse-style layout of Morrissey Manor, with multiple exterior doors, is too large of a campus for any one security officer to monitor, he said; a facilities manager works collaboratively with West Haven police in the case of any reported disturbances.

If someone jumps a fence, we stitch all that together, noting where one camera feed ends and another starts, he said, which is why pulling up specific security incidents would require both the date and time of any incident.

Friedman challenged the housing authoritys legal ability to enforce the rule, as the lease agreement mentions only that nothing shall be placed on the outside windowsills, thrown or suspended from windows, balconies or railings of the building.

Karen Baldwin Kravetz, an attorney for the housing authority, said the lease agreement was drafted before the smart doorbells became widespread, but the regulation says in spirit that a smart doorbell would be disallowed.

You cant make alterations to your unit or destroy or deface in any way property in the common area, she said. That is a specific provision. As some iterations of the doorbell require electrical wiring to be installed, she said there is no ambiguity that it would constitute an alteration to the unit in the housing authoritys view.

Furthermore, Baldwin Kravetz said Savin Rock Communities has authority from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to make reasonable alterations to the lease agreement.

We arent bound by the language of this lease. We can change the lease at any time and we are allowed to implement reasonable rules and regulations, she said.

Counter said public housing is unique to other homes in that they represent common spaces; the smart cameras are capable of recording video in audio in shared hallways on the premises, which he said could interfere with a reasonable expectation of privacy, free from potential harassment.

If I was paying to live there, I would think as a reasonable person any private conversations Im having in that hallway are protected from not being recorded and not being potentially disseminated, he said.

Counter said there were five tenants using smart cameras in Morrissey Manor at the time of the memo informing residents of the change. He alleged that, of those five, two pairs were using their cameras to record the other. He said it is an example of senior bullying and that everyone has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

The way it came to our attention initially is people were using it to record people who were passing through common areas, and they also have the possibility to record people in their apartment when the door is open or record people in their apartments, Baldwin Kravetz said.

Rich Deso, a Surfside resident who became an advocate for tighter security measures in the building after the alleged assault last year, said he did not know of any tenants in Surfside with smart cameras, but he felt they potentially could be useful. He said some neighbors attempt to be helpful by bringing packages from the mailroom to their neighbors doors, but that makes those packages vulnerable to being swiped from hallways.

I was thinking of getting one because of packages being stolen, he said.

Counter said the ban on smart cameras applies to all Savin Rock Communities properties.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
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NEW YORK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has test-fired a hypersonic missile, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported early Wednesday local time.

The test-fire was conducted by the Academy of Defence Science on Tuesday, the report said. 
Four trucks carrying 93 pallets of merchandise worth $85,000, donated by people across Northeast Pennsylvania, departed Sunday from Road Scholar Transport in Dunmore to be delivered to residents in storm-damaged Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Orion County, Tennessee.

Times-Shamrock Communications launched the "Kentucky Care-A-Van" relief effort, which included support from Gerrity's Supermarkets and its Ace Hardware locations. In addition to Road Scholar, Bolus Freight System and Emiliani Transport helped haul supplies, and US Hydrations also sent a truck of supplies. Other contributing businesses were Absolute Distribution Inc., Benco Dental, Cadden Moving and Storage, Emiliani PepsiCo., Junken Monkeys Hauling Co., Susquehanna Modular Homes and Village Pet Supplies.

Schuylkill County residents also donated large amounts of supplies at the Pottsville office of the Republican Herald, a Times-Shamrock newspaper. The outpouring of support from Northeast Pennsylvania has been amazing, Deitz said. Its a true testament to the people of our area. It couldnt have happened without the donations and local businesses coming together to help other people. When you have good partners, its really easy to make big things happen.

Close
In a heartwarming incident, two brothers - Muhammad Siddique and Muhammad Habib - who got separated during Partition in 1947 reunited after 74 long years at the Kartarpur Corridor on Tuesday, January 11. Siddique, a native of Pakistan's Faisalabad, met with his elder brother Habib who is a resident of Punjab in India, as per a report by The News International.

The video of their reunion, which went viral on social media, is winning hearts online. When the brothers were reunited, they could not control their feelings and burst into tears of joy. The video shows the brothers hugging and crying in each other's arms.

'Love n peace are two biggest gifts of nature'

"Kartarpur - the abode blissful has reunited two octogenarian brothers from across the border of Punjab after 74 years. They were separated at the time of Partition. The corridor is indeed a beacon of hope after its opening by Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2019," read the caption of the video which was shared on Twitter by a handle named Fidato.

The video garnered a lot of reactions from netizens. Reacting to the video one of the users wrote, "Love n peace are two biggest gifts of nature [sic]. Kartarpur corridor has evolved as epitome of interfaith harmony, connectivity, goodwill and peace. It also testified that political differences between nations can't overpower thirst of common ppl segregated amid partition to reconnect. Such Human emotions are bona fide beauty (sic)," wrote another.

Have a look at the video here:

Kartarpur - the abode blissful has reunited two octogenarian brothers from across the border of Punjab after 74 years. They were separated at the time of Partition.



The corridor is indeed a beacon of hope after its opening by Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2019.



 pic.twitter.com/BMK3Ap334n  Fidato (@tequieremos) January 12, 2022

Here's a look at how netizens reacted:

Love n peace are two biggest gifts of nature.  Shahveer (@mirhilal) January 12, 2022

Kartarpur corridor has evolved as epitome of interfaith harmony, connectivity, goodwill and peace. It also testified that political differences between nations cant overpower thirst of common ppl segregated amid partition to reconnect. Such Human emotions are bona fide beauty.   .  (@AltafSario) January 12, 2022

Brothers express gratitude to the governments of India and Pakistan

As per reports, both brothers planned to meet at Kartarpur Corridor after their families tracked each other down on social media. They also expressed gratitude to the governments of India and Pakistan for opening the Kartarpur Corridor, which allows visa-free transit between the two nations up to Kartapur.

It should be mentioned here that the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is an important pilgrimage place for the Sikh community. It is situated in Pakistan's Narowal district. It is around 120 kilometres from Lahore and approximately 4 kilometres from Dera Baba Nanak in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, India.

(Image: @tequieremos/Twitter)
The Union Health Ministry held a press briefing on January 12, after India reported over 1,94,000 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. In the press briefing, the Ministry addressed the alarming rate of infection in the country and stated that the Omicron variant, which has crossed the five lakh mark globally is replacing the Delta variant. India has reported 4,868 cases of Omicron so far in 28 States and UTs and 1,805 have recovered till now.

#LIVE | Union Health Ministry press briefing on COVID-19 situation across the country as new infections continue to surge at an alarming rate



Tune in to watch: https://t.co/aPPzyh3Ybj pic.twitter.com/2nLoHaGUGu  Republic (@republic) January 12, 2022

As of now, the active caseload in India stands at 9,55,319 with an average of 1.5 lakh new COVID cases being reported daily since the third wave hit the country a couple of weeks ago. According to the Health Ministry, the rise in cases is a result of a higher positivity rate, which jumped from 1.1 % on 30th December 2021 to 11.05% on 12th January 2022.

Meanwhile, the combined global active cases in 159 countries stand at 4.49 crore with an average of 25.13 lakh new infections every day on a weekly basis. The US is currently leading as the country with the highest cases in a day as it logged in 11.3 lakh new infections on January 11, making it the biggest number in a day since the pandemic began. On the other hand, 36 Asian countries including India, Vietnam and Phillippines are witnessing a sharp rise in fresh COVID cases.

Vaccinated people have lower chance of hospitalisation: Health Ministry

Despite a steady rise in new infections each day, the Health Ministry informed that those who have completed their vaccination have a 95% lesser chance of hospitalisation. As of January 12, a total of over 153.80 crore vaccine doses have been administered under India's vaccination drive and 64.16 crore, which is 68% of the adult population are fully vaccinated. Moreover, over 2.83 crore vaccine doses have been administered to teenagers ever since their inoculation began on January 3 apart from 18.86 lakh precaution doses to elders aged 60 with comorbidities since January 10.

#COVID19 vaccination coverage



More than 153.80 crore total doses administered



64.16 crore (68%) second doses administered to 18+ population



18.86 lakh precaution doses administered



2.83 crore (38%) doses administered in the 15-18 age group#IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/dn5OtrM16q  PIB India (@PIB_India) January 12, 2022

It was also revealed in the briefing that the World Health Organization's latest clinical evidence on Omicron suggests that it is replacing the Delta variant during the second wave. Although more data is required to understand the severity of Omicron, WHO says that Omicron has a substantial growth over Delta and has a lower rate of hospitalisations.

According to @WHO, #OmicronVariant has a substantial growth advantage over Delta variant.



Clinical severity data from South Africa, UK, Canada, and Denmark suggests a reduced risk of hospitalization for #Omicron compared to Delta



- @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/nJBjnWhx3y  PIB India (@PIB_India) January 12, 2022

(Image: PTI/Pixabay)
Khalistani terror group "Sikhs For Justice", which is looking to target Republic Day celebrations in India, issued another threat call to Supreme Court lawyers on Wednesday, propagating its agenda for 26 January. The calls, issued from a Canadian phone number, contained an audio recording of SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, where he was heard asking supporters to "block" Prime Minister Narendra Modi and remove the tricolour from Delhi on 26 January. This is the fourth time threat call issued by the banned outfit to the lawyers in the last three days.

In the previous calls, the banned outfit had warned the Supreme Court judges to refrain from hearing the case regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent security breach in Punjab. At least 1,000 such anonymous calls were received from the UK just before the SC hearing commenced, exposing a calibrated move to unsettle the investigation into the compromise of PM's security. In the audio call, Pannu was also heard claiming responsibility for the incident.

Notably, Republic TV had accessed a video of the radical outfit's chief announcing a reward of $1,00,000 to block PM Modi's rally. Moreover, a secret intelligence note sent by the Centre to the Punjab government too indicated that Pakistan-based pro-Khalistan terrorists wanted to target VIPs in a bid to revive militancy in Punjab.

After the incident, Pannu claimed that Sikhs had "driven PM Modi out of Punjab" and the upcoming assembly polls will decide the "Khalistan referendum".

Reacting to the repeated threats issued to the lawyers in recent days, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi said, "The political leadership and the police in Punjab failed in its governance, allowing radicals to compromise the security for the PM. Unless you have political will and commitment how will you deal with the radicals? The failure was suspected earlier but now it is obvious. The Punjab government willingly compromised the PM's security," she alleged.

SC advocates write to apex court over mass threat calls

The Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association (SCAORA) on Monday wrote to the Supreme Court Secretary-General over the mass threat calls. Besides this, SC advocate on record, Deepak Prakash also wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, asserting that there was an "attempt to create fear in the advocate community" over raising the PM security breach case.

Prime Minister Modi's convoy was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 mins near Ferozepur after the road was blocked by some protesters. The MHA has termed it a major security lapse. BKU (Krantikari) chief Surjit Singh Phool revealed that it was his faction which blocked the roads.
Kampala  A Ugandan author who wrote critical comments about President Yoweri Museveni's son has been charged with offensive communications. Kakwenza Rukirabashaija's lawyer says he was tortured in detention.

Award-winning writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija appeared before a court Tuesday and was charged with two counts of offensive communication.

Rukirabashaija was arrested on December 28 and taken from his Kampala home. The government says he was using his Twitter account to offend President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Commander of Land Forces Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The writer's lawyer, Eron Kiiza, tells VOA he was not made aware of his client's court appearance until later.

"This was a clandestine move intended to deny him an opportunity for legal representation and an opportunity to pursue his legal remedies like bail and opposing the charges which are bogus," said Kiiza.

Rukirabashaija's court appearance comes a day after the high court issued an order for it to take place before the close of business Wednesday.

The magistrate Tuesday also issued an order for him to be subjected to a medical examination by prison authorities to ascertain his health status.

During a January 3rd search at his home in Iganga district in the Eastern region, the writer reportedly whispered to his wife that he had been tortured. Photos of his blood-stained undergarments were later posted on social media.

The author was allegedly detained at the Special Forces Command facility in Entebbe, a claim the army vehemently denied.

The award-winning writer has been remanded to a prison facility until January 21, when he reappears before a court.

This is the third time he has been arrested. The first time was in April 2020 for his novel, The Greedy Barbarian, a fictional account of high-level corruption. He was again arrested the following September for his second novel titled Banana Republic, which detailed torture.

He won the PEN Pinter Prize International Writer of Courage Award in 2021.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday alleged that the breach in the Prime Minister's security in Punjab was not a "spontaneous" event but had been "sponsored," and Congress was linked to the "conspiracy" behind it.

Holding a press conference here, he posed several questions to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and asked why Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and top police officials were missing when the incident took place.

In a major security lapse, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy was stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Ferozepur in the Congress-ruled Punjab on January 5.

Referring to a `sting operation' carried out by a news channel, Chouhan said, "It was not a coincidence but conspiracy. It was not spontaneous but sponsored. The hatred against Modi has killed Congress' soul. Not only its publicity graph but even its character is falling.

The sting operation revealed that local police officials were aware of the obstacle on the PM's route and had informed the seniors in advance but the warning was ignored, the MP chief minister claimed.

This shows that the security breach was not mere carelessness but a work of collusion. When the entire country expressed concern about the PM's security breach, Congress leaders were expressing joy," Chouhan alleged.

Sonia Gandhi should explain why Chief Minister Channi and Punjab Director General of Police were not with the PM at the time, he said.

Channi said he was not there because someone close to him got COVID-19 infection, but just after the incident he appeared at a press conference without wearing a mask. The vehicles of the Chief Secretary and DGP were running without the officers concerned inside, Chouhan alleged.

He also sought to know who `leaked' the information about the prime minister's itinerary to the protesters.

Punjab's DGP had told the PM's security officers that the route was clear, Chouhan said.

Punjab CM was not picking up phone calls. BJP chief J P Nadda and the home ministry called him. What news he wanted to hear? The conspiracy behind the security breach is connected to the Congress high-command.... The flyover, where the PM's convoy was stuck, was only a few kilometres from Pakistan's border, he said.

Chouhan also asked whether or not providing the "wrong information" with regard to the PM's security amounts to "treason," and said the FIR registered by local police invoked only minor charges for which a fine of Rs 200 can be imposed at the most.

Image: Twitter/@OfficeofSSC, ANI
A new study, published in the journal Nature, has suggested that star formation might be happening a lot faster than previously expected. Conducted by a group of Chinese astronomers, the study is based on the data collected using the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), which was focused on a molecular cloud region called Lynds 1544. The region, which is located around 450 light-years away from Earth in the Taurus constellation, was chosen as it is just a few steps away from churning out a star, as per the astronomers.

The star formation rate is much faster than earlier thought

In a bid to determine the rate of star formation, the astronomers, using the Puerto Rico-based Arecibo observatory, scanned the magnetic field inside the densest part of Lynds 1544 as well as the thinner regions at the edge of the clouds. On the other hand, the FAST observatory was used to observe the regions left out by the Arecibo, something which was reportedly omitted in the previous observations.

An analysis by both the telescopes revealed that unlike the measurements of magnetic fields from previous theoretical models, those in the new one were found to be 13 times weaker. A weaker magnetic field hinted that the collapse of the star-forming matter would occur much faster, which would, in turn, quickly kickstart the process of nuclear fusion, a process that fuels stars after they are born. Lead researcher and the chief scientist of FAST, Di Li, said as per Space.com, If the standard theory worked, the magnetic field needs to be much stronger to resist a 100-fold increase in cloud density. That didn't happen.

Scientists believe this theory of star-formation to be revolutionary, however, they are working towards finding similar results from other star-forming clouds to solidify their findings.

Astronomer Paola Caselli from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, who was not involved in the research, was quoted as saying by Space.com, If this is proven to be the case in other gas clouds, it will be revolutionary for the star formation community. The paper basically says that gravity wins in the cloud. That's where stars start to form, not in the dense core. That's a very big statement.

Image: NASA
A team of chemists from the University of Montreal has designed the world's smallest antenna using synthetic DNA, which is the building block of genetic material and measures 20,000 times smaller than a human hair. Calling it an 'easy-to-use device', the scientists said that this nanoantenna will help scientists identify new drugs and better understand natural and human-designed nanotechnologies. Fitted with fluorescent molecules at the end, this nanoantenna has basically been designed to monitor the motions of proteins. Professor Alexis Vallee-Belisle, who is also the studys senior author said as per the University's official release-

The results are so exciting that we are currently working on setting up a start-up company to commercialize and make this nanoantenna available to most researchers and the pharmaceutical industry.

How does nanoantenna work?

As mentioned above, the nanoantenna's purpose is to monitor the motion of proteins, wherein it will basically observe the structural change of proteins over time. The scientists explained that the design of this device is inspired by the Lego-like properties of DNA, which helped in the manufacturing of a five-nanometre long antenna fitted with fluorescent ends. Explaining the working of this device, another study author Scott Harroun said that the antenna signals a structural change of proteins by emitting light in different colours.

"Like a two-way radio that can both receive and transmit radio waves, the fluorescent nanoantenna receives light in one colour, or wavelength, and depending on the protein movement it senses, then transmits light back in another colour, which we can detect", Harroun said in the release.

The scientists chose DNA to engineer the nanoantennas as they believe that DNA chemistry is relatively simple and can be easily programmed. According to the experts, who published their research in the journal Nature Methods, reported that using their antenna, they were able to detect the function of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme associated with diseases such as cancers and intestinal inflammation.

After successful testing of their device, the scientists say that apart from using this technology to develop improved nanomachines, it can also be used to discover new drugs. "Perhaps what we are most excited by is the realization that many labs around the world, equipped with a conventional spectrofluorometer, could readily employ these nanoantennas to study their favourite protein, such as to identify new drugs or to develop new nanotechnologies," Vallee-Belisle said as per the release.

(Image: Universite de Montreal)
Afghanistans Resistance Front has proposed a transitional government to the Taliban to lead the war-ravaged nation as both sides met in Tehran on the sidelines of a separate meeting where the Kabul delegation held talks with the Iranian government. The Taliban-led delegation, according to TOLO News, visited Iran on Saturday and returned back to Kabul on Monday.

The Afghan Resistance Front member or RF member, on the condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday that the Taliban-led delegation in return had suggested that the RF leaders should return to the war-torn country. However, according to the report, the meeting between both sides ended without any tangible results. Talibans Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, who led the delegation in Iran, said that they had good discussions with the Resistance Fronts team.

"You can also come if you have any complaints. We will sit and talk about it," Muttaqi said, according to the report. While four members of the Taliban delegation participated in the meet, five members of RF took part in the negotiations. Talibans delegation, representing Afghanistan included Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Economic Minister Din Mohammad Hanif, acting Industries and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi, acting Deputy Minister for Borders and Tribal Affairs Haji Gul Mohammad.

Meanwhile, the RF team led by Ismail Khan also included Mawlawi Habibullah Hesam, Abdul Hafiz Mansoor, a member of the Resistance Front, Hesamuddin Shams, the former governor of Badghis, and Abdul Zahir Faiz Zada, the former governor of Ghor. However, it still remains unclear if both sides decided to continue such meetings in the future, according to the report. Meanwhile, the delegation from Taliban and Iranian officials exchanged views on issues relating to political, economic, transit, security and trade in Tehran.

Afghan Resistance chief engaged with Taliban

It has been previously reported that Muttaqi and Ahmad Massoud on Monday engaged in talks. Massoud is the son of the late legendary Afghan resistance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud and he himself was leading the resistance forces in Kabul. It is to note that the forces led by Massoud in Panjshir Valley have been providing resistance to the Taliban since the takeover of the entire Afghanistan even after the government had toppled. Muttaqi had posted a video on Monday informing his meeting with the RF leaders.
Amid the ongoing unrest in Kazakhstan, the third Russian Aerospace Forces' military transport plane flew nearly 86 Russian civilians from the nation to Moscow, according to a release from the Russian Defence Ministry. The defence ministry revealed that some of the Russian nationals went to Almaty for the New Year holidays, while some others visited the nation due to business trips. According to the statement, The third flight of the Russian military transport aviation has delivered 86 Russian citizens from the Almaty airport (Kazakhstan) to Moscow," Tass reported.

Further, due to the unstable circumstances and the closure of Almaty's international airport, the Russian nationals who remained behind in the nation stayed at city hotels. They had requested that the Russian peacekeeping forces send them to their hometown, according to the military ministry. From earlier this year, Russia has evacuated nearly 2,009 citizens and foreign residents to Russia from the war-torn nation, Tass reported.

The unstable situation in Kazakhstan

The situation in Kazakhstan escalated when people from the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau rejected a two-fold rise in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, which sparked massive demonstrations in Kazakhstan a few days ago. Later, the demonstrations extended to other places, including Almaty, where looting commenced, insurgents attacked official buildings, and weaponry was seized.

The Kazakh authorities responded by declaring a state of emergency throughout the nation until January 19 and launching a counter-terrorism mission. Approximately 1,000 people were hurt during demonstrations in Kazakhstan, as per the United Nations. Further, the Interior Ministry of the Republic revealed that 17 Kazakh security officers were killed, with over 1,300 more injured.

Looking at the situation, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dissolved the cabinet and took command of the nation's Security Council on January 5. Tokayev had described the situation in the country as eroding the state's integrity during the first meeting of the Security Council under his chairmanship, and said that he had requested the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for help in combating "the terrorist threat."

To bring the situation in Kazakhstan back to normal, the CSTO, which includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as Tajikistan, agreed to send the Collective Peacekeeping Forces to the nation. On January 7, Tokayev declared that terrorists, including those from other countries, continued to struggle and that anyone who did not lay down their guns will be punished severely, ANI reported. Furthermore, the president stated that all people's requests, voiced in non-violent ways, were heard.

Image: AP, Representative
In a shocking display of violence, the Taliban on Tuesday gunned down an officer from the National Directorate of Security (NDS), a national intelligence and security service of Afghanistan, labelling him as a kidnapper first, and then later stating that the slain officer was a member of ISIS-K, Republic Media Network has learnt.

In footage obtained by Republic, a Taliban fighter was seen dragging the body of the NDS officer, claiming that he was a member of ISIS-K who fought against the Taliban for almost four hours. The Taliban also killed the officers brother and his father, sources revealed to Republic on Wednesday.

NDS' fight against 'terror elements'

Afghanistans National Directorate of Security (NDS) forces have been involved in the fight against terror elements across the territory as earlier last year, its operatives neutralised prominent al-Qaida and a Taliban commander in Gayan district of the eastern Paktika province. Dawlat Beig Tajiki, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Tajiki was identified in the southern Ghazni province and had been behind the terror activities in the Indian Subcontinent region.

In the NDS operation, Hazrat Ali, also dubbed Hamza Muhajir, a Pakistani national and member of the Taliban, was also killed in the operation. The NDS has often accused the Taliban of unleashing violence much before their political takeover of the country after the US forces drawdown. The unit often accused the liaisons between the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban, both of whom, it claimed were responsible for equipping and fundraising to bolster the terror forces by providing them military training and weaponry in Ghazni, Logar, and Zabul provinces, an NDS statement informed.

'Pakistan betrayed us..', NDS officer says

The Taliban had also earlier attempted to gun down a 41-year-old officer of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the national intelligence and security service of Afghanistan, who had fled on a commercial flight from Kabul to Delhi on August 15 to escape death and Talibans reprisal. "I had to run, else the Taliban would have killed me. Everything ends here. I could not bring my family along," Afghan intelligence officer Asif told PTI, explaining the violence the hardline Islamist group unleashed on Kabul since the US troops exited the region.

The officer had left behind his ailing mother, wife and an eight-year-old son. "The Taliban are catching us (NDA officers) and killing us. They sent us notices, asking us to revolt against the government or die. We lost hope. Hundreds of officers from the security establishment have fled to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and other countries, he had said at the time. Accusing neighbouring Pakistan of supporting the regime, the officer had added, Pakistan betrayed us. I served my nation for 20 years. This was my life, as he feared for the lives of the other NDS officers within the country.
Turkey has been blamed for using forbidden weapons in the Middle East, despite the fact that the country signed the '1997 Chemical Weapons Convention.' As per ANI, these include the use of prohibited chemical weapons against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters in Northern Iraq.

Author Paul Antonopoulos stated that Turkish forces vehemently use prohibited chemical weapons against fighters of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Northern Iraq and killed dozens of Kurdish militants in an operation named 'Operation Claw Lightning' that began on April 23, 2021, citing The Jerusalem Post. Around 50 Kurdish community members staged a protest outside the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) offices in The Hague on December 3 last year, against the continuous use of chemical weapons.

Demonstrators request probe into Turkish soldiers

Despite being detained by security authorities, the demonstrators requested a probe into Turkish soldiers' continuous use of illegal chemical weapons and substances in northern Iraq. Pro-Kurdish news outlet ANF also claimed similar instances of the Turkish military using chemical weapons in the conflict zone. During the first six months of the campaign, the PKK claimed that there were more than 323 chemical weapons attacks, the first of which occurred in the Gare area in February 2021, according to ANI. Six combatants were killed in the Avasin-Basyan, Metina, and Zap regions in Iraq as a result of the chemical weapon attack, while 32 others were killed afterwards.

To avoid any international investigation, Turkey continues to deny these charges of chemical weapons use, using its role as a NATO and US partner as justification, according to Greek City Times. The accusation against Turkey is not new as the country has been accused of crimes for more than two decades. The OPCW probe into Turkish soldiers has similarly revealed no results during this time.

Independent and impartial OPCW or UN-led investigation

Kurdish community members in Northern Iraq are calling for an independent and impartial OPCW or UN-led investigation into Turkey's suspected use of forbidden chemical weapons, and are willing to hand over legitimate footage and documents to substantiate the claims, according to ANI.

(Inputs from ANI)

Image: AP
YouTube is a major source of online disinformation and fake news around the world, and it is not doing enough to combat the spread of lies on its platform, according to a global coalition of fact-checking organisations. The video platform is hosting content from groups like Doctors for the Truth, which spread COVID misinformation, and videos that supported the fraud narrative during the US presidential election, according to a letter signed by more than 80 organisations, including Full Fact in the UK and the Washington Post's Fact Checker.

The letter by fact-checking organisations to YouTube urges CEO Susan Wojcicki to make four changes to the operation of the streaming platform. According to The Guardian, the changes are: funding independent research into disinformation campaigns on the platform; providing links to rebuttals inside videos distributing disinformation and misinformation; stopping its algorithms from promoting repeat offenders; and doing more to combat falsehoods in non-English-language videos.

The signatories come from over 40 nations and come from a variety of financial backgrounds. Full Fact; a UK charity, Washington Post Fact Checker; a fact-checking foundation supported by the eponymous newspaper, Maldita, a fact-checking organisation in Spain, and India Today; a unit of the privately held TV Today Network, are among them. The fact-checkers cite examples of inaccurate content regarding the former president of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos  whose son is running for president  and the amplification of hate speech against vulnerable groups in Brazil.

Misinformation is when false information is shared deliberately, with intention to deceive. Disinformation is when false information is shared without the intention of causing harm. According to the factcheckers' letter, YouTube's failure to combat disinformation and misinformation is particularly pronounced in the global south, which includes countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Concerns regarding safety measures in non-English language regions were a major factor in Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen's decision to go public about the company's troubles.

"YouTube is allowing its platform to be weaponised by unscrupulous actors to manipulate and exploit others, and to organise and fundraise themselves. Current measures are proving insufficient," reads the letter to YouTube, according to The Guardian. Further, it describes the Google-owned streaming platform as a major conduit for falsehoods."

The letter adds, "We hope you will consider implementing these ideas for the public good and to make YouTube a platform that truly does its best to prevent disinformation and misinformation being weaponized against its users and society at large."

YouTube responds by saying 'invested heavily in policies to reduce borderline misinformation'

Elena Hernandez, a YouTube spokesperson, responded to the letter by saying that the company had invested heavily in policies like reducing the spread of "borderline" misinformation, which is a term for content that comes close to  but doesn't quite cross the line of  violating the platform's guidelines, The Guardian reported.

According to YouTube's community guidelines, some categories of misleading or deceptive content with a serious risk of grievous harm is prohibited, including the promotion of hazardous medicines or treatments and election meddling. Non-English language-speaking countries such as Vietnam, India, and Brazil lead the top 10 countries for banned videos, according to YouTube. YouTube has taken measures to combat COVID disinformation, banning misrepresentation about COVID vaccinations in October 2020, shortly after Facebook took similar action on its own site. A year later, it announced that videos which propagated misinformation about all vaccines would be removed.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Image: Unsplash
A three-month old toddler cries incessantly from inside a barely-furnished two-room house in Murehwa, a rural area about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare.

But the mother, 13-year old Virginia Mavhunga, has too much on her hands to offer him comfort as she tries to get the house chores done.

While her peers are in class, Virginia has her own strict routine: Prepare her four younger siblings for school, followed by several trips to the well balancing a 20-liter (5 gallon) water bucket on her head.

Around mid-morning, she is off to the roadside, a kilometer away, to sell wild fruits and vegetables to passing motorists to raise money for her baby's welfare.

And then it's back home at dusk to prepare the evening meal, wash more clothes and help her younger siblings with homework.

Zimbabwe has seen a significant rise in teenage pregnancies since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic with the strict 6-month lockdown that followed.

Virginia said she had hoped the older man who impregnated her would marry her.

Despite initial promises, he ultimately denied paternity, she said. She and her family did not follow through on a statutory rape case with police, despite Zimbabwean law putting the age of consent at 16.

Under the law, people convicted of sexual intercourse or "an indecent act" with anyone younger than 16 can get a fine or up to 10 years in jail.

But most incidents never get that far. Families and officials have long tried "to sweep the cases under the carpet or ... force marriages on the minor," according to the police spokesman Paul Nyathi.

Families often try to negotiate with the offender, pressuring him to marry the girl and give her family cattle or money, according to Nyathi.

Then they agree to not report the case to police - ultimately "assisting in the abuse of the girl," he said.

Police said they could not provide any figures related to prosecuted or reported cases.

Virginia said she stopped going to school when she found out she was pregnant.

"I got pregnant at 12 years. I was at school in January (2021) when I realized I was pregnant then I stopped going to school in March," she said.

She added that her mother went to the police when she found out about the pregnancy, but the man was released on bail due to mishandling of the case.

The government, non-governmental organizations and the affected say COVID-19-induced lockdowns, which increased idleness, poverty and shut out many girls from accessing contraceptives, led to a steep increase in unintended pregnancies.

"Lockdown led to the abuse of many kids by people they know or stay with, because people were just in one place spending more time together," said Tsitsi Chitongo, a community worker for the Shamwari Yemwanasikana NGO.

"Coupled with a loss of focus by parents, who wouldn't suspect that someone staying with their kids can do such a thing. They didn't notice they just thought maybe it's just good relations among kids or between cousins not realizing there's something physical going onThis is what led to problem we're facing (pregnancy),"

More than 5,000 school girls below 18 fell pregnant between January and early February alone, according to the latest figures given by the Women's Affairs ministry in March.

Authorities and campaigners say the figures are an understatement as many more cases go unreported.

Many young girls drop out of school as soon as they find out they are pregnant and never return to finish their studies due to the stigma associated with falling pregnant while in school.

Virginia said she would like to go back to as soon she can.

"I am thinking of going back to school and restarting my grade 7 and proceeding to form 1. Then I will decide what career path to take when I reach form 4."

The government took a new initiative in August 2020 as concern grew over the spike in child pregnancies, by implementing a change in policy to allow pregnant teens as well as new mothers to go back to school.

"Because of the policy that we have, this Education Amendment Act, which allows them to come back to school, we have been having community outreach programs throughout the whole nation to encourage these learners to come back to school to continue with their education because it's not the end of the world," said Taungana Ndoro, Communications Director in the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry.

Campaigners such as Chitongo have hailed the move as a significant step towards keeping the dreams of pregnant girls alive.

But getting the pregnant girls to return to school is proving to be a challenge that will require the breaking down of the traditional mindset of parents, schools and affected teens alike, says Chitongo.

"For a pregnant girl child to be back in school there is need to teach parents that it's possible for a child to go back to school."

After the March 2020 lockdown, attendance at a clinic run by Medecins San Frontieres plummeted from about 20 girls a day to one or two said Grace Mavhezha, MSF Field Communications Manager.

The clinic provides young girls and mothers with skills, by teaching them how to make liquid soap as well as how to do manicures and pedicures, which they can use to make a living, as well as provide for their families.

"These life skills training is empowering these girls because now they are looking for empowerment capacity building so that they get some money, after they are going to maybe to open some salons for pedicure and manicure or selling the liquid soap that they would have got training from here," she said.

Fortunately for Virginia, her father ignored advice from other community members to chase her away from home  a rare gesture that was however frowned upon by other men used to forcing pregnant girls to go and live with their so-called husbands.

Officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Welfare told Virginia and her parents that she could remain in school as the law now allowed it.

The AP generally does not name victims of sexual abuse without consent.

For this story, the girls and their families have agreed to be identified and have their names published, in keeping with their wishes to have their stories told.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
STORY: Peru Virus Crisis - Peru hospitals fill as COVID-19 cases spike

LENGTH: 03:56

FIRST RUN: 2023

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: Spanish/Natsound

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS/GOVERNMENT TV/PERU MINISTRY OF HEALTH HANDOUT

STORY NUMBER: 4360930

DATELINE: 10-11 January 2022 - Lima

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lima - 11 January 2022

1. Crowded hallway inside EsSalud Alberto Sabogal Hospital, with patients and care givers

2. Various of health care providers tending to two COVID-19 patients on ventilators inside a hospital room

3. Close of a COVID-19 patient on a respirator, eyes covered by white gauze

4. COVID-19 unit chart indicating each nurse and doctor tending to each patient indicated by a bed number

5. Various of healthcare providers tending to a COVID-19 patient on a respirator

6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dr. Mirko Conde, Internist at Hospital EsSalud Alberto Sabogal:

"The unvaccinated now account for over 50% of the beds in use (in hospital) but of a very small population, while the larger population, which is of the vaccinated, occupy the other half but their symptoms are much less severe, their illness much milder."

7. Conde standing next to COVID-19 patient's bed with two healthcare providers

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lima - 10 January 2022

8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dr. Patricia Garcia, Former Peruvian Minister of Health (via Video link):

"In Peru, at this moment we find ourselves at the point where cases are on the rise fundamentally due to omicron. At this moment we are at a rising peak, which has not ended, which is even higher than those of the first and second waves that we had."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lima - 11 January 2022

9. Traveling shot of people standing in a line, social distancing, as they wait to get their COVID-19 jab

10. Various of people standing in line to get their jabs

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lima - 10 January 2022

11. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dr. Patricia Garcia, Former Peruvian Minister of Health:

"The vaccines are safe. Millions of people are being vaccinated and the proof is that, in this wave, those who require hospitalization or more serious treatment are the unvaccinated."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lima - 11 January 2022

12. Various of people receiving their COVID-19 jabs at a vaccination clinic held outside under a tent

GOVERNMENT TV

Lima - 10 January 2022

13. President of Peru, Pedro Castillo speaking at an event

14. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pedro Castillo, President of Peru:

"We are using maximum efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID and its variants continue to manifest and are a danger to the entire world. We must understand that and for that there is this country, for that there is this government."

GOVERNMENT TV

Lima - 11 January 2022

15. President Castillo entering a COVID-19 clinic waiting room and shaking hands with people seated there

16. Castillo entering a COVID-19 ward inside a hospital and speaking to an attending nurse

17. Various of Castillo greeting COVID-19 patients in their beds

18. Castillo speaking with an attending nurse

PERU MINISTRY OF HEALTH HANDOUT

Lima - 11 January 2022

19. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Hernando Cevallos, Peru's Minister of Health:

"Here (in Peru) during the last week we have gone from 26,000 cases to 87,000, almost 88,000 from the week prior. That is a vertical increase in the number of cases and the projection we are making is that every 2.2 days this number of cases will double."

20. COVID test results lined up on a table

21. Various of a COVID-19 testing site, people being tested

STORYLINE:

Hospital beds and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are once again filling to capacity in Peru with the new COVID-19 omicron variant on the rise and the delta variant continuing to infect people.

The EsSalud Alberto Sabogal hospital, in the Callao district of Lima, is full and COVID-19 patients on ventilators occupy most of the beds.

"The unvaccinated now account for over 50% of the beds in use (in hospital)... the vaccinated, occupy the other half but their symptoms are much less severe, their illness much milder," said Dr. Mirko Conde, an internist at the hospital.

Although cases may be milder for those who have been vaccinated, Peru's former Minister of Health confirmed that cases are now at their highest peak ever, higher even than during the first and second waves.

"We find ourselves at the point where cases are on the rise fundamentally due to omicron," said Dr. Patricia Garcia making the case that the vaccines are indeed working.

"In this wave, those who require hospitalization or more serious treatment are the unvaccinated."

Peru's government records indicate that 66% of the population has been vaccinated and President Pedro Castillo has pledged his government's full support to vaccinate everyone in ongoing efforts to control the spread of the virus.

Peru is among the countries with the highest mortality rates from the virus, with more than 202,000 deaths, and 2.3 million confirmed cases, according to official figures.

The omicron variant spreads even more easily than other coronavirus strains, and has already become dominant in many countries.

It also more easily infects those who have been vaccinated or had previously been infected by prior versions of the virus.

However, early studies show omicron is less likely to cause severe illness than the previous delta variant, and vaccination and a booster still offer strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death.

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(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
analysis

As insecurity in the Great Lakes deepens, the commitment of both countries' leaders to normalise relations is a positive step.

Since Burundi accused Rwanda of backing a coup attempt against it in 2015, relations between the two countries have been rocky. Most of the Burundian military and political actors suspected of plotting the coup were granted refugee status in Rwanda, which soured relations. But they're talking, and their relationship has warmed, to a degree.

Officials from both countries have met at the level of military intelligence, provincial governors, foreign affairs ministers and senate presidents. Rwanda's Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente even participated in Burundi's 59th Independence Day Celebration, where Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye pledged to restore ties with his northern neighbour.

Most of the contentious issues between them appear to have been resolved, including the controversial request by Burundi authorities to hand over the coup plotters. The complete reopening of the border between the two countries (which was closed in 2015) and a meeting of their two leaders would seal a rapprochement that populations on both sides want.

But it's not all plain sailing. Both governments are working on a new chapter in their dealings, but face fierce opposition. Distrust between the two nations serves the interests of a wide range of state and non-state actors, inside and outside both countries. These actors provoke instability through misinformation and hate speech, supporting proxy armed groups and creating insecurity in Rwanda and Burundi.

Most of the contentious issues appear to have been resolved, including around the Burundi coup plotters

The history of violent conflict in the two countries and the Great Lakes region has produced scores of refugees, some of whom formed rebel groups determined to topple sitting governments. Depending on the prevailing alliances and socio-political dynamics, several of these groups enjoy more or less open support from regional governments, fuelling mistrust between the two countries.

Rwanda and Burundi's governments grew out of similar armed oppositions in exile. They have a lot in common, and working together, could stem the region's threats. Other parallels include their ethnic fabric, high population density and land scarcity, and proximity to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) poorly governed eastern province. Above all, they share a similar colonial history and a deep legacy of war that shapes their political histories and foreign policies.

Burundi's ruling Conseil National Pour la Defense de la Democratie - Forces de Defense de la Democratie is a former majority-Hutu rebel movement that fought against a Tutsi-dominated regime. Hutu extremists in Burundi believe Rwanda is dominated by supremacist ethnic Tutsis and that Rwanda won't rest until there is a Tutsi regime in Burundi.

In Rwanda, the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front is a former Tutsi-led rebellion that seized power in 1994, ending a genocide perpetrated by the former Hutu-dominated regime in Kigali. Extremists in Rwanda see in Burundi's ruling Hutus individuals who share the same ideology as the Rwandan Hutus who committed the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Burundian Tutsi extremists, some of whom fled to Rwanda and in the diaspora, consistently fuel this narrative.

Distrust between the two nations serves the interests of a wide range of state and non-state actors

The United Nations and African Union (AU) are trying to foster stability in the Great Lakes region. Revamping regional security and reactivating the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries will depend largely on a close relationship between Rwanda and Burundi.

Restoring multi-level contact between the two governments will go a long way in building the trust needed to address the many challenges both countries face. These include border insecurity, climate change and the loss of revenues caused by illegal cross-border trade. But to ensure sustainable improvements, the contentious issues must be resolved through high-level meetings of both governments.

Rwanda's granting of refugee status to most of the 2015 alleged coup perpetrators is a case in point. In a May 2021 interview, Rwandan President Paul Kagame expressed his readiness to extradite the refugees to Burundi. But during a recent meeting with the diplomatic corps in Burundi's capital Gitega, Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro said such a handover would be the last step towards full normalisation.

The AU, Economic Community of Central African States and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region should encourage a settlement in line with African legal frameworks, such as the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance or the Organisation of African Unity Refugee Convention. Rwanda and Burundi could consider setting up a joint oversight mechanism to monitor, guarantee and support such a delicate handover, if it happens.

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Contentious issues must be resolved through high-level meetings of both governments

As insecurity in the Great Lakes deepens, the commitment of Rwanda and Burundi's leaders to normalise relations is a positive step. The common challenges facing both states require coordinated responses that encourage a much-needed climate of trust. The Great Lakes region, and especially Burundian and Rwandan societies, can only benefit from such a development.

The third beneficiary of productive relations between Kigali and Gitega would be the DRC, where opposition armed groups from both countries operate. Any normalisation would help revive trilateral cooperation on security, diplomacy and the economy.

Addressing the Burundi-Rwanda dispute can reinvigorate regional rapprochement and conflict resolution. After years of uncertainty, it could also remind the continent's leaders of the value of African collective security.

Paul-Simon Handy, ISS Regional Director for East Africa and the Horn and Antoine Prosper Estime, Independent Political Analyst focusing on African peace and security
Demonstrators protest in Yangon against the visit to Myanmar by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Jan. 7, 2022.

Cambodia on Wednesday postponed the first ASEAN meeting under its 2022 chairmanship, the government said, amid reports of differences among the blocs members over Prime Minister Hun Sens visit to Myanmar last week where he did not meet democracy leaders.

An in-person foreign ministers retreat, scheduled for next week in Siem Reap, was postponed indefinitely because some top diplomats from member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had said they would find it difficult to travel, said Khieu Kanharith, the host countrys information minister.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat (AMM Retreat) initially scheduled on Jan 18-19, 2022 in Siem Reap province has been postponed, he said in a statement on Facebook, without announcing a fresh date for the meeting.

The reason for the postponement is that many ASEAN foreign have difficulties traveling to attend the meeting, he added.

The postponement effectively delays the official endorsement of Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as ASEANs new special envoy for Myanmar.

Radio Free Asia (RFA), with which BenarNews is affiliated, tried to contact Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan and Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Koung but did not immediately hear back from them on Wednesday.

Divisions within ASEAN over Hun Sens trip to Naypyidaw and a potential invitation to the Myanmar juntas foreign minister to attend the ASEAN diplomats retreat might be why some diplomats chose not to attend next weeks meeting, analysts said.

ASEAN states who cited travel difficulties were likely being polite instead of saying outright that they didnt want to go to Siem Reap, according to Sophal Ear, a Cambodia expert at Arizona State University in the U.S.

This is not officially a boycott, but [some members-states foreign ministers] came-up with some excuses as to why they cannot join the meeting.  The chickens are coming home to roost, its karma for Cambodias Cowboy Diplomacy, Ear, an associate dean and professor at the universitys Thunderbird School of Management in Phoenix, told RFA.

When you do things others dont want you to do, they dont come to your party and have excuses  Be ready for a long list of reasons for why someone cannot show up, he added.

Another Southeast Asia analyst, Hunter Marston, said Cambodias chairmanship had got off to a rocky start.

Seems internal divisions over the chairs invitation to the Myanmar military-appointed Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin have created an impasse, Marston, a doctoral student at ANU College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University, said on Twitter.

A non-political representative

Hun Sen, the leader of Cambodia, which this year took over the revolving annual chairmanship of ASEAN, had said before going to Myanmar last week that he wanted the Burmese junta to be represented at the blocs meetings.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo had categorically said that if Burmese coup leader Min Aung Hlaing did not implement an earlier agreed upon five-point road map to democracy, then Myanmar should only be represented by a non-political individual at ASEAN meetings.

A Malaysian foreign ministry spokesman, meanwhile, told BenarNews on Monday that Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah would attend the Siem Reap meeting only virtually.

Critics said that Cambodia had undermined the regional bloc through Hun Suns meeting with the Burmese junta leader Min Aung Hlaing after he was disinvited from the ASEAN summit in late 2021 for reneging on his promises to implement the blocs five-point consensus. Back then, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore had backed shutting out the coup leader from the regional blocs top summit.

By visiting Myanmar and meeting with Min Aung Hlaing, Hun Sen legitimized Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, pro-democracy activists in Myanmar said.

The military leader who toppled the elected Burmese government last February had promised, among other things, to end violence and give an ASEAN special envoy access to all parties in the Myanmar political crisis. He did none of those things.

Min Aung Hlaing refused to allow an ASEAN special envoy access to democracy leaders last year.

Meanwhile, more than 1,400 mostly pro-democracy protesters have been killed by security forces since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup. And a day after Hun Sen left Myanmar, National League for Democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to four more years in prison over what many said were frivolous charges.

Hun Sen would have divided the regional bloc because of what some describe as his cowboy diplomacy with Myanmar, causing more authoritarian member-states to be at odds with liberal democratic ones, analysts had said.

China appreciates Myanmars readiness

In other developments, Japan on Tuesday welcomed Cambodias active engagement as ASEAN Chair on the situation in Myanmar, and both ministers shared the view to coordinate closely, the Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement.

Additionally, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said that ASEAN member-state Thailands top diplomat had sent a congratulatory message saying he strongly supported the outcomes of the Cambodia-Myanmar joint press release, local media reported.

On Monday, China, Myanmars close ally, spoke in favor of Hun Sen and Cambodia, as well as Myanmar.

China appreciates Myanmars readiness to create favorable conditions for ASEANs special envoy to fulfill his duty, and works toward effective alignment between Myanmars five-point roadmap and ASEANs five-point consensus, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, told reporters.

The two roadmaps have nothing in common.

China will fully support Cambodia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, in playing an active role and making [an] important contribution to properly managing the differences among parties of Myanmar.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, with additional reporting by RFA's Khmer Service.
Japan has been conducting its own freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea to warn China but in a cautious manner, Japans largest newspaper reported.

The Yomiuri Shimbun quoted unnamed government sources as saying that Japanese naval ships sailed through waters near the artificial islands and reefs claimed by China in the South China Sea on at least two occasions, in March and August last year.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force (Japanese Navy) operations started in March 2021 under the administration of then-Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, it said. Suga stood down in October.

A senior Defense Ministry official told the paper that the operations were meant to warn China, which is distorting international law, to protect freedom of navigation, and the law and order of the sea.

However, despite being similar to the freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) conducted by the U.S. Navy, the Japanese ships were only sailing in the international waters and did not enter Chinas territorial waters, the Yomiuri reported, adding that these operations were conducted on such occasions as traveling to or from joint drills with other navies, or deployment to the Middle East.

Territorial waters are the sea areas that lie within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) from a countrys coast and China demands that foreign warships ask for permission for so-called innocent passage.

Japan is a treaty ally of the U.S., which retains more than 50,000 troops on Japanese soil. But Mark Valencia, adjunct senior scholar at Chinas National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS), said: These are not FONOPs a la the U.S.

They do not challenge China's territorial sea regime nor its sovereignty claims to low-tide features like Mischief Reef like the U.S. FONOPs do, he said.

They are an exercise of freedom of the high seas that is not opposed by China.

Mischief Reef is one of the South China Sea features that China has developed into artificial islands in recent years despite protests from some other claimants including the Philippines and Vietnam.

Beijing also claims territorial waters around those artificial islands though these claims have no basis in international law.

A satellite photo taken March 19, 2020, showing the Chinese-built base at Mischief Reef, a disputed feature in the Spratlys. Credit: Planet Labs. Commitment to an open sea

Australian Rear Adm. (retd) James Goldrick, a prominent maritime affairs analyst, said many U.S. FONOPs in the South China Sea were about warship passage rights without prior notification within self-claimed territorial waters, not only by China but also Vietnam and the Philippines.

But the Japanese effort was about freedom of naval/maritime operations rather than freedom of navigation or supporting the U.S. FONOPs, he said.

The South China Sea is not and should not become a closed sea, Goldrick said.

Alessio Palatano, Professor at Kings College London and an expert in Japanese naval history and strategy, said recent operations show Japan has been exercising its compliance to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in a way that previously it was very careful to avoid.

This is a step up which brings Japanese behavior much closer to other major maritime powers. Britain and France regularly sail in ways in which at times challenge excessive forms of maritime claims, Palatano told RFA.

Its clear political signaling that shows that Japan is becoming proficient in using its naval capabilities to create a wide-ranging set of signaling options in communicating its political disagreements with Chinese behavior.

So long as the Japanese continue on such a nuanced approach, this is very welcome, he said.

Meanwhile Valencia from the Chinese state think tank NISCSS warned that even though the Japanese operations did not raise alarm, if they actually did challenge China's territorial sea regime or sovereignty claims by entering its claimed territorial waters or violating the innocent passage regime, then China might well retaliate.
Launch comes only days after previous test, and appeared to be more advanced.

North Korea on Jan. 11, 2022 fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into waters east of the Korean peninsula, its second weapons launch in a week.

North Korea test launched a ballistic missile Tuesday capable of speeds exceeding Mach-10, displaying an apparent technological advance in its second hypersonic test of 2022, South Koreas military said.

The launch came less than a week after Pyongyang tested another hypersonic missile, but Tuesdays was likely more advanced. If so, the test would seem to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns New Years Day promise to increase military capabilities through advanced technology as talks with South Korea and the U.S. have stalled.

But analysts said it was too soon to determine how big of a technological advancement Tuesdays test represented.

Early findings estimate that the missile travelled eastward from the northern province of Chagang into waters east of the peninsula, about 770 km (435 miles) away, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The missile reached a maximum height of 60 kilometers (37 miles), with a speed of up to 10 times the speed of sound.

"We assess that this is more advanced than the missile North Korea fired on Jan. 5, though South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are conducting detailed analysis," the JCS said.

That missile was also claimed by North Korea to be hypersonicfast enough to thwart defensesbut the South Korean defense ministry said this exaggerated the capabilities, and the missile was merely a slight upgrade over a ballistic missile. A U.S. weapons expert also said the focus on speed was misplaced.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told RFAs Korean Service the test was a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council Resolutions and poses a threat to [North Koreas] neighbors and the international community.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that although the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRKs illicit weapons program.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, through a spokesperson, expressed concern over the launch, and reiterated that diplomatic engagement was the only way to reach a solution to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Several experts, both in South Korea and the U.S. said they expected that North Korea will continue to test weapons systems.

The reason why North Korea conducts these tests every few days is to complete the development of strategic weapons and nuclear weapons to an irreversible level, Hong Min, director of the North Korea Research Division at the Seoul-based Korea Institute for National Unification, told RFA.

It seems to be a series of actions in the beginning of the process to make sure that it is a matter of sovereignty at the level of self-defense as the international community continues to raise issues, Hong said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches missile launch Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo: KCNA





The two launches appear to be efforts to perfect a hypersonic vehicle, Robert Manning of the Washington-based Atlantic Council told RFA.

You have to keep in mind, the only way to know if missiles work as intended is to test them, he said. Expect more. One troubling thing is that when you look at the whole set of nuclear and missile capabilities that Kim Jong Un is building, they appear more than what would be needed to deter the U.S.

Manning said the testing could affect South Koreas ongoing presidential race.

Nam Seong-wook of Korea University told RFA that the launch could be an effort to distract North Koreans from the economic difficulties they face due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continued sanctions over their countrys nuclear program.

But the launch hints at the possibility of a preemptive nuclear strike against the South, Cha Du Hyeogn of the Seoul-based Asan Institute said in a video released Tuesday.

No matter how much sanctions are imposed, North Koreas weapons are advancing. In particular, its nuclear capabilities will continue to advance, he said.

Soo Kim of the RAND Corporation told RFA that Kim Jong Un will likely continue to test missiles without a firm declaration from the U.S. of the consequences of doing so.

Kim likely assesses that the demonstration of weapons capabilities helps him maintain the upper hand in any future dealings with the U.S. Plus, it perpetuates the regimes looming presence over its neighbor, South Korea, Soo Kim said.

Two launches within a week served to bolster North Korea as a potential threat to the international community, she said.

North Korea on Jan. 11, 2022 fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into waters east of the Korean peninsula, its second weapons launch in a week. Photo: KCNA

The timing of the launch was meant to coincide with a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday over North Koreas launch last week, David Maxwell of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies told RFA.

He also noted that South Korea went from being skeptical as to whether the 6 January launch was a hypersonic missile to reporting on the 11 January launch being Mach 10."

But Joshua Pollack, senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California, said the significance of the most recent test was not clear.

The problem with the term hypersonic is that all ballistic missiles of more than a relatively short range meet the usual definition. So, strictly speaking, both North and South Korea have had hypersonic missiles for years, even for decades, Pollack said.

The term can be applied both to cruise missiles and ballistic missiles that travel faster than Mach 5. Hypersonic usually refers only to the boost speed of a missile  that is the speed that it reaches powered by its fuel. Two identical ballistic missiles that boost at different speeds will glide back to earth at the same speed once the rocket burns out.

All of this emphasis on speed and Mach numbers can be very confusing and is perhaps pointless.  If speed is what matters, then I simply cannot explain what the big deal about Mach 10 is. The Hwasong-15 ICBM burns out at roughly Mach 20, he said, referring to a missile North Korea first test launched in 2017.

Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Ten people, including a 13-year-old and a journalist, were killed after being detained, sources said.

Nine of the people who died after being arrested by junta forces in Chin state's Matupi township, Jan. 6, 2022.

Troops in Myanmars western Chin state have massacred at least 10 civilians, including a 13-year-old and a journalist, after detaining them days earlier, residents said Tuesday, prompting the head of a rights group to label the deaths war crimes and call for greater protections for ethnic Chins in the region.

The 10 victims were arrested by junta soldiers on Jan. 6 in Matupi townships Ki-lun and Lon-hlaw villages, around nine miles north of the township seat, residents said. The bodies of two of the victims were found near Ka-se village on Jan. 8, while those of the remaining eight were discovered a day later between Ki-lun and Lon-hlaw, they said.

Residents identified the victims as Salai Tui Dim, Salai Van Htoo, Salai Steven, Salai La Ring, Salai La Nang, Salai Tin San, Salai Phupa Sali, Salai Lian Ngai, Salai Ze Caet Aung and Salia Thak Lung.

Salai Tui Dim, who lived across the border in India, was the founder and editor-in-chief of the Chin state-based Khonumthung news agency. He had been visiting his hometown of Matupi when he was arrested, one of the outlets editors, who gave his name as Robert, told RFAs Myanmar Service.

Tui Dims body was among the 10 dead, he said. According to residents, his body was found near Ki-lun village on the Matupi-Hakha road.

Another of the dead, Salai La Nang, was a 13-year-old boy who had gone hunting with the other victims  all men between the ages of 40 and 60  on the afternoon of Jan. 6, when fighting erupted between the military and the CDF, residents said. They were captured by troops of the 140th Infantry Battalion based in Matupi, they added.

A woman who had accompanied the hunting party told RFA on condition of anonymity that she jumped off a cliff when the fighting began and escaped with only injuries to her face and head.

The military has stepped up arrests and clashes with the CDF in Chin state in recent months, after launching an offensive in the region in the aftermath of its Feb. 1, 2021, coup. Residents told RFA that security forces arrested some 50 young men over the course of a few days in the states Hakha region at the end of September on suspicion of membership in the CDF, releasing them only after the payment by family members of large sums of money.

CDF fighters had stopped attacking government troops at the request of residents who feared retaliation, but government troops and police on Sept. 29 began to stop pedestrians, searching mobile phones and taking many into custody.

Victims throats cut

When contacted for comment on the deaths by RFA on Tuesday, junta spokesman Deputy Information Minister Zaw Min Tun said that the military does not attack civilians.

There were about 10 so-called terrorist PDFs attacking our security forces in the area, he said. There was a skirmish, and we confiscated some bodies and six guns, as well as four motorcycles, that were left behind. We have no reason to shoot at non-violent groups.

Jay Kay, a leader of the Matupi CDF Battalion 2, dismissed Zaw Min Tuns claims, telling RFA that none of the 10 bodies exhibited gunshot wounds and all but one were found with their hands tied and throats cut.

One body found near Ka-se village has stab wounds in the neck  seven stab wounds, he said, adding that the victims had been buried near the site where they were found.

Salai Za Op Lin, deputy executive director of the India-based Chin Human Rights Organization, called the killings yet another war crime committed by the military in Chin state.

It is a war crime  killing a young boy and a journalist, he said.

It as a war crime to seize and kill ordinary villagers or use them as human shields, he added, referring to reports of troops using hostages to defend themselves from CDF forces.

Salai Za Op Lin noted that the military had recently strengthened its forces in Matupi and expressed concern that more human rights abuses would take place.

Residents say more than 4,000 people from some 30 villages in Matupi have been displaced by fighting since the military launched an offensive in the region, most of whom are now sheltering with friends and family across the border in India.

Reported by Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Major General Peng Jintangs appointment may signal an even tougher clampdown there, analysts say.

People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison soldiers march on the grounds of the Gun Club Hill Barracks near Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, Nov. 22, 2019.

UPDATED at 9:35 A.M. on 2022-01-11

China has chosen an official who led antiterrorism special forces in its far-western Xinjiang region as the new commander of the Peoples Liberation Armys garrison in Hong Kong, sparking concerns that Beijing will crackdown even harder on the region.

Major General Peng Jingtang, deputy chief of staff of the Armed Police Force in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, was appointed to the position at the direction of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinas official Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

General Wang Xiubin, commander of the Southern Theater Command, announced the appointment a few days ago, the report said.

Peng Jingtang said that he would uphold the "one country, two systems" policy, defend national sovereignty, and safeguard Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, according to the report.

Chinese authorities have used heavy-handed tactics in Hong Kong to quell pro-democracy demonstrators. They imposed, for example, a national security law purportedly to reestablish order following political upheaval.

Activists have said they believe the law is too restrictive and meant to suppress the freedoms and individual rights that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the "one country, two systems" policy.

Dilshat Rishit, a spokesman for the World Uyghur Congress, said Peng's appointment "means Chinese President Xi Jinping has decided to use the Xinjiang-style military crackdown in Hong Kong under the pretext of anti-terrorism to crush the democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong, thus achieving CCPs total control over this territory.

Outside analysts said Pengs assignment to the Hong Kong Garrison, where he will oversee thousands of soldiers, does not bode well for the semiautonomous territory.

Anders Corr, principal at Corr Analytics, a political risk advisory firm, called Peng a bloodthirsty Chinese military commander whose appointment is a very bad wind that is blowing in Hong Kong at his point.

For years Peng led the Chinese Communist Partys crackdown in Xinjiang, and theres an ongoing genocide there, so its a very bad thing for Hong Kong, he told RFA Monday.

When Peng led the Peoples Armed Police in Xinjiang, he bragged to Chinese state media in 2019 about a squad he trained that had fired as many shots as all other security forces in Xinjiang had during the previous three-year period, Corr said.

For years, Chinese authorities have brutally suppressed predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in Xinjiang, including detaining an estimated 1.8 million of them in an extensive network of internment camps where they are subject to violence and other human rights abuses.

Western countries, the United Nations and rights groups have condemned Chinas actions against the Uyghurs, with some declaring that the abuse amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity.

China has denied the allegation of abuse and said that the detention centers are training facilities meant to prevent terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang.

Maya Wang, senior China researcher in the Asia division of Human Rights Watch, said that the appointment of Peng and other top police officials to Hong Kong is a significant and ominous development.

Its one example in which there is worry that Hong Kong would be managed more like Xinjiang or Tibet was in the future, she told RFA.

Translated by Alim Seytoff of RFA's Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
China has barred 4 commissioners from entering the country and frozen any assets they hold there.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to reporters during a press briefing at the US Department of State in Washington, DC, Dec. 21, 2021.

Sanctions China imposed on the members of a U.S. federal government commission on religious freedom are without merit and an affront against universal rights, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Monday.

On Dec. 21, China banned four commissioners of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) from entering the country in retaliation for U.S. sanctions on its officials over rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities in its far-western Xinjiang region. China also froze any assets that Chairwoman Nadine Maenza, Vice Chair Nury Turkel, and Commissioners Anurima Bhargava and James W. Carr hold in the country.

We remain undeterred by these actions, and we stand in solidarity with USCIRF and its staff, Blinken said in response. The United States is committed to defending human rights around the world and will continue to use all diplomatic and economic tools to promote accountability.

The U.S. also called on China to stop its transnational repression of Uyghurs abroad, including imprisoning and denying freedom of movement to family members of Uyghur American activists.

These acts undermine the international rules-based order, Blinken said.

The independent, bipartisan USCIRF monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. Each year it issues a report that assesses religious freedom in several countries and makes policy recommendations to the president, secretary of state and Congress.

Chinas move came after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Chinese officials linked to human rights abuses in Xinjiang, where Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are subjected to mass incarceration, invasive surveillance, forced labor and other severe rights abuses.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin called the secretary of states allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang lies of the century fabricated by some individuals in the U.S. He accused the U.S. of trying to tarnish Chinas image and restrain its development.

These acts interfere in Chinas internal affairs and gravely harm Chinas interests, Wang said at a press conference. The Chinese side has made a response in accordance with law, which are completely justified moves to defend sovereignty, security, and development interests.

We will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard our national sovereignty, dignity and legitimate interests, he said.

Nury Turkel, who is the only Chinese-sanctioned U.S. official with family ties in China, thanked Blinken for his support of the USCIRF.

Beijing's bogus actions against USCIRF commissioners stand in contrast to U.S. sanctions applied in defense of freedom and against perpetrators of the Uyghur genocide, he told RFA on Tuesday. We urge our allies and partners to join the efforts to stop the Uyghur genocide and to end the enslavement of Uyghurs and others in Communist China.

Commissioner James Carr said he was disappointed that the Chinese government sanctioned him after he had worked to improve relations between the two countries.

For China to be so concerned about religious minorities to the extent that they do everything they can to harass and intimidate them is unacceptable, Carr told RFA on Tuesday. Not only are the Uyghurs receiving inhumane treatment, but other religious groups, including Christians, are not free to worship.

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has also been sharply critical of China and its response to the passage of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) late last year.

The U.S. Congress strongly condemns the Chinese Communist Partys retaliatory actions against religious freedom leaders, which directly follow our passage and President Bidens enactment of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, Pelosis office said in a Jan. 5 statement, as quoted in a tweet thread by Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin.

The Chinese governments abuse against the Uyghur people and other Muslim minorities is genocide, and its intimidation tactics will not deter the United States from taking strong action to address this horror, her office said.

The UFLPA, which was passed unanimously by both houses of Congress, bans imports from Xinjiang unless they are certified as not having been made with forced labor.

Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
The outage came after a major electricity pylon belonging to Kenya Power fell over. Kenya Power is the sole energy distributor in the country.

Kenya was experiencing a nationwide blackout on Tuesday after a high-voltage energy pylon fell over, Kenya Power said.

"We have lost power supply due to collapsed towers on Kiambere-Embakasi high voltage transmission power line," Kenya Power said in a statement on its Twitter account.

"Our engineers are working to restore electricity supply as the repairs are being undertaken."

State-run Kenya Power is the sole energy distributor in the country. The bulk of its power comes from one source, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).

Later in the day, the firm issued a second statement saying that power had been restored to Nairobi, West Kenya, North and Central Rift and South Nyanza. They said they hoped that everything would be back up and running across the rest of the country soon.

Although widespread blackouts are relatively common in Kenya, they do not usually affect the whole country of 54 million people.

A notable exception was a May 2020 outage that came as the result of a broken section of a high voltage power line that transmits power to Nairobi from the Olkaria geothermal power plants, some 75 kilometers (45 miles) from the capital.

(dpa, Reuters)
Armenia says three of its soldiers have died in fighting along the border with Azerbaijan, raising fears the Caucasus neighbors may be edging toward another war.

The Armenian Defense Ministry said on January 12 that the body of a third soldier had been found in an area where heavy clashes were reported the day before that Yerevan and Baku blamed on each other amid warnings that tensions along the border are escalating.

Azerbaijani officials have already said that one of their soldiers was killed in the battles. Armenian officials had previously announced the deaths of two soldiers before the third soldier's corpse was found with fatal gunshot wounds.

Armenia's Defense Ministry has blamed Azerbaijani forces for sparking the violence by opening fire on January 11 in the border area near Verin Shorzha in the eastern Gegharkunik Province. It also accused Azerbaijani forces of firing artillery across the border and using drone aircraft in the altercation.

In turn, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry reported that its soldier was killed along the border with Armenia "as a result of an Armenian provocation in the direction of Azerbaijan's Kalbacar district."

Azerbaijan denied that its military used artillery or drones, saying its forces were "responding to a provocation by the enemy."

It also said Armenian fire was "suppressed due to corresponding actions taken by units of the Azerbaijani Army."

Baku said that "the entire responsibility for the latest tensions lies with the military-political leadership of Armenia."

Tensions have simmered for years over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan that broke away from Baku's control in the early 1990s.

A six-week war erupted in autumn 2020, claiming more than 6,500 lives.

The fighting ended with a Russian-brokered cease-fire under which Armenians ceded territories they had controlled for decades to Azerbaijan. The situation at the border has remained tense despite the accord.
Lithuania has terminated its state-owned railway contract with Minsk on the transportation of Belarusian potash amid U.S. sanctions imposed on Belaruskali, the potash-producing giant.

The Baltic state's government on January 12 approved the decision by a special commission, which noted that the agreement between Lithuanian Railways and Belaruskali was not in the interests of Lithuania's national security.

Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis told reporters that the agreement will be annulled as of February 1.

Belaruskali was added to the U.S. sanctions list in August last year.

The U.S. Treasury in December issued a general license authorizing the winding down of transactions involving Belaruskali's marketing arm, the Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) until April 1, blaming Minsk for creating a migration crisis on the EU-Belarus border.

A scandal erupted in Lithuania in December after it turned out that the Baltic state's companies continue to ship Belarusian potash products, a key ingredient in fertilizer, through its rail network and port of Klaipeda to markets in the EU and elsewhere.

The continuing trade with the Lukashenka regime has sparked controversy in Lithuania, with some calling for the government to step down.

Based on reporting by Delfi and Reuters
The United States has urged authorities in Bosnia-Herzegovina to investigate ceremonies held over the weekend marking the banned Republika Srpska Day in the country's Serb-dominated entity.



A State Department spokesperson on January 11 said the U.S. was "deeply concerned over reports of hate speech, glorification of war criminals, and provocative incidents targeting returnees in the Republika Srpska entity" during the ceremonies.



"We urge competent authorities to investigate these incidents without delay and to hold the responsible individuals accountable," the spokesperson said.



The Republika Srpska on January 9 celebrated what its leaders call their "national day" holiday but what the countrys top court has declared unconstitutional.



The holiday marks the date in 1992 when Bosnian Serbs declared their own state in Bosnia, triggering a four-year war that killed more than 100,000 people and left millions homeless.



Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, the Serbian representative in Bosnia's tripartite presidency, presided over the celebrations, which included a march by armed police through the main Bosnian Serb city of Banja Luka.

Dodik, who has stoked political division in the Balkan country by repeatedly threatening to withdraw from state-level institutions, last week was hit with sanctions by Washington for "destabilizing and corrupt activities and attempts to dismantle" the 1995 U.S.-brokered Dayton peace accords that ended the war.



The accords created two highly autonomous entities that share some joint institutions: Republika Srpska and the Bosniak-Croat Federation. The country is governed and administered along ethnic lines established by the agreement, with a weak and often dysfunctional central government.



Dodik has described Bosnia as "an experiment by the international community" and an "impossible, imposed country." He also has said that the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in which some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were slaughtered by Bosnian Serb forces "did not take place."



A day after the ceremonies the European Union threatened Republika Srpska with sanctions and a reduction in assistance if the situation in the country deteriorates.



The State Department spokesperson also noted that while Chinese and Russian diplomats and officials from neighboring Serbia attended the Republika Srpska Day ceremonies, the United States donated 96,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the central government.

With reporting by Reuters
Protesters opposed to Bulgarias COVID-19 restrictions have clashed with police in front of the parliament building in Sofia as the country notched up a record number of infections from the virus.

Protesters were able to break through a police cordon in the unrest on January 12 and make it to the stairs of parliament before being pushed back.

Eight police officers were injured, the Interior Ministry said.

Some protesters then moved to the Council of Ministers building and the Ministry of Health but were contained by police.

Around 1,000 supporters of the nationalist Vasrazhdane (Rebirth) party, which holds 13 seats in parliament's 240-seat chamber, attended the protest.

They said they would remain in front of parliament until their demands for an end to mandatory face masks and so-called green vaccine passes are met.

Anti-pandemic measures require Bulgarians to show a health pass proving vaccination, recovery from infection, or a recent COVID-19 negative test to get into such venues as restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and gyms.

People are also required to wear masks indoors and on public transport.

Bulgaria is the least vaccinated country in the 27-member European Union, with only a third of its population fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

To incentivize vaccinations, the new centrist government has offered 75 levs ($43.59) to pensioners who get fully vaccinated or receive a booster.

Bulgaria is experiencing a fifth wave of coronavirus infections driven by the omicron variant, with the number of cases reaching a record high of 7,062 on January 12.

The virus has killed 89 people in the past 24 hours in the country, according to official numbers.

With reporting by AP, dpa, and Trud.bg
Photographs and thousands of documents casting light on the fate of Czechoslovak citizens imprisoned in the gulag have been published online, with many more to follow. As invading German tanks rolled into Prague in March 1939, thousands of ethnic Ukrainians, Jews, and Czechs living in Czechoslovakia were on the run, fleeing east toward the Soviet Union. For the approximately 8,000 who crossed the Soviet border, it was out of the frying pan and into the fire. Nearly all of the refugees were captured by the Soviet authorities and sent to the network of forced labor camps across the U.S.S.R. known as the gulag. Most were sentenced to three to five years of hard labor for crossing the border illegally; others faced harsher charges often fabricated by the authorities.

On January 3. the Czech Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes (USTR) published Soviet secret police files on 1,000 mostly ethnic Ukrainian refugees who fled eastern Czechoslovakia during World War II and ended up in the gulag. The documents and photographs are an early sample of a digitization project that represents more than a decade of work by Czech, Ukrainian, and Russian historians and archivists.

The release of the documents was timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of a Soviet "amnesty" of most Czechoslovak gulag prisoners on January 3, 1942. The released prisoners were freed from the camps to form brigades to fight the Nazi advance into the Soviet Union. Many of the released Czechoslovaks died in battle.

Czech historian Adam Hradilek began interviewing survivors of the camps in 2006, before he joined the USTR, but access to secret police files in Russia and Ukraine was extremely difficult. Hradilek says the research climate in Ukraine changed dramatically in 2014 following the Maidan revolution. Three weeks after the massive street protests that toppled the government in Ukraine, Hradilek traveled to Kyiv to visit the SBU (former KGB) archives and recalls, I was told everything was open for us.

Hradilek says the most moving moments of the years-long project came when he presented former prisoners and their relatives with the Soviet police files that had been locked away in secret archives for decades.

Hradilek told RFE/RL that, while survivors were often enthralled to leaf through their own files, it is, of course, much more difficult to provide such documents to descendants of people who either died in the camps or died many years later. Its a very touching moment for them to handle such documents and see what their fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers had to go through.
Iran has re-incarcerated French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah after she had spent more than a year under house arrest, the French Foreign Ministry said on January 12.



Adelkhah, a researcher at the elite Paris Institute of Political Studies, was arrested in 2019 at Tehran airport and handed a five-year prison sentence in 2020 for conspiring against national security.



It was unclear why Iranian authorities decided to place the anthropologist and specialist in Shia Islam back in prison, after allowing her to live under house arrest since October 2020.



The French Foreign Ministry voiced "astonishment" at the decision to re-incarcerate the academic with "no explanation or preliminary warning.



"The decision to re-incarcerate her, which we condemn, can only have negative consequences on the relationship between France and Iran and reduce the trust between our two countries, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.



"France demands the immediate release of Ms. Adelkhah, it added.



A group of her supporters said Adelkhah had been placed in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison, where her health and life could be under threat.



"The Iranian government is cynically using our colleague for external or internal purposes that remain opaque, and that have nothing to do with her activities," it added.



The surprise move by Iranian authorities comes as France and other world powers are in drawn-out talks aimed at reviving the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.



Adelkhah's French colleague and partner, Roland Marchal, who was detained with her, was released in March 2020 in a prisoner exchange between Iran and France.



Marchal was swapped for engineer Jalal Ruhollahnejad, who faced extradition to the United States over accusations he violated U.S. sanctions against Iran.



At least a dozen Western nationals or dual nationals are believed to be held in Iran.



Western governments and activists accuse Iran of using such prisoners as hostages to extract concessions from the West.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters.
The British Council says an Iranian female employee convicted of spying for Israel has been acquitted by a court and is now free and has arrived in the United Kingdom.

Aras Amiri, who worked for the council's London office, was sentenced to 10 years in jail in 2019.

The British Council said on January 12 that an appeal her lawyers made to Iran's Supreme Court had been successful.

"We are very pleased to confirm that British Council employee and Iranian citizen Aras Amiri has been acquitted by the Supreme Court in Iran of all charges previously made against her, following a successful appeal lodged by her lawyer. She has been freed from detention and has returned to the United Kingdom," the organization said in a statement.



"We have always refuted the original charges made against Aras," the statement said. "We are very proud of her work in our London office as an arts program officer supporting a greater understanding and appreciation of Iranian culture in the U.K."

Iranian officials did not immediately acknowledge her release.

Another British-Iranian woman who has been detained in Iran since April 2016, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for allegedly planning the "soft toppling" of Iran's government while traveling with her young daughter.

With reporting by AP
Four Israeli women who sent pictures and other information to an Iranian operative have been accused of spying for Iran, Israels domestic intelligence service said.

The women, who were all Jewish immigrants from Iran according to local media, were indicted for "serious crimes" over the past month, Shin Bet said in a statement on January 12.

The Iranian operative, a man calling himself Rambod Namdar, originally contacted the women on Facebook posing as an Iranian Jew, Shin Bet said.

Although the women suspected the man was an Iranian operative, they still provided him with intelligence in return for payment, according to the statement. In some cases, the contacts went on for several years.

The women are alleged to have sent various photographs to the Iranian, including of U.S. diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, an election polling station, an Interior Ministry office, and a shopping mall.

The intelligence agency said the information could have been used to carry out terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised intelligence officials for preventing hostile terrorist activity against the state of Israel."

"Iran's attempts to harm Israel's security are not limited to security and intelligence but also expand to efforts to influence Israels citizens, Israels society, to sow polarization and division, to undermine Israels political stability and damage public confidence in the government, he said.

Based on reporting AP, dpa, and Haaretz
President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev says troops from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will begin leaving Kazakhstan on January 13 after being called in to help stabilize the Central Asian nation after unrest sparked by a fuel price hike turned deadly amid an apparent standoff with loyalists of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev.

A statement on January 12 from the CSTO -- an alliance consisting of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Tajikistan -- added that the pullout of the contingent of some 2,000 troops from Kazakhstan should take about 10 days to complete.

Earlier in the day, Toqaev took part in a session of Almaty city's emergency operation task force and met with relatives and colleagues of law enforcement officers killed during the violence. The exact number of people killed in the unrest remains unclear.

The CSTO soldiers arrived in Kazakhstan last week after the leadership of the oil-rich country asked the Russian-led bloc for military assistance when the protests turned deadly with security personnel and mobs clashing on city streets nationwide.

Kazakh media reported on January 12 that another 1,700 people had been detained since the violence subsided, bringing the total number of detentions during the unrest to almost 10,000.

In the face of a mounting crisis, Toqaev declared a state of emergency on January 5 and called on the CSTO to deploy troops to help maintain security.

Toqaev claimed that "foreign-trained terrorists" were behind the protests in an attempt to overthrow the government. But analysts say there appears to be an internal power struggle between the president and followers of former leader Nursultan Nazarbaev, who has remained a powerful figure in the country since handpicking Toqaev as his successor in 2019.

After dismissing the cabinet, Toqaev removed the 81-year-old Nazarbaev as head of the National Security Council, a powerful position from which the longtime leader continued to exert considerable influence over the oil-rich Central Asian state.

Toqaev also fired the head of the National Security Committee (KNB), longtime Nazarbaev ally Karim Masimov, and then had him arrested for high treason. Several other security officials were also detained.

Human rights experts from the United Nations on January 11 called on Kazakhstan's authorities to halt their "unrestrained use of force, including lethal force, against protesters."

Toqaev also recommended that CSTO Secretary-General Stanislau Zas appoint an envoy for peacekeeping operations.

With reporting by TASS and KazTAG
Dragan says he makes up to 2,000 euros ($2,270) a month mining cryptocurrency in a mostly Serb enclave in the north of Kosovo, about five times the average monthly income in one of Europe's poorest countries.

Making it all the sweeter is the fact Dragan pays nothing for electricity, used in abundance in such energy-demanding operations involving complex computer calculations to verify transactions.

But now Dragan, who didn't want to use his real name, tells RFE/RL's Balkan Service that he is putting a halt to his cryptocurrency mining activities.

His decision came after authorities in Kosovo announced on January 4 a blanket ban on cryptocurrency mining amid an energy crisis in the Southeastern European country of some 1.8 million people. Kosovar police have carried out raids in recent days, confiscating hundreds of high-tech devices used in cryptocurrency mining.

Economy Minister Artane Rizvanolli described the action as an "emergency measure" due to the crisis, although experts have questioned whether the government has such a right as Kosovo has no law regulating cryptocurrency mining.

In December 2021, Kosovo announced a 60-day state of emergency to deal with the energy crunch exacerbated by a shutdown at one of the country's two coal-fired power plants, forcing Pristina to import power.

Energy prices have soared across Europe amid a spike in demand for natural gas as economies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and fresh tensions with Russia, which supplies one third of Europe's gas.

Moscow has rejected European accusations that it has reduced gas deliveries amid reports it has massed tens of thousands of troops and military hardware on the border with Ukraine, sparking fears of a fresh invasion there.

Free Electricity

Until recently, Kosovo boasted some of Europe's cheapest electricity rates, making cryptocurrency mining especially attractive.

It has boomed in northern Kosovo, home to much of the country's ethnic Serb population who refuse not only to recognize Kosovo's independence but have not paid for power in decades, making the mining even cheaper.

"We don't pay for electricity here, so why not produce [cryptocurrency]," Dragan stated bluntly.

Dragan says he has been mining cryptocurrency for four years, using his balcony at his apartment in North Mitrovica to store his equipment.

Mining cryptocurrencies like bitcoin involves connecting computers -- usually specialized "mining machines" -- to the currency network on the Internet.

The electricity used in mining for cryptocurrencies is enormous. bitcoin uses more electricity annually than the whole of Argentina, an analysis in 2021 by Cambridge University suggested.

"You invest 3,000-4,000 euros and you can easily make about 300 euros ($340) a month," Dragan explains.

People in northern Kosovo have not paid for electricity since 1999, when NATO launched a bombing campaign to halt Belgrade's crackdown on Kosovo's mainly ethnic Albanian community.

In 2008, after years of fruitless negotiations with Belgrade, Pristina unilaterally declared its independence, a move now recognized by more than 110 countries, but not by Serbia, ally Russia, and, among others, a few EU states facing separatist claims of their own.

Amid the standoff between Belgrade and Pristina, people living in four municipalities in northern Kosovo -- North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Zvecan, and Leposavic -- do not pay for electricity, and Pristina estimates the yearly bill at some 12 million euros. The unpaid electricity has been a major stumbling block in EU-led efforts to mediate a reconciliation between Belgrade and Pristina.

Police Raids

As of January 12, police in Kosovo announced the seizure of nearly 430 bitcoin mining devices.

On January 6, police said they had confiscated mining machines "suspected to be used for the production of cryptocurrencies" in a raid in the city of South Mitrovica.

On January 8, authorities in Kosovo reported that they had aided the country's customs agency in seizing another 272 Antminer bitcoin mining machines in the municipality of Leposavic. One person was arrested during that raid, police said.

The confiscated equipment uses as much electricity as 500 homes a month or between 60,000 and 120,000 euros,, said Finance Minister Hekuran Murati. "We cannot allow the illegal enrichment of some, at the expense of taxpayers."

That same day, police also reported in a press release that they had also seized a further 39 bitcoin mining machines north of Pristina.

Economy Minister Rizvanolli praised the seizures in a post on Twitter, saying they would save taxpayers "tens of thousands of euros a month."

Despite the raids, some cryptocurrency miners said such police actions would likely be a blunt instrument. A day after the ban was announced but before the first raids, RFE/RL's Balkan Service said cryptocurrency mining devices were still being sold new on the Internet, including 100 Antminer machines.

"They [cryptocurrency computers and equipment] are just like all other household appliances, like refrigerators, televisions, electric stoves; they all use electricity. It's impossible to single them out," Ardian Alaj, co-owner of a cryptocurrency exchange company in Pristina, tells RFE/RL. And any seizures of equipment bought legally could be fraught with legal challenges, Alaj says.

"It is still unclear what will happen to all those people and companies who have bought these devices and who have imported them in a regular procedure, and have paid about 29.5 percent customs duties and VAT," Alaj said.

Granit Kadolli, who says he has been mining cryptocurrency in Kosovo for years, tells RFE/RL the government ban could hit many Kosovars hard in the pocket as many have bought equipment -- some of which can run as high as 7,000 euros -- on credit.

"People have taken out loans to buy this equipment," Kadolli said.

Others have questioned whether Pristina had the law on its side to institute such a ban.

"There is not enough of a legal basis for the ban of cryptocurrency mining, considering that no special law regulates this issue," Arber Jashari, a Kosovo-based legal expert, told Balkan Insight on January 7.

Kosovo lawmakers drafted a cryptocurrency bill in October 2021. Though the parliament was expected to adopt it by the end of 2021, the legislation is still pending.

Global Crackdown

Kosovo is not alone in going after cryptocurrency miners.

China has also waged a crackdown on bitcoin mining over the past year, culminating in a full ban in September.

Pristina's action came just days after Tehran placed a temporary ban on all cryptocurrency mining in a bid to avoid electricity blackouts, BNN Bloomberg reported.

Cryptocurrencies have also been criticized due to their negative environmental impact, with the aforementioned University of Cambridge study finding that only 39 percent of the electricity powering the bitcoin mining process comes from renewable sources, with a hefty 61 percent coming from power stations fueled by natural gas, oil, and coal.

Back in northern Kosovo, Dragan waits in trepidation, wondering whether he will be ensnarled in the crypto crackdown.

"It wouldn't be too great if [the police] came, he said. These devices all are worth about 20,000-30,000 euros."

Written by Senior Correspondent Tony Wesolowsky with reporting by Balkan Service correspondents Taulant Qenaj and Maja Ficovic
analysis

Three reasons that African governments must do more, better and faster, to ensure people have access to financial services.

Tchala Dahana is a 41-year-old mother of three living in northern Togo. Her main source of income comes from selling tomatoes at her local market.

She embodies the informal economy, prevalent across most of Africa. While she can make ends meet, Dahana has little left to put towards her children's education, to make needed improvements to the family home, or to travel around the country. She does not have a bank account, nor can she access basic financial services. This means she cannot take out loans, set up a business, or even store her money safely. Despite her hard work, Dahana's prospects are constrained. Not having access to financial services makes it impossible to find a way out of poverty.

Awareness of this problem is not new. Since the early-2000s, the goal of increasing financial inclusion - put simply, access to useful and affordable products and services that meet needs around transactions, payments, savings, credit, and insurance - has been a UN priority. Yet in 2018, 1.7 billion adults worldwide remained unbanked, including an estimated 400 million in Africa. The situation is particularly acute for women and rural communities.

There are many reasons behind people's financial exclusion such as the lack of easy access to a local bank branch, a lack of trust, and the excessive cost of financial services. Underpinning this, however, is the notion that excluded individuals do not have enough disposable income to require these services in the first place. This belief is particularly challenging to solve.

Over the past few years, it has been encouraging to see many governments move from being aware of the problem to actively working to solve it. Ten years ago, the level of financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa was just over 23%. By 2018, this number had almost doubled. In Togo, I lead a dedicated ministry to coordinate and deliver our financial inclusion strategy with partner banks. Ensuring the population has access to basic financial services is key to boosting our economy. And, as highlighted in the Central Bank of West Africa's latest report, we now have among the highest rates of financial inclusion in the region at close to 82%. A significant portion of this increase came from the rise in digital financial services.

While progress is being made, however, it is not enough. We need to do more, better, and faster. I see three major reasons why financial inclusion should be Africa's top priority in 2022:

1) To empower the most vulnerable, especially women

Women are disproportionately affected by financial exclusion. Including them requires targeted measures and reaps great rewards for society.

Dahana is living proof that financial inclusion can change lives. In 2017, she heard from a friend about the government-backed microloan scheme for which she was eligible. She applied and received 30,000CFA (around $52). She used that money to buy onions wholesale and then resold them in the market. Once she paid her initial loan back, she took out three more microloans from the National Fund for Financial Inclusion, enabling her to diversify her business. Within months, she was selling onions, fish, and spices, in addition to the tomatoes, she started with. With her business flourishing, she became eligible for larger loans. She took out 5 million CFA (around $8,600) and became a wholesale retailer.

Dahana's story shows just how much hinges on these first steps and how far small-scale support can go. Once the virtuous cycle of financial inclusion starts, there is no stopping it. We know these mechanisms work, and they must be replicated.

2) To help tackle criminal networks

The shift from a cash-only economy to a digital financial infrastructure improves authorities' ability to track transactions and neutralise illegal contraband and networks of traffickers, most of whom exploit the cash-based economy. That said, the digitalisation of our financial system brings about other risks and new types of crime. These include cyber scams and mobile money fraud which require governments to cooperate to tackle effectively, in particular by sharing information with international colleagues through INTERPOL and AFRIPOL.

3) To connect the private and public sectors for sustainable growth

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Global financial players have a role in helping improve our financial inclusion rate. But there is already, first and foremost, huge potential to unlock from within. We should be bold and ambitious in supporting African fintech entrepreneurs whose start-ups can be transformative for the economy and society, especially if they are given the right channels to collaborate with telecom giants and large banks.

Financial inclusion is a key enabler of Africa's development, which is why Togo is moving ahead with several initiatives that will enhance the rate of inclusion nationally: a wide microloans program, digital banking, entrepreneurship incentives, financial education. We want to lead by example.

The pandemic has revealed financial inclusion as a crucial bedrock in building resilience within African economies to improve livelihoods in the long term. If we are to learn these lessons from the pandemic, financial inclusion must underpin all development policies in Africa going forward. It should remain at the forefront of our agenda.

Mazamesso Assih is Togo's Minister of Financial Inclusion and the Informal Sector.
NATO had a "serious and direct exchange" with Russian officials on the Ukraine crisis and the alliance is ready to meet Kremlin envoys again to discuss European security, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said.

Speaking on January 12 after meeting in Brussels with a delegation from Russia as part of the NATO-Russia Council, Stoltenberg said the alliance would not agree to Moscows demands for a new security architecture in Europe but wanted to continue diplomacy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a series of demands for security guarantees in Europe, including NATO not accepting new members like Ukraine and Georgia and limits on allied deployments in Eastern European NATO members.

Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine has a right to decide its future security arrangements and that Russia had no right to veto NATO admitting new members.

Stoltenberg said NATO voiced "serious concern" over Moscow's buildup of nearly 100,000 troops near Russias border with Ukraine and in occupied Crimean Peninsula in what Western capitals fear could be a prelude to an invasion.

"There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on this issue," he told reporters after the four-hour meeting with Russian officials.

"Our differences will not be easy to bridge, but it is a positive sign that all NATO allies and Russia sat down around the same table and engaged on substantive topics."

Stoltenberg said the allies had agreed to hold a series of meetings with Moscow on a variety of strategic issues.

"Russia was not in a position to agree on that proposal. They didn't reject it either, but the Russian representatives made it clear that they needed some time to come back to NATO with an answer," he said.

The Russian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko and Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin.

At a lengthy news conference after the meeting, Grushko said that that NATOs expansion poses a threat to Russias security, but that Moscow was willing to talk about weapons deployment and verification measures.

Its absolutely imperative to end the policy of open doors and offer Russia legally binding guarantees precluding further NATOs expansion eastward, Grushko said. The freedom to choose ways of ensuring ones security mustnt be implemented in a way that infringes the legitimate security interests of others.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia, while not issuing ultimatums, remains concerned about the Western alliance's possible enlargement.

"Of course, Russia is concerned over any NATO expansion. NATO is not an instrument of development, it is an instrument of confrontation," Peskov told journalists in Moscow.

The NATO-Russia Council meeting was the first under that framework in more than two years. It was the second round of high-stakes diplomacy this week following an initial meeting between senior U.S. and Russian officials in Geneva on January 10.

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, the top American negotiator at the Geneva talks, also took part in the meeting in the Belgian capital.

She called on Russia to stay at the negotiating table to discuss Ukraine and other issues, including arms control.

"If Russia walks away... it will be quite apparent they were never serious about pursuing diplomacy and that is why collectively we are preparing for every eventuality," Sherman told reporters in Brussels.

"The heavy pace of bilateral and multilateral engagements this week demonstrates that the United States and our allies and partners are not dragging our feet. It is Russia that has to make a stark choice: de-escalation and diplomacy or confrontation and consequences, she said.

The NATO-Russia Council was set up two decades ago, but full meetings were suspended after Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014. The council has met only sporadically since, the last time in July 2019.

Western officials and analysts say Russias buildup is an attempt to pressure the United States and European allies to make concessions.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa
The father of Ivan Zhdanov, a close associate of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, has been placed in a detention center for allegedly violating restrictions imposed on him after he was handed a suspended prison sentence last month in a corruption case that critics say is politically motivated.

A court in the Arctic city of Naryan-Mar on January 11 ruled that Yury Zhdanov should be arrested for illegally leaving the city for the Nizhny Novgorod region in December without court permission.

Zhdanov's lawyer, Vladimir Voronin, wrote on Instagram on January 12 that his client was currently in a detention center in the Nizhny Novgorod region, adding that the 67-year-old Zhdanov was not aware he was barred from leaving Naryan-Mar, as prosecutor's have appealed his sentence and the court is still considering the motion.

A court in Naryan-Mar handed Zhdanov a three-year suspended prison term on December 19 on charges of fraud and forgery over an alleged recommendation he made to the town's administration to provide a local woman with a subsidized apartment, though it later turned out that the woman's family had previously received housing allocations.

Zhdanov has rejected the charges.

The apartment was later returned to municipal ownership in accordance with a court decision and no one among those who made the decision was held responsible.

Prosecutors appealed the sentence, calling it "mild," and demanding Zhdanov be sentenced to three years in prison.

Ivan Zhdanov, the former chief of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), has accused the presidential administration of trying to pressure him by arresting his father.

The FBK was known for publishing investigative reports on corruption among top Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin.

Last year, FBK and other groups associated with Navalny were labeled as extremist and banned in Russia.

With reporting by TASS
The evacuation of civilians from Ukraine's devastated southern port city of Mariupol has stalled as Russia resumed shelling the Azovstal steel plant where hundreds remain holed up a day after a first group left the underground bunkers.

A group of around 100 Ukrainian civilians left the Mariupol on May 2 for the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhya, some 230 kilometers away, according to the authorities and video released by the two sides.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the major developments on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive on May 2 as hoped. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were under way among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on more evacuations.

If successful, the evacuation would mark rare progress in easing the plight of the Mariupol civilians. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the besieged Sea of Azov port and other places have broken down.

Mariupol's strategic location near the Crimea Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has made it a target for Russian bombardments that have turned the city, which had a prewar population of some 400,000, into ruins.

A maternity hospital was hit in a Russian air strike in the first days of the invasion, and hundreds of people were reportedly killed in the bombing of a theater.

As many as 100,000 people may still be in Mariupol, including an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the sprawling Azovstal complex, the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

Thousands are believed to have been killed and those still holed up in the besieged Azovstal complex were running out of water, food, and medicine.

"The situation has become a sign of a real humanitarian catastrophe," Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion on February 24, its troops have failed to completely take over any major Ukrainian city.

On the battle front, a British intelligence estimate said on May 2 that Russia's elite forces have suffered such large casualties that it will take years to replenish them. It said more than 25 percent of Russia's invading force has been disabled since the start of the conflict.

In its daily bulletin, Britain's Defense Ministry said that at the start of the invasion on February 24, Russia had committed more than 120 battalions representing some 65 percent of its entire ground-combat capabilities.

"It is likely that more than a quarter of these units have now been rendered combat ineffective," it said, adding that some of its best units, including its airborne forces, have suffered the highest casualties.

"It will probably take years for Russia to reconstitute these forces," the British intelligence report said.

Ukraine, meanwhile, announced the temporary closure of its four main seaports after losing control of them to Russian forces or having them blockaded.

The Agriculture Ministry said in a statement on May 2 that the seaports of Berdyansk, Mariupol, Skadovsk, and Kherson will be closed "until Ukraine regains control over" them.

After encountering surprisingly staunch resistance in the north around the regions of Kyiv and Chernihiv, Russia withdrew its forces to redeploy them in the south and east where fighting has intensified in recent days.

Ukraine's east and south are seen as key strategic goals for Russia, allowing it a land link to Crimea, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014.

Moscow raised fears those goals may stretch further, to Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester, which is backed by Russia and borders Ukraine to the southwest along the Dniester River. Moldova also borders NATO-member Romania.

Early on May 2, authorities said a Russian rocket strike hit a main bridge across the Dniester estuary just west of the port city of Odesa.

European Union ministers met in Brussels to discuss a response to Russia cutting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria and plans for a possible oil embargo to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine.

But the ministers also discussed a potential embargo of Russian oil while acknowledging the economic impact of such a move. EU diplomats have said that the bloc is leaning toward a ban on Russian oil by the end of the year as part of a sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz again appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his war against Ukraine.

"Stop this war, stop the senseless killing, withdraw your troops from Ukraine," he said on May 2 after meeting in Berlin with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Scholz also said that Putin will not see sanctions lifted without reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine, adding that the aim must be that Russia's readiness to use violence does not succeed.

Modi said dialogue was the only way to a reach a solution.

"We believe that there will be no winner in this war, everyone will lose. We are in favor of peace," said Modi, who did not take questions after reading from prepared statements.

Modi, whose government procures most of its military hardware from Russia, has called for a cease-fire but resisted Western calls to condemn the Kremlin's actions.

U.S. First Lady Jill Biden will visit Romania and Slovakia on May 5-9 to meet U.S. service members and embassy personnel, Ukrainian refugees, humanitarian aid workers, and teachers, her office said on May 2.

NATO and EU members Romania and Slovakia have taken in hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.

The UN's refugee agency reported on May 2 that more than 5.5 million people had fled Ukraine since the war began on February 24.

On the diplomatic front, Israel on May 2 summoned Russia's ambassador and demanded an apology from Moscow after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that Adolf Hitler had Jewish roots.

Lavrov was asked during an interview with an Italian television channel on May 1 how Russia could claim that it needed to "de-Nazify" Ukraine when the country's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was Jewish.

"When they say, 'What sort of Nazification is this if we are Jews,' well, I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it does not mean anything," Lavrov told Italy's Rete 4, speaking through an Italian interpreter.

Israeli Foreign Ministry Yair Lapid said the Russian ambassador would be summoned for "a tough talk" over the comments, which he called "unforgivable and scandalous and a horrible historical error.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, BBC, and dpa
Turkmenistan has increased its control over the lives of its people after the recent unrest in Kazakhstan, deploying police in residential areas and randomly checking peoples phones.

An unannounced nighttime curfew was imposed this week in Mary, the capital of the province of the same name, local residents say.

Curfew begins at 9 p.m. and police vehicles patrol the streets all night, one Mary resident said.

Security measures were stepped up across the entire region, as police sources say the move is linked to the authorities fear after seeing the anti-government protests in Kazakhstan.

Police vehicles approach people standing and chatting in the streets, and the officers demand that they disperse, several Mary residents told RFE/RL.

They said police try to justify it as enforcing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, although the authorities have insisted the coronavirus has not infected a single person in Turkmenistan, despite reports from health-care personnel that many have been infected with the virus and also died during the pandemic.

Officers also randomly stop young people and seize their mobile phones to check their messages and contact lists, the residents say. People spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing retaliation in the tightly controlled state that doesnt tolerate any criticism.

Law-enforcement officers have made unannounced visits in recent days to the homes of people who have relatives studying or working in foreign countries. The officials warned them that their relatives abroad should not spread any messages or statements against the Turkmen government.

Even government officials have come under scrutiny in the latest crackdown.

According to one source in Mary, the employees of government agencies have been warned that they would be immediately fired if their children or relatives make any anti-government statement online.

Sources at law enforcement agencies told RFE/RL that the latest measures are directly related to the unrest in Kazakhstan. The violence in Kazakhstan began with protests over a fuel price hike in the Manghystau Province, which borders Turkmenistan.

After the events in Kazakhstan, Turkmen authorities are worried that similar riots might take place in our country, too, one officer told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity.

Anti-government protests are extremely rare in Turkmenistan, where the government brutally clamps down on activists and critics.

Freedom of speech is nonexistent in the country, though in recent years Turkmen activists abroad have become increasingly vocal, using online platforms to spread their message.

Despite Turkmenistans abundant natural gas resources, the majority of the population lives in poverty. The country is plagued by unemployment, food shortages, and price hikes, adding to other grievances such as widespread corruption, unemployment, and a lack of civil liberties.

In another sign of the governments zero tolerance of criticism, police in the capital, Ashgabat, are cracking down on residents who complained about the governments decision to cancel subsidized prices for some food products.

Since early January, police officers have visited the homes of those who signed a petition last month about a shortage of subsidized food in some government stores in Ashgabat. The majority of those who signed the letter are pensioners.

Officers took several of them to police stations for interrogation and threatened them with criminal charges, sources told RFE/RL. Many Turkmen depend on subsidized staple foods to survive.

Written by Farangis Najibullah with reports by RFE/RL Turkmen Service correspondents.
The United States has sanctioned six North Koreans, one Russian, and a Russian company for procuring goods from Russia and China for North Korea's weapons programs.

The new U.S. sanctions on January 12 come after a series of North Korean missile launches, including two in the past week.

Todays actions, part of the United States ongoing efforts to counter the DPRKs (North Korea) weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, target its continued use of overseas representatives to illegally procure goods for weapons, said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.

The sanctions target North Korean national, Choe Myong Hyon, a Vladivostok-based representative of North Koreas Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS), for procuring telecommunications-related equipment from Russia.

In a related action, the State Department sanctioned North Korean national O Yong Ho, Russian national Roman Anatolyevich Alar, and Russian entity Parsek for contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery.

Four Chinese-based North Korean representatives of SANS-subordinate organizations -- Sim Kwang Sok, Kim Song Hun, Kang Chol Hak and Pyon Kwang Chol -- and one other North Korean, O Yong Ho, were also targeted.

The sanctions freeze any U.S.-related assets of those targeted and prohibit all dealings with them.

The latest sanctions come after North Korea conducted another suspected ballistic missile launch on January 11 on the same day six countries in the UN Security Council, including the United States and Japan, urged North Korea "to refrain from further destabilizing actions... and engage in meaningful dialogue towards our shared goal of complete denuclearization."

In 2021, North Korea said it had successfully tested a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile, a long-range cruise missile, a train-launched weapon, and what it described as a hypersonic warhead.

The continued saber-rattling comes while the nuclear negotiations of Washington and Pyongyang have stalled following the collapse of talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019.

UN Security Council resolutions ban North Korean ballistic missile and nuclear tests and impose sanctions.

With reporting by Reuters
Following the relative peace being achieved in Yobe State, Governor Mai Mala Buni yesterday lifted the 10 years ban on the use of motorcycles in Yobe North and South of the state.

The governor announced this during a sympathy visit to the palace of Emir of Nguru over the recent fire that razed the market in the area.

Governor Buni lifted the suspension and restored the use of motorcycles in 10 local government areas. The local government areas are Gashua, Jakusko, Machina, Yusufari, Nguru, Karasuwa, Potiskum, Fune, Nangere and Fika.

Buni commended the residents for their resilience and patience during the 10 years suspension of motorcycles in the state, which came into effect at the height of Boko Haram insurgency.

He said his administration was satisfied with the current security situation in the state, adding that security forces were still flushing out and arresting remnants of Boko Haram members and their collaborators.

According to the governor, the lifting of the ban is meant to ease the hardship of citizens, facilitate easy transportation and cost-effective movement as well as enhance farming activities in the state.

He said the decision was due to encouraging reports of successes achieved in the state from the stringent measures.

"I want to announce today that we have taken a decision to lift the ban on use of motorcycles in two zones in the state," he said.

He said that the residents are now free to ride motorcycles for their day-to-day affairs. This was part of his election campaign promises in the area if elected governor.
Richmond, KY (40475)

Today

Becoming windy with scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Members of the Ridgecrest Chamber Board, Ambassadors and friends from the RACVB welcomed officers, from left, Staff Sergeant Moret, Sergeant First Class Rubio and Sergeant Ruiz to the Chamber.
Written By

Joe Schulz served as the reporter of the Green Laker in 2019 and 2020, before being hired as a reporter for the Commonwealth in October 2020. He is from Oshkosh and graduated from UW-Oshkosh in December 2020 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

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Award-winning author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija is currently being detained while facing two counts of "offensive communication" after making unflattering remarks about President Yoweri Museveni and his son on Twitter.

Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who won a prestigious prize for "courageous writing" last year, was charged with two "offensive communication" counts on Tuesday.

The long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni briefly appeared at the Buganda Road Court in Kampala, over tweets that were critical of Museveni and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Prosecutors said Rukirabashaija "willfully and repeatedly" used his Twitter handle to "disturb the peace" of Museveni with "no purpose of legitimate communication."

The tweets that got Rukirabashaija into trouble

Rukirabashaija, who won the PEN Pinter Prize in 2021 for an international writer of courage, described Museveni as an "election thief" on Twitter and said Kainerugaba was "overweight" and "intellectually bankrupt."

In early January, a court ordered his release, but security officials ignored the judgment.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, urged the Ugandan authorities to uphold law and due process.

The US Embassy in Uganda has also called for Rukirabashaija's release, saying that civil society, human rights defenders and journalists play "critical roles in a democratic society," and should be able to work "free from harassment."

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Rukirabashaija's attorneys kept in the dark

The author has been in detention at a maximum security prison since December 28, and if found guilty, he faces up to a year in jail for each charge.

Rukirabashaija lawyer, Eron Kiiza, told The Associated Press that his client had been "secretly remanded" after being charged without notice to defense attorneys. "It's unfair and irregular," Kiiza said.

Rukirabashaija's next appearance in court is scheduled for January 21.

Last week, Kiiza, told Reuters news agency that Rukirabashaija was being tortured.

"He appeared vomiting, he was urinating blood, there were torture marks on his legs and feet ... he was in deep pain," Kiiza said.

(AP, AFP, Reuters)
Roanoke Rapids, NC (27870)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Pandemic 2020

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Rutland, VT (05701)

Today

Mostly cloudy. High 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain. Low 48F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
The Parliament building in South Africa was partially destroyed by fire on January 2, 2022

Prosecutors have added terrorism to the five charges a man who allegedly set fire to South Africa's parliament was already facing. The 49-year-old was also diagnosed with "paranoid schizophrenia."

Prosecutors in South Africa charged the man accused of starting the fire that gutted parts of South Africa's parliament building with terrorism on Tuesday.

Zandile M. was already facing five charges, including arson, theft and housebreaking, when the terrorism charge was added during his bail application in the Cape Town Magistrates Court.

The "accused is guilty of the offense of contravening the provisions of [...] the protection of constitutional democracy against terrorist and related activities," according to a court document seen by the AFP news agency.

The 49-year-old was arrested on parliamentary grounds after the fire broke out last Sunday. The additional charge of terrorism was added because he had also been caught with an explosive device, the prosecution said.

A prominent South African lawyer enters the fray

After his arrest, the suspect underwent psychiatric evaluation and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, defense lawyer Dali Mpofu told the court.

Mpofu is one of South Africa's most famous lawyers, and has defended some high-profile figures, including former president Jacob Zuma.

He is also the former national chairperson of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party.

Mpofu told the court his client would go on a hunger strike until he was granted bail.

"He is not prepared to trade his liberty for food," Mpofu said.

Protesters outside the court building demanded the suspect's release, saying he was a scapegoat.

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The case was postponed to February 11.

Lawmakers to meet in alternative venue

President Cyril Ramaphosa's annual State of the Nation Address, which also signals the opening of parliament, will now take place in Cape Town's City Hall in February.

Former President Nelson Mandela made his first public address, after his release from prison in 1990, from the city hall's balcony.

"The extensive damage has necessitated the institution to find an alternative venue off-site to host this important event in the parliamentary calendar and the country," parliament said in a statement.

It took scores of firefighters more than two days to extinguish the blaze, which gutted the national assembly chamber where parliamentary debates are held.

A preliminary report by the city of Cape Town last week said the fire detection system appeared "faulty," and that "sprinklers did not activate."

No casualties were reported in the fire.

Editor's note: DW follows the German press code, which stresses the importance of protecting the privacy of suspected criminals or victims and obliges us to refrain from revealing full names in such cases.

(AFP, Reuters)
Danvers, MA (01923)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning light rain. High near 55F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
A skeptics first psychic reading (and more) at Four Moons Spa in Encinitas
Sanford, NC (27330)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
PITTSBORO  A man who eluded Chatham County authorities in connection with a 2020 murder in Bear Creek was arrested earlier this week in New Jersey.

Shyquaule Javon Fisher, 25, was arrested by police in Elizabeth and returned to Chatham County.

Elizabeth is off Interstate 95 and linked to Staten Island, New York, by Goethals Bridge.

Fisher is charged with first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to sell/deliver and possession with intent to sell/deliver a controlled substance, according to Chatham County Sheriffs Office news release.

He is one of three men accused in the May 2020 death of Emerson Batsche, 20, who was found inside his residence on Artis Cotton Road dead from a gunshot to the chest, the release said.

Two co-defendants, Kenneth Bass Jr., 18, of Chapel Hill, and Tyree Jermaine Allsbrook, 19, of Apex, were arrested shortly after the incident.

Fisher, who is alleged to have fired the shot that killed Batsche, fled the state immediately after the shooting, according to the release.

The Sheriffs Office sought assistance from the U.S. Marshal Service in locating Fisher who eventually was found.

Fisher is being held without bail.

Bass is charged with first-degree murder, aiding and abetting armed robbery and obstruction of justice, the release said.

Allsbrook is charged with first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, and conspiracy to sell and deliver and attempt to sell and deliver a controlled substance.

We are especially grateful for the teamwork and coordinated efforts that helped bring the third and final suspect, Shyquaule Fisher, into custody, said Lt. Sara Pack of the Sheriffs Office. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the murder victim, Emerson Batsche. We recognize that no arrest will bring back the life that was lost, but we hope that this news will bring them one step closer to healing and closure as this case progresses.

Sheriff Mike Roberson praised the dedication and cooperation of multiple law enforcement agencies who helped locate Fisher.

We owe a special thanks to the Orange County Sheriffs Office, Elizabeth Police Department of New Jersey, U.S. Marshals Service, North Carolina Public Safety Extradition Team, and members of other organizations and the public who served as eyes and ears to help locate these men, Roberson said in the release.
Angered by ECOWAS's financial and economic sanctions, Mali's junta has now called on citizens to protest against the punitive measures. Analysts say the junta still enjoys considerable support among the population.

Mali's ruling military junta has been left frustrated by the recent punitive economic and financial sanctions imposed on the country by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

At a meeting in Ghana's capital Accra on Sunday, the bloc announced the closure of land and air borders with Mali, suspension of financial assistance, economic transactions, and withdrawal of all ECOWAS ambassadors from Mali, among others.

Mali's coup leaders have reacted angrily to the latest ECOWAS sanctions calling them stringent, inhumane, and unnecessary.

The junta's spokesman Colonel Major Abdoulaye Maiga said Mali denounces the measures.

"The Government of Mali deplores the inhumane nature of these measures, which are affecting populations already severely affected by the security and health crisis linked to Covid-19. The government of Mali calls for calm and restraint," Maiga said on national television.

In August 2020, Colonel Assimi Goita ousted Mali's elected civilian leader Ibrahim Boubacar Keita following street protests. Many Malians were unhappy about the worsening security situation and economic hardship.

After briefly handing over to a civilian-led transitional team, Goita staged another coup, offering to restore civilian rule by February 2022. Instead, he has since asked for more time to return the country to constitutional order.

Pitting Malians against ECOWAS

The military leaders are urging citizens to demonstrate on Friday. On Monday, supporters of the military regime organized a large rally at Independence Square to denounce the sanctions imposed on Mali.

Ousmane, a reseller of mobile phone accessories in the capital Bamako told DW that he was confident despite the sanctions.

"I have no fear of ECOWAS sanctions. I don't see why we should worry about it if our goods can go through Algeria or Mauritania. So, there is more fear than harm. I believe that this is the time or never for Mali to leave ECOWAS permanently," Ousmane said.

Another trader, Boubacar, supports the military regime's pushback, insisting Mali will survive amid the sanctions.

"We must be proud first of all to be Malian. That's the first thing. We have everything here as food, rice, among others. I'm not sure the prices are soaring in the market because we have factories here," Boubacar told DW.

But not everyone supports retaliation. Instead, some Malians want more negotiations to reach an amicable solution to the country's political crisis.

Souleymane, a resident in Bamako, told DW that the tug-of-war between Mali and its neighboring countries does not suit anyone.

"I'm petrified. It is a loss for the state first. Because if the state goes bankrupt, it has to subsidize many things, the different products, and they become more and more expensive. That's my concern," Souleymane said.

Tussle over the transition timeline

The military rulers offered a timeline of four to five years for the transition citing security concerns, but ECOWAS leaders said that was unacceptable. They refused to compromise on the timetable of elections scheduled for next month.

ECOWAS has maintained that the junta-backed government must hold elections as soon as possible to return the country to civilian rule.

President of ECOWAS Jean Claude Kassi Brou expressed his distaste for the posture taken by the soldiers.

"The authority simply finds the proposed chronogram for a transition totally unacceptable. This chronogram simply means that, an illegitimate military transition government will take the Malian people hostage during the next five years," Brou told journalists in Accra.

But Grit Lenz, coordinator of the civil-society network Focus Sahel, which works on peace and development policy issues in the Sahel, told DW that generally, Malians support a longer transition period.

"There is a strong mood against external influence on Mali, on the Malian transformation process," Lenz said, adding that many Malians disagree with the fact that Mali is being led by external pressure to organize elections very quickly.

'No rush to hold elections'

Holding elections quickly to return Mali to a democratic rule is the priority of ECOWAS, but Lenz said there is no need to rush the process.

"History has also taught us that this often does not help. That these hastily held elections are by no means a guarantee for democratically legitimized governments that do better than the government that was in power before the coup," Lenz said.

Ghanaian security analyst Adib Saani agrees with Lenz. Saani faults ECOWAS for failing to negotiate well with the Malian Military leadership on the way forward. "I am wondering how ECOWAS expects Mali to be able to conduct a free, fair election under such circumstances," Saani told DW.

"I think that ECOWAS could have resulted to more diplomacy and giving the Malian regime more time to be able to put its house in order so we can have a progressive election held."

However, for Lenz, "these sanctions tend to strengthen the Malian military government. And it is indeed the case that there are considerations in Mali. There are voices that are in favor of leaving ECOWAS completely," Lenz warned.

Will the sanctions work?

Analysts say the latest move by ECOWAS would affect ordinary citizens but could further jeopardize the state of Mali, which is already struggling with its economy and security.

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"Yes, the ECOWAS sanctions will, of course, affect the population," Lenz said but was quick to add that Mali could explore other alternatives.

When ECOWAS first imposed stringent sanctions on Mali after the first coup last year, the military regime turned to countries like Mauritania and Algeria for trade.

"There are certainly neighboring countries that are not [ECOWAS] members with already economic relations and which have also taken over the role very quickly in the past sanctions after the first coup," Lenz said.

He believes contacts with the non-ECOWAS neighboring countries will do Mali a lot of good for the moment, buying it enough time to hold its stance.

According to Lenz, countries like China and Russia have been anti-Western and could further explore opportunities presented by these sanctions.

For him, Mali is already re-orienting "towards Russia, China, and Turkey in the area of security policy. There are also new partnerships in this area. So the Malian government military government is by no means dependent on ECOWAS."

The nation of 19 million people continues to battle security threats posed by Islamist extremists operating in the Sahel region. Moreover, the recent withdrawal of French troops from parts of the country has exposed its vulnerability further.

Edited by: Chrispin Mwakideu
analysis

The UN climate summit COP26, held in November 2021, focused the world's attention on the urgent need to tackle climate change and concluded with 197 countries agreeing to the Glasgow climate pact. But opinions on the summit's success are polarised.

We owe a profound gratitude to the developing nations - including those from Africa - who agreed to the pact. In doing so, they chose not to insist that richer developed nations, whose historical and ongoing greenhouse gas emissions have largely caused the climate crisis, pay reparations to them for the damage they've inflicted.

African nations continue to hold the unenviable position of being disproportionately vulnerable to climate change. Although the continent accounts for the smallest share of global greenhouse gas emissions - only 3.8% - it's already heating faster than the rest of the world.

And if the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 above pre-industrial levels is missed, Africa could be facing catastrophic temperature increases of up to 3 by 2050.

At the same time, the threat to GDP of African nations that are most vulnerable to these changes - meaning the amount of economic activity that stands to be lost if these changes are severe enough - is projected to increase from 660 billion in 2018 to over 1 trillion in 2023. That's almost half of the continent's projected GDP.

Given these estimates, Africa's climate resilience must exceed the global norm. And some steps are being taken to protect the continent against the worst climate consequences through investments from national governments and the private sector. Organisations such as the African Development Bank and the UN Environment Programme are also leading climate change adaptation measures, like working to protect mangroves on over 200 million hectares of land.

However, the estimated yearly cost of this kind of climate adaptation for developing nations is around 52 billion - and is expected to rise to between 100-220 billion by 2030. While developed nations agreed in the Glasgow pact to double climate change contributions to their developing counterparts by about 29 billion by 2025, this amount is just a fraction of what's needed.

Next steps

One way to close this gap could be to leverage the Paris climate agreement, specifically, a subsection of article six that allows countries with high emissions, such as the US and UK, to offset them through investing in sustainable initiatives like reforestation in low-emitting countries: including those in Africa. Such partnerships could act as a catalyst for the growth of low carbon energy projects such as solar, geothermal and wind power.

Another option could be to redirect local government money towards sustainable schemes. The total amount provided by African national governments in fossil fuel subsidies rose to 55 billion in 2015 alone, causing calls for "phasing down" these subsidies to be enshrined in the Glasgow climate pact.

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Since subsidy money was flowing into an industry employing less than 1% of Africa's workforce, it could instead be invested back into African economies, creating inclusive, environmentally friendly job opportunities. For example, it might be used to fund startups like Gjenge Makers: a Kenyan business making paving blocks and tiles out of recycled plastic.

Despite contributing the least to the changing climate, many African nations are also taking strides to transition to renewable energy. The world's largest concentrated solar power (CSP) facility in Morocco, Noor Power Plant, converts the Sun's energy to electricity for around two million households.

Unlike more widely used photovoltaic panels, CSP enables solar energy to be stored for nights and cloudy days. The facility generates more than a third of Morocco's power while reducing carbon emissions by around 690,000 tonnes per year.

Projects like these don't just create more jobs, they also make more money. Up to 236 billion of new business opportunities that aim to climate-proof food and land systems - including preserving local forest ecosystems and restoring degraded landscapes - could be added each year to Africa's economies between now and 2030.

Margaret Kadiri, Lecturer in Physical Geography, King's College London
The man set his keys down on the coffee table and set about tidying the room.

It was a small room on the third floor of Manresa Castle, a hotel in the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend, and the man -- in his late 20s -- was a housekeeper there just wrapping up his day.

He finished up his work and turned back to retrieve the large key ring.

It wasn't there, at least not on the table. Instead, it was floating in mid-air about 18 inches off the wood top. As he stared at it, the ring crashed down on the table with a clatter.

The man snatched up the keys and bolted out of room 306, terrified by the experience.

That's the story, anyway, that I was told as a kid. The man was my dad, working there sometime in the late 1970s. The room is now famous among the ghost-hunting circuit as the room where a young woman, depressed after her lover never returned from the sea, decided to leap out the window to her death.

She's one of two ghosts said to haunt the hotel, the other being a Jesuit monk who hung himself in the attic above room 302. Some count the hotel among the most haunted places in Washington state.

I grew up in and around Port Townsend, and heard all the stories -- some with grains of truth and some with none at all.

But it's no surprise the city has drawn such terrific tales of horror; as many such places were in the late 19th century, the city started on tenuous terms and, in its heyday, drew no shortage of tough characters.

The city's first white settlers built a cabin near the beach in 1851, smack in the middle of what was then a prominent S'Klallam Indian trading village. And it wasn't long before a city and a bustling seaport solidified the white settlers' position in the area (a questionable treaty gave the government the land in exchange for the natives' right to keep fishing and hunting on it).

With a good harbor, the city was able to secure status as the port of entry for Puget Sound and its waterfront became the domain of all things working-class: Mercantiles, brothels, saloons and bad behavior.

While the upper classes lived in relative peace and luxury uptown -- not far but literally above the downtown -- the downtown became a place not to be caught unawares at night.

RELATED: Looking back at historical Port Townsend

Aside from the more reasonable threats of robbery and fights that could turn murderous, Port Townsend became known as a place where men regularly got "shanghaied." In short, a man out on the town might be drugged or knocked over the head after a night of drinking and find himself aboard a ship in the morning, forced into service by a master short of crew.

City leaders, banking that the railroad would terminate at the seaport, spurred a development boom that raised most of the buildings that today make up the downtown and uptown cores, as well as many of the homes.

Unfortunately for them, the railroad didn't make it (rail lines ended on the east side of Puget Sound) and then a nationwide depression hit in 1893, triggering significant fallout in the region. As the city's glory waned, things got tough for some.

Charles Eisenbeis Jr., son of the city's first mayor (Eisenbeis Sr. was a prominent businessman who had Manresa Castle built as a private home for him and his wife in 1892), shot himself in the head in 1897. He was, as the article in The Morning Leader described it at the time, "despondent."

The incident at Manresa Castle was not the only tale of haunting I heard as a child.

After the turn of the century, Port Townsend regained some momentum with the opening of Fort Worden as a military outpost.

It opened in 1902 and was active until 1953. In 1957 it became a juvenile detention center (reform school was the way I heard it growing up) and then became a state park in 1973.

But as a teenager, I heard dark tales of the undead roaming the underground walkways of the fort, usually from other teenagers when we were about to walk into those underground halls.

It was rumored that a Satan-worshiping group practiced rituals in some of the darkest reaches of the mostly underground buildings of the outpost, sometimes releasing demons into the area that would prey on anyone who passed near.

There is a military cemetery on the grounds, but as far as I know, all who rest there died of mundane natural causes.

For many years now, the city has largely kept itself alive on the backs of tourists and a paper mill. No doubt, a healthy volume of ghost stories boosts some of the tourist trade.

James Barnett, writing for the Port Townsend Leader in 2004, put the tale of the Manresa castle haunting at less than 10 years old (for the record, I heard tales of it before 1994) and cast it as only a method to boost low booking numbers.

RELATED: San Juan Islands versus Port Townsend/Coupeville, the greatest ferry runs in the Northwest

Supposedly, the stories were invented by a bartender who even made up the ghosts' backstories, according to Barnett.

The Palace Hotel downtown is another site of supernatural visitations, or so it is said to be.

The hotel was at one time a brothel, run by a Madame Claire. Her corner room, No. 4, is often reported by guests as the site of moving objects, shifting shadows and unexplained sounds, Barnett noted in his 2004 piece.

I've stayed in the Palace in recent years and didn't run across any ghostly madams roaming the halls but, then again, it is a spooky place.

For me, the stories are a fun way to connect with the city's decadent past. Maybe the places really are haunted by tricky or evil spirits.

Or maybe those spirits are just the creation of smart-minded entrepreneurs trying to make a buck.

Daniel DeMay is seattlepi.com's senior editor. He can be reached at danieldemay@seattlepi.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Daniel_DeMay.
World War I is still recognized as one of the largest, most brutal and most destructive wars in the history of humanity.

More than 70 million people were involved in the war, with a death toll of more than 16 million, accounting for 9 million who fought in the war and 7 million civilians.

The war was all the more destructive thanks, at least in part, to advances in technology that made weapons far more effective. This rendered many standard military tactics obsolete in the face of such destructive machinery.

Beginning in 1914 and ending in 1918, the war was the outcome of a complicated web of political alliances begun in the late 19th century. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria, ultimately triggered the domino effect that quickly escalated to a massive war.

Despite the escalation, the U.S. refused to enter the war until 1917, instead trying to stay out of it while attempting to broker a peace. But a German plan to ally with Mexico was revealed and President Wilson used it to raise public and Congressional support for war, with the idea being to put such a force against the Central Powers, led by Germany.

The war formally ended with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

The rise of fascism in Germany -- as the Nazi party -- and the subsequent World War, were likely fueled by the terms of surrender to the Allied Powers, which included reparations to be paid by Germany for the destruction of the rest of Europe.

The gallery above is collected from the Library of Congress' flickr page, and is primarily made up of images that were printed in the New York Times around the time of the formal end of the war in 1919.
When people can travel in jet planes, trains, or in cars on interstate highways to get to and from Seattle, there's one thing most visitors still do.

They ride a ferry.

More than 75 percent of tourists to the Seattle area ride a ferry during their visit, according to estimates from Washington State Ferries.

And the reason ferries are a major tourist attraction? Because in Seattle and across the Puget Sound region, the water is the one way people and goods have pretty much always moved.

From the Native Americans who settled here thousands of years ago, to the first white settlers, to the travelers and workers of today, boats and being on the water are a part of being here.

"It would be fair to say that maritime is a foundational industry in Seattle," says Leonard Garfield, executive director of the Museum of History and Industry.

When the Denny party first arrived at Alki Point in 1851, Arthur Denny decided rather quickly that the location scouted by his brother and John Low would not do, as it did not have immediate access to a deep-water harbor. Denny and his crew intended to build a city and to do so, one needed a port to ship goods in and out.

And so Seattle's maritime roots were cemented, er, anchored.

Once Henry Yesler arrived in 1852 and started his steam-powered sawmill, Seattle's shipping industry developed rapidly, centered first on logs and lumber, but then adding coal and other goods soon after.

But it was shipbuilding that really made Seattle's mark on the world as a maritime center, Garfield says.

"Really, the industrialization of Seattle around the late 19th century and early 20th century formed around the shipbuilding industry," he says.

Military contracts to build ships in the early 20th century made Seattle one of the largest shipbuilding hubs in the world -- if not the largest at various times.

The first steel-hulled battleship for the U.S. Navy was built in Seattle, the USS Nebraska (also the first steel ship to be built here), in 1904.

The distant-water fishing fleet (yes, crab boats from "Deadliest Catch," but it's much, much more than that) based in Seattle has always been a major part of the culture as well, and many a Seattleite once considered working on a fishing boat, or in a cannery, part and parcel of the regional life.

"One of the coming-of-age experiences for a lot of young people was to work in a cannery or fisheries in some way," Garfield says. "That was always very deeply in our roots."

Deeply in our roots indeed.

Click through the gallery above to see images of ships, docks and all things Seattle and maritime from the region's past.

Daniel DeMay covers Seattle culture, business and transportation for seattlepi.com. He can be reached at 206-448-8362 or danieldemay@seattlepi.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Daniel_DeMay.
THE Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar is continuing to improve policies and strategies to ensure sustainable utilization of marine resources in order to realize the blue economy agenda.

This is part of the continued efforts that the isles government under Dr Hussein Mwinyi is taking to improve the economy at an individual and national level. The efforts are taken under the fact that Tanzania is endowed with a long coastline in the Indian Ocean, approximately 1,424 kilometres.

Moreover, it incorporates several offshore islands, including Unguja, Pemba, and Mafia. Since he assumed the isles top office in November 2020, President Mwinyi has been putting clear strategies aimed at exploiting all the opportunities in the marine sector for it to benefit the economy of the island that is now marking its 58th revolution anniversary since 1964.

Recently, President Mwinyi invited businessmen from East Africa and beyond to put up heavy investment on the Islands that will help drive the blue economy with the aim of building new and vibrant economy. He said Zanzibar was open for heavy investment in diverse sectors of the blue economy, including deep-sea fishing, ports infrastructure, marine transport, petroleum and gas and tourism.

More so, during the official inauguration of the House of Representatives, Dr Mwinyi also pledged to build a new Zanzibar through a modern blue economy that ranges from fishing to extractive industry. Blue economy entails the fishing sector, fish farming, establishing fish processing factories, seaweed farming, oil and gas drilling and the utilization of various marine resources as well as seashore tourism.

In his speech, Dr Mwinyi noted that the blue economy cannot be attained without having modern ports, assuring that his government will put in place efforts to build the port. And in fact, he has done the same as his administration is now executing construction of a multipurpose port at Mangapwani in Unguja, Zanzibar.

President Mwinyi had also visited the project site whose completion will play a huge role in boosting the economy of the isles. He reaffirmed the government's resolve to transform Zanzibar into the East and Central Africa's commercial and tourism hub through construction of essential economic infrastructure. Under the all-inclusive Mangapwani project, the revolutionary government envisages a huge and modern port with various terminals for containerized and general cargo; fuel; fishing vessels; oil and natural gas; as well as a satellite city with all essential business facilities.

The president said the new port will reduce congestion at the current Malindi harbour, which the government intends to transform into a tourism port Earlier last year, the president witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of the Mangapwani state-of-the -art port in North Unguja at the Zanzibar State House between his government and the Oman Investment Authority (OIA).

Zanzibar's Works, Transport and Communications Permanent Secretary, Amour Hamil Bakari signed the MoU on behalf of the government, while OIA was represented by its General Manager, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Tooq. The project will involve the construction of berths for liquid bulk goods, containers, fishing vessels, natural gas offshore services as well as backup infrastructure for rehabilitation of marine vessels.

Moreover, last week, he opened a small seaport at the Mkokotoni area in North Zanzibar, saying it will boost trade in the area. This was part of a series of activities and projects that were launched ahead of the climax of commemorations of 58th anniversary of Zanzibar revolutions to be held on Wednesday in Unguja.

Dr Mwinyi also said the new facility will improve communication with neighboring regions and create jobs, mainly for youths. "I am happy that the funds amounting to 6.4bn/- used to develop this port was from the Zanzibar Ports Corporation. This is an indication that we can plan and fund our own small projects," Dr Mwinyi said, adding that the Mkokotoni port will bring changes to the people.

Dr Mwinyi moreover said that his government is committed to ensure that all islanders benefit from the blue economy following various plans to ensure full involvement of citizens. "When we came up with the blue economy policy, we targeted private sector involvement in the execution of big projects and also empowerment of our people so that they can participate fully in building the country's economy," Mwinyi said.

He explained that participation of the private sector is crucial because there are projects in tourism and ports that need huge capital and experience. "We are holding talks with private companies so that they can fix infrastructure at our ports and modern hotels," he said. He said that in addition to empowering people, the government will make sure that commodities sold at the hotels are produced by Zanzibaris.

On fisheries, he said the government intends to empower fishermen by providing them with education on how they can conduct modern fishing, including providing them with capital and reliable markets. "These reliable markets will be secured by attracting investors to come and invest in factories that will process marine products.

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"Therefore the blue economy is a government plan for empowering the private sector regardless of their status so that they can cooperate with the government in all areas identified for building the economy," he said. He further said that through the blue economy, people will benefit by securing employment.

"We have pledged to provide 300,000 employment opportunities in a period of five years ... these employments will not come from the government alone but from the private sector as well," he said. He said people will also get employment in ports, processing factories and seaweed crops. "The government plans to cooperate with financial institutions to empower people so that they can employ themselves in areas which they are capable of doing so," he said.

On his part, Zanzibar Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Abdalla Hussein Kombo said that five institutions have already shown interest in engaging themselves in the implementation of Blue Economy policy. He said in addition to fisheries, the blue economy also has various opportunities in agriculture, especially in seaweed farming where the government has already set aside funds for the development of the crop.

Moreover, the said plans are on the cards for the construction of fisheries ports in Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania in a grand move to add value to the marine products.
AN African giant pouched rat named Magawa, who was presented with a gold medal for detecting the scent of the explosive chemicals used in landmines has passed away over the weekend at the age of eight.

According to a press release issued by Sokoine University (SUA) - APOPO Rodent Research Project, during his career, Magawa found over 100 landmines and other explosives, making him APOPO's most successful HeroRAT to date.

It said Magawa was in good health and spent most of last week playing with his usual enthusiasm, but towards the weekend he started to slow down, napping more and showing less interest in food in his last days. Mgawa's contribution allows communities in Cambodia to live, work, and play; without fear of losing life or limb.

In September 2020, he was formally presented with a PDSA Gold Medal - the highest award for gallantry an animal can receive. Last year when Magawa retired, HeroRAT Ronin took up the baton as the new adoption rat. According to the website "every discovery Magawa made reduced the risk of injury or death for the people of Cambodia.

Magawa is an African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys ansorgei) that was born in Tanzania at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in November 2013". He had recently celebrated his birthday in November, reaching the grand old age of 8. It said every discovery Magawa made reduced the risk of injury or death for the people of Cambodia.

Magawa is an African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys ansorgei) that was born in Tanzania at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in November 2013. Since 2000, APOPO has developed its operational headquarters, training and breeding center at SUA where all the landmine detection rats are born and trained.

This is also home to APOPO's Innovation department that researches and develops the innovative applications and advanced techniques used in existing operations. This is where he learned how to find explosives using his amazing sense of smell. Magawa moved to Siem Reap in Cambodia in 2016, where he began his career.
If San Francisco were to follow the same omicron trajectory of several major cities that started their surges earlier, its coronavirus case rate would almost double over the next two weeks, a Chronicle analysis showed, even though current case rates are already breaking records almost daily.

The analysis illustrates just one of several ways the omicron surge could play out in San Francisco, but uses other cities experiences as a framework for understanding what might happen. Distinctive characteristics of the city, like its unusually high vaccination rate and mild weather could mean a less extreme outcome.

To estimate the possible trajectory of San Franciscos current COVID-19 wave, we examined the trajectories in three metropolitan regions that experienced a surge in cases prior to San Francisco. These three areas  Philadelphia County; Cook County, which includes Chicago; and the counties that include New York City  all experienced a surge in cases two weeks before San Francisco, according to reported case counts from The New York Times.

Assuming the trajectory of San Franciscos wave follows those of the three other regions, we estimated S.F.s average daily case counts for the next two weeks. We did this by first averaging the percentage change in daily cases in the three other areas, then using this average to forecast San Franciscos daily case counts.

The data shows the seven-day average reaching a maximum in New York City and in Philadelphia and Cook counties earlier this week, with rates of about 490, 250 and 235 cases per 100,000 residents, respectively. With similar growth, San Franciscos average would reach as high as 400 in two weeks.

The sharp rise in cases has not brought an equally sharp rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, especially for people who are fully vaccinated, according to city and state data. While average new daily coronavirus cases are well over 10,000 for the Bay Area  more than double the peak of last winters surge  COVID hospitalizations for the region are currently a little over 60% of last winters peak.

Several factors might keep San Franciscos case rate lower, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong of UCSF explained.

For one, San Franciscos vaccination rate  with 81% of all residents fully vaccinated  is higher than New York Citys 73%, Philadelphia Countys 63%, and Cook Countys 68%, according to data from the CDC. That will help mitigate some of the worst effects of the surge in the area, Chin-Hong said.

Even though (the high vaccination rate) doesn't protect against infection that's breakthrough, it still increases the resistance in the community, he said.

Additionally, San Franciscos mild winter weather  different from cities like New York, Philadelphia and Chicago  will likely also help keep infection rates lower here, Chin-Hong said, as it allows for many gatherings and activities to take place outside.

We know that indoor gathering is really linked to spread, he said, so weather is a big deal.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Finally, omicron hit places like New York faster and by surprise, Chin-Hong noted, whereas San Francisco had the chance to up their mask game earlier in the surge, which could also help keep the rise in cases a bit gentler.

Still, the uncertainty that this omicron surge brings means anything could happen, he said, and the trajectory of San Franciscos experience is a bit dicey.

As of now, health officials in most Bay Area counties are not planning on instituting new restrictions, hoping that the regions high vaccination rates will keep the omicron surge from overwhelming hospitals.

These next few weeks will be very, very hard, but we will get through this as we have before, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a news briefing Tuesday.

Danielle Echeverria is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DanielleEchev
Hearing arguments on immigration cases including one from the Bay Area, the Supreme Court seemed inclined Tuesday to allow undocumented migrants who are challenging their deportation to seek release on bond from government custody rather than being held indefinitely.

Both the Trump and Biden administrations had asked the high court to overturn rulings by federal appeals courts, including the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, that required immigration judges to hold bond hearings after six months in custody for thousands of immigrants who had made credible claims that they would be persecuted if deported. In two hours of arguments, the courts conservative majority suggested possibly narrowing the right to seek release, but did not appear likely to eliminate it.

For migrants who have been arrested or turned themselves in and now are contesting their deportation, would you agree that at some point ... (bond) determination must be made? Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked a Justice Department lawyer. She cited the Supreme Courts 2001 ruling that barred detention of some categories of undocumented immigrants for more than six months unless the government could show they were likely to be deported in the foreseeable future.

When the lawyer, Austin Raynor, said federal law allowed immigration officials to hold such migrants without bond hearings, Chief Justice John Roberts asked whether that was consistent with the 2001 ruling. And Justice Brett Kavanaugh, referring to the foreseeable future standard, said, I think there could be chaos unless we say something more specific, but he did not say the court should remove all limits on the governments detention of immigrants.

The two cases before the court included a class-action suit filed in San Francisco by two men from Mexico who entered the United States separately in 2017 and were held in detention despite findings by federal asylum officers that both had a reasonable fear of persecution or torture if deported.

After a federal magistrate ordered bond hearings, both men were released after more than eight months and joined family members in the East Bay, their lawyers said. The Ninth Circuit ruled in April 2020 that bond hearings were required after six months in such cases, a ruling that a lawyer said has allowed 756 immigrants in Western states to be released from custody. But the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal that was initially filed by the Trump administration and taken up by the Biden administration last year.

Raynor told the court Tuesday that federal law allows the government to confine undocumented immigrants  not indefinitely, he said, but until the conclusion of their deportation proceedings. Curtis Gannon, another Justice Department lawyer, asserted that detention during removal proceedings is constitutionally permissible.

Even if they last for 10 years? asked Roberts.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Justice Stephen Breyer, one of the courts three liberals and author of the courts 5-4 ruling in the 2001 case, said at Tuesdays hearing that there is a serious constitutional problem if a statute permits an indefinite, perhaps permanent, deprivation of human liberty without the right to a bond hearing before another party, such as an immigration judge.

A ruling is due by the end of June in the two cases, Garland vs. Aleman Gonzalez, 20-322, and Johnson vs. Arteaga-Martinez, 19-896.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com
Members of parliament have called for an increased support to the Emyooga programme in order to empower communities live a sustainable life.

The recommendation is the highlight of an aggregated report from various sub-regional reports of MPs, writes MOSES MUGALU.

Emyooga is a Shs 260bn presidential initiative programme on wealth and job creation that is geared towards transforming Ugandans through savings.

The objective is to create development through promoting access to and usage of financial services and mostly targeting the financially excluded Ugandans. President Museveni launched it in August 2019 as part of the government effort to improve household incomes.

Last August, members of parliament took a two-week break to find out how the Emyooga funds were utilised in their constituencies. Under their dif- ferent caucuses, the MPs made reports providing successes, challenges and recommendations for the sustainability of the Emyooga programme.

The programme is currently implemented by the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) in conjunction with The District Emyooga Taskforces that are set up in each district and chaired by the resident district commissioners/ resident city commissioners.

"We underscore the importance of wealth and job creation through the Emyooga programme. It is capable of improving the access of funding and capital in the citizenry. It is the agreed position that Emyooga programme be supported with more funding; ensure proper sensitization and requisite modifications to achieve the intended objectives. This initiative has potential to create wealth and improve household incomes of Ugandans if the challenges are addressed and realignment done," reads the report.

SUCCESSES

In Kigezi, MSC released funds amounting to Shs 8.4bn to all the 270 registered Saccos, which improved financial literacy skills among beneficiaries.

"Through various trainings conducted by the combined team of the district taskforce and MSC, the SACCO members gained knowledge and skills in the areas of savings and share capital mobilization, investment loan management and record-keeping and governance. In Rukungiri, 324 SACCO leaders from 54 SACCOs were trained according to the Cooperatives Act and regulations," noted Dr Nicholas Kamara, the Kabale municipality MP who led the Kigezi sub-region team.

"In Bugisu, the Emyooga initiative was welcomed by the populace. It appeals to the common person by increased access to financial services. It was well received as an opportunity for wealth creation and an attempt to improve household income. In Bulambuli, 2,083 groups had registered across the district and got certificates. In Manafwa, the produce dealers SACCO alone had 90 associations," notes the sub-report.

Meanwhile in Karamoja, Emyooga has strengthened the saving culture in some districts.

"In Adjumani, the saving rate exceeded the mandatory saving cap of 30 per cent. The saving percentage rate was established at 34.4 per cent. It was also noted in Ankole that loan recoveries across board have been successful.

"This being a revolving fund, loan recoveries are being realized. For example, in Mbarara Municipality, it was established that the Boda Boda Sacco is doing well on loan recoveries. In Ntungamo municipality, the Women Entrepreneurs SACCO had recovered Shs 5,096,500 by mid-August and saved Shs 21,797,619."

In Busoga, there is improved financial inclusion through increased number of Saccos in a short time. "Citizens were sensitized about the need to belong to an association. Kamuli has 30 Saccos, 566 associations and 11,541 individual members."

CHALLENGES

In Buganda, it was noted that monitoring needs more funding. The overall monitoring of the Emyooga was assigned to the resident district commissioners and the district commercial officer.

"We have observed that the RDCs and the DCO are not funded to effectively monitor, evaluate and audit all beneficiaries and disbursement of funds. Specifically, the DCOs and the parish commercial officers lack motorcycles or vehicles to supervise the initiative within their areas of jurisdiction. Additionally, due to geographical challenges of hard-to-reach areas such as Kalangala, it was hard to monitor beneficiaries of Emyooga residing on different islands," reads the report.

Meanwhile, in Acholi sub-region, it was noted that there are delays in monthly facilitation allowances for the district teams that do trainings. In general, it was noted that effects of Covid-19 and lockdown ravaged the Emyooga SACCOs because associations were unable to congregate for trainings and use the funds for wealth creation.

What's more, some of the benefi- ciaries that received the money before lockdown used it for survival. During the lockdown, some businesses like salon operations, markets, fish mongers and mechanics have been affected and some of the start-up businesses have closed.

In all, the underlying challenge was that the seed capital grant was inadequate to cater for all the registered members. In Kabale municipality, the produce dealers comprised of 90 associations was allotted Shs 30 million which was a drop in the acean. This challenge was cross-cutting in the entire Kigezi sub-region.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The most conspicuous recommenda- tion is the need for more funding of Emyooga SACCOs with additional seed capital and a fair distribution of capital according to the associations in each group.

The aggregated report further calls for overhauling of the top-bottom approach because it does not allow communities to participate in identifying their problems so that the solutions could be meaningful and owned. Meanwhile, volunteerism in running of the SACCOs has been criticised because many executive members have no specialized skills.

"It is our considered recommendation that SACCOs should be empowered with technical personnel for efficiency and proper governance."

In Acholi, it is recommended that SACCOs should be given operational funds to run their day-to-day activities.

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Emyooga at a glance

A total of Shs 54.3bn savings have so far been saved by different Emyooga Saccos since the program was launched in 2019, thereby increasing the capacity of Emyooga Saccos to extend low-interest credit services to their members.

MSC has so far released a total of Shs 230bn to 6,602 Emyooga Saccos countrywide as seed capital from the government. If the savings mobilisation trend is maintained over the next four years, the Emyooga Saccos have the capacity to generate internal capital worth over Shs 300bn, which surpasses the seed capital provided by the government.

The qualifying Emyooga Saccos continue to be served as and when they submit their verified requests through the Emyooga chairperson of the district taskforce who is either the resident district commissioner or residential city commissioner," he said.

The programme targets Ugandans engaged in specific and similar specialised enterprises in the informal sector who come together in form of Saccos under 18 categories. These categories include boda boda Saccos, women entrepreneurs Saccos. carpenters | Saccos, salon operators Saccos and taxi operators Saccos.

Others include Restaurant owners Saccos, welders Saccos, market vendors i Saccos, youth leaders Saccos, persons with disabilities (PWDs) Saccos, produce dealers Saccos, mechanics Saccos, tailors Saccos, journalists Saccos, performing artists Saccos, veterans (veteran widows and orphaned children) Saccos. Fishermen Saccos and elected leaders Saccos.
As it carves its way through Muir Woods National Monument, Redwood Creek might look to be the way nature intended it. But it isnt.

It is the way the Civilian Conservation Corps intended it, shoved and straightened by 120 tons of rock riprap placed in the 1930s as a flood-control measure.

Now, nearly a century later, most of the artificial embankment will be removed, allowing a mile-long stretch of the creek on the valley floor to return to its natural floodplain. The project represents the most ambitious portion of a five-year, $20 million restoration for Muir Woods that includes relocating the visitor center and restrooms, repairing the parking lots and replacing a mile-long water line.

Upon completion, the creek that flows 5 miles from Mount Tam to the ocean at Muir Beach will resume its meandering course for the first time in decades. This will allow it to spread out to more evenly irrigate the old-growth forest in Marin County that attracts 1 million visitors a year. The $20 million project is being covered by National Park Service repair and rehabilitation funds.

The creek project alone is budgeted at $4.5 million and will involve temporarily relocating the fish and rerouting the river in order to bring in excavators and dump trucks. Construction is being done in pieces, and no park closures are planned as a result of it.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Well be open for everyone to come and see the progress, said Tommy Daigle, project manager for the National Park Service. Were just coming back in after the conservation corps and updating their work.

The first obvious sign of the project is literally a sign. The big redwood plank announcing Muir Woods National Monument was refurbished and rehung last week as visitors walked through the monuments historic arch.

Even in the cold, short days of winter people are coming out to witness Redwood Creek flowing with a speed and ferocity not seen in the past five years, thanks to recent weather patterns.

The atmospheric river cleansed the creek, broke the sandbar to the ocean, filled the aquifer and sent the welcome message to the salmon, said National Park Service ranger and Marin Community liaison Mia Monroe. We got rain. The salmon can spawn.

The historic arch hangs over an elevated redwood boardwalk that was another early beneficiary of the $20 million. The rotting boards have been replaced with fresh redwood planking and the walkway offers views of the creek and the huge quarry stones that will be removed. Hike all the way to the fourth bridge and you can see where rocks have already been taken out and the creek is busy undercutting the banks, allowing fresh water to soak the roots of trees that are far from the creek bed.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

I love the sound, said park ranger and acting site supervisor Veronica Johnson, as she stood still to listen to the symphony of flowing water and runoff coming down from Mount Tamalpais in rivulets looking for the creek.

Another major project begun this winter so far was the installation of a mile-long pipe that replaced an old, galvanized steel line that supplies water to bathrooms and faucets. When thats complete, the restrooms and the nearby visitor center will be moved out of the expanded floodplain in an effort to avoid contaminating the creek.

Most of the heavy lifting will be done during the dry season, starting in May. When the creek is at its lowest point it will be diverted through PVC pipes to bypass areas under construction, a process called de-watering. Then the bridges will be lengthened to move their landings far back from the stream and to get their concrete abutments out of the water.

It will look like an industrial project, but it brings the creek back to its natural state, Daigle said. We want it to flood the forest. It hasnt been that way since the (Franklin D.) Roosevelt administration.

Both Roosevelt administrations were involved in creating the legacy of Muir Woods. President Theodore Roosevelt decreed that Redwood Forest would become the seventh National Monument in America, on Jan. 9, 1908. The core area was 295 acres donated by Marin benefactor William Kent. It was added to later by the Kent family, bringing the total acreage to 550.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

This is the best tree-lover's monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world, President Theodore Roosevelt wrote to Kent.

In 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, a force of 200 laborers arrived in the employ of the federal government. After setting up camp in the woods, these CCC workers spent eight years building infrastructure, including utility buildings, and stone revetments to bolster the fragile banks.

After the Golden Gate Bridge opened in May 1937, annual visits to the park tripled to 180,000.

From that day on, people have been coming from around the world, always stopping at the plaque honoring that memorial. Ive heard six languages in the last hour, Monroe said.

On a recent afternoon, the forest floor was barely lit by dim winter sunlight and the air was so crisp and chilly that rangers were swapping their Smokey the Bear hats for fleece ski beanies. But everyone in the park was energetic.

You walk up the trail and there is nothing like it, said Renee Robinson of San Rafael, who had come with her kids Ella Rose, 5, and Hunter, who had asked to come here to celebrate his fourth birthday that day. His mom had a strong influence on that decision. Shes been coming at least once a year for 40 years.

I just need to be in it once in a while, she said.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @samwhitingsf
The San Jose City Council voted Tuesday to support studying a possible charter amendment that would give noncitizens, including undocumented immigrants, the right to vote in local elections. Such a charter change would need approval from San Jose voters.

The proposal to study extending voting rights to noncitizens was put forth by council members Magdalena Carrasco and Sylvia Arenas, who said they want to give voice to those living in the margins and who are most affected by the decisions made by citywide elected positions.

They explicitly said they want to extend voting rights to undocumented people.

Those who reside in the margins  our undocumented immigrant community  have always added to the legacy and growth of San Jose and should have every right to be part of the democratic process that informs what is done with their taxpayer money, their proposal said, adding that immigrants in San Jose paid $5.3 billion in state and local taxes in 2018. A portion of those immigrants were undocumented, the memo says.

They argue the federal government has made it expensive and difficult for noncitizens to naturalize to gain the right to vote. In Santa Clara County, the proposal says there are 366,567 noncitizens, with 208,691 of whom holding some form of legal protection such as a temporary protected status or protections provided under other programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

There are 157,876 Santa Clara County residents who are truly undocumented, meaning they have no form of legal protection, the proposal says.

Council Member Devora Davis, who represents District 6, was the sole council member to vote against the motion on Tuesday night. Davis said she believes voting is a right and a responsibility for citizens and said there are different groups of noncitizens, including people on tourist, student and H-1B visas who are in the country on a short term or long term basis and who have allegiance to another country.

I just dont think that giving them the right to vote here is the fair or correct thing to do. ... These are a group of folks who may or may not be familiar with the laws and processes here in our country and in our city, Davis said. She said the difficulty that comes with becoming a U.S. citizen is a federal government failure, and an issue that does not fall within the councils purview.

Both Davis and Vice Mayor Charles Jones said undocumented immigrants have access to libraries and can request services from law enforcement, the fire department and other agencies for assistance from the city  without being able to vote. Jones said his basic philosophy is that there is a linkage between citizenship and the right to vote, adding that its difficult for him to comprehend the process for allowing non-citizens to vote in elections.

I really cant tell you how many of my residents are documented or not because I dont even ask the question. It doesnt even come up, Jones said. There are residents. There are citizens, and we are charged with responding to their needs. ... The only thing were not allowing them to do is vote.

During the public comment portion of the council meeting, the majority of community members spoke in support of the proposal, with many saying that undocumented immigrants should have the right to vote in municipal elections because they are local- and federal-tax-paying residents who work, go to school, raise families, run businesses and contribute to San Joses economic growth.

Community member Peter Ortiz said undocumented immigrants have also been disproportionately on the front lines as essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic and are an integral part of the community.

Opponents of the proposal during public comment cited the U.S. Constitution and said undocumented immigrants should first navigate the legal process to become American citizens before being allowed to vote. One speaker described the proposal as allowing colonization and called supporters socialists, and another speaker said it would be tantamount to having foreigners take over our city.

More than one opponent during public comment used the terms illegal alien or illegal people to describe undocumented immigrants, words supporters condemned. Referring to people as illegal is considered dehumanizing by immigrants and immigrant rights advocates, and multiple council members denounced the language in their own statements before the vote.

Council Member Sergio Jimenez, District 2, said some of the emails he received from residents who were in opposition of the proposal were belligerent and frankly, I think, racist in nature, but said many shared legitimate concerns about the proposal. Jimenez, an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen in 2008, said he understands the plight of immigrants and the contributions they make in the community.

In this case, I think were exploring the expansion of voting rights, not abridging or reducing the rights of others, and for me, thats what makes this unique and different, Jimenez said.

Council Member Maya Esparza, District 7, said its important for people to view the topic of voting for undocumented immigrants through the lens of how voting rights are under assault across the United States, pointing to efforts to ban noncitizen voting in other states.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Were a microcosm of these national debates, and its up to us to really be mindful of which side of history we want to be standing on, Esparza said. Weve talked a lot, particularly during COVID, about who has been hit hardest during the pandemic. If you eat, thank an immigrant. If youve been able to work from home, thank an immigrant. If youve been able to order things on Amazon and have them shipped to you, thank an immigrant. Thank an immigrant for providing that health care to you and your loved ones.

Council Member Raul Peralez said he looks forward to continuing the conversation around voting, and noted the importance of engaging and educating the community on the potential for expanding voting, and about the general history of voter suppression and voting rights in the United States. He said he has seen firsthand how undocumented immigrants are engaging in neighborhood associations, as parents in schools as engaged community members in various city projects and issues.

Mayor Sam Liccardo said there is still a lot to understand in terms of implementing such a measure because the city does not run elections, adding that officials with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters would likely need to be brought into conversations to explain how an expansion could look.

Julia Curry, a longtime San Jose resident and professor of Chicana and Chicano studies at San Jose State University, said San Jose can take a step to the future.

Christian Lopez, a San Jose resident living in District 10 who was raised in San Jose and attended San Jose State University, said during public comment that he recently purchased a home in the city. He is also undocumented, he said.

I pay a lot of taxes and it feels not fair that I cant voice my concerns, Lopez said, adding that he supports the proposal. I know that my story is not unique and there are others like me out there.

Araceli Gutierrez, a longtime San Jose resident and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (or DACA) recipient, said undocumented immigrants contribute to the wealth and cultural richness of San Jose.

The message is simple: No taxation without representation, Gutierrez said.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez
To get a grip on the omicron COVID surge slamming the city, San Francisco health officials have revised the rules for attending mega-events, updated masking guidance for city residents, and changed the definition of a close contact.

Per the latest California guidelines, starting Saturday, Jan. 15, the threshold for large events in high-risk settings now includes any gathering of 500 people indoors or more than 5,000 people outside. With that change, there will be tougher entry requirements for such mega-events at San Francsico stadiums or arenas like Chase Center.

Starting Feb. 1, attendees who are over the age of 12 will be required to show proof they have received a full course of vaccination at least two weeks before entry. Those who are 16 and over will also need to provide proof that they have also received a booster shot at least one week before the event.

The same rule regarding boosters goes into effect for those between 12 to 15 starting March 1.

Children between 5 and 11 must provide proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test taken one or two days before the event. Those between the ages of 2 and 4 must abide by the testing requirement.

Organizers of all indoor and outdoor mega-events must submit a health and safety plan to the city. All working staff are required to show proof of vaccination, as well as a booster shot when eligible.

Because of the threat omicron poses to hospital capacity, eligible personnel in high-risk settings are strongly urged to receive their booster as soon as possible before the deadline, and operators of high-risk settings are strongly urged to help them do so, said the updated health order from Dr. Susan Philip, the citys health officer.

The states previous definition for mega-events set limits at 1,000 or more attendees inside or 10,000 outdoors.

The order also includes updated masking guidance for San Francisco residents, recommending that whenever possible everyone wear a non-vented respirator, such as an N95, KN95, or KF94 respirator.

City health officials alternately suggest wearing a well-fitting surgical mask with a cloth mask over it to create a tight seal.

Given higher transmissibility of the omicron variant, cloth masks alone are no longer recommended, Philip said.

San Francisco is reporting all-time high coronavirus case rates, with more than 1,525 people testing positive per day on average.

We are in the middle of the worst of this omicron surge, said Dr. Grant Colfax, the citys health director, during a briefing Tuesday.

The citys average case rate has now reached 264 per 100,000 residents, a substantial increase from the previous peak of 42 per 100,000.

I know this is not how we wanted to spend the first month of 2022, but we will get through this, Colfax said.

As part of the new health order, San Francisco has also changed the definition of close contact with an infected person.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

That standard dictates at what point someone exposed to the coronavirus should get tested or self-isolate. For most of the COVID-19 pandemic, the guideline has been within 6 feet of an infected person for 15 minutes in the last 24 hours.

But with the highly contagious omicron variant, that definition has narrowed to mean proximity to anyone who is either symptomatic or has tested positive for the virus.

People are no longer considered to be infected 24 hours after their last fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) or if at least five days have passed since their symptoms passed.

Those who are asymptomatic are no longer considered infectious five days after their first positive test.

City officials on Tuesday vowed to avoid widespread restrictions or shelter-in-place rules to get through the current surge.

At this time, Im not considering additional restrictions in San Francisco, Philip said. But we will continue to follow the data closely and make adjustments as needed.

Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com
Bay Area health officials said they have no plans for new COVID-19 restrictions, despite the ongoing omicron surge, banking on the regions high vaccination rates to keep hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. The omicron surge has pitched Bay Area schools into disarray as districts struggle to keep classrooms open. San Francisco officials ordered private health care providers to prove theyre adequately testing people with COVID-19 symptoms, underscoring the importance of fast test results in combating the ongoing surge. The N95, KN95 and KF94 respirator masks advised by experts during the omicron surge are not necessarily single-use, but they cant be reused for long periods of time.

Latest updates:

Oakland schools brace for another teacher sickout: The protest comes less than a week after a group of teachers forced the closure of 12 campuses by calling in sick to protest working conditions during the regions omicron surge. Some students are also expected to call in sick Thursday. The district was already grappling with educators who were out due to COVID and a shortage of substitutes. Read the full story here.

Omicron has peaked in Boston according to sewage samples: Boston area epidemiologists are seeing signs of hope in the citys wastewater samples, which show levels of COVID-19 in the region dropping off at a rapid rate. Data released Tuesday by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authoritys tracking system, which analyzes genetic material in the Boston areas sewer system, shows that virus levels have plummeted to 6,000 RNA copies of COVID per milliliter from a peak near 10,000 a few weeks ago. Harvard Medical School administrator Stanley Y. Shaw cautioned in a Twitter post that the data are not necessarily a reliable indicator of pandemic trends but may yet offer a glimmer of better days ahead. Bill Hanage, an associate professor at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, discussed the figures in a Twitter thread.

Oakland requires proof of vaccination for indoor businesses: Starting Feb. 1, Oakland residents will have to show proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, bars and clubs that serve food, as well as gyms, movie theaters and entertainment venues. The rule applies to anyone over the age of 12, and matches similar mandates previously issued in San Francisco, Berkeley and Contra Costa County. Businesses in Oakland are required to inform their customers of the change with clearly displayed signage starting Jan. 15. The Oakland City Council voted unanimously in December to issue the mandate amid increasing concerns about the highly transmissible omicron variant.

State testing mandate for nursing home visitors is unfair, family groups say: A California order that requires indoor visitors to nursing homes to provide a negative COVID test result on top of being fully vaccinated is unfairly locking families away from their loved ones, according to groups representing caregivers. Given the high demand on testing  and subsequent challenges in finding either PCR or rapid home tests  the state order is effectively preventing some families from visiting nursing home residents, many of whom have already been isolated for months during the pandemic, the groups say. San Francisco is among a handful of counties that are requiring the nursing home facilities to provide tests for visitors in response to the state mandate. Leading the push against the state order is California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, a consumer oriented nonprofit.

Judge blocks California law limiting vaccine site protests: A recent state law that prohibits protesters from coming within 30 feet of vaccination clinics to harass or obstruct those seeking to enter has been blocked by a federal magistrate, who said it violates free speech. But it was immediately challenged in court  not by vaccine opponents, but by anti-abortion groups, as the 30-foot restriction applied to any facilities offering vaccinations, including hospitals that also perform abortions. The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins of San Jose bars enforcement of the entire law pending further proceedings in the case. Read the full story here.

S.F. updates mask guidance, vaccination rules for mega-events: To get a grip on the omicron COVID surge slamming the city, San Francisco health officials have revised the rules for attending mega-events, updated masking guidance for city residents, and changed the definition of a close contact. With fewer people allowed inside, attendees will have to show evidence of full vaccination and booster shots, and wearing higher-quality masks is recommended. Read the full story here.

Omicrons softer impact highlighted in new study: Compared to those infected with the delta variant of the coronavirus, omicron patients have a 53% lower adjusted risk of symptomatic hospitalization, 74% reduced adjusted risk of ICU admission, and 91% less chance of dying, according to a new study conducted by Kaiser Permanente and funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data in this study remain consistent with what we are seeing from omicron in other countries, including South Africa and the U.K., and provide some understanding of what we can expect over the coming weeks as cases are predicted to peak in this country, CDC director Rochelle Walensky said during a White House COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday. But she cautioned, The sudden and steep rise in cases due to omicron is resulting in unprecedented daily case counts, sickness, absenteeism, and strains on our healthcare system. The risk of hospitalization remains low, especially among people who are up to date on their COVID vaccines. However, the staggering rise in cases  over 1 million new cases each day  has led to a high number of total hospitalizations.

CDC likely to update mask guidance: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may soon update its guidance on masking, which has not changed since October, to best reflect the multiple options available to people and the different levels of protection they provide. The agency did not say when the new recommendations would go into effect but said in a statement, any mask is better than no mask, and we encourage Americans to wear a well-fitting mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Biden administration is actively working on ramping up the supply of N95 and KN95 masks that work better against the highly transmissible omicron variant of the coronavirus. Right now, we are strongly considering options to make more high-quality masks available to all Americans, and well continue to follow the science here. The CDC is in the lead. But this is an area that were actively exploring, White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said during a briefing Wednesday.

Biden administration promises 10 million monthly tests for schools: In an effort to keep schools open amid the rampant omicron surge, the White House pledged to provide 10 million monthly coronavirus tests for schools. States will be able to requests the tests, which will become available later this month. The Biden administration said it would distribute 5 million rapid tests to K-12 schools per month in states that apply for them and open up lab space for 5 million PCR tests.

Fifth & Mission podcast  COVID pills and Sonoma Countys new shutdown strategy: On this episode of the Fifth & Mission podcast, reporter Catherine Ho joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss why new antiviral pills could be a game changer for the pandemic. Plus: Reporter Erin Allday discusses Sonoma Countys new shelter-in-place recommendation and why it isnt a return to the early days of the pandemic. Listen to the episode here.

Google is giving employees access to free COVID tests, but a union says access is unequal: Full-time Google employees have access to at-home COVID-19 tests for themselves and their families, but thats not the case for thousands of company contractors and temporary workers, according to a Google engineer. Read the full story here.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Sonoma Countys new COVID restrictions take effect today. Heres how its going: Sonoma Countys new 30-day pandemic ban on large gatherings, a bid to stem the omicron variants rapid spread, has shaken up the schedules of event and wedding venues, theaters and wineries countywide. But many said they were coping with the measures, with the timing  during the slower winter season  working in their favor. Read the full story here.

Schools nearing their breaking point as Bay Area districts grapple with staffing, testing and masking challenges: The current COVID-19 surge has pitched many Bay Area schools into disarray, as districts struggle to keep classrooms open amid a record-high number of cases, too few substitutes, a shortage of tests and teacher sickouts, among other challenges. Read the full story here.

What S.F.s omicron surge would look like if it followed the trajectories of other major cities: If San Francisco were to follow the same omicron trajectory of several major cities that started their surges earlier, its coronavirus case rate would almost double over the next two weeks, a Chronicle analysis showed, even though current case rates are already breaking records almost daily. Read the full story here.

COVID hospitalizations in U.S. reach a record high: There were a record 141,385 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States on Monday, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services. The surge of hospitalizations driven by the highly contagious omicron variant surpassed the previous peak of 132,051 set during the winter surge last January. Nearly 20% of all hospitalizations in the country are for complications related to COVID-19. Many hospitals nationwide have already suspended non-essential procedures as cases continue to rise unabated.

No new restrictions for most Bay Area counties despite record-high COVID cases: Even as coronavirus cases break records almost daily across the Bay Area, many county health officials said Tuesday that they have no plans for new restrictions and are leaning on the regions high vaccination rates to keep the omicron surge from overwhelming hospitals. Read the full story here.

California averaging 100,000 cases a day: The state has been reporting roughly 100,000 cases each day for the last several days as the omicron surge continues to explode, Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of California Health and Human Services, said during a news briefing Monday afternoon. COVID once again with omicron is gripping our state, challenging our health systems and impacting communities that have already been hard hit, Ghaly said. When COVID cases are added to the rest of the hospital population, the state is knocking on the door of nearly 52,000 people hospitalized, only about a thousand fewer than last winters peak.

San Francisco demands private providers prove fast COVID testing, or face fines: San Francisco on Tuesday ordered private health care providers to prove they are testing most people who have COVID-19 symptoms, and close contacts of known cases, within 24 hours and reporting results within 48 hours. Read the full story here.

Rapid tests reliable in detecting omicron, UCSF study finds: Using data from COVID-19 testing at a walk-up San Francisco community site that administered simultaneous nasal rapid antigen BinaxNow tests and laboratory PCR tests in 731 patients, UCSF researchers found the at-home tests to be effective in detecting the omicron variant of the virus. Out of the 296 positives detected by PCR testing, researchers found when stratified by symptom status, the BinaxNOW detected 43 of 59 RT-PCR positive persons who were asymptomatic for a sensitivity of 89.8%; sensitivity was 97.6% for persons with symptoms. In a Twitter post, UCSFs Bob Wachter called the results, Reassuring (albeit confusing given prior concerns).
Gov. Gavin Newsoms bid to make California the first state to extend health benefits to low-income undocumented residents of all ages is the fulfillment of a long progressive fight to cement the states place at the vanguard of immigrant rights.

The proposal comes amid a pandemic that has disproportionately harmed Latino and immigrant communities. But it puts the state further at odds with national trends at a time of partisan hostility over the issue, with reactions to the proposal highlighting the growing fissures.

During a news conference Tuesday at a health clinic in the Central Valley, Newsom said he was making good on a promise from his 2018 campaign. The governor spoke alongside labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, who called the proposal a very historic moment.

We are implementing our ideals, Newsom said. We have universal health care in this state and in this country, but its on the back end. Its called the emergency room and its costing you, the taxpayer, a fortune.

Pro-immigrant advocates Monday heralded the Democrats budget proposal, in which Newsom would expand Medi-Cal, the health care program for low-income Californians, to include all people regardless of their immigration status, starting no earlier than 2024.

They say the step, which would cost about $2.7 billion per year, is a welcome recognition that undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to the California economy and that their health and well-being matters as much as that of their neighbors.

If you look back at the last two years, it is exceedingly clear that undocumented immigrants have played an outsize role in the response and recovery to COVID-19, particularly in a state like California, said Ali Noorani, president of the National Immigration Forum, a centrist immigration advocacy group. So the impact on Californias physical and economic health of the state, because of this expansion, is tremendous. ... California is being California. (But) the rest of the country is not California. And I say that as a Californian.

Indeed, the move stands in contrast with immigration politics nationally. Among states, New York has also expanded programs for undocumented immigrants, including allowing some to vote in local elections, but many conservative-led states are moving in the opposite direction, seeking to increase restrictions in moves they argue will de-incentivize coming to the U.S.

State Sen. Jim Nielsen, a Republican from Tehama County who opposes the Medi-Cal expansion, said it would obligate the state to provide benefits to undocumented residents in perpetuity.

Were going to be assuming the burden of those individuals without necessarily providing them with opportunities to find work and, in fact, become an asset rather than a liability to our budget, said Nielsen, vice chair of the Senate budget committee. Thats what I call budget busting.

The move to expand Medi-Cal coverage caps a nearly decadelong battle led by immigration advocates and progressive legislators. In 2016, the Legislature expanded the full scope of coverage  including preventive, dental and mental-health care  to all undocumented children through age 18, and young adults up to age 26 were added a few years later.

State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, who has been at the forefront of the effort to eliminate immigration status as a criteria for coverage, said proponents gradually won the votes of more legislators  using both practical and emotional arguments. She said waiting to treat an undocumented person with diabetes until the person ends up in the emergency room increases costs and, in severe cases, causes the loss of a limb due to an otherwise manageable disease.

It didnt make any sense on the human level or the economic level, Durazo told The Chronicle. It gets very emotional to think that life and death is on the line.

As support grew, the move toward universal Medi-Cal coverage was hampered by the states tight finances early in Newsoms administration, particularly at the start of the pandemic when the state projected it could face a jolting $54 billion budget deficit.

At the same time, the pandemic ripped through Latino and immigrant communities, which faced far higher rates of infections and deaths due to the virus. Latino people have accounted for more than 50% of infections and 45% of COVID-related deaths in California, where they make up less than 39% of the population, according to the state Department of Public Health.

But the economy rebounded much faster than expected, bringing two years of budget windfalls. Last summer, when the state projected a nearly $76 billion surplus, Newsom and legislators agreed to expand Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented seniors, people age 50 or older, a change that takes effect May 1.

Newsoms proposal to close the gap for income-eligible immigrants ages 26 through 49 is part of his budget for the upcoming fiscal year, when the state expects to have a nearly $46 billion surplus, though the expansion would not take effect until at least Jan. 1, 2024.

The plan still must be approved by state lawmakers, but theres little doubt it will sail through the Democratic-dominated Legislature. Durazo said the apparent victory reflects not only the states flush coffers but disparities in the health care system that were exposed by the pandemic and made it harder to protect undocumented workers, many of whom fill essential roles in the agriculture, health and transportation sectors.

They literally were sacrificing their lives, and the numbers bear that out, Durazo said. They didnt stop working. The farmworkers didnt stop working.

Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA, a pro-immigrant-rights advocacy group based in Los Angeles, said Newsoms decision to advance the issue despite potential political backlash could swing momentum nationally.

You see Gov. Newsom lean into the issue of immigration, not to try to sidestep it, not to try to ignore it, but to lean in and really see it as essential to the advancement of the state, said Salas. I feel that thats whats not happening in Washington, D.C. ... What Gov. Newsom shows is we must stop just talking about immigrants as important to our country, essential to our country, to our fabric and our diversity  it cant just be rhetorical. It has to be real changes and real policies and laws that uplift.

Some advocates, however, wanted bolder action from the governor. Ron Coleman, managing director of policy for the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, a multicultural advocacy group, said California should not wait until 2024 to extend coverage. In addition, he said, the state should provide subsidies so undocumented people whose incomes exceed the eligibility cap for Medi-Cal  $17,775 for an individual in 2022  can buy coverage through Covered California, the states health insurance marketplace.

We cant afford to lose any more lives of undocumented Californians simply because of lack of access to health care, Coleman said.

Meanwhile, anti-immigration leaders on the right seized on the proposal to attack Newsom, with Fox News declaring that he wanted to provide undocumented immigrants with state-funded abortions. Abortion is legal in California, and many undocumented immigrants pay taxes, particularly in California.

Noorani, of the National Immigration Forum, said the 2018 midterm elections that gave the House majority back to Democrats and President Bidens election in 2020 show that the American public is receptive to more immigrant-friendly policies. Nonetheless, he fears backlash that could harm immigrants in other states, and agrees with Salas that a lack of pro-immigrant messaging from the White House contributes to polarization on the issue.

That moderate suburban voter, what they want to make sure is we have a secure border, that immigration is controlled and that people are treated fairly and compassionately, Noorani said. I am hard-pressed to believe that that voter is going to look at what California is doing and say, OK, this checks all those boxes.

Chronicle senior political writer Joe Garofoli contributed to this report.

Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent, and Dustin Gardiner is a Chronicle staff writer. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com, dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan, @dustingardiner
If you were to redraw San Franciscos 11 supervisorial districts, how would you draw them? Thats what the Redistricting Task Force, the nine-member committee in charge of revising the citys district lines based on 2020 census data, is asking residents to do as part of the first phase of redistricting.

Redistricting is a process in which, every 10 years, cities and states redraw district boundaries to ensure that districts have roughly the same population. In San Francisco, redistricting for its 11 supervisorial districts is currently under way, with the task force convening weekly to hear input from the community on how the lines should be drawn.

The Chronicles data team decided to create its own map. But instead of drawing it ourselves, we programmed a computer algorithm to do it for us.

Using a methodology developed by a research team at Harvard University, we generated 10,000 maps, each of which have districts that are contiguous, compact and equally populated. No other parameters, like demographic or neighborhood data, went into the algorithm.

The algorithm randomly produced 10,000 maps, and in some cases, the same exact map was created multiple times. The map that the algorithm drew the most  51 times out of 10,000 drawings  is visualized below.

How would the Redistricting Task Force respond to a map submission like this? We asked Raynell Cooper, one of the nine members of the task force.

Im glad we dont let algorithms do this, was his initial response. The map doesnt seem to resemble the San Francisco that residents imagine when they think of their city, with the algorithm disregarding neighborhoods, landmarks and main roads that typically distinguish each district, said Cooper.

San Franciscos districts are largely bounded by main streets, like Van Ness Avenue, Market Street and 19th Avenue. According to Cooper, this makes describing districts easy. For instance, District 4 includes everything west of 19th Avenue in the Sunset; District 3 is everything north of Market Street and east of Van Ness Avenue.

But the boundaries generated by the algorithm seem to disregard these conventions.

If someone submitted this map, Id have a lot of questions about which communities of interest they think are included in this district, said Cooper, referring to the algorithms district that borders the Pacific Ocean.

Preserving communities of interest is an important criteria for redistricting. A community of interest is a concept defined in the California Constitution as a group of people that share a common social or economic interest that can be understood geographically, like people who share the same bus lines, live in a similar type of housing or speak the same language.

According to Cooper, whether a community of interest is contained within one district or split between several districts can affect that communitys representation in local government. District supervisors are typically the first points of contact when a community has an issue. But if that community is split between two or three districts, its harder for them to get the attention of the supervisors and voice their concerns, said Cooper.

Keeping communities of interest together is so important that San Franciscos charter allows a districts population to deviate from the average district population by up to 5% if it means keeping a community of interest in a single district. Otherwise, each district must be within 1% of the average population.

That political districts must have approximately equal population is laid out in the U.S. Constitution, though the law allows deviation from this rule to ensure minorities have an equal opportunity to elect representatives. But how much deviation and what constitutes equal population is not written in law, and therefore differs by city and state.

Based on 2020 census data, San Franciscos ideal district size is about 79,500 people  one-eleventh of the citys population of 874,000. But because of population changes in the past decade, each of the 11 current districts deviate from the ideal population by more than the legally permissible 1%. This is why redistricting is necessary.

For instance, District 6, which includes the Tenderloin, South of Market and Mission Bay, has over 100,000 residents, which is about 30% over the ideal population. District 6 had the largest population growth of any district from 2010 to 2020. The task force will, therefore, have to remove areas  potentially entire neighborhoods  from this district. Meanwhile, Districts 1 and 4 have too few people, so they will likely increase in size.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Each district will see some change to its boundaries, but Cooper expects there will be only small differences from the current districts. The map submissions so far show districts that largely resemble the existing ones, give or take a few blocks. No one has suggested an entirely new configuration, like the one generated by our algorithm, and Cooper imagines it will stay this way.

There is a natural inclination toward the familiar. Almost all the changes submitted so far have been as minimal as possible, said Cooper.

Theres still time for residents to submit feedback. People can do so by filling out an online form, drawing plans through an online mapping tool or attending a Redistricting Task Force meeting. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 5:30 p.m.

After collecting public input for another few weeks, the task force will generate its first set of maps. What follows will be an iterative process: The task force will ask for public input on the drafts, make tweaks based on the feedback, ask for more feedback, and so on, until submitting a final plan on April 15.

Though our algorithm did not produce a realistic candidate, a computer program that converts data and feedback into an ideal plan doesnt seem too far off in the future. Cooper agreed that this was a possibility, but said that it would still require humans to review the output and provide feedback.

At the end of the day, its a human problem, not a data problem, he said.

Nami Sumida is a San Francisco Chronicle data visualization developer. Email: nami.sumida@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @namisumida
It is often painful when in the middle of the struggle against oppression and exploitation -- be it colonialism or autocratic governance -- a committed activist crosses and joins the oppressor.

This isn't about comprador workers, or Uncle Toms. But, rather, foot- soldiers making U-turns. It is confusing to those who remain in the struggle against the same oppressors. It is demotivating. It is betrayal. "Why?" perplexed admirers of the defecting person ask in anger and disbelief.

Indeed, under Museveni's almost four decades in power -- especially after the country moved into multiparty politics -- Uganda has seen several notable crossovers into Museveni's camp: Aggrey Awori, John Butime, Alex Onzima, Beatrice Anywar, Jacob Oulanyah, Christopher Kibanzanga, Bebe Cool, Jimmy Akena, Anita Among, Mohammed Kezaala, Nakiwala Kiyingi, Thomas Tayebwa, Beti Kamya, and more recently Joyce Ssebugwawo, and Sarah Kanyike. The list is long.

Besides the open crossovers, there are other sotto voce defections where former anti-establishment activists simply coil their tongues. They domesticate their hitherto radical criticisms and become gentler to the oppressor, bordering on collaboration.

Take for example comrade Nobert Mao, our journalist friends, Chris Obore and Andrew Mwenda. Let me return this often-abused question: why do these undoubtedly brilliant and well-meaning folks turn around and join - openly or covertly - their oppressor and exploiter?

My contention is that this is neither about re- learning about the oppressors' benevolence which had skipped your sights. It is neither about money, although it so explicitly and performatively appears as such (and often narrativized in those terms).

I know, Karl Marx has told us that our decisions are often a product of our material conditions. Something like, "the poor are easily corruptible."

But a theory of material conditions isn't a sufficient explanation especially since humans have the capacity to thrive under terrible material conditions. This is even truer when you consider the existence of nobler causes that go beyond materiality; things such as honour, legacies, religious morality, et cetera.

The material conditions become a terribly insufficient explanation. My contention is that although crossovers appear to be negotiated in the political marketplace, they are simply an indication of the expiry dates of an activist.

The men and women defecting to the oppressor are not bad, or greedy, or selfish. They have simply reached the end of their shelf-lives as opposition activists and politicians. Thus, money becomes the excuse; the distraction from a core component of political struggles: expiry.

Let me explain further. Opposition politics has a shelf-life in which the struggle has to be won. When this time expires before victory, the activist has to either die, go into silence, or join the oppressor. But since death and silence are the most difficult of the three options, normally, activists whose shelf-lives have expired, tend to join the oppressor.

Only during the anti-colonial struggle -- and because of the nature of the struggle itself, being life-and-death -- did strugglers choose death over joining the oppressors. Even then, comprador elitism thrived.

On the other hand, since the oppressor is bereft of any dreams beyond the facade of appearance, they will find value in procuring these expired products, just for the optics of it. But as are all expired products, no value is extracted from them.

I need to note that in using the terms 'shelf-life' and 'expiry dates,' I do not mean to denigrate defections and crossovers. Rather, I wish to highlight the problems with protracted struggles. Truth is, all good men are like utility products (be they industrial or organic); they expire.

If consumed in their time, they remain good for the consumer. But unconsumed within their time, they will definitely go bad and become dangerous to the entire eco-system. Please note that this has nothing to do with the product itself but, rather, its manufacture-use-allotted time.

Indeed, all the defecting folks would remain on the straight line were they to become victorious in their time. But the delay in victory pushes them to the extreme, rendering them expired and dangerous. Recall that throughout the period of struggle, the oppressor throws at his opponents innumerable trials and tribulations.

These range from violent confrontations to negotiable manoeuvres. For a period, the strugglers remain steadfast. But not beyond a particular point.

Indeed, like all products, some have longer life-spans than others. Blue Band margarine has a shorter shelf-life than Star bar soap.

Vehicles stay usable for longer than bicycles. So, you have a Kizza Besigye who will stay longer like a grader, and a Beatrice Anywar whose shelf-life is like that of a flower.

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You have a Hussein Kyanjo who is like a vintage car -- keeps its nobility throughout the generations -- and Beti Kamya who is Sony television set. It is beautiful to watch, but the manufacturer gave it a shorter lifespan before it starts faulting its receptors. Again, nothing to do with the product but, rather, the time.

Why is this argument important? There are three reasons: (a) Ordinary folks have to beware that they are the only true stakeholders in the struggle for their emancipation. Just like themselves, the celebrity folks who tend to lead struggles are utility products with a sell-by date.

(b) Struggles have to be hastened to sustain the goodness of their strugglers. Otherwise, protracted struggles render players vulnerable as their expiry dates catch up with them before reaching the promised land. And with shorter shelf-lives in our present time, there is need for more urgency.

Finally, (c) there is need to constantly redefine and reshape struggles so as to renew/refurbish struggles and thus extend their sell-by dates.

yusufkajura@gmail.com

The author is a political theorist based at Makerere University.
Vincent Yuen likes to talk trash.

He walks around the city every day, picking it up. He keeps trash logs, documenting how much he found and where. He peppers his conversation with words like garbology, the study of garbage. His wife calls trash his greatest passion.

Lucky for Yuen, he lives in San Francisco, a filthy city that offers him a case study on just about every sidewalk. Lucky for San Francisco, Yuen is determined to see our city sparkle.

Yuen is the founder of Refuse Refuse  meaning reject trash  which has gone from a one-man cleanup operation outside his Inner Richmond home to a citywide effort, attracting legions of volunteers with their plastic bags and garbage pickers. Since its founding in March 2021, Refuse Refuse has collected 58,136 gallons of garbage.

I added a few more gallons to the tally Sunday in a cleanup of North Beach. Yuen tweeted a few months ago that hed love former Giants star Hunter Pence; his wife, Lexi Pence; Chronicle culture critic Peter Hartlaub; and me to join him.

After schedule conflicts and rain delays, we finally pitched in along with scores of other volunteers organized by Together SF, a civic engagement and volunteering group that helps Refuse Refuse coordinate its events. Before we picked up garbage, I asked Pence  known as the Reverend for his inspiring locker-room sermons  for a 2022 pep talk as the pandemic slogs on.

Finding Nemo is our mantra  just keep swimming, just keep swimming, he said. Pick up trash, plant trees, love on each other, be kind. Weve just got to keep doing the best we can with what weve got.

Yuen gave the crowd some tips before we began. Namely, stick to beginner trash and leave the needles, feces and dead animals to the professionals. On that cheerful note, we set out.

Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

It turns out you notice new things about your city when your eyes are trained on the ground. For example, despite seeing very few cigarette smokers these day, San Francisco is blanketed in cigarette butts.

Yuen said they compose 35% of the garbage he finds citywide and even more in some neighborhoods. He said Hayes Valley is the No. 1 neighborhood when it comes to butts; there, they make up 60% of litter.

Other oft-spotted pieces of litter on Sunday were disposable masks, coffee cups and their cardboard sleeves, candy wrappers, chip bags, banana peels and napkins. One-offs included a thank you card, a windshield wiper and a coconut with a straw in it.

Yuen said the biggest problem when it comes to trash is single-use products that companies churn out endlessly and that consumers use mindlessly and toss away  too often on the ground.

Ineffective city trash cans and their paltry number are another factor, he said. Theyre easily broken and rifled through, spilling trash around them. In the citys endless saga of building a new and improved city can, the manufacturing firm charged with making the prototypes should have them placed for testing on city streets in June, according to a spokesperson with Public Works.

In addition to lackluster city bins, another culprit in San Francisco is the wind that grabs trash, including from overstuffed, unlocked household bins, and sends it flying. Yuen said hes found far more trash on the western sides of streets than the eastern sides because of wind patterns. The dirtiest street in the city, he said, is Brighton Avenue in the Ingleside neighborhood, which sits in a wind tunnel.

It doesnt help they have a McDonalds on one end and a liquor store on the other, he said.

Overall, though, Yuen said the dirtiest neighborhoods are the usual suspects: the Tenderloin, South of Market and the Mission. He said the homeless population does add to the citys trash problem, but that theyre unfairly blamed for having an outsized role in the matter. Instead, he said, people of all income levels in all neighborhoods are responsible for our dirty city.

Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Yuens garbage fascination is a new development. So is his commitment to community service and his devotion to San Francisco despite living here since 2003. The 40-year-old Pasadena native worked as a self-employed sales consultant for years and saved enough money to take time off during the pandemic. His wife, Megan Yuen, works as a director of account operations for a retail consultant.

In seeking out safe, outdoor activities for his daughters, aged 5 and 7, he turned to picking up trash outside their Inner Richmond home each day. Slowly, the block grew so clean, their trash walks got longer. Neighbors spotted them and joined, and their area grew notably cleaner. A post about his efforts on Nextdoor took off, and still more people tagged along.

In March 2021, he formalized the effort, though Refuse Refuse is just a community service group with a website. Its not a nonprofit, and he accepts no donations. He is making $35,000 through a six-month contract with Together SF and Shine On SF, another new civic group committed to cleaning the citys streets.

After a few of hours of picking up trash with Yuen, I felt tired but satisfied. There arent very many civic problems in San Francisco that you can tackle on your own and see an immediate difference. Ill certainly participate in more cleanups this year, and you can, too, at refuserefusesf.org.

Yuen doesnt know what comes next. Friends have urged him to enter politics, but hes not convinced he could make more change at City Hall than he can with his trash picker. So hell keep at it until one day, he hopes, San Franciscos reputation shifts from being dirty to pristine. He figures he owes it to the city.

I have not been a very civically engaged person, Yuen admitted. I really havent done much for my city. I couldnt name the supervisor of my district if my life depended on it until recently.

Im a homeowner in San Francisco, which elevates me to the top 1% of the world. Talk about privilege, he said. It only took a global pandemic to shake my head loose.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf
Full-time Google employees have access to at-home coronavirus tests for themselves and their families, but thats not the case for thousands of company contractors and temporary workers, according to a Google engineer.

A Google spokesperson said in an email that the company has free, at-home and in-person testing options available to employees as well as temps and vendors.

But Ashok Chandwaney, a software engineer at Google and member of the Alphabet Workers Union, said in a statement that access was unequal for the companys contingent workforce.

Right now all full-time Google employees, even if they are exclusively working from home, have been offered at-home COVID tests, said Chandwaney, a member of the executive committee of the minority union that includes several hundred Alphabet employees and outside contractors.

Chandwaney said the tests allowed for near-instantaneous results but that the companys thousands of temporary, vendor and contract workers do not have the same access, with only on-site workers having access to mail-in testing or on-site instead of at-home tests.

The union formed early last year to advocate for change at Google and its parent company, Alphabet, on a variety of labor and social issues.

Access to tests, both lab-run PCR checks and at-home nasal and throat swabs, has become difficult in the Bay Area and elsewhere as the omicron variant surges and drives daily coronavirus case counts to new heights. Pharmacy shelves are often sold out of the popular at-home rapid tests and waits for lab tests can stretch from hours to days, with heavy backlogs for results.

A Google spokesperson said in an email that employees and members of what it called its extended workforce in the U.S., apparently referring to temps, vendors, and contractors, can get at-home PCR tests through nasal swabs along with other testing options.

The company said its goal is to make testing more accessible and offers free at-home and in-person testing options to employees and their dependents and household members as well as its extended workforce who work at our sites.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

We offer free Cue rapid at-home tests for our employees and an onsite Cue testing program available to Googles extended workforce at our data centers, the spokesperson said.

Temporary, vendor, and contract workers make up a significant portion of the companys outside workforce and can include roles from engineering to catering. Many have been working from home or, in some cases, been paid to stay home as the companys offices have been mostly shuttered during the pandemic.

A message the union posted on its Twitter page, which it said was from Google, said the testing service was available to Google employees and interns in the U.S. as well as their dependents at home at no cost.

The document said that in addition the at-home tests were available to any members of the extended workforce on assignment to Google who are currently eligible to work on-site.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
The government website for requesting COVID-19 rapid tests "should be online by this weekend," Dr. Tom Inglesby, the lead on the White House's new testing initiative, told PBS News Hour on Wednesday. Inglesby said tests will start to arrive this month.

President Joe Biden promised Americans last month 500 million free rapid home-testing kits, and he said those kits would be available for free through a website. The White House has yet to release a URL, but Inglesby's comment suggests one will be online within days.

Biden has come under scrutiny for a nationwide shortage of testing kits amid an unprecedented explosion in COVID cases. Now the administration is working to make COVID-19 home tests more accessible, both by increasing supply and bringing down costs. On Monday, his administration announced that starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans.

Cases are skyrocketing in the San Francisco Bay Area and testing demand has surged. The SF Department of Public Health said its testing sites have been running at 500% to 900% of capacity since the current surge began. Lines have wrapped around multiple blocks at COVID-19 testing sites around the region in recent days.

To help meeting testing demand, Breed announced Tuesday a mayoral order that calls on private health care providers to increase testing and provide weekly proof to the Department of Public Health that they are providing a COVID test within 24 hours to patients who present symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who is positive.

San Francisco's seven-day average was 1,525 new cases a day, as of Jan. 4. This is more than four times that of last winter's peak of 373 cases per day, the city said. San Francisco's COVID-19 hospitalization numbers are starting to increase, but experts have said they haven't risen as high as they likely would with fewer people vaccinated. In the city, 85% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.

Amid the demand for testing, we answered some questions you may have. Some of this information appeared previously on SFGATE but has been updated as recommendations change and new information becomes available. Please send more questions to agraff@sfgate.com.

Who should get tested?

If you are fully vaccinated and don't feel sick, health officials say you generally do not need to get tested  especially now when many people who really need to get tested can't get access. If you feel sick and have symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you get tested even if you're vaccinated.

You're also advised to get tested if you had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID. If you're fully vaccinated, general health guidance recommends testing on day 5 after you were exposed.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor in the division of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University, said you could start testing as early as day 3. This is because the incubation period for omicron, which is the dominant variant in the U.S., appears to be shorter than past variants. Symptoms can start showing up as early as three days after exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

If you test negative on day 3, you can test again on day 4 or 5, depending on your situation and access to test kits.

"Just make sure you don't count the day of exposure," Schaffner advised when determining the day on which to test. "If youre exposed on Monday, Tuesday is day 1, Wednesday is day 2, Thursday is day 3."

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Where can I get tested?

You can go directly to your health care provider such as Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health for testing. Pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS also provide testing.

For more testing options, consult resources from your county that may offer unique testing opportunities at community and pop-up clinics.

-Find testing information for Alameda County.

-Find testing information for Contra Costa County.

-Find testing information for Marin County.

-Find testing information for Napa County.

-Find testing information for San Francisco.

-Find testing information for San Mateo County.

-Find testing information for Santa Clara County.

-Find testing information for Sonoma County.

-Find testing information for Solano County.

Where can I buy at-home COVID tests?

Over-the-counter antigen tests can be purchased online or at most pharmacies and give you results in 15 minutes. Theyre not as reliable as PCR tests, but theyre likely to catch COVID when people are at their most contagious.

These tests have been selling out quickly. Check with your local pharmacy to find out when they are going to receive a new shipment. You can also order them online.

Beginning Saturday, you can check with your health insurance about coverage for at-home tests.

I have a student with symptoms. Can my family get tested through the school district?

Most school districts are offering testing options for students and families. Check with your student's school district for availability.

San Francisco Unified School District, for example, is providing mobile rapid testing to students returning from winter break, in addition to San Francisco Department of Public Health testing sites and the district's ongoing Color testing program. Students are also receiving take-home rapid test kits supplied by the California Department of Public Health. You can find testing options for students on the SFUSD website.

Where can I get tested to meet travel requirements?

Many testing sites that offer PCR tests are running behind and cannot guarantee test results within a certain time period. If you need a negative test for travel  for example, the United Kingdom requires one two days before your plane to England departs  you need to make sure that the site can guarantee a turnaround before your flight.

You also need to key into your destination's specific testing requirements and ensure that your test result meets them. For example, Hawaii will accept test results only from testing partners that are considered trusted (see list at HawaiiCOVID19.com).

While testing is free or covered by insurance at many testing sites, you may have to pay up to $100 or more for a test at a location that guarantees a faster turnaround. Airport websites are a good resource for sites guaranteeing certain turnaround times. For example, the San Francisco International Airport lists three options, including Work Site Labs, which offers results within 1.5 hours for $250.

The Oakland International Airport directs passengers traveling to Hawaii and who need a negative test to the CityHealth website.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Courtesy of Corey Lewis

The search for a college student who went missing while finalizing a treasure hunt has now been called off, his father announced Monday in a Facebook post.

Thank you all for helping us in the search to recover Hunters body, Corey Lewis wrote. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you now that we are calling off these active searches at this time. His body may still wash up on the beach along with his other treasure items one day.
On Tuesday night, a proposal to create a single-payer health care system in California took a big step forward when it cleared the Assembly Health Committee with an 11-3 vote.

Earlier on Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom held a public event detailing a separate proposal to ensure "universal health care for all" in the state. When Newsom ran for governor in 2018, he campaigned extensively on the issue of single-payer health care.

With the push for "universal health care" in full swing in the state, below is a handy guide to what's going on, how each proposal would impact you, and what the next steps are for each.

Wait, so there are two proposals for 'universal' health care?

Correct. The proposal in the Legislature, which establishes a new single-payer system, was put forward by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, a Democrat from San Jose. The other one, which expands Medi-Cal coverage to all eligible Californians including undocumented immigrants, is a proposal pushed by Newsom.

Neither Newsom nor Kalra seem particularly supportive of the other's proposal. Newsom has stated that he has "not been briefed" on the Kalra plan, while Kalra called Newsom's "compassionate" but inadequate.

Do not mistake compassion for acceptance of a status quo that ultimately is fiscally unsustainable, unreasonably inefficient and morally indefensible, Kalra said.

What would the Kalra proposal do?

Under that plan, private insurance would be abolished and medical expenses for all residents would covered by a single, government-run fund called CalCare. It is a true single-payer health proposal similar to the one Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ran on during his 2020 presidential campaign.

What were trying to do is get rid of these dozens of buckets of funding  whether its private insurance, whether its employer, whether its Medi-Cal  put it into one bucket, Kalra said.

Like Sanders, Kalra and supporters say that streamlining the process and removing private insurance from the equation would lower costs of care. CalCare would provide access to any doctor in the state, regardless of network, to all Californians, regardless of income, immigration status or any other classification.

How much would the Kalra proposal cost and how would it be paid for?

An analysis conducted by the UC Labor Center estimates a single-payer system could cost the state $222 billion a year, and Kalra put forward a series of tax hikes to pay for the bill.

The four proposed tax hikes are: a 2.3% excise tax on businesses after their first $2 million in income, a 1.25% payroll tax on employers with more than 50 workers, another payroll tax of 1% for employees that earn more than $49,900 annually, and finally, a new 0.5% income tax for Californians making more than $149,500 annually, which increases 2.5% for residents making more than $2.5 million annually.

Those tax increases, which require a constitutional amendment, would have to be approved by two-thirds of both chambers of the Legislature as well as the voters.

What are the next steps for the Kalra proposal?

Because the bill, Assembly Bill 1400, was first introduced last year, it must clear the Assembly by the end of January or die on the vine.

It has strong opposition from the California Chamber of Congress, the California Medical Association and other powerful special interest groups. Some Democrats have also criticized it for a lack of specificity on financing, possibly jeopardizing its chances of actually becoming law.

What would the Newsom proposal do?

Newsom's plan, which is part of his annual budget proposal, would expand full Medi-Cal coverage to all low-income Californians, regardless of immigration status.

Currently, undocumented immigrants who meet the income requirement (less than $36,156 annually for a family of four) and are under the age of 26 are eligible for Medi-Cal, and low-income undocumented immigrants over the age of 50 will become eligible in May. Those between ages 27 and 49 currently qualify for only emergency room and pregnancy coverage under Medi-Cal.

How much would the Newsom proposal cost and how would it be paid for?

Newsom says the plan would cost $614 million for the upcoming fiscal year and $2.2 billion annually after that.

The state is currently armed with a budget surplus of at least $31 billion.

What are the next steps for the Newsom proposal?

The Medi-Cal expansion is just one piece of his larger $286.4 billion proposal for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

We are in the very early stages of the budgeting process. Cap Radio has a timeline on the 6-month budget building process.
Poisoning from lead bullets is now the leading cause of death among Californias wild condor population.

The San Luis Obispo Tribune reported that the areas 34-year-old captive breeding program is trying to rebound after 37 of the endangered birds died in just a two-year period. While wild condor numbers have soared up to 102 at the end of 2019, wildfires and lead poisoning have shrunk the population down to 97 in 2020. Now, another 13 have died, and lead from ammunition has been identified as the culprit.

Like all vultures, condors are scavengers that feed on the carcasses of animals. Wildlife that has been shot with lead ammunition is filled with hundreds of fragments, poisoning these massive birds.

Condors who perish from lead poisoning tend to die slow, painful deaths, Ventana Wildlife Society senior wildlife biologist Joe Burnett told SFGATE in August.

"It's really brutal and disturbing," Burnett said, noting that lead causes neurological side effects, including the inability to digest food and water.

Unfortunately, breeding more condor chicks cannot balance the loss of experienced birds, Ventana Wildlife Society executive director Kelly Sorenson told the Tribune. The organization, which has been reintroducing condors back into the wild along the Central Coast since 1997, has been facing a number of complex environmental challenges aside from just ammunition.

In 2020, the Dolan Fire scorched 100,000 acres along the coast of Big Sur, encroaching on a nest of five rare California condor chicks. The fire, which was allegedly started intentionally by a worker at an illegal grow operation, burned through VWSs facility, destroying a research building, pens and other infrastructure. Soreson watched via nest cam as flames crept closer to Iniko, a condor who was five months old at the time and still too young to fly. It was just terrifying, Sorenson told SFGATE at the time.

However, Iniko  whose name means born during troubled times  survived the fire despite losing her father, Kingpin, and nine other fellow condors. After recovering at the Los Angeles Zoo, she was released back into the wild in December. Stories like Inikos are inspiring to VWS  and give them hope that the condor population will continue to grow despite troubled times.

Her release brought us full circle, Burnett told the Tribune. From her survival in the Dolan Fire, to her evacuation in October 2020, to her recovery at the L.A. Zoo over the last 12 months, to her triumphant return to the wild on Dec. 4, 2021.

Today, there are 92 wild Central California condors. Members of the public may stay up to date on two nests in Big Sur and San Simeon via VWSs condor cams.



SFGATE's Michelle Robertson contributed to this report.
One indicator of democratic decay is the lack of respect for rule of law. That is what the decay of democracy looks and smells like.

When rule of law is disregarded because it is inconvenient. On December 28, 2021, gun-wielding men stormed Kakwenza Rukirabashaijja's home, cut down his door and captured him. Police later said its officers arrested Kakwenza on allegations of offensive communication.

This is an offence under The Computer Misuse Act. However, contrary to several constitution provisions and other laws, Kakwenza has been detained unlawfully for over 360 hours in an ungazetted detention facility. His lawyer has reported that Kakwenza was physically and emotionally tortured.

Torture and inhuman treatment of persons are prohibited and are punishable by law. The supreme law demands that a person detained shall only be kept in a place authorized by law and also be informed of the reasons for his or her detention.

It is the right of the detainee to be produced in a court of law not later than 48 hours from the time of his or her arrest. This was not done either!

As a consequence, his lawyers sought a court order, which was issued to all security organs demanding for his unconditional release. This court order was also disobeyed.

Disrespect of court orders not only undermines the powers of the judiciary to administer justice but also creates the risk of the public losing faith in seeking legal remedies from the courts.

Why do we have courts if their orders cannot be enforced? Strangely, the police allegedly arrested Kakwenza for offending the Computer Misuse Act but they too are not willing to comply with court orders.

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When security organs or government agencies calculate how they should behave and what they can get away with, then the country is in serious trouble of sliding into lawlessness.

When police facilitate such actions rather than insisting upon the application of the law, and when power is seen to give immunity from the application of the rules and impunity from the legal consequences, then the rot in the democratic system has begun and will spread unless action is taken to stop it.

The police and other security agents seem to be under the impression that they have unfettered discretion to act as they please, including disobeying court orders, torturing their captives and detaining persons in unlawful detention facilities.

The Inspector General of Police should be embarrassed that his men and women have decided to defy the Constitution.

The IGP owes an explanation to Kakwenza's family and the entire country as to why his officers chose to disobey the very laws they are pretending to be enforcing. Police needs to do one honorable thing; release Kakwenza, as per the court orders and if you have preferred charges against him, take him to court.

Do not arrogate yourselves the duties of a prosecutor and judge. Disciplinary and legal action should be taken against officers who are defying court orders.
The sight of a dozen or more container ships, each the length of the Salesforce Tower, sitting in the bay chugging diesel has become the norm for Bay Area residents and those driving over the Bay Bridge.

That's about to change, after the organizations responsible for the movement of the 200,000-ton ships in and out of the Port of Oakland launched new rules this week.

Previously, ships joined a queue on approaching the coast and anchored in the bay while awaiting their docking space. As of Monday, the vessels will instead receive an assignment time from the port and remain 50 miles off the coast while they wait, outside of a new zone named the the "Safety and Air Quality Area," leaving the bay waters open.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

"The overall goal is to reduce congestion, to promote maritime safety and minimize air quality impacts," Port of Oakland spokesperson Roberto Bernardo told SFGATE over the phone. He said that on Wednesday, there are ten ships anchored in the Bay awaiting berth at the port. "The numbers should go down in the coming days, you'll see a dramatic decrease," he said.

The new off-shore queuing process was designed in a joint effort by the Pacific Maritime Association, the The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and the Marine Exchange.

"The new process reduces emissions from vessels located near the Bay Area, and allows more space between vessels  an important safety feature during winter storms," The PMSA said in a statement to SFGATE, "The new procedure also enables vessels to slow steam across the Pacific, thereby reducing overall emissions throughout their journey."

"Air quality is a huge issue at all ports," Bernardo said. The Port of Oakland says it has reduced diesel emissions by 86% since 2005, largely through the use of "shore power," meaning the vessels turn off their engines and plug into a 100% carbon-free electric grid when berthed. "When they plug in they actually run on pure solar and wind energy," Roberto said. "The maritime industry has come a long way. The goal is to be an all electric port."

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The new queuing system was first implemented in November of last year at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and significantly reduced the vessel backlog in San Pedro Bay during the historic supply chain congestion caused by the pandemic.

The resounding success of the new container vessel queuing system in Southern California has set the stage for this expansion to the Bay Area, PMA President and CEO Jim McKenna said in a statement. This updated system has reduced the number of vessels at anchor near our ports, enabling safer operation for vessels and their crews as well as additional protections for coastal communities.

The number of container ships at anchor and drifting off the coast around Los Angeles fell to 17 by January, down from 86 when the new process went into effect in November, according to Marine Exchange of Southern California, a nonprofit that tracks the movement of vessels.

The new rules do not reduce the overall number of ships coming into the Port of Oakland. "It doesn't mean there are going to be less ships, it just means they're not going to be anchored in the San Francisco Bay," Bernardo said.

If you don't have a view of the bay right now, this Marine Traffic live map show the current number of cargo ships, and all other vessels, in the area.
The vaccination against Covid-19 has been ongoing amidst debates on many issues, such as free will and consent, accessibility, and possible expiry, among others.

The government and private actors have also been drumming up the need for Ugandans to get vaccinated but done little about teaching the masses about the vaccination so as to undo the already fixated mysteries around the vaccine.

We have continued to see massive forceful vaccination of persons to the extent of the local leaders taking the law in their hands by ejecting unvaccinated passengers from public vehicles and forcing them to take the vaccine, albeit not even tested first.

Many have continued to deny Ugandans services for lack of a vaccination card and all this is being done in the absence of a legal framework and at the watch of the ministry of Health, which is sad.

One wonders whether the ministry of Health is in charge or not. I have personally called upon the ministry several times to come out strongly and take charge, especially on those that are making their own laws and mandates in the name of fighting Covid-19. We cannot continue operating like this.

We need someone in charge; RDCs and RCCs have usurped the powers of the ministry, and have gone ahead to craft and implement their own illegal decrees at the watch of the ministry of Health. President Yoweri Museveni, in his address, indicated the full opening of the economy in a phased manner. He reiterated the need for people to get vaccinated in order to support the full reopening of the economy.

For example, for the public transport to fully open, all the passengers and the drivers and conductors must be vaccinated, which looks good on the face of it; however, there is no legal framework and a proper implementation plan for this to happen.

On December 3, 2021, a number of Ugandans were stranded in Wakiso and Kampala as they went to the vaccination centres and there was no one to attend to them as it was alleged that the health workers had not received their allowances. Further, the public transport rejected them because they were not vaccinated.

One wonders, how will you be able to reach the vaccination centres without getting transport? How shall we deal with this dilemma given the fact that the vaccination centres are in specific places and for one to reach them, they need transport? Can we have mobile vaccination centres?

We should have purchased mobile vaccination vans instead of double- cabin pickups, which have also been taken over by politicians.

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As schools open up officially, some are charging parents what they call "testing fees" for their children before reporting to school and no one is bothered about the vice!

There is no single circular or notice or guidance I have seen from the ministry of Health to the schools on how they should handle the return of students amid the Covid-19 situation. Every school is making its own regulations, save for the known standard operating procedures.

Further, isn't it that for one to be vaccinated, their Covid-19 status needs to be known? And, therefore, testing before vaccination is good practice. If it is, will the testing before vaccination be free? Has the ministry planned for this or is it unnecessary?

It is unfortunate that we are still grappling with these questions two years into the pandemic!

The ministry of Health needs to come out strongly and take charge of the situation; otherwise, the country may be plunged into a crisis in the name of vaccination, prevention and control of Covid-19.

What happens if we get another pandemic in the middle of struggling to deal with Covid-19? Do we have the capacity as a nation to respond and deal with two or more pandemics at the same time?

It is sad that what started well is now being handled without care. The ministry needs to rein in and take charge but within the law and in accordance with the international human rights standards.

The author is a lawyer.
SAN FRANCISCO - California's Department of Motor Vehicles has opened a new review into Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" and other driver-assistance software as it seeks to determine whether it should consider the features "autonomous," a spokeswoman said Tuesday night.

The review could carry major implications for the company headed by Elon Musk, which has deployed beta software by that name to more than 12,000 vehicles on public roads without trained test drivers. Currently, the company deploys over-the-air updates with the software to drivers who have been granted early access or passed a safety screening, in addition to paying up to $10,000. The company says the drivers must pay attention at all times.

If the cars are deemed autonomous by the DMV, however, they would need to be registered with the state. Manufacturers must provide annual reports on how often their vehicles disengage from autonomous mode, and test drivers must be enrolled in a driving record pull notice program.

"The DMV has notified Tesla that the department will be initiating further review of the technology on their vehicles, including any expansion of the current programs or features," DMV spokeswoman Anita Gore said in an email. "If the capabilities of the features meet the definition of an autonomous vehicle according to California law and regulations, DMV will take steps to make certain that Tesla operates under the appropriate autonomous vehicle permits."

"The DMV will be partnering with AV industry experts to evaluate the capabilities of Tesla's vehicles," she added.

Gore said the review is separate from a probe of Tesla's use of the term "Full Self-Driving," which seeks to determine whether Tesla misled customers.

The Los Angeles Times first reported that the DMV was "revisiting" its approach to regulating Tesla's use of automated features in its vehicles.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has defended its safety record and says it requires drivers to pay attention at all times while using the software.

The company's driver-assistance features have come under the scrutiny of government regulators and safety experts as it has scaled up the ambitions of its software.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Tesla over a dozen crashes involving parked emergency vehicles while the software suite Tesla dubs "Autopilot" was active. The top federal auto safety regulator also last year began requiring companies including Tesla to report certain crashes involving automated systems within a day of learning of such incidents.

The company's Autopilot software is a suite of driver-assistance features that is primarily used to navigate highways, from on-ramp to off-ramp, with an attentive driver behind the wheel. The software beta Tesla dubs "Full Self-Driving" expands those capabilities to city and residential streets, enabling the vehicle to make everyday driving maneuvers.

The DMV action in the company's biggest U.S. market could severely limit Tesla's ability to deploy and train its driver-assistance software, which it intends to one day make autonomous. Musk said in 2019 that Tesla's autonomous ambitions would propel the company to 1 million "robotaxis" by 2020, in the form of Tesla vehicles that could operate on their own.

Musk, who said he relocated to Texas in 2020, tweeted an unrelated criticism of California's government on Tuesday night.
Kampala, Uganda  The arrest of novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has laid bare what many political observers say are tactics from the playbook of leaders who have clung to power too long, lack legitimacy, and have resorted to using security operatives to arrest dissenting, critical, or contrarian citizens and holding them incommunicado with impunity and total disregard to the law.

Kakwenza, the 2021 winner of the international writer of courage award from PEN International which fights for the freedom of writers who are harassed, jailed, tortured, killed, was violently arrested from his home in Kisasi, a Kampala suburb, on December 28, 2021.

"Men with guns are breaking my door," the 33-year old tweeted at the time. "They say they are policemen but are not in uniform. I've locked myself inside."

He was detained in unknown places and allegedly tortured. His crime has not been stated as he has not appeared in any court. But he reportedly harassed President Museveni and first son Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba on his social media accounts.

Kakwenza's continued detention is in breach of an order issued on Jan. 04 by the Makindye Grade One Magistrate Irene Nambatya directing his unconditional release.

"Every police officer should comply with the above order," Nambatya ruled saying Kakwenza should not have been detained beyond the allowed 48 hours without being arraigned in court as it violates his constitutional right to liberty and fair hearing.

This is the third time Kakwenza has been arrested in a period of two years. He was first detained in April 2020 following publication of his allegorical novel 'The Greedy Barbarian' which describes high level corruption in a fictional country. He was arrested a second time after he published 'Banana Republic' which describes his incarceration at by military intelligence operatives.

Following the latest arrest, Gen. Kainerugaba posted on Twitter: "I want the arrest of Kakwenza Rukira (Rukirabashaija) to be a lesson to all those who think they can abuse me on social media and walk away scot free."

Kakwenza was briefly brought out of detention on Jan.03 and driven to his country home in Iganga where heavily armed security officials ransacked his house for nearly three hours. His wife, Eva Basima, and three young children were terrified. His wife said he left behind a shirt and underpants with dried blood stains on them. His legs were swollen and he looked starved. She said she saw sharp piercings on the soles of his feet, leading her to suspect her husband was made to walk on nails.

The wife has since filed an application in Civil Division of the High Court against the Commander of the Special Forces, Brig. Gen. Peter Candia, the Director of Criminal Investigations Directorate, Grace Akullo, and the Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola, and the Attorney General. She wants court to order them to produce her husband dead or alive.

Analysts say the torture meted on Kakwenza and others is a departure from the relative tolerance of criticism that has for long been exhibited by President Yoweri Museveni that now seems to be waning.

Renowned journalist and political commentator Charles Onyango Obbo says repression under Museveni has become similar to that under the late dictator Idi Amin Dada.

"Though artists, writers, playwrights have endured repression in every period in Uganda, only in Idi Amin's did they see the level of violence they face today: Byron Kawadwa, Dan Kintu, John Sebuliba, John Male etc. were all tortured/disappeared/executed in Amin's time," he tweeted after reading the narration of Kakwenza's arrest.

Zziwa Zinabala, a poet and playwright, says "freedom in Uganda is a wrong dream".

"No matter, how much we dream there will be a penalty meted to anyone dissenting in opinions in this country. It is not about writing. It is about hubris syndrome.

"It is only an insecure person, that would be so much scared of writers. It is only a low self-esteem person that can mete pain onto a body of another person just to cause a timid generation," he says.

He says the arrest of Kakwenza is meant to intimidate writers.

"Will you be able to write again if Kakwenza throws in a towel due to torture? Writers in Uganda need to learn to step up and fight together because we all write to share ideologies about life," Zziwa says.

Kakwenza's arrest has also focused international criticism on Museveni's government.

The European Union (EU) Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, on Jan.05 urged the Uganda government to accord Kakwenza due process of under the law.

"Uganda: I'm alarmed by reports of alleged torture and incommunicado detention of author (Rukirabashaija Kakwenza). He remains in detention without trial, despite a court order for his unconditional release. I urge Ugandan authorities to uphold rule of law and due process," he tweeted.

PEN International has called for his immediate release and described his arrest as unlawful and violent.

Bobi Wine trigger

The stage of such arrests was set after the November 2020 demonstrations which followed the incarceration of former music superstar-turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. The popularity of the youthful political debutante and his National Unity Platform (NUP) party appears to have caught the ruling party and Museveni by surprise.

Since Bobi Wine's popularity became obvious, and even after being declared winner of the 2021 general elections, Museveni's government has continued to arrest perceived supporters of NUP across the country for largely political reasons. Many are languishing in detention, waiting for their day in court.

With protests outlawed under the Public Management Act, the Uganda government seems to be resorting to coercive force to silence those who pose a challenge to Museveni's hold on power or dare criticize the members of the First Family even when they hold public offices.

Political commentators view the arrest of Kakwenza as an indicator of increasing intolerance to alternative views by those opposed to Museveni's government as opposition grows. They contrast Museveni's current open intolerance to opposition to the 1990s and early 2000s when he was riding on tolerance and freedom of expression card.

Although Museveni often acted either indifferent or amused; saying anyone can abuse him all they want, he often appeared determined to shield his family members from similar attacks. And commenters appeared to respect that; until his family members entered the political fray. Museveni's family members who currently occupy prominent public offices include his son, Gen. Kainerugaba, Museveni's wife; Education Minister Janet Museveni, and his influential brother; Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh.

Dr. Mwambutsya Ndebesa of Makerere University's History Department believes that a person in any public office should be seen to exercise tolerance because they are bound to be criticised. He likens the criticism of those in public offices to teachers in schools who are often advised to ignore students that nickname them.

"The moment you become a prominent public figure like General Muhoozi is now, you expect people to talk about you including your lifestyle," argues Dr Ndebesa, adding that; "It is normal. After all what hasn't Muhoozi heard in the political public discourse in contemporary Uganda?"

He cites the unsavory language that President Museveni uses to describe those opposed to him, including calling them pigs, idiots, parasites, primitive, etc.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s live political radio talk shows known as ekimeezi (ebimeeza in plural) were popular. On such kimeeza radio programmes, politicians and political activists would openly criticise the ruling NRM government and President Museveni without fear of reprisal. Newspaper editorial cartoonists enjoyed a field day of lampooning Museveni.

When the bimeeza programmes proved a headache to the government, the ruling NRM government through Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) banned them. With absence of ebimeeza radio talk shows, the spread of internet segment of social media has provided alternative platforms for expression.

Like Kakwenza, many Ugandans take to social media to vent their frustration with service delivery and the state of affairs in the country. But sometimes, the government through its coercive force will not allow them.

Uganda is today rated not free by the Freedom House in its annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide. The 2021 elections campaign period saw unprecedented attacks on journalists including those working with online publications; especially those who reported on the political opposition. The attacks were orchestrated by security forces.

After the 2016 elections, the government of Uganda through parliament passed the over-the-top (OTT) tax for access to social media sites. When the tax was enforced, several Ugandans protested the OTT tax by evading with use of VPNs. Recently, government switched goal posts as regards, to this tax and instead taxed the use of internet.

Critics say since the internet tax increases the cost of using the internet, it limits its availability as a platform for spreading information and expressing political views. But dissenting views on social media continue to grow to the extent that government established a Citizens' Governance Interaction Centre which responds to queries raised by Ugandans through social media.

It is this social media that Kakwenza used to criticise the president and his son. Museveni's attitude towards social media is that it is used to tell lies.

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When in July 2021 Museveni ordered for arrest of social media users who announced him dead, he called the issue an "idiotic problem" which "wastes people's time".

But he ordered the security forces to arrest the person/s sharing such information and three days after Museveni issued this order, police paraded a one Jamilu Ssekyondwa from Luweero for circulating the fake news of the president's death. Two more people were arrested over the same.

Some analysts say the arrest of Kakwenza for alleged verbal attacks on the first son has hallmarks of an impatience and intolerance. Unlike Museveni who has been abused by Ugandans countless times and mostly kept his cool, his son has acted fast and firmly. He is cheered by his army social media fans who argue that Kakwenza had stretched his freedom of expression by abusing others.

Other victims

The other signs of intolerance are cited in the way NRM treats its members with dissenting views. In early 2011, the country was treated to the drama of what NRM called "rebel MPs". In 2017, in the lead up to the removal of the presidential age limit, the NRM legislators that voted against the removal were disciplined. Some were forced to apologise for holding alternatives views that were contravening the official party line.

In April 2017, Dr Stella Nyanzi, a vocal academic who uses writing as a form of protest, was arrested on allegations of abusing President Museveni and his family. She was charged with two counts including cyber harassment contrary to section 24 (1)(2)(a) of the Computer Misuse Act 2011 and offensive communication contrary to section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011.

According to Section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011 on offensive communication, "Any person who willfully and repeatedly uses electronic communication to disturb or attempts to disturb the peace, quiet or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication whether or not a conversation ensues commits a misdemeanour and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty-four currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both." Twenty-four currency points is an equivalent of Shs480, 000 which, as expected, is not a hefty penalty. But that is why the security agents resort to torture to ensure no criticism against President Museveni and his family.
The Uganda Land Commission chairperson Beatrice Nyakaisiki Byenkya has been charged with abuse of office before the Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday.

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Byenkya appeared together with three of her bodyguards including Richard Godfrey Anywar, Titus Wamono, and Edward Turyatunga with whom she is also accused of obstructing a search in her office by officials from the Office of the Inspectorate of Government(IGG).

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"The accused while employed as the chairperson of the Uganda Land Commission and police constables respectively at Kampala on January 4, 2022 did in abuse of authority of their offices, willfully obstructed and hindered the lawful search of the office of the chairperson of the Uganda Land Commission , arbitrary acts prejudicial to the interests of their employer, the government of Uganda and Inspectorate of Government," the prosecutor read the charges.

All the four accused persons however denied the charges but the prosecutors led by Dr.Earnest Katwesigye and Thomas Okoth told court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing.

The quartet has however asked court for bail and trial magistrate Joan Aciro is currently listening to pleadings from both side on bail.
Government has awarded study loans to 920 students in tertiary institutions for the 2021/2022 academic year bringing the total number to date of the successful beneficiaries to 12,107.

This number, according to the state Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo will rise with the completion of the selection exercise in early February 2022 for the second lot.

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"I would like to thank the board for extending the deadline for receipt of the loan applications for public other tertiary institutions and the public universities afore mentioned to 15th January 2022 as this will ensure that all interested students are given an opportunity to apply for the loan facility," said Muyingo.

The minister said the government through the Higher Education Students Financing Board will continue to support parents who find difficulties in raising fees for their children to access Higher education.

"In the first lot, the board awarded a total of 920 students bringing the total number to date of the successful beneficiaries to 12,107. This number I am told will rise with the completion of the selection exercise in early February 2022 for the second lot," Muyingo said.

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He noted that the scheme has greatly increased the stock of scientists in the country.

He said in the last eight years, the board has trained over 3000 health practitioners in the field of medicine, nursing, and midwifery, pharmacy and pharmaceuticals, medical laboratories and others; 2,000 Science teachers, 3000 in engineering disciplines and over 800 in agriculture among other fields.

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"These are good efforts aimed at producing graduates with the relevant skills required to spur economic development. For now, loans are mainly awarded to students pursuing Science and Technology programmes because as a country, we are still faced with a big shortage of manpower in science disciplines," he said.

The executive director of the Higher Education Students Financing Board, Micheal Wanyama said the board received applications from over 4,700 students in the first lot.

He explained that Parliament released Shs 6.2 billion for this year and the first lot of 920 students will utilise Shs 3.8 billion while the second batch of 600 students slated to be released next month will utilise shs 2.2 billion
A delegate from Somaliland votes during the electoral process to choose Somaliland's representatives to the Upper House of the Federal Parliament in Mogadishu, Somalia, on January 8, 2017.

analysis

While rightly lauded for its elections, the self-declared states' lack of female representation points to a deep problem in its democratic health.

Over 30 years since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, the Republic of Somaliland has established itself as a paragon of stability in a tough neighbourhood. Although it remains internationally unrecognised, it is inevitably compared favourably to Somalia, not least in its efforts to establish a homegrown democratic tradition. Though not always smoothly, Somaliland has held eight functional elections and one constitutional referendum since 2001.

The republic's latest poll - the combined parliamentary and local council elections on 31 May 2021 - maintained this tradition. As documented in the final report of our international observation mission, the election was peaceful and saw opposition groups gain at the expense of the governing party.

This bodes well for the presidential election due in 2022. However, our report also points to gaps and long-standing issues that require reform. To begin with, virtually no vote in Somaliland's history has taken place on schedule. The parliamentary aspect of the 2021 election, for instance, was 11 years late. Somaliland's political system also only allows three parties to participate in elections. While this rule was established to limit the fragmenting influence of clanism on politics, it curtails wider democratic expression. And then there is the glaring issue of female representation.

Men only

In the 2021 elections, not a single woman was elected to parliament. This level of female exclusion from politics is unprecedented, but the problem is not new. Prior to these elections, there was only one female MP and nine female local councillors. Now, uniquely in Africa, Somaliland is left with zero women among its 82 elected MPs and a mere three women among the 220 elected councillors. Out of the 246 candidates who ran for parliament, just 13 (5%) were female.

This poor result came despite some advance optimism. For many years, Somaliland's civil society organisations have campaigned for party lists to have a 30% gender quota to guarantee female political representation. Although this was not included in the 2020 electoral law revisions, all three parties agreed to a voluntary quota of six female parliamentary candidates each.

When the election came round, however, the two biggest parties reneged on even this paltry commitment. Meanwhile, female candidates were not given equal opportunities to contest during candidate nominations with "open lists" disadvantaging them in particular. This low representation extends to Somaliland's National Electoral Commission too, where just one of seven commissioners is female.

Somaliland's lack of female political representation is all the more glaring given the high level of women's political participation. On polling day, for instance, many women served as polling station staff, including as heads of polling stations, and women voted enthusiastically in large numbers. Historically too, women played a key role in establishing Somaliland's political stability. Despite being excluded from the male-dominated clan negotiations at the start of the republic's separation, women's role as mediators between their birth and marriage clans along with female-led grassroots campaigns for peace were central to ending the clan-based conflicts of the 1990s.

The barriers facing women

According the Somaliland-based think tank the Center for Policy Analysis (CPA), female candidates faced a wide range of challenges in this election. These include lower financial resources compared to male candidates; a lack of support from electoral bodies, voters, and their own parties; and patriarchal pressure from their clans. The Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF), an umbrella of civil-society organisations, similarly emphasises the politicisation of clan identity as a key barrier, noting how "women are seen as unreliable representatives in the political arena due to their dual affiliation to their father's and husbands' clans".

Amina-Bahja Ekman, co-author of Political Settlement in Somaliland: A Gendered Perspective, also points to the role of religious conservativism. "If you are a devout Somali woman, supporting a woman would put your religious convictions in question," she says.

Ekman emphasises that Somaliland society is not stagnant. Younger women in particular, she says, see political representation as "a need, as a way to break free from traditional gender roles". Yet the focus on clan means that discussions of policy - for women's rights, labour, health, and more - continue to be eclipsed by clan politics. "Rather than policy, that is what you are voting for," she says.

How to increase representation

To improve female political representation going forwards, SONSAF calls for wide-ranging reforms. Among other things, it recommends boosting educational and employment opportunities for women and girls; ensuring institutions are more inclusive; increasing financial support for female candidates; and making sure women are included in the development of new political parties, which will be possible in 2022 when the ten-year mandate of the three current parties expires.

In our final report, we call for legislative measures to ensure female representation. Somaliland's government and institutions should look at legal avenues for increasing women's participation and, in the meantime, consider temporary special measures. These could include a closed-list system with special measures to ensure broader gender representation.

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More widely, Ekman calls for a "paradigm shift" away from viewing female political participation in Somaliland through the prism of religion and culture. "Having a visible space in politics could in the long run lead to more political engagement for women," she says.

For now, however, half of Somaliland's population is effectively excluded from politics. For all accolades the republic has rightly gained, this unsustainable and unjust fact is impossible to ignore.

Conrad Heine is a London-based freelance journalist who has often covered the Horn of Africa. He served as media officer for the 2021 international election observation mission to Somaliland, following roles in missions to Somaliland in 2005, 2010, 2012 and 2017. The mission, led by University College London (UCL) and funded by, but wholly independent of, the UK government, was invited to observe the elections by Somaliland's National Electoral Commission, and operated in the spirit of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation affirmed at the United Nations in 2005.
Doctor Frank Sinyiza, Hospital Director for Mzuzu Central Hospital is tasked to provide quality health service delivery to patients and residents of Malawi's third biggest city, Mzuzu as well as surrounding districts.

But Dr. Sinyiza's efforts to provide health care services to a catchment area of over 2 million people are continuously hampered by lack of medical equipment, drugs and medical doctors.

"Mzuzu Central Hospital and Malawi as a whole has a shortage of specialized doctors to provide and conduct critical surgeries and this is one of the challenges as an institution we are facing in order to offer quality health service," says Dr. Sinyiza.

To Dr. Sinyiza's relief, since 2008, batches of Chinese Medical Teams comprising Physicians, Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, Pediatricians, Gynecologists, Obstetricians and Radiologists are dispatched from the Shaanxi Province in China and placed at the facility as well as Kamuzu Central Hospital in the capital city, Lilongwe.

The visiting Chinese medical doctors assist in providing routine patient care, conducting relevant procedures, surgical operations, as well as participating in ward rounds, morning meetings, and hand-off meetings.

The doctors are also providing on-the-job training through case discussion, demonstration and explanation of procedures, formal training sessions, and the introduction of new technologies and techniques.

According to Dr. Sinyiza, the Chinese Medical Team provide cover on the deficiencies the hospital has on specialist doctors and hopes they continue as the country works on training more doctors.

"Malawi should invest in its medical staff for the long term while in the short term we are getting the Chinese Medical Team," he said.

Currently the ninth batch of Chinese medical team from Shaanxi province is in Malawi joining and to take over from the eighth batch which has been in the country for more than a year to deliver medical aid.

According to Dr. Li Xiaogang, team leader of the outgoing batch of 17 specialist doctors, the year 2021 marks its 58th anniversary since the establishment of Foreign-Aid Medical Team from China to overseas.

Dr. Li who is also an Anesthesiologist says the medical team is the earliest project of China-Malawi cooperation.

"Since 2008, China has sent nine batches of medical team to Malawi and over the past thirteen years, members of China Medical Team in Malawi were away from their motherland and family relatives, overcame all difficulties and fulfilled their mission.

"They put China Medical Team's spirit into practice with selfless actions, noble medical ethics and excellent medical skills. They've made contributions to the development in medical and health sector of Malawi, and the friendship between the people of both countries.

"They are also contributing China's endeavours to promote the construction along the way to a community of common health for mankind," said Dr. Li Xiaogang.

Another member of the team, Dr. Tian Juan, a physician who was placed in the Internal Medicine department at Mzuzu Central Hospital said in the past one year, the medical team has diagnosed and treated many outpatients and inpatients, carried out many complicated and highly difficulty operations, such as pregnancy with huge ovarian tumor, complex intestinal obstruction, including providing anesthesia for a newborn with a huge tumor.

She said, "We have done a lot of work in the aspect of critical illness, for example, we helped to improve the management of heart failure and diabetic ketoacidosis, and the success rate of rescue has been increased. We have also brought up some well qualified local medical personnel through teaching and training.

"In particular, the medical team established a rheumatology and immunology specialist clinic and a hematology specialist clinic, and held several lectures on rheumatism and hematology, which has filled the gap in the local specialist treatment of such two types of diseases."

Dr. Tian Juan also made a major milestone at Mzuzu Central Hospital in April 2021 when she treated the first case of scleroderma, a rare disease, to be reported at the facility.

"A 39-year-old female, presented with painful and numbness in lower limbs, with subsequent local stiffening and darkening of the skin. After four months, the symptoms progressed to the upper limbs, neck, chest and back, and were accompanied by dysphagia. In the beginning, the patient went to a hospital in South Africa, but the symptom did not improve.

"When the patient came to Mzuzu Central Hospital, she was very weak, unable to walk, and difficult to swallow. According to the typical symptom, I diagnosed her with scleroderma, which is a very rare disease.

"I treated her with prednisone and immunosuppressive, as well as some medication for relieving digestive tract symptoms and nutritional nerves. After several months of treatment, the patient's symptoms gradually improved," she proudly says.

She added that in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical team also actively shared China's anti-pandemic experience, such as wearing face masks and washing hands before entering hospital, keeping distance and keeping windows open, and Chinese traditional medicine treatment.

These measures she adds, played a role in preventing infections in the hospital, ensuring the health safety of medical staffs, and maintaining smooth operation of hospital with a positive effect.

Meanwhile Dr. Liang Gang who was a surgeon in the Surgery Department said the medical team was also able to perform all these critical procedures despite having to do without vital medical instruments and medicine.

He says he was also impressed with the good relationship between doctors and patients in Malawi.

"It is better than what we estimated in some aspects, but there are still some gaps. Public hospitals in Malawi provide free medical care for all people, and the relationships between local doctors and patients are good. The medical staffs are very friendly and dedicated, and cooperating well with Chinese doctors.

"However, the medical conditions are not as good as what we anticipated. We feel regret that some patients could not get treatment in time due to a shortage of medical staffs; some treatments could not work well because of medicines shortage; some operations can't be performed because of insufficient surgical supplies," said Dr. Liang Gang.

For their presence at the Mzuzu Central Hospital, Dr. Sinyiza says he bemoans the frequent rise in Covid-19 cases in Malawi in the past year which has been distracting and disrupting the eighth batch of the Chinese Medical Team to be fully utilized.

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With the emergence of Omicron, the medical system of Malawi is facing serious challenges again. According to the Chinese Medical Team, the first batch of 300,000 doses of vaccines provided by

China has been agreed by China-Malawi. However, still waiting for the completion of internal procedures within Malawi government, the vaccines have not arrived yet.

"We hope that Chinese vaccines could come as early as possible, so as to support the anti-pandemic efforts in Malawi."

Apart from their work at Mzuzu and Kamuzu Central Hospitals, the Chinese Medical Team led by Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Liu Hongyang, launched three massive free clinics in rural areas and delivered medical service to people who were affected by disaster when Cyclone Idai hit some of the country's southern districts.

The Chinese government has also been actively providing assistance to Malawi's medical and health sector, and just recently in December 2021 Mzuzu Central Hospital was a recipient of a state of the art Computerized Tomography (CT) scanning machine through Chinese medical aid.

Recently Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, H.E. Liu Hongyang said his country is committed to supporting Malawi's heath sector as part of its continued cooperation between the two countries.

Recent data shows the eight batches of Chinese Medical Teams have so far have made 88,100 outpatient visits, 114,800 inpatient visits, and have completed 27,200 surgeries combined at Mzuzu and Kamuzu Central Hospitals.

The article was supported by TheCentre for Investigative Journalism Malawi (CIJM)
Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) which supports and sympathizes with the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has given the President 7 days to reverse the amnesty granted to those involved in illegal and corrupt practices of government procurement processes by the Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda.

CDEDI also asks Chakwera to immediately fire the AG and Minister of Lands & Urban Development Kezzie Msukwa in order to allow the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to independently investigate all the culprits involved in the corrupt practices.

CDEDI, through its executive director Sylvester Namiwa, asks Chakwera to publicly reaffirm his commitment in the fight against corruption -- "or risk facing the wrath of Malawians".

He reminded the President that the run up to the 2019 tripartite campaign when he was presidential candidate for Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the President had pledged that once voted in he would not give an amnesty to any state resource plunderer.

Namiwa specifically quotes Chakwera speech in September 2018, in which he had said: "Thieves have been giving amnesty to each other. Enough is enough".

Thus CDEDI is asking the President to reverse AG' decision who issued a 60 days amnesty to those implicated in corrupt practices, saying the AG's decision "is illegal, unacceptable, and very hard to believe that you sanctioned this directive".

"If indeed it's you, Your Excellency, who sanctioned this directive, then the rumours that have been making rounds in the various social media platforms, that Your Excellency, personally, and some of your cabinet ministers, including top government officials are implicated in the Sattar corruption scandal, are now validated."

CDEDI also says that "while appreciating the speed at which the AG has displayed in terminating government contracts, we would like to believe that the law was followed to the letter to avoid instances of legal battles where the vulnerable and marginalized are forced to pay some claimants, using their taxes.

"Should a situation arise where such contracts demand to be paid for unlawful termination stemming from the AG's action, CDEDI would like to assure you, Sir, that you and your AG shall be held liable and would be required to pay from your own pockets."

CDEDI, asks Chakwera to remind the AG that his "core business is to advise government and leave politics to the politicians".

"The AG should at all times desist from being used by politicians. It is for this reason that we at CDEDI, believe the current AG is overstepping his mandate and thus far, he has made illegal and costly decisions, thereby making him politically compromised to effectively discharge his duties in that capacity.

Chakwera is also reminded of his "tough stance against theft, plunder and looting of public funds, which characterized the immediate past ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regime".

"Your Excellency Sir, since you promised Malawians that only thieves give each other amnesty, we at CDEDI, on behalf of the Malawian voters and taxpayers, refuse to accept that you are party to this decision.

"We at CDEDI, would like to remind you sir, that before ascending into the high office of the President, you swore to discharge your duties without fear and favour.

"However, your actions smack fear and selective application of justice, which unfortunately don't have space in the modern-day democracy.

"This selective application of justice has also been clearly manifested in the fact that it is now two weeks after Hon. Kezzie Msukwa was arrested, but to our surprise, and the surprise of all Malawians, he is still serving in your cabinet as Minster of Lands and Housing.

"However, Malawians vividly recall how Your Excellency swiftly acted by firing Hon. Newton Kambala from cabinet, who until this day, remains a suspect of crime, just like Hon. Msukwa.

"It is for this reason that we believe your conduct depicts lack of integrity required from the occupant of the high office the President.

"In short, your change of tune on the promises you made on your own, without being forced; the goal shifting in the firing of cabinet ministers embroiled in corrupt practices; and very recently the announcement by your AG without legal backing; has dragged the office of the president into total disrepute."

The AG's decision sparked a huge furore from the public when the ACB came into the open to declare that as per its legal mandate, the ACB was still proceeding with the investigations against Sattar in cooperation with the National Crime Agency, UK -- a stand that showed Chakaka-Nyirenda's office acted alone in granting the amnesty.

ACB's Principal Public Relations Officer, Egrita Ndala said the Bureau only came to know of the amnesty through numerous inquiries it received from various journalists and the public.

The Bureau this assured that it will update the public on the decision it will take as regards to the announcement from the AG in line with their investigations on Sattar and others.

After condemnation by the concerned public following the response from the ACB, the AG retracted his statement, saying the declared amnesty will not involve those who the state has overwhelming evidence against or kingpins of corruption, citing individuals such as Sattar, Karim Batatawala and Zameer Karim as among those who will not be considered for amnesty.

The AG said the amnesty will mostly involve individuals for whom investigators may not have evidence against but who can testify against the kingpins of corruption, adding that any senior government officials such as Ministers who appear on the Sattar list will not be beneficiaries of the amnesty.

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Centre for Public Accountability also registered its strongest protest and asked for the immediate suspension of the amnesty and demanded the authorities to immediately institute the following steps to ensure that public interests are best served:

1. Publish immediately list of all cases in court and under investigation, their details from amounts to ownership of those companies for the period ending December 31, 2021, that would qualify for your amnesty.

"This will help Malawians understand who qualifies and on what basis and what is expected to be recovered. You cannot ask for a blanket amnesty when you are hiding information from the public.

2. Publish all contracts, including dates and amounts by Messrs. Sattar, Batawatatala, Zameer Karim and SF International, recently barred from doing business with public entities;

3. Institute, with immediate effect a Commission of Inquiry, with a specific deadline of 180 days, to openly investigate the extent of fraud and corruption in public procurement from 2010 to 2021, to find out who is involved, expose the cartels defrauding Malawians and prescribe short term and long-term solutions;

4. Institute, a special Anti-Corruption court within the High Court, to be headed on contract by a Judge from outside Malawi, who will expedite the hearings, with specified timelines. The Director of Public Prosecutions should also have a specialist team, hire extra lawyers dedicated to concluding cases which are stagnant.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

The annual march and parade in San Francisco honoring the late Martin Luther King Jr. has been cancelled for 2022 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

The website of the San Francisco-based Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation has an alert postponing until 2023 the parade and the music festival at a downtown park that had been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 18. The decision effectively cancels both events.

Indoor events scheduled for Sunday and Monday will be moved online. Details are available at norcalmlkfoundation.org/mlkcelebration/mlk22/.

According to the organization's website, the cancellation is "to support our region's efforts in fighting the impacts of the latest COVID-19 transmission during the current omicron wave, while at the same time maintaining our commitment to service and community."

The cancellation in San Francisco follows the announcement one week ago across the bay in Hayward to postpone another parade honoring King.

The city, in conjunction with the Dr. King Birthday Celebration event committee, Hayward-South Alameda County NAACP, Hayward Unified School District and Chabot College, will rebroadcast and stream the 2021 virtual celebration event on KHRT cable channel 15 and on the city's YouTube channel. The rebroadcast begins at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 17.

Event committee members are working with sponsoring organizations and community leaders to schedule an alternative date and location in 2022 to celebrate and recognize King's legacy.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
If you ever read a column that opens with the phrase, "one reason I pay very close attention to the Israeli-Palestinian arena is that a lot of trends get perfected there first and then go global," you know it's going to be an adventure.

On Tuesday, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman  famous for, as Vice once put it, his "vacuous prose" and prognostications gone horribly wrong  published a new think piece titled, "Biden-Cheney 2024?" in which he argues that President Joe Biden should replace Vice President Kamala Harris with Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney or another anti-Trump Republican.

"Before you leap into the comments section, hear me out," he writes.

We heard him out. We wish we hadn't.

The entire basis for Friedman's belief that such a "national unit ticket" could work is because of the purported success of a coalition in Israel where conservative Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and center-left Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid "came together for a four-year national unity government." We at SFGATE will not pretend to be experts on the inter-workings and nuances of Israeli politics (which hardly seems like a utopia where conditions are improving), but Friedman was nice enough to make the argument that Israel is a poor analogy for us.

"America does not have the flexibility of a parliamentary, proportional-representation system, like Israels," Friedman concedes.

What Friedman is embarrassingly blind to is the fact that there's little evidence his primary goal  "creating a broad national unity vehicle that enables more Republicans to leave the Trump cult"  is possible with a figure like Liz Cheney.

Aside from the fact that there are many reasons Democratic voters would have major issues with Cheney, poll after poll has shown that Trump remains highly popular among Republican voters. While there are polls that show that there's a significant proportion of Republicans who do not want Trump for president again 2024, Friedman mistakes a desire to move on from Trump the person for a desire to move from "Trumpism" the ideology as loosely defined.

When pollsters have queried hypothetical 2024 Republican presidential primary contests, the candidate not named Trump who garners the most support is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a combative culture warrior who is perceived by Republican voters as someone who can actually follow through on promises to implement protectionist immigration policies, more restrictive voting laws and measures targeting large tech companies.

GOP voters seem to have little appetite to return to Cheney's establishmentarian brand of conservatism that emphasizes foreign policy interventionism and laissez faire economics. Candidates who fit that mold hardly register in 2024 GOP primary polls.

"Never-Trump" Republican establishment types have always been over-represented in the elite media circles Friedman runs in, which makes his analysis somewhat unsurprising, albeit no less terrible.
The Minibus Owners Association of Malawi (MOAM) says it still feels so pressed with the toll gate fees despite being revised.

Government gazetted revised toll gate fees on 7th January, 2022. According to information gathered by Nyasa Times, light vehicles in Class 1A are supposed to pay K1,000.00 just like pickups which are in Class 1B while minibuses which are in Class 1C are supposed to pay K2,000.00.

17 to 31 passenger vehicles with rear double tyres which are in Class 2A are supposed to pay K4,000.00 and this is also applicable to 2 to 5 tonne vehicles with rear double tyres (Class 2B) and vehicles with above 5 to 10 tonnage (Class 3). Vehicles above 10 tonnes (Class 4) are supposed to pay K5,000.00. Abnormal loads in Class 5 will be charged K20,000.00.

Malawi has a toll gate at Chingeni in Balaka district and another one will soon be operational at Kalinyeke in Dedza district.

But minibus owners in the country lament that the fees are still exorbitant considering the fact that they also pay call boys as they run their business.

General Secretary for MOAM, Coxley Kamange, told the local media that the association wants government to stop the operations of call boys so that minibuses should be operating without them. The association is proposing a further reduction of toll gate fees for minibuses from K2,000.00 to K500.00.

"K2,000.00 is still high for us. We have been asking government to consider K500.00 as toll gate fees for minibuses. You are aware that soon another toll gate will be established at Kalinyeke. Minibuses that pass through Kalinyeke do shunt to and from and so K2,000.00 is just too high.

"Last year on 7th November, the Minister of Information promised to get rid of call boys. We are still waiting for implementation of the same so that the money which we can save by not paying call boys can be paid at the toll gate. We are not satisfied with these fees. These fees are a heavy burden on us," remarked Kamange.

Malawi has had no toll gates since independence in 1964 until their introduction by the Tonse Alliance government in 2021.
Researchers from Simon Fraser University will play a key role in a major initiative aimed addressing biodiversity and health issues through an Indigenous lens.

Announced today, Arramat is a six-year, $24-million project funded by the federal governments New Frontiers Research Fund Transformations Program (NFRF-T) in Canada.

More than 150 Indigenous organizations, universities, and other partners will work together to highlight the complex problems of biodiversity loss and its implications for health and well-being. The project team will take a broad approach and be inclusive of many different worldviews and methods for research (i.e., intersectionality, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary). Activities will occur in 70 different kinds of ecosystems that are also spiritually, culturally, and economically important to Indigenous Peoples.

SFU professor John ONeil, the former dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, is one of the projects six principal investigators.

It is an honour and a profound responsibility to be part of this Indigenous-led project, says ONeil. It is unique from many other large projects in its embrace of governance models like ethical space, Indigenous research methodologies, and Indigenous Knowledges.

As one of six universities taking a leadership role in the Arramat project, ONeil and co-investigator Maya Gislason, also from SFUs Faulty of Health Sciences, will actively support work focused on health, with an emphasis on supporting projects that will decolonize and Indigenize decisions about nature in order to strengthen the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples, their lands and waters, and all beings who rely upon them.

Our work in health will focus on healing from the stresses and losses caused by colonial practices and on building healthier relationships to nature, says Gislason. By 2027, when the project completes, healing and wellbeing will have been important considerations within the development of holistic and actionable solutions intended to improve stewardship and care for people and the planet.

This work will be undertaken through projects around the world. John ONeil will be part of project in Thailand in collaboration with Dr. Prasert Trakansuphakon and the Pgakenyaw Association for Sustainable Development (PASD) to document the sustainability of several systems of rotational farming practices and the importance of sacred lands and natural medicines to the health of Karen Indigenous communities in the mountainous areas of Thailand.

The project is led by Indigenous scholars and activists Danika Billie Littlechild (Carleton University), Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine (former President of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues), and Sherry Pictou (Dalhousie University). ONeil and Murray Humphries, co-director for the Centre for Indigenous Peoples Nutrition, and Environment at McGill University, are also co-principal investigators of the project. The University of Alberta is the lead institution for the project (led by Brenda Parlee, nominated principal investigator).

Over half of the $24-million research budget will go directly to Indigenous governments and organizations to lead their own work in ways that respect, protect, and elevate the knowledges and Indigenous ways of life.

For more information, visit the Arramat project website here.
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Countries throughout Latin America have been re-examining and revising their laws as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a threat to public health.

It's important for employers to stay compliant with all the laws affecting vaccine mandates as the situation continues to change and more employees return to the workplace.

"The legislative trend throughout the pandemic has been toward granting employers greater abilities to protect their workforces, which we think will continue with employer vaccine mandates," said Dan Waldman, an attorney with Seyfarth in New York City.

Laws Vary Widely

Each country has different rules for employers regarding safety protocols, vaccine mandates and travel restrictions. HR leaders for multinational companies need to carefully review the laws in every country and stay updated with any changes.

"There's no single answer on vaccine mandates across Latin America. Standards are divided and constantly changing," Waldman said.

In Costa Rica, all government workers must be vaccinated, and private employers may require their employees to be vaccinated.

Before firing or disciplining unvaccinated workers, employers in Costa Rica must:

Communicate the vaccine mandate to employees and raise awareness about the importance of the vaccine.

Have a mechanism to verify compliance with the requirement.

Issue a warning to employees who have not complied with the mandate, allowing time for them to become vaccinated or provide medical proof justifying their refusal.

In Brazil, Justice Maria Cristina Peduzzi, president of the Superior Labor Court, recently stated that employees who refuse to be vaccinated may be terminated for cause, since the collective interest and public health prevail over individual interests, according to a report from the law firm Littler. This law is being challenged in the courts.

"Requiring proof of vaccination, rather than negative COVID-19 tests, is safer and more effective, as many cities have implemented the vaccine passport," said Marilia Nascimento Minicucci, an attorney with Littler in Sao Paulo. "Furthermore, in Sao Paulo, we have a municipal decree, which recommends that all establishments in the city request proof of COVID-19 vaccination from anyone who wishes or needs to enter their facilities."

Employers in Brazil cannot offer rewards, such as a monetary bonus, to employees for getting vaccinated.

Minicucci recommended that employers make sure all employees receive clear communications about the timeline for the vaccine mandate and the consequences for not complying. "Begin with warnings, escalate to suspensions and culminate in a termination for cause; properly documenting each step of the way, reducing the chances of loss in a future labor lawsuit," she said.

In Mexico, employers cannot require their employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine, but they can request that employees voluntarily share information about their vaccination status. Employers in Mexico cannot fire or discipline workers for not getting the vaccine.

Likewise, in Argentina and Colombia, private employers can't mandate vaccination.



Featured Resource Center

COVID-19 Vaccination Resources



Sensitive Health Information

Keep in mind that, for legal purposes, requiring vaccination is not the same as requiring information showing proof of vaccination. "A common mistake employers should avoid is requiring employees' vaccination information without previously having obtained consent to collect and process the proof of vaccination," Waldman said.

In most countries, the information about a person's vaccination status is considered sensitive health information, subject to privacy protection laws.

"Failure to comply with the disclosure, collection and process rules of vaccine information may lead to claims of data privacy breach," Waldman noted.

Most countries allow employees to get an exemption from the vaccine requirement if they provide proof of a medical condition that warrants it. In that situation, an employer could allow that individual to work from home. It's a good idea also to check whether a particular country allows religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Even in countries that permit a vaccine mandate, employers should proceed carefully because it's an emotionally and politically fraught topic in many places. It has the potential to cause interpersonal conflicts at the workplace and disruptions to workflow.

The safety and health of the whole workforce is a key concern, particularly because many companies in Latin America have been relying more on in-person work in recent months.

"As in many countries around the world, the trend in Latin America is to gradually return to in-person work at the office, and likewise there are also hybrid schemes in place," Waldman said.

Leah Shepherd is a freelance writer in Columbia, Md.


Page Content

Diversity and inclusion have taken on greater prominence for companies in India in recent years, with more firms wanting to build an equitable workplace.

Experts at the recent SHRM India Annual Conference 2021 discussed how the scenario has evolved and shared tips for using a "bottoms-up approach" to help organizations become more diverse. The speakers stressed the need to build a culture in which people from different backgrounds receive equal opportunities and feel included.

"Organizations should be asking themselves, 'How can we by default be inclusive?' Not by process or policy," said Satish Rajarathnam, senior vice president and global head of strategic resourcing at Mphasis, an information technology firm in Chennai.

Tooba Modassir, senior vice president and head of learning, performance, talent management, diversity and inclusion at Citi South Asia, echoed this.

"Diversity is a fact. Every individual is different," she said. "Are you creating platforms that create equity and equitable opportunities?"

Panelists agreed that while many organizations have long intended to be more diverse, some have recently started actually working toward achieving that goal.

"There used to be a lot of debate on 'why diversity?' " Modassir said. But research has settled those queries, she said. Now, the focus is on the actions that need to be taken.

Recent research from SHRM found that 1 out of 4 people said they dread going to work and don't feel respected and valued with regard to diversity and inclusion, said Archana Jerath, director of operations for SHRM in India, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa. Organizations have lost $223 billion from workplace turnover due to culture-related challenges in the last five years, Jerath said. "There are huge costs involved."

Many Types of Diversity

In India, where the 1.4 billion-strong population speaks more than 450 languages, diversity not only means having more female workers, but also hiring employees from different cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds; of different sexual orientations; and with different physical abilities.

Abhijit Bhaduri, founder of consulting firm Abhijit Bhaduri & Associates in Bengaluru, asked which one of these diverse backgrounds organizations should prioritize.

"This is a false dilemma," responded Hari T.N., CHRO of online grocer BigBasket.

Rather than having a single priority, Hari said each organization should seek to become more open to different points of view.

"If you aim for gender diversity, then you would end up ticking a few check boxes, but you would not achieve the fundamental objective of creating real diversity of thought," he said.

Having said that, companies in India are still falling short on the most common diversity metric: gender. BigBasket, Hari said, has no women at the senior leadership or chief experience officer (CXO) level. At Mphasis, though 38 percent of all employees are female, only 2 percent of the CXOs are female, Rajarathnam said.

"We still have a long way to go to be in a place where it's an equal world," said Mamta Sharma, vice president and HR head at Fiserv Global Services, a technology solutions provider where women make up 31 percent of the total workforce but only 15 percent of the CXO suite.

SHRM Resource Hub Page

Overcoming Workplace Bias



Building a Critical Mass

Diversity makes business sense because it opens up access to new talent pools, experts said. BigBasket, for instance, has hired 1,000 workers with disabilities.

"Their retention, their values  [are] just better than everybody else," Hari said.

But simply having a policy of diversity isn't enough. "Merely being inclusive is not going to encourage either women or differently abled people to come and join," Hari said.

Instead, these workers want to see others in the organization like them.

"It's important for a company to create a critical mass of that category [of workers] for others to believe that you're sincere about it," Hari said.

Bottoms-Up Approach to Inclusion

It's also not enough that companies hire employees from diverse backgrounds; these workers must also feel welcome and included, said Anurag Bansal, chief sales officer at technology training firm TalentSprint in Hyderabad.

Bansal cited a case study to explain how an organization can ensure that diverse workers fit in. TalentSprint has a partnership with Google in which it selects 200 female engineers in India from disadvantaged economic backgrounds. These women are trained for two years in technology as well as in soft skills such as communications and how to behave in a corporation so that they are prepared to join the workforce.

"They are fully equipped to be part of the organization, and they don't feel that they are a separate group or they have been taken into the organization as a special initiative," Bansal said. "That is the bottoms-up approach" to inclusion, he said.

Removing Bias, Giving a Voice

To be more inclusive, organizations need to listen to their employees more and build a culture in which each employee has a voice, experts said.

"Invite them into decision-making and involve them in multiple projects, in multiple initiatives," said Venka Reddy, global HR business partner at Infosys, an IT services firm in Hyderabad.

To drive this agenda, experts stressed the need for organizations to appoint a chief diversity and inclusion officer.

"You need to set a culture," said Pratyusha Sharma, assistant vice president of HR, talent development and transformation at Cognizant, an IT firm in the greater Hyderabad area. There's also a need to educate employees across all levels, addressing any biases they may have toward others who are not like them.

Organizations should get the perspectives of their employees to understand what biases they typically face in order to address them.

"You may think you understand what the challenges are, but you don't really know," Bhaduri said.

Shefali Anand is a New Delhi-based journalist and former correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. You can follow her on Twitter.


Defence lawyers in a case involving four FISD directors have pleaded with the court to ask the state to produce documentation on allegations that FISD induced double payment from the African Development Bank (ADB).

The defence raised the issue Tuesday afternoon as the hearing for the case continued before the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate (SRM) Florence Msekandiana.

"The state alleges that our clients induced the bank to make double payment. We are saying for the bank to make such payment there must be documentation.

"We need documentation which proves that indeed the payment was induced otherwise the allegation has no basis without such evidence. We made this plea before and we raised it again so that the court should make a formal order." explained Burton Phiri one of the defence lawyers in the case.

Msekandiana also granted the state their wish to add FISD as an accused- to the case.

This follows an application from the state which asked for inclusion of FISD since payment was made to the institution itself.

The FISD directors were arrested in November 2020 but were only formally charged in July last year.

The four are accused of receiving double payment for the same work from a public project financed by the African Development Bank (ADB).

FISD lawyers argue that the double payment was just an error by the bank and was corrected internally.

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One of the two witnesses paraded so far Kondwani Msowoya who is a coordinator on a the ADB funded which engaged FISD told the court that the double payment was nothing out if criminal intention but an error of the bank.

Msowoya said when the error was noted they wrote the contractor about it and the contractor acknowledged receipt of the double payment and committed to pay back.

"So, personally I didn't think there was any criminal intention," Msowoya told the court last December.

One interesting aspect of this case is that the ADB itself, which should have been a complainant, is not part of the case and, as crucial as they are, they are not appearing on the witness list.

The defence, in earlier session, demanded the inclusion of the bank as a witness in the case.

But senior state advocate Pirirani Masanjala expressed some doubt on this on whether the Bank will be included as a witness.

The ministry of Agriculture, with funding from ADB, awarded the FISD a K2.4 billion contract to construct, rehabilitate and expand gravity-fed water supply systems in Ntcheu District.

Senior Magistrate Florence Msekandiana has adjourned the case to Wednesday January 12, 2022.
The state-of-art GIS facility can scale up 700 megawatts CtrlS has announced deployment of Asias largest Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) in Mumbai, which is uniquely poised to be a game changer in the Indian data center industry.

The state-of-the-art gas insulated substation (GIS), is currently equipped with a whopping 300MW and can scale up to 700MW and backed by three different sources and diversified paths ensuring 100% availability of power at all times, thus powering the two million square feet CtrlS Datacenter Campus spread across 10 Data Centers. The campus is currently under construction of which four rated-4 data centers are operational.

CtrlS GIS facility has very limited sensitivity to environment, humidity. It is highly corrosion resistant, seismic resistant, enjoys an operating life of greater than 50 years, with no maintenance requirement for 25 years and protected against aggressive environmental conditions. This GIS facility will now help businesses collocate their high density IT infrastructure combined with seamless scalability to address their growth requirements.

The GIS deployed by CtrlS is one of the first large scale deployment in Asia powered by 3 line configuration (N+N+1). It has 3 source substation backed by 2 or more substations. Thus, providing highest reliability. The power is sourced from express feeds which have seamless 24/7 supply and which will never go down. CtrlS is equipped to deliver large capacities such as 100 MW of power to any customer in 15 to 18 months.

Gopalakrishnan, Managing Director, GBCI, Southeast Asia and Middle East, said, CtrlS deploying a 300 MW gas insulated substation (GIS) is a path breaking phenomenon in the industry. This is the first of its kind deployment of power infrastructure by any data center company in the Asia Pacific region. What is more interesting is the fact that CtrlS has planned ahead by ensuring that the GIS can be scaled up to 700 MW. Combined with its planned addition of 2 million green data center footprint in Mumbai the company is now poised to address the needs of high-density racks. Through this investment, CtrlS has again placed sustainability and efficiency at the core of its operations to provide its customers with world-class green data centers in India. Demonstrating its unparalleled commitment to sustainability, Ctrls Mumbai received its LEED Platinum certification under LEED v4 O+M in 2017 and has registered their second project within the same campus for LEED under LEED v4 BD+C in 2019.

The Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) technology originally began in Japan in the 60s, where there was a critical need to develop substations with a greatly reduced footprint. In comparison, a conventional (AIS) or Air-Insulated Substation, occupies more space than GIS. In the US, only about 2 to 5% of new substations are constructed as GIS. The Air insulated substation (AIS) leads to wastage of space, suffers from seismic instability and poor dielectric strength of air.

The deployment of 300 MW gas insulated substation scalable to 700 MW is our commitment to the industry as we continue to address the growing needs of hyperscalers, telcos, BFSI, healthcare, gaming, and new age companies. We stay committed to adopting innovative approaches to serve the unmet needs of our customers, said, Sridhar Pinnnapureddy, Founder and CEO, CtrlS Datacenters.

With GIS technology, the clearance needed for phase to phase or phase to ground for all equipment is much less than that of an AIS or air insulated substation. The total space required for a GIS is roughly 10% of that needed for a conventional AIS facility

The salient features of CtrlS deployed GIS include: Protection system such as over voltage, Under Voltage, short circuit, instantaneous, master trip, intra trip, axillary etc and more 40 protection systems of the entire GIS infrastructure is built in N+N architecture The GIS facility has lighting arresters, dedicated BCU (Bay control units), BPUs (Bay protection units) for each bay. It has alarm systems and is fungi resistant. It has aluminium casing and an ethernet interface. The GIS has a Windows based monitoring system. The GIS has a gas leak detector. All the cables laid are of 1100V grade FRLS armoured PVC copper cables conforming to IS 1554.

Continuing its tradition of rolling-out innovative solutions to its customers, CtrlS has successfully deployed a new generation 300 MW gas insulated substation (GIS) with unmatched levels of reliability, performance and security through real-time monitoring, interoperability and automation. The company stays committed to delivering best-in-class solutions as it expand its hyperscale data center footprint to 6 million in the next 18 to 24 months across Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, besides enhancing its edge data center network in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in the country.
India and South Korea set a bilateral trade target of $50 billion before 2030, as South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo held talks with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The two mnisters held wide-ranging discussions covering the whole gamut of bilateral trade and investment-related aspects. They also agreed to impart fresh momentum to the discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CEPA) upgradation negotiations and also promote extensive B2B interactions on trade and investment between industry leaders of the two countries, a Commerce and Industry Ministry statement said.

The two ministers agreed to address difficulties expressed by industry from both sides and instructed their respective negotiating teams to meet on a regular basis in order to conclude the CEPA upgradation negotiations, as soon as possible, in a time-bound manner, building upon support from relevant stakeholders, so as to try to achieve the target of $50 billion before 2030 which was agreed at the summit meeting in 2018.

These regular negotiations shall be a forum to discuss the difficulties of the business community from both countries and emerging trade-related issues including supply chain resilience. The ministers agreed to boost bilateral trade to achieve growth in a fair and balanced manner to the mutual advantage of both sides.

According to data from South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, bilateral trade in the first half (January-June) of 2021 was recorded at $10.97 billion, an increase of 38 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year. South Korea's exports to India increased 38.5 per cent ($7.4 billion), imports increased 37.4 per cent ($3.6 billion), and the trade balance recorded a surplus of $3.8 billion.
Joshi was also Inspector General for New York Citys Department of Corrections and the First Deputy Executive Director of New York Citys Civilian Complaint Review Board.

FREMONT, CA: Indian-American attorney Meera Joshi to create history as she is set to become the first Indian-American Deputy Mayor of Operations in New York City. With a longstanding experience and reputation in government oversight agencies, spanning over sixteen years, Joshi is one of the two deputy mayors of Asian descent in the mayor-elect Eric Adams administration. She has previously served as the CEO and chair of the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission for the last five years. In the press conference held by the department, Adams announced that Meera Joshi would ensure that NYC responds in real-time to fulfill and exceed the needs of every community and be a model of excellence in urban centers. Joshi responded to this saying that under his leadership, the institution has the opportunity to improve the lives of every New Yorker and their family.

On the first day of his administration, President Joe Biden had appointed Joshi as the Deputy Administrator and senior official of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Chris Spear, President of American Trucking Associations, welcomed Meera Joshi, highlighting that she has led FMCSA through historic times such as a global pandemic, natural disasters, cyberattacks, and more. He reiterated that Joshi has been extremely collaborative and supportive during her tenure and has used data and stakeholder inputs to drive sound policy processes designed to fulfill real-life needs.

Previous Responsibilities and Achievements

In her previous role as head of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, which is the countrys largest for-hire transportation regulator, Joshi successfully spearheaded the Vision Zero campaign, aimed at keeping high-risk drivers and unsafe vehicles off the roads. Joshi also led the landmark policy of establishing robust and open transportation data standards for app-based drivers. This was the United States first for-hire driver pay protection program and provided broad access to for-hire transportation for passengers using wheelchairs.

Joshi was also Inspector General for New York Citys Department of Corrections and the First Deputy Executive Director of New York Citys Civilian Complaint Review Board. She has also held the position of General Manager for the New York Office of Sam Schwartz Transportation Consultants and was a visiting scholar at the NewYork Universitys Rudin Center for Transportation Policy.
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The rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant is playing havoc with the shelves of your suburban supermarket.

The range of groceries, especially meat and dairy, is thinning out in many stores and KFC cannot find enough chicken. The cause is not so much panic buying, as in earlier waves of COVID-19, but rather shortages of the staff who operate supply chains.

The Australian Industry Group estimates between 10 and 50 per cent of food and logistics staff, depending on the company, are off work isolating either because they have the disease or are close contacts.

The issue of how to alleviate these staff shortages is likely to be high on the agenda again when national cabinet meets on Thursday.

In the past two weeks, national cabinet has already narrowed the definition of a close contact and shortened the compulsory period of isolation from two weeks to as little as one.
But following Scream 4 in 2011, the series seemed to grow tired. By then, Cox and Arquette had separated and would later divorce; Craven died in 2015. A Scream TV series only loosely connected to the movies ran for three years on MTV and VH1 but gained little cultural traction. Now, after a decade-long absence from theatres, a new Scream  with no numerals or subtitles, from new directors and new screenwriters  is in cinemas. It is both a reboot and a sequel, introducing new characters (played by Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid and others) to an audience equally accustomed to franchise do-overs like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and art-house horror films like The Babadook and Midsommar. Loading The latest Scream also brings back Campbell, Cox and Arquette as the founding characters, who have grown well into adulthood and been altered in different ways by their past encounters with the various Ghostface killers. For the actors, the proposition of returning to Scream is, well, a double-edged one: a chance to rekindle old connections and remember what made the previous films great  tempered by the fear that they will squander the series legacy if they cannot duplicate past glories. When she was approached about the new movie, Cox said, I was really like, What? They want to do another Scream? But as she considered it further, she thought, Why not go back to something that was such a huge part of my life and play a character that was fun? They must have a real vision for this if they want to bring back the franchise and take the risk.

As they spoke in a video interview at the end of November  Campbell and Cox together in one window, Arquette by himself in another  the actors shared a tentative intimacy, like old classmates encountering each other at a high school reunion. They traded goofy laughs as each claimed to have forgotten key details about the past Scream films and made self-deprecating jokes about their accomplishments. Asked how she was hired, Cox said her manager suggested her. Or: It could be that my manager said, Shes not that good and I dont think you should hire her. But who knows? What they agreed on about the first film was the brilliance of Williamsons convention-busting script and their admiration for Craven, who previously made seminal horror movies like The Last House on the Left and A Nightmare on Elm Street. The cast was largely shielded from behind-the-scenes conflicts between him and Dimension Films, which produced the original Scream series and had reservations about Cravens work on the first movie. Campbell said of the director, He was very gentle and kind and quiet. Neve Campbell, left, and Courteney Cox in Scream. Scream withstood a fourth-place opening weekend in December 1996, overshadowed by the animated hit Beavis and Butt-head Do America. Several days later, Campbell got a call from her agents. I thought, Uh-oh, somethings wrong, she recalled. And they said, Its at $30 million. Her voice dropped to a whisper: I was like, Is that bad? In fact, the film would run until the summer and gross more than $100 million in the United States alone.

A sequel was already in production and released in December 1997. (It was college next, wasnt it? Campbell asked. You went to college, Arquette affirmed.) Scream 3 followed quickly in 2000, adding more layers of metacommentary as the characters brushes with death continue to inspire a hastily made movie-franchise-within-a-franchise called Stab. With each entry, the Scream stars said, they never felt the pressure was on them to sustain the overall quality of the series. In television, when I go out and do something new, its petrifying, Cox said. You feel nothing can live up to what youve done before. But in movies, we get the script and come to play our characters. But Williamson said that Scream 4 left him and Craven feeling burned out. The studio was second-guessing themselves and kept giving note after note after note, the writer said. I finally was like, Guys, I dont know what Im writing anymore  Im just typing. After Cravens death, he said, in my heart, it was over. Without Wes, I didnt think there would be a Scream. Years went by, and The Weinstein Co., which owned Dimension Films, collapsed after its co-founder Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual assault and harassment by numerous women. (He has since been convicted and sentenced for sex crimes and faces further charges.)

The rights for Scream were eventually acquired by Spyglass Media Group, which partnered with Paramount to produce a new entry written by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac) and Guy Busick (Ready or Not) and directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of the filmmaking group Radio Silence (Ready or Not, V/H/S). Loading Williamson, an executive producer on the new Scream, said that the project had his blessing. My first thought was, Wait, theyre not going to ask me to write it? How dare they, he said with a laugh. But after hearing the creative teams plans for the film, he said, They had it all figured out. Im like, OK, this works. Naturally, this Scream sees another Ghostface once again plaguing the fictional California town of Woodsboro, requiring the return of Sidney, Gale and Dewey. But bringing back the actors who played them was hardly a certainty. The biggest obstacle, they said, was the absence of Craven: I dont see how that happens  emotionally but also practically, said Campbell. Whos going to do it as well as Wes?

But one by one, the actors were placated by the films directors, who wrote them letters praising their past work and urging their involvement. It was weirdly the easiest and the hardest thing to do, Gillett said. Its so easy to express our admiration for them as actors and for Wes and his work. The challenge, he said, was that there was a lot on the line and a lot of pressure. Bettinelli-Olpin said that, for example, in the letter they wrote to Campbell, it was like, this movie doesnt exist without you, full stop. Were not trying to make it any other way. (Asked what would have happened if any of the actors had declined, Gillett said, We said that there would be a plan and then never explored what said plans were.) Williamson said he also had a conversation with Campbell while she was considering the film. I dont think this is her favourite genre to watch, he said. But she wanted my viewpoint and I told her the truth  I didnt want to be part of it, and then I couldnt imagine it happening without me. The invitation was particularly delicate for Arquette and Cox, who were asked to act out a story in which their Scream characters have split up, in circumstances mirroring the couples real life.

Outside the Scream films, Cox and Arquette continue to co-parent their 17-year-old daughter, Coco, and to share a personal shorthand. At one point in the video interview, when Arquettes audio was garbled by a digital glitch, Cox joked, Its been so long, I cant understand him anymore. Arquette chuckled and replied, Im sorry, Im mumbling. Asked if she hesitated to take the film because of its personal parallels, Cox answered, I had no apprehensions. I was just so happy to be working with both of them. But Arquette acknowledged that being in a movie with Cox again was inherently awkward. Its been 25 years of our lives, he said. Weve grown up together. We have a child together. He explained, however, that he could not pass it up: Its a cathartic experience to just be able to act opposite Courteney. When the cameras rolled on their first scene together, it was a tearful moment, and not just because the script called for it. Cox said of Arquette, He got very emotional while he was filming it. He said the next day the crew didnt look at him. By way of explanation, Arquette gamely acted out the process of ripping out his still-beating heart and holding it in his hands. I could tell some people arent comfortable with that level of emotion, he said.

Arquette, who also provided the directors with some personal photographs of himself and Cox that were used in the movie, said the Scream shoot was often a moving experience for him. Jasmin Savoy Brown in a scene from the new Scream. Credit:AP There were moments when I felt Wes spirit around a lot. There would be a wind blowing and Id see Courteneys hair move back. And then its just like  he made an exaggeratedly mournful weeping noise. It made it really easy to tap into those feelings, he said. There will of course be conversations about further entries if this Scream hits its targets, but for now, its veteran leads are satisfied to have carried their characters to the quarter-century mark. Campbell said she was grateful to have played a horror-movie protagonist who is never depicted as a helpless victim. Im very lucky, as a woman, to have gotten a role where people come up to me and say, Sidney Prescott inspired me  Sidney Prescott made me more courageous, made me less insecure, made me stand up for myself, she said.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This is not how we thought it would go. Omicron, La Nina, Novak Djokovic - 2022 has proven a true summer bummer. But, of course, music can fix that, like this summer playlist. There is no rhyme or reason to this mix - some new songs from the first week of the year, overlooked faves from the past few months, and other classics that evoke tropical sunshine vibes. The only goal is to aurally improve our collective summer (and, well, to force you to listen to Paris Hiltons opus). 1: PM Dawn, Set Adrift on Memory Bliss

I dont understand why every summer mixtape doesnt just begin with this 1991 classic. Press play and, well, lets set adrift. 2: Bad Bunny, Yonaguni

El Conejo Malos latest song, released last northern summer, is emo-holiday vibes, about flying to a tropical island off Japan to meet up with the (big-butted) love youre missing. Surely, we can all relate. 3: The Weeknd, Out of Time

The smoothest song on The Weeknds intriguing new album is a breezy evocation of 80s Japanese city-pop, borrowing a hook from Tomoko Arans Midnight Pretenders. Unfortunately, until theres a single edit, youll have to sit through the mood-killer that is Jim Carreys narrative outro.

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4: Tame Impala, No Choice

A woozy disco joint from Kevin Parkers upcoming The Slow Rush Remixes/B-Sides release, this one offers some pandemic-era realism to keep us down-to-earth: It doesnt matter if I want to go somewhere new, at the end of the day I have no choice. Well, yep. Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, patron saint of woozy summer vibes. 5: Illuminati Hotties, Pool Hopping

The LA rock bands Let Me Do One More was one of 2021s best albums, led by Sarah Tudzins awesome energy. This bouncy track is pure summer escapism, as evoked by its fun title. 6: Young Guv, Its Only Dancin

Another appropriate banger released at the dawn of 2022 from the ever-reliable power-pop project of Ben Cook, guitarist for Toronto hardcore faves Fed Up. Baby I just gotta move, but Im forbidden to go outside, he sings, knowingly. 7: Nick Griffith, Porto Song

A gorgeous jangly number from local stalwart Nick Griffith, best known as a singer/guitarist from Sydney indie-rockers Big White. When he sings Youre windswept and rosy, it just makes me imagine Im waiting for my fish n chips order on a pier somewhere on the south coast. 8: The Lucksmiths, South-East Coastal Rendevous

I mean, see the previous description. You might say T-Shirt Weather is the obvious choice here, and youd be correct. 9: Paris Hilton, Stars Are Blind

An ever-maligned summer masterpiece. Every time I hear this song, I feel like Im wearing loose white pants and laying on a hammock in a quiet corner of some tourist resort.

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10: Lets Eat Grandma, Happy New Year

A spectacular new single from the delightful British weirdos upcoming Two Ribbons album. Unfortunately, it was released a couple days too late to blast as the clock ticked midnight into 2022, but all is forgiven when those massive synths hit. Paris Hilton sure can write a summer tune. Credit:Getty 11: Fred Again, Billie (Loving Arms)

Another new one from the British super-producer whos worked with everyone from Brian Eno to Ed Sheeran. Roll the car windows down, turn it up, and feel your Toyota Corolla float into heaven. 12: Harry Nilsson, Coconut

Time for a summer drink break, of course. Just follow Nilssons instructions and then we can proceed. 13: Chaka Demus & Pliers, Tease Me

I dont know about you, but this cassette was playing in the car during every family summer road trip to Movie World (Hollywood on the Gold Coast) from when I was 9 till whenever I aged out of family road trips. Its surely due a TikTok rediscovery? 14: CKay, Emiliana

Rising Nigerian Afropop star CKay has already taken over 2022s streaming charts with his follow-up to his TikTok viral Love Nwantiti. That slinky beat is made for hot, late-night, outdoor shenanigans. 15: FKA Twigs, Tears in the Club

The evocative first single from the British singers new mixtape Caprisongs should already be the song of the summer. Sultry and infectious, just like Omicron?

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16: Big Mountain, Baby, I Love Your Way

Some of you may never forgive the segue from FKA Twigs to Big Mountain, but cmon, its not really summer until you hear a hit 1994 reggae song from a white guy with locs, is it? Loading 17: Wet Leg, Too Late Now

The new follow-up to the British duos inescapable Chaise Longue is a propulsive Strokes-ian banger. I just need a bubble bath to set me on a higher path should be everyones mantra this summer. 18: Tkay Maidza, Cashmere

This smooth single from the Adelaide superstars 2021 release Last Year Was Weird (Vol. 3) has been waiting for the summer. It feels like warm honey (cashmere, even) in your ears. 19: Youngn Lipz, Say It

An infectious cut featured on the western Sydney stars Area Baby debut last August, this one gives more beach vibes than Hawaiian shirts. 20: Naughty By Nature, Jamboree

If this 1999 classic isnt on annual rotation in your house, then what do you do when you throw a summer house party? Do you and your friends just sit in silence? 21: The Beach Boys, This Whole World

You thought youd get through 20-odd feel-good summer songs without a Brian Wilson cut? This ones from the Boys 1970 album Sunflower, which was re-released in a nerdy multi-disc box-set last year.

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It was the Regency bonk-fest that showed the upper classes unbuttoning their breeches and raising their petticoats as they swung from library ladders. We couldnt get enough of Bridgertonand soon we can sate ourselves with A Very British Scandal.

Yet this new drama about Margaret Campbell, the Duchess of Argyll, partly set in a fairytale turreted Highland castle, isnt escapist fantasy. It is based on a true story that shocked Britain in the 1960s. The television adaptation, which stars Claire Foy and Paul Bettany, focuses on the bitter divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, which dominated the front pages when the beautiful, charismatic Margaret was accused of having a voracious sexual appetite.

Polaroids of her being intimate with a headless man, on her knees before him, came to define her legacy. The judge, who ruled in the Dukes favour in the 1963 court case, concluded that the duchess was a highly sexed woman who had ceased to be satisfied with normal relations and had started to indulge in what I can only describe as disgusting sexual activities.

Claire Foy in A Very British Scandal. Credit:BBC

Plus ca change. Throughout the ages from courtly love, the medieval, highly conventionalised code that prescribed the behaviour of ladies and their lovers; through the historical romping that went on at Versailles, where the Sun King, Louis XIV, slept his way through his entire royal court; to the Edwardians and their bonking Bloomsbury set, the nobility have always displayed a laissez-faire attitude to adultery.
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera says peace and stability remains a vital key in achieving socio - economic cooperation in all the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states.

Malawi is currently hosting a two day SADC extraordinary summit of heads of state and government which is aimed at reviewing progress of the SADC mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) which was deployed to support Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado.

SAMIM was deployed in July, 2021 following approval by the extraordinary SADC summit of heads of state and government held in Maputo on June 23rd, 2021.

"Peace and stability remain key in our quest as a regional development block to fully achieve socio economic cooperation among all member states," President Chakwera who is SADC Chairperson said Tuesday in Lilongwe.

"I urge you fellow citizens to accord a warm welcome to our visitors during their entire stay."

In his remarks at the opening of the extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit on Tuesday, Chairperson of SADC organ on politics, defence and security cooperation Troika South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that acts of terrorism that have displaced people's property and victimized women and children cannot be left unchecked.

Ramaphosa said: "Peace and security are fundamental to the social and economic development of the SADC region."

Ramaphosa said the situation in Cabo Delgado is improving and life is slowly returning back to normal.

The South Africa then commended member states for deploying personnel and equipment.

SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi hailed SADC troops in Cabo Delgado for putting up a gallant fight in uplifting peace and security in Mozambique.
The worlds oceans recorded their hottest year in more than 60 years with greenhouse gases driving increasing temperatures, amid concerns the oceans ecosystems will be unsustainable in the warmer climate.

The annual study, which draws on data between 1958 and 2021, published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, found that ocean heat content during the past five years was the warmest in its records, driven largely by anthropogenic greenhouse gases.

Warmer ocean temperatures are expected to lead to more intense weather systems. Credit:Brook Mitchell

ANU institute for climate, energy and disaster solutions director Professor Mark Howden said oceans played a vital role in absorbing about 90 per cent of the heat and gases in the atmosphere.

He said the results were worrying and continued a long-standing trend of rising ocean temperatures, particularly given records had been broken despite last years La Nina event, which brings cooler conditions. As oceans continue to warm, marine heatwaves are likely to become more common. They are already twice as frequent as they were 40 years ago.
Ms Kaur denied her facilities were unhygienic and uninhabitable. Cleaners were coming every day and there was not a single COVID-19 case over the last two years at either facility  and Melton was a COVID hotspot. Is that not proof that the facilities are maintaining hygiene? Gracemanor (formerly Meadowbrook) in Melton South. Credit:Paul Jeffers Ms Kaur also denied her facilities had hindered access by NDIS and other health services, noting NDIS officers had visited without proper notice at the height of COVID-19 crisis. She said there was no evidence to back allegations of forgery or falsification of documents. If the department has proof I would like to see it.

Ms Kaur also accused the department of racism against supported residential services providers of Indian and Sri Lankan backgrounds. Officers are racist. I am very sure about that, she said. Opposition NDIS spokesman Bill Shorten said NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds must urgently address how an NDIS provider could keep operating despite reports of gross mismanagement. Any provider who has been found to have abused its registration in the NDIS must be removed, Mr Shorten said. As usual, a state government has stepped in when the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has been missing in action.

Mr Shorten said the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission must explain what action had been taken against Grace Disability Services and why it continued to operate without repercussions. The potential for conflicts of interest have been raised as an issue a long time ago. Im staggered the Morrison government has done nothing to address the problem. A spokesperson for Senator Reynolds said the safety and wellbeing of NDIS participants was of the utmost importance and anyone with concerns about an NDIS provider should raise them directly with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. A spokesperson for the commission said it was aware of the matters and was investigating. As there is still an active investigation underway, the NDIS commission is unable to comment further, the spokesperson said. More than 4000 of Victorias most marginalised citizens live in 116 supported residential settings across the state.

In September 2020, the Victorian government placed another notorious supported residential facility  Hambleton House in Albert Park  into administration after a COVID-19 outbreak revealed shocking conditions, including uncapped needles, mattresses stained with bodily fluids, broken windows and spoiled food. Loading Last year The Age revealed the government had been repeatedly warned over years about conditions at Hambleton House. The introduction of the NDIS has complicated matters in the sector. With annual funding packages that can be worth more than $100,000, the scheme has turned some of Victorias vulnerable citizens into valuable commodities. Watchdog agencies, health professionals and families are concerned that in the broader industry the NDIS has led to the potential for conflicts of interest, rorting and exploitation in supported residential services.

The Victorian Public Advocate, Colleen Pearce, has previously called for systemic change to supported residential services, saying the state government had failed to act on Hambleton House until the COVID-19 outbreak, despite her office raising concerns about the home for three years. On Wednesday, acting secretary of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Ben Rimmer said appointing administrators to Sydenham Grace and Gracemanor was a very significant action by the Human Services Regulator to protect residents living in the two facilities. Hambleton House in Albert Park was closed after a COVID-19 outbreak. Credit:Jason South The regulator has moved with absolute determination to protect the welfare of residents, Mr Rimmer said. The Human Services Regulator was continuing to investigate and working with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, the National Disability Insurance Agency and Public Advocate.

Last year, the regulator conducted 158 inspections and issued 110 compliance notices to 24 supported residential services. Mental Health Legal Service CEO Charlotte Jones said she was delighted for the residents of Sydenham Grace and Gracemanor. Weve tried to highlight our concerns around them being financially exploited and physically exploited for that financial gain, which ensured that they couldnt actually in any way move on with their life, Ms Jones said. She hoped the state governments intervention would put other supported residential services on notice. Ms Jones also called on the federal government to address the conflict of interest that occurred when a disability accommodation landlord could also be an NDIS provider.

We think that not only reviewing that conflict of interest, but ensuring it cannot happen is paramount. Loading Dr Liz Dearn, a social researcher who has recently completed a PhD at RMIT University on supported residential services and the NDIS, said there were concerns about the potential for exploitation of residents in these settings. The lack of transparency and monitoring in the NDIS context gives rise to risk, Dr Dearn said. We are yet to discover how widespread this problem is. But all evidence we have to date suggests that it is a very serious concern.
He was obliged to do National Service, which entailed three months of part-time duty, doing nine parachute jumps. He resumed his articles, finishing with Bill Parkhill at Katoomba. In 1958 he married a legal secretary, Nelle Fish, and in March 1960 was admitted as a solicitor of the NSW Supreme Court. The first of Barkers six children, Michael and Nicholas, were born in Katoomba. In August, 1961, Barker packed up his bags and moved with his family to Alice Springs. Initially, Barker worked with solicitor Neil Hargrave, but when Hargrave moved to Adelaide, Barker was on his own. He became aware of the appalling conditions so many Aboriginal people faced. Barker was then joined by Brian Martin, a future chief justice of the Northern Territory, and together they opened a branch office in Tennant Creek. We drove the 300 miles monthly to a salubrious office, being Alfie Chittocks betting shop, he said. Barkers interests spread beyond the law. He became a member of the NT Reserves Board in 1965. He and Nelle had four more children  Jill, Bridget, Louise and Eleanor  all born in Alice Springs. In 1970, the Barkers moved to Darwin where Ian joined John and Nerolie Withnall in a general practice. Barker specialised in advocacy. One case resulted in him drafting the rules for police interviews of Aboriginal people, which were accepted by the court and became known as the Anunga Rules. Barker, appointed a QC in 1974, continued his interests in conservation. He was involved in the creation of the Kakadu National Park and was instrumental in the creation of a national park on the Cobourg Peninsula, which was to be run by Aboriginal people.

When the Northern Territory was granted self-government in 1978, Barker became the territorys first solicitor-general and spent a great deal of time in Canberra negotiating on many issues, one being Aboriginal land and uranium. Barker became deeply involved in many aspects of Northern Territory life. For recreation I did some canoe trips with some of my children, he said. I developed respect for crocodiles, and learnt to live out of the rivers. Ian Barker QC leaving the Supreme Court, 2017. Credit:Fairfax In 1980, Barker moved to Sydney and started practice at the NSW Bar. He divorced Nelle the following year. He went on to handle cases such as the inquest into the shooting death of drug dealer Warren Lanfranchi and Alexander Barton in fraud proceedings. The Chamberlain case in 1982 brought him national headlines. His skill in presenting a prosecution case, his quick wit and sense of humour allowed him to sway the jury far more than his opposing counsel, John Phillips QC, though the environment was later acknowledged to have been so heavily prejudicial against the Chamberlains that any prosecutor was likely to have been successful. The legal profession was somewhat aghast in his winning a conviction where the normal elements  the body, the weapon, the motive  were missing.

In 1983, Barker married a Canadian-born barristers clerk, Penny Brand. Huge cases came his way. Including the Hope royal commission into espionage, 1983-85, where he represented the former ALP national secretary, David Combe. The royal commission investigated Combes relationship with Soviet diplomat Valeriy Ivanov and the possible implications for national security. In his vigorous defence of Combe, Barker had some courtroom clashes with Justice Robert Hope. But the Chamberlain case refused to lie down, and in 1986 a royal commission was ordered, headed by Justice Trevor Morling. Barker was engaged to represent the NT Crown, with the now Justices Michael Adams and Elizabeth Fullerton his juniors. It was a bitter pill for him to swallow. He retained his professional composure but the angst between himself and the Chamberlains, and his bogeyman status among what was now a legion of Chamberlain supporters, was increasingly uncomfortable. Barrister Ian Barker in his office Credit:Steven Siewert He was privately appalled by the collapse of the Crown scientific evidence, in particular the evidence on blood identification by the forensic biologist Joy Kuhl. In the end, it could be confidently asserted that there had been no blood in the car at all. In private conversation he was asked what the case would have been like had it been alleged that a shark had taken Azaria. Barker replied: Oh, there would not be a problem. We could get Joy Kuhl to find foetal haemoglobin in the seawater! The case rankled through the years. When radio host Alan Jones, who strongly supported the Chamberlains, rounded on him on air, Barker sued and the matter was settled on the eve of court proceedings. Barker forced a retraction from the Herald over what had been said in an editorial. In 1987, Barker represented Abe Saffron, charged with conspiracy with deputy police commissioner Bill Allen and others to bribe a police officer, Warren Molloy. He also appeared for Saffron when he was charged with conspiracy with underworld figure Jim Anderson to defraud the Australian Taxation Office.

In 1989 her represented the widow of Charles Waterhouse in a feud in the Waterhouse bookmaking family. But his interest was also in the broader issues of justice. In a letter to the Herald in 1994, he said that states prison population had risen from 4000 to 6500 in five years and he blamed that on the wretched truth-in-sentencing policy. Loading Among other important cases, he appeared for Peter Schneidas, convicted of the murder of a prison officer. He successfully defended Sydney solicitor Leigh Johnson, charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, and he represented former police officer and stripper Kim Hollingsworth who was trying to gain readmission to the NSW Police. He went on to represent Bradley Murdoch in his appeal against his conviction for the 2001 murder of Peter Falconio in the Northern Territory and the assault and deprivation of liberty of Falconios girlfriend, Joanna Lees. Barker was appointed to the International Human rights Observer Panel, established in 2005 by the Law Counsel of Australia, a group of Australian lawyers who served as trial observers and undertook reviews in relation to human rights. He moved to Berry Hills, near Berry, on the Shoalhaven in 2013 and retired in 2017, receiving many accolades from the legal profession.
In July last year, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced additional funding of almost $70 million for the National Archives of Australia. This was very welcome news, and followed an extensive public campaign in support of more money for the National Archives.

This in turn had followed a review by a respected public servant, David Tune, who found that without a substantial increase in funding, the quality of the collection held by the National Archives was at risk.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced additional funding of almost $70 million for the National Archives of Australia. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

There are many campaigns for additional government financial support. Not all of them are meritorious and as deserving of the response the Treasurer provided on this particular occasion.

The National Archives of Australia truly fits the definition of a national treasure. The material contained in the archives is integral to an accurate understanding of our history as a nation.
Socially distanced beach towels, rainbow umbrellas and striped cabanas dotted the waterfront at Nielsen Park on Wednesday as Sydneysiders embraced blue skies and temperatures nudging 30 degrees.

For Samantha and Patrick Wilson, who live in New York, this summer was the first time they have been able to fly back and introduce their 18-month-old son, Rupert, to his grandparents, after international borders reopened for Australian citizens.

Patrick Wilson and his 18-month-old son Rupert, who has finally been able to meet his grandparents in Australia. Credit:Flavio Brancaleone

We finally got let back in, Mr Wilson said. He was born out of the country and there are a lot of other people who are still out of the country.

The Australian remembers swimming in the Vaucluse enclave as a child, and was glad that Rupert and his three-year-old sister, Clementine, were able to do the same before the family returns to the US next week.
An eastern suburbs investment banker who allegedly assaulted his wife inside a childrens hospital is under orders to reside in the Byron Bay hinterland after appearing in Waverley Local Court for breaching an apprehended violence order.

Fredrik Blencke, 49, arrived at the Sydney Childrens Hospital on November 14 after his wife Annabelle Price, 30, called to say the couples young daughter had been admitted to a ward.

Fredrik Blencke and Annabelle Price. Credit:Facebook

He was slurring and incomprehensible on the phone when Ms Price rang to inform him of his daughters hospitalisation, court documents claim.

When the [alleged] victim attempted to ask the accused to assist with her other child he became aggressive and uncooperative, court documents obtained by the Herald say.
With more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19 notched up each day in a country of 25 million people, and contact tracing essentially abandoned, some Australians are asking why they need to keep getting tested for the virus at all, and whether those results need to be collected by authorities.

Theyre good questions with complex answers, according to public health experts, who have varying views on what the next phase of testing should look like as the virus becomes endemic.

A traveller receives a COVID-19 test ahead of his flight at a Histopath testing clinic at Sydney Airport on Tuesday. Credit:Bloomberg

University of NSW epidemiologist Greg Dore said the move to rapid antigen tests was a good one as it was still important to capture as many cases as possible - without being totally obsessed by the numbers.

Better data, especially on peoples age, gender, residence and vaccination status, would provide a clearer picture of how the virus was tracking, a preview of what might happen to hospitalisations over coming weeks and prepare us for likely future variants.
Australians are getting a stark reminder about how value is actually created in an economy, and how supply chains truly work.

Ask chief executives where value comes from and they will credit their own smart decisions that inflate shareholder wealth. Ask logistics experts how supply chains work and they will wax eloquent about ports, terminals and trucks. Politicians, meanwhile, highlight nebulous intangibles like investor confidence  enhanced, presumably, by their own steady hands on the tiller.

Empty fresh produce shelves at Woolworths in Sydneys Neutral Bay on Friday. Credit:James Brickwood

The reality of value-added production and supply is much more human than all of this. It is people who are the driving force behind production, distribution and supply. Labour  human beings getting out of bed and going to work, using their brains and brawn to produce actual goods and services  is the only thing that adds value to the free gifts we harvest from nature. Its the only thing that puts food on supermarket shelves, cares for sick people and teaches our children.

Even the technology used to enhance workers productivity  or sometimes even replace them  is ultimately the culmination of other human beings doing their jobs. The glorious complexity of the whole economy boils down to human beings, using raw materials extracted and tools built by other human beings, working to produce goods and services.
Farmers are dumping millions of dollars of fresh produce as worker shortages caused by COVID-19 continue to wreak havoc on Australias food supply chain.

Paul Gazolla, owner of Gazolla Farms on the Mornington Peninsula, is ploughing up to 30 per cent of his weekly output of lettuce, celery, broccoli and Asian greens into the ground because he does not have enough staff to pick the produce.

Farmer Paul Gazolla says he doesnt have enough staff to pick his produce. Credit:Simon Schluter

He said he had reduced his deliveries to Coles, Woolworths and smaller retailers because up to 20 per cent of his staff were sick with COVID-19 or isolating. He is struggling to access rapid antigen tests so employees can safely return to work.

Most growers are putting some portion of product back into the ground, he said. Its been really bad the past four weeks. Every day is a blur at the moment. I look forward to the day when I can just focus on growing vegetables.
The Mbulumbuzi Magistrate's Court in Chiradzulu, on Sunday ruled that a warrant of arrest for Speedy's Group of Companies' managing director Riaz Jakhura should remain in force until executed.

Jakhura, whose family owns Rab Processors in Blantyre, fled the country a few hours after the warrant of arrest was issued for him and three accomplices. He is believed to be in the United Kingdom, where he also has other business interests. He also holds a British passport.

According to police sources, a 'red notice' has since been issued against Jakhura for Interpol to arrest him and deport him back to Malawi to face charges.

Jakhura and three accomplices--Bashir Osman Adams, who is owner of Adams Car Hire Limited, Jayaraj Gobalan who is the general manager for Speedy's Limited and Financial Controller, Priyal Fernando, are suspected of theft, criminal trespass and intimidation.

National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera told Nyasa Times on Sunday that the offences were allegedly committed on December 24, 2021 at Mount Pleasant in Blantyre where Jakhura, in the company of the three, allegedly stormed into a private residence, where they demanded a Mercedes Benz vehicle that Jakhura had imported from the United Kingdom on behalf of a client.

"The vehicle was worth over K60 million and the said client paid the price and attendant payments to Jakhura. But after some days, he brought up extra bills and when the said client demanded a valid explanation, Jakhura threatened to confiscate the car from him although the car had already been registered in the client's name.

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"When the client refused to surrender the car, Jakhura and his friends went to the client's residence, and allegedly physically manhandled him in full view of his wife and children and later sped away with the vehicle using a duplicate key," said a police source close to the investigation.

On Saturday, January 8, Police in Blantyre arrested the three suspects. They were kept at Chilomoni Police Station before they were released on bail by the Mbulumbuzi Magistrate's Court on Sunday January 9.

The court granted bail on condition that each accused person be bonded at K500, 000 cash, each to produce one surety bonded at K500,000 non cash, that they report at South West Region Police Headquarters once every fortnight on Tuesdays, that they should not visit the house of the complainant, and that they should not interfere with State investigations.

The court also ordered them to surrender their travel documents.

Bashir Osman Adams was also contemplating leaving the country through Chileka International Airport on Saturday for the United Kingdom before the pounced on him. At the time of his arrest, he had already booked a flight to the UK.

Bashir Osman is not new to vehicle-related offences because around 2000, he also fled the country when he was implicated in a scandal involving the supply of reconditioned Land Rovers to government at a price of new ones. He fled to the United Kingdom before he resurfaced in Malawi after a change of government.
West Australian nurses have laid bare the absence of plans to prevent hospitals becoming super-spreader events once state borders open, in a desperate letter to government.

The Australian Nursing Federation WA wrote to Premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson pleading for a hard border extension.

Nurses fear they are about to be thrown to the wolves with no protocols in place. Credit:Getty Images/Supplied

The letter says the planned opening date February 5 coincides with the predicted peak in case numbers in the other states and says the government has failed to explain how hospitals will deal with and sequester an influx of COVID-positive patients while protecting other vulnerable patients.

There are no clear plans on how we are going to treat COVID positive pregnant women, no plans on where they will be seen by staff, it says.
The organiser of a New Years Eve party at a Perth CBD bar shut down by police and the venues licensee have been ordered to hand in their passports and not leave the state as they face potential prison terms.

Partygoers were allegedly dancing and drinking in secret behind blackout curtains and locked doors, contrary to snap restrictions on dancing and drinking standing up, as well as a mask mandate, that had forced last-minute cancellations on most other New Years Eve events.

Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Ray Lee told Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday the alleged offending by organiser Farooq Latief, 25, and The George publican Vinod Parihar, 41, was a serious breach of a direction under state of emergency laws.

The two men have both been charged with two counts of failing to comply with a direction.
GP appointments would be triaged by nurses through a telephone call centre under a proposal aimed at ensuring treatment for vulnerable Australians, as doctors push for more federal funding to help them treat patients with COVID-19.

The Australian Medical Association met federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Wednesday to raise concerns about general practitioners being overrun with patients  including those who are not unwell, but have tested positive to the coronavirus  and struggling to treat people remotely under restricted telehealth rules.

GPs are being overrun with calls as they try and deal with COVID. Credit:

AMA vice-president Chris Moy said that, at this point in the Omicron wave, with more than half a million Australians infected, it was very hard to secure a GP appointment as doctors struggled to keep up with demand.

Were getting slammed with phone calls, Dr Moy said.
Brisbanes ignored western suburbs need a new full-traffic road bridge across the Brisbane River after a decade of congestion but no action, according to an opposition frontbencher.

Ten years have passed since cyclist and promising classical musician Richard Pollett was crushed to death on Moggill Road, beneath the wheels of a cement truck.

Thirteen years have passed since the Bligh government developed a Kenmore Bypass option to take traffic off Moggill Road. Yet only a sign asking motorists to be aware of cyclists has been added since Mr Polletts death - no extra lanes, and no alternative to the increasingly busy road.

Opposition education and arts spokesman Christian Rowan, the member for Moggill, said traffic planning in the area was just madness and piecemeal and should have broader scope.
Victorian businesses are making fresh pleas for state and federal government financial support as they battle plummeting consumer demand while people avoid public places, as well as severe staff shortages and supply chain issues due to COVID-19 infections.

Many businesses, including those in holiday hotspots that rely disproportionately on summer trade, are warning the shadow lockdown has put them in uncharted territory, with the economic effects of the Omicron wave seen by many as worse than previous COVID outbreaks.

CBD bar owner Luke Delaney is battling severe staff shortages and a lack of consumer demand. Credit:Eddie Jim

But because there is no official lockdown, federal and state support mechanisms have not been triggered. Asked on Wednesday about further financial support, Deputy Premier James Merlino said he had no further announcements.

National cabinet will discuss on Thursday proposals believed to include lifting restrictions on working hours for temporary migrants, and the relaxation of isolation requirements for workers in critical industries  a measure similar to rules that took effect in Victoria on Wednesday night.
Some property sellers are already shifting to online auctions, even though there is no requirement to do so, as the Omicron strain of COVID-19 hits the housing market.

The disease is also disrupting inspections and some agents are taking the added precaution of organising A and B teams to cover in case one of them is sick.

Some sellers and buyers are looking online to avoid crowds as Omicron spreads. Credit:Peter Rae

With more than a million COVID-19 cases across the country, Omicron has already hit healthcare, hospitality and supermarkets. ANZ spending data shows households in Sydney and Melbourne have been staying at home since the new strain hit, rather than go to the shops.

Real Estate Institute of Australias newly appointed president Hayden Groves said the property industry was bracing itself for the potential changes to deal with the Omicron strain, including agents needing to isolate.
Last year, amid a period of frenetic and dislocating policy changes, Chinas authorities were determined to deleverage an over-leveraged economy. As this year gets under way, they are now responding to the unintended consequences of those policies with some urgency.

With a property crisis, energy crisis, food shortages and a significant slowdown in economic growth, Beijing is seeking to stabilise and consolidate in what is, with the twice-a-decade Communist Partys national congress looming later this year, a sensitive year for Xi Jinping as he seeks an unprecedented third term as the partys leader.

Chinese President Xi Jinping faces a sensitive year as he aims for an unprecedented third term as leader. Credit:AP

In December the Peoples Bank of China reduced the reserves Chinas banks are required to hold by 50 basis points and its benchmark one-year lending rate by 5 basis points for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

There is now a widespread expectation, supported by reports in Chinas state media, that the PBOC will loosen monetary policy further, with more reductions in the reserve requirements to pump more liquidity in the financial system and more cuts to lending rates.
London: On the face of it, Judge Lewis Kaplans refusal to dismiss Virginia Roberts Giuffres civil sex assault case against Prince Andrew appears to be a catastrophic blow.

Effectively cut loose from the monarchy, the Queens son now potentially faces the ignominy of a warts-and-all trial that would make his car-crash Newsnight interview feel like a Q&A on a mothers forum.

Prince Andrew denies having had sex with Virginia Giuffre when she was 17. Giuffre says she was forced by Jeffrey Epstein to sleep with the duke. Credit:AP, BBC

It is not just that Andrews somewhat bizarre claims about being unable to sweat and spending the night at Pizza Express in Woking, England, rather than at the Tramp nightclub in Mayfair with his alleged victim, will be placed under intense scrutiny.

The discovery process, when both he and Giuffre will be questioned by the others lawyers under oath, before the worlds media, is likely to cause embarrassment not only to the 61-year-old royal father-of-two, but his family.
Washington: Pfizer is racing ahead with plans to manufacture 50 million to 100 million doses of a new Omicron-specific version of its coronavirus vaccine within weeks, a reflection of rising concerns that current vaccine formulations may need to be tweaked for the new threat.

Pfizer also is testing hybrid combinations of vaccine to target multiple coronavirus forms, as well as larger doses.

The Omicron-specific doses will be created at risk, CEO Albert Bourla said, meaning that if they are not needed, Pfizer will absorb the costs. The company has climbed to the lead in global vaccine production with 3 billion doses in 2021 and is planning to produce up to 4 billion doses in 2022.

Pfizer is working on an Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine, as well as on a vaccine for a variety of viruses. Credit:AP

If it turned out to be necessary to roll out an Omicron-targeting vaccine, Pfizer would be ready, Bourla said.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine is now available to all children on the island. Children ages 5-11 are eligible to take two doses of the vaccine 21 days apart.

Parents, please register your child to take the vaccine via the link below. Once registered, the child will be invited for an appointment to come in at a specific date, time & location to receive their Pediatric vaccination.

https://forms.sintmaartengov.org/Form.aspx?fid=d4f336d5-3a9e-4d56-9078-c007e4ad9198&v=OGtn05kNmb

Children aged 12-17 years dont need to register. This age group will be able to walk in with a parent and receive the Pfizer vaccine during regular COVID vaccine clinic hours at the Vineyard Building.



The vaccine is FREE, very SAFE, and proven to be EFFECTIVE.



The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was granted FDA approval for the prevention of COVID-19 disease to include children 5 through 11 years of age, as of October 29th, 2021. FDA had a very thorough and transparent evaluation which summarized the following:



The vaccine has comparable effectiveness in this 5-11 year age group, as it did in the older 16-25 year age group. The vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 disease among children.



The vaccine was studied in 3,100 children aged 5 to 11 years, and NO serious and long-lasting side effects were detected in the study. To quote the study: Commonly reported side effects in the clinical trial included injection site pain (sore arm), redness and swelling, fatigue, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, chills, fever, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, and decreased appetite. More children reported side effects after the second dose than after the first dose. Side effects were generally mild to moderate in severity and occurred within two days after vaccination, and most went away within one to two days. The dreaded side effect of myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation around the heart) were still rare. Due to this rarity, and the fact that the benefits far outweigh the risks, the vaccination was granted emergency use authorization by FDA with the support of many pediatricians and experts in the field.



It is imperative that we now protect OUR children with the vaccine, especially with current outbreaks within the schools. Sign your child(ren) aged 5-11 years up using the link above, and you will receive an appointment. There will be a pediatrician available at the clinic during appointment hours to further discuss any questions you may have.



Furthermore, CPS is urging all residents who have not taken doses one & two of the Pfizer Vaccine to come to the Vineyard Building between the hours of 8:30 am to 12:00 and 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Those in the community who are already vaccinated, are strongly encouraged to come for the Booster if it has been 3 months since your last vaccine.



For further information about the Pediatric Vaccine, call the vaccination hotline at 721 526-1644. For all other vaccine and testing-related questions, please call CPS at 914.
The Tobacco Commission (TC) says it will take appropriate interventions to cushion farmers from the potential impact of the late onset of rains on earnings from tobacco in the 2020 to 2021 marketing season.

The late onset of rains has prompted the commission to investigate the impact on tobacco nurseries hence the deployment of personnel to selected tobacco growing areas for the impact assessment.

The Commission's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joseph Chidanti Malunga, said in a statement issued on Monday that the Commission will be engaging various stakeholders to devise strategies for minimizing the potential impact on farmer earnings.

"We have at our disposal opportunities as a regulator to engage various players on interventions that will protect growers' interests," he said.

Malunga further said a decision on specific interventions will be informed by the assessment report.

Probable interventions include factoring the delayed onset of rains in the 2021-2022 cost of production negotiation workings, negotiating with buyers for flexible loan conditions on behalf of farmers and engaging government on other options, he said.

Despite the delayed season this year, he said, the Commission will continue stirring the industry to achieve a 180 million kilograms annual production target in the next few years.

In 2020, 114 million kilogrammes of tobacco were sold in the country's auction floors and in 2021, the volume increased to 123 million kilograms.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Youngsters and staffers at the Miss Lalie Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center in Cole Bay as well as inmates and prison staff at the Pointe Blanche Prison are the latest sets of persons to experience the love and care of the St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation.

The Foundation started the year off by spreading cheer to the groups by donating 179 food and care packages - 89 went to inmates and 67 to officers at the Pointe Blanche Prison and 23 went to the Miss Lalie Center.



A group of volunteers started off the day on January 4, by visiting the Miss Lalie Center. Although the initial plan was for Tzu Chi to just hand over the gifts during the visit, one of the officers who was inspired by Tzu Chi's story, asked volunteers to share some words with the youths at the center. Tzu Chi volunteers delivered an inspirational talk to the youngsters during a 45-minute interaction. Both the youngsters as well as the officers present seemed to be touched by the presentation. Tzu Chi was asked to come more often to inspire the youths.

At the end of the interaction, the packages were donated. Of the 23 packages handed over, ten were for youths at the facility, and 13 were for officers. The packages were accepted by the Chief Officer at the facility. Two volunteers participated in this exercise.



The gifts were received gratefully. We are very thankful for the speech. The change of mindset and also the gifts, one officer said. He encouraged Tzu Chi to continue its efforts in the community. Keep doing the great job that you are doing trying to change mindsets from negative to positive.



Following the session at the Miss Lalie Center, Tzu Chi volunteers headed over to the Pointe Blanche Prison where 156 packages were donated  89 to inmates and 67 for officers.



A representative of the prison thanked Tzu Chi for the kind gesture. Thank you for coming every year faithfully... We appreciate everything that you do and I realize that your foundation is not just based here [in St. Maarten], but around the world and you are helpful especially in this time of the pandemic. There are a lot of us who dont have not as much as a [loaf of] bread. So, you are the disciplines who come in and help us - the individual, the representative said. We appreciate you all very much.



A spokesperson for the inmates was also thankful saying that they are grateful for the donation.

One volunteer, a retiree, said he has been with the foundation for about four years now and he is grateful to be able to assist persons in the community as a volunteer with Tzu Chi.



Another volunteer said he has always been a giver and through Tzu Chi he has an avenue to assist.



Tzu Chi St. Maarten Commissioner Sandra Cheung is happy that the foundation was able to make the donation through the assistance of its volunteers and supporters and brighten the day for many.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, January 10, 2022, the Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson signed a three-year contract with a new Electronic Monitoring (EM) provider company named Buddi Ltd. Buddi Ltd. is a company based in the United Kingdom, with extensive experience around the globe in the field of EM equipment (ankle bracelets) and monitoring software. The procurement of this contract was realized by a public tender procedure in which different stakeholders in the Justice chain had an important role in the evaluation of bids. The starting date of the contract is February 1, 2022, and consists of the lease of 20 ankle bracelets. This means that the number of ankle bracelets that can be used will be doubled compared to our current capacity.

Minister Richardson stated, I am grateful to the Ministry for having finalized this process that will allow for less pressure on our Justice chain. Finding innovative solutions for the corresponding Justice institutions to carry out their tasks is a step in the right direction. Whilst the construction of St. Maartens new prison and an enhanced rehabilitation facility remains one of my top priorities, this contract for 20 ankle bracelets allows for a less populated Point Blanche prison.

EM is a multifunctional tool that can have a strong impact in the field of crime prevention, the protection of victims as well as rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. Based on our legislation, EM can be used in different stages of a criminal process. That is in the early stage in the process, as a special condition of the suspension of pre-trial detention. The magistrate judge can, in their authority, or upon the request of a lawyer or the prosecutor, decide to suspend pre-trial detention. The severity of the alleged offense and the possible risk for the society of releasing a suspect on pre-trial detention on EM is taken into consideration when deciding on EM for the suspension of pre-trial detention.

EM can also be used as a special condition attached to a (partly) conditional sentence imposed by the court. It is the judge who decides on the sentence and the conditions of a sentence. Therefore, it is also the judge who decides if EM is a suitable special condition in relation to the crime committed. In the final stage of the criminal process, EM can be used as a special condition of (early) conditional release (VI).

In general, a detainee can be eligible for VI after two-thirds of their irrevocable sentence. Due to the lack of cell capacity at the Pointe Blanche prison, EM is currently regularly used in cases of early VI. However, an inmate does not have a legal right to be released early on VI with an ankle bracelet. The behavior of an inmate during detention can for example have an impact on a decision to grant early VI with EM.

The Ministry of Justice will be taking all the final steps that are necessary for the coming three weeks to complete the preparation process for the start of the new EM provider on February 1, 2022.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament George Pantophlet disagrees with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams' remarks in her article Stop the cat and mouse game. MP Pantophlet insists that this is not a game. Leading a country (constitutional state) can be challenging, especially during these times. However, Government has managed to make the relevant decisions to keep the country afloat, though sometimes these decisions are unpopular.

Canceling the closed-door meeting that was supposed to be held with the Prime Minister was a realistic decision. Former State Secretary Knops who was responsible for the heightening of negative tensions between the countries of the Dutch Caribbean, specifically St. Maarten, was completely left out of government. The MP says that in his opinion, this is a breath of fresh air.

The discussions to be held with our Prime Minister would have been about his actions as it regards to Caribbean Body for Reform and Development (Coho). Newly sworn-in State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen and Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs should be afforded the opportunity to dialogue and come with fresh, beneficial, and up-to-date developments regarding the Coho. According to what is mentioned in the new Dutch governments program, the approach will be one that will have more understanding of the realities of the Caribbean countries and a more equal footing.

MP Pantophlet stated that since the new government was recently sworn in, it is only realistic to await the new Kingdom Council of Ministers' meeting in which I am sure the Coho will be discussed. The liquidity support and the matter of the deviation will all be issues that will be discussed in that meeting.

"In regards to the 2022 Budget debate, the Constitution is quite clear in article 100.2 where it states that the annual budget and the long-term budget shall be balanced. If necessary in connection with the recovery of damages caused by exceptional events, including natural disasters, departures from the first sentence are possible, in accordance with rules issued by or pursuant to a Kingdom Act or National Ordinance.

"St. Maarten has not yet recovered from hurricanes of 2017 and we are facing tremendous challenges over the last 2 years as a result of the pandemic. The reality is that the committee for financial supervision approved the deviation in accordance with article 25 of the Kingdom Law for financial supervision. The reality is that the government of Curacao already approved its 2022 Budget. Parliament should proceed with the handling of the 2022 Budget. This is a realistic decision, MP Pantophlet stated.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health and Labor Omar Ottley did not mince with words on Wednesday when he called out the nightclubs and bars for not following protocols and set guidelines when the country reopened its business sector late last year. The Minister said that these establishments signed agreements and agreed to test and other guidelines but they simply did not follow through.

Ottley said as the Minister of Labor he took decisions with the labor sector into consideration but today has prioritized the medical aspect because of the spread of the coronavirus.

Ottley explained that since St. Maarten was not going to receive any liquidity support, SSRP, or food vouchers for the first quarter of 2002 he had to take the economic situation into consideration. He said measures and protocols were put in place but not followed. Ottley said St. Maarten was the only island that had decent economic activity for the New Year which contributed to the spread of the coronavirus. The Minister said the government of St. Maarten always promoted safe and healthy economic activity.

Ottley said he was pressured and even approached by the Netherlands who asked him to shut down the island for some time now but because he understood the countrys financial situation, he did not comply with the request of the RIVM. He said back then he pleaded with the nightlife club owners, and they all made promises because they wanted to remain open, but the fact remains that they did not follow through. Because these businesses did not follow through and the current hospitalization, the government had to implement its phase 2 plan and scale back business hours to 11 pm.

The Minister further explained that while some people are blaming the tourists for the spread of the virus, he wants to make clear that all of the persons that are hospitalized are locals. 12 persons are currently in hospital, some of which are in critical condition, of the 12, three of these patients are vaccinated and while they tested positive for the omicron variant of the coronavirus, two of them are not exhibiting any signs or symptoms. Ottley said these patients were admitted to the hospital for other medical procedures and when they were tested due to the screening protocols at the St. Maarten Medical Center it showed they contracted the virus. The other 9 patients Ottley said are all unvaccinated and some are critical.

Ottley said that the scale back in the business hours was not based on the amount of active cases but based on hospitalization. He called on residents to consider getting vaccinated because the data shows that those that are suffering are those that opted not to get vaccinated.

The Minister also explained that there are no clusters at any of the schools. He said there for 4 cases last week and contact tracing was done.

At the moment the Minister said vaccination for children between the ages of 5 to 11 years old.
~ Official transfer from INSO to FINSO only finalized two months ago~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health Omar Ottley said on Wednesday that he conducted some investigations to see what exactly was the problem with FINSO and the banks on St. Maarten. Ottley said that the transfer from INSO to FINSO was only completed two months ago. He said that the company has been trying to open a bank account on St. Maarten because they can no longer use the accounts belonging to INSO and this process is taking more time than necessary.

Ottley said the situation with FINSO and the New General Hospital Project is a point of concern and does have his attention and a meeting was held on Tuesday to deal with the current situation. He said because FINSO does not have an account set up they are unable to make large transfers to their contractors.

Ottley said he has been assured by the St. Maarten Medical Center and also provided with proof that the company is not in financial jeopardy and that they are having issues opening a bank account. The Minister explained that several Members of Parliament highlighted this issue and how its affecting the community.

The Minister it is expected that the issues regarding the bank account should be regulated within the next two weeks.

Asked by SMN News how long the New General Hospital project started and why only now the new company began the process to set up bank accounts. The Minister said the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but they are on the right trajectory. He explained that were changes with the parent company in Italy and only now the company change finalized.
A decade after civil conflict erupted in Mali, hopes for an early resolution to insurgency and strife have not materialized, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the country, El-Ghassim Wane, told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Instead, the UN top envoy explained, "insecurity has expanded, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated, more children are of out of school and the country has been affected by an endless cycle of instability."

In fact, more than 1.8 million people are expected to need food assistance in 2022 compared to 1.3 million in 2021, the highest level of food insecurity recorded since 2014.

And more than half a million children have been affected by school closures, which the envoy believes puts "the future of the country in jeopardy".

Despite these challenges, Mr. Wane argued that the situation "would have been far worse" without the engagement of the international community, including the deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) in 2013.

The Malian Government has been seeking to restore stability following a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a failed military coup d'etat, renewed fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical extremists.

Standoff

The Special Representative also briefed the Council on the current stand-off between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Malian transitional leadership, controlled by the military.

Over the weekend, ECOWAS held an Extraordinary Summit and decided that the proposed timetable for the transition, lasting up to five and a half years, was "totally unacceptable".

Urging Malian authorities to focus on a speedy return to constitutional order, they decided to uphold individual sanctions put in place on 12 December and imposed additional ones.

The new sanctions include the recall of ambassadors from Bamako, the closing of land and air borders, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions (with some exemptions), and the suspension of financial assistance, among others.

Mali reciprocated by recalling its ambassadors and closing its borders with ECOWAS Member States.

In an address to the nation on Monday evening, however, Transition President, Colonel Assimi Goita, called for unity and calm, stating that Mali remains open to dialogue.

Mr. Wane explained that supporting the transition is a key aspect of the MINUSMA mandate, so the mission will try to find a consensual way out to overcome the impasse.

"A protracted impasse will make it much harder to find a consensual way out, while increasing hardship for the population and further weakening state capacity", he argued, warning that such scenario would "have far-reaching consequences for Mali and its neighbours."

Beyond the political transition, Mr. Wane believes it is also crucial that the Council continues to pay attention to the implementation of the peace agreement and to stability in the Centre of the divided nation, calling it two "building blocks" for a peaceful and stable Mali.

'Window of opportunity'

Back in December, a process of national consultation, known as Assises nationales de la refondation, ended with a series of main recommendations, including a constitutional review, the creation of a Senate, the acceleration of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process and territorial decentralization.

For Mr. Wane, these proposals "offer a window of opportunity on which all stakeholders should build upon to move forward on the implementation of the peace agreement."

The Special Representative also provided an update on MINUSMA's activities, noting that 2021 saw more extremist attacks than any years prior.

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The mission ended the year with the highest number of casualties since 2013, following a significant rise of attacks targeting main axes, convoys, camps, and temporary operating bases.

In total, 28 peacekeepers died, including seven Togolese in a single incident back in December.

Humanitarian situation

The conflict has also had a devastating impact on civilians and the humanitarian situation.

On 3 December for instance, 32 civilians, including 26 women and children, were killed near Songho when their bus was attacked by extremist elements.

In just one year, the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) increased from 216,000 to more than 400,000.

In such difficult circumstances, Mr. Wane described the response to the humanitarian appeal as "lukewarm", with only 38 per cent of funding received.
Edith Marie Smith, 59, of Somerset passed away Saturday, April 30, 2022 at her residence. Arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Morris & Hislope Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at: www.morrisandhislope.com.
Enterprise, AL (36331)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
Nairobi  Kenya experienced a nationwide power outage on Tuesday after a major transmission line collapsed.

Blackouts were reported in many parts of Kenya after the power line fell to the ground in Nairobi.

At least 25 million people had lost power in Nairobi, western and central Kenya, the Rift Valley region and the Nyanza region.

State-controlled Kenya Power said in a statement that electricity has since been restored to all parts of the country.

Earlier, Kenya Power blamed the outage on a tower collapse along the Kiambere- Embekasi transmission line.

Kenyans depend on Kenya Power, the main electricity provider in the country.

In December, another power line in the town of Suswa collapsed, resulting in power rationing across the country.

In May 2020, a geothermal power plant about 75 kilometers outside Nairobi broke down, leaving much of the country without power for hours.
A map showing the location of the Tselemti woreda (district) in Tigray in Ethiopia. The administrative center of the woreda is Mai Tsebri.

Addis Ababa  An air strike in northern Ethiopia's Tigray region has killed 17 civilians, mainly women, and wounded scores more, according to aid workers.

The strike late Monday near Mai Tsebri town in northwestern Tigray came the same day U.S. President Joe Biden raised concerns about air strikes on civilians with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

A report by the local administration said women at a flour-grinding mill made up most of those killed, a source who saw the report told the Associated Press.

Government communications minister Legese Tulu and state minister for the government communications service Kebede Desis did not respond to requests for comment.

Biden on Monday called on the government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, which has ruled Tigray for decades, to end hostilities, begin a national dialogue and open humanitarian access to Tigray.

It's the second deadly air strike reported in Tigray in less than a week. On Friday, aid groups said an airstrike on a displaced persons camp near the town of Dedebit, close to the Eritrean border, killed more than 50 people and wounded 138 others.

The U.N Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 12 of those killed were children, and that the airstrike destroyed temporary structures.

The strikes have disrupted aid delivery to Tigray. On Sunday, OCHA said aid partners delivering help in parts of Tigray have stopped operations due to insecurity
Washington, 10 January 2022 (SPS) -The former United Nations (UN) Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, called on the United States to give the new Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, a "broader" mandate, similar to the one James Baker worked with from 1997 to 2004.

If the existing negotiating process remains stalemated, the United States should work with the other members of the Security Council to give the new envoy a broader mandate similar to the one James Baker worked with from 1997 to 2004. During those years, the search for a settlement was in the hands of the Personal Envoy, not the parties, Ross said at a webinar held recently by the US NGO Defense Forum Foundation themed Western Sahara: The Ongoing Human Rights Tragedy in North Africa.

The US should support the new envoy fully as he tries to revive the existing negotiating process. The US should try to convince Morocco to negotiate without preconditions and to engage on the Polisario's proposal, he affirmed.

In 2007, after James Baker had resigned, the Security Council called for negotiations without preconditions between Morocco and the Polisario. And the purpose of these negotiations was to arrive at a mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

From 2007 to 2019, my predecessor, my successor, and I sponsored 15 sessions between these two parties with Algeria and Mauritania present as the neighboring states. Unfortunately, nothing that could be called negotiations took place during those meetings. You may ask why. Well, its fairly simple. The Polisario came to each session ready to discuss both proposals, but Morocco came with a major precondition: that it would discuss only its own proposal, he stated.

To break out of this stalemate, I pushed for discussions on various issues outside the two proposals. These included confidence-building measures, natural resources, and human rights. I mentioned human rights. To deal with this problem, the Secretary-General in each of his reports to the Security Council called for independent human rights monitoring, but to no avail. Morocco refused to permit it in that part of Western Sahara under its control, claiming this would violate its self-proclaimed sovereignty, recalled Ross.

062/700




Madrid, Jan 12, 2022 (SPS)- Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, reiterated his country's support for the efforts of the new UN envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, while stressing his position in favor of a political solution that would allow the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.

Mr. Jose Manuel Albares, In response to a question about the level of cooperation with Morocco in confronting immigration, said, "I am not satisfied with that, we have to go further," according to what was reported by Europe Press.

Regarding the Western Sahara conflict, the Spanish minister affirmed the support of Staffan de Mistura, the new envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the conflict, and also revealed that Madrid has placed a military plane at the disposal of the Special Envoy, who will tour the parties to the conflict starting tomorrow, Wednesday.

In his response to his country's position on the conflict, especially after the crisis with Morocco over Western Sahara, the minister said that Spain "supports a permanent and mutually acceptable political solution within the framework of the United Nations."

The foreign minister's statements come in the same context as the new national security strategy approved by the government last Tuesday, which lays out a thorny framework for relations with Morocco that stipulates what it considered "respect for Ceuta and Melilla" and "sincere cooperation."

Relations between Morocco and Spain are going through a real crisis that erupted after Madrid rejected former US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Morocco's alleged sovereignty over Western Sahara, and then Morocco tolerated the entry of thousands of Moroccans to Ceuta last May. There has been no ambassador in the Moroccan embassy in the Spanish capital, Madrid, since last May.

SPS 110 TRA
After Blues Beat went to press last week a number of events were canceled. It is a good idea to check with the club before heading out; the pandemic is still having an impact, and many venues have their own procedures for admission and canceling a show.

Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Show has a weekend visit to the region. Daryls House hosts the show Friday and Saturday, and Infinity Hall Hartford will have them on Sunday. This is the international touring tribute show to the worlds greatest rock & roll band, entering its 20th year in production with more than 4,000 performances.

Performing up to 150 shows a year, this highly acclaimed production showcases the most authentic cast and costuming of its kind. The likes of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and cast bring a colorful performance to more than 50 years of classic hits. They have been featured in hundreds of national newspapers, magazines, television and radio, as the worlds greatest show honoring the Rolling Stones and their legacy.

The Dan Stevens acoustic blues tour has a Friday stop at the Captain Daniel Packer Inne; on Saturday, hes playing at the Blackledge Country Club, and Sunday at the Shunock River Brewery and Village Cafe.

Saturday, The B-Side Band is at Black Duck Cafe. While the Wandering Roots Duo plays Notch 8 Bar, and the Franklin Brothers bring old school funk, rock, blues and soul music to The Knickerbocker Music Center.

Friday: at the Pulaski Club in New Britain welcomes the Rich Badowski Blues Band Friday; F & Blues Band with its high energy blues is at one of southeast Connecticuts new spots, The Barn in Groton; and at the Brass Horse Cafe, the Sara Ashleigh West band is performing. Murray the Wheel Acoustic Duo plays at Ola and the band Saturday at Crossroads. The Root Farmers, playing American roots music from Appalachia, blues, Cajun and Celtic to Zydeco, is performing Friday at the Knickerbocker Tap Room.

Its also time for Third Saturday Blues with Vinnies Jump and Jive, Middletown, with a night of classic and contemporary blues music for your dancing pleasure. This event is held every third Saturday of the month. The evening starts at 7 p.m. with a beginner lesson; dancing begins at 8 p.m., until 11 p.m.

Jonathan Chapman is slinging the blues at My Place in Newtown, every Tuesday.

Theodores BBQ has the Mark Nomad Band on Friday. Nomads music has been heard on radio stations all over the world, and has been used in commercials and in film. His blues have been tempered by years of living and experience; expressed by the plaintive cry of a bottleneck on acoustic guitar or the driving funk of his electric band.

The Willie J. Laws Band comes in on Saturday, with a sound rooted in deep Texas Roots Music, add some funk, jazz-influenced bass patterns, and the influence of various Afro-Caribbean centric drum beats, all tempered with a groove from Motown, Memphis or Muscle Shoals, New Orleans or Houston, Cincinnati or Los Angeles. The sound is traditional African-American music with a unique twist, skillfully played and performed.

The Turning Point Cafe is calling all Dead Heads for a Saturday show with WIGJAM.

Crazy Otto playing the music of the Grateful Dead witht tight grooves and tasty solos is at Garcias at The Capitol Theatre on Wednesday.

Thursday on The Falcon Main Stage, Popa Chubby takes control. He is a big man bringing some big blues.

The Blues Foundation is excited to announce the new dates for the International Blues Challenge, May 6- 9. It will be a full week of blues as fans celebrate the Blues Music Award nominees and winners on Thursday, May 5 and are Back On Beale with IBC beginning Friday, May 6. Important IBC dates to note include: Friday, May 6: Quarterfinals Night 1; Saturday, May 7: Quarterfinals Night 2; Sunday, May 8: KBA Ceremony, Youth Showcases, & Semifinals; and Monday, May 9: IBC Finals at The Orpheum. Stay tuned for the updated IBC event schedule that includes workshops, panels, and showcases.

Feel free to contact the Blues Foundation with your questions or concerns at 901-527-2583.

The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, the Kate, is pleased to announce that it is one of 98 institutions in the United States selected to participate in the Collections Assessment for Preservation program. Located on the first floor of the Kate, the Katharine Hepburn Museum was newly renovated and expanded in 2021.

Six-time Grammy nominee Maria Muldaur, whos been dubbed The First Lady of Roots Music for previous albums touching on her wide-ranging influences from blues, country, folk, jazz and jug band music, has released her new positive-themed single, Im Vaccinated & Im Ready for Love!, on Stony Plain Records to radio and all digital platforms .

See the Connecticut Blues Society for more gig listings: https://www.ctblues.org/weekly-calendar Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.
The African members of the U.N. Security Council urged their counterparts on Tuesday to support sanctions imposed this week on Mali's coup leaders by a bloc of West African nations.

"We call for the Security Council to respect and embrace the determination of the heads of state and government of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), that the proposal by the authorities to extend the transition to five years is unacceptable and that an expedited transition to constitutional rule in Mali should be undertaken without delay," Michel Biang, Gabon's U.N. ambassador, told the 15-nation council on behalf of his government, Ghana and Kenya. The three African states currently hold seats on the Security Council.

In a special summit on January 9, ECOWAS members imposed sanctions on Mali's military government, which seized power in a coup, after it said it would not hold elections on Feb. 27, 2022, but at the end of 2025.

The sanctions include the closing of land and air borders between ECOWAS member states and Mali; the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions (with humanitarian exemptions); the freezing of assets and public enterprises located in the region in commercial banks; and the suspension of financial assistance from ECOWAS.

Mali responded by closing its borders with ECOWAS states and recalling its ambassadors.

"The number one interest of the A3 (Gabon, Ghana and Kenya) is in a peaceful and secure Mali, whose government reflects the will of its people and that is in full control of its territory," Kenya's U.N. envoy Martin Kimani told reporters following the meeting.

He urged the Malian authorities to comply with ECOWAS's conditions for the gradual removal of the sanctions by producing an acceptable transitional calendar.

"In his address to the nation on 10 January, our president stated that despite the illegal, illegitimate and inhumane nature of these decisions, Mali remains open to dialogue with ECOWAS to strike a balance between the interests of the Malian people and respect for the principles of the organization," Issa Konfourou, Mali's U.N. ambassador, said of Interim President Assimi Goita.

The United Nations, which has more than 15,000 peacekeeping troops and police in the country, urged a quick resolution to issues linked to the transition.

"A protracted impasse will make it much harder to find a consensual way out, while increasing hardship for the population and further weakening state capacity," the head of the U.N. mission, El-Ghassim Wane, told the council. "Such a scenario will have far-reaching consequences for Mali and its neighbors."

Mercenaries

Several Western council members expressed concern about reports that Russian-backed mercenaries have been invited to Mali by the transitional military government.

"The confirmed presence of the Wagner Group in Mali risks destabilizing the country further," Britain's Deputy U.N. envoy James Kariuki told the council, referring to the contractors by name.

"The deployment of mercenaries will only increase the challenges facing Mali," he said. "We urge the Malian authorities to rethink their decision."

"We regret the fact that transitional authorities are using already limited public funds to pay foreign mercenaries, rather than supporting the national forces and public services for the benefit of the Malian people," French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere said. "France and its closest partners robustly condemn the deployment on Malian territory of mercenaries from the Wagner Group who are known to threaten civilians, pillage resources, violate international law and the sovereignty of states."

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Western states have accused Wagner mercenaries of involvement in conflicts in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic and Ukraine.

Russia has denied any links with the group, and its envoy dismissed his counterparts' accusations.

"We believe Malians have every right to interact with other partners that are ready to cooperate in promoting security," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. "The hysteria around a Russian private military company is another manifestation of double standards, because it is well known that this market is dominated by Western countries."

Mali's envoy denied that mercenaries are present on its territory, saying those who accuse the government are engaging in a "false information campaign."

Konfourou said the two countries have a long relationship dating to the 1960s and currently, Moscow has military personnel in Mali to train its military on Russian equipment.
As sold-out pharmacy shelves continue to display the signs of a nationwide shortage of at-home COVID-19 tests, officials in Connecticut are advising residents against stockpiling more kits than they plan on using.

Stocks of at-home test kits have been completely sold-out at many pharmacies and retail stores across the state for weeks, sending many residents looking to purchase tests online  where shipments can take weeks  or waiting in long lines for some of the millions of free tests being distributed by the state.

For Connecticut residents who are able to find tests for sale, experts recommended keeping enough around the home to use in a given week. For many individuals and families, that means a stockpile of no more than one or two tests at a time.

Art Caplan, a Ridgefield resident and founder of New York Universitys Langone Division of Medical Ethics, said the line between responsible testing and hoarding depends largely on a persons day-to-day activities and likelihood of exposure.

That answer depends on what you do, Caplan said. If you're a health care worker, waitress, teacher, you might want to keep enough at-home tests so you can test once a week.

But those who work from home shouldnt be stockpiling as many tests, he said.

If you work from home, like I do, what I need is maybe two tests for the month and theyre mainly for me to take a look in case somebody comes into the house that might have carried the virus in, he said.

The strained-supply for at-home testing has also led to rising prices for the kits, which typically sell for between $15 and $30.

At least eight complaints about price gouging of at-home tests have been submitted to Attorney General William Tongs office, including reports of prices above $75, according to a spokesperson, who noted the complaints do not indicate whether a violation actually occurred.

In a statement, Tong expressed sympathy for those unable to obtain at-home test kits, saying he also had a difficult time finding tests for his family around the holidays. Tong said his office has not received any complaints related to hoarding of tests.

These are the types of stressful moments, in the middle of a supply-chain crunch, that scammers try to exploit, Tong said. Make sure you are buying what you need, and only what you need, and working only with reputable sellers.

In order to discourage hoarding and maintain their limited stocks, local and national retailers have capped the number of test kits customers may purchase at one time.

CVS, for example, is limiting purchases to six kits at a time, according to a spokesperson, while Walgreens is capping purchases at four tests per customer. Stew Leonards  which briefly became one of few retailers in the state to recently have a large stock of at-home tests  also imposed a four-kit limit before its supply was exhausted.

Municipalities and school districts throughout the state also placed limits on the distribution of tests, after they were tasked with distributing hundreds of thousands of test kits acquired by state officials since the start of the year.

State public health officials have not issued any formal guidance to limit the number of tests being handed out to individual households, though Max Reiss, a spokesperson for Gov. Ned Lamont, said the administration is encouraging common sense, for people seeking to keep a small supply of tests at home.

A test thats not being used, is not a good use of a test, Reiss said. People shouldnt be having around four, five, six, seven, eight test kits as a just in case.

Ajay Kumar, executive vice president and chief clinical officer for Hartford HealthCare, also said stockpiling test kits could hamper the larger effort to make widespread and regular testing available for the public.

I think folks should have one or two kits if you're able to get a handle on them and use them wisely, Kumar said.

Neither CVS nor Walgreens provided an estimate for when supplies of at-home test kits would become more readily available at their pharmacies when asked by Hearst Connecticut Media.
WINSTED  Since last fall, the kindergarten and first-grade classes in Winchester Public Schools have grown, from an anticipated 72 students to more than 90, officials said.

That bubble of primary school students is expected to grow even larger by springtime, according to Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley  and will require more teachers in the coming year.

Brady-Shanley discussed enrollment as part of the Board of Educations first meeting Monday night, held to set dates for the 2022-23 budget discussion meetings, presentations to the boards of finance and selectmen and public hearings, followed by the towns annual budget referendum in May 2022. Attendance at Tuesdays meeting included the school board, Selectwoman Linda Groppo and admininstrators from the school district.

This is the first, initial meeting on our budget, Brady-Shanley said, as she presented a calendar of dates to the board. There will be a budget review workshop on Feb. 15, and a final meeting with the district finance committee on Feb. 22.

From Feb. 28 to March 17, the school board is expecting to hold public presentations with district staff members, community groups and the Board of Selectmen. The budget is due to be presented to the Board of Finance on March 15, Brady-Shanley said, with a public hearing on the proposed spending package to be held in March.

District Finance Director Nancy ODea Wyrick said the 2022-23 budget is based on revenue from grants and town funding (tax revenue) totaling $23,055,816.

This is our base amount, Brady-Shanley said. If we needed to go over or under this amount, this is the numbers we can reliably use to make our budget for 2022-23.

In March 2021, Superintendent of Schools Melony Brady-Shanley presented a proposed budget for the Winchester Public Schools totaling $20.6 million, a 2.99 percent increase over 2020-21, or $596,818 more.

The district will also hear from the Gilbert School in the coming months, as its board develops and proposes its own proposed spending for 2022-23. Last year, Gilberts budget totaled $7.8 million, which included tuition and capital improvements.

The biggest challenge for kindergarten and first-grade classrooms, the superintendent said, is their size. The preferred maximum number of students in a classroom is 18; with increased enrollment, class size for grades K and 1 could be 21 students or more. If the budget includes four classes for kindergarten and four for first grade, the larger number of students will prevail.

What Im asking the (school board) to tell me is if we should have five teachers (for each of those grades), or leave it at four teachers, Brady-Shanley said. Were expecting 84 kindergartners for the coming year; with five teachers, thats 17 in a classroom. With four teachers, there would be 21 in a classroom.

According to ODea-Wyrick, a fifth teacher would receive a salary of about $68,000 including benefits. And if a classroom has more than 18 students, the teacher is paid for those extra students.

School board member Cheryl Heffernan questioned the importance of class sizes during the meeting.

Kindergarten classes need to be 18, is that right? she asked.

Yes, Brady-Shanley said. Kindergarten, grade one and grade two need that  its a 100 percent distinction.

The younger children coming into the public school system need more guidance than usual, according to Batcheller School Principal Roseanne Field.

There are some needs at that grade level  a strong need, to have smaller class sizes, she said. Were managing them, but we have to provide for their individualized needs.

Brady-Shanley agreed. They need so much guidance and attention, she said. Were seeing children coming in with very little social interaction and social skills, on top of the need to learn basic academics, because of their isolation during (the pandemic). Its very different than what weve dealt with in the past.

The school board members agreed to follow Brady-Shanleys recommendations, based on input from teachers and principals at Pearson School and Batcheller.

What we dont know is how the other areas of the budget are going to be affected in the coming year, but this is what were working with at this point, Brady-Shanley said.
The commission with the power to hire and fire top prosecutors in Connecticut is awaiting completion of an independent investigation of how Chief States Attorney Richard Colangelo Jr. came to hire the daughter of a top state budget official while he lobbied the budget office for raises.

Justice Andrew J. McDonald, the chair of the Criminal Justice Commission, said in an interview that no action will be taken until former U.S. Attorney Stanley A. Twardy Jr. reports the findings of his inquiry, which was commissioned by the governors office.

By statute, the commissions primary function is to appoint the chief states attorney, the top deputies, and the 13 states attorneys. It has the power to discipline states attorneys. Oddly, the law allows the commission only to remove the chief, not discipline him.

We are awaiting the outcome of the independent review being conducted by Stan Twardy, which will be shared with the commission upon completion, McDonald said.

Colangelo hired Anastasia Diamantis while he was lobbying her father, Kostantinos Diamantis, and other officials for help in securing raises for prosecutors. Kosta Diamantis was deputy secretary of the Office of Policy and Management before his firing on Oct. 28.

Two weeks later, the state contracted with Twardy, a partner at Day Pitney, to conduct a factual investigation on behalf of the Office of the Governor regarding possible improprieties by state employees and possibly others.

The existence of the investigation and details of Colangelos lobbying were first reported Dec. 3 by the CT Mirror. Hartford Courant columnist Kevin Rennie had disclosed the hiring of Diamantis daughter on Oct. 1 in a column questioning the process and her qualifications for the $99,000-a-year job as executive assistant.

Obviously the commission is aware of the news articles that have discussed the chief states attorneys hiring of Ms. Diamantis, and I have been in contact with the governors legal counsel over the last several weeks about the issue, McDonald said.

Colangelo said last month he welcomed the inquiry and that there was nothing improper about Anastasia Diamantis hiring.

The commission has been silent on the controversy involving Colangelo, whom the commission promoted to chief states attorney two years ago from the ranks of the 13 regional states attorneys to complete the term of Kevin Kane, who retired. Colangelo was appointed to a five-year term in June.

The commission did not want to interfere with the governors overall supervision of the investigation. And frankly, we dont have the resources, McDonald said.

The commission has a token annual budget of $409. The contract with Day Pitney was capped at $75,000.

The exact scope of Twardys inquiry has not been disclosed, but McDonald said it clearly extends beyond the hiring of Diamantiss daughter, another reason in his view to await Twardys report.

We are restricted to anything dealing with the Division of Criminal Justice and the chief states attorney. The investigation being conducted is broader than that, McDonald said.

Aside from being second-in-command at the Office of Policy and Management, Kosta Diamantis was the director of the Office of School Construction Grants and Review.

Emails obtained by CT Mirror through a freedom of information request filed the day after Diamantis was removed not only showed that Colangelo had been lobbying for raises for his division but that Anastasia Diamantis long had a part-time job with a school-construction management company.

They showed that Anastasia Diamantis, a state employee since 2015, worked for the school construction company for several years and kept the part-time job for at least 14 months after going to work for Colangelo on July 3, 2020. The school job was not on her resume, but Colangelo said he was aware of it.

Anastasia Diamantis has declined interview requests. Her father told CT Mirror last month there was no conflict in her private school construction job and his state one.

Antonietta DiBenedetto-Roy, the owner of the construction management company, said Diamantis had worked for her on projects in Rhode Island, in part to avoid any potential conflict with her fathers role in overseeing construction grants. Emails show, however, that at least on a few occasions, the younger Diamantis helped the company with documentation on a Connecticut project.

The governors office has been circumspect about the reasons for Diamantis dismissal, initially saying only that he was removed because of a personnel manner still under review.

On Oct. 28, the night he was removed from his OPM job, Diamantis said Rennies column was a pretext for a removal that he attributed to tensions between the governors office and him and his boss at OPM. At the time, his daughters employment for a school construction company was not publicly known.

Diamantis, a former Democratic state representative, was hired for the school construction job in the Department of Administrative Services in 2015 during the administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. He took the school job with him to OPM in November 2019 when Secretary Melissa McCaw made him her deputy.

Diamantis was fired from his OPM job, where he served at the pleasure of the governor, and placed on paid leave from his school-construction job, which came with civil-service protections. Rather than go on leave, Diamantis retired.
The people of Connecticut are tired. They are weary from waiting in line for hours and hours during the holidays just to get a simple COVID test. They are weary from paying higher and higher prices on everything from gassing up their cars to paying monthly utility bills. And they are weary from all-too-common acts of violence committed in neighborhoods across the state.

A mere two hours into the new year, a 16-year-old girl was shot in New Haven  a city that ended 2021 as its most violent year in a decade. Fortunately, the girl is now in stable condition. Crime continues to be a major problem throughout the state and especially in our cities. And it will continue this way unless Democratic leaders in state government have the courage to try something different.

Democratic leaders have become increasingly creative in their arguments as to why the rampant crime we see each day is really not a problem at all. Some point to FBI statistics showing that for our state as a whole, crime is not up. Others admit that crime is rising but say we really shouldnt worry because its up more in other parts of the country  as if the victims of violent crime in our own backyard are somehow comforted that New York City is even more dangerous than New Haven.

Of course, statistics don't tell the whole story; they never do. Notice, for instance, how Democratic leaders ignore the skyrocketing violent crime in our cities. Drive-by shootings in Bridgeport, executions in Waterbury, armed carjackings in New Haven. We see it almost every single night on the news.

Oddly enough, these heinous crimes are concentrated in the very communities that Democrats claim to prioritize. Democrats count on places like Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury as their bases of power. They rely on our cities to provide the votes for their reelection. Yet they look the other way when the people who faithfully cast the votes are living in danger.

Democrats speak of change and opportunity, but their policies keep the status quo and despair. They want to convince the public that the violent crimes we hear and read about every day arent happening, because an honest assessment of the outcomes would expose their criminal justice reforms as an abject failure.

Their dismissive tone is telling. They bemoan the fact that Connecticuts largest cities remain underserved, while failing to admit that they have had control of our largest cities and state government for decades. If our large cities remain underserved after all these years, Democratic leaders have only themselves to blame.

And while state leaders continue to posture, the people of Connecticut suffer. Last year, a 14-year-old boy was executed near Waterbury. In Bridgeport, two children, ages 3 and 7, and their grandmother were wounded in a drive-by shooting in broad daylight. In Hartford, a 3-year-old was shot dead, and a woman cooking dinner for her son was killed by stray bullets.

Think of the coarsening effect that incidents like these have on a young mind. Think about the 7-year-old girl in Bridgeport who is so traumatized after getting hit by shrapnel while playing on her own back porch that she is afraid to return in school. Are we supposed to shrug our shoulders and ignore all of this for the sake of statistics?

Its time to admit that the Democrats approach to public safety has failed  and the Police Accountability Bill that Gov. Lamont signed into law makes it even worse. The bill limited qualified immunity for police officers, putting their homes and other personal assets at risk for any work-related incidents.

Ask any officers on the street, and they will tell you that this law has made it harder to do their job of keeping families safe. Police are now forced to be reactive instead of proactive for fear of losing their jobs or becoming targets of the media if something goes wrong. This can have harsh consequences, such as less crime prevention and more innocent people hurt.

We also need more proactive solutions and accountability for juvenile crime. Victims, families, local leaders, community police and even parents of juveniles are all begging for action, yet their cries have gone unanswered

The mother of a 13-year-old victim whose accused killer was only 14 called for stricter juvenile crime laws. They need to go to the drawing board, and they need to address this. They need to look into charging these juveniles appropriately, she said.

We can and must do better as a state. We need to hold any police officer who abuses his authority accountable to the full extent of the law. But fixing issues in law enforcement does not mean ignoring crime. Proactive and community policing will prevent crime. Pretending crime is not a problem wont save lives. It will only result in more deaths.

Republicans have put forth several common-sense proposals to reduce crime and make it easier for law enforcement to keep residents safe. To date, Gov. Lamont has been unwilling to consider these suggestions.

Safety is a fundamental right we all deserve from our government. The effects that these types of violent crimes have on victims and their families are as obvious as they are tragic.

A new year presents a fresh opportunity to put politics aside and admit what Connecticut residents already know  we are not as safe as we used to be. Now is the time to take proactive measures to address Connecticuts rising crime  before more innocent people are hurt.

Len Fasano represented the communities of Durham, East Haven, North Haven and Wallingford in the state Senate from 2003 to 2020 and was leader of the Senate Republican caucus from 2014 to 2020. Fasano is now a legislative commissioner in the state Legislature. Bob Stefanowski was the 2018 Republican candidate for governor of Connecticut.
Milton, PA (17847)

Today

More clouds than sun. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 71F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
press release

I would like to begin by expressing how much of an honor it is to be standing here - on Providence Island - exactly 200 years after the first wave of free Black Americans arrived at this hallowed location.

There have been so many incredible individuals over the last 200 years who built the relationship between the United States and Liberia. I am humbled to be the one to mark this historic day on behalf of my government.

We should pause to remember all those who made sacrifices, whether newcomers to this land or indigenous people.

We should also acknowledge that this is a nation of people drawn from many roots.

And we should celebrate the fact that one of Liberia's treasures is its tremendous diversity.

I arrived in Liberia one year ago yesterday. What an incredible year! And that is despite our ongoing efforts to stop the spread of and protect all people from COVID-19.

Our shoulder-to-shoulder efforts with the Ministry of Health and many others has led to the vaccination of more than one million Liberians. That is worth celebrating, but it is not a number to be satisfied with.

It is essential to create a safe environment for members of the Liberian diaspora and other visitors who are expected to visit during this momentous year. We all want this pandemic to be over. Let's continue and ramp up our joint efforts!

And looking beyond 2022, we can work together to make Liberia more attractive to both visitors and investors alike.

There is such a compelling story to tell. One that we should not forget is rooted in Liberia's unique journey as a democracy.

We like to say that democracies, by their nature, are a constant work in progress.

In 1822, the American democracy, while ambitious, was not yet a fair society. Slavery would not be abolished for another four decades. And free Black Americans, while nominally citizens, did not yet enjoy the civil rights they were promised by our Constitution.

So, it should not be a surprise that, in 1820, 86 free Black Americans chose to board a ship sailing for a new life in West Africa.

To think, 200 years ago today, some of that original group along with others that followed in their footsteps established a settlement right here on Dozoa Island.

Consider the bravery and hope of those individuals - men, women, and children - to embark on something as ambitious as creating a new country. It is inspiring, to say the least.

But also remember the challenging circumstances that led to such a leap of faith.

As we commemorate this anniversary, we believe it is important to have a robust, scholarly debate about the historical decisions and actions taken by our ancestors, so as to inform future generations and bring about a mutual understanding of what happened and, importantly, why it happened.

We must live with this history and learn from it.

200 years later, American democracy is still not perfect, but it is undoubtedly fairer, and our place in the world is due to its resiliency and adaptability.

We have generations of similarly ambitious, brave, and hopeful Americans to thank for it.

Liberia - like the United States, like every country - has both a difficult past and many generations of citizens who tried to correct those previous wrongs, creating what we believe is a better nation today.

Not every country, however, has a physical space as emblematic of its history as Providence Island. As Dr. William Allen, the chair of the Historical Society of Liberia, put it: "[Providence Island] epitomizes not only a pivotal moment of Black nation-building and sovereignty, but a critical space of conflict and cooperation between indigenous Liberians and peoples of African descent previously separated by an ocean for many generations."

All of that on 11 acres of land.

Look around. Take a moment and consider the 200-year experience between those that were already in this territory - the Kpelle, the Bassa, the Mano, the Gio, the Kru, the Grebo, the Krahn, the Vai, the Gola, the Mandinka, the Mende, the Kissi, the Gbandi, the Loma, the Dei, the Belleh, including people of multiple different faiths - and those that came here: the Americans and Barbadians and their descendants.

As this bicentennial commemoration of the joining of these peoples - our peoples - kicks off, there is so much to be proud of this year, just as there is so much to continue to improve upon.

We represent two of the oldest continuous republics in the world. And we share a unique history paired with common democratic values.

The first president of Liberia, President J.J. Roberts, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of two free Americans, and moved to Monrovia at age 20.

The second president, President Stephen Allen Benson, was born in Cambridge, Maryland, the son of freeborn African American parents. He arrived soon after the first settlement was established in 1822 when he was only 8 years old.

Presidents Daniel Warner and Garretson Gibson were also from Maryland. Presidents James Spriggs Payne and Anthony Gardiner were also from Virginia.

Presidents Alfred Russell and William Coleman were from Kentucky; President Edward Roye was born in Ohio; and President James Smith was from South Carolina.

Our shared history is literally written into the geography, from Monrovia to Maryland County to cities in between, such as Buchanan - named after the cousin of U.S. President James Buchanan - Greenville - named for a Mississippi Delta planter - and Harper - named after a U.S. senator. Bushrod Island is named after the favorite nephew of George Washington!

Today, our collective goal is the same as it was 200 years ago: a prosperous and self-reliant Liberia.

And we know that the path to that ambition is through a commitment to democracy that ensures every voice is heard, a commitment to rule of law that supports freedom and investment, and a commitment to the Liberian people themselves - their health, education, and other needs.

Just weeks ago, our two presidents joined with other democratic leaders to demonstrate this commitment for the first installment of the Summit for Democracy.

Both President Biden and President Weah pledged to a series of interventions in each of our respective countries to defend against authoritarianism, address and fight corruption, and promote respect for human rights.

A year from now, we will gather again to review the progress of these initiatives.

Here, in Liberia, the United States Government is one year into our long-term collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism; World Monuments Fund; and the University of Virginia on ways to preserve and reuse this very island for future generations.

Extending beyond Providence Island, I urge you all to consider establishing a "historic quarter" consisting of the Palm Grove Cemetery, President Roberts's executive mansion and other preserved government buildings on Ashmun Street, and the historical churches, and allocating the resources for preservation, beautification, and identification of these landmarks and the neighborhoods that connect them.

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This area has the potential to attract visitors from across the world and spark a boom in the tourism economy.

And most importantly, it ensures the next generations of Liberians are well-informed and proud of our one-of-a-kind shared history.

In closing, I would like to quote Liberian author Cyrus L. Gray, Jr., who wrote three years ago, "Although Liberia today is not the same as the Liberia in 1847, "The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here" is still a fitting synopsis of the purpose of Liberia, if we establish some context. Liberia still clings to its name, paraphrased "Land of the Free," without reservation from any sector of society. "Us" in the maxim denotes the collective estates of all blacks and "here" represents the Black Nation, in contrast to a place. By this definition, the "love of liberty" brought all black people under the umbrella of the first African nation-state, in an era of western domination."

Our preservation initiatives and our joint year of action to renew our democracies is a worthy tribute to recognizing the ambitions of our forefathers and foremothers, each of whom envisioned a republic based on the inherent power of its people.

These commitments celebrate all we are going to achieve in the next 200 years while recognizing both the dreams as well as the sacrifices and missteps of the last 200 years.

Thank you once again for the opportunity to speak before you on this historic day.

Together, we have a lot to be proud of. And we have a lot to look forward to as we prepare the next generations for their turn to lead our great countries.

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Amy Goodman is the host of Democracy Now!, a daily international TV/radio news hour airing on more than 1,400 stations. She is the co-author, with Denis Moynihan and David Goodman, of the New York Times best-seller Democracy Now!: 20 Years Covering the Movements Changing America.
Several Nimbaians have called on the legislature to nullify the current mineral development between the Liberian government and Arcelor Mittal because it is not in the interest of the county and the country.

At a mass meeting held in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, over the weekend, on the status of the Mineral Development Agreement put before the National Legislature, from ArcelorMittal, participants at the conference have called on the government to ignore any additional years to Arcelor Mittal until its current nine years agreement expires. Those at the conference believe that the steel giant has been unable to abide by the first agreement signed in 2005.

The conference was organized by Nimba Kwado(meaning one Nimba in the local dialect) has been discussing a number of issues in the county ranging from developments, to the welfare of its people. This was not the first time for such conference to be held. It can be recalled that last year similar meeting was held in which thousands of citizens from different parts of the world attended. Some lawmakers were present at the meeting.

At the end of the conference the president of the group, Mr. Isaac Dahn told reporters that the company was not in the county to help rather, to exploit and at such, the current MDA should not be ratified.

According to him, AML has not been able to live up to the agreement. For instance, the lack of housing, good health care, job opportunity and above all, control over the rail and port of Buchanan.

He said, all parties should have access to both the rail and the port as it was the property of the country and not AML.

At the conference a former senator of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration, Saye Taylor Dolo, called on delegates to seek audience with the company to look at some of the issues raised in the agreement.

He has earlier expressed his dissatisfaction over the agreement, but said, it was also important to meet the company's representatives for a dialogue.

According to the delegates, a resolution from the conference is expected to be sumitted to President George Weah soon. At the same time, the elders and chiefs are calling for the president to pay a visit to the county to see at first hand the current situation.
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In 2021, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church had three working sessions.

In February, the first meeting took place when two assistant bishops were elected for the Archdiocese of Iasi and the Diocese of Deva and Hunedoara. Also, in February, the Synod approved the solemn and commemorative themes for 2022.

Last year, one of the most significant decisions was to begin the canonization process of several confessors and great Romanian missionary priests during communism. The canonizations will take place in 2025 to mark the 140th anniversary of autocephaly and the 100th anniversary of the patriarchal status of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

In July, the synodal fathers approved the establishment of two new parishes for the Romanian Orthodox communities in Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates).

At the last meeting of the year, elections were held again for a new Diocesan Bishop of Deva and Hunedoara in December. At the same time, the solemn and commemorative themes for 2023 were established.

Last year, two new saints were included in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church: St Nicephorus the Leper and St Diadochos of Photiki.

Other decisions

Considering the death of a child a few hours after the Mystery of Holy Baptism, in February in Suceava, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church made some clarifications recalling that the canonical doctrine, ritual or discipline cannot be modified.

The Synod decided that: Before the Holy Mystery of Baptism, the priest must meet with the childs parents and godparents, who, after consulting with a paediatrician, will present to the priest the childs health and their desire to baptize the child;

The Romanian Patriarchates Faculties of Theology will pay special attention to the liturgical practice regarding the act of the three immersions during the Baptismal service; this liturgical practice is compulsory for theology students in the final years at the Pastoral Theology sections;

Each deanery of the Romanian Patriarchate will organize an annual meeting with the priests regarding the correct celebration of each Holy Mystery. Catechesis with the faithful on the spiritual significance of the Holy Mysteries will also be held.

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has also noted with concern the recent attempts to implement sex education as mandatory in the Romanian education system, as well as the European Parliament resolution of June 24, 2021, on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and related rights in the EU in the frame of womens health (Matic Report).

The Romanian Patriarchate reaffirmed its position on maintaining the optional nature of classes on education for life. It warned against the risks of a sex education with an ideological content contrary to the values of the Christian family and inappropriate for the age of children.

At its last meeting of 2021, the Holy Synod approved the National Agency Against Human Trafficking request to publish a leaflet for the prevention of human trafficking and to distribute it throughout the parishes of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
The opposition Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) calls on the governing coalition to "urgently" remove the Covid green certificate requirement for entering a public institution in order to prevent "huge queues" building up before tax offices, Agerpres reports.

"AUR cautions that huge queues are building up during this period at town halls all over the country, of citizens who want to pay their taxes to the authorities. Taxpayers who come to pay their dues to the local authority are put in this absurd in humiliating situation where they are not allowed to enter the premises of the institutions to fulfill their legal obligations. (...) In many localities, people who come to pay their taxes are sent away for not having the green certificate which is required to enter the town hall. They are sent to take a rapid test. For many Romanians, 60-70 RON, the cost of a rapid test, is a significant amount they would rather give out for food, not for the tests sold by the rulers' political clientele," AUR said in a release.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Lucian Bode, underlines that the police enforce the law in the case of persons who do not wear properly the sanitary protection mask, specifying that, from January 8 to Wednesday, the average is "somewhere between 1,300 - 1,400 sanctions applied daily".

He was asked at a press conference at Victoria Palace on Wednesday how he would handle the situation created by the call from Europol unionists, who criticized the fact that police must check what kind of mask Romanians wear and also the fact that there are police officers who said they would refuse to impose fines on those who did not wear a mask or because it was not appropriate.

"Yes, I saw the call of a union from the many unions in the Romanian Police. I had many discussions with our structures from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI). In turn, the structures discussed with the leadership of the Romanian Police, the Gendarmerie, the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, we talked to the county structures, we had a video conference. (...) The joint order Order 30 of the Minister of Labour - the Minister of Health - the Minister of Internal Affairs said very clearly in Article 1: 'Improper masks are those are made of textile material and / or plastic'," explained Lucian Bode.

According to him, this is not the first time that this union has launched such appeals, stressing that the majority of police officers keep their oath.

The role of the MAI structures, he recalled, is not to sanction the citizens, but mainly to help limit the spread of the new coronavirus, Agerpres informs.
The three trade unions in education organize protests on Thursday in front of the Government headquarters and in front of the PSD (Social Democratic Party) and PNL (National Liberal Party) headquarters, against the fact that the Executive did not increase their salaries according to Law No. 153/2017, reads a press release of the trade unions on Wednesday, Agerpres reports.

The protests are organized by the Federation of Free Trade Unions (FSLI), the Federation of Education Trade Unions (ESF) "Spiru Haret" and the National Trade Union Federation "Alma Mater," which represent over 300,000 employees in education."We remind the representatives of the Romanian Government and the political parties that the teaching staff should have benefited from the salaries provided by the Law No. 153/2017 starting with September 2020. The insignificant increase of only 4pct applied as of January 1, 2022, which means an increase of the teaching staff's income by approximately 65 lei net, has caused a state of general dissatisfaction among the employees in education," it is mentioned in the press release of the three trade union organizations.The unions also point out that more than 30,000 non-teaching staff in education benefit from the country's minimum gross salary guaranteed in payment, although, since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, these employees have been involved in some extra types of activities, which have nothing to do with the position held."In addition, the education staff is the only category of public employees who do not benefit from bonuses for working conditions, because in recent years the government's policy in the field of pay has been to cap the amount of bonuses at the level before the entry into force of the Law No. 153/2017, which made GD No. 34/2018 and GD No. 569/2017 inapplicable," the same press release states.According to this source, the three trade union federations are holding a referendum to decide whether they should have a strike at this point in the education system or not.
Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu will participate Thursday through Friday in the informal (Gymich) informal meeting of Foreign Ministers from EU member states, which will take place in Brest, France, organised by the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

According to a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) release, the discussion agenda includes the security situation in EU's Eastern Neighbourhood, the EU - China relations and the developments in Mali.

Before the meeting, there will be a joint working lunch of Foreign and Defence Ministers from EU member states on the Strategic Compass. Discussions on the Strategic Compass take place in the continuation of the joint meeting of EU Foreign and Defence Ministers of November 15, 2021.

European Foreign Ministers will also attend an informal lunch with Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and President of the African Union 2022-2023, and Moussa Faki Mahamat, President of the African Union Commission. The main topic will be the preparation of the EU-African Union Summit, scheduled for February 2022.

Minister Aurescu will hail the evolution of the Strategic Compass document towards a common approach to the Common Security and Defence Policy, in line with the principles of the 2016 EU Global Strategy.He will highlight the need of a proper reflection in the document of the current security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood, including in the Black Sea extended region, the need to resolve protracted conflicts in the region, as well as the need for an in-depth discussion on the EU's rapid response capability, taking into account the need to ensure full complementarity with NATO and to avoid any duplication, and strengthening tools to combat hybrid threats.

The approach to the security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood is taking place in the context of the deterioration of the security environment in the region. Minister Bogdan Aurescu will present Romania's assessment of recent developments and reiterate the messages regarding the importance of maintaining EU unity and maintaining the policy of taking firm and credible measures to deter Russia, while strengthening the resilience of Ukraine and its partners in the Eastern Neighbourhood. He will highlight the need to strengthen the EU-US and EU-NATO partnerships, as well as support for the implementation of the June 2021 European Council conclusions on EU policy towards Russia.

The EU-China relations will be discussed with a view to identifying ways in which they can evolve in the current context. The head of Romanian diplomacy will bring to mind the validity of the EU's multi-faceted approach in the Joint Communication "EU-China: A Strategic Outlook" of March 2019, but also the importance of the EU's position based on the fundamental values of international law, democracy and human rights.

In the context of the recent extraordinary summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 9, 2021, there will be a discussion on developments in Mali. The Romanian Foreign Minister will emphasise the need to maintain international pressure on this country in order to respect the assumed electoral calendar and to avoid actions that could affect the EU-Mali relationship as a whole or the security situation in the region. In this context, he will enumerate Romania's commitments in the region, including the decision to participate in the Takuba mission.

During the informal lunch, there will be an exchange of views with African Union representatives on how to strengthen EU-AU strategic links, based on common priorities such as prosperity, security and mobility and in preparation for the February 2022 EU-AU Summit. Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu will highlight the importance of a summit with concrete results, reflecting the common vision of the future of EU-Africa relations, Agerpres informs.
Addis Abeba  The Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) today released a statement discussing the recent move by the government to drop the charges and release its leaders including Bekele Gerba and Jawar Mohammed as well as other opposition figures on January 7th, 2022. In the statement the OFC argued that the arrest of its leaders was politically motivated and said, "It's also not lost on our jailers that we committed no offense and that we were held unlawfully on bogus charges designed to increase the ruling party's electoral fortunes."

The party discussed the crisis the country was faced with following what it called 'our forced removal from the political space' and expressed sadness over the atrocities civilians in Oromia, Tigray, Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, and Amhara regions. Furthermore, it said that the investigation into the assassination of prominent Oromo artist Hachalu Hundessa, which preceded the mass arrest of opposition party leaders from OFC and OLF was "marred with political interference and cover- ups." "The justice system has failed to provide a believable account of what happened the night that Haacaaluu was assassinated - let alone prosecute the perpetrators. We, therefore, call for the establishment of an independent investigative body to uncover the truth," OFC said.

The party said it was optimistic about restoring peace through reconciliation and rebuilding Ethiopia through peaceful and negotiated resolutions to the ongoing wars, particularly in Oromia, Benshangul-Gumuz, and Tigray, according to the statement. "Only a serious and genuine negotiation and dialogue among nations and nationalities of this country can lead to lasting peace and mutually advantageous coexistence."

Full statement

Statement from OFC leaders upon their release from wrongful imprisonment

We were released on the 7th of January 2022 after 18 months of wrongful imprisonment. It bears repeating that our arrest and detention in the aftermath of the assassination of the iconic Oromo artist, Haacaaluu Hundeessaa, was motivated by political considerations. It's also not lost on our jailers that we committed no offense and that we were held unlawfully on bogus charges designed to increase the ruling party's electoral fortunes.

The decision to expunge us from the political space - in the run up to the general elections - was made because the ruling party saw us, our movement, and our causes, as a threat to its grip on power. A lot has happened in Ethiopia since our forced removal from the political space. The worst possible scenario that we desperately tried to prevent has come to pass. Not only was the hope for a democratic transition totally dashed, the country descended into a regrettable and devastating civil war. From inside our spaces of confinement, we watched in horror the plights of millions of civilians affected by the destructive war and resulting humanitarian catastrophe. As our country teetered on the brink of collapse and the social fabric shattered into pieces, all we could do from our prison cells was weep in anguish and pray for better days. We are particularly appalled and saddened by the atrocities and depredations committed against civilians in Oromia, Tigray, Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, and Amhara states. It might be too late to undo most of the damage done to the country and its people over the last 13 months.

However, we believe there is still a small window of opportunity to prevent further destruction, restore peace through reconciliation, and rebuild the country. It goes without saying that such an arduous task requires a genuine political will and good-faith engagement from all stakeholders.

To that end, we:

Recognize the government's recent change of tone towards seeking peace and reconciliation over conflict and confrontation that has dominated its discourse over the last two years. These encouraging promises should be followed by practical and irreversible actions.

Call on all parties to seek a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the ongoing wars, particularly in Oromia, Benshangul-Gumuz, and Tigray. Until a negotiated, comprehensive ceasefire is achieved, we call on all warring groups to safeguard the safety and protection of civilians, property, and infrastructure.

Call on all external actors to play a positive role to end the civil war in Ethiopia and facilitate peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region. We implore them to refrain from fuelling the conflict by providing political or material support to any of the warring parties. In particular, countries in the Red Sea area and the wider international community should - with one voice - apply pressure on all parties to sit for a negotiated settlement to end the war.

Call on the Nations, Nationalities, and People of Ethiopia to resist the ongoing civilian militarization, hate mongering, and unbridled call to arms. We also call on the media to play its part by refraining from broadcasting partisan narratives and fanning hateful propaganda.

Continue to mourn the loss of the iconic Oromo artist, Haacaaluu Hundeessaa. We reiterate our call for a thorough and credible investigation into the circumstances and motives behind Haacaaaluu's cold-blooded murder. His family and the public at large deserve to know the truth about who planned, ordered, and carried out such a heinous attack on one of the Oromo nation's most treasured and prolific artists of this generation. Marred with political interference and cover- ups, the justice system has failed to provide a believable account of what happened the night that Haacaaluu was assassinated - let alone prosecute the perpetrators. We, therefore, call for the establishment of an independent investigative body to uncover the truth.

Call for the immediate and unconditional release of many of our members and supporters, senior OLF leaders and its members, and thousands of other political prisoners, journalists, activists - including those detained in ethnically targeted raids under the State of Emergency who have not been released.

Continue to believe war is not a solution to Ethiopia's complex political crisis. We hope that the events of the past year have made this truism abundantly clear for the majority of political forces in Ethiopia. Only a serious and genuine negotiation and dialogue among nations and nationalities of this country can lead to lasting peace and mutually advantageous coexistence.

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Finally, we would like to express our immense gratitude to the entire Oromo nation for their perseverance and tenacity in maintaining our unity and fraternity under conditions of overwhelming adversity; to those who stood by us throughout the awful ordeals of the past 18 months; to our families who cared for us with smile and optimism despite being subjected to regular harassment; our visitors who flocked every day to show their solidarity; to friends and supporters who relentlessly campaigned for our release; our lawyers who defended us passionately and bravely in the face of significant threat to their lives and career. We lack words to express our immense gratitude to the team of volunteer doctors who made regular visits to the Qaliti prison providing us with medical care during our hunger strike and beyond. We are specially indebted to Landmark Hospital and its staff who saved our lives.

We would like to pay a particular tribute to one of our defense attorneys, the late Abduljebar Hussein, a selfless defender of truth and justice who paid the ultimate price in the middle of his tireless effort to establish our innocence and secure our freedom.

Last but not least, it would be remiss of us not to express our appreciation to the federal police officers, and Qaliti prison guards and administrators who treated us with the utmost respect and dignity during our interactions. We sincerely hope the same is extended to all prisoners across the country.
Interior Minister Lucian Bode said on Wednesday that at its Wednesday meeting the government passed a decision releasing from office two prefects and ten deputy prefects and appointing 15 prefects, Agerpres reports.

"Out of the 42 prefects, 17 have been appointed since the time of the political negotiations, and the remaining up to 42 will stay in office - as is the case with 14 prefects from the National Liberal Party (PNL) and three from the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), so 17 stay in office. We are talking about a rest of 16 prefects to be appointed in future meetings. As we receive all the confirmations from the state institutions that are under an obligation to validate their candidacy, we will come before the government with these proposals: 13 from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), two from PNL and one from UDMR (...) Over 60% of the agreed prefects and deputy prefects have already been appointed and will be sworn in office," Bode told a news conference at the Government House.
The completion of Romania's Schengen accession is "paramount", President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Bucharest, Agerpres reports.

"Romania already contributes and stays committed to contributing to a safe and efficient Schengen Area. From this point of view, completing Romania's Schengen accession is paramount. Closing Romania's monitoring through the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for assessing the progress made regarding judiciary independence and efficiency is another major priority. The Romanian authorities are fully committed in this respect," the President said at the Cotroceni Palace.
Increasing US military presence in Romania remains an "important" objective, stated, on Wednesday, President Klaus Iohannis, at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Bucharest, Agerpres reports.

"The security problem will be a priority in this period. Thus, faced with recent security challenges, it's obvious that we need a more powerful action in the realm of discouragement and defence, action which has to be articulated in the spirit of unity, transatlantic cooperation and commitments within NATO. Increasing the American military presence in Romania also remains an important objective," said, the head of state, at the meeting at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
The Romanian political class proved "democratic maturity" at the end of last year and a "solid" coalition was formed, President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace at the annual meeting with the leaders of diplomatic missions accredited in Bucharest, Agerpres reports.

The government must meet the expectations of citizens who want concrete solutions to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis, for the full implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, as well as for ensuring well-being and security, said the Romanian president."Through a process that has not been easy at all, but which is natural in any democracy, a solid coalition was formed in the Romanian Parliament. As a result, a Government was installed that must ensure the stability of the country and lead the Romanian society to a new stage of modernisation. This Government must meet the expectations of citizens who want concrete solutions for the management of the effects of the pandemic, the energy crisis, the full implementation of the PNRR, which is a top priority objective, and to ensure the well-being and security of our country and of its citizens in a broad sense," affirmed the head of state at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
Romania has been and will continue to be a "strong" promoter and supporter of democratic principles, President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Bucharest, Agerpres reports.

"In the current context, which involves multiple and varied challenges to the rules-based international order, I reiterate our country's deep attachment to the principles and norms of international law. Romania will continue to take firm action to combat and prevent anti-Semitism, xenophobia, racism, intolerance, hate speech as well as terrorism. Romania has also been and will continue to be a strong promoter and supporter of democratic principles, which it promotes in the region and globally, emphasizing the need for human rights to be respected and an inclusive, internal dialogue to be held. That is why we cannot be indifferent to situations such as those in Belarus or the latest developments in Kazakhstan. We will not give up on this approach," Iohannis said at a meeting at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.He also stressed that Romania will "actively" continue its efforts to ensure the rights of persons belonging to the neighboring Romanian minorities at European standard.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Viorel Mosanu as Special Representative for the South Caucasus of the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The OSCE Chairmanship of the OSCE is being held by Poland from January to December 2022, according to an MAE release.

The appointment of Ambassador Viorel Mosanu in this important position "took place following the deep cooperation and coordination between Romania and Poland, especially following the efforts of the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, in the dialogue with his Polish counterpart, Zbigniew Rau, and in virtue of the "excellent relations between the two countries, based on a solid bilateral Strategic Partnership," the quoted source states.

Taking over the mandate of OSCE Special Representative for the South Caucasus, according to the MAE, takes place "at a time when the region is going through an important moment, marked by renewed EU diplomatic efforts, supported by Romania, in the direction of developing regional cooperation and supporting the settlement of protracted conflicts".

According to the MAE, the nomination of a Romanian diplomat in this position "is a concrete result of the constant interest and efforts of the Romanian diplomacy given to the issue of resolving the protracted conflicts in the EU's Eastern Neighborhood".

According to the release, starting from the initiative of Minister Bogdan Aurescu, supported by ten other European counterparts, the topic of protracted conflicts was introduced in 2021 by Romania on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council. In addition, a structured discussion on the topic was held at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich format) in May 2021 in Lisbon. Subsequently, Minister Bogdan Aurescu, together with his counterparts from Austria and Lithuania, conducted a diplomatic tour to the three states of the South Caucasus (Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia) on June 24-26, 2021, in coordination and with the mandate of the High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, followed by the presentation of conclusions and proposals by the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs at a subsequent FAC meeting, Agerpres informs.
Metropolitan Ioan of Banat celebrated his name day on Friday by having lunch with the beneficiaries of the Timisoara Municipalitys Centre for Emergency and Crisis Situations. The hierarch is an important supporter of the citys social work, periodically offering large amounts of food for its social assistance institutions.

His Eminence had lunch with the homeless who currently live in 11 utility-connected containers offered by the citys Centre for Emergency and Crisis Situations in Padurea Verde, Timisoara.

They ate a hot meal together with the metropolitan and sang him songs for his birthday, including religious songs.

The moment was captured in a painting by Sebastian Alexa, a trainer of the Timisoara Social Assistance Direction.

The Metropolitan of Banat also offered hot food to the migrants hosted by the same institution at the local Railway High School.

The celebrated hierarchs generosity manifested towards other socially vulnerable people, as well: he offered an important amount of food for the Canteen of the Timisoara Social Assistance Direction, announced the local officials.

His Eminence Ioan is famous for the tons of foods he constantly sends to the social centres and public hospitals in the county of Timis.
The exhibition 'Nicolae Iorga - 150 years since birth', dedicated to the presentation of the scholar's personality and activity, will open on Thursday at the National Museum of History of Romania (MNIR), informs the museum in a press release, sent on Wednesday to AGERPRES.

The opening will take place in the presence of the Minister of Culture, Lucian Romascanu, the Presidential Advisor Sergiu Nistor, the Managing Director of MNIR, Dr. Ernest Oberlander-Tarnoveanu, and Professor Andrei Pippidi, corresponding member of the Romanian Academy.Opened on the occasion of the National Culture Day, in partnership with the Nicolae Iorga Institute of History, the University of Bucharest, the National Archives of Romania and the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the exhibition highlights an important number of original pieces donated by Professor Pippidi, grandson of Nicolae Iorga, that form the Iorga-Pippidi Collection, which became part of the national heritage.MNIR specifies that the invaluable collection is made up of documents and heritage objects that will be exhibited for the first time, including the birth certificate of the great historian, primary, gymnasium and bachelor's and doctor's degrees, the most important diplomas of doctor honoris causa received from the great universities of Europe.The patents and medals conferred on Nicolae Iorga throughout his life, from the Romanian ones, such as the Great Collar of the Carol I Order and the Great Collar of the Ferdinand I Order, to the foreign ones will also be presented: the Order of the Legion of Honour, in the rank of Grand Cross, France; the Order of the Saviour, in the degree of Grand Cross, Greece; Order of the Crown of Italy, in the rank of Grand Cross; the Order Vytautas the Great, in the rank of Grand Cross, Lithuania; the Order of St. James of the Sword, in the rank of Grand Cross, Spain.There will also be exhibited documents received by the great historian from the Royal Family of Romania, from Queen Maria, from Prince Carol, the future King Carol II, and from princesses Marioara and Elena, as well as correspondence sent by various personalities or simple people; photographs; Ecaterina Iorga's painting by Rudolf Schweitzer-Cumpana.Along with the pieces of the Iorga-Pippidi Collection, in the exhibition are exhibited objects from the patrimony of the National Museum of History of Romania, such as the toga of doctor honoris causa of the University of Oxford; furniture, but also personal items: glasses, magnifying glass, one of Iorga's pens, pieces from the patrimony of the Nicolae Iorga Institute of the Romanian Academy; the staff record of Professor Iorga from the University of Bucharest, the high chair with backrest and arms used by him in the years when he was rector of the university, pieces from the patrimony of the University of Bucharest, photographs and documents from the patrimony of the National Archives of Romania and of the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The exhibition can be visited from Wednesday to Sunday, between 09:00 - 17:00, until the end of May.
Romania supports the aspirations of countries wishing to join the European Union and "strongly" supports the opening of negotiations with Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia, President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Bucharest, Agerpres reports.

"We see all around us - in the Western Balkans, in the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine - at the citizens' level, the same aspirations that supported, decades ago, Romania's effort to join the European Union. Romania strongly supports these aspirations. At the same time, we strongly support the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia," the head of state said at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.Iohannis maintained that it was "in our European interest to extend the area of prosperity, democracy and stability to those states that respect and assume common European values."In this context, the President stated that "as a top priority of Romania's foreign policy, our country will continue to actively support the European integration efforts of the Republic of Moldova and the pro-democratic reform program, based on the Strategic Partnership for European Integration of the Republic of Moldova established on the community of language, history and culture".At the same time, the head of state added that "for Romania, settling the protracted conflicts in the region, peacefully and sustainably, according to international law remains a matter of strategic interest".
The Board of Directors of the National Council Against Discrimination (CNCD) has decided to fine Senator Diana Iovanovici Sosoaca for hate speech against the head of the Emergency Management Department (DSU), Raed Arafat, Agerpres reports.

"The Board of Directors of the National Council Against Discrimination convened on January 12, 2022 to consider petitions and passed the following decision: the statements: 'Why isn't Mr Raed Arafat going to his homeland?' 'he speaks of himself in the third person, probably influenced by the language of his native country,' 'I don't know how Mr Raed Arafat took his citizenship exam,' 'traitors have no place in Romania' is an instance of hate speech as defined by Article 2 (1) in conjunction with Article 15 of Government Ordinance 137/2000, republished. The speech maker, Mrs. Iovanovici-Sosoaca Diana, is hereby fined 5,000 lei," reads a CNCD press statement released on Wednesday.The decision passed by a majority of eight to one.CNCD says the facts could fall under the scope of criminal law.CNCD also decided that, also for speech hate again Arafat, Mihail Neamtu should be issued a misdemeanor warning, with the decision being adopted unanimously."The statements: 'you speak Romanian badly enough so that I don't feel represented by you', 'I feel represented as Romanian by the one who speaks correct Romanian,' 'I hope you know Romanian correctly, it is still a condition to be Romanian' are hate speech under Article 2 (1) in conjunction with Article 15 of Government Ordinance 137/2000," according to CNCD.
Addis Abeba  Colonel Gemechu Ayana, a senior leader of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) was yesterday arraigned at court alongside four other defendants to continue the hearing after the prosecutor filed an appeal against the charges the court dropped about seven months ago.

On November 29, 2021, Colonel Gemechu was brought to the Federal Supreme Court Cassation Bench after the prosecutor filed an appeal six months after he and 13 other OLF members were acquitted of terrorism. He remained under police custody after he was briefly disappeared by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

The hearings in December, 2021 were postponed multiple times. At his first appearance after his acquittal, Gemechu had to attend the hearing in the absence of his defense team because they were was not made aware of his court appearance, a family member told Addis Standard at the time. The hearing was postponed until the next day but the police did not bring the defendants to court on that day either. The last hearing before yesterday's was on December 29th.

The Federal Supreme Court Cassation Bench was set to conduct hearings on the prosecutor's appeal to overturn the decision made by the federal high court. The federal high court dismissed the prosecutor's evidence that included tapped phone conversations which are no longer admissible in court as per the new proclamation 1176/2012.

The prosecutor argued that the new proclamation was ratified after it brought terrorism charges on the defendants. The prosecutor also complained to the cassation court that it could not find witnesses from the East and West Wollega zones due to the security situation. Therefore, the prosecutor asked the cassation court to overturn the federal high court's decision to acquit the defendants and to be allowed to use the tapped phone conversations as evidence.

Yesterday's hearing was adjourned until January 27, 2022.

Colonel Gemechu is a member of OLF's political officer who was arrested in July 2020. Over the course of 18 months, he remained jailed after he was repeatedly granted bail and acquitted at last. He was re-arrested multiple times and transferred to several detention camps without the knowledge of his family and lawyers. In January last year, he was transferred to a division in the detention center known for constant fights among inmates. The recently released leaders of Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) Jawar Mohammed and Bekele Gerba went on a hunger strike demanding the transfer of Colonel Gemechu to a safer prison cell .
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has decided that 2022 will be the Commemorative Year of the Holy Hesychasts Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas and Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamt in the Romanian Patriarchate.

Hesychasm is an ascetic practice of monastic origin that involves the constant repetition of the Jesus prayer: Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

The theme chosen for 2022 is also motivated by the fact that this year marks three centuries since the birth of Saint Paisius of Neamt and 1000 years since the repose of Saint Symeon the New Theologian.

The representative icon of the commemorative year 2022 depicts Saints Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas and Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamt. Credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene

St Symeon the New Theologian (949  1022)

St. Symeon the New Theologian was born in a high-ranking family in Constantinople, entering monasticism as a teenager at Studion Monastery.

At the age of 31, he became abbot of the monastery of St. Mamas in Constantinople, which he led for a quarter of a century. Among his writings, we mention Theological and practical chapters, Theological and moral discourses, Catecheses, Hymns of divine love, etc.

A strong personality, St. Symeon the New Theologian shows in his writings the importance of seeing the uncreated light of divine glory as a work of grace, vigilance, and unceasing prayer in the spiritual life.

In the history of the Orthodox Church, only three saints have been surnamed Theologians: St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, St. Gregory of Nazianzus, and St. Symeon.

He is honoured on March 12 and October 12.

St Gregory Palamas (1296-1359)

Saint Gregory Palamas was born in 1296 in Constantinople, entering monasticism at the age of 20 at Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, and was soon ordained a priest and in 1347 a bishop.

St. Gregory Palamas structured hesychasm as a teaching and practice of the Eastern tradition and was canonized in 1368 at the Synod of Constantinople for his struggle against heresies.

He is honoured on November 14 and the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent.

St Paisius (Velichkovsky) of Neamt (1722-1794)

He was born in Poltava, Ukraine, in 1722. He studied at the Theological Academy in Kyiv. In 1745 he came to Moldavia. A year later, he left for the Holy Mount where he was tonsured a monk by Saint Basil of Poiana Marului, his spiritual father.

He returned to Moldavia and, together with his disciples, settled at Dragomirna Monastery for 12 years. Then, following the Austrian occupation, abbot Paisius moved with his community to Secu and afterwards to Neamt Monastery. The two monasteries merged under his rule.

Under his spiritual guidance, monasticism flourished. The hesychastic rebirth in Romanian monasticism radiated into the Orthodox world through his disciples.

Among his works of Orthodox spirituality is the On the prayer of the mind. He is remembered among the venerable saints on November 15. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1988 and by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 1992.

A solemn year of prayer

Also, 2022 will be the Solemn Year of Prayer in the Churchs life and the Christians life in the Romanian Patriarchate. The Mother of God  Oranta was chosen as an illustrative icon.

Mosaic Icon of the Theotokos Oranta. Credit: Basilica.ro

The Solemn year of prayer in the Churchs life and the Christians life and the Commemorative Year of the Hesychast Saints Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas and Paisius of Neamt is a blessed time to increase the knowledge of prayer a source of sanctification in the Church and the family and as a pillar of joy in the Kingdom of the love of the Most Holy Trinity, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel wrote in a foreword of the Orthodox Calendar 2022.
The Minister of National Defense, Vasile Dincu, will participate, on Wednesday and Thursday, in the informal meeting of the ministers of defense of the Member States of the European Union, organized in Brest, under the aegis of the French presidency of the EU Council, informs a release of the Ministry of National Defense (MApN), sent to AGERPRES.

The meeting will start with a working dinner, during which the challenges arising from interference and actions by state and non-state actors in the theatres of operations in which the EU has deployed forces will be discussed, in the presence of the NATO Secretary General, the under-secretary general for peace operations, respectively the chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence in the European Parliament.On the second day of the meeting, the Defence ministers will discuss the security situation at the border of Ukraine with the Russian Federation, as well as in the broader framework of the current debates on the European security architecture.Also, according to the MApN, in the context of the process of elaboration of the Strategic Compass, the Defense ministers will have a discussion focused on ensuring the consistency of the access of the EU and the member states to the strategic areas of interest (maritime, cyber, space), with emphasis on protecting the Union's interests in the cosmic space, amid the increasing relevance of this strategic area.The meeting will conclude with a joint debate of the Defence ministers and Foreign Affairs ministers on the basis of a revised version of the Strategic Compass project, during which political direction will be offered for further negotiations of the text, to be approved in March this year.On the sidelines of the event, the Romanian Minister of Defense Vasile Dincu will have a meeting with the French Minister of Armed Forces, Florence Parly.
Going to work now means something different than it did a few years ago. Instead of hopping in a car or taking the bus, a workday can now start with just moving to your couch and firing up your laptop.

Even with more than 60% of the country fully vaccinated, many companies arent planning to ever have workers come back to an in-person office full time. So its getting easier to find remote jobs.

The flexible and remote job search site FlexJobs has identified the top 100 companies to watch for remote jobs in 2022. To create the list, FlexJobs analyzed the job posting history of nearly 57,000 companies to identify companies that had posted the most remote jobs in 2021. The roundup includes the names of many companies you likely know, like Amazon, American Express, American Red Cross, AT&T, Coinbase, CVS Health, Mayo Clinic, Verizon and Wells Fargo.

The most promising career fields for remote jobs in 2022 include computer and information technology (IT), accounting and finance, marketing and medical and health, according the FlexJobs. And the most popular job titles for remote work include accountant, customer service representative, nurse and project manager.

Top companies for remote jobs

FlexJobs defines a remote job as one that allows employees to work from home all or part of the time. Here are top 10 companies with remote jobs to watch in 2022, and what type of roles they hire for, according to FlexJobs.

Getting a great job in the new year starts with a great resume If getting a new job is a part of your New Year's Resolutions, a Resume Builder can only help improve your resume and match it with your career goals. Click on your state to get started.

1. BroadPath

BroadPath provides remote outsourcing services to organizations in industries like healthcare, financial services, travel and hospitality. Based Tucson, Arizona, the company has posted remote and hybrid jobs in a range of fields including call centers, insurance, operations, sales and medical and health.

2. Liveops

Liveops is a virtual call center that offers on-demand virtual agents for companies enterprise sales and customer service needs. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, the company offers fully remote, hybrid and freelance opportunities in areas including medical and health, customer service, sales and insurance.

3. SYKES

SYKES provides solutions for customer contact management. Based in Tampa, Florida, Sykes has previously offered flexible schedule, part-time, hybrid, and fully remote jobs in areas including customer service, call center, marketing and sales.

4. Working Solutions

Working Solutions provides on-demand sales and customer service agents. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company has posted freelance, part-time, hybrid and fully remote jobs in fields like customer service, call center and consulting.

5. SAP

SAP is an enterprises services and software provider. Based in Germany but with a U.S. headquarters in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, SAP has hired flexible, hybrid and fully remote jobs  in addition to freelance, temporary and part-time gigs  in fields like computer and IT, software development, human resources (HR) and recruiting.

Open more doors with a Resume Builder. Your resume is one of your most important career tools. TopResume carefully crafts your career story to target the job that you want to land. Click below to get started.

6. Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors connects students with personalized tutors in more than 3,000 subjects, according to its site. The parent company, Nerdy, is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and Varsity Tutors has hired hybrid and fully remote flexible schedule, part-time and freelance roles in education and training, customer service and more.

7. TTEC

TTEC provides customer experience software. Based in Englewood, Colorado, the company has hired for part-and full-time, hybrid and fully remote jobs, some of which have featured flexible schedules, in fields like customer service, computer and IT, consulting and marketing.

8. Kelly

Kelly is a staffing company that connects companies with job seekers that fit their needs. Based in Troy, Michigan, the company offers a wide range of flexible work arrangements, including in the HR and recruiting fields.

9. Williams-Sonoma

Williams-Sonoma is a retailer that sells home products. Based in San Francisco, California, the company has offered freelance, temporary, part-time, hybrid and fully remote jobs in areas like art and creative, marketing, customer service, retail and manufacturing.

10. TranscribeMe

TranscribeMe offers transcription, translation, data annotation, artificial intelligence datasets and speech recognition services. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, TranscribeMe offers fully remote jobs with full-time, part-time, alternative and flexible schedules in data entry, transcription, translation, editing and bilingual fields.

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Its only appropriate for a fan to be anxious about a new Scream movie, especially one that arrives 11 years after the last installment, and 25 years after the first film single-handedly reanimated the slasher genre. Plus, its the first film in the Scream franchise not helmed by iconic horror auteur Wes Craven, who died in 2015. The filmmaking team known as Radio Silence, which includes co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and producer Chad Villella, who made a splash with their breakout horror film Ready or Not, are behind the camera this time, while Ready or Not co-writer Guy Busick teams up with Zodiac screenwriter James Vanderbilt on the script. What they deliver is a fifth Scream installment thats even bloodier and just as winking and self-aware as its predecessors.

What made Scream so revolutionary in 1996 was its ironic self-reflection  a slasher movie that plucked the genre from the straight-to-VHS discount bin and held it up as art by dissecting the rules and conventions of its formula while turning a mirror on the media landscape.

Teen TV god Kevin Williamson wrote witty, wordy reams of dialogue for these characters, rat-a-tat analyses of horror tropes that made Scream something of a screwball slasher. If they knew the rules, they could survive the night, or so the wisdom goes.

The Scream sequels never lost sight of that self-awareness, revolving around the ultra-meta Stab horror franchise about the Woodsboro murders. The sequels are often over-the-top and silly, but they always serve up incisive commentary about movies and the media, capturing the cultural zeitgeist, from the ruthlessness of news media to Hollywoods constant churn of nostalgia and reinvention.

This new Scream is plenty sentient too. Theres much to say about the state of the industry, from juicy debates over the notion of elevated horror vs. retro schlock, as well as the tendency to constantly reboot and remake. Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) serves as the new Randy, a movie maven who explains that the fresh rash of killings serve as a requel, a legacy reboot/sequel that ties the new and old together, and currently the only acceptable way to revisit a beloved franchise (see also: Star Wars, Halloween).

Once again, Scream is telling it like it is, and its even blunter this time. And thats not the only cultural commentary this film has to dish out. The killer behind the Ghostface mask will inevitably deliver a delicious monologue explaining their motivations: Did the movies make them do it? Or did they want to make it into the movies? Is there a difference? Scream has always had a finger on the pulse of the cultural anxieties around media effects, and this time, theyve scraped the arguments that rage constantly through the internet mob for their villainous motives.

The overall concept, and its execution in the writing, is classic Scream. If there are quibbles to be had, its that the new films attention feels divided between the old and the new, with not enough time or space to fully develop everyones personal motivations. Iconic final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) finally passes the torch, to Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera), who isnt like other (final) girls. Shes molded more like action hero Ripley than she is the vulnerable and steely Sidney, bringing an aggressive physicality previously unseen from our slasher heroines, and channeling the darkness behind Sams eyes. All of the kills are exceptionally brutal and bloody, shot with a greater sense of realism as to the strength and heft that goes into the actual slashing.

While Barrera, and the rest of the cast ably take on their roles, Jack Quaid, as Sams bumbling boyfriend, Richie, steals the show. Hes a neophyte in the world of the slasher, but hes a quick study, picking up just why the Stab franchise went south and why Ghostface might be itching for a rematch. In a world full of requels, youll be glad Ghostface picked up the knife one more time.

In theaters Jan. 14.

What Scream  Three stars out of four  Run time 1:54  Rating R for strong bloody violence, language throughout and some sexual references
And now come the regrets.

Did I really have to have that second piece of pecan pie? Couldnt the mashed potatoes have had maybe a little less butter? Did I truly have to eat all of those mint chocolates that our friend brought from Chicago?

Yes. Yes I did. Those things are great.

But now Im feeling it: every Christmas cookie, every potato pancake, every Frango mint. My belt is annoyed at me. My scale groans when it sees me approach.

So in the spirit of resolutions made for the New Year, I decided to make a bunch of dishes that will make my belt and scale happier, and me, too. I went low-cal.

Naturally, I did not want to give up on flavor and enjoyment. I determined to make dishes that both tasted good and were relatively good for me  or at least good for my waistline.

I began with a riff on an old favorite, carbonnades a la flamande, the famous Belgian dish of beef-and-onion stew cooked in beer.

The difference in the version I made is that the beer used is stout, a dark beer such as Guinness that is rich in coffee and caramel flavors. Despite its full-bodied flavor, the beer has only a few more calories than Bud Light. And its taste is so mellow, it needs less brown sugar than traditional carbonnades to smooth out the stew.

The recipe uses less beef than the regular carbonnades, which cuts back on the calories. But you dont mind the loss, because it makes up for it in chunky mushrooms, which blend in perfectly with the other flavors.

Its a hearty, warming stew with a robust taste. You dont even notice the flavor of the beer, which melts away into the sauce for an utterly satisfying meal.

My next dish was equally intriguing: Lemon Chicken With Bulgur. Bulgur is one of those grains that I rarely think to use when Im cooking, and Im always happy whenever I use it. It has a nutty taste similar to brown rice, but a creamier and more luscious texture.

It also happens to go brilliantly with chicken  and especially, as I discovered, with lemon chicken.

The recipe includes a couple of curveballs that are unexpected but delicious. Mixed into the other ingredients (onion, garlic, lemon) are a half-teaspoon each of cardamom, coriander and cumin.

The Indian spices are subtle, but you know they are there. They act as a quiet sounding board to amplify the bright citrus notes of the lemon. They make what is already a great dish even better. It is sure to join your repertoire, as will the Beef Braised in Stout Beer.

And so, for that matter, will Turkey Wienerschnitzel.

The flavor of turkey is similar enough to veal that it makes a reasonable substitute; I even know a chef who used to cook turkey at his restaurant and jokingly call it redneck veal.

Veal is hard to find these days, and it is expensive when you do see it, so Turkey Wienerschnitzel would be a great idea even if it werent so delicious. Based on the classic Austrian dish, it is a turkey cutlet, breaded and lightly fried, served with capers and slices of lemon. A fried egg on top tastes great, too.

This version, which was created by Steven Raichlen in his pre-barbecue days, saves some calories by dipping the turkey in egg whites instead of whole eggs, and it theoretically requires only two tablespoons of oil to fry four cutlets.

To be perfectly honest, it took me three tablespoons of oil to fry the four cutlets. But that isnt too bad, and the Wienerschnitzel was exceptional.

My last low-cal, high-flavor dish takes potatoes to a new level. Bombay-Style Potatoes are a type of spiced potatoes that, despite the name, appears to have originated in England.

Curry and potatoes have long been a popular combination, and the Bombay style usually adds tomatoes to the mix. But the version I made uses Granny Smith apples instead to add just the right amount of sweet tartness to the spicy curry.

I cheated when I made mine. Instead of putting together a homemade blend of spices for the curry, I just used curry powder out of a jar. It was awfully good the way it was, and I can only imagine how much better it would have been if I had only taken the extra few minutes to make my own.

Whether you mix together your own curry or use the store-bought variety, be sure to use Yukon Gold potatoes with this dish. Their texture is almost butter, their taste almost creamy, which absolutely brings the recipe to life.

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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Countering earlier concerns, a real-world study finds that a widely used at-home coronavirus test called BinaxNOW is as effective at detecting Omicron as other COVID-19 variants.

The study of Abbot's rapid antigen test included more than 700 people who visited a walk-up testing site in San Francisco.

The test detected 65% of infections caught by more sensitive PCR tests, but pinpointed 95% of people with the highest levels of the virus. Among those with high levels of the virus, the test identified 98% of those with symptoms and 90% of those without symptoms.

The results are about the same as what was found in real-world studies before Omicron emerged, according to the researchers.

The test is "working as it was designed, study author Joseph DeRisi, a biochemist at the University of California, San Francisco, told The New York Times. There does not seem to be any performance deficit with Omicron.

The study, published on the preprint server medRxiv, has not yet been peer-reviewed.

Some earlier preliminary studies had raised questions about whether rapid antigen tests might be less sensitive to Omicron than other variants.

Scientists are still trying to determine how well at-home tests work for Omicron, Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said Tuesday during a Senate hearing on the federal coronavirus response, the Times reported.

We believe all of them detect Omicron, she said. We simply feel they are somewhat less sensitive than they were to some of the previous variants.

But the new research, done with nasal swabs, does not address how early in an infection the rapid tests can spot the variant, or whether they would perform better with saliva samples. Also, the BinaxNOW results cannot be extrapolated to other rapid tests, which must be evaluated individually, the researchers noted.

More information

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on COVID tests.

SOURCE: The New York Times

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
CLAYTON  Starting Thursday, St. Louis County will require appointments for most in-person tax payment, licensing and notary services in response to a record surge of COVID-19 cases.

The spread of the airborne virus has more than 20 out of 80 employees in the county Department of Revenue out of work with COVID-19 or under quarantine because of possible exposure to the virus, County Executive Sam Page said Wednesday.

Because of the shortage, and to limit further risk of exposure to COVID-19 for employees and residents, the county will limit walk-in appointments, Page said.

The county seat of government at 41 South Central Avenue in downtown Clayton will no longer allow walk-ins to revenue offices; only prescheduled appointments will be accepted.

The south county office, in Keller Plaza at 4546 Lemay Ferry Road, will limit the number of daily walk-ins and require most residents to schedule appointments in advance.

Walk-ins will still be allowed at 715 Northwest Plaza in St. Ann, which has a larger building space than the revenue offices on the first floor of the high-rise county headquarters in Clayton.

But the number of people who will be allowed to wait inside the Northwest Plaza office will be limited; overflow will be asked to wait in their car and given pagers to notify them when theyve reached their turn in line.

The new protocols will be in place until at least March 7, Page said, to limit crowding indoors in county offices at a time when COVID-19 is spreading at record levels and sending more people to hospitals than ever before.

COVID is spreading like wildfire in our community, and we need to do everything we can to protect our employees and patrons, Page said. We want people to feel safe when theyre coming in to get services from St. Louis County.

Well do everything we can to limit exposure to folks and keep people from crowding and waiting in line.

Appointments can be made online at www.stlouiscounty.mo.gov or by phone at 314-615-5500. The county also allows for tax payments and other services to be done online.

County spokesman Doug Moore said about 5% of all county merit employees were either out sick because of a positive COVID-19 test or under quarantine because of possible exposure, as of Wednesday. The numbers do not include the county police department, which is under a separate employment classification.

The county requires employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular testing. Currently, about 83.2% of merit employees, or 2,241 workers, are fully vaccinated, Moore said. An additional 20 employees have received at least one dose.

Virtual council meetings

In another possible change to county business, the County Council is debating meeting by teleconference.

The council has held in-person meetings in council chambers in Clayton since June; the council had met virtually since late March 2020, shortly after the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic hit the region. At the time, the council held a special meeting to consider the question and voted unanimously to move meetings online immediately.

Council members Lisa Clancy, D-5th District, Shalonda Webb, D-4th District and Kelli Dunaway, D-2nd District last week urged the council to consider returning to virtual meetings because of the record COVID-19 surge.

Webb said at the public hearing that she personally had been sickened with a breakthrough case of COVID-19.

The county Department of Public Health this week advised the council to make the change, and Page on Wednesday urged the council to act quickly.

Gathering people in a room for hours at this time is not the bet way to combat these growing numbers, Page said. Virtual meetings are another way to safely do county business as hospitalizations continue to climb.

The remarks followed yet another regular County Council meeting Tuesday in which dozens of anti-mask protesters did not wear a mask in council chambers, defying a mask order enacted by the council a week earlier.

Council members Tim Fitch, R-3rd District, Mark Harder, R-7th District, and Ernie Trakas, R-6th District, who have argued mask orders violate state limits on public health regulations, also argued that they cant be required to wear masks in council chambers because the order is unenforceable.

But at Tuesdays meeting, Council Chair Rita Heard Days was the only council member to attend in-person; all others participated remotely.

Page on Wednesday said that pushback against the mask order was intended to generate conflict.

There are some folks that just want to fuss about it, Page said. And, you know, I dont know what to say to that.

Its the same here as it is all over the country, you know, opposition to public health orders, opposition to masks, opposition to vaccines. Were just not interested in that conflict.

I know folks are working very hard to initiate it, and were just not biting.

Page said a mask order, even if it wasnt strenuously enforced, was encouraging more people to wear masks and supported businesses and schools in requiring the public health measure.

Weve seen much higher mask usage over the past week in St. Louis County, that we have mask mandate in place, and were glad to see that, because we know it helps, Page said.

I mean, this is a tragic and very serious problem thats sweeping our country. Its sweeping our community. And we all need to be doing everything we can to slow the spread of this virus.

And the folks that dont want to do something simple like put on a mask  I dont know what to say.(tncms-asset)bdf5af8a-733d-11ec-9431-00163ec2aa77[1](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)5029cd22-72f9-11ec-9144-00163ec2aa77[2](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)dcfe0402-730d-11ec-9327-00163ec2aa77[3](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)4a050190-730e-11ec-a35f-00163ec2aa77[4](/tncms-asset)

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Addis Abeba  The Amhara Regional State President, Dr. Yilkal Kefale, said the people should prepare themselves "to destroy the TPLF terrorist group" without being disturbed by divisive ideas.

According to a statement posted on the ruling Prosperity Party (PP)Facebook page, during a briefing to members of local media who have been reporting on destruction in the region due to recent attacks by Tigrayan forces, questions were raised about the current state of affairs in the region. Right now the public is outraged by the release of members of the terrorist group," he said, "they have the right. We believe members of the terrorist are guilty."

On January 07, the government discontinued charges against top former TPLF officials who were to be released. Among the former officials include Sebhat Nega, Mulu G/Egziabher, Kidusan Nega, Ambassador Abadi Zemu, Abay Woldu.

On January 10, Amhara State officials comprised of representatives from the justice, security and civil service institutions held discussions on current issues. The the discussion was attended by Amhara state President Dr. Yilikal Kefale, and senior officials of the state, including zonal administrators, justice and security sector institutions.

Today's statement on the ruling party quoted the President as saying incursions by Tigrayan forces continued and claimed that preparations still continued. Viewed from that point, the recent release of former top TPLF socials should divert from the purpose of destroying the group and is not a cause of distress, the statement said. "Although the release of the members of the group is in the interest of national unity and peace has created concerns, especially since the people of Amhara are the prime sufferers, the public shouldn't distracted from the campaign to destroy the terrorist group and ensure its existence," the statement said quoting the President.

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Dr. Yilkal claimed that Tigrayn forces "were not attacking us alone," but also working with the extremist armed groups especially the "Kemant, Gumuz and Shene groups" and foreign countries such as Egypt and some other countries to prevent Ethiopia from developing and and to destroy it."

Unless the "terrorist group is not eliminated, it will be a big threat to both the people of Amhara as a people and Ethiopia". Because of that the regional government will work with federal government on ways in which the "terrorist group" will be eliminated and reconstruction of destroyed wealth is put in place. He cautioned the public to not be distracted from its main objective of destroying the "terrorist group" because of some opinions.
Update: This story was updated 11 a.m. Wednesday with information about the prosecutor's decision not to press charges.

STEELVILLE, Mo.  A six-person panel ruled Tuesday that the fatal shooting of a Black man at a small-town trailer park last year was justified.

A Crawford County Sheriffs Department investigation after the shooting had found that Justin King had entered his neighbors home, the two had fought and the neighbor had shot King in self-defense.

But civil rights activists and Kings family members decried the investigation, calling it another example of a Black man dying in rural Missouri and not getting justice.

King, 28, died around 11:45 a.m. Nov. 3 in Bourbon, Missouri, about 75 miles southwest of St. Louis. He grew up in St. Louis but was living in Crawford County to be close to his daughter, his family said.

The Crawford County Coroner on Tuesday called a panel of six residents for a coroners inquest  an uncommon type of hearing that provides guidance to prosecutors about whether to file charges. The panel was selected by the sheriff to hear evidence and determine whether Kings death was a felony or justifiable in self-defense.

Prosecutors said a conflict began in the trailer park around 10:15 a.m. Nov. 3. A neighbor, Catherine Bosek, accused King of setting her dogs free from a lead in the yard. A video taken from a security camera inside Kings home around that time showed King cursing the trailer park.

Roughly 30 minutes later, another neighbor  the man accused of shooting him  dropped off a joint of marijuana to help calm King after the argument, according to video and court testimony. The two parted amicably with King holding up his hand from off-camera and saying, Love you, brother.

A video from outside Kings trailer an hour later shows King walking quickly across the driveway toward his neighbors home. King disappears on his neighbors covered porch, but then emerges on the driveway seconds later. He appears to angrily exclaim, then turn back toward his neighbors trailer and disappear under the porch.

The two men eventually appear again, with the neighbor stumbling down the stairs and King staggering behind a parked car. The video did not have audio. Police said King died behind the car.

The neighbor, whom the Post-Dispatch is not naming because he has not been charged, said in a video interview that King showed up on his porch and banged on his door, threatening him. The man said he struggled to hold the door closed, but King got inside, threw a TV and broke another before heading down the hallway toward a bedroom.

The man said he grabbed his gun because he did not know whether King was armed. During a fight, the man said, he tried to shoot King in the leg. King lunged toward him, and the man said he shot King again.

The neighbor said he did not know why King became so angry that day.

Nobody had a problem with Justin ever, he said. He just was not the human being on my porch.

A medical examiners report said King was shot three times, once in the leg, once on the head and the fatal shot near his clavicle.

When he died, King had THC from marijuana, nicotine, caffeine, methamphetamine and amphetamines in his system, a Crawford County deputy coroner said. She added that he had a concentration of methamphetamine below a level considered by scientists to cause violent outbursts.

A blood test after the shooting showed the neighbor had a blood alcohol concentration of .065, below the legal limit of intoxication, plus THC from marijuana in his system, a Crawford County detective said.

Other trailer park residents said they did not believe the events as described by the neighbor, though none witnessed the shooting. All said they liked King; many said they did not trust the neighbor. They described incidents when he showed them his gun and made others uncomfortable in social situations.

Three residents who were near the trailer after hearing gunshots testified that King said, I thought we were friends, as he lay on the driveway.

We were, they recalled the neighbor saying.

Prosecutors made attempts to discredit the neighbors statements, showing clips of previous interviews some residents had done and questioning discrepancies in their statements.

After more than eight hours of evidence, it took the jurors just 20 minutes to bring back a unanimous finding that the shooting was justified.

Prosecutors left the courtroom immediately after the proceeding Tuesday and did not answer questions. On Wednesday, Crawford County prosecutor David Smith said he would not charge the neighbor.

"I fully concur with the finding of the coroner's inquest panel," he said in a statement.

Kings family, Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel and St. Louis activist the Rev. Darryl Gray said it was clear the panel's conclusions were predetermined.

We knew the verdict before they even left, said Kings father, John King. Its ridiculous to think were going to accept this pack of lies.

They cited other Missouri cases involving the deaths of Black men, including Tory Sanders, 28, who died in 2017 in a jail in southeast Missouri after a white sheriff pressed his knee to his neck, and Derontae Martin, 19, who was shot inside the Madison County home of a white man with a history of making racist comments.

John King said other evidence should have been presented at the inquest, including other surveillance videos from the neighbors porch and fingerprints from the TVs inside the trailer. He, Gray and Chapel vowed to continue to protest and seek criminal charges.

Were going to get justice, and thats the bottom line, John King said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY  The woman shot to death in Glasgow Village this week was trying to rob an acquaintance in a home invasion when he killed her, authorities said Wednesday.

The man who fatally shot Shabria Furlow wont face charges because prosecutors decided it was a justified homicide.

Its just legitimate self-defense, Christopher King, a spokesman for the St. Louis County prosecuting attorneys office, told the Post-Dispatch. Theres no evidence of a crime.

Furlow, 23, died at a home in the 300 block of Lancashire Road about 3:20 a.m. Tuesday. The scene is in unincorporated north St. Louis County.

Furlow, of Bridgeton, was among several people trying to commit a robbery or home invasion, said Sgt. Tracy Panus of the St. Louis County Police Department.

Furlow knew the man who shot her, King said. They knew each other from Arkansas, where Furlow has many relatives. The man who shot her was visiting the home on Lancashire and did not live there, King said.

She shows up with a number of armed males, King said. Furlow approached the home with four men, two of them carrying guns, King said. Police havent caught the men who were with Furlow so they dont know their motive for the confrontation.

After the fatal shooting, detectives questioned the man, and Panus said he was cooperative.

Detectives turned their findings over to the St. Louis County prosecutor, Wesley Bell, whose office decided not to file charges. King said the detective and assistant prosecutor agreed that it was a case of self-defense.

Under Missouris self-defense law, known as the Castle Doctrine, people who encounter an intruder in their homes are given more leeway in using deadly force. The law allows the person to use that force without fear of being charged or sued.

Panus refused to release the name of the man who killed Furlow because he wasnt arrested or charged. She said she didnt know how old he is.

Furlow, who went by the nickname Bria, lived in the 3900 block of Brittany Circle Drive in Bridgeton. Court records show no criminal history in Missouri for Furlow, only a speeding ticket issued in Creve Coeur in March. She was the mother of two children, said her uncle Mark Johnson of Blytheville, Arkansas. Johnson said relatives are trying to cope with her death and the allegation that she had been involved in a crime.

Its tough on us right now, he said.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft expressed disappointment on Tuesday after a Monday deadline to place Missouri House special elections on the April ballot passed without any action from Gov. Mike Parson.

Ashcroft last week called on Parson to file writs of election to fill several vacancies, saying paperwork needed to be filed by Monday for the contests to appear on the April 5 municipal election ballot.

Secretary Ashcroft is disappointed the governor has not issued writs of election as he feels all Missourians should be represented fairly and equally, JoDonn Chaney, spokesman for Ashcroft, said in an email. As well, Missouri Statute calls for the governor to call for special elections to fill vacancies.

There are currently six vacancies in the Missouri House. Ashcroft said that without a special election, the six affected districts would go without representation until January 2023.

On Tuesday, Kelli Jones, spokeswoman for Parson, said in a text message: Gov. Parson has not announced a special election.

Jones hasnt responded to questions since Friday about the governors rationale.

Chaney said Tuesday Ashcrofts office received no formal response to a letter the elections chief sent Parson regarding the vacancies.

Ashcroft, in his letter to Parson, told the governor that holding the special elections during the April municipal elections would result in minimal costs to taxpayers but substantial benefit to Missourians.

Last week, two days after Ashcroft publicly called on Parson to issue the writs of election, the elections chief said in a statement to the Post-Dispatch that he had complete faith that the governor will do what he has done before to fill vacancies in the Legislature in the most practical manner possible, and I appreciate his continued help in doing so.

This isnt the first time a governor has held off on calling a special election despite a provision of Missouri law that says the chief executive should act on vacancies without delay.

Former Gov. Jay Nixon was sued in 2014 over vacant legislative seats that went unfilled. Due to vacancies, Republicans were taken below a two-thirds majority in the House they needed to override the Democratic governor.

Two current vacancies are due to Parson tapping lawmakers for high-profile positions in state government.

Parson recently named former state Rep. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, as head of the Department of Revenue. He named former state Rep. Becky Ruth, R-Festus, to be director of the Office of Child Advocate.

Former state Rep. Justin Hill, R-Lake Saint Louis, said last week he was resigning and moving to Florida with his family. Rep. Aaron Griesheimer, R-Washington, also resigned last week to take a job with a contractors organization based in St. Charles, the Washington Missourian reported.

Former state Rep. Tom Hannegan, R-St. Charles, died in October. And former state Rep. Rick Roeber, R-Lees Summit, was expelled from the House last year after his now-adult children accused him of abuse when they were minors.

Both Ashcroft and Parson are Republicans.

Originally posted at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday; updated at 4 p.m. with comments from Ashcrofts spokesman.(tncms-asset)50ca968a-6cd2-11ec-ade1-00163ec2aa77[0](/tncms-asset)

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CLAYTON  Is the work performed by St. Louis County Council members deserving of $60,000 a year, an amount triple their current $20,000 salary?

If it is, should the job description be changed to specify its full time?

And, who exactly should have the final say over council pay: the council or county voters?

Those questions dominated council discussion Tuesday over two proposals introduced last month to raise council pay for the first time since 2005.

The county charter allows the council to adjust its pay through ordinance as often as every two years; Councilman Mark Harder, R-7th District, said in December that it is time for the council to get a raise, suggesting $30,000 a year.

Councilman Ernie Trakas, R-6th District, then suggested $60,000 to spark discussion. On Tuesday, his legislative aide, Earl Simms, presented the council with a survey citing pay rates in other jurisdictions, ranging from Honolulu, where nine local legislators are paid $68,904 each, to Montgomery County, Maryland, which pays $140,371 each.

But Trakas said that he doesnt want a raise unless voters approve it. He proposed a charter amendment that would require voter approval for any council raises.

It seems to me that theres something inherently inappropriate with a body deciding for itself whether or not it should increase its compensation, Trakas said.

Most council members agreed with putting the question before voters even if they werent sure yet how much of a raise they should seek.

But most argued at length that their pay doesnt reflect the current scope of their role as legislators.

Several complained that they have hours and hours of meetings every week, unlike their predecessors, whose meetings tended to be brief and businesslike.

They attributed the change to the increasingly adversarial role the council has taken against the administration since Steve Stenger, who resigned in early 2019 and later went to prison, served as county executive.

I think we have to acknowledge that the post-Stenger era the model of the council prior to that is not likely to return, Trakas said. I doubt seriously that well ever see a 20-minute meeting again.

The current executive, Sam Page, and the council have fought over a wide range of issues, including the spending of federal relief aid and Pages decision to continue to work part time as an anesthesiologist, which a council majority says violates the county charter.

Council meetings have, at times, lasted hours, including extended periods of public comment dominated in recent months by anti-mask and anti-vaccine protesters.

Harder, who was elected to the council in 2014 and is currently its longest-serving member, said past councils met briefly to rubber-stamp whatever the county executive wanted.

If you go back historically, the meetings were 20 minutes to 30 minutes long ... there was very little discussion; there was very little pushback, he said.

Councilman Tim Fitch, R-3rd District, said Harder was exactly right, claiming a former councilwoman told him she wouldnt review meeting agendas until 30 minutes before a meeting.

Shed open her packet and then shed go sit down and run the council meeting, he said. Thats how they were run.

Councilwoman Shalonda Webb, who has represented the 4th District for a year, said that when she ran for office in 2020 she expected a part-time role.

Ive heard previous council members or former council members mention that oh, yeah, never longer than a 20-minute meeting, she said. I have yet to experience that.

Trakas said the job eats up a significant amount of hours every week.

But he questioned whether the council job should be considered a full-time position.

I think everyone here has private careers. And so when it goes to full time, those careers get punted or different people hold the office, so we need to be considerate of that as we go forward.

There was less consensus over who exactly should have the final say over council pay: the council or county voters.

Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, D-5th District, said she wouldnt support a pay raise unless it were by voter approval.

But Webb said that if voters reject Trakas charter amendment, the council should still push through legislation enacting a raise.

I know $20,000 is not adequate in the amount of work I put in, and I would say for all of us its not sufficient, Webb said.

Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway, D-2nd District, questioned the move. Im curious how the rest of you feel about us saying we want to hear from our voters, and then us saying We heard from you, we dont like what you think, were going to do what we wanted to do anyway.

Fitch said he wouldnt vote on a pay raise if voters rejected one.

Those are our bosses, and thats how I see it, he said.

Council Chair Rita Heard Days, a former state legislator, agreed: Nothing raises the ire of the electorate than to ask them What do you want? and then to completely ignore it.

Council members ended the discussion by urging Harder and Trakas to see if they could come up with a joint proposal for the body to consider.

The charter requires that pay increases only take effect at the start of a new term. That means council members approving an increase wouldnt get it unless they win reelection.

Elections for county seats are staggered every two years. Voters next year will elect representatives for odd-numbered districts. Incumbents in those districts are Clancy, Days, Fitch and Harder.

Representatives of the even-numbered districts  currently Dunaway, Trakas and Webb  wouldnt receive any pay increase until 2024.

But under a charter amendment, a pay raise would be immediately enacted for all council members, Trakas said.

Combined, council salaries total $145,000. In addition, each council member has a full-time legislative aide who is paid $46,675.20. And the council employs a budget policy coordinator, Chris Grahn Howard, who makes $74,984 a year.

Harders bill would raise the total cost of council salaries to $217,500, which would include an extra $7,500 for the council chair.

Trakas proposal would raise the total to $426,500, including $6,500 extra for the chair.

Days, the council chair, is the only council member who doesnt work another job in the private sector. The other council members all have other full-time jobs.

The county charter sets pay for the county executive at $140,000 a year.

In the city of St. Louis, the 28 members of the Board of Aldermen each are paid $37,000 annually, and have a taxable $4,200 expense fund.

In St. Charles County, the seven members of the County Council are each paid at least $18,251 under pay rules set by the countys department of personnel.

Representatives of even-numbered districts this year started receiving a new salary of $19,560.82; odd-numbered district representatives will receive as much starting in 2023. The council has one assistant for the entire legislative body.

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JEFFERSON CITY  The first wave of education bills this legislative session was met Tuesday with a record-topping heap of testimony at a House committee hearing.

Parents, educators, students and advocates packed a House hearing room to restart an emotional conversation on education policy, revisiting well-worn arguments about critical race theory, parents and teachers rights and the state of classroom culture wars.

The two bills that drew the bulk of the crowd were House Bill 1995, sponsored by Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, and House Bill 1474, sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer, R-OFallon, which are set to be combined into a Parents Bill of Rights with a section restricting the teaching of critical race theory and related subjects.

Critical race theory, which offers a framework for examining the effects of race and racism on the nations institutions, has drawn the ire of conservatives, who say it promotes division and undermines patriotism.

The bills, Richey and Schroer said, are intended to build trust between educators and parents.

Richeys bill would allow parents and guardians to censor class materials provided to their children based on such parents beliefs regarding morality, sexuality, religion, or other issues related to the well-being, education, and upbringing of such parents child. Parents and guardians could sue schools for violations of their parental rights and be awarded as much as $5,000 if they win in court. It also allows the Missouri attorney general to sue for as much as $10,000.

These rights that are listed are fairly benign, Richey said. There is nothing in here that is controversial.

Under Schroers proposal, schools would be banned from using any curriculum that identifies people or groups of people, entities, or institutions in the United States as inherently, immutably, or systemically sexist, racist, biased, privileged, or oppressed.

Schroer insisted his bill isnt an attempt to stop kids from thinking.

Its trying to prevent educators (and) prevent institutions from flooding kids with a certain train of thought (and) teaching them this is the only way to think about these situations, he said.

Many people who testified  and several lawmakers  sharply disagreed with the two sponsors.

Rep. Ian Mackey, D-St. Louis, called the bills a Trojan horse to destroy quality education.

Committee members of both parties questioned the implications of the bills  a chilling effect on the attraction and retention of teachers, the open-endedness of the vague language and scarce definitions, as well as the potential of lawsuits.

When we put some of these pieces in place, we are just setting up people to be in court, said Rep. Paula Brown, D-Hazelwood, warning of the potential to set up a lawyers dream bill in failing to define standards like divisive and controversial.

Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, questioned the decision to combine the bills, pointing out that Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, has also sponsored parents bill of rights legislation.

I think thats something that we could get behind as a committee and as a body, Dogan said. Whereas this discussion over critical race theory, at least the way its presented here in this bill, is not something that unites people.

Among the people who testified was Heather Fleming, who founded the Missouri Equity Education Partnership last year in response to legislation that proposed similar curriculum restrictions.

Fleming questioned which parents rights would be protected by the proposed legislation, expressing concern that the bills would give other parents the right to censor what her child learns.

By the end of the hearing, 1,600 people had filed testimony, easily surmounting the previous record.

A third bill debated Tuesday was House Bill 1747 sponsored by Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, which would institute a procedure to recall school board members. The bill requires 10% of the constituents in the district to petition to recall a board member.

A handful of parents shared experiences struggling to get information or communicate at meetings with school board members in their districts, with one noting the lack of qualifications required to obtain the job.

Opponents expressed concern about subjecting school board members to a constant election cycle and adding difficulty to attracting candidates to the increasingly unpopular volunteer position.

One campaign manager for a recently elected school board member noted that in the position the woman had already been sued twice, followed in her car, escorted by police and received a death threat, asking Who wants that job?

I want the school board members to be able to really make a decision that are for the kids and not for politics, said Jamie Johnson, vice chair of the Platte County Democratic Central Committee.

The bills are expected to come up for a committee vote in the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Associated Press

contributed to this report.

Grace Zokovitch gzokovitch@post-dispatch.com
The performance by Bena Zingui troupe held in the Cameroon Cultural Centre, Yaounde on January 7, 2022.

Organisers had intended it to serve as the start of the rebirth of the waning Cameroon theatre industry. And they seemed to have succeeded somewhat. For, it was a capacity crowd that turned out in the evening of Friday, January 7, 2022 in the Cameroon Cultural Centre, Yaounde to watch the play, "Le Drame d'Assatou" (The Tragedy of Assatou), written by Njandza Felix. Performed by a star-studded Bena Zingui troupe from Zingui Centre, Yaounde, it was directed by an old hand in Cameroon theatre, David Noudji.

Set in Kaele in Mayo Kani Division of the Far North Region, "Le Drame d'Assatou" tells the story of an obedient, well-behaved only child, Assatou - a secondary school student. From a poor background, Assatou is determined to improve the lot of her parents by pursuing her education to make it in life. But later falls under the bad influence of Aminatou, who introduces her to men. Gradually, Assatou becomes less focussed on her studies and disobedient to her parents. Realising that she is pregnant, Assatou abandons school and moves in to live with one of her boyfriends, Abdoul, a poor junior civil servant. Then begins the battle with the other boyfriend, Talba, a rich, illiterate businessman, over who is the real father of her new-born baby. Torn between marrying Abdoul or Talba, Assatou herself cannot say who the father of her newborn baby is.

The sterling performance by who-is-who in Francophone Cameroon theatre was marked by excellent sound effects of Northern Cameroon traditional drumming and singing in Fulfude backstage. With simple, but appropriate costume generally associated with people from Northern Cameroon. "We started rehearsing on August 9, 2021and had the first stage performance on November 25, 2021 in Mfou, on the outskirts of Yaounde. This evening's (last Friday's) performance was our second. A theatre performance is like a child who keeps improving every day. This time we had a professional hall unlike in Mfou where we performed in the Council Hall," explained David Noudji.

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"The actors and actresses were so good! So also the stage director, David Noudji. We opted for professionals to better spread the message of Cameroon culture," said the author of the play, Njandza Felix, who financed the whole production. He is also taking charge of the national tour of the performance of "Le Drame d'Assatou."

The star-studded cast saw Assatou played by Jessica Mengue, Abba by Donald Mvondo, Abdoul by Bertrand Baleguel, Aminatou by Felicite Asse and Abdoulaye by Andre Takoussa. Otis played Talba, Veronique Eyali played Fanta, while Stephane Alima starred the Photographer, the mediator in the conflict between Abdoul and Talba over ownership of the baby. The play was published by Les Editions Accom in 2021.
JEFFERSON CITY  Republicans in the Missouri House resumed their ongoing campaign to shut down the states lone abortion provider at a time when the procedure is already strictly limited in the state.

Six months after a similar change fell short during a special session, Rep. Nick Schroer outlined a proposal Wednesday to members of the Special Committee on Government Oversight that would deny public funds to any abortion provider.

The legislation also would end funding to Planned Parenthood for nonabortion services, such as wellness checkups, birth control and cancer screenings.

It shall be unlawful for any public funds to be expended to any abortion facility, or to any affiliate or associate of such abortion facility, the legislation notes.

Schroer, a St. Charles County Republican, is among a number of GOP members of the House seeking seats in the state Senate in the 2022 election. Tightening laws against the procedure could bolster their anti-abortion records heading into potentially competitive primary elections in August.

Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, who also is running for a seat in the Senate, has introduced legislation that would ban nearly all abortions in Missouri, mirroring a new Texas law.

Colemans proposal would prohibit the termination of a pregnancy once cardiac activity is detected in an embryo, usually around six weeks and before some women are aware they are pregnant.

Her proposal also would allow private citizens to sue clinics, doctors and anyone else who facilitates an abortion after the cardiac activity is detected.

The latest push is unfolding as the number of abortions in Missouri has dropped sharply after the passage of GOP-crafted laws like a 72-hour mandatory waiting period, which requires two appointments three days apart for those wanting an abortion.

Just two years after more than 1,300 abortions were performed in Missouri, there were 167 last year, with 46 of those at Planned Parenthoods facility on Forest Park Avenue in St. Louis. The rest were at Missouri hospitals.

Many women are instead opting to travel to Planned Parenthoods facility in Fairview Heights, in a state where abortion laws are less restrictive.

Even though weve made major strides  there are still Missourians going over to Illinois, Schroer said, arguing in favor of his legislation.

Rep. Doug Clemens, D-St. Ann, said hes not sure why Republicans continue to push the issue, given the precipitous drop in the number of abortions in the state.

Were doing preventive legislation? Clemens asked.

Opponents have warned the change would put the state out of compliance with federal Medicaid regulations, potentially resulting in a loss of federal funding. Democrats also argue that cutting off funding could hurt low-income Missourians and women of color.

On the record, I dont believe we are going to risk any funds, Schroer said.

Rep. Wes Rogers, D-Kansas City, said the changes sought by abortion opponents could result in reductions in the availability of preventive health care for his constituents.

They use Planned Parenthood for health care, Rogers said. There is going to be less health care in Kansas City if they lose this money.

Maggie Olivia, policy director for Pro Choice Missouri, said political extremists are so obsessed with abortion that they are targeting health services for poor women.

Planned Parenthood is a critical component of this safety net, Olivia said.

Michelle Trupiano, executive director of the Missouri Family Health Council, said thousands of women would have to seek new health providers if the law went into effect.

And, with a pandemic underway, she said Medicaid patients would have to wait weeks to find a new practitioner.

Our providers are stretched, Trupiano said. We know there is a crisis in our health care field.

Honestly, gentlemen, it scares the hell out of me, said House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield.

In June, during a special legislative session, Schroer pushed a similar plan out of a committee and on to the floor where it was approved on a 109-45 party line vote. It was not taken up in the Senate before the two chambers adjourned.

Susan Klein, executive director of Missouri Right to Life, urged lawmakers to support the latest version of the legislation.

We believe we should try to make sure our tax dollars are not going to pay for abortions, Klein said.

Rep. Jered Taylor, R-Nixa, said he expects to schedule a committee vote on the bill next week. If approved, the measure would then head to the full House for further debate.

The legislation is House Bill 1854.

Originally posted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Kurt Erickson  573-556-6181 @KurtEricksonPD on Twitter kerickson@post-dispatch.com

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CLAYTON  St. Louis County Council Chair Rita Heard Days on Tuesday failed to get enough support to override County Executive Sam Pages veto of legislation to update the countys 24-year-old whistleblower law.

The council voted 4-2 to override Pages veto of the legislation, but the charter requires a supermajority of five votes.

Councilman Ernie Trakas, R-6th District, and Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway, D-2nd District, voted no; Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, D-5th District, abstained after introducing an alternative proposal.

Voting with Days were Council members Tim Fitch, R-3rd District, Mark Harder, R-7th District, and Shalonda Webb, D-4th District.

It was at least the second time the council majority has failed to override Pages veto since giving the bill final approval in October.

The legislation, cosponsored by Harder, is meant to update the countys whistleblower protections law with language expanding the countys definitions of qualifying employees, qualifying allegations of mismanagement and prohibitions against retaliatory discipline.

Among other provisions, it would specify that county supervisors would not be able to prevent employees from talking to an individual County Council member, the news media, any law enforcement officer or state officials such as the auditor, the attorney general and members of the General Assembly  including under legislative subpoena. The current ordinance only specifies that supervisors are barred from preventing employees from talking to the council.

Page vetoed the bill, arguing it could subject county employees to politically motivated subpoenas by the Missouri Legislature.

And he pointed to concerns raised by Trakas and Clancy that the language was too broad and needed to be amended to address some scenarios, such as an employee releasing other employees private health records, a potential violation of federal privacy laws that restrict the release of individually identifiable health information.

Page had said he would support a bill that would update county ordinances to match a 2017 state whistleblower law, based on a request by the Human Relations Commission, a citizen panel that advises the county on diversity and equity policies.

Clancy on Tuesday announced plans to introduce legislation along that idea, asking Days for a council hearing.

We should come to consensus and we should collaborate on this important issue, Clancy said.

Days blasted Clancys proposal as a watered-down version that wouldnt include as many protections for employees.

She insisted on a vote, and expecting another rejection, vowed to keep pushing the legislation.

If you are interested in making sure everybody is covered, this is the place to do it, Days said. This legislation will be vetoed, but let me tell you, Im not done.

Days advanced an identical bill at the meeting, but said she would hold a council hearing after Webb joined Clancy in requesting one.

Webb said she also wanted to address how the council investigates whether a whistleblower complaint is legitimate or just a disgruntled employee.

Webb also asked to include representatives of the St. Louis County Police Department and the Human Relations Commission.

Page spokesman Doug Moore said after the council meeting that Page looked forward to working with council members to pass a bill that protects all employees and is consistent with state law.

Few masks in chambers

Days was the only council member who showed up in the council chambers on Tuesday, the first meeting since the council voted 4-3 along party lines to enact a countywide mask order.

About 30 anti-mask and anti-vaccine protesters who attended openly defied the mask requirement.

If you want an enforceable mandate, it has to have some kind of penalty, Jason Moore, a frequent speaker at council meetings, told the local lawmakers.

The argument mirrored one advanced last week by council Republicans, who said the mask order couldnt be enforced in council chambers.

Days has insisted it isnt her responsibility to enforce masks at meetings.

In response, Clancy, Dunaway and Webb have argued that if masks wont be worn in council chambers, the council should return to meetings by teleconference until after the latest COVID-19 surge subsides.

The council in June returned to in-person meetings after meeting by teleconference for more than a year in response to the pandemic.

Page, in prepared remarks Tuesday, urged the council to make the change.

Virtual meetings are a way to safely conduct business in the county, he said.

And Clancy cited a letter from the Department of Public Health recommending the council meet virtually until COVID-19 cases decline.

Webb, who leads a council committee coming up with council rules, said she would recommend a policy next week.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY  A state audit released Tuesday gave Town and Country a good overall rating but dinged the affluent suburb for its poorly planned Town Square construction project that resulted in $1.3 million in change orders done without competitive bidding.

Town Square, a new 9-acre recreational and retail space built at Mason and Clayton roads, was promoted to be a central gathering space to help provide a better sense of community.

The city poorly planned the Town Square development project and did not ensure project details were finalized before entering into the contract, resulting in significant change orders, and did not competitively bid significant changes to the project, the audit from Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway says.

Town and Country acquired the land for the passive park project in 2014, after the community passionately fought off a proposed 150-unit luxury senior living center on the site. They broke ground in late 2017. Today, a stone waterway feeds into a pond. Theres a pavilion, benches, bathrooms and a tunnel under Clayton Road feeding to a paved trail system.

Brinkmann Constructors had the contract to design and build Town Square. An affiliate of the firm also owns the new retail space there, which resembles a large historic barn. Tenants include a spa, wine bar, diamond bar and salon. A restaurant is supposed to open this spring.

Everything had to go in front of the Board of Aldermen, Mayor Charles Rehm told the Post-Dispatch Tuesday about the construction of Town Square. Everything was discussed.

I firmly believe the city did everything correctly throughout the entire process, added Skip Mange, who helped lead the project when he was an alderman.

The original contract for the project was $5.2 million, according to the audit. The Board of Aldermen approved 12 change orders not in the original plans totaling $1.3 million without bidding. The changes included about $370,000 in modifications to landscaping and trail connections, $630,000 in modifications to structures and $50,000 for a security camera system.

While change orders often occur on development contracts, they are normally used to make adjustments for minor problems that are unknown when construction projects are originally bid, the audit said, adding: If the scope of a project changes substantially, consideration needs to be given to bidding those parts of the project.

According to the audit, Town and Country officials said it would have been impractical to solicit bids from multiple contractors to complete portions of the Town Square project. But the municipality agreed with the states recommendation to ensure project details are finalized before entering into a contract to minimize change orders on future projects.

At one point Tuesday afternoon, there were two or three people at Town Square.

I am so happy with this place, said Nuha Abdulhadi, 38, out for a walk in the sun. Its so much better than building houses here. You feel like you are in the country, but its still in the suburbs.

She hopes there will be more outside dining and nonalcoholic options at the square, which she said is underutilized.

On another front, the state audit took Town and Country to task for not making sure its contractor had the required St. Louis County permits before starting the construction of a paved trail project along Mason Road. The audit said Town and Country eventually ended the effort, with $140,000 in unnecessary costs to the city.

Town and Country told state auditors that they initially didnt think permits were needed. They said most streets in the city dont require county permits.

Without adequate project oversight, including obtaining required permits, the city cannot ensure efficient and effective use of city resources, the audit said.

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Regarding Top Republicans mark Jan. 6 with silence, deflection (Jan. 6): During a moment of silence held in honor of law enforcement officers on Jan. 6, 2021, only two Republicans were present in the House chamber: Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney. I was astonished that my own representative, Ann Wagner of Ballwin, was nowhere to be seen in the gathering. So where was she?

Perhaps she was not there because she is desperately afraid of being primaried by some politician supported by former President Donald Trump. Perhaps she was not there because she does not recognize that our democracy was put at grave risk that day. Perhaps she was not there because she has joined the cult of Trump and supports everything that he has ever done, even though he is undoubtedly mendacious, misogynist, seditious and adulterous.

This is a lesson for all of us. Do we want to support the reelection of a woman who cares not a whit for the sacrifice of those police officers who died to prevent a mob of Trump supporters from completely trashing our Capitol, some by defecating in its halls? Or, instead, do we wish to continue to vote for a Trump-supporting woman, who fails to honor the police who supported our liberty? I know my answer to that question. Do you?

Michael J. Montague, Ph.D.  Clayton
LONDON MARKET OPEN: BP up on buyback; Hutchmed down on drug denial

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 - 09:09

UK shares opened lower, as they caught up with other global markets following the three-day holiday weekend, ahead of a big week for central bank decisions.

The FTSE 100 index was down 32.64 points, or 0.4%, at 7,511.91. The mid-cap FTSE 250 index was down 12.02 points, or 0.1%, at 20,696.69. The AIM All-Share index was down 2.31 points, or 0.1%, at 1,019.95.

The Cboe UK 100 index was down 0.2% at 748.59. The Cboe 250 was down 0.1% at 18,245.77. The Cboe Small Companies climbed 0.2% to 15,173.09.

In mainland Europe, the CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.6% and the DAX 40 in Frankfurt was up 0.7%. Both markets were open on Monday, with the French index falling 1.9% and the German one by 1.1%.

In the US on Monday, Wall Street ended higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.3%, S&P 500 up 0.6% and Nasdaq Composite up 1.6%.

In the FTSE 100, M&G was the best performer early Tuesday, up 3.0%, after HSBC raised the investment manager to 'buy' from 'hold'.

In addition, St James's Place was up 1.9% after HSBC also upgraded the wealth manager to 'buy' from 'hold'.

BP was up 2.0%. The oil major said it swung to a first-quarter loss due to its decision to exit from its shareholding in Rosneft in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine; however on an underlying basis, the oil major reported a big jump in profit.

For the three months that ended March 31, BP swung to an attributable loss of $20.38 billion from a $4.67 billion profit in the first quarter last year. BP said the reported result included pretax adjusted items of $30.8 billion.

By its preferred metric, BP swung to a replacement cost loss of $23.04 billion from a replacement cost profit of $3.33 billion the year before.

The London-based firm attributed the loss to its decision to exit its near-20% shareholding in state-owned Russian oil firm Rosneft. BP said that, in the first quarter, the total post-tax charge for this was $25.5 billion.

On an underlying replacement cost basis, BP reported a profit of $6.25 billion, up 54% from $4.07 billion in the fourth quarter of last year and more than doubled from $2.63 billion a year ago.

BP raised its first-quarter dividend by 4.0% to 5.46 cents from 5.25 cents the year before. Further, during the first quarter BP generated surplus cash flow of $4.1 billion and said it intends to execute a $2.5 billion share buyback prior to announcing its second quarter results.

Rival oil producer Shell, which posts its own first-quarter numbers on Thursday, was down 1.0%.

BP's results come as calls from the opposition Labour Party for a windfall tax on UK oil majors grow louder, as the country grapples with a cost-of-living crisis.

Last week, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak appeared to distance himself from such a tax but did not entirely rule it out. Sunak called on companies making generating large profit to invest the cash back into the UK instead.

It sounds appealing. 'Great, we're taxing bad energy companies more, that will solve all our problems', he said in an interview with Mumsnet. The reason we haven't gone down that road is, really simply we need to invest more. That's why we haven't gone for some extra tax. Because what I don't want to do is discourage investment in our own energy supplies.

On AIM, Hutchmed (China) was down 14% after the drugmaker said the US Food & Drug Administration has rejected its surufatinib for treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

In a complete response letter, the FDA said the current data package, based on two positive phase three trials in China and one bridging study in the US, does not support an approval in the US at this time.

The FDA said a multi-regional clinical trial of surufatinib is required for US approval. Surufatinib was approved in China for the treatment of pNETs and extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours in June 2021 and December 2020, respectively.

In Asia on Tuesday, the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong was down 0.2% in late trade. The S&P/ASX 200 in Sydney closed down 0.4%. Markets were closed in Tokyo for Constitution Memorial Day and in Shanghai for the Labour Day holiday.

The dollar was higher across the board as the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting gets underway on Tuesday, while a rate decision by the Bank of England is due on Thursday.

The pound was quoted at $1.2540 early Tuesday, down from $1.2568 at the London equities close Friday. The euro was priced at $1.0521, down from $1.0547. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar was trading at JP130.17, up from JP129.68.

Earlier Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates in an attempt to combat inflation that has picked up more quickly than expected. The Sydney-based central bank raised the main lending rate by 25 basis points to 0.35%, the first increase since November 2010.

The board judged that now was the right time to begin withdrawing some of the extraordinary monetary support that was put in place to help the Australian economy during the pandemic, Governor Philip Lowe said.

Brent oil was quoted at $106.71 a barrel on Tuesday morning, down sharply from $110.30 late Friday. Gold stood at $1,860.33 an ounce, down from $1,906.75.

The economic events calendar on Tuesday has eurozone unemployment data at 1000 BST.

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Khartoum  Sudanese doctors have confirmed the death of 16-year-old, El Maasoum Hashem, who died from a brain hemorrhage as a result of being hit by a tear gas canister during the March of the Millions on Sunday. Hashem's death follows the recent news of the death of 26-year-old Ali Hubeldin, who also succumbed to injuries sustained from a tear gas canister.

The death toll the military coup d'etat of October 25 now stands at 63 demonstrators, following the deaths of Hashem and Hubeldin in Sunday's March of Millions.

Monday's announcement from the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported that 96 demonstrators were injured: including one case of a person being shot with live bullets in the leg, along with nine cases of head injuries caused by tear gas canisters and seven cases of injuries sustained by stun grenades.

In a statement, the police announced their version of events asserting that, a civilian died in Khartoum North and eight people were injured during the demonstrations.

They also added in their statement that 22 policemen were injured and had four of their vehicles destroyed during the Sunday demonstrations in Khartoum. In their statement, they said that 86 protestors were arrested and took the necessary legal measures against them in the jurisdictions.

The police statement appealed to the local security committees to sit with protest leaders to coordinate and determine routes of procession, as to ensure the safety of participants and protection of private and public property.
The United States has approved the potential sale to Greece of four new Hellenic Future Frigates to augment and eventually replace four older Meko-200HN Class Frigates that entered service in the 1990s. The U.S. will also provide upgrades for the Meko-200HNs and help with paying for the $9.4 billion cost of the new frigates and upgrades of the older ones. The upgraded Mekos will be good for another ten or twenty years of service.

There is competition and while Greece prefers the American supplier, Lockheed, there are cheaper and equally attractive offers from European competitors. The Meko frigates are a successful German design that is still being built. Meko was designed to be easily adapted to the particular needs of each nation buying, and often building them. So far 25 Meko class ships are in service with seven countries. Egypt is planning to buy six Meko-200s.

The first Mekos entered service in the late 1980s. Greece planned to buy six Meko-200HNs but ran out of money and only acquired four. The Greek Mekos were 4,000-ton ships with a top speed of 57 kilometers an hour and crew of 173. Armament consisted of one five-inch (127mm) gun, two 20mm autocannon Phalanx for missile defense and four Harpoon anti-ship missiles. There were 16 ESSM anti-aircraft missiles and four anti-submarine torpedoes and a hangar for a 10-ton helicopter. Electronics and fire control systems are all of 1980s and early 1990s design and the proposed Lockheed upgrade costs $625 million per ship and most of that will go to new electronics and weapons. This will include an Aegis radar and communications system which will give the upgraded Meko-200s superior capabilities to most other NATO frigates.

The Lockheed proposal for Hellenic Future Frigates will cost $1.7 billion each and is based on work Lockheed did on the failed LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) design. The U.S. Navy is abandoning the LCS and replacing it with European FREMMs frigates. At least twenty of these will be built in the United States as the 7,200-ton Constellation-class FFG (guided missile frigate) with the first one in service by 2026. Each will cost about $800 million, which is what each of the less capable and reliable LCS vessels ended up costing. That was twice what the LCS was supposed to cost, before all the problems appeared and cost a lot of money to deal with. The new FFG contract was a major win for the French-Italian FREMM concept of an easily adaptable basic design able to appeal to many foreign navies with each having slightly different needs. In general, this concept has long been used by European builders, who found that just building ships for their own navy was not enough to make those ships affordable. One of the European proposals for the Hellenic Future Frigate is based on FREMM. While Lockheed is the favorite, it is also the most expensive and the United States will have to find some way to lessen the financial burden of the Lockheed offer otherwise the Hellenic Navy, like the U.S. Navy, will turn to the more reliable and affordable FREMM for a new frigate. Other European proposals included the new Meko-300 or used, but upgraded, Meko-200s. In the end you get what you need and can afford, not what you wish for.
Israel declared that it would attack Iranian nuclear weapons facilities alone if the U.S. and key European countries agreed to lift the economic sanctions on Iran in return of Iranian assurances that it will halt its nuclear weapons program. Israel does not believe Iran will abide by these terms, just as it has never halted work on nukes in the past. Iran work has slowed down in the past, largely because of economic sanctions. When Iran has more money, some of it goes to nukes and most of it goes to overseas military operations in places like Syria, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen. Most nations feel no immediate threat from Iranian nuclear weapons, especially early models, which will be crude and less effective. Iran believes nukes will make neighbors more likely to agree to Iranian demands. The one country that is always mentioned as the first target for Iranian nukes is Israel. The Islamic radicals are still running Iran and they still openly proclaim their desire to nuke Israel. No other nation has been threatened with nuclear attack and Israel considers lifting economic sanctions on Iran as an opportunity for Iran to finally build a nuclear weapon and use it against the Little Satan (Israel). The Great Satan is the United States, which is too far away and too powerful to be the first foe to feel the nuclear wrath of Iran.

Good News

Israel is gaining more Arab allies against Iran. A growing number of Moslem states are establishing diplomatic and trade relations with Israel. After more than a century of increasing anti-Semitism, most of Israels Arab neighbors realized that Israel would be a valuable economic, diplomatic and military ally against common enemies like Shia Iran and Islamic terrorism in general. Israel is also the only nation in the region with nukes and reliable ballistic missiles, which are also used to put Israeli spy satellites into orbit. These missiles can also reach any target in Iran, using nuclear or non-nuclear warheads.

It is also the worst of times because Iran has personnel operating on Israeli borders and an increasingly effective Cyber War effort against Israel. There is growing dissatisfaction in the West and the Middle East with the Palestinian leadership failures and rampant corruption. Palestinians are convinced that Israel has no right to exist and pretending to negotiate a peace deal is useful for obtaining foreign aid and not much else. Arabs in general are now telling the Palestinians to take whatever peace deal they can get because cash and other aid from Arab nations will continue to disappear unless the Palestinians solve their own problems with corruption and fixation on destroying Israel. Many Palestinians are willing to change but their corrupt leaders are not and use their war on Israel as an excuse to violently suppress any Palestinian opposition to the current suicidal strategy.

There are similar attitudes in Iran where young (born after the 1980s) Iranians are now the majority and want an end to corruption, theocracy and expensive foreign misadventures. The decade-long operation in Syria was seen as particularly wasteful and expensive, especially with Israel threatening to use whatever it takes, including their nukes, to prevent Iran from creating a military presence on their northern border. These young Iranians also know that until the 1980s Israel and Iran were allies and trading partners.

January 9, 2022: Israel has agreed to issue work permits for up to 10,000 Gazans. When Gazans took part in a terrorist campaign against Israel in 2000 the number of work permits was reduced became some of the permit holders agreed to join terror groups and try to kill Israelis inside Israel. Hamas was already in Gaza and took control of Gaza in 2007 by promising less corruption and more attacks on Israel. Eventually only a handful of entry permits were provided to Gazans.

Hamas no longer wants to use a work permit system to organize terror attacks inside Israel because the unemployment rate in Gaza reached 50 percent in 2021 and many Hamas leaders realized that most unemployed Gazans blame Hamas for the lack of Israeli work permits. In response Israel agreed to take a chance and again issue more work permits. Since 2000 Israel has brought in West Bank and foreign workers to replace the Gazans. The foreigners were non-Moslems from distant countries and the West Bank workers knew that they could be replaced by the more expensive workers, who we also more difficult to work with because few understood Arabic or Hebrew, although many understood English. The foreign workers are in Israel for specified terms and as those contracts end and are not renewed more jobs can be offered to Gazans. The Gaza and West Bank economies have stagnated and more Palestinians have become dependent on foreign aid just survive, all because of the Hamas and Fatah policy that Israel must be destroyed. Within six years Israel had defeated the terror campaigns and kept subsequent terrorist efforts out of Israel, where the economy grew faster than any other in the region. Israel needs workers, Gazans wanted jobs and Hamas did not want a revolt led by the unemployed.

January 8, 2022: In the north, the national electrical grid in neighboring Lebanon was out of service for several hours. The cause was protestors against continued scheduled blackouts, getting into a key facility of the national network and damaging equipment. The scheduled blackouts are due to fuel shortages and a government deadlocked by corruption and politics, especially the presence of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

January 7, 2022: In the north (Golan Heights) Israeli tanks fired on armed men seen approaching an Israeli outpost on the border. The tanks were not shooting to kill, unless the men kept coming. In this case the intruders retreated.

January 5, 2022: In the West Bank, Israeli troops were attacked by gunfire while seeking to make an arrest. The Israelis returned fired, killing one of the gunmen. No Israelis were injured and the suspect they were seeking got away.

January 4, 2022: In the north (Lebanon border) Israeli forces brought down a small quadcopter UAV crossing the border into Israel. The stored video component was intact and it showed pictures of the two Hezbollah men who were preparing it for what became its last mission. Israel has developed and put to work several effective small UAV detection systems and various ways to bring down UAVs detected inside Lebanon (or Syria and Gaza) as they try to enter Israel. Some of these detection system include the capability to identify the type and model of UAV and bring it down intact by disrupting its navigation system. There are also lasers and computer enhanced sniper scopes that are effective.

January 3, 2022: In Egypt (Sinai) a Tribal Union has provided armed and unarmed men to assist the army in finding and arresting Islamic terrorists, especially ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) men who are still attempting to use roadside bombs against the military, and any civilians who are nearby. The tribes have been staunchly anti-terrorist since several mass killing by ISIL groups seeking to terrify the tribes into cooperating with them. Israel advised Egypt to make the most of this to improve relations with the tribes, who are normally hostile, or at best neutral towards the government. Israel has some tribes on its side of the border to prove their approach worked and Egypt tried that it the Israeli way. It worked, especially when tribesmen escort the troops and provide the most useful information on Islamic terrorist hideouts. The army and police handle the arrests, including any armed resistance by the Islamic terrorists. The government can now hire more tribesmen for local government jobs rather than bringing in people from across the canal where the majority of Egyptians live. In Israel members of the Bedouin tribes are allowed to volunteer for military service and many of these men make the military a career and some become officers. Israel has far fewer problems with Islamic terrorists on their side of the border. The new tribal policy makes it easier for Egypt to deal with Hamas, which is now more cooperative with Egypt because the tribes see Hamas and Gaza as a sanctuary for Iran-backed Islamic terror groups.

January 2, 2022: In the south (Gaza) an Israeli helicopter was fired on by two shoulder fired heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles that failed to hit their target either because the missiles were too old or because of the counter-measures installed on Israeli helicopters. Hamas obtained these missiles over a decade ago. This came after Israeli aircraft were equipped with effective defenses against these missiles. The Israeli helicopter was part of an airstrike force to destroy Hamas military targets in retaliation for two rockets fired into Israel yesterday. Both rockets detonated off the coast and Hamas said it was a rocket test gone wrong and that the rockets were hit by lightning. Israel told Hamas that any rockets fired from Gaza into Israel are the fault of Hamas, which claims to control Gaza. The reality is that there are still smaller Islamic terror groups in Gaza that do not always cooperate with Hamas and one of these dissident groups was blamed for the missiles fired at the Israeli helicopter. Israel later bombed another Hamas military facility in response of the attack on the helicopter.

December 31, 2021: In the West Bank a Palestinian man with a knife was shot dead as he ran towards Israeli civilians and soldiers waiting at a bus stop. Fatah, which runs the West Bank, and Hamas in Gaza use foreign aid for encouraging terrorism. Monthly payments go to imprisoned terrorists or the families of dead ones. Hamas and Fatah spend over $200 million a year on this and payments on this scale would not be possible without using foreign aid funds. Embarrassed by published details of how this works, many donor countries have cut their aid in a show of opposition to this Pay For Slay policy. In the United States Palestinian charities are being sued for illegally soliciting money for needy Palestinians and using a lot of the contributions for supporting terrorism (either for Pay for Slay or to finance current and future attacks.) The Pay for Slay program is very popular among Palestinians because it makes the losses, they suffer for carrying out these attacks easier to tolerate.

December 28, 2021: In coastal Syria an Israeli airstrike hit a target very close to Russian forces. The target was a storage area in the port of Latakia. Israeli airstrikes in this area used to be rare because Russia uses the port for bringing in cargo. This is the second Israeli airstrike here in December and Israel said that it would attack Iranian weapons shipments wherever they were found. Two Syrian soldiers were killed and there was a fire and secondary explosions in a cargo container storage area. It was later revealed that Israel had alerted Russia shortly before the attack to confirm that no Russian in the target area. Russian air defenses did not act against the Israeli strike, which annoyed the Syrians and Iranians for different reasons. Iran was angry because the target was ballistic missiles for Hezbollah. Syria was annoyed because Syrian port storage facilities were damaged. Russia reminded the Syrians that the Israelis were going after any Iranian target seen as a threat to Israel. This was the 27th Israeli airstrike against targets in Syria in the last year.

These attacks are another example of how Israeli, Russian and American airstrikes in Syria appear to be coordinated. The Americans are even more secretive about their airstrikes in Syria than Israel but each month there are three or four airstrikes by unidentified aircraft or UAVs in eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor province) against Iranian weapons storage sites outside Al Bukamal City, which is on the Euphrates River and as well as the Bukamal border crossing into Iraq. Israel and the U.S. use the same type of aircraft (F-15s) for these attacks and the attacks involving UAVs are not Israeli because the Israelis dont use armed UAVs, which is an American specialty. In the rest of Syria similar strikes on Iranian targets are Israeli. The U.S. and Israel have a strong military, economic, and diplomatic relationship and often quietly cooperate in areas of mutual interest. The Russians are apparently part of the airstrike coordination in Deir Ezzor province where most of the airstrikes against ISIL targets are Russian, but some are not and are often claimed by the United States.

December 25, 2021: The Knesset (Israeli parliament) approved an additional $2.4 billion for the 2022 defense budget, increasing 2022 defense spending to $22 billion. The additional spending was for classified projects. These are believed related to preparations for an attack on Iranian nuclear weapons sites This threat, and a general upgrade of the IDF (Israel Defense Force) has kept the annual defense budget over $20 billion since 2017. Because the Israeli economy continued to grow during the covis19 years, the military spending as a percentage of GDP also kept falling towards five percent. In contrast, United States defense spending was 3.7 percent of GDP in 2021 while Britain was 2.2 percent, France 2.1 percent, Russia 4.3 percent, Saudi Arabia 8.4 percent, Israel 5.6 percent, India 2.9 percent, South Korea 2.8 percent, Australia 2.1 percent and China somewhere between two and three percent. Global defense spending is about two trillion dollars and 2.4 percent of global GDP.

Covid19 and sanctions have Iran losing ground in its efforts to keep up with increased defense spending everywhere else. Some major spenders spent less in 2020, including Saudi Arabia (-10 percent), Turkey (-5), Iran (-3) and Pakistan (-2.8). These declines were caused by severe economic problems. Saudi Arabia has to devote more money to maintaining living standards since world oil prices fell sharply after 2013 and have not recovered to 2013 levels. Saudi Arabia is still the biggest spender in the region, spending $57.5 billion. Turkey spent $17.7 billion, Iran $15.8 billion and Pakistan $10.4 billion. Global defense spending in 2020 increased 2.6 percent, to $1.96 trillion. This occurred despite the covid19 global recession. Israel handled covid19 much more effectively than Iran, meaning the GDP grew more slowly but still grew, in contrast to many other countries in the region.

December 16, 2021: In the West Bank, a car carrying Israeli religious students was fired on by unknown gunmen. One Israeli was killed and two wounded.
TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearmind Medicine Inc. (CSE: CMND, FSE: CWY0, OTC Pink: CMNDF) (Clearmind or the "Company"), a psychedelic medicine biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics to solve widespread and undertreated health problems, is pleased to announce senior appointments to its management team in North America.

Mr. Mark Haden, psychedelic medicine expert, has been appointed as the Companys Vice President Business Development. Mr. Haden was promoted to this position after serving as one of the founding members of Clearmind's scientific advisory.

Mr. Haden has spent his career working to advance the use of psychedelics in medicine. Mark has substantial research experience, including a leadership role in the study of Psilocybin Research Investigating Medical Efficacy, which explores psilocybin as an adjunct in the treatment of substance use disorders, and has spent 10 years as the chairman and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies in Canada, an organization he founded. He has also dedicated over 25 years to working directly with patients through the Vancouver Coastal Health Addiction Services. Mr. Haden currently serves as Director of Clinical Research at Psygen Industries, a manufacturer of pharmaceutical-grade psychedelic drug products for clinical research and therapeutic applications and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health.

Additionally, the Company wishes to announce that, Mr. Gilad Babchuk has been appointed as the Companys Head of Strategy and Communication. Mr. Babchuk is a serial entrepreneur with 28 years of global experience in establishing, developing, and running organizations. He served as a strategic advisor to top-level managers in both the private and public sectors as well as to certain politicians at various governmental levels. He was a founder and co-founder of over 15 social ventures, as well as a 4-time CEO. Gilad is an acclaimed speaker and is currently a consultant for multinational companies, working with senior CEOs, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Dr. Adi Zuloff-Shani, Ph.D., CEO of Clearmind, commented on the announcement, As we continue to increase our footprint in North America, I am excited to welcome our newest team members. Since joining our scientific advisory board, Adjunct Prof. Haden's contributions have been plentiful and we believe that as VP of Business Development, his expertise and connections will greatly improve the future progression of the company."

Mr. Babchuk has decades of experience in taking companies to their next stage with well-established strategies and tactics. I am confident that our new team members will support Clearmind in achieving its goals for the upcoming year and will facilitate efforts in North America, Zuloff-Shani added.

About Clearmind Medicine Inc.

Clearmind is a psychedelic pharmaceutical biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics to solve widespread and underserved health problems, including alcohol use disorder. Its primary objective is to research and develop psychedelic-based compounds and attempt to commercialize them as regulated medicines, foods or supplements.

The Companys intellectual portfolio currently consists of four patent families. The Company intends to seek additional patents for its compounds whenever warranted and will remain opportunistic regarding the acquisition of additional intellectual property to build its portfolio.

Shares of Clearmind are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CMND", the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol CWYO and on the OTC pink under the symbol "CMNDF".

For further information, please contact:Investor Relations,Email: [email protected]Telephone: (778) 400-5347General Inquiries,[email protected]www.Clearmindmedicine.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Investing into early-stage companies inherently carries a high degree of risk, and investment into securities of the Company shall be considered highly speculative.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities issued, or to be issued, under the Private Placement have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Clearmind Medicine Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MXR) (OTC Pink: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has been granted 15 additional Mining Concession Contracts ("Concessions") for a total of 19 in 2021, all located along the CESAR North 90-kilometre-long copper-silver belt, within its wholly-owned CESAR project, Northeastern Colombia (refer to Figures 1 and 3).

"The nineteen 'Mining Concession Contracts' are more than any other company received in Colombia for 2021, a significant milestone for Max, forging the way for drill permitting for both the URU and ANM drill targets," commented Max CEO, Brett Matich.

"URU is to be the first significant drilling event on this previously unrecognized copper-silver belt, since the discovery of Cerrejn, the largest coal mine in South America and the reasons for much of the critical infrastructure in the CESAR basin," he continued.

"Located arguably in Colombia's most prolific mining district, Max's 2022 exploration and drilling programs are focused on unlocking the true district-scale potential of its CESAR copper-silver project," he concluded.

Mining Concession Contracts

The 19 Concessions cover 186-km, the largest area for copper in the CESAR basin

Collectively, the 19 Concessions extend for over 45-km of the CESAR North 90-km long belt

Additional Concessions are pending

2022 Drill Program

LiDAR 290-km survey to assist drill design and exploration at URU

Delineate the 5 URU drill targets located along 15-km of strike

Conduct environmental baseline survey and drill permitting

Commence the first drill campaign targeting copper-silver deposits in the CESAR basin

2022 Exploration

Regional exploration of the CESAR North 90-km-long copper-silver belt

Extend the CONEJO high-grade 3.7-km-long zone with an average of 4.9% copper (2% cutoff)

Expand the URU 48-km zone (currently 15-km of strike over vertical elevations of 500m)

Geophysical surveys

Mining Concession Contract Process

Max has completed all the requirements, which include a detailed Social Management Plan, followed by a Public Hearing with the local community. Each Mining Concession Contract has an initial term of 30-years and extension for a further 30-years for a total duration of 60-years.





Figure 1. CESAR project in NE Colombia

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/109795_e349b5c6e4f47b65_001full.jpg



Figure 2. CESAR North 90-km copper-silver belt

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/109795_e349b5c6e4f47b65_002full.jpg



CESAR COPPER-SILVER PROJECT IN COLOMBIA - OVERVIEW

CESAR lies along the copper-silver rich 200-kilometre-long Cesar Basin in northeastern Colombia. This region provides access to major infrastructure (refer to Figure 2) resulting from oil & gas and mining operations, including Cerrejon, the largest coal mine in South America, now held by global miner Glencore.

CESAR North 90-kilometre-long copper-silver belt:

Max discovered AMN in 2020 (previously AM North), collectively spanning over 45-km, highlight values of 34.4% copper and 305 g/t silver. Intervals range 0.5 to 25.0m. Recently granted 15 contagious Concessions.

Max's CONEJO discovery (March 2021) now spans over 3.7-km of strike with average grade of 4.9% copper using 2% cut-off and open in all directions. To date, widths range from 0.5 to 20.0m, with highlight values of 12.5 % copper and 126 g/t silver: 12.5% copper + 84 g/t silver over 5.0m by 5.0m 10.5% copper + 50 g/t silver over 3.0m by 2.0 m 10.4% copper + 95 g/t silver over 5.0m by 5.0m 10.2% copper + 62 g/t silver over 5.0m by 5.0m 10.0% copper + 80 g/t silver over 5.0m by 5.0m 9.9% copper and 50 g/t silver over widths of 2.0m 9.3% copper and 126 g/t silver over widths of 2.0m



- The URU discovery (April 2021) is located 30-km south of CONEJO, now expanded to 48-km and open in all directions. Max identified 5 significant drilling targets over 15-km of strike, widths of 10 to 25-metres over 500m vertical, highlight values of 14.8% copper and 132 g/t silver: 14.8% copper and 132 g/t silver outcrop over 1.5m x 0.8m 6.5% copper and 6 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 1.0m 5.6% copper and 87 g/t silver outcrop over 1.0m by 1.0m 4.3% copper and 8 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m 3.9% copper and 7 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m 3.6% copper and 12 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m 3.0% copper and 6 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m 3.0% copper and 37 g/t silver outcrop over widths of 10.0m Recently granted four contagious Concessions covering 70-km of the URU target zone



The SP target is located within the mid portion of the CESAR North 90-km long copper-silver belt, reconnaissance sampling over 25.0m averaged 4.8% copper and 51 g/t silver

QUALIFIED PERSON

The Company's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release was reviewed and approved by Tim Henneberry, P Geo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource Advisory Board, who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43:101.

ABOUT MAX RESOURCE CORP.

Max Resource Corp. (TSXV: MXR) is a mineral exploration company advancing its newly discovered district size CESAR copper-silver project (100% owned) in Colombia.

In addition, the RT Gold project (100% earn-in) in Peru, high-grade and potentially large-scale. Historic drilling program in 2001, returned values ranging 3.1 to 118.1 g/t gold over core lengths ranging from 2.2 to 36.0m.

Source: NI 43:101 Geological Report Rio Tabaconas Gold Project for Golden Alliance Resources Corp. by George Sivertz, Oct.3, 2011

For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/

For additional information contact:

Max Resource Corp.

Tim McNulty

E: [email protected]

T: (604) 290-8100



Hudes Communications International

Nelson Hudes

E: [email protected]

Phone: (905) 660-9155

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109795
FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the Eighth Conference of Military Educationists of the Korean People's Army at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang, North Korea in this undated photo released on December 7, 2021. KCNA via R

By Hyonhee Shin and Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for boosting the country's strategic military forces as he observed the test of a hypersonic missile https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-launches-possible-ballistic-missile-japan-says-2022-01-10, state media said on Wednesday, officially attending a missile launch for the first time in nearly two years.

On Tuesday authorities in South Korea and Japan detected the suspected launch, which drew condemnation by authorities around the world and prompted an expression of concern from the U.N. secretary-general.

The second test of a "hypersonic missile" in less than a week underscored Kim's New Year's vow to bolster the military with cutting-edge technology at a time when talks with South Korea and the United States have stalled.

After watching the test, Kim urged military scientists to "further accelerate the efforts to steadily build up the country's strategic military muscle both in quality and quantity and further modernize the army," KCNA news agency reported.

It was the first time since March 2020 that Kim had officially attended a missile test.

"His presence here would suggest particular attention on this programme," Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, posted on Twitter.

Unlike some other recent tests, ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun published photos of Kim attending the launch on its front page.

"While Kim probably unofficially attended other tests in the interim, this appearance and its Page One feature on Rodong Sinmun is important," said Chad O'Carroll, chief executive of Korea Risk Group, which monitors North Korea. "It means Kim is not concerned about being personally associated (with) tests of major new tech. And doesn't care how the U.S. sees this."

U.N. Security Council resolutions ban all North Korean ballistic missile and nuclear tests and have imposed sanctions over the programs.

Talks aimed at persuading North Korea to surrender or limit its arsenal of nuclear weapons and missiles have stalled, with Pyongyang saying it is open to diplomacy but only if the United States and its allies stop "hostile policies" such as sanctions or military drills.

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland called the launches dangerous and destabilising.

"It obviously takes us in the wrong direction," she said at a regular briefing in Washington on Tuesday. "As you know, the United States has been saying since this administration came in that we are open to dialogue with North Korea, that we are open to talking about COVID and humanitarian support, and instead they're firing off missiles."

The European Union on Tuesday condemned the latest North Korean missile launch as a "threat to international peace and security" and called on Pyongyang to resume diplomacy.

'SUPERIOR MANOEUVERABILITY'

Despite their name, analysts say the main feature of hypersonic weapons is not speed - which can sometimes be matched or exceeded by traditional ballistic missile warheads - but their manoeuvrability, which makes them an acute threat to missile defence systems.

Photos released by state media appeared to show the same type of missile and warhead that was first tested last week, analysts said.

"The test-fire was aimed at the final verification of overall technical specifications of the developed hypersonic weapon system," KCNA reported.

After its release from the rocket booster, a hypersonic glide vehicle made a 600 km (375 mile) "glide jump flight" and then 240 km of "corkscrew manoeuvering" before hitting a target in the sea 1,000 km away, the report said.

South Korean officials had questioned https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/skorea-casts-doubts-north-koreas-hypersonic-missile-claims-2022-01-07 the capabilities of the missile after the first test last week, saying it did not appear to demonstrate the range and manoeuverability claimed in a state media report and featured a manoeuverable warhead rather than an actual glide vehicle.

On Tuesday, however, South Korea said the second test appeared to show improved performance, with the missile reaching top speeds up to 10 times the speed of sound (12,348 km per hour / 7,673 miles per hour), although they did not comment on its manoeuverability.

"The superior manoeuverability of the hypersonic glide vehicle was more strikingly verified through the final test-fire," KCNA said.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Josh Smith; additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Richard Pullin)
FILE PHOTO: A passenger wearing a mask, amid the health threat of novel coronavirus, arrives on a direct flight from China at Chicago's O'Hare airport in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., January 24, 2020. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Biden administration on Wednesday criticized China's decision to cancel a growing number of flights from the United States to China because of passengers who later tested positive for COVID-19 and warned it could take action in response.

"Chinas actions are inconsistent with its obligations under the U.S.-China Air Transport Agreement. We are engaging with the (Chinese government) on this and we retain the right to take regulatory measures as appropriate," a U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) spokesperson said.

China on Wednesday ordered the suspension of six more U.S.-to-China flights in coming weeks after a surge in passengers testing positive for COVID-19, rising to 70 cancellations mandated this year in a schedule that had already been drastically cut back.

The latest suspension affected two United Airlines flights from San Francisco to Shanghai and four China Southern Airlines flights from Los Angeles to Guangzhou.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.

Airlines for America, a trade group representing United , Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and others, said U.S. carriers are in "communication with the U.S. and Chinese governments to identify a path forward that minimizes impact to travelers."

Beijing and Washington have sparred over air services since the start of the pandemic.

Before the latest cancellations, three U.S. airlines and four Chinese carriers were operating about 20 flights a week between the countries, well below the figure of more than 100 per week before the pandemic.

China has been suspending flights with other countries, including on Wednesday six total flights from France and Canada.

The number of U.S. flights scrapped has surged since December, as infections caused by the Omicron variant soar to record highs in the United States.

China has all but shut its borders to travelers, cutting total international flights to just 200 a week, or 2% of pre-pandemic levels, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said in September.

(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Chris Reese and Cynthia Osterman)
COLUMBIA, Md., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announced today the launch of a new video series, TEDCO Venture Talks, featuring entrepreneurs, prominent investors and tech industry leaders from across the State of Maryland and beyond.

"Investing in transformative technology is a team sport and there are a lot of great teams to learn from," said Miner.

TEDCO's chief investment officer, Jack Miner, conducts thought-provoking conversations with regional leaders discussing the future of Maryland's investment ecosystem. The videos follow a "fireside chat" format and cover a full range of topics, such as startup funding, venture and angel investment strategies, trending technologies, and critical issues such as diversity and ESG (environmental, social and governance) investing.

The new programming comes at the right time: in just the first nine months of this year, VCs in the US produced a record-setting haul of $96 billion across 526 funds, topping the $85.8 billion raised for 665 funds in all of 2020, according to the latest PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor. [1]

"Investing in transformative technology is a team sport and there are a lot of great teams to learn from," said Miner. "Whether an entrepreneur, investor, or strategic partner, everyone has an impact on the overall investment. These conversations will be our platform to learn and support new growth for our Maryland innovation startups."

In these engaging discussions, Miner talks to leaders from a variety of organizationsincluding venture capital firms, angel investors, business chambers, and technology councilsabout the startup ecosystem and learn how the people behind the capital make decisions.

Among others, featured guests include:

Ray Leach, CEO of JumpStart, Inc.

Josh Makower, Professor of Medicine & Bioengineering, Director & Co-Founder, Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign at Stanford University School of Medicine; Special Partner, New Enterprise Associates (NEA); Founder & Exec Chairman, ExploraMed

David Brophy, Director, University of Michigan Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital

"In this record-breaking year for venture capital, we hope that TEDCO Venture Talks listenersfrom startups to funderswill gain insights and lessons from well-established VCs, entrepreneurs and other leading technology experts through these free video chats," said Tammi Thomas, TEDCO's chief marketing and communications officer and Executive Producer of TEDCO Venture Talks.

TEDCO Venture Talks can be viewed on the YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/MDTEDCO. New videos will be added on a regular basis so check frequently for updates.

About TEDCO TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.

Media Contact Tammi Thomas Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, TEDCO [email protected]

[1] https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/2021-us-vc-fundraising-exits-deal-flow-charts

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tedcos-chief-investment-officer-launches-venture-talks-301458772.html

SOURCE TEDCO
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(Tribune News Service)  The U.S. Air Force has administratively separated 87 active-duty Airmen for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine as of Tuesday.

Of the Air Force total force  active-duty, National Guard and Reserve members  95.6% were fully vaccinated as of Tuesday, the service said. Just 0.3% are partially vaccinated.

As of Tuesday, the total force has granted 1,672 medical exemptions from taking the vaccine, along with 2,094 administrative exemptions, according to a Department of the Air Force release.

Administrative exemptions are determined on a case-by-case basis. If a member secured a commander-approved submission for separation or retirement by Nov. 1, they are administratively exempt, the Air Force noted as an example.

There were 2,158 religious exemption requests pending Tuesday, with 148 appeals. No religious accommodations have been approved, the Air Force indicated. Nearly 2,400 religious accommodation requests have been denied as have 248 appeals.

Service members who are denied an exemption have five days to start a vaccination regimen, submit a final appeal or seek a second medical opinion, according to a Dec. 7 memo from Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.

"Service members who continue to refuse to obey a lawful order to receive the COVID-19 vaccine after their exemption request/final appeal has been denied or retirement/separation has not been approved will be subject to administrative discharge," the Air Force have said.

The Air Force is not breaking down vaccination rates by installation, an Air Force spokeswoman has told the Dayton Daily News.

There are approximately 326,000 active-duty Air Force members, with just over 500,000 total force members.

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LATROBE, Pa. (Tribune News Service)  A tactical flight demonstration by a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon jet, more commonly called a Viper, will highlight the 2022 Shop 'n Save Westmoreland County Airshow June 11 and 12, the airport authority announced .

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, a single-engine supersonic fighter aircraft, can fly twice the speed of sound, according to the Air Force. Originally developed in the 1970s by General Dynamics for the U.S. Air Force, it is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack.

The jet, based at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, will team with a P-51 Mustang, a single-engine American fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, for a "Heritage Demonstration Flight" both days, according to the authority's Executive Director Gabe Monzo.

"We're looking forward to it," Monzo said.

The 2022 edition of the air show at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity will not be a vehicle drive-in event like 2021, when spectators drove on to airport grounds by car due to COVID-19 restrictions, airport authority member Donald Rossi added.

"We intend to hold a good, old-fashioned air show this year with plenty of ground exhibits and activities for the kids to enjoy too," Rossi said.

By pushing the show back two weeks, the authority is hoping "better and warmer weather" will accommodate the planned aerial activities, Monzo said.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron out of Pensacola, Fla., headlined the 2021 air show last May 29-30. Bad weather grounded the flight team that Saturday, and the show was limited again due to weather that Sunday.

Monzo estimated about 1,500 vehicles were on the airport grounds May 29 while about 2,000 were at the May 30 show.

"This year, we're hoping the weather cooperates and we'll do a whole lot better," Monzo said.

The last full-scale show was held at the airport in 2019 when the U.S. Air Force Viper was among the acts. The air show was canceled in 2020 due to airport construction and COVID-19.

Monzo said the authority is in the process of negotiating with a number of other aerial demonstration acts and aviation-related ground static displays. Nothing has been finalized.

ppeirce@triblive.com

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El Fasher  The procedures for implementing the security arrangements for the Darfur movements were launched yesterday at the former headquarters of the UNAMID mission in the North Darfur capital El Fasher. Sudan's Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Lt Gen Khaled El Shami, confirmed that the implementation began yesterday, with procedures for absorbing the forces of the rebel movements into a joint security force with special tasks in Darfur.

The governor of North Darfur, Nimir Abdelrahman, said that the start of the implementation of the security arrangements procedures for the joint force with special tasks in Darfur is a first step to complete the implementation of the security arrangements clause in the region.

The recruitment official, Brig Gen Kamal Omar, explained that the integration procedures begin with the initial examination of the combatants' records, followed by the medical examination, and then the chips and the civil registry.

Brig Gen Hafez Mohamed, commander of the medical arm, said that yesterday medical procedures included more than 110 combatants of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in terms of physical fitness and laboratory examination, and said that all of them passed those tests.

In Khartoum, former rebel leader and member of the Sovereignty Council, El Hadi Idris, announced that the government at the national and state levels has taken some measures and will stop the violence in Darfur.

Idris said during a meeting with the British Ambassador to Khartoum, Giles Lever, at the Republican Palace yesterday that among the measures taken was the formation of the joint force to protect civilians in Darfur and said that this force would contribute to limiting such incidents in the future.

The British ambassador announced his country's support for the UN initiative for a solution Sudan He stressed that Britain will work with its partners at the regional and international levels, to help the Sudanese to reach a political consensus conducive to forming a government and preparing the environment for elections and a democratic transition.

On Monday, the five states of Darfur, at the headquarters of the UNAMID mission in El Fasher, received their shares of the assets and equipment left by the mission for civilian purposes after completing its tasks in Darfur in accordance with a UN Security Council resolution.

The governor of North Darfur, Nimir Abdelrahman, said the assets handed over Monday to the states committee are four-wheel drive vehicles, large lorries, generators, and other tools for civilian use.

The representative of the Darfur States Delivery Committee representing Central Darfur, Seifeldin Ismail, said that the states received the remainder of their assets from UNAMID yesterday, and they will be transferred from El Fasher to the states in the coming hours.

He added that the delivery of this equipment and machinery will represent an opportunity to improve the living standards of people in the region. The Deputy Governor of Darfur, Mohamed Eisa, and a number of military and executive leaders in the state participated in the ceremony.

Looting

As previously reported by Radio Dabanga, the ongoing insecurity in Darfur, often partly exacerbated by the vacuum created by the UNAMID drawdown, has meant that the practicalities of the handover of UNAMID sites and facilities have not always gone as planned.

Warehouses of the World Food Programme (WFP) on December 29, and the former United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) logistical base north of the capital, was plundered on December 24-25.

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On June 5, two people were killed and eight others sustained injuries when a former UNAMID site in Shangil Tobaya, Dar El Salaam locality, south of El Fasher in North Darfur was looted.

The site was handed over to the Government of Sudan on May 25. It was the last of 14 deep field sites handed over to the Sudanese government. At the time, the North Darfur government and the Sudanese government's joint task force strongly reconfirmed their commitment to ensure civilian use of the former site.

Since the mission ended its mandate at the end of last year, various former UNAMID sites handed over to local authorities to be used as schools or training centres, have been looted. In February, a site in North Darfur's Saraf Omra that was earmarked for use as a vocational training centre was looted and 'levelled' just weeks after it was handed over to the Sudanese government.
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(Tribune News Service)  Gov. Janet Mills is sending more Maine Army National Guard members to help Maine's hospitals as they strain with a surge of patients and staffing shortages during the omicron variant wave.

Up to 169 additional Guard members will be deployed to non-clinical support roles at health care facilities across the state, the second time Mills has activated the Guard to assist hospitals during the pandemic. The Guard will begin their work next week and continue through the end of February.

"The Guard members will help hospitals maintain capacity by freeing up clinical staff to focus on patient care. Their assistance will also open additional beds at nursing facilities, in swing bed units, and at other 'decompression sites' that accept patients discharged from hospitals," Mills' office said in a news release. Details on where the Guard members will be going will be forthcoming.

"I wish we did not have to take this step, but the rise in hospitalizations  caused primarily by those who are not vaccinated  is stretching the capacity of our health care system thin, jeopardizing care for Maine people, and putting increased strain on our already exhausted health care workers," Mills said in a statement.

"We are in the midst of the most difficult time of the entire pandemic for hospitals," said Steven Michaud, president of the Maine Hospital Association. "We are stretched to our bed capacity limits, all the while more and more of our employees are out due to COVID exposures. The stress on our caregivers can't be overstated. The additional help from the Guard couldn't come at a better time."

The announcement Tuesday came one month after Mills announced the deployment of 38 Guard members to 10 health care centers across the state to help increase capacity. Those members are among more than 200 National Guard members who are already deployed in a variety of support roles, such as conducting inventory and delivery of personal protective equipment supplies, staffing COVID-19 testing centers and vaccine clinics and helping at long-term care facilities.

While hospitalizations rose to a record number of patients this week, hospitals also are struggling with large numbers of staff absences because of COVID infections and exposures.

St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston is in a "crisis staffing" mode and is asking that in some certain limited circumstances COVID-19 positive employees will be working at the hospital.

"In accordance with CDC guidelines  and only as absolutely necessary  St. Mary's Health System is allowing some of our employees who have had exposure to, have tested positive for, or are under investigation for COVID-19 to work in our COVID-positive units. The employees who meet these criteria and are willing to work will only be asked to do so when a unit has exhausted all other options for filling shifts," the hospital said in a statement.

MaineHealth, the parent organization of Maine Medical Center in Portland and seven other Maine hospitals, said in a statement that it has not reached a crisis level of staffing, and would not be asking COVID-19 positive employees to report to work. MaineHealth has postponed elective surgeries, among other measures, in an attempt to preserve capacity during the delta wave in the fall and now as the omicron variant spreads throughout the state.

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LOCKPORT, La. (Tribune News Service)  Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport will supply a third major component of the system used to build the U.S. Navy's newest class of submarines.

Bollinger landed the contract for an undisclosed amount with New England-based General Dynamics Electric Boat, company officials said.

Bollinger will construct a giant pontoon that will float, maneuver and stabilize the subs as their dry dock is flooded with water. Once construction is complete, the pontoon, which sits below the submarine, can be lowered to the bottom of the dock so the sub can float on its own and be launched.

General Dynamics Electric Boat is the lead contractor for design and construction of the nuclear-powered Columbia subs, which will replace the aging Ohio class. Construction on the first sub began last year, with delivery to the Navy expected in 2027.

The Columbia class subs, 560 feet long with a displacement of nearly 21,000 tons, will be the largest ever built by the U.S., company officials said. Each sub has tubes to launch 16 nuclear missiles.

General Dynamics Electric Boats says it will build the sub in giant sections, called modules, at its facilities in Quonset Point, R.I. A Bollinger-built barge, the Holland, will transport those sections to Electric Boats' assembly site in Groton, Conn.

"Bollinger Shipyards is excited to expand our ongoing relationship with Electric Boat and to continue to support the capitalization and infrastructure improvements that Electric Boat has undertaken in reshaping and modernizing its Groton shipyard," Bollinger Shipyards president and CEO Ben Bordelon said in a news release. "We're honored to have been selected to build this pontoon launcher with the quality craftsmanship of the hardworking men and women of Bollinger Shipyards and we continue to be laser-focused and committed to being a leader in pushing our industry forward and ensuring that the U.S. industrial base is fully self-sufficient."

The concept and contract design for the 496-by-95-foot pontoon launcher was performed by the Bristol Harbor Group in Rhode Island. Detail design and engineering will be performed at the Bollinger facility in Lockport. The pontoon launcher is scheduled to be delivered to Electric Boat's Groton shipyard in 2024.

"Electric Boat continues to expand and upgrade its infrastructure to support construction of the Columbia class, the nation's top strategic defense priority," said Joe Drake, vice president of real estate and facilities for General Dynamics Electric Boat. "Our partnership with Bollinger is an important part of that strategy."

The Navy estimates the lead sub, the first of 12 planned, will cost $15 billion, including $6.5 billion for design, planning and engineering and $8.5 billion for construction, according to the Congressional Research Service. Costs will decrease for subsequent subs, and the Navy estimates all 12 will cost a combined $109 billion.

In late 2019, Bollinger was selected to construct the Holland, a 400-by-100-foot ocean transport barge, for Electric Boat, which was delivered last month.

In September 2020, Bollinger landed a contract to build a 618-by-140-foot floating dry dock to support the subs' construction and maintenance. The dry dock is scheduled to be delivered to Electric Boat's Groton shipyard in 2024.

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HONOLULU (Tribune News Service)  The Hawaii Department of Health has expanded its health survey of people affected by the petroleum contamination in the Navy's drinking water system. Previously it was available to just the civilian population, but health officials are now seeking information from all users of the Navy's water system, including military families and anyone affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.

The survey is available to residents who live in neighborhoods in and around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam that are on the Navy's water system, as well as people who work in the area, and parents who send their children to the area's schools.

"We are very pleased to open this health assessment survey to all people affected by the water contamination," said Hawaii State Department of Health Toxicologist Dr. Diana Felton in a press release. "This expansion will help us better understand the health impacts of this contamination event and determine what steps are needed to protect public health."

The survey is being administered with the assistance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Federal and state health officials say that the expansion will help capture a more complete picture of the health impacts from the fuel contamination. The Department of Defense began a survey and health registry last month, but it was only available to military families.

In late November, hundreds of families in the area began reporting a fuel odor in their water, as well as a range of health effects associated with drinking or having contact with petroleum contaminated water, such as vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, skin rashes and burning skin. The Navy and DOH subsequently confirmed that the Navy's drinking water system had been contaminated with jet fuel.

The survey includes questions about the means of exposure, health symptoms and any medical care that was sought. It also includes any impacts on the participant's children or pets.

While the survey will result in a publicly released report, participants' identities will be kept confidential.

The survey can be taken online at https://go.usa.gov/xtg8v or by contacting the CDC /ATSDR team at 404-567-3256 or. The survey will be available online through Feb. 7.

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(Tribune News Service)  Congress wants fast fixes for a Navy fuel spill that has fouled the water in thousands of Hawaii homes, and the crisis has triggered broader questions about military logistics across the vast and increasingly tense Indo-Pacific region.

The immediate concern is a series of fuel spills in recent years from the Navys Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on the island of Oahu  including a November release of some 14,000 gallons of fuel into the water used by more than 90,000 people. That release sickened thousands of residents with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and forced several thousand families to spend the holidays in hotels that had safer water.

Some 250 million gallons of fuel have been ensconced underground since the 1940s at Red Hill, in 20 huge tanks that lie just 100 feet above an aquifer that provides 77 percent of Oahus potable water.

The Pacific Fleet, Navy and the Defense Department have launched assessments and investigations to get at what happened, how to deal with the fallout and whether a recurrence can be prevented at Red Hill, five admirals told a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness hearing Tuesday.

The Navy has shut down operation of the fuel tanks and closed the affected well and another one nearby. And the service has agreed to comply with a state order to begin the months-long process of emptying the fuel tanks  at least temporarily if not permanently.

More broadly, the disaster has forced key lawmakers to look more deeply into the future  not just at Red Hill but, across the so-called INDOPACOM region, at the best ways to store fuel and other key supplies safely, reliably and in a distributed way.

Michael Waltz of Florida, who was named this week as the new ranking Republican on the Readiness panel, said at the hearing that the U.S. military needs a better positioned fuels strategy that is better aligned with our overall combatant commander war plans as the U.S. and China vie for influence in the region.

He said the problem is not just World War II-era fuel tanks but a World War II logistics strategy.

California Democrat John Garamendi, chairman of the Readiness panel, said members have requested a classified briefing from Defense Department leaders in four to six weeks to address the near- and longer-term issues alike.

Meter is running

Meanwhile, the cost of dealing with the crisis at hand is at least $250 million and counting, said Rear Adm. Blake Converse, deputy commander of the Pacific Fleet, at Tuesdays hearing.

Obviously, the meter is going to be running for a while, replied Joe Courtney, D-Conn.

Ed Case, a Hawaii Democrat who represents Oahu, said the presidents fiscal 2023 budget needs to request significant sums for dealing with the fallout at Red Hill.

Garamendi suggested that help should arrive sooner  via the forthcoming fiscal 2022 Defense spending bill.

Garamendi also vowed that the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act will contain provisions pertaining to the issue.

I do not want another year to go by without the NDAA providing the specific authorities and money necessary to resolve this issue, Garamendi said.

Series of fuel leaks

Even before the Japanese attack on nearby Pearl Harbor in 1941, the military recognized the vulnerability of above-ground tanks and decided to start building the underground storage facility at Red Hill in 1940, Garamendi said in his opening remarks.

But the underground tanks have posed a different kind of risk because of their proximity to the aquifer. The Red Hill tanks have leaked fuel into the ground or the groundwater several times in recent years. In 2014, Garamendi said, 27,000 gallons of fuel were accidentally spilled at Red Hill. The Navy spent hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade the tanks and issued assurances that Oahus water was safe.

Unfortunately, as we have watched this crisis unfold over the last three months, it is apparent that that was not the case, Garamendi said.

Pacific Fleet admirals testified Tuesday that they are taking a series of actions to solve the problem.

The Navy caused this problem, said Rear Adm. Blake Converse, the fleets deputy commander. We own it, and were going to fix it.

Facility problem, people problem or both?

None of the witnesses stated concretely what caused the November spill beyond operator error. And none of the lawmakers asked them to expand.

But Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green told Hawaii News Now in December that he was informed that a cart had struck an underground fuel pipe that, it turned out, contained oil left over from an earlier 2021 spill.

Capt. Bill Clinton, head of public affairs for the Pacific Fleet, said via email that he could not provide more information about the exact cause of the November spill.

The command investigation is currently wrapping up and the results will be made public in the near future, Clinton said. The results may be out this week, Converse testified.

Members and witnesses agreed at Tuesdays hearing that they need clarity on how much of the Red Hill problem is due to something inherent in the installation as opposed to so-called operator error.

To the degree that improperly trained personnel may have caused the problem, Virginia Democrat Elaine Luria, a Navy veteran, said it echoed other recent disasters where Navy ships have run aground or collided with other vessels at sea.

She said the problem may be systemic across the Navy and not unique to Red Hill or any other facility or ship.

Investigation after investigation after investigation has pointed out the shortfalls in our operating procedures, compliance and training, she said.

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I could feel my world growing smaller when I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a chronic illness that affects the digestive tract. In May 2020, we were in the midst of a global shutdown - and even before that, symptoms of my then-uncontrolled, unnamed illness had led me to stay home more often than not.

After growing up dreaming of the day I would have the independence to explore the globe, I felt that independence quickly slip away as my doctors explained the many new medications and lifestyle changes my diagnosis would entail.

But as the world started to reopen last year, I found myself drawn to the same budget travel websites with which I would book trips in the past. And somehow, I found myself clicking "buy."

One in four American adults live with a disability, and 60% have at least one chronic illness. As travel continues to ramp up, more people like me will have questions about how to navigate it with their circumstances.

Through online communities, travelers with disabilities or chronic illnesses share tips and support for making the experience more accessible and alleviate fears that others might have when planning trips.

"When I hear back from people who book that ticket, take a chance . . . it's always exciting," said Jamie Knowles-Griffiths, who writes about traveling with Crohn's disease on her blog.

Getting to a place to travel again has been a journey in itself. I spent months overcoming a lifelong fear of needles to learn to self-inject medication every two weeks so that any future travel I wanted to pursue wouldn't be hindered by infusion dates and clinic visits.

People with disabilities or illness cope with an added layer of worry and logistics - and that's even more complicated during a pandemic for those who are immunocompromised. For me, the main concerns are finding a way to keep my medication refrigerated throughout my stay, dealing with a potential flare-up of my symptoms and keeping my immunocompromised system healthy.

I talked to some well-traveled experts on how to make travel more accessible and connect with local communities.

Be your own travel agent

In the podcast "What's Wrong With You?", New Zealand journalist Olivia Shivas and her friends discuss their experience navigating the world as wheelchair users. In their episode on disabilities and travel, the podcast team flies across New Zealand to interview a disability advocate and encounter accessibility barriers to travel firsthand.

Shivas is well-traveled and has picked up skills along the way to ensure trips go as smoothly as possible.

"One of the reasons we made the podcast is I love getting advice and helping other disabled people know what's possible," said Shivas, who was born with muscular dystrophy.

Common issues that arise for wheelchair users while traveling include plane aisles being too narrow for their wheelchairs; hotels and attractions that don't meet accessibility needs; and wheelchairs being broken or lost by airlines. The latter is an expensive and life-altering occurrence for people traveling with wheelchairs - more than 15,000 wheelchairs have been damaged or lost by U.S. airlines since 2018 as of June 2021. While public spaces in the United States have to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, Shivas says this is more limited in countries without similarly rigorous accessibility policies.

Even the entrance to an Airbnb or hotel being a few inches off the ground can make it inaccessible for a wheelchair, Shivas said.

"But just because the world is badly designed doesn't mean we don't want to see more of it," said Rebecca Dubber, Shivas's co-host and a Paralympian, on the podcast episode.

To meet these challenges, Shivas thoroughly researches and plans each leg of her journey. She reads blogs and reviews by other disabled people, checks out the exterior of buildings on Google Maps (with a keen eye for staircases), and makes sure to request accessible accommodations.

"I am basically my own travel agent," she said.

Unfortunately, this doesn't always ensure a problem-free journey. On the podcast episode, the team discovered that the "accessible" lookout at a castle they visited was only reachable by steep staircases.

Shivas has also had the experience of a wheelchair being damaged while abroad, both by airlines and on the street while touring a new city. However, she was once able to use some quick thinking - and help from a nearby bike shop - to repair a flat tire in Helsinki.

"You kind of have to learn to be creative, adapt and find different solutions," she said.

Reaching out to locals

In 2014, Marlene Valle traveled to a new country without her family for the first time. Valle, who is deaf, heard many warnings against traveling alone; they told her it was best to have a hearing person accompany her, she remembers.

"I really thought it would be tough for me to travel because how would I navigate, communicate [with people who speak] verbally, how would I catch announcements on certain flights?" she said in American Sign Language.

But travel quickly became her passion. Following the first trip to South Korea in 2014, she started her blog "Deafinitely Wanderlust" and a YouTube account of the same name in 2015 to chronicle her journeys and the stories of people she met in the deaf community across the globe. Valle said she saw no representation of deaf people in the travel industry and wanted to change that.

In 2018, Valle and her partner, who is also deaf, embarked on a year-long journey across Asia.

She considers the biggest hurdles to travel accessibility for deaf people to be a lack of awareness by airlines, tour groups and other travel organizations on how to make their services equitable.

"Sometimes, they'll be like a deer in headlights communicating with you," she said.

In a 2018 blog post, Valle shared an experience where an airline employee in Singapore shouted at her and her travel companion when they asked for the employee to write down what they were saying. Another traveler stepped in, and a different airline employee eventually responded in writing.

"If you feel dehumanized and know that you shouldn't be treated that way, it is okay for you to speak up for yourself," Valle wrote in her blog.

The best way Valle has found to make sure she doesn't miss flight updates or announcements is to download the airline's app and turn on alerts. She also makes sure to confirm the app's information with the departure boards at the airport and check in with gate agents so they will let her know when it's her turn to board.

When planning trips, Valle often reaches out to local deaf community members, who can tell her what to expect in terms of accessibility. Through this, she has picked up signs from sign languages across the world.

Prepare for the worst, but don't let it stop you

Since Knowles-Griffiths was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at 13, she said, it has been "a defining part" of her identity.

"I just had a lifelong passion for travel and tried to never let Crohn's stop me," she said.

But about a decade ago, she experienced a severe flare-up of symptoms that made her question whether she would be able to travel again. She struggled to find any online resources specific to traveling with Crohn's.

"I didn't find a lot of positive resources out there when I was bedridden and looking for inspiration," Knowles-Griffiths said.

Through her blog "Crohnie Travels," Knowles-Griffiths has worked to break down stigma with honest accounts of her experiences traveling and living with Crohn's.

One of the biggest accessibility hurdles she has encountered overseas is bathroom access. Although she usually carries a wallet-size card with information from the Americans With Disabilities Act, this is never a guarantee.

Nearly having her medication confiscated by airport security taught Knowles-Griffiths to always carry a note from her doctor detailing her diagnosis and medical needs, including the exact medications she takes.

Knowles-Griffiths said half of what she packs is often food and medication since her "safe" foods can sometimes be hard to find. She has even shipped ahead protein bars and dairy alternatives to her destination. She also prefers to find accommodations where she can prepare her own food or have a private space to rest if she is experiencing a symptom flare-up.

"People can often be a little bit judgmental and critical when they see someone who has an invisible illness and perceive them as being weak, not as adventurous or not as able to adapt to the culture," she said.

However, she sees every person traveling with a disability as already far outside their comfort zone.

"The only way you can really fulfill your travel desires is by putting it front and forward, and knowing you're going to have to tackle it the whole way, but it's going to be so worth it," Knowles-Griffiths said.
North Koreas leader was standing nearby as the country test-fired yet another hypersonic ballistic missile off its eastern coast on Tuesday, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

Toward daybreak, the Juche weapon representing the power of [North Korea] roared into the sky, brightening the dawn and leaving behind it a column of fire, under the supervision of Kim Jong Un, KCNA reported Wednesday. Juche is the political ideology of North Korea.

The missile, which was launched inside North Korea at 7:27 a.m., reached speeds of Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound, and was more advanced than one test-fired Jan. 5, the South Korean Defense Ministry said Tuesday. It reached a peak altitude of 37 miles and flew over 435 miles.

The Japanese military confirmed that distance, adding that the missile landed outside of their country's exclusive economic zone.

The missile made a corkscrew maneuver and hit its ocean target 621 miles from the launch site, according to KCNA.

The superior maneuverability of the hypersonic glide vehicle was more strikingly verified through the final test-fire, the report said.

KCNA's publicizing of Kim's attendance may have been to "emphasize, or have the international community give particular attention to the test," Soo Kim, a policy analyst for Rand Corp. and an adjunct instructor at American University in Seoul, said in a text message to Stars and Stripes on Wednesday.

"But we have to wonder how this looks to the average North Korean, who's denied access to the most basic necessities, is probably struggling doubly due to the economic fallout from the [COVID-19] pandemic," Soo wrote. "Would [their] pride of national achievement trump his/her survival and happiness?"

Also in attendance was Kim Yo Jong, Kim's sister and a senior official in the ruling party, according to KCNA.

North Korea conducted its second missile launch so far this year, after the communist regime fired what it claimed was a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5. However, South Korean military officials doubted that assertion and deemed it to be a typical ballistic missile, according to The Associated Press.

On Tuesday, a South Korean Ministry of Unification official speaking to reporters on the customary condition of anonymity, said it has urged North Korea "to respond to our endeavors to make peace through dialogue."

"North Korea should not repeat worrisome behaviors such as its missile test launches when a stable affairs on the Korean Peninsula is necessary," the official said.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
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TOKYO  New coronavirus case numbers multiplied again Wednesday in Japans capital city, where 2,198 people tested positive, according to public broadcaster NHK.

More than twice as many people in Tokyo tested positive Wednesday as the previous day and five times as many as one week prior. Not since Sept. 4, on the tail end of the last coronavirus surge, has Tokyo reported more than 2,000 new cases, according to metropolitan government data.

On U.S. military bases in Japan, more than 400 people tested positive for COVID-19, the coronavirus respiratory disease, on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to military and Japanese reports.

In Tokyo, data from the metropolitan government on Tuesday showed that while case numbers are growing, the effects of this wave are less severe, so far, than the previous one in summer and fall. About 12% of hospital beds were occupied with COVID-19 patients as of Tuesday. Of those, four are severely ill and occupy less than 1% of the 510 beds set aside for those infections.

However, this latest wave is still gaining strength in the capital city. The running seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases has steadily increased from 60.1 people on Jan. 1 to 890.4 on Tuesday, according to metro data.

The U.S. military on Wednesday said another 472 people had contracted COVID-19 in the past week.

The bulk of them, 102 individuals, are with U.S. Army Japan, headquartered at Camp Zama southwest of central Tokyo. All tested positive since Jan. 5, according to a news release.

Airport testing by Japanese officials discovered 11, and five tested positive while in post-travel restriction of movement. Another 39 were already isolated as close contacts, 44 had fallen ill with symptoms of the respiratory disease and three were discovered by pre-travel tests, according to the Army.

Also Wednesday, the U.S. military population passed a third day largely confined to their homes and installations, except for work-related travel and essential services. U.S. Forces Japan and the Japanese government agreed over the weekend to keep U.S. personnel out of local communities to curb the virus spread.

Japanese authorities were alarmed at the number of new cases on military bases brought into the country by Americans reporting to new duty stations or returning from holiday leave. Three prefectures  Okinawa, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi  are under a quasi-emergency because of rising coronavirus numbers. Restaurants there are urged to close early, and sales of alcohol are discouraged.

Okinawa and Yamaguchi are home to U.S. bases. Hiroshima is adjacent to Yamaguchi.

Okinawa prefecture, home to the bulk of U.S. forces in Japan, said Wednesday another 1,644 people on the island had tested positive, the second highest daily total after 1,759 reported Saturday, according to the prefectural Department of Public Health and Medical Care.

However, only 3.2% of active cases on the island are hospitalized and none are considered severely ill, the daily Public Health update said.

The department also reported 295 new cases among the U.S. military community on the island Wednesday. U.S. commands on Okinawa have reduced their public reports of new cases to weekly summaries or none at all in some cases.

Marine Corps Installations Pacific has 1,659 active cases among its Okinawa population, according to an email Wednesday to Stars and Stripes from command spokeswoman 1st Lt. Ashleigh Fairow.

At MCAS Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture, another 34 people turned up positive on Tuesday, according to a base news release on Wednesday. New case numbers at the air station, where Navy and Marine fighter squadrons are based, have fallen since a one-day high of 182 on Jan. 4.

Sasebo Naval Base on Kyushu Island reported 30 cases Wednesday, according to a post on the installations Facebook page. Six were discovered during medical screenings and 24 fell ill with symptoms of the disease. The base has 144 active cases.

Naval Air Facility Atsugi, about 25 miles southwest of Tokyo, reported 13 new cases Tuesday, according to a post Wednesday on the official base Facebook page. The air station has 151 active cases, 52 of them are new arrivals to Japan and 99 acquired their infections locally.

Stars and Stripes reporters Mari Higa and Matthew M. Burke contributed to this report.
Taiwan found debris near the area where one of its most advanced fighter jets went missing, as the search for the pilot and his aircraft stretched into a second day.

The wreckage was found Wednesday close to where the F-16V disappeared during a training exercise, Taiwans National Rescue Command Center said in a text message. It is the first sign the search has zeroed-in on the location of the incident.

The air force has halted all drills and training exercises for F-16V jets after the aircraft vanished from radar screens about half an hour after it took off from Chiayi Air Base just before 3 p.m. Tuesday. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has ordered the military and emergency services to treat the rescue operation as their top priority.

The jet was one of 64 Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16Vs that Taiwan brought into service in November as part of a $3.9 billion U.S.-backed program to beef up its aging fleet. Military experts pointed to the stresses on the air force posed by daily flights by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwans air defense identification zone and a resulting decline in training time.

Taiwans Air Force should address the issue that training time for pilots are severely compressed due to frequent Chinese incursions, former Air Force Lieutenant General Chang Yan-ting told the Taipei-based Liberty Times. The pilot of the missing jet only flew an F-16 for a little over 60 hours since March 2020. Thats just one-third of the time he would have been given under normal circumstances.

The plane fell into the sea when conducting a shooting drill, Inspector-General Liu Hui-chien told a briefing Tuesday in Taipei. While the pilot wasnt seen ejecting, the air force hasnt ruled out the possibility he survived. The military has established a response center to coordinate search and recovery operations with the assistance of the coast guard and police.

Tuesdays disappearance is the latest in a series of military aviation accidents in recent years, renewing worries about the islands outdated defense hardware. It comes as Taiwan scrambles more jets to fend off incursions from China, which considers the island part of its territory, even though it has never controlled it.

Taiwan grounded all military airplanes in March after a mid-air collision of two F-5 jets that left one pilot dead and another missing. An F-16 was lost off the east coast minutes after taking off from a base in Hualien in November 2020 and has yet to be found. Taiwans top uniformed military officer was among eight passengers who died when their UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter made an emergency landing in a mountainous area south of Taipei city in January 2020.

The island has 141 aging F-16s bought in the 1990s and early 2000s. Lockheed is scheduled to deliver another 66 all-new F-16Vs to Taiwan by 2026.

The two problems - training, readiness, maintenance and aging hardware are interrelated, said Adrian Ang, a research fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University. Aging hardware makes training, readiness, and maintenance especially critical.
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Cases of COVID-19 in Guams military community have nearly doubled in less than a week, though the majority are mild or have no symptoms at all, a spokeswoman for the military command on the U.S. territory said Wednesday.

U.S. Naval Hospital Guam reported 453 positive test results on Wednesday, up 181 since Friday, Joint Region Marianas spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Katie Koenig told Stars and Stripes by email. Of those, 147 are civilians.

There have been no new hospitalizations, Koenig said. No new restrictions or policy changes are planned for the time being, she added.

Guam itself is seeing a record number of new COVID-19 cases but hospitalizations remain low, and symptoms thus far are mild, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said during an address uploaded Tuesday to YouTube.

The islands Joint Information Center reported 516 new cases on Wednesday, along with 17 hospitalizations. The island community has 2,553 active cases, according to the information center.

Our focus remains on preventing severe illness, preventing increased hospitalization and saving lives, Guerrero said in her address. Protective measures like mask mandates, testing, vaccinations, boosters and monoclonal antibody treatments have, thus far, been effective so no new restrictions are planned at this time.

I am asking everyone to stay the course, she said.

The Joint Information Center on Tuesday reported one death linked to COVID-19, the 273rd on the island. A partially vaccinated 90-year-old male with underlying health conditions died Jan. 5 at U.S. Naval Hospital after testing positive Dec. 27.

The Marine Corps on Tuesday postponed the reactivation ceremony for Camp Blaz in Dededo, base spokesman Anthony Ramos said in a statement provided by Marine Corps Installations Pacific. The ceremony to rename the former Marine Barracks Guam after the late Brig. Gen. Vicente Ben Tomas Garrido Blaz had been planned for Jan. 27.

Guam remains under a mask mandate, Guerrero spokeswoman Krystal Paco-San Agustin told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday. Social gatherings are limited to 25 indoors and 100 out. Proof of vaccination is required before entering restaurants, bars and gyms.

The only change coming is increased outreach for testing and vaccinations, Paco-San Agustin said. Testing has been ramped up to six hours a day, six days a week, by appointment and after-school vaccination clinics are open around the island to target families.

Koenig encouraged all eligible beneficiaries to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster.
Sheryan El Shimal, Northern State  The area of El Multaga, in the El Debba locality of Sheryan El Shimal in Sudan's Northern State, linking Egypt and Sudan, has been closed for the second day in a row owing to protests by farmers against the surge in electricity costs.

Sources confirmed that farmers were panning an escalation in the coming days, by including also closing other localities in Merowe, Dongola, El Golid, and El Borgeig. Participants in the farmers' sit-in near El Multaga told Radio Dabanga, that the fertilised wheat is in the last stages before it needs to be irrigated, and if that does not occur in the coming days, the crop will fail.

The farmers explained that their primary demand is for a return to the original electricity tariff. Additionally, due to their productive output, they demanded the granting of two per cent of the electricity afforded to the Merowe Dam, as well as 30 per cent of the electricity production as agreed on in the Northern Track protocol of the Juba Peace Agreement.

Omar Ali Hemeida, Coordinator of the El Debba Resistance Committees, told Radio Dabanga that the governor of the Northern State, Awad Gadoura, addressed those at the sit-in, promising that he would raise their demands to the authorities and find a solution.
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CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  The number of COVID-19 cases within U.S. Forces Korea more than doubled over the past week and set another pandemic record, according to USFK on Wednesday.

The command in a news release confirmed another 1,599 new cases of the coronavirus respiratory disease for the week ending Monday. Thats more than twice the all-time high of 682 infections for the week ending Jan. 3 and more than three times the 467 counted the week prior to that.

Ten of the new cases are individuals who recently arrived in South Korea; the remainder were locally generated, according to USFK.

South Korea reported 4,388 new infections Tuesday, up from 3,095 cases from the previous day, but below the daily record of 7,849 on Dec. 15, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Gyeonggi province, where Camp Humphreys is located, counted 1,629 new cases Wednesday, according to the KDCA. Humphreys, which is accessed each day by about 32,000 people, is home to USFK, Eighth Army and U.N. Command.

USFK spokesman Army Col. Lee Peters said the increase in COVID-19 infections is a result of increased testing among its personnel, including those returning to South Korea.

USFK continues to monitor the current COVID-19 situation within USFK and South Korea and makes necessary assessments on a daily basis as needed, he wrote in an email to Stars and Stripes on Wednesday. We can reassure our USFK and South Korean communities that we remain at a high level of  readiness and can fulfill our obligation to protect and defend [South Korea] against any threat or adversary.

USFK, which is responsible for about 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea, did not disclose the installations where the new, locally generated infections arose, citing a matter of policy, according to Peters. The command until late 2021 regularly provided detailed information on case numbers, duty status and origin of infected individuals.

The new coronavirus surge prompted USFK on Saturday to elevate its health-risk level and impose additional social distancing restrictions for its personnel. The command moved to condition Bravo-plus and banned dining in restaurants, visits to shopping malls, bars, clubs, off-installation gyms, movie theaters, amusement parks and festivals.

Travel to Seoul is limited to official duties due to the associated risk of potential exposure to the virus, USFK said Saturday.

Temporarily closures were reported throughout U.S. military installations in recent weeks, including finance and travel offices, restaurants and youth centers, due to contact tracing and deep cleaning.

U.N. Command also announced it will suspend tours to the Joint Security Area at the border with North Korea starting Jan. 18, due to concerns of recent increases in COVID-19 infections.
STUTTGART, Germany  There is real risk of a new war in Ukraine, NATOs top official said Wednesday after high-level talks with Russia failed to achieve a breakthrough over Moscows military buildup along Ukraines borders.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who led talks between the alliances 30 members and Russia at alliance headquarters in Brussels, said the discussions come at a defining moment for European security.

There are significant differences between allies and Russia on these issues. Our differences will not be easy to bridge, Stoltenberg said. There is a real risk for a new armed conflict in Europe.

The meeting, which came two days after a similar round of talks between the U.S. and Russia in Geneva, marked the first gathering of NATOs Russia Council in more than two years.

The meeting was held as tensions in Europe have hit a post-Cold War high between Western allies and Russia, which has massed more than 100,000 troops on Ukraines borders. The U.S. and other NATO members have said such a move by Russia would provoke severe economic sanctions and also force the alliance to fortify its eastern flank as a protective measure.

So far, Moscow has been vague about its intentions, but Russias track record has raised concerns that a replay of its 2014 invasion and annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula is in the works. Since then, Russian-backed separatists have been at war with Ukrainian government forces in the countrys east.

Moscow also has made demands of NATO in connection with its military buildup  demands allies say are impossible to meet.

Among them: Russia wants NATO to pull back from Eastern European states that were admitted into NATO in the aftermath of the Cold War. Moscow also wants a pledge from allies that Ukraine, which is seeking NATO membership, will never be allowed into the alliance.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, after the talks in Brussels with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, rejected Russias demands as she did two days earlier during discussions in Geneva.

Every country has the sovereign right to choose its own path, Sherman said in a Twitter post after the NATO-Russia Council session.

Such demands also were dismissed by Stoltenberg, who reiterated the point that NATO has an open door membership policy and that Russia has no veto power over what country gets in.

At the end of the day, it has to be NATO allies and Ukraine that decide, he said.

While NATO has rejected Russias main demands, allies say they are prepared to discuss with Moscow the possibility of enhancing transparency between East and West in connection with how military exercises are conducted in Europe. NATO also says it is willing to discuss arms control and missile deployment issues with Russia.

Stoltenberg said NATO wants additional meetings with Russia that would look at how to revive a treaty that banned intermediate range missiles in Europe.

Meanwhile, Russia has given no sign that progress on such topics would be sufficient for it to pull troops back from Ukraines borders.
NATO allies and Russia discussed significant differences during their first meeting in more than two years as they tried to ease tensions over Moscows troop buildup near Ukraine, the alliances top official said Wednesday.

The two sides didnt set another meeting. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO is willing to meet again but that Russia wasnt ready to commit to a schedule.

This was not an easy discussion, but that is exactly why this meeting was so important, Stoltenberg said at a news conference, adding that NATO wants Russia to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine.

There was no sign of progress on one of Moscows main demands, that the alliance stop accepting new members. Stoltenberg reiterated that only NATO and applicant countries can decide on membership, saying Russia does not have a veto on whether Ukraine can join.

The talks lasted an hour longer than expected, according to a person familiar with the matter. The encounter comes after a U.S.-Russian meeting in Geneva earlier this week, with Western diplomats still struggling to discern the real intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin toward Ukraine.

The topics at Wednesdays meeting at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels included the more than 100,000 troops that Russia has massed on Ukraines border, prompting fears it is preparing an invasion, as well as Moscows demands for curbs on the alliances expansion further east.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko are planning their own separate briefings.

The Monday session in Geneva didnt give the U.S. and its allies much insight into the fundamental question of what Putin will do next, according to people close to the negotiations.

As Moscow had telegraphed going into this week, the Russian diplomats appeared to have little room to go beyond the sweeping demands that the Kremlin had laid out at the end of last year, even though they were rejected almost immediately by the West.

At the same time, Moscow is continuing its troop buildup near the border with Ukraine, defying NATO calls for de-escalation. Western officials are increasingly worried that the Kremlin could leave forces there for a long period, keeping pressure on even without an invasion. In addition, Russia could step up efforts to destabilize Ukraine with cyberattacks or other means.

For its part, Moscow has sent mixed messages about this weeks talks, signaling satisfaction that the U.S. is finally taking its concerns seriously but warning that more progress is needed, and quickly. But Russia has been vague about what it might do it the diplomacy fails, hinting at possible new weapons deployments that could threaten the West.

Russian officials have touted as a triumph what they say is the agreement by the U.S. and its allies to finally discuss the Kremlins security concerns seriously after years of brushing them off. The Kremlin, which has denied any plans to invade Ukraine, said the decision on whether to continue diplomacy will be based largely on the outcome of Wednesdays discussions.

War between NATO and Russia is unthinkable because it would lead to a wider global conflict, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins warned in an interview with TV3. Russia is not afraid of NATO forces, Russia is afraid of Ukraines democracy, Karins told the broadcaster on Wednesday.

Meetings of the NATO-Russia Council had been frozen since an encounter in 2019, amid tensions over issues including the Russian annexation of Crimea, a Moscow-backed military conflict in the east of Ukraine and a clash over alleged spying.

The NATO talks will be followed by discussions in Vienna under the framework of the 57-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Thursday.

- - -

Bloombergs Gregory L. White, Maria Tadeo and Aaron Eglitis contributed to this report.
The United Nations on Tuesday launched a funding appeal for more than $5 billion for Afghanistan this year, its largest request ever for a single country in humanitarian distress.

"This is a stopgap, an absolutely essential stopgap measure that we are putting in front of the international community today," U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said in announcing the appeal in Geneva. "Without this being funded, there won't be a future" for Afghanistan.

The money, Griffiths said, is both to fund direct humanitarian assistance to tens of millions of Afghans now facing "acute" food insecurity and needing shelter from the harsh winter, and to directly pay health-care workers and others who have received no salaries for most of the past year.

In response to the appeal, the U.S. Agency for International Development announced an initial 2022 contribution of more than $308 million in assistance.

The appeal comes as the international community continues to grapple with how to avoid humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan without benefiting the Taliban rulers who gained control of the country and government in August.

Before the militant takeover, international funds, primarily from the United States, provided more than 75% of Afghanistan's income. That funding stopped abruptly following the U.S. military evacuation and fall of the U.S.-backed government. The United States, which also holds the bulk of about $10 billion in reserves owned by Afghanistan's central bank, also has refused to allow any access to that money.

The Taliban, and many of its leaders now in high government positions, remains under heavy U.S. and international sanctions that prohibit any financial dealing with it. The Biden administration has said those sanctions will not be lifted until the militants meet commitments including the formation of an inclusive government and full rights for all citizens, including women and minorities.

Over the past several months, there has been some flexibility, including Treasury Department waivers and a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution allowing aid funds to flow, along with direct cash payments to some Afghan public-sector workers, including in health care and education.

But Griffiths and other U.N. officials said Tuesday that the ongoing lack of liquidity - or cash - in the Afghan economy and the collapse of the banking sector still pose grave problems.

"There has been a great deal of discussion and preparation for how to mitigate the economic collapse, but we still do not have a functioning central bank, we still have frozen assets . . . we still don't have the liquidity . . . needed for humanitarian operations, let alone trade and business," Griffiths said.

"Work is being done, but we need to see the shoe hit the ground," said Griffiths, who will meet this week with administration officials in Washington.

An earlier appeal for hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency humanitarian aid was more than fully funded. But the new request comes as the Taliban has dragged its feet in providing rights for women in education and the workplace, and amid continued sporadic reports of reprisals - including summary executions - against perceived enemies.

About $4.4 billion of the new appeal is to be spent inside Afghanistan, where economic collapse, along with prolonged drought and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, has left more than half the population of 40 million in acute need.

The rest is directed toward countries along its borders - primarily Iran and Pakistan - that are hosting millions of Afghan refugees who fled the country both before and after the Taliban takeover.

While some are concerned about security, "the vast majority of people are not going back because they don't have basic services" and ways to make a living, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said at the Geneva news conference.

If that problem is not solved, he said, more refugees can be expected, with spillover into Europe and beyond.
The U.S. government has approved for transfer another five detainees held at the military prison in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, including a "high-value" prisoner suspected of having been a key figure in al-Qaeda's East Africa franchise.

The transfer clearances came as the detention facility, used to hold hundreds of men captured abroad as part of the U.S. government's war on terrorism, turned 20 years old on Tuesday. Their prospective relocation marked the latest step toward reducing the detainee population at Guantanamo and closing the facility that has posed political, legal and ethical challenges for successive U.S. presidents.

Attorneys identified the five men as Guled Hassan Duran, Moath al-Alwi, Suhail al-Sharabi, Zakaria al-Baidany and Abdulmalik Bajabu.

None has been charged with a crime.

Eighteen of the 39 remaining detainees at Guantanamo have now been cleared for transfer out of the prison by the Periodic Review Board, a decision-making panel made up of representatives from various U.S. national security agencies.

President Joe Biden has said he plans to close the prison, just as President Barack Obama had declared at the outset of his own administration but failed to accomplish. To do so, the administration must negotiate transfer deals with detainees' home governments or third countries.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters this week that those remaining in Guantanamo are the hardest cases to deal with and to adjudicate.

It is unclear when any of the 18 men cleared for transfer will leave Guantanamo. Biden has transferred one detainee since he took office, and has not appointed a special envoy - as Obama did - to preside over the negotiations, which some detainee advocates have criticized as showing a lack of commitment by the administration.

Kirby said the administration was in the midst of a review "about the way forward," but declined to offer details.

Proponents of keeping Guantanamo open, including some Republican lawmakers, argue that the men who remain at the prison are inherently dangerous. It would be better, they say, to hold them indefinitely than risk their return to violence.

Two of the five men cleared recently - Duran and Baidany - were tortured years ago at secret CIA "black sites," according to their attorneys, and documented in a Senate Intelligence Committee report released in 2014. Duran's attorney Shane Kadidal said that was significant, and could hint at a policy shift.

"There's always been this presumption that the main thing the CIA wanted to keep secret is what happened to people, and also where the facilities were," said Kadidal, a senior managing attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights. He said the approval of Duran's transfer - the first of a high-value detainee known to have been tortured by the CIA - could signify the Biden administration's willingness to approve others in that category who have not been charged. The most prominent would be Abu Zubaida, a Palestinian detainee whose torture was documented in the Senate Intelligence Committee report.

The government described Duran, a Somali national, as a "key member" of East Africa al-Qaeda who was "in the final stages of operational planning for terrorist operations in East Africa" shortly before his 2003 capture in Djibouti, according to government documents first published by WikiLeaks.

Duran, who has challenged his detention in federal court, has claimed in court documents that he spent more than two years at CIA black sites, saying he was deprived of sleep, food, water and medical care; beaten; sexually assaulted; and kept in solitary confinement without access to daylight.

"They first offered to bring me to the United States to spy on mosques; they offered me suitcases full of money; and they threatened to send the FBI to make my family in the United States miserable," Duran said in the 2019 court filing.

The CIA did not respond to a request for comment.

The Periodic Review Board's decision, dated Nov. 10, does not detail the rationale for Duran's clearance for transfer.

Beth Jacob, an attorney for Zakaria al-Baidany - a Yemeni whom the government refers to as Omar Mohammed Ali Al-Rammah - noted that the review board's decision, dated Dec. 27, stated, "There is no information indicating that the detainee engaged in activities against the United States prior to detention." It also referenced "his deteriorating mental health."

The U.S. government had previously described Baidany, who spent roughly a year in CIA custody, as having "held a key role in al-Qaida linked plans to conduct explosives operations in Georgia and Chechnya," according to government documents first published by WikiLeaks.

"Think about that," Jacob said. "'No information.' I don't even know what to say about that without using profanity. I mean: what?" She said his deteriorating mental health has been the "result of his detention and treatment by the United States."

Alwi, a Yemeni national, garnered international attention when the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York displayed an exhibition of his and other detainees' artwork in 2017. The military subsequently barred all art from leaving Guantanamo. In its clearance decision, the review board referred to Alwi's "lack of a leadership position in al-Qaeda or the Taliban" as well as his "highly compliant behavior" in recent years.

Abdulmalik Bajabu, a Kenyan national accused of belonging to East Africa al-Qaeda, was among the last five detainees to arrive at Guantanamo, following his arrest by Kenyan authorities in 2007. The Periodic Review Board said it considered his "low level of training and lack of leadership role in his pre-detention activities," as well as his family ties, and compliance in detention, in determining that he could be transferred.

Suhail al-Sharabi, a Yemeni accused of belonging to al-Qaeda and serving as a bodyguard to Osama bin Laden, has spent nearly two decades at the prison. The government did not detail its rationale for approving his transfer.

Khaled Qassem, a Yemeni whose attorney described him as among the "least culpable" of the remaining detainees, meanwhile learned this week that he had not been cleared, despite what the review board's decision described as his "low level of training and lack of leadership in al Qaida or the Taliban."

"However, the Board remains concerned in light of the following factors: The detainee's susceptibility to reengage due to his inability to manage his emotions and actions, the detainee's high level of significant non-compliance in the past year, and the detainee's lack of plans for the future if transferred," it continued.

Qassem's attorney Clive Stafford Smith said Qassem has made two suicide attempts. He was captured in his early 20s and has now spent two decades in U.S. custody without charge.
The Defense Department inspector general will launch a probe this month of the U.S. militarys efforts to screen recruits for any past extremist or other banned behaviors, the independent auditing organization announced.

The objective of this audit is to determine whether military service recruiting organizations screened applicants for supremacist, extremist, and criminal gang behavior, according to DOD and military service policies and procedures, Richard B. Vasquez, a DOD assistant inspector general, wrote in a brief Jan. 3 memorandum announcing the new audit. We may revise the objective as the audit proceeds, and we will also consider suggestions from management for additional or revised objectives.

The audit will at least initially start at the highest levels at the Pentagon, Vasquez noted in his memo. The Pentagons personnel and readiness office and the Army, Navy and Air Force departments were instructed to provide points of contact for the audit by this week.

Vasquez did not provide an anticipated timeline for the audit nor say specifically what information the inspector general would request from the services. Megan Reed, a spokeswoman for DOD inspector general, said Thursday that she could not provide an estimated timeline for the audits completion.

The new audit is separate from ongoing work on extremism issues within the Pentagon, which were ordered early last year as a top priority for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Defense Department last month issued new guidance on banned extremist activity, including announcing an effort to better standardize efforts across the military services to root out recruits with extremist ties.

The inspector generals recruiting-focused probe comes amid increased scrutiny over the military links among some extremists, including dozens of veterans and a few current members of the armed forces who were charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by some supporters of then-President Donald Trump. The Pentagon estimated last month that less than 100 active-duty service members last year participated in activity banned under Defense Department policies on extremism.

The IG audit will be led by the organizations newest component  its Diversity and Inclusion and Extremism in the Military office, founded last year. That office is responsible for oversight of the Pentagons policies related to extremism, according to the DOD inspector generals website.

Some lawmakers have asked the Pentagon to increase its scrutiny of potential recruits. Among them is Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. She wrote a letter last year to Austin and President Joe Biden imploring the Pentagon to scrutinize all military recruits' social media activity.

However, Pentagon officials have routinely said such an effort would be difficult if not impossible. The department does not have the manpower within its recruiting organizations to dedicate to searching through every recruits' entire social media history, several officials have said. Anonymous accounts also make it difficult to track the online behaviors of every potential member of the military.

Every year, some 500,000 people apply to join the military, of whom about 200,000 enter the services, according to Pentagon data. Military recruiters now ask recruits about current or past extremist behaviors in screening questionnaires and interviews prior to entering the military. Recruits are also checked for tattoos associated with extremist groups or criminal gangs, according to Pentagon policy.
Zalingei  The activities of the first Darfur Women Journalists conference kicked off Zalingei, Central Darfur, on Monday in in partnership with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), under the slogan "Together to raise the voice of patriotism and peaceful coexistence".

Lubna Abdallah, head of the Sudanese Women Journalists, said that the aim of the conference is to identify the challenges facing the performance of Sudanese female journalists, calling on the responsible government agencies to support the recommendations that the conference will come up with.

She explained that female journalists in the centre and the states continued to suffer from marginalisation and exploitation by the editorial administrations, in addition to the lack of job promotion for female journalists and their absence from participating in the editor-in-chief, unlike only four female journalists who occupied this position during several centuries ago.

Sheimaa Haren, head of the Sudanese Women Journalists in Central Darfur, said that the conference will discuss a number of themes, most notably the challenges facing female journalists and the mechanism for finding solutions to them, and discuss issues of women's advocacy and the role of Sudanese women journalists in the field of peace building.
SANTA FE, N.M. (Tribune News Service)  Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe John C. Wester recalls the sadness he felt upon seeing the Genbaku Dome, a remnant of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

The domed ruin has been preserved in its damaged state as part of a peace memorial to the bomb's devastation, in which an estimated 140,000 people died. A second bomb dropped in Nagasaki killed as many as 74,000 people.

Wester said the monument struck a chord in him and the bishops who accompanied him on the trip to Japan in 2017.

"I recall hearing about the wrenching story of Japanese schoolchildren who rushed to the windows of their classrooms, attracted by the bright light of the atomic bomb detonating," Wester said. "One can only imagine their fate."

Wester told the story Tuesday at an online news conference to underscore the purpose of a pastoral letter he issued, decrying what he called a more dangerous second arms race and calling for nuclear disarmament worldwide.

He pointed to New Mexico's two national laboratories as contributing to weapons of potential mass destruction, especially with the budget growing for these programs.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is modernizing its plutonium facility to make more bomb cores, or pits, than it ever has. Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque makes nonnuclear components for weapons and other technologies.

A nuclear security agency is pushing to have Los Alamos make 30 plutonium pits by 2026. The agency also hopes to have the Savannah River Site in South Carolina produce an additional 50 pits by 2035.

A recently passed military spending bill will funnel $1 billion to the lab's pit operations  a sizable increase from last year's $837 million and more than triple the $308 million allocated in 2020.

Wester said the lab gearing up for greater pit production in the state he calls home increased his sense of urgency in issuing the antinuclear letter.

"Here is where the nuclear arms race really in many ways began  the manufacture and creating of these nuclear armaments  and having been to Japan and seeing the devastation that was caused by them," Wester said. "It's such an important topic that we really can't dally. The time is now."

In the letter, Wester contends the current arms race is more treacherous than the Cold War because of multiple nuclear threats from countries such as Russia, China and Iran.

Some nuclear experts share his concerns about proliferating threats. In a recent poll by Foreign Affairs, 20 of the several dozen experts surveyed believed more countries will obtain nuclear weapons in the coming years.

Wester said Los Alamos and Sandia labs could be converted to facilities that use their high-tech equipment and skilled workforces to bolster nonproliferation efforts, which could create new jobs.

Wester agrees with Pope Francis' antinuclear sentiments.

"Pope Francis has made clear statements about the immorality of possessing nuclear weapons, moving the Church from past conditional acceptance of 'deterrence' to the moral imperative of abolition," Wester wrote in the letter's summary.

Wester said he knows dialogue about disarmament can be challenging because there are many points of view.

"I also know that all women and men of good will want peace," Wester said. "And the coming together to talk, to converse, to discuss is the only way to rid the world of the colossal threat that nuclear weapons are to our security, to life and to the common good."

(c)2022 The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, N.M.)

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WASHINGTON  The vice chairwoman of the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday said new legislation is needed to allow the U.S. to respond faster should China invade Taiwan.

President Joe Biden doesnt have the authority [under the law] to actually respond should China attack the island, Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., said, noting a U.S. response would be needed to maintain stability in the region.

If China were to invade Taiwan today, the president would have to come to Congress for authorization to respond, the 20-year Navy veteran said while speaking at the Surface Navy Association symposium in Arlington, Va. We cant lose [the] months that it would take in order for us to provide a response.

The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act requires the president seek congressional approval before intervening militarily should China invade the democratic island, Luria wrote in an October editorial in The Washington Post. The War Powers Act also hinders the president from taking such action because it requires congressional approval to send military intervention abroad if the U.S., its territories or its armed forces are not under attack, she added.

Though the U.S. acknowledges China claims sovereignty over Taiwan through Beijings One China policy, it maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan, according to the State Department.

Luria is not alone in advocating for legislation to grant the president more authority when it comes to defending Taiwan. Congressional support for the island has grown in recent years as U.S. competition with China intensifies.

For example, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in February introduced the Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act to allow the president to send in the military if China makes a direct attack on Taiwan, but the bill stalled in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, according to congressional records.

A Chinese invasion is plausible in the coming years, according to Navy leaders. Adm. Phil Davidson, the top admiral in charge of the militarys Indo-Pacific Command, told Congress last year that he believed China could attempt to take control of Taiwan by the end of the decade.

To address the threat, Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., warned Navy leaders at the symposium not to lose sight of what the service needs in the immediate future while developing long-term technologies, such as unmanned ships projected for the fleet decades from now.

If Adm. Davidson is right that China could invade Taiwan in the next five years, betting on tomorrows transformative technology probably makes less sense than fielding reliable technologies that work today, said Gallagher, who served seven years in the Marine Corps.

Luria also said she was skeptical of investing too much in developing technologies and the Navy shouldn't sacrifice the ships that the service has today to make room for unproven, unmanned ships planned for the future fleet.

"Certainly, we think we need to make investments in developing technology ... but that should not be at the expense of having a fleet today," she said.

Gallagher called for more conventional hard-power elements to deter enemies, such as more ships, more long-range missiles [and] more long-range bombers in the Indo-Pacific.

He said he worried having too much of a future-focused outlook would reduce our ability to deny a fait accompli over Taiwan if China carries out an invasion in the near term.

The good news is that we can prevent this from happening  by just doing the hard work of building the battle force thats ready by 2025, not 2045, Gallagher said.

Doornbos.caitlin@stripes.com

Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos
WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  Soon after Alim arrived in the U.S. on a travel visa in 2014, he applied for asylum. As a Uyghur Muslim, he faced an uncertain future if returned to his native China, which was beginning a crackdown on ethnic minorities.

Seven years later, hes still waiting for his asylum claim to be resolved.

During that time, his two children back home have grown into teenagers. His wife and two sisters were imprisoned in Chinese re-education camps, where he said they faced starvation and torture. His court hearing in the U.S. has been delayed repeatedly.

I lost my family, said Alim, whose real name was withheld to protect his familys safety. The immigration court killed my chance.

Alim is one of roughly 800 Uyghurs caught in a backlog of hundreds of thousands seeking asylum in the U.S. His situation highlights the damage a strained asylum system can wreak on individuals fleeing very real harm.

The lack of immigration relief for Uyghurs fleeing China is particularly ironic given recent U.S. efforts to hold the Chinese government accountable for its human rights abuses. In the final days of the Trump administration, the U.S. declared Chinas treatment of Uyghurs a genocide, citing forced labor, re-education camps, even forced sterilizations. And last month, the U.S. vowed to diplomatically boycott the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing.

In December, President Joe Biden signed a law to prohibit goods produced in Xinjiang, the northwest region of China where most Uyghurs live and are imprisoned, from entering the U.S. unless companies can prove they were not made with forced labor.

The current situation of the Uyghurs is really, really terrible, said Mustafa Aksu, a program coordinator for research and advocacy at the Uyghur Human Rights Project. Some people have been waiting [for their claims to be heard] more than four years, five years  even though there is strong proof that they have been persecuted and they will be in great danger if they go back to China.

Years of backlog

The U.S. asylum backlog affects immigrants from around the world, leaving people who fled danger and persecution in their home countries in limbo while they wait for their claims to be processed.

More than 667,000 people are currently waiting for court hearings in their asylum cases, according to government data compiled by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. The average wait time is 1,621 days  or nearly four and a half years.

When Alim first applied for asylum, his claim was referred to an immigration court, with a hearing planned for September 2014. The hearing was moved to 2016, then to 2019, and continues to be postponed.

Like many asylum-seekers who have spent years waiting for their hearings, Alim applied for a work permit and currently works legally in the U.S. But he lives in constant fear about the fate of his family, who he says has been targeted by the Chinese government because of his connection to the U.S.

If I got my asylum approval in 2016  I get my family back here, they will be safe, he said. Right now, we dont have the chance to get them here.

A pending claim limits the stability asylum-seekers can achieve, even if they can work legally. Many are unable to access government benefits or education for themselves and their families, with no end date in sight. Uncertainty around their legal status also limits other options.

They havent been settled down, so many families are affected, Aksu said. Some of their children want to go to college, or they want to go to a military academy, but because they have no status here yet, their cases havent been approved  so theyre waiting.

Searching for solutions

Policies designed to help Uyghur Muslims have proven more bipartisan in Congress than most others related to immigration, with Republicans and Democrats in general agreement that more must be done to counter Chinas treatment of ethnic minorities.

A handful of lawmakers have examined ways to make the U.S. immigration system more accessible to Uyghurs. A bill introduced in April by Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Chris Coons, D-Del., would make Uyghurs eligible for priority refugee processing in the U.S.

However, that legislation is aimed at Uyghurs abroad seeking relief as refugees, not Uyghurs already in the U.S. in search of permanent protection through asylum. Refugees and asylees are granted similar rights; refugees seek their status outside the U.S. while asylum-seekers do so at U.S. borders or within the country.

They should be given priority. I would say they probably have the most compelling case in the world right now for asylum, Rubio said. Im not sure why theyre tied up in the broader backlog.

Uyghurs seeking relief from outside the U.S.  typically from third countries, since China has all but stopped allowing Uyghurs to leave  face a whole different set of obstacles. In fiscal 2021, the U.S. did not resettle any Uyghurs through its refugee resettlement program.

We have to work with our partners and allies, said Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., who sponsored the House version of the Rubio and Coons bill. We have to work with the other countries to make sure again that the Uyghurs who are in those countries are taken care of and have the opportunity to seek asylum status here.

Last in, first out

Uyghurs like Alim face their own set of difficulties tied to what critics call a misguided asylum system that unfairly excludes people who have waited the longest. Asylum claims are heard on a last in, first out basis, meaning that people who have applied for asylum recently are more likely to have their applications adjudicated quickly.

That policy began in January 2018, in an effort to stem the growth of the asylum backlog and deter applicants trying to use the asylum backlog to obtain employment authorization. But it also means applications like Alims have been effectively deprioritized.

Once the policy was changed to last in, first out, you face the obvious question of, well, what happens to those applicants that submitted their applications back in 2014? 2015? 2016? said Farida Chehata, a managing attorney at Human Rights First.

The system is strained more than ever right now in part because of tens of thousands of vulnerable Afghans seeking relief in the U.S. who have been granted humanitarian parole and must apply for asylum to receive permanent protection.

The government has prioritized applications from Afghans, Chehata said, and could theoretically do the same for Uyghurs. However, doing so could raise thorny questions about whether asylum-seekers from some ethnic groups face greater risk than others.

Ensuring that USCIS implements a fair and fast and uniform process of scheduling that prioritizes cases that have been pending the longest would help address some of the concern, she said.

In a statement to CQ Roll Call, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it was committed to using all available policy and operational improvements to reduce the number of pending cases as well as wait times.

Each case is reviewed based on the totality of the evidence and there may be variations in the length of adjudication, a spokesperson said.

In October 2020, the advocacy group Uyghur American Association sent a letter to then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf asking for Uyghurs to be exempt from a rule limiting asylum eligibility and for their asylum cases to be expedited.

They wish to send their children to school, serve in the United States military, and regain a sense of normalcy after fleeing persecution in China, the group wrote. They wish for nothing more than to become full, patriotic members of the United States and American society.

While he waits for his hearing, Alim wonders what will happen to his family, particularly his sister, who he said emerged from the Xinjiang camps looking like a skeleton and has been not normal ever since.

His only means of communicating with his family is through his mother, who writes messages on a sheet of paper that she holds up on video. Chinese police regularly monitor their activities.

Growing up, Alim had always dreamed of living in the U.S., free from Chinas authoritarian rule. He has achieved that dream  but at a steep price.

Freedom for me is the only choice, he said. My dream has come true, but I lost a lot.

2022 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Visit cqrollcall.com.

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FORT WORTH (Tribune News Service)  On the night of Jan. 4, 61-year-old Derick Wheeler of Fort Worth told his younger brother that he felt ill and he would probably go to the Fort Worth VA Clinic the next morning.

Dwayne Wheeler said Tuesday he wasnt sure what was wrong with his older brother.

But it would be the last conversation the brothers would ever have.

On the morning of Jan. 5, Derick Wheeler tried to cross East Loop 820, his brother said, and he may have been on his way to catch a bus to the VA hospital when he was hit by a truck whose driver never stopped to help him.

Derick Wheeler was pronounced dead at the scene, and Fort Worth police on Tuesday continued their search for the hit-and-run driver.

My brother was not an animal; he wasnt a dog, Dwayne Wheeler said Tuesday in a telephone interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. I dont know why he (the driver) would keeping going and not stop.

Derick Wheeler was hit and killed by a pickup truck on Loop 820 near Meadowbrook Drive in east Fort Worth, authorities said.

The accident was reported just before 7 a.m. on Jan. 5.

A 911 caller reported that a man ran in front of a truck and the pedestrian was hit by the vehicle, according to a police call log.

Fort Worth police have only released that the vehicle was a black truck with over-sized tires.

He may have panicked or he may have been under the influence, Dwayne Wheeler said. We just dont know.

Dwayne Wheeler and his family just want the hit-and-run driver to surrender to authorities.

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Derick Wheeler was a disabled U.S. Army veteran who had served five years, his brother said.

The Fort Worth man, who suffered from PTSD, had been homeless at one time, and he had had some legal problems, but he had turned his life around, Dwayne Wheeler said.

Derick Wheeler was a happy man who had loved the military, his brother said.

At this time, Dwayne Wheeler said his family just wants closure.

I want justice for my brother, the San Antonio man said. Hes just not another dead man in Fort Worth.

Funeral services for Derick Wheeler are still pending, but a memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie.

Anyone with information should call Fort Worth police at 817-392-4892.

___

(c)2022 the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Visit the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at www.star-telegram.com

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(Tribune News Service)  A horse running free through a Colorado neighborhood was quickly brought under control when a sheriffs deputy, an Army veteran, hopped on its back and rode the animal nearly three miles back home through city traffic.

It happened Jan. 8 in Centennial, just south of Denver, and Deputy Ian Sebold says the horse was terrified by the time he got to the scene.

Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office officials posted video of what followed on Facebook, joking the horse tried to make a clean getaway but Deputy Sebold was much too quick.

The cowboy cop responded to the call, wrangled the horse, jumped on its back and rode it to safety, the department wrote. The horse, by the way, is in stable condition.

Its a fitting coincidence that Sebold, an 82nd Airborne veteran, not only was raised on a ranch, but also is training for the Arapahoe Mounted Unit, which patrols on horseback. He says the Army taught him how to do things on the fly, which also proved handy.

I saw the horse crossing the road, and its a four-lane major roadway. I could tell he was terrified, Sebold told McClatchy News.

A citizen was walking nearby, trying to stop traffic to allow him to get across. You could see in his face, he didnt know what to do on a major roadway. He just wanted to go home, but didnt know how to get there.

Sebold and other deputies eventually found the horse in an apartment complex, where a crowd had gathered, including people waving carrots.

With no trailer to take him home, the simplest idea was to ride him back, Sebold said. There was no saddle, no halter, but I got a boost  old school way  and hopped on. To me, the biggest question was how to get this horse safely out of a major residential area. We were not walking those 2.6 miles.

The other deputies provided an escort, blocking traffic until the horse made it through intersections, including one highway with a 55-mph speed limit.

Sebold says it was sunset before they reached the horses pasture, with the owners trailing behind in a vehicle. The horse had been running free as long as four hours, and it was exhausted, he said.

The departments Mounted Unit also posted video of his ride, noting there were a lot of funny things to say about this video, but we want to say the serious things.

Deputy Sebold is riding a strange horse, who is almost certainly scared, down the street in vehicular traffic, with nothing but a halter and lead, the unit wrote. Thats some incredible horsemanship, to say the least.

2022 The Charlotte Observer.

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Stillwater, OK (74074)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High 68F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 51F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Changes to the SunCommercial's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition, by default, is now presented in Text view.
Bay of Plenty

Ever thought of joining the civil construction industry? if so then this is your chance to get a foot in the door. We are...



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Tunis/Tunisia  Anti-Saied parties and coalitions, led by Ennahdha Movement, called on Tuesday for a demonstration on January 14 to express their rejection of the July 25 process.

January 14 marks the departure in 2011 of former president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. On December 2, President of the Republic Kaied Saied declared that December 17, the date of the outbreak of the Revolution, is the real date to be celebrated "and not January 14 which confiscated and aborted it". A presidential decree setting the public holidays made this change official.

Ennahdha Movement called on its supporters and "all national forces" to participate massively in a "march of determination" on the emblematic Avenue Habib Bourguiba, in rejection of what it considers as "flagrant violations of freedoms and democracy" as well as a "renewal of the spirit of the Revolution, dignity and loyalty to the martyrs". It denounced, in a statement, a " coup " and demanded the release of its leader Noureddine Bhiri, under house arrest.

Ennahdha party started an open conflict with President Kais Saied on July 25, 2021, when he took exceptional measures including the suspension of the Parliament and the lifting of parliamentary immunity, measures supplemented by the presidential decree of September 22, 2021, maintaining the freeze of the Parliament and setting out new provisions. On December 31, Ennahdha's vice-president, Noureddine Bhiri, was placed under house arrest for "illegally granting passports, identity cards and birth certificates, as well as for serious suspicions related to terrorism", the Interior Minister had said.

For its part, the Citizens Against the Coup initiative also expressed its determination to take to the streets on the "Day of Rage", to "confront the arbitrary power of the coup", it said.

"Citizens Against the Coup" includes members of Ennahdha, activists close to the Islamist-based movement as well as politicians and human rights defenders opposed to the Head of State. Members of the initiative have been on hunger strike since December 24.

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A "coordination of social democratic parties", which includes the Republican Party, the Alliance for Labour and Freedoms and the Democratic Current, also called for demonstrations on January 14 "to celebrate the Revolution and the victory of democracy.

The Workers' Party, for its part, invited "all popular and social forces to unite their efforts to confront dictatorship, oppression and chaos", to "create a progressive and independent pole capable of leading the struggle."

In turn, the Free Destourian Party announced that it will hold a meeting on January 16 in Sfax to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Revolution of January 18, 1952, reaffirming that it does not recognize the Revolution of 2011, regardless of the date celebrated.

The "Awfiye" organisation of the families of the martyrs and wounded of the Revolution, expressed its categorical rejection of the "improvisation" and "single opinion" concerning the Revolution "which went as far as cancelling its symbolic holiday celebrated on January 14", calling on all Tunisians to take to the streets to "defend the Revolution".
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Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Oklahoma... Illinois River near Tahlequah affecting Cherokee County. ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING TO EARLY THURSDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Illinois River near Tahlequah. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning to early Thursday morning. * IMPACTS...At 11.0 feet, minor flooding occurs from near Hanging Rock downstream towards Tahlequah. Floating the river is too hazardous due to strong turbulence. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 4:30 AM CDT Tuesday the stage was 7.2 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage tomorrow morning to a crest of 11.1 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage late tomorrow evening. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
Arusha  Even in their worst nightmares, the eight Rwandans never imagined being in a worse dead-end than the one they were living in Arusha. Although they were acquitted or released years ago from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), no country wanted them. These famous stateless were no longer expecting much when suddenly they were given three days to pack their bags. Niger would take them in! But nothing went as planned...

The so-called "resettlement agreement" [lien / document] signed in secret on November 15 with the government of Niger finally relieved the United Nations of its shameful burden of acquitted or released persons for whom the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) had still not found a host country when it closed in December 2015.

There are nine of these ICTR "confined" people [see box below]. In vain these men have been waiting between ten and 17 long years for a country to agree to take them and grant them identity documents. Although supposed to be free at the end of their trial or period of detention, they were sharing a "secure" residence in Arusha (Tanzania), a few steps from the headquarters of the UN tribunal that tried them, without much hope of ever escaping that unworthy and disrespectful impasse.

And then, at the beginning of December, they were told that they were leaving... for Niger! No Rwandan born in the land of a thousand green hills dreams of spending the rest of his life in the Sahel. But either way, eight of them accepted this "offer", packed their bags, and left their residence in Arusha [our photos], which was suddenly empty.

And so, on the evening of December 5, at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha, two weeks after the agreement was signed, four acquitted Rwandans - Prosper Mugiraneza, Protais Zigiranyirazo, Francois-Xavier Nzuwonemeye and Andre Ntagerura - and four released after serving their sentences - Anatole Nsengiyumva, Tharcisse Muvunyi, Alphonse Nteziryayo and Innocent Sagahutu - boarded an Ethiopian airlines flight to Niger, which was to be their country of permanent residence, according to the terms of the agreement.

"As if they were getting rid of us"

"It's if they were getting rid of us. They took us by surprise; they came with documents to sign, and told us to prepare our luggage to leave for Niger in three days," said Innocent Sagahutu, contacted by telephone shortly after his arrival in Niamey. Without being consulted, he says, they signed a "commitment" document, in which each expressed his or her "desire and decision to be resettled in the Republic of Niger (... ) of their own free will and voluntarily, without any coercion, incitement or threat from the Mechanism or any other person or entity".The three days at their disposal, he recalls, were very stressful.

The President of the UN Mechanism, which manages the residual functions of the ICTR, cautiously waited until December 13 to announce the good news in a speech to the UN Security Council: "I wish to share with Council Members that, on 15 November 2021, a milestone agreement between the Government of the Republic of Niger and the United Nations, on the relocation of persons acquitted or released by the ICTR or the Mechanism, was signed," said Judge Carmel Agius.

"I can confirm that the agreement has already been implemented with respect to eight of them," Judge Agius continued. Rwanda blasted the agreement. But no matter, its hasty execution saw eight of the nine residents of the notorious "safe house" in Arusha, Tanzania, transferred to Niger's capital, Niamey.

Indeed, there was much to celebrate, even for those transferred. The Mechanism, in the commitment document signed by the transferees, promises to pay for housing for the first year and "a one-time lump sum" of US$ 10,000 to cover settlement costs upon arrival in Niger.

As soon as they arrived in Niamey, the former undocumented migrants from Arusha received residence permits renewable each year and began to make a life for themselves, they told Justice Info, despite the difficulties of cultural adaptation, the cost of living, and the Sahel's climatic conditions that are different from those of central and east Africa. "Compared to what we experienced in Tanzania, this was progress. With this residence permit, we were able to get SIM cards, we were able to open bank accounts," says Sagahutu.

Bicamumpaka, the recalcitrant

Only one resident of the Arusha "safe house" did not want to sign up. Jerome Bicamumpaka, acquitted more than ten years ago, had been undergoing treatment for five months in a hospital in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. He justified his refusal by the absence of specialized hospitals for his treatment in Niger.

Furious, the Mechanism's Registrar reportedly ordered him to leave the "safe house" in Arusha by December 22 - a measure that the Mechanism's president suspended, pending consideration of Bicamumpaka's urgent and confidential request against his transfer to Niger.

But then, to everyone's surprise, between Christmas and New Year's Eve, the tide turned dramatically in Niger. On December 27, Niamey notified its eight new residents by decree that they were "definitively expelled from the territory of Niger with a permanent ban on their stay for diplomatic reasons". The document signed by Interior Minister Hamadou Amadou Souley gave them seven days to leave Niger.

Abubacarr Tambadou, the Mechanism's Registrar, had been praised by Judge Agius two weeks earlier before the Security Council for having found a solution to "a situation that has seemed, at times, almost impossible to resolve and is referenced in no less than 10 Council decisions, as well as numerous reports". For him, too, the tide has turned dramatically: Tambadou is now instructed by the same judge "to maintain dialogue with the competent Niger authorities (... ) and to take all necessary measures to ensure that the expulsion order does not in any way infringe upon the fundamental rights of the resettled persons".

A wind of panic blew over the former residents of Arusha. They were once again without papers. Three days before the decree was issued, the Niger authorities withdrew their residence permits under the pretext that they were going to make corrections to the documents. This was in complete violation of the agreement with the United Nations, which stipulates that "the Republic of Niger shall grant to persons released or acquitted, without requiring payment, the status of permanent resident, and shall issue them with the relevant identity documents, within three months of their entry into the territory".

Christmas is over. The glimmer of hope for the undocumented migrants has just faded. "Everything is going from bad to worse," said one of them, who wished to remain anonymous, on the phone to Justice Info. "We don't know if it was the Mechanism that sold us out, or if it was Rwanda that put pressure on the Nigerien government. We are puzzled." "The way we were rushed from Arusha did not bode well," said another.

Niger ordered to suspend expulsion

Niger's decision came at a time when the Mechanism's officials were on vacation. But the Rwandans counterattacked. They sought local lawyers, who applied to the relevant authorities and judicial institutions for a stay of the expulsion order. Three of the acquitted, through their international lawyers including the tough American Peter Robinson, filed an application with the Mechanism on December 29, asking it to order Niger to allow their continued presence on its territory "until such time as the [Mechanism] Registrar has made arrangements for relocation to another safe State, or the Expulsion Order is reversed".

The storm subsided temporarily. On the day the seven-day ultimatum expired, the Registrar's assistant, Horejah Bala Gaye, announced by email to the Rwandan lawyers: "the Republic of Niger has agreed to suspend the expulsion order against your clients for 30 days pending a solution".

Mechanism judge Joseph E. Chiondo Masanche of Tanzania had on December 31 ordered the Niger authorities to provide "within 30 days" written observations "on the validity of the expulsion order", ordering Niger "to suspend the execution of the expulsion order and allow the resettled persons to remain on its territory, in accordance with the agreement (... ) until the present issue has been finally resolved".

The shadow of Rwanda

With what effect, no one knows. There is no evidence that Niger, by suspending the execution of the expulsion order for 30 days, has complied with the injunctions of the Mechanism judge. There has been no official document from Niger since the expulsion order, except for the bulk rejections of petitions addressed to Niger's administrative and judicial authorities on behalf of the eight Rwandans by lawyer Hamadou Kadidiatou in the case of "Protais Zigiranyirazo and seven others against the State of Niger". The Nigerien lawyer asked for the suspension of the expulsion, saying it is "in flagrant violation of the legal commitments to which [Niger] has freely subscribed", and that her clients, now without papers, risked "being deported to Rwanda". The lawyer added in her petition that there was "no doubt that the Rwandan government is behind the deportation" of her clients, but she did not provide any proof.

She is not alone in pointing the finger at Rwanda. In support of this theory, which is gaining ground among Rwandan opponents in exile, including the Rwandan National Congress in a December 30 communique, some are citing as proof the discontent expressed by the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations, Valentine Rugwabiza, on December 13, in reaction to announcement of the resettlement of her compatriots in Niger.

Complaining that her country had not been informed, she said her government was waiting for explanations from the Mechanism, including on the money promised whilst "their cases have been closed". "We hope that Niger will respect its obligations to ensure that no one uses its soil to undermine the peace and security of the Great Lakes region as has happened in the past," Rugwabiza was quoted as saying by the Rwandan government newspaper Imvaho nshya.

The Afro America Network, based in Baltimore, USA, goes further. In an article published on its website on December 28, the online paper claims that "the decision was made after a lengthy call received by President Mohamed Bazoum from French President Emmanuel Macron, on December 20, 2021".

The Afro America Network said the call was about a request by Niger's President Bazoum - who reportedly faced a coup attempt two days before being sworn in - to help strengthen his guard and protect important sites in his country. Rwanda, which according to this website is already protecting French interests in Mozambique, was approached by Macron and volunteered to do so, but made it a condition for sending a contingent that the eight Rwandans be expelled "without delay" from Niger.

Impasse in Niamey

What will happen after the 30-day suspension of the expulsion? Can the eight return to Tanzania in the worst case scenario? Nothing is less certain. Already, the lawyers of these unfortunate people are insisting that the Mechanism urgently evacuate their clients to a "safer" country. But haven't they been refused for almost two decades?

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Belgian lawyer Jean Flamme, who is defending the interests of Innocent Sagahutu, believes that "Niger's government is indeed not trustworthy because it has fundamentally violated an international agreement with the UN, only a few weeks after it came into force". For him, the risk now is the "imminent abduction" of these people, currently deprived of all freedom, undocumented, and "surrounded by armed police".

When asked, the Mechanism said it could "not comment on the situation at the moment".

THE NINE "STATELESS" OF THE ICTR

The following Rwandan personalities were tried by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), sitting in Arusha (Tanzania), and released either after their acquittal or after having served their sentence. All are awaiting a host country, and are presented here in the order of how long they have been in the Arusha "safe house", where they resided together:

Andre Ntagerura (72), former Rwandan Minister of Transport, acquitted by the lower court and then on appeal on July 7, 2006.

Protais Zigiranyirazo (84), brother-in-law of former Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana, acquitted on appeal on November 26, 2009.

Jerome Bicamumpaka (65), former Minister of Foreign Affairs, acquitted on September 30, 2011.

Anatole Nsengiyumva (72), former head of Military Intelligence, sentenced on appeal to 15 years in prison on December 14, 2011, and released after serving his time.

Tharcisse Muvunyi (69), former commander of the NCO School in Butare (southern Rwanda), sentenced to 15 years in prison on appeal on April 1, 2011, released on March 6, 2011 after serving two-thirds of his sentence.

Prosper Mugiraneza (65), former Minister of Public Service, acquitted on appeal on February 4, 2014.

Francois-Xavier Nzuwonemeye (67), former commander of the army's reconnaissance battalion, acquitted on appeal on February 11, 2014.

Innocent Sagahutu (60), former deputy commander of the reconnaissance battalion, sentenced to 15 years on appeal on February 11, 2014, released three months later after serving two-thirds of his sentence.

Alphonse Ntizeryayo (75), former prefect of Butare (southern Rwanda), sentenced on appeal to 25 years in prison on December 14, 2015, released after serving three-quarters of his sentence.
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
BugFest is an annual event that attracts over 30,000 people each year to experience and learn from over 100 exhibits, crafts, and bug-related activities. The theme of BugFest 2019 is beetles, and visitors can explore the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to learn more about these interesting creatures. Photo above of caterpillar species, Eumorpha Pandorus, was taken on September 21, 2019.
In context: When streaming, it's common for creators to use streaming lights to brighten their setup. The image may look dim without one, making these lights essential for many. However, those new to streaming may not be willing to pay for any available options. That's where Logitech comes in with the Litra Glow streaming light.

Logitech designed Litra Glow using a full-spectrum LED light. The TrueSoft technology employed in this streaming light makes the scene more cinematic and brighter, giving a natural look to any skin tone.

Litra Glow's lamp has a maximum output of 250 Lumen and uses a precision sculpted optics lens. In addition, it features a frameless diffuser designed to surround the user with a soft light to make the scene look more professional. The streaming light is plug-and-play, so users can simply connect it to their existing system, and it's ready to use.

The new streaming light is customizable via Logitech G Hub software. Users can adjust color temperatures (from 2700K to 6500K), brightness settings, create lighting profiles, and assign them to G Keys or a Logitech G keyboard or mouse.

Logitech's streaming light is glare-free and certified for safe all-day streaming, even for those spending up to 12 hours in front of their PCs. The light comes with a monitor mount with adjustable height, tilt, and rotation, providing users with enough ergonomics to position it as they see fit.

"Litra Glow with TrueSoft technology is the fastest way to bring a premium lighting experience to any desktop," said Jasmine Apolinar, product manager for Logitech For Creators. "We designed Litra Glow to solve common challenges faced by streamers and content creators, including light quality, harsh shadows, and eye fatigue from long hours of streaming."

Logitech plans to release the Litra Glow in the USA, Canada, Australia, and select countries in Europe later this month for $59.99.
(Photo : Shubham Dhage via Unsplash)

The growing popularity of NFTs or Non-fungible tokens is drawing thousands of new investors to new projects. An NFT is a one of a kind unit of data that is non-interchangeable and stored on the blockchain. You can associate NFTs to any reproducible digital item, including audio, video, and pictures.

Since NFTs have various use cases, their popularity has grown exponentially. These tokens promise the ownership of digital collectibles. Any user on a blockchain can issue an NFT, including projects.

Therefore, many creators and artists have started working on NFT projects to deliver unique digital goods and earn money. They have learned how to promote NFT to add value and gain profit by selling these tokens.

How do NFTs become so valuable?

Cryptocurrencies and associated technologies are revealing new ways of making money. People are investing millions of dollars into crypto assets to make a profit and become richer. NFTs weren't the first choice of investors in the past, but now everyone wants to invest in these tokens.

The use cases for non-fungible tokens have increased. Users are earning free tokens by playing games and using those NFTs to gain real currencies or other valuable assets. There are numerous use cases of non-fungible tokens. That's why thousands of people are buying NFTs.

What does make NFTs so lucrative digital assets?

NFTs have helped many artists and creators in selling their creations online. This token eliminates the need for an agent or broker to reach profitable markets. The artist can create tokens to sell ownership of his artwork to investors.

Non-fungible tokens are unique and it is not possible to forge them. Creators only have a handful of non-fungible tokens. Their rarity makes them more valuable and many people love to own these digital collectibles.

The value of NFTs can get much costlier with time and people are already selling their NFTs at expensive prices. These resellable tokens have become valuable digital assets. New NFT projects are emerging regularly.

You can become the owner of a rare NFT that may resell at a much higher price. That's how you can make a lot of money by investing in profitable NFT projects.

How to find profitable NFT projects?

Focus on the following things to find the best NFT projects by yourself!

- Assess utility

NFTs become valuable if they are associated with valuable things in the real world. When creators use these tokens to represent real-world items, they become more important in the digital world.

Many creators are using their NFTs to represent spells, power-ups, and other items in video games. Gamers use these tokens to acquire resources, character clothing, and various other items.

An NFT is useless if it has no usage in the real world. Demands will be low when a token is not useful. Its demands increase when it is linked to important items. Therefore, you should look for NFTs associated with popular items.

- Is it rare?

An NFT project that provides rare tokens is always perfect for investment. Renowned artists now use non-fungible tokens to represent their artworks. Paintings and other creations are unique. NFT projects sell these items through their tokens to art lovers. You can use the token to acquire such in-demand items and sell them at much higher prices.

- Community size

If the community is large, it will draw more investors and buyers to the NFT project. The size of the community can be a decisive factor in the popularity of the project. Demands for these rare tokens will increase when thousands of users are talking about them and promoting them. So, if you own an NFT from such a project, you can sell it at profitable rates!

- Growth potential

The NFT project you choose should grow faster based on its uniqueness and huge community size. Limited supply and increasing demands will make the token rare. It won't be tough to find buyers when you finally decide to sell your token. The rarity and popularity of the token will automatically make it more valuable.

It may take several minutes or hours to assess the above-listed factors. Use Upcoming NFT (a web portal that offers comprehensive information on upcoming NFT projects) to find the most profitable NFT projects. Thus, you will save time and get some great investment opportunities.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
analysis

Every month, Facebook attracts 2.89 billion active users. Every minute there are hundreds of thousands of comments and status updates. Each could be discussing anything, including extremist views, or the sale of endangered wildlife across continents.

Social media platforms have enabled wildlife traders to connect as never before. Some operate legally, within the boundaries of international laws. Others are less scrupulous. Illegal traders use private chats and groups to bypass middlemen and exchange information on how to evade law enforcement. They use the ecosystem of public and private channels on social media platforms to sell wildlife as pets or luxury artefacts. Public posts enable traders to connect with a potentially vast global customer base, but arrangements for payments and shipping, and conversations about what else may be available, can be quickly directed to private messaging services.

Some platforms have introduced strong community standards prohibiting attempts to buy or sell endangered wildlife and private sales of live animals. But it takes only seconds to find, for example, endangered parrots for sale. Dig a little deeper and you can find posts featuring wholesale quantities of parrots captured from the wild for export, in what would be clear violations of international laws.

Tackling this is critical: the wildlife trade poses a major threat to global biodiversity. It can also contribute to the spread of infectious zoonotic (passed from animal to human) diseases.

In a recent study published in the journal Conservation Biology, we examined the online behaviour of wildlife traders based in West Africa. We wanted to explore how researchers and moderators can use information scattered across different parts of social media platforms to detect posts selling wild birds.

Some of the trade we studied is permitted under international agreements. But its scale and scope, which is discussed in a forthcoming parallel study, has conservationists concerned. Trade in wild parrots from West Africa has also been linked to the global spread of infectious diseases. Some of the exporting countries in this study, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal among them, are working to contain highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza.

Analysing the data

Working with ornithologists, conservationists and legal analysts, we were able to identify over 80 different species in trade, some of which are highly threatened and prohibited from commercial trade under international law. Species ranged from parrots and hornbills to songbirds and doves.

We detected 400 social media posts made by known bird traders featuring or promoting birds in trade.

The majority (80%) did not contain explicit text that could be used to determine that the posts were intended to facilitate the sale of wildlife, violating platform community standards.

The application of simple algorithms searching for words such as "for sale", or the names of target species, would help detect some of this activity. But admins in some closed Facebook groups have advised their members to avoid using certain key words. This means a significant amount of trade would pass under the radar of key word algorithms.

However, our research found that the triangulation of information available elsewhere both within and beyond social media platforms could be used to make powerful inferences about how posts facilitate trade, violate platform standards and signpost illicit activity. Such information may be found in elements such as images, profile descriptions or comments. This is why it's important that experts be involved in monitoring social media for potentially illegal trade: they have the knowledge to identify the species involved and contextualise the activity within international and domestic regulations.

Different wildlife "products" are bought and sold in different locations online and in different ways. There is no "one size fits all" solution for detecting wildlife traded online, let alone all illicit and harmful goods.

Our study, however, establishes a framework for thinking about how different sectors of illicit or harmful activity can be understood and monitored and moderated more effectively. Careful analyses, led by experts in specific fields, can help in the design of algorithms and approaches to moderation tailored to the situation.

Regulatory approaches

Our study happened against the backdrop of major global discussions about how best to regulate social media platforms. New regulatory legislation is being planned or coming into play in major economies including China, the US, the EU, Australia and the UK, aimed at cajoling and coercing big tech to do more to protect users from harmful content.

Regulators are mindful of the need to balance the harms and benefits of the brave new world ushered in by social media. Designing moderation practices that make a meaningful impact on the vast amount of wildlife traded on the internet is no trivial undertaking. But it is clear that greater action is needed.

We propose that the solutions lie with tech firms working closely with subject matter experts to design moderation practices tailored to the trade in different species across regions. Regulators, tasked with determining if tech firms are fulfilling their duty of care (as proposed in the UK's draft Online Safety Bill), should similarly engage with subject matter experts to ensure that tech firms' approaches are fit for purpose.

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Carefully designed algorithms that can intelligently triangulate across multiple data sources will be part of the solution. Manual analysis will also be critical. In our study, knowing which species were in trade and the relevant local legislation was critical for understanding legality. But such tasks lie beyond the abilities of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Collaborations and partnerships between tech firms and subject matter experts remain in their infancy. But cleverly designed legislation, savvy regulators and investment from tech firms are needed to drive solutions forward at pace.

Alisa Davies, a wildlife trade specialist at the World Parrot Trust, contributed to this article and was a co-author of the research it is based on.

Rowan O. Martin, Research Associate, Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town; Amy Hinsley, Senior Research Fellow, University of Oxford, and Ana Nuno, Research Fellow, Nova School of Business and Economics
With the absence of a methodical business travel management, business flights can often lead your employees in dire straits. While it may be enjoyable for some, others will feel dreadful because of the challenges brought by costs, compliances, and such.

To cover these challenges and give your employees safe travel along the way, BizAway will be your ace in the hole.

Types of Business Travels

Business travel can serve a variety of purposes for your company. But when it comes to building a business partnership, seeing a face behind a name can go a long way.

Seminars and Conferences

You should consider going to a gathering or meeting related to your business or industry on the off chance that you may establish or develop connections for your business to expand worldwide.

Corporate Events

Meetings organized by corporations are frequently occasions for networking and showcasing, as well as the chance to engage in instructional preparation while meeting companions in person.

Trade Shows

Attending an exhibition or trade fair in another region or even in another country is a great way to uncover your competitors' offerings in comparison. You can also hold your trade fairs to showcase your products and services.

Corporate Pleasure Trip

In addition to offering great rewards, a corporate-sponsored trip to an enticing destination inspires loyalty to the company. Often called the 'incentive travel,' this type of business travel will further motivate employees.

Kinds of Business Travelers

Increasing numbers of business travelers use technology to make travel easier and more convenient while staying better connected with those back home as well.

Passionate Business Travelers

Passionate employees do more than keep track of the business travel news. They also oversee everything that goes inside their business travel backpack, given that the contents are business-related.

They are usually enthusiastic during business flight designations and will spend their trip working and attending events.

Highly-Experienced Business Travelers

The average business traveler today is a veteran or the most experienced one. They travel about 12 times per year and spend an average of four nights away from home.

Most highly-experienced travelers are usually willing to experiment with different corporate travel management.

Newbie Business Travelers

This category represents the novices who feel anxious and weary during their business flights. But when they reach their destination, they often combine business and pleasure through sightseeing and exploring new restaurants and shops away from the office.

Booking business flights can be a head-scratcher. There are various things to consider like time, cost and efficiency. Here is a service that can help resolve these concerns:

BizAway Business Travel Review

To eliminate the problems mentioned above, BizAway will lend a hand to your company with its unmatched expertise in corporate travel management.

About BizAway

The BizAway business travel management agency prevents unnecessary communication between teams and saves time by enabling everyone to use the service independently.

With this business travel solution, you can seamlessly manage all your business travel phases in just one click. As a result, you can save 25% on business expenses for your travel program compared to booking at market rates.

Features

BizAway provides the best consultancy for your travels thanks to a team of agents specializing in business travel. With BizAway, there are infinite possibilities for implementing new functionalities and partnerships. The following features are available to you:

Transports: Ferries or scooters, parking or transfers and provides any type of transport.

Custom rates: Every traveler is unique. BizAway guarantees the benefits of fidelity cards and discounted fares.

Groups: Conferences, meetings, or group travel. BizAway takes care of every stage of event planning and management.

Custom requests: Takes care of the most complex business trips and stays of more than 14 days, visas, insurance.

Controlled management system: Admin departments have complete control of costs and invoicing. Plus, it lets you set up travel policies and approval flow according to your preferences.

Versatile customers: These three types of customers reap the benefits of BizAway, mainly: business travelers, travel managers, and administration.

For business/regular travelers, book your trip autonomously by searching for the services you need from BizAway. You can also enjoy personal bookings for your next holiday. Should you encounter any problem, 24/7 customer support is on the rescue, plus a mobile app where you can monitor your details on the go. BizAway will also provide loyalty or frequent flyer cards through your regular bookings.

For travel managers, BizAway is also a handy service. They efficiently manage a company's travel policy and permissions and know where business travelers are at any time. Besides giving the travel manager complete control, BizAway also offers travel agendas, approval workflows, and travel risk management.

For profile admins, Bizaway will simplify your travel expense reimbursement process by integrating billing profiles, sending invoices with customizable frequency, and providing detailed expense reports. There's also a wide variety of payment modes you can access and a 24/7 assistance for your problems.

Pros

Travelers will be able to book the most convenient solution autonomously through BizAway, saving your company a great deal of time

You can save an average of 25% on business expenses

BizAway is easily adapted to any organization

Simplifies and optimizes your business travel experience

Cons

Travel policy section cannot be exported for periodical checking

Managing business travels simply and transparently has never been easier than with BizAway. With an easy-to-use interface and 100% adaptability to every different need, your company can manage all your business trips while controlling costs, incorporating travel policies, and automating the approval process.

BizAway lets you save your time and money, on average, 20% cheaper than the competitors, as well as offer multilingual support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

BizAway's top competitors are regional champions, like Viajes El Corte Ingles in Spain, UVET in Italy, etc., and global TMCs, like AMEX GBT, BCD Travel, etc. These competitors can offer your company obsolete travel management technologies provided by third-party providers.

On the other hand, BizAway is a digital-native TMC with proprietary technology, developed and maintained by a team of +20 developers in constant growth. It allows them to disintermediate the value chain and offer your company both the technology and the travel agency support you need.

Why BizAway?

BizAway allows you to set your company's travel policy directly from the platform to ensure that it is applied in a fully automated manner. The restrictions you choose will act as an alert to the user during the booking process. And if desired, they can prevent finalization if these requirements are not observed.

BizAway allows your administration to choose the frequency with which you receive invoices for services purchased for your business flights. Thanks to an automatic generation process, you can choose among Invoicing per booking, weekly invoicing, bi-weekly invoicing, and monthly invoicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I reach the BizAway team if I have questions or emergencies?

You can reach the BizAway Customer Service Team by phone or chat with them 24/7.

2. My flight is delayed, and I need to take a connecting flight. What can I do to reach my destination?

For every unforeseen event or incident when you have already reached the airport, the airport and airline staff will be your first source for information. Follow their instructions to stay up-to-date. Should you require any further help, you can contact support@bizaway.com, and they will try their best to solve any problem. With the "BizAway guarantee" which they offer for some business flights, they assure that you will be reaching your final destination.

3. Do I have to pay any fee for a booking on BizAway?

The service of BizAway is not free. Clients will have to pay a license depending on the effective amount they spent on bookings and the additional services they wish to receive. For more details about the monthly fee, check the agreements in the contract between BizAway and your company.

Other fees charged by BizAway can arise when bookings are paid via credit card. This payment method implies transaction costs for BizAway that are transferred in the same amount to the client. To avoid those fees, they recommend using the deferred payment method (paying via bank transfer at the end of each month).

4. Do the prices on BizAway include taxes?

The prices on BizAway include taxes, like VAT. Only local taxes (e.g., city tax or tourist tax) are not included and must always be paid directly at the hotel. They can change according to destination and venue. For further information, go to the hotel info page on BizAway or contact the hotel directly.

5. How can I change my plan?

Contact your reference account manager if you wish to change your plan. They will provide you with comprehensive advice and guide you through BizAway's range of services to find the right option to fit your business.

6. I want to be able to set my company's travel policy. What is the right plan for me?

If you are looking into adding travel policies to your company account, BizAway's 'advanced plan' is suggested. Your employees will be able to book for themselves, and you will have them staying within your policy with no hassle.

7. What difference is there between the Advanced and Tailored plans?

With the Tailored plan, you get everything you can find in the Advanced, plus some extra perks such as license fees and commissions tailored to your needs, dedicated customer care, negotiated rates, and unlimited bookings throughout each month. Also, you will be able to access the platform via Google Sign In/ Microsoft Sign In directly through your corporate account.

8. Is the price for my stay comprehensive of any applicable fee?

BizAway prices always include the total amount for the stay according to the selected room type and treatment (only bed, bed&breakfast, half board, all-inclusive) plus any applicable fee except for city taxes, which will have to be paid directly at the time of check-out.

BizAway is the best and fastest solution to manage your business travel, designed to make your navigation quick and easy in just a few steps to search and select the services you need and finalize your travel bookings autonomously.

With BizAway, you can also book your next business flights without worries and benefit from the same advantages as with your previous business trips. You will have access to a wide portfolio of solutions and exclusive rates that will allow you to achieve high savings.

It's never too late to seek the most affordable and efficient business travel management for your company! Find out more and request a demo at BizAway.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
It is the iOS 15.2 bug that turns off the iCloud Private Relay, and the issue remains with Apple, says T-Mobile, as the carrier receives blame from many users regarding the matter. The cellular network provider regarded that the problem was not with them, and they already talked with Apple regarding the issue, with the fix to come from Cupertino.

iOS 15.2 Bug is the Reason for iCloud Private Relay Issues, Not T-Mobile

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman via Twitter, T-Mobile cleared their name regarding the iCloud Private Relay compatibility issues with the network and their service. T-Mobile got the blame for allegedly turning off Apple's privacy feature, which put the notion of not having compatible services to the iCloud.

The statement by T-Mobile said that Apple's bug for the iOS 15.2 is the one to blame and not the carrier, effectively putting the spotlight on the tech company. According to 9 to 5 Mac, the issue persists whenever turning on the mobile data on the smartphones, and this was the reason why people initially thought it had something to do with T-Mobile.

Read Also: Apple Discontinues Beats Pill Plus, No Longer Available on Both Apple and Beats' Websites

Apple Already Fixing iCloud Private Relay Issue for Users?

For now, Apple did not yet respond to the matter at hand, so it is unknown if the Cupertino company is already fixing the iCloud Private Relay issue that its users face. Maybe the fix would come on the company's next update, fixing known bugs and addressing the solutions for it, focusing on the iPhone's chances in the OS.

Apple's iCloud Private Relay and T-Mobile Issues

People initially blamed T-Mobile for the issues in their iCloud Private Relay that turned it off for no reason, only to activate it again and repeat the nuisance to their use of the service. The users initially thought that the iOS or iCloud feature was not compatible with T-Mobile, and it would have been the reason for some to change carriers.

The iCloud Private Relay users should know that the service from the company is still under a beta testing phase in the current iOS 15 and macOS 12 Monterey, and it would typically face troubles. It is important to note that Apple is still developing the service, and it is still adjusting to its release on the tech landscape, hence its difficulties.

Apple did not respond yet to what T-Mobile said in their statement that put the blame all over the Cupertino giant for its faulty technology.

However, if Apple were to hash this out, it can soon work with T-Mobile network users and other carriers for the ease of use and anonymity of a person's use of the internet, courtesy of iCloud.

Related Article: Apple Says Third-Party Payment Options are Now Available in South Korea

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A COVID-19 specific Nasal Spray from Finland brings experimental protection from inhaling the virus, preventing it from entering the body entirely to avoid its infection. The question now focuses on its ability to block out any variant of the virus. The spray would mainly focus on the Omicron strain that is now known as the most notorious there is in its existence.

COVID-19 Nasal Spray: Experimental Protection Against the Virus

Researchers from the University of Helsinki, Finland, made an important discovery and contribution now, as it created experimental protection against the virus in the form of a nasal spray. Yes, that is right, as according to Gizmodo, the experimental nasal sprays can protect a person for eight hours after its first administration.

The test centered on a petri dish and putting the cells and the virus in a single container to test its effectiveness. Here, it showed good defense against the virus and helped keep it away.

Moreover, the researchers also used it on mice and showed promising results. One of its challenges now is to have it tested on humans, to which it would present a live COVID bacteria, to those given the experimental nasal spray.

Read Also: New COVID-19 Deltacron Combines Omicron, Delta Strains! Variant Mostly Detected in Hospitalized Patients

Nasal Spray: Effective Against Omicron Variant?

The answer to the question "is the nasal spray effective against the Omicron variant?" remains unknown as it has not achieved human trials yet. However, researchers assure the public that this nasal spray would help protect against all kinds of viruses and all variants of the COVID-19 virus that mutated dramatically.

COVID Nasal Sprays in the Past

There were several takes on COVID-19 Nasal Sprays in the past years, and some of these innovations pre-date those of the vaccines against the virus. One particular spray was with "AeroNabs" It uses antibodies from a camel to block out the virus from entering the body. Imagine an invisible protective mask that blocks the virus even before infecting another cell.

However, another take on the nasal spray also manifested in 2020, bringing a new focus for Columbia and Cornell University researchers to protect against the virus. The group's method is the "Lipoprotein," which aims to kill the virus before it enters the body and infects any other cells.

It is important to note that COVID-19 uses spike protein to infect other cells and rapidly spread to the body. That being said, preventing them from entering and infecting healthy cells may effectively deter people from the said infections.

The nasal sprays would prove to be adequate safety measures to avoid coronavirus infection. Moreover, the sprays would act better than face masks to guarantee protection against the virus.

The sprays would work best with a person already completing their vaccine doses, including boosters, to further help the body protect against the virus.

Related Article: Redesigned Pfizer Vaccine for COVID-19 Omicron Variant to Arrive by March - Pfizer CEO

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : unsplash/Christian Wiediger) Ransomware security

Last week, a ransomware attack left jail in Albuquerque, New Mexico, without access to its automatic door mechanisms and camera feeds.

The detention center inmates have been confined to their cells because of this, while the technicians find ways to bring the system back online.

New Mexico Jail's Ransomware Attack

According to Albuquerque Journal, the visitor access to the Metropolitan Detention Center or MDC was suspended as it was forced to go on lockdown.

All of the internet services at the detention center were also offline, so the staff was not able to check the inmate records.

Since Jan. 5, all detention center inmates have been on lockdown and confined due to the lack of camera coverage.

Also Read: Kaseya Obtains Universal Decryptor After REvil's Ransomware Attack

Also, the county filed an emergency notice that stated that the incident tracking database that has all of the reports of the use of force, fighting, and sexual assault was not available for viewing and is said to have been corrupted by the hack.

Taylor Rhan, an attorney for the county, wrote in a court notice regarding the lockdown that on Jan.5, the automatic door mechanism at the Metropolitan Detention Center was unstable. This means that the staff had to manually use keys to open the facility doors.

Rahn added that one of the attack's impacts was that the detention center was not able to access the facility cameras. As of the evening of Jan. 5, there was no access to all of the cameras within the center, according to The Verge.

No Access to Databases

The MDC was just one point of impact in a more significant attack that affected Bernalillo County, which is known as the most populous county in New Mexico, on Jan. 5.

The county employees could not access any of the local government databases, and all of the public offices were closed. On Jan. 10, a press release noted that county office headquarters were still only partially in operation, according to The West News.

The sudden lockdown had put the detention center in violation of the terms of a settlement in a lawsuit over conditions of confinement, forcing the county to file an emergency notice in federal court.

A settlement agreement from a lawsuit that was filed in 1995 had required all detention centers in the county to follow protocols because of several complaints about questionable conditions, including giving inmates access to communication devices.

However, the ransomware attack on the detention center could force it to violate the agreement.

The emergency filing said that limited out-of-cell time has an effect on the inmates' ability to access telephones.

The filing added that the county might not be able to get data that is needed by the agreement due to the impact of the ransomware attack.

Ransomware is one of the top threats facing businesses and government instructions across the United States.

Just last year, the company NEW Cooperative became a victim of a ransomware attack, and it triggered a food shortage as a result.

Last week, the Nordic Choice Hotels switched to a Chrome OS after a ransomware attack affected the hotel chain's system.

In 2021, the Department of Justice or DOJ created a task force focused on ransomware and digital extortion. They share information between the DOJ and other agencies, looking for ways to fix the problem.

Related Article: Ransomware Attack Hits Kronos HR, Payroll Platform-High-Profile Customers Data Breached?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A firefighter from Japan received punishment from the authorities after he was caught earning additional income as a YouTuber. The sergeant was slapped with a disciplinary pay cut as part of the sanction.

Japanese Firefighter Caught Moonlighting as YouTuber

According to a report from Mainichi, the involved person works in the City of Wakayama, particularly at Kita Fire Station. The 33-year-old firefighter was reportedly reaping nearly $9,966 or 1.15 million yen covering December 2020 to October 2021.

As a result, he was sanctioned with a 10% pay cut by the Wakayama Municipal Government on Tuesday, Jan. 11. He has reportedly violated the Local Public Service Act, which tackles that local government workers should not moonlight or find another job.

In another report from Strait Times, an anonymous source talked about the firefighter's side hustle. At the time of writing, his Youtube channel has nearly 15,000 subscribers.

Related Article: SpaceX Starships Featured on Katy Perry, Alesso Music Video | Boston Dynamics Robot Seen?

How Officials Caught the Firefighter

Per the city's fire department, the firefighter does not appear on the screen based on his videos. Mostly, his content is all about playing online games. A local official has to go through the mess to confirm the identity of the involved.

Since the content creator is camera shy on the uploaded clips, the official has to go through them to find some clues. It was later found out that the voice of the YouTuber matches the voice of one of the firefighters.

Despite being cornered, he denied the allegations thrown against him. The investigation started in October 2021.

The sergeant posted 314 videos on his channel before he was punished. Overall, they have nearly 2.27 million views. The authorities said that the firefighter was earning profits based on the view counts. According to the man, he already transferred his YouTuber earnings to his family's bank account.

"My recognition of what would be considered a second job was naive," he said.

On Wednesday, Jan. 12, Hidetaka Amano, the city official, spoke to Agence France-Presse about the case with the man. He said that it's not a bad thing to be a YouTuber. However, he was earning profits from some ads that could be "inappropriate" for the viewers.

In a different story from Tech Times, some policemen from the Los Angeles Police Department were fired from their post after they were caught playing "Pokemon Go" during the heist.

According to the report, the two LAPD police officers were previously discharged in 2017 for neglecting commands during the robbery incident. Instead of chasing the suspect, they were just playing the AR-based game.

The California Court of Appeal imposed that the involved cops were found guilty on "multiple accounts of misconduct" for playing Niantic's mobile game during their duty.

Speaking of YouTuber, a content creator managed to create a 3D-printed and one-handed DualSense adapter. With this, there's no need to pause your game if you want to pee or eat a snack.

Read Also: Man Buys PS5 and Deceives His Wife Saying It Was a 5G Router

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The world's biggest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, is on its way to hitting $75,000 in 2022, according to a prediction from Seba CEO Guido Buehler.

The Swiss bank boss said that he is confident about Bitcoin's position for this year.

Bitcoin Price Projected to Double in 2022

In an interview with CNBC's Arjun Kharpal on Wednesday, Jan. 12, Buehler said that the price of Bitcoin will go up. He added that their internal valuation models suggest that the popular crypto could likely sit from $50,000 to $75,000 in pricing.

In November, Bitcoin reached a peak of $69,000, the highest record at that time. This was the all-time price that the cryptocurrency achieved over the past months.

However, it suddenly plunged to under $40,000 on Monday, Jan. 10. It was the all-time low value for Bitcoin since September 2021.

Regarding the cryptocurrency's record levels over the past year, Seba's CEO believed they would continue, and BTC would attain its high volatility status for some time.

Related Article: Top 10 Crypto Projects Under $300 Million Market Cap | Potential for Growth?

Bitcoin's Risky Nature

The inconsistency in the value of Bitcoin has put the investors to notice that investing in this crypto is no joke. Due to its risky position in the market, experts still remind them to be careful in their asset investments and watch out for sudden rise and fall.

According to Coin Metrics, Bitcoin's value decreased to 6% earlier this week. It hit a price of $39,771.91 before touching $42,921.55 on Wednesday at around 5 AM ET.

The downward trend for investments cannot only be seen in cryptocurrencies but stocks as well. On several occasions, investors have been keen on the erratic prices for Bitcoin and other digital coins.

For Genesis head of market insights, Noelle Acheson, the said cryptocurrency has been showing risky behavior in the last few months.

"When the market gets jittery, bitcoin tumbles. We've seen various indications that market sentiment is somewhat spooked by the spike in the 10-year - that's not good for any asset that has high volatility in cash flows," she said.

Seba CEO on Boosting Bitcoin Price

According to Buehler, "institutional" investors have a huge role in improving the current state of Bitcoin. He said that they could improve the crypto's price for this year.

The Seba bank boss said their institution works as a "fully regulated bank." He added that they have asset pools waiting for the right investment period.

In the same report, Ledger CEO Pascal Gauthier said that the "retail trend" is currently taking place in Bitcoin. He stated that the people who trust cryptocurrency would contribute to the price increase.

In another report from Yahoo Finance, Bitbank analyst Yuya Hasegawa agreed that it was "not a time for optimism" for Bitcoin despite the gains.

Meanwhile, Tech Times reported that former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted about Muun Wallet. Many believed it could be related to Bitcoin transactions.

The same tech site wrote that Pantera Capital's Joey Krug stood bullish for Ether. He thought that this cryptocurrency would rival competitors with trade-offs.

Read Also: Crypto Investors Sue Kim Kardashian, Floyd Mayweather-Here's Why

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Pexels/Pixabay) QR codes

Authorities warned that QR codes are used in the latest phishing scam involving parking meters in several cities in the United States. According to authorities, those who scan the QR code will be directed to a fake website created by the scammer with the virus gathering the victims' personal information saved on their mobile phones.

QR Codes Used by Scammers

The warnings have been issued by police departments in San Antonio and Austin, Texas, over the holiday season. The story was first released by Charles Arthur on his blog The Overspill.

Police aid that they discovered several stickers with illicit codes appearing on the parking meters in the cities. A report by Click2Houston shows how one of the fraudulent QR codes directed victims to a site promising fast pay parking.

The police are now advising people who enter their credit card details into one of these fake sites to file a police report and contact their bank to reverse their payments.

Also Read: 1,500 Drones Create QR Codes in China For Players Who Want to Download 'Princess Connect Re: Dive'

Even though it is labeled as outdated technology, QR codes have become visible in the U.S. over the past few years. The two-dimensional barcodes are able to store bits of data, but they are commonly used to direct users to URLs.

They have been a part of digital payments in Asia for years, but now they have been used in the country during the peak of the pandemic. It is used to link users to sites wherein they can check in to locations, check out restaurant menus, and report their vaccination status.

QR codes are convenient to use, but they lack security. Even though the code itself can't be comprised, it can be used to direct users to dangerous sites, just like the parking meter scam.

Humans can't read a QR code, and the URLs created by the mobile device is ambiguous. That makes them easy targets for malicious redirects.

The advice for avoiding the scams is the same for any fraud cases, and users need to review the URL of the website they have been directed to and check for misspellings or non-professional design.

As for the parking fees, users need to check for official apps which are used in the United States to make such payments, according to The Verge.

Houston's Warning Regarding QR Codes

One of the first cities to issue a warning to the residents in Houston. The city was one of the first cities to learn about the scam that is affecting people who are using on-street parking stations.

In the past three weeks, Houston officials said that parking enforcement officers in the city discovered QR codes. Just like in San Antonio and Austin, the QR codes are attached to the parking pay stations.

ParkHouston told KPRC 2 that they are seeing it places near them. There were five different locations where the workers found QR codes. Most of the codes were found east of downtown, and one was found downtown.

The public is warned not to use the parking meters located at 900 McKinney, which is on the north side of the block.

One is found at 1000 McKinney, which is located on the north side of the block. One is at 1300 Polk, which is located at the south side of the block, and at 600 Polk, which is located at the north side of the street.

Scammers have used QR codes since it was brought back in 2020. In August 2021, experts warned the public about the lack of security of QR codes as scammers found a loophole.

In December 2021, the FBI warned the public of scams involving QR codes.

Related Article: Facebook Pay QR Codes Added for Contactless Payment Methods

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
analysis

Since the dying days of apartheid in the mid-1990s, and at several pivotal moments since, South Africans have yearned for some measure of accountability for the ravages of apartheid. After all, the end of a system declared a crime against humanity by the United Nations had to yield an inevitable reckoning and accountability, especially for its victims.

The first opportunity for accountability for apartheid crimes in democratic South Africa came with the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), released in 1998 and 2003. The universal expectation was that those denied amnesty at the commission for apartheid-era atrocities, or those who refused to appear before it, would be held accountable by the criminal justice system.

A slew of prosecutions would have been in order. Regrettably such accountability did not materialise.

Another opportunity was the Marikana Report of Judge Ian Farlam after the deaths of 44 people - including 34 miners at the hands of the police - at Lonmin's Marikana mine in 2012. The failure of the report to recommend the prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of the miners led to widespread disappointment.

Even Justice Dikgang Moseneke's compelling Life Esidimeni report in 2018, which highlighted the deaths of 144 mentally ill patients due to wilful neglect and cruelty by government officials, failed to generate prosecutions. These would have signalled that people should be held accountable for the needless deaths of the patients.

South Africans now face another moment of accountability. This follows the release of part 1 the of the report of the Judicial Commission into State Capture led by deputy chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

Media reports suggest overwhelming agreement that the well-detailed and comprehensive report must be followed up to hold accountable those linked in the report to rampant corruption during the reign of former President Jacob Zuma.

Indeed, President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the first part of the Zondo Commission's report as a "defining moment" in the country's effort to restore government's integrity, credibility and capability.

But will it happen? Can South Africans really expect a different outcome this time?

One problem is that the country's National Prosecuting Authority is severely constrained in its ability to pursue prosecutions against those implicated in corruption. Nevertheless it's imperative for prosecutions to commence immediately for a few reasons.

First, there is ample material provided in the Zondo report which is of great evidential value to prosecutors. Second, the evidence is fresh and easy to corroborate. Third, over time memories fade and witnesses disappear, but witnesses who appeared before the commission may now continue to cooperate. And those who do not can be summoned to appear in court.

Fourth, unlike the last few years, the government, at least rhetorically, seems committed to holding individuals implicated in the report accountable.

Finally, it is a matter of good governance which may restore the faith of South Africans in the authority and capability of the National Prosecution Authority, as well as the integrity of government.

Solid ground work has been done

Prosecutions based on what's been set out in detail in the Zondo report should be inevitable. In fact, the report with its designated list of prospective defendants, as well as its mountain of evidence, provides the prosecutors with a blueprint for pursuing successful prosecutions.

Specifically, the commission has assisted the National Prosecuting Authority in several ways.

First, even without an executive summary, the Commission has provided the prosecutors with enough of a narrative to launch successful prosecutions. The story to be told is about how misinformation and chicanery at the highest levels were orchestrated. This, to bleed state owned enterprises for the benefit of those who disregarded the health and welfare of all South Africans.

Second, by listing the names of those who ought to be prosecuted, the Zondo Commission has diminished some of the burden on the National Prosecuting Authority to sift through the evidence to pursue likely defendants.

It may be worth taking guidance from the strategy being pursued by the US Justice Department to pursue wrongdoers in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. US Attorney-General Merrick Garland recently described how prosecutors started with the easiest cases. These included ones in which the evidence was compelling, and where cooperation from defendants might implicate others.

This traditional and well-worn prosecutorial strategy is about pursuing the low hanging fruit to pursue higher ups in the food chain.

Third, the Zondo Commission has provided evidence gathered over the course of three years. This includes interviewing more than 300 witnesses, and collecting a trove of documents that will provide important sources of evidence. This has laid much of the groundwork for investigators and prosecutors.

Fourth, the range of talent used by the Zondo Commission to gather the evidence can now be recruited by the National Prosecuting Authority to pursue indictments. In short, many who were employed by the Commission could be available to work with the National Prosecuting Authority. This includes lawyers and investigators.

Fifth, public interest in the commission proceedings has been quite high. The prosecutors could possibly enlist ordinary citizens (workers at the parastatals, for example) who may have some knowledge not yet uncovered by the Zondo Commission. Or who may have further information.

This tactic seems to have been particularly successful for American prosecutors in pursuing the January 6 insurrectionists.

Of course, it would require that whistle-blower protection be comprehensively strengthened.

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Why prosecutions must succeed

Pursuing prosecutions with purpose and gusto at this "defining moment" might serve a few notable purposes.

It will signal government's commitment to eliminating the scourge of corruption that has plagued the country. This is particularly important for Ramaphosa, who has appeared hapless for too long with respect to corruption within the ranks of the governing African National Congress (ANC).

It would also restore the faith of South Africans in the ongoing project of democracy. It may also restore trust in government, which was so severely eroded during the Zuma Presidency which run from May 2009 to February 2018.

Pursuing prosecutions will also send a message that the money, time and energy invested in the Commission was for the public good.

Finally, holding individuals accountable will hopefully reduce the rampant cynicism about democracy and governance in South Africa. Both are debilitating for any democracy.

These proposals are not meant to suggest that the National Prosecuting Authority will not experience significant obstacles to pursuing successful prosecutions. These include insufficient resources, personnel and possibly lack of political will.

But, getting the ball rolling immediately may indicate a decisive commitment and effort to holding individuals accountable.

South Africans have been waiting far too long for that to happen.

Penelope Andrews, Professor of Law, New York Law School
Veterinarian Allison Branson, with her dogs Tater and JuneBug, is closing her practice Telluride Veterinary Clinic and transitioning to providing mobile services. (Courtesy photo)
Coffee Cowboy owners Scott Keating, left, and Hailey Arnold stand in front of the Coffee Cowboy's current location on 133 East Colorado Ave. The popular coffee shop will soon move up the street, and inside, to the new Rustler Supply store. (Photo by Eva Thomas/Telluride Daily Planet)
Mason Osgood was recently named the new executive director Sheep Mountain Alliance, after two years as the organizations community outreach coordinator. (Courtesy photo)
Madisonville, KY (42431)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 78F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 52F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Ada, OK (74820)

Today

Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 67F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 56F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Coronavirus hospitalizations in Acadiana are now expected to peak in a few weeks at a level greater than during the delta wave, when the number of critically ill patients pushed hospitals to the verge of crisis.

Initially, predictive models projected the omicron variant would lead to about half the number of hospitalizations seen at the peak of the delta surge in August, according to Dr. Henry Kaufman, chief medical officer of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. Now, however, there is enough data on the omicron variant to predict more accurately how current infection levels will impact hospitals in the coming weeks.

"It looks like it's going to be twice the hospitalization needs that we saw this past August," Kaufman said. "Now it's going to come on quick and it's going to go away quick, but the strain on the hospital over the next four to six weeks is going to be significant."

Kaufman shared the concerning new insights during a Monday radio show on KPEL.

The Acadiana region is expected to reach the peak level of new COVID-19 infections this week, Kaufman said. The effects are expected to push local hospitals past capacity later this month.

Kaufman said Lourdes administrators are currently discussing deferring elective surgeries and other procedures over the next six weeks to brace for the expected surge of new coronavirus patients.

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As of Monday, there were 207 coronavirus patients hospitalized across the Acadiana region, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. That's an increase of 66% from one week earlier, when there were 125 people hospitalized with the virus. It's more than seven times as many patients as one month ago, when just 27 people were hospitalized with the virus.

Coronavirus hospitalizations in Acadiana reached an all-time high of 409 patients on Aug. 17 and again on Aug. 19 during the delta wave. At that point, the region's largest hospital, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, relied on federal assistance as COVID-19 patients overwhelmed resources. Lourdes, the second-largest hospital in the region, was on the verge of rationing care.

"We hit a large number of patients back in August  close to 60 to 70% of the hospital was full of COVID  and we were just shy of being in what we call crisis standards of care, basically where we were going to have to start rationing care and delivering it to those who most need it and not giving some care to other individuals just based on limitations to resources. If these predictive models are accurate, we could be in a similar position in regards to hospital needs within about two weeks," Kaufman said.

"I'm hoping we don't go there. To be perfectly honest, I'm still trying to wrap my head around that because it looked like this omicron variant was going to be a lot less virulent. And even though we were going to have a lot more people infected, it wasn't going to put as many people in the hospital. But now that we have so many infections in our community right now, it looks like there's going to be a significant number of people coming into the hospital and seeking care. And so we're pulling out all the stops in regards to preparing and making sure we have the resources available for the members of our community."

Kaufman is expected to share more information in a Thursday news conference alongside Dr. Amanda Logue, regional medical officer of Ochsner Lafayette General, and Dr. Tina Stefanski, the region's top public health official.
The East Baton Rouge Metro Councils 11 current members will temporarily fill the vacant District 5 seat during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon.

At least four people have applied for the interim appointment, which will last until the voters of District 5 elect someone on March 26 to serve out the remainder of former Councilwoman Erika Greens term.

Whoever is appointed to the seat could have an advantage over other candidates in the March election. Members appointed to the council have often won the seat in the following election.

High school teacher Edna Buchanan, event planner Markeda Ann Cottonham, school board member Dadrius Lanus and business owner Darryl Hurst have all applied for consideration..

Lanus has served on the East Baton Rouge School Board since 2018 and would be legally required to resign from the board if he is appointed. He is also the executive director of local advocacy group 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge.

Lanus and Hurst have both said they will run for the seat in March. The winner of that election will serve in the seat until Greens term expires in 2024.

Cottonham previously ran for Metro Councils District 10 seat in 2020, failing to make the runoff election against Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman. Hurst ran for District 5 that same election season and was defeated by Green during the general election.

The council can also nominate a candidate from the floor of the meeting.

Two Democrats on the council, Cleve Dunn Jr. and Chauna Banks, said they would support local advocate Gary Chambers, who has not applied for the position but has publicly voiced interest in it.

Chambers said if he were to be appointed for the seat, he would not run in the March election because the appointed candidate has an unfair advantage. Chambers on Wednesday also announced his candidacy for Louisianas 2022 U.S. Senate race.

If the council will have me, I'll serve with the council, Chambers said. Ive had a ton of people around the community reach out to me about it, and I've had conversations with almost all of the council members.

The appointed council member must live in District 5.

Other than Banks and Dunn, most members of the council were tight-lipped when asked who they intended to support during Wednesdays special meeting.

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At least six members must come to a consensus on one candidate for them to receive the appointment, according to the city-parish Plan of Government.

I dont think its going to be contentious at all, Dunn said. I think well make a decision and decide on someone.

Rowdy Gaudet, the Republican councilman for District 3, said he hasnt decided who he will support during Wednesdays meeting but expects the 11 members to be able to come to a consensus on a candidate after a thorough discussion about the qualifications of each.

I think weve demonstrated as a council we can have those conversations with differing opinions and ultimately land in a good place, Gaudet said.

Council members pointed to public service experience within District 5 and an ability to work with the rest of the council as key attributes theyre looking for in a potential appointee.

This is the second special meeting over the District 5 seat over the past several weeks.

The council voted in December to hold a special election in March to fill the remainder of Greens term. Several Republicans on the council pushed for the election to be held in November, citing lower costs and a longer campaign period. The dispute led to some public sparring between the two sides before several Republicans sided with the Democrats to vote for the March election.

March election set for District 5 in East Baton Rouge. Here's why that's important. The election to fill outgoing East Baton Rouge Councilwoman Erika Greens seat will be held on March 26 after Metro Council narrowly approved 

Banks voiced some apprehension prior to the special meeting because of the partisan imbalance on the council. Without Green, there are four Democrats and seven Republicans on the council.

District 5 is 90% Black, according to city-parish statistics. All four remaining Democrats on the council are Black, while all seven Republicans are White.

Banks urged the seven Republican members to defer to the councils Democrats, who all represent portions of North Baton Rouge near District 5.

The majority of the Black council members, not only do we border that district, we have the same concerns, the same constituencies, the same family members, Banks said. By no means would I try to choose the leadership for St. George or for Central or for Zachary without talking to the persons that are most familiar with those communities.

The seat is vacant because former District 5 councilwoman Green resigned from the seat at the beginning of the year, following her election as a judge for East Baton Rouge Family Court in November.
About 11% of the teachers in East Baton Rouge Parish public schools opted to take Monday off, protesting what they view as the substandard sanitation of schools amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The work shortage, part of a day of action called by a local teacher union, fell short of its goal of closing the entire school system. It did lead to the closure of five schools Monday  Belaire High, Brookstown Middle, Glen Oaks Park Elementary, Park Forest Elementary and Park Forest Middle schools. The other 66 traditional and 10 district-sponsored charter schools in the parish remained open.

The schools that closed will have to make up the day at some still-to-be-determined date.

Monday was the first day of daily, in-person instruction for public elementary schools in East Baton Rouge Parish; middle and high schools are to follow them on Oct. 19.

Nevertheless, a few schools that stayed open struggled to have a normal school day. Central Office staff rushed out to a handful of schools early Monday to cover classes for absent teachers, acknowledged Taylor Gast, a spokeswoman for the school system.

Overall, she said that 361 out about 3,300 teachers in the school district reported absent Monday, or about 80 more than had put in for leave by Sunday afternoon.

Union wants Baton Rouge teachers to stay home next Monday to prompt deeper cleaning at schools A teacher union wants East Baton Rouge Parish public school employees to take a day off next Monday in an effort to close down schools and com

Leaders of the union that called for the job action, the East Baton Rouge Parish Association of Educators, held a short press conference Monday afternoon to say they continue to hear concerns from members about the cleanliness of the buildings. They say they want a meeting with all the players, including officials with Philadelphia-based Aramark, the private company that since 2004 has maintained school facilities, to strive for more improvements.

Were going to continue to fight until this gets resolved, said Anita Augustus, president of the union.

School Board member Dawn Collins on Monday stood in solidarity with the union. She said that some of the information shared with her by union members suggest that the special sanitary protocols instituted because of the coronavirus arent always being followed. Others concerns, like trash cans not being emptied, are less COVID-19-related and in line with issues that have existed for a while, she said.

Prior to COVID, people had concerns that schools were being cleaned, Collins said.

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School system leaders maintain that after a rocky start when twice-a-week in-person instruction resumed in Baton Rouge on Sept. 14, Aramark has stepped up its performance.

Aramark day staff are working longer hours, and Aramark managers work 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. shifts to inspect schools. The company is also now meeting daily with the subcontractors it hires to clean building after hours.

Aramark also recently switched out a key leadership spot on its team. At Thursdays School Board meeting, the company introduced Demetrius Wells, the new director of operations. Wells most recently worked for Aramark at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. He said he plans to tweak the program already in place in the schools.

I think we have some strong bones," he said.

The other big union in the parish, the East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers, opted against joining the Association of Educators in Monday's job action.

Angela Reams-Brown, president of the Federation of Teachers, said she received calls early on about the cleanliness of school buildings, but now shes also getting calls complimenting janitors on their work.

Some of the members reported that their schools were cleaner than ever before, Reams-Brown said. One said their school was so clean that they were buying lunch for their janitor."

Five Baton Rouge public schools to close Monday due to work stoppage to prompt deeper cleaning Five Baton Rouge public schools will close Monday due to too many staff members planning to take the day off, but the rest of the East Baton R

Rosalind Wright, principal of Park Forest Elementary, one of the schools that closed Monday, even took the trouble Monday to write an email to the janitor of her school, assuring him that her school is not one of the ones with problems.

I am not saying that we have not had a few isolated issues with the night cleaning crew because we have, however when I call and bring these issues to your attention, it is immediately corrected, Wright wrote. On a scale of 1-10, I believe that our school cleanliness is at a 9.
South Africa: Firefighters commended for efforts to contain Cape mountain blaze

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy, has commended some 300 firefighters, who have been battling the blaze in the Overberg region of the Western Cape since Saturday.

The fire, which is reported to have started in the departments Pine Plantation in the Kleinmond area, has destroyed more than 4 000ha of vegetation.

Creecy said the Fire Protection Association in Overberg is expected to compile a fire report regarding the facts pertaining to the source or origins of the fire.

In the interest of public accountability, the Director-General of the department has asked the Acting CEO of SANParks to undertake an assessment of the Kleinmond fire. The services of SANParks have been enlisted since they have internal capabilities to undertake an assessment of this nature.

"The scope of the assessment will include the origins and causes of the fire, whether fire breaks and other preventative measures were in place and any other factor that may have exacerbated the fire, the Minister said.

Creecy said once the assessment has been received and processed by the department, the findings and recommendations will be made public.

The departments Working on Fire is still on the ground and aerial resources continue to assist with suppression efforts at the fire.

Working on Fire has deployed 169 firefighters and management, inclusive of pilots and helicopter support staff, five fire trucks, two transport buses, as well as three bakkies to assist fire authorities in Overberg, with continuous fire suppression efforts since Saturday, 8 January 2022. A total of 116 additional firefighters from local municipalities have been deployed.

Three spotter planes, two Huey and one Black Hawk Helicopters have been deployed since Saturday to provide additional aerial firefighting capacity. Additional aerial resources remain on standby at Stellenbosch airfield and at Newlands fire base. The helicopters and planes have already made 284 water drops during 65 hours in the air, the department said.

The department said the team has assisted in fighting and suppressing 22 fires across the province since the summer fire season officially began in the Western Cape on 1 December 2021.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
analysis

Antarctica has been relatively isolated from the rest of the world for millions of years but these days ships could potentially introduce marine animals and seaweeds. Invasive species can have drastic consequences for ecosystems, for example by taking over areas and creating a new habitat or becoming predators for species with no suitable defences.

The best way to protect against this is to prevent any non-native species arriving in the first place. Of course, any new species would still need to survive the freezing waters around Antarctica but, as it happens, the ships usually visit the areas that are warming fastest due to climate change.

Aside from a few seals, whales and migratory birds, Antarctica's unique marine life has been largely cut off by the currents of the Southern Ocean which rotate clockwise around the continent and deflect away most floating organisms. The species that do arrive, perhaps attached to drifting kelp, are faced with year-round low temperatures and strong seasons.

Although this barrier has existed for millions of years, ships allow species to reach Antarctica and its coastal waters that could never otherwise have made the trip. Reaching the Antarctic coastline from sub-Antarctic islands can take up to three years for species associated with kelp rafts. The same species could make the same journey in just a few days if attached to a ship's hull.

Mapping the invasion risk

What might this mean for Antarctica and its ecosystem? In my academic research I hunt for non-native species that live on the hulls of ships that visit the continent, and I study where those ships go. I have scraped hulls and pipes, freeing ships of their barnacles and sludge to find out what species are already being transported there and where in the world they come from. Such ships travel the whole world, with many regularly visiting both the Arctic and Antarctic each year, typically via the Atlantic. Their hulls are generally only cleaned every couple years and can carry anything from mussels and crabs to barnacles, amiphods (shrimp-like crustaceans), bryozoans, hydroids (similar to anemones or jellyfish) or seaweed.

Based on my latest study, published in the journal PNAS, Antarctic-going vessels are most likely to introduce organisms from southern South America, Northern Europe, or the western Pacific Ocean.

Most voyages reach Antarctica via one of the five recognised gateway cities - Punta Arenas (Chile) and Ushuaia (Argentina) in South America, Hobart (Australia), Christchurch (New Zealand), and Cape Town (South Africa). However, our study found that an extra 53 places acted as departure ports.

There are some security measures ships could take, such as special hull coatings that algae and animals can't stick to very well, or regular hull cleanings. Countries could require proof of a clean hull or regular inspections before permitting ships to enter certain regions.

Though logistically complex, these measures are being adopted around the world in places like Hawaii, the Galapagos Islands, New Zealand and Australia, and may provide example strategies for reducing the introduction of non-native species to Antarctica via ships. With support from the Antarctic community, these gateway ports could become locations for biosecurity screening, before ships depart for Antarctica.

Around 100 to 200 ships visit Antarctica each year, an up to 10-fold increase since the 1960s. The vast majority stick to two particularly accessible regions, The Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, which means these areas are most at risk.

Activities on the continent and in the Southern Ocean can largely be divided into research and its support carried out by national operators, tourism and fishing. The top 20 potential invasion hot spots are locations visited by combinations of tourism, research, fishing or supply vessels. While tourism accounted for 67% of visits to all Antarctic locations (followed by research 21%, fishing 7%, supply 5%, and other 1%), research vessels were the only ones with connections to all areas of the continent.

Therefore, different locations as well as each activity type need tailored, but consistent, biosecurity practices. We urgently need to ensure everyone in the region works together to look for new species.

Don't move a mussel

So far, researchers have found only five non-native species free-living in Antarctic waters that were probably introduced through human activities. These include Chilean mussels, just like the ones we eat, and a kind of crab. Although many other species live on the hulls of Antarctic-going ships, mussels and crabs are particularly worrying because there are no similar animals in shallow waters around the continent.

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Mussels could perhaps create a new kind of habitat, "mussel beds", that might outcompete local species or allow even more non-native species to arrive. Crabs would represent a new kind of predation that local species might not be able to defend themselves against. Though concerning, it for now remains a mystery whether or not these animals could survive and establish populations in Antarctica in the long run or, indeed, if they will actually have negative effects on the native marine life.

For now, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean remain the least invaded marine regions on the planet and represent humanity's last chance to demonstrate that we can manage and mitigate the risks of invasive species at a continental scale. If we do not, climate change will open the door to the world and our neglect will transform the iconic ecosystems we love.

Arlie McCarthy, PhD Researcher, British Antarctic Survey, and Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
As New Orleans joined Wednesday several major cities nationwide by reestablishing mask mandates in reaction to a dramatic surge of COVID cases, the rest of the state has been slower to return to policies that mitigate the fast spreading and often deadly coronavirus.

Baton Rouge, other big Louisiana cities, and the state havent joined New Orleans in donning masks for a third time since the pandemic began nearly two years ago in March 2020. The Louisiana Supreme Court will be hearing cases remotely and visitors to some state buildings will have to wear a mask  but not at the State Capitol.

Some restrictions apply, but most Louisiana residents outside New Orleans don't have to wear masks to go shopping, out to a movie or to catch a game. Gov. John Bel Edwards is scheduled to discuss the state's COVID response 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Though less deadly, the recent Omicron variant has infected more people than any other during the pandemic and is quickly filling hospital beds.

Nationwide the current seven-day daily average of cases is about 751,000 per day, an increase over the previous week of about 47% in cases and 33% in hospitalizations, Dr. Rochelle Paula Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a video news conference on Wednesday morning.

New Orleans reinstates indoor mask mandate ahead of Carnival New Orleans officials will again require masks in stores, offices, restaurants and other indoor spaces, a move aimed at combating a record sur

Cities like New York, Boston, and Providence, R.I. saw dramatic increases in infections and hospitalizations despite having vaccinated 75% of their residents. Those cities quickly returned to masking and social distancing as well as requiring proof of vaccination to eat in restaurants or attend sporting events. New Orleans joined those cities and revisited those mandates.

Orleans Parish has a 1,280 daily average of new cases or a 120% increase in cases and 447% more hospitalizations during the past two weeks, according to a compilation by The New York Times of data collected from state and local health agencies, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called CDC.

Throughout this pandemic, weve successfully implemented layered mitigation measures  masking, testing and vaccinations  to protect us through COVID-19 surges and minimize loss of health, life and business," Dr. Jennifer Avegno, director of the New Orleans Health Department, said in a statement announcing renewal of New Orleans mitigation efforts.

The City of Baton Rouge wont head that direction. And neither will Lafayette. A spokesman didn't return calls Wednesday, but the Lafayette consolidated government's website shows that public mask wearing isn't necessary in that city.

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'No plans' to reestablish a COVID mask mandate for East Baton Rouge, mayor's office says There is no plan for East Baton Rouge Parish to go back to requiring masks amid the latest surge of COVID-19 cases, officials said Tuesday.

Mayor Broome has no plans at the present time to re-establish a mask mandate," Mark Armstrong, spokesperson for Mayor-President Sharon Broome said Tuesday in a statement. However, it certainly remains an option as she is staying in close contact with local hospitals and healthcare providers about the best practices we should all take during this current surge.

Masks are still required in all East Baton Rouge city-parish buildings.

State agencies require masks in common areas but otherwise no. And the agencies run by elected officials, over which the governor has no authority, is leaving that decision to the official in charge.

At the State Capitol, which is administered by the state Legislature, visitors need to have their temperature taken, but otherwise can roam the building without covering nose and mouth. The state inmates who clean the building and collect the trash have been pulled for the time-being because of the high number of positive COVID test among inmates not only in Louisiana but in prisons across the nation. Gov. Edwards last week didnt order the rest of the states population to mask up again and pointedly said that the states 69 school districts could decide on their own.

His communications aide, Shauna Sanford, said Wednesday that position hasn't really changed. The Governor continues to echo the CDC and LDH (Louisiana Department of Health) recommendation that people, regardless of their vaccination status, wear masks indoors when they are in public or not around members of their households or when they are in large crowds. ...,The governor and LDH will continue to promote masking as a key strategy for staying safe during this Omicron surge.

The Louisiana Supreme Court announced Wednesday afternoon that until further notice, the Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero Jr. Courthouse in the New Orleans' French Quarter will remain closed to the public from now on. The high court will continue to hear cases but the public won't be allowed to attend.
A state judge has ordered LSU to hand over records of an assistant professor's experiments on sparrows to an animals rights group, the group said Tuesday.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sued the university in 2020 after the school refused to release public documents, including veterinary care records and videos recorded by LSU researcher Christine Lattin.

PETA says Lattin's experiments involve trapping sparrows, pumping them with hormones, exposing them to terrifying calls from predators, and then killing them.

LSU turned over some of the documents after the lawsuit was filed. PETA said District Judge Wilson Fields ruled Tuesday that the school must provide all of the records.

PETA labeled an LSU researcher a bird-killer. She's pushing back against the 'lies' Christine Lattin, assistant professor at LSU and the principal investigator of the Lattin Lab, has dealt with PETA attacking her work since 2017.

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"LSU was happy to spend tax dollars on killing birds, but it fought tooth and nail against releasing videos of their torment," said Dr. Alka Chandna, PETA vice president. "With these records in hand, PETA looks to forward to showing the public exactly how small birds live and die for Christine Lattin's pointless experiments."

Lattin, principal investigator of the Lattin Lab, first landed on PETA's radar while she was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University studying stress hormones, or glucocorticoids, in house sparrows.

Glucocorticoids are found in all vertebrates, from fish to humans, so studying the hormone and how its used to combat stress can provide a better understanding of how animals and humans react to stress, Lattin has said. Studying the hormone in an animal can sometimes require euthanization, so Lattin said she chose to work with sparrows because theyre an invasive species not native to North America, minimizing the negative impact of their removal on the environment.

PETA, which is against experimentation of any kind on animals, has labeled Lattin the Lady Bird-Tormentor of LSU and published multiple news releases on her research.

Lattin has said her work is "incredibly, highly regulated."
A kidnapping suspect will remain behind bars for the foreseeable future after being arrested last weekend at the scene of a police shooting that killed his twin brother.

Keaughn Willis, 25, appeared in Judge Beau Higginbotham's courtroom Tuesday morning for a Gwen's Law hearing, in which a judge assesses a defendant's record to determine bail based on the potential threat to a victim's safety.

Willis is accused of kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend, driving her to Alexandria and sexually assaulting her.

A deputy with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office shot and killed his twin brother, Deaughn Willis, Saturday afternoon while trying to find Keaughn at an apartment complex on George O'Neal Road. Officials say his twin answered the door armed with a gun and pointed it at the officers. A deputy opened fire in response, officials said.

+3 As police search left his twin dead, man took kidnapped girlfriend to Alexandria, BRPD says Baton Rouge law enforcement officers were not looking for Deaughn Willis when they knocked on the door of a Baton Rouge apartment Saturday afternoon.

According to his arrest report, Keaughn Willis got into a fight with his pregnant girlfriend Saturday morning. During the argument, he "grabbed her with both his hands and forcefully pulled her inside of his vehicle," the report says.

He claimed he was taking her to Oklahoma and refused her desperate requests to get out, according to police. In the car, he pulled her hair, spoke to her using derogatory language and took her cellphone, police said.

Finally, he parked somewhere in Alexandria and tried to rape her, according to the police report. He eventually gave up and continued driving, the police report continues. After asking again to be released, the woman somehow broke the front passenger window of the car, and when Willis finally pulled over, she climbed out the window and ran away.

Hours later, he showed up to the apartment where his twin brother had been killed, where he was taken into custody and booked on the following counts: simple kidnapping, domestic abuse battery on a pregnant victim, attempted third-degree rape and sexual battery.

Court records show Willis has a history of domestic abuse, including an arrest last June  a fact not lost on the prosecutor in court Tuesday.

'Worthless' ankle monitor fails to keep man from stalking estranged wife before murder-suicide Three weeks before he shot his estranged wife to death inside her St. Francisville home and then turned the gun on himself, Marshall Rayburn v

Assistant District Attorney Morgan Johnson argued that Willis' pattern of behavior was alarming.

"We believe he is a serious threat to these victims and we ask that you set a bond commensurate with his history and the seriousness of these charges," she said.

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The attack came after a record year for domestic violence homicides and a pronounced spike in domestic abuse arrests over the holidays.

Meanwhile, Willis' public defender, Alex Hertenstein, questioned whether the pregnant victim had "a criminal or juvenile record," and if she was sober at the time of the kidnapping. The officer on the stand said the victim did not have any record to speak of and he did not ask her if she was sober.

Hertenstein asked that Higginbotham be lenient when setting bond, noting that certain conditions can be enacted to keep the victim safe, such as equipping Willis with a GPS ankle monitor or conducting random drug testing.

But such conditions are not foolproof.

Last September, a St. Francisville man shackled with a court-ordered ankle monitor shot his estranged wife to death and then turned the gun on himself. Not only was he wearing the monitor during the encounter, but he had also been wearing it for weeks while stalking his ex-partner before the homicide.

And in November, a Baton Rouge man accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend to death was relieved of his ankle monitor only a few months before he strangled a different woman while holding a gun to her head and threatening to kill her. The tracking company said he couldn't afford the monitoring fees.

Hertenstein also argued Willis has ties to the community and is unlikely to leave town before his next court appearance.

Murder suspect arrested on domestic abuse after winning reduced bond, release from ankle monitor Almost two years after allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend to death on College Drive and fleeing to Texas where he was later arrested, Billy 

"He's not a flight risk," he said. "We believe he deserves a reasonable bond."

Higginbotham ultimately set Willis' bond at $67,500, but noted that Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts put a hold on Willis due to the ongoing case in her courtroom where he is accused of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment and improper telephone communication.

He also ordered a protective order be filed as a condition of bond, ensuring Willis does not have contact with the victim, her family or her friends.

Willis also signed a form denying he has any firearms, which he cannot possess for the duration of the order.
While Louisiana's day care providers report losses of $287 million because of the coronavirus pandemic, there are signs of improvement in enrollment and other areas, according to a survey released Wednesday.

Libbie Sonnier, executive director of the advocacy group Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, said federal COVID-19 relief dollars kept the industry afloat.

Sonnier said without the federal money "providers would not have been able to stay open."

Centers have collected $126 million in federal aid in the past two years, and nearly $1 billion has been earmarked for the industry. "Support, largely in the form of grants, in 2020 slowed dire consequences for providers and those in 2021 appeared to help providers move toward recovery," the survey says.

The questionnaire was done Sept. 29-Oct. 19 and included responses from about 16% of the state's 1,624 licensed child care centers.

It is the fifth of its kind to document how the child care industry is faring during the pandemic. The survey showed that two-thirds of the sites closed classrooms because of the pandemic in 2021.

For Louisiana child care operators, staying open amid coronavirus is financially 'hard' Losses for Louisiana day care operators because of the coronavirus pandemic have more than tripled since May and now total $100 million, the l

Those closures averaged three times for classrooms and two times for the entire center.

Tessa Holloway, who operates Kidz Karousel Child Care Centers in Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Prairieville and Zachary, said the omicron variant is causing new challenges. "As I speak to you today, I have closed two classrooms before I got on this call," Holloway said during a panel discussion on the survey.

The $287 million in losses includes lost revenue because of forced closures, restricted classrooms, a shortage of teachers and other staff and steps to mitigate the virus.

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Just 31% of Louisiana's childcare centers are open; advocates want $71M in aid for reopening Louisiana child care providers have lost $30 million because of the coronavirus pandemic and need more than double that to help re-start the e

Providers reported losses that average $300,000 but those still experiencing financial problems dropped from 76% of the total in January 2021 to 58% in the fall. On the plus side, enrollment was just 2% below pre-pandemic levels and more centers are again maintaining a wait list.

Sonnier said she is unsure whether enrollment is up because families feel more comfortable or by necessity. "Families have to go back to work," she noted.

Families behind on their tuition payments averaged debts of about $7,000 last fall compared to $16,000 in January 2021. Also, 52% of providers in the survey said they expect to remain open for the long term compared to 38% in January 2021.

In an industry where teachers are underpaid by almost any measure, 32% of operators said they paid teachers at least $12 per hour last fall compared to 23% in January, 2021.

New problem for child care providers? Getting teachers to work for pay less than unemployment State officials said Tuesday day care centers already reeling because of the coronavirus pandemic face a new challenge: How to lure teachers w

Officials have previously said teachers in child care centers are paid an average of $8.95 per hour.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said Tuesday early childhood education will be one of the beneficiaries of Louisiana's better than expected financial outlook with Gov. John Bel Edwards unveils his budget proposal later this month.

The 2022 regular legislative session starts on March 14.
From rural villages to inner cities, high-speed internet is unreachable for thousands of Louisiana residents, but with millions of dollars in grants available, a new state-run initiative aimed at closing the digital divide is garnering significant interest from private companies.

With $90 million to divvy up, Louisianas Office of Broadband Development & Connectivity received $440 million in funding requests from 23 companies in its first round of applications. The proposals, released online Wednesday, span 58 parishes and seek to provide high speed internet to 215,000 households and 14,000 businesses.

The volume of applications weve received and the enthusiasm for broadband weve encountered from municipalities throughout the state reaffirms just how important our work is to Louisiana, said Veneeth Iyengar, executive director of ConnectLA, another name for the state office.

+4 Work from home during COVID? In this rural suburb, sluggish internet means that's not an option Angie Bueche moved to St. Helena Parish a decade-and-a-half ago to get away from the crowds, traffic and noise that had become common around h

The grant program  known as the Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities, or GUMBO, program  requires applicants to provide high-speed internet at affordable prices for the next five years and put up at least 20% in matching funds, with points given to those that go beyond that threshold. The first round of applicants put up 40% on average in matching funds.

Winners of the first round of funding will be announced in March, with construction starting as soon as May.

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A team of third-party reviewers will begin evaluating the first round of applications Wednesday, scoring them on 23 metrics, including technical ability, financial wherewithal, the number of households and businesses served and scalability.

The program is subsidizing projects using dollars from the American Rescue Plan passed by Congressional Democrats in March  and after the recent passage of a $1.2 trillion-dollar infrastructure package, the program will likely serve as vehicle to distribute even more grants in the future. Louisiana expects to receive at least $100 million in funding from the legislation, though billions more will be available based on need, Iyengar said.

The state Legislature is expected to send another $85 million from its pot of $1.3 billion in unspent pandemic aid to the grant program in the upcoming legislative session, allowing a second round of GUMBO funding to begin taking applications in July.

The state office is looking to other pots of funding to close the digital divide. Last May, the Federal Communications Commission launched an emergency program to provide households between $50 and $75 a month off broadband bills. Within a seven-month period, Louisiana had over 210,000 households sign up, putting it at number two in the country in terms of participation, Iyengar said.

'The internet failed them': Louisiana plans $180M investment for broadband in rural areas When the coronavirus pandemic struck, and society turned to technology to stay connected, the rural town of Ville Platte was left in a lurch. 
Farmers across the state have pleaded with the federal government to increase the supply of rapid antigen tests (RATs) to the agriculture sector as the countrys food supply chain continues to buckle under the pressure of increasing COVID cases.

In recent weeks, major staffing shortages have emerged in warehouses, distribution centres and supermarkets across the country as workers have been unable to come to work due to either being sick with COVID-19 or symptomatic and fearful of potentially infecting others.

Angus Cattle farmer Shane Kilby with her husband Greg on their farm north of Dubbo. They are urging more access to rapid antigen tests as staff shortages so they can get their stock to market. Credit:Nick Moir

The pressure has been most acutely felt in the meat industry, with many supermarkets shelves empty of nearly all red and white meat. Shane Kilby, a cattle grazer near Dubbo in NSW, told The Sydney Morning Herald that access to RATs was essential to provide more stability and certainty in meat supply.

Theres a lot of investment in time for cattle, its a couple of years from paddock to plate, she said. So we need certainty in our markets, if theres any weakness or blockage it can disrupt an entire industry.
As Omar Elomar recovers from a bruising 48-hour ordeal in which he was forcibly taken from his home and thrown into the back of a stolen Mercedes-Benz with cloned number plates, detectives are working around the clock to work out who is responsible.

Mr Elomar, 39, was standing in the driveway of his house in Third Avenue, Condell Park, on Sunday evening and farewelling a visitor when a four-wheel-drive pulled up.

Four men wearing black balaclavas and hoods leapt from the white SUV that was left idling, dramatic CCTV obtained by the Herald shows.

As the men attacked Mr Elomar and dragged him to the car, a fifth man armed with a gun appeared and pointed it at the visitor.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced that anyone who tests positive to COVID-19 on a rapid antigen test from Wednesday will need to register their result with Service NSW or face a $1000 fine.

The state government has also encouraged people to register positive at-home test results that were detected from January 1.

As of last week, NSW residents were no longer required to confirm a positive at-home result with a PCR test, amid growing pressure on testing facilities.

But until now, there was no way to register those rapid antigen test results with authorities, meaning they were not included in the states official case numbers.
It would be a clash of "Eagles" when Tunisia and Mali lock horns as Group F of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations kick off on Wednesday.

Match Card

Date: 12 January 2022

Time: 14:00 local time (13:00 GMT)

Stadium: Limbe Omnisports, Limbe

Group: F

Match: Tunisia v Mali

Following are the Match Facts from Opta:

 Mali are so far unbeaten against Tunisia at the Africa Cup of Nations. They have met twice previously, each time in the group phase: Mali won 2-0 in 1994 before a 1-1 draw in 2019.

 This is Tunisia's 20th participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, and their 15th in a row, the latter being a new record in the history of the tournament. Their only AFCON title dates back to 2004, as hosts; since then, they've progressed past the quarter-finals only once, in 2019.

 This is Mali's 12th participation in the Africa Cup of Nations; only Senegal (60, prior to 2021) have played more games than Mali (50) at AFCON without ever winning the trophy. Their best performance dates back to 1972, the only previous time the AFCON was held in Cameroon - Mali lost 3-2 in the final against Congo.

 Mali have never lost their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations (W6 D5).

 Since 2010, no team has scored more goals from outside the box than Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations (9, out of a total of 30 goals). In fact, five of their last seven goals have been scored from distance.

 The trio of Seifeddine Jaziri, Saif Khaoui and Wahbi Khazri scored 64% of Tunisia's goals in the qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (3 goals each, out of a total of 14 team goals).
The lawyer for a 21-year-old man accused of breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a woman on New Years Eve has told a Perth court DNA evidence could have come from any one of several family members he lived with.

Investigators put out a call for information about the alleged assault on the morning of December 31, after the woman in her 20s was assaulted in her Yokine home between 12.30am and 1am.

The woman managed to escape after waking up to the assault and ran to a neighbours house, while the alleged offender fled the scene.

Joseph Nicholas Anderson was arrested the following day and faces six charges including sexual penetration without consent, indecent assault and aggravated home burglary.
With apologies to Abraham Lincoln ... six score years ago, our fore fathers and mothers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in fealty to Great Britain, and dedicated to the proposition that while England and Australia could never be equal, Australia could have a rough kind of independence, so long as it was chiselled into constitutional stone that the highest reaches of the English aristocracy would always have the power of oversight and veto, to make sure the young colony didnt get too uppity or lose its way.

It was fine for the time. But the whole notion of being a South Seas British outpost became ever more outmoded, outdated and outrageous as the decades rolled by. We became ever more independent, proud of a history that is 65,000 years in the making, not a mere century or two. We became aware that we are so much more  spiritually, politically and numerically  than just transplanted Britons. We yearned to be rid of our last colonial vestiges and stand proud and independent beneath the Southern Cross.

The Australian Republican Movement launches its new model for a new generation at Centennial Park on Wednesday. Credit:Kate Geraghty

As you all know, in 1999, a referendum was held on a republican model to allow us to at last throw off our colonial garb. That model was rejected. Republicanism itself was not rejected  all the polls show, then and now, that the bulk of Australians are not monarchists. It was the model that was rejected.

We needed a new model for a new century and a new generation and this is it  one to put before the 5 million voting Australians who were too young, and in some cases not even born, to vote in the last referendum. We call it the Australian Choice Model and propose that every five years all of Australias state and territory parliaments nominate their preferred candidate for our head of state, while the Federal Parliament puts forward three candidates  giving us 11 eminent Australians to choose from in a national ballot.
Jerusalem: Ehud Olmert, a former Israeli prime minister, has defended in court his claim that the Netanyahu family is mentally ill as he argued it was based on the opinion of experts.

Benjamin Netanyahu, who was prime minister from 2009 to 2021 and is the current Leader of the Opposition, along with his wife Sara and their son Yair, are seeking 837,000 shekels ($372,000) in libel damages from Olmert after he claimed that they needed psychiatric treatment.

Israeli prosecutors have charged Sara Netanyahu with a series of crimes including fraud and breach of trust. Credit:AP

The lawsuit, which is being heard by a court in Tel Aviv, accuses Olmert of obsessive efforts to harm [the Netanyahus] good name in public, out of jealousy and deep frustration.

At a hearing on Monday, Olmert doubled down on his claims as he said they were based on speaking to experts and the views of people close to the Netanyahu family.
Stories of gas leaks from the towns oldest residents and newspaper accounts of older explosions begin circulating only after the August explosion. The first sign of trouble was June 2, when Whit Thiele, a local business owner, went to investigate a foul odour in the basement of a downtown commercial building he owned. There, he saw water pouring through cracks in the foundation and through a drain in the floor before pooling into a fizzing mass. A crew works to demolish a building next to the site of last summers gas explosion in Wheatley, Ontario. Credit:New York Times Thiele felt ill, became woozy and had to be revived by firefighters who evacuated the area around the office. Sensors were then installed and quickly began detecting hazardous gases, leading firefighters to evacuate the area around the building twice more during the summer.

Loading Nearly three months later, on August 26, Ingram and his wife, Barb Carson, were getting ready for dinner at home when firefighters again began taping off an evacuation zone because of a gas leak. Well, here we go again, Ingram recalled saying to his wife that evening. Sooner or later this place is going to blow up. Suddenly, the sound of the explosion filled the air. The windows of the Ingrams home bent in and then popped outward, miraculously without breaking, as the shock wave toppled their belongings throughout the house. While insulation and other building materials began drifting down from the sky, the couple grabbed their phones and iPads, and fled wearing only T-shirts and shorts. It was Thieles building that had blown up, taking down an adjacent pizzeria and laundromat as well as a newly opened motel and bar. A surveillance camera across the street captured how a tongue of orange flame shot out of the building and then got sucked back inside before blasting the buildings into the sky.

Local officials quickly opened an investigation. Using ground-penetrating radar, they discovered the site of an old well under a paved parking lot behind the explosion site. Closer to the site, the ground continued to burp gas about every 40 days, which hinted at the source of the gas leak and also spurred fears of another explosion. But further investigating seemed to raise more questions than answers. Don Shropshire, chief administrative officer for Chatham-Kent, the regional municipality that governs Wheatley, said recent excavation work at the blast site has uncovered a second old gas well that may be leaking. Ontario officials have said there may be a third old well still hidden somewhere downtown. Im reasonably confident that theyre going to find the source of the gas, Shropshire said. Whether or not it can be mitigated  thats an entirely different question. While experts from Alberta, the capital of Canadas oil and gas industry, have been brought in to assess how and why the gas is surfacing, the threat of another explosion has slowed their progress.

About 300 people are still not allowed to return to their homes, and 38 of Wheatleys businesses remain closed. There is no estimate for when, or if, everyone will be allowed to return home permanently  or whether the destroyed buildings can even be rebuilt. Shropshire said it may prove impossible to ever safely reopen the area around the blast. Wheatley residents have gone from shock to dismay to anger that more hasnt been done to solve the mystery of the explosion or to start working on repairs. The province has committed about $3.96 million in assistance, but several shop owners said they have yet to see any of that money. They believe individual payments will be far short of what they will need to restart business. I try to keep my anger at a level, said, Ingram, who has been allowed to return to his house only once, for one hour in early December, to gather up some winter clothing. He added, I cant even drive down and look at my house because my wife just bursts into tears. At a heated public meeting in November, local officials acknowledged the frustration and anger. But they also emphasised the complexity of the problem and said it will take time to solve it. I dont want anyone to guess what the problem is, dump concrete on it and 60 years from now my grandkids who could be living in Wheatley have the same darn problem again, Melissa Harrigan, a member of the town council, said at the meeting.

I am so sorry that it is disrupting your lives in so many ways I cant imagine, I truly cant, but I can say were trying. Who bears responsibility for the cost of all this is unclear. The companies that drilled the wells are long gone. There is talk that lawyers representing Wheatley residents will soon ask a court to approve a class-action lawsuit against the municipality, which owns the parking lot covering one of the wells. The gift and custom woodworking shop that Tracey Declerck owns with her daughter still sits boarded up, and full of merchandise, immediately across the road from the blast site. Were little people; thats my livelihood over there, Declerck said in December while buffeted by the wind off Lake Erie. Am I supposed to go get another job until they fix this? Declerck said she was concerned that the blast may have left her shops building structurally unsound. Like many people in Wheatley, she is sceptical that a permanent fix for the leaking gas will ever be found.
The upcoming run of Mike Lew's Teenage Dick at Pasadena Playhouse will be replaced with a streaming version. The run was scheduled to be in-person at the Playhouse February 1-27. Patrons worldwide will now have the option to visit the theater's website and watch a pre-recorded performance of the Boston run. Dates and details will be announced later.

This is according to a press statement from Pasadena Playhouse producing artistic director Danny Feldman, who noted, "By streaming the production, we are still honoring our commitments to pay the artists and crew who have worked so hard to make this show happen during these challenging times."

Teenage Dick is Lew's transposition of Shakespeare's Richard III to an American high school, where one disabled disciple of Machiavelli plots a takeover of the student government. The play made its world premiere at the Public Theater in 2018. In her review, critic Hayley Levitt said, "Every implausibility is forgiven when the air of Shakespearean tragedy is exchanged for high camp."

The original director of Teenage Dick, Moritz von Stuelpnagel, retains his role in this co-production of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Huntington Theatre Company. Similarly, Gregg Mozgala and Shannon DeVido reprise the roles of Richard Gloucester and Buck, which they originated in 2018. They are joined by Louis Reyes McWilliams as Eddie, Portland Thomas as Clarissa, Emily Townley as Elizabeth York, and Zurin Villanuena as Anne Margaret.

The production is currently available for streaming through January 16 on the Huntington Theatre's website.

Pasadena Playhouse plans to return to in-person performances on March 22 with Ann, a solo play about Governor Ann Richards, written by and starring Holland Taylor.
Hankook Tire exhibits futuristic airless concept tire i-Flex at CES 2022







Adopted biomimetic design for better shock absorption and load-bearing performance

Continuous effort in R&D since 2010 on various new projects including non-pneumatic tires

Seoul, Korea, January 5, 2022  Global leading tire company Hankook Tire & Technology will showcase its non-pneumatic tire (NPT) ?i-Flex in a joint entry with Hyundai Motor Company in the worlds largest consumer technology event, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022, being held from January 5 to 8, 2022.

At CES 2022, Hyundai Motor Company will unveil the Plug & Drive (PnD) Module for the first time. Its based on robotics technology that enables Mobility of Things (MoT), an ecosystem in which all objects are mobile. Hankook Tires i-Flex is fitted to maximize characteristics and functions of the PnD module.

The i-Flex is a futuristic non-pneumatic concept tire featuring biomimetic design. It is 10-inch in size with a diameter of 400mm and a width of 105mm. Because its has no air in it unlike conventional tires, safety can be better secured in accidents caused by punctures. Furthermore, it does not require air pressure maintenance, making it an optimal solution for autonomous vehicles.

The i-Flex was developed through rigorous biomimetic studies and testing. In order to absorb road shocks and bear a load, it adopted the design of a multi-layer interlocking spoke inspired by the cellular structure of living organisms. The multi-layer interlocking spoke structures the cell in three-dimensional for better shock absorption while allowing hexagonal and tetragonal cell structures of different rigidity join together for more stable load support.

In addition, a C-shaped concave profile has been applied to secure a maximized contact patch, enabling safe driving. A pattern optimized for multi-directional vehicular motion was also adopted by employing the cell structure shape to the tread design.

Hankook Tire is dedicated to building a more sustainable future in mobility, and as part, has been working on non-pneumatic tire technology since 2010. The continuous effort led to the birth of the i-Flex, an airless tire with safety, low maintenance and sustainability, serving as an ideal solution for future mobility. Hankook is continuing R&D for further improvement.

Hankook Innovative Performance (H.I.P), Hankook Tires philosophy for technology, is at the core of the companys commitment to upgrading a safe and enjoyable driving sensibility as well as to making future mobility a reality. Hankook Tire will continue to carry out projects for leading changes in the future while strengthening its competitiveness in the market with its innovative technologies.
Regional Editor

Brett Rowland has worked as a reporter in newsrooms in Illinois and Wisconsin. He most recently served as news editor of the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He previously held the same position at the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb.
"Although I sometimes feel low, I look in the mirror and remind myself not to give up."

My name is Priya and I am 20 years old. I came to Safe Haven Halfway Home in September 2019 after suffering physical and mental abuse from my relatives.

I was five years old when my mother became pregnant with my little sister. We were all living with my biological father who was an alcoholic at that time. As my mother went out to work, I did all household chores including cooking and caring for my little sister. I was just like a mother figure to my little sister. A year after my little sister was born, my father committed suicide by setting himself on fire while my family and I had gone for prayers at Grand-Bassin.

I did not understand what death meant at that age but when my mother explained to me that I would no longer see my father, I was shocked and kept on crying. I got a little brother when I was 13 years old and since then, my aim is to provide a good life with the opportunities I did not get to my siblings.

My mother had a hard time making ends meet. We had to move to my grandparents' place. I managed to get work as a school van assistant and was happy to see other regions in Mauritius. I also eagerly worked in a hair salon and in a restaurant in the afternoons.

At my grandmother's, I did tedious household chores daily and she would insult me whenever I would not give her the little money I earned to buy groceries. I realized that my grandmother had a preference for boys who would normally be placed on a pedestal in the household. She did not like me because I was "too dark-skinned", furthermore we are not biologically related. Since I was overworked and burnt out, I developed back and side pains.

After some time, we moved in with my stepfather who was a drug addict. I did not feel safe knowing that me and my sister were alone in the house with him while my mother went out to work. My dad contributed a negligible amount of money to the household.

Around two years ago following various searches to find a dwelling, my mother, little sister and I came across Safe Haven Halfway Home. When I first came into Safe Haven, I found it difficult to adapt and was very introverted. However, I was given the opportunity to travel to South Africa to attend a conference on child abuse. It was my first time away from home and I was lost during the first four days there, new culture, new language, so many people.

I attended a meditation session which proved to be very therapeutic. It was an eye-opening experience which made me realize so many things. I decided firmly that I would no longer be shy. I felt determined to make decisions for myself including, changing my way of dressing and speaking.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Human Rights Women Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

I am currently following a hairdressing course and dream of having my own hair salon one day. I am proud of myself because I have done a bridal photoshoot during my course. Besides hairstyling, I love drawing, singing, applying "Mehendi" (henna) and listening to songs. These hobbies help me feel less stressed and lonely.

Despite my life experiences, I appreciate the fact that I have grown so much over the years. My mother was not very supportive but I have learnt how to handle conflicts. I remain very close to my younger siblings. I believe that it is very important to have faith in oneself, courage and perseverance. Although I sometimes feel low, I look in the mirror and remind myself not to give up.
Gas tax lowered but Nebraskans may not notice it at the pump
Staff Reporter

Nyamekye Daniel has been a journalist for five years. She was the managing editor for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for The Miami Times. Daniel's work has also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald and The New York Times.
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Towanda, PA (18848)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Algiers  Algeria has expressed its "full readiness" to actively accompany Mali and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) "in the salutary path of mutual understanding" that would protect the highest interests of Malian people, said the Presidency of the Republic Tuesday in a statement.

"In its dual capacity as leader of the international mediation and Chairman of the Follow-up Committee of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in Mali, resulting from the Algiers process, and also as a neighboring country sharing a long land border as well as a long history of good neighborliness and fraternity with Mali, and on the occasion of its recent interactions with the Malian authorities, while warning against the political, security and economic consequences of any long transition such as that planned by the Malian party, Algeria has called for a peaceful and realistic dialogue with ECOWAS with a view to reaching a crisis exit strategy that takes into account international requirements and the legitimate aspirations of the Malian people, as well as internal factors related to the Malian national dynamics," said the presidency in a statement.

"In this regard, President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, urged, in the meeting he granted on January 6 to a high-level Malian delegation, the authorities of Malian transition to ensure, in 2022, a Malian constitutional order in order to enshrine the achievements of and recommendations of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in Mali resulting from the Algiers process," said the same source.

"President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who emphasized the need for an inclusive approach to meet the complexity of structural and cyclical problems and challenges that Mali must face, including in the fight against terrorism, said that a transition period of twelve to sixteen months is appropriate and feasible," the same source added.

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"The President of the Republic further reiterated Algeria's unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Mali, and encouraged the transition leaders to adopt a responsible and constructive attitude," the presidency said in this regard.

" In view of the serious risks and hardships posed by the array of massive sanctions announced by the Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State on January 9 in Accra, as well as the countermeasures announced by the Government of the Republic of Mali, Algeria calls on all parties to resort to restraint and re-engage in dialogue in order to avoid a spiral of tension and an exacerbation of the crisis in the region," the same source said.

"Faithful to the principle of promoting African solutions to African problems, which is the basis for qualitative contributions within the African Union, Algeria expresses its full readiness to actively accompany the Republic of Mali and ECOWAS in the salutary path of mutual understanding based on a common vision that would protect the highest interests of the brotherly Malian people," the presidency concluded.
BAINBRIDGE - Zilphia "Zippy" Tobey Furman, 86, passed into heaven following a brief illness with her family by her side. She was born on Jan. 4, 1936. Zippy graduated from Bainbridge High School and lived in Bainbridge for most of her life. She retired from Amphenol Corporation. Zippy enjoye
Melanie joined The Daily Times in the early 90s and has served as the Life section editor since 1993. A William Blount and UT alum, Melanie is generally the early arriver who turns on the lights in the newsroom.

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Joe Guzzardi is a Progressives for Immigration Reform analyst who has written about immigration for more than 30 years. Contact him at jguzzardi@pfirdc.org.
Meet Trooper! Trooper is 5-years-old. His favorite activities include sleeping, going on walks and sticking his head out of the car sunroof. T
Nairobi  National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has dismissed reports that he is warming up to the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) ahead of the August elections.

Muturi, who spoke after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting by the Democratic party, said such an arrangement can only be ratified by the party and not a single individual.

He was responding to reports that went viral after a recent visit to his Nairobi residence by OKA Principals; Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya) and Cyrus Jirongo(UDP) that left many speculating on whether he is warming up to the alliance.

"They visited me as longtime friends to tell me sorry and wish me quick recovery. Rumors are just that rumors. Those who respect democracy must wait for concurrence from the party and in essence the relevant organs in the party," said Muturi.

With seven months to the poll, Muturi who is the presidential flag bearer of the Democratic party indicated that plans are underway to have the political outfit joins hands with other like-minded parties ahead of the polls.

"I have not mentioned either Azimio or United Democratic Alliance. I am not at liberty at this point to talk about any of the two. All I know is that the party we will work with like minded parties who desire the very best for this country," Muturi pointed out.

The Democratic Party is expected to hold a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to ratify Muturi as the presidential flagbearer before the end of February.

Sentiments by the OKA principals following the visit on Thursday gave the clearest signals that a third force in the August presidential race could be in the offing to compete with the Azimio La Umoja coalition by Raila Odinga and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) by Deputy President William Ruto who are seen as leading lights so far.

Both Mudavadi and Musyoka alluded that the leaders were working on a political agreement for the 2022 polls.

"He (Muturi) is recuperating well and ready for the next leg of our journey," stated Musyoka.

Mudavadi on his part said, "More to join... . Big coalition loading... .One Kenya loading."
Forest City, NC (28043)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
An employee of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) receives her COVID-19 vaccination at a site opened by the LAUSD for its employees in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 17, 2021. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

20 Law Enforcement Employees Sue LAUSD Over Vaccine Mandate

LOS ANGELESTwenty school law enforcement officers are suing Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), alleging they were either wrongfully fired or facing termination despite filing for exemptions to the districts coronavirus vaccination mandate for employees.

The plaintiffs in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit brought on Monday are a mix of school safety officers, police officers, police detectives, senior police officers, a lieutenant, a sergeant, and a school safety officer sergeant. They seek compensatory damages as well as reinstatement to their previous positions if they were fired.

The medical consensus at this point in time is that being vaccinated against COVID-19 does not preclude one from acquiring COVID-19, but rather lessens the symptoms for the unvaccinated, the suit states. The district disregarded, out of hand, all religious beliefs, and enforced their policy to the detriment of the plaintiffs, the suit alleges.

The plaintiffs are Jose Cardenas, Shawn Workman, Angel Frias, Jared Gilmore, Juan Romo, Leopoldo Gil, Aaron Gray, Marc Salazar, Sergio Salas, Branden Hamada, Harold Salazar, Clifford Herrera, Sally Moctezuma, Andrea Magana, Jose Avalos, Donyann Morgan, Christopher Moreno, Shaun Luciano, Cheron Bartee, and Melanie Guevara.

An LAUSD spokeswoman did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Last August, the district adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees, including the plaintiffs, requiring all workers to be vaccinated by Oct. 18 or face being fired.

The previous LAUSD policy required all students and employees to test every week, mask indoors and outdoors and socially distance, a regimen likely acceptable to 99 percent of all other Los Angeles County employers, the suit states.

These were acceptable, successful, working accommodations for employees for the past two years, since the start of the pandemic, the suit states. To that end, they were acceptable, successful, working conditions, and remain today as such, for almost every other employer in Los Angeles County.

Each plaintiff submitted to the district a request for an exemption and accommodation from the districts vaccination policy and provided the requested supporting information and documentation, but each request was denied by the district in summary fashion, the suit states. The so-called interactive meetings to discuss whether each plaintiff was entitled to an exemption and an accommodation each lasted approximately 15 minutes in total.

Some plaintiffs gave in and obtained the vaccination because they could not afford to lose their job and still support their family, so they are suing because they were coerced to waive and give up their rights, the suit states.

Other plaintiffs were fired, and still more are on medical leave but have been told that they will be terminated when they return if they are still unvaccinated, according to the suit.
United Airlines Chief Executive Oscar Munoz (L) and President Scott Kirby testify before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure about oversight of U.S. airline customer service on May 2. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

3,000 United Employees Sick With COVID-19; Flights Rescheduled

United Airlines is canceling near-term flights amid a surge in COVID-19 infection cases resulting in almost 3,000 employees calling in sick as a recent memo from the companys chief executive upheld its stance on vaccine mandates.

In addition to impacting our operation and our customers, I also know that Omicron has affected the personal well-being of our United team, United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said on Jan. 11. We have about 3,000 employees who are currently positive for COVID. Just as an example, in one day alone at Newark, [New Jersey,] nearly one-third of our workforce called out sick.

The company canceled 154 flights, or 7 percent, and delayed 152 flights on Jan. 11, according to data from FlightAware. Southwest Airlines had 142 cancellations and 171 delays.

United has reduced the effect on customers by canceling flights ahead of them coming to the airport, according to Kirby. However, the recent staff shortages have resulted in a further trimming of schedules.

Kirby claimed that since the vaccine mandates were rolled out, the hospitalization rate of vaccinated employees, which make up 96 percent of the total workforce, is about 100 times lower than that of the general population in the country. None of the 3,000 COVID-positive workers are reportedly hospitalized.

Prior to our vaccine requirement, tragically, more than one United employee on average *per week* was dying from COVID. But weve now gone eight straight weeks with zero COVID-related deaths among our vaccinated employeesbased on Uniteds prior experience and the nationwide data related to COVID fatalities among the unvaccinated, that means there are approximately 8-10 United employees who are alive today because of our vaccine requirement, he said.

Many airlines had to cut flights due to Omicron coronavirus variant-related staff shortages and the inclement winter weather. United had reduced its schedule in December 2021. As for January, JetBlue Airways was one of the first to cut down on flights. American and Alaska Airlines followed suit, citing the high number of COVID-19 cases.

United also fired roughly 200 employees in the United States in December 2021 who didnt comply with the vaccine mandate.

The airline offered pilots triple pay to continue flying through January, as the number of pilots came down considerably at the end of December 2021. Southwest Airlines, similarly, increased its pilots pay to avoid disruptions.

The Omicron variant is currently the dominant strain of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus in the United States, affecting more than 95 percent of the infected. International studies have shown that the strain displays mild symptoms and affects patients less severely when compared to the Delta coronavirus variant.

Based in Chicago, United employs about 96,000 people worldwide, including 67,000 from the United States. It isnt clear whether the COVID-19-positive employees were from the country.

The companys stock has fallen more than 26 percent from its 52-week high of $63.70 with the latest earnings report scheduled to be released on Jan. 19.
Moqueca Capixaba is vibrant with tomatoes, cilantro, and Brazilian-style, almost-burnt garlic

The smell of fried garlic hit me as soon as I opened the door. Its quite possibly the most intoxicating aroma on earth. Alas, I feared it meant that Edna hadnt waited, and that made me sad.

I was there to learn how she makes moqueca, a tomato-based seafood stew thats ubiquitous along the Brazilian coast. The dish varies by region, and Ednas hometown of Vitoria, Brazil, is widely considered to be the birthplace of moqueca. That version of the dish, called moqueca Capixaba (cah-pee-shah-bah), is why I was there. At my moms house in Boston, that is. I had already missed my golden opportunity to go to Vitoria in real life.

When I reached the kitchen, I realizedto my intense alegriathat Edna had been waiting for me all along. The amazing aroma that first hit me was from when she had made the ricewhich, like most Brazilian recipes, started with fried garlic.

Regional Variations

Edna is a Capixaba, which is to say, someone (or something) from the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, of which Vitoria is the capital. Ive been on several buses that stopped in Vitoria, heading north from Rio de Janeiro to Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. I have memories and deja vu of opening my eyes as the bus slowed to a stop. I remember misty, forested hills on the left above the city and gentle coastline to the right. I never did get off the bus, but I always wanted toand should have.

Worldwide, the most famous moqueca comes from Bahia, one state to the north of Espirito Santo. Salvador, the capital, is where I was always headed when passing through sleepy Vitoria. Bahia has more people of African descent than any place outside of Africa, and moqueca Baiana contains coconut milk and dende, a type of palm oil made from imported West African trees. Dende is very rich, with a heavy aroma and a strong flavor that isnt for everyone.

Moqueca Capixaba, on the other hand, takes its cues from a different ancestral homeland. As European as moqueca Baiana is African, Ednas moqueca contains olive oil instead of dende and coconut milk. This version is lighter and just a few olives and capers away from being an Italian cioppino and worlds away from the moqueca of the north.

But at least one thing that all Brazilians can agree on is the garlic. Thats where we started when it was finally time to cook dinner.

Building Flavor

Edna had everything chopped and prepped, but for my edification, she insisted that I cook it. She turned the heat to medium under a stew pot and told me to do the Brazilian thing with the garlic. It made me nervous. The last thing I wanted to do was mess up the garlic, either by burning it or undercooking it.

Brazilian garlic-frying reflects a level of brinkmanship that you need to get pretty much anything done in that place. They take it closer to the edge of burnt than most. Often the garlic is mixed with salt. Sometimes its fried in a thin, dented aluminum pan without any oil. As long as the inevitable blackening is thwarted by moisture before it becomes too bitter, the glorious flavor gets captured by the food. In the case of moqueca Capixaba, the browned garlic gets deglazed by chopped tomatoes and onions, which release their moisture and stop the burning.

I then added a jar of sofrito, a Caribbean seasoning sauce popular throughout the Iberian diaspora. Edna used Goya brand sofrito with a tomato base and green pepper, onions, culantro, and garlic. Culantro is a wide-leafed plant that tastes like extra-strong cilantro. Native to the Caribbean and Latin America, culantro is now cultivated worldwide. In Southeast Asia, it has names along the lines of sawtooth coriander and is considered by many to be indispensable to a good bowl of pho.

If you cant get your hands on sofrito or culantro, dont sweat it. Sofrito is essentially just a condensed version of the other vegetables in the moqueca, so just use more of everything elsethat is, extra tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cilantroand the right flavors will be there.

The combination of cilantro and bell peppers, along with that almost-burnt garlic, is what creates the distinct flavor of moqueca. Its like an off-key jazz chord that you play until it sounds right and then build a song around. The harmonious discord of the moqueca flavor works particularly well with fish, including the swordfish and shrimp that Edna had brought.

I can see why Capixabas consider their moqueca to be the original. Without the distractions of dende and coconut milk, the flavors of the other ingredients shine through more clearlyjust veggies, fish, and olive oil.

And fried garlic, of course.

Serve Ednas moqueca over a mound of garlicky rice. (Ari LeVaux)

Moqueca Capixaba (Brazilian Seafood Stew)

If it wasnt for the cilantro and a few shakes of Adobo spice mix, this could be a European dish.

Serves 6

For the Rice

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced or pressed

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups white rice (Edna used Goya jasmine)

Water, commensurate with the rice you are using

For the Stew

4 tablespoons olive oil

3 large cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning (a Latino spice mix with garlic powder and other spices; try to get it with either paprika or annatto, or blend your own, like I did)

12-ounce jar Goya Sofrito

2 large spoonfuls Ragu, or similar marinara sauce

1 medium to large onion, chopped

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 pound swordfish (or another tough fish that you can stew), cut into chunks

1 pound shrimp

1 pound ocean fish of your choice, such as rockfish or cod (if using thin filets, roll, and toothpick them)

2 bell peppers, chopped

2 large bunches of fresh cilantro, trimmed and chopped

1 bunch green onion, white parts only, chopped

First, make the rice. Put a medium-sized pot on medium heat. Add the oil, garlic, and salt. Stir often, but also leave it alone as much as possible. Let the garlic turn past yellow toward brown. When the aroma smells like its getting ready to go from irresistible to a bit questionable, add the rice. Stir it around to coat evenly. Add the water. Cook with the lid cracked on low until done.

For the stew, put a heavy pot on medium heat. Add the olive oil, garlic, and salt and fry the garlic. Add the Adobo seasoning and stir. Add the sofrito sauce and marinara sauce, followed by the onions and tomatoes and a bit of water to deglaze the pot and bring to a simmer.

Taste the sauce and adjust the salt. Add the swordfish, arranging the chunks in the sauce, adding water as necessary to cover. Simmer for 30 minutes (while you clean the kitchen, Edna advised).

Add the shrimp, along with any other similarly fast-cooking seafood. Whatever fish you use should be tough enough to not fall apart. Cook another 10 minutes.

Finally, add the chopped bell peppers, cilantro, and green onions. Spread it around the top, stirring gingerly, but dont disturb the fish. You dont want to stir the moqueca any more than you want to stir the rice.

After another 10 minutes, turn off the heat. Serve with the rice.
An American Airlines Airbus A321-200 plane takes off from Los Angeles International airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 28, 2018. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

American Airlines Narrows 4th-Quarter Revenue Fall Forecast

American Airlines Group Inc said on Tuesday its fourth-quarter revenue fall would be narrower than it previously expected, sending the No. 1 U.S. carriers shares up about 2 percent.

The company said it now expects revenue for the quarter to be down about 17 percent versus pre-pandemic levels, compared with its prior forecast of an about 20 percent fall.

A rise in COVID-19 infections of the Omicron variant has forced airlines to cancel flights as pilots and cabin crew fell sick and needed to quarantine.

Mass cancellations over the Christmas and New Year holiday period and higher incentives given to employees had an impact on carriers, with American Airlines forecasting higher fourth-quarter costs.

The company expects cost per available seat mile excluding items-the measure in the industry showing what it costs to fly one seat one mile-to be up between 13 percent and 14 percent versus 2019, compared with its previous guidance of a rise of between 8 percent and 10 percent.

A writedown of excess spare parts inventory also increased costs, the airline added.

The impact from capacity cuts were somewhat greater than we had anticipated, Raymond James Equity Research analyst Savanthi Syth said in a note.

By Kannaki Deka
United States Marine Corps recruit Montarez crawls through an event on The Crucible during boot camp on Parris Island, S.C., on Jan. 15, 2003. (Stephen Morton/Getty Images)

Army Special Forces to Fight in Realistic Guerrilla War Exercise Across Rural North and South Carolina

Army Special Forces candidates will fight in a realistic guerrilla war across counties in rural North and South Carolina later this month, with young soldiers battling seasoned freedom fighters, the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School said in a news release cited by local media.

The training exercise is known as Robin Sage after Col. Jerry Michael Sage, an Office of Strategic Services (OSS) operative who was captured by the Nazis and attempted to escape more than 15 times before succeeding. The exercise has been conducted since 1974.

It serves as a final test for soldiers in the Special Forces Qualification Course and has been the litmus test for Soldiers striving to earn the Green Beret for more than 50 years officials said on Facebook.

This year, the unconventional warfare exercise will be held between Jan. 22 and Feb. 4 with students from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg.

It will see soldiers placed in an environment of political instability characterized by armed conflict known as Pineland where they will need to analyze and solve problems to meet the challenges of this real-world training.

In an effort to be as realistic as possible, the exercise will include the sounds of gunfire and flares.

However, controls are in place to ensure there is no risk to persons or property. Residents with concerns should contact local law enforcement officials, who will immediately contact exercise control officials, Fort Bragg officials said.

The Army has also written formal notifications regarding the training exercise to the chiefs of law enforcement agencies in the affected counties and will be conducting a follow-up visit with a unit representative.

All civilian and non-student military participants are also briefed on procedures to follow if there is contact with law enforcement officials, officials said.

Students participating in the training will only wear civilian clothes if the situation warrants, as determined by the instructors, otherwise, they will be wearing a distinctive brown armband and the training areas and vehicles that are used in the exercise will also be clearly labeled.

Residents with concerns should contact local law enforcement officials, who will immediately contact exercise control officials.  For the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, safety is always the commands top priority during all training events, officials said.

The training exercise will be conducted on private lands across the North Carolina counties of Alamance, Anson, Bladen, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Chatham, Columbus, Cumberland, Davidson, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Union, and Wake.

It will also take part in Chesterfield, Dillon, and Marlboro counties in South Carolina but the exact times, specific locations, and other exercise specifics are not provided.

The advance public notice comes after a previous 2002 training exercise saw Deputy Sheriff Randall Butler fatally shoot one soldier, 1st Lt. Tallas Tomeny, and wound another, Staff Sgt. Stephen Phelps, after mistakenly believing they might be searching for robbery targets.
A registered nurse administers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to a young girl at Sydney Road Family Medical Practice in Balgowlah in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Australia Eyes COVID-19 Booster Program for Teens

Australia is considering whether to launch a booster program for young people under the age of 18, according to leading medical authorities.

The announcement came after more than 35,000 children had their first COVID-19 jab on the first day of the primary rollout for five to 11-year-old on Monday.

While more Australians are queuing to get their booster shots following the Omicron outbreak, the third shots are currently only recommended for people aged 18 and older.

A federal health department spokesman said the government was working to support applications for child boosters once more information was available.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is currently evaluating data on the Pfizer COVID-19 booster for individuals aged 16 to 17 years of age, the spokesman told AAP.

The Australian government continues to encourage individuals to complete a two-dose vaccination schedule, as this enables strong protection against severe illness and hospitalisation.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the countrys leading immunisation group, is consulting the government about whether to make boosters available for under 18s and how often they should be administered.

Meanwhile, deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd said he believed the child vaccination rollout would lead to a decrease of virus cases in schools.

We have enough of the Pfizer vaccine for every five to 11-year-old to receive their first dose by the end of this month, he told the ABC, saying the number of vaccination sites nationwide increasing from 6,000 to 8,000, Kidd said.

But while authorities hold high hopes for the childrens vaccination program, a paper published on the BMJ has said that it may not be necessary to vaccinate all children as COVID-19 is a generally mild disease in kids with less than two percent of symptomatic children requiring hospital admission.

The journal review, published in November 2021, found that the severity of COVID-19 in children might have been overestimated as the rate of intensive care admission of hospitalised children, which ranges between 2 percent and 13 percent, includes children who are hospitalised with COVID-19 and not because of COVID-19.

The case for vaccinating all healthy children against COVID-19 is more difficult than for adults as the balance of risks and benefits is more nuanced, the review said.

Even though transmission in schools can contribute to the circulation of SARS-CoV-2, the rate of transmission in educational settings is low, and index cases are often adults.

The risk of long COVID-19 in children might have also been overestimated, the authors noted, pointing to the lack of data to determine the risk of long COVID-19 in children accurately.

It said most studies on this topic have substantial limitations such as potential selection bias, a lack of a clear case definition and the absence of a control group without infection.

The paper also listed a number of potential risks of vaccinating children, including the risk of adverse effects, the lack of long-term safety data, the currently limited global COVID-19 supply and the high cost-benefit ratio of COVID-19 vaccination in children.

Although the majority of adverse vaccine effects occur early after vaccination, any unforeseen adverse effects could undermine vaccine confidence and reduce vaccination rates against other diseases, it said.

Another consideration is that, once SARS-CoV becomes endemic, primary SARS-CoV-2 infection in early childhood, when COVID-19 is mild, with subsequent boosting from ongoing exposure at older ages, may bring about population immunity more effectively than mass immunisation.
Australian Fast Food Chains Forced to Reduce Menus and Hours Due to Staff Shortage Issues

Australian customers are finding that staff shortages have not only affected supermarket shelves, but also the operation of fast-food giants, such as McDonalds and KFC.

KFC is experiencing a shortage of poultry meat, forcing some of its restaurants to offer a reduced menu.

Like many businesses across Australia, our supply chain & workforce has been impacted by COVID-19, KFC said in a media release on Jan. 12. Rest assured were doing all we can to get back to fryin everyones faves as soon as possible.

This isnt the way we wanted to start the year, please be kind to each other and our staff as they do their best to provide the chicken we all love, KFC said.

Nandos also cannot provide its full menu as it struggles with its own chicken supply, even forcing some restaurants to close temporarily.

Were sorry you might not be able to enjoy the Nandos you planned, a statement for Nandos said. COVID is creating staff shortages and supply problems throughout our restaurants. So you might find your local restaurant is closed or that you cant order your usual.

McDonalds is seen re-opened in Melbourne, Australia, on May 18, 2020. (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, some McDonalds stores have also been forced reduced trading hours due to the number of staff in isolation because of COVID-19.

Like many businesses, some McDonalds restaurants have had to temporarily reduce operating hours due to staff isolation requirements, a McDonalds Australia spokesperson told The Epoch Times. We appreciate our customers patience and understanding as we continue to prioritise health and safety during these times.

The closures come as new rules in New South Wales and Queensland have removed some isolation requirements, allowing food distribution, logistics, and other essential workers in the supply chain to return to work.

The Australian Industry Group has called on the national cabinet tomorrow to come to an agreement around the consistent rules on COVID-19 testing, isolation, and return to work.

Businesses in food and logistics are reporting that 10 to 50 percent of their workers are sick or in isolation, Ai Group CEO Innes Willox said in a statement. To give this perspective, if 20 percent of our entire workforce was isolated or sick, that would equate to around 2.6 million workers.

This crisis should force us to think creatively about rules and regulations to identify ways to get all hands on deck in critical sectors.
Empty shelves of meat products are seen at a supermarket in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 7, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Australian Industries Urge for Consistent Easing of Isolation Rules to Relieve Stress on Supply Chain

Australias peak industry employer association is calling on the government to loosen isolation rules for a wider range of essential workers in the economy, similar to the latest changes to the food and grocery sector, to relieve the huge stress the supply chain is currently facing.

Tomorrows national cabinet meeting must agree to workable, consistent rules on COVID testing, isolation, and return to work that are cognisant of widespread shortages, the huge stresses on our supply chains, and the growing number of critical workers out of action, Australian Industry Group CEO Innes Willox said.

Willox welcomed the food and grocery essential worker changes but noted large numbers of employees in critical sectors are being prevented from attending work due to different restrictions in different states.

Businesses in food and logistics have reported that 10 to 50 percent of their workforce were sick or in isolation.

One potential solution is to temporarily lift visa work right restrictions, Willox said, advocating for the lifting of work rights for all visa holders, which has already been granted to international students.

Empty shelves of eggs are seen at a supermarket in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 7, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

The small business ombudsman met with industry groups and the federal government on Tuesday night to discuss a range of potential solutions to the issues that small businesses were facing.

Attendees pleaded for nationally-consistent requirements across states and territories in what businesses in critical supply chains and more broadly were required to do, particularly in relation to testing and isolation, Small Business Ombudsman Bruce Billson told The Epoch Times.

The changes to food and grocery workers was welcomed in the meeting, and policymakers were urged to progressively adopt rules to support the workforce across the economy.

Attendees pleaded for nationally-consistent requirements across states and territories in what businesses in critical supply chains and more broadly were required to do, particularly in relation to testing and isolation, he said.

Access to rapid antigen tests (RATs) was identified as more challenging for smaller businesses and called for measures to ensure smaller employers could obtain the rapid tests needed to comply with requirements.

The Australian Airport Association (AAA) also warned that staff shortages could force airports to close or require closures for certain hours.

It is vital Australia maintains a sovereign air network to keep people connected and freight and supply chain routes open, AAA spokesperson Hannah Maguire told The Epoch Times. Airports need minimum numbers of skilled staff to comply with safety and security regulations.

Maguire noted that a lot of airfreight, including essential medical supplies, is usually carried in passenger aircrafts, so the already reduced movements were impacting supply chains and delivery times.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) also called for the national cabinet to establish clear and nationally consistent guidelines for managing the return of close contacts back into the workforce at tomorrows meeting.

Its important that the close contact protocols do not become more and more complicated with an ever-expanding list of essential and critical services workers. The common sense and efficient option is to extend these protocols to all workers, ACCI CEO Andrew McKellar said.

A sign indicating sold out rapid antigen tests is posted in a Balgowlah pharmacy in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

However, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is instead advocating for all Australians to be able to access free RATs, with priority given to frontline workers.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus also warned that the unions will fight any attempt to water down OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) rules.

I have called on the Prime Minister to convene an emergency meeting with the representatives of essential workers to hear directly from them on the actions needed to support workers at this time of crisis, which is inflicting a devastating toll on working people in this country, McManus said.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) previously called the new rules for food and grocery workers reckless.

To rebuild a healthy workforce, we need to have isolation requirements and rapid testing working togetherwe cant have one without the other, TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said.
Epson has announced a partnership with Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, across the Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Russia (EMEAR) region, where Bolt will be the face of a brand awareness campaign for Epson's cartridge-free EcoTank printers.

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist, and widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time, Bolt will promote Epson's EcoTank range to include Outdoor, POS and Social Media.

Over 60 million EcoTank high-capacity ink tank printers have sold worldwide since their launch in 2010, saving customers up to 90% on printing costs2. The printers come with high yield ink bottles instead of cartridges. One set of ink bottles is the equivalent of up to 72 cartridges worth of ink.

Epson has recently refreshed its award-winning range of EcoTank printers enabling busy households and small offices to enjoy hassle-free printing at an ultra-low-cost per page. All Epson's new EcoTank printers feature its Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology so users can enjoy reduced energy consumption with less need for replacement parts.

Commenting on the partnership, Mukesh Bector, Head of sales Epson East and West Africa said: "Usain is the perfect partner for us! He is one of the most recognised people in the world and his engaging character will help bring our low-cost printing solutions to life in a fun, memorable and engaging way. With more of us working from home than ever before, and modern family life getting busier, now is the right time to raise even more awareness of our EcoTank printers and the cost saving benefits they deliver."

Bolt says: "I'm delighted to be working with Epson to help spread the word about EcoTank printers. I only partner with brands that I believe can make a real difference. EcoTank printers remove many of the frustrations that exist around printing with cartridges so anything that can help make life a little bit easier has got to be a good thing."

"However, this partnership is about much more than that! We share many of the same values including creating better futures. For Epson, this is all about building trust through its products, products that help communities grow and prosper. And for me it's about inspiring others to follow their dreams, regardless of how big or small they may be," he says.

To view the new TV Commercial, and to see some of the extra footage filmed during the shoot, take a look at Epson's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/EpsonEurope

1.Average cost per page saving and average number of inkjet cartridges required to print the same number of pages as EcoTank "102" and "104"ink bottles. Comparison between average yield (A4 prints of ISO/IEC 24711) of EcoTank "102" and "104" bottles and the genuine consumables used within the 50 best-selling inkjet cartridge printers (according to GfK Inkjet Printing Devices and Inkjet Printing Cartridges Point of Sale panel market data for Germany, France, UK, Spain and Italy Apr-19 - Mar 2020).

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Environment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of Epson.

About EpsonEpson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson will become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of around JPY 1 trillion.global.epson.com/

Media contact:Epson@tribecapr.co.za

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
Beijings Trade Bullying Fails

Chinas attempt to punish Australia inspires an effective decoupling

Commentary

Australia is a case in pointfor both Chinas trading partners and for decision-makers in Beijing. Because in 2020 Australia had asked too many questions about the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Beijing had set out to deprive it of lucrative aspects of its China trade.

But Australia has managed to replace much of what it lost in China. The two lessons are clear: China is not as big as Beijing seems to think, and Chinas trading partners have more alternatives than is commonly believed.

The dispute blew up early in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Canberra in April 2020 led an international call to investigate the origins of the virus in Wuhan, the capital of Chinas Hubei Province. Beijing reacted immediately. It instructed its ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, to threaten consumer boycotts of Australian products.

In May 2020, Chinese authorities imposed massive anti-dumping duties on Australian barley, one of the countrys principal exports to China.

In the weeks that followed, Beijing discontinued export licenses for many Australian beef producers and placed heavy tariffs on Australian wine, wool, lobsters, sugar, copper, timber, and grapes. Tariffs on cotton, coal, and natural gas followed quickly.

In November 2020, Beijing handed Canberra a list of 14 grievances, threatening no return to normal trade relationships until Australia complied.

China has used trade sanctions before to try to wring diplomatic concessions from countries, including Canada, Japan, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.

The move against Australia was, however, unprecedented in its speed and severity. And if there ever was a country seemingly vulnerable to such pressure, it was Australia. In recent years, China had grown increasingly important to Australian trade. The volume had trebled in just the five years leading up to the dispute. China absorbed a great proportion of Australian overseas sales of coal, natural gas, and agricultural products. Money flows from Chinese tourists and students had also become important to the Australian economy. At the start of this trouble, China absorbed fully 40 percent of all Australian exports, approximately AU$149 billion (about $110 billion).

Yet Australia managed to avoid most of the economic pain that Beijing sought to inflict. Australian exporters found workarounds and, more significantly, alternative markets. Beef producers sent their cattle to abattoirs that, for one reason or another, had retained their export licenses in China. Lobster farmers found ways into Chinese markets through existing Hong Kong arrangements. China, to replace Australian coal, had tapped Russian and Indonesian sources, leaving it to the Australians to sell coal to former clients of Russia and Indonesia who had lost out to the new Chinese demand. Australian barley farmers found ready buyers in Saudi Arabia and Southeast Asia. Europe and Japan consumed the Australian copper that China no longer bought, while Bangladesh and Vietnam did the same for Australian cotton. Timber and wine were tailored to the Chinese market, so they have had more difficulty finding substitutes, but they are adjusting.

Australian beef is seen at a supermarket in Beijing on May 12, 2020. China suspended imports from four major Australian beef suppliers on May 12, just weeks after Beijings ambassador warned of a consumer boycott in retaliation for Canberras push to probe the origins of the coronavirus. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

The Australian Treasury sums up the whole incident with these estimates. Under the old trade arrangements, Chinese strictures threatened a loss of some AU$5.4 billion (about $3.9 billion) to Australian trade. The adjustments, however, have made back AU$4.4 billion (about $3.2 billion) for a net loss of about AU$1.0 billion (about $729 million). That amounts to barely one half of one percent of 2021 Australian exports.

Not only did Beijings fit of pique fail to do Australia much economic harm, but it brought China diplomatic setbacks in its wake. Its representatives suffered embarrassment at the 2021 G-7 summit in Rome, when the Australian delegation distributed copies of the 14 grievances as an example of Chinese coercion. More substantively, it seems likely that Beijings ruthless economic pressure contributed to Canberras decision to press ahead with the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with India, Japan, and the United States, as well as develop the AUKUS security partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States.

Beijing frequently chides Washington for its arrogance and overreach. It is often on the mark. Such behavior seldom gets the results intended for it. Chinas authorities might also look in the mirror and take the lesson for themselves. Their high-handed effort to bully Canberra has done Australia little harm and in the balance upset what were once useful trade relationships for China. It has embarrassed Beijing on the world stage and at the margin tipped the military balance away from China. All told, it speaks to poor planning and an adolescent petulance that never has a place in world affairs.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A medical worker places a nasal swab into a test tube after performing a COVID-19 PCR test at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center in Boston, Mass., on Dec. 20, 2021. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Administration Announces More Tests for Schools

The Biden administration says it will up the number of COVID-19 tests it provides to schools.

The White House announced on Wednesday that it will begin sending 5 million rapid tests and 5 million lab-based PCR tests to schools each month. Officials say this will double the amount of testing schools were performing in November.

This after the administration has already spent $130 billion from the American Rescue Plan meant to keep schools open, plus an additional $10 billion for testing at schools.

The Omicron variant is driving unprecedented demand for testing, so we need to ensure school leaders have the support they need to meet that demand, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said during a Jan. 12 update.

The roughly 350,000 students in Chicago Public Schools returned to the classroom on Wednesday after missing four days of school due to the districts teachers union voting to suspend in-person learning over concerns surrounding the surge of Omicron cases.

The deal reached between teachers and the district includes the goal of ramping up a testing program that would have at least 10 percent of students in every school tested on a weekly basis.

96 percent of schools across the country are currently open for in-person learning, according to the White House.

The number of COVID-19 cases nationwide has risen substantially over the past few weeks.

This weeks data counts a 47 percent increase in cases, with an average of 751,000 per day. Hospitalizations are up 33 percent to 19,800 each day, and there are also 40 percent more COVID-related deaths at 1,600 each day.

The administration has received criticism for the lack of tests available during the surge.

When asked by a Fox News reporter Jan. 10 why the White House was unprepared for the need for testing after the holidays, White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded by pointing to unprecedented demand and the administrations efforts to open 20,000 testing sites nationwide and increase the number of tests issued each day from 900,000 to about 10 or 11 million over the past year.

The White House announced on Wednesday that Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, will join its COVID-19 team to oversee the testing effort.

In the coming days, private insurers will be required to reimburse Americans for tests and the launch of a new federal website for Americans to order free tests to be shipped to their doors.
President Joe Biden speaks in support of changing the Senate filibuster rules that have stalled voting rights legislation, at Atlanta University Center Consortium, on the grounds of Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga., on Jan. 11, 2022. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)

Biden Invokes George Wallace to Disparage Republicans, Despite Having Praised Wallace in the Past

President Joe Bidens history of praising segregationist George Wallace is resurfacing after the president invoked the late former Alabama governor in a speech on Tuesday.

In his address from the Atlanta University Center Consortium, on the campus of Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College, Biden promoted two bills in the Senate that would overhaul voting rules in U.S. elections. He also called for bringing an end to the filibuster if its needed to pass the bills.

In the speech, Biden attempted to link Republican opposition to the bills to Wallace as well as former Birmingham Public Safety Commissioner Bull Connor and former president of the Confederate States Jefferson Davis.

So, I ask every elected official in America, how do you want to be remembered? Biden said. Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace? Do you want to be on the side of John Lewis or Bull Connor? Do you want to be on the side of Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis?

Following Bidens address, the House GOP Twitter account posted a 1987 news clipping from the Detroit Free Press in which then Delaware Sen. Joe Biden boasted to voters that former Alabama Gov. George Wallace had praised him as one of the outstanding young politicians of America.

FLASHBACK: Joe Biden once bragged about being praised by George Wallace, the Twitter post reads.

The Washington Examiner also pointed to a Philadelphia Inquirer Article from 1975 in which Biden is quoted as saying, I think the Democratic Party could stand a liberal George Wallacesomeone whos not afraid to stand up and offend people, someone who wouldnt pander but would say what the American people know in their gut is right.

The Philadelphia Inquirer also reported in 1988 that, while campaigning for the presidency in Alabama, Biden talked of his sympathy for the South, bragged of an award he had received from George Wallace in 1973, and said We (Delawareans) were on the Souths side in the Civil War.

Biden, who served 36 years in the Senate, was also part of the 1977 Senate Judiciary Committee that unanimously voted to have Jefferson Daviss citizenship restored, according to the Washington Examiner.

Davis had previously served as the U.S. Secretary of War before the South seceded. He was charged with treason, and in 1876, years after the war, Congress refused to restore Daviss citizenship.

There have also been other instances in which Biden voiced opposition to Wallace.

During his 2020 campaign for president, Biden said his then-rival Donald Trump was more George Wallace than George Washington.

And according to Fox News, in 1975, Biden reportedly invoked Wallace to disparage then-Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo, grouping him with former President Richard Nixon and Wallace as men who stand for everything that is wrong in the country.

In 1976, Biden said he would back then-President Gerald Ford for reelection if he went up against Wallace, who was seeking the Democratic nomination. Biden was reportedly critical of Wallaces record on policies like crime and education.

A request for comment was sent to the White House for this article.
United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti visit the Port of Long Beach, Calif., on Jan 11, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Buttigieg: Los Angeles Ports Saved Christmas

In his first visit since the start of the supply chain crisis, the U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured Los Angeles-area ports on Jan. 11, commending port workers and officials for saving Christmas.

One of the reasons why Christmas was not, in fact, canceled was because ports like LA and Long Beach moved record levels of goods, allowing an all-time record high of retail sales this holiday season, Buttigieg said at a press conference.

United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks to journalists in Long Beach, Calif., on Jan 11, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined the secretary at a press conference on a helipad at the Port of Long Beach. He thanked President Joe Biden and his administration.

I want to thank the Biden administration, Joe Biden, this Cabinet, and this Congress for proving, together with the American worker, that not only Christmas could be saved but that American competitiveness, know-how, and the desire to rebuild this country is alive and well, Garcetti said.

Biden tapped Garcetti to serve as the ambassador to India when his term as mayor is up in December.

Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks to journalists in Long Beach, Calif., on Jan 11, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Port officials have attributed record cargo ship and container backups to the COVID-19 pandemic and consumer spending increases.

The twin ports continued to see a backlog of cargo ships this month. On Jan. 10, 194 ships of all kinds were at dock or waiting in the waters off San Pedro Bay. Some ships were spread out across the Pacific Ocean, waiting for their turn to dock. Of those, 102 were container ships. One container ship, Pinocchio, from Liberia, has waited nearly two months to dock, according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California.

Buttigieg started the morning in San Pedro at the USS Iowa, a retired battleship, to have coffee with labor leaders to discuss upcoming projects at the ports.

By 9:45 a.m., he boarded an 83-foot catamaran called Triumphant, joined by nearly a dozen local lawmakers and port officials, including Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles), Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro), Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), along with Los Angeles County Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn, all of whom represent areas of Los Angeles and Long Beach near the ports, according to FOX 11 News.

The executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, Gene Seroka, and Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero also joined in the boat ride from San Pedro to the port of Long Beach.

Ships await the offloading of cargo in Long Beach, Calif., on Jan 11, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Along the way, Buttigieg stood at the bow of the ship, asking about the towers of cargo stacked on docked ships from Panama, Columbia, Hong Kong, and other distant countries, according to FOX 11.

Hahn and Solis spoke to the secretary about efforts to reduce emissions along the corridor that trucks and trains use to transport cargo from the ports to giant inland warehouses.

The catamaran cruised under the new Gerald Desmond Bridge, a $1.4 billion landmark project that opened in 2020, FOX 11 reported.

By 11 a.m., the tour reached the dock in Long Beach where the secretary was met by Garcetti, who accompanied Buttigieg to a press conference to discuss the progress made on easing supply chain problems.

When there is an issue affecting ports here, you will feel it as far away as my Indiana hometown, Buttigieg said.

The ports processed 14 percent more containers last year than the previous record, the secretary said.

Not only is this about presents under the tree, but this is about essential goods, like medical goods, that are needed this moment of continued public health challenge, Buttigieg said.

He highlighted recent grants received by the ports and mentioned that $17 billion more was committed to the ports from Bidens Infrastructure Law, signed into law in November.

Trucks pick up cargo from The Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif., on Jan 11, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

In December, the Port of Long Beach received a $52 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportations Maritime Administration to fund the development of an on-dock rail support facility. The facility will allow smaller train segments to connect to a larger train.

Construction on the project is expected to start in 2023 and will allow the port to move more cargo by train, according to port officials.

On Jan. 10, California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a new state budget for 202223 that includes $2.3 billion for state ports.

The governors budget allocates $2.3 billion for ports to address bottlenecks in our supply chain, advance our efforts to decarbonize the freight system, and ensure a robust and resilient workforce continues to move goods on behalf of the state and nation, Seroka said.

The funds are expected to pay for port-related projects that increase the capacity to move goods more quickly on rails and roadways, a rail yard expansion project, new bridges, and zero-emission projects. Some of the money is also slated for workforce training, enhancing the states ability to issue commercial drivers licenses and new data systems, according to port officials.

FOX 11 contributed to this report as the pool reporter for the tour.
Bags of heroin, some laced with fentanyl, are displayed at the office of the New York Attorney General in New York City on Sept. 23, 2016. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

California Senate Committee Strikes Down Bill That Increases Sentences for Fentanyl Dealers

The California Senates Public Safety Committee shot down a bill Jan. 11 that sought to crack down on the states years-long fentanyl epidemic by targeting drug traffickers.

Senate Bill 75, a bipartisan bill introduced by Sen. Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and sponsored by the Orange County Sheriffs Department, would add fentanyl to the category of illicit drugs that carry an increased sentence if a person is convicted of possessing an amount of the drug with an intent to sell.

Fatal fentanyl poisonings have skyrocketed across the county and the United States, with Orange County seeing a 1,067 percent increase in deaths from 2016 to 2020, with the number continuing to grow in 2021, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said.

Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes speaks in Santa Ana, Calif., on Sept. 20, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Fentanyl is extremely dangerous due to its potency, given that it is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Just two milligrams can be enough to kill a person.

The drug is often used in the manufacturing of fake prescription pills including oxycodone and Percocet, causing those who buy drugs off the street to be unaware theyre ingesting it.

The bill received four of five no votes. Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) voted in favor.

Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), a member of the board, said he felt that the measure wouldnt do enough to stop fentanyl.

If increasing incarceration for this drug were an effective strategy, I think a lot of people would be open to it, but we know from experience that its not an effective strategy, he said at the meeting.

Bates argued that adding enhancements for other drugs such as cocaine and heroin worked in the past, and that demand needs to be stopped.

Until we stop the demand, were not going to stop the importation or the production, because its so lucrative, she said. This is pure fentanyl thats coming in, and in huge quantities, and of course, if its that available, then theyre going to lace it into these other drugs like opioids.

Fentanyl has become the drug of choice because it gets you higher faster, but its sneaky the way its coming in and affecting our younger population and those who are already addicted.

Following the committees decision to reject the measure, Sheriff Barnes said the direction of skyrocketing fentanyl deaths will not reverse until meaningful action is taken to address the problem.

The failure of the Public Safety Committee to recognize the legitimate risk to Californians has created a perverse incentive encouraging drug cartels to traffic pure fentanyl, as the consequences for doing so are less than trafficking other narcotics, he said in a statement. Without a proper consequence, we can only expect trafficking efforts to continue and the death toll to increase.

Each fentanyl death is a person, with family and friends who cared for them and grieve deeply.  I have met with these families and seen their anguish first-hand. We should be doing everything we can to spare even one more family from suffering this unthinkable loss.

Barnes said he will continue to work with Bates to develop legislation in the future to find a solution to the fentanyl crisis.
Canadas Spy Agency Warns Parliamentarians of Chinas Influence Operations

For the first time, Canadas intelligence agency is briefing individual parliamentarians who could be targeted by the clandestine influence operations conducted by China and other authoritarian regimes.

John Townsend, a spokesperson for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), told The Globe and Mail that the agency is increasingly alarmed by efforts by Beijing and its agents to cozy up with elected Canadian officials in order to gain influence over parliamentary and government policies.

CSIS actively investigates threats that are carried out in a clandestine or deceptive manner or involve a threat to any person, Townsend said regarding the briefings.

CSIS delivers these briefings in order to promote awareness of foreign interference and the actions of other hostile actors and to strengthen individual security practices and protect Canadians and their interests.

Townsend did not reveal who CSIS has briefed, though the Globe reported MPs and senators from all major parties were being contacted.

NDP MP Jenny Kwan, who has been vocal about Beijings crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, told the Globe she was approached by the agency before and after the 2021 federal election. She said the principal threat mentioned in her conversation with the agency was China.

The briefing touched on a range of issues on how interference could occur and examples of those possibilities and to ensure we are alerted, Kwan said. When CSIS has such concerns  it is useful for all parliamentarians to be informed of that.

Methods of Influence

In a July 2021 report titled Foreign Interference Threats to Canadas Democratic Process, CSIS noted the agency has observed steady, and in some cases increasing, foreign interference by state actors targeting Canada.

In many cases, clandestine influence operations are meant to deceptively influence Government of Canada policies, officials or democratic processes in support of foreign political agendas, the report says.

This activity can include cultivating influential people to sway decision-making, spreading disinformation on social media, and seeking to covertly influence the outcome of elections. These threats can target all levels of government (federal, provincial, municipal) across Canada.

A 2020 report published by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) identified China and Russia as primary culprits undertaking espionage and foreign interference activities in Canada.

Though the effects of espionage and foreign interference are not as readily apparent as those of terrorism, they are the most significant long-term threats to Canadas sovereignty and prosperity, the report says.

The [COVID-19] pandemic, meanwhile, has provided a new impetus for foreign states to conduct espionage activities against the Canadian health sector and Canadian organizations working in science and technology.

The committees 2019 report said the Chinese Communist Party has various ways to influence democratic societies, including directing Chinese entities and individuals to assist with interference efforts under the guise of contributing to state security.

The report notes the Chinese regime also heavily targets media in Canada in its influence operations, including efforts to harmonize international Chinese-language media with its own state-run media.

The report said while China traditionally took a defensive approach to foreign media through domestic censorship and by expelling critical foreign journalists, it has recently added a more assertive approach to try reshape the global information environment with massive infusions of money, such as providing advertorial funding and sponsorship.

While within China the press is increasingly tightly controlled, abroad Beijing has sought to exploit the vulnerabilities of the free press to its advantage, the report says.

In Canada, there are roughly 650 publications and 120 radio and television programs in languages other than French and English, many of which are heavily influenced and manipulated, either wittingly or unwittingly, by foreign states, the committee said.

International organizations, such as the United Nations, are also targets of foreign interference activities conducted by China. Beijing is the second-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the third-largest contributor to the UN regular budget.

Beijing has stepped up efforts to reshape international discourse around human rights, especially within the UN system, the NSICOP report says.

Beijing has sought not only to block criticism of its own system but also to erode norms, such as the notion that the international community has a legitimate role in scrutinizing other countries behavior on human rights  and to advance narrow definitions of human rights based on economic standards.
Canadian Province to Impose Significant Fines on Unvaccinated Residents

The Canadian province of Quebec is set to fine unvaccinated residents who do not have a medical exemption from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, the premier of the French-speaking province announced on Tuesday.

Premier Francois Legault said adult residents who do not qualify for medical exemptions will be charged a financial penalty, adding he believes that refusing to get vaccinated leads to consequences for the health care system.

It marks the first time a government in Canada has announced a financial penalty for people who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

At a press conference, Legault said the unvaccinated represent 10 percent of Quebecs population.

Those who refuse to get their first doses in the coming weeks will have to pay a new health contribution, Legault said. The majority are asking that there be consequences.  Its a question of fairness for the 90 percent of the population that have made some sacrifices. We owe them.

Legault didnt elaborate on the details of the financial penalty, but said it would be significant.

The announcement comes a week after Canadas federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos said he expects COVID-19 vaccinations will become mandatory.

I see it coming personally. Not now. I dont think we are there yet. But I think decisions need to be had about mandatory vaccinations because we have to get rid of COVID-19, Duclos said last week when pressed on the issue.

The health ministers office later issued a statement saying that imposing mandatory vaccinations will be up to each provincial jurisdiction.

Legault said unvaccinated adults in Quebec represent about 50 percent of intensive care patients.

Quebec previously announced a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Officials said that will come off as soon as things improve.

Quebec reported 62 more deaths attributed to COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, pushing the total number of people killed by the virus in the province to 12,028, the most in Canada.

The Canadian province isnt the first to consider imposing fines on the unvaccinated.

In Greece, those over 60 have until Jan. 16 to get their first jabs or be fined 100 euros ($113) for every month they remain unvaccinated.

Meanwhile, in Austria, the health minister announced last month the government plans to impose fines of up to 3,600 euros (around $4,000) on people who flout a COVID-19 vaccine mandate it aims to introduce in February for all residents age 14 and over.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Military vehicles carrying HHQ-9B surface-to-air missiles participate in a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Canadians Continue to See China as Most Serious Threat: New Poll

Canadians want Ottawa to work with allies to stand up to authoritarian regimes like China, poll says

Canadians continue to view China as the most negative adversary, with the majority of them believing that the communist state poses a threat to Canadas national security, says a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI).

Indeed, almost seven in ten Canadians believe China poses a threat to Canada, which is the highest of any country in this survey, said Jonathan Miller, Indo-Pacific program director at MLI.

I think Canadians are very clear-eyed about who their friends are and who their adversaries are, so this is something that weve noted in both years that weve done this polling.

Miller made the comments during a webinar on Jan. 11 that brought together a panel of policy experts to discuss the polling results of what Canadians view as the most important issues facing the country beyond its borders.

The polling, conducted yearly, builds off the results from 2020 and reveals some changes in Canadians attitudes and opinions on matters of foreign policy and international affairs.

Nearly two-thirds of Canadians maintain a negative view of China, with 35 percent very negative and 27 percent moderately negative, the poll says. Those with a higher International Knowledge Score view China most negatively at 85 percent, suggesting that as knowledge about Chinas actions increases, so too do negative views of the country.

In terms of threats, China is seen as the most serious one among countries including Russia, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, and Iran. Thirty-six percent of the respondents see China as a serious threat while 33 percent say the Chinese state poses a moderate threat.

The poll, however, noted that the stance taken in both views has softened compared to 2020. The negative view on China dropped 11 points from 73 percent, while serious threat is down 8 points from 44 percent.

With the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, opinions of China may have softened, said MLI in a press release on Jan. 11. Additionally, as the origin story of COVID-19 recedes from public debate, it is likely that the focus of Canadians has shifted from initial responsibility for the pandemic to other issues.

Even so, Miller is positive that Canadians are still keeping their guard up against Chinas agenda to gain global dominance.

Canadians remain resolute in their skepticism on China and its increasingly assertive policies in the Indo-Pacific region and globally, said Miller in a statement.

The poll shows 64 percent of Canadians believe Canada should build closer relationships with other democracies in the Indo-Pacific region.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly rises during Question Period in Ottawa on Dec. 7, 2021. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

In an interview on Global News The West Block program on Jan. 9, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Canada is developing an Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to deepen diplomatic, economic, and defence partnerships with international allies in the region.

We need to be able to have a clear strategy in the region when it comes to trade, when it comes to also our relationship economically speaking, but also on human rights and democratic values and issues, she said, while noting that it will be her focus in the coming weeks and months.

The poll indicates that 87 percent of the respondents believe that defending Canadian values such as human rights and democracy forms an important priority in the countrys foreign policy.

Balkan Devlen, senior fellow and Transatlantic Program lead at MRI, says the polling data also shows Canadians are willing to defend fellow democracies even if it doesnt serve their interests much.

Almost six in ten Canadians believe we should stand up for democracies even if our strategic interests are not at stake, said Devlen, who is also adjunct research professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, in the webinar.

This is true across demographic and geographic distribution and different populations.

Additionally, the poll indicates that Canadians are more than twice as likely to side with other democracies than acquiescing to the wishes of multilateral institutions like the United Nations (54 percent to 23 percent, respectively)a 4-point shift from the multilateral camp since 2020.

Anchoring our foreign policy among democratic allies remains a clear winning strategy in the eyes of Canadians, said MRIs Munk senior fellow and foreign policy program director Shuvaloy Majumdar in a statement.

Even though doing so may result in disagreement with international bodies, when forced to choose, Canadians are willing to pick our allies over multilateral equivocation.

(LR) Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin pose for a group photograph at the State Department in Washington on Sept. 16, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

A clear majority of Canadians (75 percent) also believe that the country should join the AUKUS alliancea new defence pact between the United States, Australia, and the UK that was announced on Sept. 15, and from which Canada was left out.

Miller says rather than frame the AUKUS alliance as a tactical deal about nuclear submarines between the three countries, it should expand its scope.

Its about defence technology, Miller said in the webinar. Its about the future of the way that democracies see the Indo-Pacific region and the threats to that region, and Canada needs to be a part of that discussion.

Nearly 40 percent of Canadians want to see an increase in defence spendinga 4-point increase from 2020, the poll stated, and 42 percent say the budget should be maintained at the same level.

When it comes to working with allies to stand up to authoritarian regimes like China, 85 percent of Canadians say it is important to do so, MLI said, while adding that the Five Eyes alliance remains the most popular international institution to Canadians among the G-7, European Union, NATO, World Health Organization, and United Nations.

Roughly one-quarter of Canadians believe that foreign interference occurred in the last federal election. Among those who think so, 35 percent of them suspect China is behind it.

Miller says foreign policy has become increasingly important, and though it may seem abstract to certain people, one only needs to talk to a soybean farmer to understand how the world is interconnected.

The reality is that foreign policy, in todays world, is intimately tied in with businesses, with civil society. And it is not just some sort of elite topic that deserves its own sort of focus that you need to, had to go to school for eight to 10 years to talk on, he said.

I think well realise very quickly, whether its something in Eastern or Central Europe, or whether its something in the Indo-Pacific, very quickly, these problems could become our problems, and in many ways, actually are our problems right now.

MLI conducted the poll in partnership with German think tank Konrad Adenauer Foundation, using an online national representative sample of 1,783 Canadians between Dec. 2, 2021, and Dec. 4, 2021. The survey was conducted in English and French and has a margin of error of +/-2.3 percentage points for the national samples.

The Greater Toronto and Metro Vancouver areas were oversampled to provide meaningful sample sizes, MRI said.

Andrew Chen contributed to this report.
Capitol Report (Jan. 11): Biden Backs Filibuster Change

Democrats on Capitol Hill this week are pushing forward in an uphill battle aimed at changing national voting laws. We bring you more details on the situation in the Senate. And President Joe Biden visited Georgia to join the fight for new rules at the ballot box. But some Georgia voters say a speech from the president is not enough.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has now been officially banned on Twitter. We caught up with the Georgia congresswoman to find out if she has been given a reason.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken slams Beijings sanctions against four U.S. commissioners on International Religious Freedom.

Hospitalizations for the (Chinese Communist Party) virus hit a record high, with nearly 146,000 Americans being treated. The United States is reporting a record number for the most cases in a single day.

As the Supreme Court gets set to decide whether the Biden administrations vaccine mandates are going to stay or be shut down, we seek perspective on the possibility of both outcomes.

The bitter standoff between Chicago officials and the citys teachers union finally comes to an end. Students will go back to in-person learning on Wednesday, and teachers are back Tuesday. A congresswoman calls for empowering parents, not the teachers union.

Follow CapitolReport on social media:

Twitter https://twitter.com/capitolreport

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CapitolReport/

Gettr https://gettr.com/user/capitolreport
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manager, right, is seen before U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris give remarks in Statuary Hall of the U.S Capitol on Jan. 6, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)

Capitol Security Officials Working to Identify Officers With Extremist Views

U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger and House Sergeant at Arms William Walker are working to identify and root out police officers who might pose insider threats, they told lawmakers on Tuesday.

During a hearing before members of the House Appropriations Committee, Walker said that his office has developed an insider threat awareness program to identify insider threats and employees who do lose their compass.

The goal is to have police officers trained as insider threat specialists so we recognize the signs and symptoms and indicators that someones allegiance has changed, Walker said during the House Appropriations subcommittee hearing.

Walkers plan comes a year after the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol building, which saw leaders who were in charge of the U.S. Capitol Police on that day ousted following criticism for intelligence and other failures.

He said his office will brief the full Capitol Police Board, which oversees the department, on the plan in the coming months.

Manger told lawmakers on Tuesday that he believes it all begins with the hiring process.

Background investigations, polygraphs, and social media investigations will be crucial to ensure those with extremist views arent hired, Manger said.

After you hire someone, you do need to ensure that you have the kind of checks that are necessary to make sure that theres not something that has changed in terms of their background, he said during the hearing.

Having really good in-depth investigations to determine if an officer is involved or engaged in some kind of activity that would lead to a question about their loyalty to our missionthats important as well to make sure that those investigations are done thoroughly and decisive actions taken on those cases, Manger added.

U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thom Manger testifies during the Senate Rules and Administration Committee oversight hearing on Jan. 5, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Tom Williams/Pool/Getty Images)

Experts say the shock of the events that unfolded on Jan. 6 has prompted needed changes, including better communication among Capitol Police, other law enforcement agencies, and the public.

Its a sea change between this year and last year in terms of how the Capitol Police are thinking, and operating, said Chuck Wexler, the head of the Police Executive Research Forum, an organization that focuses on professionalism in policing. Theyre going to be over-prepared, and willing to be criticized for being over-prepared.

Manger so far has focused on making major changes to the agency, which includes 1,800 sworn police officers and nearly 400 civilian employees. Hes ordered new equipment for front-line officers and officers assigned to the civil disturbance unit while expanding training sessions with the National Guard and other agencies. Hes also pushed for stronger peer support and mental health services for officers.

The breach took place during a joint session of Congress when lawmakers met to certify electoral votes submitted by the states. The Capitol grounds and building were breached by protesters and some rioters, some of whom wanted to voice their stance against then-Vice President Mike Pences refusal to intervene in the certification process. Thousands of peaceful protesters remained outside.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A global network of humanitarian agencies has today announced the purchase of an innovative insurance policy in partnership with African Risk Capacity (ARC) and the Government of Zimbabwe. The policy is to protect more than 800,000 people in Zimbabwe from drought risk during the 2021/2022 agricultural season.

The $2.5 million USD policy purchased by Start Network and provided by African Risk Capacity, is built on parametric insurance. This means it pays out before a crisis, according to pre-agreed scientific triggers, based for example on rainfall data. Unlike the standard humanitarian model, in which aid agencies receive funding only after a crisis has hit, the approach enables governments and their partners to plan for and respond before the worst effects of a drought are felt, thereby saving more lives and livelihoods.

Start Network members involved in this initiative in Zimbabwe and the potential implementing partners (in the event a pay-out is made) are; Action Aid Zimbabwe, Action Contre La Faim/Action Against Hunger, CAFOD, Catholic Relief Services, GOAL, Plan International, Tearfund, Trocaire and World Vision Zimbabwe (WVZ). Local non-governmental organisations are participating in the planning and will also lead on the response to continue enhancing locally led humanitarian action. These include Zimbabwe Project Trust (ZIMPRO), Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Family AIDS Counselling Trust (FACT) Zimbabwe, Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ), Simukai Children Protection and Caritas Bulawayo/Gokwe/Hwange/Masvingo/Mutare.

All planning will happen alongside the Government of Zimbabwe and UN-WFP, who also signed a policy with African Risk Capacity. If the policies pay out, the Government of Zimbabwe, Start Network members, and other development partners and non-governmental organisations will deliver complementary programmes of support to ensure the widest number of the most at-risk are supported.

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, welcomed the support from Start Network. He highlighted how the Government of Zimbabwe continues to promote a shift from reactive response to a proactive approach to managing disaster risks such as drought. Hon M. Ncube said, "Parametric insurance delivers timely financial relief before natural disasters strike. After receiving complementary support from UN-WFP as a replica partner in Pools VI and VII, the partnership with Start Network will make Zimbabwe the first ARC Member Country to have two Replica partners for the current Pool VIII. This demonstrates the trust our partners have in Zimbabwe's disaster risk management approach with the ARC Group."

Speaking on behalf of the African Risk Capacity Group, Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Director-General/UN-ASG praised the strong alignment among the partners that made the initiative possible. He said, "The human impacts of natural disasters can only be meaningfully mitigated through smart partnerships harnessing the resources of multiple actors for holistic solutions. We salute the strong leadership of the Government of Zimbabwe in the continued show of confidence in the ARC mechanism. Parametric insurance, such as provided by ARC Limited, remains one of the best risk transfer tools because it ensures a quick mobilisation of relief efforts upon the trigger of a disaster event. We are very optimistic that the rest of the continent will embrace the culture of preparedness and early action as we march in solidarity towards a climate resilient Africa."

Start Network's Disaster Risk Finance Coordinator for Zimbabwe/Start Fund Regional Advisor-East and Southern Africa, Nelly Maonde, commenting on the initiative said, "It is time more support goes towards proactive and not only reactive models of humanitarian action. We have seen great success following two years of running a similar programme in Senegal and we anticipate the same success for Zimbabwe. For too long we have seen the consequences of waiting for the risk to turn into a crisis first before we act - this only leads to suffering. By proactively managing disaster risks, more lives can be saved, more livelihood assets can be protected, vulnerable groups can be spared from resorting to negative coping strategies undermining their future potential and resilience."

World Vision Zimbabwe (WVZ) National Director, Assan Golowa said, "We are happy to host the network coordination in Zimbabwe. As WVZ, we have responded through Start Network many times including the typhoid response under WASH in Bulawayo, urban cash response in Norton and notably during Cyclone Idai, one of our most unprecedented disasters in Zimbabwe. Many other Start Network members in Zimbabwe have been recipients of Start Network funds for various other emergency responses and anticipatory actions, contributing to saving lives and minimising the suffering of Zimbabweans. We look forward to the continued collaboration among the network members and other disaster risk finance initiatives in Zimbabwe".

A similar policy was purchased in Senegal for the 2019/2020 growing season and a $10.6 million USD pay-out meant that more than 300,000 people were supported. The new policy signing in Zimbabwe is part of Start Network's aim to revolutionise the aid sector by catalysing new ways of preparing for crises and thereby helping to create more resilient communities.

This initiative is funded by Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW) Development Bank on behalf of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ) and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Start Network is comprised of approximately 55 members globally with 20 operating in Zimbabwe.

Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of StartNetwork.

Notes to editors

For further information, contact:

Helen James, Head of Communications & Digital, Start Network +44 (0)7887853071 Helen.James@startnetwork.org | Skype: helenjames.com

Available for interview:

 Nelly Maonde, DRFCoordinator/Start Fund Regional Advisor-East and Southern Africa | nelly.maonde@startnetwork.org | Skype: cw_nelly.maonde | +263 772881526

 Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, UN-ASG / GDG African Risk Capacity | chinedu.moghalu@wfp.org +27833087068

Start Network: www.startnetwork.org | @startnetwork

Start Network is a global network of non-governmental organisations, made up of more than 55 national and international aid agencies from five continents. Its mission is to create a new era of humanitarian action that will save even more lives through innovation, fast funding, early action, and localisation. Start Network believes that pre-emptive climate risk financing could revolutionise the aid sector and catalyse a new way of preparing for crises, helping to create more resilient communities. Visit our website to see a full list of members.

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African Risk Capacity: www.africanriskcapacity.org

African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group consists of ARC Agency and ARC Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd). ARC Agency was established in 2012 as a specialized agency of the African Union to help Member States improve their capacities to better plan, prepare for and respond to weather-related disasters. ARC Limited is a mutual insurance facility providing risk transfer services to the Member States through risk pooling and access to reinsurance markets. ARC was established on the principle that investing in preparedness and early warning through an innovative financing approach is highly cost-effective and can save upward of four dollars for every dollar invested ex-ante.

With the support of the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, France, the European Union, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the United States, ARC assists AU Member States in reducing the risk of loss and damage caused by extreme weather events affecting Africa's populations by providing, through sovereign disaster risk insurance, targeted responses to natural disasters in a more timely, cost-effective, objective and transparent manner. ARC is now using its expertise to help tackle some of the other most significant threats faced by the continent, including floods, outbreaks and epidemics.

Since 2014, 62 policies have been signed by Member States for cumulative insurance coverage of $720 million USD for the protection of 72 million vulnerable populations in participating countries.

For more information, please visit: www.africanriskcapacity.org/ Please follow us on social media:

Twitter: @ARCapacity

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-risk-capacity/

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
A man walks his dog past a homeless man sleeping under a message painted on a boarded up shop in San Francisco, Calif., on April 1, 2020. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)

Chaos in San Francisco Is Catalyst for New Business Helping Residents Leave

When Tony Bennett first crooned I Left My Heart in San Francisco in 1962, no one had any idea that the popular City by the Bay would one day become an urban center so wrought with skyrocketing home prices, crime, and homelessness that even longtime residents are now joining an ever-growing exodus.

After living in the region for 37 years, Scott Fuller pulled up stakes and moved to Gilbert, Arizona, where he, along with his wife and two children, are now enjoying a much better quality of life. Five years ago, he founded LeavingTheBayArea.com, a unique consulting firm dedicated to helping Bay Area residents relocate to other areas within California or to surrounding states.

A real estate broker for more than 20 years, Fuller said the timing was right when he started the company in 2016.

I wanted to make sure there was no question about what we do, so thats why I chose the name Leaving the Bay Area, he told The Epoch Times.

Fuller began to notice a slow exodus from San Francisco about seven years ago, and realized that there was no single company dedicated to providing full-service relocation assistance. Working in partnership with real estate professionals throughout the country, the company now offers everything from selling and moving services to researching new locations, buying, utility connections, and even mail forwarding.

The Fuller family moved to Gilbert, Arizona, from the Bay Area. (Courtesy of the Fuller family)

As things started to snowball over the past couple of years, people have had a lot of concerns like affordability, taxes, congestion, crime, and homelessness, he said. The area has changed a lot from the California that I knew growing up here.

A December 2021 report by the California Policy Lab found that the migration to California from other U.S. states dropped 38 percent since the start of the pandemic in 2020. San Francisco had the deepest decline at 53 percent, while exits from the Bay Area increased by more than 21 percent. Overall, the report found that some 60,000 people left the state in the first quarter of 2020, and that number more than doubled by the third quarter of 2021, with more than 150,000 exits.

San Francisco isnt alone, as published reports indicate a similar migration from other large cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. However, two recent separate surveys both show continued large-scale exit plans by many current Bay Area residents.

A fourth-quarter 2021 poll by Joint Venture Silicon Valley indicates 56 percent of respondents are planning to leave the Bay Area within the next few years, and 75 percent identify the cost of housing and homelessness as the areas most serious problems. Overall, 71 percent believe the quality of life there is worse than it was just five years ago.

A similar poll conducted last summer by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce shows more than 40 percent of residents surveyed plan to move from San Francisco in a few years. Eight out of 10 respondents say crime has gotten worse, while close to 90 percent believe the homeless crisis is flourishing. Almost 75 percent of those polled say their quality of life has declined over the past year.

Screeching headlines over the past year have detailed the rash of daytime burglaries of high-end retailers, as well as other stores and small businesses throughout the Bay Area, while countless photos and news videos continue to depict an expanding homeless population in the city.

The Cooper family moved to Montana from the Bay Area. (Courtesy of the Cooper family)

According to the San Francisco Police Departments Crime Dashboard, at the end of 2021, larceny theft was up almost 20 percent from 2020, with 30,406 incidents reported.

I think a lot of people feel that the state is going in the wrong direction, Fuller said.

Respondents to the Joint Venture Silicon Valley survey are split on the overall direction of Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area: 52 percent say it is on the wrong track, while 48 percent say the region is headed in the right direction. While 71 percent responded that the region is good or excellent for pursuing a career, 89 percent believe the area is poor or just fair for purchasing a home. Zillow lists the current median home sale price at $1.5 million for the San Francisco region.

For Fuller and his family, the move to Arizona has resulted in a 100 percent better lifestyle.

The housing is more affordable, taxes are lower, theres less government regulation, and people are a lot less stressed-out and happier, he said.

Many of his clients are nearing retirement age, while others are younger professionals who are now working remotely because of COVID-19. Some of the more popular destinations include Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida.

Eric Thomas lived in the Bay Area for 52 years until he and his family left last year. He cited the cost of living, public policy, high taxes, crime, and traffic as some of the main reasons for leaving.

There was also an over-restrictive handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and related enforced mandates, he told The Epoch Times.

The Thomases new home is in North Texas, near the Oklahoma border.

We absolutely love the people here and feel safe, he said. We live in a small town where everyone is friendly and helps one another.

The family also was able to purchase a home twice the size of their former one, for nearly half the price.

Another client, Matthew Cooper, relocated to Montana last year after living in the Bay Area for more than 40 years.

We were so glad to escape the area, he told The Epoch Times. We saw how things were going with crime waves and homelessnessit was a breakdown of law and order in society.

The Cooper familys new home in Montana. (Courtesy of the Cooper Family)

Now, Cooper, his wife, and three girls live on 21 acres in Montana. The property includes their own large home and a guest house, and the cost for everything was just $650,000less than half of the cost of a Bay Area home with little land.

Up here, everyone weve hired and everyone weve met has been a freedom-loving patriot, Cooper added. Its been wonderful to be in a community of like-minded people.

Recently published reports indicate that San Francisco Mayor London Breed now is promising to get tough on crime, announcing new policies to battle drug use and dealing, as well as theft. The plan would also include overtime funding for police presence in the Tenderloin district.

The Cooper family property in Montana, consisting of a large home, guest house, and 21 acres for $650,000. (Courtesy of the Cooper family)

A statement posted on the City of San Franciscos website last month also touts the state of Californias $54.7 million grant for the city to purchase a 160-room residential building on Mission Street as permanent supportive housing. This follows a 2020 Homekey grant for $76.89 million for the purchase and operation of Hotel Diva and Granada Hotel. The acquisitions are part of Breeds Homelessness Recovery Plan.

The San Francisco mayors office didnt respond by press time to several emails from The Epoch Times seeking comment, as offices are currently closed due to COVID.

Meanwhile, LeavingTheBayArea.com is growing substantially, with Fuller and his team fielding inquiries daily.

People have their breaking points, and a lot of that does revolve around politics, he said. Sometimes, it just becomes too much.
Childrens Behavior at Home Worsened During Remote Learning: Research

Parents believe that their children are exhibiting worse behavior during remote learning at home than when they attend school in person, a new study has revealed.

Researchers from Harvard University led the study, which involved four online surveys among 405 parents of children in Massachusetts from Jan. 4 to May 23, 2021a period marked by back-and-forth school closures. Overall, 348 parents reported on 356 childrens behaviors in at least one of the surveys.

Some 57 percent of the children had switched learning formats at least once during the period of the survey, according to the results published on Jan. 10 in JAMA Pediatrics. The childrens behavioral outcomes also appeared to be worse with remote than in-person learning or a hybrid of the two.

The findings suggested that when learning remotely, parents reported that their child exhibited worse general behavior, more maladaptive behavioral changes, and more dysregulated behavior than when learning in person. Children experiencing hybrid learning had intermediate outcomes, with better general behavior compared with remote learning and worse behavior than with in-person learning.

That being said, Harvards Dr. Emily Hanno, the leading researcher of the study, noted that her team didnt consider every single time-varying factor that might have affected parents perception of their childrens behavioral health at a particular given time.

Therefore, results should not be interpreted to mean that remote learning caused worse behavioral health; rather, the results illustrate that parents perceived their childrens behaviors as having shifted systematically through the COVID-19 pandemics educational interruptions, Hanno wrote.

The study comes as major teachers unions in the United States push for at least a temporary return to remote learning, citing safety concerns over the surge in CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus infections driven by the Omicron variant. In New York City, the 200,000 member-strong United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has called on Mayor Eric Adams to delay the start of in-person instructions.

We advised the new mayor that it would be safest to allow our school system to go remote temporarily until we could get a handle on the staffing challenges that each school is about to face as we return, UFT President Michael Mulgrew told union members last week. However, he feels strongly that schools need to remain open.

In Chicago, a standoff between the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Mayor Lori Lightfoot resulted in a five-day school cancellation, during which teachers rejected the citys order that they return to teach in classrooms. The union insisted that the safety and testing protocols at Chicagos public schools are inadequate, leaving its 25,000 members at risk.

Parents are outraged, and they are making their outrage known to the teachers union. This is a very different dynamic than ever before, Lightfoot said during an appearance on NBCs Meet The Press. This walkout by the teachers union, which is illegal, has had cascading ripple effects not only on the students in their learning and their social and emotional welfare but also on the families themselves.
This aerial view taken with a drone shows pollution being emitted from steel factories in Hancheng, Shaanxi Province, China on Feb. 17, 2018. (Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images)

China Fools Western Environmentalists

Chinas pursuit of net-zero emissions is a farce

News Analysis

Beijing is all talk and no action in terms of achieving its net-zero emissions goal.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping declared in 2020 that China will be carbon neutral and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. This announcement was greeted with much fanfare by green energy advocates around the world.

According to state-run Global Times, Beijing is all-in on the greenies scheme of carbon trading, too.

Chinas national carbon market, the largest emissions trading system (ETS) in the world, was officially launched on Friday, marking a milestone for the nations institutional innovation in pushing ahead green development and a crucial step for the country to decarbonize its economy by 2060, the report said.

Since that grand announcement, there have been many articles in Chinese state media singing the virtues of communist Chinas grand march to a green future.

Here are some of the agitprop headlines bleating out that narrative:

 China open to work with US on Paris Agreement

 The time to take climate action is now

 Green is goldXi Jinping innovates fight against climate change

 Green path will lead to carbon neutrality

 Formulation of carbon plan gaining speed

 Analysts hail Xis climate commitments

On Jan. 7, the latest China Daily agitprop claimed that China is the No. 1 publisher of net-zero emission studies in the world.

China has a clear lead in the publication of research over the past two decades related to the worlds climate goal of reaching net-zero emissions, a recent report has found.  China produced about 400,000 related publications, followed by the United States with 280,000, according to the report.

But is the CCP really serious about achieving carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions, or is this just another one of their head fakes? And are all of those Chinese studies worth anything in terms of concrete actions taken?

Two definitions are in order to frame the answer to those questions:

Carbon neutral refers to manufacturing, energy production, or energy use process having or resulting in no net addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

This is a euphemism created by green energy advocates associated with the unproven assumption and alleged 97% consensus among scientists (debunked here) that human-generated carbon dioxide causes global warming.

Net-zero emissions involve a given entityfor example, a country, an industry, or a manufacturing facilityhaving achieved an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere, according to the Climate Council.

This is another green euphemism premised on the unproven theories surrounding anthropogenic global warming.

Carbon neutral and net-zero emissions are political tools that green energy advocates are using to deregulate the economy and create new revenue streams associated with the buying and selling of carbon creditsas part of a grandiose carbon trading and exchange system that will be managed by green governments around the world.

The concept is that dirty industries (for example, those whose manufacturing byproducts include carbon dioxide and other designated greenhouse gases) will be heavily regulated. These industries will be forced to buy carbon tax credits on the exchange from green industries that underproduce their government allotment of greenhouse gases, in order to offset their government-defined pollution.

Companies are financially incentivized (for example, subsidized with taxpayer money) to reduce their emissions below their carbon allowances. Over time, this would allow governments to tip the balance in favor of green industries.

A coal-powered power plant is seen belching smoke on the outskirts of Linfen, China, in this undated photo. Linfen is regarded as one of the cities with the worst air pollution in the world. (Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images)

Chinas first significant foray into carbon trading began with the creation of the state-owned Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange (SEEE) in August 2008. The company specializes in climate change mitigation and adaptation services including China Carbon Emission Reduction (CCER) trading, carbon financing, energy efficiency, climate technology transfer, and consultancy of low carbon development planning and strategies, according to AlliedCrowds. The company piloted voluntary and nonvoluntary emission trading schemes that evolved into an emissions compliance market in 2014.

As a result of those pilots, the Chinese implemented a national emission trading scheme (ETS) in July 2021 as the key element of the National Carbon Market. According to Business for Social Responsibility, Chinas national ETS will eventually cover a total of eight sectors (power generation, petrochemical, chemical, building materials including cement, steel, non-ferrous metals, pulp and paper, and aviation).

Chinas National Carbon Market and ETS align with the plans of green energy advocates in Europe and in the United States, as manifested through the Paris Agreement, which commits signatories to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through direct action. Carbon exchanges and national ETSs are envisioned as the governmental control mechanisms that will lead to a new green future for mankind.

But is this just window dressing that masks Chinas real green objectives?

The Gatestone Institute has suggested that Beijings actual green goal is reducing U.S. competitiveness while increasing Chinas competitive advantage, and expanding the worlds dependency on Chinese manufacturing and production of green products.

The Institute made the following key points: 1) Beijings seriousness about reducing emissions is not manifested in its latest five-year plan, which contains no concrete goals or actions required to reduce carbon dioxide emissions; and 2) the Paris Agreement gives China (and India) a free carbon ride for the near term, while China is, in fact, rapidly increasing carbon dioxide emissions.

Meanwhile, European countries and the United States are required to achieve real emissions and reductions goals under the Paris Agreement, further burdening their economies through green regulations while China remains free to expand and pollute.

A report from the Rhodium Group last May reveals that China is the worlds largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) at 27 percent of the total in 2019, as depicted here:

A screenshot of Rhodium Groups study. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Chinas 2019 GHG emissions represent a 25 percent increase from 2009the trend coincides with the evolution of Chinas National Carbon Market and ETS described above.

In short, the impact on emissions and the plan to achieve carbon neutrality of the Chinese ETS has been negligible. We now know what net-zero emissions with Chinese characteristics really means.

Zero emissions with Chinese characteristics would appear to obfuscate the expansion of Chinese energy production, too. Despite being the worlds largest carbon emitter, China commissioned more coal-fired capacity in 2020 than the rest of the world retired.

Chinas coal boom in 2020 more than offset the retirements in coal capacity in the rest of the world, leading to the first increase in global coal capacity development since 2015.  Chinas coal boom accounted for 76 percent of the global 50.3 GW new coal capacity, according to report by Oilprice.com.

Only Western greenies and politicians believe the CCPs propaganda that China will achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

Lastly, it is important to remember that Western green activists dont limit their advocacy to stopping global warming. Their interests include halting pollution of all kinds and protecting the environment in all respects. The CCPs green focus on climate change has been primarily because theres big money to be made in producing the green technology components that are needed by the rest of the world, including batteries, solar power panels, and electric vehicles. The CCP is interested in making money rather than protecting the environment (and stopping man-made global warming).

Perhaps thats the reason why the CCP and its media never discuss the following environmental problems in China:

Toxic algae blooms: Overdevelopment, including untreated fertilizer runoff, factory waste, and human sewage, has led to pollution of water sources, and produced toxic algae blooms that make water undrinkable and fish and other seafood toxic.

Toxic water pollution: Wastewater plumes in river discharges into the South China Sea have been extensive. Greenpeace has tested and detected the presence of a range of hazardous chemicals in Chinese coastal waters, including phthalates, antimony, and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs).

Air pollution: The people in mainland China wore masks long before the COVID-19 outbreak; they were worn because of horrible air quality in many major cities. Chinese air quality is adversely affected because of unprocessed industrial discharges, including mercury, sulfates, ozone, black carbon, and also Mongolian desert dust.

Soil pollution: Chinese lands are plagued by industrial waste seeping from factories onto the soil, and agricultural activities such as the application of fertilizers and the use of polluted water for irrigation, according to a report by Deutsche Welle (DW). This pollution has led to local cancer epidemics in various industrial areas around the country (that go unreported in Chinese media). Think of a dozen Love Canals without the cleanup.

A general view of a rare earth refinery, north of the Inner Mongolian city of Baotou, China, on Aug. 20, 2012. On the edge of Baotou, a 10-square-kilometer lake is blackened by pollution from factories processing rare earths, elements that are essential for the production of mobile phones and computers. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

Plastic pollution: Over 200 million cubic meters of plastic waste was found floating off Chinese shores in 2018, primarily in the delta regions of the Yangtze and Pearl rivers, according to the UK Independent. The article says China is the worlds leading generator of plastic waste.

Conclusion

Xi Jinping and his stenographers in Chinese state media grandly advertise Chinas goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. Chinese researchers are feverishly turning out zero-emissions studies and white papers. But China continues to lead the world in building coal-fired energy plants while ignoring other challenging environmental pollution problems that are leading to the deaths of Chinese citizens, and investing in green technology development and manufacturing for monetary gain.

Words versus actions. Net-zero emissions with Chinese characteristics.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Chinese Authorities Seal Residents Doors in COVID-Hit Xian, Depriving Them of Food Supplies

Chinese authorities sealed residents homes in the city of Xian on Jan. 8 because of a COVID-19 outbreak, but didnt arrange for a reliable food supply, residents say. Now, after being locked down for almost three weeks, theyre lacking in food and are on the edge of mental breakdown.

The Chinese regime has claimed that the outbreak in Xian has been under control since Jan. 5. However, the regime has upgraded some of its control measures, although some Xian residents still werent able to leave their homes as of Jan. 11.

I had never been diagnosed with COVID-19. Why did they seal my door? Cai Jiaying (a pseudonym), a resident of the Rongshang Compound, Changyanbao Community, Yanta District in Xian, told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times on Jan. 9. Our residential compound has been locked down for 21 days.  In the beginning [of the lockdown], I consoled myself. I was disappointed days later and then felt hopeless and despair.

Cai said she and her husband had bought only a little food in the past three weeks, and they didnt know when they would be able to buy more.

Im worried that we wont have anything to eat soon. We dont dare to fill our stomachs, she said. We go to bed after a meal around 3 to 4 p.m. every afternoon.

The family only had a small bowl of rice, 11 pounds of wheat flour, seven cups of instant noodles, one bamboo shoot, and a little bit of meat at their home, according to Cai.

The food can feed us for at most one week, she said.

Other Xian residents described similar situations to the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times.

Staff members wearing personal protective equipment spray disinfectant outside a shopping mall in Xian, China, on Jan. 11, 2022. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Continued Lockdown

On Jan. 11, Xian authorities announced that nine communities in the city were downgraded to low-risk regions, where people have few chances to come into contact with those infected with COVID-19, while 44 others were still considered to be high-risk or medium-risk regions.

The regime didnt mention how many communities there are in the city, nor did it provide details of the lockdown policies in different risk areas.

On Jan. 4, local authorities announced another standard to divide the city into three categories: closed zones, controlled zones, and prevention zones. In general, residents in closed zones arent allowed to leave their homes no matter how healthy they are or how urgent their need to go out is.

The regime said zones could be downgraded if no resident in the zone was infected with the CCP virus or had contact with those infected with COVID-19 in the past 14 days and all residents test negative for the virus within 48 hours.

The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus, is the pathogen that causes the disease COVID-19.

Staff members wearing personal protective equipment spray disinfectant outside a shopping mall in Xian, China, on Jan. 11, 2022. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Livelihood in Xian

Whether locked down at home or in a dorm, Xian residents are suffering.

We only have a few cabbage leaves at home, Xu Qianru (a pseudonym), a resident of the Changyanbao Community, told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times on Jan. 9. We kept calling the residential compounds management company, but nobody answered the phone.

Xus apartment was sealed by the management company on the evening of Jan. 8. She learned from her neighbors that all of the apartments in the compound had been sealed.

Several thousand families in our compound are sealed at home like us.  Our lives are really difficult, she said.

We had eaten all our stock, and we cant buy anything. Do you want the over 10,000 residents to die of starvation? Yang Hai, a resident of Hengdacheng at Dazhai Road, Yanta District, complained in a video posted on social media platforms on Jan. 8.

Yang shared photos of the residential compound, which showed that the regime had locked the doors of the residential unit by using iron wires and had sealed the apartment doors by using paper.

Do you treat us, the people, like animals? Yang said. We cant receive any [food] after the doors are sealed.

College students in Xian have been locked down in their dorms since late December 2021, and they arent allowed to leave the building, let alone go home, even though some of their homes are in the city.

We have six people sharing one room.  We stay in our twin-over-twin bunk beds for most of the time during the day, Fu Hua (a pseudonym) told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times on Jan. 8. We study different majors and have different class schedules. We take online classes at the dorm, and we cant avoid interfering with each other.

Fu said she feels frustrated about the lockdown. She would even prefer to be sent to a quarantine center for 14 days if the regime would allow her to go home afterward, she said.
Visitors walk past a stand with artificial intelligence security cameras using facial recognition technology at the 14th China International Exhibition on Public Safety and Security in Beijing on Oct. 24, 2018. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

China Weaponizing Americans Personal Data: Expert

China is weaponizing [Americans] personal information to bolster its artificial intelligence (AI), military, and espionage capabilities, according to a cyberintelligence expert who is calling for the United States to take reciprocal action against the Chinese regime.

We see a weakening China, which is not what they are telling the world they are [economically], said Bob Gourley, a cyberintelligence pioneer and former chief technology officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency. Its going to put a lot of stress and pressure on them to find new sources of revenue.

These new sources of revenue are things that include exploitation of intellectual property, more ransomware, more direct theft electronically, he told NTD earlier this month. I see the near future as being one of a lot of dangers from Chinese surveillance.

The surveillance used in AI helps to coordinate and correlate user data, and can be utilized to analyze and attribute details to an individual, Gourley said.

This is a real threat when a surveillance state like China puts [its] computing power behind it.

High-tech surveillance states can take advantage of the worlds social media data, calling it new threats to the world today, Gourley says. Through data that people publicly share, AI can produce a profile of what anyone has been doing, where they are, and who they associate with.

While the communist regime in China has cut access to Facebook, Twitter, Google, and YouTube to its citizens, its officials, state-run media, and hackers can openly use and have become more active on both Twitter and Facebook, a 2021 think tank report showed.

Facebook revealed in March 2021 that it had blocked Chinese hackers from using the social media platform to track Uyghur activists living abroad, including journalists and dissidents living in the United States, Australia, Canada, Syria, Turkey, and Kazakhstan.

Some of the hackers compromised users devices and others created fake Facebook accounts to befriend a target and trick them into clicking on a malicious link that might compromise their device.

A security officer passes Googles booth at the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, on Nov. 5, 2018. (Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images)

If it makes us timid and afraid to speak out, it hurts us, Gourley said. Protecting our freedom of speech requires mitigating this threat of global surveillance from China.

He said the United States should treat private information as if it were a weapon against Chinas global surveillance over individuals.

Because they are weaponizing our personal information.

Digital Belt and Road Initiative

While China harvests public information on social media, it also gains access to private data by providing IT and computing power to recipient countries, according to Gourley.

[Countries] have to pay for it, they sign long-term contracts for it, he said. But when thats put in place, they rarely understand the fact that China now has access to their data.

He draws a comparison with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also called One Belt One Road), a state-backed global infrastructure plan that critics say is designed to expand the countrys geopolitical power overseas in the name of economic cooperation.

The intelligence expert described such investments and partnerships as a lesser-known digital version of the BRI, to obtain foreign data.

This digital Belt and Road Initiative is feeding the surveillance state with data, and that data, of course, is the fuel for artificial intelligence, which is a key solution for their surveillance needs.

The stolen data can empower the regimes AI for both profit and military purposes.

In early 2021, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) stated that Beijing has used investments in U.S. biotech companies and partnerships with hospitals and universities to gain access to U.S. health care and genetic data.

Meanwhile, Chinese genetics giant BGI Group has drawn scrutiny over its aggressive efforts to push its COVID-19 test kits and support labs around the world, raising data security concerns.

Vast amounts of genomic information can fuel developments in the cutting-edge field of precision medicine, allowing China to overtake the United States to become a global leader in biotechnology, NCSC stated in a fact sheet. Such data can also be weaponized to target individuals in the country for intelligence and military operations.

A Chinese national flag flutters near surveillance cameras mounted on a lamp post in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on March 15, 2019. (Andy Wong/AP Photo)

Chinas newest five-year plan, which covers the period until the end of 2025, mentions genetic and biotechnology research as a key area essential to national security and development.

All of that requires a sophisticated technical talent base, Gourley said. That same sophisticated technical talent base is being applied today to surveillance, which is all related under the control of the Chinese Communist Party.

And I think it really makes for a dangerous time these next two or three years.

He urged the U.S. government to start thinking about that asymmetry and to sever Beijings access to foreign servers.

If there are rules in China about them accessing our systems openly, shouldnt we put the same rules in place here? And I think thats a very fair question to ask.

Last week, Beijings cyberspace watchdog said that starting on Feb. 15, Chinese platform companies holding the personal data of more than a million users will go through a cybersecurity review before listing shares overseas.

Rita Li Follow Rita Li is a reporter with The Epoch Times, focusing on China-related topics. She began writing for the Chinese-language edition in 2018.
Military vehicles carrying DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missiles participate in a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

The US Is in an Arms Race With China, Whether It Wants to or Not: Expert

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is expanding and enhancing its nuclear weapons arsenal to exploit weaknesses in United States military strategy.

Such efforts will improve the regimes capacity for nuclear coercion, according to defense and security experts.

The Chinese have positioned themselves so that they can essentially execute any plausible nuclear strategy that they wish, said Christopher Yeaw, associate executive director of strategic deterrence and nuclear programs at the National Strategic Research Institute.

The comments repeated sentiments made last year by Adm. Charles Richard, commander of U.S. strategic command. Richard warned that the CCPs nuclear program was part of a strategic breakout, and that the CCPs goals were much more expansive and aggressive than previously understood.

CCP Nuclear Strategy was Designed for Aggression

Yeaws comments came during a Hudson Institute webinar that explored Chinas coercive missile strategy and the U.S. response to it. He said that, while the CCPs rapidly growing nuclear arsenal was worrying, the more important issue at hand was its development of capabilities that could increase the risk of conflict or be used to coerce other nations.

The numbers are not so important, Yeaw said. What theyre actually achieving is a strategic force  A strategic force that essentially acts as apocalypse insurance.

Yeaw explained that the CCPs efforts to increase nuclear warhead production and to develop a vast array of different types of nuclear-capable systems that could counter various U.S. capabilities represented a move away from Chinas publicly-stated nuclear policy of minimal deterrence.

All of this across the board is attempting to deliver a strategy, Yeaw added. These are capabilities that underwrite a strategy. The question is what is this nuclear strategy?

Yeaw said that talk of Chinas strategic nuclear forces too frequently concealed the threat of its growing theater nuclear forces.

Whereas strategic nuclear weapons are designed to strike at strategic priorities such as military bases, resource stockpiles, or even cities, theater nuclear weapons are designed to be used on the battlefield, and often incorporate smaller-yield warheads that can be used much more precisely.

Though smaller in overall destructive potential than their strategic counterparts, theater nuclear weapons are often thought to present an equal, if not, greater threat, as their relative control and battlefield role means that national leaders could be more prone to using them.

The reason for the CCPs investment in such technologies was simple enough.

The one military capability that the United States has demonstrated a non-will to compete in, the sole military capability, is theater nuclear forces, Yeaw said.

He explained that, since the disarmament efforts that followed the Cold War, the United States consistently refrained from pursuing theater-level, or tactical, nuclear weapons.

The presence of such weapons gives an enormous advantage in terms of coercive power.

Experts previously warned that the presence of such weapons would increase the likelihood that the CCP will engage in conflict both in Asia and globally.

This is because, whether or not the weapons are used, the mere threat of them may give the regime a real means of coercing the United States, its allies, and partners away from joining in any potential conflict.

This is a nuclear strategy designed to underwrite their aggressive actions, Yeaw said.

The US is Already in an Arms Race

Mark Lewis, executive director of the emerging technologies institute at the National Defense Industrial Association, expressed concern that the CCP was overtaking the United States militarily due to a failure to be proactive on the part of the American military.

We took our foot off the gas, and [China] saw an opportunity, Lewis said.

It has given them a capability that, frankly, I believe right now is startling and is increasingly concerning.

Lewis noted that the CCPs technological development was outpacing that of the United States. He mentioned the regimes test of a hypersonic weapon in July that flew around the world and deployed a missile before shooting back down to earth.

He said that the achievement was not only demonstrated the regimes engineering capabilities, but its goals for future military strategy.

The Chinese have clearly developed a level of technical prowess that is notable, Lewis said. But it also shows intent.

Lewis highlighted the words of John Hyten, then-vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said in November that Chinas hypersonic weapon appeared to be designed for nuclear first-use, affirming the idea that the regime was moving away from a deterrence-only nuclear strategy.

To me, it signals that the Chinese are not only looking at capabilities that allow them to control the space in their immediate domain  theyre looking at global capabilities, and theyre using technologies to enhance that, Lewis said.

He also said that the United States was not effectively deterring China from aggression, nor from nuclear buildup, and condemned the United States failure to build comparable technologies.

We need to be looking across the board at those technologies and asking the question, frankly, what is going to scare China? Lewis said. If our idea of hypersonics is producing five missiles, doing a demonstration, and declaring success, thats not going to scare anyone.

We need to be producing these technologies at scale, Lewis said. We cant stop at ten hypersonic weapons or 100. We need to be in the thousands to actually have an impact.

The comments reflected another interview of Hytens in October, wherein the general said that a brutal bureaucracy and risk-averse culture was consistently holding military development back.

To that end, Lewis said that American leadership needed to accept the reality that an arms race was afoot, and that the United States would lose if it did not commit to improving its ability to create and deploy new military technologies.

Ive had people say, Oh, but were going to get into an arms race, Lewis said. Guess what? Were already in the race. The Chinese are running the race whether we choose to participate or not and that needs to be our mindset.

This is an existential threat and we need to view it in that way, Lewis added.
Students wearing black graduation gowns and masks stand in front of the Goddess of Democracy statue at the Chinese University of Hong Kong campus as they hold up black balloons in Hong Kong, China, on Nov. 19, 2020. (Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

Chinese Communists Lied and Hong Kong Died

Commentary

In late December, the Voice of America reported that Hong Kongs Dec. 19, 2021, election had almost completely eliminated pro-democracy voices from the former British colonys Legislative Councilcolloquially called the Legco.

VOAs evidence: pro-Beijing candidates and their local allies took 89 of the councils 90 seats.

I prefer the word took, for in this faux election won is a propaganda deceit.

In March 2021, the process of choosing Legco members changed. Chinese Communist Party selection replaced election. Seventy seats were reserved for candidates picked by influential members of industry groups and by a committee of Beijing loyalists. Thats VOAs careful description.

Translation: the CCP installed cronies and operatives in the Legco. They are puppets and propagandists for the CCP dictatorship, not democratically elected representatives of Hong Kongs now dispossessed citizens. Beijing also required all candidates, even the 20 in so-called elected slots, to pledge loyalty to China and the CCP.

What killed Hong Kongs democracy? The blunt truth is the CCP dictatorship callously broke an international treaty.

Hong Kongs status was ostensibly protected by the Sino-British Declaration of 1984 that, on paper, assured autonomy through 2047. Hong Kongs post-handover constitution, The Basic Law (which had Beijings imprimatur) promised one country, two systems, adding the socialist system and policies will not be practiced in Hong Kong.

Beijing communists, however, do not respect negotiated diplomatic compacts. The regime decided to absorb Hong Kong, so to hell with signed and solemn treaties that manage relations among peace-seeking nations.

Historys bottom line: breaking the treaty means the CCP regime lied to the world. Since dictatorial control has largely shifted from collective decision-making to individual whim in the person of President Xi Jinping, that suggests Xi himself was complicit in the lie.

My guess is that Hong Kongs 2019 demands for liberal freedoms and evident distrust of Beijing had international narrative resonance. Xi and his propagandists contend that authoritarian governance works and portray Chinas dictatorship as a successful and stable ideological competitor to what they call the U.S.-led liberal international order. Hong Kongs demonstrations challenged that Big Lie.

Beijing has broken other treaties. In 2016, The Hagues Court of Arbitration gave the Philippines a unanimous legal victory over China. The Philippines case involved South China Sea territorial disputes and Chinese maritime resource theft. The court used the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as its legal guide.

China signed that treatyand continues to ignore the ruling. Chinese territorial expansionism, sometimes referred to as adventurism, continues in the South China Sea.

After Hong Kong, Taiwan is definitely a target.

Beijings abrogation of the Sino-British Declaration indicates it cannot be trusted or believed. It must be thwarted and resisted.

Chinas economy is huge and its economic power immense. However, its economic operations are often opaque. Accounting practices are vague. Banks and corporations are creatures of the CCP. No one really knows how much debt saddles many Chinese companies. Japanese analysts see many signs the Chinese economy faces serious problems.

For these and many other reasons, free-world economies should decouple investments and technology sharing with China.

Relying on China for critical raw materials, such as rare earths, is a huge mistake that must end.

Relying on Beijing-made digital technology is another huge mistake.

Huawei and its suspect next generation wireless communication 5G technology has received deserved attention. Huawei systems have the ability to connect cellphones, the internet, the internet of thingsvirtually all things digital. Huawei could monitor communications (i.e., spy locally as well as globally), interrupt, deny or corrupt digital services. Evidence exists that Huawei is basically an arm of the CCP.

Recently Defense One reported on issues raised by a Virginia-based security firm that have attracted congressional attention. The firm found flaws in another Chinese manufacturers phones that an adversary could use to steal data and record calls and track user digital activity. The Chinese corporations service agreement requires users to accept Chinas laws as required (paraphrasing Defense One) by Chinas national interest.

Given Hong Kongs demise, the service agreement should be cause for concern.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A student wears a face mask on the campus of the UCLA college in Westwood, California on March 6, 2020. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)

Colleges in LA County Extend Remote Instruction Amid Omicron Surges

With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County, colleges and universities have started their school year online.

Schools are expecting a significant number of students testing positive for COVID-19 and require isolation. To give students more time to get tested or recover from COVID-19, many schools have either postponed the date for students to return to campus or decided to conduct classes online.

University of CaliforniaLos Angeles started its winter quarter remotely on Jan. 3. UCLA, along with all other colleges in the UC system, plans to hold remote learning until at least Jan. 28.

University of Southern California, a private school located near downtown Los Angeles, started its spring semester on Monday, Jan. 10. It also announced last week that it will extend remote learning by an additional four days and will resume in-person classes on Jan. 24.

Loyola Marymount University, a private Jesuit and Marymount research university in Los Angeles whose semester also started on Jan.10, similarly said to return to face-to-face instruction on Jan. 24.

California State UniversityLos Angeles, whose spring semester starts on Jan. 24, plans to have remote instruction through Feb. 11.

California State UniversityLong Beach begins its spring semester on Jan. 20 and will delay face-to-face instruction to Feb. 7.

California State Polytechnic UniversityPomona begins school on Jan. 23 and announced that they will hold the first three weeks of classes online. Students will resume face-to-face instruction on Feb. 12.

Biola University, a faith-based institution in La Mirada, is currently conducting its first week of classes online and will resume in-person instruction on Jan. 18. The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended but not required for both the students and faculty.

Pomona College, a private liberal arts school in Claremont, will begin its first two weeks of classes, from Jan. 18 to Jan. 28, with online instruction. Beginning Jan. 10, all staff and faculty working on campus must be tested weekly.

Occidental College, a private liberal art school in Los Angeles, announced last week that the school will delay the start of the spring semester for a week to Monday, Jan. 24. The first week of classes will be remote.

California Institute of Technology, a private research university in Pasadena, started school on Jan. 3 and held the first week of school online via zoom. The University went back to in-person instruction on Monday, Jan. 10 with social restrictions.
A Pokemon Go player plays the popular augmented reality game on an iPhone. (Thomas Cytrynowicz/AP Photo)

Court Upholds Firing of 2 Former LAPD Officers for Playing Pokemon Go on Duty

LOS ANGELESA court upheld on Jan. 7 the firing of two police officers who were playing Pokemon Go instead of responding to a robbery in progress.

The Second District Court of Appeal ruled on Jan. 7 that it was justifiable for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to terminate the employment of two LAPD officers who were playing Pokemon Go while dismissing calls requesting their response to a robbery.

On April 15, 2017, a surveillance camera inside LAPD officers Louis Lozano and Eric Mitchells patrol car captured the two policemen playing Pokemon Go on their phones and discussing how they could catch Snorlax, also known as the Sleeping Pokemon.

Five minutes into strategizing how to capture the Pokemon, a radio call came in reporting a robbery taking place at a Macys store in the Crenshaw areaclose to where the officers were parked.

According to a court document (pdf), the officers were contacted twice, but Lozano allegedly said, Screw it, after Mitchell put the decision in Lozanos hands. Cpt. Darnell Davenportwho was nearby and responded to the robberysaw the two officers reverse down an alley and leave the area.

Lozano and Mitchell demonstrated a severe negative attitude and disdain towards Captain Davenport by withholding their location during a robbery in progress, according to the court document.

For 20 minutes, the officers could be seen in an in-car video driving to different locations where several Pokemon characters appeared on their mobile phones.

The officers did end up successfully capturing Snorlax and could be heard bragging about how other police officers would be jealous, the court document stated.

The two officers denied hearing the call from dispatch while gaming on duty, which sparked an internal investigation.

During the investigation, the officers argued the in-car video of their private conversations should have not been used as evidence.

They later admitted leaving their post to catch Snorlaxbut not the fleeing robbersand claimed it was part of an extra patrol to chase the imaginary creature, according to the court document.

Both officers were found guilty of multiple counts of misconduct, including playing Pokemon Go on duty, failing to respond to a robbery call, failing to respond to the radio when contacted, making misleading statements to supervisors, and making false statements under investigation.

LAPDs Board of Rights said the officers behavior was unprofessional and embarrassing, and violated the trust of the public.

The officers asked the court to overturn their firings but were denied by a Superior Court judge. The court said the former LAPD officers rights had not been violated.
Cypress Approves $11 Million in Federal Funds

CYPRESS, Calif.The City of Cypress on Jan. 10 approved the allocation of nearly $11.7 million in federal funding intended to recover pandemic spending, maintain infrastructure, enhance public safety, and promote economic activity.

The funds are a part of the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion emergency spending bill that was created in March 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vote to approve the spending plan on the funds was passed 51 with councilmember Frances Marquez voting against the agenda item.

I believe it is okay to reimburse the city for the funding we allocated to help small businesses or restaurants, Marquez said at the meeting. However, I do not believe it is right to not ask the community what they want to do with this money. This funding is to help our residents of all ages get back on their feet as theyve been through two difficult years.

With millions on the table, Marquez requested the council put aside the agenda item until public input was sought.

While the council approved the spending plan, City Manager Peter Grant reassured there will be future actions for the council to consider how exactly the funds will be implemented into the community through specific projects.

By voting on this matter tonight, its not like the checks are going to be cut first thing tomorrow or at the end of the week, Mayor Paulo Morales said at the meeting. This is just a general area where the monies are going for us to decide more financially later on down the road.

With the city council approving the funds to be allocated into broader categories until they determine the proper use, the money is determined to partially cover additional annual losses that are projected to occur from 2021 through 2024.

In accordance with federal guidelines, funding must go towards replacing lost revenue, supporting public health, providing premium pay to essential workers, addressing negative economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and investing in infrastructure.

To ensure the city met these guidelines, a workshop was held in November 2021 to discuss the investment recommendations and ensure they were in accordance with the citys strategic goals, according to the citys agenda.

At the workshop, the city delegated the funds into different categories, including $2.4 million being allocated towards pandemic spending recovery for future infrastructure and facilities, and investment in pension trust.

Another nearly $7 million was set aside for the maintenance of infrastructure and facilities, including water service to a local park, a bicycle master plan, and a pump station located on Myra Avenue.

To support high value services within the community, the city dedicated over $900,000 towards causes such as non-profit support and one-time employee premium pay.

To assist businesses with recovery and promote economic activity, over $2.7 million was allocated towards business support, economic development program staffing, a drought response incentive program, and more.

Lastly, the city plans on spending $550,000 on enhancing and maintaining public safety.

Despite receiving $11.7 million in federal funds, the city discussed a $14 million investment plan that aligns with the goals of recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.

Cypress will receive the funds in the full installment of federal payment sometime in 2022 and is required to use them by 2026.
SAN Jose, Costa Rica  Jan Andre is a cheerful and outgoing young man, a superb dancer, and aspiring schoolteacher. Indeed, he wants to become the best schoolteacher in Costa Rica. Fortified by his own will and the encouragement of his family, he overcame violence and adversity to become an outstanding university student.

Yet, in spite of his accomplishments, some people cross the street when they see him coming their way. They hide their belongings when he approaches them on the bus. Guards and staff single him out for surveillance when he enters a supermarket. Police search him and seize his belongings even when he is in a crowd in a public space.

Deeply affected by these experiences, Jan Andre is now fighting for the rights of people of African descent in Costa Rica.

Inspired by Jan's work, my colleagues and I decided that the UN has a crucial role in collecting and sharing the life stories of Afro-Costa Ricans. The resulting stories are collected under an initiative called "I am Afro-descendant in Costa Rica and this is my story."

Published online and in the form of a book, these stories were also designed to celebrate the first International Day for People of African Descent and the bicentenary of Costa Rica's independence.

With this initiative, we wanted to stop talking about Afro-descendants in the abstract and instead introduce our readers to a variety of women and men, young and old, rural and urban. All of them as unique individuals who help make Costa Rica what it is today.

What have we learned from these stories?

On the one hand, we were able to reveal the incredible diversity of the Afro-descendant community in Costa Rica, the life stories, struggles and dreams true to each one of our profiles. On the other hand, however, we identified a shared experience of discrimination and injustice, a common sense of not being 'seen' in their own country and a collective strength that is borne out of families and communities.

It is not for Afro-descendants to "overcome" the discrimination and exclusion to which they are subjected. It is up to all of us to eradicate racism and the enduring legacy of slavery.

That is why, in December 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that 31 August would henceforth be the International Day for People of African Descent. The resolution was initiated by the Government of Costa Rica, led by its Vice-President, Epsy Campbell, and garnered the support of 52 member states.

With UNFPA as the leading entity, we in Costa Rica marked the first commemoration of this international day last year.

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"The legacy of slavery echoes down the centuries," UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reminded us as part of this commemoration. "The world has not yet overcome racism. Equality and justice for all still elude us. Millions of people of African descent continue to suffer systematic discrimination, perpetuating inequality, oppression and marginalization."

When we ensure equal opportunities for all populations to achieve their potential and the fulfillment of their rights, we are creating a fairer and more prosperous society for all of us.

The International Day for People of African Descent is a chance to promote the diverse heritage and extraordinary contributions of the African Diaspora. It is also a call to action, a call for all of us to commit ourselves every day throughout the year to build a culture of ever-greater freedom, inclusion, equity and opportunity.

Source: UN Development Programme (UNDP)

Allegra Maria del Pilar Baiocchi is UN Coordinator Costa Rica. Editorial support was provided by Carolina Lorenzo, Development Coordination Office, and Paul Van DeCarr, Development Coordination Office. To learn more about the United Nation's work in Costa Rica, please visit CostaRica.UN.org.

Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick greets supporters as she arrives at an election night party in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 11, 2022. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo)

Democrat Cherfilus-McCormick Wins US House Seat in Florida Special Election

Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has won a special election in a heavily blue-leaning district in Florida to replace the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings.

Cherfilus-McCormick won the 20th Congressional District race over Republican candidate Jason Mariner, receiving 43,663 votes, or about 79 percent, to Mariners 10,883 votes, or about 20 percent, according to The Associated Press. The district, in which Democrats outnumber Republicans by a nearly 51 ratio, AP says, includes most of the majority-black neighborhoods in and around Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

Hastings, a Democrat, died in April 2021 of pancreatic cancer.

Cherfilus-McCormick ran her campaign on a slew of progressive policies and promises, including support for a universal basic income (UBI). Her proposal would give every American a guaranteed $1,000 per month, a concept that has seen some movement in Congress; Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) has introduced a bill in the House that seeks to implement a UBI.

As your next congresswoman, I promiseI vowto make sure that everybody has an opportunity to live in this great country, Cherfilus-McCormick said during her victory speech. I promise to ensure that everyone can live in this society and move ourselves forward.

She has also pushed for Medicare for All policies, but these have long had difficulties getting off the ground due to the objections of senators of both parties, including moderate Democrats such as Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who have both objected to major overhauls of government social spending in the past.

Cherfilus-McCormick, who will be the first member of Congress of Haitian descent, according to the Haitian American Elected Officials Network, pushed strongly during her campaign for a pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal aliens, even as the U.S. experiences an unprecedented immigration crisis on its southern border.

In the district, which is one of the most heavily black districts in Florida, Cherfilus-McCormick won by a slightly higher margin than President Joe Biden, who won the district with 77 percent of the vote in 2020.

Mariner, an advertising executive and ex-felon who ran a campaign as a Washington outsider, focused heavily on election integrity, and made clear that he was, like millions of other Americans, suspicious of the results of the 2020 election. He also has made statements in support of the Jan. 6, 2021, defendants, many of whom are currently being held without bail in a D.C. jail.

Mariner also campaigned heavily on school choice, arguing that parents shouldnt be locked into sending their children to low-quality public schools.

Thats an issue that particularly affects low-income areas such as the 20th District, where nearly 1 in 5 people live in poverty. Because schools are largely funded through local taxes, poorer areas usually have poorer-quality schools, and for families in poverty, there is no alternative. Thus, Mariner focused heavily on school choice as a practical solution to the problems faced by the residents.

He also pushed for strengthening law enforcement in order to allow the police to keep streets safer and drug-free.

This is not a concession speech, Mariner insisted after Cherfilus-McCormicks victory became obvious. People deserve to have a fair shake at who governs them, and they didnt get that.

While speaking to reporters on Jan. 11 before the results came in, Mariner decried the lack of attention on the race.

A lot of people dont know that this election is going on, he said.

With Cherfilus-McCormicks victory, the Democratic majority in the House has increased slightly to 10 seats from 9. At the same time, Republicans have lost one seat in the House after Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) recently tendered his resignation to help lead Trumps new media and technology group.

This leaves a new House makeup of 222 Democrats and 211 Republicans. Thats good news for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who can now spare slightly more Democratic defectors.

Meanwhile, early indicators show that majority may be chipped away by Republicans in November.

Because Cherfilus-McCormick won the seat during an election year, she may immediately face a challenger in the districts August primary election.

She won the partys nomination by the narrowest of margins, which all but guaranteed that she would be sent to the House in the blue stronghold. After a hand recount of the primary votes, it was determined that she edged Democratic challenger and Broward County Supervisor Dale Holness by five votes.
A car checkpoint in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, where the opening and closing ceremonies of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

Dutch Athletes Warned to Keep Phones and Laptops out of China: Media

AMSTERDAMDutch athletes competing in next months Beijing Winter Olympics will need to leave their phones and laptops at home in an unprecedented move to avoid Chinese espionage, Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant reported on Tuesday.

The urgent advice to athletes and supporting staff to not bring any personal devices to China was part of a set of measures proposed by the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOCNSF) to deal with any possible interference by Chinese state agents, the paper said citing sources close to the matter.

NOCNSF spokesman Geert Slot said cybersecurity was part of the risk assessment made for the trip to China, but declined to comment on any specific measure.

The importance of cybersecurity of course has grown over the years, Slot said. But China has completely closed off its internet, which makes it a specific case.

Dutch team members will be equipped with unused devices in China, to protect their personal data from Chinese surveillance, the sources told De Volkskrant.

At least 30 Dutch athletes are set to compete in next months Beijing Olympics, mainly in the speed and short track skating events.

By Bart Meijer
(L): President Joe Biden speaks from the State Dining Room of the White House in Wash., on Jan.7, 2022. (R): Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed acknowledges the crowd in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Oct. 4, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP, Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Ethiopian Drone Strike Kills 17 on Day of Biden-Abiy Call

NAIROBI, KenyaAn Ethiopian drone strike has killed 17 civilians in the countrys Tigray region on the day that President Joe Biden during a call with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed concern about such attacks in the ongoing war, local authorities say.

A report by the zonal administration said women at a flour-grinding mill made up most of those killed in the Monday drone strike near Mai Tsebri, a source who saw the report told The Associated Press. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about it to reporters.

Such drone strikes have been reported almost daily in Tigray, a humanitarian worker in the town of Shire told the AP, with an attack over the weekend on a displaced persons camp in Dedebit killing at least 57 people and wounding more than 130, many of them children. The aid worker shared photos of partially charred bodies and small corpses laid out on the ground.

A spokesman for Ethiopias government and military didnt respond to questions about Mondays drone strike.

Biden expressed concerns in Mondays phone call with Ethiopias prime minister about detentions and civilian killings in the war against Tigray forces, while commending Abiy for the release of several high-profile political prisoners.

The White House said Biden raised to Abiy the airstrikes that continue to cause civilian casualties and suffering in Africas second-most populous nation.

The statement added that the leaders discussed ways to accelerate dialogue toward a negotiated cease-fire, the urgency of improving humanitarian access across Ethiopia, and the need to address the human rights concerns of all affected Ethiopians, including concerns about detentions of Ethiopians under the state of emergency.

Abiy on Twitter described the conversation with Biden as candid and both agreed there is great value in strengthening our cooperation through constructive engagement founded on mutual respect.

The call was requested by Biden after Jeffrey Feltman, the outgoing U.S. special envoy to the Horn of Africa, visited Ethiopia last week for talks with senior leaders.

The more than year-long war has created a devastating humanitarian crisis. The conflict entered a new phase in late December when Tigray forces retreated into their region amid a new military offensive and Ethiopian forces said they would not advance further there.

Biden stressed to Abiy that the two sides must take advantage of the moment and called on the Ethiopian leader to improve humanitarian access, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the leaders call on the condition of anonymity. White House officials are concerned that if momentum is not maintained, the conflictwhich has left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands facing faminecould further deteriorate.

Ethiopias government has sought to restrict reporting on the conflict and detained some journalists, including a video freelancer accredited to the AP, Amir Aman Kiyaro.

By Cara Anna
A medical worker prepares to administer a nasal swab to a patient at a testing booth outside a pharmacy in Paris, on Jan.7, 2022. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters)

Europe Loosens COVID Policies as Omicron Takes out Key Workers

MADRID/PRAGUEThe Czech Republic said on Monday it would allow critical workers such as doctors and teachers to go to work after a positive COVID-19 test, the latest European country to ease restrictions to keep services running as cases surge.

As the much more contagious Omicron variant becomes dominant and forces hundreds of thousands to isolate, the pressure is growing on health workers, police, and firefighters, with teachers set to follow as schools resume after the Christmas holidays.

But at the same time, data showing that Omicron is less likely to fill hospital beds, especially as many or most people are now vaccinated, has encouraged governments to scale back isolation measures and focus on sparing their battered economies.

The hours of work lost to the pandemic around the world in 2020 were equivalent to 258 million full-time jobs disappearing, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and last year the figure still amounted to around 125 million jobs.

Britain, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Belgium have all cut quarantine periods in the last three weeks and eased some of the conditions for infected staff to return to work.

Czech ministers are drawing up a list of the critical workers who will be allowed to continue working despite a positive test, and have said health, social and education workers are likely to figure, along with drivers and those in other essential services such as laundry for hospitals.

Governments are showing much less willingness to impose major lockdowns, or even to impose minor measures, in response to the Omicron wave, said ILO economist Stefan Kuhn.

France and Switzerland have both cut quarantine periods to seven days from 10 since Christmas for those with a positive test.

Only Small Waves Now

In England, the reduction is the same if the infected person records a negative antigen test two days in a rowwhich the UK Health Security Agency said was almost as effective as 10 days of isolation.

In Spainwhere the 14-day average infection rate hit a new record of 2,723 cases per 100,000 people on Friday, more than 10 times higher than at the beginning of Decemberthe staffing squeeze is being felt across almost all sectors.

The national police union said many officers were working double shifts to cover for colleagues in isolation.

The national train operator Renfe said twice as many drivers were off with COVID-19 as in early December, and had to cancel some 40 services on Friday.

But rules passed on Dec. 22 are now allowing staff back to work without taking a coronavirus test.

The Health Ministry has also set a viral load threshold below which an infected person who takes a PCR test can be considered non-infectious, and so fit to workenabling medics, social workers, and some police to report for duty even if they test positive.

Rafael Bengoa, co-founder of Bilbaos Institute for Health and Strategy, said authorities should focus more on managing infection than preventing it.

Pandemics dont end with a huge boom but with small waves because so many have been infected or vaccinated, said the former senior World Health Organization (WHO) official.

After Omicron, we shouldnt have to be concerned with anything more than small waves.

And there are signs that governments are listening.

We have the conditions to  start evaluating the evolution of this disease with different parameters than we have until now, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the radio station Cadena SER.

By Clara-Laeila Laudette and Jason Hovet
The exterior of the European Medicines Agency is seen in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Dec. 18, 2020. (Reuters/Piroschka van de Wouw)

Repeat COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots Trigger Regulator Warning About Immune-System Risks

Group to meet with other regulators to discuss potentially updating current vaccines

The EUs drug regulator has expressed doubts about whether a second booster dose of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines would be a sustainable long-term approach.

There is an emergency discussion around the possibility of giving a second booster dose with the same vaccine currently in use. Data has not yet been generated to support this approach, Marco Cavaleri, the European Medicines Agencys (EMA) head of vaccines strategy, told a media briefing.

He added later, We would like to see this data before we can make any recommendation, but at the same time we are rather concerned about a strategy that [involves] repeated vaccinations within a short term.

An additional vaccine booster shot could be considered as part of a contingency plan, but repeated vaccinations within short intervals will not represent a sustainable long term strategy, according to Cavaleri.

Concerns Over Immune Response

When asked to expand on his statements, Cavaleri said that for a hypothetical approach of giving vaccine booster shots frequently, such as every four months, we will end up potentially having problems with immune response and immune response may end up not being as good as we would like it to be, so we should be careful in not overloading the immune system with repeated immunization.

He also noted that continuous administration of boosters can also lead to fatigue in the population.

It will be much better to start thinking about an administration of boosters that is more spaced in time, Cavaleri said.

The EMA is in conversation with vaccine developers in case theres a need to update the current vaccines, according to Cavaleri. But he said any change would have to be coordinated globally.

A screengrab from a laptop shows Marco Cavaleri, head of Biological Health Threats and Vaccines Strategy, speaking during an online press conference in Amsterdam on Dec. 21, 2020. (Pieter Stam de Jonge/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

More data on the effect of the Omicron coronavirus variant on vaccines and a better understanding of the evolution of the current wave are needed to decide whether an Omicron-specific vaccine was needed.

While a monovalent Omicron vaccine would represent an obvious candidate to be investigated, other options such as a multivalent vaccine cannot be ruled out as potential alternatives, Cavaleri said.

A Strategy to Anticipate the Next Move

It is important that there is a good discussion around the choice of the composition of the vaccine to make sure that we have a strategy that is not just reactive after the virus changes, but try to anticipate what could be the next move and try to come up with an approach that will be suitable in order to prevent a future variant that, in any case, will emerge, Cavaleri said.

The EMA has called for a meeting with global regulators on Jan. 12, which will include officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Tomorrow we will be looking at all the evidence that we have so far with the current vaccine, so the extent by which they are still providing vaccine effectiveness and whether indeed we should still think that giving a booster shot at this point in time is the best strategy, Cavaleri said.

He noted that the World Health Organization will play a critical role in decision-making.

Cavaleri noted that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, is still behaving as a pandemic virus, and the Omicron emergency is currently showing that.

So we should not forget we are still in a pandemic, he said. Nevertheless, with increase of immunity in the population and with Omicron there will be a lot of natural immunity taking place on top of vaccination, we will be vastly moving toward a scenario that will be closer to endemicity.

Separately, he noted, Ideally, if you want to move toward a scenario of endemicity, then such boosters should be synchronized with the arrival of the cold seasons in each of the hemispheres, similarly to what were doing with influenza vaccines.

Pfizer Looking at Omicron-Targeted Vaccine

On Jan. 10, Pfizer Chief Executive Albert Bourla said a COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant of the virus, as well as already circulating variants, will be ready in March, noting that the company is already starting manufacturing some of these quantities at risk.

Bourla said Pfizer is ready to file for U.S. regulatory approval for the redesigned COVID-19 vaccine, and that the company has built up ample manufacturing capacity, such that it wont be a problem to switch immediately. He also noted that COVID-19 vaccines eventually could be an annual shot for most people, and some high-risk groups might be eligible to receive the shots more often than that.

On Jan. 11, Cavaleri said April or May would be the soonest the EMA could approve any variant-targeted vaccine.

In terms of the switch of the manufacturing, this is a decision that is beyond EMA, and it will be very important there is a global discussion around the best option here in the interest of public health, he said.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Ex-High School Principal Pleads Not Guilty to Perjury, Conflict of Interest

LOS ANGELESA former principal of Saugus High School pleaded not guilty on Jan. 12 through his attorney to one felony count each of perjury and conflict of interest involving a student exchange program he helped set up with a school in China.

William Bolde, 65, was charged on Dec. 9 following an investigation by the Public Integrity Unit of the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Offices Bureau of Investigation.

Bolde helped set up a student exchange program with a high school in Gaoxin, China, along with creating a nonprofit organization to administer the program, according to the District Attorneys Office, which alleges that he had a conflict of interest because he was still principal at the high school while he had an employment agreement with the nonprofit group.

He is also accused of lying on disclosure forms.

Those who break the law by putting their own best interest before the people they are supposed to serve will be held accountable for their actions, District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement last month announcing the charges.

Boldes attorney, David Diamond, called his client the epitome of class and commitment to the community and said he has received more than 100 letters of support for Boldemore than he has received for any other client.

Boldewho spent 14 years as the principal at Saugus High Schoolsurrendered on Dec. 11 at the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Santa Clarita Valley station and was subsequently released, the Santa Clarita Valley Signal reported.

A date is scheduled to be set on Feb. 17 at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse for a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to allow the case against Bolde to proceed to trial.
Ray Epps seen on Jan. 5, 2021, trying to recruit men to attack the Capitol. He is accused of being a federal agent. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions)

EXCLUSIVE: Ray Eppss Attorney Responds to Claims His Client Is an FBI Informant

The attorney for Capitol Hill protest participant Ray Epps, former FBI agent John Blischak, told The Epoch Times on Jan. 12 that his client has been interviewed by federal law enforcers and unequivocally, he is not an FBI informant.

Speculation about Epps has gradually built for months, coming to a head when top federal law enforcement officials refused to answer questions about his alleged connections to law enforcement during a Jan. 11 Senate hearing on domestic terrorism. The Democratic-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol released a statement following the hearing, claiming to have interviewed Epps and that hes not a fedbut this prompted further questions and criticism.

While The Epoch Times was initially unable to reach Epps for comment, he responded to a text message later on the night of Jan. 11.

Please refer any questions to our attorney John Blischak, Epps wrote. He will be happy to answer your questions, as Ive been advised not to talk to anyone at this time.

When reached by phone the next morning, Blischak vigorously denied that Epps is a federal informant.

He was interviewed by the FBI in Arizona, he said. I was present during that interview, and unequivocally, he is not an FBI informant.

Asked whether Epps is an asset for any government agencylaw enforcement, intelligence, or otherwiseBlischak said, Not to my knowledge.

Then why didnt Department of Justice officials deny any connections to Epps?

Knowing the FBI as I do, theyre not going to comment one way or another, Blischak said.

Blischak also denied any deals or agreements between Epps and the FBI. He said hes representing Epps in the event that he becomes a potential defendant in any action brought as to what happened on Jan. 6, 2021.

Weve been working with the House Committee, Blischak. Thats what weve been doing.

The Epoch Times asked whether Epps was under oath during his interview with the Jan. 6 Committee or with the FBI. Blischak didnt directly answer the question, instead explaining that when FBI agents interview individuals, they typically arent under oath.

When asked for a copy of the transcript between Epps and the committee, Blischak said copies will be provided to attorneys of Jan. 6 defendants.

I can, but I dont have it. I probably can down the road, but I havent made any effort, he said when The Epoch Times requested a copy. I first want to get with my client.

When asked to characterize Eppss actions on Jan. 5 and 6, Blischak said, Merely present.

Video footage shows Epps urging protestors to enter the Capitol on multiple occasions, as well as talking to someone at the initial breach site right before that person began rushing the barricadesraising questions among some about whether Epps told the person to attack.

As to why his client hasnt been charged, Blischak said, Because hes not guilty! He has a good attorney.

Blischak is a former FBI agent who worked in Cleveland and then Arizona from 197485.

His bio says: In 1975, John W. Blischak embarked on a rewarding nine-year career as an FBI agent with the U.S. Department of Justice, commencing in Cleveland and thereafter transferring to Phoenix. Wanting to seek independence and a challenge, Mr. Blischak, voluntarily left the FBI and commenced a three-year stint as a prosecutor in the Maricopa County [Arizona] Attorneys Office.

Since then, Blischak has been handling a variety of criminal matters, from DUI cases to white-collar crime, according to his site.

Blischak downplayed the significance of his past with the FBI.

Theres no correlation. Its public record. I cant lie that I was an FBI agent from 75-84, but I do not know that when he retained me, that he knew that, he said. In other words, he didnt retain me because Im a former FBI agent.

Richard Booth, an independent researcher of the Oklahoma City bombing, told The Epoch Times that its common for FBI agents to transition into private practice for financial reasons. He cited former FBI Deputy Director Weldon Kennedy, who wrote in his memoirs about how many agents struggled to make ends meet when transferred to expensive places such as New York City.

Many in FBI are lawyers and theyre notoriously underpaid, so not surprised to see one practicing law, Booth said. On the other hand, it sure looks suspicious.

Meanwhile, Blischak said he hasnt issued a demand for a retraction or had any other communications with Revolver News, the site that published the original deep dives into Epps.

Weve had discussions.  I personally havent been involved in that aspect, he said.

They [Revolver] are throwing him against the wall. I know that, and right now I have a meeting [with Epps today]. Hes going to be in my office in about four hours, and Ill know our future plans after that meeting.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser and head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks to a congressional panel in Washington on Jan. 11, 2022. (Greg Nash/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Faucis Financial Disclosures Available, but Not Right Away

Doctor and lawmakers clashed during hearing on Capitol Hill

Dr. Anthony Faucis financial disclosures are available to the public, but theyre not immediately accessible.

Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and President Joe Bidens chief medical adviser, was questioned over the disclosures during a Senate hearing in Washington this week.

After noting Fauci is the highest-paid employee in the federal government, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) wondered if the doctor would be willing to submit to Congress and the public a financial disclosure that includes your past and current investments?

I dont understand why youre asking me that question. My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been for the last 37 years or so, responded Fauci, who has been in his position since 1984.

Marshall said his office had not been able to locate Faucis disclosures and wondered where they were. He said there was an air of appearance of some shenanigans because Fauci learns of some issues before the general public, though he doesnt think anything untoward has happened.

All you have to do is ask for it, Fauci said.

An NIAID spokesperson confirmed to The Epoch Times in an email that Fauci submits disclosures but added that theyre only sent to people who fill out a specific form (pdf) requesting them.

The agency did not answer when asked how long it would take for the disclosures to be sent to somebody who filled out and submitted the form, or why the disclosures arent readily available.

The Epoch Times has sent requests for Faucis most recent disclosures.

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) walks on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 7, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Faucis disclosure for 2019 was obtained previously and published by Liz Whyte, a reporter with the Center for Public Integrity. His disclosures for the last two years have not appeared to have been made public.

A Marshall aide contended in an email to The Epoch Times that the barrier to accessing the documents means theyre not as available to the public as Fauci portrayed.

Its unclear how long it takes for the disclosures to be sent to those who file a form and when they are sent theyre heavily redacted, the aide noted.

Dr. Faucis sworn testimony does not match up with the facts, she said. Marshall definitely feels these should be on an easily accessible website, she also said.

Adam Andrzejewski, founder and CEO of openthebooks.com, agreed.

As transparency advocates, we called on NIH to immediately post online Dr. Faucis financial and conflict documentswithout redactions, he said in an op-ed.

Marshall, meanwhile, responded to Fauci being captured on a hot mic calling the senator a moron. He said Fauci was frustrated for being called out about his personal financial disclosure during the COVID pandemic NOT being publicly available.

Calling me a moron during a Senate hearing may have alleviated the stress of the least trusted bureaucrat in America, but it didnt take away from the facts, he added.
Four Arrested in Connection With Fatal Shooting of Off-Duty LAPD Officer

LOS ANGELESFour people have now been arrested in connection with the shooting death of an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer, authorities said Jan. 12.

The officer, 27-year-old Fernando Arroyos, a three-year veteran of the LAPD, was shot about 9:15 p.m. Monday in an apparent exchange of gunfire with as many as three armed robbery suspects in the unincorporated Firestone-Florence neighborhood in the 8700 block of Beach Street. He died at a hospital.

Following the crime, five suspects were detained Tuesday for questioning  and four of those have now been arrested, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, which is handling the investigation into the killing.

Weve been working around the clock on this case  working hand-in- hand with LAPD, LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Wednesday morning.

Referencing the arrests, he added, Going to bring some people to justice.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva speaks at a press conference in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 2, 2021. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

The names of the four suspects were not immediately released, nor was information on the status of the fifth suspect who had been detained for questioning.

Arroyos was assigned to the LAPDs Olympic Division, according to the department. An only child, he is survived by his mother, father, and stepfather.

He had a promising future, a bright future, that was taken away viciously over a street robbery, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said.

Authorities said Arroyos was in a car with his girlfriend and exited the vehicle when the confrontation occurred with the three suspects, and the officer is believed to have exchanged gunfire with the assailants. Its unclear if any of the suspects were struck. The officers girlfriend was not injured.

Authorities received a report of a second man suffering from gunshot wounds a few miles away from the scene of the shooting. The man was taken to a hospital and treated for his injuries, though investigators had yet to determine if the mans injuries were related the shooting in the 8700 block of Beach Street.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, appearing at an LAUSD back-to-school event Tuesday morning, said Arroyos was a son of immigrants. The mayor said Arroyos was with his girlfriend at the time of the attack, looking for their first home.

My heart is broken. Our citys heart is broken, and certainly our LAPD familys hearts all grieve, Garcetti said. I spoke with his mother, whos an immigrant, last night, at the hospital and stepfather.  And because this happened outside the city of Los Angeles, the sheriffs department is taking the lead on all investigations, with very strong support from our Robbery-Homicide officers as well.

And so I just want to send my love again to the family, to the LAPD family, he said. This man died a hero trying to defend himself and his girlfriend.

Earlier Tuesday, Moore told reporters that authorities recovered the officers handgun and a firearm believed used by a suspect in the crime.

We do believe that we have an officer-involved shooting here, that our officer exchanged gunfire with at least one of these suspects, Moore said. We do have our officers gun, and we have an additional weapon that we believe was responsible for this assault.  We know that we need the communitys help, but we also have every faith and confidence that well be identifying the person or persons responsible for this terrible act and this grievous loss.

Shortly before daybreak on Tuesday, the officers body was taken in a procession of vehicles from St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood to the Los Angeles County coroners facility near downtown Los Angeles.

Tonight, we mourn the loss of one of our officers who was shot [and] killed in an armed robbery attempt, according to a tweet from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents LAPD officers. The officer was off-duty. We pray for the officers family, and their fellow officers, during this time of pain and sorrow. This is an active investigation.

Anyone with information was urged to call the Sheriffs Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Medieval chant books and the parchment they were made of were designed to last a long timeso long, that pages of them can outlast the book itself. Across medieval Europe, monks and nuns and clergy in city cathedrals sang daily chants in communal forms of timed and sung prayer still practiced by some Christians today. Fragments of chant books travel across time and space, ending up in antique stores, tucked away in attics, or even made into book covers.

Our research collects images of these scattered and fragmented pages of chant and creates inventories of their contents, revealing their many and varied stories.

Why Chant?

Medieval Christian communities wrote down the many chants needed for their worship in books called antiphoners (music only), breviaries (which also included texts to be read), and graduals (containing chants that were part of the Mass, the central act of worship in the Catholic Church).

Each chant was intended to be sung at a particular time or occasion, and rarely did two communities do things exactly alike. Medieval chant books followed similar patterns, but they could also be surprisingly different from one another.

One monastery might sing a certain chant in the morning, while the nearby cathedral might sing it in the afternoon with a slightly different melody or celebrate a saint of local importance on that day instead. Taken together, such decisions can often be a kind of fingerprint for a manuscript. They can make it possible to identify where a book might have been from.

Reuniting Lost Books

Many books didnt survive intact. Some were taken apart once their contents were no longer useful to their communities, or disassembled by booksellers hoping to make more money by selling the book page-by-page. One of the goals of our research is to make the contents of these individual pages easier to access so that they can be better understood.

Sometimes it is possible to reunite a books pages again, especially if there is a clue about when and where the pages were last seen together.

For example, in the mid-20th century, American art history professor Otto Ege of the Cleveland Institute of Art took apart many books. Ege rearranged their pages into bundles of 50 to sell to libraries; this way, he reasoned, library collections could have examples of many different kinds of manuscripts.

Now, it is possible to undo some of Eges book-breaking by gathering up pictures of the pages he sold and reordering them digitally.

Abbey Library Mystery

A slightly different case is The Gottschalk Antiphonary, a beautifully decorated 12th-century chant book from Lambach Abbey in Austria, which was eventually taken apart and used to bind books for the abbeys library.

Many of these bindings were sold to collectors during World War II, but thanks to extensive scholarly sleuthing, 30 of the pages have been put together digitally, making it possible to get a better glimpse of this remarkable volume.

But often what has been broken is not readily put together again. Hundreds of pages of The Gottschalk Antiphonary, and of Eges collections, remain at large.

A digital reconstruction of The Gottschalk Antiphonary.

Windows Into the Past

So, if the pages cannot be put back into their books, what can be said about them? In the absence of the rest of the book, small details of each page become more remarkable.

Even one page, which typically only contains the music and texts for a small part of the day, can reveal some small choices in wording or melodies, providing clues to its origins. And even when the clues go nowhere, they provide a window into a small piece of the past: the unique way that that community chose to celebrate.

Each page is a handmade object and reveals something about the people who made it. We have seen pages where an inattentive scribe forgot to include a letter or a note; another page is hand-stitched where someone carefully fixed a tear in the parchment.

Page references were added in or changed as the book was used. Some pages are plain, others purposefully illustrated, while others are whimsical. Among the hundreds of pages of an entire chant book, such details can go overlooked, but in isolation, they are a picture of a particular day in the working life of a scribe, illustrator, or musician.

Pages Afterlives

Just as often, the fragments are interesting not just for where they began but also for where they ended up, and how they got there.

Through our research, weve heard how one page, after arriving in Nova Scotia, was passed along through several people connected to the local symphony, tracing a story of friendships in a musical community.

Another fragment had been repurposed as the cover of a book, providing a glimpse into religious reforms. An early owner had written the titles of Lutheran hymns in between the older chants.

The individual personalities associated with each fragment sometimes come to the fore in delightful ways. One arrived with a letter describing how the letter-writer had fallen in love with the fragment while her family was temporarily installed in West Germany. The fragment was found in a shop adjacent to the many stalls selling gluhwein (warm, spiced wine) and cuckoo clocks in a busy Christmas market.

Such stories are reminders that even in the absence of larger books, pages have individual journeys. From the time they were crafted to their paths into the 21st century, each is the product of individual choices set against the backdrop of historical changes and institutionsa page from a much bigger book.

Anna de Bakker is a postdoctoral research associate in the department of musics Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University, and Jennifer Bain is a professor of musicology and music theory at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. This article was first published on The Conversation.
A Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL), Mr Isaac Osei, yesterday told the Accra High Court that he and seven experts used three months to transcribe the audio visuals of Dr Frederick Yao- Mac-Palm, a medical practitioner, and others, standing trial for alleged high treason and abetment of crime.

He said the team worked four times in a week at the Military Intelligence Unit, where a room was reserved for them to ensure confidentiality.

"I constituted a team and we went to the police CID Headquarters and collected the audios and videos and they told us that in order to ensure confidentiality of the work, a room has been reserved for us at the Military Intelligence Unit where they took us and it was from that place that we did the whole work," the witness told the court.

He continued: "It was a secured room where we kept all our apparatus and only went in the following day to request the keys to continue to work till we finished."

Mr Osei, the sixth prosecution witness, was led in evidence by Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Appearing before a three-member panel of judges presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, the witness said that translators used their own equipment, including laptops and that "we listened to the audios and watched the videos and transcribed them to the best of our knowledge."

Mr Osei, who holds B.A in Linguistics and B.A in teaching Spanish as a foreign language, said after listening, watching and transcribing the audio- visuals "we printed the final copy for the CID. I signed all of them by my position as the leader of the team and printed them on the institute's letterhead."

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Asked what happened after he printed and signed the documents, he explained that," initially, we printed one copy of the whole document and submitted same to the CID."

So far, Colonel Isaac Amponsah, the Director in Charge of Operational Intelligence at the Defence Intelligence Department of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF); Major General Nicholas Peter Andoh, Chief of Staff; Staff Sergeant Awarf Sule of the Defence Intelligence Department; Henry Ekow Ghartey, a soldier with Signals Regiment and Staff Sergeant Jonas Yeankye Kofi Natornah, a Physical Training Inspector at the General Headquarters Training School, all of the GAF, had testified as prosecution witnesses.

The other accused are ACP Dr Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Donya Kafui, Bright and Alan Debrah.

The rest are Ofosu Yeboah, Johannes Zikpi, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon and Warrant Officer (II) Esther Saan Dekuwine.

They have all pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit crime to wit; high treason, high treason and abetment.

The accused belonged to a group called Take Action Ghana and allegedly plotted to overthrow the government.
A medical team takes a suspected COVID-19 patient in to the isolation ward in the Red zone of the Emergency Department at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia on Jun. 4, 2020. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Fully Vaccinated in Hospital for COVID-19 Surpass Unvaccinated in Australian State

For the first time, New South Wales (NSW) has seen more fully vaccinated patients hospitalised with COVID-19 compared to the number of unvaccinated patients as the Omicron outbreak continues to edge toward its peak.

Data published by the NSW governments COVID-19 Critical Intelligence Unit has revealed that as of Jan. 9, 68.9 percent of COVID-19 patients aged 12 and over in hospitals had two doses of the vaccine, with 28.8 percent unvaccinated.

The number of double-dose vaccinated patients in intensive care units (ICUs) also surpassed those of the unvaccinated, with 50.3 percent of the vaccinated presenting to ICU with COVID-19, more than the 49.1 percent who are unvaccinated.

However, based on the data presented, unvaccinated individuals appear to be six times more likely to be hospitalised and nearly 13 times more likely to be sent to ICU than those who are fully vaccinated.

This is considering that the number of unvaccinated patients appears to be over-represented in the figures7.3 percent of the NSW population aged 12 and over at the time were unvaccinated, but they made up half of the COVID-19 ICU patients in the NSW Health system. At present, Australia does not permit alternative treatments, such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, which are available and used in other countries.

Percentage of COVID-19 hospitalisations in New South Wales based on weekly reported data by the NSW COVID-19 Critical Intelligence Unit between Oct. 31, 2021 and Jan. 9, 2022. Vaccinated refers to those receiving two doses of an eligible vaccine. The graph has been smoothed for days between each reported week end. Points between Dec. 12, 2021 and Jan. 2, 2022 have been linearly interpolated due to data unavailability. (The Epoch Times)

According to NSW Health, 95.1 percent of people aged 16 and over have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.7 percent have received two doses as of Jan. 11.

The rise in the proportion of hospitalisations amongst the fully vaccinated comes both amid the spread of the Omicron variant of the CCP virus in Australia, along with the loss in the efficacy of the available COVID-19 vaccines.

A spokesperson for NSW Health told The Epoch Times on Jan. 11 that Omicron had supplanted Delta as the primary variant spreading in NSW, but that it also appeared to be less dangerous than its predecessor.

The Omicron variant is associated with a lower rate of hospitalisation and ICU admission, the spokesperson said.

While the state recorded 32,155 cases of the virus on Jan. 9, 2,030 were hospitalised, and only 159 had been sent to ICU. As of Jan. 12, the total number of cases has jumped to 53,909, with 2,242 hospitalised and 175 in ICU.

NSW Health urges the community to continue to practise COVID-safe behaviours to keep themselves and the community safe, including wearing a mask indoors, maintaining physical distancing, and practising hand hygiene.

People arrive to be vaccinated at the New South Wales Health mass vaccination hub at Homebush in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 23, 2021. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

The spokesperson also reminded those eligible to receive their third booster dose of an available COVID-19 vaccinewhich can now be done four months after receiving the second doseto raise the effectiveness of immunity granted by the vaccine.

We continue to encourage everyone who has not yet done so to get vaccinated and anyone who is now eligible for their booster dose to get it without delay. The COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia are safe and very effective at reducing the risk of serious illness and death.

In the United States, it has been reported that 2 out of the three available COVID-19 vaccines dropped below 50 percent efficacy after six months, according to a study published in November 2021.

To combat this, NSW has mandated booster shots for all education staff, joining other states that have implemented vaccine booster requirements.

NSW is also currently working to better understand the effects of the new COVID-19 variants.

NSW Health is prioritising the whole genome sequencing of COVID-19 for patients in ICU in order to better understand the impact of both the Delta and Omicron variants, the spokesperson said.

Update: The headline of this article has been updated for clarity.
A general view of the shipbuilding hall at the Wismar location of the MV-Werften shipyards in Wismar, Germany, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Annegret Hilse/Reuters)

German Court to Rule in Row Over Funding for Cruise Shipbuilder MV Werften

BERLINA German court will rule next week in a case brought by Genting Group against a German regional government after a row over funding for cruise shipbuilder MV Werften, which filed for insolvency on Monday.

Genting, led by Malaysian tycoon Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, bought MV Werften in 2016. The pandemic has hit the global travel industry, including cruise operators, and led to production stops at shipyards that build cruise ships.

Gentings subsidiary Genting Hong Kong said on Tuesday the German government and the German federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had withheld a total of $336 million in funding it was promised.

Included in that was an $88 million backstop facility from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern that the Hong Kong group said it was due to draw down, but said that the German state imposed additional pre-conditions in December.

The German government has said Genting Hong Kong had turned down aid that was offered to it.

Gentings court case was heard by the regional court in the northern German town of Schwerin on Tuesday. A spokesman for the court said a ruling would be made on Monday at 2 p.m. local time (1300 GMT).

Genting Hong Kong also said in a Hong Kong stock exchange filing on Tuesday that MVs insolvency led to defaults under its Global 1 credit facility, which would, in turn, lead to further defaults on financing arrangements worth a total of around $2.8 billion.

Shares in Genting Hong Kong have been suspended from trade since Friday. The company said they would continue to be suspended pending another announcement, which would include the outcome of legal proceedings.

MV Werften currently has around 2,000 workers in Germanys northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

By Kirsti Knolle
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz answers questions about mandatory vaccination from a lawmaker of the Alternative for Germany, AFD, party during a session of the Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Markus Schreiber/AP Photo)

Germany Pushes Lawmakers to Debate COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told parliament on Wednesday that COVID-19 vaccinations should become mandatory for all adults in the country as he accused the unvaccinated of putting others at risk.

I, for one, consider it necessary and will actively campaign for it, Scholz told lawmakers in Berlin, asserting that getting the shot is not a personal decision since it has consequences for the entire society.

Theres no decision you make just for yourself, and thats why mandatory vaccination is important, he said. With the decision not to get vaccinated, one ultimately is not just making a decision for oneself, but also for 80 million others.

German lawmakers are expected to launch debates on a bill making the shots mandatory at the end of January, The Associated Press reported. The country already passed a law in December that requires staff at hospitals and nursing homes to get vaccinated against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus from mid-March.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the president of Germany, told a roundtable debate with citizens on the issue that the exceptional situation of a pandemic increases the pressure for the state to act.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, center, attends a discussion about the pros and cons of mandatory vaccination in Germany with guests, as well as digitally connected participants, at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Germany, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP)

A vaccine mandate means a debate mandate, said Steinmeier, whose role in the country is largely ceremonial. He urged lawmakers involved to show respect for other positions.

The president also dismissed accusations that the CCP virus pandemic in Germany has turned the country into a dictatorship as he brandished the claims as complete nonsense.

According to the latest data by the Robert Koch Institute, a German federal agency responsible for disease control and prevention, more than 72 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, while over 44 percent have had a booster shot.

Though the European nation is showing promising vaccination ratesCCP virus infections continue to soar in the country and more measures such as mandatory vaccinations are needed, Scholz claimed. The chancellors government aims to reach a vaccination goal of 80 percent.

For weeks, protests have broken out across Germany as residents faced strict restrictions amid a new COVID-19 wave driven by the Omicron variant.

Members of the police stand guard as people protest against the governments COVID-19 measures in Berlin, Germany, on April 21, 2021. (Christian Mang/Reuters)

Over the past few months, hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Germany as the government repeatedly enforced new COVID-19 rules. Current measures include limiting hospitality venue access to only those who have received a booster shot, are considered recovered from the CCP virus, or are able to show a negative test.

The rules have been criticized by the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, which labeled the governments new restrictions as a disaster.

The introduction of 2G-plus access rules across the board is a disaster for many businesses, said Ingrid Hartges, the associations chief executive, DW reported.

Hartges urged the government to make assistance available to the hospitality sector harmed by the restrictions, explaining that less than half of the countrys population has received a booster shot.

From NTD News
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on April 21, 2021. (Graeme Jennings/AFP via Getty Images)

GOP Senators Introduce Legislation Sanctioning Beijing Over Obstruction of COVID-19 Origins Investigation

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), along with 15 other Republican senators, has introduced a bill that would authorize sanctions and other restrictions on Chinese officials and scientists unless Beijing allows for a credible and comprehensive international investigation into the origins of COVID-19 at suspected labs in China.

For two years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has stonewalled all efforts to uncover the true origins of COVID-19, Rubio said in a Jan. 11 statement from his office. We know the virus originated in China, however, the CCPs attempts to obfuscate the truth has led to countless deaths and needless suffering worldwide.

My bill will force the CCP to the table.

The bill, named the Coronavirus Origin Validation, Investigation, and Determination (COVID) Act of 2022, gives the Chinese regime 90 days after the legislations enactment to open up its labs to the investigation.

According to the language of the bill (pdf), a team of international experts would need to be allowed to carry out a transparent international forensic investigation of the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), the Wuhan Center for Disease Control, and the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, as well as all other labs in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Current and former employees at these labs should be allowed to speak to the experts, who will also need to have unlimited access to virus cultures, databases, and specimens at these facilities, according to the bill.

The bill names Shi Zhengli, Chinas top virologist working at the WIV, and says her laboratory logs and notebooks should be made available to the investigative team.

The WIV has long been suspected as the origin of the CCP virus, the pathogen that causes COVID-19, given that the institute has been doing research on bat coronaviruses for more than a decade. The institute is also a short distance from a Wuhan wet market where the first cluster of infection cases was said to have emerged.

Beijing has denied that the viruss origin was linked to the WIV and has pushed a natural zoonotic hypothesisthat the virus was transmitted to humans from an animal host.

The investigative team would also need to have access to WIV records such as security logs and surveillance video footage, and test WIV staff for past COVID-19 infection.

The P4 laboratory, designated as the highest level of biological safety, at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China, on April 17, 2020. (AFP via Getty Images/Hector Retamal)

In January 2020, the U.S. State Department released a fact sheet saying it had reason to believe that several researchers inside the WIV became sick in autumn 2019, before the first identified case of the outbreak, with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses.

The COVID Act reads, The central, provincial, and municipal authorities of the Peoples Republic of China facilitate the work of the investigative team and refrain from imposing any restrictions on the scope, scale, and duration of the investigation.

If Beijing fails to allow the investigation, the bill mandates that the U.S. president impose sanctions on top Chinese officials running Chinas state-owned Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), and its affiliated institutes and laboratories, including WIV.

The bill would also suspend federal research funding for studies that involve the CAS, and prohibit gain-of-function virus research cooperation between any U.S.-based individual or institution that receives federal funding and any China-based individual or institution.

Rubio introduced a similar bill (S.2148) in 2021. The current legislation builds on the previous one by authorizing the president to sanction any CCP officials, including those in the Chinese military and the Ministry of Public Security, for their involvement in Chinas early coverup of the COVID-19 outbreak and obstructing an international investigation into the origins of the virus.

The sanctions listed in the bill include denying visas and blocking assets.

The Chinese Communist Partys deception on COVID origins has come at the expense of American lives, stated Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) according to the statement from Rubio. Blackburn was one of the co-sponsors of the bill.

In no way should the United States enable or encourage the dangerous and deceptive practices of these Chinese-state labs, and this legislation will expand on our existing work by formally levying long overdue sanctions against the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

An investigation team led by the World Health Organization (WHO) traveled to Wuhan to investigate in early 2021. However, Beijing refused to provide the team with raw data on early COVID-19 cases. Moreover, critics have also denounced the WHO investigation as lacking independence, since some team members had ties to the Chinese regime.

Other co-sponsors of the legislation are Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and John Kennedy (R-La.).
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 4, 2021. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

Guilty Conscience? CDCs Walensky Lets the COVID Cat Out of the Bag

Commentary

Was it a guilty conscience that prompted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to tell the world on Good Morning America on Jan. 7 that 75 percent of COVID-19 deaths occurred among those with four or more comorbidities?

If it wasnt, it should have been.

Four or more? What would the percentage have been for those with a mere two or more comorbidities? Eighty-five? Ninety-five? Ninety-eight?

It couldnt be more obvious that COVID-19 was a serious danger most of all to those who were very sick in the first place. The obese also had concerns, although that is rarely mentioned because not politically correct. And, alas, sometimes the recently vaccinated.

For that, we all had to be injected, masked up, locked down, and isolated for two years. And they say Jan. 6 is a scandal?

Global corporations have participated in this madness for their own power-hungry reasons, firing their unvaccinated employees. Our large medical institutions have behaved abominably, often motivated by greed or fear of losing government subsidies.

But worst of all by far is what has been done to Americas children as a result. The past two yearsand continuing now in many venueshave been the worst case of child abuse in human history.

Unfortunately, thats not as hyperbolic as it sounds. Think about the numbers and the size of the populations involved.

The pervasive retardation and attendant neurosis of Americas young, indeed millions throughout the world, because they have spent their early developmental years wearing masks and separated from each other, trapped in their homes, staring at computer screens, will be felt for decades to come.

Suicides and suicidal ideation have escalated among the young. What does that say about their futures, not to mention ours? A generation of substance abusers looms.

That many were vaccinated without reason is yet more scandalous. Fortunately, parents are beginning to resist this mass inoculation as warnings of the consequences of mRNA vaccines are being made public by, among others, the estimable Dr. Robert Malone, the actual inventor of the technology.

Whos responsible for all this? Many sourcesBig Pharma, the CDC, World Health Organization, and other governmental and quasi-governmental agencies and the Democratic Party among them, not to mention their unquestioning mouthpiece: the mainstream mediabut we all know who is No. 1.

Malone, in a recent email from his substack, alerts us to the latest information about this person or, as he puts it, more damming evidence on [Dr. Anthony] Faucis role in all of this mess.

[Washington, D.C., Jan. 10, 2022] Project Veritas has obtained startling never-before-seen documents regarding the origins of COVID-19, gain of function research, vaccines, potential treatments which have been suppressed, and the governments effort to conceal all of this.

The documents in question stem from a report at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, better known as DARPA, which were hidden in a top-secret shared drive.

DARPA is an agency under the U.S. Department of Defense in charge of facilitating research in technology with potential military applications.

Project Veritas has obtained a separate report to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense written by U.S. Marine Corp Major, Joseph Murphy, a former DARPA Fellow.

The report states that EcoHealth Alliance approached DARPA in March 2018, seeking funding to conduct gain-of-function research of bat-borne coronaviruses. The proposal, named Project Defuse, was rejected by DARPA over safety concerns and the notion that it violates the basis gain of function research moratorium.

According to the documents, NIAID [National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases], under the direction of Dr. Fauci, went ahead with the research in Wuhan, China, and at several sites across the U.S.

Read the rest at the Project Veritas website. Its worth noting that PVunlike The New York Times and The Washington Post for years on such things as TrumpRussia collusionhas rarely been proven wrong. In this case, theyve produced the documents.

Its likely that, when, as they say, this bloody war is over, Faucis name will be infamous in history, if it isnt already because of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s book.

Meanwhile, Alex Berenson, in the invaluable emails from his substack, reports under the following Internal hospital data confirm a huge increase in patients with vaccine side effects in 2021:

Several people with access to different databases provided the figures, on the condition that they remain anonymous, as the databases are proprietary and confidential. All the databases showed a similar increase, ranging from four-fold to more than 10-fold.

The rise parallels the massive increase in vaccine injuries and deaths reported to VAERSthe federal Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting Systemin 2021. Over 740,000 VAERS reports were submitted last year, compared to 50,000 in 2020. Of the 2021 reports, 700,000 were Covid related.

Not a great trend, its safe to say. I wouldnt be in a hurry to take that booster.

For now, we can thank Walensky, guilty conscience or not, for opening the door a crack on the government side. Maybe she should push it open a little wider.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
File photo of an engineering student takes part in a hacking challenge near Paris on March 16, 2013. (AFP via Getty Images/file/Thomas Samson)

Hacker, 19, Claims He Was Able to Remotely Access 25 Tesla Vehicles Worldwide Due to Software Flaw

A 19-year-old security researcher in Germany claims he was able to remotely hack into more than 25 Tesla vehicles in 13 countries after discovering a software flaw in the companys systems.

In a series on Twitter on Jan. 11, David Colombo claimed that he had been able to remotely access the vehicles and disable Sentry Modea feature that allows Tesla owners to monitor suspicious activitiesunlock doors and windows, and start the cars without keys.

Colombo also claimed that he could query the drivers exact location and see if they were present in the car, saying the list of things he could do was pretty long.

The teenager went on to state that the vulnerability wasnt due to Teslas infrastructure but was the owners [sic] faults and that he would need to report this to the owners, but he didnt reveal the exact details of the software vulnerability.

While Colombo said he wasnt able to remotely control steering, acceleration, or braking in the vehicles, he joked that he could remotely rick roll the affected owners by playing Rick Astley on Youtube in their Teslas.

Yes, I potentially could unlock the doors and start driving the affected Teslas. No, I can not intervene with someone driving (other than starting music at max volume or flashing lights) and I also can not drive these Teslas remotely, Colombo wrote on Twitter.

I think its pretty dangerous if someone is able to remotely blast music on full volume or open the windows/doors while you are on the highway. Even flashing the lights non-stop can potentially have some (dangerous) impact on other drivers, Colombo said.

Thats why I would like to get this all fixed before I release any specific details regarding what exactly this all is about, he said, adding that he had contacted MITRE, the American not-for-profit organization that provides engineering and technical guidance for the federal government.

Colombo said he was also in contact with the affected Tesla vehicle owners. He didnt provide photographic or video evidence to support his claims.

In an updated Twitter post, Columbo said hed been in contact with Teslas security team, who had confirmed they were investigating the incident and would update him. The MITRE Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures assignment team had also reserved a CVE for it, he said.

Colombo and Tesla havent responded to a request for comment.

Tesla vehicles have encountered a number of safety issues, including with their autonomous driving features.

In August last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a formal probe into Teslas Autopilot and full self-driving (FSD) systems following nearly a dozen crashes with parked emergency vehicles that left one person dead and injured 17 others. On Aug. 31, that investigation was expanded to cover a 12th incident (pdf).

In October, Tesla withdrew the latest version of its FSD beta software just one day after it was released after the companys internal quality assurance found problems with some left turns at traffic lights.

Tesla has a vulnerability disclosure platform where security researchers can report legitimate vulnerabilities in Tesla vehicles and are rewarded with up to $15,000 for a qualifying vulnerability.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam holds a press conference, announcing strict new anti-coronavirus controls in Hong Kong on Jan. 5, 2022. (Daniel Suen/AFP via Getty Images)

Hong Kong Leader Announces Class Suspensions

Hong Kongs primary schools and kindergartens will pause in-person learning on Friday due to COVID-19.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday that if the virus situation improves, students can return to class after the Lunar New Year holiday in the first week of February.

She added that students will eventually be able to go to schools to get vaccinated.

Hong Kong is trying to limit Omicron outbreaks after infections were reported in students.

The territory has tightened pandemic-related restrictions in recent days after discovering Omicron had spread beyond people arriving from overseas.
A woman holds a smartphone with the Facebook logo in front of Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta in this illustration picture taken on Oct. 28, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Judge Rules Federal Trade Commission Can Proceed With Antitrust Lawsuit Against Meta

A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can proceed with an antitrust lawsuit against Meta, formerly known as Facebook, after dismissing the case in June last year.

District of Columbia Judge James Boasberg said in a memorandum opinion that the FTCs first complaint had stumbled out of the starting blocks, noting that the court had concluded last year that the commission had failed to plausibly allege that Facebook has monopoly power in the market for Personal Social Networking (PSN) services.

However, the court had in 2021 left the door open for the agency to amend the complaint and reinstate its suit, which it did.

Eagerly accepting such invitation, the FTC has filed an amended complaint containing significant additions and revisions aimed at addressing the shortcomings identified in the Courts prior opinion, Judge Boasberg, an Obama appointee, said on Tuesday.

That revised version, Boasberg said, makes the same arguments as the prior suit but this time with enough alleged facts to plausibly establish that Facebook exercises monopoly power in the market for PSN services.

The FTC has also adequately alleged that the companys dominant market share is protected by barriers to entry into that market and explained that Facebook not only possesses monopoly power but that it has willfully maintained that power through anticompetitive conductspecifically, the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.

However, judge Boasberg said that the court will not allow the FTC to move forward with its allegations regarding Facebooks interoperability policies, also known as the platform policies, because the company abandoned those policies in 2018.

Facebook nonetheless moves to dismiss once again, contending that the FTCs latest effort is akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Although the agency may well face a tall task down the road in proving its allegations, the Court believes that it has now cleared the pleading bar and may proceed to discovery, Boasberg said.

The FTC filed its antitrust lawsuit against Meta last year alleging that the social technology company holds an unlawful monopoly in personal social networking services, an alleged 60 percent of the social media networking market, and maintained it by acquiring the competitors Instagram and WhatsApp.

A 3D printed Facebooks new rebrand logo Meta and Facebook logo are placed on laptop keyboard in this illustration, taken on Nov. 2, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

The founder and CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg speaks during the 56th Munich Security Conference in Munich, southern Germany, on Feb. 15, 2020. (Christof Stache/AFP)

Boasberg on Tuesday also pointed to Metas new allegation that FTC Chair Lina Khan, a fierce tech critic, allegedly invalidated the complaint by prejudging Metas guilt and that her participation in a vote to authorize the amended complaint violated federal law due to her previous extensive work on antitrust issues regarding major technology platforms.

Although Khan has undoubtedly expressed views about Facebooks monopoly power, these views do not suggest the type of axe to grind based on personal animosity or financial conflict of interest that has disqualified prosecutors in the past, the judge wrote.

The FTC suit against Meta comes as the U.S. government attempts to reign in the power of big tech. Last year, the Justice Department sued Google over allegations that the tech giant used its power to preserve its monopoly.

In a lawsuit filed in a Washington federal court, the DOJ claimed that Google had tried to maintain its status as a gatekeeper to the Internet by using a number of interlocking businesses to shut out competitors, thereby securing itself as a monopoly. The DOJ claimed the Silicon Valley firm uses billions of dollars from its own advertisements to pay carriers, browsers, phone companies, and other entities to maintain Google as a default search engine.

Google has disputed that claim.

Responding to Boasbergs ruling on Tuesday, a Meta spokesperson told The Verge, Todays decision narrows the scope of the FTCs case by rejecting claims about our platform policies. It also acknowledges that the agency faces a tall task proving its case regarding two acquisitions it cleared years ago. Were confident the evidence will reveal the fundamental weakness of the claims. Our investments in Instagram and WhatsApp transformed them into what they are today. They have been good for competition, and good for the people and businesses that choose to use our products.

The Epoch Times has contacted Facebook and the FTC for comment.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser and head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks to a congressional panel in Washington on Jan. 11, 2022. (Greg Nash/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Just About Everybody Will Get COVID-19: Fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci and other top health officials said this week that virtually all Americans will get COVID-19 from the Omicron virus variant, a shift in outlook from earlier in the pandemic.

I think in many respects, Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody, Fauci, President Joe Bidens chief medical adviser, said during a talk held by the Center for Strategic & International Studies on Tuesday.

Hours earlier, Dr. Janet Woodcock, the Food and Drug Administrations acting commissioner, offered a similar view.

I think its hard to process whats actually happening right now, which is most people are going to get COVID, she told a congressional panel in Washington.

COVID-19 vaccines were initially trumpeted as a way to prevent contracting the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19 and officials hoped getting enough people vaccinated would lead to herd immunity, a situation in which the virus would be greatly diminished or even eliminated.

Viruses dont mutate if they cant replicate, and you can prevent them from replicating by vaccinating enough people so that the virus has nowhere to go, Fauci told NPR over the summer.

Those hopes havent panned out, largely because the vaccines proved increasingly ineffective at preventing infection even before Omicron emerged in Africa in late October.

The two doses, theyre not enough for Omicron, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said at a conference this week. The third dose of the current vaccine is providing quite good protection against deaths, and decent protection against hospitalizations, but less against infection.

A man adjusts a boys mask as they arrive at a school in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 12, 2022. (Ashlee Rezin /Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Omicron is better at evading the protection bestowed by vaccines and prior infection, and even the restoration from booster shots quickly goes down, according to emerging data.

The vaccines still provide protection against severe disease, though less than against the Delta variant. Booster doses can up that protection, but some health authorities are warning against repeat boosters due to risks to recipients immune systems.

Top Biden administration officials like Fauci are now acknowledging that elimination of the virus is off the table and that many Americans will contract the disease it causes.

Theres no way were going to eradicate this, Fauci said.

U.S. health authorities are still all-in on vaccinations, urging the unvaccinated to get a shot and the vaccinated to get a booster. Some groups are already cleared for and advised to get two boosters in the country.

Three-quarters of the U.S. population have gotten at least one vaccine dose, but that hasnt stopped Omicron from ripping through communities, infecting the vaccinated and unvaccinated alike.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have reached record-highs in recent days, and deaths attributed to the disease hit 1,600 per day over the last week, a rise of about 40 percent over the week before, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.

Still, many Omicron-caused cases include no or few symptoms, and around half of the hospitalizations with COVID-19 are actually admitted for other reasons, according to data from several states made public for the first time this month.

Medical staff treat a COVID-19 patient in their isolation room in the intensive care unit at Western Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on Jan. 5, 2022. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

A newly published study (pdf) from researchers examining COVID-19 hospitalizations in Kaiser Permanentes southern California system after Omicron appeared builds on the body of evidence that the variant is much less dangerous than Delta, with zero of the over 52,000 Omicron patients receiving mechanical ventilation. A single death was recorded and just seven patients needed intensive care.

Led by Joseph Lewnard of the University of California, Berkley, and in collaboration with the CDC, the researchers found that infections believed to be from Omicron were associated with substantially reduced risk of severe clinical endpoints and shorter durations of hospital stay.

Still, health officials are worried about hospital capacity and staffing, which has been reduced during the pandemic, because of the sharp rise in cases during the Omicron-driven wave.

The sudden and steep rise in cases due to Omicron is resulting in unprecedented daily case counts, sickness, absenteeism, and strains on our healthcare system. The risk of hospitalization remains low, especially among people who are up to date on their COVID vaccines. However, the staggering rise in cases over 1 million new cases each day has led to a high number of total hospitalizations, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDCs director, told reporters in a virtual briefing on Wednesday.

Walensky later acknowledged that officials are studying what COVID-19 will look like if it were to become endemic while sticking to a familiar script on how people can avoid burdening healthcare systems: getting vaccinated and getting boosted, wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of high transmission  and testing before you gather with others.
Chris and Sheri Wilson at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Von Braun Center Concert Hall in Huntsville, Ala., on Jan. 11, 2022. (Qian Zhang/The Epoch Times)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.Audience members are often blown away by the talent displayed by Shen Yun Performing Arts. It was no different for the audience at the Von Braun Center Concert Hall in Huntsville this evening.

Chris and Sheri Wilson were happy to share their appreciation for New York-based Shen Yun.

It was very colorful, very energetic. Its the first time weve seen something like that, Mrs. Wilson said.

[It is] something totally new and different; it takes a lot of talent to sit there and not only be able to do the acrobatic portions of it, just the use of props and [to] be able to do that and all in unison is just amazing! she added.

The dancers of Shen Yun are trained in classical Chinese dance. This includes the acrobatic tumbling that Mrs. Wilson mentioned, the techniques of which originate from classical Chinese dance and have a history of thousands of years.

I like the water scene. The choreography with the water scene was very uniquehow they could control the props, Mr. Wilson said.

Shen Yun is dedicated to letting their audience see China as it was before communism. Unfortunately, Shen Yun is not able to perform in China.

I think its just listening to the music from China and seeing these different stories in China and how they cant talk about those stories in China. I think [Shen Yun] is a great medium to be able to tell the story, Mr. Wilson said.

I dont know a lot about whats going on, but its a shame something so beautiful cant be seen everywhere, Mrs. Wilson added.

Mr. Wilson shared that experiencing Shen Yun gives the audience a sense of being lifted and positivity.

Just watching it makes you feel better about yourself and its lifting, energetic, spiritual, and all those things combined, he said.

Shen Yun, The whole show is uplifting!

Richard Marsden at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Von Braun Center Concert Hall in Huntsville, Ala., on Jan. 11, 2022. (Jennifer Liang/The Epoch Times)

Richard Marsden, a corporate attorney who was also in the audience, said he felt that something with so much culture should not be oppressed.

All the history and culture, for all those in China that dont get to see it, under what seems to be a pretty oppressive regime, and its so much to see! So it makes you sad, he said.

Yet although Shen Yun is restricted in China, Mr. Marsden said that this is why people should take the opportunity to experience it outside of China.

The whole show is uplifting!  Richard Marsden

The whole show is uplifting! And its great history. The show itself is good, it just makes you think about why you have to see it here, and you couldnt see it in its own country. Theyre doing a great job so its very well done, he said.

Reporting by Qian Zhang, Jennifer Liang, and Maria Han.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security Division Matthew Olsen, seen from a video monitor, testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee during a virtual hearing to examine the domestic terrorism threat, in Washington, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)

Justice Department Creates Special Unit to Tackle Domestic Terrorism

The Justice Department is establishing a specialized unit focused on domestic terrorism, its top national security official said Tuesday.

Matthew Olsen, the assistant attorney general of the departments National Security Division, told a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee that, based on the assessment of the Intelligence Community, the United States faces an elevated threat from domestic violent extremists.

He described these extremists as individuals in the United States who seek to commit violent criminal acts in furtherance of domestic social or political goals. He noted that FBI investigations into suspected domestic violent extremists have more than doubled since the spring of 2020.

We have seen a growing threat from those who are motivated by racial animus, as well as those who ascribe to extremist anti-government and anti-authority ideologies, he added.

Olsen said that investigating and prosecuting domestic violent extremists is among the departments highest priorities. He said federal prosecutors at the 94 U.S. Attorneys Offices work on the front lines in close partnership with FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces, which have the lead in all terrorism investigations.

At Main Justice, the National Security Division was created in 2006 to integrate the departments national security work nationwide  we have a team of counterterrorism attorneys, all of whom are equipped to work on both domestic and international terrorism prosecutions, Olsen said, adding that he has decided to create a Domestic Terrorism Unit to augment our existing approach.

People walk past the Justice Department building on a foggy morning in Washington, on Dec. 9, 2019. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

This group of dedicated attorneys will focus on the domestic terrorism threat, helping to ensure that these cases are properly handled and effectively coordinated across DOJ and around the country, he said.

The U.S. criminal code defines domestic terrorism as violence intended to coerce or intimidate a civilian population and to influence government policy.

While there is no single federal crime labeled domestic terrorism, the criminal code does define domestic terrorism. This definition provides us with expanded authorities, including enhanced sentencing for terrorism offenses, Olsen said.

Kyle Shideler, director and senior analyst for homeland security and counterterrorism for the Center for Security Policy, told The Epoch Times in an email that he was concerned about the DOJ announcing the unit during a hearing when officials repeatedly declined to answer questions about the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach and other matters.

The increasingly politicization of federal law enforcement and refusal to engage in good faith with legislators charged with their oversight is part of the reason why Rasmussen polls demonstrate that support for the FBI has cratered in recent months, he said.

If the FBI and DOJ genuinely want to address terrorism issues they will need the confidence and good will of the general public. They can only reestablish that trust by engaging in full transparency and aggressively resisting efforts by the Biden Administration to politicize counterterrorism.

Zachary Stieber and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Businesses and residents near The Dominguez Channel have been experiencing a foul odor from the water in Carson, Calif., on Nov. 4, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

LA County to Investigate Sewage Spill as Residents Call for Better Infrastructure, Leadership

CARSON, Calif.Los Angeles County will investigate the cause of the 8.5-million-gallon sewage spill in Carson, as well as evaluate the condition of the countys sewer systems amid residents calls for better leadership and infrastructure in the city.

On Jan. 11, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion (pdf) introduced by Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Janice Hahn to investigate the cause of the Dec. 30 sewer pipe collapse in Carson, where 8.5 million gallons of untreated sewage flooded residential streets and flowed through the Dominguez Channel and into the Los Angeles Harbor.

The sewer pipe incident comes just months after the city of Carson declared a local state of emergency in October over a foul smell emanating from the Dominguez Channel that caused residents headaches, nausea, and vomiting for months.

Mitchell, whose District 2 oversees Carson, acknowledged the citys infrastructure issues, as well as the impact that the Dominguez Channel odor incident has had on residents.

First, to the residents of Carson whose homes were impacted by the spillage, I want you to know that we will do everything we can to help you recover, Mitchell said during the board meeting. The last three months have been unacceptable for your community after the Dominguez Channel odor incident, and now eight million gallons of sewage has spilled into your front yard.

Mitchell said that the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districtsa public agency that treats wastewater and turns it into reusable recycled waterconducted a routine video inspection of the pipeline on Dec. 1 and found no cause for immediate action as a result of the inspection.

Im anxious to hear from the sanitation department what the routine inspection might have missed and how we can learn for the future, Mitchell said.

The motion directs several county departments to work with the sanitation districts to investigate the pipe collapse and report back to the board on Jan. 25; it also directs the Department of Public Works to continue monitoring dissolved oxygen levels within the Dominguez Channel to ensure the treatment of the spill doesnt impact the Dominguez Channels recovery from the odor-related incident.

Businesses and residents near The Dominguez Channel have been experiencing a foul odor from the water in Carson, Calif., on Nov. 4, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The countys sanitation districts completed all permanent repairs to the damaged pipe on Jan. 10, according to its spokesperson Bryan Langpap. In the next two weeks, the agency will focus on cleaning and repairing the remainder of the damage done to the residential areas that were flooded.

No lingering odor has been detected following the sewage cleanup, and the level of dissolved oxygen in the Dominguez Channel was reportedly normal on Jan. 10, according to Langpap.

Some Carson residents called for better infrastructure and leadership in response to such incidents.

Carson resident Ana Meni told The Epoch Times in last weeks interview that she was disappointed in officials handling of infrastructure-related issues.

City leaders need to take this seriously, and they need to be considerate of us as a community, she said. Be upfront with us. Is it safe to live here or is it not? Is it the infrastructure that disintegrated? Is this is going to be a continuous problem?

Meni said the city does infrastructure assessments and should have the answers for current and prospective city residents to make better life decisions for themselves.

The residents have the right to know what is truly going on in our environment, Meni said. Let the residents make this decision of whether they want to live here, but also be forthcoming to people who are considering buying in the city of Carson.

Gentrification is happening like crazy in Carson. Its misleading to people who are potentially thinking of moving here, not knowing the environmental disasters that are just lurking below the surface.

Hahn, along with Supervisor Kathryn Barger, introduced a similar motion (pdf) the same day that instructs the Department of Public Works to assess the condition of sewer systems across the county.

The department has to report back to the board in 30 days and present a list of infrastructure repair projects scheduled to begin construction within two years, along with project timelines for completion.

This is not only a good time for the sanitation districts to address their aging infrastructure, but also a good time for us as a county as well, Hahn said during the meeting.
At a community meeting held on the evening of Dec. 7, La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn and City Councillor Robin Carder, along with over 200 local residents, expressed their opposition to LA County's decision to house juvenile offenders in residential neighborhoods. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times)

La Verne Residents Oppose Youth Facility at Citys Juvenile Camps

LOS ANGELESMore than a dozen La Verne residents pleaded on Jan. 11 with the Board of Supervisors not to choose either of two local juvenile camps to permanently house offenders who were once in state youth prisons.

This is the second board meeting at which a significant number of residents turned outvirtuallyto attempt to persuade the board it has better options for housing up to 50 youths ranging up to age 25 who committed serious enough crimes to end up in state youth facilities.

On Tuesday, they were joined by La Verne Councilwoman Robin Carder, who was among those suggesting that Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar would be the better choice.

Our La Verne community stands strongly together on this topic. I believe that you should invest in Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall because the [Department of Juvenile Justice] youth are already there, Carder said.

This is the only option with the least disruption to the continuity of service and programming.  Its a better use of our taxpayer funds.

Other residents alleged flaws in the assessment of Camp Afflerbaugh and Camp Paige that they said covered problems with both camps, which sit within a quarter-mile of each other.

Afflerbaugh and Paige are located in a high fire hazard zone in which homeowners have trouble obtaining any fire insurance, though the county report reflects a lower risk, according to residents. There is also only one narrow access road in and out of Paige, residents say.

Others argued that La Verne is farther from the families of the minors who would be detained there than Nidorf or other facilities under consideration.

No action item was before the board, which is awaiting a recommendation from a group tasked with evaluating the countys options.

In September 2020, state law mandated closing the Department of Juvenile Justice and making counties responsible for housing, treating, and supervising the departments youth.

The decision about facilities lies with a Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council and its Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant Subcommittee, both formed explicitly to tackle this question.

The subcommittee has designated several facilities as most feasible, including camps Scott, Scudder, Paige, Afflerbaugh, and Kilpatrick. No final decision has been made, but the Probation Oversight Commission has been holding town halls to help address residents questions.

An earlier recommendation to renovate Camps Scott and Scudder in Santa Claritato allow for the kind of therapeutic, youth-focused treatment model that is employed at Camp Kilpatrick in Malibuwas met with resistance from Santa Clarita residents.

In July, the board postponed the decision on a 3-2 vote, with Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis calling for further assessment.

During that meeting, Nicole Brown of the Urban Peace Institute pushed back against concerns raised by Santa Clarita residents.

I went to the [Santa Clarita] city council meeting. This is not about environmental concerns, this is about an outdated superpredator mindset about our youth of color and their families, and it is rooted in racism, Brown said in July.

Some Santa Clarita residents reiterated their concerns to the board Tuesday, some also focusing on Nidorf as the solution.

While addressing an unrelated motion, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl called out the residents from La Verne and Santa Clarita.

Just as we saw with a lot of the testimony today about Dont bring those terrible young juvenile offenders into my neighborhood  People are much more likely to say `No, I dont want it, dont do it here, Kuehl said.

Weve seen it with housing, weve seen with affordable housing, weve seen it with services for homeless people. I dont say that people arent righteously afraid, but I think that their propensity often is to say Please dont do it anywhere near me,' he added. Thats the hard part, I think, of public policy:  to keep everyone around people safe but to help people get services.

Several La Verne residents said they agreed with changing the juvenile justice system.

Some were angry at being villainized as NIMBYs (not in my backyard).

That is far from the truth. City of La Verne currently has three locations that assist and accommodate these types of youth: David & Margaret (Youth and Family Services), Haynes Leroy Boys Home and, currently, the Afflerbaugh-Paige Camp, which is used for lower-level offenders, resident Danita Beauchamp said.

Our city has done much for the improvement of juvenile lives, and forcing the remaining 707(b), level four offenders to be housed within our city is asking the city of La Verne to carry the water for the entire Los Angeles County.

Another resident made a more personal appeal.

While the state and the county is reimagining the criminal justice system, what that means for the citizens of La Verne is that you are reimagining our community and our home, one woman said.

This camp that you are proposing to turn into a level-four prison was put in years ago, before the homes in the area were built. And at the time our home was built, we went to the facility to understand what type of juveniles, and what type of crimes they had committed, would be in our backyard. And now, what you are proposing is to change that on us.

A representative from the County of Los Angeles Chief Executive Office said the committee is expected to make a recommendation this month and that the board would likely hear the matter in January or February.
A firefighter conducts back-burning measures to secure residential areas from encroaching bushfires in the Central Coast north of Sydney, Australia on Dec. 10, 2019. (Saeed Khan/via Getty Images)

Labor Promises $200 Million a Year to Defend Against Natural Disasters

The Australian Labor Party is pledging a whopping $200 million a year to go directly towards building robust disaster prevention mechanisms across Australia.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese reiterated nationwide calls that Australia should be working to mitigate the effects of natural disasters before they strike, rather than simply funnelling funds in the form of disaster relief payments.

The $200 million a year figure will pull from an existing Emergency Response Fund set up in 2019 by the incumbent Liberal government amidst Australias severe Black Summer bushfires.

When there is a disaster, what tends to happen is that people then focus their attention, but we need to focus their attention when theres not a disaster, Albanese told ABC radio.

Over the last five decades, Australia has experienced the brunt of severe droughts, bushfires, cyclones, and flooding, of which the Black Summer bushfires had been the most damaging at an estimated cost of over $100 billion.

Most recently, the Queensland city of Maryborough CBD had to be evacuated over the weekend after floodwaters surged into the city through the stormwater drains after Cyclone Seth dumped torrential rain in parts of the state.

An aerial view of floodwaters impacting the CBD of Maryborough in the wake of former tropical Cyclone Seth in Brisbane, Australia, on Jan. 9, 2022. (AAP Image/Supplied by Jade Wellings)

We need to better prepare by investing in projects like flood levees and sea walls and evacuation centres and firebreaks, Albanese said.

The Productivity Commission estimates 97 percent of all disaster funding is spent on post-incident cleanup, with just 3 percent spent on preparing for the future.

Albanese announcement comes after the current Morrison government announced in May 2021, that it would spend $600 million over six years for the Preparing Australia Program in reply to the recommendations of a royal commission into Australias financial response to natural disasters. This followed the creation of the $4 billion Emergency Relief Fund three years ago.

However, Albanese said he believed that the funding remained underutilised in preparation for future events.

They have only spent $17 million, and there isnt a single disaster readiness project that has been completed, not one, he told Sunrise.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese addresses media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 1, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

The announcement has been met with praise from the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the peak body for all of the nations local governments.

ALGA President Linda Scott said the decision was vital in supporting local governments that otherwise had no financial means to prepare for serious events.

Physical mitigation measures such as flood levees and stormwater catchments can be expensive, especially for small rural, coastal, and riverine councils with small ratepayer bases, Scott said.

If local governments are to reduce and manage the impacts of future natural disaster events on our communities, we need increased support and certainty of funding.

Scott also said that new analysis had revealed the move would provide new jobs and stimulate the nations economic recovery.

Independent analysis weve commissioned shows that a $200 million per year investment in disaster mitigation would create up to 1833 new jobs and add $280 million to our nations GDP, she said.

The move was also welcomed by the Insurance Australia Group (IAG).

Not only does investment in mitigation have the benefit of helping to protect lives, homes, businesses and critical infrastructure, it helps to reduce the extensive cost of recovering from these disasters, IAG Managing Director and CEO Nick Hawkins said.

The billions in damages caused by the Black Summer bushfires included the destruction of thousands of homes and buildings.

Today, across the country, we have communities suffering the impacts of cyclones, floods and bushfires. Its critical that we continue to see focus and investment from all levels of government on identifying opportunities for protecting vulnerable communities and making it happen, Hawkins said.
Leader of Neo-Nazi Group Sentenced to Jail Time for Threatening Journalists, Activists

A man who was convicted of launching a campaign to intimidate journalists and activists was sentenced to seven years in prison on Tuesday.

Kaleb Cole, 25, is a leader of Atomwaffen Division, a Neo-Nazi group.

During a court appearance in Washington state on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge, a Reagan nominee, sentenced Cole to seven years in jail and three years of probation.

He waived a fine and ordered the payment of several hundred dollars in a special fee.

Prosecutors had urged the court to sentence Cole to 87 months in prison, calling him a dangerous, unrepentant man who should be removed from society so that he cannot harm or terrorize others. Coles lawyer had asked for 36 months in prison, arguing a lengthier term was not justified by the evidence in the case, arguing he shouldnt have threatened people but asserting that he never committed violent acts and had no intention of actually harming anyone.

Cole, along with members of the group he leads, worked to identify journalists and activists on the Internet, specifically targeting Jews and other minorities, according to court documents.

Cole and Cameron Shea, who pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and hate crime charges last year, made threatening posters, including one littered with swastikas, that contained personal information and mailed them to a reporter and two people linked to the Anti-Defamation League.

Members also posted threatening posters at residences they believed belonged to a journalist and an editor of a Jewish publication.

One of the posters Atomwaffen Division members left at a home. (DOJ)

The matter of these nosy reporters coming into our daily lives, where we work, where we live, where we go in our spare time. We must simply approach them with nothing but pure aggression, Cole said in a recording to members of his group. We cannot let them think that they can just  that its safe for them to just come up to us, and [expletive] with us. We cannot let them think they are safe in our very presence alone.

Cole was convicted of interfering with a federally protected activity because of religion, three counts of mailing threatening communications, and one count of conspiring with other Atomwaffen members to commit other offenses against the United States.

Threats motivated by religious intolerance are antithetical to American values, even more so when they aim to intimidate journalists and others who are working to expose bigotry in our society, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement. The defendant led a multi-state plot by a neo-Nazi group to threaten and intimidate journalists and advocates who were doing important work to expose anti-Semitism around the country. The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute these hateful acts.

The defendant sought to intimidate journalists and advocates working to expose anti-Semitism, but that effort failed, added Assistant FBI Director Timothy Langan. Coles intended victims fought back but not with threats of violence; they fought back in a court of law.

Along with Shea, two other co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty. Two were sentenced to jail time.

Correction: A previous version of this article mistakenly described Coles allegations against the FBI. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Legaults Tax on the Unvaccinated a Brazen Political Deflection Ploy

Commentary

Its impossible to choose the foulest aspect of Quebec Premier Francois Legaults appalling, cynical vow that he will use the provincial tax system as punishment for those unvaccinated against COVID-19.

Everything about it is bad. But is the nastiest part the crude injustice? Or is it the doomed-to-failure incoherence that really scrapes the bottom of the barrel? Take your pick.

Bereft of even the scantest details about how his assault on both public health care and individual dignity will even work, Legault used the announcement as a brazen political deflection ploy to distract from the resignation of his top public health official, Dr. Horacio Arruda.

Leaving the focus on Dr. Arruda, after all, would inevitably lead to questions about why on earth he was left in place to lead the anti-COVID campaign for two years when it was agonizingly obvious a few months into the pandemic that he was mortifyingly unsuited to the task. In turn, of course, that would prompt even the premiers enablers in the Quebec media to begin asking about his leadership incompetence that has led us full circle to even worse conditions than we faced when the long nightmare began in spring 2020.

Such a turnabout, for a politician who has basked in the ego glow of his status as Papa Quebec, could simply not be allowed to occur. To prevent it, he stooped to scapegoating what even he admits is a tiny minorityhis wordsof Quebecers who, for reasons of their own, have refrained from getting even a first vaccine jab. These numerically insignificant decliners, the premier vowed, will get the bill through imposition of an anti-vax tax to compensate for the burden theyve placed on a hospital system that is, were told, days away from meltdown.

Enter the incoherence. How is it possible that a fragmentary 10 percent of the adult population could throw a well-managed, properly resourced, adequately innovative health-care system into such utter chaos? Even in the face of something as never-before-faced as the COVID pandemic, surely two years of lead time since 2020 should have given the government of a rich province such as Quebec ample opportunity to prepare for await for itfifth wave of rapid infections? Its not like we dont have experience.

But instead of preparation, the Legault government spent the autumn playing a hideously stupid, blustering game of chicken with its front-line health workers. It set a series of deadlines that threatenedare we seeing a pattern here?nurses with summary firing unless they got vaccinated. In the ensuing hissing match, the nurses simply told the government to hiss off, i.e., to fire them and find out for itself what it would mean when there were too few of them on the wards. And now? Now there are too few of them on the wards and the hospital system, were told, is days away fromyou know the rest.

Ah, comes Premier Legaults riposte, but the problem is not government bungling that would have made Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria scratch his ear. The problem is that the tiny minority of 10 percent unvaccinated are occupying 50 percent of COVID hospital beds while the approximately 90 percent who are vaccinated are occupying the other 50 percent! Think about that. If half the beds go to the unvaccinated, and half go to the vaccinated, isnt the problem that 100 percent of beds are too few beds? (See preparation instead of playing chicken above.) But wait. It gets worse. With this gang, it cant get any other way, it seems.

The government itself admitted on the very day the vax-tax was bruited that, in fact, about 50 percent of those who have been identified as being hospitalized with COVID were admitted to hospital for other reasons. Their viral infection was identified incidentally. Its the old with COVID not because of COVID dichotomy. Which means the tiny minority 10 percent likely shrinks even further.

Its here that injustice rivals incoherence in the Legault-contrived debacle. Its bad enough that the scheme the premier sketched is almost certainly illegal in that it contravenes the Canada Health Acts requirement for equal access to health care, including hospitalization, without the impediment of user fees. Even worse is that it proposes to punish people for quite literally having done nothing.

The tax, at least in its current mumble mouth version, will be applied to anyone who hasnt been vaccinated (and isnt otherwise exempt). It will, then, apply even to those who are unvaccinated and COVID free, i.e., who have never stepped foot in a hospital or required resources from the health-care system to fight the virus.

They will not be punished for failing to do their part against the pandemic. They will be punished, courtesy of the States monopoly on the use of force, merely for failing to bow to the will of a political leadership cadre that has failed outrageously in its own duty of care to its citizens.

In decades as a journalist covering Canadian politics from tiny municipal councils to three tours of duty in the Parliamentary Press Gallery, I cant recall ever witnessing anything worse.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
An American Airlines passenger jet takes off from Miami International Airport in Miami, on June 3, 2016. (Alan Diaz/AP Photo)

Man Arrested After Entering Cockpit, Damaging Plane: Airline

A man was arrested on an American Airlines plane Tuesday after entering the cockpit, according to the airline.

The flight was still boarding when the man entered the open flight deck and caused damage to the aircraft, an American Airlines spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email.

A video posted on social media appeared to show the man sticking his head out of the cockpit of the plane, which still had the boarding bridge attached, before being pulled inside.

The flight was preparing to depart San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and fly to Miami, Florida.

Crew members intervened and the individual was ultimately apprehended by local law enforcement. A replacement aircraft was sent to Honduras and the flight departed at approximately 11:00 p.m. local time yesterday. We applaud our outstanding crew members for their professionalism in handling a difficult situation, the spokesperson added.

The flight took off hours behind schedule, landing in Miami in the early hours of Wednesday, well past the original 6:15 p.m. arrival time.

Its unclear why the man entered the cockpit.

American Airlines did not answer questions seeking more details on the incident, including whether it will press charges or ban the passenger.

Honduras Security Secretary spokesman Edgardo Barahona said Wednesday that the man was freed because the airline did not press charges, according to the Associated Press.

The aggression toward the pilot and the crew of the airline was not serious, he said.

The man is suspected of being on drugs.

Airlines have been dealing with a higher number of such situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them have been sparked by disagreements over masking policies, which some workers have been aggressively enforcing.

A subset of the incidents have involved passengers trying to enter the cockpit or causing other serious disturbances.

Over the summer, Delta Air Lines staffers and passengers subdued a man who tried breaking into the cockpit while a flight was going to Tennessee from California.

A few months later, a JetBlue passenger tried rushing the cockpit midair and shouting in Spanish that he should be shot was corralled by workers, one of whom he choked, according to an affidavit filed by an FBI agent.

About half a dozen workers successfully restrained the passenger, using seat belts and other makeshift restraints.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said late last year that it had seen a disturbing increase in incidents of airline passengers disrupting flights with threatening or violent behavior and sent 37 of the most egregious cases to the FBI for criminal review.

The agency can issue civil fines but cannot bring criminal charges.

Let this serve both as a warning and a deterrent: If you disrupt a flight, you risk not just fines from the FAA but federal criminal prosecution as well, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said at the time.

Bill Pan contributed to this report.
Maryland Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson and Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz attend a news conference with Governor Larry Hogan in front of the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md., on April 17, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Maryland Department of Labor Implores Lawmakers to Hold Off on UI Tax Changes During Tenuous Economic Time

With short-term solvency and an ongoing pandemic in play, the head of Marylands Department of Labor recommended lawmakers not make any tax policy changes to the states unemployment insurance (UI) system for at least another year.

Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson went before the state Joint Unemployment Insurance Oversight Committee on Jan. 6 and discussed a range of issues about the system, which has been used extensively since the pandemic first emerged nearly two years ago.

With the UI Trusts solvency projected through at least 2025 under current protocol, Robinson told panelists, MDL does not endorse or recommend a higher tax burden on the Maryland employer community at this tenuous economic time.

Pointing to worker shortages and ongoing uncertainty as new variants of COVID-19 emerge, Robinson said, We need [employers] to emerge strong before we add any new burden.

At the committee meeting, which served as an opportunity for lawmakers to receive updates on the UI system and current claims practices, Robinson also touched on fraud. It remains a concern, she said, though new safeguards have been put in place.

We had hoped the fraud would be reduced significantly with the end of the federal programs, Robinson said. It is reduced, only because the number of claims we are receiving is reduced. However, these fraudsters have decided its still worthwhile to find ways to attack our system.

State Delegate Ned Carey (D-Anne Arundel County) said he and other lawmakers still field concerns from constituents about challenges navigating the states UI system.

We continue to get calls from people who have fallen into the black hole, Carey said. What we continue to hear is they just cant get in touch with somebody.

Robinson said more than 99 percent of the claims that have come in since the pandemics onset have been processed.

We are answering every call, Robinson said. The only day that were having a little bit of trouble is on Mondays, which is our highest weekly certification day, and that makes sense. But were getting there. Were making progress.

The committee also heard a report from consultants at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research on next steps in assessing the short- and long-term condition of the UI Trust.

The Maryland system is really close to being an ideal system, Christopher OLeary, a senior economist with the institute, said in reference to comparing it to other UI systems in the country. It could be, with some minor changes, improved.

OLeary touched on several issues of consideration for Maryland lawmakers, including the potential of assessing a tax on individual wage earnersa method used in some statesto help replenish the UI Trust alongside the existing employer contributions.

(Workers) would get more say in the system, and employers would recognize that workers are shouldering part of the burden directly, OLeary said. There may be more harmony in improving policy going forward. But thats a political question. Im just giving you something to ponder.

The scenario, OLeary said, could yield $60 million to $70 million in revenue annually for the trust.

While fraud has cropped up, OLeary said Maryland does have a number of integrity systems in place to weed out people acting unlawfully to game the system. Long term, he recommended additional methods, including face-to-face validation.

State Sen. Katherine Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County) who also co-chairs the committee, said further discussion of the UI system will continue within the committee as 2022 gets underway.

Its been a very popular topic over the last, unfortunately, two years, Klausmeier said. Its the gift that just keeps on giving with COVID and all of the other things that have gone along with it.
Children hold up signs during a rally against critical race theory being taught in schools at the Loudoun County Government center in Leesburg, Va., on June 12, 2021. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Minnesota School Boards Terminate NSBA Membership After Domestic Terrorism Letter

The Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) has terminated its membership with the National School Boards Association (NSBA), joining a growing number of states to do so over a highly controversial Biden administration letter, which likened concerned parents to domestic terrorists.

The MSBA Board of Directors acted last week to terminate our membership with NSBA, a letter from the nonprofit organization to school board chairs and superintendents dated Jan. 4 states.

It comes after the NSBA sent a letter (pdf) to President Joe Biden on Sept. 29, 2021, characterizing disruptions at school board meetings as a form of domestic terrorism and hate crime. The organization also urged the federal government to invoke counterterrorism laws to quell angry mobs of parents seeking to hold school officials accountable for teaching Marxist critical race theory and for imposing COVID-19 restrictions such as mask mandates on their children.

Just five days later, on Oct. 5, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memo directing federal law enforcement to help address an alleged disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against teachers and school leaders. The memo remains in effect, despite the NSBA having since apologized for and rescinded the letter.

Prior to the letter to the Biden administration, we had ongoing concerns regarding the value of membership with the NSBA, MSBA Executive Director Kirk Schneidawind wrote. With 18 other state school board associations already terminating their membership, we felt it was important to reevaluate the value and consider what will be in the best short- and long-term interests for MSBA and its members.

Schneidawind said the decision was not taken lightly, noting that MSBA plans to form a new Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) alongside the other 18 state school board associations who have terminated their memberships with the NSBA.

The executive directors and staff from the 18 state associations have already created a structure with enormous opportunity, said Schneidawind. He added that COSSBA will allow the group to design and build a multi-state association for today and the future.

Meanwhile, newly surfaced emails suggest that the U.S. Department of Education might have played a more important role than previously thought in the creation of the letter.

According to email exchanges obtained by advocacy group Parents Defending Education (PDE), the NSBA letter appears to be a response to a request for information by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

It comes comes amid questions over the Biden administrations involvement in the creation of the NSBA letter, which still serves as the basis of a series of actions taken by the Justice Department.

We are confident that this new opportunity, through a multi-state association, will support and strengthen our efforts in building high performing school boards in each of our school districts, MSBAs statement concluded.

Bill Pan contributed to this report.
And it wasnt a Saint Bernard.

Croatian rescuers are praising a dog who protected his injured owner from freezing high on a snowy mountain, keeping him warm for 13 hours in the dark until he could get medical attention.

Friendship and love between man and dog know no boundaries, the countys mountain rescue service wrote on Twitter on Jan. 4, with a photo of the dog lying on top of his master on a stretcher.

The accident occurred late on Jan. 1, more than 1,700 meters (5,600 feet) up Mount Velebit, which stretches along Croatias Adriatic Sea coast. Rescuers say both man and dogan Alaskan malamute called Northslipped and fell about 150 meters (500 feet).

A hiker and his dog during a rescue operation at Mount Velebit, in Croatia on Jan. 1, 2022. (Croatian Mountain Rescue Service via AP)

The hiker seriously hurt his leg but the dog was uninjured, and used its body heat to keep him warm as temperatures dropped after nightfall and rescuers strove to locate them.

[North] curled beside him and warmed him with his body, the rescue services post said. His loyalty didnt stop even when the rescuers came, he was one of us, guarding his man for 13 hours.

Rescuers said the overnight operation was particularly difficult because of snow, ice, and broken tree boughs that blocked access to the spot. A team of 27 took part in the rescue, reaching the pair around midnight and handing over the hiker to medics about 8 a.m. on Jan. 4.

This example could teach us all how to care about each other, the rescuers said.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
New Charges Planned Against Harmony Montgomerys Stepmother

CONCORD, N.H.Prosecutors plan to drop a welfare fraud charge against the stepmother of a missing New Hampshire girl for collecting food stamps in her name and replace it with nine other charges, including theft, according to court documents released Tuesday.

The change was being made based on new information provided by the state Department of Health and Human Services about Kayla Montgomery, the attorney generals office said.

Last week, Kayla Montgomery was charged on suspicion of obtaining $1,500 in food stamps from December 2019 to June 2021 for Harmony Montgomery, even though the girl was not living with Kayla and Adam Montgomery, Harmonys father. She pleaded not guilty.

Harmony vanished in 2019 at age 5 but was not reported missing until late last year.

Kalya Montgomerys lawyer asked that she be released from jail. The judge agreed to the prosecutions request for $5,000 bail.

On Monday, her lawyer filed a motion asking for bail reconsideration after being informed by prosecutors that the welfare fraud charge, a felony,  is unfounded, although a lesser charge or charges may be warranted.

Prosecutors responded that after a review of Kayla Montgomerys file and consultation with Health Department employees, it anticipates filing a theft chargealso a felonyand eight misdemeanor charges. Those werent specified. The welfare charge would be dropped. The bail should remain the same, the motion said.

Manchester Police Public Information Officer Heather Hamel holds two reward posters, that show missing girl Harmony Montgomery, in Manchester, N.H., on Jan. 4, 2022. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via AP)

Prosecutors said they contacted her lawyer about the anticipated new charges, but it was before that conversation that the defense filed its bail reconsideration motion on the welfare charge.

In an interview with police on New Years Eve, Kayla Montgomerywho shares three children with her husband, ages 4, 2 and 1said she last saw Harmony in November or December 2019.

She said her husband was driving Harmony to the childs mother in Massachusetts. She said she believed Harmony had been returned to the mother and never saw or heard about Harmony after that day, according to the police document.

Kayla Montgomery also told police she hadnt seen Adam since October and had not spoken to him since November.

Adam Montgomery, 31, was charged last week with several counts, including failing to have Harmony in his custody. He pleaded not guilty and has been jailed without bail.

Police finished their search of the last known residence of Harmony Montgomery on Monday.

Police are still requesting help from the public in locating Harmony. Anyone with information can call 603-203-6060, he said. Manchester police have also said a reward for information that helps find Harmony has also grown to $94,000. Harmonys great-uncle also started a fundraising effort.

By Kathy Mccormack
Senate President Steve Sweeney winks at someone before the start of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's budget address in Trenton, N.J. on Feb. 25, 2020. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)

New Jersey Governor Arbitrarily Declares COVID-19 Emergency After Senate Declines to Vote on Extension

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy extended the states COVID-19 emergency on Tuesday after the state Senate speaker declined to schedule voting on a bill extending it for 45 days.

On Monday, New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, a Democrat, announced that a bill to extend the governors emergency powers in response to COVID-19 would not be voted that day, the final day of voting in the lame-duck legislative session.

The resolution to enact a 45-day extension of the Governors emergency powers was set to expire the next day on Jan. 11.

Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, declared on Tuesday in a new executive order that his prior COVID-19-related emergency order issued in March 2020 remains in full force and effect drawing criticism from Republican lawmakers.

New Jersey Senator Anthony Bucco (R) said in a statement that the governors declaration has taken the state backward.

While Governor Murphy always talks about moving New Jersey forward, hes taking a giant leap backward by reinstating a new public health emergency, Bucco said.

Despite what the governor has said, his action was not taken in consultation with the Legislature. His own party said they werent consulted, and neither were Republicans. In fact, the Legislature chose to not extend his emergency powers when given the opportunity yesterday. Governor Murphys decision both circumvents legislative oversight and breaks his deal with his own partys leadership.

We need to give people hope that life is returning to normal, not returning to one mans rule by executive order, Bucco added.

Three New Jersey Republican lawmakers, Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove said in a joint statement: Many of our constituents are incensed by the Governors heavy-handed use of emergency and executive powers. We agree and, consistent with the views of our constituents, our delegation wants a new direction for our state that promptly and effectively ends the failed policies of the past.

Republican state Senator Michael Doherty said in a statement that Republican lawmakers made three separate attempts in the past to enact a law that would limit the governors emergency powers to 14 days but their efforts were blocked by Senate Democrats.

Sweeney, the longest-serving Senate President in New Jerseys history was defeated by Edward Durr, a Republican, in the November election and adjourned the Senate on Monday.

On Jan. 1, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy formally notified leadership in the Senate and Assembly to extend an additional 90 days the governors emergency powers related to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as the novel coronavirus.

I also requested a 90-day extension for a number of administrative orders, directives, and waivers that have been issued by our departments and agencies in response to the pandemic.  Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) January 3, 2022

New Jersey state lawmakers introduced the bill as requested by Murphy but reduced the 90-day extension to a 45-day extension.

Republican lawmakers of both chambers of the New Jersey legislature opposed the bill and called on their colleagues in the legislature to vote against the extension.

Although the bill has reduced the 90-day extension to a 45-day extension, every extra day the Governors emergency powers are in place is one day too long for New Jersey, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said in a statement before the Monday session.

We have three separate but equal branches of government: we have: the judiciary, we have the executive, we have this legislative body, state senator Michael Testa (R) said in his remarks during the voting session on Monday,

For the past 22 months, the State of New Jersey has been ruled solely by the executive, Testa said.

As a result, a third of New Jersey small businesses have been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Testa said in his earlier statement.

He said in the statement he would vote against the emergency power extension and asked other lawmakers to do the same.

Republican Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger said in a statement on Jan. 6, that he would also vote against the bill.

Rather than looking to extend the Governors emergency powers, we should be revoking the constraints that have been in place since March 2020 which, if these policies worked, we would have been over this a year and a half ago. Life has to continue and even the CDC is finally admitting such, Scharfenberger said in a statement.

New Jersey already lost a third of its businesses, done incalculable damage to our childrens education, lost thousands of seniors in our nursing homes, and trampled the rights of every resident in the state, the Republican Assemblyman added.

Sweeney said in an earlier statement supporting the bill The recent resurgence in COVID cases has imposed critical demands on our health care system that need to be addressed. This resolution will authorize the 45-day extension of administrative orders, executive directives, and guidance issued by the governor during the pandemic to address crisis conditions in our hospitals and other health care facilities.

The extended waivers and authorizations will grant the administration and the health care community the ability to counter the more acute and persistent problems that plague the health care system such as staffing shortages, Sweeney said in the statement.

In June last year, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a bill that ended the CCP virus pandemic-related public health emergency that had been in effect for 15 months. The legislation also extended some of the governors pandemic-related powers until Jan. 11, 2022.

The bill required any rules related to masks, social distancing, and gathering be no stronger than CDC guidance. However, if a substantial increase in hospitalizations, infections, or the rate of COVID-19 transmission occurs, the rules could be more restrictive, the bill stipulated.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to examine U.S.-Russia policy at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 7, 2021 in Washington. (Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)

New Rubio Bill Provides Sanctions on China for Barring Independent COVID-19 Probe

Tough new U.S. sanctions will be imposed on China under a bill introduced Jan. 11 by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and 15 co-sponsors if Beijing continues to refuse to allow for a credible and comprehensive international investigation into the origins of COVID-19 at laboratories in Wuhan.

The sanctions would become effective within 90 days after passage of the Coronavirus Origin Validation, Investigation, and Determination Act of 2022 (COVID) if Beijing refuses to allow such a probe into the virus that has killed more than 800,000 Americans since March 2020.

For two years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has stonewalled all efforts to uncover the true origins of COVID-19, Rubio said in a statement. We know the virus originated in China, however, the CCPs attempts to obfuscate the truth has led to countless deaths and needless suffering worldwide. It is clear that Beijing will only respond to concerted pressure from the United States and the international community. My bill will force the CCP to the table.

Rubio is top Republican on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, as well as a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

If Congress approves the Rubio proposal and President Joe Biden signs it into law, the measure would sanction the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and its affiliated institutes and laboratories, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The COVID Act would also suspend federal research funding across all academic fields for studies that involve the CAS, and impose a prohibition on gain-of-function virus research cooperation between any individual or institution based in the United States that receives federal funding and any PRC-based individual or institution, according to the statement.

The new bills sanctions would be in addition to those provided in a measure Rubio introduced in June 2021.

The Chinese Communist Party does not want a full, forensic investigation into the origins of COVID-19, Rubio said when introducing the June proposal. If they did, it would have happened at some point during the last 18 months.

Instead of hoping the Chinese authorities will suddenly cooperate, the United States needs to compel them to cooperate. One obvious step in that direction is to cut off federal funding for research conducted with these state-run Chinese entities.

Additionally, we must impose sanctions against the leadership of these entities and exact a personal cost. It is time for the U.S. to take action and lead an international response that settles for nothing less than a full forensic investigation of the Wuhan labs.

Co-sponsors of the Rubio proposal include senators Tim Scott (R-S.C., John Cornyn (R-Texsa), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and John Kennedy (R-La.).

Again and again, General Secretary Xi and his underlings in the Chinese Communist Party have blocked attempts to find the truth by lying about COVIDs transmission, censoring doctors and shifting blame. Its time for Communist China to come clean and answer for its lies and cover-up on the origins of COVID-19, said Floridas Scott in the statement.

COVID-19 has taken the lives of over 800,000 people in the United States so far. Families whove lost loved ones to this devastating virus deserve answersespecially if the Chinese Communist Party is responsible for either unleashing this virus or covering it up, Grassley said.

Our bill requires an investigation into COVID-19s origins and holds China accountable by sanctioning those whove stonewalled independent investigations. We ought to make sure there are harsh consequences for any individual or organization that played a part in starting or perpetuating this pandemic, Grassley added.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addresses the media in the aftermath of a deadly fire at a 19-story building, in the Bronx borough of New York City, on Jan. 9, 2022. Seventeen people, including eight children, died in the blaze, according to officials. (Getty Images)

New York: No Longer a Fun City

Commentary

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is one who keeps the Law. (Proverbs 29:18)

That didnt last long. The optimism surrounding New York Citys new mayor, Eric Adams, seems to be quickly eroding due to several self-inflicted political wounds.

Adams has endorsed a new policy that allows 800,000 non-citizens to vote in municipal elections. Republicans have filed a lawsuit contending the law violates the state constitution. It would also set a bad precedent. Trust in election outcomes is already being eroded and this law will continue the trend if it is upheld.

Mayor Adams also named his brother as Deputy NYPD commissioner. He says his brother will help protect him from the increase in white supremacy in the city. Excuse me? Whites are a minority in New York City. In addition to the mayor and his brother being black, so, too, is the new police commissioner, Keechant Sewell, who is also female. The new district attorney for Manhattan, Alvin Bragg, is black. More about him in a moment.

Then there is the city council. Last fall, those running included, according to Gothamist.com, the first Muslim woman, the first South Asian members, the first openly gay Black woman, seven foreign-born New Yorkers, and more women and people of color poised to be elected than ever before.  The next New York City Council is on track to be the most diverse and the most left-leaning in the citys history. It is. The new council chair is also a black woman.

From such a profile one looks in vain to locate a white supremacist among them.

Alvin Bragg touched off a firestorm of criticism when he announced a stay out of jail free card for people who commit certain criminal acts. Business leaders are meeting with him hoping to change his mind. They have a good case to make as crime in the city is rising quickly and adding to the fears and restrictions associated with the pandemic, which has hurt many businesses. Tourists are less likely to come to New York if they believe it is unsafe.

One recent crime has helped focus attention on the consequences of lax law enforcement. A 19-year-old cashier at a Burger King in East Harlem was shot to death after giving the robber $100 from her cash drawer. News reports say the young woman, Kristal Bayron-Nieves, had told her mother she didnt feel safe working there because she feared the 50 homeless people outside. Her mother urged her to go to work anyway and now, reports The Daily Mail, is understandably racked with guilt.

Mayor Adams responded to the murder by invoking the familiar progressive line about the need to end gun violence. The cavalier attitude toward crime and the message sent to criminals in New York and other cities where progressives are in charge is that they can get away with things that once resulted in their arrest, prosecution, and incarceration.

It should not go unreportedbut mostly is by the mediathat billionaire George Soros has contributed millions to the campaigns of progressive district attorneys across the country. Such outside money, even when funneled through nonprofits in America, should be illegal, but money to politicians is like blood to Dracula and it will take massive public outrage to prohibit it.

First impressions are critical for someone who is new to office (consider President Bidens unexpected progressive policies resulting in a rapid decline in his approval numbers). The first impressions made by Mayor Adams are not good. New York was once known as Fun City. It is rapidly becoming gloomy and as it was in the 1970s, an increasingly dangerous place to visit and live.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
People hold various signs expressing their objection to vaccine mandates at a protest in San Francisco, Calif. (Nancy Han/NTD Television)

North Carolina Charter School Resumes In-person Learning After COVID Outbreak Among the Vaccinated

The school had fired its unvaccinated staff

A school that fired its unvaccinated staff returned to in-person classes after shutting down last week due to a COVID outbreak among its 100 percent vaccinated staff.

For many of the staff whose contracts were terminated in November 2021 because of not getting vaccinated, the incident demonstrates the impracticality of the mandates.

Socrates Academy, a kindergarten through 9th grade North Carolina public charter school, moved to remote instruction on Jan. 5, 7, and 10 because of COVID infection among the faculty.

Jill McKeand, an occupational therapist whose contract was terminated after 13 years of working at the school, was among those fired.

Technically, McKeand didnt work for the school but for an agency that provides support services in schools. When McKeands contract was terminated with the school, the agency itself then terminated her employment.

McKeand told The Epoch Times that all exemptions were denied among the faculty members who were fired.

She estimated that number to be 18 within a staff of 100.

By North Carolina law, an independently operated charter school, which is still classified as a public school because it accepts tax dollars, has the same immunization requirements as traditional public schools, and therefore is also required to accept exemptions, according to McKeand.

When reached for a specific number on how many were fired and how many exemptions were denied, the academy said it couldnt give out that information because of privacy concerns.

It Was an Ignorant Move

News of the outbreak left McKeand with conflicting emotions, she said.

I will always love Socrates Academy, but Im sad for them, she said. I dont want to sound terrible, but it was an ignorant move on their part to fire well-qualified staff, then still have an outbreak and have to go virtual.

One of the arguments for vaccine mandates is that once one is vaccinated, that person cant spread or be infected by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, a narrative that has been touted by government officials and media.

However, reports such as one published by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms have countered those narratives as the empirical evidence supporting the counterargument has become widespread.

The report concluded that the vaccines do not prevent the transmission of the coronavirus, rebutting the claims of government leaders used to warrant mandatory vaccination efforts.

In addition to a global overestimation of the merits of the vaccine, adverse side effects ranging from heart inflammation to death have been ignored by the same government officials and media outlets, while early treatments such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin have been suppressed through hospital protocols and disinformation.

Anybody who is watching whats going on can see that the vaccine is not preventing the spread of the virus, so Im not a bigger danger to anyone than a vaccinated person is because we can both spread the virus, McKeand said.

McKeand became aware that vaccines could have harmful side effects when her daughter was hospitalized after having a severe reaction to the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) vaccine.

Despite the experience, McKeand said shes not anti-vaccine, but said it showed her that a blanket, one-size-fits-all vaccination effort is dangerous.

McKeand now works for the Union County public school district, which is one of the few public-school systems in North Carolina to have stood its ground on keeping masks optional despite legal threats from the state.

I think theyve done a really good job of handling the pandemic and making decisions that kept kids in school, McKeand said.

They Jumped the Gun

For McKeand, the incident at Socrates Academy speaks to a greater and more infectious crisis of fear that carries its own side effects.

Though she said she understands the academys fear and wants what is best for the school, the brief closure indicates a larger, global failure in policy.

They fired us because they said we posed an increased risk, but facts are facts, she said. You can catch and spread it even if you are vaccinated, so they jumped the gun putting this mandate in place and lost some really wonderful people.
This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says a test launch of a hypersonic missile on Jan. 11, 2022 in North Korea. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

North Korea Claims Second Hypersonic Missile Test in a Week, Had Superb Maneuverability

North Koreas state media on Tuesday claimed the country test-fired a hypersonic missile under the watch of its leader Kim Jong-un, which it described as having superb maneuverability and can precisely hit a target 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away.

The hypersonic gliding warhead made a 600 kilometers (375 miles) glide re-leap and then a 240 kilometers (150 miles) maneuver before it hit the target in the sea 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away, state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

According to the authoritarian regimes mouthpiece, Kim personally watched the hypersonic missile launch, and underscored the need to strengthen the countrys military capabilities, including to enhance the modernity of the army.

This photo provided by the North Korean government shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches what it says a test launch of a hypersonic missile on Jan. 11, 2022 in North Korea. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

This marks the second reported missile launch by Pyongyang in less than a week. North Korea previously claimed it launched a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 that hit a set target 700 kilometers (435 miles) away.

South Korea and Japan detected both of Pyongyangs missile launches, but presumed the launches involved a possible ballistic missilenot a hypersonic missile.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected a possible ballistic missile being fired from the Jagang province area into the East Sea at around 7.27 a.m. on Jan. 11.

The JCS said the projectile flew at least 700 kilometers at a maximum altitude of about 60 kilometers up to 10 times the speed of sound, describing the missile launch as more advanced than the previous launch.

Our assessment [of the projectile] is that it is a more improved version compared to the ballistic missile that was launched on Jan. 5, it stated, Kyodo News reported.

Japans Defense Ministry said a potential ballistic missile was fired eastward from North Korea at around 7.25 a.m. on Jan. 11. It stated that the projectile flew less than about 700 kilometers and estimated it landed outside Japans exclusive economic zone, but no damage has been reported as a result of the incident thus far.

KCNA confirmed Pyongyangs most recent missile launch involved a hypersonic missile.

Hypersonic weapons fly towards targets at lower altitudes and can achieve more than five times the speed of soundor about 6,200 kilometers per hour (3,850 mph). They are harder to intercept and pose a higher threat level than ballistic missiles, which fly into outer space before returning on steep trajectories.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the United States condemned North Koreas missile launch, emphasizing that it violates multiple U.N. Security Council Resolutions and poses a threat to the international community.

While weve assessed that this event did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory or to our allies, the launch highlights the destabilizing impact of the [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea]s illicit weapons program, Psaki said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Talks led by the United States seeking to get North Korea to advance denuclearizationincluding to surrender its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile arsenalhave been stalled since February 2019; Kim and then-President Donald Trump were unable to come to an agreement over disputes about international sanctions on Pyongyang.

The Biden administration has said it is open to a dialogue with North Korea at any time without preconditions, but the authoritarian state accused the United States of having hostile policies such as military drills and sanctions that it must withdraw against Pyongyang before any talks can resume.

The United States recently reiterated that it holds no hostile intent toward Pyongyang.

Mimi Nguyen Ly and Reuters contributed to this report.
The sun sets behind an oil pump outside Saint-Fiacre, near Paris, France, on Sept. 17, 2019. (Christian Hartmann/Reuters)

Oil Prices Shrug Off Omicron Slump, Soar to 2-month Highs

LONDONOil prices hit two-month highs on Wednesday on tight supply and easing concerns about the potential hit to demand from the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said on Tuesday the economy of the United States, the worlds biggest oil consumer, should weather the current COVID-19 surge with only short-lived impacts and was ready for the start of tighter monetary policy.

Brent crude futures were up 42 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $84.14 a barrel at 1211 GMT.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 60 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $81.82 a barrel. Both contracts are set for their sixth session of gains out of eight.

Equities, which often move in tandem with oil prices, also ticked up, while a weaker dollar, making dollar-denominated oil contracts cheaper for holders of other currencies, also lent support.

The Brent contract is showing growing backwardation with front-month delivery around $4.20 more expensive than delivery in six months time, indicating tight supply currently.

OPEC+ oil producers continue to hold back more than 3 million barrels per day in output, while sanctions on Iran pin back its exports.

And though OPEC+ producers are raising their output targets each month, technical difficulties have prevented several countries from hitting their quotas.

Assuming China doesnt suffer a sharp slowdown, that Omicron actually becomes omi-gone, and with OPEC+s ability to raise production clearly limited, I see no reason why Brent crude cannot move towards $100.00 in Q1, possibly sooner, said Oanda analyst Jeffrey Halley.

There are plenty of variable outcomes in the previous sentence, the biggest threat being Omicron in China, India, and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, European jet fuel refining margins are back to pre-pandemic levels as supplies in the region tighten and global aviation activity recovers.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Energy Information Administration upgraded its oil demand outlook, seeing U.S. demand rising by 840,000 bpd in 2022, up from a previous forecast for an increase of 700,000 bpd.

By Shadia Nasralla
A Delta Airlines flight takes off past a U.S. flag in Boston, Mass., on May 27, 2021. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Omicron Turbulence Looms Over US Airline Earnings

CHICAGOU.S. airlines have come a long way since the spring of 2020 when COVID-19 brought the industry to its knees. Yet the pandemic will loom large when big carriers report quarterly earnings starting on Thursday.

The latest wave of the health crisis, driven by the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant, has caused havoc for a short-staffed industry. A multifold increase in daily sick calls, as well as a series of winter storms, have led to mass cancellation of flights.

For example, in one day alone, nearly one-third of United Airlines workforce in Newark, New Jersey called in sick. The Chicago-based carrier has 3,000 employees who are currently infected with the virus.

Since Christmas Eve, U.S. airlines have canceled more than 30,600 flights, or about 7 percent of the scheduled total, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware  one of the biggest disruptions in recent years.

Until the Omicron variant began to take a toll on airline operations, the quarter through December was shaping up as the industrys strongest period in two years.

The promising start prompted Delta Air Lines Inc and Southwest Airlines Co last month to forecast a profit for the quarter. Both carriers had previously expected to report a loss.

Delta is due to report fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday. Analysts on average expect the Atlanta-based carrier to post an adjusted profit of 15 cents a share, according to Refinitiv data.

Similarly, Wall Street expects Southwests adjusted profit to come in at 9 cents a share on Jan. 27.

American Airlines on Tuesday forecast a smaller-than-expected fall in fourth-quarter revenue. Both American and United Airlines will report their results next week.

Surge In Sick Calls

The virus-induced turmoil has dampened expectations of an upside earnings surprise.

Air travel demand tends to cool off in the first quarter, which should ease staffing needs of carriers. Still, their earnings could suffer if they struggle to run a smooth operation.

If planes do not fly, airlines do not generate revenue, said Peter McNally, global sector lead for industrials materials and energy at research firm Third Bridge.

A spokesperson for JetBlue Airways Corp warned of additional cancellations until COVID-19 case counts start to come down. Most of the airlines crew members are based in the Northeastern United States where the Omicron variant is raging.

Like many businesses and organizations, we have seen a surge in the number of sick calls from Omicron, JetBlues spokesperson said.

The airline has cut its flight schedule through mid-January and is deploying team leaders and managers to staff frontline operations. It is also offering incentives for crew members not scheduled to work to pick up additional shifts and trips.

To mitigate the staffing issues, United Airlines is offering its pilots premium pay through the end of the month. Southwest, too, is offering pay incentives for operational employees through Jan. 25.

Bump-Up In Costs

All the incentives along with flight cancellations are expected to further inflate the industrys costs, which have gone up in the past year due to efforts to ramp up operations.

Until Omicrons onset, carriers were assuming that a rebound in business and international traffic would help mitigate the cost pressure and allow them to be profitable this year.

They were all aggressively hiring pilots, flight attendants, and airport staff to run more flights this spring and summer.

Surging COVID-19 cases, however, have called that assumption into question as they have brought in a new wave of border restrictions.

Last month, Delta said while it was still hopeful of a very strong summer over the transatlantic route, the Omicron variant could delay a recovery in international traffic by at least three months. The transatlantic route is one of the most lucrative ones in the world and accounted for up to 17 percent of 2019 passenger revenue for the major U.S. carriers.

The variant has also clouded the outlook for the industrys cash cow, business travel, as it has forced companies to further delay bringing their employees back to office.

Analysts at Bank of America Corp reckon the pandemics impact on corporate travel is the biggest risk to the airline industry.

The pandemic will continue to drive travel patterns, but we think it will have the biggest impact on corporate travel, the banks analysts wrote in a note.

By Rajesh Kumar Singh
High school students head to school buses after school in this file photo. (Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images)

Ontario Schools to Offer Rapid Tests, Ventilation, Cohort Protocols as Students Return on Monday

As children in Ontario return to in-person learning on Monday, they can expect the schools to offer two rapid antigen tests, better ventilation, and temporary cohorting protocols as measures to protect them against the COVID-19 pandemic, said Ontarios education minister Stephen Lecce.

Lecce announced these added safety measures and facilities in schools during a press conference on Wednesday in response to concerns about students return to in-person learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

We believe so strongly that children need to be in school, that they are essential to the mental and physical health of a child and to their academic success, Lecce said, adding that the decision was fully supported by Ontarios Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore and the Ontario Childrens Health Coalition.

Ontarios Ministry of Education has provided the details of the return to school plan in a document (pdf), pivoted on many previously announced measures.

Ontarios plan to open and protect schools is focused on deploying millions of rapid tests to our schools and our child care centers, enhancing ventilation and high-quality PPE, along with increasing access to vaccines for both children on a voluntary basis and staff, Lecce said.

He said students and staff in schools and child care settings will each receive two rapid antigen tests when they return to schools.

An initial supply of 3.9 million rapid antigen tests is being shipped to schools ahead of the reopening on Jan. 17, while the government will continue to expand access to staff and parents.

The government is also launching school-based clinics to further push for vaccination in children and youth who require the consent of their parents.

In addition, the province will also provide more than 9 million non-fitted N95 masks to all education and child care staff. Another 4 million 3-ply masks provided to students are also on the way to schools.

Ventilation systems in schools have been further upgraded, adding another 3,000 HEPA units to the 70,000 HEPA units installed in schools since September 2021.

During a separate technical media briefing on Wednesday, government officials said school principals will be asked to monitor student and staff absence in schools, and will notify parents when the level of absenteeism reaches roughly 30 percent.

Schools are now required to report staff absences to local public health units on a daily basis to monitor disruptions in schools.

Ontario school boards can also rotate between in-person and online learning to lower the risks of closing schools due to COVID-19-related staff absences when schools reopen.

On Tuesday, parents and the teachers union in Ontario expressed concerns about the reopening plan after the health minister announced that the PCR test will be made available to students and staff at school only when they become symptomatic.
Traffic on Highway 401 in Toronto passes under a COVID-19 sign on April 6, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)

Ontario to Temporarily Change G Driving Test to Address Pandemic Backlog

Ontarians preparing for their final G-class licence road test may no longer need to prove they can make a three-point turn, execute a parallel parking manoeuvre, or perform an emergency roadside stop.

This is part of a temporary plan by the Ontario government to simplify the G-level road test in efforts to reduce a major backlog in testing, primarily caused by pandemic-related restrictions and closures.

Dakota Brasier, a spokeswoman for Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney, says the province will remove some elements from the G test that are also assessed in the lower-level G2 test, such as parallel parking, three-point turns, and roadside stops.

The G licence road test, which candidates are eligible to take after passing both the G1 written test and G2 road test, is the final step in Ontarios graduated licensing system.

Brasier says the changes will make the test shorter, which will allow more tests to be booked and completed, thereby gradually reducing the backlog. The modified G road test will be in place until at least Mar. 31, but the G2 test will remain the same. Routes to and from testing locations will also be modified so they are more direct, said Brasier.

Hundreds of thousands of driving tests have been cancelled since March 2020 due to the pandemic, according to the Ministry of Transportation.

In addition to decreasing road test times, the province said in a statement it will hire 251 temporary examiners at DriveTest centres, and provide road tests on weekends and evenings to reduce wait times. In addition, several temporary road test centres have been opened, including a centre in Ottawa that offers class-G2 road tests 11 hours a day, seven days a week.

Were making tremendous progress towards clearing the backlog of road tests, said Mulroney in the statement.

By opening temporary road test centres, hiring additional driver examiners, and extending weekday operating hours for passenger road testing, were getting Ontario back on track.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
They enrich our lives here and now, but our society will also need them in the future

That headline has two meanings.

Most parents regard their children as treasures. They love them, care for them, and try to prepare them for adulthood. When the kids are small, Mom and Dad change thousands of diapers, teach them how to walk, and tell them a hundred times, Dont talk with food in your mouth.

Later, they help their adolescents with their schoolwork, play catch in the backyard, and counsel them on their educational and employment options as high school graduation approaches. Even after Mom and Dad send their young people into the world, the health and welfare of their grown children remain of paramount concern. The children leave home, but they never leave a parents heart.

But children are also treasure boxes for the rest of us.

When they come of age and enter the workforce, theyre the ones whose wages help support society. Part of those earnings goes toward Social Security, assisting the elderly, the infirm, and retirees. A solid chunk of their income, taken in taxes, supports everything from the military to welfare for the indigent, from schools to police departments and fire brigades.

In addition, their financial investments in their homes, stocks and bonds, and all sorts of other endeavors keep the bloom on society. Their contributions to volunteer organizations help people of all races, creeds, and ages. Their creativity produces inventions and ideas that can benefit millions of people.

These contributions are clearly real and vital to a stable society. For years now, however, that treasure trove of children has dwindled away.

Birth Dearth

The replacement fertility rate for a population is 2.1 births per woman, barring immigration.

The online site Statista reports that many countries are far below this grid mark. In Taiwan, for example, which has the lowest fertility rate in the world, the number is 1.07. In nations such as Japan, Italy, Spain, and Hungary, the number of births has for years fallen far below replacement levels.

In 2019, China had a birth rate of 1.70 per woman, despite the governments attempts to increase the size of families. The Chinese Communist Party, which once strictly limited births, now fears the eventual collapse of their system because so few women want children.

In the United States, the number of births is less than 1.70, a rate that in 2020 fell by 4 percent to the lowest on record.

Being a parent demands the skills of a counselor, banker, drill sergeant, and teacher. (Olesia Bilkei/Shutterstock)

Explanations

Greater professional and educational opportunities for women account in part for these falling birth rates, both in the United States and abroad. The demands of earning a degree and pursuing a career have led many women to postpone childbirth, which means having fewer children.

Still others, women and men, cite the high cost of raising children as their reason to postpone or avoid altogether bringing children into the world. In some countriesthe United States is one of themwomen and some men also take an ideological stance against childbirth, referencing concerns about population growth and the earths limited resources. Other womenand Ive known some of themwanted children in their 30s, but either couldnt find the right man or waited too long to attempt pregnancy. Finally, there are those who simply dont want the responsibility involved in childrearing, preferring instead to enjoy the freedom to travel, spend time with friends, and do as they please without the interference of kids.

Certain of these arguments against having children carry some weight.

Raising children costs money, though not nearly as much as some claim. Children also eat up lots of time and energy. Meeting up on a whim with friends for a drink, exercising every evening at the gym, devoting yourself solely to your profession, or even getting a good nights sleep: Forget about it if you have a baby in the house. Your life is no longer your own. And once they become teenagers, youll find yourself lying awake at midnight waiting for them to come home.

So Why Have Children at All?

Recently, I caught a mother of seven off-guard with that very question: So why have children?

Are you joking? she said with a laugh. When I shook my head, her eyes widened. Oh, wait, so this is a trick question, right?

For her, the question was incomprehensible. Later, having thought about it, she told me, Because having children is natural.

Had someone asked me that question 35 years ago, when my wife and I were expecting our first child, I doubt whether I could have answered that question eitherat least, not right off the bat.

But now, as the father of four and the grandfather of 21, plus three in heaven, I can think of a myriad of ways children have enriched my life.

Life Under the Big Top

Beginning in 1960, Bil Keane created The Family Circus, a cartoon strip that his son Jeff has continued.

That title alone explains the chief joys of having children.

Whether youre the parent of one child or seven, your life becomes a spectacle Barnum & Bailey once billed as The Greatest Show on Earth. Youll have all the drama, comedy, and commotion you could possibly imagine just raising and watching over your children, even after theyve flown the coop. Kids will add more furrows to your brow than found in a cornfield, but will also install laugh lines around your eyes and mouth.

And yes, those boys and girls will cost you a bundle of money, days and nights wracked by worry and apprehension, and arguments galore. Parents spend huge swatches of time wondering whether theyre raising the kids right, always second-guessing themselves.

But the connections! Whether those kids are natural offspring or adopteesand believe me, I knowis irrelevant. Have children, and you are in the depths of a relationship unlike any other. As they grow, you grow. Their triumphs are your victories, their losses your sadness. Your vocation demands you be a banker, a counselor, a teacher, a drill sergeant, and a buddy.

If you want to join a circus, have a baby.

A Game of Chance

No matter how hard you try, however, no matter that you try to do everything right, raising children is a risky business. That son you took to church every Sunday returns home from his first semester of college a disciple of Nietzsche. That daughter on whom you spent a small fortune of time and money for ballet lessons becomes addicted to opioids. The children reared as conservatives, or as liberals, switch their political allegiance and now scarcely speak to you.

Just as there are no guarantees in the stock market, there are none in raising children.

Lets Applaud the Parents

In my younger days, I frequently heard that children are our greatest resource.

I believed that then, and I believe it now.

Whatever we may think about having our own children, the world needs good kids, bright, strong, and morally grounded. All of us can help make that a reality. When we see a mom struggling with three little ones in the checkout line of the grocery store, we might give them a smile and remember they are the ambassadors for our future. When we meet some well-behaved adolescents helping Dad pick out a birthday gift for their mother, we might pause and offer a compliment.

Parents need these signs and words of encouragement. Theyre doing a tough job, not just for themselves and their children, but for the rest of us as well.
Previously, in part one of our interview with Dr. Robert Malone, the pioneer of mRNA vaccine technology, we discussed his career and the intriguing psychological phenomenon known as mass formation.

Now in part two, we discuss how the COVID-19 vaccines are faring against Omicron, how the concept of herd immunity has been grossly misunderstood, and why hes deeply concerned about vaccine mandates for children.

Theyre being forced onto your children. And they have risks. And the mediathrough its censorshipand Big Tech [are] blocking your ability to even learn what those risks are so you can make an informed decision for your children yourself. That is a huge crime.

Missed part one? You can watch it here.

Part 1 review:

Jan Jekielek: Previously on American Thought Leaders.

Dr. Robert Malone: The masses formed around the idea that the vaccines are magically going to be able to relieve them of this problem.

Mr. Jekielek: In part one of my interview with Dr. Robert Malone, the pioneer of mRNA vaccine technology, we discussed his career and the intriguing psychological phenomenon known as mass formation. Now in part two

Dr. Malone: This will move through the entire population, whether youre wearing masks or not, unless you live on top of a mountain, and nobody ever talks to you.

Mr. Jekielek: We discuss how the COVID vaccines are faring against Omicron and how the concept of herd immunity has been grossly misunderstood.

Dr. Malone: Herd immunity is not a binary thing.

Mr. Jekielek: And why hes deeply concerned about vaccine mandates for children.

Dr. Malone: The government has no data upon which to base any mandate requiring these vaccines, which are mismatched for Omicron.

Mr. Jekielek: And the price children have paid during this pandemic.

Dr. Malone: Its not just the jabs, its the masks. There is measurable deterioration in very young children, a 20-point IQ drop.

Mr. Jekielek: This is American Thought Leaders and Im Jan Jekielek. We have this new variant, Omicron, that appears to be becoming the dominant variant. I actually have written this into an op-ed. It appears to be milder. It appears that its much more contagious than Delta. But at the same time, from what Ive seen, it appears that the vaccines arent particularly effective against it at this point.

Yet some of the policy is doubling down further on the vaccine. And this is all in the context of what we just talked about. Can you tell me, what is the right approach here as Omicron starts spreading through the population? Before that, I want you to explain what it looks like based on the information available right now.

Dr. Malone: Omicron is a fascinating case that is intrinsically disrupting the narrative. Its consistent with one of the projected outcomes that is often observed when a new pathogen, particularly a new virus, crosses into a new species. What were watching play out in real time with all of our obsession, is something that virologists and public health officials have seen again and again. It is the usual course of what proceeds when a virus jumps into a new species, whether this virus was engineered or came out of bats in a cave or pangolins. Its kind of irrelevant from an evolutionary standpoint. It entered a new host, humans.

Its important for the viewership to recognize that this is fundamentally a parasite. That is what viruses are. They are not truly alive until they enter our cells. Then they acquire capabilities from our cells. They rely on our cells to provide them the food necessary to replicate. What viruses really are, is amazingly small, highly compressed DNA and RNA replication machinery that allows those nucleic acids to pass through time. We are their food.

When a virus moves into a new host, whether its a bat to a mouse, or a mouse to a human, or a pig to a human, or a pig to a chicken or whatever, it tends to go through an evolutionary process that will last months, typically years, maybe decades, in which it gradually adapts to life with that host, evolutionarily. And as it does that, it will often become more infectious and less pathogenic.

If you think about it from an evolutionary standpoint, it makes sense. For instance, Ebola is a great example. Ebolathis is what was unique about the recent large outbreaksEbola has typically been self-limiting. It is so pathogenic. It causes such profound disease that when it crosses into a small village, it will burn through that village, and those people will die quite quickly. But because the villages are isolated, it wont spread to the next village because the people become so sick so quick that they stay in that village and they die.

That is not in the interest of the virus. It would be much better for the virus if it didnt kill people so quickly and that they didnt feel so sick, so that they would go migrate to the next village to trade their cattle or whatever they do and spread the virus there. So, thats just typical viral evolutionary dynamics when it crosses into a new host.

The risk has been, as particularly featured in the work and thinking of Geert Vanden Bossche, is that there are some risks if you start vaccinating into an ongoing pandemic, unlike vaccination before the virus enters or spreads into your village. Thats a difference in situation. If everybody in your village is vaccinated before the guy from the next village comes walking over, trading his cattle or whatever the thing is that causes him to interact with you, then the virus finds it very hard to get a toehold in that new environmental niche of this hypothetical new village.

If that village is already infected and you start vaccinating into that with a vaccine that is leaky we talked about this the last time we spoke a vaccine that is far from perfect in its ability to block infection, replication, and transmission to other people, then what will happen is that virus will evolve in that environment, particularly to escape the evolutionary selective pressure of the vaccine.

We have seen this in real time. Geert predicted it, and I predicted it. We have this evolutionary escape or the development of super viruses, just like we have the development of super pathogens when you overuse antibiotics in livestock, for example. That has been happening, and one example of that is Delta. What were concerned about, historically, is there are cases, particularly in the veterinary world, where vaccines were deployed into herds or flocks that had an ongoing outbreak.

With certain types of viruses, Mareks disease is the notable example, its a kind of case study. You will get more severe disease over time that is more highly infectious. Youll have the worst of both worlds. The good news is we may have seen that somewhat with Delta. Omicron is not behaving that way. Omicron is behaving in another way, and the data from South Africa is now quite advanced.

South Africa, which was under-vaccinated by US standards and certainly by European standards at something like 20 per cent vaccine uptake, had these dense urban areas like Johannesburg in which Omicron took off when it came from Botswana. Yet they have seen remarkably low, if any deaths directly attributed to Omicron. There is some hospitalization, with a pathogen that is in the range of 10 to 200 times more infectious than Delta. Omicron, basically out-competes Delta in a population.

And yet it is less pathogenic. Its a paradox. Omicron is more highly infectious, but less pathogenic, more readily spread, and reproduces at higher levels. The paradox is, why isnt it producing more disease? Intrinsically, you would thinkmore virus equals more infectionsyou would have more disease than Delta. Thats not the case.

Weve had hints from multiple laboratories now in the world, Hong Kong and the UK in particular, little hints about whats going on. It appears theres a couple of common threads that multiple laboratories are reporting. None of this is peer-reviewed. It is early data, because everything is moving really fast. It appears, based on data from Hong Kong University, that the prior strains have had a predilection for infecting deep lung. And Omicron appears to have a predilection for infecting conducting airways higher up in the respiratory tree.

Now, weve seen this pattern before. And a great example is H1N1, influenza. H5N9 is another one. So theres different variants of H1N1 that are out there. And there are variants that have a slightly different affinity for sialic acid receptors. This is the particular equivalent of ACE2 in the case of SARS-CoV-2, the receptor that the virus uses to gain entry. And subtle differences in sialic acids can be, sialic acids sialylation patterns on the proteins, which can cause an influenza virus to preferentially infect deep lung versus conducting airway.

The deep lung-targeting viruses tend to be highly pathogenic and the conducting airway viruses tend to be much less pathogenic. This is the pattern that were seeing with Omicron. It appears that it is more sore throat and nasal pharynx, and less of the pneumonia ground-glass opacity phenotypeand less, by the way, loss of smell and taste than prior strains.

Theres still some of the night sweats, but they may be less severedata is still evolving on thatthan with the prior strains. It is clearly more infectious. We spoke before about reproductive coefficients. The baseline reproductive coefficient can be defined like this, to put it in simple words. If Im infected and I take no other measuresIm not vaccinated, Im not wearing a mask, Im not doing social distancing, Im just moving about in my world, shopping and doing my businesshow many people on average will I infect?

An R-naught of two. Two to three is where the prototypic Wuhan strain was at. That means that if Im infected, I will on average, with no other interventions, infect two to three other people. With Delta, we had an R-naught that was in the five to six range. A little less than measles, but still incredibly infectious and much more infectious than the original Wuhan strain. Tracking what one would expect from a virus, evolutionarily, over time, it would evolve to become more infectious and produce more virus in a new host.

Omicron has a reproductive coefficient that is in the range of measles, if not higher. Measles is one of the most highly infectious human viral pathogens we know, it is insanely infectious. Omicron has an R-naught in the seven to 10 range. That means that if youre infected and you go to a party and move about in the party, on average, you will infect seven to ten other people.

Now, there is some intriguing data that is emergent that suggests that it may be that you have an increased probability of being infected as you move around in the environment if you have been vaccinated with one jab, one dose of genetic vaccine. And if you have two doses of vaccine, you have an even higher risk. So, we call this negative effectiveness of being infected by Omicron.

And if you have three doses of vaccineremember the Israelis are now going to fourif you have three doses, you have an even higher risk of being infected by Omicron than somebody that did not receive vaccine, or received one dose of vaccine, or received two doses of vaccine. So, your risk of infection from Omicron, on average, appears in some datasets from national governments to be highest if youve received three doses.

This is worrisome, because it suggests that there are aspects of Omicron that may be enhanced by something that is associated with vaccination. And theres a bunch of different hypotheses. Dont go straight to antibody dependent enhancement, that is one of many different ways. Heres a trivial. As you receive more vaccine, it may change your behavior. If youre a European young person, you may be more likely to go clubbing if youve had two jabs than if you have three jabs. Maybe three jabs, youre even more likely to go clubbing and exist in these large, intense groups that are perfect breeding factories for infection.

I use that as a trivial example. We cant jump to conclusions about the mechanisms, but the data seems to be there. Im hearing from multiple patients, anecdotally, in New Years Eve parties or Christmas parties or other social gatherings where inadvertently most people are jabbed, maybe one or two has not taken vaccine. And somebody comes into that environment thats infected. Im hearing anecdotally that the people that are previously vaccinated often become infected and symptomatic much sooner and at a much higher rate than those that were not previously vaccinated.

Heres the rub with all of that, looking at the CDC data. Theyve stopped reporting the prevalence of infection in the United States. They stopped reporting it at about 45 per cent a couple months ago. But if you look at the trend curves, theres a good chance that about 70 per cent of the entire population in the United States has been infected with some version of SARS-CoV-2.

That means that they have developed natural immunity. So, when we talk about the difference between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, we have to recognize that there are a bunch of subgroups within that. We have those that are probably naturally immune, but not vaccinated. We have naturally immune that have received vaccine, and we have ones that have not encountered the virus before, but have been vaccinated. So its complicated right now. We dont have clean data.

But in general, the good news is that Omicron is much less pathogenic, even though it is much more highly infectious. I went out on a limb about this as the South African data was coming in before Christmas. Its on the Laura Ingraham program. I spoke about it. I wrote about it in my Substack; that it looked to me like Omicron was something like a gift.

Whether you believe in a divine entity or whatever, Omicron looked to me to be the answer, if I was given the task of understanding what would be the optimal characteristics of an infectious, live-attenuated vaccine virus. What would that really look like? What would be its characteristics? It would infect the nasal pharynx and the upper respiratory tract. It would spread freely in the population. It would generate a strong T-cell response and mucosal immune response, and afterwards people would not have major symptoms, and they would not die from it. It would be attenuated.

They would develop natural immunity after having recovered from the infection. And I spoke about this at a time when this was heresy. All of the broadcast media was focusing everybody on the fear of Omicron. [inaudible] Its increasingly strong, as Laura Ingraham quoted the other day when I was on her show, a 300 per cent increase in virus infection with Omicron and a 3 per cent decrease in hospitalizations.

Youve got to keep in mind, a lot more people are getting infected at the same time, and this will move through the entire population, whether youre wearing masks or not wearing masks, unless you live on top of a mountain and nobody ever talks to you. Thats just what is going to happen. It is that insanely infectious, whether you are vaccinated or you are not vaccinated. It may be that natural infection provides more protection than the vaccine does, but the majority of America will be infected by Omicron. And they will develop natural immunity.

If were lucky, we will get to a point where we finally do reach something like herd immunity. And this virus just becomes another indigenous coronavirus in the population, like the currently circulating beta coronaviruses that we call the common cold.

Mr. Jekielek: Herd immunity, this is another concept thats been weaponized by the media, certainly among people. But herd immunity is something that is just going to happen with anything, assuming that humanity survives.

Dr. Malone: Hopefully. Or it wont. Maybe the virus keeps evolving, because this one evolves really fast. But lets hope it does, and we do develop herd immunity or something akin to it.

Mr. Jekielek: But the vaccines, the genetic vaccines dont contribute to the herd immunity. Or do they?

Dr. Malone: I wouldnt phrase it that way. When you say wont contribute, thats an absolute statement. None of this is absolute. So just to loop back a little bit about herd immunity. Herd immunity is not a binary thing, that weve reached it or we havent reached it. Theres a school of thought that the characteristic of the modern educated mind is a comprehension of calculus. Calculus is a metaphor. What we have is an asymptote, a limit line. Which is, that the reproductive coefficient falls below one.

What is herd immunity? It is a time in which if I happen to be infected, the probability that I will infect anybody else is less than one. This is like thinking about a thermonuclear reaction, a chain reaction. You quench the chain reaction by putting the carbon rods in there, because they typically absorb the neutrons. So, they can no longer participate in a chain reaction in an eventual explosion. Thats how nuclear energy is tamed.

Likewise with viruses. When we reach a point where the probability is that when Im infected I infect less than one other person, the virus will be quenched. It will no longer spread in the population. That doesnt mean that everyone will be perfectly protected, it means it wont be spreading in the population anymore.

And thats not a binary number, like if we hit 70 per cent. The flaw here was that our public health officials made these grossly naive statements that if we hit this milestone of vaccine uptake, we will reach herd immunity. If we hit this milestonethat was just horrible, ignorant messaging. It reflects the fact that those people that are making those statements, and you know who Im speaking about, are not actually trained in epidemiology.

Yet, they put out this messaging, if we only reach this milestone, we will hit herd immunity, or if we only reach that milestone. It kept creeping up because we werent hitting herd immunity. The fault is, that they should have never made those statements in the first place. Herd immunity is a really complicated variable.

Like I said, if you think of a limit line, when the reproductive coefficient falls below one, herd immunity is approached on a curve that approaches that as an asymptote, for those that are understanding calculus. Thats what it is. Thats how it works. Its not like a straight line and we cross it and we say, There we are, were all here. Were reached virus nirvana. Thats not how it works. We will gradually get closer and closer to it, and the spread of the virus will become more and more difficult.

Jan, this is a nuance that many people dont get, and its built into the human immune system, this assumption. When were talking about herd immunity, were mostly talking about adults, some pediatric. They reach this threshold and then the virus stops circulating, but its still present in the environment. By the way, this virus exists in deer, in cats and everything else. Were never going to get rid of this virus. Were done. That ship left the dock.

What will happen is, as more people are born, they form a larger and larger cohort that have not previously encountered the virus until they reach a sufficient number where you can have virus replication and spread at greater rate than an R-naught of one. And then it will take off, but it will only hit the pediatric cohort. Thats why we have pediatric viral disease.

If you understand that, you have now graduated from Viral Epidemiology 101. Its an advanced concept, but its actually not that hard to understand. So, that is what herd immunity is all about. The vaccines, unfortunately, dont seem to be able to get us there. They are too leaky. What they are able to do so far is, on an individual basis, provide significant level of protection against death. But so does natural immunity.

And the data is clear that for the vast majority of us, except for the high-risk populations, the probability of you dying if you become infected [is slim.] Remember, Ive had the disease twice. Aint dead yet. Never had optimal therapy, never went to the hospital. Never really saw a doctor for either of my cases. So, you dont have to fear this. Most of us survive it just fine. With Omicron, your risk of death and disease has dropped precipitously. Its dropped precipitously compared to Delta, particularly in children.

So what happens if we allow Omicron to spread in our populationwe cant stop it anyhow you might as well make lemonade out of lemons. As it spreads through the population, we will develop a complex, diverse immune response of both T and B-cells, antibody and effector T-cells, hopefully that will eventually confer herd immunity to all of us. Then it will become a pediatric disease that pops up periodically in different places in the world. Well probably be thinking about better, safer pediatric vaccines that we might wish to deploy in that situation, which is a long way from where were at right now. Does that make sense?

Mr. Jekielek: Makes a ton of sense. You are part of the Unity Project or Unity Initiative in California, specifically focused on opposing mandates for children. Why is this so important to you?

Dr. Malone: I have seen in the data on these genetic vaccines, which is all we have available in the United States. When I started speaking about the risks of the genetic vaccines in the United States, this was heresy. It was forbidden speech. It still is. The official line was that all three of these vaccines were safe and effective.

Now, as the government has come to terms with the fact that the adenovirus vectors are causing excess deaths, and they are no longer recommending the J&J vaccine. So now were left with two RNA vaccines. One has three times the dose of the other, thats Moderna. Its three times the dose of Pfizer. Now, globally, there are seven WHO-licensed vaccines.

There are multiple other vaccines that are traditional, inactivated subunit or inactivated whole virus. And there are countries like Peru that assert that these whole inactivated virus vaccines are actually providing superior protection against the newer variants, because they elicit a more diverse immune response, more like natural immunity.

But here in the States, weve only been allowed access to the two genetic vaccines. One of which was developed explicitly at NIH Vaccine Research Center and NIH gets revenue from them. So, what I have seen in the data and which is now being confirmed more and more abundantly on an almost daily basis, is that the risk associated with the vaccines are sufficiently significant that they outweigh the potential benefits.

Im often asked, is there a cohort, an age group, a risk group, for which you think the vaccines are still safe and effective? My position has been the whole way through this, that the vaccines should be deployed only in the high-risk population for these reasonsrisk benefit ratio and the evolutionary drive of developing escape mutants. So, I have been aligned with the Great Barrington Declaration from the beginning.

Heres the problemwhen you look at the available data, all of which has problems, with potential exception of some of the Northern European databases, where they have really rigorous socialized medicine and few barriers to disclosing medical information, Iceland being a notable examplemost of the data is really contaminated with various forms of reporting bias.

Theres a recent peer reviewed study that suggests that the reporting bias in the VAERS system is about 20-fold, roughly. So that means that the number of adverse events of any given type or deaths reported in VAERS is under reported by about 20-fold. Now, theres others, such as the Steve Kirsch Group and Jessica Rose, that are deep experts in this, that have examined the same data that assert that it is 43-fold difference. And theres a peer reviewed paper out there titled, Why Are We Vaccinating Children against COVID-19, that is more aligned with those higher numbers.

So multiply the VAERS reports by those co-factors, and you end up with some very large numbers of deaths and adverse events. Then if you do the risk-benefit ratio calculations, it becomes very hard to justify the vaccines as saving more lives than theyre killing. I dont know how else to say it gently. Its all the way through all the cohorts.

So now Im forced into a very tenuous position. My prior position has been to save the vaccines for those that need them the most, aligned with the Great Barrington Declaration. Now I am having to acknowledge the possibility that the data, as its emerging now, suggests that theres no benefit for these genetic vaccines in any of the American cohorts. And of course, then Im immediately branded as an anti-vaxxer. Im already branded as an anti-vaxxer and attacked because I disagree with the mandates.

Why do I disagree with the pediatric mandates? Number one; the adverse events are clear and compelling. For those who wish to factcheck on this, I invite you, as I invited Thomson Reuters, to visit our website, www.rwmalonemd.com, where data on pediatric risks, primary data and peer-reviewed studies are aggregated, in a bunch of tabs by different organ systems.

We have a massive collection of reports of sudden death in high performing athletes, youth through early twenties. Were all aware that this has been discussed. You can click on those and see the information, or the article covering those, and make your own decision. We also have links. Theres a very large number of pediatric deaths that have been reported in the US VAERS database.

My wife and partner, Dr. Jill Glasspool Malone went through every single one of those, opened them up and made an assessment. Was it clear that this person committed suicide, or had some other cause of death, or was it reported by their parents or some other third-party? All of those got rejected and were not included in that list. Only the ones that came in from physicians and seemed to her eyes to be reasonably associated with vaccination are listed there.

But you dont have to rely on her. They are there as links to the VAERS database. If you click on them, you can see the actual VAERS report that was filed by a physician saying this is what happened. You can make your own decision about whether or not you think that it is vaccine related. So, all of that data is there.

It is clear that parents should think twice, and also grandparents, about vaccinating their child. Because once the damage occurs, it may occur as some of these serious adverse events like neuropathy, like Maddie de Garay developed, or the myocarditis or pericarditis so severe that it puts your child into the hospital. And there are a number of other effects. That event rate is about one in a 1000 to one in 2000 children. That means that theres a good chance that if your child takes the vaccine, they wont be damaged. They wont show clinical symptoms. They may have subclinical damage.

But the question is, do you want to take that chance with your child? Because if you draw the short straw and your child is damaged, most of these things, if not all of them, are irreversible. There is no way to fix it. I get these emails all the time: Doctor, what can we do? This has happened. Once its happened, you cant go back. You cant put Humpty Dumpty back together again. So thats my point in general about the logic of vaccinating your children when they have virtually no risk from the virus, unless they have major pre-existing conditions.

Now, the Unity Projects position is one based on the logic of informed consent versus forced vaccination, and that mandates should not happen. The state should not be forcing itself into the family. The decisions belong at the level of parents, not at the level of the state or the school board. School boards and schools and teachers have no right to understand and seek out medical information about their students. Thats illegal.

Yet, its being done all the time, and students are being bullied if they havent taken vaccine. Looping back, I suggest that has to do with the fact that many teachers have succumbed to mass formation. Because I cant believe that they would so readily transgress the fundamental ethics that they have been taught as teachers, but its happening all the time. Talk to any child whos not vaccinated, who is in school, and they will tell you horror stories. We have recorded videos of children speaking about these things. You can find them on the website for the Unity Project, unityprojectonline.com.

You can find a fascinating video of Dr. Mark McDonald, a pediatric psychiatrist in Los Angeles, speaking about the profound damage that has happened to children through all these behaviors, the bullying and everything else. Just to pick that apart a little bit, its not just the jabs. Its the masks. Its the disruption of schooling. There is measurable deterioration in very young children that have been born or are at very young age during this outbreak, with all theyve been subjected to, its a 20 point IQ drop.

There is clear evidence of developmental delays. Children must see faces. They must see mouths in school and in their social interactions, because their brains are developing in real time. Theyre picking up all kinds of information from their environment and their interaction with their peers about social learning and language, that requires them to be able to visualize the expression on peoples faces. Thats all damaged by the masking. The damage thats being done to this young cohort through these policies is profound and it will resonate for decades.

So, think twice before you vaccinate your kids, because if something bad happens, you cant go back and say, I want a do-over. Mandates are illegal based on the Nuremberg Code, the Helsinki Accord, and the Belmont Report. These continue to be unlicensed products. Theyre only available through emergency use authorization, which, by the way, that emergency use authorization is predicated on the declaration of emergency issued two years ago on January 15th. It will expire in just a few days from where we are right now.

So, they have to re-declare another two year national emergency, or all of these emergency use authorizations for drugs and vaccines go! That is how tenuous this is. These are not licensed products, and theyre being forced onto your children, and they have risks. And the media, through its censorship and big tech, is blocking your ability to even learn what those risks are so you can make an informed decision for your children yourself. That is a huge crime in my opinion.

Mr. Jekielek: Just to remind everybody about your stipulation, Ive seen papers that actually look at a review. Dr. Paul Alexander has done an extensive literature review that looks at the risks of the virus to children, and for healthy children, its very small. So, this is all in this context.

Dr. Malone: That review that Paul did was pre-Omicron. Thats pre-Omicron data. So that minuscule risk existed historically with the prior strains, including Delta, which is a wicked, bad virus, and not representative of Omicron. There is virtually no data available on the risks of Omicron in children, but all the indications are, they are minute.

As a matter of fact, this is a basis for a Supreme Court amicus briefing that Im signed off on, that would be filed today with the US Supreme Court. The government has no data upon which any government, any school board can base any mandate requiring these vaccines, which are mismatched for Omicron, in children, and to justify the risk benefit ratio for children in preventing Omicron, which is the dominant virus currently spreading.

Mr. Jekielek: So, the bottom line is, and this goes back to this earlier question, these vaccines are mismatched in your and others opinion for this new variant.

Dr. Malone: Incontrovertible. Its not just an opinion. Lets hope this is why the federal government has withdrawn access to many of the monoclonal antibodies, they are mismatched for Omicron.

Mr. Jekielek: On your Substack recently, youve referenced the statements of a leader in the Indiana Insurance Company.

Dr. Malone: Worth over a $100 billion, hes the CEO.

Mr. Jekielek: Basically, he came out and said that excess mortality over the last year, based on their data-

Dr. Malone: Particularly in Q3 of 2021 is running at 40 per cent over baseline. He makes the point using typical insurance actuary, dry-data analysis. This was an event that was three standard deviations above the mean, because hes dealing with such large datasets. In his case, hes talking about data that they have on 18- to 64-year-olds that are fully employed, because that is who his company ensuresfully employed, 18- to 64-year-olds. Looking at his data, he says that a three standard deviation from above the mean would be about a 10 per cent increase in excess death.

Yet, hes seeing a 40 per cent increase. This is relative to 2020. So, this is an increase which is independent of virus, in general. We had more virus attributed deaths in 2020 than weve had in Im sorry, in 2021, thats true, than 2020. But 2020 is the baseline that hes comparing against.

Hes made the statement that the majority of those deaths are not listed as SARS-CoV-2 or COVID. So, we have a 40 per cent increase, which is unprecedented in his opinion. Its going to force them to raise their rates, at a minimum. It could bankrupt members of the insurance industry. He says that this is being seen all across the industry, not just in his firm, this 40 per cent increase over the 2020 mortality, its unprecedented. And he sees no sign of any change in that trend line in the fourth quarter, because that data is not in yet. When he gave this very dry discussion in a joint Zoom call with hospitals and other insurers in Indiana, it was covered by a relatively obscure publication.

It was picked up by some stock analysts, and one of them sent it to me. And as you mentioned, in our Substack, we came out with one of the first discussions about it. Then Zero Hedge came out with a discussion. There are those that attribute the significant drop in Pfizer stock valuation to that discussion being disclosed and circulated on the street.

This is not trivial data. This is coming from a very large dataset. It is not sorted by cause of death. We dont know if its due to suicide, which could be the case, because of this very phenomenon we were talking aboutthe social isolation and other things, depression, the lockdowns, all those kinds of things. We dont know the effect on mental health. Is this people overdosing on opiates or other drugs to treat their depression? We have no idea.

Mr. Jekielek: Based on the CDC data, Im just going to jump in, because Im remembering a recent report that the CDC did pick out, that fentanyl overdosing has become the number one cause of death in a particular cohort.

Dr. Malone: Could be. Although, these are fully employed people in this younger cohort, that has not had major mortality from SARS-CoV-2, so something is going on. If we were going to have a bet here, I would say its multifactorial. But there is a very high probability, because this is the same cohort that has been subjected to vaccine mandates. So, theyre highly vaccinated, and they seem to have significantly more mortality than the general population.

You would think they would have less. They have healthcare, they have insurance, they have jobs. Whats not to like? Compared to the rest of the population and what theyre experiencing, these are the ones that are in the best position. And yet theyre having this excess mortality. Its inexplicable. But we do know that this is a highly vaccinated cohort, because of the federal mandates that all businesses greater than 100 employees shall be fully vaccinated. So, its inexplicable right now. It is a foreshadowing of something that is an indicator of massive death.

Mr. Jekielek: Yes. The report also said that a 10 per cent increase is once in 20 years. They used the word cataclysm. So, 40 per cent is a whole different piece all together.

Dr. Malone: Unprecedented. They also mentioned in the report, the CEO mentioned that its not just increase in death, but its also increase in disability claims, which they would also be seeing, because theyre a life insurance policy company.

Mr. Jekielek: We did number crunching following this, looking at the 12 months ending in October. And we were actually comparing ending in 2019 data versus ending in 2021 data. We found that there was a 40 per cent increase in mortality for people ages 18 to 49 compared to that same period. I know the new CDC data doesnt disclose where that mortality is coming from, aside from pneumonia.

Dr. Malone: If I can react to that, Jan, what youre describing is the difference between pre-pandemic and year one of the pandemic. What this insurance CEO is describing is year two of the pandemic compared to year one of the pandemic. So that would be potentially additive on top of the effect that your data analysis from the CDC is demonstrating.

Mr. Jekielek: There needs to be a robust area of study here. If there are any people who have access to some of this insurance company data and that are willing to share it, wed like to see that. And wed like to be able to do some analysis on it.

Dr. Malone: It would be in the public interest. This is not just about your profit or your competitive position. Were talking about a major human tragedy, in terms of disability and death. Getting to the core of the why question is crucial, ethically. If we cant get that out of the US government, at least we could get it out of the insurance industry who has intimate, detailed knowledge from very large numbers in a comprehensive way, because its their business to do it.

Mr. Jekielek: Robert, any final thoughts as we finish up?

Dr. Malone: Thanks, Jan. As I always try to close, lets be kind to each other. This is a problem that were all confronting. Its not Democrats or Republicans. Its not Left or Right. Its not vaccinated or unvaccinated. Its not pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine. Its not a particular ethnic group. Were all in this boat together. In my opinion, after learning from Mattias and everybody else, the real underlying problem is some social ills, that are an emergent phenomenon from all of the change in social media and electronic appliances. All these things that have torn us apart. The media has acted as napalm on an existing dumpster fire. They exacerbate all of these ills and problems through their behaviors.

We have to come together as a people. This is the reason for the rally. This is the logic of the rally that is scheduled in DC in on January 20th, its a Sunday, on the Quad between the Washington monument and the Lincoln Memorial. You can find information about it on the website called defeatthemandatesdc.com. But my core message is lets be openhearted.

We dont have evil people. The pro-vaccine or pro-mandate people are not evil. They are fellow humans. I think the way we get out of this is with three core concepts and words. We need to restore integrity in our public officials, in our companies, in our entire lives. Stop lying. A noble lie is not okay. Restore integrity, and restore human dignity. We are not economic units. We are not excess mouths that have to be fed. Were humans, whether we are at the lowest, somebody is homeless on the street, or somebody who lives in the White House or works in the Capitol. We all deserve to be treated with dignity and we need to treat each other with dignity.

The last point is community. This is the true underlying social ill. If we learn from the logic of Mattias Desmet and mass formation, we need to find community again. We need to find connections between each other. That doesnt mean online with your friends list, getting your dopamine rush when somebody clicks like. It means actually being with each other, whether its church, community groups, sports activities, whatever, we have to find community again and rebuild it. Thats how we heal. That is the underlying illness. I suggest that our way out of the woods is easily captured in three words, integrity, dignity, and community.

Mr. Jekielek: Dr. Robert Malone, its such a pleasure to have you here again.

Dr. Malone: Always. I look forward to the next one.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

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Care giver visits with nursing home resident at a Quality Life Services facility in western Pennsylvania. (Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association)

Pennsylvanias Hospital and Nursing Home Staffing Crises Worsened by COVID-19 Surge

Gov. Tom Wolf promises help next month

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are up significantly in Pennsylvania and many other states, according to numbers from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The surge in cases has reduced capacity in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

In Pennsylvania, COVID-related hospitalizations reached an all-time high this week with 7,488 cases on Jan.10. That is double the cases compared to Nov. 22 when there were 3,774 hospitalizations.

Last week, 84 percent of Pennsylvanias hospital beds were occupied.

Currently, three percent of Pennsylvania hospitals have both their ICU and inpatient staffed beds at or above full capacity, the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania says.

Hospitals across Pennsylvania are strained and many are at, or approaching capacity as they treat more patients while experiencing continued staffing challenges, Liam Migdail, spokesman for the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania told The Epoch Times, adding that COVID cases are one of several factors filling hospitals. There is higher demand for care due to seasonal illnesses and complications related to care being delayed earlier in the pandemic. This is all compounded by a staffing crisis that was a challenge even before the pandemic, but has significantly intensified over the past year as more clinicians and support staff leave their positions due to burnout and fatigue.

The staffing situation was further compromised when hospitals and long-term care facilities, threatened with losing vital federal Medicare/Medicaid dollars, followed President Joe Bidens mandate to require all employees get vaccinated. Many who wouldnt get vaccinated were fired.

The capacity problem is being compounded by the struggle to discharge patients from hospitals to long-term care facilities, says the Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA), an advocacy group for long-term care facilities.

These are more than nursing homes for the elderly. Long-term facilities are also where patients go for rehabilitative services after trauma or major surgery, anyone who needs extended hospitalization, adults with disabilities, and anyone who needs round-the-clock care needs a long-term care facility.

But long-term care providers are facing immense staffing challenges preventing them from accepting new residents, Zach Shamberg, PHCA president and CEO said in a statement. PHCA raised this concern in October when the association sounded an alarm about diminishing access to long-term care facilities. At the time, it released survey results showing that many Pennsylvania nursing homes were so short-staffed that they could not take on more residents. Instead, patients waiting to leave the hospital were put on waiting lists and had to search for an opening, sometimes miles away from their families.

As COVID cases climb, the capacity problem gets worse, with patients searching for long-term care stuck in hospitals, taking up rooms needed by new patients.

Pennsylvanias Department of Health determines how many beds a long-term care facility can offer based on the number of staff. Currently, facilities must provide 2.7 hours of direct care per day for each resident, specifically from nursing staff. If a facility loses staff, it loses beds.

Help Coming Next Month

Governor Tom Wolfs office put out a press release on Jan. 7, announcing the state is coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to organize regional support sites for hospitals and long-term care facilities, plus strike teams to support hospitals facing staffing shortage.

These support sites will be available starting in February, the release said.

In an email, The Epoch Times asked the Pennsylvania Department of Health why it will take a month to address the staffing crises happening now, but the department did not respond.

Currently, the Pennsylvania National Guard has 110 service members working at some of Pennsylvanias 1,900 long-term care facilities to help with staffing, according to a recent National Guard press release.

Seeking a solution to the overall staffing shortage, this week PHCA offered a Care Capacity Crises Plan to the Department of Health and members of the general assembly.

We understand the importance of a unified approach to overcome and combat the latest surge of health care needs as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Shamberg said. The entire health care continuum is enduring a monumental challenge, but even so, collectivelywith health care experts, elected leaders, and regulatory agencieswe can develop and bring forth solutions to ensure Pennsylvania can prevail from this trying time. That is exactly the reason we developed and introduced a plan that will, with support, allow long-term care providers to do their part and carry out their mission: serving our commonwealths most vulnerable residents.

The PHCA has requested more National Guard Members. It has asked the Department of Health to provide a comprehensive plan and requested $200 million in American Rescue Plan funds to be used as retention bonuses for long-term care facilities to keep the staff they have.

The plan also suggests that Pennsylvania coordinate with the federal government to increase Pennsylvanias allocation of monoclonal antibodies and develop a distribution plan

The distribution of monoclonal antibodies to long-term care providers can help limit hospital stays and prevent severe illness among a vulnerable population, the PHCA plan says.

There has been no public response to PHCAs plan.
Proponents of Irvine Veterans Cemetery Raise Concerns to State Legislators About Anaheim Site

IRVINE, Calif.One month after a Veterans Cemetery broke ground in Anaheim, members of a group pushing to build the cemetery at Irvines Great Park sent a letter to state officials detailing issues with the Anaheim site.

The Veterans for the ARDA Site Cemetery sent the Jan. 6 letter to state legislators and the California Department of Veterans Affairs in favor of building a veterans cemetery on the 125-acre Great Parks Amended and Restated Development Agreement (ARDA) site.

Along with the letter, the group sent an analysis pointing out the severe problems with the Gypsum Canyon site in Anaheim, which held a celebratory groundbreaking Dec. 8 with the planting of a flag pole.

Harvey Liss, a member of the Veterans for the ARDA Site Cemetery, said some of these problems include environmental issues such as landslides, fire hazards, and lack of infrastructure.

Its kind of crazy to claim that it can compete with the ARDA site, which has everything already. It has environmental approval, the infrastructure was right up to the doorstep, its ready to [be built into a cemetery], Liss told The Epoch Times.

The Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif., on May 5, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The ARDA site is sought after due to its historical significance as the now decommissioned El Toro Marine Basean aviation station formed during WWIIwhich still has its control tower, hangars, and flight line, though theyve decayed throughout the years.

In 2018, Irvine voters approved a state-owned and operated veterans memorial park and cemetery at the ARDA site.

In May 2020, the Irvine City Council adopted a citizen-led initiative after petitioners gathered nearly 20,000 signatures that permanently zoned the ARDA site as a State Veterans Memorial Park and Cemetery.

Despite this, the council later reversed course, voting 41 in October 2021 to support building the cemetery at Anaheims Gypsum Canyon.

The Gypsum Canyon site has since gained support from every city council in Orange County, after the county supervisors committed $20 million for the project.

Aside from its historical significance and zoning as a cemetery, the organizations letter pointed out that the site has already been studied extensively by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, an essential for any state veterans cemetery.

In September 2016, the site was approved by the federal Veterans Cemetery Grants Program and is listed on the Priority List for a $10 million grant, the letter states.

The letter brings to light severe geotechnical, biological, and environmental issues that would impact both development and ongoing maintenance of the property if it were turned into a cemetery.

Examples of these include a former sand, gravel, and asphalt plant operation on the property that has degraded soil conditions, three active landslides on the property, numerous species of plants, animals, and mammals identified in an independent conservation easement report.

Due to habitat linkages, development of a cemetery would have significant and detrimental effects on these species. Challenges from numerous environmental groups and other parkland advocates would be expected, the letter notes.
Ironside state school can be seen in Brisbane, Australia, on Aug. 4, 2021. (Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Queensland Govt Denies Teacher Vaccine Mandates Delayed Start of School Term

The Queensland government has denied that vaccine mandates have contributed to the delay of the start of the new school year after it began standing down teachers once the deadline passed for a survey to determine who was vaccinated.

This comes as the Australian state has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases since the state opened its borders to vaccinated travellers on Dec. 13 last year. Since then, the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been reported in tens of thousands of vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

The delay to the start of the 2022 school year is not related to vaccine mandates in any way, a spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Education said in a statement to The Epoch Times on Jan. 12.

The state government cited the projected peak of the Omicron wave ripping through Queensland as the reason it would delay the start of the new school year by two weeks, pushing it out from Jan. 23 to Feb. 7.

This is to help avoid schools opening during the peak and also allow more time to get as many 5 to 11 year-olds as possible vaccinated, the spokesperson said.

But Red Union, which describes itself as a union by teachers for teachers, has said the real reason the school term was delayed is because of the vaccine mandates.

Its more about trying to get more and more teachers to just comply with the direction and bullying them and coercing them into doing as they say, outgoing Red Union Secretary Jack McGuire told The Epoch Times on Jan. 12.

Because for a lot of people, its quite frightening, and rightly so, quite a frightening experience to go through getting a show cause [notice] and disciplinary action being taken by your employer where your career is being threatened. Anyone with a mortgage would find that quite frightening.

McGuire said Red Union was currently assisting approximately 1,500 impacted Queensland teachers but said he understood there to be around 5,000 education department employees in the same situation.

People queue to receive a Covid-19 vaccine at a Bunnings hardware store in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct. 16, 2021. (Dan Peled/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the education department has said it is very pleased by the vaccination rate of staff who were impacted by the mandate.

Over 95 percent of school-based staff have now provided their vaccination status, with more than 98 percent of those indicating they are already fully vaccinated or will be in the coming days, the spokesperson said.

However, it was not clear how many of the 95 percent who completed the survey indicated they would not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

One source who worked in the education sector in Queensland, and spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity, described the survey as being multiple choice.

When you clicked on the link it automatically had your name and your employee ID number and then there were four or five choices of your vaccination status, the source told The Epoch Times on Jan. 12.

The source said the choices were that you were either fully vaccinated with two doses, partially vaccinated with one dose, or that you indicated your intention to get vaccinated or not.

Most people are vaccinated. How is it all the sudden a high risk? And how are the unvaccinated people a risk to anyone whos vaccinated? The vaccination is supposed to protect you. So how is that a risk in any stretch of the imagination? the source added.

McGuire echoed this point, saying that Omicron has demonstrated that vaccination clearly hasnt slowed down the spread.

If were that worried about Omicron, we should have rapid antigen testing at the school gate for everyone, whether youre vaccinated or not vaccinated, given the level of spread thats coming out of vaccinated people, he said.

So if you want to keep COVID outside the school gates, you got to do it through testing, not through vaccination.

In correspondence from the department, seen by The Epoch Times, staff were told the chief health officer had issued a COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Workers in a high-risk setting Direction.

The health order would affect anyone who works in, undertakes an educational placement, or volunteers in a school, early childhood and care service (such as a kindergarten or Outside School Hours Care) or childcare centre is considered a worker in an education setting.

From Jan. 10, the education department began to send letters to staff who have not confirmed their double vaccination status asking them to provide a valid reason why they should not be suspended from duty without pay.

Red Union has published a step-by-step guide to assist members to navigate the legal process of responding to and challenging any show cause, suspension, or termination notices handed down by the education department as a result of the vaccine mandate.

In December, Red Union announced on Telegram that it was receiving a large number of calls from people with questions about the process, noting that their phone lines were so busy receiving calls from worried teachers that it was affecting their ability to help others.

At the time, the education department was regularly sending staff the COVID-19 survey, with a source describing it as spamming when they received three emails in one day.

Staff were told that if they fail to provide their vaccination status by Jan. 7, that from Jan. 10, they would be asked to show-cause why you should not be suspended without pay, according to a department email seen by The Epoch Times.

This date has been selected because staff who have not received a first dose by this date will not be able to receive a second dose by 11:59 pm on 23 January 2022, the email stated.

Queensland teachers were required to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 17 last year to ensure theyd be eligible for a second dose prior to Jan. 23, when the school year was originally meant to begin.

On Jan. 12, the department spokesperson said the deadline for school-based staff to get vaccinated was Jan. 23.

Since sending the Notice of Suspensions to non-complying staff, the department spokesperson said they expect the vaccination rate will rise further as we approach Jan. 23.

In the meantime, the department spokesperson said that where schools do have unvaccinated staff, it is limited to one or two people.

In addition, the department has access to approximately 5,000 fully vaccinated relief teachers who are ready to work in state schools if required, the spokesperson said.
Ravenous Floodwaters: BC Flood Victims Launch Class Action Lawsuit

Two residents of Sumas Prairie in the Abbotsford, B.C., area near the Canada-U.S. border have launched a class action lawsuit against three levels of government seeking damages for losses caused by flooding last November.

In mid-November 2021, southern B.C. was hit by heavy rains that led to two breaches of the Sumas dike, causing the embankment to overflow and later break apart. The resulting flood covered the Sumas Prairie, forced 15,000 people from their homes, and created extensive damage to properties, lands, and livestock.

Business owners Caroline Mostertman and Ted Dykman initiated a lawsuit in December 2021 against the City of Abbotsford, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), the Province of British Columbia, and three unnamed companies responsible for monitoring for flooding at the respective municipal, regional, and provincial levels.

According to the statement of claim, not only did the defendants fail to warn of the impending flood in a timely manner, they also failed to implement emergency measures and warnings when they knew or ought to have known that a flood impacting the Sumas Prairie was the foreseeable consequence of the weather preceding the Sumas Flood.

Residents of the Sumas Prairie, who had not been adequately notified of the impending disaster, watched helplessly as ravenous floodwaters tore through their land, burying their personal property and destroying their crops and farmland, the claim says.

Mostertman, who co-owns a farm, a winery, a distillery company, and a plant and fish nursery, told The Epoch Times that even two days notice would have helped to mitigate losses.

We would have saved our entire inventory as opposed to losing probably more than half of it. We certainly could have saved all the equipment, trucks, and tractors and trailers, all the electronic stuff. Being on the farm and having access to heavy equipment and trailers, you can load an awful lot of stuff very quickly and move it out very quickly, she said.

Flooding at CPM Farms, co-owned by Caroline Mostertman, in Sumas Prairie, B.C. (Courtesy of Caroline Mostertman)

Extensive Damage

South of the border in Washington state, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its first general warning of flooding on Nov. 8, its first flash flood warning on Nov. 10, and the highest-level flood warnings beginning on Nov. 11. But B.C. residents didnt receive their first general warning until Nov. 13.

Early in the flooding, the City of Abbotsford chose not to use the provincial emergency alert system and instead decided to make phone calls directly to the households in the Sumas Prairie area.

Those 300 people know theres an emergency just by looking out their window, so we didnt want to alarm the whole city, Mayor Henry Braun said at a press conference on Nov. 17.

At the end of November, Braun estimated that damage to his city alone amounted to $1 billion. In December, the Insurance Bureau of Canada said the flooding in southern B.C. was estimated to have caused $450 million in insured damage, but added that given the scale of the disaster, with major highways and other public infrastructure destroyed and supply chains choked, the overall economic losses will be much higher than the insured loss figure.

In addition, many of the affected residents, including Mostertman in the Sumas Prairie, have no flood insurance coverage due to being located in high-risk flood areas and floodplains.

Mosterman said she also could not qualify for the provincial disaster relief program, which she calls a joke. It disqualifies any business that grossed $1 million or more in a year, even if the business lost money, and that excludes most agricultural businesses common to the area.

Dairy farmer Ted Dykman lists five vehicles, several electric pumps, motors, hay, and grain among his flood losses.

Overall, livestock losses from the flooding in the Sumas Prairie area exceeded 600,000 poultry, 12,000 hogs, 420 dairy cattle, and 120 beehives.

Flooding Was Preventable

The Sumas Prairie sits on low-lying fertile flatland that used to be under the waters of a lake called Sumas Lake. The federal government drained the lake in the early 1920s to transform the lake bed into productive farmland. The statement of claim notes that the area is a floodplain known for being susceptible to devastating floods. The three most notable floods occurred in 1894 and 1948, when the Fraser River overflowed, and in 1990, when the Nooksack River, which begins in Washington state, overflowed.

An engineering report on the Sumas dike was conducted for the province in 2015 as part of a Lower Mainland dike assessment. Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Ltd. gave the dike an unacceptable rating, the lowest rating possible, for its height, which it found to be approximately 0.6 metres (2 feet) lower than required to prevent flooding should the Nooksack River overflow. The engineers also wrote, The dike is presently too low. The dike design profile likely needs to be updated. The dike geometry is substandard, causing concern. But the required upgrades were never made.

Vancouver-based lawyer Anthony Vecchio filed the class action suit in the B.C. Supreme Court on Dec. 23 on behalf of all those who owned or had an interest in property affected by the Sumas Prairie flood.

B.C.s Emergency Program Act protects governments from liability for actions they took or failed to take in an emergency unless gross negligence takes place, but Vecchio believes that that is what occurred.

This was predictable. It was obvious and was preventable, Vecchio said in an interview.

It meets the definition of gross negligence. They monitored, they knew there was a risk, [but] they failed to shore up the diking, [which] they could have done. This is a very strong case. The community deserved better.

Vecchio added that to the extent that people are vulnerable, it [raises] the standard of care for the government. Thats basically the law in British Columbia.

The plaintiffs are seeking general, special, and punitive damages and relief for the legal costs of the lawsuit.

The Epoch Times reached out to the defendants for comment. The City of Abbotsford did not reply. Spokesperson Angelique Crowther of the FVRD said they had no comment on pending lawsuits.

Melody Wey at Emergency Management BC replied by email, stating: The Province takes the health and safety of British Columbians seriously in emergency situations. As the issue is before the courts, we are not in a position to comment further.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg chats with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko ahead of NATO-Russia Council at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Olivier Hoslet/Pool via Reuters)

Russia-NATO Council Concludes High-Profile Talks Aimed at Resolving Border Issues

A Russian delegation met with members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels on Jan. 12 to discuss security proposals amid Western concerns that Moscow may be planning to invade Ukraine.

The first Russia-NATO Council (RNC) meeting since July 2019 ended with the conclusion that there are significant differences between NATO and Russia that will not be easy to bridge.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg received Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko at allied headquarters for the high-profile talks. The alliances chief said it is a positive sign that the 30 NATO members and Russia sat around the same table and engaged in substantive topics, although it appears more dialogue is needed.

NATO allies are ready to meet again with Russia to have discussions in greater detail, to put concrete proposals on the table, and to seek constructive outcomes, he told reporters in Brussels.

Members of the alliance have said they would consider the Jan. 12 talks a success if Russia agreed to hold further talks. NATO is ready to negotiate with Moscow on increasing openness around military drills to avoid accidental clashes that could spark conflict, as well as arms control regarding missiles in Europe.

But allies pointed out that many of Russias demands, laid out in two draft treaties in December, are unacceptable, including calls to scale back the alliances activities to 1990s-era levels and promising not to take in new members.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman reaffirmed on Jan. 12 that any European nation should have the right to join NATOdespite Moscows demands against expansion.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is seen during NATO-Russia Council at the alliances headquarters in Brussels, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Olivier Hoslet/Pool via Reuters)

I reaffirmed the fundamental principles of the international system and of European security: Every country has the sovereign right to choose its own path, Sherman said in a statement on Twitter.

As the Russian delegation held talks on Jan. 12, the Russian military announced in a Jan. 11 statement that it conducted live-fire exercises involving 3,000 servicemen and 300 armored vehicles near Ukraines border.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the operation, held across several Russian regions bordering Ukraine and one region bordering Belarus, wasnt linked to the RNC meeting.

We are not negotiating from a position of strength; there is not, and nor can there be, any place for ultimatums here, Peskov said in Moscow as the talks were getting underway in Brussels.

But he said pan-European security was at a critical point and the West needed to respond to Russias concerns about NATO activities in former communist countries it sees as its backyard.

Earlier this week, U.S. and Russian negotiators kicked off the first of three key talks. The Jan. 10 meeting aimed at deescalating ongoing tensions over Ukraine concluded with no major breakthrough immediately in sight, according to senior diplomats on both sides.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, left, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attend security talks at the US Mission in Geneva, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Denis Balibouse/Pool via AP)

Unfortunately, we have a great disparity in our principled approaches to this, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said during a news conference on Jan. 10. The U.S. and Russia in some ways have opposite views on what needs to be done.

Sherman said on a conference call with reporters that some of the guarantees proposed by Russia are simply nonstarters for the United States, while Ryabkov thought the discussions were optimistiche noted that he doesnt see an understanding from the U.S. side that satisfies Moscow.

Ryabkov again laid out Moscows three demands on Jan. 9, saying theyre seeking no further NATO expansion, no missiles on Russias borders, and for NATO to no longer have military exercises, intelligence operations, or infrastructure outside of its 1997 borders.

The third round of talks will continue on Jan. 13 in Vienna at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a broader body where Russia, the United States, and Europeans are represented.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, pose for a picture after signing an agreement in Tehran, Iran on March 27, 2021. (AFP via Getty Images)

Sanction Chinas Oil Trade

Beijing is using small refiners to evade sanctions on Iran and Venezuela

News Analysis

Small refiners in China are evading U.S. sanctions on Iranian and Venezuelan oil exports by using false flags, old tankers, turning off ship transponders, and transferring oil mid-ocean between vessels to hide the origin of illegally-exported oil.

Irans crude oil sales, which jumped 40 percent in 2021, are primarily purchased by ChinaIrans biggest oil client. Other large purchasers of Iranian oil in 2021 are all close to Beijing, including the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Venezuela, and Russia.

Irans illegal oil exports are facilitated by the Biden administrations lax enforcement measures in its failed attempts at reviving the Iranian nuclear deal.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has supported global dictators and rogue nations before, including through its oil imports. After the United States imposed sanctions on Russia for its 2014 invasion of Ukraine, China increased its crude oil purchases from the territorially-aggressive nation.

Despite Burmas genocide against the Rohingya starting in 2017 and coup in 2021, China has invested heavily in an oil and gas pipeline that starts at the military dictatorships hydrocarbon fields off the Burmese shore and ends at the Chinese province of Yunnan.

China buys much of its oil from Iran despite the countrys support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi terrorism in the Middle East. To finance the terrorists and boost Irans economy, Tehran uses a so-called ghost armada of foreign-flagged vessels to avoid detection and skirt international authorities, according to Adam Kredo in the Washington Free Beacon on Jan. 7.

The countrys ships routinely turn off their onboard tracking devices, which is illegal, so that they do not appear on radars as they ferry the oil across international waters.

Congressman Scott Franklin (R-Fla.) noted on Jan. 10: Irans illegal oil shipments to China skyrocketed by 40% in 2021 because of @POTUSs [President Bidens] lax enforcement of sanctions. Enforcement is critical to preventing the regime from paying off its terror proxies and engaging in uranium enrichment.

According to a Bloomberg analysis on Jan. 10, Chinas refiners doubled imports of Iranian and Venezuelan crude oil in 2021, more total imports than in the prior three years.

A crude oil tanker is seen at Qingdao Port, Shandong Province, China, on April 21, 2019. (Jason Lee/Reuters)

Small refiners with assets and markets largely limited to China and its allies are able to ignore the risk of U.S. penalties in order to gorge on the cheap oil, according to the report.

Processors in China bought 324 million barrels of Iranian and Venezuelan crude in 2021 on the cheap, up 53 percent compared to 2020. In 2018, China purchased 352 million barrels from the two rogue nations.

U.S. sanctions on Venezuela and Iran, without tougher enforcement measures against small importers, actually drive rogue exporters to the Chinese market and benefit Beijing.

The risk that non-U.S. entities may lose access to the U.S. financial system or have their American assets frozen if found guilty of breaching the sanctions hasnt dissuaded them, according to the Bloomberg analysis.

A glut of unsold cargoes, rising international prices, and the issuance of more crude import quotas by Beijing, have incentivized the private refiners, known as teapots, to snap up more oil from the pariah states.

Official customs data does not typically include the small shipments of oil sold at below-market prices.

The crude from Iran, for example, sells at 10 percent cheaper to China, according to a tanker analyst from Braemar ACM Shipbroking Pte. The analyst, Anoop Singh, told Bloomberg that sanctioned oil is usually transported by aging ships that are better suited for the scrapyards.

Oil can be shipped directly from Iran and Venezuela on tankers that go dark by turning off their transponders, or by transferring the crude between vessels on the high seas, in order to hide its origins.

The illegal cargoes are often rebranded as originating in Malaysia and Oman, according to the Bloomberg report. While China claims that its last Iranian oil imports were in December 2020, shipments from Malaysia and Omanlikely with falsified origin papersrose dramatically the next month.

Beijings allowanceif not encouragementof illegal oil purchases from Iran and Venezuela undercut U.S. and allied attempts to promote democracy, free markets, and human rights globally. From the second quarter of 2020 to the first quarter of 2022, oil exports to China largely drove Irans economic rebound. This allows Iran and other rogue regimes to thumb their noses at human rights and democracy, secure in the belief that they will always have an export market in China. Tehran can afford a 10 percent discount if a guaranteed buyer in Beijing keeps its regime in power.

If dictators know that they can run to Beijing for their sanctioned exports, then U.S. sanctions could actually hurt the promotion of democratic values globally by further aligning the global economy with Beijing, and empowering the CCPs totalitarianism and aspiration to global hegemony.

To avoid this double-edged effect, the United States should enforce sanctions against not only relatively easy targets like Venezuela and Iran, or inaccessible targets like teapot refiners in China, but by taking the tougher, riskier, and ultimately more effective action of sanctioning larger and more accessible refiners in China itself for the transgressions of smaller, less accessible entities.

All Chinese refiners are ultimately controlled by the CCP, and benefit the CCP. So sanctions must be enforced and should be escalated where necessary to send the signal that America and its allies will not be deterred, boxed in, or fooled by Beijings fake companies and imports, or by Irans ghost ships.

The entire market in China is controlled by the CCP and should be treated as such whenever any part violates international law.

Beijings powerful surveillance technologies and state economic control must be aware of, and capable of stopping, the illegal trade in cheap sanctioned oil. But Beijing is profiting from the misery of Iranians and Venezuelans, and the instability caused to the U.S.-championed international system. So it falls upon the United States and allies to fix the problem.

The CCPs profit and growing threat to the international system and democracy can be stopped by escalating U.S. sanctions from small Chinese refiners to large Chinese companies with bigger global markets to lose. If even that fails, sanctions and tariffs can and must be increased on the entire country.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A supplied image obtained Monday, January 10, 2022 shows floodwaters impacting businesses in Maryborough, north of Brisbane, in the wake of former tropical cyclone Seth. (AAP Image/Supplied by Rapid Relief Team)

Second Australian Man Dies in Queensland Floods

An eight-year-old girl has spent the night clinging to a tree with her step mum after raging floodwaters in southeast Queensland claimed the life of her father.

The body of the girls 52-year-old dadidentified as Steve Bottcher of Bauplewas on Tuesday found at a property near Tiaro south of Gympie.

He is the second confirmed death from floods caused by remnants of Cyclone Seth dumping torrential rain on the region.

Police said it was remarkable the girl and 43-year-old woman were able to survive after their small boat overturned on Monday night.

Superintendent Michael Sawrey said the three family members got in a tinnie at about 6 p.m. on Monday to check on their property before tragedy struck.

He said the father has swept away when the boat capsized but the daughter and step mum were able to grab a tree.

Given the ferocity of the water it is remarkable for them to cling on somehow for all that time, he said.

The pair were located and taken to hospital suffering hypothermia when witnesses heard their screams and emergency services were called out to the property almost 12 hours after the boat had overturned, at about 5.30 a.m.

The mans body was later found almost 300m from where the boat had capsized.

Bottchers family paid tribute to the 52-year-old on social media.

Message from the Bottcher family  Jenny, Christine, Bradley and myself have lost our beautiful brother Steve Bottcher  in the Mary River, Tiaro last night. RIP Steve we love you with all our heart  Leanne Robertson, a post on Facebook group Beautiful Bauple said.

Superintendent Sawrey hailed the magnificent job done by emergency services but said the family had no business being in the water.

Unfortunately weve had a number of tragedies through this and we just plead to people: stay away from floodwaters, he said.

The body of a 22-year-old was found in a submerged ute on Saturday, while police hold grave fears for a 14-year-old girl who has been missing for three days.

Krystal Cain was last seen by her father after they abandoned their flooded car near the Burnett Highway at Booubyjan on Saturday morning.

Emergency services and volunteers have been searching on boats, trail bikes, 4WD vehicles and even on horseback for the teenager.

We have grave fears, but we still hold hope of finding this young lady, Sawrey said.

Meanwhile, financial assistance is now available for residents affected by flooding in 13 areas in the Fraser Coast and Gympie regions, including Maryborough which was visited by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Tuesday.

Up to $180 per person and a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more will be available through state and federal funding.

Low-interest loans of up $250,000 will also be available for primary producers and small businesses impacted by the floods.

National Recovery and Resilience Agencys Shane Stone will arrive in Maryborough on Wednesday.

Palaszczuk said on Tuesday former Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey had been appointed to lead the areas recovery.

She said 30 homes and 50 businesses have been damaged by floodwaters in Maryborough alone after about 650mm of rain fell in less than 24 hours.

A broken valve in the stormwater drain system allowed floodwater to surge through when the Mary River peaked just short of 10m on Monday night.

Police revoked an emergency declaration for Maryborough on Tuesday, but roads remain closed.
Shelf Life of 1 Million COVID-19 Tests Expired in Florida Warehouse Has Been Extended

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the expiration date for nearly 1 million COVID-19 rapid tests that expired in a Florida warehouse at the end of December.

The shelf life of the expired COVID-19 rapid test kits, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, has been pushed back three months to March, after expiring late last month.

It comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss administration received backlash after the Republican governor confirmed last week that the kits sat in a warehouse during the fall when demand was low.

Florida Department of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie told reporters last week that the tests expired before Dec. 26 to Dec. 30.

We had between 800,000 and a million Abbott test kits in our warehouse that did expire, he said, alongside DeSantis.

He said at the time that he would request an extension on their shelf life from the White House.

Responding to news of the three-month extension, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a candidate for governor in the state, in a statement to the Miami Herald highlighted reports of lengthy lines for COVID-19 tests amid a surge in cases largely driven by the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

Floridians were waiting hours in lines to receive potentially lifesaving information while the state was sitting on expiring tests, said Fried. Now that we know their usage is going to be extended, my question for the governor is this: What is the plan to immediately get them out to the public?

The Epoch Times has reached out to DeSantiss office for comment.

Guthrie last week said there was not a demand for COVID-19 rapid tests before the kits expired.

Meanwhile, in December, footage of lengthy lines at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Miami went viral, showing cars bumper-to-bumper stretching into the distance.

A report by public health experts at the University of Florida last week forecast that most of the states population could be infected by the latest COVID-19 wave.

Its good news in the sense that the wave will be over certainly by the end of January, said University of Florida professor Ira Longini, who was involved in the research. The bad news its going to be very intense for the next couple weeks with lots of cases and it probably will put a strain on our hospital resources.

A British doctor meanwhile said he believes the Omicron strain of the novel coronavirus is the first ray of light toward COVID-19 turning endemic.

The thing that might happen in the future is you may see the emergence of a new variant that is less severe, and ultimately, in the long-term, what happens is COVID becomes endemic and you have a less severe version. Its very similar to the common cold that weve lived with for many years, Dr. Mike Tildesley, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M) and a University of Warwick professor, told Times Radio on Jan. 8.
Skid Row: The Broken Heart of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELESAs the morning sun created dramatic shadows against the skyscrapers of Los Angeles, a man stood in the middle of 7th street blocking traffic and looking in his pockets for something that wasnt there.

He ignored the traffic, while cars gently moved around him and carried on with their commutes, until he slowly dragged his feet to an encampment-filled sidewalk. Simultaneously, a man began to urinate openly in public, as a mother quickly turned her head the other way while she pushed a stroller along the busy roadway, as the sidewalks were no longer useable, covered in tents and tarps.

The Skid Row area of Los Angeles, roughly 50 city blocks within the downtown epicenter, is typically marked by the perimeter of Alameda and Main streets to the east and west, and 3rd and 7th streets to the north and south. The homeless community concentrated within this area makes up more than a quarter of Los Angeles Countys approximately 66,000 unsheltered individuals.

The areas troubled history dates back to the late 1800s as the last western stop for the United States transcontinental railroad, where a constant population of transients and job-seekers were greeted with cheap hotels, bars, and brothels.

A century later, in 1975, Los Angeles city officials developed a plan to concentrate homeless outreach groups and resources within the Skid Row area, hoping to assist the large number of homeless individuals in obtaining resources in one set location. As a result, activists say the homeless population itself became more and more concentrated within the area.

A homeless person in downtown Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Crime has long been a problem on Skid Row, as well as the availability of drugs that have kept so many sleeping on its streets. In 2021, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported (pdf) that drug and alcohol overdoses continue to be the leading cause of death for these homeless individuals.

While transportation-related injury, homicide, suicide and liver disease mortality rates decreased slightly in 2019, the rate of overdose deaths increased by about 13% compared to 2018, and by 84% compared to 2016, the report stated.

Every drug except fentanyl had a decrease in the percentage of deaths  Because fentanyl is cheaper and more addictive than other drugs, drug sellers often blend it with other drugs to increase profits.

Crystal meth, often mixed with fentanyl, can be purchased for only $2.00 per hit on Skid Row. A large portion of the homeless population has become addicted to the substance, which leads to harsh physical symptoms and mental characteristics similar to schizophrenia.

I would say the majority of the population is struggling with drug addiction, with alcohol addiction, and dealing with mental health, and I would say that another small portion of the population are people down here are taking advantage of those who are addictedthe drug dealers, Antwone Sanford, outreach manager for the Los Angeles Rescue Mission, told The Epoch Times in June.

We cant identify them, but we know it is happening. Its very dangerous living in Skid Row. You have people in a very hurt state, and you have people taking advantage of them.

LA Rescue Mission worker Antwone Sanford speaks in front of the building in Skid Row, Los Angeles on June 9, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Locals say the state of Skid Rows sidewalk encampments has gone from bad to worse, with more tents, drug availability, and instability.

When you come down and you want to help a homeless person, you want to give them a tent to help  but it really doesnt help, because what it does is put them in a comfortable setting with their addiction, to use drugs, and to also be taken advantage of, Sanford said.

I think we really need to revisit encampments, because when a person uses drugs, they go into a state of euphoria in their mind, and they stay locked in their encampments.

On 6th Street, a man walking in front of a shop suddenly dropped to his knees and started violently screaming into the air, the veins on his forehead becoming visible. After seeing his reflection in a vacant storefront window, he appeared to snap out of his distress and continued slowly walking to an unknown destination.

From his location, a short walk toward the 110 Freeway leads to the Financial Districtseveral blocks of luxury hotels, fancy restaurants, and apartments that can cost as high as $28,560 per month in rent.

In 2021, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the allocation of $1 billion to combat the citys homeless crisisone year after the launch of Project Roomkey, a state-funded program that was to equip 15,000 unused hotel rooms to house the citys homeless population. A year after its launch, only about 1,690 rooms had been used by the countys unsheltered community.

By the looks of it, Skid Row is not getting better but getting worse, with an even greater influx of homeless people on drugs in the area, where its common to see people shooting up with needles on the sidewalk in broad daylight, while cars, including police, just drive on by, said Ryan, a Christian ministry worker from Los Angeles who visits Skid Row on Wednesday nights to encourage the homeless community.

I believe over time it can become safer, but right now its like the Wild West, and a free-for-all.

A homeless encampment in downtown Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Other ministry workers share similar constraints as they try to bring hope to the lost in Los Angeless most dangerous neighborhood.

The Union Rescue Mission has been serving the homeless community since 1891. Rev. Andrew J. Bales, CEO of the Mission since 2005, said that over the past year, the area has experienced an increase in violence.

[Its] more desperate, more violent crime and shootings, a very high percentage of increase in overdoses and lifesaving Narcan responses, he said.

[Theres] a continued failed policy by LA County and LA City of corralling and containment of homeless people on Skid Row, centralized services, and a failure to follow Federal Judge David Carters ruling to immediately house and shelter all who are on the streets of Skid Row.

Despite these challenges, Bales and his team continue to provide their services to the homeless community and aim to decentralize Skid Row by creating satellite outreaches throughout Los Angeles County.

A continuation of making it a dumping ground of our most vulnerable people [is] not just, Bales told The Epoch Times.

Austin, a homeless man from Boston, stands near his bicycle in downtown Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Near sidewalk tents off of 6th street, a man in his mid-20s with orange-dyed hair quickly ignited a conversation.

Austin, from Boston, told The Epoch Times he had been living on the streets of Los Angeles for the past three months.

Im trying to get a movie production going, he said, as he fumbled with the bags he was carrying.

But its hard obviously, so I panhandle. I try to have a different approach to panhandling by dying my hair and having a British accent. It seems to help!

While saying goodbye, he picked up his bicycle and struggled to mount it while carrying all of his luggage and other possessions.

There are no easy solutions, with Los Angeless homeless population projected to grow to nearly 90,000 by the year 2023. Skid Row remains the largest homeless community in Los Angeles and one of the largest in the United States.
Illegal immigrants wait for Border Patrol by the border fence after crossing the U.S.Mexico border in Yuma, Arizona, on Dec. 9, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Study: Illegal Aliens Getting Free Lawyers Paid by Local Governments

All across the country, city and county governments are creating programs that provide free legal representation at taxpayer expense to illegal aliens contesting deportation orders, according to a new report by the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI).

These programs are an insult to every law-abiding American citizen and legal resident, Dale L. Wilcox, executive director and general counsel of IRLI, said in a statement.

Our laws clearly state that non-citizens charged with civil offenses do not have a right to legal representation. Yet we have radical anti-borders groups starting these programs and sticking unknowing citizens with the bill. Its outrageous.

Founded in 1986, IRLI is a public interest law firm that describes itself as being dedicated to achieving responsible immigration policies that serve our national interest.

According to IRLI, a deportation defense program is any initiative that provides representation and/or other legal services to a non-citizen facing deportation proceedings, typically at reduced or no cost to the defendant.

Under U.S. law, illegal aliens and other non-citizens facing deportation orders do not have a right to legal representation because immigration law is a civil matter, not a criminal one, the IRLI stated, in a press release.

The Sixth Amendment states that a defendant in criminal proceedings has a right to the Assistance of Counsel. In Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution applies the Sixth Amendment to the states, creating a right for defendants in criminal proceedings unable to afford their own lawyers to have the state appoint and pay for attorneys on their behalf.

According to the American Bar Association, there is such a thing as a civil right to counsel, but its not a widely accepted concept.

Civil right to counsel, which is sometimes called Civil Gideon, refers to the idea that people who are unable to afford lawyers in legal matters involving basic human needssuch as shelter, sustenance, safety, health, and child custodyshould have access to a lawyer at no charge, the ABA states.

The Gideon reference is linked to the famous Supreme Court ruling that individuals charged with serious crimes have a right to counsel. While this right exists in criminal matters, it exists at present only in very limited circumstances in civil matters.

The left-leaning Vera Institute of Justice, headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y., favors expanding the right to taxpayer-provided counsel and proposes creating a taxpayer-funded federal defender service to provide legal representation to all people in immigration proceedings who cant afford a lawyer.

In the meantime, Vera has served as the main catalyst for the proliferation of existing deportation defense programs for illegal aliens, IRLI reports.

According to Veras website, individuals in deportation proceedings may hire an attorney, but they are not provided with one if they cant afford it themselves.

Although the Sixth Amendment guarantees counsel for the accused in all criminal prosecutions, those protections do not apply to immigrants facing deportation, which are considered civil proceedings, the website states.

Because very few can afford to hire a lawyer, most immigrants face deportation proceedings alone and without any legal defense.

The IRLI report states that Vera frequently gives one-time grants to local governments that initiate these deportation defense programs in hopes that the programs will become permanent. Its first program started in 2013 in New York City and was known as the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project.

Programs like it have proliferated since then, according to IRLI. Over the past year alone, new programs have been started as other temporary programs have been made permanent and had their budgets increased.

In a July 2021 statement, Vera celebrated that various communities successful[ly] demand public investment in representation for immigrants.

Vera acknowledged that in California, Santa Ana increased and made permanent funding for its universal representation program, and Long Beach committed to leveraging federal sources of stimulus and recovery funding to aid an increase in public funding for the Long Beach Justice Fund. San Diego launched a new $5 million legal defense program, the first of its kind in a border county.

Indianapolis created a new immigration legal defense fund, and Philadelphia increased fiscal 2022 funding for the Pennsylvania Immigrant Family Unity Project (PAIFUP), according to Vera.

Philadelphia doesnt describe itself as a sanctuary city, preferring to label itself a Welcoming City, according to a 2018 statement: We do not allow our City employees, including police officers, to ask about the documentation status of people they encounter.

According to IRLI, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, a Democrat, announced in 2019 the creation of PAIFUP, a collaborative effort between Vera and the city to counter the alleged hate emanating from the Trump administration, which was perceived as taking a hard line on immigration issues. City taxpayers kicked in the first $100,000, and Vera and the Samuel S. Fels Fund donated another $200,000.

The program was in jeopardy in 2020 during the pandemic lockdowns that led to mass layoffs and reduced government budgets. Even though Philadelphia was about to zero out the program, city leaders somehow not only found a way to maintain the program amid a financial crisis, but doubled taxpayer commitment to $200,000 for next fiscal year, IRLI stated.

PAIFUP said it had no eligibility criteria other than income and a lack of private counsel and that it didnt exclude individuals based on prior criminal convictions, residency, or any other reason.

The Epoch Times reached out for comment to the Vera Institute of Justice by telephone and email but didnt receive a response by press time.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul heads to the podium for a news conference in Kenosha, Wis., Sept. 21, 2020. (Dan Truttschel/Kenosha News via AP)

Suit Accuses Wisconsin Attorney General of Racial, Gender Discrimination

A woman appointed in December to head the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation has filed a federal lawsuit charging the states Attorney General Josh Kaul and a deputy with racial and gender discrimination.

Tina R. Virgil filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, alleging pay discrimination because she is black and harassment that she says she reported but was never addressed.

She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against Kaul and Deputy Attorney General Eric Wilson.

Virgil, 57, was named administrator of the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) on Dec. 19, 2021, based on the recommendation of three law enforcement experts outside the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

She is paid nearly $133,000 a year, up from $116,000 in her previous post, and is a 29-year veteran of the department.

The DCI investigates crimes of statewide relevance, including homicide, arson, government corruption, drug trafficking, computer crimes, and crimes against children.

Virgil said in the lawsuit that when she was named to her previous job as head of the Division of Law Enforcement Services (DLES) in December 2019, she was paid less than the white male incumbent.

At the time, the suit says, she was the lowest paid division administrator in the Department of Justice (DOJ). All of the other administrators were white. She was paid less than some deputy administrators and executive directors, all of whom were white, the suit said.

Kaul, elected to Wisconsins top law enforcement post in 2018, was made aware of the discrepancies, but did nothing to rectify them it was alleged.

A white woman named to head the Division of Management Servicesa smaller and less complex division than the one Virgil oversawwas paid more than Virgil, the lawsuit said.

It also alleged racial and gender harassment that began shortly after Virgil was named head of DLES.

The harassment was allegedly committed by Wilson and the then-head of DCI, who is not a defendant in the suit.

Virgil said her telephone calls were secretly recorded in violation of Wisconsin law and the recordings used to launch a disciplinary investigation of her.

She alleged that Kaul paid the memberships in professional organizations for various top DOJ administrators, but refused to pay for her similar expenses.

Wilson told Virgil it would be an embarrassment for Kaul to pay for Virgils memberships, the suit contended. Kaul was aware of Wilsons comment.

Gillian Drummond, director of communications for Wisconsins DOJ, said the department denied the claims in the lawsuit.

Throughout his time in office, AG Kaul has worked to make DOJ more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and collaborative, and DOJ is committed to ensuring that all of its employees are treated equitably, Drummond said in a statement.

An independent agency previously conducted a thorough investigation of similar allegations made by Administrator Virgil and it was found that the evidence did not support the allegations of work-rule violations.

Disappointingly, the new complaint contains a number of false or misleading statements.

Virgil made similar allegations in a complaint filed in April 2021 with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

An outside review of the allegations commissioned by the DOJ could not substantiate the claims, according to reports made public in June 2021.

Virgils attorney, Lester Pines, dismissed the conclusions, because they were not part of an adversarial process that would establish the credibility of witnesses.
Supreme Court Denies Appeal of ISIS Bride Hoda Muthana

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal of a woman who left home in Alabama to join the ISIS terrorist group, but then decided she wanted to return to the United States.

The justices declined without comment on Monday to consider the appeal of Hoda Muthana, who was born in New Jersey in October 1994 to a diplomat from Yemen and grew up in Alabama near Birmingham.

Muthana left the United States to join ISIS in 2014, apparently after becoming radicalized online.

While she was overseas the government determined she was not a U.S. citizen and revoked her passport, citing her fathers status as a diplomat at the time of her birth. Her family sued to enable her return to the United States.

A federal judge ruled in 2019 that the U.S. government correctly determined Muthana wasnt a U.S. citizen despite her birth in the country. Children of diplomats arent entitled to birthright citizenship. The familys lawyers appealed, arguing that her fathers status as a diplomat assigned to the United Nations had ended before her birth, making her automatically a citizen.

Muthana surrendered to U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces as ISIS terrorists were losing the last of their self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria and going to refugee camps.

Muthana said she regretted her decision to join the group and wanted to return to the United States with her toddler child, the son of a man she met while living with the group. The man later died.

Her current whereabouts arent clear. Family attorney Christina Jump of the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America did not immediately return an email seeking comment Tuesday.
A man checks his phone as ice floes build up on the Fraser River in New Westminster, B.C., on Dec. 28, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

How the Government Gets Canadians Cellphone Data

Besides data from carrier Telus, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has been relying on companies that collect data through smartphone apps in order to get anonymized movement records of Canadians, The Epoch Times has learned.

It was revealed in December that PHAC has been conducting mobility analysis of Canadians, in part to inform pandemic policies and public messaging and to assess the effectiveness of lockdowns. PHAC said it did not and will not track individual Canadians, but rather looks at anonymized trends.

The Epoch Times subsequently reported that PHACs data was sourced from Teluss Data for Good program and Canadas Communications Research Centre (CRC).

The CRC now tells The Epoch Times that it procures its cellphone data from commercial vendors of crowd-sourced information that collect data through smartphone apps to gather anonymized movement records of Canadians.

CRC is obtaining data from Tutela, a company that specializes in measuring the performance and coverage of mobile networks. Tutela has offices in Victoria, B.C., and Boston, Massachusetts, and is linked to U.S.-based company Comlinkdata, with the two sharing the same Boston address.

Tutela says on its website that it collects data from 300 million smartphone devices worldwide, doing so by embedding its software within over 3,000 applications.

Its not clear which applications specifically run Tutela software, but it could be anything from games to weather apps. This means some of the apps on Canadians phones could be transmitting data back to Tutela, which then resells the data to various buyers such as telecommunications companies and at least one government body.

Tutela says the data is collected with the consent of users and that it does not gather any persistent device identifiers or personal information that directly identifies individuals. A section of its website lists options for people to opt out of having their data collected, such as by uninstalling the apps entirely or by not allowing apps running Tutela software to access location data.

The Epoch Times reached out multiple times to Tutela for comment but didnt hear back.

Whether the data is obtained from Telus or commercial vendors like Tutela, CRC says the data contains information for an anonymous, varying, and random subset of smartphone devices. All personal identifiers were removed before CRC received the data, so it was not possible to identify specific individuals.

Such data is useful for drawing aggregated conclusions about population-level statistics with respect to smartphone experience and mobility, it is not useful for tracking specific smartphone users, a CRC spokesperson said in an email.

The organization says the type of data received is similar to what traffic applications collect to pinpoint locations of vehicle congestion, and the data is used similarly.

It also says PHAC has not been receiving the data directly, nor has any other government department. What has been shared with PHAC are rather aggregated assessments of the mobility of Canadians.

The CRC says its mandate is to analyze wireless service performance and spectrum supply and demand in Canada, and this is why it procures datasets from vendors like Tutela.

Beyond Pandemic Policies

PHAC posted a request for proposal (RFP) last December to enlist the services of a contractor to obtain cellphone data directly from cell towers instead of relying on a carrier like Telus, the CRC, or commercial vendors that might not have as broad a reach. The purpose is to collect mobility data from as many devices in Canada and not just a subset tied to a specific network or those that run app-embedded software like Tutelas.

While PHAC seeks the anonymized mobility data to inform current pandemic policies, it also wishes to expand the program to other public health issues.

The Conservative Party has pursued the matter and called for an emergency meeting of the House of Commons Ethics Committee to be held on Jan. 13 to look at PHACs program.

At a press conference on Jan. 10, Conservative MP John Brassard, critic for ethics and accountable government, questioned why PHAC has been analyzing the movements of Canadians in secret, given the program only became known after the agency posted its RFP in mid-December.

It should not be lost on anyone that PHACs requests for proposal is being undertaken without any indication that this was about to occur, with no ability for parliamentary scrutiny to determine what this information has been used for, he said.

Brassard also said the RFP was conveniently posted a day after Parliament adjourned for the holidays and will be closing before Parliament reconvenes on Jan. 31, leaving no time during this period for questions to be asked by parliamentarians before it is too late.

As MPs have started to look at the issue, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) told Global News it is now also looking into the matter after receiving complaints.

Meanwhile, it would appear Ottawa has been leveraging what is dubbed surveillance capitalism, where peoples data has become a prized currency for anything from big technology firms to marketing agencies and governments.

Canadas privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien wrote in his annual report tabled Dec. 9 that while we have seen state surveillance modulated to some extent, the threat of surveillance capitalism has taken centre stage.

Personal data has emerged as a dominant and valuable asset and no one has leveraged it better than the tech giants behind our web searches and social media accounts.
12 F-16V fighter jets perform an elephant walk during an annual New Year's drill in Chiayi, Taiwan, on Jan. 5, 2022. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

Taiwan Suspends F-16 Training Missions After Jet Crashes

TAIPEITaiwans air force on Tuesday suspended combat training for its F-16 fleet after a recently upgraded model of the fighter jet crashed into the sea in the latest of a series of accidents.

The defense ministry said the F-16V, the most advanced type in Taiwans fleet, went missing from radar screens after taking off from the Chiayi air base in southern Taiwan for a training mission over a coastal firing range.

President Tsai Ing-wen issued instructions to spare no efforts in the search and rescue mission and to further clarify the cause of the accident, her spokesman said.

The governments Rescue Command Center said witnesses had seen the aircraft crash into the sea and helicopters and ships were searching for the pilot.

Air Force Inspector-General Liu Hui-chien said the aircraft had only recently been upgraded to the V version, with new weapons systems and avionics.

Combat training for the F-16 fleet has now been suspended, he added.

In late 2020, an F-16 vanished shortly after taking off from the Hualien air base on Taiwans east coast on a routine training mission.

Last year, two F-5E fighters, which first entered service in Taiwan in the 1970s, crashed into the sea off the southeast coast after they apparently collided in mid-air during a training mission.

While Taiwans air force is well trained, it has strained from repeatedly scrambling to see off Chinese military aircraft in the past two years, though the accidents have not been linked in any way to these intercept activities.

China has been routinely sending aircraft into Taiwans air defense zone, mostly in an area around the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands but sometimes also into the airspace between Taiwan and the Philippines.

The Chinese regime claims the island as its own, despite the fact that Taiwan is a de facto independent country, with its own military, democratically-elected government, and constitution.
Taiwan National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin poses during an interview with Reuters in Taipei, Taiwan on April 23, 2021. (Ben Blanchard/Reuters)

Taiwan to Launch $1 Billion Lithuania Credit Fund Amid Beijing Pressure

VILNIUSTaiwan will launch a $1 billion credit programme to help fund joint projects between Lithuanian and Taiwanese companies in six business categories, a Taiwan government minister said on Tuesday.

Lithuania is under pressure from China which claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, to reverse a decision last year to allow the island to open a de-facto embassy in Vilnius under its own name.

China has downgraded diplomatic ties with Vilnius, and is pressuring companies, such as German car parts giant Continental to stop using Lithuanian-made components. It has also blocked Lithuanian cargos from entering China. Taiwan last week announced plans to set up a separate $200 million fund to invest in Lithuanian industries and boost bilateral trade as it tries to fend off Chinas diplomatic pressure on the Baltic state.

The investment and credit funds will help us strengthen the cooperation, Taiwans National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin told an online news conference.

The credit fund will focus on developing semiconductor talent and facilitating semiconductor development, as well as biotechnologies, satellites, finance and scientific research, said Kung.

Lithuanias Economy and Innovations Minister Ausrine Armonaite said her country planned to open a trade representation office in Taiwan in the spring.

Taiwanese companies are in need of laser projects, hopefully our laser companies will soon find partners in Taiwan and we will be very happy to facilitate the partnership, she said.

Taiwanese representations in other countries, except the unrecognized Somaliland, are named after Taiwans capital Taipei.

U.S. diplomats have expressed strong support for Lithuania, calling Chinas pressure economic coercion.

Lithuanias Foreign Minister said he would discuss the Chinese pressure with his European Union counterparts on Friday.

By Andrius Sytas
A group of teenagers built a shelter for a five-year-old boy who uses a wheelchair after becoming aware that he got wet while waiting for the school bus during the winter.

Ryder Killam has had to battle rain, wind, and snow for about 15 minutes every day for the last three years, using only a patio umbrella as protection.

However, after learning about his problem, local students in Bradford, Rhode Island got to work and built him his own bus shelter for the bottom of his driveway during their construction lessons.

Ryder uses it every day before school and his nurses wait inside it every day while they await his return home, Ryders father, Tim, 39, said. He does like to go hang out in it from time to time as his fort as well.

Ryder was born with spina bifida myelomeningocele and has never been able to walk. He began using a wheelchair only when he was two years old. In June 2019, Ryder started attending inclusionary preschool Dunns Corner Elementary and had to be pushed for 75 feet to the end of the road to wait for his school bus by his parents Tim and Nikea, 39.

Due to his condition, if Ryder was running late on any given day he was unable to rush for this bus like his peers. Thus in order to avoid missing the bus, hed have to wait for up to 15 minutes out in whatever weather it was.

In September 2021, when Ryder started kindergarten, Tim decided to put up a patio umbrella at the end of his driveway to provide some shelter from the elements.

The problem is with the wind and fall weather here in New England it really didnt accomplish much unless it was just a rainy day with no wind, otherwise he still would get wet and not stay warm, Tim said.

To find a solution for his son, Tim decided to reach out to their community to see if anyone had anything that would work to protect Ryder from the elements.

I placed a post on Facebook looking to see if one of my friends or one of their connections might have an old bus hut, Tim, who runs a marine electronics company, said. I see them here and there on peoples property and figured maybe someone had one and had grown children that might not need it anymore.

After putting up the post, Tim was suggested by a WPS member to reach out to the construction class at Westerly High and ask if they would want to take on the project of building Ryder a bus stop hut.

Tim then sent Dan McKena, who had been teaching construction technology at Westerly High School for the past 27 years, an email asking if hed be interested in this kind of project.

He responded with an absolutely and then he worked with his students to design, and build the hut, he said.

Three of Mckenas classes worked hard on the project for numerous weeks, learning new skills through YouTube as they created the structure, motivated by the cause and knowing that soon snow would be falling.

About $300 worth of wood was donated by Home Depot for the project, but the rest of the materials were purchased by the Killams for $600, who were kept updated with photos throughout.

The hut was built 58 feet so that it could fit both Ryder and one of his parents or a nurse comfortably. Six weeks after working on the project the hut was delivered to Ryders house on Nov. 2.

We were shocked, it was much bigger than we expected and allows such great access for Ryder and an adult to be with him comfortably, Tim said. Ryder  loved it and wants to hang out it in all the time.

The family sent a photo of Ryder in the bus shelter and thanked them for their hard work.

This project brought out community together a bit, it showed that there is still so much good in this world and town! Tim said.

It absolutely makes life easier, because the door to the bus is 75+ feet apart we can sit outside in the hut and stay out of the elements, Tim added. Because it is a bit of an effort to go from the house to the bus, and the ramp takes time to lower out of the bus to load him on, it absolutely has made things much smoother.

According to a Facebook post by Tim, in the middle of December, Ryder even got the opportunity to meet Westerly High School students and the teacher who built his bus hut.

Epoch Times Staff contributed to this report.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
L-R: Chad Prather, Lt. Col. Allen West, and Don Huffines are the three leading Republican candidates going up against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in the upcoming March 1 primary. (Courtesy of the candidates' website)

GOP Candidates for Texas Governor Call Abbotts Border Strategy a Failure

Three of the leading Republicans vying to oust Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, took the stage in the Houston metro area to talk policy on Jan. 10.

Don Huffines, Chad Prather, and retired Lt. Col. Allen West outlined their positions on abortion, property taxes, spending, education, and the southern border.

Abbott, who is seeking a third four-year term, was invited to the roundtable, but declined, according to organizers True Texas Project.

All three candidates took more conservative positions than Abbott on the issues addressed and disparaged the governors border security initiative Operation Lone Star, which was launched in March 2021.

They complained that Abbott has had years to take more action on the border, but has failed to effect any meaningful change.

Border Security

Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 1.2 million illegal aliens along the TexasMexico border in the first 11 months of 2021, according to Customs and Border Protection statisticsa 350 percent increase over the same period in 2020.

I love Mexico, but right now, theyre being a really bad neighbor, said Huffines, a commercial real estate developer from Dallas who also served as a senator in the Texas legislature for two terms. He said the federal government has failed, and will continue to fail, to secure the border.

I will never ask permission from the federal government to secure the Texas border, he said. Were not enforcing immigration law, were stopping an invasion.

Huffines said he would use the Texas military to apprehend and deport illegal border crossers.

He pledged to stop all inbound commercial traffic from Mexico into Texas until they take their side of the river back from the cartels.

Every road that leads to those bridges you paid for with your money, you maintained it. Those are all Texas roads. We can do anything we want to those roads. I am not worried about the litigation. Im not worried about the federal government. Im worried about Texas.

West pointed to his experience on the borders of Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan during his deployments with the Army. Hes a former U.S. representative for Florida and resigned as chair of the Texas GOP in 2021 to run for governor.

West called Operation Lone Star a failure and said hed establish a border control zone in the current border sectors from El Paso to Brownsville and get on the major infiltration routes.

Were going to make sure that our men and women that we put down there have the ability to arrest, to detain, and deport, he said, adding that sheriffs should have the same ability.

He pledged to have a physical barrier placed where its appropriate to funnel illegal traffic into areas where ground troops can easily interdict.

West would look to designate the Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and seize their assets to use as a state border security fund.

He would support a law to tax the money that illegal aliens send back to their home countries.

Were going to tax those remittances. The state of Oklahoma does it at 1 percent  Were gonna do it at 10 percent, West said.

Prather, a comedian and entertainer, predictably provided the audience with levity between the serious responses. Prather also has experience as a business executive and has spent over a decade in third world countries doing mission, humanitarian, and medical work, according to his campaign website.

He said the economic might of Texas gives the state extra leverage against federal overreach and sees the inability to staunch the border flow as a targeted attack from the Biden administration.

Weve got to disincentivize the reason these illegals are coming to the state of Texas, he said. Weve got to detect, weve got to deter, weve got to detain, weve got to deport. We cant be just sending people to a processing center where they get a slap on the wrist, a court date two years out that theyre not going to show up for.

Prather also supports squeezing Mexico financially through sanctions and using the international crossings as economic leverage.

He also supports putting a bill on the ballot that would allow Texans to vote to secede from the United States.

All three candidates said they support introducing a mandatory e-verify system, which ensures employees are legally authorized to work in the United States.

Other Issues

The three candidates indicated support for the elimination of property taxes and reduced government spending.

West said he would review and enforce the sunset provisions on government programs and agencies that had been set up 15 to 20 years ago. He wants to move to a budget system that starts from zero each year, rather than one that just adds to the previous years budget.

Huffines promised to cut the fat, including taxpayer-funded lobbying, saying, The budget is really everything.

Prather said there are currently 174 state agencies and so many need to go away.

Weve got to get government out of our lives, weve got to make it smaller, he said.

All three said they are pro-life candidates, with Huffines and Prather saying theyd ban abortions altogether. West said, I will do what the people have me to do.

Energy-wise, all three heralded Texas as an energy powerhouse with an independent grid that needs to be bolstered, rather than a big shift to alternative energy such as wind. West talked about bringing back clean coal plants, looking at nuclear options, and winterizing the natural gas system.

Huffines said retaining independence from the federal system is crucial.

We worked for decades, really 100 years since electricity was invented to make sure Texas had an independent grid, he said, adding that its not just about energy, but also cybersecurity, EMP pulses, and sources of manufacturing.

The three Republican candidates pushed back against critical race theory and woke policies in schools, as well as transgender athletes competing in womens sports.

Vaccine mandates and mask mandates would be permanently outlawed by all three through a special legislative session, rather than an executive order.

A total of eight Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for the March 1 primary. A primary runoff is scheduled for May 24. The remaining four Republican candidates are Paul Belew, Daniel Harrison, Kandy Kay Horn, and Rick Perry (not the former governor).

The winner of the Republican primary will likely face Democrat Beto ORourke, who narrowly lost against Sen. Ted Cruz in the 2018 U.S. Senate race, and failed in his 2020 presidential bid, withdrawing before the primaries.

Texas is an open primary state, which means voters can vote for any single candidate, regardless of party affiliation. Voters must be registered to vote by Jan. 31.
What does the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution have in common with the witch hunts in Europe? More than you might think. Its interesting that in our current climate with its wide cultural gap, conservatives denounce the Terror and progressives excoriate witch hunts. Yet, while apart in time and place, the events are eminently comparable.

Before getting deep into this, a little history refresher is in order. By witch hunts, Ill be referring to the European witch hunts, events that occurred mostly in the 15th through 17th centuries. The European witch hunts in general, or the question of Satanism, is too large a topic to address in one article, but Ill focus on one set of witch hunts: the North Berwick Witch Trials that took place in Scotland in 1590. These trials are a good example of the whole three centuries identified by scholars as the European witch craze. They are a good example because just as in almost all the other witch hunts, the roughly 70 victims were killed not by mobs but by the legal process itself.

Meanwhile, the Reign of Terror marks one act in the much larger drama of the French Revolution. The revolution started in 1789 and is generally held to end with rise of Napoleon in 1799. The Reign of Terror takes up less than a tenth of this period, from the fall of 1793 to the summer of 1794. While the Reign of Terror claimed at least 260,000 lives, considering war and mob violence, this article is concerned only with the 2,596 men and women who were sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Tribunal, a court set up by the revolutionary French government to try political crimes.

Dehumanization

Both the Revolutionary Tribunal and the North Berwick Witch Trials required certain beliefs and language to fuel their demands for blood. It was a rhetoric that made out its targets to be a different breed of human, or even less than human. In the North Berwick Witch Trials, this rhetoric was widespread. It was used by men of state, such as James VI, king of Scotland; it was even used by the witches speaking about themselves.

Take Agnes Sampson. Accused, she maintained her innocence in spite of torture, that is, until it was required that her body be searched for the Devils mark. After she endured this humiliating experience, perhaps doubly humiliating for a woman in a Christian society that demanded modesty, it was claimed that this mark was found in her private parts. Finally, according to Newes from Scotland, Agnes confessed that the Diuell made her and the other witches kisse his Buttocks, after which, he receiued their oathes for their good and true seruice towards him. Already placed outside the pale of humanity by the words and actions of those around her, Agnes upped the ante and cast herself as a witch.

The North Berwick witches meet the Devil in the local kirkyard, from a contemporary pamphlet, the Newes from Scotland. (PS-US)

During the Reign of Terror, just as in Scotland a century before, the leadership of the state played its role in furnishing the dehumanizing rhetoric that its court would implement. Aristocrats were condemned by their birth, whether they were on the side of the revolution or not. No Rights of Man for them; they must not be human anyway. Then there were all the other kinds of counterrevolutionaries. Who was included under this designation? The legislation listed such criminals as those who have sought to inspire discouragement or who disseminated false news. What was the punishment, according to this legislation? The penalty provided for all offences under the jurisdiction of the Revolutionary Tribunal is death. This penalty is only sensible, given that the greatest of the Terrorists, Maximilien Robespierre himself, had maintained in one speech that there were two peoples in France: the patriots and the counterrevolutionaries. Why consider mitigating any punishments for a people who had no human rights to begin with?

The Courts

Weve already begun to consider the role of law while considering the role of beliefs and rhetoric in these persecutions, and that is fitting. One mark of any good witch hunt and witch trial is how closely they muddle together the judicial system and mere opinions. Surely no court is ever completely unbiased by whatever opinions are popular and in the air, but the degree to which the witch trials mix them is unique.

The North Berwick Witch Trials are perfect examples of this because they were promoted by the king of Scotland (and England), James VI, and because the same James VI wrote a treatise on witchcraft, called Daemonologie. The private theorist of witchcraft was also a witness for the prosecution, a prosecutor, and if not officially a judge, a major influence in the sentencing.

Suspected witches kneeling before King James VI, from Daemonologie (1597). (PD-US)

The Revolutionary Tribunal is hardly a less perfect example of the mixing of opinion and judicial power, given that Robespierre was a public speaker, a legislator, and one of the men who brought the tribunal into being. Citizens : A Chronicle of the French Revolution recounts how Robespierres preoccupations with unmasking traitors were frequently mirrored in the judgments of the courts: His co-revolutionaries were condemned to death on trumped-up charges because they were merely suspected, for example, of having aristocratic blood. Robespierres obsession with republican (that is, revolutionary) virtue showed up in the tribunals condemnation of 22 men of a different political party to death. The stated reason was that they lacked virtue. What was the proof? They did not support all the extreme measures that Robespierre desired to take in exterminating the unvirtuous.

Shared Beliefs

Finally, a shared phenomenon of self-cannibalism unites these two series of trials. Innocent or not of other crimes, the women and men brought before the courts in North Berwick or the Revolutionary Tribunal in Paris were very often people who shared the same outlook as their persecutors. In the witch trials, people who believed in Christian teaching regarding the power of the devil condemned people who believed in Christian teaching regarding the power of the devil. In the Reign of Terror, people who believed in the principles of the French Revolution guillotined persons who fully believed in the principles of the French Revolution. The most extreme example is the trial and execution of the female author Olympe de Gouges, who had written a work titled Declaration of the Rights of Women and who repeatedly voiced her good revolutionary sentiments throughout her trial.

The execution of Olympe de Gouges, a feminist writer, during the Reign of Terror. (PD-US)

Comparing an event in the French Revolution to a witch hunt gains us greater and deeper understanding of both events. It also broadens ones capacity for understanding human nature, to see the common political venom in two situations: one commonly thought of as religious, and one associated with enlightened principles. It sheds light on the potential that new-fashioned moralisms have for violence, when they are dehumanizing and when they get adopted by the official legal and judicial system. Finally, it reveals one hidden danger of insisting too much on ideological purity. You may end up hurting the very people who are on your side. You may even condemn yourself.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, on Jan. 5, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Trudeau Says He Wants More Details Before Commenting On Quebecs Proposed Tax on Unvaccinated

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal health minister were pressed repeatedly on Jan. 12 to state their position on Quebecs proposal to tax the unvaccinated, but neither would commit, saying instead that more details are needed on the measure before they can comment.

Obviously, like people across the country, weve received that proposal with interest by the Quebec government, Trudeau said at a press conference in Ottawa as he provided a COVID update. But theres a lot more details that we have to hear on how this would work before I can make any comments on it.

Trudeau said details are important because he wants to make sure the measure respects the Canada Health Act. The act guarantees universal health care access to Canadians.

We have to know what will be the conditions of this proposal from Quebec to make sure its efficient and in line with the principles and values that are dear to us, he said.

When asked if he agreed in principle with the idea, Trudeau said the federal government has already enacted harsh measures on the unvaccinated, such as barring them from planes and the public service. He also said that additional measures were being considered.

We know that various jurisdictions are looking at a number of measures that will also encourage people to get vaccinated.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos also said he was awaiting the details, but mentioned hes discussed the matter with Quebec and said we are all on board when it comes to supporting universality of access to health care across Canada.

The issue of the legality of the measure has spurred debate, with some like the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) arguing it is a constitutionally vulnerable proposal.

The CCLA also raises the issue that it will penalize already marginalized people.

Quebecs proposal raises significant equity concerns, the acting General Counsel of the CCLA, Cara Zwibel, said in a statement.

We know that some of those who remain unvaccinated are individuals who face serious barriers to accessing health care, and many have a low level of trust in the system because of negative experiences in the past.

Zwibel pointed out that there arent any fines for people who make poor health choices or partake in high risk activities.

On Jan. 11, Quebec announced it would impose the tax on the unvaccinated through its revenue agency, with affected Quebecers having to pay an extra health contribution when filing their annual taxes.

The amount hasnt been revealed, but Premier Francois Legault said it would be significant.

The rationale for the tax is that because a higher percentage of unvaccinated are being hospitalized than the fully vaccinated, they should be penalized.

As of Jan. 11, government data says 82 percent of Quebecers are fully vaccinated but they represent 66 percent of hospitalizations for/with COVID-19 and 53 percent of ICU admissions in the last 28 days.

According to the data, the vast majority of COVID-19 deaths in the province (97.8 percent) are people with pre-existing medical conditions or over 60 years old (96.7 percent), suggesting COVID-19 mainly poses a grave health risk to specific segments of the population. Data on the health status of individuals currently hospitalized for/with COVID-19 is not available.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks as Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, seen via videoconference, participate in a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, on Jan. 5, 2022. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Trudeau Tells Children to Ask Parents for Vaccination

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging children to get vaccinated as he tried to speak to them directly during his press conference on Wednesday.

I want to end today by speaking directly to kids once again, he said. Please ask your parents if you can get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated protects yourself, protects your family, protects your grandparents, protects vulnerable people.

Trudeau said 45 percent of children aged 5 to 11 have been vaccinated across the country and We need to get more.

Vaccines have shown limited and waning efficacy in stopping transmission, especially with the highly mutated Omicron variant, and children have not been demonstrably seriously affected by COVID-19.

Quebec data, for example, reports 0.0 percent of total deaths occurred in the under 20 years of age.

In Ontario, eight deaths were reported for those under 20 years of age out of a total of 10,445 deaths, representing 0.076 percent of total deaths. Deaths counted as caused by COVID-19 also usually have a comorbidity or pre-existing medical condition. In Quebec for example, 97.8 percent of deaths counted as COVID-19 had a pre-existing condition.

Trudeau Snipes at OToole

Other than addressing children, the main topic of interest during the press conference was Quebecs planned tax on the unvaccinated, which Trudeau refused to take a position on, citing lack of details.

Trudeau was also asked to comment on the Conservative Partys allegation that he has been normalizing lockdowns.

Trudeau responded that his government has worked in many different ways to get people to vaccinate, including messaging and mandates.

Trying to pretend that rapid testing, or testing in general is as good as getting vaccinated is simply irresponsible, Trudeau said. Mr. OToole is more focused on appeasing the anti-vaxxers within his own caucus than he is on protecting Canadians and certainly than on supporting frontline workers.

The prime minister also attacked OTooles previous declaration that the unvaccinated should be accommodated, saying its exactly the wrong thing for a debate to still be brought forward by the Conservative Party on the issue of mandates.

Benevolence

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos also participated in the press conference and stressed on a few occasions that the key word to define vaccine mandates is benevolence.

Both the language and the actions are there and designed to protect people, he said.

No one I believe is thinking or certainly speaking of forcibly physically vaccinating people in Canada.

Duclos also said mandates are useful in increasing uptake, saying the vaccination rate increased six to 10 percent because of them.

The health minister also addressed the status of the approval process for therapeutics, saying the process is moving swiftly and that an announcement would be made very soon. Duclos said Canada has already secured 10 million doses of the Pfizer antiviral drug.

The issue of new vaccines such as Novavax and others for which Canada has a contract was also raised, but Duclos did not mention a timeline, only saying theyre undergoing a swift, efficient, and rigorous assessment on both the efficacy and safety.
This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says a test launch of a hypersonic missile on Jan. 11, 2022, in North Korea. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

UN Denounces North Korea, Very Concerned About Missile Launches

The United Nations has condemned the North Korean regime for its recent launch of ballistic missiles as the communist country flexes its muscles amid the current stalemate scenario with the United States regarding denuclearization and normalization of relations.

Weve obviously seen this launch, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Were very concerned, the Secretary-General is very concerned about this latest development and reiterates his call on the leadership in the DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) to comply fully with its international obligations under all relevant Security Council resolutions and will resume talks with the other parties concerned about the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

As weve said again, we are convinced and believe that diplomatic engagement is the only way to reach a sustainable peace and a complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

North Korean media reported a successful launch of a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5, which apparently maneuvered 75 miles laterally before it traveled 435 miles to precisely hit its target. The governments of Japan and South Korea claimed that it was a ballistic missile, and not hypersonic.

Hypersonic weapons fly faster than sound, at around 3,850 mph in lower altitudes. As such, theyre harder to intercept and more deadly than ballistic missiles.

Another missile was launched on Jan. 11, which is purported to have been another ballistic launch.

Neighboring South Korea detected the missile launch from northern Jagang Province into the sea off North Koreas eastern coast on Jan. 11, while Japans Defense Ministry claims the missile landed just outside the countrys exclusive economic zone.

The [South Korean] military is maintaining a readiness posture while closely monitoring related trends under close cooperation between [South Korea] and the U.S. in preparation for additional launches, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

That North Korea continues to launch missiles is extremely regrettable, said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

With back-to-back launches, some analysts are saying the first one might not have been a success. North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un has continued his aggressive military stance amid pandemic-related difficulties and strained international relations.

While the Biden administration has welcomed open talks with North Korea without any preconditions, the regime has brushed off the invitations, saying the United States must begin by withdrawing all sanctions and halting joint military drills with South Korea.

Even with North Koreas pandemic border lockdowns restricting trade and diplomacy, Pyongyang is determined to run an arms race against Seoul and deny Washington the luxury of focusing on Russia and China, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in the South Korean capital, told The Associated Press.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said that the intimidating missile launches didnt pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies.

However, some flight departures at U.S. West Coast airports were temporarily paused following the second missile launch. The Federal Aviation Administration said on Jan. 11 the order was given as a precautionary measure, and operations resumed after 15 minutes.
A missile is launched during what state media report is a hypersonic missile test at an undisclosed location in North Korea, on Jan. 11, 2022, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Jan. 12, 2022. (KCNA via Reuters)

US Imposes Sanctions on North Koreans, Russian, After Missile Tests

WASHINGTONThe United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on six North Koreans, one Russian, and a Russian firm it said were responsible for procuring goods from Russia and China for North Koreas weapons programs, an action that follows a series of North Korean missile launches, including two since last week.

The U.S. Treasury said the steps aimed to prevent the advancement of North Koreas weapons programs and impede its attempts to proliferate weapons technologies.

The sanctions were the first specifically targeting North Koreas weapons programs imposed by the Biden administration, which has sought unsuccessfully to engage Pyongyang in dialogue to persuade it to give up its nuclear bombs and missiles.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington remained committed to pursuing diplomacy with North Korea.

What we have seen in recent days  only underscores our belief that if we are going to make progress, that we will need to engage in that dialogue, he told a regular news briefing.

The Treasury Department said the sanctions followed six North Korean ballistic missile launches since September, each of which violated U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said the moves targeted North Koreas continued use of overseas representatives to illegally procure goods for weapons.

North Koreas latest launches were further evidence that it continues to advance prohibited programs despite the international communitys calls for diplomacy and denuclearization, Nelson said in a statement.

It said the State Department had designated Russia-based North Korean Choe Myong Hyon, Russian national Roman Anatolyevich Alara, and the Russian firm Parsek LLC for activities or transactions that have materially contributed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery.

It said Choe Myong Hyon, a Vladivostok-based representative of North Koreas Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS), had worked to procure telecommunications-related equipment from Russia.

Four China-based North Korean representatives of SANS-subordinate organizationsSim Kwang Sok, Kim Song Hun, Kang Chol Hak and Pyon Kwang Choland one other North Korean, O Yong Ho, were also targeted.

Sim Kwang Sok, based in Dalian, had worked to procure steel alloys and Kim Song Hun, who was based in Shenyang, software and chemicals, Treasury said.

North Koreas U.N. mission, Russia and Chinas embassies in Washington, and the Russian firm did not respond to requests for comment.

North Korean media said leader Kim Jong Un observed the test of a hypersonic missile on Tuesday, the second in less than a week after he vowed in a New Year speech to bolster the military with cutting-edge technology.

Tuesdays test came hours after the U.S. mission to the United Nations, joined by Albania, France, Ireland, Japan, and the United Kingdom, condemned last weeks launch and called on U.N. states to fulfill sanctions obligations.

U.N. resolutions ban North Korean ballistic missile and nuclear tests and impose sanctions.

Anthony Ruggiero, a sanctions expert in the former Trump administration, called the new sanctions a good start.

However, he said the Biden administration had allowed a reversal of sanctions pressure and added: Biden needs to continue the designations to increase the pressure on the Kim regime.

Price did not respond when asked why no Chinese individuals or entities were targeted, or specifically when asked if China and Russia were doing enough to enforce sanctions, but stressed the importance of all U.N. states doing so, while adding: Obviously weve not see all of that.

Wednesdays actions freeze any U.S.-related assets of those targeted and prohibit all dealings with them.
A vial of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine sits at a vaccination clinic in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 15, 2021. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

US Regulator Adds Bleeding Risk to J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheets

Food and Drug Administration officials on Tuesday added a bleeding risk to fact sheets for Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine.

Healthcare providers administering the vaccine and recipients and caregivers are now being told that theres a safety signal for immune thrombocytopenia, a disorder stemming from low platelet levels that can cause excessive bleeding.

Reports of adverse events following use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine under emergency use authorization suggest an increased risk of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) during the 42 days following vaccination, the regulator tells administrators (pdf).

The chance of having this occur is very low, it said in the sheet (pdf) for recipients and caregivers.

People who have been diagnosed with ITP before should discuss with their healthcare provider the risk of the condition from vaccination and a potential need to monitor platelets if they move forward with getting the vaccine.

Janssen is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (J&J). The company did not respond to a request for comment on the updates.

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, to which people file reports of post-vaccination adverse events, was not working on Wednesday.

When ITP occurs, blood doesnt clot as it should, according to the National Institutes of Health. The condition is due to a low number of platelets or thrombocytes. People with the condition may experience bleeding; signs of the condition include red or purple dots on the skin, nosebleeds, and heavy menstrual bleeding.

The European Medicines Agency, Europes drug regulator, added information about ITP risk following J&Js vaccine last year.

Administrators and recipients of the J&J vaccine in the United States were already warned that some people who have received the shot have been diagnosed with thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or low blood platelet levels combined with blood clotting.

Though the condition has rarely been reported following receipt of the vaccine, U.S. health authorities said last month the other COVID-19 vaccines authorized or approved in the country are preferred because of concern over the syndrome.

Only three vaccines have been cleared by U.S. regulators. The other two, one from Moderna and one from Pfizer and BioNTech, were created using messenger RNA technology. The J&J vaccine utilizes an adenovirus vector.

Still, people who are unable or unwilling to get the Moderna and Pfizer jabs should still get vaccinated with the J&J one, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has said.

As of Tuesday, just 17.8 million doses of the J&J shot have been administered in the United States, versus nearly 200 million Moderna shots and over 300 million Pfizer jabs.
Trade Representative Katherine Tai addresses the Geneva Graduate Institute on the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the global economy and U.S. policy priorities ahead of the 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Switzerland on Oct. 14, 2021. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

US Trade Chief Says Will Engage on UK Steel Talks When Time Is Right

WASHINGTONU.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai signaled on Wednesday that the United States is not rushing to complete a deal to ease tariffs on British steel and aluminum, saying that she will pursue these talks when the time is right.

Tai, speaking to an online event hosted by the Institute of International and European Affairs, an Irish think-tank, said the Biden administration will closely track developments between Britain and the European Union on Northern Ireland border issues. She added that she and President Joe Biden care deeply about supporting the Good Friday Agreement that maintains open borders.

Tai said it took six months to complete negotiations that led to a steel and aluminum trade deal with the European Union that gives EU steelmakers substantial duty free access to the U.S. market through a tariff-rate quota system.

USTR has formally started discussions with Japan on the U.S. Section 232 tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, she said, adding with the UK, its a matter of pragmatism.

We just need to have a process that makes sense, but the UK is very much on our minds and I am confident that we will take this up when the time is right, Tai said in response to a question on why Washington has not yet eased tariffs on UK steelmakers.

She also said that talks with Britain on steel and aluminum will be grounded in the Biden administrations efforts to deal with global excess capacity for the metals, largely centered in China.

By David Lawder
Walgreens, CVS Join Growing Number of Major Companies Cutting Paid Sick Leave for Unvaccinated Workers

CVS and Walgreens have joined a growing list of major companies in the United States who are cutting paid sick leave for unvaccinated employees who test positive for COVID-19.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) late in December updated its recommendations that people should isolate for five days after a COVID-19 infection, instead of 10, regardless of their vaccination status. The agency similarly shortened the time that close contacts of COVID-19 need to quarantine.

Officials said that the updated guidance was prompted by scientific evidence suggesting that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early on, within one to two days prior to the onset of symptoms and three days after symptoms emerge.

Since then, a string of companies including Amazon, Delta, Ikea, Kroger, and Walmart have announced they are ending certain benefits for unvaccinated workers in an effort to get more employees to take the shots, in line with a vaccine or test mandate that is set to be enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

CVS confirmed to Fortune that paid leave is available only to employees who are vaccinated, approved for a reasonable accommodation, or otherwise covered by local laws.

In line with changes to CDC guidance, we are currently providing five days of paid leave for eligible full- and part-time colleagues, except where state or city paid leave laws provide for more, a company spokeswoman said.

Walgreens said it will be providing COVID-19 paid sick leave benefits to both vaccinated and unvaccinated workers for five days through Feb. 23, after which it will only provide those pay benefits to employees who are fully vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious exemption.

Prior to the latest announcement, both CVS and Walgreens had offered workers up to two weeks of paid leave.

The Epoch Times has contacted a spokesperson for both CVS and Walgreens for comment.

On Monday, the Biden administrations vaccination mandate pertaining to private employers went into effect across the nation, despite the rule currently facing multiple legal challenges in the Supreme Court.

As of Jan. 10, 2022, businesses with 100 or more employees are now required to ensure that all employees have been fully vaccinated with either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one dose of Johnson & Johnsons, and they must provide paid leave to workers getting the vaccine.

Employers of businesses subject to the mandate must also keep track of workers vaccination status via a database, provide employees with their companys vaccine policy and procedures, and ensure unvaccinated employees wear a mask while indoors.

The rule is set to affect roughly 84 million U.S. workers and businesses that do not comply could face fines of up to $14,000 per violation.

However, the situation has left some businesses unsure as to how to proceed, given that the Supreme Court has yet to make a final decision on the rule which is being challenged by a number of business groups, along with the states of Ohio, Missouri, Louisiana, and more.

In November, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted the nationwide implementation of the rule. However, it was reinstated last month after the case was reassigned to the 6th Circuit.

While Supreme Court justices last week appeared to express some skepticism regarding the rule, they did not block the mandate from going into effect on Monday.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice attends a roundtable discussion on the opioid epidemic at the Cabell-Huntington Health Department in Huntington, W. Va., on July 8, 2019. (Saul Loe/AFP via Getty Images)

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Extremely Unwell After Getting COVID-19

West Virginias governor will not deliver a State of the State address after contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, announced late Tuesday that he tested positive for the disease despite receiving a vaccine and a booster shot.

Justice got tested using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which came back positive after a rapid test returned negative. He planned a second PCR test to confirm the results.

While I was surprised that my test results came back positive, Im thankful to the Lord above that Ive been vaccinated, Ive been boosted, and that I have an incredible support system, especially my loving family, the governor said in a statement.

That being said, I feel extremely unwell at this point, and I have no choice but to postpone my State of the State address to the Legislature, he added.

Justices office clarified that he will deliver the address by written message to comply with state requirements.

The governor developed congestion, a cough, headache, and fever, as well as elevated blood pressure and heart rate.

Once the test came back positive, Justice was treated with monoclonal antibodies, which studies show help prevent COVID-19 cases from worsening.

I hope this will lessen these symptoms, Justice said.

The governors office did not immediately respond to a request for an update on Justices condition.

An event he was supposed to attend on Wednesday, for a new deal between GreenPower Motor Company and the state to manufacture electric school buses, was still held, but attendees did not answer questions from reporters.

Justice, 70, is in two high-risk categories, being elderly and overweight.

Dr. Clay Marsh, West Virginias COVID-19 czar and vice president for health sciences at West Virginia University, said in a statement released by Justices office that I have full confidence that Governor Justice will recover quickly, and its because he chose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and his booster shot.

Without the immunity afforded by those vaccines, his outcome could be much worse, he said, adding that everyone is susceptible to the virus that causes COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines were initially promoted as being highly successful in preventing infection by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus but they lose that effect as time goes by from vaccination, with worse results against the Omicron virus variant.

Protection against severe disease has slipped as well, but not by as much.

Early data signals boosters can restore much of the lost protection, but that the effect of boosters wanes starting several weeks later.
Yahoo Japan Tells Employees to Work Remotely and Fly to Office When Needed

Yahoo Japan is offering employees an option to work from anywhere in the country, said the company recently, as the pandemic irrevocably and fundamentally alters the global work landscape.

The internet company informed its 7,100 employees that they dont need to regularly come to the office, and in circumstances when they are required to, they could be flown to work from any part of Japan.

As companies around the world are finding it difficult to bring back employees due to the sudden spike of Omicron, Yahoo Japan has evolved radically on the remote working trend in a country where long hours and attendance are staple components of work life.

As a result of interactions and surveys that found 90 percent of employee work performance did not change or even improved when working from home, were allowing Yahoo employees to live anywhere in Japan. This doesnt mean were denying the benefits of the office, youll be able to fly in when needed, said Kentaro Kawabe on Twitter on Wednesday in Japanese. Kawabe is the president of Z Holdings Corporation, the parent company of Yahoo Japan.

The program is expected to take effect from April 1 with the company increasing its daily commuting budget to $1,300 (150,000 yen), according to a Yahoo report. If a worker is instructed to be in office, they are recommended to live in a place from where they can reach the work premises by 11 a.m. the next day. Yahoo Japan will still encourage employees to meet up and socialize.

Companies have resorted to saving on real estate after the pandemic lockdowns forced them to stay out of offices. Instead of spending on real estate, businesses are equipping employees with the necessary technology to work and communicate online such as subscriptions to faster internet services, standing desks, ergonomic chairs, and Peloton classes. As economies gradually ease back to normalcy, it remains to be seen whether companies will resume the earlier work structure.

Yahoo Japan had planned to vacate 40 percent of its leased office space in Tokyo by the end of November last year, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. The 30,000 square foot meter area was spread across seven floors in Kioi Tower in Tokyos Chiyoda Ward and five floors in Minato Ward.

Since the pandemic began, only 10 percent of employees have worked in the office. The move is expected to save the company billions of yen in rent.

Panasonic, another Japanese conglomerate, also announced a change in its work schedule. The corporation now requires employees to work four days per week, after the government suggested the change last year.

We must support the well-being of our employees, Panasonic CEO Yuki Kusumi told investors at a recent briefing, according to Nikkei Asia.
ORANGE  The beloved owner of Chips Family Restaurant, known as much for his philanthropy as his pancake recipes, died peacefully Monday in the arms of his sister and business partner Dina Bajko after a yearlong battle with brain cancer.

Last night he gave me a gift. He passed very peacefully in my arms, said Bajko, whose brother was in hospice care at her home. I cant explain it, but it was beautiful. He gave me strength and continues to do so.

George Georgie Chatzopoulos, who grew the original Chips in Orange to four other communities  Fairfield, Wethersfield, Southbury and Southington  was 55.

He died two hours after his brother and niece arrived from Greece, and Bajko believes he waited for them.

Black bunting was draped around the bright-yellow Chips Family Restaurant sign Tuesday at the popular Orange eatery, 321 Boston Post Road, where it all began.

Bajko said her brother fought the brain cancer with all he had and remained positive through the last year. He had surgery, radiation, chemotherapy.

He fought back and he was so strong. George was the strongest person I know, she said.

Chatzopoulos, who friends say lived the American dream, came here from Greece with nothing in 1988, worked tirelessly at a diner in West Haven, saved money and bought the already existing Chips in 2003, bringing younger sister Bajko on as a partner. Later he expanded to open four additional Chips restaurants.

News of his death Tuesday left many in the community bereft, as he was not only an astute businessman, but a philanthropist with a larger-than-life personality who held countless pancakes for dinner and other fundraisers over the years in the restaurant, as well as donating his pancake batter, syrup, butter and coffee, and even lending equipment for community and church fundraisers.

One local merchant who didnt want to be identified said hes seen Chatzopoulos hand a $100 bill to a person who asked him for a quarter.

The Rev. Peter Orfanakos, pastor of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, said Chatzopoulos was a faithful member, and described his friend as a kind, generous, thoughtful, gregarious man who worked tirelessly at trying to have a positive impact on the people of our town and state.

He had a big heart and was always looking for ways to share the gifts that God had blessed him with, Orfanakos said. Over the years he supported many of the ministries of our parish including in 2011 when we worked together to raise $10,000 to help send a Connecticut Special Olympian to the International Special Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli called Chatzopoulos a wonderful friend.

He never said no to someone in need for a cause. You knew he was around before you saw him because his laugh would enter a room before him, always a hello and a laugh, Zeoli said. He will be missed. He never stopped thinking about next steps in business or in life. May he rest in peace.

Former Republican state lawmaker Themis Klarides, a close friend of the family and part of the Greek community, visited Chatzopoulos several times in recent days.

George is the epitome of the American dream.  When you look at what George did, that is what this country is all about, Klarides said. He worked hard, but he gave money all the time because he knew he was lucky.

Klarides said, even though his life was way too short, his life was a fuller than many ever will be.

Jody Daymon, one of three food superintendents for the Orange Country Fair, said shes done printing business with Chatzopoulos through her personal Barr Business Forms Co. and through the fair.

She said Chatzopoulos each year donated batter for his famous pancakes, syrup, butter, coffee and made arrangements for equipment. He recently added waffles to the scene.

He was very generous and kind. He believed deeply the best way to grow a business was to give back to the community in which he lived, Daymon said. George was a really interesting guy. He was a good person and he loved to party and have fun.

Bajko, the youngest of the four Chatzopoulos children, said she and George, 10 years her senior, were close since her birth.

We had a special bond, she said. He always took care of me. She said he treated her young sons as his own, and she and he were so much alike that work colleagues sometimes called her a Mini-George, she said.

Bajko said she and her siblings learned about helping the community from the example set by their parents and the generosity will continue in the community even though her brother no longer is here.

We grew up being very humble and just appreciating everything. We came here with nothing (from Greece), Bajko said. He had this passion, this strength, to take a business and keep building restaurants, and made sure every one of the restaurants would contribute to those communities, she said.

In addition to countless smaller fundraisers, for years (until COVID) Chips held a Thanksgiving Day fundraiser to collect thousands for various charities, and also held an annual spring dining fundraiser for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Annemarie Sliby , executive director of the Orange Economic Development Corp., said she was saddened to hear of Chatzopoulos passing.

He was a very kind and generous man and very involved in the Orange community. George served on the board of directors of the Orange Economic Development Corporations early years and was very instrumental in the corporations programs, Sliby said. Even when he left the board, he continued to contribute to our mission, while at the same time donating his time and resources to other town fundraisers. We are proud of the Chips empire he created that began in Orange. He will truly be missed.
NORWALK  An additional 5,700 at-home COVID-19 test kits are scheduled to be distributed to Norwalkers this weekend, by appointment only.

The kits, each containing two tests, will be distributed from 9 a.m. to noon at Veterans Park, according to a city statement.

Residents must register in advance for a 15-minute pickup slot. Appointments will be made available at 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to the statement.

Residents who received COVID-19 testing kits at Calf Pasture Beach last week are encouraged not to make an appointment for more tests. Additionally, residents are asked only to make an appointment if experiencing symptoms or have a known COVID-19 exposure.

I understand the frustration of not being able to find a test, and I am hopeful this distribution will help get tests into the hands of those who need them, Mayor Harry Rilling said. Please dont make an appointment to stockpile test kits for what-if scenarios. There is a limited supply, and we need to make sure they go to as many people as possible who need them now.

Norwalkers will be required to show proof of their appointment for test pickup and proof of residency, such as a photo ID or piece of mail, upon arrival. People who arrive prior to their appointment time may be turned away, according to the statement.

The kits distributed are iHealth at-home COVID-19 test kits, and there will be a limit of two kits per household, for a total number of four tests per household. No masks will be distributed at Sundays event.

This is the second mass distribution of at-home COVID-19 test kits by the city. The first, held on Jan. 4, saw nearly 8,000 single-test kits distributed at Calf Pasture Beach to the general public.

An additional 5,000 or so tests were distributed to first responders and people in congregate living settings across the city.

The number of tests to be distributed Sunday provided to the city by the state of Connecticut.

The city developed an online portal for residents to share their test results directly with the Norwalk Health Department. Residents are encouraged to report their test results at norwalkct.org/selfreport.

The Biden Administration is requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests, so people with private health coverage can get them for free starting Jan. 15, according to the statement.

abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
A mother and daughter from Canterbury pleaded guilty Tuesday to their involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to federal court documents.

Jean Lavin and her daughter, Carla Krzywicki, each pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. The charge carries, at most, a six-month prison sentence, a five year probation term and a $5,000 fine, federal court documents state.

The two were arrested in September and were also originally charged with entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. However, since they both signed plea agreements, their remaining charges will be dismissed.

Lavin and Krzywicki were among five Connecticut residents who were charged in connection with entering the Capitol building.

Court documents state Lavin traveled with her daughter, Carla Krzywicki, from Connecticut to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021 to attend a rally for then-President Donald Trump, court documents state.

While carrying a sign that read Trump won and Dont allow 7 states of cheaters to hijack our election, Lavin and her daughter followed a crowd, went around a barricade and onto the Capitol grounds. The two then climbed a bike rack that rioters formed into ladders and went inside the Capitol building, court documents state.

Lavin and Krzywicki entered the Capitol through the Senate wing door around 2:24 p.m. and left around 2:56 p.m. During their time, they saw a crowd push past police officers in the crypt and witnessed the violent second breach of the Senate Wing Door by rioters, court documents state.

The Capitol riot caused almost $1.5 million in damage, court documents state. Through the plea agreement, Lavin is paying $500 in restitution.

The plea agreement also will allow law enforcement to review the mother and daughters social media accounts near the time of the riot.

Anyone with information related to individuals who unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol building Jan. 6 can submit a tip online at Tips.FBI.gov. Tipsters can also call 800-225-5324.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com
A handful of Connecticut municipalities have announced additional events where residents can get free at-home testing kits for COVID-19 and N95 masks supplied by the state.

Most cities and towns held similar events last week that were quickly overwhelmed as demand for tests outstripped the limited supply available. As before, officials say the events are restricted to local residents, and that proof of residency will be required.

That came after Gov. Ned Lamonts much discussed plan to deliver 500,000 tests to residents before New Years Eve fell through at the last minute. The governor later secured a slightly smaller shipment of about 426,000 tests, which were later revealed to have been purchased through CVS.

By Wednesday, the state had distributed 2.1 million tests to towns and cities, according to the governors office.

Here are the cities planning to hold upcoming test distributions:

Derby

Derby announced plans earlier this week to hold a test and N95 distribution event at Derby High School starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. But because of a limited supply of tests, the city is asking only residents who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 to show up. Proof of residency is required.

New Haven

New Haven will hold test and mask distribution events for Districts 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 on Thursday, Jan. 13, and for Districts 5, 7, 8, 10 and Quinnipiac Meadows on Friday, Jan. 14. The location of each distribution point differs by voting district, according to the mayors office. The distributions will run from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. both days and supplies are on a first-come-first-served basis. Proof of residency is required.

Hartford

The city of Hartford plans to distribute test kits to residents at six different locations Thursday, according to officials. Distribution points open between 10 a.m. and noon depending on the location. Tests are limited to one kit per-adult, and proof of residency is required.

Torrington

The city of Torrington plans to hold two distribution events next week on Thursday, Jan. 20. Because the date is a week away, we are monitoring the weather and hoping Mother Nature cooperates, but it is New England so stay posted for updates if it looks like inclement weather, police said in a Facebook post.

Two distribution points are planned. A walk-up site will be held in the library parking lot off Daycoeton Place from noon to 1 p.m., while a drive-through site will open at Torrington Middle School from 5 p.m. 8 p.m., police said. Proof of residency is required.
The region's major community blood provider  which supplies life-saving blood products to hospitals in Madison County and most of central Illinois  is joining a first-of-its-kind emergency reserve program.

The move comes against the backdrop of the Red Cross declaring the first-ever national blood crisis in the United States.

Although the community providers have always maintained a working relationship and turned to one another in times of need, the new Blood Emergency Readiness Corps signals a commitment to reserving extra units of blood on a rotating schedule in case of a natural disaster or mass-casualty event.

Previously, blood centers would have to dip into their available inventory and send whatever was available in an emergency. Now, centers will rotate preparing and setting aside a reserve in case it is needed.

Amanda Hess, vice president of donor relations and marketing for ImpactLife, said such tragedies can happen without warning, such as when a tornado tore through an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville on Dec. 10. Six people died and dozens were injured by the EF-3 twister.

"We have supported other hospitals and blood centers in times of disaster in the past, but it's always been after the fact," she said. "This provides us with peace of mind."

The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps has been pressed into action several times in the past six months: for a grocery store mass shooting in Memphis, Tennessee, on Sept. 27; a school shooting Dec. 1 in Oxford, Michigan; and after a series of deadly tornadoes Dec. 11 in Kentucky and across the Midwest.

"If ever needed, BERC gives us the opportunity to call on our friends nationally to help us in a time of need, ImpactLife President Mike Parejko said. "Hopefully it never happens, but if it does, we know we have a wonderful resource at our disposal."

ImpactLife provides blood services to 126 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. It operates 20 donor centers and conducts about 5,000 mobile blood drives annually to meet the demand for blood components for hospitals throughout the region.

But as the Red Cross warned Tuesday, the pandemic has resulted in a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood. There has been about a 62% drop in the number of blood drives during the pandemic, the organization warned, causing the agency to limit distribution and leaving it with a less-than-one-day supply of some critical blood types.

Mike Rasso, director of sales and inventory for ImpactLife, said joining the partnership with more than 30 other blood centers provides more confidence resources will be available if needed in an emergency.

"In the COVID-19 pandemic, blood centers have seen greater uncertainty and scarcity in the blood supply. While we have worked to avoid blood shortages in our region, we know the demand for blood can spike at any time," he said.

At the same time, it's important for people to remember the importance of donations, Hess said.

"We're asking donors to give whenever they're available throughout the year  every 56 days  but we're also asking our blood drive sponsor groups to consider giving one more blood drive, to host another event," she said. "This helps us to ensure a ready supply year-round."
According to a report released by the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund on Tuesday, the number of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty across the United States in 2021 was 458, a 55% increase from 2020.

COVID-19 was the leading cause of death, with 301 federal, state, tribal and local officers dying due to the virus, the report said.

"It has been reported to NLEOMF that these officers have died due to direct exposure to the virus during the commission of their official duties," the report said.

The number represented a dramatic jump in 50 years of data in the report. Just one decade  the 1970s  averaged more than 200 deaths a year, with the 2020s so far averaging 377, according to the report. The report mentions just one other year, 1930, when there were 312, above 300 deaths.

Criminal assaults accounted for 84 deaths last year, including those of 62 officers who were killed by gunfire. Traffic incidents were responsible for 58 deaths. The numbers of gunfire and traffic deaths both rose from the year before, the report says. The number of officers killed in "ambush-style attacks" also rose: 19 last year, up from six in 2020.

The remaining deaths were attributed to health issues, drownings and other causes.

"This year's statistics demonstrate that America's front-line law enforcement officers continue to battle the deadly effects of the COVID-19 pandemic nationwide," the report says.

In Texas, which led the nation with 84 officers dying due to COVID-19, Gov. Greg Abbott has banned all public and private entities from mandating vaccinations. Florida saw 52 deaths due to COVID-19, the second most. There were a total of 18 states and Washington, D.C., which saw no law enforcement deaths in the line of duty due to COVID-19, including Illinois.

There were 11 states and the District of Columbia that had no law enforcement deaths in the line of duty 2021, according to the report.

Of the deaths, 165 were in city police departments, 136 were in sheriff's offices and 80 were in state, trooper or highway patrol jurisdictions. Another 45 law enforcement deaths were federal. Some 417 of the law enforcement deaths were men and 41 of the deaths were women.

According to the Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois has seen 15 deaths due to COVID-19 during the pandemic.
GODFREY  Lewis and Clark Community College trustees on Tuesday voted to approve a licensing agreement with the college and Edwardsville School District 7 to keep the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities facility up and running.

The motion was originally tabled at the November meeting.

In June 2021, LCCC President Ken Trzaska hosted community forums to gather feedback on what should be done with the center. The plan, constructed by Trzaska and the college's leadership team, proposed licensing space in the building to the Edwardsville school district for a minimum of five years. The rest of the building would be overseen by LCCC for programming and rental.

Once the home of Lincoln School, the building was donated to LCCC by entrepreneur and African American business leader Mannie Jackson to house the former Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation. LCCC opened the renovated building in December 2015.

LCCC will maintain a presence at the center. Mya Lawrence, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence, would spend part of each week at the center, in part to be near the school district's DEI leadership. The college plans to have a team member provide operational oversight of the center as an extension of LCCC's oversight of the N.O. Nelson site in Edwardsville.

Before the vote, people had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposal. LCCC alumni Rachel Harris said the center is important that LCCC.

"It teaches our younger generation that what you do is important, and that event they can leave their legacy for future generations," Harris said.

Debbie Witsken, a LCCC faculty member, said the meeting was more than saving the center, but to plea to change the minds and beliefs of board members.

"What we need is a collective mindset on how we, together, can propel Lewis and Clark forward with genuine care for the future," she said.

The proposal was approved 5-3 with LCCC Board Chairman David Heyen and trustees Kevin Rust and Charles Hanfelder voting against the proposal. Rust said the proposal failed to consider the opinion of the college's students.

"This proposal contains no specifics, and maybe a few generalities, on what it provides for the students," he said before requesting the board again delay a vote on the proposal. His motion was quickly voted down.

"This (the proposal) is the mission of the institution and what that center stands for," said LCCC Trustee Brenda Walker McCain.
EDITORS NOTE: The Intelligencer requests briefs be submitted at least 10 days prior to the desired publication date. Due to the volume of community-submitted briefs, the content may be published within 10 days of submission. Holidays and weather forecasts may impact some events. The Intelligencer cannot guarantee that submission will be published.

Virtual Evening Flow Yoga with Anne

5:30  6:15 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires Registration

Thursday, Jan. 13

NAMI Meeting

7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net.

Chicken Dinner Every Thursday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774

Adult Zumba with Aimee

6 - 7 p.m. through the Glen Carbon Library. This program has been changed to a virtual program for January due to Covid-19 positivity rates in the area. Log in to Zoom for a fun night of Zumba from the comfort of your own home with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Registration required.

Friday, Jan. 14

Fish Fry Every Friday

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774

Fish Fry

4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051

Saturday, Jan. 15

Goshen Winter Market

10-noon in the expansion parking lot on St. Louis St. Outdoors.

Tri Township Library Book Sale

9 a.m. - noon at the Tri Township Library, 209 South Main St., Troy. Book donations are accepted during the book sale and on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Beginner Knitting Group with Greta

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. via Zoom through the Glen Carbon Library. Experience how easy it can be learning to knit through a structured, interactive social knitting group. Perfect for true beginners or those looking for an easy refresh project. Different intermediate skills will be introduced on a project-by-project basis. Set up as a 2-day class with homework in between. Registration Required.

Monday, Jan. 17

Woodlawn Cemetery Board

7 p.m. in the Woodlawn Chapel. All are invited to attend, whether you are a lot owner or have considered purchasing a lot.

36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

10 a.m. at Mt. Joy Church, 327 Olive St., Edwardsville. The event will also be streamed live on the Mt. Joy Facebook page. The program is free and open to the public. Hosted by Granite City High School Senior Martaja Hill. Main speaker Dustin Jumper will speak on The Dilemma and the Challenge of Growth.

Tuesday, Jan. 18

Cribbage Club

6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618)978-1664 for more information.

Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774

Watershed Cairns: Water Marked with Art

6:30 p.m. virtual event. The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center will kick off 2022 with a virtual Neighbor Nights event, featuring the work of artists Libby Reuter and Joshua Rowan and their "Watershed Cairns: Water Marked with Art" project. Reuter and Rowan, with a van full of glass, travel backroads in river watershed areas, where they create and photograph cairns made from thrift-store glassware. Registration is required. Sign up at https://conta.cc/3mQQTmu. The link will be emailed prior to the event. For more information contact Jen Young at 618-468-2785 or jenryoung@lc.edu.

Toddler Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 0-2. Theyve got the books, bops and bubbles. Bring your babies and toddlers to share stories and songs with Miss Kristen and all the Story Time friends. Registration Required.

Teen Magnet Letters Take-Home Kits



Available at the Edwardsville Public Library during open hours. Registration required. Leave notes for your friends on the fridge or your locker with your own set of letter magnets. Teens who register can pick up their kids at the library from Jan. 18 - Jan. 22.

Thursday, Jan. 20

NAMI Meeting

7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net.

Chicken Dinner Every Thursday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774

Gateway Wedding Show

5-9 p.m. at the Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Free admission. The Gateway Wedding Show features different vendors that can help couples and event planners personalize their upcoming special event. The show will feature area wedding and event vendors, food and beverage sampling, a wedding decoration showroom, live fashion show, prize giveaways and more. For information regarding show details and free ticket registration visit www.gatewayweddingshow.com.

Preschooler Story Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S Kansas St. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and dont forget, bubbles. Ages three - five. Registration required.

EPL Book Club

6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Good books. Good company. Good talk. Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Teen Magnet Letters Take-Home Kits



Available at the Edwardsville Public Library during open hours. Registration required. Leave notes for your friends on the fridge or your locker with your own set of letter magnets. Teens who register can pick up their kids at the library from Jan. 18 - Jan. 22.

Adult Zumba with Aimee

6 - 7 p.m. through the Glen Carbon Library. This program has been changed to a virtual program for January due to Covid-19 positivity rates in the area. Log in to Zoom for a fun night of Zumba from the comfort of your own home with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Registration required.

Friday, Jan. 21

Fish Fry Every Friday

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774

Fish Fry

4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051

Medicare Q&A with Jon Bergmann

6 - 7 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library in the Youth Room. Bring your questions on how to register and what is covered when you sign up for Medicare. Please wear a mask. Requires Registration.

Saturday, Jan. 22

Watershed Discovery Day

10 a.m. - noon at the Watershed Nature Center, 1591 Tower Ave. Edwardsville. Join the Watershed for a celebration of winter birds in the region. This free community event for families will feature hands-on activities, story time by local author Jennifer Ward, a bird feeder craft, eagle cam observation station, birding information from Wild Birds Unlimited, hot cocoa & cookies and a scavenger hunt around the Watershed's trails. The first 100 children will receive a stuffed Eagle through Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery.

Coloring for Grown-Ups

1 - 3 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Join them for a relaxing and fun afternoon session of coloring. The library will provide colored pencils and adult coloring books along with refreshments.

Teen Magnet Letters Take-Home Kits



Available at the Edwardsville Public Library during open hours. Registration required. Leave notes for your friends on the fridge or your locker with your own set of letter magnets. Teens who register can pick up their kids at the library from Jan. 18 - Jan. 22.

STEM Activity Kits

2 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Registration required. Do you enjoy exploring science, technology, engineering and math in fun and crafty ways? Then register for a to-go STEM kit. Once a month, the library will dive deep into a project for the whole family.

Tuesday, Jan. 25

True Crime Book Club

6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Join other armchair detectives to discuss the shocking details and events found in this popular non-fiction subgenre. I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara.

Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday



4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774

Wednesday, Jan. 26

Percy Jackson Book Club

4 - 5 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. This month theyre reading Book 4, The Battle of the Labyrinth." Once you register, stop by the Youth Desk to get your free copy of the book. Registration Required.

Roxana HCE Meeting

12 p.m. at Rox-Arena in Roxana Park. HCE (formally Home Bureau) meeting. Light lunch is served. Open to the public. For more info contact Vi at 618-803-2795.

Virtual Evening Flow Yoga with Anne

5:30  6:15 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires Registration

Thursday, Jan. 27

Movie Matinees



12 p.m. at The Edwardsville Public Library. The library hosts Movie Matinees for adults in their meeting room. Bring a brown bag lunch and theyll provide drinks and popcorn. The library is not able to publicize movie titles. Call (618) 692-7556 for details.

NAMI Meeting

7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net.

Preschooler Story Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S Kansas St. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and dont forget, bubbles. Ages three - five. Registration required.

Chicken Dinner Every Thursday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774

Adult Zumba with Aimee

6 - 7 p.m. through the Glen Carbon Library. This program has been changed to a virtual program for January due to Covid-19 positivity rates in the area. Log in to Zoom for a fun night of Zumba from the comfort of your own home with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Registration required.

Ongoing Events

Al-Anon

For information call 618-463-2429. For more information, visit SIAFG.org and District-18.org.

Winter Reading Challenge Begins

Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 at the Edwardsville Public Library. Read books, earn badges and be entered into prize drawings on Beanstack. This challenge is for all ages, 0-109. To register visit www.edwardsvillelibrary.org.

Take Home Crafts

Pick up a take-home craft bag at the Edwardsville Public Library with all the materials to make the project. A new craft will be available each month at the Youth Desk.
Hearst file photo

GLEN CARBON  Village trustees unanimously approved a professional services agreement with Thouvenot, Wade and Moerchen, Inc. (TWM) Tuesday for coming improvements on Cougar and Junction drives on the villages north end. Trustee Mark Foley attended the meeting virtually.



Work will include pavement milling and a new overlay from Illini Drive to a point south of Kettle River Drive; then more pavement overlay from just before Cougar Drives intersection with Junction Drive and along all of Junction. Four bus pads are proposed, two on Cougar near the Hawthorne Animal Hospital, and two on Junction near Bayberry Court.



There will also be an eight-foot, shared-use path with solar-powered bollards, or sturdy, short, vertical posts. The path will run from Kettle River Drive along the west side of Cougar, then cross over Cougar and Junction before continuing along the south side of Junction to Route 159.



The cost for engineering services is not to exceed $93,400. The project was submitted and approved as part of last years Surface Transportation Program (STP) application with the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and construction should start in June 2024, said Public Works Director Scott Slemer.

"STP and CMAQ type projects typically consist of a federal portion and a local match portion," Slemer wrote Wednesday. "This can be 75 percent federal  25 percent local, sometimes 80/20, depending on the year and funding amounts.
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

A mix of clouds and sunshine with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 71F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 38F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
Sevierville, TN (37876)

Today

Light rain this morning. Breaks of sun this afternoon. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 63F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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It is a common knowledge that President Muhammadu Buhari during an exclusive interview with Channels Television, reportedly made the following remarks; that state police is not an option for the nation. Find out the relationship between local government and the Governors. Are the third tiers of government getting what they are supposed to get constitutionally? Are they getting it? Let the people in the local government tell you the truth, the fight between local governments and the Governor. The role of traditional rulers must not be undermined, because in their areas they know who is who, even by families, not to even talk of individuals, he said. So, we have to revert to that system for us to have effective security in the localities, He concluded.

Undeniably, some local government administrations in Nigeria are going through excruciating pains in the hands of their various state governors. With that concern expressed, Mr. President demonstrated that he understands that the most important part of a leader's job is preparing others for what lies ahead whether in the concrete terms of an actual scenario or the more conceptual terms of a vision. However, one point that Mr. President failed to remember particularly as it relates to state police is the global belief that norms can have exceptions. And by challenging a particular norm, one can play a role in changing it.

Again, Mr. President Remarks aside, coming at a time the nation is laced with heightened insecurity which includes but not limited to banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping among other ugly political and socioeconomic events, there exists some ingrained lessons/takeaways for all to ponder on.

First and very important, it is obvious that the defective nature of Nigerias 1999 Constitution has discouraged development in the country. It is also responsible for the myriad of problems confronting the nation. Its weak provisions have more than anything else conspired with other challenges to make it possible for us as a nation to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.

Secondly, Mr. President declaration reinforces the believe in some quarters that once a direction is chosen by an average Nigerian leader, instead of examining the process meticulously and set the right course; one that will allow us to overcome storm and reach safety before we can progress and achieve our goals, many obstinately persist with the execution of such plans regardless of a minor or major shift in circumstance. This habit of tackling challenges with the same thinking used when it was created and, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, has as a consequence made Nigerians to suffer greatly for so long.

Thirdly, insecurity did not start under the current regime. Remember the kidnap of Chibok schoolgirls on April 14, 2014. But, it assumed a large-scale shape under the current Federal Government. Remember also the kidnap of the University of Maiduguri lecturers in July 2017; kidnap of six aid workers on July 18, 2019; the Kankara schoolboys kidnap on December 11, 2020 among others. But the Buhari regime is still in the habit of tackling the challenge which has morphed to the next level with the same thinking used when it was created.

This failure is most visible in their inability to understand why banditry is on the increase, and why the existing police system no longer supports the original road map for crime control. Such failure is exacerbated by an utter lack of political will to challenge the basic assumptions in the nations constitution in order to see why creation of state police has become the only way to fight criminality not just in Nigeria but also across the globe.

Aside from the new awareness that globally, leadership/governance can no longer be viewed in a unitary way as such thinking is out-fashioned, if an objective analysis can replace emotional discussion regarding state police, it is glaring that there are no federal police or state police models, but there are fundamental differences between the two. While cultural and geographical homogeneity which are strong factors and advantages of state policing are lost in federal policing, state police depend on these factors and more such as historical and friendship to keep society orderly and without anarchy. This value no doubt makes productive policing without disorder. And state governments have the capacity to fulfill this obligation.

To further arrive at the answer, one will again recognize that the President is aware of this claim. The facts are there.

In August 2019, while he played host to the traditional rulers from the Northern part of the country led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, the President stated that the ongoing reform of the police would include recruitment of more hands, cultivation of stronger local intelligence and networking with communities, traditional rulers and adequate training. This in specific terms will include recruiting more police officers from their local government areas, where they would then be stationed in the best traditions of policing worldwide. Working with the state governments, we intend to improve the equipping of the police force with advanced technology and equipment that can facilitate their work.

In all fairness, Buhari never used the word, state police but it was implied.

From the attributes of his speech, he did not only underline the importance of but underscores the virtues and advantages of recruiting more police officers from their local government areas, where they would then be stationed in the best traditions of policing worldwide. Precisely, this form of security architecture and community policing was amazingly the part of what the pro-state police and nations restructuring advocates demanded particularly as it was obvious that the vast majority of states can afford to equip their officers with the sophisticated security gadgets Mr. President listed above.

Even as Nigerians continue to ponder over Mr. Presidents position on state police, what bothers this piece in addition to the above is that President Muhammadu Buhari , had earlier during a nationwide broadcast on Monday 1st, January 2018, among other things noted that no human law or edifice is perfect. Whatever structure we develop must periodically be perfected according to the changing circumstances and the countrys socio-economic developments.

Going by this insight, this piece would have love the President to view the current police arrangement in the country as one of those imperfect structures that we must develop periodically according to the changing needs of time/circumstances and the countrys socio-economic developments.

Surely and finally, if providing adequate security for the masses is our national goal/priority, what the masses are saying, and wanting in my understanding, is that state police will proffer the best solution.

Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), A Lagos-Based Non Governmental Organization (NGO).And could be reached via [email protected] /08032725374.






No one has the right to kill a citizen at the border. This is a clear violation of human rights and international law. We need to intensify our foreign policy and diplomatic efforts to reduce border killings to zero. According to Human Rights Watch, between 2000 and 2019, the BSF shot and killed at least 1,165 Bangladeshis on the Bangladesh-India borders. The friendly relations between the two countries need to be taken into account by the Indian Border Security Force. They have to understand that there is no war on the border. Shooting alone cannot be the answer. If a citizen crosses the border unknowingly, by mistake or illegally, arrangements must be made to hand them over to the BGB or local police as per the agreement. Friendly relations with the Indian authorities need to be developed at various meetings, conferences and government level meetings. As promised, border killings must be reduced to zero. Besides, surveillance at the border should be increased. We need to make our people aware so that they do not cross the border illegally.

Where is the end of border killings? There was a lot of talk between India and Bangladesh about border killings. Until the agreement. Our friendly country India is constantly killing the ordinary farmers and small traders of Bangladesh from the border areas. Many Bangladeshi nationals are being killed every year by indiscriminate firing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), which we never expect from friendly India. India's enemy states are Pakistan and China, their borders are never shot dead by an ordinary citizen of India, Pakistan or China. India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, the border countries of India, if ordinary citizens can live very peacefully on their borders, then why we, the friendly state of Bangladesh, are disgusted with the BSF of India.

In the last 10 years, more than 1,000 people have been killed by Indian security forces, most of them Bangladeshis. The border area turned into a South Asian killing field. Despite clear evidence of cold-blooded killings against unarmed and helpless locals in many cases, no one has yet been charged with murder.

India also shares a border with China, Pakistan. There are border issues. But there but India does not fire like this. Not only cattle are smuggled across the Bangladesh-India border, but also phencidyl, drugs and illegal weapons come from India. The BSF does not see that. And cows don't just come from West Bengal. Comes from different provinces of India. Why not stop there?

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said in Dhaka last year, "Border killings are a shame for India. It has been decided between the two countries that no lethal weapons will be used on the border. No shots will be fired. But it is happening. So, it is a shame for them." And sadly, we are losing our lives. "

Meanwhile, at a function in Dinajpur last year, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswamy said that the border killings were definitely sad and unexpected for both the countries. Indian border guards have been specifically told not to open fire on the border if there is no threat of an attack on them. We do not want border killings in any country. Border killings are a heinous act.

Despite repeated promises from the highest levels of India to stop border killings, it has not stopped. As soon as they talked about bringing the border killings down to zero, the border killings started again. Now time to implement their sayings. Indian authority should consider this with special attention. We want to see the proper implementation of the political dialogue. There is no justice in filing a case in specific cases like Felani's murder. As a result, there is no reason for the BSF to stop. But this time, they should understand this that it may be an obstacle to introduce themselves as India-Bangladesh eternal ties.

According to Indian authorities, the BSF killed in self-defense. But reality does not say that. Several years ago, Human Rights Watch (HRW) cited a number of such cases in a report called Trigger Happy. Survivors and eyewitnesses allege that the BSF fired indiscriminately without trying to apprehend or warn them. The BSF also claimed that its members fired when the miscreants tried to avoid arrest. However, the use of lethal weapons on suspicion of any crime is not justified.

Although relations with India have improved, they are not reflected on the border, even in the overall context. It was decided in the bilateral talks that the BSF would use non-lethal weapons. So that the killings at the border can be brought down to zero. But then why the use of deadly weapons? Border killings cannot go on like this. The governments of Bangladesh and India should now find the right solution, to stop border killings.

The failure of the Indian authorities to take any meaningful action to stop the killings at the border for years is detrimental to the India-Bangladesh bilateral ties. This has put the Bangladesh government in a difficult position by increasing the pressure on bilateral relations. Now is the time Dhaka policymakers to take action to come to the
Nigerias Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, gave assurances that efforts are underway to secure the release of Leah Sharibu and others held captive by armed non-state actors, during an interview on 10 January on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) programme Good Morning Nigeria.

During the interview, General Irabor said he was aware of plans and of course, processes that are in place to ensure that not just Leah Sharibu but every other person held captive is released. He also revealed that one of the Chibok Girls was rescued around three weeks earlier: I would like to reassure Nigerians and the world at large that the Federal Government, using the military, is working very hard to ensure that everyone that has been held captive regains their freedom.

Leah Sharibu was the sole Christian among 110 schoolgirls abducted by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) from their school in Dapchi, Yobe state on 19 February 2018. While her surviving classmates were returned a month later following negotiations by the government, she was denied her freedom for refusing to convert as a precondition for release. In October 2018 ISWAP declared Ms Sharibu a slave for life, and she remains in captivity.

General Irabor also welcomed the recent designation of the armed groups operating in the countrys northwest, who were previously termed armed bandits, as terrorists. The designation, announced on 5 January in a government gazette which termed their activities acts of terrorism and illegality, means the techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) [the armed forces] used in handling them certainly will have to change. Tagging them as terrorists also gives it a global disposition, a global form that will enable other key global actors to take certain important actions against them.

The gazette also extends the designation to include other similar groups in any part of the country, and especially in [] the north-central region.

The official designation follows a November 2021 ruling by Federal High Court Justice Taiwo Obayomi Taiwo that the activities of bandit groups in the northwest constituted acts of terrorism and that their proscription should be published in an official gazette.

The newly designated groups, largely comprising men of Fulani ethnicity, have subjected predominantly Muslim Hausa farming communities in northern Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara states to a campaign of violence characterised by looting, abductions for ransom, rape, extortion, death, and destruction. According to the Governor of Zamfara state, over 30,000 of these heavily armed terrorists operate from forests in the six states, living in 100 camps which each accommodate at least 300 men.

At least 200 people were killed and an estimated 10,000 were displaced between 4 and 6 January after 300 terrorists on motorcycles attacked around nine localities in the Rafin Danya, Barayar Zaki, Rafin Gero and Kurfa villages in the Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Zamfara state.

According to local reports, the assailants set fire to homes, storehouses and markets, decapitated and mutilated their victims, and abducted around 20 women. The series of attacks may have been launched in retaliation for multiple airstrikes on militia bases in Gusami Forest and Tsamre Village in Birnin Magaji LGA which resulted in the deaths of two notorious leaders, identified as Alhaji Auta, and Kachalla Ruga, among others, on 1 January.

News is also emerging of attacks that occurred from 27 to 29 December 2021 targeting predominantly Christian communities in the Tal, Banganje and Kalmai districts in Billiri LGA of southern Gombe state in which 15 people were killed, six were seriously injured, and three were abducted.

CSW's Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: CSW welcomes General Irabors assurance that efforts are underway to rescue Leah Sharibu and other captives. Action is long overdue, so we urge the Nigerian government to spare no effort in following through on these commitments. We also welcome the official designation of violent armed actors as terrorists. Although belated, it will allow the military to recalibrate and address a threat that has evolved into an existential one far more comprehensively. We urge the international community to assist the Nigerian government wherever possible as it tackles the terrorist threat in the countrys north-west and elsewhere, prioritising the protection of vulnerable communities and holding perpetrators to account.
Ebonyi state was thrown into jubilation and fanfare as Governor David Umahi declares intention to run for the office of the president of Nigeria in the forthcoming general elections in 2023.

Recently, Governor David Umahi went to Aso Rock Villa where he formally informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his desire to succeed him in office.

Briefing the press at the partys secretariat in Abakaliki, All Peoples Congress Chairman, Ebonyi state chapter, Chief Okoro Emegha who described Umahis intention to run as a bold step noted that his confidence will bring massive infrastructural development and economic prosperity to the Nigerian Nation and her citizenry considering his monumental achievements both in his private life and as Ebonyi state governor

Let me inform Nigerians both at home and in diaspora that Governor Umahis decision to join the presidential race is the best thing that has happened to the entire country Nigeria considering his precedent and genealogy. Just like what he said on the Channels TV where he promised to replicate his Progressive efforts in Ebonyi at the National level. My Governor is not contesting with anybody but with himself in total obedience with the partys decision.

Those who knew Ebonyi state before the coming of Engr David Umahi can be the judge. Under Umahi, Ebonyi has been transformed and now competes with developed countries. Aside the road network kiss crossing the nooks and crannies of the state, there have been constant streetlight since he took over the mantle of leadership.

The APC Chairman who also doubles as the Special Security Consultant to the state government, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha said apart from the massive infrastructural development, the administration of Governor Umahi has also brought an appreciable level of peace to the people, thereby making life more meaningful and satisfying.

I therefore call on all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, belief and other attachments to please queue into this dream of making the country greater by supporting Umahi to become the next president.
Phukets critical situation spurs call for increased support

PHUKET: The deteriorating tourism situation plus the rising number of Omicron cases across Phuket has sparked a demand for immediate and increased community support, reports local foundation Living Waters Phuket.

COVID-19tourismeconomicscharity

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 12 January 2022, 11:47AM

Much more help is needed. Photo: Living Waters Phuket

Living Waters Phuket Foundation, together with 5 Star Marine, are dealing with a steep increase in demand for their Life Bags from local communities in need, as the situation on and around the island worsens, the foundation said in a release issued this morning (Jan 12).

The Foundation has escalated its efforts and has been supplying around 1,000+ bags every day since the start of January (filled with food and household products to feed a family of 5 for up to 4 days). These are being individually packed and delivered to help COVID-19 quarantined communities and those in need, all over Phuket and the surrounding islands, it added.

At this critical time, communities and villagers are being forced into quarantine and losing their jobs once again, in the face of the rapid spread of the newer Omicron COVID-19 variant, the premature ending of Phukets high season plus a sharp decline in tourism largely due to the changing entry criteria and the abolishment of the Test & Go entry scheme.

All this means that the calls for support are increasing exponentially as Living Waters Phuket together with 5 Star Marine try to push out more and more life bags every single day. The need is growing by the day, and is expected to continue throughout January and well into February at the very least, the foundation explained.

Shaun Stenning, CEO and Founder of 5 Star Marine commented, We wanted to extend our thanks at this difficult time to Phuket Boat Lagoon for providing us with ample office space for this sharp increase in demand for help from the community.

The rising need for Life Bags is clear evidence of the difficult situation we are facing, but we have committed to continue supporting the community as we have done for almost two years, helping those who need us now sadly more than ever, and we are able to do this through the Living Waters Phuket Foundation.

The Living Waters Phuket Foundation was established to build brighter futures for communities in need. The foundation provides financial grants to projects around essential relief areas including sustainable food security, education requirements, renewable energy and environmental issues. It was established to help registered charities, foundations, private companies and government organisations by funding community projects in these areas.

Right now, the Foundation is focussing its efforts and funds to go directly to the most vulnerable in and around Phuket, those in village quarantine, without work, and those in need of basic food supplies, the foundation noted in its release today.

Donations will be used to help get food and staple home products into the hands of those who need it most, those in village quarantine, those who have recently lost their jobs and those who cannot afford to eat without these bags being delivered to them.

Your donation will make a huge difference to those in need right now; whatever the amount, the foundation added.

To make a donation, visit Living Waters Phuket webpage on Weeboon.com (click here).
Phuket launches tourist COVID hotline

PHUKET: Phuket officials have launched a Phuket Tourist COVID Call Centre to assist tourists who test positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19Coronavirushealthtourism

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 12 January 2022, 11:21AM

The call centre can be contacted by calling 076-254200 ext 88.

The call centre is open from 9am to 9pm only.

A call center operator confirmed to The Phuket News today (Jan 12) that operators can provide support in Thai and English only.

We can provide advice and assistance to tourists on what to do if they test positive for COVID-19, she said, clearly, in English.

If a tourist tests positive for COVID, they must quranatine for 10 days, according to the governments policy. This might be at a hospital, a hospitel or by isolating in their hotel rooms, the operator explained.

If need be they can coordinate with the SHA+ manager at their hotel for a doctor to visit or to help arrange being moved to a hospital, she added.

The call centre can also provide advice to tourists on getting RT-PCR tests conducted.

The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) has launched a 24-hour Phuket COVID-19 hotline at 094-5938876 in Thai-language only.

People were also invited to contact the PPHO through their Facebook page (click here).

Meanwhile, Patong Hospital is asking  in Thai and in English  for people with non-urgent medical conditions to not present themselves at the Emergency Dept.

Instead, people are asked to present themselves at the hospital as an outpatient seeking treatment during normal office hours.

For your own safety during the COVID-19 pandemic Emergency Department will serve ONLY those who are critically ill and emergent patients !! the notice read.

For non-emergent conditions We kindly ask you to come back at the outpatient department building during office hours, it added.

The office hours given were: MON-FRI 8.30am - 4.00 PM".

Thank you for your cooperation and sorry for any inconvenience, the notice concluded.

In its message posted with the notice, the hospital confirmed: Due to the COVID-19 situation, Patong Hospital

- Closed for outpatient examination rooms (OPD) on Saturday - Sunday and public holidays

- Closing service of the Thai Traditional and Physical Therapy Department

- Dental department only accepts emergency cases, tooth extraction and surgery appointments!!!

People were invited to call the hospital at 076-324633 with enquiries.
Phuket pushes on with targetted booster jabs

PHUKET: Vachira Phuket Hospital is offering walk-in first-, second- and third-dose booster vaccination injections throughout January, but vaccination sessions are limited to 50 people a day.

corruptionCoronavirusVaccine

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 12 January 2022, 06:23PM

Thalang Hospital is providing Pfizer third-dose booster jabs at the airport. Image: Thalang Hospital

Vachira Phuket Hospital is also offering AstraZeneca + Pfizer vaccinations, but by registration through PhuketMustWin only. Image: Vachira Phuket Hospital

Vachira Phuket Hospital is offering walk-in Sinovac first-jab injections, and AstraZeneca jabs as second- and third-dose injections. Image: Vachira Phuket Hospital

The fourth-jab vaccine injections are underway in Phuket. Image: PR Phuket

The fourth-jab vaccine injections are underway in Phuket. Image: PPHO

Those who are interested can receive the vaccine at the Lan Muang Khao area set up at the hospital, Vachira Phuket explained in a notice posted earlier this week.

People still waiting to receive their first vaccination injection can receive a Sinovac jab Monday-Thursday each week through the month: on Jan 10-13, Jan 17-20, and Jan 24- 27.

Another session of Sinovac vaccine first injections will be held on Friday, Jan 28.

Each session each day is available only for 50 people, the hospital explained clearly.

No explanation was given as to why the number of vaccinations are being limited to such a small number.

Vachira Phuket will also be providing AstraZeneca vaccinations for people needing a second or third-dose booster injection on Friday, Jan 14 and Friday Jan 21.

Again, each session is limited to 50 people.

To receive the injections Thais need to show only their government-issued ID card, while foreigners need to present only their passport or work permit.

ASTRAZENECA + PFIZER

In a separate notice, Vachira Phuket Hospital announced that it is providing first injections of AstraZeneca for people looking to have the AstraZeneca vaccine for their first injection and Pfizer as their second injection (the AZ+Pfizer combo).

The vaccinations are open to Thais and foreigners, but only people aged 18 or older.

Walk-ins for first injections of the AZ+Pfizer combo will not be accepted.

People wanting to receive the AZ+Pfizer combo must register through the PhuketMustWin.com website.

To register for the AZ+Pfizer injections, Thais will need to submit a copy of their government-issued ID card, while foreigners will need to submit a copy of their passport or work permit.

Those who successfully register and are approved a vaccination time will be allowed to receive their first injection at the Lan Muang Khao area at the hospital.

The vaccination sessions will be from 9am to 3pm on Jan 10-13, Jan 17-20 and Jan 24-28.

PFIZER BOOSTER JABS

Meanwhile, Thalang Hospital has announced that it is providing the Pfizer vaccine as a third-dose booster jab.

The jabs are available only to people who have received AstraZeneca+AstraZeneca or Sinovac+AstraZeneca (AA or SA) as their first and second injections.

Recipients also must have received their second-dose injection before Sept 30, 2021.

The hospital started providing the Pfizer booster jabs at the X-Terminal, at Phuket International Airport, on Monday (Jan 10).

The announcement by Thalang Hospital gave no end date to the campaign to provide the PFizer booster shots.

However, people must register and make an appointment to receive the Pfizer injection via the PhuketMustWin.com website.

Of note, all notices announcing the ongoing vaccination rollout were issued in Thai language only.

Also, according to the PhuketMustWin website, all expats must have received their second Sinovac injection in order to currently receive any third-dose booster jab.

Under the Third dose vaccination for foreigners section posted on the website is the message, Check for the eligibility for the 3rd dose for expats and migrant workers who received their 2nd dose Sinovac vacination already in Phuket.

HIT & MISS

The Phuket News has sporadically received several messages over recent weeks from foreigners who have been unable to successfully register to receive a third-dose booster injection.

However, The Phuket News also notes that many, if not most, expats with work permits already received their booster vaccinations last year.

Phuket officials have issued no statements to clarify the situation for foreigners on the island who have continued to be denied a third-dose booster jab.

FOURTH JABS UNDERWAY

According to the mass-vaccination daily update report issued by Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) today (Jan 12), of the 547,584 target population to be vaccinated, so far the following number of people have been vaccinated:

1st injection - 481,250 (87.89%)

2nd injection - 467,480 (85.37%)

3rd injection - 286,887 (52.39%)

A further 5,059 (1.76%) have already received their fourth vaccine injection, noted the report.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Clearfield, PA (16830)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning giving way to a few showers late. High 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 57F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
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A new survey, released on the eve of a planned demonstration Wednesday, shows many Connecticut teachers and staff are concerned about safety within school buildings amid the latest wave of the pandemic.

On Tuesday, teacher and school worker unions released a member survey that pointed to concerns over failures to distribute N95 masks and at-home test kits, staff shortages, and in favor of more flexibility for temporary remote learning. The results came ahead of public school employees plans to wear black and use the hashtag #Blackout4SafeSchools on social media to demand better mitigation strategies during the omicron surge.

In the lead up to the demonstration, the state offered some plans to address a few but not all concerns, from additional shipments of masks and test kits, to an executive order to reemploy retired teachers.

Weve got well over 500,000 rapid tests out to all of our schools, weve got millions of N95 masks, Gov. Ned Lamont said on Tuesday afternoon. Thats all to give people the confidence that you can teach in school, your kid can go to school, you can go safely  and right now, I think its working.

I appreciate that theres some teachers who want us to do more, and every day were going to try to do more, he said.

Close to two-thirds of survey respondents reported they do not have the supplies and protocols in place to feel safe doing their jobs. Those polled included more than 5,500 teachers, paraprofessionals, school bus drivers and monitors, custodians, nurses, and support staff in 169 districts across the state.

Were in a pandemic, and theres a lot of infections, Lamont said. Fortunately, milder repercussions, but that doesnt mean youre not cautious.

More than 2,300 employees reported positive COVID cases early last week, according to state data through Jan. 5. The count is subject to change as schools become aware of more positive results.

But that doesnt mean we deny kids the opportunity to be in a classroom, as long as we can keep them there safely, the governor said.

Lamont also signed an executive order on Tuesday that gives districts greater flexibility to enlist retired teachers amid shortages caused by the recent spike in cases.

We are fortunate to have retired teachers available to provide some relief for their colleagues who continue to do great work for school children across our state, said Lamont in a statement. We will continue to utilize all tools at our disposal to provide for a safe and meaningful classroom education for students.

Education department spokesperson Eric Scoville said the state continues to deliver on the promise for test kits and masks, but some educators reported differently. In the union survey, 70 percent of educators said they didnt have access to N95 masks and home testing kits when they returned to school  though more stock is in the pipeline.

We have additional distributions planned for the future as soon as supplies are available, and we are actively working with school districts to ensure they receive their needed supplies, said Scoville. The state also continues to expand testing capabilities, which will help ease wait times for PCR tests for both staff and families.

Another round of test kits are scheduled for distribution again in the coming days to every public school district and private school in the state, Scoville said. N95 masks for adults and other masks will also be part of that delivery.

But teachers across the state are calling on elected officials and department heads to hear what they say they need to be safe  which included those high-quality masks and COVID tests before schools reopened last week.

David Bosso in Berlin planned to wear black on Wednesday to ensure teachers voices are part of important decisions.

Were on the ground, he said. We have the pulse of things. We know best about the impact on our school communities.

Bosso said he wants to be in person with his students, but schools  that made every effort to reopen  have closed as COVID cases left them short-staffed. While the coalition agreed that in-person learning is best for students, 88 percent of poll respondents believe superintendents should have the flexibility to temporarily shift to remote instruction without needing to make up the days later.

Were putting ourselves in a position where rather than taking a proactive, preemptive approach, things have blown up, he said. It lacks a practical approach to the reality on the ground.

Mary Kay Rendock in Bloomfield said she feels supported by local administrators, but recognized not all Connecticut educators have had the same experience.

As much as we are cared for, there a lot of people in this state that are not cared for, she said.

More than half of educators said their administrators dont understand the challenges they are facing, according to the coalition poll. And 70 percent reported their district is not successfully balancing professional expectations and social-emotional needs.

Rendock is in touch with other teachers and on social media, where posts and memes have circulated about a lack of regard for their safety.

People dont feel listened to, she said.
A front with Arctic temperatures has descended on Connecticut, threatening wind chills as low as negative 10 degrees on Tuesday and into Wednesday.

The temperatures come amid a relatively mild start to the winter season. Officials have enacted severe weather protocols meant to coordinate efforts to help those experiencing homelessness and those in need of a warm place to weather the cold.

I think its a good time to stay home and stay warm, Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday ahead of the cold snap.

Heres what you need to know about this weeks cold snap:

When will the cold start?

Temperatures, already relatively cold on Monday, were expected to plummet overnight into the low single digits, according to forecasters. The temperatures are expected increase to the teens on Tuesday.

How cold could it get?

According to meteorologists, temperatures could dip into the teens, but the wind could make it feel much colder.

The weather services New York office said in a bulletin Tuesday wind chills of around zero are expected along the coast, and as low as negative 10 degrees inland.

Forecasters said there will be a northwest wind Tuesday blowing 10 to 20 mph.

If you need to be outside, be prepared for the wind and cold, and dress in layers and wear a hat, heavy coat, as well as gloves or mittens, the weather service said. Frostbite can occur in a short amount of time, so dress in layers and make sure all exposed skin is protected.

When will it warm up again?

Forecasts show temperatures return to a seasonable normal on Wednesday with a high in the mid-30s, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures are expected to remain relatively mild through the end of the week. But on Friday night, the forecast calls for single-digit lows.

Whats the reason for the cold?

The air is being pulled into the region by a cold front that hit the state Monday night and a tropical low pressure Tuesday evening, a two-step process, said Gary Lessor, chief meteorologist at the Connecticut Weather Center at Western Connecticut State University.

Basically, this cold has been locked up from the upper Rockies to the upper Midwest for the past few weeks and its finally being tapped, Lessor said.

How is state and local government responding?

Lamont activated the states severe weather protocol on Monday ahead of the significant drop in temperatures.

The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold conditions, which could be life-threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods of time, Lamonts office said in a news release.

Along with the activation of the protocol, many municipalities are opening warming centers in public buildings to offer refuge from the Arctic chill.

Are schools affected?

Some schools, including New Haven and Middletown public schools, announced they would open two hours later than normal on Tuesday in response to the cold.

But others said they planned to open on time. Norwalk Public Schools said in a Facebook post that staff had driven to all of the districts schools and reported clear driving. Our bus company, Durham, has also reported that buses are ready to go. Students should dress warmly for an on-time start to school, the post said.

Outside of the state, Boston Public Schools announced they would close for the day in response to the cold, the Associated Press reported.

How can people learn about available resources?

Officials are urging people in need of help during the extreme cold to contact the 211 service, either by calling the number or visit its website, 211ct.org.
wellbefore

Last week, reports surfaced from Cyprus of a new Deltacron variant of COVID-19  a portmanteau of the Delta and Omicron variants  that was allegedly a combination of the two previous variants. The lab results indicating deltacron's presence were sent to GISAID, the international database that tracks changes in COVID-19, but experts were quick to say deltacron was likely the result of a contaminated study and not a true variant.

#Omicron and #Delta did NOT form a super variant, tweeted Dr. Krutika Kuppali, an infectious disease researcher at the World Health Organization (WHO). "This is likely sequencing artifact (lab contamination of Omicron fragments in a Delta specimen)."
In the Press Corps of the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis, in an office lovingly called "the Shack," the journalism majors of Franklin College's Pulliam School of Journalism work alongside the best reporters in the state, digging into the behind-the-scenes stories of Indiana politics. We're a student newsroom, but our work doesn't sit on a professor's desk. We create content five days a week for this website and 35 professional media partners around the state.
Woburn, MA (01801)

Today

Mostly cloudy with occasional light rain...mainly in the morning. High 56F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low near 45F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 18C. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 11C. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
imaginima/Getty Images

Of the approximately 5,000 hospitals that reported data to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday, nearly 1,200 or 24% said they are currently experiencing a critical staffing shortage, the largest share during the pandemic. More than 100 other hospitals nationwide said they expect a staffing shortage within the next week.

In Illinois, 17 hospitals reported a critical staffing shortage on Saturday and 22 said they expect one within the next week. According to the most recent data from the HHS on Tuesday, 10 Illinois hospitals reported a critical staffing shortage and another 25 anticipated one within the next week.
ALTON  A $225,000 federal grant has been awarded to Alton to create the city's first body-worn camera program.

Alton Mayor David Goins and Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido announced the grant Wednesday morning.

Body-worn cameras are a vital tool in protecting both officers and the community, aiding law enforcement by providing crucial evidence in criminal cases, and strengthening community trust in policing, said Goins. "As a retired Alton police officer, and now mayor, I know first hand what a great police department we have, and believe the new body-worn cameras will be one more tool to highlight our officers professionalism.

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the $225,000 grant to Alton in partnership with the City of East St. Louis. The grant will provide more than 100 officers in the two cities with body-worn cameras.

For several years, Alton Police have used in-car cameras in every patrol vehicle. But officials said the longtime goal of officers wearing a camera seemed unattainable prior to the grant.

When the Safe-T Act was passed in 2021 requiring all Illinois police agencies be outfitted with body cameras by 2025, we knew right away that we wanted to be ahead of the curve, and that we were going to need help funding the unfunded mandate, Pulido said.

Im proud of my department for locating this grant and for working to secure this funding to relieve some of the financial burden," he said. "Additionally, Im excited to bring what has now become the industry standard to Alton and to continue to improve our already excellent police services.

Alton and East St. Louis police also will collaborate with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville researchers, who provided grant development support on the proposal, on project evaluation and disseminating best practices to other jurisdictions preparing for the 2025 body-worn camera law.

SIUE Department of Criminal Justice Professor Dennis Mares will be the external evaluator for the project. Additional SIUE faculty and grant and community development personnel will work with the departments to maximize uniformity, increase efficiency, ensure technology compatibility and reduce costs.

I am excited for Chief Pulido, the Alton Police Department, and every citizen of Alton to enhance transparency of our officers, as well as improve community-police relations, Goins said.

This project is strengthened by strong partnerships with our sister city of East St. Louis, as well as faculty and staff from SIUE, ensuring that we have support and collaboration throughout implementation," he said. "We look forward to working with local residents and keeping the public informed as we roll out the program and develop transparent, compliant policies for the body worn cameras.
GLEN CARBON  As a lifelong space enthusiast and collector of NASA-related items, Jim Jones was more than happy to educate his grandson about the history of the space program.

Now hes using his knowledge to help educate other people about the Apollo era.

The Apollo Experience, featuring items from Jones personal collection, will be displayed at the Edwardsville Public Library through Jan. 31.

Bringing the exhibit to local schools and libraries has become a new passion for Jones, who lives in Glen Carbon and was a police officer there for 45 years until retiring last June.

I grew up during that era (of the Apollo program) and I always wanted to be an astronaut, but that didnt work out, so I did the next best thing and became a police officer instead, Jones said. I have a grandson who is 10 now and I was talking to him and he had no idea that man walked on the moon and all of the other things about the space program.

I talked to my wife (Debra) and we realized that a lot of kids dont know anything about it. We decided to go to the schools and show them some of the things I had in my collection.

Jones took The Apollo Experience to a school in Glen Carbon and two schools in Edwardsville and also went to the Glen Carbon Library.

They were all happy about it and the kids really loved it, and we also went to my grandsons school in Pelham, Tennessee, where we took it all down there and set it up for a day, said Jones, who was a motorcycle officer in Glen Carbon.

We also took it to a space museum in Bonne Terre, Missouri. They wanted my Apollo (replica) spacesuit to be on display for one day for the grand opening of their Gus Grissom room.

Around that time, though, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Jones was no longer able to bring the exhibit to local schools. Instead, he shifted to libraries.

In the last year weve done Glen Carbon, Columbia, Fairview Heights and Salem, and now were in the Edwardsville Public Library, Jones said. Its scheduled next month for Troy and in March it will be at the Collinsville library. Were talking about going to Granite City in April and Fairmont City also has a library that is interested.

The libraries have been very welcoming to us and really went out of their way. A story about it appeared in the Salem newspaper and they had over 300 people show up to see it.

While Jones hopes to return to the exhibit to schools, he appreciates the wider audience that the libraries offer.

The adults seem to like it as much as the kids do, so the more people who can enjoy it, the better, Jones said. I dont have everything on display because there are some collectors items I dont want to put out, but its still a lot of stuff.

I bought a minivan for it because it wouldnt all fit in my car anymore, and weve been taking that to all of the libraries. It takes two and a half hours to set things up and almost three hours to break it down and put it back in the van.

Jones takes special care that to ensure that all of the items in The Apollo Experience look as authentic as possible.

None of this is the real stuff from the Apollo program  they are all models or replicas, Jones said. I searched on eBay and I found a lot of the models I made as a kid. Of course, I paid a little more than what they were originally worth back then back in the 1960s.

I bought some of the other stuff from different collectors over the years. I picked up a spacesuit from a guy who makes them for museums.

Once he got the spacesuit, Jones added some other touches to make it more authentic. For anything he couldnt find, he contacted Ryan Nagata, an artist in Los Angles who made spacesuits for the movie First Man.

He sold me some items for a really good price, like the meters that measure the pressure on the suit and the tips of the gloves, Jones said. I wanted everything to be exactly the way the real thing looked. The only thing I dont have is a replica of the camera that Neil Armstrong wore on the moon for Apollo 11.

Among the items is a replica of a moon rock.

In the 1970s, not long after the Apollo area, NASA had a commissioned some replicas of the oldest moon rock that was found by Apollo 15, Jones said. It was called the Genesis Rock and they made 500 of them. I was lucky to find one of them and I bought it.

The display also includes a model of an Apollo command service module and a model of the lunar excursion module (LEM) from Apollo 11.

There is also a replica of what they call a Snoopy cap, which is a communications cap that was used for the Apollo missions, Jones said. I got some of the parts from Ryan Nagata and I bought the mission patches from the Bradford Exchange. I bought one patch every month and when you got them all, they send you a case to put them in.

I bought a small Lunar Rover model from the Air and Space Museum that they were getting rid of because it was damaged. One of the seats got broken off and I fixed that.

There is also a LEGO model of a Saturn 5 rocket that is over a yard tall, Jones said. I bought that, and it took me about a month to put it together because its about 2,000 pieces. I went to a display at the Planetarium in St. Louis, and they had a guy there who had the same rocket that I did, and he also had the launch umbilical tower and the launch pad.

He told me that LEGO was going to make it and decided not to, but a Japanese group made it and sold it over the internet. I found it and bought it and it was 3,000 pieces with no instructions. You had to go online and download the instructions, and what they sent was just pictures of it being built. It took me over a month to finish it and it fell apart several times because it wasnt very stable, but its now encased in Plexiglas and it looks great.

Several local businesses also worked with Jones in helping to prepare his items for public display. The cases were made in Collinsville at Show Case Products.

The Edwardsville Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

The library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

For more information, visit https://www.edwardsvillelibrary.org/.
CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee  Austin Peay State University has honored three area residents among more than 2,100 students on the Dean's List for academic achievement during the Fall 2021 terms.

Local students include Sydney Hartoin of Troy, Samantha Miener of Highland and Hannah Roach of Highland.
Illinois lawmakers continue to let our state down by not taking ethics reforms and accountability seriously.

The latest example: The embarrassing handling of Legislative Inspector General Carol Popes departure.

The inspector general is a kind of clearinghouse for misconduct complaints against lawmakers. The job is given authority to investigate allegations that a law, rule or regulation has been violated by lawmakers or people who work for the legislative branch.

A Republican, Pope was appointed in 2019 after the job was dark for four years. But she grew frustrated that the position didnt have more power and with the ethics reform legislation that lawmakers passed last year, saying legislators demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority.

Pope told lawmakers in July that she would be stepping down in mid-December. Then she extended it after a bipartisan panel appointed by party leaders couldnt agree on a replacement.

Republicans say Democrats, who control both chambers, wanted someone who wasnt recommended by the panel. Both sides said there were partisan factors at play. There were allegations of political maneuvering.

Cut short by an abridged session because of COVID, lawmakers left Springfield last week without coming to an agreement on this crucial position.

The irony of that is not lost, but not all that surprising. The words ethics reforms and Springfield dont exactly match.

Illinois has a long history of wildly corrupt politicians, from notorious Chicago city council members like Hinky Dink Kenna to a string of governors who spent time behind bars. (See Blagojevich.)

In recent years, two members of the General Assembly  Martin Sandoval and Luis Arroyo  have been charged with bribery.

And then theres Michael Madigan, the once-powerful House Speaker whose incredible fall coincided with the ComEd investigation into corruption and bribery.

That inquiry by federal prosecutors continues.

And yet Illinois has no internal watchdog to safeguard the citizenry from corrupt politicians.

Thats a failure of those sent to Springfield.

Thats a failure of the system.
John Badman

The Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education issued revised guidance on Tuesday, halving the recommended quarantine time for students and teachers in Illinois schools from 10 to five days in accordance with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's revised guidelines.

The guidelines were issued by the CDC on Jan. 4 and clarified that the recommendations apply to K-12 schools on Jan. 6. The new guidelines are effective immediately in Illinois schools, the ISBE and IDPH said, and apply to all public and nonpublic schools that serve students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
EDWARDSVILLE  The Gori Law Firm has announced six attorneys have been selected as this years 2022 Leading Lawyers.

Managing Partner Sara Salger and Partners Chris Layloff and David Aubrey have been named Emerging Lawyers. Partners Erin Beavers and Bob Marcus, along with Of Counsel Evan Buxner, were among those announced as Leading Lawyers.
Wiser minds than mine have said that at some point we will be obligated to speak out against a wrong. My time apparently has come.

It is probable that you did not know that last week the Illinois legislature passed a law targeting Madison County that will deny a right to vote to two thirds of this county. The historical right, for two hundred years in Illinois, has been for citizens to be able to elect their judges and to later decide whether that judge should be retained in office. A bill specific to our county, originally sponsored by, then supported by, and voted for by Senator Rachelle Crowe and Representative Katie Stuart will now prohibit two thirds of us from having a vote on those issues. The bill was immediately signed by Governor Pritzker and is now a law.

I have reviewed the law. It is a complex matter, but I will simplify. The county will be divided into three districts for judgeship elections. In general terms, Section A is the western part from Venice north through Granite City, Wood River to Alton; B extends through most of Edwardsville south through Maryville and Collinsville; C is everything east of that and north of Edwardsville, i.e Highland, Hamel, Bethalto, Godfrey, and to parts of Alton. (A has been gerrymandered to extend one long distortion through the north of Edwardsville reportedly to include the residences of a few chosen candidates). Each area is purported to have the same voter population.

Out of eight possible circuit judgeships, the first three vacancy elections for a judge will go to A, the next three to B, and lastly, C will only get two. There are two vacancy elections now set for 2022, but the lawmakers have been told that a Democratic judge will soon announce that he will not seek retention and thus a third seat opens. In the last week before official campaigns may begin, the new law now will require that a candidate for judge must reside in a district to run in that district. Two Republican judges now in office, not residents of A, who have long made public their intent to run, and have begun preparations, will be forced to, within one week, move their residences to the new district A.

The new law provides that voters in districts B and C will never have a vote in these elections in A. In a probable violation of the Illinois Constitution, they will never have a vote in whether those judges elected in A should be retained. If judgeships open in the other districts, two thirds of the county will again be deprived of any vote to elect or retain those judges. As structured, also taking into consideration the redistricting again in ten years, it is likely that as a resident of districts B or C, you may not have an opportunity for many years, if ever, to decide who runs your Courts. The right to decide who hears our cases, in criminal and civil, our divorces, our injury claims, any of our lawsuits, will be restricted or removed entirely.

The most sinister part of this law against our voters includes the following. ONLY MADISON COUNTY will lose the right to vote on a county wide basis in any new judge's retention election. No voters in any other county will lose that right. Similar redistricting for other counties specifically protects that right; for Madison County it is omitted. No other county in Illinois will have the unbalanced assignment of judges as ordered for us. No other county will have all new judgeships assigned to one district rather than equally distributed. No other county will have the law in effect immediately to alter the 2022 election while it is in progress. No other county will be forced into immediate changes to filing, petitioning, and deadline requirements. No other county will be forced to have the County Clerk immediately modify ballots and districts to accommodate these last minute changes. There are several more issues that follow along this disruptive line including nearly impossible deadlines for the Illinois Board of Elections and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

This is not just an internal courthouse problem. This is a direct assault on a citizen's long cherished right to decide who it will entrust with administering the law and justice. It is an effort to deprive us all and to limit our ability to decide who will hold these offices and have this power. The claim is made that this is for the sake of diversity. That is an obvious charade and can be dismissed after a moment's consideration. It appears to have been structured specifically to target Madison County citizens, but I foresee a costly backfire against the designers and presumed beneficiaries of this law.

A further consequence of this law will be the start of a vicious cycle of highly politicized judicial elections injecting corrupting interference and partisanship into the Courts. I was a judge in this Circuit for nearly twenty years. I know that while we had our differences, my brother and sister judges set aside politics and focused on doing our best to attain fairness and just results. This new law brings political interference and attacks to the Court system and will almost assuredly result in bitter and expensive election fights, the near certain and frequent removal of judges by retention losses, wholesale replacement of associate judges, and great damage to the trust and prestige we grant to the Courts. Some good judges will not seek to stay and face the vicious politics; and bad judges may be untouchable and remain. None of this is good for anyone in the county.

While sitting judges are prohibited from speaking on this, I ask others to join in a statement with me that this law is simply wrong and is unjustified. I ask other civic organizations to make clear that removing these rights of voters is a dangerous and improper act. The Democratic party, the Republican party, bar associations, civic clubs, the county, cities and towns, League of Women Voters, thoughtful individuals, all your voices are needed.

I will gladly meet with Representative Stuart or Senator Crowe in any public forum to discuss this legislated bombshell. How can it possibly be right for our own legislators to limit our ability to govern ourselves and participate in critical elections? In the meantime, I ask those legislators to renounce this law and to immediately introduce legislation, with their expressed full support, to repeal this indefensible assault upon our Courts and our Madison County voters.
Scranton, PA (18503)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional rain late. Low 52F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
London, KY (40741)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially during the evening. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
MADDY BARRETTE, Chariho, Softball, Sophomore; Barrette hit a two-run single in the seventh inning, lifting Chariho past Cumberland. For the week, Barrette was 4 for 8 with three RBIs and a double in three games.

MADDIE STEPSKI, Stonington, Softball, Senior; Stepski hit two home runs in back-to-back games for the Bears. In three games during the week, she was 10 for 13 with four homers, two doubles and 12 RBIs. Stepski is hitting .750 for the season with 22 RBIs and six home runs.

MICHAEL POOLE, Westerly, Baseball, Freshman; Poole struck out 14 Rogers batters to earn his second win of the season. Poole pitched a four-hitter and allowed just one earned run. For the season, Poole has 19 strikeouts in 12 innings with a 1.14 ERA.

SEAN BERGEL, Wheeler, Baseball, Sophomore; Bergel pitched a complete-game two-hitter in a 1-0 win against Putnam. Bergel struck out seven and did not walk a batter. He is 2-1 with a 1.68 ERA this season.

Vote

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The cheapest car insurance premium 22-year-old Lizzie can find using a comparison site is 2,680. Its not surprising that her quotes are high, though.

The catering assistant from Leeds has only two years of driving experience and three points on her licence for speeding.

So when she is offered cover for her Seat Leon FR for just 860.63, it sounds too good to be true. And it is.

Undercover: Money Mail reporter Fiona Parker (pictured) posed as a 22-year-old driver struggling to find affordable motor insurance

The quote has come from a ghost broker selling worthless car insurance on social media site Instagram.

The crooks lure in motorists with offers such as 70 pc discounts and guarantee to insure drivers at rock-bottom prices.

But the insurance scam leaves victims uninsured and at risk of hefty fines and even a driving ban.

The fraud, which investigators say is soaring, is also adding around 50 to the cost of all policies as firms recoup losses.

Web of lies

Whereas ghost brokers used to post flyers in telephone boxes or approach victims in pubs, they are now touting for business on social media sites such as lnstagram, Facebook and Twitter.

In some cases the scammers will just pocket the money and send fake documents to the customer.

In others they will approach insurers for quotes, but provide falsified details to get a cheaper deal. This means the policy would be invalid should the customer ever need to claim.

Scam: A ghost broker on Instagram offering cheap car insurance

A quick search for cheap car insurance on Instagram yielded dozens of results.

Posing as Lizzie, I find a broker using the name @car_insurance_specialists. The account has nearly 2,000 followers and promises to beat your current quote by around 50 per cent or more.

But with the help of insurer LV=, I soon find the bargain price offered is a sham. The firms data experts track the car registration number I provided to the ghost broker to monitor any requests for quotes.

They discover that, in a bid to drive down the price, the broker submits details that differ from the information I gave them.

It claims Lizzie is a married chartered accountant who lives in Cornwall, rather than a catering assistant from Leeds.

The broker also says her average mileage is just 4,000 miles a year  around half of the typical amount clocked up by UK drivers.

It means that if Lizzie had purchased this policy, her insurance would be invalid and she could face a bill of thousands of pounds if her car was stolen or damaged.

Police can also seize and crush uninsured cars and slap owners with a 300 fine and six points on their licence.

Insurance crooks are luring in motorists with enticing offers such as '70% discounts', '100 referral fees' and guarantees to insure young drivers at rock bottom prices

Instagram sham

Another Instagram account called @Matrix.insurance, which has 1,500 followers, offers Lizzie cover for 1,356.

There is a 200 admin fee  but even once this is added it is still a 1,124 saving on the best comparison site deal of 2,680.

The person running the account says that if I do not sign up within 48 hours, the premium will soar. All quotes from Saturday are coming up triple  3.6k plus. Yet experts say prices would not suddenly increase in this way.

A quick check on the City watchdogs website (register.fca.org.uk) reveals that the Instagram brokers are not registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, which is a legal requirement.

No cover: The insurance scams leave victims uninsured and at risk of hefty fines and even a driving ban

Surge in fraud

In the past year alone, 21,000 fraudulent motor policies were reported to the Insurance Fraud Bureau  nearly 60 every day.

The organisation says ghost-broking scams now account for a quarter of its investigations, up from one in eight in 2016.

The number of ghost brokers uncovered by insurer LV= has jumped by two thirds over the past two years. It currently has 20 open organised fraud inquiries, totalling 2 million.

Insurers still have to pay for a third partys damaged vehicle even if a driver has given them false details.

Firms can try to claim these back from the driver, but many end up having to foot the bill, and hike premiums to cover any losses.

If the other driver is injured, a claim will be made to the Motor Insurers Bureau, which pays out to victims of uninsured motorists. This is funded by insurers so costs are added to premiums.

Stricter checks

Experts say insurers could be doing more to stop fake policies.

But scammers have been known to use stolen identities when applying for cover. Axa is currently investigating one ghost broker that uses names and addresses of real people to secure policies.

James Blackham, chief executive of insurer By Miles, says: We want to see social media companies searching out and removing ghost brokers on their platforms today, and not just wait for legislation to enforce this.

An Instagram spokesman says: Fraudulent activity is not allowed on Instagram and we have removed the accounts brought to our attention.

'Were dedicating significant resources to tackle this industry-wide issue.

f.parker@dailymail.co.uk
The taxman is taking mercy on us again this year, relaxing the return deadline and allowing those who cannot afford bills to spread payments.

But as millions of workers struggle to file their tax return before the end of the month, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is giving itself a chance to recover from a pandemic staffing crisis.

The taxman could also have netted as much as 12 million in interest charges by allowing those who could not pay their bills upfront to stagger payments last year.

Penalties: The taxman will levy a fine of up to 30 per cent of your bill for careless errors, and as much as 100 per cent for deliberately not declaring something

And, as close to half of us are still yet to file, experts today warn that HMRC will not be so lenient if errors and late payments are made  despite millions of pounds in taxes now due on Covid support payments.

D-Day for Covid handouts

The looming January 31 self-assessment online deadline means millions of workers will have to face up to debt accrued during the difficult 2020/21 pandemic tax year.

Among those facing big bills include those who received government support.

People who cashed in on the staycation boom by letting out property will have to pay tax on their takings. So, too, will those who started their own businesses.

HMRC last week announced it will relax the deadline so that anyone who fails to file their return by the end of the month will not face a 100 late penalty if they file before the end of February.

The taxman made the move for the second year running after the new Omicron variant wreaked havoc on billpayers, accountancy firms and at HMRC.

Strict: Experts warn that HMRC will not be so lenient if errors and late payments are made - despite millions of pounds in taxes now due on Covid support payments

More than 12 million taxpayers have to fill in a self-assessment return this year and pay off the balance owed.

This includes the self-employed, landlords, small-business owners, and parents who earn more than 50,000 and have to pay back child benefit. So far, around 6.9 million have filed.

Why it doesn't pay to delay

Accountants are warning that taxpayers should do all they can to pay up because any bills not settled by the end of the month will start accruing interest.

HMRC is again allowing tax debts of up to 30,000 to be paid over instalments via time to pay.

But if taxpayers fail to arrange this before the end of March, they face a 5 per cent penalty charge on the amount owed.

Fees: The taxman could also have netted as much as 12 million in interest charges by allowing those who could not pay their bills upfront to stagger payments last year

HMRC says 123,000 taxpayers used time to pay online to spread the cost of their 2019/20 bill.

With payments delayed worth a total of 460 million, and interest charged at 2.6 per cent, the taxman could collect an extra 12 million if all debt was repaid over 12 months.

So far this year, more than 30,000 taxpayers have chosen to spread payments for debts worth around 75 million.

This is 5,000 more people and 5 million more payments than this time last year. And this year, interest on the debt will be added at 2.75 per cent  an extra 825 on a 30,000 bill.

The interest charged is an extra 0.15 per cent higher than last year after the Bank of England hiked the base rate.

Penalty minefield

After the online tax return deadline was relaxed last year, around 700,000 people filed late  but before the end of February to avoid a penalty.

Some 890,000 taxpayers were hit with a penalty for missing the delayed deadline.

Anyone who doesnt meet the new February 28 deadline this year will be automatically fined 100. Then 10 is added every day for a maximum of 90 days.

Backlog: As millions of workers struggle to file their tax return before the end of the month, HM Revenue & Customs is giving itself a chance to recover from a pandemic staffing crisis

If the form is six months late, the taxman charges a penalty of the higher of either 300 or 5 per cent of the tax due. If it is a year late, HMRC could even charge you a penalty worth 100 per cent of the bill.

Experts also warn that the more time you give yourself to file now, there is less risk of making an error.

The taxman will levy a fine of up to 30 per cent of your bill for careless errors, and as much as 100 per cent for deliberately not declaring something.

Those needing to file a return had to register for self-assessment by October 5. The deadline to file a paper return was October 31.

Bills that have built up

THIS months tax return deadline is significant because it covers money owed for 2020/21  the first tax year of the pandemic when small businesses had their income ripped away and had to rely on government support.

Now the self-employed and small firms will have to clear their tax debt. This will include tax due on Covid support payments.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) says this huge tax demand will hit businesses who are only just recovering from the pandemic.

Glenn Collins, head of policy at ACCA UK, says: This new year is critical for many small businesses and individual taxpayers who are coping with the uncertainty due to Covid-19 restrictions over the festive season.

Taxman under the cosh

Concerns: Shadow financial secretary to the Treasury James Murray

In September, more than 60,000 callers gave up waiting on the phone to HMRC  a rise of 22.5 per cent compared with the same month in the previous year.

And in March last year, nearly two in five callers had to wait more than 20 minutes for their call to be answered, analysis of HMRC figures shows.

Jason Hollands, of investing platform Bestinvest, says: If you have to deal with HMRC direct with queries or problems, there could be serious waiting times and delays, if last year was anything to go by.

And Labour MP James Murray, shadow financial secretary to the Treasury, adds: It is no wonder that HMRC has had to rethink their self-assessment deadline when so many people are experiencing such long waiting times.

Those registering for self-assessment for the first time were also hit last year by processing delays that meant they had to wait weeks for HMRC to send details in the post. It means anyone needing to register this month is unlikely to be able to file on time, experts say.

Nimesh Shah, chief executive at tax advice firm Blick Rothenberg, says HMRC might have been overwhelmed by appeals against penalties if it had not relaxed the deadline.

He adds: It suits HMRC not to have to spend the time and cost in managing the appeals process later.

HMRCs move to soften the deadline means taxpayers have an extra month to file their return and two months to arrange payment.

But Michael Fitch, managing partner at UHY Hacker Young, says: The damage done to the self-employed since March 2020 has been huge, with subsequent lockdowns and re-openings.

It is unlikely that taxpayers who cant afford to pay their tax bill now will suddenly have found the money by the end of March.

When the deadline delay was announced last week, Lucy Frazer, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: Waiving late filing and payment penalties will help ease financial burdens and protect livelihoods as we navigate the months ahead.

b.wilkinson@dailymail.co.uk
The ruckus over customers being given heat saving tips by energy suppliers disguises a bigger problem  that British homes are among the most poorly built and leakiest in western Europe.

So when the cold weather does set in  and energy prices spike as they have done over the past few months  households face a big hike in heating bills.

As well as lousy Government policy on the energy price cap, much of the blame should also be laid at the door of Britains big housebuilders, which for decades have been putting up low-quality housing.

Lagging behind: Too many homes built in the UK over the past 50 years are in the dark ages compared to those on the continent where double, if not triple glazing is par for the course

They have been allowed to get away with such poor standards on all aspects of building  from insulation to quality of workmanship  because of lax Government regulations.

Too many homes built in the UK over the past 50 years are in the dark ages compared to those on the continent where double, if not triple glazing, and underfloor heating are par for the course.

Who can forget the damning Dispatches TV programme two years ago about the hundreds of new-builds by Persimmon, our second biggest builder, which had multiple defects from no fire safety barriers to wobbling walls? Yet Persimmon had a five-star rating from the Home Builders Federation.

Which is why all the various plans afoot by the Government to help customers with energy bills in coming months are just sticking plaster, and missing the bigger issue.

Its only by insisting that developers build to the highest levels in the future, and by helping homeowners improve insulation, that we will get anywhere close to solving the problem.

Households could save at least 500 a year with better insulation, according to the Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group.

As well as a proper grown-up energy policy, the Government should be working fast to devise workable insulation schemes rather than the various gimmicky ones it usually comes up with.

The last one, the Green Homes Plan, lasted six months. Until then, its worth taking on board the Ovo Energy tips to its customers to help save on heating, which have had to be withdrawn because they are deemed offensive.

Contrary to public opinion, they are eminently sensible: eating porridge for breakfast, putting on another jumper and doing a couple of star jumps are just common sense.

Supermarket cheap

As shoppers are fast finding out, a little Lidl goes a long way.

The German discounter claims to be the UKs fastest growing bricks-and-mortar supermarket after great Christmas sales.

In the four weeks to December 26, Lidl reports sales rose 2.6 per cent, mainly because so many customers switched from other supermarkets because of its competitive pricing.

What Lidl failed to show though  like its German arch-rival Aldi  is whether the sales increase came from existing stores or its recently opened ones.

This would be pertinent to how sales are doing overall, as eight stores opened in December alone. Lidl also boasts that sales over the past two years are up by 21 per cent.

Yet Lidls claim that it is the fastest-growing supermarket during the festive season is under challenge as grocery tracker Nielsen suggests that Marks & Spencer was the fastest-growing food retailer, with a 9.4 per cent rise in sales over the past three months, while sales at Lidl were up 8.5 per cent.

Sounds to me rather like there is a lot of splitting of hairs going on as to who has done the best.

But this fierce competition can only be good for the shopper in terms of prices. Such is the competition that Lidl has even promised that it will remain the lowest-cost destination.

Tesco and Sainsburys are now due to give their updates, so we will get a fuller picture of the overall sector.

What is clear is that total food sales were up over the festive period and Nielsen forecast Britons spent 7billion on food in the two weeks to Christmas. In contrast, online non-food sales were down by a sharp 14 per cent in December.

Hardly a surprise, with most customers still stuck in semi-lockdown WFH limbo.

Lawyers beware

Dont be envious that newly qualified lawyers are being offered 150,000 a year as a starting salary. Most of the firms paying these big bucks are American.

Paradoxically, one of the reasons they are having to fork out so much is that so many young lawyers are leaving: all part of what is being called the Great Resignation.

The reason they are leaving is because they are burnt out and overworked.
I was expecting a parcel containing bespoke, handmade wedding rings on June 1 last year.

I received an email from UPS stating that import fees were due, but that 'your driver also accepts limited payment methods in person upon delivery'.

The delivery date was changed several times, with the import fees given as the reason.

Non delivery: : UPS managed to loose two bespoke hand-made wedding rings but still managed to charge the unhappy couple a 360 import fee

To speed up the delivery process, I paid the import fees of 359.81 online. Immediately after receiving confirmation of my payment, I received another email rescheduling the delivery yet again.

This time, it said the driver had attempted to deliver the parcel but I had refused to pay the fees on the door.

I was at home all day, and I have a motion-sensor video doorbell which did not detect any motion for the suggested attempted delivery time. Customer services then told me UPS couldn't locate the parcel.

I have been trying ever since to get a refund of the import fees that I paid, and have been spoken to very rudely at every opportunity.

I'm now being told I left it too late to try to secure a refund, despite constant contact and false promises throughout this time.

J. B., Stourbridge.

Tony Hazell replies: Your wedding last year had to be postponed in the end, but if it had gone ahead, you would have had no rings to swap as you shared your vows.

The rings you chose cost you 1,614 and were handmade using unique stones you had selected yourselves. The sender, who is based in America, remade them for you at her own expense, but they could obviously not be identical to the ones you had chosen.

You tell me you spent weeks scrolling through auction sites to try to find the originals, suspecting they had been stolen.

When I made contact, UPS finally refunded your fees.

A spokesman tells me: 'We take the delay or non-delivery of any package very seriously.

'We have reviewed the circumstances of this shipment and will refund the customs charges. We regret any stress or inconvenience that has been caused.'

It may also want to take a look at the attitude of its staff, who you say were rude to you and apparently could not be bothered to try to resolve your case.

I'm out of pocket after missing Easyjet shares flight

Last year, easyJet offered existing shareholders the right to buy extra shares for 410p each.

In September, I instructed Hargreaves Lansdown to purchase my allocation of 427. As I do not use internet banking, I spoke to an operator on September 17, paying 1,750.70 by debit card.

The operator assured me that he had completed the transaction.

However, when I checked my online account on October 2, the 1,750.70 was still being shown as 'cash available'.

When I queried this, I received a reply message saying that as I had not taken up the share rights, easyJet would dispose of them.

I received approximately 1,100 for my rights shares.

I estimate I have lost more than 600, plus the profit I could have made on the shares themselves, as I intended to sell them at around 700p.

J. C., Enniskillen.

Tony Hazell replies: Hargreaves Lansdown looked into your complaint. I know you are not happy with the outcome, but I feel its solution is fair.

As you say, your lapsed rights were sold for 1,195  as they cost nothing, that is all profit.

Had you bought those 427 shares for the offer price of 410p and then sold them at the absolute peak on the offer day of 685p, then your profit would have been 1,174. So you are actually 21 better off.

You told me in your letter that 'owing to my poor internet I cannot keep up with the financial markets'.

This suggests that it is very unlikely you would have got the peak price.

Incidentally, easyJet shares later fell to around 486p but are now trading at around 620p, so if you had not sold then your profits would have been even less.

You also tell me that you had planned to bundle them with your existing easyJet shares and sell them all at once  and that the reason you did not do this is because you were waiting for news of your rights shares.

I understand your frustration, but I do feel that your request for 1,000 in compensation is excessive.

Hargreaves Lansdown offered you 150 compensation. I asked if it would increase this to 250, but as you had already accepted the 150 and are no longer a client, the firm said it could see no incentive to do this.

What happened to my father's life policies?

My father died suddenly in December 2020.

He had some life policies which had gone to Phoenix. When I asked the firm about these, its reply was abrupt, saying there was no record of any policies and, as I did not have further details, I would simply have to accept that.

I have since found details of the policies, which dated from between 1968 and 1975.

The probate solicitor wrote to Phoenix about these in March.

I have phoned several times and been promised return calls, but have received no reply.

D. R., Llansadwrn, Anglesey.

Tony Hazell replies: Phoenix has made a thorough search and confirms that all the policies were paid out over time.

I am afraid there are no additional benefits or payments to be made.

However, Phoenix has offered a 120 goodwill gesture because of your poor 'customer journey'.
Fund manager Terry Smith has blasted Unilever for being 'obsessed' with its sustainability credentials.

The stock-picker, who runs several popular funds through his firm Fundsmith, said Unilever has 'lost the plot'.

On its website, Unilever says: 'Hellmann's purpose is to help people enjoy good, honest food, for the simple pleasure it is, without worry or waste.'

On its website, Unilever says: 'Hellmann's purpose is to help people enjoy good, honest food, for the simple pleasure it is, without worry or waste'

In his annual letter to investors in his Fundsmith Equity fund, Smith said: 'A company which feels it has to define the purpose of Hellmann's mayonnaise has clearly lost the plot.

The brand has existed since 1913 so we would guess that by now consumers have figured out its purpose (spoiler alert  salads and sandwiches).'

He blasted its refusal to supply Ben & Jerry's ice cream in the West Bank, as sales 'in the Occupied Palestinian Territory' were 'inconsistent with our values'.

Smith said: 'Unilever seems to be labouring under the weight of a management obsessed with publicly displaying sustainability credentials at the expense of focusing on the fundamentals of the business.'

Unilever was one of the worst-performing holdings in Smith's 22.7billion fund, as was payments company Paypal.

'The latter has been looking to branch out of its payments sphere. Smith said it should 'stick to its knitting'.

He conceded that buying shares in Amazon had 'attracted a lot of attention' as he had previously steered clear of the internet giant.

But he said it was a case of 'better late than never  or at least it will be if our purchase delivers the performance we expect'.

Fundsmith returned 22.1 per cent for investors in 2021, missing its benchmark, the MSCI World Index, which returned 22.9 per cent.

Last year, Smith bagged a payday of up to 150million.
Getting Britain's homes insulated is the cornerstone of the Government's green energy policy and an obsession for road-blocking eco-protesters.

But the scale of damp-related problems linked to cavity wall insulation is so serious that an MP is calling for an independent inquiry to improve protection for householders.

One expert has estimated that up to two million homes may have problems as a result of insulation being pumped into the cavity between outside and inside walls.

In some extreme cases, the resulting problems of damp and mould inside the house have rendered properties worthless and unsellable.

The scale of damp-related problems linked to cavity wall insulation is so serious that an MP is calling for an independent inquiry to improve protection for householders

Critics claim victims of botched installations have been ignored and nothing has been done to establish the true number affected by the problems, often caused by incompetent or unsuitable installations.

Fixing cavity wall insulation disasters can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Over the past 35 years, about eight million homes in the UK have been retrofitted with wall insulation to improve energy efficiency.

More than six million of these were done under the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) scheme, providing a 25-year guarantee for the work.

Although properly installing suitable wall insulation in an appropriate property does reduce heat loss, thousands have blamed insulating wall cavities for triggering mould and damp inside.

More than 34,000 people have tried to claim for corrective work under the CIGA scheme, with only a small percentage accepted as 'justified'.

Rejected claims are usually blamed on the lifestyle of residents or poor property maintenance, rather than on the negligence of installers.

Chris Elmore, Labour MP for Ogmore in South Wales, says action needs to be taken to help householders.

It cost me 4,500 to rebuild my sodden walls As a heating engineer with renovation experience, Claire Hillyar thought she could handle any problems with her new three-bedroom terrace. She renovated her 150,000 home in Portsmouth from top to bottom. The previous owner had taken advantage of green energy grants to have cavity wall insulation installed in 2009. Claire Hillyar discovered a serious damp issue in her end-of-terrace home linked to cavity wall insulation the property's former owner had installed It was only after Claire suffered sinus problems in 2018 that she discovered there was a serious damp issue linked to the insulation work. Damp patches on the living room wall were linked to her 'systemic fungal infection'. The property was covered by the CIGA guarantee and an inspector accepted that there was damp caused by the cavity wall insulation, which had to be removed. 'I was told it shouldn't have been done on this property,' Claire says. The front, gable end and top floor of the back of her home were all affected. Sub-contractors removed the insulation  but Claire says that by 'blasting' it out with high-pressure air, they caused more damage to the building and it has cost her 4,500 to rebuild the walls.

Mr Elmore adds: 'I have long called for fundamental reforms to be undertaken by the Government... to ensure that people have the protection they expect and deserve.

The Government must initiate an independent inquiry into the way cavity wall insulation complaints have been handled, to determine the scale of the problem and find resolution for people affected.'

Problems arise when rain penetrates the outer wall and the insulation material can transfer water across the cavity to the interior.

Debris can also enable the cavity to be bridged, while gaps in the insulation create cold spots with increased condensation inside. The result is mould, damp and damage to internal walls.

Over the years, governments have failed to set up a register or conduct surveys to accurately establish the number of homes with problems linked to cavity wall insulation.

But a leading industry expert who has advised the Government has estimated that 20 per cent to 25 per cent of retrofitted homes  up to two million in total  could have problems of some sort.

Other estimates within the industry have put the figure at three million.

Experts say that only homes not overexposed to the elements and with exterior walls in good condition, with a proper damp-proof course, should be considered suitable for this work, and ideally a survey should be carried out first.

But with government green energy grants fuelling demand, cowboy installers have carried out work on numerous unsuitable properties.

The result has been the birth of a new industry of tradesmen paid to extract insulation from inside walls.

But the scale of damp-related problems linked to cavity wall insulation is so serious that an MP is calling for an independent inquiry to improve protection for householders (stock image)

Damian Mercer runs a Lancashire-based company with eight staff that specialises in extracting botched cavity wall insulation  and he's busier than ever.

He says 'standard' jobs cost about 3,500 but it can cost 65,000 to remove some insulation that solidifies, as the outer wall needs to be dismantled.

He says: 'Installers are not policed and have never been policed. When an installer goes on site, he has to do a due diligence check.

They drill holes in the wall, look at the condition of the building and check the cavity and if there is rubble inside. They should walk away if there is a problem.

'But they are paid by the square metre  and if they fill it and get paid, and five years later damp manifests itself, they will say: 'It's nothing to do with us'.'

Mr Mercer says many of his customers have had applications to CIGA for work to correct damp-related problems rejected on spurious grounds.

He says: 'Drying too much washing on the line, too many boiled potatoes and steam from cooking going into the cavity are all excuses CIGA have told customers. It's laughable. They blame the lifestyle of residents rather than failings by the installer.'

Mr Mercer says green energy grants for social housing have made the problem worse, as residents often don't have the funds to maintain properties in good condition to avoid rainwater infiltrating walls.

Damp issues started with my green grant For 14 years, Joan Rose had no damp-related problems in her suburban terrace home in Bury, Greater Manchester. When she qualified for a government grant to boost its energy efficiency, she had a new boiler, plus loft and cavity-wall insulation installed. But the work, carried out by sub-contractors via her energy company, Npower, in 2013, triggered an eight-year nightmare. Miss Rose, 62, a carer, says: 'Within a month, I noticed a mark on the wall.' Then 'more and more patches' appeared on the wall at the back of her house. Before long, there were also patches near the windows at the front of the house, and the plaster had 'started to peel away'. The contractors, Tameside Energy Services, blamed a problem with a bathroom waste pipe, which Miss Rose says was 'nonsense'. But her complaints fell on deaf ears and Tameside later went into liquidation. The work was meant to be guaranteed for 25 years by CIGA, but Miss Rose never received the certificate to prove it. She says she can't afford the thousands of pounds required to fix the problem, which she says is now 'horrendous'.

Pauline Saunders set up the campaign group Cavity Insulation Victims' Alliance (Civalli) after suffering damp inside her home in Newport, South Wales.

Five neighbours had the same issue with damp, and she discovered that exposure to rainfall meant the properties were unsuitable for the work.

She says the Government's green energy drive could make the problems worse.

'What concerns us is that the Government is under pressure to cut carbon emissions and they are pushing this like crazy,' she says.

'There will be a lot of cowboys jumping on the bandwagon to do the work.'

She adds: 'People need to do their research first because we know the Government is turning a blind eye to the problem, as it doesn't fit in with their message.'

If repairs are not carried out under the guarantee scheme, or the original installer goes out of business, the householder can be left with a home that can't be sold or is unmortgageable because of the repair work needed.

Those who have opted to take legal action find themselves running up legal bills to add to their financial woes.

Security manager Gavin Ward, 43, was forced to leave his family home in Bridgend, Wales, for four years and moved into rented accommodation after it was deemed 'uninhabitable' by the council because of damp, mould and unsafe electrics.

His insulation was fitted in 2011 by a company called Miller Pattison, which should never have gone ahead with the work because there was too much debris inside the wall cavity.

Mr Ward said: 'Having not assessed the house correctly, they ploughed ahead and did the insulation install. They then installed it negligently.'

He didn't notice a damp problem until 2016  and by the time the full damage had been revealed, the cost of extracting the insulation and repairing the damage was put at 63,000.

He was still in dispute with Miller Pattison when it went into voluntary administration in 2019.

Eventually, Mr Ward cut his losses for the sake of his family's health and managed to sell his house for 120,000  about 60,000 less than it would have fetched in good condition.

A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy says: 'Good home insulation plays a vital part in reducing carbon emissions and keeping energy costs down, which is why we are ensuring that all work completed under government schemes is done to the highest industry standards.

'To protect customers, installations under government schemes must be carried out by a TrustMark registered installer, which offers a 25-year guarantee and is certified to the highest industry standards.'

CIGA refused to comment.

moneymail@dailymail.co.uk
Tifton, GA (31794)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
Thomasville, GA (31792)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 86F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
Princeton, KY (42445)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 76F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 50F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
This column was provided to the Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of Your Credit Score. Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.
Kingsport, TN (37660)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Kingsport, TN (37660)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Russia staged live-fire exercises with troops and tanks near the Ukrainian border on Tuesday while sounding a downbeat note over the prospects for talks with the United States that Washington hopes will remove the possible threat of an invasion of Ukraine.

A day after the U.S. side urged Russia at talks in Geneva to pull back an estimated 100,000 troops from near the border, the defence ministry said about 3,000 servicemen had started combat training including mock battles in four regions of southwestern Russia.

The drills suggested that the Kremlin has no intention of easing the military pressure that has brought the United States to the negotiating table, where Moscow has presented demands for sweeping security guarantees from the West.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was positive that Mondays talks had been held in an open, substantive and direct manner, but that there was no real cause for optimism.

Russia wants quick results, he said. There are no clear deadlines here, no one is setting them  there is just the Russian position that we will not be satisfied with the endless dragging out of this process.

Peskov said the situation would be clearer after two further rounds of talks that Russia is due to hold this week  with NATO in Brussels on Wednesday and at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on Thursday.

U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland told reporters it was disappointing to hear the Kremlin found no cause for optimism in the talks, and said Washington wanted the constructive exchange of views to continue.

Russia staging live-fire exercises obviously goes in exactly the opposite direction of the de-escalation Washington wants to see, Nuland added.

DEMANDS

Russia has repeatedly said it has no intention of attacking Ukraine but that it has the right to deploy its forces as it deems fit on its own territory.

Moscow insists that the United States and its allies rule out the possibility that Ukraine could ever join NATO, which promised as far back as 2008 to admit Kyiv one day. It also wants NATO to remove forces and weaponry from ex-communist countries that have joined it since the end of the Cold War.

Washington has said it cannot accept these demands, although it is willing to engage on other aspects of Russias proposals by discussing missile deployments or limits on the size of military exercises.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said after the Geneva talks on Monday that the two sides had in some ways opposite views. He told reporters: For us its absolutely mandatory to make sure that Ukraine never, never, ever becomes a member of NATO.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said: We were firm  in pushing back on security proposals that are simply non-starters to the United States.

NATO has no immediate plans to admit Ukraine, but says Russia cannot dictate its relations with other sovereign states  a stance reaffirmed by Ukraines foreign minister on Tuesday.

Russia does not have the right to vote on Ukraines NATO membership. This is a red line that neither Ukraine nor our partners will cross, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the RBK-Ukraine media outlet.

He added: No matter how many times Russian diplomats go around in circles, the starting line for discussing security guarantees in the Euro-Atlantic space should begin with Russias de-escalation of the security situation near the Ukrainian border and Russias withdrawal from Donbass and Crimea.

Moscow seized the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, and Russian-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian troops in the easterly Donbass region since then in a war that has killed some 15,000 people.

Ukraine was under Moscows rule for centuries, including as part of the Soviet Union, and President Vladimir Putin has said the prospect of NATO admitting it as a member, or stationing weapons there that could strike Russia, is a red line.

U.S. President Joe Biden warned Putin in two conversations last month that any new Russian aggression would trigger severe economic costs in the form of unprecedented sanctions. Putin responded that such moves would be a colossal mistake and lead to a complete rupture in relations.

SOURCE: REUTERS
The United Nations on Tuesday launched its biggest ever appeal  for over $5 billion to help 22 million Afghans whose country is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis and economic collapse as well as 5.7 million Afghan refugees in five neighboring countries.

The U.N. said the appeal will be followed by a pledging conference in mid-March. But a number of nations announced new funding, including an additional $308 million from the United States and $500,000 from Israel, and there were indications that more funds will be coming from other mainly Western nations.

U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths, who called the campaign the largest ever appeal, said statements during the two-hour hybrid launch event were encouraging because there is a high degree of consensus on the increasingly desperate needs of the Afghan people.

The Afghan appeal for 2021 was the best-funded, he said, and we are confident that member states solidarity and generosity will come through in 2022.

The issue of helping the Afghan people has been complicated by the Taliban takeover of the country in August as U.S. and NATO forces were in the final stages of their chaotic withdrawal from the country after 20 years.

The Taliban initially promised tolerance and inclusiveness toward women and ethnic minorities but their actions so far, including renewed restrictions on women and the appointment of an all-male government, have been met with dismay by the international community  including many donors.

Afghanistans aid-reliant economy was thrown into deep turmoil following the Taliban takeover. The Afghanistan central banks $9 billion in reserves, most of which is held in the United States, were frozen and the International Monetary Fund blocked about $450 million because of a lack of clarity about a new government.

The Taliban leadership has banned all foreign currency transactions while urging the U.S. to ease sanctions and release Afghanistans overseas assets so the government can pay teachers, doctors and other public sector employees.

The joint appeal seeks $4.4 billion for the U.N. and its humanitarian partners to help 22 million people in Afghanistan, about half the countrys population. It calls for $623 million for the 5.7 million Afghans who fled abroad to neighboring Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The funding, if achieved, would amount to the equivalent of about one-fourth of the countrys total economic output in 2020, of more than $20 billion, according to the World Bank.

Last month, Griffiths warned that Afghanistans economic collapse is happening before our eyes and urged the international community to take action to stop the freefall before it leads to more deaths.

He said donor nations need to agree that in addition to emergency humanitarian aid they need to support basic services for the Afghan people including education, hospitals, electricity and paying civil servants  and they must inject liquidity into the economy which has seen the banking system pretty well shut down.

Afghanistans ambassador in Geneva, Nasir Ahmad Andisha, who represented the former government and is still recognized by the U.N., told the meeting that Afghanistan is unfortunately experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis of its contemporary history, and perhaps one of the worst in the world.

My country is facing simultaneously an economic downfall, food insecurity, banking and fiscal crisis, climate change and unemployment, (and) over and above all a reversal of fundamental rights and freedoms including sidelining half of its population, said Andisha.

He has accused the Taliban of committing targeted killings, enforced disappearances and other rights abuses since August.

Andisha urged unimpeded humanitarian access to all areas of the country for U.N. agencies and their humanitarian partners.

The International Refugee Committee said its staff have seen a thirtyfold increase in the severest form of child malnutrition between November and December in western Herat and a twofold increase in southeastern Khost.

The organization, which has worked in Afghanistan since 1988 and now operates in nine provinces, said food prices have risen an estimated 10% to 20% compared with the past five years, and in December the cost of wheat, fuel and flour were almost 50% higher than in the last week of June.

While a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe looms, the world is perplexed and looking for the right way to react, Griffiths said.

My message is urgent, dont shut the door on the people of Afghanistan, he said. Help us scale up and stave off widespread hunger, disease, malnutrition and ultimately death by supporting the humanitarian plans we are launching today.

U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi said that the international community must do everything it can to prevent a catastrophe in Afghanistan, which would not only compound suffering but would drive further displacement both within the country and throughout the region.

He said security and resources will spur the return of refugees and aid opens a space for dialogue with the Taliban on issues that matter to donors including the rights of women and minorities.

The Afghan people cannot pay once more after 40 years for the political gaps and mistakes that have been committed in the past, and this is a very strong message from us, he said in his final remarks to the appeal launch, adding that the U.N. will continue to pursue the rights of women to education and work and the rights of minorities.

-

SOURCE: Associated Press
ALBANY - The Port of Albany's plans for a new wind turbine tower manufacturing facility in the town of Bethlehem got a boost Wednesday morning when the Biden administration announced it was going to auction off leases in an area of ocean called the New York Bight off the coasts of New Jersey and New York.

The 488,000-acre area, which could accommodate up to six wind farms, is expected to be able to generate up to seven gigawatts of electricity - enough to power two million homes.

Gov. Kathy Hochul joined Interior Department Secretary Deb Haaland and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on a call with reporters to reveal the details of the plan, which is expected to create tens of thousands of new jobs in the renewable energy industries in both states.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler also joined the call since the projects are expected to result in union-represented workers getting many of the manufacturing jobs that will support the supply chains for the projects.

For the Biden and Hochul administrations, the offshore wind leases aren't just viewed as job creators, but also a response to climate change, and promises to cut greenhouse gas emissions from traditional power plants that burn fossil fuels.

The New York Bight projects will add to offshore wind leases that New York state has already signed with several developers from around the world to build wind farms off the coast of New York state. New York state's goal is to help develop a total of nine gigawatts of offshore wind farms by 2035.



"Here in New York, we are already living with the effects of climate change through extreme weather that pose a direct threat to our way of life," Hochul said during the call. "We must chart an ambitious path toward a cleaner energy economy now more than ever, and today's milestone further highlights New York's commitment to reaching its offshore wind goals.

The Interior Department's announcement Wednesday is a huge boost to plans by the Port of Albany to build an offshore wind turbine tower manufacturing plant in the town of Bethlehem along the Hudson River. The components would then be shipped down the Hudson to the offshore wind farms.

The port has already gotten commitments from the companies that won the New York leases to put together the turbine towers at the Bethlehem site and also at the Port of Coeymans.

The federal projects off New York and New Jersey would only create more demand for local wind turbine manufacturing since the leases by the Interior Department will have incentives for components made in the United States using union labor. The Port of Albany site would be able to get more work, or other local sites could be used -- even potentially General Electric, which makes offshore wind turbines abroad but has significant operations, and land, in Schenectady where GE has thousands of workers within its GE Power division.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has pushed GE also to make its wind turbine components in the Capital Region, and recently announced the port had won a $29.5 million federal grant to build infrastructure at the Bethlehem site.

Hochul is so bullish on the offshore wind industry, that she pledged $500 million in her State of the State address last week toward developing the state's offshore wind industry, which includes the Port of Albany project.

The wind turbine tower project in Bethlehem involves three well-known companies in the wind energy sector: Marmen of Quebec, Welcon of Denmark and Equinor of Norway.

The three companies are partnering to build the $350 million wind turbine tower manufacturing site, which will employ 550 people and supply turbines for two offshore wind farms being built in waters off New York state.

"Bringing back good paying manufacturing jobs... that's exactly what we've been doing, which is opening opportunities to manufacture turbines up near the Port of Albany, send them down the Hudson River, and that makes sense," Hochul said. "And I'm proud that our state has been the nation's leader in having the largest active offshore wind portfolio in the nation."

Both Hochul and Murphy said former President Donald Trump's administration held up the federal lease plan for the wind farms off the shores of New York and New Jersey.

Murphy said Trump administrators had much different plans for the shores of the two states.

"They wanted to drill for oil and gas offshore," Murphy said. "They wanted to drill off the Jersey Shore."
If I made a list of things I believe Im good at, things I have excelled at in my lifetime, it would read something like this: planning parties and then partying at them (oh, how I love a good party); making salads; reading books for very long stretches (that must count, somewhere as a skill); and, what I think is perhaps my greatest accomplishment, feeding children. In fact, I would put that at the top of the list. Ive been doing it for what feels like ages. I fed babies and toddlers, pre-teens and hordes and gobs of teenagers. Ive made them pancakes and lasagna, peanut noodles and tray after tray of chocolate chip cookies.

But then heres my youngest child, funny kid that he is, and I realized one day a few months ago that he was eating out more than in, wolfing down pizza and sandwiches and burritos and more egg, cheese and bacon sandwiches in a week than most people eat in a year. I tease him, and wonder out loud if, when he walks into the corner market  the place where all the kids go for egg sandwiches  they call his name and cheer? Do they have a sandwich waiting for him on the counter every day? A special chair, maybe? He eats that many egg sandwiches. (A note about these egg sandwiches: they are very, very good. But how many takeout egg sandwiches should one 17-year-old eat in one weeks time? A couple? Four?)

Add to this slices of pizza and giant burritos, french fries and milkshakes. Its enough to make a mother  one who likes to cook and feed children  wring her hands. Hes an almost-grown up, making his own decisions, even if they are bad ones, and spending his own money. The only thing I can think to do is roll up my sleeves and cook. I try to make food thats more appealing to teenagers (think less beans and butternut squash, more meat and cheese) and bake sweets now and then, too. Heres a little sample of a few things I cooked up for my takeout loving son, foods that check his boxes (breads, beef, sugar) and mine as well (vegetables, spice, flavor.)

I made juicy, flavorful, Middle Eastern-spiced beef sandwiches for dinner recently, and I always think of sandwich dinners as being kind of summer-y, so this was a nice change of pace on a night so dark and cold that even the dog wouldnt go outside. The beef used here should be a tender cut, because the cooking time is quick. I found sirloin tips at the grocery store and those soaked up the flavor, were plenty juicy and nestled into the bread just right. For the best texture, season the meat and leave it on the counter for 30 minutes. It should all be room temperature before it goes into the pan; this way, it will cook evenly.

Now, on to the fun part: The flavor.

The mixture is a simple combination of spices traditionally used for the Middle Eastern grill: cumin and black pepper. It gets interesting with a touch of cinnamon  its not enough to stand out as really cinnamon-y, but just enough to add a little warmth. Then, theres Aleppo pepper. Aleppo pepper is not as spicy as chile flakes, and is beloved for its fruity undertones. If you don't have it, or dont feel like hunting around for it, no worries. See the recipe notes for substitutes. As Elliot likes to say, "Its all good."

I made a salad to go with the beefy sandwiches, because, well, thats what mothers do, right? And since I count salad as something Im good at, I have to practice, a lot. This particular salad is good in many ways: Its a combination of soft, warm grains, crunchy vegetables and bright, pickled onions. A secret to creating a good salad is to mix it up: different textures, lots of flavors and a rainbow of color. Here, I opted for couscous, and you probably know this grain as one that sits under stews, particularly Moroccan meat and vegetable dishes. I like couscous for its unparalleled ability to soak up whatever food and flavors are laid upon it. In this recipe, its got a simple dressing  just a bit of extra virgin olive oil and lemon, making it fluffy and flavorful and a bedrock for herbs and cucumbers and whatever else you want to throw in. This is definitely a dinnertime salad that makes for a happy lunchbox the next afternoon.

Lastly, I made muffins. Elliot, and everyone in our house, loves muffins. He isnt getting takeout muffins, so Ive got the market on these. This recipe calls for all-purpose flour and a small amount of cornmeal. Its not enough to qualify them for corn muffins, but just enough to give each bite a bit of sweetness and a tender crumb. I buy bags of frozen Maine blueberries (and try to catch them on sale), as theyre small and sweet and perfect for muffins, cakes, oatmeal topping and any other place where a little fruit or color would brighten things up. These muffins are best straight from the oven, sliced in two, with a generous hunk of butter spread over both sides. The next day, I like to slice them in half and fry them up in a little butter in my cast-iron skillet. Theres no takeout muffin that can compare to that.

With Elliot leaving for college in this calendar year, the pleasure of cooking for a family will be something that I look upon fondly and remember as something that I once did for a husband and three children, every day. Theres something like six months and two weeks until my youngest leaves for college, and until he goes, its me against takeout. So I roll up my sleeves and keep making his beloved beefy foods, sandwiches, pastas and plenty of sugary baked goods. The egg sandwiches, though, Ill leave to the experts at the corner market.

Middle Eastern-Spiced Steak Wraps

Serves 4 generously

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper (see note)

Olive oil

2 pounds steak tips, or other tender beef

Pita breads, for serving

Yogurt-tahini sauce, recipe follows

Sesame seeds, for garnish

Thyme leaves, for garnish

Combine the salt, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon and Aleppo pepper in a small bowl. Stir to combine. Put the beef on a large plate and spread the spice mixture over all sides of the meat. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Heat the oven to 275 degrees and place the pita breads directly on the oven rack to warm.

Heat a large skillet over a medium flame. Pour in a few tablespoons olive oil and when the oil is hot (itll be shimmery), add the beef. If your pan is not large enough to hold the beef without crowding, do this in batches.

Cook, for 6 minutes total, turning the pieces of meat to evenly cook. Remove from the pan and add more oil if doing more than one batch.

Divide the beef between four pitas, drizzle with the yogurt-tahini sauce, garnish with sesame seeds and thyme leaves and serve.

Note: if you dont have Aleppo pepper, use 1  teaspoons paprika and  teaspoon red chile flakes.

Yogurt-Tahini Sauce

Makes about  cup

 cup tahini

 cup plain yogurt

Juice of  lemon

1 tablespoon olive oil

 teaspoon salt

Water, as needed

Whisk ingredients together until smooth. Add a bit of water, one tablespoon at a time, to thin so the sauce will drizzle. Keeps covered and refrigerated, for 3 days.

***

Couscous Salad with Pickled Onions and Herbs

Serves 6

 cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup boiling water

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 small red onion, sliced thin

3 cups cooked couscous (cook according to box directions)

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

3 small Persian cucumbers (or  large), sliced on the bias

 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves

 cup extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon

Kosher salt

Pepper

 cup pitted olives (optional)

Combine the vinegar, hot water, sugar and salt in a glass bowl and mix to dissolve the sugar. Add the red onion and stir to cover all, separating and submerging the pieces. Allow to rest for an hour, or at least 30 minutes.

Combine the couscous with the tomatoes, cucumbers and parsley and toss well.

Whisk together the olive oil and lemon, then pour just enough over all to moisten. Taste and add salt and pepper.

Drain the onion.

Garnish the salad with the onion and olive, and serve. Best after resting for a few hours and served at room temperature.

***

Blueberry Crumble Muffins

Makes 12

2 cups flour

 cup cornmeal

 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 cup milk

 cup neutral oil (canola, safflower, etc.)

1 cup frozen Maine blueberries

For the topping:

2 tablespoons cornmeal

3 tablespoons flour

3 tablespoons white sugar

3 tablespoons melted butter

Pinch salt
Ulster County resident and former SUNY Sullivan professor Cynthia Marcello was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $32,000 by forging an application for a grant intended to provide high-need school districts K-12 teachers with professional learning opportunities.

She was a computer science professor at the college for 12 years before she resigned in March 2020.

When the college discovered that the grant process in which Dr. Marcello was involved fell outside the normal approval process, we notified the authorities, said SUNY Sullivan President Jay Quaintance in a written statement. We are grateful for the work of the Inspector Generals office, the New York State Police, and other authorities on this matter.

SUNY Sullivan contacted the New York State Police upon discovering the direct payments Marcello made to herself; police then referred the matter to New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang.

Dr. Marcellos alleged forging of a federal grant application for personal profit is an affront to the intention of such programs  providing professional growth and learning opportunities for teachers at high-need school districts, said Lang in a press release.

The investigation found that on April 6, 2018 Marcello falsely completed and signed a grant application on behalf of SUNY Sullivan, without permission or authorization, which allowed $32,400 to go directly to her instead of the college. The investigation found that Marcello listed herself as the vendor on the grant and was paid directly. Marcello sent invoices to Sullivan BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services) from her personal address so she could be paid directly.

The Liberty Central School District, with Sullivan BOCES, applied for a New York State Education Department federal grant for Title II, Part B Mathematics and Science Partnerships. This grant would allow SUNY Sullivan to enter a partnership with Liberty Central School District and Sullivan BOCES to provide teachers with professional learning opportunities.

The grant should have gone to SUNY Sullivan, and Marcello should have only received between $1,000 and $3,000 for her work.

According to a press release, one witness described that Marcello cut [SUNY Sullivan] out and deliberately deceived the college.

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Marcello had been listed on multiple grants prior to this one, all of which were conducted and paid out appropriately. Marcello was placed on administrative leave with pay before her March 2020 resignation.

The Hurley resident was arraigned on Tuesday in the Town of Liberty Justice Court before Judge Ronald Stabak on a charge of forgery in the 2nd degree, which is a Class D felony. In New York state, the offense carries a maximum sentence of seven years and/or a fine of up to $5,000 or double the defendant's gain in the forgery.

Founded in 1962, SUNY Sullivan is a two-year public community college offering 40 associate degree and certificate programs as well as continuing education courses in the hamlet of Loch Sheldrake, which is located in the Town of Fallsburg.
A statewide eviction moratorium is set to expire on Saturday, and at least two Hudson Valley municipalities are pushing their own good cause eviction legislation ahead of the moratoriums end.

Extending New Yorks eviction moratorium would require action by Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers. First enacted in 2020 to help those suffering financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the moratoriums expiration could leave many tenants wondering whats next for their living situations.

These last couple of times theyve extended this at the 11th hour, Chief Dennis D. Barry of the Orange County sheriff's office told the Times Union. Were going to prepare like its going forward; we dont really know what to expect.

In a push for further tenant protection, many municipalities across Hudson Valley have passed, or are aiming to pass, so-called good cause eviction legislation before Saturday. Good cause eviction bills would give tenants the right to a lease renewal, protect against large rent increases when renewing a lease, and prevent landlords from removing a tenant without an order from a judge.

The looming end of the eviction moratorium is something that advocates, housing attorneys, and tenants across the state are very weary of, said Brahvan Ranga, political coordinator for advocacy group and local nonprofit For The Many. Its something thats been used to really push these local elected officials to pass the law.

Where good cause eviction laws have passed

Albany was the first to pass a good cause eviction law in July 2021, which protects again evictions unless landlords can meet one of 10 possible conditions.

Newburgh and Poughkeepsie followed suit and passed similar legislation in the fall of 2021. The City of Newburgh passed its law on Oct. 25 after a lengthy public hearing and it took effect on Jan. 1 this year. The City of Poughkeepsie on Nov. 15 passed its law, which is designed to protect tenants from exorbitant rent increases that could result in increased homelessness within the city, the legislation states.

New Paltz began its initial discussions for a good cause eviction law in August, meeting significant opposition from landlords there  as similar laws have in other places too, including Albany where landlords are suing the city over it. In Albany, a lawsuit alleges that the legislation violates several state laws that limit local government involvement in regulating rents and evictions.

In Hudson, Common Council members were split on the legislation during a December vote, which prevented the measure from passing with a majority. There, council members cited displeasure about the current version of the bill, which does not include a provision allowing landlords to evict tenants if they are selling their property, as well as fears the city could be sued.

New Paltz bills

In New Paltz, at an earlier public hearing, an informal New Paltz landlord coalition expressed opposition to the proposed law, particularly concerning tenant protections from paying a rent increase greater than 5 percent.

Now, the village has split the issue into two bills: one addressing unfair evictions and one addressing rent increases. The first piece of legislation would prohibit landlords from removing a tenant who is in good standing and has been previously offered at least one lease renewal unless there is good cause to evict, including unpaid rent, violating the terms of the lease, damaged property, tenants refusing landlord access to rental units, and other violations.

The second bill would empower tenants to withhold payments of rent increases (amounts reflecting the difference between the previous rent and the proposed rent increase) if a tenant believes the rent hike is unreasonable and if they provide a written statement to the landlord. Landlords who object to the rent withholding may file a summary proceeding within 30 days of receiving the statement; a court would then review the matter, considering factors including whether the increase is greater than five percent, if the increase correlates to the Consumer Price Index, and if capital improvements are being made on the property, among other things. The second bill also states that contesting a rent increase is not grounds for eviction.

A public hearing opens again for both pieces of legislation on Wednesday, with the possibility of a vote by the town board to follow that day if time allows.

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Im really worried about it passing before the eviction moratorium ends, said Alexandria Wojcik, Deputy Mayor of the Village of New Paltz. Im worried about tenants self-evicting. Its a court process. Ive had a lot of tenants come to me saying theyre being evicted  I ask them if they want to share the notice with me, and all they got was a text or email. It wasnt any of the proper notices, court procedure or warrant from the sheriff.

Bills that pass on Wednesday would take some time to go into effect, but the village could begin messaging tenants to let them know they have more rights coming, Wojcik said.

The Kingston measure

The City of Kingston scheduled a special session of the council for Thursday to consider passing good cause eviction legislation. If passed, Kingston Mayor Steve Noble, who introduced and supports the legislation, will have to set a public hearing and sign the legislation within 10 days.

Well be urging tenants to be aware of their rights and not self-evict after the moratorium expires but before the mayor has signed the legislation into law, wrote Executive Director of For The Many, Jonathan Bix, in an email.

In Kingston, there was a direct effort to get the vote on the calendar prior to the eviction moratorium expiring.

Everyone can see that there is a housing crisis going on right now, said Majority Leader Rita Worthington. Unfortunately, because of that, and because of the rising costs of rents, the tenants have been displaced. We want to do everything we can to curb that.

Worthington said one intent of the good cause eviction law is establishing balance of power between landlords and tenants.

Hopefully this will get the tenants and landlords speaking to each other, rather than one party bringing the other to court, said Worthington.
If youve noticed some bare shelves at your local grocery store, especially in the dairy section, youre not alone. Thats especially true for shoppers here in New York and the Northeast where the extra shelf space is a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic, with its attendant supply chain snags, is still with us.

Recent bad weather, both the deep freeze here in New York, and blizzards in the West, has further aggravated the supply chain with lots of trucks running behind schedule.

Grocery item shortages are regionally driven, said Doug Baker, vice president of industry relations at the Food Industry Association.

He said that the East Coast is seeing additional slowdowns in deliveries due to inclement weather. And that has been compounded by several produce recalls issued by the federal Food and Drug Administration for some bagged salads and vegetables.

The omicron variant has impacted the supply chain pretty intensely, Baker said, noting that lots of store workers are quarantining due to either sickness or exposure.

Despite that, a spokeswoman for the ShopRite supermarket chain said they are holding up well due to relations with local food producers.

While there may be limited availability on certain items from time-to-time, we are confident that our customers will find everything they need, thanks in large part to our strong relationships with local growers and suppliers, said company spokeswoman Karen OShea.

The Honest Weight Food Co-op has at times had to close store departments early and cut back hours due to sick or exposed employees, but has not had to make that adjustment in the last two months, according to Alex Mytelka, the co-op's marketing manager. The co-op isn't experiencing major food or grocery shortages either because unlike larger chains maybe waiting on trucks to come in from other states, the store locally sources most of its products. Local sourcing and the community's understanding has put the co-op in a "unique" position, Mytelka said.

But farms are also seeing waylaid workers, which has slowed production in some instances.

Farmers are having trouble finding labor, said Lauren Williams national affairs director for the New York State Farm Bureau. Processing plants that turn milk into cheese and yogurt are also struggling with staffing, she said.

They are only able to produce as much as they can with the labor force they have, she said adding that the recent cold weather hurts by slowing the pace of work on many farms.

While Jeff King, of Schuylervilles King Brothers Dairy farm, hasnt had serious labor shortages, he has noticed a scarcity of drivers to haul the milk, ice cream and yogurt produced by his operation.

King farms deliver some of their products directly to stores, and King has noticed that the shelves may be sparse due to a lack of people to stock them.

Theres nobody there to keep restocking the shelves. Weve had to spend more time trying to restock, said King.

Food retailers that have a direct, dependable delivery source seem to be weathering the COVID storm the best.

We have an independent shipper and we dont go through other intermediaries, said Katie Haskins of the Hooked Market and Kitchen fish store in Latham. Theyve reported no real shortages of anything and continue to sell lots of salmon, their most popular offering.

Food isnt the only thing in short supply though.

Reasonably-priced home testing kits for COVID are hard to find.

Assemblyman John McDonald, who owns Marras Pharmacy in Cohoes, said he was able to regularly secure at-home tests up until about two or three months ago when the price for each kit jumped from $25 to $40.

He was fortunate enough to get 100 test kits on Monday, but he expected theyll be gone by the close of business Tuesday.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Navigating the demand and short supply of tests is only the beginning of shortages that Marras has recently faced. Over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol or Pepto Bismol from Procter and Gamble, and generic brands are harder for the pharmacy to get as well.

McDonald said its a weird and unexplainable situation that feels all too much like a March 2020 replay.

Hes been trying to order Halls cough drops for about six months and hasnt been able to get any other than the watermelon flavored variety. I can't provide something if I can't get it, he said.

Zarina Jalal, a manager at Lincoln Pharmacy in Albany, said its also tough to obtain masks because shipments are coming in later due to distribution centers being low on staff. But the small pharmacy is experiencing a labor shortage of its own due to spreading sickness. Lincoln Pharmacy had to cancel its vaccine clinic Monday because they didnt have enough people to work it.

Jalal said the staff shortages havent forced them to cut back on regular prescription services, although the team has had to get creative in balancing priorities and meeting earlier drug order deadlines. The pharmacys drug supply has been OK despite its wholesaler having issues fulfilling orders over coronavirus-induced staff shortages, Jalal explained.

Marras Pharmacy also experienced a staff outage due to illness in the last three weeks, but now has everyone back to work.

Our teams remain flexible in meeting customers needs in a dynamic environment that is part of a nationwide workforce shortage affecting nearly every industry and company, said a spokesperson for the CVS pharmacy chain. Early in the pandemic we hired 10,000 pharmacy technicians to support these efforts. Through our recent virtual career event, we hired 23,000 new retail employees, including pharmacists, nurses and pharmacy technicians and are in the process of onboarding another 20,000 candidates.

The cold, which followed a freezing rain storm over the weekend, has led to a run on rock salt and other ice-melting compounds as people attempt to clear the rink-like driveways and walks.

Delmars Phillips Hardware sold a ton of ice melting material over the last few days, going through entire wooden pallets of salt and other de-icing solutions like magnesium chloride. Luckily, he says another truckload of the stuff is due at the end of the week, just in time for a possible snowstorm next week.

Certainly, things arent as jammed up as they were at the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Robinsons Hardware in Guilderland and Slingerlands buys 90 percent of its supplies from a local ACE Hardware distributor. At the peak of the pandemic, ACEs shipping rate fell to 20 percent but as of Monday, Robinsons latest order was 53 percent fulfilled, said former owner and part time employee Gary Robinson.

Most of the products that go quickly are common, everyday tools and materials including simple electric switches to 60-watt light bulbs and plumbing tools. Often, Robinson and his team are able to find substitutes for people and get different brands in stock, although he said empty shelves persist.
ALBANY  In December, New Yorks recently appointed cannabis regulators passed their first major resolution involving individual companies, signing off on a multi-million dollar deal between current medical cannabis license holder MedMen and incoming investor Ascend Wellness Holdings.

Now, MedMen has said theyre calling off the deal, drawing ire from Ascend Wellness executives who say the company doesnt have the right to back out of the agreement that would give Ascend Wellness majority control of Medmens New York operations with a $73 million investment.

According to two statements issued last week by Ascend Wellness, MedMen is essentially challenging the regulators authority and ignoring the regulations of the states medical program by refusing to close the deal.

MedMen has declined to comment on those accusations.

For months, Ascend Wellness  a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator with assets in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, and New Jersey  prepared for its entry into the New York marketplace. Pending regulatory approval, the group expected to take over an 86.7 percent share of MedMen NYs operations this month.

We really had no indication from them that there was any change in the status of the deal, said Dan Neville, Ascend Wellness chief financial officer. They were going through the motions. ... They started sending us data on financials, getting the IT infrastructure in place.

Meanwhile, the process for getting the go-ahead shifted. MedMen initially filed for approval for the change in ownership from the Department of Health. But once the states adult-use legalization bill was passed on March 31, department representatives stopped advancing decisions that would alter the medical cannabis program, saying additional changes should wait for the incoming Office of Cannabis Management and its control board.

After months of uncertainty in the face of delays to the formation of those regulatory bodies, the Cannabis Control Board conditionally approved MedMen NYs ownership change on Dec. 16, pending the review of the proposed transaction by OCM staff.

Two weeks later, the OCMs general counsel Rick Zahnleuter sent an email to Dan Edwards of MedMen and Harold Iselin, a GreenbergTraurig attorney working with Ascend Wellness, to clarify its status.

The board had approved of the referenced change in ownership of MedMen NY, Inc., Zahnleuter said, and such approval constitutes final approval for the purposes of closing the transaction and enacting the transfer.

But the transfer never happened.

On Jan. 3, a MedMen representative allegedly informed the Ascend Wellness team that they were calling off the deal, saying the conditions of the agreement  specifically, approval by regulatory authorities  were not satisfied before the contractual deadline of Dec. 31.

New Yorks regulators paint a different picture.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Both companies were notified prior to Jan. 1 that the Cannabis Control Boards approval of this change in ownership at its Dec. 16 meeting was final, said Freeman Klopott, a spokesman for the Office of Cannabis Management.

A press release from MedMen, also from Jan. 3, confirmed the company had announced its termination of the agreement, but did not provide further detail. Its representatives declined comment for this story, and company leadership has not spoken to reporters since.

Though Neville said MedMen officials stopped communicating with Ascend Wellness too, he speculated that other significant capital and contextual changes influenced the companys decision to renege on its prior commitment.

Neville said Ascend Wellness struck an initial deal with MedMens interim leadership when the company was cash-strapped in December 2020; but the current license holder has since attracted new investors, and when adult-use cannabis was legalized in New York, the value of their assets here also grew.

Last year, MedMen nabbed a $100 million investment from Serruya Private Equity, offering investor Michael Serruya a seat on the companys board in August and the role of interim chief executive officer by late November. This leadership pivot came only four months after the company had announced that Tom Lynch would be permanently in the chief executive role. Lynch was leading the multi-state operator in an interim capacity when the Ascend Wellness deal was signed.

Meanwhile, Ascend Wellness was already sinking millions into MedMen NY: as part of the agreement, they funded the business operating costs at about $2.25 million, in addition to putting in $2.5 million to begin growing their cultivation capacity in Utica, and several million to secure the deal. The company went public in May, and took out its own $210 million loan to finance what it expected to be an imminent need to build capacity in New York. In October, it appointed attorney T. Andrew Brown as president of its forthcoming operations in the state.

From our perspective, MedMen no longer has any right to terminate (the agreement), Neville said. But if for some reason the asset were to go back to MedMen NY, and they were to win in litigation ... they would owe us that money back.
CLIFTON PARK  Calling the town supervisor a career politician who has violated the public trust, town councilwoman Amy Standaert lambasted Supervisor Phil Barrett at a meeting Monday night for appearing in public and in town offices without a mask last week around the same time he tested positive for COVID-19.

At Mondays town board meeting, Standaert read a statement calling Barrett reckless for taking part in a Jan. 6 event where tests kits were distributed to the public two days after he told the town board he tested positive for COVID-19 in a rapid at-home test. She also said he was seen in Town Hall going from office to office without a mask and without adhering to social distancing guidelines on the same day he tested positive.

Your reckless disregard for the safety of the team puts not only our town employees at risk and also the residents who come to Town Hall every day, Standaert said at the start of the meeting. Elected officials must hold themselves to a higher standard. Your repeated poor judgement, negligence and selfishness has perverted the beneficence of every effort our team has accomplished throughout this pandemic.

Last week, Barrett told the Daily Gazette and the Times Union that he started feeling ill the week before he tested positive. He told the town board virtually during a meeting last Monday that he had used an at-home test earlier that day and it was positive.

Standaert then asked Barrett to answer a series of questions, including when was the onset of his symptoms and who he was in contact with since his positive diagnosis. She also wanted to know if Barrett, a fellow Republican, had notified Saratoga County Public Health Services and if he took part in contact tracing.

Town residents and town employees are asking for answers, she said. You are the only one that can provide them. They need to be addressed to restore confidence and trust in the office of the town supervisor.

Barrett, who sat quietly while she spoke, told her he wasnt going down that rabbit hole with her.

Its a fools errand, he said.

He also defended himself, saying hes been transparent throughout.

If an employee in one of the departments is positive they dont come to a town board meeting or put out a memo to all the employees that so and so has tested positive for COVID, Barrett said. However, when I did, I announced it, here, at a town board meeting so everybody would be aware. So, I have been transparent from the very beginning and Im following all protocols and will continue to do so. Thats about all I have to say about that.

Standaert said she became concerned about Barrett's actions when she saw him at last Thursday's event at the Clifton Park Senior Center. Standaert photographed him without a mask knowing he had announced remotely on that Monday that he tested positive. The photo showed Barrett away from the handout line speaking to someone else in a vehicle. The guidance from the Centers from Disease Control is to isolate for five days after testing positive. The CDC also recommends coming out of isolation only if the person is asymptomatic. It also recommends that those who test positive "wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public."

Barrett also said he followed all protocols, but did not explain what protocols he followed.

A check of the county's Public Health Services website, however, noted that the five-day isolation period begin during onset of symptoms, which Barrett said were the prior week. A well-fitting mask is recommended for 10 days after onset of symptoms.

Barrett's actions, Standaert said, are also in opposition to the supervisor's own Dec. 10 memo to employees that requires masks to be worn when moving about Town Hall. It also asked employees to socially distance. A May 2020 memo also told employees to self-monitor their health and stay home when feeling ill.

On the day of the test kit giveaway, Barrett said he was doing what was necessary and not putting anyone in harm's way.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

You saw exactly where I was stationed, far away from everyone in the parking lot, Barrett said. And it was done so there wouldnt be any questions where I was during the event. So I was in the parking lot by myself and there was a couple of thousand people, people from the press were there during a good portion of the event as well as our team. So you can take pictures of me next to vehicles and use them as a cheap political set up. Thats your unfortunate choice.

Barrett maintained that he needs to serve the public regardless of his health. He also took part in last Saturdays public meet and greet with Clifton Park native and Atlanta Braves pitcher Ian Anderson, which was six days after Barrett said he tested positive.

I do not have the luxury of picking and choosing and when we get involved, Barrett said. You need to be on the job in person due to the nature of the services that we provide.

Councilwomen Lynda Walowit and Amy Flood, also Republicans, backed up Standaert. Walowit said she is concerned about staff who Barrett came into contact with on Monday, Jan. 3. Flood asked him why were you later in public ... If you tested positive on Monday, going out on Thursday is not five days.

On Tuesday, he said Monday's attack by Standaert is a politically motivated move in a "gotcha" environment from "a politician seeking relevance." He also said he is not answering her list of questions about who he came into contact with and when, because he says he already spoke about it to the town board and the press after he tested positive.

Standaert told the Times Union she believes Barrett is not addressing the councilwomen's questions in hopes the issue will go away.

Public servants should be straightforward, not evasive, and honest in their dealings with (the public), Standaert said. The residents of Clifton Park and our town employees deserve to know the truth and that only begins when you answer their questions.

She added, "He is not above the rules and I am not going away."

Note: The story was updated on Wednesday morning to include guidance from Saratoga County Public Health Services.
Colleges and universities in the Capital Region are planning to begin the spring semester online, require medical-grade masks and mandate vaccine boosters as part of their back-to-school safety protocols in light of the rapidly spreading COVID-19 omicron variant.

The state and region are seeing a record number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, driven by the highly contagious variant.

While infections appear less severe in most vaccinated people and COVID-19 deaths are climbing at a slower rate than they did last winter in New York, the sheer number of cases is still a cause for concern, according to state health officials.

A small fraction of a big number is still a big number, State Department of Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said at a recent news conference.

At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, classes began remotely this week. All students, faculty and staff at the Troy-based university are required to have received a booster shot by Jan. 7 or within seven days of their eligibility.

RPI students will be tested upon arrival on campus. Athletes and unvaccinated individuals must be tested for COVID-19 twice a week throughout the spring semester, while all other on-campus students and staff can be tested once per week.

The state now requires all City University of New York and State University of New York students to be boosted by Jan. 15 or as soon as medically eligible.

Faculty and staff at public colleges and universities do not currently have a vaccine mandate, but unvaccinated CUNY and SUNY employees must get tested for COVID-19 regularly.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's "Winter Plan 2.0" extends the vaccine mandate to faculty and staff, but the details have yet to be negotiated with union leaders.

The University at Albany has delayed the start of the semester from Jan. 19 to Jan. 24. to enable more students to get boosted and comply with a requirement to show a negative COVID-19 test result before they return to campus.

Students and faculty who are unvaccinated must submit to regular surveillance testing, according to the plan.

Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs has given faculty discretion to hold classes remotely or in-person during the first four days of the semester, Jan. 25-Jan. 28. Boosters are required and masks must be worn indoors.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

President Marc Conner said the idea is to enable flexibility based on personal circumstances and various risk factors.

"Also, the twin elements of Omicron  extremely contagious yet, for those fully vaccinated, generally less serious symptoms  pose challenges in how we respond to its presence," Conner wrote in a letter to the campus community. "And of course we are all frustrated with and fatigued by the pandemic. Our commitment to kindness, support, collaboration, and friendship will continue to sustain us in this next phase of COVID-19."

Schenectady's Union College was remote for the first week of its winter term, which began Jan. 3, but resumed in-person instruction on Monday.

A number of schools, including Union, now require medical-grade face-coverings such as KN95 masks. Skidmore "strongly encourages" medical-grade masks and is distributing KN95 masks for the spring semester.

Albany Law School announced that the spring semester, beginning Jan. 18, will begin in a remote format through Jan. 24.

The College of Saint Rose in Albany has not yet finalized its back-to-school protocols, but the first days of classes, which begin Jan. 18, will be online.
3 1 of 3 Saratoga County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Saratoga County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 3 of 3





SARATOGA  A Corinth man received a 20-year to life sentence for intentionally ramming his SUV into a group of motorcyclists , killing one of them, after he attacked a woman earlier in the same day, Saratoga County prosecutors said Tuesday.

Dylan Vella, 28, of Angel Road, had been convicted of second-degree murder of motorcyclist Paul Hollenbeck, 53, in Corinth during the Main Street crash on April 7, 2020. Others in the group of four were seriously injured. Earlier in the day he sexually and physically attacked one woman and stole another womans belongings at Stewarts Pond in Hadley. He was also convicted of assault and sexual abuse.
Editor's note: The body has been identified.

BETHLEHEM  Four decades ago during the spring thaw, a Delmar farmer trudged out to his fields to fix a fence damaged in a winter storm.

He discovered the partially decomposed body of a man lying near the tree line abutting the back of Elm Avenue Town Park.

Now the decades-old cold case has finally been solved: Bethlehem police will hold a briefing on Thursday to discuss a break in the case.

Officials were cagey with the details, but said the announcement will be in regard to the historic use of modern investigative methods which have brought this case to its current status.

We arent releasing anything else until tomorrow, said Bethlehem Police Cmdr. Adam Hornick, who worked the case after it was resurrected in 2013 and lobbied for the use of new technology to identify the John Doe.

Tomorrows announcement will close the case, Hornick told the Times Union.

The body discovered on April 3, 1981, was badly decomposed and offered no indication of the cause of death. And no one came looking for him, resulting in few leads.

Hed been carrying copies of the Jan. 1, 1981, Spotlight and Ravena News-Herald newspapers, a shredded bus ticket police were unable to identify and tattered notes from a small spiral notebook, which contained phone numbers for local churches and stores, the Bethlehem recreation department, CDTA and two town residents.

But those listed didnt recall the man in any great detail.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Hornick told the Times Union in 2019 that state regulations on familial DNA did not allow police to compare an unidentified body's genetic material to samples from potential relatives stored in state and federal DNA databases, technology he argued would have solved the case.

New York had also not allowed any private companies to oversee genealogical comparisons  a cold case technique that made headlines across the country after it was used to catch the Golden State Killer, a former California police officer who murdered at least 13 people and committed dozens of rapes.

Familial search has been in place since 2017 and was expanded to include unidentified human remains in April 2021.

While it remains unclear if the technology is what helped crack the case  and if the remains buried in a paupers grave at Graceland Cemetery in Albany will definitively be identified  one key may rest in the mans jaws, which Hornick located in a Ballston Lake dentists office where they were taken for analysis shortly after the body was discovered.

The bones were sent to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas. Both labs were able to extract DNA and ultimately create a DNA profile.
Sally Johnston is tired of interviewing home health aides to help care for her.

The 78-year-old Syracuse woman, who requires in-home assistance for tasks she can no longer complete on her own, said she's never sure if or for how long shell have an aide because theyre constantly leaving for higher-paying work elsewhere.

Its not that people dont like the work, she said. They do like the work. But they have a family that they need to care for and so it makes it hard when they learn there are higher paying jobs at Burger King.

Home care wages have been stagnant in New York for over a decade. Where aides could once expect to earn 150 percent of New Yorks minimum wage in 2006, today they can count on minimum wage or just above it  less than what many fast food and retail workers now make. And the sector has been bleeding workers as a result.

Gov. Kathy Hochul committed in her first State of the State last week to combat historic staffing shortages across the health care industry by investing $4 billion in wages and bonuses. But home care recipients like Johnston say they were disappointed to learn the aides they rely on every day may not be included in the plan. Together with lawmakers and advocates for the elderly and disabled, they are calling on Hochul to combat what they say are increasingly dire staffing shortages by passing the Fair Pay for Home Care Act in her executive budget next week.

The bill would set home care wages at 150 percent of the minimum wage and establish regional reimbursement rates for those hiring aides through their Medicaid or managed care plans. The latter is key, employers say, since Medicaid pays for the bulk of home care services provided in the state.

It is just horrific to try to keep people on the job and I feel sometimes Im living on the edge and it scares me, Johnston said Tuesday. I want to stay in my home and I want to live with dignity Id like to retire from all this interviewing and just live a comfortable life and not have to worry if somebodys going to be coming to help me tomorrow or not.

Lawmakers and advocates say they're surprised the home care plight hasnt received as much attention as other health care shortages. Some 60 percent of open health care jobs in New York are in home care, according to a report released Tuesday by the Senate Committees on Aging, Health and Labor.

State Sen. Rachel May, a lead sponsor of the Fair Pay for Home Care Act, said the governor frankly failed to address home care in her State of the State and should use her bully pulpit and upcoming budget to make it a priority. She said the staffing problem is so bad that tens of thousands of New Yorkers who have been approved for home care services are currently unable to receive them.

"That means there are seniors who are going without basic services like hot meals or bathing or helping them get up in the night to go to the bathroom, she said. Others are ending up needing hospital care because of gaps in their care. Still others are going into nursing homes when they should be staying in their own homes.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Renee Christian, a business owner and mother with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair, said she has been unable to receive consistent care in her Buffalo home for the last three years.

This has led to me having to sleep in my chair on a weekly basis and having to not know when Im gonna have support to go to the bathroom or to even shower  so where Im having accidents on myself, she said.

Hazel Crampton-Hays, a spokesperson for Hochul, said Tuesday that the governor's office is committed to retaining and expanding the home care workforce, but did not directly respond to questions about whether home care wages would be addressed in the governor's forthcoming budget.

She said New York has submitted a plan to the federal government to spend $2.2 billion in federal pandemic relief funding  including 14 targeted initiatives  to strengthen the home care workforce.

"Gov. Hochul will work with the legislature to enact a budget that addresses the needs of all New Yorkers, and more detail about the executive budget will be available upon its release later this month," she said.
As longtime disability rights advocates, we have seen our lives marginalized and devalued by the medical establishment. We agree with the principle of a right to self-determination; however, a balanced perspective of assisted-suicide legislation is frequently missing from the discussion.

The disability communitys core message is that if assisted suicide is legal, some peoples lives will be lost due to mistakes, coercion, and abuse, and thats an outcome that can never be undone.

New Yorks bill on physician-assisted suicide, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, is being marketed as merciful, where a terminally ill patient would have the option to end their suffering with a lethal dose of medication. But its advocates neglect to address how this same law would legalize assisted suicide in a manner that would pose mortal danger to vulnerable and marginalized people.

In a recent study of doctors perceptions of disabled people published in Health Affairs and reported in the Harvard Gazette, 82.4 percent of the doctors surveyed felt that people with disability have a worse quality of life than others and fewer than 57 percent said they strongly welcomed disabled patients. The lead author stated, The magnitude of physicians stigmatizing views was very disturbing. Simply put, we dont trust all physicians to make decisions about life and death.

The current pandemic only serves to highlight these concerns. A representative of Oregon Disability Rights has said regarding care during the pandemic, We've had  cases  where, essentially, medical staff are encouraging patients, even ones who have relatively clear expressed wishes to get the full measure of assistance, to convert to a do-not-resuscitate  status, essentially because of their disability. A Texas hospital refused to give COVID-19 treatment to a 46-year-old Black disabled man, with his wife being told he had little quality of life. He subsequently died. In times of crisis, societys implicit biases are more likely to influence critical medical decisions.

How will New York state assure that people, especially those with cognitive issues, are not being influenced by family members and others who view them as a burden? Current legislation in New York has no realistic way of protecting individuals from mistakes, coercion or abuse and lists no reporting requirements. Medical confidentiality prevents oversight. No independent witness is required during the death of an individual. In a world where abuse of persons with disabilities and seniors is rampant, this alone is cause for concern.

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

Assisted-suicide laws in other states direct that a doctor be satisfied that a persons decision to die is not being unduly influenced by another. It is not clear how office visits can yield this information. If doctors start with the presumption that a persons illness or disability inevitably diminishes his life, evidence of undue influence can be overlooked. How will the state Department of Health, which has been terribly remiss in monitoring our loved ones health and safety in nursing facilities, adequately monitor these potential problems?

We know a cultural divide exists between those with and those without a disability. Will some folks want to end their lives because our health care system cannot assure a good quality of life, economic security, quality affordable accessible housing. adequate support services, and a life free from the threat of unwilling institutionalization? These are practical and societal issues that doctors, focusing on whether a condition can be cured, may lack the knowledge or perspective to solve.

We do not question the good intentions of this legislation, and we believe most doctors do try to do their best for their patients. However, physicians, policymakers and legislators are part of a society which accepts glaring health care disparities. Nothing about their training or expertise puts them above the implicit cultural biases. Unless advocates for assisted suicide address and not trivialize these critical issues, any supposed safeguards of assisted-suicide laws are illusory. In issues of life and death, we believe the state should err on the side of caution.

Melvyn R. Tanzman of Yorktown is a retired executive director of Westchester Disabled on the Move. Lisa Tarricone of Poughkeepsie is executive director of Taconic Resources for Independence.
ALBANY  Republican leadership questioned potential political motives and the integrity of the process after the states botched release of highly anticipated data related to changes in New Yorks bail laws.

It really brings in a lot of doubt, a lot of suspicion related to this, Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said Tuesday at a packed press conference at the Capitol. He was joined by dozens of Republican lawmakers, law enforcement officials and new Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who has been publicly sparring with Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Although the state data was removed, amended and re-released Monday, as reported by the Times Union, it does not appear that anything changed beyond what state officials said needed to be fixed.

The revised data clarified how many of the cases have ended up with a person rearrested while released and pending trial under the new rules.

The initial data launch from the state included figures for individuals arrested on new criminal charges after their case initial case was adjudicated. It was an error to include those rearrests, state officials said, because those cases did not involve some arrested while awaiting trial.

The data, required to be reported to the Legislature, were intended to measure the outcome of individuals who were released from custody  many of them under circumstances that previously could have led to their incarceration pending trial. By excluding individuals arrested for new crimes but not while they were facing charges in another case, state data showed that it resulted in a higher count of rearrests.

The Times Union compared the updated data against the initial data set for any potential, substantive changes beyond the stated goal in revising it by the Office of Court Administration and the Division of Criminal Justice Services. There were no apparent discrepancies.

Critics of some of the bail statute changes, including many police leaders and prosecutors, have argued that the new rules give judges little discretion in whether to set bail for a defendant, resulting in individuals being released from custody who they contend may be dangerous. Lawmakers and supporters of the changes contend those assertions are overblown and that the changes have enabled many individuals to continue on with their lives and avoid potentially losing their job or housing while facing a criminal charge, rather than remaining incarcerated pending the outcome.

The data now reflect: 2 percent of the nearly 100,000 cases related to the states changed bail laws, between July 2020 and June 2021, led to a rearrest on a violent felony while another case was pending. Thats down from nearly 4 percent from the prior data set. The new numbers reflect 2,051 arrests of someone for a violent felony after their release from custody or following arraignment on an initial charge.

Many of those rearrested after being released had been pending trial on charges involving property, larceny and drugs.

Less than one-half a percent of cases led to someone being rearrested for a violent felony with a firearm  or 429 cases.

Overall, nearly one-fifth of the bail-related cases led to someone being rearrested for any offense, including misdemeanors and felonies. The initial data set released by the state had pegged that number at around 30 percent.

Republican lawmakers, citing the data error, raised concerns about the trustworthiness of the new figures give that state agencies are controlled by an administration that favored the bail changes.

This isnt the first issue with numbers and reporting that New York state has had in just the past 12 months, especially when it comes to deaths and victims, said Ortt, referencing the prior administration's manipulation of nursing home death data during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

He added, "this law, cashless bail, has created more victims." Ortt said that the Republican Party stands for crime victims, a platform that has been widely embraced in their campaigns heading into an election cycle that will include a gubernatorial battle.

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay emphasized that the focus should be on what makes sense for keeping streets safe.

Putting aside the statistics  which are important to prove our point  but I think if you talk to anybody, its common sense, Barclay said. You dont let dangerous criminals back out on the street. I dont need 100 statistics to prove to me its a bad policy.

Advocates for the changes to the bail laws reiterate that a main goal of the alterations was to ensure someone who had yet to be convicted of a crime was not held in a jail based on their ability to afford bail or their race.
ALBANY  Gov. Kathy Hochul is standing firm on her decision to continue pushing for most state workers to remain in the office, even as New York has experienced a surge in coronavirus cases attributed to the omicron variant.

The governor reiterated during a COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday that while employers should continue to use their own discretion, the state workforce will not go back to widespread telecommuting because of the potential economic damage of keeping people at home, especially for the restaurant and hotel industries.

Many unions have remained silent on the issue, even as some employees are complaining about reporting to an office where they can be required to wear a mask while many of their coworkers remain unvaccinated. The Public Employees Federation, the state's second-largest public labor union, has pushed back on the governor's decision, which it noted is being made "during the worst winter surge of the COVID pandemic."

"By the states own reports, this is the worst spread of infection we have seen at any time during this pandemic, and health experts predict this surge has not peaked yet," PEF President Wayne Spence said in a statement issued Tuesday. "Rather than allow its workforce to protect themselves, their families and the public from this surge by telecommuting as they did during previous surges, the state ignores this simple and effective strategy and, instead, chooses to broaden vaccine mandates, requires workers to wear masks all day at their desks, wastes its limited supply of COVID tests and now forces another dose of the vaccine upon its strained workforce."

There is a wide disparity in state government agencies and offices on telecommuting or having workers return to the office. The state comptroller's office gave employees until Wednesday to decide whether they need to continue telecommuting through Jan. 24.

In the attorney general's office, their New York City offices are relying heavily on telecommuting while regional offices, including Albany, are generally below 50 percent of the workforce in the office, officials said.

In other agencies, including the state Education Department, workers have been returning to the office roughly 70 percent of the time and some said they are glad that Hochul has imposed a mask mandate for anyone not in a private office or actively eating or drinking. Others have scoffed at the mandate.

The unrest by some workers is unfolding as the effectiveness of vaccines in New York in so-called "breakthrough" cases  infections of individuals who have been fully vaccinated  has dropped from 92 percent in May to around 77 percent amid recent surges in the delta and omicron variants. The data indicates a vaccinated person has about a 77 percent lower chance of becoming infected with COVID-19 than someone who is unvaccinated.

As of Jan. 1, there were more than 651,000 laboratory-confirmed breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated individuals in New York, which equates to about roughly 5 percent of the population of fully vaccinated people aged 12 or older.

In recent months, there has been an uptick in the number of people who have become ill with COVID-19 despite having been vaccinated, including those receiving booster shots. But Hochul's administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Infection assert that all of the coronavirus vaccines remain highly effective at preventing infections, severe symptoms, hospitalizations and deaths.

Leaders of the Civil Services Employees Association, the state's largest labor union, have remained largely silent on the issue of workers being instructed to return to their offices amid the winter surge in infections.

"As Ive stated previously, the majority of the CSEA-represented state workforce has been working at their workplaces since before the start of the pandemic and continue to report to their places of employment," said Mark Kotzin, a CSEA spokesman. "We have no further public comment on this at the present time."

In addition to pushing for an expanded telecommuting program, Spence, PEF's president, also called on Hochu's administration to provide high quality N95 and KN95 masks for employees who are not able to telecommute.

Hochul's office could not immediately provide details on the number of state employees who have returned to the office or are being allowed to telecommute. Some agencies are staggering the days when employees must return to the office.
ALBANY  Shirley Troutman, an Albany Law School graduate who has been a judge for nearly three decades, is poised to become the second Black woman to serve on the state's highest court after a Senate judiciary panel on Tuesday unanimously recommended her for a vacancy on the Court of Appeals.

Troutman is scheduled to be in the Senate chamber on Wednesday when a vote on her appointment is expected to take place.

She told the Senate judiciary panel during a confirmation hearing Tuesday that as a trial judge in Erie County she believed the states court-appointed attorney system did not always attract the best lawyers.

As a trial judge, Ive had concern that sometimes the system, as it exists, did not always attract the best lawyers," said Troutman, who is a state Supreme Court justice.

Troutman, a Buffalo-area justice who was nominated for a seat on the states highest court by Gov. Kathy Hochul, would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Eugene Fahey.

It is Hochul's first nomination for the Court of Appeals, whose other six justices, including Chief Justice Janet DiFiore, were all appointed by former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Senators on both sides of the aisle praised  and congratulated  Troutman during Tuesday's hearing.

Sen. Jamaal Bailey, a Bronx Democrat, had asked Troutman if she believed a shrinking number of judge-appointed attorneys for indigent people who cannot afford legal counsel was an indication of a lack of access to justice for the poor.

Troutman, 62, a Democrat who since 2016 has sat on the Appellate Division of state Supreme Courts Fourth Department in Rochester, said that as an appellate justice she has observed court-appointed attorneys become overburdened by their caseloads due to a lack of resources. She said it was concerning because it impacted the liberty of their clients.

Just because you are an indigent person doesnt mean that you are simply entitled to counsel that is inadequate because the state is paying for it," Troutman continued. "Youre entitled to the same type of counsel that provides diligence with respect to your rights as anyone else who is paying for it. So the assigned counsel program, its complex.

She said when attorneys are overburdened, it affects them in ways that can lead to mental health issues, alcohol and substance abuse; that ultimately impacts their clients, who are often lower income people of color.

And thats not OK, Troutman said, adding that she hopes something can be done to assure that the best and brightest are accepting court-assigned cases.

Troutman, once confirmed, will be only the second Black woman to sit on the Court of Appeals. Sheila Abdus-Salaam was the first Black woman appointed to the state's highest court. Abdus-Salaam, who police said suffered from depression, died in 2017 at age 65 in what a medical examiner determined was a suicide.

Troutman previously served as a judge in Buffalo City Court and Erie County Court. She worked as a prosecutor in Erie County and as a litigator in the state attorney general's office and for the U.S. Attorney's office.

Troutman told the judiciary panel that after she graduated from Albany Law School in 1985, she was a military wife expected to "put my law degree in a drawer" and follow her then-husband around the globe. But while studying for the bar examination following the birth of her son, she received a call from her pastor, the Rev. Bennett W. Smith Sr., a civil rights leader. The clergyman told Troutman he had just had lunch with Erie County District Attorney Richard J. Arcara, who was concerned about the lack of racial diversity in his office.

At her pastor's recommendation, she applied to Arcara's office and was hired as one of two Black women in the office.

"For me, that call was life-changing," she said, "because it resulted in me from going from one who feared the courtroom and had no desire to even enter a courtroom to one who truly loved the law."

She said Arcara understands what she always has believed  that the justice system cannot achieve just results unless it is truly diverse at all levels.

Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat who chairs the Judiciary Committee, asked Troutman about a Fourth Department case in which she wrote the majority opinion in the reversal of a Syracuse-area judge's decision to refuse "youthful offender" status for a teenager convicted of second-degree felony assault. Granting youthful offender or "Y.O." status allows defendants between the ages of 16 and 19 to plead guilty, serve no more than four years behind bars and have their cases sealed.

In the case at issue, the defendant  an 18-year-old girl identified only as Z.H.  was threatened by another student on social media, which led her to carry a knife for protection at school. The next day, the student who made the threat confronted the defendant and punched the defendant in the neck. When the substitute teacher intervened, the defendant mistook the teacher for a second attacker and stabbed the teacher twice in the hand, causing a permanent injury, the decision said.

The victim, prosecutors and probation officials all asked Onondaga County Judge Stephen J. Dougherty to grant youthful offender status to the defendant, but he declined.

"The idea of youthful offender is it's forward thinking," Troutman said, noting it allows a youth to live a law-abiding life.
ALBANY  A state panel formed to examine the role of a controversial actor in the Family Court system issued a final report on Tuesday, unanimously agreeing on certain reforms while splitting on whether to eliminate the role altogether.

The Blue-Ribbon Commission on Forensic Custody Evaluations issued 11 recommendations, but they are advisory and not binding for Gov. Kathy Hochul, who inherited the panel after its creation last June by former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos administration.

The panel  made up of former judges, academics, domestic violence advocates, psychologists, parents and others  voted 11-9 in favor of eliminating mental health professionals, known as forensic evaluators, from the Family Court system altogether.

When parties in a child custody dispute cannot strike a settlement, Family Court judges often appoint the forensic evaluators, who conduct interviews with parents, children and others, and then issue lengthy reports. The reports usually include recommendations about who should gain custody, and judges often based their rulings at trial upon those recommendations. Critics contend evaluators lack training, clear standards or accountability for their findings.

If the mental health professionals continue to play a role in Family Court, the commission unanimously agreed to recommend certain reforms, including the creation of a statewide committee to approve or deny applications of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers seeking to do the work.

The proposed committee would work to ensure comprehensive and scientifically based training, create best practices, and a establish a statewide process for lodging complaints. The panel would work to ensure that an immediate and thorough review occurs for those cases in which a fatality or serious injury occurs to a child or parent during or after a forensic report is issued.

The commission unanimously recommended mandatory training covering topics including implicit and explicit bias, domestic violence and intimate partner violence, child abuse, substance abuse, coercive control and trauma.

In the 11-9 vote, the cohort favoring elimination of the forensic evaluators argued that the reports outlining the capacities of parents locked in custody disputes are biased and harmful to children and lack scientific or legal value."

At worst, evaluations can be dangerous, particularly in situations of domestic violence or child abuse  there have been several cases of children in New York who were murdered by a parent who received custody following an evaluation, the report states. These members reached the conclusion that the practice is beyond reform and that no amount of training for courts, forensic evaluators and/or other court personnel will successfully fix the bias, inequity and conflict of interest issues that exist within the system.

In order for forensic evaluators to be eliminated from the Family Court system, the Legislature would have to pass a bill doing away with them, which Hochul would have to sign. In her State of the State address last week, Hochul issued no proposal related to forensic evaluators, but the issue could be taken up after the state budget deadline on April 1. Queens Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi is carrying a bill proposing to eliminate forensic evaluations in Family Court.

A number of attorneys on the panel favored elimination, as did Jacqueline Franchetti, whose ex-boyfriend murdered their 2-year-old daughter in 2016. Before the murder, a forensic evaluator had recommended in a report that the parents receive joint custody.

"The use of forensic evaluations in custody proceedings is so deeply problematic and biased that no amount of reform will suffice," she said on Tuesday. "Any attempts to reform forensic evaluators would be akin to putting a Band-Aid on a breaking dam, and the costs to taxpayers will be astronomical."

The debate over the potential elimination of evaluators grew contentious within the commission, which was required by Cuomo's administration to largely conduct business behind closed doors. Nine members found that forensic custody evaluations should continue, accompanied by reforms.

These members argue that custody litigants may present serious mental health issues, and that judges need to understand these issues to determine the custodial arrangement in a childs best interest, the report stated. Without neutral evaluators, parties with financial means will engage in a battle of the experts while parties with limited means will be unable to present relevant mental health evidence.

Among the interest groups in this camp were the state Psychological Association, which represents the interests of New York psychologists. Before Hochuls State of the State address, the group issued a press release calling for Hochul to back a bill introduced by Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, which would implement new licensing and training requirements for evaluators. The Psychological Association had lobbied against an earlier version of Dinowitzs bill in 2020.

In the absence of unanimity regarding the elimination of forensic evaluations, according to the report, commission members also considered whether to recommend an "immediate moratorium" on custody evaluations until significant reforms could be enacted, funded and fully implemented. A more significant majority, though not all, of the commission members agreed with the approach, according to the report.

If evaluators are kept in the system, the panel recommended that judges should ensure evaluations are ordered equitably, without regard to the income level of litigants. The panel said pretrial discovery should be expanded statewide in Family Court cases, which could reduce judges use of forensic evaluators to gather information.

The panel also recommended increased state funding for institutional providers that represent parents and children, increasing the rate of pay for court-appointed counsel and attorneys representing children. It recommended that evaluators be required to disclose potential conflicts of interest, and supported legislation giving litigants greater access to reports issued by forensic evaluators, which are currently highly secretive. The panel split about whether physical copies should be provided to litigants, with opponents citing privacy concerns.

Brooklyn Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein has had a longstanding bill that would provide litigants copies of the reports, while holding in contempt of court litigants that improperly disseminate a report.

And most of the commission agreed with the need to eliminate quasi-judicial immunity for evaluators so they could now face civil liability for misconduct.
Farmington, WV (26555)

Today

Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 79F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Pictured from left to right are Titusville School board members Kevin ONeill, Lynn Cressman and Jack Roberts with their honor roll certificates. The board members were honored for their lengthy service to the district as a part of School Board Recognition Month.
Over the past year Kansas City has dedicated MILLIONS OF BUCKS to the homeless crisis that's just as bad or worse than it has ever been.



The latest example . . .

SOME HOMELESS DUDE BURNED TO DEATH IN A VACANT BUILDING DESPITE BUCK BUCKS GIVEN TO SO MANY SHELTERS & OUTREACH PROJECTS!!!



Now . . .

Of course we don't blame Mayor Q for trying something new but so many of his "solutions" still give incredible leeway to illegal campers, send cash to unproven agencies and don't account for so many homeless in the midst of drug & mental health crisis.

Here's the tragic tale from a recent story . . .



"His friend had been homeless and was living inside the building with two others before it burned down on December 31, 2021.



"He said the other two people got out safely, but lost contact with his friend.



"He decided to go looking for his friend Monday night and found the body and called police."

Meanwhile . . .

Homeless continue to camp in local parks, crowd local streets and remind the Kansas City middle-class that disaster is never too far away.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
Brevard, NC (28712)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
We're excited to share that MeetingPackage has been named 2022s #1 Best Online Venue Booking Platform by Hotel Tech Report. This is the second consecutive win in Hotel Tech Awards hosted by Hotel Tech Report and a clear indication of the customers' appreciation towards automating the sales process of Meetings & Events services.



(TRAVPR.COM) FINLAND - January 12th, 2022

We're excited to share that MeetingPackage has been named 2022s #1 Best Online Venue Booking Platform by Hotel Tech Report. This is the second consecutive win in Hotel Tech Awards hosted by Hotel Tech Report and a clear indication of the customers' appreciation towards automating the sales process of Meetings & Events services.

Each month, more than 169,000 hotel industry professionals use HotelTechReport.com to make informed purchasing decisions. The HotelTechAwards determine the best hotel software products across every category based on customer feedback and key proprietary data signals such as integration compatibility, organizational health, partner network strength, and customer support quality.

Reviews from verified users of MeetingPackage highlight features like the ability to sell meetings and events online, excellent customer experience, and increase in revenue through high conversion. Customers also widely praised MeetingPackage for their willingness to help and truly understand how to automate Meetings & Events sales process and for their proactive approach on how to develop Meetings & Events business in general.

Most startups in hotel technology center around distribution or guest experience because those areas are easily relatable for any traveler. MeetingPackage is part of an elite group of companies solving one of the biggest problems for hotels - simplifying the sales and group booking process. MeetingPackage has done an incredible job bringing modern design and processes to a historically outdated segment of the market and its been a huge hit with hoteliers around the world," says Hotel Tech Report CEO Jordan Hollander.

MeetingPackage Founder and CEO, Joonas Ahola commented: We are honoured and thrilled to be recognised as the hotel industrys best technology provider globally for the second year running. We owe all our thanks to our amazing customers. To retain their vote of confidence in our platforms ease-of-use to the increase in revenue it provides by automating Meeting and Events sales in an increasingly difficult market and, of course, the excellent customer experience that we proudly offer to help hoteliers when they need it most, validates the entire ethos of our company.

The HotelTechAwards are often referred to as "the Grammys of Hotel Tech" and winners have been selected from more than 200 of the top technology products around the world. The HotelTechAwards are the industry's only data-driven awards platform with winners determined not by a handful of judges or popularity votes but by product reviews from a global community of verified hotel technology users across more than 120 countries.

In addition, we remain very proud to be the first Finnish technology provider to win at Hotel Tech Awards. Even though our business is global it is nice to acknowledge that a global hospitality business can be built by a startup based in Finland.  adds Joonas Ahola.

About MeetingPackage

MeetingPackage is an omni-channel sales automation software for Meeting & Event bookings based in Finland.

Our objective is to improve the Meetings & Events booking process for both meetings planners and event venues including hotels, conference centres and serviced offices. The company integrates with venues existing PMS, S&C and back-office solutions while delivering products to all customer facing channels. Products include a venue and sales management platform, an online Booking Engine and a Meetings & Events specific Channel Manager. The software features twelve different language versions and is used by thousands of hotel customers globally and over 10 000 distribution partners.

The CEO of MeetingPackage is Joonas Ahola, and the company has HQ in Finland.

About Hotel Tech Report

HotelTechReport.com helps 170k hoteliers each month to understand the changing hotel technology and digital transformation landscape. We help hoteliers make smarter decisions about which technologies to adopt, keeping scalability and adaptability in mind. Hotel Tech Report helps hoteliers uncover the value propositions of emerging technologies and how they align with the needs of your property stakeholders and guests.

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Johnstown, PA (15901)

Today

Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 70F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low around 60F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
BLANFORD [mdash] Eric Todd Vandevender, 60, of Blanford and formerly of Cayuga, passed away at 7:55 a.m. EDT Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Clinton Gardens in Clinton, Indiana. Eric was born on May 6, 1961 in Danville, Illinois, the son of the late Floyd A. and Irma Jean (Weir) Vandevender. Sur
Photo courtesy of Commemorative Air ForceThis year, the B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" is slated for an appearance. Doc and Fifi are the only two B-29s currently flying in the world. Fifi is owned by the Commemorative Air Force and is based at the Vintage Flying Museum at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.
As early as 1815, Lost Creek Township, largest of the three free black settlements in Vigo County, played a major part in the movement of freedom seekers through west central Indiana. Many of the founding families still have ancestral ties to the area.
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(BPT) - As the weather heats up  and pandemic FOGO (fear of going out) continues to fade  adventure seekers, families and travel enthusiasts alike are trading in their winter jackets for hiking boots and bathing suits and getting ready to get back outdoors.
Stop the bias against Muslims. It's the call to action coming from one Imam, as the Muslim c
Over the past 24 hours, on January 11, the Russian occupation forces committed one ceasefire violation, as a result of which a Ukrainian military serviceman was killed.

This was reported by the press service of the Joint Forces Operation on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.

In the direction of Novotoshkivske, the enemy opened fire employing large-caliber machine guns and small arms.

As a result of the enemy's actions, a Ukrainian soldier suffered an injury non-compatible with life. The Joint Forces Command and personnel have expressed their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the hero who died for Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces returned fire without using weapons proscribed by the Minsk agreements and forced the enemy to cease fire.

Units of the Joint Forces have held their ground along the line of contact, the report stressed.

As of 7:00 Kyiv time on Wednesday, January 12, no new ceasefire breaches by the Russian occupation forces were reported.

Joint Forces are monitoring the situation, remaining ready to deter and repel Russias armed aggression.

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The Government of Ukraine plans to reduce the national debt to 50.8% of GDP in 2022.

"Our Government's priorities are still to maintain the sustainability of public finances and macro-financial stability. The intermediate goal for this year is to reduce the national debt to 50.8% of GDP," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at the Cabinets meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He noted that in order to make public policy predictable, the Government will continue the practice of medium-term planning, draft the budget declaration for the coming years and the state budget for 2023 on its basis.

"Cooperation with our international partners, which give Ukraine financial support and soft loans for development, will be an extremely important issue in this context. We want to launch new projects and cooperation programs to ensure economic recovery and achieve sustainable economic growth in Ukraine," the Prime Minister noted.

In particular, Shmyhal pointed out continuing macro-financial assistance from the EU and launching a new joint program with the IMF upon the completion of the current program.

As reported, according to the latest estimates, the national debt-to-GDP ratio fell to 51.7% in 2021.

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In 2022, Ukraine plans to sign important trade agreements with several countries.

One of the main activities will be the preparations for signing the industrial visa-free regime [Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products] with the EU, as well as updating trade annexes to the [EU-Ukraine] Association Agreement. In addition, we plan to sign free trade agreements with Turkey, Tunisia, Canada, Jordan, as well as to renew the trade agreement with the United States, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at the Cabinets meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shmyhal said that the export of Ukrainian goods to the European Union had grown by 60% over the past five years.

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Ukraine and Slovakia have a common position regarding the danger of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to European security and will oppose its completion.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said this after a meeting with Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Eduard Heger in Kyiv on May 28, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

I would like to note the common position of Kyiv and Bratislava regarding the Nord Stream 2 political project, which threatens the security and integrity of the European Union, Shmyhal said.

According to him, active opposition to the implementation of this project in the international arena meets the common interests of Ukraine and Slovakia.

Prime Minister of Slovakia Eduard Heger is on an official visit to Ukraine on Friday, May 28.

Nord Stream 2, a 1,200 km-long gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, is already 94% complete. A year ago, the pipeline's construction was suspended due to U.S. sanctions, but the Russian side resumed work on its own with the consent of the German side. However, recently, the new U.S. administration, in order to improve relations with the Federal Republic of Germany, somewhat softened its position by removing the Nord Stream 2 AG operator and its management from sanctions.

Ukraine regards Nord Stream 2 as one of the most dangerous geopolitical projects of Russia.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine and efforts to obtain fair compensation for the families of the victims of the UIA plane downing near Tehran in 2020.

I talked on phone with Justin Trudeau. I briefed him on security situation in Donbas. We exchanged views on international efforts to de-escalate. We discussed a possibility of continuing UNIFIER mission, agreed to seek fair compensation for families of PS752 victims together, Zelensky posted on Twitter.

He also suggested that the Joint Declaration on Special Partnership between Canada and Ukraine should be updated, the Presidents Office informs.

"Given the unprecedented nature of our bilateral relations, as well as new external challenges and priorities, I propose to instruct our Foreign Ministers to update the Joint Declaration," Zelensky said.

In addition, the President of Ukraine briefed the Prime Minister of Canada about the steps being taken to achieve peace within the existing negotiation formats. Noting the role of Ukraine's friends and partners in resolving the situation and preventing Russian aggression, the Head of State said that no decisions on Ukraine must be made without Ukraine.

The parties exchanged views on their positions in the light of planned international events and negotiation formats.

"The position of Western countries in the dialogue with Russia must remain firm and decisive. It is necessary to be ready for the immediate imposition of a preventive package of sanctions against Russia to counter the Kremlin's aggressive intentions," Zelenskyy said.

During the conversation, the President said that the Euro-Atlantic course of Ukraine remained unchanged and expressed confidence that Canada would continue to provide full support to Ukraine on its path towards membership in the Alliance.

"No one but Ukraine and NATO should influence the process of our integration with the Alliance," Zelensky said.

The President thanked the Canadian side for its strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Zelensky invited Trudeau to visit Ukraine in 2022.

On January 8, 2020, the Ukraine International Airlines plane (Flight PS752) heading from Tehran to Kyiv was downed shortly after taking off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport. There were 176 people on board  nine crew members (all Ukrainians) and 167 passengers (citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK). All of them died.

The Joint Declaration on Special Partnership between Canada and Ukraine was signed in Kyiv on March 31, 1994. On December 5, 2001, the Joint Declaration on Further Development of Special Partnership between Ukraine and Canada was signed in Kyiv.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Bliknen assured his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba of the United States' readiness to strengthen defense support for Ukraine, as well as to take other resolute steps to deter Russia should the latter resort to another act of aggression against its neighbor.

This is stated in an official statement of the U.S. Department of State, released on Tuesday following a phone call of the two top diplomats, Ukrinform reports.

"He (Blinken - ed.) reiterated that if Russia chooses the path of further conflict, the United States and our Allies and partners are prepared to impose enormous costs on Russias economy, to reinforce NATOs presence in frontline Allied states, and to increase defensive assistance to Ukraine," the statement reads.

Read also: Blinken vows no concessions on Ukraine in talks with Russia

In addition, it is reported that the U.S. Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister of Ukraine discussed the outcome of the U.S.-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue in Geneva, as well as further joint steps ahead of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels.

As Ukrinform reported, Antony Blinken and Dmitry Kuleba had a phone call on Tuesday.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the parties discussed the implementation of a comprehensive package to deter Russia from further aggression.

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Moscow has prepared a plan for the internal destabilization of Ukraine, according to U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland.

She said this at a briefing on Tuesday, January 11, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"It is Russia that created this crisis out of whole cloth. It is Russia that has amassed 100,000 troops on Ukraine's borders. It is Russia that has prepared internal sabotage, destabilization, and false flag options for Ukraine. And it is Russia that has spewed disinformation and lies about Ukraine, about the United States, and about NATO to justify its own actions," Nuland said.

She also stressed that Russia is the aggressor that occupied part of Ukraine in 2014, and Ukraine only wants a peaceful, democratic, European future for its people.

Nuland also recalled that NATO is a defensive alliance whose sole purpose is to protect its members and it poses no threat to anyone. "Decisions regarding NATO membership are up to each individual applicant country and the 30 NATO Allies," she said.

On January 10, in Geneva, the U.S. and Russian delegations held a one-day meeting aimed at the diplomatic search for ways to defuse tensions in Europe. The U.S. delegation rejected any possibility of curtailing NATO's open-door policy for other countries, including Ukraine.

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Canada has steadfastly supported Ukraine in the face of the threat of a possible escalation of Russian aggression.

This was reported in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada following a phone call between Volodymyr Zelensky and Justin Trudeau, according to an Ukrinform correspondent

Trudeau reaffirmed "Canada's steadfast support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and emphasized that any military incursion into Ukraine would have serious consequences, including coordinated sanctions," the statement reads.

Trudeau's office added that the two leaders also discussed the importance of economic and judicial reforms in Ukraine for maintaining peace and prosperity in the country.

The president and prime minister have spoken out about the downing of UIA Flight 752 and their determination to continue to demand justice from Iran for the victims of the tragedy, the Canadian prime minister's office added.

As Ukrinform reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the security situation in eastern Ukraine and the issue of fair compensation to the families of the victims of the UIA plane crash in Iran.

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Ukraine welcomes the intentions of the United States and other NATO allies to reduce tensions around Ukraine through negotiations with Russia and trusts its international partners.

This was stated by the President's Press Secretary Serhiy Nykyforov in a video commentary available to Ukrinform.

"In this situation, we can only welcome the intentions and efforts of the United States, NATO, and Russia to reduce tensions and resolve all disputes at the negotiating table. As for Ukraines part in these negotiations, we have confidence in our partners and in their vows that no decision on Ukraines fate will be made behind our backs," the spokesperson said.

Nykyforov assured that the Ukrainian side remained in constant contact at various levels with the Administration of U.S. President Joe Biden.

He has also noted that a NATO-Ukraine Commission met ahead of the NATO-Russia Council, where the Ukrainian delegation had the opportunity to present its arguments and reservations, and in response to hear about the support of all 30 allies."

A range of diplomatic events is taking place this week to discuss European security issues and reduce tensions over Ukraine, provoked by Russia. In particular, the talks between Russia and the United States took place in Geneva on January 10. On Wednesday, January 12, a meeting in the format of the NATO-Russia Council is being held in Brussels.

A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna was held in Brussels on Monday.

In addition, this week the issues of European security and the situation around Ukraine will be discussed by the EU top diplomats and defense chiefs during an informal meeting in Brest, France.

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Ukraine is ready to seek ways of peaceful settlement in the east together with France and Germany in various formats and expects Russia to implement the Paris Summit decisions and organize a new meeting of the Normandy format leaders.

"Ukraine is interested in resolving the conflict in the east by peaceful means as soon as possible. We are ready to seek solutions in absolutely all formats  both new and revived old ones," Serhiy Nykyforov, spokesman for the President of Ukraine, said in a video commentary available to Ukrinform.

According to Nykyforov, President Zelensky recently assured advisers to the leaders of France and Germany that Ukraine was adhering to the 2019 Paris Summit decisions and was ready to organize a new meeting.

They said that both France and Germany saw the need for such a meeting, so together we expect that Russia, first, will start implementing the decisions of the 2019 Paris Summit and, second, will join the preparations for a new meeting of leaders at the highest level, he stressed.

As reported, political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy format members  France and Germany  arrived in Ukraine on January 10.

On January 4, foreign and security policy adviser to the German Chancellor Jens Plotner and diplomatic adviser to the President of France Emmanuel Bonn held a video conference with Head of the Presidents Office Andriy Yermak. On January 6, representatives of Berlin and Paris met with Russian negotiator Dmitry Kozak in Moscow.

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a phone call on January 11 discussed the implementation of a comprehensive package to deter Russia from its further aggression, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said.

"Antony Blinken shared with Dmytro Kuleba the content of the discussion between the Russian and U.S. delegations in Geneva on January 10. The foreign ministers agreed on further steps to be taken by Ukraine and the United States, including in view of the next diplomatic contacts with Russia in the NATO-Russia Council and the OSCE Permanent Council," the statement said.

Both parties stressed their mutual commitment to the diplomatic principle of "no agreement about Ukraine without Ukraine."

According to the statement, Blinken reaffirmed the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Kuleba, in turn, thanked the United States for its support and noted the unity of positions by Kyiv and Washington amid Russia's threats and ultimatums.

The minister stressed that Ukraine continues to actively work on consolidating partners against the background of the threat of further Russian aggression, and the United States remains the number one security partner of the country.

"Thanks to active diplomatic work, Ukraine has strong international support. There is a growing understanding among our partners that the Euro-Atlantic area will be safe only when Ukraine is safe. Together we are actively implementing this security formula. The talks in Geneva have proved that our strength lies in the unity and coherence of positions against the background of Russian ultimatums," Kuleba said.

On January 10, in Geneva, the U.S. and Russian delegations held a one-day meeting aimed at the diplomatic search for ways to defuse tensions in Europe. The U.S. delegation rejected any possibility of curtailing NATO's open-door policy for other countries, including Ukraine.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that after her meeting with Russian officials, she could not say whether Moscow was ready for de-escalation near Ukraine's borders.

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More than 10,000 servicemen with the motorized infantry units of Russias Southern Military District and units of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotillas coastal troops deployed across training grounds in Russia, Armenia, and the occupied regions of Ukraine and Georgia.

This was reported by the press service of Russias Southern Military District, Ukrinform reports.

According to the report, combat coordination of motorized infantry, tank platoons, and artillery batteries has been set up at more than 20 training grounds  in Volgograd, Astrakhan, and Rostov regions, as well as Stavropol, Kuban, North Ossetia, Chechnya, and Karachay-Cherkessia. In addition, combat training is underway in Armenia, the occupied Crimea, and the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

It is reported that battalion tactical groups will be working out "new ways of tactical action" as part of various types of reconnaissance fire and strike complexes, including counter-battery, aviation, and sniper units.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on January 11, live-fire drills kicked off in the Western Military District of Russia at the training grounds in Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Smolensk involving about 3,000 troops and nearly 300 armored vehicles.

According to Ukrainian and Western intelligence agencies, nearly 100,000 Russian troops have been amassed near the border with Ukraine.

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Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Stefano Sannino and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman at a meeting in Brussels reaffirmed the coordination of efforts to respond to Russia's new aggression against Ukraine.

That's according to a statement published on the EEAS website on January 12, Ukrinform reports.

"The EU and U.S. continue to advance their close cooperation and coordination to confront common security challenges. In the framework of these joint efforts, European External Action Service Secretary-General Stefano Sannino and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met to discuss Russia's military build-up in and around Ukraine and related diplomatic efforts, in Brussels on Wednesday," the statement said.

According to the statement, this follows previous contacts between High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as Deputy Secretary Sherman's debrief to the EU Political and Security Committee in Brussels on Tuesday on the U.S.-Russia talks in Geneva earlier this week.

"Secretary-General Sannino and Deputy Secretary Sherman reiterated that the EU and the U.S. stand together for shared principles and values. They reconfirmed EU and U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and emphasized the need for Russia to de-escalate and fully implement the Minsk agreements," the EEAS said.

According to the statement, the parties underlined that any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs. They discussed the bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements following the proposals presented by the Russian Federation on the security arrangements in Europe.

"The EU and U.S. remain in close contacts and continue their interactions at various levels as part of enduring partnership and shared commitment to transatlantic security and cooperation," the statement said.

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NATO is ready for dialogue with Russia on key issues of arms control and confidence-building measures but it will not compromise on its core principles of protecting allies and each country's right to choose its own path.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at a press conference following a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels on Wednesday, January 12.

"NATO Allies are ready to engage in dialogue with Russia but we will not compromise on core principles. We will not compromise on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every nation in Europe," Stoltenberg said.

"We had a very serious and direct exchange on the situation in and around Ukraine and the implications for European security. There are significant differences between NATO Allies and Russia on these issues. Our differences will not be easy to bridge but it is a positive sign that all NATO Allies and Russia sat down around the same table and engaged on substantive topics," Stoltenberg said.

He said that during today's meeting, Russia raised the proposals that they published in December, aimed at addressing their security concerns.

"These [proposals] include demands to stop admitting any new members to NATO and to withdraw forces from eastern Allies. Allies on their side reaffirmed NATO's open door policy and the right for each nation to choose its own security arrangements. Allies made clear that they will not renounce their ability to protect and defend each other, including with presence of troops in the eastern part of the Alliance," Stoltenberg said.

At the same time, he described as a positive point the fact that both Russia and NATO allies expressed the need to resume dialogue and to explore a schedule of future meetings. According to Stoltenberg, NATO Allies are ready to meet again with Russia to have discussions in greater detail, to put concrete proposals on the table, and to seek constructive outcomes. In particular, Allies would like to discuss concrete ways to increase the transparency of military exercises, prevent dangerous military incidents, and reduce space and cyber threats, he said.

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In 2021, 13,321 policemen resigned, which is more than 2,700 thousand more than in 2020.

This was stated by the head of the National Police, Ihor Klymenko, in an interview with Censor.net, Ukrinform reports.

"In 2019, a total of 13,300 persons were dismissed. In 2020, it was 10,589 and in 2021  13,321. We saw a little slowdown in the covid year. Of the 13,000 who quit last year, almost 9,500 were police officers. Others were civilian employees, civil servants," Klymenko said, adding that employees are resigning from across police departments.

Currently, the largest shortage of police officers, 22.5%, is being observed in Kyiv region.

Read also: National Police gets two French helicopters

According to the police chief, Kyiv has practically exhausted previously seen staffing opportunities at the expense of local residents. At the same time, similar HR issues are seen in other large cities across country.

"Given the number of resignations over the past years, we dont catch up with staffing our units. We have to do quality vetting of candidates. Not everyone will agree to work for such pay. For example, in Odesa region, 1,074 police officers have resigned since 2019, while 761 have joined the service. In Kyiv region, it was 1,214 against 661. A large number of investigators and spec-ops officers move to the State Bureau of Investigation or the Bureau of Economic Security. And I have no right to keep them here. They will quit anyway because the pay there is time higher," Klymenko said.

He said employees mostly resign of their own free will: some are looking for jobs with higher salaries, some are going through family problems, although some are being fired from the National Police for misconduct.

Klymenko explained that some operatives simply seek to not be part of the government system anymore.

"As a rule, they are looking for other places where not only are they paid more, but there is also a more or less standardized working week so that they have time for rest and the opportunity to run errands," said the head of the National Police.

As reported earlier, on December 20, Kyiv Police Chief Ivan Vyhivskyi said Kyiv PD was understaffed by 18%.

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| By Mary Therese Phelan

When 17-year-old Jima Chester visited the University of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department (UMBPD) last summer to talk about the impact of trauma on youth, she didnt know at the time shed end up presenting officers a handcrafted gift that would be displayed at the department for years to come. Not only that, but it would also become a symbol of an emerging and promising relationship between UMBPD and youth of Baltimore.

From left: Joni Holifield, Tonya Black, Kyla Liggett-Creel, Jima Chester, Matthew Johnson, and Chad Ellis.

On Jan. 4, Chester presented Lt. Matthew Johnson, who leads UMBPDs Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST), and Acting Deputy Chief Chad Ellis with an acrylic painting of the departments traditional patch, as a gesture of appreciation for its willingness to reach out to area youths. (UMBPD Chief Thomas Leone, MSL, was unable to attend.)

I painted this for the police department out of appreciation for all their genuine efforts and success with caring, bonding, and teaching youth, Chester explained. They probably dont even know it but being around them and being able to see some of the things they do and experience created transparency and vulnerability between me and officers. The painting was a thank you for them helping me understand their job and for them understanding me and for treating me as family.

In July, Chester gave a PowerPoint presentation on youths and trauma as an ambassador of the Healing Youth Alliance (HYA), a culturally responsive program focused on healing for African American youth. HYA is a collaboration among the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW), the Baltimore City Health Departments Office of Youth and Trauma Services, and two Baltimore nonprofits: HeartSmiles, LLC, and the Black Mental Health Alliance.

Spending time with officers that day, and on subsequent visits to the department, has opened the West Baltimore residents eyes to a new way of thinking about law enforcement.

We just had really good conversations, she said. They gave us a tour, we got to see the different parts of the department. Everybody was really nice. And we just kind of made a really good relationship and bond. It was a different outlook on police officers for me, living in the city all my life.

Johnson said fostering strong relationships with the citys youth is a key focus of UMBPD.

The relationship between law enforcement and Baltimore City citizens can be contentious at times, said Johnson, who grew up in Baltimore. COAST is working to build positive relationships with communities surrounding UMB.

The department is partnering with HeartSmiles to collaborate on programs that youths and UMBPD officers can plan together, Johnson said. HeartSmiles seeks to provide exceptional enrichment and leadership development opportunities to youths in Baltimore's most underserved communities.

What we're trying to do to be different, to be at the cutting edge of policing is really digging deep in the community to build those bonds starting at a young age, he said.

When Kyla Liggett-Creel, PhD, LCSW-C, clinical associate professor at UMSSW, introduced Johnson to HeartSmiles, he felt it was an excellent opportunity for youths to be invited to come to the UMBPD station to meet officers one-on-one.

It was a way for youths to learn about the department, learn about our mission, learn about the equipment we use, what we do, different procedures that we have, and how we differentiate ourselves from other police departments, Johnson said. Not only would youths be able to gain insight into the workings of the department, but they would also learn about job opportunities in the future, he added.

It's important that we work with the community because we're part of the community, Johnson said.

Through her work with Baltimore youths and HYA, Liggett-Creel suggested to HeartSmiles president and co-founder Joni Holifield that she consider exploring a partnership between the nonprofit and UMBPD, which had already expressed an interest in the idea.

I work with a lot of youth in Baltimore City. And unfortunately, I hear a lot of stories about how they've had really negative, scary, traumatizing interactions with police in Baltimore, Liggett-Creel said. She had already been working with Leone and Johnson on other projects, including the UMSSW internship program with UMBPD. I knew that this could be a healing relationship, and that my kids that I work with could benefit from being able to talk about what their experiences have been and have a positive experience with somebody in law enforcement, and that the police officers could benefit from hearing from the kids about what their experiences were.

As eager as Liggett-Creel was to bring the two groups together, Holifield wasnt having it. She was skeptical about UMBPDs commitment to serving the community. They didn't think that we were actually doing the community things that we do. So, I invited her to come, Johnson said.

Johnsons invitation to Holifield and HeartSmiles youths to visit the station was met with apprehension at first. Holifield readily admits she was not a fan of the idea. Now she describes the relationship UMBPD is building with HeartSmiles as an amazing collaboration she never expected to see.

I'm not even gonna lie to you. I probably would not even be at this table had I not trusted Dr. K [Liggett-Creel], because when Dr. K first presented this idea, I was like, you know, no, no, it's just too bad.

Some HeartSmiles youths have been recently released from incarceration or juvenile detention, Holifield noted. So, it's a very, very, very sensitive situation. And we have young people who have been, in their words, victimized by police officers and law enforcement. But Dr. K said, No, this will be different. These people are not like that.' She said meet them first and well go from there.

Liggett-Creel arranged a video call to introduce Johnson and Holifield. Shortly thereafter, Holifield visited the department.

Within 10 minutes of arriving, I knew Dr. K. was right, Holifield said. Just even in some of the language that they used about how they treat community. And us being able to roll up on some of the officers and see them engaged with community members on the corner, without knowing who I was, and just not how they were talking to them but also showing them respect. I mean, it was just something that was unheard of.

So impressed was Holifield with UMBPDs community outreach efforts that she shared her experience in a presentation she gave at the American Public Health Association Conference in Denver in front of an audience of 10,000 people attending the virtual and in-person summit.

I said, Well, lucky for y'all, I just saw a model in my own city that works, she said. I'm happy but at the same time, I'm angry, because it's our best-kept secret and nobody is really taking this seriously and thinking OK, well, how can we scale this? How can we take this model and do something that's going to benefit the entire city and not just these few blocks?

With Holifields skepticism abated, about 15 HeartSmiles youths visited the station in November for a tour and to share pizza with officers. They visited the roll call room where they took turns with MILO, a virtual training simulator officers use to depict real-life scenarios in which split-second decisions must be made.

They really enjoyed it. Nobody wanted to leave at the end of the night, Johnson said.

Plans are underway to do another collaboration with HeartSmiles this spring, expanding the number of participating youths. Johnson also wants to bring in members of different units from throughout the department to discuss career opportunities.

Johnson said he hopes teens let their peers know that police are people, too.

No, we don't want our department to be some closed-off thing that the public can't see. We're transparent. We want people to be here, he said.

Of the painting, Johnson said, we had no idea that she was going to do anything like this. Its touching and makes me feel like we're going down the right path.
As the Middle East continues to face challenges related to large-scale protracted displacement and the shock of COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Japan has renewed its commitment to support refugees in Jordan with USD 4,925,925. This contribution will allow UNHCR Jordan to further support the Government of Jordan and assist refugees who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, UNHCR Jordan has observed an increase in gender inequality and gender-based violence as well as risks faced by children such as school drop-out and child labor. These compounded challenges are reversing years of progress achieved before the pandemic. In 2021, through the support of donors, UNHCR has been able to combat some of these effects through offering refugees both face-to-face and remote counselling to facilitate access to key services, and will continue to do so over the coming year.

As such, the generous contribution from the Japanese government will enable UNHCR to provide protection services for refugees including the most vulnerable groups, such as children and gender-based violence survivors. Funding will also go towards improving shelter and enhance community-based protection mechanisms.

Increased vulnerability among refugee populations in Jordan necessitates a strong response. We welcome the support from the Japanese government, as we strive to offset the inequalities provoked by the pandemic said UNHCRs Representative in Jordan, Dominik Bartsch.

In addition, funding from Japan will support UNHCR to strengthen its community-based approach to protection. Through a network of community centres located throughout the Kingdom, UNHCR seeks to actively engage refugees in decisions impacting their lives and strengthen links with Jordanian host communities. In the current context of COVID-19, community centres have been key to provide refugees with information about a range of services including health, protection, non-food item distributions and livelihood opportunities.

UNHCR is grateful for the support from the Japanese people and welcomes the continued partnership with the Japanese embassy, to assist most vulnerable refugees in Jordan.

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The government official said the measure to be in force nationwide was approved this morning by the Council of Ministers as a means to stop the increase in cases and protect the populations deemed as vulnerable.

According to the Health minister, cases have climbed from 26,000 to 81,000 per week.

"Who is affected by this pandemic? Just by visiting Intensive Care Units we witness that it mainly affects those who are not vaccinated and vulnerable people, even children. Adults aged above 50 and 60 who are not immunized also become affected," he indicated.

The high-ranking official reiterated that the third dose generates a protection rate close to 75%, adding that more than 5 million people in Peru have already received it.

The Cabinet member indicated that the latest measure intends to protect people from this age group in the midst of this significant increase in Omicron-related infections.

"They must have (received) the booster dose so as to be allowed to enter public places from the date this decree comes into force," he emphasized.

Citizens aged above 18

It must be noted that the provision, which obliges people aged above 18 to present their vaccination cards to prove having received two vaccine doses to enter closed places, will remain in force.

Quarantine

Concerning other areas, Minister Cevallos said that Minsa's Strategic Diseases Directorate will be in charge of monitoring the presence and evolution of the Omicron variant to find out if the 10-day isolation period also applies to other provinces.

Moreover, he explained that for now it has been decided to include Lima and Callao because there is an important record of Omicron cases, unlike other regions, where Delta remains the predominant variant.

High alert

Desde el 23 de enero, las personas mayores de 50 anos deberan presentar su carnet de vacunacion con la dosis de refuerzo para poder ingresar a espacios publicos cerrados, afirmo el ministro Cevallos en la conferencia del Consejo de Ministros. pic.twitter.com/E0HkVmFkal
Jennifer Ann Hancock was born Nov. 20, 1956, in Atlanta, to William Roy and Martha Jones Hancock. She went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Gray. She was preceded in death by her father, William Roy Hancock, and her brother, Timothy Roy Hancock, as well as grandparents
"El tiempo de aislamiento de las personas contagiadas por COVID-19 sera de 10 dias en Lima Metropolitana y Callao, con excepcion de personas que aun se encuentren con sintomas respiratorios o fiebre", anuncio el ministro Hernando Cevallos. La medida regira desde manana. pic.twitter.com/25kNe9WTgG
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Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2022 ) :More than 80 fact-checking organisations Wednesday urged online video platform YouTube to better combat disinformation, offering to help debunk false statements.

"Every day, we see that YouTube is one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation worldwide," said the groups spanning the globe, from Politifact and the Washington Post in the United States to the Kenya-based Africa Check.

Videos containing false information had gone "under the radar of YouTube's policies, especially in non-English speaking countries", they said in an open letter to YouTube chief Susan Wojcicki.

"We urge you to take effective action against disinformation and misinformation... and to do so with the world's independent, non-partisan fact-checking organisations," they added.

"Our experience as fact-checkers together with academic evidence tells us that surfacing fact-checked information is more effective than deleting content." It also urged the platform to make sure its recommendation algorithm did not actively promote disinformation to its users.

YouTube spokesperson Elena Hernandez defended the platform, saying that fact checking was a "crucial tool", but just "one piece of a much larger puzzle to address the spread of misinformation".

"Over the years, we've invested heavily in policies and products in all countries... to connect people to authoritative content, reduce the spread of borderline misinformation, and remove violative videos," she added.

She said YouTube had seen "important progress".
San Francisco, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2022 ) :Attorneys on Tuesday asked a judge to delay the sentencing of fallen biotech star Elizabeth Holmes, who was found guilty of defrauding investors in her blood testing startup Theranos.

Prosecutors and Holmes' defense team asked that Holmes remain free on $500,000 bond, secured by property, pending a sentencing hearing on September 12, according to motion.

The rival sides agreed that a sentencing hearing after the first week of September "would be appropriate in light of ongoing proceedings in a related matter," the filing read.

Theranos chief operating officer Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani was charged with fraud along with Holmes, but the one-time business and romantic partners face separate proceedings in Federal court in the Silicon Valley city of San Jose.

Balwani's trial has been delayed until March because of concerns about the risk of Covid-19, according to court documents.

Holmes' trial ended last week with a jury finding her guilty of four counts of fraud.

The 37-year-old now faces the possibility of 20 years behind bars for each conviction.

Holmes is a rare example of a tech exec being brought to book over a company flaming out, in a sector littered with the carcasses of money-losing companies that once promised untold riches.

Her case shone a spotlight on the blurred line between the hustle that characterizes the industry and outright criminal dishonesty.

Jurors found her guilty of four counts of tricking investors into pouring money into what she claimed was a revolutionary testing system.

But the panel also acquitted her on four charges and could not reach a verdict on three others.

Prosecutors will dismiss the undecided charges, according to the motion to delay sentencing.

Holmes had vowed to revolutionize health diagnostics with self-service machines that could run an array of tests on just a few drops of blood, a vision that drew high-profile backers and made her a billionaire on paper by the age of 30.

She was hailed as the next tech visionary on magazine covers and collected mountains of investors' cash, but it all collapsed after Wall Street Journal reporting revealed the machines did not work as promised.
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Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday directed the authorities concerned not to show any leniency towards the elements involved in profiteering and hoarding

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2022 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday directed the authorities concerned not to show any leniency towards the elements involved in profiteering and hoarding.

The prime minister, chairing a high-level follow-up meeting to review supply and demand of fertilizer in the country, said it hoarding could adversely affect the crop production for Rabi season.

He also instructed to ensure the supply of fertilizer to the farmers.

The prime minister said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government had introduced farmer friendly policies for the first time in the country's history as they were the backbone of Pakistan's economy.

He directed for launching an effective public awareness campaign to dispel the rumours about Urea shortage.

The meeting was informed that an average fertilizer supply of 19,000 metric tons per day was ensured during the last week as an additional 1,000 MT/day had been added.

It was informed that the Federal Cabinet had approved the import of 100,000 MT of Urea from China on the government-to-government basis at almost half price from the current international market rate.

Regarding the anti-smuggling measures, it was informed that 92,845 bags of Urea, that were being smuggled, had been confiscated by the provincial governments of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The meeting was further told that a dedicated monitoring cell in the Ministry of Industries was monitoring the fertilizer situation that had helped in Urea tracing and price control.

Federal ministers Shaukat Fayaz Tareen, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar and Syed Fakhar Imam, Minister of State Farrukh Habib, Special Assistant to the PM Dr Shehbaz Gill, executives from fertilizer manufacturing companies and senior officers attended the meeting, where chief secretaries of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa joined via video link.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with federal ministers, visited the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Secretariat here Wednesday wherein he appreciated the institution's role for national security, stability and prosperity

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2022 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with Federal ministers, visited the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Secretariat here Wednesday wherein he appreciated the institution's role for national security, stability and prosperity.

Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa was also present, a PM Office statement said.

ISI Director General Lt General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum welcomed the dignitaries.

A comprehensive briefing followed the discussion on national security and regional dynamics with focus on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the professional preparedness to safeguard Pakistan's national interest.
The Japanese government has protested North Korea recent missile launch using the diplomatic channels, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi was cited as saying by Kyodo News Agency on Wednesday

TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2022) The Japanese government has protested North Korea recent missile launch using the diplomatic channels, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi was cited as saying by Kyodo news Agency on Wednesday.

Kishi said that the protest was filed through its embassy in Beijing.

Earlier in the day, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of North Korea confirmed that Pyongyang tested a hypersonic missile on Tuesday, with missile's warhead reaching the target at a distance of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). The country's leader, Kim Jong Un reportedly observed the test launch.

That was the second test conducted by North Korea within a week. The first test launch carried out last Wednesday was strongly condemned by Japan and its allies, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

On Monday, the countries issued a joint statement, urging North Korea to abandon its ballistic missile program and "engage in meaningful dialogue" to ensure peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday that the new Pyongyang's missile was more advanced than the one launched on January 5, with the projectile flying over 700 kilometers at a maximum speed of about Mach 10. Nonetheless, officials are yet to confirm whether the missile was hypersonic.

Following the incident, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned North Korea's action for firing another missile on January 5 in defiance of the international calls, adding that Japan will "take all possible measures to prepare for contingencies."
Two Armenian soldiers were killed on the border by shelling from the Azerbaijani side, the Armenian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday

YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2022) Two Armenian soldiers were killed on the border by shelling from the Azerbaijani side, the Armenian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"On January 11, as a result of the provocation of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces' units on the eastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Pvt.

Arthur Mkhitaryan and Jr. Sgt. Rudin Gharibyan (both born in 2002) were killed. Two more servicemen were wounded, their lives are not in danger," the ministry said.

It noted that as of 17:00 GMT, the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border was relatively stable.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2022) US President Joe Biden has quietly approved a new $200 million security aid package for Ukraine under emergency powers that allow the United States to send additional support to foreign countries in response to unforeseen military emergencies, Politico reported citing multiple sources.

On Monday, CNN first reported that the Biden administration quietly approved a new $200 million security package for Ukraine in late December.

Politico reported on Tuesday that multiple congressional staffers found out about Biden used a so-called drawdown authorization during a classified briefing.

The drawdown authority allows the US president to direct the Secretary of State to ask the Defense Secretary to deliver equipment from existing Pentagon stock to a foreign country facing a military emergency.

None of the military equipment, which includes a radar system and maritime systems, approved for delivery in the $200 million security package has arrived in Ukraine yet, the report said.

The US military is wary of seeing its equipment being sent to Eastern Europe, the report also said, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Western countries have accused Russia of allegedly deploying thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border in preparation for an invasion. Russia has repeatedly denied the accusations, saying it reserves the right to move troops within its sovereign territory, and pointing out it considers NATO's activities a threat to its national security.

Following the US-Russia security talks on Monday, the Russia-NATO Council are scheduled to meet in Brussels on Wednesday.
China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are moving towards establishing a strategic partnership, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry

ISTANBUL, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2022 ) :China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are moving towards establishing a strategic partnership, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"Both sides agreed that conditions are ripe for the establishment of China-GCC strategic partnership and both sides will speed up the process so as to push bilateral relations to a new level," the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday night after Foreign Minister Wang Yi met GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf in China.

Al-Hajraf and foreign ministers of GCC member states Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are on a five-day visit to China until Friday.

The GCC and China, the statement added, should "send positive signals to the outside world, and better safeguard legitimate interests of both sides and common interests of regional countries."Emphasizing the need for "pragmatic cooperation and strengthening multilateral coordination," the ministry said the fourth China-GCC Strategic Dialogue will be held soon in Riyadh.

They will use the opportunity to "jointly formulate and sign an action plan for strategic dialogue in the next three years, so as to inject new content and expand new areas for bilateral cooperation," the statement added.
The extraordinary meeting of the council of defense ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will be held on Thursday to discuss the ongoing peacekeeping operation in Kazakhstan, CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov told Sputnik

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2022) The extraordinary meeting of the council of defense ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will be held on Thursday to discuss the ongoing peacekeeping operation in Kazakhstan, CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov told Sputnik.

"The heads of the defense departments of the CSTO member states will discuss the conduct of a peacekeeping operation in Kazakhstan," Zainetdinov said.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2022) The first meeting since 2019 between high-level delegations from NATO and Russia on security guarantees in Europe in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council will take place at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, January 12, to exchange concerns over security issues.

The meeting comes after US-Russia talks in Geneva held on Monday. The meeting will start at 09:00 GMT and be followed by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's press conference at around 13:30 GMT. The issues of arms control, European security and military transparency will be high on the meeting's agenda. Both sides have declared that they have a number of issues and concerns to discuss and that their stances will be strict.

The council will be chaired by Stoltenberg. The US delegation to the NATO-Russia Council will be headed by Deputy Secretary of Defense Wendy Sherman. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov is expected to head the Russian delegation.

In December, Russia presented draft agreements on security guarantees in Europe to the United States and NATO. These guarantees include legal obligations that NATO will refrain from advancing eastwards and accepting new members from the former Soviet Union, especially Ukraine and Georgia, as these have expressed their desire to join NATO, as well as to refrain from creating NATO military bases on the territories of former Soviet countries.

Another proposal is the non-deployment of short- and intermediate-range missiles in the region.

NATO has already responded to some proposals, stating that Moscow cannot dictate whether Ukraine or other countries can join the bloc, and said that it was not ready to discuss such issues without Kiev. The US also reiterated that decision, saying that it will not allow NATO's "Open Door" policy to be slammed shut. Nevertheless, some positive attitudes after the US-Russia talks may be projected for the upcoming meeting. After the meeting on Monday, the US expressed their assurance that a compromise on offensive missiles can be found with Moscow. The dialogue on the size and scope of military exercises and on improving transparency about those exercises may also lead to some compromises.

The sides are not expecting to solve all issues in one meeting. Russia has stated that the upcoming council will show whether consultations with NATO are substantial and whether this practice shall continue. NATO stated that Russia going for the dialogue is a "positive sign" and "an opportunity for Moscow to show it is serious about dialogue and diplomacy."

The NATO-Russia Council will be followed by consultations with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna on Thursday, January 13.




The legislator, who served as deputy mayor during Castaneda's tenure in the Municipality of Lima, stated that his death occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday.





"He was delicate and his health got worse over time," Juarez told Canal N.





According to the parliamentarian, the former mayor was recently admitted to the Rebagliati Hospital with a hip ailment. He was not receiving visitors by decision of his family.





For his part, Dr. Luis Rubio, a friend of Castaneda, told RPP that his death was due to a cardiac arrest and that his health had been worsening in recent weeks as a result of the chronic diseases he suffered.





In addition, Rubio highlighted Castaneda's work at the Peruvian Institute of Social Security (currently EsSalud), as well as the creation of the Solidarity Hospitals during his tenure as mayor of Lima.





Luis Castaneda Lossio was Mayor of Metropolitan Lima for two periods, the first from 2003 to 2010 and the second from 2015 to 2018.





He led the defunct political party Solidaridad Nacional (National Solidarity) and ran for President of the Republic in 2000, 2011, and 2016.





(END) MCA/VVS/RMB/MVB
At least three people, including two children, were killed and another 18 people rescued when a church collapsed in southern Nigeria, police said Wednesday

Port Harcourt, Nigeria, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2022 ) :At least three people, including two children, were killed and another 18 people rescued when a church collapsed in southern Nigeria, police said Wednesday.

Building collapses are common in Africa's most populous nation, where millions live in dilapidated structures and construction standards are often flouted.

The church collapsed Tuesday evening in the Okpanam suburb of Asaba, the capital of Delta State, local police spokesman Bright Edafe said.

Eleven of those rescued were still being treated in hospital, he added.

Local media said the building came down as an evening service was being held.

Building standards have been in the spotlight since a high-rise building under construction collapsed in Lagos in November, killing at least 45 people.

Bad workmanship, low-quality materials and corruption to bypass official oversight are often blamed for Nigerian building disasters.

Since 2005, at least 152 buildings have collapsed in Lagos, a city of about 20 million people, according to a South African university researcher.

One of those incidents that sparked widespread anger was in 2014 when dozens of people died in a church collapse in Lagos.
US Democratic senators will present a new Russia sanctions bill later on Wednesday that would bring "severe costs" to the Russian economy in the event of an invasion of Ukraine, in an effort backed by the White House, The Washington Post reported

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2022) US Democratic senators will present a new Russia sanctions bill later on Wednesday that would bring "severe costs" to the Russian economy in the event of an invasion of Ukraine, in an effort backed by the White House, The Washington Post reported.

The effort is led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez.

The measure comes as the Biden administration tries to suppress defections on a competing effort targeting Russia, which will be put to vote in the Senate this week, the report noted.

The legislation would entail sweeping sanctions on top Russian military brass and government officials, including President Vladimir Putin, as well as key banking institutions.

It would also hit companies in Russia that offer secure messaging systems such as SWIFT.

Pledging more security assistance to Ukraine, the bill calls on the United States to "consider all available and appropriate measures" to ensure Nord Stream 2 is not put into operation.

The White House supports the bill, a spokesperson for the National Security Council told The Washington Post, noting that other measures, such as the one being pushed by Senator Ted Cruz, will "not counter further Russian aggression or protect Ukraine."

"Instead, it will undermine our efforts to deter Russia and remove leverage the United States and our allies and partners possess in this moment all to score political points at home," the spokesperson said on the condition of anonymity. "And it would come at a moment where we need to be closely united with our European partners, including Germany. It makes no sense."
A US judge has rejected a bid by British Prince Andrew to dismiss trial in a civil sex abuse case, court documents show

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2022) A US judge has rejected a bid by British Prince Andrew to dismiss trial in a civil sex abuse case, court documents show.

"For the foregoing reasons, (the) defendant's motion to dismiss the complaint or for a more definite statement is denied in all respects," US District Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote in a 46-page opinion outlining the case brought against the royal by Virginia Giuffre.

The 61-year old prince is being sued by the 38-year-old over rape and sexual abuse that she says she was subjected to when she was 17. Andrew denies all allegations against him.
Valdosta, GA (31601)

Today

Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High around 90F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
Lincoln, RI (02865)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. High near 60F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low near 45F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
En una segunda jornada consecutiva, el presidente @PedroCastilloTe realizo visitas inopinadas a las comisarias de La Perla, Ciudad del Pescador, Barboncito, SMP y Alfonso Ugarte, donde superviso la labor policial para fortalecer el trabajo oportuno que brindan a la poblacion. pic.twitter.com/9mCr701eSB
A rights group citing trade data says US companies imported nearly 1,600 tonnes of Myanmar teak, despite sanctions.

By Robin Gomes

Following last year's 1 February military coup in Myanmar, the US Treasury in April imposed multiple targeted sanctions directed against the junta, including banning dealings with Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE). The state-owned company is the sole authority overseeing the export of timber selling it through auctions to private companies.

Even though its natural forests are dwindling, Myanmar is the worlds biggest producer of teak, one of the most valuable hardwoods with a variety of uses such as in yachts, home flooring, doors, shipbuilding, outdoor decking, window frames and furniture.

US imported 1,600 tonnes of Burma teak

Justice for Myanmar, a rights group campaigning for justice and accountability for the people of Myanmar, compiled data from Panjiva, a New York-based global trade data company, showing that American importers were still receiving shipments of teak from Myanmar.

Data showed that nearly 1,600 tonnes of Burma teak were imported by US companies in 82 different shipments between February 1 and November 30, 2021. Among these companies are East Teak Fine Hardwoods, J. Gibson McIlvain, Kingsley Bate Warehouse, Lumberbest, and World Panel Products. This indicates that companies are circumventing sanctions by trading via intermediaries, keeping the link to MTE indirect.

Justice for Myanmar pointed out that since the original auctioneer is the MTE, the military junta still receives funds from the trade no matter who officially exports the timber.

This indirect trade between companies in the US and MTE may not have attracted penalties from the US Treasury at this stage.

Ban all Myanmar timber imports

Justice for Myanmar thus called for urgent action urging the US Government to ban all Myanmar timber imports to prevent further revenue from reaching the illegal military junta.

Continuing trade in timber from Myanmar, it said, supports the illegal military junta that is committing atrocity crimes with total impunity, including the indiscriminate murder of children.

Through such targeted sanctions on imports from military-controlled industries in Myanmar, the US and other countries have the power to cut the financial flow to the illegal junta and support the Myanmar peoples struggle to end this tyranny and establish federal democracy.

Justice for Myanmar also noted similar trends in the European Union, which also imposed similar sanctions on Myanmars military in June, banning dealings with Myanmars Forest Products Joint Venture Corp.

Junta's atrocities

Myanmar's military, headed by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, deposed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, imprisoning her and other elected leaders. The coup triggered widespread protests and strikes, calling for her release and the restoration of the democratic process. This prompted a brutal crackdown on the opponents of the junta.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a group that documents and compiles fatalities and arrests, Myanmars security forces have has killed more than 1,400 people so far and are currently holding more than 8,500 in prison.

A court on Monday sentenced Suu Kyi, to four more years in prison, in addition to 2 years last month. The 76-year-old Nobel Peace has been detained on about a dozen charges, all of which could combine to maximum sentences of more than 100 years in prison. Suu Kyi denies all charges.

Threat of civil war

The juntas bloody crackdown on opponents has also reignited the militarys old conflicts with some of the armed ethnic organizations that are backing the protesters. Several independent civil resistance groups have also sprung up in self-defence.

The widening conflict, particularly in predominantly Christian regions inhabited by the Kachin, Chin, Karen, and Kayah ethnic groups, has resulted in churches being shelled and raided. Priests and pastors have been arrested while many unarmed civilians, including Christians, have been killed. United Nations experts have warned the country could slide into a full-blown civil war with further drastic consequences.
For the past few decades, China has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Even after COVID-19 broke out, according to Chinas own data, the country recorded some economic growth in 2020.

But the communist regime has continued to tighten its lockdown policies to control COVID-19. Some experts have now raised concerns about the countrys growth potential.

In a recent report, economists at Nomura warned that lockdowns in China are causing disruptions to the economy. Since the country is a major global manufacturing hub, any disruption in its supply chain will affect production facilities across the world that depend on Chinese components.

The latest focus of Beijings COVID-19 lockdown policies is Xian, a city of 13 million people. Its an important hub that produces auto parts and processors for smartphones, for example. In an interview with AP News, Shelly Jang of Fitch Ratings stated that if the lockdown in Xian extends, it could negatively affect NAND flash supply and worsen supply uncertainties.

Samsung Electronics and Micron Technologies Ltd. say their factories in Xian are affected but they are trying to minimize disruptions by drawing on global production networks. Micron said some deliveries might be delayed Those factories make DRAM and NAND memory chips used in smartphones, personal computers, and services Xian accounts for 42% of Samsungs NAND production and 15% of global supply Samsung makes about one-third of such chips, according to the media outlet.

Eurasia Group, an American consultancy firm, sees Beijings strict adherence to a zero-COVID policy as a top political risk for the year, potentially causing problems for other nations. The group predicts Xi Jinpings policies to fail against the new Omicron variant, which will lead to bigger outbreaks, wider and tighter lockdowns, greater economic disruptions, and even more state intervention. This will also cause significant disruptions to the global supply chain.

China is in the most difficult situation because of a zero-COVID policy that looked incredibly successful in 2020, but now has become a fight against a much more transmissible variant with broader lockdowns and vaccines with limited effectiveness, Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer and Chairman Cliff Kupchan stated. Xis personal attachment to the zero-COVID policy and its initial success will make it impossible to change course, they warned.

The spread of Omicron and the crisis in the property sector will suppress the Chinese economy this year. The World Bank recently cut down its growth predictions for China in 2022, reducing it from 5.4 to 5.1 percent. If China only grows at 5.1 percent, it will be its second-slowest growth rate since 1990. The country only grew 2.2 percent in 2020.

The World Bank points out that Chinas typical way of boosting the economy through real estate and infrastructure growth has run its course. In order to grow better in the medium-term, Beijing has to rebalance its economy. It must permit the private sector to have a bigger role and turn society into services and consumption-based economy.

Addressing distortions in factor markets and further opening up of the protected services sector would not only support the shift to more private sector-led growth but also encourage rebalancing towards higher value services jobs, Ibrahim Chowdhury, the World Banks lead economist for China, said in a statement.

Some experts predict Chinas Q4 2021 GDP growth rate to be at just 3 percent. Chinas Q3 growth was registered at 4.9 percent.
The city of Xian in Chinas Shaanxi Province has been under a citywide lockdown since Dec. 23, 2021. Under the governments stringent Zero-COVID policy, the citys roughly 13 million residents have been subjected to the strictest containment measures, exceeding those enacted in Wuhan, where the pandemic originated in 2020.

Residents have posted many videos on social media showing a dangerous decrease in supplies and the difficulties they are experiencing in obtaining food. Recently, several videos were posted where eight elderly people can be seen kneeling and giving thanks to the government after receiving a bundle of vegetables.



READ MORE:

Residents of Xian Resort to Bartering for Food Amid Lockdown

Many of the videos posted on Twitter show that Xian officials have adopted a centralized isolation approach where if a single positive case is detected, the entire buildings residents are immediately moved to an isolation site for quarantine.

The residents must remain there for an undisclosed amount of time, and there have been no reports of people being allowed to return home after being sent to these mandatory sites.

Being made to thank the government when receiving food

Videos circulating on social media reveal that some residents are going hungry as they are not allowed to leave their quarantine sites to buy food. Residents were told that food and essentials would be delivered to their homes every day, however, this has not always been the case.

According to one of the videos posted on Jan. 6, eight elderly people can be seen placing the supplies they received neatly on the ground. Among them, four of them kneel on the ground while one of them loudly chants: Thank you, Communist Party, thank you, government, for this food.

In Xian, four people kneel on the ground while one of them loudly chants: Thank you, Communist Party, thank you, government, for this food. (Image: Screenshots via social media)

Another video circulating across Chinese social media shows a police officer recording the process of delivering plastic bags filled with food and supplies. One staff member grabs the bag and did not hand it to the resident until he hinted: say the words. The resident seemed to suddenly remember what to say, and replied, Thank government. Only after repeating the phrase were the residents allowed to receive the bags.

A Xian resident is urged to say thank you, government upon receiving food. (Image: Screenshots via social media)

The video sparked public outrage, with many social media users voicing criticism. Shouldnt the government take care of its people? one user said.



Are you still thanking the government before you die of starvation? another user questioned.



Arent taxpayers contributions [that made buying the food possible] something we should be entitled to? Why not thank all of the people of the country? one netizen wrote.

Communist China: The master of creating Stockholm syndrome

Dr. Jingduan Yang, a U.S.-based psychiatrist and 5th-generation doctor of Chinese medicine and acupuncture, described many Chinese as apparently suffering from symptoms of Stockholm syndrome, a condition  named for a hostage situation that took place in Stockholm, Sweden in 1973  in which victims bond with and show sympathy for their abusers.

In a 2015 lecture at Harvard University, Dr. Yang said due to the Chinese Communist Partys totalitarian dictatorship, many of the conditions for Stockholm syndrome, such as hopelessness and small favors provided by the victimizers, were in place throughout Chinese society.

The victim can be one person, two people, three people, or a group of people  a whole country, Dr. Yang said. The CCP is the master of instilling fear and creating Stockholm syndrome among people.

READ MORE:

Chinese Military Deploys Troops as Xian Outbreak Worsens
Big tech behemoths Google and Meta have been exposed by Frances data protection agency CNIL for employing dark patterns on their platforms to cheat users of their right to withhold personal data. Google faces a $170-million fine; Metas Facebook faces a $68-million penalty.

Dark Patterns are any kind of strategy employed by a website or any online platform through which they make a user comply with a specific requirement via misleading user interface design. CNIL made the case against both Google and Facebook, arguing that they made rejecting cookies too difficult for users.

For Facebook, French users were required to click on the button Accept cookies. CNIL said that when a button is labeled in this way, it necessarily generates confusion and ultimately leads users into believing that they have no say in the matter. For Google, CNIL stated the issue was not about a misleading label.

The agency said to accept cookies, a user could do it with a single click. But to reject cookies, the user was required to go through several menu options. Google and Facebook were both penalized following several complaints from users.

According to EU law, if citizens provide personal data to any tech company while using its products or services, it is required that the individuals only do so with a full understanding of what kind of information they will be providing and the kind of choice they are making.

When platforms such as Google and Facebook adopt dark patterns to obtain consent from users who do not really understand what they are signing onto, it is clearly in violation of the law.

CNIL stated that the fines of the two major platforms were calculated on the basis of the number of data subjects concerned and the considerable profits the company makes from advertising revenues indirectly generated from the data collected by the cookies.

Though the protection agencys fines of the tech giants seem huge, they are not when compared to the corporations annual revenue. In the most recent quarter, Googles parent company reported $18.9 billion in net income while Facebook made $9.2 billion.

When ARS Technica contacted the firms, Google and Facebook did not clearly explain how they would implement the required changes in their respective cookie policies to comply with CNILs ruling.

A Google spokesperson stated, People trust us to respect their right to privacy and keep them safe. We understand our responsibility to protect that trust and are committing to further changes and active work with the CNIL in light of the ePrivacy Directive.

A Meta spokesperson responded to the media outlet, stating that the company was reviewing CNILs decision and remained committed to working with relevant authorities.

Our cookie consent controls provide people with greater control over their data, including a new settings menu on Facebook and Instagram where people can revisit and manage their decisions at any time and we continue to develop and improve these controls, the spokesperson said.

Since March 31, 2021, when the new cookie rules took effect, the CNIL has implemented 100 corrective measures corresponding to non-compliance with the newly implemented legislation on cookies.
North Korea is a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by a strong military establishment. Consequently, the loyalty of military personnel is a key factor that sustains the authoritarian regime. The regimes top leaders are worried about the rising trend of insubordination among military members. A report by Radio Free Asia (RFA) published on Jan. 4 sheds light on such concerns in North Korea.

A North Korean military official revealed to the media outlet that 10 soldiers have violently confronted their superior officers between October to December last year. The rise of insubordination is being blamed on the countrys worsening economy since the COVID-19 outbreak.

In 2020, the countrys economy tanked by 4.5 percent, its steepest economic decline since the 90s. North Korean law dictates every single able-bodied male to serve in the military for at least seven years.

According to the official, a company-level officer confronted his superior with a weapon while drunk in late November. The drastic action was taken after the officer had requested several times for his superior to help him with a health problem and family issue but was ignored.

In another incident, a company-level officer tried to kill himself after his request to help resolve a personal problem was also ignored. This specific incident prompted the North Korean politburo to order high-ranking officers to pay attention to the issues faced by their subordinate officers.

They fear that such incidents could demoralize the soldiers and spread into political incidents which could threaten the entire military hierarchy The bureau ordered that they resolve conflicts by actively helping the lower-level officers having difficulties in their lives, especially since the New Year is coming soon, the official stated.

Incidents of hazing are also getting serious in the North Korean military. A soldier who has a history of deserting his unit multiple times was beaten by several officers, put inside an iron barrel and left out in the cold winter for many hours to the extent that the soldier almost died. An investigation of the issue revealed that hazing was occurring more commonly among smaller units that are stationed in remote locations.

Countless orders to eradicate hazing have been issued, but it still happens often among the soldiers Beatings in the military have become more severe these days, and the problem is directly related to poor living conditions for soldiers as the government is providing them with less and less each year, a source said.

The worries about insubordination and hazing come as North Korea is speeding up programs to boost its military prowess. In October, leader Kim Jong-un had vowed to build an invincible military to counter what he says is Americas hostile policies. Jong-un insisted that there is no behavioral basis for his regime to believe that the United States is not hostile to Pyongyang.

After talks between Jong-Un and Donald Trump in 2019, there have not been any subsequent denuclearization discussions between the United States and North Korea. Though the Biden administration has offered to meet with representatives from North Korea without any preconditions, Washington has insisted that North Korea must denuclearize, something that Pyongyang has strongly dismissed.

Rather than expressing willingness for denuclearisation talks or interest in an end-of-war declaration, North Korea is signaling that neither the Omicron variant nor domestic food shortages will stop its aggressive missile development, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, told The Guardian.

In the past year, North Korea has conducted several missile tests, including the test of a hypersonic missile in September. In Jan. 2021, Pyongyang unveiled what it calls the worlds most powerful weapon, a submarine-launched ballistic missile. However, the weapons actual capabilities are still unknown.
According to a report released on Jan. 10 by Bitter Winter, over 100 asylum seekers have been sent back to Xinjiang by Kazakh and Chinese officers amid violent protests that have erupted across the Central Asian country in the past week.

Kazakhstan is currently experiencing the worst unrest it has seen in more than a decade over a spike in fuel prices and widespread disapproval for the countrys ruling party. Government buildings were seen being set on fire as widespread protests swept across the former Soviet republic of nearly 20 million people.

Kazakh media has reported that dozens of protestors have been killed in confrontations with police and videos circulating on social media showed droves of demonstrators facing off against hundreds of security forces in riot gear.

On Jan. 6, Russia and other members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), announced they would send troops to help restore order and stabilize the country after Kazakhs President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appealed to the military alliance for assistance. The first of about 2,500 Russian-led troops arrived in Kazakhstan last week.



Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi also said during a phone call with Kazakhstans foreign minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi on Jan. 10 that Beijing would be willing to deploy troops in support of the countrys police forces.

READ MORE:

China Announces It May Deploy Troops to Support Kazakh Government Amidst Unrest

Russian-led Troops Enter Kazakhstan to Quell Unrest; Dozens Dead

Bitter Winters report cites sources as claiming that some of the rioters were not real demonstrators, but rather Russian peacekeepers wearing Kazakh uniforms and inciting chaos.

The Almaty City Government building, for example, was not burned by real demonstrators. We have reports we cannot verify, but coming from serious sources, that some of those firing at Kazakh civilians were not Kazakh soldiers, the report said.

Bitter Winter is an online magazine that focuses on religious liberty and human rights issues in China. According to its website, the magazine receives some of its reports directly from members of religious minorities and organizations persecuted in China and elsewhere.

READ MORE:

Tales of Rape and Forced Sterilization, Uyghur Women Retell Horrors of Communist Camps

Another Woman Dies in China After Suffering 20 Years of Persecution for Practicing Falun Gong

Amid the hundreds being arrested in Almaty as a result of the protests, many among those arrested are people who were not particularly active in the current protests but have demonstrated in the last few months against the detention of thousands of ethnic Kazakhs in the dreaded transformation through education camps in [Chinas] Xinjiang region, the report said.

It added that Almaty asylum seekers who escaped persecution in Xinjiang are now being detained and immediately deported back to China by officers of the Chinese Consulate and Kazakh police.



Many of the refugees are ethnic Kazakh citizens of China who managed to cross the border, sought asylum, and applied for Kazakh citizenship. Some already had their green card and were legally entitled to remain in Kazakhstan.

The report added that the refugees were taken from their homes, detained, and forcibly escorted to the Horgos Customs  the border between Kazakhstan and China that has remained closed since the unrest began earlier this month. The border was allegedly re-opened so that the refugees could be taken back to Xinjiang, with their fates unknown.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long been accused of rampant human rights abuses targeting religious faiths and minorities for violent assimilation to its atheist ideology. Most recently, the Party was accused of forcefully sending more than 1 million Uyghurs  a Muslim ethnicity  to concentration camps in their native Xinjiang and across remote regions in Western China.

In addition to Muslim Uyghurs, the CCP has also targeted Chinese Christians, Tibetans and adherents of the Falun Gong spiritual practice  many of whom have suffered persecution for decades.
Sweden launched a new government agency that is allegedly aimed to combat foreign disinformation. The purpose of the new organization, called the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency, is to safeguard the countrys open and democratic society, free formation of opinion, as well as protect Swedens independence and freedom.

It will coordinate and develop the agencys and other actors activities within Swedens psychological defense. In addition, the agency will provide support to companies, municipalities, organizations, and regions to strengthen resilience within the country. The psychological defense will strengthen the Swedish populations ability to identify and resist disinformation and influence campaigns, the agency claims.

Psychological defence must be able to identify, analyse, meet and prevent undue information influence and other misleading information that is directed at Sweden or Swedish interests both nationally and internationally. It can be disinformation aimed at weakening the countrys resilience and the populations will to defend itself or unduly influencing peoples perceptions, behaviours and decision making, according to the organizations website.

The new agency will be headed by Henrik Landerholm, a former Vice-Chancellor for the Swedish Defence University who has also served as an ambassador to the UAE and Latvia. He is an MP from the Moderate Party.

After his appointment, Landerholm pointed fingers at China, Russia, and Iran as the three countries that have consistently spread disinformation against Sweden. The propaganda of these nations was aimed at sowing division within Swedish society and undermining public trust in government institutions, he stated.

He added that the first part of the agency will involve conducting threat analysis; then it will assess how vulnerable Swedish people are to various types of influence; finally, it will begin building resilience in the society.

The agency will have 45 employees and intends to work together with the Swedish armed forces and institutions from civil society. It will report to the justice department. Landerholm pledged that the agency will not harm the ideals of freedom of speech.

This is not the Ministry of Truth or a State Information Board like we had during the Cold War We want to protect freedom of opinion in our country, Landerholm said.

In an interview with WaPo, Magnus Hjort, the agencys head of department, admitted that one has to tread very carefully when it comes to freedom of speech and insisted that Sweden must never try to limit the democratic rights of its population.

Critics, however, are concerned that the agencys agenda to stop misinformation will be misused to censor alternative opinions that dont fit a mainstream narrative on issues as far-ranging as COVID-19 to politics.

According to Karen Douglas, professor of social psychology at the University of Kent, the agency is less likely to face resistance from the public as it will most likely focus on equipping people with the ability to identify misinformation rather than outright blocking websites or social media.

Blocking information and particular sources can only be so effective, because people and groups are likely to find new ways of sharing misinformation. The process of dealing with misinformation therefore becomes a bit like a game of whack-a-mole, Douglas said.

According to a report by The Telegraph, an unpublished study by Swedens Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has found that up to 10 percent of the Swedish population reads articles published by Russias Sputnik News.
A paper published in November by the U.S. Army War College has been gaining a lot of attention to the extent that it has become the most downloaded paper from the institution in 2021. The paper, Broken Nest: Deterring China from Invading Taiwan, is written by Jared McKinney and Peter Harris.

It proposes that in the event of an invasion of Taiwan by Beijing, the island should self-sabotage the facilities of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and other major semiconductor companies.

Adopting such a policy will ensure that an attack on Taiwan would make no sense for Beijing. The research paper notes that although Beijing has been striving relentlessly for a legitimate China label in the chip industry, just around six percent of semiconductors used in China in 2020 were made in the country.

TSMC is Chinas most prolific supplier and the biggest player in the global chipmaker industry. Its customers include NVIDIA and AMD who are major names among AI powerhouse chip designers. The company has started constructing a semiconductor fabrication unit in Arizona.

The paper elaborated that if TSMC and other major semiconductor companies in Taiwan were destroyed as per the Scorched Earth strategy, then South Korea-based tech giant Samsung would be the only option left for China to acquire cutting-edge designs.

One of the authors of the paper noted that if TSMC went offline, Chinas high-tech industries would be immobilized at precisely the same time the nation was embroiled in a massive war effort. Even if the actual war was stopped, the economic damage to China would set it back by at least five to six years. And this will put the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party at risk.

The paper emphasized that the efficiency of such a threat is largely dependent on making it highly credible. The authors stated that China must absolutely believe Taiwans semiconductor industry would be destroyed in the event of an invasion.

An automatic mechanism could be designed, which could be triggered once an invasion was confirmed. In addition, Taiwans leaders could make it known now they will not allow these industries to fall into the hands of an adversary.

One of the authors, Jared M. McKinney, is a chair at the Department of Strategy and Security Studies at the eSchool of Graduate Professional Military Education. The second author, Dr. Peter Harris is an associate professor at Colorado State University. Academics have expressed their skepticism towards the Scorched Earth strategy put forward by McKinney and Harris.

It is unclear to what extent Chinese officials might actually tolerate such an economically weakened Taiwan. If Chinese officials have attached an inflated symbolic value to unification as their statements may suggest, one buttressed by decades of rhetoric on the necessity of unification and public support for it, such economic costs may be viewed as acceptable short-term costs, Timothy S Rich, an associate professor of political science at Western Kentucky University, told Asia Financial.

The authors did admit in a follow-up article that their proposed threats would not necessarily be enough to deter China from a planned invasion of Taiwan if Beijing was determined to stay its course. However, the strategy could convince Beijings leadership that there would not be any positive outcome from attacking Taiwan if the threats were put together in a comprehensive package.
On this edition of Straight Talk Africa, host Hayde Adams and her guests look at "informal" [non-planned, non-approved] housing and explore how targeted urban planning can improve living conditions. Guests include Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Buwa Binitie, a property developer in Washington D.C. and urban economist Astrid Haas.
From a seaside perch overlooking the hustle and bustle of ships coming and going at Port Canaveral on Floridas east coast, Dale Ketcham reflects on decades of history with nostalgia.



I moved here and learned how to walk on Cocoa Beach three years before NASA was created in 1958, he said.



Not only can Ketcham trace his life alongside the U.S. space program, hes had a firsthand view of the transformation of the economies of communities surrounding NASAs Kennedy Space Center several times since the 1950s.



The space program continued to progress, but it was always government-focused, said Ketcham, adding that the configuration did not bring long-term stability to the local workforce.

For 50 years roughly, Floridas Space Coast was the place for launch but not production of spacecraft, said Brian Baluta of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Floridas Space Coast.



Most of the equipment used in the Apollo and space shuttle programs in the last half of the 20th century was shipped to Florida for assembly.When Atlantis touched down in 2011 on the final shuttle mission, it marked the end of an era in human spaceflight, with painful economic consequences for the Space Coast.



The job losses started to pile up, and that happened to coincide with the Great Recession, Baluta said.And that was really a one-two punch for this area. In 2011, unemployment was 12% at that point. The economy and its outlook (were) not that strong.



Balutas organization responded by forging a plan to boost the fortunes of the areas workforce  permanently.



It started with taking the unusual step of reaching out to the companies who were likely to produce the successor to the space shuttle," he said.At the time, it was called the Crew Exploration Vehicle, and there wasnt a contract for it yet, he said. But we reached out to Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing  the companies that would likely compete and win for that contract. And we made the unusual pitch of, If you win the contract, not only should you consider launching from Cape Canaveral, but you should consider assembling your spacecraft here.

Diversify products



The concept took off.



Just like diversifying a portfolio, if you diversify the area and your products, you can ride through those lows, said Lockheed Martins Kelly DeFazio. Her company won the contract to create NASAs next-generation spacecraft transporting humans back to the moon.

The Crew Exploration Vehicle, now called Orion, is the crew capsule of the upcoming Artemis missions. Instead of making them elsewhere, some of Orions key components are pieced together at Lockheed Martins new STAR (Spacecraft, Test, Assembly and Resource) Center near Titusville, Florida, which is the former home of Space Camp and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

This particular center here was an 18-month, $20 million investment by Lockheed Martin, and that is helping to expand the manufacturing footprint for the Space Coast and allowing us to increase throughput (output) over time to support the lunar mission, said DeFazio, who is also a longtime resident of Floridas Space Coast. She now oversees the work at STAR Center, which includes creating wiring harnesses and the application of thermal tiles that will protect the Orion capsule.

Amid all the activity at STAR Center, DeFazio said local excitement is building.



I think that it will start to become very clear with the launch of Artemis 1 that there is a difference," said DeFazio. And you know what? Were going to take humans farther than they have ever gone before.



When I was growing up with the original seven astronauts, it was really a frontier town, Ketcham said. That Wild West frontier town description is also how he characterizes the present-day Space Coast, with government contractors and private companies jockeying for real estate and launch access.

In many ways, were going back.  The workforce is younger, particularly with Space X. They arent afraid to fail, Ketcham said.

The more the merrier



Space X, Blue Origin, and the Airbus and One Web partnership are just a few of the growing number of companies now with facilities near the rocket launch pads at Kennedy Space Center, thanks in part to the efforts of the EDC and organizations like Space Florida, where Ketcham now serves as vice president.



We just had an announcement this week that there will be a small launch company called Astra coming here to build small rockets for small satellites, which is a big new component of the space industry, said Ketcham. But weve also got Firefly, Relativity coming  and others will be coming after that.



The more the merrier said Ketcham, who believes the flurry of activity not only helps the local economy but also keeps the United States competitive globally in what he sees as a new international space race.

China leading the race

The Chinese will put more rockets into orbit than we will because the Chinese are competitive, very smart, very capable, very well-resourced and very committed. And they are the major competitors in space, Ketcham said.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson agrees.



During a U.S. House of Representatives appropriations hearing conducted remotely last year, he signaled alarm over the recent successes in the Chinese space program, including landing a rover on the surface of Mars, and is concerned that their ambitions are not limited to the red planet.

They want to send three big landers to the south pole of the moon, Nelson told members of Congress. And thats where the water is. And we are still a year or two away from a much smaller lander going there.



Nelson wants U.S. lawmakers to increase NASAs funding so the agency can complete the Artemis program, which plans to return humans  including the first woman  to the moon, with Mars as an eventual destination.



I think thats adding a new element as to whether or not we want to get serious and get a lot of activity going on landing humans back on the surface of the moon, he said.




This authorization was granted by 110 votes in favor, 4 against, and 1 abstention.

The Peru-Colombia Presidential Meeting and Binational Cabinet constitute the highest instance of political dialogue and coordination with the neighboring country. In fact, five similar meetings have been held since 2014.

The event consists of the following thematic axes: Social Affairs and Governance; Environmental and Mining-Energy Affairs; Trade, Economic Development and Tourism; Security and Defense; in addition to Border and Immigration Affairs.

This mechanism makes it possible to organize and boost the bilateral work agenda within the framework of political dialogue at the highest level.

It is aimed at identifying priority issues of common interest, promoting a dynamic, orderly and mutually-beneficial work agenda for the populations namely those located in the border area.

Its format contributes to addressing those issues on the bilateral agenda whose handling is the responsibility of multiple national sectors, making the most of the presence (in the same venue) of all entities involved from both countries.

#PlenoDelCongreso aprobo el Proyecto de Resolucion Legislativa 1104, con 110 votos a favor, 4 en contra y 1 abstencion. pic.twitter.com/vc46MqcMB6

Te presentamos los ejes tematicos del Encuentro Presidencial y VI Gabinete #BinacionalPeruColombia que este 13 de enero reunira a los presidentes y ministros de ambos paises en Villa de Leyva, Boyaca Colombia. pic.twitter.com/qIbklmuiaL
Rights groups in Zimbabwe are expressing concern about vulnerable groups after authorities imposed a new, strict lockdown to curb a spike in coronavirus infections. The restrictions come as Zimbabwe's number of confirmed infections has more than doubled in the past week.

Monica Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwes information minister, told reporters late Tuesday that a recent spike in COVID-19 cases has forced authorities to impose tighter restrictions.

Officials had already imposed a nighttime curfew last week.

Exemption mechanisms which were used during the first lockdown in 2020 will be reactivated with immediate effect. This will reinforce the current efforts of containing the spread of COVID-19. Stiffer penalties will be imposed for violations of COVID-19 restrictions, including the withdrawal of business operating licences. As you might be aware, the entire country is now under Level 4 lockdown, said Mutsvangwa.

Samuel Wadzai is head of the Zimbabwe Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation. He says his group opposes the reintroduction of exemption letters that only allow essential workers, such as police and government employees, to reach their jobs.

We just hope that it is going to be instituted in a transparent manner. In the past we have seen these exemption letters being used to block the operations of informal traders. It is our hope that there will be clear communication of where the informal economy will get the letters, and there will be enough measures that one gets these letters in a manner that does not promote corruption, he said.

Mutsvangwa said the government is also intensifying its vaccination program as part of an effort to contain the pandemic.

About 810,000 Zimbabweans out of a population of 14 million have received their first shot, and about 575,000 have received their second inoculation since the program started in February.

Dewa Mavhinga is the head of Human Rights Watch in southern Africa. He said the government should concentrate on vaccinating the adult population and essential workers instead of tightening lockdown regulations.

This is to get to the wrong end of the stick because this will not in a big way address the real challenges. The government is focused on a heavy-handed response that is not suited for the Zimbabwean context. Particularly when you look the vast majority of Zimbabweans who live in poverty, who depend on the informal sector for their livelihoods, who have nowhere to get the exemption letters to travel. We also know that the government of Zimbabwe is also not supporting these people in terms of intervention packages, said Mavhinga.

Last year the government said it was giving about $10 to each family affected by lockdown regulations.

On Wednesday, most vendors did not take heed of the governments call to stay at home unless they have exemption letters.

One of them is Lucia Mtetwa, who sells second hand clothes.

I only see corruption increasing because of these letters because everyone wants to go somewhere  with an exemption letter or not. This only gives police an advantage. They will start demanding bribes as they were doing during the last time during the lockdown, said Mtetwa.

Zimbabwe has 56,014 confirmed coronavirus infections and 1,939 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University, which tracks the global outbreak. The numbers have more than doubled in the last few weeks.
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy tweeted during a NATO summit he attended in June that Western leaders had confirmed his country will become a member of the Alliance.

The Ukrainian leaders tweet, seen by some Western diplomats as ill-timed and intended to goad Russia, drew a predictably furious response from Kremlin officials. They have long warned that the accession of Ukraine to NATO is unacceptable to Moscow, the crossing of a red line which would be met by retaliatory measures.

Despite  or because of  Kremlin threats, and a Russian military buildup along the borders of Ukraine, President Zelenskiy has continued to press for Ukraine to be admitted into NATO as soon as possible, saying it is the only way to deter further Russia aggression. Others, including some Western leaders, fear it would do the reverse  invite more Russian aggression.

At the June summit, Zelenskiy did not get an admission date. And U.S. President Joe Biden, who has been a strong champion in the past for Ukraine to join the Atlantic alliance, scotched talk of an impending admission. Schools out on that question. It remains to be seen, he said when reporters asked him about Ukraine joining.

In the meantime, we will do all we can to put Ukraine in a position to be able to continue to resist Russian physical aggression, he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a series of increasingly insistent demands for guarantees that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO.

Some observers question whether what they see as a tamping down by Biden, and senior U.S. and European officials, of Ukraines NATO ambitions, is evidence that Russia may already have achieved one of its key goals  namely, to prevent Ukraine from joining the Western alliance.

At best, the White House and European allies are sending mixed messages about NATO membership for Ukraine, they say. The urgency of Moscows ultimatums would suggest that Ukraine is on the verge of NATO membership. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, according to Peter Dickinson, editor of UkraineAlert, a newsletter of the Atlantic Council, a U.S.-based research group.

At this point, the closest Ukraine has ever come to joining NATO is a vague and largely symbolic commitment to future membership received at the alliances 2008 summit in Bucharest. While this pledge has been repeated on numerous subsequent occasions, it carries no real weight and is essentially a reaffirmation of the alliances standard open-door policy towards all potential new members, added Dickinson, also an editor of Business Ukraine magazine.

In June, NATO did upgrade its relationship with Ukraine, designating the country an Enhanced Opportunities Partner. The EOP program, which was launched in 2014, aims to support and deepen cooperation between allies and partners, which have made significant contributions to NATO-led operations and missions, according to NATO. Sweden, Finland, Australia, and Jordan also enjoy the designation. But as NATO states on its website: Ukraines status as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner does not prejudge any decisions on NATO membership.

After Zelenskiy posted his June tweet, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also sought to downplay the significance of the designation, telling reporters, Nothing new had happened. And he referred them to the 2008 NATO conference in Bucharest, where the alliance welcomed the membership aspirations of Ukraine and Georgia. But NATO declined to offer either a membership action plan, or MAP, which would have set them on a definite path to admission.

Then-U.S. President George W. Bush had pushed for NATO to offer MAPs to both countries, but several European members, including Germany, were opposed, fearing to do so would further roil relations with Russia. A British diplomat told VOA opposition from some of Americas partners has not evaporated. There is little appetite among some members to inherit an open conflict, which NATO would do, if Ukraine became a member, he said.

Dilemma

With Putin loudly insisting NATO should never admit Ukraine, the Biden administration, and Western alliance partners, are caught in a dilemma, say some analysts and Western diplomats. Many NATO members are not ready to admit Ukraine for a range of reasons, including a worry that Ukraine is still not on top of corruption. But while they do not want to be hurried into making a decision, they are also fearful of being accused of appeasing Russia or Moscow interpreting that they are weak.

The dilemma facing the West has been seized on by Anatol Lieven of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a Washington research organization, to argue that the U.S. should negotiate with Russia a treaty that renders Ukraine a neutral country.

Lieven acknowledges the idea would be criticized by Western hardliners. They need to ask themselves, however, whether they are really prepared to contemplate war with Russia; and if not, what they are proposing as a concrete alternative to these proposals, he wrote for the Quincy Institute, which advocates for a non-interventionist American foreign policy.

But it is unlikely Ukraine would agree to the erosion of its rights as an independent nation. Zelenskiy has been pushing even harder than his pro-NATO predecessors for a timetable for Ukraine membership, but he has been rebuffed with the latest knock back coming last month when NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg sidestepped his request for a schedule for Ukrainian membership.

On his Facebook page, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the meeting between Zelenskiy and Stoltenberg to discuss the strengthening of Ukraines armed forces was very good, positive, but added, The only drawback, to be honest, was that we werent told the year when Ukraine will become a NATO member, although we asked.

All this week senior U.S. officials have emphasized that Russian demands for a halt to any further NATO enlargement  and specifically a guarantee that Ukraine never be admitted as a member  are non-starters.

Ambassador Julianne Smith, U.S. permanent representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, added her voice Tuesday, echoing previous dismissals of Russian demands by Blinken and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. We will not allow anyone to slam NATOs Open Door policy shut, Smith said.

Despite the strong words, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer questions whether the Kremlin has, in effect, already been allowed to exercise a veto on Ukrainian membership because of NATO fears of being bungled into war. He said in a newspaper commentary that Kyiv has had to wait for a long time to join NATO, but it is likely it will have to wait much longer.

Allies appear unenthusiastic about a MAP now, particularly because there is no good answer to the question, If Ukraine joins NATO tomorrow, does the alliance then find itself at war with Russia?

Pifer suggested Ukraine stop demanding a timetable for membership, saying in the current circumstances, the answer will either be silence or no. Neither helps NATO-Ukraine relations. He added, There should be candor between NATO and Ukrainian officials about the state of play with MAP, as there should be on Washingtons part.

A British diplomat who asked not to be identified for this article, told VOA, Maybe clarity is best avoided at this stage  admitting Ukraine now would inflame tensions and ambiguity keeps Russia guessing, too.
Relatives of Cubans arrested during the largest demonstrations in decades across the island said that at least 57 protesters are scheduled to go on trial this week, some facing sentences of up to 30 years in prison.

The relatives told The Associated Press that three collective trials are scheduled, with 21 charged in the eastern city of Holguin, 20 in Havana and 16 in Santa Clara.

Officials initially appeared to be caught off guard when thousands of Cubans took to the streets in cities across the island on July 11 and 12 to protest shortages of goods, power blackouts and economic hardship  with some also calling for a change in government.

Cuban authorities acknowledged that some complaints were justified, but they said that the United States was the real force behind the protests, which appeared to have been mobilized in part via recently authorized social media networks.

At least one person died, and several shops and vehicles were vandalized or burned.

Officials have never given an official number of arrests during the protests, though court officials said in August there had been 23 quick trials of 67 defendants facing lesser charges such as public disorder.

Since then, prosecutors have formalized more serious charges, such as sedition, against other defendants, said Salome Garcia of Justice 11J  a group with members in Cuba and abroad that tries to track the cases of those detained.

The organization said it has confirmed 1,334 detentions, 223 convictions for various charges and 231 others facing charges. It said 98 people had been fined.

The group said the initial detainees included 48 people under the age of 18  the age of criminal responsibility is 16 in Cuba  though several of them have since been freed.

Roxana Garcia, the sister of 24-year-old defendant Andy Dunier Garcia, said she had been told the trials are expected to last three to four days. Her brother is charged in Santa Clara with public disorder as well as attacking and contempt of authority.

She said the defense attorney seemed to be doing a good job and that the only witnesses against the defendants are "the same police who beat them."

In Havana, Yaquelin Cruz said her 20-year-old son, Dariel Cruz, faces a prosecution request for a 15-year-sentence for sedition  attempting to overthrow a legitimate government. She said her son recently was stabbed in prison.

Justice 11J's list of cases indicates some in Holguin face 30-year sentences for the same charge.

Several relatives said they had been informed that only one family member of each defendant would be allowed in the courtroom.

Government authorities did not immediately respond to requests for information on the cases.

The United States has denied mobilizing the protests and responded to Cuba's crackdown on the demonstrations by imposing sanctions on officials it says have been complicit in it.
The African members of the U.N. Security Council urged their counterparts on Tuesday to support sanctions imposed this week on Malis coup leaders by a bloc of West African nations.

We call for the Security Council to respect and embrace the determination of the heads of state and government of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), that the proposal by the authorities to extend the transition to five years is unacceptable and that an expedited transition to constitutional rule in Mali should be undertaken without delay, Michel Biang, Gabons U.N. ambassador, told the 15-nation council on behalf of his government, Ghana and Kenya. The three African states currently hold seats on the Security Council.

In a special summit on January 9, ECOWAS members imposed sanctions on Malis military government, which seized power in a coup, after it said it would not hold elections on Feb. 27, 2022, but at the end of 2025.

The sanctions include the closing of land and air borders between ECOWAS member states and Mali; the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions (with humanitarian exemptions); the freezing of assets and public enterprises located in the region in commercial banks; and the suspension of financial assistance from ECOWAS.

Mali responded by closing its borders with ECOWAS states and recalling its ambassadors.

The number one interest of the A3 (Gabon, Ghana and Kenya) is in a peaceful and secure Mali, whose government reflects the will of its people and that is in full control of its territory, Kenyas U.N. envoy Martin Kimani told reporters following the meeting.

He urged the Malian authorities to comply with ECOWASs conditions for the gradual removal of the sanctions by producing an acceptable transitional calendar.

In his address to the nation on 10 January, our president stated that despite the illegal, illegitimate and inhumane nature of these decisions, Mali remains open to dialogue with ECOWAS to strike a balance between the interests of the Malian people and respect for the principles of the organization, Issa Konfourou, Malis U.N. ambassador, said of Interim President Assimi Goita.

The United Nations, which has more than 15,000 peacekeeping troops and police in the country, urged a quick resolution to issues linked to the transition.

A protracted impasse will make it much harder to find a consensual way out, while increasing hardship for the population and further weakening state capacity, the head of the U.N. mission, El-Ghassim Wane, told the council. Such a scenario will have far-reaching consequences for Mali and its neighbors.

Mercenaries

Several Western council members expressed concern about reports that Russian-backed mercenaries have been invited to Mali by the transitional military government.

The confirmed presence of the Wagner Group in Mali risks destabilizing the country further, Britains Deputy U.N. envoy James Kariuki told the council, referring to the contractors by name.

The deployment of mercenaries will only increase the challenges facing Mali, he said. We urge the Malian authorities to rethink their decision.

We regret the fact that transitional authorities are using already limited public funds to pay foreign mercenaries, rather than supporting the national forces and public services for the benefit of the Malian people, French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere said. France and its closest partners robustly condemn the deployment on Malian territory of mercenaries from the Wagner Group who are known to threaten civilians, pillage resources, violate international law and the sovereignty of states.

Western states have accused Wagner mercenaries of involvement in conflicts in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic and Ukraine.

Russia has denied any links with the group, and its envoy dismissed his counterparts accusations.

We believe Malians have every right to interact with other partners that are ready to cooperate in promoting security, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. The hysteria around a Russian private military company is another manifestation of double standards, because it is well known that this market is dominated by Western countries.

Malis envoy denied that mercenaries are present on its territory, saying those who accuse the government are engaging in a false information campaign.

Konfourou said the two countries have a long relationship dating to the 1960s and currently, Moscow has military personnel in Mali to train its military on Russian equipment.
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President Joe Biden is pushing legislation to prevent states from imposing laws that limit access to the vote, arguing that voting rights are a bedrock American value and need to be better protected. His Republican opponents want states to support more rigorous voter identification and ballot security measures to prevent voter fraud. VOAs Anita Powell reports from the White House.



Produced: Bakhtiyar Zamanov
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were in the southern state of Georgia on Tuesday to promote voting rights legislation that would greatly expand federal influence over elections.

The two bills are a top priority for many Democrats but have stalled in the Senate because of Republican opposition.

"Today, we come to Atlanta, the cradle of civil rights, to make clear what must come after that dreadful day when a dagger was literally held at the throat of American democracy," Biden said, invoking the Jan. 6, 2021, siege of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump attempting to overturn Biden's victory in the 2020 election.

With only 50 Democratic votes in the 100-seat Senate and no Republican ones, Biden threw his support behind the so-called filibuster carve-out: a one-time change in filibuster rules to pass the two voting rights bills.

The filibuster is a Senate tradition that allows the minority party to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote. A filibuster carve-out would allow Senate Democrats to pass legislation with a simple majority with Harris as the tiebreaker.

"Today I'm making it clear. To protect our democracy, I support changing the Senate rules whichever way they need to be changed to prevent a minority of senators from blocking action on voting rights," Biden said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he will force a vote on changing those Senate rules no later than January 17, the day Americans commemorate the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights activist.

Senator Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, lambasted the move.

"The Senate Democratic leader is trying to bully his own members into breaking their word, breaking the Senate, and silencing the voices of millions of citizens. So that one political party can take over our nation's elections from the top down," he said in a statement Tuesday.

McConnell also blasted Biden's rhetoric on voting rights.

"A sitting president of the United States who pledged to lower the temperature and unite America now invokes the brutal racial hatred of Jim Crow segregation to smear states whose new voting laws are more accessible than in his home state of Delaware," McConnell said.

Republicans vs. Democrats on voting rights

In the American federal system, rules on who can vote, how, when and where they can vote and how the votes are counted are determined at the state level. In general, Democrats want to make it easier for everyone to vote because a larger pool of voters tends to yield more Democratic votes. Republicans tend to support higher barriers to voting, focusing on voter identification to protect against fraud.

Data from the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University Law School show that in the last year at least 19 Republican-controlled states have passed 34 laws restricting access to voting.

The two bills Biden is advocating include the Freedom to Vote Act, which would, among other provisions, reduce the impact of Republican controlled state-led efforts to restrict voting and stop gerrymandering, the process in which state legislators redraw districts in a way that advocates say favors one party or class. The second is the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore certain anti-discrimination provisions of the Voting Rights Act that were weakened in a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.

The prospects of passing the bills are dim.

"It is hard to pass something, to say we're going to standardize things across the country in a way that really only one party is for," said John Fortier, a senior fellow focusing on elections at the American Enterprise Institute.

Republicans in Congress have uniformly opposed the measures, contending that each of the 50 U.S. states should continue to set its own rules, including voting hours, how many days of early voting should be allowed before the traditional election day and the extent to which mail-in balloting is allowed.



Along with Biden's Build Back Better, the $2 trillion social spending and climate change bill still stuck at the Senate, Democrats and the White House say passing voting rights legislation is a top priority.

"Right now, Democrats are so worried about the prospects of what could happen without essentially nationalizing voting rights issues, that I think they're viewing this as, 'We have to do this, otherwise we've lost everything else,'" said David Schultz, a professor at Hamline University specializing in election law.

That may explain why Biden's speech referred heavily to January 6 and "the Big Lie"  the baseless claim that Trump won the 2020 election  as a powerful argument to change the filibuster rules and pass voting rights measures.

Think of the scenes at the Capitol that day as the equivalent of Martin Luther King Jr. and his supporters being beaten as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, images that were crucial to passing voting rights legislation in the 1960s, Schultz said.

"Biden needs an image to win over the public and Congress to support his legislation," he added.

'The Big Lie'

While Democrats routinely criticize Trump and his Republican allies for what they characterize as "the Big Lie," McConnell has attacked Democrats over what he called "the left's Big Lie"  the belief that "there is some evil anti-voting conspiracy sweeping America."

In the 2020 election, Biden won some states where voting days were added, voting hours were extended and mail-in balloting was expanded to reduce the need for voters to go to polling places amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The legislation pushed by Democrats aims to codify many of those changes for future elections, including the 2022 elections in November, when all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and about a third of the Senate seats are up for grabs. Numerous Republican-controlled state legislatures in the past year have curtailed many of the changes enacted for the 2020 election, fearing that Democrats would gain a permanent electoral advantage if the rules were left in place.

At least two Democrats, Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, remain opposed to changing the legislative filibuster rule, even for voting rights measures.

"Unless they've changed their minds, unless the speech and other things going around change their minds, then it's going to be almost impossible to pass this set of legislation at the federal level," Fortier said.

Biden, in his close to 40 years in the Senate, has resisted changes to the filibuster but now believes change is necessary.

"The president is coming to the realization right now that this is not the same Senate that he was in 20, 30 years ago where compromise was possible," Schultz said.

VOA's Anita Powell contributed to this report.


Nigerian police say a church collapsed in southern Delta State, killing at least three people, including two children. Nigeria's building standards have been in the spotlight since November, when a 21-story building collapsed in Lagos, killing 45 people.

Rescue operations by the police and emergency responders continued overnight at the site of the Salvation Ministries church in Asaba, the capital of Nigeria's southern Delta State.

Many worshippers had converged for an evening service at the church on Tuesday when the one-story building came crashing down.

Police officials say 18 people were rescued from the scene and hospitalized, and that three of the victims were in critical condition.



Hours later on Wednesday, authorities said those three people had died.

Authorities say the search for survivors continues. Patrick Ukah is secretary to the Delta State government.

"All the various agencies, the police are here," he said. "We have all the complements of the government that is here. Ministry of Works was able to move in with the payloader and the escalators."



Delta State authorities on Wednesday launched an investigation into what caused the collapse.

Building collapses are not uncommon in Nigeria. Hundreds of buildings have collapsed in the country over the last decade, according to experts.



In November, a 21-story building collapsed in Lagos, killing at least 45 people  the deadliest incident in recent years.



The incident ignited fresh concerns over building standards in the country, where building experts blame authorities for weak implementation of regulations.



Festus Adebayo, a building advocate, says authorities have been slow to act.

"How many people have been sent to jail for building collapse? We just make our noise for one week, and after one week, the whole thing will be swept off," he said.

Poor design, faulty construction procedures and substandard building materials are all part of the problems behind the building collapses.

In November, Nigerian authorities specifically promised to get tough on builders using substandard materials.

David Majekodunmi, an official with the Nigerian Institute of Architects, says the government must back up its promise with regular testing.



"There's supposed to be continuous material testing, in terms of the cube test for the concrete, in terms of the test for the iron rods, in terms of  all the materials should be tested continuously. The government needs to outsource, needs to have certified material-testing laboratories, he said.



Laboratories for testing building materials in Nigeria are very scarce and expensive.

Experts say until these issues are resolved, many more lives remain at risk.
Amid growing competition for control of the Arctic seaways, Canadas navy has re-entered the region after a decades-long absence with a versatile new class of vessel that is equally at home in the frozen North or in tropical seas.

The HMCS Harry DeWolf recently became the first Royal Canadian Navy ship to sail through the Northwest Passage in 60 years, part of a rare circumnavigation of North America that later took it through the Panama Canal and into the Caribbean Sea to participate in anti-narcotics operations.

Canadas Coast Guard has long been active in the high Arctic, reinforcing the nations claim to sovereignty over the fabled waterway that became a graveyard for at least one 19th century explorer. But with climate change prompting new interest in potential Arctic trade routes, the Canadian navy is expanding its role.

Canada has long paid lip service to the importance of Canadian Arctic sovereignty, but the defense of the Arctic has long been a low priority for Canadian military expenditures, said Charles Burton, an expert with the MacDonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa.

Now with increasing strategic interest in the region by China and opening up of year-round shipping lanes due to global warming, Canada is waking up to the need to ally with the United States and other like-minded nations and commit resources to uphold its claim to its northern territory.

Canadas claim to sovereignty over the Northwest Passage is in fact challenged by the United States, which argues that it and a similar Arctic Sea route across the top of Russia should be considered international waters.

But the dispute has not hindered cooperation between the North American neighbors. An American officer, Navy Lt. j.g. Kyle Luchau, was on board the Harry DeWolf for its historic voyage in what a Canadian military spokesperson described to VOA as a special  but not a rare occurrence.

Luchaus role during the four-month voyage, spokesperson Mark Gough said, was sharing information, sharing ideas, point of view.

The Harry DeWolf, launched in mid-2020, is the first of six Canadian vessels in a class that bears the same name. Despite its length103 meters, making it the largest Canadian warship to be launched in more than 50 yearsit is smaller than many U.S. icebreakers.

Canada and the U.S. appear to have taken different paths with respect to Arctic ship building, said Adam Lajeunesse, a professor at Canadas St. Francis Xavier University. While the U.S. remains focused on larger, heavy icebreakers, Canada has chosen lighter ice-strengthened patrol ships.

Lajeunesse said the Canadian ships are far less capable in the heavy Arctic ice but they are cheaper and easier to build  that means there will be more of them.

The U.S. building program is based on a broader set of responsibilities. After all, the U.S. needs to access Antarctica as well, and a patrol ship wont do that job. Over the longer term, however, there will be more and more activity in the North that needs to be monitored and policed, Lajeunesse told VOA.

Chinese fishing fleets, foreign commercial vessels, cruise ships, and other safety, security, and defense threats will proliferate  Over time, the U.S. may want to adjust its own building program to put more emphasis on quantity over icebreaking quality.

The Harry DeWolf began its trip around North America in August, sailing northward from its home port in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to waters near Greenland, where it engaged in joint drills with U.S. icebreakers in an exercise labeled Operation Nanook.

After an east-to-west crossing through the Northwest Passage, it entered the Pacific Ocean through the Bering Strait and followed the Pacific coastline south to the Panama Canal.

Upon entering the Caribbean, the ship exhibited its versatility by participating in a totally different type of mission  working with U.S. forces to interdict drug-trafficking vessels in what the Canadians call Operation Caribbe.

Gough, the Canadian military spokesperson, said the Harry DeWolfs role was to patrol the tropical waters with U.S. Coast Guard personnel on board. When a suspected drug smuggling vessel was stopped, the Americans would board and search it.

Without such raids, Gough said, the dangerous narcotics that are seized would certainly end up on Canadian streets.

The Harry DeWolf returned to Halifax in mid-December, completing its journey around the continent. Military sources have told VOA the ship will soon be heading back south for another deployment as part of Operation Caribbe, but this time without Commander Corey Gleason, who directed it through its circumnavigation.

Gleason, who told VOA he is likely the longest serving commanding officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, is scheduled to step down this month. He said he will take up a senior position in the navys sea training unit where he will become a mentor to future Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship captains.
The United States and its allies from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization spoke with one voice in urging Russia to de-escalate tensions along Ukraines border and continue talks over issues including arms control.

Russia and NATO officials met in Brussels Wednesday with a focus on alleviating the dangerous situation along the border. The U.S. said NATO allies have offered ideas for reciprocal actions to reduce risks, improve transparency and communication and arms control.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who leads the U.S. delegation, said the NATO-Russia meeting ended with a sober challenge for Moscow to reduce tensions and choose the path of diplomacy, to continue to engage in honest and reciprocal dialogue so that together we can identify solutions that enhance the security of all.

There was no commitment to de-escalate, nor was there a statement that there would not be, said Sherman during a press conference Wednesday, after the nearly four-hour meeting.

She added Russia heard loudly and clearly it is very hard to have diplomacy when 100,000 of its troops are massed along the Ukrainian border, and as live fire exercises are being conducted.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he has proposed the idea of a series of meetings with Russia, which asked for time to return with an answer.

"NATO allies are ready to engage in dialogue with Russia, but we will not compromise on core principles, we will not compromise on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every nation in Europe," Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed a new international summit to end the crisis.

"It is time to agree in a substantive manner on an end to the conflict, and we are ready to take the necessary decisions during a new summit of the leaders of the four countries," Zelenskiy said Tuesday in a statement following a meeting with European diplomats.

In Washington, Democratic lawmakers Wednesday proposed a comprehensive sanctions package to deter Russia from further aggression.

The Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022 would impose crippling sanctions on the Russian banking sector and senior military and government officials if Russian President Vladimir Putin escalates hostile action against Ukraine.

NATO objects to Russia troop buildups along the border, saying they undermine European security. For its part, Russia is seeking security guarantees such as limiting the expansion of the 30-member NATO alliance, arguing the inclusion of a country like Ukraine on its border represents a threat.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told reporters ahead of Wednesdays talks that the NATO side is committed to seeing if diplomacy can de-escalate the situation, and that the overall themes of the discussion would be about risk reduction, transparency, arms control, and various ways in which we communicate with each other.

Smith expressed U.S. solidarity with Ukraine, adding that Russian actions have precipitated this crisis and NATO allies were ready to deter further Russian aggression.

Should Russia follow the path of confrontation and military action, weve made it clear to the Kremlin that we will respond resolutely, including with a range of high-impact economic measures, Smith said. As an alliance, we are prepared to reinforce NATOs defense on the eastern flank, and we are prepared to impose severe costs for further Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Wednesdays meeting was the second of three opportunities this week for U.S. and European diplomats to speak directly with Russian officials about the situation with Ukraine. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe meets Thursday in Vienna.

In Geneva on Monday, U.S. and Russian diplomats held their own session, with both sides signaling no major progress afterward.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday the talks in Geneva were open, comprehensive and direct, an assessment echoed by Washington. But Peskov said it was the result that ultimately matters.

So far, lets say we see no significant reason for optimism, he said in a conference call with reporters.

Victoria Nuland, U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. has not seen the slightest hint of de-escalation on Russias part. It is Russia that created this crisis out of whole cloth by deploying 100,000 troops just across from Ukraines eastern border.

At the Geneva talks, Moscow demanded guarantees, rejected by the United States, that NATO halt further eastward expansion toward Russia and curb military deployments in eastern Europe.

NATO poses no threat to Russia. It is a defensive alliance whose sole purpose is to protect its members, Nuland said.

Western allies fear that Russia is planning to invade Ukraine after annexing its Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Russia has denied it plans to invade the former Soviet republic but also has not agreed to U.S. demands that it withdraw troops from the border.

U.S. President Joe Biden has ruled out a military confrontation with Russia in the event it decides to attack Ukraine, but he says the U.S. and its allies would impose significant economic sanctions if Russia does invade.

(VOAs Chris Hannas contributed to this report.)
A daughter of an Afghan professor detained for four days by Afghanistans Taliban rulers says her father has been released thanks to international and domestic pressure.

In a VOA interview on Tuesday, Hasina Jalal, who lives in Washington, said her father Faizullah Jalal, a prominent critic of the Taliban, assured her that he was fine when they spoke by phone following his release in the Afghan capital Kabul earlier in the day. Taliban militants had arrested the Kabul University professor at his home on Saturday and detained him at an intelligence jail.

Jalals detention sparked an outcry from Afghans on social media and calls for his release from international human rights groups, German and EU diplomats and U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks.

Hasina Jalal said a group of five to 10 of her fathers friends, including his fellow Kabul University professors, had also gone to the intelligence jail where he was being held earlier Tuesday to demand his release.

They said to the Taliban, you can put us in the jail with him, we are not going to leave. And of course, the Taliban were aware of all the international advocacy. So, I think all of this pressured them to release him, she said. The Taliban thought that if they detained him longer, his case would get more traction internationally and more people would raise their voices.

The Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in August as U.S. troops and their NATO allies withdrew almost 20 years after ousting the Islamist militants from power in a 2001 invasion. But the Taliban have lacked international recognition since seizing power from an elected government and have overseen an economic collapse that has left many Afghans facing famine.

The United States and its allies have demanded that the Taliban allow any potential future government to be inclusive and representative of the Afghan people to earn legitimacy.

Faizullah Jalal, speaking to VOA sister network RFE/RLs Radio Azadi after his Tuesday release, said he was well-treated in Taliban custody.

But he said the militants encouraged him to reflect the realities of Afghan society in his political commentaries. He said one Taliban member told him those realities include respecting the more restrictive Islamist view of free expression rather than the liberal interpretation of the West.

The professor vowed to continue telling the truth.

Jalal, who has been an outspoken critic of the Taliban and Afghanistans previous leaders for decades, caused a stir on social media after participating in a November 20 heated televised debate with Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem on the Tolo News network. At one point, Jalal called Naeem a calf, which in Afghanistan is an insult implying someone is stupid.

Read also: Fears for Afghan Professor's Safety After He Lambasts Taliban on Live TV

After Jalal was detained Saturday, another Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, tweeted that the professor had been arrested for making nonsensical statements and inciting people against the nations rulers. Mujahid illustrated his post with screen shots of four tweets purporting to be from Jalal.

Jalals family members said the tweets shared by Mujahid were from a fake Twitter account and reported it to Twitter, which later shut it down. They have said Jalal does not personally use Twitter and have been tweeting on his behalf from another account since November.

Hasina Jalal told VOA that her father had shown the men who detained him that he did not have a Twitter app on his phone, but they jailed him for four days anyway.

Jalal, a PhD scholar at University of Pittsburghs Graduate School of Public & International Affairs, said her fathers detention was more than just a misunderstanding. It shows the world that the Taliban are intolerant, she said.

She said Afghan presidents Ashraf Ghani and Hamid Karzai, who led the country after the Taliban were ousted in 2001, did not jail her father despite his criticisms of their governments.

For many other Afghans around the country, criticizing the Taliban has resulted in much harsher treatment by the militants.

In a report published Sunday, the Wall Street Journal cited human rights groups and eyewitnesses as saying Afghans who dare to voice criticism via social media or in person are being arrested or even killed.

Roshan Noorzai of VOAs Afghan Service contributed to this report.
El retorno seguro a clases es una de nuestras prioridades. Por ello, ayer sostuve una reunion multisectorial con ministros del @MineduPeru, @MidisPeru, @viviendaperu y @MTPE_Peru, asi como el viceministro del @Minsa_Peru, para seguir articulando acciones conjuntas hacia este fin. pic.twitter.com/BXAcvzsI8z
Severe drought is affecting more than three million people in Somalia and southeast Ethiopia, says the aid group International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC says the two Horn of Africa nations are among 20 countries in the world most at risk for a worsening humanitarian crisis this year.

Ethiopia and Somalia are among 20 countries on the International Rescue Committees emergency watchlist for 2022.

Richard Crothers is the IRC country director for Somalia. He said the humanitarian situation in the two countries is not good.

The Horn of Africa has been on the verge of crisis for some time. There have been several failed consecutive rainy seasons. We have a situation right now where we are having a significant amount of food insecurity, human displacement, he said.

The IRC says the lack of rainfall has led to the driest conditions in 40 years in parts of Somalia and Ethiopia.

At least 3 million people have been affected by drought and more than 170,000 have fled their homes in search of water, pasture and humanitarian assistance.



Forty-seven-year-old Noor Ahmed fled his hometown with his 60 cattle.

He said he transported his cattle from Bir-qod to Harorays town. In Harorays district, the local administration and the people welcomed us. I am still here. He said there are some challenges. The cattle are finding it difficult to adapt to the area and we need some medicine. We use water from the borehole but we dont have enough storage. He says if we can get a place to store the water, that could help us a lot.

Crothers said women and children are the most affected by the drought.

Particularly the children under 5 are the most hit, its destroying livelihoods, crops and herds of cattle once large have been diminishedso its a rather desperate situation as usual, it's particularly women and children that get hit the hardest, he said.

Abdiaziz Bashir is a businessman based in the port city of Kismayo, who deals with buying and selling livestock. He lost 99 animals to the drought.

He said, I had 118 livestock. Only 19 survived. I lost the rest to the drought. I am yet to recover from that loss, Bashir said. He added, the only good thing is that I no longer spend money on food to feed the remaining animals they can get water and pasture for now.

Aid agencies in Ethiopia and Somalia say food prices have gone up and some people cannot afford basic food to feed their families.

The IRC says it has launched a response in Ethiopias Somali region, and says more money is needed to scale up humanitarian assistance in other areas.

The agencies call for more funding to support cash assistance, food, water and sanitation facilities to combat health challenges.
Thousands of Myanmar villagers are living under makeshift tents alongside a river that borders Thailand, fearful of returning to homes they said had been bombarded by military airstrikes, but they are reluctant to seek refuge across the frontier.

Heavy fighting between the Myanmar military, which seized power in a coup last year, and resistance fighters has killed or displaced thousands of civilians in this region and elsewhere.

Many have fled to Thailand, but poor conditions in refugee camps there have prompted some to return to the Myanmar side of the border, and human rights groups have called for more help for the displaced.

Reuters reporters on the Thai side of the Moei River Friday saw an estimated 2,000 men, women and children living under tarpaulin on the opposite bank in four separate locations.

One woman from the camp, Sabal Phyu, 42, had waded across the loosely patrolled border to collect donated food and bottled water, before returning to the Myanmar side of the river.

"Over there, we received good aid donations, but it was very crowded and difficult to live. Here, we have more freedom," Sabal Phyu told Reuters.

Sabal Phyu said she initially crossed into Thailand with her husband and four children but came back to the border area after being packed into an empty cattle barn with other refugees near the Thai town of Mae Sot.

About 8,000 Myanmar refugees are staying in temporary shelters in Thailand, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

A spokesperson for Myanmar's military government did not answer calls from Reuters seeking comment.

Asked about the Thai camp conditions, Thailand government spokeswoman Ratchada Dhanadirek said the country was "taking care of the refugees" and carrying out its duties "according to international human rights standards."

The United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR said Friday it had not been granted access by the Thai government to the sites in Mae Sot where refugees are being hosted, and it also cannot access the Myanmar side of the border.

UNHCR has supplied mosquito nets, sleeping mats, blankets and facemasks to support the humanitarian response being led by Thai authorities, spokesperson Kasita Rochanakorn said.

The deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, Phil Robertson, said Thailand needed to do more to support those displaced by fighting in Myanmar.

"Thailand must recognize that their humanitarian obligations to refugees involve more than just allowing some food and medicine packages across the border," Robertson said.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted a civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, triggering protests and sporadic clashes in the countryside between anti-junta militia and the army.

More than 1,400 civilians and protesters have been killed by Myanmar security forces since the coup, according to the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners activist group.

The military has said those figures, widely cited by international organizations, are exaggerated.
Across the country, Americans are finding it hard to get tested for the coronavirus as the omicron variant sparks record numbers of infections after a holiday period that saw tens of millions travel to spend time with loved ones.



The Biden administration will soon require health care insurers to cover the costs of up to eight home test kits per person per month. Theres just one problem: for many people, finding even one home test is nearly impossible.



I had planned a trip to France long before omicron began, said Katelyn Umholtz, a New Orleans-based journalist. And we were careful while traveling. But when I got home I had a sore throat, so I tested myself with a kit I had purchased back when they were available.



Umholtz tested negative for coronavirus, but a few days later her symptoms worsened. She tested herself again, using the last test kit she had, and this time it indicated she was infected. That was more than a week ago. Her symptoms have subsided, but Umholtz told VOA that finding a test to see if shes now negative for the coronavirus hasnt been easy.



I need to see if its safe for me to go back to work, she said, but the next available appointment for a test isnt for another week. And most stores are totally sold out of home tests, so the only option is to keep looking, or to go to a public testing station run by the city, where you might wait in line for hours. I was too sick to do that last week, and this week Im working from home so I cant spare the time.



New Orleans Health Department Director Jennifer Avegno said there is little local governments can do to improve the situation until the supply of home tests is replenished.



We placed an order for tens of thousands of tests almost a month ago, but have yet to receive it, Avegno explained. Our PCR test sites are open, but theyre very busy, and thats made the turnaround time for even those test results significantly longer.



Value of testing

Its been clear for some time that a single mitigation strategy, such as focusing solely on vaccinations, is insufficient to prevent widespread transmission, disease, and morbidity, Avegno explained. To be most effective, communities need to have layered mitigation measures vaccinations, masks, and testing  working together.





Avegno added that even though omicron generally results in milder illness than previous variants, the lightning speed at which the virus spreads through a community can cause significant disruptions in the workforce, impacting a broad range of vital services and businesses.



Especially because tests are such a strong part of the new isolation and quarantine guidance being recommended, having rapid tests widely available would play a large part in preserving business function, decreasing spread, and keeping schools open.



Marilia Rodrigues said she knows firsthand the importance of access to testing.



She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two young children. After driving home from Florida where they were visiting family for the holidays, Rodrigues husband and 4-year-old son tested positive.



My daughter and I just had a light cough  the kind you get in the winter when the heat in your house is dry, Rodrigues told VOA. So if my husband and son werent already sick with COVID, I wouldnt have thought I had it, or to test.



She managed to find tests for herself and her daughter. Both came back positive.



I would have gone to work and my daughter would have gone to school. Who knows how many people we could have gotten sick without even knowing it?

Complicated situations

The situation for each individual family is just so complex, Rodrigues continued. Among my daughter, my son, and I  to go back to work or school, were all required to show proof of different tests, and we all have different amounts of time we have to quarantine before were allowed to return.



Rodrigues said the family has spent countless hours searching for tests and appointments online, and has spent hundreds of dollars to purchase the appropriate home tests.





Trust me, we understand how lucky we are in all of this, she said. For a family who doesnt have the time or money to seek out tests like we did, or who dont have flexibility that my husband and I do with work, Im sure its much, much worse.



For many people, a negative coronavirus test is the final hurdle to clear before exiting quarantine and resuming normal activities.



Victoria Truscello Haynes from Newark, Delaware, said a member of her family of five recently received a positive antigen test. Their doctor said they should all assume they are infected unless tests prove otherwise. Haynes has been trying in vain for more than a week to get her family tested.



I need to get them all tested before they can go back to school, but its been impossible, she said. I can bring them to an urgent care [center], but you have to pay and it will be a three- or four-day wait before you can get an appointment. I could stand in line at a public facility, but thats hours in freezing weather with my children aged 18 months to 9 years old. So instead, Ive just spent the week shuttling my family  including some who are still sick  around trying to find tests. And we still cant find them. So when can I get my kids back into school?



Placing blame

As frustrations mount, many wonder who is to blame for a nationwide shortage of home test kits as well as the inability of many testing sites to handle the sudden surge in demand.



I know it must be a very complicated situation with supply chain challenges and so many people getting sick that its affecting even having enough medical personnel to test and treat people, Rodrigues said, but certainly youd hope wed be better prepared with tests nearly two years into the pandemic.



Much of the frustration many Americans are feeling has been directed at the Biden administration. Polls aggregated by the website FiveThirtyEight.com show only 46.6% of Americans approve of how President Biden has responded to the coronavirus crisis. The percentage is a record low for the president.



Those of us who experienced the devastating summer delta variant surge spoke out [about] the need to continue high levels of test availability, said Dr. Avegno. Unfortunately, I dont think that was heeded.



Avegno acknowledged that few predicted the country would face two highly infectious variants back-to-back. Even so, Biden acknowledged in a recent virtual call with U.S. state governors that his efforts regarding testing availability have fallen short and must improve.



Some of those improvements appear to be on the way. In addition to requiring private health insurers to cover the costs of home test kits beginning January 15, the federal government plans to launch a website later this month that will make 500 million at-home tests available to be mailed to people.



For Mark Hebert of New Orleans, the tests cant arrive soon enough. He said hes been searching for weeks with no luck.



It would have been nice to go home for the holidays with peace of mind, Hebert said, knowing I wasnt bringing a virus with me.



Still, he is trying to accentuate the positive amid the testing shortage.



I think its a sign of the publics increasing sense of responsibility in ending this pandemic. You can see people are trying to do the right thing. Thats why theyre testing.
Indian and Chinese army commanders are holding talks beginning Wednesday to disengage troops from a key area along their contested border in Ladakh in an attempt to ease a 20-month military standoff.

The two sides reportedly are focusing on withdrawing from Hot Springs, one of several friction points that emerged after Indian and Chinese soldiers fought a violent clash in May 2020.

Since then, both countries have massed tens of thousands of troops, along with artillery and fighter jets, at disputed areas along their approximately 3,400-kilometer-long border.

Indian army officials said the talks will conclude either late Wednesday or Thursday.

Last year, the two sides pulled back troops from a strategic Himalayan lake, Pangong, in the Gogra area, but subsequent talks held in October to discuss disengaging at other places ended in a deadlock, with both sides blaming each other for a lack of progress.

India accuses Chinese troops of having intruded into territory it controls in several areas and wants it to withdraw to positions China held prior to the military standoff. China denies it and wants to maintain the status quo along the border.

Ahead of the talks, both countries described the situation along the border as stable. But Indias army chief, M.M. Naravane, said at an annual press conference Wednesday that de-escalation and withdrawal of troops would depend on the success of the talks the two sides are holding.

I am hopeful of further developments in the days ahead. But while there has been partial disengagement, the threat has by no means [been] reduced," he said.

If talks prolong, so be it. We are prepared to hold our ground where we are for as long as it takes to achieve our national goals and interest, he told reporters.

On Tuesday, China appeared to put the onus for progress on India. We hope the Indian side can work with China and strive to switch from emergency response to normalized management and control in the border area as soon as possible, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said. He described the situation along the India-China border as generally stable.

Ahead of the talks, the U.S. said it is closely monitoring the situation along the India-China border and supports peaceful resolution of these border disputes.

Weve been pretty clear how we view Beijings behavior in the region and around the world. We believe it can be destabilizing. And, were concerned by the [Peoples Republic of China]s attempt to intimidate its neighbors, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a regular press briefing Monday in Washington in response to a question on Chinas aggressive behavior on its border with India.

Well continue to stand with our partners on that, Psaki said.

Analysts say the huge trust deficit that has emerged between the two sides means the India-China border will continue to remain heavily militarized even if they achieve progress in disengaging troops from some areas.
Iran and the United States are displaying little flexibility on core issues in indirect nuclear talks, raising questions about whether a compromise can be found soon to renew a 2015 deal that could dispel fears of a wider Middle East war, diplomats say.

After eight rounds of talks, the thorniest points remain the speed and scope of lifting sanctions on Tehran  including Iran's demand for a U.S. guarantee of no further punitive steps  and how and when to restore curbs on Iran's atomic work.

The nuclear deal limited Iran's uranium enrichment activity to make it harder for it to develop nuclear arms  an ambition Tehran denies  in return for lifting international sanctions.

But former U.S. President Donald Trump ditched the pact in 2018, saying it did not do enough to curb Iran's nuclear activities, ballistic missile program and regional influence, and reimposed sanctions that badly damaged Iran's economy.



After waiting for a year, Iran responded to Trump's pressure by gradually breaching the accord, including rebuilding stockpiles of enriched uranium, refining it to higher fissile purity and installing advanced centrifuges to speed up output.

Following months of stop-start talks that began after Joe Biden replaced Trump in the White House, Western officials now say time is running out to resurrect the pact. But Iranian officials deny they are under time pressure, arguing the economy can survive thanks to oil sales to China.

'We need guarantees'

A former Iranian official said Iran's rulers "are certain that their uncompromising, maximalist approach will give results."

France said on Tuesday that despite some progress at the end of December, Iran and world powers were still far away from reviving the deal.

The U.S. State Department said on January 4 the issues "at the heart of the negotiations" were sanctions relief and the nuclear steps that Iran would take to return the accord.

Iran insists on immediate removal of all Trump-era sanctions in a verifiable process. Washington has said it would remove curbs inconsistent with the 2015 pact if Iran resumed compliance with the deal, implying it would leave in place others such as those imposed under terrorism or human rights measures.

"Americans should give assurances that no new sanctions under any label would be imposed on Iran in future. We need guarantees that America will not abandon the deal again," said a senior Iranian official.

Iran's Nournews, a media outlet affiliated to the Supreme National Security Council, reported on Wednesday that Iran's key conditions at the talks "are assurances and verifications."

U.S. officials were not immediately available to comment on the question of guarantees. However, U.S. officials have said Biden cannot promise the U.S. government will not renege on the agreement because the nuclear deal is a non-binding political understanding, not a legally-binding treaty.



Asked to comment on that U.S. constitutional reality, an Iranian official said: "It's their internal problem."

On the issue of obtaining verification that sanctions have been removed  at which point Iran would have to revive curbs on its nuclear program  the senior Iranian official said Iran and Washington differed over the timetable.

"Iran needs a couple of weeks to verify sanctions removal (before it reverses its nuclear steps). But the other party says a few days would be enough to load oil on a ship, export it and transfer its money through banking system," the official said.

Threats

Shadowing the background of the talks have been threats by Israel, widely believed to have the Middle East's only nuclear weaponry but which sees Iran as a existential threat, to attack Iranian nuclear installations if it deems diplomacy ultimately futile in containing Tehran's atomic abilities and potential.

Iran says it would hit back hard if it were attacked.

A Western diplomat said "early-February is a realistic end-date for Vienna talks" as the longer Iran remains outside the deal, the more nuclear expertise it will gain, shortening the time it might need to race to build a bomb if it chose to.

"Still we are not sure whether Iran really wants a deal," said another Western diplomat.

Iran has ruled out adhering to any "artificial" deadline.

"Several times, they asked Iran to slow down its nuclear work during the talks, and even Americans conveyed messages about an interim deal through other parties," said a second Iranian official, close to Iran's negotiating team.

"It was rejected by Iran."

Asked for comment, a State Department spokesperson who declined to be identified told Reuters: "Of course we  and the whole international community  want Iran to slow down their nuclear program and have communicated that very clearly."

"Beyond that, we don't negotiate the details in public, but these reports are far off."

Other points of contention include Iran's advanced nuclear centrifuges  machines that purify uranium for use as fuel in atomic power plants or, if purified to a high level, weapons.

"Discussions continue on Iran's demand to store and seal its advanced centrifuges. ... They wanted those centrifuges to be dismantled and shipped abroad," the first official said.

Asked to comment on this question, a Western diplomat said: "We are looking for ways to overcome our differences with Iran about verification process."


Iran, Venezuela and Sudan are in arrears on paying dues to the United Nations' operating budget and are among eight nations that will lose their voting rights in the 193-member General Assembly, the U.N. chief said in a letter circulated Wednesday.

Also losing voting rights are Antigua and Barbuda, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the letter to General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid.

The suspension takes effect immediately.

The U.N. Charter states that members whose arrears equal or exceed the amount of their contributions for the preceding two full years lose their voting rights. But it also gives the General Assembly the authority to decide "that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the member," and in that case, a country can continue to vote.

The General Assembly decided that three African countries on the list of nations in arrears  Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe, and Somalia  would be able to keep their voting rights.

According to the secretary-general's letter, the minimum payments needed to restore voting rights are $18,412,438 for Iran, $39,850,761 for Venezuela and $299,044 for Sudan. The five other countries each need less than $75,000 to restore their voting rights.

Iran also lost its voting rights in January 2021. It regained those rights in June after making the minimum payment on its dues and lashed out at the United States for maintaining sanctions that have prevented it from accessing billions of dollars in foreign banks. At that time, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq thanked banking and government authorities in various places, including South Korea, for enabling the payment to be made.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran after pulling the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six major powers in 2018.
A Neo-Nazi who helped lead a campaign to threaten journalists and Jewish activists in three states was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in federal prison, the longest prison term handed out to the participants in the conspiracy.

A jury convicted Kaleb Cole in September of five felony counts related to the delivery of Swastika-laden posters to journalists and employees of the Anti-Defamation League in Washington state, Arizona and Florida in early 2020. The posters warned: "You have been visited by your local Nazis," "Your Actions have Consequences," and "We are Watching."

Seattle U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour handed down the sentence after hearing from victims who spoke of lingering fear and installing expensive home security systems in response to the threats. Miri Cypers, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, described picking up toys from her yard before fleeing to a hotel so that Cole and his followers would not know she had a daughter.

U.S. Attorney Nick Brown credited the victims for facing Cole in court: "Their courage has resulted in the federal prison sentence imposed today," he said.

The judge noted that Cole, 26, had tried to operate under the anonymity of the internet, and that when journalists, including Chris Ingalls of Seattle's KING-TV, exposed him, "He took great pains to silence them through threats and intimidation."

"To function as a democratic society, we need reliable and truthful journalism," Coughenour said.

Unlike others sentenced in the case, Cole expressed no remorse, which helped explain why his sentence was more than twice as long as that of the conspiracy's other leader, Cameron Shea. At his sentencing, Shea told the court, "I cannot put into words the guilt that I feel about this fear and pain that I caused."

Cole, most recently of Montgomery, Texas, was a leader of a hate group called Atomwaffen Division. He and four others faced charges including conspiracy, mailing threatening communications and interfering with a federally protected activity.

Cole had been on law enforcement's radar since at least 2018, when he was stopped at U.S. Customs upon returning from a trip to Europe. Authorities searched his cellphone and found photos of him posing at various sites, including at the gates of Auschwitz, or displaying a white supremacist flag and performing the Nazi salute.

Investigators said he became a leader of Atomwaffen Division after another leader was arrested on explosives charges.

In 2019, Seattle police obtained an "extreme risk protection order" against him, seizing nine guns from his home. They said Cole had "gone from espousing hate to now taking active steps or preparation for an impending 'race war.'"

Those steps included organizing paramilitary-style "hate camps" in Nevada and Washington, investigators said.

After the weapons were seized, Cole moved to Texas, where he was found in a speeding car with another Atomwaffen member, marijuana and four guns, including three assault rifles.

Cole's grandmother, JoAnne Powell, pleaded with the judge for leniency Tuesday, insisting that her grandson was a good man who made some "poor decisions" and never meant to hurt anyone.

"I beg that you would not look at him with hatred for what his political views have been," she said. "Kaleb is not a violent or mean person."

Cole's attorney, Christopher Black, insisted that he was not really a leader of the conspiracy, and that the threat campaign was Shea's idea. He acknowledged that Cole made the posters and offered suggestions in carrying out the effort, but said others charged had done similar work.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Woods disagreed, saying Cole stood out from the other defendants for his lack of remorse.

"That was his identity, his life's work to this point: hate, targeting people to instill terror," Woods said. "And it worked."

The other two defendants were Johnny Roman Garza, of Queen Creek, Arizona, who was sentenced to 16 months for affixing one of the posters on the bedroom window of a Jewish journalist, and Taylor Parker-Dipeppe, of Spring Hill, Florida, who received no prison time for attempting to deliver a flier but leaving it at the wrong address. Parker-Dipeppe was severely abused by his father and stepfather and hid his transgender identity from his co-conspirators and the judge found that he had suffered enough.


Quebec, Canada's second most populous province, is planning to force adults refusing to get COVID-19-vaccinated pay a "health contribution" in a move likely to spur a debate about individual rights and social responsibility.

Premier Francois Legault told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday that the proposal, details of which were still being finalized, would not apply to those who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons.

Unvaccinated people put a financial burden on others and the provincial Finance Ministry is determining a "significant" amount that unvaccinated residents would be required to pay, Legault said, adding that such an amount would not be less than $79.50 (C$100).

Governments globally have imposed movement restrictions on the unvaccinated, and few have levied fines on the elderly. But a sweeping tax on all unvaccinated adults could be a rare and controversial move.



While such a tax could be justified in the context of a health emergency, McGill University medicine and health sciences professor Carolyn Ells said whether it survives a court challenge would depend on the details.

But Ells expressed surprise that the government was taking such a "dramatic" step now, when options such as further expanding vaccine mandates remain.

Provinces across Canada are tackling an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases that has forced tens of thousands of people into isolation and burdened the health care sector.

The highly transmissible omicron variant has made it difficult for restrictive measures to curb the spread, and health experts have stressed the importance of getting double and tripled vaccinated.

Quebec has been one of the worst-hit, regularly recording the highest daily count of coronavirus cases of all provinces and having several thousand health care workers off their jobs.

"The vaccine is the key to fight the virus. This is why we're looking for a health contribution for adults who refuse to be vaccinated for non-medical reasons," Legault said.

Legault said that even though the province has about 10% unvaccinated people, they account for about 50% of those in intensive care units.

Legault and his CAQ Party face a provincial election in October.

On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the federal government had secured enough COVID-19 vaccine doses for all eligible Canadians to receive a booster, as well as a fourth dose.

Last month, Quebec said it had "no choice" but to allow some essential workers to continue working even after testing positive for COVID-19 to prevent staff shortages from impeding its health care services. It has also imposed curbs on gatherings.


A freelance journalist for The New York Times went on trial Wednesday in Zimbabwe, accused of helping two of the newspaper's reporters enter the country illegally. Critics say the charges are another example of the government's attempts to control the media.

At the commencement of Jeffrey Moyos trial Wednesday, Doug Coltart, a lawyer with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, voiced optimism his client would be found not guilty.

Coltart spoke to VOA from the city of Bulawayo, where the trial is taking place.

The state has now called about three witnesses. The case against Jeff is a weak one and it is not just us who are saying that. The state themselves have said in papers filed before the High Court in bail appeal that the state case is on very shaky ground. The evidence against Jeff is incredibly weak. Essentially there is no evidence of any wrongdoing. We will see how the court proceedings play out.

Moyo was arrested last year, together with a Zimbabwe Media Commission official, Thabang Manhika, for allegedly processing fake accreditations for two South Africa-based New York Times journalists who entered Zimbabwe and were later deported. Moyo and Manhika are being tried separately.

Zimbabwes government has dismissed accusations it disregards media rights and freedom. It says Moyo and Manhika broke immigration laws.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists is urging prosecutors to withdraw the charges against Moyo. Angela Quintal, its Africa program coordinator, said this week on Twitter that failure to do so would reinforce what she called perceptions that prosecutors are acting in bad faith and using Moyo as an example to censor and intimidate Zimbabwes press.

Tabani Moyo of the Media Institute of Southern Africa  who is no relation to Jeffrey Moyo  has been critical of Moyo and Manhikas arrest.

There must be a fair trial on the matter and fairness of our justice system, said Moyo.

The New York Times quoted Executive Editor Dean Baquet as saying, We are deeply troubled by the prosecution of Jeffrey Moyo, which appears designed to chill press freedom in Zimbabwe. Jeffrey is a widely respected journalist with many years of reporting experience in Zimbabwe.

Earlier this week, Luke Malaba, Zimbabwes chief justice, told journalists that all cases brought before the courts will be treated fairly.

Efficiency entails performance at the highest level possible using available resources. It is a legal requirement that is imposed on the courts. Section 164 of the Constitution requires the courts, in addition to being independent and impartial, to apply the law expeditiously without fear, favor or prejudice, said Malaba.

Manhikas trial is expected to start on Friday. Manhika and Moyo face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
A summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has ended in Malawi with a pledge from member states to continue fighting insurgents in Mozambique. SADC sent troops to Mozambique last year after the Islamist radicals began terrorizing residents of northern Cabo Delgado province. Southern African leaders say they've made progress in fighting the insurgents, but security experts note there are still challenges and dialogue should be an option.

In his closing remarks of the summit Wednesday, SADC chairperson and Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera said the summit confirmed the commitment SADC leaders have made to ensure that region remains peaceful, stable and secure.

He said the summit provided an opportunity to review the mandate of the SADC mission in Mozambique in combating terrorism and acts of violent extremism.

A particular note in that today we have taken a bold and decisive step to extend the mission in Mozambique so that we are able to consolidate and sustain the gains we have made thus far," Chakwera said. "Until victory and peace is secured, we will not relent, we will not regress and we will not retreat.

Chakwera said similar SADC interventions had succeeded in the past.

We stood together against formidable colonial powers, and we prevailed. We stood together whenever our part of a region was ravaged by natural disasters, and we prevailed," Chakwera said. "We stood together to defend our region against COVID-19 pandemic despite our limited resources and we will prevail.

However, security expert Sherriff Kaisi, a former military officer with the Malawi Defense Forces, says there are still challenges in Mozambique and insists dialogue should be an option.

He said the challenge is that SADC are fighting militias who are always in civilian clothes, making them difficult to identify.

So the heads of state should not only stick to their guns, combating that through the arms, but other avenues like sitting down [with them]. Even rebels are human beings. If you dehumanize them, the war would continue and many people would lose their lives, Kaisi said.

Media reports in Mozambique say almost a million people have been displaced and more than 3,000 civilians killed since conflict started.

In his remarks during the opening of the summit Tuesday, the chairperson for the SADC organ on politics, defense and security cooperation, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the situation in Cabo Delgado province has now improved.

He cited the return of internally displaced people to their home areas and provision of humanitarian assistance to the affected families.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. 11 people face criminal charges for launching and operating what Armenian authorities described as a Ponzi scheme.

The members of the organization began operating in 2016 in Armenia together with a number of foreign citizens, namely nationals of Iran and Canada. The scheme used the UK-registered Vodanet British LTD company name as its cover. It was launched in 2013 in Iran, the Investigative Committee said in a press release.

Authorities said the members of the criminal syndicate calling themselves VODA planned and operated an illegal and morally distorted system of recruiting new members and assets. As a result, the syndicate started recruiting many people under the pretext of phased training courses to obtain the opportunity to engage in business operations as an internationally reputed company. The recruited members were told to get registered at voda.net and vodanet.io online platforms and make fake hotel package bookings ranging from 450 to 21,000 USD, which was presented to them as a guaranteed investment and condition for joining their company.

Criminal investigations launched by Iranian law enforcement agencies in June 2018 led to Vodanet British LTD ceasing operations, and the voda.net and vodanet.io websites were shut down, and this in turn led to the fraud mechanism being disbanded and divided among several syndicates.

Then, several members of the syndicate re-organized and registered a company called Onyxum in Canada, launching an eponymous website and recruiting the main coordinators of Vodanet British LTD and re-launched operations in Armenia already with improved methods with intent to gain more assets from new investors. Onyxum then opened offices in Yerevan and other cities to recruit numerous citizens who were made to believe that theyll be able to make money with the condition of recruiting new members.

Authorities said they continue investigating the scheme to reveal all potential criminals.

The Investigative Committee called on everyone to refrain from using Onyxum.com website or services rendered by its offices.
A civil lawsuit filed in a U.S. court by a woman who says she was sexually abused by Britains Prince Andrew when she was 17 will move forward, following a judges ruling Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said lawyers for Prince Andrew failed to challenge the constitutionality of the case brought by Virginia Giuffre in August. Andrews lawyers also had argued the allegations were vague.

Kaplan wrote "Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous.' It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse."

Andrews lawyers had also tried to dismiss the suit, arguing it violated a confidential settlement Giuffre reached with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2009.

Earlier this month, the agreement was unsealed and it revealed Epstein paid Giuffre $500,000 in return for dropping the case without him having to admit fault. In the settlement, she also agreed to "remise, release, acquit, satisfy and forever discharge" parties and "any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant."

Andrew was not specifically mentioned.

Giuffre asserts she was trafficked by Epstein and his longtime companion Ghislaine Maxwell, who was recently convicted of sex trafficking.

Giuffre says the two forced her to perform sexual acts with Andrew.

Andrew denies the charges.

In 2019, Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan jail while he awaited another trial for sex trafficking. His death was ruled a suicide.

Neither lawyers for Andrew nor Buckingham Palace have commented on the Wednesday ruling.

Some information in this report comes from The Associated Press.
North Korea declared Wednesday that its latest launch involved another "hypersonic missile," saying leader Kim Jong Un attended what it described as a successful test.

State media pictures show Kim wearing a leather jacket and peering with binoculars inside what appears to be an observation stand meant for him to observe the Tuesday launch.

The missile demonstrated "excellent maneuverability" and accurately hit a target about 1,000 kilometers away, according to the report in the Korean Central News Agency.

That is longer than the range estimated Tuesday by South Korea's military, which closely tracks such launches. Seoul's Defense Ministry said the missile traveled only about 700 kilometers but demonstrated improved capabilities.



The latest North Korean missile flew at a maximum speed of Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound, compared with Mach 6 for the missile launched last week, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted Seoul officials as saying.

This is North Korea's second test this year of what it referred to as a hypersonic missile. Following its launch last week, South Korea claimed North Korea was exaggerating its capabilities.

Judging from North Korean state media photos, the missile launched Tuesday appeared to feature the same conical shape as the weapon tested last week.

Following last week's launch, many defense experts noted that North Korea had not tested a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) as it claimed, but instead had utilized a similar but less advanced technology known as a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV).

"It could be considered a type of HGV  it's hypersonic, it can glide, and it's a vehicle  but it does not represent quite the same category of technology that we normally associate with that label," said Joshua Pollack, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

In a September launch, North Korea appeared to use technology more closely resembling an HGV. Pictures in state media showed a vehicle with a flattened, winglike shape that was attached to a larger rocket. Analysts say that shape helps it glide longer distances.

HGVs sit atop a booster rocket and detach from it before gliding to their target. Since HGVs fly at relatively low altitudes and can be maneuvered in flight, they are, in theory, harder to intercept.

"It's a really tough technology to master, and the North Korean turn to calling a MaRV an HGV might indicate that they feel they overreached with their (missile launched in September), and it's nowhere near ready for prime time," Pollack said.

Defense analysts also caution that the phrase "hypersonic" is misleading, since most ballistic missiles already travel at hypersonic speeds (faster than five times the speed of sound). The more relevant question, they say, is the extent to which North Korea has mastered the ability to make such weapons maneuverable and accurate.

Unlike last week's test, North Korean state media reported Kim attended the Tuesday launch. It is the first test he has personally observed since early 2020, according to state media reports.

By attending the test, Kim may be signaling that hypersonic missile development is a priority, analysts say.

"After a long absence from attending missile tests, Kim supervising a launch elevates its political significance," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

"North Korea has appeared to exaggerate its hypersonic technology for political reasons, including national pride and signaling a determination to defeat the missile defense systems of other countries," he added.

Regardless of the exact nature of the technology, U.S. officials have condemned the launches.

"Obviously (it) takes us in the wrong direction," said Victoria Nuland, undersecretary for political affairs at the State Department. "As you know, the United States has been saying since this administration came in that we are open to dialogue with North Korea, that we are open to talking about COVID and humanitarian support. And instead, they're firing off missiles."

White House press secretary Jen Psaki also condemned the launch as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. She also called for North Korea to return to nuclear talks that the North abandoned in 2019.

North Korea has said it will not rejoin talks unless the U.S. drops what it calls a "hostile policy." At various points, North Korea has called for the U.S. to end or scale back its alliance with South Korea.

About 28,000 U.S. troops are in South Korea, a remnant of the 1950s Korean War, which ended in a truce instead of a peace treaty.


A new study suggests the United States is about to undergo a dramatic decline in new COVID-19 infections driven by the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle predict that the number of daily reported cases will peak at 1.2 million by January 19 before undergoing a sharp fall. Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics sciences at the university, told The Associated Press the reason for the expected decline is simply because everybody who could be infected will be infected.

The British government is also reporting a sharp decline in new COVID-19 cases, falling from more than 200,000 cases per day earlier this month to about 140,000 daily in the last week.

A separate study conducted by researchers at Kaiser Permanente of Southern California shows omicron causes less severe disease than other variants. The researchers studied the records of nearly 70,000 coronavirus patients treated by the health system, and found that more than 50,000 of them infected with omicron did not have to be put on a mechanical breathing machine. The researchers also found that the omicron-infected patients had a shorter period of hospitalization compared to the delta variant of the coronavirus.

The study, which was posted online Tuesday and has not been peer reviewed, confirms similar findings from studies conducted last month in Britain and South Africa, where the omicron variant was first detected back in November before its rapid global spread.

Meanwhile, members of the World Health Organizations special COVID-19 vaccine advisory board warned Tuesday that the current vaccines need to be updated to ensure they are effective against omicron and other coronavirus variants. The board issued a statement saying a strategy based on repeated booster doses of the original vaccine composition is unlikely to be appropriate or sustainable.

In a story published last month by the U.S.-based military publication Defense One, researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the largest of its kind in the U.S. military, are developing an experimental pan-coronavirus shot that can offer protection against all coronaviruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, as well as its strains, including omicron and delta.

In other vaccine news, South Korea has authorized the use of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by U.S.-based drugmaker Novavax. This version will be used alongside the other two-dose vaccines developed by AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna, and Johnson & Johnsons single-shot vaccine. The new vaccine will be administered to South Korean adults 18 years old and older beginning next month.

The European Medicines Agency recommended the Novavax vaccine last month for use in the 27-nation European Union. Indias drug regulator also granted emergency use authorization for the Novavax shot last month.

Some information for this report came from the Associated Press and Reuters.
Taiwans air force on Tuesday suspended combat training for its F-16 fleet after a recently upgraded model of the fighter jet crashed into the sea in the latest of a series of accidents.

The defense ministry said the F-16V, the most advanced type in Taiwans fleet, went missing from radar screens after taking off from the Chiayi air base in southern Taiwan for a training mission over a coastal firing range.

President Tsai Ing-wen issued instructions to spare no efforts in the search and rescue mission and to further clarify the cause of the accident, her spokesman said.

The governments Rescue Command Centre said witnesses had seen the aircraft crash into the sea and helicopters and ships were searching for the pilot.

Air Force Inspector-General Liu Hui-chien said the aircraft had only recently been upgraded to the V version, with new weapons systems and avionics.

Combat training for the F-16 fleet has now been suspended, he added.

In late 2020, an F-16 vanished shortly after taking off from the Hualien air base on Taiwans east coast on a routine training mission.

Last year, two F-5E fighters, which first entered service in Taiwan in the 1970s, crashed into the sea off the southeast coast after they apparently collided in mid-air during a training mission.

While Taiwans air force is well trained, it has strained from repeatedly scrambling to see off Chinese military aircraft in the past two years, though the accidents have not been linked in any way to these intercept activities.

China, which claims the democratic island as its own, has been routinely sending aircraft into Taiwans air defense zone, mostly in an area around the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands but sometimes also into the airspace between Taiwan and the Philippines.
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions Wednesday on five North Koreans it alleges are responsible for securing goods for Pyongyangs weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

The sanctions, following six ballistic missile launches since last September, target North Koreas continued use of overseas representatives to help produce its weapons, Brian Nelson, a Treasury terrorism and financial intelligence official, said in a statement.

He said North Koreas latest missile launches are further evidence that it continues to advance prohibited programs despite the international communitys calls for diplomacy and denuclearization.

Treasury identified one of the individuals as a Russian-based North Korean named Choe Myong Hyon, who it alleges had procured telecommunications-related equipment for North Korean companies involved in weapons programs.

Treasury also sanctioned four China-based North Koreans. It accuses Sim Kwang Sok of working to buy steel alloys for Pyongyang, Kim Song Hun of procuring software and chemicals, Kang Chol Hak of buying goods for the North Korean headquarters from Chinese companies, and it cites Pyon Kwang Chol, the deputy representative of a suspected cover company for the North Korean Second Academy of Natural Sciences, which supports the countrys weapons programs.

In a related action, the U.S. State Department sanctioned North Korean O Yong Ho, Russian national Roman Anatolyevich Alar, and Russian entity Parsek, LLC, alleging they engaged in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to North Koreas proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The sanctions block the individuals and Parsek from engaging in U.S. business transactions and impound any assets they may have, although the U.S. agencies did not identify any holdings they have in the United States.

Treasury also said anyone who engages in transactions with them, including foreign financial institutions, could open themselves up to sanctions.
Two steps forward and then two steps backward. That's the reaction by many people regarding the coronavirus pandemic, as the delta variant appeared to be winding down, only to be replaced by omicron.

"Every time we think things are going to get better, then we're hit again," said Karestan C. Koenen, professor in the department of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The United States is currently the hardest-hit nation by the extremely contagious omicron variant. Some 1.35 million new infections were reported on Monday, the highest daily total for any country worldwide.

The uncertainty, stress and anxiety are taking a toll on people who wonder if the pandemic will ever go away.

"When will the COVID-19 pandemic end?" cried out the headline on a website article in December by McKinsey & Company, a U.S. management consulting firm. The article noted that omicron "is a sobering reminder that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) has the advantage of rapid mutation and can produce new variants faster than anyone would like."

That concerns Dr. David Aronoff, an infectious disease expert and chair of the department of medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Looking at the future of a pandemic that completely caught the world by surprise in 2019 "is like a public health vehicle trying to drive through the bad weather of a pandemic," he told VOA.

"And even though we have the best headlights, we can't see beyond this fog. In other words, we really don't know if there's going to be another variant that may create a lot of havoc," he said.

"I think people are slowly starting to realize that we need to learn to live with this, because the virus is not going away," said Dr. Lucy McBride, a primary care physician in Washington.

"It's going to ultimately become endemic like any other rhinoviruses (like the common cold) we live with," she predicted during an interview with VOA. "However, we may need an annual shot to protect ourselves against the infection."

Besides physical health, mental health protection during pandemics will also be key.

"We're exhausted and frustrated because we have to work against this programming in our brains that constantly tries to make predictions, and that has been difficult to do with this virus," explained Christine Runyan, a professor in the department of family medicine and community health at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.

During any future pandemics, "people who have a high degree of psychological flexibility will experience less frustration," she said.

Runyan predicts the omicron variant will peak at the end of January, with cases falling in February and March. "But then, another variant will probably come out," she said.

"There is a sense of pessimism that this isn't going away anytime in the near future," explained Kevin Antshel, director of the clinical psychology program at Syracuse University. "We need to grow more tolerant of the uncertainty, since it would help us cope and adjust our way of life, which should include a strong social support system."

Around for the 'long haul'

Besides the experts, people across the U.S. also had opinions.

"I think COVID is with us for the long haul, and I'm trying not to let it bother me," Rosemary McMahon in Stuart, Florida, told VOA. "I hope they come up with a cure, but I'm not going to let this affect my mental well-being. The vaccines seem to be working. I think society should treat COVID like any other virus."

"I'm also not worried about it being around forever," said Chris Mohr of Denver, Colorado, "because I think eventually, we will get this more under control. I am especially concerned, however, about eradicating the infection in places like Africa, which has largely been unvaccinated."

Carolyn Turner of Carlsbad, California, said she thinks "all governments will need to mandate vaccines during any pandemics, because the unvaccinated are putting the rest of society at long-term risk."

If the pandemics continue, society will have to evolve and change, noted the experts.

Koenen said more people in the U.S. may choose to wear masks "most of the time." And it may not be acceptable for people to go to work with a cold or children to school when they're not feeling well.

Aronoff said predicting when pandemics are likely to happen is key.

"We've been horrible at predicting the future of this pandemic," he said. "But we're definitely getting better at knowing what we need to do to keep people safe, like having widely available vaccines and therapeutics. If we do those things, I think we will get to a place with SARS-CoV-2 where we will be fine coexisting with future pandemics."
Conditions for media in Vietnam have rarely been so bad, media analysts say, with the country jailing over a dozen reporters in the past 12 months, and courts handing out unusually long sentences.

The rise in arrests came as Vietnam's ruling Communist Party held its 13th Party Congress and voted for the next five-year National Assembly term in 2021.

International rights groups believe Hanoi intensified efforts to suppress dissent or opposition voices during the elections and at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has distracted the West from scrutinizing Vietnams actions.

Vietnam has accelerated its rights abuses across the board, going after community activists, human rights defenders, and political dissidents in a systematic manner that points to a Hanoi plan to wipe out any opposition to its rule," said Phil Robertson, deputy director of the Human Rights Watch Asia division.

Data from media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) shows an increase in the number of journalists behind bars, with 43 detained.

The current situation of press freedom in Vietnam has rarely been so bad, said Daniel Bastard, head of RSFs Asia-Pacific desk. Vietnam is the worlds third-largest prison for journalists, right after autocratic regimes like Xi [Jinping]s China, and junta-ruled Myanmar.

The decline in media rights last year, started with the trial of members of the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam, including founder and president Pham Chi Dung in January, and ending with the sentencing of prominent journalists and activists in December.

Those cases included the award-winning Pham Doan Trang and Le Trong Hung, a journalist who announced plans to run as an independent candidate in the National Assembly election.

The trend of arrests spilled over into the new year, with a Hanoi court on Tuesday sentencing Mai Phan Loi, a former journalist and founder of a nonprofit, to 48 months in jail for tax evasion.

Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam founder Dung received one of the longest prison sentences handed down to a journalist worldwide, with a 15-year term on charges of propaganda against the state, according to RSF.

Trang, who is internationally recognized for her fight for democracy and human rights in Vietnam, also received a lengthy sentence. A court ordered her detained for nine years  longer than the penalty prosecutors requested.

In other cases, bloggers and social media users who posted content critical of the Communist Party were arrested or prosecuted on charges such as "propaganda against the state" and "abusing democratic freedom."

Activists and the international community view the convictions as a warning to dissidents.

Human rights in Vietnam have deteriorated in 2021, as the Communist Party used bogus articles of the 2015 Penal Code, including 'propaganda against the state' and 'abuse of democratic freedoms,' to suppress dissenters and freedom of expression, said Vu Quoc Ngu, director of Vietnams Defend the Defenders.

The organization documents rights violations in Vietnam and provides cybersecurity and journalism training.

Hanoi has dismissed criticism of its human rights record.

After the sentencing in November of five journalists from media outlet Bao Sach, or The Clean Newspaper, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang, said Vietnams consistent policy is to respect, protect and promote human rights, including freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Civil organizations in Vietnam have petitioned President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly chair Vuong Dinh Hue to request that Hanoi abolish three of the countrys laws, including those on propaganda and abuse of democratic freedoms.

The rights groups described the laws as so opaque and so ill-defined that they can easily be, and indeed have been, abused by law enforcement to prevent citizens from exercising not only their constitutional rights but also those defined by the [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights].

The wife of one of the journalists detained on propaganda charges last year, told VOA she has petitioned the U.S., European Union and other countries to intervene in her husbands case.

Do Le Na, whose husband Hung was arrested in March, said the journalist-turned- political candidate is facing a very high and unfair prison sentence.

I cannot appeal this injustice at any agency in the country because no one stands up to protect my rights. I have to seek help from human rights organizations, foreign embassies, and governments of advanced countries that have an interest in human rights, Na said.

She denied the charges against her husband and added that Hung is in poor health.

It is such a completely absurd charge, she said.

Western neglect

Ngu, a 2019 Franco-German Human Rights and the Rule of Law awardee, believes the pandemic is partly to blame for the increased repression.

When the world is focusing on controlling the pandemic, Western countries are less interested in Vietnam's human rights situation and so the Vietnamese Communist government has free hands to suppress it," said Ngu, who was once detained for participating in an anti-China protest in Hanoi in 2011.

Robertson, of Human Rights Watch, shared a similar view, telling VOA, Vietnam has quite clearly taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the distraction of the international community that resulted, to try and finish off its opponents."

The U.S. and Europe have condemned the conviction of journalists and activists, including Trang.

Vice President Kamala Harris raised human rights issues with Vietnamese leaders during a visit in August to bolster strategic ties with the country.

At a news conference, Harris said she discussed the release of political dissidents but did not disclose further details, saying only that the U.S. must continue to speak up, when necessary, about human rights issues.

Robertson believes the U.S. and its allies need to do more to stop Vietnams systematic rights abuses.

The security situation in the South China Sea and Vietnams new role as the country to which manufacturing and supply chains are fleeing from China, have marginalized human rights issues, said Robertson. This needs to stop.

President Joe Bidens administration has promised to place democracy and human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy. Secretary Antony Blinken has said that the administration will stand against human rights abuses wherever they occur, regardless of whether the perpetrators are adversaries or partners.

This story originated in VOAs Vietnamese service.
Yazidi groups and activists are welcoming France and Sweden's recent decision to organize a joint investigation team to assist in the prosecution of former Islamic State soldiers who perpetrated crimes against members of the persecuted religious minority in Syria and Iraq.

The two European countries formed a joint investigation team last week to look into crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against Yazidis by foreign militants linked to IS during the group's ruthless rule over parts of Iraq and Syria.

French and Swedish investigation efforts are being coordinated by the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust). The group said the joint team seeks to organize those efforts and enable information and evidence to be shared more effectively.

"The main aim of the JIT [Joint Investigation Team] will be to identify FTFs [foreign terrorist fighters] who were involved in core international crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, primarily perpetrated against members of the Yazidi minority during the armed conflict in Syria and Iraq," Eurojust said in a statement.\

Jabir Jendo, a Yazidi volunteer who has helped Yazidi women and children who were rescued from IS in Syria, said the effort shows there is still time to get justice for Islamic State's victims.

"Moves like this give the Yazidis hope that those who committed crimes against us cannot escape the judicial system and will be held accountable for their horrendous actions," he told VOA, adding that France and Sweden's initiative "should be an incentive for other countries in Europe and elsewhere to put their efforts together in pursuit of justice for the Yazidi community."

Jendo said the "the presence of some of these individuals in Europe is a direct threat to many Yazidi survivors who live there now and continue to suffer from the trauma that these very individuals have probably inflicted on them."

Pursuit of justice

Yazidis are a Kurdish-speaking religious minority viewed as infidels by IS extremists.

In August 2014, IS carried out a massive attack on Sinjar, once home to the largest Yazidi community in the world. At least 5,000 Yazidis, mostly men and boys, were killed during the attack on the northern Iraqi city.



IS then kidnapped thousands of Yazidi children and women, who subsequently were used as sex slaves and child soldiers.

Some of those kidnapped were rescued following the territorial defeat of IS in March 2019, but rights groups say nearly 3,000 Yazidi women and children remain missing to date.

In May 2021 a U.N. investigations team said "there is clear and convincing evidence that the crimes" perpetrated by IS "against the Yazidi people clearly constituted genocide."

According to Ali Isso, director of the Ezdina Foundation, a group that advocates Yazidi rights, the formation of a joint team by Eurojust Agency "is a real step forward in pursuit of the terrorists who participated in the genocide campaign against the Yazidis."

"It can now be said that the terrorists, some of whom fled to the European Union, no longer have a place of refuge after the formation of this team," he told VOA, "Because one of its main powers is to obtain a bank of information on the suspects, and thus there will be effective cooperation between this team and the intelligence authorities of EU members."

Isso urged other countries to follow suit "in order to tighten the screws on the remnants of the terrorist organization" in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere.

Eurojust said authorities in several EU countries already have brought charges for terrorism and core international crimes related to IS, also known as ISIS. In a German court, for example, an Iraqi man was sentenced to life in prison in November for his involvement in crimes against the Yazidis.

The United States has repatriated more than two dozen Americans who supported Islamic State and brought criminal charges against some of them. However, the Biden administration has not publicly indicated whether it supports a broad investigation into Islamic State atrocities. Last year, the United States and 17 other countries issued a joint statement expressing their willingness to help Yazidis displaced by Islamic State and advocate for their rights.

Six years late

Some experts said while the establishment of this joint investigation team is an important development in the search for justice for Yazidi victims, it is six years late.

"The ISIS atrocities and genocide were well known and documented already by 2015 when many mass graves were found in and around Sinjar," said Seth Frantzman, the author of the book "After ISIS," who has written extensively about the Yazidis.



"That it has taken six years to do basic work means that the forensic evidence is gone, memories may fade, the thousands of missing Yazidis will likely not be found, and the ISIS criminals have long since begun to fade back into the societies they came from," he told VOA.

Frantzman said, however, that "if this task force and coordination can produce several symbolic trials it will be worth it. It is important to create an archive of survivors' testimonies and commemorate the victims of ISIS and show that there is no impunity for the perpetrators."



This story originated in VOA's Kurdish Service.
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YEREVAN, 12 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. An extraordinary session of the Council of Ministers of Defense of the Collective Security Treaty Organization will take place on January 13 in video conference format. ARMENPRESS reports CSTO spokesperson Vladimir Zaynetdinov informed TASS, adding that the participants of the session will discuss the process of peacekeeping activities in the CSTO.

Chief of Joint Staff of the CSTO Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov and CSTO Deputy Secretary General Tahir Khairulloev will participate in the videoconference.



After the riots started in the CSTO member state Kazakhstan, the Security Council of the CSTO made a decision to send peacekeeping forces for a limited time to Kazakhstan according to 4th article of the Treaty of Collective Security based on the application of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with the purpose of stabilization and regulation of the situation in that country.
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Levin, Horowhenua District, Manawatu-Wanganui (156.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Two quakes first was shorter, and harder jolt then horizontal sway, 2nd felt like longer horizontal swaying. Woke everyone in house (3 people) | 7 users found this interesting.

Khandallah, Wellington City, Wellington (208.3 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 minutes : Sitting in lounge, heard and felt it, was like a very heavy truck was driving right past our window, strong and slow, which it wasn't | 6 users found this interesting.

Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui (144.1 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s : I was inside. I got an alert on my phone. Within 3 mins I started to notice the house moving. Built up quickly and strong this time. My dogs not happy. | 4 users found this interesting.

Hastings, Hawke's Bay (198 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Laying down on a couch watching telly. Felt like I was being shaken by something that is quite strong | 4 users found this interesting.

Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt (206.9 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s I was notified by the Earthquake app that there was going to be an earthquake. Felt the first wave as a smaller shake lasting 2-5 seconds then a 4 seconds gap before the 2nd wave, main shake hit, lasting 5-8 seconds, felt big but knew not too close to hom | 3 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s

32 km of Waiouru, Ruapehu District, Manawatu-Wanganui (117.2 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : In the bedroom, just about to go to bed. Pictures on the wall were swinging briefly, but most noticeable was the lead weights in the sash window frames were rattling hard. | 3 users found this interesting.

Palmerston North, New Zealand (145.6 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Woke up to light vibrations and items in house shaking and then two big jolts that woke my husband but kids slept through it. | 3 users found this interesting.

Motueka, Tasman, Nelson, NZ (239.8 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Sitting at computer; noise and jolt then vibrating shaking for approx 15 seconds. Thought it quite close to where I was Motueka, NZ | 3 users found this interesting.

Palmerston North, New Zealand (144.9 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : It felt deep like rumblings. I was scared | 4 users found this interesting.

Whanganui (77.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : Just nodding off, the quake got me outta bed & into a doorway | 4 users found this interesting.

Punga cove, Marlborough sounds / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : Woke me from a sleep, felt like two lots of shaking or very heavy wind except it is a still night. Woke up others at the resort who felt it too. | 3 users found this interesting.

Hastings, New Zealand / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes This shake woke me up from a deep sleep. The movements were strong and the house creaked for quite a while. | 3 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes

What gamui bastia hill Shakespeare rd (79.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s : Was b4 the quake tense ND suspicious something wasn't right possible prawler still outside by door investigating when strake | 2 users found this interesting.

12 Ranfurly Street, Dannevirke 4930 / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Like someone was shaking my bef trying to wake me up. It worked | 4 users found this interesting.

near Christchurch, Canterbury (502.4 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s : Very light vibrating threw house an very gentle rolling like motion | 3 users found this interesting.

Wairoa, Hawke's Bay (246.7 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s : Am camping felt and herd things out side moving and light but gradually increasing jults | 3 users found this interesting.

Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast District, Wellington (179.4 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : In bed asleep, forts shake woke me . The second I was laying in bed. | 3 users found this interesting.

15 Ferguson Street South Bay View Napier / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s : Heard rumbling for several seconds, seemed like ages, before shaking hit. House creaked several times, rumbling continued, then past. | 2 users found this interesting.

near Napier City, Hawke's Bay (184.9 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s : Shaking that woke me up | 2 users found this interesting.

Wairarapa, new zealand (207.7 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 30-60 s : Ruble, vibrations, noises, light fitting rocking | 2 users found this interesting.

Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui (149.2 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Lying on the bed reading. Message 10sec before shaking. | 2 users found this interesting.

Wairoa, Hawke's Bay (247.1 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Sitting. Heard China cabinet rattling. Noted cups hanging on hooks swinging sideways. Felt movement. | 2 users found this interesting.

Collingwood south island New zealand (222.3 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vibration and rolling / 20-30 s : Felt and heard the building wobbles a bit | 2 users found this interesting.

near Nelson (237.8 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : Heard the doors rattle | 2 users found this interesting.

Blenheim, Marlborough District, Marlborough (249.3 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : In bed. Heard noise. Felt rolling. Creaking. Sharp at first then gentle but constant. Bed vibrating | 2 users found this interesting.

Newzealand, Christchurch South Island, Redwood (490 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Felt lazy boy shaking side to side,windows were creaking and tables shaking | 2 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Havelock North NewZealand (201.2 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : House creaking and hanging lights swinging. Sitting on edge of bed | 2 users found this interesting.

near Eltham, South Taranaki District, Taranaki (39.2 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s : Just got emergency earthquake massage and then I feel shake waves.i was lying ready to sleep. | 2 users found this interesting.

near Waiouru, Ruapehu District, Manawatu-Wanganui (71.4 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : In bed .. timber building moving | 2 users found this interesting.

Hawera, South Taranaki District, Taranaki (39.7 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : , was sitting at home and it was a earthquake | 2 users found this interesting.

Hospital Hill, Napier (200.3 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Windows rattled. The house shook hard. | 2 users found this interesting.
Typically, over periods of months, Ruapehu's crater lake (Te Wai a-moe) experiencesIn late December 2020 the lake heated to around 43C marking the high point of the previous cycle. Early 2021 the lake cooled through to February 2021, before starting to heat again in early March. A maximum of 41C was reached on 12 April 2021. The lake then started to cool down to 20C on 2 July. The lake temperature started to rise again last week and is currently 23C. ...
The first step to solving the problem was to understand what kind of forces the Kazakhstan authorities had to face.

Dauren Abaev, deputy head of Kazakhstans presidential administration, said that the protests in the country had started peacefully and that everything had suddenly come under the control of the provocateurs. The use of secret communications by the demonstrators was essential in the simultaneous coordination of violent actions aimed at pre-established targets. That is, the use of receiving stations managed by state-of-the-art servers located outside Kazakhstan. Communications that the secret services and the national army were unable to intercept. A single command centre coordinated the preparation and direction of the entire terrorist action. Kazakh President Kassym Jomart Tokayev acknowledged this in a speech to the nation on January 7 [1]. He said that "law enforcement agencies and the army have not kept their promises". "It became clear that we lacked special forces, special equipment and special means.

The militants had PsyOps (psychological warfare operations) specialists in their ranks, capable of manipulating peoples attitudes. They gave priority to transmitting live disinformation already prepared from television studios. Fortunately for the authorities, the terrorists who occupied the Mir TV station building were unable to control the Koktobe TV tower in Almaty, where the broadcasting antenna is located. In conclusion, the failure to seize the media in Almaty played a huge role in the failure of the coup.

The planning of the actions was typical of single-command commando operations

A large group (Alpha) consisting of several sub-groups acted simultaneously in Almaty and in cities in southern and western Kazakhstan, with the aim of terrorising the civilian population, dispersing them and preventing the intervention of law enforcement agencies. The Alpha groups mission included the occupation and burning of administrative buildings, the looting of shops and banks, the setting up of barricades in all neighbourhoods and an attempt to occupy Almaty airport. Dauren Abaev noted that among the terrorists with a high level of combat readiness and brutal cruelty who shot members of the security forces were snipers.

The tactical objective of the Alpha group was in fact a bloody diversion to cover the second group (Bravo), which carried out targeted attacks on dozens of arms shops, army and police ammunition depots, etc.

President Nazarbayevs former adviser, Yermukhamet Yertysbayev, believes that the terrorists had accomplices in the country. "The betrayal of a number of officials and law enforcement officers made it impossible to foil the terrorists plans. According to him, 40 minutes before the attack on Almaty airport, the order was given to withdraw the security apparatus. Mr Yertysbayev may well be right, especially as Kazakh intelligence services have found no evidence of clandestine preparations for terrorist attacks, even though 20,000 specialised attackers operated in Almaty alone.

Consequences

Only after 3 to 4 days of chaos was constitutional order restored to some extent in all regions, administrative buildings and strategic infrastructure were liberated and placed under military protection. Borders were closed and 70 roadblocks were set up in the country. Many officials of regional administrations and law enforcement agencies were removed from their posts. However, Kazakh President Kassym Khomart Tokayev said that "the militants have not laid down their arms and continue to commit crimes or prepare for them. It is necessary to stop their actions. The combat operation to rid Almaty of the terrorists is being carried out by the special services of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstans Interior Ministry announced that 3,811 violent participants in the riots were arrested, 26 people who attacked law enforcement with firearms were killed and 26 others were injured. RIA Novosti quoted sources in the Kazakhstan Prosecutors Office as saying that "among the terrorists detained in Kazakhstan there are many foreign citizens, paid to commit criminal acts".

At the request of President Kassym Khomart Tokayev, Russia has sent 3,000 troops to Kazakhstan, Belarus 500, Tajikistan 200 and Armenia 70. More than 70 Il-76 and 5 An-124 aircraft transported the Russian peacekeeping contingent of CSTO forces to Kazakhstan. These are sub-units of the 45th Brigade, the 98th Division and the 31st Special Brigade, all of which belong to the airborne forces.

The role of the Russian army

The mandate given by the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) does not foresee participation in combat operations in Kazakhstan, the tasks of the peacekeeping forces being essentially the protection of vital installations. Sub-units of the 98th Airborne Division control the international airport at Nur-Sultan, the headquarters of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Kazmedia television centre building.

An independent sub-unit of the Russian Special Operations Forces monitors the presidential palace in Nur-Sultan, the central bank and the Kazakhstan National Security Committee. Sub-units of the 45th Special Purpose Brigade have been deployed in south-east Kazakhstan, guarding Almaty International Airport, the Russian Federation-Kazakhstan Joint Air Defence Operational Centre in Almaty. Other sub-units of the 45th Brigade have been deployed to Shymkent, the third largest city with a population of 1.1 million, where they guard the 602nd Air Base and other administrative targets in the city. Sub-units of the 31st Airborne Brigade have been deployed to the eastern part of Kazakhstan, to the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk, the administrative centre of the East Kazakhstan Mining Zone. Other sub-units of the 31st Brigade provide security for the facilities of Kazatomprom in the north of the country, the national nuclear company of Kazakhstan.

Separately, in support of local counter-terrorism units, small Russian units such as PsyOps, psychological warfare and reconnaissance units can also operate. For example, a Russian airborne reconnaissance group uses the RB-341V Lieer-3 system. The drones (unmanned, silent search planes and helicopters) capture and transmit video images 24 hours a day or collect data over a wide range of frequencies - SIGINT (signals intelligence), and even GSM networks. When a suspect network is discovered, only certain transmitters in the network are jammed. This prevents the transmission of orders to terrorists down the chain of command. The jamming zone is focused on targeted targets within a 6 km radius. Russian airborne platforms also serve as radio relays for Kazakh military operating in urban areas, where transmission is protected by buildings. Russian airborne troops also have another ground-based system on an 88 vehicle: the RP-377LA Lorandit, which consists of powerful frequency source tracking stations and selective jamming stations, all in the 3 MHz-3 GHz range.

Another Russian group specialises in special reconnaissance, carried out by highly trained military personnel. In our case, Russian military personnel are trained in covert infiltration among terrorists to gather HUMINT. Enabling the anticipation of future actions, detection of networks or means of transmission of hierarchical arrangements, tracking of terrorist leaders and placement of permanent tracking devices.

Like the contingent in Syria, the Kazakh contingent is integrated into the networks of the Russian Ministry of Defences centralised MK VTR-016 system, which uses the Auriga-1.2V system. Hundreds of portable mini video stations in the areas of responsibility assigned to the Russian military in Kazakhstan transmit secret information in real time to Moscow via Russian military communication satellites. Thanks to Huaweis server, the most powerful in the world, these transmissions are difficult to intercept and jam. Auriga-1.2V allows highly experienced officers to optimise the actions of their subordinates in the field from the operations room of the Russian Airborne Staff, without any disruptive factors.

After the occupation of Iraq, US occupation troops had to deal with Sunni insurgent groups that were kidnapping Western citizens. To penetrate these groups, US special operations forces set up a targeted operation, creating their own group of "kidnappers", in which the "kidnapped" were intelligence officers embedded in US-allied media. You may remember the journalists Marie Jeanne Ion (Prima TV, Romania) and Florence Aubenas (Liberation, France). Once this group gained notoriety by broadcasting videos, which were picked up by the Iraqi and international media, they attracted the attention of real insurgent groups who offered to take care of the "abductees". In this way, the real insurgent groups in Iraq were discovered and arrested.

The Russian army is proving that it has learned from US innovations in the fight against insurgents in Iraq. Russian specialists in psychological operations have come to the conclusion that it is easier to bait terrorist cells than to search for them and neutralise them. So, following the US model, they have set up a fake "Kazakhstan Liberation Front" that posts videos on social media and encourages terrorist cells that participated in the countrys uprising to join.
In May, within four months, the new nuclear bomb B61-12 large-scale production will begin in the United States: this announcement was made by the National Nuclear Security Administration of the United States Department of Energy (NNSA is part of the US Department of Energy). As they leave the factory, the new nuclear bombs will be delivered to the US Air Force, which will install them in US bases in Italy and other European countries replacing the B61s.

The B61-12 is a new nuclear weapon replacing three of the current B61 variants (3, 4, and 7). It has a nuclear warhead with four selectable power options according to the target to destroy. It does not drop vertically like the B61, but at distance from the target to which it is directed, and guided by a satellite system. It can penetrate underground, exploding deep to destroy command center bunkers to "behead" the enemy nation in a nuclear first strike. For this attack the US Air Force also has the fourth variant of the B61 bomb, the penetrating B61-11 was modernized in 2001. The B61-12, NNSA confirmed, can be launched from both B-2A stealth bomber and future B-21 aircraft, both conventional and nuclear dual-capable fighters. These aircrafts include the US F-16C / Ds deployed in Aviano and the Italian PA-200 Tornadoes deployed in Ghedi. The F-35A fighters, already operational in the Italian Air Force, are even more suitable for a nuclear attack with the B61-12.

NNSA announced that "all the needed production of B61-12s" will be completed in the fiscal year 2026. The program foresees the construction of 500 bombs at a cost of about 10 billion dollars (each bomb costing twice as much if it were built entirely of gold). Their actual number, however, remains secret as their geographical location is largely secret. It is the determining factor in the offensive capacity of the B61-12 nuclear bombs. If they were all located in US territory, ready to be transported with strategic bombers, this would not constitute a substantial modification of the current strategic assets. The B61-12 will instead be located in other countries, especially close to Russia, ready to be transported and launched with F-35s and other fighters.

Aviano and Ghedi bases have been restructured to accommodate the F-35A fighters armed with the new nuclear bombs. Thirty Italian F-35A fighters can be deployed in Ghedi, ready to attack under US command with 60 B61-12 nuclear bombs. It is not excluded that they will also be located in other bases on the Italian territory. In addition to being located in Germany, Belgium, and Holland, they could be also deployed in Poland, whose air forces have been participating for years in NATO nuclear warfare exercises. It is not excluded that they could be located in other Eastern countries. The NATO fighters located in the Baltic republics, close to Russia, can also be armed with the B61-12s. It is not excluded that the new nuclear bombs can also be deployed in Asia and the Middle East against China and Iran. Despite being classified as "non-strategic nuclear weapons", close to target the B61-12 bombs have offensive capabilities similar to those of strategic weapons (such as the nuclear warheads of intercontinental ballistic missiles). They are therefore destabilizing weapons, which will cause a chain reaction and accelerate the nuclear arms ra

The 5 nuclear powers permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom - affirmed in a joint declaration (January 3, 2022), that "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought and that we remain committed to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of to nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament.

The US should therefore commit not to deploy the new B61-12 nuclear bombs in other countries, even better not to produce them at all.
Russian-US negotiations in Geneva came to a sudden halt. Undersecretary of State and head of the US delegation Wendy Sherman (see photo) was authorized by President Biden to discuss exclusively the deployment of US missiles in Ukraine and the presence of Russian troops on the Russian border with Ukrainian.

Russia had dispatched its deputy foreign minister, Sergey Riabkov, to hammer out the Russian proposal for a bilateral treaty on peace guarantees [1] recently issued by President Vladimir Putin. The proposal aims at affirming both countries respect for both the United Nations Charter and for the given word, which would entail, inter alia, the transformation of NATO or its dissolution [2].

Concurrently in Washington, the House of Representatives was deliberating on a bill designed to ensure Ukraines autonomy by strengthening its defense capabilities (Guaranteeing Ukrainian Autonomy by Reinforcing its Defense Act  GUARD). This involves reimposing sanctions on German firms involved in the Nord Stream 2 project, subsidizing the Ukrainian military to the tune of an additional $ 200 million and putting President Vladimir Putin on the list of supporters of terrorism. In the Senate, they were discussing another text aimed at proclaiming NATOs right to expand indefinitely.
The small group of Jacksonian lawmakers in Congress (all members of the Republican Party) have formed a caucus to monitor the implementation of the Abraham Accords (photo) negotiated by President Donald Trump and his special advisor Jared Kushner.

On 27 August 2020, Jared Kushners think tank, the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, had approved a confidential annual strategy (document available here) which envisaged the creation of such a caucus.
Photo: Amanda Demme

This article was featured in One Great Story, New Yorks reading recommendation newsletter. Sign up here to get it nightly.

By the time you finish reading A Little Life, you will have spent a whole book waiting for a man to kill himself. The novel, the second from author Hanya Yanagihara, begins as a light chronicle of male friendship among four college graduates in New York City before narrowing its focus to Jude, a corporate litigator whose decades-long struggle to repress a childhood of unrelenting torments  he was raised by pedophiles in a monastery, kidnapped and prostituted in motels, molested by counselors at an orphanage, kidnapped again, tortured, raped, starved, and run over with a car  ends in his suicide.

An unlikely beach read with a gothic riptide, A Little Life became a massive best seller in 2015. Critics lavished praise on the book, with one declaring it the long-awaited great gay novel for its unsparing approach to Jude, who falls in love with his male best friend. (A rare pan in The New York Review of Books prompted an indignant letter from Yanagiharas editor.) A Little Life would go on to win the Kirkus Prize and was a finalist for the National Book Award and the Man Booker Prize; it has since been adapted for the stage by the celebrated director Ivo van Hove, and last month, readers of the New York Times nominated it next to finalists like Beloved and 1984 for best book of the past 125 years.

But Yanagiharas motivations remained mysterious. The author was born in Los Angeles to a third-generation Hawaiian Japanese father and a Seoul-born Korean mother; her father, a hematologist-oncologist, moved the family around the country for work. She has lived in Manhattan since her 20s, but her heart is in Tokyo and Hawaii. (She has called the last the closest thing that Asian Americans have to Harlem.) Her first novel, The People in the Trees, about a doctor who discovers immortality on an island paradise, was well but quietly received in 2013. That book featured homosexuality and pedophilia; not until A Little Life would these be revealed as consistent preoccupations. The People in the Trees took Yanagihara 18 years to write, off and on, during which time she worked as a publicist, book editor, and magazine writer. A Little Life, which she wrote while an editor at large at Conde Nast Traveler, took only 18 months.

How to explain this novels success? The critic Parul Sehgal recently suggested A Little Life as a prominent example of the trauma plot  fiction that uses a traumatic backstory as a shortcut to narrative. Indeed, its easy to see Jude as a vivified DSM entry perfectly crafted to appeal to a world infatuated with victimhood. But Jude hates words like abuse and disabled and refuses to see a therapist for most of the novel, while Yanagihara has skeptically compared talk therapy to scooping out your brain and placing it into someone elses cupped palms to prod at. (Judes sickest torturer turns out to be a psychiatrist.) More compelling about A Little Life  and vexing and disturbing  is the authors omnipresence in the novel, not just as the perverse intelligence behind Judes trauma, in the words of another critic, but as the possessive presence keeping him, against all odds, alive. A Little Life was rightly called a love story; what critics missed was that its author is one of the lovers.

This is Yanagiharas principle: If true misery exists, then so might true love. That simple idea, childlike in its brutality, informs all her fiction. Indeed, the author appears unable, or unwilling, to conceive love outside of life support; without suffering, the inherent monstrosity of love  its greed, its destructiveness  cannot be justified. This notion is inchoate in The People in the Trees, which features several characters kept on the brink of death and ends with a rapists declaration of love. In A Little Life, it blossoms into the anguished figure of Jude and the saintlike circle of friends who adore him. In Yanagiharas new novel, To Paradise, which tells three tales of people fleeing one broken utopia for another, the misery principle has become airborne, passing aerosol-like from person to person while retaining its essential purpose  to allow the author to insert herself as a sinister kind of caretaker, poisoning her characters in order to nurse them lovingly back to health.

Two years after A Little Life was published, Yanagihara joined T magazine, the New York Timess monthly style insert, as editor. She has called the publication a culture magazine masquerading as a fashion magazine  though youll have to sift through many pages of luxury advertisements to confirm that. During her time at Conde Nast Traveler, the publication sent her on a staggering 12-country, 24-city, 45-day, $60,000 journey from Sri Lanka to Japan for a 2013 issue called, incredibly, The Grand Tour of Asia. A trip to India isnt complete without a stop at the legendary Gem Palace, she wrote in a photo spread titled The Plunder, and a few souvenir diamonds  four diamond bangles, to be exact, priced up to $900 each. When we wear a piece of custom jewelry, she once told readers of T, we are adding ourselves to a legacy as old as the Romans, the Greeks, the Persians  older.

This may be surprising. But it is easy to forget that A Little Life is an unapologetic lifestyle novel. Judes harrowing trials are finger-sandwiched between Lower East Side gallery openings, summers on Cape Cod, holiday in Hanoi. Critics remarked on its mouthwatering (or eye-rolling) spread of culinary delights, from duck a lorange to escarole salad with pears and jamon, followed by pine-nut tart, tarte Tatin, and a homemade ten-nut cake Yanagihara later described as a cross between Danish rugbrd and a Japanese milk bread she once ordered at a Tokyo bakery. The book inspired celebrity chef Antoni Porowski to publish a recipe called Gougeres for Jude, based on the canapes Jude makes for a New Years party before cutting his arms so badly he requires emergency medical attention; it can be found on the website for Boursin, the French herbed-cheese brand.

Indeed, Yanagiharas onslaught of horrors could allow readers to block out, like a childhood trauma, the fact that they were reading luxury copy. Her first book was quite literally a travelogue written by a pedophile; in To Paradise, Yanagihara has not lost the familiar voice of a professional chronicler of wealth. Here are rose-hued Oriental carpets, dark-green douppioni-silk drapes, wood floors polished with macadamia oil; here are wok-fried snow peas, ginger-wine syllabub, a pine-nut tart (another one!). As in A Little Life, Yanagihara cannot help giving cheerful directions as she maneuvers her characters, tour guidelike, through New York. Well cut across Christopher, and then go past Little Eight and east on Ninth Street before turning south on Fifth Avenue, a minor character proposes during a crisis.

Perhaps I am being ungenerous. Surely novelists should describe things! Better, they should evoke them, like the dead, or the Orient. Yanagihara has a tourists eye for detail; this can make her a very engaging narrator. Heres that holiday in Hanoi from A Little Life:

[He] turned down an alley that was crowded with stall after stall of small, improvised restaurants, just a woman standing behind a kettle roiling with soup or oil, and four or five plastic stools  [He] let a man cycle past him, the basket strapped to the back of his seat loaded with spears of baguettes  and then headed down another alley, this one busy with vendors crouched over more bundles of herbs, and black hills of mangosteens, and metal trays of silvery-pink fish, so fresh he could hear them gulping.

Now heres days 23 and 24 of that Grand Tour of Asia from Conde Nast Traveler:

Youll see all the little tableaux  that make Hanoi the place it is: dozens of pho stands, with their big cauldrons of simmering broth  bicyclists pedaling by with basketfuls of fresh-baked bread; and, especially, those little street restaurants with their low tables and domino-shaped stools  [The next day] youll pass hundreds of stalls selling everything for the Vietnamese table, from mung bean noodles to homemade fish paste to Kaffir limes, as well as vendors crouched over hubcap-size baskets of mangoes, silkworms, and fish so fresh theyre still gulping for air.

Now it is no crime to put your paid vacation into your novel. My point is simply that Yanagihara remains at heart a travel writer, if not an unreconstructed one. She seems to sense that wealth can be tilted, like a stone, to reveal the wriggling muck beneath. In a few cases, she is even making a political point, as with her abiding interest in the colonization of Hawaii. But more often in these books, wealths rotten underbelly is purely psychological: There are no wrongful beach houses in A Little Life, no ill-gotten hors doeuvre. Luxury is simply the backdrop for Judes extraordinary suffering, neither cause nor effect; if anything, the latter lends poignancy to the former. This was Yanagiharas first discovery, the one that cracked open the cobbled streets of Soho and let something terrible slither out  the idea that misery bestows a kind of dignity that wealth and leisure, no matter how sharply rendered on the page, simply cannot.

To Paradise is not a novel at all. It is three books bound into a single volume: a novella, a brace of short stories, and a full-length novel. The conceit is that its three tales are set in 1893, 1993, and 2093 in alternate versions of a Washington Square townhouse. The first is a Henry Jamesesque period romance: David, a wealthy scion with a secret history of nervous breakdowns, rejects a proposal from the boring Charles to flee west with roguish pauper Edward. The second, a weird postcolonial fable, finds gay paralegal David hosting a dinner party with his older HIV-positive boyfriend, Charles, in honor of a terminally ill friend, while Davids father, the rightful king of Hawaii, lies dying in a psychiatric facility. The third book, the novel-length one, is a fitful attempt at speculative fiction complete with surveillance drones (Flies), boring names (Zone Eight), and a biodome over Central Park. In this New York ravaged by a century of pandemics, brain-damaged lab tech Charlie discovers her husband Edwards infidelity, while her grandfather, a brilliant virologist, reveals his role in creating the current totalitarian government. (In a desultory bid to sew the three parts together, Yanagihara has given multiple characters the same name, without their being biologically or, indeed, meaningfully related.)

The third part of To Paradise may sound topical, but Yanagihara has a lifelong fascination with disease. She was a self-described sickly child whose father used to take her to a morgue where a pathologist would show her the cadavers, folding back the skin flaps like flower petals so the young girl could sketch their insides. Years later, The People in the Trees would center on a zoonotic disease that extends the sufferers life span while rapidly degrading cognitive function. In A Little Life, Judes history of abuse is equally a nutrient-rich soil for infection: his venereal diseases, acquired from clients; his cutting, which results in septicemia; his maimed legs, which, after decades of vascular ulcers and osteomyelitis, must finally be amputated. Thats to say nothing of the many minor characters in the novel who are summarily dispatched by strokes, heart attacks, multiple sclerosis, all kinds of cancer, and something called Nishihara syndrome, a neurodegenerative disease so rare the author had to make it up.

Like its predecessor, To Paradise is a book in which horrible things happen to people for no reason. The agents of misery this time have become literally inhuman: cancer, HIV, epilepsy, functional neurologic disorder, a toxic antiviral drug, the unidentified viral hemorrhagic fever that will fuel the next pandemic. A virus makes perfect sense as Yanagiharas final avatar after three novels. The anguish it visits on humanity  illness, death, social collapse  is just an indifferent side effect of its pointless reproductive cycle. Biologists do not even agree on whether viruses are living organisms. A virus wants nothing, feels nothing, knows nothing; at most, a virus is a little life.

This is ideal for Yanagihara: pure suffering, undiluted by politics or psychology, by history or language or even sex. Free of meaning, it may more perfectly serve the authors higher purpose. Reading A Little Life, one can get the impression that Yanagihara is somewhere high above with a magnifying glass, burning her beautiful boys like ants. In truth, Jude is a terribly unlovable character, always lying and breaking promises, with the inner monologue of an incorrigible child. The first time he cuts himself, you are horrified; the 600th time, you wish he would aim. Yet Yanagihara loves him excessively, cloyingly. The books omniscient narrator seems to be protecting Jude, cradling him in her cocktail-party asides and winding digressions, keeping him alive for a stunning 800 pages. This is not sadism; it is closer to Munchausen by proxy.

Yanagihara provides a perfect image for this kind of love. Judes lover, Willem, trying to prevent him from cutting himself, hugs Jude so tightly he can barely breathe. Pretend were falling and were clinging together from fear, Willem tells him; for a brief moment, the fiction of imminent death cuts through Judes self-loathing and allows him to crumple helplessly into his lovers suffocating embrace. As he loses consciousness, Jude imagines them falling all the way to the earths core, where the fires melt them into a single being whom even death cannot part.

If disease is Yanagiharas angel of death, gay men are her perfect patients. The majority of her protagonists to date are gay men, or at least men-loving men, and she approaches them with a distinct preciousness. When Jude finally reveals the details of his horrific childhood to Willem, the two are lying on the floor of a literal closet. In A Little Life, this tendency could be fobbed off as a literary technique in line with Yanagiharas stated desire to make the novel operatic, but in To Paradise, her sentimentality has begun weeping like a sore. We could never be together in the West, Edward. Be sensible! It is dangerous to be like us out there, pleads one David. If we couldnt live as who we are, then how could we be free? Indeed, the entire first book of To Paradise is set in an alternate version of 19th-century New York preposterously founded on the freedom of love; youll forgive me for being unmoved, at this moment in history, by the heartbreak of marriage equality.

And then there is the matter of AIDS. Its true that To Paradise is not an AIDS novel; the actual crisis, which unfolds here just as it did in reality, is little more than a faint backdrop for a hundred pages. But this is only because Yanagihara appears to see all diseases as allegories for the human immunodeficiency virus. Charless ex-boyfriend Peter may only be dying of boring old cancer, Im afraid, but the virus hovers over his farewell party and lingers through the novels succession of pandemics. The next Charles, persona non grata in a fascist state of his own design, will join other mildly oppressed gay men of New York in seeking love and support in a riverside rowhouse on Jane Street in the West Village  three blocks from the real-life AIDS memorial in Hudson River Park. This detail is mawkish in the extreme, a shameless attempt to trade on the enviable pathos of a disease transmitted through an act of love.

When A Little Life was first published, the novelist Garth Greenwell declared it the most ambitious chronicle of the social and emotional lives of gay men to have emerged for many years, praising Yanagihara for writing a novel about queer suffering that was about AIDS only in spirit. This was a curious claim for several reasons. First, many of the novels characters, including Willem and Jude, fail to identify as gay in the conventional sense. Second, Yanagihara herself is not gay, though she says she perfunctorily slept with women at Smith College. Indeed, if A Little Life was opera, it was not La Boheme; it was Rent. Now perhaps the great gay novel should move beyond the strictures of identity politics; Yanagihara has stubbornly defended her right to write about whatever I want. God forbid that only gay men should write gay men  let a hundred flowers bloom. But if a white author were to write a novel with Asian American protagonists who, while resistant to identifying as Asian American, nonetheless inhabited an unmistakably Asian American milieu, it might occur to us to ask why.

Why, then? I dont know, Yanagihara told one journalist. To another, she insisted, I dont think theres anything inherent to the gay-male identity that interests me. These are baffling, even offensive responses given that she has had almost a decade to come up with better ones. But I do not think Yanagihara, an author who believes in fiction as a conscious act of avoidance, is being dishonest. A fiction writer can hide anything she wants in her fiction, a power thats as liberating as it is imprisoning, she has written, explaining her refusal to go to therapy despite the urging of her best friend, the man to whom A Little Life is dedicated and whose social circle inspired the books friendships. As she grows more adept at it, however, Yanagihara continues, she may find shes losing practice in the art of telling the truth about herself.

That well may be. Regardless of Yanagiharas private life, her work betrays a touristic kind of love for gay men. By exaggerating their vulnerability to humiliation and physical attack, she justifies a maternal posture of excessive protectiveness. This is not an act of dehumanization but the opposite. There is a horrible piety to Jude, named for the patron saint of lost causes; he has been force-fed sentimentality. When the author is not doling out this smothering sort of love through her male characters (Willem, for instance), she is enacting it at the level of her own narration. Indeed, the conspicuous absence of women in her fiction may well express Yanagiharas tendency, as a writer, to hoard female subjectivity for herself.

This brings us to Charlie, a narrator in To Paradise and Yanagiharas only female protagonist to date. Charlie is a technician who takes care of mouse embryos at an influenza lab in Zone Fifteen. The antiviral drug that saved her life as a child has left her affectless and naive, pitifully incapable of comprehending the extent of her own loneliness. After Charlie is raped by two boys her age  the only rape in this whole book, if you can believe it  her grandfather Charles desperately tries to ensure her safety by marrying her off to a homosexual like himself. But it is with Charlie, who longs for her husband to touch her even as she knows he never will, that the sublimation of romantic love will finally slouch into despair. When Charlie follows him to a gay haven in the West Village, having discovered notes from his lover, she is heartbroken. I knew I would never be loved, Charlie thinks. I knew I would never love, either.

But this isnt entirely true. After Charlies husband dies of an unknown illness, the only woman Yanagihara has ever asked readers to care about will lie next to his corpse and kiss him for the first time  the space between them closed, at last, by death.

There is no paradise for Charlie. The odd and tuneless phrase to paradise provides a destination but withholds any promise of arrival. Perhaps this is why Yanagihara has tacked it half-heartedly onto the last sentence of each of the novels three books. Doom shadows every character who decides to abandon one apocryphal heaven on earth for another: the plutocratic Northeast for the homophobic West, the colonized state of Hawaii for a delusional kingdom on the beach, totalitarian America for the unknown New Britain. Every paradise is a gossamer curtain; behind it lies a pit of squalor, disease, torture, madness, and tyranny. Freedom is a lie, safety is a lie, struggle is a lie; even the luxuries Yanagihara has spent her career recording are nothing in the end. For paradise, insofar as it means heaven, also means death.

Not even love will save Yanagiharas characters. Her fantasies of suffering and illness are designed only to produce a very specific kind of love, and this love is not curative but palliative  it results, sooner or later, in the death of the thing. If this is fatalism, it is not the sanguine fatalism of Prospero, another rightful king on another island paradise, reminding his audience that we are such stuff / As dreams are made on, and our little life / Is rounded with a sleep. No, it is the exsanguinating fatalism of Jude, who, out of love for his boyfriend, will try to show a little life  a phrase he learned from his pimp  while Willem makes love to his reluctant body. The same phrase appears in The People in the Trees, where it describes the bleak vegetative state that befalls the islanders whose disease has stretched out their life spans. In To Paradise, Charles reflects on a set of immune-compromised twins, explaining that he never became a clinician because he was never convinced that life  its saving, its extension, its return  was definitively the best outcome. The twins die, possibly by suicide, and Charles goes on to design death camps. Theres a point, Yanagihara once said of Jude, at which it becomes too late to help some people.

These are difficult words to read for those of us who have passed through suicidal ideation and emerged, if not happy to be alive, then relieved not to be dead. It is indeed a tourists imagination that would glance out from its hotel window onto the squalor below and conclude that death is the opposite of paradise, as if the locals did not live their little lives on the expansive middle ground between the two. But even Yanagiharas novels are not death camps; they are hospice centers. A Little Life, like life itself, goes on and on. Hundreds of pages into the novel, Jude openly wonders why he is still alive, the beloved of a lonely god. For that is the meaning of suffering: to make love possible. Charles loves David; David loves Edward; David loves Charles; Charlie loves Edward; Jude loves Willem; Hanya loves Jude; misery loves company.

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Doctors warn against trying to intentionally get Covid to gain immunity
Armenias foreign ministry has issued a statement, condemning the gross violation of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the eastern direction of the border of the Republic of Armenia with the use of artillery and UAVs.

January 12, 2022, 09:47 Official Baku undermines regional security Armenian Foreign Ministry issues statement

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 11, ARTSAKHPRESS: We strongly condemn todays (January 11) gross violation of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the eastern direction of the border of the Republic of Armenia with the use of artillery and UAVs, as a result of which servicemen of the armed forces of Armenia Arthur Mkhitaryan and Rudik Gharibyan were fatally wounded and two servicemen were injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the killed servicemen and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

The provocative actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces are another manifestation of the continuous encroachments of Azerbaijan on the territorial integrity of Armenia, which have started since May 12, 2021, with the infiltration into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and continued with recurrent armed attacks.

The Republic of Armenia draws the attention of international community to the fact that official Baku, continuing its encroachments on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, violates the basic principles of international law, including the UN Charter, and undermines regional security.

The Armenian side has repeatedly stated that one of the ways to avoid further escalation of the situation may be the mirrored withdrawal of troops from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and introduction of an international monitoring mechanism along the border.

We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from provocative actions and implement their commitment on establishing stability in the region undertaken as a result of the Brussels meeting and with the Trilateral Statement of Sochi, the statement says.
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Showers and thundershowers likely this morning with a shower or two possible during the afternoon. High 66F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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About 80 US citizens are unable to leave Afghanistan due to the lack of evacuation flights from the country, news.am informs, citing CNN.

January 12, 2022, 17:50 About 80 Americans cannot fly from Afghanistan

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: According to him, several dozen Americans have expressed a desire to leave the country, but the Taliban have been keeping planes for evacuation on the ground for a month. The timing of the resumption of flights is still unclear, reports TASS.

Earlier on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said that since the beginning of autumn, the United States has removed about 900 of its citizens and persons with permanent residence rights in the United States from Afghanistan. He also mentioned several dozen people who want to leave Afghanistan, but did not indicate when the American authorities would do this.

The Taliban launched a large-scale operation to establish control over Afghanistan following the announcement by the United States in the spring of 2021 of a decision to withdraw its armed forces from there. On August 15 last year, the radicals entered Kabul without a fight, and on September 7 they announced the composition of their interim government, the legitimacy of which has not yet been recognized by any country. Against the background of the conflict that has lasted for years, an extremely difficult economic situation has arisen in the country. According to UN forecasts, more than half of the population of Afghanistan (about 22.8 million people) from November to March may face critical food shortages.
Italy welcomes first Starbucks drive thru in Ebrusco.

Starbucks, the American multinational coffee chain, has opened its first drive thru in Italy at Erbusco in the northern Lombardia region.

The outlet, located roughly midway between Bergamo and Brescia , welcomed its first customers on 10 January, reports Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore.

The opening is part of a new partnership between Percassi, the sole licensee partner with Starbucks in Italy, and the Q8 service station company.

"Three years after its arrival in Italy, Starbucks has begun to expand the format of its stores to meet the evolving needs of its customers", said Vincenzo Catrambone, general manager of Starbucks Italy.

The new drive thru at Erbusco will offer a discount of 20 cent to all customers who bring a reusable cup when they purchase a drink, the company said.

Starbucks launched in Italy in 2018, opening at Piazza Cordusio in Milan , and last October it announced plans to open more than 20 new stores by the end of 2023.

It was reported in late 2020 that Starbucks was planning to launch in Rome's central Piazza S. Silvestro after abandoning plans to open an outlet in a former bookshop near the Vatican

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No Vax "customers" paid 300 to 450 for fake vaccinations in order to obtain Italy's covid Green Pass.

Italian police have arrested a nurse accused of pretending to administer covid vaccines to anti-vaxxers, in exchange for money, in the city of Ancona in the central Marche region.

The nurse, identified by Italian media as 50-year-old Emanuele Luchetta, was caught by hidden cameras apparently discarding the vaccines into a bin, as his paying customers played along with the charade of being vaccinated without actually getting jabbed.

The illegal system, which netted 18,000 in one month, faciliated 'No Vax' people obtaining the covid Green Pass, a digital certificate required for a wide array of activities in Italy, from public transport and restaurants to stadiums and cinemas.

The nurse is currently in jail, facing charges of corruption, falsifying certificates and wasting public goods, while four of his accomplices - including a lawyer and a restaurateur - are under house arrest.

The police investigation is centred on the Paolinelli covid vaccination hub and reportedly involves around 60 people but does not involve doctors or other officials.

The scam came to light after a doctor at the hub became suspicious of the groups of people, sometimes 10 at a time, being brought in as "friends of Emanuele", reports La Repubblica newspaper.

The nurse, a vaccine administration officer at the hub, claimed the visitors were patients of the mental health centre where he usually worked.

"They have panic attacks, they must be treated in a certain way", he tried to justify himself before changing tack and offering the doctor a cut in his lucrative illegal racket, according to La Repubblica.

"These are all highly placed No Vax people", the nurse confided in the doctor who pretended to become his partner in crime but in reality reported him immediately to the police.

"Relatives of doctors, lawyers, freelancers, gym customers, parents ready to pay to give their teenage children the Green Pass without making them get the vaccine" - writes La Repubblica, which reports that, in addition to Ancona, "they also came from Rome, Bologna, Perugia, Macerata."

At least 50 cases of fake vaccination have been uncovered thanks to the probe which began last December and whose wiretapping, surveillance and video footage allowed police to identify 60 people.

The No Vax customers initially paid 300 per fake vaccination however due to brisk demand the price was upped to 450.

The news comes a week after a 73-year-old doctor in Ascoli Piceno - also in Le Marche - ended up in prison facing charges of embezzlement and forgery amid a probe into allegations that he certified 150 false vaccination certificates and threw away 120 covid vaccine doses, reports La Stampa newspaper.

In December police in the Sicilian city of Palermo arrested three people as part of an investigation into an alleged scam that involved a nurse pretending to administer covid vaccines to anti-vaxxers in exchange for cash.
Italy to honour Sassoli with state funeral on Friday.

European parliament president David Sassoli, who died in the early hours of Tuesday, is to receive a state funeral in Rome on Friday.

The news, reported by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, follows the green light from the Italian cabinet on Wednesday morning.

Sassoli's body will lie in state at Rome city hall from 10.00 to 18.00 on Thursday, and the funeral service will be held at noon on Friday in the Basilica di S. Maria degli Angeli, in Piazza della Repubblica.

The presidents of the European Commission and the European Council - Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel - will attend the funeral which will be celebrated by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, a school friend of Sassoli, according to the Avvenire newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference.

Tributes to Sassoli

Tributes have poured in for the 65-year-old politician and former journalist who passed away in hospital in Aviano, northern Italy, where he had been seriously ill for more than two weeks.

Italian premier Mario Draghi recalled Sassoli as "an attentive and authoritative voice" who "defended European values and the rights of the weakest".

Italy's outgoing president Sergio Mattarella hailed him as a "passionate politician, a loyal, rigorous leader" whose "unexpected and untimely death" is a source of "deep pain to the people of Italy and Europe."

EC president von der Leyen, speaking in Italian, said on Tuesday: "It is a sad day for Europe. Today our union loses a convinced pro-European, a sincere democrat and a good man", adding that her "thoughts go to his wife Alessandra, his children Giulio and Livia and all his friends."

Pope Francis remembered Sassoli as a man of faith, "animated by hope and charity, a competent journalist and an esteemed man of the institutions who, calmly and respectfully, in his public role and responsibility, did his utmost for the common good with rectitude and generous commitment."

On Monday the EU parliament confirmed that Sassoli had been admitted to hospital in Italy on 26 December "because of a serious complication due to a dysfunction of the immune system.

A member of the centre-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Sassoli had been president of the 705-seat EU parliament since 2019.

He was first elected to the European Parliament in 2009 as a member of Italys Partito Democratico (PD).

Sassoli won another term in 2014 and served as the parliament's vice-president.

A former television journalist, he was hospitalised with severe pneumonia in September and returned to Italy to recover.

Sassoli resumed his activities in November and indicated that he would not be seeking re-election.

The European parliament is to organise a commemorative ceremony on 17 January at the opening of the plenary session in Strasbourg.
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Libyas decision to postpone a landmark presidential vote has damaged efforts to rebuild a nation riven by conflict since the overthrow of strongman Moammar Al Qaddafi a decade ago. Foreign powers that waged a proxy war there still appear to support a transition to democracy. But the delay has weakened the authority of the interim government and left Libyans wondering if their country will slip back into violence, potentially disrupting vital oil exports and choking the economy.

1. What lies behind the years of unrest?

Libyas state institutions evaporated during Qaddafis 42-year dictatorship, so his removal left a void that was filled by a multitude of armed groups, many of them based on tribal affiliations. A succession of governments failed to restore order or stop weapons flooding into the country. National elections in 2014 that were supposed to unify Libya only split it down the middle, with a Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital, Tripoli, in the west vying with an eastern coalition of troops and irregular fighters known as the Libyan National Army, led by Khalifa Haftar. Haftar secured major oil resources by extending his grip in the east and south before moving to capture Tripoli in 2019 with the help of Russian mercenaries. Turkey, backing the GNA, sent in troops the following year and Haftars men were forced to abandon the effort after battles that left more than 2,000 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A cease-fire was declared in August 2020 after Egypt threatened to intervene.

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2. Why are the regions governments so interested in Libya?

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates backed Haftar in the hope that he could end the chaos and defeat Islamist groups including the Libyan branch of the Muslim Brotherhood -- a sworn enemy of Egypts government. Turkey found common cause with the GNA as both had close ties to the Brotherhood. Russia also joined the fray, as part of a broader effort to challenge Western interests in weak Arab states. At first Moscow kept contacts with both sides while promoting Qaddafis son, Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, as a future president. In 2019, however, it also threw its weight behind Haftar. More than 1,000 mercenaries with the Wagner group, which is headed by a confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, entered Libya to support the general. Russias actions prompted the U.S. to push more forcefully for a peace deal. Western companies including Frances TotalEnergies SE, Eni SpA of Italy and Royal Dutch Shell Plc are considering investing billions of dollars to exploit Libyas vast oil and natural gas reserves, as well as its potential for solar power. The countrys proximity to Europe makes it all the more attractive to them.

3. How has the fighting affected the country?

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The years of unrest and the absence of an effective government took its toll on Libyas energy infrastructure. Armed groups blockaded ports for months at a time, depriving the country of billions of dollars in oil export revenue. Regular power cuts in the sweltering summer sparked nationwide protests. About 200,000 Libyans have been internally displaced, the United Nations refugee agency said in November, and many others are thought to have fled to neighboring Tunisia and beyond. After the fighting subsided, oil production climbed to around 1.3 million barrels a day, compared with 1.6 million barrels daily before the 2011 uprising that resulted in Qaddafis overthrow. A three-week shutdown of four western fields by disgruntled militia guards that started in December temporarily cut output below 1 million barrels.

4. What was the plan for the election?

Two months after their cease-fire declaration, the adversaries signed a formal truce at the UN in Geneva. In February 2021, Libyan delegates nominated a unified interim national executive to steer the country until a presidential vote. They chose eastern Libyas Mohamed Mnefi to head a three-person Presidency Council and a businessman from the coastal city of Misrata, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, as prime minister. The vote was initially scheduled for Dec. 24 and almost 100 candidates put their names forward, including divisive figures such as Haftar and Saif al-Islam. Election authorities rejected about two dozen of them and others faced legal challenges. Days before the vote was due, the national election commission announced that holding it as planned was impossible because the election law was inadequate to deal with disputes over candidacies. It proposed a delay of one month, but the reunified parliament hasnt approved a new timetable.

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5. What are the chances that a vote will happen?

Egypt, the UAE and Turkey have so far honored a pledge to support Dbeibahs interim government and the plan to elect a new leader. While no one appears ready to abandon the democratic process, some observers have questioned the decision to allow divisive candidates onto the original ballot and are calling for a new electoral law and even a new constitution -- a process that could take years. Some political players, including lawmakers, may quietly welcome a postponement that leaves their privileges and the countrys power structures untouched. Dbeibah remains as prime minister, although its unclear how long his mandate will last, while tensions persist between his administration and parliament. With the government unable to impose its authority nationwide, the true power brokers are the countrys restive militias.

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Russias 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea peninsula ignited the tensest standoff between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. The region remains deadlocked, following years of conflict between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists in the countrys east. Since November, the U.S. has been warning European allies that Russia may be preparing to invade Ukraine, already massing 100,000 troops near its neighbors border in a re-run of a crisis in April 2021.

1. Whats sparked the flare up?

The U.S. raised the alarm with European Union nations in November about a buildup of Russian forces near the border with Ukraine, later sharing intelligence showing possible plans for a three-pronged invasion from Crimea, Russia and via Belarus involving as many as 175,000 combatants. Ukraines defense intelligence agency chief told the Military Times that a Russian assault could come by the end of January or early February. The Kremlin denied any intention to attack Ukraine, saying troop movements on its territory were an internal matter. It accused the U.S. and NATO allies of stoking tensions with naval exercises in the Black Sea.

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2. Havent we been here before?

Yes. Russia deployed troops to Crimea and its border with Ukraine in March and April amid fighting between the Ukrainian army and the Moscow-backed militants. Tensions subsided after U.S. President Joe Biden called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and offered a summit meeting that took place in June. That prompted speculation Putin had used the crisis as a means to gain Bidens attention. After news of the latest buildup emerged, Putin said in November that the U.S. and its allies were failing to take Russias red lines seriously and that Moscow needed long-term security guarantees. He accused NATO of supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine and said the alliance was waging a pressure campaign against him. Ukraines defense minister said on a November visit to Washington that hed asked the Pentagon for more help defending its airspace and coast.

3. Why is this still a problem?

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A 2015 truce ended the bloodiest fighting of the seven-year conflict, which has claimed more than 14,000 lives. But the terms have never been fully met and a lasting resolution remains elusive. The major stumbling block remains whether Ukraine leans eastward or westward. Protesters demanded a break from the nations Soviet past when they ousted Kremlin-backed Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. Putin justified his subsequent annexation of Crimea and support for the fighters in eastern Ukraine by saying he must defend Russian-speakers, wherever they are. Fearing encroachment, he continues to oppose goals now enshrined in Ukraines constitution -- including EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organization membership.

4. What has the U.S. response been?

There has been a flurry of diplomacy since early December, sparked by a video call that Biden held with Putin Dec. 7. The leaders spoke again by phone Dec. 30. The U.S. has warned of debilitating economic sanctions if Russia attacks, while the Kremlin says NATO expanding further east or deploying weapons in Ukraine are red lines. Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations warned Russia Dec. 12 to de-escalate its activities around Ukraine or face massive consequences. People familiar with the matter said the Biden administration has pushed European Union allies to finalize a broad package of sanctions against Russian banks and energy companies that could be imposed jointly with the U.S. if necessary.

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5. Whats been the sticking point?

Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy coming to power pledging to bring lasting peace, he has little room to maneuver. The Kremlin wants its neighbors restive regions to gain autonomy that gives them an effective veto over major shifts in Ukraines orientation -- namely the Western integration backed by a sizable majority of its 41 million population. But granting the regions such powers would be tantamount to political suicide for Zelenskiy, whos already struggling to tame the pandemic and meet other promises, such as curbing corruption. Putin, meanwhile, has repeatedly made clear he regards Ukraines ambition to join NATO as an existential threat and is demanding binding security guarantees from the West to prevent it from happening. While his goals appear unrealistic, Russian diplomacy seems focused on reaching a deal with the U.S. first, undermining attempts by Germany and France to negotiate a deal.

6. What else does Russia want?

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Russia demanded that NATO withdraw its forces to positions they occupied in 1997 as it set out sweeping proposals for a massive Western pullback in two draft security treaties presented to the U.S. government. Russia and all NATO states that were members in May 1997, before the first eastern European countries were invited to join the alliance, shouldnt deploy military forces and weaponry on the territory of any of the other states in Europe that were not already in place on that date, according to one of the treaties published Dec. 17 by the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. The U.S. must also pledge to bar entry to NATO for ex-Soviet states such as Ukraine and Georgia and refuse to make use of their military infrastructure or develop bilateral defense ties with them, according to the second treaty. After Russias talks with the U.S. and NATO concluded in January without a clear path forward, an American diplomat said Russia must decide if its interested in resolving the standoff over Ukraine or is seeking a pretext to invade.

7. Whats the fear?

If U.S. warnings of an invasion are borne out, it would plunge the West and Russia into the worst confrontation since the Cold War. A Russian intervention on this scale to annex territory or even to overthrow the government in Kyiv would represent the most serious challenge to European security in decades, dwarfing the crisis triggered by Putins takeover of Crimea and the unrestrained fighting that characterized the eastern Ukrainian conflicts earlier days. Russias five-day war with Georgia, another former Soviet republic that turned its gaze to the West, began in a similar fashion in 2008 and ended in effective annexation of rebel areas by Moscow.

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8. What can the West do about it?

The U.S., EU and U.K. have in recent years imposed several rounds of sanctions targeting Russian individuals and companies, hitting the countrys energy and banking sectors. While Russia downplays their impact, its economy has stagnated and its officials have pushed to have the punishments revoked. Other potential measures include targeting Russian billionaires, or making further efforts to derail the new Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline between Russia and Germany.

(Adds Lavrov comment in Section 6.)

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The meeting of the Russia-NATO Council began in the North Atlantic Alliance headquarters in Brussels, news.am informs, citing RIA Novosti.

January 12, 2022, 15:40 Russia-NATO Council meeting kicks off in Brussels

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: The interdepartmental commission of the Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry represents Moscow. It includes Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko on behalf of the diplomatic mission.
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Russian President Vladimir Putins massing of troops on Ukraines border has sparked a standoff with the West and raised fears of an invasion. At the heart of the dispute are Russian concerns about the eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the security alliance founded in 1949 to protect Europe against Soviet attack during the Cold War. Of the 14 countries bordering Russia, five are in NATO, and Ukraine is among the countries also hoping to get in. But thats not as fast or easy as it sounds.

1. Has Ukraine formally requested admission to NATO?

Yes. Ukraine applied to join in 2008. That was just before a summit in Bucharest, when NATO said that Ukraine and Georgia would join the alliance -- but without setting a specific date. Georgia has also applied for admission. So has Bosnia-Herzegovina, though there is too much domestic division there to make this a realistic prospect in the near future.

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2. How many countries are in NATO?

Its membership has grown from 12 to 30 nations, with North Macedonia the most recent to join, in 2020. That increase reflects the fact that, since the end of the Cold War, NATO has come to represent an underlying partnership between North America and Europe based on shared political and economic values.

3. What does it take to join?

NATO countries have to be unanimous in welcoming a new member. Approval is pretty much a political decision, though NATO does spell out criteria that prospective new members should meet. These include a functioning democracy based on a market economy, fair treatment of minority populations and a commitment to resolve conflicts peacefully. The applicant needs to have an ability and willingness to make a military contribution to NATO operations. NATO has also made clear that having unresolved external territorial disputes weighs against being admitted, a consideration that gives Putin an edge, since Russian forces occupy internationally recognized parts of Georgia (Abkhazia and South Ossetia) and Ukraine (Crimea).

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4. Whats the status of Ukraines request?

Officially, NATO stands by its 2008 pledge to admit Georgia and Ukraine once they meet the criteria, with no consensus on when that might be. Some NATO members, including Poland and Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, would sign up Ukraine tomorrow if they could. But Germany and France in particular insist that as long as Russian troops are in Ukraine, membership is not going to happen. For now, Ukraine is one of NATOs enhanced opportunity partners, a status afforded non-member nations that have made significant contributions to NATO-led operations and missions. NATO says it aims to maintain and deepen cooperation with such partners. Other nations with this status are Australia, Finland, Georgia, Jordan and Sweden.

5. What is Russias concern?

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Putin and his government see NATO expanding into what it considers its sphere of influence, which diminished after the Cold War, and which Putin aims to restore. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, three former Soviet republics, are now NATO members; citing its own security, Russia insists that NATO must never let additional ex-Soviet states, such as Ukraine and Georgia, join. Russia also rejects NATOs claims that its a defensive alliance, accusing the bloc of seeking to contain Moscow and sowing instability with interventions in places like the Middle East and the Balkans. Russia denies it plans to invade Ukraine but insists the U.S. and its allies must force Ukraines leaders to implement the terms of a 2015 peace deal.

6. What does NATO say?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated on Jan. 12 that only NATO and applicant countries can decide on membership, saying Russia does not have a veto on whether Ukraine can join.

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7. Whats the point of NATO, anyway?

NATO says its open door policy on enlargement has helped increase stability and prosperity in Europe. Its role since the collapse of the Soviet Union has expanded to include bombing Serb forces during the Bosnia and Kosovo wars of the 1990s, enforcing an arms embargo on Libya in 2011, helping Europe deal with an influx of Middle Eastern refugees that began in 2015, stepping up cyber defense -- and, since 2014, deploying multinational battle groups in eastern Europe in response to Russias encroachment in Ukraine. NATO is also trying to define its role in addressing Chinas expanding influence. A 2019 summit expanded NATOs remit to make outer space an operational domain along with air, land, sea and cyberspace.

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President Xi Jinping looks set to disrupt how power transitions in China, the worlds No. 2 economy, by securing a precedent defying third term as leader at the Communist Partys 20th party congress this fall. Before then, he will host a Winter Olympics diminished by diplomatic boycotts in February, convene legislators for the National Peoples Congress in March, and try to prevent a pandemic flare-up from derailing the Covid Zero strategy his governments touted as evidence its superior to Western democracies.

1. Why does this congress matter?

Party congresses decide Chinas leaders and policy priorities for the following five years, positioning cadres for greatness. Xis decision not to appoint a successor at the 19th congress in 2017, however, combined with changes to the constitution, sparked speculation hed ignore unwritten party rules on succession and retirement age. A landmark history resolution in November confirmed that Xi, 68, had the partys firm backing, as only previous leaders-for-life Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping had the privilege of passing such a text. That means this years congress could set up Xi to hold power for decades.

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2. Whats at stake for the world?

When Xi became Communist Party leader in 2012, he pledged to spearhead Chinas great rejuvenation. Nearly 10 years on, China has an economy on course to topple the U.S. as the worlds biggest, boasts the largest navy, and has invested billions of dollars in international infrastructure projects. Domestically, hes eliminated extreme poverty and largely contained the pandemic. But Xi has also tightened controls on free speech, detained minorities and become more aggressive on territorial claims, resulting in increasing fractured relations with Western democracies. With Chinese authorities maintaining a hard line on Hong Kong and Taiwan, sparring with the U.S. on trade and cracking down on big tech and real estate developers, Xis path to preserving power is complex.

3. What are current priorities?

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Xis government has executed bold economic reforms that roiled stocks and bonds. Initially targeting monopolies in big tech, it fanned out to clipping after-school tutoring companies, imposing restrictions on overseas initial public offerings and reigning in the property sector. All that served Xis common prosperity drive to more evenly distribute wealth, even at the expense of growth, as he works to avoid social unrest that could threaten the Partys grip on power. With crackdowns now easing, China will focus on ensuring the economy grows at a reasonable pace and society remains orderly.

4. What should be watched before the congress?

Maneuvering for the week-long summit has already begun. In December, Ma Xingrui became Xinjiangs party secretary, laying the groundwork for his ascension to Chinas top decision-making body, the 25-person Politburo. That stirred speculation that outgoing Chen Quanguo could be promoted to vice premier. Expect more of these moves throughout the year. In July or August, party elders and power brokers will retreat to the seaside town of Beidaihe to lobby for their personnel picks -- although with former heavyweights Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji in their 90s, their influence is uncertain.

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5. How does the congress work?

More than 2,000 delegates including provincial leaders, top military figures, farmers and minority representatives will descend on Beijings Great Hall of the People. Ostensibly, theyll elect the partys general secretary and top leaders. In reality, by the time Xi delivers his speech under a giant red Communist star outlining the partys policy priorities, everything has been decided. Its only when Xi strides along a red carpet at the summits close with the new Standing Committee, or inner cabinet, following him in order of importance will Chinas 1.4 billion people learn who will be running their economy, military and foreign policy.

6. Who are others to watch?

Xi has few challengers. An anti-corruption campaign peeled off rivals over the past decade, and no one in the Standing Committee with the right age or experience has been groomed as a successor, if traditional paths to power stand. Internal party rules ask Politburo officials to retire at 68. This year, Standing Committee members Han Zheng and Li Zhanshu turn 68 and 72, respectively. If they remain it could create a logjam, frustrating younger cadres, but analysts say thats unlikely because Xi wont want top leaders acquiring their own power bases. Furthermore, when Xi amended the age limits for the president, he left them unchanged for the premier, meaning Li Keqiang has to stand down in 2023. Normally, the first-ranked vice premier should take that role, but since Han is also set to retire, its unclear who will inherit Lis key economic portfolio. Chongqings party chief Chen Miner, 61, and Xi ally Ding Xuexiang, 59, are both young and experienced enough. But their posts will only be revealed when Xi decides.

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For much of Prime Minister Narendra Modis nearly eight years in power, the relationship between social media platforms, journalists and Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been nasty and vitriolic, and almost always murky. Now we can start to understand why. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight A browser-based application was reportedly used by the BJP to infiltrate social media platforms in order to spread misinformation, target female reporters and home in on anyone it deems an opponent. A report published last week by The Wire, an independent Indian news publication, documented the mechanics and strategy behind the computer program, which is known as Tek Fog, according to a whistleblower claiming to be a disgruntled employee of the ruling partys information technology cell. Its unclear when the system came into being, but The Wire has been investigating the claims made by the unidentified source for two years.

Opposition parties have denounced the app as a national security threat, and asked Parliament to probe it, while Modi has remained silent on the revelations. His party didnt respond to an email seeking comment. The Wire article named Devang Dave, a former head of social media at the BJPs youth wing, as a supervisor of the Tek Fog operatives. Following the expose, Dave released an email to The Wire in which he denied that the party had ever used  or known about  a secret app to manipulate public opinion.

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The BJP, the most well-funded of all Indian political parties, has been an early adopter of information technology. It has harnessed the power of databases and its well-equipped IT cell to target voters. But a misogynistic and abusive app meant to instill fear among journalists and critics goes beyond the pale of acceptable political marketing. Indeed, it would be a travesty of all democratic norms, and in violation of law, as the Editors Guild of India said in a statement.

For some of the reporters who have been subject to attack, the revelations are a vindication  even a relief. Im happy to know that it isnt actually a human being lighting up my phone with disgusting, sexually colored abuse on a daily basis, but bots, says Swati Chaturvedi, a New Delhi-based investigative journalist. Still, what message does it send about our democracy when private citizens are systematically attacked by a call center of hate? Chaturvedi has been a target for harassment since publishing her 2016 book, I Am A Troll: Inside the Secret World of the BJPs Digital Army.

The use of bots to distort public opinion is reminiscent of what Russian operatives did on Facebook in advance of the U.S. presidential election.

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Tek Fog is much more powerful. From a technical perspective, the reach and effectiveness of this new software is both impressive and deeply worrying. According to the report, users of the platform could tap into and manipulate the trending features on Twitter and Facebook  by automatically sharing or retweeting posts, and targeting existing hashtags  to commandeer the narrative on Indias most widely used social media services. This simple tactic could then amplify propaganda, in order to make a particular idea or opinion appear more popular than it really was, or to shout down opposing views.

More alarming is Tek Fogs ability to access the contact lists of inactive accounts on Meta Platforms Inc.s WhatsApp service to disseminate messages and steal personal information. This allowed operatives to be much more precise in their messaging, while also building a database of future targets. The result was brutal. Perceived opponents, including female journalists, were subsequently harassed and trolled across a variety of social media platforms in an attempt to scare them into silence.

That such a merciless campaign could be conducted so efficiently can be partially explained by the social media firms strategic decision to make their products accessible through external connections known as application programming interfaces, or APIs. This functionality is ostensibly designed for convenience  you can easily tweet a chosen article directly from a media outlets website without going to twitter.com.

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Internet companies love it. This convenient access ensures more users, greater engagement and a rising trove of data that they can then tap to sell more targeted ads. But there is a flip side to APIs. As The Wire outlined, Tek Fog allowed users to easily create temporary email addresses and bypass authentication systems  operatives could in effect hack into WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram.

And hack they did. In a follow-up article, The Wire outlined how Tek Fog exploited vulnerabilities in these APIs to get unprecedented levels of access to social-media platforms. Whats more, online operators deployed well-known and sophisticated hacking techniques to create fake news that looked like genuine articles written by the original legitimate authors, complete with realistic URLs.

With such functionality at their fingertips, the technical prowess of the worlds most powerful internet companies  from consumer-friendly apps to efficient data-crunching algorithms  could be brought to bear on anyone standing in the way of misinformation campaigns that demonize minorities, discredit political opposition and brand anyone opposing government policies as anti-national. Conscientious journalists, clear-minded citizens and millions of voters dont stand a chance.

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Some groups are particularly at risk. Police in India recently arrested four suspects, all college students, for scraping the social-media profiles of Muslim women  activists, journalists, actors and politicians  and listing them for sale via an app on GitHub, the Microsoft-owned open software development platform.

By contrast, Tek Fog is a military-grade PSYOP  psychological operations  weapon. A capability like this has so far been available only to state actors for use against enemy populations, said Anand Venkatnarayanan, an Indian internet security researcher and co-author of a 2021 book on information warfare. Putting such a weapon in the hands of non-state actors affiliated to a political party contesting for mind space of citizens in a democracy has never been done before.

Its an effective tool to drown out questioning voices. Rohini Singh, another New Delhi-based journalist who faces online harassment routinely, worries about the future of independent reporting in India, particularly as a woman. When you wake up to 10,000 abuses in your social-media mentions, it does affect you, Singh said. Earlier, we had to worry about getting a story right. Now we have to worry about rape threats, invasion of our privacy and non-stop slander. None of us signed up for this. Journalism is not a crime.

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Governments might be able to combat misinformation that infiltrates the internet, if they tried. But its increasingly clear that they cant be relied upon to do so. Thats why social-media platforms need to take the lead, and the first step will be to crack down on external access via APIs. From there, tech firms need to implement better auditing systems so that they have greater clarity on who is using their platforms, and how.

With the internet now such an important tool of modern society, its incumbent on the companies that operate it to retake control of the technologies they built. Democracy depends on it.

More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Indias Leaders Shouldnt Keep Playing With Fire: Mihir Sharma

 Taiwans Giants Are Being Hit by India Culture Shock: Tim Culpan

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 In the Next War, Americas Homeland Will Be a Target: Hal Brands

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Tim Culpan is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. He previously covered technology for Bloomberg News.

Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies and financial services. He previously was a columnist for Reuters Breakingviews. He has also worked for the Straits Times, ET NOW and Bloomberg News.

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Stefano Pessina, executive chairman of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., is the ultimate dealmaker. Hes currently exploring the prospect of offloading the historic Boots business, which would enable the drugstore giant to concentrate on U.S. healthcare. But a disposal wont be straightforward. Pessina will need all of his skills to achieve a decent price for it.

While U.K. retail has been in predators sights over the past year, Boots lacks the extensive real estate that attracted private equity to grocer Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd. The majority of its 2,300 stores are leasehold. The business has also been in decline, as shopping shifted online and as A.S. Watson Holdings Ltd steered rival Superdrug into beauty and services.

The pandemic hit particularly hard: Boots made a pre-tax loss of 287 million pounds ($390 million) in the year to August 2020, compared with a 217 million pound profit in 2019.

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So how much would Boots be worth? Assuming 600-700 million pounds of earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortization in a normal year, and applying Tesco Plcs forward multiple of 7.4 times Ebitda (its also a defensive brick-and-mortar retailer), that could mean an enterprise value of about 5 billion pounds ($6.8 billion) for Boots U.K. business. But it also has operations in Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands and Thailand, as well as an optician business and a suite of private-label beauty and personal-care brands. So, depending on what is included, the valuation could be nearer to 7 billion pounds.

Thats a big bite for any potential buyer. Plus, Boots will need significant investment to revive its performance.

But there are attractions. For a food retailer, the opportunity would be to close Boots stores and bring their pharmacies into existing supermarkets. This would slash costs and fill vacant space. Its the strategy that J Sainsbury Plc pursued though its successful acquisition of Argos six years ago. An enlarged grocer would also gain more clout with manufacturers such as Unilever Plc and may be able to grab a bigger chunk of the more-profitable beauty market.

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Tesco Chief Executive Officer Ken Murphy and his counterpart at Sainsbury, Simon Roberts, were at Walgreens earlier in their careers, so they know the business well.

There could be antitrust issues, though, as Boots has big market shares in some categories. While combining a non-food retailer with a grocer might not cause as much concern as putting two big supermarkets together, it would take a brave CEO to try. The U.K. competition authorities blocked the merger of Sainsbury and Asda Group Ltd three years ago.

So private equity may be the more likely buyer. Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners are assembling a joint bid for Boots, Sky News reported on Tuesday. Dominic Murphy, one of the architects of Pessina and KKR & Co Inc.s buyout of Alliance Boots in 2007, is now at CVC. Meanwhile, Fortress Investment Group LLC and Apollo Global Management Inc. lost out on earlier supermarket deals, so may be looking for a new target.

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Freed from Walgreens, Boots should benefit from no longer having to fight for resources with the bigger U.S. operation. A new owner could close sites, move away from the glare of quarterly earnings and invest in what is left. Already, Boots has installed around 100 new beauty halls and offers over 100 health-care services in shops or online, such as acne treatment, period pain relief and mental health support. Amid economies reopening, this is paying off: Boots same-store retail sales rose 16.3% in the three months to Nov. 30. Pharmacy sales rose 8.8%.

Theres more opportunity on these fronts, too. Debenhams, a big player in fragrance and cosmetics, closed its high street department stores last year. There is also scope to expand Boots own brands. Walgreens is aiming to generate $1 billion of sales from the likes of No 7 and Soap & Glory by 2023. And the pandemic has highlighted further services, from Covid testing to vaccinations, that Boots could provide.

If a private-equity owner could achieve a complete overhaul, lifting sales and expanding Boots already decent margins, it could then bring the business back to the public markets.

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Such a transformation wont be cheap or easy, of course. But Walgreens could keep a minority stake in the business, a model adopted by Walmart Inc. when it offloaded Asda in 2020. This would reduce the price tag and maintain scale with suppliers.

Pessina is known for playing the long-game, waiting for exactly the right moment to move. Given the complications around a sale of Boots, hell want to unwind his empire as carefully as he built it.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Robinhood Has Become an Attractive Takeover Target: Jared Dillian

 Omicron Came for Lululemon. Which Retailer Is Next?: Andrea Felsted

 Uniting Grand Theft Auto and FarmVille Is a Game Changer: Tae Kim

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Andrea Felsted is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering the consumer and retail industries. She previously worked at the Financial Times.

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From Russian President Vladimir Putins point of view, last weeks unrest in Kazakhstan was a godsend just as negotiations with the U.S. over Russias security demands were about to start in Geneva. With an instant deployment of an unnecessary peacekeeping force, and now a planned rapid withdrawal, the Kremlin is making far more potent points than with anything its emissaries can bring to the talks  or indeed with any military build-up on the Ukrainian border.

Its still too early to say exactly how regional protests against higher fuel prices in Kazakhstan escalated into nationwide violence despite President Kassym-Jomart Tokayevs early concessions to the protesters (including a price freeze at the old level and the governments resignation). Tokayevs own narrative, endorsed by his allies in the post-Soviet Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), is that unnamed foreign masterminds used the moment to send into battle thousands of militants they had been training up in secret. To quote Putins remarks on a call with CSTO leaders on Jan. 10, Those who were concerned about the gas market situation are one group of people with one set of goals, and those who took up weapons and attacked the state are totally different people with a different set of goals.

It doesnt really matter at this point, however, whether theres any truth to this narrative: The riots have been put down, and the two main beneficiaries of the tumultuous week are Tokayev and Putin. The former consolidated his power, removing the remaining levers of influence from Kazakhstans founding president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who had been unable to let go despite being 81 and officially semi-retired. Tokayev seemed to wobble as the street violence escalated and Kazakhstans police and military appeared to waver  but at the end of the day, the former diplomat prevailed and it was his security forces, not the less than 2,500-strong CSTO force, that violently quashed the uprising.

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They always had the numbers to cope with any outbreak of protest: The Kazakh military has 135,000 active personnel, and, with 424 police officers per 100,000 population, Kazakhstan is much more heavily policed than European Union members (334 officers per 100,000 residents on average) or the U.S. (238). So as soon as the enforcers aligned with Tokayev, the crisis was effectively resolved in his favor  just as, in 2020, Belarussian dictator Alexander Lukashenko rode out an unusually powerful wave of protest because enforcement agencies sided with him. Just as Lukashenko didnt have to ask for military assistance  Putins political and propaganda backing sufficed  Tokayev could have done without it, too. And yet, for reasons that may never be entirely clear, he requested CSTO assistance  and, mere hours later, troops were deployed using Russian transport planes and under Russian command.

Putins win here isnt that it might be hard to get Russian troops to leave once they come in, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has suggested. The Russian troops, not numerous to start with, are about to start withdrawing, according to Tokayev, and the Kazakh leader is not beholden to his Russian counterpart in any binding way. Putin, who doesnt see Kazakhstan  unlike Belarus and Ukraine  as part of Russias historic core, will never invade the vast Central Asian nation unbidden if Tokayev continues Nazarbayevs old line of staying friendly with all neighboring states. Putin, for his part, owes Tokayev one for the chance to advertise the kind of service hed like to provide not just to post-Soviet authoritarian states but to those who sign up for it elsewhere.After all, the CSTO deployment makes an attractive pitch to endangered leaders in the market for protection. If you ask Russia, and not the U.S. or NATO, for help, it will arrive immediately, without pause for deliberation or internal debate. The speed of the move also tells the U.S., watching keenly from the sidelines, that Russia doesnt really need a slow, obvious troop build-up to attack Ukraine: It can strike suddenly. The appointment of Russian Airborne Forces commander Andrey Serdyukov, the general who ran the Crimea takeover in 2014, to head up the Kazakhstan deployment reinforces the message. Its not as if Putin couldnt have found a lower-ranking commander for the small force.

If Tokayev is right about the quick withdrawal  and he probably is  thats another reason to call Moscow rather then D.C. The U.S. tends to get bogged down in its wars  and then leave abruptly and without looking back, as it did in Afghanistan.

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Finally, the CSTO deployment clarifies how a plea for help must be formulated to get a quick response. The beleaguered national leader must assert that his country is being attacked by foreign or foreign-backed colored revolution forces. Regardless of how convincing that assertion may be, leaders who do so get the kind of help they desire: Syrias President Bashar al-Assad did, and so did Lukashenko. On the other hand, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan failed to receive Putins military support when he asked for it in 2020 as his country was losing the Nagorno-Karabakh war to Azerbaijan. Putins official excuse was that the disputed enclave was not officially part of Armenia, a CSTO member, so the bloc had no legal reason to get involved. Yet, judging by the Kazakh precedent, it would have been harder for Putin to stay out if Pashinyan had argued that Armenia was being attacked by NATO. After all, Turkey, a member of the Western alliance, had openly backed Azerbaijan. Pashinyan, who had come to power on the back of street protests, was always viewed as unreliable by Putin and his entourage. He failed to find the words that fit Putins worldview. So the Kremlin leader stayed above the fray, only helping forge the final peace deal, which sealed Armenias defeat, and only then sending Russian troops to enforce it.

As Tokayev took some risks to emerge as top dog, he gave Putin a much-needed assist, allowing him to present his alternative to the American global policing proposition: On the CSTO call, Tokayev said the deployment scared the rioters into abandoning plans to storm the presidential residence, thereby freeing up loyal forces for the clean-up of the anarchic situation in the countrys biggest city, Almaty. Im not sure the small group of Russian paratroopers instilled that much fear in desperate protesters who had managed to take over entire cities, but Putin must have been flattered to hear Tokayev make the claim.

The Putin security proposition, such as it is after Kazakhstan, is only attractive to a certain kind of ruler, short on democratic legitimacy and anti-Western enough to deliver the kind of rhetoric that can spur Putin into action. Ukraines leaders, for example, will not be interested as long as theyre democratically elected. But by showing off his power projection capability, Putin also throws down a gauntlet to NATO, whose protection Ukraine has sought. Can the U.S.-led alliance play with similar speed and effectiveness in Russias traditional sphere of influence? Its a tough question for NATO leaders to ask themselves.

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So far, the U.S. has countered Russian power projection only with relatively week economic sanctions. The message from Moscow: Even much tougher measures of this kind will not hinder Russias capacity to police its neighborhood and occasionally venture outside it when invited by like-minded authoritarians. The U.S. must decide whether to take this message seriously. The Biden administrations anemic response thus far suggests a certain deference to Putins willingness to act forcefully. As the Kazakhstan demonstration shows, that approach only seems to make Putin bolder.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Kazakh Protests Will Only Tighten Putins Grip: Clara Ferreira Marques

 The Putin Doctrine Becomes Clear in Ukraine and Kazakhstan: Hal Brands

 Russian Troops Arent the Answer for Kazakhstan: Editorial

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Leonid Bershidsky is a member of the Bloomberg News Automation team based in Berlin. He was previously Bloomberg Opinions Europe columnist. He recently authored a Russian translation of George Orwells 1984.

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Billionaire Patrick Drahi may be an art lover, but he is also an opportunist. The soaring fortunes of the wealthy, along with the art worlds digital revolution, must create a strong temptation to sell a piece of Sothebys back to the stock market just two years after he took the auction house private. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight When Drahi agreed to buy Sothebys at a $3.7 billion valuation in June 2019, the acquisition looked primarily like the purchase of a long-term trophy asset. The entrepreneur said the investment was for his family. He would maintain the firms strategy, and telecoms and media would stay his principal focus. The auctioneers board said the company could develop faster in private ownership and would be in excellent hands for decades to come.

But the move was also opportunistic. You grab unique assets like this only when their owners are willing to sell them and rival buyers are scarce. The shares had fallen 41% in the preceding 12 months amid expectations of declining sales. Drahi offered a 61% premium, making the bid value just below the shares one-year high. No rival suitor challenged him for the deal.

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What happened next? Sothebys investors who sold to Drahi probably arent regretting it yet. Indeed, if they reinvested the proceeds in the S&P 500, they have almost certainly made more money than if they had rejected the takeover and kept their shares.

Drahi ought to be taking a longer view, but the deal has not been so bad for him. He put just $1.45 billion of equity into the transaction, borrowing the rest. Even though the pandemic was declared five months after he got the keys, hes been able to load Sothebys with further debt and recoup $465 million via two dividends.

He is now weighing an initial public offering as soon as this year, Bloomberg News reported last month. Clearly, a stake sale could free up capital to deploy elsewhere, while keeping the tycoon in control. Telecoms are now as unloved as Sothebys was, and Drahi has been building a stake in the U.K.s BT Group Plc.

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An IPO pitch looks easy. After a couple of tough years, Sothebys achieved record art sales in 2021, touching $7.3 billion by mid-December. The business now auctions non-fungible tokens (NFT) and sneakers  capturing the zeitgeist  and its conducting more sales online. Auctions last year saw a record number of bidders, 44% of them new clients, the firms says. Of NFT bidders, 78% were new to Sothebys and more than half were aged under 40.

The traditional fodder isnt doing too badly either. Botticellis Portrait of a Young Man Holding a Roundel fetched $92 million, a record for an Old Master at Sothebys.

The company can also be seen as a play on the expansion of the wealthy class. The number of millionaires globally could rise from 56 million in 2020 to 84 million come 2025, according to Credit Suisse Group AG research. Luxury is booming: Analysts at UBS Group AG expect the industry to achieve record sales and margins this year.

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But there are some snags. Sothebys borrowings are high at $1.6 billion, excluding a revolving credit facility. To service this, underlying profits on the Ebitda measure were $227 million in 2020 (after lease charges), according to Moodys Investors Services. Even if net debt is lower (deducting some cash in the bank) and the pandemics impact on profit has abated, an IPO would probably need to raise capital to strengthen the balance sheet. Investors will want to feel theyre doing more than just plugging a hole.

Above all, having extolled the virtues of private ownership, Sothebys would need to explain the change of tack. Incoming shareholders would need convincing that this business is in a durable upswing. Art sales have historically been cyclical, and Sothebys former share price was volatile: In the five years before going private, it ranged from $19 to $60. NFTs may have ushered in an industry shift, but that doesnt necessarily change the seesawing dynamics.

Perhaps Drahi has other investment plans and needs more cash than he can extract in dividends. With stock markets high but wobbling, an opportunist might judge there wont be a better moment for an IPO for a while. The question remains whether Sothebys is truly ready to return to the stock market.

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More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Shells Tax-Free Days in the Bahamas Are Numbered: Javier Blas

 Omicron Came for Lululemon. Which Retailer Is Next?: Andrea Felsted

 Dont Give Up on the Charismatic CEO: Adrian Wooldridge

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Chris Hughes is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals. He previously worked for Reuters Breakingviews, as well as the Financial Times and the Independent newspaper.

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Once again, the party in control of the U.S. Senate is feeling frustrated by the filibuster. Thats the prerogative enjoyed by the minority party to demand never-ending debate on legislation, thwarting its passage. Filibusters once required senators to stand and speak for hours, but since the 1970s, bills can grind to a halt at the mere threat of one: Almost all bills are doomed unless supported by the three-fifths supermajority required to end a filibuster. Of the more than 1,700 filibusters since 1917, half have taken place since 2000. With Democrats currently in control by only the slightest possible margin, impatient members of that party say the Senate can preserve the filibuster or pass President Joe Bidens agenda, but not both.

1. How did the filibuster come to be?

The Senate, envisioned by the founders to be a highly deliberative body, was created with no mechanism to end debate on a given topic. Senators quickly realized that long speeches could delay action on legislation they didnt like. In the 1850s, the practice of talking a bill to death got a name -- filibuster, from the Dutch word for pirate. In 1917, senators adopted a rule establishing that debate could be ended upon a so-called cloture vote supported by a two-thirds supermajority. That bar was lowered in 1975 to a three-fifths supermajority, meaning it takes 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate to end debate.

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2. Whats happening now?

Since taking power in January 2021, Senate Democrats have faced pressure to end or modify the filibuster from their more liberal members, the more progressive wing of the House and outside activist groups. Even some moderate Democrats, including Minnesotas Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, signed on to the idea when all 50 Republicans lined up against Bidens $1.9 trillion pandemic relief and stimulus plan. But to alter the rules, all 50 Democrats in the chamber would have to vote in favor, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the resulting tie. At least two centrist Democrats -- Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona -- have said they wont go along. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned Democrats that if they were to eliminate the filibuster, Republicans would retaliate by making it harder to conduct even routine business in the chamber.

3. Are there alternatives to ending the filibuster?

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Yes. Manchin says the filibuster should be made more painful to use by requiring senators who invoke it to speak continuously. Or a simple majority of senators could vote at any given time to modify the filibuster, just as they could to end it. In fact, senators have limited its use twice in the past decade, both times in regard to confirmations of presidential appointments. In 2013, Democrats established that a simple majority vote could advance nominees for lower-court judgeships and federal agencies. In 2017, the Republicans who then held the majority voted to allow a simple majority vote to confirm Supreme Court nominees. For now, most legislation can still be filibustered.

4. What is Bidens position?

He is seeking to pressure reluctant Senate Democrats, including Manchin and Sinema, to support a one-time change in filibuster rules so that a simple majority would be able to pass voting-rights legislation that is a Democratic priority. He said Republicans weaponized and abused the filibuster power.

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5. Doesnt a filibuster already last only as long as a senator keeps talking?

Thats a myth that can be traced to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, the 1939 film in which Jimmy Stewarts character filibusters to heroic effect. In reality, the filibuster has often been deployed to frustrate majority rule, or simply to rally supporters, as when Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina stood on the floor for 24 hours and 18 minutes in 1957 in an unsuccessful bid to stop a civil rights bill. Under the idea floated by Biden, Manchin and others, filibusters would more closely resemble Mr. Smith -- the vote would be delayed only so long as a bills opponents actively held the floor.

6. Can any bills make it around the filibuster?

Yes, but not many and its not easy. In 1974, the Senate adopted a procedure known as reconciliation that allows for expedited consideration of legislation related to spending, taxing and the federal debt limit. Under reconciliation, a simple majority is all thats required for passage. But the process has limits: The Byrd rule -- named for Robert Byrd, a Democratic senator who represented West Virginia for 51 years -- requires that all provisions in a reconciliation bill have an impact on federal revenue, spending and deficits, and that no extraneous provisions are included. That forced Democrats to drop Bidens proposal for a national $15 an hour minimum wage from the virus-relief package. Republicans used reconciliation to pass tax cuts in 2001, 2003 and 2017, and the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, achieved final passage only by using reconciliation. Democrats fear that priorities like measures on voting rights or immigration would not qualify for reconciliation.

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This weeks lawsuit against 16 top colleges and universities accuses the schools of gaming their federal antitrust exemption in order to admit more wealthy students. Maybe the charges are frivolous. But even if the allegations turn out to have merit, the reason might be that admitting a certain number of rich kids is necessary for sustaining higher education.

The antitrust exemption largely tracks a 1991 agreement that settled earlier charges by the Department of Justice  in that case, that highly selective schools were colluding in, rather than competing on, their awards of financial aid. The law, which will expire this year unless Congress extends it, allows college to use a common financial aid application and common principles in analyzing the information as long as all students admitted are admitted on a need-blind basis. The same law prohibits schools from sharing information about the amount or terms of any prospective financial aid award to a specific individual. At least in theory, schools unable to share information will use financial aid packages to compete for desirable students of moderate means.

The new lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Illinois, alleges that the defendants admit some applicants based on factors that arent need-blind  thus violating the exemptions requirement that all students be judged by the same factors. According to the complaint, some of the schools reduce the number of low-income students admitted in order to balance their budgets; and some use financial need as a criterion for admitting from the wait list. If these charges are true, the defendants might be in trouble.

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More intriguing is the allegation that some of the schools give an admission preference to the children of those whove given money before or who they hope will give money in the future. Here, at least, it might be worth broadening the exemption, because some sort of a preference for a limited number of children of wealth makes sense. After all, at the typical private college or university, the capital budget may be funded by gifts, but 90% or more of the operating budget comes from tuition and fees. To put the matter crassly, that money has to come from somewhere.

Take a quick look at the math. At the typical highly selective school, its not unusual for 45% of the students pay full tuition and for 55% percent to receive financial aid. That means that if, for example, the average student on financial aid pays 25% of the cost and receives aid for 75%, the 45% who pay full freight must pay 90% of their own instruction costs plus 67.5% (thats 90% of 75%) of the expense of educating others.

Applicants for need-based financial aid packages are required to divulge significant information about both their own finances and, in most cases, the finances of their families. This process enables the schools to engage in price discrimination by charging students different amounts for the same educational services depending on their ability to pay. This is in general considered a feature of higher education, not a bug. But note what happens: Those who pay the full price for tuition, room, and board in effect subsidize those who dont. Whether or not schools are allowed to consider wealth explicitly, this system over time will shift more and more of the costs of higher education to wealthier families.

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So why not let colleges do directly what theyre in any case bound to do indirectly? Consider the leg up in admission to the children of alumni. Sometimes the advantages are quite high. At Harvard, for example, which admits just under 6% of applicants, an astonishing 30% of the so-called legacy applicants are admitted. A preference for the children of alumni also reduces the number of minority students admitted. In an era increasingly concerned about inequality, legacy preferences have become an understandable object of consternation, and some selective colleges have dumped them.

But most schools retain the programs, for a simple reason: They raise money. A college sacrifices a degree of academic quality now to preserve or improve its selectivity in the future. The research suggests that legacy admission programs do what theyre supposed to do: Well-to-do alumni increase giving to their alma maters when their children, children-in-law, nieces, or nephews attend.

Then there are binding-early-decision programs, under which an applicant files by an autumn deadline and, in return for a swift answer, promises to attend if admitted. Critics have long noted that children of privilege are by far the most likely to apply under the programs. Colleges can game the rules by using these programs as proxies for ability to pay, and its possible that they do: The academic literature suggests that the mere existence of the early-decision option at a selective school reduces the chance that a well-qualified student from a low-income household will gain admission. It also tends to reduce the overall quality of the entering class and may harm diversity, favoring White applicants at the expense of Hispanic and Asian American applicants. But schools indulge the programs anyway, and one of the reasons is almost certainly because they raise money.

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So lets be explicit. Tweak the antitrust exemption to allow the schools to reserve a small number of slots for the children of wealth. By allowing colleges to consider wealth in awarding, say, 10% of the available slots, wed let them be honest about using admissions in part to raise money, and progress toward equality might actually be improved: Rich families would be subsidizing education of children from moderate backgrounds. We just wouldnt be shy about saying so.

You might object that 10% is a lot smaller than 45%, and youd be right. But some of those well-to-do students would meet the admission standards anyway, and others will get in through early decision. The sheer number of rich kids might wind up being smaller, but what colleges cant afford to do is eliminate entirely the preferences that benefit them  not unless they plan to cut their budgets and raise tuition.

And somehow I dont think thats the outcome the litigants want.

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Stephen L. Carter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of law at Yale University and was a clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. His novels include The Emperor of Ocean Park, and his latest nonfiction book is Invisible: The Forgotten Story of the Black Woman Lawyer Who Took Down Americas Most Powerful Mobster.

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Context is everything, as was demonstrated this week by ABC News and the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rochelle Walensky. Walensky suffered a nasty case of backlash after ABCs Good Morning America aired an edited clip of her interview on Friday, discussing the pandemic and the fast-spreading omicron variant.

In the clip, host Cecilia Vega referred vaguely to encouraging headlines and a new study, then asked the CDC director: Is it time to start rethinking how were living with this virus  that its potentially here to stay?

Walensky appeared to cheerfully reply that those dying of covid-19 were mostly people with preexisting medical problems: The overwhelming number of deaths  over 75 percent  occurred in people who had at least four comorbidities. So really, these are people who were unwell to begin with. And yes: really encouraging news in the context of omicron.

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Outrage followed. Many deemed the CDC director callous, prompting a hashtag, #MyDisabledLifeIsWorthy. People opposed to mask and vaccine mandates used the quote to justify a raft of baseless claims, such as that mandates are ineffective at slowing the spread of the coronavirus, or that pandemic death tolls have been inflated by people dying from other causes. By Monday, the Republican National Committee was sharing the clip on its War Room channel on YouTube.

But it turns out that ABCs editing distorted what Walensky really said.

This week ABC replaced its clips online with a longer, unedited version of Walenskys interview. In that one, the CDC director prefaces her reply to Vega by touting a really important study of 1.2 million vaccinated people, which found that only a minuscule fraction of them  0.003 percent  died of covid-19. Of the small number who did die, she noted, most of them had underlying health conditions.

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That was the encouraging news Walensky was referring to: that vaccinations protect the vast majority of people. ABCs original cuts made it sound as if the CDC director was happy that most deaths were occurring among people who were in poor health anyway.

Walensky and CDC officials spent several days trying to undo the damage after Fridays broadcast.

We must protect people with comorbidities from severe #COVID19, the CDC director tweeted on Sunday. I went into medicine  HIV specifically  and public health to protect our most at-risk.

After CDC officials obtained a full version of the interview and complained to ABC this week, the network took down the misleading clips and post the fuller version with a note: This video clip has been updated to include an extended version.  A shorter version edited for time was broadcast on Friday, January 7.

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ABC spokesman Van Scott declined further comment on Wednesday.

News organizations regularly edit interviews to fit time and space constraints, but the process can be fraught. Improper editing can distort, confuse or even present the opposite of what an interview subject said or intended to say. The Society of Professional Journalists, in its code of ethics, cautions news organizations to provide context. It states, Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.

Conservative politicians and media figures, including Fox Newss Tucker Carlson, criticized ABC in August for the way it edited anchor George Stephanopouloss interview with President Biden. The broadcast portion of the interview cut several gaffes made by Biden, such as that his late son Beau had served in Afghanistan (he had actually served in Iraq, a mistake Biden quickly corrected), prompting claims that ABC was attempting to boost Bidens image. The network posted a full transcript of the interview online.

In 2019, ABC showed video on World News Tonight and GMA that purported to show violence in Syria. In fact, the footage had been recorded on a gun range in Kentucky. ABC said it broadcast the footage in error and deleted social media posts of it but did not explain how the mistake came about.

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The ex-girlfriend of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) appeared Wednesday before a federal grand jury investigating the congressman for possible sex trafficking of a minor, according to a person familiar with a matter, a signal that the probe remains active more than a year after it began. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight CNN and NBC News both spotted the woman and her attorney entering the federal courthouse in Orlando. A person familiar with the matter, who spoke to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, confirmed she was there as part of the Gaetz investigation.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment. Timothy Jansen, a lawyer for the woman, confirmed to The Post that he and a client were at the federal courthouse in Orlando but declined to comment further.

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Isabelle Kirshner, a lawyer for Gaetz, said: We have seen no credible basis for a charge against Congressman Gaetz. We remain steadfast in our commitment to challenge any allegations with the facts and law.

Gaetz has been under investigation for possible sex trafficking since late 2020, during the final months of President Donald Trumps administration, and he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Investigators are exploring whether he paid for sex in violation of federal sex-trafficking laws, and have been particularly interested in his dealings with a 17-year-old girl, people familiar with the matter have said.

Gaetz has denied ever paying for sex or having been sexually involved with a 17-year-old as an adult.

The appearance of his ex-girlfriend before a federal grand jury is a potentially ominous sign for the congressman, as she could provide insight into his personal life and dealings with women. It is unclear, though, what she has told the grand jury, whose proceedings are held out of public view.

The ex-girlfriend was among several women on a trip Gaetz allegedly took to the Bahamas in 2018 that has been of interest to criminal investigators. The 17-year-old at issue in the investigation was also on that trip, though she was an adult at that time, people familiar with the matter have said.

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Prosecutors have seemed to be lining up possible witnesses who could testify against Gaetz. In May, a Florida politician who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and a host of other crimes and agreed to cooperate fully with prosecutors. It was in exploring that politicians conduct that investigators came upon evidence potentially implicating Gaetz in sex trafficking, people familiar with the matter have said.

The minor at issue in that politicians case is the same person who is at the center of the Gaetz investigation, people familiar with the matter have said.

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Tokyo has expressed a protest to Pyongyang through a diplomatic channel over the January 11 missile launch, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told the media on Wednesday, Tass informs.

January 12, 2022, 17:15 Japan expresses protest to North Korea over missile launch

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: Kishi said that according to Japans own estimates the missile rose to an altitude of about 50 kilometers and reached a maximum speed of M10 (more than 12,000 kilometers per hour). South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff earlier published similar data.

The Japanese Cabinets Chief Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno acknowledged a considerable growth in the level of North Koreas missile technologies, adding that this would require extra measures to strengthen Japans defenses.

Earlier, the Korean Central News Agency said that on January 11, North Korea carried out a successful test of a hypersonic missile in the presence of the countrys leader Kim Jong-un. The missile flew 1,000 kilometers to hit the designated target. The KCNA report stressed that the purpose of the test was to verify the technical parameters of a newly-developed hypersonic weapon. According to the Japanese and South Korean military, Pyongyangs missile splashed down outside Japans exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan.
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NEW YORK  A lawsuit brought against Britains Prince Andrew by a woman who says she was trafficked to him by Jeffrey Epstein can go forward, a judge ruled Wednesday, after concluding that a settlement agreement the woman signed in 2009 does not unequivocally free the royal from liability.

Andrews defense team argued that the agreement Virginia Giuffre signed as she settled with Epstein for $500,000 shielded the prince and anyone else she might sue in connection to her claims against Epstein, a wealthy and well-connected financier who died by suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking in 2019.

U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan said the agreement was not so clear.

In a 46-page decision, Kaplan wrote that the only factor he had to consider in deciding the princes motion to dismiss was whether the agreement could be interpreted in multiple ways. Kaplan wrote that it is not open to the Court now to decide, as a matter of fact, just what the parties to the release in the 2009 settlement agreement signed by Ms. Giuffre and Mr. Epstein actually meant.

Kaplan said he had to adhere to Florida law governing the princes dismissal motion, because that is the state where Giuffres lawsuit and settlement with Epstein were handled. The controlling interpretation . . . must await further proceedings, he wrote, adding that the intentions of Ms. Giuffre and Epstein are anything but clear here, at least at this stage.

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As a matter of Florida law, this Court cannot rewrite the 2009 Agreement to give the defendant rights where the agreement does not clearly manifest an intent to create them, the decision says.

An attorney for the prince, who has vehemently denied the allegations in the lawsuit, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Andrew, 61, has not been criminally charged.

In the lawsuit, Giuffre claims that the prince sexually abused in her in multiple encounters, causing lasting trauma and other personal harm. She seeks unspecified monetary damages. Giuffres attorney David Boies said her team is obviously pleased with the decision and that evidence will now be taken under oath.

Should the lawsuit proceed to a trial, it could put Andrew in a position of hearing uncomfortable public testimony about his connection to Epstein and his alleged encounters with Giuffre, both in New York and Britain.

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The proceedings could serve as a further source of embarrassment for Britians royal family, while also expanding public scrutiny and awareness of one of the celebrities allegedly involved in Epsteins lavish, sex-focused parties.

Giuffre came into Epsteins orbit as a teenager, allegedly recruited by his longtime companion Ghislaine Maxwell, 60, who was convicted late last month on sex-trafficking and other counts in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

Maxwells conviction may be in jeopardy, however, after a juror in the case disclosed in media interviews that he was sexually abused as a child and used his experience to help convince other jurors that Maxwells accusers were credible. Motions on that issue are expected later this month.

Asked about the ruling in the Prince Andrew lawsuit on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said, We would not comment on what is an ongoing legal matter.

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Analysts said that Andrew could fight the lawsuit at trial or ignore the case, which would mean a ruling against him. He may also seek an out-of-court settlement.

The case threatens to overshadow Queen Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee  a celebration of the queens unprecedented 70 years on the throne. Earlier this week, the palace announced a full lineup of celebratory events that will take place throughout the year.

Andrew stepped back from public life in 2019 after an interview on BBCs Newsnight, which was described as nuclear explosion level bad.

Karla Adam in London contributed to this report.

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When five members of an Islamist militant group piled into a tan Toyota Land Cruiser and drove across a remote stretch of central Mali in mid-October  they werent alone. Above them was a MQ-9 Reaper drone equipped with technology to collect information on the passengers and cross-reference it to a terrorism database.

The drone, operated by the U.S. military, identified one of the passengers as an explosives expert for an al-Qaeda affiliate operating on Malis border with Burkina Faso.

The next day, a French military unit engaged the pickup, first trying to pull it over and then launching two airstrikes that destroyed the vehicle, killing everyone in it.

The operation, described to The Washington Post by French military officials and confirmed by U.S. officials, is hailed by Paris as a model for U.S.-French counterterrorism cooperation at a time when Islamist groups are proliferating across Africas Sahel region, a vast and dry stretch of land south of the Sahara Desert.

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The Biden administration appears to agree, despite criticism from analysts that terrorist attacks and violent incidents have only increased since France began its military campaign in the region eight years ago.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin informed his French counterpart in the fall that the United States would continue to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to the French mission using Washingtons advanced drone and satellite technology. The United States also said it would assist France with air refueling, medical evacuations and other logistical support.

The Biden administrations decision followed one of the most rancorous public spats in U.S.-French relations in recent memory. In September, Paris recalled its ambassador from Washington for the first time in history after the United States secretly negotiated a deal to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. The U.S. agreement effectively sank a French contract worth billions to sell diesel-powered submarines to Australia. Frances foreign minister called the maneuver a stab in the back.

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Scrambling to end the dispute, the White House turned to U.S. intelligence support in the Sahel, then under review by the Pentagon and National Security Council, and decided to reinforce the effort rather than scale it back.

France has an historic presence in the region, Cynthia King, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said in a statement last week. The U.S. supports French efforts in the region as our interests addressing significant terrorist threats align.

The episode demonstrates the Biden administrations sensitivity to accusations of mishandling relations with a key ally  an attack President Biden frequently leveled at his predecessor Donald Trump, especially regarding NATO. It also underscores how a diplomatic row in one part of the world can influence U.S. policy in another.

Because we screwed the pooch on the submarine deal, we were looking for a way into Frances good graces, said Cameron Hudson, an Africa scholar at the Atlantic Council.

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Bidens decision to recommit short-circuited an interagency process to fundamentally rethink U.S. involvement in the Sahel, he added. They were reviewing whether to move away from a securitized strategy to a more development- and government-based strategy.

A senior U.S. official acknowledged that Washington wants to see reforms in Pariss approach to the Sahel mission. But the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive policy matters, said the White House based its decision on the shared goal of violence-reduction and a promise from the French to put a greater focus on governance and development issues.

A debate over how the United States should support Frances efforts in Africa has been going on since Paris launched its military intervention in the Sahel in 2013 at the request of the Malian government. At the time, France sent troops to oust Islamist militants from towns they had seized across northern Mali. The French mission eventually morphed into Operation Barkhane, a 5,000-strong deployment of French troops to Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and other neighboring countries where the militants posed a threat.

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Despite the French intervention, radical groups continued to mount attacks against government forces across the region as well as carry out deadly assaults on civilians.

By the time Biden came into office, the outlook in the Sahel looked bleak. Hundreds were dying in a spate of massacres along the border of Niger and Mali.

French public support for the mission, which was widely popular at first, was beginning to slip. And in the summer, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a decision to withdraw more than 2,000 troops by early 2022 and reorient the French presence toward military training and bolstering the democratic institutions of partner countries.

France doesnt have the vocation or the will to stay eternally in the Sahel, said Macron. We are there because were asked to be.

Supporters of the U.S.-French collaboration acknowledge past setbacks but say the collaboration harnesses Frances knowledge of its former colonies and doesnt require the United States to send ground troops.

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Cutting off the French is not in the U.S. interest, said Michael Shurkin, a former CIA analyst and director at 14 North Strategies, a research firm. Frances strategy in the Sahel is failing because of the disinterest and inability of Malian leaders to do all they need to do. We can fret but have no better ideas than the French, and, frankly, we have very little leverage with local leaders.

Critics of the French approach say the emphasis on tracking and killing terrorists is radicalizing the local population, creating more militants and more supporters of violent Islamist groups.

The intervention is objectively a failure, said Alioune Tine, an independent human rights expert for the United Nations and founder of the AfrikaJom Center think tank. Far from defeating or weakening the terrorist attacks or wiping them out, we have unfortunately witnessed their reinforcement and their extension. Today, the threat extends to coastal countries, to Cote dIvoire, Benin, Togo, Ghana and even Senegal.

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Although governments in the Sahel sought Frances military help, some Africans see the French presence as a vestige of French colonial rule and believe international assistance would be better directed at improving government services and investing in schools and hospitals.

The failure of the armed intervention in the Sahel has had perverse effects on Malian and African opinion, which is hostile to France, and has fostered anti-French sentiment among young people, Tine said.

What is not in dispute is the value France places on its support from the United States.

Brig. Gen. Cyril Carcy, the defense attache at the French Embassy in Washington, said the assistance the United States provides to France is paramount.

He pointed to Frances killing of Islamist militants in the Toyota Land Cruiser in mid-October. The key target in the strike was Nasser al-Tergui, a senior member of Katiba Serma, an al-Qaeda affiliate responsible for numerous attacks on government troops, civilians and U.N. workers in the Sahel. Before the strike, French forces provided U.S. counterparts with intelligence on Terguis pattern of life and area of operation.

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Using that information, U.S. drones were able to locate Tergui, and officials were then able to cross-check the images and phone data they collected, Carcy said. French officials subsequently confirmed the identity of Tergui and his fellow passengers in the pickup using human sources.

U.S. military personnel then provided targeting guidance to the French in their air assault on the vehicle.

When we have the U.S. drone, it is definitely much easier, Carcy said.

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Two months after President Biden said migrant families separated at the border under the Trump administration deserve compensation, his administrations lawyers are arguing in federal court that they are not in fact entitled to financial damages and their cases should be dismissed. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The Justice Department outlined its position in the governments first court filings since settlement negotiations that could have awarded the families hundreds of thousands of dollars broke down in mid-December.

Government lawyers emphasized in the court documents that they do not condone the Trump administrations policy of separating the children of undocumented migrants from their parents. But they said the U.S. government has a good deal of leeway when it comes to managing immigration and is immune from such legal challenges.

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President Biden promised a more humane approach to U.S. immigration policy, but his administration has already faced two crises on the U.S.-Mexico border. (Video: Drea Cornejo/The Washington Post)

At issue in this case is whether adults who entered the country without authorization can challenge the federal governments enforcement of federal immigration laws under federal tort claims laws, the Justice Department said in a Jan. 7 brief in a lawsuit in Pennsylvania. They cannot.

The legal strategy reflects the Biden administrations awkward position as it shifts from championing the migrant families politically to fighting them in court. Migrant families have filed approximately 20 lawsuits and hundreds of administrative claims seeking compensation for the emotional and sometimes physical abuse they allege they suffered during the separations.

The motions to dismiss the cases were filed in a pair of lawsuits in Pennsylvania and California. Lawyers for the families said they expect the Justice Department to take a similar stance in other cases.

The moment they said they were going to back away from settlement negotiations, this is where they were headed, said Conchita Cruz, co-executive director of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, which is representing migrants in similar lawsuits. If the government wants to actually win these cases, then they do have to argue that the families arent eligible. Thats what is so shocking.

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Bree Bernwanger, a senior attorney at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, who is representing three families in the Northern California case, said the Justice Departments efforts to dismiss their lawsuit is incredibly hypocritical.

Theyve come to court making fundamentally the same legal arguments as [President Donald] Trump, she said in an interview.

The White House referred questions on the legal filings to the Justice Department, which declined to comment.

But while immigrant advocates and liberals are likely to be furious at the administrations position in court, some Democrats say privately that it has a political upside. The image of the administration fighting against the large payments, they say, could blunt GOP arguments that the administration is too soft on immigration.

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The Trump administration separated more than 5,500 children from their parents at the border in an effort to deter mass migration and punish families that crossed into the United States, according to government figures. Trump officials also defended the government against the migrants lawsuits and fought unsuccessfully to dismiss two of the cases in Arizona.

Biden, in contrast, blasted the family separations on the campaign trail, declared the separations a human tragedy after taking office and created a task force to reunite families that remain apart. The family separation policy was widely unpopular, and Bidens sharp criticism of it was a central way he sought to distinguish his immigration policy  and his administrations worldview  from Trumps.

Once he became president, Bidens Justice Department negotiated with the families lawyers for eight months in an effort to settle the families legal claims. But talks stalled last month after the Wall Street Journal reported that the government was in talks to pay individuals as much as $450,000 each.

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Republicans quickly expressed outrage, saying people who crossed the border illegally should not be receiving such hefty payments at taxpayers expense. Biden himself initially dismissed the Journal report as garbage, but he later said he was referring only to the size of the prospective payments  and that he thought the families deserve compensation for the suffering they endured.

If in fact, because of the outrageous behavior of the last administration, you were coming across the border, whether it was legal or illegal, and you lost your child  you lost your child  its gone  you deserve some kind of compensation, no matter what the circumstance, Biden said in November. What that will be, I have no idea.

But that leaves the administration at a precarious crossroads between political pressures and legal realities. While talks broke down amid an outcry over the potential size of the payments, courts could hand down even bigger damage awards, and once in court the administration faces pressure to use all the legal tactics at its disposal.

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Most of the migrants lawsuits had been on hold during the eight months of negotiations, as lawyers for both sides initially said they were making progress toward a settlement.

But now the two sides have returned to a fully adversarial posture. So were back alive, Judge Edward G. Smith told the lawyers in the Pennsylvania case Thursday.

Justice Department attorney Veronica Finkelstein told the judge that both sides had been getting to a place where there might be a framework agreed upon when there just became a complete impasse.

We certainly remain open to further settlement negotiations in the future, she said.

No such talks seem imminent, however. The government said in its motions to dismiss the lawsuits that the migrants claims are not compensable.

The legal dispute centers on whether the migrants can sue the government, mainly under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

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Congress can create exceptions for individuals to sue the government for specific reasons, but it did not do so in this case, the Justice Department says.

Government lawyers wrote that the families cannot prevail against the government even if the family separation policy was a bad one that had profoundly negative effects.

The government does not defend the merits of the policies at issue in this case, which have now been repudiated, Justice Department lawyers said in a filing in the California case.

One client, identified by the pseudonym Erendira C.M. to protect her privacy, said she was separated from her then-6-year-old daughter in 2018 after fleeing Guatemala to seek asylum in the United States. Erendira said she met with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in August and that he told us that it was his job to support us after what we suffered.

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I feel betrayed and deeply sad now that theyre fighting us in court, she said in a statement released by her lawyers.

The Department of Homeland Security referred questions to Justice, which is handling the litigation under Attorney General Merrick Garland.

DHS spokeswoman Liza Acevedo said the agency is working to reunite families who remain separated, regardless of what happens with the lawsuits. Officials also have provided families with counseling, humanitarian parole to stay in the United States for three years, and permission to work legally, she said.

If the cases are not dismissed, the Justice Department has asked the judges to transfer the cases to the border states where the migrants crossed into the United States. Lawyers for the families oppose the move, saying those courts are far from where the migrants live now.

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When President Biden and Vice President Harris delivered speeches billed as major voting rights addresses Tuesday in Atlanta, most of Georgias top voting rights activists were missing in action. Gubernatorial candidate and voting rights leader Stacey Abramss office said she had a scheduling conflict, but several other prominent activists boycotted the event in protest of Bidens lack of action on the issue.

For many in this new voting rights movement, Bidens speech amounted to politics as usual in the face of an onslaught of voting restrictions being passed by Republican lawmakers across the country that they say, together, pose an existential threat to Americas multiracial democracy. Since the 2020 election, and former president Donald Trumps unfounded claims of widespread election fraud, 19 states have passed 34 laws enacting new restrictions on voting.

President Biden, while speaking in Atlanta on Jan. 11, endorsed changing the Senate filibuster rule to ease passage of voting rights bills. (Video: The Washington Post)

The time for pretty speeches has passed, said Nse Ufot, chief executive of the New Georgia Project, one of the states largest voter engagement groups and one that was seen as key to Democrats winning the state for Biden and both Senate seats in 2020. Ufot said that instead of another speech about how past generations reached across the political aisle to secure voting rights for Black Americans, whats needed from Biden now is a viable strategy for protecting those rights.



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What we need is a plan, Ufot said. What we need are marching orders. How are we headed into the midterms? What posture will we have to adopt? And is it worth it to continue to seek federal protections for voting rights? Or do we need to acknowledge that the Republican crime caucus is so effective . . . that theres nothing that our president and vice president or Democrats in the Senate can do and we just need to focus on turnout?

More than a half-dozen groups that registered and mobilized millions of voters in advance of the 2020 election opted to boycott Bidens speech, saying the president had not done enough to advance matters of racial equity, particularly voting rights. Some demonstrated near the campus of Clark Atlanta University. Others opted to live-tweet criticism or air their opinions on social media. Still others just did whatever they would normally do on a Tuesday afternoon. The absence of these groups is an ominous sign for the president, raising the question of whether he can again mobilize Black voters ahead of the crucial midterm elections.

In a speech heavy on symbolism and history, Biden pledged to work to change Senate filibuster rules and pass a package of voter rights bills that advocates say is essential for protecting the rights of voters of color. He painted this moment as an inflection point for American democracy and a critical test in whether the country will live up to its promises of creating a democracy that works for all Americans.

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I ask every elected official in America: Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King, or George Wallace? Biden said in Atlanta. Do you want to be on the side of John Lewis, or Bull Connor?

As he often does, Biden talked about his own legislative history and his ability as a senator to work with lawmakers across the aisle to pass legislation. He pointed specifically to how he was able to get staunch segregationist Strom Thurmond to sign on to the renewal of the Voting Rights Act. He said Tuesdays speech was a part of his campaign to corral votes for these new voting rights measures.

Ive been having these quiet conversations with members of Congress for the last two months. Im tired of being quiet, he said in the speech.

The main obstacles to the passage of voting rights legislation are Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.), but Biden refrained from singling either out in the speech in Atlanta.

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To many activists, Biden hasnt expended the same political capital on voting rights as he did on other major campaign promises such as the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in the fall.

I dont think theyre up there twiddling their thumbs and not taking it seriously, said Aimy Steele, executive director of the New North Carolina Project. But the same way theyve negotiated with Manchin on other bills, the infrastructure bill being the most prominent one, is the same way they need to negotiate to figure out what we can do to get some of these things passed like the Voting Rights Act, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed. They need to demonstrate to our community that they are taking our issues seriously.

Not all Black activists have such a harsh view of Bidens first year in office.

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I do not want to discount what has been accomplished because its all essential and its all necessary, said Erika Seth Davies, executive director of Rhia Ventures, a social impact company focused on reproductive health and maternity care, who lauds the passage of a bill aimed at Black maternal health. But I do know Black women still need to see some transformational change.

LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, another voting rights organization that skipped Tuesdays event, said there seems to be an inability for White Americans to grasp what is happening.



Theres a tendency in this country for people, particularly in White America, to escape behind American exceptionalism and not to actually deal with what really what is real right in front of our faces, Brown said. Its the same thing that led to the Trump presidency. I think its the same thing that led to January 6, and as bad as that was, America is approaching that like it was just one of those freak accidents that happened, because there is a lack of understanding of where we are.

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This isnt about partisan politics. This is literally the dismantling of the infrastructure that undergirds democracy, Brown said.

Many activists take Bidens failure to enact voting rights legislation personally. They spent much of 2020 getting out the vote in the communities of color that propelled the president to victory in key states such as Georgia and Pennsylvania, only for their concerns to take a back seat after the election.

There are many of us who have been arrested, Ufot said. Several of us who have been subjected to death threats. Pictures of my mamas house were on Parler before it got shut down, encouraging white supremacists to visit harm on me and my family. And so Ive lost basically two years of my life.

cleve.wootson@washpost.com

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A top Biden administration health official delivered a stark assessment on the state of the pandemic Tuesday: Most people are going to get covid. The remark from Janet Woodcock, acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, came during a Senate hearing where lawmakers of both parties delivered withering critiques that conveyed the frustration, exhaustion and uncertainty felt by many around the country as the pandemic enters its third year.

It also came on a day of record hospitalizations in the United States as some public health experts press for a revamped strategy to the White Houses pandemic response  one that focuses on living with the virus, while working to stem its surges. Last week, six former health advisers to President Bidens transition team released journal articles outlining a strategy for a new normal.

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Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, warned lawmakers during a hearing of what lies ahead in the coronavirus pandemic. (Video: The Washington Post)

I think its hard to process whats actually happening right now, which is: Most people are going to get covid, all right? Woodcock said in response to questioning from Sen. Mike Braun during Tuesdays Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing.

Woodcock recommended staying the course until the omicron variant wave wanes.

What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function  transportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens. I think after that will be a good time to reassess how were approaching this pandemic, she said.

Braun, a Republican from Indiana, had pushed Woodcock on whether the federal government needs to change its approach or reshuffle its leadership, similar to how a private company might fire its CEO for not delivering results.

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He said he saw no signs of that and accused the Biden administration of doubling down on what now for two years has arguably not gotten us in a place where we feel better about it, where were not drowning in anxiety.

The grilling of Biden health officials in a nearly four-hour hearing occurred as the United States surpassed its previous record for coronavirus hospitalizations, with nearly 146,000 patients crowding the nations hospitals and covid deaths averaging around 1,640 to 1,650 a day, up from an average of 1,048 on Dec. 1.

In their first appearance before Congress since the omicron variant began its U.S. rampage, federal health officials faced tough questions about confusing federal guidance about what people should do to avoid spreading the virus and frustration over the scarcity of at-home rapid tests.

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The committees chair, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), emphasized the uncertainty that many Americans feel in the face of a constantly mutating virus.

Nearly two years into this pandemic, people are exhausted after all we have been through, Murray said. People back in my home state of Washington and across the country are frustrated and worried about the course of this pandemic and its persistent challenges, like how hard it still is to get a test.

Panel members of both parties said they are anxiously awaiting details on Bidens plan to send 500 million free, at-home rapid tests to Americans.

The administration will begin shipping those tests at the end of this month, said Dawn OConnell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response for the Health and Human Services Department. She said the administration has completed four contracts so far, procured 50 million tests and is in the process of securing the additional tests over the next several days.

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R- Alaska) said: It says a lot about 2021 when the most appreciated gift under the Christmas tree in our family was covid kits for everybody. Im still getting thank yous for those.

The Washington Post previously reported that a group of Biden health agency officials approached the White House last spring, urging it to purchase millions of the rapid tests, according to five senior administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal discussions. They warned that without doing so, the kits would remain hard to find and exorbitantly priced.

But White House officials never followed up on the proposal amid signs that the pandemic was in retreat. Back then, they were focused on vaccination as the path forward and believed that breakthrough infections were rare in vaccinated people  a notion that the delta variant would turn on its head. Administration officials also thought the price of the tests was too high and feared such a purchase would lock other manufacturers out of the market.

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Senators on Tuesday also voiced confusion over the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions latest guidance that shortened the length of time that infected people without symptoms or those with resolving symptoms need to isolate from other people. The guidance  which was announced late last month and updated last week  opened a floodgate of criticism from some public health experts who questioned why the agency did not recommend a negative coronavirus test result before people come out of isolation.

Officials were also asked about the nations supply of the higher-quality N95 masks, as health officials consider recommending that people opt for N95 or KN95 masks worn by health-care personnel, instead of cloth masks, if they can do so consistently.

Experts have repeatedly urged the Biden administration to follow the lead of many countries in Europe and Asia and recommend the better-quality masks to protect against an airborne virus, and to underscore the importance of masking.

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OConnell said Tuesday the national stockpile has ample supply of such masks  747 million N95s, or more than 59 times the pre-pandemic levels. The government hopes to award more contracts to U.S. companies to manufacture 141 million masks a month at surge capacity, she said.

The most heated exchanges of the hearing came as Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) lashed out at Anthony S. Fauci, Bidens chief medical adviser on the coronavirus. Marshall falsely claimed Fauci is not making available his annual financial disclosure form as a member of the federal government, accusing the Big Tech giants of doing an incredible job of keeping it from being public.

An incredulous Fauci replied: All you have to do is ask for it. Youre so misinformed, its extraordinary.

Moments later, Fauci could be heard muttering near an open microphone, What a moron. Jesus Christ.

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After Paul falsely accused Fauci of trying to smear academics who urged the government to keep society open to promote herd immunity, Fauci shot back that Paul was raising campaign funds off such accusations that have led to threats on Faucis life.

Fauci called Pauls repeated attacks a distortion of reality and cited the arrest of a California man in Iowa last month who police said was traveling to Washington with an assault rifle and multiple magazines of ammunition. The man had a hit list including Fauci and several others, mostly Democratic politicians and officials.

What happens when [Paul] gets out and accuses me of things that are completely untrue? Fauci said. All of a sudden that kindles the crazies out there, and I have life  threats upon my life, harassment of my family and my children with obscene phone calls because people are lying about me.

You are making a catastrophic epidemic for your political gain, Fauci said.

Paul rejected the criticism, saying it was disappointing for you to suggest that people who dare to question you are responsible somehow for violent threats.

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Senior Democratic senators on Wednesday will unveil a fresh package of sanctions to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin if he invades Ukraine, an effort backed by the White House as the administration seeks to tamp down defections on a competing measure targeting Moscow set for a closely watched Senate vote this week.

The effort, led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), gives an effective off-ramp for Democrats who have publicly wavered on whether to vote in favor of a bill that would reprimand Russia over Nord Stream 2, a Russia-to-Germany natural gas pipeline that has become enmeshed in a political fight in Washington.

The vote on that bill, drafted by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), is happening only as part of a deal hammered out last month that unlocked confirmations for a slew of ambassador picks in exchange for a vote on blocking Nord Stream 2, which critics say could significantly expand Putins influence over Western Europe by making the region more reliant on Russian energy resources.

But because senators have broadly supported sanctions against Moscow in the past, it risked a potentially embarrassing defeat for the Biden administration, particularly at a time when it is engaging in sensitive diplomatic talks abroad to halt a potential invasion further into Eastern Europe.

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In a statement Wednesday, Menendez said the punishments laid out in his bill makes it absolutely clear that the U.S. Senate will not stand idly by as the Kremlin threatens a re-invasion of Ukraine.

Menendez said the legislation sends a clear message to Russia: Putin need not collapse his entire economy nor does he need to sacrifice the lives of his own people in a futile attempt to rewrite the map of Europe.

The legislation, obtained by The Washington Post in advance of its release, would impose sweeping sanctions on top Russian military and government officials, including Putin and other leaders, as well as key banking institutions, if Moscow engages in hostilities against Ukraine. It would also target companies in Russia that offer secure messaging systems such as SWIFT, which banks use to exchange key information with other financial institutions.

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It also includes provisions to help bolster Ukraines security. Calling Nord Stream 2 a tool of malign influence of the Russian Federation, the legislation encourages the United States to consider all available and appropriate measures to ensure the pipeline doesnt get up and running.

National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne told The Post that the White House supports Menendezs bill  which would trigger severe costs to Russias economy if Putin invades Ukraine  and that other measures, such as the one being pushed by Cruz, will not counter further Russian aggression or protect Ukraine.

Instead, it will undermine our efforts to deter Russia and remove leverage the United States and our allies and partners possess in this moment all to score political points at home, Horne said. And it would come at a moment where we need to be closely united with our European partners, including Germany. It makes no sense.

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Top Biden administration officials have been working behind the scenes to try to limit defections from their party on Nord Stream 2.

On Monday, two senior State Department officials  Victoria Nuland and Amos Hochstein  went to the Capitol to brief nearly a dozen Democratic senators considered to be swing votes on Cruzs Nord Stream 2 bill. The briefing, according to an official with knowledge of its planning, was organized by Democratic Sens. Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), seen as particularly influential members on Ukraine and Russia policy.

Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, has been making phone calls to senators such as Murphy on the issue, while administration officials have been working with Menendez on his alternative, according to people familiar with the matter.

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But there is still some skepticism among Democrats ahead of the vote this week. Leaving the briefing with Nuland and Hochstein on Monday night, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) told reporters that the administration has to do a better job of messaging where the flaws are in Cruzs measure.

That legislation would force the president to impose sanctions against entities overseeing the operation for Nord Stream 2 within 15 days. Cruz tweeted this week that his bill would stand up to Putin, stop Russian aggression, and support Ukraine while Democrats voting against it would put partisan loyalty to the Biden WH above US national security.

But Democrats, who have long accused Cruz of trying to interfere in the foreign policy agenda of this administration, said the circumstances have shifted, requiring a revised and a more nuanced set of punishments against Russia. A senior administration official noted that the threat of halting Nord Stream 2 is a credible piece of leverage that Germany holds over Russia at this time. The pipeline has been completed but is not yet running because it hasnt received German regulatory approval to start operations.

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We need legislation that addresses the political situation we face today in response to increasing Russian aggression  not last year or two years ago, Shaheen said as she backed the Democrats sanctions bill. The dynamics changed and so must our strategy. That is what this bill would do.

The vote on Cruzs bill, which must be held by Friday, will determine how successful senior Democrats and administration officials were in addressing concerns from Tester and other wavering Democratic senators.

Senior Democratic and GOP officials have believed the final tally this week could swing wildly, depending on what the White House does and what alternative policies emerge. Nearly all Republicans are expected to vote in favor of the Nord Stream vote this week, with the exception of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has generally opposed sanctions in the past.

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Further complicating matters for Democrats Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has personally waded into the issue, urging passage of Cruzs measure in a message to a Senate where support for Ukraine and its sovereignty is overwhelming.

In addition to the more moderate Democrats, a handful of liberal senators active on climate policy were seen as potential votes with Republicans because they oppose the pipeline on its merits, according to senior congressional officials closely tracking the issue.

In a committee hearing last April, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) said, If we are going to tackle climate chaos, we cannot be supporting expansion, massive expansion of national natural gas infrastructure around the world as senators debated legislation meant to halt construction of Nord Stream 2. A spokesman for Merkley said Tuesday that the senator was still undecided on how to vote this week.

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The Democrats bill is not on track for a vote this week, unlike the Cruz bill, according to a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). But nearly two dozen Senate Democrats have endorsed it, including Schumer, Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (Ill.) and several others who had stressed in recent days they were undecided on how to vote this week.

One Democrat who had been viewed as a potential vote in favor of Cruzs bill  Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.)  has also endorsed Menendezs legislation and opposes the Republican measure, according to his spokeswoman.

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A stop road sign is seen next to skyscrapers at the Moscow International business center. (Reuters)

Experts anticipated a Moscow-led cyber assault; instead unprecedented attacks by hacktivists and criminals have wreaked havoc in Russia.
George F. Ireland, Capt. USCG, (Ret.)

1938-2022

George F. Ireland, Capt. USCG, (Ret.), age 83, died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at home with family.

The Maritime World mourns his loss. He helped draft world shipping safety regulations in London for IMCO-Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization where he combined his knowledge of maritime safety laws and his dedication to safety.

Born in Ohio in 1938, he graduated high school in Auburn, NY where he was an Eagle Scout and enjoyed sports. He attended the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. He served in Maine, Massachusetts, Virginia, California, New Jersey, and Maryland before retiring from the Coast Guard in Rhode Island after 26 years of service, including the Vietnam War. He loved "going to sea" aboard the C.G. Cutters: "Cook Inlet," "Escanaba," and "Dallas." He is remembered by his shipmates for his leadership and genuine interest in them and their careers.

He then combined his accumulated knowledge and love of the shipping industry with people skills and education (two Master's Degrees and PE) to happily continue working self-employed for two more decades helping shipping companies prevent oil spills by inspecting their ships using his keen observation skills and knowledge.

He leaves his wife of 65 years, Judy; son, John (Marsha); granddaughters: Sarah and Samantha (Wells); grandsons: Jeffrey and Nathan.

His grandchildren and family were often guided by his words of wisdom such as "Make yourself useful," "Do one thing at a time and do it right" and often joke at meal time saying "Good and good for you!!"

He enjoyed the outdoors, birding, fixing everything, especially motocross bikes, and loved to vacation at Cayuga Lake in NY. There were several lucky pets through the years that lived a luxurious life including trips to the lake where he had a lifelong interest in rowing small boats. He loved the "pull" of the oars as they entered the water!

Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 99 Peirce St., East Greenwich. Calling hours: Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich. Burial with military honors will be Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, North Kingstown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Health (Hospice) https://www.hopehealthco.org/ways-to-give/donate or The Cornell Lab of Ornithology-birds.cornell.edu.

The family reminds guests masks be worn at the funeral home and church.
Appalachian State to open lab school at Elkin Elementary, will be only UNC System institution to operate two lab school programs
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Immigration Minister Alex Hawke holds in his hands Novak Djokovics hopes of winning a 10th Australian Open tennis title as he decides whether to allow the world no.1 to stay in the country after his visa was cancelled.

The Liberal MP last year made one of the highest-profile policy decisions of his career when he allowed the Murugappan family of asylum seekers to leave Christmas Island and instead live in community detention in Perth while their legal action played out.

Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Who is he?

Hawke has been the Liberal member for the western Sydney electorate of Mitchell since 2007. The 43-year-old grew up in the area, attending Cumberland High before taking on an arts degree at Sydney University.
Dating back to the 4th century, Christian tradition has celebrated the Christmas season for a full 40 days after Dec. 25. Those who still hold fast to this ancient custom display their lights, decorations and Nativity creche for the entirety of Christmastide; feasting and fellowship, acts of charity and gift giving extend through Feb. 2, the feast of the presentation of Jesus, or Candlemas.

Imagine celebrating Christmas for a full 40 days! Rather than watching helplessly as the Christmas spirit dies with the incoming new year, this sacred season may be preserved by continuing that Christian exertion with which we are inspired on Christmas day. We can feast and laugh and smile and sing, pray with our families, attend church services, help our neighbors and sacrifice for our friends and family. Lastly, we can keep on giving in the true spirit of Christmas.

Of course, many of the gifts exchanged in our culture are material in nature. Indeed, Christmas in the United States is a multi-billion dollar business: Approximately $843-$859 billion dollars were spent on this Christmas season alone! With such exorbitant spending, one might ponder how much of what was given was actually worth giving in the first place, and whether our children are any better off for receiving more toys, more candy, more games  often, it just feels like more rubbish.

The accumulation of commodities does very little for the substantive well-being of our children. As Jesus queried, For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? All of this is to say that perhaps we are giving our children the wrong gifts. Perhaps we ought to focus on giving that which can beautifully inspire and transform the souls of our children, a gift that will enduringly enrich their minds and their hearts, and not simply satisfy their longing for temporal and superficial goods. We can give to our children a gift with eternal and everlasting value, a gift that will give back to them for the rest of their lives. This Christmas season we can give to our children the gift of true Catholic Christian classical education.

Our family has discovered this gift in St. Albert the Great Academy and Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate right here in Auburn. These are two educational institutions committed to providing an authentic Catholic Christian education to the children of this community. They exist to support parents as the primary educators of their children in the home, attempting to reinforce Christian values while simultaneously upholding traditionally demanding academic standards. Here, a child can come to learn in an environment that is caring, warm and dedicated to the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty.

Authentic education presupposes that truth exists and that it can be known. In a devoted quest for this truth, Tyburn Academy and St. Albert the Great challenge children to engage worthwhile material and thought-provoking subject matters; the schools aim to instruct children to reason well, to form logical arguments, and to articulate these arguments with confidence and charity. This gift of authentic education teaches children that learning is a worthy endeavor in its own right and for its own sake; it awakens and develops in children a deep and lifelong love of learning.

Both Tyburn Academy and St. Albert the Great boast positive leaders at their helms, supportive and willing teachers, and many families who are committed to raising their children to be pillars of goodness, strength and integrity in our community. Perhaps this Christmas season, you will consider giving this priceless gift to your children. Alternatively, you may consider sponsoring a child in need of financial assistance. This Christmastide, we have the opportunity to offer to our children a worthy gift, a gift that will uplift, illuminate and enlighten their sweet minds and souls and form them to be adults eager for what is good and right and true and beautiful. The gift of Catholic Christian education is a gift that will give back a hundred times over.

As Jesus promised, Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or fields ... (toys or video games or other material goods) for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age ... and eternal life in the age to come.  Mark 10:29-30

Erin Nolan is a grateful mother of 10 children and, along with her husband, Mike, a strong supporter of Catholic education, with eight of their children attending St. Albert the Great Academy and Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate. Erin is also a licensed attorney and active church and school volunteer. For more information on Tyburn, an independent Catholic school recognized by the Rochester Diocese that is located at 17 Clymer St., Auburn, call (315) 252-2937 or visit tyburnacademy.com.

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How does genomic surveillance work in the US? The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention leads a consortium called the National SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance (NS3) system. It gathers around 750 SARS-CoV-2-positive samples per week from state public health labs across the US Independent of CDC efforts, commercial, university and health department laboratories sequence additional specimens. Each type of lab has its own strengths in genomic surveillance. Commercial laboratories can sequence a high number of tests, rapidly. Academic partners can provide research expertise. And public health laboratories can supply insight into local transmission dynamics and outbreaks. Regardless of the source, the sequence data is generally made publicly available and therefore contributes to genomic surveillance. What data gets tracked?

When a lab sequences a SARS-CoV-2 genome, it uploads the results to a public database that includes when and where the coronavirus specimen was collected. The open-access Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) is an example of one of these databases. Scientists launched GISAID in 2008 to provide a quick and easy way to see what influenza strains were circulating across the globe. Since then, GISAID has grown and pivoted to now provide access to SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences. The database compares a samples genetic information to all the other samples collected and shows how that particular strain has evolved. To date, more than 6.7 million SARS-CoV-2 sequences from 241 countries and territories have been uploaded to GISAID. Taken together, this patchwork of genomic surveillance data provides a picture of the current variants spreading in the US For example, on December 4, the CDC projected that Omicron accounted for 0.6 per cent of the COVID-19 cases in the US. The estimated proportion rose to 95 per cent by January 1. Surveillance gave a stark warning of how quickly this variant was becoming predominant, allowing researchers to study which countermeasures would work best.

Its important to note, however, that genomic surveillance data is often dated. The time between a patient taking a COVID-19 test and the viral genome sequence getting uploaded to GISAID can be many days or even weeks. Because of the multiple steps in the process, the median time from collection to GISAID in the US ranges from seven days (Kansas) to 27 days (Alaska). The CDC uses statistical methods to estimate variant proportions for the most recent past until the official data has come in. A sign acknowledging staff is displayed outside the Washington State Department of Healths Public Health Laboratory in Shoreline. The lab sequences COVID-19 variants. Credit:AP How many COVID-19 samples get sequenced? Earlier in 2021, the CDC and other public health laboratories were sequencing about 10,000 COVID-19 specimens per week total. Considering that hundreds of thousands of cases have been diagnosed weekly during most of the pandemic, epidemiologists considered that number to be too small a proportion to provide a complete picture of circulating strains. More recently, the CDC and public health labs have been sequencing closer to around 60,000 cases per week. 2.3% of COVID-19 cases in the US are sequenced compared to 7% in Britain, 14.8% in New Zealand and 17% in Israel.

Despite this improvement, there is still a wide gap in the percentages of COVID-19 cases sequenced from state to state, ranging from a low of 0.19 per cent in Oklahoma to a high of 10.0 per cent in North Dakota within the past 30 days. Moreover, the US overall sequences a much smaller percentage of COVID-19 cases compared to some other countries: 2.3 per cent in the US compared to the 7.0 per cent in the UK, 14.8 per cent in New Zealand and 17 per cent in Israel. Which COVID-19 tests get sequenced? Imagine if researchers collected COVID-19 tests from only one neighbourhood in an entire state. The surveillance data would be biased toward the variant circulating in that neighbourhood, since people are likely transmitting the same strain locally. The system might not even register another variant that is gaining steam in a different city. Thats why scientists aim to gather a diverse sample from across a region. Random geographically and demographically representative sampling gives researchers a good sense of the big picture in terms of which variants are predominant or diminishing.

A technician uses a pipette while preparing test samples in a COVID-19 genome sequencing laboratory at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in New Delhi, India. Credit:Bloomberg Why dont patients usually get variant results? There are a few reasons patients are generally not informed about the results if their specimen gets sequenced. First, the time lag from specimen collection to sequence results is often too long to make the information clinically useful. Many patients will have progressed far into their illness by the time their variant is identified. Second, the information is often not relevant for patient care. Treatment options are largely the same regardless of what variant has caused a COVID-19 infection. In some cases, a doctor might select the most appropriate monoclonal antibodies for treatment based on which variant a patient has, but this information can often be gleaned from faster laboratory methods.
Salisbury, MD (21801)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 69F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with showers. Low 54F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Harrison Jozefowicz quit his job as a Chicago police officer and headed overseas soon after Russia invaded Ukraine. An Army veteran, he said h
As expected, state lawmakers on Monday overwhelmingly rejected the congressional and state legislative district maps drawn by the New York Independent Redistricting Commission.

The commission, which was created following the passage of a constitutional amendment in 2014, must submit its proposals to the Legislature for review. If legislators reject the first proposal, as they did on Monday, then the commission has 15 days to submit a second set of maps. If the Legislature disapproves of those lines, then it can take control of the redistricting process and draw its own maps.

The 10-member commission could not reach a consensus on one proposal, so it submitted competing plans one from Democratic commissioners, the other from Republicans  to the Legislature for consideration.

Democratic state legislators voted against both plans. But Republicans, especially in the state Senate, supported the GOP proposal.

"It's my understanding that these two maps handed down by the IRC are the closest to a consensus that came out of that commission," state Sen. Andrew Lanza, a Staten Island Republican, said before voting in support of the plan.

Democrats panned the process and the structure of the commission. State Sen. Michael Gianaris, the deputy majority leader, noted the legislation that led to the creation of the commission was a product of an agreement negotiated, in part, by the Senate Republicans. The GOP controlled the state Senate at the time.

Gianaris, D-Queens, said the existing Democratic majority is respecting the commission's work. He added that they will consider their revised plans in the next couple of weeks.

"We are doing the best we can with the flawed process that was given to us by you," he said.

The redistricting process will determine the congressional and state legislative district lines for the next decade. New York will lose one seat in the House of Representatives, leaving it with 26 congressional districts. There are also 150 Assembly districts and 63 state Senate districts that must be redrawn.

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Free play sessions to be offered at Highlands cafe for Louisville families in NTI
Indiana lawmaker proposes bill that would grant all foster children with an attorney
Organizers of the Kentucky Bourbon Benefit auction presented Gov. Andy Beshear with a $3.4 million check at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The funds will go towards the state's Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. (Photo provided by the Kentucky Distillers' Assocication)
Jan. 12, 1997

AUBURN  Joseph Zobkiw has not forgotten his roots.

The 1986 graduate of Auburn High School is president and founder of the computer software company TripleSoft Inc. in North Carolina.

While his success continues to grow, Zobkiw still remembers his hometown.

That's why when his company decided to upgrade its computer system, the idea of donating one of the hold components to his high school sounded great.

"Our company had some old equipment they were no longer using and when I found out it was something the school could use, I offered it to them," Zobkiw said.

"Auburn is my hometown and I definitely felt some loyalty when it came to donating some equipment," he said. "It means a lot to me to help out the people who are still there."

Zobkiew said being older now, he understands more about life and the hardships teachers go through.

"Schools don't always have a lot of money for the things they need," he said. "It's a very little thing that I have done. But at the same time, if it can bring teachers closer to their students, I am more than happy to do it."

 Compiled by David Wilcox

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Rising value of vehicles may lead to property tax increase in Kentucky
Volkswagen registered sales of 70,625 of its ID electric vehicles in China.Volkswagen said factors like supply chain constraints restricted it to achieve its target sale figure.

Volkswagen AG announced that it sold about 70,625 of its ID electric vehicles in the worlds biggest automotive company last year. It had aimed to sell around 80,000 to 1,00,000 electric cars, said the company.

Volkswagen's China Chief Stephan Wollenstein stated that last year was a pretty difficult year for the company. Factors such as supply chain constraints including the ongoing global chip shortage impacted the automaker's production that kept it from attaining its ID sales goal added Wollenstein.

Volkswagen produces its ID series in joint ventures with SAIC Motor and FAW Group. The Chinese electric vehicle market was dominated by Tesla last year. Companies such as BYD, Wuling, Nio as well as Xpend also dominated a significant part of the market.

(Also read | 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 gets a host of updates, promises a longer range)

A recent report has also stated that China will cut subsidies on new energy vehicles (NEVs) such as electric vehicles by 30 per cent this year and plans to withdraw them all by the end of the year, conveyed the Finance Ministry. It also added that subsidies for NEVs for public transport will be cut by 20 per cent in 2022. The ministry also added China is going to tighten up supervision of NEV safety issues to prevent accidents.

On the other hand, Volkswagen is also gearing up to unveil its much-awaited ID.Buzz electric van on March 9. The electric van first made its appearance in 2017. This model is going to be the electric successor of the company's popular Microbus. Reportedly it has been said that the EV will come in three variants, passenger, ride pooling and ride-hailing.

(Also read | Volkswagen gives 10% salary increment to workers at US plant amid Omicron scare)

Volkswagen aims to take the ID Buzz electric bus from concept vehicle towards mass production next year. It is being suspected that it is likely to hit the international dealerships in 2023.

(With inputs from Reuters)

First Published Date:
LOS ANGELESKayden Kross has been named Global Ambassador for Pokmi/The Poken Company, a new blockchain-based decentralized streaming network and NFT marketplace for adult content creators and their fans.

The AVN Hall of Fame member, AVN Director of the Year for the past three years, and visionary behind the production house Deeper has launched her Pokmi page, as well as an exclusive NFT gallery filled with one-of-a-kind offerings.

Pokmi is the newest and most technology-forward platform on which models can monetize their brands, and I'm thrilled to be a part of something so big, Kross said. Banks have long dictated the winds of our industry, and with a cryptocurrency specializing in adult content we are no longer beholden to outdated concepts of what adult content is and what it merits.

Kross collaboration with the Paris-based platform was hailed by the seven-month old companys management.

We are extremely honoured having Kayden joining as a global ambassador for Pokmi, said company co-founders and co-CEOs Marco Garniga and Nils Lataillade. Shes always been a pioneer in the industry and perfectly embodies our values and vision. It enforces our position on the market and will show the way to all content creators 

For more information, visit Deeper.com or follow the brand on Instagram and Twitter. Kross is also on those platforms here and here.
Mickey Mouse has turned Leftist Lousedue to circumstances beyond his control, and the long love affair that Disney has enjoyed with almost every American family appears headed for the rocks. The company has chosen to go woke, and that decision could conceivably leave the entertainment gia
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
DirecTV and Dish Network have been down the merger road before, multiple times.

In every past instance, potential antitrust issues have torpedoed the deal. Now, with DirecTV once again its own entity having been spun off from AT&T, both companies are reportedly trying again to complete a move that Dish Network chief Charlie Ergen once described as inevitable.

Thats according to this report from Lydia Moynihan and Josh Kosman in the New York Post:

DirecTV and Dish Network are in fresh talks to merge after years of on-again, off-again wrangling and multiple clampdowns from federal antitrust officials, The Post has learned. The satellite-TV giants attempted a merger nearly two decades ago but the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Departments antitrust division stopped it. Two years ago, the DOJ also quietly warned executives off a prospective deal, concerned about the nascent rollout of 5G, sources said. Now, however, insiders are optimistic a Dish-DirecTV deal could pass regulatory muster as concerns about the market power of the struggling companies have waned, sources said. Some executives likewise argue that a merger could give a surprise boost to the USs troubled rollout of 5G wireless services.

Considering the recent aggressive antitrust stance taken by the federal government, it might seem like the current environment is the worst possible time for the two companies to finally try and make this happen. Ironically, though, things have gotten bad enough in terms of subscriber losses for both services that any potential deal might actually receive support from the government rather than roadblocks. Combined with recent legislation that should improve rural broadband access in the United States, this could be the right time for both companies to try.

DirecTV currently has just over 15 million customers, down from more than 25 million subscribers in 2017, according to company filings. Dish has 8.4 million subscribers, down from more than 13 million.

The broadband issue is key because in many rural areas, Americans couldnt reasonably expect to go with a streaming television package. Hulu or YouTube TV still arent options for large swaths of the country from an infrastructure perspective, and the DOJs stance was that a satellite merger could threaten competitive balance for too many people who didnt have other options. Now, with more access on the way, its possible that a merger will be seen as preserving competition rather than eliminating it, which is quite a twist:

The FCC and DOJ would likely both conclude that having one strong satellite competitor is better than none at all  and the future is not terribly bright even together but especially alone, telecom analyst Craig Moffett told The Post.

DirecTV officially being separate from AT&T again probably helps this case too. There are obviously still hurdles; the Post report mentions that Ergen is holding out for a big seat at the table at any newly combined company, for one thing. And even with a newly compelling case, theres still the chance the federal position is unchanged, or that the FCC and DOJ make a few demands along the way.

But at this point, the merger feels not just inevitable, but imminent.

[New York Post]
An emergency siren will soon warn the neighborhoods below the Museum Fire burn scar of imminent flooding.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the purchase of emergency notification sirens during its meeting Tuesday as part of the continued response to the repeated flooding of the 2019 Museum Fire burn scar that engulfed homes, businesses and city streets during the 2021 monsoon season.

The siren will serve as an additional warning for those living in the Flagstaff neighborhoods of Paradise, Grandview and Sunnyside, as well as the Mt. Elden Estates and Lockett Ranches neighborhoods in the county.

Currently, Coconino County Emergency Management uses the Rave Mobility Emergency Notification System (ENS) to alert residents of an emergency. These alerts can be sent through text messages and email, and are posted on social media. This method was utilized during the 2021 flooding of the burn scar.

The addition of an audible siren will augment the current system and bridge any possible gaps. Supervisor Patrice Horstman, who represents areas impacted by flooding, said its especially beneficial to those who may not have their cellphone with them, specifically children.

I think this is, in fact, an important tool for the health and safety -- especially for those that live in the Museum Fire flood area, Horstman said.

Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez said the need for sirens was first brought to his attention last summer. The District 2 supervisor represents much of the area most impacted by flooding below the Museum Fire scar, overwhelming storm drains and frustrating residents. Its likely an inevitable part of those neighborhoods now with the flooding expected to continue in the coming years as mitigation efforts will take some time to complete.

The quickly moving floodwaters also have the potential to be incredibly dangerous due to the large amount of debris and sediment.

We know we have the potential for future floods and that isnt going away anytime soon, Vasquez said. This is something we need for the safety of our community.

The project is expected to cost an estimated $171,518, according to a quote included in county documents The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management will pay 75% of the cost using funds set aside by the 2021 legislature.

The remaining balance  approximately $42,800  will be split between the County Flood Control District budget and the City of Flagstaff.

Deputy County Manager and Public Works Director Lucinda Andreani explained that the siren works with the current system, RAVE. The integration should prevent any missteps between the systems and refrain from creating any additional steps in the already tight notification process where seconds can make a significant difference.

A similar system is already in place in the Slide Fire burn scar in Oak Creek Canyon.

The addition of the sirens wont impact the existing monitoring process and threshold used to determine when a warning should be issued, according to Emergency Management Director Wes Dison. He added that the team is judicious when determining how to use the system, referencing a 2018 incident during which a false missile alert was mistakenly issued in Hawaii.

The warning system will offer 13 different siren sounds and a voice feature that will play the details of the emergency alert. County officials will work with the vendor, Alertus, in the coming weeks to determine the number of sirens needed and the exact placement.

The goal is to have the sirens fully installed and operational ahead of the 2022 monsoon season, Andreani said.

Reporter Bree Burkitt can be reached at 928-556-2250 or bburkitt@azdailysun.com.

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Team Assistant, New Delhi, India

Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)

Country: India

City: New Delhi

Office: WHO New Delhi, India

Grade: G-4

Closing date: Monday, 31 January 2022

Team Assistant

( 2107041 )

Grade : G4

Contractual Arrangement : Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : Two years

Job Posting: Jan 10, 2022, 7:58:34 AM

To support and collaborate with the Member States for further development and implementation of national policies and strategies which ensure equitable and universal access to quality health care through strengthening health systems

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of National Programme Officer, HSD, and broad guidance of the Director-Health Systems and Development, the incumbent provides office and secretarial support as follows: Office support

Screen and distribute incoming correspondence, attaching background information or related file and forwarding to staff concerned, highlighting issues requiring attention; draft replies to general and administrative matters; type technical reports and documents, tabular materials, etc., ensuring conformity with WHO standards; assist in preparing presentations; follow-up on deadlines to ensure timely response

Obtain documents and information from in-house and external sources and undertake information searches based on brief instructions/guidance

Maintain filing systems and ensure easy accessibility and retrieval of records

Programme support

Prepare contracts for consultants, Agreement for Performance of Work (APW), Technical Services Agreement (TSA) and General External Services requests (GES), record receipt of deliverables and initiate and monitor payments as needed

Initiate requisitions for goods procurement and record receipt of deliverables

Meetings/Duty travel

Support the organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, etc, including typing of lists of participants, preparation of travel requests, letters of invitation, files, presentations and slides, reservation of meeting rooms and hotel accommodation

Prepare travel requests for official travel, make flight and hotel reservations, prepare travel files and other related matters as requestedOther duties

Manage appointments, receive visitors and telephone calls, answering queries and\or redirecting them to appropriate staff providing background information.

Replace Executive Assistant during absences (if applicable); perform other related duties as required or instructed, including provision of support to other areas of work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary school education.

Desirable: Training in secretarial practices. University degree is an asset.

Experience

Essential: At least three (3) years experience in secretarial/clerical/administrative work

Desirable: Experience in WHO or in another UN/International organization would be an advantage.

Skills

Thorough knowledge of modern office procedures and practices. The incumbent keeps abreast of changes in procedures and practices, rules and regulations, organizational structure, in the department, and WHO.Ability to draft standard correspondence;Ability to handle work in a timely and accurate manner with tact and discretion, as required.Ability to maintain and update knowledge in the use of office technology through in-house courses, on-the-job training and/or self-training

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication c4Ik5Og Dh7qKS

Producing results

Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

REMUNERATION

WHO offers staff in the General Services category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at INR 608,064 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test may be used as a form of screening.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

For information on WHOs operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1641837045448
Williamson, WV (25661)

Today

Showers early with isolated thunderstorms arriving for the afternoon. High 88F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Spain has ruled that, as with children, divorced couples should in some cases share custody of pets, such as family cats and dogs.

The new law recognizes pets as "living, sentient beings" for the first time in civil cases, instead of being seen as mere "objects."

What does the new law in Spain mean?

European law already recognized animals as sentient beings, with rights and interests that need to be taken into account in regional administrative laws and Spain's criminal code. However, this recognition was not present in the Spanish Civil Code, which concerns property, family and obligations.

Now, lawyers in Spain have a legal basis to address certain issues, including what to do with pets in divorce cases.

Family courts must consider both the animal's welfare, as well as the family needs, when deciding who looks after the goldfish or turtle. The only exclusion in the changes are "animals placed or destined in a farm dedicated to livestock, industrial or recreational exploitation."

The legislation was drafted by the ruling Socialists party and its leftist coalition partner Podemos. It aims to end the legal wrangling that often erupts among estranged couples over who keeps pets.

It stipulates that owners must "guarantee" the pet's wellbeing and that if either spouse has a history of cruelty to animals, he or she may be refused custody of the animal.

The law, which amends Spain's civil code, mortgage law and civil procedure law, also requires courts to consider the animal's welfare when settling disputes over who inherits pets.

The law was proposed in 2017 but two general elections in 2019 delayed the approval process. The legislation was approved by all parties aside from the far-right Vox party.

What is sentience?

According to a 2013 review titled Searching for Animal Sentience: A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature, animal sentience is "the ability of animals to feel and experience emotions such as joy, pleasure, pain and fear."

It is described as "animals' capacity to feel both positive and negative states that drives the animal welfare movement and the reason why animal protection laws exist."

Spain is also in the process of introducing a new animal welfare bill, which will ban pet shops from selling animals and impose strict rules on pet care.

How is animal sentience recognized across Europe?

Spain is the latest European country to recognize animals as sentient beings, joining a group that includes France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Portugal.

The UK also introduced a new bill in May 2021 that stated vertebrate animals will be recognized as sentient beings as part of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, after pressure from 50 animal charities.

Since its introduction, octopuses, squid and lobsters, animals which were previously not put in this bracket due to their lack of backbones, have also been recognized. This review means that commercial practices such as live boiling without stunning, transporting animals in icy water, the sale of live crustaceans to untrained handlers and extreme slaughter methods will also be changed.





What has been the response to the law?

Guillermo Diaz from the center-right party Ciudadanos, was one of the backers of the law, saying: "We are the only species that recognizes the suffering of others and as such we have an obligation to prevent that suffering."

He added that up until now, "animals were not considered different from a television."

Maria Gonzalez Lacabex, from animal protection legal organization INTERcids, also said the changes were a step in the right direction: "It's a step forward and it says that in separations and divorces, the arrangement that will be applied to the animals will take into account not only the interests of the humans, but also of the animal."

One lone voice of opposition was Angel Lopez Maraver, a lawmaker for the Vox party and former president of the Spanish Hunting Federation, who described the law as "insanity, nonsense, stupidity. It humanizes animals and dehumanizes man." (Source: CGTN)
Willmar, MN (56201)

Today

Partly cloudy. High around 55F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 36F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
PLAINFIELD  Police are investigating after an SUV collided with a multi-family home early Tuesday, trapping a teenage boy beneath debris.

Police said the 16-year-old and his mother were sleeping when they were abruptly awaken by the vehicle crashing through their wall, Plainfeild police said in a statement. Both were helped out of the residence until it could be determined whether the home is safe to occupy, according to police.

Plainfield police said they were alerted to the accident by a 911 call from inside the home around 1:20 a.m.

Police said the 42-year-old driver of the vehicle, a Dodge Durango, remained at the scene and told authorities he may have been injured during the crash. He told police he was driving home when he struck some ice, causing him to lose control, ultimately striking the house, police said.

The driver was taken to Day Kimball Hospital for treatment, police said.

The SUV was later removed and crews from Eversource fixed the power lines. The Plainfield building inspector determined the house was unsafe to occupy and the American Red Cross responded to assist the residents, police said.

It was the second straight day Red Cross was called to assist Plainfield residents affected by an uninhabitable living structure. Early Monday morning, a person died in a condo fire on Sachem Drive, police said.
DANBURY  Police closed their investigation into a missing local woman whose remains were found in a wooded area in Patterson, N.Y. without determining a cause of death, according to newly released documents.

The police records  obtained almost two years after her remains were found  show the Putnam County Sheriffs Department and New York State Police not only closed their investigations into the death of LaelCira DeLima just over two weeks after the February 2020 discovery, but did so absent any conclusive findings regarding her death or disappearance.

There have been no arrests or official determinations made about what happened to the 53-year-old who went missing more than four years ago.

The Putnam County Coroners Office did not return a request for information regarding the findings of DeLimas death, and no such information was mentioned in the investigation reports from the Putnam County Sheriffs Department or New York State Police.

DeLima was last seen Oct. 20, 2017, when she left her Danbury home and told her children to lock the door behind her, police said at the time. DeLima had said she was going to the Walmart in Danbury, but never returned home.

Her 2016 Honda Accord was found weeks later abandoned in the parking lot of the Putnam Diner in Patterson, N.Y.

Authorities from the Putnam County Sheriffs Department, New York State Police and Danbury Police Department responded to the parking lot Nov. 7, 2017, after the diner owners reported a car with Connecticut plates had not moved from its spot for about two weeks and the plate number traced back to a missing person out of Danbury.

Surveillance footage from a nearby business showed the Honda Accord entering the diner parking lot around 6 p.m. Oct. 20, 2017, according to a New York State Police investigation report, but investigators were unable to observe anyone leave the parking lot due to the cameras distance.

The report states that surveillance footage from Putnam Diner was secured as well but does not say what, if anything, it showed.

New York State Police said there were no apparent signs of any suspicious activity at the scene and an extensive search of the area was conducted with drones and police K-9s, but nothing was found.

According to a New York State Police investigation report, the K-9s were unable to pick up a scent due to the time that had elapsed since the vehicle was left in the parking lot.

The report also states that DeLima had a friend residing in the nearby town of Pawling, who Danbury police had previously suspected of picking (her) up  but no one was home when Danbury and New York investigators went to interview the individual.

The Putnam County Sheriffs Department and Danbury Police Department have not returned requests for further comment on the DeLima case.

Two more searches were conducted in May 2018  one involving drone and helicopter flyovers on May 2, followed by an on-the-ground search with K-9s, New York State troopers, detectives and forest rangers on May 8  both of which yielded negative results, according to the report.

Then, on Feb. 1, 2020  more than two years after DeLima went missing  a 35-year-old New York man spotted what turned out to be her skeletal remains while scouting an area for hunting behind the diner.

According to Putnam County investigators, a human skull was located approximately a quarter-mile behind the diner and more evidence  a sneaker, jet black hair and a dark-colored jacket containing skeletal remains  was found within a 10-yard radius of the skull.

The remains were confirmed to be DeLimas through dental record identification and turned over to the Danbury Memorial Funeral Home on Feb. 14, 2020, according to Putnam County Sheriffs Department records.

The Putnam County Sheriffs Department reported no evidence of foul play, and Danbury Police Detective Lt. Mark Williams said the case was turned over to New York investigators with Danbury police providing assistance as needed.

Theres been no explanation as to why nothing was found during the 2017 and 2018 searches of the area behind Putnam Diner.

On Feb. 13, 2020, a spokesperson from the Putnam County Sheriffs Department said the agency was waiting for the coroner to identify the cause of DeLimas death.

Six days later, the investigation into DeLimas death was marked closed by both the Putnam County Sheriffs Department and New York State Police.

Its unclear if a cause or manner of death was ever determined.
The temperature outside fell to single digits, and the Real Feel neared 0 degrees.

But in Thursday nights gloomy dark, St. John Lutheran Church started the Epiphany season with a celebration of light.

At 7 p.m., dozens gathered for a hymn festival, led by Jeremy Bankson.

There is nothing more glorious than a room of people singing and making music together, Bankson said. And in these dark days that have been surrounding us with things like Covid and various other things youve probably been dealing with, theres nothing like singing together. Its something that we can do together that stirs the soul and will certainly bring warmth and light to those among us.

For several hymns, attendees were encouraged to sing along. Bankson bounced between conducting the St. John choir and galloping his fingers across the keyboard of the churchs organ.

Bankson served as director of music at St. John in the late 1990s. He now works as director of music a Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Dublin, Ohio, and is a published composer and arranger.

The program included nine scripture readings, which punctuated the hymn singing and emphasized themes of light, hope and revelation.

I think its as relevant today as it ever was, Bankson said. If we think about the Christmas story and we talk about the people whove walked in darkness have seen a great light, well 2,000 years later, we still have some darkness Tonights festival is about taking that story and sharing that light.

Erin Blake, director of music at St. John, said Epiphany is a season of light. Situated just after the 12 days of Christmas, its supposed to mark the revelation of Jesus Christ as God.

Epiphany is when Jesus is announced as Lord and Savior, she said. Our Christian year really starts off with Advent This is just a super way to start that journey through the remainder of the year. And for people to remember that after Christmas is done, that light of the world has to go out and be spread through all Christians and all humanity, this is a great way to start this season.

The program came together originally form Blakes desire to bring Bankson back out for a concert. Blake looked at a list of upcoming events in the area and saw that Bankson would be leading a concert at First Plymouth Church in Lincoln for the New Year. She asked if he could stay in Nebraska for longer to perform at St. John, and he obliged.

During her time in middle school, Blake learned music from Bankson.

When Jeremy was here in the 90s, I actually took piano lessons from him, Blake said. Its just kind of awesome to get to work with him as a colleague.

The choir and musiciansincluding brass, wood wind and bellsput together the program in one rehearsal with Bankson the night before. Bankson said one of his passions is leading these hymn sings. He recalled a moment at First Plymouth from early in his life that crystallized his love of music.

It was a hymn festival much like tonight, he said. I remember this fanfare that began in a big space kind of like this. And being from a very, very small town, it was like Wow, this is cool. But then, the room was full of people. It was probably like 600 or 700 people. When everyone in the room started to sing, I just thought, This must be a glimpse of heaven or something.

He said he wanted to bring an experience like that to St. John.

Theres something about sacred music that takes us beyond the ordinary, our day-to-day routines, he said. "And there's something really magical when everyone in a room joins together in signing."

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Winchester, VA (22601)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 57F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Winchester, VA (22601)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 57F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
NEW YORK (AP)  A judge has  for now  refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Britains Prince Andrew by an American woman who says he sexually abused her when she was 17.

FILE - Britain's Prince Andrew is photographed on Aug. 11, 2021. Prince Andrew will face a civil sex case trial after a US judge dismissed a motion by his legal team to have the lawsuit thrown out, it was reported on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (Neil Hall/PA via AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  A judge has  for now  refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Britains Prince Andrew by an American woman who says he sexually abused her when she was 17.

Stressing Wednesday that he wasnt ruling on the truth of the allegations, U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan rejected an argument by Andrews lawyers that Virginia Giuffres lawsuit should be thrown out at an early stage because of an old legal settlement she had with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier she claims set up sexual encounters with the prince.

Kaplan said the $500,000 settlement between Epstein and Giuffre didnt involve the prince and didnt bar a suit against him now.

Giuffre sued the 61-year-old Andrew in August, saying she was coerced into sexual encounters with him in 2001 by Epstein and his longtime companion, Ghislaine Maxwell. Giuffre said she was sexually abused by Andrew at Maxwells London home, at Epsteins New York mansion and his estate in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Andrew's lawyers had said the lawsuit lacked specificity and was disqualified by the deal she reached in 2009 with lawyers for Epstein. They also attacked Giuffre's credibility and motives, saying in October that the lawsuit was aimed at achieving "another payday at his expense and at the expense of those closest to him.

Kaplan said Giuffres complaint is neither unintelligible nor vague nor ambiguous.

It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse, he wrote.

FILE - Britain's Prince Andrew attends the Sunday service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, following the death announcement of his father, Prince Philip, in England, Sunday, April 11, 2021. U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan gave the green light Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 to a lawsuit against Prince Andrew by Virginia Giuffre, who says he sexually abused her when she was 17. (Steve Parsons/Pool Photo via AP, File)

The judge included in his ruling facts alleged by Giuffre, including that Epstein and Maxwell were guests at the prince's 40th birthday party in 2000 and that Andrew invited Epstein to his daughter's 18th birthday party in 2006, a month after Florida state prosecutors charged Epstein with procuring a minor for prostitution.

The princes lawyers have said that Andrew never sexually abused or assaulted Giuffre and that he unequivocally denies Giuffres false allegations against him.

The prince himself has strenuously denied Giuffres allegations. In late 2019, Prince Andrew told BBC Newsnight that sex with Giuffre didnt happen" and he has no recollection of ever meeting her. His statements led critics to say he seemed insensitive to Epsteins victims. Afterward, the prince stepped back from royal duties.

His lawyers did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Wednesday. Buckingham Palace told The Associated Press that it would not comment on the "ongoing legal matter.

Sigrid McCawley, an attorney for Giuffre, said in a statement that Kaplan's ruling is another important step in Virginia's heroic and determined pursuit of justice as a survivor of sex trafficking.

While Andrew denies the allegations, Buckingham Palace will want him to settle the case so Queen Elizabeth II can move on without more sordid headlines that weaken the monarchy and taint every member of the royal family, said Mark Stephens, a specialist in international law at Howard Kennedy in London.

Stephens said Wednesday's ruling means the process of delaying every technical point open to them as a matter of law has effectively played itself out. Even though Andrew is likely to appeal, the case will move forward, and he will face the embarrassment of having to testify about his alleged activities with a 17-year-old.

The practical realities of this position have stuck a noose around Prince Andrews neck, Stephens said. Hes got to settle. Hes got to get out. Or hes a dead man walking.

Kaplan noted that he was required by law, at this stage of the litigation, to assume Giuffre's allegations are true, though the princes lawyers could cast doubt on the truth of the claims at trial. The judge has said a trial would not occur until late this year, at the earliest. Depositions of the prince and Giuffre would take place before then.

Giuffre's settlement with Epstein was reached a decade before the 66-year-old financier killed himself at a Manhattan federal lockup as he awaited a sex trafficking trial in 2019, over a decade after Florida federal prosecutors struck a deal with his lawyers not to prosecute him. His lawyers claimed the Florida deal prevented the New York charges.

Similarly, Andrew's attorneys cited language in the recently unsealed $500,000 settlement by Epstein with Giuffre that said her claims against potential defendants were also disallowed by the deal.

But Kaplan wrote that there were substantial indications in the settlement that Epstein and Giuffre did not clearly intend to directly, primarily," or substantially benefit someone such as the prince. He noted that the prince was not a party to the agreement.

He also said the agreement was far from a model of clear and precise drafting.

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The judge's findings mirrored comments he made during oral arguments by both sides when he was particularly dismissive of the arguments made on the prince's behalf.

Epstein's death came more than two years before his former girlfriend, Maxwell, 60, was convicted of sex trafficking and conspiracy charges in Manhattan federal court. Giuffres allegations against Andrew were not part of the criminal cases against Epstein or Maxwell.

Giuffre asserted that she met Andrew while she traveled frequently with Epstein between 2000 and 2002, when her lawyers maintain she was on call for Epstein for sexual purposes and was lent out to other powerful men," including Andrew. Her lawsuit said she still suffers significant emotional and psychological distress and harm.

The AP does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they choose to come forward publicly, as Giuffre has.

___

AP reporter Danica Kirka contributed from London.
EDMONTON - Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta will not be following Quebec's plan to impose a financial penalty on those who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney speaks after the United Conservative Party annual meeting in Calgary on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

EDMONTON - Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta will not be following Quebec's plan to impose a financial penalty on those who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Kenney says data shows the unvaccinated are proving to be a vastly greater burden on the hospital system than the vaccinated, but making them pay extra would not be fair.

If we go down that road, we are completely rubbishing the whole principle of universality of health care, which is why Alberta absolutely will not follow the decision of Quebec, Kenney said Tuesday night in a Facebook town-hall meeting.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault had announced earlier in the day that he plans to make unvaccinated adult residents pay a "significant" financial penalty, given that they are occupying a disproportionate number of beds in hospitals.

Kenney conceded the unvaccinated are taking up far more hospital and intensive care beds, which has led to a domino effect of cancelled surgeries as health workers are reassigned to deal with the pandemic.

But he said levying a fee would be akin to making a smoker pay more for lung cancer treatment or charging a high-risk skier for being injured and airlifted out of the backcountry.

There is a larger and deeper principle here, which is we have a universal health-care system, the premier said.

It doesnt matter where you come from, how old you are, what your medical condition is, how wealthy you are, or what life choices youve made. You are guaranteed access to our health-care system, free of cost, for medically necessary services.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking in Ottawa, said he wants to see more details before passing judgment on Quebec's plan, but added the province has given assurances that it wont violate the Canada Health Act.

Alberta, as with other jurisdictions worldwide, is fighting a rapid, spiralling rise in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Kenneys United Conservative government sharply slashed attendance at public events before Christmas and vaccine passports are still necessary to get into non-essential businesses, including bars and restaurants.

Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 were sent back to class this week after Kenney promised extra masks and millions more rapid-tests for schools.

Last week, he said a million tests had arrived and three million more would be arriving each week after that for a total of 10 million from a private supplier. That's on top of four million from the federal government.

However, Health Minister Jason Copping said Wednesday only 500,000 of the promised federal tests have arrived and that the balance of the 10 million from private suppliers is tied up in delays and global supply chain bottlenecks.

"Were working to confirm deliveries by the day, including 4.8 million tests that weve directly procured that we hope to receive this week, which will go to schools and AHS (for health care workers)," Copping wrote on Twitter.

"Well update Albertans as more information becomes available."

The Opposition NDP has urged the government to publish projections on how bad the Omicron surge is expected to be and to supply better masks and high-efficiency air filters for schools.

There are more than 61,000 reported active COVID-19 cases in the province, but Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the chief medical officer of health, has said reduced testing capacity means the true number of infections is likely to be 10 times higher.

She said this week that the province is bracing for a significant impact on health care.

There are 748 people in hospital with COVID-19,including82 in critical care.

Previous waves of the pandemic have already led to thousands of non-urgent surgeries being cancelled as staff are redeployed. Copping has said the province doesn't expect to catch up until the middle of this year.

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Neurologist Dr. Mary Lou Myles, joining the NDP at a news conference Wednesday, said staff reassignments have hurt multiple sclerosis patients.

Myles said early intervention and diagnosis is critical for MS patients, but a consultation with a neurologist that should take  and has previously taken  weeks or months is now taking a year.

Earlier diagnosis means earlier treatment and a better chance to avoid damage to the central nervous system and subsequent debilitating disabilities, she said.

In the MS clinic itself, the redeployment of specialized nurses has had an impact, said Myles.

One of the nurses has been redeployed for almost a year. Other redeployments have been quite sudden and unpredictable, leading to kind of a little bit of chaos.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2022.
Officials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar and the American public grows ever wearier of pandemic-related restrictions.

FILE - Elementary school teacher Carrie Landheer protests for stronger COVID-19 safety protocols outside Oakland Unified School District headquarters on Jan. 7, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. Officials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar and the American public grows weary of pandemic-related restrictions. Much of the debate centers around the nations schools, some of which closed due to infection-related staffing issues. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)

Officials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar and the American public grows ever wearier of pandemic-related restrictions.

Much of the debate centers around the nation's schools, some of which have closed due to infection-related staffing issues. In a variety of places, mask mandates are being lifted or voted down.

The changes come as the federal government assesses the supply of medical-grade respirator face coverings, such as N95 or KN95 masks. During a briefing Wednesday, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said officials were strongly considering options to make more high-quality masks available to all Americans," noting the government has a stockpile of more than 750 million N95 masks.

The best mask "is the one that you will wear and the one you can keep on all day long, that you can tolerate in public indoor settings, said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Monday, officials in Wyomings capital city voted to end a mask mandate for students and teachers that had been in place since September. The Cheyenne school district also reduced COVID-19 isolation requirements, voting to require that only people with symptoms and positive tests  not just those exposed  need to stay home for five days and mask for five days thereafter.

Kindergarteners wear masks while listening to their teacher amid the COVID-19 pandemic at Washington Elementary School Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Lynwood, Calif. California is making it easier for school districts to hire teachers and other employees amid staffing shortages brought on by the latest surge in coronavirus cases. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The University of Missouris governing board on Tuesday rejected the university system president's request to temporarily require masks on the Columbia campus, as well as a mandate specific to classrooms and labs.

A school board meeting was canceled Monday in Wichita, Kansas, after three new members refused to wear masks for a swearing-in ceremony. Meanwhile in the Topeka area, elected officials rejected a plea to mandate masks, urging people to be cautious but saying they were not ready for a requirement.

Some jurisdictions are making the move on their own toward more stalwart masking policies, including requiring higher-grade mask materials.

Last week, the University of Arizona announced it would require a medical-grade mask in indoor spaces where social distancing is not possible. The school said on its website that it no longer considers cloth masks to be adequate, although a cloth mask can be worn over a medical-grade mask to improve fit and increase protection.

A new indoor mask mandate takes effect Wednesday in New Orleans ahead of the Mardi Gras season. Louisianas statewide coronavirus daily hospitalization numbers have increased sevenfold in three weeks  a spike that has strained hospitals, where emergency room waits are sometimes as long as 12 hours, according to the citys health director, Dr. Jennifer Avegno.

Health officials in Omaha, Nebraska, announced a temporary mask mandate on Tuesday, but the state has threatened to sue if the rule is imposed as planned. Omaha City Council President Pete Festersen said a majority of the council supported the move.

This is not a decision I made lightly. This was not an easy decision at all, and I know that its going to create some waves, Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse said. But this is a tool that we have in our toolbox. We have research, evidence, out there showing that masks decrease transmission.

Other places hesitated to bring back requirements that ended months ago. In Michigan, where state officials said record-high COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations could peak in late January or early February before beginning to drop, health leaders remained reluctant to reinstate restrictions or masking mandates. They continue to implore people to get vaccinated, get booster shots, wear well-fitting masks in public and avoid large gatherings.

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Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, recommended that people wear an N95 mask or two well-fitting face coverings. A parent group has called for school mask requirements, which are in place in a majority of individual districts but not at the statewide level.

In Utah, as lawmakers prepared to begin meeting for the year, GOP Gov. Spencer Cox exempted the Capitol and other state facilities from a municipal mask mandate. Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake County's Democratic mayor, said the governor did not have the authority to make exceptions to the policy, which requires N95 and KN95 or similar masks for a month in indoor spaces, including schools.

___

Associated Press Writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.
A Billings man has pleaded guilty to human and drug trafficking charges involving several women and spanning Montana and Wyoming.

William Maurice Newkirk, 41, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in which he admitted to trafficking women and forcing them into prostitution. He also pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine while possessing a firearm.

At least one of the women whom Newkirk tried to advertise as a prostitute was a minor, and the indictment filed against him in U.S. District Court in Billings includes four other men alleged to be part of a massive sex and drug trafficking scheme.

In February 2019, according to court documents, Newkirk starting providing cocaine to a woman who would give him money she earned making commercial sex calls. A month later, Newkirk met with a minor and her friends in Billings, selling her cocaine while possessing a firearm.

Prosecutors also alleged that Newkirk spent time with another girl under the age of 18 starting in April 2019. He eventually began posting commercial sex ads for the girl. In May, he transported another woman to Wyoming in order for her to engage in prostitution, according to evidence gathered by investigators that included sex ads, witness statements and electronic communication between the woman and Newkirk.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters, who presided over the case, set a sentencing for May 12. Newkirk faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to a lifetime of supervised release for the sex trafficking crimes. For distributing cocaine while possessing a firearm, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years that will be served consecutive to any other sentences, along with a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised released.

While he awaits sentencing in U.S. District Court, Newkirk has also been charged with rape in Yellowstone County District Court. He is accused of raping a woman multiple times and threatening her with violence, beginning when she was 17. The survivor told investigators that in late May 2019, he took her to Missoula to pimp her out, according to charging documents. His next appearance in Yellowstone County District Court is set for February 2022.

In June 2019, Newkirk was arrested for his connection to the shooting death of a 21-year-old woman in a Billings trailer home park. The woman died after being struck by a bullet that discharged from a handgun during an assault on the rape survivor in a car. The investigation conducted by police soon swelled into federal charges against Newkirk and four others who faced dozens of drug and sex trafficking charges. At least seven women were forced into prostitution, according to initial charging documents, three of whom were minors.

Anthony Marcos Chadwell has pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine and promoting prostitution in Billings. Chadwell has also been charged in Yellowstone County District Court with sexual intercourse without consent. Court documents allege that he raped the same woman as Newkirk.

Djavon Lamont King admitted to conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine and ecstasy, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, according to a plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court. Mario Juan Drake pleaded guilty to similar charges, along with use of a facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering. The three men are currently awaiting their sentencing.

A fifth co-defendant in the federal indictment filed in December 2020, Dejon Anthony Duncan, is expected to plead guilty, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

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OTTAWA - Canadas industry minister is set to meet with companies desperate for solutions to ease the flow of goods over the border and across the country.

Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne responds to a question during Question Period, in Ottawa, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Canadas industry minister is set to meet with companies desperate for solutions to ease the flow the goods over the border and across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - Canadas industry minister is set to meet with companies desperate for solutions to ease the flow of goods over the border and across the country.

Francois-Philippe Champagne agreed to the request that a consortium of manufacturers and exporters made just before the holidays.

The coalition of 18 associations notes that many of the causes of the current snarls in supply chains in Canada predate the pandemic, but COVID-19 has harshly exposed those weaknesses.

The group is asking the government to accelerate spending on building up trade and transport infrastructure, and co-ordinate with the U.S and Mexico on building more continental capacity to ease reliance on overseas goods.

Champagne said he's looking ahead to the talks, scheduled for the end of the month, and he points to work underway with ports and transit hubs to prevent bottlenecks choking the flow of goods.

The minister also said he has been having talks with the White House and European Commission about identifying where and how the allies will source critical supplies like vaccines over the next few decades.

The kinks in how the country organized its supply chains became apparent in the early days of the pandemic as governments, companies and households had difficulties, for instance, sourcing personal protective equipment.

"What I'm trying to see with colleagues is can we map the type of critical supply we'll need, and work with trusted partners around the world to build very resilient supply chains," Champagne said during a teleconference with reporters Wednesday after announcing over $550 million in funding for Canadian researchers.

"I see them going from global to regional, where more emphasis is put on resiliency than efficiency."

Top federal officials have been looking at building sectoral resiliency since the fall of 2020, according to documents obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.

A presentation to a September 2020 meeting of deputy ministers noted vulnerabilities like the just-in-time delivery model and "low storage capacity" in sectors like manufacturing and retail.

The approach the deputy ministers considered was to reduce trade risks by diversifying the sources of goods, "including regional alternatives," build domestic production capacity and storage particularly for "critical goods" like protective equipment, vaccines and food, and "accelerate digitalization and industry adoption of supply chain resiliency technologies."

Among the research funding Champagne announced Wednesday is a $24-million grant to Queen's University researchers looking at a new way to coat metal surfaces and protect them from rusting, thereby extending their life and potentially saving billions on infrastructure repairs.

Head researcher Cathleen Crudden noted how supply chain issues can affect the delivery of materials she and other researchers require for their work.

She said her project could also help Canada build a more resilient supply chain for semiconductor chips by getting the country more involved in manufacturing them.

"It is important not only to be a recipient of technology, but to be a contributor," Crudden said. "This work will actually contribute to bringing Canada really right into state-of-the-art methods for manufacturing semiconductors."

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There were hopes that trade problems that have grown since the fall would crest by the time the calendar turned to 2022 before resolving by the spring, but now those hopes are facing a headwind from Omicron.

The fast-spreading variant has sent absentee rates jumping for companies who have started to slow production of goods already in high demand, said Dennis Darby, CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, who also chairs the coalition of associations scheduled to meet with Champagne.

"Stuff is layering on top of each other," Darby said.

"We know there are going to be supply chain issues, but we figured they should have started to ease. And then lo and behold, Omicron hits."

On the meeting with Champagne, Darby said his group wants to find supply-chain solutions and ensure the government doesn't miss an opportunity to make fixes for the long-term.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2022.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration is redoubling its efforts to expand supply and accessibility of COVID-19 testing as it faces mounting criticism over long lines and supply shortages for testing nationwide and confusion about when to get tested amid the omicron surge.

President Joe Biden talks to reporters before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration is redoubling its efforts to expand supply and accessibility of COVID-19 testing as it faces mounting criticism over long lines and supply shortages for testing nationwide and confusion about when to get tested amid the omicron surge.

The White House announced Wednesday that a dedicated stream of 5 million rapid tests and 5 million lab-based PCR tests will be made available to schools starting this month to ease supply shortages and promote the safe reopening of schools.

It said Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, will join the COVID-19 team to oversee the enhanced testing push. The moves come just days before private insurers will be required to reimburse Americans for tests and the launch of a new federal website for Americans to order free tests to be shipped to their doors.

The test supply push, though, will likely be too late for many Americans trying to safely navigate the omicron-fueled case surge, which is already showing signs of cresting.

President Joe Biden salutes as he boards Air Force One, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Biden is en route to Atlanta. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on Wednesday offered guidance for when Americans should use tests  which were in short supply as Americans traveled and saw family during the busy holiday season.

Americans should take a test when they have symptoms that appear to be COVID-19, she said, including fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory symptoms and muscle aches. She also said they should test after known exposure to the virus, generally five days after being exposed, or earlier as part of test-to-stay protocols in schools and workplaces.

Certainly if youre going to gather with family, if youre going to a gathering where people are immunocompromised or where theyre elderly or where you have people who might be unvaccinated or poorly protected from a vaccine that might be an opportunity you want to test, she added.

The school testing initiative announced Wednesday comes after the nations third-largest public school system, in Chicago, closed for days after an impasse between teachers and officials over reopening policies. The closure was a black eye for President Joe Biden, who made reopening schools  and keeping them open  a priority.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said students need to be in their classrooms and the announcement shows the administration's commitment to helping schools stay open.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to examine the federal response to COVID-19 and new emerging variants, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Shawn Thew/Pool via AP)

Were doing everything we can to make sure that our children have an opportunity to stay in school," Cardona said Wednesday on CBS Mornings. Thats where they need to be, and we know we can do it safely.

States are applying to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the tests, Cardona said, adding that he expected distribution to begin as early as next week.

We recognize that schools are the hubs of the community and they should be open for instruction, the secretary added, saying it is vital for our students.

We have been very clear, publicly and privately, that we want to see schools open," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday. She cited the massive amount of funding for schools as evidence of the administration ensuring "we were prepared and had resources needed to address whatever may come up in the pandemic.

The new crop of tests is enough to cover only a small fraction of the more than 50 million students and educators in the nation's schools, but it's on top of more than $10 billion devoted to school-based tests authorized in the COVID-19 relief law and about $130 billion earmarked in that law to keep kids in school.

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The administration hopes the tests will fill critical shortfalls in schools that are having difficulty securing tests through existing federal funding or are facing outbreaks of the more transmissible COVID-19 variant.

Todays commitment is a major step forward in enabling school districts who have struggled to secure the tests teachers and staff rely on to see whats unseen, said Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers.

The administration also is working to target other federally backed testing sites to support school testing programs, including locating Federal Emergency Management Agency sites at schools.

Additionally, the CDC is set to release new guidance later this week to help schools implement test-to-stay policies, in which schools use rapid tests to keep close contacts of those who test positive in the classroom.

___

Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
OTTAWA - Businesses struggling under yet another round of lockdowns and capacity restrictions will have an extra year to repay emergency interest-free loans issued by the federal government, but business groups say that might not be enough breathing room for the hardest hit.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Trudeau announced businesses will have longer to repay the loans they were offered under the Canada Emergency Business Account. The program offered interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - Businesses struggling under yet another round of lockdowns and capacity restrictions will have an extra year to repay emergency interest-free loans issued by the federal government, but business groups say that might not be enough breathing room for the hardest hit.

The Canada Emergency Business Account offered interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits.

When the government first created the CEBA program at the onset of the pandemic, it set a repayment deadline of Dec. 31, 2022, for anyone who wanted to take advantage of zero interest and having a portion of the loan forgiven.

But since then, some businesses have had only brief reprieves from the onslaught of COVID-19 and the restrictive public health measures that come with it.

"The bottom line is of course this: we will continue to be there, to have people's backs with as much as it takes, with as long as it takes, until we get through this pandemic," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a media briefing Wednesday.

Businesses who were approved under the Canada Emergency Business Account will now have until the end of 2023 to pay back their loans, Trudeau announced.

The government also extended the loan forgiveness deadline.

Businesses who repay what they owe by the end of 2023 will be offered loan forgiveness of 33 per cent, up to $20,000.

The news was especially welcomed by Restaurants Canada, which represents some of the businesses hardest hit by lockdowns and gathering limits.

"With most restaurants across the country now taking on even further debt in the face of the Omicron wave, ensuring they will have enough cash flow to continue their operations will become increasingly critical," the association said in a statement Wednesday.

Since its launch, the Canada Emergency Business Account has provided loans worth $49.17 billion to more than 898,000 companies, the largest portion of which are in Ontario.

The extended deadline will give businesses some much needed breathing room, said Alla Drigola Birk, director of parliamentary affairs for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

"It is very much welcome news because, you know, from the Canadian chamber's perspective, we had a lot of businesses that were getting a little bit nervous about the upcoming deadline," Drigola Birk said in an interview.

"But with the Omicron wave, and fresh lockdowns that many provinces have put in place across the country, those businesses that would have had a hard time paying off the loans before this wave are going to have an even harder time repaying the loan in time to meet the deadline to receive the forgivable portion."

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The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have called on the government to roll back the repayment deadline even further, to December 2024, to help more recipients take advantage of the zero-interest and forgiveness options.

"There isn't a lot of debt for debt relief out there, especially for COVID debt," Drigola Birk said.

A survey of CFIB members late last year suggested they could take two more years to become profitable again.

CFIB has asked the government to consider allowing businesses to apply for another $20,00 loan and increase forgiveness to 50 per cent, up to $40,000.

CFIB president Dan Kelly also said the program should be expanded to include new firms, micro-sized companies and the self-employed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2022.
BRUSSELS (AP)  NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the military organization and Russia have agreed to try to set up more meetings to ease tensions between them amid deep concern in the West about whether Moscow might order an invasion of Ukraine.

Britain's Minister for the Middle East James Cleverly, center, arrives for the NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Senior NATO and Russian officials are meeting Wednesday to try to bridge seemingly irreconcilable differences over the future of Ukraine, amid deep skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin's security proposals for easing tensions are genuine. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP)

BRUSSELS (AP)  NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the military organization and Russia have agreed to try to set up more meetings to ease tensions between them amid deep concern in the West about whether Moscow might order an invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking after chairing a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, Stoltenberg said both parties had "expressed the need to resume dialogue and to explore a schedule of future meetings."

He said that the 30 NATO countries want to discuss ways to prevent dangerous military incidents, reduce space and cyber threats, as well as arms control and disarmament, including setting agreed limits on missile deployments.

But Stoltenberg said that any talks about Ukraine wouldn't be easy.

"There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on this issue," he told reporters, after what he said was "a very serious and direct exchange" with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

Stoltenberg underlined that Ukraine has the right to decide its future security arrangements on its own, and that NATO would continue to leave its door open to new members, rejecting a key demand by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the military organization halt its expansion.

"No one else has anything to say, and of course Russia does not have a veto," he said.

The NATO-Russia Council was the first meeting of its kind in over two years. The forum was set up two decades ago but full meetings paused when Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014. It has met only sporadically since, the last time in July 2019.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also underlined that any European country should have the right to join NATO if it wants to.

"I reaffirmed the fundamental principles of the international system and of European security: Every country has the sovereign right to choose its own path," Sherman tweeted as the meeting, which ran for over three hours, drew to a close.

The talks come during a week of high-stakes diplomacy and a U.S.-led effort to prevent preparations for what Washington believes could be a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moscow denies it is planning an attack. Still, its history of military action in Ukraine and Georgia worries NATO.

Russia has around 100,000 combat-ready troops backed by tanks, artillery and heavy equipment massed near Ukraines eastern border.

Putin says Russias demands are simple, but key parts of the proposals contained in the documents that Moscow has made public  a draft agreement with NATO countries and the offer of a treaty between Russia and the United States  wont pass muster at the 30-country military organization.

NATO would have to agree to halt all membership plans, not just with Ukraine, and scale down its presence in countries like Estonia close to Russias borders. In exchange, Russia would pledge to limit its war games, as well as end aircraft buzzing incidents and other low-level hostilities.

Endorsing such an agreement would require NATO to reject a key part of its founding treaty. Under Article 10 of the 1949 Washington Treaty, the organization can invite in any willing European country that can contribute to security in the North Atlantic area and fulfill the obligations of membership.

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In Moscow earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia expects a quick answer.

"The situation regarding European security and our national interests has reached a critical line," Peskov said in a conference call with reporters, and he branded the organization "an instrument of confrontation."

"The alliance has been conceived as such, and its how it has been organized and is developing now. Its quite obvious, so the expansion of this mechanism poses a threat to us," he said.

He declined to say what measures Russia might take if talks fail, saying that Moscow "wouldnt like to issue threats and ultimatums and warn that others will pay a high price, as U.S. officials do," Peskov said.

___

Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington, and Jari Tanner in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
The province has not increased financial aid programs for businesses hard-hit by fourth wave pandemic restrictions despite extending the measures another three weeks.

The province has not increased financial aid programs for businesses hard-hit by fourth wave pandemic restrictions despite extending the measures another three weeks.

"Were really in a state of purgatory when government says were restricted to 50 per cent capacity. Numbers are spiking, people are afraid, and they dont want to come out," said Scot McTaggart, owner of Fusion Grill. "Then people think that were open, so were OK, so theres no need to order takeout or delivery."

McTaggart said his sales have dropped 75 per cent since the new restrictions  which include a 50 per cent capacity limit on restaurants  took effect Dec. 21.

"This is a worst case scenario," he said. "We absolutely need help."

In December, the province announced its Sector Support Program to help companies affected by the latest restrictions. The $22 million program would provide up to $12,000 per eligible business, dependent on the companys size.

At the time, Finance Minister Scott Fielding and Economic Development and Jobs Minister Jon Reyes said theyd work with the business community on further aid should the restrictions extend past Jan. 11.

On Jan. 7, the province announced via news release the orders would continue until at least Feb. 1.

Now, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is calling for more funding.

"Businesses have continually shouldered the brunt of public health measures," said Chuck Davidson, the organizations CEO. "There does need to be compensation for that. They cant continue to just rack up the debt to a point where they can no longer operate."

A provincial government spokesperson did not answer when asked if there were plans to top up the Sector Support Program or provide money another way. Instead, they noted the program is open for applications until Jan. 31.

"The Province of Manitoba remains committed to working with businesses across the province to help them continue to provide employment and quality goods and services," the spokesperson wrote.

Widespread rapid testing is another need, according to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.

"The number of individuals and employees that are off work right now is significant," Davidson said. "I think rapid testing will allow (staff) to get back to their place of employment in a more timely fashion."

On Tuesday, the province announced an expansion of COVID-19 rapid antigen testing programs to symptomatic workers in specified critical services.

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE Press Files Chuck Davidson, CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce

It had distributed rapid tests to businesses through the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, but the program halted early due to a lack of supply.

The program should "be up and running (again) shortly, depending on supply from the Federal government," a provincial spokesperson wrote.

There are caveats: the program provides serial testing for asymptomatic unvaccinated employees at companies whove put vaccine mandates in place. Its also for symptomatic vaccinated workers of prioritized businesses.

"Vaccinated essential workers can quickly know if they can go into work if feeling only very mild symptoms," the spokesperson wrote.

Employees at trucking companies, pharmacies and telecommunications might fall into the "prioritized businesses" category, the spokesperson wrote.

Private companies of all Manitoba geographic regions will be able to access the program through the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the spokesperson wrote.

McTaggart of Fusion Grill said hell shut his restaurant down any time one of his four staff have symptoms.

"Were not taking any chances," he said, adding hed take rapid tests if they were available to all.

Across the Board, a board game cafe in the Exchange District, has temporarily closed due to staff illness.

"I could see (rapid tests available through work) making it a little bit easier at least, giving the staff members some answers quicker," said Nick Mann, the cafes general manager.

"Its maybe a little more of a sense of assuredness that theyre doing the right thing if they are coming in or not rather than just flying blind," he said.

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Westland Construction has been accessing rapid tests for three months through a federal government program.

"Its a really good system," said Nadine Balkaran, the companys office administrator.

When needed, she contacts a pharmacy partnered with the program, orders the rapid tests and picks them up within a day or two. The business has used about 25, and there hasnt been added difficulty getting tests due to Omicron, Balkaran said.

Manitoba is waiting on test kits from Ottawa, according to a provincial spokesperson. The 15 million expected for the first three months of 2022 havent arrived yet, they said.

Tens of thousands have already been distributed at testing sites, doctors offices, social services groups and schools, the spokesperson wrote.

gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  Starting next month, workers at Universal Orlando's theme parks will have to be vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing in order to comply with federal guidelines, company officials said Wednesday.

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FILE - Signs about social distancing and other protocols are seen about the theme park as guests walk by at Universal Orlando Resort Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. Company officials said Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 that workers at Universals theme parks must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 9 or be required to take a test every week. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  Starting next month, workers at Universal Orlando's theme parks will have to be vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing in order to comply with federal guidelines, company officials said Wednesday.

A majority of workers already are vaccinated. The new policy doesn't affect guests.

Under federal regulations that took effect Monday, companies with 100 or more employees must require workers to be vaccinated or mandate unvaccinated employees to undergo weekly COVID testing. The regulations are being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Workers at Universals theme parks must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 9 or be required to take a test every week, Universal officials said in a statement. They said the company initially will provide free, onsite testing.

The health and safety of our guests and team members has been our ongoing focus during the pandemic, the statement said. We will also be monitoring legal action involving these regulations by a variety of state and private interests and will adapt accordingly if there are changes."

Last fall, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a measure prohibiting private businesses from having vaccine mandates unless they allow workers to opt out for medical reasons, religious beliefs, immunity based on a previous infection, regular testing or an agreement to wear protective gear. The federal law trumps Florida's.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  The Biden administration said Wednesday it will hold its first offshore wind auction next month, offering nearly 500,000 acres off the coast of New York and New Jersey for wind energy projects that could produce enough electricity to power nearly 2 million homes.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  The Biden administration said Wednesday it will hold its first offshore wind auction next month, offering nearly 500,000 acres off the coast of New York and New Jersey for wind energy projects that could produce enough electricity to power nearly 2 million homes.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the Feb. 23 auction in the New York Bight region will allow offshore wind developers to bid on six lease areas, the most ever offered in an auction for offshore wind energy projects.

The Biden-Harris administration has made tackling the climate crisis a centerpiece of our agenda, and offshore wind opportunities like the New York Bight present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fight climate change and create good-paying, union jobs in the United States, Haaland said.

The auction comes after the administration announced a flurry of clean energy actions Wednesday, such as steps to speed up reviews of clean energy projects on public lands, including solar, onshore wind and geothermal energy. The Interior Department has approved 18 onshore projects during Bidens first year in office. The projects are set to deliver more than 4 gigawatts of clean energy, powering more than 1 million homes.

The administration also said it is accelerating the deployment of new transmission lines, as enabled by the new bipartisan infrastructure law, to make the grid more reliable and resilient in the face of intensifying extreme weather. Last year was the deadliest weather yea r for the contiguous United States since 2011, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday. A total of 688 people died in 20 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters that cost a combined $145 billion, the agency said.

President Joe Biden has set a goal to install 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030, generating enough electricity to power more than 10 million homes. The administration has approved the nations first two commercial-scale offshore wind projects in federal waters: the 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind project off the Massachusetts coast and the 130-megawatt South Fork wind farm near New Yorks Long Island.

Haaland has said the Interior Department hopes to conduct as many as seven offshore wind lease sales by 2025, including the New York Bight and sales offshore in the Carolinas and California later this year.

Democratic Govs. Kathy Hochul of New York and Phil Murphy of New Jersey hailed the New York Bight lease sale, saying it would help their states chart an ambitious path toward a clean energy economy. The projects there could produce up to 7 gigawatts of electricity.

Todays milestone further highlights New Yorks commitment to reaching its offshore wind goals, Hochul said in a statement.

Offshore wind holds the tremendous promise for our future in terms of climate change, economic growth and job creation, Murphy added. New Jersey is already committed to creating nearly one-quarter of the nations offshore wind-generation market and these transformative projects are proof that climate action can drive investments in infrastructure and manufacturing while creating good-paying, union jobs.

The administrations announcement rankled some commercial fishing groups, who have complained that wind projects off the East Coast could interfere with efforts to catch seafood species such as scallops, clams and sea bass. Annie Hawkins, executive director of Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, a group representing fishing associations and companies, said the Biden administration has been moving offshore wind projects at a staggering pace, with insufficient environmental reviews or public comment.

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The NY Bight is a hugely conflicted area,'' Hawkins said, referring to a variety of fishing, shipping and other ocean uses. Issuing new leases before putting processes in place to mitigate the clear risks this scale of development poses to historic food production and ecological resilience will result in devastating impacts that would have been largely avoidable with careful planning, she said in an emailed statement.

The Interior Department said it consulted with commercial fisheries and other stakeholders before moving forward with the lease sale, resulting in a 72% reduction in the size of the proposed lease area. The closest distance to New Jersey among the parcels is 27 nautical miles offshore, while the nearest to New York is 20 nautical miles away, the department said.

Amanda Lefton, director of Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said her agency will require that the six leases be awarded to six separate developers, ensuring a robust set of operators and spurring competition on price and other factors.

The project carries several stipulations, including required project labor agreements with unions and planned incentives for using U.S.-made components such as blades, turbines and foundations.



Daly reported from Washington.
MUREHWA, Zimbabwe (AP)  Inside a sparsely furnished two-room home in rural Zimbabwe, a 3-month-old baby cries. His mother, Virginia Mavhunga, spends her days making trips to the well with a bucket on her head, selling fruits and vegetables at the roadside, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes  she has too much on her hands to offer her child, Tawananyasha, much comfort.

Virginia Mavhunga, a 13-year-old teenage mother, hold her child in her rural home in Murehwa, 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Zimbabwe's capital Harare, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Virginia dropped out of school after falling pregnant and became the subject of gossip and consternation in a community yet to adjust to the sight of a pregnant girl in school uniform. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

MUREHWA, Zimbabwe (AP)  Inside a sparsely furnished two-room home in rural Zimbabwe, a 3-month-old baby cries. His mother, Virginia Mavhunga, spends her days making trips to the well with a bucket on her head, selling fruits and vegetables at the roadside, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes  she has too much on her hands to offer her child, Tawananyasha, much comfort.

Thats my life now, every day, the new mother said.

Between the chores of her strict routine, Virginia prepares her four younger siblings for school and helps them with homework when they return. It's these tasks that hit Virginia the hardest  because, at age 13, she, too, would rather be in school.

Virginia is part of a steep increase in pregnancies among girls and teenagers reported in Zimbabwe and other southern African countries during the pandemic. Zimbabwe has long struggled with such pregnancies and child marriages. Before COVID-19 hit, one of every three girls in the country was wed before age 18, many with unplanned pregnancies, because of lax enforcement of laws, widespread poverty, and cultural and religious practices.

___

This story is part of a yearlong series on how the pandemic is impacting women in Africa, most acutely in the least developed countries. The Associated Press series is funded by the European Journalism Centres European Development Journalism Grants program, which is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The AP is responsible for all content.

___

The spread of coronavirus intensified the situation. The country of 15 million people imposed a strict lockdown in March 2020, closing schools for six months and reopening them only intermittently. Girls in particular were left idle and shut out from access to contraceptives and clinics; the troubles of impoverished families worsened.

Virginia Mavhunga, a 13-year-old teenage mother, hold her child at her home in Murehwa, 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Zimbabwe's capital Harare, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. Virginia dropped out of school after falling pregnant and becoming the subject of gossip and consternation in a community yet to adjust to the sight of a pregnant girl in school uniform. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Many girls became victims of sexual abuse or looked to marriage and pregnancy as a way out of poverty, advocates and officials said. Before the pandemic, many such girls were relegated as a lost cause, said Taungana Ndoro, an education official in Zimbabwe.

But faced with the rising numbers, the government in August 2020 changed a law that had long banned pregnant students from schools. Activists and authorities hailed the move as a significant step in the developing nation, but so far the new policy has largely failed. Most girls haven't returned to school, with authorities and families citing economic hardship, deep-seated cultural norms, and stigma and bullying in class.

___

The AP generally doesn't name victims of sexual abuse without consent. For this story, the girls and their families have agreed to be identified and have their names published, in keeping with their wishes to have their stories told.

___

Virginia tried to return to school while pregnant under the policy change. Officials encouraged her and her parents. But she was the butt of jokes and the subject of gossip in a community not accustomed to seeing a pregnant girl in a school uniform.

"People would laugh at me. Some would point and ask in ridicule; Whats up with that belly?' she said, looking at a photo of herself in the purple uniform. She has since sold it for $2 to pay for the baby's clothing and other needs.

Virginia said she had hoped the older man who impregnated her would marry her. Despite initial promises, he ultimately denied paternity, she said. She and her family didn't follow through on a statutory rape case with police, despite Zimbabwean law putting the age of consent at 16.

Under the law, people convicted of sexual intercourse or an indecent act with anyone younger than 16 can get a fine or up to 10 years in jail. But most incidents never get that far. Families and officials have long tried to sweep the cases under the carpet or ... force marriages on the minor, police spokesman Paul Nyathi said.

Tanaka Rwizi, right, a pregnant 16 year old teenager mother, stands with her family in their residence in the poverty stricken Mbare township in Harare, Zimbabwe, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Tanaka, who dropped out of school after falling pregnant in February 2021, stays with her unemployed uncle in a single room divided by a curtain. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Families often try to negotiate with the offender, pressuring him to marry the girl and give her family cattle or money, Nyathi said. Then they agree to not report the case to police  ultimately assisting in the abuse of the girl, he said.

Police said they couldn't provide data related to prosecuted or reported cases. Nyathi said a tally would be ready by the end of January  but any figures are likely an undercount.

Zimbabwe does have figures on pregnancies in girls who drop out of school  and while they show an alarming increase, officials say they, too, likely reflect an undercount, as many girls simply leave without giving a reason.

In 2018, about 3,000 girls dropped out of school nationwide because of pregnancies. In 2019, that number remained relatively steady. In 2020, the number rose: 4,770 pregnant students left school.

And in 2021, it skyrocketed: About 5,000 students got pregnant in just the first two months of the year, according to womens affairs minister Sithembiso Nyoni.

Across Africa, Zimbabwe isn't alone: During the pandemic, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, South Africa and Zambia all recorded a steep rise in cases of sexual and gender-based violence, which has contributed to a reported increase in pregnancies among young and adolescent girls, according to an Amnesty International report. The continent has one of the highest pregnancy rates among adolescents in the world, according to the United Nations, and Zimbabwe and a handful of other nations now have laws or policies to protect girls' education while pregnant.

Zimbabwe's change in law gave community workers an opportunity to encourage girls to return to school. Through a group that promotes girls' rights, Tsitsi Chitongo held community meetings and knocked on doors to speak with families in remote, rural areas.

But the lack of enthusiasm from families jolted her. By November, her group had persuaded only one child to return to school in Murehwa  a poor rural township of mostly small farmers dealing with the fallout of drought, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the capital, Harare.

That girl lasted only a week in school, Chitongo said. She sees resistance from parents, community leaders and teachers  in addition to the girls themselves.

Virginia Mavhunga, a 13-year-old teenage mother, plays with her child at her rural home in Murehwa, 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Zimbabwe's capital Harare, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Virginia dropped out of school after falling pregnant and became the subject of gossip and consternation in a community yet to adjust to the sight of a pregnant girl in school uniform. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Most parents are still steeped in the old way of doing things, she said. They prefer to have the child married, even if she is under the age of 18. They tell us, I am already struggling to take care of my family; I cant afford an extra mouth when the girl gives birth. So children are being chased away from home."

Some schools also discourage girls from returning, despite the recent change, Chitongo said.

Sometimes headmasters tell us that they dont quite understand how the policy works and they refuse to admit the children," she said. "They complain that pregnant girls are not focused. Some simply tell us that the school is full.

Often girls are unaware they have a right to remain in school. They're then forced to find work, frequently as housemaids, to support their children, Chitongo said. Or they go to the men who impregnated them.

For 16-year-old Tanaka Rwizi, the backyard of a clinic run by Doctors Without Borders in the poverty-stricken Mbare township has taken the place of school. There, a club for teenage mothers provides crash courses on life skills and ways they can make a living, such as giving manicures and making soap for sale.

Tanaka dropped out of her school after becoming pregnant early last year. She lives with her unemployed uncle in a single room divided by a curtain. Every Thursday, she gathers with other girls for the clinic's program. It began in 2019 for a handful of participants, but demand grew during the pandemic, said Grace Mavhezha, of Doctors Without Borders. More than 300 girls have come to the program since COVID-19 hit.

Most of the girls opt for the program over formal school because they need a skill that can help them quickly make some money, Mavhezha said. There is a lot of poverty; they need to fend for their children."

Many also set their sights on marriage to survive. Tanaka said the 20-year old man who impregnated her promised to marry her as soon as she turns 18  the youngest allowed in Zimbabwean law.

I cant wait that long," Tanaka said. She planned to go to him immediately after giving birth.

The clinic also offers contraceptives. But travel restrictions shut out many young people from such facilities, cutting off access to not only contraceptives but to counseling. Clinic workers say many young people need such services because of conservative parents who equate contraceptives with prostitution. Proposals to supply contraceptives in school have been met with outrage in this conservative and deeply religious country.

Girls are banned from taking contraceptives due to traditional myths that our parents have, that girls cannot have sex until they are in their 20s or married, said Yvette Kanenungo, a 20-year old clinic volunteer. "The truth is that the girls are already having sex, but cannot freely take contraceptives because of the no-sex-before-marriage decree at home.

For Virginia, the travel restrictions meant she was stuck at home in Murehwa after visiting her parents from her city school last year. She enrolled instead at a local school, but spent little time there because of intermittent closures.

At first, Virginia's parents  who try to support the family by sorting market items for sale and getting their drought-damaged land ready for growing again  wanted to pursue a statutory rape case against the older man who impregnated her. But they gave up when he was released on bail and said they now hope he'll take care of the baby.

Virginia's father ignored advice from neighbors to make his daughter leave home. Her mother wanted to protect her, and that included keeping her out of school and away from harassment.

Virginia vows to return to school someday, though. She misses her classes, her peers. She wants to graduate and be accepted to a university, so she can get a degree and repay her parents' faith in her by building them a bigger home.

I would rather return to school than get married, she said. I am not afraid of going back to school once my child is older. They may laugh at me now, but I am dedicating all my spare time and weekends to reading and catching up.

This is not the end of the road, just a forced break.

Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

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This story is part of a yearlong series on how the pandemic is impacting women in Africa, most acutely in the least developed countries. APs series is funded by the European Journalism Centres European Development Journalism Grants program, which is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The AP is responsible for all content.

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Follow APs multiformat Africa news on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Africa

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See the full series on how the pandemic is affecting women in Africa: https://apnews.com/hub/women-the-eyes-of-africa
MUREHWA, Zimbabwe (AP)  Inside a sparsely furnished two-room home in rural Zimbabwe, a 3-month-old baby cries. His mother, Virginia Mavhunga, spends her days making trips to the well with a bucket on her head, selling fruits and vegetables at the roadside, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes  she has too much on her hands to offer her child, Tawananyasha, much comfort.

Virginia Mavhunga, a 13-year-old teenage mother, plays with her child at her rural home in Murehwa, 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Zimbabwe's capital Harare, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Virginia dropped out of school after falling pregnant and became the subject of gossip and consternation in a community yet to adjust to the sight of a pregnant girl in school uniform. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

MUREHWA, Zimbabwe (AP)  Inside a sparsely furnished two-room home in rural Zimbabwe, a 3-month-old baby cries. His mother, Virginia Mavhunga, spends her days making trips to the well with a bucket on her head, selling fruits and vegetables at the roadside, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes  she has too much on her hands to offer her child, Tawananyasha, much comfort.

Thats my life now, every day, the new mother said.

Between the chores of her strict routine, Virginia prepares her siblings for school and helps with homework when they return. It's these tasks that hit Virginia the hardest  because, at age 13, she, too, would rather be in school.

Virginia is part of a steep increase in pregnancies among girls and teenagers reported in Zimbabwe and other southern African countries during the pandemic. Zimbabwe has long struggled with such pregnancies and child marriages. Before COVID-19 hit, one of every three girls was wed before age 18, many with unplanned pregnancies, because of lax enforcement of laws, widespread poverty, and cultural and religious practices.

___

Virginia Mavhunga, a 13-year-old teenage mother, hold her child in her rural home in Murehwa, 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Zimbabwe's capital Harare, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Virginia dropped out of school after falling pregnant and became the subject of gossip and consternation in a community yet to adjust to the sight of a pregnant girl in school uniform. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

This story is part of a yearlong series on how the pandemic is impacting women in Africa, most acutely in the least developed countries. The Associated Press series is funded by the European Journalism Centres European Development Journalism Grants program, which is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The AP is responsible for all content.

___

The spread of coronavirus intensified the situation. The country of 15 million imposed a strict lockdown in March 2020, closing schools for six months and reopening them only intermittently. Girls in particular were left idle and shut out from access to contraceptives and clinics.

Many became victims of sexual abuse or looked to marriage and pregnancy as an escape from poverty, advocates and officials said. Before the pandemic, many such girls were relegated as a lost cause, said Taungana Ndoro, a Zimbabwe education official.

But faced with the rising numbers, the government in August 2020 changed a law that long banned pregnant students from schools. Activists and authorities hailed the move as a significant step in the developing nation, but so far the new policy has largely failed. Most girls haven't returned, with authorities and families citing economic hardship, deep-seated cultural norms, and bullying in school.

___

Virginia Mavhunga, a 13-year-old teenage mother, hold her child at her home in Murehwa, 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Zimbabwe's capital Harare, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. Virginia dropped out of school after falling pregnant and becoming the subject of gossip and consternation in a community yet to adjust to the sight of a pregnant girl in school uniform. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

The AP generally doesn't name victims of sexual abuse without consent. For this story, the girls and their families have agreed to be identified and have their names published, in keeping with their wishes to have their stories told.

___

Virginia tried to return but became the subject of gossip in a community not accustomed to seeing a pregnant girl in a school uniform.

She had hoped the older man who impregnated her would marry her. Despite initial promises, he ultimately denied paternity, she said. She and her family didn't follow through on a statutory-rape case, despite a consent age of 16 under Zimbabwean law.

Those convicted of sexual intercourse or an indecent act with anyone younger can get a fine or up to 10 years in jail. But most incidents don't get that far. Families and officials have long tried to sweep the cases under the carpet or ... force marriages on the minor, police spokesman Paul Nyathi said.

Police said they couldn't provide figures on such cases. Nyathi said a tally would be ready in several weeks  but any data are likely an undercount.

Tanaka Rwizi, right, a pregnant 16 year old teenager mother, stands with her family in their residence in the poverty stricken Mbare township in Harare, Zimbabwe, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Tanaka, who dropped out of school after falling pregnant in February 2021, stays with her unemployed uncle in a single room divided by a curtain. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Zimbabwe does have figures on pregnancies in girls who drop out of school  and while they show an alarming increase, officials say they, too, are likely undercounted, as many girls leave without giving reasons.

In 2018, about 3,000 girls dropped out because of pregnancies. In 2019, that number remained relatively steady. In 2020, the number rose: 4,770 pregnant students left school.

And in 2021, it skyrocketed: About 5,000 students got pregnant in the year's first two months.

Across Africa during the pandemic, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, South Africa and Zambia also all recorded a steep rise in cases of sexual and gender-based violence, which has contributed to a reported increase in pregnancies among young and adolescent girls, according to an Amnesty International report. Africa has one of the highest pregnancy rates among adolescents worldwide, according to the United Nations; Zimbabwe and a handful of other nations now have policies to protect pregnant girls' education.

Zimbabwe's law change gave community workers opportunities to encourage returning to school. Through a group that promotes girls' rights, Tsitsi Chitongo held community meetings and knocked on doors in remote areas.

The lack of enthusiasm from families jolted her. By November, her group had persuaded only one girl to return to school in Murehwa  a poor rural township of mostly small farmers dealing with the fallout of drought, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the capital, Harare.

Most parents are still steeped in the old way of doing things, she said. They prefer to have the child married, even if she is under the age of 18. They tell us, I am already struggling to take care of my family; I cant afford an extra mouth."

For 16-year-old Tanaka Rwizi, the backyard of a Doctors Without Borders-run clinic run in the impoverished Mbare township replaced school. A club for teenage mothers provides crash courses on earning money by giving manicures or making soap for sale. It began in 2019 for a handful of participants; since COVID-19 hit, more than 300 have come.

Like many girls, Tanaka also looks to marriage to survive. She said the 20-year-old man who impregnated her promised they'll wed when she turns 18  the youngest allowed by law.

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I cant wait that long," Tanaka said. She planned to go to him immediately after giving birth.

The clinic also offers contraceptives. But travel restrictions shut out many people from the supply and counseling. Workers say many need such services because of conservative parents who equate contraceptives with prostitution.

For Virginia, travel restrictions meant she was stuck in Murehwa after visiting her parents from her city school. When she gave birth, her father ignored advice to make her leave home. Her mother wanted to protect her, and that included keeping her out of school  away from harassment.

Virginia vows to return someday. She wants to get into a university, earn a degree and repay her parents' faith in her by building them a bigger home.

I am not afraid of going back to school once my child is older," she said. "They may laugh at me now, but I am dedicating all my spare time and weekends to reading and catching up.

This is not the end of the road, just a forced break.
As infections fuelled by the Omicron variant threaten to overwhelm Canada's health system, the Quebec government on Tuesday took the unprecedented step of promising to tax adult residents who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

A row of ambulances is seen outside a hospital in Montreal, on Monday, January 10, 2022. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ottawa will do all it can to help provinces and territories cope with the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as infections fuelled by the Omicron variant threaten to overwhelm health systems. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

As infections fuelled by the Omicron variant threaten to overwhelm Canada's health system, the Quebec government on Tuesday took the unprecedented step of promising to tax adult residents who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Premier Francois Legault made the announcement as the province reported another daily record for virus-related hospitalizations. Of the 2,742 patients in Quebec hospitals with COVID-19, 255 of them were in intensive care.

The premier said the unvaccinated should be forced to pay for the burden they are placing on the health-care system, noting that half of those in intensive care are unvaccinated  even though that group comprises 10 per cent of the adult population. The tax would not apply to those with a medical exemption.

Meanwhile, Ontario reported 3,220 hospitalizations Tuesday, with 477 patients in the ICU  250 of them on ventilators. The Ontario Hospital Association confirmed 80 adults were admitted to hospital the previous day  the highest number of admissions so far during the pandemic.

The accelerated spread of Omicron has led to staff shortages across Canada, affecting hospitals, long-term care facilities and other essential services. As a result, non-urgent surgeries in Ontario have also been paused, affecting up to 10,000 scheduled procedures every week.

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott announced that to cover staff shortages, internationally educated nurses will be allowed to work in Ontario hospitals, long-term care homes and other health settings.

After Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed late Monday that students will return to classrooms Jan. 17, Elliott was repeatedly asked to explain what health indicators had changed since last week to allow for the resumption of in-person learning.

"We have done everything we can to make our schools safe for our students," she told a news conference, adding that all students would be provided with three-ply masks.

"We are taking every step that we can possibly take to make sure our schools are safe for our children .... We needed just a bit more time to get those provisions in place."

Karen Brown, president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, said while many teachers want to return to in-person learning, some are concerned about inadequate safety measures.

"What they've announced so far is not enough," Brown said. "We're almost two years into this pandemic. Why are we still asking for those things?"

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised the provinces will have enough COVID-19 vaccines to provide those eligible with a fourth dose, if they become necessary. Trudeau made the pledge in a statement late Monday after he spoke with provincial and territorial leaders, saying Ottawa will do all it can to help them cope with the fifth wave of the pandemic.

"(The premiers) expressed concern over the strain on health-care systems, businesses, workers and families across the country," the statement said.

In New Brunswick, doctors were treating a record 88 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 14 in intensive care. Mathieu Chalifoux, the province's chief epidemiologist, said hospitalizations could jump to 200 if current trends continue.

"We are at the start of a very high tidal wave, said John Dornan, interim president of the province's Horizon Health Network. "It's creeping up now, but in the next two to three weeks it's going to crash over us like no one's business."

In Nova Scotia, a legislative committee heard that 25 of the province's 133 nursing homes have stopped accepting new admissions because of staffing issues partly caused by the pandemic.

Prince Edward Island reported a series of outbreaks across the province, including in nine early learning childcare centres and clusters of cases in a long-term care facility, as well as within the population that regularly accesses shelters in Charlottetown.

British Columbia's provincial health officer warned that the latest wave of infections caused by Omicron could last for several more weeks.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said most of those who are getting sick have mild symptoms, but the unvaccinated are at highest risk of being hospitalized and seeing people in their 20s and 30s in intensive care creates distress for health-care workers.

"We're all feeling like we're getting battered by wave after wave of the storm," she said.

The leaders of Alberta's largest unions called for more lockdown measures, including the closure of theatres, casinos, gyms, amid rising case numbers. There were 708 people in hospital with COVID-19, up from 635 the day before, and 80 were in intensive care.

Nunavut remains under strict lockdown measures due to cases in various communities. But officials said more people are now recovering from COVID-19 than testing positive, and it's possible school may reopen there Jan. 24.

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A new poll suggests a slim majority of Canadians supported the latest round of lockdowns and other government-imposed restrictions. Fifty-six per cent of respondents agreed governments are making the right decisions to limit the spread of Omicron.

The survey, conducted by Leger and the Association of Canadian Studies, also found 64 per cent of respondents said they supported vaccine passports for malls and other retail outlets, including liquor and cannabis shops but excluding grocery stores. The poll showed 61 per cent of respondents wanted vaccine requirements for public transit users.

Sixty-two per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with the federal governments response to COVID-19.

The online survey of 1,547 Canadians was conducted between Jan. 5 and Jan. 7. It wasn't assigned a margin of error because internet-based polls are not considered random samples.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.

 With files from Jacob Serebrin in Montreal and Holly McKenzie-Sutter and Noushin Ziafati in Toronto
Elementary and secondary schools throughout Montana have acquired nearly $4 million to purchase electronic devices and expand internet access for remote learning.

That funding stacks atop $618 million the state already has received for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, which directed $45.7 million to Billings public schools, according to data from the Office of Public Instruction from March.

Grants like this for us to access tech are huge, said Brent Lipp, superintendent and acting principal of Canyon Creek in Billings. The K-8 school uses computers for longer than is typical, which is five to seven years, he said. We tend to stretch it out further.

COVID-19 forced many schools to operate remotely for a time. This consequently highlighted virtual capabilities as well as challenges, like attaining computer and internet access for students and staff.

The recent money for tech comes from the Emergency Connectivity Funding to Close Montana Homework Gap, from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Federal Communications Commission, which supports remote learning.

Canyon Creek owns 90 laptops and received $36,200 to buy 100 Chromebook computers. The computers are on back order because of the shipping and supply crunch, said Lipp.

Its constantly challenging for us to stay ahead of the curve with no tech levy, he said. Canyon Creek is an independent school district.

We had zero computers left, we were literally scrounging for old, skeleton computers we had in the backroom, he said about bout the schools swift transition to offering online learning.

Erika Wilson is a parent of a first-grader at Canyon Creek. Rather than check out a computer from school, the child studied with a home computer, which she considers lucky. It was a little bit tough because its my husbands computer, but he wasnt needing it a lot so it worked out, she said.

The hardest part of the experience was finding a place for the student to work, which ended up being a desk in the kitchen, she said. Wilson was able to work from home while her child attended school online.

Wilson has acted as a substitute teacher at Canyon Creek and recalls having to find Lipp in the building to access a computer for the lesson plan, she said.

Canyon Creek plans to eliminate the remote-learning option once circumstances allow, said Lipp. In-person learning offers a higher educational value, he added.

Joliet public schools were among the districts receiving money in the latest wave of funding. They also received $36,200.

Canyon Creek also received over $393,000 from ESSERS. The school mostly spent that money on building improvements such as new furnaces and boilers, as well as additional staffing.

While the influx of technology has benefited schools, it has also suddenly advanced certain budget expectations, said Tobin Novasio, superintendent of the Lockwood school district.

Relief funding allowed Lockwood to push up a plan they had to buy more computers in three or four years, he said. Buying new computers in the beginning of the pandemic also made it necessary to improve bandwidth and network connectivity in order for students and staff to access online servers.

Still, the upgrades are cheaper than textbooks, and more interactive, said Novasio.

The Lockwood school district used part of its $4.7 million ESSERS allocation to purchase hot spots, devices enabling access to the internet using a cellular connection, for students without internet access.

Lockwood began purchasing computers in the beginning of the pandemic with around $600,000 that they received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act.

Montana schools received $75 million for reopening from the CARES Act, according to Montana.gov.

Montana schools received $3,859,428 from the emergency fund thus far that included two windows for application. Schools or libraries that applied and met the rules, and asked for eligible devices and services, will likely be funded, according to Anne Veigle, deputy director of media relations for FCC.

The FCC announced a new round of funding for the emergency connectivity fund Monday.

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OTTAWA - Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the West must be ready to impose further sanctions against Russia for its military buildup on his country's eastern border.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky react during a speech by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Chrystia Freeland at the University of Toronto during the Ukraine Reform Conference in Toronto, on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Lahodynskyj

OTTAWA - Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the West must be ready to impose further sanctions against Russia for its military buildup on his country's eastern border.

Zelenskyy delivered that message to Trudeau in a Tuesday morning telephone call, which came on the eve of a key meeting in Brussels between the 30-country NATO alliance and Russia.

The meeting is aimed at defusing the ongoing tension between the West and the Kremlin as the Russian military is massing on Ukraine's eastern border, stoking fears of an invasion.

Russia has called on NATO to guarantee it won't expand eastward into Ukraine, a demand the alliance and Ukraine itself flatly reject.

"The position of Western countries in the dialogue with Russia must remain firm and decisive. It is necessary to be ready for the immediate introduction of a preventive package of sanctions against Russia to counter the Kremlin's aggressive intentions," the Ukraine foreign ministry quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

He reiterated to Trudeau that the West should not back down to Moscow's demands on curbing NATO expansion.

"No one but Ukraine and NATO should influence the process of our integration with the alliance," Zelenskyy said.

According to a Canadian account of the phone cal, Trudeau "reaffirmed Canadas steadfast support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and emphasized that any military incursion into Ukraine would have serious consequences, including co-ordinated sanctions

"He emphasized the co-ordination underway between Ukraines partners in order to stand united in the face of Russian provocation.

Zelenskyy also pushed Canada to extend its contribution of 200 military personnel to a NATO military training mission in Ukraine that is set to expire at the end of March.

The two leaders also "agreed on the need to make joint efforts to get adequate compensation" for the families of the 176 passengers who were killed when the Iranian military shot down Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 two years ago. The majority of those killed were from Canada as well as nationals of Ukraine, Sweden, Britain and Afghanistan.

Earlier Tuesday, Ukraine's foreign minister said any NATO concession to Russia that it would not expand the alliance eastward would be a strategic defeat.

"The Russian Federation had initiated talks on the so-called 'security guarantees' to raise the stakes to the maximum by making intentionally unacceptable demands," said Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in a statement that was provided by the Ukrainian Embassy in Ottawa.

"The situation appears especially cynical as Russia is demanding security guarantees at a time when its over 100,000-strong force is brandishing arms on Ukraines borders, holding Crimea hostage and fighting in Donbas, Russian special services are undermining security at Belaruss borders with Poland and Lithuania, and gas supplies are being transformed into an instrument of foreign policy."

In 2014, Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of its Moscow-friendly leader and threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in the country's east, where more than seven years of fighting has killed over 14,000 people.

A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany has helped end large-scale battles, but frequent skirmishes have continued and efforts to negotiate a political settlement have failed.

Zelenskyy met Tuesday with French and German officials who visited Kyiv after talks in Moscow the previous week to discuss prospects for another four-way meeting of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine France and Germany on the conflict.

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"It's time to have substantive talks on ending the conflict, and we are ready to make the necessary decisions during a new summit of the four countries' leaders," Zelenskyy said.

As Wednesday's talks drew closer, the divide between the United States and Russia remained wide.

"We will not allow anyone to slam NATO's open-door policy shut," said U.S. Ambassador Julianne Smith.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, meawhile, told reporters: ''We see no significant reason for optimism."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.

 with files from The Associated Press.
As the Omicron variant roars across the province, Manitobas premier has conceded the public  and not the government  must be responsible for limiting its spread.

As the Omicron variant roars across the province, Manitobas premier has conceded the public  and not the government  must be responsible for limiting its spread.

"This virus is running throughout our community and its up to Manitobans to look after themselves," Premier Heather Stefanson told reporters Wednesday.

"We must all learn to live with this virus; there must be a balance."

With a record 454 COVID-19 patients in hospital reported Wednesday  up from 251 on Jan. 4  and the novel coronavirus running amok, the premier was asked if public health officials had recommended more stringent measures to try and contain the spread.

We must all learn to live with this virus; there must be a balance.  Premier Heather Stefanson

"I think we already have a lot of restrictions in place," said Stefanson, sidestepping the question. She repeatedly stated Manitobas measures have been among the toughest in Canada and it was the first to impose such strict rules.

When deputy chief provincial public health officer Dr. Jazz Atwal was asked if his department had recommended more strict measures be taken, Stefanson jumped in to answer. The premier was interrupted when the question was again put to Atwal.

"We do provide recommendations to government," the doctor said, but left it up to government to comment on whether or not it accepts them.

"At the end of the day, well be taking advice from public health, but well be taking advice from other Manitobans moving forward," Stefanson said.

"I certainly have been reaching out to the business community. We know that pediatricians were out earlier this week talking about the importance of getting kids back to school. This is all of the advice we need to get from professionals out there, so its not just falling at the feet of (Manitoba) Public Health."

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Premier Heather Stefanson repeatedly stated Manitobas measures have been among the toughest in Canada and it was the first to impose such strict rules.

The fast-spreading Omicron causing severe disruptions to staffing personal care homes, emergency services, home care and essential services is not "unique" to Manitoba, the premier said.

"Its happening across the country This is why Manitobans need to look after themselves," she said. "The government cant protect everybody out there."

It means the province has "thrown in the towel" when it comes to containing the spread of the virus and protecting the health-care system, NDP Leader Wab Kinew said.

"I disagree with the phrase government cant protect you, thats absolutely not true. We see different outcomes in different provinces," Kinew told reporters Wednesday.

"The inaction of this government on a day when we see a record high number of hospitalizations is inexcusable."

The inaction of this government on a day when we see a record high number of hospitalizations is inexcusable.  NDP Leader Wab Kinew

The leader of the official Opposition said he wants to know what measures public health officials were recommending the province did not accept.

"It seems very clear that public health in Manitoba advised the premier to put in stronger measures," Kinew said.

The PC government has resisted tightening existing restrictions, saying those rules already hinder businesses, mental health and childhood development.

"What we need is to go and have a more balanced approach moving forward," Stefanson said.

Atwal backed up the governments position.

"Public health had to shift because the virus changed. Lets face it: the virus changed quite dramatically on us," he said. "We would not be able to contain this virus, so we have to learn to live with this virus.

"It is highly likely that everyone will be exposed to the virus in the coming weeks."

A typical infection caused by the Delta variant would cause three to four more cases, while the Omicron variant is so contagious it often leads to 12 to 16 others being infected, Atwal said.

Thats in part because of a median three-day incubation period  a much shorter interval between being exposed and becoming contagious, which lasted about four to five days with the Delta variant, the doctor said.

"As we learn more, we will adjust our approaches to identify those most at risk and mitigate the effects of COVID-19," Atwal said, noting the province will focus on vaccinations, testing those most at risk of severe outcomes, and using treatments such as antibodies and antivirals.

One of the positives coming from this (variant) is it has much less severe outcomes, especially if youre vaccinated.  Dr. Jazz Atwal, deputy chief provincial public health officer

"One of the positives coming from this (variant) is it has much less severe outcomes, especially if youre vaccinated."

Two-thirds of patients with COVID-19 in Manitoba hospitals have so-called incidental infections, meaning they have sought medical attention for another issue but happen to have the disease, Health Minister Audrey Gordon said.

Public health officials later clarified that proportion was determined by conducting chart reviews at one facility.

Atwal instead asked Manitobans to be more vigilant than what the orders allow.

"If youre planning on having 10 different activities youre doing this week, cut them down to five; cut them down to two. Limit those interactions at an individual level, and that will help mitigate some of the risk related to COVID-19," he said.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

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Dylan Robertson

Parliamentary bureau chief In Ottawa, Dylan enjoys snooping through freedom-of-information requests and asking politicians: "What about Manitoba?" Read full biography
The Opposition NDP is calling on the Manitoba government to begin collecting results of the thousands of rapid antigen tests distributed to the public over recent weeks.

The Opposition NDP is calling on the Manitoba government to begin collecting results of the thousands of rapid antigen tests distributed to the public over recent weeks.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew said without widespread accessibility of PCR tests, Manitobans who test positive on a rapid antigen test may face challenges applying for compensation or benefits if they cannot prove they were diagnosed with COVID-19.

"What is going to happen if somebody needs to file a claim, whether thats for workers comp or disability or for insurance purposes related to their COVID-19 diagnosis?" Kinew told reporters at the legislative building Tuesday.

Currently, the provincial government does not collect the results of rapid antigen tests distributed at COVID-19 screening sites. Rather, people are given rapid tests to use at home and are not required to return to a screening site to receive a confirmatory PCR test.

Only some Manitobans are given the more sensitive PCR test at screening sites, in order to preserve laboratory and public health capacity; students, children and people working in vulnerable sectors are asked to return for confirmatory tests.

Kinew called on the province to create a database for Manitobans to report rapid test results, and to ensure such data can be used for health-care and insurance coverage decisions in the future.

Meantime, Union Station MLA and NDP health critic Uzoma Asagwara said constituents have reached out with concerns about the lack of documentation for their COVID-19 diagnosis.

"Were still learning at this point how COVID is affecting people long term," Asagwara said. "Its really important that this information is documented and that people know they can access it for whatever they may need.

"It is critical that this government act quickly on this."

Previously, chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said his office was looking at launching a system to track positive rapid test results, but no such initiatives have yet been announced.

In a statement sent Wednesday, a spokesperson for Manitoba Health said the department is looking at options for self-reporting the results of rapid tests.

"We recognize the potential for limited reporting rates due to the completeness and accuracy of the information and the timeliness of such reporting," the statement said.

However, results of rapid tests performed in clinical settings or testing sites are recorded by public health, the province noted.

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Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba director of communications Tracey Shelton said the organization has already adjusted its policies to accept a positive rapid test result as proof of a COVID-19 infection, due to "significant restrictions that Manitoba Public Health has put on the availability of PCR testing."

Asagwara said by collecting rapid test results, provincial public health officials would also have greater insight into how the novel coronavirus is spreading in the community and who is being affected by the disease.

"The more data that we can collect during this pandemic about how COVID-19 is affecting Manitobans, the better," Asagwara said. "This is an opportunity for Manitoba to be a leader in collecting this information."

Efforts must also continue to improve PCR testing capacity after laboratories were completely overwhelmed by the thousands of people requiring COVID-19 tests, Asagwara said.

"We need to make sure that health care is bolstered in a way to ensure that access to PCR tests is strong."

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
Premier Heather Stefansons most important decision when she shuffles her cabinet in the coming weeks will be choosing Manitobas next health minister.

Premier Heather Stefansons most important decision when she shuffles her cabinet in the coming weeks will be choosing Manitobas next health minister.

Its not that portfolios such as education, justice and municipal affairs are not important  they are. However, the next provincial election (scheduled for October 2023) will almost certainly be fought on how to fix the provinces rapidly deteriorating health-care system.

The decision  including whether to keep Health Minister Audrey Gordon in the role  could make the difference between the Tories winning or losing.

Stefanson is expected to announce her first major cabinet shuffle as early as this month. It will be a chance for the rookie premier to put her stamp on government and add some fresh faces to a cabinet inherited from the now-retired Brian Pallister.

She likely wont make wholesale change, but several key portfolios are expected to have new ministers. (Stefanson has only made one such move since taking over as premier in November: dumping infrastructure minister Ron Schuler for his refusal to support governments COVID-19 vaccine policies and giving the portfolio to Reg Helwer, who also serves as central services minister).

Stefanson may promote one or two Winnipeg MLAs from the backbench to cabinet in an effort to boost the Tories sagging support in the capital. She could also appoint a labour minister, which Manitoba hasnt had since 2016. (Pallisters decision to dissolve the ministry was widely seen as a slight against organized labour.)

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Heather Stefanson is expected to announce her first major cabinet shuffle as early as this month. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)

The education portfolio is ripe for change, mostly to put a new face on the department after Bill 64  proposed legislation that would have eliminated most elected school boards  was shelved in October.

Also, if Stefanson is serious about the issue, she will replace Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere with someone more suitable for the job (preferably an MLA with a better grasp of the harms caused by residential schools).

In the end, however, the health portfolio will be the most critical file.

Manitobas health-care system was in trouble long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. The Tories poorly executed hospital consolidation plan, which began in 2017, resulted in staff shortages, a lack of bed capacity, and long waiting lists  all of which were exacerbated under the strain of the novel coronavirus.

The biggest challenge now facing the Tories is trying to reverse as much of that damage as possible  including reducing record surgical backlogs  before the next election.

The question for Stefanson: does she keep Gordon in place to lead that charge or find a more suitable candidate? Whoever she chooses will likely be in place until the upcoming provincial vote.

Pallister appointed Gordon to cabinet a year ago, as minister of mental health. She was elevated to health minister in August 2021 to replace Stefanson, when the Tuxedo MLA announced she was running for the Progressive Conservative party leadership.

Audrey Gordon was named health minister in August 2021 to replace Stefanson, when the Tuxedo MLA announced she was running for the Progressive Conservative party leadership. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Gordons track record hasnt been stellar. She had nearly five months to expand hospital capacity to prepare for another pandemic surge, yet elderly patients are still being shipped out of Winnipeg hospitals to rural communities and elective surgeries continue to be cancelled.

When questioned in November about a lack of enforcement of public health orders in the Southern Health region, Gordon said concerned people should call the tip line.

Under her watch, COVID-19 hospitalizations are again soaring, approaching record levels.

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Thats as much the premiers fault as anyones for refusing to bring in more robust public health measures prior to Christmas. Nevertheless, Gordon is probably not the health minister Stefanson wants in place over the next 21 months before voters go to the polls.

Is it Finance Minister Scott Fieldings turn to take on the challenge? How about Families Minister Rochelle Squires or Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard?

Its doubtful Education Minister Cliff Cullen, who struggled to implement public school reform and failed to bring in measures to make schools safer during the pandemic, would be a good choice.

Whoever Stefanson chooses will have their work cut out for them.

The PC partys fortunes at the ballot box will be riding on it.

tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca
Planting a tree seems easy: dig hole, place seedling in hole, backfill hole with dirt, top off with mulch and water.

Planting a tree seems easy: dig hole, place seedling in hole, backfill hole with dirt, top off with mulch and water.

But, as Winnipeg is finding out, planting a million trees is not a simple matter.

In 2019, Mayor Brian Bowman introduced the Million Tree Challenge, which called on residents, businesses and not-for-profit agencies to plant one million trees on private and public property by the time Winnipegs population reaches one million people, which is expected around 2040.

The campaign initially seemed to have potential to give citizens an outlet to do something positive to fight climate change, and also to bolster Winnipegs tree canopy, which is under assault from harmful invaders such as the emerald ash borer, Dutch Elm disease and the cottony ash psyllid, also known as jumping tree lice.

But enthusiasm for the project has wilted considerably as citizens find the green initiative is bogged down by administrative entanglements.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES City Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) has recommended the city establish a simplified approval process by the time citizens are ready to roll up their sleeves and get planting in the spring.

Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West), who called the process "a bureaucratic nightmare," noted it takes volunteers many weeks, or even months, to secure approvals from up to seven different city departments to launch one tree-planting project on city-owned land. Some have required more than 60 email exchanges before the roots hit the ground.

The councillor has recommended the city establish a simplified approval process by the time citizens are ready to roll up their sleeves and get planting in the spring. Her call for better communication includes the development of a clear checklist of steps needed to obtain planting approval.

The challenge for city officials will be to heed Ms. Lukes recommendations to streamline the planting process while still ensuring the tree-planting initiatives are well planned, ensuring the right type of trees are planted in the right way in the right places.

Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) called the process of launching a treeplanting project a bureaucratic nightmare, noting it takes volunteers many weeks, or even months, to secure approvals.

To do otherwise, to allow citizens without dendrology knowledge to plant haphazardly in a type of forestry "trees-for-all," could do more harm than good as trees are planted in locations where roots grow to impede underground gas or water lines, or branches blossom to block the vision of road traffic.

The tension resides in finding a way to tap the eagerness of arboriculture amateurs while still ensuring their volunteer efforts are focused in directions that are best for Winnipegs urban forest. Fortunately for the city officials faced with this challenge, they can learn from many places around the world undergoing similar projects.

Red tape blamed for hindering tree-planting efforts on city property JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS "Im trying to prove that we can easily do it if we do it the right way," said Louise May. Posted: 7:00 PM Jan. 4, 2022 Concerns are growing that excessive red tape is thwarting efforts to get trees planted on city property, despite Winnipegs goal to get a million in the ground within the next two decades. It can take volunteers many weeks, or even months, to secure approvals from up to seven different city departments to launch one tree planting project on city-owned land  a bureaucratic nightmare that threatens to discourage volunteers, said Coun. Janice Lukes. Read Full Story

Tree-planting initiatives have become a highly public outreach of many environmental campaigns around the globe in recent years. From the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, which aims to restore or plant one trillion trees by 2030, to Canadas Two Billion Trees program and similar programs in dozens of countries around the world, governments are looking to trees ability to capture carbon and reduce greenhouse gases as an affordable part of climate-change solutions.

Additional benefits to a healthy cover of trees include water purification, resistance to flooding, a habitat for biodiversity and citizen well-being.

Many governments are, like Winnipegs, encouraging citizens to pick up a spade and get planting. It was recently announced in Wales that every household will be offered a free tree, to plant on their property or have added to a forest on their behalf.

Its in the context of this global plant-a-thon that Winnipeg officials are tasked with doing our citys part and greatly increasing the 17,469 trees that have been planted so far under this program.

Winnipeggers have demonstrated theyre willing to dig in to help their city stay green. Their enthusiasm should be encouraged, not tangled in red tape.
OTTAWA  As many as 41 per cent of Winnipeggers might have active COVID-19, military modelling suggests  one week after the province acknowledged it can no longer accurately record the soaring number of cases.

OTTAWA  As many as 41 per cent of Winnipeggers might have active COVID-19, military modelling suggests  one week after the province acknowledged it can no longer accurately record the soaring number of cases.

That estimated prevalence is based on the typical ratio of known cases to asymptomatic ones that dont ever get tested, the timelines people incubate the novel coronavirus and when they are most infectious to others, according to a dashboard designed by Defence Research and Development Canada, a government agency that advises the Canadian Armed Forces.

"The numbers found in this model are not case numbers but rather estimates based on existing epidemiological information," a military spokesperson wrote Tuesday.

The numbers found in this model are not case numbers but rather estimates based on existing epidemiological information.  Military spokesperson

The Canadian military health system uses this tool "to support local risk assessment and related advice provided to commanders," including abroad.

It is not used to advise any government.

In data updated Tuesday morning, the dashboard suggests some 41.4 per cent of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authoritys population has active COVID-19, amounting to 326,317 people.

Officially, Manitoba has 22,605 lab-confirmed, active COVID-19 cases in Winnipeg  though the province says thats vastly under-reported, as PCR lab tests are being rationed to select groups.

Most Manitobans with symptoms receive rapid antigen tests, whose results are not recorded by the province. Those with a positive result on a rapid test are supposed to isolate at home.

A screenshot from an online dashboard run by Defence Research and Development Canada shows various projections for how widespread COVID-19 might be, based on reported cases and trends around how many active cases might not be detected. Winnipeg

On Jan. 5, Manitoba deputy chief provincial public health officer Dr. Jazz Atwal said the number of cases was likely eight to 10 times higher than those detected in PCR tests.

Manitoba Health could not say Tuesday whether that extrapolation still stands.

There were 33,617 lab-confirmed cases for all of Manitoba, as of Tuesday morning. Under the range Atwal mentioned, that would amount to between 268,936 to 336,170 total cases, which equals between 19.5 and 24.3 per cent of the provincial population having active COVID-19.

The military modelling pegs that prevalence a bit higher, at 24.5 per cent province-wide.

That same dashboard predicts a drop in Winnipeg cases by next week, to 37 per cent of the region having active COVID-19.

The military dashboard predicts a drop in Winnipeg cases by next week, to 37 per cent of the region having active COVID19.

Meanwhile, a tool used to tabulate risk suggests a random group of 10 Winnipeggers has a statistical 99 per cent chance of at least one in the group having an undetected infection, as of Tuesday, up from a 50 per cent on Christmas Day.

A random group of 10 people in Winnipeg would have a mean of three with an undetected COVID-19 infection, up from a mean of 0.7 per group of 10 on Christmas Day, the same data says.

Manitobas current public health orders restrict household gatherings to 10 visitors.

Modelling COVID-19 spread is notoriously tricky, given variants have differing levels of contagiousness, and research is evolving on the timeframes that infected people are most likely to spread the virus. Transmission can also vary based on how people interact with each other, and even environmental conditions such as humidity.

The military stressed that uncertainty Tuesday. Its dashboard has been running publicly for more than a year as part of a federal open-data initiative but the website has had little public attention.

The military dashboard has been running publicly for more than a year as part of a federal opendata initiative but the website has had little public attention.

"We provide this tool primarily for the use of the Canadian Armed Forces to understand their local risk environment in Canada and internationally, and not for general public health purposes," a spokesperson wrote.

Nevertheless, the military modelling anticipates a growth in case rates for all four health regions outside Winnipeg, with the worst jump in Interlake-Eastern, where COVID-19 prevalence might jump to 30 per cent (from 22 per cent) within a week.

The dashboard estimates the lowest rate of COVID-19 in Southern Health, after months of being Manitobas coronavirus hot spot. Its current prevalence of 14.9 per cent is set to rise to 19 per cent a week later, the resource says.

Its unclear if this rate is due to a large share of recent infections or that so few locals have gone to get tested in recent months, according to regional health-care workers.

The Omicron variant, which has taken hold in Manitoba and most of the continent, is extremely contagious, but officials say the public can use layers of protection, such as masking, ventilation and vaccination, to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca

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Winona, MN (55987)

Today

Cloudy. Periods of rain this morning. High 56F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 36F. Winds light and variable.
Photo by Chris Rogers

The former junior high school auditorium in downtown Winona is being demolished. Bob Kierlin and Mary Burrichter announced plans to construct a new music hall and art gallery at the site by late 2024.
The Baraboo School District is looking to bridge achievement gaps amongst its students with the assistance of a nonprofit organization.

Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, is a 40-year-old nonprofit college readiness program in which implementation has been discussed within the district for a few years, according to Baraboo High School Principal Glenn Bildsten. Bildsten said at the districts board meeting Monday staff hopes to fully implement it for the 2022-23 school year.

Its a proven achievement system that affects the entire building  all students, all staff  over time, said Bildsten. Its also a way to provide some of those students in our buildings who maybe are underrepresented and providing them additional support so that they can achieve their dreams of going on to post-secondary education.

Blidsten said AVIDs main mission is to close the opportunity gap between students and prepare all students, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, for college and future success. The program targets writing, critical thinking, teamwork and organization skills.

Its really nothing different than what weve been doing all along, but it provides some really strong professional development to our staff in order to make it happen, said Blidsten.

According to the AVID website, AVID helps train 85,000 educators on an annual basis. The website also states that it is not a separate program, but rather one that aligns with schools goals to accelerate the existing work.

Elementary schoolchildren learn about organization, study skills, self-advocacy and communication, according to the website. The site also mentions how its elementary programs help prevent opportunity gaps.

For secondary school attendees, the website reports AVID has developed the AVID Elective Course. It is designed to help underrepresented children receive needed support for success in their most rigorous courses, according to the site.

It provides sound foundational structures in the school to support both the teachers and the students, said Baraboo School District Director of Secondary Teaching/Learning Jane McMahon. It offers strategies to create a culture of learning and excellence.

McMahon said teachers receive intensive training to support students in their academic preparedness. She mentioned how students are better informed of opportunities available to them with AVID.

Teachers acquire this training through the AVID Summer Institute, according to McMahon. She said the districts plan is to send eight instructors to the Summer Institute and of those eight, at minimum four would be content teachers along with additional staff members.
On behalf of the First United Methodist Church, Baraboo, Love in Action Mission Committee a big thank you to Trish Churchill of Trisha's Cottage Kitchen and Catering as well as Neato's Bakery for preparing the Christmas dinner for the homebound. One hundred dinners consisting of turkey, ham and all the fixings were delivered to individuals who would otherwise would not have had a hot meal on Christmas Day. EMS and Police personnel were included as well.

Thank you to all those who helped prepare, serve and deliver the meals.

In previous years, FUMC has invited people into the building for a community meal to share, but because of COVID-19 it became necessary move to delivering meals individually. For the past 2 years a group of generous volunteers have assisted in preparation and delivery of the meal. This is done with the help of monetary contributions to the Christmas Dinner Fund, FUMC, as well as the donated efforts of the many helpers who pitched in.

Judith Ellington, Baraboo
A Beaver Dam native is taking on a new role as the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatres managing director.

David Smith, who got his theatrical start as a child in BDACTs first Tell-A-Tale productions, has been selected to head up the nonprofit organization. A University of Minnesota theatre alumnus, Smiths career in community and professional theater includes working with companies in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California.

Smith replaces David Saniter who left the post in November after nearly 13 years of service. He led the group through its transition from the old theatre building at 219 N. Spring St. into the new BDACT Fine Arts Center at 117 W. Maple Ave in 2019.

BDACT Board of Directors President Mike Derr said the search committee looked for someone to help the organization continue to grow and thrive.

David not only has extensive experience in the many facets of theatre operations but a solid connection to the success of our programming, he said.

Smith started in his new position Monday, working with Volunteer Coordinator Kim Doyle who served as Interim Managing Director.

Im excited to return to Beaver Dam as part of the leadership at BDACT, said Smith. The board, staff and volunteers have invested great energy and imagination to grow and expand BDACT to a valuable component of the community.

The theatre group, now in its 58th year, is welcoming back audiences for two shows that were postponed when the BDACT Fine Arts Center shut down operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

First scheduled to perform in March 2020, the N.E.W. Piano Guys will take the stage Saturday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Show coordinator Judy Pearce said seats are still available to see the dueling piano entertainers.

The audience should start thinking about songs they want to hear because much of their show is request-driven, and theres a lot of humor in their act, she said.

The performers provide their own pianos and encourage people to sing and clap along to songs from almost every music genre.

Next month, BDACT will host television personality and humorist John McGivern. McGiverns show had been on the docket in May 2020 and December 2021 but was cancelled first because of pandemic restrictions and second because he had laryngitis.

Hoping the third times a charm, BDACT has scheduled McGiverns Winter Tales to take place Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. (with an inclement weather date set for Sunday, Feb. 20). Tickets are $32, $37 and $42.

His performances feature personal and funny winter remembrances about growing up on the east side of Milwaukee.

Ticket-holders from postponed shows should contact the BDACT box office to complete an exchange.

For more information, go to bdact.org.

Follow Kelly Simon on Twitter @KSchmidSimon or contact her at 920-356-6757.

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Chandler Halderson, who is on trial for allegedly killing and dismembering his parents, Bart and Krista, has tested positive for COVID-19, which will postpone his trial to at least Jan. 18, according to court staff.

Clerk of the Court Carlo Esqueda confirmed that the trial had been delayed. Asked whether Halderson has been infected with COVID-19, District Court Administrator Theresa Owens said Halderson got a positive test result.

The length of the delay depends upon the resolution of whatever symptoms Mr. Halderson may have, in accordance with (Public Health Madison and Dane County and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidance, Esqueda said.

Wilson Medina, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office, which is representing Halderson, said that a hearing is set for 8:45 a.m. Thursday to assess how the case will move forward.

Owens said the hope is for testimony to resume next week. Esqueda said there is not expected to be a mistrial.

Haldersons positive test comes the day after the National Guard tested the entire population of the Dane County Jail, which was facing all-time highs of COVID-19 cases last week.

The delay in the murder trial until Jan. 18 was first reported by the Law & Crime Network, which is livestreaming the proceedings.

Tuesdays proceedings included testimony from a former Dane County detective who lived across the street from the Halderson family. He said he smelled what he thought was a barbecue on the evening prosecutors allege Chandler Halderson burned his parents remains after killing and dismembering them earlier that day.

Steven Greiber, who worked at the Dane County District Attorneys Office for twelve years, told the court that he was in his driveway cleaning radishes after his granddaughters softball game when a burning odor filled the road, which made him think someone was barbecuing meat over a grill pit.

For the remainder of the time I was outside it became a pungent smell to the point I walked down the driveway to see if anyone was grilling, the former detective said.

Prosecutors allege the source of the smell was Chandler Halderson burning the remains of his parents in a fireplace the evening of July 1 into the early hours of July 2 last year. Halderson then allegedly dumped other remains throughout southern Wisconsin. He faces felony charges for murder, mutilating and hiding corpses and lying to investigators.

Prosecutors say Chandler committed the murders at home on July 1 after his father discovered hed been lying about attending Madison Area Technical College  one of a series of lies prosecutors say hed long been telling everyone, including that he worked for American Family Insurance, aerospace company SpaceX and as a scuba diver. In reality, they say, Halderson was unemployed and had dropped out of school.

Security footage

Jurors on Tuesday also saw footage from the home security camera of a different Halderson neighbor, Colin Lynch, which prosecutors said showed light from a fire in the fireplace coming through a window in the Halderson home for hours.

Dane County Detective Scott Kuntz, who specializes in audiovisual forensics, collected the footage from Lynch who lives across a pond from the Halderson home in the town of Windsor. The footage shown to jurors depicts a continuous flickering light in the direction of the Halderson residence until nearly 4 a.m. on July 2.

To determine whether the light was coming from the window near the fireplace, Kuntz had a deputy wave a 4-foot piece of steel with LED lights attached to it in front of the homes backyard windows. While filming through the same home security camera, the lights appeared similar to the light picked up from the window near the fireplace, Kuntz testified.

The conclusion was clear to me that the flickering light from July 2 was coming from the fireplace window, the window closest to the fireplace, Kuntz said.

Haldersons attorney, Catherine Dorl, declined to cross-examine any witnesses called by the prosecution Tuesday morning.

Bill Boswell, a special agent with the Wisconsin Department of Justices Arson Bureau who examined the Haldersons fireplace, later testified Tuesday that he noted a smell like grilled meat in the fireplace. His examination of the fireplace also recovered pieces of bone and documented extensive discoloration to the fireplaces interior.

Other testimony

On Monday, jurors had seen evidence collected from the Halderson home and from the hobby farm where the headless torso of his father was found, including the rifle they believe Halderson used to kill his father and the shoe where hed hidden both his parents phones and drivers licenses.

The dozens of photos and pieces of physical evidence introduced Monday also included three rifle magazines containing 55 rounds of ammunition, a bullet fragment and casing, and an ax with human blood on it  all of which were found in the Haldersons Windsor home.

In afternoon testimony on Tuesday, Dane County Deputy Medical Examiner Cori Breslauer said three gunshot wounds were identified on Barts torso during an evaluation of the body. The presence of gunpowder soot around one of the bullet holes led Breslauer to conclude that the shot had been fired at close range.

Breslauer also concluded that Bart died from gunshot wounds and had not been alive at the time of his dismemberment.

Additional evidence introduced Tuesday included surveillance footage of Chandler buying a tarp at a Fleet Farm in DeForest.

A pair of tarps stained with reddish brown substance were found by investigators at the property were Barts torso was found. One tarp found in a garbage can in the propertys wood had blood on it that matched Krista, Denise Jones, a senior forensic analyst at the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, testified Tuesday.

Deputy Erik Schneider testified Monday that after finding Bart Haldersons torso he found several items on the property used for sawing and cutting, including a bolt cutter and saw blade, inside an old oil tank.

State Journal reporters Emily Hamer, Chris Rickert and Ed Treleven contributed to this report.
A complaint demanding that Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers remove Milwaukee County's district attorney from office over a bail recommendation for a man who later drove his SUV through a suburban parade isn't valid, an attorney hired by the governor's administration concluded Tuesday.

The complaint from a group of Milwaukee County taxpayers has a host of technical shortcomings, attorney Matthew Fleming wrote in a memo to Evers. Nothing indicates the group swore oaths that they believe their statements were true, notary verifications were incomplete and the group failed to allege any facts that show Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm neglected his duties, Fleming wrote.

It is my opinion that (the complaint) . . . fails to meet the statutory standards necessary for Governor Evers to commence the process for removing Mr. Chisholm from office, Fleming wrote.

The administration hired Fleming at $275 an hour to review the complaint that was filed last month over Chisholm's office's handling of a case involving Darrell Brooks, who is accused of killing six people in a Christmas parade in Waukesha in November. He was released on $1,000 bail just days earlier after allegedly running over the mother of his child with his SUV.

Evers spokeswoman Britt Cudaback said in an email to The Associated Press that the governor can't legally take any action in light of Fleming's conclusions. But in the event of new, additional facts, concerns, or complaints raised, the governor will give that information full consideration and review to protect public safety and keep our communities safe, she added.

Republicans and other critics have accused Chisholm of essentially enabling the parade attack. Chisholm has said bail for Brooks should have been higher but that an overworked assistant district attorney didnt have time to assess his case and needed to move on to the next one.

Chisholm has pushed for ending cash bail, saying its not fair to poor defendants. He wants a new system in which only violent offenders are jailed until trial.

Evers and Chisholm are both Democrats. Orville Seymer, the leader of the group that filed the complaint, said in a telephone interview that he believes the group did everything right, even having an attorney draft the complaint.

I think everybody knew Evers was looking for a way out of this, Seymer said. He didnt want to deal with this in the first place. In the long run, this is going to hurt (his reelection chances). The people of Waukesha are going to be really, really angry with Evers.

Brooks' case has pushed Republicans legislators to introduce bills that would require a $10,000 minimum bond for people who have previously committed a felony or violent misdemeanor. They would also would require the Wisconsin Department of Justice to create a bond transparency report detailing crime and bond conditions.

Evers' office released a letter Tuesday that the governor sent to Chisholm last month noting that Chisholm has launched an internal investigation into Brooks' bail. The governor told Chisholm he expects the investigation to be impartial and transparent and that he wants assurances that Chisholm's office will make bail recommendations that won't jeopardize public safety.

Many of us have spent the interceding days (since the parade) mourning this tragedy and the lives taken from us, Evers wrote. So, too, we spent these days rightfully seeking answers for how this tragedy happened, justice for those families and the Waukesha community, and solutions necessary to ensure something like this never happens again.

A message left at Chisholm's office wasn't immediately returned.
The triple homicide trial of Rakayo Vinson, charged with killing three men and wounding three more at the Somers House tavern in April, had early drama Tuesday morning during the first day of arguments before the jury had even arrived.

Just before the jury was to be brought into Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce E. Schroeders courtroom, Vinson addressed the court.

And, as he did during jury selection Monday, Vinson demanded a new attorney.

Vinson, charged with three counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the April 18, 2021, shooting deaths of Cedric Gaston, Atkeem Stevenson and Kevin Donaldson and three felony counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, told Schroeder that he and his attorney, Donald Bielski, had a breakdown in communication.

I need another legal representation, Vinson, 25, said Tuesday. I am firing my attorney. Hes not communicating with me. Im firing him, and Im looking for new representation ... I dont trust my life in his hands.

That last comment led to an outburst in the gallery, which was quickly admonished by Schroeder, who warned spectators they would be removed if it continued.

Schroeder said he hasnt seen any reason to change attorneys, especially with the trial now underway.

Having a defendant disclose specifics would give the prosecution an advantage, Schroeder said, who added such requests by a defendant arent that unusual when stakes are this high.

This is a chronic complaint by people with challenging cases like yours, Schroeder said. I havent caught any of (those issues) at all. I havent identified anything in particular that (Bielskis) doing wrong.

As the conversation between Schroeder and Vinson continued, District Attorney Michael Graveley told Schroeder that phone calls monitored while Vinson has been in custody on a $4 million cash bond indicate his request Tuesday may have been previously planned. Graveley said those calls with Vinsons family members indicated the defendant may make such a request as the trial was about to begin as some kind of tactical move.

Schroeder, who was continually interrupted by Vinson on Tuesday, told the defendant he was going to start the trial but could revisit the issue if necessary. He also said that should Vinson be convicted and his claims of ineffective counsel are correct, he would likely be granted a new trial eventually.

Im going to scrutinize this carefully, Schroeder said. If youre correct, youre going to get a new trial if youre found guilty.

That explanation didnt sit well with Vinson.

Im going to fire (Bielski), he said. Hes fired. No matter what, hes fired.

At that point, the jury of 16  which will be reduced to 12 when the case is deliberated  was brought into the courtroom. The jury, selected Monday during the first day of the trial, consists of eight men and eight women.

Lawyers give openings

Graveley, who is joined on the state side by Assistant District Attorney Rosa Delgado, started Tuesday with a layout of the tavern where Vinson allegedly got into a physical altercation that later led to gunfire and the three Kenosha men dead, along with three others injured.

From there, Graveley said the night was a collection of several different friend groups that later became connected.

Donaldson, who engaged in a gunfight with Vinson on the east side of Sheridan Road, came to the Somers House, 1548 Sheridan Road, with several others, while Gaston and Stevenson were together, also with a group of friends.

A third group, which included two who were seriously wounded, came from the Lake Geneva and northern Illinois looking for a fun night out, Graveley said.

There is no dispute that Donaldson and Vinson threw punches at each other after some sort of conflict in a packed bar that night, Graveley said.

Now, the fight is on, two guys swinging at each other, he said.

Eventually, Vinson was taken to the bathroom by the Somers House owner to calm down and deal with a bloody nose.

So this could just be a bloody nose at a bar in Kenosha that happens a couple times a year, Graveley said. It could have just been that.

At one point, Gaston and Stevenson approached Vinson, who began to fire his weapon, Graveley said. Donaldson was shot after he and Vinson exchanged gunfire across the street.

Everything, including DNA evidence, a wallet found after Vinson jumped two fences to flee and his cell phone, point straight to the defendant, Graveley said.

The crime lab evidence will point to this defendant, he said. The witnesses will point to this defendant, and you will hear them tell what happened that night.

You will hear about loss, and you will see the evidence, and the evidence will take you to a place where you hold this defendant responsible, Graveley said.

Defense counters

Bielski, meanwhile, said a 25-minute video that will be played in court is open to interpretation, and that his view of the events that night is much different than Graveleys.

Mr. Graveley said in his opening that the three (deceased victims) dont have a voice, Bielski said. They do have a voice. This video is their voice, and you can see how they act on this video.

When I look at it, it certainly looks like (the three victims) are seeking conflict. Theyve already been kicked out (of the bar), yet theyre coming back ... What do the three men have in common? They all confronted and fought Mr. Vinson.

Bielski said his client had the firearm in his possession during the night but didnt use it, even when he was in a physical altercation with all three victims.

Mr. Vinson had this gun all night, Bielski said. Even though he was beaten up, he didnt use it. Youll see in the video, hes calm. In the meantime, Gaston and Stevenson are sneaking around. So who are the troublemakers?

They just wont leave him alone, and its at that point, he fears for his safety.

The states first witness was Kenosha County Sheriffs Department Deputy Kyle Bissonnette, who was one of the first two deputies on the scene that night. Bissonnette, under direct examination by Delgado, described the scene to the court through a number of photographs he took as part of his duties inside and outside the bar.

Outburst delays opening

Midway through Bielskis opening Tuesday, Schroeder sent the jury to the back after an outburst in the courtroom by Tanisha Gaston, sister of Cedric Gaston.

Deputies brought Gaston back, and Schroeder told her he was sympathetic to her emotions, but that he couldnt tolerate outbursts during the trial.

My heart goes out to you, but I cant tolerate (this), Schroeder said.

Gaston apologized, but she was issued a $250 fine by Schroeder for contempt.
Rakayo Vinson, charged with killing three men and wounding three more at a Kenosha tavern in April, demanded a new attorney on the first day of arguments in his trial.
Two of Montanas largest coal mines have announced leadership changes to start the new year.

Signal Peak, the states only underground coal mine, announced that Parker Phipps will become president and CEO on Feb. 1. Phipps has been vice president of underground operations at the mine since February 2020. He replaces Joseph Farinelli as president.

Additionally, the Navajo Transition Energy Company, owner of Spring Creek mine, will be under new leadership following the resignation of NTEC CEO Clark Mosely. Source New Mexico broke the news Monday of Moselys resignation

Signal Peak and Spring Creek were two Montana mines that experienced production increases in 2021 following years of historic lows for coal mining, which were accelerated by a decreased energy demand during the first year of the pandemic. Coal production was up 7% in 2021 compared to the previous year when two Montana mines shut down, but still down about 6.4 million tons from 2019, the last full mining year before pandemic.

At Signal Peak, Farinelli and Phipps were top level managers appointed after a years-long financial and safety scandal that the involved two former vice presidents and a former CEO. Those actions also resulted in a Signal Peak LLC pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges for federal mining violations.

Mine owners indicated they had no knowledge of the scandal and incurred a loss of several million dollars.

NTEC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navajo Nation, became the owner of Spring Creek, Montanas largest coal mine, in late 2019. The company bought Spring Creek, along with the Antelope and Cordero Rojo mines in Wyoming following the bankruptcy of former owner Cloud Peak Energy. Purchasing the Cloud Peak properties without informing Navajo leadership first caused controversy for NTEC.

The first full year of Spring Creek ownership saw four months of mine furloughs for 74 Montana workers, as demand for coal for power in the Midwest slumped during the first several months of the pandemic.

Source New Mexico attributed Moselys resignation to a formal letter Mosely submitted to Navajo President Jonathan Nez on Jan. 7.

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Employers would be required to allow proof of prior COVID-19 infection  known as natural immunity  as an alternative to vaccination and regular testing under a Republican proposal taken up by the state Senate, even though studies show unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to get reinfected with the virus than vaccinated people.

The bill, which came before a public hearing Tuesday, would almost certainly be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has continually clashed with Republicans regarding COVID-19 policies and whose communications director said he did not support the bill.

If passed, the bill may also dampen the federal requirement for tens of millions of workers at medium and large businesses to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly tests, which may be blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as this week.

Similar bills passed last year in Florida and Arkansas, though Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson allowed the bill to become law without signing it because, he said, the natural immunity conversation has been harmful to our goal of encouraging vaccines.

The Wisconsin bill has drawn opposition from several Wisconsin medical organizations, including the American Lung Association in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Health Association and Wisconsin Medical Society, which all noted vaccination is the best COVID-19 deterrent and cited the lack of evidence on how long natural immunity may protect people from reinfection.

For most of the hearing, Republican lawmakers and bill supporters  including a nutritionist and a nurse from the National Vaccine Information Center, which advocates against vaccine mandates  testified that they consider natural immunity to be at least as effective as being vaccinated. Opponents submitted written testimony but mostly didnt appear before the committee.

This bill seeks to give another tool in the toolbox not only for employees who are potentially looking at a significant loss of employment but also employers who are looking to just do the right thing and maintain their workforce, bill co-author Rep. Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, said at the Senate Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee hearing Tuesday.

Substitute for vaccination?

Dr. Ajay Sethi, a professor at UW-Madison and director of its Public Health masters program, told the Wisconsin State Journal in an interview that communicating to the public that natural immunity is a substitute for vaccination will lead to more hospitalization and deaths.

If the bill becomes law, Sethi said, you would have people who falsely believe that they are protected against reinfection. And the science continually shows that people who are unvaccinated, even if theyve had COVID before, are more likely to be hospitalized compared to people who are vaccinated and havent had COVID before.

Sethis warning comes amid record COVID-19 hospitalization rates in Dane County and data from the state Department of Health Services showing that unvaccinated people are hospitalized at a rate nearly 11 times higher than people who are fully vaccinated.

While studies have shown natural immunity does work as a COVID-19 deterrent, most suggest it isnt as effective as being fully vaccinated. Last year, researchers in Kentucky found that unvaccinated people who previously had COVID-19 were over two times as likely to be reinfected as vaccinated people who previously had COVID-19.

In a statement released alongside the study, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky encouraged previously infected unvaccinated people to get vaccinated.

Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others around you, she said.

Another study by Yale University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers suggested natural immunity is short-lived.

Reinfection can reasonably happen in three months or less, said Jeffrey Townsend, a professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health and lead author of the study. Therefore, those who have been naturally infected should get vaccinated. Previous infection alone can offer very little long-term protection against subsequent infections.

At the hearing Tuesday, bill co-author Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Irma, pointed to an Israeli study that showed breakthrough infections after vaccination were 13 times more likely than reinfections in unvaccinated people.

Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who analyzed the study, told the New York Times that the vaccinated group included more people with conditions that would weaken their immune response, so reinfection would be more likely.

Fight over mandates

Since vaccines came out, COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies and bills have led to repeated clashes between the Evers administration and Republican legislators in Wisconsin, and dozens of court cases nationwide.

Last April, Evers vetoed a GOP-authored bill that would have prohibited public health officials from requiring individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Our response to this pandemic should be about following the science and public health experts and working together to save as many lives as we can, not finding ways to make it harder to fight this virus or keep Wisconsinites safe, Evers said in the veto message.

In October, the Department of Administration began requiring executive branch agency employees to submit for weekly COVID-19 tests if they were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or havent submitted their vaccination status.

That requirement drew ire from Republican legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, who said, Governor Evers seems intent on following Joe Biden into legal quicksand in their continued attempts to exert unilateral control over peoples lives.

The Republican bill does not stand alone in considering natural immunity as a viable COVID-19 defense.

In early January, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, who has not been vaccinated and has had COVID-19, told conservative WISN-AM radio host Vicki McKenna, Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease? Why do we assume that the bodys natural immune system isnt the marvel that it really is?

Johnsons comments are among a string of false or misleading suggestions about COVID-19, including that mouthwash, ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are effective treatments for COVID-19.
I am angry and disappointed with any Democrat, Republican or independent representative to the U.S. House of Representatives, who did not attend or take part in the congressional remembrance ceremony on Jan. 6 in the House of Representatives without a legitimate reason.

It especially bothers me that the entire Republican caucus, save one member, did not attend. Why didnt our Wisconsin Republican representatives attend? Was it because the Republican leaders told you not to attend? My gosh, it was only a memorial service. At the very least, you could have attended the session for the moment of silence and then vacated the chamber

The ceremony was to honor those who lost their lives or were injured because of the insurrection. Those people honored were protecting members of the House, Senate, and staffers. Where were you on that day? Hiding in an office, cowering under a desk in the chamber or running to get out of the building? Do you have to politicize a memorial?

Attending the ceremony would have been the appropriate thing to do.

Let me remind all of you that you represent all the people in your district, no matter what their political affiliation.

Pete Price, Portage
National Grid offers programs to help with energy affordability, such as the Care and Share program that provides $200 to those who meet HEAP guidelines.
WATERLOO  Wildlife ecologist Frances Stewart has been named the Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Northern Wildlife Biology. An assistant professor in Wilfrid Laurier Universitys Department of Biology, Stewarts research in northern Canada will have important implications for the protection of animal species and natural resources.

The prestigious CRC program aims to attract and retain some of the worlds most accomplished and promising minds. Stewart will receive research funding for a five-year term, including support for Laurier student researchers.

My research focuses on quantifying the current distribution and abundance of wildlife across northern Canada, said Stewart. We use this information to anticipate how wildlife will respond to future changes, informing conservation and management objectives for local peoples and for national and international initiatives.

Canada's boreal forest is one of the largest ecoregions in the world, stretching across the entire country and hosting many region-specific species. It is also a resource-rich area for industries such as forestry, oil and gas, and mining, inspiring sometimes conflicting goals between humanity's need for natural resources and wildlife's need for habitat preservation.

Stewarts current field research takes place primarily in the boreal forests of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and the Northwest Territories, where Laurier has a long-term research partnership with the territorial government. She is collaborating with local stakeholders, including the Northwest Territories Environment and Natural Resources Department, to study caribou and muskox, among other species.

Stewart uses innovative research tools such as ecological prediction platforms and non-invasive hair sampling to monitor wildlife as ecosystems evolve. She is using strategically-placed cameras to collect photos from remote regions  a method called camera trapping  which serve as important data sources to measure how the distribution of species is changing over time.

To support her infrastructure needs as CRC, Stewart received $74,768 from the Canada Foundation for Innovations John R. Evans Leaders Fund, which she will use to purchase a field truck, approximately 100 remote cameras, and a large computing station for data back up and generating predictive forecasts.

Dr. Stewarts capacity to combine northern fieldwork with complex statistical analysis and modelling across multiple ecological processes, from wildlife to fires to forest change, is extraordinary among contemporary ecologists, said Jonathan Newman, Lauriers vice-president: research. Incorporating fundamental Indigenous knowledge, her research program will establish a unique collaborative monitoring network whose forecasts will inform natural resource management and improve the efficacy of wildlife conservation.

A graduate of the University of Victoria with her PhD in Ecology, Stewart has worked as a postdoctoral research scientist at Natural Resources Canada and secured nearly $1.2 million in research funding. She has published 16 peer-reviewed articles in top-ranking journals and won best presentation awards at national and international conferences. Now, as the CRC in Northern Wildlife Biology, Stewart plans to expand her network of collaborators and create new mentorship opportunities for Laurier students.

I hope the impact of my research as chair is threefold, said Stewart. I plan to increase and update our knowledge of the current status of wildlife species, inform effective conservation and management strategies, and communicate the global importance of northern change for wildlife, people and biodiversity.

I feel very privileged to be named a Canada Research Chair. This is an honour I only dreamed about. I look forward to using this position to make positive change for Canada and the world.
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of sympathy to Polish President Andrzej Duda over the latter's infection with COVID-19.

In the message sent on Monday, Xi said that upon learning of Duda's infection with the coronavirus, he would like to extend his sympathy to the Polish president, and wish him a speedy recovery and the Polish people an early victory over the disease.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Xi said, China and Poland have supported each other and joined hands to fight the pandemic, during which their traditional friendship has been deepened.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and is willing to work with Duda to lift the China-Poland comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels.

(Source: Xinhua)
FWP Director Hank Worsech, when referring to the state of elk management in Montana, has repeatedly evoked a quote attributed to Einstein: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity.

We have to try something different, claims Worsech.

While we agree that its foolish to repeat ineffective actions, it may be equally foolish to try something different without first recognizing the real problem.

On the eve of December's Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting, after a last-minute work session between the commission and FWP, a controversial proposal was tabled that would have allowed general bull elk harvests on private lands only, while forcing public hunters to fight over a 50% reduction in limited permits valid only on public land.

Thankfully, the commissioners saw right through this, likely a direct result of hunters speaking up in force, what Director Worsech called a firestorm. We commend the commission for listening as well as Montana hunters for speaking up.

However, what followed were hastily developed alternative proposals to solve the stated problem of too many elk on private lands, out for public comment now. These include removing archery permits and changing them to a general season (no special permit required) in many areas and increasing rifle bull permits by 50% in some districts.

We predict this alternative will be equally unpopular and, more importantly, fail to solve the stated problem of too many elk on private land. In fact, it may exacerbate the situation as it expands opportunities to hunt bull elk (not the problem) rather than cows (the problem). Moreover, increased pressure due to more hunters on the landscape will likely lead to greater concentrations of elk on private lands, not reduce it. All of this is further intensified by an outdated elk management plan being used as faulty justification.

FWPs leadership is unwilling to admit that the real "problem" is not too many elk per se; rather, its the feeling that those who care about or are affected by elk don't have enough of a say in our elk. Neither the landowner, nor the outfitter, nor the average Montana elk hunter believes theyre getting what they want and think they deserve. It's time we agree on what problem we actually face: Its the equitable opportunity to hunt elk. In other words, the problem here is access to elk, not the number of elk.

Under the guise of wanting to address too many elk on private land, what FWPs leadership is really after is a way to satisfy the interests of groups like United Property Owners of Montana and Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, large landowners and outfitters.

By using an underhanded scheme to privatize and commercialize a public resource that belongs to all Montanans, these proposals would shift the public-private balance. This growing inequality of who has access to elk has put Montana on the path of creating a class system of the haves and the have-nots of who gets to hunt elk  reminiscent of the days of the Kings deer of feudal Europe, or modern-day New Mexico. Having fought back the monetizing of our public resources for more than 100 years now, Montana hunters can see right through this.

So what do we do? How do we address the real problem? How do we move beyond this insanity of favoring some at the expense of others? How do we achieve an equitable distribution of access to elk for both private and public interests?

For one, we need to pump the brakes. FWP needs to admit that trying to throw solutions at a problem that is not actually the problem is what really amounts to insanity here. We need to agree first on what the actual problem is. This can only happen when landowners, hunters, outfitters and others come together to discuss what it is that they want and need. A well-crafted statement of the problem up front ensures that stakeholders start with a shared understanding of what needs to be solved.

Second, we need a new elk management plan. For years, FWP has promised to revise this outdated plan. Until we have a new elk plan finished, Montana hunters should reject the FWP elk season proposals outright, and ask that the existing seasons/permits be kept in place. In our view, its irresponsible to offer poorly guided solutions not even aimed at the correct problem.

To stop the insanity surrounding elk management, its time to find real solutions to the real problem of who gets to hunt elk in Montana. Let us start there.

Thomas Baumeister is a board member of the Montana Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

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Kelley Ann Babphavong, Rhode Islands Cherry Blossom Princess in 2021. The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the State Society of Rhode Island are seeking a motivated young woman, between the ages of 19 and 24 to represent Rhode Island as its 2022 Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess during the week of April 3-9 in Washington D.C. during the National Cherry Blossom Celebration.
This two-story apartment complex at 303 Third Ave. was considered, but ultimately rejected, as the new home for the New Beginnings soup kitchen.
David Sewell has been appointed to the board of directors of Huntsman Corporation. Sewell is currently the chief executive officer of WestRock Company. This is part of Huntsman's board of director's ongoing refreshment process. (File Photo  Business Wire)

THE WOODLANDS, US: Huntsman Corporation announced that it has appointed David Sewell to its board of directors. The company also appointed Curtis Espeland and Jose Munoz to its board of directors. Additionally, it has appointed Cynthia Egan as new lead independent director, non-executive vice chair of the board and chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee, and added Sonia Dula as a member of the compensation committee with the intent she becomes chair when Wayne Reaud leaves the board. All of these appointments are effective 1 January.

"As part of our board's ongoing refreshment process, I am pleased that we have identified two outstanding independent directors in Curt and Jose, who both bring extensive experience in operating companies in or relevant to our industry and in executing on strategic growth plans," said Peter Huntsman, chairman, president and CEO. "With these additions, I'm confident that our board and the company will be strongly positioned to ensure management achieves the growth strategy and financial targets.

Huntsman also announced, consistent with the company's director retirement policy, that three existing directors, Nolan Archibald, outgoing lead independent director, vice chair of the board and chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee, M. Anthony Burns, prior chair of the audit committee, whose upcoming retirement was previously announced, and Robert Margetts will transition off the board as planned at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders. Wayne Reaud, chair of the litigation and public policy and compensation committees, will support the transition of those committees' oversight duties before stepping down from the board at or before the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders when he will reach the retirement age.

The changes announced reflects recruiting directors with skillsets aligned with Huntsman's upgraded and streamlined portfolio. These include the recently announced review of strategic options for its textile effects division.

These changes follow the addition of three independent directors in the last 18 months, including Jeanne McGovern, who joined the board in February 2021 and was appointed to chair the audit committee effective 1 January. As a result, seven independent directors have been appointed since 2018.

Espeland retired in 2020 from Eastman Chemical Company, being executive vice president and chief financial officer from 2008 until his retirement. Munoz is the chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor Company, based in Seoul, South Korea, where he oversees more than 120,000 employees and operations worldwide.

Egan and Dula both joined the Huntsman board in June 2020. Egan earlier held senior-level positions at T. Rowe Price Group and Fidelity Investments, as well as an advisory role for the US Department of Treasury. Dula, the newly-appointed member of the compensation committee, brings substantial finance and investment banking expertise. The Company also announced that it will hold its 2022 annual meeting of stockholders on 25 March.

Sewell is the chief executive officer of WestRock Company, was the chief operating officer of The Sherwin-Williams Company.

The appointment of Sewell represents the sixth independent director added to the Huntsman board in the last 18 months. In addition to bringing Sewell on the board, the company also announced that Wayne Reaud, chair of the litigation and public policy and compensation committees, intends to retire from the board at the 2022 annual meeting.

With the changes announced in the last two weeks, eight new independent directors will have been appointed since 2018, and four directors will be transitioning off the board at the 2022 annual meeting.

 Worldofchemicals News
Nouryon will partner with Suzano to grow its renewable fibers business in South America, where the market continues to grow at nearly twice the global average. Shown here is the renewable fibers industry application.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: Nouryon said it has signed a 15-year agreement with Suzano, a world leading eucalyptus pulp producer. Nouryon will commission its sustainable Integrated manufacturing model for the new Suzano eucalyptus pulp mill in the municipality of Ribas do Rio Pardo, located in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The project, called the "Cerrado Project", is a $2.8 billion pulp mill with annual production capacity of 2.55 million tons per year and one of the largest private-sector investments currently under development in Brazil. The pulp mill production is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2024.

Earlier, Nouryon had commissioned its latest integrated manufacturing model to support the expansion of Bracell pulp mill in Lencois Paulista, Brazil.

The concept provides Suzano with tailor-made onsite solutions to manage essential raw materials needed in pulp production. Nouryon will invest in a hydrogen peroxide and a sodium chlorate manufacturing facility at the site and will construct and sell a chlorine dioxide manufacturing facility and tank farm to Suzano. Nouryon will be using renewable electricity from Suzano's new pulp mill to produce sodium chlorate. Additionally, the production process will generate green hydrogen, which is used to sustainably manufacture hydrogen peroxide. It will provide important sustainability benefits as the onsite facilities reduce transportation of raw materials, improve overall safety and maximize available resources.

"At Nouryon, we are committed to providing our customers innovative and sustainable solutions while continuously optimizing our own operations and environmental footprint. We are pleased to build on our long-term relationship with Suzano as they embark on this significant investment to meet the world's growing demand for sustainable end-products developed from renewable materials," said Johan Landfors, executive vice president and president, technology solutions and Europe at Nouryon.

Nouryon has successfully operated its integrated manufacturing model in Brazil since 2005 with four existing pulp mill installations that support the country's fast-growing pulp industry.

"Nouryon is proud to partner with Suzano on this important project and grow our renewable fibers business in South America  where the market continues to grow at nearly twice the global average," said Antonio Carlos Francisco, vice president, technology solutions, South America at Nouryon. "Supplying both hydrogen peroxide and sodium chlorate in the region for the first time strengthens our leading position in specialty chemicals and underscores our commitment to growing with our customers."

 Worldofchemicals News
Symrise has acquired a new manufacturing site in Granada, Spain to expand capacity of cosmetic multifunctional ingredients. This increases the capacity of 1,2-alkanediols to support global market growth. (File Photo)

HOLZMINDEN, GERMANY: Symrise said it has made a targeted investment by acquiring a new manufacturing site in Granada, Spain. The company has now started to produce cosmetic product protection ingredients there. This increases the capacity to support global market growth especially on 1,2-alkanediols.

Symrise has invested in upgrading its Granada site to meet the specific production requirements of Symrises high quality 1,2-alkanediols. This shows the companys engagement to respond to the demands of the growing market. The first production trials have successfully met the standards of these Symrise products. With the recent start of the new production line, the plant now produces both cosmetic ingredients and a broad range of fragrance ingredients from renewable raw materials.

Symrises 1,2-alkanediol products represent a range of multifunctional ingredients that are increasingly going into personal care products. Symrise is already producing these ingredients at its manufacturing plants in Holzminden, Germany, and in Monterrey, Mexico. The Granada production site will allow Symrise to expand its production capacity.

This will help meeting the markets increasing demand for safe, effective, and high-quality cosmetic ingredients like 1,2-alkanediols. Also, it will help to keep up with its local and global customers needs.

The additional production at the Granada manufacturing site will provide Symrises customers significant growth opportunities in Europe and around the world. It will ensure that customers receive continuous access to high quality products from Symrise.

This expansion shows that Symrise is committed to its customers, to growth and investment. It also reinforces our position as a forward-looking and reliable supplier and leader in the field of product protection ingredients, said Dr Joern Andreas, president, cosmetic ingredients at Symrise.

The Granada production plant became part of Symrise by an acquisition in April 2021. The product portfolio of the site complements Symrises existing portfolio. In addition, investments have started to set up new production lines for Symrises Hydrolite cosmetic Multifunctional ingredients, said Dr Peter Esser, vice president, global chemical production.

 Worldofchemicals News
Symrise AG will acquire Schaffelaarbos, a dutch-based company for egg protein in the pet food industry in the EU. Symrise will thus accelerate global expansion in the pet nutrition industry. (File Photo)

HOLZMINDEN, GERMANY: Symrise AG announced that it will acquire Schaffelaarbos, a dutch-based market leader for egg protein in pet food in the EU. With this transaction, Symrise will take a major strategic step in its accelerated global expansion in pet nutrition. By combining the activities of ADF/IsoNova in the USA with the state-of-the-art facility of Schaffelaarbos located in Barneveld, NL, Symrise will ideally complement its current capabilities. The annual sales of Schaffelaarbos amounts to around 25m. The closing of the transaction is expected in January 2022. The purchase amount has not been disclosed.

Symrise will acquire 100 percent of Schaffelaarbos from private investment firm Intersaction and the management. Symrise will finance the transaction through a dedicated bank facility.

The acquisition of Schaffelaarbos represents a prime opportunity to accelerate Symrises ambition to become a reference global player in pet nutritional solutions, while contributing to a positive circular food system. The combination of our activities of ADF/IsoNova in the USA and the leading position of Schaffelaarbos in the EU will enable us to even better serve our customers with a global portfolio and a regional supply chain. We will expand our product range in the area of high-quality protein from eggs, enhancing at the same time further our value proposition in taste, nutrition and health, said Dr. Jean-Yves Parisot, president, flavor & nutrition of Symrise AG.

In 2019, Symrise made its first step in pet nutrition with the acquisition of ADF/IsoNova, the reference provider of quality chicken protein and egg proteins for the US pet food industry, tapping into a new market segment. With the recent acquisition of Schaffelaarbos, Symrise is now further expanding its global presence and will take an immediate leading position in the European egg protein market. By combining the activities of the two recognized egg scrap valorization experts, Symrise intends to accelerate product innovation and break new ground for future growth and profitability.

Schaffelaarbos is a leading player in the manufacturing of sustainable egg proteins for the pet food industry in the EU. Schaffelaarbos enjoys strong supplier intimacy with long term supply contracts. Employing 39 people, Schaffelaarbos has a fully automated, state-of-the-art facility in Barneveld, the Netherlands, as well as a facility under construction in Turkey with a strategic joint venture partner.

Our two organizations both value the industrial proximity to our clients and share a common vision based on the valorization of by-products. We will accelerate our journey together and join forces in making the pet food business even more sustainable in the future, said Mathieu Woltring, CEO of Schaffelaarbos.

 Worldofchemicals News
Weather Alert

...LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph expected. * WHERE...Southwest Indiana, southeast Missouri, western Kentucky and southern Illinois. * WHEN...From 9 AM this morning to 5 PM CDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create hazardous conditions for small craft. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Boaters on area lakes should use extra caution since strong winds and rough waves can overturn small craft. &&
Two longtime state representatives serving District 35 in Bismarck are seeking reelection.

Republican Reps. Karen Karls and Bob Martinson on Wednesday announced their bids for district Republicans' endorsements.

Martinson is one of the longest-serving North Dakota lawmakers, having served from 1973-97 and since 2001. In between those periods, he was the state tourism director.

He is a former House majority leader, and serves as the senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

He is a retired lieutenant colonel with the North Dakota Army National Guard, and is an independent landman with degrees from Bismarck State College and the University of Mary. A landman works with oil and gas companies, typically related to leasing.

Martinson said his top priority for the 2023 Legislature is to secure $40 million for a Bismarck wastewater project.

The city is committed to reducing water rates if they can get state help," he said in a statement. "We have never funded waste water projects, so I asked the Water Topics Committee, of which I am a member, to add it to our study this interim, and the committee agreed.

Karls was first elected in 2006. She has been a district party chair since 1998. She is a former small business owner who is now retired.

She holds a bachelor's degree in medical technology from Minot State University. Karls served on the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee and was vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee in the 2021 Legislature.

North Dakota is becoming a model for other states with respect to energy and agricultural production," she said in a statement. "There is a vibrant and growing IT (information technology) segment of our economy spurred by advancements like the Polytechnic Institution at BSC. It offers an exciting future for young North Dakota citizens hoping to stay, live and raise families in North Dakota, and we believe there is a very promising future for our city and state.

No challengers have emerged to the two incumbents.

Republicans Sean Cleary and Ryan Eckroth have announced bids for the Senate seat held by outgoing District 35 Sen. Erin Oban, Bismarck's only Democrat in the Legislature.

District 35 Republicans' endorsing convention is Feb. 17 at the Northridge Elementary School gymnasium.

Ninety-eight seats in the Legislature are on the ballot this year, more than is usual due to redistricting, which is done every 10 years with new census data.

Republicans control the House 80-14 and the Senate 40-7.

Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

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This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 12th, 2022

15.4m available to support the arts and cultural sector in Wales during the ongoing Covid19 pandemic has been announced.

The additional support, as part of the third round of the Welsh Governments Cultural Recovery Fund, is being made available for the cultural sector in Wales as it continues to be severely impacted by the Covid pandemic.

The fund will specifically support organisations impacted by the recent alert level 2 measures Ministers have put in place to keep Wales safe, and help control the rapid spread of the new omicron variant.

The Arts Council of Wales will launch its application process for organisations within the arts sector today (12 January).

The previously announced winter stability fund has now been merged into the third round of CRF to ensure alignment with the funding support on offer.

Other impacted sectors including music venues, heritage sites, event venues and organisers, independent local museums, community and independent libraries, galleries and independent cinemas who were previously supported via the Welsh Governments CRF will be contacted by letter during the week commencing 17 January.

The letter will set out how they can access funding support.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said: We are fully aware that these impacted sectors continue to face new pressures, which is why weve been working with the Arts Council to make this additional funding available as soon as possible.

The innovation and resilience which has been demonstrated by the people and organisations which make these sectors so vibrant has been remarkable  we want to ensure that the sector continues to play a part in our recovery from the pandemic and in bringing people together once more.

The culture sector also plays an important part in our economy and this is yet another step in the support that we are offering to businesses. Since the start of the pandemic, weve provided over 2.6bn of support to businesses throughout Wales to help them manage their way through difficult circumstances.

Chairman of the Arts Council of Wales, Phil George, said; Through this fund the Arts Council will continue to provide essential support to ensure the viability and survival of cultural organisations across Wales who are facing a period of serious financial challenge.

Working alongside colleagues in Welsh Government, we are determined to ensure that arts and cultural organisations who play a key role in the wellbeing of communities across Wales will be able to bring solace, delight and vision as we struggle with the pandemic and as we recover and rebuild. The need for this support has obviously become even more urgent as a result of the impact of the Omicron variant.

To be eligible, businesses will have to self-declare that they have experienced a material impact through reduced turnover between December 2021 and February 2022.

The Welsh Government is also aware of the impact the current alert level two measure is having on our creative freelance community in the performing arts and are looking to increase support available to them. More details will be provided during the week commencing 17 January.

This third round builds on the previous two phases of the Cultural Recovery Fund which have provided 93m and has supported business, organisations and individuals in the key cultural sectors.
First minister challenged over how changes to cervical screening interval were communicated with public

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 12th, 2022

Wales first minister has been challenged by Members of the Senedd over how changes to the cervical screening time frame were communicated.

At the start of this month Cervical Screening Wales (CSW) extended the routine screening for 25 and 49 year olds from three to five years  if human papillomavirus (HPV) is not found in their cervical screening test.

Since September 2018, CSW has routinely used a cervical screening test which looks for the 14 high-risk types of HPV that cause 99.8 per cent of cervical cancers. Where HPV is detected, it can be many years before cells start to change into something sinister.

The change was recommended by the UK National Screening Committee in 2019 due to the success of the HPV vaccine rollout and the use of more accurate cervical screening.

However the move has been criticised by members of the public and a politicians, who have called for clarity on why the decision has been made and improved communication from Public Health Wales and Welsh government.

Over one million people have also signed a petition calling for ministers to reconsider the change amid concern that it will put lives at risk.

There are around 160 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed every year in Wales and it is the most common cancer in women under the age of 35.

At first ministers questions yesterday Mark Drakeford was challenged over the move from three years for cervical screening, with Members of the Senedd calling for improved communication with the public.

Vikki Howells, MS for Cynon Valley, said the communication of that news, with little detail as to why this change was happening, was problematic to say the least.

These concerns were echoed by Laura Anne Jones, MS for South Wales East, described the way the changes to screening was announced as worryingly bad and was not informative at all in a way to reassure people about the change.

Ms Jones said: I must admit my own panic initially, when hearing the news, having lived through the Jade Goody effect.

I dont know if you remember her, her sad death from cervical cancer and the publicity campaign that ensued from that on the importance of having cervical smear screening. It made a huge difference, that campaign.

It still concerns me, and has made many people anxious, that there is an extra whole two years before you can be screened, because as Im sure youre aware, some peoples cells will grow at a faster rate, and will have developed in a couple of years.

I do understand that, in the last couple of years now, we have a screening that identifies HPV first, and then looks for cell changes afterwards, and if there is HPV present, then cell changes are looked at next, which is a welcome change.

Its a brilliant advance in cervical cancer smears, and hopefully will save lives. However, the most worrying thing about all of this, as has been outlined by Vikki, is that the publicity campaign was so bad.

First Minister Mark Drakeford accepted that Public Health Wales had failed to explain to people benefits of what was being proposed surrounding the changes to smear tests.

Mr Drakeford said: I entirely share the frustration of Vikki Howells at the way that a success story was communicated in a way that caused such anxiety to so many people, because the screening system in Wales is a success story.

We were the first part of the United Kingdom to change our screening system to a more sensitive test for cervical cancer in 2018. Weve had vaccination for HPV amongst young women since 2008, and the risks from cervical cancer in the years to come will be very different, and much lower, than they were for so many people in the past.

Im just going to put on record if I could, Llywydd, what the decision actually means. When someone is tested in future, if their test shows that they are high risk of HPV and that there are cell changes in the sample taken, they will be invited immediately for a colonoscopy.

If there are high-risk HPV signs but no cell changes, then the interval to the next screening will be one year.

If there is no HPV and no cell changes are demonstrated in the sample, then someone will be invited for cervical screening in five years time. Its a change that maximises the benefits of the system and will save more lives.

Now, there is learning to be done by Public Health Wales in the way they communicated this. They failed to explain to people the benefits of what was being proposed, how this will make the system better and stronger and more successful, and as a result, we saw that string of people confused and made anxious by it.

I think PHW has done its best to recover some of that ground since then, by putting out clearer and better information, and Im really grateful to those third sector and cancer charities that came in and helped with that explanatory effort.

Next time, we need to make sure that thats got right before the announcement is made, not as a sort of rescue effort after things have gone wrong.

(Update  we have asked the Senedd the following question on Twitter)
A storm system that will move out of Canada is forecast to bring accumulating snowfall to the north central U.S. from Thursday night into Friday.

"This next storm system is primed to produce heavy snow and will result in treacherous travel conditions across parts of the Northern Plains and Midwest to close out the workweek," the National Weather Service said.

The Bismarck-Mandan area was categorized by the weather service on Wednesday afternoon as having a medium chance -- between 40% and 70% -- of at least 2 inches of snow. The greater chance for heavy snow was east of U.S. Highway 83, particularly in the James River Valley area, which has a high chance of at least half a foot. Strong northerly winds on Friday could cause blowing snow and reduce visibility for motorists.

Western and south central North Dakota -- including Bismarck-Mandan -- could also get freezing rain from the system, the weather service said.

The storm will be what meteorologists refer to as a "Saskatchewan screamer" rather than an "Alberta clipper," since it will dive nearly due south out of Saskatchewan, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz.

"There will be a band of heavy snow that generally extends from the eastern Dakotas and Minnesota southward to at least much of Missouri and maybe the Ozarks in Arkansas, if the storm can get far enough south before it begins to turn eastward," he said.

North Dakota is enjoying springlike weather -- Bismarck's high on Tuesday reached 42 degrees, nearly 20 degrees above normal, and the same was forecast for Wednesday, according to the weather service.

Temperatures aren't expected to drop substantially with the storm system because there isn't a major push of Arctic air on the heels of it, according to AccuWeather. Highs for Bismarck-Mandan are forecast by the National Weather Service in the 20s Thursday through Saturday, and in the 30s Sunday and on Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

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Warning North Wales CJC will suck powers away from the six local authorities

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 12th, 2022

Wrexham Councils Executive Board has given their formal backing to the activation of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) in bizarre scenes, as the proposer of the recommendation to do so stated it is a nonsense.

Last year saw four Corporate Joint Committees created in law in Wales, with the North Wales CJC formally established on 1 April 2021. Its formal work is set to begin work in June, with several weeks of start up activity ahead.

CJCs were controversial when created by Welsh Government, described by some as back door reorganisation and are regional bodies with powers to decide on where to build new housing developments and invest in transport across the respective areas.

Locally the indirectly elected layer of government would sit above all six northern authorities as well as the Snowdonia National Park.

The report before the Executive Board yesterday contained an unusual amount of snark for such a document, with the misgivings over the concept of CJCs even chiselled into the formal recommendations.

The meeting itself saw councillors go a step further, and unusually for the Executive Board on matters that are deemed required legally to pass, there were two abstentions on the vote itself.

Council Leader Mark Pritchard did not miss the chance to use the meeting platform to hammer the principles of the CJCs, as well as detail his awkward position, I am going to sum up how we got to this point. CJCs were mandated by the Welsh Government, and they have the legislation to do that. It was discussed at the Welsh Local Government Association in a lengthy process, and it was supported by the WLGA and it was all supported when it went to the Senedd.

At the WLGA the the Conservatives and the Independent group didnt support it, and voted against it. The rest supported it. Same when it went to the Senedd, the Labour group and the Plaid Cymru group supported it and the rest voted against it.

This is the legislation, we have to conform to it, we have to act within the law. We have to form the CJC across the region.

I will give you my personal view as a local elected member and also an executive board member. I dont support them. I never have done, never will do. I dont agree with them. I think its another form of bureaucracy, and that bureaucracy will come with the economy, wellbeing, planning, transport and improving education will cost us money  it will have to be funded and staffed.

I think personally its a nonsense, but theres one thing I do respect, it is the democratic process. As I said moments ago, it went through the WLGA and the Senedd.

So were doing exactly the same thing this morning. Were supporting it through the democratic process. I feel a little bit awkward this morning as chair of the executive board doing this because I fought for a long time against the CJCs and then this morning, Im sitting here moving recommendations and the reason why Im doing it because its required by legislation.

Cllr Hugh Jones echoed not only the Council Leader but some of his Conservative colleagues elsewhere on the concept of CJCs, I absolutely oppose this proposal. I will be abstaining because I recognise that we have a legal duty and legal responsibility, and as the leader has pointed out, democracy has taken its place and therefore we legally have no option.

I think its wrong not to highlight the weaknesses of this proposal. It is going to impose another layer of bureaucracy on the people of North Wales and the people of Wales, and it will be an expensive bureaucracy.

For the life of this administration and this council we have all worked really hard, tirelessly, across the whole of North Wales to work in partnership on all the key matters and the key issues. The Welsh Government didnt recognise the work that weve done, for instance, in criminal justice and welfare and a whole raft of areas that we work together in true partnership, democratically accountable to the executive boards and the cabinets of each each local authority. Weve worked to streamline the number of boards and make them more effective, more accountable and put clarity to the work that theyre doing. All Welsh Government are going to do now is to impose another body, another bureaucratic undemocratic body onto the people of North Wales.

I will be abstaining on this recommendation on the basis that it would be inappropriate to vote against it given that it is the law and we have to respect the law, I cannot and will not support it because it does not serve the people of the County Borough of Wrexham.

Cllr Dana Davies who leads the local Welsh Labour group did offer agreement that it is an added layer of bureaucracy, but challenged the Executive members speaking of having a lack of understanding on what CJCs are and why they are needed.

Cllr Davies said, We need to understand how weve got to this point and why this layer of bureaucracy is needed. The no choice that we have here from an all Wales point of view is the funding is coming through centrally now from UK Government on a regional basis. Its bypassing the devolved nations. So for us in Wales to be able to access funding for strategic planning, strategic transport, economic development, we need to be in a position to be able to access and bid for that regional funding.

Thats why they CJCs are having to be set up. That is why theres no choice here, because its the only model that can be used as a delivery vehicle, to access transformational change monies.

The democratic element of this is going to be that the council leaders are going to be sitting on the CJCs, very similar to the model weve got for the economic ambition board now.

We need to be in a position in Wales where we can access that regional funding to deliver transformational change. If we look at things like the shared prosperity fund, that is coming through on a regional basis and its not coming through Welsh Government like previous EU monies were  and previous EU monies were being directed to Wrexham. We are going to be in a bidding process across six north Wales authorities.

Cllr Alun Jenkins offered his view on CJCs calling them an unnecessary step and the wrong model, warning that the CJCs could effectively now create a new, unelected upper tier of local government in Wales

Cllr Jenkins added, Once established, its there to grow, to fester and to grow. Now were in existence, what else can we do? and they will suck powers away from the six local authorities and that is going to be to our detriment.

Were going to be returning, eventually, to no more than the second class district authorities that we were with limited resources and limited powers that we had before 1996. I really, really do regret that.

Cllr Jenkins also said he did not want CJCs to own its own properties, Once it has its own property, has its own office with its own name above the door and so on then it becomes a separate entity, it becomes something which is opposed to us, not part of the of the co working that weve had so effectively over the last years.

Weve been masters in our own house, where we have control over everything ourselves. Weve worked when necessary with other authorities, we can continue to work with other authorities and we have to work with other authorities on so many things. But, we need to we need to keep our own identity.

Cllr Jenkins attempt to codify his views into a recommendation were thwarted legally, however Cllr Pritchard explained the CJCs first meeting was next week and he would take take that concern, raise it at the meeting and see if we can get some support from the other five authorities.
An emergency meeting of the West Coast Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committees (WC-ERFSC) was held on January 8. During the meeting, educators, parents, students and workers discussed the dire situation along the West Coast at their schools and workplaces and voted to support the following statement from the committees:

The West Coast Educators Rank-and-file Safety Committees call on our fellow educators, school employees, parents, and students to organize to shut down in-person schools along the West Coast to stop the infection of millions of children and further community spread of COVID-19.

We support the wave of growing opposition and struggle among educators to the deadly reopening of schools across the US, including including teachers in Chicago, who had refused for the past week to return to in-person learning but are being forced back under pressure by the Chicago Teachers Union, and the hundreds of teachers in San Francisco and Oakland Unified School District teachers who engaged in sickouts last week, leading to the closures of multiple school sites in the district.

Teachers in Chicagos Pilsen neighborhood march against the unsafe reopening of Chicago Public Schools last year [Credit: Twitter, @rcoppo1]

We also support the opposition growing among students, including thousands across the country who have engaged in walkouts and signed petitions against reopening. A major development came on Thursday, when students in New York City shut down dozens of public schools in a city-wide walkout.

As important as these first steps are, the critical question is coalescing these different struggles in an organized, nationwide movement against the herd immunity policies pursued by both parties, who are prioritizing profits over the lives and health of the population. The overriding aim in reopening schools is not concern for the learning environment of children, but warehousing children in the buildings so that their parents can go to work for the major corporations.

To build this movement, we call on educators to join with us and teachers across the country in building a network of rank-and-file safety committees at every school district, independent of the pro-corporate unions and both big business parties. These committees will provide the means for teachers to communicate with each other across the country, share information, plan joint action, counter the lying media narrative that schools are safe and that teachers are being unreasonable, and appeal for the broadest possible for support from the working class.

The situation is dire along the entire West Coast. In California, daily cases have surged past 100,000, and the test positivity rate is 22 percent, meaning even this enormous figure is likely a substantial undercount. The seven-day average of pediatric hospitalizations is 76 throughout the state, well over 60 percent higher than during the peak of the Delta surge. There have been 44 pediatric COVID deaths in California since the pandemic began and this number will rise significantly. On Friday, a child under five died in Orange County, and became the countys third pediatric death. Elsewhere on the West Coast, Seattle Childrens Hospital reports that 21 percent of its pediatric admissions are COVID-positive.

No sooner have school districts reopened throughout the region than they have faced massive staffing issues and student absenteeism due to the scale of infections. Los Angeles Unified School district recorded 65,000 positive cases out of 424,000 students and staff during baseline testing carried out before the beginning of classes. Thirty percent of students and staff had yet to be tested prior to schools reopening Tuesday. In Oregon, a 259 percent increase in overall cases prompted the closure of multiple schools throughout the state. In Hawaii schools, more than 1,800 educators were on sick leave Friday with 550 substitute positions unfilled.

The teachers unions around the country are working hand-in-glove with city, state and federal governments in forcing through reopenings in spite of massive opposition from teachers, students and parents. They are reprising the role they played in forcing reopenings last January, with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), once again, playing a central role.

While it was forced last week to call a vote to return to virtual learning, the CTU rammed through an agreement to send teachers back to work Monday night, without any prior notice. Making a mockery of democratic procedure, the CTU is forcing teachers to vote on the deal after being sent back to school on Tuesday to prepare for reopening. Before the voting was even concluded, the union and the school district announced that students would return to in-person classes the following Wednesday.

To save lives, educators must take matters into our own hands! At the latest meeting of our committee, which included attendance from school districts across the West Coast, we agreed on the following principles to serve as the foundation for our fight:

First, that the present policy of herd immunity must be repudiated and a new strategy toward the elimination and eradication of Sars-CoV-2 adopted.

Second, that the policies implemented to stop viral transmission must be determined by the needs of public health. The protection of human life and safety must take absolute and unconditional priority over all corporate-financial interests.

Third, that the fight against the pandemic must be conducted on a global scale. The pandemic cannot be stopped unless SARS-CoV-2 is eliminated in all countries. American workers must demand that vaccines be provided in necessary quantities, free of charge, to their class brothers and sisters in the less-developed countries.

In addition, we resolved to fight for the following concrete demands:

 The immediate closing of school buildings until teachers themselves, on the advice of scientists, determine that it is safe to return.

 The implementation of high-quality remote education.

 Financial support for parents who must stay home with their children.

 Financial support for small businesses that are forced to close because of the pandemic.

 A program of mass vaccination and contact tracing, including of children, with thousands of testing and vaccination centers set up throughout every major city.

 A reversal of the CDCs shortening of its quarantine guidelines. Those infected or exposed must quarantine for at least 14 days, with full compensation made for missed work.

 Mandatory masking with KN95-grade masks, to be provided free of charge, in all public places.

 A science education program directed at the working class conducted with the assistance of scientists and physicians.

 The installation of the highest quality HVAC and air filtration systems in every school.

 A tax on the West Coasts 189 billionaires to pay for the needs of parents, educators and other workers impacted by the pandemic.

A direct appeal to transit, health care, logistics, service and other workers to form their own committees and implement safety standards at their workplaces. Joint action should be taken to shut schools and non-essential businesses until COVID-19 transmission is close to zero. An appeal must also be made to university staff and students for developing action committees to close their institutions until they are safe.

Those who agree with this program should sign up here to build or join a Rank-and-File Safety Committee at your school site. Become a voice of opposition at your school site, share this statement among your co-workers and attend our next meeting this Sunday January 16 at 12 p.m.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) encourages high school youth to contact us today to share the conditions in your school and to get involved in the fight against the pandemic.

High school students throughout the country are on the move! Thousands of students from Oakland, California to New York City are organizing opposition to the unsafe return to in-person learning amid a massive surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

On Tuesday, a thousand students in New York City walked out of their classrooms in over 30 schools to protest the unsafe conditions. The action, organized through social media, forced the closure of several schools throughout the city.

Nearly a thousand students have signed onto a district wide online student petition in Oakland, California, stating that students are not comfortable going to school with the rising cases of COVID-19. The students are fighting for an end to in-person learning and proper PPE and testing if and when they do return to the classroom.

New York students during the walkout (Credit: @mwatsonnyc)

In Boston, Massachusetts, in less than a week, over 5,000 students signed a petition posted by a senior at Boston Latin School. Similar situations are developing across the West Coast, including significant protests in Portland, Oregon that forced the closure of the schools.

The current center of the opposition to school reopenings is in Chicago, Illinois where thousands of educators voted overwhelmingly last Tuesday to teach remotely until January 18. However, late Monday night the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) pushed through a vote at a House of Delegates meeting to suspend the teachers remote work action and resume in-person learning on Wednesday, before a vote by the whole membership.

Outraged at the collaboration of their union with the local politicians to force them back into schools, teachers and students have begun to organize their fight independently.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), the youth and student movement of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), welcomes and supports this courageous stand taken by students. In fighting against the unsafe reopening of schools, these youth are fighting not only for their own health and safety, but for the community as a whole.

We urge students who are participating in these struggles, or wish to join them, to share this statement widely and contact the IYSSE today.

The IYSSE is a socialist youth group, fighting to link up the struggle of students and youth with teachers, parents and other workers in a common fight against the reckless herd immunity policy of the entire political establishment, which encourages the virus to run rampant, regardless of the carnage.

As a result of these policies, over 850,000 people have died from the virus in the US.

As of January 10, there were 1,084 pediatric deaths, with a staggering 44 deaths recorded in just the past 10 days. More than 167,000 children have lost parents or caregivers to COVID during the pandemic  roughly 1 in every 450 young people in the US under the age 18.

Countless more have suffered through the loss of a teacher, bus driver or other school staff member. Every one of these deaths was preventable.

The disastrous impact of the pandemic is the result of decisions made by capitalist governmentsfirst and foremost, in the United States to deliberately prioritize profits over lives, to reject the implementation of public health measures required to eliminate the virus and, instead, to adopt policies that allow the virus to spread widely throughout the global population.

The reopening of schools has always been at the center of the ruling class pandemic strategy. In order for workers to return to work and continue to pump out profits for the rich, their kids must be back in school.

Throughout the past two years, under both Donald Trump, a Republican, and current president Joe Biden, a Democrat, students, parents and teachers have been bombarded with a series of lies to promote the reopening plan: 1) children are largely immune to the virus; 2) children cannot spread the virus to others; 3) classrooms are just as safe as anywhere else; 4) students mental health will suffer more from remote learning than in-person; and 5) workers must learn to live with the virus.

In fact, children can catch and spread the virus. Child hospitalizations are also at their highest point ever, at 766 per day. Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago reported Thursday that child hospitalizations have increased 10 times compared to the number of admissions at the end of November.

COVID-19 is transmitted primarily through aerosols, small particles which linger in the air for hours, a fact that has been widely suppressed. Indoor spaces lacking proper filtration and ventilation, including the vast majority of schools and workplaces, have thus been the primary centers of viral transmission.

While there is no doubt that the youth mental health crisis has been vastly accelerated by the pandemic, alongside all other social crises, it is not their root cause. Students do indeed need immediate access to mental health treatment and services. But deteriorating mental health is only the symptom of a much deeper problem.

Moreover, the politicians deceitfully employing this argument are the very same figures who have overseen the systematic destruction of social services, the starving of education, and the 30 plus years of continuing wars and militarism, funded to the tune of billions of dollars every year.

By taking the actions they are taking across the country, students are now refusing to be used as pawns in the drive to reopen the schools. They are taking a stand on the side of life against profit.

As is being demonstrated through the ongoing protests, there is no shortage of anger or willingness to fight among youth. However, in order for this anger and opposition to produce the desired change, the central political issues must be clearly understood.

The struggle against the unsafe reopening of schools must be directed by what scientists insist will save lives and end the pandemic. The present policy of herd immunityi.e., allowing COVID-19 to spread throughout the populationmust be repudiated. A new strategy, directed toward the elimination and eradication of SARS-CoV-2, must be adopted.

The costs of fighting the pandemicincluding guaranteeing quality online learning for all students, paying the wages and salaries of workers affected and providing compensation to small business owners and ensuring full medical coverage for the illmust be borne by corporations and a 100 percent tax on the windfall pandemic profits obtained by large investors through the run-up in the stock market.

COVID-19 does not respect the boundaries of any campus, workplace, state or even country. The dangers confronted by students and teachers in the classrooms are mirrored in nearly every workplace around the country and the globe.

Therefore, in order for the pandemic to be brought under control, measures must be implemented on a global basis.

The fight against the pandemic is at the same time a fight against the capitalist system and a fight for socialism. The homicidal policy implemented over the past two years has been dictated by a financial oligarchy that has piled up unimaginable fortunes amidst mass death. Indeed, the more people die, the higher the stock market soars. The ruling elites celebrate every announcement that no measures will be taken to save lives and stop the pandemic.

Appeals must be made, not to this or that ruling class politician or trade union bureaucrat, who have betrayed workers a thousand times before, but to workers across all industries to build a united movement of the working class against the pandemic and against the capitalist system.

We call on all students to fight for this program and to join the International Youth and Students for Social Equality.
Even as the Derek Chauvin case was fresh in memory  the reading of the verdict in a Minneapolis courtroom, the shackling of the former police officer, the jubilation at what many saw as justice in the death of George Floyd  even then, blood flowed on America's streets.

And even then, some of that blood was shed at the hands of law enforcement.

At least six people were fatally shot by officers across the United States in the 24 hours after jurors reached a verdict in the murder case against Chauvin on Tuesday.

A 16-year-old girl in Columbus, Ohio.

An oft-arrested man in Escondido, California.

A 42-year-old man in eastern North Carolina.

The deaths, in some cases, sparked new cries for justice. Some people said they reflect an urgent need for radical changes to American policing  a need that the Chauvin verdict cannot paper over. For others, the shootings are a tragic reminder of the difficult and dangerous decisions law enforcement face daily.

An unidentified man in San Antonio.

Another man, killed in the same city within hours of the first.

A 31-year-old man in central Massachusetts.

The circumstances surrounding each death differ widely. Some happened while officers investigated serious crimes. Police say some of the people were armed with a gun, knife or a metal pole. One man claimed to have a bomb that he threatened to detonate. In several cases, little is known about the lives of those killed and what happened in their final moments.

***

As the nation watched the judge read the verdict against Chauvin on Tuesday afternoon, an officer hundreds of miles away was listening over his patrol car radio in a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. Minutes earlier, a colleague fatally shot a teenage girl.

Police had been called to the house after someone called 911 and reported being physically threatened. Body camera footage shows an officer approaching a group of people in the driveway as the teenager, Ma'Khia Bryant, swings a knife wildly. Moments later, the girl charges at a young woman pinned against a car.

The officer fires four shots before Bryant slumps to the ground. A black-handled blade, similar to a kitchen or steak knife, lies on the sidewalk next to her.

"You didn't have to shoot her! She's just a kid, man!" a man shouted at the officer.

The officer responds, "She had a knife. She just went at her."

Later, an anguished neighbor yells at officers: "Do you see why Black lives matter? Do you get it now?"

Bryant, who was in foster care at the time, was a shy, quiet girl who liked making hair and dance videos on TikTok, her grandmother, Debra Wilcox, told The Associated Press. Her family says her actions that day were out of character.

"I don't know what happened there unless she was fearful for her life," Wilcox said.

Though officials have said Bryant's death was a tragedy, they point to laws allowing police to use deadly force to protect themselves and others.

***

About the same time the radio brought the news of Chauvin's verdict to Columbus, two officers in San Antonio were confronting a man on a bus. Exactly how the encounter started remains unclear, but police say the unidentified man was armed. It ended with officers firing fatal shots.

Later that evening in the same city, authorities say a man killed a person working in a shed outside his own home. As officers arrived, the suspect started shooting at police. They returned fired, killing him. Officials have not released his name.

***

As the nation digested the news from Minneapolis, the day wore on and daily life unspooled. In Worcester, Massachusetts, the night was punctuated by a standoff with police that ended in gunfire.

Phet Gouvonvong, 31, called 911 and claimed to have a bomb he threatened to set off, police said. Officers found him on the street; they said he was wearing body armor and had a backpack and what appeared to be a rifle.

A police SWAT team joined negotiators. One reached Gouvonvong by phone to try to calm him, officials say.

Around midnight, officials say, Gouvonvong moved toward police, and an officer opened fire.

Gouvonvong was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not said whether he actually had an explosive device.

On Thursday, his mother crumpled onto the street in tears where flowers had been laid at the site of her son's killing. AnnMarie Gonzalez told The Telegram & Gazette newspaper she had called police Tuesday night to try to connect with her son but they wouldn't put her through. She believed she could have prevented it.

"They had no right taking my son's life," she said. "They had no right."

***

The next morning, as people in Minneapolis awakened to a city boarded up for unrest that never materialized, a 42-year-old Black man in eastern North Carolina was shot and killed when deputy sheriffs tried to serve drug-related search and arrest warrants.

An eyewitness said Andrew Brown Jr. was shot dead in his car in Elizabeth City as he tried to drive away. A car authorities removed from the scene appeared to have multiple bullet holes and a shattered back window.

His slaying sparked an outcry as hundreds demanded the release of body camera footage. Seven deputies have been placed on leave.

***

That same morning, police in Southern California got a call about someone hitting cars with a metal pole. The man ran off when police arrived, but then another officer spotted him carrying a 2-foot metal pole in the street.

The white man charged the officer, who commanded him to drop the pole before firing, police said.

Police in Escondido near San Diego have not released the name of the dead man, but did say he had been arrested nearly 200 times over the past two decades for violent assaults on police and the public, drug charges and other crimes. Efforts to get him help from mental health professionals hadn't worked, the police chief said.

***

Associated Press writers Michael Kunzelman in College Park, Maryland, Jill Bleed in Little Rock, Arkansas, Julie Watson in San Diego and Juliet Williams in San Francisco contributed to this report, as did Farnoush Amiri in Columbus, Ohio. Amiri a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

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On December 21, at about 6:00 a.m., 450 Greek police and riot police stormed the plant run by Kavala Oil to end the occupation of the facility by 120 workers. The workers had occupied the management offices and guarded the plant facilities to protest plans for layoffs and massive security problems.

Police storm the Kavala Oil refinery (Photo: Menoume Energoi group/Facebook)

The oil refinery in the village of Nea Karvali, east of the city of Kavala in northeastern Greece, is part of the oil and gas production facilities extracting resources from the Prinos field, located in the North Aegean off the island of Thasos. Energean, the parent company of Kavala Oil, with headquarters in London, plans to cut wages and lay off approximately 80 of the 240 workers, around a third of the workforce. Full-time experienced workers, who are familiar with the machinery and safety risks, are to be increasingly replaced by subcontracted labour.

Workers have now been on strike since January 1, demanding the company comply with work regulations and emergency plans. We are forced to work 12-hour days nonstop and are now physically and mentally exhausted, they write in a statement, criticising, among other things, the circumvention of basic regulations for the safe operation of onshore and offshore installations, leading to a serious risk of accidents.

The strike expresses the growing militancy of the Greek working class. On December 10 and 11, dockers and seamen had demanded wage increases in a 48-hour strike. All over the world, workers are opposing measures aimed at unloading the costs of the pandemic onto their shoulders. In neighbouring Turkey, a spontaneous strike by thousands of electricity workers broke out in the summer, and Turkish doctors and nurses went on strike across the country in December. In the US, thousands of teachers are currently protesting against the perilous return to face-to-face teaching as Omicron infections soar.

The Greek government headed by the right-wing Nea Dimokratia (New Democracy, ND) is continuing the social attacks of the last decades in the pandemic and pursuing a dangerous herd immunity policy. Coronavirus infections have skyrocketed dramatically in recent days. On January 4, this small country of just under 11 million people counted a record number of more than 50,000 new cases. Industrial workers are doubly affected by the pandemic, exposed to a high risk of infection in their factories as well as being hit by job cuts and lost wages.

Energean is trying to break the resistance of its workforce with intimidation and violence. According to the local news site proininews.gr, this was the first time that riot police have been deployed against workers at the plant. According to a spokesperson for the Kavala Oil workers union, police broke down the gate next to a gas and oil pipeline, where just a small leak could have caused a huge explosion.

A video posted on Facebook by the social activist group Menoume Energoi shows workers using water hoses to try to push back the police, who deployed stun grenades. According to reports, one grenade hit a high-voltage transformer, causing a temporary power outrage.

To escape from police, workers climbed to the top of a tower, where they remained for hours until they were guaranteed lawyers would be present. From 5:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., police besieged the tower and even denied water to the workers held there, a union spokesperson said.

Workers seek refuge from the police on top of an oil refinery tower

The irresponsible use of stun grenades at an oil refinery could have resulted in a lethal explosion. These brutal tactics illustrate the modus operandi of Greeces police and its riot police units, who function as the attack dogs of the corporations.

The local police directorate then claimed that workers had spilled hydrogen sulphide in the direction of the police, a claim the workers indignantly denied. This baseless lie showed total ignorance of the toxic danger of hydrogen sulphide, the use of which would have caused immediate deaths, workers related.

A total of 17 workers were arrested by police and taken into custody. Later that evening, a solidarity protest was held in front of Kavala police headquarters, followed by a protest march through the city. The workers were released the next day. Police used teargas to disperse oil workers gathered in front of the courthouse to welcome their colleagues. One worker was injured.

A few days after the police action, another demonstration took place in which workers from different professions and companies showed their solidarity with the oil workers. They gathered in the central square Kapnergatiki, where a monument commemorates Kavalas militant tobacco workers.

Kavala was an important centre of the tobacco industry in the first half of the 20th century and had already experienced violent attacks on the workers movement. In June 1928, a major tobacco workers strike led to violent clashes with the police during which six workers were killed. In May 1936, tobacco workers went on strike in Kavala, Thessaloniki and other cities and were once again brutally suppressed by the police. A few months later, in August 1936, General Ioannis Metaxas established a military dictatorship in Greece, imposing a regime of terror against the working class.

Energean responded to the strike notice of the Kavala Oil union To Vareli with an extrajudicial letter declaring the work stoppage illegal and threatened the strikers with dismissal. The layoffs at Kavala Oil came just a few months after parent company Energean received a 100 million government-guaranteed loan from the countrys COVID-19 Aid Fund, ostensibly to secure jobs and maintain the companys financial viability. The corporation directly commenced layoffs and introduced a Voluntary Exit Program to force workers to quit.

The financial aid from the state, which goes toward investments and maximising profits, was approved by the European Commission and justified with the financial losses made by the Prinos site in the first pandemic year, losses arising mainly from falling oil prices. At the same time, workers at Energean had to continue working without restrictions during the pandemic. Zero operational downtime due to COVID-19 and production operations running as normal, management proudly announced in its 2020 business report.

The oil workers, however, can only successfully wage their struggle against dismissals and cuts by organising independently of the trade unions and the bourgeois and pseudo-left parties. This is especially evident at Kavala Oil. To Vareli, the local trade union that belongs to the Panhellenic Energy Federation, has been cooperating with management for decades to keep the plant profitable at the expense of the workers. The union even admits this itself. In its statement of December 24 announcing the strike to take place beginning New Years Day, the union declared:

To date, we have supported the company by accepting wage cuts, a freeze on the insurance [pension and benefits] programme in 2015, machine operator job cuts, unpaid overtime for 2015 to 2018 and for 2020, and many other concessions that the employer has failed to properly appreciate.

The union had drawn attention to major safety problems at the plant several times in recent months and asked for talks with management. Unfortunately, we have not been listened to, laments the union, making clear that it only resorted to strike action with a heavy heart in an effort to head off the enormous anger in the workforce.

Unfortunately, the employer has left us no other choice, the union writes, while fueling illusions in Energeans good will. We hope that the employer will soon comply with legal requirements, labour regulations, the land and sea emergency plan and the firefighting and marine pollution emergency plans, so we can all resume our work, which is our only livelihood, and enable Prinos to return to normality.

When the price of oil plummeted in the spring of 2020 due to the pandemic, the unions president, Manolis Kelaidakis, immediately offered to assist the company. In May, he wrote that the union was ready to help management:

We as a union have experienced such crises many times from a position of responsibilityI remind you of the period of self-managementand we know how serious it is when pricing affects the whole planning. So, we took action and met with the relevant bodies, the MPs, the deputy mayor and the mayor.

Referring to the period of self-management, Kelaidakis alludes to the early 2000s when company management temporarily passed into the hands of the union after shareholders withdrew due to expected profit losses. This self-management essentially meant that the union restructured the plant at the expense of the workers.

By the late 1990s, the then owner of the Prinos oilfield, the international consortium North Aegean Oil Company (NAPC), had pulled out of the business because of declining output and a drop in oil prices. The entire operation went over to the Greek state, which transferred the facilities to the company Kavala Oil SA in 1999. Initially this company consisted of two partners: the Eurotechniki concern (67 percent) and the workers cooperative (33 percent).

The majority of Eurotechnikis shares were bought by the British oil company Regal Petroleum in 2003, but the company pulled out two years later when it became clear that an explored new field was not producing the hoped-for economic yield. As a result, management of the oilfields and refinery passed to the union, which then referred to it as a self-managed company. Although oil prices on the world market began to rise again from 2004, the union managers demanded that workers at Kavala Oil accept stagnating wages and further sacrifices.

This eventually benefited Energean Oil & Gas, which acquired 100 percent of shares in Kavala Oil in 2007 and finally took over the company in 2019. Energean, on the stock market in London and Tel Aviv since 2018, invests primarily in gas and oil sectors in the Mediterranean, including Israel, Egypt and Italy, in addition to Greece.

Oil production facilities of Kavala Oil S.A. in 2008 (Patroklos32 via Wikimedia Commons)

The union continued to have a strong position in the management of the company. Kelaidakis was vice president of the self-governing company Kavala Oil from 2009 to 2013 and worked closely with Vangelis Pappas, who was first union president and then president of the self-governing company Kavala Oil from 2005 to 2013. Both are members of the local KAP (Socially Effective Intervention) party in Kavala.

The CEO of Energean, Mathios Rigas, announced last year that the company intends to pay dividends for the first time ever at the end of 2022. In other words, Energean is now trying to cut jobs and lower safety standards at its plants so that the facilities yield more returns and shareholders can enjoy bumper profits this year.

The striking workers at Kavala Oil are courageously opposing these attacks but to succeed they need a global strategy and their own rank-and-file committee to extend the strike and reach out to workers in other plants in Greece and all over the world. The trade unions function as co-managers in every country, seeking to isolate workers from one another and suppress the growing wave of international protests and strikes against attacks on jobs and wages and the herd immunity policies. This is why the World Socialist Web Site calls for the building of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) to organise workers independently of the unions and unite them in a common worldwide struggle against capitalism.
The Killer That Stalked New York (1950), directed by Earl McEvoy, is a fictionalized account of the 1947 smallpox outbreak in New York City and the systematic, citywide vaccination program in April of that year that brought the immense danger to an end.

At a time when health and public officials in the US still felt some responsibility for the well-being of the general population, New York authorities organized a campaign against the smallpox threat. According to Dr. Israel Weinstein, the citys new commissioner of health, writing in the November 1947 American Journal of Public Health, In a period of less than a month more than 6,350,000 people were vaccinated in New York City, over 5,000,000 of them within the two week period following the appeal for universal vaccination made by the Mayor [William ODwyer]. Never before had so many people in one city been vaccinated in such a short time and on such short notice.

Weinstein continued, Because of the virulence of the disease and its high communicability, it is little short of remarkable that there were only 12 cases in the entire outbreak. Only two deaths were reported. The health commissioner concluded that as soon as a case of smallpox is suspected in a community, every effort must be made to have everyone vaccinated without delay.

New York's mayor (Roy Roberts) announcing vaccination program on radio

Every effort must be made. 

Not to reassure the stock market, but to protect the population and extend the life of every citizen.

Last Friday, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rochelle Walensky relayed the encouraging news that over 75 percent of COVID-19 deaths in the US occurred in people who had at least four comorbiditiespeople who are unwell to begin with. Ezekiel Emanuel, Chair, Medical Ethics & Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Biden-Harris Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board from November 2020 to January 2021, has made a name for himself by denouncing the religious fervor of prolonging life for as long as possible, which he has described as misguided and potentially destructive.

What these repulsive figures have expressed in words, the American ruling elite has energetically put into practice, allowing more than 800,000 men, women and children to die needlessly, with countless more deaths to come.

No American official in 1947 or 1950 would have dared to advance views similar to those expressed by Walensky and Emanuel. Although politically hamstrung by the official labor organizations, the American working class had demonstrated its immense combativity in the immediate postwar years, proving in no uncertain terms it had no intention to return to the misery and destitution of the Great Depression.

Moreover, the atrocities of the Nazi regimeincluding among them its Euthanasia Program, the murder of hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities, those considered unworthy of lifewere too fresh in the minds of wide layers of the worlds population. The International Military Tribunal, in which 24 leaders of the Third Reich were placed on trial, had only recently concluded, in October 1946. The fragility and preciousness of human life were on the minds of masses of people.

The Killer That Stalked New York is a well-made and effectively tense film, with many talented people involved, as was typical of the time. It appeared during the richest and most realistic period of American filmmaking, 1946 to 1951, before the anti-communist purges transformed conditions in Hollywood and made critical attention to contemporary social life, and the life of the working class in particular, far more problematic and even hazardous.

Harry Essexs script for The Killer That Stalked New York invents a suspenseful, psychologically intriguing framework for presenting the smallpox danger. A young woman, Sheila Bennet (Evelyn Keyes), returns to New York City from a trip to Cuba. She is smuggling diamonds, an operation masterminded by her musician boy-friend, Matt Krane (Charles Korvin), who has now, however, secretly taken up with her younger sister, Francie (Lola Albright). Sheila has been followed by a US Customs agent, who loses her when she sneaks out of a midtown Manhattan hotel.

New Yorkers lining up for vaccinations April 1947

Sheila is ill, unbeknownst to her, stricken with smallpox. She begins to spread the contagious disease. Health officials gradually become aware of the menace they face. Alerted to the potential disaster, the health commissioner, the mayor and the city government mobilize resources and initiate a program aimed at inoculating the entire population of 8 million people. Hundreds of thousands line up for a shot.

Now, both Customs and health department officials are hunting for Sheila, although at first independently of each other. By this time horribly ill and almost delirious, Sheila remains determined to exact revenge on the philandering Krane, especially after the suicide of her sister. This burning desire, as much as anything else, prevents her from seeking assistance. The number of the gravely ill begins to rise.

As noted above, the film, from Columbia Pictures, is based on the 1947 outbreak and a non-fiction account of it by Milton Lehman that appeared in Cosmopolitan magazine in April 1948.

In the actual case, the carrier of the disease was a 47-year-old businessman, Eugene Le Bar, who had lived in Mexico for six years. He became ill during the five-day bus ride from Mexico City to New York. Four days after his arrival, he entered Bellevue Hospital and was later transferred to Willard Parker Hospital, the communicable disease hospital in Manhattan, where he died. Several others were also hospitalized with similar symptoms. A definite diagnosis of smallpox was not made for several weeks, until confirmed by doctors at the US Army Medical School Laboratory and Western Reserve University.

Smallpox is one of the deadliest diseases in world history. Medical historians estimate that 300 million died from smallpox in the 20th century alone. As recently as the early 1950s, an estimated 50 million cases of smallpox worldwide occurred annually. The disease killed between 20 and 60 percent of all those infected, including as many as 80 percent of children.

As the National Geographic website explains: Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus. It gets its name from the Latin word for spotted, referring to the raised, pustular bumps that break out over the face and body of those affected. Historically the virus killed around 30 percent of people who caught it. Those who survived were often left blind, sterile, and with deep pitted scars, or pockmarks, on the skin. A mass global vaccination campaign announced by the World Health Organization in 1959 finally put an end to the affliction in 1977'making it the first disease ever eradicated (American Museum of Natural History).

Evelyn Keyes

The makers of The Killer That Stalked New York decided to create the Bennet character and the tale of smuggling and the fury of a woman scorned for fairly evident reasons. In inimitable late-1940s Hollywood fashion, the hardboiled opening narration gets right to the point: Death didnt sneak into town riding the rods or huddled in a boxcar. It came in on a streamliner, first class, extra fare, right into the Pennsylvania Station [one of New Yorks railroad stations], big as life. And when it finally stepped out of its drawing room and onto the platform, it was something to whistle at. It wore lipstick. Nylons and a beautifully tailored coat that sported a silver dancing girl. Souvenir of Cuba. Its name was Sheila Bennet. A pretty face with a frame to match.

However, before anyone piously wags a finger, a good word might be put in for the screenwriters general approach, if not every single choice. American filmmaking was still capable at the time of dissolving the politics [or, in this case, the history] into the poetics. The Killer That Stalked New York conscientiously brings out the public essence of the April 1947 crisis, while more or less convincingly creating a set of characters, from different social backgrounds, whose private lives are affected by the appearance of the deadly disease.

The film invents a Manhattan doctor, Ben Wood (William Bishop), who inadvertently comes into contact with Sheila and, later, some of the smallpox victims. He, together with a colleague, Dr. Cooper, first consider the frightening possibilities.

In a conversation, Cooper exclaims worriedly to Wood, Suppose we were in those medieval days again. When plagues wiped out whole cities. Before x-ray, vaccine and anesthesia. And the symptoms were a headache, backache, fever and rash. What would they have meant? Wood replies, Smallpox.  But here, in the middle of New York City? Why, Ive never even seen a case.

Cooper, played by veteran Viennese-born actor Ludwig Donath, responds, Well, I have. In Europe, as a child. Hundreds of them. Screaming and twisting creatures. Doomed to be fed to a huge bonfire that was kept going for weeks.

Waiting to be vaccinated, New Yorkers form line outside the Brooklyn Headquarters Building of the Department of Health

Some of the characterizations rely heavily on New York film typology: a benevolent Irish cop, a grasping, busybody landlady, a desperate immigrant mother, a milkmans nagging wife. Nonetheless, even the cliches still have some life in them here. Within limits, the film draws a convincing picture of urban realities.

The artistic experience that could be mobilized in Hollywood even for a relatively minor project like this one was immense. The director, Earl McEvoy, is one of the least-known quantities. He was primarily a second unit/assistant director or associate producer for MGM and Columbia in the 1940s. He only directed two other films, the last one in 1949. The date perhaps has significance. In 2010, the New York Posts Lou Lumenick posed the question, for which he didnt have an answer, Was he [McEvoy] blacklisted?

Two of the leading performers in The Killer That Stalked New York certainly were: the Hungarian-born Korvin (born Geza Korvin Karpathi) and Art Smith (who plays the fence Anthony Moss), a regular member of the left-wing Group Theatre and, years later, the original Doc in West Side Story on Broadway in 1957.

The lively Evelyn Keyes, who first made a name for herself playing Scarlett OHaras younger sister in Gone with the Wind (1939), had been a member of the Committee for the First Amendment, the group of Hollywood lefts and liberals that protested against the red scare hearings held by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947, along with her husband of the time, John Huston. Other husbands included director Charles Vidor (Gilda, 1946) and bandleader Artie Shaw. Keyes featured prominently in The Face Behind the Mask (Robert Florey, 1941) and Johnny OClock (Robert Rossen, 1947), and even more notably in Joseph Loseys The Prowler (1951) and Phil Karlsons 99 River Street (1953).

The skilled performers in The Killer That Stalked New York also include Albright, generally an underestimated presence, best remembered for her role on the Peter Gunn television series; Dorothy Malone, still limited to secondary roles in 1950, here a nurse to Dr. Wood; Jim Backus, who appeared in innumerable plays, films, radio programs and voiced cartoons; and with more than 900 films and television series between them, indispensable character actors Whit Bissell, Roy Roberts, Barry Kelley, Carl Benton Reid and Connie Gilchrist.

The gifted cinematographer Joseph Biroc, a New York native, eventually associated in particular with directors Robert Aldrich and Samuel Fuller, elegantly captured the city at its most menacing in The Killer That Stalked New Yorks nighttime sequences, as well as something of its complex vibrancy in the daytime street scenes. Biroc began his career as a cameraman in the US Army. In 1945, he filmed the horrors of the Dachau concentration camp in Germany while serving as captain of the sixth detachment alongside director George Stevenss Special Motion Picture Coverage Unit.

In this regard, even the narrator deserves a note. The mellifluous-voiced Reed Hadley, longtime film, television and radio actor, also provided the commentary in 1945 for The Nazi Plan, a documentary compiled from captured Hitlerite propaganda and newsreel image and sound recordings that was used as evidence at the Nuremberg Trials.

Lola Albright and Evelyn Keyes

The films score was composed by Hans J. Salter. A biography explains, Born in Vienna, Austria on January 14, 1896, [Salter] gained his education from the Vienna Academy Of Music, and studied composition with Alban Berg, Franz Schreker, and others. He was Music Director of the State Opera in Berlin before being hired to compose music at UFA studios. Salter emigrated to America in 1937 and was quickly put under contract at Universal, where he worked for nearly 30 years, arranging, composing, conducting, and serving as musical director.

In other words, there were reasons why many American films of the period had artistic, moral and intellectual weight.

The response of the mayor (Roberts) in The Killer That Stalked New York, based on ODwyer, who by the time of the films release in December 1950 had resigned in a corruption scandal, no doubt has an exaggerated or myth-making quality. But apparently also has some basis in fact.

The health commissioner (Reid) and his aides visit the mayor on a Sunday. Informed of the crisis, he jumps into action. The dialogue goes like this:

All right, you have eight million arms to vaccinate. What do you need? An extra thousand doctors. Youve got them. What else? Facilities for vaccinations. [To other officials] Youre donating your police stations for clinics. The same for the fire houses in all the boroughs. I take it the Commissioner of Hospitals has something to offer. Every city hospital and staff on call 24 hours a day. All right then. Were ready. Not quite. How much? Well need half a million dollars to get underway. Vaccinations are free. At six cents a life, thats a buy. Youll start with me.

The narrator takes over, The mayor didnt waste any time. A few hours later he had his sleeve rolled up and took the big scratch. And after the headman set the example for his town, the health commissioner took to the air. If you were tuned in, you heard the opening gun on a fight-to-the-finish war, and if you couldnt hear it, you could read about it. The newspapers got the facts, the who, the what, the where, the when and the why. The biggest headlines wed seen since V-Day hit the town right between the eyes.

The Killer That Stalked New York

In addition to the citys BE SURE! BE SAFE! GET VACCINATED! program, as the narrator notes, Dr. Weinstein appeared on radio delivering remarks directed toward those who were hesitant about getting vaccinated. By all accounts, Weinstein was a remarkable figure. Historian Mimi Eisen notes that he was a bacteriologist, physician, and lifelong New Yorker. In the early 1900s, as a child growing up on the Lower East Side, he had seen communities ravaged by smallpox outbreaks. Weinstein was just months into his post as health commissioner when smallpox reappeared.

The hesitancy and related social backwardness referred to receive brief treatment in the film. In a scene set in a barber shop, several customers deliver a negative verdict on the vaccination program. One man argues Two cases of smallpox dont make no epidemic, while another suggests that the mayors campaign is Nothing but publicity! The first goes on, What right has the mayor got to spend the taxpayers money like this? Do you know what itll cost, all this free vaccinating? Millions!

A third barber shop customer intervenes, You ever been in a smallpox epidemic, mac? Ever seen one? He goes on, Look at that guy there on that chair. He could have picked up the pox from one of them people in the hospital. Have it and not even know it, see? All right, you come along. You sit in that same chair. Blooey, you got the pox from just sitting there. A fourth customer thereupon rushes out to line up for his vaccination!

Over protest signs, Stop Vaccinations! Vaccine is poison!, the narrator intones, Sure, there were some who didnt believe in the citys fight. But the ball was rolling, and whether you liked it or not. Unless you grabbed for the life insurance that only cost a 10-minute wait in a line, you were out of fashion. Not in style. An aching arm told your neighbor you had good sense. The count went up. [Images of huge crowds in New York] One million vaccinated. Two million. But smallpox is never a local affair. It concerns the world. Washington, London, Paris, all waited for the news our mayor was punching out on the home grounds.

Sheila Bennet has the strength to see Krane brought to justice of a sort. The narration concludes: Before Sheila passed on in a last blinding burst of fever, she found the strength to tell the doctors what they had to know. And smallpox, the ancient killer, was forced back into the Middle Ages from whence it had sprung. There were the dead, but eight million lived on.

The Killer That Stalked New York is dedicated in a title To the men and women of public healththe first line of defense between mankind and disease.
Students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second largest district in the nation, returned to classrooms Tuesday as cases of COVID-19 skyrocket in the metropolitan area and across the country. In mandating the return to school sites, school authorities, with the sanction of the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) union, are deliberately exposing 665,000 students and more than 50,000 teachers and school employees to mass infections, long-term disability and death.

The reopening of the schools will also vastly accelerate community spread under conditions in which Los Angeles County reached a record weekly high of 200,000 confirmed cases last week. During that same period, area hospitalizations doubled to 3,200 people. Statewide, more than 6 million cases have been reported since the start of the pandemic, an increase of 1 million cases over the past two months alone. Two million of the states 6 million cases have occurred in Los Angeles County alone.

Approximately 65,000 students and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, according to mandatory testing conducted by the district during the winter break. More than 760 schools in the district have reported more than 10 cases each, while 140 schools reported more than 100 cases. Six schools reported more than 300 cases.

Kindergarten students sit in their classroom on the first day of in-person learning at Maurice Sendak Elementary School in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Theres no way we should be open, John, a middle school teacher told the World Socialist Web Site. Did you hear the statistics? 16.6 percent of students are positive, and 14.5 percent of adult employees were COVID positive. Today, most teachers were averaging only 60-70 percent of their students who were present.

There are minimal additional safety protocols in place. At least one teacher at my school tested positive for the second time. We should have been on Zoom at least until Monday, January 31, or the following Monday, February 7. That would have been 3-4 weeks, a very manageable number. Its better than getting COVID. I got emails from kids today. Im at home because I tested positive, so Im not coming in.

If Chicago can stay out, why cant LA Unified? You dont want more people getting sick. Were suffering through the holiday surge because people got together with a very, very contagious variant of COVID. As for the UTLA, it is completely ineffectual. They sold out a long time ago. Its ridiculous.

Teachers are getting tired of being treated like doormats. Were frontline workers. We have 30-40 plus kids in each class. Come on! Whats the deal here? Theres this huge budget surplus in the state and the district. Id like to know how that money is being spent. That money doesnt go to the teachers and supplies; it goes to contracts where outside subcontractors are making a ton a money. And people within the district get kickbacks. A lot of people feel this way.

Another LAUSD teacher told the WSWS that classrooms were only about 50 percent full, as many parents kept their children home on the first day back. Theres NO way that LAUSD should be back in person!

There were long delays at school sites Tuesday even with tens of thousands of students and staff not there. Early in the day the districts health screening system failed outright, leaving school staff scrambling for alternate means to record students COVID-19 test status. At a news conference Tuesday, Interim District Superintendent Megan K. Reilly acknowledged the health care screening failure. We thought we might have something like this occur, she said. I think everyones getting through. They [school staff] have a daily list that they can actually print out, and if things get slowed down, they actually can just go to a manual list.

Since the decision was made in late 2020 for LAUSD to return to in-person learning, district officials and the UTLA have claimed that the mitigations and testing regime were a national gold standard. In a statement released on the eve of the school reopening, UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz claimed that LAUSD is in a better position than most others in the country because of the safety infrastructure that educators and families fought for and won during this pandemic.

As this weeks reopening fiasco demonstrated, the idea that there is anything remotely safe about school sites is a bald-faced lie. In fact, the only safe option for students and teachers is remote learning, which was deliberately excluded as an option when the district and the UTLA reached agreements for the school return last year. LA educators and families were given no options at all for remote learning with the exception of independent learning programs, only available to a very small proportion of students. The union presented the return to COVID-infected classrooms last year as a fait accompli even going so far as to block teachers on its Facebook and Twitter pages when they protested.

This murderous position has been echoed by the California Teachers Association which, in a January 8 statement, stated that the union remained committed to keeping our schools open for in-person teaching and learning.

Both national teachers unions, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Education Association (NEA), remain entirely committed to in-person learning. In a Monday Op-Ed in the New York Times, AFT head Randi Weingarten responded to the widespread sentiment among teachers for remote instruction while the pandemic rages. There are plenty of places where teachers are concerned and where theres groups within school districts that are calling for sickouts. But in terms of my union, theres no organized effort to do that. In fact, its quite the opposite . [Emphasis added]

Like the rest of the corporate and political establishment, the highly paid bureaucrats who run the unions have no limit on the number of mass infections and deaths they will accept in order to keep children in schools and their parents working to produce profit.

As the World Socialist Web Site has explained, the Biden administration and the whole ruling class have abandoned any effort to end the pandemic. Quite the opposite, from the standpoint of the ruling elite, the continued spread of the disease is seen as a positive good; a means to cull the elderly and infirm who are no longer able to sell their labor power and are seen as an unnecessary drain on profits .

The only social force that will oppose this is the working class.

As Los Angeles teachers and students are forced back into unsafe classrooms, school walkouts have been taking place across the country. On Tuesday, thousands of students walked out of classrooms in the New York City as part of a mass Walkout for COVID Safety.

Students in Oakland, California signed a petition threatening to walk out of schools if a safe learning environment was not provided, including N95 masks and weekly PCR testing. A petition was similarly organized by students in Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Oregon demanding a remote option for students as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise there.

Chicago teachers are in a battle against both Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Teachers Union, which shut down the four-day job action by more than 20,000 teachers to demand remote-only instruction. There is mass opposition to the sellout by the CTU, whose pseudoleft leaders have close ties to the UTLA.

Teachers, parents and students must take matters into their own hands by expanding the network of educators rank-and-file committees to mobilize the broadest sections of workers and young people to close schools and nonessential businesses and demand the allocation of the necessary resources for high-quality remote learning, compensation for all low income families and the necessary public health measures to eliminate the virus once and for all. For more information on joining a rank-and-file committee, contact us here .
A limestone quarry miner in Pennsylvania and a coal miner in Indiana were killed in two separate accidents in the opening week of the new year.

On January 7, a Fayette County, Pennsylvania, miner, 49-year-old David Hayden, was killed when around 3 p.m. the roof collapsed on him and the loader he was running. It took rescue crews nearly eight hours to clear away the fallen boulders and remove Davids body from the loader. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Later that evening, 35-year-old Brian Rodriguez was killed at the Oaktown Mine in Knox County, Indiana. The Federal Mine Safety Health Administration, which is investigating the death, has not released details, but is classifying the accident as being caused by machinery. This a wide category, but often refers to a miner being crushed or pinned by some of the mining machines.

Laurel Aggregates' Lake Lynn Mine (Credit: WTAE/Twitter)

Rodriguez had worked as a coal miner for over nine years. He is survived by his wife and seven children.

David Hayden left behind his wife Sydney and four children and one grandchild. He was a devoted father according to his daughter Davina Hayden who organized a go fundme page to support his wife and the younger children.

Davina told the Observer-Reporter that David was an amazing person with a huge heart and such a big personality. He lived for his family and would do anything for them.

David followed his father who also worked in the regions mines according to Davina.

You cant always see everything going on around you when youre operating a loader, said a former coal miner who did not work at the mine. Its safer if you have others in the area who might see something you miss.

Had he moved into an area where the roof wasnt bolted? Or maybe the bolts start coming loose, I dont know. I dont know for sure that they bolt a quarry mine, but they must have some kind of roof support and clearly that wasnt right.

In this day and age miners should not be dying.

David Hayden with his wife Sydney

According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), 37 miners were killed last year and 29 miners in 2020. MSHA is not releasing any details of the two accidents and will not issue a final report for months. At most the companies may face small fines, which they will undoubtedly appeal and likely get reduced.

The mines where David Hayden and Brian Rodriguez worked were relatively small. David worked for Arcosa Inc. and Brian worked for the Hallador Energy Company.

For decades mine operators have learned to use a series of contractors and intermediate companies to shield themselves from safety and environmental responsibility.

Coal production is up after hitting a 50 year low in 2020, a year in which over 150 mines were closed. In 2021, production began to rebound, driven mainly by a strong demand for coal by China.

Higher natural gas prices are also causing some electric producers to increase the amount of coal they are using in generation. The US Energy Information Administration expects that when the final numbers are in, they will show a 22 percent growth in electricity generation from coal in 2021 compared to 2020.

However, the recovery in coal production has not led to a corresponding increase in jobs for coal miners. After production fell more than 40 percent from its peak of 1,172 million short tons in 2008, tens of thousands of miners have lost their jobs.

To meet increased demand, mine companies have not hired back miners, but have instead relied on speedup, longer hours and forced overtime to boost production.

In the face of demands for increased production with fewer workers, safety protections for miners have eroded. In addition to accidents, miners face the upsurge in black lung disease and silicosis. Both are irreversible and fatal lung diseases caused by breathing in the vast amounts of coal and rock dust kicked into the air during mining.

MSHA does not even keep records, but each year thousands of current and former miners die from black lung. Many are forced to keep working with black lung because they are denied benefits, forced to choose between providing for their families and their health.

When you have to feed your family, you do what you have to do, said Bill, a retired worker who lives in nearby Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The union no longer exists. There are so many people out of work, and the jobs that are around here dont pay anything, the companies have the upper hand.

Fayette County is one of the poorest counties in Pennsylvania. Over 18 percent of the population is listed as living in poverty and household income is about a third less than the rest of the state.

Similarly, in Knox County, Indiana, nearly one in seven live in poverty and the average household income is only about 70 percent of the state average.

The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), which once represented a powerful force to protect miners safety, no longer exists in these regions and where it does it represents the interests of the operators.

The UMWA has fewer than 9,000 active members, most scattered in smaller mines. Over 1,100 miners at the Warrior Met Mine in Alabama, formerly the Jim Walter mine, have been on strike since April 1. Miners there worked five years under a concessions contract and they overwhelmingly voted down another concessions contract pushed by the UMWA.

Since then, the UMWA has systemically isolated the workers and allowed Warrior Met to resume production with management and scabs. The UMWA is working to break the strike as a warning to other workers not to take action against the coal operators.

Miners must heed the lessons of the past decades and follow the example of autoworkers, teachers, Amazon workers and health care workers by forming a rank-and-file committee, independent of the UMWA and democratically controlled by the members. These committees would discuss and implement measures to ensure that workers safety comes before the profits of the mine operators.
Though a massive surge of COVID-19 is ripping through the Indian population, threatening a devastating humanitarian crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made clear there will be no nationwide lockdown to check the coronavirus pandemic.

On January 9, the second day that India witnessed over100,000 daily cases since last June, Modi chaired a high-level meeting to assess the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country, the Prime Minister's official website reported. The purpose of the meeting was to assure the financial oligarchy that there will not be a lockdown, which would affect their profits. Modis remarks at the meeting did not aim to devise a strategy to curb the pandemic, but to lull the population to sleep even as hundreds of thousands are infected each day.

People gather to listen to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he lays the foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh state on January 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Modi attended the meeting along with Home Minister Amid Shah, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Dr. V.K. Paul of the NITI Aayog think-tank. Modi stressed the need to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level; usage of masks and physical distancing measures; implementation of home isolation for mild/asymptomatic cases and to disseminate factual information to the community at large; intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases, and so on.

All these officials are well aware, however, that such measures cannot currently be effectively implemented against a highly contagious airborne virus like the Omicron variant of COVID-19. If non-essential businesses and industries continue to functionforcing workers to travel to workplaces, send children to school, and use overcrowded public transport facilitiesthe virus will spread massively. However, they refuse to order a lockdown, the suspension of non-essential production, and investment to allow for distance learning for youth.

The Modi governments policies in relation the pandemic are nakedly based on prioritizing the profit interests of big business over human lives.

A few weeks ago, on December 23, Modi and the same officials held another high-level meeting, supposedly to review the status of COVID-19 and Omicron and discuss public health measures. That day, daily COVID-19 cases stood at 7495 and seven-day average was 6768. When Modi held the second meeting on January 9, daily cases stood 159,632 (over 21 times higher), and the seven-day average of cases was 91,268. Such was the effectiveness of Modi's high-level meetings on the pandemic!

By allowing COVID-19 to rip through an unprotected population, a politically criminal Indian ruling elite as a whole have already sacrificed masses of lives. Statisticians estimate that the death toll is between 3-5 million lives in India, though the official toll shows only 483,000. This was the tragic outcome of Modi government's murderous herd immunity policy. While costing millions of lives and causing untold suffering due to Long Covid, this policy also threw hundreds of millions into poverty, hunger, unemployment, and social misery.

Allowing corporate elites to intensify the super-exploitation of millions of Indian workers in unprotected factories and offices, the Indian government has increasingly abandoned even the limited restrictions adopted after the pandemic wave of May 2021. At that time, India witnessed a shocking toll, recording 400,000 COVID-19 cases and over 4,000 deaths each day.

Like other capitalist governments in the world, it now promotes the vaccine only mantra to justify its vicious herd immunity policy, though vaccines are clearly failing to halt a catastrophic rise in infections and deaths. The Modi government has also jumped on the bandwagon of claims by the US, UK and European governments that the Omicron variant is milder, a claimed rejected by the World Health Organization. This false narrative was shattered this month, when India reported its first two Omicron-related deaths, one of whom was doubly-vaccinated.

Despite unmistakable warnings issued by a number of medical experts and epidemiologists, Modi and BJP ministers held massive election rallies for assembly elections in five states including Uttar Pradesh (UP), India's most populous state with over 200 million people.

Modi and the Election Commission of India (ECI) criminally ignored a ruling of the Allahabad High Court in UP on December 23, postponing the UP assembly elections (now scheduled to be held from February 10) and citing the threat of the Omicron wave. The court also requested the ECI to ban super-spreader election rallies involving masses of people. But the ECI wasted almost two weeks until January 8, when it finally banned physical election rallies till January 15.

As a result of these reckless policies, India on January 10 reported 179,339 new infections. The total number of confirmed active patients in India is now over 700,000. Indian media showed the steep rise in the past week was primarily due to the case surge in urban centers: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai. In January 4-8, these five cities recorded between 150 and 450 percent increases in infections over the previous week. Indias test positivity rate now crossed the 10 percent mark, suggesting that large numbers of cases are not being detected.

Predictably, the surge in cases is leading to increased hospitalizations. On January 10, the Health Ministry admitted that India is seeing a hospitalization rate of 5-10 percent of cases, adding that the situation is dynamic and evolving and need of hospitalisation may change rapidly. It also warned that for every 100 Delta cases, there could be 400-500 Omicron cases, finally admitting that this surge is being driven by Variant of Concern (VOC) Omicron. It also recognized the continued presence of another VOC 'Delta' in large geographies across the country.

In Kerala, ICU occupancy of COVID patients in both public and private hospitals showed a nominal increase and stands at 435 cases, while the number of patients requiring ventilator support showed a slight increase to 157 on Sunday, The Hindu reported on January 10.

In Bengaluru, COVID-19 hospitalizations account for an average of 80 percent of all new admissions, the Deccan Herald reported. It cited medical professionals who said panic admissions are taking place leading to rising occupancy of ICU and ICU-ventilator beds. Of 168 hospital admissions to government hospitals in the last seven days, for example, 22 were for ICU and 9 were for ICU-Ventilator beds, the newspaper wrote.

In poll-bound Punjab, as of January 8, 226 patients were put on oxygen supportup from just 62 on the previous day, a 264 percent jump in 24 hours. The states test positivity rate reached 14.64 percent on Saturday, up from just 2.02 percent a week ago.

The explosion of COVID-19 is placing immense pressure on medical workers and doctors, forced to work to save lives under extremely dangerous conditions, without adequate protective equipment, for two years. In Tamil Nadu, 200 doctors and staff members tested positive for the infection at Vellore CMC Hospital on January 9.

In Maharashtra on the same day, over 300 resident doctors tested positive for COVID-19, leading to fears of a shortage of medical staff that will prevent hospitals from properly treating cardiac patients and other urgent cases, who are increasingly left to their fate.

Though the surge in cases has forced a number of states to impose limited restriction measures like closing schools and declaring night curfews, not a single state is ready to impose a strict lockdown to curb the pandemic. Not only that, some states heads, like Modi, have openly declared their opposition to such strict mitigation measures against the pandemic.

On January 9, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also the head of Delhi states ruling Aam Aadmi party, said, We dont want to impose lockdown, we won't if you wear masks. No intent for lockdown as of now.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) encourages high school youth to contact us today to share the conditions in your school and to get involved in the fight against unsafe school reopenings!

On Tuesday, nearly 1,000 students at over 30 K-12 schools in New York City participated in a walkout to protest the unsafe reopening of the largest school district in the United States, amid a surge of the highly infectious and deadly Omicron variant of the coronavirus. The reopening of schools is being led by the new mayor of New York City, Democrat Eric Adams.

The protest of high school and middle school youth is part of a broader and deepening fight by students, educators and parents calling for the closure of schools. Protests are taking shape in Oakland, California; Portland, Oregon; Boston, Massachusetts; and perhaps most significantly, Chicago, Illinois, where the teachers union is maneuvering to force teachers back to in-person learning despite overwhelming opposition.

New York students during the walkout (Credit: @ShawnGarcia_NYC)

The New York City walkout was organized by high school students at Stuyvesant High School and Brooklyn Technical High School, who formed the group NYC Student Walkout for COVID Safety to organize their fellow students.

The action has received support from students, educators, parents and workers in New York City and beyond. Since its inception, NYC Student Walkout for COVID Safety has garnered thousands of followers across social media platforms, with an Instagram post announcing the walkout receiving well over 16,000 likes.

In the end, it is estimated that close to a thousand students at dozens of elementary, middle and high schools across the citys five boroughs walked out of classrooms around noon yesterday, joined by parents and some educators. At Brooklyn Technical High School, the largest high school in the country, over 400 students participated in the protest action.

Theo, an eighth-grade student from Manhattan who led a walkout at his school, spoke to the WSWS about why he and other students were protesting the school reopening policy.

I saw Mayor Adams and the New York City government treating us like our life had no meaning! Enough was enough. Theo then sent a tweet supporting a walkout. After the tweet I found myself speaking not only to students, he said, but also teachers and parents that felt just as strongly as I did. Seeing the quantity of people walking out I think its fair to say that they resonate with my cause: the New York City government needs to take us seriously.

Asked about the conditions in his school, Theo said, We have new kids with COVID every day. Some dont keep their masks on. Teachers have a ridiculous amount of responsibility without help from administrators. I have spoken to countless teachers. They are with us, and we have their backs.

The majority of students I know dont want our school to open, he continued. But to be clear we are not saying to not open our schools. Were saying to restore a remote option so that those that want to can learn/teach remote. Theo added that we must listen to the scientists and implement their ideas on a large scale.

Four Stuyvesant High School students who participated in the walkout spoke with a reporter from the WSWS outside their school.

Brehami said, Schools should be shut down to bring the cases down until we have a better solution to the new variants. He emphasized the danger that people can still transmit the virus even if they are vaccinated.

Left to right: Brehami, Allan, Mitchum, and John (WSWS Media)

All the government is focusing on right now is the money, theyre not focusing on the well-being of their citizens.

Another student, John, whose parents both have medical conditions that make them high-risk individuals, said, Given how contagious this new Omicron variant is, I feel like it was a really poor decision on the mayor and on the DOEs [Department of Educations] part to keep the schools open. I honestly dont understand what the point of it was.

Especially at our school Stuyvesantweve had about 500 kids go absent because theyve either caught it or someone else has caught it and they needed to quarantine. Were being forced to come to school in such an obviously dangerous positionat this point, we dont know who has the virus, I could have it, my friend could have it, anyone could have it. So the best decision right now is to go remote.

We should prioritize the safety of the students and our families first because, otherwise, what else do we have?

Asked whether he thought schools are being seen as daycare by the ruling class, so that parents can go to work, John replied, Absolutely.

A third student, Allan, said, The fact that Eric Adams said that school is the safest place for children, its kind of absurd. We have the resources to do online school. Its just the mayor doesn't want to do it. He raised the need for a temporary lockdown that would be a few months, but that two or three months is worth it in order to keep the people of New York City safe.

Our reporter raised the need for their walkout to be widely expanded and link up with other struggles by students, educators and workers throughout the country and around the world. The role of the Democratic Party in New York City and Chicago was also brought up.

Brehami replied, I 100 percent agree with what you just said about it. Usually, I dont like to go into politics with Democrats or Republicans, but I do feel like the responsibility does fall on the entirety of the American government and their failure to protect its citizens.

Mitchum added, They dont know how it is for ordinary Americans to live through COVID right now. A lot of Americans dont have the money and got laid off, lost their jobs, arent able to go to school; a lot of families have to take care of kids at home. Politicians in Washington dont have to worry about that. They have the means and the money to actually live through COVID.

Contrary to the claims of capitalist politicians and the media, the Omicron variant has proven to be anything but mild. Yesterday, over one million Americans reportedly contracted the virus, and close to 2,000 people died from COVID-19. Hundreds of thousands of people across the US are being hospitalized every day, putting immense strain on the rapidly decaying health care system.

New York City is once again one of the global epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the weekend, 100,000 new cases and 200 deaths were reported, with at least 35,371 infections and 23 deaths on Monday. The citys hospitalization rate has risen by over 73 percent, with the number of young children hospitalized due to COVID-19 quadrupling.

Of the over 35,000 infections on Monday, the city has reported that 11,825 were K-12 students and 2, 298 were school staff. These numbers are undoubtedly undercounts of the true outbreaks in New York City schools. It is widely acknowledged that city testing and tracing programs, like similar programs in cities and states across the country, are entirely inadequate at accurately assessing the spread of the virus.

Schools have been proven to be main vectors for the spread of the coronavirus. Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics recorded 580,247 pediatric COVID-19 cases, up 74 percent from the previous weeks record 325,000 cases, and a record 1,636 pediatric hospitalizations and 14 additional child deaths.

These numbers only further stress the need for an immediate closure of schools and transition to online instruction. However, despite the ever-growing crisis, Mayor Eric Adams, following the lead of the Biden administration, is pushing ahead with and expanding the homicidal reopening policies of the previous administration. Adams has repeatedly lied about the danger of the virus and is making it clear that the priority of the new Democratic administration is not public health, but keeping our economy operating.

However, as the protests in New York and beyond are demonstrating, students and teachers have different priorities. Our school conditions are not safe right now... theres so many people sick & our mayor is not doing enough to protect us, said Felicia, a high school student in the Bronx, in a video testimonial on Twitter.

The lies promoted by the ruling class, its politicians and media, that the public must learn to live with the virus, are disproven by the actual science. However, the ending of the pandemic requires, in addition to the immediate closure of schools and non-essential workplaces, a broader strategy to eliminate and eradicate the virus. The implementation of this science-based strategy can only come through the political mobilization of students, youth, teachers, and the entire working class against the rotten social, political and economic system that is the fundamental cause of the current crisiscapitalism.

The World Socialist Web Site and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality encourage youth and teachers to get in touch with us today to share the conditions in your school and learn more about joining the developing opposition of teachers and students around the country.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) encourages high school youth to contact us today to share the conditions in your school and to get involved in the fight against the pandemic.

With an unprecedented wave of cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 ripping through schools, students at the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) in Northern California have joined the growing national wave of students and educators opposing the unsafe and deadly policy of in-person learning.

A petition urging a district-wide school strike if demands are not met has gained over 960 signatures at the time of writing. The petition demands that OUSD shift from in-person learning to online learning, or that the district provide KN95/N95 masks for every student, twice a week PCR and Rapid Tests for everyone on campus and outdoor spaces to eat safely when it rains.

The petition by Oakland students

If these demands are not met, write the students, we will be striking by not attending school. We will be striking until we get what we need to be safe.

The students say that they will call on OUSD students to strike starting January 18th should their demands not be met.

The move of almost 1000 Oakland high school students joins thousands of other high school students in Massachusetts, Michigan, Portland, and now New York City (where students walked out Tuesday), who are fighting against the reckless policy of school reopening.

The petition also follows actions by thousands of teachers in Chicago last week opposing the deadly school reopening, as well as wildcat sickouts by Oakland and San Francisco teachers.

Nikayla Dean, a student at MetWest High School in Oakland, California who helped initiate the petition, told The Flashpoint, We took matters in our hands, not just with the strike but some people are trying to raise money to go get the KN95 mask and for weekly testing.

Ayleen Serranoanother student at MetWest High School and organizer of the petitiontold KRON4 news that her classmates began the petition after seeing an alarming rise in COVID cases and a lack of available testing and resources at her school. She said, We were really shocked when we saw how many signatures were flooding in so fast. Were happy that its not just us that are concerned but theres more students out there that are concerned.

In response to the petitionwhich was shared tens of thousands of times on Twitter and other forms of social mediaJohn Sasaki, the OUSD communications director, issued a disingenuous statement saying, We share the students concern about the spike in omicron cases of covid-19.

On Thursday evening, the district and the Oakland Education Association, the union which falsely claims to represent Oakland teachers, announced an agreement on safety bargaining. The emergency bargaining had been conducted out of fear of broader wildcat action by teachers and students as they, in the words of the students, took matters in our hands.

The three measures agreed toweekly pool testing for elementary students, a single day off of school and a slight extension of the number of days teachers can take off if they get COVID-19do nothing to fundamentally address the rapid spread of the virus throughout the area.

Shula, an Oakland teacher, responded to the claim on Facebook by OUSD school board member Mike Hutchinson that the agreement is a win, for everyone by writing, This agreement doesnt come close to what students and staff need to be safe at school, and I know of 0 people who actually work or attend in person at a school who are satisfied with this.

Despite the widely promoted lie by the Biden administration that schools are not an important vector for the spread of COVID-19, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported that about 8.5 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, with almost 11 percent of these cases having been added in the past two weeks. For the 22nd week in a row, child COVID-19 cases are above 100,000.

Since the first week of September, there have been over 3.4 million additional child cases.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) call on Oakland students to carry forward in their plan to strike. The deal reached by the union and the school board will do nothing to substantively improve safety on campus. We will do everything in our power to assist students, teachers and faculty and to link up striking students and teachers across the country.

Only a united movement of teachers, students and parents has the power to implement the public safety measures needed to stop the spread of the pandemic.

Dorothy, a caretaker and grandmother of a seventh grader in OUSD, spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about how widespread illness makes teaching all but impossible in schools right now. She pointed to a tweet she wrote earlier: This is what school was like for my 7th grade grandson this week: sitting in a room with a sub who just looked at his phone entire time while kids sat freezing & terrified of catching Covid. #CloseTheSchools.

In nearby El Cerrito, teachers at Korematsu Middle School sent out an open letter on Monday detailing the horrid situation faced by students and staff at the school. They explained: The district has failed to respond to this situation with any sort of urgency or available resources for our immediate needs. They have failed to increase testing, secure substitutes and are unable to provide KN95 masks to our students. We do not feel they are providing a safe learning environment for students.

They added, Due to the rising COVID cases, lack of safety protocols and staff shortages, teachers at Korematsu Middle School will not be coming to school tomorrow, or the rest of this week. They go on to say, We feel it is better for everyone to rest  than for more staff and students to get sick this week. The letter reported that about one third of both teachers and students are out sick with COVID with nearly every teacher subbing at least one period.

The developments in El Cerrito and Oakland are part of a nationwide struggle of teachers, students, parents and health care workers to oppose the deadly reopening of schools.

The World Socialist Web Site and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality encourage youth and teachers to get in touch with us today to share the conditions in your school and learn more about joining the developing opposition of teachers and students around the country.
On December 15, 2021, Amplify Energy and its two subsidiaries, the Beta Offshore Company and the San Pedro Bay Pipeline, were indicted by a federal grand jury on one misdemeanor count of illegally discharging oil into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California.

An investigation revealed that the company ignored eight different leak detection alarms over a 13-hour period, shutting off and then restarting the pipeline after each alarm notified them of a potential spill, which caused about 25,000 gallons of crude oil to spill into the ocean on October 1, 2021.

Amplify stated that their response was due to their leak detection system not functioning properly, that it was notifying them of a leak at the platform where no leak was occurring, and that the leak was actually occurring in an undersea pipe four miles away from the platform that their system was unable to detect. A week before the indictment was brought against Amplify, the Beta Offshore Company also compiled a report for federal investigators revealing that its leak detection system was not functioning properly, but declined to provide further details.

Cleanup contractors deploy skimmers and floating barriers known as booms to try to stop further oil crude incursion into the Wetlands Talbert Marsh in Huntington Beach, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

According to the actual timeline of events, however, a first alarm went off at 4:10 p.m. on October 1 and was not shut off until 6:00 a.m. the next day, even though Amplify CEO Martyn Willsher commented that the company was not made aware of the oil spill until 8:09 a.m. on October 2. Federal prosecutors also reported in their indictment that even after the eighth and final alarm went off, the oil platform operated for another hour before finally shutting off.

The fact that they kept hitting the snooze button and ignoring alarms, stopping and starting this pipeline and all the while leaking oil in the Pacific Ocean is reckless and egregious, Bill Caram, director of the Washington based Pipeline Safety Trust, told the Associated Press.

The investigation also showed that the oil rig was understaffed and that the personnel were fatigued from overwork as well as insufficiently trained in their leak detection systems.

More details will doubtless come to light revealing the careless and criminal character of the oil conglomerates, as the indictment and dozens of lawsuits filed against Amplify develop.

As of today, local authorities have declared that clean-up efforts are complete and that Amplify Energy has sent an emergency repair application to the US Army Corps of Engineers, where the company plans to remove and replace 282 feet of damaged pipeline and install concrete mats over the newly-installed pipeline to protect it from future damage.

So far there are no indications whether other oil companies in the region will replace their outdated pipelines or place concrete mats over them.

Since most of the area pipelines and oil refineries attached to them are over 40 years old, this has raised concerns from citizens and environmentalists in the area, especially after the discovery of a new oil sheen found off the coast of Huntington Beach on the same day that the grand jury indictment charges were filed.

Local authorities were unable to verify the presence of the oil sheen until daybreak the next day, saying that it was too dark when the search commenced at 8:00 p.m.

As the pandemic enters its third year, chronic understaffing issues, which were far advanced even prior to 2020, have become even worse as millions contract COVID-19. Many of these workers work in critical industries where a shortage of properly trained and/or overly exhausted employees can have horrific implications.

To cite only a few examples:

 Understaffing at multiple CVS locations across the country have caused workers to fill customer prescriptions with the wrong medications, which was caused by fatigued employees having to work 12-hour shifts due to understaffing.

 Nurses across the country have claimed that higher nursing to patient ratios due to understaffing have led to staff burnout and PTSD, as well as higher chances of patients dying, as has been indicated by a recent National Nurses United survey.

 In September of last year, the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization released a study showing that working more than 55 hours per week was the largest single contributor to work-related deaths.

These understaffing and overworking issues are rapidly multiplying, even as companies are making billions a year in profits, while Wall Street continues to reach record highs.

The funds are available for oil conglomerates, big and small, to maintain a full-time, fully-trained staff and to implement an adequately functional leak prevention and detection system, but the pursuit of maximum profits requires that decisions be based not on human need and safety but on profitability, regardless of the impact on workers lives.

It is this business practice which has caused yet another recent environmental crisis along the Southern California coastline, as it was reported last week that up to 8 million gallons of raw sewage had leaked into the oceans through Long Beach.

The spill originated from the Hyperion Water Reclamation plant, which, much like the outdated oil rigs that surround the Southern California coast, was first built in 1894 and has only been updated and upgraded in the 1950s.

Much of the crucial infrastructure responsible for transporting vital materials is obsolete and is in urgent need of replacement or repair. The conditions that were present in last years oil spill are present in other key industries across California and the country.
The Committee for Public Education urgently appeals to all teachers, school workers, students, and parents to unite against the planned reopening of schools across Australia in late January and early February.

Teachers protesting the dangerous reopening of schools in New York last year (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

If allowed to proceed amid unprecedented COVID infections, the beginning of the academic year will see a further explosion in case numbers, inflicting suffering and death that is entirely preventable. Working people should form rank-and-file safety committees within every school community that will take forward the fight for online teaching and learning, as an essential measure within a broad emergency response aimed at eliminating the dangerous coronavirus.

The extended summer holiday that separates the end and beginning of the academic year in Australia has coincided with an explosion of the Omicron variant. On December 17, the last day of Term 4 in several states, the daily COVID case tally in Australia was 4,004. Now around 100,000 cases are registered daily, though this is an enormous underestimate of the real level of infection.

Reopening schools in these conditions would represent an appalling social crime.

International scientists have repudiated media and government claims that Omicron is a mild virus and that children especially require no protection from infection. Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead of COVID-19 response at the World Health Organization, recently characterised the mild designation as dangerous misinformation.

The impact on children is especially concerning. Last week saw 672 children hospitalised in the United States each day, more than double the week before. Long COVID is causing widespread suffering, with studies suggesting up to 10 percent of all children who contract the virus develop debilitating long-term symptoms.

Australian children are threatened with being herded into unsafe classrooms in conditions where large numbers of those under 12 have not been able to access vaccine due to supply shortages and related booking problems.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has insisted that schools should operate on a business-as-usual basis. Our objective is go back, stay back, day one term one, he declared on Monday.

The homicidal campaign to condition the population to live with the virus is a bipartisan one, uniting the Labor and Liberal parties. State Labor premiers comprise the majority of the so-called national cabinet that last year coordinated the deliberate sabotage of Australias previous COVID mitigation measures and this year is accelerating the dismantling of even the most minimal of protections as part of its herd immunity policy.

Some state governments are reportedly considering delaying the start of term, following the recent announcement of Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that schools there would open on February 7 rather than January 24. This measure will serve only to postpone, not avoid, mass infection of children and school staff.

The ruling elite is united behind the campaign to reopen the schools because this measure is at the cutting edge of the wider agenda of returning all workers to their workplaces and at the same time permanently rescinding all public health measures that impinge on the operations of big business. Teachers and students are to be sacrificed on the high altar of corporate profit.

Working class schools and communities will inevitably be the worst affected. The wealthiest private schools, which receive enormous public subsidies every year, will continue to make their own arrangements, sourcing air filtration systems and providing remote learning options. Run down and overcrowded public schools in working class areas, on the other hand, will be major vectors for the spread of the virus.

Teachers and school workers need to organise independently of the teaching unions, including the Australian Education Union (AEU) and New South Wales Teachers Federation (NSWTF).

Throughout the pandemic, in Australia and internationally, the trade unions have collaborated with governments and business against the right of all workers to a safe workplace. Within the schools, the AEU and NSWTF have echoed the unsafe government and Department of Education guidelines for managing the COVID threat. Union officials also collaborated with governments in suppressing the data on the number of schools affected by COVID outbreaks last year.

The union bureaucracys considerable wealth and privileges ultimately derive from its collaboration with the state. AEU federal president Correna Haythorpe receives nearly $275,000 annually in salary and benefits, placing her comfortably within the top 1 percent of all income earners.

Haythorpe last Saturday declared that in the event of mass infections within the schools, some closures may prove necessary. If you cant provide supervision and duty of care, governments will have to consider how particular schools pivot to remote learning, she stated.

In other words, if mass infections create a staffing crisis, as has happened across the US and in other countries, there may be no alternative but to switch to online learning. Until then, as far as the union is concerned, teachers ought to do nothing as infections emerge and start to rise in school communities.

Educators and parents cannot passively accept a situation in which they and their students and children are sitting ducks for the virus!

The Committee for Public Education (CFPE) urges all teachers, school workers, students and parents to contact us and join the fight for rank-and-file safety committees.

The CFPE, initiated by the Socialist Equality Party, has a principled record of fighting for the interests of teachers, school staff, and the working class. In collaboration with educator rank-and-file committees internationally, developed through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), the CFPE has mobilised teachers independently of, and in opposition to, the teacher unions.

In the American city of Chicago, teachers have pointed the way forward for their brothers and sisters internationally. Before being sold out and sent back to the schools by the Chicago Teachers Union, educators defied demands that they teach in highly dangerous conditions and demanded a transition to online learning.

Likewise in Britain, parent Lisa Diaz organised action independently of the unions and establishment parties through the #SafeEdforAll campaign, which involved coordinated parent boycotts of face-to-face learning.

In this third year of the global pandemic, a rational and scientifically based approach to the virus is more urgent than ever before. The protection of human life and safety must take unconditional priority over all corporate-financial interests.

The CFPE recognises that the only viable strategy is to work towards the elimination of the virus, implementing Zero Covid through the adoption of the necessary measures as advised by leading epidemiologists, virologists and other scientists.

The CFPE demands the following accompanying measures:

No return to school in any area where there is COVID-19 community transmission! The only children who ought to be on site are those of emergency workers, who do not have other family to care for them, and this must be organised with the strictest safety precautions, including having high quality air filtration systems for every indoor site where children and adults are compelled to gather.

Full income support for all workers affected by the ce ssation of non-essential production and the closure of schools.

Full funding and resources for high-quality remote learning, including high-speed broadband access for all, and expert technical support to train and assist educators.

Nurses and medical professionals must be allocated to every school, with vaccinations made available to every student and school worker. Publicly-funded psychologists and other support staff must be made available to students who are at risk from the disruption to their normal education.

Workloads must be reduced, including through lowered face-to-face teaching hours. Teachers should not be expected to do both online learning and in-class teaching, adding to already unbearable workloads. Those continuing online learning must be provided with extra time and professional development, and technical assistance to develop online skills.

No teacher should be victimised for calling attention to unsafe conditions! All gag measures, such as public service codes of conduct, which restrict teachers from speaking publicly about what is happening in the schools, must be abolished.

Similarly, there must be no sanctions of any kind threatened against parents or caregivers who decide not to send their children into unsafe schools.

Ongoing and accessible information must be provided of COVID-19 outbreaks at schools. The censorship must end! Last term, the scale of the crisis in the schools was revealed only due to the CFPEs work in tallying the daily closures and clusters in schools in NSW and Victoria.

The costs of fighting the pandemic must be borne by corporations and a 100 percent tax on the windfall pandemic profits obtained by large investors through the stock market boom. These demands, crucial to ensuring the safety of educators and of all workers, can be realised only through a political struggle against the state and federal governments, and the capitalist profit system they defend.

The experiences of the past months have demonstrated that the basic social rights of workers are incompatible with a society subordinated to the dictates of big business. The CFPE calls for the widest discussion among educators on the necessity for a socialist program, which would involve the establishment of a workers government, and the implementation of policies based on social need, not private profit, including free, high-quality education for all, from kindergarten to the tertiary level.

Register for the CFPE meeting, No to Australian school reopenings amid record COVID infections! Educators, students, parentsjoin the fight for rank-and-file safety committees! It will be held online on January 23 at 11am (AEDT).

Contact the CFPE:

Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

Twitter: @CFPE_Australia
CFPE teacher members and supporters in Melbourne expressing solidarity with Chicago teachers last year

The Committee for Public Education (CFPE) in Australia met last Saturday to discuss the escalating surge of Omicron throughout Australia and worldwide, and the rising opposition to mass infections occurring in unsafe workplaces and schools.

This opposition is being led by the Chicago teachers who have taken industrial action, rejecting government plans to force them back to face to face teaching. They have been joined by teachers in California and Philadelphia, who are also mounting action to resist the drive to reopen schools.

In Australia, the pandemic is spiralling out of control as state and federal governments have systematically dismantled public health restrictions. Each day is bringing 100,000 infections. Due to a massive breakdown in the testing system, the official figures are severe underestimates.

Under conditions of unrestrained transmission and the never ending erosion of self-isolation and quarantining rules, teachers and children in Australia face the prospect of being herded back into the schools in late January and early February. Moreover, it is estimated that only about one third of all children aged between 5 and 12 will have received a dose of the vaccine at that time.

After a lively discussion on this situation at the CFPEs meeting, the following resolution was unanimously passed by participants:

This meeting of the Committee for Public Education declares its full solidarity with the bold initiative taken by Chicago teachers who voted overwhelmingly to move all learning online at Chicago Public Schools, the third largest school district in the United States. Their courageous stand in defense of the lives and health of children, educators, school workers and the community as a whole marks a major turning point in the class struggle in the US and globally.

The Chicago teachers have defied the Democratic Party at the local, state and federal levels, which demands a homicidal back-to-school policy regardless of the surge in COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations. Predictably, the Democratic Party and the corporate media have reacted aggressively and ruthlessly against the educators.

The CFPE warns that teachers can have no confidence in the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). Their record throughout the pandemic has been to work closely with the government to suppress teacher opposition and get educators back into in-person learning. The CFPE calls on Chicago teachers to join the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee founded last year against the reopening drive by the Democrats with the assistance of the CTU. This should be the first step in linking up the struggle of teachers in Chicago with that of Rank-and-File Safety Committees in cities throughout the US and internationally as coordinated by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. These committees have been guided not by what is good for business, but what is necessary to save lives and prevent the lifelong debilitation of children.

The warnings about the unions role were confirmed this week. The CTU, in collaboration with the Democratic Party, is herding teachers and students back into the classrooms from Wednesday, before voting has even concluded on a sell-out, union-brokered safety agreement that would do nothing to address the dangers. The unions perfidy has been widely denounced by educators on social media.

Teachers who attended the CFPE meeting, made the following comments, expressing their admiration and support for the Chicago teachers:

Judith, a teacher from Melbourne: I applaud the stance taken by the Chicago teachers who, in the face of government propaganda and media attacks, voted to refuse to engage in in-person teaching. Your principled stand will undoubtedly save many American lives and is a beacon for all working people across the globe. We must work together to ensure that the wellbeing of the many triumphs over the interests of the few.

A teacher from South Australia: I wish to send my support to the teachers of Chicago, Oakland and California in their fight to keep children and young people safe from COVID. Thank you for taking a stand on the health and wellbeing of students and your colleagues in the face of government opposition, and without the support of the trade unions.

As teachers, we know that we cannot keep children safe from COVID in overcrowded, poorly ventilated classrooms where infected people are in close contact with others for several hours of the day. We applaud you for strength and unity in this fight. And as teachers who are about to embark on a new school year at the height of our greatest COVID challenge yet, we look to you for inspiration.

Rick, a retired teacher from Melbourne: I send my support and admiration to the Chicago teachers for their courage and leadership example to workers and teachers facing terrible choices and choosing to fight back. The ruling class and their lackeys are terrified and hysterical. Stay united and strong and reach out to workers, youth, parents and grandparents, and to the Socialist Equality Party.

Peter, an educator from Melbourne made these comments prior to the meeting: The Chicago teachers are showing what the organisation of a working class movement can do. It gives motivation to the rest of us as well to consider similar actions here in Australia, or abroad where they are. The action of the Chicago teachers is being noticed worldwide. They are to be applauded for their exceptional leadership and their collective effort.

Governments are placing the interest of big business above public health and safety, and using media manipulation to reinforce it. They are taking a big gamble, crossing their fingers that people will get the virus and then it will all move on. The unions have been unsighted up to this point. The union is just going along with whatever the government tells them to do.

The way the government has set up the system is to put pressure on the principal and on the school. They are using the idea of personal responsibility to blame the principal, the teachers, the parents, the kids for any outbreaks.

Vicki, a former teacher in South Australia also expressed her support for the Chicago teachers: I support the actions of the Chicago teachers which show both courage and moral decency. The attacks against the teachers show the bourgeoisie and elite classes as enemies of the working class in their contempt and disregard for working class life and their obsession with profit and their tendency for lies. I also support the call for a global strategy, and the distribution of wealth, created by the working class, for the benefit of the working class.

The CFPE encourages all supporters of the SEP to send messages of solidarity to the Chicago teachers through the World Socialist Web Site.

Register for the CFPE meeting, No to Australian school reopenings amid record COVID infections! Educators, students, parentsjoin the fight for rank and file safety committees! It will be held online on January 23 at 11am (AEDT).
Hundreds of prominent executives from high-profile companies, including Amazon, Google, BlackRock and Starbucks, signed a statement that opposes discriminatory legislation that makes voting harder.

The statement, printed Wednesday in an advertisement in the New York Times, was organized by Ken Chenault and Ken Frazier, two of America's most prominent Black corporate leaders. The statement called democracy a "beautifully American ideal" and for it to work, "we must ensure the right to vote for all of us."

"We all should feel a responsibility to defend the right to vote and to oppose any discriminatory legislation on measures that restrict or prevent any eligible voter from having an equal and fair opportunity to cast a ballot," it continued.

Keep scrolling to see which states had the highest voter turnout in 2020

The statement, which is described as "nonpartisan," doesn't directly address any specific legislation, notably in Georgia, Texas, and other key states where Republican lawmakers are trying to clamp down on ballot access.

Wednesday's statement was a sign of solidarity after weeks of warring between Republicans and a smaller group of Georgia-based companies that spoke out after public pressure.

Three of those companies, including Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and Home Depot, declined to add their names, according to the New York Times. All three are based in Georgia and were "wary because of the blowback they had received after their earlier statements on voting rights but also did not feel the need to speak again," it reported.

It's the latest high-profile letter from companies in the last month.

A few weeks ago, chief executives and other high-ranking leaders from more than 100 companies including Target, Snapchat and Uber, issued a public statement opposing any measures that deny eligible voters the right to cast ballots. That letter was organized by Civic Alliance, a coalition that "recognizes that a strong democracy is good for business," according to its website.

Another letter, released in late March, from Black business executives challenged their fellow corporate leaders to be more forceful in condemning what they describe as deliberate attempts by Republicans to limit the number of Black Americans casting ballots in key states.

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Testifying before a Senate hearing Tuesday, the acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Janet Woodcock, blurted out the grim reality facing the American people if there is not a drastic change in policy toward the COVID-19 pandemic.

Woodcock said point blank that given the enormous infectivity of the Omicron variant, most people are going to get COVID. More than a statement of fact, it is a declaration that the US governments policy is to allow everyone to get infected with Omicron, regardless of the deadly consequences that arise from allowing hundreds of millions of people to catch a virulent pathogen.

This remark was not disputed by the senators, Democratic and Republican, who attended the hearing, nor by the two principal witnesses for the Biden administration, Dr. Anthony Fauci and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. Instead, Fauci and Walensky defended both Biden administration and their record of handling the pandemic debacle.

Dr. Alan Jones speaks at a news briefing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi on January 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Not once did either senators or government officials even consider the possibility of implementing broad-based restrictions to provide the health infrastructure breathing space, save the lives and livelihood of the population, and begin a serious effort to contain and eliminate the COVID-19 virus.

Republican Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina said, Im not questioning the science  but Im questioning your communication strategies. This remark highlights that there are no real disagreements between the two parties over the priorities that have been firmly established to save the economy, i.e., the interests of the corporations and super-rich. It is the rapidly developing social crisis that has the senator on edge.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as of yesterday, there were close to 146,000 people in hospitals for COVID-related admissions, a pandemic high for the United States. COVID now accounts for 26 percent of all entries into hospitals. Intensive care utilization has also climbed, with approximately 24,000 COVID patients in these highly specialized treatment units, making up nearly 37 percent of all current admissions.

The present admission rates for adults across all age categories have essentially matched the previous winters peaks despite 73 percent of all people 18 and up having been fully vaccinated and nearly 23 percent with a third dose of the COVID vaccines.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics weekly reports, 1,636 children were hospitalized the week ending January 6, 2022. There are now close to 4,500 children in hospitals for COVID treatment, and these figures are up 60 percent from last winters peak. For those under the age of five, ineligible for vaccines, that figure is up 130 percent, a rate of admission of 5.4 per 100,000 children.

According to NBC News analysis of HHS data, in two weeks from December 27 to January 10, average COVID hospitalizations jumped by more than 60,000. The West Coast, eastern seaboard, and South are presently facing the brunt of the health system crisis. The increases for five major states include:

Florida  from 2,426 to 9,169 (277 percent)

California  from 4,232 to 10,315 (143 percent)

Texas  from 4,311 to 10,424 (141 percent)

New Jersey  from 2,635 to 6,067 (130 percent)

New York  from 5,821 to 12,285 (111 percent)

This overloading of the health care sector intersects with the continued sharp rise in infections across the country. Yesterday, the United States reported a one-day high of 1.4 million COVID-19 cases. The seven-day daily average of new cases has reached an astronomical 737,000, three-fold higher than even last winters peaks. With the meteoric rise in Omicron infections, the daily average in deaths has begun to climb, reaching 1,653, up 68 percent from a month ago.

Noticeable, however, has been the sudden sharp drop across the US in the utilization of inpatient beds even while admissions for COVID-19 continue their dramatic upsurge. This is a byproduct of measures being taken by hospitals due to a significant number of their health care workers who have fallen sick with COVID or quarantine after high-risk exposure to COVID.

Beds are left empty simply because health systems do not have enough specially trained staff to care for patients safely. A quarter of US hospitals are currently facing a critical staffing shortage, the highest ever reported during the pandemic, leading to the cancellation of elective procedures.

On Tuesday, New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy declared a new public health emergency but asserted that this step does not mean any new restrictions. In some instances, as in Colorado, the health department is reactivating crisis standards of care due to hospitals' inability to safely treat patients and their emergency medical services inability to meet the high demands for patient transportation.

Furthermore, the current acute shortage is compounded by an already anemic health care workforce that has seen its numbers dwindle during the pandemic. A whopping 18 percent have quit, and 12 percent have been laid off, based on a special report published by Morning Consult on October 4, 2021.

In short, one in three health care workers is no longer working in their field, while another one in five is contemplating leaving the field. More specifically, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses found that two thirds of critical care nurses are thinking about quitting the field.

As the report noted, the mass exodus driven largely by the pandemic, insufficient pay or opportunities and burnout  has implications for the entire healthcare system, both in the short term as the country struggles to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond as the country continues to age.

The survey also noted that four out of five had been significantly impacted by the national shortages of medical professionals. Workloads being shifted are increasing, which has implications for the standard of treatment that can be delivered to patients. Without a doubt, people will die due to medical errors.

The present situation is untenable, especially as the surge begins to spread into more rural regions where health networks have been under decades of economic assault. The pressures workers face will further fuel frustrations and resentment that are growing day by day. It is no hyperbole to assert that the health infrastructure is in a rapid state of collapse.

The psychological scars of an unending trail of ill patients working under impossible conditions reach a breaking point where health care workers find themselves in conflict with the noble virtues of their profession and the realities of medicine and disease as a profitable market. Salary cuts, reduced benefits, canceled raises, long hours, and worsening working conditions have inflicted a deep burning wound into their consciousness.

In light of these developments, piling the real insult on the even more real injury, the California Department of Public Health has temporarily revised its guidelines, which will allow nurses, medical assistants, and physicians to immediately return to their work even if they test positive for COVID and are asymptomatic without needing to isolate or test. The state health department said that the critical staffing shortages currently being experienced across the health care continuum because of the rise in the Omicron variant is placing health systems in extremis.

Under significant pressure from their rank-and-file, even the nurses unions have had to concede these measures are perilous for patients and will make health systems into centers for perpetuating community infections.

On January 8, 2022, the president of the California Nurses Association, RN Cathy Kennedy, wrote in a news release, Governor Newsom and our states public health leaders are putting the needs of healthcare corporations before the safety of patients and workers. We want to care for our patients and see them get better  not potentially infect them. Sending nurses and other healthcare workers back to work while infected is dangerous. If we get sick, who will be left to care for our patients and community?

Looking at the period of infectivity with the Omicron variant, a recent study from Japan, using real-time PCR, found that peak viral loads in people infected with the Omicron strain occur between three and six days after they develop symptoms. Levels continued to remain high up to nine days in nearly all patients. These findings pour cold water over the attempts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assert five days of isolation after a positive COVID test is sufficient to ensure a safe return to work.

The maneuver by Governor Newsom and the health department to abandon all infectious control policies only underscores the real motivations behind these shifts in guidelines that place the economic interests of the financial markets over those of their population. These measures will rapidly be adopted by other states who face similar hardships by all indications.
Nearly four months after a court-ordered deadline for the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) to address a backlog of requests for assistance expired, thousands of unemployed Virginians remain without any help from the state.

According to NBC News , as of October, nearly 440,000 claims for unemployment remained on the states backlog. This is despite a May 2021 court decision which required Virginia to formally respond to at least 92,000 of its backlogged claims by Labor Day last September.

Virginia Governor elect Glenn Youngkinv(Wikimedia Commons)

On Wednesday, January 5, legal aid groups working on the class action suit agreed to dismiss the lawsuit. According to the proposal, the VEC has met or substantially achieved the various performance standards and benchmarks set forth in the lawsuit.

The dropping of the suit comes as the Democratic Party statewide and nationally seeks to accustom the population to an unending pandemic in which nearly 900,000 Americans have lost their lives and over 500,000 people contract COVID-19 daily.

Despite the legal aid groups deciding to relent in their charges against the unemployment agency, ABC News reported another backlog of benefits appeals from tens of thousands of Virginians in November who had been wrongly denied benefits by the VEC. That backlog has grown. Its now up to about 89,000 cases or so, Pat Levy-Levelle, a lawyer with the Virginia Legal Aid Justice Center, told WAVY.com last week.

Virginia has been reported to be the worst in the United States in addressing the massive backlog of unemployment claims that have piled up during the pandemic. A previous Richmond Times-Dispatch report from June referred to the VEC as a dinosaur due to its antiquated information technology system and  bare-bones staff.

An audit in November by the Virginia General Assemblys Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) of the states unemployment systems mishandling of record numbers of unemployment benefits claims exposed the criminal impact of decades of underfunding and understaffing.

The 200-page report reiterated basic criticisms raised by other groups, such as the deficient staffing levels, [an] antiquated UI IT system, performance monitoring, and oversight  revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The audit notes that the VEC was hit with claims totaling 236,000 in April 2020 alone. This number represents an increase by a factor of 34 within the first two months of the pandemic.

In terms of its benefit amounts per recipient, the auditors note that Virginias 2019 replacement ratio for lost wages was 34 percent, ranking the state at 33 out of 50 states. This was despite experts belief that unemployment benefits should equate to roughly 50 percent of a workers wage. Virginias federal funding is above the 50-state median, in total and per claim.

This failure to prepare resulted in massive burdens for its staff. VEC staff worked over 191,000 hours of overtime between March and December 2020 to handle the increased workload, the report notes. This was a 1,600 percent increase compared with 2019 overtime and equivalent to 92 full-time staff positions.

This placed office employees in jeopardy. The report noted that VEC closed some offices because of outbreaks of COVID-19 infections among VEC staff.

Despite this severe backlog and once-in-a-century crisis, the VEC did not hire additional workers to address the tidal wave of social need. It did not hire contractors to help with processing claims until November 2020, well after large backlogs had accumulated.

The study sees the VECs ultimate failing as the alleged $1.25 billion in incorrect payments, or nearly a quarter of the VECs 2020 Fiscal Year budget, which it racked up during the pandemic.

False claims which, according to Reuters, can consist of fraudulent first-time claimants who sneak through certification systems to collect undue benefits, as well as individuals who do not report a return to work, while perhaps significant, are far less numerous than the $1.25 billion amount suggests.

While JLARC cites over $930 million in false claims in 2020, the VEC has contested this. Megan Healy, the states Secretary of Labor under the outgoing Democratic administration of Ralph Northam, has stated that her department has only been able to verify $87 million in fraud.

Lauren Axselle, who led the audit, told the Times-Dispatch the smaller number reflected only confirmed cases that had already gone through the system, not the backlog of cases under adjudication or appeal for eligibility. In other words, JLARCs claim of $1.25 billion in fraud is based on the VECs own determinations, which the study itself states were not carried out in an accurate and timely manner.

The JLARC report concludes, Given VECs critical role during severe increases in unemploymentand the operational challenges that arise from themfuture secretaries of labor must effectively fulfill their role to ensure the agency is performing adequately.

Republican Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin had made claims during his election campaign that he would fix the Virginia Employment Commission. On Thursday, he announced that his selection for Secretary of Labor was George Bryan Slater, a veteran state Republican operator.

Slater was the former Secretary of Administration under former Republican Governor Jim Gilmore (1998-2002) and later the Assistant Secretary of Administration for the Department of Transportation under former President Donald Trump.

Bryans experience and leadership will be critical to the development of talent, training of workers, and protection of Virginias right-to-work laws that will attract investment to Virginia, Youngkin declared in announcing his pick. The appointment and the comments announcing it signal that the incoming administration will likely fix the VEC through the further depriving the agency, and the states working people, of resources.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris gave speeches Tuesday in Georgia calling on Congress to pass voting rights reform. The speech came after a year of extensive efforts by Republicans at the state level to enact laws restricting access to the ballot and extend partisan control over the electoral process.

Fueled by the false claims of Trump and leading Republicans that the 2020 election was fraudulent, Republican law makers have introduced a barrage of restrictive voting bills. Throughout 2021 there were at least 440 restrictive bills introduced in 49 states. Of those, 34 were signed into law in 19 states.

The laws range extensively in their attacks on voting rights. Many restrict the ability of voters to acquire and cast mail-in ballots, impose new voter ID requirements, and introduce changes to voter registration procedures that could block thousands of people from casting ballots.

States which have passed restrictive voting legislation since the 2020 election

In Georgia, one of the first states to pass restrictive legislation, Senate Bill 202 reduces voting hours, restricts mail-in ballot access, imposes voter ID requirements, and notoriously outlaws the distribution of food and water to voters waiting in line at the polls.

Most significantly, however, the law creates a system whereby the Republican-dominated State Election Board may replace local election officials with partisan appointees, effectively granting the Republican Party the authority to seize control of the electoral process.

Just months after passing the law, the Georgia State Election Board utilized its new power to move towards replacing the local election board of Fulton County (Atlanta), a Democratic stronghold in the state. If the State Election Board is successful, it would be able to appoint a partisan superintendent capable of manipulating the electoral process in the favor of Republican candidates.

In Texas, Senate Bill 8 imposes similar restrictions on ballot access with additional provisions which make it easier for partisan poll watchers to intimidate election officials and voters. In particular, it imposes heavy fines and potential jail time on any election worker found to have impeded the activities of a poll watcher.

Despite the serious threats to voting rights, Senate Democrats have failed several times last fall to pass two voting reform billsthe For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

With a narrow Democratic majority based on the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Harris in the 50-50 Senate, the Democrats cannot bring the bills to a vote on the Senate floor. Republicans have filibustered the bills, which lack the 60 votes required to force a vote.

The filibuster, which allows a Senate minority to delay or prevent the voting on a bill, is neither part of the Constitution nor of any law. It is a longstanding custom spelled out each year in the rules adopted by the Senate itself.

The Democratic Party could alter the filibuster at any time with its majority of 51 votes in the Senate. However, the right-wing Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have strongly opposed any alterations to the filibuster, arguing that the voting reform bills must receive support from the Republican Party to pass.

Several other Democrats have indicated their opposition to any change in the filibuster, and President Biden took the same position throughout last year, but his tune has changed in recent weeks.

In his speech in Atlanta yesterday, Biden called for changes to the filibuster rule, stating that the Senate should [get] rid of the filibuster voting rights legislation. However, Biden also stated that he favored a return to the talking filibuster, in which a minority may still block a vote by holding the floor long enough to expire a legislative session. Continuous physical presence and speaking are required, not just 41 votes.

This caveat to Bidens statements is an expression of the utter fecklessness of the Democratic Party in the face of concerted assaults on voting rights and bourgeois democracy.

Ever since the passage of the Georgia voting law the Democrats have consistently avoided any real attempt to defend democratic rights. Instead of passing federal legislation to stop the voting restrictions, the Democratic Party called on corporations to pressure the Georgia Republicans into repealing their own law.

The failure of the Democratic Party to produce any change in voting rights has fostered frustration among voting rights groups in Georgia, who announced that they would be boycotting Bidens speech earlier in the week.

A Georgia voting rights activist who spoke with NBC News expressed that frustration, saying, Theyre coming to this very late. I think theyve been sucked into caring about this rather than having had an affirmative strategy around this from the start.. . Even after Jan. 6, they continued to think of this as a second-tier set of issues.

Cliff Albright, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, told CNN We dont need another speech. We dont need him to come to Georgia and use us as a prop. What we need is work.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the Democratic Party has abandoned the defense of democratic rights, only now returning to the issue after the failure of Biden to pass his Build Back Better spending bill and the one-year anniversary of the January 6 coup attempt.

Throughout his speech Biden refused to name Trump or his Republican supporters in his condemnation of the January 6 insurrection. While he acknowledged that it was a coup attempt based on a lie of electoral fraud, he continued with the evasive language of his speech on January 6, referring to Trump only as the defeated former president and refusing to name his co-conspirators in the Republican Party.

This is in line with Bidens insistence that that there must be a strong Republican Party, which he cleared of all responsibility for the coup, instead framing it as solely the fault of Trump as an individual.

He claimed that Republicans did not have the strength to stand up to Trump, as if the Republican Party were an unfortunate hostage of Trumps power grab, and not a willing participant.

Bidens inability to publicly recognize the threat of fascism within the Republican Party demonstrates and the Democratic Partys complicity in the destruction of democratic rights. His most cowardly statement came when he said dont let the Republican Party turn into something else.

This something else that Biden is referring to is the transformation of the Republican Party into an openly fascistic political party. Biden will not name the threat clearly because he and the Democratic Party are afraid of the social forces they might unleash within the working class if they were to approach the situation with any real level of seriousness.

The Democratic Party, one of the oldest capitalist political parties in the world, fears this outcome far more than it fears the rise of fascism. It would rather sacrifice democratic rights at the altar of profit than allow the working class to take control of the defense of its own rights.

Bidens speech is another in a long line of empty statements and platitudes which will likely result in another failed attempt to pass voting reform. Upon another failure, the Democrats will either capitulate to the Republicans and strip the bills of any substance, or use them as an electoral promise in this years midterm elections, issuing an empty promise to pass electoral reform in 2023.
Yesterday, the World Health Organization-Europe bluntly warned of the catastrophic consequences of European governments policy of loosening health protocols and self-isolation guidelines, amid a massive surge of COVID-19 driven by the Omicron variant.

WHO-Europe Director Dr. Hans Kluge said the Omicron variant represents a new west-to-east tidal wave spreading across Europe. The first week of 2022, he noted, saw 7 million cases in the 53 countries in the WHOs European region: the British Isles, Scandinavia, the European Union (EU) and the countries of the former Soviet Union. He added, As of 10 January, 26 countries report that over 1 percent of their population is catching COVID-19 each week.  [Omicron is] quickly becoming the dominant virus in western Europe and is now spreading in the Balkans.

At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasts that more than 50 percent of the population in the region will be infected in the next 6 to 8 weeks, Kluge warned. With the WHO-Europe region having well over 800 million people, this means a staggering 400 million cases of COVID-19 in Europe alone.

Shoppers walk down Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, in London, Dec. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

The working class faces a cataclysmic health emergency, driven by an irresponsible ruling class that opposes any attempt to control the pandemic as an intolerable restriction on profits. Already, over 1.6 million people have died of COVID-19, and millions are suffering from Long COVID in the WHO-Europe region. Yet European governments are preparing a catastrophe, with a new wave of mass death and debilitating disease flowing from an unprecedented surge in infection.

To date, Europe has seen approximately 100 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. Now, the WHO is warning that in just the next two months, there will be four times more cases than in the entire pandemic until now.

These figures are so vast that they almost defy understanding. With between 10 and 50 percent of COVID-19 patients suffering from Long COVID, depending on the definition used for it, this means tens or hundreds of millions of people in Europe will be suffering debilitating long-term illness requiring labor intensive care. This would stagger society, as vast numbers of people could not work due to illness, and lead to widespread severe illness and death.

European governments falsely claim that vaccinations have broken the correlation, in the words of French Health Minister Olivier Veran, between infections and serious illness and death.

In fact, such a massive Omicron wave would swamp hospitals that already are stretched to the breaking point. Now, even before the most recently infected cases arrive in hospitals, 23,371 of 3.4 million active cases are hospitalized, and 3,969 are on life support in France, a country with a relatively high vaccination rate of 74.9 percent. If similar proportions applied to the WHOs projections, this would mean nearly 3 million patients requiring hospitalization and 500,000 on life support in the next two months in Europe.

This alone would likely be beyond the capacity of European hospitals, leading to a surge in deaths as COVID-19 or other patients could not obtain care in overburdened facilities. However, everything indicates that the crisis would in fact be even more serious.

Polish medical adviser Andrzej Horban warned in the Rzeczpospolita newspaper of a tsunami of infected people. The 12 million unvaccinated Poles will all be infected with the new variant, he said, and with 5 to 10 percent of them needing hospital care, Poland would have to treat around 1 million people. Even if they did not all come in at once but over the course of a few months, he added, this would hopelessly overburden hospitals. We probably would need 50-60,000 COVID beds. And Im not even talking about where we would find doctors and other medical personnel.

Similarly, the WHOs Kluge warned: I am also deeply concerned that as the variant moves east, we have yet to see its full impact in countries where levels of vaccination uptake are lower, and where we will see more severe disease in the unvaccinated. He also expressed his concern for the impact on the health care staff, calling for more support for their mental health and well-being.

WHO-Europe Senior Emergency Officer Dr. Catherine Smallwood warned against the relaxing of health measures now underway. She said, Were yet to see how Omicron will pan out in a situation where there are more people [unvaccinated against] SARS-CoV-2. And thats where we need to hold our guns, be very cautious and not jump to any conclusions about changing the strategy and letting COVID spread.

The WHOs horrific projections do not have to come to pass. A strict lockdown to halt transmission, followed by vaccinations and contact tracing to isolate the sick and prevent the virus from spreading, can eliminate transmission of the virus. However, imposing such a policy requires the independent political mobilization of the working class against the utterly reckless policies of Europes capitalist governments.

The ruling class is responding to the explosive spread of Omicron by doubling down on its contagion policy that openly puts capitalist profit interests ahead of the health and lives of millions.

Governments across Europe are shortening quarantine periods for people infected with or exposed to the virus. A week ago Sunday, the French government announced that COVID-19 patients would be isolated for at most seven days and could return to work after five days if their viral load escapes detection in unreliable antigen tests. The UK and Spain previously launched similar regulations.

Denmark no longer has even a minimum number of quarantine days after infection. After 48 symptom-free hours, people can return to work. This anti-scientific policy results in vast numbers of sick, infectious people returning to infect their colleagues.

On Friday, the German government announced that it was reducing the quarantine period in Germany to just 5-7 days (previously 14). Acting Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) said: We have committed to keeping schools open.  People need good child care so they can go about their business, and thats why its important that we keep schools open.

European governments are responding to Omicron by dropping even the last pretense that they want to prevent the spread of the virus. On Monday, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced a simplification of school health protocols: If a positive case is reported in a class, parents will no longer have to pick children up at the middle of the day, but only at the end. Castex baldly stated that his government will keep schools and nonessential production open, whatever the cost in lives. He said, We are not closing the schools or the country.

The Spanish government has called for a change reporting and self-isolating protocols so as to treat COVID-19 like the flu. Its a necessary debate. Science has given us the answer to protect ourselves, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told radio station Cadena Ser on Tuesday. We have to evaluate the evolution of COVID-19 from pandemic to an endemic illness.

Such statements testify to a toxic political atmosphere that prevails in a ruling class that is callously indifferent to the deaths of millions. It is urgent to mobilize growing opposition in the working class internationally in a movement to impose a scientific policy to eliminate the spread of the virus and take control of the resources of the world economy out of the hands of an irresponsible financial aristocracy.
A new report shows 2021 was the deadliest year for the country's police officers. The leading cause of death? COVID-19.

The numbers come from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

In 2021, 458 police officers were killed in the line of duty nationwide. That's a 55 percent increase from 2020, where 295 officers died.

Here's a breakdown of the numbers

COVID-19

Of those 458 police officers, 301 died with COVID-19, up from 65 percent in 2020.

The states with the most COVID-19 police officer deaths were California, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Florida.

According to the report, no police officers in Illinois died from COVID-19, and it lists Indiana as having 1 - 3 police officer deaths.



Gun violence

Sixty-two police officers were shot and killed in 2021. Again, that's an increase from 2020 where 45 officers were killed.

When it comes to shooting deaths of police officers, a majority involved an officer's ambush, resulting in their death. In most cases, the weapon of choice was a handgun.

October was the deadliest month for shooting deaths, with eight officers killed.

Traffic-related deaths

In 2021, 58 officers lost their lives in traffic-related deaths. That number is an increase of 30 percent from 2020.

Last year, the leading cause of death for traffic incidents was when an officer was outside of their car and hit by another vehicle.

While traffic deaths were up in 2021 versus 2020, they remained lower than the average number of deaths for each decade dating back to the 1970s.

The numbers are preliminary, and more deaths could be added as the data is finalized.

You can see the full report below, or at this link.
Half of all adults in the U.S. have received at least one COVID-19 shot, the government announced Sunday, marking another milestone in the nations largest-ever vaccination campaign but leaving more work to do to convince skeptical Americans to roll up their sleeves.

Almost 130 million people 18 or older have received at least one dose of a vaccine, or 50.4% of the total adult population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Almost 84 million adults, or about 32.5% of the population, have been fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the U.S. will likely move to resume Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine this coming week, possibly with restrictions or broader warnings after reports of some very rare blood clot cases, the governments top infectious diseases expert said Sunday.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, in a series of news show interviews, said he expects a decision when advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention meet Friday to discuss the pause in J&Js single-dose vaccine.

Fauci, who is President Joe Bidens chief medical adviser, said he believed that federal regulators could bring the shots back with restrictions based on age or gender or with a blanket warning, so that it is administered in a way a little bit different than we were before the pause. Read more:

Here's an update on developments. Scroll or swipe further for in-depth coverage.

Iran's daily coronavirus death toll climbed over 400 for the first time in months on Sunday, as the country, which has long had the region's largest outbreak, battles a post-holiday infection surge.

Israel has lifted its public mask mandate and fully reopened its education system following a mass vaccination drive. Over 53% of Israelis have received two shots of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the Health Ministry says.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga asked the U.S. drug maker Pfizer Inc. for additional supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine to speed up his country's inoculation drive, which lags behind many other nations.

The pandemic has torn a multibillion-dollar bite out of the fabric of Europe's fashion industry, stopped runway shows and forced brands to show their designs digitally instead. Now, amid hopes of a return to near-normality by the years end, the industry is asking what fashion will look like as it dusts itself off and struggles to its well-heeled feet again.

Ontario's premier retracted restrictions Saturday that banned playgrounds and allowed police to require anyone not at home to explain why theyre out after a backlash from police forces, health officials and the public.

For more summaries and full reports, please select from the articles below. Scroll further for the latest virus numbers.

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Several rail cars caught fire after at least 11 cars of a BNSF train derailed near Burlington early Sunday, but no injuries were reported. The railroad said in a statement that the train derailed between Minot and Des Lacs, North Dakota, around 1 a.m. Sunday, and railcars containing paper products and frozen foods caught fire. BNSF said railcars carrying hazardous materials on the train did not leave the tracks and had been pulled away from the fire. Burlington Fire Chief Karter Lassman said a couple homes near the derailment were evacuated Sunday morning as a precaution. The cause of the derailment remains under investigation
By virtually every measurement, McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ranks as Chief Justice John Marshalls greatest opinion, and, in the view of many legal scholars, the most important decision ever rendered by the Supreme Court. McCulloch is a landmark case among landmark cases.

Chief Justice Marshall, a member of the Virginia Ratifying Convention, wrote the courts unanimous opinion. He set forth the classic statement of national authority, affirmed the sovereignty of the people, explained the Necessary and Proper Clause and the doctrine of implied powers, defended judicial restraint and charted a reasonable and enduring method of constitutional interpretation. Little wonder, then, that the enduring significance of McCulloch has led to its citation in more than 6,000 documents.

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the court established the doctrine of implied powers. In the process, it resolved an historical debate between those who advocated a strict, and those who advocated a broad, interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause, found in Article 1, section 8, paragraph 18, of the Constitution.

The first 17 paragraphs of Article 1, section 8, enumerate specific powers vested in Congress, ranging from authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to declaring war. After enumerating specific powers, paragraph 18 declares that Congress shall have authority to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into the execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States.

Historical figures central to the establishment and development of the early republic, including Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, had taken conflicting positions on the meaning of the clause. Jefferson favored a strict, or narrow, view that laid emphasis on the word, necessary, which meant that Congress could exercise only those powers that were indispensable, or absolutely necessary, to the exercise of its enumerated powers.

Hamilton thought Jeffersons approach was too rigid, and would deprive Congress of authority to determine what laws should be passed to carry out the powers granted to it by the Constitution.

In McCulloch, Chief Justice Marshall embraced Hamiltons approach. The case featured the same issue on which Jefferson and Hamilton were divided  the constitutionality of the United States Bank, first established by Congress in 1791 to print bank notes and serve as a depository for federal funds. The state of Maryland imposed a tax on the branch of the U.S. Bank located in Baltimore, and then filed a suit in a state court against James McCulloch, the branchs cashier, when he refused to pay the tax. Maryland prevailed in state court, but the federal government, anticipating similar acts and lawsuits in other states, appealed to the Supreme Court.

For the court, Chief Justice Marshall first addressed the constitutionality of the bank. Marshall, drawing upon Hamiltons reasoning, upheld the creation of the bank as a legal exercise of congressional authority. According to Marshall, since Congress determined that the bank would facilitate the exercise of it powers and responsibilities, then Congress possessed the implied power to create the bank. The court would not interfere with the law-making function of Congress, so long as the power was contained within the four corners of Article 1 of the Constitution.

In an exercise of judicial deference to congressional authority to write laws and policies, Marshall wrote, in famous words: Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the constitution; and all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the constitution, are constitutional.

In rejecting the narrow interpretation of the word, necessary, the Marshall Court was practicing self-restraint, refusing to substitute its own policy sense or judgment of whether the bank was necessary since Congress is the branch of government vested with authority to write the laws of the United States. This act of deference to the legislature reflected Marshalls long and lasting legacy, and framed the courts doctrinal approach to reviewing congressional legislation.

Beyond cementing the place of implied powers in our constitutional scheme, the court also affirmed the principle of popular sovereignty in its rejection of Marylands assertion of state sovereignty. As in previous cases, the Marshall Court denounced Marylands theory that the Constitution was the result of a state compact. Marshall, invoking the first words of the Preamble to the Constitution  We the People  declared that the people, not the states, ordain and establish the Constitution.

The court also rejected the assertion by Maryland that as a sovereign entity, a state could tax the federal bank doing business within its jurisdiction. In addition to rejecting the claim of state sovereignty, Marshall also denied that Maryland might not tax the bank by invoking the Supremacy clause of Article VI. In words quoted thousands of times, Marshall observed that the power to tax is the power to destroy. Since the federal government was, by virtue of the Supremacy Clause, superior to the states, the states could not possess the power to tax the federal government, that is, destroy its superior.

Chief Justice Marshalls opinion for the court in McCulloch represented yet another judicial decision that increased the power of the federal government in the 19th century. Marshall well understood the implications of the Jeffersonian reading of the Necessary and Proper Clause for the future of the United States, and he resented it. In a letter to his colleague, Justice Bushrod Washington, Marshall confided: I find myself more stimulated on this subject than on any other because I believe the design to be to injure the Judges and impair the Constitution.

David Adler is president of The Alturas Institute. This "We the People" series is provided by the North Dakota Newspaper Association and Humanities North Dakota.

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'Everything is on the table': Tommy Thompson won't rule out another run for governor
The Insurrection Index website tracks all the known people who broke into the Capitol on January 6 with the intention of tear-gassing, handcuffing, kidnapping, and executing members of Congress and the Vice President in order to install Trump as the dictator of a fascist America. It also includes records of the officials who participated in the attempted coup.

It has a searchable database of "over 1,000 records of those in public trust who played a role in the insurrection."

Here's an example of a database record, for an individual named Nicholas Brockhoff. He's been charged with Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding certain officers or employed in the performance of the duties Use of a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon Obstruction of Law Enforcement during Civil Disorder Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds without Lawful Authority Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds Knowingly Engages in Act of Physical Violence in the Grounds or any of the Capitol Buildings Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building.

On September 1, 2021, Brockhoff pleaded "not guilty to all counts on 9/1." He's being held in detention without bond."
Infections from the Omicron variant of the coronavirus are surging across the United States, with infection levels more than doubling those reported one year ago, that according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

"On January 5, 705,264 new cases were reported, more than doubling the January 2021 peak," the CDC reports. "The entire country is now experiencing high levels of community, transmission. Hospitalizations are also on the rise. While early data suggest Omicron infections might be less severe than those of other variants, the increases in cases and hospitalizations are expected to stress the healthcare system in the coming weeks."

While Coronavirus vaccinations are free and widely accessible, CDC statistics show that roughly 17% of Americans have declined to receive even a single dose of a COVID vaccine, and more than a third have not been fully vaccinated.

Montana remains in the bottom third of the nation for COVID immunizations, with less than 55% fully vaccinated and more than a third saying they're unlikely to get vaccinated at all.

A new compilation of data from the U.S. Census Bureau on vaccine hesitancy shows that the majority of Montanans declining COVID vaccinations are men between the ages of 25 and 54 who are either concerned about the side effects of a vaccination, don't trust the vaccine, or don't trust the government.

According to CDC data, only one half of one percent of vaccine recipients nationally have reported an adverse reaction to their vaccination.

Key findings in the U.S. Census Bureau Study include:

55% of Americans say concerns over side effects are keeping them from getting vaccinated

47% of Americans say they dont trust the vaccine, up from 45% in October

25% of unvaccinated Americans dont believe COVID-19 is a threat, up from 21% in October

Locally, the current COVID-19 outbreak is most active in Gallatin County, which has reported 694 new cases since Jan. 7, with at total of 1,891 cases currently active. Missoula County is second with 299 new cases reported and 1,366 active; Yellowstone County 159 new cases, 1,112 active. Cascade County is reporting 137 new cases and 417 currently active, and Flathead County has recorded 136 new cases of COVID-19 and 667 currently active.

Story continues

In its entirety, Montana posted 1,939 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, with 7,713 total active cases and 154 hospitalizations. Since March 11, 2020, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 2,921 Montanans, nearly equal to the number of Americans who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

PCR tests can be scheduled at local pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS and are available through local partners like Benefis Health System, Alluvion, Great Falls Clinic and CCHD.

Alluvion has a drive-thru testing site that offers free PCR nasal swab COVID-19 testing with no appointment needed. Results are delivered within 2-3 days. Its located at the Montana Expo Park in marked zones outside the Family Living Center, 400 3rd St NW. Alluvion requests you enter via the 6th St NW entrance.

Alluvion Health and Great Falls Public Schools are holding COVID-19 immunization clinics on Jan. 12 and Jan. 26 at the Paris Gibson Education Center. To schedule a first dose of the vaccine, go to vaccines.gov.

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: COVID-19 update shows distrust in vaccine, government obstacles to vaccination
Clearwater, Florida police arrested Sarah Franks, 29, and Kaitlin O'Donovan, 27, yesterday for allegedly attacking a man with glitter at 3AM. According to the police report, the two pulled up to the home of one Jacob Colon and, after arguing with him, began bombarding him with glitter. From the Smoking Gun:

After pelting Colon, Franks climbed over the ground level fence and entered Colon's apartment, where she "engaged the victim again by throwing more containers of glitter at him," cops charge. Franks then allegedly unlocked the front door to allow O'Donovan to enter the residence. Once inside, O'Donovan threw additional containers of glitter at Colon, according to the affidavits, which indicate that O'Donovan and Franks share an apartment about two miles from Colon's home. Upon completing the glitter bombing, Franks kicked a window in Colon's residence until it broke. The pair then drove away from the apartment complex.

According to office Matthew High, the getaway car "was still warm to the touch and glitter was observed on the inside of the vehicle." They've been charged with felony burglary with assault or battery, and in Frank's case, criminal mischief. They do have mischievous grins in their mugshots.
Melissa Aldana - Photo: Eduardo Pavez Goye

GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana will make her Blue Note Records debut with the March 4 release of 12 Stars, her remarkable first album as a leader for the legendary label.

The Brooklyn-based tenor player from Santiago, Chile has garnered international recognition for her visionary work as a band leader, as well as her deeply meditative interpretation of language and vocabulary. 12 Stars was produced by guitarist Lage Lund, who also performs as part of a quintet with Sullivan Fortner on keyboards, Pablo Menares on bass, and Kush Abadey on drums. The album is available for pre-order now on vinyl, CD, or download.

12 Stars grapples with concepts of childrearing, familial forgiveness, acceptance, and self-love. This is a really important album for me, says Aldana. I felt like I had so much to say because of all the experiences I had during 2020. After the personal process I went through, I feel more connected to myself and my own imperfectionsand Ive discovered that its the same process with music. Embracing everything I hear, everything I playeven mistakesis more meaningful than perfection.

The album presents seven striking new original compositions by Aldana that were either or arranged or co-written by Lage including the dynamic opening piece Falling, which is available stream or download today. Aldana explains it was the tune I was writing when I felt that everything in my life was falling apart. The piece introduces Lunds bold harmonic and textural presence immediately. Between statements and inquiries, Aldana develops her solo rapidly, Fortners spontaneity connecting to hers at every turn.

Just before the lockdown, Aldana went through personal struggles with the end of a relationship. Alone in Harlem, she told herself shed be busy for years, with plenty of distractions from dealing with her complex emotional response. But then, she says, the pandemic hit, and I hit bottom. She needed to make changes, so she turned inward. Because of that personal process, I feel even more connected to my music.

Story continues

Pre-order 12 Stars.

For the latest music news and exclusive features, check out uDiscover Music.

uDiscover Music is operated by Universal Music Group (UMG). Some recording artists included in uDiscover Music articles are affiliated with UMG.
Prince Andrew

STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince Andrew

A judge rejected Prince Andrew's attempt to have a sexual assault lawsuit against him thrown out.

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York refused to grant the royal's motion to dismiss on Wednesday, meaning Queen Elizabeth's son could face a trial date between September and December 2022, according to CNN.

"Ms. Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous,'" Judge Kaplan wrote in the opinion obtained by PEOPLE. "It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse."

A palace spokesman tells PEOPLE, "We would not comment on what is an ongoing legal matter."

RELATED: Meghan Markle Could Be Called to Testify in Prince Andrew Case, Says Virginia Giuffre's Lawyer

Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts

Alexander Koerner/Getty; Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Prince Andrew; Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Prince Andrew's attorneys argued last week to dismiss Virginia Roberts Giuffre's civil sexual assault lawsuit after it was revealed that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reached a $500,000 settlement with Giuffre, in which she agreed not to sue any other "potential defendant."

In the 2009 document, which does not name Prince Andrew, Giuffre agreed to "release, acquit, satisfy and forever discharge" Epstein and "any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant."

Lawyers for Prince Andrew, 61, said the deal means she cannot sue him, but Giuffre's attorneys retorted that the terms of the Florida settlement are irrelevant to her case against the royal.

In the ongoing lawsuit, Giuffre says she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew three times between 1999 and 2002 in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.

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In a previous statement shared with PEOPLE, Giuffre said, "I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me. The powerful and rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions. I hope that other victims will see that it is possible not to live in silence and fear, but to reclaim one's life by speaking out and demanding justice."

Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein

Ian Forsyth/Getty Images; Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein

Two months after Epstein's death, Andrew participated in a BBC interview intended to clarify his relationship with the disgraced financier and also address Giuffre's allegations.

When BBC Newsnight anchor Emily Maitlis raised the issue of a photograph showing the royal with his arm around Giuffre's waist  thought to have been taken inside the London home of Ghislaine Maxwell on March 10, 2001, when Giuffre was 17 years old  the royal claimed he had no recollection of the encounter.

"I don't remember that photograph ever being taken," he said. "I don't remember going upstairs in the house because that photograph was taken upstairs and I am not entirely convinced thatI mean that isthat is what I would describe as me in thatin that picture but I can'twe can't be certain as to whether or not that's my hand on her whatever it is, left left side."

Following the interview's backlash, Prince Andrew announced that he would be "stepping back" from public duties.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Ghislaine Maxwell

After Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite and heiress who dated Epstein, was found guilty of helping her former boyfriend groom underage girls for sexual abuse, Giuffre said the Dec. 29 verdict gave her the justice that her "soul yearned for."

"I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served. Maxwell did not act alone," she said. "Others must be held accountable. I have faith that they will be."
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is a leading proponent of the metaverse. Facebook

Phil Libin, Evernote's founder, discussed the metaverse on a recent podcast.

Libin compared metaverse hype to the communist propaganda he heard in the Soviet Union as a child.

He described the metaverse as "spectacularly stupid," among other things.

A tech founder compared today's hype around the metaverse with Soviet propaganda he experienced as a child.

Phil Libin, the founder of the note-taking app Evernote and the CEO of the videoconferencing company Mmhmm, made the comments in a podcast hosted by the tech journalist Eric Newcomer, The New York Times' Katie Benner, and Insider's Tom Dotan released on Tuesday.

Libin expressed deep skepticism of tech companies touting the metaverse and drew a comparison with his experience growing up in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, Russia.

"I went to first grade in the Soviet Union," Libin said. "I was subjected to a lot of Soviet propaganda, and I was told as a little kid repeatedly: 'Communism doesn't exist yet. We haven't built communism yet. We're building towards communism. But it's not communism yet. What you see around you, this horrible, horrible place, isn't communism. We're building towards it. It's going to be great when it gets here.'"

Libin continued: "You know, you can smell a bad idea before it's fully built. So I don't want to hear 'Oh yeah, the metaverse doesn't exist yet. No, no, no, all this stuff, all this stupid, useless, crappy stuff that exists right now, that's not the metaverse. The metaverse is coming  it's coming.'"

The word "metaverse" is borrowed from science-fiction and refers to a future version of the internet accessed through immersive technologies such as virtual-reality and augmented-reality headsets. It has been pushed in particular by Mark Zuckerberg, who rebranded Facebook as Meta in October.

Libin described it as "a gloss that uncreative people and companies put over fundamentally a lack of good ideas."

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"There's a part of me that hates it and a part of me that fears it, but since I think it's so spectacularly stupid, there's actually not that much to fear," he added.

Libin said he thought VR headsets would be a major inhibiting factor for the metaverse.

"VR is the thing that guarantees none of this will ever take off, because no one wants to spend any amount of time with a plastic thing strapped to their face," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  The late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid departed the U.S. Capitol  a building he served in for nearly 35 years  for the last time Wednesday evening after Congress celebrated his life.

Reid lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as congressional leaders paid tribute to the former Nevada senator who died Dec. 28 at age 82.

A hearse carried Reid's casket away, escorted by the honor guard , with his family following behind.

Reid was the longest-serving senator in Nevada's history and presided over the upper chamber as majority leader from 2007 to 2015. He gained a reputation for soft-spoken ruthlessness as he clawed his way from Nevadas lieutenant governors office to the pinnacle of the U.S. Senate.

'A giant American': Biden, Obama pay tribute to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

Reid's casket was placed on the Lincoln catafalque  first used as a stand for the casket for Abraham Lincoln, according to the Architect of the Capitol  as guests kept their hands over their hearts.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., spoke first, calling Reid a dear friend and mentor. The two became friends when Schumer joined the Senate in 1999, the leader said, calling them a "match made in heaven."

We celebrate Harry Mason Reids final return to the Capitol because we must. Few have shaped the workings of this building, like our dear friend from Nevada, Schumer said.

Schumer said that despite Reid being famous for being soft-spoken, he "was a force of thunder. He was honest, he was direct, and he was original.

Harry was a guardian and a steward of the Senate, literally and figuratively. He took great care of the Senate as an institution, but he also knew that the Senate had to adapt to changing times, Schumer said. As we confront the challenges of the coming weeks and months, I take comfort knowing that Harry is with us in spirit, walking alongside us, as we continue the work he dedicated himself to for so many years.

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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during a Congressional lying in state ceremony for former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was open only to invited guests.

More: Former US Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, former Democratic majority leader, dies at 82

Reid, stooped and bespectacled, was a pro-gun, pro-life Democrat and a devout Mormon. He lost his first bid for Senate in 1974, then a race for mayor of Las Vegas one year later. He became chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission and later a congressman before winning his first Senate race in 1986.

Vice President Kamala Harris was in attendance with second gentleman Douglas Emhoff. President Joe Biden did not attend the ceremony, though he arrived to the Capitol later Wednesday to pay his respects. After doing so, Biden spent time behind closed doors with the Reid family.

Biden also spoke at Reid's funeral over the weekend in Las Vegas, where he, former President Barack Obama and other prominent Democrats remembered Reid's life and legacy.

Biden, a 22-year Senate colleague of Reid, said at the funeral that "you wanted Harry in your corner, crediting his leadership with pushing through some of the Obama administrations greatest achievements while Biden was vice president: helping to rein in Wall Street, preserve Social Security and pass environmental protections for Nevada.

The thing about Harry  he never gave up, Biden said. Let there be no doubt. Harry Reid will be considered one of the greatest Senate majority leaders in history."

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks during a memorial service for former Sen. Harry Reid.

Reid also served in the House from 1983-1987.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., noted Reid's decades of work in the Capitol, and said this is where his portrait hangs, in these hallowed halls, offering a source of strength and inspiration to us all. From his humble roots in Searchlight (Nevada) to the spotlight of Capitol Hill, his entire life was defined by defined long odds.

He conquered the impossible, and he made the world a better place, Pelosi said. History will remember him as one of the most consequential Senate majority leaders of all time. But those of us fortunate enough to know him and love him will remember also his character, compassion, and his goodness.

As Pelosi returned to her seat, she stopped to hug Reids wife, of 62 years, Landra Reid. As she walked around the catafalque, Landra left what appeared to be Reid's signature black hat at the edge of his casket.

Landra Gould, widow of former US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who died December 28, pauses by his casket, as it lies in state in the US Capitol Rotunda

Former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid speaks before a Democratic presidential primary debate Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, in Las Vegas, hosted by NBC News and MSNBC.

The tradition of using the Capitol Rotunda to pay tribute to distinguished Americans began in 1852. Lying in state is an honor that has been bestowed on only 36 people in 169 years, according to the Office of the Historian.

The last person to lie in state at the Capitol before Reid was former Sen. Bob Dole, a decorated World War II veteran and Kansas Republican lawmaker, who died in early December at age 98. Others have included Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September 2020, presidents dating to Abraham Lincoln, vice presidents, members of Congress, military leaders and unknown soldiers from World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Reid is the first person from Nevada to receive the honor.

Contributing: James DeHaven, Reno Gazette-Journal; Courtney Subramanian, Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harry Reid lying in state at US Capitol; Congress honors late senator
Photo credit: Charles Peed

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A 39-year-old Lebanon resident was part of a duo that was manufacturing and selling 28 "ghost guns" in the area, according to officials.

Samuel Snader allegedly acquired firearm parts between August 2021 and January 2022 for the the purpose of manufacturing and commercially dealing privately made firearms, according to U.S. Attorney John Gurganus.

Officials said Snader allegedly made the firearms, more commonly called ghost guns, which did not possess serial numbers. Snader partnered with Hector Colon, 30, Puerto Rico, to sell the guns.

Samuel Snader, 39, Lebanon, and Hector Colon, 30, Puerto Rico, have been arrested for allegedly manufacturing and selling 28 ghost guns, according to officials.

"Colon allegedly located potential firearm buyers and directed them to Snader who personally delivered the firearms in exchange for money," officials said in a press release. "In total, Snader and Colon allegedly manufactured and sold, without the required federal license, at least 28 such firearms and obtained approximately $27,600 as a result of the offenses."

Both Snader and Colon were arrested Tuesday, when law enforcement seized additional ghost guns and gun parts in Lebanon County and Puerto Rico.

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As in this case, ghost guns are un-serialized and difficult to trace by law enforcement. They look, feel, and function like factory-made firearms, and are just as lethal in the wrong hands, Gurganus said. We will do everything in our power to take illegal guns off the streets and prosecute those who are involved in their unlawful manufacture, trafficking and possession.

Snader was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Carlson in the U.S. District Court on charges of conspiracy to manufacture and deal firearms, and manufacturing and dealing firearms without a license.

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Colon is scheduled to have his initial appearance in the District of Puerto Rico, according to officials.

Samuel Snader, 39, Lebanon, and Hector Colon, 30, Puerto Rico, have been arrested for allegedly manufacturing and selling 28 ghost guns, according to officials.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.

Ghost guns are a danger to public safety all across Pennsylvania and we must close the loophole that allows them to be sold without a background check, said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

The maximum penalty for each offence is up to 5 years in prison, according to officials. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, a judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense.

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon resident Samuel Snader allegedly manufactured and sold ghost guns
Christopher Furlong - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Lack of cash, and the desire for more, has been a constant issue throughout Prince Andrews life.

And with the news Wednesday that he has lost his last gasp effort to get his accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffres case against him dismissed on a series of technicalities, the straitened financial circumstances in which Andrew toils, compared to his brother Prince Charles, who has a vast private income from the lands comprising the so-called Duchy of Cornwall, once again seems to be a major issue.

On Wednesday, Judge Lewis Kaplan quoted Andrews claims back at him: Ms. Giuffres complaint is neither unintelligible nor vague nor ambiguous, Kaplan said. Giuffres allegationsthat Andrew raped her three times when she was 17, while she was being sexually trafficked by Jeffrey Epsteinwere reprehensible if true, Judge Kaplan said.

The judge added that Giuffre and Epsteins 2009 settlement in which he paid her $500,000 to drop sex trafficking allegations against him could not be used to protect Andrew from her new action. The judge said that it did not apply to Andrew, adding that because it was supposed to be secret, Andrew would not have been in a position to invoke it had it not emerged in court filings.

If Prince Andrew Settles With Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Will Queen Elizabeth End Up Paying?

The case can now proceed. Andrew essentially has three options: settle, fight the case, or scoff at the law from behind palace walls.

Although Giuffres lawyer David Boies has previously said that his client is not pursuing the case for financial reasons, and wants Andrew held to account rather than a pay-off, the practical pressure to accept such an offer would be considerable. The law specifies that if Andrew made a substantial offer, Giuffre would have to accept it or risk being hit with legal fees if she were awarded a lesser amount.

But even if Andrew wanted to pay to settle out of court, there are question marks over whether he could afford to do that.

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Andrews finances have always been a rather murky matter. His mother gave him a house, Sunninghill Park, for a wedding present, which he subsequently sold in a shady deal to a Kazakh billionaire who is part of the countrys ruling elite. The arrangement in 2007 saw Timur Kulibayev, son-in-law of the former president of Kazakhstan, pay 3m ($4 million) above the 12m ($16 million) asking price. Andrew has argued the transaction was legitimate and he was just fortunate to get such a good price for the house.

It is thought that some of the millions he received from that sale went into refurbishing his current home, Royal Lodge, which he lives in, for free, at the grace and favor of the queen, who owns it.

Some of the money from Sunninghill, it is also assumed, went into the luxury, $22 million Swiss ski chalet which the couple bought in 2014 and are now, not entirely coincidentally, selling.

A source told The Daily Beast that Andrew has found a buyer for the property, however, he and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who bought the house together, are thought to only have around $4m of equity in the property.

So, he has some money, but, as The Sunday Times reported this week, Andrew is thought to have spent in excess of $2.7 million on lawyers so far.

Virginia Giuffre has no doubt done the math.

Although it is understood his legal bills have been guaranteed by the queen, Andrew is expected to pay them in the end (presumably when the chalet sells).

And if she is not paying his legal bills, it seems deeply unlikely his mother, who has, let us not forget, put plenty of clear blue water between the institution and Andrew, would pay out a huge cash settlement to Giuffre.

Doing so would be anathema to the family.

The Mirror recently reported that Prince Charles and Prince William are resolutely opposed to the notion of the queen funding Andrews legal battle and think it is up to him to sort out his own mess.

And were the queen, who turns 96 in April, to die suddenly, King Charles would be more likely to send his brother to the tower for the rest of his life than settle his civil suit for him.

(A spokesperson for the queen declined to comment to The Daily Beast on whether or not she was helping Andrew out with his personal legal bills.)

Option two, fighting the case all the way to the bitter end, is probably a deeply unappealing prospect to Andrew.

As Giuffres lawyer David Boies told The Daily Beast Wednesday, the case proceeding would mean that, Prince Andrew will give evidence. At first this would be in the form of a deposition. But the truth is that being deposed about his sex life is unlikely to be high on Andrews list of New Years resolutions for 2022.

And if he goes through the embarrassment and expense of the case and then loses (and it hardly seems likely Andrew will find much sympathy among a group of New York jurors) he still has the problem of finding the money to settle the judgement.

This leaves the intriguing third option in which Andrew sticks two fingers up to the New York courts and simply stops taking any further calls from Judge Lewis Kaplan or his representatives.

No-one in Andrews camp is ready to talk, for now, about this nuclear option of withdrawing co-operation and refusing to participate in the case any further. This would result in a so-called default judgement against him.

But at the forefront of Andrews advisers minds will be the knowledge that default judgements issued by US civil courts against non-residents without assets in the US are notoriously hard to collect, even when the person in question is not a lineal heir to the British throne. Andrews unique diplomatic position would only make that task even harder (although even regular citizens cannot be extradited for failure to pay a default judgement in any case.)

Sources in Giuffres camp are, perhaps understandably, keen to talk down this option. One said: I just dont think he will do that. The consequences would be just too severe. Can you imagine a situation where the kings brother is a debt fugitive? He would never be able to own anything again for the rest of his life. If there is a trial, and he loses, and whatever amount the judge awardsmaybe it gets paid and maybe it doesntat least it is over with, it is behind them. If he defaults it goes on forever.

But Royal biographer Penny Junor told The Daily Beast that given that Andrew cannot be extradited for a civil claim, it is hard to see how things can get any worse if he simply retires from public view.

All the damage was done a long time ago, when he gave that interview to Emily Maitlis, but the damage is to Andrew. The damage to the institution is pretty minimal, because Andrew is not that significant a member of it, Junor said, Its a shocking state of affairs, but in the grand scheme of things I dont think its life threatening for the monarchy.

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King Albert II of Belgium in front of the Cathedral of St Michael and Saint Gudula, and Delphine van Saksen-Coburg, and the first time Delphine goes public as a princess. Dean Mouhtaropoulos/WireImage, Photonews via Getty Images

Princess Delphine of Belgium said she cried after first speaking to her father, King Albert II.

Delphine opened up about asking him to recognize her as his daughter in a new documentary.

She said he told her: "Ah, because it's not going so well as an artist you need some attention."

Princess Delphine of Saxe-Coburg, the previously unrecognized child of King Albert II of Belgium, said she was left "completely crushed and crying" after meeting her father and his lawyers for the first time, according to The Times of London.

The royal opened up in part one of a new three-part television documentary called "Delphine: mijn verhaal," or "Delphine: my story," which is set to air on the Flemish VRT channel on Wednesday.

In the documentary, Delphine, a 53-year-old artist, said she first met Albert, 87, in 2013, where she pleaded with him to acknowledge his paternity or face legal action.

She said her father "sneered" at her and told her: "Ah, because it's not going so well as an artist you need some attention." She added: "At that moment I thought, 'How unbelievably rude is this?'"

In October 2020, Delphine won a seven-year legal battle that led to Albert legally recognizing her as his daughter, Insider's Samantha Grindell previously reported. According to the BBC, the former king, whose 20-year reign spanned from 1993 to 2013, reportedly had an affair with Delphine's mother, Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamp, between 1966 to 1984, leading to the princess' birth.

The Times further reported that Albert, who married Queen Paola in 1959, abdicated the throne in 2013, succeeded by his son Philippe a month after Delphine began legal action to compel her father to take a DNA test. Insider reported at the time that Albert was told he would have had to pay 5,000, or around $5,586, for every day he did not provide a sample for the DNA test.

Delphine told viewers that she left that first meeting with Albert and his lawyers in tears after they told her she was "'putting a gun to the king's head' by going to court," according to The Times.

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"The first time I visited him and his lawyers, he was very nasty and made me cry. I never thought I would go to court. But I did it out of a certain principle," she said, according to The Times.

After the DNA test confirmed his paternity in October 2020, Delphine visited Albert and Paola, according to the local newspaper De Standaard. In a jointly signed press release, Delphine, Albert, and Paola described the meeting as "a new chapter, rich in emotions, peace of mind, understanding and hope."

In July 2021, People reported that Delphine attended her first engagement as a recognized royal with a title at the Royal Palace of Brussels alongside her husband, James O'Hare, an American businessman, and other members of the family.

Speaking in the documentary about their relationship now, The Times reported that Delphine said she never felt close to her father: "I called him 'daddy' because I was instructed to call him that. But I never felt that way."

"Today I enjoy a cordial and mutually respectful relationship. But I keep my specific interaction with them private," she added, according to The Times. "I get on well with the royal family and I like them. They have been hospitable."

Representatives for the Royal Palace of Brussels declined Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Jan. 12VERNON  Police have arrested a New Britain man who is accused of attempting to shoot another person during a Dec. 29 incident on Village Street.

Police responded to the area early that morning after a caller reported hearing gunshots, and found shell casings, but no victims.

Police this week arrested Alexander Hernandez, 31, who was charged with attempted first-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, first-degree reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct.

The affidavit supporting his arrest provides the following details:

Officers who searched the area found three bullet casings. Nearby was a hamper full of clothes, miniature bottles of alcohol, a backpack, and two vape pens. Inside the backpack police located pay stubs belonging to Hernandez.

Police spoke with a witness who said he heard people arguing outside and looked out his window. Two women and a man were arguing, he said. One of the women was wearing a white puffy jacket, and she appeared to be fighting with the man outside of a vehicle.

He heard a gunshot, then the two walked a short distance from the car, before the man turned around. The woman followed and tried to get her belongings from the car, but the man took out a gun and pointed it at her, the witness told police.

He heard two more gunshots, but couldn't see if anyone was shot, the witness said.

While driving around the area police saw a woman that matched the witness' description on West Main Street. She denied knowing anything about the incident, but mentioned to police she was missing a vape pen, the same color as the one police found at the scene.

Police confiscated the woman's phone and found messages on it from Hernandez. New Britain police were contacted and asked to check Hernandez's address. Before they could, Hernandez was involved in a shooting in that city and led police on a chase into Massachusetts, where he was arrested.

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Along the way a bag was thrown out of the window of the vehicle on Interstate-84 in Manchester. It contained a handgun with ammunition that was the same as the bullet casings found at the scene in Vernon.

Upon his arrest in Massachusetts, Hernandez admitted he was at the scene of the shooting in Vernon.

For breaking news and happenings in North Central Connecticut, follow Matthew Knox on Twitter: @MatthewPKnoxJI, and Facebook: Matthew P. Knox JI.
Kaleb Cole, 25, was convicted of threatening journalists and Jewish activists and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment, reports NBC News. The former leader of the neo-Nazi Atomwaffen Division, Cole and his group mailed threatening posters to their targets and, in one case, glued one to the window of their home.

"Today the community and those Mr. Cole and his co-conspirators targeted stand up to say, 'hate has no place here,'" U.S. Attorney Nick Brown said. A co-conspirator in the plot, Cameron Shea, 25, another Atomwaffen Division leader, was sentenced to three years in August, the Justice Department said. Two other people were also sentenced in the plot after they pleaded guilty and have since renounced their Neo-Nazi views, officials said.

Here's some analysis from one of the targets. And here's what we're talking about:
Jason and Evangeline Cleereman

A week before trial, prosecutors have upped the charges in the shooting of a Milwaukee lawyer to first-degree intentional homicide, which could be a tactical move to counter a self-defense claim.

Theodore Edgecomb, 31, had been charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the Sept. 22, 2020, shooting of Jason Cleereman, 54, an immigration attorney and advocate.

Moments earlier, Edgecomb, who was riding a bicycle, and Cleereman, a passenger in a car driven by his wife, had exchanged words on Brady Street and Edgecomb punched Cleereman through the open window. The couple then followed Edgecomb as he rode up on the Holton St. bridge, where Cleereman got out and confronted Edgecomb.

On Monday, Edgecomb, who has raised self-defense, entered a not guilty plea to the amended information. If convicted on the new charge, Edgecomb would face mandatory life in prison.

Theodore Edgecomb, left, with one of his children

But it also would allow prosecutors to perhaps win a conviction for second-degree intentional homicide. If jurors believed Edgecomb honestly feared for his life  but that his fear was unreasonable  he would be guilty of the lesser charge, and avoid a life sentence.

Self-defense offers no such mitigation from reckless homicide. If prosecutors couldn't prove Edgecomb's resort to deadly force was unreasonable, jurors could only acquit him.

RELATED: Kyle Rittenhouse will argue self defense, but experts say proving it to a jury isn't easy

The trial had been set to start Jan. 3 but was postponed that day after Judge David Borowski tested positive for COVID-19. It is now scheduled to begin with jury selection Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Edgecomb's lawyers had objected to the delay, citing his speedy trial demand, and then sought his release ahead of the new trial date. Borowski declined to modify Edgecomb's $250,000 bail.

On Monday, the judge also ruled he would allow prosecutors to refer to Cleereman as a victim. The defense asked that Borowski limit use of the word, which they consider prejudicial when self-defense is at issue. "This is not the Rittenhouse case," Borowski said.

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Kyle Rittenhouse said he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot two protesters and wounded a third during protests in Kenosha in August 2020. The judge at his trial earned national attention when he banned prosecutors from referring to the men who were shot as victims. A jury acquitted Rittenhouse, 18, of all charges.

Edgecomb's supporters have said if self-defense applied for Rittenhouse, it should also clear Edgecomb. CourtTV, which streamed the Rittenhouse trial live, had planned to cover Edgecomb's trial as well.

One big difference is that while Rittenhouse surrendered within hours, Edgecomb fled Wisconsin and was arrested about six months later in Kentucky after using a fake name. Prosecutors argue that demonstrates "consciousness of guilt."

Edgecomb, who has no prior convictions, was on bail at the time in two domestic violence cases and was not supposed to have gun. His lawyers say that's why he left the area and that bringing it up at trial would only be prejudicial since he admits he shot Cleereman.

Contact Bruce Vielmetti at (414) 224-2187 or bvielmetti@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ProofHearsay.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man claiming self-defense in lawyer's death now facing intentional homicide
Stella Meyer, 9, is a fourth-grade student in the Forest Hills School District.

"Wear a mask so we don't have to homeschool again."

That's the slogan Jennifer Meyer said her daughter wanted to write on signs to put all around her Forest Hills elementary school earlier this week.

When Meyer told 9-year-old Stella she didn't think that would be allowed, Stella asked who was in charge of making masking decisions, anyways.

Click here to see list of school districts going remote due to staff shortages, COVID-19 surge

Meyer told her daughter it was the school board and that she could write them a letter.

"She was in her room typing for a long time," Meyer said. "(When I said,) 'Let me see what you're going to send,' she said, 'Oh, I already sent it.' "

Stella's letter reads: "I'm nine and I don't understand why I am better at understanding science than most of you. Also even if some of the parents will be mad if you bring back making masks required it will still be the right decision."

Stella's full email to the board can be found at the end of this story.

Meyer said Stella wears a mask at school, but she's one of few students doing so ever since the district switched to a mask optional policy last week. Meyer told The Enquirer Stella sits "with"  but distanced  from two other students at the peanut allergy table during lunch, since they are the only three fourth-graders who requested some distance.

"And I know that that's hard as a 9-year-old," Meyer said. "You're already struggling to make friends and then you're having to be concerned about your safety and ask people to step away."

The Jan. 4 mask policy change was due to a decision made by the previous board back in November, though the current board has kept quiet about any new protocols moving forward.

"The schools that are masking and the schools that are not, the numbers, they aren't very different," board member Katie Stewart told The Enquirer on Wednesday. "So I don't know if masking is necessarily the best strategy but we are definitely looking at the data."

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Other schools that dropped mask mandates in the fall have reimposed them this week due to rising COVID-19 cases: Middletown City Schools, Sycamore Community Schools and Lebanon City Schools are just a few examples.

For some districts, staff shortages caused by rising cases have become so much that schools or whole districts have closed or gone remote. The largest district in the region, Cincinnati Public Schools, went temporarily virtual on Wednesday. At least 16 other districts in the southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky region have made similar announcements since returning from winter break  including Forest Hills, which will have a remote day on Tuesday.

Superintendent Scot Prebles wrote in a letter to district families this week that the remote day will create a five-day break for students, since Friday is a non-instruction day and Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Because new health guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counsel those infected with the virus should isolate for five days, Prebles said the long weekend will provide currently sick students and staff "the time needed to recover and return to school and work."

'I feel like my hands are tied.'

Stewart said she has received several emails from community members both for and against reinstating a mask mandate. Either way, she said there is no way "to make everyone happy."

Leslie Rasmussen, the only board member to carry over from before the November election, said she feels like her "hands are tied" with the new group and that there seems to be a "resistance" to wearing masks by the board majority.

Rasmussen said she's frustrated because she has previously been part of a board that "knew how to keep the kids in school and knew how to keep our buildings staffed." Since winter break, many students have been out due to illness and the district is again struggling with staffing.

"At some point, it's going to fall apart," she said.

School board members Linda Hausfeld, Sara Jonas and Bob Bibb did not respond to The Enquirer's request for comment.

Stella Meyer's email to the Forest Hills school board:

To my school board, I strongly disagree with your decision of making masks optional in schools. I think that you should bring back the rule of wearing masks because soon we will have to go to homeschooling because of all the corona virus cases and the close exposure in classes. I also think that you should bring back the rule of wearing masks because the kids that are good and still wear masks and believe in social distancing will not have to dread going to school every day. Also I'm nine and I don't understand why I am better at understanding science than most of you. Also even if some of the parents will be mad if you bring back making masks required it will still be the right decision and even if people are mad at you for making the right decision it is still the right decision. From a fourth grader who hopes you are listening to the kids in schools, Stella Meyer 4th grade

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Forest Hills fourth grader asks school board to mandate masks
Massimo Pinca via Reuter

ROMEThe messages started popping up on Telegram a few days after Italy announced a new vaccine mandate requiring everyone over age 50 to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk hefty fines and even termination from their jobs.

Here in the first epicenter of the pandemic outside of China, Italy has paid a hefty price with lockdowns that have crippled the economy and the deaths of more than 140,000 people. Vaccine mandates have become the primary strategy in moving forward, yet a small number of people continue to resist.

The only alternative to getting vaccinated is having recovered from the infection, which must be registered on a persons national health card. I am urgently looking for a positive and I am willing to pay, one desperate anti-vaxxer wrote, according to Italian police who are cracking down on the clandestine COVID meetups and other scams ahead of the Feb. 1 deadline for the over-50 vaccine mandate.

Soon after the announcement of the new law, enterprising opportunists started offering COVID parties where people who tested positive for the disease mix and mingle with those who want to catch itone racket in Tuscany even includes a truffle dinner with Barolo wine, along with a positive-testing infection for around $150.

Other scams have also emerged. Two people were arrested in Rome after one man who was COVID positive used the health card of someone who wanted to skirt the vaccines to get tested at a pharmacy. When the COVID-positive man opted to pay with his own credit cardwhich obviously did not match the health card of the man who wanted a positive COVID diagnosis attached to histhe pharmacy conducting the test reported them both.

Infectious-disease specialist Pier Luigi Lopalco said on Italian television that the COVID parties and other scams are against the law and people involved should be hunted down and arrested. This uses the same logic as playing Russian roulette. For a person who has never had COVID, who has not been vaccinated, encountering this virus can mean a mild form of the disease, but it can also mean ending up in intensive care, he said on Italian television. The discriminating factor between these two occurrences, probably, lies in genetics. And there is nothing that can be done to know in advance.

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He added, Nobody can know before getting infected if they belong to the lucky group that will not have serious consequences or to that less fortunate group that can end up being intubated.

The trend is not so terribly different from anti-vax parents who held measles parties for their kids when vaccinations became mandatory in Italywhich led to legislation that made such practices illegal.

After an anti-vax nurse was arrested for hosting a COVID party in Milan last week, virologist Roberto Burioni tweeted his disgust. I would pay any amount to get me (and my loved ones) the vaccine, instead there are people who pay not to have it, he wrote. Its like paying to have airbags removed from your car.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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ATLANTA  LaTosha Brown is one of the many Southern organizers who turned Georgia blue in 2020 for the first time in nearly 30 years. But on Tuesday, she didnt want President Joe Biden in the state.

After working 70 hours a week, leading bus tours across the state and rallying voters to the polls last year, Brown, who co-founded Black Voters Matter, said she was fed up with the Democrats she helped elect. As Biden called on the Senate to get rid of the filibuster in order to pass voting rights and elections legislation in Atlanta on Tuesday, she stayed away.

So you come into Georgia, and what? said Brown, who is based in Atlanta. It's taken a year to talk about, we gonna put away the filibuster. There's all kinds of energy and momentum I think has been squandered.

As Brown sees it, she helped give Democrats power but, one year later, she and other Black voters are worse off when it comes to their ability to vote. There is frustration evident in her voice as she explains how voting rights still does not seem like a priority for the administration.

It makes the work harder for us, Brown said. What am I supposed to go back and tell people?....How do I convince them to turn out again?

Browns skepticism exemplified the political thicket Biden entered when he touched down in Atlanta on Tuesday to give his latest speech on the need to protect democracy, pass election reforms and, if necessary, revise the Senates rules. After months of inaction, those who have been demanding his help increasingly doubt he can deliver.

A number of groups boycotted Bidens speech. And the states most high-profile voting rights activist  gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams  didnt show either, citing an unspecified scheduling conflict.

Bidens speech, delivered at the Atlanta University Center Consortium on a brisk afternoon, served not only to put a spotlight on the onslaught of state Republican voting laws restricting ballot access but to keep the very Democratic base that Brown says is disillusioned, engaged.

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The president, who served more than 30 years in a Senate thats now become a thorn in his side, continued to push back against anti-democratic forces led by his predecessor. A self-described institutionalist, he condemned the chamber he once served in as a shell of its former self and warned that the threat to our democracy is so grave that it warranted getting rid of the filibuster if voting rights legislation is unable to pass any other way.

Biden appealed to national lawmakers sense of history and reminded the public that hes so damn old he was alive and starting college in 1963 when Fannie Lou Hamer was pulled off a bus, jailed and beaten, after registering voters in Mississippi. He asked national and state lawmakers how they would want to be remembered as they face the same questions their predecessors faced, whether it be in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday in Selma or during Lyndon B. Johnsons passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. It appeared, at times, as if Biden was also posing the question to himself.

I ask every elected official in America, how do you want to be remembered? Consequential moments in history, they present a choice, Biden said. Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace? You want to be on the side of John Lewis or Bull Connor? You want to be on the side of Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis? This is the moment to decide to defend our elections, to defend our democracy.

Those who did show up to watch Biden speak said they were eager to hear him and Vice President Kamala Harris make their case. In interviews with a dozen attendees, including organizers, city council members, students and civil rights leaders, two things were repeated: A desire for Biden to lay out a plan for passage of the two bills before the Senate and an unabashed, persistent and vocal endorsement of changing or eliminating the filibuster.

I wish they would have done it sooner but Im glad theyre doing it now, said Melanie Campbell, who joined a virtual meeting with White House officials and other civil rights leaders last week. Campbell and other leading Black women organizers had asked for Harris and Biden to come to Georgia.

Some attendees argued that Biden was not the hurdle. We all need to remember that FDR and LBJ had significant majorities in Congress. The Senate is the problem, not the president, and unfortunately, until we change the composition of the Senate, advancing civil rights is going to be an uphill battle, said Neil Makhija, executive director of the national South Asian civic organization IMPACT, who attended the Atlanta speech.

But, for others, skepticism was not too far below the surface. Gerald Griggs, vice president of the Atlanta NAACP, offered a warning similar to Browns as he mingled with other local organizers, elected officials and operatives who were waiting for BIden.

We mobilized way too many people to the polls with the promise of the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the George Floyd Justice and policing act, neither of which have been moved on, Griggs said. So I'm speaking for all of the activists that I mobilized and the voters that we mobilized. They want to hear about that. No more excuses.

The White House has repeatedly defended the sequencing of Biden's agenda, noting that he entered the Oval Office at an unprecedented time as a global pandemic raged and Americans were suffering from an economic downturn. Aides also note that attacks on democracy and the protection of voting rights is the reason Biden launched his campaign while arguing that Biden's been far from shy about the threats confronting the country.

Bidens speech came two days into the Georgia state legislature's new session as Republicans sought to expand on the bill they passed last year that was spurred by former President Donald Trumps lies of a stolen election. This time, some Republicans are pushing a measure to ban drop boxes for absentee ballots altogether.

Tuesday morning, inside Georgias state house, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, outlined his own proposals for federal elections legislation  which include amending the Constitution to require citizens-only voting and national voter ID laws  while accusing Biden of pushing for a federal elections takeover. Baoky Vu, a Republican who was pushed out of his position on the DeKalb County board of elections and censured by his local party for opposing his partys restrictive election laws, said he supports Raffenspergers reelection bid. But he also continues to worry about the voting bills passed in Georgia last year.

This is a step by step, deliberate attempt at undermining the institutions of democracy itself, Vu said of the dynamic in Georgia and across the country. Thats why I think it's so critical to have people focus on what can be done at the federal level.

While some Georgia Democrats were happy to see the president put a spotlight on those laws, others were curious as to why Biden wasnt elsewhere. Among the scores of local Georgia Democrats who chose not to show up on Tuesday was Erick Allen, candidate for lieutenant governor and chair of the Cobb County delegation in the state house.

I think it is appropriate to make this your first stop to honor the legacy of the work of John Lewis, considering this is the John Lewis Voting Rights Act they're trying to get passed, said Allen. But I think there are other places that need to be hearing this message to put pressure on their senators to get this done. Georgia gave him the Senate majority. So we've done as much as we can do on this.

If you're going to come to Georgia, you need to also announce that the next time the tires of Air Force One hit the ground, it's going to be in Arizona and then in West Virginia, Allen continued, referencing the home states of the two Senate Democrats most resistant to changing the filibuster rules: Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)

But it wasnt just Bidens presence but Abrams absence that created buzz at Tuesdays event. Standing in line for security, a number of city council members and local Democratic officials wondered aloud to each other why the Georgia gubernatorial candidate wasnt in attendance.

Its all over the news, said one woman.

Abrams would later put out a statement highlighting that she and Biden had connected on the phone in the morning and had a conversation that reaffirmed their shared commitment to the American project of freedom and democracy.

For the activists watching, talk of who or who not was in attendance was a distraction, ultimately, from the large question: Just what would come next? Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, praised Biden for his powerful words but said he had not prioritized voting rights protections the same way he prioritized other policy issues like BBB, infrastructure bill or Covid relief. It was time, he said, for the president to recalibrate the focus.

The use of the bully pulpit is something that every president utilizes to build momentum for policy initiatives. But he did that today. But until we actually have a bill on his desk, ready for signature, there's still much more work to get done.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misspelled the name of Gerald Griggs, the vice president of the Atlanta NAACP.
Jan. 11A bill that seeks to bar Maine from imposing any COVID-19 vaccination mandates for five years drew a slew of worried residents pleading with lawmakers to back the measure despite a lack of evidence their fears have merit.

The bill, pushed by Republicans and who are outnumbered in the Legislature, says the mandate delay is needed to allow more time for research on potential fertility problems from the vaccines, though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and other experts say there is no reason to believe there is any risk.

State Rep. Tracy Quint, a Republican from Hodgdon who is sponsoring the measure, told colleagues it would protect "the vital right of all Mainers to informed consent" about a vaccine whose long-term effects are unknown. She called it a chance "to change course" on the controversial issue.

Typical of many of the more than 280 testifying remotely or in writing during the more than three-hour hearing was Matt Landry of Greene, who told legislators he is "tired of these jabs being forced against the people's will and making people sick, injured or dead. I can see it happening to people I know, and it makes my blood boil."

There is no evidence that the vaccine is making many people "sick, injured or dead," but there is evidence that the shots are decreasing the lethal nature of COVID-19 for anyone who is fully vaccinated. In every state and country, the rates of hospitalization and death are significantly higher among those who are unvaccinated.

Nobody has been forced to get a vaccine. Some people have jobs that require a COVID-19 vaccine, but people could look for work elsewhere.

Stacy McCracken, a registered nurse from Woodstock, told lawmakers she lost a position at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston rather than getting vaccinated because she wants to see more safety testing and to find out if there are any long-term effects.

"The decision to accept the vaccine or lose my job was a decision I had never imagined I would have to make, especially as an RN, especially in the middle of a pandemic," she said.

Story continues

It's one that has meant the loss of her full-time income, perhaps forcing her family to move out of the state soon, she said.

Alaina Church, a registered nurse in Fairfield, said she began losing sleep over the issue.

"This vaccine and mandate is the first thought when I open my eyes in the morning and my last thought at night. It has taken a huge toll financially, mentally and physically on my family and on me beyond any words I can describe," Church told legislators. She urged them to approve the five-year delay for any vaccine mandates.

Not everyone supported the delay.

Rachel Dyer of Augusta urged legislators to vote down the bill, leaving open the option of imposing vaccine requirements similar to ones already in place for a range of once-common illnesses.

Dyer said "immense harm to the public health has been done through deception and disinformation regarding vaccinations" from people who have undermined trust in public health and fostered fear.

She said the debate on the measure should be based on reason, not fear.

Anthony Shostak of Greene said it is possible to be "excited by the innovative technology used in these vaccines" while also questioning if their approval has been too hasty.

He expressed concern that if mandated vaccines are not blocked, his children may be required to get them to attend school "thanks to the Legislature's ill-considered and unconstitutional law that removes religious exemption."

By a 3-to-1 ratio in March 2020, Maine voters endorsed the removal of religious exemptions for mandatory vaccines. At this point, there is no requirement that students get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Shostak said mandating a COVID-19 vaccine would be "absolutely unconscionable" because, in his view, it is not tested adequately and has "dubious efficacy," and because COVID-19 presents "minimal risk to the majority of the population."

COVID-19 has killed more than 840,000 Americans and millions more in other countries.

The Maine Medical Association's testimony said "despite rampant misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines and the hyperpolitical environment around the science behind vaccines and guidance from national and local public health experts, the vaccines are safe, effective and save lives."

For Northe Saunders, executive director of Safe Communities Coalition, a Portland nonprofit, the bill "is based on fear and misinformation" and lacks a "logical or scientific basis."

He said the measure "panders to anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and undermines our collective progress to protect our children, families and community from this deadly disease."

Lewis Corriveau of Sidney urged legislators to "stop COVID vaccination mandates until the science is more clear as to the side effect, efficacy, etc. As a freedom-loving American I believe in making informed decisions" and despite more than two years of coping with the disease "the science is still murky and hidden from public review."

The science involved in the vaccines has been reviewed repeatedly by the federal Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and scores of scientific organizations.

Hilary Schneider, government relations director for Maine for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said the proposed ban is "a piece of legislation that could place the health of cancer patients at greater risk."

"Cancer treatments  from chemotherapy to immunotherapy to bone marrow transplants  often weaken a patient's immune system, making cancer patients especially vulnerable to communicable illnesses like COVID-19," Schneider said. "Fortunately, the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine will mean many cancer patients can be protected from the virus and resume their normal treatments safely."

Michael Blakemore of Brunswick urged legislators to approve the five-year ban to find out what impact the COVID-19 vaccines may have "on our health or the health of the unborn generation to come. There is no way to research this other than wait for the outcome."

A licensed paramedic, Blakemore said he "walked away from a 20-year career at United Ambulance in Lewiston, because I was unwilling to submit myself to this experiment."

He said requiring health care workers to get vaccines "is needlessly diminishing our already crippled health care staff in Maine."

Blakemore said he's watched nurses at Central Maine Medical Center's emergency department cry "because they are so overwhelmed, due to low staffing" and many sick patients who "spent their lives making very unhealthy choices, which has become a blight on our medical system as a whole."

But Caitlin Gilmet of Portland, who is active with Maine Families for Vaccines, said the way to relieve the health care system is more vaccinations, not less.

She said the bill "seeks to undermine both scientific consensus and common sense" and is "rooted in misinformation."

Liz Caruso of Caratunk, a Republican contender in the 2nd Congressional District, called the concept of a mandate "abhorrent, a maneuver against the citizenry that simulates communism. This is not how we reward hard workers. We are certainly in a labor crisis as it is, the traditional American hard work ethic is hard to find, and a mandate would cause even more loss in the diminished labor force."

There is little chance the bill will win the support of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, or the Democratic-controlled House or Senate. The GOP in Maine and across the nation is pushing against mandated vaccinations.

Students in Maine are required to be immunized against diphtheria, measles, meningococcal meningitis, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, tetanus, rubella and chickenpox.

Health care workers in the state are mandated to be vaccinated for measles, mumps, German measles, chicken pox, hepatitis, influenza and COVID-19.

The chairman of the committee, Sen. Ned Claxton, an Auburn Democrat, said the panel will hold a work session Thursday, Jan. 20.
A Kentucky judge ordered Brandon Scott Price, a 28-year-old former jail guard convicted of sexually assaulting a female inmate, to enlist in the military rather than serve jail time. Franklin Countil Jail

A judge in Kentucky offered a man convicted of sexual assault the option to rejoin the military in lieu of jail time this month.

Brandon Scott Price, 28, was convicted of sexually assaulting a female inmate at Franklin County Regional Jail where he worked as a guard.

While judges are free to make these determinations, military regulations prevent applicants from being court-ordered into service without a waiver.

A Kentucky judge ordered an Army veteran convicted of sexual assault to rejoin the military or go to jail, The State Journal reported Friday.

Brandon Scott Price, a 28-year-old former prison guard, was convicted of sexually assaulting a female inmate at the Franklin County Regional Jail. Price was initially charged with third-degree sodomy, which is a Class D felony, but he pleaded down to a lesser charge of second-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor, his attorney told Insider.

Judge Thomas Wingate sentenced Price on Friday to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, but said Price could avoid jail time if Price enlisted in the military within 30 days, according to The State Journal of Frankfort, Ky.

"If you don't enroll in 30 days, you can report to the Franklin County Regional Jail," Wingate said. "You are under the gun, young man. You gotta do it."

Despite the judge's request, however, enlistments are subject to military regulations that would require Price to seek a waiver for his sexual assault conviction from military officials. The military has spent more than a decade struggling to limit sexual assault among troops and punish perpetrators.

A female inmate claimed that she was sexually assaulted and filed a lawsuit against Franklin County and several former jail staff, including Price, in July 2019.

According to the lawsuit, in January 2019, the inmate experienced a medical emergency and needed to be transported to the hospital.

Video: What Air Force recruits go through in boot camp

Story continues

"Though Price's shift was near its end, Price volunteered to transport (the inmate) to the hospital," the lawsuit explained. "Price transported (the inmate) alone, in violation of Jail policy and industry standards and practices."

Price stayed with the inmate for five hours at the Frankfort Regional Medical Center while making "sexually-charged comments" to her and talking about his connections to someone responsible for parole decisions at the Kentucky Department of Corrections, the lawsuit alleged.

On the way back to the prison from the medical facility, Price pulled the van he was driving over and assaulted the woman, according to the suit. The lawsuit alleges Price propositioned the inmate with an offer to help her get early release in exchange for a sex act, and then assaulted the woman while she was shackled.

When Price was interviewed about the incident he said he "made a stupid mistake" and "let a female inmate touch me inappropriately." He was later arrested after an investigation by jail officials.

"You're getting a huge break," Wingate said during Price's sentencing. "You made a terrible mistake, which I know personally cost the county money."

While judges are free to make these determinations, they carry very little legal weight.

Army Regulation 610-210  which covers Army recruitment guidelines  says that an applicant is ineligible if "as a condition for any civil conviction or adverse disposition or any other reason through a civil or criminal court, [they are] ordered or subjected to a sentence that implies or imposes enlistment into the Armed Forces of the United States."

Applicants can apply for a waiver, but must demonstrate "sufficient mitigating circumstances that clearly justify approving the waiver." The history of these waivers is murky, at best. During the War on Terror the military granted thousands of moral waivers for drug offenses, violent felonies and sex offenders. One such beneficiary, Steven Green, had three misdemeanor convictions before enlisting in the Army where he ended up at the center of a notorious war crime committed in Iraq in 2006.

Price's attorney told Insider that he previously served in the Army, which is why the judge decided on the terms of his probation.

"It is not uncommon for judges to put unique conditions like this based on the defendant that is in front of them and create conditions that will best serve them to stay on the straight and narrow," Whitney Lawson, an attorney for Price, told Insider. "It's just that this one happened to have the military element to it."

Lawson said Price has already started the process of renlisting, but it has been difficult.

"The problem is, you can ask ten people whether he can reenlist and in what branch and they'll give you nine different answers so we're trying to work through that," Lawson told Insider.

It's unlikely Price would be granted a waiver for his get-out-of-jail-free card, but this isn't the first or last time a judge or lawmaker will equate jail with military service. In December, Florida Senator Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) filed a bill in the state legislature that would allow those convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors to enlist rather than go to jail.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WGEM

An Illinois judge had a shocking outburst in court Wednesday, kicking a prosecutor out with minimal explanation as outrage grows over the judges decision to reverse his own ruling on a teen accused of rape.

Mr. Jones, get out, Adams County Judge Robert Adrian fumed as he ordered Josh Jones of the Adams County States Attorneys Office to leave the courtroom. The Muddy River News, whose journalist was in court, reported that Jones was set to appear in an unrelated case but had apparently liked a Facebook post supporting domestic violence survivors in the wake of Adrians extraordinary ruling in the rape case .

Im not on social media, but my wife is, Adrian said. She saw the thumbs up you gave to people attacking me.

He added: I cant be fair with you today. Get out.

Adrian declined The Daily Beasts request for comment about the outburst on Wednesday, citing a Supreme Court rule that urges judges to abstain from public comment about pending or impending proceedings.

Judge Grants Bail to 3 in Rape Case That Divided Rhode Island Town

The move comes as critics slam Adrian for tossing out a sexual assault conviction for 18-year-old Drew Clinton, who allegedly stuffed a pillow in a girls face as he raped her at a graduation party in May last year.

Clintons accuser, 16-year-old Cameron Vaughan, broke her silence Tuesday days after Adams reversal on Jan. 3.

I woke up at my friends place with a pillow over my face so I couldnt be heard and Drew Clinton inside of me, Vaughan said, according to WGEM. I asked him to stop multiple times and he wouldnt.

After finally pushing him off, Vaughan said, Clinton jumped up to play video games as if nothing had happened.

Cameron Vaughan WGEM

During a bench trial in October, Clinton was found guilty of one count of criminal sexual assault. But last week, Adrian changed his mind and sensationally declared the teen not guilty during a sentencing hearing.

According to a copy of last weeks hearing transcript, the judge insisted that Clinton had a clean record before assaulting the girl, and had already endured plenty of punishment by spending 148 days in a county jail.

Story continues

By law, the court is supposed to sentence this young man to the Department of Corrections. This court will not do that. That is not just, Adrian said. There is no way for what happened in this case that this teenager should go to the Department of Corrections. I will not do that.

Illinois has a mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison for criminal sexual assault. But Adrian mused aloud that the nearly five months served was a just sentence and, apparently determined to keep Clinton for serving any longer, he switched to a not guilty verdict claiming that prosecutors had failed to prove their case.

Adrian parenthetically said adults at the party were to blame for Vaughans assault. He said they abandoned their parental duties and suggested that sexual assault is what happens when parents hold parties for teenagers, and they allow coeds and female people to swim in their underwear in their swimming pool.

Clintons lawyer couldnt immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.

Dylan Gonzalez Accuses Trey Songz of Raping Her and Details 'Unbearable PTSD'

Vaughans dad told the Herald-Whig last week that his daughter feels like she spoke up for nothing.

Now she wishes she wouldnt have even said anything, he said.

But critics joined her and her family in slamming Adrians comments during the sentencing and his sudden reversal.

On Tuesday, a local domestic abuse organization said that the judge apparently felt sorry for Clinton and not the victim.

He blamed everyone except Clinton, Quincy Area Network Against Domestic Abuses board of directors wrote in a statement on Facebook.

Jones told the Muddy River News that Adrian threw him out of court Wednesday for simply liking the post on the groups Facebook page. It also featured the groups logo alongside text that read: Hold rapists accountable.

The group has since obtained thousands of signatures on a Change.org petition calling for charges to be filed against Adrian for abuse of judicial discretion and power.

The group said Adrians ruling was an irreconcilable deviation from both the spirit and the letter of the law.

If he does not have faith and consistency in his own rulings, there is no reason for the public to respect his continuance in the position of power as an authority of the law, the group wrote.

Jones told Muddy River News that he believed he had taken a pretty benign position in supporting victims rights.

We obviously have to and want to support victims in all cases, he said. I have not made any comment publicly, privately or otherwise about Judge Adrian and the decision. Im not going to. Thats not my role.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The search for a new police chief is officially underway after the Knoxville City Council unanimously gave their approval of a contract with a third-party national search firm Tuesday night.

Police Chief Eve Thomas announced her retirement plans in November and is set to leave the department in May.

The $43,000 contract is with the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, D.C.-based firm that recently won a similar contract with the city of Chattanooga for their police chief search. Through a seldom used state law, the city is able to piggyback off other municipalities contract bids for the same service.

Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon ask for council's vote on a $43,000 contract with the Police Executive Research Forum to help find the next police chief during a council meeting on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

The piggybacking, the city said, was to help save time. City leaders want to name a new chief before Thomas last day on May 1.

Mayor Indya Kincannon told Council Tuesday the upcoming decision will be the most important hire Ill make as mayor, and she said the firm has a proven track record for this kind of work. They have helped with over 100 police chief searches, she said.

The decision will ultimately be Kincannons.

The process, according to the city, will include a needs assessment conducted with city administration, community engagement, advertisement and recruitment of the position, candidate screening, a recommended pool of candidates and guidance on interview process and how the compensation package should be structured.

Some 39 people have applied for the open police chief position in Chattanooga, according to the Times Free Press.

A small contingent of people came to speak against the police department, though some said the firm would do a good job. One of those men, Rick Roach, who came to one of Mondays input sessions, said the department has had a lot of cover-up and excuse making.

A lot of people have said it wont really matter who the next police chief will be because it will be the same old, same old, he said.

Last few days have been heated

Over the last five days the city held four public drop-in sessions for community members to give their opinion to city workers on what they would like to see in the next police chief. One of the meetings was canceled due to weather.

Story continues

Public comments can be sent by email through the end of the month to ChiefSearch@knoxvilletn.gov.

David Hayes addresses the Knoxville City Council on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 during the public forum part of the meeting. .

David Hayes: Warrant for policing reform activist David Hayes originated from a peaceful protest

Police activist David Hayes was arrested by a Knox County Sheriff's Office deputy outside of the first session held Friday at the City County Building on a single misdemeanor charge of obstructing a highway or other passageway, stemming from peaceful protests in April, according to a copy of the warrant for his arrest.

The protest that spurred Knoxville Police Department to cite Hayes was one of dozens that followed in the weeks after a Knoxville police officer shot and killed 17-year-old Anthony Thompson Jr. inside an Austin-East Magnet High School bathroom.

Hayes, as was mentioned Tuesday night, was a public figure last year and attended many events while running for city council.

Thomas was hired in 1993, and she was selected to replace Chief David Rausch by former Mayor Madeline Rogero in 2018 after Rausch was tapped to lead the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Thomas is the first woman to become chief of the department.

Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler said Sunday in a Facebook post a deputy was alerted by a KPD lieutenant about the warrant and that Hayes was at the public meeting in the City-County Building.

City leaders had specifically asked KPD officers to not attend the public session so that participants would feel comfortable speaking freely about policing in Knoxville.

Tyler Whetstone is a Knox News politics reporter focusing on Knoxville and Knox County.

Connect with Tyler: Twitter | Email

Make our community, our society and our republic stronger by supporting robust local journalism. Subscribe online at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville City Council's outside firm contract for police chief search
The mother and two siblings of a 6-year-old boy from Chicago whose body was found in Indiana have been charged in connection with his murder, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Per the outlet, Damari Perrys body was found early Saturday in an abandoned house in Gary, Indiana, just days after the boys mother and siblings reported him missing.

The boys mother, Jannie M. Perry, 38, has been charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death, and obstructing justice. She is due in court Monday.

Damaris older brother, Jeremiah Perry, 20, has been charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death, and obstructing justice. He appeared in court Sunday and is being held on $3 million bond. A second sibling, whose name and charges arent being released, was also arrested on charges related to concealing the boys body.

According to the Illinois states attorneys office in Lake County, prosecutors believe that on Dec. 30 Damari was placed into a cold shower for an extended period of time, and held there by family members at the direction of the mother, who was punishing him.

We believe the mother may have been involved also, and at some point, he became unresponsive, vomited and died, Lake County States Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement. Ive been working in criminal law for almost 20 years now and this is one of the worst cases Ive seen.

Damaris family reportedly waited nearly a week before contacting the Skokie Police Department in Illinois to report him missing.

Theyve been obstructing justice for many days. Theyve been throwing investigators off for many days and that needs to be dealt with also, Rinehart said. Prosecutors, investigators, and victim support professionals worked late into the night and into the early morning to make sure we understood this tragic crime. Now, because of their rigorous and detailed investigation, we will be able to bring Damaris killers to justice in a courtroom.

Authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of Damaris death. An autopsy is scheduled to be completed this week in Indiana.

A GoFundMe on behalf of the boys father, Dalvin Driver, has been organized.
Editor's note: The following is the full text of Gov. Kristi Noem's State of the State address on Jan. 11, 2022:

Lieutenant Governor Rhoden, Mr. Speaker, members of the House and Senate, Chief Justice Jensen, Supreme Court justices, constitutional officers, and my fellow South Dakotans:

I am honored to stand before you today as the Governor of a state that is proudly leading the nation. We are leading with a talented workforce. We are leading by growing our businesses. We are leading with strong schools. We are leading with freedom, limited government, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to defending the values that have made our country great.

I am proud to report that the state of our state is stronger than it has ever been in our 133-year history.

Word cloud for Gov. Noem's State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

This did not happen because of what government did. It happened because of what government did NOT do.

And it is because of our people.

Two years ago, we made a decision in the face of a global threat. We chose not to compromise our values. We kept businesses, schools, and churches open. We did not decide who is essential and who is not. We chose freedom and personal responsibility over mandates and lockdowns. We took steps to be safe, to guard public health. But we also trusted people to make decisions that were best for them and their families.

We did what was right  and we were attacked for our decision.

Today we are thriving because we upheld our principles. Our economy is strong. We have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the United States.

South Dakota saw new families and new businesses move here from other states. From July 2020 to July 2021, South Dakotas population grew nine times faster than the national average. While places like California, New York, and Washington, D.C., are LOSING population.

More: Gov. Kristi Noem lauds South Dakota's economy, but big legislative fights are coming

The reason why is no secret. People want to live somewhere that respects them  that respects their freedoms. They want to share in our quality of life. Theyre coming here because they want to be like us.

Story continues

Last year, we were ranked the Number 1 state for helping our workforce and small businesses get through the pandemic. Weve had record tourism numbers and created opportunities for success for everyone.

No group is succeeding in higher numbers than women in South Dakota. During the pandemic, South Dakota was Top 3 for smallest negative impact on female workers. We also are one of the Top 10 Best States for Women to live and work. I am very proud that South Dakota is one of the Top 5 states for providing career opportunities for working moms.

We are seeing inspirational testimonies from women like our very own State Senator Jessica Castleberry. I am so grateful she is allowing me to share her story with all of you today.

Governor Kristi Noem gives the State of the State address on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Fifteen years ago, Jessica suddenly found herself a single mother with three very young mouths to feed and only $3 in her checking account. She went to visit with a credit counselor to get some advice on what she might do to improve her situation. Jessica shared her dreams of getting a business degree and becoming a business owner someday. The woman responded to Jessica by saying that there was no magic wand that could make her dream come true.

Well, that didnt sit well with Jessica. She went and bought herself a magic wand and kept it close to remind herself that she could make her dreams come true, regardless of what others thought was possible. Through hard work, Senator Castleberry advanced her education and launched her career. This year, she celebrated the 11th anniversary of her business in Rapid City, which has three commercial locations. To this day, that magic wand sits in her office as a reminder of all that is possible.

Sen. Castleberrys story has good company here in the Capitol. In fact, all of the legislators have inspirational stories that led them to where they are today. That is what is so special about South Dakota. The Representatives and Senators in the SD Legislature truly do reflect the people of South Dakota. They understand challenges, hardships, and loss. Today, you will hear more stories about the amazing people in our state who have faced and overcome adversity. I believe you will find inspiration in their stories and gain hope and excitement for the year ahead.

The South Dakota people worked together to navigate the pandemic. Over and over again, we are recognized as one of the best states in the country because of our willingness to trust each other.

Other states took a different course. They locked down. Closed up businesses. Shut schools. Mandated masks. Their economies  their people  are paying the price. They have suffered. And it didnt have to happen. Unfortunately, were starting to see it happen all over again in some states.

But even here in South Dakota, we have new challenges  new barriers to the American Dream. Inflation is rising. Washington is threatening to raise taxes as it piles on more debt and spending. Its getting harder for families to put food on the table, gas in their car, or keep the lights on.

The world economy is changing, too. Were seeing new technologies, emerging industries, and international competition. We must be ready.

On top of all that, our children, our history, and our values are under attack.

These threats are already here. Were seeing it in our schools and communities. Its happening in the news, on TV, in social media, and with what is taught to our children. It is up to us to defend our values and prepare for the future.

So today, I will talk to you about the state of our great state  how we are succeeding  and the steps we can take together to preserve what we have and grow even stronger.

Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

We can make that happen by remaining true to the principles that made America so great in the first place  and that make South Dakota the greatest state in the union.

Thomas Jefferson famously outlined our founding ideal in the Declaration of Independence: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Jefferson continued by reminding us why government is here in the first place  to secure those rights, not to grant them. Our rights come from God, NOT from government. And GOVERNMENT must remain LIMITED to serve its proper role of securing those rights.

Life

Its no mistake that when Thomas Jefferson wrote those famous words, that LIFE came first. Governments most fundamental role is to defend the lives and safety of the people. That includes the rights and the lives of unborn children.

Over the last decade, abortions have dropped sharply in South Dakota. In 2020, the total number of abortions was down approximately 80% from a decade before.

Thats something to celebrate, and its thanks in part to the policies passed by some of the legislators in this room. You have proven that abortion does not need to be a divisive issue. Last year, every single legislator supported my bill to guarantee protections for unborn children with Down syndrome.

I look forward to the day when all unborn lives are protected. The Supreme Court has a historic opportunity to make that a reality. As soon as Roe v. Wade is overturned, our state laws are ready to protect every unborn South Dakota child. But until then, we can take steps to protect South Dakota children, today.

There is more we can do. Every human life is unique in a truly beautiful way from the moment that they are conceived. It isnt long before they have their own unique heartbeat, too. Science tells us that an unborn childs heartbeat starts 6 weeks after conception. And any abortion after that point stops that heartbeat  stops that life  stops that gift from God.

Today, I am asking all of you to protect the heartbeats of these unborn children. I am bringing legislation to ban all abortions once a heartbeat can be detected.

Last year, I signed an executive order banning telemedicine abortions in South Dakota. Today, I am asking all of you to ban telemedicine abortions in state law.

Chemical abortions happen when a woman ends an unborn life with a pill. These procedures are four times as likely to cause the woman getting the abortion to end up in the Emergency Room. Chemical abortions are dangerous. I am asking all of you to take action to protect South Dakota women from this dangerous procedure.

Adoption and foster care

We can also protect lives by expanding access to adoption and foster care. This past year, 262 South Dakota children found their forever families, and 135 children were placed into a legal guardianship.

All children deserve to grow up in a family where they are loved and protected. When I stood at this podium for my first State of the State in 2019, I promised to talk about foster care at every opportunity. Since then, we have made tremendous progress.

We have launched our Stronger Families Together initiative with the Department of Social Services alongside Americas Kids Belong and South Dakota Kids Belong. I need faith-based organizations, church leaders, business leaders, and other community organizations to come alongside me in your hometowns and support those who choose to adopt or foster children.

In South Dakota, we support and serve others. My parents instilled that in me from a very young age. We helped struggling families put food on the table or keep the lights on. I also had the opportunity to grow up with a foster brother. I remember my parents telling me years later that they wished they would have had more tools, more information, or more training so that they could have helped him adjust better to becoming a part of our family.

Today, we have people in the room who can provide that kind of help. We have the leadership of South Dakota Kids Belong here with us. Would you please stand, and everyone please join me in thanking them for their efforts to help families going through crisis?

While were on the subject of Foster Care, today, I want to highlight a family that has been providing foster care for twenty-two years. Rodney and Peggy Anderson have adopted nine children out of the foster care system and have fostered many more. Theyve dealt with childhood trauma and connected their foster kids with professionals to help them. Rod and Peggy give kids a place to live, but more than that, they give them a home where they are loved and cared for.

Peggy Anderson, foster and adoptive mom, receives a kiss on the cheek from her son after she and her husband, Rodney, were honored by Governor Kristi Noem during her State of the State address on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

One of our Family Services Specialists had this to say about the Andersons: This family is by far the most resilient, knowledgeable, fantastic, flexible, amazing family I have ever worked with. They go above and beyond  always putting the children in their home first. They have some of the toughest kids Ive ever had on my caseload. And they handle them with patience and grace! We are so incredibly lucky to have them as foster parents!

I would like to have Rod and Peggy please stand. Three years ago, I created the Governors Heroism Award to honor South Dakotans who went above and beyond. Rod and Peggy Anderson are heroes. Theyre heroes for how theyve changed these kids lives. And this year, Id like to recognize Rodney and Peggy Anderson with the 2022 Governors Heroism Award. Lets thank them and every foster parent in this state for their tremendous, heroic efforts!

With more foster families like Rod and Peggy, we will be able to help even more children and families in the years to come.

Expanding health care access

Another way that we can advance life in South Dakota is by giving our people healthcare options close to home.

Many South Dakotans live on farms, ranches, and in small towns. No matter where you live in our state, you should have access to the highest quality care available. You should be able to get the medical help you need.

Weve increased flexibilities to bring healthcare directly to our patients. I signed legislation to address this, and my budget this year expands telehealth to our emergency responders so that they are available to help in a time of crisis, no matter where you live.

For years, emergency services in small towns across South Dakota have been largely run by volunteers. Today, we have a volunteer ambulance crew with us from Onida. Would you all please stand? The Onida Ambulance Service has been in operation since 1956. In 2000, they were named the South Dakota Emergency Medical Service of the Year. They won that award again in 2020. To win such an honor twice is a testament to their hard work and training.

They complete the hours and hours of training to become Emergency Medical Technicians and ongoing training as well. They answer calls across Sully County. And they do it all as volunteers. Their dedication to saving the lives of their fellow South Dakotans is inspirational. Will you help me thank them for their service to the people here in South Dakota?

Unfortunately, our emergency responders are getting fewer and fewer. Many have gotten older, and less people are stepping up to volunteer. We must reverse this trend. We need to recruit more volunteer firefighters and emergency responders. And we need to support them with modern tools  my budget does that. I look forward to working with all of you to get these wonderful folks the equipment and training that they need.

For over a year, we have offered free at-home COVID tests to the people of South Dakota. Last week, I announced that I had ordered 1 million new tests to be delivered to even more locations in our state. Every citizen in South Dakota will have the access to get a free COVID test in their home community. President Biden had promised this action but has failed to do so. The state will continue to work together to take care of our people.

Our healthcare workers worked hard to keep us within our hospital capacity. Our systems monitored people from home to ensure their safety while keeping beds available.

To our nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals: we are getting you more help. Weve invited more healthcare professionals to come and live in South Dakota. Weve made it possible for out-of-state licenses to be recognized so that they can get right to work. And when they come here, they will have the opportunity to work for some of the greatest systems in the country.

Healthcare workers in South Dakota have faced perhaps the greatest challenges of their career over these past two years. I am amazed by their efforts, and I am so grateful for how they have sacrificed to serve others.

Mental health/addiction

Another problem we need to address is addiction and mental illness, and we are doing that through our targeted treatment and prevention initiatives. While overdoses have been skyrocketing across the country, in South Dakota, overdose deaths dropped by 19 percent.

Theres more work to do. In 2022, we will launch a statewide behavioral health campaign, continue to focus on fighting meth, and raise awareness about available resources. These efforts are saving lives.

Unfortunately, we are seeing that increased drug activity from the border is making its way into our communities. Counterfeit fentanyl is a serious problem. We can thank our law enforcement agencies who are working to keep this poison off our streets.

As for mental health, my budget creates regional behavioral crisis centers. These centers will help us get people appropriate care more quickly and close to home. This will help relieve the pressure on law enforcement and emergency rooms.

I take our citizens health seriously. I dont make these decisions lightly. And when we create new policy, were going to do everything we can to get it right from day one. Our states medical cannabis program is one example. It was launched on schedule according to the timeline passed by South Dakota voters. I know there will be some debate about that program this session. My focus is on making sure South Dakota has the safest, most responsible, and well-run medical cannabis program in the country.

Liberty

Together, we can make protecting lives our priority so that all South Dakotans can enjoy our God-given gift of liberty  the second unalienable right the Declaration upholds.

Prayer in schools

There is one freedom that is fundamental to our nations founding. It is the freedom to worship.

In the Preamble to our states Constitution, we express gratitude to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties. Our states motto is, Under God the people rule. And we began here today  in this chamber  with a prayer asking for Gods grace and guidance. Yet in our public schools, prayer is absent  forbidden.

I am introducing legislation that would allow for a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day. Students can choose to reflect on the upcoming day or have a quiet moment  they can also exercise their First Amendment right to pray. We will protect the freedom to worship and re-instill a right that has been absent for far too long in our schools.

Economic freedom

Another fundamental liberty is the right of individuals to provide for themselves and their families. Government, at times, abuses its power and interferes with that liberty. But never in our history have we seen government shut down liberty as we saw during the pandemic.

State after state imposed mandates and lockdowns. Closed businesses and churches. America is still suffering the consequences.

Other states told people that they werent essential -- picked winners and losers. We kept the doors to businesses open.

Ace Hardware in Sioux Falls is a great example of a thriving business in South Dakota. They weathered the worst days of the pandemic without laying off a single employee. They innovated quickly, protected the health of their staff and customers, and continued their passion for quality service and customer care. Similar success stories can be found time and time again around our great state.

Here with us today is a young woman named Alyssa Nix, a small business owner in Sioux Falls. Alyssa was born and raised in Sioux Falls and started working in retail and fashion when she was 16 years old. In February 2018, she took out a loan to purchase a womens clothing boutique, which fulfilled a life-long dream for her. She is proud to sell clothing and accessories that make women feel confident about themselves at all budget levels and for all occasions.

Alyssa Nix stands to be recognized as a small business owner by Governor Kristi Noem during the State of the State address on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Alyssa was nervous when the pandemic hit. She didnt know what the future had in store, and she didnt think she could keep her business going if she had been forced to close.

I heard about Alyssas store from my daughters, so I decided to stop in one day when Bryon and I were in Sioux Falls running errands. While I was there, Alyssa and I chatted about the weather, horses (which we both love) and 4-H -- we have both been 4-H leaders for years. During our visit, Alyssa told me with tears in her eyes that if our state made different decisions during the pandemic the past 2 years and not trusted her, she didnt know if her store would still be open. Her life-long dream would have come to an end. She was so grateful she was respected by her government and thankful to still be able to serve her customers.

Alyssas American Dream is alive and well in South Dakota. Because we trusted small business owners, like Alyssa and Ace Hardware, to find ways to adapt, we gave them an opportunity to survive. Every other state in this country ordered some businesses to close. That didnt happen here.

Alyssa, Id like to ask you to please stand and also thank you -- thank you for your love for people and willingness to share your story. So many little girls dream of growing up and striking out on their own, owning their own business, and they can look up to you. Thank you for your strength and for not giving up on your dream. Would you all join me in giving Alyssa a round of applause?

Cutting regulations

One way that we can continue to expand liberty is by remembering that government should not make it harder to have a career.

My Department of Labor is eliminating barriers to employment. And theyre partnering with others to promote job training and match students with the best career for them. Here are a few examples:

In 2021, the Department of Labor worked with the Department of Education and schools across the state to promote South Dakota Week of Work. The week included job fairs, job shadowing opportunities, and visits by professionals to classrooms to share their experiences in communities across the state. For example, Hanson High School hosted 40 guest speakers representing 16 different career areas.

We have partnered with Dakota State University to create a Future Workforce Finder tool. We are expanding the Upskill program to the South Dakota Womens Prison and other career fields to get workers trained for in-demand jobs. We are partnering with adult education providers across the state to offer more options for adults to achieve their GED, to help them in their career.

We are focused on EXPANDING opportunities and liberty, not regulating it away. And South Dakotas jobs market continues to be a national leader as a result.

Revenue update and tax cuts

In order for us to defend liberty, government must remain limited. And part of how we do that is through our budget process -- through our commitment to fiscal responsibility. I want to assure every South Dakotan of this: we will not use one-time money -- whether federal or state dollars -- for ongoing expenses or new programs. It would be irresponsible to create or expand any ongoing programs with one-time dollars.

A month ago, I reported to you the exceptional revenue growth that South Dakota has enjoyed because of the steps that we took in South Dakota. Since that time, weve received even more great news, which Im prepared to share with you today.

In addition to the estimates I gave you back in December, our economy is even stronger than expected. Ongoing general fund revenues were $20.8 million higher than the revised estimates from December. So far this fiscal year, were $116 million above ongoing legislative adopted estimates. Thats fantastic news, and we should return a portion of these strong revenues to the people of South Dakota.

I am announcing three proposals today to cut taxes and fees for the hard-working men and women in South Dakota.

First of all, lets eliminate fees associated with starting or renewing a business with the Secretary of State in South Dakota. In 2020, the theme of my State of the State was Open for Business, and we are continuing that commitment today. We are already among the most business-friendly states in America, and with this step, we will make it even easier to do business here.

Lets also eliminate all fees for concealed carry permits in the state. We will pay the costs for federal background checks, as well. It will not cost you a penny to exercise your Second Amendment rights in South Dakota.

Three years ago, Constitutional Carry was the very first bill that I signed as Governor. We guaranteed the right of our people to keep and bear arms. Together, we will continue to defend this key constitutional liberty.

Finally, although we dont have many taxes in South Dakota, I am proposing that we eliminate a ridiculous tax. Did you know that we have a bingo tax? This is largely a tax on our elderly populations and veterans. Im proposing that we get rid of it, and this is just the beginning.

Vaccine legislation

Financially, we see the impact of protecting liberty in South Dakota, but unfortunately, personal liberties are under attack. But that attack IS NOT coming from state government. Its coming from the Biden Administration in Washington, D.C.

I always promised you I would protect our state from overbearing federal intrusion into our daily lives. So we took action. South Dakota has joined four lawsuits against the Biden Administration's unconstitutional vaccine mandates, and we are winning in court. The issue has advanced to the United States Supreme Court and oral arguments were heard last week.

The COVID vaccination should be a choice. And we should reject the efforts that were seeing in other parts of the country to divide us into two classes: vaccinated and unvaccinated. Unvaccinated Americans are still Americans. We live in a free country  free to make our own decisions. The government does not get to make them for us.

I am bringing legislation this session to protect the peoples right to a medical or religious exemption from COVID vaccines, just as my executive order did for state employees. We will also recognize natural immunity. I hope you will support the bill.

Game, Fish, and Parks

From day one, it has been my priority to focus on the next generation of South Dakotans. Our way of life here is special, but so are our natural resources.

Teddy Roosevelt once said, Of all the questions which can come before this great nation, there is none which compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land even a better land for our descendants than it is for us.

We take that message to heart here in South Dakota. We take care of our natural resources because we want them to be available for our kids and grandkids.

U.S. News & World Report ranks South Dakota in the Top 3 for Natural Environment and top 3 for the least pollution. We are nearly four-times higher than the national average for using renewable energy.

One of the first priorities I outlined as Governor was the Second Century Initiative. This Initiative raises money to support pheasant habitat, trap predators who threaten our pheasant populations, and educate South Dakotans about our wildlife and land. It helps preserve our states status as a top destination for pheasant hunting.

The Second Century Initiative has benefitted hunters, while also supporting our farmers and ranchers. Theyre improving water and soil quality and enhancing opportunities for all who enjoy the outdoors.

Last year, we raised $1.4 million for the Second Century Habitat Fund. These dollars go directly toward expanding habitat acres across South Dakota. We also raised almost five and a half million dollars with the Habitat Stamp. Between these efforts, we have added more than 10,000 acres of habitat for our wildlife, created additional public access for fishing and hunting, and completed hundreds of habitat improvement projects on existing public lands.

Habitat helps our economy, too. Hunting and fishing adds $1.3 billion to the state economy. As a result, South Dakota is the number one state for licensed hunters per capita. Weve seen an 8% increase in sales for resident combo hunting and fishing licenses and a 16% increase in out-of-state small game licenses over the 3-year average. Weve also had big increases in youth hunting, including a record increase in youth participation for the Nest Predator Bounty program. Youth fishing licenses and small game hunting licenses grew by 23% for residents and 83% for nonresidents. More of our kids are becoming interested in the outdoors.

Meanwhile, our state parks saw a 10% increase for park entrance licenses over last years record, with an estimated 8.5 million visitors. We plan to add more campsites at Custer State Park to expand our ability to host people from in and out of state. Since 2015, we have seen an increase of nearly 100,000 camping nights reserved throughout the state park system. I am hopeful you will support these projects.

We have a fantastic army of volunteers who work at our parks each year. This past year, we had 443 volunteers log a total of 103,000 hours of service. I am so grateful for all those folks who volunteer to welcome people who visit our state parks.

Because we trusted in liberty, people chose to visit our state by the millions. We didnt just keep the open sign on. We rolled out the welcome mat for tourists. We broke records for visitor spending, visits to our state parks, and so much more. More people came to Mount Rushmore last year than ever in our history.

Countless families made South Dakota their travel destination. And because of our world-class hospitality, we can be sure that many of them will be back.

Fairness in sports

Freedom and Liberty are about self-determination and the right to achieve  to reach our fullest potential. But there is a troubling movement in our society. Our young girls are having their freedom to achieve taken away by schools and organizations that are changing the rules of the game in competition.

When our kids participate in sports and activities, they learn valuable lessons like teamwork, perseverance, and hustle. For many activities, it may not matter whether kids are male or female  they are on an equal playing field: debate, theater, and academic competitions, to name a few. But for other activities, the playing field is not equal.

Allyson Felix is an American track and field star. Shes won 25 Olympic and World Championship medals, including 17 gold medals, the most of any track and field athlete ever  male or female. She specialized in the 400-meter race, with a lifetime best of forty-nine-point-two-six seconds. Yet HUNDREDS of high school aged boys have run faster times than that. Common sense tells us why. Boys' and girls bodies are biologically different.

In South Dakota, only girls can play in girls sports according to the executive orders I signed almost a year ago. But I am introducing -- and hope you will support -- a bill that will be the strongest law in the nation. Congress passed Title IX years ago to guarantee that girls have a level playing field on which they can succeed  to ensure their liberty to achieve.

They can win high school championships, maybe earn scholarships, maybe even go on to play professional sports. We need to protect the freedom of our young girls to go out there and do it.

Pursuit of happiness

Success in America is by no means a given. But if you work hard and put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. Thats the American Dream. Thats what the pursuit of happiness is all about.

But theres a new ideology taking hold in our country. It redefines our culture. It rejects the American Dream. It tells children that our country is racist. It divides us based on the color of our skin. It teaches a distorted view of our history  and it undermines the foundation of our society.

We must act now to protect the American Dream  to preserve the pursuit of happiness for future generations.

True, honest history

Over 30 years ago in his farewell address, President Ronald Reagan asked the nation an important question: Are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world? He reminded us that we need to educate our kids and our grandkids that, quote, America is freedom  freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise. And freedom is special and rare. Its fragile. It needs protection.

President Reagan was right. We have to make sure our children know Americas promise. We have to teach them the true, honest history of our country.

In state after state, school after school, children are being exposed to radical political ideologies like Critical Race Theory. We are not going to let that happen in South Dakota.

Our state supports opportunity for all. We dont teach our children to be divisive and organize them into separate groups based on skin color. I am bringing legislation this year to enshrine these values and protect our students from hatred and division.

Schools are where our children learn the consequences of making mistakes and the hard work of success. By the same token, they should learn from both Americas triumphs and our mistakes. And then they learn the overwhelming benefits of working together to fix those mistakes so that we all share a brighter future.

As we update our social studies standards, they must reflect Americas true and honest history. Native American history will be a part of that. Our tribal culture and heritage are essential to who we are as a state  and it must be balanced and woven into the full context of American history and civics.

Today, Im proud to be joined by a friend of mine, and a hero in his own right, Dr. Ben Carson and his wife Candy. Despite the challenges of his childhood, Dr. Carson grew up to become one of the most accomplished surgeons in American history. His story is the American Dream, and he followed it up with a career in public service.

Dr. Ben Carson is here for Noems State of the State. pic.twitter.com/l8U1d8TMQi  Erin Woodiel (@EEWoodiel) January 11, 2022

Today, Dr. Carson continues to advance the values that make America so special through his work at the American Cornerstone Institute, which just launched an online learning platform called Little Patriots to teach children about our countrys founding principles.

Additionally, he has been instrumental in the work of 1776 Action. Last year, they released the 1776 Pledge as part of a nationwide effort to restore honest, patriotic education in our K-12 schools. I was proud to be the first candidate for public office in the nation to sign that Pledge, and Dr. Carson joined me in co-authoring an op-ed outlining that decision. I applaud his efforts to ensure that all of our kids and grandkids understand and love our nations history and values. Please join me in thanking Dr. Carson for being here today.

Education

The pandemic was very hard on schoolchildren across this country. South Dakota was recently ranked first in the nation for the least amount of learning loss among students during the pandemic.

Dr. Ben Carson sits in the gallery of the House before Governor Kristi Noem gives the State of the State address on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Because our students were in the classroom for all of last school year, our kids saw positive outcomes in their learning. In 2021, six of our schools were nationally recognized for excelling in the classroom. Arlington and Pinedale Elementary Schools, Gettysburg Middle School, and O'Gorman High School, Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schools were all named National Blue Ribbon Schools. Explorer and Platte-Geddes Elementary were both named National Distinguished Schools and will be honored next month at the National Elementary and Secondary Education Act Conference.

It is wonderful to see our elementary schools leading the nation in education, but we are also seeing success at middle schools and high schools through our Jobs for Americas Graduates programs, more commonly known as JAG. We brought this program to our state with legislation in 2019. This program focuses on helping students who are at high risk not to graduate. It has been tremendously successful at putting students on a path to graduation and future success.

In the last two years, JAG program enrollment has grown by 50 percent, and three new schools have been added. Today, South Dakotas JAG programs have seen a nearly 100 percent graduation rate for program participants.

This year, the Lyman school board added its first JAG program. Students took advantage of opportunities to work with local and statewide volunteer organizations. Others explored cutting-edge careers in health care and cybersecurity. We have seen students not only make a change in their attitude toward school but also think about their future beyond high school and their place in their communities. JAG is helping these students at risk of dropping out to achieve graduation and be ready for their futures. And more school districts should look at bringing JAG into their communities.

Investing in skilled training

As the world economy changes, South Dakotans need new skills and new training to be prepared for the careers of the future. South Dakota is Number 1 in the nation for our graduation rate in 2-year college programs, and we are in the Top 10 for higher education. We are expanding the cybersecurity program at Dakota State University with a $30 million dollar investment. And the Freedom Scholarship that you supported last year is starting to change the lives of South Dakota students that didnt have an opportunity to further their education before because of economic challenges.

Together, well continue setting our students up for a brighter and happier future.

Law enforcement

But we cannot enjoy life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness if we are not safe on our streets, in our schools, at our businesses, or in our homes. Our way of life  our civil society  depends on the brave men and women of law enforcement. We respect law and order in South Dakota, and we will continue to support those who uphold the law and keep our streets safe.

Today, we have with us some law enforcement officers who have recently moved to South Dakota. Would you please stand?

When the riots and violence started across the country months and months ago, we launched a nationwide campaign to recruit law enforcement officers to move to our state. We wanted every police officer in America to know that if they wanted to live somewhere they were appreciated and respected, then come to South Dakota.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers responded to our invitation. And we are so proud to be known as a state that stands and defends the people who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe.

National Guard and veterans

We are also free to pursue our American Dream because of the women and men in our armed forces who defend our country at home and abroad. Could we have any members of the South Dakota National Guard please stand and join the officers that are currently standing?

Our South Dakota National Guard continues to demonstrate excellence. The 114th Fighter Wing in Sioux Falls earned the prestigious Spaatz Trophy for Most Outstanding Air Guard unit yet again in 2021, for the fifth time in fifteen years. And the Brookings-based 152nd won the Walter T. Kerwin, Jr. Readiness Award, the fourth straight year that a South Dakota Guard unit has been named the best National Guard unit in the country.

Legislators gather in the House to listen as Governor Kristi Noem gives the State of the State address on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Our Guard has stepped in to help with everything asked of them: storm recovery, firefighting, drug stops , COVID medical support, and of course helping to secure our nations borders and ensuring our shared defense.

We are also the proud home of many veterans. Could I ask our veterans to stand and join the others?

Our Department of Veterans Affairs has earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid -- the highest level possible. The Yankton School District won the 2021 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, one of just 15 nationally given out. The opening of the State Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls has given us a dignified final resting spot for eligible veterans and their spouses. Our efforts to pass laws to honor our veterans are being noticed. South Dakota has been named the number one state in the nation for veterans to live and work.

South Dakota honors those who honor the call to serve -- the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Would you all join me in thanking these veterans, national guard members, and law enforcement for their bravery and sacrifice.

Moving to South Dakota

It wasnt just law enforcement that moved to South Dakota. Thousands of new residents made the move. Our state is top-3 in the nation for inbound migration, according to United Van Lines.

Georgi Boorman is a native of Washington State who was fed up with lockdowns. Fed up with not being able to go to church. Fed up with the ever-changing rules, as she describes it. In Washington, her family had to restrict capacity at their cafe. She had to wear a mask everywhere she went, even when other people werent around. Georgi had enough. And she was ready to make a change.

She took a road trip to the Black Hills. And as she was driving home to Washington, she said I dont want to go back. She wanted to move to South Dakota, but she wanted to stay close to her family.

So the family came, too -- her kids grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Then more family followed. Eventually, South Dakota gained dozens of new residents from a family that loved freedom and was tired of tyranny. More are still planning to come! The only home they had ever known was Washington -- but it didnt feel like home anymore. They fell in love with South Dakota.

Business success

Many people who moved here brought their businesses with them  big and small. Aesir Technologies chose Rapid City as the location for their new Gigafactory after a nationwide search. They considered what every other state in this country had to offer, and then they chose South Dakota as the best place for them to expand. Theyll create 400 new good-paying high-tech jobs in the process.

Albany Farms moved the headquarters of its food manufacturing operations from Los Angeles to Belle Fourche. This new facility will give wheat farmers a new place to sell their product and bring in more than 500 jobs.

Governor Kristi Noem walks through the capitol with her staff after giving the State of the State address on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Businesses that have always called South Dakota home also expanded. Ten South Dakota businesses were named among the fastest growing in the nation earlier this year. Furniture Mart USA is doubling its campus in Sioux Falls, creating a 650,000 square foot facility. North Sioux City is adding over 300 acres to their industrial park to host many businesses. And theyre preparing to build 300 new career homes to support that growth.

Black Hills Harley Davidson led the WORLD in Harley sales. In fact, no Harley Davidson dealership ANYWHERE has ever seen the revenue that Black Hills Harley achieved in 2021. That was driven by our strong economy -- by tourism, particularly visitors to the Sturgis Rally  and it was driven by the work ethic of the men and women who run this dealership.

Black Hills Harley is not just a record-setting motorcycle dealership. In the middle of a dangerous wildfire near Rapid City earlier this year, Black Hills Harley allowed their store to be used as the headquarters for the fire response. They gave our firefighters and first responders free use of their facilities and didnt ask for anything in return.

No matter how these businesses got here or got started, they are thriving because here in South Dakota, the government gets out of the way, allows them to grow and innovate, and helps out where we can.

Closing

We are free here in South Dakota, but we cannot take that freedom for-granted. President Reagan reminded us, Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didnt pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our childrens children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.

In South Dakota, we will protect freedom. We will pass it on to our children. We will not allow freedom to go extinct.

Thats what it means to be South Dakotans. We work together to help our communities grow, thrive, and remain safe, strong, and healthy. We support our local businesses, and they support us in return. We set an example for the nation in how we do business, how we approach public policy, and how we interact with each other every single day.

We are blessed to be living in South Dakota. The state of our state is the strongest it has ever been  even with so many challenges in the world around us.

But our state isnt measured by one snapshot in time.

It is our duty to ensure that it is strong for generations to come.

Lets work together this session to keep the doors of opportunity open for our people  and to guarantee the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

May God bless you all. And God bless the great state of South Dakota.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's full State of the State address 2022
A gentleman stood out when he stiffed a Key West bartender three times on New Years Eve. In fact, the 21-year-old tourist made such a grand impression that when police later released video of vandals who burned down a Christmas tree, causing $5,000 in extensive damages to a city landmark buoy behind it, the bartender spotted him immediately.

From AP:

Like other locals across the city, bartender Cameron Briody watched the video, and recognized the 21-year-old man who had stiffed him at Irish Kevin's on Key West's famous Duval Street. "I knew immediately that I had served him and that he had used a card, so his name would be on the slips," Briody told the Herald.

The bar's general manager, Daylin Starks, turned to recordings from the "ton of cameras" that watch over the bar each night, and matched credit card receipts to time-stamped videos of the man and his 22-year-old friend.

"We could follow them the whole time, in and out of the bar," Starks said. "We could see them getting rejected from all the girls they were trying to hit on."

Armed with their identifications and matching their movements to the vandalism down the street, police swiftly announced arrest warrants for the vandalism suspects, and city workers quickly restored the 20-ton concrete monument, which proclaims it stands just 90 miles from Cuba. Key West visitors couldn't wait to pose for more pictures at the spot.
U.S. Marshals and Memphis authorities held a media briefing regarding rapper Young Dolph's murder case Wednesday.

U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller, Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis and Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich held a joint press conference at the Odell Horton Federal building in Memphis, following the arrest of Justin Johnson.

Young Dolph's killing: What we know about the shooting, suspects, indictments

Johnson was captured Tuesday in Indiana for his suspected role in the shooting death of Young Dolph, whose legal name is Adolph Thornton Jr.

Johnson was captured after a coordinated investigation by the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force and the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to a U.S. Marshals release.

Along with Johnson, U.S. Marshals announced the arrest of Shondale Barnett during the briefing. He was charged with helping Johnson evade law enforcement.

A second suspect in Thornton's case, Cornelius Smith, was also indicted by a Shelby County grand jury on several charges, including first degree murder, according to Weirich's office.

Smith was arrested on Dec. 9 in Southaven, Mississippi.

Young Dolph's killing: What we know about the shooting, suspects, indictments

Memphis' rapper: Young Dolph remembered for generosity, commitment to Memphis, as 'a man after Gods own heart'

Thornton was killed on Nov. 17 after two suspects shot him at Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies in Memphis.

Ray Padilla is the digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Ray_Padilla_.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Watch Live: Young Dolph shooting updates from U.S. Marshals, MPD
Yakima County 2021 homicides

Alfred Anaya, 67, of Toppenish died Jan. 1 after he was hit in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 97 near Wapato High School. Luberto Fernandez Rodriguez has been charged with first-degree murder in his death. The Washington State Patrol is investigating.

Rocio Ramos-Martinez, 30, died Jan. 4, three days after Yakima police say she was brutally attacked near the former Astria Regional Medical Center. Luberto Fernandez Rodriguez, 37, has been charged with aggravated first-degree murder in the case. Yakima police are investigating.

Angel Anthony Faz, 27, of Grandview died Jan. 7 after he was shot multiple times in the 2300 block of Yakima Valley Highway. Sunnyside police arrested a 26-year-old Mabton man in connection with the killing, but Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Brusic declined to file charges pending additional evidence.

Charles Ellis Wade Mills, 45, of Yakima was fatally shot at his home in the 900 block of South 29th Avenue Jan. 27. Yakima police arrested his stepson, Jonathan A. Hidalgo, 18, who is awaiting trial on a second-degree murder charge in the case.

Victor J. Ramos, 28, was found shot in the 1200 block of Roosevelt Court in Sunnyside Jan. 31, and later died at Astria Sunnyside Hospital. Adrian Bueno, 28, and Francisco Rudy Gallardo, 41, have been charged in the killing. Sunnyside police are investigating.

Roger Harrington, 66, and Tyler Aalbu, 32, were found inside a burned home at 2210 S. Fifth Ave. in Union Gap following a March 28 fire. Union Gap police said the fire was deliberately set and the men died of smoke inhalation.

Tiana Lee Rain Cloud, 20, was killed in a shooting in the 3100 block of South Wapato Road around 11 p.m. March 30. The FBI is investigating because the victim was a citizen of the Yakama Nation and the killing occurred within the Yakama Nation's reservation boundaries.

Anthony C. Rodriguez, 37, was shot and killed outside the Motel 6 at North 11th Street and Staff Sgt. Pendleton Way April 5. Yakima police arrested Rene Hernandez Castillo Jr., 37, on charges of second-degree murder and drive-by shooting.

Caspar Garcia Villicana, 42, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in his home in the 1100 block of South 32nd Avenue May 1. Yakima police arrested Gilberto Guzman, 44, on suspicion of second-degree murder in the case.

Diana Calixtro, 27, of Yakima died May 8 after being shot outside a home in the 1100 block of South Fair Avenue. Russell Paul Whitefoot, 32, of Wapato has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. Yakima police are investigating.

Andre Terrence Harrell, 29, of Granger, was fatally shot in an apparent drive-by shooting at the intersection of Fourth Street and Bailey Avenue May 22. Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Granger police are investigating.

Marcus Lagmay, 32, of Wapato, was shot in the 100 block of Egan Road in the Wapato area. The FBI and Yakama Nation Tribal Police are investigating.

Oscar Ricardo Hondal-Lopez, 30, of Yakima was fatally shot June 10 while driving in the 1200 block of Cornell Avenue. Yakima police have arrested two of four suspects, Sergio Alejandro Perez and Rogelio Jose Sosa.

Jose Mendoza-Martinez, 38, was fatally shot after Yakima police said he broke into a home at the Almost Sunshine RV Park, 218. E. N St., June 24. Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Brusic found, after reviewing the Yakima police investigation, that the killing was an act of self-defense.

Jose De Rivera De La Cruz, 23, of Wapato was shot and killed outside the Valley Mall on Aug. 22. Union Gap police arrested Jonathan Edgar Navvaro, 26, who is charged with first-degree murder in the case.

Yolanda Cervera Tapia, 51, of Yakima was found strangled to death in her home Aug. 30. Yakima police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of her ex-boyfriend, David Rosales-Rosales, 50, on a second-degree murder charge.

Richard Hayden McFarland, 58, a transient was fatally stabbed in the 1300 block of North First Street Sept. 4.Justin Allen Stone, 30, is charged with second-degree murder in his death. Yakima police are investigating.

Todd William Kopinski, 49, of Selah was fatally shot Sept. 17 at a home in the 500 block of Irene Lane. Kerrie Ann Mathews, 51, was arrested in connection with his death, but was released. Prosecutors said additional information was needed to file charges and overcome a possible self-defense argument. Yakima County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

Sonia Valenzuela, 18, of Toppenish was fatally shot Oct. 3 in the 200 block of North E. Street. Toppenish police are investigating.

Roy Richmond Land, 56, of Terrace Heights died Oct. 26 in Seattle from injuries resulting from his being stabbed in his Terrace Heights home Aug. 30. The 15-year-old daughter of his girlfriend has been charged with second-degree murder. Yakima County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

Sebastian Suarez, 18, of Yakima was shot and killed Oct. 28 by two assailants at the intersection of West Nob Hill Boulevard and South 20th Avenue. Luis Daniel Valencia, 16, and a 14-year-old male are charged with second-degree murder in Suarez's death. Yakima police are investigating.

Jose "Joey" Cantu, 34, of Yakima, was shot to death in the 400 block of West Chestnut Avenue Oct. 30. Yakima police are investigating.

Feliciano Galvan-Morales, 32, of Yakima was found shot to death in an orchard in Parker Nov. 2. Yakima County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

Anyone with information about any of the cases is asked to call the investigating agency or Yakima County Crime Stoppers at 800-248-9980. Tips can also be submitted online at www.crimestoppersyakco.org
Jordan A. Besel died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Monday after he was shot in the chest at the Walmart in East Yakima earlier this month. His death has been ruled a homicide, and police are continuing to investigate.
You are the owner of this article.
To the editor -- After losing the 2020 election, Trump and his followers pushed The Big Lie. Thus began a dangerous assault on our electoral process.

Republican Chris Krebs, former head of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, testified before Congress that the 2020 election was the most secure in our history. Republican and Democratic state attorneys general verified their elections were monitored by ethical, bipartisan election workers.

Sixty lawsuits filed by Trump alleging fraud were rejected by courts for lack of evidence. Multiple sham audits were conducted and paid for by taxpayers. There was no evidence of serious irregularities.

Republican state legislatures have proposed or enacted hundreds of restrictive election laws -- eliminating voting by mail, restricting numbers and locations of drop boxes and times for people to vote. They have gerrymandered districts to exclude minority and underprivileged populations.

Bipartisan electoral boards elected by local citizens have been dissolved and replaced by partisan people.

Most pernicious are purposed laws allowing partisan legislators to overrule the will of voters should election results fail to favor their party.

Why "fix" an electoral process proven to be secure, overwhelmingly accurate and legal? The Senate must pass The Voting Rights Act and the John Lewis bill and stop these obvious partisan maneuvers to maintain power.

ANNE ANNA

Yakima
Kent, Washington Mayor Dana Ralph seems to be apologizing for pissing off the town when she let the assistant police chief off easy for openly associating himself with Nazis, while on duty and in the police station, while not actually apologizing for letting him off easy. I think she is a mayor who doesn't realize people don't want Nazis to be police at all, let alone assistant police chiefs or anyone associated with the government.

Seattle Times:

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph says her administration badly underestimated the public outrage that would spring from the decision not to fire an assistant police chief who posted Nazi insignia on his office door, embraced the rank of an officer in Adolf Hitler's murderous Schutzstaffel, or SS, and joked about the Holocaust.

Additionally, when a long-time Nazi-enthusiast claims to not know he is playing Nazi, you know he is a liar.

Kammerzell, a 27-year Kent police veteran, was targeted for investigation after a detective complained that the assistant chief had posted the rank insignia of a Nazi "obergruppenfuhrer" over the name plate on his office door and referred to himself by that rank  one of the highest in the Third Reich, held by officials who oversaw the slave-labor and death camps. The investigation also showed that Kammerzell at one point shaved his facial hair into a Hitler mustache and had been photographed in lederhosen apparently giving a stiff-armed Nazi salute during the city's 2019 Oktoberfest celebration. In the past he had joked that his grandfather died in the Holocaust  by falling drunk out of a Nazi guard tower. Kammerzell told investigators he didn't understand the significance of the rank, which he adopted after watching the television series "Man in the High Castle," which explores what the U.S. would be like if the Allies had lost World War II. The investigation said Kammerzell's explanation was not credible.

Here is the deal: if you think Nazis are cool and you want people to associate you with Nazis, you are already a Nazi.
Greensboro, NC (27407)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Four brothers busted out of the Graham jail on Jan. 14, 1889 and foolishly hightailed it for home. Recaptured the next morning over breakfast, they were back behind bars by noon.

The Marlows were a tight-knit clan of footloose frontiersmen. Boone, Epp, Alf, Charley and George took after their father, a Tennessee nomad who refused to settle down. After his death, the brothers carried on the family tradition.

Except for minor scrapes that were part of the struggle to survive in the 1880s, the Marlows managed to stay out of serious trouble. Thats not to say they were choir boys nor that the hungry brood did not help themselves on occasion to a stray calf. But a healthy appetite hardly made them outlaws, at least not by the standards of those tough times.

While the family resided in the Red River county of Wilbarger, Boone paid a visit to a married sister living closeby. Confronted by a wild-eyed stranger who greeted him with gunfire, Boone reached for his Winchester. The man was either drunk or deranged, a fine distinction that mattered little under the circumstances, so he took aim, squeezed the trigger and dropped the maniac in his tracks.

Since the victim could have been a pillar of the community just as easily as a saddle tramp, the Marlows thought twice about reporting the incident to the local law. It was safer to leave, and the family spent the next six years in Colorado.

Ed Johnson, Deputy U.S. Marshal at Graham, received a telegram in the fall of 1888 from the sheriff of Trinidad, Colorado telling him to be on the lookout for five horse-stealing brothers named Marlow. A few days later, a second wire apologized for the false alarm and blamed the foul-up on a case of mistaken identity. But Johnson, whose chief concern was making a name for himself, arrested the suspects anyway.

The Marlows spent three miserable months in the Young County jail at Graham harassed and mistreated by Deputy Sheriff Tom Collier. The boys wives finally raised the money for their bail, and on Dec. 15, 1888 the clan gathered for a tearful reunion.

The Marlows were at the dinner table, when Sheriff M.D. Wallace and the hated Collier showed up with a warrant for Boones arrest. The half-forgotten murder had come back to haunt him.

But Boone was not about to fall again into the clutches of the sadistic deputy. Guns were drawn and bullets filled the air. Sheriff Wallace collapsed mortally wounded, and Collier threw up his hands. Charley stopped Boone from finishing off the deputy and ordered another brother to fetch the doctor.

Finding not a trace of Boone Marlow, an angry posse rounded up his innocent siblings. After the sheriff died on Christmas Eve, the four were charged as accessories to murder and bound over for trial.

The Jan. 14 jailbreak gave a group of 40 concerned citizens the perfect pretext for a mass lynching, but the Marlows refused to go meekly to their doom. Though shackled in pairs and completely unarmed, they put up such a fight that the frightened mob withdrew empty-handed.

Deputy Marshal Johnson, whose blind ambition triggered the tragedy, received instructions the following day to remove the Marlows from Young County. Accompanied by several guards, Johnson put the brothers and two other prisoners in an open wagon and started the 60-mile trek to Weatherford.

The trip was cut short on the outskirts of Graham. Snipers concealed in thick underbrush alongside the road opened up on prisoners and lawmen alike. When Johnson and a guard were the first to fall, the Marlows jumped from the wagon and grabbed their weapons.

Expecting a turkey shoot, the bushwhackers were surprised by the deadly return fire and quickly scattered. The victors cries of Cowards! goaded one vigilante into single combat. He traded pot shots with George Marlow until a slug struck him squarely in the forehead.

Epp and Alf perished in the battle, and George and Charley were temporarily detained in Dallas after surrendering to an impartial posse. Before their release, however, three bounty hunters rode into Graham with the body of brother Boone.

Human nature dictated the ultimate outcome in court. Since ordinary folks normally lack the stomach to send neighbors up the river, the few vigilantes brought to trial got off with fines and light sentences. On the other side of the ledger, lack of evidence and a degree of grudging respect prevented the prosecution of the surviving Marlows.

George Marlow lived to a ripe old age and witnessed the many wonders of the 20th Century before his death in 1945. His brothers also would have marveled at electric lights, horseless carriages and airplanes, but more than a century ago being in the wrong place at the wrong time was often a capital crime.

Murder Most Texan is a must read for fans of true crime and Texas history. Order your copy for $24.00 by mailing a check to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.
VILLANOVA, Pa.  Villanova University today announced the appointment of five new members to its Board of Trustees. Christopher J. Maguire 89 CLAS, Founder and President of 1251 Capital Group; Alfonso Martinez-Fonts Jr. 71 CLAS, retired Executive Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Robert F. Moran 72 VSB, Chief Executive Officer of UNATION, Inc.; Diane P. Rowen 86 CLAS, a philanthropist and active supporter of Catholic education; and Siran H. Sahakian, Vice President of The Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation, joined the 36-member Board effective Jan. 1.



Once again, we have an impressive group of alumni and parents joining the Villanova University Board of Trustees, said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, Villanova University President. I look forward to working with Chris, Al, Bob, Diane and Siran during their tenure as trustees to ensure that Villanova continues to deliver on our Augustinian Catholic mission, while always looking toward the future and what is best for the Villanova community.



NEW MEMBERS, BOARD OF TRUSTEES



Christopher J. Maguire 89 CLAS, is founder and President of 1251 Capital Group, a financial services holding company focused on the asset management and insurance sectors with offices in Boston, Ottawa and Philadelphia. Maguire is also involved in the real estate business as a partner in the Maguire Hayden Real Estate Fund. He currently serves as Chairman of the Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation and is on the boards of the Maguire Foundation and Caron Treatment Centers. He previously served as a member of the Villanova Presidents Advisory Council. Maguire earned a BA in English from Villanova University. He currently resides in Villanova, Pa.



Alfonso Martinez-Fonts Jr. 71 CLAS retired in 2014 as Executive Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Secretary and Special Assistant to the Secretary for the Private Sector at the Department of Homeland Security from 2003 to 2009. Martinez-Fonts spent 30 years in banking with various predecessors of JP Morgan Chase, including time as Chairman and CEO of JPMC in El Paso, Texas, and President of JPMC in San Antonio. He represented the bank in Manila and Mexico City. Currently, Martinez-Fonts serves as Co-President of Hallockville Museum Farm and President of the Nassau Point Property Owners Association. He previously served as a board member for Project ARRIBA, ACCION International and ACCION USA and was an advisory board member for the Frito-Lay Hispanic/Latino Advisory Board and Fannie Mae. Born in Havana, Cuba, Martinez-Fonts earned his BA in Political Science from Villanova University and MBA in Finance from Long Island University. He currently resides in Cutchogue, N.Y., where he is a farmer.



Robert F. Moran 72 VSB currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of UNATION, Inc., a Tampa-based technology company focused on event discovery and event promotion. Prior to UNATION, he was Lead Independent Director of the Board of GNC Holdings Inc. Moran joined GNCs Board of Directors in 2013, later serving as the companys Non-Executive Chairman and Interim CEO. He also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PetSmart, Inc., joining the company in 1999 as President of North American stores. Additionally, Moran held executive leadership roles for Toys R Us, Ltd, Canada, Sears de Mexico, and Galerias Preciados in Madrid, Spain. In 2011 and 2012, he was named to Fortune Magazines list of the Top 50 People in Business. Moran is a member of the board of directors of The Fressnapf Group, as well as Hanesbrands, Inc., and the U.S. Track & Field Foundation. He graduated from the Villanova School of Business in 1972 with a BS in Business Administration and continues to support numerous initiatives across campus, including VSB and the Villanova Track and Field program. Moran resides in Paradise Valley, Ariz.



Diane P. Rowen 86 CLAS, is a philanthropist whose family has provided scholarships and bolstered STEM education at 18 Catholic institutions in Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey, including Villanova, Kellenberg Memorial High School and Fordham Preparatory School. In 2013, Rowen was honored with the St. Catherine of Siena Award from St. Agnes Cathedral School in her home parish of St. Agnes Cathedral in recognition of her commitment to Catholic education. Rowen has served as a member of the Presidents Advisory Council and the Parent Ambassadors Group at Villanova. In the summer of 2021, Villanova announced that its campus green was being renamed the Rowen Campus Green, to honor the Rowen familys philanthropy at Villanova. The Rowen family has provided critical student support through scholarships and emergency funding to those Villanovans impacted by COVID, as well as funding for the renovation of labs and academic facilities in Mendel Hall. Diane Rowen graduated from Villanova University in 1986 with a BA in Communication. Two of the Rowens children, son James 16 VSB and daughter Megan 20 CLAS, are also Villanova graduates. She resides in Rockville Centre, N.Y.



Siran H. Sahakian is Vice President of her familys foundation, The Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation, whose mission is to provide support to charitable causes relating to Armenian culture and education, as well as other organizations in the United States focused on education, health care and real estate development training. Sahakian serves on the boards of the Rumson Country Day School and the Riverview Medical Center Foundation. She previously served on the board of 180 Turning Lives Around, an organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence, as well as the boards of the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation and the Peddie School (N.J.). After graduating from Boston University, Sahakian joined Hovsons, Inc., a real estate development company founded by her late father, Hirair Hovnanian 56 COE, who earned his BS in Civil Engineering from Villanova. In addition to her father, two of Sahakians four children are Villanova graduates (Gorr Sahakian 15 VSB and Teny Sahakian 17 VSB), while a third, Shant Sahakian, is currently a senior in the VSB. Sahakian resides in Red Bank, N.J.



About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
Attila Sztojka, the government commissioner for Roma relations and head of the Directorate General for Social Opportunities, part of the Ministry of Interior, was recorded as saying that he would offer contracts and funds to some Roma Authority (ORO) representatives if the governments preferred candidate is nominated to head the organisations list of potential MPs.

At stake is a parliamentary seat, which could be decisive for Fidesz in a close election, Telex observes.



The government previously wanted to make Felix Farkas, the favourite of Lungo Drom, which has good relations with Fidesz, the leader of the Roma national list, but the ORO chose Janos Agocs as its president. This decision was then annulled by the Constitutional Court.



The ORO will therefore have to amend its rules of procedure at a new general meeting and, in due course, decide again at another general meeting on its national list for the 2022 parliamentary elections.



Several MPs who took part in the meetings related to the audio recording confirmed the authenticity of the recording, which I have no doubts about, Agocs, who was not invited to these meetings, told Telex.



In the leaked sound recording Sztojka offers contracts through the Roma Public Life Academy and the directorate general run by him to those who are in this circle, adding I will offer you more opportunities, have no doubts.



He said Dont get me wrong, this is not meant to buy anybody, I do not want to buy anybody, but also said that political and professional performances are expected in return.



Sztojka also said at the meeting that, as an Interior Ministry official, I know many things about everybody. I also know who talked to who, when and how.
President Janos Ader has set the date for the government-initiated referendum on Hungarys child protection law for April 3. Hungarys parliament last November voted to hold a referendum concerning Hungarys child protection law.

The motion was passed by pro-government lawmakers and several independents, while the opposition boycotted the vote.



The public will be asked the following questions in the plebiscite:



Do you support children in public schools participating in classes demonstrating sexual orientations without parental consent?

Do you support information about gender change treatments being given to children?

Do you support media content of a sexual nature and affecting the development of children being presented to them without any restrictions?

Do you support media content presenting gender change being presented to children?



In a statement released by his office, Ader said the deadlines set by the laws on electoral and referendum procedures, a referendum on the four questions and the general election could only be held simultaneously on April 3 or April 10.



In view of this, I have set the referendum on the four issues specified in Parliamentary Resolution 32/2021 of November 30 for April 3, 2022, the president said.
In 1975, the late New Journalism pioneer and author Joan Didion delivered a commencement address at the University of California, Riverside. While the ending has been frequently quoted and a few excepts published, the complete text has been "lost" in the bowels of the UCR library for almost 50 years. On the occasion of Didion's death last month, the university archivists dug up a copy and posted it online for posterity. You can read the whole thing here. From the speech:

I've had to struggle all my life against my own misapprehensions, my own false ideas, my own distorted perceptions. I've had to work very hard, make myself unhappy, give up ideas that made me comfortable, trying to apprehend social reality. I've spent my entire adult life, it seems to me, in a state of profound culture shock. I wish I were unique in this, but I'm not. You may not be afflicted with my misapprehensions, and I may not be afflicted with yours, but none of this starts "tabula rasa." We all distort what we see. We all have to struggle to see what's really going on.

That's the human condition, providing the human is awake and living in the world which, by the way, is not as automatic as you might think, but I'll get to that in a minute. Some of you are going to spend the whole rest of your life in culture shock, and what I'm saying today is that I think all of you should.

I'm talking about trying not to be crippled by ideas; I'm talking about looking out, about looking out at the world and trying to see it straight, about making that effort to look out for the whole rest of your life.

I doubt very much if you want to hear about the rest of your life today. And you must be very tired; all I could think about when I was making notes for this talk was how tired you must be[]

I'd like to talk soothingly to you, I'd like to make you feel that for this one day that somebody is taking care of you, someone knows how tired you are. But I'm obliged, not only by the convention of the Commencement address but by my own rather harsh Protestant ethics, to try to make you think instead about the rest of your lives. I'm not going to give you the usual Commencement line about how you stand on the brink of something. I don't know what that means. We all stand on the brink of something every day we get out of bed, and it usually turns out to be a precipice.

And I'm not going to tell you that today you begin to live in the world because, as I said before, I don't think that happens automatically. Some of you live in the world already and some of you never will. It takes an act of will to live in the world, which is what I'm talking about today. By living in the world, I mean really trying to see it, look at it, trying to make connections.
International relations and dialogue cannot be built either on lies or the denial of truth, President Janos Ader said at a New Years reception to members of the diplomatic corps in Budapest on Monday evening.

Ader told the event at the Palace of Arts that during his term in office he had represented values that were important to him as a Hungarian citizen, as someone who thinks of future generations, as a father and a grandfather.



The president thanked the diplomats and the countries they represent for their partnership in countless areas such as when it came to accepting, declaring and representing truth.



Ader noted that in 2013 he and his Serbian counterpart had paid tribute to the Hungarian and Serbian victims of the second world war, apologised for the crimes committed against each others peoples and vowed to make peace and move on from the past.



The president also noted that last year he and his Slovak counterpart had inaugurated the restored Ferenc Rakoczi II castle in Borsi, in southeast Slovakia, and agreed that Hungary and Slovakias shared heritage connected the two countries.



Ader also highlighted the 60th anniversary of the Holocaust when he declared in Budapest, at the former concentration camp of Mauthausen in Austria, in Auschwitz and Jerusalem that discrimination based on any ground such as religion or ethnic origin was unacceptable.



He also highlighted his addresses to the United Nations climate summits, his role in mobilising countries to set more ambitious climate protection goals and his work in the Presidential Water Council. Ader said that during his presidency he had pushed to ensure that environmental protection was not just a PR stunt, but the cornerstone of our mindset and actions.



Ader added that during his visits abroad he had highlighted innovative Hungarian technologies, which he said served not only Hungarian economic interests but also a greener future. When visiting Hungarian communities across the world, Ader said he had always highlighted that ethnic Hungarians were an asset to bilateral ties.



Referring to his visits to Hungarian troops in foreign missions, he said that Hungary was a reliable and faithful partner in peacekeeping efforts.



The president said those encounters had cemented his faith that cooperation could be more than a symbolic gesture, a carefully worded statement, or paragraphs in coldly polite protocol agreement. Cooperation could mean a lot more; it could be braver, more active, and more efficient, he said.



Concluding his speech, Ader quoted Robert Schuman as saying that global peace cannot be ensured unless creative efforts are made against the forces jeopardising it, and wished a will to build peace, strength and health to cope with difficulties, to reject lies and accept truth, and creative efforts matching the perils to participants.





MTI Photo: Noemi Bruzak
YORK  Keith Devito, 55, of Apache Junction, Arizona, has pleaded not guilty in a case where he is accused of fleeing from law enforcement on Interstate 80 while in the possession of illegal firearms, including a loaded handgun in his belt.

The case began when a deputy with the York County Sheriffs Department was informed about a careless driver on Interstate 80. The driver was said to be well in excess of the posted speed limit and it was crossing onto the shoulder consistently.

The deputy saw the speeding vehicle and attempted to catch up to it. In court documents, the deputy says the vehicle continued at a high rate of speed while rapidly changing lanes and driving on the shoulder.

When the driver  Devito  failed to slow or stop after the deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop, a pursuit began.

The deputy said the vehicle was traveling in excess of 100 mph, passing other motorists on the shoulder. Tire deflation devices were deployed on three separate occasions by law enforcement officers which led to three of the four vehicle tires being deflated. Even with three of the four tires destroyed, the vehicle continued to drive on the rims. Ultimately the vehicle came to a stop in Lancaster County.

When the vehicle was stopped, Devito (according to court documents) failed to obey numerous commands to exit the vehicle at which time troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol deployed chemical munitions into the vehicle. The driver would still not exit so he was extracted by several officers. During that extraction, a firearm in a holster having from his belt was seen.

That firearm, which was a 9 mm handgun, had a fully-loaded magazine inserted and a bullet in the chamber. The gun was secured.

It was also found he had a fixed blade knife in a sheath on his belt as well. The blade on the knife measured approximately 3  inches long.

Officers said Devito smelled like alcohol and had bloodshot/watery eyes, and there were several alcohol containers in the passenger area.

Deputies said while he was being transported to jail, he allegedly made comments about how he should have pulled his gun so law enforcement would have shot him.

A review of Devitos criminal history showed three pending DUI cases in Arizona  one from July and two from September  as well as pending charges of aggravated assault/deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a minor, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on an officer. He also has a criminal history in the state of Pennsylvania for forgery-related charges.

In York County, he is charged with possession of a firearm while committing a felony, a Class 2 felony; possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, a Class 3 felony; and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony; and several misdemeanors  willful reckless driving, obstructing a peace officer and driving under the influence.

Devitos arraignment was held this past week during which he pleaded different ways to different charges, while arguing that he wanted to tell the truth, and was confused. He said he was guilty of some charges and innocent of others.

Due to the confusion displayed by Devito, Judge James Stecker pleaded not guilty to all the charges, for the defendant, and set a jury trial for late April.
Students who want to serve their country as officers in the military can apply to the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Applicants need excellent grades, solid test scores, and with the exception of the Coast Guard Academy, a nomination from their senator or representative.

As Nebraskas senior senator, I have had the privilege of nominating hundreds of qualified young men and women over the years. My staff and I carefully review Nebraska students applications to see if they are a good fit, and I then nominate many of them.

At the service academies of the U.S. military, young men and women are transformed into Americas future leaders. Graduates have a guaranteed job for at least five years, and after that time, they can choose to remain in the military or pursue other opportunities. Many go on to successful careers in business, medicine, law, and other fields.

In fact, if you look at which schools prepare their students to earn the highest starting salaries, service academies are at the top of the list. Graduates of the Naval Academy, for example, earn a median starting salary of nearly $80,000.

There are other benefits, too. At many private universities, expenses like tuition and room and board can cost more than $70,000 a year. But at service academies, your education is completely free, and the military pays for students to pursue summer internships, learn new languages, and travel around the world. Those who attend even receive a monthly stipend.

This year, I was proud to nominate 27 exceptional Nebraskans to the service academy of their choice. These young men and women are from all over the state of Nebraska and expressed an interest in many different fields of study, from engineering to the sciences.

Students can ask for a nomination to a single school if they are certain about where they would like to attend, but many applicants arent sure which academy would be their preference. Students can receive a nomination to more than one if they choose  this year, I nominated several students to four different academies.

This nomination is important, but it is just one step in a rigorous process. These students will go through the same application process as students who want to attend traditional colleges, and only the most qualified applicants will gain admission.

If you or someone you know are interested in attending a service academy, please reach out to my office. Applications open as early as February of your junior year of high school, and aspiring military academy students are encouraged to get a head start by applying early.

The U.S. militarys service academies arent for everyone, but they offer opportunities that students cant find anywhere else. The skills future officers learn there will be invaluable no matter what they choose to do with their lives.

It was an honor to nominate 27 outstanding young Nebraskans for the class of 2026. I look forward to nominating even more students next year.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
Indian carmaker Maruti has dominated the market for a long time. Their sales on record have been one of the highest in the Indian market, probably as a result of their consumer-friendly pricing. These results have been shown yet again as eight of Maruti Suzukis models have been featured in the list of top ten passenger vehicles in 2021.

As per the records and statement provided by Maruti Suzuki India, this is a first. As there have never been eight models of a company in the top ten list in a year. The WagonR, Swift, Baleno, Alto 800, Dzire, Vitara Brezza, Eeco and Ertiga, stole the top spots for 10 best-selling passenger vehicles for the first time in 2021. Interestingly most of these models are hatchbacks. For instance WagonR, Swift, Baleno, Alto 800. Whereas Dzire falls in the category of a sedan, Vitara Brezza is five seater SUV, Eeco and Ertiga are MPVs.

"We are deeply honoured and grateful to our customers for choosing Maruti Suzuki as their most preferred passenger vehicle. We will continue to make efforts to offer class-leading products and services to meet today's customer requirements," MSI Senior Executive Director Shashank Srivastava stated.

Read also: Latest RTO rules and regulations for importing luxury vehicles in India, read here

WagonR topped the list with over 1.83 lakh units, followed by Swift, Baleno and Alto800.

The automaker noted that the eight MSI models contributed over 83 per cent of the total volumes of top 10 selling models and almost 38 per cent of the total passenger vehicle sales volumes in 2021.

With inputs from PTI.

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KTM has unveiled the new 2022 KTM 250 Adventure. KTM has brought the off-road-oriented bike to the market to increase its hold. The timing is also crucial considering the launch of the Honda CB300R. The new off-roader is now available for booking pan-India, priced at Rs 2,35,000 (Ex-showroom Delhi).

Coming to the design, the off-roading centric design has been made keeping ergonomics in mind. 250 Adventure is built on a similar platform as KTM 390 Adventure. The new bike is powered by the quarter-litre single-cylinder variant is a performance powerhouse with its 248-cc DOHC four-valve single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine delivering 30PS power and 24 Nm of torque. The 2022 KTM 250 Adventure is available in 2 new colours, KTM Electronic Orange; KTM Factory Racing Blue.

Commenting on the launch of the bike, Sumeet Narang, President, Bajaj Auto Ltd., said: The 2022 KTM 250 Adventure is the Travel-Enduro motorcycle that appeals to a wide spectrum of bikers across the country. Thanks to its well-thought travel and adventure-focused characteristics, the KTM 250 Adventure is an accessible motorcycle that offers an enjoyable riding experience for daily tarmac commutes and weekend off-road escapes. Combining top-spec components with the latest technology, the KTM 250 Adventure had set a benchmark in the rapidly growing Adventure segment in India.

Read also: New 2022 Honda CB300R launched in India, priced 2.77 lakhs ex-showroom

The KTM 250 Adventure is a compact, powerful, and agile all-rounder. Inspired by the frame of the Dakar Racer - the KTM 450 RALLY, the KTM 250 Adventure features an ultra-lightweight trellis frame with a bolt-on sub-frame that exceeds all requirements for stability and controllability and is the backbone of this nimble adventurer.

It offers a ground clearance of 200mm along with suspension travel of 170mm on the front and 177mm on the rear makes the KTM 250 Adventure. The forgiving balance of flex and stiffness, combined with a wheelbase of 1430 (+/-15.5 mm) and a 26.5o steering rake angle, clearly suggest an off-road-oriented layout.

The rider seat is narrow in the front, making it easier to reach the ground while providing a tested mix of grip and easy movement. The high-end, tapered steel handlebar provides maximum control while ensuring a comfortable riding position. The KTM 250 Adventures windshield is an efficient deflector mounted lower or higher to suit the riders size or needs. The comprehensive and robust footpegs come directly from the off-road models.

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China blocks more than a dozen flights from various US airlines and wishes to stick with it in the future as well. As per sources, China takes this travel restriction as a safety measure to prevent any further spread of COVID-19 in the country.

China ordered the cancellations after some passengers tested positive for COVID-19 on flights that arrived in China in late December, according to industry officials. American Airlines on Tuesday said that six of its flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Shanghai in late January and early February have been cancelled.

United Airlines said it was forced to cancel six flights from San Francisco to Shanghai later this month. Delta Air Lines said it cancelled one flight last week and another this Friday to Shanghai. Meanwhile, Airlines for America, which represents the largest US passenger and cargo carriers, said it is discussing the matter with the US and Chinese government officials to find ways to minimize the impact on travellers.

Read also: Agartala airport to soon become third international airport of Northeast India

The Biden administration had no immediate comment. The blocking of flights is the latest development in a dispute between the two countries over international flights and rules designed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

China has been ratcheting up travel restrictions after recent outbreaks of COVID-19 as it prepares to host the Winter Olympics in early February. China limits capacity on inbound flights currently to 75% and requires passengers to be tested before departure and after arriving in the country.

If any passenger tests positive, the airline that carried them can be forced to cancel two to four flights, depending on the number of positive cases. Last month, Delta Air Lines said new requirements for cleaning planes between flights caused a plane bound for Shanghai to return to Seattle. The airline further added the new rules extended the time planes would need to sit on the ground in Shanghai, and weren't workable.

The Chinese consulate in San Francisco protested Delta's decision. In 2020, the Trump administration backed down from a threat to block four Chinese airlines after China agreed to let United and Delta resume limited operations that were shuttered earlier in the pandemic.

In August 2021, the US Transportation Department limited the number of passengers on four Chinese airlines' flights to the US after China imposed similar limits on United Airlines. The US said China was putting an unreasonable burden on US airlines for travellers who test positive after arriving in China.

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Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, on Wednesday (January 12), said that she is happy that actor Siddharth has apologised for his sexist tweet on her.

After winning her first match in the ongoing India Open 2022, she was asked if she has accepted the apology note tweeted by Siddharth on his Twitter account late on December 11. The London Olympics medallist did not particularly used the word 'accepted' in her answer but said she is happy he has apologised and realised his mistake.

She said, "I don't know what to say. He only said that and now he only is apologising. I was surpised to see my self trending on Twitter. I am happy he has apologised. It is about a woman, you need not target a woman like that. It is okay. I am happy in my own space."

The 43-year-old actor had faced backlash on social media after a derogatory term used for Saina hurt her and her family.

Siddharth had explained later that he did not mean to sound sexist and that particular word was used to express another meaning but that explanation was not enough for Saina.

The actor then sent an apology note to Saina via Twitter and wrote:

"I want to apologise to you for my rude joke that I wrote as a response to a tweet of yours a few days ago.

I may disagree with you on many things but even by disappointment or anger when I read your tweet, cannot justify my tone and words. I know I have more grace in me than that."
New Delhi: News related to an agreement between Zee Media and Adani Enterprises being circulated on social media are completely false and baseless. There has been no talk between both groups, but news has lately been doing the rounds in the social media where it is being claimed that Adani Group has bought a stake in Zee Media in an all-cash deal.

According to the fake claim, an exclusive agreement has been made between Gautam Adani and Essel Group Chairman Dr Subhash Chandra. Zee Media company management has outrightly rejected any such claims.

"We completely refute any such rumor being spread by some journalist around talks between Dr. Subhash Chandra and Gautam Adani related to Zee Media. There is no talk between both groups. This is a false news," Ronak Jatwala, official spokesperson for the company said.

The entire chaos and confusion around the news is being propelled by a Twitter user by the name of Anurag Chaturvedi. He has tweeted that Gautam Adani and Subhash Chandra have entered into an exclusive agreement. Adani enterprise to acquire Zee media in an all-cash deal at Rs 30 per share. Sanjay Pugalia to be CEO of Zee news.

Gautam Adani and Subhash Chandra enter in to an exclusive agreement . Adani enterprise to acquire Zee media in an all cash deal at Rs 30 per share. Sanjay Pugalia to be CEO of Zee news.  Anurag Chaturvedi (@AnuragC1106) January 12, 2022

Zee Media Management has said that one should not pay any attention to any such rumours. There has been no conversation of any kind between the two groups. Some journalist have spread rumours on Twitter and social media.

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New Delhi: Start ups have urged govt to relax tax burden on the sector which is already grappling with the onslaught of the Covid-19 crisis.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman wiill present the Budget 2022-23 on February 1 as has been practised since a couple of years now.

The Union Budget of 2022 is expected next month and like all business leaders, startups also have some expectations from the budget. Keeping in mind how the economy has again slowed down the world over, because of the advent of Omnicron, everyone is waiting with bated breath for some incentives to propel different industries forward. M & A for startups operating in retail and service have a lot of tax burden. The Ministry of Finance will hopefully explore allowing startups to carry forward losses, setting off previous losses against income and unabsorbed depreciation under Section 72A of the Income Tax Act, in the past few years following a merger or acquisition. We are hopeful as retail and service, are now a large sector of the economy, and growing on a daily basis, in India and around the world, said Sargam Dhawan Bhayana, Director, Tressmart Marketing Pvt. Ltd. And Paul Penders Botanicals.

"In this budget, we expect the government to possibly extend the ambit of Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme to promote startups that have achieved a remarkable feat over the pandemic-hit period. Growth-oriented startups with proven capabilities should be provided financial assistance for R&D, prototype development, product trials, market entry and proof of concept," Himanshu Gandhi, co-founder and CEO, ITC-backed D2C brand Mother Sparsh said.

Meanwhile Sanya Goel, Co-founder of Humsafar Diesel Door Delivery startup, said that there is a need to put a curb on taxes collected as prices go up.

"The industry has suffered very badly because of ad valorem taxes on petrol and diesel as crude prices have climbed up in the last couple of years. It was a double whammy as it created pressure on demand and margin for Petrol pump Dealers and cost pressure on customers at large. It needs to be reversed immediately," she added.

Sanjay Shah, Chief Operating Officer, Wadhwani Foundation - India/SEA, The Indian startup ecosystem skyrocketed in 2021 to become the third-largest globally with 78 unicorns, 8 IPOs and a 3x increase in total funding over last year to touch $39 billion. However, despite a stellar show, two challenges are predominant in the Indian startup space; (1) many unicorns in India lack a compelling revenue base and require an infusion of cash flow for survival (2) the need to accelerate their digital transformation with technology and platforms. Hence, in 2022, the government should look at assisting startups through policies and support mechanisms towards domestic capital participation, favourable investment climate in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, incentives to set up incubators in every state, tax exemptions in foreign direct investments, and a high focus on startup infrastructure development. This will also help in the globalisation of Indian startups as ~42% of them are planning to go global in 2022.

Sahil Chopra, Founder & CEO- iCubesWire said, "This year we are expecting a major push in the digital marketing and advertising sector. From higher rates for digital media buying to challenges in bringing the right talent on board to engaging increasingly digitally savvy buyers, we have seen higher customer expectations and so considering it as a base we expect the government to bring new schemes that will eventually enhance the marketers skill sets to improve their team's effectiveness without creating burnout. Raising marketing budgets to pre-COVID levels (if not higher) will be crucial. A lot of entrepreneurs are hoping for relief measures in the form of credit lending. Subsidies at ground level will make entrepreneurs feel protected & safe. We also expect to see decisions to fuel the growth of startups in several domains. If the right incentives on both the marketers' and consumers' sides are announced in this budget session, it would push the quick and wide adoption of digital advertising and marketing."

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A lawmaker in the UK has proposed that celebrities and influencers should label photos of their bodies that have been photomanipulated.

Former GP Dr Luke Evans, now a Conservative MP, is introducing the Digitally Altered Body Image Bill in the hope of helping to tackle the growing numbers of people struggling with eating disorders and body confidence issues. Dr Evans told Sky News: "When I was a GP, particularly young women with eating disorders would talk about the fact they're driven by these images and think they need to have a perfect physique. "But you started seeing it from men, often talented sportsmen who wanted to get bigger, to look buff on the beach, so they'd start overtraining and taking unsolicited supplements but then they find themselves banned from sport because they've tested positive for steroids just because they thought they didn't 'look right'.

An obvious problem is similar to the cookie popup one: the label ends up on virtually everything, there's no way to tell if it's warning you of a substantial or trivial use, and it just becomes an annoyance, even a dark pattern. Or, like the "Parental Advisory" stickers in the U.S., it only deals with one particular scenario (extremely mainstream influencers with ultranormal fans) while becoming a desirable imprimatur to everyone else.
New Delhi: A surge in COVID-19 cases has hit Delhi Police too and according to a report as many as 1,700 cops have tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection since January 1.

A total of 1,700 personnel of the force have tested positive for the infection from January 1 to January 12. All of them are doing fine and are under quarantine. They will be joining duty after recovery," a senior police officer said.

Delhi Police officials said that a special camp has been organised for police headquarters staffers to administer booster doses to the eligible beneficiaries. It may be noted that the present strength of the Delhi Police force is over 80,000.

As a precautionary welfare measure, a special camp has also been organised for the staffers working at Delhi Police Headquarters on Jai Singh Marg for administering booster shots to those found eligible, they said.

"Special arrangements for administering precaution dose (booster) of Covid vaccine has been organised from 11:30 am onwards at Officers lounge on the ground floor of PHQ. This initiative has been taken so that staffers like guards among others deployed at our headquarters do not have to go outside during their duty hours to get booster shots. But only those eligible police personnel who have completed nine months after taking their second dose of vaccine would be eligible for the booster shots," Shalini Singh, Special Commissioner of Police (Welfare), said.

In a meeting held on Tuesday with senior officers of the districts and other units, the officers had been strictly instructed to brief their personnel to take care of themselves and follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for prevention of coronavirus amid rising cases amongst the force, police said.

"We have issued detailed SOPs in this regard and have listed the preventive measures to be taken. In Tuesday's meeting, all the officers were asked to take care of themselves and the force to conduct briefings of staffers regularly and instruct them to follow the issued SOP strictly.

Being frontline workers, they are bound to perform their duties so they should do it with full precautions," Singh asserted. She further stressed that officers have been instructed to strictly convey to their personnel the importance of following social distancing, wearing masks and maintaining hand hygiene while on duty.

"We have also told the personnel that social distancing should be maintained while they are in their respective barracks and mess. They have been asked to sanitise their keys after their shift while they hand over the vehicles to the next shift in charge," the officer noted.

In another welfare initiative and to provide assistance to Delhi Police personnel and their families, all personnel were informed about Delhi Police Wellness Centers functioning in Hauz Khas, Dwarka, Japan Puri, Model Town, Shalimar Bagh, Kondli and Security Section in Vinay Marg, police said.

All the personnel were also directed to contact the respective in-charge of their unit for uploading the date of the second dose of vaccination as mentioned in the Covid vaccine certificate, they said.

"All police personnel are also informed about the counsellors available for providing Covid-related counselling and for uplifting the mental health of the personnel and their families. They have been provided with names and contact details of the counsellors who would be available for them," Singh said.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Chinmoy Biswal, who is also the spokesperson of the force, had also tested positive for the infection. He is currently doing fine and under quarantine.

Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana had on January 5 issued the SOPs for the force to follow to tackle Covid mess. According to this order, all police personnel and their eligible family members who have not been vaccinated may be motivated to complete the vaccination process.

"Those who have not been vaccinated due to medical reasons may be encouraged to seek medical opinion again for the vaccination, the order had said. All police personnel may be motivated to take precaution dose of Covid vaccine and install and use of Aarogya Setu' mobile application mandatorily.

Self-monitoring practice to be adopted by police personnel and any kind of illness may be reported without fail, to daily health monitoring officer, the order added.

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New Delhi: Auto components industry body ACMA on Tuesday said it has urged the government for a uniform GST rate of 18 per cent on all auto parts to curb the impact of counterfeits in the aftermarket operations.

In its pre-Budget recommendations, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) also asked the government to consider upward vision of RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products) rates as the rate notified for the sector at 1 per cent or lower is inadequate to cover the incidence of unrefunded taxes and duties borne on export products.

"The auto component industry, being an intermediary, has recommended for a uniform GST rate of 18 per cent on all auto components," ACMA President Sunjay Kapur said in a statement.

The industry has significant aftermarket operations that are plagued by grey operations and counterfeits due to the high 28 per cent GST rate, he added.

"A moderate rate of 18 per cent will not only address this challenge but will also enhance the tax base through better compliance," Kapur said.

With the focus of the government on environment, energy security and vehicular safety, he said it is imperative for the auto components industry to invest in newer technologies and create capacities to meet the growing domestic demand for such products.

"Facilitating investments for capacity building and encouraging R&D and new product development will be steps in the right direction by the government," Kapur added.

He also welcomed the government's policy announcements on the production linked incentive (PLI) schemes for ACC (advanced chemistry cell) battery, auto and auto components, and extension of FAME-2 scheme.

These steps were very timely and "will facilitate the Indian automotive sector in becoming integral to global automotive value chains as also staying relevant", he noted.

"The automotive industry is witnessing one of the most challenging, yet interesting times, ever. Disruptions due to the pandemic, new technologies and regulations are redefining mobility," he added.

On its demand for upward revision of RoDTEP rates, ACMA said the current rate is deterring the competitiveness of the Indian auto component industry.

Seeking reintroduction of investment allowance at 15 per cent for manufacturing companies that invest more than Rs 25 crore in plant and machinery, ACMA said, "This will motivate manufacturers to invest in new technologies, specifically e-mobility and its components/ ancillaries related to plant and machinery."

Drawing the attention of the government to encourage domestic R&D and testing, ACMA said retaining the weighted tax deduction on R&D expenditure is critical.

"The 2016-17 Budget reduced weighted deduction benefit from 200 per cent to 150 per cent and has further restricted the deduction to 100 per cent from 1st April 2020," it said.

Besides these recommendations, ACMA said it has also put forth several suggestions in order to ease the 'cost of doing business' in India.

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New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday (January 11, 2022) warned that more than 50% of the population in Europe will be infected with the Omicron variant in the next 6-8 weeks.

"We have entered 2022 with the countries of Europe and Central Asia still under intense pressure from COVID-19. Today, the Omicron variant represents a new west to east tidal wave sweeping across the Region, on top of the Delta surge that all countries were managing until late 2021," Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said in a statement.

He added that the Region saw over 7 million newly reported cases of COVID-19 in the first week of 2022, more than doubling over a 2-week period.

"As of 10 January, 26 countries report that over 1% of their population is catching COVID-19 each week. Mortality rates remain stable and continue to be highest in countries with high COVID-19 incidence, combined with lower vaccination uptake," he informed.

Watch LIVE as @hans_kluge and experts from WHO/Europe provide a situation update on #COVID19 in the European Region before answering questions from journalists https://t.co/wVgL9n3Fnk  WHO/Europe (@WHO_Europe) January 11, 2022

Kluge stated that fifty of the 53 countries in Europe and central Asia have now reported cases of Omicron and that it is quickly becoming the 'dominant variant' in western Europe and is now spreading in the Balkans.

"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasts that more than 50% of the population in the Region will be infected with Omicron in the next 68 weeks," he added.

Omicron variant highly transmissible

The WHO Regional Director for Europe said that the data collated in recent weeks confirms that Omicron is highly transmissible  because the mutations it has enabled it to adhere to human cells more easily, and it can infect even those who have been previously infected or vaccinated.

He, however, reiterated that the currently approved coronavirus vaccines do continue to provide good protection against severe disease and death, including for Omicron.

"But because of the unprecedented scale of transmission, we are now seeing rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. It is challenging health systems and service delivery in many countries where Omicron has spread at speed and threatens to overwhelm in many more," he added.

ALSO READ | Omicron maybe '1st ray of light' against COVID-19: Scientist

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New Delhi: Delhi Police opposed the bail plea of former JNU student leader Umar Khalid on Tuesday, saying that the ultimate objective of the riots conspiracy was to bring the government of India to its knees and destabilize the foundation of democracy.

Khalid and several others have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terror law, and are accused of being the "masterminds" of the riots which had left 53 people dead and over 700 injured in 2020.

The arguments on their bail pleas have been going on for more than five months.

Opposing his bail plea before Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad contested the claims of former JNU student leader Umar Khalid that the investigating agency was communal and the charge sheet in the riots conspiracy case was a figment of imagination.

Representing the police, the SPP said: "The ultimate objective was to overthrow the government and undermine the authority of the parliament, which enacted the Citizenship (Amendment) Act CAA and destabilize the very foundation of the democracy.

"The idea was to bring the government of India on its knees and enforce the withdrawal of CAA. It is not that I am making the statement. This is evident from the chats which clearly state that government has to be brought to its knees."

Delhi riots were not a spontaneous outburst of violence

Prasad further relied on the charge sheet to claim that the 2020 riots were not a spontaneous outburst of violence.

"From the charge sheet, we have demonstrated that 23 protest sites were created and those sites were not organic in nature. They were meticulously planned with the location which was in close proximity to the masjids (Mosques)," he said.

"Multiple teams were formed to monitor these sites, give logistic supports, there were remote supervisors, local leaders, people who were visiting. We have also demonstrated the use of identical placards and banners at different protest sites which clearly shows that they were not organic and created in a coordinated manner," he added.

Protests were managed by menfolk

Prasad said the protests were not woman-dominated, rather they were managed by menfolk, and protest sites were swelled by bringing in women from the outside.

We have also demonstrated from the charge sheet that there was a clear interrelation between December 2019 riots and February 2020 one. A similar pattern of crime was followed blocking of roads attacking police, destructing properties, and violence with public and police, he said.

The charge sheet disclosed that 53 people died, he said, adding that 101 police officers and 41 public persons were injured in the first phase of riots in December 2019. In the second phase, 132 police officers and 76 public persons were injured.

"There was clearly a case of death and injuries to persons. Total damage and claim settlement amount to Rs 21.93 crore. 61 claims have been settled and more are yet to be settled," the SPP said.

The investigation in the case revealed that firearms, petrol bombs, acid attacks, sticks, iron rods, stone-pelting through pre-fabricated large-sized slingshots were used to attack and kill police personnel, government employees, and public persons, he added.

Umar Khalid focused on irrelevant materials while arguing his bail application

Prasad further said that Khalid, through his lawyer, focused on irrelevant materials while arguing his bail application in a bid to divert the court's attention.

"He (Umar) wants his application to be decided with reference to a web series and present case to be equated with 'The Family Man' or 'The Trial of the Chicago 7'. You do not have something on merit, you want to divert the attention of the court, focus on irrelevant materials, you want to go on media trial, create headlines," the SPP said.

On September 3, 2021, Khalid, through senior advocate Trideep Paid, said that the charge sheet in the case read like a script from a web-series 'The Family Man' and news channels. The lawyer also gave a reference to Voldemort, a villain in Harry Potter movies, to draw parallels between the statements in the chargesheet. Again on December 9, he referred to 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' in the courtroom.

On this, the SPP said, To equate the riots where 53 lives were lost with a web series is unfortunate. He does not want to refer to the law laid down by the constitutional courts. The idea is that you create a public perception. You want to refer to something which is relevant in media and not the law. The entire submission has been made on surmises and conjectures.

He further emphasized that the court cannot go on a speculative analysis.

Besides this, Prasad opposed the alleged claims made by Khalid that the investigation agency and the investigating officer are communal.

"I do not appreciate my learned friend arguing that the investigation agency and the Investigating officer are communal. The investigation agency is not of a particular person, it's of a State. The first conviction in the riots case was that of a Hindu. To say that investigation agency is communal does not go well," he submitted.

In the last hearing, Umar, through his lawyer, said that advocacy against a law like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is not a crime and that the police pressured the witnesses to give statements against him.

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Army Chief General MM Naravane today said that India will "come out victorious" in case of war with China. The Army Chief, however, said that war stays only as an "instrument of last resort".

"War or conflict is always an instrument of last resort. But if resorted to, we will come out victorious," the Army Chief was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | "War or conflict is always an instrument of last resort. But if resorted to, we will come out victorious," says Army Chief Gen MM Naravane while answering a question regarding the situation on the northern border pic.twitter.com/s3zLt0U9S1  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

"Long-term solution is to resolve the border question rather than this becoming point of difference and a pinprick in our bilateral relations," Army Chief General MM Naravane said while answering a question regarding the situation on the northern border.

"We're well poised all along our borders&there is no question that any status quo, as it exists today, will ever be altered," he added.
New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday accused the Congress government in Punjab of deliberately ignoring the security threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite being informed of it by state police personnel, and asked who in the opposition party sought to benefit from the breach.

I reiterate our questions to Congress high command. Why were security measures deliberately breached due to the active connivance of the Congress-led Govt in Punjab? Who in Congress sought to benefit from the breach of PM's security?: Union Minister Smriti Irani pic.twitter.com/GA9QDLg5rI  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani cited a 'sting' done by a new channel which purportedly showed some Punjab Police officials saying that they informed their superiors about protestors blocking the route of PM Modi's motorcade but no action was allegedly taken.

Addressing a press conference, she said, "What is extremely disconcerting is that Punjab Police officials have highlighted how they continuously engaged with the Cong government and administration in Punjab to bring to light the threat to the security of PM and his route. The question this expose begets who in the Congress-led government in Punjab continued to deliberately ignore these threats to the PM's security?"

Who sought to benefit in the Congress from the breach to Modi's security, she asked?

Why did the Punjab CM brief a private citizen (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) on the PM's security protocol and the breach? Why is the private citizen, who is a part of the Gandhi family, an interested party?: Union Minister Smriti Irani pic.twitter.com/v5xhiH8z6n  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

Irani said the then Punjab DGP had given an all-clear message to PM Modi's security team and wondered as to why he did so. She also hit out at the Congress over Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's statement that he had also briefed party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra about the development and questioned his doing so as the Congress general secretary is a private citizen.

Why is that private citizen an "interested party" in the matter of the prime minister's security, Irani asked. With CM Channi often taking aim at the BJP over its concerted campaign against him over the alleged security threat to the prime minister, she accused Congress leaders of trivialising such a serious matter.

PM Modi's Punjab visit on January 5 was cut short as he was stranded on a flyover for 20 minutes due to a blockade by protesters. After the lapse in security, PM Modi's convoy decided to return without attending an event at a martyrs' memorial at Hussainiwala. The prime minister also could not attend a rally in Ferozepur.

Channi has insisted that there was no threat to Modi. Congress has suggested that the decision to cut short the prime minister's trip was caused by the alleged thin attendance at his rally. The Supreme Court has constituted a panel to probe the entire incident.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 12, 2022) set up a committee headed by a retired top court judge, Justice Indu Malhotra to investigate the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit on January 5.

The SC-constituted panel will have Justice (retd) Indu Malhotra, Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA), Director General of Security of Punjab and Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court as its members.

The apex court, while setting up an independent committee, said that the panel will inquire into the causes of the security breach, persons responsible for it and the measures to be taken in future for preventing such security breaches of VVIPs.

In 2018, Indu Malhotra was officially appointed as the judge of the Supreme Court of India. Her appointment was historic as she was the first woman lawyer to be directly elevated from the Bar.

Earlier on January 5 this year, PM Narendra Modi, who was travelling by road in Punjab, was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes on his way to Ferozpur due to blockade by some protesters, an incident the Union Home Ministry described as a "major lapse" in his security.

The prime minister was on his way to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala from Bathinda when the incident occurred. After a major security lapse in PM's travel in Punjab, his convoy decided to head back to Bathinda airport.

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NEW DELHI: Hyderabad based-vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech on Wednesday said that a booster shot of its Covaxin vaccine administered six months after the last of two doses neutralises both the Omicron and Delta variants of the coronavirus.

The study was conducted at the Emory Vaccine Center in Atlanta based on blood serum collected from 13 individuals, 28 days after their booster shot.

It was sponsored by Bharat Biotech`s partner Ocugen Inc. "The neutralisation activity of Covaxin-boosted sera was comparable to what has been observed in mRNA vaccine-boosted sera against the Omicron variant," Bharat Biotech said in a statement. "More than 90% of all individuals boosted with Covaxin showed neutralising antibodies."

Earlier studies demonstrated the neutralizing potential of COVAXIN (BBV152) against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Alpha, Beta, Delta, Zeta and Kappa.

The study will be published on the pre-print server, medRXiv, shortly. Sera samples from individuals who received a booster of COVAXIN (BBV152) were observed to be effective in neutralizing Omicron and Delta variants on a live virus neutralization assay.

The neutralization activity of COVAXIN-boosted sera was comparable to what has been observed in mRNA vaccine-boosted sera against the Omicron variant. More than 90% of all individuals boosted with COVAXIN (BBV152) showed neutralizing antibodies. All participants received an initial two-dose schedule of COVAXIN (BBV152) on Day 0 and Day 28.

As the dominant COVID-19 variant throughout the world, Omicron poses a serious public health concern, said Mehul Suthar, PhD, Assistant Professor, Emory Vaccine Center and who led the laboratory analysis.

Data from this preliminary analysis show individuals receiving a booster dose of COVAXIN have a significant immune response to both the Omicron and Delta variants. These findings suggest that a booster dose has the potential to reduce disease severity and hospitalizations.

Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech said, We are in a continuous state of innovation and product development for COVAXIN. The positive neutralization responses against the Omicron and Delta variants validate our hypothesis of a multi-epitope vaccine generating both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Our goals of developing a global vaccine against COVID-19 have been achieved with the use of COVAXIN as a universal vaccine for adults and children.

The global impact of Omicron shows us that the fight against COVID-19 continues, and were encouraged that these data demonstrate the value of COVAXIN as a primary and booster vaccine, said Dr Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder, Ocugen, Inc. These results show how a broad-spectrum vaccine has the potential ability to address ever-shifting public health challenges such as new variants and mutations.

COVAXIN is formulated uniquely such that the same dosage can be administered to adults and children alike. COVAXIN is a ready-to-use, liquid vaccine, stored at 2 - 8C, with 12 months shelf life and multi-dose vial policy. The same doses of vaccine can also be used for two-dose primary immunization in adults and children and for booster dose vaccinations.

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New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday (January 12, 2022) said that the COVID-19 cases have stabilised in the national capital and that there is a possibility of the infections declining soon.

Jain also assured that if the coronavirus infections come down in the next two to three days, the restrictions in Delhi will be lifted.

He compared the scenario with Mumbai and said that the cases have started declining there and the same situation is likely to happen in the national capital.

While sharing that the city is likely to see around 25,000 cases on Wednesday, he underlined that the positivity rate cannot determine whether the cases have peaked or not.

"Hospitalisation rate has stabilised and cases have plateaued. There are still several beds vacant," he said.

"People with comorbidities are facing more problems, not many people are coming to the hospital for treatment of coronavirus," Satyendar Jain added.

The national capital, notably, reported 21,259 new COVID-19 on Tuesday with a positivity rate of 25.65 per cent. With this, the active caseload in the city has mounted to 74,881, which is the highest in the past eight months. In the past 24 hours, Delhi also reported 23 deaths, taking the capital's total number of fatalities to 25,200.

Delhi Health Bulletin - 11th January 2022 #delhiFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/1Nas5HywNw  CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) January 11, 2022

It has now recorded 93 deaths in the first 11 days of the month. Delhi had logged 54 fatalities in the last five months -- nine in December, seven in November, four in October, five in September and 29 in August.

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New Delhi: After the Election Commission's recent announcement of the assembly poll schedule for five poll-bound states, the country has now entered into the election mode. Among all states, Uttar Pradesh is the most high-profile state where the crucial assembly polls will be held in seven phases.

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, in his prime time show DNA (aired on January 12, 2022), analysed how electioneering is intensifying in the state ahead of the polls and what's the ruling BJP's game plan to win the 'battle for UP'.

In this high-stakes battle for the 403-member state assembly, the recent breach in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security in Punjab is likely to become a major issue in Uttar Pradesh during the upcoming elections as BJP leaders have been continuously targeting the main opposition party Congress - which rules in Punjab - over the lapse.

After several Union Ministers, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attacked Congress over PM Modi's security breach in Punjab on January 5. Attending a presser, the UP CM alleged, "PM Modi's security breach during his visit to Punjab was a pre-planned sponsored conspiracy. The Punjab government didn't follow the protocol. Drone or any attack might have happened there but the Punjab government ignored all this. Congress should apologize to the country."

Notably, the Supreme Court today appointed a five-member committee headed by former apex court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to probe the lapse in PM's security. The five-member panel which will probe the incident also comprises the Inspector General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Director General of Police of Chandigarh, the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Additional DGP (Security) of Punjab.

Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath is expected to contest UP assembly elections from Ayodhya - that is also the BJP's formula to retain the most crucial of all states - Modi in Kashi, Yogi in Ayodhya. The saffron party's central election committee is likely to take a final call in this regard.

In another jolt to BJP, Dara Singh Chauhan resigned from the Uttar Pradesh cabinet a day after Swami Prasad Maurya, another prominent Other Backward Class (OBC) leader quit the Yogi government. From these recent developments, it seems that the BJP will seek votes in the name of Hindutva and Shri Ram in UP. While considering the overall equation, if elections are held on the basis of caste then SP chief Akhilesh Yadav will benefit and if in the name of religion then PM Modi and BJP will benefit.

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With just one of every four hospital workers in New York having received a Covid-19 booster shot, health care providers across the state know they have their work cut out for them to comply with a mandate that was approved Tuesday by a state public health council.

And many providers also are wary the requirement, which mandates health care workers get a booster shot within two weeks of becoming eligible, could drive more employees out of the industry during a staffing pinch.

"I'm concerned as a provider about the impact of this mandate this time, given where we're at as a provider community," said Thomas Holt, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services in Jamestown. "Another 1% or 2% of the workforce out at this point, I think, is just going to have devastating effects potentially, and I struggle with balancing what I believe is the right thing to do, which is to get the booster, against our ability as a provider to provide care at this point."

Holt was among the members of the Public Health and Health Planning Council to express concerns over the booster mandate during a special meeting called Tuesday to weigh several pandemic-related measures. While the council signed off on the booster requirement for health care workers, several members urged the state Health Department to take its worries into consideration as it prepares guidance on the mandate.

"The Health Department will provide workers and employers with clear guidance for implementation shortly," spokesperson Erin Silk said late Tuesday afternoon, noting the regulation is effective once it publishes in the State Registrar.

Like the state's requirement this fall that health care workers get vaccinated, the only exemption to the booster mandate is a valid medical reason, and there is no opt-out for getting tested instead of boosted, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday in announcing plans for the directive.

Hochul orders boosters for health workers, new rules for nursing home visitors Like the original vaccine order last fall, there will be no opt out for getting tested instead of boosted. You would want to make sure that anyone taking care of you is fully protected," the governor said.

Even before Hochul confirmed Dec. 22 the state was considering a booster mandate, health care employers had been encouraging eligible staff to get the shot, seeing it as the best layer of protection for the workforce and for patients against the virus.

A concern remains the large number of health care workers who have not gotten a booster, though not all are eligible yet because of when they completed their vaccine series. Current federal guidance calls for getting a booster shot at least five months after completing the two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.

As of Jan. 4, about 26%, or 129,582, of the state's 505,150 hospital employees had received a booster dose, according to figures provided by the Health Department.

The percentage was even lower in New York nursing homes, at 19.4%, and at adult care facilities, at 18.6%.

Bea Grause, president of the Healthcare Association of New York State, which represents nonprofit and public hospitals, expects those percentages to rapidly rise as more health care employees become eligible.

"If you've had both vaccines, why wouldn't you want to get the booster?" she said. "Why wouldn't you want to protect yourself? It doesn't make any sense to me, and why wouldn't you want to protect your family, and why wouldn't you want to protect your patients? People have to make their own decisions, but I think the vast majority will choose to get the booster."

During the state's vaccine mandate this fall, which went into effect Sept. 27, most employees complied and got the vaccine, though a low single-digit percentage of workers opted to lose their jobs instead. While that percentage was small, it still added up to thousands of employee terminations across the state, including hundreds in the five-county Western New York.

Several hundred WNY health care workers lose jobs as religious vaccine exemptions expire While the number of workers who lost or are losing their jobs is a small percentage of total workers, every little bit hurts amid a staffing shortage that means hospitals can't operate as many beds  especially during yet another wave of Covid-19 hospitalizations.

Now amid a surge of the highly contagious Omicron variant, health care employers are seeing an increasing number of workers testing positive for Covid-19, knocking employees out of work for at least five days and worsening staffing challenges. Hochul said the booster mandate will help keep essential health care workers on the job.

"Staff is getting sick, they're leaving," Hochul said Friday. "We need them to get well, we need them to have the best fortification they possibly can and that means getting a booster shot as well."

WNY health care providers seeing record employee Covid-19 cases, straining staffing resources The fast-spreading Omicron variant also is hitting health care workers, with several hundred out sick with the virus as of Tuesday.

The state's large hospital systems, from Catholic Health System and Kaleida Health in Western New York to Long Island-based Northwell Health, said Friday they would comply with the mandate and have already been encouraging employees to get the booster shot. At Kaleida, 48% of the health system's roughly 10,000 employees have received a booster shot, Michael Hughes, Kaleida's chief administrative officer, said Friday.

But some providers also are wary of imposing another mandate on a beleaguered staff that is more tempted than ever to retire, quit or join the ranks of traveling workers who make more money.

Jericho Road, which provides health care for Buffalo's underserved and marginalized communities, said it has been advocating for its staff and patients to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, including getting the booster shot. A joint statement from founder and CEO Dr. Myron Glick and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allana Krolikowski said the vaccination and booster doses continue to save lives in the community.

"While we 100% believe in the vaccine and the booster, we are also concerned that the proposed mandate will drive away even more staff at a time when the field is sorely challenged by a pandemic deep into its second year," their statement reads. "Many clinics, doctors' offices, and hospitals are already short-staffed, which is concerning at the best of times. Unfortunately, these aren't the best of times and additional short-staffing is not only dangerous, but utterly unsustainable."

Christopher Koenig, president and CEO of Niagara Lutheran Health System in Lancaster, shares similar concerns, worried about how the loss of staff to this point has eroded the quality of care across the state. A booster mandate, he said, could worsen the staffing situation at Niagara Lutheran, which employs about 500 people.

"At Niagara Lutheran, we are all for the vaccines and the boosters, but what we definitely need is people on the ground," he said.

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com.

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New Delhi: After stoking a political storm by his exit from the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, MLA Swami Prasad Maurya on Wednesday (January 12) asserted that he does not plan on returning to the BJP.

Talking to reporters, he said, "I have rejected the BJP and there is no question of going back.

Maurya, who quit as a Minister from the UP government on Tuesday, as quoted by IANS said, "I have only quit as a minister. I will quit the BJP soon. For now, I am not joining the Samajwadi Party.

The UP MLA claimed his resignation had set off a storm in the BJP and had shaken the party. As per reports, in an effort to bring him back into the fold ahead of crucial Assembly elections, some senior BJP leaders had spoken to Maurya on phone after he stepped down.

Meanwhile, speaking to ANI, Maurya said he will formally join the SP on January 14. "I will be joining the Samajwadi Party on 14th January. I have not received calls from any small or big politician. If they were cautious on time and worked on public issues, then BJP would not have faced this, he told the news agency.

He added, "Whether the BJP leaders are big or small in power and position, it doesn`t matter to me as the arrow has come out of the bow. Now, there is no question of returning."

In his letter to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Maurya had said he was resigning due to the state government "ignoring interests" of Dalits, backward sections, farmers, unemployed youth and small traders.

Soon after Mauryas resignation on Tuesday, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted his photograph with him, confirming that the latter would join the SP.

The development comes in the wake of UP polls. The state will vote in seven phases beginning from February 10. The counting of votes will be done on March 10.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Kulgam: A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist was killed and one Jammu and Kashmir Police (SOG) personnel was martyred in an encounter that raged between security forces and terrorists in Pariwan village of Kulgam district of South Kashmir on Wednesday (January 12).

The slain JKP personnel has been identified as Rohit Kumar. Three army soldiers and two civilians were also injured in the firing.

#KulgamEncounterUpdate: One police personnel SgCt Rohit Chhib killed attained martyrdom; 1 JeM terrorist killed. 3 Army soldiers injured. 2 civilians also received minor injuries. Operation continues: IGP Kashmir  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

A police officer monitoring the operation said after having specific input of the presence of terrorists in the village, a joint team of the Police army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation.

As the joint searching team of forces cordoned the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon the forces which was retaliated and a gunfight started.

The police officer confirming the exchange of fire said that we have input that two-three terrorists are trapped inside the cordon, but the actual number can be declared only once the operation concludes.

The area of operation is cordoned from all sides lights are also installed, all exit and entry points are sealed so that terrorists cant get a chance to flee taking advantage of darkness.

This is the 8th encounter of January month. Earlier in 7 encounters security forces have managed to kill 13 terrorists among them 6 were Pakistani nationals and have recovered huge arms and ammunition including 2 M4 American-made rifle and 2 AK 56 and 3AK 47 rifles.

Live TV
New Delhi: In the case of security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab, the Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 12) appointed a five-member committee that will be headed by former apex court judge Justice Indu Malhotra.

The five-member panel which will probe the incident also includes Inspector General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Director General of Police of Chandigarh, the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Additional DGP (Security) of Punjab.

Who is Indu Malhotra who will head the panel on PMs security breach?

Justice Indu Malhotra created history after she became the first woman to be directly appointed to the Supreme Court from the Bar in April 2018. Malhotra is the 7th woman to become a judge of the Supreme Court since Independence, and the second woman to be designated as a Supreme Court Senior Advocate, as per Supreme Court Observer. The first woman to become a Supreme Court Senior Advocate was Leila Seth in 1977.

Justice Indu Malhotra served in the apex court for nearly three years from where she retired on March 13, 2021.

Justice Malhotra's father Om Prakash Malhotra was a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court as well as a distinguished author.

Education

Indu Malhotra, who was born in Bangalore, completed her schooling in Delhi. She holds MA in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi University and LLB from Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. Before entering the legal profession, she taught at Miranda House College and Vivekananda College in Delhi.

Tenure before Supreme court

Indu Malhotra joined the legal profession in 1983 and was appointed as a Senior Advocate in 2007. She qualified as an Advocate-on-Record in the Supreme Court in 1988 and bagged the first position in the examination. Malhotra, who specialises in arbitration law, was selected as an Arbitrator with the Indian Council of Arbitration. She has also served as a member of the High-Level Committee appointed to review the Institutionalisation of the Arbitration Mechanism in India.

Notable cases during SC tenure

Justice Indu Malhotra was a part of benches that dealt with a wide range of issues including entry of women to Keralas Sabarimala temple and the validity of Section 377 (same-sex relationship) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) among others.

In the Sabarimala temple entry case, Justice Malhotra penned the sole dissenting opinion by denying to lift restrictions for women between 10 to 50 years of age. She held that the right to equality under Article 14 does not override the fundamental right to religion under Article 25.

Notably, in 2019, Justice Malhotra was on the 3-member committee probing the sexual harassment allegations against then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. The in-house committee found no substance in the allegations contained in the Complaint dated 19.04.2019 of a former employee of the Supreme Court of India.

Live TV
New Delhi: With India witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases which is believed to be driven by the Omicron variant, NITI Aayogs Member, Health, Dr VK Paul warned on Wednesday (January 12) that the new variant is not a common cold", adding that it should not be underestimated.

"Omicron is not a common cold, it is society`s responsibility to slow it down with vaccination and masks," IANS quoted Paul as saying. He said that we are seeing less hospitalisation because of mass vaccination against the coronavirus. "Vaccination is a critical pillar of India`s Covid-19 response. Let`s Mask Up and get vaccinated, whoever is due. It`s fact that the vaccines are helpful to an extent," he said.

Earlier, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had cautioned against categorising the Omicron variant as mild. "Last week, the highest number of COVID-19 cases were reported so far in the pandemic...while Omicron does appear to be less severe compared to Delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorized as "mild", WHO chief had said.

Meanwhile, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general Balram Bhargava said that all symptomatic people need to be tested for Covid-19 including all high-risk case contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases. Asymptomatic individuals are not required to get tested unless they are at high risk, he added.

India logged 1,94,720 new coronavirus cases and 442 deaths, while the Omicron tally rose to 4,868, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

The health ministry said today that nearly 300 districts in India have been reporting a positivity rate higher than 5 per cent on a weekly basis. Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry said that Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat are states of concern with high infections.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Puducherry: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the "sense of responsibility" of the country's youth and said it manifested in the pace of Covid-19 vaccination in the 15-18 years age group that has covered over two crore children since its rollout this month.

Virtually inaugurating the 25th edition of the National Youth Festival here, PM Modi also said his government's recent decision to increase the legal marriage age of women to 21 years was for the betterment of "our daughters" and ensure that they had a career and also the time.

Hailing the pace of vaccination of the 15-18 years age group, he said this showed the "sense of responsibility" of the youngsters, especially witnessed during the pandemic period.

"The role of the youth in the success of our covid vaccination programme is being witnessed altogether at a different level. We are seeing that the youth in the 15-18 years age group are getting themselves vaccinated at a quick pace. In such a short time, over two crore children have been vaccinated. This exemplifies the sense of responsibility in today's youth and my confidence in a bright future of the country is further strengthened," he said.

The vaccination for the children of this age group was launched on January 3. On increasing women's legal marriage age to 21 years, the PM said it was based on the principle of equality.

"We know sons and daughters are equal. With this thought, the government, for the betterment of daughters, decided to increase their marriage-age to 21 years. Let daughters too make their career, let them get more time. This is a very significant step in this direction," he asserted.

Dwelling on the youth population of India, PM Modi said the world has accepted India's demography and democracy as its powers. "India's youth along with demographic dividend has democratic values. India sees youth as a development driver besides demographic dividend. They are leading the democratic values. In the Indian youth, there is democratic awareness and they have clarity about the future."

Today, India has a strong ecosystem of more than 50,000 startups, out of which more than 10,000 startups were set up in the past 6-7 months amid the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic... 'Compete and conquer' is the mantra of New India: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/CdVipJXVl8  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

"Therefore, what India says today the world sees as tomorrow's voice," he said. He hailed Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and national poet Subramania Bharathy as youth icons and recalled their contribution in the respective spheres.

The youth during the freedom struggle had sacrificed everything but today's youth have to live for the country and fulfil the dreams of the freedom fighters, he said.

"Today as a country with the biggest population of youth and their new dreams, their skill will take the country to new heights," PM Modi said. Quoting from Sri Aurobindo, Modi exhorted the young to be the builder of the new world.

"Today's youth has a can-do spirit which is a source of inspiration for every generation. Due to the youth, in digital payment, we are far ahead. India's youth is writing code for global prosperity. The Indian youth is a force to be reckoned with in the unicorn ecosystem all over the world," he said.

Today's youth has a 'can do' spirit which is a source of inspiration for every generation. It is the strength of the youth that India has marched much ahead in digital payments. Today, the youth of India is writing code of global prosperity: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/v51ECXRFqS  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

"India today has a strong ecosystem of over 50,000 startups. Out of which, more than 10,000 startups came up amidst the challenge of the pandemic," he added. The unprecedented haul of medals in the latest Paralympics and the good show in the Olympics last year were proof of the youth power.

"Compete and conquer should be India's new mantra," he added. He said the modern youth's ability is not to be burdened by old stereotypes and that he knows how to shake them.

PM Modi also stressed the 'Vocal for Local' concept, saying Atmanirbharta (self-sufficiency) will solve many issues including employment and economic growth and urged that buying a local artisan's product should be high on one's shopping list.

Extending his festival wishes for Pongal, Makar Sankranthi, Bihu, Lohri, PM Modi urged that they be celebrated in compliance with COVID precautions. On the occasion, PM Modi inaugurated a Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry, established here with an investment of about Rs 122 crore.

He also inaugurated the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam - an auditorium with an open-air theatre, constructed by the Government of Puducherry at a cost of about Rs 23 crore to commemorate the visionary former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a Congressman respected across political lines. It will have various other facilities as well.

In his address, Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy said there were several ways through which one could contribute to the country. "Wealth, science and commerce are some examples. But education without character, wealth without charity, commerce without morality and science without humanity are not only useless but also dangerous", he said.

It was the duty to protect the youth from the pandemic and that was the reason to hold the event through virtual mode, he explained. The youth event was initially planned to be an offline event, involving Modi's physical presence. Union Ministers Anurag Singh Thakur and Lt Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan were among those present on the occasion.

Live TV
New Delhi: Today, (January 12), the Supreme Court will pronounce its order on the constitution of a Committee headed by a retired top court judge to probe into the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit on January 5. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana will pass the order.

Earlier on Monday, the apex court had said that it will constitute an independent committee headed by a retired top court judge to investigate the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab on January 5. However, it has been indicated that Committee will include DGP Chandigarh, IG National Investigation Agency, Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and ADGP (security) of Punjab in the Committee. In the meantime, the Bench asked both the Central government and the Punjab government to not go ahead with the inquiries by the Committees constituted by them.

On January 5, PM Modi, who was travelling by road in Punjab, was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes on his way to Ferozpur due to blockade by some protesters, an incident the Union Home Ministry described as a "major lapse" in his security. The prime minister was on his way to the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala from Bathinda when the incident occurred. After major security lapse in PM's travel in Punjab, his convoy decided to head back to Bathinda airport.

(With ANI inputs)

Live TV
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today (January 12, 2022) inaugurate 11 new Government Medical Colleges across Tamil Nadu and the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai.

During the virtual event that is scheduled to begin at 4 PM, the new Medical Colleges will be established in the following districts -- Virudhunagar, Namakkal, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri.

These are being established at an estimated cost of about Rs 4,000 crore, of which, around Rs 2,145 crore has been provided by the Union government and the rest by the Tamil Nadu government.

The culture of Tamil Nadu is globally admired. It is our constant endeavour to preserve and celebrate this culture. In this context, a new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil will also be inaugurated tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/87daGizJFO  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2022

"Establishment of these medical colleges is in line with the Prime Minister's constant endeavour to promote affordable medical education and improve health infrastructure in all parts of the country," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.

The new medical colleges, with a cumulative capacity of 1,450 seats, are being established under the Centrally Sponsored scheme of 'Establishing of New Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral hospital'. Under the scheme, medical colleges are established in districts that do not have either a government or private medical college.

New campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil

The new campus of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Chennai is built at a cost of Rs 24 crore and is fully funded by the Union Government. The new campus is equipped with a spacious library, an e-library, seminar halls and a multimedia hall.

CICT, which was operating from a rented building so far, will now operate from a new three-storey campus.

"The establishment of a new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Chennai is in line with the Prime Ministers vision to protect and preserve Indian heritage and promote classical languages," the PMO said.

An autonomous organization under the Union Ministry of Education, CICT is contributing to the promotion of classical Tamil by doing research activities so as to establish the ancientness and uniqueness of the Tamil language. The institute library has a rich collection of over 45,000 ancient Tamil Books.

It also aims to translate and publish Thirukkural in various Indian as well as 100 foreign languages.

PM Modi to inaugurate 25th National Youth Festival today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to inaugurate the 25th National Youth Festival at 11 AM in Puducherry via video conferencing. The day, notably, is the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and is observed as National Youth Day.

During the event, the Prime Minister will unveil selected essays on 'Mere Sapno ka Bharat' and 'Unsung Heroes of Indian Freedom Movement'. These essays have been selected from submissions by over 1 lakh youth on the two themes.

Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate a Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry, established at Puducherry with an investment of about Rs 122 crore. This Technology Centre will be able to train around 6,400 trainees every year.

In the same programme, will also inaugurate a Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry which will boost skill development among the youth. The Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam, a modern auditorium with an open air theatre will also be inaugurated. pic.twitter.com/ImNdgsvbP8  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2022

PM Modi will also inaugurate the 'Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam' - an auditorium with open-air theatre, constructed by the Government of Puducherry at a cost of about Rs 23 crore. It would primarily be used for educational purposes and can accommodate more than 1,000 people.

Live TV
Two brothers had a moment of their lifetime in Kartarpur Corridor as they met each other after a gap of 75 years. The borthers - Muhammad Siddiq and Muhammad Habib aka Cheela - were separated at the time of 1947-partition.

The picture and visuals showed the two brothers and their family members in filled with excitement and joy.

The two brothers were reunited with the help of social media.

While Muhammad Siddiq is a resident of Pakistan's Faislabad, while Muhammad Habib is a resident of India's Punjab.

The two planned a meet at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan, on Tuesday after their relatives traced each other over social media and fixed a meeting at Kartapur Corridor.

The two brothers broke into tears as they hugged each other at Kartarpur Corridor.

Habib told Siddiq that he didnt marry all these years while living in India and their mother had died after losing her senses, a source said.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday warned that cases of COVID-19 infections were increasing sharply across the world and nearly 300 districts in India were reporting a positivity rate higher than 5 per cent on a weekly basis.

Addressing a press conference, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, said, A high Covid surge noticed globally  in 159 countries; Eight countries in Europe reporting an increase of cases by more than 2 times in the last two weeks."

"Covid cases have been rising globally with January 10 recording the highest ever single-day rise of 31.59 lakh cases worldwide,'' he said.

Expressing his concerns about rising Covid cases in India, Agarwal said, There has been a sharp surge in COVID cases in India; there are 9,55,319 active cases as of Jan 12. Noting a high surge in Covid-19 infections in India, the positivity rate has risen from 1.1 per cent on Dec 30 to 11.05 per cent on January 12, the Union Health Secretary said.

Currently, 300 districts in India are reporting weekly case positivity of more than 5 per cent, he added. Lav Agarwal further warned that Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Gujarat are now emerging states of concern (reporting surge in Covid cases).

Emerging states of concerns reporting high positive rates- Maharashtra with a rate positivity rate of 22.39%, West Bengal 32.18%, Delhi 23.1% and UP 4.47%: Luv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry pic.twitter.com/Sms7FXO55F  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

Informing the press conference. the health secretary said that 19 states have over 10,000 active Covid cases at present. Stressing on the importance of getting inoculated, he quoted the World Health Organisation to say that vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization appears to be substantially higher than against symptomatic COVID-19 disease.

Omicron has a substantial growth advantage over Delta as per WHO...Data from South Africa, UK, Canada, Denmark suggests a reduced risk of hospitalization for Omicron compared to Delta: Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry pic.twitter.com/OY00u1ej0Y  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

The warning from the Union Health Ministry came on a day when the country reported 407 fresh Omicron infections in the past 24 hours. With this, the national tally of this highly transmissible Covid variant has mounted to 4868, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Affairs said on Wednesday morning.

Of the total, 1805 people have recovered from the new strain nationwide so far, it added. The Omicron infection has spread to 28 States and UTs, as per the ministry.

However, Maharashtra with 1,281 cases, continues to be the worst hit with 499 patients having been discharged. At 645 cases, Rajasthan remains the second most affected followed by Delhi with 546 Omicron cases.

The national capital is followed by Karnataka with 479 cases, while Kerala has logged 350 cases so far. West Bengal has reported the highest single-day rise of 267 Omicron cases, pushing the state's tally to 294.

Among other states, Uttar Pradesh continues with 275 cases of this variant so far, while Gujarat and Tamil Nadu has 236 and 185 cases respectively. The Omicron cases has jumped to 162 in Haryana, while Telangana is static at 123.

Meanwhile, the number of Omicron infections has risen to 102 and 54 in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh respectively. Bihar and Punjab continue with 27 cases each and Goa with 21 cases. Jammu Kashmir has recorded 13 cases while Madhya Pradesh continues with 10 cases of Omicron.

However, the Omicron case count continues in single digits for Assam at 9 and Uttarakhand at 8 cases. Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh has so far 5 Omicron cases. Chandigarh and Andaman Nicobar Islands continue with 3 cases each and Puducherry with 2 cases so far. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh and Laddakh, Manipur have logged one case each so far.

Live TV
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) has strongly opposed the Central governments decision to increase the price of fertilisers.

KCR wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to register his protest against the increase in fertiliser prices.

The CM pointed out and blamed that the central government which made promises that it would increase the farmers income double fold by 2022, has now increased the prices of fertilisers at an all-time high to break the farming communitys back.

"It is highly reprehensible that the Central government which promised to double the income of farmers took a U-turn and increased the agriculture expenses. This shows that the BJP government is totally against the farmers and it is proved right beyond any doubt, KCR said.

The CM added, "There is deep conspiracy behind the central government policies and actions to make the lives of farmers miserable. Decisions like to install meters to motors to collect the power charges, not linking NRGE with the farm sector, increasing the fertilisers prices to all time high, not purchasing the paddy cultivated by the farmers, all these draconian decisions of the BJP government at the Centre have made farmers life difficult to survive. One should oppose the actions that would make farmers becoming a labourer in his own land."

KCR warned that if the increased prices of fertilisers are not withdrawn, there will be statewide and countrywide agitations against the Central government.

Live TV
The team that just won approval for a multi-building apartment project in Buffalo's Old First Ward is also pursuing a much larger mixed-use apartment project in the City of Tonawanda's First Ward, potentially bringing nearly 130 new units along Ellicott Creek just below the Erie Canal, and eventually more than 200.

Joseph Carubba's Carubba & Co. and Justin Earl's J.B. Earl Co. of Springville, Utah, are initially seeking to construct a new six-story building near Prescott Provisions Restaurant, using three properties Carubba already purchased at 20, 30 and 40 Fillmore Ave.

That would bring a large and dense residential structure to an industrial site in the city's downtown waterfront area, in a neighborhood that mostly has single-family homes and low-rise buildings. Two existing structures will be removed  a metal building that housed a car repair shop that will be relocated and a dilapidated and abandoned industrial building used for metal plating that will be demolished.

Plans by Michael Conroe of Elev8 Architecture in Orchard Park call for a five-story wood-frame building on top of a steel podium. The ground floor will include some parking, plus 8,000 square feet of commercial or retail space, such as for a restaurant, that will "engage the public," Conroe said.

Tentatively, the upper five floors would consist of a mixture of apartment sizes, with 10 studio apartments of 700 square feet, 55 one-bedroom units of 850 square feet, 38 two-bedroom units of 1,100 square feet and 25 larger two-bedroom apartments at 1,400 square feet. Part of the top floor would be carved out as a tenant lounge that extends into an outdoor rooftop patio, overlooking Prescott's, the water and downtown Tonawanda.

"Once complete, this project will catapult the city forward and create an immediate downtown core similar to what North Tonawanda has done," Conroe said. "We truly believe the success of one will feed off of the other."

Conroe stressed that the number and size of the units is still in flux, and will depend on the results of a market study to determine the demand in the city. He said the units are "a little larger" than traditionally found in Tonawanda, because initial marketing efforts found a desire for that.

More community meetings will also be held to flesh out details. However, the architect conceded that neighbors are already upset about the scale of the proposal. "The first time we talked to them, they were a little shocked at the number of units, so I don't doubt we'll bring that down," he said.

In all, the 116,468-square-foot elongated L-shaped building  dubbed The Elli  would cost about $30 million. A total of 141 parking spaces  both indoor and surface  are included on the two-acre site, which would be consolidated into a single property. Tenant amenities, including the rooftop, would total about 2,000 square feet.

Additionally, the developers plan to construct new boardwalks along the water, which could also be linked underneath the Delaware Bridge into the new boardwalks and other infrastructure improvements that the city is undertaking along Ellicott Creek on the other side of Delaware Street, near the historical society.

"We want people to stroll along the water's edge and then come into our building," Conroe said. "It'll be a really nice strolling district along Ellicott Creek once the project is done."

However, some neighbors are still upset, citing the scale of the project as excessive for such a small community, and warning of the traffic and parking problems that will result. Michael McClure, who lives on Fillmore and plans to launch a petition opposing the project, also complained that the new building will "cast a shadow" on his house, and suggested any new building should not be taller than any house.

"They don't want to hear that. They just want to put this thing in here," he said. "We know something has to go over there, but we dont want it to be detrimental to our neighborhood. Theres a lot of elderly people who live there."

The properties were already rezoned last month from light industrial manufacturing to mixed-use. The developers submitted their site plans to the city for feedback, and expect to go to the Zoning Board of Appeals in late February, followed by the Planning Board. Conroe said they hope to have a shovel in the ground in the fall, with completion in 18 months.

A second phase of the project  which would depend on the success of the first  would involve improvements on the west side of the creek, on the former south section of Young Street that the city abandoned and sold to the developers. The city has already begun turning the north side into a pedestrian mall and plaza, leading toward Gateway Harbor. "It's a really great site," Conroe said.

Initial plans call for an even larger and taller mixed-use building along Young and the new parkland, potentially with a three-level parking ramp and a rooftop bar, but specifics are still vague, Conroe said. The entire ground floor will again be shops and restaurants, with another boardwalk, but "we have a lot of work to do to determine what style of housing will be the most desirable in this location," he said.

"We want to get Phase One leased up, see what's popular and successful, and then develop the project based on the information we know," Conroe said. "In the city of Buffalo, you can figure out what you want to do. There hasn't been a whole lot of new apartments introduced in this area, so we want to make sure we figure out what we want to do and do it right."

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UPSC Recruitment 2022: Only one day is left to apply for over 180 vacancies that have been announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

According to the notification released on UPSC's official website (www.upsc.gov.in), the recruitment drive is being conducted to recruit Assistant Commissioners, Assistant Engineers, Junior Time Scale, Administrative Officer and Assistant Professors.

Interested candidates can scroll down to check all the important details.

UPSC Recruitment 2022: Vacancy details

Assistant Commissioner: 02

Assistant Engineer Quality Assurance (Armament-Ammunition): 29

Assistant Engineer Quality Assurance (Electronics): 74

Assistant Engineer Quality Assurance (Gentex): 54

Junior Time Scale (JTS): 17

Administrative Officer: 09

Assistant Professor: 02

UPSC Recruitment 2022: How to apply

Interested candidates can only apply online at http://www.upsconline.nic.in. They don't need to write to the Commission for application forms.

UPSC Recruitment 2022: Application fees

Candidates are needed to pay an application fee of Rs 25. There is no application fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates.

UPSC Recruitment 2022: Last date

Candidates can apply by January 13 (11:59 PM).

Candidates are advised to keep visiting UPSC's official website at http://www.upsconline.nic.in for the latest updates.

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Ramanagar: The Karnataka police on Wednesday lodged FIRs against 63 Congressmen, including KPCC President D K Shivakumar, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, for defying curfew orders by taking part in Mekedatu padayatra.

According to Ramanagar SP Girish, the FIR has been registered on the basis of the complaint filed by the Tehsildar in Kanakapura police station. This is the third FIR against the Congress leaders who are going ahead with the padayatra amid the Covid third wave and curfew orders.

On the first day, an FIR was lodged at Sathanur police station against 31 people which rose to 38 on day 2 of the `padayatra`. Reacting to the FIRs, Siddaramaiah questioned the ground on which the complaint was filed saying there is zero ground to lodge complaints. There should be an action and reaction as well as omission and commission, there is nothing here, he opined.

The government cannot threaten us by lodging FIR`s This act will not deter us from our decision to complete the padayatra, he maintained.

The case has been lodged under IPC Sections 141 (by means of criminal force or show of criminal force to compel any person to do what he is legally bound to do), 143 (unlawful assembly), 290 (public nuisance) and 336 (whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or personal safety of others).

They have also been booked under the Disaster Management Act. Taking a dig at the 10-day padayatra organized by Congress party demanding speedy implementation of Mekedatu project by ruling BJP in Karnataka, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated that hundreds of participants in padayatra are Covid positive.

I have information regarding hundreds of people who are taking part in the padayatra are Covid positive. Some of the leaders who participated have already tested positive and are under treatment. As per my information many of the leaders are participating even after testing positive, he said.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has rapped the ruling BJP government and Congress in the state over the Mekedatu padayatra and issued notices. The court has also directed both to issue clarification by January 14.

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Mumbai: The BSE gauge Sensex surged over 500 points to recapture the key 61,000-level on Wednesday as participants pinned hopes on robust quarterly results by companies.

Extending its winning run for the fourth straight session, the 30-share Sensex settled 533.15 points or 0.88 per cent higher at 61,150.04. Intra-day, the index touched its highest point at 61,218.19.

Similarly, the NSE benchmark Nifty rose 156.60 points or 0.87 per cent to end at 18,212.35.

On the Sensex chart, M&M, Bharti Airtel, RIL, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank and Tata Steel were among major gainers -- rising as much as 4.68 per cent.

In contrast, TCS, Titan, HDFC Bank, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and Nestle closed in the red.

Analysts said the short-term momentum reflects the market is in complete control of the bulls and the expected good results from the three IT majors are likely to impart resilience to the benchmarks.

Results from leading banks starting Saturday are also expected to be good thanks to declining provisioning and rising net interest margins, they added.

Elsewhere in Asia, most markets closed higher in line with a positive Wall Street.

On the forex market front, the rupee ended 1 paisa higher at 73.93 (provisional) against the US dollar.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the capital market, as they bought shares worth Rs 111.91 crore on Tuesday, according to stock exchange data.

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New Delhi: Mumbai on Tuesday (January 11, 2022) reported 11,647 new COVID-19 cases, a drop of 2,001 from the previous day. The country's financial capital has so far recorded 9,39,867 coronavirus infections, the data by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) showed.

Out of the new cases, 83 per cent of people, or 9,667, are asymptomatic, and only 851 patients have been admitted to hospitals, while just 76 are on oxygen support.

According to a BMC bulletin, two fresh fatalities linked to the infection took the city's death toll to 16,413.

Over 62,000 coronavirus tests were carried out in Mumbai in the last 24 hours and the metropolis has reported fewer cases than Monday despite 2,855 more COVID-19 tests carried out on Tuesday.

The coronavirus positivity rate in Mumbai has now dipped to 18.75 per cent from over 23 per cent a day ago.

New COVID-19 cases drop in Mumbai for fourth day

After the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020, the city had reported its highest-ever number of daily coronavirus cases on January 7 this year. However, the number of single-day infections has been declining since then. Tuesday, notably, was the fourth day in a row when the city witnessed a dip in daily infections.

Mumbai witnessed 19,474 cases on January 9, 20,318 on January 8, 20,971 on January 7 and 20,181 infections on January 6. Currently, the city has 1,00,523 active COVID-19 cases.

Significantly, Mumbai has also seen a sharp decline in the number of sealed buildings and containment zones in slums and 'chawls' (old row tenements). As per the bulletin, Mumbai presently has 63 sealed buildings, but zero containment zones, while on Monday, the city had 168 sealed buildings and 30 containment zones.

Third wave of COVID-19 will have sharp rise by January-end

Meanwhile, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, an IIT Kanpur professor has stated that the peak of the infection will hit India by January-end. Manindra Agrawal said that the cases will overtake the infections recorded during the second wave of coronavirus in India.

He also informed that the cases will decline very sharply and by March, it will be over.

"As per preliminary data, cases (nationally) will peak by the end of this month and are likely to cross second wave numbers. Since this time the peak is coming up very rapidly, the rise is very sharp," Manindra Agrawal told ANI.

"We expect the decline also to be equally sharp and if the peak hits in January, then by the middle of March, the wave will be over," he said.

The IIT Kanpur professor also stated that as Delhi is reporting more than 22,000 cases per day, the national capital will report almost 40,000 infections per day at its peak which is expected to hit in mid-January.

"Cases in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata are likely to peak around the middle of this month, in the next few days in fact. But this wave will be almost over by the end of this month in these cities," he said.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), allows Aadhaar card holders to update their Name, Address & Date of Birth in Aadhaar using a valid supporting document.

However, no document is required for mobile number, email Id, gender, photograph, or other biometric updates.

Here is a list of 45 documents that UIDAI has listed as POA (Proof of Address) documents containing Name and Address for Aadhaar card

1. Passport

2. Bank Statement/ Passbook

3. Post Office Account Statement/ Passbook

4. Ration Card

5. Voter ID

6. Driving License

7. Government Photo ID cards/ service photo identity card issued by PSU

8. Electricity Bill (not older than 3 months)

9. Water Bill (not older than 3 months)

10. Telephone Landline Bill (not older than 3 months)

11. Property Tax Receipt (not older than 1 year)

12. Credit Card Statement (not older than 3 months)

13. Insurance Policy

14. Signed Letter having Photo from Bank on letterhead

15. Signed Letter having Photo issued by registered Company on letterhead

16. Signed Letter having Photo issued by Recognized Educational Institution on letterhead or Photo ID having address issued by Recognized Educational Institution

17. NREGS Job Card

18. Arms License

19. Pensioner Card

20. Freedom Fighter Card

21. Kissan Passbook

22. CGHS/ ECHS Card

23. Certificate of Address having photo issued by MP or MLA or MLC or Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

24. Certificate of Address issued by Village Panchayat head or its equivalent authority (for rural areas) on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

25. Income Tax Assessment Order

26. Vehicle Registration Certificate

27. Registered Sale/ Lease/ Rent Agreement

28. Address Card having Photo issued by Department of Posts

29. Caste and Domicile Certificate having Photo issued by State Govt

30. Disability ID Card/ handicapped medical certificate issued by the respective State/ UT Governments/ Administrations

31. Gas Connection Bill (not older than 3 months)

32. Passport of Spouse

33. Passport of Parents (in case of Minor)

34. Allotment letter of accommodation issued by Central/ State Govt. (not more than 3 years old)

35. Marriage Certificate issued by the Government, containing address

36. Bhamashah Card/Jan-Aadhaar card issued by Govt. of Rajasthan

37. Certificate from Superintendent/ Warden/ Matron/ Head of Institution of recognized shelter homes or orphanages etc. on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

38. Certificate of Address having photo issued by Municipal Councillor on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

39. Identity Card issued by recognized educational institutions

40. SSLC book having photograph

41. School Identity card

42. School Leaving Certificate (SLC)/ School Transfer Certificate (TC), containing Name and Address

43. Extract of School Records containing Name, Address and Photograph issued by Head of School

44. Certificate of Identity containing Name, Address and Photo issued by Recognized Educational Institution signed by Head of Institute on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

45. Certificate of identity containing Name, DOB and Photograph issued by Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on UIDAI standard certificate format for enrolment/ update

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The Haryana state government takes a step ahead in enhancing the connectivity from Delhi to Hisar through a rail route. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the state government has given a proposal to the Centre to develop a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting Delhi to Hisar.

In order to enhance the connectivity and ties amongst the states, the Haryana government proposed this initiative. Further, they feel it will become more convenient for commuters to commute across the states.

The Chief Minister on Monday held a meeting with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav. Khattar said that this rail route would also facilitate connectivity from Hisar airport to Delhi airport. As per sources, this initiative will help people in every way, from making it easier for them to travel, to increasing the employment opportunities for the masses.

Read also: Sri Lanka inaugurates luxury train with help from India, connects Jaffna to Colombo

Talking about the other projects, Khattar informed that approval has been given by the Ministry of Railways to develop a roadway under the elevated railway line of Rohtak. Apart from this, the process of land acquisition will be started soon by the Haryana government regarding the rail route from Palwal to Prithla.

The Chief Minister further informed that 10 railway stations will be built on the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor passing through Haryana in order to accelerate the development of various sectors. Vaishnaw has said that time-bound decisions have been taken to speed up the works of various railway projects in Haryana.

With inputs from ANI

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With the increasing cases of Covid-19 government has issued strict guidelines to be followed by people. Considering the growing rate of patients, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the railway hospitals and the health infrastructure can be used for the citizens. The directions were issued in the presence of V K Tripathi, Chairman and Chief Executive officer, Railway board, senior zonal officials and ministry officials during a virtual review meeting.

India saw a single-day rise of 1,79,723 coronavirus infections, taking the total tally to 3,57,07,727, including 4,033 cases of the Omicron variant reported across 27 states and union territories to data updated by the Union health ministry on Monday. The number of active cases has increased to 7,23,619, the highest in around 204 days, while the death toll has climbed to 4,83,936 with 146 fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

During the meeting, Vaishnaw reviewed the preparedness of railway hospitals, their infrastructure and functioning of their pediatric wards, and the status of Covid vaccination among railway staff and their family members. He also laid stress on vaccination of children between 15-18 years and on precautionary doses for frontline workers.

Read also: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar proposes Rapid Rail corridor connecting Delhi to Hisar

The minister took stock of the availability of medicines, oxygen supply, zeolite stock and other necessary medical support and functioning of ventilators, liquid medical oxygen tanks, and other equipment which are critical in Covid treatment, the statement said. The railways have commissioned 78 oxygen plants given the Covid situation, and 17 more are to be trusted.

The minister also urged officials to increase the frequency of announcements at railway stations about masking up, sanitisation of hands and other precautionary measures, and discouraging entry of people without a mask at stations. He also reviewed the running of special trains in case of emergency or a sudden surge in the number of passengers or migrants at stations during the current phase of the pandemic.

With inputs from PTI

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 11 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu via video conferencing and said that the opening of new medical institutions will give a boost to the health care services in south India.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 11 new government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu, through video conference pic.twitter.com/PdZq9VHZAz  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

Once in a lifetime covid pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of health sector, PM Modi said after inaugurating new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu. Speaking on the occasion, the PM said, the future will belong to societies which invest in the health sector.

The PM also assured the gathering that ''having learnt from the pandemic, the government keeps working to ensure inclusive, quality health services to all the countrymen.''

The PM added, "In 2014, our country had 387 medical colleges. In the last seven years only, this number has gone up to 596 medical colleges. There were only seven AIIMS in the country before 2014 but now, the number of AIIMS approved has increased to 22.''

PM Narendra Modi said that "in the coming years, I envision India as being the go-to destination for quality and affordable care. India has everything needed to be a hub for medical tourism and I urge the medical fraternity to look at telemedicine as well."

In the coming years, I envision India as being the go-to destination for quality and affordable care. India has everything needed to be a hub for medical tourism and I urge the medical fraternity to look at telemedicine as well: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/J0CmMww6Tv  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the new campus of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai.

PM Narendra Modi also inaugurates the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai, through video conference pic.twitter.com/3Cnjegnzr0  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022

These medical colleges have been inaugurated in districts including Virudhunagar, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Thiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram and Krishnagiri.

Hailing Tamil Nadu's rich cultural heritage, the PM said, "I have always been fascinated by the richness of the Tamil language and culture. One of the happiest moments of my life was when I got a chance to speak a few words in the worlds oldest language, Tamil, at the United Nations."

The establishment of these medical colleges is in line with the Prime Ministers constant endeavour to promote affordable medical education and improve health infrastructure in all parts of the country. The new medical colleges, with a cumulative capacity of 1,450 seats, have been established under the Centrally Sponsored scheme of Establishing of New Medical Colleges attached with existing district and referral hospital.

Under the scheme, medical colleges are established in districts that do not have either a government or private medical college.

According to Prime Minister`s Office (PMO), MBBS seats have been increased by 79.60 per cent (from 51,348 seats to 92,222 seats) and the number of PG seats increased by 80.70 per cent (from 31,185 seats to 56,374 seats) during the last seven years.

So, the total medical seats before 2014 were around 82,500. And in the last seven years, a jump of around 80 per cent or 66,000 seats has taken place. The total number of medical colleges (both government and private) has increased from 387 to 596, a jump of around 54 per cent, the PMO informed.

The establishment of a new campus of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai is also in line with the Prime Ministers vision to protect and preserve Indian heritage and promote classical languages.

Live TV
New Delhi: After a night of flaming arguments and fights, Bigg Boss 15 finally has its new captain  Shamita Shetty. While the non-VIPs have to continue battling for a place in the finale, the VIPs are now told to defend their position and save themselves from being downgraded. With just a couple of weeks remaining for the finale, they face a huge challenge to keep their VIP status intact.

Having bagged the captaincy after putting in a tremendous effort, Shamita now holds the power to strip off VIP from whoever she wants. She uses this power against Tejasswi, who has been her nemesis for quite some time now. Shocked by this setback, Tejasswi says, Maine vishwas kiya aap par. Woh mujhse galti hui hai!

She also points out how Shamita has always held a grudge against her and dares Shamita to admit that she is her biggest competitor.

Both get into a nasty duel of words; while Shamita defends her decision telling Tejasswi that she saved her boyfriend Karan, the latter retorts saying that Shamita has only taken away her VIP status to get closer to Karan. Shamita turns to Karan and says, Tell your girlfriend to keep quiet about this.

But Tejasswi ends up taking a massive dig at Shamita saying that she only saved her from previous nominations because of her injury, which infuriates Shamita even more.

Later, Bigg Boss asks non-VIPs to choose someone who has done the task in the best manner and deserves to be in place of Tejasswi.

Now, Bigg Boss has given new task to the contestants where both the VIP contenders  Pratik and Tejasswi have to finish a new task which is called BB cycle shop. They have to take spare parts of their cycle from the shopkeeper and have to complete their cycle. Whosoever completes the cycle first will become another VIP and also become Ticket To Finale contestant.


Sultanpur: A local court on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against BJP MLA Swami Prasad Maurya, a day after he resigned as a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh.

The arrest warrant against Swami Prasad Maurya was issued in connection with a seven-year-old case. The case was lodged against Maurya in 2014 for allegedly making objectionable comments against Hindu gods.

The MP-MLA court Judge Yogesh Kumar Yadav issued the warrant against him after he did not attend the court hearing on Wednesday. In 2016, an arrest warrant was issued against him in the same case which was stayed by the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court.

Issuing the warrant, the Judge fixed January 24 as the next date of hearing. The court had on January 6 directed Maurya to appear before it on January 12 but he did not appear, lawyer Anil Tiwari said.

Maurya, an influential OBC leader, had resigned from the Yogi Adityanath cabinet on Tuesday. After stoking a political storm by his exit from the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, MLA Swami Prasad Maurya on Wednesday (January 12) asserted that he does not plan on returning to the BJP.

Talking to reporters, he said, "I have rejected the BJP and there is no question of going back. "I have only quit as a minister. I will quit the BJP soon. For now, I am not joining the Samajwadi Party.

The UP MLA claimed his resignation had set off a storm in the BJP and had shaken the party. As per reports, in an effort to bring him back into the fold ahead of crucial Assembly elections, some senior BJP leaders had spoken to Maurya on the phone after he stepped down.

Soon after Mauryas resignation on Tuesday, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted his photograph with him, confirming that the latter would join the SP. The development comes in the wake of UP polls. The state will vote in seven phases beginning from February 10. The counting of votes will be done on March 10.

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Billionaire biotech entrepreneur Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who some call the richest man in Los Angeles, flew to Western New York on a Saturday last month and spent five hours inside the state-funded $200 million drug manufacturing plant in Dunkirk.

He liked what he saw.

On Wednesday, his company, California-based ImmunityBio Inc., announced an agreement to take over the lease on the 409,000-square-foot Dunkirk building from Athenex, the Buffalo biopharmaceutical firm the state had built the facility for but had run into a series of regulatory setbacks that delayed the plant becoming operational and hurt company finances.

Soon-Shiong told The Buffalo News that once the transaction closes this quarter, the Dunkirk facility will become ImmunityBio's single-largest manufacturing plant that could be producing the company's Covid-19 vaccine drug substance by the end of 2022. A preliminary agreement also calls for ImmunityBio to provide contract manufacturing capacity at the Dunkirk facility to Athenex.

"I think between Athenex and us, we will utilize that plant to its fullest extent, and I think we'll utilize most of the capacity," said Soon-Shiong, ImmunityBio's executive chairman. "We have great ambitions to make this plant our star plant, and really the idea is to build a campus around the plant and actually bring New York as our biological manufacturing hub."

That would be good news for the state, local officials and taxpayers. It's been nearly six years since then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state would construct the plant for Athenex, hoping it would provide the boost necessary to turn the Buffalo company into a biopharmaceutical powerhouse that could help build Western New York's reputation within drug development and manufacturing.

At that time, officials expected construction of the Dunkirk plant to be complete by the end of 2018. While the building is now finished, Athenex has reported delays in securing state licenses, which pushed back the start of manufacturing in Dunkirk.

Athenex's Dunkirk plant 'essentially complete,' but manufacturing won't start this year It's been one delay after another for Athenex's $200 million drug manufacturing facility in Dunkirk, a state-funded project first announced by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo nearly six years ago.

Once the deal closes, ImmunityBio will assume the investment and hiring obligations of Athenex's agreements with the state. The lease, which began Oct. 1, calls for an annual lease payment of $2 for an initial 10-year term, with an option to renew for another 10 years.

In exchange, ImmunityBio must spend $1.52 billion on operational expenses in the first 10-year lease term and another $1.5 billion if it exercises its option to extend the lease.

Further, ImmunityBio will have to hire 450 employees in Dunkirk within the first five years of operations, including at least 300 within the first 30 months of the plant becoming operational.

Given those obligations, the transaction must be approved by the state-affiliated Fort Schuyler Management Corp., Empire State Development and the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency. An Athenex lender also must sign off on the agreement.

Mark Geise, CEO of the Chautauqua IDA, said the organization would have to pass a resolution to transfer the leasehold agreements to ImmunityBio. He noted the IDA had a meeting planned with the company for Thursday.

"At least on the surface, it appears to be a good thing, especially considering they're assuming all the obligations of Athenex when they entered into the agreement," he said. "We're going to dig in and ask some tough questions and make sure it makes sense for the community."

How it happened

It might have been that Soon-Shiong never got on that plane to Western New York last month, if he hadn't already had a familiarity with the area and a relationship with Jeffrey Yordon, Athenex's chief operating officer.

The two have known each other for about 25 years, back to their days building a company called American Pharmaceutical Partners, which had a major manufacturing facility in Grand Island. Soon-Shiong, who was the company's chairman and CEO, said the two worked together to significantly boost manufacturing output at the Grand Island facility.

They eventually sold American Pharmaceutical Partners to Fresenius for $5.5 billion in 2008.

The two stayed in touch, and Soon-Shiong learned from Yordon several years ago about the plant's development in Dunkirk.

Those conversations continued, and the opportunity to acquire the lease came about this year after a couple setbacks for Athenex. Notably, Athenex was told by federal regulators in March that a key breast cancer drug that company officials hoped was close to being approved for commercial use instead needed extensive new clinical trials. That sent the company's stock plummeting and put additional strains on its finances.

"There's a long history of the people that are actually in that plant that Ive known since my days at APP as chairman and CEO," Soon-Shiong said. "I think this is a wonderful opportunity to come back to New York and build this again."

Soon-Shiong, who has a net worth of $7.4 billion, according to Forbes, said ImmunityBio plans to further invest in the Dunkirk plant by adding biological manufacturing equipment and transferring technology from California to the facility.

With the addition of the Dunkirk plant, ImmunityBio, which also develops cancer treatment products, will have nearly 1 million square feet of manufacturing and research-and-development space in the United States, South Africa and Botswana.

"We could make the Dunkirk facility a showpiece of our finished product," Soon-Shiong said.

What's next for Athenex?

While some may view the news of ImmunityBio stepping in as a disappointing result for Athenex, Yordon said that's not how he sees it.

"Every business has long-term objectives," he said. "And if it turns out that there's an obstacle in the way, I think a sign of a good company is that you figure out a way to get around it and move on."

Cuomo calls $200 million Athenex biotech plant a game-changer for Dunkirk Upstate New York is on the way back, Cuomo told the crowd gathered in the Dunkirk High School auditorium for the

The company will continue to operate its Athenex Pharmaceutical Division and Athenex Pharmaceutical Solutions business units. And with the preliminary agreement with ImmunityBio, that would allow Athenex's pharmaceutical solutions division, which compounds products for hospitals, to manufacture its products at the Dunkirk facility without the additional costs of running the entire plant.

And after a tough 2021, the transaction allows Athenex to shed its obligations to the state in Dunkirk. And it will use proceeds from the deal to pay down debt.

"What we were looking for is a way to substantially reduce our overhead, yet still have access to that facility for our 503B business," Yordon said. "So what we were able to do is find a solution that seemed to meet everybody's objectives. ImmunityBio has almost unlimited resources. They are willing to spend an enormous amount."

In addition, Yordon said Athenex will remain headquartered in the Conventus Building on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and still has its compounding facility in Clarence, where it is at full capacity.

Athenex did not immediately provide an updated employee count in Western New York. By the end of 2020, Athenex had 192 permanent employees in the Buffalo area, according to its most recent annual report.

"I think it's a big win for Western New York," Yordon said. "It's a win for Athenex, and certainly for ImmunityBio, who has been looking for a plant with this kind of capability. So I think it's got a very happy ending."

Despite the news, the share prices of both companies declined Wednesday. Athenex's stock closed at $1.14, down 9 cents, while shares of ImmunityBio dropped 16 cents to finish the day at $6.32.

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com.

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Kolkata: Acting on a tip-off, the West Bengal Polices Special Task Force (STF) arrested two persons and seized 2.5kgs of heroin appropriately estimated at around Rs 12 crores.

Interestingly, the banned contraband was concealed in the cavity of the body of the truck and was being illegally smuggled to another state. Cops intercepted the vehicle in Siliguri in transit while it was on its way to Bihar. The truck was coming from Manipur.

According to a statement issued by the West Bengal STF, a truck was intercepted in Siliguri on the portion of the national highway falling under New Jalpaiguri Police Station limits.

STF arrested two persons - both of them were onboard the vehicle. While one person hails from Manipur and the other person hails from Jharkhand.

Today morning based on a source information, West Bengal STF intercepted a truck on NH under NJP PS, Siliguri Police Commissionerate and recovered 2.5Kgs of Heroin from it. Two persons have been arrested. The heroin was welded into the body of the truck. The illegal drug was coming from Manipur and was en route to Bihar. A case has been started at the New Jalpaiguri Police Station of Siliguri Police Commissionerate. The investigation is proceeding, said a statement from West Bengal STF.
A Buffalo man pleaded guilty Tuesday to two felonies involving guns, one related to a June incident in Allentown, the Erie County District Attorney's Office said. Tysheim R. Evans, 27, was out on bail on the first charge when he turned himself in following the second charge.

The first incident took place on July 21, 2020. Buffalo police responding to a 911 call about shots fired from a vehicle at Wohlers Avenue and East Ferry Street allegedly saw Evans in a vehicle on Celtic Street that matched the description that the 911 caller gave, according to the DA's office. As officers approached, Evans ran but was taken into custody. Authorities found an illegal, loaded handgun in a bag inside the vehicle, Flynn said. He was released on $10,000 bail.

Then on June 6, Evans and another worker at Allen Burger Venture at 175 Allen St. got into an argument that led to a fistfight in the back alley of the restaurant, prosecutors said. Evans then allegedly went into an employee locker room to retrieve a gun. He then allegedly fired the gun into the ground. The round splintered into two pieces, nicking another employee in the leg  a person who was not involved in the original altercation  as well as the second person who was not an employee of the restaurant, police said at the time.

Evans turned himself in the following day and was remanded to jail.

Tuesday, Evans appeared before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio and pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the 2020 case and one count of second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the 2021 case.

Following the plea, Evans continued to be held without bail and faces up to 22 years in prison when he is sentenced at 2 p.m. Feb. 17.

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A one-time "kingpin" debt collector who owes $60 million in restitution and civil penalties hasn't turned over any money or enough information about his finances to satisfy state and federal lawyers and investigators.

But Douglas MacKinnon did come up with $10,000 last year to extend his stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Aruba, a 5-star beachfront resort with sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea.

MacKinnon's brother sent him the money so he could stay two weeks longer because of Covid-19, the former debt collector said Tuesday during the second day of a federal court hearing. The hearing was held to determine whether MacKinnon should be sanctioned and even incarcerated for not fully complying with a government subpoena.

"I'm sorry to hear that," state Assistant Attorney General Christopher Boyd said of the reason for the extended stay in Aruba.

"It wasn't that bad," MacKinnon replied.

The $10,000 sent by MacKinnon's brother is just one of the many financial details officials from the state Attorney General's Office and federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are seeking to piece together to get an accurate accounting of MacKinnon's finances.

Was it a loan from the brother, as one document indicated? Or was it Douglas MacKinnon's own money being transferred to him by his brother?

Government lawyers say MacKinnon has a history of using his family members and friends as straw persons to hold and transfer assets on his behalf, so they also issued subpoenas seeking financial information to his wife, Amy MacKinnon; three children, Mary Kate MacKinnon, Connor MacKinnon and Ryan MacKinnon; and the brother, Matthew MacKinnon.

At the hearing, Boyd read aloud from an email Douglas MacKinnon sent to a former business associate involving a property transaction.

"It's a weird situation," MacKinnon wrote in the email. "It's my property in Matt's name."

On Monday, Douglas MacKinnon said he owed his brother Matthew some $1.4 million, and that he had signed over his interests in some businesses to partially pay back his brother.

During the hearing, Boyd asked how MacKinnon's son Connor, now 30 years old, was able to buy at least 10 properties when he was 19 years old making about $500 a week as a "pizza boy" at a restaurant. MacKinnon estimated his son now has a net worth of about $500,000  down from nearly $2.3 million listed in a 2018 financial statement.

MacKinnon said his son didn't handle the day-to-day dealings managing the properties, which were transferred from another MacKinnon-affiliated company to a limited liability company owned by the son.

As for himself, Douglas MacKinnon, who now lives in North Tonawanda, said he now has about $3,000 in cash on hand, plus a vehicle. He said he makes $1,000 a week doing sales work and budgeting for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning company. At times he has deposited his paycheck into his girlfriend's bank account to pay bills, he said.

Boyd quizzed him on Monday and Tuesday about the lack of documentation on loans or transfers of business interests. MacKinnon said he could not obtain his own will.

In 2016, the state and federal governments sued Douglas MacKinnon and his companies Northern Resolution Group and Enhanced Acquisitions, accusing them of harassing, threatening and deceiving consumers across the nation into paying inflated debts or amounts they did not owe. The collection tactics included using spoofed phone numbers to pretend to be calling from a court or government agency, and the collectors also sent threatening messages to consumers to frighten them into paying, according to the lawsuit. MacKinnon and his companies were permanently banned from the debt collection industry.

When State Attorney General Letitia James announced the $60 million settlement in 2019, she referred to MacKinnon as a "kingpin" of Buffalo debt collectors. Of the $60 million MacKinnon agreed to pay, $40 million would be set aside to pay restitution to consumers, and $20 million would be set aside for civil penalties to state and federal governments.

Reacting to his failure to pay, the state and federal agencies in May 2020 sought his bank statements, credit card bills, income tax returns, deeds, mortgages, promissory notes, and documents reflecting any trusts, stocks, properties, estate planning and asset transfers to his family members, among other records. But they aren't satisfied with what he turned over.

MacKinnon did not supply tax returns after 2015, and when asked about them, MacKinnon's lawyer instructed him not to reply.

"Information Mr. MacKinnon wanted to provide, he provided," Boyd told U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. "Information he wanted to withhold, he withheld."

Boyd called MacKinnon's response to the subpoena "more of a run-around. This has been going on for 20 months."

MacKinnon said it has been a challenge to come up with financial records because his past associates  a lawyer, accountant and business partner, among others  haven't returned his phone calls or messages seeking the records to comply with the order.

"A number of people have went dark on me," MacKinnon said at the federal hearing.

Attorney Joseph G. Makowski, who represents MacKinnon, said his client "answered fully" the government request for financial information.

"We're not trying to hide the ball here," Makowski told the judge.

But later in the hearing, Makowski told the judge the search for records was hampered by others who hold the records, but "for whatever reason, they're not cooperating with us."

"We just don't have a lot of records here," he said.

Geraci suspended the hearing Tuesday, and he scheduled the lawyers to return Feb. 24 for a status update. In the meantime, MacKinnon has been given until Feb. 4 to supplement his subpoena responses, and he is scheduled to be deposed by government lawyers on Feb. 9.

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Douglas Jemal says he'll put "my money where my mouth is" to save the Great Northern grain elevator.

The developer is offering Archer Daniels Midland $100,000 to stabilize the 1897 local landmark damaged in a Dec. 11 windstorm. He also offered to pay for outside structural engineers to examine the abandoned grain elevator and render an independent judgment on its condition.

"I believe the structure can be saved and should be saved, and ADM believes it shouldn't be saved and can't be saved, so I'll put my money where my mouth is and donate $100,000 toward stabilization of the building," Jemal told The News.

"I'm stepping up to the plate and the ball's in their court," Jemal said. "Here's my money."

James Comerford, the Buffalo commissioner of permit and inspection services, issued an emergency demolition order Dec. 17, but the city has not released the demolition permit required for ADM to tear down the structure.

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture lost its court bid to prevent the city from issuing the demolition order. The preservation group has appealed the decision in the Appellate Division.

Jemal said the city should have had an independent structural engineer with a knowledge of historic buildings analyze the Great Northern before issuing the emergency demolition order. He called it a mistake to rely on a report by engineers hired by ADM, since the company has tried to demolish the structure on three previous occasions since taking ownership in 1996.

Jemal said he's frustrated by ADM's pursuit of demolition without showing regard to the structure's importance to Buffalo's history.

"I love historical preservation, and I do love old buildings and I love history," Jemal said. "What attracted me to Buffalo, candidly, was its architecture, which as we all know is magnificent.

"I want to save the Great Northern, and I won't let ADM bully this city around," Jemal said.

Sanjay Khanna, a consulting structural engineer who works with Jemal, reviewed a number of concerns raised by engineers working with ADM, but he said they all appeared correctable.

"There is no question in our mind that this building can be retained," Khanna said.

The Great Northern is the last remaining brick box-style grain elevator in North America, and the first, with the Electric Elevator, to be powered by electricity. Some of the 20 cylindrical steel bins inside, which are of a type that were were only used for around 10 years by the industry before being replaced by reinforced concrete bins, are partially viewable after the storm created a large hole in the north wall.

"My God, it's a gem," Jemal said, noting the structure's appearance has suffered from ADM's lack of attention during the 29 years the company has owned it.

"In its present state it is a blighted structure, but it's a blighted structure strictly by neglect," he said.

Jemal has made a career in Washington, D.C., and now Buffalo of resuscitating blighted buildings.

"Seneca One was a blighted structure. The Statler was a blighted structure. The police station was a blighted structure," Jemal said of the former Buffalo Police Headquarters on Franklin Street that he converted into apartments last year. "Private properties are blighted only by neglect, not because they're bad."

Jemal said he's been bombarded with messages since he stepped forward with an offer to ADM to buy, repair and reuse the Great Northern if the company was willing to sell the property.

"I'm over 500 emails and texts and letters," Jemal said. "My desk in Buffalo is packed with letters. The sentiment in this city is huge on saving the Great Northern."

Company attorney Brian Melber dismissed the idea of ADM selling the Great Northern when he was asked in court if the company would consider such an offer.

"The question at the end of the day is can it be saved, and the answer is unequivocally yes," Jemal said. "There is mitigation that you could do to save the building."

Mark Sommer covers preservation, development, the waterfront, culture and more. He's also a former arts editor at The News.

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In a situation reminiscent of the start of the pandemic, incidences of Covid-19 are on the rise while masks used to help stem the spread of the virus appear to be in short supply.

Fortunately, some high-quality masks are being made available to business owners in the Elmwood Avenue and Hertel Avenue shopping districts, as well as to Buffalo police precincts across the city, thanks to a donation that was made recently to Delaware Council Member Joel Feroleto's office, and announced on the website of the Elmwood Village Association.

"An anonymous donor contacted me, and wanted to donate approximately 10,000 N95 masks," Feroleto said.

"It's really incredible. The person who donated them was extremely generous and kind ... We have such wonderful people in this community, and for someone to just donate them  no recognition, just to make sure they get into the hands of people like public-facing employees of small businesses and police and the people police interact with  is such an incredible gesture," he added.

In the face of the more transmissible Omicron variant, N95 masks are being recommended as a superior alternative to the standard blue surgical masks. Recently, Erie County began distributing 400,000 free KN95 masks at county vaccination sites, libraries, senior centers and other locations. In addition, the Buffalo Public School District has ordered half a million KN95 masks, according to a letter sent to parents by school Superintendent Kriner Cash.

The donated masks received by Feroleto's office were divided between the Elmwood Village Association and the Hertel Business Association, while a significant number were donated to the Buffalo Police Department.

Feroleto said that not only would the masks be available to police officers who, in their line of work, are interacting with members of the public, but officers will be able to keep some masks in their vehicles to give out to individuals who don't have masks to wear.

"And that's a program that the Buffalo police started in the beginning of Covid, and that's something they were doing that will help the person they were interacting with, and also the officer who the person comes into contact with," said Feroleto.

Meanwhile, the masks delivered to the business associations in Feroleto's Council district are being distributed to business owners on Elmwood and Hertel avenues who, along with their employees, may be vulnerable to Covid-19 and its variants, including Omicron, if they are not properly masked while waiting on customers.

"I know that last week the Hertel Business Association contacted businesses via email, and there were several hundred (masks) that were being distributed to the businesses that requested them. Then I know they were going to go door-to-door, just walking to the businesses that they hadn't heard from and distribute some to them that way," Feroleto said.

On Tuesday, Hertel Business Association President Judy Porto distributed the masks to business owners on Hertel.

"It's very significant," Porto said of the donation.

"It gives a chance for the businesses to give them to their employees first, and have them be safe and, if they have extras, they can give them to customers if they don't have a mask . ... It will help a lot of the businesses, hopefully, cut down on Covid and having their employees calling in sick and having days they have to shut down because they don't have enough staff," she continued.

"Unfortunately, that's what they're still dealing with, a lot of them, and a lot of them are smaller businesses. So they only have like a staff of five or eight. So it's a little harder on the smaller businesses than it is on the restaurants that might employ 30 or 40 people," Porto added.

Meanwhile, Feroleto applauded the act of the anonymous donor.

"There's so many negative and difficult things going on in the world right now that an act like this just really brings a smile to faces and makes you really appreciate the acts of kind people," Feroleto said.

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A Mill Middle School homework assignment asking students to translate sentences that included the phrases "Mexican and ugly" and "pretty and American" into Spanish was "unacceptable," according to Williamsville school officials, and was decried as an example of "bias" by one parent.

A Williamsville Central School District statement issued Tuesday does not provide details on the assignment.

"The assignment created by the teacher and presented to students was unacceptable. We are addressing the situation to ensure this does not happen again," the statement reads. "The district does not condone any instructional material that denigrates our students, families, culture or beliefs."

Statement regarding homework assignment posted to social media: pic.twitter.com/jkk35QjXlp  Williamsville CSD (@WCSD_K12) January 11, 2022

It's only the latest example of insensitive school homework assignments drawing scrutiny after they were shared online or with media. Last February, a group of middle school teachers outside Madison, Wis., offended parents and were placed on leave after they asked students studying an ancient system of laws to write how they would "punish" slaves.

Another from October raised objections in the Ashland, Ky., area after a high school assignment used an offensive term for people with developmental disabilities.

The Buffalo News obtained a copy of the Mill Middle homework, which asked students to translate 10 sentences from English to Spanish.

Most are benign, such as "I am a student at Mill," but two of the sentences spurred outrage from parents: "You (friendly) are Mexican and ugly" and "You (politely) are pretty and American." The words in parentheses apparently refer to the formal and informal ways of saying "you" in Spanish.

Another sentence was "You guys (Spain) are tall and blond."

"I was stunned and speechless," said Allison Wainick, whose stepdaughter showed Wainick and her husband the assignment after receiving it in mid-December. "She was upset," Wainick said.

Wainick said she raised concerns about the assignment with Mill Middle School Principal Lori Jonas before the winter recess. Asked what she thought of Jonas' response to her complaint, Wainick declined to comment.

"I'm extremely disappointed with Mill Middle for letting the disgusting and inexcusable language such as this to be presented in the classroom," Wainick's husband, Marcelo Florencio, who was born and raised in Latin America and whose children are multi-ethnic, said in an email. "I believe there is no place for it in school or our children's lives."

On Monday, Wainick contacted Williamsville Superintendent Darren Brown-Hall and a School Board member she knows to address the assignment she described as "devastating and disappointing."

"One teacher does not reflect the spirit and sentiment of the leadership, because the superintendent and this board member have been responsive and very understanding," she said.

Wainick, who is Hispanic and was born in Colombia, declined to identify the teacher.

Wainick also posted a photo of the assignment to the Williamsville Parent Education Connection page on Facebook, a private group open to district stakeholders, and asked, "Is this a typical Spanish homework assignment in WCSD these days?"

People responded with comments such as "Seriously. Please no" and "I am absolutely disgusted that this was handed out and I am so sorry for any student who received it," according to screen grabs shared with The News. Wainick later expressed gratitude for the responses she received from members of the Facebook group.

District spokesman Nick Filipowski said officials would have no further comment on the assignment, including whether the teacher is facing any discipline over the incident, though the statement said it "will be dealt with appropriately."

He said Brown-Hall planned to read the statement at Tuesday evening's School Board meeting.

"I, personally, don't feel this Spanish teacher  or anyone who approves of this kind of curriculum content  has any place in WCSD or elsewhere," wrote Florencio, saying the assignment showed a "blatant lack of ethnic sensitivity and bias."

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Covid-19 continues to rage in Western New York, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant tears through the population, infecting record numbers of people and swelling hospitals though, thankfully so far, not their intensive care units.

And yet, too many people shrug as even rising numbers of children succumb to the virus.

Its not just here. Hospitalizations for Covid-19 hit a national high this week, with more than 146,000 people admitted for treatment, surpassing even last Januarys surge of admissions, before vaccines were widely available. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of those requiring hospital care are  selfishly and foolishly  unvaccinated.

We know that the Omicron variant is less likely to kill or cause serious illness for those with a full series of shots, including a booster. But the threat exists, even with better treatments than existed a year ago. Breakthrough infections are more common with Omicron, especially for those without a booster shot, and once youre sick enough to be hospitalized with a respiratory illness, youre in danger. That includes children, who are being hospitalized with Covid-19 at a record rate.

The numbers tell the unnerving story: As of Wednesday, infections across the country had risen a dizzying 185% over two weeks, according to data reported in The New York Times, while hospitalizations rose 84%. Omicrons dramatically greater infectiousness is creating a perfect storm of illness that is overwhelming health care systems, including hospitals.

Its a hammer and anvil threat, as record numbers of patients swamp hospitals at the same time that breakthrough infections are sidelining health professionals, amplifying the stresses. Here, more than 700 health care employees were not at work on one day last week because of Covid-19, forcing providers to plan for additional service reductions. Most of those workers are vaccinated and suffering milder symptoms, but they are still unavailable to treat the sick.

As hospitals become more crowded, the health care system groans and more people die as care inevitably becomes rationed. And its not just those infected with the novel coronavirus. Other illnesses go untreated as beds are filled and staffing falters. In Arizona, as National Public Radio recently reported, health care workers are warning that the system is on the verge of collapse.

Weve had more events where people are having cardiac arrests, or decompensating and getting very sick and even dying in the waiting rooms, Dr. Bradley Dreifuss, an emergency medicine physician in Tucson, Ariz., said last week.

Some hospitals are once again restricting visits. Among them are Erie County Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Bailey Avenue. The states psychiatric hospitals, including Buffalos, are also restricting which visitors are allowed and requiring them to prove they are vaccinated or provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test.

Schools are being overrun by the virus as teachers, bus drivers and others are infected. In North Tonawanda, school officials had to cancel classes earlier this week. Why are some schools worse hit than others? Some of it may simply be bad luck, but an important influence is the level of care members of the community are willing to take.

Reports of the Omicron variants milder symptoms may have had an unwanted side effect by lowering the determination of some people to continue the practices known to limit transmission: masking, distancing and hand-washing. It may have convinced some deluded or indifferent portions of the population that they really dont need to be vaccinated. But they are dying at elevated rates while risking the lives of others they may infect.

All strategies, in fact, remain crucial as the health care system staggers under the weight of this new wave of infections. Indeed, one of them  masking  has taken on a more important dimension. So infectious is Omicron, that cloth masks are little more than facial decorations, as Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency room physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at George Washington University, recently told CNN, where she is a medical analyst. Theres no place for them in light of Omicron.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected soon to recommend the use of N95 or KN95 masks, which fit snugly and, as their names suggest, can filter up to 95% of airborne particles.

The experience of other countries and even some signs here suggest that the Omicron threat may soon begin to recede, but it hasnt happened yet. And even when it does, its decline doesnt signal all clear. And we dont know what may come next. Caution remains essential.

Without that care  masks, distancing and vaccinations with boosters  Americans, including Western New Yorkers, are putting their health care infrastructure under stresses it is not built to withstand.

As Dr. Doug White, a critical care physician at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, recently told NPR: When hospitals are strained, everyone suffers.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science campus in Willowbrook was closed Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Charles R. Drew University is set to reopen Wednesday after a bomb threat closed the medical school campus Tuesday.

The medical campus of the historically Black college and university in Willowbrook received a bomb threat early Sunday that led to the closure.

"CDU campus safety and local law enforcement completed a review of the grounds and facilities and determined that the campus is safe. The campus will reopen for limited operations" on Wednesday, the school said in a statement late Tuesday.

The Times obtained a copy of the threat sent from an individual who identified as a white male neo-Nazi who alleges to have planted three titanium nitrite sulfuric bombs around the eastern and northern parts of campus. The bombs were allegedly going to detonate about 1 p.m. Sunday.

"I want to show the Black population what the white man can do, we will take back our land!" the threat said.

Jonathan Zaleski, director of communications for Charles Drew University, said in an email statement that university officials discovered the emailed threat on Tuesday. It was sent "to a generic university email address" of the school's president, David M. Carlisle.

"Out of an abundance of caution, CDU immediately closed the entire campus and notified authorities," Zaleski said.

Last week, at least eight HBCU campuses were targeted with bomb threats, including Howard University in Washington and Xavier University in Louisiana. A bomb threat also forced the evacuation of Mt. San Antonio College on Jan. 4, although nothing was found in a search of the Walnut campus.

The university opened in 1966 and is named after Dr. Charles R. Drew, a Black physician from the early and mid-20th century who focused on blood banking and blood plasma storage and transfusion. He was also a distinguished surgeon and chair of surgery at Howard University.

More than 80% of Charles Drew University students are from communities of color and more than 71% of campus faculty are people of color, according to the college's website.

Story continues

Since opening, the university has graduated more than 600 physicians, 1,225 physician assistants and nearly 1,600 other health professionals, as well as trained over 2,700 physician specialists through its sponsored residency programs. Its school of nursing has graduated more than 1,300 nursing professionals, including more than 950 family nurse practitioners.

Times staff writer Anita Chabria contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(AP)

Hosts Cameroon got the Africa Cup of Nations up and running with a tense 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso.

In the first match of a tournament that has been much-delayed, it was Burkina Faso who took a shock lead through Gustavo Sangare as he volleyed home.

But Vincent Aboubakar took full advantage of some rash defending to convert two penalties in the first-half and put Cameroon back in front.

The hosts had plenty of chances to extend their lead after the break, but it did not matter in the end as they got off to a winning start.

Steeve Yago was booked inside a minute of the tournament getting underway, with the Burkina Faso defender lucky it wasnt a different colour card after a dreadful early challenge.

Sangare netted the first goal of the tournament, moments after Bertrand Traores header was cleared off the line. The ball was worked back into the box, Andre Onana came for it but got nowhere near, and Sangare volleyed in really well at the back post.

With five minutes left in the half, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa went down in the box under a challenge from Traore. The referee initially waved away the appeals, but after a VAR review he pointed to the spot and Aboubakar made no mistake.

There was no need for a review in first-half stoppage time, when Issoufou Dayo flew into a challenge and brought down Nouhou Tolo as he crossed it in.

Aboubakar again stepped up and this time sent his penalty into the opposite corner to give Cameroon a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Burkina Faso pushed for an equaliser in the second-half, with all their attacking promise coming through Traore who had a couple of speculative efforts from range saved.

Cameroon thought they had a third and Aboubakar his hat-trick, after he bundled in a rebound from close range. But after a three-minute VAR review, it was eventually ruled out for offside.

Clinton Njie came on for the hosts and looked bright, while Anguissa had a great effort deflected just wide and Aboubakar had more chances to seal the match ball but Cameroon could not find their clinical touch.

Burkina Faso did not make them pay though, as the hosts saw the rest of the match out for victory in what, on paper, is their toughest match of the group stage.
Kingston, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Delta Resources Limited (TSXV: DLTA) (OTC Pink: DTARF) ("Delta" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has returned to the field to begin a comprehensive drilling program at the Delta-2 VMS Property, 35 kilometres southeast of Chibougamau, Quebec.

Crews are mobilizing today from Delta, Miikan Drilling and Native Exploration Services of Ouje- Bougoumou, for the start of an exciting first phase of drilling that will likely be ongoing until the spring breakup.

Delta will be targeting up to 30 high-priority VTEM conductors showing geophysical signatures typical of VMS deposits as well as three (3) deep gravity anomalies with responses comparable to those over known world-class VMS deposits (see press release June 22, 2021).

Up to 36 drill holes are planned at the property-scale for a possible total of 7,400m, with highest priority holes drilled first.

Qualified Person

Andre Tessier, P.Eng and P.Geo. and President of Delta Resources Limited is a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-101 and is responsible for the technical information presented in this press release.

About Delta Resources Limited

Delta Resources Limited is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on growing shareholder value through the exploration of two very high-potential gold and base-metal projects in Canada.

DELTA-1, 45 km 2 located 50km west of Thunder Bay, Ontario where an extremely high gold-in-till anomaly and kilometre-scale gold-bearing alteration halo point to a never-tested regional structure.

DELTA-2 GOLD and DELTA-2 VMS, 200 km2 in the prolific Chibougamau District of Quebec, with a potential for hydrothermal-gold and gold-rich VMS deposits.

Delta has 49M shares outstanding is currently fully funded for its 2022 exploration program and in addition, is set to receive $400,000 on March 1st, 2022, through the sale of its Bellechasse-Timmins gold project in SE Quebec.

Story continues

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DELTA RESOURCES LIMITED.

Andre C. Tessier

President, CEO and Director

www.deltaresources.ca

We seek safe harbor. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not approved nor disapproved of the information contained herein.

For Further Information:

Delta Resources Limited

Frank Candido, Chairman, VP Corporate Communications

Tel: 514-969-5530

fcandido@deltaresources.ca

or

Andre Tessier, CEO and President

Tel: 613-328-1581

atessier@deltaresources.ca

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Some statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: the samples may be proximal to a rich bedrock source for the gold; the possibility of the same source for gold mineralization; and the initiation of a property-scale till survey in September. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases (including negative or grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and involves risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual facts to differ materially. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by management. The forward-looking information contained in this press release constitutes management's current estimates, as of the date of this press release, with respect to the matters covered thereby. We expect that these estimates will change as new information is received. While we may elect to update these estimates at any time, we do not undertake to update any estimate at any particular time or in response to any particular event.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109743
Online Learning

Colorado State U Launches Roadblock-Free Online Pre-Req Program

Colorado State University System's online learning campus, CSU Global, has introduced a structure to woo hesitant returning students who don't want the hassle of designated term or semester start dates or having to submit transcripts before they're accepted. The new offering, CSU Global Direct, is intended to help students cover the prerequisites for transitioning to full-fledged undergraduate or graduate programs.

CSU Global Direct is scheduled to begin in March 2022, with a focus on classes for candidates wanting to enter healthcare fields. All courses will be online with no set times. Students will be able start their classes each month. There will be no application fees or admissions requirements. And enrollment includes access to the global division's student services, including IT support, career advising and tutoring and writing help.

The classes cost $350 per credit hour, with current courses designating either three or four credits; those for four credits include labs. Credits earned are transferable. However, federal financial aid, such as Pell grants or Grad Plus loans, isn't available in this program.

According to the university, next up will be a set eight-week business courses that will serve as pre-requisites for other kinds of degree programs.

"Our mission with this offering is to provide an accessible path for students to get to the career and life of their dreams," said Vice President of Digital Learning Andrea Butler, in a statement. "Many learners are faced with frustrating roadblocks that prevent them from attaining their master's or doctoral degree. CSU Global Direct courses address that gap, offering an affordable way to get prerequisite credits."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said there will be a shift in the government's COVID-19 response strategy to address the high transmission rates and increasing infections in the country.

In a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the government will focus on community interventions to help curb the virus spread in localities.

She said testing will primarily help in determining the proper clinical management for high-risk or vulnerable patients. Contact tracing, on the other hand, would not be prioritized for now.

"Contact tracing is not that much prioritized anymore because we know that in each household, the possibility or the likelihood that there is one positive individual is very high," Vergeire explained.

"Our testing before, what we [were] doing before to detect who are positive so that we can immediately isolate and quarantine, becomes of second nature right now, because we'd like to prioritize our A1,A2, and A3, these are the vulnerable sectors in our population, for clinical management," she added.

Last week, the country's pandemic response task force announced shortened quarantine days for fully vaccinated healthcare workers in a bid to ensure enough manpower to handle the spike in coronavirus infections. The new policy, however, was met with backlash as medical groups questioned its safety.

READ: Govt defends shorter quarantine, isolation for health workers

Vergeire said the government is also studying the possible imposition of the protocol for the general public.

"That is our policy shift right now... there are discussions of shortening quarantine and shortening isolation for the general public and the healthcare workers, of course, adopting science and evidence. Of course, the last one would be ramping up vaccination," the Health official added.

For the past days, the Philippines has been logging record-high numbers in new daily cases  with the tally breaching the 33,000 mark. Nationwide infections have topped three million, according to the latest DOH bulletin.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  A five-year-old was killed and a number of others injured after a bus explosion in Aleosan, Cotabato Tuesday, a military official said.

LtCol. John Paul Baldomar, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, said the blast at past 8 a.m. involved a Mindanao Star bus on its way to Cotabato City.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, Baldomar said.

"Mahirap kasi magcome up ng suspect until such time na maidentify namin yung mga components at saka yung klase ng pampasabog. May nagasasabi kasi na possible na IED (improvised explosive device), may nagsasabi naman na granada so ongoing pa rin yung post blast investigation para masigurado kung anong explosive talaga ang sumabog," said Baldomar.

[Translation: It's difficult to come up with a suspect until such a time that we can identify the components and the kind of explosive device. Some say it's an IED, others say it was a grenade, so the post blast investigation is ongoing until we are sure what kind of explosive was used.]
(CNN)  Many business leaders, politicians and academics are overwhelmingly pessimistic about the threat COVID-19 still poses even as the pandemic enters its third year. They worry that an uneven economic recovery could deepen divisions within societies and between countries.

More than 84% of global experts surveyed by the World Economic Forum are worried or concerned about the outlook for the world, according to the forum's Global Risks Report published Tuesday. Just 12% of experts have a positive view, and only 4% reported feeling optimistic.

"Most respondents ... expect the next three years to be characterized by either consistent volatility and multiple surprises or fractured trajectories that will separate relative winners and losers," WEF said.

With only half of the world's population fully vaccinated, WEF said that vaccine inequality is creating a divergent economic recovery "that risks compounding pre-existing social cleavages and geopolitical tensions."

Only 11% of the nearly 1,000 experts and leaders who responded to the group's survey expect the global economic recovery to accelerate over the next three years. Developing countries, excluding China, will fall further behind advanced economies, the survey found.

More than 40% of the experts and leaders surveyed by WEF come from the business world, while 16% represent government and 17% work in academia. Roughly 45% live in Europe, while 15% hail from North America and 13% are based in Asia.

"The economic fallout from the pandemic is compounding with labor market imbalances, protectionism, and widening digital, education and skills gaps that risk splitting the world into divergent trajectories," said WEF, which announced last month that it would delay its 2022 summit in Davos, Switzerland.

Looking further ahead, failure to act on the climate crisis was the biggest risk identified by the experts over the next decade, followed by extreme weather, biodiversity loss, social cohesion erosion, livelihood crises and infectious diseases. Debt crises also ranked in the top 10 most menacing global risks.

"The climate crisis remains the biggest long-term threat facing humanity," said Peter Giger, group chief risk officer at Zurich Insurance Group, which partnered with WEF to produce the report. "It is not too late for governments and businesses to act on the risks they face and to drive an innovative, determined and inclusive [energy] transition that protects economies and people."

Risks are also emerging miles above the Earth, according to WEF, which said that space is becoming increasingly militarized at the same time as new commercial operators upset the traditional balance of power in the ungoverned frontier.

"One consequence of accelerated space activity is a higher risk of collisions that could lead to a proliferation of space debris and impact the orbits that host infrastructure for key systems on Earth, damage valuable space equipment or spark international tensions," the group said.

WEF is not the only organization to warn of major risks heading into 2022.

Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, said earlier this month that China and the United States are both turning inward, reducing their ability to provide global leadership and respond to challenges. The group's analysts also warned of risks from poor digital governance, Russian aggression, rising tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions and a slow transition to cleaner energy.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Global experts are very worried about the future, Davos survey finds"
(CNN)  In 2021, Honda was outsold in the United States by the combined forces of two South Korean brands, Hyundai and Kia. Taken together, the two Seoul-based brands ranked fifth in US sales, delivering 1,439,497 cars, trucks and minivans. Japan-based Honda sold 1,309,222.

Looking at just these mainstream brands, Hyundai and Kia outsold Honda by more than 130,000 vehicled, the first time the combined brands have outsold Honda. If their respective luxury brands are included -- Hyundai's Genesis and Honda's Acura -- the margin is much narrower, just 22,000 sales, but the Korean brands still come out slightly ahead. These sales figures were supplied by the automakers.

For Kia, it was the first time the brand ever sold more than 700,000 vehicles in one year. Hyundai set a record for retail sales -- meaning excluding sales to fleet customers -- and increased its market share by eight-tenths of a percentage point.

It might seem odd to compare two automakers with just one, but Hyundai and Kia are closely related. Hyundai Motor Group, Hyundai's parent company, owns a controlling interest in Kia, and the two companies share a lot of engineering in their various models. In the United States, Kia and Hyundai operate as two distinct companies with different US headquarters and executives, different dealerships and even different factories -- Kia builds cars in Georgia while Hyundai has a factory in Alabama. But, taking a global view, they are like two members of the same family.

Both brands have come a long way from their former identities as purveyors of just basic transportation for the budget conscious. It hasn't been quite a steady climb, though. The two brands' combined market share came close to Honda's a decade ago, according to data from the automotive website Edmunds.com, but the gap opened up again before the Korean brands surged over the past few years to finally pass Honda.

Hyundai and Kia each saw sales increase roughly 20% in 2021. Honda's sales were up just 8.2%. In announcing its sales, Honda noted struggles with supply chain issues. Both Hyundai and Kia acknowledged that the industry-wide microchip shortage created challenges for them as well. Neither company said what was done to work around it.

"Remember, with this chip shortage, the brand that has the more ample supply is the brand that's going to win," said Vanessa Ton, senior manager of analytics at Cox Automotive, a company that owns various automotive websites and auto dealer services firms.

Besides apparently handling its supply of computer chips better, according to Ton, Hyundai and Kia also benefited from some compelling products, particularly the three-row Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride SUVs which have proven extremely popular. Both models still command high prices from customers, said Ivan Drury, an industry analyst with Edmunds.com, and they bring in new customers to brands previously known for smaller SUVs and cars.

"I think those are the two products that are going to help them maintain that [market growth] because they were kind of chipping away," he said, "but now, by adding this new mix of consumers, they're really changing the mindset."

Hyundai and Kia also compete in market segments that many other automakers have quit. Both brands offer sedans like the Kia K5 and the Hyundai Elantra, while some other automakers, such as Ford and GM, have stopped building sedans for the US market. Kia also has a new SUV-like minivan model, the Carnival, which replaced the Sedona minivan in the US. Kia's minivan sales were up 90% last year.

Being two separate brands does provide Kia and Hyundai with some innate advantages over any single brand like Honda. Namely, car shoppers get more choices of models and dealerships. Someone shopping for a compact sedan can choose a Honda Civic, Kia Hyundai Elantra or Kia Forte. Same with compact SUVs. With each brand offering a choice in that segment, Hyundai and Kia have a total of two opportunities to win you over -- the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage -- to Honda's one, the popular Honda CR-V.

Another factor that may have helped Hyundai and Kia was the general sense of economic unease in the nation last year due to the coronavirus and related disruptions, said Ton. The Korean brands have tended to do well when people were worried about money, she said, pointing to the brands' strong performance during the 2008 recession.

"They do really well because of their value proposition," she said.

Both brands offer long warranties and, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, their cars tend to have lots of features and options for the money, she said. For buyers watching their pennies, a Hyundai or Kia feels like a frugal purchase. It also helps that the Korean brands hired designers and engineers from German brands like BMW and Audi to help make their models sharp-looking and enjoyable to drive, she said.

A lot of car shoppers still associate Hyundai and Kia with that more negative corollary to "good value." They're still seen by some as being "cheap," said Drury.

"If they don't know what the brand is putting out today in terms of product, their reaction is almost always negative," he said. "And that's perfect. They still have people to convert. They've got tons of room to grow."

Randy Parker, vice president of sales for Hyundai Motor America, also credits the brand's products for the sales growth, of course. But, besides that, he points to a huge promotional push.

"We never took our foot off the gas from a promotional perspective," he said. "In fact, we spent more money" in 2021 than in 2020.

Besides straightforward advertising Hyundai also invested in a relationship with Disney and Marvel Studios that saw Hyundai vehicles appearing in ads with likes of Marvel's Loki and Captain America and Wanda from WandaVision. Hyundai also entered into an arrangement with Amazon that now has all of Hyundai's dealer inventory listed on Amazon.com.

"I'm not going to make any predictions about the future and what our volume looks like," Parker said. "All I can tell you is that our mindset is that we're looking to grow year after year and, and so far, we've been able to do that over the past several years."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Korean automakers outsold Honda in the US for the first time."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will soon issue a policy mandating employers to give their workers paid time off if they have to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19, according to Rep. Raymond Mendoza of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Party-list.

Mendoza, who's also TUCP president, said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III "made the commitment" in a virtual meeting on Tuesday.

In a statement, the TUCP said it requested a dialogue with the department to push for the leave benefits amid mounting coronavirus cases among workers nationwide. It added that the policy is expected to be issued this week.

CNN Philippines has contacted DOLE for confirmation.

Once the directive is in effect, the labor group said "All employees who have to undergo isolation and quarantine for several days, and (are) not yet confined to a hospital but have exhausted all his/her company-offered leave benefits, will continue to receive their wages from their employer."

Based on Department of Health (DOH) guidelines, those who test positive for COVID-19 would have to undergo a ten-day isolation to reduce the risk of transmission. Patients with severe or critical infection would have to isolate for 21 days.

Meanwhile, close contacts of an infected person should quarantine for seven days if they're fully vaccinated, or 14 days if they are partially or not yet vaccinated.

READ: Feeling sick? Here are reminders from a health expert about COVID-19 tests, isolation, quarantine

More than three million Filipinos have now been confirmed hit with the viral illness after the DOH reported 28,007 new infections on Tuesday. Active cases - which were at less than 30,000 a week ago - are now at over 181,000.
South Africa: Alleged Parliament arsonist referred for mental observation

The man accused of starting the fire which gutted Parliament buildings, including the National Assembly last week, has been referred for mental observation following his court appearance.

Zandile Mafe, 49, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates Court, where he is facing two counts of arson, possession of an explosive device and housebreaking.

During Mafes appearance, a charge of destruction of essential infrastructure was withdrawn and replaced with a charge of the Contravention of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities.

NPA Western Cape regional spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said the State argued to have Mafe referred for observation after he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia by the district surgeon.

The referral comes despite protestations by the defence team, who argued that their client told them that there is nothing wrong with him. The State further argued that Mafe has threatened to go on a hunger strike if his bail application did not start [on Tuesday], he said.

Ntabazalila said the State also argued that the administration of justice cannot be held to ransom by the threat of a hunger strike.

In response, Senior State Advocate, Helene Booysen, dismissed the argument, stating that the court must refer Mafe for [mental observation], as the State cannot be blackmailed or held to ransom by the accused.

[Booysen argued that] if there is a bail application and he doesnt get released, does that mean that he will go on hunger strike until he dies?

Magistrate Zamekile Mbalo granted the application and Mafe will now be under observation at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for the next 30 days.

The case has been postponed to 11 February.

Meanwhile, Parliament has announced that the work of the National Assembly will be held in an unaffected part of the Parliamentary precinct until further notice.

Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, said the decision was taken following a meeting between Parliament Presiding Officers and political party chief whips.

"After considering various alternative venues, the meeting took a decision that beyond SONA [State of the Nation Address], the sittings of the National Assembly - including the Budget Speech scheduled for February, must be retained... in the Good Hope Chamber.

"Good Hope Chamber, historically utilised for the sittings of the Cape Legislative Assembly between 1854 and 1885, is one of the oldest meeting rooms of Parliament, has essential technical capabilities and meets basic requirements for sittings of the House.

It is one of the buildings of Parliament that has not been affected by the fire and has previously been used for National Assembly mini-plenaries. It has a seating capacity of 170 persons and permits 70 persons under COVID-19 social distancing arrangements," Mothapo said.

As announced last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the State of the Nation Address at Cape Town City Hall. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  Another 28 areas in the country will be elevated to Alert Level 3 for around two weeks in a bid to curb the worsening spread of COVID-19, Malacanang announced on Wednesday.

Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases decided to place more provinces and cities under the heightened classification from Jan. 14 to 31.

Tighter restrictions will be enforced in these areas:

Luzon

- Benguet

- Kalinga

-Abra

- La Union

- Ilocos Norte

- Pangasinan

- Nueva Vizcaya

- Isabela

- Quirino

- Nueva Ecija

- Tarlac

- Quezon province

- Occidental Mindoro

- Oriental Mindoro

- Camarines Sur

- Albay

Visayas

- Bacolod City

- Aklan

- Capiz

- Antique

- Cebu City

- Mandaue City

- Tacloban City

Mindanao

- Cagayan de Oro City

- Davao City

- Butuan City

- Agusan del Sur

- Cotabato City

Nograles said all other localities not mentioned will retain their current alert status.

The IATF earlier escalated Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna to the Alert Level 3 classification. It then placed 14 more areas under the stricter status until Jan. 15.

Under Alert Level 3, activities like face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs, as well as live voice and wind instrument events are prohibited.

Intrazonal and interzonal travel will be allowed, subject to restrictions imposed by local governments. Operations of select establishments and tourist attractions will also be scaled down to 30% indoor and 50% outdoor venue capacity.

On Wednesday, the Philippines logged 32,246 new COVID-19 infections, its second highest daily count - bringing the active case tally to an all-time high of over 208,000.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  Health advocates said the government seems to have given up on the current situation with its apparent policy shift on addressing the COVID-19 surge.

Dr. Joshua San Pedro of the Coalition for People's Right to Health (CPRH) said instead of listening to calls for free mass testing and strong contact tracing, the Department of Health is now focusing on community management and isolation.

San Pedro said people exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are now relying on over-the-counter medicines because they cannot afford to pay for testing --- whether it's antigen or RT-PCR.

He added that those who are asymptomatic are still doing their regular activities and could potentially be unintentionally spreading the virus.

"Nung December sinasabi na gumaganda ang kalagayan, ang daling sabihin na the Philippines is the best country to celebrate Christmas. Tapos ngayon babalik na naman tayo sa kalagayan na, wala na, kalat na ang virus. Hindi na tayo magtetesting, hindi na tayo magko-contact tracing," said San Pedro in an online press conference. "We are basically paying the price for neglecting our healthcare system, neglecting testing and contact tracing for the longest time. So definitely, hindi solusyon ang pagsuko natin."

[Translation: In December they were saying the situation was getting better, it was so easy to say the Philippines is the best country to celebrate Christmas. Now, we're going back to a situation where the virus has spread. We are not testing, we are not doing contact tracing. We are basically paying the price for neglecting our healthcare system, neglecting testing and contact tracing for the longest time. So definitely, giving up is not the solution.]

Dr. Eleonor Jara of Solidarity of Health Advocates and Personnel for a Unified Plan to Defeat COVID-19 (SHAPE UP), meanwhile, asked what happened to the health department's target to test 100,000 persons per day.

Jara said they are dismayed that testing only reached 73,000 per day at the height of the omicron surge.

She added that up to now, 28 provinces still have no testing laboratories and three more are without a public facility.

Jara said the surge in infections is overwhelming public and private testing laboratories, causing delay in results.

"Experiences of other countries successful in controlling the coronavirus attest that basic health solutions such as free testing, systematic and aggressive contact tracing, isolation, timely and adequate treatment and vaccination should be done," Jara added.

Health advocates are calling on the government for free and accessible testing and treatment, immediate contact tracing and disease surveillance, more efficient and wider vaccination, financial support amid quarantine, and raise the health system capacity.

"Natural immunity from being infected with Omicron or vaccination jabs bring little comfort and hope. The government should defend and protect lives. Revamp IATF and DOH leadership. Strengthen the country's public health system to provide free, quality, comprehensive care and services that is publicly-funded and integrated from the barangay to the national level," said Jara.

Mass testing, very pricey

Health Secretary Francisco Duque earlier said mass testing is pricey.

Based on his computation, if 200,000 people will be tested per day at 2,000 per test, he said the government needs to spend at least 12 billion per month.

Think tank Ibon Foundation said the government has the money but it just needs to prioritize public health during this pandemic.

Sonny Africa, Ibon Foundation's Executive Director, said the government may get the money by realigning budget for infrastructure to health, from the intelligence fund of the office of the president, and through renegotiating debt service with official creditors.

"Yung pagtitipid ni President (Rodrigo) Duterte at ng kanyang economic managers, ibig sabihin niyan, pinapabalikat niya sa karaniwang Pilipino ang pagharap sa pandemya," Africa said.

[Translation: The savings tactics used by President Duterte and his economic managers mean he is having ordinary Filipinos take on the pandemic alone.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano has instructed barangay officials to create a roster of unvaccinated residents which will serve as a basis for local government units (LGUs) in imposing restrictions, a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) official said on Wednesday.

"Nagpalabas si Secretary Ano ng memorandum circular para magsagawa ng imbentaryo ang lahat ng mg barangay sa buong bansa para malaman 'yung mga hindi pa nagpapabakuna sa mga barangay, in line with the pronouncement of the President na i-restrain or i-restrict 'yung movement ng ating mga unvaccinated individuals," said DILG Usec. Jonathan Malaya in a Laging Handa briefing.

[Translation: Secretary Ano released a memorandum circular directing all barangays in the country to create an inventory to determine the number of unvaccinated individuals in barangays, in line with the pronouncement of the President to restrain or restrict the movement of unvaccinated individuals.]

Malaya said a nationwide roster can help LGUs efficiently implement mobility restrictions by passing ordinances.

In Metro Manila, only the cities of Pasig, Navotas and Makati have yet to issue ordinances limiting the movement of unvaccinated residents. Malaya said their ordinances are still under deliberation by their respective city councils but they are expected to be passed in the next few days.

Earlier, the Metro Manila Council passed a resolution seeking to ban the entry of unvaccinated residents in malls and restaurants.

Malaya said the DILG also expects LGUs in provinces to follow suit.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation has already prohibited unvaccinated passengers from using public transportation in Metro Manila while under Alert Level 3.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday said it is "premature" to assume the COVID-19 spread in the country is slowing down after recording slightly lower new cases the previous day.

New cases have been steadily and exponentially rising since the start of the year. On Tuesday, the new cases reached 28,007, but it was the first time the number was lower than the previous day.

Duque explained that this is due to the lower output of testing laboratories on weekends and many personnel testing positive for COVID-19, saying the surge is still ongoing.

"This is not an indication that the peak is over. We might still be in the acceleration phase of our surge," he said in a Kapihan forum. "I cannot say for now whether it is the beginning of a downtrend."

Duque said the Department of Health (DOH) is starting to see COVID-19 spikes in regions close to Metro Manila, such as Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley.

The top health official urged the DOH regional directors and local government units in these areas to be more aggressive in their vaccination efforts.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12) - The Mothers for Change or MOCHA Party-list headed by pro-administration blogger Mocha Uson has been granted accreditation for the May polls by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The poll body on Wednesday said the party-list group met all the requirements for a sectoral organization.

In October, Uson filed her certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) for MOCHA, alongside athlete-turned-beauty queen Michelle Gumabao. They were the party-list group's first two nominees.

Both drew flak from the public for running under a group that they said would represent mothers, despite not being moms themselves. During her speech in the filing of the CONA, Uson defended her move, saying she assumed the role of a parent to her siblings after her father died and her mother was later diagnosed with cancer.

Meanwhile, the Malasakit Movement party-list led by former government official Celine Pialago was denied accreditation for failing to prove it is representing marginalized and underrepresented sectors, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

CNN Philippines correspondent Melissa Lopez contributed to this report.
(CNN)  The Omicron variant is forecasted to infect more than half of all Europeans in the next six to eight weeks, a World Health Organization official said Tuesday as he urged nations to strengthen mask rules and warned that the window to act was closing.

Record Covid-19 cases have put Europe under increased pressure this winter, with some countries scaling up restrictions and others, like Austria, Greece and Italy, announcing new vaccine requirements.

Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, told a virtual news conference that European and Central Asian countries remain "under intense pressure from Covid-19" in 2022.

"Today, the Omicron variant represents a new West to East tidal wave sweeping across the region on top of the Delta surge that all countries were managing until late 2021," he said Tuesday.

"At this rate the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecasts that more than 50% of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6 to 8 weeks."

He called on countries not yet affected by the surge "to mandate the use of high quality masks in closed and indoor settings and ensure that vulnerable individuals have access to them" due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

He explained that Europe has yet to see the full impact of the variant in countries "where levels of vaccination uptake are lower," and he is "deeply concerned" about Omicron surging into eastern Europe where "we will see more severe disease in the unvaccinated."

Eastern European countries have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the region despite an abundance of shots, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which tracks vaccinations in the European Union.

In Bulgaria, only 28% of residents have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. In Romania, that figure is at 40.5%, according to ECDC data.

"For countries not yet hit by the Omicron surge, there is a closing window of opportunity to act now and plan for contingencies," Kluge warned.

Kluge used the example of Denmark, where he said Omicron cases had "exploded" in recent weeks. The Covid-19 hospitalization rate for unvaccinated Danes was six times higher than for those who were fully vaccinated in the week over Christmas.

Kluge's calls come as other health authorities consider strengthening their mask guidelines to help tackle Omicron. On Monday, the Washington Post reported that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was considering recommending N95 or KN95 masks for those who can use them.

New terms

As school terms begin amid record surges in many European countries, Kluge stressed that they should be "the last places to close and the first to reopen."

He acknowledged that the variant will continue to infect large numbers of people and "schools may be unable to keep all classes open all the time, due to a lack of staff."

But he stressed that "keeping schools open has important benefits for children's mental, social and educational well-being," recommending that arrangements should be made for "online learning alongside physical presence, so children can continue with their education when they are unable to attend school in person."

He reiterated WHO's recommendations for educational settings: ventilation, hand hygiene and the use of appropriate face masks.

Kluge added that "countries may wish to consider reviewing the protocols on testing, isolation and quarantine of classroom contacts to minimize disruption to learning, mitigating these risks as far as possible with good ventilation and mask usage."
(CNN)  US President Joe Biden painted a dire picture for the nation's future elections during a major speech on voting rights while in Atlanta on Tuesday, expressing his frustration at Republicans who blocked voting rights legislation and calling on the US Senate to change its filibuster rules to accommodate the bills' passage.

"I've been having these quiet conversations with members of Congress for the last two months. I'm tired of being quiet," Biden said, slamming his hand on the lectern.

The President's speech in Atlanta, a city at the heart of the civil rights movement, is the latest in his recurring calls for the nation's voting rights to be bolstered. Throughout the first year of his presidency, Biden has devoted several speeches to voting rights, including in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the centenary of the race massacre in that city; South Carolina State University's graduation ceremony; at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington and at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Changing the filibuster rules in the US Senate, which require 60 votes to end debate on legislation, was a major focus of the day Tuesday  and Biden's address specifically.

Without changing the rules, it's unclear how either bill Biden wants passed  the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act  will get done.

During the remarks, made on the grounds of Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College, Biden called for the rules to be changed. He had previously expressed his support for making an exception to the filibuster rules in order to pass voting rights legislation but expressed more flexibility on Tuesday.

"I support changing the Senate rules, whichever way they need to be changed to prevent a minority of senators from blocking actions on voting rights," he said.

The Senate is expected to take up voting rights in the coming days. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer set a deadline of January 17  Martin Luther King Jr. Day  for the US Senate to vote on a rules change if Republicans continue to block voting rights legislation.

Harkening back to his campaign slogan, the US President told attendees in Atlanta that "the battle for the soul of America is not over" and he directly tied the passage of voting rights legislation to the January 6 insurrection.

Biden recalled "the violent mob" that stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and former President Donald Trump, who he said "sought to win through violence what he had lost through the ballot box, to impose the will of a mob, to overturn free and fair elections, and for the first time in American history, to stop peaceful transfer of power."

"They failed. They failed. But democracy's victory was not certain. Nor is democracy's future," Biden continued.

"This is the moment to decide"

The US President said he was delivering his speech in Atlanta "to stand against the forces in America that value power over principle, forces that attempted a coup, a coup against the legally expressed will of the American people by sowing doubt, inventing charges of fraud and seeking to steal the 2020 election from the people."

Biden also voiced frustration that no Republicans have come around to supporting the voting rights legislation, suggesting it was a break from past precedent when both parties rallied behind the issue.

"The vice president and I have supported voting rights bills since day one of this administration, but each and every time Senate Republicans have blocked the way," he said. "Republicans oppose even debating the issue. You hear me? I have been around the Senate a long time. I was vice president for eight years. I've never seen a circumstance where not one single Republican has a voice that's ready to speak for justice now."

The President recalled working with the segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond, who he said eventually came around to supporting voting rights bills.

"Not a single Republican has displayed the courage to stand up to a defeated president to protect America's right to vote. Not one. Not one," Biden said.

He said the narrow majority Democrats hold in the US Senate made achieving anything more difficult but that this moment, like other consequential moments in history, provides a binary choice: Lawmakers are faced with either standing on the side of civil rights leaders like King or on the side of segregationists like former Alabama Gov. George Wallace.

"Do you want to be the side of Dr. King or George Wallace? Do you want to be the side of John Lewis or Bull Connor? Do you want to be the side of Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis?" Biden asked. "This is the moment to decide, to defend our elections, to defend our democracy. If you do that you will not be alone."

The President criticized states enacting restrictive voter laws, including Georgia. He said Georgia's new election law was fueled by the "big lie" and "designed to suppress your vote and subvert our elections."

Shortly before Biden's speech, Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp alleged the Biden administration had lied about the state's 2021 new voting law, claiming the legislation actually "makes it easy to vote and hard to cheat." The voting law passed in Georgia does introduce new restrictions that tightened voting rules.

"Make no mistake, Georgia is ground zero for the Biden-Harris assault on election integrity," Kemp said. "Ignoring facts and evidence, this administration has lied about Georgia's Election Integrity Act from the very beginning, in an effort to force their unconstitutional, federal takeover of elections on the American people."

Biden was joined on the trip to Georgia by US Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he appointed to lead the administration's work on voting rights.

In her remarks preceding the President in Atlanta, Harris took Republicans to task for obstructing voting rights legislation, saying they have "exploited" filibuster rules to block legislation.

"The Constitution of the United States gives the Congress the power to pass legislation," Harris said. "And nowhere, nowhere, does the Constitution give a minority the right to unilaterally block legislation. The American people have waited long enough."

Harris also asserted that Americans could face dire consequences if the nation becomes complacent about restrictive voter laws being enacted in various states, including Georgia.

"The assault on our freedom to vote will be felt by every American in every community in every political party. And if we stand idly by, our entire nation will pay the price for generations to come," she said.

Several members of US Congress, local officials and civil rights leaders accompanied Biden and Harris on different parts of the visit.

While in Atlanta, the President and vice president laid a wreath at the crypt of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, and visited the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Pressure from voting rights advocates

Biden's visit to the Peach state, which takes places less than a week before MLK Jr. Day, comes amid pressure by advocates calling on Biden to spell out more clearly a pathway to the passage of the voting rights bills.

In a stinging statement following Biden's speech, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said that "unless President Biden applies the same level of urgency around voting rights as he did for (Build Back Better) and infrastructure, America may soon be unrecognizable."

"While President Biden delivered a stirring speech today, it's time for this administration to match their words with actions, and for Congress to do their job. Voting rights should not simply be a priority  it must be THE priority," Johnson added.

A number of voting rights groups issued a letter saying Biden and Harris should not visit Atlanta without a concrete plan to pass voting rights bills into law immediately. On Monday, a coalition of voting rights groups in Georgia announced they will not be attending events surrounding Biden's visit.

"We don't need another speech. We don't need him to come to Georgia and use us as a prop. What we need is work," Cliff Albright, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, told CNN's John Berman on "New Day" Tuesday morning.

Albright said he would like to see the President approach voting rights the same way he worked to get his bipartisan infrastructure law passed and personally appeal to senators.

"If he is saying the next seven days is going to be historic and critical, he's got to fully lean in after he gives the speech, having the kinds of meetings, finding out from (West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe) Manchin what exactly it's going to take, and being very direct and forceful  just as forceful as he has been on infrastructure and on some other issues," Albright said.

Albright added: "There's no sense in having 40 years of Senate experience only to tell us that you can't whip two votes."

Prominent Georgia leader Stacey Abrams  arguably the Democratic Party's preeminent voting rights advocate after using her 2018 gubernatorial loss to Republican Brian Kemp to elevate the issue  did not attend Biden's speech. After the election, Abrams founded Fair Fight, an organization that advocates for voter protection across the country, and she's running for governor again this year.

The US President said Tuesday morning that he had spoken with Abrams "at length," attributing her absence at his forthcoming speech to a scheduling conflict. He said they maintain "a great relationship."

"We're all on the same page and everything's fine," he said.

Jana Morgan, the director of Declaration for American Democracy, told CNN she is "cautiously optimistic" about Biden's speech, but that she views it as a first step.

"We are going to be watching closely to make sure that there is follow up on these on these remarks," Morgan said. She leads a coalition of organizations working to advance voting rights.

Morgan said she wants the President to be personally appealing to senators in order to get the voting rights legislation passed.

"He has said that this is the biggest test to our country since the Civil War, and I believe he's right because American democracy is under attack. So, we wanted to see those strong words put into action," Morgan said.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday en route to Georgia that Biden shares his own frustrations with voting rights activists over the impasse on voting rights.

"He shares the desire to get this done. He shares their frustration it's not done yet," Psaki said.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Biden calls on Senate to change filibuster rules to pass voting rights bills in forceful speech: 'I'm tired of being quiet'"
(CNN) All 17 victims from a fire in a Bronx apartment building on Sunday died of smoke inhalation, according to the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).

The manner of death was determined to be an accident for them all, said OCME director of public affairs Julie Bolcer.

The determination comes after an electric space heater sparked a fire in a duplex unit, flooding the 19-story apartment building with smoke.

Fire officials said that the smoke was able to spread because the door of that apartment and the door from the stairwell to the 15th floor were left open, even though the doors were supposed to close automatically.

The police department released the names of 14 victims:

Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, female

Foutmala Drammeh, 21, female

Muhammed Drammeh, 12, male

Nyumaaisha Drammeh, 19, female

Haji Dukary, 49, male

Fatoumata Dukureh, 5, female

Haja Dukureh, 37, female

Mariam Dukureh, 11, female

Mustapha Dukureh, 12, male

Omar Jambang, 6, male

Sera Janneh, 27, female

Haouwa Mahamadou, 5, female

Seydou Toure, 12, male

Fatoumata Tunkara, 43, female

Some residents allowed to return

Some residents who survived the fire can return to the top floor apartments, the New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) told CNN on Tuesday.

"Some residents are now able to relocate apartments on the top floors," said spokeswoman Ines Bebea. "The process is ongoing and evolving."

The agency was unable to provide a timeline for when or how many people will reenter the building, as the building's management is notifying residents individually and "not rushing people back into their apartments," Bebea said.

New York City Department of Buildings records show that the building is listed with a Partial Vacate Order on Tuesday after a structural stability inspection was conducted on Monday.

The return of some residents comes as officials are looking for long-term solutions to ensure a similar tragedy never happens again.

"The two values that matter most to all of us are our family and our homes, and to lose both in the span of a single tragedy is terrifying and traumatic to an extent that few of us can imagine," US Rep. Ritchie Torres, who represents the area where the fire took place, told CNN on Monday.

Eight children were among the 17 who died in the fire. A CNN review of local hospitals shows that at least eight patients are still hospitalized in relation to the fire, while at least 25 people have been treated and released.

Lawsuits seek $3 billion in damages

Tenants and relatives of the victims of the fire filed a class action lawsuit against the current and previous owners of the building seeking $2 billion in damages, according to court documents.

The city and various entities were also given notice of a separate class action lawsuit seeking $1 billion in damages for alleged negligence in enforcing building codes.

In a statement to CNN, New York City Law Department press secretary Nicholas Paolucci said, "This was a horrific tragedy and too many lives were lost. There is an active investigation into this tragic incident. We'll review the claim."

Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, which is named in one of the lawsuits, issued a short statement.

"We are devastated by this terrible tragedy and are cooperating fully with the Fire Department and other agencies as they continue to investigate."

Attorney Robert Vilensky said he represents 22 plaintiffs in the lawsuits but expects that number to grow.

The lawsuit against the building owners alleges the defendants were negligent on several fronts, including failing to ensure smoke detectors were working, failing to provide adequate heat, failing to have an intercom system and failing to have a sprinkler system.

Issues with smoke alarms and doors

The building's doors and reports of malfunctioning smoke alarms are a focus of the investigation, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.

Building conditions will also be a topic for a new task force of federal, state and local leaders who say they're focused on policies and potential legislation that can prevent further tragedies.

Torres announced the task force Monday alongside Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and local City Council members Oswald Feliz and Pierina Sanchez.

"There are underlying issues that we are facing every day with fire alarms and sprinkler systems and exits, and heat and hot water, and basic necessities that every resident and tenant of New York City should be afforded," Gibson said.

The focus on legislation is one part of a four-prong plan by leaders, which also includes ensuring permanent housing for those whose units were destroyed, that those displaced can return to their units as soon as possible and providing any services needed for those affected.

In addition to looking into the enforcement of New York's laws requiring self-closing doors, Torres said the group would also explore whether current minimum heating requirements are sufficient. The Bronx building's heating appeared to be working, Torres said, but residents still felt the need to use space heaters to keep warm.

Built in 1972, the building was federally funded, so it may have been built outside the New York City fire code, Nigro said Sunday, adding it was unlikely to have been a factor in the fire.

At a news conference Monday, New York firefighter union representatives confirmed the building was not required to adhere to city fire codes.

"We have to clarify in federal law that federal developments, federally regulated and subsidized developments, should be subject to local fire codes and housing codes and building codes. That every American have access to safe and affordable housing, including housing that's safe from fires," Torres told CNN's Jim Sciutto.

Survivors describe battling thick smoke

Residents of the 120-unit building have said the fire alarms in the building often malfunctioned, so when they sounded Sunday morning, Daisy Mitchell told CNN she "didn't pay it no mind."

But then Mitchell's husband began to smell smoke in their 10th-floor unit and they encountered thick smoke when they went to investigate.

"I went to the stairs, I opened the door, it just blew me back (to) the house," she added. "If I'd stayed out there for another three seconds, I would have been gone, too."

Karen Dejesus lives on the same floor as the apartment that caught fire and said the flames encroached on her residence.

"I can see the flames, I can see the smoke and everything, you know, coming into my apartment," Dejesus said.

Dejesus said firefighters broke down her door to rescue her, her granddaughter and her son. They had to climb out of a window to escape the flames.

She, too, noted fire alarms in the building often went off.

"So many of us were used to hearing that fire alarm go off so it was like second nature to us," she said. "Not until I actually seen the smoke coming in the door, I realized it was a real fire and I heard people yelling help, help, help."

Mamadou Wague said he was jolted awake Sunday morning by the sound of his children yelling, "Fire! Fire!"

Wague lives on the third floor of the building with his eight kids, who range in age from 6 months to 18 years old.

His family wasn't able to flee the building because there was too much smoke, he said. Terrified, they waited in a neighbor's apartment, putting wet towels under the doors, until firefighters arrived 15 to 30 minutes later to escort them down the stairs.

Wague, an Uber driver who immigrated to the US from Mali in 2000, said the fire burned all his family's belongings.

"Everything is gone in my apartment," he said. "Everything is gone."

The Red Cross has provided emergency housing to 22 families, representing 56 adults and 25 children, the group said in a statement.

'Worried and devastated'

Authorities haven't released the names of all of the victims, but people who haven't yet heard from their loved ones are fearing the worst.

Yusupha Jawara told CNN he's been trying to reach his brother and sister-in-law since he learned of the fire, but they aren't answering their phones.

"I'm totally worried and devastated -- not me alone, but the whole community and the family at large. Everybody's worried. We don't know what happened. ... That's the toughest thing -- not knowing," Jawara told CNN.

Nfamar Kebe said at least one of his relatives died in the fire and his nephew's 2-year-old son is hospitalized, fighting for his life.

But Kebe, who came to the US from Guinea 35 years ago, said the building and the community is home to many West African immigrants who have become part of his extended family.

"We are one community," he says. "When we meet here, we are the same family."

Many of those in the building were Muslim immigrants from the West African nation of The Gambia. The country's ambassador told CNN the building had been a beloved home for many such immigrants over the years.

"I think a lot of Gambians who came here, they stayed there before they moved anywhere else," said Ambassador Dawda Docka Fadera. This was kind of a first port of call, this building. It's a building Gambians have a lot of attachment to."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "All 17 victims of Bronx apartment fire died of smoke inhalation, NYC medical examiner rules."
" " Doodle for Google 2021 contest winner was Kentucky-based 11th grader Milo Golding. The theme was "I am strong because ..." Golding won a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for his school. Google

It's that time of year again, students! No, not finals. And not spring break either. Get out your art supplies and your imagination fired up, because you could have your art featured on Google.com  and win a slew of scholarships and prizes.

It's the Doodle for Google contest; it opened for entries Jan. 11, 2022, and will take submissions until March 4, 2022.

Advertisement

This year's theme is one we can all appreciate: "I care for myself by ..."

It's been a tough couple of years, everybody. Maybe you've noticed. So for 2022, Google wants all of you students in kindergarten through 12th grade to share how you care for your entire self when things get difficult. Your Google Doodle can take any art form, from digital illustration to multimedia sculpture.

Here's Google's explanation of the 2022 contest theme:

We all have a lot going on  and now more than ever, it's important for us to take care of our bodies and minds. What are your favorite things to do that make you feel better when you're feeling down? How do you take a break? What activities make you feel calm or give you energy? What or who brings joy to your heart? Our theme this year invites you to share how you nurture your mind, body, and/or spirit as you face the opportunities and challenges every new day brings.

To enter you need to do three things:

Send in your art, either via the official entry form or by uploading a photograph of your work or mailing it into Google headquarters. Include a signature of a parent or guardian on the form. Write a short artist's statement about your Doodle and how it relates to the theme of caring for yourself.

Students K-12 can enter, and there are five grade groups. There will be 54 state and territory winners, and from those, five national finalists will be chosen. From those five, one national winner will have their work featured for 24 hours on Google.com as the Doodle of the Day.

This student will also receive a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for their school or, if they're home-schooled, a nonprofit in their community. The finalists will each receive a $5,000 scholarship, and all winners receive Google hardware and swag.

There are a few restrictions. Google only accepts one entry per student, and the entry must be signed by a parent. No group projects are allowed. No logos or copyrighted material can be used in the art. And that's about it.

This year's judge is the 2021 National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey, who teaches at an elementary school in Las Vegas. Now go get doodling!

Now That's Strength The 2021 Doodle for Google national winner was Milo Golding of Kentucky. His entry shared how he stays strong: "I am strong because I have hope. I once asked my father how he overcame obstacles and became who he wanted to be. He replied, 'Hope, hope keeps me strong.'" Golding, who lost his father to a heart attack a few years ago, also founded a charity to provide holiday gifts, care packages and back-to-school kits for other kids who have lost loved ones.
Bitcoin & Crypto Mining Gets Another Latin American Hydroelectric Power Boost

Eduardo Kooper, the owner of Data Center CR. Source: A video screenshot, Youtube/Reuters

The future of Bitcoin (BTC) and crypto mining could involve a move away from coal and Asia  and toward hydroelectric energy and the Latin America region, with a Costa Rican power plant now feeding electricity to hundreds of mining rigs.

Although crypto mining is still very much a niche industry in Latin America, the picture is changing fast for miners, who were told to shut down their rigs in China last year, and have faced serious disruptions in Eastern European and Central Asian regions such as Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kosovo, Abkhazia, and Russia.

Bitcoin has also been labeled as a major polluter by environmental activists, who accuse it of being carbon-intensive. (Learn more: A Closer Look at the Environmental Impact of Bitcoin Mining)

But there are signs all that may be changing. Reuters reported more than 650 machines from 150 customers now operate non-stop from eight containers receiving power from a hydroelectric plant next to the Poas River.

The power station is owned by a hydroelectric company run by Eduardo Kooper, whose family operates a company named Data Center CR at the site of the plant. Reuters remarked that the firm actually owns three plants that are valued at USD 13.5m, packing a combined 3 Megawatt capacity.

Kooper had been selling his firms electricity to the grid for three decades, but was forced to reinvent the business during the coronavirus pandemic when the government stopped buying electricity due to surplus power supply.

He was quoted as explaining:

We had to pause activity for nine months, and exactly one year ago I heard about bitcoin, blockchain and digital mining. I was very skeptical at first, but we saw that this business consumes a lot of energy and we have a surplus.

This initial skepticism appears to have quickly changed to enthusiasm  and saw Data Center CR invest USD 500,000 into mining hosting innovations.

And the Data Center CR chief added that international cryptocurrency miners are looking for clean, cheap energy and a stable internet connection, which Costa Rica has plenty of.

Almost all of the nations energy is harnessed from renewable sources, some 72% of which comes from hydroelectric plants, per data from the National Center for Energy Control (reported by TicoNews last month).

Kooper advised the Costa Rican state to follow his lead and be more aggressive about trying to attract more crypto mining business.

In Paraguay, the Senate has approved a bill that seeks to legalize and regulate the crypto mining sector and seek to convert much of the nations surplus hydroelectric power into electricity for crypto miners.

And in El Salvador, the government has begun work on a volcanode  a Bitcoin mining project powered by geothermal energy harnessed from volcanoes.

____

Learn more:

- Bitcoin & Crypto Mining in 2022: New Locations, Technologies, and Bigger Players

- Solo Bitcoin Miner With Only 126TH Secures USD 266,870 in Block Reward



- Dominated by Institutions, Bitcoin Mining is also Possible from Home

- How Bitcoin Mining Might Help Nations With Domestic Energy Production



- Paraguayan Senate to Debate Taking Bitcoin Mining Out of the Grey Area

- Paraguay, Argentina Are Targets for Crypto Miners, May Provide Green Bitcoin Solution
Shippensburg Area School District reported online that its high school on Wednesday pivoted to virtual learning because it exceeded 5% of its students/staff testing positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day window.

Shippensburg Area Senior High School students will stick with virtual learning until Tuesday, Jan. 18, and during this time, there will be no after-school activities. Two of the days - Friday and Monday - were already days off for students due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

In-person learning for the high school students is expected to resume Jan. 19. Students attending the Franklin County Career and Technical Center will be provided their regular transportation to and from the high school during the virtual learning week.

"It is our hope that with this brief pause of in-person learning, we can ensure the safety of our students, staff and community and limit the spread of COVID-19," Superintendent Chris Suppo said in a notice to parents.

On its online COVID-19 dashboard, updated Tuesday, the district reported that there were 55 confirmed cases of the disease in the last 14 days at the high school. The high school has had 152 confirmed cases since the start of the school year in August.

Overall, the district has 128 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, the second highest in Cumberland County, with West Shore School District having 136 COVID-19 cases. West Shore School District, however, is a bigger school district with two high schools.

Shippensburg Area School District's school board this past Monday just voted to make masking optional for students and staff starting Thursday. The school district is one of the few in the area to offer a free rapid antigen testing program for the school community on campus.

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Cumberland County saw another 400 new cases of COVID-19, as well as five deaths in the latest report from the state Department of Health.

The department reported Wednesday that Cumberland County had 402 cases, which is a little less than Tuesday's report and short of the 479 new cases in Dauphin County and 908 new cases in York County.

Each of the Midstate counties reported relatively high numbers, with 222 cases in Adams County, 281 in Franklin County and 289 in Lebanon County, and nearly every county in the southcentral region saw at least one death associated with COVID-19.

York County saw the highest increase in deaths at 16 reports, while Dauphin and Franklin counties matched Cumberland County with five deaths each. Adams County saw three deaths, Lebanon County had two, and Perry County had one.

Cumberland County also saw a rise in the number of hospitalizations, though it also saw a decrease in its serious cases. The county had three more hospitalized patients than Tuesday's report, bringing the total to 166 patients at county hospitals. Of those patients, 22 were adults in the ICU (two fewer than Tuesday) and 19 were on ventilators (one fewer than Tuesday). Of the 115 currently staffed ICU beds, nine were still available in the county.

Franklin County saw a much larger increase in its hospitalizations, rising by 17 patients to 141 total patients in Wednesday's update. Of those patients 23 were in the ICU (three more than Tuesday) and 15 were on ventilators (two fewer than Tuesday). Of its 40 currently staffed ICU beds, six were still available.

Dauphin County saw a decrease of two patients for a total of 230 patients currently in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those patients, 41 were in the ICU (eight fewer than Tuesday) and 31 were on ventilators (two more than Tuesday). Of its 196 currently staffed ICU beds, 18 were still available.

Penn State Health cases update (Jan. 10)

Penn State Health lists a COVID-19 dashboard on its website tracking cases at each of its acute care hospitals  Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, Hampden Medical Center and Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. The dashboard is updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Monday's update shows 230 total cases (216 adults, 14 pediatrics) in the health systems four hospitals, an increase of 33 cases since Jan. 3 and 60 cases since Dec. 27. Of the known-status patients (30 are unknown status), 76 are fully vaccinated (38%) with seven in an ICU and three on a ventilator; 124 are nonvaccinated (62%) with 32 adults in an ICU and 22 adults on ventilators.

There are 14 pediatric patients, with 12 unvaccinated (one in an ICU and one on a ventilator) and one fully vaccinated patient.

Holy Spirit Medical Center in Camp Hill has 47 COVID patients. Nineteen are fully vaccinated adults (one in the ICU and no one on a ventilator) and 28 are unvaccinated adults (one in the ICU and one on a ventilator).

Hampden Medical Center has 13 COVID patients. Nine are unvaccinated (with three in the ICU and two on a ventilator) and four are fully vaccinated (with two in the ICU and one on a ventilator).

Vaccine update

In data updated Tuesday evening, the CDC says Cumberland County has 65.6% of its total population fully vaccinated. The CDC also reported that 69.3% of the population 5 and older are vaccinated, while 73.5% of the population 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

The CDC also began reporting another set of numbers that include booster shots, with 32.6% of the county's total population having received a booster vaccine.

Early Warning Dashboard update

Cumberland County saw increases in its COVID-19 percent positivity and incidence rate per 100,000 people in the state Health Department's weekly update to its Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard this weekend.

The county's percent positivity increased to 29.9% for the week of Dec. 31-Jan. 6, up from 21.5% the previous week. The incidence rate per 100,000 people increased to 649.6, up from 430.6 the previous week.

Lebanon and York counties lead the Midstate in both categories and rank in the top 10 in the state.

York County has the highest positivity rate in the Midstate at 38.2% (seventh highest in the state), and the highest incidence rate in the Midstate at 1,253.5 (seventh highest in the state), an increase from last week's rate of 860.7.

Lebanon County has the third highest positivity rate in the Midstate at 36.6% (ninth highest in the state), an increase from 31.3% the previous week, and the second highest incidence rate in the Midstate at 1,209.5 (eighth highest in the state).

Forest County had the lowest percent positivity in the state for the week of Dec. 31-Jan. 6 at 7.4%. Potter County had the lowest incidence rate per 100,000 people in the state at 248.1.

School-age children

In its weekly update for the 18th week of the school year, the department reported 163 cases among children aged 5-18 in Cumberland County during the week of Dec. 22-28, a decrease of 10 cases over the previous week. The total number of cases in Cumberland County for this school year is 2,509.

Statewide, the number of cases among 5- to 18-year-olds saw its largest increase of the school year with 12,518 cases reported during the week of Dec. 22-28, compared to 9,982 during the previous week. The state said the total number of cases in that age group for the school year is 135,964.

County numbers in the southcentral region (updated Jan. 12):

Adams County (pop. 103,009): 222 new cases; 20,686 total cases (17,210 confirmed, 3,476 probable); 45,670 negatives; 293 deaths (+3); 52.2% of county population vaccinated

222 new cases; 20,686 total cases (17,210 confirmed, 3,476 probable); 45,670 negatives; 293 deaths (+3); 52.2% of county population vaccinated Bedford County (pop. 47,888): 60 new cases; 9,279 total cases (6,259 confirmed, 3,020 probable); 13,408 negatives; 234 deaths (+1); 37.5% of county population vaccinated

60 new cases; 9,279 total cases (6,259 confirmed, 3,020 probable); 13,408 negatives; 234 deaths (+1); 37.5% of county population vaccinated Blair County (pop. 121,829): 192 new cases; 24,442 total cases (19,384 confirmed, 5,058 probable); 49,864 negatives; 527 deaths (+7); 50.1% of county population vaccinated

192 new cases; 24,442 total cases (19,384 confirmed, 5,058 probable); 49,864 negatives; 527 deaths (+7); 50.1% of county population vaccinated Cumberland County (pop. 253,370): 402 new cases; 41,415 total cases (31,618 confirmed, 9,797 probable); 108,813 negatives; 750 deaths (+5); 65.6% of county population vaccinated

402 new cases; 41,415 total cases (31,618 confirmed, 9,797 probable); 108,813 negatives; 750 deaths (+5); 65.6% of county population vaccinated Dauphin County (pop. 278,299): 479 new cases; 50,236 total cases (42,176 confirmed, 8,060 probable); 133,776 negatives; 791 deaths (+5); 59.4% of county population vaccinated

479 new cases; 50,236 total cases (42,176 confirmed, 8,060 probable); 133,776 negatives; 791 deaths (+5); 59.4% of county population vaccinated Franklin County (pop. 155,027): 281 new cases; 33,432 total cases (27,566 confirmed, 5,866 probable); 66,137 negatives; 582 deaths (+5); 46.7% of county population vaccinated

281 new cases; 33,432 total cases (27,566 confirmed, 5,866 probable); 66,137 negatives; 582 deaths (+5); 46.7% of county population vaccinated Fulton County (pop. 14,530): 23 new cases; 3,404 total cases (1,698 confirmed, 1,706 probable); 5,200 negatives; 55 deaths (+2); 34.2% of county population vaccinated

23 new cases; 3,404 total cases (1,698 confirmed, 1,706 probable); 5,200 negatives; 55 deaths (+2); 34.2% of county population vaccinated Huntingdon County (pop. 45,144): 75 new cases; 9,134 total cases (7,511 confirmed, 1,623 probable); 22,811 negatives; 207 deaths; 49% of county population vaccinated

75 new cases; 9,134 total cases (7,511 confirmed, 1,623 probable); 22,811 negatives; 207 deaths; 49% of county population vaccinated Juniata County (pop. 24,763): 21 new cases; 4,037 total cases (3,711 confirmed, 326 probable); 7,055 negatives; 155 deaths (+1); 38.7% of county population vaccinated

21 new cases; 4,037 total cases (3,711 confirmed, 326 probable); 7,055 negatives; 155 deaths (+1); 38.7% of county population vaccinated Lebanon County (pop. 141,793): 289 new cases; 31,298 total cases (27,057 confirmed, 4,241 probable); 64,897 negatives; 423 deaths (+2); 52% of county population vaccinated

289 new cases; 31,298 total cases (27,057 confirmed, 4,241 probable); 64,897 negatives; 423 deaths (+2); 52% of county population vaccinated Mifflin County (pop. 46,138): 69 new cases; 9,911 total cases (9,401 confirmed, 510 probable); 18,390 negatives; 249 deaths (+2); 47.6% of county population vaccinated

69 new cases; 9,911 total cases (9,401 confirmed, 510 probable); 18,390 negatives; 249 deaths (+2); 47.6% of county population vaccinated Perry County (pop. 46,272): 64 new cases; 7,407 total cases (5,798 confirmed, 1,609 probable); 14,293 negatives; 159 deaths (+1); 46.1% of county population vaccinated

64 new cases; 7,407 total cases (5,798 confirmed, 1,609 probable); 14,293 negatives; 159 deaths (+1); 46.1% of county population vaccinated York County (pop. 449,058): 908 new cases; 98,796 total cases (81,569 confirmed; 17,227 probable); 200,462 negatives; 1,267 deaths (+16); 55.8% of county population vaccinated

ZIP code-level counts (updated Jan. 12):

17013: 4,747 positives, 16,691 negatives - +182 since Jan. 7

17015: 2,877 positives, 8,250 negatives - +117 since Jan. 7

17050: 4,632 positives, 17,730 negatives - +243 since Jan. 7

17055: 5,031 positives, 19,257 negatives - +207 since Jan. 7

17011: 4,672 positives, 16,079 negatives - +308 since Jan. 7

17007: 715 positives, 2,152 negatives - +34 since Jan. 7

17065: 539 positives, 1,436 negatives - +25 since Jan. 7

17324: 607 positives, 1,440 negatives - +33 since Jan. 7

17241: 1,325 positives, 3,586 negatives - +67 since Jan. 7

17257: 3,671 positives, 8,137 negatives - +270 since Jan. 7

17240: 358 positives, 747 negatives - +18 since Jan. 7

17025: 2,176 positives, 6,763 negatives - +96 since Jan. 7

17070: 2,059 positives, 6,260 negatives - +94 since Jan. 7

17043: 706 positives, 2,418 negatives - +36 since Jan. 7

17019: 2,431 positives, 6,352 negatives - +89 since Jan. 7

17266: 47 positives, 148 negatives - +1 since Jan. 7

School district and college case counts (updated Jan. 12)

The Sentinel's case counts for Cumberland County school districts and colleges or universities are updated Fridays. The policy for each school districts reporting is noted in the list below.

Big Spring School District (reports active cases in past 14 days with school exposure): 10 student cases and 3 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 7.

(reports active cases in past 14 days with school exposure): 10 student cases and 3 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 7. Camp Hill School District (posts chart that includes total case count): 17 student cases and 2 staff cases within a 14-day period. Chart last updated on Jan. 7.

(posts chart that includes total case count): 17 student cases and 2 staff cases within a 14-day period. Chart last updated on Jan. 7. Carlisle Area School District (reports cases as they occur and updates a chart): 112 cases within the current 14-day rolling count, according to the charts last update on Jan. 6.

(reports cases as they occur and updates a chart): 112 cases within the current 14-day rolling count, according to the charts last update on Jan. 6. Cumberland Valley School District (reports weekly and total number of cases with school exposure): 80 cases in "current week" beginning Jan. 10, as of the charts last update on Jan. 11.

(reports weekly and total number of cases with school exposure): 80 cases in "current week" beginning Jan. 10, as of the charts last update on Jan. 11. Mechanicsburg Area School District (chart lists total cases actively being monitored, updated Tuesday and Friday): 48 positive and presumed positive cases being monitored as of Jan. 11.

(chart lists total cases actively being monitored, updated Tuesday and Friday): 48 positive and presumed positive cases being monitored as of Jan. 11. Shippensburg Area School District (reports weekly and total confirmed case counts involving school exposure): 128 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of charts last update on Jan. 11.

(reports weekly and total confirmed case counts involving school exposure): 128 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of charts last update on Jan. 11. South Middleton School District (posts notices as cases occur, updates table of case counts weekly on Fridays): 17 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of the charts last update on Jan. 7.

(posts notices as cases occur, updates table of case counts weekly on Fridays): 17 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of the charts last update on Jan. 7. West Shore School District (reports active cases with school exposure within past 14 days): 136 student cases and 27 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 11.

(reports active cases with school exposure within past 14 days): 136 student cases and 27 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 11. Dickinson College : school is not currently in session; 59 student cases and 34 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 30). Chart last updated on Dec. 17.

: school is not currently in session; 59 student cases and 34 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 30). Chart last updated on Dec. 17. Messiah University : 36 student cases and 5 employee cases in the spring semester (starting Dec. 30); 139 student cases and 56 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 7). Chart last updated Jan. 12.

: 36 student cases and 5 employee cases in the spring semester (starting Dec. 30); 139 student cases and 56 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 7). Chart last updated Jan. 12. Shippensburg University: school is not currently in session; 270 student cases and 31 employee cases the fall semester (started Aug. 1). Chart last updated on Dec. 16.

(Counties with a percent positivity above 5% in a week go on the Department of Health's watch list)

Pennsylvania: Percent Positivity - 34.1% last 7 days (24.7% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,073.7 (638.8 previous 7 days)

Adams County: Percent Positivity - 33.5% last 7 days (28.2% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,009.6 (843.6 previous 7 days)

Cumberland County: Percent Positivity - 29.9% last 7 days (21.5% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 649.6 (430.6 previous 7 days)

Dauphin County: Percent Positivity - 38.0% last 7 days (27.2% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 943.9 (551.2 previous 7 days)

Franklin County: Percent Positivity - 33.1% last 7 days (24.8% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,006.9 (672.8 previous 7 days)

Lebanon County: Percent Positivity - 36.6% last 7 days (31.3% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,209.5 (808.9 previous 7 days)

Perry County: Percent Positivity - 33.5% last 7 days (27.2% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 512.2 (343.6 previous 7 days)

York County:

Percent Positivity - 38.2% last 7 days (29.5% previous 7 days)

last 7 days (29.5% previous 7 days)

Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,253.5 (860.7 previous 7 days)
The South Middleton School Board could appoint an assistant to the superintendent as early as its Feb. 7 meeting.

Three applicants were scheduled for interviews Tuesday before a team of top-level district administrators, Superintendent James Estep told the school board Monday.

We could bring you a finalist or a pair of finalists very shortly after that for the board to have the opportunity to interview, Estep said. Timing wise, it would be my goal to appoint or name somebody by the first February meeting. In all cases, were looking at experienced people who could potentially be held by their current district for at least 60 to 90 days.

Depending on the circumstances, the newly appointed assistant could start work with South Middleton School District as early as May 1, Estep said.

In early November, Estep rolled out a central office restructuring plan that would enable him to mentor the assistant through the 2022-23 school year with the possibility of that person taking over as chief executive as early as July 1, 2023.

His plan calls for merging all the job responsibilities of the director of curriculum and instruction into the approved job description of assistant to the superintendent. The director position would be abolished effective July 1, 2022.

The assistant position would not only oversee curriculum development and professional training but a multitude of other administrative functions.

Most importantly, it would allow me to do what I set out to do when the board brought me on, which was to help you through a transition period, Estep said Monday. We can bring someone in and hopefully spend at least a year, possibly two, to cycle through all the things that a superintendent does and take the assistant through the process.

It also gives you [the board] an opportunity to watch and see how that person interacts with staff and the community, Estep said. If gives you a chance to see if the person feels like a good fit. If you dont think this is the person you want as the next superintendent, you have lost nothing. You still have a person overseeing curriculum, instruction and other areas.

In rolling out the plan, Estep clarified the difference between assistant to the superintendent and assistant superintendent.

If you title this position assistant superintendent, it becomes a position like mine, he said in November. Im a commissioned officer of the state of Pennsylvania. Under the rules for a commissioned officer, you must be given a contract of a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years. The same holds true for an assistant superintendent.

However, there is no requirement for a contract for an assistant to the superintendent position and the person would fall under the Act 93 compensation plan for district administrators. Estep said this approach would give the applicant and the board greater flexibility.

Email Joseph Cress at jcress@cumberlink.com.

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HARRISBURG  Lets hear it for the girls.

For many years, the top winning junior market steer, swine, lamb, goat and pen of rabbits at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Sale of Champions were shown by both boys and girls.

Tuesdays Sale of Champions highlighting the fourth day of the 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show featured five girls selling the champion animals and three of five reserve champions sold by girls.

Although no Sale of Champions records were broken during the auction of animals raised by youths, the livestock sold for substantially higher than market prices, as usually is the case.

Prior to the sale, the Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation gave scholarships to 15 FFA and 4-H youths including one to Ella Brummer of Millerstown, a 10-year Farm Show exhibitor of lambs, hogs and goats. Then, Farm Show auctioneer Harry Bachman welcomed the crowd and began selling.

History seemed to repeat itself at this years Farm Show. The girls selling the champion steer and champion market swine each won that honor in 2020, the last in-person Farm Show.

Karli Berkheimer of Carroll Township, York County, entered the show ring with Krueger, her 1,385-pound crossbred steer who received champion honors on Sunday. Within minutes, the gleaming black steer with a market value of $1,869 sold for $23,000 to Bell & Evans and Giant Co.

Im happy he sold for so much, Berkheimer said. In 2020, my champion steer sold for $20,000. Now, were going home. The Northern Middle School eighth grader said she expects to be back in class on Wednesday.

Alaina Webster, 18, of Cambridge Springs, sold Shark, her 266-pound champion market swine with a market value of $146, for $7,600 to Hatfield Quality Meats. She plans to use the money for more animals. In 2020, she sold her champion swine to Hatfield for $6,000.

Sharks a hard one to let go, said Webster, who has been showing swine since she was 8. He has a great personality. She said she plans to become a registered nurse and breed animals on the side.

Madaline Tewell of Artemas sold her 149-pound champion market lamb with a market value of $451 to New Holland Sales Stables for $5,700.

Dylan took a lot of work, the Everett Middle School eighth grade student said before entering the sales ring. He didnt know what to do at first but I walked him, and set him up. He got used to it.

Alexa Mills of Hickory bid farewell to Eddie, her 101-pound champion market goat with a market value of $343. HJ Towing of Carlisle bought him for $6,700, and, with Terry Shetron, owner of Shetron Auction and Equipment of Shippensburg, they bought the reserve market goat.

Ill use the money for another goat, Mills said. I want to purchase a goat with good structure and give him quality feed.

HJ Towing owner Heidi Jo Richcreek said that as a farmer who raises beef cattle, she likes to support vocational agricultural students and help out the food banks. Shetron echoed that.

Marissa Yutzy, 11, of James Creek, then sold her meat pen of three rabbits with a market value of $16 to John Rock for $2,700.

Rabbits are fun to play with, she said, adding that she had nine rabbits at home. They grow fast too. They are easy projects for someone who doesnt have a lot of land.

This years sale completed a challenging year for the young exhibitors, who dealt with COVID-19 and many canceled animal shows. Tuesday turned into an emotional day with most youthful sellers delighted with the sale prices but a few shedding tears as they bid farewell to their animals.

Amy Pecora of Harrison City shed a few tears after selling Charlie, her reserve grand champion steer, to Karns Food for $10,000. Ill miss him, she said quietly.

Most of the animals sold at the Farm Show go to the slaughterhouse, although several were donated to food banks.

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Though the new congressional district maps have yet to be finalized in Pennsylvania, a Dillsburg man on Tuesday announced the start of his campaign for the 10th Congressional District.

Steven D. Long, a member of the Independent American Party, will run as an independent for the district, currently held by Republican Rep. Scott Perry.

Long in his announcement said he is a Pennsylvania native who has lived in the state most of his life. He said he is a military combat veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Army, having served as an enlisted member in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Long pointed to his independent registration as the start of breaking free from the mostly two-party system.

We will defeat the two primary parties that are destroying the country, sending a message to federal government that We the People will not accept the bull governance and second-class treatment by the government, he said in a news release.

Long will hold an in-person meet-and-greet from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 19 at Maple Shade Barn in Dillsburg. There will be free refreshments, and beer will also be provided. Attendees can bring their own cup/tumbler with them or purchase one on-site.

More information on Long can be found on his Facebook page at Steven D Long for Congress.

Longs announcement comes during ongoing discussions regarding the redistricting of Pennsylvanias congressional districts.

Under the proposed congressional redistricting map released in December, the 10th Congressional District would lose Harrisburg and the rest of Dauphin County, and instead gain all of York and Adams counties. Most of eastern Cumberland County, save for Camp Hill, would still fall under the 10th district.

The map has not yet been finalized, and Gov. Tom Wolf has brought up concerns he has with the map. If the General Assembly and Wolf cannot agree on a map, the duty will again fall to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to issue a ruling about the fairness of the map.

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Although additional federal unemployment benefits and paid leave requirements largely expired at the end of 2021, money allocated by the federal government to local authorities, including the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, hasnt gone away.

The county housing agency has up to $22.5 million in total for rent and utilities assistance, of which about a fifth has been spent.

Weve tried to pivot every which way to make sure everyone has access to this program, CCHRA Executive Director Mary Kuna said. If you are facing eviction, come to us as soon as possible.

Rent and utilities relief funding has been provided in several rounds, starting with the pandemic relief packages in 2020 as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Some funding was allocated directly to the county under federal legislation, with further funding being passed through out of the states share.

Under federal funding rules, the money can be provided to any household earning 80% or less of the local area median income, a common metric used by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Each household may receive up to 18 months total of assistance, with no dollar value limit. Funds can not only pay for back rent and utilities, but can also be used on security deposits, hotel stays and other transitional costs for people who have lost their housing and are in search of a new place.

Thus far, the biggest impediment to getting funds out has been the application process, Kuna said.

Generally the biggest hurdle is people not providing us with all the information, Kuna said. People tend to come to us at the last minute. Once the eviction notice actually hits, if they havent gotten us all the info yet, they definitely do.

Federal rules promulgated through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that prevented many evictions were stricken in August by a Supreme Court ruling.

Shortly thereafter, federal unemployment and leave benefits also began to expire, with additional weeks of federally funded unemployment insurance and an extra $300 per week of benefits going off the books in early September.

At the end of September, the federal program offering tax credits to employers in exchange for additional paid employee sick leave also expired.

Despite these programs lapsing, rent relief under ARPA will stay around. The law makes the funds available for HUD to disperse to municipal and county agencies into 2027.

The CDC eviction policy that was thrown out in late August covered tenants who were unable to pay their rent due to the economic impacts of the pandemic. Tenants could not claim coverage for other violations of a lease.

Since the eviction stay ended, several of Cumberland Countys local court districts, particularly those covering areas with lower-cost rental housing, have seen a rise in landlord-tenant case filings.

The Magisterial District Court covering Carlisle borough, for instance, saw 14 landlord-tenant cases filed in September 2020. But in September 2021, that number rose to 24 cases. Of these, seven cases resulted in an order of possession being granted in the landlords favor, while other cases had settlements entered or were closed without the docket reflecting an eviction.

The pace of filings was sustained through the new year, with 25 landlord-tenant cases in the Carlisle district in December 2021, compared to five in 2020.

To apply for assistance, visit cchra.com, email rentrelief@cchra.com, or call 717-249-0789.

Email Zack at zhoopes@cumberlink.com.
The state of volunteer firefighting is in a crisis.

That is the assessment of acting Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook and multiple fire officials in the Midstate and across the state.

Were getting close to a crisis mode in my opinion, Carlisle Borough Fire Chief Randy ODonnell said, echoing Cooks concern. Everybodys suffering.

The current model of volunteer firefighting in Pennsylvania is based on the long-standing tradition going back to the 1700s when Ben Franklin founded the first volunteer department in Philadelphia. That model has continued virtually unchanged since that time, according to Cook.

The fire departments, they need to adapt and change to match the mission, said Gary Neff, the Mechanicsburg Borough fire chief. Public safety is priority one, thats our motto.

However fewer volunteers means that accomplishing this mission becomes more of a challenge.

With the evolution of society, the volunteer fire service is facing several crises, Cook said. The financial crisis: the process of selling hoagies no longer generates enough money to buy a vehicle that now costs between $500,000 and $1 million. The second crisis  it is no longer looming. I think were actively engaged  is the staff issues across the board. Volunteerism is down.

The issues are complex. Cook and other fire leaders said they range from aversion to change to societal transformations of the family unit where both spouses now work, to increasing extracurricular activities for children. It means fewer people are coming out to fight fires, which leads to second and third alarms being called not due to the severity of the incident but to the lack of manpower.

Times have changed, said Dan Grimes, fire chief of the Carlisle Fire & Rescue Service. Some folks are working two jobs. Theres a lot to fit in, plus youve got to have family time. Its a fine balance, it really is.

The impact

ODonnell described other factors that have led to the crisis.

Theres three things that keep us going, and its manpower, management and money, and right now, were kind of like stumbling on all three, he said.

ODonnell said that as current volunteers retire, fewer and fewer people are taking their places.

It use to be a family tradition from one generation to the next to get involved in the fire service, ODonnell said. The dynamics of our society have changed and somehow we have to change the model and how we deliver the service down the road.

The National Volunteer Fire Council reported in 2018 that volunteers comprise 67% of firefighters in the United States. Of the total estimated 1,115,000 firefighters across the country, 745,000 are volunteers.

The number of volunteer firefighters in the U.S. reached a nearly 40-year low in 2017 with 682,600 but rose again in 2018 with 745,000. At the same time, call volume has tripled in the last 30 years, due in large part to the increase in emergency medical calls, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council.

Its been an ongoing problem, Grimes said. It probably started several years ago. You can see the steady decline in the amounts of numbers.

ODonnell said he sees the same trend.

Everybody is struggling for people, ODonnell said. You know, the volunteer spirit is not there like it was back a decade, two decades ago.

In Pennsylvania, the number of firefighters is estimated to be between 36,000 and 38,000. The state does not require fire departments to report the number of volunteers. The number of volunteer firefighters is an estimated 30,000. In 1975, that number was 360,000, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council and the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

We used to turn out 100 men for a fire, but now it might be down below 10 for a rural fire, Cook said. Those are the main issues. How do we get money and how do we get people.

Its an oversimplification of the problem to say that we waited too long, Cook said. Society in 2021 is nowhere near comparable to 1760s Philadelphia. Its a different culture, its a different society, but were still using the core business model for firefighting. The problem has been hiding in the background as long as Ive been involved (for 40 years). Its really come to the forefront in the last 10 to 15 years.

Under the Fire Commissioner Act, the Pennsylvania state fire commissioner is the official charged with meeting the diverse training, operational, and informational needs of the commonwealths fire and emergency service community.

The office offers assistance, including the development and operation of Pennsylvanias emergency service training program, the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program that provides low-interest loans to volunteer fire and emergency services organizations, and the states fire safety education program. In addition, the commissioner is responsible for the development of a comprehensive fire incident reporting system.

Central to the commissioners duties is the cultivation of a close working relationship with Pennsylvanias 2,400 fire departments and their personnel. The commissioner and his staff function as support and resource personnel for these agencies in dealing with issues such as volunteer recruitment and retention, firefighter safety, intervention programs dealing with juvenile fire-setters, and community safety education.

Cook said the goal is to help fire companies find access to existing funding sources, educate them on what funding sources are available, how to look for grants and low-interest loans.

Time to roll up our sleeves

Jerry Ozog, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute, said theres been a steady decline over 20 years with a more acute drop in the past five to eight years. Pennsylvania demographics have played a part in the crisis as well.

We do a great job in Pennsylvania describing the problem, he said. We need to roll up our sleeves and start fixing the problem. It wont come from state government. It will come at the local level redesiging the way we volunteer.

As Pennsylvanians get older and populations decline, volunteer firefighters have to become more creative, he said. Recruitment has to be constant to keep the levels of membership stable. For volunteer organizations to be successful, they have to focus on people. They have to have a commitment to a countywide recruitment campaign followed up with local training. Thats the key to success.

Ozog said there are proven models of recruitment campaigns if you have dedicated leaders and people involved. In the Harrisburg area, Ozog said he was part of a committee that received a $2.2 million grant to conduct a regional recruitment campaign for 20 municipalities with 22 fire departments. It involved training, a marketing campaign and incentives for volunteers meeting their training goals.

Incentives are common in areas that have the budget to support it, but that doesnt work for all, he said. Its a challenge in a rural area. If there are a lot of traditional members who do it for 40 years, and then a new generation wants incentives, there might be internal conflict as well. You really have to have leaders who can reimagine fire departments for the future.

Local fire departments are also strategizing about how these ongoing issues can be remedied. Neff said that his department is becoming more active on social media to draw people in, and also recruiting them at community events. ODonnell emphasized the importance of members recruiting members.

Neff values a good on-boarding system that prevents fast turnovers by keeping members engaged. He said his department offers a junior program for teenagers from ages 14 to 18 that doesnt allow them to ride the trucks but gives them opportunities to serve in a lot of other ways.

The program also helps prepare them if they choose to train and become certified interior firefighters later on. Neff said the training process takes time, considering the dangerous and demanding nature of the job.

With that, theres a very large commitment that they have to make, Neff said. Its not just going over and jumping on a firetruck when a person calls.

The National Volunteer Fire Council, a nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS and rescue services, provides online training to its members for grant funding, recruitment and retention, safety and equipment, and a number of other topics.

Steve Hirsch, chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council, based in Kansas, said small communities cant wait an hour when their house is on fire or theyre hanging upside down in a car. He said call volume has increased and society has changed.

Recruitment can be a nonstop process, he said.

There are departments around the nation that dont have trouble, but there are those that really struggle, he said.

Challenging the model

The National Volunteer Fire Council reported that the time donated by volunteer firefighters saves localities across the country an estimated $46.9 billion per year. The cost of switching to a paid or career firefighting model is not necessarily feasible, fire leaders said.

Ozog said there will be challenges when going against the current model.

I dont want to say as a blanket statement that the volunteer model is not sustainable, he said. The grit and community spirit will allow it to be sustainable, but the key is excellent leadership and excellent relationship with municipal government.

According to ODonnell and Grimes, fire departments arent alone in feeling the effects of a decrease in volunteerism.

Unfortunately, were not the only civic group thats having this problem. Its across the board. Its from fire departments to say Project SHARE or any other organization that uses volunteers as their staff.

ODonnell said that EMS is struggling with a lot of the same issues.

In spite of this ongoing struggle, local fire officials like Neff remain dedicated to their mission of service.

At the end of the day, thats what its all about, bringing optimum service to the community that you serve, he said.

Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. This article also uses content from Justin Strawser's story in The Sunbury Daily Item.

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The Missouri Department of Conservation would like to host a youth gigging clinic for youth ages 6 to 17, at 4:30 p.m., Feb. 12, on the Black River at Clearwater Dam.

This clinic will provide youth the opportunity to experience all aspects of gigging in the Ozarks. Instruction will include boat safety, regulations, fish identification and fish clean. Dinner will be provided prior to a fun night of gigging.

To register for the youth gigging clinic please call Conservation Agent Eric Long at 573-579-5057.

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Press Release

January 12, 2022 De Lima urges gov't to urgently address overcrowded jails and prisons Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima urged the government to address the perennial and decades-old problem of severe congestion in the country's jails and prisons, which she considers as the root cause of the pressing problems in Philippine penitentiary. De Lima made the call following the reported death of six (6) and wounding of 33 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in a riot that broke out in Caloocan City Jail last Jan. 11, which alarmingly happened just a week after three (3) PDLs were also killed in a riot in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). "As I keep on saying, severe congestion is the root cause of many ills and problems, including prison-based criminality, in our detention and correctional facilities. Added to that are the decrepit facilities and lack of adequate food and basic needs which are sure recipe for chaos, occasional restlessness and mental health problems," she said. "Hangga't hindi nabibigyan ng kaukulang pansin at hindi nasosolusyunan ang matagal nang problema ng malubhang pagsisiksikan sa ating mga kulungan, hindi matatapos ang ganitong mga kaguluhan at insidente ng karahasan. Paulit-ulit lang itong mangyayari at lalo lamang lalalim ang ugat ng problema," she added. "Let's not forget also that severe congestion makes PDLs extremely vulnerable to diseases and COVID-19 infection," De Lima stressed. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Xavier Solda reportedly confirmed that aside from six killed PDLs, at least 33 were also injured in the incident. Solda detailed that the riot started in a small fight between two PDLs before it erupted into a bigger fight between two big groups. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, maintained that the perennial failure to come up with comprehensive solution that could help decongest jails and address other complex needs of correctional facilities is tantamount to dehumanizing PDLs. "PDLs are humans too who deserve humane treatment. Obligasyon nating igalang ang karapatang pantao ng lahat. Anuman ang estado sa buhay, ang nakaraan, pinanggalingan o paniniwala, karapatan ng bawat isa ang makataong pagtrato," she said. "Ang bilangguan o piitan ay isa ring lunsaran ng pagbabagong-buhay; ng pagkakataon na pagsisisihan ang kasalanan at makabalik sa lipunan. Kung ang dadatnan at ang magiging pamumuhay ng PDLs ay may talamak na krimen, pang-aabuso, may malubhang siksikan na nagdudulot ng pagkakasakit at ibayong dusa, paano magiging posible ang pagbabagong buhay?," De Lima added. As such, the lady Senator from Bicol urged her Senate colleagues anew to prioritize the passage of her two measures which seek to introduce comprehensive reforms in the country's prison and correctional systems. "I call on my colleagues to quickly address the congestion and inhumane condition of our jail facilities. If the congestion and inhumane condition of our jail facilities will not be solved, it may put the health and lives of more PDLs in danger," she said. "It is important to enact a law instituting wide-ranging reforms in our jails and correction system, a legislation that shall mandate the upgrade of our facilities, address jail congestion, and legislate the standards of humane treatment of PDLs," she added. De Lima, who consistently sought for much needed reforms in the country's prison and correctional systems, has repeatedly pushed for measures that would help uphold the rights and dignity of PDLs and ensure that they receive humane treatment while in prison, and at the same time address prison-based criminality through structural, organizational and physical reforms. During this 18th Congress, she filed Senate Bill (SB) Nos. 180 and 181, to be known as "Prison Reform Act of 2019," and "Unified Corrections and Jail Management System Act of 2019." SB No. 180 seeks to institutionalize prison reform and restorative justice in the country's correctional system to ensure the effective rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates while according full respect of their rights. SB No. 181, meanwhile, seeks to unify corrections and management system by centralizing the management of all prisons and jails under a single government authority to be called National Commission on Corrections and Jail Management (NCCJM).
An investigation is underway after a shooting incident in Goose Creek Tuesday night.

A press release from the St. Francois County Sheriffs Department (SFCSD) states that at approximately 8:24 p.m. on Tuesday, SFCSD deputies responded to the report of a shooting in the 6200 block of Osage Drive in the Goose Creek Lake Development.

Officers located a 29-year-old male at a separate residence within the development who had been shot multiple times. The victim was conscious and alert and was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital for treatment.

The release states a 19-year-old male was taken into custody and remains incarcerated in the St. Francois County Detention Center. Both scenes were processed by SFCSD detectives, who continue to investigate the incident.

Formal charges have not been filed at this time.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com

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JEFFERSON CITY  The first wave of education bills this legislative session was met Tuesday with a record-topping heap of testimony at a House committee hearing.

Parents, educators, students and advocates packed a House hearing room to restart an emotional conversation on education policy, revisiting well-worn arguments about critical race theory, parents and teachers rights and the state of classroom culture wars.

The two bills that drew the bulk of the crowd were House Bill 1995, sponsored by Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, and House Bill 1474, sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer, R-OFallon, which are set to be combined into a Parents Bill of Rights with a section restricting the teaching of critical race theory and related subjects.

Critical race theory, which offers a framework for examining the effects of race and racism on the nations institutions, has drawn the ire of conservatives, who say it promotes division and undermines patriotism.

The bills, Richey and Schroer said, are intended to build trust between educators and parents.

Richeys bill would allow parents and guardians to censor class materials provided to their children based on such parents beliefs regarding morality, sexuality, religion, or other issues related to the well-being, education, and upbringing of such parents child. Parents and guardians could sue schools for violations of their parental rights and be awarded as much as $5,000 if they win in court. It also allows the Missouri attorney general to sue for as much as $10,000.

These rights that are listed are fairly benign, Richey said. There is nothing in here that is controversial.

Under Schroers proposal, schools would be banned from using any curriculum that identifies people or groups of people, entities, or institutions in the United States as inherently, immutably, or systemically sexist, racist, biased, privileged, or oppressed.

Schroer insisted his bill isnt an attempt to stop kids from thinking.

Its trying to prevent educators (and) prevent institutions from flooding kids with a certain train of thought (and) teaching them this is the only way to think about these situations, he said.

Many people who testified  and several lawmakers  sharply disagreed with the two sponsors.

Rep. Ian Mackey, D-St. Louis, called the bills a Trojan horse to destroy quality education.

Committee members of both parties questioned the implications of the bills  a chilling effect on the attraction and retention of teachers, the open-endedness of the vague language and scarce definitions, as well as the potential of lawsuits.

When we put some of these pieces in place, we are just setting up people to be in court, said Rep. Paula Brown, D-Hazelwood, warning of the potential to set up a lawyers dream bill in failing to define standards like divisive and controversial.

Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, questioned the decision to combine the bills, pointing out that Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, has also sponsored parents bill of rights legislation.

I think thats something that we could get behind as a committee and as a body, Dogan said. Whereas this discussion over critical race theory, at least the way its presented here in this bill, is not something that unites people.

Among the people who testified was Heather Fleming, who founded the Missouri Equity Education Partnership last year in response to legislation that proposed similar curriculum restrictions.

Fleming questioned which parents rights would be protected by the proposed legislation, expressing concern that the bills would give other parents the right to censor what her child learns.

By the end of the hearing, 1,600 people had filed testimony, easily surmounting the previous record.

A third bill debated Tuesday was House Bill 1747 sponsored by Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, which would institute a procedure to recall school board members. The bill requires 10% of the constituents in the district to petition to recall a board member.

A handful of parents shared experiences struggling to get information or communicate at meetings with school board members in their districts, with one noting the lack of qualifications required to obtain the job.

Opponents expressed concern about subjecting school board members to a constant election cycle and adding difficulty to attracting candidates to the increasingly unpopular volunteer position.

One campaign manager for a recently elected school board member noted that in the position the woman had already been sued twice, followed in her car, escorted by police and received a death threat, asking Who wants that job?

I want the school board members to be able to really make a decision that are for the kids and not for politics, said Jamie Johnson, vice chair of the Platte County Democratic Central Committee.

The bills are expected to come up for a committee vote in the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Grace Zokovitch gzokovitch@post-dispatch.com

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Its Girl Scout cookie season once again, and local Girl Scouts from the Virginia Skyline Council can introduce you to the new Adventurefuls cookie.

The latest confection is a chocolate cookie with caramel-flavored creme and a hint of sea salt. It joins Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Samoas and other timeless favorites in online shipments and on sales tables everywhere.

To keep customers connected to their favorite cookies during the pandemic, Girl Scouts will be selling cookies in socially distant and contact-free methods. The Digital Cookie online platform also is available for direct shipments or local delivery.

Cookie season lasts through March 31 this year.

Cookies are $5 per box. If you dont happen to know a Girl Scout, find out how to order your annual stash by going to gsvsc.org/cookies.

At Great Harvest Bread Co. Another seasonal favorite is back at Great Harvest Bread Co.  King Cake. If youre planning to celebrate Mardi Gras at home or with your office buddies this year, be sure to place your cake order well ahead of time.

The cinnamon-laden cake is famous for concealing a tiny plastic baby figurine. Tradition dictates that the diner who discovers the baby gets a blessing of good luck  and the responsibility to provide the King Cake for next years festivities.

Great Harvests recipe originated at its bakery-cafe in Lafayette, Louisiana, and it comes topped with icing and sprinkles in gold, purple and green. Each cake comes with trimmings to make your celebration complete, including Mardi Gras beads, a set of paper crowns and the all-important plastic baby to hide in a slice.

King Cake season officially ends on Fat Tuesday, which falls on March 1 this year. Get all the particulars at greatharvestcville.com.

At Bojangles Bojangles is serving up a new salad blend of 75% baby spinach and 25% baby red leaf lettuce, which comes with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded carrots and Monterey Cheddar cheese.

The new salad blend can be enjoyed as is or topped with grilled chicken, Supremes chicken tenders or homestyle tenders. Dressing options include buttermilk ranch, honey dijon, fat-free Italian and blue cheese.

At DuCard VineyardsIf youve had enough snow already, the folks at DuCard are feeling your pain. Thats why theyre relocating the winerys tasting room to Nassau, Bahamas, for special access through the BeamMeUp app.

Head to ducardvineyards.com to learn about the new world of conch fritters, Hawaiian shirts and beach chairs. If youre a winter baby whos sticking around in Central Virginia and hoping to learn about the firepits, patio tent heaters and other cozy comforts at the Etlan tasting room, thats your online destination as well.

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Often, in winter, food tends to be dull and not very interesting. A pinch of this and a dab of that spice will brighten up that old bean recipe or add a little punch to Grandmothers stew.

Spices are not a new item to the world of cookery. They go back as far as the Bible. For centuries, Arabs acted as middlemen in the spice trade between Asia and Africa south of the Sahara. They kept the location of the spices secret from their customers.

The Phoenicians distributed spices around the Mediterranean until about 332 of the present era, when the commercial center at Tyre fell to Alexander the Great. In the same year he founded Alexandria, which became the meeting place for merchants from the East and West.

The Romans started sailing to India from Egypt in the first century AD. It was a hazardous business and took two years, until someone discovered that sailing was much faster during the monsoon season, from April to October. The journey took less than a year. The Romans brought back fabulous cargoes of spices for perfume, cosmetics, medicines and cooking.

At about the same time, the overland route from China, the Silk Road, came into use. Starting from the Chinese city of Changan (Xian), it led west avoiding the Himalayas, then across Persia and the Fertile Crescent to the Mediterranean or down the Indus Valley. The routes varied according to the political stability, and the taxes levied on the caravans. These caravans carried silks, jewels, cassia, cumin and ginger. These land routes continue for centuries, until steam ships were introduced.

Pepper was the most popular Asian spice in Rome, followed by ginger and turmeric. Most of the recipes in the first century Roman cookbook included an extensive array of spices to aid digestion and to enhance the flavor of food.

As the Roman Empire extended across the Alps, the inhabitants of northern Europe acquired the taste for spices. By 408 AD, they knew the value of pepper, along with beauty of silks, gold and silver. Two years later, Rome fell and Constantinople became the capital of the eastern empire and an important trade center. About the same time, cloves and nutmeg found their way to the West, probably taken by first to India by Indonesian merchants.

The flow of goods from East to West dwindled by the time the Arabs conquered Alexandria in AD 641 and stopped completely a century later. However, a century later, with the rise of Islam, the Arab empire spread from Spain to the borders of China. For 400 years, few spices reached Europe, as there was no direct trade between Muslim Arabs and Christian Europe. Europe had nothing to offer in exchange for goods from Asia. The few spices that did arrive were found only in the great houses and palaces, and in the monasteries.

Trade with the East was reopened by the Crusades in the 11th century. For 200 years, there was a stream of Crusaders and pilgrims to the Holy Land. There, they developed a taste for the foods of that warm climate. Venice and Genoa became the suppliers to the Crusaders and set up trading concessions with the Far East.

The first steps toward the discovery of new routes to the East were taken in 1418, when Henry the Navigator, prince of Portugal, set up a navigation school in southwest Portugal. He set out expeditions down the west coast of Africa, hoping to find a route to the East. During his lifetime, the Portuguese did not succeed.

In May 1498, after a 10-month voyage, Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama reached the west coast of India. After a stay of several months, he returned to Portugal with a cargo of spices and jewels  and news of a ruler willing to trade. Thus, Venetian monopoly was broken and fixed prices for pepper were established. In 1506, the Lisbon spice trade became a crown monopoly.

What and where are the Spice Islands? Did the Portuguese control the spice trade? What about the English? We will leave that until next week. In the meantime, use some black pepper on that stew.
With COVID-19 cases surging, Piedmont Virginia Community College will switch to virtual classes for the first two weeks of the spring semester.

The spring semester begins Jan. 10 and in-person classes will resume Jan. 24, the college announced Wednesday. PVCC president Frank Friedman said in the news release that the move was in everyones best interest and encouraged students to get vaccination, which is not required.

The health and safety of our faculty, staff and students is our highest priority, Friedman said in the release. We move to two weeks of remote learning because we believe it is in everyones best interest. PVCC faculty has considerable experience teaching online and I assure our students that they will receive the high quality education they expect from PVCC.

PVCC officials reviewed local, state and federal guidance as well as recent data on case numbers before making a final decision.

The PVCC leadership team made the decision to adjust the approach for the start of the semester to hopefully avoid a large scale outbreak during the current surge in Omicron cases, officials wrote in the news release.

The Blue Ridge Health District has reported 1,484 new cases in the first five days of this month even as testing events were canceled this week because of the winter weather and related disruptions. The seven-day average of new cases is up to 317. This time last year, the seven-day average was at 102.

PVCCs campus will remain open and all academic and student support services will be available to students in-person during the online switch, according to the announcement.
Charlottesville and Albemarle County officials are trying to make it easier for residents and property owners to clean up from the Jan. 3 snowstorm that snapped tree limbs, toppled powerlines and poles and left thousands in the cold and dark.

Residents arent the only ones cleaning up. Virginia Department of Transportation crews will be working Interstate 64 over the next several weeks to remove the remnants of thousands of trees that had blocked the interstate between U.S. 250 and Goochland County during last weeks storm.

Repair crews from the regions four utility companies reported the vast majority of customers were back on line Tuesday evening with about 130 out in Louisa County and less than 20 powerless in Albemarle County.

In Charlottesville and Albemarle County, officials announced Tuesday that they would waive fees for residents to dispose of storm-related vegetative debris at the Ivy Material Utilization Center. The waiver will be in effect until Monday, January 17.

Vegetation debris, such as tree limbs, will be ground into mulch and available for purchase at the center. Debris will be accepted from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday at the center, 4576 Dick Woods Road.

The waiver does not apply to commercial vehicles or haulers. To get the waiver, residents must show proof of residency and state that the debris is storm-related.

The citys Public Works Department will help residents clear and clean up by providing a free storm debris pick-up service for the week of Jan. 24.

Collection dates will correspond to residents normal trash pick-up day and only storm-related debris will be collected.

Depending on the amount of debris and response to the program, adjustments may be made to the schedule and will be announced as soon as possible.

City officials are asking residents to not stack or lean debris near or on trees, utility poles, or other structures. That includes keeping clear fire hydrants, water meters, backflow prevention devices and mailboxes and to avoid blocking roads, driveways and sidewalks.

Those city residents who previously purchased large item collection from the city to remove storm debris may keep their purchase for another date or request a refund from the city treasurers office.

More information is available at www.charlottesville.gov/1061/waste-management.

VDOT crews and commuters will be seeing a lot of each other in the next several weeks as crews remove trees, tree limbs and other storm-strewn debris from the highway shoulders and median.

The crews will use open-top tractor-trailers equipped with grapple claws to load the debris into the trucks and haul it to disposal sites.

There will be both mobile and stationary work zones with right shoulder closures between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for the next three to four weeks, said Lou Hatter, VDOT spokesman. Once the right side of the highway is clear, the crews will move to the median. While trees and debris are removed from the median the left shoulder and left lane will be closed to accommodate the trucks and other equipment and provide safe working space for the crews.

VDOT officials estimate in the thousands the number of trees fell in a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 64 in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa and Goochland counties during the storm.

Those trees blocking the travel lanes were cut into movable pieces and pushed to the shoulders to allow snowplows to continue moving and keep the highway open, Hatter said. Many other trees fell into the clear zone outside the shoulder and are a hazard in the event a vehicle runs off the highway.

Four debris removal crews are working on the eastbound highway from the U.S. 250/Shadwell exit and another four crews are working in the westbound lanes from mile marker 176 in Henrico County toward the U.S. 250/Shadwell exit in Charlottesville.

The operation is a cooperative effort between VDOT and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and involves several specialty debris removal and monitoring contractors.

The vacant rest area at mile marker 145 eastbound will be used as a temporary debris management site. The debris will be dumped there and ground into chips for final disposal.
King Soopers workers hit the picket lines early Wednesday in freezing temperatures with signs and hopes their efforts could prompt a change.

The strike began at 5 a.m. after union representatives for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 rejected King Soopers/City Market's last, best and final offer late Tuesday.

Richard May has worked at King Soopers for over two decades in the meat department, and throughout his years of service he has seen "lots of faces" come and go as he's unloaded, unpacked and packaged meats for families across the metro area.

But on Wednesday afternoon, May wasn't behind the meat counter. Instead, he stood along South Hampden Road in south Denver with a sign draped over his Denver Broncos sweatshirt and in his hand.

What about pharmacies? As far as pharmacies, each King Soopers is different when it comes to whether its pharmacy technicians are union members. As a result, it is difficult to know whether a particular pharmacy will experience a walk out. Contact your store for specifics.

"We'll do what we have to do to make our lives better," May said as several people driving by honked to show their support of the strike. "And we'll do it together."

On Tuesday morning, Scott Siddons was serving lattes to King Soopers customers at the Parker store on Lincoln and Jordon roads. At 5 a.m. Wednesday, he assumed his "picket captain" duties in front of a store with one other picketer. A store manager and security guards told them to stay out of customers' way, and off the sidewalk in front of the store entrance. They argued that the Girl Scouts are allowed to be on the sidewalk.

"We'll have about 4-5 picketers out today," Siddons said, noting half the store's workers were nonunion members.

Michael Smith, 24, a deli worker at the Stroh Ranch King Soopers in south Parker, said he expected to have 10 to 20 picketers throughout the day.

"We're just informing customers about how Kings is doing unfair labor practices," said Smith.

For example, corporate has brought vendor Boar's Head into the grocery stores to stock the shelves, taking jobs from union workers.

Smith and other picketers stood outside the stores Wednesday and informed shoppers about union jobs being lost and other information that led to the strike. They also handed out pamphlets on how customers can help the union and provided a list of alternative grocery chains to shop.

Some ignored the picketers, but for others like Javier Menchaca, it was enough to to make them turn around and go elsewhere.

"I don't want to support a company that doesn't support their workers," Menchaca said. "The workers make a company who they are, so if they aren't treating them right why should we support them?"

Smith said workers at the Stroh Ranch King Soopers have been trying to get security for their store since 2018. On Wednesday, guards showed up in preparation of the strike.

"They've got security guards in there like they're expecting a riot," he said. "We're not here to get in customers' way. We're not mad at anyone."

Smith said one worker already crossed the picket line, but he's 80 years old and close to retirement.

"That $16 per hour hiring wage hasn't hit us. They pay us $12.35 because we're unionized and they haven't changed the wages yet."

The strike is expected to last until Feb. 2.

Union members will get $800 to picket 40 hours a week. There's also an option of $100 per week for nonpicketers who don't cross the line, Smith said.

"This means a lot to me personally. I went on disability and that's all through the union," said Smith.

King Soopers officials, meanwhile, ramped up the rhetoric early Wednesday, calling for union leaders to let members vote on the company's "last, best, final offer" Tuesday.

Local 7 is putting politics before people and preventing us from putting more money in our associates pockets, Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers/City Market, said in a news release. Its time for (UFCW Local 7 President) Kim Cordova to put our associates, her members, first instead of denying them the opportunity to vote on this unprecedented investment. Creating more disruption for our associates, their families, and Coloradans rather than negotiating for a peaceful resolution is irresponsible and undemocratic.

Shopper Dawn Perez, 48, of Parker said Tuesday evening that she would not return to her neighborhood store on Parker and Cottonwood roads until the strike was over.

"I'm a former Local 7 member. I won't cross," Perez said. "These corporations are making a lot of money off these workers' backs. And they only offered 13 cents over minimum wage?"

Perez referred to the $16 an hour starting wages Kroger offered Tuesday, which is 13 cents above Denver's minimum wage.

"I've watched all the news, but I don't know if I can trust either side," said Perez. "But we stocked up anyway and are not coming back until they pay their workers."

The strike caps an acrimonious period of unfair labor practices accusations being tossed from both sides after the unions 8,700 grocery workers in metro Denver stores voted overwhelmingly to strike. The union represents about 17,000 of The Kroger Co.s 22,500 employees in Colorado.

The unions contract with King Soopers expired Saturday.

Colorado Springs stores, and others not in metro Denver like those on the West Slope, are not impacted by the strike as their workers have different contract timelines.

Union representatives are hoping the strike will have a debilitating effect on the grocery chain, Cordova, the union president, said previously.

Labor shortages already have hit King Soopers, which like other stores has had some employees out of work because of COVID-19 or because they chose to quit as part of the Great Resignation that's swept the nation. Its not clear if the strike will force full-store shutdowns or adversely impact customers' shopping experience. The Denver Gazette witnessed longer-than-normal lines Monday night and Tuesday mornings at metro Denver stores. There were also security guards present, where there had been none before, and prominent Seeking Temporary Workers signs advertising $18 an hour jobs.

King Soopers officials vowed Wednesday not to close any stores.

Cordova said the union could pull workers from stores all at once or pick and choose from which stores to pull workers and do so incrementally.

We know what were doing, our members and us know what stores well be selecting, what stores go out at what time, Cordova said. We can pull them out at any time we want.  Theres a lot of strategy around this.

Local 7 and King Soopers began negotiations in October, but talks became contentious last week after the votes Jan. 1 and 3, where union members in Denver and Colorado Springs, respectively, overwhelmingly authorized a strike.

"I'm not coming back until they pay those workers fairly," said Vicky Caler, 63, of Parker at a King Soopers Tuesday evening. "From day one of the COVID, they've been there like first responders, police and firefighters. They should get paid."

Caler said she'd shop at other grocery stores until the strike is over.

Other shoppers said they might skip King Soopers stores just to avoid the hassle.

"We'll probably go to Safeway or Walmart," said Steve Santi, 49, of Parker. "It's the path of least resistance, and it's hard to tell which of the two sides is right."
Indias RailTel, a central government PSU (public sector undertaking), has announced plans to work with a number of partners to create edge data centres at railway premises across 102 locations in India.

An Expression of Interest has been sent out encouraging potential partners to come forward. However, such partners are expected to be companies registered in India and to make a significant investment: Rs 500 crore (about $67.8 million) has been mentioned.

Indias Economic Times reports that the initial capacity of each edge data centre at each location will be around 20 racks (5 KW to 10 KW each), though this will vary according to need, space and power requirements.

Edge data centres  small-scale data centres located close to end users and devices  are being adopted by a number of businesses, not least as a way to overcome the latency problem inherent in using data centres off site or even in another state or country.

It may seem strange that a railway-owned group should be so ambitious in the telecom space but in fact RailTel is one of the largest neutral telecom infrastructure providers in the country. It was formed in 2000 with the objective of creating a nationwide broadband, telecom and multimedia network to modernise train control, operation and safety for Indian Railways.

RailTel owns a pan-Indian optical fibre cable network of over 60,000 kilometres along Indian Railways railway track. The network covers many important towns and cities and several rural areas, in particular delivering RailWire, a community-based broadband internet service provided by RailTel in partnership with more than 6,000 communities in India.

The aim of the edge data centre undertaking, not surprisingly, is to enhance the experience of RailWire broadband customers through locally cached content. It is hoped that the project will also give a boost to Digital India, a flagship government programme whose aim is to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

This isnt the only significant RailTel intitiaitve in recent months. We reported last October that the state-run telecom research and development organisation Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) and RailTel had signed a pact to work together in the telecom space with a key focus on the modernisation and expansion of communication networks across the country.
Press Release

January 12, 2022 Bong Go urges gov't to ensure unhampered supply of basic medicines amid surge in COVID-19 cases Senator and Senate Committee on Health Chair Christopher "Bong" Go urged government to ensure continuous replenishment of stocks and unhampered supply of necessary basic medicines in the market following reports of unavailability of paracetamol and other flu and cold medicines in pharmacies last week. Citing the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases as a result of increased movement during the holiday season, as well as the presence of the Omicron variant, Go also reminded concerned agencies to regularly monitor the supply of vital COVID-19-related medicines, particularly supportive medicines for symptomatic therapy. "Gawin po natin ang ating magagawa para masiguro na tuluy-tuloy ang supply ng gamot sa bansa. Dapat rin pong maging accessible ang mga ito sa lahat lalo na sa mga mahihirap," said Go. "Mahalaga pong magawa natin ito lalo na ngayon na tumataas ang bilang ng kaso ng COVID-19 cases at mas maraming mga Pilipino ang mangangailangan ng gamot," he added. Meanwhile, the Department of Health stated that it is collaborating with the Food and Drug Administration as well as the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure continuous supply of health related goods. "Patuloy naman ang pagmo-monitor ng mga awtoridad ng status ng supply ng mga gamot, lalu na iyong kailangan ng mga COVID-19 patients. Huwag dapat paabutin sa punto na kulang na ulit ang supply sa drugstores," said Go. The DOH had previously assured the public that, despite rising demand for such products, there is no ongoing scarcity in the Philippines. There are several generic alternatives to paracetamol in the market, it said, and they can be found at many drug stores around the country. Moreover, Go echoed the advice of health authorities to the public to avoid hoarding, stockpiling, panic buying, or unnecessary purchases of such basic medicines unless they are necessary or are required by their physicians. "Marami ang nagkakasakit ngayon pagkatapos ng holiday season. Magmalasakit tayo sa isa't isa at magtulungan. Pinapayuhan ang lahat na bumili lang po ng sapat sa pangangailangan upang masigurong yung iba ay hindi mauubusan," Go stressed. The senator continued to remind the public that continued vigilance and discipline from all are critical in effectively stopping transmissions of viruses in the communities. "Kung gusto natin bumalik sa normal na pamumuhay at talunin ang kalaban na hindi natin nakikita, kailangan ang disiplina at kooperasyon ng lahat," Go stressed. Go specifically encouraged everyone to strictly observe the mandated health and safety protocols, such as proper mask use, social distancing, frequent hand washing, and staying at home whenever possible. "Huwag natin sayangin ang mga pinaghirapan natin nung nakaraang taon. We continue to ask for your cooperation and understanding. As we course through this difficult time, we must all stand together," appealed Go. Most importantly, he appealed to the public to get vaccinated as soon as possible, noting that data shows milder symptoms among those infected who have been vaccinated. "Mas delikado talaga kapag hindi bakunado. Kung mahal ninyo ang inyong pamilya, magpabakuna na po kayo. Libre naman ito galing sa gobyerno. Proteksyon ninyo ito laban sa virus at susi upang malampasan ang pandemya," Go appealed to those who remain unvaccinated. As of January 10, the Philippines has acquired 213.65 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. More than 114.26 million doses were administered, of which 52.85 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated and 57.88 million of our people got their first dose. Around 3.58 million boosters shots were also administered.
Turkish operator Turkcell is seeking strategic foreign partnerships for its subsidiaries, CEO Murat Erkan said.

According to a report in the newspaper, Hurriyet, Murat said the company has opened up the subsidiaries Paycell, Bip, and Superonline to investors, and funds from the US, Asia, and the Middle East have shown interest in its companies. He added the company is looking for partners to speed up expansion abroad, and not just financial investors.

Individual stakes of up to 10% could be offered to foreign partners in the coming months, said Murat.

Turkcell has authorized U.S. finance giant JP Morgan to find investors for its payment processing company Paycell. Talks are ongoing with about 10 potential investors.

Turkeys prominent mobile operator and the digital giant are also considering new investments in the gaming industry and blockchain technology, said the report in Hurriyet.

It could be through partnerships, acquisitions, or investments in unicorns [innovative private companies valued at over $1 billion], the Turkcell CEO said.
Moscow, ID (83843)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 58F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 41F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
The Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce, as a safety concern, decided to cancel the MLK Day of Service event.

After the cancellation of the MLK Parade by the local NAACP Chapter and due to the heighten increase in the current pandemic numbers in Barbour County and in the state of Alabama, the health and safety of fellow citizens was the top concern. Although the Day of Service event has been canceled, the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce still plans to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 17 with a number of virtual and community outreach celebrations.

This year in honor of Kings vast involvement with the NAACP, where he served on the 1944 youth membership committee at the Atlanta NAACP Youth Council, the chamber is asking the citizens of Barbour County to show their support to the local Barbour County NAACP by making a monetary donation to the local chapter. Donations can be mailed to Barbour County NAACP Branch 5075, P.O. Box 1615, Eufaula, AL 36072.

The chamber encourages those who still choose to serve in a group service project to still do so within the organization in which they already serve. The chamber would like people to share pictures of their organizations/groups working on the Day of Service. Submit pictures to info@eufaulachamber.com and in the subject line note MLK Day of Service. Photos will be shared on the chamber social media outlets and website.

In addition to the local celebration options, the chamber is asking people to explore the virtual options. The Chamber Jr. Ambassadors will highlight Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by sharing story time segments of Black History childrens books on the Chamber Facebook page. Stories will be aired starting at 9 a.m. on the Jan. 17.

The famous I Have A Dream speech will be shared on the Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. The 41st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Parade will be virtual. Mark your calendar for 11 a.m. on Jan. 17. The parade can be viewed online via YouTube or mlkholidaydc.org.

For more information about the celebrations, contact the chamber at info@eufaulachamber.com or visit mlkholidaydc.org for national activities.
Press Release

January 12, 2022 Break 'cycle of disaster, poverty' in agriculture - Gordon Re-electionist Senator Richard J. Gordon today called on the public and the private sectors to help break what he called a "cycle of disaster and poverty" that has been pulling back the agriculture sector for decades. Gordon, who chairs the Senate government corporations and public enterprises, said the Filipino farmers are always at a disadvantage yearly due to factors beyond their control, such as natural disaster, smuggling, and unfair competition. "We have to stop the cycle of disaster and poverty in agriculture. Every time there's smuggling, na-impoverish iyung farmer, kinukumpetensiya siya sa garlic, kinukumpetensiya siya sa lahat ng produkto," he said in a recent agriculture forum. "Ang kailangan natin is to create an atmosphere upon which agriculture will be modernized by both public and private sectors, with private sector being allowed to do its business because it knows how to do business with the modicum of 'yung talagang hindi naman nasisikil para makakuha ng tamang presyo 'yung farmer at saka makuha nila yung produkto ng farmer na kikita din sila in the end," he added. Being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, Filipino farmers are not spared from the average of 20 typhoons traversing through the country annually, which often spoil their months-long preparation for the harvest. Gordon cited for instance the high price farmers had to pay in the wake of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), the most powerful storm to hit the country in 2021, which amounted to at least Php 11 billion in damages per latest figures. Other threats include outside competition from smuggling, as imported products from countries such as China offer a cheaper alternative against Filipino produce. According to the report of the Bureau of Customs, it has seized around PhP 222-million worth of smuggled goods in the first half of 2021 alone. To help address these perennial problems, Gordon proposed that the government should set up an information hub to serve as a one-stop shop to address persisting agriculture-related issues. "We've tried everything in agriculture and, for that matter, even in the general framework of our economy, kailangan natin talaga, mayroon tayong strategic platform na lahat ng sinasabi natin like land reform, lahat ng ginagawa natin, rice tariffication, agricultural modernization and fishery modernization, mailalagay natin yan sa isang lugar para maintindihan ng farm at ng private sector," he said. "I-aadvocate ko na 'yung private sector makatulong. Ang gobyerno dapat paves the way for the private sector to come into agriculture dahil ang hinahanap ng mga tao sa mga farmers, magkaroon sila ng liberation from poverty," he added. It may be recalled that Gordon has filed the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Coordinating Hub of Central Luzon (RICH) bill, a measure that was approved by Congress but was vetoed by President Duterte in the 17th Congress. The bill aims to maximize the use of available infrastructures, agricultural land, and human resources to encourage foreign and local investments outside the National Capital Region and attract foreign direct investment into Central Luzon. Food insecurity also intensified during the pandemic, as a United Nations-commissioned report detailed that 46.1 million Filipinos experienced limited access to food caused by lack of money and other resources.
MONTGOMERY  Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday urged lawmakers to use federal pandemic relief on longstanding problems such as broadband access and water and sewer infrastructure, but also praised Alabamas legal effort to block the Biden administrations vaccine mandates.

Ivey delivered the annual State of the State address to lawmakers on the opening day of the Alabama Legislature, praising the states economic recovery from the pandemic. She urged lawmakers to use federal relief dollars to meet some of Alabamas biggest challenges like statewide broadband connectivity, water and sewer infrastructure and to invest in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers.

We must be smart with this one-time money and commit to the people of Alabama that we will invest - not just casually spend - these dollars. Ill say again that these federal dollars are just one-time funds. This is not free money, Ivey said. She did not propose funding specifics in the speech.

The governor asked lawmakers to make allocating the money an early priority of the session. The state came under criticism for using $400 million of the states $2 billion in relief funds for prison construction.

The most fiery segment of the Republican governors speech came as she discussed efforts to challenge federal vaccine requirements. Alabama joined other Republican-led states in filing multiple lawsuits to try to block the requirements.

From the moment the White House rolled out their scare tactic plans to try to force the COVID-19 vaccine on Americans, I assured the people of Alabama that we were standing firmly against it. And Ill call this nonsense what it is: That is an un-American, outrageous breach of our federal law, Ivey told lawmakers.

Alabama is seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases because of the omicron variant. As a precaution, seating was limited at the governors address. Masks were suggested, but not required for attendees.

Ivey proposed 4% pay raises for state and school employees, more funding for school programs to make up for lost learning during the pandemic.

The governor said she is proposing resources for grants for low-performing elementary schools. Ivey is also supporting legislation to create a math task force that would recommend recruit and retain math teachers and to boost student test scores.

She also proposed $12 million investment for two additional mental health crisis centers, as well as other health services.

Ivey, who faces challengers in the May primary, spent much of her speech, touting the states economic recovery. She also highlighted past actions by her administration, such as the prison plan and road and bridge construction. Clearly, with one of the nations lowest unemployment rates, Alabama is on the fast track, Ivey said.

Ivey also used a portion of her speech to praise U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby who is retiring after six terms in the U.S. Senate. She said Shelby has been instrumental in giving Alabama a seat at the table and has been vital in our states successes.
MONTGOMERY  Business owner Tim James appealed to evangelical Christian voters as he opened his Republican campaign for Alabama governor Wednesday, railing against the threat of godless Marxism, quoting scripture and claiming God has called the conservative state to lead the nation.

Standing before the white-domed Capitol with Christian music playing and beside a flag decorated with a cross, the son of former Gov. Fob James, after a prayer, attacked GOP leaders including Gov. Kay Ivey, who is seeking another term, over the approval of medical marijuana and an educational system that trails much of the nation.

James, a toll road developer who has said he isnt vaccinated against COVID-19, said Republican leaders hadnt done enough to fight vaccine mandates, allowing one to take effect at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before the state attorney generals office intervened. James said he would fight casino barons to prevent Alabama from becoming the Las Vegas of the South.

While Alabama has always been mocked for our values, James said, it supported the formation of Israel years before it came a nation in 1948 and has a special place in the nations future. Support of Israel is a foundational issue for many evangelicals.

We stand at the gate of our state Capitol and seek Gods forgiveness for the sins of America, and we decree in the name of Jesus that Alabama will lead America in the years ahead, back to its proper position of authority amongst the nations, of which authority was granted by God at our inception, said James, who quoted scripture.

Angela James said her husband is a warrior who is prepared to lead a crusade and has the same evangelical zeal and spiritual discernment as his mother and father, who was elected to a four-year term in 1979 and reelected to a second term in 1995.

The apple does not fall far from the tree, she said.

James previously staked out far-right positions including criticizing legislation that allowed students to do yoga in public schools.

James ran for governor in 2002 and 2010, when he narrowly missed making the GOP runoff, finishing about 200 votes behind the eventual winner, Robert Bentley, who was elected governor that year and later resigned.

Former Books-A-Million executive Lew Burdette; Lindy Blanchard, who served as ambassador to Slovenia under former President Donald Trump; correctional officer and former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy George; and Opelika pastor Dean Odle have also announced their candidacies against Ivey.
A teacher helps a first grader to write at a primary school in HCMC's Can Gio District, October 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

A proposal has been submitted to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to add 27,850 teachers to the education system this year.

The ministries of Home Affairs and Education-Training have proposed the PM allows them to add 27,850 teachers to the system in different localities to "ensure all students have teachers."

Minister Nguyen Kim Son told an online meeting Wednesday that kindergartens and primary schools are those that have the highest demand for more teachers, and that he hopes the PM would approve the proposal to soon tackle the issue.

Once approved, local authorities should quickly organize the recruitment exam to choose quality teachers under Home Affairs surveillance.

The education ministry stated last August that Vietnam lacks more than 94,700 teachers at all levels and that it had asked the Home Affairs Ministry to report the situation to the government.

In most cases, schools that face teacher shortages are in remote and suburban areas.

Depending on the level they teach and the number of years they have been working, teachers in Vietnam are paid from VND3.1 million to VND9.5 million ($136.56-418.50) per month excluding allowances.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the discovery of a strain of coronavirus known as Deltacron, which contains a genetic combination of both the Delta and Omicron variants.

Independently both the Delta and Omicron variants have caused concern due to their greater contagiousness, the latter having fuelled the rapid rise in case numbers over the holiday period.

The variant was first identified by Leondios Kostrikis, a Cypriot virologist, who had found 25 cases of the new strain in January. Initially some health experts called the findings into question but greater investigation from the WHO has led to the organisation confirming the "first solid evidence for a Delta-Omicron recombinant virus.

Is Deltacron more contagious?

Over the winter months Omicron proved more contagious than previous variants but studies suggest that Omicron typically causes less severe infections than Delta. However it has still caused fatalities and pushed healthcare systems to the breaking point. In certain Omicron hot spots hospitals received more covid-19 patients than at any time during the pandemic, forcing the suspension of non-emergency procedures.

Thus the question, just how contagious is this new potential strain? Experts agree that its too early to tell. The variant has not recorded enough confirmed cases over the past few months for any proper study to be performed so there is no data yet on the severity of infections. Kostrikis, head of the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Virology at the University of Cyprus, was unsure whether the Deltacron could ever become as prominent as the Omicron variant.

He said: We will see in the future if [Deltacron] is more pathological or more contagious or if it will prevail.

Co-infection with multiple variants and viruses is possible

Deltacron is thought to be a recombinant variant, meaning that it is comprised of a combination of different mutations common in other variants. This is a fairly common concept in the field of virology and not one that should prompt undue panic.

Recombinant is not restricted to different varients of the same virus either. There have been many cases of flurona during the pandemic, occuring when an individual is infected with both covid-19 and influenza at the same time.Similar occurrences have been documented since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic.

Fortunately in most cases, when vaccinated, there is no more to fear than contracting covid-19 or the flu one at a time. Both can cause severe illness, but for those who are vaccinated it would generally mean feeling crummy for a few days.

With two variants in high circulation, as was the case with Delta and Omicron, there exists an increased possibility of variants recombining to create a new strain.

Its true of viruses in general and particularly of coronaviruses, Christian Brechot, head of the Global Virus Network told FRANCE 24. And it wouldnt be the first time this kind of mutation occurs.

Health experts advise that the best way to mitigate the problem of dual infections is through vaccination.

So long as variants continue to thrive around the world, we will be at the mercy of this type of development, Christine Rouzioux, virologist and professor emeritus at Paris-Descartes University said. This situation is further evidence of the fact that a strategy based on giving rich countries preferential access to vaccines is doomed to fail.
New covid-19 infections continue to rise around the US with the US registering a record 1.35 million on Monday, the highest daily total for any country in the world. The high rate of infection is primarily driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant, but the Delta variant is still making the rounds. A day later the US shattered another record with nearly 146,000 covid-19 hospitalizations.

Although data show that Omicron is less likely to result in hospitalization, the sheer number of new cases and staffing shortages with healthcare workers out sick or isolating are both stretching healthcare systems across the nation to their limits. In several states hospitals have adopted Crisis Standards of Care to dedicate resources to those in critical need of care.

Not all patients are primarily hospitalized for covid-19

The number of individuals showing up at hospitals with covid-19 infections has been rising during the latest covid-19 surge. However, unlike previous waves many of the infections are being discovered incidentally with patients testing positive after arriving for other non-covid reasons.

Dr. Rahul Sharma, emergency physician in chief for NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell hospital told The New York Times that despite the higher number of patients the severity of the disease is less than previous waves. Fewer patients are being sent to the ICU or even getting intubated. Most of our patients that are coming to the emergency department that do test positive are actually being discharged, he said.

Data from the United Kingdom reported by the government recently reflects what Dr Sharma is seeing. It showed that people infected with the Omicron variant were half as likely to require hospital care as those infected with the Delta variant. Additionally, those infected with Omicron were a third less likely to be admitted to the ICU as those with Delta. Similar patterns were reported in findings from Canada and Houston Methodist health care.

The unvaccinated are filling ICU beds

However, the more dangerous Delta variant is still prevalent in parts of the US and even the Omicron variant has proven fatal. With both highly contagious variants infecting so many the number of people ending up in hospital has been surging. Doctors and healthcare systems say that those who are ending up in the ICU are overwhelmingly unvaccinated.

In addition to the crush of new patients, nearly reaching 146,000 on Tuesday, hospitals are dealing with staffing shortages as front-line workers contract covid-19 or are forced to isolate. This has led to nearly one in four medical centers reporting they have a critical staffing shortage. States from coast to coast have had to adopt or consider implementing new protocols to help ease the burden on hospitals.

Health officials say that those who are sick should not be discouraged from seeking care. The measures are designed to provide more flexibility to delay some non-urgent surgical procedures to preserve bed capacity. As well, it will free up resources so that hospitals can treat more critical patients.
In other words, the challenges we face are enormous and it is easy to understand why many may fall into depression and cynicism. This is a state of mind, however, that we must resist  not only for ourselves but for our kids and future generations. The stakes are just too high. Despair is not an option. We must stand up and fight back.

And here is some very good news. While the corporate-owned media may not be actively reporting it, working people all over the country, with extraordinary courage and determination, are taking on corporate greed, and they are winning.

Workers at John Deere waged their first strike in more than three decades, stayed on the picket lines and eventually won a contract with strong wage increases, a ratification bonus and improved health insurance.

Striking nurses in Buffalo won raises that moved all workers to at least $15 an hour and a reduction in staff shortages. These nurses fought not only for themselves, but their patients  and they won.

Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers won a major victory after rejecting a contract that would have given new workers lower wages and benefits.

Nabisco workers, struggling against forced overtime, inadequate wages and pensions, a two-tier health system and the outsourcing of jobs, went on strike and won. Once again we saw workers fighting not just for themselves, but for the next generation of workers.

More than 1,400 Kelloggs workers in Michigan, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Nebraska went on strike for months and won, fighting back against a plan to give new workers lower wages and benefits.

Starbucks employees in upstate New York, for the very first time, organized a union shop in a fight against a giant corporation that did just about everything it could to stop them.

Those are just some of the inspiring efforts that took place last year. Let me tell you about whats happening right now as workers continue to stand up to some of the most powerful corporate interests in the country.
Press Release

January 12, 2022 Lacson: Ensuring Integrity of May Polls is Top Priority Amid Reported Comelec 'Hacking'

More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/lacson-ensuring-integrity-of-may-polls-is-top-priority-amid-reported-comelec-hacking While the Commission on Elections and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are still investigating the veracity of claims that the Comelec's servers were hacked, all stakeholders must make sure that the integrity of the May 9 polls will not be compromised. Senator and Partido Reporma Chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson emphasized this as he said the elections are the strongest and clearest manifestation of democracy in the Philippines where the people's will is supreme. "Ang eleksyon ang pinakamalapit at pinakamalakas na representation ng demokrasya sa Pilipinas, kasi isang araw lang yan na hari ang tao (Elections are the strongest representation of democracy in the Philippines, because for one day, the people are clearly the rulers)," Lacson said in an interview on DZAR radio Tuesday afternoon. He said the first step for those investigating the supposed hack, including his camp's cybersecurity team, is to await the authors of the report of the alleged hacking to substantiate their claims. This will facilitate the investigation in establishing the identities of the supposed hackers and their motive. Drawing from his training as an investigator guided by the three factors in solving a crime - motive, opportunity and means or weapon - Lacson said he instructed his cyber-security team to also determine the extent of the risk to the integrity of the elections. He also said no stone must be left unturned and all possibilities - no matter how unlikely - must be considered, including an inside job, a "No-Elections" scenario, or a profit motive on the part of the alleged hackers. "Ayaw natin paniwalaan yan pero in the realm of possibilities dapat lahat matingnan natin (As much as we don't want to believe them, they are still in the realm of possibilities so we should still look into them)," he said. Lacson added the Senate and House of Representatives can exercise their joint oversight powers to look into the incident, if needed. "Kung kinakailangan, may joint oversight committee, anytime yan, hindi kailangan ang resolution (If needed, Congress has a joint oversight committee that can convene anytime, without need for a resolution)," he said.
China has made inspiring progress in advancing its green energy transition, laying a solid foundation for peaking the countrys carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

Starting in mid-October 2021, China began the construction of large wind power and photovoltaic (PV) projects in the sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts of north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and northwest Chinas Gansu Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Qinghai Province. While catalyzing green and low-carbon energy transition, these projects will also help boost the development of relevant industries and the local economy.

In recent years, the countrys installed capacity for renewable energy resources, such as wind power and PV power, has continued to expand. As of the end of November 2021, the countrys installed wind power capacity had soared 29 percent year-on-year to about 300 million kilowatts, while its solar power capacity had reached about 290 million kilowatts, up 24.1 percent from a year ago. By comparison, the countrys total installed power generation capacity stood at 2.32 billion kilowatts, up 9 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the countrys utilization level for renewable energy resources has continuously improved. The utilization rates for wind power and PV power generation in 2021 were 96.9 percent and 97.9 percent, respectively, and the water energy utilization rate was 97.8 percent. In 2020, the average levelized cost of onshore wind power and PV power generation in China dropped 10 percent and 18 percent year-on-year, respectively.

In late October last year, Chinas State Council released an action plan to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030. According to the action plan, the country will maintain its commitment to cutting carbon emissions in a safe manner by vigorously promoting the substitution of renewable sources of energy under the condition that energy security is ensured, all while accelerating the development of a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system. China aims to increase the share of non-fossil energy as a proportion of its total energy consumption to around 20 percent by 2025, according to the countrys Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

China has been vigorously promoting the clean and efficient utilization of fossil energy. The country has been ranked among leading countries in terms of the efficiency of coal consumption in its coal-fired power generation units. By the end of 2020, it had approximately 950 million kilowatts of installed capacity in ultra-low emission units, and over 800 million kilowatts of installed capacity in units that had undergone energy-saving transformation. The average coal consumption of thermal power plants has decreased to 305.8 grams of standard coal per kilowatt-hour, down more than 27 grams compared with 2010. The energy saved represents a reduction of 370 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by coal-fired power generation units in 2020 compared with 2010.

The country will promote coal substitution as well as its transformation and upgrading, accelerate energy-saving upgrades and flexibility retrofits on coal-fired generating units that remain in service, and actively advance retrofits in coal-fueled heating facilities.

Going forward, China will improve systems for keeping energy consumption under control in terms of both volume and intensity, with especially strict controls on intensity and reasonable controls on volumes during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, according to the countrys National Energy Administration. In the same period, China will also regulate oil and gas consumption.

The country will also build a new electric power system with the share of new energy resources rising further and will continue to develop energy storage systems to convert the unstable electricity generated by power stations using new energy resources such wind and solar energy into stable electrical energy supplies. By 2025, the installed capacity of new types of energy storage will reach 30 million kilowatts or more. By 2030, the installed pumped-storage hydropower capacity will reach approximately 120 million kilowatts, and provincial-level electrical grids will be equipped with peak load response capacity of 5 percent or more.

At the end of last year, the Fengning pumped storage power station in north Chinas Hebei Province, the worlds biggest pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant, was put into operation. Consisting of 12 pump-turbine units, the station has a designed annual power generation capacity of about 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours and an annual power pumped-storage capacity of about 8.8 billion kilowatt-hours.

In addition, China will make vigorous efforts to enhance the overall adjustable capacity of its electric power system. It will expedite the construction of flexible power sources into the regulation of the countrys power system, incorporating enterprise-affiliated power plants and the load of traditional energy-intensive industries, as well as interruptible industrial and commercial loads, electric vehicle charging grids, and virtual power plants. The country will build resilient smart electrical grids and make grids more secure and reliable.

China will promote the coordination of power source-grid-load-storage, use multiple energy sources to supplement each other, and support the deployment of appropriate energy storage systems for distributed new energy sources.
The Associated Press (AP) has recently cited in a report business and political leaders as smearing China over its pursuit of tech "self-reliance" in an unfounded claim that it might "slow down innovation, disrupt global trade and make the world poorer."

Only too absurd is the logic of the AP's coverage. While admitting the world is suffering from severe chip shortages due to COVID-19, the news agency is still bent on hyping up Washington's vicious attempt to deter major countries like China from independently producing chips and pursuing sci-tech innovation, which has further disrupted the already-tangled global supply chains.

The AP's argument attests to the ulterior motives of those who stubbornly cling to an obsolete "Western-centric yardstick" and the arrogant mindset of "America First." It seems fairly necessary to help them make order out of the confusion of their minds.

Examples abound that in recent years the United States, in order to maintain technology supremacy, has been heavy-handed with foreign companies that strive to develop advanced technologies, despite its long-proclaimed rules of free market economy and international trade norms. Abusing state power under the pretext of national security, Washington has placed hundreds of Chinese institutions and companies into the U.S. "entity list" of export controls, regardless of their contributions to the U.S. economic growth.

For one thing, China's drive to accelerate independent innovation is the natural and necessary path that the country must follow amid rapid social and economic development. It conforms to the law of economics, and is never at the mercy of anybody else.

Such economic bullying and technological blockade did not stop the development of Chinese enterprises, but made more of them earnestly improve research originality and strive for more breakthroughs in professional fields.

"From chasing after others, to running neck by neck with counterparts, and to taking the lead in a race, this is the normal law of development for a major tech power," said Australian economist Guo Shengxiang. "Even without U.S. sanctions, China would devote itself to independent innovation, so as to strengthen tech-driven and innovation-driven economic growth. That's also what China needs to achieve sustainable development."

For another, China's independent innovation does not mean working behind closed doors. As part of global innovation, China helps break the monopoly of a minority of powers and stabilize global supply chains. For years, China has been committed to promoting international cooperation in science and technology and sharing its development dividends with the rest of the world. Up to now, China has established a sci-tech cooperation relationship with more than 160 countries and regions, and joined more than 200 international organizations and multilateral mechanisms.

Notably, China's greater focus on independent innovation and international cooperation has been highly recognized by foreign entities. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, rose 15.9 percent year on year to top the 1-trillion-yuan (156.85 billion U.S. dollars) mark in the first 11 months of 2021, surpassing the whole-year FDI in 2020, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In particular, high-tech industries saw FDI inflow jump 19.3 percent.

As has been witnessed, China's innovative development has shown a strong positive spillover effect worldwide. Take BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) as an example. BDS-3 has met the requirements in performance indexes of positioning, velocity measurement, and timing precision, as well as the availability and continuity of its services, based on real-time testing of the international GNSS monitoring and assessment system.

Basic products of the Chinese navigation system have been exported to over 120 countries and regions. Applications such as land rights confirmation, precision farming, digital construction and smart port services based on the system have also been applied in ASEAN countries, South Asia, East Europe, and Africa, contributing to local economic and social development, as well as the construction of the Belt and Road.

As a further illustration, the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure, one of China-aided projects in the East African nation, has allowed Kenya to expand broadband access, giving a boost to the country's e-commerce as well as the information and communications industry.

Thanks to its improved capability in scientific research and medical technology, China has so far provided 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations, which accounts for one third of total global vaccine use outside of China, thus becoming the biggest foreign provider of COVID-19 vaccines.

China's independent innovation will surely make the pie of global common development even bigger, and more dividends of cross-border exchanges and international win-win cooperation will thus be reaped by all market entities across the world.
Photo for illustration (Source: vietnamnet.vn)

According to CNNs description, Broth is simmered for hours with cinnamon, star anise and other warm spices to create a wonderfully aromatic base for this rice noodle soup.

The soup is considered a national dish and can be found all over the country though it originated in the north before being taken to the south, where people have added their own influences to the dish.

Pho has been getting rave reviews from global travel magazines for decades, and no visitor to Vietnam fails to mention it.

Today, beef pho remains the most beloved version in Vietnam, with options that include the original raw beef, a mix of raw and cooked beef, brisket and tendon.

Vietnam ranks third worldwide in terms of rubber export value

Vietnam ranked third in the world in terms of rubber export value, with 3.24 billion USD in 2021, up 36.2 percent from the previous year, VNA cited reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Vietnamese rubber has been present in more than 80 countries and territories, and the sector has penetrated more intensively in major markets.

The Vietnam Rubber Association (VRA) said the sector makes up a large share of the countrys agricultural product exports, with tyres, gloves and rubber gaskets considered drivers of the industry.

Last year, the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) churned out 402,900 tonnes of rubber latex, surpassing its set target by 6 percent and up 30,000 tonnes from the previous year.

It also purchased 90,500 tonnes of rubber latex, exceeding the target by 28 percent, and sold more than 490,000 tonnes, 7 percent higher than the target.

The scarcity of rubber materials in 2021 which is expected to continue this year, would benefit Vietnam in terms of both export volume and value, the VRA said.

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) also forecast that the global rubber demand will increase in the time ahead due to loosened travel restrictions and the reopening of borders by countries, helping to resume economic activities.

Therefore, rubber prices would remain high this year, the association said.

Tran Ngoc Thuan, Chairman of the VRG Board of Directors, said the rubber sector and his business in particular are working to achieve the target of building a sustainable and competitive rubber industry.

The groups cumulative revenue is projected to reach 30 trillion VND (1.32 billion USD) and its profit is set at 6.3 trillion VND, he added.

VRG member businesses have made efforts in building brand names and expanding the markets, while coordinating in market assessment and price management, Thuan noted.

Seafood enterprises advised to fully tap into Russian market

According to VOV, With Vietnams aquatic market shares in Russia accounting for less than 2% of the countrys total seafood export turnover, local firms have been advised to strive to fully tap into the Russian market thanks to tax incentives from the Vietnam-EAEU free trade agreement.

Photo for illustration (Source: VNA)



The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has stated that Vietnamese seafood exports to Russia by the end of November last year surged by 27% to reach nearly US$150 million against the same period from 2020.

With the preferential tariffs set out under the terms of the Vietnam-EAEU free trade agreement, Vietnamese aquatic products have been increasingly competitive within the Russian market.

Photo for illustration (Source: qdnd.vn)

Despite these strengths, To Thi Tuong Lan, deputy secretary general of the VASEP, revealed that after five years of implementing the trade deal, the number of local enterprises licensed to export goods to the demanding market has been limited due to complicated registration procedures.

This is in addition to other factors such as high freight rates and Russias stringent regulations over food safety and product quality under the terms of the trade pact.

As a means of promoting aquatic exports to the Russian market, Lan emphasised the necessity of strengthening co-operation to remove hurdles, promoting bilateral payments in local currencies, and launching rail services to ease the pressure on the sea route.

Lan went on to suggest that the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance allow additional Vietnamese seafood enterprises to enter the Russian market in the coming time.

Tra fish exports forecast to rake in US$1.7 billion in 2022

Tra fish (pangasius) export turnover is expected to hit US$1.7 billion as a result of adaptation efforts made by local businesses and effective State support, VOV reported the sayings by Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

( Source: VOV)

Tra fish export turnover is expected to reach US$ 1.7 billion this year thanks to adaptation efforts of businesses and effective State support.

This comes after local tra fish production and exports were negatively impacted by the COVID-19, especially in the third quarter when export revenue reached only US$295 million, posting an annual decline of 21%.

As of November, 2021, total export revenue of the product stood at US$1.4 billion, whilst the figure for the entire year was estimated to be US$1.54 billion.

However, strong growth in tra fish exports could be seen in the United States, one of the major markets for Vietnamese tra fish, with a 48% on-year rise during the past 11 months of 2021 to US$324 million. In addition, increases of 44% to 84% were also recorded in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Russia, and Mexico.

Moving forward, it is anticipated that tra fish production this year will be similar to that seen in 2021 at about 1.5 million tonnes, of which about one million tonnes will be exported, the VASEP representative said.

He added his hopes that the Chinese market will remain stable again in 2022 as a contribution to bolstering exports of this product.

Hoe went on to predict that there will hardly be any exceptional growth in the US market, with a similar situation set to manifest itself in both the EU and UK markets.

Meanwhile, continuous growth is predicted to occur in local exports to markets such as Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Russia, and Egypt./.
According to the Chinese Customs Administrations statistics quoted by the Ministry of Industry and Trades Import-Export Department, in the 11 months, Chinas rubber import turnover (coded HS 4001, 4002, 4003, 4005) reached 11.35 billion USD, up 16.2% year on year.



Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and Japan are the 5 largest rubber suppliers to China. In the 11 months, Vietnam is the second largest rubber supplier to China, with a turnover of 2 billion USD, up 32.2% year on year.

Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and Japan are the 5 largest rubber suppliers to China. (Photo: congthuong.vn)

Specifically, Vietnam is the fifth largest natural rubber supplier to the market, with a turnover of 218.87 million USD, up 6.7% compared to the same period last year. Vietnams natural rubber market share accounted for 6.4% of Chinas total import value, lower than the 7.7% in the same period last year. During the period, China also increased natural rubber imports from Thailand, Malaysia and Ivory Coast.

Besides, China imported a mixture of natural rubber and synthetic rubber (coded HS: 400280), valued at 4.43 billion USD, up 2.3% year on year. During the period, Vietnam is the second largest supplier of natural rubber and synthetic rubber mixture to China with 1.77 billion USD, up 36.4%.

Vietnams natural and synthetic rubber mixture accounted for 40% of the market share, much higher than the 30% in the same period last year. China also increased import of the product from Myanmar and Laos; while reducing imports from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia./.
Cutting the ribbon to export the first batch of carrots in 2022 to the Republic of Korea. (Photo: nhandan.com.vn)

Specifically, on January 11, nearly 250 tonnes of carrots were exported to the RoK, the first overseas shipment of the vegetable this year, with the remaining to be shipped abroad on January 12.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ameii Vietnam company Nguyen Khac Tien said that this year, the RoK bought Vietnamese carrots at high prices. His company has reached deals with Korean partners to export roughly 5,000 tonnes this year.

Hai Duongs carrot shipment this year is very positive, promising to increase in value. Ameii company is buying carrots from farmers with prices ranging from 12,000 VND to 15,000 VND, he added.

Packing carrots for export from a household processing facility in Duc Chinh commune. (Photo: nhandan.com.vn)

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province has about 1,500ha of carrot during the 2021-2022 winter crop, with an estimated output of approximately 65,000 tonnes, up over 7 percent from 2020. Its prices are now 4,000  5,000 VND per kg higher than last year./.
Tra fish processing for export (Photo: VNA)



Hoe noted that last year, tra fish production and export were adversely affected by COVID-19, especially in the third quarter when export revenue reached only 295 million USD, down 21 percent year on year.



He said that as of November, total export revenue of the product was 1.4 billion USD and the result for the whole year was estimated at 1.54 billion USD.



However, some silver linings of the cloud were seen during the year, with strong growth in the US, one of the major markets of Vietnamese tra fish, at 48 percent year-on-year rise in the first 11 months of 2021 to 324 million USD. Rises of 44-84 percent were also seen in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Russia and Mexico.



The official held that tra fish production in 2022 will be similar to that of 2021 at about 1.5 million tonnes, of which about 1 million tonnes will be exported.



He said he hopes the Chinese market will be stable again in 2022, contributing to increasing exports of tra fish.



The VASEP representative predicted that there will hardly be any exceptional growth in US market, the same as the EU and UK markets.



Meanwhile, continuous growth is predicted for the markets of Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Russia and Egypt./.
Frozen avocados. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese Embassy in Australia, the Trade Office and national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines have officially launched a program to effectively build a Vietnamese frozen avocado brand in Australia for the first time.

Under the program, Uu Dam Company exported 3 tons of high quality Booth 7 frozen avocados from the Central Highlands.

Vietnamese avocados will also be promoted on social networks, issued on cuisine e-books, while Vietnamese avocado exporters will be listed and introduced to importers, restaurants and consumers.

The exportation of the fruit to Australia has been studied and bolstered by the Vietnam Trade Office in the Oceania country since 2020.

However, Australia has yet to open its door to fresh avocado from Vietnam.

The office said Vietnams avocado holds huge export potential to the Australian market, thanks to its competitive prices and high quality.

Charge d'Affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia, Pham Thi Thuy Nga, said that in the context that Australia is only open to 4 types of fresh Vietnamese fruit, the shipment and building brand of Vietnamese frozen avocados are significant, not only for turnover potential, but also affirmation of quality.

In terms of market strategy, the development path of Vietnamese avocados in Australia will be from the restaurant system to the market. Through the evaluation of restaurants, she believes that Vietnamese avocados will have a market share in Australia in the near future due to the advantages of preservation, convenience, price and quality./.
Photo for illustration. (Source: congthuong.vn)

The average import price of tea in this market reached 2,623 USD per tonne, a year-on-year increase of 3%.

The proportion of imports from Vietnam accounted for 55.2% of the total amount of tea imported to Taiwan (China) in the 11 months, down 1.2 percentage points year on year. It is followed by Sri Lanka with 4,600 tons, worth 19.5 million USD; India, 3,300 tons, worth 7.1 million USD; and Indonesia, 2,000 tons, worth 4.5 million USD.

Taiwan (China) represented Vietnams largest black tea consumer, accounting for 43.8% of its total import volume of black tea. The import of Vietnamese green tea also made up 82.1% of its total import volume of the product.

Vietnamese tea currently holds a modest market share in its next five largest import markets, namely the EU, Pakistan, the United States, Russia and the UK. Globally, its tea exports represent just 2.4% of the import market share./.
At the hand-over ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Tet is the largest traditional festival of the Vietnamese people.

At the handover ceremony held at the Ha Tien international border gate, Director of Kien Giang provinces Department of Foreign Affairs Van Cong Dau congratulated the overseas Vietnamese on welcoming the lunar New Year, and wished them happiness, health and success in overcoming difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that the province always pays attention to taking care of Vietnamese-Cambodians.

Vietnamese Consul General in Preah Sihanouk province Vu Ngoc Ly expressed his thanks to the people and leaders of Kien Giang province, and added that the gifts of the province are very timely and significant, contributing to help overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia to feel secure and stabilize their lives.

He added that in August and September, the Vietnamese-Cambodian people had received prompt support in terms of equipment and foodstuff from compatriots at home.

This is the fifth time Kien Giang province has presented gifts to support the overseas Vietnamese community in Southwest region of Cambodia, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020./.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Photo: vneconomy.vn)

Accordingly, the guidance is issued under the decision of the Government allowing the city to receive commercial flights and citizens from foreign countries to Vietnam to welcome Tet from January 1, 2022.



According to the guidance, passengers arriving in HCMC need to have a negative PCR test result within 72 hours, issued by the competent authority of the host country. In addition, passengers need to make a medical declaration, and a confirmation of two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination. For those who have been infected with COVID-19, they need to have a certificate of recovery.

In the face of unpredictable developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city leaders have requested strict compliance with regulations, to absolutely not be caught off guard.

Moreover, agencies and units need to uphold the responsibility of the leader, be ready to respond to the pandemic, and not be unexpectedly passive. It is necessary to limit gatherings of people, and ensure the requirements of pandemic prevention.
Press Release

January 12, 2022 Disinformation threatens 2022 elections integrity: Nobel Peace Prize winner tells Senate panel TO HAVE an "integrity of elections" in 2022, the country should defeat disinformation as soon as possible, Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa said at the Senate committee investigation on the disinformation machinery online. "If we don't have an integrity of facts, we will not have integrity of elections. If you look at every study of fascism globally, they first tear down the facts," said Ressa at the third hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes. "Facebook is now the world's largest distributor of news and yet studies have shown that lies laced with anger and hate spread faster and further than the really boring facts. So the reality is, the platforms that deliver the facts to you are biased against facts, they are biased against journalists. And they are, by design, dividing us and radicalizing us," she added. Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, who heads the Senate committee conducting the hearing, said the unprecedented scale, speed, and scope of technology used in disinformation distorts the truth that allows people to make informed decisions. "Ganito kasama ang kasinungalingan. Apektado ang kalusugan at kaligtasan nating lahat, ang kaban ng bayan, at ang kaayusan ng ating lipunan. Masama na nga ang sitwasyon, sinasamantala pa ang pagka-desperado ng ating mga kababayan sa mga pakalat ng mga paninira," he said after citing the disinformation on the volunteer-driven program on online consultation and the Typhoon Odette relief operations in Siargao. "Ano ang pinapatay ng 'infodemic' na ito? Ang katotohanan. At pag patay na ang katotohanan, paano pa nating malalaman kung ano totoo sa hindi totoo. Sa kasinungalingan sa katotohanan? Paano tayo magpapasya nang maayos kung kasinungalingan ang basehan ng ating pagpapasya?" Pangilinan said in his opening statement. According to Ressa, one of the faster ways to defeat disinformation is to create a law that would penalize technology and social media companies that continue to allow disinformation and misinformation to proliferate in their platforms. "In our country, what can we do? The quick solution would be to actually hold the platforms accountable for what they spread, what they allow to spread. And when you do that, I bet you that you would automatically see a shrinking of information operations," Ressa said. For Ressa, the "infodemic" online has catapulted the narratives of populist regimes, including President Rodrigo Duterte's "us vs them" narrative, which has now further divided the Filipino people. As to the fears that the legislation might trample on freedom of speech, Ressa argued that it is the algorithm of the distribution channels that are seeking to be controlled and not the content. "So where are you going to intervene? Don't intervene in the content because you can actually be accused of censorship," Ressa explained. "But if you go to the algorithms of amplification... because everyone can say what they think. But what your neighbor said never reaches broadcast scale until today, because there have been no guardrails on the distribution of lies," she added. Pangilinan shared Ressa's sentiments in his opening message, saying that the "infodemic" threatens democracy. "'Infodemic' threatens the very fiber of our decency as a people. The situation has gone so very bad that even the traditionally quiet community of 18 business groups issued a statement against disinformation and hate speech," he said. The lawmaker vowed that he will support any move that will hold accountable the individuals behind the proliferation of fake news and the channels that amplify the same. "We must have laws that are up-to-date, responsive to the needs of the times, foolproof as best at it can be against the ingenious minds of criminals ika' nga... We have to craft new laws or legislation cognizant of the new complications that technology poses," Pangilinan said. "Sama-sama po nating iilawan ang madilim na mundo ng 'infodemic'. As we grapple for sharper weapons to defeat the night, we shall remember that our torches are puny when alone. Light shines brightest when all the torches stand together in firm defiance of evil," he added.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on Tuesday with visiting Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province.

Wang said that, in recent years, China and the GCC have consolidated their political mutual trust and deepened practical cooperation. China appreciates the GCC's understanding of and support for China's propositions on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. China also firmly supports GCC countries in safeguarding their national independence, security and stability.

He said that China will continue to oppose any country's interference in the internal affairs of GCC countries under the pretext of "human rights" and oppose linking terrorism with any particular religion or ethnic group.

Both China and the GCC are important forces for stability, Wang said, adding that in the face of uncertainties caused by profound changes of a scale unseen in a century and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides should work together to play a more positive role in promoting regional peace and stability as well as world peace and development.

Nayef said that China is an important strategic partner and the largest trading partner of the GCC, and the two sides enjoy a high level of mutual trust.

The GCC greatly appreciates China's important influence and positive role in international and regional affairs, and has high expectations for the future of bilateral relations, said Nayef.

The two sides agreed that the conditions for China and the GCC to establish a strategic partnership are ripe, and they will accelerate this process. They will also work together to formulate and sign an action plan for strategic dialogue in the next three years, according to a press release.

The two sides agreed to complete negotiations on a free-trade agreement between China and the GCC at an early date, and agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation on international and regional affairs to jointly address global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, according to the press release.

They also exchanged views and coordinated their positions on the Iranian nuclear issue and the Yemen issue. 

Editor: JYZ
CHENGDU, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The world's largest stone Buddha statue, the Giant Buddha of Leshan, needs a repair, again.

Less than three years after the completion of the latest large-scale facelift -- the seventh in over a century -- the 71-meter-high statue sitting outside the city of Leshan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, already suffers from a black nose and a dirty face.

Besides, parts of the Buddha's chest, abdomen, hands and legs are now covered with moss and other plants, giving it an entirely different appearance from the one freshly repaired in April 2019.

Over the weekend, Leshan hosted a seminar that saw renowned Chinese experts discuss a new restoration plan for the statue. This time around, however, rather than giving the Buddha another makeover, they decided to address the root cause of its degradations, hoping to give the sculpture extended years of health.

The Buddha statue, carved into a cliff in Leshan Mountain and overlooking three converging rivers, was built over a 90-year period beginning in 713 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

"The seminar marked a significant change of our approach from 'curing the symptoms' to 'curing the disease while curing the symptoms,'" said Zhan Changfa, former deputy president of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage (CACH).

Experts reached the consensus that among many other factors, damage from water, rain and humidity contributed the most to the degradation.

"First and foremost, we need to address the problem of damage from water, otherwise any facelift would be nothing but a stopgap measure," Huang Kezhong, a researcher with the CACH, told the seminar via video link from Beijing.

The experts at the seminar agreed that addressing the water damage involves a multi-faceted approach covering areas such as geological survey, monitoring and evaluation, material research and environmental restoration.

Zhan pointed out some critical questions for systematic planning and step-by-step solutions, which include --Where are the internal cracks? How to deal with weathering? What materials are better to use for the repair? Should an awning be built? Should a cap be put on tourist numbers?

Zhan added that given the natural and geographic conditions of the Buddha statue's location, the restoration plan aims for "better health, less fatal diseases, and ideally a longevity" for the Buddha, rather than finding a cure-all.

Wang Yi, head of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, said experts from home and abroad will conduct in-depth cooperation and multidisciplinary research on the protection of the giant Buddha.

The Leshan Buddha was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in 1996. 

Editor: JYZ
Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Rostyslav Shurma plans to start regular meetings with business in January, in particular with representatives of certain industries.

"I am a supporter of sectoral meetings. I believe that from January we will start the practice of meetings with industry representatives separately, so that not only the main market participants are present, but also, possibly, startups," he told Interfax-Ukraine.

Shurma has already held meetings with representatives of five industries, as well as with the American Chamber of Commerce, where business raised about 15 issues.

"Some are systemic, requiring long-term systemic changes. For some, we have already solved the problems. A meeting with the European Business Association is scheduled for late January," the deputy head of the President's Office said.
Shmyhal: We expect 2022 to be the year of COVID-19 pandemic completion

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal expects 2022 to be the year of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We expect 2022 to be the year of the end of the pandemic in the state it was in the previous two years," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Wednesday.

The prime minister stressed that the authorities would continue an active campaign to vaccinate the population against coronavirus.
Lawyers of the fifth president, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko demand that a judge of Kyiv's Pechersky district court appoint a hearing on the day of their client's return to the capital of Ukraine.

"Today we have appealed to the Pechersky court ... we demand that the judge, who is in charge of the motion submitted by the Prosecutor General, or in this case, the one who substitutes him, on the application of a preventive measure against Petro Poroshenko, to schedule a hearing for January 17, 2022," lawyer Ihor Holovan said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.
At the NATO-Russia Council meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the Allies reaffirmed that the open door policy remains unchanged, as does the right of each country to choose its own path.

He made the relevant statement at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday after the end of the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, convened due to both the buildup of the Russian trrops along the Ukrainian border and Russia's proposals on European security, among which, in particular, demand not to admit Ukraine and Georgia to the alliance.

"Allies made clear that they will not renounce their ability to protect and defend each other. Including with presence of troops in the eastern part of the Alliance. Allies on their side reaffirmed NATO's Open Door policy. And the right for each nation to choose its own security arrangements," he said.

The secretary general also said the allies are ready to support Ukraine on its way to NATO.

In addition, during the meeting, the allies expressed deep concern over the buildup of the Russian military presence in Ukraine and on its border.

"This meeting took place at a defining moment for European security. This was not an easy discussion. There are significant differences between NATO Allies and Russia on these issues. But it is a positive sign that all NATO Allies and Russia sat down around the same table, and engaged on substantive topics," Stoltenberg said.

According to him, the sides agreed to continue negotiations to provide specific proposals.
Russia does not promise de-escalation, neither state that it would not follow - US Under Secretary of State

U.S. Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said after the Russia-NATO Council meeting that Russia did not make any promises of de-escalation, but at the same time there were no statements from Russia that it would not follow.

Answering a journalist's question about whether Russia promised at the meeting to de-escalate tensions on the border with Ukraine, Sherman said there was no obligation to de-escalate, but there were no statements that there would be no de-escalation.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticized the judgment that Ukraine poses a threat to Russia. The aggressor is Russia, and it is Moscow that must take measures to reduce the tension.

He said this on Wednesday in Brussels at a press conference after the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, answering a Russian journalist, or the supply of weapons to Ukraine from allies helps to resolve the situation.

"Ukraine is a sovereign state and has the right to self-defense. Ukraine is not in any way a threat to Russia. Russia has the largest ground forces in Europe, it is the largest nuclear force, they have invested significantly... in recent years, but not only that. It is Russia that has used military force against Ukraine, illegally annexing a part of Ukraine, Crimea, back in 2014 and continuing to destabilize eastern Ukraine in Donbas. The aggressor is Russia. Russia has used force and continues to use force against Ukraine. And now we see a significant, strong military buildup in and around Ukraine with combat-ready troops, with armored units, with battle tanks, with a lot of advanced equipment that is actually absolutely unjustified and is undermining the security of Ukraine, but also the security of Europe," he said.

Stoltenberg believes that the easiest way out of this crisis is for Russia to de-escalate the situation.

"The reason we are here, the reason we have today's crisis, is because there is a significant military build-up in Ukraine and on its border, which is combined with threatening rhetoric when they say that if you do not do it or these will have serious consequences, and, as... the president [of Russia] has determined, we will take military-technical measures," the secretary general said.

At the same time, Stoltenberg expressed confidence that "it is possible to move forward and reduce tension if Russia wants to interact, and if it wants to find a political way forward."

"We have a frank and open discussion on a wide range of issues. But we will not compromise on the core principles of European security, that each country has the right to choose its own path," the secretary general said.

The official also said he is interested to see how the non-NATO countries Finland and Sweden are very clear on this issue, they understand that as soon as this kind of restriction is applied, that the right to choose one's own path only applies to some countries and not to all, then a kind of first and second class of countries starts: some have the right because they are big or for historical reasons they are part of an alliance like NATO, do what they want, choosing their path. And everyone else has no right.
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA, Kyiv) does not consider cargo transportation as part of its future business.

CEO of the airline Yevhen Dykhne said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine that cargo transportation is a noncore activity for UIA.

"We are definitely not going to fly with empty cargo load space... We do not assess the prospect of purely cargo transportation as part of our future business," he said.

According to Dykhne, on each regular flight with passengers, passenger aircraft take a certain part of the cargo (depending on the model), and this is the type of cargo transportation that UIA has been doing and plans to do.
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Egypt will send engineering equipment to the Gaza Strip via Rafah border crossing on Friday, as part of efforts to rebuild the Gaza Strip.

The equipment will take part in removing the debris of destroyed buildings in the coastal enclave to allow for the start of the reconstruction process.

The move comes under directives by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

Sisi had pledged 500 million dollars as a contribution to rebuilding Gaza, with the participation of Egyptian companies.

The recent escalation was sparked on 10 May when Israel cracked down on Palestinian demonstrators protesting Israels plan to forcibly expel Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah district in East Jerusalem.

The Israeli bombing of Gaza has claimed over 250 Palestinian lives, including many women and children, while over 8,000 have been wounded.

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The escalating conflict in Ethiopia places another obstacle in the way of resolving the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), which ruled Ethiopia from May 1991 until it was ousted amid mass protests in 2018, is poised to enter the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. A number of countries, including the US, have advised their citizens to leave Ethiopia immediately, and officials and commentators are voicing concerns that the country may be on the verge of collapse.

Though Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa discussed the grave situation in Ethiopia and agreed that there is an urgent need for all parties to commit to an immediate, indefinite and negotiated cease-fire  a statement to that effect was released at the start of the Kenyan leaders two-day state visit to South Africa last week  African Union mediation has failed to bring the warring parties together.

The escalating conflict begs many questions, not least about the future of the unresolved dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Will the Ethiopian government opt for a reasonable compromise in order to close the file, or will it adopt an even more intransigent stand in the hope it will garner popular support?

Judging from the latest official statements, the government appears inclined towards the latter, said a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity.

The options that the government has at present whether to fight the TPLF and Oromo Liberation Army [OLA] or reconcile with one or both of them  do not bode well for settling the file, he explained.

The fate of the GERD negotiations is now hostage to the political conflict currently playing out in Ethiopia, and whoever emerges victorious will try to use the dam, which the Ethiopian government has always presented as a national project essential for development, to win public support.

Not that the dam dispute is the only thing at stake. A more important issue is how the outcome of the war will affect peace and security of the countries neighbouring Ethiopia, especially those Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia  which have border issues with Addis Ababa, added the diplomat.

Embroiled in a ferocious battle with its opponents, the government of Ethiopia is desperate show construction of the dam is continuing. Ethiopias newly appointed Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa said earlier this week that the construction of GERD went hand-in-hand with fighting terrorists and said the soon to be completed second phase would allow the generation of electricity to begin.

Abbas Sharaki, professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, discounts such statements as an attempt to raise public morale in the middle of a ferocious conflict and after the severely limited second filling of the GERD reservoir in July.

The first turbine, says Sharaki, was scheduled to begin operating in October but failed to do so and little has been done in the meantime that would change this. Meanwhile, of course, Addis Ababa appears on the verge of falling into rebel hands.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that the war has placed Ethiopia on a path to destruction that could reverberate across east Africa.

Speaking to CNN in Abuja, Nigeria during his tour of Africa last month, Blinken urged Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed to fulfil his responsibilities and end the ongoing violence. The current conflict, he said, risks ripping the country apart and spilling into other countries in the region.

In November 2020, Ahmed ordered a military offensive in Tigray to oust the TPLF. He claimed the move was in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps, and promised a swift victory. That victory, however, proved elusive: instead, Ethiopia has been plunged into an identity-based civil war which pits the central government against an array of tribal groups fighting for greater autonomy. The Tigray Defence Force and OLA, both of which are rapidly closing in on the capital, are merely the best known of the many groups now doing battle.

During its time in government the TPLF maintained a tight grip on the country economically and politically and denied other groups any space to exercise their rights.



*A version of this article appears in print in the 2 December, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Egypt will manufacture its first electric vehicle in 2023, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced on Tuesday during a World Youth Forum (WYF) panel discussion, as part of the states efforts to transition towards a green economy.

In a session dubbed From Glasgow to Sharm El Sheikh: Combating Climate Change, El-Sisi said that the state promptly addressed the issue five years ago by starting partnerships to manufacture electric vehicles in the country.

A locally made electric vehicle will be launched in 2023, he said, adding that Egypt has responded quickly to face global warming despite of its low carbon emissions through a number of initiatives.

Despite of this, we are vigilant about facing it and we have even found opportunities [to develop] because of the issue, he said, in reference to the several initiatives spearheaded by the state to deal with the impact of climate change.

The initiatives include scrapping old and rickety cars and replacing them with new ones running on natural gas and lining canals for EGP 80 billion under the Decent Life Presidential Initiative at the countrys poorest villages.

The presidents statements come a few weeks after Egypt asked the representatives of US multinational automotive giant General Motors (GM) and Al-Mansour Automotive Company to submit a comprehensive study of their plans to manufacture electronic vehicles locally, as they plan to launch electric, eco-friendly vehicles in the country in 2022.

Egypt seeks to localise these environment-friendly cars, reduce dependence on fuels, and keep pace with global progress in the automobile industry.

In December, Egypts military production minister said the mass production of the Egyptian-Emirati bi-fuel pickup vehicles will begin by the end of the first half of 2022.

Last summer, Egypt inaugurated its first integrated fuel station in Cairos Abbasiya district, which will serve vehicles running on natural gas, gasoline, and electricity, with plans to set up a network of 3,000 electrical-charging stations in the near future.

El-Sisi said that the extent of pollution in lakes nationwide for a hundred years has not been addressed by officials, and yet the state has decided to line canals four years ago.

This comes under the states efforts to face climate change and reduce the countrys carbon footprint.

Speaking in the forum virtually, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said that Egypt and Africa will play a critical role in meeting goals related to transitioning to new energy systems.

The biggest challenge we all face right now is to get our systems, our government systems, and the private sector joined with it, to actually move fast enough. And right now, were not, Kerry said, stressing the need for youths to exert pressure on their countrys governments to solve the issue.

Furthermore, Kerry said that millions of job opportunities can be created through new energy systems, assuring that this is not a transformation that we should be scared of.

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas discussed efforts to reconstruct the Gaza Strip during a meeting on Tuesday in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

President El-Sisi reiterated to Abbas Egypt's "firm" stance in support of the Palestinian cause, emphasising the importance of achieving "a just and comprehensive settlement" to this issue in accordance with international legitimacy.

Egypt is keen to back the current Palestinian diplomatic efforts, internationally and regionally, to encourage the resumption of peace negotiations, El-Sisi stressed to the Palestinian president and his delegation.

President Abbas expressed his appreciation and gratitude for Egypt's "sincere" efforts under the leadership of President El-Sisi to support his country's cause and enable the Palestinians to overcome the various challenges facing their cause.

He also said that Egypt has "a historical role" and "a stable, firm stance" to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause, a statement by Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said following the meeting.

In November, Egypt called for the drafting of an integrated vision to fulfil the needs of the Palestinian people and help the Palestinian Authority (PA) overcome the economic crisis in the Palestinian territories.

The economic crisis in the Palestinian territories has worsened on the heels of the latest 11-day Israeli war on Gaza in May -- ended by an Egyptian mediation  in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, and delays in the payment of salaries by the PA.

Following the mediation of a ceasefire between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, Egypt allocated $500 million to reconstruct the Strip.

Egypt has also dispatched massive engineering equipment and crews to participate in the Gaza Strip reconstruction alongside tonnes of humanitarian aid.

In November, Egypt and Qatar have signed agreements to supply fuel and basic construction materials to the Gaza Strip, which has been under Israeli siege since 2007.

El-Sisi and Abbas also spoke about the latest developments on the Palestinian arena, at the local, regional and international levels, Rady noted.

They discussed "recent intensive" regional efforts by Egypt in this regard and reached a consensus on the need to continue intensive consultation and coordination -- with the participation of Jordan -- at the bilateral or trilateral levels in order to revive the peace process, according to Rady.

Egypt and Jordan have been in talks with several international sides to resume the Palestinian-Israeli talks.

Tuesday's meeting, held on the sideline of the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum, was also attended by Head of Egypts General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel.

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Egypt has adopted the principle of the right to development as a fundamental human right, Minister of Planning Hala El-Said said during the third day of the World Youth Forum (WYF) in Sharm El-Sheikh, stressing the importance of eliminating poverty due to its negative impact on development rates.

During a session titled Developmental Initiatives Confronting Poverty, El-Said highlighted Egypts initiatives to face the pandemics heavy economic repercussions and its poverty-focused Decent Life Initiative.

Decent Life  meaning Hayah Karima in Arabic  comprises a series of countryside-focused national infrastructure projects.

It was first initiated in 2019 by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who tasked the Ministry of Social Solidarity with developing Egypts poorest 1,000 villages.

Speaking during the panel, Elena Panova, the United Nations resident coordinator in Egypt, said that the coronavirus pandemic was not only a health crisis, but turned into a developmental issue.

She described the pandemic as a twin-crisis for poor people, which are more susceptible to infections and have less access to healthcare.

Panova added the pandemic has increased poverty globally by half a billion people.

Furthermore, she said that Egypt has focused on the principle of the right to development, which is one of the goals of sustainable development that UN member states have committed to in order to end poverty.

Localising sustainable development goals has been reflected through Egypts Decent Life initiative, she said, adding that the local initiative is a great example of alleviating poverty and inequality and increasing the UNs partnership with the government to ensure success.

Decent life initiative

In December 2020, El-Sisi expanded the initiative to include all the villages of Egypts countryside within the framework of the Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypts 2030 Vision.

The initiative aims to improve the standards of living, infrastructure, and services, and targets 60 percent of Egypts 102-million population, who live in 4,658 villages across the country.

The initiative aims to establish infrastructure, including networks for clean water, sewage, electricity, gas, and communications. It also includes awareness and training programmes for citizens in rural areas and will provide village-based jobs that empower inhabitants, including female-headed households, and funding for micro and medium-sized projects.

According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), 29.7 percent of the population  30 million citizens  were below the poverty line in FY2019/20.

El-Said said around $50 million in investments have been pumped into the initiative.

She also said that the state has backed all sectors during the pandemic, adding that safeguarding citizens health has been the states focus during the pandemic.

Furthermore, she said that six million citizens have received the EGP 500 ($32) monthly allowance to irregular workers and another presidential aid to those affected by the repercussions of the coronavirus.

The Egyptian government has been giving irregular workers a monthly financial stipend in 2020 to help them cope with the economic impact of the pandemic that hit the country in mid-February of 2020.

COVID-19 is considered the largest economic crisis globally in the modern era, she said, adding that the pandemic has exacted a heavy toll on humanity and affected all aspects of the economy.

Moreover, it has heavily affected trade movement globally by around 40 to 70 percent and led to a drop in investments and turmoil in the labour market and education sector.

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Egypts Ministry of Finance will open submissions for the second round of the fourth phase of the initiative to repay exporters arrears from 30 January to 10 February, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait said on Wednesday.

The move is based on President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis directives to support the export sector amid the ongoing coronavirus challenges, he added.

The government has already disbursed EGP 31 billion of exporters arrears, benefiting over 3,000 export companies since the launch of the initiative in October 2019, according to Maait.

Nevine Mansour, the finance ministrys adviser for financial policies, stated that the ministry disbursed EGP 957.4 million for 500 export companies during the fourth phase of the initiative.

She added that the disbursement for the second round of this phase is scheduled for 28-29 April 2022.

The initiative allows instant and cash repayment of the entirety of export companies arrears from the Export Development Fund at a discount of 15 percent.

The initiative supports domestic and foreign companies operating in the Egyptian market.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the banking system. The finance ministry deposited a guarantee at the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to allow the payment of the arrears through the end of the programme.

The president also directed the government to take the required procedures that would contribute to increasing Egypts exports to reach $100 billion per annum, and to set 100 incentives to be extended to the industry sector to increase the competitiveness of Egyptian products.

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Egypt's Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Ati on Wednesday stressed the importance of the Victoria-Mediterranean naval linkage project in achieving regional integration and linking the Nile Basin countries.

Abdel-Atis remarks came during his meeting with Congolese Vice Prime Minister Eve Bazaiba on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum (WYF) in Sharm El-Sheikh, where they also discussed ways to boost cooperation.

The naval route linking Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean through the Nile River will also increase tourism and commercial exchange between the countries, a statement by the ministry quoted Abdel-Ati as saying, stressing that river transport between countries is one of the best means of transferring goods of all kinds.

Concerning its role in the regional integration of Nile Basin countries, the minister noted that the naval project would include a navigation route, a road, a railway, an electric connection and an information cable to achieve the comprehensive development of the Nile Basins countries.

The Egyptian minister also said that the project has other benefits like decreasing energy use and increasing safety, in addition of providing job opportunities and increasing the inland countries' connection with seas and international ports.

Launched in 2013, the naval linkage project is one of the regional projects sponsored by the New Partnership for Africas Developments (NEPAD) Presidential Infrastructure Development Initiative.

Egypt is leading this project under the patronage of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi with the participation of all Nile Basin countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.

Abdel-Ati hinted at the renewal of the Egypt-Congo protocol for technical cooperation over water sources, extending it for another five years from 2022 to 2027, according to the statement.

The Integrated Water Resources Management project is being implemented under the protocols umbrella, which includes Egyptian funded development with the aim of maximising water resources, and building and developing technical cadres to manage these resources.

From her side, DR Congos vice prime minister expressed her country's desire to continue the process of cooperation with Egypt in the field of water, noting existing projects like the Rain and Climate Changes Forecast Centre in the Congolese capital Kinshasa.

In July 2021, Abdel-Ati co-inaugurated the centre in Kinshasa during his official visit to the DR Congo.

The centre was built with Egyptian grant and specialises in studying climate changes in the country to help protect the Congolese citizens from sudden climatic disasters, a statement at the time said.

The Congolese staffers at the centre have been trained by experts from the Egyptian irrigation ministry in dealing with rain and flood forecasts, aerial imagery systems, geographic information systems (GIS), hydrologic modelling, and writing specialised technical reports.

This, according to the previous statement by the ministry, came within the framework of Egypt's interest in transferring its expertise in the field of integrated management of water resources to its brothers from the Nile Basin countries in order to maximise the use of these resources.

Abdel-Ati has previously stressed that cooperation with Nile Basin countries and African countries is one of the main pillars of Egypts foreign policy.

The value of Egypt's total exports to Nile Basin countries during the first nine months of 2021 was $1.1 billion, compared to only $835 million in 2020, with a 33.7 percent increase, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS).

The value of Egypt's total imports from the Nile Basin countries was $497 million in the same covered timeframe of 2021, compared to only $442 million last year, the CAPMAS said in a report.

The CAPMAS further noted that Egypts exports to African Union (AU) countries in general witnessed a 37.8 percentage hike during the same period.

The total value of Egyptian exports to the AU hit $3.9 billion during the first nine months of 2021, compared to only $2.8 billion during the same period last year, the official statistics agency said.

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Egypt is keen to reach "a comprehensive legally-binding agreement" on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which would take into consideration Egypts concerns, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday.

El-Sisi made the remarks in a meeting with international media representatives on the sidelines of the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum (WYF), which is being held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh between 10 and 13 January.

El-Sisi spoke about the GERD dispute that Egypt and Sudan have with Ethiopia, saying the crisis should be resolved with dialogue.

Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have all expressed their readiness to resume the African Union-sponsored talks, which stalled in April last year over Ethiopias intransigence, according to the two downstream countries.

In September, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issued a presidential statement encouraging the three countries to resume negotiations, under the auspices of the AU.

The statement urged the countries to finalise expeditiously the text of [a] mutually acceptable and binding agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD.

Egypt and Sudan have continued to demand that a legally-binding agreement is reached on GERD to guarantee their water interests and the right of their peoples to the Nile water and prevent any harms to Sudanese dams.

Despite warnings from Egypt and Sudan about any unilateral steps regarding GERD before said agreement is reached, Ethiopia implemented the second phase of filling the dam in July without the two countries consent.

Situation in Sudan

In his remarks during the meeting, El-Sisi also said all actors in Sudan need to reach a political consensus.

The president affirmed Egypts support for dialogue between all Sudanese parties to reach a roadmap that ends with elections that allow people to select their leaders.

Sudan has witnessed a political turbulence and demonstrations since 25 October after army chief General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency, ousted the government and detained the civilian leadership.

Earlier this month, Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok stepped down in a televised speech after the conflicting parties failed to reach a compromise.

Egypt urged all Sudanese parties to select a new transitional prime minister consensually and to form a government in the shortest time possible, a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs read on Saturday.

The ministry affirmed Egypts support for the United Nations' calls for activating dialogue between Sudanese parties to overcome the current crisis and prevent chaos.

Egypt expressed its readiness to support the new Sudanese government by all possible means, the statement noted, adding that "the security and stability of Sudan are integral for those of Egypt and the region."

Reaching COP27 goals

In his remarks, El-Sisi said Egypt is exerting much effort with international parties to ensure reaching goals during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), which will be held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

In a pre-recorded speech by El-Sisi in the World Leaders Summit on Climate Change on the sidelines of the 76th United Nations General Assembly in September, El-Sisi vowed that Egypts hosting of the conference would be a major turning point in the global fight against climate change.

While during his speech delivered to the UN COP26 in Glasgow in November, El-Sisi assured that Egypt would seek during its presidency of the COP27 to enhance international climate action to achieve the goals of the Paris agreement, which will achieve the interests of the global community.

He also affirmed the need to preserve the Paris Climate Accords to ensure the bolstering of efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to the negative implications of climate change.

The Paris Climate Accords  adopted at the COP21 and signed by over 190 states including Egypt  came into effect in 2016 with the aim of reducing global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in this century.

Egypt, Greeces maritime demarcation deal

Asked about Egypt and Greeces exclusive economic zone and Turkeys alleged offer to Egypt for another maritime demarcation deal with better returns than the one with Greece, the Egyptian president affirmed that Egypt is committed to the existing deal with Greece.

Concerning the maritime demarcation with Greece, we are committed to it as a state and we are continuing in this commitment; I think this is a definitive answer, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said.

The process of negotiating exclusive economic zones between Egypt and Greece was launched over three years ago during a visit by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Athens, where he and then Greek prime minister Alexi Tsipras agreed that to help each country benefit from the possible resources of its national waters an agreement needed to be signed.

Egypt and Greece signed the demarcation deal in August 2020 establishing an exclusive economic zone between the two countries

The agreement drew the ire of Turkey, which claimed that the agreement was null and void because it included parts of Turkeys continental shelf.

Egypt and Turkey started exploratory talks in May for the first time after nearly eight years of frozen relations in a bid to mend fences damaged since the 2013 ouster of late Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi, who was backed by the government of Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys president and then prime minister.

Egypts financial and economic situation

President El-Sisi stated that Egypt needs about $20 billion annually in order to cover expenditures.

Egypt's economic and financial situation cannot be compared with some European and foreign countries, he noted.

El-Sisi said that his approach to the economy is not the only option, and that other countries should not necessarily adopt it.

"The past 10-year period has not been long enough to judge whether the change that has taken place in the region has been for the better," he said, stressing the need for gradual development.

The president said although it is correct that the poverty rate in Egypt is high, he pointed out that the country has a population of 100 million.

All the states available funds accounts for only 10 percent of needed expenditures for such a populous country like Egypt, which requires a trillion dollars to deal with these issues.

The Egyptian president stated that the countrys tourism industry has been hit hard over the past few years, and thus was not a stable source of income for Egypt.

He also pointed out that the country's yearly revenues from tourism reached nearly $14 billion before 2011, adding that the events of the Egyptian revolution that year greatly affected the tourism industry.

Freedom of expression and opinion in Egypt

The president of Egypt underlined that freedom of expression and opinion is guaranteed in the country, saying that he accepts constructive criticism that contributes to advancing the state and not destroying it.

He urged mass media to be objective when covering issues in the country.

El-Sisi asserted his keenness to listen to other opinions, warning at the same time about the danger of imposing anyones views on a country.



This is the approach of extremist religious groups, the president added.



In this regard, he emphasised the need to believe in pluralism, diversity and difference, not only from a religious perspective, but also from cultural, intellectual and political ones.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said that the gains achieved over the past seven years have been due to security and stability in the Egyptian street.

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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday during a World Youth Forum (WYF) panel that conflicts should end in hot zones to allow their reconstruction.

To be able to move forward, conflicts and fighting in such zones should stop, El-Sisi said during the WYF session titled The International Responsibility for Post-Conflict Areas Reconstruction.

He said reconstruction cannot be achieved in the manner hoped without the cessation of violence.

When there is no chance to end conflicts, there will be no available opportunities for reconstruction or access to needed funding, he said.

There is a difference between mitigating the impact of the crisis  whether through providing food and medical aid  and reconstructing a state that has faced war, he said.

Reconstruction is not only limited to money, but there is also a humanitarian, psychological, and social dimension due to the crisis.

He called on the leaders of conflict-stricken countries to consider a different perspective to end conflicts to allow states to help in alleviating its impact.

El-Sisi also warned that a change by force could lead to havoc that cannot be controlled.

This couldve happened in Egypt. A country of 100 million could have been in a state of crisis, he said.

His statements come after several key speakers, including Sahar Al-Jabury, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) chief representative in Cairo, shared insights about reconstruction post-conflict, especially in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Jabury said that El-Sisi was the first Egyptian president to call on the international community to fund the agency in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, expressing her appreciation.

She said that the UNRWA depends on Egypts role to call on international partners to continue supporting the agency to help the Gaza Strip recover from the crisis it finds itself in.

The session also tackled the crisis in Yemen, which continues to slide into political chaos in which the UN describes as the worlds largest humanitarian crisis.

El-Sisi pledged $500 million last year to rebuild Gaza with the participation of Egyptian companies after Israel cracked down on Palestinian demonstrators protesting Israels plan to forcibly expel Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah district in East Jerusalem in May.

The Israeli bombing of Gaza claimed over 250 Palestinian lives, including many women and children, while over 8,000 have been wounded.

We were hoping to contribute even more than the payment pledged, he said, ordering the completion of the reconstruction of the strip.

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DR Congos Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba highlighted a Congolese request for support during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) that Egypt will host this year, an Egyptian cabinet statement read.

Bazaiba, also vice prime minister, made the remarks in a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Wednesday on the sidelines of the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum (WYF) held in Sharm El-Sheikh between 10 to 13 January.

During the meeting, Bazaiba discussed cooperation with Egypt, including DR Congos request for Egypt to highlight Congolese capabilities and environmental investment opportunities during COP27, the statement said.

Late last year, Egypt was officially selected to host COP27 in November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh as a representative of Africa.

In November, the African Unions (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) pledged support to Egypt, as the host of the conference, to advance African priorities and reach concrete actions on global climate change.

In October, Egypts Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said COP27 would be a chance to support African demands and to help the continent acquire the needed funds to implement climate adaptation plans.

Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi participated in COP26 in November in Glasgow, where he hailed Africa as a "role model for serious climate action.

Speaking during the conference, El-Sisi said Africa suffers most from the negative consequences although it is not responsible for the climate crisis.

During COP26, the UK agreed to provide $500 million to DR Congo as part of a 10-year agreement that seeks to protect the Congo Basin rainforest.

In an article published in December around ways Africa can prepare for COP27, the UN said it is possible for DR Congo to have a return of up to 450 percent by investing in irrigation and related adaptation measures.

DR Congo, home to almost 90 million people, depends on clean energy sources for electricity generation. However, the majority of people in the country do not have access to electricity.

During her meeting with Madbouly, Bazaiba said no more than 14 percent of the countrys population has access to electricity, the statement said.

She praised Egypts inauguration of the Rain and Climate Changes Forecast Centre in Kinshasa in July.

The centre was established with an Egyptian grant to maximise the DR Congos use of water resources and boost its capability to manage these resources. It is specialised in studying climate changes in the country to help protect the Congolese citizens from sudden climatic disasters, the statement said.

Bazaiba expressed hope that Egypt would introduces further energy projects in DR Congo, including projects to generate electricity, that are consistent with environment protection.

She also called for Egypt to support the stability in the eastern Congo, which has seen clashes with the Islamic State group, and to implement development projects that seek to alleviate the suffering of the poor in DR Congo.

Madbouly, for his part, affirmed full support to the people, government, and leadership of DR Congo to preserve its unity and stability.

The premier also voiced Egypts readiness to provide all forms of support possible to DR Congo, noting that the relevant ministers will discuss proposed fields of cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier on Wednesday, Egypts irrigation minister said Egypt and DR Congo have extended their technical cooperation protocol over water sources for another five years until 2027, while meeting with Bazaiba.

Bazaiba also attended a session about water security at the WYF. In remarks to media after the session, she said water resources should not be a cause of conflict, but a source of peace instead.

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[January 11, 2022] CIUK Cluster Challenge Inspired UK Universities to Use Cutting-Edge AI Cloud Technologies to Achieve Higher Accuracy Gains RESTON, Va., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ORock Technologies, Inc., a high-performance cloud service provider focused on innovative cloud and artificial intelligence solutions, today announced that OCF's Computer Insights UK (CIUK) Cluster Challenge held in December showcased the skills and resourcefulness of competing university participants during several weeks of ever-changing challenges. The University of Bristol and the University of Bath competed against Durham University on an AI-based challenge using SambaNova Systems AI architecture hosted in the ORock Cloud. The competing teams were tasked with optimizing workloads and code on powerful computer architectures not normally available. They had access to the high performance ORock AI Cloud and pre-configured SambaNova environments and Reconfigurable Dataflow Units. Specifically, they had to optimize a given model with the aim of improving the model's architecture to achieve better accuracy. Specific rules, such as an upper bound to the amount compute time, had to be met. The challenge demonstrated that improving the model architecture can yield much higher accuracy gais than simply training a model for longer. "It was great to see participants from the Durham and Bristol/Bath university teams gain valuable hands-on SambaNova experience and optimize the accuracy of an AI model on our innovative Dataflow architecture," said Vasilis Kapsalis, North EMEA Sale Lead at SambaNova Systems. "Despite the challenge taking place in the UK and the ORock hosted system running in the U.S., the teams found the speed of connectivity and network latency to be excellent. While it was close, Bath/Bristol took the top slot in the OCF challenge." "This year's CIUK Cluster Challenge is a call to action for tomorrow's data scientists and engineers to utilize our AI cloud solutions in a transformative, real-world setting and experience what is possible today," said Gregory Hrncir, Co-Founder, President and CEO, ORock Technologies. "We anticipate this challenge will inspire future leaders to explore a new world of AI cloud-based applications that drive innovation and accelerate business transformation in a fraction of the time accomplished with legacy technologies." About ORock Technologies ORock Technologies is a high-performance cloud service provider focused on innovative cloud and artificial intelligence solutions. ORock is the world's first and only FedRAMP and Department of Defense (DoD) authorized open-source cloud, enabling every organization to benefit from a secure non-proprietary cloud. Security-conscious modern businesses and government organizations rely on our portfolio of best-in-class artificial intelligence, machine learning, hardened security and public cloud solutions to solve technology challenges. Featuring superior security, compliance, cost predictability and 24/7 customer support, our solutions and services accelerate your IT and business transformation. To learn more, visit www.orocktech.com, contact sales@orocktech.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Contact:

Claudia Cahill

ORock Technologies

571-386-0201

ccahill@orocktech.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ciuk-cluster-challenge-inspired-uk-universities-to-use-cutting-edge-ai-cloud-technologies-to-achieve-higher-accuracy-gains-301458020.html SOURCE ORock Technologies, Inc.

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Egypts official gazette published on Wednesday a cabinet decree to legalise the status of 50 unlicensed churches and 91 Christian service buildings that had been operating without a permit.

According to the information released in the decree, the churches and service buildings approved are mostly Egyptian Coptic Orthodox, with the minority being Protestant.

Coptic Orthodox Christians make up around 90 percent of all Christians in the country.

The newly legalised churches and service buildings are located in Cairo, Alexandria, Sharqiya, Daqahaliya, Menoufiya, Minya, Assiut, Qena, and Sohag.

In 2016, Egypts parliament approved a long-awaited law regulating the building and renovation of churches.

The committee to legalise the status of unlicensed churches was established in 2017 by Sherif Ismail, the prime minister at the time.

Since its formation in 2017, the committee has legalised the status of over 2,000 churches and service buildings in the country.

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Six people were killed on Wednesday in a devastating car bomb explosion in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, a security official and witnesses said.

The attack was claimed by the Al-Shabaab jihadist group, which said in a brief statement that it was targeting "foreign officers".

It took place just days after Somali leaders had agreed on a new timetable for long-delayed elections in the troubled country.

"The initial information we have... indicates that at least six people were killed and several others wounded in the huge car bomb blast," local government security officer Mohamed Abdi told AFP.

"It has also caused devastation in the area," he said, warning that the toll could be higher because of the number of people in the area.

Witnesses said a multi-vehicle private security convoy escorting foreigners was passing by the area when the explosion hit.

"I saw some of the passengers injured and being carried after the blast," said one witness Osman Hassan.

Another witness, Hassan Nur, said: "The blast was so huge that it has destroyed most of the buildings nearby the road and vehicles passing by the area.

"I saw several dead and wounded people strewn in the road."

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Iran has arrested an alleged "counter-revolutionary agent" on suspicion of carrying out an arson attack on a memorial to a revered general killed in a US drone strike, a judicial official said.

The statue of General Qassem Soleimani, who headed the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, up to his death on January 3, 2020, was torched just hours after it was unveiled in the southwestern town of Shahrekord last week.

"The perpetrator of this shameful act has been arrested," the judiciary chief of Chahar Mahal-Bakhtiari province, Ahmad-Reza Bahrami, told the judiciary's Mizan news website late Tuesday.

"The provincial courts will punish the perpetrator of this outrage as quickly as possible in accordance with sharia (Islamic law) and the law."

The unveiling of the statue in Shahrekord was one of a number of commemorative events held last week to mark the second anniversary of Soleimani's assassination.

Portraits of the slain general are ubiquitous in Shiite Iran, where Soleimani has been lionised by the authorities for his work overseeing Iranian support to Iraq and Syria in their campaigns against the Sunni extremists of the Islamic State group.

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French President Emmanuel Macron said people spreading fake news online should be held accountable and possibly brought to justice, an issue that is becoming even more significant ahead of the country's presidential election in April.

In a speech Tuesday in Paris, Macron warned against the threat to democracy caused by online misinformation and fake news.

He suggested new laws should allow internet platforms, influencers and people getting attention online to be held accountable in France, just like journalists are.

``It must be the same for foreign media, which are authorized to circulate news on the French territory,'' he added.

A 1881 law established press freedom in France while introducing rules against defamation and hate speech.

Macron also warned that Western democracies are currently not strong enough to face ``propaganda actors financed by foreign authoritarian regimes, which do not comply with accountability procedures and journalistic ethics.``

``We must also know how to protect ourselves against foreign interference,`` he said.

In 2017, a hack and a massive document leak hit Macron's presidential election campaign just two days before his victory.

The use of bots raised questions about the involvement of groups linked to Russia. Moscow denied any involvement.

Macron's speech comes after he received a report he commissioned in October over the potential consequences of fake news, including last year's Jan. 6 riot at the US Capitol.

The report released Tuesday made a series of recommendations, from teaching children to question what they see in social media to better protecting elections against foreign interference and sanctioning those who disrupt public order by spreading fake news.

Sociologist Gerald Bronner, head of the committee in charge of the report, said any moves must be balanced with the need to preserve the freedom of expression.

``Our recommendations therefore are not meant to eradicate any news-related problems,`` he said. ``But (they are meant) to limit the spread of contents that are damaging to democratic life, to deter malicious behavior, to sanction illegal practices.``

Social science researcher Laurent Cordonier, a committee member, said ``a small number of fake, misleading news can have serious consequences`` and can radicalize certain groups.

``That's what we saw, for example, with the events at the Capitol in the United States,`` he said.

The French government last year created an agency to combat foreign disinformation and fake news.

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The Biden administration on Wednesday slapped sanctions on five North Korean officials in its first response to Pyongyang's latest ballistic missile test.

The Treasury Department announced it was imposing penalties on the officials over their roles in obtaining equipment and technology for the North's missile programs.

In addition, the State Department ordered sanctions against another North Korean, a Russian man and a Russian company for their broader support of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction activities.

The moves came just hours after North Korea said its leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a successful flight test of a hypersonic missile on Tuesday that he claimed would greatly increase the country's nuclear ``war deterrent.''

One of the five North Koreans targeted by Treasury is based in Russia, while the other four are based in China.

All are accused of providing money, goods or services to North Korea's Second Academy of Natural Sciences, which Treasury says is heavily involved in the country's military defense programs.

``The DPRK's latest missile launches are further evidence that it continues to advance prohibited programs despite the international community's calls for diplomacy and denuclearization,`` said Treasury's chief of terrorism and financial intelligence, Brian Nelson. He referred to the North by the acronym of its official name: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The sanctions freeze any assets that the targets have in US jurisdictions, bar Americans from doing business with them and subject foreign companies and individuals to potential penalties for transactions with them.

Shortly before the announcement, North Korea's state news agency reported that the latest missile launch involved a hypersonic glide vehicle, which after its release from the rocket booster demonstrated ``glide jump flight'' and ``corkscrew maneuvering'' before hitting a sea target 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away.

Photos released by the agency showed a missile mounted with a pointed cone-shaped payload soaring into the sky while leaving a trail of orange flames, with Kim watching from a small cabin with top officials, including his sister Kim Yo Jong.

The launch was North Korea's second test of its purported hypersonic missile in a week, a type of weaponry it first tested in September, as Kim Jong Un continues a defiant push to expand his nuclear weapons capabilities in the face of international sanctions, pandemic-related difficulties and deadlocked diplomacy with the United States.

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This picture taken on January 8, 2022 shows cormorants gathering near the islets of Fuzhou, a city in southeast Chinas Fujian province.[Photo: VCG]

This picture taken on January 8, 2022 shows cormorants gathering near the islets of Fuzhou, a city in southeast Chinas Fujian province.[Photo: VCG]

This picture taken on January 8, 2022 shows cormorants gathering near the islets of Fuzhou, a city in southeast Chinas Fujian province. [Photo: VCG]
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2022 - 23:54 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Japan's count of reported daily coronavirus cases exceeded 13,000 on Wednesday for the first time in over four months, as a sixth wave of the pandemic spurred by the Omicron variant continues to spread across the country.

The nationwide tally stood at 13,244, with Tokyo accounting for 2,198 of the cases and marking the first time in over four months that the count has surpassed 2,000.

The pace in which the nationwide figure has surged has been swift, with the more than 1,000 cases confirmed on Jan. 4 now topping 10,000 in only eight days.

The figure reported Wednesday by the metropolitan government also was more than double the 962 cases logged Tuesday and around a fivefold increase from the previous week.

Osaka Prefecture reported the same day 1,711 new infections, marking the first time the count has exceeded 1,000 since Sept. 15, and close to a sevenfold increase from the previous week.

The southern island prefecture of Okinawa confirmed a similar number of cases at 1,644, while the western prefecture of Yamaguchi saw a record 182 new infections.

Okinawa, Yamaguchi and the neighboring prefecture of Hiroshima have been under a quasi-state of emergency since Sunday, with dining establishments requested to cut business hours and stop serving alcohol.

Governors of the three prefectures suspect the spread of COVID-19 at U.S. bases in Okinawa and Yamaguchi contributed to the spike in infections.

Daily infections had been hovering in the hundreds since mid-September after the fifth wave of the pandemic was brought under control, but cases began to surge from the end of last year due to the emergence of the Omicron strain.

The central government is considering shortening the interval between second and third COVID-19 vaccine shots from eight months to seven months for those under 65 from March onwards, sources close the matter said Wednesday.

The interval for health care workers and elderly in nursing homes was shortened to six months last December, while senior citizens in general will be able to get their booster shots after a seven-month interval from February.

But Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said in a press conference Wednesday the virus is spreading at a faster pace than before and "it has already become impossible to suppress the Omicron variant through booster shots."

To prevent straining the medical system, the central government has changed its policy of hospitalizing all those infected with the Omicron variant to only hospitalizing those at risk of developing severe symptoms.

The health ministry said Wednesday that around 16,000 medical institutions across the country will cooperate in providing home visits and monitoring of patients recuperating at home.

Japan has also boosted its medical capacity so it can admit 37,000 patients at hospitals, a 30 percent increase from the level marked when the country was experiencing the worst of the fifth wave of the pandemic.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2022 - 20:24 | Sports, All

Ozeki Takakeisho will miss the rest of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, the first of the year's six grand tournaments, after suffering a sprained right ankle, his stablemaster said Wednesday. Japan-born Takakeisho, who wrestles at sumo's second-highest rank, got off to a winning start in the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan but lost his next two bouts and was 1-2 after three days. Takakeisho sprained his ankle in a fall in Tuesday's third-day loss to No. 2 maegashira Ura.

Related coverage:

Sumo: Terunofuji wins 3rd straight, ozeki Shodai, Takakeisho fall

Sumo: Former ozeki Takayasu, Tagonoura stable to miss New Year tourney

His stablemaster, Tokiwayama, said the two-time grand tournament champion told him that he hurt his ankle and could not wrestle.

"He's not going to be fit to compete (again) in this tournament," Tokiwayama said. "I want him to focus on his rehab so he'll be ready in time for the Spring Grand Tournament (in March)."

The ozeki, who forfeited his fourth-day bout against No. 1 maegashira Kiribayama, is withdrawing from a basho for the eighth time in his career. In March, the 25-year-old will fight as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki, needing to win at least eight bouts to avoid demotion to sekiwake, sumo's third-highest rank.

Takakeisho is the sixth wrestler in the juryo division or the elite makuuchi division to go on the New Year absentee list.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2022 - 19:07 | World, All, Japan

Nippon Steel Corp. on Wednesday appealed a South Korean court order over the sale of company assets South Korean plaintiffs have seized in connection with wartime labor issues.

The appeal came after a district court branch in the southeastern city of Daegu issued an order on Dec. 30 to sell 194,000 shares worth about 94 million yen ($815,000) in a joint venture involving Nippon Steel and South Korean steelmaker POSCO.

The shares were seized after Nippon Steel did not compensate the plaintiffs over wartime labor despite the top South Korean court ordering the company in October 2018 to pay compensation for South Korean plaintiffs who were mobilized to work for Japan Iron & Steel Co., its forerunner, during the Japanese colonial era.

Nippon Steel said in a comment that it understands the issue of compensation was settled "completely and finally" by a 1965 agreement Tokyo and Seoul signed alongside a treaty that established diplomatic ties.

"We will respond appropriately while taking into account the state of diplomatic negotiations between the Japanese and South Korean governments," it said.

If the assets were liquidated, it would deal a significant blow to already frayed bilateral relations.

Last September, the Daejeon District Court ordered Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. to sell assets in South Korea to provide compensation to wartime laborers, making it the first such order on a Japanese company in relation to the issue.

Mitsubishi Heavy immediately appealed the ruling.

Related coverage:

South Korea court orders sale of confiscated Nippon Steel assets
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2022 - 19:37 | All, World, Japan

Trade ministers of Japan and Singapore on Wednesday pledged to maintain the high standards of market access and rules of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal, which China and Taiwan made a bid to join last year, Japan's government said.

In a joint statement, Japanese trade minister Koichi Hagiuda and his Singaporean counterpart Gan Kim Yong confirmed their countries' commitment to "building a free and fair rules-based trading system including through maintaining" the high standards of the deal, according to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Japan and Singapore are part of the 11-member TPP, formally known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Singapore chairs the TPP Commission, the bloc's decision-making body, this year, following Japan's stint in 2021.

The statement was issued after Hagiuda visited the city state and met his counterpart during a six-day tour of Southeast Asian nations also including Indonesia and Thailand through Friday.

Hagiuda and Gan said they aim for the expansion of the TPP to "those able to fully meet, implement and adhere to its high standards," according to the Japanese ministry.

The pact has been attracting attention following official applications for membership by China and Taiwan in September, as well as by the United Kingdom in February.

Japan has welcomed the envisaged accession to the TPP by the United Kingdom and Taiwan, but has taken a cautious position on China due to concerns over Beijing's stance on intellectual property and market-distorting subsidies.

Meanwhile, Singapore was reported to have welcomed China's bid to join the deal following a phone call between Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-October.

South Korea also reportedly aims to submit its application to accede to the TPP before President Moon Jae In's term ends in May.

To join the TPP, an applicant needs the approval of all 11 existing members -- Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Hagiuda and Gan also signed a memorandum of cooperation on reducing carbon emissions, while vowing to deepen their partnership in areas such as digital economy and supply chain resilience, according to the Japanese ministry.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2022 - 21:47 | World, All

Cambodia said Wednesday that an in-person ASEAN foreign ministers meeting scheduled for next week will be postponed, a development that could have been influenced by the regional group's response to military-ruled Myanmar.

Cambodia, which chairs the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, attributed the postponement to "the fact that it is difficult for many ASEAN foreign ministers to travel to Cambodia" for the Jan. 18-19 meeting.

No new date was given for the meeting, slated to be held in Siem Reap, northwest Cambodia. It would have been a routine but important meeting as the first occasion for ASEAN foreign ministers to meet in person after Cambodia assumed the group's rotating chairmanship at the beginning of this year.

Some members, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, have strongly called for the return to democratic rule in Myanmar after the military ousted the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup last February.

Cambodia, in contrast, appears eager to bring Myanmar's junta back into ASEAN diplomacy after the regional group began excluding the country's military leader from ASEAN-related summit meetings in October.

Sources familiar with the matter said Indonesia and Malaysia preferred a virtual meeting due to domestic affairs, while Brunei was preoccupied with an upcoming royal wedding.

Since the February coup, ASEAN has been calling for an end to violence and the dispatch of an ASEAN special envoy to meet with "all parties concerned." But the junta has failed to comply with the demands.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited Myanmar last week, becoming the first foreign leader to do so since the coup. During his two-day visit, he held talks with the military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.

ASEAN members were discussing whether the military-appointed foreign minister should be allowed to attend the foreign ministers' meeting.

Related coverage:

Myanmar military chief to assure ASEAN envoy he can meet all parties
WINDHOEK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The celebratory festive bustle in Namibia has boosted trade for local businesses and informal traders whose proceeds had dwindled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shorti Hafeni, an informal trader who sells fresh produce in Oshakati in the northern part of Namibia, attributed the profit to relaxed COVID-19 measures, which allowed many locals to travel to the area for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

"Profit doubled over the festive season as I had more customers than any other period," Hafeni said on Monday.

Players in the tourism sector, hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, also witnessed a boom in trade.

Rauna Amutenya, an official from Desert Explorer, a tour and recreational company in coastal town Swakopmund, said that business, which declined in the last two years, picked up significantly during the festive season.

"Business was slow in the last two years, and we did not have business mainly due to restrictions on travel. But this year we had bookings by both locals and international tourists, which peaked in the festive season," she said.

Social and business activity also increased in rural areas.

Locals hosted massive traditional events such as family gatherings, which were not held in the previous year. At its most recent 38th COVID-19 public hearing, the government permitted the gathering of 200 people instead of a maximum of 50 people in the same period last year. The current public health measures run from Dec. 16, 2021, to Jan. 15, 2022.

Selma Mateus, who is about 95 years old, celebrated her birthday with a jubilant family reunion of her clan.

"I had not seen my extended family members in such a long time. It was good to receive everybody. We enjoyed music, modern and traditional cuisine," said Mateus from the Oshana region.

Celebrations such as those held by Mateus benefited many informal traders in rural areas selling traditional food items such as peas, dried spinach and marula oil as more people required these.

Kaapula Michael, who sells chickens and other products at the village, generated a substantial income of 6,000 Namibian dollars (about 384.8 U.S. dollars) in two weeks. "It would ordinarily take me a month to generate (the amount) or even two months," Michael said.

According to Namibia Statistics Agency, the country's domestic economy grew by 2.4 percent during the third quarter of 2021 compared to a decline of 12.3 percent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2020.

The traders are optimistic that Namibia's economy will improve despite the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

"The tourism sector remains positive about the new year as we re-strategize to adapt to emerging markets and clientele for growth," Amutenya said. 




ABUJA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government has ordered more intense military operations against bandits following the attacks of villages in Zamfara state, northwest Nigeria, after 58 people were killed in two local government areas of the state.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health experts have urged the public to get a booster shot for COVID-19 to protect against the Omicron variant.

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, a total of 137 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in north China's Tianjin, a municipality of 13.86 million people that neighbors Beijing, with all the cases confirmed as the Omicron variant.

Experts from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) told Xinhua that the Omicron variant carries many spike protein mutations, which may enhance its ability to escape vaccine immunity.

Fortunately, some studies have found that people who were vaccinated or infected within the past six months have enough T cells as a second line of defense for the immune system to protect them from developing severe symptoms.

The experts said antibodies can increase rapidly and maintain high levels after people get a booster shot for COVID-19. As the Omicron variant can make the vaccine less effective, it is particularly necessary for people to get a booster shot.

Evidence has been emerging that Omicron affects the upper respiratory tract more than the lungs, causing milder symptoms than previous variants. The World Health Organization said on Tuesday however that it should not yet be seen as a flu-like illness.

Zhang Wenhong, head of the Center for Infectious Diseases with the Shanghai-based Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, said Omicron "will bite" if one's immunity is not strong enough and there are no good medical resources available.

Zhang encouraged the public to get fully vaccinated, noting that vaccines can still protect from severe symptoms caused by the Omicron variant.

Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist with the China CDC, said that due to the milder symptoms it causes, it is more challenging to locate Omicron and easier for the variant to spread. It might be relatively good news for individuals, but it is a challenge for prevention and control on a wider scale.

Wu said a booster jab is highly recommended as the variant makes the vaccines less effective than against other variants.

Zhang Boli, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said many of the initial confirmed cases in Tianjin are primary and secondary school students who are less vaccinated and become weak links in epidemic prevention and control efforts.

Zhang suggested that local students avoid public events as the winter holiday approaches.

CDC experts noted that wearing a mask is still an effective way to block the spread of the virus, including Omicron. Meanwhile, they also suggest washing hands frequently, maintaining good indoor ventilation, and keeping an eye on one's health situation.

In traditional Chinese medicine, external causes of a disease are classified as "the six pathogenic factors," namely wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness and fire. For instance, the outbreak in Wuhan in central China was viewed as a cold and dampness illness as the city had been drizzling for almost 16 days running in January 2020.

Zhang, also a renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) expert, said the outbreak in Tianjin was fueled by wind and cold. He noted they had revised the TCM treatment and rehabilitation plan, taking into account seasonal factors and young patients' physical characteristics.

Zhang said they have been trying to provide the best medical care to patients, especially children, by combining TCM and Western medicine. 
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, will drive economic recovery in Southeast Asia (SEA) and make it flourish and bloom again, a Malaysian veteran politician said.

"This is an Asian change century...Therefore I think we should get together," said Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, a Gua Musang Member of Parliament under the ruling BN affiliated UMNO party, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Signed in November last year, RCEP is a mega trade deal between 10 ASEAN member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and its five free trade agreement partners, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has put the world into a recession trend, Tengku Razaleigh, who is also known as Ku Li, expressed his belief that RCEP will play an important role in promoting the regional development.

"I think it is good for the future... It boosts our confidence. It brings back the feeling that we can overcome these difficulties, and probably pull others into the region," said the Malaysia's longest-serving member of parliament.

Tengku Razaleigh predicted that after the RCEP takes effect, Southeast Asia will probably grow faster in the future.

"Even SEA is split into small countries by the ocean, I think if we can get together, we can become a group of economic forces and have a very strong relationship in economic terms with China. I think that will stabilize the whole region. And all goes well for the future."

He hopes SEA countries could be a good trading block and a partner of China to spur mutually beneficial growth.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




The mother of a Chinese student murdered in Japan won a lawsuit against her daughter's former roommate on Monday, as the court ruled that the roommate should bear responsibility as she locked the victim outside the apartment when the victim was being attacked by the roommate's stalker ex-boyfriend.

The roommate, named Liu Nuanxi, whose former name was Liu Xin, was ordered by a court in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province to compensate the plaintiff Jiang Qiulian, mother of the victim, Jiang Ge, a total of 696,000 yuan ($109,193), consisting of financial losses of 496,000 yuan and emotional damage compensation of 200,000 yuan.

The court said that Liu should bear the corresponding civil liability of compensation for her obvious fault of failing to inform Jiang Ge of the danger of her ex-boyfriend and locking Jiang Ge outside of the apartment as Jiang Ge was being stabbed by Liu's ex-boyfriend to death. The court ruling debunked Liu's previous excuses that "she was unable to open the door lock" and other lies. The court said Liu ignored Jiang Ge's safety and locked her outside so that Liu can "protect herself."

Also, the court said Liu made provocative remarks after the tragedy and further hurt Jiang Ge's mother's feelings, thus she should bear the liability of compensation for mental damage.

Liu has been ordered to compensate Jiang Qiulian within 10 days if neither party appeals to a higher court, the ruling said.

The mother said on Monday that she wants to tell her deceased daughter the court ruling and that "Mama has finally made it."

Jiang Ge was stabbed to death by Liu's ex-boyfriend Chen Shifeng outside Jiang's apartment in Tokyo on November 3, 2016.

Chen was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment on charges of manslaughter and intimidation by the local court in Tokyo on December 20, 2017.

More than two months before the murder, Liu moved into Jiang's apartment to escape Chen's persistent badgering.

Jiang suggested that Liu report Chen to the police, but was dissuaded, according to media reports. Liu also concealed from Jiang the potential danger posed by Chen, who had stalked her and sent threatening messages.

The mother believes Liu was also responsible for her daughter's death because she locked Jiang out of the apartment. The mother was also upset about some inappropriate posts Liu made about her daughter on Sina Weibo.

The mother launched a lawsuit against Liu in October 2018, seeking compensation of 2.07 million yuan for Jiang's death, other economic losses and emotional damages.

Many netizens gave a thumbs-up for the court ruling on Monday and commented that what matters most is that the law acknowledged that Liu should be held accountable for her fault.

The People's Daily commented that Jiang Ge finally won legal support for her selflessness in saving people while Liu paid a legal price for her actions. The praise and the reproach showed the temperature of the rule of law and fit public order and good customs, the media outlet said.

Many netizens said that Liu owed an open apology to Jiang Ge and her mother.
Demonstrators gather in Trafalgar Square following a march as part of the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2021. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)

A global survey of experts found that only 1 in 6 is optimistic, and only 1 in 10 believes that global recovery will accelerate.



by Martina Fuchs

GENEVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- As the world enters the third year of the pandemic, the climate crisis, growing social divides, heightened cyber risks and uneven global recovery are the top global risks in 2022, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said in a new report published on Tuesday.

The "Global Risks Report 2022" warns that five of the top 10 global risks are environment-related, including climate action failure, extreme weather and biodiversity loss. Meanwhile, the main short-term global concerns include the erosion of social cohesion, livelihood crises and infectious diseases.

"We've seen what can happen when there is public-private collaboration, when we put our faith in science and technology, and when there is global coordination. The result of that was developing a vaccine for COVID-19," Saadia Zahidi, the WEF's managing director, told Xinhua in a virtual interview following the release.

"Now, if we can do that for one specific and very urgent area, we can do the same thing for other areas that require urgent attention, and that includes climate change. There are a number of technologies that are now available; it's really about making that green transition."

A resident receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Windhoek, Namibia, on Jan. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Now in its 17th edition, the latest annual report from the Geneva-based forum urges leaders to adopt a coordinated, multi-stakeholder response, and create policies that manage risks and resolve systemic issues.

"Half of the world is still not vaccinated, and half of the world still does not have access to the internet," Zahidi stressed. "We're seeing a rising divergence between the developing world and the developed world.

"It's really about working out who has the best possible models that help governments move out of a constant focus on the emergency situation, towards building recovery and investing in resilience."

"That is where I think the experiences of economies and pulling together the economic, social and green agendas closer together. That's where the proof point is going to lie. And those are the models that the rest of the world have to emulate," she added.

UNEVEN RECOVERY

The report, which has been developed with the WEF's strategic partners Marsh McLennan, SK Group and Zurich Insurance Group, also warns that global economic recovery from COVID-19 will be uneven and potentially volatile in the coming years.

A global survey of experts found that only 1 in 6 is optimistic, and only 1 in 10 believes that global recovery will accelerate.

The economic fallout of the pandemic and diverging levels of recovery also continue to threaten cooperation on other global challenges, at a time when climate and environmental risks loom large, the report emphasizes.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (C) attends the launching ceremony of a 50-megawatt solar farm in Garissa, Kenya, Dec. 13, 2019. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Zahidi added: "China is amongst the very positive growth stories that we've seen in the world in the last 30 years, with people coming out of poverty, having new economic opportunities, and now seeing how China manages this transition, this economic and green and technological transition that is underway. That's going to provide a role model to others."

Zurich Insurance Group's chief risk officer Peter Giger says in the report: "The climate crisis remains the biggest long-term threat facing humanity. Failure to act on climate change could shrink global GDP by one-sixth, and the commitments taken at COP26 are still not enough to achieve the 1.5 C goal."

"It is not too late for governments and businesses to act on the risks they face and to drive an innovative, determined and inclusive transition that protects economies and people."

BUILDING COALITIONS

Last month, the WEF announced that due to continued concerns over Omicron it will defer its annual meeting, which is usually held in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. Initially scheduled to take place between Jan. 17-21, it is now planned for early summer.

In the meantime, participants will join "State of the World" online sessions, bringing together global leaders to find solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

Photo taken in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on July 27, 2021 shows screens displaying charts of growth projections updated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

"A lot of the forum's work is about building coalitions that help address some of these global challenges, whether that is greater access to vaccines and more resilient healthcare systems, building better education and skills systems, or managing the transition towards a greener economy," Zahidi said.

"We do believe that connecting in person is incredibly important. It's part of what helps strengthen the relationships that lead to these coalitions, and we'll be looking towards summer to hopefully bring together global leaders again."
South Africa: Health Department urges people to report vaccine adverse events

The Department of Health has called on all people who experience any adverse events following immunisation to immediately report to their nearest health facility or vaccination site.

This comes after the department noted with concern a video clip circulating on social media platforms depicting a male patient suffering from what looks like throat cancer, claiming this to be the result of a COVID-19 vaccine.

In a statement on Wednesday, the department said each province and district has allocated persons who are responsible for investigating severe and serious adverse events following immunisation within 48 hours since it has been identified or the health system has been notified thereof. However, there is no time limit to report an event.

All adverse events following immunisation are taken seriously, and appropriate action can only be taken if they are reported, the department said.

The department has reiterated that COVID-19 vaccines are very safe and highly effective at preventing hospitalisation and death, and therefore it discourages members of the public from using other peoples health conditions and life experiences to push their personal theories to justify opposition to this life-saving intervention.

All vaccines and medicines have side effects, with the majority of COVID-19 vaccine side effects being minor and resolving within 2 - 3 days. While individuals respond differently to vaccination and side effects differ slightly among the vaccines, the most common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines include headache, mild fever, chills, pain and/or redness at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea and mild diarrhoea, the department said.

The department said serious adverse events following immunisation are very rarely caused by immunisation. They are most often health events that would have happened regardless of whether a vaccine was received.

Rare vaccine adverse events can be managed successfully if they are identified early. Uncommon, severe and serious adverse events should always be reported, so that they are fully investigated, including those that need medical attention or hospitalisation.

It is important to understand if the vaccine was responsible for the event, or whether it happened coincidentally to vaccination, even those that have improved clinically or resolved spontaneously, the statement read.

The department has urged the public to report any serious adverse events following immunisation to the available platforms.

Upon reporting the case, the department says the assigned investigators will obtain the medical records of the person who experienced the adverse event, and submit these data to the National Immunisation Safety Expert Committee (NISEC) without making any judgement themselves on the cause of the adverse event.

Adverse events following immunisation may be reported using the Med Safety App (https://medsafety.sahpra.org.za/) or by completing a paper Case report form which may be accessed at https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/adverse-event-following- immu....

The form should be returned by email to AEFI@health.gov.za. Alternatively, the COVID-19 Public Hotline can be contacted on 0800 0299 99.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on CBI's plea to transfer the trial of the 2017 'sex CD' case. It also stayed the ongoing criminal trial in the case involving Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel as an accused. Supreme Court stayed the ongoing trial after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, submitted that witnesses in the case were feeling threatened by the state government and chief minister.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices S A Bobde and S A Nazeer also issued a notice to Baghel on a plea of probe agency CBI seeking transfer of the criminal case out of Chhattisgarh on grounds including that the chief minister has been allegedly threatening the witnesses in the case.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI said that two prosecution witnesses have lodged complaints with the probe agency that they have been threatened at the behest of accused for giving statement against the chief minister in the case.

The CBI had registered a case against Baghel in September 2018, then Chhattisgarh Congress president on a complaint that he had allegedly tried to frame the then state PWD minister and BJP leader Rajesh Munat in the fake sex CD case. Munat had also lodged a complaint against Baghel and journalist Vinod Verma at the Civil Lines police station in Raipur for allegedly tarnishing his image through through the "fake CD".

On September 24, 2018, CBI filed a charge sheet in the special court here in the sex CD case, naming Baghel and some others as accused. The Special CBI Judge, Raipur had then remanded Baghel to 14 days judicial custody. He was later released on bail.
New Delhi:

Polling is underway for 288 constituencies in Maharashtra and 90 seat in Haryana. The voting began on a slow note with around 5% turnout registered at 9 am in Maharashtra. However, the polling has picked up pace and many feel that the day will end with better turnout in both states. The BJP that has been ruling both Haryana and Maharashtra is looking to return to power in the states. Union Minister Piyush Goyal had in fact said that the BJP will win around 225 seats in Maharashtra. In Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar is confident of winning second term. In a unique approach, Khattar took train and cycle today to reach a polling booth in Karnal. Whereas to woo the voters of Jatland, JJPs Dushyant Chautala was seen arriving at polling station on a tractor.

Here are 10 latest updates from these crucial elections:

1: The polling in Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections ended at 6 pm. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) data, Haryana recorded a turnout of 67.97 per cent. Maharashtra, on the other hand, had abysmal voting of 55.33 per cent.

2: Bigwigs including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal were among the early voters who cast their ballots on Monday. Fadnavis was accompanied by his wife and mother. Gadkari, who has not been seen that prominently during the poll campaign, said that the next Chief Minister will be from BJP only.

3: EVM technical glitches were reported from parts of Maharashtra. Faulty EVMs delayed polling at some booths in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri and Bhandara districts on Monday, an official said. Polling was also halted for sometime at a booth in Worli area of Mumbai due to a technical error, he said. The state Congress unit also sent 187 complaints to the Election Commission of malfunctioning of EVMs. In Ratnagiri's Dhamangaon village, polling was stopped at a booth from 8.30 am to 10 am due to a technical fault in the electronic voting machine (EVM), he said. The EVM glitch also halted the polling process at a booth in Kalamban Gavhanwadi village in Ratnagiri since 9.42 am, he said, adding that voting resumed there around 12.30 pm.

4: In a bid to make the polling process convenient for women voters, temporary creches for their children have seen set up for the first time in some Assembly segments of Maharashtra, an official said on Monday. Since many women voters have no option but to carry their children along with them to the polling booths, the Election Commission came up with this initiative, the EC official said.

5: Other urban areas like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Aurangabad reported a moderate response, while the turnout in rural areas was on the higher side. From Shah Rukh Khan to Aamir Khan to Deepika Padukone and Salman Khan, several Bollywood celebrities turned up to cast their votes. Apart from Mumbai, other urban areas like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Aurangabad reported a moderate response, while the turnout rural areas was on the higher side.

6: 3,237 candidates, including 235 women, are in the fray in Maharashtra. The state has total 8,98,39,600 voters, including 1,06,76,013 in the age group of 18 to 25 years. Nearly 6.5 lakh polling personnel have been deployed at 96,661 polling booths across the state.

7: In Haryana, as per the Election Commission data, brisk polling was going on in many districts and around noon close to 25 per cent voters had exercised their votes. Among the constituencies where brisk polling was going on included Kaithal (32 per cent), Guhla reserved segment (31 per cent), Thanesar (27.64 per cent), Sirsa (27 per cent), Narnaund (32 per cent), Tohana (30.50 per cent), Tosham (36 per cent), Rewari (30 per cent).

8: As many as 1,169 candidates including 105 women of various political parties are contesting the election in Haryana.

9: At present, the BJP has 48 members in the state assembly. As many as 19,578 polling stations have been set, including 13,837 in rural areas, Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana, Anurag Agarwal said.

10: Over 1.83 crore voters are eligible to vote that includes 85 lakh women, over one lakh service voters and 252 transgenders. This time, out of the total eligible voters, over 89 lakh young voters are under 40 years of age and there are over 3.82 lakh voters, many of them first-timers, who fall in the age group of 18-19 years.
New Delhi:

In one of the biggest arrests in the ongoing crackdown on D Company, the Enforcement Directorate held gangster Iqbal Mirchis close aide Humayun Merchant in Mumbai on Tuesday. Sources say Merchant was involved on behalf of Mirchi in one of the costly property deals in posh Worli locality. Reports say that Merchant used to take care of Iqbal Mirchis clandestine real estate business in and around Mumbai. In fact, Merchant also had the power of attorney. He used to frequently fly between Mumbai and London. He was the main go-to person for the gangster for purchasing properties specifically in south Mumbai.Merchant is also reportedly connected to the Wadhwans, who are the prime accused in the PMC bank fraud.

Earlier on Saturday, the ED carried out searches at about a dozen premises of DHFL and other linked firms in connection with its money laundering probe against Iqbal Mirchi, the aide of global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, officials said. They said the raids are being conducted in and around Mumbai under provision of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). About a dozen premises are being searched, they added.

The Dewan Housing Finance Corp Ltd (DHFL) allegedly had business links with Sunblink Real Estate, the firm at the heart of investigations into the financial dealings of Mirchi. The DHFL had given loans of Rs 2,186 crore to the real estate firm

The ED suspects these monies were allegedly routed by Sunblink into accounts linked to Mirchi and his associates.

The agency is looking for evidence in the form of documents and other paraphernalia as part of the latest operation, they said. The DHFL earlier said it had no links to the alleged dubious transactions.

The ED turned up the heat in the money laundering case linked to the multi-crore real estate deals of Mirchi and others after recently arresting two of his alleged aides. Mirchi had died in 2013 in London. He was alleged to be the right hand man of Dawood Ibrahim in drug trafficking and extortion crimes

NCP leader Praful Patel was questioned by the agency in this case on Friday for his alleged property deal with the family of Mirchi. Patel has denied wrongdoing.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi:

Having moved beyond compliance, few companies have implemented the best practices in health and wellness management globally to prevent work-related stress and illness for their onsite employees. The organisations have also started to provide regular communication that encourages employee safety and well-being.

All-round steps are being taken by the employers that include employees family outreach, an overarching health and wellness strategy is largely accepted. Some of the initiatives include inviting family members to participate in various programmes and activities organised by the companies; focusing communication to reach/involve family members, and redesigning employee assistance programmes to better address emotional and financial wellbeing for employees and dependents.

IBM and Google have set an example by endorsing employee wellness at the workplace. Its no secret that both have been one of the best companies to work for in recent years. The big giants have set new standards for an employee wellness culture that has left other companies scrambling to compete with.

IBMs employee incentives

The vision of IBM revolves around the safety and overall health of their employee. IBM says it has spent more than $130 million on wellness since 2004.

To encourage employee participation in wellness programs and to facilitate long-term adoption of healthy behaviors, company provides employee incentives for participation through its Healthy Living Rebate programs. IBM has awarded more than 600,000 rebates for engagement in Preventive Care, Physical Activity-Nutrition, Childrens Health, and Smoking Cessation programs. There's even a rebate for taking part in a program to help employees' children lead healthy lifestyles and maintain a healthy weight.

Employees attraction

A web-based platform is a locus for employee engagement in health improvement, providing access to flexible, behavior-based programming that accomplishes the following:

-helps employees determine their readiness for specific lifestyle changes (based on Prochaskas research on stages of change and behavior change techniques)

-promotes resources to take action toward health goals based on the individual stage of change

- provides access to online communities and teams that provide social support and

- allows users to monitor and evaluate progress against their personal wellness vision

Googles employee wellness

Employee wellness at Google has got the world talking about workplace wellness. The behemoth that is Google is surely a class above the rest, and we can learn a lot from its employee wellness example.

Googles campus offers an all-encompassing wellness program featuring onsite healthcare services, including physician, chiropractic, physical therapy, and massage services, as well as access to fitness centres, classes, and community bikes.

Companys focus

Google focuses on the triad of health, happiness, and life balance for its employees. The wellness program inculcates a joyful feeling among the employees and allows them to make their work enjoyable and creative.

Googles wellness USP

The wellness program of the company teaches lessons on what makes employees health and happiness, which helps to build a unique work environment. Overall, the wellness initiatives of the company have lasting benefits.
Thiruvananthapuram:

The bypolls to the five assembly constituencies in Kerala was marred by heavy rains, especially in Ernakulam, with the tentative overall voter turnout touching 70 per cent. No untoward incidents were reported, officials said. As per the tentative figures, Aroor recorded the highest turnout of 80.26 per cent till around 7 pm, government sources said, adding heavy rains marred polling in Ernakulam where the voter turnout was the lowest-- 57.67 per cent. While the voter turnout in Manjeshwaram touched 74.81 per cent, in Konni it was 69.99 per cent and Vattiyoorkavu 62.59 per cent, the sources said.

A woman was arrested in Manjeshwaram in Kasaragod for impersonation as she allegedly tried to cast bogus vote in a booth. She was later released on bail. As voting drew to a close at 6 PM, people in queues in various booths were allowed to vote. Heavy rains affected voting in the early hours in Ernakulam as voters waded through water-logged roads to exercise their franchise and water seeped into some booths, while polling progressed in the four other constituencies. Chief Electoral officer Teeka Ram Meena said 10 water-logged booths on the ground floor were shifted to the first floor in Kochi. Voting in Ernakulam was not affected, he said.

Also Read | Maharashtra, Haryana Elections: Polling Ends In Two States, BJP Hopes To Retain Both: 10 Updates

Except Manjeshwaram, the constituencies of Konni, Vattiyoorkavu and Aroor were also affected by rains till noon, but worst hit was Kochi city and nearby areas in Ernakulam. A woman voter in Kochi said this was the first-time people had to exercise their franchise wading through knee-deep muddy water at Ayyappankavu.

A 92-year-old man, who was not allowed to vote as he carried only a copy of his voter ID, returned with all his identity cards to vote despite the rains. The electorate strength in the five constituencies is 9.57 lakh. The ruling CPI(M)-led LDF, opposition Congress headed UDF and BJP-led NDA are the three fronts which had locked horns for the five seats.

While the bypoll to Majeshwaram was held following the death of the sitting MLA of the IUML, a coalition partner of the UDF, in the remaining four constituencies, the polls were necessitated after legislators quit following their successful foray into the Lok Sabha. In the 140-member Kerala assembly, the ruling LDF has 92 MLAs, UDF 46, BJP one, besides an independent MLA, P C George. One seat is reserved for a nominated member of the Anglo-Indian community.

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New Delhi:

CISF Constable recruitment application process is going to end today. All those eligible candidates who havent appeared for the constable (tradesman) post under Central Industrial Security Force should apply latest by October 22. It is to note that a total of 914 posts of Constables is going to be filled through this recruitment drive. Interested and eligible candidates need to apply by visiting the official websites, cisfrectt.in or cisf.gov.in. It is must for candidates to go through the exam instructions and eligibility criteria carefully before applying for the exam.

In order to apply for the CISF Constable Post, candidates need to have passed class 10th examination and should not be above 23 years of age. Age relaxation is provided as per government norms. Candidates will be selected on the basis of written exam followed by physical efficiency test, document verification and medical test. The written exam for constable posts will comprise objective type questions wherein candidates need to score 35 percent marks.

In order to apply for the Constable post, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps:

First, visit the official website, i.e. cisf.gov.in

Navigate and click on the recruitment link that is available on the homepage

A new page will open

Click on the application link and proceed further

Click on the application form, fill it and upload all the scanned images

Pay the application fee

It is to note that candidates need to pay Rs 100 as application fee for the CISF Constable Recruitment exam.
New Delhi:

A Delhi court on Monday accepted the chargesheet filed against former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, his son Karti and several others in the INX Media case. The court directed Chidambaram to be produced before it on October 24. However, the date of appearance of other accused will be announced later. On Friday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a chargesheet in the case against Chidambaram and his son Karti and 12 others, including Peter Mukerjea, and some bureaucrats.

In the chargesheet, the CBI has alleged that P Chidambaram "misused his official position" in granting approval to a FDI proposal of INX Media and INX News Pvt Ltd in lieu of "illegal gratification" in India and through offshore payments. Besides Chidambaram, his son Karti and 12 others, including bureaucrats, were accused of causing loss to the exchequer by committing offences under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act.

However, Indrani Mukerjea, who had accused the former union minister of taking money in the INX Media corruption case, was named in the CBI chargesheet but she wont be tired. According to the CBI chargesheet filed before a special court, Indrani Mukerjea was an accused in the case but she turned "turned approver and pardoned".

Also Read | INX Media Case: Indrani Mukerjea, Who Accused P Chidambaram Of Bribery, 'Pardoned' In CBI Chargesheet

Karti's Chartered Accountant S Bhaskararaman and Indrani's former husband Peter Mukerjea, who was the director of INX Media Limited when the alleged corruption took place, were also named in the final report. The name of Indrani Mukerjea, who was a former promoter of INX Media and an accused-turned approver, did appear in the final report but with CBI's "pardon".

The charge sheet was filed just a couple of days before the mandatory 60-day period from the day of arrest of Chidambaram in the corruption case to do so expires on October 20, i.e., Sunday, failing which he would have been entitled for grant of 'default bail' under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

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New Delhi:

Robert Vadra, son-in-law of interim Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, was admitted to Noidas Metro Hospital after he complained of severe neck and back pain. He was admitted to the hospital on the medical advice. Though no official statement has been issued by the hospital authorities, sources say that senior orthopaedic surgeons are treating Vadra. Photos of his check-up at the facility also surfaced online. Wife Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reached the hospital during night. After brief break, she was back at the Noida Sector-11 hospital and spent the night there only. Due to security concerns, the entire hospital has been put under the SPG cover.

Earlier in June, the businessman was allowed by a Delhi court to travel abroad for six weeks for treatment of an illness. The court had told Vadra to give his travel schedule and to return to India before the deadline. He has been allowed to go to the US and the Netherlands. At an prior instance, brother-in-law of Rahul Gandhi had skipped his appearance before the Enforcement Directorate citing bad health as the reason.

Last month, Enforcement Directorate had told the Delhi High Court that it wanted custodial interrogation of Robert Vadra because the "money chain" in a case of money laundering was allegedly directly linked to him. Vadra, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law, was not cooperating with the investigation in the case, the agency added before Justice Chandra Shekhar. Vadra is facing allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property -- at 12, Bryanston Square -- estimated at 1.9 million pounds (over Rs 17 crore). The case is being probed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him. The agency had told a Delhi court that it has received information about various new properties in London which belong to Vadra. These include two houses--one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties. The agency, meanwhile, appointed a new IO for the case as the incumbent Rajiv Sharma is set to be promoted.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

A three-month-old baby died and four other infants were injured after a fire broke out at a private children's hospital in Hyderabads LB Nagar area in early morning hours on Monday. According to PTI, the incident happened in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the hospital at 2.55 am, LB Nagar Police Station Inspector V Ashok Reddy was quoted as saying. The injured babies were shifted by parents and police to different hospitals. Initial reports say that a short circuit caused the fire.

As many as 42 children were undergoing treatment at the hospital at the time of the accident and the five babies were admitted in the NICU, the Inspector said. A case under IPC section 304A (causing death by negligence) has been registered in connection with the incident and a probe is on. Hospitals in India have poor fire safety records. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a minimum of 8,599 fire stations are needed in India; however, only 2,087 are in place. As many as 17,700 Indians lost their lives due to accidental fires in 2015.

Earlier in February, a massive fire had broken out at the Metro Hospitals and Heart Institute in Noida Sector-12. Later, it was reported that the hospital was functioning without a fire licence that expired over five months ago, officials said. "The hospital authorities had got a license from the fire department in March 2017, but they did not get it renewed from over five months," Gautam Budh Nagar Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Arun Kumar Singh had said.

News Nation had reported that the blaze broke out on the third and fourth floor of the hospital. There were reports that some patients saved their lives by jumping out from the building. The rescuers are searching each and every room to look for trapped patients or medical staff. According to its website, Metro multi-specialty hospital has over 2,500 beds. The hospital is said to be among 12 top hospitals in Delhi, NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh. The chief fire officer fainted because of the smoke. A magisterial enquiry has been ordered by the district magistrate.
Guwahati:

The Assam Cabinet has decided that no government jobs will be given to persons having more than two children after January 1, 2021. The important decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held late Monday evening that also adopted a New Land Policy, which will give three bighas of agricultural land to landless indegenous people and half a bigha for constructing a house. A communique from the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's public relations cell stated that those having more than two children will not be considered for government jobs with effect from January 1, 2021 as per the small family norm.

In September 2017, the Assam Assembly had passed the 'Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam' that specified that job candidates with two children only would be eligible for government employment and the existing government staff were to strictly follow the two children family norm.

"New Land Policy was adopted. Three bighas of land will be given to landless indigenous people. Landless people will be offered half a bigha to construct their houses. These cannot be sold for 15 years," the CMO statement said.

The Cabinet meeting also decided to increase the bus fares in the state by 25 per cent, it added.

Assam has been at the centre of key citizenship initiative called NRC. The final NRC list in Assam was released on August 31 with 19,06,657 of the total 3,30,27,661 applicants excluded and 3,11,22,004 included. The process of NRC Update was started in Assam following a Supreme Court order in 2013 and since then, the apex court had closely monitored the entire process. The process of receipt of NRC application forms started in May 2015 and ended on 31st August 2015. A total of 3,30,27,661 people applied through 68,37,660 application forms.

As per the Supreme Court orders, the draft NRC (complete draft) was published on 30th July, 2018 wherein 2,89,83,677 numbers of persons were found eligible for inclusion. Thereafter, claims were received from 36,26,630 numbers of persons against exclusions.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

After a year-long delay, the National Crime Records Bureau finally released the 2017 data on Monday. The report was according to the 2016 format instead of changes and introduction of new categories of crime, which led to the actual delay. Hence, the NCRB data of 2017 has no record of lynchings, radical killings and crime committed by khap panchayats such as horror killings etc. These new categories were introduced under a massive overhaul directed by then NCRB boss Ish Kumar, the Indian Express report said. Under the cartegory of murder, new categories such as lynchings, radical killings etc were put in place. However, the data released on Monday has no details about these sub-categories.

Several reports suggested that in past few years, India has witnessed many incidents of lynchings in which frenzied mobs have targeted people mainly because of their religious or caste identity . It should be noted that despite the NCRB revamp, in 2018, then BJP minister Hansraj Ahir had told Parliament that The National Crime Records Bureau does not maintain specific data with respect to lynching incidents in the country. In July this year, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre, National Human Rights Commission and state governments on a plea seeking implementation of the apex courts 2018 guidelines to prevent incidents of mob lynching.

Meanwhile, the NCRB data shows disturbing, upward trend of crime against women. As many as 3,59,849 cases of crime against women were registered across the country in 2017, continuing the upward trend for the third consecutive year, the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data released on Monday showed. In 2015, 3,29,243 cases of crimes against women were registered and 3,38,954 cases were registered in 2016. The cases categorised as crimes against women include murder, rape, dowry death, suicide abetment, acid attack, cruelty against women and kidnapping, etc.

According to the NCRB data for 2017, which was released after a delay of more than a year, the maximum cases were registered in Uttar Pradesh (56,011) -- the country's most populated state.

Maharashtra recorded the second-highest number of crimes against women with 31,979 cases, followed by 30,992 in West Bengal, 29,778 in Madhya Pradesh, 25,993 in Rajasthan and 23,082 in Assam, the data said.

Delhi, however, saw a decline in crimes against women for the third straight year. As many as 13,076 FIRs were registered in 2017, down from 15,310 in 2016 and 17,222 in 2015, the NCRB report said.

Assam recorded the highest crime rate of 143 in the country in 2017. Crime rate is offences registered per one lakh people. Odisha and Telangana recorded the second-highest crime rate of 94 each, followed by Haryana (88) and Rajasthan (73).

Eight states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura -- registered crimes against women only in three digits, with not even one per cent contribution to the all-India figures, according to the NCRB data. Among Union Territories, Chandigarh registered 453 cases, followed by 132 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 147 in Puducherry, 26 in Daman and Diu, 20 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and only six in Lakshadweep, the data stated. The NCRB, under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for collecting and analysing crime data as defined by the Indian Penal Code and special and local laws in the country.

With agency inputs

For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that Justice Arun Mishra will not recuse from hearing a Constitution bench matter challenging provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice Mishra pronounced the order and said, "I am not recusing from hearing this matter". Various farmers association and individuals have raised objection to Justice Mishra hearing the matter on the grounds that he has already expressed his mind in the judgment pronounced by the apex court in February last year.

The other members of the Constitution bench include Justices Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran, M R Shah and S Ravindra Bhat.

The Constitution bench asked parties in the matter to suggest legal questions which would be adjudicated upon by the court.

The court had on October 16 deprecated the attempts made for recusal of Justice Mishra from the Constitution bench hearing, saying it is nothing but a ploy of "bench hunting" which, if allowed, "would destroy the institution".

The top court had said if request of parties demanding that Justice Mishra be recused is accepted, it would be the "blackest chapter in history" as an "onslaught is going on to tame the judiciary".

"This is nothing but an attempt of bench hunting and you want a person of your liking to be in the bench. If we allow your request and accept your view for recusal of judge, it will be destroying the institution. This is a serious issue and history will judge it that even senior counsel were involved in this attempt," Justice Mishra had told senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for a farmer association.

Divan had contended that a judge must avoid any reasonable apprehension of bias, otherwise there would be erosion of public confidence and their prayer for recusal is nothing but for upholding the integrity of the institution.

He had said their prayer is not remotely concerned with bench hunting and "there are global principles that have to be applied here. We are only drawing attention to it".

During the hearing on October 16, Justice Mishra had observed that the plea seeking his recusal from the bench is "sponsored" and said, "In case, we succumb to these attempts this would be the blackest chapter in the history. These forces are trying to compel the court to act in a particular way. Onslaught is going on to tame this institution. This cannot be the way, must not be the way, and shall not be the way".

Without naming anybody, Justice Mishra had said "these forces which are trying to compel this court to act in a particular way, are forces which are compelling me to continue. Otherwise, I would have recused".

He had said that as a judge, he knows the responsibility to protect this institution for the people and observed, "What is happening in this institution is really shocking".

Divan had referred to various judgements and said that a judge should not be unduly sensitive when recusal is sought, should not take it as a personal affront.

In 2014, another verdict had held however that land acquisition can be quashed on account of the delay in accepting the compensation.

On March 6 last year, the apex court had said that a larger bench would test the correctness of verdicts delivered by these two benches of similar strength on the same issue.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Calicut University 2019 Results have been declared for key courses, i.e. BBA, B.Com., and MA Mass Comm. As per the official notification released by the varsity, BA and B.Com. 1st semester results along-with MA Journalism and Mass Communication (CCSS) 4th Semester results have been declared. All students who appeared for BA, B.Com. and Mass Communication exams can visit the official website, i.e. cupresults.uoc.ac.in to check the results.

It is observed that due to some technical glitch, the official result website is not working properly, and students are unable to check their results. However, students are advised to be patient and keep refreshing the result page from time to time as the official website is likely to function properly soon. In the meantime, students who appeared for the exam and want to check the Calicut university semester result should visit the official website, click on the result link and access the result page.

In order to check the Calicut University BA, B.Com. and MA Mass Comm semester results, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps:

First, visit the official website of Calicut University, i.e. cupbresults.uoc.ac.in

Navigate and click on the B.Com., BBA and MCJ results Link

A new page will open

Candidates need to enter their exam roll number and date of birth as login credentials

The Calicut University 2019 result will be displayed on the screen

Download the Calicut University result in the PDF format

It is to note that candidates need to take a printout of the Calicut University Result for future reference.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee in New Delhi on Tuesday. After the meeting, the Prime Minister took to Twitter and posted the photo of the meeting. Excellent meeting with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee. His passion towards human empowerment is clearly visible. We had a healthy and extensive interaction on various subjects. India is proud of his accomplishments. Wishing him the very best for his future endeavours, the Prime Minister said. After meeting the Prime Minister, Banerjee said that he was privileged to have met him, was a unique experiencehis way of thinking about India is quite unique. Indian-origin Abhijit Banerjee, his wife Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer jointly won the 2019 Nobel prize in economics for their "experimental approach to alleviating global poverty" on October 14. The prestigious award was announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. "The research conducted by this years Laureates has considerably improved our ability to fight global poverty. In just two decades, their new experiment-based approach has transformed development economics, which is now a flourishing field of research, the Nobel committee said in a statement.

Excellent meeting with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee. His passion towards human empowerment is clearly visible. We had a healthy and extensive interaction on various subjects. India is proud of his accomplishments. Wishing him the very best for his future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/SQFTYgXyBX  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 22, 2019

Banerjee, 58 was born in West Bengal. He educated from University of Calcutta and was also an alumni of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He also went to Harvard University, where he received his Ph.D in 1988. According to his profile on the MIT website, Banerjee is currently the Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In 2003, Banerjee had founded the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), along with his student Duflo and Sendhil Mullainathan. Banerjee also served on the UN Secretary-Generals High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. He started dating Duflo and had his first child with her in 2012. He later married to her in 2015.

Recently, Modi governments prominent minister Piyush Goyal had dubbed Banerjee as "Left-leaning", and said as his suggestion of basic income scheme was rejected by Indian voters, there was no need to "accept what he thinks". "If the BJP government, like the Congress party, had asked what were the numbers on the fraction of people under a particular income, would I have not told them the truth? I would have told them exactly, I would have been as willing. In terms of being a professional, I want to be professional with everyone," Banerjee told news channel NDTV. "I am not partisan in my economic thinking," he added.

"We work with any number of state governments, many of which are BJP governments. We worked with the Gujarat pollution board when Gujarat was under Mr (Narendra) Modi and we actually had an excellent experience. I would say that they were willing to engage with the evidence and they implemented policies that followed with that experience," the channel quoted him as saying. Banerjee had previously said that Indian economy is on a shaky ground. The data currently available do not hold any assurance for the country's economic revival anytime soon, he had stated. "In the last five-six years, at least we could witness some growth, but now that assurance is also gone," Banerjee told a news channel from the US.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Indian Army succumbed to his injuries after being fired upon by terrorists who had sneaked into Indian territory taking cover of firing from the Pakistani side in Rajouri, and two civilians were injured in cross-border shelling on villages along the LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.

Giving details of the Rajouri incident, a senior Army officer told PTI that a patrol team saw "suspicious movement" near the forward area along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kalal belt of Nowshera sector and engaged with the terrorists.

In the ensuing gunfight, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries, he said, adding that Pakistani troops also fired at the Indian side in the sector.

The gunfight continued till reports last came in from the area, the officer said.

"Today, a JCO was killed in Nowshera sector," a defence spokesman said in a brief statement following the fresh ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC in Rajouri district.

Earlier in the day, two civilians, including a woman, were injured in heavy Pakistan shelling along the LoC in Poonch district, officials said. Mortar shelling from across the border started around 1.20 pm, prompting strong retaliation from Indian Army, the officials said.

The latest cross-border firing came two days after the Indian Army, in a major counter-offensive in retaliation to Pakistan's unprovoked action, carried out heavy artillery strikes targeting four terror launch pads and several Pakistani military positions in Neelam Valley in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing six to 10 of their soldiers and nearly 20 militants.

The defence spokesman said the shelling in Balakote sector in Poonch ended around 2 pm.

While the injured woman, Gulabo Bano, was shifted to hospital, the other was discharged after first-aid, the officials said.

People in the shelling-hit villages rushed to the safety of their homes and underground bunkers, while the children in some schools falling within the range were escorted to safety by Army and police personnel, the officials said.

On Saturday, Pakistani troops had resorted to firing in Tangdhar sector of Kashmir along the LoC to assist infiltration by militants, in which two Indian Army personnel and a civilian were killed. Three others were injured in the attack.

Two soldiers and a woman were also killed in separate incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan in north Kashmir's Uri sector, Nowshera in Rajouri and Shahpur sector in Poonch district between October 12 and 15.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

On November 1st, the state of Jammu and Kashmir will become history. The clauses of abrogation of Article 370 that trifurcated the state on August 5 will come into effect from next month. With several names doing the round, it looks like Governor Satya Pal Malik will continue to officiate the administration of the new Union Territories, albeit in a new role. According to a report by The Hindustan Times, Malik will look after the new UTs ad Lt Governor. The report says that even though there are several names doing the round for the top job, Malik may continue to work as Lt Governor for some time. He has also reportedly met the leadership in Delhi.

The 73-year-old was appointed as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 2018. At that time, the state saw the tension and subsequent collapse of the coalition government in the state. After bitter war of words, the PDP-BJP alliance tethered away. According to HT report, even though the J&K Reorganisation Act has provision for two Lt Governors, it is very much possible that the Centre may give the responsibility to just one person for both UTs. From November 1st, the police administration will come under the Union Home Ministry.

Meanwhile, Amit Shah-led Union Home ministry on Tuesday announced that government employees of the new Union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh -- will get salaries and other benefits as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission from October 31. The Home Ministry has issued the necessary orders in this regard.

Shah has approved the proposal of payment of all 7th CPC allowances to the government employees of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh, which shall come into existence from October 31, an official statement said. The move will benefit 4.5 Lakh government employees who are working in the existing state of Jammu and Kashmir and will become the employees of UT of Jammu and Kashmir and UT of Ladakh from October 31, it said.

Also Read: 'Hum Andar Jayenge': J-K Governor Satya Pal Malik's Open Warning To Pakistan

On August 5, the central government had announced the abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and its bifurcation into UTs.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The next session of Parliament will be held from November 18 to December 13, sources said, adding that the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has communicated it to the secretariats of both Houses. A number of bills are likely to be taken up during the Winter Session. Further, two crucial ordinances are on the list to be converted into law during the session.

One ordinance reducing the corporate tax rate for new and domestic manufacturing companies to arrest slowdown in the economy and boost growth was issued in September to give effect to amendments in the Income Tax Act, 1961 and Finance Act, 2019. The second ordinance, also issued in September, banned the sale, manufacture and storage of e-cigarettes and similar products.

In the last two years, winter sessions have been convened on November 21 and ended in the first week of January.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Kathmandu, January 12

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development says it is signing an agreement with the Indian government to ensure it will import 150,000 metric tons of fertiliser every year from the southern neighbour.

The ministry says, with the government-to-government (G2G) agreement, the country will find some relief as Nepali farmers face a fertiliser shortage every cultivation season.

An official in the ministry says the agreement will be valid for the next five years. In the fifth year, Nepal will import 200,000 metric tons.

The agreement will mention that Nepal has to import at least 30 per cent of the countrys fertiliser demand from India every year.

The agreement will be signed by the end of January, the official says, Preparations have reached the final stage.

Meanwhile, a study made by the Investment Board Nepal says opening a chemical fertiliser plant without generating natural gas is impossible in Nepal.
Join us in Shipshewana, Indiana for our annual 2022 Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference! Connect, Celebrate, & Cultivate with the Women in Ag community - We are stronger together.

#MidwestWIA2022 #MWIA2022 #WIAStrongerTogether

Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference

February 8-10, 2022

Blue Gate Inn & Conference Center

Shipshewana, IN

Register Here: https://cvent.me/8ZeeE0

Early Bird Registration Ends January 31st

Our keynote speaker is Kacy Atchison. Having lived through one of the worst life events possible, losing her brother, Kacy has become even more passionate about the importance of estate planning, and making sure it is done correctly. As an extension agent, she worked with agricultural operations in encouraging estate planning and helping them get started. But now, she has a powerful story to tell about her familys journey due to losing her brother, and the holes they found in their estate plan. Losing a family member is tragic, but the impacts of a poorly done estate plan can be catastrophic, not just to your family but to your operation. Sharing her story gives others the opportunity to learn from her familys mistakes, and take the steps to protect themselves. Kacy will be sharing lessons learned, advice on how to get started, and things to consider.

Our capnote speaker is Carey Portell. Carey is a professional speaker by circumstance and author of Facing Life Head On. She has inspired thousands to change their perspectives by sharing her triumphs and challenges of her four-year recovery of being a survivor of a drunk driver. Receiving disabling injuries, Carey has become an expert of breaking through limitations. As a speaker, Carey will guide you on a journey of self-growth. Carey's journey is compelling, humbling and she shares it with gut wrenching honesty. Her keynote will focus on using the right attitude, granting grace, and finding the grit to overpower adversity in the agriculture community.

Register today! Register Here: https://cvent.me/8ZeeE0

Thank you to our conference sponsor Indiana Soybean Alliance!

Please follow us on Facebook @Purdue Women in Agriculture https://www.facebook.com/PurdueWIA/

Beth Vansickle

Extension Educator, Ag and Natural Resources

Purdue Extension-Madison County

3424 Mounds Rd

Anderson, Indiana 46017

Email: bvansickle@purdue.edu

Phone: 765-641-9514
The Umbrella House, built in 1953 in Lido Shores by Phil Hiss and designed by Paul Rudolph, is one of the most famous midcentury modern houses in America.

The nearly year-old nonprofit Architecture Sarasota is included in The New York Times annual 52 Places to visit special report, focused this year on places where travelers can be part of the solution.

The editors state that tourism can be a problem in terms of climate change, but travel supports depleted economics in places that depend on tourists dollars and opens the eyes of travelers to cultures and customs different from their own.

By the way: As omicron surges, what's in store for Sarasota-Manatee tourism?

Recognizing history: MOD Weekend salutes a legend of Sarasota architecture and launches a new organization

The 2022 list highlights places where change is actually happening  where endangered wildlands are being preserved, threatened species are being protected, historical wrongs are being acknowledged, fragile communities are being bolstered  and where travelers can be part of the change.

Architecture Sarasota, which was created last year in the merger of the Center for Architecture Sarasota and the Sarasota Architectural Foundation, is included on a list that mentions such global locations as Chioggia, Italy; Queens, New York; Fogo Island in Canada; Slovenia and the Dana Biosphere Reserve in Jordan.

The Times said it was created to protect and promote the most spectacular concentration of modernist buildings east of the Mississippi.

Arts Newsletter: Sign up to receive the latest news on the Sarasota area arts scene every Monday

The list recognizes the efforts of the organization, led by Executive Director Anne-Marie Russell, in navigating the tug of war between developers and preservationists and raising the profile of these modernist buildings is intended to give them greater value in the eyes of locals and attract design tourists.

Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Architecture Sarasota featured in New York Times global 52 Places list
The U.S. Army has awarded Hebron, Ohio based ballistic helmet manufacturer, ArmorSource LLC., a contract to supply 14,000 Advanced Combat Vehicle Crewman Helmets (ACVC-H) at a value of $6M. ArmorSource presented the U.S. Army with a modernized version of the crewman helmet based on its Next Generation ballistic solutions that utilize some of the most advanced Honeywell ballistic composite materials available. The first deliveries of the new ACVC GEN II model are expected to ship in early 2023.

ACVC GEN II

ACVC GEN II

ACVC GEN II

HEBRON, Ohio, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "It is a huge honor to be selected by the U.S. Army to supply our troops with such an innovative product," says Brad Grunden, ArmorSource President. "We are extremely excited for all of the men and women who will soon be equipped with the most advanced combat vehicle crewman helmet technology available in the industry. ArmorSource's ACVC GEN II helmet exceeds the ballistic and fragmentation performance of the legacy ACVC but at a much lighter weight. We believe this product sets a new standard of safety and comfort for these users."

The ACVC GEN II is one of ArmorSource's Next Generation helmet solutions scheduled to be formally introduced to the public at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas on January 18-21, 2022. In addition to the ACVC GEN II, ArmorSource will also present its ACH GEN II 'AS-501-G2', a Next Generation military helmet, and the 'AIRE LE', a Next Generation law enforcement helmet.

To learn more about ArmorSource's Next Generation helmets please click here.

About ArmorSource

Leveraging our state of the art design, R&D, testing and manufacturing facilities, ArmorSource strives to continuously enhance our product's ballistic capabilities while maintaining and improving all aspects of comfort and durability. Our products and manufacturing operation demonstrate the ability to exceed government requirements while providing transparency at every level of manufacturing and program management.

Story continues

To watch a video about the ArmorSource Team and our capabilities please click here.

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(Reuters) - California is evaluating whether Tesla Inc's self-driving tests require regulatory oversight, following "videos showing a dangerous use of that technology" and federal investigations into Tesla vehicle crashes, a state regulator said.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles had said that Teslas full self-driving, or FSD, beta requires human intervention and therefore is not subject to its regulations on autonomous vehicles.

But the agency is "revisiting that decision following recent software updates, videos showing a dangerous use of that technology, open investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the opinions of other experts," the department said in a letter on Friday to Lena Gonzalez, chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee.

The Los Angeles Times first reported the letter.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

The electric car company has been expanding the rollout of what it describes as the "beta" of its advanced driver assistant software, FSD, sparking safety concerns by effectively allowing untrained drivers to test how well the technology works on public roads.

Critics say Tesla was able to avoid state regulatory oversight by telling the Department of Motor Vehicles that its FSD features do not make its cars autonomous.

The department said it has notified Tesla that it "will be initiating further review of the technology of their vehicles, including any expansion of the current programs or features."

"If the capabilities of the features meet the definition of an autonomous vehicle according to California law and regulations, DMV will take steps to make certain that Tesla operates under the appropriate autonomous vehicle permits," the agency said in a statement.

Under the regulation, Tesla would need to report crashes and traffic tickets specific to the FSD, said Phil Koopman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania.

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This would also "trigger a driver background check to ensure (a) good driving record," he said.

Currently, regulations cover companies like Alphabet Inc and General Motors Co, which are testing autonomous vehicle technology on public roads in California.

The FSD allows vehicles to perform some driving tasks such as lane changes, but Tesla says the features "require a fully attentive driver." Still, Tesla markets the technology as "full self-driving" and charges up to $10,000 for the software.

The DMV also said its review of Teslas use of the term full self-driving is continuing.

"The DMV shares the concern held by many other safety stakeholders about the potential for driver inattention, misunderstanding, or misuse as these systems become more prevalent," it said.

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in San Francisco, Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Jonathan Oatis)
Just a decade ago, lawmakers in Congress had few restrictions when it came to trading stocks while they were in office  they could even technically use insider information.

Then-President Barack Obama signed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act in 2012 to finally add some limits by banning lawmakers and their aides from trading based on information obtained in private briefings. It also required public disclosure of trades within 45 days.

But a parade of recent headlines on lawmakers who have made profitable trades after closed-door meetings shows just how porous the system is.

Those headlines may actually spur Congress to pass a new law with more teeth than the STOCK Act.

I think we have a very good, real chance of getting [new] legislation passed, Craig Holman told Yahoo Finance Live this week. He is Public Citizens Capitol Hill lobbyist on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance rules who was closely involved in passage of the original STOCK Act.

We're ready to go a step further  the STOCK Act was good but it isn't enough, Holman says of the prospects for reform in Congress.

'A stock-picking legend'

Scrutiny over lawmakers' trading ramped up in 2020. That year, high-profile lawmakers Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and Richard Burr (R-NC) sat in a closed door briefing on the emerging threat of COVID-19 and then allegedly used that information to sell stocks before the wider public knew of the virus' dangers and the market tumbled, as The New York Times reported.

Republican U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler speaks at the GA GOP election night event for the run-off election for Georgias two Senate seats in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., January 6, 2021. She was accused of trading stocks with insider knowledge. REUTERS/Brian Snyder TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Loeffler lost her seat to a Democrat, Rev. Raphael Warnock. Burr, one of three no votes on the original STOCK Act, remains in the Senate after the Justice Department ended its inquiry into his trades without charges.

More recently, an investigation by Insider found 54 members of Congress have violated the transparency provisions in the STOCK Act by failing to properly report their trades.

The transgressions have gotten so brazen that popular sites now track lawmaker trades for tips. Social stock market app Iris says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "has quickly become a stock picking legend, though it's actually her husband who is the one trading stocks.

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Before Congress, three flavors of reform

The most aggressive idea to combat the problem, reportedly set to be unveiled this week, comes from Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), who wants to bar members of Congress and their immediate families from any trading while in office. A related idea comes from Representative Abigail Spanberger who wants to require all members of Congress  as well as their spouses and dependent children  to put certain investment assets into a qualified blind trust while they're in office.

There is no reason members of Congress should hold and trade individual stock when we write major policy and have access to sensitive information.



There are many ways members can invest w/o creating actual or appeared conflict of interest,like thrift savings plans or index funds https://t.co/VK4Pgx8AgI  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 18, 2021

A slightly less aggressive approach comes from Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), who are heading up a bill called the Ban Conflicted Trading Act, which would bar members of Congress and senior staff from trading. Their immediate families could still trade.

Meanwhile, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is pushing a bill dubbed STOCK Act 2.0, which doesnt ban trading but strengthens transparency provisions. One provision would require officials to disclose any time they or a family member receive a benefit of value from the federal government like, say, an SBA loan for their business.

In another Yahoo Finance appearance Monday, Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) offered his support and hopes that some version would pass.

I don't know that people need to get rid of all their stocks when they get in public office, he said. But they certainly shouldn't be trading them once they get in public office so what you came in with is what you're going out with.

But he added we need to do more and promised to consider all three options.

Another development this week is that, according to Punchbowl News, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is considering an outright ban on lawmakers holding and trading stocks if Republicans take control of the lower chamber later this year.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) during her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

One roadblock for this year could be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She has spoken out about barring individual stock trades and reports show her husband is a regular trader.

"We are a free-market economy, she said during a press conference in December, adding that lawmakers should be able to participate in that."

For his part, Holman says he was disappointed by Pelosi's remarks. I'm hoping she will change her tune as we go along because, quite frankly," he added, "this legislation just to ban stock trading activity, it's going to happen, with or without her.

Ben Werschkul is a writer and producer for Yahoo Finance in Washington, DC.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit.
FORT WORTH, Texas, January 12, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FTS International, Inc. (NYSE American: FTSI) ("FTSI") today announced that its special meeting of FTSI stockholders (the "Special Meeting") has been set for March 3, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The close of business on January 21, 2022 has been set as the record date for the determination of shareholders eligible to receive a proxy and vote at the Special Meeting. The Special Meeting will be held in order for FTSI shareholders to consider and vote on the previously announced merger transaction (the "Merger") with ProFrac Holdings, LLC, a Texas limited liability company ("ProFrac") and certain related matters. The special meeting will be a "virtual meeting" of shareholders, meaning that shareholders may participate solely "by means of remote communications."

On October 22, 2021, FTSI announced a definitive agreement (the "Merger Agreement") for a business combination with ProFrac and ProFrac Acquisitions, Inc., a Delaware limited liability company, and a wholly owned subsidiary of ProFrac that would result in FTSI becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of ProFrac.

The completion of the Merger remains subject to customary closing conditions, including the adoption of the Merger Agreement by FTSIs stockholders (and, unless FTSI has waived such condition, the adoption of the Merger Agreement by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of FTSI other than those held by ProFrac and its affiliates).

About FTS International, Inc.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, FTS International is a pure-play hydraulic fracturing service company with operations across multiple basins in the United States.

To learn more, visit www.FTSI.com.

Important Information For Investors And Stockholders

This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. This communication relates to a proposed transaction between FTSI and ProFrac. In connection with this proposed transaction, FTSI has filed a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the definitive version of which will be mailed or otherwise disseminated to FTSIs stockholders when it becomes available. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement or other document FTSI may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF FTSI ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents (if and when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by FTSI through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by FTSI will be available free of charge on FTSIs internet website at https://www.ftsi.com/investor-relations/sec-filings/default.aspx or by contacting FTSIs primary investor relations contact by email at investors@ftsi.com or by phone at 817-862-2000.

Story continues

Participants in Solicitation

FTSI, ProFrac, their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of FTSI is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on March 5, 2021, its Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2021, certain of its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and certain of its Current Reports filed on Form 8-K.

These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about FTSIs ability to consummate the proposed transaction, the expected benefits of the proposed transaction and the expected impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on FTSI's businesses may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are intended to provide managements current expectations for the future of FTSI based on current expectations and assumptions relating to FTSIs business, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified through the use of words such as "believes," "anticipates," "may," "should," "will," "plans," "projects," "expects," "expectations," "estimates," "forecasts," "predicts," "targets," "prospects," "strategy," "signs," and other words of similar meaning in connection with the discussion of future performance, plans, actions or events. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others: the failure to obtain the required vote of FTSIs stockholders, the timing to consummate the proposed transaction, the risk that a condition of closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied or that the closing of the proposed transaction might otherwise not occur, the risk that a regulatory approval that may be required for the proposed transaction is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated, the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the common stock of FTSI, the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of FTSI to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its suppliers and customers, economic or political changes that affect the markets that FTSIs businesses serve which could have an effect on demand for FTSIs products and impact FTSIs profitability, disruptions in the credit and financial markets, including diminished liquidity and credit availability, disruptions in FTSI's businesses from the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), cyber-security vulnerabilities, supply issues, retention of key employees, and outcomes of legal proceedings, claims and investigations, future changes, results of operations, domestic spending by the onshore oil and natural gas industry, continued volatility or future volatility in oil and natural gas prices, deterioration in general economic conditions or a continued weakening or future weakening of the broader energy industry, federal, state and local regulation of hydraulic fracturing and other oilfield service activities, as well as exploration and production activities, including public pressure on governmental bodies and regulatory agencies to regulate our industry, and the price and availability of alternative fuels, equipment and energy sources. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. Investors, therefore, are cautioned against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in FTSIs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks and uncertainties identified in Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors of FTSIs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication, and FTSI does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement made in this communication or that may from time to time be made by or on behalf of FTSI.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005974/en/

Contacts

FTSI

Lance Turner

Chief Financial Officer, FTSI

817-862-2000

Investors@FTSI.com
Economic Developers Council of Ontario and Canadian Urban Institute's My Main Street program supports over 100 placemaking projects and 65 main street communities

OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 12, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), celebrated the first recipients of the My Main Street program at a virtual event hosted by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) and the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI).

Minister Jaczek highlighted the importance of supporting our main streets and neighbourhoods, and the vital role they have in keeping the economy strong while reiterating the Government of Canada's ongoing commitment to supporting our communities, local businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Minister recognized the recipients of the first round of this support, including 106 placemaking projects through the Community Activator stream. This program was designed to renew the connection between people and commercial spaces in their neighbourhoods by supporting activities, events, and local improvements that will encourage the return of foot traffic to neighbourhoods, when it is safe to do so.

Additionally, support for the 65 main street communities taking part in the Local Business Accelerator program was announced. Through the program, main street communities wil receive support through the hiring of a local Main Street Ambassador, customized market research, data analysis and direct business support. Resources provided through both streams can also be used to prioritize equity-seeking groups. A list of all of the successful Community Activator projects and Local Busines Accelerator communities can be found at mymainstreet.ca/news.

Announced in August 2021, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, provided EDCO and CUI with a $23.25-million investment to support almost 5,000 businesses and nearly 4,500 jobs across southern Ontario over the next two years.

Story continues

Quotes

"The My Main Street program is supporting southern Ontario's main street businesses, communities and entrepreneurs by boosting the connection between people and their communities by providing vital resources to help improve business practices and storefronts. Our main streets are at the heart of our communities, and protecting jobs and helping local businesses recover will ensure our economy thrives."

- The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Agency for Southern Ontario

"The projects supported by this first round of My Main Street demonstrate how communities are creatively working to bring people togethersafely, following all the protocols, with local businesses. They are reminding us of how remarkable our local places and spaces can be accessible to everyone, especially now."

- Mary W. Rowe, President and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute

"Main streets that combine placemaking and a diverse business balance, result in successful local economies. This project enables communities to ensure that both are possible. Thanks to the support of the Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario, communities in southern Ontario will have the resources to establish a strong foundation moving forward."

- Heather Lalonde, CEO, Economic Developers Council of Ontario

Quick Facts

A partnership between EDCO and CUI, My Main Street provides resources and support to help businesses and communities revitalize main streets.

Applications for Year Two for the My Main Street Community Activator program are currently being accepted until February 1, 2022. Interested municipalities, business improvement areas and community organizations located within southern Ontario (excluding Toronto), are encouraged to learn more and apply at www.mymainstreet.ca.

EDCO provides leadership to enhance the professional development of its members; advance economic development as a profession and support municipalities in fostering economic prosperity in the province of Ontario.

CUI works with city building professionals to create programs and initiatives, research and develop policies to promote best practices in urban development.

The Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, also supported main street recovery through investments including $19 million for the City of Toronto's Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative and ShowLoveTO, and in the Digital Main Street platform, which helped businesses pivot brick-and-mortar operations to the digital marketplace, resulting in access to training and employment opportunities for students, increased online offerings and revenue growth.

Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has provided over $1.8 billion to support nearly 2,500 projects, maintaining over 97,000 jobs and creating over 40,000 jobs in southern Ontario.

Associated Links

Government of Canada supports revitalization of main streets and neighbourhoods across southern Ontario

My Main Street

FedDev Ontario

Economic Developers Council of Ontario

Canadian Urban Institute

Stay connected

Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca

Subscribe to our Southern Ontario Spotlight monthly newsletter and follow us on Twitter , Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for more information on how we are growing businesses, cultivating partnerships and building strong communities in southern Ontario.

SOURCE Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Cision

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2022/12/c6906.html
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyzon Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: HYZN), a leading supplier of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles, today announced the delivery of 87 fuel cell powered heavy-duty vehicles in 2021 under commercial sales agreements. These deliveries do not include any trial leases.

The 2021 shipments exceeded the forecast of 85 fuel cell vehicle deliveries set by the Company in February 2021, prior to the deteriorating global supply chain seriously impacting the production plans of zero-emission and traditional vehicle suppliers alike.

The Company anticipates the 2021 financial results will reflect both lower average selling price per vehicle due to product mix and multi-year revenue recognition for the majority of sales, which will result in materially lower than forecast revenues and margins. As highlighted during Hyzon's third quarter earnings call, the Company proactively shifted its deployment focus to Asia where average selling prices are approximately half of other regions. Global supply chain disruptions rocked many industries and sectors, with European and North American vehicle assembly particularly hard hit.

The Hyzon vehicles delivered were heavy duty fuel cell truck models ranging in weight from 18 to 49 metric tonnes deployed for a variety of use cases. These applications include refuse collection with a leading European supplier of refuse collection vehicles, sewer cleaning with European municipalities, and heavy-duty use cases such as steel coil haulage with the largest steel company in the world. Additionally, the 8 dump trucks that were deployed under trial leases in Foshan, a UN Hydrogen Demonstration City in China, are not included in the 87 vehicle deliveries.

"Thank you to all of our customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and supporters who helped us battle the global supply chain headwinds and better the expectations for 2021 deliveries. Each truck Hyzon supplies around the world is another step towards decarbonizing commercial mobility," said Hyzon CEO and Co-Founder Craig Knight. As Hyzon completes compliance and homologation requirements for vehicles in North America and Australasia, government support for hydrogen steadily grows, and commercial understanding of fuel cell electric vehicles' unique suitability for heavy transport increases. Hyzon aims to make 2022 a watershed year for hydrogen in heavy mobility."

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Hyzon expects to report company revenue, EBITDA, net income, and cash flow results along with other operational metrics when the company announces its Q4 and full-year 2021 results.

About Hyzon

Hyzon is a global leader in fuel cell electric mobility, with US operations in the Rochester, Chicago and Detroit areas, and international operations in the Netherlands, China, Singapore, Australia, and Germany. Hyzon is an energy transition accelerator and technology innovator, providing end-to-end solutions primarily for the commercial mobility sector with a focus on the commercial vehicle market and hydrogen supply infrastructure. Utilizing its proven and proprietary hydrogen fuel cell technology, Hyzon aims to supply zero-emission heavy duty trucks and buses to customers in North America, Europe and around the world to mitigate emissions from diesel transportation, which is one of the single largest sources of carbon emissions globally. The Company is contributing to the escalating adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles through its demonstrated technology advantage, leading fuel cell performance and history of rapid innovation. Visit www.hyzonmotors.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "could," "should," "will," "may," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "project," the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements, including statements regarding expected revenues and gross margin for the 2021 fiscal year and expectations for the 2022 fiscal year, are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Hyzon disclaims any duty to update any forward -looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Hyzon cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Hyzon, including risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of Hyzon's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on June 21, 2021, our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on July 30, 2021, and other documents filed by Hyzon from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, such as risks related to (i) the ability to convert non-binding memoranda of understanding into binding orders or sales (including because of the current or prospective financial resources of the counterparties to Hyzon's non-binding memoranda of understanding and letters of intent), (ii) the ability of counterparties to make payments to Hyzon with respect to their binding orders, (iii) the ability to identify additional potential customers and convert them to paying customers or (iv) disruptions to the global supply chain, including our third party suppliers and assemblers. Hyzon gives no assurance that Hyzon will achieve its expectations.

For investors:

Darla Rivera

Hyzon Motors Inc

IR@hyzonmotors.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyzon-motors-provides-update-on-2021-deliveries-and-financial-expectations-301459101.html

SOURCE Hyzon
A year after insurrectionist riots at the U.S. Capitol, a fourth Delawarean has been charged by federal authorities.

Nicholas Lattanzi of Millsboro was arrested on Tuesday and charged with four crimes associated with trespassing and disorderly conduct inside the U.S. Capitol.

According to charging documents, an FBI agent in the Baltimore field office, which covers Delaware, had been watching Lattanzi in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 6.

FBI Task Force Officer Patrick Ramone wrote in court documents that in December 2020, weeks before the insurrection, the University of Delaware Police Department referred him to a TikTok post by Lattanzi, who court documents describe as a former University of Delaware student.

In the post, Lattanzi is wearing a camouflage jacket with the caption: New jacket who wants to commit war crimes in Bosnia with me?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Read the FBI affidavit associated with the charges below

Ramone wrote that after becoming aware of the post, he monitored the public page where Lattanzi posted under the username @benshapiro.v2.

On the morning of Jan. 6, images of a road were posted by the account with the caption DC Bound. Later, it featured a selfie of Lattanzi wearing a brown cowboy hat with a gold Burger King paper crown atop it and him wearing a flag around his shoulders like a cape. The post states, Met up with the BOOOOYYYYYSSSS, tagging other TikTok users.

Those other users later posted images depicting men that include a man resembling Lattanzi near the U.S. Capitol, Ramone wrote.

Nicholas Lattanzi, of Millsboro, pictured on his TikTok account at the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Four months later, federal authorities interviewed Lattanzi at his home in Millsboro.

Ramone showed the TikTok posts to Lattanzi, who confirmed that he is in the photographs and they were taken in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6. He did say that he didnt know the other TikTok users in the offline world. He also told Ramone he had given up his @benshapiro.v2 TikTok account for Lent.

He told the FBI agent he went to Washington to support my president, that the U.S. Capitol building was targeted because we were betrayed by the people who represent us and that the rally turned violent because of (former Vice President) Mike Pence and Republicans turning on us.

Story continues

DEFAMATION LAWSUIT: Dominion Voting sues Fox for $1.6 billion in Delaware over false 2020 election fraud claims

He told Ramone he did not receive any guidance or direction from others to participate in the insurrection, that he was not affiliated with any group that attended, and that he did not enter the U.S. Capitol building.

The next day, Ramone was contacted by a person who claimed to represent Lattanzi, stating that he wished to amend Lattanzi's statements. Two weeks later, Lattanzi sat back down with federal authorities in Dover.

In this interview, Lattanzi said he entered the U.S. Capitol through a door that had already been broken, that he did not see any no trespassing signs, that he did not steal or participate in any vandalism, that he had no physical contact with police and that he exited the building when ordered by police.

He also showed the officer pictures from inside the U.S. Capitol that he had on his phone.

The FBI agent wrote that surveillance video from inside the building shows Lattanzi entering through a broken door and exiting the building five minutes later.

The agent also interviewed an unidentified person that Lattanzi said he stayed with the night before the insurrection and returned to the night after.

Nicholas Lattanzi, of Millsboro, pictured on his TikTok account at the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

That person said that Lattanzi returned that night and greeted him with a hug and that the person could smell pepper spray on Lattanzi and that his eyes burned after the hug.

The person also said Lattanzi told him that he entered the building, didnt go far, that he was hit by batons, pushed by shields and sprayed with pepper spray upon exiting the building. Lattanzi told the person that blood on his flag was from someone else and did not say anything about assaulting or fighting police, according to the FBI interview notes in court documents.

Lattanzi was ultimately booked on charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in the Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, charges that carry the potential for prison time.

No attorney representing Lattanzi was listed in court documents as of Wednesday.

Lattanzi joins three other Delawareans waiting for the resolution of their charges associated with the Jan. 6 insurrection. Five people died in or shortly after the attack on the U.S. Capitol, including a police officer. Two other officers killed themselves afterward and dozens of police officers were injured that day. Hundreds of people have been charged with federal offenses.

Anthony Antonio, a Delaware native who now works out of state, has pleaded not guilty to multiple crimes associated with the insurrection.

An affidavit signed by an FBI agent seeking charges against Antonio states that the Delaware native climbed scaffolding outside the Capitol, briefly entered the building through a broken window, poured water toward an officer being dragged down steps by rioters, got hold of a riot shield and gas mask and made threatening statements toward officers.

ANTONIO SPEAKS: 'Foxitis': Attorney seeks to explain motive for local man joining Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol in

In public statements following his arrest, Antonio said he went to Washington motivated by false news coverage on networks like Fox News and Newsmax peddling Republican lies that the election had been stolen. He said when violence began to grow around him on the steps of the Capitol, he sought to tamp it down, causing the crowd to turn on him.

Hunter and Kevin Seefried, a father and son from Laurel, are also charged with crimes associated with trespassing on U.S. Capitol grounds. Kevin Seefried, the father, was famously photographed parading a Confederate flag in the building. Both have pleaded not guilty to federal charges.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on Twitter.

Lattanzi Charges by Xerxes Wilson on Scribd

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Millsboro man becomes fourth Delawarean charged in Jan. 6 insurrection
- Documents NRx's development of a potentially lifesaving drug for treatment of Covid-19 despite Relief's breach and repudiation of the collaboration agreement

- Details Relief's false claims of worldwide rights to Aviptadil and to ongoing phase 3 research, misleading NRx and the public

- Identifies Raghuram Selvaraju's history of collaborating with Relief principals and associates on prior matters that have led to sanctions, fines, and incarceration

- Documents Relief's attempt to extort NRx into using Relief's ineffective and potentially harmful formulation of Aviptadil

- Debunks the libelous claim that NRx caused harm to patients in Europe by withholding patient data

RADNOR, Pa., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NRx Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: NRXP) filed a lawsuit on Monday against Relief Therapeutics (SIX: RLF, OTCQB: RLFTF, RLFTY), its former collaboration partner, in New York State Supreme Court. https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/fbem/DocumentDisplayServlet?documentId=Kq2Z2hThuv/7j5mV5Q4PYw==&system=prod The counterclaim details Relief's breach and repudiation of the collaboration agreement, highlights the false nature of Relief's claims to have worldwide rights to Aviptadil, to have engaged in phase 3 research using Aviptadil, and to having any human grade drug available to treat patients. The lawsuit details a past pattern of collusion by Raghuram Selvaraju and members of Relief's management and associates in matters that have led to criminal investigations, sanctions, fines, and in one case incarceration. NRx seeks $185 million in reliance damages as well further punitive damages associated with the libelous and extortionate behavior.

NRx regrets Relief's decision to delay the scheduled December mediation to late February and looks forward to resolving this dispute with Relief as soon as possible. Notwithstanding, NRx advised Relief today that the collaboration agreement is no longer in effect, given Relief's breach and repudiation of the agreement. NRx advised Relief's leadership to cease misrepresenting itself as NRx's collaboration partner in communications such as those offered at this week's H.C Wainwright BioConnect Virtual Healthcare Conference and in recent filings before the US Securities and Exchange Commission. NRx believes that it is the shareholders of Relief and the patients in Europe who need access to this medicine who are the primary victims of Relief's claims to have a drug (which they call RLF-100) to offer patients. From NRx's perspective, the chief priority should be saving lives in the middle of a public health emergency.

"Now that our counterclaim is filed, we hope to get back to the business of saving lives. The phase 3 trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health has enrolled more than two-thirds of its participants and is now starting its international phase. We have just submitted data to the FDA documenting that patients treated with ZYESAMI (Aviptadil) after failing to recover on remdesivir have a 3-fold increased odds of recovery from the ICU, compared to those treated with placebo and a 4-fold increased odds of surviving to day 60," said Prof Jonathan Javitt, MD, MPH, Chairman and CEO of NRx. "Just last weekend, we were involved in airlifting our medication under the Federal Right to Try Act to the bedside of a patient in Washington, D.C. who is turning the corner as we speak. Last week, Dr. Jacobo Elgozy published his first-person experience of a last-minute recovery in a Miami Newspaper. https://miamicourant.com/stories/617928153-op-ed-the-emergency-use-law-should-be-used-for-emergencies-like-now Also last week, we received a report from a small hospital in Texas where 17 of 19 patients treated with our drug under the Right to Try program survived and returned to their families.

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It's this mission on saving lives that keeps us going 24/7 and drives us as a company. We continue to pursue regulatory clearance to distribute ZYESAMI under Right to Try laws. We look forward to restarting enrollment next month for our breakthrough drug, NRX-101, for suicidal bipolar depression, particularly since suicide rates have doubled with the stress of the public health emergency. As we shared earlier this week, we look forward to starting a trial of the BriLife vaccine as a booster injection to prevent some of the variants that have circumvented the mRNA vaccines."

NRx regrets the necessity of terminating the collaboration agreement and answering our former collaboration partner in court in order to expose the true nature of its management's actions. Relief callously breached its contract obligations by failing to fund the research and clinical trials as obligated. Relief has continued to mislead the public and shareholders by claiming, via Mr. Jack Weinstein's presentation at this week's H.C. Wainwright BioConnect Virtual Healthcare Conference, ownership over NRx's expanded access programs, participation in the NIH clinical trials, and development of commercial scale manufacturing and distribution programs undertaken solely by NRx that Relief refused to fund and in which Relief did not participate.

The myriad of facts in the counterclaim paint a picture of Relief's management refusing to fulfill its commitments under the collaboration agreement, the main purpose of which was to develop and trial a potentially lifesaving treatment for Covid-19. This behavior is not only a contractual breach but is shameful. The counterclaim spells this out in great detail. The unique circumstances of this case underscore why we chose to be represented by a former United States Federal prosecutor and an attorney who has been effective in prosecuting malicious foreign enterprises.

While we at NRx are confident that we will prevail against our former collaboration partner, we are deeply offended by the baseless and libelous accusation of Relief's management that we somehow harmed patients in Europe by withholding clinical data required for its regulatory submission. The simple fact is that Relief never manufactured a drug to distribute to patients and attacked us in order to obscure that deception. The written record shows that we offered Relief our full cooperation despite its breach of contract and even offered to manufacture ZYESAMI to European standards for Relief, only to be rebuffed and ultimately sued. Certainly, nobody has benefited from this behavior on the part of our former collaboration partner, least of all patients in Europe and the United Kingdom.

NRx has now manufactured ZYESAMI according to the Good Manufacturing Practices required by the European Union and the United Kingdom and has retained regulatory counsel in both jurisdictions to make actual drug product immediately pending regulatory approval. Dr. Francis Collins, formerly of the National Institutes for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) recently identified ZYESAMI as one of the few drugs still under study for the very sickest patients with COVID-19, those in the ICU on ventilators. We have recently reported to the FDA an observed 10-fold increase in odds of survival among patients who remain at risk of death despite treatment with remdesivir and other approved therapies.

We are similarly horrified that Relief's management attempted to coerce NRx into using Relief's patented formulation of aviptadil in critically-ill patients despite Relief's knowledge that the formulation was ineffective because the peptide aggregates and becomes denatured (much like frying an egg). Even though Relief knew its formulation had failed in clinical trials more than 10 years ago, Dr. Selvaraju demanded that NRx use this formulation in order to maintain the charade that Relief had worldwide patent rights. Relief's complaint that began this litigation alleges that we somehow harmed Relief by refusing to use this ineffective formulation, despite repeated written warnings to both NRx and Relief from Relief's former Chief Medical Officer and the inventor on their patent.

We are confident that the New York State Supreme Court will mete out the penalty merited by this offensive behavior. In fact, we believe Relief's conduct is so egregious as to warrant the imposition of punitive damages. Under the law, punitive damages may be awarded when reprehensible and malicious conduct is directed not only at the plaintiff but at the public. NRx intends to donate any punitive damages awarded by the Court to assist COVID survivors, as they are the true victims of Relief's actions.

About NRx Pharmaceuticals

NRx Pharmaceuticals (NRx) draws upon more than 300 years of collective, scientific, and drug-development experience to bring improved health to patients. The Company is developing the BriLife Covid vaccine, developed by the Israel Institute for Biological Research, under an exclusive license from the Israel Ministry of Defense. NRx is additionally developing ZYESAMI (aviptadil) for patients with COVID-19 and has been granted Fast Track designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is currently undergoing phase 3 trials funded by the US National Institutes of Health, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services, and the Medical Countermeasures program, part of the US Department of Defense. The FDA has additionally granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation, a Special Protocol Agreement, and a Biomarker Letter of Support to NRx for NRX-101, an investigational medicine to treat suicidal bipolar depression. NRX-101 is currently in Phase 3 trials, with readouts expected in 2022.

NRx is led by executives who have held senior roles at Allergan, J&J, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, and the US FDA. NRx is chaired by Prof Jonathan Javitt, MD, MPH, who has held leadership roles in six biotechnology startup companies with public exits and been appointed to advisory roles in four US Presidential Administrations. The NRx board includes Dr. Sherry Glied, former US Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), Daniel E. Troy, JD, former Chief Counsel of the US FDA, Chaim Hurvitz, former director of Teva and President of the Teva International Group, and General H.R. McMaster, Ph.D. (US Army, Ret.) the 26th United States National Security Advisor.

About ZYESAMI (aviptadil)

Aviptadil is a synthetic form of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) first discovered by the late Prof. Sami Said in 1970, and ZYESAMI is named in his honor. Although primarily concentrated in the lung, it was first purified from the intestinal tract. VIP binds specifically to the alveolar type II cell (ATII) in the air sac (alveolus) of the lung, where it has been shown have potent anti-inflammatory/anti-cytokine activity in animal models of respiratory distress, acute lung injury, and inflammation. Most importantly, VIP stimulates ATII cells to make the surfactant that must coat the lining of the lungs in order for them to exchange oxygen with the blood. Loss of surfactant causes respiratory failure and alveolar collapse, which are hallmarks of COVID-19.

COVID-19-related respiratory failure is caused by selective infection of the ATII cell by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The ATII cells are vulnerable because of their (ACE2) surface receptors, which serve as the route of entry for the virus. Coronavirus infection of the ATII cell shuts down surfactant production, triggers the formation of inflammatory cytokines, and causes cell death (cytopathy). VIP is shown to upregulate surfactant production, block Coronavirus replication in the ATII cell, block cytokine synthesis, and prevent viral-induced cell death (cytopathy). Other than ZYESAMI, no currently proposed treatments for COVID-19 specifically target this mechanism of action.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement of NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our financial outlook, product development, business prospects, and market and industry trends and conditions, as well as the company's strategies, plans, objectives, and goals. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections of, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the company's management.

The company assumes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Accordingly, you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement, and all forward-looking statements are herein qualified by reference to the cautionary statements set forth above.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Whit Clay

Sloane & Company

wclay@sloanepr.com

917-601-6012

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:

LifeSci Advisors

egoldstein@lifesciadvisors.com

Cision

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SOURCE NRx Pharmaceuticals
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /CNW/ -- Omnicom Media Group, the media services division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) has named Guy Marks CEO of Omnicom Media Group EMEA. In his new role, Marks, previously leader of OMD EMEA, will oversee strategy, operations and the development and adoption of transformative capabilities to support Omnicom Media Group (OMG) agencies - including OMD, PHD, Hearts & Science, and its Annalect data and analytics division - across EMEA.

Guy Marks

Marks succeeds Mike Cooper, who is appointed Vice-Chairman, Omnicom Group Europe, reporting to Omnicom President and COO Daryl Simm.

Cooper's new role follows 25 years as a founding executive of OMG where his leadership roles included CEO of PHD WW and CEO of both EMEA and APAC, where he led the original formation of OMD. In his new role as Vice-Chairman Europe, he will support Omnicom's international client strategy. In addition, he will be actively involved in Omnicom University, Omnicom's renowned Talent Development Program working with Karen Van Bergen, Dean of Omnicom University.

In terms of Guy Mark's new role, Omnicom Media Group global CEO Florian Adamski has defined OMG's mission: to live in service of our markets by enabling transformational product and client service. For the OMG Regional leaders, that means creating and deploying product that equips our agencies to quickly identify, adapt and be responsive in real time to the challenges of a dramatically changing consumer marketplace.

This is a mission for which Marks, whose career began in the digital, mobile and AdTech worlds, is uniquely qualified. Marks joined OMG in 2014 following Omnicom's acquisition of a UX, design and tech consultancy service that he co-founded. Named CEO of OMD EMEA in 2018, his entrepreneurial approach to reinvigorating OMD in the EMEA region propelled it to the top of the global new business leaderboards. As he steps into his new role, Marks leaves OMD EMEA as the clear leader in the region by multiple measures, including EMEA's best performing media network, as per RECMA.

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"Guy has proven time and again that he knows how to build the teams, capabilities, tools and products that elevate the agency/client relationship from transactional to transformational," says Adamski. "Together with his fellow regional OMG CEOs across the globe - Scott Hagedorn in North America, Tony Harradine in APAC, and Julian Porras in LATAM - he will make Omnicom Media Group more agile in bringing best of breed skills, knowledge and technology to our agencies and clients."

Commenting on his new role, Marks says, "My career to date  whether in the start-up space or as part of the world's biggest media agency  can be summed up in one word: collaboration. Whether you're 10 people around a kitchen table, or 10,000 people around the EMEA region, collaboration elevates our thinking and accelerates the pace of change. As the CEO of Omnicom Media Group EMEA, my priority will be assuring our agencies have the talent, technology and behaviours required to drive collaboration, fuel innovation and deliver better outcomes for our clients."

Marks, whose appointment is effective immediately, will be headquartered in London, reporting to Adamski. His successor as leader of OMD EMEA is expected to be named in the coming weeks.

About Omnicom Media Group

Omnicom Media Group (OMG) is the media services division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), a leading global marketing and corporate communications company, providing services to more than 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries. Omnicom Media Group includes full-service media agencies OMD, PHD and Hearts & Science as well as the Annalect data and analytics division that developed and manages Omni, the open architecture operating system underpinning all Omnicom agencies.

Cision

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SOURCE OMD

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2022/12/c4836.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Nextech AR, Trillion Energy, and Galleon Gold discussing their latest press releases.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Nextech AR (CSE:NTAR) (OTCQB:NEXCF) signs deal with multinational e-commerce brand

Nextech AR has announced the closing of a large ARitize 3D deal with a multinational e-commerce brand. The deal will provide the company with a growing base of MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) and showcase the accelerating demand of Nextech's state-of-the-art ARitize 3D factory powered by AI and ML. Nextech AR CEO Evan Gappelberg sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss the deal.

For the full interview with Evan Gappelberg and to learn more about Nextech AR's new deal, click here.

Trillion Energy (CSE:TCF) (OTC:TCFF) comments on natural gas price increases

Trillion Energy (TCF) has received a price increase for sale of natural gas to approximately US$13.07/mcf effective January 2022. The recent high gas prices illustrate the high value and strategic focus of the SASB natural gas redevelopment to Trillion. The company is negotiating an MOU for drilling to commence at the SASB natural gas field later this year. Art Halleran, CEO of Trillion Energy sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss the company's plans for 2022.

For the full interview with Art Halleran and to learn more about Trillion Energy's recent news, click here.

Galleon Gold (TSXV:GGO) delivers PEA for West Cache

Galleon (GGO) has issued a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its West Cache Gold Project. The assessment of the Timmins-based property also includes an updated mineral resource estimate in accordance with NI 43-101. The company is planning extensive drilling to capitalize on West Cache's technical and financial merits. CEO David Russell sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss the project's specifications.

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For the full interview with David Russell and to learn more about Galleon Gold's economic assessment, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website ( themarketherald.ca ) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

CONTACT:

The Market Herald

Brianna Anthony

brianna.anthony@themarketherald.ca

themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/683259/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-Interviews-with-Nextech-AR-Trillion-Energy-and-Galleon-Gold




Historically the Property Yielded 341,000 oz Gold Averaging 22 g/t Au with 771,700 oz Coming from the Immediate Area

Fig 1 & Fig 2

Fig 1  Golden Bar Prospect Drill core section showing massive sulphide mineralization from the quartz. To be submitted for assay very shortly. Fig 2  Drill rig with unnamed adit at Golden Bar Prospect in background

Fig 1  Golden Bar Prospect Drill core section showing massive sulphide mineralization from the quartz. To be submitted for assay very shortly. Fig 2  Drill rig with unnamed adit at Golden Bar Prospect in background

Fig 3

Map of A.I.S. Resources EL006194 and surrounding area

Map of A.I.S. Resources EL006194 and surrounding area

Fig 4

Rose, Thistle & Shamrock Gold Mine

Rose, Thistle & Shamrock Gold Mine

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A.I.S. Resources Limited (TSXV: AIS, OTCQB: AISSF) (the Company or AIS) announces it has acquired a 60% interest (with an option to acquire 100%) in the exploration licence EL006194 from Clarus Resources Pty Ltd. The EL006194 contains more than 250 historical gold mines, reefs (quartz veins) and gold occurrences dating back to the 1890s. Historically the EL006194 yielded 341,000 oz gold at grades ranging between 7-991 2g/t, averaging 22 g/t Au.



The Bright Gold Project and surrounds comprises many major historical workings and recorded production of over 730,0003 oz from both alluvial and rock mining. The largest producers on the Project were the Rose, Thistle and Shamrock mine @ 22.2g/t Au for 140,000 oz and the Oriental Mine @ 28g/t for 6,194 oz. The Bright Project is in a premium location and only 6km from E79s Happy Valley Project.

Phil Thomas, CEO commented, This is a major acquisition for AIS Resources, and a potential game changer as it provides us with numerous well-defined targets and the ability to use modern exploration techniques. Very little systematic exploration has been applied in this area, which historically had limited drilling below 60 metres. A maiden drilling program commenced late last year at the Golden Bar Prospect with two drill holes completed to 104 and 119 metres. The core will be submitted for assay very shortly.

Fig 1  Golden Bar Prospect Drill core section showing massive sulphide mineralization from the quartz. To be submitted for assay very shortly. Fig 2  Drill rig with unnamed adit at Golden Bar Prospect in background

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6f2a5890-6a1b-4953-bd12-89f8aa6ac29a

Story continues

Fig 3  Map of A.I.S. Resources EL006194 and surrounding area

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1bd2ba2b-4185-4b6b-ae43-066448bf03b5

The terms of the acquisition were AUD$150,000 cash and the issuance of 10 million shares at CAD$0.06 per share for a 60% equity interest. The Company has the option to acquire 100% by exercising two 20% options at a pre-determined cost based on the indicated and measured gold mineral resources defined. Full details of the acquisition will be set out in a separate release. AIS also announces that Stewart Govett, the Principal of the Vendor and renown, highly experienced geologist from Exact Geoscience has contracted to work with the Company. AIS Resources will benefit from his experience and detailed knowledge of the area.



Rose, Thistle & Shamrock Gold Mine

The Rose, Thistle and Shamrock (RTS) Gold Mine, including Landtax reef is an area of significant potential. According to official Victorian Government Mining records, over 140,0004 oz of gold was produced at an average grade of 22.2 g/t between 1860 and 1934. Mining proceeded to a maximum depth of around 330m. The RTS gold mine is geologically and structurally complex resulting in the strong potential for significant economic ore. No significant exploration has been undertaken at or around the RTS mine since its closure almost 80 years ago.

Fig 4  Rose, Thistle & Shamrock Gold Mine

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0d42491-def3-45cf-a72b-04a7fb80da83

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBM, FAusIMM MAIG MAIMVA(CMV) who is a Qualified Person under the definitions established by the National Instrument 43-101.

About A.I.S. Resources Limited

A.I.S. Resources Limited is a publicly traded investment issuer listed on the TSX Venture Exchange focused on precious and base metals exploration. AIS value add strategy is to acquire prospective exploration projects and enhance their value by better defining the mineral resource with a view to attracting joint venture partners and enhancing the value of our portfolio. The Company is managed by a team of experienced geologists and investment bankers, with a track-record of successful capital markets achievements.

AIS owns 100% of the 28 sq km Fosterville-Toolleen Gold Project located 9.9km from Kirkland Lakes Fosterville gold mine, a 60% interest in the 58sqkm Bright Gold project, a 60% interest in the 58 sq km New South Wales Yalgogrin Gold Project (with the right to acquire 100%), and 100% interest in the 167 sq km Kingston Gold Project in Victoria Australia near Stawell and Navarre. It also has joint venture interests with Spey Resources Corp in lithium brines in Argentina at Incahuasi and Pocitos salars.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

A.I.S. Resources Ltd.

Phillip Thomas, President & CEO

Corporate Contact

For further information, please contact:

Phillip Thomas, Chief Executive Officer

T: +1-323 5155 164

E:pthomas@aisresources.com



Or

Martyn Element.Chairman

T: +1-604-220-6266

E:melement@aisresources.com

Website:www.aisresources.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ADVISORY: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

________________

1 Ibid

2,3 Recorded from mines of greater than 1,000 oz of production.

4 Victorian gold deposits. Philps N and Hughes M. AGSO Journal of Australian Geology & Geophysics, 17(4), 1996. pp.215

4 Bogong 1:100 000 map area geological report GeoScience Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria Report 125, 2005, pp149.




Newport Beach, CA --News Direct-- Revolve Law Group

It is no secret that California continues to see a mass exodus of residents, due largely to astronomical taxation and creditor-friendly courts and legislation. To help residents stay, Revolve Law Group utilizes one of Californias oldest state exemption statutes. Aligning with industry leader TRUST-CFO, Revolve Law Group has effectively advised business and real estate owners how they can help mitigate tax on both income and capital gains, while also securing the ancillary benefit of asset protection, through properly structuring a private retirement plan.

California Code of Civil Procedure 704.115 - Californias own private retirement statute  permits a California resident to receive a creditor exemption for a private retirement plan (PRP) in which all funds, distributions, and death benefits are exempt from creditor attachment and seizure. This safe, time tested, and cost-effective planning tool for California residents is of great support to those building private equity, business interests, real estate or any other investment for their future retirement. The contents of each private retirement plan under this code are fully exempt from both bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy lawsuits, and the PRP hedges against excessive taxation on active earnings, passive income, and capital gains.

In their alliance with industry leader TRUST-CFO, the states largest PRP administrator, Revolve Law Group is able to empower Californians with a superior tax solution that proves to be a vital tool for those looking to stay in California.

Our world revolves around our clients, and as such, we remain committed to discovering solutions that can make their world as lucrative for them as it can be. Through partnerships with leading organizations like TRUST-CFO, we are elevating our clienteles financial legacies, one private retirement plan at a time.- Kimberly Wright, Esq, Founder and Managing Partner, Revolve Law Group LLP

Story continues

About Revolve Law Group LLP: Revolve Law Group was designed to position the client at the center of every collaboration. Led by Founding Partner Kimberly Wright, Esq and Co-Managing Partner Sara Naheedy, the powerhouse female team is raising the bar for excellence. Dedicated to their core principles which guide their every move, the firm leads with determination, civility, curiosity, integrity, compassion, and a dose of humor. The practice of law is a serious business, but it doesnt have to be without laughter. Laughter improves health, overall quality of life, and leads to greater productivity. The Irvine-based law firm focuses on areas of practice such as civil litigation, appeals and writs, asset protection, business law, and real estate law. However, the firm and its partners specialize in building relationships through concierge support. Revolve Law Group is home to trusted counsel who focus on the solutions of tomorrow, with unparalleled commitment, for clientele valuing convergence of ingenuity and foresight.

Learn More: Revolve Law Group LLP.

Contact Details

Paula Steurer

+1 949-200-6566

concierge@sterlingpublicrelations.com

Company Website

https://revolvelawgroup.com/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/revolve-law-group-llp-aligns-with-trust-cfo-protecting-californians-wealth-and-mitigating-taxes-using-private-retirement-plans-636112969
For all the resplendent rhetorical flourishes in Gov. Ron DeSantis' latest State of the State speech before asking voters to be re-elected, there weren't many surprises.

The governor proclaimed Florida as the "freest state in these United States," and from there, he laid out an agenda very much like the policies he's pushed throughout his term  much of it falling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eschewing lockdowns and vaccine mandates, DeSantis emphasized how Florida's freedoms have attracted new residents and businesses, helping deliver the state a $15 billion surplus, putting lawmakers into a position where they can afford a gas-tax holiday, raises for public safety officers and teachers and additional environmental safeguards.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, answers questions from reporters after giving his State of the State address to a joint session of the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee on Tuesday.

Local agendas: Volusia, Flagler lawmakers set priorities for Legislature

Governor in town: Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a press conference at Buc-ee's in Daytona Beach

Mark Lane: Election year, pandemic year Legislative session set to start

He didn't mention that more than 62,000 Floridians have died from COVID-19, or the billions sent to the state through federal initiatives pushed by Democrats.

In other words, no surprises.

"The governor has been foreshadowing what his State of the State would be as he's toured the state," Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, said in reaction. "I wasn't surprised, but it was inspiring to hear all of it woven together in a single speech."

State Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach

Other members of the Volusia County delegation texting from Tallahassee seconded Leek's assessment.

Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach: "Gov. DeSantis hit on all of the important issues, with a positive response from the legislators. I am proud to serve this governor."

Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine: "The governor has a bold agenda and I look forward to working with him to try and accomplish his priorities."

Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff, R-DeLand: "Gov. DeSantis addressed many issues that are important to all Floridians. I look forward to working with the governor and my fellow legislators to address the needs of Volusia County and the State of Florida. We have a lot of things to accomplish this session and working together we will ensure Florida continues to be the best place to live, work and play in the nation."

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A highlight was DeSantis' introduction of his wife, first lady Casey DeSantis, who's been in treatment for breast cancer.

"What I thought was very moving and very compelling was his reference to the first lady and their struggles," Leek said. "On the floor, the emotion was palpable."

Florida first lady Casey DeSantis smiles after her husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis, introduced her and lawmakers gave her a standing ovation during his State of the State address during the first day of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session.

The introduction brought the day's longest applause break, which appeared to move the first lady. Leek said his vantage point, the front row, allowed him to see emotion in the governor's face, as well.

In the same vein as one of DeSantis' points of emphasis, embracing public safety workers, Leek said he filed a bill Tuesday aimed at "making Florida the most law-enforcement-friendly state." The bill adds a recruitment bonus payment program and additional benefits, such as scholarships, while also encouraging school districts to establish public safety telecommunications training programs.

'Appalling' or 'all the right notes?'

Back in Volusia County, leaders of both leading political parties reacted, as well.

Jewel Dickson, Volusia County Democratic Party chair, said she read the text of the speech.

"And it is appalling," she said in a text message. "To declare Florida a free state from regulations is nuts. People with sense are more trapped here than in other states. The projection of 80% of Floridians having had COVID is terrible. He seems to think it is a merit badge."

Opposing views: On first day of Florida session, Democrats say DeSantis, Republicans 'running train off the tracks'

Vic Baker, state committeeman for the Volusia County Republican Executive Committee, said DeSantis' speech was "elevated" to the level of a president.

"It's not an ordinary speech," Baker said. "No question in my mind, there is a reason why people call him America's governor. He's setting an example with a track record of success. He's very popular  and he's hitting all the right notes."

Baker said he and his wife both contracted COVID-19 when the delta variant surged last summer, and he was thankful DeSantis emphasized treatment methods, setting up monoclonal antibody clinics.

"It got me back on my feet and kept (my wife) out of the hospital," Baker said.

Never miss a story: Subscribe to The Daytona Beach News-Journal using the link at the top of the page.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia, Flagler lawmakers concur with DeSantis' 'freest state' agenda
Wells Fargo shares gained nearly 15% so far this year ahead of its fourth-quarter earnings, which is expected to enjoy better loan activity and a higher net interest income than that seen in early last year due to favourable industry trends.

The fourth-largest U.S. lender is expected to report its fourth-quarter earnings of $1.11 per share, which represents a year-on-year growth of over 70% from $0.64 per share seen in the same period a year ago.

The San Francisco, California-based multinational financial services company would post revenue growth of more than 4% to $18.8 billion.

Wells Fargo shares rose over 1% to $55.35 on Monday. The stock jumped nearly 15% so far this year after surging nearly 60% in 2021.

Analyst Comments

Wells Fargo (WFC) benefit to EPS from rising rates is the highest in the group, with each 50bps increase in FF driving 15% increase in EPS; 50bps in long-end rates drives 7% to EPS. WFC is in a strong position to monetize higher rates, as cash stands at 15% of earning assets, 7% points above pre-pandemic levels, noted Betsy Graseck, equity analyst at Morgan Stanley.

WFC is taking action to restructure its business mix as it works to exit the Fed consent order/asset cap and reduce its expense base. Excess capital at Wells stands at 10% of market cap vs. 5% for median Large Cap Bank, enabling a net buyback yield of 10% in 2022 and a total cash return of 12%. Risks around the timing of asset cap removal and further regulatory action remain.

Wells Fargo Stock Price Forecast

Fifteen analysts who offered stock ratings for Wells Fargo in the last three months forecast the average price in 12 months of $56.62 with a high forecast of $65.00 and a low forecast of $45.00.

The average price target represents a 2.29% change from the last price of $55.35. From those 15 analysts, 11 rated Buy, four rated Hold while none rated Sell, according to Tipranks.

Morgan Stanley gave the base target price of $61 with a high of $81 under a bull scenario and $27 under the worst-case scenario. The firm gave an Overweight rating on the multinational financial services companys stock.

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Several other analysts have also updated their stock outlook. Jefferies raised the target price to $64 from $59. BofA Global Research lifted the price objective to $70 from $60. JPMorgan upped the target price to $57 from $53.5. Evercore ISI raised the target price to $60 from $54.

Technical analysis also suggests it is good to buy as 100-day Moving Average and 100-200-day MACD Oscillator signals a buying opportunity.

Check out FX Empires earnings calendar

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
DUBLIN, January 12, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Global Beard Grooming Products Market (2021-2026) by Product, Age, Distribution Channel, End User, and Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global beard grooming products market is estimated to be USD 20.4 Bn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 28.21 Bn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 6.7%.

The increasing social media influence by having a beard seems to boost looks, and various bread styles availability have increased the usage of bread grooming products. The grooming products are used for controlling and promoting the healthy and hygienic growth of the beard. The increasing disposable income and growing awareness about various beard care and grooming products are escalating the Global Beard Grooming Products Market growth.

The high cost of some beard grooming products has hindered the market growth. However, major players are developing cost-effective manufacturing to facilitate easy use of the product is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market.

The global beard grooming products market is segmented further based on Product, Age, Distribution Channel, End User, and Geography.

Countries Studied

America (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, United States, Rest of Americas)

Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe)

Middle-East and Africa (Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Rest of MEA)

Asia-Pacific (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.

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Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Beard Grooming Products Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's Proprietary competitive positioning tool.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Availability of Various Beard Care Product and Grooming

Rising Image Consciousness and Social Media Influence

Change in Lifestyle and Increase in Disposable Income

Restraints

High Cost of Premium Products

Opportunities

Companies Investing in R&D and Cost-Effective Production

Development of Organic Product

Challenges

Availability of Traditional Methods

Companies Mentioned

Badass Beard Care

Beardbrand

Beiersdorf

Colgate-Palmolive Company

Coty

Edgewell Personal Care

Henkel

ITC

Johnson &Johnson

Kent Brushes

L'Oreal

Marico

MI

Parker

Philips

Procter &Gamble

Syska

Unilever

Velvet Noir

Wahl Clipper

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/popxdz

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005577/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Climate-related risks that dominate Global Risk Report 2022 are also identified as key concerns of U.S. and Canadian businesses.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zurich North America has shared key concerns of businesses on risks likely to impact U.S. and Canada over the next two years. The findings were released this week as part of the 17th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual Global Risks Report 2022 (GRR). Zurich is a strategic partner in the development of the annual report, which identifies key global risks emanating from current economic, societal, environmental and technological tensions.

Zurich Insurance (PRNewsfoto/Zurich North America)

This year the GRR includes an international roundup, gathered through WEF's Executive Opinion Survey of 12,000 businesses from 124 countries who identified five risks that pose critical threats to their countries over the next two years.

For the United States, the most concerning, short-term risks are reported as: 1) potential for asset bubble bursts; 2) failure of climate-mitigation actions; 3) extreme weather events; 4) debt crises; and 5) employment and livelihood crises. Canada shares most of the same, short-term risks: 1) debt crises in large economies; 2) failure of action on climate; 3) extreme weather events; 4) employment and livelihood crises; and 5) infectious disease.

While prioritization of the five top, short-term risks varies from country to country, climate and environmental factors were a common theme revealed by most of the participating countries and thus dominate the key risks identified in the Global Risks Report overall in terms of likelihood and severity.

"There is broad agreement among the survey respondents that the growing climate crisis remains the biggest long-term threat facing the world," said Colleen Zitt, Chief Risk Officer, Zurich North America. "Leading economists warn that international failure to act on climate change could significantly shrink global GDP in the years ahead, with serious collateral impacts on the economy and social cohesion among other effects. If there is one overriding message of this year's Global Risks Report, it is that the time for committed, substantive action on climate is now."

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Now in its 17th edition, the Global Risks Report encourages leaders to view risks with a broad perspective measured in years. This year's edition raises alarm bells for threats that can no longer be eclipsed by COVID-19. A climate crisis and growing social upheaval are two of the dominant risks explored in this year's report, which, like its predecessors, examines risks confronting the world over the next 10 years.

As a leader in understanding the world's emerging and evolving risks, Zurich is committed to helping its customers, and the communities it serves around the world, build a sustainable future with foresight and innovation.

"We are proud to be a strategic partner of the World Economic Forum in the development of The Global Risks Report. Zurich knows that building resilient communities and businesses starts with first understanding the challenges we face," added Zitt.

For additional information on The Global Risks Report 2022 and to download PDFs of the full report and executive summary, visit https://insights.zurichna.com/The-Global-Risks-Report-2022 .

About Zurich North America

Zurich North America is one of the largest providers of insurance solutions and services to businesses and individuals. Our customers represent industries ranging from agriculture to technology and include more than 90 percent of the Fortune 500. We've backed the building of some of the most recognizable structures in North America  from the Hoover Dam to the Confederation Bridge. Our North American, LEED Platinum headquarters is located in the Chicago area. We employ approximately 9,000 people in North America and have offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. Further information is available at www.zurichna.com.

Zurich North America is part of Zurich Insurance Group, a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With approximately 55,000 employees, Zurich provides a wide range of property and casualty, and life insurance products and services in more than 215 countries and territories. Zurich's customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, as well as multinational corporations. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at www.zurich.com.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zurich-shares-top-concerns-of-businesses-in-us-and-canada-findings-released-as-part-of-the-global-risks-report-2022-301459636.html

SOURCE Zurich North America
The Spotsylvania School Board has scheduled an emergency meeting for Friday to name an interim superintendent after three members noted that state law requires the county to have one.

School Board members Dawn Shelley, Nicole Cole and Lorita Daniels sent emails to newly-elected board Chairman Kirk Twigg on Wednesday morning, saying the board may have violated the law when it failed to identify a temporary replacement for Superintendent Scott Baker, who was fired Monday.

There is a need for you to call an emergency meeting of the SCPS Board for tonight or tomorrow as the current Board is breaking the laws of the state of Virginia, specifically VA Code 22.1-58, which requires a superintendent to officially be in place to operate our school system, Cole wrote in an email to Twigg. There was no legal process followed [at Mondays meeting] to properly designate and place someone in the role.

The board voted 43 Mondaywith Shelley, Cole and Daniels opposedto fire Baker without cause following a closed session that may have been in violation of Virginias open meeting requirements.

The board did not name an acting or interim superintendent Monday.

School division spokeswoman Rene Daniels said Tuesday that according to the divisions organizational chart, Deputy Superintendent Carol Flenard is the acting superintendent until the board names an interim.

Virginia Code requires that all public school divisions have a superintendent, and that a superintendent "shall be appointed by the school board within 180 days after a vacancy occurs."

"A school board that has not appointed a superintendent within 120 days of a vacancy shall submit a written report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction demonstrating its timely efforts to make an appointment. Upon request, a school board shall be granted up to an additional 180 days within which to appoint a division superintendent," the code states.

School Board Deputy Clerk Patty Boller sent out an email announcement of the Jan. 14 special emergency meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The meeting will be for the purpose of conducting a closed meeting to discuss the interim superintendent position, according to the announcement.

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Republican Curt Prohaska, a deputy sheriff with the Saunders County Sheriffs Office, announced on Tuesday his campaign for Saunders County Sheriff.

Current Saunders County Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz recently announced his retirement and will not seek re-election.

Im excited to launch my campaign for sheriff and look forward to continuing to serve the great people of Saunders County, Prohaska said in a press release. As sheriff, Ill put my 27 years of experience to work to keep Saunders County families safe, support our law enforcement officials, and protect our constitutional rights.

Prohaska was born in David City and raised in Prague. After graduating from Prague High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served four years, including a station in Japan for Security Forces duty and time in an infantry battalion with the 1st Marine Division in California. Prohaska is a combat veteran, and he was directly involved with the liberation of Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War, where he was awarded his combat action ribbon and several other awards.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps he returned to Nebraska and began his law enforcement career in 1993. He was selected to join the Nebraska State Patrol in 1997 and served as a State Trooper for 21 years until his retirement in 2018. In 2002, he was selected as Trooper of the Year. After retiring from the Nebraska State Patrol, he became a financial advisor.

Prohaska has served as a Police Officer, Chief of Police, Deputy Sheriff, and Nebraska State Trooper, and has over 27 years of law enforcement experience. He was appointed to the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, is a member of the American Legion 129 in Ashland, and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Wahoo.

Prohaska and his wife Lisa have one adult daughter and a son-in-law and will become grandparents for the first time in May of 2022.

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The Fremont Family YMCA announced last week that Terry Gilfry would take over as interim CEO while it searches for someone to fill the role.

We are so happy to have Terrys assistance in running our YMCA as we search for our new CEO, read a Facebook post on Jan. 4.

The position will have Gilfry returning to the Fremont YMCA, which hired him as an aquatic director in 1988 and later as chief operating officer.

I was excited about it because my Y career would come full circle, he said. I was glad that they had some trust in me that I could manage the Y for the few months that Im going to be there.

Originally from Fremont, Gilfry has experience at multiple YMCA locations across the region. He said he was drawn to the organization due to its community-based work.

The people are what make the YMCA a good board, a good staff, he said. Those are the things that make the YMCA a great place.

After leaving the Fremont YMCA in 1996, Gilfry was executive director of locations in McPherson, Kansas, from 1996 to 1998, Beatrice from 1998 to 2005 and Blair from 2005 to 2009, when he retired.

In 2010, Gilfry was asked to return to the Beatrice YMCA, where he worked for five more years before retiring again in 2015.

Last year, former Fremont YMCA President and CEO Jerry Rinne announced that he would retire on Dec. 17, 2021, after almost 20 years in the role.

After Jerry Rinnes retirement, I was asked to come back as an interim for a few months, Gilfry said. The Fremont Y is aggressively working to hire a new CEO hopefully within the next few months.

Gilfry, who lives in Waterloo with his wife, Susan, said hes still frequented the Fremont YMCA, using its facilities for activities like pickleball.

Even though Ive been gone for almost 30 years, I still have connections and I still have family in Fremont, he said. I consider Fremont still my hometown.

In the interim role, Gilfry said hes ensuring the facility is clean and maintained with the COVID-19 pandemic and said is excited for the future.

I just hope everybody understands that the Y is in good hands, he said. Everything is going to continue to run efficiently.

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Moshtari Danesh overcame great odds to realize her dream of becoming a prosecutor in Afghanistan.

She contracted the polio virus as a child, leaving her crippled. With the aid of a prosthetic leg and crutches, she attended school and then graduated from university with a law degree.

Danesh also had to overcome gender discrimination in the deeply conservative and male-dominated country, where women face major obstacles to study and work.

Five years ago, her struggles paid off when she landed a job as a prosecutor at the Attorney Generals office. Earlier this year, she was promoted to oversee cases involving violence against women, an issue close to her heart.

But Daneshs dream quickly turned into a nightmare when the Taliban toppled the internationally recognized Afghan government and seized power in August.

Over the past five months, the militant group has rolled back many of the rights women and girls had gained since the U.S.-led invasion toppled the Taliban regime from power in 2001.

The Taliban has barred most women from returning to work, prevented many girls from receiving a secondary school education, and has imposed draconian restrictions on the movement and appearances of women.

Within days of the Taliban takeover, Danesh lost her job in the capital, Kabul. Since then, she has been unemployed and is struggling to provide for her family.

We have been living in misery for several months," Danesh told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, adding that she has been unable to pay rent. We are suffering from poverty.

Like many Afghans, Danesh is reeling from a devastating economic crisis triggered by the Taliban takeover and the sudden halt in international assistance.

He Shot At Me

But deepening poverty is not her only worry. Prosecutors who worked for Afghanistan's ousted government have said they are being threatened by the criminals they helped convict. The Taliban emptied many of the country's jails during their takeover of the country in the summer.

Prosecutors have had to change residences so that the convicts the Taliban freed could not find us, said Danesh. "We are now permanently living in hiding, and even our families cannot move freely."

Several prosecutors, judges, and lawyers have been killed in recent months. Others have been attacked or threatened.

Western nations have evacuated and granted asylum to hundreds of judicial workers from Afghanistan. But for the thousands who remain trapped in Afghanistan, particularly women, the future is bleak.

Fatana Mohammadi, a lawyer, was attacked by an unidentified man in broad daylight in her home in Kabul last month.

He shot at me once, but I was able to dodge the bullet by throwing a blanket over him, Mohammadi told Radio Azadi. After that, his gun jammed."

Mohammadi said the attacker then beat her.

"My cries for help attracted the attention of my neighbors, who apprehended the attacker and handed him over to the Taliban, she said.

I still do not know who he was or why he wanted to kill me, added Mohammadi.

Inamullah Samagani, a Taliban spokesman, told journalists in November that the militant group was not targeting former prosecutors. "There is no arbitrary or prejudiced treatment of [former] prosecutors," he said.

Taliban Tightens Grip On Justice System



Afghanistan's judiciary has undergone a swift and complete overhaul since the Taliban seized power.

In November, the Taliban's justice minister, Mullah Abdul Hakim, declared that only Taliban-approved lawyers can work in their Islamic courts, effectively revoking the licenses of some 2,500 lawyers and banning women from working in law.

Dozens of Taliban gunmen also stormed the offices of Afghanistans Independent Bar Association (AIBA) in Kabul that month and ordered its employees to stop their work. The Taliban has put the AIBA under the control of its Justice Ministry, stripping the organization of its independence.

The moves have raised deep concerns about the impartiality and fairness of criminal trials under the Taliban.

Observers said the shadow courts of the Talibans insurgency, dominated by clerics, have been transformed into the states new judicial system.

Theres no indication that the Taliban are thinking about incorporating the institutional setup of the previous governments judicial and legal system, said Haroun Rahimi, a self-exiled assistant law professor for the Kabul-based American University of Afghanistan.

"They view that system with disdain," he added. "They'd like to continue what they perceive as a more Islamic -- authentically Islamic -- simple version of the adjudication that they were doing with their shadow courts."

During its brutal rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, Taliban courts used theirtribal interpretations of Shari'a law to prescribe extreme public punishments, including executions, floggings, and amputations.

Since returning to power, the Taliban has signaled a return to some of its past methods.

In September, the Taliban hanged four dead bodies from cranes in the western city of Herat, local media and witnesses reported. The men, accused of taking part in a kidnapping, were killed in clashes with the Taliban.
The banned Islamist group Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) says it is investigating the killing of its former spokesman, who was previously among the central leaders of the group.

A statement issued by the TTP said the group is investigating the death of Muhammad Ali Balti, also known as Mufti Khalid Balti.

The TTP, in a short Urdu-language statement on January 10, said Balti was a former spokesman of the TTP but did not hold any prominent position in the group's hierarchy at the time of his death.

The statement also rejected earlier reports attributed to unidentified Pakistani intelligence officials who said the man killed was the current spokesman for the TTP, Muhammad Khorasani.

Balti, a non-Pashtun Taliban leader, was arrested by the Afghan authorities more than three years ago and imprisoned in Kabul.

He was freed following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August. Since then, he lived in the Nangarhar and Kunar region, where most of the Pakistani Taliban members are believed to be hiding.

A local source in the region told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity that Balti had gone missing two days before his body was found.

The killing came at a time when the TTP has increased its attacks in Pakistan. A monthlong cease-fire with Pakistan ended on December 9 and since then the TTP has resumed attacks on Pakistani security forces.

Pakistan conducted a massive anti-Taliban operation in June 2014.

Officials claimed they successfully pushed the Taliban into Afghanistan from the tribal region. However, locals say the TTP has staged a gradual comeback in the area by increasing their attacks.
Arizona State University (ASU) scientists and engineers building the Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS) for NASA's Europa Clipper passed a major hurdle recently by capturing the first successful test images from this complex infrared camera, known as "first light" images.

Europa Clipper, a NASA mission to investigate Jupiter's moon Europa, is planned to launch in October 2024 and arrive at Jupiter in 2030. It will study this icy moon through a series of flybys while in orbit around Jupiter, to investigate whether it could harbor conditions suitable for life.



E-THEMIS, which is led by Regents Professor Philip Christensen of Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration, is an infrared camera designed to map Europa's temperatures for the mission. These infrared images will help scientists seek clues about Europa's activity, including regions where Europa's suspected ocean may be near the surface.



"The surface of Europa is extremely cold, but the ocean underneath is warm, liquid water. If that water is coming near the surface through cracks and vents, E-THEMIS will see these warm regions and tell us where ocean water is closest to the surface," says Christensen. "Even if water erupted onto the surface many years ago, the ice will still be warm. From these temperature images, E-THEMIS will provide an excellent opportunity to study the geologic activity of Europa."



The "first light" E-THEMIS camera test images were taken from the rooftop of the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 4 (ISTB4) on the ASU Tempe campus using a specially designed mobile cleanroom laboratory, which kept the camera safe from dust, microbes and aerosol particles.



"Our team spent months developing a portable clean lab to safely transport E-THEMIS to the roof of the building and collect data in a controlled environment," said Christensen.



One of the most spectacular test images produced from E-THEMIS is a temperature image taken looking north from ISTB4. In stunning detail, the image clearly shows ASU's Sun Devil Stadium and "A" Mountain, among other recognizable ASU landmarks. It is even possible to read details inside the stadium from the E-THEMIS instrument, based on temperature differences sensed from about 1.1 km (0.7 miles) away.



"The instrument worked beautifully and is in excellent focus," said Christensen.



During this test, the ETHEMIS team also collected temperature images throughout the afternoon and early evening. When displayed in color, these images reveal how the temperature changes as evening approaches. The red, orange and yellow colors in the images indicate warmer temperatures due to heat and the infrared radiation being emitted. The purples and dark blues indicate cooler temperatures, with less heat and infrared radiation emitted.



While the temperatures are approximations during this testing phase, the progression of cooler colors (purples and blues) from afternoon to evening in the three images, acquired at 12:40 p.m., at 4:40 p.m., and 6:20 p.m. after sunset, illustrate how the infrared camera detected surface temperatures transitioning from warmer in the afternoon to cooler after sunset.



With this successful "first light" testing of E-THEMIS, the next step for the team is to begin the environmental testing to ensure that E-THEMIS will survive launch and operate as intended in space.



"Launch is one of the most stressful periods for any spacecraft or instrument and we want to make sure E-THEMIS will survive, so we will put it through a rigorous set of vibration tests to simulate the launch conditions," explains Christensen. "We will also test it in a vacuum chamber to make sure it will work properly in the vacuum of space."



And until at least late March of 2022, visitors to the Gallery of Scientific Exploration on the first floor of ISTB4 can watch the E-THEMIS team hard at work in ASU's cleanrooms. In addition to Christensen, the engineering team includes Greg Mehall, Saadat Anwar, Heather Bowles, Courtnie Besich, Zoltan Farkas, Andrew Holmes, Ian Kubic, Edgar Madril, Bill O'Donnell, Carlos Ortiz, Dan Pelham, Mehul Patel, and Rob Woodward.



In the coming months, they will continue their testing of this instrument before it leaves ASU and is shipped to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for integration into the Europa Clipper spacecraft.



More About the Mission



Missions such as Europa Clipper contribute to the field of astrobiology, the interdisciplinary research on the variables and conditions of distant worlds that could harbor life as we know it. While Europa Clipper is not a life-detection mission, it will conduct detailed reconnaissance of Europa and investigate whether the icy moon, with its subsurface ocean, has the capability to support life. Understanding Europa's habitability will help scientists better understand how life developed on Earth and the potential for finding life beyond our planet.



Managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory leads the development of the Europa Clipper mission in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The Planetary Missions Program Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, executes program management of the Europa Clipper mission.



More information about Europa can be found here: europa.nasa.gov



Astrobiology

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Coloradans may never find out who tried to influence Gov. Jared Polis and what kinds of discussions the governor held in his decision to commute the 110-year sentence of a truck driver whose actions in 2019 led to a fiery 28-car pileup that killed four and injured several others.

Or at least not from the governors office.

The Polis administration told Colorado Politics it will not disclose information about who the governor met as he considered how to respond to public pressure seeking leniency for Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, the truck driver convicted of four counts of vehicular homicide and 23 other charges following the April 2019 crash on I-70 in Lakewood. More than 5 million people had signed a petition calling for Polis to grant clemency or commute the sentence.

We dont disclose who the governor meets with during this process  its up to the parties to do so, a governors spokesperson said.

Colorado Politics specifically asked whether Polis met with Kim Kardashian West, the reality TV star and businesswoman who championed Aguilera-Mederos case, and who, in a series of tweets in December after the court handed out the 110-year sentence to the truck driver, said Colorado law really has to be changed and this is so unfair. She added: @GovofCO is a really good person and I know he will do the right thing.

Kardashian West is among the most active Hollywood personalities on the criminal justice front. She lobbied former President Donald Trump, for example, to sign legislation considered by many to be the most significant overhaul of federal sentencing laws in recent years. She also has reached out to state policymakers across the country to push for changes in criminal laws.

Kardashian West, who recently passed California's First-Year Law Students Examination, which puts her on a path closer to becoming a lawyer, praised Polis decision to shorten Aguilera-Mederos sentence.

Thank you @GovofCO for taking action to reduce Mr. Aguilera- Mederos sentence! she tweeted. While his new sentence is ten years, he will now have an opportunity to come home in five years and be with his son and wife.

The governors office did not deny meeting with the celebrity-turned-activist, but the governor refused to answer when, where or how the meeting took place, who initiated it, the context of the discussion, or if they talked about other matters, notably criminal justice policies.

Gubernatorial spokesperson Conor Cahill would only say various people contacted the governors office about Aguilera-Mederos 110-year sentence, which Polis viewed as bizarre. Cahill said many wanted Polis to issue a complete pardon.

The governor looked at the bizarre punishment of 110 years, researched how similar crimes were punished, and boldly acted to ensure that this crime was punished in a consistent way as other similar criminal acts, Cahill said. The governor believes that if you do the crime, you do the time, and did not consider a pardon or full commutation of the sentence and rather brought the sentence in line with how others have been punished for similar crimes.

To some, the governors refusal to disclose conversations that might have influenced his decision to shorten the 110-year sentence raises transparency issues.

Where is it written that they get to have secrets about who gives them advice? said George Brauchler, who served as the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District and co-authored a study from the Denver-based Common Sense Institute about soaring crime rates in the state.

Brauchler accused the governor of seeking political points: It was done to assuage the governors interest to appease a certain individual, perhaps Kim Kardashian, or perhaps Kim Kardashian and her base.

He also challenged Polis argument that a 10-year sentence is consistent with how other similar crimes would have been punished. The former district attorney said he cant think of a person who was found guilty of killing four individuals and received 10 years as a prison sentence.

District Attorney Michael Allen, whose jurisdiction encompasses El Paso and Teller counties, expressed a similar sentiment.

Allen called Polis decision wholly inappropriate.

"I urge Gov. Jared Polis to spend less time listening to celebrities from other states and more time listening to victims of crime and the great citizens here in the state of Colorado," he said. "What he did in the I-70 trucker case was wholly inappropriate due to timing and for the shameful way he treated the victims in that case, as witnessed in the recorded meeting he had with victim family members."

Allen was referring to a story by 9News about the testy exchange between Polis and the families of the victims of the I-70 crash.

That Zoom call was, unbeknownst to the governor, recorded and shared with "Next with Kyle Clark," according to 9News.

"It is my hope that this gives you some closure on this," Polis said during the meeting.

"No, it doesn't," replied one person, adding, "This is entirely political."

"You are just victimizing us again," another person said.

Allen said Polis should have waited for the court process to play out.

A judge had set a hearing this month to potentially resentence Aguilera-Mederos, and District Attorney Alexis King said she intended to ask the court for a reduced sentence of 20 to 30 years. The hearing has since been canceled.

"He (Polis) should have listened to the victims. They were pleading with him to wait for the court process to complete," Allen said. "That's the first thing that was wrong, and it shows disrespect to the victims and to the criminal justice system."

Speaking broadly  and not specifically on the Aguilera-Mederos case  Nancy Lewis, Executive Director of the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, said whats crucial for crime victims and their families is to be consulted before a major decision, such as a commutation or pardon.

It doesnt mean the official will listen to the crime victim, she said. We would prefer that they do listen  they (the victims) are the ones most affected by the crime.

In an email, the governors office defended the decision to extend leniency to Aguilera-Mederos.

There was an urgency to remedy this sentence and restore confidence in the uniformity and fairness of our criminal justice system, the office added.

The Change.org petition seeking leniency for Aguilera-Mederos argued that he had no prior driving or criminal record, and the accident was "not intentional, nor was it a criminal act on the driver's part."

The governor stepped in because mandatory sentencing requirements tied the hands of the judge who handed down the 110-year sentence, his office said, emphasizing that Aguilera-Mederos will serve in jail as others who have committed similar crimes were punished.

Polis hope, his office also said, was that his action would help lead to healing and closure.

The governor understands that these families have been through a terrible tragedy, lost family members, loved ones and have been forced to endure this in a very public manner. It is the governors wish that his just decision, and the harsh ten year sentence of the perpetrator, is an important part of the closure and healing process for the victims, his office said.

Reporter Jessica Snouwaert contributed in this article.
A new video previews a one-of-a-kind nature and art experience coming to the Pikes Peak region.

Along Red Butte overlooking Green Mountain Falls, ground broke last spring on what internationally renowned artist James Turrell calls a Skyspace  an observatory-like structure showcasing light and space. The 78-year-old Californian's work aims to "engage viewers with the limits and wonder of human perception," according to the artist's website.

One unique feature of the 18-foot-tall Skyspace "is that there's a little hike to it," Larry Keigwin, co-founder of the town's Green Box Arts Festival, says in a recently posted promotional video. "There's this quiet journey, and then you happen upon this euphoric experience."

That experience "is very hard to put into words," Scott Levy, Green Box's deputy director, told The Gazette. Having visited some of the world's 85 Skyspaces, "I've found them to be very meditative and contemplative and sort of otherworldly," Levy said.

Anticipated to debut this summer in time for the annual arts festival, slated for June 18, it will be Colorado's first Skyspace. It's also said to be the first built on the side of a mountain.

From the gazebo at the heart of Green Mountain Falls, a new, short trail winds up Red Butte's wooded face above 7,800 feet. Another route starts from the other side of town, near Joyland Church.

The return down the trail, Levy said, is "like this built-in reflective period from the experience you just had in the Skyspace before you re-enter the real world."

Levy said he expected the trails to be open daily, an hour before sunrise and hour after sunset. Those are the prime times for Skyspaces, "when the colors of the sky are changing with the colors of the room," Levy said. He foresees "a mix of free of charge and very small admission opportunities" throughout the year.

The Skyspace will be one of the world's few with a retractable roof, project manager Jesse Stroope says in the promotional video. The goal is to have "distinctive and rewarding viewing experiences" with the roof open and closed.

To "feel like it's part of the community," Stroope says, the Skyspace is being made of Colorado-quarried rock and beetle-kill pine. Construction progress has also noted 1.2 million pounds of concrete ferried up the mountain, along with 100,000 pounds of steel.

The idea for the installation came about five years ago, Keigwin says in the video. The idea was to create "a destination," he says  "to have travelers come all year round, not just for the summer time."

The Skyspace was commissioned by Historic Green Mountain Falls Foundation.
Italys Veneto region is home to cultural touchstones such as Venice, Padua and Verona. And to the wine-growing regions of Soave and Valpolicella.
A Colorado program that allows students to anonymously report safety threats saw a 23% increase in tips last month, receiving 2,423 tips in December compared to 1,973 in November.

The Safe2Tell programs monthly report was released Tuesday, showing 298 suicide threats, 143 violence threats and 137 welfare checks were reported in December. Other top tips included bullying, with 125 reports, and cyberbullying, with 111 reports.

Decembers tips accounted for more than 25% of the 9,564 total tips received this school year since Aug. 1. December also saw a 104% increase in duplicate tips regarding the same concern or event, which officials attributed to a national TikTok challenge that led to school threats on Dec. 17.

While social media challenges are a continually evolving facet of school safety, a high number of duplicate tips like we saw in December indicates students and school communities feel comfortable reporting their safety concerns, said Attorney General Phil Weiser. The more reports about a particular concern, the more information we can pass on to local teams who can more comprehensively address student safety.

This school year has seen almost twice the number of reports compared to last school year, likely due to students returning to the classroom after going virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the same five-month period last year, 4,848 tips were submitted.

The program, managed by the attorney general's office, was started in 2004 as a response to the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.

Safe2Tell is intended to be a conduit of information for distributing anonymous tips to local law enforcement and school officials. Students can report bullying, stealing, threats, fights, drugs, alcohol, weapons, sexual misconduct, harassment, stalking, dating violence, cutting, suicidal behaviors or any other violent or dangerous situations that threaten their safety or the safety of others.

To make a report, students can call 1-877-542-7233. Reports also can be made at Safe2Tell.org or through the Safe2Tell mobile app.
For the first time in over 10 years, Colorado's high school graduation rate has declined, according to the state Department of Education.

The state said 81.7% of high school seniors graduated last spring. Even though more students graduated in 2021 than in 2020, the overall graduation rate declined by .2% because more students were enrolled in 2020.

However, the state's dropout rate was unchanged at 1.8%. According to a news release, 8,292 students in grades seven through 12 dropped out last school year, 169 fewer than the previous year.

"We know how tough it was for everyone last school year due to the challenges brought on by the pandemic with schools going to remote learning and others offering hybrid models," Katy Anthes, Colorado's education commissioner, said in the release. "It is a relief that the graduation rate is nearly the same as it was the previous year. With the states dropout rate also nearly unchanged, it is a concrete display of the dedication and determination of Colorados students, parents and teachers, especially during these tough times.

Additionally, the state's four-year completion rate was 83.2%, which was .02% less than in 2020 and the first drop in over a decade. Between 2019 and 2020, the rate increased by .7%, according to statistics provided by the state.

Graduation rates declined among four groups of students. The largest decline was among American Indian students at 2.2%.

Hispanic students had the second largest decline at 1.2%, while students of two or more races graduated .8% less than the previous year. Black students also graduated .6% less than their counterparts in 2020, according to the state's data.

The same data set found that female students were 7.7% more likely to graduate in 2021 than males, whose graduation rate was 77.9%, or .6% lower than in 2020.
A survey completed using a combination of ground and space-based telescopes yielded a treasure trove of previously unknown globular clusters - old, dense groups of thousands of stars that all formed at the same time - in the outer regions of the elliptical galaxy Centaurus A.

The work presents a significant advance in understanding the architecture and cosmological history of this galaxy and offers new insights into galaxy formation in general and the distribution of dark matter in the universe.

Allison Hughes, a doctoral student in the University of Arizona Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory, is the first author of a peer-reviewed paper summarizing the findings that was published in the Astrophysical Journal in June. She will present the study during a press briefing at the 239th Meeting of the Astronomical Society of America Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. (MST). The briefing will be streamed via Zoom.

Centaurus A, also known as NGC 5128, is a visually stunning, elliptical galaxy featuring a relativistic jet spewing from a supermassive black hole at its center and spectacular streams of scattered stars left behind by past collisions and mergers with smaller galaxies orbiting Centaurus A. Located in the constellation Centaurus, 13 million light-years from Earth, Centaurus A is too far away to allow astronomers to see individual stars, but star clusters can be identified as such and used as "fossil evidence" of the galaxy's tumultuous evolution.

Hughes and her colleagues present a new catalog of approximately 40,000 globular cluster candidates in Centaurus A, recommending follow-up observations focused on a set of 1,900 that are most likely to be true globular clusters. The researchers surveyed globular cluster candidates out to a projected radius of approximately 150 kiloparsecs, nearly half a million light-years from the galaxy's center. The data combines observations from the following sources: the Panoramic Imaging Survey of Centaurus and Sculptor, or PISCeS; Gaia, a space observatory of the European Space Agency, and the NOAO Source Catalog, which combines publicly accessible images from telescopes in both hemispheres covering nearly the entire sky.

.Centaurus A has been a leading target for extragalactic globular cluster studies due to its richness and proximity to Earth, but the majority of studies have focused on the inner 40 kiloparsecs (about 130,500 light-years) of the galaxy, Hughes explained, leaving the outer reaches of the galaxy largely unexplored. Ranking the candidates based on the likelihood that they are true globular clusters, the team found that approximately 1,900 are highly likely to be confirmed as such and should be the highest priority for follow-up spectroscopic confirmation.

"We're using the Gaia satellite, which mostly focuses on surveys within our own galaxy, the Milky Way, in a new way in that we link up its observations with telescopes on the ground, in this case the Magellan Clay telescope in Chile and the Anglo-Australian Telescope in Australia."

Centaurus A's structure tells astronomers that it went through several major mergers with other galaxies, leading to its glob-like appearance with river-like regions that have many more stars than the surrounding areas, Hughes said. Providing the closest example of an elliptical galaxy, Centaurus A offers astronomers an opportunity to study up close a galaxy that is very unlike our own. The Milky Way, as well as its closest neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy, are both spiral galaxies. With their familiar, pinwheel-like appearance, spiral galaxies may seem like the "typical" galaxy, but it turns out that their less orderly elliptical cousins outnumber them in the cosmos.

"Centaurus A may look like an odd outlier, but that's only because we can get close enough to see its nitty gritty details," Hughes said. "More likely than not, both elliptical and spiral galaxies like the Milky Way are messier than we realize as soon as we look a little bit deeper than just on the surface."

Globular clusters serve as evidence of processes that happened a long time ago, Hughes said.

"For example, if you see a line of these globular clusters that all have similar metallicity (chemical composition) and move with similar radial velocity, we know they must have come from the same dwarf galaxy or some similar object that collided with Centaurus A and is now in the process of being assimilated."

Star clusters form from dense patches of gas in the interstellar medium. Almost every galaxy has globular clusters, including the Milky Way, which boasts around 150 of them, but most stars are not arranged in such clumps. By studying globular clusters, astronomers can gather clues about the galaxy hosting them, such as its mass, its history of interactions with nearby galaxies and even the distribution of dark matter within, according to Hughes.

"Globular clusters are interesting because they can be used as tracers of structures and processes in other galaxies where we can't resolve individual stars," Hughes said. "They hold on to chemical signatures, such as the elemental composition of their individual stars, so they tell us something about the environment in which they formed."

The researchers specifically looked for globular clusters far from the center of the galaxy because Centaurus A's substructure hints at a large, undiscovered population of such clusters, Hughes explained. Previous observations had found just under 600 clusters in the more central regions, but the outer regions of the galaxy had remained largely uncharted.

"We looked farther out and discovered more than 100 new clusters already, and most likely there are more, because we haven't even finished processing the data," Hughes said.

"We can then use that data to reconstruct the architecture and movements in that galaxy, and also figure out its mass," Hughes said. "From that we can eventually subtract all its stars and see what's left - that invisible mass must be its dark matter."

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The state is investigating after the Colorado Cattlemen's Association on Monday announced what would be the first kill of livestock by a pack of wolves in more than 70 years.
In the research, the simulation results of our recursive composite adaptive control algorithm are presented in comparison with the direct adaptive control algorithm. The coordinate frames of the manipulator of the Chinese Space Station are plotted in the Figure . CREDIT Space: Science & Technology

In the process of the construction and routine maintenance of the Chinese Space Station, the manipulator of the Chinese Space Station plays a significantly important role that can accomplish some key tasks, such as transposition docking, daily maintenance, and auxiliary extravehicular activities.



The high accuracy and dynamic performance of the manipulator are the necessary conditions for the successful completion of these tasks, which can often be maintained by controls that are designed based on the dynamics model. However, in the practice situations, it is usually unrealistic to obtain all the inertia parameters precisely. Therefore, the adaptive control is developed to ensure the convergence of tracking control even if the system has uncertain or slowly changing parameters. In a research paper recently published in Space: Science & Technology, Dr. Li from the State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, proposed a new recursive implementation of composite adaptive control for robot manipulators.

First, Dr. Li revisited the composite adaptive controller proposed by Slotine and Li. Adaptive control can ensure the convergence of tracking control even if the system has uncertain or slowly changing parameters. In general, this scheme can be divided into two classes named the direct adaptation and the indirect adaptation according to the signal that drives the parameter update law. In the first category, the parameter update is driven by the tracking errors. While in the second category, the parameters are modified according to the prediction errors, usually of the filtered joint torques. Adaptive control based on tracking errors usually can guarantee a global tracking convergence; however, the converge of estimated parameters has more stringent conditions. In comparison, the indirect adaptive control has a faster parameter convergence speed, but it is generally difficult to obtain the stability of the tracking errors.

Combining the two methods, the well-known composite adaptive controller has the advantages of both, in which the parameter adaptation is driven by both tracking errors and prediction errors. However, computational complexity of these adaptive control methods is a main limitation in the practical robot manipulators, particularly for the case with high degree of freedom. Up to now, only a few works paid attention to the recursive execution of the indirect adaptive or the composite adaptive controller, probably because the use of the prediction error expressed by the regression matrix makes it very difficult to reduce the order of the computational complexity.

In order to solve the aforementioned difficulties, Dr. Li rewrote the Newton-Euler formulation by using the form of general matrices from the classic Recursive Newton-Euler Algorithm. Then, the recursive composite adaptive control method is designed and the stability of the proposed method is verified through selecting an appropriate Lyapunov function. The computational complexity of the proposed recursive composite adaptation is much less than that in the existing studies. The reason behind the fact is that in the original composite controller, no consideration has been devoted to its computational aspects.

Since the computational load of the proposed controllers is at the same scale as the recursive direct adaptive controllers, a comparison of between these two methods is conducted. Results shows that the tracking errors are obviously decreased by using the recursive composite adaptive controller. And the parameter estimates converge faster with the recursive composite adaptive controller. In the simulation part, the manipulator of the Chinese Space Station is employed as a simulation example, and the results verify the effectiveness of the proposed recursive algorithm. Moreover, since the computational load is linear with the numbers of the joints, the proposed method is attractive especially for the redundant multijoint manipulator.

Reference

Authors: Jianfei Li,1,2 Yaobing Wang,2 Zhiyong Liu,1 Xin Jing,3 and Chengwei Hu2

Title of original paper: A New Recursive Composite Adaptive Controller for Robot Manipulators

Article link: https://spj.sciencemag.org/journals/space/2021/9801421/

Journal: Space: Science & Technology

DOI: 10.34133/2021/9801421

Affiliations: Beijing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Space Robotic System Technology and Applications, Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, Beijing 100094, China

About About Dr. Yaobing Wang:

Dr. Yaobing Wang, the director of Beijing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Space Robotic System Technology and Applications, Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, China Academy of Space Technology, and also a member of the Robotics committee under Chinese Society of Astronautics. He has long engaged in space robot and spacecraft mechanical system technology research, participating in a number of space model development and advance of research projects. He has completed the following space robot product and design, including the "Large space manipulator", "Manipulator for Lunar surface sampling", "Robotic astronaut" "On-orbit service multi-robot system" and "Bionic quadruped mobile robot".



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People try to get out of the evacuation area near Mountain Shadows along Centennial Boulevard as the the Waldo Canyon fire burns June 26, 2012.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eli Bremer tested positive for COVID-19 and plans to cancel in-person campaigning until he meets medical guidelines to resume public appearances, his campaign said Tuesday.

The 2008 Olympian and former El Paso County GOP official, one of eight Republicans seeking the nod to challenge Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet, told Colorado Politics that he is experiencing mild symptoms  "not as bad as a normal cold"  and expects to emerge from isolation by Friday. He said he took a COVID test "out of an abundance of caution" because of the number of campaign events on his schedule this week.

While I expect to recover in a few days, my thoughts are with people who have lost their loved ones because of this virus," Bremer, 43, said in a statement. "I am following the advice of my health care team and notifying the people with whom I have been in close contact with over the last few days. While not being able to do in-person events, like many Americans I will still be working just as hard from home.

Bremer, who is vaccinated but hadn't received a booster shot, is the second U.S. Senate candidate from Colorado to announce a positive COVID test result in recent days. On Friday, construction company owner Joe O'Dea said he wasn't experiencing symptoms but had tested positive last week while preparing for back surgery, which his doctors decided to postpone until later this week or early next week.

GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Heidi Ganahl, a member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, reported on Jan. 3 that she had tested positive and would shelve face-to-face campaigning for a time. A campaign spokeswoman told Colorado Politics on Monday that Ganahl had recovered, felt good and was hitting the campaign trail this week.

O'Dea and Ganahl were fully vaccinated, their campaigns said.

On Monday, Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who is running for a second term, said on Twitter that she tested positive for COVID the day before.

"I am only feeling mild symptoms thanks to the vaccine," she said. "I'm grateful to be vaccinated and boosted!"

Griswold added that she tested negative in earlier tests and plans to follow recommendations on isolation and testing from the federal Centers for Disease Control.

The spate of candidate cases comes as Colorado is experiencing a wave of infection due to the highly contagious omicron variant, which has swept the state nearly two years into the pandemic.

Through Monday, Colorado has recorded 10,668 deaths due to the coronavirus and logged a daily seven-day average of 11,799 new cases, according to data tracked by the New York Times. Public health officials say the vast majority of current hospitalizations and deaths are among the unvaccinated.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl tests positive for COVID-19

Colorado GOP Senate candidate Joe O'Dea faces back surgery

Ganahl campaign contacting supporters who attended Prager event after radio host says he has COVID

Multiple debates, forums on deck for Colorado's Republican US Senate hopefuls
An El Paso County judge wrongly concluded that Fountain police acted lawfully when they used a drug-detection dog to uncover illegal narcotics in a man's vehicle  even though there was no probable cause of a crime, the state's Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday.
Arsonists Attack 'Church of Compassion' in Chernobyl Fallout Zone

ARSONISTS ATTACK 'CHURCH OF COMPASSION' IN CHERNOBYL FALL-OUT ZONE: U.S. ministry Slavic Gospel Association ( www.sga.org ) is rushing to the aid of a one-of-a-kind "church of compassion" set on fire by arsonists in Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear fallout zone. The church is a unique place of hope and help for children living on the edge of a toxic wasteland, the result of the world's worst ever nuclear disaster more than 3 decades ago.

U.S. ministry Slavic Gospel Association rushes to aid only church 'for miles' on edge of nuclear wasteland



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Slavic Gospel Association (SGA)

Jan. 12, 2022



LOVES PARK, Ill., Jan. 12, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- A U.S. ministry is rushing to the aid of a one-of-a-kind "church of compassion" targeted by arsonists in Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear fallout zone.



The only church in the village of Mlachivka  on the edge of the Chernobyl radiation "exclusion zone"  was badly damaged by fire on Jan. 6, Christmas Eve in the region's Russian Orthodox calendar. Evidence at the scene shows arson as the cause.



The church  the only evangelical congregation for miles  is a unique place of hope and help for children living on the doorstep of a toxic wasteland, the result of the world's worst ever nuclear disaster more than three decades ago.



"This little church is a major compassion haven for so many children in a very dark place," said Michael Johnson, president of Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org), who has traveled to the area many times.



"Most of these children are from dysfunctional homes with alcoholic parents. Domestic violence is common. Pastor Nikolai's church is a unique place where they feel loved, safe, and cared for," said Johnson, who announced SGA would be helping the church rebuild.
Even before the United States Supreme Court struck down mandated Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19 policies for large employers on Jan. 13, Forest City school board members paused the issue on Jan. 10

After readying emergency COVID-19 policies to ensure compliance with OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards in a Jan. 3 special meeting, school board members did not move forward with fully formalizing them during a Jan. 10 board policy review.

Board members Beth Clouse and Troy Thompson motioned to table a second reading of board policies regarding OSHAs COVID-19 vaccine, testing, and masking ETS. One board member, Keila Buffington, voted against these policies being tabled, at least for the time being. School superintendent Darwin Lehmann recommended to board members that they go ahead and approve the policies to ensure meeting the letter of the law.

If the Supreme Court shoots it down, its done, said Lehmann on Jan. 10. Otherwise, we have to have them done by the third regular board meeting (of the year).

After the OSHA ETS implementation was blocked by the highest court in the land, Superintendent Lehmann said the emergency policies will not be adopted or used by the district.

"With the Supreme Court not approving the OSHA (mandate) for 100-plus employee businesses, everything on our end, with that policy as we passed it, will no longer be effective," Lehmann said. "It was not supported by the Supreme Court, so we will not be moving forward with anything along that line."

Lehmann said the board should not need to take further action on the item at the next monthly meeting, based on its language for passing the emergency policies on Jan. 3. However, he said school officials would confirm that prior to the next meeting.

Meeting discussion

I hate this overreach by OSHA, said board member Thompson at the Jan. 10 meeting. It puts everyone on this board in a pretty strange predicament. If we approve something, at the end of the day, we have to answer to the people who elected us.

Thompson said he wanted the school board to bear the burden of bringing it back, if necessary, rather than the Supreme Court decision implementing board policy.

If it is suspended, it is not enforceable, Thompson said.

In another COVID-19 related item, board members unanimously approved of incorporating new Center for Disease Control and Iowa Department of Public Health isolation recommendations for persons testing positive with COVID-19. The updated "return to learn plan" recommendations and district policy will allow persons to return after five days instead of 10, provided they are asymptomatic and wear a mask on days 6-10.

Parents still have the option to isolate for 10 days, Lehmann said. If they come back (early), they have to mask up. A reason I like it is that it is an opportunity to get students back in school.

During discussion, board member Clouse said she has concerns that the CDC has also consistently crossed the line of what is reasonable on COVID-19 policies. Meinders said that when the IDPH and CDC do not agree, the district generally follows the IDPH recommendations.

Rob Hillesland is community editor for the Summit-Tribune. He can be reached at 641-421-0534, or by email at rob.hillesland@globegazette.com.

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Mechanical Engineer Andrew Van Beek from Midwest Engineering provided further details for an HVAC upgrade at the Mitchell County Jail on the Jan 11 MCBOS meeting. He stated his goal was to get the project out for bidding, with an onus on cost savings.

Since Van Beeks last meeting with the supervisors, Midwest Engineering has made alterations to the design. More changes could be made if they are cost saving measures.

Van Beek added that Midwest Engineering believes it can simplify the dedicated outside air system, which serves the secured areas, and in so doing save around $30,000 to $40,000 on project costs.

A question was raised whether inmate storage needed full air conditioning. Van Beek was not referring to the inmates cells, but to a room for inmate property storage.

It does get a little bit of air conditioning from the dedicated outside air system, said Van Beek. No full air conditioning, just some dehumidification, but itd be a lot cheaper if wed just heat that and not tie it into the VRF system.

Mitchell County Sheriff Greg Beaver said he does not believe Van Beeks suggestion would be a problem.

Van Beeks current base bid estimate is between $720,000 and $1.08 million. The controls alternate comes in at an estimated 10 percent of the total project cost, between $80,000 and $120,000.

But I would not be surprised if it was more along the lines of $100,000 to $150,000 for the control system, Van Beek said.

The humidification system and portable water treatmentwater softener, water filtrationVan Beek estimated at between $110,000 and $165,000. Van Beek recommended using the system, especially if the funding source relies on COVID-19 relief funding, which has provided grants for HVAC upgrades.

If you want to utilize that to the fullest, then humidification is a must, Van Beek said.

Midwest Engineerings cost is 8.5 percent of construction.

Currently, an asbestos inspector is inspecting the roof, which Iowa DNR requires, according to Van Beek. There are also insurance requirements by Mitchell County for the HVAC project.

I tried, Van Beek said of keeping costs in the range of his original estimate. I gave you that $500,000 to a $1 million before doing any kind of detailed designs. Once you start getting up into these more complicated systems to maintain and do air quality control, cost starts to balloon. (Estimates were) also based on older projects. Since then, the costs have gone up anywhere from six percent to 50 percent on certain components."

Im still trying to find ways to reduce the cost. Were trying to do as much as we can before we take the bids. We are incentivized to find change orders after the project has been issued.

The pre-bid meeting is scheduled on Jan. 26, providing contractors the opportunity to survey and walk through the site to view preexisting conditions and price bids accordingly. The day of bidding is scheduled for Feb. 9, with bids received in person up to the 3 p.m. at the Mitchell County Auditors Office, before being read out loud as a public bidding in the supervisors room.

Its obvious something needs to be done over there, said Supervisor Mike Mayer.

Its going to cost a (heck) of a lot of money, thats the only way to put it, said Supervisor Jim Wherry. Its not going to go away. Its going to have to be done in the future sometime. Someone has to pay for it. Right now we have a funding source. In the future if we do it, its going to be on the taxpayers to do it. I dont like spending this much money, but I dont know any other way to do it either.

Those prices are probably not going to get any better in the foreseeable future, Van Beek said, adding that the estimates he provided would most likely increase throughout the next two to three years. Midwest Engineering has seen price increases every six months for major equipment.

Van Beek said the county could reject all bids, but could not rebid without making significant material changes.

The supervisors voted to approve the Mitchell County Jails HVAC upgrade project.

Jason W. Selby is the community editor for the Mitchell Country Press News. He can be reached at 515-971-6217, or by email at jason.selby@globegazette.com.

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Gov. Kim Reynolds will unveil her policy priorities tonight at the annual Condition of the State address.

Reynolds told reporters last week that she plans a bold and historic agenda for the 2022 legislative session, including tax cuts, a comprehensive workforce package, and education reform.

WATCH THE CONDITION OF THE STATE HERE AT 6 PM:

I believe that this upcoming session represents yet another opportunity for us to come together as one state, accomplish great things and continue to lead this nation, she said. Iowa is moving in the right direction.

Reynolds excited about tax cuts

Reynolds was reticent to discuss the specifics of her tax plans with reporters last week.

Im not going to give any details, but Im excited about where were at, she said.

She said the states $1.24 billion surplus is evidence that Iowa is collecting too much from its citizens  and that overcollection is making Iowa less competitive with other states.

Every single one of those states are reducing taxes so that they can be more competitive, grow their economy and bring people to the state of Iowa, she said.

Reynolds said whatever tax cuts come next, they need to be fiscally responsible and maintainable over time.

We have to make sure that we can still fund priorities that are important to Iowans: public safety, education, she said. And I think weve demonstrated that we can do that.

Broad workforce package will include child care, job training

Throughout the COVID pandemic, Iowa employers have struggled to find enough workers, even as the unemployment rate has fallen from its peak in 2020.

Were still above the national average, but were not back to where we were prior to the pandemic and we need to figure out why, Reynolds said.

Lawmakers agree on need for workers, but not how to get them DES MOINES -- How can Iowa persuade more people to move here, live here and work here?

Iowas unemployment rate in November was 3.7%  a far cry lower than the 11.1% unemployment rate the state recorded in April 2020, during the shutdowns. But the rate is still significantly higher than it was in November 2019, before COVID, when the states unemployment rate was 2.8%.

The number of people participating in the workforce has also fallen between November 2019 and November 2021. In 2019, 70.4% of Iowans were participating in the workforce  either holding a job or actively looking for one. In 2021, just 66.8% of Iowans were active workforce participants. Thats a difference of about 81,600 people.

Reynolds also noted that two-thirds of Iowans on unemployment are between the ages of 25 and 54 and pledged to look into why that age group was lagging.

Were willing to invest in Iowans, she said. Theres tremendous opportunities out there for great careers across every single sector.

Reynold promised a comprehensive proposal to address the issue, including changes to career training, child care and the unemployment system.

The unemployment code was written a long, long time ago, when we were in a much different position, she said. And today, we need to incentivize work, not pay people to stay home.

Reynolds announced in October that Iowa Workforce Development would introduce new rules to promote rapid reemployment.

The new work search requirements for some unemployed Iowans took effect Sunday, requiring job-seekers to meet with a career planner and do at least three other reemployment activities each week.

Parent choice to drive education policy

Reynolds said parent choice will continue to be a major theme in 2022.

One of the outcomes of COVID is it gave parents a front-row seat into what was happening in our education system, she said.

Iowa educators ask for more school funding amid staffing challenges Faced with filling staff openings at schools, obtaining adequate school funding and having more flexibility in hiring are two of the priorities that the states school leaders say they want the Iowa Legislature to address when it begins its 2022 session this week.

Through the pandemic, school boards and parents debated mask wearing in schools. Reynolds and Iowas Republican majorities maintained that parents should decide whether children should wear face coverings. A court ruling allowed school districts to impose mask mandates to protect disabled students.

Late in the year, a new debate emerged. Some parents and lawmakers asked school boards to remove certain books with explicit or controversial content.

Reynolds said schools need to have more transparency for parents, including a list of books available to their children.

We just need to make that accessible to parents so that they can even have a better idea of whats available to their kids and whats being taught in the classroom, she said.

But Reynolds also acknowledged the successes in Iowa schools, and she commended teachers for staying strong through tough times. She and other Republicans have emphasized the importance of opening schools in person before many other states.

We need to be in a classroom. Its a safety net for kids, as well as social, emotional growth, she said. We figured out a long time ago how to do it safely and responsibly.

Reynolds said that decision was also driven by parents, who called her and lawmakers and pleaded with them to reopen schools.

Critics say Iowa Gov. Reynolds failed leadership includes COVID-19 CEDAR RAPIDS  A year ago, Gov. Kim Reynolds acknowledged the toll that 2020 had taken as she delivered an upbeat message that Iowans were coming back despite being beaten and battered in about every way imaginable and some unimaginable.

I think thats a dynamic that youre going to continue to see play out with parents as they continue to really pay attention to whats happening in our schools, good and bad, she said. And theyll react accordingly.

This story is published with permission from Iowa Capital Dispatch.

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Correction: This story has been updated to include the correct date of the rescue.

In 2019, three Cerro Gordo County deputies saved the life of a man involved in a fiery car crash.

Two years later, the three deputies, Matthew Smith, Zachary Scott and Christopher Flatness were honored with the Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor for their actions.

On Nov. 15, 2019, deputies Flatness and Smith were off-duty and driving westbound along Highway 122, on their way to see Candlebox at the Surf Ballroom, according to Flatness.

In the area just around the Mason City Municipal Airport, Flatness and Smith came upon a two-car collision that the duo immediately recognized as life-threatening for those involved.

"We were literally there within 10 seconds of it happening," Flatness said. "Both Smith and I could tell, when we saw both vehicles, we were like 'man this is bad.'"

Flatness and Smith immediately bolted into action, surveying the scene. While one driver had died on impact, the other was alive but trapped inside his vehicle that was now on fire.

Now with deputy Scott on the scene, as well as three North Iowa residents who had stopped to help, Flatness recalls the situation escalating quickly, and the door of the victim's vehicle not budging.

"We needed to get that door open or that guy was going to die," Flatness recalled.

With Scott attempting to control the ever-growing flames with a fire extinguisher, the other five were able to free the man from his vehicle just in time, saving his life.

Flatness said that, all in all, the rescue took around just one minute, but any longer than that, crash victim would not have made it.

"It was a total team effort, none of us were getting that door open by ourselves," Flatness said. "Without everyone's help, he would have died for sure."

"They saved that person's life," Cerro Gordo County Sherriff Kevin Pals said.

For the bravery the three deputies displayed that evening, Flatness, Smith and Scott were given the Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

"In a time of need we put our own safety in harms way to help others," Pals said of his deputies receiving the award. "They all stepped up that night."

The Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor honors the memory of Iowans George, Frank, Joe, Matt and Albert Sullivan, who died during a naval attack during World War II. This year, the ceremony recognized 13 first responders from across the state.

The three North Iowans who assisted the deputies that evening were also recognized for their bravery. David Duncan, Chris Fink and Devyn Brady were given the Governor's Award for their actions.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone involved had to wait until December of 2021 to accept the award, but it was worth the wait. None of the deputies had seen the man they saved from the wreckage since that December evening in 2019, but the man attended the award ceremony in Des Moines so he could thank the deputies and citizens who rescued him.

"It was super humbling to be able to shake his hand, give him a hug and just be able to meet him," Flatness said. "That was to me, and the other two (deputies), the best part of the whole thing."

While all the acclaim is nice, Flatness said that in the end, this is what being a police officer is about.

"I'm grateful for it... but to be honest it's all about just doing what we do," Flatness said. "Knowing I'm going home at night and (have) saved a life or helped someone in need... That's what's important to me."

Zachary Dupont covers politics and business development for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at 641-421-0533 or zachary.dupont@globegazette.com. Follow Zachary on Twitter at @ZachNDupont

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ashwani9669 wrote:

Hi,



This is more like seeking career crossroad advice. I humbly ask all viewers to read the entire description below before sharing their recommendations and not solely base it upon the GMAT score.



I am thinking of applying to my choice of B-schools(ISB, NUS, and NTU) with my GMAT score of 580. I am pushing out this message to seek advice in my case concerning my overall profile and trying to weigh the odds of getting accepted with my overall profile background + GMAT score.



Education - MS in Mechanical Engineering University of Texas, USA

Age - 37 Male

Previous Work - 9 years of US work experience in Oil and Gas industry. Also, worked as an Expat in Nigeria.

Engineering License - Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state of Texas.



Currently working as a consultant for US MNC clients through my engineering startup. It's going decently.



Personal history - I exited the US in 2020 August due to the COVID crisis in India to handle the situation back at home as both of my parents were severely impacted, with my father still dealing with and recovering from secondary issues. The doctors at Medanta recommended that it can take more than a year for him to fully recover so I had to make the call of staying back and let go of my job in the USA. Though I managed to negotiate with my employer to work as a consultant for them from India, which was a silver lining.



I spent a good amount of time nursing my Dad back to his health and preparing for my GMAT which was not very sincere for the first few months but slowly caught upon. Gave my first attempt in November and scored 580. I thought I can bump it up on the next attempt and gave another exam in Jan but scored lesser than my first attempt. Now I am stuck at crossroads whether to continue with more futile attempts any further or not and try my luck or to seek admission with my first score of 580.



Also, since I am aging faster than college deadlines plus this prolonged mental fatigue from GMAT preparation I don't see myself being able to bump up my score before round 3 deadlines of the colleges I have mentioned above. I know GMAT golden figure scores are desirable but I think I can defend my case with my niche profile. In the worst case, I'll be waisting a year for next year's admissions so I am willing to take my chances with my current score to see if I can get an admissions call.



So let me know what you guys think about my roadmap ahead.
donold wrote:

Hi guys,





i am near about to finish my graduate and want to join MBA studies in delhi but i am not very much sure to which college i should join because from outside all college looking like same......



my first preference towared to college ranking provided by business india and business world ......



can any body suggest me right college to select if you know some of them...





thanks

Following are your possible options1.IIFT-offers a 1 year course in IB and applications through GMAT or a written exam of their own.2.FMS-Conduct a written exam of their own.Very low seat intake(close to 40)3.IMI-Probably the best of the second string colleges in Delhi.4.Fore-Competes with IMI to be the top second string college in Delhi.
Messiah Johnson spent more than 20 years in prison for a beauty salon robbery he didn't commit. He's since started a trucking business and recently bought a home, and he wants to employ people returning from incarceration.

But he needs one last thing to get his life back. Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2018, at the end of his term, granted Johnson a partial pardon (called a conditional pardon) based on credible evidence he was innocent. Johnson has waited four years, hoping Gov. Ralph Northam would grant an absolute pardon.

But the Northam administration recently notified Johnson's lawyers at the University of Virginia Innocence Project that they wouldn't be getting to it and it would pass to the next administration. Northam leaves office on Saturday when Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin is sworn in, and Johnson hopes Northam will reconsider.

I still have that stigma of 24 felonies. And in some peoples mind, maybe Im not innocent," Johnson said. "So thats still a dark cloud over my head. I would like for myself, my family, my community, the people Ive inspired and helped and of course my daughters to know that their father is absolutely 100 percent innocent.

"My family and I  we need him to make the right decision and grant me the pardon."

Deirdre Enright, a law professor at the University of Virginia and founder of the UVA Innocence Project, helped investigate Johnson's case and confirm the real robber. She said she was mystified about why the Northam administration couldn't act on the request for an absolute pardon in four years when the facts McAuliffe had remain the same.

"It's a slam dunk on innocence," she said. "Weve solved the crime, we got an affidavit from the guy who did it. ... I just don't understand what the problem is."

Johnson moved to Virginia in the 1980s as a child and by his early 20s was working in a job removing hazardous lead from homes. His life changed on the night he went out to a club in Norfolk with friends.

After leaving, they were surrounded by blue police lights and guns pointed at them. An officer told Johnson he was a suspect in a robbery.

It was a few weeks after the December 1997 robbery of the Norfolk beauty salon. Another man, Robert A. Humphries, was charged in a string of robberies but Johnson was charged with the beauty salon robbery.

After a mistrial, prosecutors offered Johnson a plea deal of three years behind bars after he had already served a year and a half. He wouldn't accept. A jury convicted him and he was sentenced to 132 years.

I have no regrets about declining that three years because my whole fight has been about my innocence and being vindicated," Johnson said.

Enright said they found that police conducted suggestive lineups of the beauty salon robbery victims to identify Johnson as the robber. Police mistakes in photo and in-person lineups are a leading cause of wrongful convictions.

Humphries signed an affidavit admitting to the robbery.

The case for innocence was clear, Enright said, and then this year they found even more evidence after the Norfolk commonwealth's attorney's office allowed access to its files.

Records showed that the lead detective told officers that one of the victim identifications of Johnson "was far too suggestive and hampering to the investigation and possibly prosecution." The detective told the officers not to do that again.

The lead detective interviewed the victim but didn't record it because he didn't think it could be used in court due to the faulty police lineup.

But that victim's identification of Johnson was used in court anyway during both trials.

Johnson had no knowledge of who Robert Humphries was.

Kelly Thomasson, the secretary of the commonwealth, and Grant Neely, the communications director to Northam, did not respond to an opportunity to discuss the case.

Johnson was a victim of identity theft while incarcerated and had to address more than $50,000 in debt from that. The felonies on his record made it difficult to find housing.

I still have 24 felonies on my record because it was only a conditional pardon. It doesnt exonerate me.

He praised the second-chance policies of McAuliffe and Northam, who has granted over 700 pardons in his term. But he said he's turned over everything he can and answered every question and doesn't know what's left to investigate.

For me and my family, we want to be able to move on with the next chapter of my life.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has forecasted Azerbaijan's average daily oil production to be 710,000 barrels in 2023.

In its report released in January, the agency's forecast for the country's daily oil production in 2022 stayed unchanged at the level of 740,000 barrels.

In this context, the average daily oil production is forecasted to be 730,000 and 740,000 barrels in the first and second quarters of the year.

According to the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook report, the average daily oil production in Azerbaijan was 720,000 barrels in 2021 [ 750,000; 700,000; 710,000; 710,000 barrels in each quarter, respectively].

Since April 2020, OPEC and non-OPEC countries entered into an agreement on the reduction of daily oil production volume. Earlier, Azerbaijan supported the decision to increase daily crude oil output by 400,000 barrels per month in August-December 2021 and to extend the Declaration of Cooperation until late 2022, with partial adjustments to the base level of oil production from May next year.
Tamales and chimichangas are my favorite Mexican foods. Ones that taste anywhere near those in Arizona and New Mexico are hard to find in North Carolina.

When I was substitute teaching at Draper Elementary School in the early 2000s, a student learned of my love for tamales. A few days later, his mother arrived with a container of hot tamales she had just finished making.

Years later, a high school student spoke about working in his familys restaurant, La Jaliciense, in the stripmall behind Meadow Greens. He told me about their tamales. One day, I stopped by for some. Not only were the tamales great, but the family provided friendly service.

Tamales were the first thing I had the night I arrived in Santa Fe for the Christmas holidays as we stopped and got some to go along with some guacamole and chips. They made a great welcome home dinner!

My oldest grandson, Jude, and his friend, Desiree, decided to make tamales from scratch so I would not only have the freshest available but could learn how to make my own  a traditional Hispanic combination of her familys and his Grandmother Pachecos recipes.

The night before the big day, Jude cooked a four-pound pork roast in the crockpot. He combined the toasted peppercorns, Mexican oregano, medium-spiced chili, bay leaves, garlic cloves, cumin, salt and pepper and rubbed the mixture into the roast. He then cut the roast into six-eight pieces and seared them. After returning the meat to the crockpot, he added the chicken broth and enough water to cover the meat, and left it to cook overnight.

Shortly after midnight, I awoke to a delicious tamale smell. I could hardly go back to sleep thinking about them.

The next morning, Jude removed the pork and saved the broth before finely shredding the beef. The broth was reserved to use in the chili and the hot masa mix.

When Desiree arrived, she began the overall process: First, she put the corn husks in hot water to soak, and began preparing the chili. She then combined the ingredients to cook about 20 minutes. Once done, she removed the chili pepper tops, blended all the ingredients until they were pourable and ran them through a sieve to remove larger pieces.

To the pan with the onion/chili combination, broth, water, red chili powder and whole red chili pods were added to create the chili base. After blending the concoction, it was combined with the shredded pork and set aside.

In another pan, they sauteed more onions and garlic with the addition of whole blackened red chili pods and chicken broth. Sometimes discussions ensued about the way certain things should be done, with the result often becoming something entirely new. The two were creating their own tamale recipe.

This looks great, Desiree said as she stirred the resulting chili mixture, adding for my benefit, it looks like Sloppy Joes. Another debate followed about whether it was too hot. I was the taste tester, by the way.

Following the instructions on the package, Desiree prepared the masa, substituting the meat broth for half the required water, and kneaded the dough.

Tamale recipes call for lard and only lard can be used  not shortening like Crisco, but pure lard like my Grandma used to make her delicious homemade biscuits. Lard can be found in the Mexican section at most grocery stores.

The next decision was whether the final product should be more masa (crust) and less meat, vice versa, or half and half. Masa is a flour made from dried corn kernels cooked and soaked in a lime solution. It forms the outer coating for the tamales. Desiree mixed the ingredients with her hands, once more reminding me of my grandmother making biscuits the way she kneaded the dough until it was a sticky consistency.

Everything goes together, Jude said, before he poured some chili into the masa mixture to create a burnt orange color for the dough.

Now, came the hard work.

Tamales are a labor of love, Desiree said as she cleared an area to put together the tamales, quickly noting, It is not difficult.

The soaked corn husks were dried with paper towels and Desiree took one, cut a narrow 1/4-inch strip from it, and put it aside. Then she placed some dough mixture in the middle of the cornhusk, spreading it nearly to the edges. Next, she topped it with some meat mixture before rolling the husk and its ingredients into a neat roll, flipped up one end toward the middle, and secured it with the narrow cornhusk strip.

Jude and Desiree repeated the process until they had made about 40 tamales. After they were finished, the tamales were placed upright in a steamer of boiling water. The heat was reduced to simmer and a lid placed on the pot. They then were simmered for about an hour until they were done.

The best part of the entire process? When we sat down and ate the finished product. A tough couple of days of cooking had produced tamales comparable to any I had ever eaten anywhere!
Lucky countries have celebrations that remind their citizens of what binds them together  think Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.

Unlucky countries do the opposite: They commemorate the divisions that drive them apart.

In Northern Ireland, Protestant militants march noisily on July 12 to remind the Catholic minority which side won the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbs march on Jan. 9 to assert their independence from the groups they fought in their countrys war.

After the U.S. Civil War, Southern states celebrated Confederate Memorial Day on a different date than the Norths Decoration Day; the holidays didnt merge until World War I.

Last week, with the anniversary of the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, the United States slipped onto the list of unhappy countries.

The day turned into a festival of national division  not a single, unifying commemoration but three very different observances.

President Joe Biden gave an unexpectedly fiery speech, blaming Donald Trump for inciting the mob that attacked the Capitol and for continuing to stoke the poisonous myth that the 2020 election was stolen.

The former president of the United States of America has created and spread a web of lies, Biden said. Hes done so because he values power over principle  and because his bruised ego matters more to him than our democracy.

Predictably, Trump rose to the bait, issuing four angry statements from his exile in Mar-a-Lago, all renewing his spurious claims.

The Big Lie was the election itself, he wrote. The election outcome was the real insurrection, he said. And he accused the Biden administration of appalling abuse of political prisoners, an apparent reference to defendants held on federal charges after the riot  a favorite cause of his fringiest followers, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.

Caught in the middle were Republican leaders who know Trump lost the election but dont want to say so because it would enrage the vengeful former president.

They observed Jan. 6 by offering muddled statements that disapproved of the riot but blamed Democrats for politicizing the issue  as if there were any way to avoid connecting the invasion of the Capitol to politics.

The actions of that day were lawless and as wrong as wrong can be, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said. The problem now, he complained, is that Democrats are using it as a partisan political weapon.

Its a difficult straddle to execute, as Sen. Ted Cruz discovered when he incautiously described the riot as a violent terrorist attack, a phrase he has used in the past.

Heresy! Cruz, who ran against Trump for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, was assailed by Trump supporters and subjected to interrogation by Tucker Carlson of Fox News. It was not a violent terrorist attack, Carlson insisted.

In a scene reminiscent of the show trials of Mao Zedongs China, Cruz promptly recanted his deviation from party doctrine.

It was a mistake, the Texas Republican said, referring to his statement, not the riot.

Lesson to other Republicans who seek reelection: Dont deviate from Trumps views, or you may be a victim of the GOPs own form of cancel culture.

Trump, who gloried in watching the mob rampage through the Capitol, doesnt appear to want the battle to end. And thats the chief obstacle to getting over the division that remains. Its not about whether sacking the Capitol was right or wrong; even McCarthy can answer that question accurately. Its whether the myth Trump used to rile up the mob  his infinitely debunked claim that the election was stolen  should be embraced or repudiated.

Thats not a debate that offers ground for compromise. Either Trump is right, and the current president of the United States is illegitimate  or Trump deliberately set out to overturn a democratic election and is bending the rest of the GOP to his will.

So far, he appears to be succeeding, at least when it comes to radicalizing his party.

Thats why Biden, after months of pretending that Trump was no longer there, escalated last week.

We are in a battle for the soul of America, he said, reviving a slogan from his 2020 campaign. I did not seek this fight  but I will not shrink from it, either.

Trumps continuing campaign to deny the presidents legitimacy  no ground for compromise there, either  left him little choice.

For a few weeks after Jan. 6, 2021, it was possible to hope that the trauma of the day might unify the country. That didnt happen; the ensuing year only confirmed our division.

The lesson of Jan. 6, 2022, is that Jan. 6 isnt over.
A federal judge has dismissed claims of racial discrimination filed by current and former Winston-Salem firefighters almost a year ago, although the court has left the door open for the firefighters to re-file their lawsuit.

Judge Catherine Eagles on Wednesday granted motions by the city and Fire Chief William Trey Mayo to dismiss the lawsuit that five men filed claiming multiple incidents of racism had occurred in the citys fire department over a number of years.

Eagles adopted the recommendation of U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe Webster to dismiss the case, but she also dismissed the complaints without prejudice, meaning that the firefighters can choose to re-file their case at some future point.

Webster, in his recommendation to dismiss the case, said the firefighters had failed to sufficiently show facts that backed up their claims. Most of the alleged racist incidents did not involve the firefighters who had filed suit, Webster found.

Thomas Penn Jr., one of the suing firefighters, said in response to the dismissal that the group is still gathering evidence of city misdeeds and that the stories will be told in the coming weeks.

The lawsuit was filed by Penn, Delbert Hairston Jr., Gerrod Hardy, Ricky Brown and Eddie Forest. The men were among members of Omnibus, a group of firefighters who made allegations of racism against members of the fire department over a period of months from the summer of 2020.

In its protests, the group called for the dismissal of Mayo and other department personnel it fingered as having engaged in acts of racism. The city didnt take that action, but did bring in consultants to take the racial temperament of the department. The consultants concluded that the department was not racist as a whole, but said that allegations of individual acts of racism showed the need for more diversity training.

The firefighters filed their suit about a month after the study came out.

In their lawsuit, the firefighters repeated many of the allegations they had publicized earlier, including an incident in which someone allegedly left a gorilla mask at the desk of a Black firefighters, and comments on social media that those filing suit found offensive.

In addition to claims of racism, the lawsuit alleged the city had created a hostile work environment for Black firefighters, and had retaliated against those who complained.

In recommending dismissal, the magistrate judge (a judge who assists the lead judge in federal court) essentially said that to sue, the complaining firefighters needed to be the actual victims in the incidents they recounted, but that in most cases they were not.

In two instances identified by the magistrate judge as allegations that two of the plaintiffs personally experienced retaliation, the judge said the lawsuit did not make the case that the alleged retaliation met the required legal standards.

City attorney Angela Carmon declined to comment. Penn, speaking for the Omnibus group, said the firefighters are not surprised or discouraged by the courts decision.

Anyone who has been watching this case, and we know that people as high as the mayor himself has been, knew that this decision was coming, Penn said. The judge only said that we need more people who have directly suffered discrimination and harassment in the fire department to come forward. Their stories are not enough. Their names need to be attached. So that is what we will do.

Penn said Omnibus has gotten more evidence and more examples of the racism in the Winston-Salem Fire Department.

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DURHAM  Duke University and 15 other elite private universities are being sued for alleged antitrust violations because of how they collaborate to determine financial aid. The lawsuit claims that ultimately favors wealthy students.

As part of a price-fixing cartel, the universities are alleged to have eliminated competition, reduced the financial aid they award to admitted students and artificially inflated the price of attendance, according to the lawsuit filed in Illinois federal court Sunday.

The schools allegedly overcharged 170,000 students who were eligible for financial aid by at least hundreds of millions of dollars over two decades, the suit says.

This lawsuit is part of a wave of legal challenges to college admissions practices across the nation, some of which could be argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

UNC-Chapel Hill has defended its application process throughout one high-profile case thats centered on affirmative action and race-based admissions.

In both cases, universities are accused of offering advantages for some students that in turn hurt others.

Privileging the wealthy and disadvantaging the financially needy are inextricably linked, the lawsuit says. They are two sides of the same coin.

Five former students who attended some of the schools filed this class-action lawsuit, including Sia Henry, who graduated from Duke in 2011.

Brown University, Northwestern, Notre Dame, the University of Pennsylvania, Rice, Vanderbilt and Yale are also named in the suit.

The lawsuit claims the schools collaborated as members of the 568 Presidents Group that uses a set of common standards for determining a familys ability to pay for college. The groups name comes from Section 568 of the Higher Education Act, which permits colleges and universities to collaborate on their financial aid formulas.

Under an exemption to federal antitrust laws, schools are allowed to collaborate as long as they admit students on a need-blind basis. The lawsuit alleges these schools dont qualify for that exemption because they do weigh candidates ability to pay in the admissions process.

At least nine of the schools involved, including Duke, have made admissions decisions taking into account the financial circumstances of applicants and their families in processes that favored the wealthy, according to the suit.

The former students are seeking damages and that the schools stop conspiring in their pricing and financial-aid policies.

Duke is specifically accused of maintaining admissions systems that favor the children of wealthy past or potential future donors.

During his tenure, former Duke President Richard Brodhead admitted that it would be naive to say that any university should pay no attention to a familys ability to help the university and a familys ability to donate to Duke was a plus factor in admissions, according to the lawsuit.

Jean Scott, a former director of undergraduate admissions at Duke, also estimated that a couple of hundred applicants a year received special attention as children of prospective donors, the lawsuit says. Scott also admitted that some students got in because they were a high priority for fundraising.

There was more of this (fundraising-related) input at Duke than at any other institution I ever worked for, Scott said, as cited in the lawsuit.
GREENSBORO  The Guilford County Board of Education voted 5-3 on Tuesday night to transfer millions of dollars in leftover funds from completed construction and renovation projects to other such projects.

That includes using nearly $3.6 million toward creating a new newcomers school for immigrant children in High Point.

Guilford County Schools expects to open its second newcomers school in spring 2023, pending unforeseen issues including inflation and global supply-chain delays, according to district spokesman Janson Silvers.

The district now expects to permanently house the school in the Tomlinson building on the campus of High Point Central High School. The district is looking to renovate the building to house the newcomers students.

According to Michelle Reed, the districts chief operations officer, the expected cost for renovations is about $5.3 million, with the remainder of the money coming from federal COVID-19 relief dollars the school board previously set aside for the new newcomers school.

Reed said the renovations to Tomlinson would include classrooms, adding a clinic, potential floor repairs and updates to make the space accessible and compliant under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Superintendent Sharon Contreras said that while administrators originally thought they would put the new newcomers school at Andrews High, they realized more classroom space would be needed.

Currently, the district has one school dedicated to serving new immigrant and refugee children who are learning English. Thats the Doris Henderson Newcomers School, located in Greensboro across from Western High School.

The program jumpstarts students English learning and helps them acclimate before they transition to other schools in the district.

School district leaders have said the immigrant population in the High Point area is growing and that trend is expected to continue. They say it wouldnt make sense to continue to bus students to Greensboro, where the school has long used portable classrooms to help handle enrollment.

In addition, the transfers of funds approved Tuesday include nearly $1.8 million for roof repair or replacement at a handful of district schools. They include: Jackson Middle School, Florence and Sedalia elementary schools and High Point Central and Southern Guilford high schools.

The vote also included using the $2.2 million the district received from selling its property on Pisgah Church Road toward a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics center to be located on the campus of a planned new K-8 school in the southwest area of the county. Other funds for the school are set to come out of the $300 million in bonds county voters approved in 2020.

Contreras explained that the district plans for the STEM center to eventually be one of four across the county, which would be used by students from schools in those areas.

District staff, she said, now want to make sure they have specialized spaces in the centers for science learning for elementary and middle school students as well as career tech learning, and that differentiation would cost more.

Anita Sharpe, Pat Tillman, and Linda Welborn  the boards three Republican members  voted against the proposal. All the boards Democratic members voted for it.

Board member Deborah Napper was absent from the meeting.

Also Tuesday, school board members voted 5-3 to continue the districts policy of requiring students, staff and visitors to wear masks in school. The boards three Republican members voted against the mandate.

The district is required by state law to vote on whether or not require it each month.

Contact Jessie Pounds at 336-373-7002 and follow @JessiePounds on Twitter.
Kelly Ernby was no doubt a good person, a friend to her friends, a companion to her husband, a crime-fighting prosecutor. She presumably had all the decent qualities we usually celebrate after a person dies, when we generally say only the kindest things we can think of.

But she was also a vocal critic of vaccine mandates whose posts on social media risked lives, denied science and confused Americans. She was an activist with a mini-megaphone  an Orange County, Calif., deputy district attorney, a local Republican Party official and a 2019 GOP candidate for state Assembly  spreading the message of a dangerous populist movement.

So when Ernby died of COVID-19 recently at age 46 (unvaccinated), her death set off an ugly public debate, reflecting all the bitterness, polarization and frustration in American pandemic society. She suddenly became a symbol rather than a person, a blank slate onto which we could all project our harshest gut reactions.

Social media blew up. Supporters praised her as a hero and bemoaned the leftist ghouls they said were reveling in her death. People on the left either held out her death as a cautionary lesson or crowed nastily with a sort of macabre, I-told-you-so pleasure.

She did this to herself.

Congratulations on winning your very own Darwin Award.

Freedumb!

Another Trump MENSA member hits the dirt.I feel worse for all the innocents that believed her BS.

Mocking anti-vaxxers when they get sick has become a bit of a sport. Sorryantivaxxer.com, for instance, is a website that runs names, photos, social media posts and commentaries about people who have preached anti-vax messages and then died of COVID. (Suicide by COVID, as some have called it.) On the sites page on Ernby (which already has more than 60,000 page views and nearly 4,000 comments), shes described as another bullheaded conservative who made the wrong choice.

Of course, theres a measure of truth to some of the callous comments. Ernby wasnt vaccinated even though vaccinations have been widely available for many months and the data are clear: People who are vaxxed and boosted are far, far less likely to be infected, to be hospitalized or to die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others. So, yeah, maybe she did do this to herself.

And not just to herself. When she became sick, she may have infected others. Furthermore, as an outspoken anti-vaxxer, her misinformation may have persuaded still others that vaccines were not necessary  or, worse yet, dangerous  leading more people to become infected. So, yes, we should certainly be concerned for the innocents who believed her.

Ernbys behavior was certainly irresponsible. But Im not feeling vindicated by her death or indulging in schadenfreude either. I object to the glib, nasty comments on the web. I dont understand how crowing over the death of others furthers useful debate  or increases vaccination rates.

Not that Im claiming any particular moral superiority. In fact, Ernbys death has brought back to me some feelings Ive had in the last two years that Im not proud of: I admit to wishing some peoples COVID cases had been a bit more serious than they were.

It didnt seem fair that politicians who pooh-poohed the virus or downplayed mask-wearing or objected to vaccine mandates could come down with a mild case and recover as if nothing had happened  and then start spouting the same old nonsense.

But when Ernby died, I felt no desire to gloat. And when I saw cruel comments on social media, I merely felt tired, exhausted, depressed.

I wondered wearily: How have people become so untethered from reality that they believe in QAnon or that President Biden stole the 2020 election  or that vaccines are a liberal scam? How have we lost our common shared belief in facts and reality?

And what will we do to repair our society now that people have grown so vicious toward one another?

Kelly Ernby is being mourned by those close to her. Our political differences have no bearing on this: I am sorry she died. I feel sad for her husband, and I take no amusement from the snide black humor on the web.

Instead, I worry for the country.

Nicholas Goldberg is an associate editor and op-ed columnist for the Los Angeles Times.
Mix a high-pressure system of COVID infections with a low-pressure front of poor salaries and then add a frigid blast of indifference from Raleigh lawmakers and what you get is a perfect storm: not enough school bus drivers.

On Friday, 76 Guilford County school bus drivers were out sick with COVID-19.

As of this weekend, we dont have enough bus drivers to continue serving all students, the school systems chief operations officer, Michelle Reed, said in a news release Saturday.

The driver shortage has become so acute that school bus service was suspended at eight high schools, effective Monday: Dudley, Grimsley, Page, Smith and the Academy at Smith in Greensboro; and Andrews, High Point Central and Kearns Academy in High Point.

Schools outside city limits where transit service is not available are not affected, nor are middle and elementary schools; magnet schools; and students with disabilities who require special transportation.

The bus driver shortage isnt a new problem. As long ago as 2019 district administrators expressed their concerns. In October of that year drivers threatened a walkout. Among previous solutions GCS has explored to ease the driver shortage is combining driving positions with cafeteria jobs to provide more income and work hours and make the split schedule of morning and afternoon bus routes more manageable.

Nor is this problem unique to Guilford County.

In the states largest school system in Wake County, 150 bus drivers were sidelined Friday, mostly by COVID-19, forcing the cancellation of more than 100 routes.

And, as in Guilford, this was a preexisting condition. Wake County also has faced complaints from drivers about low pay and work conditions. Last fall dozens of Wake drivers staged a three-day sick-out protest.

As for the rest of the country, in the results of a national survey reported in September, half of student-transportation coordinators characterized their school bus driver shortages as either desperate or severe.

COVID has only added more misery to that pain.

The impact is considerable. In Guilford County, buses typically carry 39,000 students on 480 routes a day.

So school officials are scrambling to get students to their campuses by nearly any means necessary.

It hasnt been pretty. But there is no way to do any of this without disrupting the lives and routines of students, families and school faculty.

So you do the best you can as fairly as you can.

In a creative partnership, students will be able to ride city transit buses for free to school in Greensboro and High Point with their school IDs.

Credit the cities of Greensboro and High Point for making the city bus trips available. This is what good neighbors do and, frankly, both cities have a stake in the education of their young people even if they are not technically responsible for public education.

If this solution sounds familiar, those of us who grew up here (and are old enough) may recall discount fares for Greensboro City Schools students during school hours on the old Duke Power transit system.

The city bus option will continue for at least another two weeks, the News & Records Jessie Pounds reported Monday. Some students with limited options also might be taken to school on special shuttle buses.

Meanwhile, the school district has canvassed for employees who are licensed to drive shuttles. Principals and other administrators also have showed up at the bus transfer hub at the downtown Depot to assist and encourage students. And friends and families have arranged carpools.

Maybe state lawmakers should gas up their vehicles and lend a hand as well. After all, theyre the ones sitting on a $6.5 billion budget surplus as the schools remain underfunded. That includes underpaid bus drivers.

The good news is that were still having school in Guilford County.

Among few things that most of us seem to agree on when it comes to the coronavirus is that nearly no one wants to return to remote learning.

Students learn best in person. Teachers teach best in person.

And this community  most communities  dont want to pay the price that previous school shutdowns incurred: achievement setbacks, stressed parents and a sense of loneliness and isolation among students.

So, when rubber bands and paper clips are all youve got to keep classes going, you use rubber bands and paper clips.

And you work through this together. As a community.
Conciliatory?

I read the letter headlined "Uncalled for" on Sunday (Jan. 9) and it made me curious. I do agree with the author that President Biden's speech about the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, was disappointing. I wasn't disappointed with the speech. I agreed with every word. I was disappointed that it had to be given at all.

The part that made me curious was when the writer said that he hoped Biden would have been more conciliatory. How and why could the president have been conciliatory toward people who either ignored, minimized or encouraged an attempt by a mob to overturn an election by preventing Congress from doing its constitutional duty?

By the way, if I was a Trump supporter I wouldn't keep bringing up Biden's approval rating. Although it's lower than most recent presidents, the only president who has had one lower at this point in his term was Donald Trump.

Gregory Narvid

High Point

Be a neighbor

People are still dying from COVID-19 and in large numbers. Anti-vaxxers and other COVID deniers want to dismiss COVID as no longer a danger, since the current most common variant, omicron, is not as deadly as some other variants. But the fact is that people are still dying, approximately 1,500 every day. We have passed the 830,000 mark, and at this rate we will pass the 1 million mark some time in May.

Please, if you are not vaccinated, if you are not wearing a mask fully over your nose and mouth, if you are not keeping distance from others, you are not only endangering yourself; you are also endangering your loved ones. You may think of it as "I have a right to " or "No one can tell me " or "It's no big deal."

Please take a deep breath and change your mind. We all need to be good friends and good neighbors to each other in order to stop spreading this virus and to stop giving it the opportunities to develop yet more variants.

Samuel Johnson

Greensboro

Thomas hypocrisy

Cal Thomas never fails to issue one-sided, misguided and misleading opinions. In a recent column (Jan. 7, Schumers shameless hypocrisy is revealed in his filibuster flop) he ignores Mitch McConnells own blatant hypocrisy. McConnell refused even to have a hearing for President Obamas Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, because he didnt want to fill the seat in an election year, but he rushed through Trumps nomination of Amy Coney Barrett mere weeks before an election.

McConnell has said that the Senate requires deliberation and cooperation and ensures that laws earn enough buy-in to receive the lasting consent of the governed.

Where was this concern for the lasting consent of the governed when Senate Republicans tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act by majority vote? Nor was there any interest in deliberation and cooperation when Republicans wanted a new round of corporate and upper-income tax cuts.

McConnells commitment to the filibuster is situational. He condemned the Democrats use of the nuclear option to get rid of it in 2013  until President Trump needed Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court and then it was bye-bye to the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees.

Lets keep it real here  our political system is rife with hypocrisy, but for the last few decades the Republicans have taken the lead.

Lyn McCoy

Greensboro

Tanger delights

I just had my third spectacular experience at the Tanger Center in as many months! This time was a Christmas gift to granddaughter Mary Milam Shepherd. "Wicked," "Beautiful" and "Come From Away" exceeded all my expectations and passed my personal chills and tears test (Converse College, B.A. English, semester in London; saw 42 plays).

The Tanger Center is a rare jewel set in nearby downtown Greensboro, not New York City or Chicago, or Durham, or Charlotte! We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful place that offers Broadway productions, concerts, speakers and more.

I love the vibrant atmosphere in the tall modern lobby filled with hanging artwork. As people make their way to the theater doors, I felt the bubbling vibration of anticipation.

Parking attendants, security, ticket-scanners, ushers and others are well-trained in being friendly, helpful and accommodating. They even offered booster seats to my grandchildren (think Chick-fil-A on steroids).

The 3,000 seats are strategically arranged so that sight lines are great, even for petite people like me and my granddaughters. All three adored "Wicked." Looking around the inside of the theater with all the lighting feels magical, and as soon as the lights go down, theres a hush over the crowd.

Bettie Rhodes

Reidsville

Tanger access

I was so grateful to attend the Tanger Center recently for a wonderful performance. However, I was also saddened to see so many elderly people struggle to keep from falling there. Unfortunately, many new buildings seem to be designed without significant input from the elderly. If the designers walk through this venue with some of our elders, they will quickly see the pertinent issues and perhaps still be able to address them.

I was also saddened to think of how many will not be able to attend the performances there due to financial reasons. It would be great if our community could find a way to have, for example, some free childrens concerts for those who otherwise would be unable to see a ballet or hear a symphony and so forth. After all, who knows what Baryshnikov, if awakened, we may be harboring in our midst.

Gay Davis

Greensboro

Majority does rule

I commend the letter on Dec. 21 regarding Sen. Joe Manchins No vote on Build Back Better. The writer asserts that Manchin is obstructing majority rule. Except for one small issue: Manchin would be the 51st No vote in the Senate. The majority of senators oppose BBB. That is the definition of majority rules.

Tom Anderson

Greensboro
Religious Viewpoint Case Will Affect Everyone

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Liberty Counsel

Jan. 11, 2022



WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- One week from today, Liberty Counsel will present oral argument to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Boston resident Hal Shurtleff and his Christian civic organization, Camp Constitution, arguing that the city of Boston violated the First Amendment by censoring a private flag in a public forum open to "all applicants" merely because the application referred to it as a "Christian flag." The flag itself was not the problem. Had it been referred to as anything but "Christian," Boston would have approved it. Oral argument in Shurtleff v. City of Boston will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 18, followed by a press conference outside of the Supreme Court.

This case will affect everyone. If Boston can open a public forum for all applicants but then close the forum to disfavored viewpoints, then every government will be able to censor viewpoints under the guise that every private speaker in the forum was engaging in government speech.

Boston censored the religious viewpoint of Camp Constitution's flag, which was to be raised for about an hour the week of September 17 in observance of Constitution Day, while supporters gathered around the flagpole. The flag was part of the ceremony to honor the Constitution and recognize the Judeo-Christian heritage and Christian Founders, like John Adams and Samuel Adams, both who were residents of Massachusetts.

Liberty Counsel has received 17 amicus briefs filed in support of the free speech case, including from the United States of America, 12 states and a wide range of organizations, even the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.

Boston had never censored any flag until Camp Constitution's flag, which is white with a blue square and a red cross in the upper left corner. The flag contains no writing. Under oath, the city official testified the flag would have been approved if the application did not refer to it as a "Christian flag." The word "Christian" on the application alone triggered the censorship. The official said he had never heard of a "Christian flag" until Camp Constitution's application. Therefore, his testimony revealed that if Camp Constitution had not referred to the flag on the application with the word "Christian," it would not have been censored. If the application had referred to the flag as the "Camp Constitution Flag," then Boston Commissioner Gregory Rooney would have approved it.

The city refers to its flagpole as a "public forum" open to "all applicants" to temporarily raise their own flags on the flagpole. The city of Boston's website even states the goals for flag-raising events: "We commemorate flags from many countries and communities at Boston City Hall Plaza. We want to create an environment in the city where everyone feels included."

For 12 years from 2005-2017, Boston approved 284 flag raisings by private organizations with no denials, but then denied Camp Constitution's flag solely because of the word "Christian" on the application. The year before Camp Constitution's application (2016-2017), Boston approved 39 private flag raising events, which averaged three per month. In 2018, Boston approved 50 private flag raising events, averaging nearly one per week. One included a flag of a private credit union.

Other flags raised on the citys flagpole include the Turkish flag (which depicts the Islamic star and crescent) and the Portuguese flag (which uses religious imagery). City officials have also never denied the "messages" communicated by the "Chinese Progressive Association," the rainbow flag of Boston Pride and a "transgender" pink and blue flag. The flags of private community groups include Albania, Brazil, Ethiopia, Italy, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico and Mexico, as well as of Communist China and Cuba. No flag was ever denied until the city denied the flag of Camp Constitution.

Boston now argues that despite the policy and longstanding practice, the private flag raisings are actually government speech. But this argument is nonsense because one week, a private group celebrating Communist China flew the flag of China, and the next week, a different private group opposed to Communist China flew the flag of Taiwan. Both of these opposing views cannot possibly be government speech.

Shurtleff and Camp Constitution first asked the city in 2017 for a permit to raise the Christian flag on Boston City Hall flagpoles to commemorate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (September 17) and the civic and cultural contributions of the Christian community to the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, religious tolerance, the Rule of Law and the U.S. Constitution.

The First Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the city of Boston, finding that the flags were government speech. The appeals court wrongly accepted the city's argument that the Establishment Clause justified its censorship. However, (1) the application form designates the flagpole as a "public forum" open for "all applicants;" (2) the city never censored a flag in the 12 years prior to Camp Constitution's application; (3) the city approved 39 flags (averaging over three per month) in the year prior to Camp Constitution's application; and (4) the flags of the foreign countries could not be government speech because under state law it is a crime to raise the flag of a foreign country on city property.

Liberty Counsel's Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "This case is about more than just the Christian flag. This will set national precedent and affect everyone. We must not give government the power to censor disfavored viewpoints in a public forum."

For more information on the case, visit www.LC.org/flag.

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org



Related Links



lc.org/


By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

The tradition of bathing is considered an integral part of the Azerbaijani culture. The country is famous for its beautiful old bath-houses (hammams).

The hammams became a place not just to cleanse oneself, but became a social element of city life.

This was Baku residents' favorite spot to discuss recent events or to get ready for wedding ceremonies.

The bathhouses also known as hammams are under state protection as one of the country's most remarkable architectural monuments.

With its majestic architectural wonders, the Old City hides numerous bathhouses including the famous Gasim-bay hammam.

The bathhouse was constructed in the 17th century by millionaire and philanthropist Gasim-bay near the Salyan door (gate).

It is often called "Shirin" (sweet) as the tea here was given together with sweets and pastries.

The hammam was built in all the traditions of Shirvan-Absheron architecture. The exterior consists of domes located on a low-rise building.

The main domes located above the central part of the bath have the shape of an octagon. Inside there is a vestibule, followed by dressing rooms and baths with a cruciform dome and cameras in the corners.

There is also a swimming pool and a stove. In addition, a corridor was created by combining both corner cells into a single space.

Water supply and heating were ensured using ceramic pipes located in the walls and under the floor.

The bath is included in the list of protected by the state monuments of history and culture located on the territory of Azerbaijan. It is considered to be the second most famous bathhouse in Baku.

Due to their importance in preparing for prayer, bathhouses were often built in close proximity to mosques. Therefore, Gasim-bay built a hammam next to his mosque.

Over the past 30 years, the bathhouse has been closed to visitors. Restoration work will be carried out in the bathhouse in near future.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented killing 3 members of Damascus government forces and injury 5 others, as a result of an attack carried out by ISIS mercenaries, on outskirts of Al-Kashma town in eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Death toll of Damascus government forces since the beginning of 2022 at the hands of ISIS mercenaries in the Syrian Badia has reached 15.

On January 6, three members of the Damascus government forces were killed, as a car carrying them was targeted by ISIS mercenary cells with bullets and RPGs in the Rusafa desert, northeast of Raqqa.

On January 3, ISIS mercenaries carried out a new ambush against the Damascus government and its loyal groups in the Syrian Badia, in oil station "T2, T3", which led to casualties, where 9 members killed among Damascus government forces, and the Fifth Corps and other groups, and wounded 15 others.

A.K

ANHA
For All U of U Health Patients & Visitors
A 70-year-old Helena man admitted Tuesday to assisting a Helena pawn shop in the sale of 88 pounds of stolen gunpowder, according to U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson.

Douglas Wayne Sillivan pleaded guilty of being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, the U.S. Attorney's office said in a news release. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine with three years supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris set sentencing for April 28.

Sillivan pleaded guilty to crimes connected to an investigation of Modern Pawn & Consignment in Helena. Owners Isaiah Maurice Morsette and Catherine Suzanne Morsette both pleaded guilty to several felonies including making false statements in a firearms transaction for Catherine and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm for Isaiah.

Court documents state that after a 2021 press release about the case was released, an East Helena resident contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Helena office to tell agents they may have purchased stolen gunpowder from Isaiah Morsette. The resident turned over 88 pounds of gunpowder that had been taken from Montana Outdoor Sports, a theft that indirectly began the investigation into Modern Pawn, authorities said.

Sillivan was present at the transaction and helped the resident load the gunpowder into a vehicle, authorities said. Sillivan has a felony conviction in Montana for sexual assault and was prohibited from possessing ammunition.

Isaiah Morsette's sentencing in pending, authorities said.

According to the initial press release, 34-year-old Richard Joe Munoz was also charged in relation to this incident.

This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office and was investigated by the ATF.

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An environmental group has filed a notice of their intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency over state changes to Montanas water quality standards, saying that federal regulators have missed statutory deadlines to grant or deny the changes.

Attorneys for Bozeman-based Upper Missouri Waterkeeper notified the EPA on Jan. 11 of its 60-day intention to sue. The case follows a petition filed by the group in May requesting the agency find a new Montana law dealing with certain water pollution standards violates the federal Clean Water Act.

Montana holds primacy over the federal law, meaning the Montana Department of Environmental Quality has authority delegated by the EPA to set pollution limits and issue discharge permits. The federal agency holds final approval over the states program under the agreement.

In 2015 the EPA approved Montanas numeric water quality standards for nitrogen and phosphorus, known as nutrients because excess amounts may degrade water by causing excess plant, algae and bacteria growth. Numeric standards, as the name implies, set permitted discharge levels, and EPA has encouraged states to adopt them.

The numeric standards replaced narrative water quality standards in place at the time. Narratives typically describe desired conditions for a waterbody free from pollution and remain EPA accepted standards in some states for nutrients and some other pollutants in Montana.

Montanas shift to numeric came with a 20-year variance for permittees, such as municipal water or industry, to meet them. The variance anticipated advancements in technology and declining costs to allow dischargers to meet those standards over time.

In 2019 a federal judge found the variance did not fully comply with the Clean Water Act as it did not dictate progress towards eventually meeting the standards. That ruling was overturned last year by a federal appeals court, but not before the Montana Legislature changed the states law.

Lawmakers passed and Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 358 last year. The law repeals numeric water quality standards in favor of a return to narrative standards. The bill also sets up a process for permitted dischargers called point-source to partner with nonpermitted dischargers called nonpoint source to offset or reduce total discharges into waterways.

SB 358 was supported by permittees who have said the numeric standards cannot be met in some cases or are cost-prohibitive with only marginal increases to water quality.

DEQ has worked with the states Nutrient Work Group to advance a draft rule package for new narrative standards. Both the EPA and Upper Missouri Waterkeeper hold membership in the workgroup, although both have raised concerns about compliance with federal law. EPA holds authority to approve or deny the changes.

The intent to sue filing cites timing provisions in the federal law, specifically that the EPA would have 60 days to either approve or deny changes made by the state of Montana. The state law included an immediate effective date when signed last April, and DEQ advanced municipal water permits using narrative criteria before placing them on hold, the filing notes.

This notice is about holding EPA accountable for the administration of the Clean Water Act when states, like Montana, go it alone in an attempt to appease polluting special interests. Its contrary to both the law and well-established, science-based best practices that protect our waterways from degradation, Guy Alsentzer, executive director of Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Upper Missouri Waterkeeper said the EPA has not responded to the groups petition from last May.

A spokesperson for the EPA declined to comment, citing the litigation.

State environmental regulators at DEQ told the Montana State News Bureau in November that they are confident water quality will be maintained under a revised system.

SB 358 requires the state agency to adopt final narrative standards this March, although DEQ believes only a final framework for rules will be finalized by that date. The nutrient work group is scheduled to meet several times in the coming weeks ahead of that deadline.

Tom Kuglin is the deputy editor for the Lee Newspapers State Bureau. His coverage focuses on outdoors, recreation and natural resources.

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DECATUR  William Harris Learning Academy is shifting to remote learning temporarily due to staff shortages and a high number of positive COVID-19 tests.

Students in the social-emotional development program will continue to attend in person. All other students will learn from home until Monday, Jan. 24.

Extracurricular activities and extended learning programs at Harris will not be offered during remote learning.

Other Decatur Public Schools in remote learning temporarily include American Dreamer STEM Academy, Franklin Grove, and Parsons, all of which will return to in-person attendance on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Dennis Lab School students will return to in-person learning on Friday, Jan. 21.

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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DECATUR  The Decatur school board issued a notice to remedy on Tuesday to Geneka Gully, former principal of South Shores School.

Gully was replaced at South Shores by Kristi Mullinix in September and has been reassigned to the position of roving principal," currently assigned as an assistant principal at Eisenhower High School, according to a statement issued by the district on Tuesday.

"We want to make sure all administrators are set up to succeed, by providing a variety of support services and mentorship. One support is to provide daily leadership development," said Denise Swarthout, chief communications officer.

According to the notice to remedy, the board and district administration received reports regarding Gully's performance and effectiveness and their investigation revealed serious deficiencies in her actions. When questioned about the incidents, the notice says, Gully has failed to provide explanation for certain issues fully described in Exhibit A so as to in any way diminish the concerns of school officials as to deficiencies in the judgment and behavior of Geneka Gully in these incidents.

The specific incidents and the remedies the board requires for Gully to continue to be employed are part of two exhibits the board has classified as confidential and part of closed session minutes, which will not be published. The Herald & Review has filed a Freedom of Information Act request for those two exhibits and other documentation of the process of hiring and reassigning Gully and Stephanie Morgan-Harris, formerly principal of Muffley School.

Six members of the board voted in favor of the notice to remedy, with Alana Banks abstaining.

Gully is the second new principal in Decatur Public Schools to be removed this academic year. Stephanie Morgan-Harris, who was hired as principal of Muffley School and began work in August, was removed from that position. Morgan-Harris was transferred to assistant principal at Hope Academy.

Paul Ranstead, who has been assistant principal at Eisenhower High School, was unanimously approved to replace Morgan-Harris at Muffley. Ranstead spoke to the board to thank them.

"The staff, the students and the parents have been supportive," Ranstead said. "Their welcoming reception has been amazing." He's received notes and letters, he said, and had forgotten while working at the high school level that small children draw somewhat differently.

"My arms and legs come out of my round face," he said with a chuckle. "They got that part right, the round face."

The board also approved a contract with Mike Curry to serve as chief operational officer, a position currently held by Todd Covault. Covault plans to retire at the end of the fiscal year in June, and Curry's hiring is part of the transition plan, Swarthout said. Curry will be able to work alongside Covault until then to make the transition go more smoothly.

In other business, the board approved a contract with GreenTrac for the demolition of Southeast School. The building is no longer in use by the district and will be demolished, after asbestos abatement. The district has already had Oak Grove and the old Johns Hill Magnet School demolished. Oak Grove students moved to Franklin, which was renamed Franklin Grove, and Johns Hill students moved into a new building near the old site, which opened in August.

During board discussion, the district's health coordinator, Angie Wetzel, and legal counsel Brian Braun gave an update on the most recent guidelines for schools from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control. The new guidelines were released on Friday afternoon, so the COVID committee is still working on them, but the most significant change, Wetzel said, is that quarantine and isolation time has been reduced to five days.

Board member Jason Dion asked if the district has the option to keep more stringent quarantine and isolation requirements, and Braun said that would be difficult due to the time and staff required to keep up with the reports of positive tests, because the IDPH has difficulty with a much larger staff.

"How are we better able to do what they say they can't do with greater staffing?" Braun said. "Understand the operative reality of a school nurse asked to do things that a fully staffed IDPH can't do."

Dion asked if it might be wise to put the whole district on an "adaptive pause" -- a return to remote learning for all students, as several buildings are doing due to high numbers -- considering the rise in cases in Macon County, but Interim Superintendent Bobbi Williams said some schools have hardly any cases at all and as long as more than half of buildings are not seeing high numbers, it's best for the students' education to attend school in person.

"We've just got to trust the team to get it right," Braun said. "We understand they can't, it's an impossible task, but they're doing the best they can in a terrible situation."

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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DECATUR  Hunter J. Chumbley, who pleaded guilty to repeated sex assaults on three Blue Mound girls throughout their childhoods, has been sent to prison for a total of 12 years.

Chumbley, 21, took a plea deal in Macon County Circuit Court that saw him admit to a charge of predatory criminal sexual assault on a victim under the age of 13. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Chumbley appeared in court Jan. 7 and was sentenced by Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith. As part of the plea deal, the judge dismissed four additional counts of criminal sexual assault. Griffith ordered that Chumbleys sentence be served at 85% and further ordered him to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his natural life.

A sworn affidavit from Blue Mound Police Officer Clayton Graven said an investigation into Chumbley began in December of 2020 after the parents of girls, then aged from 10 to 15, had filed a complaint. Graven said the victims told police they had been sexually assaulted while living at the same Blue Mound address.

The victims stated they had been sexually assaulted throughout their childhood years, said Graven. He said the most recent assault had occurred on Nov. 29, 2020.

Chumbley was arrested on Dec. 11 of that year after a relative contacted him and urged him to turn himself in to police. Hunter told (the relative) he was sorry about what he had done to the females and to tell them he was sorry, said Graven. (The relative) said Hunter was very emotional

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried have discussed the regional security situation, the ministry reported on January 11.

In a telephone conversation, Bayramov discussed the current situation in the region, as well as Azerbaijan's efforts to implement the trilateral agreements earlier reached among Baku, Yerevan and Moscow, the report added.

The minister briefed the U.S. official about the latest Armenian military provocation in the direction of Azerbaijan's Kalbajar region on the state border, as a result of which an Azerbaijani soldier was killed.

Bayramov stressed that the Armenian military and political leadership bears sole responsibility for the provocation.

During the telephone conversation, the sides also discussed other issues of mutual interest.

Azerbaijani serviceman Ayaz Nazarov was killed as a result of an Armenian provocation on the state border on January 11, the Defence Ministry earlier reported.

It added that the opposing side was suppressed as a result of relevant measures taken by the Azerbaijan army units.

The Armenian military-political leadership bears full responsibility for the occurred tension, the report underlined.

The trilateral ceasefire deal signed by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders on November 10, 2020, ended the three-decade conflict over Azerbaijans Karabakh region which along with the seven adjacent regions came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

On January 11, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed the second statement since the end of the 44-day war. The newly-signed statement was set to implement clause 9 of the November 2020 statement related to the unblocking of all economic and transport communications in the region.

On November 26, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed a statement and agreed on a number of issues, including the demarcation and delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border by late 2021, some points related to humanitarian issues and the issue of unblocking of transport corridors which applies to the railway and to automobile communications.

On December 14, 2021, during the Brussels meeting, organized between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders at the initiative of European Council President Charles Michel, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the conditions agreed in the Sochi meeting.

Both sides agreed to establish a temporary working group on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The issue of demining the liberated territories of Azerbaijan was also brought up on the agenda, and the European Union's readiness to provide technical assistance to Azerbaijan in this regard was underlined at the meeting.
SPRINGIFELD  Even while touting the flurry of legislative achievements he helped shepherd through his chamber in 2021, House Speaker Chris Welch said he is "well aware" of the challenges facing Democrats in 2022.

"We're well aware of the atmosphere that we enter the election season in," Welch told Lee Enterprises in a wide-ranging interview Tuesday morning. "And we know that we have to do the work. Winners do the work."

Last year, the work mostly entailed legislating, with Democrats notching a series of significant victories, from landmark climate legislation to criminal justice reform to the repeal of the state's last remaining anti-abortion law.

This year, the work will include more hitting the pavement as the majority party seeks to defend its record in an election year. Welch confirmed there will be less policymaking and more politicking as lawmakers seek to wrap up session by April, well ahead of the June 28 primary.

"The first year of a (General Assembly) is a lot busier typically than the second year, just in general," Welch said. "And we have a shortened session, we're going to be done by April."

"And we got a lot done in the first year," he continued. "I mean, we came back in August and September and October and we got substantive things done each of those times we came back. So it felt like the session that never would end. But it all led to such a an amazingly productive 2021."

"I feel great. I love the job," Welch said. "I love having the ability to wake up every day and help someone out. We have an ability to change someone's life for the better and that's what we try to do each and every day."

Last week, lawmakers returned to Springfield for a one-day session  abbreviated by the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases.

Session days scheduled for this week were also canceled with more cancellations likely in the coming weeks. However, lawmakers can do most of their early work in committees, which are meeting remotely.

Welch, who last year laid out an ambitious legislative agenda, was more tempered this year, saying that he has three top priorities for this session.

First, the Hillside Democrat said he would like "to continue to build on that budget success" from 2021, when the state passed a $42.3 billion budget balanced utilizing better-than-expected tax revenues and about $2.5 billion in federal COVID-19 stimulus funds.

That spending plan helped earn the state its first credit rating upgrade in more than 20 years.

Though the amount of tax revenue lawmakers have to work with is to be determined, there is still more than $5 billion in federal COVID-19 stimulus funds left to be dispersed.

"Thankfully, we didn't spend it all at one time and we were fiscally responsible with those dollars because we're going to have to continue to address the ability to help people put a roof over their head by paying their rent and their mortgage, helping small businesses," Welch said. "Those things are critical."

Another priority of Welch's will be continuing the push for diversity, equity and inclusion. It's a point he was making early this week in meetings with the presidents of state universities and the CEO of managed care organizations (MCOs), which are private insurance companies that administer the state's Medicaid program.

Welch said he plans to meet with all the CEOs of corporations based in Illinois in March to discuss the effort.

Before he was speaker, Welch was behind an effort to mandate that every corporation in the state have at least one African-American and one woman on its board of directors.

Those provisions were eventually stripped from the legislation and replaced with a requirement that companies make public disclosures about the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of their boards. That law was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2020.

Third and perhaps most pressing, Welch said there will be a concerted legislative effort to address the rise in crime across the state, especially as it pertains to carjacking offenses and retail theft.

"The conversations are being had  it's early on right now," Welch said. "But I anticipate something being done specifically on those in this particular session."

It comes as cities across the state, from Chicago to midsize cities like Champaign and Decatur, saw record levels of violence in 2021.

Illinois Republicans have made clear their intention to make crime a central issue to the 2022 election campaign. Some Democrats have also raised the alarm, both out of concern for public safety but also acknowledging where the political blame will lay if nothing is done.

Last year, Democrats passed landmark criminal justice reform that, among other things, makes Illinois the first state in the country to ban cash bail and mandates all police officers wear body cameras by 2025.

The law also mandates that officers render aid to the injured, intervene when a fellow officer is using excessive force and place limits in use of force. It also offers stricter guidelines for the decertification of officers and would allow people to file anonymous complaints of police misconduct.

It was near-universally condemned by law enforcement and Republicans as "anti-police." And though most of its provisions have not yet taken effect, the GOP has said the legislation has emboldened criminals, leading to increased crime rates.

In perhaps another sign of the shifting political ground, Pritzker and other Democrats are signing onto legislation that would enhance penalties for those who harm DCFS employees. It would also grant DCFS workers the same protected status as police officers and firefighters.

Such a proposal isn't new, but Democratic lawmakers, particularly those in the Black Caucus and progressive wing of the party, had effectively put a halt to any bills that enhance criminal penalties.

However, there is new momentum following the death of DCFS case worker Deidre Silas, who was stabbed to death while making a home visit just south of Springfield.

But now, the new effort is being carried by state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, a member of Welch's leadership team.

"We want to make sure that our workers are treated fairly and they're safe," Welch said. "And so treating them like first responders and, and making sure people know that if they commit a crime against them that they're going to have to do some serious time, I'm certainly supportive of that in concept."

However, Welch cautioned that "it's early on, and we want to make sure that that piece of legislation works its way through the process and I think we need to make sure we've heard from all the voices around the table."

Despite these new efforts to address crime, Welch said he was happy to defend his party's record over the past year, from the criminal justice bill to ongoing initiatives meant to address the root causes of crime.

Among those: the "Reimagine Public Safety Act," legislation that will direct $250 million over the next three years toward community-based violence prevention initiatives. No House Republicans voted for the legislation.

"I think Republicans in Illinois need to be careful, because their voting record is clear," Welch said. "Things that we have done to support people that will help reduce crime, particularly when it comes to the root causes of crime, they voted no on all of these things and we're gonna point that out to the voters."

Heading into an election season, Welch said he "will be heavily involved in all House races." It will be the first cycle Madigan has not led House Democrats since 1980.

"My job is to make sure that incumbents are reelected and new members are elected and seats where there's opportunity," Welch said. "We're going to work hard. I do believe that Democrats will move the state forward and Republicans will set the state back."

Though saying he's more focused on what Democrats do in the legislature and defending them at the ballot box, Welch offered his thoughts on Republican efforts, likely to be funded by billionaire Ken Griffin, to put forward a slate of statewide candidates in the coming election.

"Certainly, if Ken Griffin is backing a slate, we will point out to the voters that Ken Griffin was the reason we had Bruce Rauner," Welch said. "And Bruce Rauner, his four years were very destructive to state government. And so we will be watching that very closely and we will make sure that voters know where everyone stands."

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New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 89F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 73F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
BRISTOL, Va.  City school leaders received near unanimous assurances of support Tuesday for a proposed new elementary school. What they didnt get was a vote to proceed.

The Bristol Virginia City Council spent more than an hour considering two primary funding options, debating the value of others and trying to fit an 18-month construction timeline into less time  all in search of a less expensive way to finance what is essentially a $23 million school.

Roland Kooch of Davenport & Co., the citys financial advisers, presented an option called Certificates of Participation that would bring the bottom line cost in at $35.8 million  or about $2.6 million less than the long-espoused school division funding plan using the Virginia Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act.

The PPEA option included higher issuance costs, less interest and $3.9 million of loan repayments that would be retained by developer J.A. Street, who would build the school, then lease it to the city.

Estimated annual payments would be $1.28 million for the PPEA loan compared to $1.19 million for the newly proposed option, Kooch said.

Neither would count against the citys limited debt borrowing capacity, but the new option could be refinanced in the future and could potentially save more if run through the citys Industrial Development Authority, Kooch told the council.

That prompted another round of discussions.

Councilman Kevin Wingard offered another alternative, suggesting the city commit $5 million from its reserves, combined with over $2 million in available school federal COVID relief funding, for a down payment and then borrow a smaller balance  possibly through the IDA.

Im going to recommend we brainstorm and see if this city can agree to take $5 million, their $2 million, finance it through the IDA [and] keep it in the city, where we can restructure. Instead of having payments of $1.2 million, under this scenario, we would have annual payments of $800,000 for 30 years, a total savings over this proposed loan tonight of almost $10 million.

Ultimately the council agreed to take no action but planned to talk individually about

Lingards proposal, with a promise to revisit the issue promptly, possibly next week.

We have days, Superintendent Keith Perrigan said in response to a council question about schedules. We dont have weeks, but we do have days.

The school systems $2 million federal contribution would have to be spent  and the school constructed  by 2023.

Tuesdays discussion was the latest installment in countless hours spent over the past four years going over the proposed new school located next to Van Pelt Elementary. The new school would allow the city to close its three oldest, most dilapidated school buildings and consolidate the elementary population on a single campus.

Every council member expressed support for building the school, but some expressed reservations about how best to make the financing work.

Councilman Bill Hartley appeared frustrated that Tuesdays presentation included more options and unknowns rather than a straight-up recommendation.

I would suggest the five of you all have serious conversations over the next day or two, City Manager Randy Eads told the council. Let me get in contact with bond counsel to see if she can meet with the IDA before we start discussions with IDA.

From my perspective, Ms. [Tamrya] Spradlin [CFO]s perspective and Mr. Koochs perspective, financing this through the IDA is our best option. If thats what makes the most sense, youve got my commitment that Im going to do everything I can to prepare the IDA that this is in the best financial interest of the city and hopefully get a majority of IDA members to agree to that.

Both Eads and Wingard warned that the citys embattled landfill remains a great unknown.

Ive got a landfill right now that we have no idea what it will ultimately cost the city, Eads said. It will cost us millions of dollars, I promise you, to get that landfill corrected.

Wingard said, no matter what, the city has to fix the landfill.

Members of council reiterated their support for the new school concept.

Whatever it takes to get this school going in March and open in August of next year, Im cool with, Vice Mayor Neal Osborne said. Id like to see more numbers so I know exactly what Im voting on.

Councilwoman Becky Nave voiced similar support.

I want to figure out the best way we can get that done as soon as possible, talk with IDA and get this going, Nave said.

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Theres a bill coming from U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia that is deserving of bipartisan support, but it surprisingly is already facing opposition from the Speaker of the House.

Ossoff, the freshman senator who helped flip Senate control to the Democrats in a pivotal runoff election a year ago, wants to ban members of Congress and their immediate family members from trading individual stocks.

We have seen members of Congress abuse this privilege by buying up individual stocks, allegedly after receiving inside information in a congressional hearing or through privileged communications. That is not fair. Corporate executives who do this kind of inside trading usually end up heavily fined or behind bars. For Congress, it seems to be part of the benefits package.

Just recently, it was revealed Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul failed to disclose that his wife had purchased stock in a company called Gilead. That company makes the popular COVID-19 treatment, remdesivir. The stock purchase was made on Feb. 26 of 2020.

The congressional stock strategy has not contained itself to one side of the aisle. New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski, a Democrat, failed to disclose trades of more than $1 million in medical and tech companies during the pandemic, according to stories from the Associated Press.

Charlottesville native and Republican North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr was urged to resign by the unlikely bipartisan duo of Fox News personality Tucker Carlson and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after the senator dumped an estimated $1.7 million of stock in February 2020 while he was working to assure the nation everything was going to be fine. Burr, who was serving as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee at the time, was never charged by the U.S. Justice Department. The case was closed in January 2021. He did not resign.

Ossoffs idea to make Congress less financially conflicted has already made House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sound like an anti-vaxxer claiming individual rights as she talks about members of Congress and their families having the right to participate in the free market economy. Pelosis opinion may be colored by the fact her husband is a wealthy investor with millions in stocks.

The bill would not disallow members of Congress from investing in the stock market. There are no provisions against investing in mutual funds or index funds, so members of Congress could still benefit when they create a positive economy that drives the market higher. The proposed bill is designed to eliminate a conflict of interest that occurs when they hear of a new technology or advancement in closed committee hearing or classified documents and then takes advantage of that non-public knowledge to make money.

With distrust of government at an all-time high, this bill is hopefully something a coalition of Democrats and Republicans can come together to pass despite the speakers dramatic conversion to be an advocate for individual freedoms.
Donna Osowitt Steele admitted Wednesday to embezzling more than $15 million from a company in Hickory where she was once CEO.

Steele pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court in Charlotte. Steele, 52, of Taylorsville will be sentenced at a later date, Judge David. S. Cayer said in court.

Cayer asked Steele if she would like to say anything to the court. Im very sorry, Steele said softly as she wept. Steeles attorney Ronald Frey said to the judge that Steele has been cooperative with investigators.

Cayer gave her a $25,000 unsecured bond and ordered that she surrender her passport. Cayer also said Steele cannot leave the Western District of North Carolina without the courts permission.

Steele was released on bond following the court hearing, and she left the courthouse with her attorney.

Frey said Steele does not plan to comment on the case as of Wednesday and said Steele might have a statement at a later date.

The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Steele worked at TIGRA USA in Hickory from 1999 to January 2020. She worked in the shipping department and was promoted over the next 20 years to various positions within the company, including chief executive officer, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Steele embezzled the money from at least 2013 to January 2020 when she was fired from the company. From at least 2013 to January 2020 while serving as vice president and later as CEO, Steele used her position to embezzle funds from TIGRA in a number of ways, including through fraudulent company credit card purchases, company checks, Quickbooks transactions and wire transfers, according to the news release.

Steele used company credit cards to pay for $6 million in personal expenditures, including high-end retail store purchases, luxury hotel accommodations, event ticket purchases, expensive jewelry, family weddings and purchases related to Opulence by Steele, a luxury clothing and boutique company the defendant founded in 2013, the news release stated.

In addition to the credit card purchases, Steele admitted to issuing and causing to be issued to herself approximately 98 checks totaling more than $2.8 million from TIGRAs bank accounts, which Steele deposited into her personal bank account. Steele also caused 127 fraudulent and unauthorized wire transfers to be executed as Quickbooks transactions, transferring more than $4.7 million from TIGRAs bank accounts to her personal bank account.

During the same time period, Steele executed at least 117 fraudulent and unauthorized bank wires, totaling more than $2.2 million, from TIGRAs bank accounts to Steeles personal bank account, which she then used for her personal benefit, including to fund a personal real estate closing, according to the news release.

As a result of Steeles embezzlement, TIGRA USA experienced several difficulties, including vendors withholding products from the company for non-payment or late payments, customers complaining about being placed on credit holds, notwithstanding timely payments of their bills, employees having their company credit cards declined when they were trying to use them for legitimate business expenses, employees not being paid on time and employees having their insurance canceled without warning.

Steele admitted that, in an effort to hide the fraudulent scheme, she limited communications and interactions between the employees and owners for TIGRA and monitored communications that did occur, she convinced employees that company owners should be feared, and lied to employees about the true nature of TIGRAs financial trouble, according to the news release.

It was said in court that TIGRA is looking for more than $16 million in restitution.

Assistant United States Attorney Maria Vento of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case.

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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The Azerbaijani army units control the operational situation on the state border with Armenia, Trend reported, quoting the Defence Ministry on January 11.

"At present, the operational situation is under the control of our units," the report added.

It added that the Azerbaijani army had used no aviation or artillery to suppress the Armenian provocation in Kalbajar region on the state border.

"Units of the Azerbaijani army are carrying out adequate retaliatory measures to suppress the activity of the opposite side in this direction without any use of aviation or artillery, the ministry stressed.

Earlier, the ministry reported that the situation escalated due to the provocation committed by the Armenian armed forces near Kalbajar region of the Azerbaijani-Armenia state border at noon on January 11.

As a result of the clashes, the Azerbaijan armys long-term active military serviceman, soldier Ayaz Nazarov, was killed.

Furthermore, two Armenian servicemen were killed and two more were wounded as a result of Armenia's own military provocation, Trend reported with reference to the Armenian Defence Ministry.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry stated that the Armenian military and political leadership bears full responsibility for the occurred tension.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijans Military Prosecutors Office filed a criminal action against the killing of Azerbaijani serviceman Ayaz Nazarov under Criminal Code Article 120.2.12 (murder with intent to incite national, racial, religious hatred or enmity), the Prosecutor-Generals Office reported on January 12.

An investigation is underway, the report concluded.
" " Audie Murphy is still one of the U.S. Army's most decorated soldiers. He earned the Medal of Honor (far right), two Silver Star Medals (far left and second to right), the Distinguished Service Cross (second from left), the Legion of Merit (third from left) and three Purple Hearts (among many others). Public Domain/HowStuffWorks

Audie Murphy was a bona fide World War II hero, a term which, in these days of endless American conflicts, seems both antiquated and slightly offensive even. But in his time, Murphy  maybe the greatest war hero the country ever has seen  was an out-and-out superstar. He fashioned a grateful country's unbridled adulation into a career as one of Hollywood's biggest draws, most famously playing the lead role in his own film autobiography, "To Hell and Back."

Yet the war that made him famous, as is the case with many who fight, never left him.

"A hero is somebody who takes an abstract virtue and embodies it for a short time," says David A. Smith, the author of "The Price of Valor: The Life of Audie Murphy, America's Most Decorated Hero of World War II." Smith teaches history at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. "As human beings, we're not comfortable with abstractions. But if you show me what honor looks like, even a glimpse, I'll know. If you show me what valor looks like, then I'll know what it means.

"Audie Murphy fit the role of a hero. Being a hero is great for the society. But it's really hard on the person who, for a moment, becomes a hero."

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The Roots of a Legend

Born in Hunt County, Texas, in 1925, the son of Irish sharecroppers, Audie Leon Murphy grew up in extreme poverty  the Great Depression began in 1929  inside a family in turmoil. Murphy's father deserted the family when he was just a kid. When Murphy was 16, as World War II broke out in Europe, his mother died. Some of his younger siblings were placed in an orphanage.

"[T]o say that the family was poor would be an understatement. Poverty dogged our every step," Murphy wrote in "To Hell and Back," his 1949 memoir. "Year after year the babies had come until there were nine of us children living, and two dead. Getting food for our stomachs and clothes for our back was an ever-present problem. As soon as we were old enough to handle a plow, an ax, or a hoe, we were thrown into the struggle for existence," he wrote.

Just 5-foot-5 (1.6 meters) and barely 100 pounds (45 kilograms), Murphy dreamed of the service as a way out. After his mother died, he tried to join the Marines but was turned down for being too small and too young. He was finally accepted into the U.S. Army, with some tweaked documentation, in June 1942. He was just 17.

After his training in the States, Murphy was shipped to North Africa with the 3rd Infantry Division, the beginning of a short but unparalleled career in which he was awarded every medal for valor that the Army could confer. (Some of the original commendations are here.) One of his battlefield exploits, in particular, became legendary.

During a firefight in France on Jan. 26, 1945, an American tank destroyer was hit by German fire, setting it ablaze and forcing the crew to abandon. Murphy ordered artillery fire on the German positions and called for his men to retreat to nearby woods. But Murphy did not fall back. Instead, he mounted the burning tank, grabbed control of its .50-caliber machine gun, and faced with hostile fire from three sides for more than an hour, kept the Germans at bay, killing scores of them. Murphy was wounded in both legs in the fight.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. From the his citation (via the Smithsonian Institution):

2d Lt. Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction, and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective.

Murphy returned home to parades  some 300,000 people in San Antonio  more awards (from France and Belgium, too), and rewards that enabled him to buy a house for his older sister, where his younger siblings came to live for some time. On July 16, 1945, a smiling Murphy was featured on the cover of Life Magazine with the words "Most Decorated Soldier."

He had just turned 20 years old.

" " Two of Audie Murphy's most famous Hollywood movies are "The Red Badge of Courage," and "To Hell and Back," which is a film of his autobiography of the same name. Public Domain

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Audie Murphy's Hollywood Career

In 1945, movie star James Cagney and his brother were looking for a new type of star for their fledgling film production company when they saw the Life article. Cagney called up Murphy, signed him, put him through acting lessons and helped him get his first roles in the industry, though Cagney's production company soon would falter.

Murphy, too, found the early going rough. "I had eight words to say," Murphy reportedly said of his first role, in 1948's "Beyond Glory." "Seven more than I could handle."

Murphy was far from a natural at his newfound career.

"It was a huge leap," Smith says. "And he didn't make it very well at all. Audie Murphy didn't know what he was going to do. You get the feeling he did it just because he needed a gig. And Cagney needed a break."

Still, Murphy kept at it. By the time Universal picked up the rights to his memoir, "To Hell and Back," he had a few moderately successful films to his credit, starring with such Hollywood luminaries as Tony Curtis, Jane Wyatt, Hugh O'Brian and Lee Marvin. Murphy found his first starring role as a troubled teenager in 1949's "Bad Boy".

When it came time for the film "To Hell and Back," Murphy suggested Curtis for the lead. But the producers had Murphy in mind to play himself, and he finally relented. It was a surreal kind of role for Murphy, but one that made the film enormously popular. "To Hell and Back," released in 1955, would be Universal's highest-grossing picture until "Jaws" unseated it 20 years later.

" " Audie Murphy is seen here in a studio publicity photo for the film "The Red Badge of Courage." Wikimedia/ Lightshow

"Gallantry has been glorified more dramatically on film previously," The New York Times said of the film in a 1955 writeup, "but Mr. Murphy, who still seems to be the shy, serious tenderfoot rather than a titan among G.I. heroes, lends stature, credibility, and dignity to an autobiography that would be routine and hackneyed without him."

Murphy addressed the nature of playing himself in the movie's more grueling scenes.

"This strange jerking back and forth between make-believe and reality," he said, according to an article published years later in The Times. "Between fighting for your life and the discovery that it's only a game and you have to do a retake because a tourist's dog ran across the field in the middle of battle."

Murphy would go on to make more than 40 films in his career  mostly war stories and Westerns, though he did dip into other genres  and starred in a short-lived TV Western in 1960, "Whispering Smith." (An early episode featured a young Robert Redford.) But it was "To Hell and Back" for which he reportedly earned more than $1 million that made his mark in Hollywood.

"Unless you could get a part that was tailored to him and his personality, he looked out of place," Smith says. "But if you could find a role that he could somehow naturally inhabit, the way that it doesn't feel phony to him, then he could do well in it.

"He had moments where he could sort of lose himself. But the whole acting business to him seemed kind of phony. And when you watch his movies, you get the sense that this is a guy that never did get past that."

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The Other Audie Murphy

During his time in the Army, Murphy engaged in some of the fiercest battles of the war. He was wounded several times, battled cases of gangrene and malaria, was directly responsible for the deaths of many dozens of the enemy and saw many of his fellow soldiers die by his side.

In the '40s and '50s, experiences like that often led to psychological problems, then known as "shell shock" or "battle fatigue." Now it goes by a different name: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And it is something that Murphy clearly struggled with for years, throughout his life in Hollywood and beyond.

"The way that we understand PTSD today ... that's basically since the '60s and '70s. People who knew him thought he was just nuts," Smith says of Murphy. "He slept with a loaded gun under his pillow. He took these incredible risks with money, and he was a compulsive gambler. Nobody stitched this stuff together in a way that let him understand that what he's dealing with here is trauma from the war. And he never got help. And that's sort of the tragedy.

"He knew that he was carrying something with him. But it was the generation that suffered in silence."

Murphy moved from the surrealism of war to the unreal world of Hollywood, so it's probably not surprising that a kid from utter poverty who never got past the eighth grade struggled. "He had this very strong sense of reality and genuineness," Smith says, "and I think it sort of bothered him a lot that he was an actor."

During his postwar lifetime, Murphy made and lost fortunes. As his acting career slowed  his last film was 1969's "A Time for Dying"  he dabbled in raising racehorses and in other ventures. He declared bankruptcy in 1968, and was on his way to look into another investing venture in late May 1971 when the plane in which he was traveling crashed into a Virginia hillside. He and five others died. He was just 45.

On June 1, 1971, 25 years after returning home from the war, The New York Times carried his obituary on the front page. The headline read, "Audie Murphy, War Hero, Killed in Plane Crash."

According to the obit, someone once asked Murphy how soldiers get past the horrors of war.

"I don't think they ever do," he said.

" " Murphy is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. military cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia. U.S. Defense Department

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING The Audie L. Murphy Memorial website features several poems that Murphy wrote, in addition to the lyrics of many songs he penned after his return from the war. The Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville, Texas, honors both the memory of Murphy and cotton's place in the history of Hunt County, Texas.
The grain market has been on a rip and a tear upward for the past month. Soybeans have gained over $1.50, corn has gained 40 cents, not because there is greater demand now, but because there could be greater demand, in the future.

That is all because of declines in the corn and soybean crops currently growing in Brazil and Argentina. The climate driver known as La Nina has created havoc there for the second year in a row and grain traders around the world who push and pull on prices at the Chicago Mercantile Exchanges trading computers are managing their risk.

Specifically, Argentine corn and soybean crops have been hurt as well as the nearby crops in southern Brazil. Production estimates are reduced every time an agency releases its prediction. Those include a myriad of consultancies in South America, along with grain traders and crop specialists headquartered in the United States.

Wednesday morning the U.S. Department of Agriculture will offer its prediction, along with a massive data dump about the 2021 U.S. crop yields and production totals. USDAs forecast for South Americas crop size is expected to decline, but not as much as some of the early estimates are coming in. Given time, USDA may get there.

U.S. grain traders know the tendency for USDAs wait and see process. An unquantifiable factor is La Ninas impact in Central Brazil, where crops are expected to be much better. The drought has not found its way to the state of Mato Grosso, where more soybeans are produced than in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri combined.

The issue in Mato Grosso has been cloudy, rainy conditions that were acceptable during the vegetative period for soybeans, but now that beans are maturing, the wet weather has continued. With prolonged continuation, mature soybeans will begin to sprout in the pod, and quality will deteriorate to a point of undesirability for export buyers.

That is when they turn to the United States for bids on soybeans, and there is an abundant volume from the 2021 U.S. crop that does not yet have a home. And that is where the U.S. grain trade is happy to step in to supply the overseas demand.

Another factor concerning to Brazilian farmers is their need to quickly plant their second crop, which primarily is corn that will follow their soybean harvest. Last year it was planted late and was damaged by early frost about the time it was pollinating. Exportable supplies were short, and that is where U.S. corn exporters cashed in. Something similar could recur this year if Brazils soybean harvest is delayed by the persistent La Nina weather adversity.

All that nasty weather in South America originates from cooler than normal temperatures in the sea surface water of the Equatorial Pacific. It impacts the United States as well, but in the form of colder, snowier winters in the upper Midwest.

Farmers here would rather have that, than what their South American counterparts have.

Stu Ellis is an observer of the Central Illinois agriculture scene. In addition to his weekly column, you can view his From The Farm and Harvest Heritage reports on WCIA 3 News.

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As the super-contagious omicron variant sweeps Chicago, pushing case count graphs vertical, some people who assumed they were safe from infection after they got their vaccines are entering a new psychological stage of the pandemic: a sense that infection is unavoidable.

Its so much more contagious, Maggie Coons, 52, of northwest suburban Palatine, told the Tribune last week. I feel like theres nothing we can do to keep from getting it. I feel like its inevitable. At this point its a dreary resignation instead of a dread or fear.

Anecdotally, at least, it appears some people may be taking their resignation to the next step: considering whether to purposefully court COVID so they can get it over with.

Health experts say they have been asked whether there is any point in taking precautions if the likelihood of contracting omicron is so high.

While such feelings are understandable, health experts say, people should not abandon preventive public health measures at the height of COVID-19s latest surge.

Even if it is true that everyone is eventually going to get, particularly, the omicron variant, it is not a good idea to intentionally try to get it sooner or to completely abandon the preventive measures that weve been taking, said Diane Lauderdale, an epidemiologist and the chair of public health sciences at the University of Chicago.

One problem with this line of thinking, Lauderdale said, is that its not clear whether getting infected with the omicron variant now will actually make it less likely that someone will get another COVID-19 infection down the line.

Theoretically, one shouldnt get the same infection again  or if they did it should be very mild and should be cleared quickly  but with these mutations and the pace of these mutations, it could be possible that one does get an infection again in the next round and the next set of variants, said Mercedes Carnethon, an epidemiologist who is the vice chair of preventive medicine at Northwesterns Feinberg School of Medicine.

And even people who are vaccinated and boosted could infect a child under 5 who isnt eligible for vaccination, or a more vulnerable adult.

Its just considerate to try to avoid getting infected for the time being, Lauderdale said.

Carnethon worries that the messaging about omicron infections being milder than other variants is really misleading.

Our hospitals are filling up, she said. Our hospitals are rapidly filling up, and so, you know, as mild as it may seem, were sure treating a lot of it.

People who throw caution to the wind are making the assumption that their own experience will be mild, Carnethon said, something they cant know for sure. And she warned that even though omicron is the dominant variant right now, other variants, such as the delta variant, are still circulating.

Carnethon said it was too early to know what the risk of long COVID from an omicron infection is in people who are vaccinated and boosted. Those who are vaccinated and boosted have seemed to be at slightly lower likelihood of developing long COVID from infections with other variants. Thats the only extrapolation we can make, she said.

Defeatist thinking around omicron can become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially when case numbers are so high.

If you put yourself in a situation with a large group or even a small group of people who are unmasked, you are likely to contract it, Carnethon said.

But taking precautions can still help prevent infection. Despite being boosted, Carnethon herself contracted COVID, along with her husband. But neither of their vaccinated children did.

Even in the same house, having to isolate and care for young children, we were able to take the steps needed to protect the kids from getting it, she said.

And if you do get infected with omicron  as many people will  you shouldnt feel like youve failed, Carnethon said.

How should vaccinated people be thinking about risk?

Vaccinated people may feel as if theyve entered a new, bewildering phase of the pandemic in which things they assumed were safe to do post-vaccine arent anymore.

People should be more careful and more cautious about indoor socialization during the surge, Carnethon said. If you must socialize indoors, she said, wearing masks is critically important.

Carnethon said she might allow her vaccinated kids to attend a birthday party masked, depending on the setting, but would plan to pick them up before any food was served. Shes comfortable with having her kids play with others while masked in a bigger, open space with high ceilings  even indoors  but would avoid crowded venues. If eating or drinking is a central feature of an activity, shed skip it.

For now, Lauderdale is avoiding restaurants and performances. Shes started wearing masks outdoors when other people are around, something she had stopped doing before the surge.

My husband and I just went through all of our music and theatrical subscriptions and were a little relieved to see that we have no tickets coming up for a few weeks, she said.

Those are risks that arent worth it to Lauderdale. But she acknowledges that at this point in the pandemic, some risks are necessary. People need to make decisions by weighing what risks are worth it to them, she said.

For the moment, were operating under the hope that things will be better within a few weeks, Lauderdale said.

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The buyer of Silas Creek Crossing in Winston-Salem said Tuesday the combination of popular anchor tenants and being an open-air shopping center made it an enticing property to buy in the midst of a challenging retail environment.

The 23.11-acre property at 3200 Silas Creek Parkway was sold in two tracts to affiliates of DLC Management Corp. of Elmsford, N.Y., according to Forsyth County Register of Deeds filings Monday.

The sellers were affiliates of Zaremba Group of Cleveland, Ohio.

The 209,120-square-foot shopping center debuted in 1989 across from Hanes Mall. It is anchored currently by Burlington and Marshalls retail stores.

DLC chief operating officer Chris Ressa said Jo Ann Fabrics is slated to move from its Stratford Road location into the former 27,588-square-foot A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts property by October.

You should begin to see changes to the property by the end of 2022, early 2023, Ressa said.

A marketing flier by The Shopping Center Group lists 11 of 54 storefronts as available, as well as one of two outparcels that is a former Bank OZK branch. Those vacancies represent a combined 23,134 square feet.

Silas Creek Crossing is DLCs only shopping center property in the Triad and second overall in North Carolina counting the Tower property in Raleigh, although Ressa said DLC had previous properties in the state.

Ressa said Silas Creek Crossing represents a good fit for DLCs focus on open-air shopping centers located in areas with solid foot traffic and promising socioeconomic trends.

We buy it to own it and operate it, Ressa said. We have our own construction, property managers, and our goal is to add value to assets.

Ressa said the Triad and North Carolina is in a geographic sweet spot for DLC between satellite offices in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta.

Silas Creek Crossing is an excellent retail property in a prime location with a healthy mix of national retailers and locally owned shops and restaurants, said Laura Lee, senior vice president of economic development for Greater Winston-Salem Inc.

We are pleased to see this investment into commercial real estate in our county, as it signifies the value of locating and expanding here.

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A federal judge has denied a request to delay a lawsuit filed by John Nevilles family over his death in December 2019.

The lawsuit alleges that five former detention officers and a nurse violated Nevilles civil rights and caused his death.

The ruling Monday was in response to a motion filed by an attorney for Wellpath LLC, the Forsyth County Jails former medical provider, and the nurse, Michelle Heughins. They had argued that their constitutional rights against self-incrimination would be violated if the lawsuit was allowed to proceed while criminal charges against Heughins and the five former detention officers were pending.

Heughins and the detention officers  Lt. Lavette Maria Williams, Cpl. Edward Joseph Roussel, Officer Sarah Elizabeth Poole, Officer Antonio Woodley Jr. and Officer Christopher Bryan Stamper  are all facing charges of involuntary manslaughter in Nevilles death.

No criminal charges have been filed against Wellpath.

There is no trial date for any of the defendants, who have not been indicted since Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill announced the charges in July 2020. Nothing substantial will happen with the criminal cases until prosecutors seek an indictment from a grand jury. An indictment will send the case to Forsyth Superior Court, where either a trial date is set or a plea agreement is reached. There is no indication as to when prosecutors will seek an indictment.

The case, for now, remains in Forsyth District Court, where a hearing is scheduled March 11.

There is also pending litigation on the public release of investigative files that were turned over to the N.C. Office of the Medical Examiner.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles noted that the criminal cases have been delayed due to the pandemic, which has limited court operations, and discovery that is still in process. She also said that the Forsyth County District Attorneys Office is largely responsible for scheduling criminal cases.

The plaintiff has a strong interest in promptly learning more about the relevant facts and moving this case towards resolution, especially given the ongoing delays in the criminal proceedings, Eagles said. Delay increases the risk that memories will fade and relevant evidence will be lost.

Rebecca R. Thornton, attorney for Heughins and Wellpath, did not immediately return a message Tuesday seeking comment.

Neville, 56, of Greensboro died Dec. 4, 2019, three days after prosecutors and the lawsuit allege that detention officers and Heughins ignored his medical distress and had him pinned in a prone restraint in a cell for nearly an hour. He yelled 30 times that he couldnt breathe. An autopsy report said Neville died from a brain injury caused when his heart stopped beating and his brain was deprived of oxygen. He asphyxiated while being restrained with his arms behind his back and his legs folded up, a position often referred informally as hog tie.

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. did not publicly acknowledge Nevilles death for six months. Nevilles death prompted local protests and a 49-day occupation of Bailey Park led by Triad Abolition Project.

On Sept. 28, 2021, Sean Neville, Nevilles son, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in U.S. District Court in the Middle District of North Carolina against Wellpath, the criminal defendants, Forsyth County and Kimbrough.

Richard Keshian, one of the attorneys representing Sean Neville, said in court papers that the family would be hurt by delays in the lawsuit.

Particularly where this case has received national and local media attention, the public has a clear interest in ensuring that individuals who die at the hands of those in authority can have their rights vindicated in a court of law, he wrote in court papers.

Thornton argued in court papers that local and national media conflated Nevilles death with the George Floyd, I cant breathe, scenario in Minneapolis. George Floyd was killed in May 2020 when a white Minneapolis police officer placed his knee in Floyds neck for more than nine minutes. The officer was later convicted of murder, and Floyds death sparked protests around the country.

Eagles determined that an indefinite stay in the civil proceedings would be neither necessary nor appropriate. She said that discovery in the lawsuit could happen without jeopardizing defendants constitutional rights against self-incrimination. Eagles did decide to have a magistrate judge be available for consultation as both parties develop a schedule for discovery.

But she said there is a limit on considering the defendants constitutional rights when theyre facing both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.

The fact that the defendants may have to make these and other hard choices does not mean the plaintiff and the public should be deprived of a timely opportunity to learn the truth about the circumstances of Mr. Nevilles death while in state custody, she said.

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Before a packed room of teachers, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education approved on Tuesday a salary increase for certified employees that falls short of the raise that was promised to them in December.

Instead of an average annual supplement of $3,800 for certified employees, which include teachers, the new salary supplement will be $1,800.

A $16 million miscalculation forced the school district to walk back a generous raise that the board approved in December, forcing district officials to scramble to find ways to compensate teachers.

Superintendent Tricia McManus, who announced the mistake to teachers in an automated call on Thursday, promised teachers and others impacted by the error that Tuesdays increase is just the beginning.

We will do everything in our power, night and day, to build back the trust we have lost, and I can promise you that, McManus said.

Chief Financial Officer Andrea Gillus said she would do her best to squeeze every nickel out of this budget to raise salaries of certified and classified employees.

In addition to the supplement boost, teachers are likely to get a new round of bonuses totaling $3,000, paid in $1,500 increments in February and April, pending approval from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the local school board. The bonuses come from federal COVID relief.

The revised schedule is not as high, but it is sustainable given the local funds we have available, Gillus said.

The increase in supplements will cost about $10 million with the bulk coming from the local sales tax and recurring funding from the county.

Before the presentation, one teacher after another told the school board and McManus that the pay raise would have given them a much-needed lift during a difficult period in public education brought on by the pandemic. Besides the financial bump, the salary increase that was approved in December made teachers feel appreciated during a time of low morale.

Ive never worked harder, been more micromanaged and made less money, and truthfully, I thought about resigning over Christmas, then I heard about the raise, said Jennifer Lockert, a teacher at Whitaker Elementary School.

The automated call from McManus left many teachers deflated. A few teachers talked about the erosion of trust that came with the announcement.

What happens when we dont honor our word? We lose trust, said Jill Evans, a teacher. Lots of relationships have been broken because of loss of trust. So with that said, you all know what to do. You must honor the increase with the local supplement.

The teachers and others speaking to the school board checked their anger with several saying that it was a time to extend grace.

I do not look for retribution, said Jenny Easter, a teacher at Vienna Elementary School In some weird way, I feel my teacher sympathy coming out for the people in finance and payroll only because I know they are just as understaffed and rushed to make things happen too quickly.

Gillus was apologetic for the error, saying that the staff acted too quickly to complete a revised salary schedule in time for the school boards Dec. 14 meeting.

When the error was discovered, we did what was fiscally responsible. We are truly sorry, and I mean truly sorry, Gillus said. I literally hit the floor when I found out this error was made. I was devastated.

McManus also apologized, saying the original salary increase was a bright light in a difficult year.

To stand before you and even suggest that we dim that light is something I have no desire to do, but Ive also been told that you have to make sure whatever you put in salary is recurring, and you have to do it every year, she said.

School board member Alex Bohannon said the school district needs to double-down on efforts to advocate for better teacher pay, which is set by the state.

Tripp Jeffers, a teacher at Parkland High School, said he was satisfied with what he heard at the meeting.

I feel like they did what they could given the budgetary constraints, he said. That doesnt mitigate the sting entirely but its a beginning with a promise of more effort. And thats a good thing.

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The American Red Cross in the Greater Carolinas Region is experiencing nearly a 70% decrease in the number of donors signing up to give blood amid a national blood shortage the organization is facing.

The shortage of blood donors exists in the Triad, the Charlotte area and Asheville, said Maya Franklin, a Red Cross spokeswoman.

We have a pretty steady amount of blood drive hosts, but there are not enough people coming to donate blood, Franklin said. We encourage people to fill those appointments that are available and are convenient for those people.

The American Red Cross is facing its worst blood shortage in more than a decade, the organization said in a statement. The news coincides with January being National Blood Donor Month and Blood Donation Month in North Carolina.

Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions, and who will need to wait until more products become available, the Red Cross said.

Blood and platelet donations are needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments, the organization said. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to make an appointment to give in the weeks ahead, the Red Cross said.

The organization is facing a blood shortage because of COVID-19, including about 10% overall decline in the number of people donating blood as well as ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations, the organization said.

In recent weeks, the Red Cross had less than a one-day supply of blood types and has had to limit blood products distributions to hospitals, the Red Cross said.

The blood supply also is limited at many hospitals in North Carolina, said Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, the state health director and the chief medical officer at the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Blood donations are critical to sustaining public health, Tilson said. One donation can save up to three lives.

The recent holiday season and winter also are contributing to a lack of people making appointments to donate blood, Franklin said.

In addition, the pandemic has contributed to a 62% decrease in blood drives in schools, colleges and universities, the Red Cross said.

The Red Cross recognizes that there may not be an immediate appointment available  but the Red Cross still needs donors, Franklin said. The Red Cross is grateful for donors understanding as the organization works tirelessly to meet the needs of patients.

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Forsyth Medical Center are among the hospitals that receive their supply of blood from the Red Cross, she said.

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is closely monitoring and managing its supply of blood, said Eryn Johnson, a spokeswoman for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

Its essential for individuals with all blood types to donate and especially imperative for those who have Type O positive or Type O negative blood  individuals with Type O blood are considered universal donors, meaning anyone can receive these particular red blood cells, Johnson said.

Wake Forest Baptist encourages those who are able to donate blood to connect with their local American Red Cross or other blood suppliers for sign-up options, Johnson said.

Novant Health Inc. also has an adequate amount of blood on hand for its patients care, said Dallas Britt, a spokesman for Novant Health.

Novant Health has community hospitals in Clemmons, Kernersville and Thomasville in the Triad, along with Forsyth Medical Center and Medical Park Hospital in Winston-Salem.

Novant Health has practices in place to manage expected and unexpected blood shortages, a Novant Health spokesperson said. This includes the coordination of inventory among its facilities in addition to policies outlining the appropriate use of blood products.

The organization also encourages people who are able to give blood to consider doing so as soon as possible, the spokesperson said.

Amid the national blood shortage, Novant Health has the continued ability to care for patients, and patients should seek care when they need it, the spokesperson said.

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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Armenia's armed forces have committed another round of provocations on the state border with Azerbaijan, the Defence Ministry reported on January 12.

From 2320 to 0510 on January 11-12, the Armenian military units periodically shelled the Azerbaijani positions in Kalbajar region's Zeylik and Yellija settlements and in Tovuz region's Munjuglu, Aghbulag, Gosha, Kokhanebi and Asrik Jirdakhan villages from their positions in Basarkechar region's Yukhari Shorzha settlement, as well as in Shamshaddin region's Chinarli and Mughanjig villages. They used small arms and large-caliber machine guns, the report added.

Armenia escalates the situation on the state border without any special reason by violating its obligations that are reflected in the trilateral statements earlier signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, the ministry said.

It described the latest developments on the state border as "a deliberate military provocation and adventurism" committed by Armenia.

In all cases, adequate and appropriate measures were taken by the Azerbaijan army units. There are no losses among the military personnel and equipment of the Azerbaijan army. Currently, the situation in these territories is relatively calm. The Azerbaijan army units control the operational situation, the ministry emphasized.

The Azerbaijani army units ensure the intensive protection of the countrys sovereign territories and borders given the possibility of similar provocative actions by Armenia to escalate the situation on the state border, the ministry said.

On January 11, an Azerbaijani soldier was killed in a provocation by the Armenian troops near Kalbajar region on the state border.

Furthermore, two Armenian servicemen were killed and two more were wounded as a result of Armenia's own military provocation, Trend reported with reference to the Armenian Defence Ministry.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry stated that the Armenian military and political leadership bears full responsibility for the occurred tension.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijans Military Prosecutors Office filed a criminal action against the killing of Azerbaijani serviceman Ayaz Nazarov under Criminal Code Article 120.2.12 (murder with intent to incite national, racial, religious hatred or enmity), the Prosecutor-Generals Office reported on January 12.

An investigation is underway, the report concluded.

Meanwhile, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar expressed his concern over the escalation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border.

"Deeply worried by reports of renewed incidents and casualties on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border," Klaar said on his Twitter account.

"Important for the sides to de-escalate and make full use of available mechanisms, in particular the hotline between MoDs established under EU auspices in November 2021," he tweeted.

EU is ready to work with sides for a distancing of forces and reiterate our readiness to provide additional support in working with Armenia and Azerbaijan on border delimitation and demarcation, Klaar said.
The leader of one of Lincoln's largest construction companies is one of three people being inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame next month.

John Sampson, president and CEO of Sampson Construction, will be inducted Feb. 3 along with Mike McCarthy, founder of McCarthy Group in Omaha, and Gloria Thesenvitz, founder and board chair for Nova-Tech Inc., a Grand Island-based veterinary medicine company.

Sampson has led Sampson Construction since 1995, and under his leadership, the company has completed more than $3 billion in commercial building projects in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Nevada and Illinois. Among its current projects are the new WarHorse Casino and the expansion of the passenger terminal at the Lincoln Airport.

Sampson and the other two honorees will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Nebraska Chambers Annual Meeting and Hall of Fame Banquet at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.

Our honorees this year really embody the ingenuity, determination and service to community and neighbor that characterize the good life, said Bryan Slone, Nebraska Chamber president. Their personal drive and vision of growth have literally brought about game-changing opportunities in both their communities and the quality of life for others.

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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OMAHA  Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse issued a mask mandate Tuesday for schools and many other public indoor spaces in the city of Omaha.

Under the order effective Wednesday, schools, many businesses and other entities whose premises are open to the public must require people age 5 and older to wear a face covering while indoors, unless the people maintain a distance of six feet from each other.

But there are many exceptions for individuals and places where the mandate will not apply, including religious services.

Huse cited an "astronomical spike in cases" that is threatening to overwhelm already strained hospitals and health care workers. A mask mandate is needed to slow transmission of the omicron variant of COVID-19, Huse said.

"This was not an easy decision at all and I know that it's going to create some waves," Huse told the Douglas County Board. "But this is a tool that is in our toolbox. We have research evidence out there showing that masks decrease transmission."

The move is opposed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, who said the Douglas County Health Department lacks the authority to issue such a mandate. Ricketts asked Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson to consider legal action, and Peterson sent Huse a letter Tuesday afternoon threatening a lawsuit to stop the mandate.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert also opposes a mandate, but she said that Huse has the authority to issue one.

Huse and Douglas County Board Member Chris Rodgers, president of the Douglas County Board of Health, said they believe they are on solid legal ground, based on the advice of city of Omaha and Douglas County attorneys.

Huse said the measure will be temporary, possibly four weeks. She said the order likely will come with benchmarks, including reducing case rates in the county to less than 200 cases per day per 100,000 residents.

Currently, Douglas County is adding more than 1,100 case a day on a seven-day rolling average.

Hospital capacity also would have to drop to 85% or less for a week. "We've got to give them breathing room to take care of all of you," Huse said.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the county has exceeded past peaks, and the number continues to rise. Hospitals already are above 93% of their capacity.

In a statement her office sent out Tuesday afternoon, Stothert said she doesn't support Huse's decision, "although I recognize she has the authority to do so under City Code. I am disappointed she is proceeding with such an impactful decision for all Omaha citizens without my support or the full support of the City Council, as she previously said she would."

The previous mask mandate in Omaha was implemented in 2020 before the availability of an effective vaccine, Stothert said.

She noted that an order regarding the mandate signed by Huse "cannot be voided by the Mayor or the City Council."

Omaha City Council President Pete Festersen on Tuesday issued a statement in support of Huse's plan. He said the majority of the seven-member council supports her decision to implement a temporary mask mandate in Omaha "to help address the surge of COVID-19 cases and to help keep our schools, hospitals and first responders operating during this challenging time."

City Council members Aimee Melton, Brinker Harding and Don Rowe also issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying they "strongly disagree" with Huses dictate. Over the last two years, the statement reads, "we have seen time and again that mask mandates are not an effective method for combating the coronavirus."

The three, all of whom are Republicans, also said they "vehemently object to an unelected and unaccountable bureaucrat imposing their will upon the city without reaching out to those who are entrusted by the citizens of Omaha to represent them."

Under Omaha city code, the Douglas County health director can issue orders in public health emergencies.

Lancaster County had the state's only jurisdictional mask mandate over recent months, but its health director, Pat Lopez, allowed it to expire before Christmas, just as cases linked to the omicron variant began to surge.
Two Lincoln residents are facing felony charges after their 4-month-old child was found to be malnourished and in need of life-saving care earlier this month, according to court documents.

Kevin Scott, 21, and Amanda Wellington, 25, called police at about 3 p.m. Jan. 2 after they found their child had turned blue and was gasping for air in their home near 27th and Y streets, according to the affidavit for the couple's arrest.

Paramedics took the child to CHI St. Elizabeth, where "immediate life-saving care" was provided. Investigators found the child to be severely malnourished.

"His bones were clearly visible, and his skin was hanging due to the lack of muscle and body fat," the affidavit reads.

Stacie Bleicher, medical director at Lincoln's Child Advocacy Center who reviewed body cam footage of the child, told investigators the baby was at risk of death when police responded to the couple's residence.

The 4-month-old, who was 7 pounds at birth, weighed 6 pounds, 6.5 ounces when he was admitted to St. Elizabeth. The child hadn't been seen by a doctor since mid-September, LPD investigators wrote in the affidavit.

Scott and Wellington told investigators transportation issues had prevented them from taking the baby to medical appointments in the months since, and the family's gas service had been shut off. The couple, whose apartment had been heated by space heaters, told police they couldn't afford to have their gas reactivated.

In the affidavit, investigators noted the couple had a functioning vehicle.

A spokesperson for Black Hills Energy said the gas provider in Lincoln encourages customers to call and work through financial issues. The spokeswoman pointed to Black Hills Cares, a program that partners with the Salvation Army to provide financial assistance to those in need, as well as public assistance programs throughout the state.

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lincoln offers funds to assist with housing and utility costs, though need for such assistance has to be a result of the pandemic for applicants to qualify, according to the city's website.

Both Scott and Wellington were arrested Friday and later charged with felony child abuse.

After initially being lodged at the Lancaster County Jail, both were released on personal recognizance bonds. They would have to pay $500 if they fail to appear at their next court hearing in February.

A part of the couple's bond condition is a no contact order with the baby, who remains hospitalized, according to court filings.

Three other children living in the home were placed into protective custody, according to juvenile court records.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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A 41-year-old Palmyra man was in custody Wednesday after an early-morning standoff with law enforcement forced Palmyra High School to delay the start of school.

The standoff, which lasted about eight hours, ended when Christopher McKinney was taken into custody, according to a news release from the Otoe County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies responded at 3:30 a.m. to a 911 call from a woman at a residence in the 600 block of F Street in Palmyra. She told police there were two firearms in the home.

Otoe County Sheriff's deputies asked for the Nebraska State Patrol's assistance at about 4:15 a.m. after attempting to negotiate with McKinney.

Hours later, a heavy police presence outside the home blocks from the high school prompted the district to schedule a 10 a.m. delayed start time.

McKinney is being held in Otoe County Jail on potential charges of domestic assault, terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

The school spent much of the day in "secure mode" protocols, Superintendent Michael Hart said in a statement posted on the district's website.

Hart said the protocols were precautionary and that there wasn't a threat to students or staff.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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Andrew Wegley Breaking news reporter A Kansas City, Missouri, native, Andrew Wegley joined the Journal Star as breaking news reporter after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in May 2021. Follow Andrew Wegley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Lincoln Public Schools plans to continue a policy restricting transfers to three high schools that are above capacity even as the district prepares to open a new high school this fall.

The policy, which has been in place since 2019, sets an early deadline for eighth graders looking to transfer out of their attendance area into Lincoln East, Lincoln High or North Star next year.

Parents have until Jan. 31 to submit a school choice form at LPS.org if their child wishes to attend one of those three high schools outside their attendance area.

Those three schools will continue to be unavailable for transfers in all other grade levels because of capacity concerns.

Lincoln High currently has more than 2,300 students, while Lincoln East and North Star have more than 2,200, well above the roughly 1,900-student capacity for those schools, said Matt Larson, associate superintendent of instruction.

But there is help on the way: Lincoln Northwest, a new 1,000-student high school in Air Park, will open this fall. It's unclear, however, how much of an impact it will have on overcrowding, Larson said, which is why the district is continuing with the policy restricting transfers for now.

According to enrollment projections, Lincoln Northwest would have just more than 630 students in its inaugural year. Lincoln High and North Star are expected to have more than 2,000 students, and Lincoln East still anticipates more than 2,200 students.

But if those numbers change, the schools currently closed to transfers could open up in the future.

"We would expect some North Star and Lincoln High students to begin to attend Northwest, particularly those in the Northwest attendance area, but our experience has been it takes time for a building to meet new capacity," Larson said.

High school enrollment Officials hope the opening of Lincoln Northwest next fall will help alleviate overcrowding at schools such as Lincoln North Star and Lincoln High. Here are enrollment projections for 2022-23: School; students Lincoln East; 2,239 Lincoln High; 2,006 North Star; 2,022 Northeast; 1,864 Northwest; 636 Southeast; 1,899 Southwest; 2,147

Since the policy is already in place, the LPS Board of Education is not required to vote to extend it, Larson said. However, district officials are putting it before the board this month to give parents proper notice, he added.

The board gave first-round approval to the measure Tuesday night.

District officials expect overcrowding to ease even more when Standing Bear High School in southeast Lincoln opens in 2023.

According to LPS estimates, Lincoln East would have 1,800 students in the 2023-24 school year, while enrollment at North Star and Lincoln High would be just shy of 2,000.

Lincoln Southwest, which is also experiencing overcrowding, is expected to drop from about 2,100 students next year to just more than 1,700 in 2023-24. By that point, projections put Lincoln Northwest at just less than 1,000 students and Standing Bear at 685.

But those estimates are just that, estimates, and it's hard to truly predict where students will go, Larson said.

Northwest and Standing Bear, along with Robinson Elementary School, are the district's newest schools being funded by a bond issue passed in 2020.

The ed board approved new school boundaries for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years last fall in anticipation of the new schools opening.

Boundary areas are especially significant at the elementary and middle school levels, where students generally must attend the school in their attendance area but can transfer to another building if space is available.

Students who already attend a school won't have to change schools, however, and new students will also be allowed to go to a school a sibling already attends.

However, incoming kindergartners who now fall in Robinson Elementary School's attendance area in northeast Lincoln will automatically be enrolled in the new school when it opens this fall. Incoming freshmen who live within Lincoln Northwest's boundaries will also be automatically enrolled at the new school.

In those cases, parents looking to send their children to another school would need to ask for a transfer.

With those schools set to open in seven months, contractors are busy at work even as winter settles in.

At Lincoln Northwest, masons are about 70% finished with the exterior brick veneer, and windows are starting to go in as work shifts inside, said LPS Director of Operations Scott Wieskamp.

"The building is really coming along very well," Wieskamp said.

At Robinson Elementary School, roofers are working to close up the building and were set to pour the gym's concrete base this week.

And work on Standing Bear is moving ahead at a good pace thanks to a mild fall and early winter and lessons learned from the Northwest project, Wieskamp said. Construction workers have wrapped up structural work on the school's three-story wing and gym.

"We're way ahead of schedule, and we feel really good about the progress of that project," Wieskamp said.

Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack

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A new legislative map means Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood now represents a chunk of Lancaster County.

And now he -- along with nine co-signers -- has put forth LB859, to take away the local control of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, which alone among the state's 16 health districts is able to act independently of the state.

A quirk of timing -- the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department was established in 1889, before the state formally recognized health departments -- gives Lancaster County a measure of control unique to the state.

For more than 130 years, no one cared -- until the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department imposed directed health measures in response to COVID that were more stringent that those called for by the state or advocated by Gov. Pete Ricketts.

The principle of local control is generally associated with Republicans like Clements and his co-signers. But politicians apparently believe they can make better public health decisions than health experts familiar with unique local issues.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is, indeed, an outlier, and it's proved to be a very effective one -- organizing vaccination clinics, educating residents and communicating policy changes. Residents in other health districts should be as fortunate as Lancaster County residents.

"There's been a lot of people who didn't care for the decisions made by (the health department," Clements said. He's right. The county's DHMs have not been universally applauded.

But a recall effort against Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and four City Council members fizzled when it failed to collect enough signatures to get the recall on the ballot. That should tell Clements something about many of his new constituents.

The Legislature has a lot to get done in this year's 60-day session. There's money to be spent (or saved), there's tax reform to address and school funding needs immediate attention. Tax reform and school funding are perennially vexing and will require an investment of time and brain power by lawmakers.

None of these issues -- important ones for all Nebraskans -- should languish because of proposals like LB859 robbing senators' valuable and limited time and attention.

Whether it's public health, K-12 education or basic governmental needs, unless there's ample evidence of shortcomings, decisions should be made as close to voters as possible to ensure accountability and familiarity with the issues.

At the moment, nowhere in Nebraska is there a community-wide mask mandate. That is not the issue. The issue should be what happens in the next public health crisis? Would you rather have decisions made by accountable, local officials reacting to specific conditions and data. Or do you want health policies made by distant decision-makers who, as evident from our current situation, are willing to inject politics where they don't belong?

The Legislature should make quick work of dispatching LB859 and invest that time in something that helps the whole state rather than hurting a portion of it.

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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has expressed Turkey's further support to Azerbaijan in its fight for justice, the Defence Ministry said on January 12.

"Akar noted that the Turkish Armed Forces, today and always, are beside Azerbaijan in the fight for justice," the report added.

Following the latest deadly escalation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border that started on January 11, Azerbaijani Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov and his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar had a telephone conversation on January 12.

Akar expressed his condolences over the death of an Azerbaijani serviceman in the latest Armenian-incited provocations on the state border.

Earlier, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported that the situation escalated due to the provocation committed by the Armenian armed forces near Kalbajar region of the Azerbaijani-Armenia state border at noon on January 11.

As a result of the clashes, the Azerbaijan armys long-term active military serviceman, soldier Ayaz Nazarov, was killed.

Two Armenian servicemen were killed and two more were wounded as a result of Armenia's own military provocation, Trend reported with reference to the Armenian Defence Ministry.

The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry stated that the Armenian military and political leadership bears full responsibility for the occurred tension.
Using a one-time handout to fund a long-term necessity is rarely considered to be a smart move -- until now. This time, it makes sense.

There's no guarantee that earmarking additional federal stimulus money beyond the $1.5 million the Lancaster County Board committed to the Lincoln Airport Authority would actually work in encouraging more airline service, but it's worth the gamble by the city of Lincoln.

We consider it seed money that gives the airport and the city time to prove to, say, Delta Air Lines that flying into Lincoln is a viable and worthwhile venture.

Investing in this quality-of-life issue makes even more sense because of a $50 million expansion already underway to improve the terminal and add gates at the airport.

Originally, the mayor's office said it would not earmark a portion of its $46 million in federal stimulus money to help lure new air service to the city.

However, members of the Lincoln City Council contacted Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and asked her to change her mind. They also planned to present a resolution to the mayor.

If the mayor were to be swayed to allocate $1.5 million, it would mean the Lincoln Airport Authority will have $3 million at its disposal to use as minimum revenue guarantees  a risk-sharing incentive airports of Lincolns size routinely use to encourage airlines to start service.

That's a nice incentive to bring another airline to town. The airport was recently dealt an unexpected blow when Delta announced it would end service in Lincoln this month, eliminating twice-daily flights to and from Minneapolis.

The last Delta flight out of Lincoln was Monday, leaving the airport serviced by only one airline, United, which offers flights to Chicago and Denver.

Expanding on that number seems imperative to Lincoln's growth in both population and stature. There are roughly 140 airports in cities about Lincolns size competing for air service, and Lincoln has the disadvantage of being just an hour away from Omahas larger airport, Journal Star city reporter Margaret Reist reported.

But when you consider that Lincoln is a capital city with a major university and plenty of corporate entities, there is a real need for the convenience of travel in and out of the local airport.

When we talk about attracting the best job candidates to Lincoln, this is one of the amenities that plays into an organization's ability to bring someone here.

In addition to that, having more air service would be a convenience that could be used by everyone in Lincoln. It might sound trivial, but driving an hour east to catch a flight, especially in the heart of the winter season or early in the morning or late at night, is an inconvenience.

We have the money. We should invest it in the things that better the lives of those who live here. More airport options seems like a logical choice.

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STURTEVANT  Criminal charges against William Scott III have been dropped. But his life is still in shambles.

Job offers have been rescinded. His mental health collapsed. A relationship fell apart. He blames it all on allegations, based on rumors, that never led to substantive legal punishment.

Scott, a 29-year-old gun enthusiast who previously lived in Racine but now resides in South Milwaukee, was charged in November 2018 with one count of disorderly conduct with use of a dangerous weapon, a misdemeanor, even though he never held a gun on anyone.

The Sturtevant Police Department had recommended charges for making terroristic threats, a conclusion that Scott says was reached because he had been misquoted. As he tells it, a false rumor predicated on an unnecessary fear of firearms got out of hand, leading to the police getting involved.

Even though charges have been dropped, Scotts life still has not returned to any semblance of normal.

Im a law-abiding citizen, he said when he was first interviewed by The Journal Times in August 2020. But my name is in really bad standing right now  I just want my life back.

Fear leads to 911 call

Scott had been working at a Sturtevant food products supplier, Kerry Seasonings, 1751 Enterprise Drive. Kerry Seasonings did not reply to requests for comment on this report.

He had a feud with management after being demoted for unsafe forklift driving.

On Oct. 31, 2018, after that demotion, Scott was upset with what he felt was elitism from among higher-ups at the company. He commented to a coworker that people in management need to understand that they bleed the same as anyone else.

That comment, police reports and Scott agree, followed his response to a coworker who had asked the hypothetical question: What would you do if you won the lottery?

According to Scott, he replied by saying he would start advocating for workers rights, and one of the steps to doing that was to get people in power to better understand that they are no different than the typical worker. Hence, the bleed the same as anyone else comment.

The next day, management found out about what Scott had said. A manager told police that Scott had said management can be shot just like anyone else, which Scott has repeatedly attested was a misquote.

That is not what I said. My words were taken out of context, Scott said. Its like a bad game of Telephone.

Police were called to escort Scott out of the building.

When officers interviewed coworkers, one coworker confirmed that Scott had said something to the effect of management bleeds just like the rest of us and did not say anything about shooting anyone as the manager had attested, according to reports acquired by The Journal Times.

Still, when he was charged, the criminal complaint quotes Scott as having said management can be shot, just like everyone else, with no mention of the conflicting statements.

When police asked Scotts peers if Scott had ever made any other threatening remarks, none of them said he had, the reports state. However, one manager reported he was fearful of retaliation from Scott.

Scott is a gun enthusiast. He had been studying gunsmithing at the time and said he legally owned eight firearms. A week prior to being suspended, he had shown up to work wearing body armor. He said he was trying to break in the gear.

When a coworker became fearful that one of his coworkers was wearing body armor, Scott was asked to take it off and he complied.

When police confronted Scott on Nov. 1, 2018, they found multiple firearms in his car, among them a loaded semiautomatic rifle in a backpack. Officers told him that was an unsafe way to store the weapon, although it isnt illegal.

Owning 8 guns not strange in U.S. Despite his passion for firearms, Scott said he did not even touch a gun during months the court case was progressing. Even after charges were dropped, it took weeks for his property  the eight guns  to be returned. Approximately two out of every three American gun owners have multiple guns, and 29% of legal gun owners own five or more guns, according to 2017 polling from the Pew Research Center. It also isnt uncommon for gun owners to have far more than eight firearms. According to a 2015 survey from The Guardian, the 3% of American adults who own the most guns average owning 17 firearms per person, equaling 133 million guns for fewer than 800,000 people.

Job offers rescinded, stability gone

In the years since, Scott hasnt been able to maintain steady work with the ugly charges hanging over his head.

Twice in the summer of 2020, he was told hed been hired but had the offers rescinded. In August 2020, the day after he got hired by a freight company, he got a phone call telling him that offer was being rescinded because his would-be boss had found out about the criminal charge.

Less than a week later, a deal was made and the criminal charges were dropped.

Had that employer waited a couple days to check his background, or had the courts moved a little bit faster  the case was repeatedly delayed due to issues with witnesses and the COVID-19 pandemic  Scott could have been faster on the path back to normality. But theres no guarantee, since Wisconsin does little to clean peoples records after charges have been dropped.

Scott admits mistakes were made, like being unsafe with his gun storage in his car and issues with management, but the implications in the dropped charges still hang over his head.

Uncleansed records

The way in which many employers rely on background checks is harmful to Americans with even minor blips on their record. It exacerbates the ongoing worker shortage, according to an analysis by the Prison Policy Institute.

For one, dropped charges  like Scotts  often stick around on background checks even when they shouldnt.

The National Employment Law Project notes that about half of the records in the FBIs database have no information about how a case concluded  so a charge that was dropped would remain as a dark mark on background checks. As The New York Times reported on the database: Your record might list an arrest for a serious crime  but omit the information that the case was dropped.

In September 2020, The Journal Times reported on a lawsuit against Target that involved a local man having had a job offer rescinded because a background check found a felony charge on his record, even though that charge was supposed to have been expunged. That lawsuit was won because criminal charges and arrests disproportionately affect people of color, and thus a court ruled that Target was acting discriminatorily by simply relying on typically standardized background checks.

The U.S. government acknowledges this phenomenon. The Commission on Civil Rights in June 2019 presented a 174-page report: Collateral Consequences: The Crossroads of Punishment, Redemption, and the Effects on Communities.

It stated: Collateral consequences exacerbate punishment beyond the criminal conviction after an individual completes the court-imposed sentence. Valid public safety bases support some collateral consequences, such as limitations on working with children for people convicted of particular dangerous crimes. Many collateral consequences, however, are unrelated either to the underlying crime for which a person has been convicted or to a public safety purpose. When the collateral consequences are unrelated in this way, their imposition generally negatively affects public safety and the public good.

Forty-seven states ensure that expunged records of conviction are cleared from the databases that are used for background checks.

Wisconsin does not have such a protection, nor do Maine or Montana. Even if charges are dropped, their impact lingers.

Wisconsin is an outlier  the fact that youve got arrested for this, that or the other thing, thats there, thats public, said Margaret Colgate Love, a former U.S. pardon attorney who now serves on the board of directors of the Collateral Consequences Resource Center. Even a misdemeanor can be held against you.

As the Center for American Progress reported in 2020: Most states provide some form of expungement or sealing for certain types of records. Yet the federal government currently does not have a regular mechanism for clearing federal conviction or even nonconviction records. Expungements and sealing typically require the individual to file a petition, appear in court, and serve a waiting period without reoffending.

Taking these steps, however, can cost hundreds of dollars in legal and administrative fees, dissuading many who are eligible from expunging or sealing their criminal records. Additionally, many eligible individuals simply may not know that these remedies are even an option.

The Center for American Progress advises all states pass clean slate laws to automate expungement and sealing procedures, in recognition of the many barriers that can prevent eligible individuals from clearing their records when filing a petition is required.

Charges gone, impact remains

When the state offered to drop the charge and instead just cite him for disorderly conduct, Scott took the offer. In October 2021, the citation also was dropped. Thats all still on his publicly viewable online record.

After months turned to years of struggle finding steady employment, Scott stopped looking. He now runs his own powerwashing business: Wet Stone Powerwashing LLC.

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TOWN OF WATERFORD  Michael Brannen heard just one gunshot, but that was enough to take down a trophy buck that people in the neighborhood had come to know.

The 10-point buck stumbled onto Brannens property, fell down and died.

Brannen ran to confront the shooter, who was behind the wheel in a passing vehicle. But the perpetrator sped away, leaving behind his illegally shot trophy.

Conservation agents now are searching for the poaching suspect, who could face criminal charges and hundreds of dollars in fines in the incident that occurred Nov. 12 in the Town of Waterford.

Investigators are hoping a member of the public will help them find the suspect.

Brandon Smith, a warden with the state Department of Natural Resources, said the poaching episode was unusual because it occurred in broad daylight in a residential area.

It was a pretty brazen incident, Smith said. It was certainly a dangerous situation.

Brannen, himself a hunter, said he also wants to see the suspect captured and prosecuted.

The incident occurred across the street from the Buena Park subdivision  far too close to peoples homes for anyone to be taking aim at a deer and firing a rifle, Brannen said.

Before you know it, theyre going to be shooting deer in every neighborhood, he said. Wheres it going to stop?

The incident occurred eight days before Wisconsins gun season opened for deer hunting on Nov. 20. The only hunting permitted at the time was with bow and arrow.

At about 3 p.m. on a recent Friday, Brannen was working on a home remodeling project outside his house in the 30000 block of Grand Drive, just north of the Village of Waterford.

Deer roam the neighborhood frequently. Residents are accustomed to seeing the animals outside.

Smith said the 10-point buck had been in the area for so long, many residents knew him. With his size and picturesque antlers, the deer would have attracted the attention of any hunter, Smith said.

For most people, that would be either a trophy or at least a very respectable deer, he said.

Brannen heard a gunshot, and a few moments later the wounded animal appeared and collapsed to the ground. A motorist had stopped on Grand Drive, but when Brannen ran to confront the driver, the suspect sped away.

This guy probably just got excited and thought this was the biggest deer hed ever seen, Brannen recalled. He ran up and told the shooter youre not getting this deer.

The homeowner then called the Waterford Police Department. The police contacted DNR wardens.

Police Chief Matt Johnson said the shooter acted recklessly by discharging a firearm in a residential area. Johnson said there is a huge difference between legitimate hunters and this sort of misconduct.

If the suspect carries a loaded rifle in his vehicle and is capable of such poor judgment, Johnson said, he could pose a risk to others.

Its very disturbing, the chief said. Its not just this neighborhoods issue  its the whole communitys issue.

DNR agents knocked on doors in the neighborhood, and they staked out Grand Drive for several hours, hoping the suspect would return to collect the dead deer. But they had no luck catching or identifying the poaching suspect.

The animal carcass was later donated for food to a group that operates a food pantry for military veterans.

Investigators are hoping that a tip from the public will lead them to a suspect in the Nov. 12 incident. They theorize that the shooter probably cannot resist telling other people about his experience with Waterfords prized 10-point buck.

People like to talk, Smith said. Even the shooter probably told somebody something.

Brannen agreed: Somebodys going to have to turn him in.

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MADISON  Its official: Both Democrats and Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly are led by Racine County natives.

On Tuesday, Greta Neubauer became Assembly Minority Leader after Gordon Hintz of Oshkosh stepped down from the role, effective at the end of the day Monday.

Its a fast ascent for Neubauer, 30 years old and first elected just four years ago.

Shell now be going head to head with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Burlington native who is effectively the leader of the Republican Party in the Legislature.

Neubauer had a busy first day.

Her first official meeting as leader was meeting with Governor (Tony) Evers to discuss policy priorities, spokesperson Adam Wigger, said in an email.

That was followed by meetings to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 surge with the head of the state Department of Health Services, Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake, and with Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Kalan Haywood, a 22-year-old from Milwaukee who replaced Rep. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton.

That was followed by attending an Assembly Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight hearing.

Neubauer also has appointed state Rep. Beth Meyers, D-Bayfield, to replace her on the Joint Committee on Finance, the Legislatures most powerful committee.

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MOUNT PLEASANT  After almost three years, Catherine and Rodney Jensen have reached a settlement with the Village of Mount Pleasant regarding the taking of their property by the village.

In 2019, the village took to court against the Jensens seeking to buy their property, which is located in Tax Incremental District (TID) No. 5, which was created for Foxconn.

According to village documents, in 2018 the village gave the Jensens $569,300 for their 2.92 acres of land. But the Jensens never touched the initial sum of money; to do so would have meant they were giving up their fight against the eminent domain claim.

We got a letter (from the village in spring 2018) basically saying that they own our house now, Cathy Jensen told Wisconsin Watch in 2019. We own your house and well be very, you know, very generous and let you stay there rent-free until September 2019.

The Jensens property is in the 3300 block of Highway 41, immediately southeast of where Interstate 94 passes over Highway 11. It is about 1.5 miles northwest of the nearest Foxconn building.

A public settlement agreement between the village and the Jensens, released to a reporter on Tuesday, shows that the village will give the Jensens $226,700 in relocation benefits.

In 2018, the last time the property was assessed according to Racine County land records, its fair market value was deemed to be $203,800.

When Mount Pleasant bought more than 100 properties in the Foxconn area on behalf of the Taiwanese tech giant, the village was offering 40% more than expected fair market prices for those homes, plus usually around $50,000 more in relocation benefits.

With the Jensens being paid $796,000, theyre getting more than double what the village would have been expected to offer and almost quadruple the most recent assessed fair market price.

$100,000 of that may be held back by the village in case of fees to obtain the property deed or any reasonable and necessary clean-up and removal costs once the Jensens leave their property.

The Jensens have until May 15 to leave. Until they vacate, the village is granted reasonable access, with reasonable notice, to the Jensens property to inspect it for planning demolition.

The Jensens have no comment, according to their counsel, attorney Erik Olsen with Madison-based Eminent Domain Services, LLC.

As it has since the beginning of the Foxconn project, the Village has endeavored to reach voluntary agreements with all property owners to acquire the property necessary for public infrastructure improvements, said Village Attorney Chris Smith in a statement. We are pleased to reach a mutually agreeable settlement with Rodney and Catherine Jensen. In addition to the funds paid by the Village in August 2018 for acquisition of the land, the Villages settlement provides statutorily authorized compensation for the Jensens business and relocation costs.

The Jensens were among the property owners who fought the taking and demolishing of properties for Foxconn under blight declaration in 2018.

The village had declared four square miles  about 2,800 acres  as blighted, giving the village board one more tool to force landowners to sell their property to make way for the Foxconn plant and associated development.

Wisconsin law states that if a municipality determines a property as blighted, it then makes way for redevelopment or demolition of the property/removal of buildings.

The vast majority of property owners inside the Foxconn areas sold, with the Jensens having been among the final holdouts, along with Kim and James Mahoney; Kim Mahoney lost by just 62 votes in her 2020 bid to represent her district on the Racine County Board.

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MOUNT PLEASANT  From a young age, Alex Hanesakda was taught to give back through food.

Its engrained in our culture. Anyone that needed a meal, we gave it to them, said the Laotian-born chef and owner of SapSap who grew up in Burlington. Hanesakda told stories of his parents having a figurative revolving door through their home, inviting anyone who was hungry to come in and eat their food.

And so, fulfilling the legacy that his late father left and continuing on with his living mothers values, Hanesakda reached a milestone of donating $10,000 in free food in 2021 to veterans, those in need, or those just needing a show of appreciation through his restaurant.

He is inviting the restaurants customers  and anyone in the community  to help the restaurant in continuing to give back to others through warm meals through a new GoFundMe page (gofund.me/c85eb268) set up over the weekend.

Donating to the fund  which has a goal of $10,000  will pay for meals SapSap provides to hungry people in the neighborhood surrounding our restaurant, and to veterans who visit us, the fundraiser information read.

Free meals program

Help still wanted: Why some Racine County restaurants had to shorten hours in recent months Here's what restaurant owners are telling us about the struggles they're facing ... at SapSap, cooks are paid $15-17 an hour. "McDonald's pays that," said Alex Hanesakda. "They make millions of dollars. We pay that and we make margins."

Though SapSap, at 2343 Mead St., just opened last year and has told tales of struggles throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Hanesakda has made it a priority to give back through food.

It wasnt something he initially planned on when he opened his restaurant  he jokingly called it a bad business move in terms of money  but rather than wasting overage of food and in turn, having to sacrifice quality, he decided to budget meals to give away for free.

He said he sets aside anywhere between $200-300 to fund his Pengpeng free meals program. According to Hanesakda, peng is a Lao word meaning to lovingly care for.

Posts are often made on SapSaps Facebook page calling for suggestions of anyone in the community who needs a free, warm meal from the restaurant. In one instance, nurses from Ascension Hospital were recipients of the restaurants famous banh mi chicken sandwich.

Its just letting them (frontline workers) know that we actually care, Hanesakda said.

He hopes that the GoFundMe page sparks a circle of giving within the community.

Weve always used our platform to help others, Hanesakda said, referring to his restaurants social media following; its Facebook page alone has almost 11,000 likes. I really believe that the more social impact we do, the better. It spreads like wildfire.

For more information on SapSap, visit facebook.com/SapSapEats; Hanesakda said to keep a lookout for upcoming community barbecue events.

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According to a news release issued by Fire Chief Christopher Bigley, the Kenosha County Medical Examiner has been called to the scene and has taken custody of the remains. Positive identification has not been made, however, and is pending results of a dental record analysis.

The family of Johnny Mikus has been in search of him since the Jan. 5 fire when he was last seen. Mikus, who is in his late 60s, was believed to have been inside an apartment above the market the night of the fire. Mikus, a semi-retired chef and part-time caterer, was well-known to everyone in the neighborhood.

Authorities said the accounting for all of the occupants in the building at the time of the fire has been our number one priority. Fire officials said the next stage in the investigation will be to determine the fires origin and cause. No further information was released.

Body found after being towed

Milwaukee police are investigating after a body was found in a burned vehicle that had been towed to an impound lot.

The body of the 21-year-old woman was found by a lot attendant several hours after the vehicle crashed and caught fire Sunday morning and was towed.

The Milwaukee Fire Department takes this matter seriously, and is conducting an internal investigation to determine if standard operating procedures and guidelines were followed during the course of this incident, a fire department statement said.

The woman has not been identified.

At this time, there is no indication that the female was a victim of homicide; however, the incident remains under investigation, police said.

Later Tuesday, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski apologized on behalf of his departments failure to realize there was a body in the vehicle.

A search of a recently extinguished vehicle is our responsibility and we failed to uphold that standard in this situation, Lipski was quoted as saying by local media following a press conference about the situation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A complaint demanding that Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers remove Milwaukee County's district attorney from office over a bail recommendation for a man who later drove his SUV through a suburban parade isn't valid, an attorney hired by the governor's administration concluded Tuesday.

The complaint from a group of Milwaukee County taxpayers has a host of technical shortcomings, attorney Matthew Fleming wrote in a memo to Evers. Nothing indicates the group swore oaths that they believe their statements were true, notary verifications were incomplete and the group failed to allege any facts that show Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm neglected his duties, Fleming wrote.

It is my opinion that (the complaint) . . . fails to meet the statutory standards necessary for Governor Evers to commence the process for removing Mr. Chisholm from office, Fleming wrote.

The administration hired Fleming at $275 an hour to review the complaint that was filed last month over Chisholm's office's handling of a case involving Darrell Brooks, who is accused of killing six people in a Christmas parade in Waukesha in November. He was released on $1,000 bail just days earlier after allegedly running over the mother of his child with his SUV.

Evers spokeswoman Britt Cudaback said in an email to The Associated Press that the governor can't legally take any action in light of Fleming's conclusions. But in the event of new, additional facts, concerns, or complaints raised, the governor will give that information full consideration and review to protect public safety and keep our communities safe, she added.

Republicans and other critics have accused Chisholm of essentially enabling the parade attack. Chisholm has said bail for Brooks should have been higher but that an overworked assistant district attorney didnt have time to assess his case and needed to move on to the next one.

Chisholm has pushed for ending cash bail, saying its not fair to poor defendants. He wants a new system in which only violent offenders are jailed until trial.

Evers and Chisholm are both Democrats. Orville Seymer, the leader of the group that filed the complaint, said in a telephone interview that he believes the group did everything right, even having an attorney draft the complaint.

I think everybody knew Evers was looking for a way out of this, Seymer said. He didnt want to deal with this in the first place. In the long run, this is going to hurt (his reelection chances). The people of Waukesha are going to be really, really angry with Evers.

Brooks' case has pushed Republicans legislators to introduce bills that would require a $10,000 minimum bond for people who have previously committed a felony or violent misdemeanor. They would also would require the Wisconsin Department of Justice to create a bond transparency report detailing crime and bond conditions.

Evers' office released a letter Tuesday that the governor sent to Chisholm last month noting that Chisholm has launched an internal investigation into Brooks' bail. The governor told Chisholm he expects the investigation to be impartial and transparent and that he wants assurances that Chisholm's office will make bail recommendations that won't jeopardize public safety.

Many of us have spent the interceding days (since the parade) mourning this tragedy and the lives taken from us, Evers wrote. So, too, we spent these days rightfully seeking answers for how this tragedy happened, justice for those families and the Waukesha community, and solutions necessary to ensure something like this never happens again.

A message left at Chisholm's office wasn't immediately returned.

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The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday denied Assembly Speaker Robin Vos request to block a Dane County judges order directing him to sit for a deposition as part of a liberal watchdog groups lawsuit seeking public records surrounding the GOP-ordered review of the 2020 election.

The depositions were ordered last week by Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn, who expressed confusion over how so few documents were produced from the first three months of former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gablemans ongoing probe. Bailey-Rihn ordered Vos, R-Rochester, and his staff attorney Steve Fawcett to sit for depositions Wednesday.

The states high court issued a 4-3 decision Tuesday, with conservative Justice Brian Hagedorn joining liberal justices in finding that Vos request to prevent the depositions needed to be first filed as a petition for a supervisory writ in the court of appeals.

This petition comes nowhere close to meeting these legal standards, according to court documents. Following the law here means the petition must be denied.

The case stems from one of three ongoing lawsuits filed by American Oversight over public records requests the organization filed last year. Attorneys for American Oversight have asked that Vos be held in contempt for not releasing the records sooner.

Attorneys for Vos filed the request to the state Supreme Court after Bailey-Rihn earlier in the day denied his request to delay the discovery meeting with American Oversight. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals on Monday denied a similar request by Vos.

This could have been avoided if Speaker Vos had released the records of his election investigation to the public as required by Wisconsin law, and its disappointing that hes now going to even greater lengths to conceal the facts from the public, American Oversight spokesperson Clark Pettig said in an email Monday.

Attorneys for Vos have said all available documents have been provided, while attorneys for American Oversight have questioned whether additional documents exist.

Speaker Vos responded to the Americans Public Records request, Vos attorney Ronald Stadler wrote in a Tuesday court filing. He produced the records that were responsive to Americans request and did not withhold any records. Americans belief that it is incredible that there are not more records is pure speculation.

Gableman was hired by Vos to investigate the election at a cost of $676,000 to taxpayers. His contract expired at the close of December, but Vos has said he hopes to have the review finished by the end of February.

Bailey-Rihn wrote in her order Tuesday that Wisconsin residents deserve to see any available records as part of the states open records law.

These open records request have been pending for months; thus, additional delay may cause harm in the way of documents being destroyed or becoming stale, she wrote.

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Betty Whites third and final husband was from Mineral Point, and the actress had been spotted more than once in the city of 2,625.

Locals were so anxious for her return, they had been buying her beers in advance for years.

Commerce Street Brewery, about 50 miles southwest of Madison, has a blackboard in its taproom that lists a persons name followed by the number of beers they have waiting for them.

Owner Mike Zupke started the practice a couple of years before he closed temporarily starting in March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

White had 41 beers to her name when Zupke reopened, a number that quickly rose after she died Dec. 31 at age 99.

After National Public Radio ran a story Friday, the amount exploded, Zupke said.

As of Monday, the Golden Girls star was up to 396 beers, which at $5 a pint, is $1,980  a sum Zupke plans to donate to the Iowa County Humane Society and other local animal shelters by the end of January.

Zupke, 43, said hes been touched by the donations that have come in through links on the brewerys website and Facebook page.

I could see the zip codes. Theyre just all over the country and that kind of blew my mind. Its from one coast to the other and everywhere in between.

Giving the money to animal shelters is in line with Whites well-known devotion to animals, which has led her fans to create the #BettyWhiteChallenge to donate to animal causes on Jan. 17, when she would have turned 100.

White married Allen Ludden, who hosted the TV game show Password, in 1963. When he died in 1981, White attended his funeral in Mineral Point.

There was speculation that shed be buried next to him, but her agent told ABC News that wasnt going to happen.

What Ive heard from people who were close to the Ludden family is that she had been here a few times to visit the grave, but it was always a very hush-hush kind of a visit, Zupke said. There was no paparazzi around. She did it very quietly.

This isnt the first time Zupkes paid tribute to White. For her 97th birthday, he created a blonde ale, the Blonde Betty.

After she passed, there was such interest, we said, We need to bring something back,  Zupke said, adding that he had a cream ale ready that he named the Blonde Betty II.

He had one couple come in from Milwaukee to fill a growler because their 82-year-old mother wanted the beer, Zupke said.

Theres been some interest thats surprised me, but luckily its mostly been in the form of donations, he said.

Read more restaurant news at: go.madison.com/restaurants

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By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijani Human Rights Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva has urged decisive international measures against Armenia, which threatens lasting peace and development through its provocations, Trend has reported.

"We regret to inform you that on January 11, at noon, the Armenian armed forces once again carried out a provocation in the direction of Kalbajar region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border. As a result of sniper fire, soldier of the Azerbaijani army Ayaz Nazarov has died," Aliyeva said in her statement

The rights commissioner called on international agencies to act against the human rights violations committed by Armenia.

"I call on international and regional organizations, foreign ombudsmen and national human rights institutions to respond to the human rights violations committed by Armenia in the region and to take decisive measures in accordance with the norms and principles of international law to prevent such actions that threaten lasting peace and development," she said.

Aliyeva stressed Azerbaijan strongly condemned "such provocative actions aimed at violating fundamental human rights, contrary to the provisions of the tripartite statements of November 10, 2020, and November 26, 2021 on the complete cessation of hostilities and all military operations between the parties, and demand that Armenia respects the internationally recognized territorial integrity of Azerbaijan".

In a separate statement, the rights commissioner condemned Armenian crimes that are happening abroad. According to the information in mass media, US-based Armenian radicals hung a photo of Armenian terrorist Gurgen Yanikyan, who killed Turkish diplomats in California in 1973, in front of the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles. Aliyeva commented that this reaffirms the continuation of provocative actions by Armenia against Azerbaijan in foreign countries as well, with incitement to hatred, which hinders the implementation of the ideas of sustainable peace and reconciliation between peoples.

"I strongly condemn these calls for ethnic violence against Azerbaijan through the Armenian Diaspora organizations, I call on Armenia to refrain from provocative actions aimed at inciting an armed conflict in the region, to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, and also adhere to the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation, good neighborliness, and peaceful coexistence, she stated.

The situation escalated on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border after an Azerbaijani soldier was killed in a provocation by the Armenian armed forces in the direction of Kalbajar region on January 11.

Two Armenian servicemen were killed and two more were wounded as a result of Armenia's own military provocation, Trend reported with reference to the Armenian Defence Ministry.

The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry stated that the Armenian military and political leadership bear full responsibility for the occurred tension.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijans Military Prosecutors Office filed a criminal action against the killing of Azerbaijani serviceman Ayaz Nazarov under Criminal Code Article 120.2.12 (murder with intent to incite national, racial, religious hatred or enmity), the Prosecutor-Generals Office reported on January 12.

The worst escalation of tension was registered on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border on November 16, 2021. As a result, seven Azerbaijani servicemen were killed and 10 were wounded during military operations in Kalbajar and Lachin on the state border.

The trilateral ceasefire deal signed by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders on November 10, 2020, ended the three-decade conflict over Azerbaijans Karabakh region which along with the seven adjacent regions came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

On January 11, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed the second statement since the end of the 44-day war. The newly-signed statement was set to implement clause 9 of the November 2020 statement related to the unblocking of all economic and transport communications in the region.

On November 26, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed a statement and agreed on a number of issues, including the demarcation and delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border by late 2021, some points related to humanitarian issues and the issue of unblocking of transport corridors which applies to the railway and to automobile communications.

On December 14, 2021, during the Brussels meeting, organized between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders at the initiative of European Council President Charles Michel, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the conditions agreed in the Sochi meeting.

Both sides agreed to establish a temporary working group on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The issue of demining the liberated territories of Azerbaijan was also brought up on the agenda, and the European Union's readiness to provide technical assistance to Azerbaijan in this regard was underlined at the meeting.
1. Yes. Raising the bar for future developments will boost the citys housing market.

2. Yes. It will help in newer areas, but more needs to be done to change Killeens image.

3. No. The new standards will just slow down homebuilding and drive away developers.

4.No. The ordinance will do little more than drive up the price of new homes in the city.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say what the effect will be until they have been in place for a while.

Vote

View Results
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. High 83F. S winds shifting to ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 70F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
By Trend

The latest exchange of fire on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border reconfirms the necessity for confidence building measures, spokesman for the external affairs of the EU Peter Stano said, Trend reports.

European Union is working with both sides to promote a comprehensive settlement, Stano added.

Azerbaijani serviceman, Private Ayaz Nazarov was killed as a result of the provocation committed on January 11 by the Armenian armed forces in direction of Kalbajar district of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border.
A Lincoln couple is facing felony charges after their 4-month-old child was found to be malnourished and in need of life-saving care earlier this month, according to court documents.

Kevin Scott, 21, and Amanda Wellington, 25, called police at around 3 p.m. Jan. 2 after they found their child had turned blue and was gasping for air in their home near 27th and Y streets, according to the affidavit for the couple's arrest.

Paramedics rendered life-saving measures to the child, who was later admitted to CHI St. Elizabeth for "immediate life-saving care" after investigators found the child to be severely malnourished, according to the affidavit.

"His bones were clearly visible, and his skin was hanging due to the lack of muscle and body fat," the affidavit reads.

Stacie Bleicher, medical director at Lincoln's Child Advocacy Center who reviewed body cam footage of the child, told investigators the baby was at risk of death when police responded to the couple's residence, according to the affidavit.

The 4-month-old, who was 7 pounds at birth, weighed 6 pounds, 6.5 ounces when he was admitted to St. Elizabeth's, according to the affidavit. The child hadn't seen a doctor since mid-September, LPD investigators wrote in the affidavit.

Scott and Wellington told investigators transportation issues had prevented them from taking their child to medical appointments in the months since, and the family's gas had been shut off, according to the affidavit. The couple, whose apartment had been heated by space heaters, told police they couldn't afford to have their gas re-activated.

In the affidavit, investigators noted the couple had a functioning vehicle.

A spokesperson for Black Hills Energy said the gas provider in Lincoln encourages customers to call and worth through financial issues. The spokeswoman pointed to Black Hills Cares, a company program that in Nebraska partners with the Salvation Army to provide financial assistance to those in need, as well as public assistance programs throughout the state.

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lincoln offers funds to assist with housing and utility costs, though need for such assistance has to be a result of the pandemic for applicants to qualify, according to the city's website.

Both Scott and Wellington were arrested on Friday and later charged with felony child abuse.

After initially being lodged at the Lancaster County Jail, both Scott and Wellington were released on personal recognizance bond, meaning they didn't have to pay to be released. They would have to pay $500 if they fail to appear at their next court hearing in February.

A part of the couple's bond condition is a no contact order with the 4-month-old, who remains at St. Elizabeth's, according to court filings.

Three other children living in the home were placed into protective custody, according to juvenile court records.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley
A federal jury has acquitted a former Nebraska state trooper on a charge that he deprived a Colorado motorists rights when he slammed the butt of an AR-15 into the drunk mans head after a chase in western Nebraska.

Jurors deliberated about four hours before finding Lindsey Bixby not guilty of a civil rights violation on the basis that he used unreasonable force in subduing motorist Brian Davis.

It was the second time Bixby had been tried on the charge. After the first trial in November, jurors could not agree. Ten voted to acquit Bixby, but two voted to convict. A jury must be unanimous. Judge Brian Buescher then declared a mistrial.

The retrial took place over the past week.

Dash cam video from March 2016 had shown Davis driving erratically through three counties in western Nebraska, reaching speeds of up to 110 mph.

After stalling out in a sandy ditch, Davis stumbled out of his minivan, visibly drunk. He briefly dropped his hands behind his waist, and Bixby testified he thought Davis was reaching for a gun in his waistband. Davis, however, held his hands, palms up, above his head or out from his body for the next 26 seconds.

After he failed to follow 16 commands to get on the ground, Bixby struck Davis with the butt of his rifle. The force of the strike snapped Davis head to the side and dropped him to the ground.

Bixby testified he was aiming for Davis shoulder when he swung and missed, instead hitting Davis in the head.

A dash camera video of the arrest made its way online and was obtained by the Omaha World-Herald in 2017. Soon after the newspaper submitted questions about Bixbys actions, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts fired then-Nebraska State Patrol Col. Brad Rice amid a series of patrol controversies.

Bixby resigned four months after the traffic stop. Five years later, a federal grand jury charged Bixby with violating Davis civil rights by subjecting him to unreasonable force.

Bixbys attorneys, John Berry and Michael Wilson, pointed to all the ways Davis endangered troopers and the public. Wilson said Bixby had justification to shoot Davis when Davis got out of the minivan with his hands behind his back.

While Bixby testified that he thought Davis was reaching for a weapon in his waistband, Davis actually was pulling up his pants. A fellow trooper on the scene, Kyle Kuebler, testified he could tell that Davis simply was pulling up his pants.

Lecia Wright, an assistant U.S. attorney, and co-counsel Cameron Bell argued that Bixby was enraged that Davis had led troopers on the 50-minute high-speed chase. She said Bixby violated the right that any citizen has to be free from police brutality.

At the original trial, Davis testified that he had used alcohol and painkillers that night. The painkillers, he said, were used a result of injuries he suffered as a hockey player.

He testified that he had no memory of being struck by the rifle butt. Davis and a stepbrother testified that Davis was sore to the touch and had bruising so bad that his ear was black.

Davis, who now lives and works in Missouri, testified that he suffered from consistent headaches and memory lapses after the ordeal.

Bixby is no longer in law enforcement. He now lives in South Dakota.
BEAR CREEK

PAT CHRISTENSEN

Leroy and I went to Joe and Caras house Tuesday evening, along with Cardell and Emily Potter of Wisconsin Rapids, Jason, Becky and Adella Bauman and Sharon Bauman from Oakdale and John and Mary Felzke from Michigan. After a lovely dinner Cardell and Emily did their baby reveal cake, and we found out were going to be great-grandparents to a baby girl in June of 2022. Leroy and I are so excited.

I accompanied our daughter Cara to Tomah on Wednesday and met Betty Gebhardt, Heather Moore, Lexie, Kaia and Greta from Warrens and Mandi Moore for lunch. Was great to be together after not doing this since COVID-19 started.

Leroy and I went to Joe and Caras house on Sunday for dinner, along with Larry and Kathy Halverson of Rome.

Tuesday Ken Olsen picked up John Blija, Dave Hartley and Walter Spolum and toured around and ended up in Black River Falls for breakfast. It was a nice get together.

Bonnie Hedding visited her aunt Ruth and Doug Murray in Tomah on Friday.

Randy and Alicia Waltemath from Wyeville visited Bonnie Heddings on Friday evening.

Bob and Carol Henkes and Molly from Kennesaw, Georgia, came to her dads Ken and Sue Olsen on New Years Day. Carols mom passed away, and they were here for the funeral.

The Batten family Christmas was held on Saturday at the Gloria Dei Church in Tomah.

Ken and Sue Olsen spent New Years Eve at Mark and Angie Benishs home near Warrens.

Ken and Sue Olsen went to Jim Bernhardts near Clifton for New Years Day.

Colleen Bolchen from New Lisbon visited Bonnie Hedding on Sunday.

Hope the new year brings good health and safety.

SOUTH SIDE

MYRNA FAUSKA

During the first full week in the new year, it seems like our neighbors have decided to take a break from all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Most of the local folks have just been keeping closer to home, some because of the escalation of the virus and some just to enjoy the spoils of the Christmas largess. My favorite gift was Snoopy masks from one of my nieces. My family knows that I am a big Snoopy fan.

Here at the Feisty Fauskas the week was a quiet one without one box on the calendar filled in until Sunday, when I attended the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Kendall for a potluck dinner and hymn sing after the service. Christopher Young of Hillsboro joined us at the event.

Mary Marty is a busier mom than usual as she is hosting her nephew and niece while their mom is away on family business. The kids didnt care about the cold as they joined the Marty cousins playing in the snow Sunday afternoon. On Saturday Brett Marty took a first in his age and weight class at a wrestling tournament at Royall.

The news was scarce from usual sources this week as Lynette Vlasak and Sally Dana only had one activity when they went shopping for an all-wheel van in West Salem then lunched at the Sparta Family Restaurant on Monday.

The Kendall and Wilton communities are saddened by the passing of Ralph Gosselin at the end of the past week. Our sincere sympathy to Donna and family as they mourn their loss while rejoicing in Heavens gain.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord is a phrase we often hear at funerals. As Ive said before, for the Christian who has put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior, there will be a blessed reunion one day when they meet their loved ones with Jesus and spend eternity with him. We dont know what Heaven has in store for us, but as we know from scripture that there will be no pain or sorrow there, and that is really something to look forward to in addition to all of the wondrous things that are awaiting our turn. Praise the Lord! Amen.

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Protests have been in the news a lot in recent years, as magnified tensions have prompted people of all ages to protest for and against causes and situations. Protest! is also the name of a new exhibit that Im working on. The idea of the exhibit is to briefly cover a number of protest movements that have occurred in Vernon County over the past 150 years.

One area of activism that I was sure to include was about low milk prices. Dairy farmers in Vernon County have protested many times over the years about the low prices they get for their milk. But I was surprised to learn about one particular call to action, which took place in March of 1954.

Early that month, hundreds of dairy farmers packed the Vernon County courthouse to talk about how to combat a proposed cut in federal dairy supports from 90% of parity to 75%. The cut was scheduled to begin on April 1.

Those who organized the protest included Charles Dahl, future mayor of Viroqua; Fred Nelson of Nelsons Mill in Viroqua, now called Nelsons Agri-Center; and Beatrice Small, teacher and farmer in Liberty Pole.

At the courthouse meeting, a committee was formally elected, with Lester Wood of La Farge as chairman. Fifteen people were elected as advisers including Don Hedding of the Hillsboro Creamery, Floyd Burt of the Bud Cheese Factory, and E.J. Saugstad of the Westby Creamery.

The organizers had drafted a petition that read, Dear Mr. President: We the undersigned citizens of Vernon County, Wisconsin, respectfully request that you act to extend dairy support prices at their present levels for one more year, pending re-examination of the agricultural price support system by Congress.No other industry has been asked to sacrifice at this time. We ask for fair and equal treatment.

Those who attended the meeting at the courthouse signed the petition and then over the next few days circulated it among fellow farmers and community members. In all, they collected almost 8000 local signatures. The petition and all of the signatures were typed into a telegram, and the telegram was sent to President Eisenhower. It took 26 hours to type and send that telegram, one of the longest ever.

But in the end, the protest failed, and price supports dropped on April 1, 1954. I wonder how this protest changed the people who participated in it. Did some feel inspired by their involvement in governance? Did others just focus on the negative outcome? Did any participate in future protests over low dairy prices? Let us know if you have memories of this protest or of others related to dairy prices. You can reach the museum at 608-637-7396, or museum@vernoncountyhistory.org.

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By Trend

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan Serzhan Abdykarimov thanked Azerbaijan for support amid the recent events in Almaty city, Trend reports on Jan. 12.

Abdykarimov made a corresponding statement during a press conference at the embassy.

While stressing that the recent events are a grave tragedy for Kazakhstan, the ambassador thanked Azerbaijan for support rendered at the recent videoconference of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States.

Kazakhstan's government announced late Jan. 4 that it was restoring some price caps on liquefied petroleum gas, after the rare protests reached Almaty following a sharp rise in the price of the fuel at the start of the year.

Many Kazakhs have converted their cars to run on LPG, which is far cheaper than gasoline as a vehicle fuel in Kazakhstan because of price caps. But the government argued that the low price was unsustainable and lifted the caps on Jan. 1.

After the price of the fuel spiked, big demonstrations erupted on Jan. 2 in certain parts of the country. Public protests are illegal in the country unless their organizers file a notice in advance.

Following the development of the situation, the government declared a state of emergency all over the country. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the government initiated anti-terrorist operations to deal with the ongoing riots.

Also, the divisions of the united peacekeeping contingent of CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) arrived in Kazakhstan to assist in restoring order and help protect strategic objects of the country.
Across the state of Wisconsin and the nation there is a high number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients being cared for by staff who, while dedicated, are feeling the stress of the high number of very ill patients. Vernon Memorial Healthcare is no exception.

VMH has seen a steady increase in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from October through December. In October there were 12, in November 24 and in December the total was 25.

The increased number of isolated patients increases the workload on all inpatient staff, including patients, nurses, nursing assistants, lab, pharmacy, etc.

Chief Nursing Officer Kristy Wiltrout said there was one instance where emergency room patients had to be diverted due to the pandemic because space was needed in the ER for higher-care COVID-19 patients who were waiting for transport. (VMH doesnt have an intensive care unit.)

Wiltrout said Hollie Hoffland, medical surgical manager, has received calls from Gundersen Health System, among other hospitals, asking if VMH has swing beds available for patients because nursing homes are full; sometimes beds havent been available.

Hoffland said every day is a balancing act with acute care, rehabilitation, the number of staff and bed space. She said sometimes patients who need further care in a nursing home may have to be held longer in the hospital until there is staff and bed space available. The nursing homes have been spectacular to work with.

Bobbi Johnson, emergency room/respiratory therapy manager, said over the last six months the ER and Urgent Care have seen the monthly average of patients increase from 500 to 900. She said a lot of the patients are there for COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 symptoms. She said with the high volumes of patients, its difficult for staff to see patients in a timely manner.

We are seeing very acutely ill patients; not just COVID patients, Johnson said. People have to wait longer (due to the high patient volumes).

Wiltrout said VMH wants the community to be aware that even though the hospital may be short on staff and beds, staff is still available to offer care to whomever needs it.

Wiltrout said at this point, there is adequate staff for elective surgeries and VMH has not needed to say no to those surgeries. She said patients who need surgery on their joints now have same-day surgery, rather than spend two or three days in the hospital in order to free up inpatient beds.

Hoffland said staff is resilient and the number of shifts they take is phenomenal. In November there were 58 additional shifts; in the first 15 days of December there were 45.

Wiltrout said VMH is a 25-bed critical access hospital. Ove the past few months, they have been consistently providing inpatient care to a substantially higher number of patients than usual. Not only are there more patients, but they are also more acutely ill than usual, and staying longer due to the care they need.

Hoffland said VMH has 41 regular part-time and full-time nurses, 16 PRN (limited part-time) nurses. That speaks to their dedication. She added they have not had massive amounts of employees who are sick because they understand the need to follow safety protocols to keep themselves healthy and be there for patients.

Hoffland and Johnson said it takes a team, not just nurses, to care for patients. That team includes everyone from those working in the lab and laundry to those who clean the rooms. We couldnt do it without them, Johnson said.

Johnson said everyone is tired and they look for situations that are bright spots. Hoffland said not too long ago she heard someone laugh for the first time in a long while; she said that was a good day.

Hoffland said staff can sometimes feel frustration due to the increased demands of the job, but they continue to display compassion to their patients.

Johnson said in the ER, they are taking care of sicker patients than in the past. We are keeping intubated patients comfortable in the ER. She said respiratory staff on are on 24 hours both in the ER and on the patient floors; they werent in the past. They are there to give the best care before patients go (to a facility) that can give a higher level of care.

Hoffland said during this pandemic time, self-care has been a challenge for staff. She said there is a lot of donning and doffing of PPE (personal protective equipment), which can be physically exhausting, and staff may not take time to drink enough fluids. She said a goal is to focus on self-care.

Wiltrout said the nursing leaders are the boots on the ground, making sure nurses take care of themselves and get what they need.

Although staff is tired, there have been examples of staff members showing extra compassion and kindness.

Johnson said an ER nurse had been caring for a patient with COVID-19 who improved and was moved to a COVID room; he ended up having to come back to the ER for a higher level of care.

The patient wanted to give up, Johnson said. The nurse took it upon themselves to go in and wash his hair and made sure he had something to eat. The nurse took time with him and went above and beyond. The patient went home and said that was a pivotal moment when he could not do simple self-care for himself.

Hoffland said she didnt have a special story to share about extra compassion shown to patients because she sees examples every day.

Wiltrout said staff reached out to each other during the holidays with treats for their co-workers.

Hoffland said when she asks new staff the 90-day question, Whats the best thing about the unit? they say their peers kindness and how they help them grow.

Tracey VanPelt, obstetrics/operating room manager who also oversees the GI and infusion clinic, agreed with Hoffland. The care for each other at VMH is outstanding. Teams look out for each other. I see a thread of caring, especially in OB, which is one of my units. When the discussion of central monitoring of OB patients comes up, the reaction is it would take time away from the bedside with patients.

Johnson said respiratory therapists are putting in more time than ever to take care of very sick patients and everyone else. They take night shifts in the hospital to give extra respiratory support.

They are leading like theyve never led before, Hoffland said. They are experts in all thing respiratory, Johnson added.

Wiltrout said the pandemic has thrown them a lot of curveballs and they have adapted.

In a lot of ways its forced us to grow, Hoffland said. Each day is an opportunity to learn, Johnson added.

Advice from the frontlines

Johnson advises the public to seek care if they have an urgent need. Were here to serve you. The ER is open. Were here for you day or night. She also advises people to take care of themselves and see their providers for checkups and keep up-to-date on wellness screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies.

Hoffland reminds people to stay home if they arent feeling well. Its not about toughing it out; its about keeping people healthy and separating yourself (from others when youre not well).

Hoffland said everyone should also be respectful of others and their wishes; she added there are people who are strongly for COVID-19 vaccines and those who are strongly against. It goes both ways. Its been a big separator.

VanPelt said the pandemic has made people realize that its OK not to go to work when they arent feeling well and its OK to stay away from others. You are supporting the team. You dont need the tough guy attitude. Its better if you dont go in; youre doing others a favor.

Wiltrout said washing hands and wearing masks are still important safety measures. She also advises people call their providers during office hours if they believe they are feeling COVID-19 symptoms and not wait to make that call.

Hoffland added that if people have to come to the hospital its important to be kind and show grace if they have to wait.

Wiltrout said the visitor policy has been a struggle for people to understand. Hoffland said when people have a loved one in the hospital they are scared and sometimes become frustrated when they cant visit. Hoffland said she empathizes with them and tells them the hospital needs to have the staff available to care for their loved one and in order to reduce coronavirus exposure to staff, the number of visitors has to be reduced.

Wiltrout said all patients are tested for COVID-19 prior to surgery and anyone entering the hospital is screened at the front door.

Angela Cina can be reached at angie.cina@lee.net.

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This Christmas season again provided a pathway to peace and salvation. Christians around the world have just celebrated the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Advent highlighted Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. The New Testament stresses: love, compassion, and forgiveness. Christians are asked to live these ideals every day of their lives; not just on Sundays. These are basic rules to guide humankind no matter what their belief system may be.

We have been given the blueprint to overcome our self-indulgence, fearful, and destructive tendencies. But unfortunately, persons indulging in violence, selfishness, and greed are constantly in the news. Some religious leaders preach that people they disagree with are going to hell. Corporate welfare raises no objection; but, helping people in need are treated as a burden. Politicians are currently creating laws to limit voting rights to gain political power. Denying womens rights, glorifying murderers, and supporting anarchy are the objective for too many malcontents. Are these Christian ideals? I think not!

Will we love our neighbor despite their color, sexual orientation, religious belief, or political affiliation? Will we show compassion? Will we serve others? Will we welcome the stranger? Will we be truthful? Will we spread joy? Will we live up to this seasons expectations?

Are we guilty of preaching love and practicing hate? Will we lift one another up or will we destroy one another? Our track record as a nation is unsettling. Will you help to make a lasting positive change? I will.

Lee D. Van Landuyt, Hillsboro

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Old memories become blurry with the passage of time, but a particularly cold Sunday 45 years ago that stands out for me was memorable across western and northern Wisconsin.

Ive written before about a bitterly-cold Sunday morning when our family miraculously made it to church. It may have been with some divine intervention, because getting chores done on the farm takes at least twice as long when the weather is so cold.

At the end of the service during announcements, the pastor remarked to the small group of shivering pilgrims about it being something like 35-below that morning. My grandmother Cecil Hardie promptly stood up  all of her barely 5 feet  and proudly offered in her Norwegian lilt: It was 44-below in Franklin this morning.

If any other worshipers had a colder temperature to report, they held their tongue. Grandma had spoken. Grandma watched the thermometer outside her kitchen window with great vigilance. She took pride in being the amateur meteorologist of the town.

Well, it turns out there were some colder spots than Franklin that day. It was on Jan. 9, 1977, that Barron County undersheriff Jerry Johnson could scarcely believe his eyes. According to an article in the Jan. 12, 1977, Rice Lake Chronotype, the thermometer outside the window had dipped to minus 60 degrees.

Johnson reported the reading to the dispatcher and spent the rest of the day  which happened to be Super Bowl Sunday (and yes, hell had not frozen over because the Oakland Raiders crushed the Minnesota Vikings, 32-14 that day)  answering phone calls from reporters from around the country.

Warren Leary, the Rice Lake Chronotype publisher at the time, wrote: But minus 60? Youve got to be kidding! Johnson was getting a little vexed with the inquiries. He wanted the callers to buzz off so he could watch the Super Bowl. And he wanted it to warm up, too. So did all the rest of us.

Here in Rice Lake, and in Cameron, in Canton, in Brill, in Barron, in Haugen and heaven knows where else, the tiny ice crystals spread out in a frigid frost haze over the snowy landscape.

Cars refused to start. Cats and dogs refused to poke their noses out of doors. Husbands refused to go ice fishing or snowmobiling. Some folks refused to even get out of bed.

Church services were sparsely attended. You could shoot a cannon up Rice Lakes Main Street and not hit a soul. Hardly anybody came by the drug store for the Sunday paper. Water declined to flow from some faucets. Here and there a power line snapped.

It was cold, cold, cold and the furnace kept running, guzzling that high-priced stuff.

Those furnaces that kept working anyway. Others with outdoor fuel oil tanks stopped when the fuel gelled because of the cold.

Johnson went on to serve as the Barron County sheriff from 1989 to 1999. He died in 2000. But his weather observation that day gave him some nationwide press, as even the National Enquirer wrote about the cold.

At first I thought my damn thermometer was broken, Johnson told the Enquirer. Ive lived in the north country all my life and Ive never even heard of anything this cold before.

Did it really get that cold? Like Grandmas thermometer, Johnsons thermometer did not meet National Weather Service guidelines. Officially the coldest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was minus 55 in the Sawyer County village of Courderay, Feb. 4, 1996.

In a 2017 follow-up story 40 years after the cold, the Chronotype said the official temperature in Rice Lake that day matched Franklin at minus 44. Thats what it was when the thermometer at the Rice Lake airport burst. Mercury freezes at minus 38.

Don Carney, a local historian, told the Chronotype that a high pressure system was hanging over Barron County that morning. He has mapped the temperatures and said he had farmer friends in the area who also registered minus 60.

Had it been made official, the -60 would be tied for the sixth lowest temperature ever recorded in the continental U.S. The Courderay mark of -55 is the 11th coldest on record. The lowest ever is -80 recorded Jan. 23, 1971 at Prospect Creek, Alaska, near the Arctic Circle.

Yes, it was cold in Franklin 45 years ago.

But not as cold as Cameron.

Even Grandma would have had to concede that.

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A family that is suing the School District of La Crosse after their son broke his leg while on a field trip has a trial scheduled for the summer.

John and Sara Lecher filed a lawsuit in April 2020 claiming the district and a teacher were negligent when their son was injured while on the field trip in 2018.

The family is asking to be compensated for an unspecified amount in damages from the district and its insurance company. A set of motion hearings is scheduled for next week and trial dates scheduled for June if the case is not settled before then.

A spokesperson for the district directed the Tribune to contact its lawyer Thomas Donnelly of Grady, Hayes, Neary, LLC for comment.

This is a personal injury lawsuit, which is the subject of pending litigation. It is not fair to the parties to discuss the details of the case in the media, as it is impossible to fully present the case in such fashion, Donnelly said in an email.

The district has filed a motion asking a judge to dismiss the case and a judge has yet to rule on that motion.

According to court documents shared by the Lechers lawyer, the sixth grader attended a field trip on Sept. 26, 2018, with his class where they toured rock walls in the region.

The students visited the YMCA and UW-La Crosse climbing walls, where they received some training on bouldering or rock climbing. They were then scheduled to hike at Grandad Bluff, but the class instead visited a nearby former rock quarry, which the document claims a teacher did without permission.

At the former quarry site, some students received permission from the teacher to climb, the lawsuit claims. The Lechers son, who was 11 at the time, was among those students climbing when he slipped and fell, hitting his head and fracturing the femur of his right leg.

The legal documents said that an ambulance was called and the student required surgery to repair his leg.

Both sides have argued exactly how the accident took place, according to the lawsuit.

The Tribune has requested the school districts motion to dismiss but did not immediately receive it Wednesday afternoon. The districts lawyer declined to send the motion via email.

I would prefer to simply state that our position is that the arguments in support of our motion are well-founded, and, for all the reasons stated in the documents we have filed, we believe that the school district will ultimately prevail in the lawsuit, Donnelly said.

Tim Jacobson, the attorney for the Lechers, said in an email to the Tribune that he believes the districts conduct leading up to the incident and in legal proceedings is reprehensible.

The teacher involved in the incident is still employed by the district according to its website. The Lechers have since moved and their son is no longer a student in the district.

On Jan. 19, a hearing will be held on the districts request to dismiss the case and on the familys request for sanctions. Another hearing will be held Jan. 20 for the plaintiffs motion to disqualify an expert brought in by the district.

If a judge denies the districts the request for a dismissal the case will then proceed to a trial in front of a jury beginning in June.

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Chandler Halderson, who is on trial for allegedly killing and dismembering his parents, Bart and Krista, has tested positive for COVID-19, which will postpone his trial to at least Jan. 18, according to court staff.

Clerk of the Court Carlo Esqueda confirmed that the trial had been delayed. Asked whether Halderson has been infected with COVID-19, District Court Administrator Theresa Owens said Halderson got a positive test result.

The length of the delay depends upon the resolution of whatever symptoms Mr. Halderson may have, in accordance with (Public Health Madison and Dane County and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidance, Esqueda said.

Wilson Medina, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office, which is representing Halderson, said that a hearing is set for 8:45 a.m. Thursday to assess how the case will move forward.

Owens said the hope is for testimony to resume next week. Esqueda said there is not expected to be a mistrial.

Haldersons positive test comes the day after the National Guard tested the entire population of the Dane County Jail, which was facing all-time highs of COVID-19 cases last week.

The delay in the murder trial until Jan. 18 was first reported by the Law & Crime Network, which is livestreaming the proceedings.

Tuesdays proceedings included testimony from a former Dane County detective who lived across the street from the Halderson family. He said he smelled what he thought was a barbecue on the evening prosecutors allege Chandler Halderson burned his parents remains after killing and dismembering them earlier that day.

Steven Greiber, who worked at the Dane County District Attorneys Office for twelve years, told the court that he was in his driveway cleaning radishes after his granddaughters softball game when a burning odor filled the road, which made him think someone was barbecuing meat over a grill pit.

For the remainder of the time I was outside it became a pungent smell to the point I walked down the driveway to see if anyone was grilling, the former detective said.

Prosecutors allege the source of the smell was Chandler Halderson burning the remains of his parents in a fireplace the evening of July 1 into the early hours of July 2 last year. Halderson then allegedly dumped other remains throughout southern Wisconsin. He faces felony charges for murder, mutilating and hiding corpses and lying to investigators.

Prosecutors say Chandler committed the murders at home on July 1 after his father discovered hed been lying about attending Madison Area Technical College  one of a series of lies prosecutors say hed long been telling everyone, including that he worked for American Family Insurance, aerospace company SpaceX and as a scuba diver. In reality, they say, Halderson was unemployed and had dropped out of school.

Security footage

Jurors on Tuesday also saw footage from the home security camera of a different Halderson neighbor, Colin Lynch, which prosecutors said showed light from a fire in the fireplace coming through a window in the Halderson home for hours.

Dane County Detective Scott Kuntz, who specializes in audiovisual forensics, collected the footage from Lynch who lives across a pond from the Halderson home in the town of Windsor. The footage shown to jurors depicts a continuous flickering light in the direction of the Halderson residence until nearly 4 a.m. on July 2.

To determine whether the light was coming from the window near the fireplace, Kuntz had a deputy wave a 4-foot piece of steel with LED lights attached to it in front of the homes backyard windows. While filming through the same home security camera, the lights appeared similar to the light picked up from the window near the fireplace, Kuntz testified.

The conclusion was clear to me that the flickering light from July 2 was coming from the fireplace window, the window closest to the fireplace, Kuntz said.

Haldersons attorney, Catherine Dorl, declined to cross-examine any witnesses called by the prosecution Tuesday morning.

Bill Boswell, a special agent with the Wisconsin Department of Justices Arson Bureau who examined the Haldersons fireplace, later testified Tuesday that he noted a smell like grilled meat in the fireplace. His examination of the fireplace also recovered pieces of bone and documented extensive discoloration to the fireplaces interior.

Other testimony

On Monday, jurors had seen evidence collected from the Halderson home and from the hobby farm where the headless torso of his father was found, including the rifle they believe Halderson used to kill his father and the shoe where hed hidden both his parents phones and drivers licenses.

The dozens of photos and pieces of physical evidence introduced Monday also included three rifle magazines containing 55 rounds of ammunition, a bullet fragment and casing, and an ax with human blood on it  all of which were found in the Haldersons Windsor home.

In afternoon testimony on Tuesday, Dane County Deputy Medical Examiner Cori Breslauer said three gunshot wounds were identified on Barts torso during an evaluation of the body. The presence of gunpowder soot around one of the bullet holes led Breslauer to conclude that the shot had been fired at close range.

Breslauer also concluded that Bart died from gunshot wounds and had not been alive at the time of his dismemberment.

Additional evidence introduced Tuesday included surveillance footage of Chandler buying a tarp at a Fleet Farm in DeForest.

A pair of tarps stained with reddish brown substance were found by investigators at the property were Barts torso was found. One tarp found in a garbage can in the propertys wood had blood on it that matched Krista, Denise Jones, a senior forensic analyst at the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, testified Tuesday.

Deputy Erik Schneider testified Monday that after finding Bart Haldersons torso he found several items on the property used for sawing and cutting, including a bolt cutter and saw blade, inside an old oil tank.

State Journal reporters Emily Hamer, Chris Rickert and Ed Treleven contributed to this report.

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Employers would be required to allow proof of prior COVID-19 infection  known as natural immunity  as an alternative to vaccination and regular testing under a Republican proposal taken up by the state Senate, even though studies show unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to get reinfected with the virus than vaccinated people.

The bill, which came before a public hearing Tuesday, would almost certainly be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has continually clashed with Republicans regarding COVID-19 policies and whose communications director said he did not support the bill.

If passed, the bill may also dampen the federal requirement for tens of millions of workers at medium and large businesses to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly tests, which may be blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as this week.

Similar bills passed last year in Florida and Arkansas, though Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson allowed the bill to become law without signing it because, he said, the natural immunity conversation has been harmful to our goal of encouraging vaccines.

The Wisconsin bill has drawn opposition from several Wisconsin medical organizations, including the American Lung Association in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Health Association and Wisconsin Medical Society, which all noted vaccination is the best COVID-19 deterrent and cited the lack of evidence on how long natural immunity may protect people from reinfection.

For most of the hearing, Republican lawmakers and bill supporters  including a nutritionist and a nurse from the National Vaccine Information Center, which advocates against vaccine mandates  testified that they consider natural immunity to be at least as effective as being vaccinated. Opponents submitted written testimony but mostly didnt appear before the committee.

This bill seeks to give another tool in the toolbox not only for employees who are potentially looking at a significant loss of employment but also employers who are looking to just do the right thing and maintain their workforce, bill co-author Rep. Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, said at the Senate Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee hearing Tuesday.

Substitute for vaccination?

Dr. Ajay Sethi, a professor at UW-Madison and director of its Public Health masters program, told the Wisconsin State Journal in an interview that communicating to the public that natural immunity is a substitute for vaccination will lead to more hospitalization and deaths.

If the bill becomes law, Sethi said, you would have people who falsely believe that they are protected against reinfection. And the science continually shows that people who are unvaccinated, even if theyve had COVID before, are more likely to be hospitalized compared to people who are vaccinated and havent had COVID before.

Sethis warning comes amid record COVID-19 hospitalization rates in Dane County and data from the state Department of Health Services showing that unvaccinated people are hospitalized at a rate nearly 11 times higher than people who are fully vaccinated.

While studies have shown natural immunity does work as a COVID-19 deterrent, most suggest it isnt as effective as being fully vaccinated. Last year, researchers in Kentucky found that unvaccinated people who previously had COVID-19 were over two times as likely to be reinfected as vaccinated people who previously had COVID-19.

In a statement released alongside the study, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky encouraged previously infected unvaccinated people to get vaccinated.

Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others around you, she said.

Another study by Yale University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers suggested natural immunity is short-lived.

Reinfection can reasonably happen in three months or less, said Jeffrey Townsend, a professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health and lead author of the study. Therefore, those who have been naturally infected should get vaccinated. Previous infection alone can offer very little long-term protection against subsequent infections.

At the hearing Tuesday, bill co-author Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Irma, pointed to an Israeli study that showed breakthrough infections after vaccination were 13 times more likely than reinfections in unvaccinated people.

Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who analyzed the study, told the New York Times that the vaccinated group included more people with conditions that would weaken their immune response, so reinfection would be more likely.

Fight over mandates

Since vaccines came out, COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies and bills have led to repeated clashes between the Evers administration and Republican legislators in Wisconsin, and dozens of court cases nationwide.

Last April, Evers vetoed a GOP-authored bill that would have prohibited public health officials from requiring individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Our response to this pandemic should be about following the science and public health experts and working together to save as many lives as we can, not finding ways to make it harder to fight this virus or keep Wisconsinites safe, Evers said in the veto message.

In October, the Department of Administration began requiring executive branch agency employees to submit for weekly COVID-19 tests if they were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or havent submitted their vaccination status.

That requirement drew ire from Republican legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, who said, Governor Evers seems intent on following Joe Biden into legal quicksand in their continued attempts to exert unilateral control over peoples lives.

The Republican bill does not stand alone in considering natural immunity as a viable COVID-19 defense.

In early January, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, who has not been vaccinated and has had COVID-19, told conservative WISN-AM radio host Vicki McKenna, Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease? Why do we assume that the bodys natural immune system isnt the marvel that it really is?

Johnsons comments are among a string of false or misleading suggestions about COVID-19, including that mouthwash, ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are effective treatments for COVID-19.

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Drug cartels bring with them the very dreadful drug fentanyl, from China and Mexico, which has killed tens of thousands of people. The cartels force human trafficking on some of the people they bring here. Some people are made to be part of their drug business. Cartels are eagerly looking to make a vast amount of money here. People throw away their identification papers before they cross into this country.
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa), one of the largest listed integrated utilities in the region, has joined forces with Etisalat Digital, the arm of Etisalat that is driving digital transformation in the region and beyond, for an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project to enhance utilities metering in the emirate.

Over the next two years, Taqas power and water distribution companies - Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC) - will work alongside Etisalat Digital to deploy the communication network and an advanced Internet of Things platform for AMI, helping unlock the capability of existing and new smart meters installed in customer homes and businesses.

Taqa said it has already started the journey towards the connectivity of its advanced metering infrastructure with more than 30% of the smart meters in Abu Dhabi already connected. This partnership will bring the connection across the UAE capital to 100%.

Unlike traditional meters, smart meters with advanced connectivity capabilities can give customers access to detailed automatic readings of both their current and historical energy usage, allowing them to better understand and control their consumption.

Such infrastructure serves as the foundation which will enable future demand side management programmes. In addition, these meters will pave the way toward smart grid objectives such as monitoring capacity and outage management.

Taqa Groups Executive Director (Transmission and Distribution) Omar Al Hashmi said: "Our agreement with Etisalat Digital is a significant moment for customers facing businesses. Once complete, it will ensure higher efficiency standards for our customers and contribute to digitalization of our infrastructure, accelerating operational improvements and smart grid readiness."
It's been quite a year since the insurrection last January 6. Donald Trump continues his lies about the presidential election,

Republican lawmakers continue to oppose any Democratic proposal to help the American people without offering any options to seek a compromise approach, as they also continue to seek to restrict access to voting and limit social and civil rights. They also continue to deny the facts of the insurrection and seek to convince America it wasn't a big deal.

Our democratic system has never faced such adversity in finding common ground to help America move forward with a shared goal of cooperation and care for each other. It seems that we've been engaged in a subversive civil war since Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell told then President Obama that he was determined to make him a one term president.

Obstructionism and the refusal to compromise began in earnest then and President #45 took things to a new level with his bullying and harsh criticism of anyone who spoke truths about him. The current atmosphere in our government is so toxic now from all of the lies and suppression that Republican policies are pushing that it's difficult for any helpful proposal to gain footing.

Now the article today saying the Republican Party is hoping for a resurgence, and I have to ask, "Why?" What have they done to promote confidence and hope that they have a positive outlook for our country? I will vote for and support positive leaders, not current Republicans.

Kevin Baird

Holmen

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Jeremy Michael Anderson, 19, will serve two to five years in state prison after pleading guilty to ethnic intimidation, arson and scattering rubbish.
Total deaths of Lancaster County residents jumped by about 19% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and were more than 9% higher in 2021 compared to 2019, with the virus claiming nearly 1,500 lives since it spread here, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 6,070 county residents died from all causes in 2020, a significant increase from the just over 5,100 yearly deaths Lancaster averaged from 2015-19, according to the CDC data. COVID-19 accounted for more than 3 in 4 of the excess deaths.

More than 5,570 residents died last year, of which close to 700 died due to COVID-19. The CDCs 2021 data is preliminary and does not yet include data from the last 13 days of the year.

The CDCs COVID-19 death tallies differ from those of the Lancaster County Coroners Office because they include all county residents, regardless of where they died, whereas the coroners total includes all who died of COVID-19 within the county, regardless of their residency.

Nationwide, nearly 1 million more people have died since February 2020 than would have been expected to prior to the pandemic, including more than 34,000 in Pennsylvania alone, according to the CDC.

I think its unprecedented, said Walter Tsou, former president of the American Public Health Association and former health commissioner of Philadelphia. I dont think any of us in public health could ever imagine a pandemic this widespread and this deep in terms of the number of infections, the number of people whove been hospitalized and have died.

Virus changed how people die

COVID-19 has, by far, been the top underlying cause of death in Lancaster County since it spread here in early 2020. The virus killed 1,420 county residents through Dec. 18 of 2021, according to the preliminary CDC data. The next leading cause, atherosclerosis, killed 876 in 2020 and 2021 combined, followed by dementia, which killed 527.

The CDC defines the underlying cause of death as the disease or injury that led to someone dying or the circumstances that caused their fatal injury. In some reports, the CDC combines multiple causes of death into broader categories, while in others it keeps them separate. For instance, lung cancer might be listed as its own cause of death in some contexts and combined into a single "cancer" category in others.

In addition to the wave of deaths from COVID-19, the county saw a 39% increase from 2019 to 2020 in deaths attributed to cerebrovascular diseases, which affect the brain, and a 23% increase in deaths due to cardiovascular diseases.

A May study found Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans in the United States saw a disproportionate rise in deaths from heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases from March through August 2020, possibly due to the pandemics disruption to health care services and peoples fear of catching the virus at hospitals, which was an especially acute concern early in the pandemic.

The things we do electively, like colonoscopy for colon cancer screening, or even doctor visits to look at your health and your labs  all of that was set aside during the first year of the pandemic, said Mitchell Kaminski, director of the Population Health program at Jefferson University.

Fatal drug overdoses in Lancaster County also increased in 2020, climbing to 146, a 40% increase from 2019. Nationwide, more than 100,000 died from drug overdoses from May 2020 to April 2021, the most ever recorded in a single 12-month period. Experts cited the isolation of the pandemic and decreased access to addiction treatment services as possible reasons for the increase.

People struggling with substance abuse can call SAMHSAs National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or visit https://findtreatment.gov.

At the same time as some non-COVID-19 deaths were increasing in Lancaster County, others that disproportionately affect the older population, such as Alzheimers disease and dementia, saw drops from 2019 to 2020 and 2021.

A possible reason for this decrease could be that COVID-19 claimed the lives of people who would have died from other diseases later on, said Stephen Diamantoni, the county coroner. Neurological and heart conditions, among other chronic diseases, can make people more likely to become severely ill from COVID-19, according to the CDC.

Because they were in a compromised state because of those multiple comorbidities, they're much more susceptible to severe infection from COVID and may have died from COVID, Diamantoni said.

In investigating possible COVID-19 deaths, Diamantonis office examines whether the person tested positive for the virus and had illnesses consistent with its symptoms, such as shortness of breath and low oxygen levels, he said. A positive test result alone is not a guarantee that the death will be labeled a COVID-19 death.

The question we always ask in determining whether COVID was responsible for the death is, If not for the COVID, would they still be alive? Diamantoni said.

A historic impact

In terms of population, Lancaster County experienced about 1,112 total deaths per 100,000 residents in 2020, its highest rate since the CDC began tracking the number in 1968 and 15.5% greater than the next highest year, 1970, which had a rate of about 963 deaths per 100,000. The lowest year was 1989, with about 811 deaths per 100,000.

The closest comparison of an epidemic of a similar scale to COVID-19 would be the 1918 flu pandemic, which the highest estimates indicate claimed the lives of 603 Lancaster County residents, equaling 3.4 deaths per 1,000 residents at a time when the countys population was barely a third of what it is today. The COVID-19 pandemics current mark is about 2.6 deaths per 1,000 residents.

Though it lasted for just two years, the flu pandemic  which, unlike COVID-19, disproportionately impacted younger, healthier adults  had far-reaching impacts on society long after it was gone, said Jane Neff Rollins, a genealogist and epidemiologist who has studied the flu epidemic in Pennsylvania. Families lost their sources of income after a parent died. Businesses owned by flu victims closed for good. Children, carrying the trauma of losing their parents, were sometimes sent to orphanages simply because their families couldnt afford to raise them.

Carrying around that level of stress for so long, even if you don't get sick or see a family member get sick and die, is incredibly stressful, Rollins said.

An October 2021 study found more than 140,000 children in the United States lost a parent or grandparent caregiver to COVID-19 from April 2020 to June 2021.

In the short term, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the process of grieving more difficult for people who have had to be isolated from their dying loved ones, said Patti Anewalt, the director of the Pathways Center for Grief & Loss, a Hospice & Community Care program in Mount Joy. Additionally, people have had to delay funerals throughout the pandemic and waited longer to reach out for grief counseling due to many groups and individual sessions being held virtually, Anewalt said.

Anewalt provided support to people grieving after the Flight 93 crash in Shanksville in 2001 and the Nickel Mines shooting in 2006, among other area tragedies. What makes the COVID-19 pandemic different from other disasters, Anewalt said, is the prolonged nature of the pandemic has changed many peoples grief experiences.

The grief is taking longer to kind of work through for many people because of the other complications in our world and life these days, Anewalt said. Its just not simple.

The pandemic has also made it difficult for people to come together and collectively grieve, said Rosie Frasso, director of the public health program at Jefferson.

As a country, as a nation, as a world, we've experienced a lot of loss in a short window of time, and there's definitely some trauma associated with that, Frasso said. And then we've had to do a lot of managing and navigating loss in isolation.
The 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show will be held Saturday, Jan. 8 through Saturday, Jan. 15. The hours are 8:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. If you want to go, the address for the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, is 2300 North Cameron St, Harrisburg. The theme this year is Harvesting More. "Following two cycles of planting, nurturing, cultivating and harvesting the bounty of one of the most productive agriculture economies in the nation."
Redistricting is the process of redrawing the maps for legislative and congressional voting districts to reflect population changes. It is required by law every 10 years after the U.S. census.

Gerrymandering is the manipulation of district lines to provide an advantage to a party or person.

Recently, as debate intensifies, Pennsylvania Republican legislators have been asserting that the preliminary state House and Senate maps approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission are diluting the voice of rural Pennsylvanians by taking districts from rural areas and giving them to urban areas.

As one example, they use percentage growth to argue that Cumberland County, where the population has grown 10% over the past decade, should gain a seat instead of Philadelphia, with 5% growth. However, 10% of Cumberlands population is 22,000 people (not nearly enough to populate a state House district). And 5% of Philadelphias population is 85,000, more than enough to create a state House district.

Kyle Kopko, executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, presented testimony to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission showing that Pennsylvanias rural population has decreased and the growth has occurred in the southeastern part of the state  in urban areas and their immediately surrounding ring municipalities.

This cycle, each state House district should have a target population as close as possible to 64,000 Pennsylvanians (the state population divided by 203 districts). Legislative Reapportionment Commission chair Mark Nordenberg noted that, in the last 10 years, the population of southeastern Pennsylvania increased by 344,075 people, while the combined population of all the rest of the state declined by 43,754.

With the rural-to-urban population shift statewide, the proposed state House map isnt gerrymandering  it is math.

I encourage everyone to read Nordenbergs recent remarks for a better understanding of why and how the preliminary maps were drawn (lanc.news/Nordenberg). He spells out the rules and laws the Legislative Reapportionment Commission must follow, the actions taken and why. In my view, its a far better explanation of our latest redistricting process than the misinformation that is coming from some Republican legislators.

Amy Ruffo

Lancaster
The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (Apicorp), an energy-focused multilateral development financial institution, has partnered with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to set up the Infra Initiative, a $1 billion private sector-focused infrastructure financing initiative.

The Infra Initiatives funds will be used to finance strategic utility projects that contribute to human and economic development in the two multilateral financial institutions member countries and their respective national development strategies.

The two institutions will jointly identify and deliver structured finance facilities to utilities projects with limited access to international financing, said the statement from Apicorp.

The scope of Infra Initiative, which will launch for an initial period of 3 years, includes all OIC countries, with priority given to the 10 member countries common to the duo.

However, projects in other countries are also eligible provided they are sponsored by a company headquartered in one of the shared member states, it stated.

Under the Infra Initiative, funds will be allocated to electricity generation and transmission projects which utilise renewable energy or natural gas, as well as water and waste management facilities.

The involvement of the private sector at the local, regional, and international levels will also be a priority in the project selection process, it stated.

Through the Infra Initiative, the duo aim to address low private sector participation in funding energy projects by incentivising public-private partnerships (PPPs) to bridge the estimated $200 billion investment gap in such projects in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries.

Additionally, the initiative aims to mobilize other financing channels from commercial banks, other multilateral development banks, development agencies, and the capital markets, it stated.

According to Apicorps 2021-2025 Mena Energy Investment Outlook, the share of private investments in regional energy projects is set to reach 27% by 2025, a threefold increase from the 8.5% in the 2020-2024 outlook.

IsDBs President Dr Muhammad Al Jasser said: "We recognise that quality infrastructure is key to economic and social development. Hence, addressing the infrastructure needs of our member countries is one of IsDBs foremost priorities."

"Our cooperation with Apicorp on the Infra Initiative is in this spirit. It is intended to amplify our impact by combining our two institutions resources, skill sets and market knowledge. It also supports our respective commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals  particularly goals 6, 7 and 9," he added.

Apicorp CEO Dr Ahmed Ali Attiga said: "Increasing private sector investments in the energy sector is a key area of focus for us as part of our strategy to fund the energy transition in the Arab region. It is an objective we shared with our partner, IsDB."

"Indeed, Apicorp has significantly raised the size of its financing and investments in pioneering companies and strategic projects which are shaping tomorrows energy landscape," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Black man shot by off-duty deputy, sparking protest

Protesters gathered outside a police station Sunday to decry the fatal shooting of a Black man a day earlier by an off-duty sheriffs deputy in North Carolina.

The demonstrators disputed an initial account of the shooting given by police Saturday. Police in Fayetteville said a preliminary investigation shows that Jason Walker, 37, ran into traffic and jumped on a moving vehicle, a truck driven by an off-duty Cumberland County sheriffs deputy. The deputy, who was not identified by police, shot Walker and then called 911, police said.

Walker was pronounced dead on scene.

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A group of protesters who demonstrated outside the Fayetteville police station Sunday disputed the account given by police.

Elizabeth Ricks, who said she witnessed the incident and applied pressure to Walkers wound, told the crowd Walker was attempting to cross the street to get to his home when he was struck by the deputys truck and then shot by him.

Ricks told the News & Observer she was on the scene and watched the entire situation unfold. As a trauma nurse, she jumped into action and tried to save Walkers life.

I did not see anyone in distress. The man was just walking home, said Ricks.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins said during a news conference Sunday that investigators examined the black box computer of the truck, which did not record any impact with any person or thing. In bystander video of the shootings aftermath, it appears the off-duty deputy had been driving a red truck that wasnt a law enforcement vehicle. She said the only person at the scene who indicated they witnessed what happened said Walker was not struck by the truck.

Hawkins said investigators noted that a windshield wiper was torn off the truck and the metal portion was used to break the windshield in several places.

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We would like to hear from anyone who saw what happened, Hawkins said.

Investigators with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have taken over the shooting investigation, Fayetteville police said.

WRAL-TV spoke with Walkers family, who described him as a happy go-lucky man with a big heart.

I was sad. Thats my best friend. We were really close, said cousin Brittany Monroe. It really broke my heart because he would never hurt anyone. I dont understand how it could happen to him. He would do anything for anybody.
Congresswoman Lee Applauds U.S. Mint Release of Maya Angelou Quarter

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today applauded the United States Mint for beginning shipments of the first coins in the American Women Quarters (AWQ) Program, starting with the Maya Angelou quarter.

The Mint implemented the new four-year program as authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congresswoman Lee along with Representative Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) and Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Deb Fischer (R-NE), which was signed into law last year. These circulating quarters honoring Maya Angelou are manufactured at the Mint facilities in Philadelphia and Denver. Coins featuring additional honorees will begin shipping later this year and through 2025.

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As a leader in the civil rights movement, poet laureate, college professor, Broadway actress, dancer, and the first female African American cable car conductor in San Francisco, Maya Angelous brilliance and artistry inspired generations of Americans, said Rep. Lee. I will forever cherish the private moments I had the privilege to share with Maya, from talking in her living room as sisters to her invaluable counsel throughout the challenges I faced as a Black woman in elected office. I am proud to have led this effort to honor these phenomenal women, who more often than not are overlooked in our countrys telling of history. If you find yourself holding a Maya Angelou quarter, may you be reminded of her words, be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity.

Maya Angelous writing and activism inspired countless Americans and her legacy helped fuel greater fairness and understanding across our nation, said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Senate sponsor of the bill. She is exactly the type of leader I had in mind when Senator Fischer, Representative Lee and I wrote our bipartisan legislation to create a series of quarters honoring the contributions of American women. This coin will ensure generations of Americans learn about Maya Angelous books and poetry that spoke to the lived experience of Black women.

The Maya Angelou quarter will play a historic role to begin the conversation about our nations history that perhaps we have never had before, said Rosie Rios, 43rd Treasurer of the United States. Our coin and currency institutionalizes our history, but to date, too many women have been overlooked from the classrooms to the boardrooms. Maya represents the courage, the advocacy, and most importantly, the voice of so many people who still remain voiceless today. She is the first of 20 women to be honored through these quarters as we count up to the 250th anniversary of our nations founding in 2026. It will no longer be HIStory or HERstory, but Our Story. I want to especially thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee for her tireless support to make my dream of redesigning our nations coin and currency a reality. Let the conversation begin.

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It is my honor to present our Nations first circulating coins dedicated to celebrating American women and their contributions to American history, said Mint Deputy Director Ventris C. Gibson. Each 2022 quarter is designed to reflect the breadth and depth of accomplishments being celebrated throughout this historic coin program. Maya Angelou, featured on the reverse of this first coin in the series, used words to inspire and uplift.

A writer, poet, performer, social activist, and teacher, Angelou rose to international prominence as an author after the publication of her groundbreaking autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Angelous published works of verse, non-fiction, and fiction include more than 30 bestselling titles. Her remarkable career encompasses dance, theater, journalism, and social activism. The recipient of more than 30 honorary degrees, Angelou read On the Pulse of Morning at the 1992 inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Angelous reading marked the first time an African American woman wrote and presented a poem at a Presidential inauguration. In 2010, President Barack Obama awarded Angelou the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and she was the 2013 recipient of the Literarian Award, an honorary National Book Award for contributions to the literary community.

The reverse (tails), designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Artist Emily Damstra and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Craig A. Campbell, depicts Maya Angelou with her arms uplifted. Behind her are a bird in flight and a rising sun, images inspired by her poetry and symbolic of the way she lived. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MAYA ANGELOU, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and QUARTER DOLLAR.

The obverse (heads) depicts a portrait of George Washington originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser to mark George Washingtons 200th birthday. Though her work was a recommended design for the 1932 quarter, then-Treasury Secretary Mellon ultimately selected the familiar John Flanagan design. Of Fraser, Deputy Director Gibson said, I am proud that the new obverse design of George Washington is by one of the most prolific female sculptors of the early 20th century. Laura Gardin Fraser was the first woman to design a U.S. commemorative coin, and her work is lauded in both numismatic and artistic circles. Ninety years after she intended for it to do so, her obverse design will fittingly take its place on the quarter.

Inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2022. The obverse design is common to all quarters issued in the series.

Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the American Women Quarters Program features coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of trailblazing American women. Beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the Mint will issue five quarters in each of these years. The ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse group of individuals honored through this program reflects a wide range of accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The additional honorees in 2022 are physicist and first woman astronaut Dr. Sally Ride; Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation and an activist for Native American and womens rights; Nina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexicos suffrage movement and the first female superintendent of Santa Fe public schools; and Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, who achieved international success despite racism and discrimination.

Please consult with your local banks regarding availability of AWQ Program quarters honoring Maya Angelou in late January and early February.
County Approves $1M Settlement with Inmate/Informant at Center of Baca Case

The inmate-turned-informant at the center of a scandal that led to the conviction of former L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca and other sheriffs department officials will get a $1 million payout from the county, according to documents obtained today.

Anthony Brown filed a civil rights suit against the county, Baca and others in March 2015, seeking damages for claims including cruel and unusual punishment and failure to provide adequate medical care. Brown alleged federal civil rights violations while he was in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and an inmate at the Mens Central Jail. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to approve the settlement.

Given the risks and uncertainties of litigation, a reasonable settlement at this time will avoid further litigation costs, according to the boards summary. Brown, 54, is serving a lengthy state prison sentence for bank robbery and has a long criminal history.

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The Baca case stems from a period in 2011 when Brown, then an inmate at Mens Central Jail, was feeding information to the FBI about alleged corruption and inmate abuse inside the jail, which is run by the Sheriffs Department. When guards discovered a cell phone in Browns possession had been smuggled into the jail at the behest of federal investigators, they realized they were the target of a federal probe.

At that point, then-Undersheriff Paul Tanaka became involved, overseeing a plan to derail the federal probe and hide Brown from FBI handlers during a time when prosecutors wanted to interview the inmate/informant. Brown was booked and re-booked under a series of false names, and was eventually told he had been abandoned by the FBI.

Ten former sheriffs department officials  including Baca, Tanaka, and captain Tom Carey, who headed an internal investigations unit  were subsequently convicted for their roles in the cover-up. All claimed they had been involved in a legitimate investigation into how and why a cell phone had been smuggled into the mens jail.

Baca, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, was sentenced in 2017 to three years behind bars after a jury found he oversaw the plan to interfere with the federal probe into inmate abuses in the county jail system and lied to prosecutors about his role. He began his sentence in February 2020 after years of legal wrangling and is expected to be released from a San Pedro halfway house in August.

Tanaka was sentenced in 2016 to five years in prison after a jury found he helped lead the scheme. Carey, who pleaded guilty to obstructing the FBI investigation, was sentenced in 2017 to nine months in prison for obstruction of justice and lying on the witness stand.
LA County Health Director Warns Against Non-Essential Activities to Slow COVID

Amid a dramatic surge in COVID-19 infections, Los Angeles Countys public health director has urged residents to avoid non- essential activities in the coming weeks, particularly those that are indoors and involve mingling with unvaccinated or higher-risk people. Fueled by the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the county is experiencing pandemic-high levels of daily infection reports and the highest rate of virus transmission to date. The county on Tuesday reported 34,827 new infections, along with 15 more deaths.

While were in the surge, we do ask that you exercise more caution, even if youre vaccinated and boosted, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said during Tuesdays Board of Supervisors meeting. One way to reduce transmission is to wear a high-quality mask whenever youre around non- household members.  Were also asking that over the next few weeks, we all try to avoid non-essential activities where people are unmasked and in close contact with others.

We know how important getting together with friends is to our well-being, she said. We need to be sure were able to keep each other safe. The reality is that parties and events  especially those indoors with unvaccinated individuals or those at high risk for severe illness  make it very easy for this virus to spread. Limiting our time with others to those more essential work-related or school-related activities is a prudent action for everyone to take whenever possible.

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I know this is not the start to the new year we had all envisioned. With the additional tools we have, particularly easy access to free vaccine, we ought to be able to use different strategies to get us through these challenging times. As always though, it takes the cooperation of all of us to move forward with grace and get through this surge. Her comments came as state figures showed the number of COVID-positive patients in county hospitals rising to 3,766, up from 3,472 on Monday. The number of those patients in intensive care rose to 513, up from 482 a day earlier.

Dr. Christina Ghaly, the countys health services director, said that despite rising patient numbers, the Omicron-fueled surge is playing out differently in hospitals than earlier surges. She said last fall, about one- third of COVID patients wound up in ICU care, but that number is only about 10% to 15% this time around, at least in the four county-operated hospitals, which likely reflect conditions in other medical centers. She also said that about 40% of COVID-positive patients at the county hospitals were admitted specifically because of the virus, while the rest only learned they were infected upon admission for something else. During the last surge, 80% to 90% of the COVID patients were admitted due to virus-related illness.

Ghaly said that despite the changes and numbers that still dwarf last winters surge  when more than 8,000 COVID patients were hospitalized  current staffing shortages are creating more critical conditions at hospitals. She pointed to large number of healthcare workers who have retired or moved into non-front-line positions. She also noted that the surge in COVID infections has also impacted healthcare workers, leaving many unavailable to work due to illness or exposure.

The situation has also led to longer ambulance response times, in part due to large numbers of workers at private ambulance companies who have failed to meet COVID vaccination requirements, leaving them unable to work, combined with a high amount of people calling in sick.

The time it takes for ambulance crews to off-load patients at hospitals has also risen, she said, thanks to staffing and space issues. Ghaly said three area hospitals  Mission Community Hospital in Panorama City, Little Company of Mary in San Pedro and Antelope Valley Hospital  have all established surge units to help handle the increase in patients. Ferrer again stressed that while the Omicron variant is easily capable of infecting vaccinated people, the shots are still proving to be effective in preventing infected people from winding up hospitalized.

She said unvaccinated people are nine times more likely to be hospitalized than fully vaccinated people, and 38 times more likely to be hospitalized than people who are fully vaccinated and received a booster shot. The 34,827 new COVID cases announced Tuesday brought the countys cumulative total to 2,046,208 since the pandemic began. The 15 deaths gave the county an overall death toll of 27,812.

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Health officials have said previously that about 90% of people who died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions. Of the 13 deaths reported Monday, nine had underlying conditions, according to the county Department of Public Health.

The countys rolling average rate of people testing positive for the virus was 21% as of Tuesday, down slightly from 21.4% on Monday, and up from 20.6% Sunday and 20.9% Saturday. The rate was less than 1% in November.

According to county figures released last week, of the more than 6.4 million fully vaccinated people in the county, 199,314 have tested positive for the virus, for a rate of 3.1%, while 3,348 have been hospitalized, for a rate of 0.05%. A total of 625 fully vaccinated people have died, for a rate of 0.01%.

Ferrer said Tuesday that as of Jan. 6, 80% of eligible county residents aged 5 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine, while 71% are fully vaccinated. Of the countys overall population of 10.3 million people, 76% have received at least one dose, and 68% are fully vaccinated.
Metro to Get $1.24 Billion in Federal Grant

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been awarded $1.24 billion in federal American Rescue Plan funds, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced today. The funds are intended to help transit agencies around the country maintain service and keep workers on the payroll as surging COVID-19 cases strain the economy.

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Public transportation has helped people reach their jobs at hospitals, grocery stores, ports and more throughout this pandemic, said

Buttigieg, who had visited Long Beach on Tuesday to discuss progress being made to supply chain disruptions and the backlog of container vessels. This funding from President Bidens American Rescue Plan will help keep transit service running, protect transit employees from layoffs and ensure people can get where they need to go.

The Federal Transit Administrations Administrator, Nuria Fernandez, said, As our nations transit systems recover from COVID-19, the American Rescue Plan funds ensure that they continue to provide service to the many Americans who depend on transit to get to essential jobs, healthcare and vaccine appointments.

Metro employs about 11,000 workers, and in 2020 provided some 215 million trips. The funding is part of more than $30 billion for public transportation in the American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law by Biden in March. To date, FTA has awarded over $56 billion in COVID-relief funding to transit agencies nationwide.
Nominations Unveiled for 28th Annual SAG Awards

Nominations were unveiled today for the 28th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, with the casts of Belfast, CODA, Dont Look Up, House of Gucci and King Richard named as contenders in the best motion picture category days after a lackluster Golden Globe Awards ceremony that garnered little attention.

The SAG Awards are highly coveted by performers because they are bestowed by fellow actors. They are also traditionally a strong indicator of which performers will achieve success on Oscar night. House of Gucci and The Power of the Dog earned the most film nominations with three each. Succession and Ted Lasso were nominated for the most television SAG Awards with five.

King Richard also landed Will Smith a nod for best actor for his performance as the father of Venus and Serena Williams. He will be up against Denzel Washington for his Shakespearean turn as Macbeth in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Andrew Garfield for tick, tickBoom!, Benedict Cumberbatch for The Power of the Dog, and Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos.

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Nicole Kidman will vie for best actress for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos. Other nominated performances in that category include Lady Gaga for House of Gucci, Olivia Colman for The Los Daughter, Jessica Chastain for The Eyes of Tammy Faye and Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in Respect.

The supporting film roles that caught the attention of SAG members include Ben Affleck (The Tender Bar), Bradley Cooper (Licorice Pizza), Troy Kotsur (CODA), Jared Leto (House of Gucci) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog).

Ruth Negga garnered a nomination for her role as a Black woman living life as a white woman in Passing, and will be vying for the Actor statuette alongside Cate Blanchett (Nightmare Alley), Ariana DeBose as Anita in Steven Spielbergs remake of the classic musical West Side Story, Kirsten Dunst in another nomination for The Power of the Dog and Caitriona Balfe (Belfast).

The SAG Awards also honors television performances. Netflix, which was able to compete in both the motion picture and television categories, boasted the most nominations of any studio or network, with a total of 17 prizes at stake.

But HBO/HBO Max, with its combined cable and streaming platform, came in a close second overall with 14 television nominations, leading that particular category. Apple TV Plus picked up 12 nods across the two categories, with Hulu not far behind with eight in television alone. That left studios like MGM & United Artists Releasing and Warner Brothers trailing with six and four nominations, respectively.

The television shows nominated by the Screen Actors Guild for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series include The Handmaids Tale, The Morning Show, Squid Game, Succession and Yellowstone. For comedy series, the contenders for ensemble cast are Ted Lasso, Only Murders in the Building, Hacks, The Great, and The Kominsky Method.

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Individual television comedy roles garnering a nod from fellow actors include Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method), Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso), both Steve Martin and Martin Short for their roles as amateur detectives in Only Murders in the Building and Jason Sudeikis for his role in the Emmy favorite Ted Lasso.

Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple were also recognized for their comic flair in Ted Lasso and will be up against fellow nominees Elle Fanning (The Great), Sandra Oh (The Chair) and Jean Smart (Hacks). Smart was among the 25 first-time nominees, however she can now boast three SAG nods  for both comic and dramatic roles  the most of any actor or actress recognized this year.

Succession also set up some intra-series competition in the drama category, with Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong nominated for their roles in a dysfunctional family of corporate strivers. Other nominees hoping to take home the actor prize include Billy Crudup for his portrayal of a network exec in The Morning Show and Lee Jung-Jae playing a man simply striving to stay alive amidst the mayhem of Squid Game.

Nominations for women in dramatic television roles went to Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon as co-anchors and sometimes friends on The Morning Show, Jung Ho-Yeon (Squid Game), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaids Tale) and Sarah Snook (Succession).

As lines become exceedingly blurred between film and television, nominations for performances by an actor in a television movie or limited series went to Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus), Oscar Isaac (Scenes From a Marriage), Michael Keaton (Dopesick), Ewan McGregor (Halston) and Evan Peters (Mare of Easttown).

Actresses recognized for their work in a limited series or television movie include another nod for Jean Smart, this time for a dramatic role inMare of Easttown. Smart will compete against the lead in that series, Kate Winslet, who starred as a detective seeking justice for a young woman. Other nominees in the category include Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus), Cynthia Erivo (Genius: Aretha) and Margaret Qualley (Maid).

Black Widow, Dune, The Matrix Resurrections, No Time to Die and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings were nominated for the SAG award for stunt ensembles in a motion picture. Television stunt teams for Cobra Kai, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, Mare of Easttown and Squid Game will also compete for honors. The only guaranteed winner will be Helen Mirren, who will receive a lifetime achievement award.

Rosario Dawson and Vanessa Hudgens unveiled the nominees in a 7 a.m. announcement streaming on Instagram Live, on the SAG Awards page (@sagawards) and on Hudgens page (@vanessahudgens). The SAG Awards are scheduled for Feb. 27 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
Statement of Congresswoman Maxine Waters Following Sentencing for the Killing of Ahmaud Arbery

Today, justice prevailed when three men in Georgia were given a punishment of life in prison for killing Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed African American, in cold blood. All three of Ahmauds killers are white. Two of the three involved have no possibility of parole. I agree with the decision reached and the sentence imposed. While this trial gripped the nation and many believe todays sentence is appropriate, we cannot deny certain truths about Ahmauds final moments. That Ahmaud was chased in cold blood by the men who would take his life; that the license plate on the truck driven by his murderers depicted a confederate flag; and, that in the weeks after Ahmauds murder, his killers walked free and it was only when video footage of the attack went viral was accountability possible, and that justice could be served.

The sad reality is that many African Americans in this country, who have fought for years for justice to prevail in cases where unarmed individuals  particularly black men  have been murdered or killed with impunity at the hands of law enforcement or other individuals, have often wondered whether killers in these cases would be held accountable. I am pleased that todays sentence appears to be continuing progress for securing justice when unarmed black men are killed, as was the case in the deaths of George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and now Ahmaud Arbery. It is my hope that todays sentence can be a measure of solace to those who survive Ahmaud, including Marcus Arbery Sr., his father, and Wanda Cooper-Jones, his mother.

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Magawa, the 'hero rat' who sniffed out landmines, has died

Magawa, the "hero rat" whose work sniffing out landmines in Cambodia won him a medal for life-saving bravery, has died at the age of 8.

The African giant pouched rat found more than 100 landmines and other explosives during his service, according to APOPO, the mine-clearing non-governmental organization that trained him.

His work saw him win a gold medal from the British veterinary charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals in 2020.

Announcing the news on Tuesday, APOPO said: "It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that HeroRAT Magawa passed away peacefully this weekend. Magawa was in good health and spent most of last week playing with his usual enthusiasm, but towards the weekend he started to slow down, napping more and showing less interest in food in his last days. Magawa had recently celebrated his birthday in November, reaching the grand old age of 8."

The tribute said that Magawa had left a "lasting legacy in the lives that he saved," adding: "All of us at APOPO are feeling the loss of Magawa and we are grateful for the incredible work he's done."

Magawa, who retired last year, is APOPO's most successful "hero rat" to date, the organization said.

Magawa the hero rat, has died 



Back in 2020, he was commended for his outstanding service detecting landmines.



RIP, Magawa! pic.twitter.com/fJCzY4JCZF  BFBS Radio (@BFBSRadioHQ) January 11, 2022

"His contribution allows communities in Cambodia to live, work, and play; without fear of losing life or limb," APOPO added.

African giant pouched rats are intelligent and easy to train -- Magawa began training from a young age.

He was born in November 2013 at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania, where he learned how to find explosives using his amazing sense of smell, APOPO said. Three years later he moved to Siem Reap in Cambodia, where he began his career.

APOPO trains the rats to detect the scent of the explosive chemicals used in landmines and point them out to their handlers.

Magawa's work has helped the organization clear more than 225,000 square meters of land in Cambodia, where decades of conflict have left the landscape strewn with dangerous unexploded devices.

Source: CNN


German automaker BMW has presented a new model that permits drivers to change the vehicles colors.

The concept car, called BMW iX Flow, was recently shown at the CES technology show in Las Vegas, Nevada. A concept vehicle is one that has been produced for demonstration purposes, but is still in development.

The company says an electronic ink technology makes it possible to change the cars outside colors and add patterns. The same kind of technology, which BMW calls Electronic Paper Display, is used in electronic reading devices.

A demonstration at CES showed the iX Flow model changing from white to gray. The changes are possible in each panel of the vehicle. This permits several possibilities for different color and pattern combinations all around the car. The demonstration included one setting that created racing stripes.

BMW says the material that enables the technology contains differently charged white, black or colored particles. Different colors appear when an electrical field is activated. Signals to activate the changes can be sent by controls inside the car or by phone.

The company said no energy is required to keep the color the driver chooses.

We took this material  its kind of a thick paper  and our challenge was to get this onto a 3D object like our cars, BMW research engineer Stella Clarke told Reuters.

"My favorite use case is the use of color to influence sunlight reflections," Clarke said. "On a hot, sunny day like today, you could switch the color white to reflect sunlight," she explained. "On a cold day, you could switch it to black to absorb the heat."

The vehicle shown at CES could only change between gray and white. But the automaker says the technology will be expanded to include a wide choice of colors.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

___________________________________________

Words in This Story

ink  n. a liquid material used for writing and printing

pattern  n. a design of lines, shapes, colors, etc.

panel  n. a separate or distinct part of the surface of something

stripe  n. a long, straight area of color

challenge  n. a difficult task or problem; something that is hard to do

3D (three-dimensional)  n. having or appearing to have length, depth and height

reflect  v. to throw back light or sound

absorb  v. to take in in a natural way
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Catholic League

Jan. 12, 2022



NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on attempts to normalize pedophilia:

USA Today is getting flak for publishing an article by journalist Alia Dastagir for saying that not all adults who are sexually attracted to children are molesters; they need to be understood, not chastised.

In her piece, she mentions that Allyn Walker recently had to resign from Old Dominion, following a student protest, after she gave an interview arguing that pedophiles should be called "minor-attracted people." [Note: Walker was falsely identified as a man by Dastagirshe is a biological woman who thinks she is a man.]

Unfortunately, this problem is much bigger than what the critics of Dastagir and Walker think.

As I recount in my new book, The Truth About Clergy Sexual Abuse, in the mid-twentieth century professor Alfred Kinsey, the zoologist turned sexpert, found it perfectly acceptable to garner research data from adult men who sexually stimulated infants and children. He documented babies and young boys who had "experienced" orgasms, taking tabs on the number and length of the orgasms. One of his sexually abused subjects was two months old; twenty-eight were under the age of one.

Homosexual activists have long justified pedophilia. Harry Hay is regarded as the founder of the gay rights movement. He not only endorsed sexual relations between adults and minors, he said the kids would love it. Larry Kramer, founder of ACT-UP, also maintained that "very often" children like having sex with adults.

The term "minor-attracted persons" ("MAPs") was not coined by Walker. She correctly identifies B4U-ACT as the originator of this sanitized term for pedophiles. Founded in 2003, this is an organization of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, many of whom teach at prestigious universities, dedicated to the proposition that MAPs (who are almost all men) are seriously misunderstood and suffer from being stigmatized by the rest of us.

B4U-ACT believes that pedophilia is not a sexual disorder; rather, it is sexual orientation, much like homosexuality. Its members take umbrage at the notion that MAPs are mentally disturbed, and some argue that it is nonsense to say that children are unable to consent to sex with adults. As one of their sages put it, "An adult's desire to have sex with children is 'normative.'"

One of the co-founders of B4U-ACT was Michael Melsheimer, a former YMCA director who was sent to a federal prison for four years for sexually abusing kids. He committed suicide in 2010. When he died, B4U-ACT never mentioned in its obituary that he was a child rapist.

It is one thing for a Hollywood producer to lure kids to have sex with him. It is quite another when distinguished mental health professionals seek to normalize pedophilia. This is the state of sexual ethics in elite quarters in the United States today.
Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) has been named the Mena Real Estate Asset Manager of the Year for 2021 by Global Investor, which recognises outstanding performance in the real estate sector. It also recognises asset management, fund administration, and wealth management, among many others.

The coveted honour recognises Markazs excellence in serving institutions and individuals seeking to unlock the investment potential of real estate asset classes in the region, operating at the highest industry standards, under the oversight of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).

Markaz brings over 30 years of experience in the real estate sector globally and regionally, with 18 years of actively managing real estate assets across the Mena region. Markaz manages real estate assets of c. KD 300 million in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE real estate through funds and client-tailored portfolios.

Notably, Markaz manages the Kuwait Investment Authoritys (KIA) National Real Estate Portfolio in addition to Markaz Real Estate Fund (MREF) and Markaz Gulf Real Estate Fund (MGREF), a private placement fund. Ever since its inception in 2003, MREF, a KD70 million ($231 million) Shariah-compliant income-generating fund investing in Kuwait income properties, has been distributing monthly cash dividends, which stands now at 5%, and generating an unlevered IRR (internal rate of return) of 7.5% p.a. (Latest factsheet detailing information on the fund is available on Markaz website www.markaz.com).

MGREF invests in residential, commercial and industrial income-generating properties in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait and distributes monthly cash dividends to investors.

Commenting on this achievement, Bassam N. Al-Othman, Managing Director, Mena Real Estate at Markaz said: We are delighted to have received Mena Real Estate Asset Manager of the Year award, which represents an acclaimed recognition of our commitment to providing our clients with solid investment opportunities.

Al-Othman added: Markazs unique ability to bring added value to real estate assets stems from the distinguished strength of our solid team of 27 professionals, who are stationed in Kuwait and in our regional offices in Riyadh and Khobar since 2006, as well as in Dubai and Abu Dhabi since 2010, providing in-depth local market insight, our best-in-class policies and procedures, and our advanced technology platforms for enhanced financial and operating reporting.

Markaz unleashes added value by acquiring properties based on research to identify targeted sectors and geographical asset allocation, taking into account market insights, trends, supply/demand and risks, and while also managing acquisition risk through thorough legal, technical, operational and commercial due diligence on target properties. It also works closely with property managers to enhance the performance of assets by optimising rent levels, increasing rent collection rates and efficiency, and improving occupancy, rent levels and tenant retention, as well as managing expenses and maintaining the properties.

Luke Jeffs, Managing Editor of Global Investor, said: The Markaz Real Estate Fund sets the benchmark in the Middle East region. The low bar to entry, enabling smaller investors to participate, the monthly dividend and the open-ended nature of the fund have continued to its ongoing success, while Markazs innovative approach to tenant retention has further contributed to the success of this best-in-class real estate fund.

Markazs excellence and market-leading performance in asset management, investment banking, real estate investment, and wealth management have been recognised by more than 50 prestigious awards since its inception. In 2021, it was named the Best Investment Bank in Kuwait by Global Finance Magazine for the 10th time in 11 years.-- TradeArabia News Service


Public school students in Chicago could return to classes Wednesday following an agreement between the city and the teachers organization.

A dispute over COVID-19 safety measures has kept students in the third-largest school system in the United States out of the classroom for five days.

The agreement, announced late Monday, still requires approval from the citys 25,000 teachers. The deal included expanded COVID-19 testing and rules for when to close schools during outbreaks. And school officials told parents that classes for the 350,000 students would return on Wednesday.

Cheri Warner is the mother of 15-year-old twins. She said the sudden loss of in-person learning has greatly impacted her family.

The girls missed their whole eighth-grade year and it felt like they werent really prepared for high school, Warner said. Losing communication with friends and teachers makes things worse, she said.

Last week, the Chicago Teachers Union, the organization representing the teachers, voted to move to online instruction. The organization said teachers were worried about safety measures during the latest increase of COVID infections.

However, Chicago school officials, like most other school district officials, have rejected a return to remote learning. They said it worsened racial inequities and reduced attendance in the district of largely Black and Hispanic students. Officials said it affects academic performance and mental health. And they noted that schools could safely remain open with safety measures in place.

Similar issues and concerns across the nation

Across the U.S., school districts have also faced similar concerns and issues.

While most schools remain in-person, some large school districts have returned to online instruction as COVID-19 infections have greatly increased among students, teachers, and school workers.

The large school systems with schools that have returned to remote learning include Newark, New Jersey; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Cleveland, Ohio. Smaller school districts close to Detroit, Chicago and Washington, D.C. have also switched to online.

American President Joe Biden is pressing schools across the nation to remain open. With vaccines and regular virus testing, his administration has said there is no reason to keep schools closed.

Look, we have no reason to think at this point that Omicron is worse for children than previous variants, Biden said last week. We know that our kids can be safe when in school.

But the reality for some districts is not so simple. Testing supplies have been limited, and many districts have low vaccination rates in their communities.

In Detroit, Michigan, just 44 percent of people 5 and older have received a vaccine shot. And the school system has moved to online learning for at least the first two weeks of 2022.

Nikolai Vitti is the head of the Detroit school system. He wrote to parents that because of low vaccination rates among students and families, a return to the classroom would lead to extreme levels of positive cases.

Latonya Peterson has children attending Detroit public schools. She is a single parent who works more than 60 hours each week at two jobs. She sometimes had to miss work to help her teenage son during more than a year of online learning.

Faced with the return to online classes, Peterson told The Associated Press, I hate it.

Her son Joshua Jackson added, I feel like I learned less. He said it was more difficult for him to pay attention while remote learning.

As infections reach record levels in some areas, some parents agree with the decision to move instruction online.

Rebecca Caldwell is a parent in Charleston, Illinois. She is asking her school district to give families the choice of online learning.

They say kids do well (if infected), but whos to say my kid is not going to be that one, Caldwell said.

Im Dan Novak.

The Associated Press reported this story. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English.

Quiz- Schools to Reopen in Chicago, Others Move Online Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

grade  n. a level of study that is completed by a student during one year

remote  adj. connected to a computer system from another place

district  n. an area established by a government for official government business

previous  adj. existing or happening before the present time

variant  n. different in some way from others of the same kind


The United States on Tuesday announced $308 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan. The new aid comes as the country faces a possible humanitarian crisis following the Taliban militant groups takeover of the government nearly five months ago.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement the new aid comes from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). But it will be provided through independent humanitarian organizations. She said aid will be used to provide shelter, health care, winterization assistance, emergency food aid, water and sanitization services.

Afghanistans troubled economy has become weaker since the Taliban takeover. Nearly 80 percent of Afghanistans former governments budget came from the international community. Foreign countries provided most of the money for hospitals, schools, factories and government ministries. The USAID called on the Taliban to permit all aid workers, especially women...to operate independently and securely as humanitarian groups assist people in need.

Separately, the United Nations on Tuesday released its 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan. The plan said the country requires $4.4 billion in aid money. That is the largest humanitarian appeal ever launched for a country. The U.N. says 22 percent of Afghanistans 38 million people are living near famine. Another 36 percent are facing severe food insecurity.

The new money promised by the administration of President Joe Biden increases U.S. aid for Afghanistan to more than $780 million. That is the total since the end of the 20-year-old war in August.

The U.S. has also promised to send Afghanistan 1 million additional COVID-19 vaccines through the U.N.s COVAX program. COVAX is an effort by the World Health Organization to improve the availability of vaccines. With the new shipment, the U.S. will have sent 4.3 million shots to Afghanistan.

International aid to Afghanistan was suspended after the Taliban took control last August. Billions of dollars of the countrys foreign assets were also frozen.

The U.S. and the international community decided not to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The decision has led to questions about how to provide aid to the country without putting money directly into the Talibans hands.

The lack of money has led to increased poverty. Aid groups have warned of a possible humanitarian catastrophe. State employees, including doctors, teachers and civil servants, have not been paid in months. Banks in Afghanistan have restricted how much money people can take out.

The Taliban have called on the international community to release money and help prevent a humanitarian disaster.

Im Ashley Thompson.

The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________________________

Words in This Story

winterize v. to make a structure ready for winter especially by making it resistant to winter weather

sanitization n. the process of keeping places free from dirt, infection, disease, etc., by removing waste, trash and garbage, by cleaning streets

famine n. a situation when many people do not have enough to eat

assets n.(pl.) things of value

catastrophe n. a terrible disaster
A male juvenile sustained several gunshots to the leg Sunday morning in a shooting near the intersection of Railroad and McElhaney avenues in Santa Maria, according to police officials.
Bahrain has announced that the quarantine period will be seven days from the date of Covid-19 infection for individuals that hold a green shield on the BeAware Bahrain app.

Following approval by the Government Executive Committee, and based on the latest international data and developments, the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) announced the new rules which will come into efferct from January 13, said a Bahrain News Agency report.

Green shield holders can exit quarantine after seven days without taking a PCR test.

Individuals who are unvaccinated, or hold either a yellow or red shield on the BeAware Bahrain app, must quarantine for 10 days from the date of infection and can exit quarantine after 10 days without taking a PCR test.

The taskforce also announced an update to the precautionary quarantine protocol for travellers entering Bahrain through all ports of arrival. Individuals holding a yellow or red shield on the BeAware Bahrain app and unvaccinated travellers will need to quarantine on arrival for a period of seven days. Travellers who hold a green shield on the BeAware Bahrain app are not required to quarantine.

The taskforce stressed the importance of conducting a PCR test if experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, and continuing to adhere to all health precautionary measures, said the report.

BOOSTER SHOTS
Three people were displaced by a fire Tuesday night that heavily damaged a house in Stoughton and resulted in minor injuries for one firefighter, authorities said.

At about 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, the Stoughton and Cottage Grove fire departments, Stoughton Area EMS and Stoughton police were sent to 1005 Stoughton Ave. for a reported fire at the two-unit house, Stoughton Fire Chief Joshua Ripp said in a statement.

They found extensive fire showing on the second floor, and additional fire crews were requested, Ripp said.

The first responders confirmed that all residents had evacuated the house and were uninjured, with no residents in the second floor at the time of the fire. A hamster was later rescued from the first floor, Ripp said.

The Red Cross said it assisted the three residents with temporary housing, meals and replacement clothing.

The fire was declared knocked down at 9:09 p.m., but crews remained at the scene until 11:30 p.m., Ripp said.

The cause remains under investigation, and no damage estimate was available, Ripp said.

Other agencies assisting were the Cambridge Fire Department, McFarland Fire and Rescue, Oregon Fire and EMS, Deerfield Fire Department, Maple Bluff Fire Department, Edgerton Fire and EMS and Deergrove EMS.

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Chandler Halderson, who is on trial for allegedly killing and dismembering his parents, Bart and Krista, has tested positive for COVID-19, which will postpone his trial to at least Jan. 18, according to court staff.

Clerk of the Court Carlo Esqueda confirmed that the trial had been delayed. Asked whether Halderson has been infected with COVID-19, District Court Administrator Theresa Owens said Halderson got a positive test result.

The length of the delay depends upon the resolution of whatever symptoms Mr. Halderson may have, in accordance with (Public Health Madison and Dane County and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidance, Esqueda said.

Wilson Medina, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office, which is representing Halderson, said that a hearing is set for 8:45 a.m. Thursday to assess how the case will move forward.

Owens said the hope is for testimony to resume next week. Esqueda said there is not expected to be a mistrial.

Haldersons positive test comes the day after the National Guard tested the entire population of the Dane County Jail, which was facing all-time highs of COVID-19 cases last week.

The delay in the murder trial until Jan. 18 was first reported by the Law & Crime Network, which is livestreaming the proceedings.

Tuesdays proceedings included testimony from a former Dane County detective who lived across the street from the Halderson family. He said he smelled what he thought was a barbecue on the evening prosecutors allege Chandler Halderson burned his parents remains after killing and dismembering them earlier that day.

Steven Greiber, who worked at the Dane County District Attorneys Office for twelve years, told the court that he was in his driveway cleaning radishes after his granddaughters softball game when a burning odor filled the road, which made him think someone was barbecuing meat over a grill pit.

For the remainder of the time I was outside it became a pungent smell to the point I walked down the driveway to see if anyone was grilling, the former detective said.

Prosecutors allege the source of the smell was Chandler Halderson burning the remains of his parents in a fireplace the evening of July 1 into the early hours of July 2 last year. Halderson then allegedly dumped other remains throughout southern Wisconsin. He faces felony charges for murder, mutilating and hiding corpses and lying to investigators.

Prosecutors say Chandler committed the murders at home on July 1 after his father discovered hed been lying about attending Madison Area Technical College  one of a series of lies prosecutors say hed long been telling everyone, including that he worked for American Family Insurance, aerospace company SpaceX and as a scuba diver. In reality, they say, Halderson was unemployed and had dropped out of school.

Security footage

Jurors on Tuesday also saw footage from the home security camera of a different Halderson neighbor, Colin Lynch, which prosecutors said showed light from a fire in the fireplace coming through a window in the Halderson home for hours.

Dane County Detective Scott Kuntz, who specializes in audiovisual forensics, collected the footage from Lynch who lives across a pond from the Halderson home in the town of Windsor. The footage shown to jurors depicts a continuous flickering light in the direction of the Halderson residence until nearly 4 a.m. on July 2.

To determine whether the light was coming from the window near the fireplace, Kuntz had a deputy wave a 4-foot piece of steel with LED lights attached to it in front of the homes backyard windows. While filming through the same home security camera, the lights appeared similar to the light picked up from the window near the fireplace, Kuntz testified.

The conclusion was clear to me that the flickering light from July 2 was coming from the fireplace window, the window closest to the fireplace, Kuntz said.

Haldersons attorney, Catherine Dorl, declined to cross-examine any witnesses called by the prosecution Tuesday morning.

Bill Boswell, a special agent with the Wisconsin Department of Justices Arson Bureau who examined the Haldersons fireplace, later testified Tuesday that he noted a smell like grilled meat in the fireplace. His examination of the fireplace also recovered pieces of bone and documented extensive discoloration to the fireplaces interior.

Other testimony

On Monday, jurors had seen evidence collected from the Halderson home and from the hobby farm where the headless torso of his father was found, including the rifle they believe Halderson used to kill his father and the shoe where hed hidden both his parents phones and drivers licenses.

The dozens of photos and pieces of physical evidence introduced Monday also included three rifle magazines containing 55 rounds of ammunition, a bullet fragment and casing, and an ax with human blood on it  all of which were found in the Haldersons Windsor home.

In afternoon testimony on Tuesday, Dane County Deputy Medical Examiner Cori Breslauer said three gunshot wounds were identified on Barts torso during an evaluation of the body. The presence of gunpowder soot around one of the bullet holes led Breslauer to conclude that the shot had been fired at close range.

Breslauer also concluded that Bart died from gunshot wounds and had not been alive at the time of his dismemberment.

Additional evidence introduced Tuesday included surveillance footage of Chandler buying a tarp at a Fleet Farm in DeForest.

A pair of tarps stained with reddish brown substance were found by investigators at the property were Barts torso was found. One tarp found in a garbage can in the propertys wood had blood on it that matched Krista, Denise Jones, a senior forensic analyst at the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, testified Tuesday.

Deputy Erik Schneider testified Monday that after finding Bart Haldersons torso he found several items on the property used for sawing and cutting, including a bolt cutter and saw blade, inside an old oil tank.

State Journal reporters Emily Hamer, Chris Rickert and Ed Treleven contributed to this report.

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The trial of Chandler Halderson, accused of killing his parents, Bart and Krista Halderson, at their Windsor home in July, was postponed until at least Tuesday after Halderson tested positive in the jail for COVID-19.

Dane County Circuit Judge John Hyland informed the jury of 18 hearing the case that they would be told on Friday when they can expect the trial to resume. The jury had been hearing testimony since Jan. 4. He said the public would also be notified Friday.

Under COVID-19 protocols in place at the Dane County Jail, where Halderson has been held on $1 million bail, its possible that testimony will not resume until Jan. 19, Hyland said.

The jury has not been told it was Halderson who tested positive for COVID, only that it was someone who was essential to the case. Lawyers, investigators and bailiffs were intentionally kept out of the courtroom while Hyland informed the jury of the situation to avoid implying to jurors the identity of the person who tested positive.

Jury members were told to continue not to discuss the case among themselves or with anyone else and to avoid any news reports concerning the case.

The court recognizes the incredible commitment and dedication of the jurors, as well as the other participants during the past six days of this trial, Hyland wrote in an order furnished to the jury. The court also recognizes the jurors commitment to curtailing not just their lives, but their contacts and communications with others and their exposure to news and media sources throughout the last 10 calendar days. The court finds it necessary at this time to ask that the jurors continue that conduct and commitment.

The jurors, all wearing face coverings as required by a local public health order, were difficult to read for reactions to the news. So that their minds could be set at ease, Hyland said, he ordered rapid COVID tests to be distributed to any juror who wanted one.

The identity of the person who tested positive was kept from the jury at the request of Haldersons attorneys, Catherine Dorl and Crystal Vera, who were concerned that jurors might hold their extended jury service against Halderson. Dorl said she was not requesting a mistrial at this time.

Other trials

A mistrial was declared on Monday in another Dane County homicide case, against Jeffrey and Javion Briggs, after key witnesses in the case tested positive for COVID-19 and were not available to testify. The jury in that case had been selected last week and had heard opening statements by attorneys and was ready to hear testimony when news of the positive COVID tests broke.

District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said Tuesday that several necessary witnesses reported Sunday and Monday morning that they tested positive for COVID-19.

A third homicide trial, a multi-week trial for Kenyairra Gadson, who is charged with the 2018 shooting death of a man in a Downtown parking ramp, is proceeding in another courtroom. No problems have been reported so far.

The COVID test was administered to Halderson on Monday, Hyland said. Under jail protocol, that would mean he could not be available to return to court until Jan. 19. Deputy District Attorney William Brown said a vaccination card for Halderson was taken as evidence from the home where Halderson lived with his parents indicating Halderson has had two doses of vaccine.

Halderson, appearing in court by telephone from jail, chimed in that he is vaccinated. Hyland said he hopes that could mean Haldersons time in isolation could be shortened and allow him to return to court on Tuesday.

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Courts are closed for the holiday.

COVID and courts

So far, said Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn, COVID outbreaks have not played a major role in the ability of the countys courts to get through a backlog of trials caused by a 15-month shutdown of in-person court proceedings that began in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bailey-Rihn, the presiding judge in Dane County, said she is aware of only the two trials from this week that have been affected by COVID-19, and those infections were among case participants and not jurors. She said she had a trial over the summer in which one juror tested positive for COVID-19, but it did not have an impact on the trial.

Were doing everything we can to minimize the risk, Bailey-Rihn said. We are allowing people that have been exposed or otherwise suffering symptoms to work remotely while they get tested to minimize the number of people in the building who have been exposed. A lot of judges are reverting to more Zoom hearings again so that we dont have the number of people in the building.

Unlike 2020, theres no state Supreme Court order concerning the operation of the states courts during the pandemic, and there now is a backlog of criminal cases.

We cannot stop doing jury trials, Bailey-Rihn said. I think at this point, with the citizens of Dane County being vaccinated and boosted more so than other areas, we are relatively safe. We take all precautions we can for the jurors. We make sure that everybodys masked.

Air filtration units remain in place in courtrooms, along with widely available hand sanitizer, she said, and everything is being done to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID.

If any jurors in the Halderson case report feeling uncomfortable to continue because of the positive COVID case inside the courtroom, Bailey-Rihn said, Hyland would decide what to do. But thats why six alternate jurors were selected along with the normal panel of 12, she said. Even so, she said, theres no juror whos indicated they feel uncomfortable coming back.

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The National Guard says it is moving at a really quick pace to investigate toxic pollution at Truax Field, though it could take more than a decade to begin actual cleanup.

Testing of groundwater under the base has revealed fluorinated compounds known as PFAS at levels thousands of times above proposed state standards, but the federally-guided process requires years of study, planning and approval.

Used for decades in firefighting foam, the so-called forever chemicals have been linked to illnesses including cancer and liver disease. PFAS have contaminated a municipal well about a mile from the airport, as well as in Starkweather Creek and Lake Monona, which are now under fish consumption advisories.

Bill Myer, environmental restoration manager for the federal National Guard Bureau, said the government does not know how wide or how deep the contamination has spread or what other entities could be responsible for the pollution.

We just cant jump to cleanup without getting the answers because then we might not be using our resources right, Myer told several dozen people at a public meeting Tuesday. Were doing our best. We are moving at a really quick pace to get this done.

The Wisconsin National Guard has spent about $2 million so far on the investigation. Myer said the next phase is expected to cost almost $2 million more.

A requirement of the federally-funded cleanup process, the in-person meeting at Madison Technical College was held despite calls from federal, state and local elected officials to postpone it in light of the current surge in COVID-19 cases.

Maria Powell, founder of Midwest Environmental Justice Organization, called the meeting a token exercise held only to qualify for federal funding.

They knew what they were doing in announcing this in-person meeting on Dec. 28 during the heart of the holidays, with Omicron already surging, Powell said. What a joke.

Have your say The National Guard Bureau is accepting public comments on plans to investigate PFAS contamination at Truax Field. Comments can be submitted until Feb. 14 to william.myer.2@us.af.mil.

The Guard will accept written comments on the cleanup plan through Feb. 14.

It has been almost four years since the Department of Natural Resources informed the 115th Fighter Wing, Dane County and the city of Madison that they were responsible for PFAS contamination on and around the base.

While Madison and Dane County have sought to blame the National Guard, all three trained with PFAS foam for decades at the airport.

The National Guard Bureau is conducting cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA. Sometimes known as the Superfund, the law allows the Environmental Protection Agency to direct cleanup of orphan sites when responsible parties fail to act or cant be identified.

Under CERCLA, the investigation phase can take up to four years, at which point the military would conduct a feasibility study to determine options for cleanup. That could take another four years. It could then take another five years to get public input and put a final cleanup plan in place.

'Missed opportunity': Empowered to limit farm size, DNR to OK expansion of large Kewaunee County dairy In July the Supreme Court affirmed the DNRs authority to cap the number of animals on a farm. Now the agency plans to allow one of the state's largest dairies to nearly double in size.

According to the militarys consultant, the Guard could do a limited cleanup in the meantime if the study determines theres an unacceptable risk to public health, though they did not define what would constitute such a risk.

In November the DNR authorized an experimental treatment that involves injection of calcium peroxide, bacteria and an absorbent cellulosic media into the soil in hopes of degrading the PFAS in place.

The Guard has until July to submit a report on the effectiveness of the treatment, but Lt. Col. Dan Statz said initial results are promising.

Judge tosses lawsuit from F-35 opponents, says National Guard environmental review OK In an order released Wednesday, Judge William Conley sided with the National Guard, ruling the agencys environmental assessment of the projects met the standards of federal environmental law.

The EPA has said drinking water is safe with combined PFOS and PFOA concentrations up to 70 parts per trillion, though new agency documents suggest that level should be just 1 ppt. Groundwater samples from Truax Field have shown PFOS alone at concentrations reaching 48,000 ppt.

The DNR is finalizing rules that would set drinking and groundwater standards at 20 ppt, in line with the recommendations of state health officials. If approved by the Legislature, those standards would be in place by 2023.

Myers would not say whether the National Guard would adhere to the state standards.

Until theyve actually been promulgated we cant speculate on what a standard could be, he said. Im not saying were not going to consider them.

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Employers would be required to allow proof of prior COVID-19 infection  known as natural immunity  as an alternative to vaccination and regular testing under a Republican proposal taken up by the state Senate, even though studies show unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to get reinfected with the virus than vaccinated people.

The bill, which came before a public hearing Tuesday, would almost certainly be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has continually clashed with Republicans regarding COVID-19 policies and whose communications director said he did not support the bill.

If passed, the bill may also dampen the federal requirement for tens of millions of workers at medium and large businesses to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly tests, which may be blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as this week.

Similar bills passed last year in Florida and Arkansas, though Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson allowed the bill to become law without signing it because, he said, the natural immunity conversation has been harmful to our goal of encouraging vaccines.

The Wisconsin bill has drawn opposition from several Wisconsin medical organizations, including the American Lung Association in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Health Association and Wisconsin Medical Society, which all noted vaccination is the best COVID-19 deterrent and cited the lack of evidence on how long natural immunity may protect people from reinfection.

For most of the hearing, Republican lawmakers and bill supporters  including a nutritionist and a nurse from the National Vaccine Information Center, which advocates against vaccine mandates  testified that they consider natural immunity to be at least as effective as being vaccinated. Opponents submitted written testimony but mostly didnt appear before the committee.

This bill seeks to give another tool in the toolbox not only for employees who are potentially looking at a significant loss of employment but also employers who are looking to just do the right thing and maintain their workforce, bill co-author Rep. Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, said at the Senate Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee hearing Tuesday.

Substitute for vaccination?

Dr. Ajay Sethi, a professor at UW-Madison and director of its Public Health masters program, told the Wisconsin State Journal in an interview that communicating to the public that natural immunity is a substitute for vaccination will lead to more hospitalization and deaths.

If the bill becomes law, Sethi said, you would have people who falsely believe that they are protected against reinfection. And the science continually shows that people who are unvaccinated, even if theyve had COVID before, are more likely to be hospitalized compared to people who are vaccinated and havent had COVID before.

Sethis warning comes amid record COVID-19 hospitalization rates in Dane County and data from the state Department of Health Services showing that unvaccinated people are hospitalized at a rate nearly 11 times higher than people who are fully vaccinated.

While studies have shown natural immunity does work as a COVID-19 deterrent, most suggest it isnt as effective as being fully vaccinated. Last year, researchers in Kentucky found that unvaccinated people who previously had COVID-19 were over two times as likely to be reinfected as vaccinated people who previously had COVID-19.

In a statement released alongside the study, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky encouraged previously infected unvaccinated people to get vaccinated.

Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others around you, she said.

Another study by Yale University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers suggested natural immunity is short-lived.

Reinfection can reasonably happen in three months or less, said Jeffrey Townsend, a professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health and lead author of the study. Therefore, those who have been naturally infected should get vaccinated. Previous infection alone can offer very little long-term protection against subsequent infections.

At the hearing Tuesday, bill co-author Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Irma, pointed to an Israeli study that showed breakthrough infections after vaccination were 13 times more likely than reinfections in unvaccinated people.

Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who analyzed the study, told the New York Times that the vaccinated group included more people with conditions that would weaken their immune response, so reinfection would be more likely.

Fight over mandates

Since vaccines came out, COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies and bills have led to repeated clashes between the Evers administration and Republican legislators in Wisconsin, and dozens of court cases nationwide.

Last April, Evers vetoed a GOP-authored bill that would have prohibited public health officials from requiring individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Our response to this pandemic should be about following the science and public health experts and working together to save as many lives as we can, not finding ways to make it harder to fight this virus or keep Wisconsinites safe, Evers said in the veto message.

In October, the Department of Administration began requiring executive branch agency employees to submit for weekly COVID-19 tests if they were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or havent submitted their vaccination status.

That requirement drew ire from Republican legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, who said, Governor Evers seems intent on following Joe Biden into legal quicksand in their continued attempts to exert unilateral control over peoples lives.

The Republican bill does not stand alone in considering natural immunity as a viable COVID-19 defense.

In early January, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, who has not been vaccinated and has had COVID-19, told conservative WISN-AM radio host Vicki McKenna, Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease? Why do we assume that the bodys natural immune system isnt the marvel that it really is?

Johnsons comments are among a string of false or misleading suggestions about COVID-19, including that mouthwash, ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are effective treatments for COVID-19.

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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on Wednesday and Friday as a "mark of respect" for the two Mineral Point firefighters who died last week in a crash.

The flying of the American and state flags at half-mass will honor firefighter James Ludlum from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday and Fire Captain Brian Busch from sunrise to sunset on Friday  the days of the two men's respective funerals. The order is for all state buildings, grounds and military installations.

"Jim and Brian lost their lives in the pursuit of saving others, and that is a sacrifice that will not be soon forgotten in the hearts and minds of their fellow Wisconsinites," Evers said in a statement.

Busch, 43, and Ludlum, 69, were going north on Highway 151 at about 12:30 a.m. when they attempted to use an emergency crossover just west of the Highway 23 exit on the citys north side. Thats when their water tanker, with its lights flashing, was struck by a northbound semitractor-trailer and caught fire. Busch and Ludlum died at the scene.

The driver of the semi, James Morey, 80, of Waukesha, was uninjured. Its unclear if Morey, who was driving for Soren H. Miller Transportation in Delafield, will be charged in the case, which remains under investigation by the Iowa County Sheriffs Office.

Both firefighters visitations and funeral services will be held at St. Mary & Paul Catholic Church. They'll be buried at St. Marys Cemetery, according to their obituaries.

Ludlums visitation is scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11 a.m. Visitation for Busch is scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday with the service beginning at 11 a.m. St. Marys Cemetery, according to their obituaries.

Busch volunteered at the Mineral Point Fire Department for 24 years. Evers' executive order states that he was "cherished as a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend."

"Captain Brian Busch provided comfort and laughter to those around him," Evers said in the order.

Ludlum had volunteered for the fire department for 37 years and served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 22 years. Evers said he "impacted the lives of many" with his passion for farming, love of fishing and work as an agriculture mechanic. He was also an active member of his church.

Evers said he and his wife Kathy send their "sincere condolences" to Ludlum and Busch's families, as well as the Mineral Point Fire Department and community.

"It has been incredible to see folks from all over the state show an overwhelming outpouring of support in the wake of the passing of these two dedicated and selfless first responders," Evers said.

He said their friends, family and the state of Wisconsin are "forever grateful" for their service and sacrifice.

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CSA Ocean Sciences (CSA), a marine environmental consulting and survey company, recently completed the worlds deepest pelagic biota sampling campaign.

The ground-breaking deepwater sampling campaign in the Tropical Eastern Pacific for The Metals Company (TMC) included successfully collecting pelagic biota from a record depth of 4,000 m below the surface.

The pelagic zone consists of the water column of the open ocean, and can be further divided into regions by depth. Biota is the animal and plant life of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.

CSA mobilised a team of marine technicians and essential oceanographic equipment to support Environmental Expedition 5C, TMCs fourth in a series of five multidisciplinary marine survey projects in 2021 designed to characterise the potential impacts of harvesting polymetallic nodules from the seabed, and, more specifically, to explore the biological communities, organic flux, and food web structures present between the oceans surface and benthic boundary layer (BBL), located just above the abyssal seafloor, in TMCs NORI-D block in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ).

Despite having to operate in swells of up to 6 m, the CSA team deployed a range of technologiesincluding a 10 sq m Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing (Mocness) system and rosette samplersto recover biological samples and collect other diagnostic information related to the Tropical Eastern Pacifics surface salinity, temperature, oxygen, and turbidity, as well the nutrient and trace metal dynamics of the local aquatic ecosystem.

CSA has run numerous deepwater marine sampling campaigns around the world, including in the CCZ, but operating successfully at this record-breaking depth represents another milestone for the team in terms of planning, mobilising, and executing advanced collection techniques in some of the most remote and hazardous waters on the planet, said CSA CEO Kevin Peterson.

Thanks to tenacious teamwork and the skillful deployment of our robust technologies, these data will help establish a better understanding of the symbiotic relationship between the physical environment and local inhabitants of the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

On deck operations were supported by Maersk Supply Service, the University of Hawaii, Texas A&M University, and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). TMCs final research campaign of 2021, Environmental Expedition 5E, is now under way and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.-- TradeArabia News Service
The distribution of more than 200,000 N95 and KN95 masks to local nonprofits, teachers and other residents is set to start Wednesday, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County said.

From noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, adults can go to the Allied Family Center Boys & Girls Club, 4619 Jenewein Road, in Fitchburg to pick up N95 and KN95 face masks. Each individual can get 10 masks.

Community grassroots and nonprofit organizations can submit requests to get 250 masks each by emailing maskrequests@bgcdc.org.

The Boys & Girls Clubs started a campaign on Friday to raise roughly $200,000 to cover the cost of 200,000 masks for students, teachers and school staff as schools prepared to reopen Monday.

Michael Johnson, president and CEO of the local Boys & Girls Clubs, said Tuesday that his organization was able to get all the masks it needed with help from Gov. Tony Evers office.

Evers office dropped off 200,000 masks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane Countys office on Tuesday. Johnson said Evers saw Johnsons social media posts about shortages of tests and masks in Madison schools. The governors office reached out and said, Hey, we can support you. We can help you. Well get you the 200,000 masks that you need, Johnson said.

Johnson said hes not sure where the masks came from, but noted that all school districts in Wisconsin can put in a request with the state Department of Human Services and get N95 masks for free.

Since that option is available, Johnson said he decided to open up the distribution of the masks to all Dane County residents, not just teachers and students. Educators are still welcome to come to the pickup, though.

People can just walk up or drive up and well distribute masks to people (who) need em, Johnson said. Were not going to turn people away.

After this week, masks will be available for pickup through the end of January from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the Allied Family Center.

There will also be a community meal and mask pickup from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, also at the Allied Family Center. Ten masks will be included with each meal.

Before Evers office stepped up, Johnson said the plan was to raise $200,000 through a GoFundMe to cover the cost of an online order for 200,000 masks. Johnson said he has now canceled that order.

Through the GoFundMe, the Boys & Girls Clubs raised about $20,000 for the masks. Now, that money will go toward supporting the volunteers and staff who will distribute the masks and purchasing child-size KN95 and N95 masks, Johnson said.

We just want to make sure we provide all the protection we can to help mitigate people from getting sick, Johnson said.

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More subsidized housing for people recovering from opioid addiction, expanded availability of the overdose-reversal drug Narcan and mobile treatment units in rural areas would be good ways to spend Wisconsins anticipated $420 million in opioid settlement funds, addiction experts said Wednesday.

Medication-assisted treatment  taking medications such as Suboxone or methadone, along with counseling, to reduce opioid dependency  works well, said Amanda Dinger, a substance abuse counselor in Tomah.

The problem is, in a rural community, we cant get to it, Dinger said. Transportation is always an issue.

At the first of a dozen online listening sessions about how Wisconsin should spend its opioid settlement funds, Dinger and others told state officials that mobile units to deliver medication-assisted treatment to people who need it would be a big help.

Though amounts arent finalized, the state expects to get roughly $420.2 million over 18 years as part of a $26 billion deal with opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson. Seventy percent of the funds will go to 87 local governments involved in the litigation and 30% will go to the state Department of Health Services.

Plans for how to spend the money come as Wisconsin has faced record opioid overdose deaths amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The state had 1,226 such deaths in 2020, 34% higher than any previous year, including 123 in Dane County. As of Wednesday, 970 opioid overdose deaths had been reported statewide for 2021, with the tally expected to increase considerably over the next several months as more reports come in.

Listening sessions seeking input on how the state health department should spend its $126 million or so share of the settlement will continue Friday and later this month. At the first two sessions Wednesday, about 20 people shared ideas.

Kimberly Hill, with Southwest Community Action Program, said the agency has set up two recovery houses for people in Dodgeville and is working on a third in Richland Center, with help from a UW School of Medicine and Public Health grant.

But Hill said those places arent enough. Theres such a need for rural recovery, she said.

Marcia Galvan, with the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board in Janesville, said helping with housing and other costs, such as child care, can help people afford addiction treatment amid inflation.

Cost of living, cost of treatment, cost of literally everything is through the roof, she said. Recovery can be unattainable to individuals based on that solely.

Sober living arrangements are especially needed for parents with young children, Galvan said.

Karen Morris, a nurse who reviews deaths among women who die during pregnancy or within a year after giving birth for the state and the UW medical school, said substance abuse is an increasing contributor to maternal mortality. Decriminalizing substance abuse, and not taking children away from women who are in recovery because of substance abuse, would help, she said.

Dr. Chris Eberlein, an emergency medicine provider with Gundersen Health System in La Crosse who is on the states Emergency Medical Services Board, said funding should continue to make Narcan accessible to reverse overdoses.

I think we underestimate the number of lives that have been saved by that program, Eberlein said.

Several speakers said Narcan should be available in more public places, including bars. Some noted that methamphetamine abuse is also a big challenge, and others said more detox services are needed.

When somebody comes in and says I want to go to detox, and detox is full, what can we do in the meantime? asked Anneliese Skoda, a substance abuse counselor with La Crosse County Human Services.

Marcy Nerby, a nurse from River Falls who works at Pierce Countys behavioral health unit, said she lost her husband to an overdose. He died at age 40 in November 2020, according to his obituary. Nerby said he took what he thought was a benzodiazepine, or tranquilizer, but it was laced with opioids.

Nerby said shes struggling to find help for her two children to deal with the loss, and urged more spending on such services.

There isnt any in-person support groups for kiddos, she said. I would like to see that as something that would be very helpful for my kids.

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Russian president-for-life Vladimir Putin explained Monday that the peacekeeper paratroopers he sent to Kazakhstan to help quash civil unrest were part of his larger policy of preventing color revolutions in former Soviet-bloc countries.

Putin made his remarks at a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which the New York Times described as a body equivalent to NATO that includes six countries from the former Soviet Union.

I bring this up not to indulge in media criticism but to point out how easy it is to fall for Russian propaganda and the logic of false equivalence when discussing relations with Russia and authoritarian regimes generally. Yes, CSTO is, like NATO, a military alliance, but the similarities end there. Commitment to democratic principles is a membership requirement for NATO. None of CSTOs members  Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan  are democracies. Armenia comes closest; Freedom House designates it a semi-consolidated authoritarian regime with a Democracy Score of 33 out of 100. The rest are consolidated authoritarian regimes.

In short, CSTO is a dictators club in which authoritarians agree to protect each anothers grip on power, including from internal threats from their own people. NATO doesnt send troops into member countries to prop up failed autocrats.

CSTO is also a tool for Putin to rebuild the lost empire of the Soviet Union.

Putin uses another tool toward the same end: military force, or the threat of it. Thats what hes doing to Ukraine. Putin has deployed about 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border in preparation for what could be yet another invasion of Russias neighbor. The U.S. and Russia are in Geneva this week to figure out a diplomatic exit from the crisis Putin has created.

The mere fact the U.S. is meeting with Putin to discuss a diplomatic solution is a concession. He loves superpower summits like this because they buttress his governments propaganda about Russias prestige. That Ukraine itself has largely been sidelined in these talks is also a gift to Putin, because it bolsters his claim that a great power such as Russia neednt consult with  never mind recognize the sovereignty of  the little countries it wants to bully.

None of this is to say that the U.S. shouldnt try to talk Putin out of invading Ukraine. But it does inform what the U.S. should say.

Putins case for invading Ukraine is based on his nostalgia for the Soviet Union and Russian imperialism generally. Ukraine once belonged to Russia, and if Russia cant have it back  still an if in Putins mind  it should at least be able to dictate Ukraines destiny and alliances.

Putin subscribes to the myth  promoted by Russian state propaganda  that America and the West promised not to expand NATO during the negotiations over German reunification and other agreements in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. No such assurances were made. But the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia did agree to the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances. In 1994, in exchange for Ukraine voluntarily giving up Soviet nuclear weapons on its soil  then the third-largest arsenal in the world  signatories agreed to defend Ukraines territorial integrity and security. Putin declared that agreement null and void when Ukrainians elected a government that wasnt a vassal to Putin.

Putins appetite is bigger than just Ukraine. According to draft treaties released by Russia, Putin wants a sphere of influence where smaller nations along its near abroad would have to defer to Russias priorities. They would be barred from ever joining NATO, and countries that joined NATO after 1997 would be barred from hosting or training with NATO troops or military assets.

These demands are almost surely a nonstarter, and rightly so. Giving into them would undermine NATO, reward military blackmail and leave our Eastern European allies vulnerable to a regime that has already established it is willing to invade neighbors for its own aggrandizement  most recently in the 2014 military seizure of Crimea from Ukraine.

But Putin is a master of asking for the whole store so he can settle for a shopping cart full of free goodies. And it sounds like the White House is considering concessions, including delaying military assistance to Ukraine.

The political temptation to appease Putin  just a little  is understandable. The last thing Biden needs is yet another international crisis, never mind a war. But one thing is certain: Any concessions to Putin will be little more than down payments on more down the road.

Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch: @JonahDispatch.
Few people realize that Academy Award-winning actor Sidney Poitier, who died Friday at 94, was born in Miami.

Miami is also where the actor, who broke endless racial boundaries through his art, first encountered deep racism as a teen. An incident in the city with the hate group, the Ku Klux Klan, changed his life.

The story goes that Poitier was born prematurely in Miami when his parents, who were farmers from The Bahamas, came to the city to sell produce raised on their small tomato farm. His mother went into labor two months early. Poitier was born, and the family eventually returned home.

Years later as a teenager, Poitier moved to Miami to live with an older brother. As he related to Oprah Winfrey and in speaking engagements, the young Poitier worked menial jobs. One day, he said, he was asked to deliver a package to a fancy home. Instead of leaving the package at the back door, as was demanded of Blacks, he knocked on the front door. In the 1940s South, that was a capital offense for a Black man, but Poitier being from The Bahamas, was not fully aware of the consequences. Of course, we like to think that maybe he did it on purpose, and he was already fighting racism in his own way.

The homeowner reported Poitiers transgression to the local KKK chapter. When he and his brother learned he was wanted by the KKK, who were looking for him to teach him a lesson, Poitiers brother put his younger brother on a bus to New York.

Not long after he arrived in the Big Apple, Poitier was jailed for vagrancy and lived briefly in an orphanage. He later lied about his age and joined the U.S. Army, where he served with the 1267th Medical Detachment before being discharged.

Returning to New York, he worked at a series of dead-end jobs until he answered a newspaper ad for actors placed by the American Negro Theater. And the rest, as they say, is history.

That incident in Miami was likely paramount in forming the Poitier who became not just a Hollywood trailblazer who paved the way for generations of Black film stars, but also a vocal activist in the Civil Rights movement.

But that Miami helped teach him what racism looks like is nothing we should be proud of.
T WIN FALLS  The holidays are behind us, the new year has begun, and now the Magic Valley is in its darkest, coldest season. It is easy to want to hunker down and hibernate this time of year, and for some, that can add up to a case of the winter blues.

Seasonal depression can take a toll on productivity at work, hamper personal relationships, and add stressors to already hectic lives. If you find yourself waking up on dark winter mornings feeling nervous or stressed out before the day has even begun, consider taking a cold shower.

Jaime Goffin is a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice in Twin Falls. As a therapist, she is always reading research about physical mechanisms that regulate emotion, one area of research that examines the role of the nervous system on seasonal depression. Goffin said that research shows that a cold shower in the morning can be as effective for mild depression or seasonal blues as taking an antidepressant.

What that cold shower does is it regulates the vagus nerve, Goffin said. If you think about people waking up and already feeling unmotivated, or even, when people wake up theyre already experiencing anxiety.

The vagus nerve is one of the bodys central nerves, running from the base of the brain all the way down to the pelvis. The vagus nerve is associated with the heart, lungs and digestive tract, and some research shows that stimulating the vagus nerve is one way to achieve a sense of safety and well-being.

Another key way to keep the vagus nerve in a prime stimulated state is exercise, Goffin said.

When our body moves it sends a message that we are OK, Goffin said. (One thing) Im a huge believer in for getting through the winter is daily movement. And if you can get some of that outside when theres a little bit of sunlight, even better.

Like many therapists in the Magic Valley, Goffin sees an increase in clients seeking therapy during the winter months. While there is no substitute for therapy when facing mental health issues like depression, trauma or crisis, small changes to daily routines can help relieve some symptoms of mild seasonal depressions like the winter blues.

Goffin said part of coping with the mid-winter blues is becoming intentional about including some small lifestyle changes that can contribute to positive mood changes. Those small changes can be easy to do, and stack up to create a positive response to blue moods brought about by cold dreary days.

Starting the day with a bit of time outside around sunrise can help jump-start our bodies, Goffin said.

Most people arent getting any light exposure at sunrise and also in the evening, Goffin said. Most people are waking up in the dark, so were naturally not getting some of that vitamin D sunlight.

By getting outside around sunrise, the blue light stimulates the brain in ways that is hard to reproduce with artificial interior lighting of the home or workplace.

Another thing to watch for is whether or not youre getting enough sleep.

Sleep is probably our best medicine, Goffin said. If you look at mental health issues, people not having good sleep is probably the most common denominator.

Goffin cautions that major depression and other serious mental health issues would benefit from more involved therapy.

Robin Bailly echoes the advice that staying active through the dark cold months can make a huge difference in seasonal depression.

When people are more active, regardless of when its winter and the sun isnt out, or when its nice out, if people get outside, it completely changes their mental health, Bailly said. Even if its cold outside, standing outside for three to 10 minutes is going to change your mood, regardless of whether the suns out or not.

Bailly started as a counselor in 2012. In 2019, she started adding more energy work into her practice, using essential oils and guided meditation. Bailly has also begun using a Japanese energy therapy called reiki to complement other therapeutic techniques at her private practice Of The Earth, which she conducts at Float Magic.

The theory behind reiki is that energy in the body can become stuck. Reiki is a way to help move that energy out of the body.

The biggest thing people experience is complete relaxation, Bailly said. And when were relaxed, theres less stress. When theres less stress theres less pain, when we have less pain our body is able to heal better, when were not experiencing emotional pain were not depressed, were not anxious, were not feeling helpless or hopeless, and thats why reiki helps with that. Because its moving that energy in the body.

Reiki is starting to be seen in hospital settings more and more. The Washington Post reports more than 60 U.S. hospitals have adopted Reiki as part of patient services, according to a UCLA study, and Reiki education is offered at 800 hospitals. According to Bailly, reiki in hospitals is used more because it helps with pain. They are also using it in palliative care, cancer care and after surgeries because it has been shown to help the healing process.

Im not saying reiki is going to cure your depression, Bailly said. Its complimentary, meaning, its going to help that energy move, so that then you can deal with the emotions that arise that create the depression.

Meditation is another way people seek to balance thoughts and emotions to supplement a balanced lifestyle. Most people have heard of meditation, but for some who have the impression that it requires a totally quiet mind, the idea can be daunting.

In a recent Facebook post, the South Central Public Health District highlighted visual meditation as an accessible way for people to approach the practice. The post linked to a free course from the Carnegie Museum of Art, using artworks as s basis for visual meditation.

Health district spokesperson Brianna Bodily said that little easy steps toward something like meditation can make the practice seem less daunting.

Often when youre facing a mental health struggle, sometimes just getting started on some of those coping mechanisms can be the hardest part, Bodily said. When you think about some of the things that can be extremely helpful  like meditation, exercise, eating healthy  it can feel extremely overwhelming. So understanding there are simple tiny steps you can take that can help you get to that point where its more of a habit, something that isnt quite as overwhelming or scary, that can help you take those initial steps to take to get to a better mental space.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health crisis, the Idaho suicide prevention hotline can be reached by phone at 800-273-8255 or text 208-398-4357.

Twin Falls has a 24-hour crisis center for individuals who might harm themselves. There are trained professionals who can help keep individuals in mental health crisis safe for 24 hours while helping to connect them to further treatment.

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BOISE  The legal proceedings for far-right activist and Idaho governor candidate Ammon Bundy will be stretched out a little longer, after Ada County Magistrate Judge Kira Dale denied Bundys motion to stay and motion to dismiss at a status hearing on Monday afternoon.

His jury trial, which was set to begin Thursday, has been moved to 8:15 a.m on March 14. The trial will cover Bundys trespassing charges from April 8, 2021, when he was arrested twice in one day for entering the Idaho Capitol. At the time, he was under a one-year ban from the building after he was arrested in August 2020 for refusing to leave the Statehouses Lincoln Auditorium during a special legislative session. That arrest led to his conviction on two misdemeanor charges.

At Mondays hearing, Bundy attorney Seth Diviney tried to argue that the ban from the Statehouse was unconstitutional. Diviney said Idaho Department of Administration Director Keith Reynolds did not have the authority to revoke Bundys access.

The judge disagreed.

Its denied now, because there just isnt enough of a basis for it, Dale said of the dismissal motion.

The March trial will be Bundys second in nine months. Last July, a jury found Bundy guilty of misdemeanor trespassing and resisting or obstructing officers related to the Lincoln Auditorium arrest. He was sentenced to 40 hours of community service and $1,089 in fines.

Bundy, who is running in the Republican primary for governor, has argued that his voluntary Idaho gubernatorial campaign stops satisfy his court-mandated community service connected to the conviction, the Idaho Statesman previously reported.

Dale said she will be issuing a written ruling on her decisions at Mondays hearing.

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BOISE  Weeks after a spree of antisemitic crimes in Boise, officials say theyre still looking for the culprits while community members consider a task force to address the ongoing issues.

In November and December, Boise police reported two incidences of antisemitic graffiti, as well as antisemitic flyers spread through one neighborhood. No arrests have been made in connection with any of the incidents.

Boise Police Department Chief Ryan Lee told the Idaho Statesman he cant speak to the progress in the investigation and whether these incidents may have been linked to one another or to similar incidents in other parts of the country.

If we talk too much about any leads that we have in these cases, it can be counterproductive at this time, he said.

But Lee said the department takes the crimes very seriously, assigning them to a hate crimes detective on the level of a homicide or violent assault. Lee said he believes the actions are the result of a small number of people. Still, with similar flyers being distributed in California, North Carolina and Maryland, Lee said police are considering the possibility that the crimes could be tied to larger networks.

Its a challenge to figure out: Is this something thats coordinated to something larger? Lee said. In the issue of the leafleting ... I know that there were other communities throughout the United States that essentially received the same leaflets around the same time.

BOISE RABBI: SPIKE IN ANTISEMITIC ACTS IS CONCERNING

Boise Rabbi Dan Fink, of the Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel, said this series of crimes is part of a rising number of antisemitic actions across the U.S. and, while he feels the Jewish community in Boise largely feels safe, he said the trend is troubling.

Idaho State Polices annual hate crimes report showed four anti-Jewish hate crimes were reported in the state in 2020, the most recent data available. Thats the highest number of antisemitic crimes reported since 2004 and 2005, which each also saw four anti-Jewish crimes.

This is a bigger cluster of events than weve dealt with in the past, Fink said. Part of whats concerning is that this is a cluster of events in a relatively short period of time, and what were seeing in Boise sadly isnt unusual. The antisemitism is up across the country, and there have been alarming numbers of antisemitic incidents.

Since the rash of incidents in Boise, Fink, who has lived in Boise for 28 years, said police efforts have been fantastic, with the department posting officers at the synagogue for added security.

Fink commended Lee and Boise Mayor Lauren McLean for doing a walkthrough in the North End neighborhood where the pamphlets, packaged with plastic pellet gun ammo, were distributed last month.

The reality of the matter is, if that was your neighbor next door, youd be worried about your friend, Lee said. It was important for the community to know that we took it seriously, that we were sorry that they had to go through an event like that.

Fink said the city has also reached out to potentially convene a task force against antisemitism. Justin Corr, spokesperson for McLeans office, said the city is still determining next steps.

(The purpose is to) show support and make it clear this is not acceptable in this city, Fink said. Our values are for inclusion and welcoming. What that looks like, well have to see after we meet.

Dan Prinzing, executive director of the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, said he was also asked to join McLean in a coalition of community leaders to combat hateful acts.

He said hed like to see police and other authorities, where the law permits, prosecuting potential suspects for hate crimes. Prinzing said an act of vandalism on the memorial in 2017 was declared a hate crime, while the defacement that occurred in December 2020 was not.

IDAHO LEADERS SILENT ON HATE, PRINZING SAYS

Prinzing said he thinks hateful acts have been emboldened by state leaders who have stood with, contributed to or even coddled extremism.

He pointed to Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who has posed for photos with anti-government extremists. Though he said McGeachins alignment is not specifically with antisemites, he said her association with fringe beliefs encourages many types of extreme views.

Prinzing added that when a compound for the Aryan Nations, a white supremacist group, was headquartered in Idaho during the late 20th century, state and community leaders went on the record and condemned it.

From state leaders today, I think what were getting is just plain silence, he said. In September, a sign outside St. Lukes in McCall was defaced with a swastika.

Where was the condemnation from state leadership? Prinzing said. Where were the statements there? Where was the action taken?

He added, We already fight a stain in the states reputation (from the Aryan Nations compound), and at what point are we going to reframe the Idaho narrative? HOW

CAN BOISE COMBAT ANTISEMITISM?

Prinzing said he believes people who espouse hateful rhetoric have been emboldened in Idaho, and that a vigorous community response is required.

Hate speech, antisemitism, has been emboldened, he said. We cannot allow (it) to become a defining characteristic of our community.

Lee said he thinks part of the role of police in the community is assuaging the fear of being the targets of crime. He said the Boise Police Department is taking steps to train its officers in human rights and civil rights and looks for an understanding of those principles in new hires.

Lee also said as a leader in Boise, he makes it a point to speak out when targeted crimes like this occur. He called on Boise residents to do the same.

Its a matter of us strongly stating what are the values of the community and coming forward, Lee said. Whether thats our elected officials as leaders, whether thats officials like myself or the fire chief coming out and making strong statements: These are not the values of our city. But it really needs to be the community (speaking up) as well.

Fink said over the years hes received messages of support from Boise residents when the Jewish community is targeted.

Ive gotten lots of kind, thoughtful messages, phone calls and letters in the wake (of these events), Fink said. Theyre reassuring, they let us know that the community has our back. And I really do believe the vast majority of the community does have our back.

Fink said thats why he speaks up and reaches out when other minorities in Boise have been targets of hate, including Black and Muslim communities.

We all benefit if we all stand together and speak out against it, Fink said. If its only Jews speaking out against antisemitism, it means a lot less than if other parts of our community are speaking out.

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BOISE  The Idaho Supreme Court says additional court staffers are needed across the state to help the courts handle growing caseloads and the demands of operating during a pandemic.

As the head of the judicial branch, the Idaho Supreme Court presents its budget priorities to the legislature each year. This year, the high court hopes to add deputy trial court administrator positions to each of Idahos seven judicial districts, a security worker for the Idaho Supreme Court, a new district judge, two new magistrates and a court reporter.

In a report detailing its budget priorities released Tuesday, the high court said trial court administrators perform complex and time-intensive work. Adding deputy trial court administrators to each district would cost just under $900,000 a year.

Even before the additional demands of the pandemic, it became clear that a single person cannot accomplish all of the necessary tasks including work in each count within a district, the Idaho Supreme Court wrote in the report.

A new district judge and court reporter in Elmore County and two new magistrate judges in Ada County would help address the regions growing caseloads, the Idaho Supreme Court said. During fiscal year 2021, magistrate judges in the district averaged more than 1,600 cases each.

The judicial branch is also requesting increased spending authority for substance abuse treatment and services related to family and domestic violence courts, as well as some additional staffers to work in human resources, security and accounting.

The Legislatures budget writing committee is scheduled to review the Idaho Supreme Courts budget request on Feb. 4.

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BOISE (AP)  Legislation to cut Idahos income tax and provide one-time rebates was introduced Wednesday in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Gov. Brad Little outlined the proposal in his State of the State address earlier this week, and the House committee moved with unusual speed to get it introduced on the third day of the session, the Idaho Press reported.

The bill would provide one-time rebates of $75 or 12% of 2020 state income taxes paid  whichever is higher  to all Idaho residents who filed state tax returns in 2019. It also would consolidate Idahos five income tax brackets into four, permanently reducing income tax rates for individuals and corporations, adding $251 million a year in ongoing tax cuts.

Rep. Lauren Necochea, a Democrat from Boise, was the only lawmaker to vote against introducing the bill, but said she would have more to say about the legislation when it is scheduled for a full hearing. That date has not yet been set.

This is just not the tax relief Idahoans want, so Im not going to be able to support the motion to print, she said.

Rep. Steven Harris, a Republican from Meridian and the committee chairman, is one of the bills sponsors.

The bill does a few simple things, but will have dramatic fiscal impact, both for our taxpayers but also for the state government, Harris told the panel.

The bill would partially offset the cost of the ongoing cuts to the state treasury by permanently tapping $94 million a year from the Tax Relief Fund, a state fund that now collects all sales taxes paid on online purchases, rather than sending those taxes through the same distribution formula to local governments and the state general fund as other sales taxes.

The bill would drop Idahos top income tax rate from 6.5% to 6%. The corporate income tax rate would also drop from 6.5% to 6%.

The House Republican Caucus, in a statement immediately after the bill was introduced, called it major tax relief, and Harris said the bill allows working Idaho families to keep more of what theyve earned.

House and Senate Democrats also immediately issued a statement on the new legislation, saying it will largely benefit the wealthiest taxpayers at a huge price tag.

Necochea said it would take other opportunities  such as reducing property taxes or eliminating the grocery tax  off the table.

Every major tax bill in Idaho for at least the last decade has prioritized profitable corporations and the wealthy, she said. We have an opportunity this year to prioritize working Idahoans and bolster our middle class.

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Quantum, a global leader in security systems, has signed an agreement with leading value-added distributor (VAD) Mobius to deliver security and video surveillance infrastructure portfolio across Middle East and Africa (MEA).



The partnership allows Mobius, a leading emerging distributor within the video surveillance market in MEA, to now offer customers Quantums entire security infrastructure portfolio, from high-performance NVRs, to hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI), to the largest shared storage and archive solutions, and analytics processing.



Customers looking to build or upgrade their CCTV and physical security systems across the region can now access Quantums flagship video surveillance offerings, including:



 VS-NVR Series Network Video Recording Servers

 VS-HCI Series Surveillance Recording Appliances

 VS1110-A Application Server

 VS2108-A Analytics Server



The availability of Quantums video surveillance offerings is a welcome addition to our top-class vendor portfolio, said Ali Yarmohammadi, Managing Director at Mobius MEA.



For the past 20 years weve invested in creating an environment for security enthusiasts to innovate, collaborate and engage in complex projects. Bringing Quantum onboard means that we can continue to stay true to that vision and provide our customers with the best available solutions in the market.



We are excited to partner with an industry leader like Mobius. This agreement substantially extends Quantums footprint across a key region and opens an essential sales channel to customers looking for purpose-built, end-to-end video surveillance solutions to store, manage, protect and enrich their video data, said Anand Chakravarthi, Director - Strategic Markets, EMEA and South Asia at Quantum.



The two companies will attend the upcoming Intersec event in Dubai running from January 16-18.  TradeArabia News Service
On Monday, the Idaho house chambers played gracious host(ess?) to the entire legislature, constitutional officers, and citizens observing from the gallery. The ceremony mirrored the scene that will play out later in the month when Biden delivers the state of the union address in our nations capital. Governor Little used the well-choreographed setting to deliver his message that Idaho leads the way with effective state government, and he deserves to lead it for another term.

Considering that his Lt. Governor and main primary opponent, Janice McGeachin, had to sit directly behind him and appear unphased as he laid out his case, the speech contained unusual drama. The budget that Governor Little spoke about should have satisfied traditional conservative legislators. It might have placated Democrats for the moment except for the shade he threw at Bidens spending plans.

Now, of course, the circus begins. The alt-Republicans have their bills ready to disrupt the proceedings. They have shown disdain for Federal dollars given to Idaho as relief for the problems caused by the pandemic. They are eager to convince Idaho that only their measures will preserve the illusion of life they believe America has always treasured.

The Governor is willing to use the surprising surplus to fund all the conservative ideas gaining popular support. He plans to spend time and effort to secure our voting system, even though it is a model for the nation. He used my favorite word, Broadband, in several proposals along with cyber security.

Anytime a politician talks about a budget and then mentions following years of spending, I question their ability to be confident of the future. I suspect a shell game in the $1.1 Billion budget for education because he added the phrase, over the next five years. Also, we know the surplus is $1.9 billion and counting. The 2021 education budget topped two billion. How much of the surplus is going to additional education funding?

For transportation, Gov. Little said that he was putting Idaho on a path to tackle all deferred maintenance needsover the next ten years. Why not this year? Will more projects need funding in ten years in addition to the ones deferred now? Later in the speech, he proposed $200 million to pay for one-third of the backlog in deficient bridges. Why not $600 million to pay for the whole thing? I quote from his remarks. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fully fund known needs  to maintain our roads and bridges permanently  with no new taxes. One-third is not fully funded. Over the next ten years is not fully funded.

The nod to the alt-Republicans he gave later may provide a clue. I am unwilling to put the safety of Idahoans and the maintenance of our states roads and bridges at the whims of the feds. We must not look to Washington, D.C. to solve our problems.

The outline of Gov. Littles address was the greatest disappointment. After adding to the rainy-day fund and paying off building debt to save taxpayer money, the Governor went immediately into his plans to cut taxes and send every taxpayer a rebate. There was no mention of eliminating the regressive grocery tax. There was no mention of offsetting property tax. There was no mention of lowering the tuition at state colleges and universities. The Governors budget guru later explained that income tax would go from five to four brackets and that the top tax rate would go from 6.5 percent to 6 percent.

I can remember clearly when taxes at all levels throttled the economy. This is not that time. The surplus in Idahos coffers comes from growth in population and our economy. That new population requires government services. Those services must be paid for by revenue from taxes. Idaho does an admirable job of conservative budgeting. Because of that, a surplus only means that constrained funding can be added to because there are more receipts than planned for. Cautious budgeting means reserve funds go further when income declines.

The budget surplus is not an excuse to lower taxes across the board. Adjustments to tax rates to expand the buying power of families with lower incomes are a good idea. For other taxpayers, lower taxes are a want rather than a need.

Linda Brugger, retired from the Air Force Reserve, leaning Democrat and community activist can be reached at IdahoAuthor@outlook.com.

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At least for the next two weeks, Sovah Health in Martinsville and Danville is going to scale back elective and non-urgent surgical cases because of a surge in the number of COVID-19 patients at both campuses.

At a virtual COVID briefing on Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sheranda Gunn-Nolan said the hospital is attending to about 50 COVID patients spread evenly across both campuses. On Friday afternoon Gunn-Nolan said that number had increased to about 60.

Its unfortunate that we must again take this action to pause elective surgeries, said Gunn-Nolan at the press conference called by Sovah Health. We are making these changes so we can continue to take care of our community.

Sovah HealthDanville President and CEO Alan Larson noted that this isnt the first time during the pandemic the hospitals have had to pause elective procedures.

Weve been here before, and this seems to be effective in helping us manage these resources, said Larson. Were disappointed we have to make this response because we feel our responsibility is to take care of folks, but in order to take care of the increased number of people with COVID, we need to curtail our elective procedures, putting it on pause for a couple of weeks and in that period of time it should help us catch up.

Sovah HealthMartinsville CEO Spencer Thomas agreed with Larson saying although he was disappointed with the decision, it was the appropriate thing to do.

Much of this is preventable through vaccinations and masking, said Thomas. Although this is a difficult surge, the worst Ive seen, everyone pulls together when they need to and it gets done.

In a release that accompanied the press conference, Sovah Health said they cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19.

The new COVID variant looks to be far more contagious than previous variants and appears to be having more breakthrough capability among vaccinated people, the release said. The impact is now hitting our hospital and impacting our ability to care for our community.

Although the number of COVID-19 patients is stable, Sovah Health says they are closely monitoring local transmission rates and reviewing their policies and plans to prepare for the possibility of increased hospitalizations.

We want to reassure our communities that it is safe to come to the hospital should you or your family need care, said Larson in the release. We are committed to protecting the health and safety of everyone who walks through our doors and continue to provide the necessary care our communities need.

Gunn-Nolan pointed to Friday as the 661st day of a global pandemic.

It is not over yetI get it, your body, your right, but you not wearing a mask puts everyone around you at risk, said Gunn-Nolan. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Everyone is tired, everyone is exhausted and everyone wants this to end, but it wont unless we make some changes.

Friday morning the updated numbers from the Virginia Department of Health showed no new deaths in the district due to COVID19 in the past 24 hours.

Henry County continued to lead the district in deaths due to COVID with 212, followed by Franklin County with 132, Martinsville at 100 and Patrick County with 72.

Henry County has had 488 hospitalizations due to COVID since the pandemic began, followed by Franklin County with 308, Martinsville at 190 and Patrick County with 139.

From Thursday to Friday, Franklin County had 65 new COVID cases, Henry County had 59, there were 19 in Patrick County and 19 in Martinsville.

In total, Henry County has had 8,089 cases followed by Franklin County with 7,740, Patrick County 2,670, and Martinsville with 2,490 total.

The 7-day average number of new daily cases reported per 100,000 population statewide is 171, Martinsville is at 109, Henry County is 99, Patrick County 94, and Franklin County is at 89.

In the state, 67% of the population is fully vaccinated. Martinsville is at 55%, Henry County is 48%, Franklin County 47%, and Patrick County 40%.

The district has had 20,989 total cases, 1,125 hospitalizations and 516 deaths.

Statewide, there have been 1,221,036 cases, 44,056 hospitalizations and 15,651 deaths due to COVID-19.

In the U.S. there have been 59 million COVID-19 cases and 835,929 deaths. Worldwide there have been 302 million cases and 5.4 million deaths as reported by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Bill Wyatt is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at 276-638-8801, Ext. 2360. Follow him @billdwyatt.

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Little is known about the apparent dismissal of Dr. James Isernia by Sovah Health, but on a frigid Saturday morning with the temperature in the 20s, about 60 people with signs supporting the Martinsville doctor rallied along Commonwealth Boulevard near Hospital Drive.

As well as expressing concern for his welfare, his patients say they have not been able to get prescriptions for medicines they need refilled and are worried about being set adrift in terms of health care.

Ive lived in Martinsville since 1968, said Woody McCain, a retired educator. Dr. Scouras was my doctor until he retired and after that Ive been seeing Dr. Isernia, so basically Ive only had two doctors in all that time.

Another of Isernias patients, Trina Wells, created a private Facebook group called JusticeForDrJimmy, which has more than 1,300 members.

Our goal today was to get Sovahs attention, said Wells. They terminated our doctor without a plan in place, and now you have over 1,000 people without a physician and without being able to get refills for blood pressure meds or diabetic medications.

You have no idea how many people are reaching out to me personally crying and not knowing what to do for themselves or family members that are in need.

Trinas husband, Roger Wells, waived a flag behind the line of people with signs.

We really dont know what the hospital claims he has done wrong, Wells said.

Hospital officials would not comment to the Bulletin about Isernia, but Sovah Marketing Coordinator Hailey Fowlkes did issue a statement:

Dr. Isernia is no longer practicing at Sovah Internal Medicine. We appreciate Dr. Isernias many years of service to our organization and community and we wish him the best going forward.

Due to the confidential nature of our relationships with physicians and as this is a personnel matter, we will not be discussing the specifics of his departure.

Isernia declined to comment when first approached by the Bulletin, but around 5 p.m. Saturday he sent a statement thanking patients and friends for their support. He wrote that he and his wife had driven by the rally and were touched by what they saw.

At the rally, McCain walked along the line of people along Commonwealth Boulevard Saturday morning and encouraged them to spread out a little.

Lets make this line reach from Hospital Drive all the way to Fairy Street, McCain said. We want to make it look as big as possible.

This hospital has separated these patients from their doctor without any notice and did so without making any provisions for their care, McCain said. Its just not right.

More than a dozen people told the Bulletin that they were left in the lurch without being able to get needed medications continued, but they did not want their names to be used in an article out of concerns for their medical privacy. Several told the Bulletin that the hospital had told them a replacement physician would get in touch with them to make plans for continued care, but they had not received any calls or messages from any other doctors.

Debra Nunley of Bassett said her husband went to the rally. She talked with the Bulletin by phone Saturday afternoon.

I have no doctor now, she said. I cant get refills on my medications. My whole family is Dr. Isernias patients. She said she takes blood pressure medications and anti-depressants, and my husband is basically the same, except he gets a narcotic.

She said she is worried how she would be able to continue a medication that runs out on Jan. 22. Another one has four refills, but she doubts now that any pharmacy would refill it.

Meanwhile, Nunley said, she is searching for answers to no avail.

We cant get anyone to call us back to give information on how they can get their health care continued, she said.

Ive called Sovah headquarters in Tennessee and I was told my calls would not be returned and to call Dr. Isernias office and somebody would answer your calls and help you out. Thats not true.

Nunley also called around to several local doctors, with no success: Either theres a waiting list, or some doctors are not taking new patients.

She said she thinks the hospital took action without thinking it through. They left patients basically on their own without the support of another doctor where they could get their medications. Some people are going through withdrawal symptoms. Others cannot get their basic diabetes or blood pressure medications. Its just an absolute nightmare.

The Virginia Board of Medicines website does not show information on any possible pending investigations, but it has information on a prior investigation of Isernia.

In May 2020, a Consent Order was filed by the Virginia Board of Medicine stating Isernia violated Virginia Code ... and the Boards Regulations Governing the Prescribing of Opioids and Buprenorphine from March 2017 through January 2019, regarding prescriptions of oxycodone, methadone and alprazolam to Patient A.

It also listed violations with regard to his care, treatment, and continuous prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines to Patients B, C, and D, while failing to satisfy provisions of the Boards Prescribing Regulations.

The document stated that Isernia was reprimanded and ordered to submit an assertion that he agrees to comply with regulations and to complete continuing medical education on proper prescribing of controlled substances, pain management, and opioid addiction.

A letter from Virginia Board of Medicine Dr. William L. Harp, dated July 31, 2020, filed with the Board, stated that the Board had received verification of Isernias compliance with the Consent Order and that the board terminated terms and conditions placed on his medical license.

James Isernia, 53, is a 1993 graduate of State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine 1993 and has over 29 years of experience in the medical field.

In addition to having been a Sovah Health hospitalist, he also serves as the jail physician for the Martinsville and Henry County jails.

We want to thank our patients, friends and family and every single patient falls under each of these categories, Isernia wrote in his Saturday statement. Being blessed to have served this community for more than 25 years, its more than just a patient/doctor relationship to us ... we have been completely overwhelmed by the love, prayers and support. Patients have called to pray with us, send devotions, send out love and prayers.

We were traveling to see a patient and good friend in hospice on Saturday. We had to ride past the support rally. We were able to slow down, actually see each face, hear their shouts and as my wife and I drove past, tears streaming down our faces with gratitude as we tried to say thank you. Words wouldnt form. They wouldnt come. Only tears.

Please know that we are fighting hard to get back on our feet, to get back to the patients, to try to pick up the pieces for both them and ourselves.

Our silence has been out of legality, nothing more. We understand the difficulty in not knowing and understanding. Honestly, we dont quite understand it.

Thank you for supporting us even through everyones silence. Praying to see each of you soon. Love and such heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you.

Michelle Isernia had told the Bulletin before the statement was issued that her husbands side of the story would be told soon enough.

We will as soon as legal approves us to do so, she said. Right now all I can say is our patients have and always will come first and our silence is as much to protect them as it is us.

Just dont believe everything you hear.

Holly Kozelsky also contributed to this report. Bill Wyatt is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at 276-638-8801, Ext. 2360. Follow him @billdwyatt.

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Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center made international news after completing the first successful heart transplant between a pig and a human last week. David Bennett, a 57-year-old Maryland resident, received a heart from a genetically modified pig, which was raised by Blacksburg company Revivicor.

Revivicor, located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, focuses on the science of xenotransplantation, or transplanting organs between different species. The company specifically focuses on altering the DNA of pigs to successfully transplant hearts, kidneys and lungs into human patients.

The surgery in Maryland marked the first successful heart transplant between a pig and a human. Bennett received an emergency authorization for the surgery through the Food and Drug Administrations compassionate access provision, which allows patients with no other options to receive treatments not yet approved for the wider public.

So far, the heart seems to be working well and Bennetts body has not rejected the organ. David Ayares, Revivicors chief scientific officer, said over the next few months, researchers and doctors will continue to monitor Bennett as he takes immunosuppressants, required for anyone who receives an organ transplant, and watch for signs of rejection.

Were really happy with how this patient is doing, Ayares said. The organ is life supporting, and its doing its job.

The pig, which was raised on Revivicors farm near Blacksburg, was genetically altered to make it more compatible with the human body.

Ayares said researchers started years ago by creating the genetic modifications in a laboratory petri dish. Then, they were able to take that cell and use it to clone the pigs. Once established, the genetic line has been used to breed the pigs with those specific modifications.

Researchers first inactivated the alpha-gal gene, which produces carbohydrates in the pigs. Humans have natural antibodies against that specific sugar, which would cause the body to reject an organ from a pig.

Revivicor also added six human genes that would help prevent rejection. Another added gene slows the growth rate and reduces the size of the heart to make it compatible for humans.

Over the years, Revivicor scientists have tested these modifications in baboons, which have the same natural antibodies against the alpha-gal gene as humans, making those primates a good model to test rejection and transplantation responses.

Its not without challenges, Ayares said. Weve been trying to get here all this time.

Revivicor began as the U.S. subsidiary of a Scottish company, PPL Therapeutics, which famously cloned Dolly the sheep in 1996. PPL Therapeutics purchased TransPharm, a Blacksburg company working to produce human therapeutic proteins in cows, in the early 1990s.

In 2003, Revivicor spun out as a standalone company to focus on research into genetically-modified pigs and xenotransplantation. In 2011, it was acquired by United Therapeutics, which focuses on lung therapies to treat people with pulmonary hypertension and other diseases, and also to overcome the organ shortage crisis.

There are currently more than 100,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the United States. According to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, 17 people die daily while awaiting transplants.

Last year was the first time the annual total of transplants exceeded 40,000 and the United States saw an increase of about 6% in the number of transplants performed.

The mission of Revivicor and United Therapies is to achieve an unlimited supply of organs. Ayares said there are many people whose quality of life would drastically improve with a transplant  yet they are not experiencing a life-threatening illness and cannot access the waiting list.

I think having an unlimited supply is really going to be world-changing, Ayares said.

He said the emergency use authorization for the surgery last week was an important step for the company and researchers are learning more every day since the operation. But the success of the surgery has not changed Revivicors path.

Researchers will continue to complete preclinical trials and collect data about xenotransplantation within primates. Ayares said he hopes to complete the preclinical studies by early 2023 and then apply to the FDA for a full clinical trial in late 2023.

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Virginia Marie Spencer, a Pilot Mountain woman convicted of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced Friday to three months in federal prison and three years of supervised probation.

According to court documents filed by federal prosecutors, she entered the U.S. Capitol with her 14-year-old son and her husband, Christopher Spencer.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly noted that Spencer, 38, apologized in court on Friday but said it didn't appear that Spencer really understood that she participated in an insurrection and not a peaceful protest.

Kollar-Kotelly also said she couldn't comprehend why Spencer would bring her 14-year-old son into a situation where he could see rioters assaulting law-enforcement officers. Kollar-Kotelly said she worried what impact witnessing such violence would have on the teenager.

Virginia Spencer initially told FBI agents that she and her husband immediately tried to get out of the U.S. Capitol once they realized they weren't supposed to be in the building. But Kollar-Kotelly said that's not true. The couple spent more than 30 minutes inside the building and joined at least three different groups of people either inside the Capitol building or while they were marching toward the Capitol, the judge said.

Christopher Spencer, she said, used Facebook to live-stream himself in the U.S. Capitol building.

Prosecutors said that, while walking toward the Capitol, Virginia Spencer joined a small group of people who confronted counter-protesters. Her husband said, "Easy to talk s*** behind the cops!" Virginia Spencer said, "Look who's protecting you...(indiscernible) behind the f***in' police!" Washington, D.C. Metro Police officers broke up the encounter, which was captured on body-camera.

The couple briefly joined a group of people outside the House Chambers as they tried to get inside, prosecutors said.

Her attorney, Allen H. Orenberg, said in a court filing that Virginia Spencer was unduly influenced by the media and by former president Donald Trump, who falsely said that the election was stolen from him through fraud. Orenberg alleged that media coverage of the protests over George Floyd's death led Virginia Spencer to believe that protesting was the only way to have her voice heard and that she would face minimal criminal liability.

He argued that his client should get a 12-month probationary sentence.

The judge rejected that argument, saying Virginia Spencer chose to enter the U.S. Capitol building illegally and was present for an attempt to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election, which Joe Biden won.

Virginia Spencer will have to turn herself in to federal authorities in February. The charges against her husband, Christopher Spencer, are still pending.
Tunisian security forces said Tuesday they have launched a probe into the seizure of more than 600 kilograms of cocaine by the Ecuadorian police during a search into a container supposed to carry banana shipments to the North African country.

Houssem Eddine Jebabli, spokesperson of the General Direction of the National Guard told local radio Shems FM that the criminal affairs branch of the National Guard in Ben Arous city is in charge of the investigation.

Jebabli indicated that the probe will cover the transportation, supply, brokering, import and circulation of drugs.

The National Guard, he also noted, will work with the Ecuadorian police through Interpol for the investigation.

Fausto Buenano Castillo, Chief of the Latin American countrys police, told media that security forces found 656.7 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a container supposed to carry banana, during an operation dubbed Vispera.

The drug shipment, estimated at $42 million, was dissimulated in black bags, in form of bricks.

Castillo neither provided further details on the owner of the container nor on the addressee in the North African country.

Tunisia has criminalized the use of drugs. Late November, the Tunis court of first instance sentenced four young men to 20 years in prison for forming a drug trafficking network in the capital. The court also slapped around $35,000-fine on each.
Tourism Development Fund (TDF), Saudi Arabias fund for tourism development, has agreed with investment solutions firm Derayah Financial to establish a SR100 million ($26 million) private close-ended equity fund  first private equity fund focused on tourism, reports say.

The fund will participate in the capital of small to medium-sized companies operating in the tourism sector and will target promising business opportunities in selective tourism areas across the Kingdom, the kingdoms News agency SPA reported according Arab News.

Derayah Financial, according to Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of the TDF, will manage the new fund as it possesses wide expertise in assets and funds management in both the Kingdom and Gulf markets.

The TDF expects the fund increases investment diversity within the tourism sector through introducing new products and services and enhancing tourists experience in the Kingdom, the reports say.
UAE-based business setup company, Creative Zone has launched the first edition of its comprehensive 2022 Business Setup Guide for companies and entrepreneurs seeking to establish and operate in the UAE.

The detailed document covers every fragment of doing business in the UAE, options of setting up, gaining residency, acquiring corporate bank accounts, and all aspects of relocating and living within the region.

The first volume of the guide has been compiled to provide businesses with a more up-to-date understanding of the functioning of the UAE's business landscape, the type of business activities that can be undertaken in various business districts, and the recent changes in laws and regulations.

Lorenzo Jooris, CEO of Creative Zone, said: "With the UAE growing rapidly as a global commercial hub, it has become a key strategic business base for several global and regional entities. 'UAE Business Set-up Guide' provides comprehensive guidance for the many businesses who are seeking to be a part of the UAE's prolific business ecosystem as well as companies that have established here. The guide is a must-have for businesses looking to take advantage of the significant long-term opportunities that can be tapped within the country."

In addition to clearly outlining the benefits of doing business in the UAE, the guide answers the many questions that businesses may have about the organisation, including its structure, the sectors of activity, business licensing and regulatory matters, as well as providing accounting tax and legal information. The guide also provides useful insights on living in Dubai and exchange controls, immigration, and employment matters.-- TradeArabia News Service
January 12, 2022 12:41

YEREVAN.  As of December 31, 2021, a total of 76 children were born and 211 pregnancies were registered as a result of the infertility overcoming program in Armenia. These children will be born in 2022, and 857 beneficiaries were served within the framework of this program in 2021. Nune Pashayan, Head of the Mother and Child Healthcare Department at the Ministry of Health of Armenia, told this to reporters.

According to the specialist, the results of this program are quite good, and this is thanks also to the fact that the funding for this program has almost doubled.

According to Pashayan, the interest in this program was very high, but only six groups of beneficiaries were set up to participate in it. Among them are the fallen soldiers families who want to have children.

Beneficiaries of this program also include servicepersons and their equals, residents of border areas, disadvantaged families who registered in the corresponding system, and people with disabilities.

Another group of these beneficiaries is the parentsup to 42 years oldof soldiers who died in times of peace; who can benefit from this program.

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The 49-year-old homeless man was arrested on the day of the fire inside the parliament building. He appeared for the second time in a Cape Town court on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

A week after his first hearing, Zandile Christmas Mafe appeared clean-shaven, wearing a shirt and suit jacket. More importantly, he was represented by Dali Mpofu, a lawyer for former President Jacob Zuma and an activist with Julius Malemas radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.

Zandile Christmas Mafe has been charged with six counts. He is accused of breaking into one of the parliament buildings on the night of January 1 to 2, setting fire and stealing laptops, crockery and documents. Now he is also charged with terrorism, according to a spokesman for the prosecutors office, for detonating a device in the Parliament.

Since the beginning of this case, many voices have denounced this arrest, believing that the man is only a scapegoat and that the lack of security and fire detection systems are to blame. Indeed, according to initial investigation reports, the fire detection system was defective. The sprinkler system did not work and the inspection of this system scheduled a year ago was not performed.

The defense attorney asked for bail for his client, adding that he has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. There should be a further examination to know if the man can be tried. The request for release was denied and the hearing adjourned. It will resume on February 11.
Two people were killed and eight are missing in Egypt after a truck with 24 people on board fell off a ferry crossing the Nile and sank into the river, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The driver of the truck boarded the ferry, which was not licensed to carry vehicles, and then fell into the water, the prosecutors office said in a statement, adding that children were among the missing and that 14 people had been rescued.

The search is continuing in the Nile Delta, north of Cairo, where the accident occurred Monday night.

The driver of the vehicle, and three employees of the ferry have been arrested, the prosecution said.
Suspected of attempting to destabilize institutions, i.e., a coup detat, eight soldiers were arrested by the military judicial police, according to a statement from the military prosecutor.

According to the military prosecutor, it was one of the alleged members of the group who denounced the others. They are suspected of attempting to destabilize the institutions of the Republic, that is, an attempted coup. The military judicial police have opened an investigation to elucidate this case, according to the prosecutor.

Since last Saturday, January 8, several military personnel, alleged members of the gang, have been arrested and questioned. Among these soldiers is Lieutenant-Colonel Emmanuel Zoungrana, commander of the 12th infantry commando regiment. He was the commander of the group of forces in the western sector in the fight against terrorism.

The prosecutors office assures that the procedure will follow its course in strict respect of the presumption of innocence and the right of defense. According to a security source, a group of people, including soldiers, were suspected of being involved in the November 27 march. These individuals were allegedly planning to destabilize the government by taking advantage of the chaos created by the demonstration.

But for the moment, there is no link between the arrest of the eight soldiers and those who wanted to take advantage of the march to destabilize the government, according to our source.
In the aftermath of the sanctions announced by ECOWAS against Mali, the President of Guineas transitional government, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, has expressed his solidarity with his Malian counterpart, Colonel Assimi Goita. Air and land borders will remain open with Mali, in accordance with [the] pan-Africanist vision of Guinea, said an official statement read on public television Monday evening. This support in principle presages another tug of war for ECOWAS.

Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya claims to support a brother country. However, the two soldiers have not officially visited each other. Colonel Assimi Goita was absent during the inauguration of Mamadi Doumbouya in October 2021. The latter has not officially left the country, says a source. And if exchanges between the two men exist, they are quite discreet, says a diplomat.

Through this declaration by the CNRD, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya is seeking to anticipate his own fate vis-a-vis ECOWAS, according to one observer. Guinea is experiencing the same situation as Mali: Conakry is suspended from ECOWAS bodies, with targeted financial sanctions.

Goita and Doumbouya have one thing in common: they both want to stay in power for a long time, notes a civil society actor. Mamadi Doumbouya, who is still in a state of grace, is also preparing for strong sanctions following the upcoming announcement on the duration of the transition, explains political scientist Kabinet Fofana.
Traffic marshalls direct cars at a drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 8, 2022. Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, made the reporting of rapid antigen test results mandatory Wednesday, Jan. 12, as it experienced its deadliest day of the pandemic. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker, File

Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, made the reporting of rapid antigen test results mandatory Wednesday as it experienced its deadliest day of the pandemic with 21 deaths.

State Premier Dominic Perrottet said residents who failed to register a positive rapid antigen test would face a fine of up to 1,000 Australian dollars (US$721) starting next week.

Perrottet said the registration process was simple and would help health officials provide more support to people with underlying health conditions.

The 21 deaths reported in New South Wales on Wednesday topped the previous record of 18 set on Monday. The state saw 34,759 new COVID-19 cases and 2,242 hospitalizations, including 175 patients in intensive care.

Victoria state, whose capital Melbourne is hosting the Australian Open starting next week, also reported 21 deaths Wednesday along with 40,127 new cases as the state government announced that 1,000 first-year healthcare students and retired nurses would be recruited as vaccinators to meet rising demand for booster shots.

Deputy Premier James Merlino said the state's healthcare system is strained, with around 6,600 workers off duty after testing positive or coming into close contact with a positive case.

Empty shelves of diary products are seen at a supermarket in Sydney, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, made the reporting of rapid antigen test results mandatory Wednesday as it experienced its deadliest day of the pandemic. The recent spike in COVID-19 infections has caused major logistical disruptions, with staff members, truck drivers and distribution centre workers among those forced to stay at home with the virus or awaiting test results. Credit: Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image via AP

New pandemic orders coming into force in Victoria on Wednesday make booster shots mandatory for critical workers in various fields including health care, disability care, aged care, emergency services, correctional facilities, hotel quarantine and food distribution.

Workers in food and beverage manufacturing, distribution and packing will be allowed to continue working after coming into close contact with a positive COVID-19 case.

Explore further Australian state reimposes masks after major spike in cases

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
3D chemical structure of bisphenol A. Credit: Edgar181 via Wikimedia Commons

In a new study, scientists at the University of Missouri demonstrate the direct transmission of bisphenol A (BPA) from a mother to her developing child via the placenta could negatively impact fetal brain development. Cheryl Rosenfeld, a professor of biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and colleagues propose more attention should be placed on how this temporary organ affects fetal brain development.

"The placenta is only a temporary organ that aids in the exchange of nutrients and waste between mother and child during pregnancy, but how the placenta responds to toxicants like BPA during pregnancy can lead to long-term health consequences," Rosenfeld said. "We focused on the role of microRNAs within the placenta, which are known to be key mediators in regulating cellular functions, including neural development, and the identification of certain markers for cancer."

Rosenfeld suspects the microRNAs are playing a role in how the effects of BPA exposure can lead to neurological disorders later in life.

"These microRNAs can be packaged inside extracellular vesicles and can be transported to distant organs within the body," Rosenfeld said. "We're assuming that by changing the pattern of microRNAs in the placenta, these small molecules can then reach the brain, resulting in harmful effects. Even before the brain's neurons are developed, these microRNA packages may already be guiding fetal brain development. These changes may even be different in female versus male fetuses."

BPA is used in many household items such as plastic water bottles and food containers, and the epoxy coating of metal food cans. Exposure can occur during the simple act of microwaving food inside polycarbonate plastic food containers. While recent efforts have begun toward making products "BPA free," the more than decade-long debate surrounding what's considered safe levels of BPA exposure continues. Numerous studies have looked into possible related health consequences, including neurobehavioral disorders, diabetes, obesity and various reproductive deficiencies.

Rosenfeld believes microRNAs' changes in the placenta could also be used as an early diagnostic biomarker for BPA exposure.

"By identifying the relationship between these microRNAs and fetal brain development through BPA exposure, targeted therapies could eventually be developed to help prevent or reverse some of the harmful effects of BPA exposure that occur due to these microRNAs," Rosenfeld said.

Future plans for this work include examining the relationship between the placenta and the brain outside of the body through using cell culture systems.

This latest discovery continues a more than decade-long interest by Rosenfeld on the effects of BPA exposure. Her most recent focus on the relationship between the placenta and the brain could help scientists with developing a foundation for an early step in translational medicine, or research that aims to improve human health by determining the relevance of animal science discoveries to people.

"MiRNA changes in the mouse placenta due to bisphenol A exposure," was published in Epigenomics.

More information: Jiude Mao et al, miRNA changes in the mouse placenta due to bisphenol A exposure, Epigenomics (2021). Journal information: Epigenomics Jiude Mao et al, miRNA changes in the mouse placenta due to bisphenol A exposure,(2021). DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0339
A medical worker wearing a protective suit takes swab samples for the COVID-19 test on residents in Huaxian county in central China's Henan province on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. The northern Chinese city of Tianjin ordered a second round of COVID-19 testing on all 14 million residents Wednesday following the discovery of 97 cases of the omicron variant during initial screenings that began Sunday. Credit: Chinatopix via AP, File

The northern Chinese city of Tianjin ordered a second round of COVID-19 testing of all 14 million residents Wednesday following the discovery of 97 cases of the omicron variant during initial screenings that began Sunday.

Residents were asked to remain where they are until the results of all the nucleic acid tests are received, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

Xinhua said authorities have carried out almost 12 million tests so far, with 7.8 million samples returned. Infections were first reported on Saturday in the city that is only about an hour from Beijing, which is to host the Winter Olympics from Feb. 4.

High-speed rail service and other forms of transportation between the cities have been suspended, leading to some disruptions in supply chains, including for packaged food items sold in convenience stores.

Tianjin's COVID-19 prevention and control office said all who have tested positive in the initial testing round were found to have the omicron variant, of which China has so far only reported a small number of cases. The source of the outbreak is still unknown and many who are spreading the variant may be doing so unwittingly because they show no symptoms.

Also in the north, two college students who traveled earlier this month by train from Tianjin tested positive for the virus Wednesday in the city of Dalian, city officials said. There was no word on what variant they had contracted.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a worker wearing a protection suit collects samples from a child during a mass coronavirus testing in north China's Tianjin municipality, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. Tianjin, a major Chinese port city near the capital Beijing, began mass testing of its 14 million residents on Sunday, after a cluster of a dozen of children and adults tested positive for COVID-19, including a few with the omicron variant. Credit: Zhao Zishuo/Xinhua via AP, File

The omicron variant spreads even more easily than other coronavirus strains, and has already become dominant in many countries. It also more easily infects those who are vaccinated or were previously infected by other versions of the virus. However, early studies show omicron is less likely to cause severe illness than the delta variant, and vaccination and a booster still offer strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Millions more Chinese are under lockdown in cities under the strict "dynamic zero-case policy" that has allowed China to largely contain major outbreaks, although at considerable cost to local economies.

Hong Kong has closed kindergartens and primary schools after infections were discovered among students, banned flights from the United States and seven other countries and held 2,500 passengers on a cruise ship for coronavirus testing Wednesday as the city attempts to stem the emerging omicron outbreak.

Hong Kong has tightened pandemic-related restrictions in recent days after discovering the omicron variant had spread beyond people arriving from overseas.

In total, China announced 166 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours before Wednesday, including 33 in Tianjin and 118 in Henan province but just eight in the city of Xi'an, home to the famed Terracotta Warrior statues and major industries, where a lockdown was imposed Dec. 23.

Authorities also released news of an inspection to Henan last week by Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who called for stepped-up measures to prevent the spread of both the delta and omicron variants. COVID-19 has spread to three cities in the province, including Yuzhou, Anyang and the provincial capital Zhengzhou, prompting travel bans and various levels of lockdown.

A worker wearing protective equipment stands inside a temporary COVID-19 testing laboratory in northern China's Tianjin Municipality, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The northern Chinese city of Tianjin ordered a second round of COVID-19 testing on all 14 million residents Wednesday following the discovery of 97 cases of the omicron variant during initial screenings that began Sunday. Credit: Chinatopix via AP

"It is necessary to do a good job in guaranteeing the living needs of the people in the closed and controlled communities, ensure the basic medical needs of the people during the epidemic period, and ensure that the people's demands can be responded to and resolved in a timely manner," Sun was quoted as saying.

Some Xi'an residents have complained about their inability to obtain food and other daily necessities.

China has sacked or otherwise punished a number of officials for dereliction of duty related to the pandemic response, including failing to prevent new infections. On Wednesday, Anyang authorities cited 61 government departments and 11 officials in violation. Punishments ranged from verbal warnings to dismissal, according to a city government notice.

Ensuring the Olympics are free of any outbreaks is a key concern of the ruling Communist Party. Athletes, officials and journalists are operating in a closed-loop bubble to prevent them from coming into contact with the general public from the time they arrive in Beijing until their departure. If fully vaccinated, they will not have to undergo the standard 21-day quarantine.

In addition, the International Olympic Committee has issued a document advising attendees to avoid crowded places such as bars and restaurants and avoid physical contact with others five days before departing.

Attendees are required to provide two negative PCR tests before they travel and will be tested twice daily while in China.

A worker wearing a protection suit sprays disinfectant as residents wearing face masks to protect from the coronavirus line up for the coronavirus test during a mass testing in north China's Tianjin municipality, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. The northern Chinese city of Tianjin ordered a second round of COVID-19 testing on all 14 million residents Wednesday following the discovery of 97 cases of the omicron variant during initial screenings that began Sunday. Credit: Chinatopix via AP, File

Participants should "absolutely not let your guard down" even after testing negative, the IOC said.

China has banned fans from outside the country from attending and it appears Beijing plans to distribute only a small number of tickets to carefully selected spectators.

Along with lockdowns, China has used mask mandates and detailed case tracing to restrain major outbreaks.

It has vaccinated nearly 85% of its population, according to Our World in Data. The shots have helped reduce the severity of disease, although Chinese vaccines are considered less effective than those used elsewhere.

China says it currently has 3,476 active COVID-19 cases. The country has reported 4,636 deaths among 104,189 total cases since the virus was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.

Explore further Chinese port city reports 41 virus cases, amid mass testing

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Harnessing the power of genomics to find risk factors for major diseases or search for relatives relies on the costly and time-consuming ability to analyze huge numbers of genomes. A team co-led by a Johns Hopkins University computer scientist has leveled the playing field by creating a cloud-based platform that grants genomics researchers easy access to one of the world's largest genomics databases.

Known as AnVIL (Genomic Data Science Analysis, Visualization, and Informatics Lab-space), the new platform gives any researcher with an internet connection access to thousands of analysis tools, patient records, and more than 300,000 genomes. The work, a project of the National Human Genome Institute (NHGRI), appears today in Cell Genomics.

"AnVIL is inverting the model of genomics data sharing, offering unprecedented new opportunities for science by connecting researchers and datasets in new ways and promising to enable exciting new discoveries," said project co-leader Michael Schatz, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Biology at Johns Hopkins.

Typically genomic analysis starts with researchers downloading massive amounts of data from centralized warehouses to their own data centers, a process that is not only time-consuming, inefficient, and expensive, but also makes collaborating with researchers at other institutions difficult.

"AnVIL will be transformative for institutions of all sizes, especially smaller institutions that don't have the resources to build their own data centers. It is our hope that AnVIL levels the playing field, so that everyone has equal access to make discoveries," Schatz said.

Genetic risk factors for ailments such as cancer or cardiovascular disease are often very subtle, requiring researchers to analyze thousands of patients' genomes to discover new associations. The raw data for a single human genome comprises about 40GB, so downloading thousands of genomes can take takes several days to several weeks: A single genome requires about 10 DVDs worth of data, so transferring thousands means moving "tens of thousands of DVDs worth of data," Schatz said.

In addition, many studies require integrating data collected at multiple institutions, which means each institution must download its own copy while ensuring that patient-data security is maintained. This challenge is expected to become even greater in the future, as researchers embark on ever-larger studies requiring the analysis of hundreds of thousands to millions of genomes at once.

"Connecting to AnVIL remotely eliminates the need for these massive downloads and saves on the overhead," Schatz says. "Instead of painfully moving data to researchers, we allow researchers to effortlessly move to the data in the cloud. It also makes sharing datasets much easier so that data can be connected in new ways to find new associations, and it simplifies a lot of computing issues, like providing strong encryption and privacy for patient datasets."

AnVIL also provides researchers with several major analysis tools, including Galaxy, developed in part at Johns Hopkins, along with other popular tools such as R/Bioconductor, Jupyter notebooks, WDLs, Gen3, and Dockstore to support both interactive analysis and large-scale batch computing. Collectively, these tools allow researchers to tackle even the largest studies without having to build out their own computing environments.

Researchers from all over the world currently use the platform to study a variety of genetic diseases, including autism spectrum disorders, cardiovascular disease, and epilepsy. Schatz's team, part of the Telomere-to-Telomere Consortium, used it to reanalyze thousands of human genomes with the new reference genome to discover more than 1 million new variants.

Already, the AnVIL team has collected petabytes of data from several of the largest NHGRI projects, including hundreds of thousands of genomes from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Centers for Mendelian Genetics (CMG), and Centers for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) projects, with plans to host many more projects in the near future.

The AnVIL team includes researchers from Johns Hopkins University, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, the University of Chicago, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Yale University School of Medicine, the University of California, Santa Cruz, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute, the Pennsylvania State University, the City University of New York, the Carnegie Institute, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Explore further Connecting the dots for health data

More information: Michael C. Schatz, Inverting the model of genomics data sharing with the NHGRI Genomic Data Science Analysis, Visualization, and Informatics Lab-space (AnVIL), Cell Genomics (2022). www.cell.com/cell-genomics/ful  2666-979X(21)00106-3 Michael C. Schatz, Inverting the model of genomics data sharing with the NHGRI Genomic Data Science Analysis, Visualization, and Informatics Lab-space (AnVIL),(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2021.100085
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A new international research project to drive evidence-based policy and advocacy for Medical Licentiate practitioners in Zambia has been announced by the RCSI Institute of Global Surgery, Heidelberg Institute for Global Health, SolidarMed, and the Surgical Society of Zambia.

The Medical Licentiate Development Tracker (MeLD Track) will generate important evidence to inform policy makers at the highest levels of the Zambian government to help drive decisions that will ultimately underpin health systems strengthening efforts, and improve health service provision to Zambians.

With an estimated population of 16.2 million, with 60.5% living in rural areas, Zambia faces a critical health workforce shortage. The country deploys non-physician clinicians, known locally as Medical Licentiates, as the main surgical workforce at the district level, filling a major gap due to shortages or absence of doctors.

Medical Licentiates have been trained in Zambia for over 20 years and, in that time, more than 600 qualified practitioners have been delivering life-saving medical and surgical procedures to the country's population.

Despite the impact of the profession within the Zambian health workforce, the Medical Licentiates profession still faces many challenges. This is partially because there is a significant evidence gap on the impact this cadre is having in driving health service provision. The evidence gap also hampers advocacy efforts to drive policy changes that would help the profession gain more critical recognition within the health service in Zambia, as well as regionally.

Dr. Jakub Gajewski, RCSI Institute of Global Surgery, says that they "conducted a large-scale randomized trial to measure the contribution of Medical Licentiates to the provision of surgical services in Zambia. The results showed that this cadre is the real backbone of surgery in rural areas where majority of the country's population lives. They provide good quality services, meeting the needs of patients who cannot access care in urban areas where surgical specialists live."

Building on extensive experience in surgical training, education and research partnerships in Africa, the RCSI Institute of Global Surgery works with local partners to develop sustainable surgical care systems in low and middle-income countries. The Institute has a four-fold focus: patient-centeredness, equity, creating mutually beneficial collaborations, and developing the evidence base for global surgery.

The RCSI Institute of Global Surgery has a long history of leading valuable initiatives aimed at improving surgical capacity in Zambia. In 2013, working with the Zambia Ministry, local training institutions and SolidarMed, the RCSI-led COST-Africa project helped to upgrade the program to the level of Bachelor of Science.

Between 2017 and 2021, SURG-Africa, another RCSI-led project, continued to strengthen the surgical capacity of district level hospitals in Zambia, providing surgical training and mentorship for Medical Licentiates and other cadres practicing in rural areas of the country. Dr. Jakub Gajewski led on both of these projects.

Explore further Female medical students report higher rates of feeling intimidated in surgical attachments

More information: Jakub Gajewski et al, The contribution of non-physician clinicians to the provision of surgery in rural Zambiaa randomised controlled trial, Human Resources for Health (2019). Jakub Gajewski et al, The contribution of non-physician clinicians to the provision of surgery in rural Zambiaa randomised controlled trial,(2019). DOI: 10.1186/s12960-019-0398-9 Jakub Gajewski et al, Non-physician clinicians in rural Africa: lessons from the Medical Licentiate programme in Zambia, Human Resources for Health (2017). DOI: 10.1186/s12960-017-0233-0 Jakub Gajewski et al, Supervision as a tool for building surgical capacity of district hospitals: the case of Zambia, Human Resources for Health (2020). DOI: 10.1186/s12960-020-00467-x

Provided by RCSI
The 2022 edition of Breakbulk Middle East (BBME), the region's largest event for project cargo and breakbulk industry, will offer a platform for partnerships and knowledge exchange, showcasing project cargo business opportunities.



Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the event is scheduled to take place on February 1 and 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.



With a strategic vision to aid the UAEs and the regions diversified and sustainable economy, BBME will add immense value by facilitating key collaborations during the event. Additionally, the event also hopes to elevate the trade and logistics sectors in the UAE by underpinning the countrys pioneering efforts that have been instrumental in its recent re-election to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in the Category B membership. The event has thus garnered the support of the regions top transport and logistics leaders, the UAE government and its top educational institutions.



Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure stated: As a major contributor to the UAEs economy, the breakbulk sector is one of the most promising sectors in the country and will continue to hold its leading status, both locally and regionally. In the UAE, we owe our success to the top-notch infrastructure of our ports and the investments made by various organisations in adopting cutting-edge technologies.



We have consistently worked to ensure that we provide the best ports and shipping infrastructure for the smooth functioning of the project cargo sector. Hence, our ports have the ability to handle huge volumes of cargo.



In 2020, the UAE received 25,000 port calls and our ports handled over 19 million TEUs. We are now looking to capitalise on these figures in the coming year despite the progressing COVID-19 crisis. We are confident that industry events like BBME will prompt an uptick in business and the post-Covid-19 era will be marked by a strong rebound, he added.



Capt Mohamed Al Ali, Senior Vice President, Ship Management for ADNOC Logistics and Services said: BBME has gathered a lot of expertise from the industry. It's also a very good opportunity for us to network and meet each other and exchange a lot of information. So, I'm quite happy that this event is going to be back.



Breakbulk Middle East Advisory Board member Mohammed Jaber, Chief Operating Officer Abu Dhabi, Managing Director Air and Sea, DSV said: I've been attending Breakbulk Middle East since the beginning. Our company finds value during the event by conducting meetings and learning the views of market leaders.

"We are there to find solutions and to make sure that we are on the right track from an industry point of view, not only as freight forwarders, but as competitors and clients. It's about the code of our business and how we can develop it, address changes on the market, adapt to them, and ultimately, give our end users what they want.



Ben Blamire, Event Director of Breakbulk Middle East said: Breakbulk Middle East is one of the first major industry events of 2022. It is indeed a great opportunity for stakeholders to boost the position of their company and showcase their capabilities in front of the regions most influential project cargo decision-makers.



Several major ports and terminals, project forwarders, maritime transport providers, equipment and road transporters from the region will be a part of the event that will highlight opportunities in the sector. With over 4,000 industry professionals and key leaders in attendance, the event will provide a platform to drive change in the industry through collaborations and partnerships.



Featuring panellists from across the board, the 2022 edition will host key discussions about the developments in the industry. BBMEs recognised initiatives Women in Breakbulk and Education Day are also part of the comprehensive agenda. Registrations are ongoing for the event that will provide participants with strategic industry updates, partnership opportunities and growth avenues.  TradeArabia News Service
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Vaccination offers long-lasting protection from the worst outcomes of COVID-19, according to a new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The emergence of the delta and omicron variants has raised questions about whether breakthrough infections are caused by waning immunity or by the more transmissible variants.

Results of the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggest that declining immunity is responsible for breakthrough infections, but vaccines maintained protection from hospitalization and severe disease nine months after getting the first shot.

"The primary takeaway message from our study is that unvaccinated people should get vaccinated right away," said lead study author Danyu Lin, Ph.D., Dennis Gillings Distinguished Professor of Biostatistics at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. "The results of our study also underscore the importance of booster shots, especially for older adults."

The study, which is a collaboration between the UNC-Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, examined data on COVID-19 vaccination history and health outcomes for 10.6 million North Carolina residents between December 2020 and September 2021.

The study results were used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support the use of booster shots.

"This is an excellent example of the wonderful research partnership between the Gillings School and NCDHHS, who are working together to generate the evidence base needed to keep our communities safe," said Penny Gordon-Larsen, Ph.D., Carla Smith Chamblee Distinguished Professor of Global Nutrition and associate dean for research at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

This data included outcomes from COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant. However, data from this study were collected before the discovery of the omicron variant.

"By applying a novel methodology to the rich surveillance data, we were able to provide precise and comprehensive characterization of the effectiveness over a nine-month period for the three vaccines employed in the U.S.," Lin said.

"Unlike previous studies, we estimated the vaccine effectiveness in reducing the current risks of COVID-19, hospitalization and death as a function of time elapsed since the first dose," Lin continued. "This information is critically important in determining the need for and the optimal timing of booster vaccination."

The study found that effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines in reducing the risk of COVID-19 reached a peak of about 95% at two months after the first dose and then gradually declined. At seven months, the Pfizer vaccine dropped to 67% effectiveness, compared to the Moderna vaccine, which maintained 80% effectiveness.

Among early recipients of the two mRNA vaccines, effectiveness dropped dramatically from mid-June to mid-July, when the delta variant was surging.

Effectiveness for the Johnson & Johnson adenovirus vaccine was 75% at one month after injection and fell to 60% after five months.

All three vaccines were effective at keeping people out of the hospital due to severe COVID-19. Effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine reached a peak of 96% at two months and remained around 90% at seven months; effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine reached a peak of 97% at two months and remained at 94% at seven months. Effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine reached a peak of 86% at two months and was higher than 80% through six months.

For all three vaccines, effectiveness against death was higher than that of hospitalization.

"Because the majority of the vaccines in the U.S. were administered more than seven months ago and only a small percentage of the population has received boosters, waning immunity is likely contributing to the breakthrough infections with the omicron variant," Lin said.

Everyone age 5 and older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Those ages 18 and up should get a booster shot. Visit the NC DHHS website to find a vaccination clinic near you.

Explore further Expert clears up confusion about COVID-19 boosters

More information: Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina, New England Journal of Medicine (2022). Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina,(2022).
Credit: UNIGE

What if it were possible to decode the internal language of individuals deprived of the ability to express themselves? This is the objective of a team of neuroscientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG). After more than four years of research, this team have managed to identify promising neural signals to capture our internal monologs. It was also able to identify the brain areas to be observed in priority to try to decipher them in the future. These results open new perspectives for the development of interfaces for people suffering from aphasia. They can be found in the journal Nature Communications.

When human beings speak, different areas of their brain must be activated. However, the function of these regions can be seriously impaired after damage to the nervous system. For example, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or Charcot's disease) can completely paralyze the muscles used to speak. In other cases, following a stroke for example, areas of the brain responsible for language can be affected: this is called aphasia. However, in many of those cases, the ability of patients to imagine words and sentences remains partly functional.

Decoding our internal speech is therefore of great interest to neuroscience researchers. But the task is far from easy, as Timothee Proix, scientist in the Department of Basic Neuroscience at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, explains that "several studies have been conducted on the decoding of spoken language, but much less on the decoding of imagined speech. This is because, in the latter case, the associated neural signals are weak and variable compared to explicit speech. They are therefore difficult to decode by learning algorithms." That is, through computer programs.

A well-hidden speech

When a person speaks aloud, he or she produces sounds that are emitted at certain precise moments. Researchers can thus relate these tangible elements to the brain regions involved. In the case of imagined speech, the process is much less easy. Scientists have no obvious information on the sequencing and tempo of the words or sentences formulated internally by the individual. The areas recruited in the brain are also less numerous and less active.

In order to perceive the neural signals of this very particular type of speech, the UNIGE team used a panel of thirteen hospitalized patients, in collaboration with two American hospitals. They collected data through electrodes implanted directly into patients' brains in order to assess their epileptic disorders. "We asked these people to say words and then to imagine them. Each time, we reviewed several frequency bands of brain activity known to be involved in language," explains Anne-Lise Giraud, a professor in the Department of Basic Neuroscience at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, and newly appointed director of the Institut de l'Audition in Paris.

Tapping into the right frequency

The researchers observed several types of frequencies produced by different brain areas when these patients spoke, either orally or internally. "First of all, the oscillations called theta (4-8Hz), which correspond to the average rhythm of syllable elocution. Then the gamma frequencies (25-35Hz), observed in the areas of the brain where speech sounds are formed. Thirdly, beta waves (12-18Hz) related to the cognitively more efficient regions solicited, for example to anticipate and predict the evolution of a conversation. Finally, the high frequencies (80-150Hz) that are observed when a person speaks out" explains Pierre Megevand, assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Faculty of Medicine of the UNIGE and associate physician at the HUG.

Thanks to these observations, the scientists were able to show that the low frequencies and the coupling between certain frequencies (beta and gamma in particular) contain essential information for the decoding of imagined speech. Their research also reveals that the temporal cortex is an important area for the eventual decoding of internal speech. Located in the left lateral part of the brain, this specific cerebral region is involved in the processing of information related to hearing and memory, but it also houses a part of Wernicke's area, responsible for the perception of words and language symbols.

These results are a major advance in the reconstruction of speech from neural activity. "But we are still a long way from being able to decode imagined language," concludes the research team.

Explore further Electrical brain stimulation used to treat stroke patients with aphasia

More information: Timothee Proix et al, Imagined speech can be decoded from low- and cross-frequency intracranial EEG features, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Timothee Proix et al, Imagined speech can be decoded from low- and cross-frequency intracranial EEG features,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27725-3
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

As waves of the coronavirus battered the U.S., parents of young kids could comfort themselves with the knowledge that COVID-19 tends to have milder effects in children and that mostbut not allkids who get infected are fine.

But even though it's low-risk, many parents don't want to gamble with their kids' health. And others might be more worried that their kids will spread COVID-19 to elderly or immunocompromised loved ones who might not fare as well.

Now the highly contagious omicron variant is sending case counts through the roof, and most young kids are not yet vaccinated. Children under 5 are still ineligible for vaccinations, and as of Dec. 29, only 23% of kids 5 to 11, and 53% of 12- to 17-year-olds, are fully inoculated in the United States.

With so many unknowns, how do we balance protecting our families and retaining a sense of normalcy?

We asked experts how parents of unvaccinated children should navigate the omicron surge. They acknowledged that it's a tough situation and emphasized that many of these decisions will differ based on each family's vulnerability and risk tolerance. Here's what they advise.

What has changed with omicron?

 Omicron is much more infectious than previous variants, but so far seems to be less severe. "The numbers of cases are just so high, really everywhere," said Tara Kirk Sell, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. "And if they're not high yet, they will be high. It's incredibly transmissible."

As a result, more children are being hospitalized with COVID-19. However, experts believe the increase correlates with the skyrocketing number of people getting infected, not the severity of disease the variant causes in kids.

This follows the natural progression of viruses, explained Dr. Catherine Le, an infectious disease physician at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. Viruses mutate in order to survive, but they won't survive if they kill off their hosts. So over time, they generally evolve to be more infectious but less dangerous.

 Symptoms with omicron could be slightly different. "These are early days in the omicron pandemic, but it seems like we are seeing more upper respiratory tract symptoms, including croup in children," said Dr. Grace M. Aldrovandi, professor and chief of infectious diseases at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. "Generally, symptoms in children are less severe than in adults, and they may have more gastrointestinal symptoms, compared to adults with COVID."

Dr. Priya Soni, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, said omicron symptoms tend to include fevers, dry cough, sore throat, body aches and night sweats. "Those are really hard to denote in young kids though," she said. "So mostly, I'm seeing high fever and kids that have a runny nose."

 There's more we don't know. With kids, "we're talking about a group that perhaps may not be at a higher risk, but to tell you the truth, the jury is out," said Dr. Neha Nanda, medical director of infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship at Keck Medicine of USC.

For example, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that children with COVID-19 could be twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes after a coronavirus infection, compared to those who had not had the virus.

We also don't know whether it's associated with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, known as MIS-C, which is "rare, but scary," Le said, because it can result in organ failure weeks after a coronavirus infection.

It's also too early for there to be data on whether omicron leads to long COVID in kids. A national survey in England found that up to 14% of kids with COVID-19 prior to omicron's emergence had continued symptoms more than 12 weeks after diagnosis.

"Those kids had impacts in fatigue, headache, insomnia, trouble concentrating, and it really, really limited their quality of life and participation in school," Soni said.

What hasn't changed?

All the protective measures we've taken since the beginning of the pandemic are still important now. When there is less COVID-19 in the community, there is less risk and more room for relaxation, but the surge is a good time to ramp up your masking, social distancing, hand-washing and other safety protocols, experts say.

This is true specifically for kids because if they are hanging out with other childrenfor example, at school or day carethere's a high probability that they're hanging out with kids who aren't vaccinated.

Which kids are most vulnerable?

"Children less than a year of age, those with chronic illnessesneurologic, immunologic or respiratory conditionsand those who are obese have a higher risk of becoming very ill with the SARS-CoV-2 illness," Aldrovandi said.

These include children who have a history of leukemia, are getting chemotherapy or are transplant recipients, Soni said.

Dr. Kawsar R. Talaat, associate professor of international health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, encouraged worried parents to talk to their pediatrician. "There are some kids who maybe should be kept at home and protected from others until the surge resolves," she said. "It's a very individual conversation between the parents and the doctors: what their risks are and how to best protect their kids."

What can concerned parents do?

 Make sure everyone around your kids who is eligible is vaccinated and boosted. If you have a get-together, it's less risky if all the adults around them are masked, vaccinated and boosted. This creates a protective cocoon around them, Talaat said. If you send your kids to day care, it's important to know that the employees are vaccinated, boosted and maskedand that if they get sick, they don't have to come to work.

Having a support system of people who are vaccinated and boosted also means you might have help in case you test positive and want to isolate from your kids, said Kirk Sell, who encourages parents to make plans for various possible scenarios.

 Mask up, even when outside. "We now recommend that children, even as they're going back to school, remain masked in heavily populated outdoor spaces," Soni said.

This includes playgrounds, where there are lots of kids in the same area.

Parents should also move toward better quality masks for kidssuch as surgical masks or KN95sif they haven't already, Aldrovandi said. She recommends the website cleanaircrew.org/kids-masks as a resource.

Experts don't recommend masks for children under 2 because of the risk of suffocation, so parents of kids in that age group might choose to socially distance more, depending on their comfort level.

 Avoid crowds of people. Suellen Hopfer, an assistant professor of public health at UC Irvine, recommended avoiding places where there are a lot of people gathered, especially indoors. She also recommended deferring travel plans.

 Get kids tested. Kids get many colds, so it's important to test when they have symptoms to see if it's COVID-19, Soni said.

Testing in children is generally the same as adults, but the challenge is to get the child to cooperate. "Even before COVID, we would perform nasopharyngeal swabs in children, including babies, to diagnose respiratory viral infections," Aldrovandi said. "The virus is the same in children and adults, so rapid tests can be used in children."

Testing sites can vary in terms of safety, she said. "This virus is spread through the air so it is important to go to a testing site with good ventilation outside or in your car[and where] people are wearing high-quality masks and kept distanced."

Your pediatrician's office should also be able to test.

 When they are eligible, get them vaccinated. Because COVID-19 is unpredictable, experts urge parents to vaccinate their kids. A Moderna pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years old could be authorized in late March or early April, and Pfizer and BioNTech are expected to submit data to regulators to support authorization of their vaccine in the first half of the year.

"You're preventing the possibility of long COVID and MIS-C," Soni said. "We should feel very confident in the safety of this vaccine to be giving it to these kids in this age."

Also, you're making it less likely your kid could spread the coronavirus. "It just makes you a lot less worried about it," Kirk Sell said.

 Try to stay calm "Parents' anxiety can be sensed by young children," Aldrovandi said. "It is important that parents try and model how to react to stressful situations. Parents should try to decrease their own anxiety by staying focused on the present and not be overly concerned about worst-case scenarios. Establishing routines can help both parent and child."

"There's no zero-risk scenario," Kirk Sell said. Instead, she said, it's about having low risk and a life that works for you.

All these experts reiterated that most kids, if they get infected with the coronavirusomicron or otherwise will be OK. "We hope that they won't have to experience it," Talaat said. "But don't panic."

Explore further Boosters recommended for kids 12 and older

2022 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A new ultra-rapid genome sequencing approach developed by Stanford Medicine scientists and their collaborators was used to diagnose rare genetic diseases in an average of eight hoursa feat that's nearly unheard of in standard clinical care.

"A few weeks is what most clinicians call 'rapid' when it comes to sequencing a patient's genome and returning results," said Euan Ashley, MB ChB, DPhil, professor of medicine, of genetics and of biomedical data science at Stanford.

Genome sequencing allows scientists to see a patient's complete DNA makeup, which contains information about everything from eye color to inherited diseases. Genome sequencing is vital for diagnosing patients with diseases rooted in their DNA: Once doctors know the specific genetic mutation, they can tailor treatments accordingly.

Now, a mega-sequencing approach devised by Ashley and his colleagues has redefined "rapid" for genetic diagnostics: Their fastest diagnosis was made in just over seven hours. Fast diagnoses mean patients may spend less time in critical care units, require fewer tests, recover more quickly and spend less on care. Notably, the faster sequencing does not sacrifice accuracy.

A paper describing the researchers' work will publish Jan.12 in The New England Journal of Medicine. Ashley, associate dean of the Stanford School of Medicine and the Roger and Joelle Burnell Professor in Genomics and Precision Health, is the senior author of the paper. Postdoctoral scholar John Gorzynski, DVM, Ph.D., is the lead author.

Setting out to set a record

Over the span of less than six months, the team enrolled and sequenced the genomes of 12 patients, five of whom received a genetic diagnosis from the sequencing information in about the time it takes to round out a day at the office. (Not all ailments are genetically based, which is likely the reason some of the patients did not receive a diagnosis after their sequencing information was returned, Ashley said.) The team's diagnostic rate, roughly 42%, is about 12% higher than the average rate for diagnosing mystery diseases.

In one of the cases, it took a snappy 5 hours and 2 minutes to sequence a patient's genome, which set the first Guinness World Records title for fastest DNA sequencing technique. The record was certified by the National Institute of Science and Technology's Genome in a Bottle group and is documented by Guinness World Records.

"It was just one of those amazing moments where the right people suddenly came together to achieve something amazing," Ashley said. "It really felt like we were approaching a new frontier."

The time it took to diagnose that case was 7 hours and 18 minutes, which, to Ashley's knowledge, is about twice as fast as the previous record for a genome sequencing-based diagnosis (14 hours) held by the Rady Children's Institute. Fourteen hours is still an impressively quick turnaround, Ashley said. Stanford scientists plan to offer a sub-10-hour turnaround to patients in intensive care units at Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanfordand, over time, to other hospitals too.

Speeding up

To achieve super-fast sequencing speeds, the researchers needed new hardware. So Ashley contacted colleagues at Oxford Nanopore Technologies who had built a machine composed of 48 sequencing units known as flow cells. The idea was to sequence just one person's genome using all flow cells simultaneously. The mega-machine approach was a successalmost too much. Genomic data overwhelmed the lab's computational systems.

"We weren't able to process the data fast enough," Ashley said. "We had to completely rethink and revamp our data pipelines and storage systems." Graduate student Sneha Goenka found a way to funnel the data straight to a cloud-based storage system where computational power could be amplified enough to sift through the data in real time. Algorithms then independently scanned the incoming genetic code for errors that might cause disease, and, in the final step, the scientists conducted a comparison of the patient's gene variants against publicly documented variants known to cause disease.

From start to finish, the team sought to hasten every aspect of sequencing a patient's genome. Researchers literally ran samples by foot to the lab, new machines were rigged to support simultaneous genome sequencing, and computing power was escalated to efficiently crunch massive data sets. Now, the team is optimizing its system to reduce the time even further. "I think we can halve it again," Ashley said. "If we're able to do that, we're talking about being able to get an answer before the end of a hospital ward round. That's a dramatic jump."

Long-read sequencing

Perhaps the most important feature of the diagnostic approach's ability to quickly spot suspicious fragments of DNA is its use of something called long-read sequencing. Traditional genome-sequencing techniques chop the genome into small bits, spell out the exact order of the DNA base pairs in each chunk, then piece the whole thing back together using a standard human genome as a reference. But that approach doesn't always capture the entirety of our genome, and the information it provides can sometimes omit variations in genes that point to a diagnosis. Long-read sequencing preserves long stretches of DNA composed of tens of thousands of base pairs, providing similar accuracy and more detail for scientists scouring the sequence for errors.

"Mutations that occur over a large chunk of the genome are easier to detect using long-read sequencing. There are variants that would be almost impossible to detect without some kind of long-read approach," Ashley said. It's also much faster: "That was one of the big reasons we went for this approach."

Only recently have companies and researchers honed the accuracy of the long-read approach enough to rely on it for diagnostics. That and a drop from its once-hefty price tag created an opportunity for Ashley's team. To his knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of this type of long-read sequencing as a staple of diagnostic medicine.

During the study, Ashley's team offered the accelerated genome sequencing technique to undiagnosed patients in Stanford hospitals' intensive care units. They provided established standard of care testing to the study patients along with the experimental rapid gene sequencing, with which they sought answers to two important questions: Are genetics to blame for the patient's ailment? If so, what specific DNA errors are stirring up trouble?

Heart mystery

Those were the key questions surrounding the case of Matthew Kunzman of Oregon. About a year ago, when Matthew was 13, an irksome cough and high fever landed him at a local doctor's office. "We thought it was the flu, or maybe COVID," said Jenny Kunzman, Matthew's mother. It turned out the cough was the first sign of a heart condition known as myocarditisinflammation of the heartthat makes it hard for the organ to pump blood to the rest of the body. Subsequent tests at Matthew's local hospital revealed a dire situation: His heart was failing. His doctor recommended the family fly immediately to Stanford Hospital for care.

Hours later, Matthew and his father, Matthew Kunzman Sr., arrived at Stanford Hospital. Jenny Kunzman arrived a day later and found that her son's condition had worsened. Matthew was on life support.

There are two reasons a mostly healthy 13-year-old could experience this kind of heart failure, Ashley said. One is known as myocarditis, and it happens when immune cells swarm the heart, often triggered by a virus or some other bodily stress. The other is a genetic cause, a mutation in a gene involved in heart function.

Knowing the difference, Ashley said, is crucial. "Myocarditis is often reversible," he said. "With treatment, the heart can go back to normal. But a genetic condition is not. If Matthew's condition was genetic, likely the only solution would be a heart transplant."

Gorzynski approached Matthew's parents, explaining the rapid sequencing research, and asked if they would like to enroll the boy in the study. "They told us there's this brand-new research that they were working on to try to speed up the process of diagnosis," Jenny Kunzman said. "They asked if we would be willing to participate, and we said, 'Absolutely.' We wanted as much information as possible to try and figure out what the cause was."

With a few milliliters of Matthew's blood, the team began the rapid-genetic-sequencing process. "In a matter of hours, sequencing data showed the condition was rooted in genetics," Ashley said.

Armed with that information, Matthew was immediately put on a heart transplant list. Twenty-one days later, he received a new heart; today, about a year later, his mom says he's doing "exceptionally well."

Suspicious seizures

In another case, a 3-month-old patient came to Stanford's pediatric emergency department with unexplained seizures. It was clear the infant was suffering from a form of epilepsy, but exactly what was causing the symptoms was unknown.

The researchers sequenced the patient's genome, running the data through mutation-detecting algorithms and cross-referencing public genomic and disease data. They simultaneously requested standard clinical diagnostic testing for blood biomarkers associated with seizures of genetic origin. Just over eight hours later, thanks to the rapid sequencing data, the team had their answer: The young patient's convulsions were due to a mutation in a gene called CSNK2B.

If the team had relied only on the standard testing, no diagnosis would have been made at the time, though it's likely that further tests would have surfaced the correct diagnosis for the patient eventually, Ashley said. "We would have been in the dark for many weeks," he said.

Standard tests screen a patient's blood for markers associated with disease, but they only scan for a handful of well-documented genes. Commercial labs, which often run these tests, are slow to update the molecules for which they screen, meaning it can take a long time before newly discovered disease-causing mutations are integrated into the test. And that can lead to missed diagnoses.

That's why rapid genome sequencing could be such a game-changer for patients ailing from rare genetic disease, Ashley said. Scientists can scan a patient's entire genome for any and all gene variants suggested by the scientific literature, even if that gene is only discovered the day before. Furthermore, if a patient doesn't initially receive a genetic diagnosis, there's still hope that scientists will find a new gene variant linked to the patient's disease down the line.

Interest from other clinicians is already starting to pour in. "I know people at Stanford have heard we can make a genetic diagnosis in a few hours, and they're excited about it," Ashley said. "Genetic tests just aren't thought of as tests that come back quickly. But we're changing that perception."

Other Stanford authors of the study are clinical data scientist Dianna Fisk, Ph.D.; graduate student Tanner Jensen; Jonathan Bernstein, MD, Ph.D., professor of pediatrics; clinical exercise physiologist Jeffrey Christle, Ph.D.; software engineer Karen Dalton; genetic counselor Megan Grove; Maura Ruzhnikov, MD, clinical assistant professor of neurology and neurological sciences; Elizabeth Spiteri, MD, clinical assistant professor of pathology; and pediatric resident Katherine Xiong, MD.

Researchers from Google, UC Santa Cruz, Oxford Nanopore Technology and Baylor College of Medicine also contributed to this study.

Explore further New approach to diagnosing genetic diseases using RNA sequencing increases yield
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

No, flurona is not some scary new variant of the coronavirus. Anddo we really need to say this?it is not an actual scientific term.

But the phenomenon of "coinfection" with influenza and the coronavirus is real and, to those in the medical community, not the least bit surprising. A person can be infected with multiple viruses at the same timeor with a virus and some other type of pathogen, such as bacteria or parasites.

"It's a natural occurrence," says Isabella Cattadori, an associate professor of biology at Pennsylvania State University.

That's not to say it's a good idea.

Nearly two years ago, when British researchers identified some of the first cases of flu plus COVID-19, they calculated that these patients were twice as likely to die as those with COVID alone.

So far in the pandemic, these coinfections seem to have been fairly uncommonespecially last winter, when the rate of flu cases was unusually low (a trend that experts attributed to all the social distancing). But with flu on the rise again this winter, physicians say that's all the more reason to engage in sensible precautions. Both viruses are transmitted through the air, so with both, the risk can be reduced by avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated spaces and by wearing masks.

And in both cases, there are effective vaccines. As in most years, this season's flu shot is not a perfect match for the strains in circulation, but that's no reason not to get an injection, says Thomas Fekete, a professor at Temple University's Katz School of Medicine. Every layer of defense helps the individual, as well as those who may be more vulnerable.

"Whatever you do to reduce your risk," he said, "you're also protecting people around you."

At least four patients at Temple University Hospital have tested positive for both flu and COVID, he said. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital officials say they've seen a few cases, as well. Very likely, Fekete said, more people are infected with both viruses outside the hospital setting but have not been identified, as most people with respiratory symptoms are not tested for the flu.

Though infections with more than one virus are common, the details of how the immune system responds are complicated, depending on such factors as timing and the types of viruses.

For a crash course, we spoke to Sara Cherry, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and A.J. te Velthuis, a virologist and assistant professor of molecular biology at Princeton University.

But first, the silly factor.

Who coined the term flurona?

Hard to say. Among the first to use it was a columnist for the Jerusalem Post, more than a year ago.

The term did not really begin to spread until this month, apparently in response to media headlines of such a case in Israel. Comedians quickly joined in.

Al Yankovic tweeted that he would take a pass on "My Flurona," riffing on the 1979 pop single "My Sharona." Conan O'Brien coined his own term, tweeting: "Flurona reminds me of that time I had herpmydia."

Physicians poked fun, as well.

Saad Omer, director of the Yale Institute of Global Health, told the New York Times: "It sounds like 'sharknado.' But it's not a known medical term."

Others warned that the hybrid nickname would mislead people into thinking that some sort of hybrid virus was in our midst.

Again, no. What's happening is simply a coinfection. And while influenza and coronavirus both are spiky balls of proteins, they are different types of viruses. They cannot combine into some sort of supervirus. Each contains genetic instructions that allow it to make copies only of itself, Cherry said.

How can you be infected with two viruses?

The same way you can be infected with just one virus: exposure.

If a person is in a place where viruses are circulatingthat is, in any place where other people are presentthen two or more viruses can cause infection at the same time.

Ideally, someone who feels sick is able to stay home, reducing the risk of becoming infected with a second virus. But viruses have incubation periods, multiplying for a day or more inside the body before the person starts to feel sick. So it is easy for someone to pick up more than one bug before feeling sick enough to retreat to the bedroom, Cherry said.

COVID in particular has a long presymptomatic period, up to four days, though the omicron variant of the virus seems to come on faster. If you're out in a lot in crowds, a double whammy with flu is certainly possible.

"If you're out doing things without a mask, then you're more likely probably to get both," she said.

These respiratory viruses commonly enter through the nasal passages. Often, they are trapped safely in mucus, which is then swallowed and dissolved harmlessly in the stomach. But when they manage to latch on to cells in the airways, the viruses penetrate the cell membrane, hijack its inner machinery, and begin to copy themselvesthe definition of an infection.

Flu viruses latch onto substances on the cell surface called sialic acids. The coronavirus, on the other hand, latches onto a "receptor" called ACE-2. Though they may be infecting cells in the same part of the body, neither is likely to fully crowd out the other, Cherry said. Generally, there is plenty of real estate to go around.

Will coinfections make you sicker?

It depends on the timing. If the person is lucky, the immune response to the first invader could help protect against the second, Cherry said.

That's because the first line of defense in the immune system, called the innate response, is nonspecificmeaning it is not tailored to any specific type of virus.

Infected cells respond by producing antiviral proteins called interferons, among other weapons, and the interferons that help ward off one type of virus generally will help ward off another.

That doesn't mean it's a good idea to get a second infection on purpose. While a second virus may not increase your misery, it certainly can't make you feel any better.

And in plenty of circumstances, the second infection can make matters worse, said te Velthuis, the Princeton scientist.

That could happen if the viruses infect different parts of the body, for example. Influenza typically invades the upper airways, while some strains of the coronavirus can replicate in the lower airways and the digestive tract, he said.

"The combined infection may trigger immune responses in several locations and a stronger feeling of malaise overall," he said.

All sorts of variables come into play, such as the person's prior exposure to either of the two viruses, whether or not they've been vaccinated, and the sheer number of viruses they ingest, said Penn State's Cattadori.

The impact of a coinfection can be even worse when the second infection is bacterial. Flu and COVID both cause temporary damage to the lining of the airways, impairing the patient's ability to defeat bacteria, said Temple's Fekete.

"The bacteria have an easier time getting in," he said.

In an older person or someone who smokes cigarettes, he said, the result can be pneumonia.

What to do if you have 'flurona'

Most people with the flu and COVID may not realize it, as out-of-hospital testing for the flu is unusual. And lately, as we've all heard, COVID tests are in short supply.

But whether you're infected with one virus or the other, or both, the usual advice applies:

Stay away from others. Drink plenty of water. Call your doctor, and seek emergency care if you feel difficulty breathing.

Treatments are available for both types of infections, should your doctor recommend them.

Above all, do not panic, especially if you have been vaccinated against one virus or both. While the vaccine may not have prevented infection in your case, it is very likely to prevent severe disease.

2022 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that nearly 60 percent of the risk associated with coronary artery disease may be explained by the activity of multi-organ, gene networks. Credit: Bjorkegren lab, Mount Sinai, N.Y., N.Y.

Up to 60 percent of the risk associated with coronary arteriosclerosis may be explained by changes in the activity of hundreds of genes working together in networks across several organs in the body. Moreover, fat processing hormones may play a central role in coordinating this activity. That is the primary result of a study that began nearly 20 years ago on a hunch and involved hundreds of coronary artery disease patients from Northern Europe. The study was led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

"It is well known that coronary artery diseases are driven by metabolic disorders. Our results suggest that much of this relationship is best explained by a complex series of multi-organ gene regulatory networks that are reminiscent of the hub and spoke maps used to depict global airline traffic," said Johan L.M. Bjorkegren, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, and Medicine (Cardiology), and a senior author of the study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research. "We hope these network maps will give researchers the mechanistic framework needed to combat cardiovascular disease and develop more precise and personalized therapies."

Coronary artery disease results from a set of metabolic disorders which cause cholesterol and other factors to build up and clog a person's coronary arteries. This may lead to heart attacks or strokes. Affecting about 18.2 million Americans, coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart disease in the United States. Risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity, can involve a variety of organs. Although recent studies have shown that about 20 percent of the risk associated with this disease may be linked to slight differences in a person's DNA sequences, very little is known about how these differences may alter gene activity to produce coronary artery disease.

To address this issue, researchers studied the gene activity across seven different tissues found in the body. Tissue samples were obtained from 850 Estonian patients during open breast surgery. The patients were part of the Stockholm-Tartu Atherosclerosis Reverse Network Engineering Task (STARNET) study. Six hundred of the patients had coronary artery disease whereas the other 250 did not. Tissue samples were collected by researchers in the lab of Arno Ruusalepp, MD, Ph.D., who is chief vascular surgeon at the Tartu University Hospital in Estonia.

Gene activity was analyzed from the following tissue samples: blood, liver, skeletal muscle, visceral abdominal and subcutaneous fat, and two pieces of the arterial wall taken from different parts of the heart. Dr. Bjorkegren began the study more than 20 years ago when he was training as a heart surgeon.

"Back then I had a hunch. Advances in genome sequencing and the Human Genome Project offered researchers the promise to fully understand the biology behind complex disorders. Scientists were showing how these disorders can be linked to dozens of tiny DNA sequence differences, most of which are not part of any gene codes. Thus, we needed a way to understand how these tiny but numerous DNA differences may actually cause metabolic disorders and coronary artery disease. These patients provided a unique opportunity to bridge this knowledge gap by allowing my team to measure gene activity in disease-relevant organs throughout the body," said Dr. Bjorkegren, who is also an associate professor at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

Gene activity was determined by measuring the levels of RNA molecules in each tissue sample. These RNA molecules essentially contain photocopies of the DNA instructions for making life-sustaining proteins and other types of RNA molecules that are encoded in our genes.

Dr. Bjorkegren's team worked with researchers from around the world to test out the different ways that gene activity may be associated with the development of coronary artery disease. In particular, researchers in the lab of Jason Kovacic, MD, Ph.D., Executive Director at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Darlinghurst, Australia, played an instrumental role.

Initial results supported previous findings that the activity of individual genes from certain tissues may be associated with a variety of cardiometabolic disorders as well as coronary artery disease. For instance, liver cells from coronary artery disease patients had greater changes in the activity of genes that control cholesterol production than those from control patients. However, these results did not fully explain how the activity of these genes worked together to cause coronary artery disease.

In contrast, most of the risk could be explained by different networks of disease-associated gene activity. Here the researchers used advanced computer programs to test out how the activity of all of the disease-related genes were grouped together in different combinations. Then, the validity of these networks were tested out using data from previously published reports.

In addition to the 20 percent identified by earlier studies, the results of the current study showed that an additional 54-60 percent of the risk associated with coronary artery disease could be explained by 224 of these gene regulatory networks and that many of these networks could help explain the status of arteriosclerosis severity in individual cases. Of those networks, 135 were located within one type of tissue whereas the remaining 89 represented coordinated gene activity across multiple tissues.

The multi-tissue networks appeared to have the greatest impact. On average they could explain three times more of the disease risk than the single-tissue ones. One example of a multi-tissue network, called GRN165, accounted for 4.1 percent of risk for coronary artery disease and involved 709 genes active in the arterial wall as well as the subcutaneous fat tissue.

"We found that gene networks work like airplane traffic patterns. Just as a delay at one airport in a key state can disrupt flights in the entire nation, we found that a slight change in the activity of key genes in one tissue can disrupt the activity of other genes throughout rest body," said Dr. Bjorkegren.

Finally, the analysis suggested that hormones which help fat cells communicate with other organsparticularly the liverplay a critical role in coordinating the multi-organ networks. Support for this idea was, in part, based on experiments in mice when injections of some of these hormones altered blood fat and sugar levels.

Dr. Bjorkegren's team has set up a website where researchers can test whether a candidate gene may be part of these networks (starnet.mssm.edu).

"Ultimately we hope that this study gives researchers the tools they need to reduce the burden of coronary artery disease throughout the world," said Dr. Bjorkegren.

Explore further Cell-type-specific insight into the function of risk factors in coronary artery disease

More information: A mechanistic framework for cardiometabolic and coronary artery disease, Nature Cardiovascular Research (2022). A mechanistic framework for cardiometabolic and coronary artery disease,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s44161-021-00009-1
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in southern Israel found that a goldfish's innate navigational abilities allowed it to steer a vehicle towards a target if given a food reward.

Goldfish may have short memories but, according to an Israeli university study, they might be able to drive.

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that a goldfish's innate navigational abilities allowed it to steer a robotic vehicle towards a terrestrial target if given a food reward.

To conduct their unusual experiment, the team placed a fish tank on a set of motorized wheels.

A camera system then recorded the fish's movements in the water and translated it into navigational directionseffectively moving the contraption in the direction where the fish bumped up against the glass.

In a video released by the university, the fish can be seen "driving" the vehicle toward a visual target, a colorful mark on the wall of the experiment room, visible through the clear sides of the tank.

When the fish steered the vehicle to the mark, it received a food reward.

"After a few days of training, the fish navigated to the target," the university team said.

"Moreover, they were able to do so even if they were interrupted in the middle by hitting a wall and they were not fooled by false targets placed by the researchers."

The peer-reviewed research, published in the Behavioural Brain Research journal, "hints that navigational ability is universal rather than specific to the environment," said Shachar Givon, a PhD student at the university's Life Sciences department who worked on the experiment.

Explore further Goldfish taught to drive little land vehicle to desired targets

More information: Shachar Givon et al, From fish out of water to new insights on navigation mechanisms in animals, Behavioural Brain Research (2021). Journal information: Behavioural Brain Research Shachar Givon et al, From fish out of water to new insights on navigation mechanisms in animals,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113711

 2022 AFP
A man receives a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during a third dose vaccination campaign at a South Tangerang Regional General Hospital in Tangerang, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Indonesia kicked off a COVID-19 booster campaign for the general public on Wednesday, prioritizing third shots for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Credit: AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

Indonesia kicked off a COVID-19 booster campaign for the general public on Wednesday, prioritizing third shots for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

The government hopes to provide 21 million booster shots in January to people who received their second jabs at least six months ago. Some 117 million people in Indonesia have already received two doses of the vaccine.

"This effort is important to increase the immunity of society, considering the COVID-19 virus keeps mutating," President Joko Widodo said Tuesday.

Indonesia has reported more than 4.2 million cases and more than 144,000 deaths since the pandemic began. During the peak of the last surge in July, the country recorded 56,757 cases per day as hospitals were overwhelmed by sick patients and ran out of beds and oxygen supplies.

The country provided the Moderna vaccine as a booster for healthcare workers starting in July last year.

Indonesia's Food and Drug Authority on Monday approved emergency-use authorization for the Sinovac, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Zifivax vaccines, all of which will be used as booster shots. Several other vaccines are also being examined for emergency-use authorization.

A woman receives a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during a third dose vaccination campaign at a South Tangerang Regional General Hospital in Tangerang, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Indonesia kicked off a COVID-19 booster campaign for the general public on Wednesday, prioritizing third shots for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Credit: AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

Indonesia's Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the government would consider the availability of vaccines in determining which boosters people will receive and that the boosters might be different from what people received in their first two doses.

People who received the Sinovac vaccine as their primary doses will receive half a dose of the Pfizer vaccine or half a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine as a booster, while those who received AstraZeneca's vaccine as their primary doses will receive half a dose of the Moderna vaccine as a booster.

Explore further Indonesia approves five COVID-19 vaccines for booster shots

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Elsa Estrada, 6, smiles at her mother as pharmacist Sylvia Uong applies an alcohol swab to her arm before administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a pediatric vaccine clinic for children ages 5 to 11 set up at Willard Intermediate School in Santa Ana, Calif., Nov. 9, 2021. As of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, just over 17% of children in the U.S. ages 5 to 11 were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots for them became available. Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File

Distrust, misinformation and delays because of the holidays and bad weather have combined to produce what authorities say are alarmingly low COVID-19 vaccination rates in U.S. children ages 5 to 11.

As of Tuesday, just over 17% were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots became available to the age group. While Vermont is at 48%, California is just shy of 19% and Mississippi is at only 5%.

Vaccinations among the elementary school set surged after the shots were introduced in the fall, but the numbers have crept up slowly since then, and omicron's explosive spread appears to have had little effect.

The low rates are "very disturbing,'' said Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director for the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. "It's just amazing."

Parents who hesitate "are taking an enormous risk and continuing to fuel the pandemic,'' Murphy said.

Hospitalizations of children under 18 with COVID-19 in the U.S. have climbed to their highest levels on record in the past few weeks. Many have other conditions made worse by COVID-19, though many aren't sick enough to require intensive care.

The low vaccination rates and rising hospitalizations are "a gut punch, especially when we've been working so hard to keep these kids well,'' said Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician in Overland Park, Kansas.

Before getting her own shot, Keimari Gresham, 7, watches as her older sister receives the COVID-19 vaccination at Englewood Health in Englewood, N.J., Nov. 8, 2021. As of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, just over 17% of children in the U.S. ages 5 to 11 were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots for them became available. Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File

The vaccines have proved highly safe and effective at reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

Overall, 63% of Americans are fully vaccinated. Among children 12 to 17, the rate is 54%.

COVID-19 shots for young children have been authorized in at least 12 countries. In Canada, where Pfizer shots were cleared for ages 5 to 11 in November, just 2% are fully vaccinated.

Snowstorms, tornadoes and other heavy weather in December are believed to have slowed the pace of vaccination in the U.S., along with the busy holiday season. Also, some parents are distrustful because the vaccine is so new, and many have other concerns.

Chicago mother Kendra Shaw has resisted shots for her two school-age children, saying she worries about possible risks and isn't convinced the benefits are worth it.

McKenzie Farias, 8, holds the hand of her father, Michael, as she receives the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 at a state-run site in Cranston, R.I., Nov. 4, 2021. As of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, just over 17% of children in the U.S. ages 5 to 11 were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots for them became available. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman, File

But this week, her 10-year-old daughter pleaded to get vaccinated so she wouldn't miss school, and her soon-to-be 7-year-old son asked for his shots so he could have a big birthday party.

Shaw scheduled their first doses for Wednesday but said: "I'm really on the fence.''

Daniel Kotzin, of Denver, said he is convinced he made the right decision not to vaccinate his 5-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son because most omicron cases seem to be mild.

"They are essentially at no risk of harm, so I really don't understand the reason to vaccinate them," he said.

Doctors say that kind of thinking is misguided and part of the problem.

"It's true, kids in general do better than adults with COVID," said Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine physician in Rochester, New York, and a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, "but 'not too sick' still can mean miserable with fevers and muscle aches for a week. It can also mean MIS-C or long COVID.''

Children ages 5 to 11 wait in line with their parents to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a pediatric vaccine clinic set up at Willard Intermediate School in Santa Ana, Calif., Nov. 9, 2021. As of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, just over 17% of children in the U.S. ages 5 to 11 were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots for them became available. Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File

MIS-C, or multisystem inflammatory syndrome, is a rare but serious condition linked to COVID-19 that can affect many organs and typically requires hospitalization.

Authorities don't think omicron is making children and adults more seriously ill than other variants, and say hospitalization rates are up partly because it is so much more contagious.

Some children have been admitted for conditions such as lung disease, diabetes and sickle cell disease that have worsened because of an omicron infection, doctors say.

Dr. Jesse Hackell, a pediatrician in Pomona, New York, said that at least 25% of his patients ages 5 to 11 are vaccinated, but that after an initial rush in the fall, the numbers have dwindled.

"It's a tough sell,'' he said. "We're not ready" is a common comment, Hackell said. "When I ask, 'What are you waiting for?' I get kind of a shrug. I've had a few say, 'We're not going to be the first million. We'll wait to see what happens."'

Julia Breguet, 8, wears a sticker on her shirt after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 at a state-run site in Cranston, R.I., Nov. 4, 2021. As of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, just over 17% of children in the U.S. ages 5 to 11 were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots for them became available. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman, File

Chase Skulnik, 8, receives a COVID-19 vaccination while his mother Lindsay Skulnik holds his hand at Englewood Health in Englewood, N.J., Nov. 8, 2021. As of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, just over 17% of children in the U.S. ages 5 to 11 were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots for them became available. Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File

A child arrives with her parent to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11-years-old at London Middle School in Wheeling, Ill., Nov. 17, 2021. As of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, just over 17% of children in the U.S. ages 5 to 11 were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots for them became available. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File

A frustrated Hackell said the government's vaccination campaign is clearly struggling against misinformation and "pseudoscience," the likes of which he has never seen before in his 40-plus years as a pediatrician.

He said the government needs to get tough and mandate the shots.

"If we could get every kid vaccinated across the board, it would go a long way. It wouldn't end the pandemic, but it would end the severe disease,'' Hackell said. "It could help turn the virus into nothing more serious than the common cold, and we can deal with that.''

Explore further Hospitalizations skyrocket in kids too young for COVID shots

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The Biogen Inc., headquarters is shown March 11, 2020, in Cambridge, Mass. Medicare says it will limit coverage of a $28,000-a-year Alzheimer's drug whose benefits have been widely questioned. Tuesday's decision from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a major step in the nation's search for ways to put a fair value on new medicines that offer tantalizing possibilities but come with prohibitive prices. It means that patients taking Biogen's Aduhelm medication will have to be part of research efforts to assess the drug's effectiveness in slowing the progression of dementia. The drug has sparked controversy since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration last June, which came against the recommendation of the agency's outside advisers Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne, File

Medicare said Tuesday it will limit coverage of a $28,000-a-year Alzheimer's drug whose benefits have been widely questioned, a major development in the nation's tug-of-war over the fair value of new medicines that offer tantalizing possibilities but come with prohibitive prices.

The initial determination from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services means that patients taking Biogen's Aduhelm medication will have to be part of research efforts to assess the drug's effectiveness in slowing the progression of dementia. Medicare's national coverage determination would become final this spring, following a public comment period and further evaluation by the agency.

The drug has sparked controversy since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration last June, which came against the recommendation of the agency's outside advisers.

Aduhelm's initial launch price of $56,000 a year led to an increase of nearly $22 in Medicare's monthly "Part B" premium for outpatient care, the largest ever in dollar terms but not percentage-wise. Medicare attributed about half of this year's increase to contingency planning for Aduhelm.

Faced with skepticism over its medication, Biogen recently slashed the price to $28,200, but Medicare enrollees were already on the hook for the $170.10 premium. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has directed Medicare to reassess the premium increase.

Explore further Medicare told to reassess premium hike for Alzheimer's drug

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Middle Eastern companies looking to increase exports are gearing up for the worlds leading twin trade fair, Wire and Tube 2022, at a time when the global market for wires and cables is seen growing to over $420 billion by 2026.

The fair will be organised by Messe Dusseldorf at Dusseldorf, Germany from May 9 to 13.

We are seeing a new robustness in the participation of companies at the show this year, indicating anticipation of a growth surge in this sector. We are honoured that our regional exhibitors include the Ducab Metals Business (DMB), part of the UAEs homegrown global leader, Ducab, said Daniel Ryfisch, Project Director, Messe Dusseldorf.

Addressing a press conference along with Mohamed Al Ahmedi, CEO, Ducab Metals Business, Ryfisch said, 148 companies from the Middle East region are taking part at the worlds leading exhibitions for wire, cables and pipes - mainly from the UAE, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Turkey and Jordan.

Our participation will reinforce our market reputation as a leading global player in the energy raw materials industry. This will also support expansion and diversification of our metals business. Currently, we export to 45 countries and our aim is to increase our overseas market footprints further, said Al Ahmedi.

DMB exports 70% of its output, and in 2020 it clocked revenue of AED1 billion and it is expected to be at AED1.5 billion in the financial year 2021, despite the challenges of the pandemic. New export markets targeted by DMB includes Europe, Africa and the US while the group continues to service the GCC markets including, the UAE, the UK and Australia.

Elaborating on the companys business growth, Al Ahmedi said DMB turned the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 into an opportunity benefiting from the strong infrastructure in the UAE.

We also had the advantage since the UAE managed the pandemic with prudence and perfection. The ports in UAE were operating, so were our factories, making us capable to cater to our export markets. We also strengthened our relations with our supply chain partners making production and exports run seamlessly, he added.

Ryfisch said Middle Eastern companies have taken up a cumulative exhibition space of 9,567 sq m this year, nearly 15% more than that of the last pre-pandemic Wire & Tube 2018.

The Middle East region is also very important for us in terms of visitors  in 2018, we had 2,484 trade visitors from the region, which was 6 per cent of the total visitors. From a global industry perspective, the Middle East is a dynamic, modern and powerful region, said Ryfisch.

As a partner to Messe Dusseldorf in creating awareness on the Wire & Tube 2022 in the Middle East, we are confident that many more companies from the region will join the twin expos considering the growth opportunity in this key industrial sector. We will be joining hands with Messe Dusseldorf for more shows in the future as well, said Rajesh Nair, Project Director, Verifair.

The shows will also have a sustainability focus, termed green transformation, and that will fit in line with the shift towards climate neutrality, electric mobility and green hydrogen.-- TradeArabia News Service
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Despite the overwhelming numbers in the current wave of COVID-19 cases, Northeastern experts say we have not been set back to March 2020. In 2022, the pandemic is different.

The omicron-fueled surge has set and reset daily COVID-19 case count records several times. And this week, the U.S. set a new record for pandemic hospitalizations, with 145,982 COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds as of Tuesday. The previous record was set last January at 142,315, according to the New York Times. These totals also include people who were admitted to the hospital for other conditions and then incidentally tested positive for COVID-19.

But nearly two years into the pandemic, high numbers shouldn't prompt the same panic as they once did, says Neil Maniar, director of the master of public health program, associate chair of the department of health sciences, and professor of public health practice at Northeastern.

"As we look at the numbers, it's about responding as opposed to panicking," Maniar says. "If we were seeing these numbers back in September of 2020, it would be a different story. But we're in a very different place now."

In 2022, public health officials know a lot more about how to fight the virus. And that can begin with how we relate to the metrics.

"We need to think of cases differently and not compare the number that we have today with the numbers that we experienced in the past," says Alessandro Vespignani, Sternberg Family Distinguished Professor and director of the Network Science Institute at Northeastern.

Record-high case counts might not be cause for concern in their own right because the omicron variant reportedly is less likely to cause severe illness than previous versions of the virus, particularly among fully vaccinated people and even more so among boosted people.

In the omicron-driven wave, "it's not that the [case counts and hospitalization rates] are completely decoupled or divorced," says Vespignani, who leads an infectious-disease-modeling team that projects future scenarios about the pandemic. "The two things now have a different proportionality factor."

Earlier in the pandemic, case counts were an important indicator that things were getting worse because a certain percentage of cases were likely to end up in the hospital. Now, with omicron and vaccine protections, a much lower percentage of cases is likely to end up in the hospital.

But even if hospitalization rates represent a smaller proportion of case counts, if the sheer volume of case counts soars in the way that it has in this wave, Vespignani says, the raw number of hospitalizations can rise to alarming levels, too. And that's exactly what is happening. As a result, many hospitals are short-staffed, having to cancel or delay nonemergency procedures, and some have called in the National Guard for support.

The vast majority of hospitalized coronavirus patients are unvaccinated, according to reports from across the country. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday that 90 percent of COVID-19 patients at some hospitals in Pennsylvania were unvaccinatedand the percentage was even higher when it included people who were not fully vaccinated but had gotten one shot.

There is utility for public health officials in continuing to monitor rising cases as a way of mapping the trajectory of the pandemic, says Vespignani. It can help healthcare systems plan ahead, as rising hospitalization rates tend to lag behind rising case counts.

But there are also reasons for individuals to continue to pay attention to COVID-19 cases. For one, every person who tests positive is someone who can isolate and prevent further spread, Maniar says. Even if you are vaccinated and your case is mild, the next person you encounter might not be vaccinated, might be immunocompromised, or might have a family member who is at high risk for a severe case.

Furthermore, "for an individual who is not vaccinated, [case counts] offer a good window into what their risk is," Maniar says. "Being vaccinated may not necessarily prevent someone from getting it, but it will significantly reduce the likelihood that they will wind up in the hospital."

Case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths aren't the only metrics that can help indicate what the future of the pandemic might hold. Many municipalities are also detecting SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, in their area's wastewater.

The levels of the coronavirus detected in wastewater samples can be an early warning sign for a surge in cases, Maniar says. Wastewater coronavirus recordings also have the potential to indicate when a wave of cases might be missed, as many mild or asymptomatic cases that go untested or unreported from at-home tests might not be making it into the official counts.

Despite setting records in the current omicron-fueled wave of cases and hospitalizations, a lot has changed since the beginning of the pandemic.

A big part of why things are different in 2022, Maniar says, is vaccines and booster shots. One year ago, vaccines were just beginning to become available to the most at-risk people. But now, everyone over the age of 5 is eligible to receive the shots in the U.S.

For families with children in the younger age group or immunocompromised individuals, things are still tricky, Maniar says, "and that's why it's really important that we deploy our tools that we have available to the fullest extent possible when we see these kinds of case numbers."

"Early in the pandemic, we only had a few tools in our toolkit to respond to the pandemic. We now have multiple tools," he says. There are the non-pharmaceutical interventions of social distancing, mask-wearing, and other precautions. There are also a selection of testing approaches to be able to make informed decisions about your exposure and potential to expose others. And there are several different COVID-19 treatments coming to the table, including antiviral pills that could help keep more severe cases and at-risk individuals out of the hospital. And, of course, there are vaccines that reduce the risk of a coronavirus infection becoming severe.

"The pandemic is going on for longer than anybody hoped," Maniar says, adding that history shows us that pandemics take a while to beat back. But he also suggests looking back to the early days of the pandemic as a lens into what we have been able to learn and achieve in less than two years.

"Throughout this pandemic, we've gotten a better sense of how to deploy the tools that we have in the best way possible and the effectiveness of those tools," he says. "By April of 2020, we knew masks were really important. But back then we also thought that we had to wipe down all of our groceries. We've now learned that you're not going to die if you forgot to sanitize a loaf of bread. But we have also learned that wearing a mask is an incredible way to protect yourself and protect others from getting COVID."

Explore further When will the omicron surge be over? Very soon
Particles of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, emerged from a cell infected in a lab. Researchers and clinicians at Penn and around the world have turned their attention to omicron, a recently emerged variant that is sweeping through the population. Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Back around Thanksgiving, many familiesolder members newly boosted and young children freshly vaccinatedfelt comfortable gathering to celebrate. Fast forward a month, and some of those winter celebrations took on a decidedly more 2020 look, owing to a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 with a name straight out of a sci-fi novel: omicron.

Despite being brand new to the United Statesthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the detection of the first case of omicron on Dec. 1scientists are moving with lightning speed to uncover key information about the variant, including how it affects the body and why it appears to be so much more transmissible than its predecessors.

Penn Today spoke with two of those scientists working rapidly to keep up with the evolving virus, the Perelman School of Medicine's Frederic Bushman and Susan Weiss, who co-direct the Center for Research on Coronavirus and Other Emerging Pathogens. They shared some of the scientific community's key findings about the virus, their predictions based on decades of microbiological expertise, and their thoughts about what this new phase of the pandemic holds.

Omicron has quickly become the dominant strain in the area

Bushman's laboratory leads the effort at Penn Medicine to sequence SARS-CoV-2 samples from clinical testing operations, hospitalized patients, and others in the Philadelphia region. Selecting samples from different groups, their testing provides a snapshot of what viral variants are circulating in the local population. His team was the first to identify the delta variant in the region last spring. Omicron showed up in the lab's results in early December.

"We were in a delta wave," he says, "and now we have an omicron wave coming on."

For some samples, the lab performs whole genomic sequencing to look for particular viral mutations. Other samples are analyzed by clinical teams with PCR assays, which target and amplify select portions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein genome to differentiate omicron from delta. Because of the unique set of mutations in the omicron spike gene, Bushman says that certain components of the PCR tests fail to amplify their targeted genetic material. Known as a "spike drop out," this lack of amplification can be an indication that a sample contains omicron rather than delta or another variant.

By the week leading up to Dec. 20, Bushman says 53 percent of the samples his lab tested were omicron. More recent results, he suspects, would see omicron making up an even greater proportion of samples.

A plethora of mutations are responsible for its differences

With their rapid reproduction and need to elude the immune systems of their hosts, viruses like SARS-CoV-2 are under constant pressure to evolve. A variety of mutations distinguished the "original" coronavirus, known as alpha, from subsequent variants: beta, gamma, delta, and now omicron.

When omicron was first identified in southern Africa and sequenced, scientists were surprised by the sheer number of mutationsat least 50that set it apart from other variants. The discovery sparked concern that those changes would permit omicron to evade the hard-won immune defenses gained from vaccination and previous infection.

Exactly how omicron originated remains a mystery. While some researchers have speculated the variant arose by crossing a species barriergoing from people into an animal and back into people, accruing mutations along the wayWeiss believes the more likely explanation is less exotic.

"One theory is that it emerged in a person who was immunocompromised," she says, "and would have had a chronic infection that might help encourage a virus to acquire immune-escape mutations."

In this scenario, the virus would have survived in one person for weeks or even months, replicating and acquiring a variety of mutations all the while, and moving on to infect someone else.

As soon as researchers had a sequence of the omicron genome in hand, they began gaining clues as to how the virus might behave. One mutation in the gene encoding the spike protein, for example, also seen in the alpha and delta variants, makes the protein more likely to be cleaved, a process that's required for infecting host cells and may facilitate the virus' rapid spread. Another omicron mutation enables the spike protein to bind more strongly to host cell receptors. Additional mutations in the viral nucleocapsid protein are believed to help the virus more readily package its genome, enhancing its growth. While some changes promote viral spread, others allow it to outwit existing host immune defenses. "Both are important factors, I think" says Weiss, in explaining omicron's newfound dominance.

Not all of omicron's unique traits can be gleaned from analyzing its genome. Additional studies using animal models and human cells released in recent weeks by a number of groups around the world suggest that the new variant tends not to affect the lungs as severely as earlier iterations, instead robustly targeting cells in the upper respiratory system. Concentrated virus in the nose, throat, and mouth might also be a reason omicron more readily spreads from person to person, through sneezing, coughing, talking, or even just breathing.

The variant is highly transmissible and less pathogenic than previous variants

Since being detected, some good news about omicron has emerged. Thus far, while breakthrough infections are widespread, it's clear that vaccination is still protective, slashing the risk that those immunized will experience severe disease. And overall, though highly contagious, omicron tends to cause less serious illness than earlier variants.

This shiftbecoming more contagious but less harmfuldoes not come as a surprise to most scientists familiar with viral infections. Respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2 thrive when they're moving quickly from infected host to infected host. As a result, viruses that are more transmissible have an evolutionary advantage. "These viruses are being constantly selected for a high rate of spread, high transmissibility," Weiss says. "And this one, as we all now know, is incredibly transmissible."

Omicron's more mild effects go hand in hand with its increased ability to spread, Weiss says. "It's not necessarily that the virus is evolving to be less pathogenic," she says. "It's more that the virus is being strongly selected for enhanced spread, with no pressure to maintain severe pathogenesis."

The virus's mode of transmission plays a role in the pressures that guide its evolution as well, Bushman says. To jump from person to person, a respiratory virus that is transmitted by coughs and sneezes needs its host to feel well enough to be out and about, fairly close to other people, not curled up in bed. In contrast, a disease like malaria doesn't have that same evolutionary pressure, since "a mosquito can still bite you if you're flat on your back," says Bushman.

Omicron shouldn't be overblown, or underestimated

Epidemiological models from South Africa suggest that omicron's peak may be subsiding, and many in the U.S. fervently hope that omicron will following a similar pattern here. But this milder look for COVID-19 is not reason to do away with masks and physical distancing, the researchers say.

"I'm glad that omicron seems to be more benign," says Bushman. "But right now, hospital admissions are absolutely soaring. We need to flatten the curve."

Weiss concurs. "Part of me wants to just ignore it, but having so many people hospitalized is scary. It's not the time to let down our guard."

There's more to COVID than omicron

While keeping attention on omicron, Weiss, Bushman, and colleagues around the University have the bigger picture in mind as well. Weiss is working to isolate the omicron variant in order to experiment with it in Penn's Biosafety Level 3 laboratory, while continuing studies on coronaviruses more broadly. She wants to know more about how variants differ in the way they enter host cells and then affect them once they do so. Bushman, meanwhile, together with colleague Ron Collman, is continuing to look into how the microbiome influences infection and immunity in the context of COVID-19.

Penn scientists are engaged in a huge variety of other COVID-related projects, continuing to work on vaccines, antivirals, and even, in work led by the School of Veterinary Medicine, to evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife.

With effective vaccines, therapeutics, and improved clinical care practices, "we're in a much better place than were two years ago," says Bushman. "I'm looking forward to the day we get to the other side of this, and at some point we may have to accept that SARS-CoV-2 will just be another cold virus circulating, and, hopefully, the great majority of people will be vaccinated so the virus won't cause much harm. But we're not there yet."
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Childhood asthma is a common cause of emergency department visits, hospital admissions and deaths, especially among boys. A new study from Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine researchers has determined that data from a large regional health information exchange (HIE) can effectively measure epidemiological trends for pediatric asthma and could enable public health researchers and officials to follow and respond to disease trends in near real time.

While the number of hospital admissions in Indiana by children with asthma decreased over the 10 years of the study, 20102019, the researchers found that pediatric asthma death rates increased during the time period. White children with asthma had a significantly higher hospital admission rate compared to other racial groups, but there was no difference in mortality rate among white, Black and Asian children with asthma.

"We wanted to see if the data collected by our health information exchange, could provide a timely and complete picture of pediatric asthma trends in an entire state [Indiana]," said study first author Colin Rogerson, M.D., a Regenstrief Institute research scientist and IU School of Medicine assistant professor of pediatrics. "We found that analyzing health information exchange data clearly revealed hospitalization and death trends associated with pediatric asthma without the often multi-year delay and other confounding issues, such as the increasingly common avoidance of answering of phone calls from unknown numbers, associated with gathering information the traditional way via telephone surveys.

"This new method of using clinical data from a health information exchange to monitor disease trends, including outcomes, can enable more rapid response from public health and the clinicians to whom they provide guidance," said Dr. Rogerson. "For example, in 2019, increased lung injuries related to vaping were seen in children and teens with asthma. Applying near real-time surveillance utilizing health information exchange data could potentially help public health identify populations of concern and target outreach efforts. The methodology also could highlight emergence of a potential new illness."

Although asthma has been recognized since at least the time of the ancient Greeks, approximately 2,500 years ago, this study is among the first to employ health information exchange data to examine disease trends in children and adolescents. Dr. Rogerson, who is a pediatric intensive care physician and informatician, notes that the methodology of this new study, which relies on data provided by clinicians rather than patients or parents with varying levels of health literacy, could be used for many conditions other than asthma including pediatric epilepsy and trauma.

The retrospective study reviewed electronic health record data from the Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC), a regional health information exchange. INPC, developed by Regenstrief Institute and managed by the Indiana Health Information Exchange, is the nation's largest inter-organizational clinical data repository and houses more than 14 billion pieces of patient data from 95 percent of the state. The researchers analyzed hospital visits, hospital admissions and deaths for 50,393 asthma patients ages 2 to 18 years.

The methodology described in the study enables review of data from all patients with pediatric asthma or a specific subset16 year olds, for example. Data also can be segmented by other factors such as geographic location or co-morbidities, which can be compared, contrasted and reviewed for disease trends. This information is of potential interest to parents, healthcare systems as well as public health departments.

"Ten year trends in hospital encounters for pediatric asthma: an Indiana experience" is published in the Journal of Asthma.

Now that the use of health information exchange data to signal disease trends has been demonstrated, Dr. Rogerson and colleagues are exploring whether health information exchange data can also be used to track treatment trends.

Explore further Most young people with asthma haven't been prepared to transition to adult asthma care

More information: Colin Rogerson et al, Ten year trends in hospital encounters for pediatric asthma: an Indiana experience, Journal of Asthma (2021). Colin Rogerson et al, Ten year trends in hospital encounters for pediatric asthma: an Indiana experience,(2021). DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2021.2010750
(HealthDay)For appropriately selected cases, patient outcomes are similar whether surgical procedures are performed by residents alone, attending surgeons alone, or residents with the assistance of attending surgeons, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in JAMA Surgery.

Joseph B. Oliver, M.D., M.P.H., from the VA New Jersey Healthcare System in East Orange, and colleagues assessed whether surgical procedures performed by residents without an attending surgeon scrubbed were associated with differences in patient outcomes compared with procedures performed by attending surgeons alone or by residents with the assistance of attending surgeons. The analysis included about 1.3 million operations identified in the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from July 1, 2004, to Sept. 30, 2019.

The researchers found that 138,750 operations were performed by residents only, 308,724 by surgeons only, and 871,546 by residents and surgeons. No difference was seen in outcomes between patients who received surgeon-primary versus resident-primary procedures (all-cause mortality: odds ratio, 1.03 [95 percent confidence interval (CI), 0.95 to 1.12]; composite morbidity: odds ratio, 1.01 [95 percent CI, 0.97 to 1.05]). Nor was any difference seen in outcomes between patients who received resident plus surgeon versus resident-primary procedures (all-cause mortality: odds ratio, 1.03 [95 percent CI, 0.97 to 1.11]; composite morbidity: odds ratio, 0.97 [95 percent CI, 0.94 to 1.00]). Operating times were longer for resident-primary procedures versus surgeon-primary procedures (median, 80 versus 70 minutes).

"Given these findings and the importance of operative autonomy to prepare surgical residents for independent practice, efforts to increase autonomy are both safe and needed," the authors write.

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

If resource allocation decisions were made based on evidence rather than internal and external politics, the education sector would get a large chunk of resources, given its potential for positive impact on health, wellbeing and the economy, now and in the future. Researchers writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine say an evidence-based approach would likely see disinvestment from the healthcare sector, especially from low value and wasteful healthcare activities linked to overprescribing and overdiagnosis. Resources would then be reallocated to education, given the large burden of disease that could be avoided with better education systems.

The authors write that school disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will have significant negative effects on health, adding that allocating more resources, financial and human, to support education systems is key to long-term health, wellbeing and resilience of individuals and society more generally. A recent analysis by the UK National Audit Office found that the UK education sector received about 1% of COVID support funding.

One of the authors, Dr. Anant Jani, of the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the largest ever disruption to education systems globally. Simulations suggest that around 0.6 years of schooling will be lost globally due to school closures, with higher levels for children from lower socio-economic groups, who have been historically disadvantaged because of less access to high quality education."

Suggestions from the authors on how the damage caused by COVID-19 can be minimized include identifying and working with the most vulnerable groups, strengthening school infrastructure, investing in teacher training and addressing existing curricular deficiencies. They say that education also needs to expand to include broader curricula on social and emotional health so that children have more awareness of how to stay healthy.

Dr. Jani said: "These approaches are supported by several studies which demonstrate that intergenerational perpetuation of inequalities is lower in countries with greater educational public support programs for low-income families, with health and wellbeing benefits lasting into adulthood."

More information: Anant Jani et al, Leveraging the bi-directional links between health and education to promote long-term resilience and equality, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2022). Journal information: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Anant Jani et al, Leveraging the bi-directional links between health and education to promote long-term resilience and equality,(2022). DOI: 10.1177/01410768211066890
Tim Willinger, Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, and first author Elza Evren, a doctoral student in Tim Willingers research team. Credit: Tiphaine Parrot

Lungs are exposed to microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. Thanks to immune cells in the lungs, so-called macrophages, we are protected from most infections at an early age. In a new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers from Karolinska Institutet show how lung macrophages develop; new findings that can help to reduce organ damage and that are significant for the continued development of important lung disease treatments.

Lung macrophages begin to develop in humans from birth when the lungs are first inflated with inhaled air. Despite the importance of lung macrophages in the immune system, it has not been previously known how they develop in humans, since in-vivo studies in humans are difficult to conduct.

However, with the help of a model, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now been able to directly study the development of human macrophages in a living lung. In the study, it was discovered that lung macrophages develop in two different ways.

"In the first type of development, lung macrophages originate from precursor cells that are already present in the fetus' liver," says Tim Willinger, associate professor at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, who has led the study. "After we are born, these precursor cells move from the liver to the lungs via the bloodstream. In the lungs, they are then exposed to various growth factors, which helps them to develop into 'mature' lung macrophages. The second type of development occurs later in life. At that point they develop from adult precursor cells, so-called monocytes, which are found in the blood."

Similar gene expression but different functions

The researchers also investigated whether the origin of the lung macrophages affects their function. Here they could see that the lung macrophages, regardless of their origin, had a similar gene expression but with different functions.

"We discovered that fetal precursor cells divide faster than the adult precursor cells," says the study's first author Elza Evren, doctoral student in Tim Willinger's research group. "The fetal precursor cells therefore populate the lungs faster, which is important early on in life to quickly remove microorganisms and other inhaled particles."

The lung macrophages derived from adult precursor cells were instead found to be strongly activated by interferon, a protein that has the task to defend against viral infections. It is therefore very likely that this particular type of lung macrophage has an important function within the immune system to help fight viruses.

The researchers were also able to see that these lung macrophages are similar to pro-inflammatory macrophages, which can become overactivated and contribute to serious lung damage in diseases such as COVID-19.

Limit lung damage and promote new treatments

The new findings contribute to a better understanding of the origin and function of lung macrophages. The human fetal progenitor cell that the researchers have identified is a potential cell that can be targeted to regenerate tissue-protective macrophages, limit organ damage and promote tissue repair in an injured lung. These findings can also support the development of new treatments for a number of lung diseases.

The study was supported by grants from Swedish Research Council, SciLifeLab, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, Karolinska Institutet, Centre for Innovative Medicine (CIMED), Region Stockholm, the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, Petrus och Augusta Hedlunds Stiftelse and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. One of the authors from Yale University has reported conflicts of interest, which are described in detail in the scientific paper.

Explore further New research may explain severe virus attacks on the lungs

More information: Elza Evren et al, CD116+ fetal precursors migrate to the perinatal lung and give rise to human alveolar macrophages, Journal of Experimental Medicine (January 12, 2022). Journal information: Journal of Experimental Medicine Elza Evren et al, CD116+ fetal precursors migrate to the perinatal lung and give rise to human alveolar macrophages,(January 12, 2022). DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210987
A transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (UK B.1.1.7 variant), isolated from a patient sample and cultivated in cell culture. Credit: NIAID

Despite soaring cases and record-high COVID-19 hospitalizations, the United States is approaching the "threshold" of transitioning to living with the coronavirus as a manageable disease, Anthony Fauci said Tuesday.

Speaking to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the top US scientist said eliminating COVID was unrealistic and that "Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody."

"There's no way we're going to eradicate this" virus, he said, given its contagiousness, its propensity to mutate into new variants and the large pool of unvaccinated people.

Those up to date with their vaccines remain well protected against severe outcomes, but vaccine efficacy against infection has fallen.

But "as Omicron goes up and down," the country will hopefully enter a new phase "where there'll be enough protection in (the) community, enough drugs available so that when someone does get infected and is in a high risk group, it will be very easy to treat that person," said Fauci.

"When we get there, there's that transition, and we may be on the threshold of that right now," he said, while also stressing that with the country currently recording almost a million infections a day, nearly 150,000 people in hospital and more than 1,200 daily deaths, "we're not at that point."

Official data showed there are currently 145,982 COVID hospitalizations, even though a significant percent are thought to be hospitalized "with" the disease rather than because of it.

Earlier, the 81-year-old director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases slammed vaccine skeptic Republican Senator Rand Paul for unleashing "crazies" who were threatening his life and harassing his family, in unusually emotional congressional testimony.

President Joe Biden's top officials, including his chief medical advisor Fauci, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walenksy and acting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) head Janet Woodcock were summoned to testify before the Senate about the pandemic.

While many fellow lawmakers focused their questions on the lack of adequate testing and confusing new guidelines on how infected people should end their isolation, Paul, who has railed against vaccine mandates and refused to get vaccinated, said Fauci was personally to blame for people's deaths.

Paul faulted Fauci for hundreds of thousands of deaths that occurred since Biden took officealthough the vast majority of those fatalities were unvaccinated and health officials, including Fauci, have consistently advocated for vaccines.

'Kindles the crazies'

"You personally attack me and with absolutely not a shred of evidence of anything you say," Fauci responded.

"All of a sudden that kindles the crazies out there and I have life threats upon my life, harassment of my family and my children with obscene phone calls."

Fauci recalled that in late December, a man was arrested on his way from California to the capital Washington armed with an AR-15 assault weapon and multiple rounds of ammunition.

The man said he wanted to kill Fauci, because of what he said was blood on the scientists' hands.

Fauci then brandished a printout from Paul's website that showed the banner "Fire Dr. Fauci" next to an invitation to donate to the Republican's campaign.

Though Omicron causes severe cases at a lower rate than Delta, it is reaching more people because of its extreme infectiousness.

By December 27, the age-adjusted vaccine efficacy against hospitalization was 92 percent, according to data from New York state.

 2022 AFP
ZAMBOANGA CITY  Eight villages in the southern Philippine province of Sulu are now free from the influence of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf...
Saudi Arabia has several companies working in the mining sector with many making huge investments in the kingdom's northern region, said Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Engineer Bandar Al Khorayef.

Al Khorayef was speaking after inaugurating Future Minerals Forum at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh today (January 12).

Welcoming the gathering, he said: "The challenge of meeting the increasing global demand on minerals has become clear as a result of trends in the advanced industry fields and ambitions of clear energy and carbon neutrality, where the Saudi Arabia, through the Future Minerals forum, seeks to contribute to responding to the future needs of the mining sector by bringing together all stakeholders including the governments, investors, financial institutions, service providers and manufacturers, so as to provide them a cooperation platform to draw a future roadmap for mining industry that aims at realizing sustainable development for our societies and economies."

"Today, we have a great opportunity to contribute to providing vital minerals and benefiting from the mining sector to be a main economic driver in regional countries, especially as they face the same challenges of the need for increasing exploration, providing a proper infrastructure and attracting qualitative investments. Let our goal be seizing this opportunity and to push forward the mining sustainable development in our countries and the entire region," he added.

Al Khorayef said Saudi Arabia was witnessing a remarkable transformation at all levels with the launch of the Saudi Vision 2030 that sought to expand the economic base, and realize economic diversity, and focused on developing the mining sector through one of the biggest programs of the vision, which is the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP).

NIDLP programme is aimed at making Saudi Arabia a leading industrial powerhouse and a global logistics hub with mining being the third industrial pillar for the national industry.

According to Al Khorayef, the value of mineral resources in Saudi Arabia stands at more than $1.3 trillion, such as phosphate and bauxite in the northeastern part, and gold, copper and rare land-based deposits in the Arab Shield in the western parts of the kingdom.

He pointed out that Saudi sought to create laws and regulations that contribute to the growth of the mining sector and attracting qualitative investments, starting from the new Investment Bylaw that is characterized with high transparency and contribute to developing communities, reducing impacts on the environment and preserving it, stimulating industries pertaining to minerals, and reaching a stimulating environment that takes into consideration the needs of mining investments that require big capitals and long-term investment vision.

In addition to this, there is a need of fixed laws and regulations and clarity of financial policies in a way that guarantees reducing risks for this kind of investments to make it able to realize the envisioned change, he added.

Al Khorayef said the kingdom has big expertise in the field of oil and gas and mining is tied to the industry due to the fact that they are interrelated.

"Saudi Arabia cooperates with other countries and has several companies working in the mining sector," he added.

The government has been playing a major role in boosting the infrastructure for the mining sector such as opening roads and railways in Ras Al Kheir to connect the eastern part of the kingdom with its north, thus connecting logistical areas.

"We are keen on benefiting from the mining sector for its being full of big opportunities that yield huge revenues," he added.

Al-Khorayef made the remarks during a panel discussion titled "The role of governments in increasing the contribution of the mining sector, as part of the Future Minerals forum where speakers also included Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla, Nigerian Minister of Mines and Steel Development Olamilekan Adegbite, and Kyrgyzstan Minister of Natural Resource Kutmanova Dinara.-TradeArabia News Service
Three Missoula artists received a year-end bonus: A $2,500 grant from the Arts Missoula Patron Fund.

The program, which was started last year by the cultural agency, awarded grants to ceramic artist Andrew Avakian, visual artist Monica Gilles-BringsYellow, and musician, podcaster and arts worker Callie Morris.

Executive director Tom Bensen said there were roughly 60 applications that showed the breadth of talent we have in this community. The applications were open to any kind of visual or performing arts, regardless of career stage, as long as they live in Missoula County.

There were no strings attached to how they use it. Bensen said that Missoulas arts community is rich but its still difficult. This way, the grants ensure that recipients would be able to engage with the community, he said.

Avakian, a long-term resident alumnus of the Clay Studio of Missoula, makes functional wares with surprising angles and layered color schemes. Since his residency ended, he's been developing his career.

During the pandemic, interactions with artists and the public were more difficult because he has vulnerable family members, he said. I moved to selling art online directly and through galleries and was able to grow as an entrepreneur because of it.

He applied for a grant to help buy a new kiln so that his studio is outfitted with all the equipment he used to use elsewhere.

As a parent the need to work efficiently and effectively every time I step into the studio makes having everything I need to make my work in one place essential, he said.

Gilles-BringsYellow, a Bitterroot Salish mixed-media artist, uses historical photographs set on abstract backdrops to highlight images of ancestry. Her work has been exhibited at the Zootown Arts Community Center, the Allez! temporary mural space, and is on a traffic signal box at the northeast corner of the intersection of Madison Street and Broadway.

In a September interview, she said her art changed and developed during the pandemic. Shes going to use the money to buy supplies and mediums to explore and try new techniques, according to the news release.

Morris, a musician, recently released an EP, Operating from the Subconscious, with Dylan Dwyer. Shes also been involved with the music scene in other capacities  shes been active with the Montana Area Music Association since it was started, and records a podcast, A Rhythm Runs Through It, that spotlights local musicians.

The pandemic forced a change of pace from a prior attitude of wanting to do as much as possible. The pandemic showed me Im a lot happier when I can allow myself to slow down and I hope to continue that mindset going forward in life, she said.

She applied with a specific purpose in mind  a Nord keyboard for recordings and gigs that shed always wanted but hadnt been able to save up for entirely.

I cried happy tears when I found out. I really didnt think Id ever be able to get the keyboard, she said.

Bensen said they decided to give out three sizable grants rather than a larger number of small grants. The fund, which theyd been discussing prior to COVID, relied on existing funds, unspent COVID-19 relief money, and donations.

Bensen said they plan to disperse another round of grants this year, although the timing might change and theyre considering opening up the pool beyond the visual/performing arts definition.

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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Countering earlier concerns, a real-world study finds that a widely used at-home coronavirus test called BinaxNOW is as effective at detecting Omicron as other COVID-19 variants.

The study of Abbot's rapid antigen test included more than 700 people who visited a walk-up testing site in San Francisco.

The test detected 65% of infections caught by more sensitive PCR tests, but pinpointed 95% of people with the highest levels of the virus. Among those with high levels of the virus, the test identified 98% of those with symptoms and 90% of those without symptoms.

The results are about the same as what was found in real-world studies before Omicron emerged, according to the researchers.

The test is "working as it was designed, study author Joseph DeRisi, a biochemist at the University of California, San Francisco, told The New York Times. There does not seem to be any performance deficit with Omicron.

The study, published on the preprint server medRxiv, has not yet been peer-reviewed.

Some earlier preliminary studies had raised questions about whether rapid antigen tests might be less sensitive to Omicron than other variants.

Scientists are still trying to determine how well at-home tests work for Omicron, Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said Tuesday during a Senate hearing on the federal coronavirus response, the Times reported.

We believe all of them detect Omicron, she said. We simply feel they are somewhat less sensitive than they were to some of the previous variants.

But the new research, done with nasal swabs, does not address how early in an infection the rapid tests can spot the variant, or whether they would perform better with saliva samples. Also, the BinaxNOW results cannot be extrapolated to other rapid tests, which must be evaluated individually, the researchers noted.

More information

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on COVID tests.

SOURCE: The New York Times

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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Chloe Jo Davis is a vocal advocate for breastfeeding.

The Wilton, Conn.-based writer breastfed her three sons for years to make sure they reaped all of the benefits associated with the practice.

"Breastfeeding helps build up kids' immune system and keeps colds, virus, ear infection and stomach bugs at bay, and this is more important today than ever before with the spread of COVID-19," said Davis, who counsels moms on breastfeeding via an online platform.

Now a new study of close to 1.2 million women shows that Davis and other moms who breastfeed may reap some big time health benefits of their own.

Compared to women who had babies but never breastfed, mothers who breastfed for any period of time were less likely to develop heart disease, have a stroke or die from heart disease during 10 years of follow-up.

Earlier studies have found that women who breastfed are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and some cancers, but less has been known about how breastfeeding affects a woman's heart.

The new study wasn't designed to say exactly how breastfeeding protects the heart, but researchers have some ideas.

"Breastfeeding could facilitate a more rapid weight loss after delivery, and this may be beneficial, as it is known that elevated weight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease," said study author Lena Tschiderer, a postdoctoral researcher at the Medical University of Innsbruck, in Austria.

What's more, breastfeeding may help reset a woman's metabolism.

"This includes resetting factors that are also associated with an increased cardiovascular risk," Tschiderer said.

For the study, her team analyzed information on close to 1.2 million women in eight studies conducted between 1986 and 2009 across several countries. They looked at how long women breastfed, how many children they had, their age at first birth, and whether they had a heart attack or a stroke during follow-up.

Fully 82% breastfed at some point, according to the report. These women were 11% less likely to develop heart disease; 12% less likely to have a stroke; and 17% less likely to die from heart disease during 10 years of follow-up when compared to mothers who never breastfed, the investigators found.

These benefits held for women who breastfed for any length of time and seemed to be even greater for those who breastfed for up to one year. The study can't say whether breastfeeding for even longer periods is more beneficial because there weren't enough women in the study who breastfed for more than two years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for around the first 6 months of life.

The new study was published online Jan. 11 in a special pregnancy issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.

"This study was done in a very scientifically rigorous manner, and that's important as it means we can have pretty good confidence that the results are true," said Dr. Shelley Miyamoto. She is chair of the heart association's Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health. Miyamoto is also director of the cardiomyopathy program at the Children's Hospital Colorado, in Aurora.

"If you breastfed for any period of time, there is some benefit to your heart, and there is progressive risk reduction for up to one year," said Miyamoto, who was not involved in the new study.

It's time to make it easier for women to breastfeed, she said.

"We really need to raise awareness and educate moms and health care providers about the benefits of breastfeeding," Miyamoto said. "New mothers need to think about this before giving birth to help ensure access to a lactation consult where they give birth."

She said it's also important for women to talk to their employers about creating breastfeeding-friendly environments.

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics has more information on the benefits of breastfeeding.

SOURCES: Chloe Jo Davis, founder, GirlieGirlArmy.com, Wilton, Conn.; Lena Tschiderer, PhD, postdoctoral researcher, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria; Shelley Miyamoto, MD, chair, American Heart Association Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young, and director, cardiomyopathy program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora; Journal of the American Heart Association, Jan. 11, 2022, online

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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News)  Babies conceived through infertility treatment are more likely to be born early and small.

But there are reasons other than medically assisted reproduction to explain this difference, a new study concludes.

Rather than the infertility treatment itself, our new findings highlight the importance of parents underlying fertility problems and health conditions, and infants birth characteristics, such as their birth order and whether they are a twin, on birth weight and pregnancy term, said study co-author Alina Pelikh. She's a research fellow at the University College London Center for Longitudinal Studies in the U.K., which worked in partnership with the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

For the study, researchers analyzed data on 248,000 births in Utah.

They found that differences in birth weight and length of pregnancy between couples who conceived naturally and those who used in vitro fertilization (IVF), artificial insemination or fertility drugs were insignificant once family circumstances were taken into account.

The study focused on births in Utah between 2009 and 2017 and various indicators of mothers' health, including pre-pregnancy body mass index (an estimate of body fat based on height and weight), blood pressure, age, education level and whether they had multiple births.

In all, about 5% of infants in the study were conceived through medically assisted reproduction (MAR).

Use of fertility-enhancing drugs was most common (60%), followed by assisted reproduction, including IVF (26%), and artificial insemination (14%).

Children who were conceived through MAR were 10% more likely to be born premature and had 9% greater odds of low birth weight compared to naturally conceived infants.

More invasive treatments  such as IVF and artificial insemination  were more strongly linked to adverse birth outcomes. Infants conceived using fertility drugs had outcomes more similar to those conceived naturally.

But differences in outcomes narrowed once the mothers health, parents social and economic background, and infants birth characteristics were factored in.

Drawing from a statewide database, researchers zeroed in on a subgroup who had given birth to children using both MAR and natural conception during different pregnancies.

By comparing births from the same mother we were able to better isolate the impact on these births of medically assisted technologies, said co-author Ken Smith, a professor of family studies and population science at the University of Utah.

The upshot: Once a mothers age, pre-pregnancy BMI and infants birth characteristics were factored in, the siblings had similar pregnancy terms and birth weights.

That suggests that family circumstances and unobserved parental characteristics, such as genetic traits, are important when explaining the association between MAR and adverse birth outcomes.

Obtaining similar results in highly diverse contexts  in terms of demographics, fertility rates and access to the medically assisted reproduction treatments  strengthens the argument that adverse birth outcomes among medically assisted reproduction conceived infants are unlikely to be driven by the reproductive technology itself, said co-author Alice Goisis, an associate professor at the UCL Center for Longitudinal Studies.

This new evidence can go on to enrich existing health guidance about the risks and benefits of infertility treatments, hopefully raising awareness among families who are thinking about using medically assisted reproduction to help them conceive, she added.

The findings were published Jan. 6 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

More information

The National Library of Medicine has more on infertility.

SOURCE: University of Utah Health, news release, Jan. 6, 2022

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As New York City forges ahead with its recovery, the pandemic is leaving lasting imprints, especially on city roadways: less room for cars and more space for people. As the COVID-19 outbreak ravaged New York City two years ago, one of the worlds most congested and bustling metropolises found itself transformed into grids of mostly deserted streets and sidewalks as businesses shuttered and virus-wary denizens shut themselves in. Now the city is drafting new rules that would allow eateries to make outdoor dining permanent, although the policy is being challenged in court. The city is also announcing plans to close off even more streets to vehicles on Sundays so pedestrians have more room to roam in warmer months.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The Omicron surge may have peaked in Britain and could be about to do the same in the United States, experts report.

That's because the COVID-19 variant first detected in South Africa in mid-November is so contagious that the variant may already be running out of people to infect, the Associated Press reported.

In Britain, government data show that reported new COVID-19 cases fell to about 140,000 a day in the last week, compared with more than 200,000 daily cases earlier this month.

Meanwhile, a University of Washington model suggests the number of daily reported cases in the United States will top out at 1.2 million by Jan. 19 and then fall sharply, simply because everybody who could be infected will be infected, Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics sciences at the university, told the AP.

Its going to come down as fast as it went up, Mokdad added.

He even suggested that the actual number of daily infections in the United States -- which includes people who've never been tested -- may have already peaked at 6 million on Jan. 6.

Another team, from the University of Texas COVID-19 Modeling Consortium, predicts that reported cases in the U.S. will peak within the week, but there "are still a lot of people who will get infected as we descend the slope on the backside, consortium director Lauren Ancel Meyers told the AP.

At the end of this wave, far more people will have been infected by some variant of COVID, Meyers added. At some point, well be able to draw a line  and Omicron may be that point  where we transition from what is a catastrophic global threat to something thats a much more manageable disease.

The modeling statistics have raised hopes that the U.K. and the United States are about to see what happened in South Africa, where in the span of about a month the wave crested at record highs and then plummeted, the AP reported.

We are seeing a definite falling-off of cases in the U.K., but Id like to see them fall much further before we know if what happened in South Africa will happen here, Dr. Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at Britains University of East Anglia, told the wire service. "There will probably be some ups and downs along the way, but I would hope that by Easter, we will be out of this."

More information

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on tracking COVID-19.

SOURCE: Associated Press

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Celebrated academic and thought leader in machine learning and AI research, UC Berkeley Distinguished Professor Michael I Jordan, has been named laureate professor at Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). He will also be honorary director of a new Laureate Faculty Programme, which he will help build with MBZUAI President, Professor Eric Xing.

Jordans appointment brings a wealth of experience to the university, and to the country, in artificial intelligence; in the interface of computer science and statistics; and in computational biology, natural language processing, and signal processing.

He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as a foreign member of the Royal Society. In 2016, he was cited by Science Magazine as the most influential author in computer science. And he holds an honorary doctorate from Yale University.

The Laureate Faculty Programme, which Jordan will help develop, recognises the unique and impactful contributions that globally renowned AI researchers, like Jordan, bring to the university community and the country.

MBZUAI, the UAE and the region benefit from the knowledge, skills and reputation of laureate faculty in the building of a vibrant academic culture and in the transfer of knowledge into impact for the local economy and academic talent pool.

The programme, which is the brainchild of Professor Xing, aims to be a unique venue for leading researchers to dive into areas of inquiry, build research teams and communities, and carry out intimate scientific exchanges without worrying about administrative burdens and lack of access to funding, computing infrastructure, and data.

Jordan joins as the first honorary director of the Laureate Faculty Programme at a critical moment in the institutions development. MBZUAI established the Programme to recognise the unique and impactful contributions of globally renowned AI researchers who have taken up faculty positions at the university.

Professor Jordans stature, both as a global academic, and as a leading mind in AI and machine learning, makes him the ideal person to lead our new Laureate Faculty Programme, MBZUAI President, Professor Eric Xing said. With this appointment, were seeking to deliver maximum impact for our student body, for our institutional partners, and for the UAE.

Jordan was one of 16 eminent faculty to be featured as part of the inaugural cohort of the MBZUAI Executive Programme including faculty from MIT, Harvard, Carnegie Mellon, Oxford and more. The Executive Programme was one highlight among many in the universitys second year that included student successes on the global academic stage, the signing of MoUs with global institutions, and the appointment of globally known faculty.-- TradeArabia News Service
Omicron is driving another COVID spike in Missoula, worrying local health officials and doctors who are concerned it could put more strain on the local health care system.

Missoula County has 1,523 active cases and 24 people are hospitalized due to COVID. Cases are spiking nationally as well, with the U.S. reporting 1.4 million new COVID cases on Monday, setting a new daily high water mark for the country. Omicron is now the dominant variant in the U.S., responsible for 98.3% of American COVID cases between Jan. 2 and Jan. 8, according to Centers for Disease Control data.

Approximately 838,000 Americans have been killed by COVID.

In response to the increase, the Missoula health department released new guidance on masks last week. While local governments in Montana do not have the ability to enforce mask mandates due to changes in state law during the last legislative session, health officials are now recommending N95 or KN95 masks, which offer more protection than cloth masks.

The city-county health department also recently interviewed four doctors for a public service announcement, with the conversation detailing the threat another surge in cases presents, as well as discussion surrounding the newest variant and vaccinations.

What is omicron?

The omicron variant is one of hundreds of different strains of the COVID virus.

Unlike most of those variants, however, it is classified as a "variant of concern" by the CDC and the World Health Organization. That designation means it has certain properties that potentially make it more concerning or dangerous.

Much is still unknown about the omicron variant, but data suggests it is spreading faster than previous variants.

According to a report from NPR in mid-December, researchers found the "omicron variant multiplies about 70 times faster inside human respiratory tract tissue than the delta variant does."

While the spread is faster, data cited from Europe in a New York Times report in late December suggests that this strain is less likely than delta to cause serious illness. With the U.S. vaccination rate at 62.5%, many people who are not vaccinated will likely catch this variant, experts say.

Even if it is milder, the strain can and will continue to put people in the hospital, said Dr. Robert Stenger, a family practitioner with Partnership Health, during an interview with the Missoula City-County Health Department.

"Our vulnerable populations can still get very critically ill from omicron ... I think the other big concern in the community right now is just one of health care capacity," said Stenger, who is also a member of the Missoula City-County Health Board. "Even though we aren't seeing as many people who are critically ill and needing to be intubated in the ICU on a ventilator, we're seeing a lot of people sick enough to require care in our hospitals."

Vaccination

As with all COVID variants of concern, as well as the original strain, vaccinations decrease the chance of being hospitalized or dying of the disease, health officials say.

After receiving a booster dose, Pfizer and Moderna are 75% effective in preventing symptomatic infection and 88% at preventing hospitalization, according to a CNBC report on Monday. Only 27% of the eligible population in Missoula has had a booster dose.

"We recommend getting everyone who is eligible get vaccinated and for those who are eligible for the booster, we really see the booster is providing some additional protection," Dr. Lauren Wilson, a Missoula pediatrician at Community Medical said. "If you get that booster dose it's still enough to keep you out of the hospital, (enough) to keep you from being severely ill when you get omicron."

While Missoula's overall vaccination rate  62.44% of total population, 71.55% of the eligible population  is in line with national averages, data suggests there is still significant hesitancy to receive the vaccine.

Childhood vaccination rates are especially low in Missoula County. Following a sharp rise when COVID vaccines were approved for ages 5 to 11 on Nov. 2, there has been a very slow rise in vaccinations among that age range.

Missoula County Public Schools this week reported its highest number of weekly COVID cases  128  of which 96 were considered active.

"The children are going to likely bear the brunt of this spike and that's not something that we can afford to take lightly," Missoula County public health director D'Shane Barnett said.

Hesitation

There have been many questions, concerns and conspiracy theories around the COVID vaccine.

This has caused many people to not get the vaccine and this hesitancy was brought up during the health department's roundtable with local doctors. Dr. Wilson responded to concerns around possible side effects from the vaccine being worse than the virus itself.

Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, has been at the center of many anti-COVID vaccine arguments. There is a very small risk for some people to develop myocarditis following COVID vaccination and the phenomenon is mostly limited to boys and young men ages 12 to 29.

It is very rare, is a mild side effect from the vaccine and tends to resolve quickly, Wilson said.

Medical professionals say the risk of developing myocarditis from COVID is higher than it is coming from the vaccine.

In a report posted to the CDC's website, a study found that between March 2020 and January 2021, COVID patients had 16 times the risk of developing myocarditis compared with those who have not had COVID.

"I've admitted children into the hospital who could have gotten the vaccine and didn't," Wilson said. "And you know, to me, that hurts, because every time, I want to be able to speak to those parents and reassure them that it really is the right decision for their children."

Others are worried about long-term effects of the vaccine.

"I have personally not seen anybody in my practice that has had a significant, long-term effect from the vaccine," Stenger said. "I've seen tens to dozens of people in my practice in Missoula that have some form of long COVID."

What's next?

The medical world is bracing, once again, for a serious round of COVID in the hospitals.

Already Missoula medical facilities have dealt with staff having to quarantine due to exposure to or contraction of the virus, said Dr. Claude Tonnerre, an infectious disease physician at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

"Unfortunately with omicron being so contagious we have a lot of health care providers out as well ... it puts an extra burden on the staff who is still here, we have to pick up extra shifts or work longer," Tonnerre said. "Taking care of COVID patients really takes more time for physicians, but for the bedside people it's really an added burden."

Without the ability to enforce mandates, health officials have little they can do other than continue to provide guidance. There is worry that this spike could cause further burnout on an already strained workforce, Barnett said.

"The public will see a difference in our approach to this spike in that rather than looking purely at case numbers and looking at the rate of spread ... what we are going to be looking at (with) this spike is severe illness and hospitalization.

"We want to do everything we can to shield hospitals and protect hospital capacity to deal not just with COVID, but all the other things they need to deal with. And the best way we can do that is to have people take this variant seriously."

Jordan Hansen covers news and local government for the Missoulian. Shout at him on Twitter @jordyhansen or send him an email at Jordan.Hansen@Missoulian.com

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The Montana Department of Justices Division of Criminal Investigations has concluded its investigation into the fatal shooting of a Black man in Missoula County.

Johnny Lee Perry II was shot and killed by sheriffs deputies on Aug. 29 in the Southside Road area.

The results of the investigation were not disclosed.

The Missoula County Sheriff's Office did not return a request for comment on Wednesday regarding whether two deputies placed on administrative leave at the time of the shooting are still on leave.

Missoula Chief Criminal Deputy Attorney Matt Jennings said his office received the results Monday, and a formal inquest into Perry's death should be scheduled in coming months.

Perry was allegedly swinging a machete and making lethal threats, and did not comply after deputies made de-escalation and communication efforts, officials said in August.

The next steps are obtaining a non-law enforcement officer coroner to schedule an inquest, Jennings said.

An inquest is a formal inquiry into the causes of and circumstances surrounding the death of a person and is conducted by the coroner before a coroners jury, the Missoula County Attorneys website says. The hearings are public.

For the inquest process to proceed, the county has to obtain a court reporter, summon jurors and ensure that all relevant witnesses are available, Jennings said.

The DCI is tasked with conducting fact-finding investigations and does not conclude causes of death.

"Investigative reports include information such as crime scene photographs, measurements, witness statements, 911 recordings, video evidence, and any other relevant information about the event. Investigative reports do not draw conclusions or make any final determinations," a statement from the DCI said.

Ravalli County Sheriff and Coroner Steve Holton is conducting the coroner's investigation portion of the incident, which is common when another agency's encounter results in a death, oftentimes to avoid a conflict of interest.

Holton said on Wednesday the coroners investigation is still open and waiting on the state crime lab to conclude its toxicology report. It has not been sent to the Missoula County Attorneys Office yet.

There are several inquests pending in Missoula County right now, Jennings added. The last inquest was held in October for the death of Steven Gill, and two inquests were scheduled for November but were postponed due to the coroner canceling.

Jennings believes a new coroner may be able to assist with the process in March, he said.

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Montana politicians, law enforcement officials and community specialists gathered Tuesday morning in Missoula to discuss the states response to increased human trafficking rates and pay homage to National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

Globally in Montana everyone likes to think human trafficking and sex slavery dont happen in Montana because thats a big city problem, Attorney General Austin Knudsen said. Thats just sadly not the case.

In the last year, the states Division of Criminal Investigations department has seen a 65% uptick in human trafficking investigations  41 were investigated in 2020, with a jump to 68 in 2021. This does not include whats going on at local levels, Knudsen said.

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act, according to the Department of Homeland Security. A commercial sex act is the giving or receiving of anything of value (money, drugs, shelter, food, clothes, rent payment, etc.) to a person in exchange for a sex act, the Montana Department of Justice website says.

Those numbers are up from seven cases in 2015, just to put this in perspective, Knudsen said. Were facing a really growing problem here.

Last week, Gov. Greg Gianforte established January as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. He was present at Tuesdays discussion.

Neither urban, rural nor tribal communities are immune to the human trafficking crisis, Gianforte said. Tribal communities are especially impacted by trafficking, since cases contributed to rates of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Addressing this issue is going to take all of us, Gianforte said. He asked participants to detail what is and isnt working in the states response to combating human trafficking.

Many pointed to collaborative efforts across community agencies as being an effective tool for combating trafficking, along with raising awareness in public spaces, like middle and high schools, alongside more extensive training for law enforcement and criminal justice personnel.

We believe it should be one team, one mission, Missoula Police Chief Jaeson White said. Missoula averages about 10 human trafficking investigations a year.

Missoula Police Detective Guy Baker has been leading the way for training officials on human trafficking in Montana. He's been doing immersive sessions since 2014, and about 3,000 law enforcement and criminal justice personnel have been trained so far.

Billings is home to the highest rates of trafficking activity in the state, Baker said in an interview. He attributes this to the large number of massage parlors, which can be hubs for trafficking. Bozeman and Missoula fall second and third behind Billings for trafficking rates.

Billings is home to two DCI agents dedicated to investigating trafficking cases, DCI Administrator Bryan Lockerby said.

Its still not enough. We could have 10 more and wed still be just as busy as we are today, he said.

Lockerby attributed a recent increase in awareness and strengthened response to trafficking to the efforts of the work of community organizers, better prosecution and legislative policy and more public support.

All of this grassroots effort is having a significant impact, he said. I think our ultimate goal is that Montana is a bad place for human traffickers; dont do that here.

He also noted the pandemic has contributed to an uptick in human trafficking cases, with minors having more access to online sites where predators lurk.

The Montana Human Trafficking Hotline, started by the Lifeguard Group and run by volunteers across the state, has also bolstered the states response to the crisis. It was launched in 2020.

For example, a truck driver who had been through the training was at a stop at the Wye when two 13-year-olds knocked on his door and solicited sex. He immediately called 911, but by the time officers arrived the girls had gone. This was on a Thursday. The next Tuesday, a tip came in through the hotline about two girls at the Wye knocking on truckers' doors. It was the same case, Lifeguard Group President Lowell Hochhalter said.

The hotline has better allowed timely responses from law enforcement, and volunteers have seen more legitimate calls than they were expecting, he explained.

"If it's a victim calling, we know who to call for that victim to get an immediate response," he said.

Shantelle Gaynor, director of the Missoula County Community Justice Department, pointed to true prevention tactics to fight trafficking going forward  namely reducing an individuals vulnerability to being trafficked, which can mean ensuring they have stable housing and that theres prevention work being done at schools.

Theres also a need for specialized services for survivors who have experienced trafficking, Gaynor added.

I think we have real opportunities in the state to meet those needs, and with our public-private partnerships we can really build on those strengths, Gaynor said.

Speakers agreed allocating more funding and staff to educating children about risks in cyberspace is needed to squash traffickers' efforts online.

If you or anyone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the Montana Human Trafficking Hotline at 833-406-STOP or your local law enforcement agency.

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A former University of Virginia lacrosse player who fatally beat his girlfriend in 2010 has been ordered by a jury to pay $15 million in a wrongful death lawsuit. George Huguely V is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence in the killing of Yeardley Love after being convicted of second-degree murder in 2012. Huguely and Love both played lacrosse at UVA and had an on-again, off-again relationship before Huguely drunkenly killed her. The lawsuit sought $29.5 million in compensatory damages, plus $1 million in punitive damages. The jury ruled that $7.5 million in compensatory damages should be given to both Love's sister and her mother. Punitive damages weren't awarded.
The latest headlines and other things you should know today from the 2020 election.

There are 11 days until Election Day. Here's today's latest.

President Donald Trump's and Democratic rival Joe Biden's campaigns are assembling armies of powerful lawyers for the possibility that the race for the White House is decided not at the ballot box but in court.

They have been engaging in a lawyer's version of tabletop war games, churning out draft pleadings, briefs and memos to cover scenarios that read like the stuff of a law school hypothetical more than a real-life case in a democracy.

Dozens of attorneys for the Republicans and the Democrats are already clashing in courts across the U.S. over mailed-in ballot deadlines and other issues brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. And as Trump tries to sow doubt in the legitimacy of the Nov. 3 election, both sides have built massive legal operations readying for a bitterly disputed race that lands at the Supreme Court

Weve been preparing for this for well over a year," Republican National Committee Chief Counsel Justin Riemer told The Associated Press. "Weve been working with the campaign on our strategy for recount preparation, for Election Day operations and our litigation strategy.

Read more:

Q&A

Q: Can you trust the U.S. Postal service to deliver your ballot on time?

A: If you plan on voting by mail, election officials say it's best to do it as early as possible so your ballot gets to its destination well before Election Day, which is Nov. 3.

Read more:

Q: What states vote early, and when are those votes counted?

A: All states allow some form of early voting, be it by casting votes in person at polling places, voting by mail, or both. But each state has its own rules and timelines on when this occurs. Some started in September. Some dont start until mid-October, or even closer to Election Day on Nov. 3.

Q: What happens if the U.S. election is contested?

A: Even if the election is messy and contested in court, the country will have a president on Inauguration Day. The Constitution and federal law ensure it.

Here's what happens after voters go to the polls on Nov. 3:

In other election news:

What happens after the election?

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Four days after the election, the U.S. presidential race hovered in suspended animation Saturday as the long, exacting work of counting votes brought Democrat Joe Biden ever closer to a victory over President Donald Trump.

The delay in producing a verdict can be attributed to high turnout, a massive number of mail-in ballots and slim margins between the candidates. Biden held leads in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Georgia, putting him in an ever-stronger position to capture the 270 Electoral College votes needed to take the White House.

When Biden addressed the nation Friday night near his home in Wilmington, Delaware, he acknowledged the sluggish pace of the count can be numbing. But he added: Never forget the tallies arent just numbers: They represent votes and voters.

Standing alongside running mate Kamala Harris, Biden wasnt able to give the acceptance speech at that time that his aides had hoped. But he hit notes of unity, seemingly aimed at cooling the temperature of a heated, divided nation.

We have to remember the purpose of our politics isnt total unrelenting, unending warfare, he said. No, the purpose of our politics, the work of our nation, isnt to fan the flames of conflict, but to solve problems, to guarantee justice, to give everybody a fair shot.

Trump took to Twitter and remained out of sight as the results gradually expanded Bidens lead in must-win Pennsylvania. On Saturday, Trump repeated baseless allegations of election fraud and illegal voting, but they were quickly flagged as potentially misleading by the social media platform.

Trumps campaign was mostly quiet. It was a dramatic difference from earlier in the week, when officials vocally projected confidence and held news conferences announcing litigation in key states. But his inner circle was touched once again by the coronavirus.

Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, contracted the virus, according to two senior White House officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss private matters. Several other members of the White House staff and Trumps campaign team also tested positive.

Trumps handling of the pandemic has been the defining issue of the campaign. The president, first lady Melania Trump and several other people in Trumps orbit have fallen ill and recovered.

A few states remained in play in the race: Georgia and North Carolina were still too early to call, along with Pennsylvania and Nevada. In all four states the margins between Trump and Biden were too narrow and the number of ballots left to be counted too great for The Associated Press to declare a winner.

The uncertainty left Americans across the nation glued to their TVs and smartphones, checking for updates to a vote count that, for many, appeared to inch along.

The delays  and the reasons  varied from state to state. In Pennsylvania, officials were not allowed to begin processing mail-in ballots until Election Day under state law. In Nevada, there were a number of provisional ballots cast by voters who registered on Election Day, and officials had to verify their eligibility. Recounts could be triggered in both Pennsylvania and Georgia.

With his path to reelection appearing to greatly narrow, Trump was testing how far he could go in using the trappings of presidential power to undermine confidence in the vote.

Trump did claim that he won late on Election Night. He also tweeted that he had such a big lead in all of these states late into election night, only to see the leads miraculously disappear as the days went by, although it was well known that votes cast before Tuesday were still being legally counted.

Pro-Trump protesters  some openly carrying rifles and handguns  rallied outside vote-tabulation centers in a few cities Friday, responding to Trumps groundless accusations that the Democrats were trying to steal the White House. Roughly 100 Trump supporters gathered for a third straight day in front of the elections center in Phoenix, where hundreds of workers were processing and counting ballots.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a potential Republican presidential hopeful who has often criticized Trump, said there was no defense for Trump comments undermining our Democratic process. America is counting the votes, and we must respect the results as we always have before.

Election officials in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Nevada  both Republican and Democrat  have all said they saw no widespread voting irregularities or major instances of fraud or illegal activity.

Even Trumps own administration has pushed back at the claims of widespread voter fraud and illegal voting, without mentioning that Trump was the one making the allegations. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which oversees U.S. election security, also noted local election offices have detection measures that make it highly difficult to commit fraud through counterfeit ballots.

Up for the count: Election workers toil away in Pennsylvania

Bidens narrow but growing margin in the presidential race drew him closer to winning Pennsylvanias cache of 20 electoral votes as teams of ballot counters in some counties resumed their toil into the weekend.

The canvassing that in a normal year would have wrapped up Friday will carry into next week, with many counties waiting until Monday to begin going through provisional ballots.

Tens of thousands of remaining mail-in ballots  as well as the provisional ballots and those cast by military and overseas voters  will decide whether Biden's slim lead holds up or if Trump can find the votes he needs to repeat his 2016 victory in the state.

Not waiting: Biden transition team at work amid limbo

Joe Biden's transition team isn't waiting for a verdict in the presidential race before getting to work.

As officials continue to count ballots in several undecided states, longtime Biden aide Ted Kaufman is leading efforts to ensure the former vice president can begin building out a government in anticipation of a victory.

Kaufman is a former senator from Delaware who was appointed to fill the seat vacated when Biden was elected vice president. He also worked on Barack Obamas transition team in 2008, and helped write legislation formalizing the presidential transition process.

Biden first asked Kaufman to start work on a just-in-case transition in April, shortly after the former vice president locked up the presidential nomination at the conclusion of a once-crowded Democratic primary. Now, each day after the election that goes by without a declared winner is one day fewer to formally begin preparing to take over the White House.

The transition can be a frenzied process even under normal circumstances.

In the meantime, an odd political limbo has taken hold. The Biden team is moving forward but can't tackle all that needs to be accomplished; President Donald Trump continues to claim without evidence that the election is being stolen from him.

Trump's attacks on mail-in ballots rankle some military vets

With his presidency on the line, Trump is casting suspicion on a tool of participatory democracy  the mail-in ballot  that has allowed U.S. military personnel to vote while serving far from home since the War of 1812.

All the while, Trump insists that military voters' mail-in ballots must be counted. He even suggested on Friday  without presenting evidence  that some troops' mail-in ballots have gone missing.

In his dizzying effort to sow doubt about the integrity of the vote, Trump has been all over the map on mail-in voting. The broadsides have unsettled many veterans and former military brass who saw voting by mail as a tether to their civic duty when serving abroad.

Officials at all levels including in the Congress need to say to the president Sir, you need to exercise the same patience that the rest of the nation does,' said retired Navy Adm. Steve Abbot, who later served as deputy homeland security adviser in the George W. Bush administration.

Abbot is a member of Count Every Hero, a coalition of top military brass advocating for service members' votes to be protected and properly tallied. He added: It doesnt help this democracy for (Trump) to continue to sound this alarm. It's inappropriate."

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Serbia considers the UAE to be one of its top tourism markets due to its excellent airline accessibility and the fact that UAE citizens do not require a visa to enter that country.

"Serbia has everything to offer discerning visitors, and Expo 2020 Dubai is an excellent opportunity to present Serbia as a tourist destination to potential guests, Marija Labovic, CEO of the National Tourism Organisation of Serbia, said while unveiling the countrys new global tourism branding at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The National Tourism Organisation of Serbia plans to maintain Serbia's position as one of the fastest-growing leisure and business travel destinations in Eastern Europe. Stanimir Vukicevic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the UAE and Serbia Pavilion Director Igor Kovacevic were also in attendance at the event.

Serbia's tourism product was showcased by the National Tourism Organisation, which included short holidays in Serbian towns, active vacations in the wilderness, natural beauty, and events held in the country.

The presentations also focused on the country's cultural and gastronomic offerings, making it an ideal destination for family travel and its capabilities to be a leading meetings and events destination.

Labovic encouraged guests to explore Serbia's many adventures, natural attractions, and cultural diversity while promising them a unique and enticing experience.

A total of over 40 delegates, including hotels, destination management companies, and other representatives of the Serbian tourism industry, attended the event to network with local tour operators and travel agencies from the UAE.

Labovic added: "The event was held to show our commitment to setting a new standard for travel through safety and unique experiences as well as to strengthen relationships with business partners and find new ways to increase the number of visitors from the UAE and the wider region."

The event, which was the National Tourism Organisation of Serbia's first physical event in the UAE in three years, aimed to identify, develop, and implement growth opportunities for the benefit of all stakeholders. Furthermore, it seeks to contribute to the Serbian economy by improving, expanding, and promoting tourism.-- TradeArabia News Service
WASHINGTON  Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller on Tuesday announced plans to reduce U.S. troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying the decision fulfills President Donald Trumps pledge to bring forces home even as Republicans and U.S. allies warn against a rash withdrawal.

The new plan will accelerate troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan in Trump's final days in office, despite arguments from senior military officials in favor of a slower, more methodical pullout. Trump has refused to concede his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, who takes office Jan. 20, just five days after the troop withdrawals are slated to finish.

Miller, who refused to take questions from reporters, said the plan will cut the number of troops in Afghanistan from more than 4,500 to 2,500, and in Iraq from about 3,000 to 2,500. Miller added that the U.S. remains ready to respond if conditions deteriorate.

If the forces of terror, instability, division and hate begin a deliberate campaign to disrupt our efforts, we stand ready to apply the capabilities required to thwart them, he said in a roughly eight-minute statement to reporters in the Pentagon briefing room.

The withdrawal plan falls short of Trumps oft-repeated vow to end Americas long wars. It also runs counter to his guidance that troop withdrawals be based on the conditions on the ground, not a date on the calendar.

In Afghanistan, in particular, military and defense leaders have consistently said the Taliban has not yet met requirements to reduce violent attacks against Afghan government forces. U.S. forces have remained in Afghanistan since they invaded in October 2001.

The decision has already received a cool reception from some Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, and a somewhat uncharacteristically blunt critique from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Trumps national security adviser Robert OBrien said the president is keeping his promise to the American people to get U.S. troops out of war zones. By May, it is President Trumps hope that they will all come home safely and in their entirety, OBrien told reporters at the White House shortly after Miller made the announcement at the Pentagon.

I want to reiterate that this policy is not new, OBrien said. This has been the presidents policy since he took office.

A series of sweeping changes at the Pentagon last week that started with the firing of Defense Secretary of Mark Esper saw Trump loyalists installed in influential. Knowledgeable sources told CNN's Jake Tapper last week that the White House-directed purge at the Defense Department may have been motivated by the fact that Esper and his team were pushing back on a premature withdrawal from Afghanistan, which would be carried out before the required conditions on the ground were met.

The senior defense official claimed that "there is no reduction in capability" as a result of the drawdown, calling the reduction a "collaborative" decision while refusing to address a recent Pentagon memo that said conditions on the ground in Afghanistan did not warrant additional drawdowns.

Prior to his firing, Esper sent a classified memo to the White House asserting that it was the unanimous recommendation of the chain of command that the U.S. not draw down its troop presence in Afghanistan any further until conditions were met, sources familiar with the memo tell CNN.

The assessment from the chain of command  Esper, US Central Command leader Marine Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie and commander of NATO's mission in Afghanistan Gen. Austin Miller  stated that the necessary conditions had not been met. Others agreed, sources have told CNN.

Earlier on Tuesday, a newly released report from the Pentagon inspector general said the terrorist group al Qaeda is supportive of the Trump administration's plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan as well the U.S. agreement with the Taliban, adding that the Taliban carried out attacks on U.S. and coalition personnel since it was signed.

"The DIA reported that al-Qaeda leaders support the agreement because it does not require the Taliban to publicly renounce al-Qaeda and the deal includes a timeline for the United States and coalition forces to withdraw accomplishing one of al-Qaeda's main goals," the report said, referring to the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency.

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Today is Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. Let's get caught up.

These headlines are in the news this morning: Donald Trump's attempts to subvert the election have only intensified; Joe Biden's 78th birthday reminds U.S. of his status as oldest president; and the eighth federal execution of the year took place late Thursday night.

Read on for these stories, other top headlines, celebrity birthdays and more.

Top stories

Trump, allies make frantic steps to overturn Biden's victory

President Donald Trump and his allies are taking increasingly frantic steps to subvert the results of the 2020 election, including summoning state legislators to the White House as part of a longshot bid to overturn Joe Bidens victory.

Among other last-ditch tactics: personally calling local election officials who are trying to rescind their certification votes in Michigan, suggesting in a legal challenge that Pennsylvania set aside the popular vote there and pressuring county officials in Arizona to delay certifying vote tallies.

Election law experts see it as the last, dying gasps of the Trump campaign and say Biden is certain to walk into the Oval Office come January. But there is great concern that Trump's effort is doing real damage to public faith in the integrity of U.S. elections.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, one of Trumps most vocal GOP critics, accused Trump of resorting to overt pressure on state and local officials to subvert the will of the people and overturn the election. Romney added, It is difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action by a sitting American President.

***

Birthday time: Biden turns 78, will be oldest U.S. president

President-elect Joe Biden turned 78 on Friday. In two months, he'll take the reins of a politically fractured nation facing the worst public health crisis in a century, high unemployment and a reckoning on racial injustice.

As he wrestles with those issues, Biden will be attempting to accomplish another feat: demonstrate to Americans that age is but a number and he's up to the job.

Biden will be sworn in as the oldest president in the nations history, displacing Ronald Reagan, who left the White House in 1989 when he was 77 years and 349 days old.

***

US government executes man convicted of killing Texas teen

The U.S. government has executed a man who kidnapped and raped a 16-year-old Texas girl before dousing her with gasoline and burying her alive.

Late Thursday, Orlando Hall was put to death for abducting and killing the teenager, Lisa Rene. His was the eighth federal execution this year since the Trump administration revived a process that had been used just three times in the past 56 years. A judges stay over concerns about the execution drug gave Hall a reprieve, but for less than six hours. After the Supreme Court overturned the stay, he was put to death just before midnight.

In other news today ...

Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, leaders of the Democratic Party's left wing, are at risk of being excluded from the senior ranks of President-elect Joe Biden's administration as the incoming president balances the demands of his party's progressive base against the political realities of a narrowly divided Senate.

Biden said Thursday that he has decided whom to nominate as his secretary of the Treasury Department. Biden said that the announcement will come just before or after Thanksgiving and that youll find it is someone who I think will be accepted by all elements of the Democratic Party, progressives through the moderate coalition.

Twin Senate runoffs in Georgia are first and foremost about who will control the Senate for the opening of Bidens Democratic administration. But the campaign is also drawing plenty of 2024 GOP presidential hopefuls to the state.

A few miles south of the namesake tower where Donald Trump began his run for president, New York prosecutors are grinding away at an investigation into his business dealings that could shadow him long after he leaves office in January.

New York's attorney general has sent a subpoena to the Trump Organization for records related to consulting fees paid to Ivanka Trump as part of a broad civil investigation into the president's business dealings, a law enforcement official said Thursday.

A federal judge on Thursday blocked a Trump administration rule about to take effect that would have put up new roadblocks for asylum-seekers convicted of a variety of crimes.

Tyson Foods suspended top officials at its largest pork plant on Thursday and launched an investigation into allegations that they bet on how many workers would get infected during a widespread coronavirus outbreak.

Click on the links below for full versions of these stories and scroll further for trending stories, a look at today in history and celebrity birthdays.

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Today in history: Nov. 20 Britains future queen, Princess Elizabeth, married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey, and more events that happened on t

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U.S. government agencies and private companies rushed Monday to secure their computer networks following the disclosure of a sophisticated and long-running cyber-espionage intrusion suspected of being carried out by Russian hackers.

The full extent of the damage is not yet clear. But the potential threat was significant enough that the Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity unit directed all federal agencies to remove compromised network management software and thousands of companies were expected to do the same.

What was striking about the operation was its potential scope as well as the manner in which the perpetrators managed to pierce cyber defenses and gain access to email and internal files at the Treasury and Commerce departments and potentially elsewhere.

The intrusion was stark evidence of the vulnerability of even supposedly secure government networks, even after well-known previous attacks.

"It's a reminder that offense is easier than defense and we still have a lot of work to do," said Suzanne Spaulding, a former U.S. cybersecurity official who is now a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The identity of the perpetrator remained unclear. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of an ongoing investigation, told The Associated Press on Monday that Russian hackers are suspected.

The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, said the attack was carried out by Russian government hackers who go by the nicknames APT29 or Cozy Bear and are part of that nation's foreign intelligence service.

The intrusion came to light after a prominent cybersecurity firm, FireEye, learned it had been breached and alerted that foreign governments and major corporations were also compromised. The company did not say who it suspected, though many experts believed Russia was responsible given the level of skill involved.

U.S. authorities acknowledged that federal agencies were affected by the breach on Sunday, providing few details. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA, said in an unusual directive that the widely used network software SolarWinds had been compromised and should be removed from any system using it.

SolarWinds is used by hundreds of thousands of organizations around the world, including most Fortune 500 companies and multiple U.S. federal agencies. The perpetrators were able to embed malware in a security update issued by the company, based in Austin, Texas. Once inside, they could impersonate system administrators and have total access to the infected networks, experts said.

"Quite honestly, my heart sank when I saw some of the details, just the amount of information they could potentially have if they are reading everyone's emails and they are accessing sensitive files within places like Treasury or Commerce," said Ben Johnson, a former National Security Agency cyber-engineer who is now chief technology officer of software security firm Obsidian.

National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said Monday that the Trump administration was working with CISA, U.S. intelligence agencies, the FBI and government departments affected by the intrusion to coordinate a response.

"It's obviously incredibly significant and widespread," said Chris Painter, who coordinated cyber-policy at the State Department during the Obama administration. "How much was compromised? How much was exfiltrated? There are lots of open questions now."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Russia had "nothing to do with" the hack.

Cybersecurity experts said the nature and level of tradecraft involved in this latest effort suggest a foreign nation. Many have pointed out that the goal of the months-long effort appeared to be espionage and not information that could be quickly used for profit or to simply inflict damage. Russia was the most likely culprit, though China and perhaps others are potential candidates.

U.S. political history from the year you were born

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For state Rep. Tim Roche, his vote on a Maine resolution calling the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection an act of domestic terrorism and honoring law enforcement officers who keep the country safe and able to vote, was a personal one.

He thought about a time when his son, then a teenage Senate page for former Republican U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, scolded him for leaning against a desk during a tour of the U.S. Capitol.

He goes Dad what are you doing?,  Roche (R-Wells) said. He then asked his son if the desk belonged to someone of particular importance.

No, its a desk, his son replied, But its the desk of a Senator. Roche said his son went on to describe why leaning on a desk, something so minor in comparison to the insurrection, was disrespectful.

Richard Barnett, a supporter of President Donald Trump, sits inside the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 6, 2021. Demonstrators breached security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election electoral vote certification.

Fast forward to 2021. Roche remembers calling his son as rioters breached the Capitol hoping to stop the certification of now-President Joe Biden, and hearing his son cry on the other end of the phone.

He was legitimately in tears, Roche said. Hes a tough kid. Hes a businessman. He knows life. He goes, Dad, this is wrong, and hes a Republican.

Where their cases stand: Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendants include 4 from NH, Maine

Richard Barnett, a supporter of President Donald Trump, sits inside the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 6, 2021. Demonstrators breached security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election electoral vote certification.

It is so wrong, on every level that this is being accepted as anything but, in my mind, a terrorist group that that decided to do this, Roche said.

Roche wasnt surprised to see the majority of his House Republican colleagues  49 of them  vote no on Wednesday. He admits hes already considered a RINO, or Republican in Name Only, by some people in his party.

For state Maine state Rep. Tim Roche, R-Wells, his vote on a Maine resolution calling the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection an act of domestic terrorism and honoring law enforcement officers who keep the country safe and able to vote, was a personal one.

I heard people are already starting to talk about me, and the others (who voted yes), Im sure, he said. (They are saying) we somehow have abandoned our party and I disagree strongly. In fact, I think we made our party stronger by being able to say, this is wrong. What happened is wrong.

While the decision to support the resolution was a no-brainer for Roche, Rep. Amy Arata (R  New Gloucester) said she was unsure how to vote when the resolution first crossed her desk.

Story continues

Arata decided to support the measure, becoming one of just five House Republicans to do so. Arata did it because it was terrible with what these people did to the police officers.

Still, Arata called the vote highly political and rushed.

She struggled with using the term domestic terrorism to describe the events of Jan. 6, during which hundreds of protestors broke into the U.S. Capitol demanding that the presidency be given to Trump (more than 700 have been arrested). Arata said she understood why her colleagues opposed it.

U.S. Capitol Police officers hold rioters at gun point on Jan. 6, 2021.

A lot of the Republicans were like, Wait a minute. Were not sure it this was domestic terrorism,  Arata said. As for her vote, she pointed to insurrectionists chanting hang (Vice President) Mike Pence and eerie shouts in search of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

To me, theyre trying to terrorize somebody. That would make me terrified, she said. So thats, you know, one reason I decided to go ahead and vote yes. But I did not think it was an appropriate thing to be voting on at that time.

Rep. Patrick Corey (R-Windham) echoed some of Aratas concerns about the use of the words domestic terrorism, noting that no one has been charged with that particular crime in relation to the insurrection. But ultimately he said the sentiment of the resolution was right, so he also voted yes.

Still, Corey said it was written awfully and will further divide the Legislature. He said such a resolution could open the door for Republicans to write a resolution condemning violent summer protests.

I think its disunifying and intentionally put there for campaign reasons  Why throw gas on a fire? Corey said.

While no insurrectionist has been charged with domestic terrorism, the use of the term in association with the events of Jan. 6 has been used by both the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

Roche noted that even U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a staunch Republican, called it terrorism.

Rioters scale a wall at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Rep. Bruce Bickford (R-Auburn) called the resolution spot on.

It didnt attack any individual and politics, it didnt attack any party. So it was right. It was the right wording, I believe.

Bickford had no issue with the language. It was domestic terrorism, he said. I mean, that was brutal, what they did.

When asked if its the Republican Party line to oppose measures related to Jan. 6, Bickford said no. Nobodys ever told me how to vote, he said. And if they ever did, I certainly still voted the way I felt was proper.

Rep. William Tuell (R-Machias), the only other Republican yes vote, did not return a call by deadline Thursday. There were also 23 members absent on Wednesday for the start of the session.

Unanimous vote in Maine Senate

While a strong majority of House Republicans opposed the resolution, it passed the Maine Senate unanimously and without a roll call vote.

Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Allagash), who sponsored the resolution, said there was no controversy about recognizing the insurrection and supporting law enforcement in the Senate.

We passed that in the Senate under the hammer with no real conversation, Jackson said Thursday. He added that he spoke to Sen. Matthew Pouliot (R-Kennebec) beforehand, who said there were no problems with the resolution.

In this file photo, Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, attends a rally after the "No CMP Corridor" group submitted more than 75,000 signatures to election officials at the State Office Building, Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, in Augusta, Maine.

Corey said the Senate took it on the chin, but that the House, which he described as the more volatile body decided heck yeah, lets vote.

Arata said the resolution was a surprise, a sneak attack, and that it should have been on the House calendar. Because the measure originated in the Senate, it would have never been on the calendar and would have to be sent as a supplemental.

Jackson said the complaints about it being a surprise, which came from a few Republicans during floor debate Wednesday, show that they are clueless about the (legislative) process.

Yesterday was the first day of the damn session, Jackson said. So they ought to probably figure out how to do their job before they start criticizing that stuff.

Jackson also said Republicans who voted against the resolution are hypocritical.

These people are the first ones to hold up the Constitution and wrap themselves in the flag, and theyre not willing to stand up and at least recognize those (law enforcement) people down there that stood up against a massive hoard, regardless what you want to call them, and did their job, Jackson said.

This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor, a local journalism product published by The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, a nonpartisan and nonprofit civic news organization.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine lawmakers, including 5 GOP reps, vote to condemn Jan 6 riot
The United States Mint has begun shipping quarters honoring writer, poet, performer, social activist, and teacher Maya Angelou.

Angelou, the first of five trailblazing women included in the Mint's American Women Quarters Program, is also the first Black woman to appear on a U.S. quarter.

"It is my honor to present our Nation's first circulating coins dedicated to celebrating American women and their contributions to American history," Mint Deputy Director Ventris C. Gibson said in a news release. "Each 2022 quarter is designed to reflect the breadth and depth of accomplishments being celebrated throughout this historic coin program. Maya Angelou, featured on the reverse of this first coin in the series, used words to inspire and uplift."

The reverse side of the new quarter depicts Angelou with her arms uplifted. Behind her are a bird in flight and a rising sun: images inspired by her poetry and the way she lived her inimitable life.

Maya Angelou Quarter

United States Mint

"As a leader in the civil rights movement, poet laureate, college professor, Broadway actress, dancer, and the first female African American cable car conductor in San Francisco, Maya Angelou's brilliance and artistry inspired generations of Americans," Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), House sponsor of the bill, said in a statement. "I am proud to have led this effort to honor these phenomenal women, who more often than not are overlooked in our country's telling of history. If you find yourself holding a Maya Angelou quarter, may you be reminded of her words, 'be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity.'"

Each year until 2025 as part of the American Women Quarters Program, the Mint will issue five quarters honoring individuals with a variety of accomplishments across numerous fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts.

Story continues

In addition to Angelou, this year's honorees include physicist and first woman astronaut Dr. Sally Ride; activist for Native American and women's rights Wilma Mankiller; Nina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexico's suffrage movement and the first female superintendent of Santa Fe public schools; and Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood.

Angelou was the author of more than 30 bestselling titles, including her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. She passed away in 2014, at the age of 86.

The Mint advises speaking with your local bank regarding availability of the Angelou quarters in late January and early February.
After being abruptly stopped Dec. 8, candidate filing for the 2022 election will resume Feb. 24.

That comes after an order issued Tuesday by the Superior Court of Wake County. The order by a three-judge panel upheld state legislative and congressional district maps being challenged in redistricting-related lawsuits, according to information from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

The N.C. Supreme Court suspended candidate filing on Dec. 8 for all offices for the 2022 primary election and pushed back the 2022 primary while legal challenges to the new districts were considered.

Filing will start again at 8 a.m. Feb. 24 and end at noon March 4, the state elections board said.

The primary election will be held May 17, said Debbie Mace, director of elections for Burke County. Early voting for the primary will start Thursday, April 28 and end Saturday, May 14.

Early voting sites in 2022 will be at the Burke County Board of Elections, Glen Alpine Town Hall, East Burke Library and Senior Center in Hildebran, Morganton Senior Center and Rutherford College Town Hall.

Candidates in Burke County who filed for election before it was stopped on Dec. 8 are:

Republicans for county commissioners (two seats open)  Tom Johnson, Jennie Cook and Randy Burns.

Republicans for sheriff  Richard Epley and Banks Hinceman.

Republicans for clerk of court  Crystal Carpenter and Bryan Steen.

Democrats for clerk of court  Becky Weatherman.

Republicans for NC House Seat 86  Hugh Blackwell.

Republicans for NC Senate Seat 46  Warren Daniel.

Candidates in Burke County who have opened campaign committees but have not filed are:

Republicans for county commissioners  Beth Heile, who opened a campaign committee Jan. 10, and Pam Deloach, who opened a campaign committee Aug. 24.

Republicans for clerk of court  Eric Duckworth, who opened a campaign committee March 29.

Filing for Soil and Water Conservation district supervisor in Burke County (two seats) starts June 13 and ends July 1.

The 2022 general election will be on Nov. 8.
First Call Resolution, otherwise known as FCR, is no longer using its facility in the Butte Plaza Mall, at least not for the foreseeable future. A sign on the front door states the site will no longer be staffed as all colleagues are moved to remote work, effective Jan. 7.

A year ago, only 2% of its employees worked out of the facility.

The company president, Matthew Achak, explained in an email Tuesday that all FCR Butte employees continue to be employed by FCR in a safe, at home environment. Achak said their latest poll indicated more than 90% of their workforce prefer working at home.

A decision to return to the facility will not be made any time soon. Until the omicron (and next variant) waves are past us, we will continue to operate at home, explained Achak.

FDR, which is based out of Eugene, Oregon, opened its Butte division in July 2019.

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Worldwide, nationwide and right here in Butte, the omicron variant has set up shop and does not show any signs of leaving here anytime soon.

Cases have risen across the United States, including Montana, which is experiencing an upsurge.

The Montana Department of Health & Human Services reported Monday there were 1,939 new COVID cases from last weekend. Gallatin County alone accounted for 694 of the new cases with Missoula County at nearly 300.

In Butte-Silver Bow, there were 63 new cases.

Marcee Cameron of the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department knows firsthand about the escalating cases.

Omicron is spreading like wildfire, said Cameron, who believes "masks are needed now more than ever.

Cameron, who coordinates all the vaccine clinics the department schedules, hopes residents take omicron seriously. She explained the cases here in Butte are rising since last week to a point where health officials cant keep up with their contact tracing.

Were doing the best we can, said Cameron.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, omicron symptoms are much like the common cold  cough and congestion, a runny nose, night sweats, fatigue and a sore or scratchy throat, and like the common cold, omicron is highly contagious.

Getting the vaccine and/or the booster is still highly recommended.

People that are not vaccinated are getting far sicker, Cameron said.

Vaccines and boosters remain available. Each week, the local health department holds a by-appointment-only clinic from 9 a.m. until late afternoon Tuesdays, depending on the demand.

Appointments are needed because some who come in for vaccines and/or boosters are older or have underlying conditions. She also encourages residents to call if they have a question rather that stopping by the offices at 25 W. Front St.

Its best to keep everyone safe, she said.

Its all about the kids on Wednesdays, when a pediatric clinic is from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Butte Plaza Mall. The clinic is much needed, according to Cameron, as they are seeing younger children with omicron. She also encourages parents to keep on hand a pulse oximeter, which monitors oxygen levels.

Its as important as having a thermometer, she shared.

On any given week, health officials may hold a couple more clinics, depending on the need. Residents are asked to call in advance at 406-497-5020 or check out the health department's Facebook page.

Other facilities that provide COVID vaccinations and boosters are the pharmacies at Walmart (406-494-1420), Safeway (406-494-3754), Walgreens (406-782-5471), and CVS (406-723-9408), and Southwest Montana Community Health Center, 445 Centennial Ave., (406-723-4075). Appointments are necessary.

Residents who feel they may have the virus, can get tested at:

SMCHC at 445 Centennial Ave., 406-723-4075. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Native Wellness Center at 55 E. Galena St., 406-782-0461. Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m. to noon.

At present, there are 331 active cases in Butte-Silver Bow County, with 21,189 residents fully immunized.

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Montana politicians, law enforcement officials and community specialists gathered Tuesday morning in Missoula to discuss the states response to increased human trafficking rates and pay homage to National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

Globally in Montana everyone likes to think human trafficking and sex slavery dont happen in Montana because thats a big city problem, Attorney General Austin Knudsen said. Thats just sadly not the case.

In the last year, the states Division of Criminal Investigations department has seen a 65% uptick in human trafficking investigations  41 were investigated in 2020, with a jump to 68 in 2021. This does not include whats going on at local levels, Knudsen said.

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act, according to the Department of Homeland Security. A commercial sex act is the giving or receiving of anything of value (money, drugs, shelter, food, clothes, rent payment, etc.) to a person in exchange for a sex act, the Montana Department of Justice website says.

Those numbers are up from seven cases in 2015, just to put this in perspective, Knudsen said. Were facing a really growing problem here.

Last week, Gov. Greg Gianforte established January as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. He was present at Tuesdays discussion.

Neither urban, rural nor tribal communities are immune to the human trafficking crisis, Gianforte said. Tribal communities are especially impacted by trafficking, since cases contributed to rates of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Addressing this issue is going to take all of us, Gianforte said. He asked participants to detail what is and isnt working in the states response to combating human trafficking.

Many pointed to collaborative efforts across community agencies as being an effective tool for combating trafficking, along with raising awareness in public spaces, like middle and high schools, alongside more extensive training for law enforcement and criminal justice personnel.

We believe it should be one team, one mission, Missoula Police Chief Jaeson White said. Missoula averages about 10 human trafficking investigations a year.

Missoula Police Detective Guy Baker has been leading the way for training officials on human trafficking in Montana. He's been doing immersive sessions since 2014, and about 3,000 law enforcement and criminal justice personnel have been trained so far.

Billings is home to the highest rates of trafficking activity in the state, Baker said in an interview. He attributes this to the large number of massage parlors, which can be hubs for trafficking. Bozeman and Missoula fall second and third behind Billings for trafficking rates.

Billings is home to two DCI agents dedicated to investigating trafficking cases, DCI Administrator Bryan Lockerby said.

Its still not enough. We could have 10 more and wed still be just as busy as we are today, he said.

Lockerby attributed a recent increase in awareness and strengthened response to trafficking to the efforts of the work of community organizers, better prosecution and legislative policy and more public support.

All of this grassroots effort is having a significant impact, he said. I think our ultimate goal is that Montana is a bad place for human traffickers; dont do that here.

He also noted the pandemic has contributed to an uptick in human trafficking cases, with minors having more access to online sites where predators lurk.

The Montana Human Trafficking Hotline, started by the Lifeguard Group and run by volunteers across the state, has also bolstered the states response to the crisis. It was launched in 2020.

For example, a truck driver who had been through the training was at a stop at the Wye when two 13-year-olds knocked on his door and solicited sex. He immediately called 911, but by the time officers arrived the girls had gone. This was on a Thursday. The next Tuesday, a tip came in through the hotline about two girls at the Wye knocking on truckers' doors. It was the same case, Lifeguard Group President Lowell Hochhalter said.

The hotline has better allowed timely responses from law enforcement, and volunteers have seen more legitimate calls than they were expecting, he explained.

"If it's a victim calling, we know who to call for that victim to get an immediate response," he said.

Shantelle Gaynor, director of the Missoula County Community Justice Department, pointed to true prevention tactics to fight trafficking going forward  namely reducing an individuals vulnerability to being trafficked, which can mean ensuring they have stable housing and that theres prevention work being done at schools.

Theres also a need for specialized services for survivors who have experienced trafficking, Gaynor added.

I think we have real opportunities in the state to meet those needs, and with our public-private partnerships we can really build on those strengths, Gaynor said.

Speakers agreed allocating more funding and staff to educating children about risks in cyberspace is needed to squash traffickers' efforts online.

If you or anyone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the Montana Human Trafficking Hotline at 833-406-STOP or your local law enforcement agency.

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